33: The Adventures of Little Riley!

Chapter 33 - Questions

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers Prime or the franchise. All characters (except Riley/Raina) belong to Hasbro.

::Hello:: - Bumblebee Talking

"Hello" - Normal Talking

'Hello' - Thoughts

*Hello* - Cybertronian Talking

=Hello= - Over the phone or Comm

Warning: Animal Death in this chapter

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It was halfway through the month of punishment and so far, everyone held up pretty good. Raina was also officially 15, her birthday being the previous week. And her progress in her research was endless. She was getting closer to the answers, she could feel it!

(Now the rest of this chapter will be in her perspective)

(~RILEY/RAINA'S POV~)

I was currently sitting down on my couch with Collette beside me. For my birthday, I had gotten my own laptop. Thank goodness, sitting in front of the family computer was tiring and limiting. It was sitting on my lap as I typed away at the keys. The numbers and Cybertronian symbols flowing across my screen like a river.

Then my phone rang and it was Miko, of course.

"Hey, Miko, what's up?" I answered, using my free hand to continue my work.

=Why aren't you at base? Busy with you know who?= She asked, whispering a bit at the end.

"Nah, just spending time at home for once. Gotta catch up on school work." Oh, how I felt so bad for lying to her.

=Ok but you better come here tomorrow! It's not fun to annoy Ratchet alone.=

"Don't bother the old grump, just let him live Miko." I was chuckling at her, it was these times I felt bad for Docbot.

=Never. Aight, well have fun with school. Bye!=

"Bye Miko." I hung up and placed my phone beside me.

I looked over to my right, where Collette laid peacefully. Today, she was finally going to the vets. I've been worried sick about her, she was having more off days than good. I still can't believe nearly 8 years ago, I found her like a little puppy. Now she was an old lady, but still my puppy.

I scratched behind her ears, petting her head softly afterwards. Her big brown eyes looked back up at me with so much love. I smiled, temporarily forgetting about my work. I set my computer down and embraced my dog in a cuddly hug. Collette gave me her slobbery kisses back, I didn't resist but it was still disgusting.

"Want to have your breakfast now? Since you denied it earlier?" I asked, getting up and walking to the kitchen.

I got her bowl and placed it on the floor but Collette didn't come. She was just on the couch, watching me but not coming.

"Am I supposed to bring it to you? Are you that old or that spoiled?" I asked her, putting my hands on my hips while smirking.

I grabbed the bowl and put it closer this time, nothing. Come on dog! Eat! Cause you won't be able to in one hour, at least that's what mom said. Doggo couldn't eat after 2 pm since she got a vet appointment.

"Come on girl, aren't you a little hungry?" I crouched down and grabbed a hand full, waving it around.

She looked at me like I was crazy before laying down again. I sighed, giving up and putting the food and bowl back. I washed my hands and face, grabbed a snack, then got back to work. On the floor since Collette wanted the whole couch to herself. But that's fine cause she's the dog Queen in this house.

It felt like an hour before I heard my mom come in. I looked at the clock and it was 5 pm now. I backed up my progress before turning my laptop off and going to her. I greeted her with a hug before telling her Collette refused to eat.

"Silly dog, you try hand feeding?" Mom asked.

I nodded my head and she sighed in disappointment. She and I shared the same look as we watched Collette twitch in her sleep. Probably running her heart out with other dogs in a field filled with bones. Yeah, that doesn't sound right but you get the general sense.

"Well, she has her appointment now. Would you like to come?" She asked, grabbing Collette's leash. I thought about it for a minute before shaking my head.

Collette's checkups have a history of being boring. Just checking then waiting then more checking then more waiting. Nothing special.

"Ok well don't leave the house unless you tell us and be safe." She kissed me on the forehead before cooing at Collette to get her to wake up.

Before I knew it, Collette and mom were out the door and driving away. It was pretty lonely at home so why not visit the base. Maybe I could ask them some questions while I was there.

"Hey Mikooo, can you get Docbot to send a groundbridge here?" I said out loud while texting.

M: Sure thing! Glad you changed your mind ;)

R: Thanks boo.

Then there it was, in my backyard. I walked outside, locking my screen door behind me.

