This is a Christmas Special! 3317 words! My highest record for this story! I hope you all enjoy this and have a Happy New Year!
"Whoo hoo!" the girls cheered, jumping up and down.
"Megabitch is gone!" they sang, waving their arms in the air. Foliage was supposed to be sitting down but snuck a little standing time when Maple was celebrating. Her wound was still visible and sometimes, energon still leaked from it. Maple stopped and glared at Foliage who dramatically stopped jumping up and down and looked at her.
"What?" Maple marched over, dragged Foliage to a crate, and pushed her shoulders down.
"I SAID NO STANDING FOR 3 DAYS!" Maple yelled at Foliage. Foliage winced and covered her ears, everyone else following her example.
"Jeez!", Foliage said, "It was only for 10 seconds!"
"Nope, I'm having none of that!"
"That sounds like Hatchet," Jazz whispered to Cliffjumper who snickered. A wrench whizzed through the air and struck both bots on the head.
"What did you say?" Ratchet asked sinisterly. Both bots paled, if robots could paled, and shook their heads furiously.
"N-nothing?" they said at the same time. Ratchet grunted, glaring at them before turning around and continuing his work. Both bots let out their held breath and sighed. The girls snickered at their misfortune.
"Optimus, why so glum?" Maple asked, noticing that Prime was the only one not celebrating.
"This planet, all planets are finally free from Megatron's tyranny," Ratchet said, agreeing with Maple's observation.
"I do not disagree, Ratchet," Optimus said sadly, "It's just A small part of me hoped to change Megatron's mind, not extinguish his spark,"
"Optimus, his vileness was not slain by your hand but by his own twisted arrogance!" Ratchet said exasperatedly.
"Ratchet, give the guy a break!" Foliage said, defending Optimus , "This guy got a big heart of gold, don't crush it!"
"Hmm," Optimus said thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry," Ratchet said not too apologetically, " I know the two of you had quite a history,"
"But the Megatron whom I once fought beside perished eons ago, the day he chose to become a Decepticon," Optimus said, trying to convince himself that Megatron's death is for the better good.
"Uh c'mon!" Maple groaned, "You ruined his heart of gold!"
"What is this 'heart of gold?" Optimus asked.
"It's a human expression referring to people who are very good people," Foliage explained. Both bots nodded. A loud boom was heard and smoke was in the air.
"Decepticons! We're under attack!" Ratchet shouted and ran pulling out his cannons. Optimus was right bhind him
"It's no attack, Ratchet," Raf said reassuringly, coughing and waving the air around him "It's my volcano. Or was," he coughed a bit more.
"Hold still, Bulkhead!", Miko said, posing her paintbrush in the air, "Jupiter needs its red spot. Whoopsie!" Miko said after she missing, dripping red paint on the floor.
What in the allspark is going on in here?!"
"Our projects are due tomorrow," Raf explained.
"Maybe it needs one of these doohickeys," Arcee said, holding up a metal part.
"You're a motorcycle, Arcee," Jack said, "Shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?"
"You're a human, Jack," Arcee said sarcastically, "Can you build me a small intestine?"
"Well, you can't work on these projects in here!" Ratchet said, "You're making a mess!"
"This," Maple said pointing at their projects, "Is not a mess,"
"You should see our base," Foliage said before her eyes saddened.
"Or what's left of it," Both girls sighed. Everyone looked at the girls with sympathy.
"But the science fair's a big part of our grade," Raf protested.
"Yeah, if Bulkhead doesn't help me finish this model of our solar system," Miko started to say.
"And what does bulkhead know of your solar system, or Bumblebee of your volcanos, or"
"Arcee of our motorcycles?" Jack said finishing for Ratchet.
"Exactly! We're not earthlings!" Ratchet said, "And they're not scientists!"
"But the autobots are their guardians, Ratchet," Optimus said tactically, "Would it hurt to learn more of earth by helping our young friends with their schoolwork?"
"Well, maybe our young friends should try learning more of Cybertron," Ratchet snorted.
"Speaking of schoolwork," Cliffjumper said, looking over at the girls, "Don't you guys have schoolwork?" both girls cringed, holding themselves in an uncomfortable state.
"We don't go to school," Foliage said coldly.
"School are for sissies," Maple said, crossing her arms. All the smiles and laughter were wiped of their faces, only leaving behind a dark cold look that a sparkling should never have.
"Why?" Jazz asked after searching on Google. Education was an important part in a human's life! Foliage narrowed her eyes.
"We have better things to do," she said simply and turned her head away, thus ending the conversation. Cliffjumper and Jazz's optics bore into their back but they saved it for another time. The Twins just shrugged.
"Really, Bumblebee?" Raf asked in awe, "Then how do you make warrior class? But I've seen you in action.
You're awesome!"
