Here is the next chapter.
P.S. Credit for "Dare" goes to Stan Bush.
The next morning, Tuck woke up to find himself sleeping inside a moving vehicle. At first, the startled boy gasped. But then calmed down as he observed his surroundings and the memories of last night returned to him.
"Oh yeah, I remember," he said as he realized he was riding inside Bulkhead.
"Sleep well, kid?" the Autobot asked.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Good morning, Tucker!" the kid heard his older brother call. He looked out the window to see Brad riding inside Jazz. "Was getting a little sleepy last night so Jazz offered me a place to rest. I bet girls will go for me if they saw me driving a cool ride like this."
"I think girls will go more for the ride because technically it drives itself and doesn't need you," Tuck teased causing Bulkhead, Jazz, and Arcee to laugh.
"We should think about making a few pit stops for food and bathroom breaks," Sheldon suggested sitting inside Bumblebee.
Jenny sat in the passenger seat of Optimus Prime's truck form while having a nice chat with the Autobot leader.
"Won't Mom be surprised," the robot teen said excitedly. "She'll soon find out her most recent scientific discovery holds the key to bring machinery to life."
"But in the wrong hands, it could also destroy life," Optimus reminded.
"That's why we need to get to her before the Decepticons. If we can explain all this to my mom, she'll know what to do."
"Heads up!" Jazz informed everyone. "The GPS says there's a small town about two minutes ahead of us."
"We'd better stop there for a while to allow our passengers to gather food and supplies," Arcee suggested.
"Great idea," Ratchet complimented.
The caravan of automobiles arrived in the town and parked in the parking lot of a small outdoor mall. They waited in the parking lot while their young Earth companions to have breakfast, buy food, useful-looking tools, and used the restrooms. Once they returned, they all took off resuming their long journey to the Arctic. Little did they know was that a suspicious-looking red, white, and blue Lamborghini Countach bearing the Decepticon symbol was parked in the same parking lot and had been observing them the whole time.
"Oh scrap! Oh scrap! Oh Scrap!" the Lamborghini nervously said to himself. "The XJ-9 unit is with the Autobots! There's no way I can extract her on my own now. Why Primus?! Why is the whole universe conspiring against me?! Wait, I got it! I'll just inform Starscream of the situation and let him handle this impossible task. Oh, but then the others will probably think I'm a coward. Grrrr! Why does life have to be so difficult?!" Suddenly, a voice came from the Lamborghini's radio.
"Breakdown, you spineless coward! Have you anything to report?"
"Lord Starscream! I just saw the XJ-9 unit and a few humans pass through my location with a group of Autobots," Breakdown impulsively informed.
"And you let them GO?!" Starscream angrily scolded.
"I was outnumbered! There was no way I was going to successfully capture her on my own!"
"Why am I surrounded by such useless pieces of scrap?! Very well, if you want something done, you have to do it yourself."
Elsewhere, Starscream was flying through the air in his jet form while sending out a signal.
"Lord Starscream to Lugnut, Blitzwing, Skywarp, and Thundercracker," he said. "The XJ-9 unit has been located. Requesting rendezvous and assistance in capture."
"Lugnut inbound."
"I'm on my way," Blitzwing replied. "This is going to be FUN!"
"What's the matter, Starscream?" a smug voice mockingly asked. "Can't handle a primitive automaton, a few insects, and some pesky Autobots on your own?"
"That's LORD Starscream to you, Thundercracker!" the Decepticon jet angrily replied.
"I thought Megatron was our lord," a confused voice interrupted.
"Megatron has not been seen or heard for many cycles, Skywarp, you dim-witted buffoon!" Starscream scolded.
"I'll show YOU dim-witted, Starscream!"
"You always do. Now all of you, follow your orders and let's capture XJ-9!"
Later that night, the Autobots and their companions decided to get off the road for a moment to rest, gaze at the stars, and exchange stories. Ironhide had a lot of stories to tell everyone.
"As the giant energon leech came closer and closer, it seemed like survival for me and my crew was hopeless," the veteran explained as everyone around him listened in awe.
"Then what happened?" Tuck eagerly asked.
