The techno-organics
Chapter 34
Jasper didn't have any abandoned villas, storage buildings or apartment buildings. That last one was something they all agreed upon. Nothing was found that they could all live in, except an abandoned factory. It was made of a number of large buildings spread over the large property. The info Canary found said it was previously used to produce building materials, mainly made of concrete. It was shut down because of financial issues, and now mainly teens used it as an hideout. A lot of cleaning and renovating was on their hands. They needed to fix it so they would all have access to water, electricity, and AC to handle the dessert heat. They all had also agreed that they wouldn't kill teenagers that trespassed. They all waited until Anastasia had taken her medicines, eaten, washed, put on fresh clothes and applied a fresh layer of make up before telling her and Nikolai about their plan to move. They both protested in a spiral of colorful language in both english and russian. It opened up the discussion anew but the majority still agreed to move.
"Fuck me, this is even worse than the warehouse when we found it!" Nikolai shouted from another room but the echo made it possible for the others outside to hear. It was followed by the sound of glass being crushed, as Nikolai picked up beer bottles that was left behind and hurled them out of the window.
"I'm going to tell the Autobots that we're moving in." Alabaster turned around and was able to fly just a bit off the ground before Freedom grabbed her by the hair and pulled her down and made Alabaster hit the ground.
"You're not going anywhere. You're staying here to clean this place up. Your powers are perfect for this," Freedom purred. Alabaster pouted and fixed her hat and sunglasses.
"Canary." The mute girl knew exactly what Freedom wanted of her and opened a portal above the ground that Flash fell out of and landed on on his face. "Too slow," Freedom humored. Flash groaned in defeat before getting up.
"It was my idea to ask training of them, I should go and make my case. Toni, you'll come with me. If something happens I'll need your silver tongue."
"Is that the best option?" Toni said and put her knuckles under her chin. "Your the daughter of their mortal enemy. Granted, they don't know yet. But what happens when they finally find out?"
"Letting them know is part of the plan. If we keep it secret it'll only make me look like a potential threat once they find out on their own. And I need to apologize for that time I fought against them." She turned to Alabaster and Rock. "You have visited them before, how did you get in?"
"They have an entrance on the roof," Alabaster said
"And one right in front where the road turns. Either way, I think they detect when something gets close."
"I'm not interested in searching for the ground entrance, so it'll be the roof. Besides-" She turned to Toni. "This will be the first time in moths you have flown in day time." Toni smirked excited before taking of her red blazer. On the back of her white shirt was two long openings. Something started to poke out of them. Toni twisted and rolled her shoulders as they got out. Two metallic wings, just like the ones Starscream wore on his back, but these started to move and reveal that they were made out of smaller parts. They stretched and turned into metallic bird wings. She flapped her wings, blowing sand on everybody around her, as she flew straight up into the air. Freedom dusted herself off before she gave of purple light and lifted off the ground. "Fix this place while we're gone," was the last she said before flying away.
"And it was written in the covenant of Primus that when the 47 spheres align, a perpetual conflict will culminate upon a world forged from chaos, and the weak shall perish in the shadow of a rising darkness," Optimus recited as he observed the starmaps on the screens.
"No skies raining fire?" Arcee commented.
"Goes without saying. It is a doom prophecy, after all," Ratched said without looking away from the screens.
"I say it's a load of hooey."
Ratchet turned to Bulkhead. "I'd always assumed the ancients were referring to our home planet, but being that Cybertron has been dark for eons."
"And considering what has befallen this planet since Megatron's arrival here," Optimus added.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Bulkhead interrupted. "We've known about these superstitions for ages and never gave them a second thought."
"Why all the ominous rumblings now?" Arcee asked.
"Because the planetary alignment to which the prophecy refers is nearly upon us."
"And it would seem its end point, is earth." Ratchet showed him earths location on the map. Just a red dot soon to be aligned with several other planets.
"Uh, crazy coincidence. Heh, r-right?" Bulkhead tried to joke, like it was all a coincident, but when no one said anything he quickly doubted.