"I second your opinion, Raf," Optimus said, walking up behind him, But autobots life cycles are much longer than those of humans. And though it may be hard to believe, our young scout still has much to experience,"
BEEP BEEP BEEP
"Exposed Energon, and it's on the move," Ratchet reported, typing furiously on the keypad.
"And since we ain't moving it, guess who must be," Sunstreaker said sarcastically.
"Decepticons," Sideswipe said, his finger curling into a fist.
"Without Megatron?" Miko asked, confused.
Unfortunately, Megatron's legacy will live on as others rise to take his place," Optimus said with a hint of sadness, "Autobots, you have projects to complete. Ratchet, I may require aid," Optimus said, looking at Ratchet.
"What!" The Twins exclaimed.
"I'm not gonna touch a squishy's stuff," Sunstreaker complained, "Or help them!"
"Science fair is a big part of their grade," Ratchet said persuasively, "Perhaps I'm better suited to remain behind and advise,"
"Very well," Optimus said, trusting his CMO's judgement completely, "Sunstreaker, Sideswipe. Let us see about this Energon in transit," Ratchet opened a ground bridge for them and they exited the base.
"This doesn't look like an energon mine," Sideswipe commented as they observed Starscream and Soundwave from behind big sandstone boulders.
"No, Sideswipe, it does not," Optimus said, activating his battle mask, "Hold your position and await my command,"
"Awaken, warrior," Starscream said, holding his hands up in the air majestically, "Rise and serve your new master!"
"Skyquake serves only one master," Skyquake said, observing his new surroundings.
"Excellent," Starscream said with traces of glee, "Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops," Starscream said, waiting. His face bore a confused expression but it immediately disappeared to be replace with a I'm-better-than-you look.
"No need to be timid, Skyquake," Starscream said boldly, "You may bow,"
"You fail to grasp my meaning," Skyquake said in annoyance, "I am here on a mission assigned to me by my one master: Megatron,"
"Yes. Him," Starscream said disappointedly, "Sadly, Megatron is no longer with us,"
"Impossible," Skyquake said in awe and unacceptance.
"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?" Starscream said exasperatedly, "Skyquake, I located you.
I awakened you. Thus I, lord Starscream, am now your master!" Optimus and the Twins jumped out from behind the rocks which they have been hiding behind.
"It has been a while, Skyquake," Optimus regarded his opponent cooly.
"Optimus Prime," Skyquake returned the cool regards, "I haven't seen you since the battle of ordered me to annihilate you," Skyquake's expression suddenly turned murderous.
"That was a long time ago," Optimus said with caution.
"That may be, Prime, but my orders still stand,"
Is this ancient war still worth fighting when so many comrades have been lost and worlds destroyed?" Optimus said persuasively, "If you want to be a true leader, Starscream, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decepticons toward peace,"
"I would be willing to consider a truce If you would be willing to bow before me, Optimus Prime," Starscream said maliciously.
"Again?! Bow to this!" Skyquake tossed Starscream to one side, annoyed of this whole bow-to-me buisiness. Starscream groaned, sat up, and took off, like a true coward.
Skyquake, this is a new era, on another world," Optimus furthered his persuading campaign, "Side with the Autobots, and help me end this conflict forever!"
"I will never side with a Prime!" Skyquake roared and charged at Optimus, throwing him into a rock wall. He charged again and flung Optimus into another wall, sending a cloud of dust into the air.
"What need have I for peace when I have Skyquake?" Starscream said to Soundwave, not expecting an answer, "With some discipline, he will learn to respect his new master. And once it becomes known that Skyquake destroyed Optimus Prime under my command! All Decepticons will gratefully bow to me,"
Optimus shot at Skyquake but the energon bullet ricochet of his chest. He shot again but missed. Skyquake pulled out his cannon and shot repeatedly at Optimus, pushing him back. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe saw this and they charged out, shooting at Skyquake from behind.
"Sunstreaker, Sideswipe. No!" Optimus called out. Skyquake shot repeatedly with his cannon at the twins as the jumped from one side of the rock wall to the other, dodging the bullet effectively until Sideswipe was hit and slammed into the wall.
"Sideswipe!" Sunstreaker yelled. Skyquake was about to shoot at Sideswipe again as he was against the wall but his repeated shots were misguided and Optimus jumped up and directed Skyquake's cannon upwards. Sideswipe ran out and Sunstreaker charged towards Skyquake only to be lifted up in the air and thrown to the ground.
"No!" Sunstreaker groaned, "Not the paint!"
"Do not miss a single moment, Soundwave!" Starscream commanded, watching the ordeal with glee, "We shall need visual documentation of Optimus Prime's demise. For the historical record!" Optimus flung himself and Skyquake only to tossed over the shoulder towards where the Twins stood.
