I have a poll on my profile page asking a question I really want to have answered. I'm trying to get as many answers as I can, and very few people visit my profile. I've gotten literally one answer in a week, and that's sad. Please answer, and be honest about it.
I only own my OC's!
CON JOB
It's Monday morning. I get up and smile as I pull out my traditional robes. I follow my morning routine before getting dressed and gathering my school bag and purse. I grab the lunch my mom packed for me off the counter and head out the door to the prime. "Heya, Optimus."
"Hello, Sheyenne." Optimus says with a note of confusion in his voice.
"It's Spirit week at school. We're supposed to wear wacky outfits to school to show our school spirit. Today is Nation day, so we have to wear something from the nation we live in. My friends and I are wearing the traditional outfits from our nations. This is what the Air Nomad girls wore before the genocide."
Optimus pulls up to the school. I leap out and immediately search for Miko, Jack, and Raf. I run over as their guardians pull up to the curb and open their doors. "Hey, guys!" I am wearing a yellow long sleeved shirt, an orange short cape with a hood, brown leggings, yellow skirt, an orange belt, and brown knee-high boots, with my fans tucked into the orange belt, and carrying my staff.
"Sheyenne, you look like Malu." Raf is wearing a red shirt, brown pants, a maroon and gold tunic, a gold belt, and the Fire Nation crown prince headpiece.
"The Ghost Witch of the Mountain." I smile. "It's based off the outfits from the Eastern temple, so I hope so."
Jack walks over to me. He's wearing dark blue pants, a long sleeved blue shirt, a medium blue tunic, a white belt, wrist guards, brown boots, and a brown leather water skin, as well as an orange leather water skin. He pulls it off and hands it to me. "Mom worked on it all day yesterday."
"She didn't have to do that, but thanks, Jack. Oh my spirits, Miko! You look like Toph!"
Miko is wearing a green shirt, green culottes, a beige tank, a green belt, and green anklets and wristbands, and no shoes. She had even changed her hair style for the day, and has it in a large bun with a green and gold headpiece in. "I know. It took me half an hour just to get my hair pinned like this!"
Jack, Miko, Raf, and I are waiting beside the school for our guardians, talking and laughing about the reactions we got regarding our nations and friendships. "I knew it would be like this. Not one other Air Nomad in the entire school, maybe even the world."
"Everyone was sure stunned to see you. How did yours go over, Raf?"
Raf smiles. "Great. I was a little nervous about wearing the headpiece today."
"You didn't need to be, obviously."
"So how did yours go over, Miko?" I turn to her.
"Pretty good. Someone even asked if it was her actual outfit."
"I got the same thing, just, was it Sokka's. Mom found a picture of him and made it for me."
Vince walks up to us, scowling. He's wearing a gray long sleeved shirt, gray pants, red and brown armor, brown wrist guards, a brown belt, and brown boots with red trim.
Jack, Miko, and Raf walk up behind me, and Miko crosses her arms and glares. "Traditional Fire Nation armor. Yeah, that's REAL original."
"Miko, don't. Just because she's your ancestor, doesn't mean you have to—just don't."
Miko groans. "You're just going to let him walk all over you?"
"No. Just let me handle this, Miko."
"Fine Twinkletoes."
I freeze. "What did you just call me?" I turn to her.
"Twinkletoes. You're really light on your feet."
"Toph called Aang that. Wait, we'll talk about this later. Vince, what is all this about? Why are you coming after me?"
"How do you know so much about—"
"Same way we know about our ancestors. We researched them."
"Raf." I step up. "I am the avatar, and you are a jerk without a soul."
Much to our surprise, Vince shoots fire at me. As if by instinct, Raf jumps in front of me and bends the fire away from me. Jack then pulls water out of his pouch and preforms a water whip, knocking Vince back. Miko pulls two blocks of earth up and launches them at Vince. He dodges and rises to his feet.
"Good job, you three." I hand Miko my staff and pull out my fans before taking a fighting stance. I spin a couple times before sending a powerful air current at Vince, which knocks him back to the ground. "Stay back." I walk over to Vince. "We are not easily defeated. I know I'll have to face worse enemies than you out there, tougher enemies than you out there, and maybe even descendants of Equalists from days gone by…" Jack, Miko, and Raf walk closer to me, and I know they're listening. But I would advise you to stray from your ancestors' path. Come, you three. I believe our rides are here."
"So, what was it you were going to ask me?" Miko asks as we walk away.
"You know seismic sense?"
"Of course! It's been taught for generations through my family. I didn't even have to wear shoes today!"
"I noticed." I roll my eyes.
I climb into Optimus and he pulls the door shut. I pull my legs up to my chest and lean against the door. "Are you all right?"
"Just drive. I want to get to base."