"How long are we talking?" Arcee stepped forward and lowered her hands from her hips. Standing like a soldier ready for her orders.
"A few days at most," Ratchet said, not bothering to hide the concern in his voice or his face.
"However unsettling this revelation may be, I am more concerned about those who might believe that the prophecy speaks to them alone." It was obvious who he was referring to. After all, Megatron was the one who destroyed their planet and wreaked havoc across space in his quest for power. This was a rare instance where Megatron was so obviously predictable. They were all interrupted by flashing green lights and the mechanical alarm.
"Is it Alabaster again?" Bulkhead asked irritated. After the drama she caused last time he wasn't in the mood to be around her again.
"Doesn't look like it," Ratchet answered as he opened a screen which showed two familiar faces. One of which they had encountered on the battlefield, fighting for the enemy.
"Alabaster did say she rescued Freedom. Just didn't expect her to give us a visit," Arcee said bitterly.
"I'm surprised these two decided to visit us at all," Ratchet added. "So far they have only come to visit their respective 'parent'. These two I suspect is of Decepticon origin."
Optimus was already on his way to get them inside. Alabaster clearly forgot to tell them about the risks of discovery by standing on the roof.
"I know were not supposed to judge them by who they're made from, but I can't help feeling anxious having them here. Canary has enough similarities to Soundwave to deeply disturb me," Arcee confessed.
"Right? It's like letting Decepticons have free range of the base."
"But they are not Decepticons, Bulkhead," Ratchet said in a firm tone. "They're not gonna become our enemies unless we make them our enemies. Keep all your suspicions to yourselves unless it's necessary to share them, and just act friendly."
Arcee's face twisted like she wanted to object, but settled by letting out a frustrated sigh.
"It's just not nearly as cold at day time as it is at night. I have missed not having to worry about frost forming on me," Toni shared satisfied and rolled her shoulders to help her wings settle inside her back.
"Seeing your wings being such a nuisance makes me feel lucky," Freedom said smugly and looked at Toni with her head tilted. Toni shot her an annoyed glance and stopped stretching. She then pressed her lips together and looked up to the side as she got an idea.
"While you were on the nemesis, did you see any Decepticons that looked like me?"
Freedom was about to answer but stopped to recall.
"No, I didn't." Freedom played with a piece of her hair as she thought of explanations. "He could be dead, or we could have just missed each other. The warship was huge."
If it all went well, Toni planned to ask if the Autobots knew. They have been able to name the originals of Decepticon made techno-organics before. They did it with Canary and Valkyrie, maybe if he showed her other form then it would be clearer for them.
They heard the sound of a moving elevator and looked at the landing zone that opened up. Optimus came out on a moving platform.
"I'm happy to see you're safe, Freedom. But I strongly suggest that we don't meet up here, someone can easily spot us."
Toni sighed and rolled her eyes. "We understand, we have similar rules." They walked towards the platform that somehow started to move downwards. "I'm surprised that have both of you here." He turned towards Freedom. "I expected that you would try to recover after your escape."
"Having Rachel helps the recovery."
"What about the mental recovery?"
Freedom's eyes widened somewhat as her heartbeat quickened so fast it stung. She wet her lips before answering as honestly she could.
"That's still a work in progress." Toni patted Freedom on the shoulder but as the platform came to a stop both girls staggered and Toni grabbed Optimus by one of the pipes on his back.
"I hate your elevators," Toni muttered and straightened her jacket as she stepped off.
"I realize you are not the only ones that has that opinion." It was more of a statement than a joke or even a half joke.
"Unfortunately I don't have much information on the Decepticons, but I came because there is something I need to tell you," Freedom said.
Optimus moved his fingers in a quick come here-movement. Freedom leaned forward and lent him her ear.
"Is it that you are Megatron's daughter?"
Freedom felt her heart drop, her mouth went dry and her head was spinning. She took a step backwards and looked up at Optimus, for the first time ever her eyes looked like the ones of a scared doe.
