Next Chapter Yeah! Thank you for following. You have no idea how happy it is to know that someone likes your work! Well, maybe when you started too :) I'm totally new at this so I hope you like it, and other stories coming soon!
This is a first-person narrative story, so from here on it's Nora's POV. There will be some occasions when the POV switches and sometimes there will be none. Just to let you know. :)
Just a heads up, I am dyslexic, so please forgive me if I missed any spelling errors!
OK enjoy!
Of all the years I've spent with my family, this year was the hardest. I had just turned seventeen a day ago. It was a good party, nothing big (besides the family) just cake, presents, music and stories. I don't need much to be happy. All I want and what I have grown to be, is thanks to my family.
And today was just like any other: drive around looking for enemy energon mines. Except for me, sense I could fly. I remember the day when I first fully transformed, I was thirteen at the time, but it was the happiest moment of my life. My shiny red body-suit and armor covered me neck and toe. The metal knee-high boots and forearm gloves were black, with a four silver rings around my waste, arms, and thighs. On my back there was a set of silver wings facing down, with a jet pack in the center. To protect my face I had a red mask over my mouth and nose, a clear red screen over my eyes, and a helmet that tucked my hair in, with four black streaks, going back.
I remembered Bumblebee and Cliffjumper hyping up, saying how bad ass I looked, and how many Decepticons I'll take down. While Ratchet and Arcee kept worrying about my jet pack wings. But what really made me happy was when dad smiled down at me, saying how grown up I've become. That made me pull through all the tough training. And it was thanks to them... I was able to survive the hell that quickly came after.
As I was flying north over Jasper Nevada, Cliffjumper was telling me and Acree what happened to him last Sunday, "So there I am on the look out, then out of no where theses high beams light up my rear view, and then it hits me, I'm legally parked!" Cliffjumper said, over the comlink.
I laughed out lound, "Another parking ticket?" Arcee asked.
"Better," Cliff said, "The boot."
"Big metal tire clamp impossible to remove."
"Bingo!"
I was laughing so hard that my gut started hurting, "You didn't see a sign? Or a red zone line?"
"Guess I wasn't thinking about it at the time," Cliff replied, "So the local police do there thing, and I let them get all the way down the block, that's when I kick off my new shiny shoe and BAN!"
"New York's finest soiled themselves." Arcee finished.
Cliff chucked, "You know me Acree, mess with Cliffjumper-"
"And you get the horns." Arcee and I finished Cliff's catchphrase. He just laughed at us.
"Not sure how that complies with Autobot rule number one: keep a low profile." Acree stated.
"What can I say, patrolling for energon out here in dulls-ville gets lonesome. Almost makes me miss a Decepticon."
"Yeah I'm sure." I agreed with Cliff. He was right, it's been pretty dull these last three years, no sign of Decepticons. Not as though the others would freely allow me in on the battlefield. I hardly got any of the action.
"Like Jasper Nevada a party?" Arcee asked, "Where alone wherever we travel on this rock Cliff."
I frowned, hating when Arcee would talk like that. The Autobots may have been on this planet longer then me, but she still felt like Cliffjumper and her were the last ones. Although I don't blame her, she went though some horrible things in her past. None that she tells me though.
"But you're not alone Arcee...We have each other. And I wouldn't care if we were the last ones on this planet, as long as I'm with you guys." I smiled, gazing out over the badlands.
"Frag right Spark!" Cliffjumper agreed. 'Spark' was a name he gave me before my dad officially gave me a proper name, but that never stopped him from calling me that.
Our sweet silent moment was cut short when Cliffjumper said, "I'm getting a signal."
"Need backup?" Arcee asked, she never liked it when he handled something on his own.
"Do I ever need backup?"
I pressed a finger on the side of my helmet, where my comlink was. It opened a screen on my mask to see where Cliffjumper's signal was, "I'm closer to you Cliff, I'll be there in minutes." I said, turning sharply in the sky then rocketed towards where he was.
"Don't strain yourself Spark, Cliff has this." He assured me, but that didn't stop me. I knew Cliff could totally take care of himself, he never stopped bragging about it. But to me, I just would feel better, and I know Arcee would too.
It didn't take me long to get to where his signal was coming from. But as I fly closer, all of a sudden there was giant energon explosion, fire and smoke rocketed up in the air. I gasped, "CLIFFJUMPER!" I pushed my speed to the limit, As the blue engeron smoke started to clear in the sky, I was greeted by a familiar sight, the Decepticons war ship: The Nemesis. I felt my stomach turn at the sight of it, as horrible memmories filled my brain from three years ago, There back..." I trembled. But just as soon as I arrived at the seen of the crime, it quickly flew again, fading into the sky.