"Well, it opened its big slimy, toothy maw and just as it was about to swallow the whole lot of us, I fired a shot at a huge stalactite, knocking it loose, and impaling the beast." This caused most of his audience to cheer and applaud with joy.
"You've had quite a lot of experiences in your time," Arcee commented.
"When most of you reach my age, you too will have a lot of stories to tell the next generations," Ironhide proudly replied.
"Where's Jenny?" Sheldon asked.
"She wanted to have a personal talk with Prime over there," Ratchet answered pointing to the top of a nearby hill where both Jenny and Optimus were sitting side-by-side looking up at the starry night sky together.
"Were the night skies this beautiful back on Cybertron?" the robot teen asked.
"Actually, there were a lot more stars and constellations in the sky," the Autobot leader answered. "But so much smoke from the war obstructs our view now."
"I'm sorry," Jenny apologized for her sensitive question.
"For what?"
"I was made to be a bringer of peace and justice. If I had known about what was happening on your homeworld, I probably could've done something to stop it."
"There's no need to apologize," Optimus gently replied. "You're only five years old and our war has been going on long before humans discovered electricity."
"Humans are a little behind in terms of advanced technology compared to your kind," Jenny admitted. "If the Decepticons get their hands on the Allspark first and use it to transform Earth's technology, the human race won't stand a chance."
"That is why we need to find it first. Once we have the Allspark, we can leave this world and make sure the Decepticons follow us. Even if we don't defeat all the Decepticons on Earth, without us or the cube they will have no reason to stay here."
"You're sure that will work?"
"I hope so. It is the least we can do to atone for bringing our war here. This is our fight, not yours."
"You would do all this to help us? Creatures of another world you barely know?" Jenny asked touched by Optimus's bravery and compassion.
"Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."
"Your planet is almost dead, your people are slaughtered," the robot heroine lamented. "I'll do whatever I can to help find the Allspark and save your world."
"You make your maker proud, Jenny," Optimus complimented. "Your patience and devotion for the safety and survival of creatures that are not always friendly exceeds your intended programming. On Cybertron, with enough training, you would've made a great candidate for a Prime."
"Thanks," Jenny replied gratefully.
For a moment, the robot teenager looked up at the towering leader of the Autobots, both and literally and figuratively. Never in her entire short life had she felt so much trust and admiration for another robot, let alone anyone. He was completely devoted to his cause of saving lives, both of his own people and others, and bringing peace all for the sake of good. Unlike other so-called 'heroes' she knew in the past, this was not someone who was doing this to profit from in some way, he would do his best to save thousands of lives and ask for nothing in return. The undying loyalty of his followers was further proof of his goodness. To Jenny, Optimus Prime was one of the true heroes in this or any other galaxy, even greater than herself. She had already learned so much from him in such a short time. To her, he was more than just a new friend or ally. He was a role model, a mentor, the father figure she never had.
"We'd better get back on the road," Ironhide suggested to everyone. "We still got a long journey ahead of us. You humans can rest till morning."
A tired-looking Sheldon hopped into Bumblebee's car form while Brad helped his sleepy little brother into Bulkhead's truck form.
"You ready?" Optimus asked Jenny.
"Absolutely," she replied.
Soon, everyone was back on the road.
The next morning, the caravan found themselves driving on a long road that was so far cleared of any other automobiles.
"Scanners show that there are no human vehicles driving on this road currently," Arcee informed the others.
"So that means the road is all clear," Jazz said satisfied. "Anyone up for a little race? Might make this trip go faster and let us have a little fun as well."
"I feel the need for speed!" [Top Gun (1986)] Bumblebee said through the radio as he sounded his accelerator to show he was all for a race.
"I guess Bee wants to give it a try," Sheldon said.
"What about you, robo-girl?" Jazz asked Jenny. "Unless you're too slow."
"Oh, it is on!" Jenny declared and hopped onto the road. She transformed her feet into wheels and her two pigtails into small thruster engines.
"Do you think this is a good idea, sir?" a concerned Ratchet asked Optimus.
"We've got a clear road and we're short on time," the Prime replied. "Besides, they could use a little fun. The next time they may have to fight again."
"Well, I guess I'm in too," Arcee said as she lined up next to Jenny, Jazz, and Bumblebee.
