Truth of Heart
I hope this makes up for my last chapter.
I'm going to input three new Cons who caught my eye on the Transformers Prime show, and the name of an Autobot. See if you guys can guess who the Cons are.
After dealing with Fibber and Lockdown, the Autobots fixed the communications array. They made contact with Cliffjumper. He informed them that Ultra Magnus was attacked by Shockwave. He was in critical condition, but they managed to stabilize him. Rachael, Sari and the others were relieved to hear that. Now Rachael needed confirmation on something else. "Cliffjumper," the red bot looked to her, "There was an agent named Blurr who was here on earth. Has he returned to Cybertron?"
Cliffjumper dropped his gazed sorrowfully. Rachael began to fear the worst now. "We…" Cliffjumper inhaled deeply and said, "We picked his signal upon arrival. He was in the compound. But…the section he was in…LongArm…" Rachael and the others gasped aloud. Cliffjumper knew he didn't have to finish. Shockwave got to Blurr first. Rachael wrapped her arms around herself. She couldn't believe Blurr was gone. Prowl wanted to comfort her. But Ratchet had beaten him to it. He patted Rachael on the back. Rachael hugged his large fingers. She rubbed her face against them, trying to sooth her mind. Ratchet narrowed his eyes on her. They almost appeared sympathetic. But his body was also shaking. This bothered Prowl. What is it that goes through your head when you're with her Ratchet?
("")
Prowl went into his room. He meditated in front of Yoketron's helmet, searching for answers and guidance. "Sensei…I know Rachael said she would always be mine…but I have doubts about my friends. Ratchet is growing closer to Rachael every day. And for some reason it bothers me. What should I do?"
"Well for one thing," Jazz and Bumblebee walked into the room, "You can repeat what you said earlier and ask yourself how you just sounded." Jazz advised.
"What do you mean?"
"Prowl," Bumblebee sighed, "You make Rachael sound like she's your property. She's your girlfriend. Treat her like one."
"I know, I know," He moaned, "I know she loves me, and I love her. But I… get weird when others star loving her."
"That's gonna happen Prowl," Jazz said, "Rachael's a great girl, just like Sari. Both have a certain charm that attracts others. It's going to happen, and it's hard to stop."
"Jazz is right," Bumblebee agreed, "A few nights ago, Sari and I went to the beach. She was chilling in her…" he began to drool, "New…yellow blue …speckled bikini-" Jazz slapped him upside the head, getting him back on track. "Thank you. Anyway – I was off getting her a drink and these guys came up and started hitting on her. I got scared because they were human and they all looked good. But my worries were a waste of energy. She told them to buzz off because she had already had a guy."
"What are you getting at?" Prowl questioned.
"Prowl, Rachael has been with you for nearly over six months." Bumblebee simplified. "Even though others fall in love with her, Rachael will always love you."
"Bee's right," Jazz said, "If she wanted someone else, don't you think she would have let you know by now." Prowl - though amazed that Bumble is was right – had to agree with Bee. Rachael has always shown that she loved him. But why does it still bother him when others like her. He had to address the situation. He needed to talk to Ratchet.
("")
Ratchet was hanging back in his lab. He was running diagnostics on himself. His circuits appeared to be fine, but he felt like he wasn't. "Okay…life signs are normal…circuits aren't crossed wrong…" he listed off anxiously. He detached himself from the computer and leaned against the wall. "If everything checks out, why do I keep feeling weird around Rachael?" He shrieked.
"That's what I'd like to know." Ratchet jumped and spun to the door. Prowl was leaning with a glare in his optics. "Why do you act weird around Rachael?" he asked sternly.
"I…I really don't know," he stammered, "I guess I just worry about her."
"Why would you worry?" Prowl asked quickly. He was almost attacking him. "That's my job."
"I'm her friend, I'm allowed to worry." Ratchet spat. Prowl scoffed, not believing a word Ratchet said. "She nearly died Prowl - TWICE!" Ratchet started to roar. "I worry because I don't want to lose her to anything or anyone!"
"Would that anyone include me by any chance?" Prowl snapped.
"Why would you ask that?"
"You seem to be getting rather COZY with my girlfriend lately. I've noticed the looks you give her, and how you try to comfort her. You seem to be falling for her." Ratchet opened his mouth to protest. But couldn't find the words as Prowl got into his face, "Or was it my imagination when you almost said that you loved her?"
A blush spread across Ratchet's face, but he tried to play it off, "That was…a slip of the tongue. You had one last year. Or did you forget?" He snapped.
"I did love her back then, just like I do now!"
"Okay then! Just because someone else says that they love Rachael, doesn't mean that they do. When I said it – almost said it – I meant that I cared about her like family." Am I lying to him or myself? Ratchet grabbed Prowl by the scruff of his chest plate and sneered, "Or is that a crime now?"
Prowl put a hand to Ratchet's chest and pushed him off. "You just make sure to keep your distance."