R: Hey mom, gonna be gone for a few hours. Love ya xo

M: Ok sweetie, have fun and stay safe xoxo

I put my cellphone in my pocket and walked through the vortex, the sound of the groundbridge powering down as the base came into view.

"Well well well, she decided to come." Miko taunted from the catwalk.

"Schoolwork was surprisingly easy. I can leave if you want." I teased her back.

She rolled her beautiful eyes. Wait what. I mean eyes, just eyes. She rolled her eyes before joining Jack and Raf again. I greeted the others, walking by them to the stairs.

"What are you guys doing? Seeing as videogames and anything fun you guys like is banned?" I asked, sitting down on the crate near the T.V.

"Talking really. It's all we can do. I want to pull a prank so badly but Jack says it's not a good idea." Miko complained.

"Cause we are already serving a punishment." Jack retorted.

"That you caused." Miko fired back.

"I say, fight." I told them straight out. I got confused looks so I said it again. "Fight. Jack vs Miko, let's go."

Miko looked ready while Jack quickly defused the situation.

"No no, I'm good. The last thing we need is Ratchet patching us up then tattle tailing to Optimus." The older boy got a little further away from Miko.

"Ooo you gave me an idea Jack. Let's talk about the bots and love~"

"Why Miko...why." I asked in disbelief. No seriously Miko, why.

"Why not? I can totally see a hookup between them." Miko was being extra weird with her words, it was disturbing.

"I don't see them like that. I see them as one big family." Raf spoke up, contributing to Miko's idea.

"Same here." Jack piped in, raising one of his hands up.

"Agreed so with that out the window, new topic." I quickly said, not giving Miko a chance to protest.

"How about we continue the Riley search?" Raf suggested, pulling his laptop out.

"The what?" I asked. What have I missed out on...

"Oh right. Before you came here, we found out about this girl who lived with the Autobots for a while. We promised to help them find her." Miko filled me in.

Megatron's words rang in my head, telling me that the Autobots had kept me here for their personal experiment for a year. That is until they came and saved me from that. I didn't believe that anymore, just more lies to make me believe him and think the Autobots were bad. But that and this had no relation. If Megatron were right though, then I wasn't the first? This is all so confusing.

"Optimus mentioned her, Riley right?" I asked. Saying my own name but not referring it to myself was weird.

"Yeah, Riley Autobot Pax. Kind of looks like you." Raf noted, looking up at me.

"So I wasn't the only one who noticed." Miko added in.

"You're losing me guys." I spoke up.

"This is her, last seen in Buffalo apparently." Raf turned his laptop around and showed me the picture of this girl.

I won't lie, it did look like me. And the name...it was mine. But this didn't make sense. None of it did. This girl lived here and had the same name as me? But Megatron said I was here for a year but I didn't even believe that. But then again, I don't remember anything from 8 and below besides school.

I felt a migraine run through my head, I winced slightly. It's these times I wonder if confusing information gave me these.

"You guys have fun with that. I'm going to see Optimus." I told them, walking away briskly.

My hands were glued to my head, it hurt so badly. What was happening, why was I hurting after finding that out? Why couldn't I understand this situation? That stupid mental wall was stopping me from understanding. Just like it was stopping me from remembering. But why? I couldn't even figure out how I could be feeling this, the wall blocked that too.

I did make my way to Optimus though. I had a few questions of my own for him. All in hopes to complete my adventure for answers.

I found him just leaving his berth room, so I stopped him before he got occupied with something more important.

"Optimus? Can we speak?" I asked, still wincing slightly from my head pain.

"Of course. What is it, Raina?" He asked.

"What's your perspective on Megatron. Like what do you think of him?" I asked my first question.

"I see him as a lost spark who raged war against Cybertron, driven by the wanting of power. He was once my old friend, a highly respected gladiator. Unfortunately, he strayed down a path of darkness that he won't emerge from anytime soon."

Optimus' words were certainly planned. Like this wasn't the first time someone asked him this. They also conveyed so much emotion. Wait did he say Megatron was his friend?! Hold up.

"Megatron was your friend?" I suddenly asked out of shock.

"He was, but not anymore."

Of course, the worst of enemies usually were friends at some point or at the beginning. But still, those two are so different!

