Hello folks!

I'll be brief today and just say thank you to all who have read this and have reviewed, favorited and followed my stories. It really means a lot to me. I love you all to pieces.

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. Yadda, yadda, yadda. You get the point. Please relax, read, and review. Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Dreams in Darkness

"What the hell is that thing?"

"What does it look like?"

"But one that big? Are you kidding? That thing is way too advanced to be made by humans!"

"No shit! And where exactly do you think it came from then? Outer space?"

Back and forth we went in our heated, whisper-yelled argument. Honestly, the female twin had no idea why they were arguing over such a ridiculous trifle as they crouched at the mouth of the tunnel. They weren't toddlers for Pete's sake, but it was as if someone had lit a match next to a keg of gunpowder and their tempers just suddenly flared. They both just felt so angry. They wanted to…to…to what?

Just as quickly as their tempers had ignited, the twins both immediately stopped what they were doing, surprised at their own thoughts.

It was then that as the duo shared an apologetic look that they suddenly realized how bone-tired they both looked. No wonder their tempers were running on such short fuses.

Of course, up until now, neither of them had fully realized it. They had stubbornly been tromping around dark cave tunnels without much respite. But now as their previous adrenaline rushes wore off along with the last dregs of their energy, the remainder of their mental clarity seemed to have been sapped from them as well. It was as if they had been moving on autopilot; a single-minded determination driving them with their one goal in mind. Now however, they were faced with yet another problem, and their exhausted minds and bodies just could not keep up.

As if they were on the same wavelength, the duo silently glanced over one another, taking note of the exhausted fog that seemed to cloud their eyes. Though to an outsider, it would have just looked like they were gazing intently at each other; through way of micro-expressions, they silently communicated with each other.

Both of them were too tired for anymore drama. That much they could agree on. They could not think clearly and had expended most of their energy trying to get away; they needed to rest while they could before either of them dropped dead. Anymore 'excitement' and they would probably keel over and end up as…

Don't think about it, the female twin mentally berated herself, shaking her head slightly. Thinking about it will do you no good.

Glancing back up at her twin, she caught his eye; you could see that he knew full well what his sister had been thinking about and had chosen to ignore it. Shaking her head again, she deliberately looked at the robot before meeting her brother's eye again, worry and suspicion evident in her gaze.

'What about the robot? What are we going to do about it?' she seemed to say. Suddenly, a devastating realization came to her already sluggish mind, and fear made its way into her eyes, her entire frame tensing. 'What if they own it? What then? What do we do if it turns on and tries to kill us?'

She was so tired that her fraying nerves were causing her to panic.

However, as she looked at him, her sibling's gaze only spoke of understanding. He knew and he understood; he always did.

The male twin could only shrug lightly, his eyes saying it all. 'I don't know. We'll just have to think about that when we get there.' Then he looked around at the cave before glancing back at the tunnel they had come from. A tired smirk graced his exhausted features and his sister interpreted his gestures perfectly.

In the defense of the robot, while its presence didn't exactly sit well with either of them, it hadn't technically harmed them…yet. Besides, tech that large and advanced would take some time to power up, giving them some forewarning ahead of time. Not to mention, that it would still probably require an operator inside of it. But even if it was controlled remotely, by the looks of it, they were so far underground that no clear signal would probably reach this far down through the bedrock to have enough strength to control it.

Still the girl frowned. So the boy tapped his ear and gestured around at the high-ceiling. Reluctantly, the girl nodded, though she seemed to be put a little more at ease. Thanks to the elevated ceiling, they could get pretty good acoustics from the cavern and tunnel walls and probably hear if someone was coming.

It made sense, but it also gave the girl another idea. In the green light of the phosphorescent stick, she tapped her ear twice before pointing at the robot. 'What if the robot is bugged?'

Again, her brother tapped the solid rock and she nodded, barely concealing a yawn. In response, her twin smiled just as tiredly only to fail spectacularly as he tried to quash his own oncoming yawn.

And so eventually it was decided: they agreed that they would stay there for the time being and get some much needed rest. And later, when they finally woke up, they would decide things from there.

Of course, still being paranoid from their experiences, they both refused to go to sleep until they searched the cave thoroughly from top to bottom and argued for about five minutes or so about if one of them should stay awake to keep watch for a bit.

