CHAPTER 25

His very first day started with a bang.

Wing hadn't lied. He was quite strict. Very early in the morning, Deadlock or rather "Drift", had been awakened by knocks at the door. He clenched his fists, not opening his optics. Knocks started again. That made him get up. He stretched, yawning. Nevertheless, for one moment, fear invaded him. Drift thought it had been Shadow Raker. Shadow Raker was back again…They were at his domain again.

Then he recognized his flat. His sofa where he'd been laying down, Jetstorm and Slipstream on the berth, still asleep. He remembered they were now quite far from Shadow Raker. They were in a place where he'll never find him again.

It reassured him…Though knocks reminded him that he was in an unknown place. He didn't know what to expect. He didn't know its inhabitants. What was he going to do today?

At least, the flat was quite comfortable.

He slowly walked for the door. Knocks weren't stopping. They went more and more impatient. As soon as Drift opened, Wing faced him, a stern expression.

"You're late" The white bot spoke.

Chores…Yes. Drift frowned at the thought.

"Are you ready?"

He looked behind. Minicons were slowly waking up, yawning as well. Wing let out a sigh.

"You have two minutes left"

Then Wing vanished.

Drift rolled his optics. He just wanted to tell him as well as his chores to get scraped. Yet, Wing's warning incited him to get faster. With a heavy step, he walked over the Minicons' berth to tear blankets off them. It startled them.

"But…" Slipstream objected.

"No 'but'."

Both Jetstorm and Sipstream pouted. Yet their daily routine quickly went back. They bowed then woke up. They followed Drift outside to join Wing.

Drift understood. After all, they'd always served Shadow Raker. For a long time.

This berth, this screen…They enjoyed a comfort taken from them a long time ago.

Walking through the dark hall where they'd met nobody, Wing led them to a big metallic door. Drift could hear noises coming from the other side. Strange noises just like screams and glasses colliding…Sounds that were familiar to him. He didn't comment it. He will discover it anyway. Jetstorm and Slipstream were a bit scared, moving closer to the orange bot.

"Don't be afraid" The white bot softly said.

Then the door opened.

Drift's optics widened to such a sight appearing in front of him.

A giant and golden room, like bathed in the sun. Above them, crystal blue stained-glass windows, light coming through. Drift gave them a second look. He noticed pictures about the supreme Primus that was portrayed on windows. He was represented as usual: a big head surrounded by sparks, showing many realities and universes that he would have created.

"…Are you a religious community?" Drift calmly asked.

Wing nodded. He went closer to the orange bot to admire them as well.

"Dai Atlas and Star Saber are strict believers. The Circle of Light is the guardian of the ancient and original Cybertronian culture. The one left by our God. A culture that is today ravaged by the Great War."

There had been a slight bitterness in his tone.

Yes…The conflict harmed everything. Anything.

That had been quite a time since he hadn't witnessed such beautiful stained-glass windows…

That was…wonderful.

Though…who's to blame?

"Things must change" Drift sighed. "It couldn't remain like this."

"Do you believe violence and destruction are the only ways?"

There was no hostility in his voice. Only curiosity.

"The High Council was corrupted. Megatronus only wanted to make things better."

"He created this revolution. He hadn't made anything better. Many deaths…many losses…caused by war."

This speech…Drift glared at him.

"Are you on Autobot's side, right?"

"No" Wing simply replied. "We are neutrals. We never picked any side. Both Autobots and Decepticons caused destruction and ravage…We just wish to…preserve, protect. It's only a matter of time before Cybertronian culture as well as Cybertron itself dies from it. If we don't react…"

"How will you do that?" Drift questioned.

That's hard to believe that the Circle of Light could do anything…Wind gave him a sad, almost devastated glance.

"Dai Atlas is the one to decide. Personally…I believe that if we remain hidden, closed to the outside world, it will not help anything. The conflict may never be resolved."

"If you went to fight…who would you fight for?"

There was no hesitation in Wing's expression when he answered.

"For Crystal Cities. For Cybertron. For everyone. Not for a particular faction…"

"I'm a Decepticon…"

Wing nodded.

Then his usual smile appeared. A warming, friendly smile. For one second, Drift felt a bit awkward. Such an expression still existed in this world…?

"We don't like factions. However, Cybertronians deserve to be fought for."

That's the first time he heard such a speech…

Autobots, Decepticons always came back…

But Cybertronians…Everyone was Cybertronian. Each of them.

Wing moved away, wishing to show him the rest of the room.

Then Drift saw them.

A Dojo. A tatami.

These noises came from here. Everyone was present. Dai Atlas, Star Saber, Outrigger…each of them were in training. Sometimes alone for Kata, sometimes by group of two to spar.

Everyone with weapons. Katanas, swords, sabres…

Hatred and anger invaded Drift again. Such negative emotions weren't headed for members. However, he instantly believed that Wing had brought him here to spar.

Re-practicing martial arts…

"I will not do it" Drift gritted.

Wing gave him a nod.

"You'll not train. Not today."

"I'll never train ever again."

The white bot let out a sigh. In the end, he headed for a closet. He grabbed a broom as well as a floor-cloth.

