Optimus' POV
In all my years of fighting in this war, nothing had prepared me for fighting my undead brotherin. I fired my blasters as fast as I could, killing them one by one, but they kept coming. I even tried using Nora's tactic when she planned those zombie games, and shot them in the head. But it was just endless, even the ones I shot down crawled right back up. They were only on a one track mind for energon blood, "Ratchet, retreat! Bridge yourself back to base!" I ordered my friend, not wanting him to partake in this massacre.
"No! I shall stand by you Optimus!" He insisted, standing right beside me, "You may require a medic after this is over with!" Together we charge towards a army of undead. I continued firing, while Ratchet sliced through their dead metal plating. That's when we noticed, by slicing them into bits they were unable to come back online, "I recommend dissection! The smaller the the pieces, the better!" Ratchet advised me.
"Sound advice, old friend." I commented, switching my blasters, to my hand blades. As the brutal fight continued I took a chance to glance up at Megatron.
"I have mastered dark energon. When you fall Optimus, you too shall join my army." He proclaimed.
That will never happen, Megatron. I glared hard at him, as I continued my fight for my survival.
"How I wish Nora was here," I hear him chuckle, "This would have been a fine learning experience on what she is capable of!"
Nora's POV
Jack and Raf were sitting ducks, as the Vehicons started firing, "We have to do something!" I shouted. Very quickly, Bulkhead scooped us both in his hands and transformed, throwing us in the back seat, speeding up to the two remaining humans.
"Ow! Watch that thing!" Miko complained, pushing at my left wing.
"Sorry, but it's kinda cramped back here!" I argued back, trying move over.
Bulkhead drove right up to Jack and Raf, using himself as a shield, "Get in, NOW!" He ordered. Wasting no time they jumped in the front seats. Bulkhead picked up speed, driving away from the attack.
"Thanks Bulkhead." Jack sighed, trying to catch his breath.
"Yeah, thanks." Ran agreed.
"W-what are you two doing here?!" Bulkhead frantically asked, driving like crazy.
"We were worried about Miko, have you seen her?" Jack asked, worriedly.
"What she look like?" Miko joked, popping up from behind.
"We appreciate that you guys were worried, but now we have to make sure you two don't get killed either!" I scolded them, "Do all humans want to have a life threatening in-counter?!"
"No! As humans, we care and worry about our friends!" Jack yelled back.
"I-it's not just Miko we were worried about Nora," Raf piped in, "We were worried about you to! I mean, I know you're probably very strong, but we've never seen you fight before. We just wanted to make sure you were okay."
I spark seemed to flutter when he said that. I was flattered by how worried also concerned for my wellbeing, "Sorry to worry you guys like that," I sighed smiling, "But you don't have to worry too much. I'm a tough fighter."
"Hell yeah she is!" Miko playfully nudged me.
Bulkhead managed to seek cover further away, behind some giant boulders, he opened all his doors, letting us out, "Everyone out! Nora, stay and keep them safe. And this time, please wait here!" He pleaded, once we were all out, he drove right back to the ship.
I watched carefully as Bulkhead drove right under the Nemesis, before launching up off the road like monster-truck, transformed and started climbing up the canyon wall. I felt someone tap my shoulder, "Uh, Nora..." I turn to see Jack and Raf, and... no Miko! "Oh scrap!" I cursed out, "Where is she?!"
"She never came out of the truck..." Raf's face turned pale.
My eyes went wide, I turned back to see Bulkhead had jumped and made it on top of the ship. If Miko never climb out, that meant she was still inside Bulkhead's chest plate! "Bulkhead come in!" I tried to comlink him.
I saw him glance down at us, seeing only two humans and a Techno-Organic "WHERE'S MIKO?!" He yelled back at us. I hear a knock from the intercom, and the sounds of transforming, "Miko?"
"I guess you found her," I remarked.
"I heaved on your floor mats, sorry." I heard Miko gagged, feeling sorry for both her and poor Bulkhead.
I ended our comlink, and turned to the others. I'm now just realizing that I have to make sure my new friends don't die on their second Deception in-counter.
"Okay, Bulkhead has them distracted, you guys stay next to me at all cost!" I ordered, pulled my face-mask back on.
Raf crouched next to me looking up at the ship. "Think they forgot about us?" He nervously asked.