"And if I don't?" Ratchet continued to challenge. Prowl furrowed his visor. "In case you've forgotten, Rachael holds me as a close friend - Someone to talk to when you're unavailable. If you get mad at me, she'll start thinking something's wrong." A sinister smirk snaked its way across Ratchet's face, "Is the ninja bot afraid that his winged girlfriend is going to choose the Medical bot?"
"I'D NEVER LOSE HER TO SOMEONE LIKE YOU!"
"WELL IF YOU KEEP ACTING THE WAY YOU DO, YOU WILL!" Prowl was taken aback. Ratchet relaxed and folded his arms. I can't do this…he told himself. If I do like Rachael – WHICH I DON'T – I can't ruin my friendship with Prowl over something as Trivial as this. He sighed heavily and said, "I'm not looking to steal Rachael from you, nor do I want to ruin the close friendship the three of us have," he explained. His expression grew sterner, "But I want you to know that I will do anything to help her. And I mean anything." Prowl cocked an eye. "I do not want you to experience losing someone you love. At least not so soon in your young life."
Unbeknownst to them, Rachael and Sari were listening outside the door. Sari tried to comfort her. But Rachael denied the gesture. She tiptoed away and found her way to Sentinel. He was looking for more Decepticons on the monitor. He heard Rachael come in. "Well, well, wingy," he chortled, "Shouldn't you be hanging upside down somewhere?" Rachael didn't respond. She just sat on the panel, holding a knee. Sentinel's grin faded. He tried again, "Hey, I saw this pint sized organic's flying these paper things on strings. Can I tie one onto you and watch you fly?" Still no response. Rachael just gazed at the monitor expressionlessly. Sentinel let out a sigh and finally asked, "What's up with you? Usually, after I take a breath, you would be gnawing off my face plate by now. I don't think I've ever seen you this quiet before."
"Um…can I…" She mumbled, bringing her knee closer, "Can I ask you something?" Sentinel raised an eye. "You and Optimus…you knew a female bot named Elita, right?"
"She was a close comrade, why?"
"Did you and Optimus ever fight over her?"
"Where's this coming from?"
"I was just curious," She lied, "Optimus told me and Sari stories about the three of you. I was just wondering."
Sentinel could see that she was being serious. This was the first time he's ever seen her like this. So he indulged her. "In that case, you wondered right. Optimus and I used to fight over…" He chuckled nervously, scratching his cheek, "We used to fight over who would marry her."
Rachael's face brightened. "What happened?"
"On the day she was going to choose…" he looked away, "We lost her to a bunch of Spiders." Spiders? Rachael thought about Black Arachnia. So that's how it happened. And Sentinel doesn't know. "Till this day," Rachael went back to listening, "we still wonder who she would have chosen. But I knew she would go with Optimus. But that didn't mean that I wouldn't stop protecting her." That's what Ratchet said. Ratchet said he'd protect Rachael just like Sentinel did. Does that mean…her thoughts trailed off. She pushed strands of hair behind her ear. Her eyes relaxed, turning slightly dismal but also scared. Ratchet…
"()"
Later on, Isaac wasn't feeling too well, so Bulkhead asked for an extra set of hands to help him with the space bridge. But unfortunate fate, Ratchet and Prowl were the only two available. Sari managed to pull away from home and came over to help as well. Bulkhead preferred it that way. Ratchet could monitor Bulkheads progress and warn him if something is crossed wrong. Prowl on the other hand could reach into places Bulkhead couldn't. And Sari could screw and attach things.
The bridge itself was built. But Bulkhead needed to make sure you wouldn't port randomly or tangle with another Trans warp signal. So he still had a lot of calibrating to do.
As Bulkhead attached some wires, he noticed the strange behavior of his friends. There was a lot of tension. There was a sense of awkwardness in the air and it was making Bulkheads circuits twist into knots. Sari tapped his shoulder and whispered, "Say something!" She urged, "This silence is making my head spin."
"What am I supposed to say?" He whispered back. "Hey how's the weather?"
"At this point, I don't care if you ask if they need upgrades."
Bulkhead head let out a grumbled sigh. He hated it when he had to do the hard stuff. So he commented on news he's heard. "So I heard about what Lockdown did. How's Rachael doing?"
"She'll be fine," Prowl answered gruffly, "She's a strong person."
"That she is." Ratchet agreed, adding up calculations.
You would think these two broke up or something. Sari grumbled in her head. "I'm glad you two were there for Rachael," she smiled, attaching a rod, "She really looks to you both for advice when she's feeling down."
"Both of us?" Ratchet questioned, directing it mostly to Prowl.
"Yeah. Rachael always tells me when one isn't there, the other serves as a good means of closure. You could say she cares about both of you." That sparked something. The tow bot's exchanged firm stares. Sari and Bulkhead could see the sparks in their eyes. Sari changed the subject. "I also heard about Blurr," Sari continued, "That sucks. He was a good guy."