Optimus pulls out of the lot, trying to think of what could have me so worried and panicked. I go into the spirit world, causing my arrows to glow the same colors as their eyes.
"Sheyenne, what's wrong?"
"Vince is descended from Zhao there's no airbenders… I can't let myself lose control, not in front of an emotionless Autobot like Optimus."
Aang lays a hand on my shoulder. "He's not as emotionless as you think."
"Roku's story. Ratchet walked over to make sure he was okay when I started to tell them."
"Emotions are more dangerous when you're an avatar. But you remind me a lot of myself."
I smile slightly. "I see it every day. I even ask myself what would Aang do? Though, for being Sokka's descendant, Jack sure is kind and understanding."
"So you're having trouble with someone attacking you."
"Yes. Vince. He's descended from Admiral Zhao."
"What happened?"
"Vince tried to attack me… again. I'm just grateful that I have such great friends."
"I was too."
"Raf even jumped in first."
"Zuko would have done the same for me. He saved me from Zhao."
"I know. My team avatar is almost like yours. I just don't have a non-bender." I look around. "Thank you, Aang. I feel a lot better now." I hug him.
"Until next time."
"Are you okay?"
I look around and see we're at the base. "Yeah, I'm fine. How long have we been here?"
"Ten minutes."
"Sorry. I was in the spirit world, talking to Aang." I climb out.
Optimus transforms and nods knowingly.
"What was that glow?" Ratchet walks over.
"I need to explain the avatar state to you all yet, don't I? First of all, today went well until we were waiting for you and Vince blindsided us."
"Yeah. Did you know he could bend, Jack?"
Jack shakes his head. "He went after Sheyenne. So we all defended her."
"We saw the whole thing. Did you really say what I think you said?"
"What? I would advise you to stray from your ancestors' path? Yep. Aang was always trying to find a peaceful solution, never wanting to fight, but I got the line from Optimus." I huff before returning to my story. "The avatar state is the strongest and most powerful ability an avatar can invoke. It allows us to channel vast cosmic energy and the knowledge of previous avatars, enabling us to preform powerful and extraordinary bending feats. While in the state, we have access to the bending techniques we haven't yet learned." Ratchet nods.
"What if you lose control?"
"When an avatar enters it unconsciously, it's in response to perceived mortal danger, as a defense mechanism, or in moments of extreme emotional distress. In those moments, I cannot control myself and can cause great collateral damage."
The Autobots stare at me. "What happens when you go into the avatar state?"
'The million dollar question.' "While in the avatar state, my eyes glow, as do my arrows. The glow is the combination of all my past lives focusing their energy through one body—mine. When I speak in it, my voice will encompass several voices at once."
"Can you control it?"
"Not yet. But it is possible, it just requires great spiritual discipline and concentration, which I obviously don't have." Ratchet turns to me, worry etched on his face. "It's possible for me to channel a specific previous incarnation in the avatar state. And I can use it to pull out of a bloodbender's grasp."
"Is that why you can understand me?"
I shrug. "Yangchen once told Aang that the Avatar must be compassionate towards all people, and the only way to do that is to live with them. The Avatar must experience sadness, anger, joy, and happiness. By feeling all these emotions, it helps me understand how precious human life is, so I will do anything to protect it."
Agent Fowler walks in. "That's why I allow the four of you to stay here with the Autobots. What's going on here?"
"I am the Avatar. I was just telling the bots about who the avatar is, what my duties are… you get my point."
Fowler nods. "Continue."
"Roku once told Aang that in the Avatar State, I am at my most powerful, but I am also at my most vulnerable. If I am killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the Avatar will cease to exist."
"Wow. What a weight to put on a child."
"I'm seventeen." I cross my arms. "Aang was Raf's age when they told him, and I wasn't much older."
Optimus crosses the room to speak with Fowler and I walk into the training room with my staff.
A few minutes into my bending practice, Optimus walks in and leans on a wall. "How old were you, when they told you?"
I start and drop the water I had been working with. I sigh frustratedly as I bend the water off the ground and into my water skin, then turn to Optimus. "I had just turned thirteen. I had just earned my arrows by mastering airbending and Mom mentioned it in passing as she was doing them. Why?"
"On Cybertron, greatness is not born into one, rather it must be earned. I wasn't always a prime."
I nod. "I know. Aang knows a lot, for never having met you. So, how old were you?"
"A year younger than you are now."
"WHAT!?" I ask, "YOU WERE SIXTEEN!?"
"Is that significant to you?"
"Yeah! That's when they're SUPPOSED to tell the Avatar of their true identity!" Optimus looks at the wall across from him. "Optimus?" He looks down to me. "I know how you feel. I just found out today that there is almost no chance of there being other airbenders." A tear rolls down my cheek.
