Author's Notes: There's not much I can say about the next chapter; it's pure fluff, also I apologize for the delay, but I kept putting off this chapter due to unexpected developments, nothin' serious though... Anyway: We Now Return to Jem.
The Holograms and Rio returned after everyone who happened to be a Cobra affiliate left and the business transaction with Ratbat was concluded; Al didn't bother worrying about where the money was coming from, he had a sneaking suspicion Ratbat was conning someone legitimately out of money, if the Decepticon stole it, it'd be too easy to trace. He wasn't stupid after all; somehow dinner was already on the table when they arrived and there was enough for everyone, including the impromptu dinner guests Tony Stark and Matt Murdoch. How they managed that feat Al wasn't quite sure of; all he knew was that Tony and Matt decided to stick around to celebrate the success of the plan that their Omniversal traveling friend had come up with.
The conversation at dinner was quite non-specific and easily forgettable for the preoccupied young man; despite his confidence he didn't want to jeopardize the safety of his friends here, should the Decepticons actually put two and two together. Tony bid the group good night after dinner was over and left to board the quinjet he'd borrowed; Matt stuck around a few minutes longer to pass out his card, in case the Misfits had need of his services in future. With the billionaire playboy and the blind lawyer gone that just left a rather large collection of women, girls, Al and Rio; a very bored collection of girls, women, Al and Rio.
"Al; do you like know any good games we could all play?" Becky asked. "Something besides charades or Monopoly." She added with a sigh; Al thought about it a while, in fact he'd grown so distant lost in thought as he was that he didn't hear Amy calling until the tenth time.
"Daddy, honestly; you were off in space again." She pouted stamping her foot.
"Sorry, but it's been quite some time since I've played anything; aside from the sports we've been doing, but it's a tad too late for that, for Amy that is." He apologize scooping up his daughter into his lap and tickling her nose; she giggled before assuming a pensive look.
"Why not have a singing contest?" She suggested with a smile; the other girls all let out a collective cheer as if that was the best thing they'd heard ever, she smiled proudly as all eyes now turned to Al with a look of hope on their faces.
"Can we please; we never got to hear you sing last time." Terri spoke up a little shyly; Al looked on the spot and glanced over at the other adults, it was their call too realistically speaking why everyone always seemed to look to him for decisions at times like this since he'd gotten here confused him to no end.
"No way pal, we're off the clock when it comes to watching over the Starlight girls as long as you're in the same room; you volunteered and we agreed." Rio stated partially explaining how it was that Al became the go to guy when it came to activity planning.
"It's true." Jerrica agreed with a grin. "We all think it's a wonderful idea; it's up to you though to make the deciding vote." She stated; Al sighed and closed his eyes briefly calculating the possibility Q might show up and get him out of this one, but that scenario wasn't too likely.
"Of course we can." Amy stated in a no-nonsense tone before turning back to her father. "Right Daddy?" She urged her eyes growing wider and a tiny trembling pout spreading across her features.
"Oh no, anything but that." Al pleaded in an overtly theatrical tone; then he faked thrashing about as if Amy was bombarding some kind of emotional barrier, he faked a groan and averted his gaze to no avail. Then with a mighty roar of joy he pulled his precious daughter closer and nuzzled her cheek with his nose. "Cutie!" He exclaimed closing his eyes; his face crinkling with a great big smile of love and devotion. "Is it any wonder I can't say no to you? All the fun of having a cat with none of the mess." He quipped teasingly.
"Daddy." She scolded her face flushing a deep shade of red.
"Love has a way of making people act funny." He returned with an apologetic smile. "Now; it's fairly early, but if we wait any longer to figure things out it'll be your bed time. "He added climbing to his feet and examining the room. "If we're going to have a little singing contest we'll need to establish a few rules, like the judges and the participants, then again I really wouldn't call this a game." He finished rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"The girls love music so much it's sort of become one." Kimber pointed out with a warm smile; Al shrugged and began to pace slightly.
