Hello everyone, here's chapter three of Life As A Shadow. Hope you all like it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime, only my OCs.
Chapter 3: Darkness Rising Already?
*Shadow's P.O.V*
I groaned as I woke up and stretched out my aching joints. After hearing several satisfying pops I sat up looking at the blanket that was draped across me. Thank you Ratchet. I checked my phone for the time- 9:30 am. Hey, new record!
Standing up I grabbed the blanket, folded it and sat it down across the arm of the couch. When I looked up I spotted Ratchet at the computer counsel just typing away. " Good morning Ratchet." I said as I walked up to the railing where Ratchet is at. He stopped typing and looked at me. " Good morning Shadow, sleep well?" He asked me and I nodded. Suddenly I felt a small tingling feeling go over my body and I saw Ratchet taking a scan of me. Shaking my head slightly I grinned up at the medic. " Yeah, I'm surprised that I didn't wake up around noon like I usually do." I told him while remembering the times where my Jason would come over and would see me still asleep, grab my legs, and pull me until I slam onto the ground.
All of a sudden I had a strange feeling of deja Vu and I could have sworn that I heard a distant voice in the back of my mind. ' I'm awake! I'm awake! Now stop dragging me Shade!' Ratchet seemed to notice how quiet I was and started to say something when all of a sudden Cliffjumper yells out as he walked into the main room making Ratchet and I jump.
"Good Morning Shadow And Sunshine!" Cliff called out to us as he walked into the main room and up to the railing where I was at. I laughed as I walked up to him. " Good morning to you too, Cliff." I said as Ratchet silently growled. "Do you have to be so loud? AND DON'T CALL ME SUNSHINE!" He snapped at Cliffjumper.
"Well I wasn't sure if you could hear me doc." Cliffjumper said smirking. Ratchet glared darkly at him cause we both knew that Cliff was saying that Ratchet was so old that he couldn't hear. But ironically Ratchet has the sharpest hearing out of everyone, and I mean EVERYONE! I notice Ratchet reach for one of his wrenches that he had with him and I couldn't help the smirked that crawled it's way to my lips as I knew what was about to happen.
*Clang*
I bit my tongue to keep myself from laughing out loud. Cliffjumper brought his servo up to his head and rubbed the spot where Ratchets wrench made a good size dent on his forehead. "OW, USE WORDS NOT ACTION!" Cliff snapped and almost yelling at Ratchet. I sighed and rolled my eyes as they started arguing and I decided to walk back to the couch and got out my metallic blue Mp4 put in the ear buds and started listening to different Nightcore songs. I listened to about 4 songs until I started to faintly hear someone calling my name. I paused the song that was playing, took out the ear buds and looked behind me to see Arcee standing by the railing looking at me. Looking around i saw that everyone else was up and in the room- Bulk, Bee, and Cliff were by the near the ground bridge talking to each other while Ratchet and Optimus were talking by the main computer. I blinked as I wondered how I didn't notice any of them come in. Oh wait, that's right I had earbuds and music playing. Pushing that thought to the side I wrapped the cord around the Mp4 before stuffing it in one pocket and grabbed my phone putting it in my other pocket then got up and walked towards Arcee. "Hey, sleep well Shadow?" She asked me when I reached the railing. " Yeah, I did. What about you?" I asked. " I actually recharged better than I have in a long time." She said with a small chuckle. " Hey, that's great." I smiled back before smirking and then said in a slightly louder voice. " Also, it's about time that Sir Idiot-A-Lot, a.k.a Cliffjumper decided to stop arguing with Ratchet or else he would have ended up with another dent in the head!"
3.2.1..."HEY!" "THANK YOU!" Arcee and I laughed as Cliffjumper pouted and Ratchet thanked me.
Then all of a sudden the main computer started beeping, indicating several energy spikes. Ratchet turned his attention back to the computer and started typing as some Cybertronian texts flew by the screen, though i couldn't understand what any of it meant. " Optimus, I am detecting several energy signatures in various locations around North America." Ratchet reported to the Prime standing behind him. "Though I am very suspicious of how six signatures pops up all at the exact same time." Ratchet voices his concerns. " That does sound very suspicious." I said as I got closer to the computer as a map display of the Earth popped up. " We will investigate each of the locations with up most caution, for it may be a Decepticon trap. Cliffjumper, you will search in the state of Nebraska. Arcee, Southeast Nevada dessert. Ratchet, Northern Montana..." The Prime continued as I was deep in thought.
