A/N: I would like to thank Vanessa Masters for doing a RP for a scene to get a character's introduction right! Plus another scene!
Also, I would like to say that the lyrics and imagery used are for artistic effect, and are from the game Rite of Passage: The Lost Tide.
Oh, and there is more fanart! My friend Vanessa Masters got it comissioned, and it's a picture of Rad dressed in the outfit from the previous chapter! It's called 'Cardcaptor Rad' by hazumonster.
Chapter 29: Deep, Dark, Watery End Part 2
Rad glanced around at the town Hot Shot drove into. It was small, quaint and picturesque. With two-story houses and a lot of stores. Rachel soon had Hot Shot pull over to the curb though, and frowned at her. "What's wrong?"
Rachel ruffled his hair. "You three kids go look around. Take your mini-con partners with you, I'll be back after making sure we're checked in the motel, and then we can go to the beach, okay?"
Rad hesitated, but saw both Carlos and Alexis nodding excitedly, so he forced himself to smile and nod as well. "Yeah, this should be fun." he got out of the car and retrieved High Wire, feeling the mini-con's trepidation. "I'll be fine." Rad quietly.
The blond looked over at Carlos and Alexis, where they were also looking around, but he felt something tug at the back of his mind. He furrowed his brow as he looked over at a shop, tilting his head at the sign. 'Madame Xanadu's Fortunes and Charms'. "Why not check this one out?"
Alexis scoffed at the sign. "Really? Here?"
Carlos smirked. "Why not? Afraid you won't see yourself as president?" he teased.
Alexis flushed, but pulled Sureshock with her. "Fine, let's see!" she said and settled the moped against the window. She crossed her arms and waited. Carlos chuckled as he let Grindor lean on the window as well, and Rad sighed before doing the same.
The blond made his way into the shop first, curious despite the complaints from Alexis about magic not being real, or Carlos being bothered by the smell once they stepped inside. The blond liked it though even at first glance; it was quaint, and there seemed to be an energy in the air he only got around the mini-cons. There were no panels in sight or little rogue robots though, so he wasn't sure why that came to mind.
The sound of approaching footsteps behind the counter drew his attention, Carlos and Alexis growing silent as well. "Well, well, well, welcome." A soft, velvety voice said with an amused chuckle. "I've been expecting you all."
The woman appeared to be in her thirties, but the look in her eyes seemed to say otherwise, and there was an aura around her that put Rad on alert. While not a great judge of looks, Rad assumed she was stunning with soft full lips and raven hair that flowed past her shoulders. She had bright violet eyes that almost glowed in the cozy lighting, and was decked in a forest green sun dress.
"Expecting us?" Carlos asked.
"But of course, I know when people come to my shop." The woman chuckled, shrugging one shoulder as she stepped forward to curtsy, a bit awkward given the counter in the way, but added to the unearthly aura Rad was nagged by about her. "I'd be a poor fortune teller if I couldn't foresee customers coming."
"Fortune telling?" Alexis asked scornfully.
Rad gave her a side-eye glare. "Alexis, that's rude! Especially saying that in her shop, to her face."
Alexis glowered at him as she crossed her arms and looked back at the woman. "If you're a real psychic, then tell me something no one else knows."
Carlos groaned and slapped his head. "Really?"
Alexis ignored him though, her gaze locked on the woman, a challenging look in her eyes.
"I know about the great big metal giants you wander about with." The woman said with a dreamy smile. "I know that they're helping you find the small ones, and no one else knows but you three, and me."
Alexis smirked, despite how uneasy Rad was the woman got it right. "You-"
"-and that blonde you're so fond of."
Alexis' mouth snapped shut, a blush forming on her cheeks. "Never mind."
Rad was even more confused, but decided it could wait for now. "Excuse me, but who are you? Are you the owner?"
"Ah am indeed, children!" The woman said in a mock southern accent. "This is Madame Xanadu's emporium of eerie enterprises. I'm Madame Xanadu." She held out her hand to shake Rad's hand, waved at Alexis, and grinned at Carlos, causing him to blush as she patted his shoulder. "Everyone calls me Vanessa though," the woman chuckled, "Vanessa Masters, but my birth name I tell no one; makes me more mysterious, and really helps the business."
Rad's stomach churned as he stared at her, and he wondered why neither Carlos or Alexis were commenting on the fact she just said she knew about the alien robots. He took her claims of being psychic more seriously, the unsettling feeling rising in his chest.
"Now..." Vanessa gestured to them over to her counter. "What can I do for you all; tarot card reading, supernatural advice, mystical items sales. I have to warn you though, I can't do any duplication potions, it's been a bad year for unspoiled Hydra eyeballs."
"What?" Alexis grimaced in disgust.
Carlos glared at her. "Didn't she answer your question-I think?"
Rad rubbed his brow. "Sorry about them." he said, and glanced at them. "Why don't you go look around?" Carlos grinned while Alexis huffed, but followed to make sure he didn't break anything. Though once they were out of earshot, Rad looked tensely at the woman. "Is this really, well, real?" he asked, unable to keep the hopefulness out of his gaze. "There are more magic users around?"
"You can bet your life on it, Little Sun Bright." Vanessa teased. Rad furrowed his brow, and glanced at Carlos and Alexis again. "You're...different then how I pictured you." she said thoughtfully.
Rad frowned. "Different how?" he looked down at himself. "Is there something wrong?"
"No, no, not at all! You're...better then I imagined." Vanessa reassured with a smile. "And…they just feel so much happier with you. Of course, that's because you happen to listen and talk to them...it can be lonely when you're thought of as an inanimate object. Something the Sakura Cards and the mini-cons have in common, I think."
Rad's eyes widened, and he glanced over again to make sure Alexis and Carlos hadn't overheard. Luckily, they were looking at the eye of newt section. "You know about the cards? How?" he paused. His stomach coiled tight as he glared at her. "What did you do my friends, Yue?"
Vanessa smiled as she leaned on her elbows, tilting her head. "I'm flattered you think so highly of me to be one of the guardians. I may be out of this world, but sorry; your other guardian is in another form."
