Chapter 21 is up and ready for reading! Whew. Finally able to type up a new chapter. Thank you fore being patient with me guys! Since the holidays are coming up, maybe I'll have more time to upload another chapter or two. We shall see! Enjoy this chapter!
Happy reading/ writing!
It took us a few days to get to DC, plus a couple of hours for us to stop and eat. Simmons, being the adult and all, payed for all of our food. Leo, the jackass that he was ,decided to take advantage of that and order very large meals. Simmons wasn't too thrilled but he payed for it anyway. I tried to offer him some money but he declined. I guess he likes acting like the macho male. Thankfully, we were not chased by the cops. I was relieved that the Autobots didn't have to split up. I was even more relieved that the twins weren't fooling around as much. Thank the lord!
We finally got to the museum. It was huge! But then again, most museums are pretty big. It was Sunday, so the museum was closed, which was good. If we were going to revive a giant robot in there, I don't want other people freaking out or getting hurt. Hopefully it wasn't going to go crazy and attack any of us. Now the big question of the day was, how were we going to get in? Simmons, to my amazement, already had a plan.
The Autobots drove into the museum's parking lot and parked very far from the entrance. The four of us, and Wheelie, got out of Bumblebee. The second Simmons got out, he immediately began to give us orders.
"Alright, you four," Simmons began, pointing at the Autobot holograms who got out of their vehicle selves. "Keep watch."
Jazz snorted. "Fine," he said in a dry tone. "It's not like we can do anything else at the moment."
I gently patted the lieutenant on the shoulder and said, "It's alright, Jazz. Hopefully we won't take too long."
Simmons then dragged his box out of Bumblebee's trunk. He opened the box and pulled out a couple of tasers. Leo stared at the tasers in horror as Simmons handed one to him.
"W-wait. What are those for?" Leo asked, clearly panicked.
"For the guards," Simmons said bluntly. "We need to stun them so we can get inside."
"Oh, no," Leo said. He held his taser away as if it was a rattle snake. "I'm not going to tase anyone! I can't do this. I can't!"
Simmons angrily shoved Leo against Mudflap and pinned him there. We girls and Autobots watched as Simmons lectured Leo.
"Kid, you will not jeopardize this mission. Do you understand me? Now look me in the eye and tell me if you're man enough to wield this taser!" Simmons growled. Caitlin and I snickered as the ex-agent gave Leo a little 'pep' talk. Especially while he was using a very serious tone.
Finally, when everyone was ready, the Autobots drove off and kept patrol while the five of us headed towards the entrance. We split up into partners. I was with Simmons, thankfully. Obviously, Wheelie came with me and Simmons. Poor Caitlin was left to be with a panicked Leo, who was muttering to himself in Spanish.
We all snuck closer to the main entrance. Guards stood in front of the door. I didn't think they saw us because they didn't look at our direction nor did they attempt to tell us to get lost. Weird. Oh well.
There were very few cars in the parking lot, so we decided to regroup behind a car that was closes to the entrance. We knew that the guards weren't going away any time soon so we decided that we needed someone to distract them. To his great dismay, Leo was voted to be the one to distract them. Leo went with no argument. He obviously wanted to avoid another talk with Simmons.
It was very amusing to watch Leo grabbing the guards' attention. He did the unthinkable. He pulled his pants and underwear down and waddled up to the guards. Caitlin, Wheelie, and I were trying our very best to hold back our laughter. Simmons, on the other hand, was shaking his head and muttering, "That kid has no dignity, what so ever." After a few moments, after we quieted back down, Simmons said told us to move out.
Simmons quickly grabbed his taser and snuck towards the entrance. The three of us followed closely and silently. We stopped yards away from the entrance and hid behind a garbage can. We watched as the two guards took Leo inside. After we lost sight of them, the four of us ran in.
The first thing we saw inside was Leo on the ground along with the two guards. All three of them were shaking and twitching. Simmons glared down at Leo as Wheelie cracked up.
"What happened?" I asked even though I already assumed what had happened.
"I...tased them...then...tased myself...by accident," Leo said.
"Amateur, kid. You are rank amateur!" Simmons spat. While he continued to lecture Leo, Wheelie rolled up to me and patted me leg.
"Hey, Warrior Goddess. Follow me. I'll show you where he is," he said then transformed into his little blue truck self and drove off.
"Hey wait!" I called out then ran after him. I hear Caitlin call my name, so I yelled back, "Come on! Wheelie is finding the jet!"