Cliffjumper in Nebraska, then that means that the cons will be there. I looked towards the red mech getting ready to bridge out, and I remembered what happens to him. No, I will NOT allow that to happen. Not on my watch. "Optimus?" I said gaining said big bots attention. "Yes Shadow?" "Is it alright if I accompany Cliffjumper, I promise to be careful." I asked him as I gave him my best puppy dog face and then saw Cliff, who had over heard me asking the question, folding his hands together, also begging the Prime. I almost could have sworn that Optimus let out a soft chuckle. " You have my permission." He said before he transformed and went through the ground bridge. "Yes!" I exclaimed, pumping my fist in the air, Cliffjumper and Arcee laughing at my actions. " Cliffjumper, Shadow, your next." Ratchet called out to us. " Come on Shadow or you'll miss out on all the fun." Cliffjumper said as he transformed into his red Dodge Challenger and opened his passenger door for me. " I'm coming!" I laughed as I dashed down the stairs and literally jumped into the passenger seat, the door closing behind me as the seat belt snaked around me. " Whoa." I said as we sped through the ground bridge. My insides were vibrating but strangely not as bad as it affected Jack, Miko, and Raf when they went through the ground bridge for the first time. But hey, I wasn't complaining.
As we passed to the other side all I saw was a nice dirt road with wooded fencing on both sides and a good number of big green trees. " Wow, this is the first time I've ever been to Nebraska, so nice." I said as I kept staring out the window. " Like the view huh Shadow?" Cliff asked through the radio. " You bet I do." I said as i looked to the steering wheel, the Autobot insignia on it lighting up every time he spoke. He laughed and turned on the radio. " Let's see if we can find some good music here." He said as he started flipping through some stations. " Have you listened to any Country music?" I asked. "Oh yeah I have, love it." He replied as he stopped on a Country station and my face lit up like a Christmas Tree when the song 'Kick The Dust Up' by Luke Bryan started playing. " I love this song!" And apparently Cliff did too cause he started to sing along with me.
All week long, it's a farming town
Their making that money grow
Tractors plows, with flashing lights
Backing up a two-lane road
They take one last lap around
That sun up high, goes down!
And then it's on c'mon
girl, kick it on back
Z-71 like a Cadillac!
And unknown to us, Cliffjumper must have accidentally opened a com-link with Arcee without realizing, thus being amused about our singing.
We go way out where, there ain't nobody!
We turn this cornfield
into a party!
Peddle to the floorboard
End up in a four door,
Burning up a back road song
Park it and we pile out,
Baby, watch your step now
Better have your boots on
Kick The Dust Up!
Back It On Up!
Fill Your Cup Up!
Let's Tear It Up!
Kick The Dust Up!
Also unknown to us, Arcee was recording the entire thing.
Bar downtown they got a line
Of people way out the door
$10 dollar drinks, it's packed inside
I don't know what they're waiting for?
Got me a jar, full of clear
And, I got that music for your ear
And it's like
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
Goes the diesel
If you really wanna see the beautiful people!
We go way out where, there ain't nobody
We turn this cornfield
Into a party!
And it was about that time that I saw something that I never would have actually expected to see. A holoform. Cliffs holoform. He had dark brown hair like me, light tanned skin, bright blue eyes, blue jeans and cowboy boots, and a short sleeved red plaid button up shirt. He had an Autobot tattoo on his upper right arm. I didn't realize that I was staring at him until our eyes meet, he was still singing when he smiled at me and patted my shoulder with a wink. I snapped out of it and smiled back at him as I continued to sing along.
Just follow me down, neath the 32 bridge
Y'all'a be glad you did! Kick It!
We go way out where, there ain't nobody!
We turn this cornfield
Into a party!
Peddle to the floorboard,
End up in a four door,
Burning up a back road song
Park it and we pile out
Baby, watch your step now
Better have your boots on
Kick The Dust Up!