"How do you know?"
"Alabaster unintentionally mentioned a very telling clue. This was right after your capture, I assume she didn't know at the time. Don't be mad at her."
Freedom was quite, she looked at Toni who had her gaze fixed on the Autobot leader and was in the process of taking off her gloves. Freedom did a hand motion behind her back that told Toni that she wasn't in danger. Toni but her gloves back on but still kept her gaze on him. Optimus pretended to not notice that Toni got ready to attack him or their exchange.
"And you are fine with it?"
"You are not Megatron. I don't have any reason to see you as a foe."
"I'm not sure the others will be as rationale."
"They'll be distrustful. I can't tell whatever else might happen, but I'll make sure to keep them from crossing any lines."
Freedom didn't answer and looked away with a face caught between annoyed and stunned.
"Something the matter?"
"No," she answered and faced him again. "It just astounds me that so many figured it out themselves and are completely fine, while the shame of having him as an original has been eating my nerves!"
Optimus smiled gently and walked them inside the base. On the way, Freedom grabbed Toni by her sleeve and whispered angrily into her ear: "You pride yourself in your intelligence. How did you get to to the conclusion of attacking the leader of our only allies?"
"It was just in case," Toni whispered back. "I didn't hope for an excuse to attack him."
"Please behave when we meet the rest. Alabaster told me they're not as welcoming as her father."
"Fine," she said annoyed.
Optimus coughed to get their attention and they took half a step away from each other. They looked past him and saw a glimpse of the other Autobots that were whispering among themselves. Freedom and Toni both took a deep breath before Freedom turned to Optimus and nodded. They all stepped out of the hallway and the Autobots got quite. Toni smirked at them and waved her fingers at them.
"Hi, nice to see you again," Freedom said.
"Certainly nicer then the last time we saw you," Bulkhead said bitterly. Freedom fought not to cringe and simply closed her eyes as she clenched her hands against each other. Once she calmed down, she looked back at them.
"Please understand, I didn't want to help them. They threatened to hurt my sisters," she explained. "I'm really sorry if I hurt anybody. I promise I tried to go easy on you."
"That was going easy? You threw us around like like we weighed nothing," Arcee said.
"Yes," Toni interrupted and counted on her fingers. "Throwing you away instead of burning, cutting, shooting, or simply tear your toothpick thin body to pieces."
"Excuse you," Arcee said offended and stepped forward like she was challenging Toni to continue. This time Freedom cringed and hid her face behind her hands and let out a muffled, "I hate you".
"My point is she could have done much worse to you. Rock told us what happened, what he described is nothing compared to the other things she has done."
"Toni!"
"What? You just said earlier that lies would lead to conflict. So excuse me, me lady,-" Toni bowed and Freedom got flustered when she understood what Toni was insinuating. She was just wondering how Toni had found out Megatron's title. "-But I think this moment calls for the brutal variant."
"No! Just shut up." She turned back to the Autobots. "She's right though. I could have done worse and the fact that none of you left with any lasting damage speaks for itself."
"She is not lying," Ratchet agreed. "I haven't seen her in the field to know the extent of how much damage she can cause, but none of you got any serous injuries during the skirmish."
Freedom shot Ratchet a thankful look before turning back to the group.
"Look, we didn't come here to socialize, we came to tell that we all are now neighbors."
"What?" Bulkhead said as the others watched with widened eyes.
"Please, elaborate," Optimus said just as surprised as the rest. Freedom threw Toni a look and Toni smiled and stepped forward.
"It was my idea. I wouldn't even have thought about it if I didn't think it necessary. You're our only allies, I thought staying close to you would make it safer for us."
"What about our safety?" Arcee said angered. "This whole thing happened because some of you were found. What if they find you again? The chances will then be huge that they find us too."
"The twins were only discovered because they intended it. I promise, they won't repeat it. Evan idiots can learn," Freedom said and rolled her eyes. "Besides, you can help prevent further capture."