Wheelie led me to the air plane exhibit. Right smack in the middle of the room was the jet we were looking for. The SR-71 Blackbird. It looked exactly like it did in the picture. Wheelie stopped right in front of the jet then transformed.
"This guy here, he's a legend! I'm telling ya, he'll be great help," he said.
"Now, let's hope this will work," I said to myself.
Caitlin and Simmons, who was dragging Leo, caught up to me. Leo was beginning to be able to move again. Good.
"Do your thing, kid," Simmons grunted.
I nodded then took my right glove off. I felt the energy build up. It felt alive inside me again. It felt good to finally regain control of it.
I cautiously stepped over the line barrier and went closer towards the jet. I extended my exposed hand towards it. Before I touched it, the energy in me immediately began to build up even more. Just as my fingers grazed the tip of the jet's nose, the energy shot out . So much for control. It felt a little like a static shock. But I felt something more in the shock. It felt like a quick connection between me and the plane. I suddenly knew this Decepticon's name. Wait...Decepticon?
"Oh, SHIT!" I yelled the second the jet began to transform. "He's a Decepticon!"
"A what?" Leo asked, clearly not understanding. I probably should have explained the difference between Autobot and Decepticon to him.
"Oh snap," Caitlin whispered.
"Fall back! Retreat!" Simmons roared then ran. I grabbed Wheelie then ran to the nearest plane and hid under it.
"Why didn't you tell me that he was a Decepticon!" I asked Wheelie frantically.
"You didn't ask," he retorted. I couldn't help but give myself a facepalm. It was really pathetic.
Caitlin, Leo, and Simmons all huddled close to me and Wheelie. We watched the jet as it transformed...still. It looked like he was having trouble. I finally saw his body and limbs shape up. The Decepticon kept muttering words as he banged around clumsily. So far, this Decepticon looked old. Very old. He was hunched like a typical old man and even held a cane. I could see that there were some jagged metal pieces coming down his face like a beard. Finally, after a few agonizing minutes of watching him struggle, the jet was finally in his robot mode. He looked around, clearly angry and confused.
"What sort of hideous mausoleum is this?" he asked with a thick Scottish accent. "I know someone's here! Show yourself and face the fury of JETFIRE!"
Jetfire began to wonder around the exhibit. He continuously ran into other planes and hanging objects. He grumbled on to himself about his body rusting. Poor old mech.
"This guy don't age well," Wheelie muttered.
"Shut it," I muttered back and got out from under the plane.
"Wait! Where are you going?" Leo called out urgently.
"Over to Jetfire. I don't think he wants to hurt us," I said back calmly and continued to go over to the Decepticon. I could tell that he was trying to find a way out. Jetfire stopped in front of a wall and stood there. I waited for him to do something, but he didn't.
The second I opened my moth to say something, Jetfire roared, "Worthless missiles! Fire! I say. FIRE!" Two missiles suddenly flew out from him and crashed into the ceiling and floor, not doing much damage. "Dammit," Jetfire growled angrily and punched the wall down then limped outside. I ran after him with the others behind me. The Decepticon continued to limp his way around the back of the museum.
"Oh no," I muttered. "BUMBLEBEE!"
"Ohhh...the museum is going to be very angry. Very angry indeed," I heard Simmons mutter behind me.
Suddenly, the four Autobots drove up at full speed and surrounded Jetfire. They made no attempt in attacking nor did they transform.
"Out of my way!" Jetfire yelled.
"Hold it!" I called out. "We just want to talk."
"I have no time to talk to a mere fleshling. I'm on a mission. I have to find the Matrix of Leadership. Wait! What planet am I on?"
We all were a little stunned by the random question. It was a little funny but still odd. I really couldn't do much more than answer.
"Earth," I said.
"Earth?" Jetfire asked. From his retort, I could tell that he didn't fully approve of the planet name. "Whatever, I need to get on with my mission. There's a civil war between my kind!"
"I know," I said. "The Decepticons are winning."
"Really? Damn. I really hated being a Decepticon. That's why I changed sides and became an Autobot."
"You can do that?" Wheelie asked.
"Of course! It's just a personal decision I made. Working for the Fallen was really troublesome and irritating. He even left me here to rust!"
"Wait, you know the Fallen?" I asked.
"Why, yes! Terrible fellow. He detested this planet because it has life on it. Stupid reason really," Jetfire muttered then looked down at me. His rusted body froze. I saw some curiosity in his red eyes as he knelt down.
"What?" I asked.
