Telling Ratchet was the right choice. His problems weren't getting any better since he met the bots. As time went on it was getting worse. He needed help that not his mom, Raf, or Miko could provide. He was honestly happy that he found a clue to help himself survive.

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a gum tin. He popped a piece in his mouth and started to chew. The taste was slightly sweet but unlike any fruit. He enjoyed the taste though it was different.

Thinking back to when he told Ratchet, he smiled thinking of all the possibilities of what was happening to him. Finally he was closer to getting fixed and becoming normal.


-A few weeks ago-

The large medical bot had been pacing and spewing curses for the past hour now. He was so lost in his thoughts Jack could have sworn he was forgotten.

During the whole hour, Jack has gotten comfy on the couch facing the TV. He made himself a bowl of cereal. Said cereal was barely touched in the whole hour. Jack just looked at it while thinking how his life got messed up. He never asked for this. He wished for many years he was normal, but he wasn't. He hasn't been since he was 10. Now, Ratchet was the only other living creature that knew, besides his mom.

Groaning, he thought of how his mom would kill him for telling someone else. She knew it was hard for him to control it but he needed help. Setting the bowl down he placed a heaping spoonful in his mouth and swallowed. Grabbing his stomach he knew he would regret that but too bad. It was better to have a stomach ache than die.

Recovered, Jack faced the flustered and confused bot. Smiling Jack watched as Ratchet rubbed between his eyes, where a nose would be on a human, with each pace. 'Guess they are picking up human habits.' Jack realized. Walking to the railing he banged his fist against it causing a loud bang to fill the room. This caused the large bot to look over at him. Jack gulped as Ratchet's gruff stare was directed at him again.

"Are you going to tell me what's happening to me or not?" Jack said, hoping he knew anything.

As if the bot could read Jackson's hopes his faceplates softened at the question. "I don't know Jack. All the scans I have done since you children have come here have noticed nothing unusual. Even when I did a scan when you were like... You know, it came back as fully normal... Human." Ratchet said while walking to his monitor.

"I don't know, I just don't. I can see what's happening but... I just don't" the bot groaned while rubbing his closed optics. His entire position changed. He had an aura of a tired and defeated old bot and Jack didn't like that.

Walking over to the area Ratchet sulked, Jack picked up a tool from Rafs toolbox. 'This may be stupid but I hope it works.' Jack hoped while still getting closer to the medic.

Heaving his arm back he aimed and threw. The screw-drive flew through the air and made a metallic ping against Ratchet's plating. The docs' optics flickered to him fast with annoyance plastered across his faceplates.

"I don't care if it takes months, years, or even longer. I have been dealing with this for 6 years now. 6 years of fear and confusion. My mom moved us every time that something happened so I wouldn't be taken away. When I was younger it happened less than twice a year but over time it's been worse. This year in particular. It happens almost every day. It happens so often I have learned to control some of it." Jack ranted at the bot. He had enough of feeling his life sucked because of this, this thing. He just wanted any clue. His mother wasn't talking so Ratchet was his last hope.

Ratchet was currently gaping at him trying to wrap his processor around all the information.

"I may not know what's happening or what you are but I think I can solve one problem for you." Ratchet said leaving the common room. Not even a minute later he came back carrying a cube of Energon. Turning his metal back to Jack he started to work on something. Jack spaced out while the bot worked. He didn't have the energy to focus on Ratchet and him being mysterious right now. Looking back at the bowl of cereal he started an inner debate of whether he should eat more.

"Here, drink this, it will help."

A large servo appeared in his view, blocking the bowl from his sight. He looked at the metal bowl full of bright blue Energon that Ratchet was offering him. Being so tired Jack simply took to bowl, sniffed the Energon, and was surprised with the semi-sweet scent greeting him. The smell made his mouth water. 'Dam, it's been a while since something has smelled edible' he thought, excitement rushed through him.

Without wasting time, he drank his fill. Ratchet just smiled as he scanned Jack's body.

When he was done he returned Ratchet's smile. "Well, one problem solved and a hundred yet to answer." Jack sighed offering the bowl back, "Do you think I can have more?"


After that day he had to beg Ratchet to keep it secret. Ratchet wanted to tell everyone, but Jack didn't want to distract them. They already have a war to fight, they didn't need Jack and his endless questions.

They had come to an impasse, where if Ratchet figures out what's happening with him, he's telling the others. Jack couldn't argue with him since he was helping.

Closing the tin, he looked at his arm. Concentrating he saw a bright blue glow appear on his forearm. It was the same color as Energon. The glow slowly softened as he stopped focusing. 'At least I can control it as long as I have Energon, though having the powers of a nightlight is still lame.'

Kicking the dirt and grass, he looked at the forest that he and Arcee were scouting. The fog was blocking sight far off and the damp air brought chills to his skin.

"Strange, I don't normally feel the cold anymore." He whispered as he expected his goosebumps.

"Did you say something, Jack?" Arcee called as she stopped far ahead.

"No, just noticing the weather." He said, gesturing to the fog ahead of them.

"Well stop admiring the fog, we have a mission to do." She called back while continuing. She couldn't see him shaking his head, 'I have a bad feeling about this.' He grumbled. They simply continued into the fog.