"That he was," The two bots agreed. "Rachael, though not as bad as her parents, took Blurr's death hard." Ratchet informed Bulkhead. "But that's how she keeps going." Prowl and Bulkhead faced him. "With every person that gets hurt, Rachael seeks to grow stronger so that she never has to lose those that she cares about. I admire her for that."
Prowl's lip twitched. He was biting the inside of his cheek. "I do too," Prowl turned his attention to the large green bot, "I mean, if I lost Bumblebee or you guys, I'd be living in some abandoned bunker until I rusted over and waited until offline. But Rachael keeps fighting. That's one of the many things I love about her." Prowl found that interesting. Ratchet loves Rachael because he worries, and Bulkhead because she's strong. Then he remembered what Rachael said to him, No matter who I smile at or who loves me, my heart will always belong to you – No matter what. Prowl smiled to himself. By the Alspark, I'm nothing but a jealous scrap heap. Prowl opened his mouth to apologize when ZZPPT! The bridge began to activate. "WHAT ON CYBERTRON!" Bulkhead cried, typing wildly.
The Trans Warp portal took form. "BULKHEAD, what's going on?" Prowl gasped.
"The bridge is linking with another Trans Warp signal!" He panicked. He tried to find a way to shut it down. The bridge slowly became a vacuum, sucking everything in. "The other Trans Warp must just be activating. I can't shut it down. The signal has to subside." As that was explained. The vacuum grew stronger. The three bots grabbed onto something, trying desperately not to get sucked in. Bulkhead pulled himself forward. There was a lever that would close the space bridge with a sheet of metal. As he reached for the lever, he lost his footing. He slid back into Prowl and Ratchet. Though Bulkhead managed to grab onto something, Prowl, Sari, and Ratchet were sent into the vortex. They vanished beyond the portal. The portal had ceasing its vacuum and shut itself off. Bulkhead scrambled for the control. He used every code and algorithm he could think of. The linked space bridge Trans warp signal was gone. "No…"
/^\
Prowl and Ratchet landed into a pond. Sari landed on top of Prowl. The three moaned, nauseated from their trip. "That was one hell of a ride." Sari groaned. She looked up. They were in some jungle. The wild life resembled that of earths. It was the animals that were different. There were scaly horses, panthers with spike finned ears, and snakes with wings. The birds looked like dinosaurs; lizards looked like puppies – twilight avatar zone. "Where are we?" She gasped.
"Not sure…" Ratchet trailed. He rubbed the soil between his fingers, and scanned the wildlife thoroughly. "But if I had to guess, I'd say we were on planet Tropis."
"Planet what?" Prowl and Sari asked.
"Planet Tropis. It's a planet pretty much in the center of the universe – give or take a hundred feet. It's used as a mid-rest stop for traveling militia Autobots. We would stop here, refuel and continue on our way."
"Well how did we get here?" Prowl asked. "When we learned about this base, they said there wasn't a space bridge or Trans warp gate here."
"That's what I'd like to know." Ratchet tapped his wrist. "Scanners busted."
"So is mine," Prowl said, "Must have happened during the warp."
"My jet pack's fried too." Sari moaned, removing the packs. It imploded inside, smoke flying out. Sari then tapped her ear com – Nothing but static. "Check your coms. Mine isn't working."
"It serves to reason that if our scanners are fried, so is the rest of our equipment." The three tried to use their weapons and other methods of protection. Prowl could use his shuriken, but his boosters were shot. Ratchet's magnets could shoot out magnetic currents. Sari's orbs were obsolete. Luckily she could access her blades and hammer. "We'll at least be able to defend ourselves," Prowl assessed, "But without sufficient means of equipment or food for Sari, we won't last too long on this planet."
"I don't plan to be on this planet too long." Ratchet declared. "The base is about one mile from here. It's abandoned, but the equipment should still be useful. We can fix our equipment and maybe find a way back home."
/\^/\\
"THEY WHAT!" Bumblebee and Rachael cried.
"They got sucked in," Bulkhead informed, moaning stupidly. "I knew something was off. We used a twin Tran's warp generator. When one half is used, the other half links with it. Unless disconnected, any bridge or trans warp device using the generator will get tangled-"
"And warp randomly." Bumblebee finished, remembering his trip throughout the galaxy.
"Is there a way to get them back?" Rachael asked.
"There is…" Bulkhead input coordinates. "If I can trace the last Trans warp signal…GOT 'EM! They're on the old base on planet Tropis. That doesn't make sense."
"Why doesn't it make sense?" Bumblebee asked fretfully.
"Because the Autobots never built a space bridge there," He stated fearfully, "Someone else must have occupied it while the Autobots left it unattended."
"You said the generator you have is a twin," Bumblebee restated suspiciously, "where's the other half?"