"You are here for chores. Each of you."

Jetstorm and Slipstream bowed. They were used. As usual, they were ready to serve. No matter if they were in a different place. Wing stopped in front of them.

"You aren't forced to do this. You only bow to the tatami. For salute."

Immediately, both Minicons looked up. It struck them with surprise. Even Drift remained stunned, despite he knew Wing's way of thinking.

"We are Minicons, Mister Wing" Slipstream justified.

"What about it? I may be taller, but it doesn't force you in anything."

Wing paused. Then he smiled again.

"By the way…Call me Wing. Now…let's go to work."

"On it"

Both Minicons hastily grabbed their tools, ready to begin. Drift raised one eyebrow. He hadn't witnessed such a zeal, even with Shadow Raker. Wing handed him the broom.

"You too"

Then, Wing walked past to go straight for the tatami. From far, even if they didn't interrupt their spar, he could notice Dai Atlas and Star Saber watching them.

Drift gave a disdainful glare at the broom. He wasn't a housemaid, for crying out loud! However, Wing wouldn't change his mind. Jetstorm and Slipstream cleaned the floor. He let out an annoyed sigh. He didn't have any choice, after all.

He ignored repeated stares from other Circle of Light members then started.

"What's your name?"

Jetstorm had finished the floor. He was cleaning stained-glass windows when he heard a voice coming from behind. He turned around. The young bot they'd met first in the Crystal cities. Outrigger. He put his katanas against the wall, allowing himself a break.

Truth to be told, Jetstorm hadn't believed that one of the members would pay attention to him. After all, they were only Minicons. No one ever directly spoke to them. Unless for tasks.

"…Jetstorm" He replied. "And my partner is Slipstream."

Outrigger sat down near him.

"Is Drift your Master?" He questioned him.

Jetstorm stopped cleaning.

"Huh…not really. Well, not officially. He freed us from our old owner, Shadow Raker. But…"

"That's not what I meant" Outrigger cut him in. "He's a samurai, right? Is he the one training you?"

Jetstorm frowned. He gave a glance at Drift, who was at the other end of the room.

He remembered their training sessions…when Shadow Raker hadn't been around…it all came back to him.

"…He trained us. Well, very briefly."

"is he really a samurai, right?"

"Huh…No. Actually…I don't know the meaning of a samurai."

Outrigger simply shrugged.

"He appears as such. Why doesn't he train you anymore?"

Jetstorm bit his lip.

Yes…why? Shadow Raker wasn't here anymore.

Drift could finish what he'd started…

He looked down. The answer was obvious.

Why training a tool?

"You don't have any soul"

As Shadow Raker always said…

"What's the point? I'm just a tool, after all."

"Yet you're talking like me" Outrigger corrected him, confused.

"…On Cybertron, we're tools. We live to serve people who are taller than us."

That's their reason to live…

"We don't need any training."

"Things are different here" Outrigger informed him.

Indeed…Wing's attitude toward them said enough.

"If you wish…we can train together" The young bot offered.

"Wing gave me chores…I must finish them."

Though his offer warmed his spark.

Yes…Things were definitely different.

"What about you? How long had you been here?" Jetstorm asked him while he went back to cleaning.

Outrigger nodded.

"yes…Since always, actually."

"Really?"

"I lost my parents when I was very young" Outrigger explained, arms crossed. "The Circle of Light found me. They are the ones who raised me up."

"You're lucky"

Jetstorm smiled. However, Outrigger's expression went gloomy.

"So…you have your training every day?"

"Every day" Outrigger approved.

"You must be quite skilled and strong"

The young bot sighed.

"Whatever I do…they'll always treat me like a good for nothing. Sometimes, I feel I disappoint them."

"Why are you saying that?"

"They are doubtful of my skills. I can't go outside alone. I'm welcomed as if I was one of them…but I'm only a brat to them. I don't need a babysitter…yet I can't take part in decisions."

Jetstorm focused back on other members.

"Did you explain the problem to them?"

"Oh, yes…Many times. But they don't listen to me."

Outrigger grabbed his weapons again. The break was over. Suddenly Jetstorm nearly lost his balance as soon as something flied past him. The thing flied around the stained-glass window.

A bird…A camera-bot…

"Beak" Outrigger introduced him with a smile.

"Is he your camera-bot?"

"Yes. He had been a gift from Dai Atlas, for my Creation Day. We never leave each other."

Jetstorm chuckled.

"I love birds too"

"I could show you what he's able to do. Thanks to him and his images, I can visit the Crystal Cities as well as the world…without getting caught up. He saves every picture for me. I can watch them here. I can see what I miss. So…he's a great friend."

Beak rubbed his head over Outrigger's cheek. He laughed at this.

"Outrigger. Focus" The purple and yellow bot called him.

"I'm coming"

Outrigger released him. Beak flied over to Jetstorm and remained above him, watching him with optics full of curiosity.

Being watched made the Minicon a bit awkward.

"SKWAK!"

It startled Jetstorm again, dropping his sponge. Beak left him.

Apparently…it meant "work harder"