Miko and Raf stopped as they reached a clearing. A small river, much smaller than the one by Maximal base, split the clearing in two.
"How about a break?" Miko asked her younger companion.
The young teen fifteen year old nodded, going to the water's edge. He knelt down, dipping his hands in and splashing some on his face.
Miko sat on the small boulder next to the smaller teen, fixing her ponytail.
"Hey Miko?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you think the others really will find us?"
The human femme blinked in surprise, then laughed.
"Of course I do. What, you thought they'd just leave us to die? Nah, the clan'll come find us."
Raf looked up at her as he replaced his glasses.
"I know they wouldn't purposely leave us, but what if they can't find us? They could be miles, even countries away!"
Miko sighed, crouching next to him and tapping the three small scars on the male's cheek.
"This is why I know they'll come for us, no matter how long it takes. Dude, we've fought for them, they've fought for us, we've shed blood together! We're all a clan. And clan members never give up on eachother."
A small smile played at Raf's lips, and Miko returned it with a grin of her own. The human femme then stood, holding a hand out to her younger friend.
"C'mon now, up! We gotta find a safe place to rest before the sun dissapears."
Autobot base
The base had been, actually, fairly quiet since Jack had left for a Junior student fieldtrip. Miko, finding it wasn't fun if no one was after her about following the 'bots, had settled with Raf to play video games.
Ratchet had been at the main monitor, searching for energon when he found something rather...odd.
"Optimus, I think you should see this."
The Prime's gaze turned away from Bulkhead and Arcee, their conversation coming to a sudden stop. Optimus moved over to the medic.
"What is it, Ratchet?"
"Now I might be mistaken, but Miko and Rafael are right there, but there life signs are in the forest just west of Jasper."
Everyone looked up, confused.
"Doc, we're right here! How can we be there and here? I mean, it would be awesome if we could, but we obviously can't." Miko piped up, confused as well.
Optimus was silent for a long moment, inspecting the lifesignals.
"...Ratchet, start the groundbridge. Autobots, prepare to roll out."
They all nodded in response.
Forest
Miko and Raf had been walking along when they heard the familiar sound of a groundbridge opening.
Miko shoved Raf behind a tree.
"Stay here, I'll check it out."
Raf went to protest, but Miko was already heading towards the noise.
She gaped at what she saw, then smiled.
"I knew it! I knew you guys would find us!" Miko cheered, running into the clearing and hugging the large, green Cybertronians leg.
"M...Miko?"
"Bulkhead! I'm right here!" Another voice chimmed.
The human femme looked up in shock, then jumped away, pulling out her twin blasters.
"Whoops! Not the Maximals!"
Raf ran out from hidding, EMP generators at the ready.
"Miko?! You okay?!"
"Woah, hold it up Raf! Not the Maximals...but maybe not enemies."
A girl, younger by a year than Miko, but looking exactly the same moved forward.
"Dudes! Why're you tryin' to steal our life signals?" She asked, examining the older look alike of herself.
"What do you mean? We...Ugh, alright, let's start over. Your name's Miko, but that's my name too." The older of the two stated, earning a nod. She then sighed.
"Alright, then call me Nakadai. Now, who are you guys?" The older femme asked, looking at the Cybertronians.
"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots." Optimus said calmly, moving forward.
The older version of Raf piped up.
"Oh! I think I know what happened!"
Nakadai turned, grinning.
"Enlighten us then, oh wise one."
Raf rolled his eyes at her nickname for him.
"It's just a theory. But considering there's another Miko, and other versions of the Maximals, then I think we've been transported. To another dimension."
Nakadai let out a long whistle.
"Well I'll be scrapped!" She then looked at Miko.
"Full name Miko Nakadai? Exchanged student?"
Miko nodded.
"And ya got another human named Raf on your side? A third named Jack?"
Miko gaped.
"Duuude! The older Raf's totally right!"
Nakadai laughed.
"This is totally weird!"
Optimus stepped forward.
"I believe explainations are in order. But perhaps it would be best if we spoke at a place much safer."
Miko and Raf nodded in agreement.
"Right dude. Where to?"
Elsewhere
A shadow darted through the tree tops, silent and quick.
Jack paused, lifting his head up and taking a taste of the wind. Nothing yet.
A soft growl played in his throat. Where were they? Where was his clan?
Hearing the sound of water nearby, he jumped down, landing almost silent.
He walked up to the small stream he had found, examining the water for a moment before deeming it clean and cupping his hands, dipping them in.
He quickly got his fill, and stood when his thirst was quenched.
A sudden strike of dread went through him as his senses were overwhelmed.
Scents and sounds overcame him.
Hunt for clan! Fight!
Jack grabbed his head, doubling over.
"N-no!"
Feel Earth, embrace instinct!
Jack shook his head violently.
"I s-said no!"
The teen forced himself to block out the sounds and smells around him. He had to find his friends, his clan. Now wasn't the time to fight with himself.
Straightening, he took a whiff of the air. Nothing here, but if he followed the stream, he was sure to find their scent.
Touching the knife at his side, ensuring it was still there, he took off up stream.