"We'll get the instruments." Delaree called as she and the Starlight girl band; who happened to call themselves The Starlighters dashed off to dredge up their equipment, Aja and Shana following after them to help with the heavier stuff.
"I know who the judges should be; Jerrica and the Holograms." Ba Nee pointed out with a big smile.
"What about us luv?" Jetta wondered slightly put off that the Misfits had been largely ignored in all this.
"Too many judges spoil the pot, or something like that; besides I'll need a backup band for my number." Al replied; Stormer, Roxy and Jetta eyed him warily.
"I don't know; you're not exactly Pizzazz." Clash voiced what the others were obviously thinking as they averted their gaze. "Still hot though; I mean if I was into that sort of thing." She added in a rather crass tone.
"Perhaps not, but the girls wouldn't be able to keep up with me like you could." Al returned; this got Rio's attention.
"Just what kind of song did you have in mind?" He demanded; Al chuckled and raised his hands up defensively.
"Relax prince charming; it's nothing inappropriate." He assured with a tiny smirk; the other girls had been rearranging the furniture this whole time and now they'd managed to set up an impromptu stage. The place looked almost like a backyard concert hall; most of the other girls were sitting down, but Ba Nee and Terri had remained standing.
"Who's all participating?" Krissie asked as the group returned with the instruments.
"Us naturally." Ashley returned as if it should be obvious.
"Me and Terri want to sing too." Ba Nee spoke up bravely; Amy shuffled her feet and raised her hand.
"I've been practicing." She revealed meekly; Al beamed proudly and cuddled her.
"And of course Al and the Misfits." Kimber revealed with a grin; the others all smiled knowingly, meanwhile Ashley and her band set up the instruments. Everyone found a place to settle themselves as the younger girls huddled together to discuss what song they'd sing; Al realized something important and raced off, moments later he was back his camera in hand.
"Ok; someone's gonna have to film me during my number, but I can handle the rest." He said.
"I'll do it." Rio spoke up. "Since I'm qualified." He added ribbing the other man good naturedly; Al shook his head at the display and turned to the girls, the first to sing would be Terri, Ba Nee and Amy who'd lost some of her confidence and who'd requested to join in their number.
"Ok; do you need us to perform for you?" Ashley asked helpfully; Terri nodded scratching at her head as if she had an itch, Amy shot her an apologetic look.
"Sorry; it's the only way I can learn the words, I hope you don't mind." She said in a low cautious tone.
"It's ok, but it's kind of odd." Terri admitted; Amy pouted slightly and reached over to pat the other girls shoulder apologetically, Ba Nee whispered what song they wanted to sing Krissie's eyes lit up.
"Oh good; well if you're ready." She said; the three nodded and Deidre began to tap her drumsticks together.
"A one, and a two and a…" She said before the band began to play.
"A father should be a good man; a father should be wise." Ba Nee began to sing first. "A father should be tall and strong, with laughter in his eyes." Terri came in the two of them sounding in perfect pitch; Shana smiled at the words of the song, Kimber had helped write it for Ba Nee when she was feeling especially sad and they'd even got her to sing it for the album it had been part of. "A father should be behind you, a father should be there." Amy came in lastly and her voice was so melodious it brought a tear to her father's eye; his pride was practically radiating off of him in waves. "A father should be someone, who always treats you fair!" The three of them sang out as one before reaching the coda. "I know the kind of man." Terri sang out with Ba Nee and Amy singing along softer in the background. "A father ought to be; a shining knight, who fights the good fight and wins it just for me!" She sang loudly closing her eyes as a tear briefly touched her eye.
"A father should be a hero, a father should come through, a father should be someone…" Terri and Ba Nee looked to Amy seeming to sense what she wanted to do. "Someone just like you!" The Catarian finished looking directly into her own father's eyes; he smiled slightly as tears stained his eyes, the song may have been short, but it was touching and sweet and really struck Al to the core of his being. The other girls clapped loudly with approval as the adults shot winning smiles at all three participants; Amy giggled happily and enwrapped both her new friends in a big hug.
"You were great." Ba Nee congratulated.