Back it on up!
Fill your cup up!
That's what's up!
Let's Kick The Dust Up!
We laughed as the song ended, now that was so much fun. But then we froze when we heard chuckling over the radio, and not from any radio station. " A-Arcee?! Uh, h-how long were you there for?" I asked as Cliffjumper and I exchanged nervous glances. " Oh long enough to be able to get a pretty good recording." She replied mischievously. Damn it! " I was afraid you'll say that." I groaned. " I know. Anyways, have ya found anything yet other than the fact you both like the same song?" She asked and I can hear the grin in her voice. " If your referring to a very nice country side, then Hell Yes! If your referring to con activity, then nope." I replied with a chuckle. "No suspicious activity, yet." Cliffjumper said. " Yeah, me neither." Arcee said. " So Cee, how's the drive through the hot dessert?" I asked sarcastically. "Haha, a whole lot of boring." She said and I turned to Cliffjumper. "Hey Cliff, do you happen to have any interesting stories you could tell us?" I asked him as he laughed and Arcee said something like 'Don't get him started on that.' " Ha, I got a whole life full of stories. Now let me see." Cliffjumper started thinking of which story to tell. Oh, I'm gonna love this. "Ah-ha!" Cliff snapped his fingers together. " I got one I think you both might like." Cliff smirked at me. I smiled before turning my head away from him because I'm starting to blush, he just chuckled at my action. "Alright, let's hear it." Arcee said and I can tell by her tone that she would be smiling. He started telling the one about the run in with the cops.
"So there I was on a lookout when out of no where, these high beams light up my rear view, then it hits me. I'm illegally parked!" Cliff exclaimed as he told one of his trillion stories he probably had. I chuckled at how he was telling the story. " Another parking ticket?" Arcee and I asked at the same time. " Better. The Boot." He responded and I couldn't help but laugh at how he makes 'The Boot' sound like some kind mystical legend. Arcee would probably be rolling her eyes and smirking. " Big metal tire clam, impossible to remove." Arcee said already knowing what 'the boot' means. "Bingo! The local police do their thing and I let them get all the way down the block. And that's when I kick of my new shiny shoe and BANG!" Cliffjumper finished his story as I snickered before exclaiming, "KICK THE DUST UP! Sorry couldn't help it!" I just laughed as Cliff and Arcee joined in. "New York's finest soil themselves." Cee said when she calmed down from her fit of laughter. " You know me Arcee, you mess with Cliffjumper..." Cliffjumper started. "And you get the horns." Arcee and I finished at the same time. Cliffjumper looked at me surprised and I sighed. " Different dimension remember. Cee's not the only one who knows you Cliff, like for example, I hear that your quite the conversationalist." I stated smirking. "Oh don't you even get him started on that now." Arcee said making both Cliffjumper and I laugh. I then felt as though someone was watching me, I turned towards Cliff to see that he had been looking at me and when our eyes met he suddenly looks away. I was shocked, not by the fact that he has staring at me, no, i was shocked to see a light blush on his cheek. Oh my Primus, I made Cliffjumper blush!
I was about to say something when all of a sudden Cliffjumper's monitors started beeping and we both looked at the screen. " I'm getting a signal." Cliff stated. " Need Backup?" Arcee asked. I replied before Cliffjumper could utter a single word. " Yes, we're gonna need backup, the Cons will be there, the entire warship in fact. Cliffs monitors just picked up on some Energon spikes and there will be a lot of it." I explained as I glared darkly at Cliffjumper knowing that he wasn't going to take the offer. All Cliff did was just stare at me with an expression that screamed ' How the pit do you know?' "Another dimension remember?" He nodded in understanding before turning onto a dirt road and soon stopped next to a large creator filled with Energon. "We just found a whole lot of Energon." Cliffjumper stated.