"CLIFF?!" I screamed, darting my eyes in all directions, "CLIFFJUMPER?!" I hovered around the crater, till finally a ground bridge opened, As the rest of the team drove through, or rather the rest of my family.
Ratchet: the medic of the team, he could be a grump at times, but he could warm up to you. Bulkhead: the ruff n' tuff giant, with a gentle spark. Arcee: the only femme on the team, besides me, but she was the coolest in my book. Bumblebee: the scout of the group and still learning, he was sweetest out of everyone, and would always try to make me smile. And finally: Optimus Prime, my Dad. To me, he was the greatest, it's thanks to him that he found me, and raised me as his own sparkling. I loved them all with all my spark.
Transforming and landing on their feet, they transformed their hands into blasters. In position they looked around to see if the cost was clear, "HEY GUYS!" I yelled out to them to get their attention. They all glanced up as I flew down.
"Nora," Dad sighed in relif, his deep voice rang through his face-mask. Stretching out his hand so I could land on it. I sat myself down on his palm, retracting my helmet and mask to show my face, and let my hair down, "Are you alright? What happened?" He asked, using his large finger, he turned my head side to side seeing if I had any injuries.
"I-I fine Dad," I assured him, pushing his finger away, "And I don't know. When I got here there was a huge energon explosion, and I saw the Decepticon's ship fly off before I had a chance to see what was going on," I turned to Arcee, "I couldn't find Cliffjumper anywhere." I frowned, feeling as though I failed.
"You do not need to feel guilty Nora," Dad said, "You did all that you could," Why do I feel like that's not enough? He looked to where the explosion was, "An untapped energon deposit."
"What's left of it." Bulkhead added walking up from behind.
"First Decepticon activity in three years." Ratchet frowned.
"That we know of," Dad stated, retracting his mask. "If they're scouting for energon, they maybe preparing for his return."
I felt a shiver go down my spin, knowing who he was talking about. The leader of the Decepticons: Megatron.
As we headed down the destroyed deposit, I heard Arcee gasp. Turning my head I saw her pick up a metal horn...Cliffjumper's horn. I went white, covering my mouth, trying not to shake in fear. This isn't happening... This can't be... He was-!
"Ratchet, can you tack his position?" Dad asked the medic.
Ratchet looked at his forearm scanner, trying to find Cliffjumper's signal. I was begging in my head, Please be alive, please be alive... Then I heard a beep.
"No... Cliffjumpers life signal, just went off line..." He turn to us, shock covering his face.
I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. I muffled my crying as Dad wrapped his fingers around me, trying to convert me, but it hardly helped.
Back at home, we were on top of a rocky mountain that hid our base, Omega One. We thought that it would be proper to have a burial for Cliffjumper, and a funeral.
I was sitting on Bumblebee's shoulder while, Dad said a speech, "We must not allow our anger over the lost of Cliffjumper, to impair our judgment. As of today, only we five Autobots remain on this earth. We owe it to ourselves, to the memory of Cybertron. To any Autobots in any galaxy seeking safe harbor. To human kind. And we owe it to the memory to our fallen comrade to survive."
Arcee walked up to the pile of rocks that was Cliffjumper's burial, and placed his horn down in front of it. I closed my eyes, anger, sadness tore at me wanting me to scream, but I held it in. Instead I squeezed my fists as hard as I could till they hurt. I felt large fingers wrap around my hands, I turned to see Bumblebee's sad optics, begging me to stop hurting myself.
When Dad finished, I watched Arcee be the first to leave, "If Cliff's gone, standing around here sulking won't bring him back. So unless anyone minds, think I'll get back to protecting human kind." She said with a straight face, before transforming and drove off.
She was right, she just lost her partner and she didn't even show signs of sadness. While I'm here sobbing like a weakling. Jumping off Bee's shoulder, I walked up to the edge of the cliff, "Nora..." Dad spoke in a worried voiced, but I didn't turn back, because I knew everyone was looking at me. Putting my helmet and mask back on, I walked off the edge going into a free fall, till I pushed of the cliff and shot straight forward like a missal.
I needed to be alone. I always did this when I was upset, just fly as far as I could, till I couldn't go any further. As I stared at the setting sun I could feel those negative thoughts coming back again, I could have made it...I was only a few minutes away from him! I could have gone after the ship to save him! I could have done anything, but I didn't! I just stood there like a scared kid!