"Alright, on my mark, we take off," Jazz instructed. "Try to keep up, robo-girl."
"I don't think that'll be a problem, Jazz," Jenny replied confidently.
Both Brad and Tuck cheered her on from Bulkhead's windows.
The four robots stared down the long empty road waiting for Jazz to give the signal to begin their race.
"On your marks! Get set! GO!"
("Dare" by Stan Bush begins)
Immediately, everyone took off at high speeds down the empty road leaving the others way behind to watch. The high speed caused Sheldon to sit back deep within his seat.
"Impulsive turbo-running youngsters!" Ironhide said. "We'd better catch up before we lose them."
The rest of caravan began driving down the road after them.
Meanwhile, Jazz was taking the lead in the race with Jenny quickly catching up to him. Bumblebee and Arcee were moving a few feet behind them.
(Sometimes when your hopes have all been shattered)
(And there's nowhere to turn)
Jenny continued to close the distance between herself and Jazz. She moved her feet as if she were a roller-skater.
(You wonder how you keep going (going))
Jenny was inches away from being side-by-side with the Autobot lieutenant and equaling his speed.
"Not bad, kid," he complimented. "But you don't start a race at full speed." Then he accelerated his speed and moved far down the road leaving Jenny and the other two racers behind.
(Think of all the things that really mattered)
"I know," Jenny said confident and unfazed.
(And the chances you've earned)
Then she used her pigtail thrusters to increase her own speed zooming after the speeding Autobot.
(The fire in your heart is growing (growing))
Once again, Jenny was catching up to Jazz.
(You can fly, if you try leaving the past behind)
"That kid sure is fast," Arcee said. "What exactly did Wakeman use to build her?"
(Heaven only knows what you might find)
Bumblebee and Arcee had to increase their own speeds before the other two got too far ahead. Ahead of them, Jenny and Jazz were speedily riding up a small hill preparing for a huge jump once they reached the top.
(Dare, dare to believe you can survive)
The two lead racers leapt into the air once they reached the top and sped down the road once they landed on the ground. Bumblebee and Arcee followed suit.
"Go Jenny!" Sheldon cheered from Bumblebee's window. He nearly bumped his head when his ride landed on the asphalt. "Wow! Take it easy, Bee!"
(You hold the future in your hand)
Jazz and Jenny continued to zoom down the empty road with Bumblebee and Arcee trying to catch up. Soon they came to a sharp turn around a hill. Seeing this, Jazz increased his speed.
(Dare, dare to keep all your dreams alive)
Jazz was the first to reach the sharp turn and made a perfectly controlled maneuver around it without losing too much speed. However, Jenny was more than capable of making the same maneuver without losing any speed. Bumblebee and Arcee however had to slow down in order to make the turn safely.
(It's time to take a stand)
Jenny saw Jazz driving ahead of her. There seemed to be a five second gap between them at least.
(You can win if you dare)
The robot girl gave herself a boost and zoomed ahead of Jazz.
(Everybody's trying to break your spirit)
(Keeping you down)
Jenny made various impressive swerves and spins as she sped down the empty road.
(Seems like it's been forever (ever), oh)
Jenny leapt into the air for a moment to bask in the cool wind and bright sunlight before landing back on the asphalt. Jazz was starting to catch up to her.
(There's another voice if you'll just hear it)
(Saying it's the last round)
They came across the entrance to a tunnel built into the mountain.
(Looks like it's now or never (never))
Both went into the tunnel entrance. They were now side-by-side as they rode through the orange light-filled tunnel.
(Out of the darkness you stumble into the light)
Jenny and Jazz saw the light at the end of the tunnel and both increased their speeds to be the first to reach it.
(Fighting for the things you know are right)
They both burst from the tunnel exit and into the bright shining light of the Sun.
(Dare, dare to believe you can survive)
"I'm impressed, Jens," Jazz complimented. "You've got more speed than I thought."
"Thanks," Jenny replied. "Now let's finish this."
(The power is there at your command)
Both increased their speed for the final part of the race.
(Dare, dare to keep all your dreams alive)
They were side-by-side, but only one of them had to claim victory. However, Jenny noticed something suspicious-looking squadron of five military aircrafts in the sky flying in their direction.
