THE LOST CHILDREN OF CYBERTRON
Learning To Work Together 2: Dragon Dance Preparations
--AUTOBOT HEADQUARTERS--
Now it became apparent that the situation has turned dire. Within the past few weeks the Unicronians have attacked several Earth cities and in doing so angered the United Nations. They knew for a fact that the Deceptibots had nothing to do with it being as they were the ones who saved them.
The Autobots and the Decepticons on the other hand are now facing a very angry human government. Optimus and Shockwave were having a hard time adjusting to this concept, but they had to remember that they are guests on this planet and they are not the residence therefore had to oblige by Earth's laws. The only reason why the Deceptibots were allowed to remain out of it was because they were here before the first man discovered the wheel. Even though they were not activated at the time they are still considered residence on this planet.
"Now explain to us why you deemed it necessary to bring this age old war here to our planet?" demanded the president of the United Nations Xiong Li Ming of China.
"As we explained to you before we did not mean to bring this war here to Earth sir as we explained to the United States government who has graciously let us stay in their country. We are merely refugees and the war with our world is over the Allspark which has granted us life has been destroyed." Optimus tried to reason
"Then explain to us why those monsters are running round in our cities?" said another this one representing the country of France,
"They are a race known as the Unicronians creatures created by a being known as Unicron. He is as large as a small moon and will consume your planet of its energy regardless of who lives on it. He has already destroyed Cybertron that is why all these refugees started showing up at a rapid pace. He destroyed our world by causing us to fight each other. Through trickery and corruption he destroyed our society and by Primus we will not let him destroy yours!" Shockwave shouted at the crowd.
Xiong Li Ming thought for a second before his dark eyes turned back to Optimus and Shockwave.
"If you are saying is true then how do we defend ourselves against Unicron? He has an army of metallic beings that has the same structure as you?" he said
"Not even we could defend ourselves against him, but you have that chance." Said Shockwave
"How?" asked Xiong Li Ming
"You have ten warriors all capable of defending this planet, but they have eluded us for sometime. You call them the Deceptibots and recently they have taken five of our people with them along with some humans…"
"The Deceptibots concerns are not ours to triffle with as with International law. It is the time where they hold their traditional initiation with new young adults within their ranks. The Pakele Family is the last branch of the Kudasaki clan who has lived in Japan till recent times when the last of their members Obun Pakele still holds the family traditions as well as the last international treasure. She alone carries the ancient fighting arts that were taught to her by various masters in her life. Now she passes them on to the members of her family and the Deceptibots.
The only problem is that she is not so willing to share with outsiders." Replied Ming
"How do you know this?" asked Shockwave
"I've asked her myself long ago if she could teach me but she refused saying that I am an outsider and thus am not worthy," replied Ming.
"How do we convince her then?" asked Optimus
"That would be very difficult considering what I've heard you have done to her grandchild Prime," replied Ming.
"She still has taken two of my ranking officers with her to her home and I have no idea what she is doing with them," he said
"Then you don't have to worry," said Ming
"How so?" asked Shockwave
"She is doing the work before you came to me," Ming said
--PAKELE RESIDENCE--
Training proved to be very difficult for after two days into the training all five bots were at wits end. The other Deceptibots were watching as they growled in frustration in their bot forms. It was Starscream and Jazz who had the hardest time because of the size difference. Frenzy being the smallest was the worst of the lot. They had practiced the dance and knew the moves well, but to do it at the same time at once was the most difficult part.
They had to think alike and feel alike in many ways and just doing the moves was not going to let them pass.
Kekoa watched on the fourth day as they started to growl at each other namely Barricade and Bumblebee but it was about to snap by the fifth day.
As he sat there at the breakfast table and his Aunt Azalea served breakfast of lina, lina Pancakes (Filipino pancakes is what we also call it here in Hawaii. There are really flat and are fried like regular pancakes. The only difference is that it is not as fluffy and you can make it like a tortilla.) When they ate breakfast it was when he glanced at the Cybertronian tables that he noticed Bumblebee's behavior.
He was eating the same flavored energon like the kids and reached out to grab another cube when he had a strange feeling come through him. He then passed the cube down to Frenzy who was waiting for some more. Frenzy never thought twice as he drank it down and then passed a desert flavored cube over to Jazz who split it with Starscream.
They did not look at each other just did what they normally would do except feel around for something and then pass it to the other. As they finished their cubes they all got up to go walking around. Starscream since he was a flier wanted to go flying around but the winds proved too strong for him to even join his children in the air. He stared sadly at the sight since he could not get lifted without smashing into the cliffs.
He sighed sadly as he sat down allowing the ocean's waves to hit him and leave salty marks.
"What's up Uncle Star?" asked Titan as he walked up to him and sat down next to the Decepticon lord.