I knew what was about to happen next. Glancing in the rear view mirror I saw the Warship approaching, but luckily they haven't spotted us yet. We needed to act fast, or else Cliffjumper will lose his life today. " Cliff, Con's warship approaching, head for the woods NOW!" I said quickly as Cliff sped for cover behind several large Oak trees. Once there I got out as Cliff transformed then we watched as the warship drifted closer than it did in the show. They stopped right above all the Energon before a yellowish cylinder like elevator thingy came down along with mining equipment and drones. They started mining while Cliff and I waited for our backup. "Hey, Shadow?" Cliff whispered as he knelled beside me. I didn't answer him, just continued watching the cons. " What would have happened if I stayed there?" He asked. I closed my eyes as memories of Cliffjumpers death and becoming a Terricon in the show flooded my mind.
A tear slid down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away before turning towards him, glaring at him so hard that he actually flinched. "You would have to fight a whole lot of cons, you lose a horn, a random blast that was meant for you missed and hit the Energon (to which you were standing a foot in front of) it blew up making you extremely weak, cons drag you up to the warship where Starshit stabs you through your spark with his own claws and offlines you , all because you think nothing bad could ever happen to a bot like you and didn't take up Arcee's offer for back up." I explained all in one breath in a harsh tone. "Oh." Was his response as he rubbed the back of his head. Now that got my blood boiling. "Oh? Oh!? Is that all you have to say? Do you realize that if it wasn't for me saving your sorry aft, you would have been killed! Offline! Slaughtered in cold blood!?" I snapped at him. "I-I'm sorry." He said in a low guilty tone. "Yeah, tell that to Arcee." I said as I moved to get a better view of the situation, finally moving my death glare from Cliffjumper. But what Cliff doesn't know is that I was recording that entire conversation. I smirked a little as I slid the devise back into my pocket and right at that same moment I heard the sounds of a ground bridge opening. It's about time. I thought to myself. The sounds of blasters warming up told me that the cons knows about the bots arrival, soon it was an all out fire fight between the two groups.
I looked around and saw that most of the mining equipment had been abandoned. "We need that Energon." I said quietly to myself. But how do we get to it without getting blown up? Perhaps get the bots to distract the cons long enough for us to gather as much Energon as we can. I turned towards Cliffjumper. "Cliff, you think we could find a way around them and gather as much Energon as possible?" I asked and he nodded. "Sure can, climb on." He said as he lowered his hand. I jumped on and he stood up to his full height then lifted me up to his shoulder. Carefully moving onto his shoulder, I settled close to his neck. "Hold on Shadow." Cliffjumper said as I gripped some of the metal before he sped out of the woods towards Team Prime. Bringing out his blasters, Cliff started shooting some of the drones before stopping next to Arcee. " I'm gonna gather as much Energon as possible, make sure the Cons don't shoot at the Energon." She nodded and he continued to sneak around where the cons couldn't spot us. I looked around and noticed several Cybertronian barrels and mining equipment. "Cliff, use those." I said pointing to the equipment. "Good job Shadow." He said as he brought his hand up to me, when I climbed on he lowered me to the ground. After I was safely down Cliff went over to the equipment and started to quickly cut down the Energon crystals and load them up in the barrel thingys.
While he was doing that I looked at all the crystals, I saw how they glowed and sparkled in the light. Smiling I took out my phone and took several pictured of the crystals then turned towards Cliffjumper who was still mining. "Hey Cliff, smile for the Camera." I called out to him. He turned towards me, saw the camera and struck a pose with one arm with the mining lazer on his shoulder and his other hand on his hip, as he flashed me a smirk. I laughed and took about three pictures. "That's gonna be my new background picture for this phone." I said as he chuckled. "Well, I'm honored." He said as he bowed to me, and I bowed back. He then continued gathering Energon as I looked back at the crystals, they are so beautiful.
