Here with an update.
It had been a few years since the Chicago battle and things had changed. Zyon was now fifteen and the only human currently the Autobots along with Izzy. Sam and Carly got married and went into hiding in order to live a happy life and start a family without worry. The military crew that the Autobots bonded with went off to do their own thing.
It shouldn't have been too bad. The Decepticon population had decreased significantly and things had grown quiet. Everything should have been peaceful.
However, fate seemed to have other plans for them. The biggest and most unpredictable change was the fate of the Autobots. They were on the run. Victims of people wishing to destroy them after the Chicago battle. And because of that, they had to scatter and go into hiding.
The main reason Zyon was still around was because of the fact that he had been seen with Sideswipe. And in order to protect his family, he had to go with them. It got even more complicated when Izzy came along. She was the first to find out about Zyon's involvement and the first to meet Sideswipe. When Zyon had to leave, she refused to let him go alone, and there was no way she was going to take no for an answer.
They were travelling across country in an attempt to stay out of trouble and find any remaining Autobots. They knew Bumblebee was alive and well, and grouped with a few new faces. Hound, Drift, and Crosshairs being their names. Ratchet's whereabouts were currently unknown. And Optimus just had to be found. As much as they'd like to find Ratchet, they received word from him saying that finding Optimus had to be their priority and that he would be fine and meet up with them later.
The trio came to a stop so they could think of a plan. Sideswipe stayed in vehicle mode so he wouldn't draw unwanted attention. A bald eagle perched on Zyon's shoulder. He had rescued it from poachers who were looking to make a quick buck. The poachers were arrested and more than likely doing time, especially with the bald eagle being such a staple in the country.
Ever since that day, the predatory bird stuck with him, following him everywhere. The eagle became a sort of mascot and friend of the group. Though when push came to shove, it was attached to Zyon the most.
"So where do we go next?" Izzy asked, looking at the map as she leaned against Sideswipe.
"From what I read," Zyon began looking at his tablet, "an old, dusty semi was seen heading south somewhere in Oklahoma. I think we should try Texas."
"Why Texas?" Sideswipe inquired.
"Because, it's a big state and it sounds like he's heading that way. And, not to sound stereotypical, but if you wanted to lose a semi, Texas is the place. Plus, I have an old friend from camp, whose father is a bit of a tinkerer. She knows I'm in town and you never know what might be hiding in that garage of a barn of his."
A discarded for sale sign lied on the front lawn as Sideswipe pulled up. Parking, he allowed Zyon and Izzy to exit. Looking around, they saw her exiting the house. She seemed distracted by something, so Zyon had to get her attention.
"Hey, Tessa!" Zyon loudly greeted.
She jumped, looking towards them startled. She stared at them for a few moments, processing the pair. Once she recognized who they were, Tessa ran over to them.
"Hey Zyon. It's good to see you." Tessa greeted, giving him a friendly hug. "How've you been?"
"Good." Zyon replied. "Traveling the country and I thought I'd stop by. How about you?"
"I wish I was doing as good."
Tessa led the duo to the barn, leaving Sideswipe to go idle. She explained their depleting funds and the house being foreclosed on. How her father had become a little more reclusive. Not to mention the explosion in the family room. But it wasn't all bad. She would go on to tell about school, college, and her boyfriend.
As they entered, they found a cluttered mess of equipment and inventions. Zyon had to give Cade credit for the ingenuity behind them. Though the inventions were looking worse for wear. Cade approached them with a curiously stressed expression.
"Who's this?" Cade interrogated.
"You remember Zyon, don't you?" Tessa reminded. "We met at summer camp a few years back, when I volunteered to be a camp counselor."
It took a moment to for Cade to recall that particular summer. And when he did, he grunted in realization. He remembered that camp and how she came to enjoy it. She had made several friends, Zyon included, and kept in contact with them.
"It's good to see you again." Cade admitted.
"Same here." Zyon agreed.
"Dad, there's a missile in the family room." Tessa noted, changing the subject as she walked towards a vehicle lying deeper in the barn.
As if on cue, the vehicle transformed, revealing its true identity. It was Optimus Prime. He was looking a little worse for wear, but it was defiantly him. Optimus went into a blind rage, hitting Lucas with the tip of his blaster. He was lulled with the help of Cade's assurance of safety and the recognition of Zyon.
"Cade, I am in your debt." Optimus thanked. "My name is Optimus Prime."
He went onto explain that he was ambushed. When he got away, he took the form of the old truck so he could get away. Optimus' focus quickly changed to the other Autobots and the need to find and assist them.
"You're in no condition to do this alone." Cade stated. "Let us help you."
Now while I plan on having the Zyon stuff last for 7 chapters, I don't know if the Age of Extinction Arc will be three or four chapters.