(It's time to take a stand)
"Jazz, look!" Jenny said stopping and directing his racing opponent's attention to the sky. "Those are military planes, but what are they doing out here?"
"What?!" Jazz stopped and changed back into his robot form. Using binocular vision, he observed the aircraft squad flying toward them. There were three jets of the same model, one red and black, one purple and black, and one blue and silver. There was a purple and tan jet of a different model. There was also a large green jet bomber flying with them.
(You can win if you dare)
"Decepticons!" he said when he noticed one of them bore the purple symbol on its wings. Immediately, he pulled out two blasters and started firing up at the enemy planes grazing the wings of one of the jets.
Then the aircrafts took on the forms of menacing-looking robots who hovered in the air. The trio of jets all changed into identical winged robots distinguishable only by color. The other jet changed into a robot with a cannon on his back and wearing a red visor over his eyes.
"Decepticons Attack!" Starscream, the red and black robot, commanded.
"Let Thundercracker bring the thunder!" the blue and silver jet robot said and blasted bolts of lightning from the cannons on his arms.
Thinking quickly, Jenny transformed her left arm into a long lightning rod to attract the lightning and then transformed her right arm into a cannon and fired it back at its sender. The reflected lightning struck Thundercracker and caused him to fall out of the sky and crash onto the ground. But before Jenny could revel in her victory, the purple and black robot suddenly teleported behind her and grabbed her.
"Your overconfidence in yourself is your weakness, Thundercracker," the purple jet robot, named Skywarp, criticized his fallen comrade. However, he suddenly felt a sharp kick to his spine causing him to release Jenny. The unexpected attacker was revealed to be Bumblebee who had finally caught up with them along with Arcee and Sheldon.
"And your stupidity is yours, Skywarp!" Starscream angrily belittled.
"Jenny!" Sheldon cried in concern for his beloved robot girl.
Suddenly Blitzwing, the purple and tan robot with the red visor, landed on the ground and stood before his enemies.
"Say 'Bye-Bye', Autobots!" he yelled maniacally as his face changed to one that looked a face you'd see on a jack-o-lantern. Then he transformed himself into a tank and aimed his cannon at Bumbelbee and Arcee.
(Dare, dare to believe you can survive)
However, a red pickup truck suddenly drove in front of the Decepticon tank and transformed into Ironhide who pushed the cannon to right away from his comrades and lifted it higher towards the sky. The cannon fired and hit the huge jet bomber, Lugnut, causing it to fall out of the sky.
(You hold the future in your hand)
Blitzwing changed back into his robot form to attack the Autobot veteran, but the experienced warrior dodged his moves and knocked him over with a kick to the side of the face.
"Pretty good for an old timer," Jenny complimented.
"You ain't seen nothing yet, kid," Ironhide replied.
"Look out!" Arcee yelled pointing toward the sky.
(Dare, dare to keep all your dreams alive)
Lugnut, now in his huge robot form, got up from the ground and fired a barrage of missiles from multiple cannons on his body at the heroes who all managed to get out of the way. Bumblebee grabbed Sheldon as he dodged the deadly projectiles.
"Thanks," the teenage boy said as the yellow robot set him down.
(The power is there at your command)
Soon enough, Optimus, Ratchet, and Bulkhead arrived on the scene. Brad and Tuck hopped out of Bulkhead to allow him to transform for battle.
(Dare, dare to keep all your love alive)
Once they were all transformed, Optimus, Ratchet, and Bulkhead joined their comrades in battle.
(Dare to be all that you can be)
Optimus, armed with his Ion blaster, unleashed multiple shots at the three Seekers. Ratchet and Ironhide, both armed with their own blasters, assisted their commanding officer.
(Dare, there is a place where dreams survive)
Bulkhead and Lugnut locked hands with one another and engaged in a grappling duel. The two bulky fighters looked evenly matched in strength.
(It's calling you on to victory)
Jazz, Bumblebee, and Arcee engaged Blitzwing, who was armed with a sword in his right hand and a blaster in his left.