Bulkhead tapped his chin thoughtfully. He jumped to another monitor and accessed Cybertronian files. He typed in Missing Twin Trans Warp generator. One file came up. Twin Trans Warp generator created for linked space bridging. Two groups on different planets hook these generators up to their Space bridges and both will activate so the groups will arrive at the same time and without delay or screw up. The one Twin was stolen by a small trio of Decepticons had stolen it. "SLAG! That trio of Cons must have been using the base and Trans warp field! That's why our space bridge activated!"
"Tell me that means we can get them back!" Rachael gasped.
"Maybe. But the other twin has to be set as an entrance rather than an exit. Until that happens the guys are on their own." He sighed somberly, "Cybertron knows when that will be."
"Then send us to them!" Bumblebee demanded. Bulkhead shot his head to him. Rachael and Bumblebee both had gazes of determination. "If the one Twin is an exit, ours is an entrance. Start up this end and send us to Sari and the guys."
"I'm pretty sure I can do that. But I'm also sure you both will land wherever they did. The Trans warp was off by a mile or so. And Tropis has deep pits and many other things. You guys might get injured just from bridging."
"We don't care Bulkhead," Rachael declared, "Our loved ones are alone on some random planet with three Cons. We have to help them."
/|\^^/|\
With Sari on Ratchet's shoulder, the two bot's trudged through the forest. Stepping through mud and large brush, pushing passed tree's and low hanging branches. The Autobots reasons for building the base here was used a secondary security measure. Tropis was an Autobot occupied planet. It also served as a marker of which part of the galaxy was Autobot territory. If Decepticons crossed it, Cybertron was automatically alerted. It was abandoned 51 years ago when Megatron was presumed dead. Though he is suspected to still be alive, the planet was still left open. Only Cybertron knows who was using this planet these days.
As they neared the base, Sari felt an overwhelming urged to ask a pressing question, "Are you two mad at each other?"
"Why do you ask?" Ratchet asked, pushing passed a moss curtain.
"Me, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee," Prowl's optics brightened at Bumblebee's name, "We've noticed you guys have been acting weird towards each other. We were all just worried."
"It was nothing – I hope," Prowl hissed, "Just a misunderstanding between friends."
"Does that misunderstanding involve Rachael?" The two bot's stopped. They looked at Sari. "Rachael and I heard you guys from the hallway. What's going on?"
"If you heard, then you already know that nothing happened!" Ratchet snapped. "As I said before it was just a misunderstanding."
"I hope it was." Prowl muttered under his breath.
"What was that?" Ratchet hissed. Prowl looked away. "If you have something to say prowl, say it! Even though I'm sure we cleared this all up back at the plant!"
"We did! I'm just hoping you realize that Rachael is mine."
"Why don't you just put a label on her that says property of Prowl the Cyber Ninja?"
"Because she isn't property!"
"The way you talk about her she is! THAT'S WHAT I HATE!"
"ENOUGH!" Sari cried. "You both obviously have some issues to work out! Issues that require either Rachael to be present, or one of you to admit something that you're hiding!" Ratchet and Prowl stared each other down. Ratchet cleared his throat and looked away. What am I so nervous about? Ratchet asked himself. I have nothing to hide – do I? I mean…I admitted that I worry about her. Is that what it is? OF COURSE IT IS! "But right now," Sari continued, stopping Ratchets train of thought, "We need to find a way off this planet." The two bots nodded to one another and continued on their way.
Sari felt her heart being tugged at. This is just like with Bee and Jetfire. Aside from the boys from the beach, Jetfire and Bumblebee would argue over Sari. She would have to get in between the two just to make sure neither one would throw a punch. It wasn't until last week that Sari learned it was just Jetfire's way of showing that he wanted to help protect her. Sari prayed that whatever Ratchet may have been feeling, it was just a sense of protection for Rachael. If it was something more, she would be a witness to a break up with best friends.
As the three continued their way through the forest, above their heads was an obscured, active camera.
^^/|\^^
"Fifty stellar cycles of this place being abandoned and now this. I never thought we would have Autobots on this base again."
"Especially with an organic child. Things have just gotten interesting. I especially love the rims and paint job on the ninja. It doesn't nearly come as close to radiant as mine does. But it does give him a certain dazzle."
"Oh do be quiet! No one cares about your paint job you land vehicle loving glitch head of a Decepticon!"
"Can I help it if I land based vehicles are more appealing than flying ones? No I can't. Of course a bruiser like you couldn't possibly understand the beauty in cars."
"Let's see how beautiful you are when I scratch your paint!"
"ENOUGH!" Bragger and Bruiser stopped arguing. "I have had it with you two arguing. You're frying my circuits."
"How much longer do you plan on looking like the Autobot Wheeljack? His paint job is so musty and gross."
The Bruiser pushed the bragging bot over. "And aside from that, he was taken offline 20 stellar cycles ago."
"But the Autobots do not know that. And I plan to use this form to its fullest." He tapped the security screen. "These are the Autobots who are led by Optimus Prime."
"The Autobot washout that lives on earth?" The bragger asked. He smiled, "They must have a space bridge if these three are here."