Rad frowned, and glanced away. "What did you do to my friends then?"
Vanessa waved her hand. "Nothing much; it's just something magic users can pick up, altering the perception of regular people to prevent them from seeing something they're not supposed too."
Rad frowned. "That's…kind of underhanded, messing with memories."
Vanessa shrugged. "Magic is a wonderful and strange thing, but it's rules make absolutely no sense at all. Just know that your friends aren't harmed by it though." Rad sighed, he could see that, especially since this new was something he hadn't leaned from Kero. "Plus," the woman continued, "you wouldn't be too pleased if your little friends knew about your quest just yet, would you?"
Rad narrowed his eyes, trying not to flinch as the other time came back to him. "What are you if you're not a guardian; a witch?"
"A witch?" The woman retorted, huffing. "I am an Artist of Transformation; much more impressive."
"Really?" Rad asked dubiously. "Then what have you transformed?"
"Hey man, where'd you come from?" Carlos asked abruptly, and Rad glanced over again, this time seeing a kid their age coming out of the back, carrying a box. He had short hair, but it was spiked out in different directions and his already large blue eyes widened further.
Funny thing was, Rad felt a sense of surprise and dread. 'Wait, what? Is there a mini-con nearby?' Rad looked at Vanessa. "Is he your employee?" he scratched his head. "No offense, but aren't there laws you have to be sixteen or something to work?"
Vanessa snickered. "Trust me, he's much older than he looks." she smiled and clapped her hands. "Thank you, Russell, for bring that in; I've been waiting for that to arrive for weeks." she raised her hand, and the box floated from the young man's hands to place itself down on the counter to the shock and amazement of the children.
Rad noted though the young man didn't seem surprised. The box then opened and silver statuettes of the thee monkeys of evil floated out in front of Vanessa. "Aren't they simply dear?" Vanessa asked as she pointed her finger at an empty space on a glass case's upper shelf. The statuettes floated over, with the case opening and closing behind the statuettes as they settled into the case.
Vanessa smiled, nodding to herself."Thank you, kiddo. You can go take your break now." she said to the young man. He nodded, and seemed in a hurry to get back through the door he came into. Vanessa turned her grin on the others, winking with an impish quality at their stunned expressions. "Ah, the magic of wires, aren't they grand?" she glanced meaningfully at Rad, whose eyes widened at the thought of being able to move things like that. All he had right now were dreams and the Sakura Card's power.
"I didn't even see any wires it was so realistic." Alexis said dazed.
Carlos tilted his head. "So, are you like some kind of witch?"
Rad glowered at him. "That's not a nice thing to say!" he snapped despite his unease, but couldn't help adding, "Though, it was really cool."
"A witch?" Vanessa throws her head back and laughs hysterically. "Why do children always think that? No, just as I told your blond friend earlier, I prefer 'Artist of Transformation'." She grinned at them. "I'm what's called a 'Wisp', not a witch, easy mistake to make."
"Wisp?" Rad repeated, but his eyes widened as he remembered Sideways' warning about them. "Um, I-I think we should leave."
Carlos frowned. "This place is amazing, and you want to leave?"
Rad bit his lip, eyes flickering to Vanessa nervously once more. "I think it's for the best."
"Oh, but I disagree, Sunny." Vanessa snapped her fingers, and around them the lights crackled, the area around them twisting in their perception and the door was barricaded over. "I want to have my say in this."
Rad's heart began to beat furiously, sweat beading on his brow. Carlos gaped, while Alexis glared at Vanessa. "Say? Why should we believe anything you say when you do this?!"
"Alexis, stop making the suddenly scary lady angry!" Carlos snapped, inching back from the brunette.
Rad felt a headache, the area thick with magic that even his minuscule sensory picked up. "Fine! Have your say, just stop this!"
"Oh, don't be so cross, children. I only wanted to scare you a little." Vanessa said as she waved her hand and the area went back to normal. "I don't exactly get in the habit of showing off my powers, and it's been so long since I've seen another magician." She said, and Rad saw the dazed look appearing in Carlos and Alexis' eyes before Vanessa looked at the brunette with a pout. "Come on, Alexis! Do I look 'scary?'" she grinned, and for a moment her face changed into Rachel's. Alexis flinched back, her eyes widening as a blush stained her cheeks before Vanessa snickered and her features returned to her own.
"And while I admit I tend to get carried away, I'm not a bad Wisp, I just get the short end of the straw." Vanessa said sadly as she hung her head. "I'm the only Wisp currently on Earth this millennium, and trust me, my other Wisp family members are not like me at all."
Despite himself, Rad did find himself feeling sorry for her. She seemed pleasant and playful, even if it was terrifying, so he calmed himself down as best he could. "I've just never see, ah," he paused, and saw the dazed look on the other two children's faces again before continuing, "different types of magic. It's more surprising than I thought."
Plus, he did know what it was like being all alone. A few hours by himself though probably didn't amount to a millennia "Okay, maybe what I heard could be exaggerated." He admitted, but was still just a bit wary of her, and even if he wanted to know more it was time to leave for real-Rachel could be back any moment. "I don't know what to tell you, but I'm not sure whether I trust your predictions-I'm sorry, but we have to go."
"Oh, that's too bad then." Vanessa said her smile dropping from her face. "I had assumed my little parlor tricks might have gotten me a sale, but these things happen." She shrugged, holding her hand up to show disappointment, but on the other side out of sight from the other two, she winked at Rad, who realized she understood and was playing along.
"But you are here looking for my little friend. Aren't you?" Vanessa asked.
Rad's brow furrowed in confusion, but then his eyes widened. Disbelief coursed through him as he looked around, but could spot no sign of a mini-con anywhere. "Friend? Like, a little robot friend?"
Carlos looked around too. "You mean there's a mini-con nearby? Wouldn't the, uh," he glanced at Vanessa, but sighed as that dazed look overcame him, "the Autobots have sensed their signal?"
"Well, to be perfectly honest I rescued the sweet-spark out of a dangerous situation," Vanessa said, "and he didn't seem ready to face any giant robots at the time, so I changed him a little, so he could be undetectable."