"Of course not. Bulkhead will keep her safe. All we have to do is wait for Arcee and Bumblebee to get here." I assured them.
Unbeknownst to us, two Vehicons and sneaked up behind us. I guess sixth sense kicked in, because as soon as I turned one of them was reaching for us with his sharp, dagger like fingers. Acting quick, I pushed Jack and Raf behind me with my left arm, while pulling out my right master-blade, swiping it across his hand. He pulled back crying in pain, the other one pulled out his blaster.
"Run!" I screamed at them, wasting no time. retracting my blade, and dogging the blasts, I took to the sky going in a serpentine move, making it harder for the other con to get a direct hit. I then back flipped in the air and went into a dive, fist out. I punched right into his optics, cracking the left side. He grabbed his face crying out, but swinging his blaster, he knocked me out of the air, I went colliding into the canyon wall. I cried out, as my back hit solid rock, feeling the wind get knocked out. I fell to the ground, but tried to hold myself back up. I glared hard at the two of them, pulling out my left blaster.
"If you value them," The one with the gashed hand spoke up, "you will surrender." He held in his other hand both Jack and Raf, who were struggling.
I gasped out, they got caught! I tried to push myself through, thinking I could still fight! I could still save them! But I was injured, and my friends were already in their grasp. I had no other choice. Still holding my glare I retracted my blaster back and held my hands up in surrender. Unfortunately, they didn't seem to buy it, because the other Vehicon shot at my left hand. I screamed, falling foreword on my knees. I clutched my hand, as I started to feel years in my eyes. It had burned through my armor and skin, showing off my robotic tissue underneath. The con then kicked me in to the side, making me tumble on my back, and for extra good measure, shot me in the back, breaking my jetpack.
I groaned, losing consciousness. I heard my friends call out to me, as I felt sharp claws wrap around waste, hoisting me up. I couldn't fight back, nor fly now. We were captured, and the worst part, no one knew.
I was slowly going in and out of consciousness, the blast I took in the back shocked me pretty badly. I tried to keep focus on Jack and Raf, who were behind me, hopping they were okay. Good thing they were quiet, the last thing you want to do is get smart with a con. I felt so pathetic, usually taking out Vehicons was sort of easy (just have to shoot them a few more extra times), but I wasn't paying attention and I wound up getting hurt and getting everyone captured. My only hope was either Bulkhead would find us, or Arcee and Bumblebee would make it in time.
"Bring them to the brig, Commander Starscream is keeping the other human there." The Vehicon that was holding me said.
"What about the techno-organic?" The one asked.
"Restrain her," He looked down at my with his cracked optics, lifting my a little higher to get a better look, "No doubt Lord Megatron will want to deal with her."
"So he is back..." I let out a weak moan, shutting my eyes, Damnit... I was so looking forward to backpack... But just when I was about to think all hope was lost, diving down the ship's hall I heard engines roaring. My vison was still a bit bury, tilting my head, I could make out the images of a blue motorcycle, and a yellow the urbana 500. Bumblebee swerve to the side, crashing into the Vehicons. They went flaying dropping me and they boys, Arcee and Bumblee quickly transformed, catching us in midair.
Acree caught both Jack and Raf in her hands, and Bumblebee held me in his arms. I grunted still in pain, but I smiled up at my favorite bot, "Nice catch, Bee."
Bumblebee fully took noticed of my injuries, "Nora, are you okay?! What happened to you?!"
"It's nothing serious, don't worry..." I reassured him, trying to sit up. My burned hand gave out, and I slumped back in his arm.
I tried to avoid Arcee and Bumblebee worried looks, "What happened?" Arcee asked the boys.
"Nora tried to save us, but wound up getting shot." Jack explained.
"Guys, I'm fine..." I grumbled, rolling my eyes, I tried sitting up again, "I just need to shake it off."
Arcee frowned, not buying it, "Nora you're hurt, and are unable to fight. You will withdraw form here on out." She ordered, then turned to the boys, "We appreciate you clearing the front door for us, but storming the Decepticon war ship was not of the activities list." Arcee scolding them.
"Arcee, I can still fight!" I barked back, "So I was out numbered this time! It's just left hand, I can use my right!" I pushed myself out of Bee's grasp, and planted my boots on the ground, only for them to suddenly give out. I wobbled around, Bumblebee pushed his hand behind me for support.
