I do not own Transformers Prime or Harry Potter.
*Warning* The chapter does contain some amount of M-rated material.
(Chapter 8)
Optimus turned in his bed and growled. How had he allowed himself to sleep in something so unbearable? Jacqueline's bed was unimaginably comfortable. He slowly opened his eyes and gripped the sheets. When Jacqueline hugged him last night, he hadn't been able to sleep. His spark was burning like a wildfire, and his body temperature was through the roof. Lifting his arm, Optimus rested his forearm against his head and panted, "Primus, give me strength to abstain from these urges." He only got one dream last night, and it made his spark burn with passion.
In his dream, Jacqueline was in his bed, trapped between Ratchet and him as they interfaced with this gentle spark. Optimus trembled as goosebumps traveled across his exposed body. His clothing had long since been discarded. "Jacqueline would never approve of such a relationship. I… must respect their customs." For Cybertronians, sharing a sparkmate was not frowned upon as it was for humans. Optimus trembled at the thought of him and his oldest friend sharing a sparkmate. The Prime sat up and panted as steam unnaturally escaped his mouth. 'I will have to speak with the others about Miss Darby.' He wasn't blind. Optimus could tell by how his fellow Autobots were acting. They saw Jacqueline as a potential sparkmate. The nature of a Cybertronian's spark was confusing, as it knew who it wanted for a sparkmate before a bot could mentally accept it. Optimus himself had seen mechs spend cycles chasing after certain femmes, and they'd end up merging their spark with a femme they'd just met. This was the odd nature of a spark that humans did not fully understand. Despite his species' advanced technology, the concept of love still confused many Cybertronians.
Optimus, in his youth, had been so desperate to find a sparkmate he'd thought he could force something between him and Elita-One, but his spark never acted this way. Now all his years of repressed urges were starting to break free, "I'll need to speak with the others about our heat cycle." It was only a few months away.
After Optimus got dressed, he stepped out of his chambers and saw Ratchet walking down the hall. However, something was clearly off with his oldest friend. Ratchet was obviously heading back to his room as he'd only gotten up for a cube of energon. His hair was a tangled mess, and he only wore a pair of sweatpants. He hadn't received an ounce of sleep, and his mind was plagued with spark-numbing images of a certain witch buried into his chest. "Fra~ja~no recharge." He mumbled. Ratchet's core body temperature had reached dangerous levels. The Autobot medic stepped in a small puddle of water that had been leaking from a pipe, and it instantly converted to steam. Ratchet was in such a rut he was almost tempted to administer a powerful sedative on himself. He had plenty to choose from within his makeshift lab.
"Ratchet," The sound of Optimus' voice made him look back to see his oldest friend, "You are generating an unprecedented amount of energy." He could tell when Ratchet's barefoot cause an entire puddle of water to convert to steam
Ratchet grumbled under his breath as his cheeks turned red. He was someone ashamed to admit what he'd been fantasizing about. "I'm fine." Ratchet lashed out at Optimus. He quickly remembered who he was talking to, "Sorry, Optimus. I am fully functional." His spark was pounding in his chest, 'My processor is fragmented. It must be. I shouldn't have these thoughts!' Ratchet had never been a mech to have erotic fantasies about a femme; he'd always had his nose pressed against a medical holopad. 'Perhaps I've been around that dark energon for too long.' It was in the control room, kept within a small glass jar. It was a minuscule amount of dark energon, but its fumes made Ratchet light-headed… but in an oddly good way. Ratchet shivered in disgust at the idea of consuming dark energon. Who knows what would happen to him.
Optimus looked unconvinced, "I've known you a long time, old friend. You've never left your quarters without being dressed properly."
Ratchet sighed, "My processor is a bit jumbled, but I am fine. I've probably been around that dark energon for too long." Even though it was concealed in an airtight container, its fumes could still pass through the glass after a while.
Optimus nodded, "It would be best if you limited your exposure to the dark energon." He made it his goal to steer far away from it. His mind was still plagued with the energon's intoxicating smell. 'If Megatron has obtained dark energon, then we must be diligent when harvesting from energon mines.' He had no doubt Megatron would attempt to pollute the energon crystals they usually harvested with trace amounts of dark energon.
(Nemesis)
Megatron ground his teeth as he laid in his bed. "What has that human done to me!?" He snarled as his entire body reached scorching levels and his eyes turned purple. Megatron held great pride in his ability to never forget a face, but it felt as if it were a curse. 'How has Soundwave not located this human yet?' If she escaped with the Autobots, it would obviously stand to reason that she would lead them right to their enemy. However, Soundwave had run through countless human data banks, trying to match the description that Megatron provided him. Every photo Soundwave showed him made him sneer. These other human females weren't as attractive as the one he caught lurking in his chambers.
'This human is not attractive.' Megatron told himself. 'How is it that a tiny human was able to make me go into stasis lock?' He'd explained the encounter to Knockout, the ship's doctor, but the medic obviously doubted his claims. At least that was until he threatened to rip his head from his body. "How dare Knockout consider me a liar. He should be grateful I did not rip his spark from his chest." To make matters worse, Starscream's groveling made him sick.
Megatron sat up and panted as he broke out into a cold sweat. The dark energon pumping through his body granted him unnatural strength, even for a Cybertronain who was already strong. But Megatron was unprepared for this unfathomable lust that made recharging unbearable, and it was that human's fault! That unfathomably beautiful femme. Megatron was never a mech to be ensared by a femme's appearance. He'd had countless femme attempt to charm him when he fought in the Pits of Kaon. But this human… primus, he'd never come across such an utterly breathtaking femme in all his cycles. "How can a human make the femme from Iacon look like scraplet remains?"
Closing his eyes, Megatron fell back into his enormous bed and panted as he fought the urge to grab his aching cock. He licked his lips and recalled all the perverted threats he made to the human. He regrets not following through and seizing the opportunity. He desired to see that femme ride his spike as she clawed his scarred chest. Megatron ran a hand down his bare chest and gave a dark chuckle. Dark energon was coursing through him, "I never forget a face, human. I'll find you and get my answers soon enough." When she froze him, it caused his spark to go numb. He knew the sign… he'd read countless holopads on sparkmates while fighting in the pits. He held a hand over his spark and sneered, "A human for my sparkmate. Hehe~" His red eyes turned purple, "And to think I would never live to see the day my spark would choose a mate." His spark wanted this human he'd only seen for a minute. And he intended to find her. What came after would be up for debate.
Megatron fell back into recharge, but his body still expelled a dangerous amount of heat.
Across the hall, Breakdown was in the private quarters that he shared with Knockout. At the very least, he didn't have to sleep in the barracks with the other Decepticons. In his hand, Breakdown was fiddling with the giant hammer he wielded in battle. "I'm gonna rip Starscream's head off one of these days." He was still furious about Starscream's claim that he was too dumb to ever find a sparkmate. "I'll show him who's dumb." Nothing filled Breakdown with more satisfaction than when he'd beaten Starscream to a pulp. Breakdown didn't know who he'd have for a sparkmate, or if he'd ever find one, but he'd always prayed to Primus in his mind about the ideal femme for him. There was a misbelief that he had feelings for Arachnid, but he couldn't stand that femme. All he said was that she was strange with the whole spider apparel.
Breakdown's ideal image of a femme was preferably one that was smaller than him, by a notable difference. And… that she wasn't a bitch. Despite his constant saying to never run from a fight, he didn't want a sparkmate that was like him. He just wanted a femme he could be gentle with in private. Breakdown would never confess. He knew the other Decepticons would laugh at him. Past his gruff exterior and battle-hardened personality, he just wanted a gentle femme. Breakdown smirked as he thought about getting a sparkmate, 'I also hope she's fragging great at interfacing. Hehe~I'll make my sparkmate see stars when I'm done with her.'
(Autobot Outpost Omega One)
Jacqueline sat on the green couch with Miko and Raf. They'd spent the last three hours answering all the Autobot's questions about magic. And they had quite a lot. To the side of her Raf was smiling as he played with the snow that Optimus had gotten him. Optimus swore he'd give Rafael a snowball and he held was proud to see the sparklings excited reaction. Miko enchanted the snow so it wouldn't melt. Across from Miko, Bulkhead was holding an enchanted newspaper Jacqueline had brought to the base, "Uhhh~So do you all really fly on brooms?" The pictures and writing in the paper moved, leaving him bewildered.
Miko nodded, "Ya, it's a lot of fun! Man, I wish we could show you guys quidditch. But I don't have my broom. I left it at my parents' place in Japan, and I'm never going back there."
Arcee grabbed a broom that was propped against the wall, "Will this do?" Miko stared at him before she burst out laughing. "What? Why are you laughing?"
Jacqueline elbowed Miko, "Ignore her. Broomsticks, the type we use for flying, are specially made, that is just a regular broom without any magic. It would be like carving a gun out of cheese and then saying it was an actual gun."
Arcee looked at the broom in his hands and felt embarrassed. "Right… got it." Magic was utterly confusing to him, but at the same time, he was curious about it.