"I'm sorry about that." I apologized quickly.

"It's fine Raina, you didn't know. Is there anything else?" He asked.

Wow, this guy was super kind and patient. Seriously how was his friend Megatron?

"Uh, I've got a couple more questions. One, was this Riley girl close to you all. Second, when did she leave base?"

"We were all very close to Riley. She was very much loved and trusted while she resided here. As for when she left, it was a little over 7 years ago."

"Thanks, Optimus. Sorry if I stopped you from anything important." I smiled apologetically.

"It's not a problem Raina. I actually have a question for you as well."

Ah scrap. I don't know why I'm worried, he knows everything...mostly everything. What could he possibly be asking?!

"What is it?" I asked trying to sound all sweet and innocent, and definitely not panicking.

He looked around the halls for a second before kneeling down closer to me.

"Why are you with the Decepticon's if you have seen Megatron's true colours? You don't seem like the person to be one in the first place. You also don't seem to be acting or being like one as of now."

Ohhhh that. Yeah, that's a good question, give me a second to answer it myself.

...

Ok, got it.

"Because I still have friends in the Decepticons, and I'm afraid if I leave, I won't see them again. I would love to join you guys but I'm not ready to leave them, you know?"

He was super understanding and nodded his helm. His sincere smile made me feel better. Like I wasn't betraying them because of my chosen side. I already cleared it up with him I wouldn't give information anymore. I didn't want to, but I had to lie to the cons so they wouldn't make me stop visiting the bots.

After that, we nodded goodbye and I went on my way. I eventually wandered into the hall of berthrooms. I wasn't going to invade their personal space for answers, that's just wrong. But one berthroom had a stairway leading to a human-sized door. A little peek wouldn't hurt.

I walked up and tried the door but it was locked. Dang. The human door and bigger door either didn't have glass or reachable glass to look through.

"Need help?" Miko suddenly asked.

My fighting instincts kicked in as I spun around and held my fists up, getting in a fighting stance.

"Primus Miko, you scared me." I sighed relieved then glaring at her.

"What was that?" She asked laughing.

"It's called martial art training for 7 years and base instincts. I could have seriously hurt you Miko." I scolded her.

"Ok so never sneak up on you unless I want a black eye, got it. Now lemme ask again, want help?" She asked again, gesturing to the door.

I nodded my head and she took out a bobby pin. Of course, she would have one. In less than 30 seconds, the door swung open.

"Have fun." Miko told me as she stood there.

"You not coming in?" I asked. "Are you going to lock me in?" I got suspicious since Miko wasn't too far off from being a person who would do that.

"I would never my Decepticon friend. Just do your research since you need to get caught up." Miko smiled before walking down the stairs and running off.

Why on Earth was her smile so cute! Wait what. Ah jeez, I don't know these feelings and it scares me. Forget about that, let's just look and leave.

I entered the room, immediately shivering. It was pretty cold in here, probably cause no one slept in here...well not anymore. It looked like an average kid's room but way bigger with concrete walls and flooring.

I looked at the drawings on the desk, the picture of every bot plus the girl, and the bookshelf. Not much to go on though. Then I looked in the toy chest cause why not.

I pulled out a few stuffies and placed them on the ground. Suddenly, I felt the urge to rearrange them.

I placed 3 bigger stuffies in front of a smaller one. Then placed a green and yellow one farther away. When I was done, I was confused about what I did. The 3 bigger stuffies overshadowing the smaller one looked familiar. Then I tried something. I kicked the three stuffies aside and put the coloured ones in front of the smaller one now.

"Is that what happened Riley? Were one of those cons Megatron?" A sudden voice rang out in my head. It sounded like Optimus.

I looked around frantically but it was only me. Where did I just hear that? How did I hear that? What was that?!

I put the stuffies back immediately and ran back up to the railings overlooking half of the room. I started breathing in a panicked manner, gripping the bars tightly. I sat down after, trying to think of what the heck was that. My legs dangled off the edge as I thought about those words.

"Is everything ok Riley?" Optimus' voice rang out in my head again.