"Thank you for picking that song." Amy said crying slightly.
"We've never had such good harmony before." Terri exclaimed laughing bubbly. "You've just gotta stay longer; it'd be fun to sing that again for Jem's new CD." She added; Amy squirmed a little nervously.
"Ok, ok enough of that, it's our turn now." Ashley said rather rudely.
"Ashley." Aja scolded.
"Sorry, but I'm eager to finish up and hear Al." She admitted with a sheepish expression; Amy giggled and shot the older girl a knowing look.
"It's ok, I know you're gonna love my Daddy's singing just as much as me." She said with a wink shot Al's way; the older man groaned slightly and shifted slightly for a better angle with his camera. The Starlighters retuned their instruments slightly and then began in on something that sounded vaguely familiar to Al; it was obviously well known to the others because they cheered.
"I keep runnin' in circles, never know where I stand nothing seems to work exactly as I planned show me the way, whoa, whoa! Show me the way, Oh won't somebody show me the way, the right direction show me the way, the right connection. Show me the way, oh, show me the way." Ashley sang with a flourish; the judges seemed rather impressed especially with how well the girls managed to duplicate their old song with a bit of their own personalities and take on it, the back up vocals were quite impressive as well.
"I fall into danger seems I never win I think I'm safe, then I see the mess I'm in; show me the way, whoa, whoa where in all this madness do I go? Baby, baby, if you know, whoa, whoa show me the way, oh won't somebody show me the way, the right direction. Show me the way, the right connection show me the way, oh, show me the way. Show me the way, oh, show me the way. Show me the way, oh Show me the way, the way, the way, the way." The girls finished brilliantly and everyone clapped or cheered even Jerrica and the others; the Misfits slowly moved towards the instruments, but Al held up a hand.
"I'll be singing a song you definitely don't know; so I guess I'd better approximate the melody, I hope you can pick things up fast because I don't want to go through it all." He revealed moving over to Delaree and requesting her guitar.
"You girls were Outrageous!" Kimber exclaimed.
"But don't you play your own songs?" Aja wondered while Al was busy trying to remember how to play a guitar.
"We try; we write stuff and everything, but we didn't want to sing any of those because… Well we don't think they're good enough." Krissie admitted with a little shake of her head.
"How will you know if you never share them with anyone?" Shana asked gently; Ashley shrugged.
"Maybe we'll share'em one day, but tonight we wanted something simple." She stated flatly; at last Al seemed to know what he wanted and so turned back to the Misfits.
"Who's on guitar?" He asked; Roxy and Stormer held up their hands, Al shook his head.
"One of you is going to have to either play the keyboard or the drums; I seem to recall Jetta only played a saxophone." He added; Jetta shook out her hair and shot him a glare.
"You sayin' I can't play anything else luv?" She demanded; Al squirmed slightly.
"It's not that; I mean… Aw hexagonal nuts I just put my foot in my mouth that time." He grumbled using a phrase that didn't make much sense; Amy giggled though and clapped her hands, Jetta promptly grabbed the second guitar.
"Alright yank, let's hear this." She demanded; Al nodded and played a slight riff, he went through a small percentage of the tune and by the end Jetta seemed to have it down pat as did Roxy and Stormer.
"I think we're gonna need three or four guitars actually; I don't remember if this song even used a keyboard, let me think for a moment." He said standing stock still; he looked almost unnatural as his eyes glazed over literally and it almost looked like computer code raced past his pupils. "We can make it fit." He said after a couple minutes. "And Clash why don't you play the drums?" He asked turning to the honorary Misfit with a smile; her eyes lit up.
"You'd really let me play?" She asked hopeful.
"Why not luv, the yanks' got a point we never did have drums and we don't exactly play'em very well." Jetta returned while Roxy had already laid claim to the second guitar; Stormer stood over by the keyboard, Al sighed as he moved over to the drums.
"Ok; for the most part this is the beat." He stated banging out the beat with his hands and making the sound with his mouth; though not literally, he was going more like bum, bum, rum, bum, bum, bum, bum, rum, bum, bum, bum.