"You have been marked, haven't you?" he asked. "Marked by the All Spark." I absently touched the scar on my chest. 'How the hell did he know?' I thought. "Show me." Jetfire said, suddenly. I unzipped my jacket and pulled the collar of my shirt down, revealing the scar. "Ah...," the ex-Decepticon whispered and leaned closer. "The Primes have chosen you."
"Wait. What?" I asked. "Primes? Like Optimus Prime?"
Jetfire's red eyes widened with excitement as he asked, "You've met a Prime? A living Prime? Is he here on this planet?"
"He was killed recently. He died trying to protect me," I said grimly. Jetfire stared at me for a second then reached out and gently patted my head.
"You loved him, didn't you?" he murmured. I gave him a slight nod. "It's alright, little lass. I can tell he loved you as well." He chuckled softly. "You were destined to be with him, just as you were destined to go on this mission."
"Mission?" I asked.
"To find the Matrix!" he roared proudly, then coughed. "You have the knowledge! Go on! Use it to find it!"
"But, I don't understand it. Can you translate it for me?" I asked.
"Of course I can, lass!"
I quickly grabbed a rock and drew all the symbols into the ground. It took a while, but I managed to draw all of them out again. Jetfire knelt down and watched my closely. He began to mutter to himself when I finished drawing the symbols.
"So?" I asked. "What does it say?"
"No time for that! Hold on little fleshlings and Autobots!" Jetfire roared.
Before any of us were able to say or do anything, Jetfire wrapped his large hands around us humans. Suddenly a glowing blue light surrounded us. It felt like many static shocks were striking my body. It didn't hurt but it tingled a lot. The light flashed blindingly around us and my body suddenly jerked off the ground.
When I was able to see again, I realized that I was in midair; over a hundred feet off the ground. But I wasn't alone. Leo, Caitlin, Wheelie and Simmons were with me too. Then, before any of us where able to do anything, we were all falling and screaming. Tumbling through the air, descending to our deaths. This was the end.
But, then, I heard a loud band and more screams. As I flipped around in the air, I got a glimpse of something large and yellow. Bumblebee. Somehow, he and the other Autobots were in their robot modes. They were also tumbling down, coming towards us in a dangerous speed.
"Clare!" Bee yelled and reached out to me.
"Bumblebee!" I yelled back. I couldn't help but reach out as well.
He came closer and closer to me as I was getting closer to the earth. The closer we got, the slower time seemed to get. For a moment, most of my hearing died out. All I could hear was the voice in my head yelling, 'Reach! Reach for him!' It was very hard to reach for him while I was tumbling around in the air like a rag doll, but he was close. Close enough to touch. My fingers were barely able to graze against Bee's before he grabbed me and held me close to his chest.
"It's alright," he said breathlessly. "I go you." I felt him tighten his grip around me a little. "It's going to be a bumpy ride!"
Bumblebee held me with both of his hands as he pressed me against his chest. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed. There was a loud crash and my body jerked around in Bee's grip. He held me tighter as I heard more crashes and felt more jerking. Then everything went still. The sound of irritated groans began to fill my ears along with Wheelie's loud ranting.
"Hey! That freakn' hurt! What the hell were ya thinkin'!" he roared.
Bumblebee finally let go of me and sat up. I slid down to his lap and rubbed my sore spots. That really was a bumpy ride. I hopped down from my guardian's lap and looked around. The area was very dusty. Probably because a bunch of large robots just crashed landed into one area like a meteor. When the dust finally cleared, I let out a gasp. We were in the middle of a desert. How annoying. It was even more sunny and hot here than back home. Damn it all. I hate the heat.
I looked at the Autobots, who were all laying on the ground. I realized that they were all holding someone. Jazz held a startled Simmons, who stumbled out of his hands. The twins held Caitlin and Leo. Both, Caitlin and Leo, were completely stunned and confused. And last but not least, Jetfire was on his back, yards away, with a tiny Wheelie in his hand.
"Is everyone alright?" I called out, feeling a bit irritated. Everyone groaned a yes in unison. "Good," I murmured.
Mudflap sat up as Leo jumped off his chest. He rubbed his head and grumbled, "Wow. That was one wild ass ride!"
"Can we go again?" Skids asked as he stood. Everyone glared at him and he went silent.
They all seemed to be alright, mostly. There was little damage done to them but, I still wanted to be sure. I gently placed my hand on Bee and managed to fix up the damage that was done. Thankfully, I was able to really control my energy flow this time. It's about damn time. I did the same to Jazz and the twins. They were all thankful for the quick fix up since they weren't able to get recharge for a couple weeks now.