"Precisely," The Wheeljack look-alike purred, "We get these two to give us the coordinates, and we take down Optimus and his band of misfits."
/(&)\
Bulkhead tried every calculation and trick he knew. He tried remotely activating the other bridge from his position; he tried to connect with the Trans warp trail Prowl and Ratchet took. Nothing worked. The only thing he could come up with as news was that the three's equipment would temporarily be shut down. He sighed solemnly and shook his head. Things were not looking bright. "What's the Diagnosis Bulk?" Bumblebee asked. Rachael was sitting on his head, desperation in her eyes. She prayed that there was good news.
Bulkhead scratched his small head, muttering that things were going to get bad. "Do you want the good news, the bad news, or the worse news first?"
Rachael furrowed her brow and grumbled, "Let's hear the bad news first, then the good news, and then the worse news with a little optimism."
"Ok," Bulkhead breathed, "Bad news: Thanks to the one Twin being shut off and used as an exit, I cannot bridge you guys to Tropis." Rachael blew hair from her face. "The good news: with a little more tinkering, I can make it so that we can communicate with them." That was something good. "The worse news: Tropis is being occupied by Decepticons. And in order for the three to come back home, they have to activate the space bridge and input Earths coordinates. BUT WAIT," He said trying to sound upbeat, "THERE'S MORE! If they bridge out, the coordinates will remain on the twin and anyone will be able to locate us."
"Well that's a downer." Bumblebee quipped. Bulkhead shrugged, smiling nervously. "Well at least we know that we can talk to them."
"Then Bulkhead could guide them through the process," Rachael responded happily, "Ratchet deals with complex things all the time. Just tell him what buttons to press and switches to pull, and they should be home is seconds."
"I hope you're right," Bulkhead prayed, going back to the monitor, "But we'll still need to figure out what to do about the bridge on Tropis."
(x)/|\(x)
The three made it to the base. (Use your imagination) The moss and vines of the planet grew around its large hull. The steel was withered and worn, but the base still stood strong. The vines around the large doors seemed to have been cut. Someone had obviously moved in. Ratchet and Prowl both approached the door, going on either side of it. On instinct, Sari hid behind Ratchet's neck and held her blades at the ready. Prowl kept his hands ready to draw his shuriken. Ratchet readied his finger to open the door. He counted down 3…2…1…GO! Ratchet opened the door. Prowl sprang into the passage. "AHHH!" "AHHH!" CRASH! Prowl collided with another bot.
"PROWL! You alright?" Ratchet cried from the door.
"I'm fine," he groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "I just crashed into something."
"More like someone." Prowl looked down. He was on top of a red and white bot. The bot put a sword to Prowls neck. Prowl raised his hands and moved back. Prowl's back hit the wall. The blade only barely touched his armor, yet Prowl felt like it was cutting right through him. The red and white bot asked, "Bot or Con?" Bot or con? Ratchet asked himself. Every bot can tell the difference between us and the Cons. What is this?
"Bot." Prowl answered confidently, hands still raised.
"Your friend outside?"
"Bot." Ratchet answered, walking in slowly. Ratchet narrowed his eyes. This bot looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?
"And what about the organic behind your head?" Ratchet's eyes widened. He felt sari shaking behind his neck. "I saw you all on the security camera's, even the little organic."
"In that case, she's a friend." Ratchet answered. Sari peered around his head. She waved weakly to the new bot. He winked back at her. Ratchet raised a hand in front of her. He whispered to her, telling her to stay back. Sari did so. Until I get answers, he glared at the bot, he's on my shit list. "Who are you?" Ratchet demanded.
"You guys crashed into my home first," The bot brought growled, keeping his blade to Prowl's neck, "You should introduce yourselves first, before I get upset." He demanded.
Prowl swallowed the lump lodged in his throat. With the position he was in, they were hardly in a position to make demands. "I'm Prowl. This is Ratchet, and that is Sari Sumdac. We're stranded here and just need a way back home."
"And uh…" the bot trailed off, gawking at Sari, "Would that be to Cybertron…or…maybe earth?" The three froze. The bot smiled sinisterly.
Prowl lifted his foot and kicked the sword from the bots hand. It went into the ceiling. Prowl drew a shuriken, slammed the bot against the wall, and put the shuriken to his neck. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? HOW DO YOU KNOW-"
"The organic." Prowl closed his mouth. He almost felt stupid. Sari was technically a human, and every bot knew that humans came from earth. The bot held out a hand, "The names Wheeljack, by the way." Wheeljack! "Nice to meet you."
"HI!" Sari cheered. She jumped down and ran over to Wheeljack. He knelt down to her, and let Sari walk onto his large hand. "So what's your specialty Wheeljack?"
"Besides fighting?" He tapped his chin humorously, "I was put on a recon team. But the recon would eventually turn into a total grudge match."
"But you're a fighting bot, why are you on a peaceful planet like this?"
"I needed to wind down. I've been here for the last 20 stellar cycles and I plan to be here for another 40."