Optimus noticed that look on her face as she said it. It was someone with a plan, or at the least a cunning suggestion. "What's on your mind?"
This was the start of opening the Pandora's box, she could see it. Freedom wet her lips and felt her heart speeding up before she spoke again.
"Any one of you have much more fighting experience than any one of us. Despite out powers we keep getting beat up when we are up against the Decepticons." She stopped and looked down to the side. She took a few deep shaky breaths before looking up again. "I ask of you all to train us. We don't have much training or experience fighting cybertronians. Thus we are vulnerable." The Autobots didn't say anything. They looked at each other with surprised expressions like they waited on their leader to answer.
"That's a huge request," Optimus said. "Will you give us some time to think about it?"
Freedom smiled gently and nodded. She started to reconsider if it was a good idea to tell them who original. Right now, so to speak. Maybe when they have gotten on better terms. The training would surely make a good foundation to better the relationship between the techno-organics and the Autobots. Telling them could wait, just for awhile.
"Until then," Optimus moved towards the girls until he stood right in front of them. "You are all welcome to Jasper." They took turns shaking his hands. When he got to Toni she decided to open her mouth again.
"Thanks. It's just sad we had to move to such a boring place. Why does aliens always visit the states? And why couldn't you choose a more entertaining place to live?"
Freedom took a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly. She raised her hand and delivered a swift slap to the back of Toni's head. "I brought you because of your silver tongue, not you sharp one."
Toni straightened herself before raising her finger in a scolding manner and grinned smugly. Annoyance clear in her eyes. "You said, if something happened. I presume you meant, if something bad happened. And nothing happened."
"Smartass," Freedom muttered.
"Me lady," Toni said in a deeper voice and bowed in a comical way. Freedom turned her head towards Toni, the fast motion caused her hair to fly. She felt her eyes heat up and blinked several times before they could change into their red hue. Before Freedom said any smart reply, someone started to laugh. They both turned towards the sound and saw it was Bulkhead who covered his mouth upon discovery.
"I'm sorry," he said as his shoulders kept shaking from the remaining laughter. "It's just funny the way you're bickering."
That seemed to break the girls out of the cycle they often found themselves in. Toni straightened her collar before stepping back and facing the Autobots. "Thank you all for letting us take up your time, but I thinks it's fitting for me and Freedom to leave." Toni reached into her pocket and took out a piece of paper and a pen that she used to write something on. She walked towards Ratchet and handed the note to him.
"It's only fair that you also know how to contact us, and where to find us. I guess you're the one in charge of communication."
Ratchet took a moment to look at the hand she used to hand him the note. She did her best to hide her prosthetic with her clothing, but he had seen the extendable claws she had used to hang onto the walls. It was funny really, how similar Toni and Starscream was and yet how different. 'But she's not Starscream nor a Decepticon,' Ratchet reminded herself and accepted the note.
"Thanks," Ratchet began. "Do you take any precautions to avoid discovery? Protocols that you follow, firewalls, any type of cloaking technology?"
The girls didn't expect to be asked that question and took a few seconds to answer.
"Well, we have a rule against letting outsiders know about where we live," Toni said before turning to Freedom. "We don't get into fights unless necessary or fly during the day, or at all, in some cases. In terms of technological precautions, Canary is in charge of that."
Ratchet twirled with the note and muttered, "I expected as much". Now that they lived close by it was extra important that they remained hidden. If the Decepticons found their base, the Autobots would almost inevitably be discovered too.
"If you would let me, I could install devices to shield your new base, and give all of you encrypted communicators. It will make it harder for the Decepticons to find you."
"That would be great," Freedom said surprised yet grateful for the offer. "We live in the old factory outside of Jasper." Arcee immediately recognized it as the place Mech and Arachnid almost killed her and June. June! Why didn't anybody think about it before. She was a parent, she must know how to deal with children (and how to be a parent).
"Give me some time to make the devices. I'll help you install them."