Miko stopped laughing and jumped up, "I got a great idea. Why don't they come with us to Hodag Alley? We're still going tonight, right?"
"What's Hodag Alley?" Bulkhead asked.
Jacqueline looked at Bulkhead, "It's a wizard alley that is concealed by magic. Wizards in certain areas congregate to form wizard communities. Hodag Alley is a wizard marketplace. We were going to go take Raf to the alley since they're holding a circus."
"What's so fun about a circus?" Ratchet asked.
"Have you ever been to a circus with actual magic involved?" Ratchet closed his mouth and thought about Jacqueline's question. That did sound interesting. "You guys can come if you want. It would actually be a great way for you to see wizard life up close. It's like stepping onto a different planet. Wizards are completely different from the people you see walking on the sidewalk."
The Autobots looked at Optimus, waiting to hear if he'd allow it. Optimus crossed his arms, "Normally, I would attempt to limit our interaction with humans, but I see no harm in accompanying you." He was just as curious as the other bots.
Raf was practically jumping, "This is going to be awesome. Hey, Bee, maybe you can be there when I pick up my wand." Ilvermorny sent it to the wand shop in Hodag alley, so they needed to pick it up.
Bumblebee gave a thumbs up, "Sure!" He rubbed the back of his head, "If wand shops exist. Why didn't you just buy a new wand?" Bumblebee had some human money saved away. Had he known Raf needed something so essential to cast magic, he would've gone out of his way to buy Raf a new wand.
Miko shook her head, "Probably not a good idea, Buddy." Miko was relieved to finally be able to understand what Bumblebee was saying, "You really only get one wand. You lose it or break it… hmmm… that won't be pretty. You'll never find a wand as good as your first."
Jacqueline cleared her throat, "What Miko means to say is, wands choose the wizard. If you lose your wand, then finding another to accept you is nearly impossible."
"The wand chooses the wizard?" Ratchet repeated, "You mean to say that your wands are living beings?"
Jacqueline bit her lip and attempted to formulate a response, "They're alive, yes. But not like you and me. They're quasi-sentient. All wands are unique to each wizard. Its length, core, and the wood type it's made from all dictate how the wand casts certain spells. It's fit to who you are as a person. Miko's wand is made of dogwood, so it's really good at casting magic, particularly dealing with entertainment spells."
Miko smirked, "Ya… my folks were pretty upset when I got my wand. They tried to blame the wandmaker for cursing me with a bad wand. They demanded I get a cherry wood wand. But I love my wand." She lifted it up and flourished it. Confetti shot out and took the form of a monkey dancing.
Arcee took a seat close to Jacqueline, "What about you?"
"Me?" Jacqueline asked. She reached into her sleeve and pulled her wand out. "Mine is made of elm and unicorn hair for the core."
Miko whistled, "Unicorn hair? You hardly hear wands having that type of core nowadays."
Arcee raised a brow, "Why's that?" He knew what a unicorn was but hadn't believed they existed.
Jacqueline looked back, "Unicorn hair is hard to come by. Just finding a unicorn is rare, even for wizards. Even if you did find one, you'd have to coax it into allowing it to give you some of its hair. And if you're not a virgin, don't even bother."
The Autobots were confused by her last sentence as they looked at one another. Arcee shifted, "What do you mean if you're not a virgin?"
"Unicorns are pure creatures. If you're not a virgin, they won't approach you. They'd most likely run away. Or worse, stab you in the face with their horn."
Bulkhead winced at the idea, "Really? I guess Wheeljack would probably be trampled." His friend had interface with a few femme during his travels, but he'd never taken a sparkmate.
Ratchet interrupted Bulkhead, "How would a unicorn even know someone is a virgin? Especially with a mech?"
"They can smell it." Jacqueline said, "I touched a unicorn once." She had a massive smile as she recalled that wonderful day, "They are magnificent creatures. They make the freshest snow look like dirt." Jacqueline didn't see the Autobots seize up. If she was able to approach a unicorn… then that meant…
Miko gave a coy smile, "Ya. Sucks to think you're shitty ex-boyfriend almost ruined that."
Jacqueline rolled her eyes, "Miko, language." She motioned her head to Raf, "Also, I don't wanna talk about him."
Arcee shifted uncomfortably, and he bent forwards as his cock throbbed, 'I didn't think about that. Frag… she's really a virgin?' The buff Autobot cleared his throat, "What's wrong with your ex-boyfriend?" He knew he shouldn't ask, but he needed to know.
Jacqueline looked uncomfortable, but Miko jumped the gun, "You mean besides giving Jacqueline here amortentia against her will, nothing. He's a really quality wizard." She said sarcastically. Miko glanced at Bulkhead and wanted to see his reaction.
"Amor~what~ia?" Bulkhead asked as he tilted his head, "You've said that word before."
Jacqueline covered her face, "Miko, please stop talking. I'd rather not talk about this in front of all of them." It was demoralizing.
Miko disregarded Jacqueline's plea, "Amortentia is like the king of love potions. It's super powerful, and any other type of love potion is junk in comparison." she slung her arm over Jacqueline, "Her 'boyfriend' was giving it to her for a whole month. Isn't that right, Jacqueline?" Miko glanced at Bulkhead and nearly toppled over laughing. The giant wrecker looked livid. He clearly wanted to murder this wizard. What she didn't expect was for the other Autobots to have the same reaction. Optimus was a master at keeping his face devoid of emotion, but nothing could stop him from sneering in anger. They understood how love potions worked, at least according to human literature.
Jacqueline lowered her hand, and her face was flushed with embarrassment, "Thanks, Miko."
Arcee's hand crushed the arm of the couch, "He forced you to take a love potion? What was it like?" The thought of some vile wizard kissing her against her will made him furious. He prayed that all this wizard did was kiss her... otherwise, he might start shouting and demand to know where this human is at.
Jacqueline shrugged, "I don't really remember. I just remember waking up in the hospital wing and was told an entire month had passed. I mean~I do retain some things, but it's still a little fussy. I just recall feeling utterly obsessed with him, even though I didn't actually feel that way about him and a lot of kissing." She shivered in disgust, "I'm just grateful my potions professor caught him. Who knows where I'd be if he was still giving me amortentia." It was a scary thought she didn't want to think about.
Bumblebee trembled as his energon boiled. He wanted to find this wizard and snap his neck. While love potions didn't exist on Cybertron, he could tell it would quickly be frowned upon. A mech has no right to force a femme to like them against their will. If a femme did not genuinely love you, then it meant nothing to a mech.
Bulkhead had a murderous glare plastered on his face, "Remind me, if I ever meet this guy, to show him what we wreckers do to sleazy creeps."
Arcee shared Bulkhead's anger, "Count me in too." Despite his own fantasies of having this femme, he'd never touch her sexually against her will. Even Unicron had more respect for femmes, Cybertronian or not.
"At least tell me this boy received some form of punishment," Ratchet asked. He was breathing heavily and attempted to keep his rage under check.
"He was expelled from Hogwarts, if that's what you're wondering," Jacqueline responded.
"Why in the name of Primus would your species ever create something as sadistic as a love potion?" Ratchet asked with a sneer.
The three humans were surprised to see how angry the Autobots were getting. "Dude, take a chill pill," Miko said. "Not all love potions are bad."
Jacqueline regretfully nodded, "I hate to agree, but Miko is kinda right. Love potions aren't illegal. If anything, couples use love potions all the time. If you're already in love with someone, a love potion just makes it that more enchanting between two people… or… so I've heard." She blushed while saying this.
Miko glanced around and laughed at the embarrassed look on the Autobots' faces. They hadn't thought of using a love potion in such away. She got the most joy out of seeing Bulkhead's lost gaze. 'He totally has it hard for her.' She was going to tease Bulkhead to the grave.
Before things could get worse for Jacqueline, the green sensors went off around the room. Ratchet walked towards the computer. "Optimus, I'm receiving a signal on a restricted band. It appears to be coming from a starship within Earth's orbit." Fiddling with the controls, they saw a marker appear on the screen. "It's an Autobot identification beacon."
"There are other Autobots out there?" Jacqueline hit her head and realized she'd asked that stupid question aloud.
Arcee stood beside her, "The masses scattered to the galaxy when Cybertron finally went dark. But cons have been known to bait traps with false beacons." He was always skeptical about distress signals.
Optimus approached the consol, "Unknown vessel, this is Autobot Outpost Omega One. Identify yourself."
There was a bit of static, and through it all, Jacqueline could swear she heard two people arguing. "I've had warmer welcomes from Decepticon combat brigades." The man from the other end said.
Bulkhead jumped forward, "Wheeljack!? You old con crusher!" He pushed himself between Optimus and Ratchet, "What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Bulkhead, that you? What's with all the security?" Wheeljack asked. In the background, they could hear another voice, "Ya~I was gonna get to that, sir. My ship, my rules, you don't like it, there's the airlock."
Bulkhead frowned, "Everything alright, Jackie? Who's with ya?"
"Wheeljack?" Optimus said the name, "I know of him by reputation only." He was known to be quite a proficient wrecker. The Autobots heard more arguing on the other end of the call.