"Easy." Clash stated taking up her position; Al nodded and then a sudden thought came to him.
"I think I'll need a lousy guitar too; I can't exactly show you the solo part." He grumbled; Shana nodded and quickly left returning with one of the Holograms guitars, Al took it almost reverently and tuned it with his tendrils as he moved over to Stormer, he whispered something in her ear and tapped a few keys seeing how they sounded. This was beginning to look like a full blown production, but Al needed to share how to play the song; since it didn't exist on this Earth. He really shouldn't have picked it, but he'd always wanted to do this and never got the chance on the holodeck.
"We ready?" Clash asked impatiently; she'd always wanted to be a part of the Misfits, she had even taken singing lessons after her failure to double as Jem that one time. If only Pizzazz had let her show that she was more then just a brat who could get in to places; with a wistful sigh she shook away her melancholy and turned back to the defacto leader of the Misfits.
"Follow me and try your best to keep up." Al declared before nodding his head at Clash to get the ball rolling; the song started with drums first, she banged out the beat and then Al came in followed rapidly by Roxy, Jetta and Stormer.
"TRANSFORMERS!" Al exclaimed at the top of his lungs when it was time to come in with the words; this caught everybody's attention, some of the news reporters had coined the term Transformer when the Autobots and Decepticons first revealed themselves and most of the Holograms recognized it. Amy beamed happily and began to bob along with the music; soon the girls followed her lead, the beat was catchy."Something evil's watching over you; coming from the sky above, and there's nothing you can do. Prepare to fight there'll be no place to run; when you're caught within the grip, of the evil Megatron… Transformers; More than Meets the Eye." Al sang his eyes closed as he lost himself with the familiar tune. "Transformers; Robots in Disguise." That last line was sung in a purely mechanical tone of voice and Amy squealed with delight when she heard it; with everyone preoccupied they hadn't noticed the strange woman appear behind Jerrica, Syn smiled as she watched Al cut loose.
"Strong enough to break the bravest heart; so we have to pull together, no we can't stay worlds apart. To stand divided we will surely fall; until our darkest hour, when the light will save us all! Transformers; More than Meets the Eye. Transformers; Robots in Disguise… Transformers! Autobots wage their battle to destroy the evil forces of… The Decepticons." Al really got into it now as the solo was close at hand and a small smile played across his lips as he sang the part that would lead into it. "Transformers… Transform!" He exclaimed and then went into the solo riff like a pro; he even put in some of his own twists as his brain could easily re-write the notes to suit any need and redirect that information to his fingers. He even added a longer part to the riff by incorporating some of the music from the big battle scene between the Autobots and the Decepticons; this version of the theme song originated with the nineteen eighty-six movie on his world after all. "It's judgment day and now we've made our stand; and fornow the powers of darkness, have been driven from our land. The battle's over, but the war has just begun; and this way it will remain 'til the day when all are one…" Al opened his eyes now and the emotion there really spoke volumes as to how much this song meant to him; the Holograms couldn't believe the amount of love, happiness and devotion that pooled within those rich blue orbs. "Transformers! Robots in Disguise… Transformers! No time to run and hide… Transformers! Fight for what is right… Transformers! More, than, Meets, the, eye… Transformers!" Al finished with a big flourish; perspiration beading down from his forehead and neck, the Misfits looked hot too and Aja passed out some glasses of water.
"That was cool." Deidre exclaimed shooting the man a thumbs up. "Did you make that song?" She wondered.
"In a way." He returned with a sly smile. "I guess you could say I more remade it." He added a little under his breath. "But man that really dehydrates a guy." He muttered gulping his glass of water.
"That was hard rock." Rio stated rather pointlessly; Al nodded. "You have a very strange idea for what's appropriate." He retorted.
"Hey, there was nothing sexually inferred or violently inferred in that song." Al shot back. "The camera get it?" He wondered; Rio nodded. "Great, now I can say I played with the Misfits." He exclaimed with a laugh.