"Oh I don't know watching them fly without me," Starscream replied as he looked to the twins and Goliath gliding along the cliffs with ease.
"OH that! That has to be very hard to learn it took the twins nearly three months of very hard practice to get used to it and fly the winds." Replied Goliath as he angled his wings to show Starscream.
"Really? Is it that difficult?" Starscream asked
"Yep because it is part of our training we have to master the element of air. We were not allowed to use our thrusters at all to control the winds and fly we have to use the wind itself as our power source. Radon is the real master of this tactic maybe you could ask her how she manages to outmaneuver her brother every they play in the jet stream," with that the shuttle walked away leaving Starscream to his thoughts.
--LATER THAT DAY--
Now Jazz, Bumblebee and Barricade were driving through the main town of Kaunakakai and watching the various kids doing things in the streets that they normally would not see back in Nevada. The thing they found strange was the fact that no one cared if there was a driver in the car or not.
"Man I could get used to this," Jazz said
"Yeah right we had to convince you to not stay in your usual alternate form because it would attach too much attention." Barricade hissed
"Oh really why would I not want that?" Jazz said from his vehicle an old 1996 Honda Civic something not in his style.
"Because lug nuts these people don't have much in the way of money," Bumblebee replied.
"And what is wrong with a little style?" Jazz asked
"You don't get it do you. If you just come around here in your original alternate form of a Pontiac Solstice then you are in trouble of having someone literally smash your windows because they would think you are some snotty rich person," Bumblebee replied back.
"Oh, I've never thought of it that way," replied Jazz
"Ok guys we are here for a reason and that means we have to behave," said Barricade as he led the way and the other two followed. They drove up to a place with the sign reading 'Moloka'i Youth Center' and parked next to the public pool.
As they got out Stitch and Sonic were already there blaring their music while a group of kids were dancing.
The trio walked in and Jazz felt right at home, "Man this is what I call music!" he said as the Sonic was playing the stereo.
Stitch was busy working with some kids on some dance moves. While Sonic blared the music the kids seemed to move like a team at first but there was one who falters and some who are not doing it all the way right.
However both Bumblebee and Barricade wanted in.
"Alright guys if you wanted in why didn't you say so," said a voice behind them and they turned around to see Kekoa with several bags of food and he was followed by Sam and Mikaela.
"Where is Miles?" asked Bee
"He is back at the base sleeping dude stayed up all night writing the report for us," replied Sam as he walked out with more groceries.
Kekoa placed the groceries in the kitchen and proceeded to make them all something to eat. Off to the side in the office an overweight lady sat she was talking on the phone. Off playing pool some of the other kids an oriental looking man and a very large Hawaiian man was playing pool. On the other side another local lady was intent on winning her video game.
Jazz, Bumblebee and Barricade found it funny to see this but after seeing all the children in there it was no wonder the place was called a 'Youth Center'. As they heard the music change the kids all got into a sort of formation again.
"Alright guys lets take it from the top," said Sonic as he blared his music again.
The kids nodded and as one began to dance to the song. They moved in sequence with one kid here and there not going into place. Sonic then corrected them while Stitch was busy monitoring footwork.
"What is with you guys and working as a team?" asked Barricade
"It means everything to us and it also proves that you can do more as a team. This event in our family as well as the people of Moloka'i symbolizes the unity of two factions and the balance that they represent. There will be all sorts of stuff there, food, music, and games," said Kekoa as he emerged with steaming plates full of food.
Sam and the others dug in while the bots had their flavored energon.
"Hey what is in this?" asked Sam
"This is simply teriyaki deer meat or venison mind you." Kekoa replied while everyone ate that with a combination of rice, corn, mashed potatoes, turkey and some sushi for the kids.
Now Sam had not seen kids love sushi the way these kids do even eating the raw fish.
I guess it has something to do with the culture that they live in he thought
Now Sonic began to play a Korean song and Jazz was the first one to start dancing as they kids started to dance. He failed to get the moves right at first but when he did he was having a blast.
"Come on guys this is fun," he said and slowly Bumblebee and Barricade joined in.
Kekoa watched as they started to dance to the song. The kids at the youth center showed them some moves and they laughed as the bots tried to dance. The sound of engines could be heard as Starscream landed his massive form touching down. When they others walked out he looked a little banged up as he sat down. When he did the ground shook with his massive form. Kekoa walked out with a large cube of energon for him and the jet happily took it.
"Enjoyed your flight?" he asked
"No, I nearly ended up in the cliffs nearly three times before I broke over the top and made my way here," he said and massaged his wings.
"I bet they hurt eh?" Kekoa asked
"Yeah who knew that by chancing those winds that everything would be crap," Starscream grumbled.
"Well then why don't you switched to your holoform and join us after you're done with your cube," said Bumblebee as he watched Jazz dance.