"Fine! You talk to him. I should've just left you on that fragging planet." Wheeljack grumbled. "A fragging bolt in my aft."
"Optimus Prime," Another voice appeared from the other end. Everyone in the room, besides Optimus and the humans, groaned. Even Ratchet looked irritated, "This is Ultra Magnus. We're requesting landing coordinates. Our energon reserves are reaching critical levels."
Optimus looked at the monitor, "Ultra Magnus, we will provide grounding coordinates momentarily." Switching off the comm-link, Optimus turned to Bulkhead. "While I can verify Ultra Magnus's vocal processor, I must know. Are you able to verify Wheeljack, Bulkhead?"
Bulkhead nodded, "That is 1000% the real Wheeljack. Nobody argues with Magnus more than him." Just thinking of Ultra Magnus gave Bulkhead a headache. "There goes our fun."
Miko walked over, "More bots are coming!? Sweet! I can't wait to show them magic."
Jacqueline looked baffled, "Really, Miko? Just because we told them does not mean we can go telling the entire Cybertronain race about us. Have you lost your mind?"
Raf tugged Jacqueline's hand, "Awww~please! I really don't wanna have to go back to lying. I'm so bad at it."
Jacqueline sighed and scanned the room. Everyone was staring at her. Optimus was clearly waiting for her decision if they should tell the incoming Autobots. If she said no, he'd gladly keep their secret, even from Ultra Magnus. "I know I'm probably going to regret this. I'll let it slide this once… but nobody else is allowed to know, got it?" Everyone in the room nodded.
Optimus turned on the comm-link, "We are transmitting ground coordinates now."
(Timeskip)
After transmitting the ground coordinates to a remote desert across the planet, Optimus approached Jacqueline, "If there is any doubt, I will have no trouble in keeping my fellow Autobots silent about magic." He could tell she wasn't comfortable about more people finding out. "But if it brings you any comfort, I give you my word that Ultra Magnus will remain silent." He trusted Ultra Magnus with his life.
Jacqueline sighed, "Well… that is a little comforting. But I'm not about to have you all lie for us. I mean, what I said, nobody else can know after them. The only reason I'm allowing it is because you only found out yesterday." She looked across the room and saw how excited Bulkhead was, "Besides, I don't think Bulkhead can keep a secret like this from his best friend."
Optimus smiled softly, "I am grateful that you trust us enough to keep a secret with our fellow Autobots."
Jacqueline blushed, "I~it's fine. Um... so… what's Ultra Magnus like? If I'm going to be telling him about magic, I'd at least like to know more about him before he arrives." It was going to take an hour before they reached the coordinates the Autobots gave them.
"Ultra Magnus is my second in command." Optimus began, "A trusted ally and friend of mine, he is very passionate about the Autobot cause." There was a bit of hesitation in his voice, "I must caution you that Ultra Magnus is not an easy mech for others to handle."
"What do you mean?"
Arcee, who was leaning against the wall, spoke up, "He's a hardass. Super by the books and has no ounce of joy in his servos."
Optimus didn't deny what Arcee said as he continued to speak, "Ultra Magnus tends to intimidate people by his formalities." At times, even Optimus found Ultra Magnus to be a bit much from all his rules. But he knew Magnus meant well. The large mech was not good at expressing himself.
Arcee scoffed, "Sure, that's one way of putting it."
Jacqueline rolled her eyes, "I doubt he's that bad. I've spent seven years taking potions with Professor Snape. If you want to see someone with a wooden personality that puts fear into your heart, I'd be happy to introduce you." She was exaggerating about introducing them, obviously.
Miko, who was standing next to Bulkhead, gasped, "You don't mean Severus Snape, do you?" She looked horrified. When Jacqueline nodded, Miko trembled in fear. "He subbed for my class at Mahoutokoro after my potions professor got dragon pox. He yelled at me when I brewed my potion clockwise instead of counter-clockwise." Miko remembers one girl crying after class. Severus told her she'd never make it as a potioneer if she couldn't properly clean a cauldron.
Raf started hyperventilating, "P~professor Snape? I think I had him for a week when I went to Ilvermorny. He made me stay after class for three hours when I brewed the forgetfulness potion incorrectly."
Jacqueline nodded, "That sounds like him. Really, only three hours? He made me spend a month going into the dark forest to collect dragon scales. I… spoke up and gave him the answer to a question in class without raising my hand. He told me nobody likes an insufferable know-it-all. I think we can handle Ultra Magnus, Arcee. So he's super by the books. There are worse people."
Arcee studied the humans. He didn't know who Professor Snape was, but even he wasn't that afraid of Ultra Magnus. Poor Raf looked as though he was about to have a panic attack.
(Time Skip)
Jacqueline, Miko, and Raf stood beside Ratchet as the Autobots walked through the ground bridge with two mechs. Next to Bulkhead was a rather buff-looking man who had a metal plate covering his mouth. On his back were two large swords. He wore a white suit with green and red marks running across his futuristic-looking clothing. Miko was brimming with excitement, "This is gonna be epic." She glanced at the man beside Optimus, "Jeez… did that guy take a growing potion?"
Raf pushed up his glasses, "He looks a lot like Optimus." In fact, if it weren't for their different heights, which wasn't by much, it would be even harder to tell them apart.
Jacqueline studied, who she assumed to be Ultra Magnus from above, "He does look a lot like Optimus." Blue hair, a trimmed beard running along his jaw, and an authoritative posture. There were obviously some differences between Ultra Magnus and Optimus, but what clearly stood out was Ultra Magnus's height. He was unnaturally large. He stood a head taller than Optimus. The humans looked back when Ratchet jumped, the ground bridge shorted out, and sparks shot out of the control panel.
"Blasted scraplets. The ground bridge hasn't been able to power up since the infestation." Ratchet said to himself.
Jacqueline leaned over and whispered to him, "I can't risk using magic to fix the finer technical parts of the ground bridge. Magic doesn't always work well with technology."
Ratchet looked at her and nodded silently. "Well… at the very least, you've saved me a week's worth of work. So I cannot complain too much." Ratchet felt a migraine form when he heard Bulkhead bring Wheeljack up the stairs. Optimus and Ultra Magnus were right behind them.
"Jackie, c'mere, meet my other best buddies." Bulkhead got behind the three humans, "Miko, Jacqueline, and Raf. I can't wait to tell you about these guys. They're gonna blow your processor. Frag, I can hardly believe it still."
Miko waved, "Hi~ya."
Wheeljack walked over, "You guys keepin' Bulkhead out of trouble?"
"I try," Miko said, "But trouble finds us anyways. Wait till we tell you about what happened yesterday. Bulkhead was screaming like a little girl."
"Awww~Miko," Bulkhead covered his face.
Wheeljack smirked behind his mask, "We're gonna get along just fine." Before the bots could get too comfortable, Optimus approached from behind.
"Jacqueline, Miko, Rafael, I would like to introduce you to Ultra Magnus, my second-in-command," Optimus said while motioning his arm to the massive mech beside him. He held a firm expression.
"Hey there, I'm Miko." She jumped forwards and acted very unprofessional, "You look a lot like Optimus, are you brothers? How's it feel to be so tall? Do you get a nice view from up there?"
Ultra Magnus raised an eyebrow and looked unimpressed, "Do the species of this planet not know how to address someone of proper authority?"
Miko's smile faded, and she looked very irritated, "Excuse me?"
Jacqueline stepped in front of Miko, "Please forgive Miko. She is not particularly skilled when it comes to formal introductions." She held her hand out, "I'm Jacqueline Darby. It's a pleasure to meet you… sir." She tackled the title at the end, knowing Arcee said he liked to be addressed as such.
Ultra Magnus looked down at the tiny femme before him. She looked nothing like the woman behind her. Miko looked like a sparkling threw colored paint across a canvas, while this woman seemed very clean. "Perhaps I was wrong about this species. Some of you do have respect." He took Jacqueline's tiny hand and shook it, "I am Ultra Magnus. Optimus briefly informed me that there were some pressing matters which you wanted to discuss with us about your species?"
Jacqueline nodded, "Yes, of course. But I think it should wait until you've had time to settle in for the evening. Optimus said, you and Wheeljack have traveled across the Milkyway to get here, so I don't want to bother you with any human customs just yet."
Ultra Magnus smiled, causing a few of the bots to stare at the man with jaw-dropped expressions, "Very well. I thank you for allowing us a chance to adjust to our surroundings." He was somewhat grateful this human was allowing him an opportunity to rest. He'd been cooped up in Wheeljack's ship for a few months. All he wanted to do was rest.
Before Ultra Magnus turned away, Jacqueline grabbed Raf, "Ultra Magnus, I would also like you to meet Rafael."
Raf pushed up his glasses as he stared at the enormous man before him, "I~it's," He cleared his throat, "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Raf."
Ultra Magnus took a step back and seemed slightly overwhelmed. He looked at Optimus, making sure his eyes were functioning, "A sparkling? On this planet?" Ultra Magnus carefully bent forward and shook the sparkling's hand, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Rafael. Forgive my unkempt apparel. I was unaware that I would be meeting a sparkling."
