Chapter 6: Confrontation on a Con

"I'M TELLING YOU, HE'S A THREAT!" Sentinel yelled, coming in the room.

"And I have told you, he hasn't done anything to harm any of the civilians. Until he's done something wrong, we leave him alone," Optimus said, firmly.

"I don't think you have to worry about Soundwave causing any trouble nor as a threat," Macy called out.

"Oh, great, the fleas are back," Sentinel grumbled.

Sage snarled, flashing his fangs.

"Aaaahhhh!" Sentinel screamed, hiding behind Optimus.

"The feeling is mutual seeing you, too, ya blue metal pain in the butt," Macy sniped.

"What did you call me?!" Sentinel yelled.

"You heard her," Sage snarled at Sentinel before looking at the Red and Blue Cybertronian. "Optimus Prime, Soundwave is not a threat. All he wants is to be accepted by the city of Detroit and to help protect it."

"Likely story. Then why does he keep attacking it?" Sentinel questioned.

"He's not attacking the city nor anyone! The only one who keeps attacking is you!" Macy exclaimed, placing her hands on her hips.

"And he only visits to try to tell you that he's no longer scheming nor taking over the city," Tommy answered, giving a glare. "But he barely gets a chance because you keep chasing him away."

"You're all just organic children. You don't know anything about war," Sentinel quipped.

"That's where you're wrong, Sentinel! We may be young, but we have experienced a lot of things back home in our dimension. That includes a war," Macy argued. "You don't know anything about us. Just like you don't know a thing about Soundwave. You're so blind by your own arrogance, that you don't bother to slow down and think clearly to ask questions on the matter."

"Arrogance!?" Sentinel stomped over to the group. Growling, Sage grew as large as a Clydesdale stallion, his fangs bared. "You know nothing of torment and danger. You live off dreams and fantasies. Life isn't like that. We can't afford to be naïve. So, the only place Soundwave is going is a cramped cell!"

"Oh, really? You don't think I know about torment and danger? I had to fight for my home city from an alien race called Incurseans who took over my home planet for nearly a month! My uncle took a hit for me on that battle and I had to watch him die!" Macy nearly screamed, tears nearly forming in her eyes her fists clenched in anger. "You have no idea what it's like to lose someone closest to you and feel powerless to save them!"

"I lost a good friend because of another friend's mistakes! So, don't say I don't know!" Sentinel yelled.

"I NEVER WANTED TO GO!" Optimus bellowed. "YOU AND ELITA WERE ON ABOUT GOING TO AN ORGANIC PLANET!"

That got Macy to look confused and drop her anger. "Wait...what?"

"Uh...Who's Elita?" Tommy asked.

"YOU COULD HAVE SAVED HER!" Sentinel yelled at Optimus.

"IF YOU TWO HAD LISTENED TO ME, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED!" Optimus shouted back.

Sage looked between the two. "From what I'm getting, they went to an organic world when they weren't supposed to. And their friend, Elita, didn't make it."

"Ohhhh…" Tommy spoke, now understanding the dilemma.

"Two Cybertronians who both loved and lost her..." Macy realized, completely baffled on the situation. "No wonder they're like this at each other. Losing someone so dear to them caused a lot of anger, pain, and sadness that drove their friendship apart after so many years!"

"That's not the only thing I'm getting. Looks like Optimus got the blame and lost his chance at advancing in the war. Sounds like Sentinel threw him under the bus," Sage said, as he listened more.

"Yeah, but Optimus wasn't the one who suggested to go to Earth when it wasn't authorized nor safe to look around with his teammates. That one was all Sentinel," Macy pointed out. "Sentinel was the one in charge. If he was a real leader, he'd taken responsibility for his own actions, instead of blaming it on a friend."

"Guess he was so angry and sad about losing this Elita Lady so much, Sentinel let it out on Optimus," Tommy concluded.

"I never thought I'd say this, but...I actually feel sorry for Sentinel Prime," Macy spoke, unable to believe the words she's saying out of her mouth.

Sage shook his head. "I don't think they're talking about Earth, though. I mean, yeah, Earth was dangerous, but from the sounds of it the planet they went to had giant spiders."

"SHE'D BE THE SAME, IF YOU HAD CAUGHT HER!" Sentinel yelled.

"So, it's just another organic planet they weren't supposed to explore into. Makes sense," Macy spoke, now getting tired of the two Cybertronians arguing at each other. "Think we should call it off with those two?"