I reached out towards one of the Energon crystals with my hand. Cliffjumper must have glanced back at me because I heard him yell out. "SHADOW, DON'T TOUCH THAT!" He shouted when my hand was about two inches from the crystal. My hand drew back faster than it did when my cousins evil dog tried to murder it, as well as jumped back a couple feet. Hey new record! "Well, I guess those stories were right about Energon being dangerous to humans." I sighed as I looked to see the cons starting to retreat. " Why would you even try touching them if you heard stories of them being dangerous!?" Cliffjumper exclaimed in frustration as he finished up loading the third barrel. "Because some of those stories says that Energon is harmless to humans, but I guess my hypothesis is correct when you started screaming at me." I snapped at him as I continued watching the drones that were still online scrambling to retreat. I heard Cliffjumper walking towards me, I didn't move. "Shadow." Cliff said softly but I still didn't budge nor respond. I heard him sigh as he knelled down next to me. "Shadow, I'm sorry I yelled at you. I was just afraid for your well being. Can you ever forgive me?" He said in an apologetic tone. I saw the warship fly away before I finally turned to look at Cliffjumper. I gave him a small smile. " I forgive you Cliff. And I'm sorry for snapping at you." He smiled as he said he forgave me before lowering his hand for me to climb onto. "Come on, you can have a front row seat." He said as he lifted me up to his shoulder.
When I was back to my spot from before I looked up to see Team Prime coming towards us. I smiled and waved at Arcee as she approached us, she smiled in return. "Hey, good job on getting the Energon." She complimented us. "Thank you very much, it was my idea after all." Cliffjumper joked with a smirk towards me cause he knows damn well that it was my idea, not his. I shot him a playful glare before punching his neck, but quickly regretting that decision when pain flared up my arm. "OW, note to self: Never punch metal!" I said as I rubbed my arm to make the pain go away. Cliff and the rest of the team laughed at my actions, though I think that Prime and Ratchet just chuckled.
"Well, I'm glad I could entertain you all." I said with a smirk before I saw something in the corner of my eye. When I looked up I saw something flying towards us, at first I thought it was a bird but there was no flapping. I was starting to get a bad feeling as I pointed up towards the flying object. "Umm, guys, what's that?" I asked as the others followed to where I was pointing. "Is that- Starscream?" Bulkhead asked. " It is indeed Starscream." Optimus confirmed as he brought out his blaster. " But why would he come alone then?" Arcee asked. "It's Starscream, what do you expect?" Bumblebee beeped before following Optimus' example. 'why would screamer come alone?' I thought to myself. Then I remembered something from the show. *"But the Energon I've mined, the Autobots will seize it!" "Then blow the mines!"* I gasped. Of course, he has missiles!
"We need to get out of here, Now!" I said as Starscream was getting closer. "What?" Cliffjumper asks in confusion as he glanced at me. "HE'S GONNA BLOW THE MINES! WE NEED TO GET BACK TO BASE!" I yelled as Ratchet quickly got out the remote for the ground bridge. Cliffjumper, Arcee, and Bumblebee grabbed the three barrels of Energon before running towards the now open portal right as we heard the missiles being fired. Cliff and I were the last ones to enter the bridge right before the Energon got blown up, and even though we were in the portal we felt the force of the blast slam into us as it threw us into the base. I lost my grip on Cliff during the blast as I then found myself free falling. I closed my eyes tightly and let out a scream but someone caught me before I could impact the ground.
My heart beat was pounding in my chest and my breathing heavy. I could barely make out what the others were saying, especially Cliff. "Sh- ow, a ou lr-ght? dow?" When I opened my eyes my vision was a bit blurred but I could make out Cliffjumpers worried optics looking right at me. " C-n you he-r e?" I blinked a couple of times trying to clear up my vision. I managed to get out one word. "Couch." Hey, I was tired. " Cli-per, le e can er." I sorta heard Ratchets voice before I saw him walk up next to Cliff. I then felt the familiar tingle go through my body as a blue light scanned me. The next thing I know Cliff is lowering me next to the couch and I was able to drag myself onto it. I gave Cliffjumper a small thumbs up before passing out.
*Cliffjumpers P.O.V.*
I stared at her in concern when she had given me a thumbs up before passing out. I looked to Ratchet to know what the results are from the scan. "Her heart rate is high as well as her breathing but is going back down to normal, other than that she is alright. Probably just shocked from what just occurred. She just needs some rest." He said before going back to his computer. The others had went to put up the Energon that we got.