Glaring down at the earth, I saw a bunch of big rocks and boulders in a canyon. Growling, I charged for one, fist out, "AAAAAGGGHHHHH!" I screamed, smashing right into one, pieces flying everywhere. Turning my hands into blasters just like the Autobot's (excepted mine were purple) I shot at anything that caught my eye. Dust and ruble surrounded me. I then saw the biggest bolder in the canyon. I traded my blasters for my purple forearm master-blades. I charged at it, wheeling my arms up, I sliced it into chunks one by one, till there was nothing but pebbles at my feet.
I retracted my mask, panting hard. Putting away my blades, I looked down at my shacking hands. I couldn't take it, why was I trying so hard to hold it in? I wasn't like Arcee, or Dad who were good at this. Not me, and I hated it. I hated that I had these weak feeling that humans had. I hated being half human! No wonder I wasn't strong enough! At that point I couldn't take it, I let it all out. Lifting my head up I screamed at the top of my lungs, tears falling down my cheeks, my cries echoed through the canyon. I collapsed on my knees, leaning forward, my hands holding my balance. I just cried, saying Cliffjumper's name over and over...
"Why... Why did you have to leave me...? You promised..."
No POV
After Nora flew off, Ratchet and Optimus decided to let her have some time. They went back inside the base, while Bumblebee and Bulkhead went back to patrolling.
"I'm worried Bulk, about Nora and Arcee... mostly Nora. She has never known how to deal with losing someone like we've had to in the past." Bumblebee buzzed sadly on the comlink.
"I know what you mean Bee. But all we can do is be there for her when she gets back." Bulkhead replied back.
Bumblebee knew Bulkhead was right, but he still felt like it wasn't enough. Though, this wasn't the first time he's felt like this for Nora. His thoughts were cut short when he got a distress call from Arcee being chased by two Vehicons. Changing his route he drove off. I'll be there for you Nora, he told himself, Forever, until my spark stops.
Nora's POV
I don't know long I stayed out, all I know is it was way past my curfew. When I flew home, Ratchet heard me transform back into my organic-form. He started lecturing me about being out to long, till he turned to actually look a me. I probably looked like crap. Ignoring him, I walked straight to my room, no dinner not even changing out of my clothes, I just splatted down on my bed. I didn't want to deal with anything. I felt like my soul had been sucked out of me. To me, a part of me had died.
I pulled the covers over me, balling up in a fetal position. I stayed like that for a while waiting for sleep to take over, till I heard my door slid open. Since all the rooms were Autobot size they were able to come in. I listened to the loud foot steps come in till they stopped next to my bed. I could feel their presence lean in towards me, a smooth metal finger gentle ran over my head and back, that's when I knew who it was.
"Sweetspark, I know you are awake," Dad said, wanting me to look at him, but pulled the cover tighter, "We were worried about you, are you alright?" Staying silent, I heard him sight, "Can you please look at me?" I could hear him begging. groaning, I turned on my other side, pulling the covers up. His big blue optics frowned at the sight of me, "You're covered in dirt," He brushed his finger over my hair, dust flew. Cupping my chin under his finger, "I know you are in grieving and sparkbroken, I never wanted you to feel this way. But I know, that Cliffjumper would not want you to feel guilty about what happened. He would want you to remember the happy times together. And if he was here right now he would tell you to be that strong girl he always loved." He kindly smiled at me, cupping my side with his large hand.
I took in what he said, knowing that he was right. I was still depressed, but Cliff wouldn't want me to feel like this forever. After thinking I nodded, "Ok Dad... Thank you." I wrapped my arms around his large hand hugging it the best I could. Leaning into his touch, I allowed my self to cry once more. Dad wrapped his fingers around me, and started rubbing my back, which always helped calm me down.
We stayed like that for a few minutes till I started to come down, and slowly let sleep take me. Gently laying back down on the bed, he pulled the covers over me. Before he left the room, I heard him say, "Sleep well sweetspark, tomorrow I think you will be happy with the new change. I hope so." As the door closed, so did my mind.
I was running barefoot through a hot rocky waste land. I had no clothes on, but my body glowed purple, covering my form. Everywhere I looked there were dead Cybertronians, it looked like a loser's war zone. As I ran the ground started break away from behind me, then in front of me till I was only left with a patch of rock. the floor gave away, turning my little patch of rock into a cliff, surrounded by, what looked like purple lava. I then started to feel this shock go through my body as I heard someone's voice. "Come to me my creation...come and free me! I command you!" I grabbed my head squeezing hard hopping it would go away. My body started burning up, the pain was unbearable. Then out of the lava, came a giant head of a Cybertronian I had never seen. He glared down at me as if he was my master, towering over me. Then with a loud, "You are MINE!" He opened his mouth and swallowed me.