When Starscream walked in his holoform was just as bad as his original form. It sported a large amount of bruises and some deep scratches. All in all Starscream looked like he was dragged down a scrap heap.
"You look like shit," Kekoa said as he walked out with something to soothe the wounds.
"Yeah you can blame that on the Pali cliffs." Starscream replied as he sat down.
"What are they doing?" noticing Jazz, Bumblebee and Barricade dancing with a bunch of kids.
"Oh the kids were dancing for a performance they are doing with the ceremony and the guys just joined in," Kekoa replied.
"Ok?" Starscream replied and it was then that Zenith pulled up with Frenzy.
Frenzy leaped out with a cooler full of soda and the kids eagerly took it. As they drank their soda Frenzy became aware of the dancing trio and leaped in without thought to join them. At first the silvery bot was clumsy but after help from Stitch Frenzy was dancing like the rest.
Starscream had to laugh as the song ended and another took its place. The jet finally decided he had, had enough and joined in to the amusement of the kids. Starscream was the last to pick up on the moves but as he watched his processor decided to do the work for him as he slowly began to move his feet in time with the music. Listening he began to move as one with the others. As they moved he moved with them and in time he picked up on the song.
Alex chose this time to walk in on them and was stunned by the unity that all five bots displayed. She laughed to herself as she pulled out Skeeter and the cell phone transformed and watched.
The song from earlier began again and the group decided to try again. As they danced to the song again and again they finally got the moves down right. And at the same time they started their own moves namely the 'Dragon Dance' to the delight of the kids.
As they danced around as one Kekoa laughed at seeing this and filmed it with the help of Scrappy.
This went on through the night as they danced to the song and when the song finally ended the group split up. Starscream got some repairs from Alex who gladly rode the jet back to the base while everyone else took the other entrances back to base.
As Starscream made his approach it was Alex who made the call.
"Alright Starscream you need to cut your engines," she said
"Why?" Starscream asked
"You have to glide in otherwise you will end up in the cliff face," she said and Starscream reluctantly complied.
"Now let the wind guide you," she said
Starscream complied but was hard pressed to stay airborne that is until the twins flew alongside him.
"Don't turn your rudders so much Uncle Star," said Rodan as he showed him how.
"Yeah every adjustment has to be slight to allow maximum control," said Radon
Starscream did so and when he did this he could hear music blasting from one of the twins. It was Rodan who dived first leaving the two raptors in the air.
"How do I land then if the engines are always like this I was not thinking when I landed the first time!" Starscream said
"Just relax Uncle Star the winds blow in only one direction so you are going to have to fly really low and allow the wind to lift you into the hangar," replied Radon
Starscream did as instructed and found some difficulty in maintaining the wind under his wings.
"Don't fight it Uncle Star ride with it," Radon explained.
Starscream complied reluctantly as he allowed his wings to fill with the salty breeze. As the wind picked up he could feel the wind lift him. As he neared the entrance he felt a rush of air as the wind in the hanger died down and he glided.
"How do I stop!" Starscream said
"Transform and spread your arms out like wings," this time it was Rodan that instructed him and Starscream did so only to clumsily slip and fall flat on his face.
The twins could only shake their heads as they helped Starscream up from the ground. Starscream then rubbed his aching head as they led him down into the medical bay where Alex was expecting him. As he was being repaired for the damage due to the winds. Starscream's holoform walked to the training room where he observed the others already there practicing the dragon dance.
The music was traditional Asian music as they group performed their parts spectacularly this time Frenzy went first with a slow move on his part and then we went faster and faster. Then jumped in Barricade and he was followed by Bumblebee then Jazz and finally Starscream. They moved as one feeling each other's energy as the evening wore on and they finished the dance. Kekoa stood to the side clapping his hands together.
"Perfect! I can't wait till tomorrow!" he said laughing
He walked towards a closet and pulled out some clothes that were wrapped in silk.
"What are these?" asked Jazz
"Ceremonial clothes wore by our ancestors in the past. Each of you is to wear one they are custom designed by Aunt Azalea and Uncle Keoki. They had to ask Nanobite for your measurements and thus you are to wear one of these for the first part. The first part is you doing it in your holoforms while your robot forms will be fitted with ceremonial paint. The paint that you are wearing will be signs that in our culture show the meaning of passage between the two species. Decepticons will represent the dragons and Autobots the phoenixes." Kekoa explained
"Cool so does this mean that we are painted like the twins?" asked Bumblebee
"In a way yeah but unlike the twins your paint will be temporary and will wash off with water. First you will be burned…" he said
"WHAT!" all five shouted
Kekoa held up his hand, "You heard me you will all be burned by fire to cleanse you of impurities of the soul. Now to prepare for this we each put you all under a waterfall on different parts of the island chain in Japanese society that is also part of the purification process." He said
"Oh and then what else?" asked a nervous Barricade
"Next you will fast for a day from sun rise to sunset no refueling so you will be low on gas when you do the Dragon Dance." He replied
"Thirdly you will be attired in the clothes given to you as you will assume your holoforms. That time you will perform the dance in front of an audience first to show your dedication at sunrise. The night before however after dinner which is tomorrow evening a Christian Priest will give you a blessing to begin your rite of passage. Now the Christian and the Hawaiian part came when grandma moved to Hawaii back in the early 1900's" he said
"Um how old is your grandma?" asked Jazz
"She is around 91 I think," Kekoa replied
"Pit! She is a vorn old that is ancient in human years," said Frenzy.