Now I remember! Ratchet never formally met him, but he knew Wheeljack. One of his Medical bot friends was on Wheeljack's team during the old reconnaissance missions onto Decepticon territory. Wheeljack was reported offline over 20 stellar cycles ago. Yet here he is. Standing around and laughing as if nothing happened. Not even bothering to comfort LifeChange. Ratchet clenched his hands and teeth. This isn't the Wheeljack my friend told me about. To his pleasure, he could feel his magnets charging up. "Tell me something Wheeljack," Ratchet demanded, trying to hide his rising anger, "Have you told LifeChange where you've been?"
"You mean my med bot buddy? Naw, Figured he'd like a break from me always breaking stuff."
"Apparently your break got your body into the scrap heap."
Prowl and Sari cocked an eye. Wheeljack started to become nervous. He cleared his throat, shook off his apprehension and questioned the old bot. "What-what do you mean?" He stammered. "Why would I be in the scrap heap?"
Prowl grabbed Sari out of Wheeljack's hand, and started to move back. The entire aura in the room had shifted. It almost seemed as if the shadows were beginning to engulf them. It was then that Prowl knew that someone was there. "Because LifeChange dragged you there, after I performed the autopsy!" Wheeljack furrowed his eyes. He was caught. He reached for his blades. "PROWL, SARI! Get away from him! NOW!" Prowl held Sari close and jumped away. Ratchet fired his magnets. Wheeljack threw up his blades. The charges were dispersed into the walls. "GET SARI OUT OF HERE!" Prowl didn't argue. He charged for the door. As he neared it, two more bots appeared. A large red one and a blue one. Ratchet bit his lip angrily. They've just walked into a trap. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU GUYS? Why do you look like Wheeljack?"
Wheeljack lifted his head. He touched his fingers to his neck. "My name is Makeshift." His voice was gravelly and raspy. "Those two are Knockout and Breakdown. And as to why I look like Wheeljack," he smiled maliciously, "I was the one who killed him."
Ratchet charged his Magnets, "Then it looks like I'll be the one putting Wheeljack's Spark to rest!" He shot out again. Makeshift threw up the blades again, diverting the current to the walls. Ratchet moved in, applying more pressure. "TIME TO PAY DECEPTICON!" He dropped the magnets and punched Makeshift in the face.
Makeshift stayed on his feet as he slid back. The punch barely hurt him. He sprang forward and tackled Ratchet. The two tumbled and rolled further into the compound. With Ratchet on top, Makeshift kicked him off and into a room. Ratchet hit his head on a protruding piece of metal. Then Ratchet saw it. They had made a small Space bridge. The Trans warp generator resembled the one they had on earth. That explained how they got here. They have the twin. "You know," Makeshift said, meandering into the room, "we planned to go to earth with this thing. We had plans to take down Optimus Prime and his crew. And you are one of his men? You serve alongside Optimus Prime? They say his team was the best of the best." He taunted. He smirked menacingly to the fuming Medical bot, "Looks like taking you guys out will be easier than we originally thought." Ratchet gritted his teeth. "Oops, I upset the medical bot. Maybe I should be a little bit nicer towards your feelings." Makeshift moved his eyes along the walls, thinking of a new taunt. He then snapped his fingers. "I KNOW! Rachael! Maybe that Rachael person will save your worthless hide." Ratchet narrowed his eyes. "Then again, from what we heard over the camera, she prefers the ninja bot over you. So why would she help you? Why would this – I'm guessing – ORGANIC save the life of a worthless Autobot!"
"BECAUSE THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF PERSON SHE IS!" Ratchet roared. "Rachael will help anyone who asks her. Whether they're Autobot or organic, or whether she loves them from the bottom of her heart…or not…." He shook his head, "She'll be there for us."
Makeshift smiled wolfishly. "So you do love her." Ratchet's eyes widened. "That ninja bot may not like you after this. Maybe I can kill him for you." Ratchet clenched a fist, "That way you can have the girl for a while, then I'll kill her and – AHHH!"
Makeshift ducked down as Ratchet fired his magnets. Ratchet then ran forward and uppercut him. Makeshift hit the ceiling then collapsed onto the ground. Ratchet jumped on top of him and began to punch Makeshift's face in. "YOU," Punch, "PIECE," Punch, "OF TRASH!" punch-punch. "You think I'd kill over something like love?" Love? The word chimed through his head. Love…why do I…"I see." Makeshift twitched his head, trying to glare up at Ratchet. His eye was punched in, and his cheek was dented severely. He was a mess. "I'm through lying to myself and to everyone else." He declared to himself. "I do care deeply for Rachael. But It's not the love that Prowl feels. It's more like a love that a father would have for his child." He put his magnets to Makeshift's face. Makeshift whimpered and whined, begging for Ratchet to not kill him. "No matter who gets in my way," he charged his magnet, "I'll protect Rachael until my very spark gives out!"