"Skyquake has not yet acquired a vehicle mode," Optimus whispered. Skyquake let out a battle cry and charged towards them, "Fall back!" They changed into their alt modes, reversing and turning a full 360 degrees before speeding off.
"So, time has made you a coward, Prime?!" Skyquake taunted and fired at them through the haze with his bullets.
Back at Baser
"Let's see. Where is it?" Ratchet mumbled.
"Um," Raf queried, "What is it?"
"You'll find out," Ratchet said absentmindedly, continuing to fire blaze some things, sending off blue sparks in the air.
"But, Ratchet, shouldn't I be doing the work?" Raf asked, walking forward and touch "his science project".
"Eh, yeah, yeah, yeah!" Ratchet tutted, "Don't touch! Just watch and learn," he said before continuing his work.
All of the bots just stood there and watched him. Jack and Miko were standing on the steps, looking down at him. Foliage and Maple sighed before giving each other the look. They snuck off.
"So, we're just gonna go help Jack and Miko finish their" Bulkhead started to say.
"Without my supervision?!" Ratchet exclaimed, "You want them to be right, don't you?" he asked rhetorically. Arcee and Bulkhead looked at each other and looked back at him. Bumblebee buzzed and whirred, shaking his head.
"Then watch a master at work!" he said with a crazed look on his face.
"Control freak," Miko whispered to Jack. Cliffjumper and Jazz sighed.
"C'mon little ladies," Jazz said looking around, "Let's go have do something productive. Cliffjumper looked around again.
"Foliage?"
"Maple?"
Back at the Battlefield
Soundwave scanned the surroundings.
"We've lost sight of them!" Starscream complained, "Soundwave, why aren't you tracking them?" A ping popped up on Soundwave's visor.
"What? What is it?" Starscream asked rhetorically, "A second Decepticon life signal? But Skyquake is the only sleeper buried in this area!" Starscream exclaimed before looking again.
"The site of our destroyed space bridge," Starscream said thoughtfully, "You're not telling me that life signal belongs to Megatron? B-b-but he was microns from the detonation point! Nothing could have survived that blast! Your sensors must be faulty! Ignore the contact! Delete the coordinates!" Starscream ranted. Soundwave just stood there and made whirring noises, still holding on to the coordinates.
"Oh, what am I saying? O-of course! This must be investigated," Starscream said tactfully, "If lord Megatron is up there, I shall bring him home! Remain here and monitor the outcome! When Skyquake snuffs Prime's spark, I must bear witness!"Starscream transformed and dived down before taking off into the skies.
"Must bear witness," came Starscream's voice from Soundwave. Laserbeak dispatched from Soundwave's chest and took off, following Starscream.
Sunstreaker sped off, with Skyquake tumbling behind him. He sped into a dead end and transformed into his bipedal mode, running towards the wall and looked back.
"It will be a shame to crush you, bug, but it is my duty," Skyquake rumbled before turning around to a beep of another lamborghini, this time, red. Skyquake shot at him with his cannon, the lamborghini dodged all of the bullets and transformed into Sideswipe. He ran up to Skyquake and punched him into the wall.
"Nice one Sides," Sunstreaker commented before looking down at his paint in horror. There were scratched everywhere and he was covered in soot. Optimus drove up behind them and transformed.
"Excellent strategy," Optimus complemented, unaware that he was being watched. Skyquake groaned and fell down, face flat on the ground before popping his blood red optics open and punched Optimus on the back.
"Skyquake, stay down," Optimus said sternly before giving Skyquake a much deserved punch in the face. He fell flat on his back.
"Nice paint, Sunny," Sideswipe teased. Sunstreaker
grumbled.
"Don't call me that!"An air jet flew across the sky.
"Fowler?" Optimus said in awe. Skyquake smirked and scanned the skies.
"Agent Fowler, fall back!" Optimus said through comm link but it was too late. Skyquake scanned the air jet and took off to the skies. He flew up next to Fowler.
"Well, I'll be a bald eagle," Agent Fowler exclaimed. Skyquake dived back down to the ground.
"Air superiority achieved," his rumbling voice rang out and started shooting at Optimus and the Twins. They started to run, the bullets close behind them. Then, they came to their senses and transformed into their alt modes, speeding off. Skyquake continued to shoot at them as they swerved from side to side, dodging the bullets.
Skyquake was about to drop 2 bombs down at them but was shot from behind by an identical air jet.
"Stealing plans for a classified military aircraft will not be tolerated on my watch!" Fowler said sternly to himself. Skyquake dropped back and now, the hunter was being to hunted. He dispatched multiple missiles at Agent Fowler.
"Heat seekers!" Agent Fowler exclaimed and dived down into the canyons, trying to dodge the missiles pursuing him. He flew straight into a canyon wall before flying straight up into the sky. All of the missiles hit the canyon wall instead of him.