Optimus turned to Ultra Magnus, "We have much to discuss in terms of human customs and life. It is fairly different than what we originally assumed."
Ultra Magnus nodded his head, "Yes, sir." Optimus led Ultra Magnus out of the room, most likely to show him the base.
However, with Ultra Magnus gone, Jacqueline saw the Autobots staring at her. This was becoming more and more common, "What?"
Bulkhead shook his head, "Frag me! I don't think I've seen Ultra Magnus act like that before." He threw an arm over Wheeljack, who kept looking around the room. "Keep that up, Jacqueline, and you'll probably have Magnus asking you to be his sparkmate." She was the perfect level of formality that Ultra Magnus expected.
Jacqueline looked at Arcee for clarification, "I don't get it. Did I do something?"
Arcee blinked in shock, "Are you kidding? Hardly any mech meets Ultra Magnus's expectations when they first speak with him."
Miko crossed her arms, "What's his problem? I asked him a simple question, and he had the nerve to say that to me?" She scoffed, "I should turn him into a rat."
Jacqueline turned to Miko and gave her an insidious glare, "Don't even think about it. Miko, I'm warning you right now. If you curse, transfigure, hex, charm, bewitch, prank, or even use the slightest amount of magic to bother the Autobots, I will go to Japan and tell your family personally that you're living like a muggle."
"Y~you wouldn't do that." Miko went pale, "Would you?" Off to the side, Wheeljack was so busy looking around he hadn't been listening to Jacqueline's threat to Miko.
(A Few Hours Later)
"Nice lob!" Bulkhead said as he caught the giant metal ball. Not far off, Miko was tuning her guitar. Much to the annoyance of Ratchet, who couldn't stand Miko and Bulkhead's choice of music.
"So, what's that about?" Jacqueline watched Bulkhead and Wheeljack throw the metal ball back and forth. She was sitting next to Arcee atop a white crate. As strange as it was, the two of them were having a fairly pleasant conversation.
Arcee smirked as he leaned close, "It's called lobbying. Favorite pass time on Cybertron, especially among the warrior class."
"Oh… Does it normally last this long?" Bulkhead and Wheeljack had been throwing the ball for over an hour, much to her shock. The worst part for her was when both mechs took their shirts off and continued to play. Jacqueline winced and covered her ear, "How does Miko stand that music?"
Arcee chuckled, "Why? Don't wizards listen to music like this?" Arcee was sad to say that Cybertronian music wasn't much better either.
"If Miko played something like this for any wizard, she'd be an outcast." Jacqueline thought about what she said, "Sadly, she kinda is."
"What do you mean?"
Jacqueline looked at Arcee. She spoke in a low voice just in case Miko could hear them, "I shouldn't tell you this, it's not my place, but Miko actually comes from a very respectable family in Japan. She's practically royalty in the wizarding community in Japan. Her family dates back almost fifteen generations of perfect pure-blood status."
Arcee leaned over and looked at Miko, "Really? She doesn't act all that royal."
"Give Miko a break." Jacqueline frowned at Arcee's quick judgment, "Her parents are pure-blood supremacists who have no problem selling her off to another pure-blood wizard. My mother is hard, sure, but Miko's parents are monsters. If they ever found out she was acting like this and embracing a muggle lifestyle, they'd probably kill her."
Arcee frowned, "Really? They'd do that to their own daughter?"
"Please… if Miko's parents found out she was socializing with someone of my blood status, they do everything in their power to shun me from ever speaking with Miko." Jacqueline tapped her fingers on her knees, "Being muggle-born isn't easy, so I try to keep my blood status a secret."
"I'm… sorry." Arcee said as he looked down.
She glanced at him, "For what?"
"What I said when we first met. You know… about you having boy troubles. I didn't think your life was that complex or hard." From all that he's learned about the wizarding community, life sounded difficult in its own way.
Jacqueline glanced at Arcee and lightly gave the top of his hand a pat, "I forgive you. You lost someone close to you, so I can't really say you weren't justified in being mad. When my Father died, I lashed out at a lot of people who were just trying to help me or mind their own business." As they continued to talk, Jacqueline was unaware that Ratchet had been listening in on them. The mention of blood status for wizards made him sneer, and he glanced at Miko. Hearing about Miko's past shed a different light on the young woman that he was far too quick to judge. It explained a lot.
Jacqueline looked around, "Where's Optimus?" She realized he wasn't in the room. 'I think Ultra Magnus is still sleeping.' They were planning on explaining magic to Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack before taking them all to Hogan Alley. It would probably be abrupt for Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack, but exposing magic was never easy. Looking back, Jacqueline couldn't help but stare at the two shirtless wreckers. 'They're~uh… pretty strong.' Both men were littered with muscles.
Arcee glanced at Jacqueline and noticed she'd been staring at Bulkhead and Wheeljack a lot. Especially once they'd taken their shirts off. Getting an idea, Arcee grabbed the base of his shirt and started taking it off, "Hey, Bulk, lob me." Jacqueline became a blushing mess from seeing Arcee join in on the action. "Bee, get in here. It's scouts vs. wreckers."
Bumblebee got up and started flexing, "At least we know who'll win." Scouts like Arcee and him were agile but deadly.
Bulkhead held the ball and laughed, "Please, this is a wrecker's game. I was born to lob. C'mon, Jackie, let's show these guys how wreckers rumble." And so began the game of wreckers vs. scouts.
"C'mon, Bee, you can do it!" Raf cheered on his friend who threw the ball at Wheeljack.
Miko was sitting beside Jacqueline as she watched the game, "You're telling me that isn't a major turn-on for you?" Miko whispered and pointed at the shirtless bots.
Jacqueline was blushing and trying to keep her libido in check, "M~miko, just leave me alone."
"Aw~is little Miss Darby embarrassed. You've got it so bad for them." Miko was teasing her non-stop. "Just look at Bulkhead. The guy is a total brute. You're telling me you wouldn't want to be forced against his bed with him on top of you as he~"
Jacqueline covered Miko's mouth, "Shut up, Miko." She didn't understand why Miko kept trying to advocate how strong and handsome Bulkhead was. She could obviously see it. And that went for all of them. "I need to go. I'll be right back." Jacqueline jumped off the crate and went for a short walk to cool off. "Pull yourself together, so you saw a bunch of hunks throw a ball, big deal." Closing her eyes, she couldn't get the image out of her mind of seeing them shirtless. For Bulkhead and Bumblebee, it was worse since she'd already seen them fully undressed. Jacqueline stopped walking and took a deep breath. Crossing her legs, her panties were drenched, and she imagined just one of them touching her.
Jacqueline looked up and realized she'd taken a wrong turn, and attempted to find the way back. "These hallways look the same." Not looking where she was going, Jacqueline turned the corner and bumped into a massive figure, making her fall to the ground. When she looked up, the throbbing between her legs turned into an inferno.
Ultra Magnus peered down at the human he'd met earlier today. "My apologies. I did not mean to bump into you." Ultra Magnus had just finished taking a shower in the communal shower area. That was where all the bots bathed since they didn't have a private shower like Optimus. Magnus had on only a towel wrapped around his waist, and he was still drenched in water. Ultra Magnus reached down and helped the human get to her feet.
Jacqueline blushed as Ultra Magnus helped her up. She was trying to not stare at his powerful physique. "It's my fault. I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm sorry for disturbing you, sir."
Ultra Magnus smiled when the femme addressed him as sir. Finally, someone who shows proper respect. "Your apology is accepted, but I must advise you to keep your eyes forward when walking." He clenched his fist and propped it against his hip, unaware of what his presence was causing the human in front of him, "Optimus tells me that you saved him and my fellow Autobots from a scraplet infestation. Is this true?"
"The scraplets?" Jacqueline was avoiding eye contact, "Y~yes, sir. I mean, I don't want to take credits for something like that. Miko and Raf were also there to help, but it was Bulkhead who got the scraplets to chase him out through the ground bridge."
"Yes, but Optimus said after they were left unconscious, you single-handedly went through the ground bridge to save him from freezing to death, correct?"
Jacqueline nodded slowly, "Yes."
Ultra Magnus inclined his head, "Then you have my utmost gratitude, Miss Darby. Optimus' death would be a heavy toll for the Autobot cause." Frankly, Ultra Magnus wasn't convinced he could act as the leader for the Autobots. It was a taxing and dangerous position to hold.
Jacqueline shook her head, "They would've done the same for me. And please, you can just call me Jacqueline." She could tell Ultra Magnus was about to protest the use of informal names, "I was told you are very formal, but with your permission, sir, I would rather just be called by my name."
Ultra Magnus was surprised to hear such a formal request… for him to not be formal. "Very well, Jacqueline. I will acknowledge your request. Optimus explained to me some human customs, which I find confusing, but I am not here to question your species choices." Ultra Magnus grabbed the towel from his waist and used it to finish drying his hair.
Jacqueline's froze when Ultra Magnus removed his towel and blindly finished drying his hair. It left his lower section wholly exposed to her. 'What the hell!?' She was trying her best to not stare at his manhood, but she was in a state of shock. 'For Paracelsus' sake, he's enormous!' Ultra Magnus had a light blue trail of hair leading to his impressive length.