Acree crossed her arms, "Absolutely not, you're grounded until we get out of here. And then grounded some more when we get home." I puffed my cheeks out, as Bumblebee picked me up once again. We had to get moving and find Bulkhead, Miko and Fowler. Bee held me close to his chest-plate, and the group started running through the ship.
"Try and rest a bit Nora," Bumblebee buzzed, giving me friendly advice, "Conserve your strength." I humphed, but listened.
Arcee halted us when we came to a corner, pulling out her blaster, she heard someone on the other side. Quickly, she turned and aimed but- "Friendly."
"Hello." Bulkhead said, looking relived.
Arcee sighed retracting her blaster, "Brought the humans, hu?"
"You try getting them to stay behind!" Bulkhead pointed to Miko who was safe in his hand, It's like Nora deja vu all over again!"
My brow twitched, "WHAT IS THIS, PICK ON NORA DAY?! I WAS TRYING TO HELP!"
Bulkhead and Miko finally noticed me in Bee's arms, "Nora what happened?!" Bulkhead gasped now worried.
"I'll explain later, right now we need to find Fowler and get the kids out of here." Arcee said.
"He's in the brig." Jack and Raf said.
"Good to know, let's go!"
Optimis' POV
It felt like there was no end, Ratchet and I were putting our all into ending this bloodshed, yet they just kept coming. And the more we battled for our lives, the more our strength grew weak, and the exposure to dark energon was tamper with our minds. We were completely surrounded, our backs pressed together watching out for the other.
"Optimus..." Ratchet grunted, "This prolonged exposure to dark energon is sapping our strength."
"We cannot falter now." I tried encouraging him, we had to, for neither of us wanted to die in this wasteland.
But as we continued the never ending massacre, I could hear Ratchet chuckling, "It's funny... we've been raising Nora for seventeen years, you'd think we'd be immune to it." I saw him lightly smile, as he thought about her.
I too couldn't help but smile, even though we were fighting for our lives, my mind kept going back to my sweetspark. She has brought us so much joy in our lives, especially mine. She was the main thing that kept me going, so that's why...I will not die and abandon her here! But as I tried to push forward, one of the dead cons jumped me, grabbing my back. Then several more, The all their weight I was pushed to the ground, as they started to enclose around me.
"Optimus!" Ratchet cried, as too was ganged up on. I leaded my head back, their dead faces were all around me trying to bite at me.
I heard Megatron's cackling voice, "How marvelous to see a Prime fall," He boomed, making sure I could hear him, "Do not worry Optimus, when you are gone, I swear Nora will be back in my hands. She will be a find tool in my image of the new world!"
I felt my body go cold, my mind flash back to when he stole her from me... She was only fourteen, and because I wasn't paying attention, she was captured. We tried tracking her signal for months, and when we finally found her, she was almost a completely different person. She closed herself off from the rest of us, for weeks, even to this day she has never spoken about what happened. Slowly the light in her eyes came back, and she would smile, but wasn't the same. What ever Megatron did to her, he destroyed a piece of her soul.
I know I had failed that day, and even now, I still held the truth from her. But in Primus was my witness, I would be DAMNBED if I let him take her away from me again! The pounding of my spark rang in my audio receptors, a wave of adrenaline and determination flowed threw me. Using all my strength I use my blade to impaled the dead con that was on top of me, while firing my blaster at all the rest. Roaring out I slatered my out to freedom.
Taking notice that Ratchet was imperil, I rushed over, prying the dead cons off of him, and pulled him to his feet, "After all these years Optimus, still at the top of your game." Megatron grinned, "My legion, FINISH THEM!" He commanded as more and more came. But we pushed on, making our why toward him.
Nora's POV
Even though the Autobots tried to stay quiet and stelth, it's seemed like everyone corner we turned, Vehicons would be waiting. At one point we were cornered on both ends. Bumblebee had to set me down next to my human friends, to help aid the others. I could finally stand a little better, but I could hardly run. I tried to protect them in the middle of the fight, while also trying to fire at some of the Vehicons, but it hardly help, and because I wasn't able to react fast enough, Jack had to grab me, along with Miko and Raf away from dropping cons.