"Send us a warning before you come," Freedom began. "We're right now in the process of cleaning it up."
"By the way." Toni turned to the Autobots. "If you hear about any building being abandoned, please tell us. That place wasn't exactly our first choice." Freedom placed her hand against the side of her face and made a irritated growl.
"We are ready to leave," she said before turning to Ratchet. "Is it alright to use your groundbridge to get home."
"I would insist upon it." Ratchet walked over to the controls and swiftly typed in the coordinates. The bright blue, green and white lights of the groundbridge came to life as he pulled the lever. Toni and Freedom, who was used to Canary's dark and silent portals, squeezed their eyes at the sudden light and flinched at the noise. Freedom felt the weight of a big hand on her shoulder and looked up to see Optimus with a serious yet gentle expression. She understood without having it verbalized.
"Thank you for being so understanding." She couldn't let them know right now. The relationship between the Autobots and the techno-organics was too fragile right now. None of them were stupid, they would all find out or figure it out in time. But hopefully Freedom would have gained their trust by then, and they would go easier on her and the others. Whatever the others reactions, she was glad Optimus had her back. Optimus and Megatron were the respective leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons. They were enemies and Optimus probably had more reason than anybody to hate Megatron. Yet he was accepting and understanding without directing any malice towards her. Showed no signs of holding any suspicions against her trustworthiness.
Freedom turned towards Toni, grabbed her by her tie and dragged her towards the groundbridge. Toni managed to slap Freedom's hand away before correcting her tie. The taller girl turned around and waved the Autobots goodbye before disappearing trough the groundbridge.
"Is it really a good idea to have them live so close to us?" Bumblebee asked. Ratchet closed his eyes tightly for a moment and groaned, not because of annoyance, but because he tried to see past the stress and look at it objectively.
"If they were found here it would give the Decepticons a huge advantage. But," Ratchet thought. "They have managed to remain hidden so far without any incidents. The Decepticons have actually only managed to locate them once, and the twins did it on purpose." Ratchet was a bit ashamed to think like this, but he truly believed they had all been made to fight cybertronians, and to keep them fighting on their side would give them the manpower they have been lacking since they all arrived on earth. He had no intentions of manipulating them, it was just a thought, a wish; then they wouldn't be in such a disadvantage.
"But that was before the any of us understood what they were." Arcee stepped forwards. "Before they made the cons their enemies, before a handful of them was captured and probably studied and interrogated. Who knows what they know now? Maybe enough to track them."
"I can easily put something together. Shielding their base is the easiest problem."
"And," Optimus added. "If the Decepticons had any knowledge about the location of our base, then we would have been attacked long ago."
"But if they fight the cons again, wouldn't it be better for them and us if they knew how to fight?" Bulkhead said. "Their powers are already enough to scrap us all. Wouldn't teaching them to fend for themselves make it easier for us?" He was half right. They were powerful, but that meant nothing when encountering those with more skill, experience and could use strategy.
"You are right, Bulkhead," Optimus said. "But what concerns me is how difficult it will be. They have all gone trough so much pain at the hands of their former trainers. It is understandable why they have shown to have issues with authority."
"And the fact remains that we have no idea how to handle them."
Arcee shifted the weight between her legs and rubbed her arm as she considered the idea she had earlier.
"Optimus, I have a suggestion," she said trying not to get awkward. She continued when Optimus told her to.
"To help us in that area, we might consult someone who has experience with children."
"Are you talking about June?" Bulkhead said unsure of the idea. Ratchet shrugged and turned to Optimus.
"It's actually a really good idea. We can ask Jack to explain the situation to her."
"I agree," Optimus nodded. "But we still haven't touched upon their suggestion." The other Autobots was quite for a moment as they returned to the more uncomfortable topic. That would mean having them here more often, interact with them more. They have all tried to avoid the techno-organics unless necessary, and the topic was so disturbing they barely talked about the situation they have found themselves in. Agreeing to the proposal would force them all to get to terms with the ordeal.