"You may not have been as good as Pizzazz, but you sure looked right there." Stormer admitted; Al blushed slightly at that.
"You trying to tell me I should start a band?" He asked with a nervous laugh.
"Well; you've got talent." Roxy pointed out and most of the other women nodded; Al shook his head.
"I'm a computer; of course I have talent, it's not really my voice that I use whenever I sing it's sort of like a compilation of all the best voices I know, or heard growing up, it's mimicry plain and simple and nobody likes that in a singer… Then again just look at Brittney Spears." He returned laughing at the expense of the woman. "Besides; I've got obligations." He finished with a little sigh.
"Yeah; well now that that's out of the way." Ashley spoke up before anyone else could. "Who won?" She demanded.
"Good question; even if it was rude of you Ashley." Aja returned; the Holograms huddled together and whispered amongst themselves, fortunately Al didn't eavesdrop because he wanted to be surprised; just as the girls.
"After careful deliberation." Shana began a few minutes later. "We've decided that everyone's a winner." She revealed with a big smile.
"Considering we forgot to establish a prize it only seems fair." Kimber added with a smile of her own.
"That suits us just fine." Roxy stated with a grin; Al smirked slightly and moved off to one side strumming the guitar slightly as his thoughts drifted to another who had missed his impromptu performance.
"I guess we can live with that." Deidre spoke up ignoring Al's sudden odd behavior; Amy looked up at the adults incredulously.
"Even I won?" She asked innocently.
"Even you." Jerrica concurred with a laugh; Amy grinned broadly and puffed up with pride, which looked a little funny considering her appearance. Al sighed as he sat down on the far couch a wistful expression in his eyes.
"I wish Rogue could have seen it; in person I mean not just via the camera when I show it to her later." He amended with a mournful expression; Rio shot him a brief look of sympathy and Amy gave him some of her mood via their link, he smiled wistfully at the little girl. "Thanks for that little one, but… Well." He began and then because of the mood he was in he began to play a new song; strangely enough he was feeling a little more open concerning his musical talents, or rather the talents he stole from his computer databanks so he figured he'd play another song and try to cheer himself up. "Somewhere in that darkness, lost between dawn and twilight… I am one who knows all of the dangers of the night… I'm a warrior, who was chosen at birth… And I am every bit the savior of this God sweet Earth… " He sang creating his own words as he went along though he was playing a very familiar tune.
"I need a hero; I need a hero to help me cope with my plight. She has to be soft, and she has to be smart and she has to be there for the fight… I need a hero; I can't live without her despite my might. She has to be tough, and she has to be strong and she needs to be there every night… I save the planet from darkness and the forces of chaos… I fight the good fight to ensure that there's never a loss… But even heroes fall and can suffer defeat… I need the help of one to pick me back up on my feet.I need that hero; I need that hero before I am forced to crumble. She has to be soft, and she has to be smart and she needs to make me so humble… I need a hero; I need a hero to save me when I fall. She has to be tough, and she has to be strong and just be there 'cause that's best of all… I need that hero; I can't stand to be without her despite my might…" He really lost himself now and yet he was feeling remarkably better; he played a short solo bit for he recalled that the song did include one, though of course his instrumental was different from the actual tune because he was only one guitar not a full band.
"When the darkness overcomes; when the enemies surround all. I can always count on her no matter what's abound… She will come despite the rain, she will stop all of my pain, and she will make me feel what I'm missing in my life. I need a hero; I need a hero to help me cope with my plight. She has to be soft, and she has to be smart and she has to be there for the fight… I need a hero; I can't live without her despite my might. She has to be tough, and she has to be strong and she needs to be there every night… I need that hero; I need that hero before I am forced to crumble. She has to be soft, and she has to be smart and she needs to make me so humble… I need a hero; I need a hero to save me when I fall. She has to be tough, and she has to be strong and just be there 'cause that's best of all… I need that hero; I need that hero despite all of my might…" He finished the words, but kept playing for a few extra minutes a big smile crossing his features; he felt great, despite his longing for Rogue he knew things would be alright and she wasn't in any dire trouble.