My head shot up, my eyes darting all over the room. What the heck was going on. Were there ghosts? Oh that's it, I'm leaving. This is getting too freaky. I locked the door behind me before swiftly making my exit.

As I passed a room, another voice rang out. It was mine but it sounded...younger. Arcee's voice also rang out.

"Why are you mad at Cliff!"

"You're too young! You wouldn't understand."

"Arcee, I may be a little girl but I can be a big girl too!"

"You really wanna know? Fine!"

What...was...happening. Where were all these voices coming from?! Why now. I was super scared, I had to leave. Now.

I ran past the rest of the berthrooms and back to the human area. I sat down on the couch, visibly shaking. I didn't say a word and didn't plan on talking. I just needed to process a few things. Like what the heck are those voices?!

"Everything ok Rain'?" Miko asked, moving from her spot on the floor to beside me on the couch.

"Yep. Everything's fine." I told her quickly. How was I supposed to explain I heard voices. I would sound crazy! Maybe I was...that wouldn't be too far fetched at this point.

"You sure?" Miko asked.

"You're no fun Ratchet!"

"Yes well, war isn't meant to be fun!"

"War?"

"Uh, War stands for something! Worrying Autobot Rescue! Yes, Worrying Autobot Rescue! That's what I meant."

I immediately stood up and looked around, especially at Ratchet. I just heard him talking yet he was occupied with something in the medbay. What was going on...

"Raina? You're worrying me." Miko got up and touched my shoulder, making me flinch.

"Did you hear...voices?" I asked nervously. I was hoping she could hear this too but she shook her head.

"I...I got to go home." I held my arms, looking down and walking away. I wanted out of this place.

"Ratchet? Could you bridge me home?" I asked going up to the mech.

He nodded his helm before going to the controls and activating it. I walked towards it before stopping dead in my tracks.

"I'll drop Riley off today."

"Autobots roll out!"

Then I swear to Primus, I saw something running through the groundbridge. Something small, like a child but very ghostly.

"Are you going through?" Ratchet asked confused.

I darted my head back and forth. This was scary, very scary. I ran through the bridge, not even answering Ratchet or apologizing. I just wanted to leave, I couldn't handle this.

I ended up in my backyard again as the bridge closed behind me. I ran inside and to my room. I buried my face in my pillow, breathing in and out heavily but fast. I turned my body so my back lied on the soft mattress. I looked up at the ceiling, mentally grabbing my pillow and clutching it close to my chest.

My head was swirling with questions. What were those voices? Where did they come from? Was I imagining or remembering? My thoughts were stirred away as my phone buzzed.

M: Hey, saw you stopping before freaking and running out. Everything ok?

R: Yeah, everything is fine. Just got spooked by something. Don't worry.

M: Whatever you say. I'm always here for ya.

R: Thanks Miko.

I flipped my phone close before putting it on my end table. I got up from my bed and went back downstairs. Grabbing my laptop, I opened it up and powered it on. Might as well record what I heard today. But apparently, my battery was almost drained. Must've forgotten to check before turning it off earlier.

Closing it again, I went to my room and plugged it in to charge. Guess I'm jotting this down the old fashioned way. I got a piece of paper and pen, writing down the exact words I heard and labelling who said what. I heard Optimus, then Arcee and finally, Ratchet.

I tapped my pen against my chin, thinking why I heard what I did. Was I truly remembering or were there ghosts in the base? Unlike Megatron, I believe in spirits. Where exactly are you supposed to go after death? Heaven or Hell yeah, but what if you wanted to stay in the real world. Spirits and ghosts exist for those exact reasons.

Then I heard the front door close from downstairs. Next, I heard footsteps going up the stairs and towards my room. It was dad but he didn't appear happy.

"Hey dad." I greeted happily but he didn't smile back.

"Everything ok?" I asked worryingly, getting up from my seat.

"Come with me, we're going to the vet's office." He told me before leaving to go downstairs.

I was confused at first but then it hit me like a truck.

"Is Collette ok?" I asked but he didn't answer. Oh Primus, let her be ok. Please.

I ran down the stairs and followed as my dad went outside. He locked the door after I was also out and headed to his car. I got in the passenger seat as he started the car up. The drive was silent, I was panicking while he didn't say anything.