"Yep!," replied Kekoa
"Grandma spent all her early years studying the Martial arts since her family has been wiped out in World War 1 and was raised by some relatives back in Japan. When she came here she was stricken with Leprosy and sent to Kalaupapa where she met grandpa. Now that did not stop her however from mastering all different forms even with her handicaps. She became and grandmaster in 1956 when she and grandpa moved to Japan for some time and when they did she was a grandmaster. She learned the rest of her family secrets from some distant relatives and became matriarch of her family. That was before the last of them died by then grandma was pregnant with Uncle Keoki." He replied as he sat down cross legged something that the bots would have found impossible for themselves until they learned that the sparklings could do it too.
"Now then since grandma was the last in her family it was her responsibility to pass on the family traditions meaning everything that the Kudasaki clan has left her including her training in martial arts and the family initiation. Now we all have taken part in it sometime in our lives even the sparklings when they were passed into their adult bodies. Now according to family tradition we have to accept any new religions that are thrown at us meaning that we have accepted all traditions as a way to make peace with ourselves. Now we initiated the for main religions into this and if you are an Islamic you have to say your prayer to Allah in the afternoon the day before the ceremony. The evening or sunset is when the Christianity comes in and so froth it is like a spiritual passing of the veil cleansing you each time. As for me I learned that all prayers but the ones mentioned before and blessing have to take place the day before. So if you are going to pray to Primus you have to do it the day before because the day of the ceremony is a day that you have to let go of all earthly thoughts and become something you never thought of before." He said
"Whoa," said Bumblebee.
It was at this time unknown to them that the other guests have arrived into the room. Right behind them was Sam, Miles, and Mikaela they had Scrappy and Skeeter with them.
"Now Frenzy since Scrappy has not done this either he will be your partner in the ceremony got it?" said Kekoa and Frenzy nodded
"I have practiced with him before," replied Frenzy scratching his head.
"Yeah that is why he will be your partner for he has yet to participate," said Kekoa.
Scrappy looked up with anticipation as he leaped from Mikaela's hand onto Frenzy's head and gave him a large hug.
Frenzy scratched his head and the phone returned to Mikaela's outstretched hand.
"Now as I was saying all prayers to other religions have to be done the day before and before sunset. When sunset comes and the first of the blessings begins you have to let go of everything that made you, you until after the ceremony," Kekoa replied
"Now when that happens you are to fast till after the ceremony is over take it as a test of faith. When that is done in the morning you will perform in your holoforms like I said before and remain so throughout the day until sunset. It is then that you will face the final judgment by the twins."
"The twins?" asked Starscream
"Yes because they represent both sides in unity. Did you not notice the markings on their armor?" Kekoa asked
"Um I sorta did," said Bumblebee
"Well that is why, you see from what I found out about your history and culture it is forbidden for both Autobot and Decepticon to get together and when they do it usually ends badly. Now when a couple has sparklings it makes the situation worse as both members are considered traitors by both factions. Now then since the twins do not know their creators we have to be creative and since grandma told them that they represent the balance of both factions and because of their unique abilities they became the dragon and the phoenix." Replied Kekoa
"Let me guess Radon the dragon and Rodan the phoenix," he said
With a nod Kekoa went on to explain
"Now when the twins test you there will be a lot of energy built up from it and you have to do the dragon dance then with Frenzy and Scrappy leading and they will be followed by Barricade and Bumblebee, and then Jazz and Starscream. Then all five of you will do the second half like how we practiced. When that is over the twins will stare into each of your optics probing your sparks to see if you are worthy. Now in the past there will be people doing dragons and a phoenix around and they had them stare at you but in this case it will be the twins. When the twins do the final judgment they will tell everyone if you are worthy or not," with that Kekoa nodded to the others.
"Your preparations begins now," he said standing up.
--LATER THAT NIGHT--
"You think that they will pass?" asked Sam from his bunk bed.
Sam gotten the bottom while Miles gotten the top.
"Yeah man they will pass they have to they have only two days left and I sure as hell hope they pass," he said
"Yeah ninja bots do you think?" Sam said smiling at his friend.
"Sure I hope the twins will give them a fair judgment," Miles said
"I hope so after all this family is deeply rooted to its traditions," Sam said.
TBC