When the hall was clear, Bee picked me back up and we pushed on. On our way to the brig, we stopped at the ship's bridge, Bee set my down again as Bulkhead started knocking at the door. Once it opened, the tree Autobots charged in and quickly discarded anyone who was inside.
Once it was clear out, Arcee gave the word, we rushed in. The bots gathered around, looking down at us, "Wait in here." Arcee ordered.
"What?" I asked, trying to catch my breath.
"Why do they have to stay?" Bumblebee asked.
"They're slowing us down and are easy targets. And Nora's hurt, and can barely fight much less run." I rolled my eyes, how many times am I gonna be reminded? You get shoot and suddenly you're useless to the team. "They'll be alright in here, as long as they stay put." She gave us a final warning look, before they all headed out to save Fowler.
"That, was intense." Miko exhaled.
"Was?" Raf blinked.
"It's your fault that we're stuck in this intensity," Jack pointed to Miko clearly upset, "What were you thinking Miko?!"
"Guys." I sighed, retracting my face-mask and helmet, I looked down at my damaged hand. I get that Jack was freaking out, but here and now was not the best of time to be arguing. But none of them heard me, or even listened.
"Did I ask you to follow me?" Miko sassed back.
"You wanted us to be a band, doesn't that usually mean together?"
"Guys..." I tried again.
"Well maybe I decided that it should just be me and Nora. A duo!"
"Well maybe I have some regards for yours and Nora's safety!"
"Guys." I growled, their bickering was starting to get on my nerve.
"Oh I'm sorry is your name Optimus?! You can leave my protection to Bulkhead thank you very much! And you're not her dad either!" She pointed at me.
I couldn't take it anymore, but just when I was about to tell them both to shut up, Raf beat me to it, "Ahh! Stop it! Both of you!" He yelled. Poor kid looked like he was on the verge of having a panic attack, so he ran to the edge of the stairs, sat down and pulled his legs to his chest, hiding his face. I frowned, I knew he was scared all of them were. Hell even I was, I never wanted to be on broad this ship again, to many horrible memories.
Jack and Miko now realized their actions weren't helping. They walked over and sat next to their friend. "Oh hey, hey, Raf it's okay." Jack calming said, sitting on the left, and Miko on the right.
"Yeah, we're going to be fine." Miko placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Our bots will come back for us." They tried to reassure the youngest.
"Yeah, they're going to take us home. And don't forget, we also have Nora to protect us."
"How do you know they'll come back." Raf asked, looking up at them.
"Because I know," They turned to me as I took my time walking over to them, holding my injured hand to my chest out of their view. I stopped right next to Miko, looking down on them, "They always come back, no matter what. And that's coming from experience." I smiled, before sitting down next to my human friends. I slowly unwrapped my fingers around my hand, hissing in pain. There was no use hiding it anymore. As soon as they saw it they all gasped; the blast I took broke through my armor and burned my skin, leaning a good gash below my knuckles, now showing off the robotic base that was under my skin. It had purple techno-symbols that glowed, but thankfully I wasn't sparking or leaking energon.
"N-Nora..." Raf gasped. they were all in shock, this was the fist time I actually showed them that I wasn't a normal human girl. Sure they saw me transform and battle in action, but if you take away the 'costume' what you have underneath isn't the exact same as them. I may look human, but I wasn't...
I lightly chuckled, "I-I'm okay, think of it like getting a really bad burn," I tried to joke about it, so not to freak them out, "Once we get back, Ratchet will patch me up, and my cells with regenerate back into skin tissue." I lightly glided my fingers over the metal texture, "However my jet pack will take some more time." I pointed my thumb over my back.
"So, this is what you really are." Jack announced, now finally seeing it.
"Yeah," I looked down, pity smiling at myself, "Are you...okay with this? I mean, are you...scared?" I was now suddenly real worried that I would be scared, and want nothing more to do with the Autobots or me. Which was ironic because thirty-six hours ago, I didn't want anything to do with them.
I felt two hands gently wrapped around my injured one, I looked up to see Miko smiling, "Of course not. You think just because you've got nuts and bolts instead of squishy guts we'd hate you? We like you for who you are Nora, and to be honest, you're way cooler then any or our other friends." Jack and Raf smiled, nodding in agreement.