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
/""\
Back in the hallway, Sari fired up her jet pack and hovered next to Prowl with her blades out. Rachael wasn't there. So now Sari had to hold her own this time. I can do this. The two Decepticons chuckled at her. Sari's confidence dwindled. "Is your pet going to be your back up?" Knockout mocked.
"Careful," Prowl smirked, "She bites."
To prove his point, Sari charged forward. Knockout swatted at her. Sari dove down, flew up and grazed Knockout's face. "NOT THE PAINT JOB!" He pleaded.
"You're going to need Pimp My Ride to do a complete body makeover by the time I'm through with you!" She kept going for him.
Knockout pulled out his staff. Sari and Knockout's weapons clangs and scratched against one another. Knockout stabbed at Sari. She pushed it down and landed on the staff. Sari ran along it, throwing orbs at Knockouts face. Knockout swatted his other hand and knocked Sari into a tree. She fell to the ground, the wind taken out of her. She struggled to her hands and knees, coughing blood as she moved. Knockout stomped a foot down in front of her, causing Sari to spring a foot off the ground. She looked up at the colorful con, sneering at him. "You're becoming a bit of a problem Techno organic," Knockout uttered grudgingly. He reached down and picked her up by her pig-tails, "You're lucky that we need you."
"What a coincidence!" Sari stabbed his hand. Knockout cried out and dropped Sari. He held his hand tightly, trying to stop the pain. "We need one of you to take us home!"
"You want to go home?" Knockout grumbled, squeezing his hand over the wound. "Then you better believe that you and your friends are taking us with you!"
"Then it looks like you and I have a problem!" Sari ran for the con. Knockout raised his staff from the ground and slammed it down. When Sari jumped from the ground, Knockout kicked her in the side and sent her into the steel walls of the base. She fell to the ground unconscious. Rachael…
X ($) X
"SARI!" Prowl cried. Breakdown threw a punch. Prowl ducked down, grabbed hold on Breakdowns arm and flipped him over and onto his back. He then sprang forward and ran for the outside. Then he tripped. "WHAT?" Something had his foot. Prowl looked back. There was a cable around his foot. Breakdown had caught him. Prowl tried desperately to cut the cable. It didn't break.
"That Organic and Knockout are already doing battle," Breakdown explained tauntingly, "You and I shall fight here." He pulled Prowl closer. The ninja bot pried his fingers into the floor, trying to get away. "You know…" Breakdown grunted, still pulling at Prowl, "If you tell us the coordinates to that back water planet you and your friends live on, I may be able to keep Knockout from smashing the girl into paste."
"Is that what this is about?" Prowl snarled. "Going to earth?" Prowl let go of the floor and leaned up. "Sorry to disappoint you," Prowl launched himself and rammed into Breakdown. The cable came off his foot and he had Breakdown pinned, "But none of you are going to our planet!" He slashed Breakdowns chest plate.
Breakdown grabbed Prowl by the neck, rolled over and started to slam his head against the steel floor. "Then you, that med bot, and the organic can say hi to Wheeljack for us!" He began to punch Prowl relentlessly. Prowl brought a hand up and caught the punch. He took his other hand and stabbed the shuriken into Breakdowns neck. Breakdown shot up and pulled the weapon from his neck. As Prowl kicked out, Breakdown caught the foot and stabbed the shuriken into it. Prowl screeched in pain. Then Breakdown yanked him up and hung Prowl upside down. He whirled Prowl around over his head and slammed him back down. Prowl laid sprawled out onto the floor. "Pity that you won't be returning to that Rachael you've been fussing over." Prowl, shakily, opened his eyes. Breakdown was a giant blur, but his voice was as screechy as ever. "Maybe she'll consider getting another guy after her weak one here is put offline."
Prowl brought his legs back, and sprang up. His feet connected with Breakdowns face, knocking the con onto his back. "Rachael can have any guy she wants!" He declared, "But until she says otherwise," he jumped on Breakdown and raised a shuriken, "I'm…her…guy!" He stabbed down. The shuriken pierced through the neck. The cords disconnected, the wires sparked and short circuited, Breakdowns body began to fidget and twitch wildly. Within seconds Breakdowns body went limp. His color faded, the red optics flicked off. Breakdown was gone. Prowl coughed and rasped with relief. Ratchet came running down the hall. "Where's…Makeshift?" Prowl asked, panting.
"I'd wager he's in the well of Alspark's by now." Ratchet grumbled.
Prowls eyes widened. Ratchet, though he had won, looked so defeated. He told Rachael never to kill out of anger. But that is what he just did. Prowl walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't feel guilty or sorry for yourself," he advised strongly, "Now Wheeljack can truly rest in peace, knowing that his face won't be seen as deaths mask."
"Now I'll have good news to tell LifeChange next time I see him." GYAAAH! "SARI!" The two cried. The sprinted for the outside. They looked around, frantically searching for Sari. She and Knockout were nowhere to be seen. "SARI!" Ratchet cried out. His voice echoed throughout the trees.