"Changed him? How? Is that part of your powers?" Rad asked worriedly. He was more acutely aware of the magic working in overtime around them, dampening the memories as it were on Carlos and Alexis, so he decided to lighten the strain and held up his hand. "Wait, just tell me then, is there a chance he'll come back with us?"
"Now, while I realize you're trying to keep the mini-cons safe, he's not too keen on getting involved, trauma ya see?" Vanessa said, and Rad looked away, though the woman tilted her head. "If he doesn't want to leave, I wish for you to respect that please."
Rad thought of High Wire, and what he did to make sure his friends would be safe. Even if Rad had never seen 'Perceptor' as Rachel said was the name of their combined form, he could still understand how the blue and gray mini-con would be anxious about being used, and wondered what was different about this mini-con too. "Well, I guess if this mini-con's signal isn't picked up by the Decepticons we won't say anything."
Vanessa smiled. "Come back when you find his brothers, then maybe he'll rethink it. He really misses Downshift and Dirt Boss."
Rad furrowed his brow, but nodded and glanced at Carlos and Alexis, guilt tightened in his stomach. He heaved his shoulders, and said, "Really, thanks for offering a free tarot reading, but my cousin is going to be so angry if we're late."
Carlos blinked. "Huh? Oh, yeah, Ray can get really mad about stuff like that."
Alexis flushed. "No, she doesn't!"
Vanessa drew their attention, waving it off. "No worries, just remember," she held out her arms dramatically, "Madame Xanadu sees all and will answer all."
Rad couldn't help cracking a smile, even as he followed a blinking Carlos and scowling Alexis out of the shop. He glanced at High Wire. "So, how much did you hear?" he asked quietly.
"The whole thing. It was really weird." High Wire admitted.
"Hey, kids!" Rachel called out, driving up in Hot Shot's driver seat. "Get in, we're all set with the motel and I'm taking you the beach."
"Awesome!" Carlos pumped his fist.
Alexis flushed again and clapped her hands. "That's wonderful."
Rad only nodded as the mini-cons were settled into the car, but he couldn't help glancing back at the shop. He caught Rachel's gaze, and she raised a brow. "Uh, it's nothing." He said, ducking his head down.
He kept hoping if he said enough, it would turn out to be true.
It was with a strange sense of realization that Red Alert said, "It's quiet," as though he couldn't believe it.
Optimus allowed himself a faint chuckle as he glanced over to the medic. "Yes, I'll admit it's a rare time to have the base completely silent and at peace."
A crash rang out, shrieks of angry mini-con language beeping. Red Alert groaned. "I believe this is what humans call a jinx."
Optimus didn't let out a vent, but he was close to it. He made his way to the commotion, and found Sparkplug trying to separate Fetch and Oval. Well, it looked more like the yellow mini-con was attempting to prevent Fetch from attacking Oval. "What is going on here?"
Fetch spat out several static beeps, shaking his fist at Oval, who began babbling in shrills and chirps. Optimus looked at Sparkplug, who warbled in exasperation.
"Oval wasn't watching where he was going and accidentally ran into Fetch. Fetch is taking it personally." Sparkplug relayed.
Optimus nodded. "Fetch, desist your attempted attacks. Oval is your fellow mini-con and there can be cause for discourse among us."
Fetch spat something, and Optimus presumed he had just been insulted given how quickly Sparkplug snapped at him to apologize. Fetch beeped something else, and shoved past them before stalking away.
Oval shrank in on himself, still beeping nervously, but Sparkplug spoke to him reassuringly before sending him off in the other direction.
"I am sorry you had to see that; they're both missing their teammates and it's getting to them." Sparkplug said.
Optimus only nodded. "You handled yourself very well."
Sparkplug seemed to preen just a little. "Well, someone has to too since Leader-1 isn't here to keep everyone from trying to scrap each other."
Optimus' fins twitched at the name. He recalled the white mini-con Megatron had with him, and he did finally vent. "Yes, of course. Do try not to stress yourself too much. Taking the responsibility of leadership can be harrowing at times."
Sparkplug nodded. "You too, sir."
Optimus was quiet when the mini-con left, but that silence was shattered by the blare of the alarm. He made his way back into the control center, where Red Alert was already bringing up the location. The sky spy showed an area that was under construction with the traffic being filtered to the other roads.
"Maya, call-" Optimus stopped himself, "Red Alert, please recall one of the Autobots for backup."
Red Alert nodded, but stopped himself as he looked at the screen with the energy readings. "Optimus, there was a blip on the screen, a strange new signal briefly appeared before disappearing in the same area. It was too quick to identify."
Optimus mulled it over for a moment. "We should be on guard, and prepare to deal with anything."
"Yes," Red Alert agreed, "especially with how it looks as though anything is now something we may be facing regularly."
Optimus couldn't agree more with that sentiment.
Rad squinted at the lake, the sunlight glinting off the water. There were water skiers on boats causing waves and smaller leisure boats that were more sedately crossing the lake. There weren't as many people on the lake as the first impression gave, but Alexis was on the dock and splashing her feet in the water, while Carlos was waiting to ride on one of the jet skis, though Rad had put his foot down in keeping Kero at the motel for the time being. People had odd looks for the three vehicles off to the side, but what made Rad narrow his eyes was the sight of the brunette woman and her cameraman.
"I swear, I've seen her before." He said.
"Here we are at this lake, and as you can see it's a beautiful day out. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping-"
Rad glanced to the news van behind the two, and blinked as he read the logo 'Channel 4 Eyewitness Weather' that was splashed against the side. "Ohhh, now I remember; they were at the fair when Flower, ah, got a little overexcited." He said, but stopped when he felt the pulse of one card in particular, and reached into his jacket to take Flower out. "Yes, I never forgot."
"What are you doing, Rad?" Maya asked, and even Mirror glanced at him from where he was leaning against Smokescreen.
Rad smiled, and pulled off his key before ducking into Hot Shot's cabin. "Let's go for a little drive."
"You sure no one's gonna freak out?" Hot Shot asked.