I suddenly felt flustered, my spark picked up speed, and my eyes started to water, "Thanks," I smiled back, wiping the tears away, "And I do have squishy guts too, just not for you to see." I giggled, and that seemed to lighten our mood, because they joined in.
After we calmed down, we took in our surrounding at the bride, till Jack noticed something on one of the monitor screen, "Hey Nora," he asked getting my attention, "What do you make of that?" He nudge his head over at it.
We all turned at looked. Rising my brow I stepped down the large stairs to get a better look, the others followed, "That looks important." Raf said, standing next to me, "Real important."
"You got that right." I agreed. I was a good thing Ratchet taught me how to read Cybertronian, "Generator...time vortex...space..." My eyes widened, it's blue-prints for a space bridge! "I-I need to get this to Dad!" I ushered my hand to them.
"Why, what is it?" Jack asked.
"Something really bad if the Decepticons build it!"
"Nora's right, I know math when I see it, and that is one serious equation." Raf agreed with me.
"You sure? How do you two know it isn't recipe for space nachos?" Miko slouched.
"Hey, I have school work too, and I'm fluent when I comes to Cybrtronian." I defended.
"So can you download it?" Jack shrugged.
"I've got a flash drive," Raf pulled his backpack off, digging through till he found it, "But I don't see anywhere to plug it in, this tech is way alien."
"To you maybe." I lightly joked.
Just then, I heard the sounds of footsteps, we all turned and gasped, a Vehicon had walked inside! He took noticed of all the dead cons around the bridge.
"Hide, hide now!" I whispered, Jack pulled Raf along while Miko helped my waddle. We pressed our bodies as close as we could to the wall under the monitor. But Raf stopped, remembering his backpack, he tried to go back for it, but when he grabbed it, the con found him, and pointed his blaster at the human.
Raf gasped, like a deer in the headlights, as the Vehicon moved closer.
Quickly retracting my helmet and makes on, and pulling out my blaster, "Get Raf, I'll distract him!" Jack nodded. The Vehicon started firing at Raf, who snapped out of it. Jack tackled Raf out of the way, as I came out of hiding as started firing. But because I hadn't fully recovered my shots were not fatal towards him. He glanced down at me, as I backed up, shielding the boys.
"Miko, take a picture!" Jack yelled.
"Great idea!" Miko fist pumped, running out of her hiding spot, "Hey you!" She called getting con's attention, she whipped out her phone and snapped a picture at him.
"Not him! That!" I screamed, pointing at the monitor screen.
"Oh," Now getting it, she quickly snapped another picture.
"Everyone out!" I ordered, not wasting anytime. I made sure they got out first, before I followed while still firing at the Vehicon. I tried t to see if I could fly, but I could only stay about ten feet off the ground for a few seconds. The Vehicon followed us out, still firing at us. Just up ahead we headed the sounds of a truck honking. Ducking quick, Bulkhead transformed, leaping over us and charged at the con body slamming him to the floor.
Not far behind Arcee and Bumblebee pulled up next to us. Miko, and Raf got in Bee's front seats, while I got into the back, and Jack leaped on Arcee.
"I told you to stay put!" Arcee yelled in frustration, as we drove off.
"We tried! The con walked in on us!" I tried to explain. I glanced over to my left to see Fowler, who had probably seen better days, "Fowler!" I cried happily knowing that he was alive, and now safe.
"I like pie. Can we stop for pie?" Fowler dazed out dropping himself on the back Bumblebee's front seats.
"You found Fowler! Rock on!" Miko cheered, as Fowler pasted out on my shoulder.
Optimus' POV
As I cut down the last of Megatron's undead army it was done, but not over, "Bravo Optimus! Though this is just a prelude, you may wish to save your strength for the main event." Megatron tormented.
Panting heavily, I started to climb the cliff, "You will not prevail Megatron. Not while energon still flows through my veins." I growled, making it to the top, to come face to face with him.
Megatron leaned down and grinned in my face, "Fitting, for it is dark energon that flows through mine. And your beloved sparkling!" He spat. I reacted for him, but he transformed took off. I tried to get a shot at him but all missed, I knew he couldn't be shot down so easily.
Ratchet was right behind me, I offered my hand helping him up. We both glanced down at the battlefield we just demolished through, "If this wasn't Megatron's endgame, what is?" He asked, glancing to me, but his question was as good as mine.
