Guys, if any of get all these references I'm going to make in this particular chapter, I will love you forever and give you a chocolate bunny! I promise. Plus, this next music lyric can already tell you by itself. If you are still not sure, i will give you a hint. The guy who sang this actes as the greatest hero in the galaxy but also the prince of crime.

Chapter 3

When the world is full of care

And every headline screams despair,

All is rape, starvation, war and life is vile

Therm Asylum was a rundown building, vines already growing out of cracks and rusty colour bricks rather than bright red. The roof looked unkept with old nests, branches, fallen leaves from Autumn and melted feathers from previous birds that roosted there. Sometimes, a fearful cry was heard inside the facility. Those are things that make the grumpy medical officer shudder, uneasy with what lies waiting for him.

" Are you certain this is the place?" his oldest friend and leader enquired. Even the atmosphere has made the almighty leader clammy. But the leader still laid the tip of his tail over his shoulder. " Ratchet?"

" Yes, yes," Ratchet shook his head irritably. " Come now, we don't have much time!" No reason to argue, Optimus followed him into the asylum. He may be the leader for the clan but he knows that Ratchet is older than him. He trailed behind him, trying not to shiver from the sudden chill. Not to self: I better thank Rose later for her chestnuts.

Inside the facility, laughter echoed the corridors while maniacal screams were heard. Ratchet was glad that only he and Optimus are the only ones entering the asylum. The rest would have different reactions towards the place and its patiences. Silently, the medic and leader weaved their ways, passing by cell after cell. Some of the patience, in Ratchet's mind - made the Decepticons mellow sheep.

Both of them stopped at one of the calls because Optimus found the patience inside eccentric yet there is madness in his eyes. Ratchet, sensing his leader stopped as well. Both of them peered inside the cell which contained various drawings of unusual characters like a caterpillar smoking a hookah, teapots of all outrageous designs, black and red colours by crayons about hearts and spades and even pastries with tea. What stood out the most was the occupant who resided in this cell. He was a sandy brown hare with antlers between the long ears. The antlers were almost a replicated structure of either a pronghorn or elk.

Ratchet was interested in this particular inmate as he gave out a vibe that differentiates himself from reality. As if the real world did not matter to him anymore. Suddenly, the jackalope looked up from his fussy demeanour. The two dragons and the mad hare regarded each other with stares, waiting for either one of them to break the silence.

" Hello," Optimus spoke softly, trying not to scare the jackalope. " We are here for a visit. My name is Optimus Prime. This is my friend Ratchet." Ratchet nodded.

" No time for talk!" the jackalope muttered loudly. " I must be late. I must find Alice! Oh, where is Alice…"

Interesting, Ratchet thought to himself. So this particular patient thinks he is a character from a beloved children story book. He decided the best way to get any information out of him is to play along. After all, he was invited here to see the patience. Maybe cure them if they are redeemable. " So, how did you meet Alice?" he cleared his throat to ask. The mad hare cocked his ear. " She dropped in on my tea party…se drank my tea…my special tea, special tea, speciality…"

Now it becomes more disturbing. He started singing or rather ask where is Alice in a sing-song voice. " Alice? Alice come out, don't pout. Don't make me shout Alice! Where are you?" From this session, Ratchet decided to end the interview. Optimus thought so too. Thanking him, they walked away to visit more cells. More bizarre inmates, more strange or sad cases based on their appearances and body language. But just as they were about to discuss, both of them heard two males arguing. One was louder than the other.

" You really are a moron!"

" But -"

" Don't talk back to me, dummy!"

Ratchet was the first to approach the cell. When he peered over, he could not believe his eyes. He blinked several times, almost asking his leader to slap him, telling him that this is not real. Optimus rushed to his friend in concern. " Ratchet, what is - Oh Primus…Is that even possible?"

What the both of them saw was something that might come out the stuff of nightmares. The grey stone coloured dragon was talking submissively at a doll! The doll was a light grey and blue with deep yellow eyes which bears hate, anger and revenge. What is more to the character was the jagged scar on the right side of its cheek. It was talking to the bigger dragon like he was in charge. And Ratchet wondered if this was really a possessed doll or…this grey dragon was controlling it, separating two different voices.

" Dummy!" the doll hollered. " Carry me towards the screen. We got company. Now move it!"

" Y-yes sir!" the grey dragon sputtered while frantically picking the doll up. Ratchet does not see anything lethal or harmful about the dragon. Neither did Optimus because by studying his eyes and body language, the grey dragon was merely following orders like a lackey.

" We mean no harm," Optimus reassured them. " We are just here for a visit. My friend here is a medic. He is here to help."

" Help?!" the doll laughed harshly. " Why the hell would ya bother? Only help I need is dummy here to move his ass for me. Ain't that right?"

The grey drake nodded frantically, his whole frame was shaking with fear and anxiety. Ratchet pitied the larger dragon. He looked like he could be around Bumblebee or Smokescreen's size. Except he is more skinny than both of them. Optimus looked at his friend with a sad expression. " He seems harmless," the leader whispered. The medic nodded. " I bet he is decent without that…thing next to him. Or attach to him."

" So," Ratchet cleared his voice to get both of the 'inmates's' attention. " Could you please introduce yourselves?"

" Name's Scarface," the doll clicked his tongue. " This dummy here is Albert!" But the grey dragon shook his head.

" Aiden?"

Still shaking his head.

" Then tell these you what's your name?!" Scarface growled irritably. Optimus's expression was stern at the doll. He found that ironic he was paying attention to an inanimate object rather than a living thing.

" I'm Alex," the grey dragon introduced himself quietly. Optimus gave him a friendly smile, showing him that he could trust the leader. Ratchet wanted to break in and saw the doll in half. He could see that Alex is suffocating under the doll's influence. But he had to masked his face if he wanted to carry on with his job as a medic.

" How did the both of you meet?" So Scarface exaggerated on how he was kind and humble to offer Alex a job after he saved him from his previous owner. Now that the wooden doll is free, Alex has a new purpose: To serve him faithfully.

" Mr Scarface is kind…" Alex praised the doll at a low volume. Because of the two Autobots, he is not used to anyone acknowledging him. " S-Scarface is very i-important…I'm just a helper."

Bullslag! Ratchet thought out loud. He will return soon to help this patient. According to the other medics in the facility, Alex and Scarface are beyond redemption. But Ratchet had an idea in mind.

" P-pardon us," Alex stuttered to both Autobots. " Mr Scarface needs his sleep." He nodded to the Autobots before spreading his wings to cover the wooden doll like a blanket.

" Dummy!" Scarface yelled. " Can't you have better wings to wrap me! This feels like a washcloth!"

Optimus and Ratchet decided to leave them be. They walked out of the asylum, taking deep breaths from that scenario. " I'm going to do my best to cure him," Ratchet announced. " He can't be holding on to that doll forever."

" Indeed," Optimus agreed. " Though, how is it possible if those two are the same person?"

Ratchet whispered to his leader quietly. " There is something called ventriloquism, Optimus. And I will have to do some research about it."

Looks like Ratchet found himself a patient or should I say patients to work on. I wonder if Optimus can help as well. Autobots are the faction who helped those in need, right? More scenes, lyrics are coming up so keep an eye on more updates!

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