I looked back at her before transforming and activating my holoform, when I reached her I took out her phone and another device that had what I believe are earbuds hooked up to it out of her pockets and sat them on the table. I grabbed her pillow and put it under her head and pulled the blanket over her body. After I made sure she was comfortable I turned and was about to deactivate my holoform. "Thank you Cliffjumper." I stopped and turned back to see Shadow's eyes slightly open looking at me with a small smile. I smiled back. "Your welcome Shadow. Now get some rest." She gave me a small nod and closed her eyes, and with that I deactivated my holoform and transformed. I looked at her one last time before turning towards Ratchet. "I'm going on patrol, com me when she wakes up." I rolled my optics when he mumbled a 'Fine'. I glanced towards the sleeping Shadow before transforming and speeding out into the Nevada dessert.
*Dreamscape: Shadow's P.O.V.*
When I opened my eyes I saw nothing but pitch black and I seemed to be just floating. "Hello?" I asked, hoping that someone will answer but all I heard was my own echo. "Where am I?" I asked myself, wondering if I'm gonna be visited by a certain someone.
Suddenly I was blinded by a familiar bright blue light. I used my arm to help shield my eyes and soon the blinding light dimmed down. "Hello Shadow." I chuckled when I heard the deep but gentle voice. I unshielded my eyes to see the blue Cybertronian Mech standing before me. "Alpha Trion?" "It is good to see you again Shadowstalker. I see that your doing well with the Autobots." He said and I nodded before I suddenly felt as though I knew him... Like before watching the show. Did I know him back on Cybertron or something? " I have a question I have been wanting to ask you." I started. "Did I know you back on Cybertron?"
He didn't say anything and just smiled at me before extending his arm out towards me. I was confused but the next thing I know I am surrounded by a blue light before I found myself on Cybertron but I seemed to be running for some reason . Then it hits me...It's another memory.
"Oh scrap! Oh scrap! OH FRAGGING SCRAP! I'm Gonna Be Late!" I said to myself as I ran through Iacon towards the Hall of Records. He is NOT gonna be happy about me being late! I ran up the stairs towards the front doors and prayed to Primus that I wouldn't be stopped by a Security Guard, even though they all should know by now that I work here. I thought as I got closer to the doors I saw Smokescreen, the newest and youngest guard here.
He spots me and opens the doors for me. "RUN SHADOW RUN!" He shouts out to me playfully as I flew past him. "I'M RUNNING! I'M RUNNING!" I shouted as I ran down different hallways, up several flights of stairs, and passing doors before coming to the room I was assigned to. "I'M HERE!" I shouted as I jumped into the room. I heard a startled shout and a loud thud and started laughing my aft off when I saw my work partner Orion Pax on the ground, wide optic and servo clutching where his spark chamber would be. " Could you go just ONE solar cycle without trying to give me a spark attack!?" Orion exclaimed as I helped him up. " Sorry O.P. I can't help it." I said with a smile as he rolled his optics. "Sure you can, you just find it too amusing to scare me." He grumbled sarcastically as I laughed. "Yeah, but you still love me." "Do I have a choice? Anyways, we need to get started on these entries for several of these relics so you can turn them in to Alpha Trion." Orion said as he went to his work space. "Alright, alright, I'm on it." I said as I got to my space and logged in. I picked up a data pad and started working on my first entry- The Phase shifter.
The room around me faded back into the pitch black I was in. I stared up at the bot in front of me in shock. "I- I worked at the Hall of Records with Optimus..." I breathed out.
A deep chuckle snapped me out of my shock. "Yes, you had worked at there for about a stellar cycle and a half, working three days a week since you were a Shadowhunter. You never missed a day unless it was to go on a mission." He explained as I started to remember more about working at the Hall of Records... and pranking the yet to be Prime.
"Unfortunately, we are out of time." He said as he started to fade along with myself. "Until next time Shadowstalker."
*End Dreamscape*
My eyes snapped open as I sat up straight, the blanket sliding half way down my body in the process. Another memory and this time, it's about Optimus. I knew that he worked at the Iacon: Hall of Records as an Archivist as Orian Pax, but I didn't realize that I had worked there alongside him. Whoa, just whoa.