In the end though, the twins just gave up and decided that they could risk it so as to make sure that neither of them collapsed from exhaustion later. Soon enough, sleep overcame the duo, and they both curled up together in a corner of the dark cavern where people would have trouble spotting them among the earthen spikes and strange blue crystals.

If only they knew that this was just the beginning.

—Female Twin's POV—

Where…Where am I? I thought as I looked around.

"Lunick? Lu, where are you?" I called out, my voice echoing.

All around me it was dark, almost pitch-black, but for some reason, I could see things clearly. Even my own body was visible to me, as though I was standing under a spotlight that only illuminated my body. I was still wearing the uniform that my brother and I were always required to wear when we were with them. However, the fabric felt somewhat nicer than before, not to mention clean and devoid of any tears or rips. My feet on the other hand, were completely bare and I could feel that I was standing on something cool and smooth. Metal maybe? What was the most surprising of all though was that all my previous injuries were now gone, as if they had never existed, leaving my skin blemish free with an almost healthy glow about it.

Taking a breath of fresh air, I looked around and saw that the darkened landscape was peppered with millions of glowing lights all around me. Were they stars?

I walked over and kneeled next to a blue-colored one to take a closer look.

Wait, not stars, I realized, examining the one before me. It seemed to be some kind of ball of light or a cluster of energy that was about half a foot wide in diameter, sky blue, and seemed to almost hum a bit as its light fluctuated every so often, hovering in the air a foot off the ground. For a moment, I thought that I even heard whispers coming from it.

Standing up again, I glanced around at the millions of others that dotted the landscape, floating here and there, near and all around me; their numbers stretched out into the vast distance and across the flat landscape. In the distance, I could make out the outlines of what could possibly be mountains on the horizon, with a faint hint of light coming from behind them as though sunrise was nearing. However, even that feeble amount of illumination brought no light to my surroundings.

A breeze rushed past me, almost caressing me softly as it seemed to carry the sound of more indecipherable whispering.

Anyways, I noticed how no two orbs of light were exactly the same. They were of all different shapes—as the fluctuating energy couldn't seem to settle on one definite form—and sizes, even differing in colors and intensities.

Some glowed a blood-red; others were blue like the sky or a sapphire; even a couple were colors like green, purple, orange, silver, and golden yellow. They were just all over the place, spanning far and wide. Here and there, some orbs floated in clusters of four or five, while others bobbed along in pairs of two or three, appearing to look almost identical as they pulsed at the same rhythm. And even at the distance that I stood from a majority of them, I noticed how some, who scampered about, appeared to be as tiny and as miniscule as a mouse, while others were even taller and larger than I was several times over. It was both amazing and awe-inspiring.

For what felt like the first time in forever, I felt a sense of peace and tranquility spread over me, bringing a small smile to my face.

Just then, I noticed another blue orb floating toward me. It was larger than the other sphere of energy, about two feet wide, and seemed to be a more vibrant shade of blue if it was possible.

It seemed to be brimming with joyful energy as it hovered in front of my face for a moment before playfully dancing all around me in an almost dizzying manner. Doing several loop-dee-loops and corkscrews through the air in front of me, I couldn't help but giggle a little at its child-like energy.

Then I paused, staring down at the ground. How long had it been since I had last laughed, or even smiled genuinely like this?

As if sensing my emotions, the orb hovered near my face again, and I swore I could feel worry coming off of it. The glow about it pulsed, the energy tickling my nose a bit before retracting, as if to say 'cheer up.'

The odd whispering got louder, though I still couldn't make out the words.

Without even realizing it, I had slowly reached out my hand to touch it. My fingers were about an inch away from contact before common sense returned to me and I retracted my hand quickly.

"Hush now, little one, everything will be alright," soothed a deep, metallic-sounding voice that seemed to reverberate a bit, coming from all around. Somehow, just by listening to those words, I found myself torn. I felt like I could believe him, but years of learned caution told me otherwise.

"Who– Who are you? Show yourself!" I called boldly into the surrounding darkness, silently cursing myself for stuttering as my voice seemed to echo eerily.

"That would be unwise," the voice replied. He didn't sound offended at my lack of manners.

To my left, the orb hovered next to me at shoulder height.

