Authors Note;; i'm alive. and HOPEFULLY I've still got the characters correct. Its been so long. I've been struggling with figuring out their reactions because I haven't written for this in ages. Hopefully I nailed it and you guys still like it. I won't be responding to the comments on the last chapter but feedback for this one is appreciated. I have to make sure I'm still doing it alright after all C: And that this is still worth continuing for you guys after such a long time.
Helplessness. Fear. Uncertainty. Change.
Noface was certainly no stranger to this combination of emotions, as they had been racking his processor nonstop since he gained this form. He had never been rendered mute before, and it scared him. He was so helpless and lost, still trying to comprehend the situation. Of all the mechs in the universe, why did this happen to him. In fact, there was an even bigger question to be answered.
Who was he?
"Noface"
The mech snapped out of his thoughts in as instance, engine purring as he sped from the ruined scene they had left behind. They were currently in the middle of an escort, heading towards the base where these so called "Autobots" stayed. It was strange how familiar the name sounded, but how unfamiliar it actually was. He had never heard of them. Well, he could not remember anyways.
"Noface, you're drifting"
The mech swerved a little, snapped back in to reality by Twoface. Yes, she was his savior. Yet, she told him nothing. She only gave him a name and rescued him from those strangers. Noface interrupted his own thoughts at this point, trying to pay attention to driving. He beeped a little in apology to Twoface. The femme smiled, rubbing his steering wheel gently to soothe his worries. She could tell he was deep in thought, though what he was thinking about was lost on her. All she could do was comfort him.
"You know, Noface, you gave me quite the fright today. We were so close to being caught. I was worried about your safety. I didn't want you to end up back there again, if you still remember. You seemed pretty out of it" Twoface muttered softly, looking at the vehicle's dashboard with a fond expression. She had never had any true children, but there were many she considered her own. Noface was one of them.
Noface whirred a little in response, acknowledging her conversation while still trying to focus on driving. It was hard though, as he had many things on his mind. In fact, he ended up drifting off in to thought again, recalling the day of his creation…
"It was successful. The spark has been moved without any problem"
"Fragging finally. You take forever. I guess a human would be slow though. There were no issues? Nothing is damaged?"
"I'm sorry, I'll do better next time! And, well, there are a few noticeable marks on the chest plates, but other than that, perfectly fine. I can begin repairing as many marks as I can along with adding the upgrades you requested"
"Good. Now do something with this. He's not useful anymore, but I don't want him getting out. I don't care if he can't speak, the enemy is intelligent. They'll find a way sooner or later. And I will NOT accept failure. Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes I do. I'll go get th-"
He finally lost interest in the voices, struggling with the darkness that seemed to overtake his vision. He could not move, speak, or do anything besides lie there and listen. He was completely clueless. Was he a newborn sparkling? No, he felt larger than that and is intelligence seemed to be greater. There was no way he was a sparkling. He could feel it. However, why could he remember nothing before today? He did not know. What he did know, however, was that his body was being moved against his will. A sense of fear washed over him as he tried to prevent himself from moving, but to no avail. He was immobilized. All he could do was listen to the sounds of an engine as he was transported somewhere. It did not last long.
"Hmm, are you still alive? Or are you even alive? Oh, maybe this will help…"
Help? What was going on? His forced movement was halted and the engine seemed to have died. It was replaced by a new voice, someone who he also did not recognize. Yet he felt as if he had heard it before. What was going on?
In a flash, everything appeared at once.
His vision was back.
There he was, looking directly at the face of another. She was much smaller than him and very unfamiliar to him. Her features were completely new to him. For a moment he was afraid, fearing the worst, until she smiled at him. It was a warm smile, filled with the love only parent could give. He did not know why, but she felt trustful. In fact, that very expression seemed so familiar to him. It was like someone else had given it to him before.
Who was she?
"Noface, we're here buddy. Let me out and you can transform"
There was a short delay before the locks clicked, allowing Twoface to exit the quiet vehicle. No sooner had she exited, she was surrounded by several Autobots. Noface snapped out of his thoughts in an instant, transforming and assuming a defensive stance. He would not let any of them hurt her, no matter who they were.
"Shh, noface, it's okay. I'm not exactly on friendly terms after all. It's expected" the pretender placed a gentle hand on the mech, Noface taking a moment before heeding her words. He straightened his posture, though his optics were locked on the Autobots surrounding them. The first to speak was larger than the others, regarding the two with caution.
"Twoface, I have been informed of the situation. Your presence is…surprising" Optimus spoke cautiously giving no emotion away as he spoke. He was worried about her sudden reappearance, as it could mean anything. The situation they were in was certainly undesirable, as one of their own seemed to be lost to the other side. It was no coincidence that she had appeared around the time Oneshot had changed sides.
"Well, I didn't plan on coming here, so I guess we're both surprised. I'm surprised, you haven't changed at all since the last time we spoke" the pretender smiled, though the warmth she gave Noface was lost. It was a genuine smile, but it lacked any kind of trust. It was somewhat unnerving.