Ultra Magnus ceased drying his hair and had the towel thrown around the back of his neck. He was unaware of the boundaries for exposing one's body. The Cybertronian form was never something to be ashamed of, "Are you well? Your face appears to be turning red, Jacqueline."
Jacqueline kept her eyes above his waist, "I am alright. Don't you think it would be best to… you know… cover yourself?"
Ultra Magnus raised a brow, "Cover myself? If this is a human phrase, I am unfamiliar with it." Looking Jacqueline over, Ultra Magnus grabbed her chin and began turning her head. "Are you certain you are well? If you require medical assistance, I can have Ratchet or myself perform a diagnosis."
Jacqueline closed her eyes as she tried not to stare at Ultra Magnus. Her walls over her cunt clenched when she peeked at his cock. "Sir, I should go. You probably have important things to do." She said quickly.
Ultra Magnus crossed his arms, "Very well." As Jacqueline briskly walked away, Magnus stared at the femme. His spike briefly stiffened, "What a respectable femme." Hearing and seeing her call him sir was strangely pleasing to his ears. Perhaps she would be willing to help him next time he cleans himself. His back was always hard to wash, given his massive size. When Ultra Magnus reached his new room, he looked down and noticed his spike was throbbing. "Strange, I have not pressurized in almost two decades." Ultra Magnus was confused about why his cock was hard. Meanwhile, he blindly ignored his spark calling out.
(Back in the Main Room)
Jacqueline had a thousand-yard stare as she sat down next to Miko. "You were gone for a while. What happened?" Miko asked. The game between wreckers vs. scouts was coming to an end. The wreckers were in the lead by one. How they were keeping score on this, the humans had no idea. Jacqueline opened her mouth, but nothing came out except air. "Hello? Earth to Jacqueline?"
Jacqueline shook her head. She could get the image of Ultra Magnus out of her mind, "N~Nothing. I just… got lost."
Arcee had the ball and threw it at Wheeljack. Wheeljack jumped up and attempted to grab it, but the ball bounced off and hit a monitor next to Ratchet. "Do you mind!? I am attempting to perform sensitive calibrations here."
Wheeljack walked over, "Sorry, Doc. Guess we're a little charged up." He walked past Ratchet and looked over at the ground bridge, "Built this bridge from scratch, huh?"
"I did," Ratchet responded.
"That's quite a feat of engineering."
Ratchet thought about that and smiled, "Yes, it is." Wheeljack was obviously fanning Ratchet's ego. Jacqueline, who was silently listening, felt chills run down her spine. Wheeljack had been asking a lot of questions about the ground bridge. When Ratchet mentioned his inability to stop the defragmentation process, Wheeljack frowned.
Before walking towards the other bots, Wheeljack looked at Jacqueline, and his tongue fell slightly from the corner of his mouth. "Hehe." He was looking at her like a piece of meat.
Jacqueline noticed Wheeljack staring at her creepily and covered herself. She got the same vibes from him as she did with her previous boyfriend. 'Why is he staring at me like that?'
(Two Hours Later)
The Autobots were in the main room. Ultra Magnus was next to Ratchet as he finished calibrations on the ground bridge. Jacqueline was trying not to stare at the man she'd just seen naked only a few hours ago. His perfect physique was forever ingrained into her memories. Bulkhead was with Wheeljack recalling old war stories. But the other wrecker seemed distant. He kept looking at the ground bridge and was wanting to go outside.
Jacqueline was against the railing. Biting her lip, she walked towards Ultra Magnus and Ratchet, "I'm sorry to interrupt you both, but do you mind if I ask you something?"
Ratchet raised a brow, "Yes, what is it?"
"I just wanted to know, is Wheeljack always like this?"
Ratchet and Ultra Magnus both grumbled. "Annoying? Yes."
"No~no, I mean~ugh~nevermind. I'm just paranoid." She turned away and left the two Autobots alone. However, her mention of paranoia did not go unnoticed when Ratchet looked back. He didn't mean to brush her off. He was just expressing his annoyance at Wheeljack's personality.
Ultra Magnus just looked back at the holopad in his hand, "Has Optimus returned yet? I believe Miss Darby had something she wished to discuss with us." He imagined it was about human customs.
Ratchet looked at Ultra Magnus, "He went for a drive. He'll be back shortly." Ultra Magnus glared at him, "Sir." Ratchet hated how overly formal this mech was. He'd rather have the base flooded with noisy humans like Miko than this mech. "Jacqueline is going to talk to you about something rather personal to her species. It was her choice to tell you, but it will likely get her into trouble."
Ultra Magnus lowered his holopad, "I do not stand for rule-breakers or insubordination."
Ratchet crushed the device in his hand and turned to Ultra Magnus, "You don't know what she's going to tell you and are already labeling her as a trouble maker." Now that Ratchet knew the human's secret, he understood how it felt for them to not say anything. It was infuriating! He was still ashamed of how he'd treated them and cast so much judgment on their simple lives.
Ultra Magnus frowned, "I would advise you to watch who you are addressing, Doctor."
Ignoring Magnus, Ratchet followed after Jacqueline. Ratchet cleared his throat when he got behind her, "If you are still open, I wanted to hear your concern."
"Oh… Uh… well…" Jacqueline looked over at Bulkhead and didn't have the heart to tell him his friend was acting strange. "I've just noticed that ever since Wheeljack arrived, he's been asking a lot of questions about the ground bridge. And he keeps giving me this crazy-eyed stare."
Ratchet frowned, "Wheeljack?" He knew Wheeljack; having worked together briefly in the past, Wheeljack did not stare at femme. He was always very open if a femme interested him. "Hm, now that you mention it, he has been asking me a lot of questions about the status of the ground bridge."
"Is there a problem here?" Ultra Magnus asked.
Ratchet looked at Ultra Magnus, "Yes, actually. When you and Wheeljack were under attack by the Decepticons, were you and Wheeljack together the entire time?"
"No. After the ship crashed, we spread out across either side of the ship before reinforcements arrived. Why?" As Ratchet and Ultra Magnus got into a heated argument, Jacqueline quietly left. Just as she got down the stairs, Jacqueline found herself being caught in a moment.
"I should go topside before I go sturr crazy," Wheeljack said as Bulkhead finished telling a story.
"We were actually gonna go out when Optimus got back. It'll blow your mind." Bulkhead said as he looked towards Jacqueline. He was smiling widely. "Why don't you tell the gang about the Battle of Darkmount pass?"
"You tell'em," Wheeljack said passive-aggressively. "You're better at it." He turned and looked at Jacqueline and Miko. "How about if Jacqueline here shows me the rest of your base?"
Jacqueline shook her head, "I~I really don't think~"
Bulkhead spoke before she could finish, "Ya, sure, Jackie. Go ahead."
Jacqueline looked mortified, "Alright." She was going to have to tell Bulkhead later that his friend creeped her out. She didn't want to break his spark, but she needed to inform him how creepy Wheeljack was acting. As Jacqueline led Wheeljack out of the room, she didn't notice the growing glare on Bulkhead's face.
Arcee noticed Bulkhead had lost his joy, "You alright?"
"Ya. Just… outta sorts, I guess."
Arcee crossed his arms and smirked, "Don't tell me your… jealous."
"That Jacqueline's making a new friend, come on." If he wanted her to be friends with anyone, it was Wheeljack. Primus, he couldn't think of a better person to share a sparkmate with than him. "Something… something's just not right about Wheeljack."
Raf, who had been quiet for most of the evening, spoke up, "Is it that he's been staring at her?" Everyone looked over at him.
Bulkhead felt something go off in his head, "Jackie has been doing what?"
Raf held his backpack to his chest, "Haven't you guys noticed? He keeps giving her these creepy stares. I… just thought I'd mention it."
Miko, who was lying across a crate, nodded, "I don't want to be rude, Bulk, but Wheeljack is creepy. Like… super creepy. When you guys were lobbing earlier, he was totally giving Jacqueline date rape eyes." Miko was always happy to meet new people, but even she thought Wheeljack was weird.
"What!?" Bulkhead frowned when he heard this. "I've known Jackie for a long time, and he doesn't do that."
Miko rolled her eyes, "Bulk, I'm telling you he was looking at her like a piece of meat. C'mon, even I noticed how weird your friend is."
Arcee whistled, "That's saying a lot." He stopped laughing when Miko glared at him. "I'm kidding."
In the hallway, Jacqueline was showing Wheeljack around, but she hardly knew the place. "There's the bathroom, energon fuel line, and over there is the hanger."
Wheeljack looked up, "Where's this bunker located?"
Jacqueline looked back, "Why do you ask?"
"No reason. Just wanna get familiar with my surroundings. Is there any way outta here besides bridging?"
"Sure, the stairs." She pointed down the hallway towards a door. "But if you want to walk up 324 steps, that's up to you." As she continued the tour, Jacqueline felt Wheeljack getting closer to her.
"You know I don't say this often, but you're a pretty good-looking femme," Wheeljack said while licking his lips.