Rad glanced back, seeing Rachel was lying on the dock and looked half-asleep. "Pretty sure. Plus, I promised someone a few moments with you, remember?"
Hot Shot's engine sputtered. "R-right." He said, and drove a little into the forest.
Once there, Rad released the key, letting it transform into its wand form before getting out of the car and tossed Flower into the air. "Come on out, Flower!"
The card glowed, and in a flurry of petals that came from the shell, they swirled in a storm until they converged to form the spirit in the card. She smiled, twirling around as she reached down to pat Rad on the head. The blond huffed, but smiled as Flower made her way to Hot Shot, her smile widening as she patted the yellow vehicle on the hood.
Rad blinked as when he felt Flower's energy pulse, and felt an answering call from Hot Shot. 'So it really is just me that Create doesn't like.' He thought, which did make sense as he doubted the cards hated each other, even if they did choose him.
Rad stepped away, letting Hot Shot transform as he looked down at Flower, who smiled up at him before she twirled around, her body gaining more petals as her form grew taller. Hot Shot blinked, but Flower giggled silently before grabbing his hands and pulled him into a dance.
"That's right, our last one got interrupted." The yellow bot said.
Rad leaned back against a tree, watching fondly as Hot Shot awkwardly followed Flower's lead in their dance. She was kind, patient, and the blond was glad she likely didn't have feet because of how often Hot Shot stepped on what would have been those. The blond heard Hot Shot's glee, and felt Flower's happiness, and for a moment he forgot all the stress.
Then a cold snap swept through the area, bringing with in a chill of hatred and rage that shocked Rad to his core and Flower stopped abruptly, both of them looking to the lake they had left as the screaming started. Flower transformed back into her card form, Rad catching it as he ran towards the lake, his heart leaping into his throat when on the beach he saw a whirlpool had appeared underneath the dock where Alexis and Rachel were.
The beams of the dock were rickety now, one having already cracked while the part of the dock which led back to the shore had been caved in, and Alexis was clinging to Rachel as the blonde looked panicked but trying not to panic. Carlos was freaking out on the shore, with the other beach go-ers who were looking worried.
Rad still felt the icy, angry emotions swirling around, and made his stomach churned. 'What is going on? Where's the card?'
The sound of an engine drew his attention, and Rad watched with some amazement as Maya 'drove' Smokescreen up to the water, where it almost seemed to convulse and bristle, swirling around harder to try and break the rest of the dock, angrily splashing onto the wooden legs of it. Mirror was even more surprising, grabbing the end of Smokescreen's crane hook, and throwing it to the dock, where it landed with a loud clack against the wood. The water was practically frothing as Rachel lifted Alexis with her, holding her securely before planting her foot in the hook's loop, and tugged on it. Smokescreen jerked his crane back, and the two were pulled from the dock as it collapsed and got sucked into the whirlpool.
Rad rushed over to Rachel as the orange truck lowered her to the ground, and she stepped off, her expression pained and breathing labored. He wondered if she was truly more terrified than she let on, but winced when he realized Alexis was just hugging her too tight.
"Can't breathe." She groaned, and Alexis loosened her grip but didn't let go.
"We have just witnessed an act of quick thinking and heroism!" Rad looked over from the suddenly calming water, finding Kelly pulling her cameraman over to them. "What started off as a peaceful day almost turned into a tragedy." She held the microphone up to Mirror's helmet. "Can you tell me what made you act in the moment?" Mirror's visor hid everything, and it made it all the more startling when he abruptly rushed away, climbing onto Sideways' seat and sped off.
Kelly blinked, and the woman furrowed her brow. "Uh, I suppose he was camera-shy." She then laughed, and gestured to Maya, going over to the girl's window. "What about you? What made you step in and save these poor young ladies?"
Unlike Mirror, Maya's tension was plain to see, clearly uncomfortable in the spotlight as she clenched her hands on her lap than give away she was a hologram. "I…it was the right thing to do." She mumbled, then coughed. "I-I need to be going." Smokescreen took that as his cue, and the orange truck sped off in the same direction as Sideways.
Rad really hoped they weren't leaving them to walk back to the motel. He stepped around Kelly, and helped Rachel pry Alexis off her. "Are you both okay?"
"Do we look okay?!" Alexis snapped, her face pale and eyes wide in panic. "Our parents are going to see this!"
Carlos looked worried as he wandered over. "Do you think they'll make us come back home?"
Rachel rubbed her brow, but shooed them away before the reporter could turn the camera lens on them. "Come on, let's make sure our rides didn't ditch us." She muttered.
Rad nodded, but as they briskly made their way to the forest where Hot Shot still was, he was struck with the feeling this card was going to be more than just a little trouble. Sword had been bad, but this one outright attacked Alexis and Rachel in front of anyone. He felt the magical aura in the air from the cloaking, but knew that this anger the card held might not let it keep being cloaked. 'I need to deal with this one fast, before anyone ends up getting hurt.'
He glanced at his cousin, and bit his lip. 'I can't keep putting it off, not after this.' He thought, and rubbed his arm before tapping her forearm. Rachel glanced back at him. "Can I talk to you?"
She raised a brow incredulously. "Now?"
Rad nodded. "It's important."
The blonde rubbed her brow, and looked down at Carlos and Alexis, before Hot Shot came slowly driving up. "Stay with him, this won't take long."
Rad led his cousin just out of earshot, and breathed in deeply. "I know this is a bad time, but I really needed to get this out; did…did you happen to feel anything…weird about that water?" he had no idea where that card even was, but that anger was almost palpable.
The blonde's face slowly contorted, eyes narrowing as she glanced away. "Everyone was tense, it was probably just an unstable support beam."
"And that whirlpool just calms down right when you and Alexis are rescued?" Rad asked.
Rachel looked at him with wide eyes. "You-you could see it too?"
The blond wondered what Alexis had told her it looked like, but this was his chance. "Yes, and-and I was there with you all when Hot Shot fought the dragon-yes, I saw that too! It was big, and had these swirls for eyes." He could see the panic and incredulity in her face. "The only people who could have seen it-have magic."