I turn away from the prime as I start to cry. Optimus stands from the wall and takes a step towards me as my arrows start to glow.
Optimus gasps as an air ball forms around me, before kneeling down and lifting me into his hand as Ratchet walks in. "Optimus, I'm picking up an energy spike near—" Ratchet then notices me. "By the All Spark."
"What happened?"
"She lost control."
"Scrap. I knew that blowhard Vince was going to push her over the edge. A girl can only take so much. Put her down."
Optimus lowers me to Jack's level. Jack walks over and puts his hands on my shoulders before pulling me into a hug. "Sheyenne, it's all right. Even if you are the last airbender, you can bring them back. Aang did, and so can you."
Ratchet looks down at him questioningly.
Jack shrugs. "It's an old tactic Katara used to use when Aang lost control. The first time, she told Aang that she and Sokka were his family." He returns his attention to me. "Sheyenne, you need to calm down, you're starting to scare me, and you're scaring the bots." Jack smiles softly as I start to come out of it.
The glow fades and I fall weakly into the prime's hand. Optimus looks down at me worriedly. "It's perfectly normal, Optimus. I need to go make sure Miko and Raf aren't restarting their stupid bending battle from lunch. Someone needs to stay with her until she regains her strength."
After Jack leaves, Optimus looks down at me, now curled up in his hand. I smile weakly. "Still want to protect the avatar?"
"You told us you are at your most vulnerable when you are in the avatar state. I believe I have no choice but to ensure you are safe."
"Optimus, If I can't pull myself under control, if Jack can't pull me under control, I could end up accidently killing someone. Aang almost did once, but managed to stop himself in time." I climb out of his hand and land on my feet. "Optimus, there's a reason Aang told me we have to work together. We are one and the same. Something is coming, I don't know what, but you and I have to work together to stop it, before the balance is destroyed and the world falls into chaos, to a point where not even I can restore peace to this planet." Optimus looks at me. "You know who it is."
"But I cannot tell you."
"I can accept that, Optimus. It's something I must learn with time. Aang was said to have an old soul—wise beyond his years, and Mom says I have that gift as well."
Optimus lowers the hand back to me, and I climb in. "Just know that your world will not face the same fate as Cybertron again. I will protect the last airbender."
"And I'll have my eye on the last of the primes." I cross my arms.
Optimus and I return to the main room. "How is she?"
"I am fine, Ratchet. Thank you for being there, Jack."
"I still find it hard to believe that there are no airbenders out there after two thousand years. What if they scattered over the planet like the other benders?"
I look down. "There are the Air Acolytes—Mom and Dad are part of them, but they're just trained in the arts, none of them are benders. We've traveled the world, just like the Air Nomads—never saw one, but I kept hope—a child-like faith that there were still some here, but…"
"But there's none. You're the last of your kind."
"Oh, cheer up, Twinkletoes. The Air Nomads will get back to their former glory. And I'm going to keep calling you that, so get used to it."
"Sharing a nickname with my past life is an honor, Miko. But verbally abusing our enemies is only going to bring us more trouble." Miko crosses her arms and is about to speak when Ratchet speaks. Bulkhead lifts her to his shoulder and walks across the room.
"Optimus," Everyone gathers around. "I'm receiving a signal from a restricted band! It appears to be coming from a starship within the solar system." He then continues to type on the computer to try to identify the signal. When he finishes, he can't believe it. "It's an Autobot Identification Beacon!" Ratchet says with surprise.
"Another Autobot?"
Jack steps closer to the railing. "So, there are other 'Bots out there?"
"The masses scattered when Cybertron finally went dark. But 'Cons have been known to bait traps with false beacons."
"Nice job killing the mood."
"Unknown vessel, this is Autobot Outpost Omega One. Identify yourself."
"I've had warmer welcomes from Decepticon Combat Brigades."
Bulkhead's eyes widen with excitement as he leans forward a little, almost making Miko fall. "Wheeljack?! You old 'Con Crusher! What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Bulkhead? That you? What's with all the security?"
"The rock we're on is crawling with 'Cons. How soon can you get here and even the odds?"
"Sometime tomorrow…if I put metal to the pedal."
"Another bot's coming here! How cool is that?"
"Wheeljack… I know him by reputation only. Can verify his voice print?"
"He is one thousand percent the real deal, Optimus."
"We will send landing coordinates, Wheeljack. Safe journey."
"See you soon, buddy! I will make sure you get a proper welcome!"
Arcee then walks up to Bulkhead. "So who's the boyfriend?"
Miko snickers a little bit at the comment. Jack then softly elbows her on the arm. 'Man those two are like their ancestors.'
"Oh. Me and Jackie go way back. We were part of the same warrior unit: The Wreckers. Which means the 'Cons will wish he had never found us."