Sage nodded. "Might want to cover your ears," he then trotted forward, taking a deep breath before releasing a larger howl than he ever done before!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Luckily, Macy and Tommy covered their ears in time for that loud howl.

"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH, OPTIMUS, MAKE HIM STOP!" Sentinel shouted.

Sage instantly stopped. "Are you two done with your bickering old couples act and ready to listen?"

Optimus looked at the children and nodded, while Sentinel stuck his nose in the air.

"Good. Listen, I think we understand what's going on here," Macy said, walking forward until she was next to Sage. "Sentinel, you're afraid of organics because of that one unauthorized planet you took. You should have known better on why this organic planet was highly dangerous. As a leader, you need to think of the consequences and responsibilities when having a team around there. And blaming it on a friend doesn't make you any better, even after what happened."

"I...well, that is...I mean..." Sentinel sounded like he was trying to talk with a knotted tongue.

Sage turned to Optimus. "Optimus, I understand you not wanting to go. However, you should have told a higher-up of your plans right away. They would have put a stop to it before the danger happened."

Optimus nodded. "I know that. I just wished I had acted sooner."

Sage turned to Sentinel. "Sentinel, I heard a lot about you from Prowl. He said that both you and Optimus were tying each other at the Academy but that Ultra Magnus was thinking about choosing him for second in command. You were jealous, weren't you?"

Sentinel was quiet, quieter than even Optimus had heard him.

"I can somewhat relate to that," Macy spoke up, rubbing her head sheepishly. "I never admitted this to anyone, but when Sage took the identity of a night vigilante called Street Wolf and I had no clue it was him, one time, I was a tiny bit jealous of him...besides feeling angry and suspicious on some new street guy, I mean," she blushed a little in embarrassment.

"Now that's a first," Tommy quipped, only to look away when his sister gave a sharp glare at him.

"Sentinel, just because you weren't going to be chosen for a certain position, it doesn't mean that you don't have skills. Where we're from, a certain bot wasn't chosen to be a Prime, but he was chosen to work as a second to a Prime. He almost lost a brother over silly jealousy," Sage said.

Sentinel looked at Optimus, then Sage. "Well, then, what about Elita? Help me understand us leaving a comrade behind."

Sage looked at Macy before sighing. "Honestly, there's nothing either of you could have done. You needed to escape and Elita's choices after were her own. Sentinel, placing the blame on Optimus isn't going to rewrite the past and release you from your guilt. Right now, it's about moving forward and enjoying the memories of the past, but not let them tarnish your futures."

Macy nodded her head in agreement. "That's what helped me get through the loss of my uncle. Sage helped remind me of that lesson,"

"But...but..." Sentinel sighed, leaving the room looking depressed and upset.

"You want to go after him?" Sage asked Optimus.

"No, you both have given him a lot to think about," Optimus replied. "He probably wants time to himself."

"So, what are we supposed to do, until then? Macy asked.

"I believe you were discussing Soundwave coming to be with my team?" Optimus said, with a smile.

"Yeah! He's really cool and completely changed!" Tommy exclaimed happily.

"You really think that you and the others would be ok with having him around? Even if he is an Ex-Decepticon?" Macy questioned.

Optimus sighed. "You have to understand that there are many pains that have been done in the past. It won't be easy for my team, let alone Detroit, to trust Soundwave."

Sage stepped forward. "Soundwave made a mistake. Let him prove himself, honestly. Let him make a speech or do community work to start off."

"Sage and I actually thought of an idea on how Soundwave could help out," Macy said. "He could be part of a warning system. Since he has the connections for monitoring, Soundwave can help calm people down in a situation where everyone is in a panic."

"He knows the city backwards and forwards. If something were to happen and you needed to evacuate, he could give you the best chance," Sage added.

Optimus was quiet for a moment before nodding. "You're right. He would give us the best chance, but the amount of trust needed for all of that."

"Soundwave has to start somewhere to prove himself he's no longer bad. It may be a long while, but he will get there," Macy said.

"Optimus, he saved Tommy. I owe him for that. Please, let him into the city and under your guidance," Sage asked.

"It's true! When we separated from that green vortex, I was unconscious during that rough landing and woke up in Soundwave's small shelter," Tommy explained. "He could have left me in the forest or tried to hold me captive, but he chose to take me to his place until I was awake and help find my siblings by giving me a ride to the entrance of the city. That proves he's not the same bot he was then."

Optimus was quiet, for a moment, before looking at the three. "I'll have to talk to him, first. He'll have to be placed under watch for a while, as well."