And just like that, Rachel's face closed off. "No." she said firmly. "Get it out of your head; aliens, that has some strange basis in science, but there is nothing factual about magic," her brow creased, and she glared at the ground, "it's nothing but trouble."
Rad frowned, his head whirling. "Then how do you explain what happened?"
"I don't know!" Rachel snapped, and Rad jerked back, her eyes blazing. "I just know that this can't be real, because it would mean-" she stopped herself, staring in some far off direction. Slowly, she shook her head, and turned away. "Come on, this is a waste of time."
Rad's chest tightened, and he quickly pulled out his key. "I-I can prove it though!" The blonde shook her head and Rad was feeling frustrated. "Why won't you believe magic could be real too?"
"Because it's better this way!" Rachel hissed, and rubbed her head. "I can't deal with this, go back with Hot Shot and the kids to the motel; I'm taking a walk to clear my head."
Rad frowned again as she kept going, and glared at the ground. 'What's with her? Why can't she see it when that water was literally trying to kill them?' he thought, but hurried up to Carlos and Alexis. "Uh, Ray said she was going for a walk, but that you two should go back to the motel."
Alexis crossed her arms. "What about you?"
Rad smiled placidly. "She said I could go with her, and that it's been a while since we spent any time together."
"Well, don't stay out here too long or you'll catch her responsibility." Carlos said, and Alexis glowered at him.
Rad leaned to Hot Shot, keeping his voice down. "Tell Sideways and Smokescreen I might need their help."
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Hot Shot replied, but paused. "Wait, forget I said that."
Rad smiled slightly, and stepped back as they left. His gaze turned serious as he gave the lake a scrutinizing glare before pulling out his cell phone. "Kero?" he asked once the line was picked up. "I got a situation here."
"Of course there is." Kero said with a sigh. "What happened this time?"
"There was this feeling of icy anger, and this whirlpool just happened under the dock Rachel and Alexis were on." Rad replied. Kero was silent for a long time, and Rad frowned as he wondered if the signal was poor. "Kero-"
"Are you still at the lake?"
"Yeah-"
"Leave, leave right now!" Kero snapped. Rad stared at the phone. "Her name's Watery, and she's even more vicious than she was before-she'll kill you!"
"Sword almost did and I beat it." Rad retorted.
"Well Sword wasn't one of the four elements." Kero said. "You have Windy, and she's strong, but there's no way you can beat Watery-she has the whole freaking lake, and she can just make more of it! Get back here now and we'll regroup."
Rad shook his head. "No, I can't. Today it was just Alexis and Rachel, but she could hurt more people, could actually kill them. I know you might think I'm dumb for doing this, but I have to deal with her today."
"The sun is setting soon, and that's the worst time to deal with her! You thought she was bad during the day, you-"
"I'll see you later, Kero." Rad said, and ended the call. He walked back to the lake shore, and held out his key. "Release!" he shouted, and the wand appeared in his hand. The blond reached into his pocket, and looked through the cards. "Okay, which one can help me the most here."
Rad bit his lip as he tried to think of what he could do. 'Sword can cut through the water, that wouldn't be enough. I don't think Shadow can bind the whole lake; Watery could just slip out. Rain-ah, nope, that would be bad. Wood? Might have the same effect on her that Rain did. Shield could protect me, but that would be difficult when I have to seal her. Bubbles? No, not in this case. Time?'
Rad thought it over; he had seen Time freeze the Autobots. He would just need to get Watery to come at him, and then he could freeze the area and get close enough to seal her. 'Yes! I got this!' he slipped the rest of the cards into his pocket, and kept Time on hand. "Watery!" he called. "Come out here and face me!"
The water remained calm and still, nothing to suggest anything was wrong with it. Rad though he was feeling a bit creeped out, given he realized he was here completely alone, but shook it off and prepared himself.
The tendril which shot out of the water caught him off guard. The jet of water slammed into his gut, knocking the breath of out of him and literally sending him off his feet. He wheezed, sucking in a breath as he squeezed his eyes shut to deal with the pain, gingerly sitting back up-and immediately rolled to avoid being punched again.
The water splashed on impact with the ground, but it felt icy as the cast-off hit him. Rad staggered as he got back to his feet, and more water tendrils sprung forth, whipping at him and he jumped back to avoid getting caught.
"Is that all you got? Why don't you show me what I'm facing?" Rad called. The water frothed, and a clear, shapeless form began to appear, waving around and the blond grinned as he tossed out Time. "Freeze!" he called, and all around him the area came to a stand-still. The water stopped, the sand, and even the breeze stopped.
It left an eerie silence around him, and he hurried to the blob of water that seemed to be the card's form. "Return to your power confine," he felt the power of Time evaporate, "Sa-ack!" he gasped, his legs giving out underneath him as the air was knocked from his lungs, his body heavy and tired. 'Wh-what is this? Why am I so tired?'
The water dispersed, and Rad's eyes widened when the tendrils surrounded him, leaving him centered in a water spout. He dug Fly from his pocket, and held the card out. "Fly!" he shouted, but the card pulsed weakly, unable to come forth as it felt Rad's own depleted magic.
"It would be…so easy," Rad's eyes widened, his heart racing as the icy voice hissed around him, "to end this…but you're not the one…you were never supposed to be the one…"
The water twisted, and Rad screamed as it swept him up, wrapping around his ankle as it dragged him through the water.
Hot Shot knew the others had seen the cards, and the effect they had, but aside from Fly, they'd never seen them be actively murderous, and he had no idea what Fly's deal had been. It twisted his spark, knowing that Kero's warnings about the cards had more to it now that just paranoia.
Rad and Rachel were still having their walk, and the kids and their mini-cons were inside, High Wire still out of sorts about the incident at the lake.
"I mean, at times these cards just seemed kind of…ridiculous at times, I didn't think…" Smokescreen trailed off, and Maya sighed.
"I wish I could give more reassurance, but I myself in the dark for much of it as well." She said.
Hot Shot noticed Sideways was saying nothing, and Mirror sitting on the seat, staring ahead just as blankly. "What about you? Heard Mirror helped save the day."