Nora's POV
When we finally made it back home, Dad called in for a ground bridge. When I saw them, they were badly beaten up, as if they took on an entire army by themselves. Dad was less the thrilled to see that I was injured, and learning on what had happened during his absence. In the medical bay, I helped Ratchet put Fowler on a medical bed and hooked up an iv. Dad mended Ratchet's arm which got injured during their battle. He then picked me up in his palm to work on my jet pack first with the welding torch, after it was fixed I transformed back into my organic-form and took off my glove to let him wrap a aluminum foil bandage over my hand. "It's not serious sweetspark," He told me, setting me down next to the other humans, "It was heal quickly."
"That's good to know." I sighed out, but I knew I wasn't off the hook yet.
"What happened to you guys?" Miko asked.
"We engaged an army of undead Cybrtronian warriors." Ratchet answered.
"What?" I gasped.
"Zombies? You fought zombies and I missed it?!" Miko pouted.
"Bulkhead, you exercised extremely poor judgment in allowing the humans and Nora to accompany you." Dad berated the wrecker.
Bulkhead glanced at us, "It won't happen again Optimus, I promise." He swore.
"But it wasn't Bulkhead's fault." Miko piped in.
"Miko, please..." Bulkhead begged, not wanting to get into anymore trouble.
But I to decided to speak up too, "It was my fault Dad, I guilt tripped Bulkhead into taking me along. Miko, Jack, and Raf just came to make sure I was okay." I stretched the truth, putting the blame on me and not my friends.
"No, it was our fault," Raf then joined in the argument, "Nora got hurt trying to protect us."
"Guys..." It was thoughtful, it was becoming one giant blame game.
Dad turned his gaze down at me, looking stern, "Nora, why would you insist on Bulkhead taking you? I have told you about the risks on going near the Decepticon's ship, especially now that Megatron has returned."
"Whoa wait, Megatron's back? That's really bad news right?" Jack piped up, but his worry was ignored.
"Yes Dad I know, I knew the risks, but I didn't want Bulkhead to go on a dangerous mission alone! Not after Cliffjumper!" I agued back, not liking that I was using Cliffjumper as an example, but I had no other choice.
Dad leaned down sat my eye level. He put his finger on my bandaged hand, gently rubbing it, "I understand your loyalty. Still it's not safe, and you were hurt." He sighed out.
A loud throat clearing cut off our argument, "I know you guys are having a father/daughter moment and it's really sweet, but check this out!" Miko pulled out her phone showing Dad the picture, "Recon!"
Taking a pause on our conversation, Dad looked down at picture, "Hmm... Ratchet, have a look. It could be of importance to Megatron."
Ratchet walked over looking down at the phone, "I...don't understand."
Confused, Miko turned her phone to look at the screen, "Oops. That's the con who tried to blew Raf away. At least, that's what he looked like before Nora and Bulkhead rearranged his grill." Miko smiled, doing some air punches.
I noticed Jack's brow twitching, "Miko, Raf was almost killed! Nora got hurt! This isn't a game! When are you going to get that through your thick skull?!" snapped right in her face.
"Guys, my injuries aren't that bad, I've already told you." I frowned, not wanting them to fight again.
"Um, we were all almost killed Jack. You, me, Raf, Nora, even them!" Miko retorted, pointing at the bots.
Jack glared down, "Well, if this was just an average day with the Autobots, then I don't want to be apart of it! Not anymore!"
"What?" My blinked, as Jack refused to look and any of us.
Finally Dad spoke up, "Jack, putting you in harms way was never our intent. However it is no longer the safety of you three that is at risk, but the safety of all humankind. We will respect your decision if you wish to leave."
No sooner had he finished, the ground-bridge opened, "No point in long goodbyes, here's the door." Ratchet ushered, wanting to get rid of the humans quickly.
"C'mon Raf." Jack motioned to the young kid.
Raf glanced over a Bumblebee, who looked disappointed that his new friend would leave. But instead, "I'll be okay, Jack. See you at school."
Jack took a paused, seeing that he was the lone man out, "Sure thing," he walked down the stairs, at the bottom he was blocked by Arcee. He looked up at her before saying, "I know, you don't exist." And passed by.
"Don't make me hunt you down." She reminded him, crossing her arms, but I could hear the sadness in her optics.