The Autobots transform and open their doors. "Are you sure you will be all right alone tonight?"
"I've lost control before. I've seen devastation you couldn't imagine. I've seen the Air Nomad temples reduced to ruins. I've seen a lot, Optimus, and Jack has always been there for me. My parents are here for me. I'll be all right." I look down sadly.
"Your brother is part of the reason for your airbender search."
"Yes. He'd be almost thirteen now."
The next day I get up and slip into a costume of a well-known Disney princess. 'Who came up with these, I'll never know.' I gather my school bag and purse, and grab my lunch on the way out the door.
I climb out of the truck and look around the school yard. I'm wearing a long sleeved skin tone t-shirt, a yellow off-shoulder princess style dress, a golden tiara, and yellow shoes. There are several students milling around in costumes, one even looking like an image of Aang. 'Wait, I think—' "Raf?" I walk over to the boy.
"Hey, Sheyenne." Raf turns around. He's wearing gray pants with a red sash, knee high red-brown boots, a long sleeved red-brown shirt with yellow stitching, a gray shirt, black tunic with red trim and yellow on the collar, and a red belt with a triangle design on it.
"Where did you get an outfit like that?"
"It's been handed down in my family for generations, ever since Fire Lord Zuko was on the throne. It even had a picture with it."
"Oh my Spirits, Raf! Do you have the picture, here?" Raf nods and hands it to me.
"Rafael Esquivel, this is Avatar Aang's Fire Nation disguise. I have no idea how Zuko ended up with it, but you are wearing something very old, and very special. Aang faced a school bully himself in that very suit."
"Who did what?" Miko runs over in her usual outfit with her guitar hanging from its strap on her back.
"Aang faced a bully. Raf's outfit is an authentic Fire Nation school uniform from the hundred year war, owned by Avatar Aang himself."
"Cool." Jack walks over in a police uniform.
"Hello, Officer Darby." I joke before turning a serious look toward the school. "Let's get this over with."
The Autobots are there when we get out, and Optimus is right in front, waiting for me. "Things went a lot better today. Honestly, I think my little speech and the air blast scared him—either that or it was Miko's earthbending."
"Wheeljack's ship is approaching the landing zone."
Miko gasps with excitement as we all watch the signal to Wheeljack's ship move to the landing point.
"Do you think he's here to visit?"
"Shouldn't he be staying?"
"Maybe! Have to find his own human though."
A clicking sound is heard as everyone turns to see Ratchet fixing the ground bridge. The ground bridge begins to power up as Ratchet finishes. "Ground Bridge cycling up." Electricity cackles from the control system. Ratchet then slams his fist into the lever and the screen for the ground bridge appears. "Blasted scraplets! The equipment hasn't been the same since the infestation!"
"So Wheeljack's gonna land halfway around the world and then you'll bridge him here."
"We can't risk revealing the location of our base. Just in case the Decepticons are tracking Wheeljack's ship."
Miko then walks near the ladder as she sees Bulkhead pacing across the room. "Dude! I've never seen you so stoked!"
"You're gonna love Wheeljack! We were like brothers! And tonight, we're gonna party!"
"SWEET!"
"Flameo. I'll just go train."
A loud beeping noise is heard as everyone looks at the screen to see five Decepticons hot on Wheeljack's trail. "Bogies! Closing fast on Wheeljack's position!"
"'Con scum! Open the ground bridge, Ratchet! We're missing out on all the action!"
"I'll prepare sickbay." Ratchet activates the bridge.
"Who for? The 'Cons? This is Wheeljack we're talking about!" Bulkhead scoffs in disbelief before running into the portal with Arcee and Bumblebee.
"Optimus, I'm serious. We need to be out there in the field with you. I'm the avatar. It's my job to protect earth—mine and my team's."
"You still have yet to learn your bending. Once you are fully trained, I will allow it, but until then you are to remain here."
I nod slightly. "I can accept your opinion, Optimus. I have to know how to listen to other's wisdom. And you, you're Optimus Prime. you're the wisest being I know besides Aang." Optimus smiles. "I'm going to go meditate. I have a question for Aang." I cross the room and sit in the lotus position, within seconds my arrows begin to glow.
"Aang?"
"Sheyenne, you need to know what is coming. The Spirit World is going to be a part of an the alignment, and a dark spirit is going to break out of his prison. His name is Vaatu, and coupled with their enemy, they will destroy the balance."
"Vaatu… Optimus won't tell me anything of their bringer of chaos. Maybe you know who he is?"