"Wow; you really miss her." Lela remarked; Al snapped out of his thoughts recalling that he was not alone.
"Er; well when you're older and really in love I'm sure you'll feel the same way about him." He stated. "Besides true love has a habit of doing that to a fellow." He added.
"Feeling better Daddy?" Amy asked concernedly; Al chuckled and placed the guitar down.
"Much." He replied. "After all I still have you to liven my spirits." He added rushing over and tickling her; she giggled loudly and then nuzzled up close to her father yawning a great big cat-like yawn showing off her canines.
"Daddy I'm tired." She admitted; Al stood straighter and eyed the little girl.
"Indeed." He observed in that aristocratic tone he favored some days. "Time to journey into lands of dreams and fantasies then." He elaborated with a chuckle as he scooped her into his arms; Amy nuzzled against his chest and giggled.
"You're a big kid Daddy." She teased; Al nodded.
"Ahyuck I shore am." He returned in Goofy's voice.
"Good night everybody." Amy called over Al's shoulder.
"Good night." An answering chorus of replies called back; Al left the room then and headed upstairs, Terri and Ba Nee followed after him they too hard grown tired and had decided to turn in as well.
"That man fits in here even with all his secrets." Kimber muttered aside to the Holograms; Jerrica nodded, Synergy had left after Al's first song and so hadn't been noticed.
"I think he grew up in a big family; he really likes acting the father for all these girls, though I can't help, but think he'd like a couple of boys around here to even things out, sometimes he looks a little frazzled." She observed with a tiny smirk; Aja nudged her friend with a knowing glint in her eyes.
"Then hadn't Rio and you better get started." She teased.
"Aja." Shana scolded looking aghast.
"The same could be said of you and Craig." Kimber pointed out slyly; Aja's face turned scarlet and she averted her gaze. "Ooooo; then you've already had a little fun in that way, for shame." She crooned in a soft tone.
"Kimber." Jerrica scolded in turn; Kimber averted her gaze and Jerrica sighed. "It seems' like we've been dating the same men for over two decades." She moaned. "I'm not complaining mind you, but it'd be nice if we could settle down now; Al was right when he was possessed by that program of Dad, Rio's taking a tad too long to ask the question." She stated shooting her boyfriend a slightly irritating look.
"You could always go back to Riot." Kimber pointed out speaking seriously.
"Riot was nice, but he wasn't Rio; besides he's got his own life now and I'd only complicate things for him." Jerrica countered.
"You know I feel the same way about Craig." Aja admitted. "Maybe I should get Stormer to talk to him for me, I never liked confronting him with stuff." She added; Shana shed a brief tear, she too felt like she'd been waiting most of her life. Her boyfriend Anthony Julian was just as stubborn and close lipped when it came to that kind of discussion; still she loved him with all her heart, Kimber sighed dejectedly.
"I'm jealous now; you've all got steady's at least, my prospect turned out to be soul mates with another woman." She muttered; the Holograms moved in for a group hug offering their support.
"Cheer up Kimber; you'll find that special someone some day." Her sister said for the group; Kimber nodded accepting the words of wisdom even if she didn't believe them, and then they were all smiles again as they moved to huddle around Rio and check out the images on Al's camera.
She could not see; darkness was a constant companion, that and the creatures of shadow. She lay naked on a cold floor save for her mask, which had not been removed; yet again she wished for aid from Roma though she knew none would come. She had long forgotten who she was, her name, her identity lost after the constant violations of her body, mind and soul; she had long since ceased her struggles. There was none who could save her, suddenly she could see again and the suddenness of it took her by surprise; harsh light blinded her for the briefest of moments as light was reintroduced to her world.
"Arachnia; you have past your trials." He spoke as the shadowy tendrils caressed and massaged her aching muscles, bringing the healing touch to them.
"Your dignity may be returned to you." She supplied as a colorless costume appeared on a small bench; she approached it tentatively and proceeded to attire herself once again, grateful for the warmth it allowed; her body had been cleaned after the final session mere hours ago, she stood eyeing the dimness all around her for it was ever black in this strange place.