But just as he reached the edge of the bridge, I yelled, "Jack wait!" He stopped at turned. I jumped over stairs, rushing over to him as fast as I could. I was Unsure of what to say, but I didn't want him to leave, I just made up with him. "Just, wait a moment, t-think this through-"
"No, you don't get it Nora! I'm not like you! This may be a regular thing for you, but it isn't for me! I can't just go about my life knowing that a Decepticon might hunt me down or kill me! I can't survive going through what you go through!" He yelled, throwing his hands in the air.
His words stabbed me in the spark, and anger took over again. Glaring I shouted, "What, you think this life is easy for me Jack?! You think I do this because of the thrills?! You have a choice, where I don't! I was born into this war, hunted by Megatron and his followers! I can't back away from this now, I never could! This-" I pointed in the direction of the Autobots, "is my family, and in that last 48 hours I lost someone I loved very much!" I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Tears were forming up in my eyes again. Everyone in the room was shocked by my outburst, even Jack's eyes were wide, "This is my life Jack, this is who I am...and if you can't handle that... then... just leave." With that, I took a couple steps back, before calming walking to my room.
After my outburst, I shut myself in my room. Why was this happening to me? Just a few days ago I happy; everything was fine, everyone was happy and safe... and then it all went to chaos. I lost Cliffjumper, I got injured trying to save my new friends, and I wound up losing one. Why Miko and Raf wanted to stay, I don't know. They had a right to leave after what had happened today, yet they chose the Autobots they chose me. I had never felt so emotional towards other people besides my family.
Slipping into my pajamas, I laid down in bed pulling the covers completely over my body. But I couldn't bring myself to shut my eyes. I kept thinking about my friends; I remember how much fun I had with them yesterday. How opened I was to them, telling them my biggest challenge, ones that I had never even told the Autobots before. In my head, I wanted to ran through the ground bridge to Jack's house and ask if he would reconsider. But it was his choice alone, I couldn't force him to come back, not like he would with how I shouted at him.
There was a knock on my door before it opened. peaking out from my blanket, I was surprised that it was Arcee. She walked over and sat down on her knees, sadly smilling, "That was quite a scene you made back there. That's twice in a row," She tried to start the conversation with a light joke, but we both knew that was terrible. She sighed out, "Sorry, you know I'm not good at these kinds of things. How are you doing?"
I looked up at her before glancing to my picture of us with Cliffjumper, "Am I just prone to pushing people away? Am I just unable to have friends? Maybe it's for the best...cause everyone around me gets hurt." I tucked myself blanket more.
Arcee took a glance at the picture I was staring, she picked it up and looked at it, "I get that, you want to try and protect everyone...but sometimes things happen that are out of our control..." She took her other hand and rubbed my side, looking right into my eyes, "I'm sorry Nora, I never wanted you to experience this... Losing someone...is very hard." She gave me a sad look.
My eyes started leaking tears, I sat up and wrapped my arms around her neck, letting them fall out. She put the picture back and held me close, "I just want it to stop..." I whimpered, trying to wipe my eyes, "Why won't it stop? Every time I cry it won't stop!"
Acree smiled, pulling away, she wiped my eye, "Because you're a crybaby, you always were one." She joked.
"I am not! I haven't cried in years!" I whined, making her chuckle.
"I know, you're so much stronger then you've ever been. I it hurts right now, and sometimes those feeling will come back again. But just because we lost our friend, doesn't mean we have to lose another. How about we go stalk Jack tomorrow? Try and get him to come back." She smiled.
I sniffed, calming down. I smiled and nodded, "Thanks Cee"
No POV
Jack made it back home safely. As usual, his mom had a late shift and wouldn't be home for hours. He decided to fix up his bike, since he no longer had a motorcycle. He kept telling himself that he made the right decision, that being caught up in a middle of a ancient alien-robot war was too threatening, and he wanted to stay alive. But while he had nearly died early that day, and the same time, he remembered how much fun he had, especially with Arcee, and Nora.
He remembered when they met, at first they were a bit irritated that He and his school mates had suddenly popped into their lives. But after getting to know them, he learned that they weren't that different from each other. They had emotions, they got hurt, they could die, just like humans.