Aang sighs. "I was not going to tell you, Sheyenne, but if I do, I must tell you the whole story." Aang shakes his head. "On their world, there is Primus and Unicron. One the incarnation of creation, the other the incarnation of destruction. For eons, Primus and Unicron battled. The balance of powers shifted between them more times than could be counted. Only by creating the Thirteen, the original Primes that proceeded Optimus, was Primus finally able to defeat Unicron and cast him out. Primus became one with the very core of their planet, creating life through the Wells of the All Spark for existing Cybertronians to bear. Unicron was never heard from again…"
I stare at Aang in shock. "It's Unicron. Unicron and Vaatu. Monkey feathers! Optimus isn't going to expect an evil spirit on that field when the time comes, just Unicron!"
"Sheyenne, the avatar spirit is one of light. Raava's spirit is in you, as Primus' spirit is in Optimus. The two of you must work together to defeat the pair and bring balance to the world. You are the avatar. It is your destiny. But Optimus has taken our duties onto his shoulders as well."
"So I share the job of defeating Unicron, and Optimus shares the duty of defeating Vaatu. We can do it!"
I return to my body and turn to see Wheeljack and Optimus speaking.
They all arrive at the fight scene and are ready to attack. They are in total shock as they see most of the 'Cons dead. Wheeljack stabs the last 'Con in the chest and pulls out the sword, letting the 'Con collapse on the ground. Bulkhead smiles. "I taught him that."
"Ever think I may need a hand here?" Wheeljack puts his swords away.
"What? And spoil the show?"
"You missed one."
A Decepticon tries to get up, but Wheeljack activates his blaster and shoots him without even looking at him. "If this is all you got, then this planet is in bigger trouble then I thought."
Bulkhead grins as he runs up to Wheeljack and hugs him. "Jackie!"
Everyone is shocked at the sight, but still think of it as adorable. "Watch the finish, you old wrecking ball!"
They run through the open ground bridge and come back to base.
Then the ground bridge stops, malfunctions, and shuts down. "Hey, Jackie! Come here! Meet my other best buddy! Miko! She can wreck with the best of us."
Miko then walks down the stairs and waves. "Hiya."
"You keeping Bulkhead out of trouble?"
"I try. But trouble finds us anyway." Miko laughs.
"We're gonna get along just fine." Optimus approaches the group. "Optimus Prime. It's a privilege."
"Likewise, soldier. What have you to report from your long journey?"
"Been bouncing from rock to rock searching for signs of friend of foe. Now I find both."
I join the two. "I could say that myself."
"We are few but strong. We have suffered losses. But we have grown. And we would relish welcoming a new member into our fold." Optimus gives him a small smile.
"I would be honored."
"Then let's get this party started!" Bulkhead slaps Wheeljack in the back and they do a chest bump.
"Oh joy."
"Flameo. Miko's idea of 'party' isn't the one I'd use. Optimus, we need to talk."
"I am going on patrol, and I am taking Sheyenne with me. Ratchet, keep everyone in check." Without waiting for an answer, he transforms and lets me climb in before speeding off.
Miko is playing her electric guitar.
"Come on, Jackie. Show me what you got."
A giant metal ball is thrown across the room as everyone looks to see Wheeljack catch it. "Nice lob." Bulkhead passes the ball back to Wheeljack.
"So what's that about?" Jack asks Arcee from the sidelines.
"It's called lobbing. A favorite pass time on Cybertron. Especially among the warrior class."
"Come on, Raf. Show us some moves."
"Oh. All right." Raf sighs as he stands up. He begins to do some hand movements as Jack realizes that he's doing the robot.
Bumblebee is curious so he moves over to look closely at Raf. Jack laughs to himself. "Of course, the robot."
After a few moments of waiting and watching Raf's moves, Bumblebee copies his actions behind him. He is doing pretty well, considering the fact that he is a robot.
"Oh God." Jack facepalms.
"What did you need to speak with my about?"
I look out the window nervously. "You can tell me."
"I kinda went over your head. Aang told me, everything. He told me about Unicron…" I trail off and look out the window thoughtfully.
"You may continue."
"I'm still trying to come to terms with it myself. There's a dark spirit, named Vaatu, and a light spirit, called Raava, here on earth. The first avatar, simply a man merged with Raava, imprisoned Vaatu, but he's going to break out, during the alignment." We're both silent for a few minutes, until I break the silence. "Raava… She's the avatar spirit, Optimus. You got the matrix of leadership from Primus. I got this from Raava." After a couple seconds, I look back to the screen in Optimus' vehicle form. "Every day, I learn more and more about the spirit world and the spirits living within, and the job of the avatar scares me."
Jack looks around and notices someone is missing. "Where's Optimus?"
"Went for a drive. Primes don't party."
"What about Sheyenne?"
"She's not very social sometimes. I think she's with Optimus. She did say she needed to talk with him."
"Coming at ya!" Bulkhead throws the metal ball at Wheeljack.
Wheeljack misses the metal ball as it crashes into the wall and falls onto the ground bridge controls. "You know, I am attempting to perform sensitive calibrations here!"