Jacqueline smiled awkwardly, "Uh… thanks. We should really get back to the others."
"You sure it can't wait a bit?" Wheeljack leaned close, "You never did show me where my room was." Jacqueline was very uncomfortable. Wheeljack was very handsome, but something about him gave her the creeps. "You know, I haven't taken a shower since I've got her. Wanna help me wash my back?" His voice, for a brief moment, sounded sickly.
Jacqueline shook her head, "N~no! I'm good! I don't know you well enough to… you know… do something so intimate." She was horrified to have this conversation.
Wheeljack frowned as she backed down from his advances. 'We'll see, human. Perhaps Lord Starscream will let me keep her as a pet… my little human plaything. Hehe.'
After Jacqueline led Wheeljack into the room, the Autobots could see that she was distressed about something from her expression. Bulkhead was quick to put himself between Jacqueline and Wheeljack. "What are you guys talking about?" Wheeljack asked.
"I was just telling the guys all about you and me. At the battle of Dark Mount pass." Bulkhead said.
"That's a heck of a story."
"Yep." Bulkhead soon turned aggressive, "Tell it."
Miko groaned, "Talk, talk, talk, I feel like I'm at a slumber party for little girls."
Bulkhead looked over at her, "Miko, stay out of this."
Miko sat up, her eyes flashing a golden color, "Watch it, Bulk." From the next level, a monitor next to Ratchet exploded.
"I'm not sure I~" Wheeljack began.
"Tell it!" Bulkhead demanded.
Wheeljack glared at him before raising his chin, "Fine. You wanna live in the past, Bulkhead." He then recited the Battle of Darkmount pass, almost as if it were straight from a script.
Bulkhead crossed his arms, "Ya… that's exactly how it happened." Wheeljack looked happy, "Except for one little thing. I wasn't there." Bulkhead sneered at the Wheeljack. Everyone around the room was looking at them. Even Ultra Magnus was peering over. "I'd already left the wreckers to join up with Optimus. But you wouldn't know that if all you did was access Wheeljack's public service record."
Miko tilted her head, "Bulkhead, why would that~Oof!" Wheeljack pushed past Miko, knocking her to the ground, and grabbed Jacqueline.
Wheeljack pulled a knife from his back and held it over Jacqueline's throat, "Stay back! Or I'll slit her throat wide open." He had pulled Jacqueline over to the ground bridge console. The Autobots had attempted to grab Jacqueline, but the Decepticon was too fast. Up top, Ultra Magnus tried to reach for his blaster but froze when the Decepticon pressed the knife close to Jacqueline's neck, "Don't even think about it. If I see any of you go for a gun, I'll slit her open."
Jacqueline winced as the knife pressed against her throat, 'S~shit.' She would've just apparated, but with the knife so close to her neck, she'd probably be slit open in the process. The Decepticon's arm was kept firmly around her arms and waist, keeping her from escaping.
Across the room, Bulkhead looked furious. Far angrier than Jacqueline or any of the humans had ever seen him. "Decepticon coward! Let the girl go and face me!"
The Decepticon spy chuckled as he leaned close to Jacqueline's neck, "Now why would I do that?" He opened his mouth and ran his tongue along her neck. "It would be a real shame to let such a delicate femme go to waste."
The Autobots were shaking in rage when they saw the Decepticon run his tongue across Jacqueline's neck. Up top, Ultra Magnus sneered, "How dare you defile a femme!" Ratchet was behind the Decepticon. He wanted to slaughter the Decepticon for what he was doing.
With the Decepticon busy rolling his tongue across Jacqueline's neck, he hadn't seen her wand slide down the sleeve of her shirt. Reaching to the side, he switched on the ground bridge. Jacqueline shivered in disgust as his tongue touched her neck, "M~Miko, remember what I said earlier?" Miko, who had gotten up, nodded, "I take it back."
Miko lifted her wand up, "Reducto!" A blue bolt shot from her wand, and the knife in the Makeshift's hand disintegrated.
Makeshift was startled, and Jacqueline escaped briefly before she spun around while arching her wand in an upward motion, "Confringo!" A fiery-explosive shot from her wand, blasting Makeshift back and causing him to have severe burns. Jacqueline disappeared as her body was torn into pieces and forced through a small hole. She landed next to Miko and grunted. "Thanks."
Ultra Magnus witnessed what had happened and was left speechless.
Just as Makeshift got up and scampered to the front of the portal, he glared at the Autobots. "You'll regret that human! Let's get this party started!" Unexpectedly, a man with two swords came rushing through the ground bridge. Jumping up, Wheeljack kicked his doppelganger in the back.
Makeshift fell forward and glared at Wheeljack. Bulkhead laughed, "That's Jackie!"
Wheeljack lifted his sword, stopping the others from interfering, "Ugly's mine."
Jacqueline looked at the real Wheeljack, 'Did he call himself ugly?' It took seconds before a sword fight started. The two Wheeljacks were spinning and changing spaces so frequently everyone lost track of the real Wheeljack.
Raf pushed up his glasses, "Which one is the real Wheeljack?"
"Uh~I lost track," Miko exclaimed. She wanted to blast the fake one with a transfiguration spell.
Jacqueline pointed her wand at the two men fighting, "Revelio." Bulkhead, who was right beside her, saw an amber mist flow from the tip of her wand. Makeshift's clothing and appearance soon faded away, revealing his true self. The holographic device on his chest shorted out.
Wheeljack punched Makeshift, and the con fell against the wall. Wheeljack looked over at Ratchet, "You, hit the switch. It's time to take out the trash." Bulkhead walked next to him and glared at the unconscious Decepticon. "All yours, buddy."
Bulkhead grabbed Makeshift by his shirt, "This is for touching a femme without her permission." He kneed Makeshift in the back, and everyone could've sworn they heard a crack. Approaching the ground bridge, the Autobots could see a couple of Decepticons running through. Bulkhead got a firm hold on Makeshift before spinning and throwing the con through the ground bridge.
Raf watched with a massive smile, "Whoa… I didn't know Bulkhead was that strong."
Miko frowned, "Serves his right. Are you all~"
"Have you lost your mind!?" Jacqueline glared at Miko, "Of all spells, you cast the reductor curse? You could've killed me."
Miko awkwardly rubbed the back of her head, "Hehe~uh… sorry about that. I couldn't think of another spell at the moment."
"How about expelliarmus or even avis, to get the knife away from my throat." Jacqueline took a deep breath. "But thanks. You just saved my skin, so I should be yelling at you. I'm sorry."
Ultra Mangus walked down the stairs and approached Jacqueline and Miko. "Would one of you native lifeforms be as kind enough to inform me what exactly happened? How did you travel from there to here?" Mangus' hand was cautiously grazing his blaster.
It was Ratchet who put himself between Ultra Magnus and the humans, "Don't even think about trying to restrain these humans." When Ultra Magnus recognized a threat, his usual response was to restrain it. But it was usually for good reasons. He'd lost too many fellow Autobots for not taking action.
Wheeljack looked over and rolled his eyes, "I see I haven't missed much." He turned to Bulkhead, "I should've just left him on that rock. His ship was all busted up, so I graciously took in along for the ride." Looking past Ultra Magnus, he saw a femme with ebony hair and made a playboy smirk, "Who's the babe?"
(Nemesis)
Starscream grabbed Makeshift by his shirt and lifted him up, "Tell me you at least found the location of their base. Otherwise, Megatron will have my head!" Before Makeshift could respond, Starscream heard a strange beeping sound. "Agh! Back! Get back!" Like a coward, he ran away, leaving the other Decepticons confused.
Makeshift looked at his belt, "Oh~no." There was a massive explosion as the charge went off, killing Makeshift and the Decepticons around him. However, a particular mech was far enough. He was only sent flying backward before slamming into the wall of the ship.
Starscream was flung forwards by the force of the explosion, and he landed on his stomach. "Makeshift, you fool!"
Before Starscream could get out, a heavy sound came from behind, "What is the meaning of this!?" Megatron shouted as he looked upon the remains of his Decepticon miners. Beside him, Soundwave stood there emotionless.
"L~lord Megatron, I~I can explain. You see Makeshift," Starscream gasped when Megatron's massive hand wrapped around his neck, and he lifted the seeker off the ground.
"Is dead." Megatron looked furious. "My men are dead! What did you do?" He brought Starscream's face close to his and was shaking. There were many things Megatron could overlook, but seeing his troops lying dead on his ship was not one of them.
Starscream was struggling to breathe, "We had captured the one they called Wheeljack. And sent Makeshift in his stead to… ugh! Find the Autobots base." Megatron's grip tightened.
"You did not think it important to tell me!? Of all your mistakes, Starscream, this is your greatest failure." Megatron clutched the back of Starscream's head and turned it, "Do you have any idea what you've done? Our ranks were already stretched thin, but now, we'll be lucky to keep this ship in orbit without them!"
Behind Megatron, Breakdown walked through the hanger door. "Lord Megatron, I heard an~Primus! What happened out here?"
Megatron looked at Breakdown and threw Starscream towards his feet, "Escort Starscream to the brig… make certain he is given our least comfortable cell. I will deal with him later. And send Knockout up here immediately."