(Dare)
Jenny flew up into the air and unleashed multiple heat seeking missiles down upon the battle field. She was very careful to make target only the Decepticons. Lugnut, Blitzwing, and Thundercracker received the bulk of the blasts from the missiles, but Skywarp teleported out of the way and Starscream managed to dodge them.
(Dare)
"Alright, Jenny!" Tuck cheered.
"Way to go, Jen!" Brad joined in.
"Not bad!" Ratchet complimented.
The robot heroine smiled proudly as she was cheered and applauded by her friends and allies.
(Music ends)
Suddenly, Jenny screamed in agony as she felt a painful electric surge coerce through her metal body, sparks flying everywhere. Then she dropped out of the air and onto the ground much to everyone's shock and horror.
"Jenny!" the three human boys cried.
"Can't… move…" Jenny said struggling to stand. "My systems… shutting down…"
"Perfect!" Starscream said with sinister delight. He had one of his arm cannons aimed at the little robot girl and it looked like he had recently fired it. "My null-ray is capable of shutting down any electrical device, and that includes you."
"You! You're the one who attacked me on the Moon!" Jenny said recognizing the Seeker commander.
"Correct," Starscream proudly admitted.
And now you're ours!" Lugnut declared as he grabbed the injured robot and help her helplessly in his giant hand.
"Let her go!" Optimus demanded threatening aiming his Ion blaster at the Decepticon fiend.
"Don't try anything, Prime! Or your little human pets will meet their end," Starscream threatened.
Suddenly, Skywarp teleported behind Brad, Tuck, and Sheldon and grabbed the three boys before teleporting away. He appeared high up in the sky holding them threateningly above the ground. It was clear he was threatening to drop them to their deaths. The three boys stared fearfully down at the ground below.
"Let them go, Starscream!" Arcee demanded. "They're no threat to you."
"We want the XJ-9 unit," Skywarp said. "These insects are expendable."
"What will it be, Prime?" Starscream taunted the Autobot leader. "The primitive earth automaton or these fragile little insects you call friends?"
"Here, why don't I help you make up your minds?!" Skywarp said and released the three boys sending them screaming and tumbling through the sky.
"NO!" Arcee cried and moved in to try and catch her human friends. Bumblebee and Bulkhead joined her.
"You…!" Ironhide angrily yelled. But before he, Optimus, Jazz, and Ratchet could retaliate, their path was blocked by a barrage of lightning bolts shot by Thundercracker.
"You'll never beat me, Autobots," the blue Seeker boasted. "I'm the best!"
"Decepticons, take off!" Starscream ordered and changed into his jet form.
Soon the rest of the Decepticons followed suite. Lugnut threw the helpless Jenny into his cargo bay as he transformed and took to the sky.
Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead managed to catch all three boys and prevent them from hitting the ground, only to see their foes retreating.
"JENNY!" the three boys cried in horror as they watched helplessly as the enemy take off with their dear friend as their captive.
"NOOO!" Sheldon cried for his beloved Jenny.
After a moment, the villainous squadron was gone leaving the heroes in a state of fear and despair.
"What now?" Arcee asked visibly concerned.
"The Cons have Jenny," an upset Ironhide said. "We failed."
"No, not yet!" Jazz disagreed.
"We have to save her!" Sheldon pleaded. "There has to be a way!"
"Prime, what is your call?" Ratchet asked turning to their commanding officer.
Optimus was currently having a subtle but very emotional moment to himself. He clenched his fist in anguish. During the time they had spent with their new native companions, he had grown very close to the robot teen, even developing what humans call a paternal bond with her.
"Jenny is too important," he declared with fire in his eyes. "We cannot abandon her! Jazz, contact Prowl and Cliffjumper. We're going to mount a rescue mission and we'll need Prowl's strategic planning."
"Yes sir!" Jazz agreed.
"Where do you think they're taking her?" a concerned Brad asked.
"There's only one place the Decepticons would go to keep something valuable to them safe," Optimus answered staring up at the sky. "The Nemesis!"
Credit for the idea of Jenny getting captured by the Decepticons and needing to be rescued goes to wurstertrevor9.
Sorry if this took so long, the hardest part was getting the song lyrics in sync with the narrative.
I was most excited for this chapter because it gave me the opportunity to start building the relationship between Optimus Prime and Jenny.