Chapter 7

"Hey Optimus, there's something I've wanted to ask you," Skyline asked him when he came to visit her again the next day.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Where do you go when you leave so early in the mornings, or like that week-long mission you just finished up. Where did you go?"

"Well," he thought about it for a moment. "We have an alliance with the humans of this planet. Most of our time before we found the Ark we spent on a military island called Diego Garcia with the NEST organization," he said.

"NEST? What is that?" She asked.

"NEST is a specially trained military force comprised of human militants from around the world as well as their Autobot partners, myself included. I'm in the process of introducing more Autobots slowly, the current team is now comprised of Bumblebee, myself, Ironhide, Ratchet, Chromia, Mudflap, Skids, and Sideswipe. Chromia, Mudflap, and Skids are still on Diego Garcia. You, Flatline, and Sunstreaker are hopefully the next to be introduced, though Jazz is believed to be dead," he explained. She nodded.

"But thank Primus for Wheeljack and Ratchet we were able to revive him," she murmured. "But if you're going to introduce Flatline to the humans….," the jet said.

"Yes, I worry about that too. I don't know how much of her Decepticon side will show through, as our alliance is still on slightly shaky ground because of both increasing Decepticon uprisings and because of human government members who wish NEST to be shut down and us to be made into mindless toys for their own amusement," Optimus said.

"But why would they do that? I mean, the Autobots have helped them so much, and we haven't harmed them on purpose, have we?"

"No Skyline, but most humans are close-minded and their hearts afraid. So we must take caution and keep our introductions slow so they won't become panicked," he said soothingly as the blue and gold femme nodded understandingly.

"When do we do introductions?" She asked.

"That I am not sure of yet. I will talk to Lennox and arrange it," he assured her.

"Training lesson?" Skyline asked Nightlife.

"Yeah, your sister is supposed to help Sunstreaker and Sideswipe with multiple enemy close combat."

"Oh Primus, they're fragged," Sky said, letting her language slip. Nightlife laughed. "I'll be there in a moment. Hangar bay, right?"

"Yeah," he said as he smiled lovingly at her and walked out. She stood up wearily and walked back to her and Nightlife's new room. It hadn't been announced that they were Sparkmates yet, but they planned to announce it soon. A few Autobots knew, including Flatline, Optimus, Ratchet, and Jazz, but it wasn't officially known yet. She checked her body armor quickly. Every last dent had been fixed, but her paint was still scratched. She'd need it done soon. Picking up a small wrench-like tool, she painfully adjusted a few bolts in her left elbow before walking out to make her way for the hangar bay. As she neared, there were already the sounds of banging metal and short yelps of surprise.

Of course, being tossed like rag dolls. I feel bad for the brothers, Skyline though to herself as she walked up to stand beside Nightlife as he laughed quietly at the two twins.

"You know, there's a reason why she's named Flatline," Skyline said as Nightlife looked down at her curiously. "Not many 'bots know why. And the few unlucky enough to find out, well, usually find out too late."

Nightlife laughed again. "I find that easy to believe," he grinned. Flatline picked up and tossed Sunstreaker again, then brought her hip around to knock Sideswipe away from her and causing him to collide with Sunny, whom had just gotten up and had tried to make another run at her.

"Flatline don't be sadistic," Skyline said from the sidelines.

"What's sadistic?" Flatline asked as she ducked, just in time for the two brothers to crash into each other. Skyline rolled her optics as Flatline laughed a bit, then re-instructed the twins and told them to try again.

Soon Ratchet and Wheeljack left, soon followed by Ironhide, all of which had work to finish up. Optimus stayed, he couldn't help but find amusement in the twins trying. But that wasn't the only reasoned he stayed. He enjoyed watching Flatline in her element; he could tell she was enjoying herself. If she was happy, then he was happy. He eventually had to leave as well, finally followed by the newest member of the Autobot family, Riptide. The Mustang left laughing hysterically. Night and Sky never left, but they did eventually move to sit against the wall, Skyline curled up in Nightlife's lap. Two Earth hours later, both of the twins collapsed, completely exhausted. "So, what did we learn today?" Flatline asked, suppressing a grin.

"To always find your enemies weak spot and attack them there," Sunstreaker grumbled.

"To always try to gain the upper hand first. Don't always rush in head first. Plan carefully," Sideswipe mumbled.

"Good, we'll continue training tomorrow," Flatline said as the twins heaved themselves up and limped out of the room, rubbing various sore spots.

"Well, you definitely know how to turn off a mech," Skyline teased.

"Shut up," the larger femme said jokingly. "I like the pose by the way."

Skyline erupted into a blush as both her sister and Nightlife laughed. "We're actually planning on announcing it tonight," Nightlife said confidently.

"Are you ready for that Sky? You're 100% certain?" Flatline looked at her sister half-worriedly. Skyline nodded, stamping down her fear. If they announced tonight… Skyline quickly pushed those thoughts away. Yes, she would bond with Nightlife. She wouldn't back down from this, she told herself she wouldn't as she stood up and smiled at her sister.

"Skyline, you're needed outside the Ark," Wheeljack said.

Skyline blinked innocently as she followed him, Flatline and Nightlife walking beside her.

"Do we have to do this today, Wheeljack? I mean, Skyline just finished recovering," Flatline asked a little gruffly.