"Sorry, Doc. Guess we're a little charged up." 'Wheeljack' grabs the lobbing ball. He is about the walk over and throw the ball, but stops in his tracks and stands next to Ratchet. "You built this bridge from scratch, huh?"
"I did."
"That's quite a feat of engineering."
"Yes. It is."
"Something wrong with it?"
"I didn't care for the way it sounded this last jump. I put it in shutdown."
"What if you need to use it?"
"Oooh, I can't interrupt the defrag process without causing irreparable damage."
"So, uh, how long will the defrag take?"
"A few hours if we're lucky. Maybe longer."
Wheeljack then walks away with a smirk on his face. Later on, Bulkhead is telling a story about him and Wheeljack in a battle. All the kids are pretty intrigued. "So there we were. No communications. Low on Energon. Surrounded by 'Cons. So what does Wheeljack do?" The kids widen their eyes waiting for him to say what happened. "Tell 'em, Jackie!"
All eyes turn to Wheeljack, and he shifts uncomfortably. "What I do best."
They all turn back to Bulkhead who chuckles. "He chucked his only grenade smack into the main heat exchanger!"
"Yeah. Seemed like a good idea at the time."
"The joint went supernova!"
"Awesome!"
"Seemed like you guys had a lot of fun in the middle of a war."
"Yeah. I'm still picking shrapnel out of my backside." Bulkhead scratches his backside.
"I'm not surprised, given the size of your backside." Arcee smirks teasingly, earning a hum in agreement from Bumblebee.
"There it is. Jackie's signature. One grenade. One shot." He looks over at Wheeljack, who is spacing out. "Hey. You all right?"
Wheeljack snaps out of his daze as he looks at Bulkhead. "What?"
"You don't seem like yourself."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. You seem…quiet."
"I've been stuck in a can too long. I should go topside before I go stir-crazy."
"I have patrol in the morning. You can come with."
"Why don't we go now?" 'Wheeljack' continues walking.
"And break up the party? Come on! The gang's loving you! You've gotta tell them about the Battle of Dark Mount Pass!"
"You tell them. You're better at it. How about if Miko here shows me the rest of the base?"
"Yeah. Sure, Jackie. Go ahead."
"Tour. Starts. Now." Miko gets off of the crate she was sitting on. She then walks toward Wheeljack. They begin to walk down the hall as Miko starts to bombard him with questions. "Do you play any instruments? Can you fly? Have you thrashed more Decepticons then Bulkhead?"
Arcee and Bumblebee look at each other as they see Bulkhead pondering over something. "Everything all right?"
"Yeah. Just out of sorts I guess."
"Don't tell me you're jealous." Arcee teases.
"That Miko's making a new friend? Come on! Something… Something's just not right about Wheeljack."
"Bulkhead, really? He's traveled galaxies. You haven't seen him for centuries. He could just be rocket lagged or…bots do change, you know?" Arcee reassures him. "Not Jackie." Bulkhead retorts stubbornly.
"Almost there." Ratchet continues working the damaged Ground Bridge controls.
"Look. I know Wheeljack better than anyone."
"Hey. What are you guys talking about?"
"I was just telling all the guys about you and me…at the Battle of Dark Mount Pass."
"That's a heck of a story."
"Yeah. Tell it." The room immediately gets tense as Bulkhead says that.
"Talk, talk, talk! How about AFTER we go off-roading?"
"Miko, stay out of this!"
"Bulkhead, easy." Arcee coos gently.
"I'm not sure I-"
"Tell it!"
"Fine. If you wanna live in the past, Bulkhead." 'Wheeljack' finally relents. The kids look at each other in confusion. "The Wreckers were trapped between a Decepticon patrol and a smelting pit. The 'Cons were vicious, bearing down on us with everything they had. Me and Bulkhead engaged the enemy. Left them for scrap. Then I made us a way out using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?"
"Yeah. There's just one little thing." Wheeljack's eyes widen in horror. "I wasn't there."
"What?" Ratchet gasps as he stops working on the ground bridge.
Wheeljack grits his teeth. "I'd already left the Wreckers to join up with Optimus. But you would know that if all you did was access Wheeljack's public service record."
"Bulkhead, what does that have to do with-WHOA!" Miko screams as Makeshift picks her up suddenly.
"Miko!" Makeshift runs to the ground bridge controls.
"Stay back or I'll squeeze her into pulp." Makeshift threatens as he holds Miko out in front of him in a death-like grip, scaring and angering everyone in the room.
"Wheeljack! What are you doing?"
"Decepticon coward! Let the girl go and face me!"
"Don't fret. Plenty of fighting to come."
"Is there a REAL Wheeljack?"