"Now for your first assignment." She stated emerging from the darkness and passing her a folder; she was indistinct, yet Arachnia knew every inch of the woman's body, for he had forced her to perform with her for his amusement. "Keep an eye on this individual for us; he may prove useful in the future." She informed; the other eyed the contents of the folder relatively quickly, he looked vaguely familiar.
"I will not fail." The former captive stated; some small part of her brain told her to resist, but the fight had long since been lost in her eyes and soul, only the barest hint of individual thought remained, she had been broken. Sexually used until she no longer had any will of her own; she existed only to serve her master and mistress now. The consort smiled and a pool of shadows surrounded her lovers' favorite plaything sending her out of the shadow realm and back to the real world.
"Now all we can do is wait for Cobra and the Decepticons to each make their moves." He sighed slipping up to the woman of his dreams.
"Unless something unknown occurs." She returned with a sudden welling of dread within; she tried to dismiss it, but for some reason the feeling would not subside if only she could find him, not knowing where Roma's trusted warrior was made her extremely nervous.
The dream came again; darkness crushing and squeezing, choking the very life from the Earth, I fought valiantly, but could not prevail. Until the light shone out from one point of the Earth; then it surrounded me, I saw images of giant robots fighting one another, terrorists in red snake skins combated against the American flag, shadowy forms of familiar Marvel villains appeared and as usual it ended with two even larger robots.
One with an orange cannon on his right arm and a purple crown; the other a brilliant red, gray and blue with twin cannons on his shoulders and a rifle in one hand. I awoke with a start breathing heavily; the silent sounds of Amy's purrs could be heard, I took a deep sigh and wiped the perspiration from my brow. I climbed out of bed and grabbed a pair of pants; slipping them on I carefully slipped out of the room and made my way downstairs, I slumped onto one of the chairs and rubbed the bridge of my nose in silent aggravation.
"What's with all these damn nightmares of late?" I grumbled. "And why do they always end with those two clashing?"
"Which two?" A voice wondered startling me; I glanced up to see Synergy wearing a most appropriate choice for her human form, it gave off a telltale radiance and I smiled at the woman I had come to think of as a sister.
"Optimus Prime and Galvatron." I replied with another sigh; she quirked an eyebrow at that and pursed her lips in thought.
"Perhaps Roma is guiding you from afar." She hazarded taking a seat across from me.
"Not her style; and Q is many things, but he certainly isn't subtle." I returned with a smirk. "No; they began after the Energon cube." I revealed with a slight shudder.
"Perhaps it is affecting you negatively." She proposed; I sighed and slumped further into my seat, Syn eyeing me with some concern, she looked like she wanted to say something, but then thought better of it.
"Nothing for it then; I'll have to meet with an Autobot in the know." I stated; Syn smiled and patted my knee.
"Relax; they won't bite you know." She returned with a grin; I chuckled slightly and closed my eyes in thought.
"Wheeljack is my best bet; the scientist would be able to figure this out." I surmised; Syn surprised me by sitting in my lap and resting her head against my chest. "Uh; Syn." I began to protest.
"Just a few minutes; I've heard and seen Jerrica and Rio doing stuff like this, I'm curious." She requested; I sighed, but remained silent and slowly fell back into uneasy sleep.
"Aw isn't that cute." Al heard someone say an indeterminate amount of time later; his eyes popped open to find Kimber, Jerrica, Aja and Shana surrounding him and Syn still sitting in his lap.
"Er; did she fall asleep?" He wondered confusedly.
"No; she merely wished to enjoy this sensation little brother." Syn returned with a wistful sigh as she climbed to her feet; startling Al and the others with the term used.
"You holograms are certainly light." He observed with a chuckle stretching in the seat; then he turned to Jerrica with conviction in his eyes. "I need to see an Autobot today, is that going to be ok; I mean the girls will have someone to watch over them if I have to leave?" He asked.