"Ratchet said she'd be fine, and we need to know what this power can do before the Decepticons decide to pay another visit," Wheeljack answered, ignoring the note of annoyance in her voice.

"Wait, power? What power?" Skyline asked as she looked at her sister, confused.

"Wheeljack give me a moment to talk to her. She doesn't know yet." Wheeljack just nodded, walking on and dragging Nightlife with him. Flatline heaved a great sigh before turning back to the jet.

"Sky, you remember our dani Nightsong, right?" Skyline nodded. "Do you ever remember her singing to you when you were extremely young?" Skyline nodded again.

"Yes, I do. It always seemed as though her singing had an effect on me, no matter what was going on. It would always soothe me. She had a wonderful voice," Sky murmured.

Flatline sighed again. "Sky, do you remember the class you took in your later academy years, the one on old Cybertronian myths and prophecies?"

"Yeah sis, why?"

"Do you remember a prophecy called 'The Caller' or 'The Savior'?"

Once again Skyline nodded. "I remember that one, it was one of my favorites."

"Skyline, that was one of your favorites because it's ABOUT you."

"Me? Sis that's….. crazy…..?" Skyline said, suddenly unsure of her resolve in believing that it wasn't true upon seeing the seriousness in her sister's optics. "About me?"

Flatline nodded solemnly. "That's why when Megatron attacked you he called you 'The Caller'. That's why you've been having those dreams and you've started to enjoy singing," Flatline explained. Suddenly fear peaked in Sky's optics as the shock overtook her systems. Flatline hugged her sister reassuringly.

"I-I can't do this sis, I don't know how to control that much power!"

"It's ok Sky, I know what to do, just trust me."

Skyline revved her engines a bit, hugging onto her sister for comfort as she felt both Flatline's and Nightlife's Sparks surround her. After another nano-klik she calmed, looking up at her sister with determined optics as realization slowly set in. Her sister was the Guardian. "O-ok sis, what do I do?"

Flatline came out into the desert a short time later, followed by Skyline. But, instead of walking with a relaxed frame and a downcast gaze, Skyline walked with her chest slightly puffed out and a determined gaze set on where they were headed. Nightlife smiled at her as she walked up to him and brushed his servo gently. A couple of bots looked at her strangely, but turned their heads again when Flatline sent them a glare. Skyline nodded at Flatline as the jet came to stand beside her larger sister. Flatline brandished both of her blades as Skyline took a deep breath.

"What song?" She asked Wheeljack.

"Whatever you see fits," he replied, waiting patiently. She looked at her sister.

"What about Metal Heart by Garbage?" The Lamborghini said. Skyline nodded as she went over the song in her head. Finally Skyline sighed and, focusing on the song and Flatline, offlined her optics as she began to hum the opening notes.

I wish I had a metal heart

I could cross the line

I wish I was half as good

As you think I am

A faint shimmer began to appear around Flatline as the energy Skyline created transferred to her sister.

Now that we know for sure they're telling lies when they say

No one gets hurt and therefore nobody dies

You know it's hard to believe anything that you hear

They say the world is round

The energy began to seep into Flatline's swords, causing them to give off a glow visible even in the midday Sun.

I wish I was as big as you

You'd have to tell the truth

I'd be nothing you could hurt

Nothing you could use

Now that we know for sure they're telling lies when they say

No one gets hurt and therefore nobody dies

You know it's hard to believe anything that you hear

They say the world is round

The world is round?

The light continued to grow as more energy was created, surrounding the two femmes as some bots had to avert or shield their optics from its increasing intensity.

I want to be dependable, I want to be courageous and good

I want to be faithful so that I can be heroic and true

I want to be a friend you can rely on you can lean on and trust

I want to understand so I can forgive and be willing to love

I wish I wasn't flesh and blood

I would not be scared

Of bullets built with me in mind

Then I could be saved

My sweet lord take care of me for I think I'm done

Kiss my mother on her cheek and lay my burden down

Lay my burden down

Now that we know for sure they're telling lies when they say

No one gets hurt and therefore nobody dies

You know it's hard to believe anything that you hear

They say the world is round

The world is round?

Both of the Lamborghini's swords began to pulsate before Flatline released the energy with a powerful double-swipe, sending a concentrated wave of pure light and energy at an extremely large rock formation a half a mile into the distance, completely obliterating the formation with ease. A murmur of amazement and appreciation went throughout the Autobots gathered as Skyline finished singing.

"Was that your most powerful song?" Wheeljack asked.

"N-no sir," Skyline replied nervously. My most powerful song would probably be Forsaken by Within Temptation, she thought to herself. But I can't subject them to that much power, not yet. Not with the type of note range and the lyrics.

She looked at Optimus, who nodded in approval. Wheeljack was furiously recording information into a small data pad, every now and then the pad giving off a small beep.

"Ok Skyline, that's all. You're dismissed," he muttered as he retreated back inside the Ark, everyone else slowly starting to follow. Flatline nodded approvingly at her sister while Nightlife came up and hugged her. Skyline snuggled herself into his chassis, not caring who or what was watching. Flatline then put a servo on Sky's shoulder and made her way towards the Ark, followed by Skyline and Nightlife, whom had his arm around her waist as both a proclamation of "ownership" and as a supportive, loving hold.