Mirror tensed, but Sideways kept calm. "Yes, he did, but he is not one for the spotlight."
"Yeah, both kinda hightailed it out of there fast." Smokescreen ribbed the mech.
"Well, I'm not much for it either." The purple and yellow mech added dryly.
"Autobots," Red Alert's voice came over the comm, "there is a mini-con that's activated; Optimus requested someone come to provide backup."
Hot Shot wanted to bounce on his shock absorbers. "That's my cue," he said, "I'll head back, Red." He then turned his attention to the others. "Make sure to keep an eye on everyone." He got the agreements, and let himself warp back to the base, where Red Alert and Optimus had already arrived in the room, and at their feet were Sonar, Runway and Jetstorm. "Hey, little bots." He said, and transformed into root mode.
"Sorry to bring you bring you back on such short notice." Optimus said.
Hot Shot waved it off as he watched the three mini-cons combine into the Star Saber, and caught the blade. "It's okay, let's just go get that mini-con before the 'Cons show up." He said, but frowned slightly when he felt how off balance he was. 'Hmm, maybe I should practice without Sword.' He pushed the thought away though, and followed Red Alert and Optimus through the gate again, appearing on the other side on an intersection that was empty. "Are there humans to worry about?"
"No, they've been relegated to the southern end, but with the mini-con being mobile it's no guarantee they won't head for that area just to get away." Optimus said. "Keep vigilant, and it's more crucial than any-should you attain the mini-con, warp back to base, we'll sort things out there."
"Yes, sir." Hot Shot said, while Red Alert only nodded. The yellow mech made for the tunnel, where he stepped around the construction sign to keep out. He looked around inside, looking for any small space where a small robot could fit. He saw nothing though but equipment and jagged ends where the tunnel was being worked on.
An engine gunned, whirling ahead. Hot Shot looked up, startled when at the other end of the tunnel, he saw a large motorbike with blues, red and gray with traces of yellow. It matched the yellow hair sticking out from under the rider's helmet, and Hot Shot's spark plummeted when realized the rider was human.
"Uh, this…isn't what it looks like." He said, wincing.
The headlights flashed, the motorbike shifting forward a little. "Spare me your dribble," a voice said harshly – that came from the bike, and Hot Shot jerked back as the rider's form fizzled out, leaving it empty, "where is he? Tell me if he's still with you."
Hot Shot blinked. "W-what? Who are you? What are doing here?" he asked, then tensed up. "Are you a 'Bot or a 'Con?"
"I don't have time for this, tell me where he is!" The bike snapped.
Hot Shot glared back at the bike. "I don't even know who it is you're looking for."
The motorbike shook, the anger almost palpable. "Sideways!"
Awareness came back gradually, and when it did, Rad slowly opened his eyes, and looked up into the moon-lit sky and startled upon seeing it, sitting up abruptly, and hissed in pain. He grimaced as he felt something tightly wrapped around his ankle still, and looked down, unable to hide his surprise. A long, tendril of water kept a tight hold on him, looking like a current of water pouring out of the lake. Wait...wait?
Rad looked around and realized he was on a small island, barely even enough room for a tree but a tree there was. And the moon shone through the branches, while Rad was soaked and cold from being pulled through the water. He wondered how long he'd been out, but froze when he heard the same voice, not in his ear, but more like in his mind again.
"She will come, Cardcaptor, and she will pay..."
Rad looked again, and his eyes widened when the water began to move without any wind blowing, and his chest tightened, terrified at the sight of a figure rising from the water. It resembled a blue, adolescent mermaid with fins for ears and two wing-like fins on its back. Her hair was parted in the middle with several strands emanating from the top with a scaly band decorating her forehead. She also had two star earrings and a collar resembling her headband. He noticed her long mermaid tail reaching down into the water, especially where the stream of water was restraining him.
"She will come...and she will learn what it means to feel pain." She opened its eyes, which were a deep blue, not just the pupils but the whole eyeballs. And the moon reflected dead center in her pupils as she glared at him, leaving him with the iciness he'd been feeling from her presence.
"You defend her, love her, but why? Why love her, when she clearly just tosses things aside when they frighten her!" Her mouth didn't move, but the words washed over him like standing under a running faucet.
"What...what are you talking about? I mean, I know you're a Sakura Card, but why did you want to hurt Rachel and Alexis? They've never done anything to you!" Rad angrily asked.
"You foolish, stupid, blind brat!" She opened her mouth to scream, even if no voice was sounding out, only a serpentine wail that bashed against Rad's brain, like a tidal wave striking him. "She hurt me! She hurt all of us, and I'm not the only one who wanted to hurt her back!" The card hissed. "The others, they wanted too, but they were too weak, too short-sighted in their anger and so they went for you when it should have been her!"
"Rachel." Rad said, dread tightening in his stomach as he realized who 'she' was.
"Yeeeeessss…" The spirit hissed again.
Rad shook his head, and struggled to get to his feet. He glanced to see the cards scattered on the island, the wand with them but out of reach. "Why do you want to hurt Rachel, Watery? You've never even met her!"
The spirit stared at him, her eyes cold in her fury. "But we have," she said, and Rad stared at her as a slow, angry smile curled at her lips, "and she rejected us; locked us back up, and threw us in a dusty old attic!"
Rad stared at her in confusion, something in the back of his mind alarmed as he tried to figure out why it felt familiar. "What are you saying? That Rachel opened the Sakura Book? But-but-that would mean-"
"It wasn't supposed to be you." Watery cut him off, her words swift and cutting. "It was supposed to be her; I bet Kero never told you that part, did he?"
Rad stared at her, his mind reeling as he fell back onto his backside, his eyes wide. 'It…I'm not even supposed to be the Cardcaptor?' he thought, his chest tight. He gritted his teeth, shaking his head. "No, that can't be true. I-I've been sealing all the cards-"
"And you wish to seal me too, don't you? Want to defeat me, prove yourself brave and capable of holding your own, to prove you deserve this." Watery sneered.