It only took a few mins before we got there. I had a gut feeling, a lump in my throat, and my tears threatened to spill. Collette better be ok. If she wasn't then what could I do with myself.

I got out of the car as soon as it parked and rushed inside. There were a couple of people, waiting with their pets. The receptionist recognized me and had a grim look on her face.

"Your mom is in the back." She told me. I nodded and immediately rushed into the employee's only area.

When I got into one of the treatment rooms, my mom was there, checking Collette over. I rushed to her side, looking at my dog as she laid still. I looked at her stomach, and it rose up then down. She was alive, thank goodness.

"Why did dad make me come? Is Collette ok?" I asked panicked.

My mom, I've never seen her sad until now. Her face was just drained of emotion. She continued checking before heading to a monitor and typing away at it. It was just silence, the tapping of the keys being the only sound.

I looked down at Collette and greeted her happily. I stroked her head and face, cooing away. Then she let out coughing, then whimpering. She went silent again after that.

"Mom...what's happening?" I asked again.

"Collette has been sick for a while now. The test results came back and..."

"And?" I asked, more panicked now. Collette was sick? This whole time? Was it a bad sick?

"I think this might be her final week Raina." My mom let out slowly, finally turning around to face me.

"What..." No, Collette was fine. She was fine. This was a bad dream, it had to be.

"You can help her right?" I asked, slightly choking up.

"It's too late. Even so, this isn't curable. I'm so sorry." My mom then walked beside me, side hugging me as we both stared at Collette.

"I don't want her to go." I weakly let out.

"I know honey, I know." She rubbed my arm, leaning her head on mine.

"She'll stay here, you can come to visit anytime ok?"

"I want to be beside her. I'm not leaving her side and risk not being there when she...she needs to know I love her." Tears finally rolled down my face.

My dad quietly joined in and embraced us both in a hug.

Later that evening, I was just beside Collette. We got a blanket, food, and water for her. She was just laying peacefully on the floor as I sat next to her. Stroking her back and softly humming the same tune I did with Optimus.

For three days straight, I barely got sleep and didn't go to school. I also left my cell at home so I didn't have it on me. But I was too focused on her. She had to pull through. My dad brought me my laptop and since I was next to an outlet, I had infinite time with it. But that didn't pull my attention away from Collette.

But today was finally the day. I knew immediately when I was petting her back. It slowly raised up and down like usual, until it didn't.

I quickly put my laptop aside and looked at her chest, it didn't rise anymore. I looked at her face, her eyes were closed. A peaceful sort of look upon her face. I picked her up carefully and held her close to me. I started to cry my heart out, she was gone. At least it was peaceful.

My mom came in 10 mins later. She didn't have to ask to know what happened. She sat down beside me, comforting me as best she could. My mom would later get her taken away so we could turn her into ashes.

She did do one thing before though. She took a mould and pressed Collette's paw into it. After that, dad took me home.

When I stepped out of the car, I saw Bulkhead's alt down the road. He was probably worried about me suddenly disappearing for 3 days and not answering texts. I subtly waved at him before going back inside.

I went to my room and plugged my phone and laptop in. I just went to bed after that. I didn't get changed or brush my teeth or eat. I just plopped my body into my bed and drifting off.

Suddenly in the middle of the night, I got woken up. I was in a cold sweat as I shot up in my bed and felt a headache coming. But it felt like more than that.

Then the memories from my search at the Autobot base popped into my head. But then they slowly started to disappear. Like they were slipping away down a stream.

Wait why were they disappearing? I suddenly felt like I was battling something to keep these thoughts. My discoveries being taken away.

Wait...what was being taken away? No no no, I'm forgetting! But how? Why?! Why can't I remember?

Remember what? What was I losing? Why was I up...

I looked around my room, confused why I was up. Did I get waken up by something? Ah, who knows...I wish Collette was here though. No, let's think positive.

When I return to the Autobot base I can try to ask more questions. But why don't I remember the answers...wait why did I suddenly run out of the base? Was I missing pieces of that day? I was! First my childhood now something from 3 days ago. Great. I have some serious memory problems, I probably need it checked out.

Eh, I just need my sleep. Goodnight cruel, horrible, interesting world.

—

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