"Oh?" I questioned in a haughty tone that I think anyone would have taken offense to. "What's a matter? Afraid to show yourself, coward?" I taunted. Rude and possibly unwise, I know but it's my defense mechanism for situations like these.

In response, I heard a deep rumbling sound that reverberated and shook the ground a bit (along with me too). Was he…laughing at me?

"You have heart, dear spark," the disembodied voice rumbled amusedly. "Very well, little one. I shall grant your request, but I ask that you please attempt to refrain from screaming or dissolving into hysteric. I believe that you humans call it 'freaking out.'"

Scowling, I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my bare foot impatiently on the ground. "Fine, fine. But I don't see what the big deal is."

Man did I eat those words.

The landscape rippled and changed, like someone was redoing their sand-art. Stars hung overhead, still visible, as the white glow from the sunrise now illuminated my surroundings more clearly. I was standing atop a single grassy hill where there grew only a single tree and sat a lone boulder. Oddly enough, it was situated in the middle of a metal, mechanized landscape that seemed to go for miles. To the northwest, I could see the gleaming outline of a sparking city, but I got an odd feeling of foreboding as I scrutinized it, watching as faint plumes of smoke rose from it. It was like some battle had been fought there recently, but it was too far away to tell. Behind me, to the south, there was this huge reddish-brown cloud that hung in the distance, reminding me slightly of rust. Anyways, aside from those features and the mountains to the east where the sun rose, that was all I could make out as no matter how hard or where I looked, the scenery seemed to be covered in a faint mist.

But that wasn't the real shocker.

As if caught in an earthquake, the landscape rumbled, causing me to fall back onto my ass, before a huge crack opened up and a humongous white and blue figure rose out of it. And when I say humongous, I mean that he could probably use the Chrysler building as a baseball bat and a redwood tree as a toothpick. And to top it all off, he was a giant freaking robot!

Somewhere in the back of my shock-riddled mind, I faintly registered that I kept mouthing the words 'What the hell. What the hell. What the hell,' over and over as I stared up at the being in shock; my eyes practically bugging out of their sockets. Around me, the colorful orbs seemed to both want get closer to the giant and his commanding presence, yet also back away in either fear or respect in response to the powerful aura he exuded.

For a moment, I could only gape up at him, opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water. He seemed to be watching me, standing completely still as if not to spook me. Too late for that; I was already in shock.

Eventually, I managed to make myself form coherent words.

"What the…what is this? Please tell me that this is a dream because I'd really rather not be dead," I finally managed to squeak, looking up at the being in horror.

He laughed again, a deep, booming sound that washed over my frame and made me want to smile in response, despite my panic. "Of a sort," the unnamed being replied with a knowing smile on his ginormous features. H-E-double toothpick! If he wanted, he could probably eat me whole and have no problems digesting me.

Carefully, he knelt down, orbs moving out of the way for him, as he brought his much larger face closer to my entire being. Later on, if anyone were to ask me what he exactly looked like, I couldn't tell them exactly as even I had trouble taking in his entire frame. But even as he still towered over my insignificant height, I fearlessly gazed back at him, watching as the beautiful shining lights that functioned as his eyes seemed to transition from gold to blue to red to multiple other colors that I couldn't really name at the moment. All I knew was that when I looked into them, I saw a kind and gentle being that didn't actually mean me any harm.

"Little warrioress,"the titan spoke softly, "I have an important task for you. Do you accept?"

Though still slightly intimidated, I managed to cock my head to the side in confusion. "Task? I thought you said that this was a dream."

He shook his head slightly, careful not to disturb the spheres of light with any fast movements. "I did not say that exactly; I said 'of a sort'," he corrected, sounding uncannily like my brother for a moment.

Standing up again, I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him my best unimpressed look.

"Geez, that doesn't sound cryptic at all," I muttered sarcastically. Despite the fact that I'm pretty damn sure that my remark wasn't all that loud, his smirk told me otherwise.

After that though, silence reigned, but I could still feel his penetrating stare upon me, as though he was waiting. You could practically feel the battle of wills going on between us, or my inevitably doomed struggle against an unstoppable tide.

Eventually though, his penetrating stare got to me, and I gave in, sighing. "Fine, I'm listening. What do you want me to do?"

Looking extremely pleased, he smiled as though I had both just asked the million-dollar question and answered another in one go.

"My task for you is simple," he said, "I wish for you to revive the one who was not ready to die with your powers."