"I still got it!" Skyquake continued to shoot at the Autobots, hitting Optimus and he was forced to transform and duck and Skyquake passed over head. The Twins also got struck and was lying on the ground. Energon was starting to pool around them.
Suddenly out of nowhere, two motorcycles came speeding after Skyquake. One was green and one was a rich cinnamon color. They sped until the edge of the canyon and jumped up into the air, over the crevasse and ran towards the edge. As they got towards the edge, they jumped over and landed on Skyquake. Foliage was on the right and Maple was on the left.
Skyquake flew towards the wall of the canyon and scrapped Foliage's back against it but Maple on the other side tipped him downwards, flipping Foliage into the air on she landed, buttfirst on his back.
"Agent Fowler," Optimus said when he saw the girls on Skyquake, "We require immediate assistance!" Skyquake tipped from one side to the other, trying to dislodge the girls but the held on fast. Maple slipped and was holding on for dear life with one hand.
"Grab on!" Foliage yelled, one hand was outstretch and the other was gripping tightly onto Skyquake. Maple swung herself up, grabbed Foliage's hand and Foliage flung her up into the air, landing behind Foliage on Skyquake back.
Both girls crouched down and behind to pull wire and metal out of Skyquake. Smoke was in the air as Skyquake started to dive stright towards the ground. Agent Fowler was right behind them.
"We're gonna jump!" Maple yelled over at Agent Fowler.
"Any time, girls," Agent Fowler said, "Wait a sec- oh nevermind! Ground floor's coming fast!" As Skyquake started to accelerate in speed, Foliage and Maple held hands and Foliage pushed off, flung Maple over her shoulders and Maple landed on Agent Fowler's air jet and pulled in Foliage. Skyquake crashed into the ground, skidding and leaving trails of smoke and fire after him.
"Happy landings, 'con," Sunstreaker said weakly as he tried to push himself up. Agent Fowler flew close to the ground, allowing the girls to jump off, landing at the top of the canyon before speeding off. Maple and Foliage climbed down and jumped beside Optimus.
"Had Skyquake chosen to stray from his master's path, we might not be burying him today," Optimus said with a hint of remorse. Maple and Foliage had their arms crossed against their chest as they look at the fallen warrior. Both looked at each other and shrugged, and they started to walk towards the Twins. Both girls tried to lift both frontliners but with no avail.
"Hey," Foliage said, look at Optimus, "You can carry Sides by yourself,"
"And we will carry Sunny," Maple said, finishing off.
"Don't call me that!" Optimus nodded and lifted Sideswipe up, carrying him bridal style. Foliage got to Sunstreaker's head and Maple at Sunstreakers feet.
"You gotta put his legs on your shoulders!" Foliage yelled, putting Sunstreaker's arms on her shoulder. Maple lifted Sunstreaker's legs up and place it on her shoulders and she led the way into the ground bridge.
Back at Base
"Girls, putting yourself at risk was perhaps not the wisest of strategies, but you performed admirably," Optimus complemented the awestruck girls. They were prepared to get a scolding of their life.
"There you are!" Cliffjumper yelled running towards the girls.
"Don't you dare run off again!" Jazz exclaimed, examining the girls for any damage.
"Shut up," Foliage said, "We're not children,"
"Yes you are," Ratchet retorted, never looking up from his computer. Both girls stuck their tongue out at him. They looked at each other and smiled.
"YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!" they yelled, "WE KILLED A CON! WE KILLED A CON!" they said imitating their own moves.
"That was so awesome!"
"Girls,"Optimus said sternly, "You are both confined to base for a week,"
"You can't tell us what to do!" Maple said defiantly, "You're not my mother!"
"Or my father!"
"And we're not Autobots," Maple said, growling.
"You can boss your guys around but you can't boss us around!"
"But we gave you a place to stay!"
"You gave us," Maple said, narrowing her eyes, "Not: we begged,"
"Anyways," Foliage said, "We already repaid you, have we not?"
"Aha-ha-ha! There you are," Ratchet said happily, "Well? How were my - Uh, our projects received?"
"Well" Miko said, scratching the back of her head. The humans told their story, one by one.
"Well, on our planet, you would have been awarded the highest honors!" Ratchet grumbled, "Absolutely no gratitude,"
"Yeah, on your planet!" Foliage saide, defending the humans, "But this is not your planet!"
"This is Earth!" Ratchet grumbled and started to repair the Twins. Bumblebee whirred and chirped.
"Indeed, Bumblebee," Optimus agreed, "Our human friends would have been wise to stray from Ratchet's path," the girls snorted and laugh.
"Good thing we don't go to school," Maple remarked, "Right Sunny?"
"Don't call me that!"