"SARI!" Prowl cried next. Sari didn't respond. Prowls eyes fell on the wall. There was blood on it. "No…please no…SAAAARRRRIIIII!" Snap! The two bots jumped. Ratchet aimed his magnets and Prowl held his shuriken at the ready. The tree's shifted and moved. A large shadow came into view.
"KNOCKOUT!" Ratchet snarled. The narcissistic Con appeared out of the trees with a smug smile on his face. "What the hell have you done with Sari, you SLAGGING CON?"
Knockout raised a finger. His head that wobbled drunkenly. He fell to his knees and then face first into the ground. In his back was a giant hole with sparking wires spilling out. COUGH…COUGH...Sari was leaning against a tree. Her side was torn up and blood spilled from her mouth. Her hair was disheveled and her dress was torn. Some of her circuitry was damaged, and her jet pack dented and broken, but nothing too severe. Amazing, considering what Knockout put her through. Prowl ran over and scooped her up. The two bots ran back inside. Ratchet guided Prowl back to the miniature space bridge. They needed to get back home and help Sari before her wounds decide to become worse. "Do any of us actually know how to work this thing?" Prowl exasperated.
"Not entirely…" Ratchet trailed off, looking over the controls, "But I think…I can contact Optimus-" A picture started to come in on the computer screen. It was full of static. Buzzing static, but static none the less. "Hold on…hold on…" Ratchet tried to increase the radio frequency. He extended the communication range a bit. A picture started to come in. It was still distorted, but Ratchet tried to respond, "This is Medical Expert Ratchet of Optimus Prime's squad! Someone please come in!"
"Ratch-zzzt…hear-bzzpt…see-skksh."
Ratchet increased the range again. He pressed every button, desperately trying to get the signal up and working properly. "Try again. You're coming in hazy." The picture came in better. It was a bit blurry, but at least they could make out who was in the picture. It was Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Rachael. "BOY ARE WE I GLAD TO SEE YOU!" Ratchet cheered.
"Like wise!" Bulkhead cheered.
Rachael and Bumblebee pushed passed him. "PROWLER!"
"Hello Rachael." He giggled.
"SARI, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?" Bumblebee cried.
"I fell," she lied, rasping exhaustedly, "You could…say I fell…on a Decepticon." She held up two fingers and smiled in a Naruto fashion.
"She killed her first Decepticon." Prowl bragged.
"WHAT!" The three over the computer cried, "YOU KILLED A CON?" Sari nodded with a bloodied smile. "THAT'S OUR GIRL!" Bumblebee and Rachael cheered.
After the group shared a few words, Bulkhead guided Ratchet and Prowl through the motions. Ratchet input the coordinates to earth, while Prowl bandaged Sari up. Ratchet set the computers to overload and implode the entire compound once they were gone. They finally got the bridge up and running. Bulkhead advised them to enter slowly. Prowl and Ratchet interlocked arms, and Prowl held the bandaged Sari close to him. With one great push the two jumped through the portal, anxious to reach their home. They heard the explosions as they bridged through.
/\|:"":|/\
Moments later, the three came crashing down onto Sumdac's tower. Bumblebee ran up and hugged Sari tightly. She coughed hard and told him that she was injured. He loosened up, but still kept a firm grip. His arms were shaking, tears spilled from his eyes. "Sari…" he whimpered. "Don't…ever…leave me again." He pleaded.
Sari laid her head down on his arms and caressed it affectionately. He brought her in and connected his lips with hers. It was as if it was the kiss was the one that would keep them together for all time.
Rachael actually began to scold Prowl for leaving without her. She hated it when she was left out of the action. Prowl tried to convince her that nothing major happened. But Rachael knew better. "You didn't get those scratches from FALLING!" Sari scratched her head nervously, knowing that Rachael was yelling at her.
"You never know," Prowl purred. He smirked sexily to her, "Whenever you're not around, I get into all sorts of trouble."
"Is that your way of threatening me to stay with you?" She purred, circling her finger on his chest. She then leaned in, teasing his lips by breathing on them, "Or is this some elaborate plot to keep me interested?"
"I thought you liked it when I'm evil?" He hummed.
She put a hand to his cheek, "I love it." the two exchanged kiss.
Bulkhead and Ratchet pretended to vomit, but then laughed. "So how, how'd things go?"
"They went good." Ratchet admitted with a smile. Things went better than he had hoped. He now knew that he didn't love-love Rachael. He just cared too much to let anything happen to her. That gave him some peace. Not only was his friendship with Prowl saved, but now Rachael wouldn't have to worry about hurting someone's feelings. But the three Decepticons on Tropis made Ratchet uneasy. Just how far along had the Decepticons spread? And if it's far, how much of their evil metal seeds have they planted?
OMG I'M SO GLAD I FINALLY FINISHED THIS CHAPTER!
Next chapter is with Wasp and Black Arachnia.
TILL NEXT TIME TFA FANS.