"Shadow? Are you alright?" I nearly fell off the couch when someone suddenly spoke. Looking over towards the railing I see that it had been Optimus who had spoken. Speak of the devil. After catching my breath I finally replied. " Yeah I'm fine, it's just that... I had another memory." I said getting up and approaching him at the railing. Optimus gave me his full attention and I saw Ratchet come over to where we were, he must have over heard us and the fact that I had another memory resurface. " The memory was about you Optimus." I said as I looked up at him as his optics widened in shock and interest. "It was when we worked back at the Hall of Records, you were Orian Pax then. I was late to work one day so I was basically running all the way to the Hall of Records. When I made it to our assigned room I jumped in screaming 'I'M HERE!' nearly giving you a spark attack. Do you remember that O.P.?" I said then asked.
I then saw a small smile appear on my old friends face, especially when I used the old nickname I made up for him. " I remember that solar cycle very clearly Shadow. I could never forget all those times you nearly gave me spark attacks." He chuckled and I couldn't help but laugh at that, Ratchet just looked amused before going back to the computers. "So how long was I out for?" I asked and this time it was Ratchet who spoke. " We got back to base around 1:45 pm so you were out for about 6 hours." My eyes widened in shock. "SIX HOURS!?" I exclaimed as I ran to my phone and checked the time- 7:51 pm. " It's 7:51, How in God's green Earth did I stay asleep for that long!" "Well for one, you manage that quite well yourself. And two, you had been quite exhausted from the shock from earlier." Ratchet explained as Prime went over to watch the monitors. I nodded in understanding. "Understandable."
It was then that I realized that it was just Ratchet, Optimus, and I inside the base. I was about to ask where the others have gone when I heard several engines in the tunnel. Soon the vehicular forms of Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee, and Cliffjumper drove in and transformed. Arcee and Bumblebee glanced at me (Bee also waved as I waved back) before approaching Optimus who's back was towards the two, Bulkhead said hi to me before going down the hall, Cliffjumper walked up to the railing where I was. " Hey, how are you feeling?" He asked me in concern. "I'm feeling alright. thanks for asking. So what's up?" I asked. He then lowers his hand for me then places me on his shoulder. "Something tells me, you may already know." was all he said as he went and stood by Bee while Arcee was giving her report to Optimus. "And the cons would have been scrap metal if it weren't for the humans." "Humans?" The Prime asked and I can hear the slight concern in his voice. "Yeah, two boys." Bumblebee beeped while holding up two fingers. "Two boys." Optimus said to himself. "I guess the second one caught us in action? I don't know, we were a little busy at the time." Arcee said a little sarcastically. "If the Decepticons are targeting us, anyone proceeded as our ally, will be at grave risk."
Then Bee looked towards me on Cliffs shoulder. "Hey Shadow, Did you know about this from being in a different dimension?" Bee asked me as everyone in the room turned to me for my answer. I sighed. Thanks a lot Bee, I just love having all the attention on me. If you couldn't tell, that was heavy sarcasm. "Yes I did, but it is safer for all of us if I don't reveal anything that may happen in the future, but I will help along the way the best I could, there are already two large change of events that has happened so far and one of them is me being here. Now I can tell you a bit about the two boys that ya have encountered today. The first one is Jackson Darby, preferably Jack, he was the one on you Arcee, right?" Arcee nodded in astonishment. "Right, so Jack is 16 years old, a junior in Jasper high school, lives with his mother, I have no idea what happened to his father, he's pretty responsible and he usually keeps to himself and all that. Now the second one is Rafael Esquivil. He was already down under the bridge when Arcee and Jack came by, he is 12 and a quarter, lives in a large family but is pretty much an outcast, he's a very shy but talented child, he is a computer genius and the best hacker especially for a 12 year old, while Children his age would be in Middle school he is most likely a freshman in Jasper High, so he's very smart. They both help out Team Prime quite a lot. And Ratchet, Arcee, I know you both absolutely hate this but just please try and get along with them?" Ratchet just turns back to the computer so I know he's not gonna cope with this very well. "I'll try but No promises. " Arcee says before going down the same hall Bulkhead did.