"Of course. That seems fair," Macy nodded her head.

"Alright then. Let's go talk to Soundwave. Hopefully, Ratchet and Professor Sumdac will have your suit repaired by then to send you home."

"Okay. But before leaving, I made a promise to two certain Autobot Jets to go for another flight run. So... Can I still do that?" Macy asked.

"Yeah, and I still want to know more about Sari, later on," Tommy added.

"You mean the rest of the Autobots?" Macy corrected, giving a sly smile.

"That's what I said, right?" Tommy asked, only to see his sister lower her head while shaking it, stiffening a laugh from the young boy's obliviousness.

"Bulkhead can take you to meet up with Sari, when we come back. The twins will join us and, if it's okay with them, you can fly again," Optimus said with a smile.

"Oh, believe me, they definitely do want to continue another fly round," Macy smiled back.

Sage chuckled. "You know, Mace, if I didn't know better, I would think you were Tommy, right now."

Macy scoffed before giving a light punch on Sage's furry side. "Don't you dare compare me with someone so childish and excited about everything like Tommy! I do not act like that," she argued, folding her arms in denial.

Sage nuzzled under her chin and her cheek. "But I like it...shows me another side of you."

Blushing, Macy gave a small smile before kissing Sage's fury cheek.

"Bleh!" Tommy just stuck his tongue out while pointing at his opened mouth, indicating how gross this was and wanted to barf.

Sage chuckled. "Isn't it cute how he still thinks our affection is gross?"

"Yeah. Even after discovering his first crush. Still can't believe that I missed seeing it," Macy quipped, chuckling back.

Sage chuckled as he watched Tommy continue to have a confused look. "Come on. I think it's time to bring a certain Cybertronian back into the public."

"I believe so, too," Macy smiled back, getting out of her hold on Sage.

"Alright!" Tommy exclaimed, pumping his fist in the air.

"Tommy, would you and your brother like to ride with me?" Optimus asked with a smile.

"Sure! It was fun riding with you the first time!" Tommy smiled back, very eager to go on another Autobot ride.

"Great. And I'll be taking Jetfire and Jetstorm," Macy said, secretly excited about seeing plus riding them again.

Sage smiled, shrinking down to normal size. "I'm game."

"Let's go, then," Optimus said, transforming into his firetruck vehicle mode. "Macy, the Jet Twins will meet you outside."

"Oh, yeah! I can't wait!" Macy grinned, not wasting time by running to the exit.

Tommy just stared blankly. "...Wow...I don't think I've ever seen her this excited nor run that fast about anything before."

Sage chuckled. "She has a need for high flying speed. Come on, then," he said, jumping into Optimus's driver's seat.

Grinning, Tommy followed his Big Brother and hopped aboard next to him. After the young boy climbed in, Sage watched as Optimus rolled down his window.

"I have noticed Earth canines, both robotic and organic, like windows down," Optimus said with a cheery voice.

Sage looked both offended and yet bewildered.

"It's true. I don't know why they like sticking their head out the window, but they enjoy it and make it look like fun," Tommy said.

Sage looked at the window. "Um, honestly, I've never tried it before."

"Well, I have. But every time I try doing that, Macy keeps pulling me back and smacking my head for it," Tommy responded, having mixed feelings on that memory. "I mean, seriously! Why can't people stick their head out the window on a moving vehicle, too? Dogs do it all the time!"

"Maybe because dogs don't have as large, round heads as humans do," Sage said, sniffing at the air as Optimus began to drive.

"I still find it unfair," Tommy grumbled, folding his arms. "At least you get the chance to do it, Sage."

Sage sniffed again sticking his nose out the window to where his muzzle was outside but his head was in. Taking another deep breath Sage edge out till his head was completely out the wind whipping past his head. Looking down, back, then forward Sage smiled his tail thumping on the seat as he closed his eyes and began enjoying it.

"See? Told you it was fun," Tommy smirked.

Apologizes for not continuing this sooner. Things have been so hectic that it's been hard to find time for this. Hope you all understand.

Also, yes, I did reference the tragic loss of why Sentinel and Prime are who they are now. About losing Elita that led her into becoming Black Arachnia and all that. It seemed appropriate.

And...I would like to give a moment of silence to Derrick J. Wyatt, whom was sadly deceased at such a very young age of 49 in December 2021. He made Transformers Animated, Teen Titans (the original, obviously), Ben 10 Omniverse, and Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated. Thank you for inspiring fans like us.