"Them being here puts us in a more dangerous situation," Bumblebee began. "But if they knew how to fight, wouldn't that serve as some sort of security blanket? Then we wouldn't worry about anymore of them getting captured, and they could easily defend themselves." And with the prophecy nearing its event, having the hybrids not only on their side but also making them competent fighters, would make it safer for all of them.
Arcee looked away as she collected her words and put her hand on her hip before turning to Bumblebee.
"That much is obvious, but do we have the time and resources to do so?"
"If were able to make time to the human children, then I think we can make time for the techno-organics," Optimus said, effectively shutting down that argument.
"And," Ratchet added. "Practical teaching is the best kind. Bringing one or two at a time would certainly do both parties good. Alabaster proved most useful, and she survived fighting Megatron. Dividing them into smaller groups would also make it easier for us to teach them when they're here."
Bulkhead tensed, widened his eyes and slightly opened his mouth. "Wait, are we actually doing this?"
"Seems like we are," Arcee answered.
Jack looked over the schoolyard until he spotted Raph sitting by himself, typing on his computer with one of his books laying open beside him. He only looked away from the computer to look at the book and was thus surprised when Jack spoke from the other side of the table.
"Taking your education seriously is understandable, but there must be a line where it becomes too much." Raphael sighed and massaged his forehead before answering. "I have been sloppy with schoolwork ever since we met the Autobots. I'm starting to slip in some classes and my mom is furious."
"That happened to me too. I fell asleep during art history class once." Jack was about to unpack his lunch when he heard rock music coming from his phone. He raised his eyebrows when he saw Arcee's name on the screen before accepting the call and putting it against his ear.
"Hey, Arcee."
"Hi Jack," she began but stopped like she was choosing her next words."I need a favor of you."
Jack got a confused expression before answering. "What can I possibly do for you?" Jack heard a sigh at the other end.
"The techno-organics have moved to Jasper," Arcee said.
"Are you serious?"
"What is the matter?" Raph asked. Jack looked around before repeating Arcee's words.
"Where do they live."
"The factory Mech used as base a few months ago."
A chill danced across Jack's spine as he remembered that night. Coming home to what was basically a ransom note, being surrounded with soldier bigger then him, Arcee getting hurt. And Arachnid. Making him run across the grounds, searching for his mother, failing and then being so close to seeing Arachnid gut the only family he had left.
"What is it you want?" It came out harsher then he intended. Another sigh on the other end.
"This is going to be a bit uncomfortable, but I wonder if you can tell June about the whole situation with the techno-organics."
Jack removed the phone from his ear and looked at it like it had grown legs.
"What? Why would you want that? Wait, "we"? Is this something you have all agreed upon?"
"Look, we wouldn't do this if we didn't find it necessary," her voice got that familiar stern tone she used on the humans or Bumblebee when they were being difficult. "The techno-organics is going to spend a lot more time with us and we have so far been fumbling in the dark when it comes to interacting with them. Your mom is the only parent we know. We thought she could teach us how to deal with children since..." Jack could almost see Arcee cringe before she finished the sentence. "Since some of them are also, technically, our children." Jack was quiet as he thought about the proposal before Arcee started to talk again in a more vulnerable voice.
"I feel bad for being so cold to Flash. He hadn't done anything wrong yet I treated him like he had. I-I just don't know how to handle the whole situation."
The sudden honesty surprised Jack, he pressed his lips into a thin line as he reconsidered.
"I'll do it. I can't guarantee though that she'll be in on it." He took a deep breath before continuing. "But I'll be the one to give you your first lesson. Something that happens a lot, and has happened between me and my mom too, is that parents thinks they know everything and underestimate their children. We are often treated like incompetent idiots, but we know more then people realize. The problem is that no one takes the time to listen to us."
It was silence on the other end, like she was processing the advice. "Thanks," she said almost relived. "That's a great advice."
"Take care, Arcee."