Breakdown smirked as he grabbed Starscream by the back of the neck, "You hear him. Move it!" As Breakdown lead Starscream to the brig, he passed by two seekers who watched Starscream struggle under Breakdown's grip.
"What are you doing to Commander Starscream?" Dreadwing asked as he crossed his arms. He was wearing a dark blue flight suit.
An identical voice spoke up beside him, "Do you need assistance?" Skyquake asked while looking at Breakdown with a smirk.
"Help me, you fools! I am your Commander!" Starscream shouted.
Skyquake sneered at him, "As I have told you before. I serve Lord Megatron, not you." Skyquake was wearing a lime green flight suit. Despite most seekers being skinny, the two Decepticon twins were reasonably large. Both stood at the same height as Megatron. They were very bulk in terms of body mass, from their hours working in the hanger carrying cargo. While they did serve as expert pilots, both in the air and with their transformers, all Decepticons were not to be excused from their tasks. Starscream had always thrown his tasks onto them, and they've never respected him for it. Even Megatron, on occasion, helped with the heavy lifting of equipment or resources around the ship.
Breakdown kept a tight hold on Starscream, "Quit moving, creedent."
Dreadwing and Skyquake looked at each other before smirking. "Allow us to assist you." Both Seekers, with their combined strength, held Starscream down as Breakdown put stasis cuffs on him.
Breakdown pulled Starscream up, "Thanks. Damn little command knows just how to weasel his way out of places."
"How dare you!" Starscream glared at Breakdown, "I am Commander Starscream!"
"Not now you aren't." Breakdown carried Starscream off towards the brig. Skyquake and Dreadwing were smiling as Starscream struggled in his cuffs.
Dreadwing turned to his twin, "We had best see what damage he has caused to earn him a seat in the brig."
(Back at the Autobot Base)
Jacqueline was in Optimus' chambers with Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack. After Optimus returned, they went to his private chambers to discuss the human's secret. Similar to the other Autobots, Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack were startled, to say the least.
Wheeljack waved his hand, "Hold up. Yer tellin' us magic is real? Like really real?"
Jacqueline nodded, "Mhm. Miko, Raf, and I are planning to take Optimus and the rest of the Autobots to Hodag Alley. To basically show them more of the wizarding community."
Ultra Magnus was sitting on a wooden chair, and it creaked from the man's weight, "I am still unclear of something. You keep referring to us as muggles."
Optimus, who was beside Jacqueline, decided to explain, "From what Jacqueline had explained to us. Only certain humans can utilize magic, as it is a genetic trait."
Jacqueline winced, "Close, but not entirely." The three men were looking at her, "Yes, wizards do have a gene that allows us to use magic. But magic also comes from our souls. Even if another human happened to alter their DNA into that of a wizard, they still wouldn't be able to cast magic."
Ultra Magnus had a resting glare on his face, but he wasn't angry, "I see. And the rest of your species is unaware of the existence of magic?"
"Yes," Jacqueline said, "I actually brought a book with me to help explain." She turned around and grabbed a massive book from the desk, "It's called the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy. But… we just call it the Statue of Secrecy for short. Wizards are forbidden to use, show, or in any way expose magic to non-magical people, such as yourselves."
Wheeljack leaned back and threw an arm over the back of his chair, "And why is that?"
Jacqueline let go of the book, and it floated freely towards the two seated mechs. "This is A History of Magic, by Bathilda Bagshot. She was a magical historian." Wheeljack frowned as he saw a graphic picture of a witch being burned alive. "Magic wasn't always hidden from the world. But during the 1700s, to be exact, wizards were being hunted because magic was extremely misunderstood by muggles."
Ultra Magnus glanced up, "Misunderstood how?" He was not particularly keen to see such horrific illustrations of witches being slaughtered in this book. Hangings, burnings, even drowning. He even had to look away when it showed a sparkling having her head crushed by a massive rock.
"Muggles were not especially good at recognizing magic, and they thought magic was evil. But that's not true. I won't deny that not all wizards use magic for good intentions, and there are plenty of evil spells out there. So dark wizards were not helping our cause." Jacqueline cleared her throat, "Anyways, after the wizarding population was nearing extinction, a community of wizards rallied together to form the Ministry of Magic in Europe. Under their enforcement, they enacted the Statute of Secrecy on a global scale. Muggles don't know or believe in magic, just like you, because they haven't seen it."
Wheeljack grabbed the book and flipped through it. When he and Ultra Magnus were in orbit, they'd downloaded the human's language into their processor. "All this work to keep magic hidden? You care to give us a little show? Besides, you know, having a book float." Jacqueline looked at Optimus for permission. This was his room. Optimus nodded and was frankly curious about what else she'd show them. Magic never ceased to surprise him.
Jacqueline slid her wand out, "Alright." She made a rotating motion, and several lights and mists floated out of her wand. The Autobots looked towards the ceiling and saw a large stretch of space with stars spanning far and wide.
Wheeljack whistled, "Well, I'll be scrapped."
"It probably doesn't compare to the real thing, but I just bewitched the ceiling to look like the night sky. With all the light pollution here on Earth, you can hardly see the Milky Way." The Autobots jumped when the stars and cosmic dust were abruptly sucked into Jacqueline's wand out of the blue. "Any more questions?"
Ultra Magnus and Wheeljack were seemingly at a loss for words. However, Wheeljack spoke up, "Hey, do you got a spell that will make this guy unwind for a few cycles?"
Ultra Mangus glared at him before speaking, "I am perfectly functional and do not need to 'unwind.'"
Optimus placed a hand on Jacqueline's back, "I understand if you both need time to adjust to this discovery, much like us. I would like to speak with Jacqueline." Knowing what Optimus meant, Ultra Magnus forced Wheeljack and himself out of the room. Though Ultra Magnus had found himself unnaturally curious about this human. He was quick to judge for breaking the rules. At least until she explained the Statute of Secrecy.
Jacqueline shivered from Optimus's hand, 'His hand is hot.' Was this his normal body temperature? "What did you want to talk about?" Jacqueline would always find it strange that Optimus wants to talk to her in private. For someone of such prominent importance, she didn't feel as though she deserved any of his time.
Optimus lifted Jacqueline's head and frowned, "Your neck is bruised. I presume this is Makeshift's doing?" There was a slight cut on her neck, and seeing it made him tremble with rage.
Jacqueline pulled back a little. Her cheeks were red, "Oh~that, I'm fine. The knife wasn't the worst part, in my opinion. It was him running his tongue all over my neck." She looked back and realized Optimus was standing unnaturally still.
"His… tongue?" Optimus assumed the bruising was from Makeshift holding his hand on her neck… not this.
"Is it that bad?" Jacqueline covered her neck, "I guess I can put a disillusion charm on it. My mother would freak out if she learned some creep licked my neck. He even asked me to take a shower with him." She shivered in disgust, "It's not that Wheeljack looks bad. He's actually very handsome. Uh~D~don't tell I him that. The guy was just very uncomfortable to be around." The change in personality with the real Wheeljack was infinitely better. The actual Wheeljack was hysterical and lit up the room with his stories.
Optimus felt his spark burn with rage… and… something else. A small part of Optimus wanted to grab this femme and show her how a mech should properly kiss a femme's neck. 'This is disgraceful, Makeshift.' Not to himself but his entire species. However, he was more concerned about something that Jacqueline was oblivious of, "I am sorry you were violated by Makeshift. What he did is shameful not only to himself but all Cybertronians."
"His actions are his own. I know you guys aren't like that."
Optimus looked at the bruising on her neck, "There is something important I should mention about Cybertronian biology. I was unaware the bruising on your neck was caused not by Makeshift's hand."
"What is it?" Jacqueline asked. Optimus was acting strange.
"Cybertronian saliva is vastly different from humans. No doubt Makeshift had attempted to mark you." Jealousy filled Optimus.
"M~mark me!?" Jacqueline stuttered, "What does that even mean?"
"Cybertronians secrete various chemicals from our tongue depending on our mood. Ratchet would be someone who could better explain our biology. However, the issue of your bruise remains."
"It will fade, right?"
Optimus took a step closer, "If Makeshift's silva remains, it will permanently scar your neck. Some Cybertronians do this when they want to take someone as their sparkmate. Though I doubt Makeshift had little regard for you as a sparkmate given that you are human."
Jacqueline looked uncomfortable, "Okay, so I need to just wash it off and maybe~"
Optimus shook his head, "Cybertronian saliva cannot be removed after it's been placed. It is a very intimate action, and Makeshift has overstepped what is socially acceptable for our species. Still, there is only one way to remove it." His spark was trembling with need.
"How do we get rid of it then?" If Optimus knew of a guaranteed way to remove it, then she would try it. She didn't know if a potion would work or not, and time was clearly of the essence. Jacqueline did not know what it meant to be marked by a Cybertronian, but she detested the idea of being branded by that creep. That and her neck was burning.