Rad's eyes widened in alarm. 'How did she-?'
"Do you not understand yet what I am, child? I can pour through the cold, wet tides of your mind!" Watery hissed, and flicked her tail.
Rad screamed as he was dragged closer to the water's edge, and was half way in the water before she stopped. He turned to pull himself up, but another water tendril poured out to wrap around his neck, but didn't strangle him as he looked up as Watery slithered around to stare at him, the cold stare and the fact she was speaking without moving her lips startled him as she 'spoke' again.
"I am a powerful being, created by the great Clow Reed...yet I was tossed aside, like some trinket." She said bitterly, and Rad felt more than saw the hurt underneath the anger. "You can try to seal me away, if you must, but I will not return until she's made to pay."
And Water's hurt turned into even more anger as it filled her eyes. "And I will use everything in my power to make that happen! Even using you as bait to lure the wretch here!" The water all around the island bubbled and boiled, and then exploded into the air in a blistering, boiling hot geyser. Rad was thankfully spared, but he could feel the heat from the water.
Rad's eyes bulged in horror though as while his neck was released, his ankle went crrk and he screamed as pain shot up his leg. He struggled to get back on the beach, his ankle scorching as he knew if it weren't broken then Watery had fractured it. Despair settled in though, as he watched Watery surf through the still water toward the beach, and lunged for the wand-but it was too late, a tendril had pulled it into the deep.
Rad slammed his fist into the sand, feeling more useless than he ever had. "No…"
Hot Shot stared at the motorbike, incredulity and shock in his features. "W-what? What's he ever done to you?"
"You have no idea what he's done." The motorbike growled. "Now tell me where he is!"
The yellow mech slowly pulled the Star Saber, brandishing it. "Not a chance. This could be a trick for all I know."
"You-fine, I don't have time for this." The motorbike repeated, and without another word he swerved and went back through where he came.
Hot Shot frowned, but before he could think on the weird mech's words, he heard the rustle of gravel behind him and the yellow mech jumped back to avoid getting hit with a tread arm. "You!"
Scavenger smirked at him. "You knew to keep your guard up, maybe you aren't such deadweight after all."
Hot Shot scowled, gripping the hilt of the Star Saber tighter. "Why do you keep singling me out?"
"Maybe it's because I can see potential in you." Scavenger said, and Hot Shot blinked, but then the mech smirked. "Or I just like screwing with you."
Hot Shot scowled at him. "Quit stalking me!" he shouted. "I'm not interested in whatever you're trying to pull!"
The older mech snorted, cracking his neck again. "Interested? I already have one handful, why would I ever want another?"
Hot Shot glared at him, and lunged forward. "Shut up!" he swung the sword, the blade igniting. Scavenger dodged the swung, and backhanded him casually. Hot Shot gritted his denta as pain stung his cheek.
"You're worse than you were before; seems you are just what power that child gave you." Scavenger said scathingly.
Hot Shot flinched despite himself, the truth of it stinging deep but he shoved it aside. "I said shut up!"
In a flash, Scavenger ducked when Hot Shot swiped at him, but felt the punch catch him in the chest, knocking him back before his wrist was grabbed and Hot Shot felt the blade being tossed away. Hot Shot groaned, glaring up at Scavenger before the mech scoffed.
"You…" Hot Shot growled, struggling to get up.
"Stay down, you clearly can't handle that sword without outside help." Scavenger said.
Hot Shot clenched his fist, but felt Create flare, though clutched his shoulder. "No, I don't need your help, I can beat him by myself!" Create let him feel exactly what he thought of it, but the flare died down.
Scavenger looked back as the sound of laser and shouting came from outside, and he scowled. "It looks like the mini-con's been found." He stepped to the side, smiling mockingly. "Good ahead, you're not worth my time anymore today."
Hot Shot glared at him, but clenched his fist as he grabbed the saber and ran for the entrance. He found Optimus and Red Alert more on defense, due to the numbers stacked against them, and knew they needed to find the mini-con fast.
"Hey!" There was a shout, and everyone halted. Hot Shot's gaze found the figure first, his spark thudding in his chest at the Cybertronian standing on the top of the tunnel. It had the same red, blue and grays that the motorbike had, and a blue visor stared emotionlessly own at them. In his left hand, he held up his left hand, where a struggling blue mini-con tried to escape. "One of you fraggers tell me where Sideways is right now!"
"Who are you?" Optimus demanded.
The red mech lifted a blaster and held it to the mini-con, who stiffened up immediately. "The one holding the cards; tell me where he is, or the mini-con gets it."
Hot Shot stared at the mech, and was more than chilled when Megatron let out a hollow laugh.
"Is that it? I think we can afford one mini-con." Both Demolishor and Cyclonus looked incredulous, but it was Starscream who bristled.
"Afford? We are losing anyway, we can't afford to let this one slip away!" he snapped. The seeker looked up at the red mech. "The one you're looking for is with the Autobots!"
"You dare disobey me?!" Megatron roared, and grabbed Starscream by the wing, squeezing it.
The red mech stared at them impassively, and without a word tossed it to Hot Shot, who caught the mini-con with surprise. "Was that so hard?" he asked, and jumped back, transforming before taking off.
Hot Shot saw the fury in Megatron's face, and he winced. "Uh, better go!" he felt the pull of the warp, and within moments he, Optimus and Red Alert were back in the base. "So…what do you think that was about?" he asked, and set the blue mini-con down, before letting the Star Saber minis talk to them, who still held themselves stiffly as they talked.
"I'm not sure, but do you think that strange blip you detected could have been this mystery mech?" Optimus asked Red Alert, who looked uncertain.
"Perhaps." The medic said. "I don't think anything should be discounted."
Hot Shot frowned slightly. "I…I think we got a problem then, with the cards? One of them…one of them tried to kill Rachel and Alexis."
Both mechs stared at him. "And you didn't think to make them return with you?" Red Alert asked incredulously.
"Hey, Smokescreen and Mirror saved 'em, and they're at their motel right now-plus the mini-con was kinda the priority!" Hot Shot snapped.