"Oh there is. And I'm sure Lord Starscream is making sport of him." Makeshift begins to push a few buttons as the ground bridge is completely repaired. "About time." Makeshift activates the ground bridge. Makeshift then backs away slowly toward the ground bridge as Miko keeps struggling in his grasp. "Let's get this party started!"
Then the real Wheeljack comes through the ground bridge and kicks Makeshift in the back. Makeshift then lets go of Miko and she is sent flying. The kids all look at Wheeljack as he puts his swords away. "I'd shut that hole before the stink comes through."
Ratchet closes the ground bridge immediately as Makeshift gets up. He then glares at Wheeljack as he attracts his battle mask. They both pull out their swords as they are both getting ready to fight. Bulkhead smashes his fists together as he is about to step in, but Wheeljack puts his sword in front of him. "Ugly's mine."
Then the swords began to clash as they are both trying to take each other down. Everyone watches in interest, even though they are waiting to step in when needed. Raf straightens his glasses. "Which one is the real Wheeljack?"
Miko is about the guess but growls in frustration. "I lost track!"
Makeshift slashes one of Wheeljack's swords and runs at him. Thankfully, army training kicks in for Wheeljack and he manages to claim one of Makeshift's swords, using them both to knock him to the ground and win the fight. "That's my Jackie."
"You, hit the switch!" Ratchet nods in response. "It's time to take out the trash." He turns to Bulkhead. "All yours, buddy." Bulkhead then holds Makeshift over his head as he walks over to the ground bridge. He then spins around and throws Makeshift through the ground bridge. Wheeljack looks at Bulkhead and smiles. "Nice lob."
They close the bridge right before Optimus and I drive in. "What the Flameo happened here?" I ask as I climb out. Optimus transforms and looks down at me.
"Wheeljack turned out to be Makeshift, the real Wheeljack came, and Bulk just threw Makeshift out."
"Can't these guys ever get along?"
"They're Decepticons."
"And Zuko was Fire Nation." I cross my arms. "Everyone, even the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation—even the Decepticons—deserve a chance."
I climb into Optimus again to head home. "Everything okay, Optimus? You seem distracted."
"I am fine."
I sigh and look out the window. "I'm a little nervous about this whole Unicron and Vaatu battle."
"It is my battle. Unicron is not of your world."
"No, but Vaatu is, and if they've teamed up, we're all sunk."
"If that is the case, why did you not tell your friends?"
"Team or not, this is Avatar stuff, and I can't bother them with it. Not yet. All they'll do is worry about me losing control, and I don't need that, Optimus. I need someone like Aang… Someone like you."
The prime pulls into the—thankfully empty—other lane before swerving back. "How am I like Avatar Aang? The way you talk, he's—"
"I don't talk about the adult avatar much, Optimus. Everything I say about him to the others is of when he was Facing Ozai and Zuko, when he was twelve and thirteen." I look down at my hands. "The Aang I visit all the time is an adult, more serious, stern, head-on, and decisive, yet still calm, level-headed, and soft-spoken—like you." Optimus pulls up to my house and I gasp happily when I see a familiar semi with a leaf on the door. "Dad's home! Maybe he brought me something!"
"Where has he been?"
"He drives a truck—semi truck—for weeks at a time, but if I can't go with, he tries to bring me something special, something an Air Nomad would love." I climb out of the truck. "His truck is even custom painted for the Air Nomads!"
"I will see you tomorrow." Optimus moves to pull away as I am clear of the truck.
"Optimus, wait." I lay a hand on the truck. "Thanks for being here for me, whenever I need to talk. It shows me that you care." I turn to walk inside.
"You have no idea…"
I run into the kitchen and throw my arms around my father. "Looks like someone missed me."
"I AM daddy's girl."
"That you are. Your mother tells me you've been working on your waterbending."
"Yeah. Jack's a waterbender, so he's teaching me." Mom walks over with a cookie sheet holding three flat fruit pies. I smile softly and airbend the filling, remembering something from Aang's past. 'But the true secret, is in the gooey center.'
"Sheyenne, are you okay?"
I shake my head. "Yeah, I just flashed back to something Aang's guardian said."
"Something happened, something you're not telling me."
I look down. "All that's left of the Air Nomads are the descendants of the Air Acolytes. I'm the only airbender alive today." Dad lays a hand on my shoulder protectively. "I'm fine, Dad. I found out yesterday. I just got a little downhearted when Monk Gyatso's words went through my mind."
"After you're done with your pie, I have a present for you in the living room."
I finish the pie in two bites and run into the living room.
In the middle of the floor is a yellow plastic pet carrier with the Air Nomad insignia on the latch, covered with a white blanket. I kneel down and lift the blanket, revealing the carrier and a pair of green eyes through the bars, looking slightly fear-filled. I open the latch quickly and carefully and reach in. "Hey, little guy! Come on out little lemur!" He climbs out and sits on the floor, staring at me with a little fear in his eyes. "We're all that's left. We have to stick together."