He made it sound so simple and easy, and yet…

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Hold on. Back up. Rewind. You want me to 'revive' who with what now? And powers? I don't have any powers!" I practically screamed at the giant. "Well, unless you include being able to beat people senseless in less than thirty seconds, but that is hardly something to—"

"Jazz," the being cut into my tirade, "His designation is Jazz."

As he said the name, the playful orb that hovered next to me, shivered a bit, dimming slightly for a moment.

"Well whoop-dee-do for him," I muttered as the giant continued to talk.

"And while you may not realize it yet, you do possess an extraordinary power, both you and your brother," he said with all the calmness and patience in the world, yet I got the feeling that I should not test it any further for now.

"I– Well that's– it's completely—"

I just could not get the right words out, but eventually I managed.

"But how? Hell! I don't even know who you're talking about."

By now I felt like I was close to tears, sounding slightly frantic as I flapped my arms emphatically.

"And why me?! Why me of all people?" I didn't mean to sound so whiny or hysteric, but this was getting ridiculous in my opinion. I felt like I was getting swept away, with no way to steer my course. In an attempt to calm myself, I settled upon the boulder underneath the tree, the blue orb following. It was almost completely sunrise now.

Somehow, he must have sensed my inner turmoil and possibly understood how I felt because his gaze softened, a kind look on his face.

Can it still be considered 'inner turmoil' if you're in a dream?

"You will know in time dear spark," he told me, sounding sympathetic.

For the longest time, I just sat there, dumbstruck, silently thinking. Then, glancing up again, I observed the gentle giant thoughtfully, my previously panicked thoughts now calming. Finally, I came to a conclusion.

Straightening up and squaring my shoulders as I stood, I said boldly, "Okay then. Be that way. But answer me this: What's in it for me? What do I gain from helping you?"

In that instant that followed those words, I knew that I had asked the question he had been waiting for; white and blue giant smiled down at me in an almost proud manner, chuckling softly. "I expected no less from you," he said. "Very well. In return for your efforts, you and your brother will be granted the one thing you desire most: family."

I froze; I didn't even know his name but he had managed to hit the hammer on the nail.

"What about the…guys that are chasing us? I know that they aren't going to allow that to happen."

"A valid point young one," the giant rumbled. "But you need not worry. Once you learn to trust them, and they you, they will protect you both at any cost from the danger of those who pursue you and others who would wish to harm to you and your twin."

As he said that, I stood there, pondering his words, as well as my options.

Looking towards the mountains, I guessed that I had maybe a couple minutes left until sunrise.

It seemed like a pretty sweet deal, but years of learned caution taught me to be wary. This was too sweet to believe that I would get all that I wanted just like that. I knew all too well that everything came with a price. But if so, what was his motive? And he still hadn't really answered my question as to why me. But glancing back up at the ancient being's face, I got the feeling that I wouldn't get a straight answer anytime soon.

"Fine," I relented, figuring that it was best to comply since this technically was just a dream. "Who is this Jazz person? Where can I find him? And how do I revive him?"

The sun had now risen and I had a feeling that it was only a matter of seconds before it was time.

The metal being just smiled warmly before bringing the tip of his tree-sized digit to my forehead. Warmth filled me at the same instant as the information started pouring into me. Images flashed before my eyes in an almost sickening whirl of color, each blazing by too fast for me to make out anything clearly. Then suddenly it stopped and everything around me began to fade, losing focus and blacking out. The last thing I heard was the being's voice saying, "Good luck little Solana. Remember that there always those you can still trust. 'Til all are one."

The last thing I thought was: I should have gotten a blood-oath from him.

So they finally have names. Hip-hip-horay! Give it up for the new up and coming terror twins: Solana and Lunick!

Oh and guys? Before I write the next chapter, I would really appreciate it if you guys could help me with how Jazz speaks. Like if he pronounces 'g' as a 'j' like in Jacques (which I know he doesn't). Even if it is one little thing or how he says a particular phrase, I'd appreciate it if you guys could help to make Jazz more realistic.

Oh and who do you guys think is older? Jazz or Barricade? Yes it is relevant for the story. So please check out my polls as it seems like no one looks at them and I was going to put this question on there.

Anyways, you lot know the drill. But seriously, feed the review monster as it is an insatiable creature.