"I suppose I have not. You, however, have changed a great deal. You seem to bear an appearance resembling the structure of a human. You must have adjusted quickl-" Optimus was cut off by the voice of none other than Abby, looking relieved. She was annoyed Ironhide had not come to her yet, but she could let that slide for now. She would deal with him later. He was not her concern right now.
"You! Nobody told me they had come back already. Do you even KNOW how long I've been waiting?! Did you find my boy?!" Abby's concern was expected, as she had been growing impatient and restless quickly. She had to know he was safe. Ironhide had comforted her for a while, but that was hours ago. Her worry had increased tenfold and at the moment she was fit to explode.
Optimus glanced at the approaching human, processing his next words carefully. Ironhide had asked him not to reveal anything to her yet, as she would react better if it came from him. However, just as he was about to speak, Twoface spoke up instead. She observed Abby, keeping her true emotions hidden for now.
"Well well well Prime, I didn't think you'd fallen as low as to be controlled by a civilian. And a human at that. Actually, strike that, it sounds just like you, you were always the more compassionate prime" Twoface mused, her chuckle lacking friendliness of any kind. In fact, she seemed to react quite negatively towards Abby. She seemed to be judging the human, something Abby quickly took notice of. Behind her, Noface stared curiously at the approaching human. He felt…angry at Twoface. Like he should defend the human.
"And who is this? She doesn't look like an Autobot at all. Not one I've seen before anyways" Abby scowled a little, looking over the newcomer. She had taken notice of the tone and lack of friendliness, giving her a sense of distrust towards the femme. She then averted her gaze to the white mech behind her, raising an eyebrow at the intense stare she was being given. These two both gave her the creeps.
"No, I'm not an Autobot. I'm a deception. Well former anyways. I wouldn't consider myself an Autobot either. You seem to have lost something. Or someone. I guess that's to be expected, if you're with the Autobots. They tend to lose a lot of things" Twoface flashed a grin, Abby twitching with irritation. She stalked forward, her mood flaring. Optimus sensed the tension, intervening quickly.
"Abby, this is Twoface. She's a deception in our custody. The current situation is…difficult…but she may be useful in locating him again" Optimus spoke carefully, trying to avoid any trigger words. That last thing he needed was Abby exploding at them. Abby seemed to relax a little at this, glaring at Twoface without any more advancement. Twoface, however, had different plans.
"Him? Oh, oh I see. You must be talking about…what did that Autobot call him..Oneshot? Well, I can assure you he's fine. In fact, he looks pretty good with red optics" Twoface smile sweetly, Abby's eyes widening slightly. Her body went rigid for a moment, processing the word before realizing what she meant. Without another thought, Abby stalked up towards the femme and before Optimus could stop her, swung her fist at the femme's face. Though her fist connected with the other's face flawlessly, Abby was the one left in pain. She cursed, holding her cradling her injured fist close to her. Before either could speak again, Optimus carefully reached down and scooped Abby away.
"I think it would be best for you to head to the medbay Abby. Ironhide is there and will explain everything without distractions. You will need medical attention anyways. We need to escort our guests elsewhere" Optimus vented, setting Abby on the ground again. If she persisted at getting at Twoface again, he would be sure to put his pede down this time. Luckily, Abby was smart enough to simply glare hatefully at Twoface before stomping towards the medbay. Ironhide had quite a bit of explaining to do.
She had never felt this angry before. With her son gone, she felt as if she would break through anything to get him back. Even if it killed her, she would get her boy back. That decepticon had gone too far, daring to insult her. It was not her fault that Oneshot had gone! Though Twoface had not said that, Abby could tell it was implied. She was not at fault. This could not be because of her.
Or was it?
Abby paused for a moment, anger subsiding for the moment while guilt took its place. It WAS her fault. He was gone because she was too careless. She had assumed he was grown up and she did not have to pay as much attention as before. She had been wrong. And now, he was gone. What made it even worse was that it seemed like Twoface was telling the truth. Had he joined the Decepticons? After all the trouble they had caused for the both of them?
"Oneshot, you are going to have some serious explaining to do" Abby growled, though on the inside she wanted to cry again. She was a mother like any other mother, and knowing her son had joined the bad side increased her guilt. She simply did not know what to do at this point. She had never prepared for her son to enter any kind of rebellious stage to this extreme before. She was lost.
Twoface stared at the ceiling, deep in thought. They had locked her away for now, unsure of what to do with her. Noface was with her, thankfully, deep in recharge. He had been through so much today, she was glad he was getting some rest. She thought about her brief encounter with Abby and grimaced.
"I'm sorry Abby, I know I was harsh, but I had to be. I'll make it up to you eventually before I go. Promise" Twoface muttered softly, incredibly guilty on the inside. She knew it was unlikely she would be forgiven, no matter what she told Abby. She had done so many things wrong. If Abby knew it all, there would be no forgiveness. No matter who she was, her actions spoke louder than her identity. The pretender sighed, glancing at the sleeping mech.
Her first objective was to help Noface as best as she could. Then, she would help her grandson.