"He was the last winged lemur they had."
"So what are you going to name him?"
"I think I'll call him Bandit." I lift him gently into my lap. "I can't wait to see what Jack thinks!"
"For now, you and Bandit get to bed." Mom says.
The next morning, I get things ready and head out the door to Optimus, Bandit perched on my shoulder. "Did you forget something?"
"Wha—" I look down at my pajamas. "Oh. No, it's pajama day at school."
Optimus is silent, but opens the door. I climb inside and Bandit moves to perch on the steering wheel. "What is this?"
"It's a winged lemur. Aang had one growing up. Dad gave him to me last night, and I just couldn't leave him home."
"Are you taking him into school, or will I be taking him to the base?"
"School. I can hide him in my clothes like Aang did, or I can hide him in my school bag. So, is Wheeljack still at the base?"
"He is."
Optimus pulls up the curb and lets me out. Bandit flies over and lands back on my shoulder. I'm wearing a yellow hand sewn air nomad symbol printed long sleeved pajama top, yellow hand sewn Air Nomad print pajama pants, a yellow bathrobe with an Air Nomad insignia appliqué on the top left shoulder, and yellow slippers with the Air Nomad insignia on the top.
Raf runs over. He's wearing red Fire Nation symbol print pants, a red long sleeved collared Fire Nation symbol print shirt, a red robe with a Fire Nation appliqué, and red Fire Nation symbol slippers. "Is that what I think it is?"
"It's a flying lemur. Dad got back yesterday."
Jack and Miko run to me. "I'm not sure they'll appreciate you bringing a lemur here." Jack's wearing gray sleep pants with a Water Tribe symbol print, a gray short sleeved T-shirt, and blue slippers with the Water Tribe symbol.
"So? He's so cute! What'd you name him?" Miko's wearing bright green pajama pants with the Earth Kingdom symbol, a bright green long sleeved t-shirt with an Earth Kingdom appliqué, and green slippers with the Earth Kingdom insignia.
"Bandit."
"He's coming to the base today?"
"Yeah. For today, he's hiding in my school bag."
Later on, Miko is playing her guitar while Jack, Raf, Bumblebee, And I are all dancing. Arcee just stands there watching us.
Ratchet sighs. "It's like a recurring nightmare."
"Now that you're part of Team Prime, we need to pick out a vehicle mode for you. I have some ideas."
"Uh…about that, Bulk. Now that my ship's repaired, I'm itching to know what else I might find out there."
"Wait! You're leaving?"
"But you just got here. Why would you want to go?"
Wheeljack looks at us with sad eyes. Bulkhead chuckles as Wheeljack looks at him. "Because some bots never change." Bulkhead answers for Wheeljack with a laugh.
"Wheeljack, know that you always have a haven here."
"Jackie never stays. But he always comes back." They both do a soft fist bump as they smile at each other.
I look down. "Air Nomads are the same way, Bulk. Sometimes, they never come back. Bulkhead, Roku never went back to Ta Min after the eruption, Aang never went back to Katara after the storm… and there will come a time that I—that Optimus and I—never come back, and there will be a new avatar, and a new prime, stepping in to take our place."
Everyone except for Ratchet and Optimus ground bridge to the place where Wheeljack landed. "There's room for two, Bulk. Even with a backside like yours. Who knows what we might find out there? Some of the old crew?"
Bulkhead looks back at Miko. She grows sad as she rubs her arm. Jack then puts his hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay." I step up beside Jack and putting my hand on her other shoulder.
Bulkhead chuckles. "Sounds like fun, Jackie. But my ties are here now. With them. With her."
Miko looks up and immediately smiles. Wheeljack then looks over at Miko and smirks. "Anything happens to my favorite Wrecker, I'm coming after you."
"I'll take good care of him." Miko pulls out her phone. "Now, say cheese." Miko then takes her picture of Wheeljack and Bulkhead.
Wheeljack then gets onto his ship and everyone waves goodbye as Wheeljack takes off.
We all bridge back to the base. "Can Miko and I play with Bandit while you train with Jack?"
"Go ahead. Let's go, Jack."
Jack and I start working on the Octopus form in the training room. "You need to stop worrying about the Air Nomads, Shey. You'll end up pushing yourself over the edge again."
"I know, Jack. There's still waterbenders out there, though. You don't have to worry. As the last airbender, I HAVE to."
We climb into our guardians for the trip home, Bandit once again with me. "How is your training going?"
"It's not going very fast, but Aang gave me a deadline, and I'll be ready once it comes. He was. Besides. I have to beat Vaatu."