"Of course." She replied. "If nothing else Synergy can fill in." She added with a smile directed towards the hologram of what had become one of her closest and trusted friends.
"I'd be delighted to." Syn stated with a smile; Al nodded and held up his watch depressing a certain nigh-invisible switch with one of his assimilation tendrils.
"Locate Autobot frequency." He requested sounding slightly stranger to the Holograms' ears; as if he was used to speaking to computers rather then anything else.
"Searching." A harsh male voice reported; Al sat patiently thrumming his fingers on the arm rest, after a few moments it beeped and static began to crackle, the Holograms watched on fascinated.
"Autobot Hound; do you read?" He called out. "This is… Er, the Starlight Chauffeur calling Autobot Hound, are you receiving?" He paused trusting the Decepticons weren't eavesdropping on this line; his watch had built in jamming equipment for just such an emergency, though why he'd installed all of the fancy communications equipment was beyond him considering his com badge would have sufficed just as well.
"My main man Hound isn't in at the moment, is there anything I can do for you?" A different; though no less familiar voice responded, Al smirked slightly and Syn laughed briefly in the background.
"That depends; who's this?" He demanded throwing just the right amount of suspicion in his voice so as not to give away the fact that he had instantly recognized the unit responding in Hound's stead, he didn't want the Holograms or Jerrica to know the extent of his knowledge even though they already thought Transformers had something to do with his condition.
"This is your rockin' DJ Jazz, so what's the big problem that needs Hound to see to?" The Autobot music enthusiast asked shifting in his position just enough that Al could detect the barely audible sounds of metal arms uncrossing.
"Actually I need a scientists' expert opinion; this particular problem involves Energon." Al explained; though he loathed to do this he had to ask. "Is Wheeljack or even Ratchet around?" He wondered.
"Hey; you're in luck." Jazz began sounding as if he was walking out of range of Teletran. "Hey there Wheeljack sounds like someone needs some major assistance of the scientifical variety." Al heard faintly; then the sound of metallic footsteps rang out across the channel and he smiled.
"Jazz tells me you need my help." The unmistakable voice of Wheeljack stated; Al's smile widened as he pictured the Autobot scientist and his twin vocal arrays flashing with each word, just like on the cartoon.
"That's the biggest understatement of the millennia." Al muttered eliciting a fit of giggles from Kimber. "Look this particular problem requires your physical presence to better explain; do you think you could come to the Starlight Mansion in Los Angeles?" He wondered trying hard not to let his excitement at such a prospect show through on his face or in his voice.
"I really don't like to leave my lab." Wheeljack admitted. "But if this is really an emergency; I suppose I can make an exception." He stated with a tiny sigh.
"Yo; better take some back up, just in case there are any Decepticon shenanigans." Jazz interrupted; Al heard Wheeljack sigh a second time and chuckled under his breath at the colorful phrase Jazz had used.
"All right; we should be there a little after noon." The put out scientist stated. "Autobot HQ out." He added before the line went dead.
"That's perfect; Amy will be so thrill…" He trailed off as a strange tingle ran down his spine and a big grin spread across his features. "This is gonna be so cool." He exclaimed literally bouncing in his seat like a big kid.
"Well we've got to get to work; ciao." Jerrica informed leading the Holograms out of the room and leaving Al alone once more with Syn.
"I hope he doesn't bring one of the Dinobots." She remarked; Al's face instantly fell at that and he squirmed a little, that would definitely bring back some unwanted attention.
"I hadn't thought of that." He admitted with a theatrical sigh. "Hey; doesn't Jerrica need those?" He wondered pointing to the Jemstar earrings.
"Oh; I forgot." Syn exclaimed dashing out of the room; Al sighed a second time as thoughts turned to his imminent meeting with two Autobots, but Wheeljack was smart enough not to bring a Dinobot along, right?
To Be Continued: Perhaps I cut it off too sone, but hey I'll make it up; next week I'll try for three full updates to this story... The Autobots are going to get involved, and as always more Amy fluff, it's just total cute factor no matter what so all I have to say is...
Jem will be back right after these messages.