He then thought about what Nora take it or leave it attituded. He definitely felt like an idiot back there, how he just came off whiny while she proclaim her life story. But he was right, he wasn't like her, he wasn't a warrior. Beside it was his choice, his life! He didn't do anything wrong! So why did he have this feeling like he betrayed her?
He shield his eyes from the bright lights of a truck diving up to his garage, and jumping out was Miko. Jack turned back to his work, not wanting to deal with her right now, "Now I understand why you had to rush home." She remarked sarcastically, walking in.
"Don't you have something more exciting to do, Miko?" Jack asked coldly, not paying full attention to her.
"So, this is where you hang, huh? Back home in Tokyo, I have to loving parents and two purebred cats, Chi-Chi and Ding-Dong. I went to the best school, took piano lessons since I was three..." Miko went on about her past, as she went through the stuff in the garage.
"How nice for you." Jack sighed, uninterested.
"No. How boring." She corrected, causing him to look at her surprised, "It wasn't me. Why do you think I jumped at the chance to transfer here?"
"To Jasper, Nevada, the entertainment capital of the world?" Jack scoffed in disbelief.
Miko lightly chuckled walking over to him, "Yeah, well, the brochure lied. Piano lessons were starting to look pretty good, in fact. But then, the last couple of days happened."
The boy frowned, "Do you have a point?"
"You bet. I saw what you did today, when you saved Raf, when you came to save me."
"I've been raised to be responsible; to my schoolwork, to my mom, my job." Jack explained bitterly, as he placed the wheel back on his bike.
"Dude, hear me out. You're no fry cook. You're a rock star! Stop trying to pretend you're normal, Jack. You'll never fit in. You were born to do so much more." Miko tried to convince him, but...
"Thanks, Miko, but I think 'normal' suits me fine." And with that, he turned his back to her.
Miko frowned getting irritated, she crossed her arms, "So that's it? You're just going to leave Nora high and dry? After we promised? Is she to 'alien' to be your friend?" She growled, making air-quotation marks.
Jack jolted by hearing her name, and turned back, "W-what? No! N-nonono that's not-"
"But hey, that's okay!" Miko scoffed, throwing her hands in front of him, eyes closed looking away, "Wouldn't want her alieness to effect you normal life!" She let out a big humph and stormed back to Bulkhead who opened the passenger door, letting her in, before driving off.
Jack stared off till the truck was out of eye sight, then looking down back at his bike. He gave out a depressed sigh, disappointed in himself.
Miko was slouched in her seat arms crossed, mumbling under her breath. Bulkhead knew that she was upset, so he tried to lighten the mood, "That was really nice of you, and Raf to stay. I know that made Nora very happy," Miko relaxed a little in her seat but was still pissed off with Jack, "Hey, there's no point in trying, everyone's got a choice to decide what they want to do with their life."
"But you guys don't..." She muttered, "You heard what Nora said, it's so unfair for her, to have to fight so much."
"Yeah, I know. But Nora...when she was younger, she so badly wanted join us. She was kinda like you," He remembered the vow she made when she was seven, "I'm going to work really hard, to be the best Autobot the cons have ever seen!"
"She had a strong spirit, still dose to this day." Even after what the cons did to her, He frowned, not wanting to tell Miko that story, "She's very lucky to have friends like you kids."
That got Miko to smile, "Yeah, well, it's pretty cool to have a friend like you and her, Bulk."
Nora's POV
After talking with Arcee, I decided to go see everyone, to let them know I was okay. But as we walked into the bridge, we heard Ratchet call for Dad, "Optimus! These are engineering specs for a space-time vortex generator."
"Megatron is building a space bridge. If he hasn't already." Dad narrowed his optics, not noticing that us. I quickly ran up the railing so I could get a better look at the monitor screens.
"The sooner he leaves the better." Bulkhead remarked, as he and Bumblebee walked in, after taking Miko and Raf home.
"Bulkhead, a space bridge runs in two directions. Megatron may not be using it to leave earth, but to bring through his conquering army." Dad proclaimed.
"The main event Magatron was referring to. But the only place Megatron could possibly recruit that many fallen soldiers is..." Ratchet trailed off as it dawned of him.
My eyes widened, already knowing the answer, "Oh no..." I whispered, clutching my pj shirt over my spark-chamber
Dad finally noticed me, looking even more concerned. "Cybertron..."
TO BE CONTINUED