"Oh, that wasn't so bad," Jetfire mumbled. He tried to sit up but was having trouble. Jazz and Bumblebee went over and helped the poor old mech up and onto his feet. He thanked them then said, "Well, at least we're on the same planet."
"Same planet?" Simmons roared as he stalked up to him. "Are we in the same country!"
I went over to Jetfire as was about to heal him. Before I was able to, he stopped me. He said that there was no need for it. I don't know why that made my heart hurt. But all that hurt disappeared and was replaced with, once again, irritation as Simmons continued to badger Jetfire.
"That really hurt. You know that?" He snarled at the old mech. "You're just lucky we didn't get hurt as badly as..." Jetfire cut him off.
"Oh shut up. I told you that opening a Space Bridge would be the fastest way to travel."
"Space Bridge?" Leo asked.
"Told? You didn't tell us anything!" I said angrily.
"I didn't?" Jetfire asked thoughtfully.
"Where are we? Why are we here!" Simmons roared.
"Don't get snippy with me, human," Jetfire shot back.
"Hey, hey!" I called out. "Calm down, you guys. We're all friends here, right?"
Jetfire and Simmons gave either other a nasty glare then nodded. I was glad that I was being the peace maker here. It made me feel a bit less irritated about the situation. After everyone cooled down, we gathered around Jetfire as I began to question him.
"Alright, so where are we exactly?" I asked.
"Egypt!" Jetfire said triumphantly as if he's accomplished something great.
"And, why are we in Egypt?"
"Why? The Matrix is here! Somewhere..."
"The Matrix? Really!" I asked excitedly.
"Wait, wait! What is the Matrix?" Simmons asked. A very good question.
"It's a great energy source, that was used to power a great machine," Jetfire said.
"Energy source," I quietly repeated. "Do you think it could revive Optimus Prime?"
Jetfire thought for a moment then said, "It was never made for that purpose. But, I assume that it would."
Jetfire then went on about the history of the Primes and their machine. Apparently the machine was built to harvest suns. The matrix was basically the battery that turned on and powered the machine. Jetfire also mentioned that the Fallen wanted to use the machine to destroy Earth because there was life on it, which was forbidden.
"So," I concluded. "The Primes all ganged up against the Fallen and took the Matrix?"
"Exactly," Jetfire said. "They stole it back from him and hid it in the tomb of their own bodies."
"And the tomb is somewhere in this desert."
"Yes."
"But...where?"
"Use the knowledge, lass! The symbols! 'When night hits the skies, three kings will show you the way!'"
"Three kings?" I asked.
"Well, since we're in Egypt, there are three pyramids," Leo said. "Are those the kings?"
"No. The stars are," Caitlin called out and pointed to the darkened sky. I didn't realize that it has gotten dark. We've been out here for quite a while.
"What? Stars?" Leo asked and looked up.
"Orion's Belt. The three starts that make up Orion's Belt are also called the three kings," she explained.
"She's right," Bee said quietly.
"Yeah, the Egyptian kings used Orion's Belt to make the pyramids. So you were on the right track, Leo," Jazz added.
"Alright," I said then turned back to Jetfire. "What are you going to do?"
The ex-Decepticon pondered for a bit before saying, "I don't really know, to be honest."
"Well, whatever you do, please be careful."
Jetfire let out a pleasant chuckle. It was a heartbreaking chuckle. I looked into his red eyes. They looked so old and so very sad. Eyes that have seen so much. I had a feeling that he wasn't going to make it. The thought brought tears to my eyes. It just wasn't fair. Jetfire smiled gently and patted my head again.
"There there, little lass. Don't cry. We all have out time to go," he said softly. I sniffed and wiped my tears away.
"Y-yeah," I said. "You're right."
"Good, now go!" Jetfire yelled. "Leave before the Decepticons find us!"
The Autobots, minus Jetfire, transformed into their vehicle modes. Us humans and Wheelie went to Bumblebee and climbed in. Before I climbed in, I turned back to Jetfire.
"Thank you. For everything. I hope I can see you again."
"Go!" Jetfire roared. "Go and save your Prime! Fulfil your destiny!"
I couldn't help but smile as I climbed into Bumblebee. 'Your Prime,' he said. Yes. My Optimus Prime. The Autobots honked their goodbyes to Jetfire then drove off at full speed. I glanced at old mech through the rearview mirror. He merely stood there and watched us leave. I saw him lift his cane up and pointed it towards the night sky, as if he was pointing the way.
"Thank you, Jetfire," I whispered again. "For believing in me."