Optimus seemed to lose his breath slightly and was shaking, "The only way to remove it is if another cybertronian coats Makeshift's CNA with their own." Jacqueline's eyes widened as she understood what Optimus was saying. Seeing the hint of pink on her cheeks was making it difficult for Optimus to focus. "With your permission… I would be willing to assist you." His mind could think of anything else as he stared at her neck.
Jacqueline's heart was pounding. "Y~you really don't have to."
"I understand this makes you uncomfortable, but I promise I have no intention of violating you like Makeshift. I would simply put enough of my own CNA to counter his." Optimus was finding it difficult to remain calm. He needed an answer!
Jacqueline took a shaken breath and nodded. Her face was burning up, "Alright. I~I trust you." She took a small step forward and moved her hair out of the way.
Optimus reached down and pulled Jacqueline closer to him. "I will… try to be quick." But he wasn't sure if he wanted to. He felt the witch lock up and shiver when he raked his tongue across her neck. Optimus repeated the motion and slowly pulled the femme closer to his chest, 'By the Allspark, why does this feel so right?'
Jacqueline's heart was quivering as Optimus raked his hot tongue across her neck. Unlike Makeshift, Optimus was gentle and slow. She shivered when he lightly kissed the side of her neck, 'I~Is this part of the process?' Jacqueline's hands were resting on Optimus's shoulders. Cracking an eye open, she briefly glanced at Optimus's face. 'Why does my heart feel like this? I don't want this to stop.' Optimus's hand, which had been resting flat against her back, forced her closer to him as he slowly lost himself. Their chests were pressed together, and there was a blue light emitting from behind his shirt.
Optimus had seemingly forgotten what he was doing as he kissed Jacqueline's neck. Kissing was not required for what he was supposed to be doing, 'I feel your heartbeat, sweet spark.' As he kissed her neck, he felt her pulse from the artery in her neck. 'Mine… She's mine.' He was unaware of what he was thinking about. Optimus grunted and stopped kissing her neck as his cock throbbed. His spark was shouting to carry her to his bed and interface until they both passed out from exhaustion. He wanted to hear her cry in ecstasy as him and Ultra Magnus or even Ratchet penetrated her virgin walls and took her innocence together. Optimus has known Ultra Magnus for years, and despite his seemingly joyless expressions, he saw how his second-in-command stared at Jacqueline. When he first arrived at the outpost, Optimus saw him stop in his tracks when he saw her. There was a gleam of desire in his lieutenant's eyes, but he assumed that Ultra Magnus was unaware of his own actions. Ultra Magnus had given up on any attempt to find a sparkmate as most femme he met loathed his 'by the books' personality.
Even as Ultra Magnus sat in the chair near them, Optimus could see the long stare he gave Jacqueline. Optimus closed his eyes and continued to softly kiss Jacqueline's neck. Deep down, he knew he wanted Jacqueline as his sparkmate. His spark has known it since the day they met, and she touched his hand, but he'd been in denial. 'I do not care how long it takes. I will have your spark. My men and I will have your spark.' Optimus was very observant of how the others were behaving around Jacqueline. Their sparks obviously longed to merge with her. Optimus stopped kissing Jacqueline's neck as he realized this had been going on long enough. Before pulling away, he looked at the vein on her neck, pumping blood straight to her heart… Makeshift hadn't even run his tongue across that section of her neck. He went back briefly and raked the tip of his tongue across her vein. Her skin slowly bruised along the vein, but nothing compared to what Makeshift had done. Jacqueline gasped as her heart started to beat unnaturally fast.
When Optimus pulled away, Jacqueline stepped back and was flustered, "D~d~did it work?" She was trying not to stutter but couldn't help it. 'Optimus was kissing my neck. I wish we never had to stop.' At the same time, she felt as though she was about to die from embarrassment.
Optimus cleared his throat, "Yes, I can see Makeshift's bruising is now starting to fade." However, he could see his own little mark beginning to darken on over her vein. Optimus bit his tongue and shivered, 'I'm sorry sweet spark. I can not control myself around you.' There was one thing Optimus had lied about. After a few hours, the bruising would fade, but it would be permanently marked in their skin, forever. All he'd achieved was stopping Makeshift's mark from completing its imprinting process. Optimus offered his arm to Jacqueline, "Will you allow me to escort you back to the others?"
"I guess. Can we keep what happened between us a secret?" Jacqueline asked.
"Of course," Optimus responded with a smile. There was a profound desire in his spark to see his fellow Autobots mark her.
As Jacqueline walked with Optimus, she kept glancing at him, "You might need to talk with Ultra Magnus later about human customs." Prime looked down at her, "I ran into him right here after he'd gotten out of the shower, and he took his towel off in front of me."
Optimus trembled, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he felt the exact opposite, "Human customs… I had not considered explaining this to Ultra Magnus or Wheeljack. Cybertronians are not particularly ashamed of having ourselves exposed, at least when we are in a setting that we find safe or view as home." Ultra Magnus would never expose himself to a femme, even if he was in a comfortable location. He was obviously attempting to impress her with his physique.
Heading back to the main room, Optimus and Jacqueline were stopped by Bulkhead, "There you are. How are ya holdin' up?" He asked Jacqueline.
Jacqueline shrugged and tried not to think about what Optimus had done to her, "I'm feeling a lot better, actually. I'm sorry I got caught up in that moment with Makeshift. Nobody really likes a damsel."
Bulkhead laughed, "Are you kiddin'? You gave Makeshift some serious burns. I definitely wouldn't call you a damsel. C'mon! Let's get this party started! Let's introduce you to the real Wheeljack." He knows she'd already talked with him earlier, but he doubted it was anything besides the technical stuff of telling him about magic. Wheeljack tried to play it cool, but Bulkhead could see his buddy was surprised to learn about magic.
"Someone call my name?" Wheeljack asks as he walks over. He looked at Jacqueline and smirked, "You know, Bulk, ya never said how fragging good-looking humans were. Talk about a diamond in the ruff." He held his hand out, "Call me, Wheeljack."
Jacqueline shook his hand, "Nice to actually meet you. You're a lot friendlier and less creepy than Makeshift."
"Did that fraghead make me seem like a creep?" Wheeljack looked irritated that he was misrepresented, "I ain't no creep. To prove it, let me tell you about the Battle of Palaxian Ridge. So I'm stuck with this huge rock crushing my leg, no communications, and worse… I'm out of high-grade energon. Not to mention I got this anchor of a femme bitchin' down my tailpipe." Jacqueline wasn't sure how this story would clarify that he wasn't a creep, but she was enamored with his tale. Bulkhead was right. Wheeljack does love to talk about his adventures. She felt as though she could listen to him talk for hours about all his dangerous deeds.
As Wheeljack told his story, Ratchet raised a brow as he turned to Optimus, "The Battle of Palaxian Ridge. Wasn't Elita-One the only femme assigned to that outpost when the battle occurred?"
Optimus said nothing as he went to work on something with Ultra Magnus. He refused to talk about Elita-One. Glancing at the time on the main screen, he realized they still had an hour before leaving to go Hodag Alley. The archivist inside Optimus was brimming with curiosity about wizards and magic. As he glanced over at Jacqueline, he withheld a possessive growl and fought the urge to grab her and kiss her.
Meanwhile, Ultra Magnus shifted uncomfortably besides Optimus. He kept finding himself looking over towards Jacqueline, and he didn't know why. Ultra Magnus took a deep breath, 'I will need to inform Optimus about this outpost's cooling system.' He felt as though he were burning up even though the room was somewhat cold.
(Author Notes)
Welp, I hope you all enjoyed that chapter. So much has happened, and it looks like we have two more mechs joining this adventure ;D No doubt Wheeljack is furious some mech made him look like a creep in front of a pretty femme. Then we have Ultra Magnus... (^/^) such an underappreciated mech, in my opinion. With all his rules and regulations, it wouldn't surprise me if he ended up scaring femme away. I think Jacqueline was in for quite the shock when he decided to expose himself. Also, given Ultra Magnus's character and personality, it comes as no shock that he is confused by how he is acting.
As for Optimus, it looks as though his will is finally broken, and he can't resist what his spark is feeling. I can only imagine what he'll do when he discusses the possibility of sharing a sparkmate with his fellow Autobots... The more sparkmates a femme has, the easier it will be able to protect her. How do humans not understand that? And bless his spark... he got Raf his snowball.
Then we have our handsome Autobot medic, who is burning up like a furnace. I think it is safe to assume that our favorite doctor is also a walking radiator. Perhaps Jacqueline can go to him if she ever decides to step into the Arctic again or is just cold. And, of course, we cannot forget about Megatron. With all that dark energon flowing through our powerful warlord, I can only imagine how he might be feeling, given dark energon's unique properties. Just seeing how the dark energon affects Ratchet and even Optimus, I slightly wonder what would happen if one of them, or the other Autobots, decided to give it a taste ( ̄︶ ̄)↗ surely giving in to that burning desire couldn't hurt.
You know. I question what the Autobots will think if they ever found out about that scar on the back of Jacqueline's hand. I'm not sure if you would despise her ex-boyfriend more of Umbridge. Even Ultra Magnus would find her forms of "punishment" to be barbaric.