"And also, don't tell Miko were they live."
"Smart, very smart."
When Freedom and Toni arrived back at their new home, they were pleasantly surprised to see it in a much better condition. Well, as good it could get at that point. The inside was clean, no sand or garbage. But still enough to fly into their faces when Flash ran up to them and brought a gush of sandy wind right onto them. Toni and Freedom both shook the sand out of their hair and rubbed it from their faces.
"Sorry," he said before ticking. "How did they react?" One could see that Flash got a worried expression despite the reflective visors that hid almost half his face. Freedom gave off a short sigh.
"I didn't tell them, but Optimus figured it out himself. I just think it's better to tell them when we have a better relationship."
Flash experience an odd mixture of relief and disappointment. Before he continued, he took a moment to fascinate over how two conflicting emotions could mix.
"There is really no way to know," he groaned and placed a finger next to his visors. "Having to wait and see is nauseating." Freedom nodded with a heavy look. She turned to Toni who mirrored her expression before turning to Flash.
"Any signs of Valkyrie?"
Flash was quite. It was hard to see where he was looking. If his eyes was looking into Freedom's, to the side, or cast to the ground. Toni put her hand on her chest as she suddenly felt it ache. Freedom's eyes glossed over before she shook her head and asked a new question.
"How does the place look so far?"
"It's getting there. It's just a bit disappointing. I looked forward to know how it is to sleep in a building that's meant to have people living in it."
"We could have-" Toni stopped and took a few breaths. "Decorated it like they do in commercials, or in some show."
"There is at least enough rooms for all of us," Flash said. "Nikolai is in a better mood though."
"Why wouldn't he?"
"We found lots of equipment that was left behind. He's already taking it all apart."
Freedom got an offended look and put one hand on her hip. "Is he done with everything else? Fixing the AC, the power and installing all our equipment."
Flash took a fraction of a second to think before he sped inside, looked around and then came back outside.
"Nope." Flash pronounced the P with a popping sound, and smiled like a sibling waiting to see their mother yell at one of their siblings.
"Where is..."
"Second floor, third door to the left." As Freedom walked past him towards the big open doors, Flash lifted his glasses and expected Toni to meet him with a matching grin. Their theory was that Toni's facial muscles was differently built then from a normal human or any other surviving techno-organic. Whatever the case, Toni could twist her face into a disturbingly wide smile that would have had any other persons cheeks torn apart.
"Ew, you're doing it again." Toni grunted annoyed and massaged her cheeks. "Don't you feel anything? The corners of your mouth are up to your cheek bones."
"No, I don't."
"What did we do to be punished in such a manner?"
"Whit kind of fucking statement is that? This is my burden to deal wae not any of yours." Toni leaned slightly backwards and opened her arms like a offended bird when Flash started to giggle.
"I'm sorry, I just love the way you talk. Our creators made the right choice when teaching you Scottish."
Toni poked Flash hard in the side which made him flinch. "Exactly, you love my accent. The only good thing with yours is that no one here will think you are oot o town."
"Do you want to keep fighting? Because then we'll miss Freedom yelling at Nikolai."
Toni smiled cheekily, not nearly as wide as before and patted Flash on the back.
"That's way more fun then teasing you," Toni said. Flash screamed when Toni grabbed him by his belt, extended her wings and flew to an open window on the second floor. Although they tried to hide it, things weren't as they were before. They were in more danger then ever before and too many of them had suffered in some way already. It would have probably never happened if Alabaster hadn't decided to search after her original. It would have been better if the techno-organics and the cybertronians never met. If the Autobots and Decepticons never learned about their existence. Valkyrie was still missing, she might be dead, none of them knew. They just kept waiting until Canary's scanners would detect her signal, that Valkyrie would suddenly show up covered in wounds. Or they would somehow find out that she was dead and there was so much and yet nothing they could have done to stop. No matter how happy they were to see Nikolai and Anastasia joined at the hip again, bickering with Freedom again. The fact was that might have lost another one.