"Enough you two." Optimus said sternly. "Now that the mini-con has been secured, we'll reconvene with the others, and deal with this new card with a plan to help Rad seal it safely."
Rachel felt her heart racing, frowning as she recalled how moments before that Alexis phoned her to ask where she and Rad were. 'He's not with them, is he still hung up on this magic thing?' she didn't want to dwell on it, because it would mean confronting something she didn't want to think about.
Making her way to the lake, she looked around, and paused as her phone vibrated. She squinted at the screen, the glare from the night making it harder to see, but saw the 'On our way-Smokey.' She snorted at the nickname, but turned off the screen and made her way to the shore.
The blonde looked around for Rad, but froze as she noticed an island far-off, and a figure lying on it. 'Rad!' Her heart raced, and she found a jetski that she propped up. 'Hurry up, going to save Rad.' She typed on her phone, and turned the watercraft's handlebar to power the vessel.
Rachel drove the jetski along the water, noticing that Rad saw her and was relieved that he waved. Though what worried her was how he favored his one ankle.
"Go…no…go!" His voice didn't carry well over the water due to the sound.
A low hum though did, ringing clear across the water and pierced her mind, causing her eyes to widen as a chill ran down her spine.
"…forces round beneath the waves, heed my bidding, hear my call…"
Rachel looked around, but her eyes widened as she found a form gliding through the water, and around her the air felt tense as the water began to bubble. Her chest tightened as she gripped the handle bars harder.
"...strike this wretch with all your might, and bring about her sad demise..."
Rachel felt the jetski shaking under her, and she looked behind her-and her eyes widened as a giant wave came up. She barely had time to hold her breath before it washed over her, throwing her under the water and found herself knocked away from the jetski as she tumbled about. She kept her mouth closed, her lungs began to burn as she saw the sky steadily growing darker. The water moved beneath her, but she found herself unable to hold on as something grabbed her, blacking out before she could see.
Rad thought his heart was going to stop, his chest tighter than it had ever been as he looked at the spot on the lake where Rachel had gone under. He hadn't paid attention to anything except making her go back, to just leave him, and it hurt - no, infuriated him - that Watery knew exactly how to get Rachel to abandon her self-preservation. His eyes drifted down the cards in front of him, and he felt useless without knowing how to use them and not use the wand.
There was a break in the water, and Rad tensed up, but stared incredulously as a purple and yellow motorbike slowly drove out of the water, and Rad's chest tightened even more when he saw Mirror holding Rachel. "H-how did you you-"
"We were on our way to help you, and I managed to beat Smokescreen here," Sideways explained, "I saw her go under and went to get her." Mirror lied Rachel down, and held out a pink staff. "I believe this is yours."
Rad stared at it, doubt and fear still on his mind, but when he looked at Rachel's pale, drawn face, his own expression hardened as he wiped away the tears stinging his eyes. "Yes, it does." he said shakily grabbed the wand. Holding it now, knowing who it was meant for, made this different, but he couldn't let that get in the way-that could come later. 'I want us to get out of this, and you've gone too far, Watery. Can you hear that?!' he thought angrily.
The water bubbled and frothed, and Rad felt enough energy to throw one of the cards up, focusing on it. "Sweet!" he shouted, the spirit flying forth as he winced, collapsing to his good leg. He managed to watch Sweet though fly to the water's edge, and when she placed her wand tip to the liquid-it turned dark and shiny. Rad grinned despite the fatigue and pain.
Watery hissed as she rose, her body made of the same sticky molasses as the rest of the lake. She tried to summon a water ball, but it collapsed into her palm. She glared at him, but then her gaze turned to Rachel and he didn't need to see her features clearly to know how much of her anger was truly directed to her. Water moved slowly, glaring down at herself, and it was all the distraction Rad needed.
"Windy!" he shouted, and tossed the card into the air. It was a split second, as Windy's gale spread around the lake. Rad huddled over Rachel to keep her from being knocked around, and held steady as the molasses turned back to water before being frozen by Windy's currents. Watery looked shocked, but she could no more fight the sticky mess of the substance she choose to use than anyone else could, and she let out a shriek of fury as the molasses dissipated, but was sharply cut off as Windy froze her from the inside out.
Rad unsteadily got to his feet, trying to bite back the pain of his ankle as he pointed the wand at the statue of Watery. "Return to your power confine, Sakura Card!" he yelled, the glowing shell card appearing before the circle and star at the tip. The statue cracked, and as it broke apart the fragments were sucked into the card until nothing was left of it. Rad collapsed to his knees, almost completely drained as he gathered up the cards. He shuffled to Rachel, and shook her shoulder. "Ray?" he asked quietly.
The blonde slowly peered out at him. "Hey." she croaked. "Are you okay?"
Rad didn't wipe the tears away as he let out a broken laugh. "I should be asking you that!" he sniffled, and looked away. "So...I guess this is where you call me dumb and that I shouldn't have done this."
"I would...but I have no right to judge you for it." Rachel said, coughing as more water came back up. "I did the same thing." she groaned. "Plus, I think we'll both be getting that speech from Optimus." she grimaced, but looked over at Sideways and Mirror. "Thanks...for saving me."
"Well, given how much you meant to Rad, I couldn't exactly let you die, now could I?" Sideways asked lightly.
Rad snorted, but smiled faintly. "I guess this means we're friends then?"
"What made you think we weren't?" The motorbike asked, and Rad's smile widened.
Rachel poked Rad in the knee, and he winced as he felt his ankle throb. "We're seeing a doctor about that-and how much water I ingested." she muttered, and Rad gently helped her sit up. "And about..." she looked pained, and uncertain as she looked at the pink wand, then the pink cards. Her face went pale, but her lips pressed into a firm line. "...all this magic stuff." she looked at him, her expression serious. "I don't want this scenario to happen again," she pulled him close, hugging him. "I'm sorry for not giving you a chance to prove this."
"I didn't do a good job of explaining it." Rad mumbled, but was immensely relieved inside to know Rachel was willing to believe him. Many things still weighed heavily on his mind, but right now, getting his cousin's acceptance wasn't one of them.