I gasped awake, eyes shot opened, panting in a cold sweat. I ran my hand over my face, "Oh my Primus... Why...why now? Why again?" I asked, I haven't had that nightmare since I was a kid. But it was much worse this time, and I could still feel this stinging pain in me. I turn to my bedside table, looking at my clock. It was already 2:45pm?! Well, I didn't get home around 1:00am, guess I was more exhausted then I thought.
Getting up, I went to my man-made bathroom. I showered, and quickly got dressed; pulling my white Nasa and black ringer shirt over my head, before putting on my green-army jacket I got from my godfather, leaving it open to show off my logo-shirt. Pulling up my black-ripped jeans, and tying up my gray sneakers, and lastly slipping on black finger-less gloves.
After brushing my blonde hair and bangs to the left side, and rolling my jacket sleeves up to my elbows, I walked out and headed to the bridge. I could here Dad talking to someone, but couldn't see. And why was he explaining the Cybertronian war? Hurrying down the hall I saw everyone gathered up, But just when I was about to say good morning, I finally got to see who he was talking to. I stopped, my mind went blank as I stared at the new guests.
Three humans...WHAT?! There were two boys and one girl. The girl and taller boy looked like they were about my age while the smaller boy looked a bit younger. Why were there humans other than Agent Fowler in our secret base?! Was this what Dad said about the "new change" last night? How was with going to help us out!? Dad finally spotted me, and smiled, "I am glad to see you are feeling better Nora." Everyone, including the humans turned to look at me.
My shock quickly turned to irritation, "This had better not be that new change you were talking about!" I pointed at the three kids, glaring at my Dad. I looked at the Autobots, "What's going on? Who are they?"
"We ran into some Vehicons and they got dragged into it." Arcee explained, crossing her arms.
"So, big deal! It's not the first time we've blown our cover. Why did you have to bring them here?! You couldn't just give them a good scare, or say if they told anyone the government would come after you!?" I kept on rambling on till Dad gentle scooped me in his palm lifting me up so we were eye level.
"Nora, I understand you're concern, but I feel that this will be a good change in having more humans around. Especially for you, you have never interacted with humans that much."
"Wha? W-why me!? I don't need to be watching over kids!" I crossed my arms glaring down at the three humans, the older boy glared right back at me.
"Kids?! We are practically the same age!" He yelled back, then pointed at me. "Better yet, who are you? I thought you guys said that you had to keep your existence a secret?" He turned his gaze to Dad.
Dad kneeled down to the kids to get me a little bit closer to them, which I did not like, "Only very few know of us, but Nora is very special," Dad smiled, "She is one of us, and my sparkling. Or as you human's say my daughter." I blushed, suddenly feeling shy.
If I didn't hate the humans I would have laughed at the faces the were making. The moment of silence ended when the Older boy ask, "W-wait, daughter? But how, I mean she human, right?"
"Or maybe she's a robot that can turn into a smaller version on them!" The girl said getting all excited.
I could hear Ratchet grumbling in the back, "She is a mix between Cybertonic structure and organic organs." He tried to explain.
"Basically she's part human and part Autobot," Bumblebee buzzed, "A Techno-Organic."
"Techno-organic?" The younger boy repeated him, which caught me off guard. So he can understand Bee too?
Dad placed his hand down in front of the three humans dipping my out. I still didn't like this new change, but trying to be polite I reached my arm out turning my gaze away from them, "Nora Prime." I introduced myself.
Looking at my hand then at me the taller boy took it, "Jack Darby"
Then the other boy, who gave me a friendly smile, "Rafael Esquivel, but you can call me Raf."
Last was the girl, who didn't take my hand. "I'm Miko Nakadai. So what can you do? Can you fully turn into a robot?! Do you have weapons!? Super strength!? Can you fly?!" She went on and on. Too many question! Till finally Jack pulled her away.
"So as you were saying," He turned back to Dad, "What dose Megatron, or any of this have to do with us?"
Good question. I thought crossing my arms.
"Megatron has not been seen or heard from in some time. But if his return is eminent as I fear, it could be catastrophic." Dad said.
I narrowed my gaze, I knew he would return soon some day, but when he dose...I'll be ready to take him on again... And this time, I won't lose.
TO BE CONTINUED