"Well then." I just clapped my hands together. "There is Way to much tension in here." I said quietly as Bee and Cliff nodded in agree. " Thank you Shadow for sharing what you could with us." Optimus thanked me before going over to talk to Ratchet. "I don't know about ya two, but I'm gonna go recharge. See you tomorrow shadow, Cliffjumper." Bee said before heading towards where the other two went, so I'm guessing that is where the bots living quarters are. "Good night Bee." "good night Shadow." And then it was just Cliffjumper and I. " So Shadow, wanna go for a drive for a bit?" He asked me and I smirked at him. "Do you even have to ask?" and with that he placed me on the ground before glancing at Optimus and Ratchet. "We're going for a drive, com us if ya need anything." He said before transforming and opening the passenger door for me, as soon as I got in Cliff he put metal to the petal
. It wasn't until we got outside that he activated his holoform. It was now 8: 46 pm and the sun was setting so it looked like the sky was on fire. I rolled the window down to allow the cooled dusk air to hit my face and flow through my hair as I looked up at the beautiful sky. After about a minute I heard a soft click sound, looking back towards Cliff I see him taking a picture of me on my phone! "How in the world did you get my phone?!" "You weren't paying attention to it so I used it to take a pretty good 10 second video and a picture." He said smirking as he handed me back my phone. I just breathed out a chuckle and shook my head at him. "You my friend are crazy." I said as he laughed. "Tell me something I don't know."
I just smirked at him as I pretended the think before he pulled me into his side and ruffling my hair.
So for the next two hours we drove around the Dessert and Jasper just talking and laughing. We spent those two hours getting to know each other more- like I now know that Cliff loves pranking Arcee and Ratchet, as well as singing country songs when ever he can. He even told me about Cybertron and his life right before the war, in return I told him about my life back in the other dimension. Then we found some good country songs to sing along to. All in all, we both had a great time together
I'm really glad that I was able to save him from offlining, cause he didn't deserve to die. And now Arcee can continue being partners with Cliff and me being friends with him.
I had always admired Cliffjumper ever since I saw him in the show and I almost cried when Starshit killed not even 5 minuets into the first damn episode. I always thought that Cliff was cute and handsome back home, hell even his holoform is pretty damn good looking. Looking up at him from my position against his side I couldn't help but smile. He reminded me so much of one of my best friends back home- except that Cliff is a lot more country than Jason, where as Jase absolutely hates country music.
Cliff looked down at me and smiled back. Oh Primus, his smile is so adorably handsome I just want to kiss him... Wait! What!? I quickly looked away towards the road in front of us while suddenly very glad that it was dark so Cliff didn't see the undoubtedly bright red blush across my face.
unbeknownst to me, Cliffjumper, too, was thanking the darkness so I wouldn't see the deep dark blush that would put the red from his body to shame .
It was just after 10:30 when we got back to base, and it seemed that Ratchet was the only one still awake as he was still by the computers when we drove up.
"Hey Ratchet, what you doing?" I asked the medic when I got out of the car and Cliff transformed behind me. Said medic turned toward me before going back to the computer in front of him. "I am monitoring for any decepticon activity." Was all he said. I sighed before walking up to him and placing a hand just above his foot, gaining his attention as he stopped and looked down at me. I smiled kindly up at him. "Don't worry Ratchet, there won't be any activity tonight. So go get some rest, you deserve it." I said as he seemed to be debating with himself before nodding at me. "Alright, Perhaps you are right. I will get some recharge." I nodded before heading towards the steps to go up on the platform, only to be stopped by a voice from behind me. "Yep-ip-ip and where do you think your going?" I turned to Ratchet in confusion. "Going to the couch annnd get some sleep." My confusion only deepened when the two shared knowing smirks before Cliffjumper came towards me and placed his hand next to me. Still confused I climbed up onto his hand before he and Ratchet started walking down the hall where the bots sleeping quarters are. "So umm, why are you taking me down here for?" I asked as I looked up at the two mechs.
Cliffjumper was the one who answered. "Well, when you were out for six hours Ratchet here along with Optimus decided that the couch isn't the best place for you to stay. So Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and myself took it upon ourselves to go to the store and grab a few things." He said as we stopped in front of a large door that the bots could go through, but looking down I noticed a human sized door on it.
I was about to ask where we were when Ratchet spoke up as he put in a code, but let his digit hover over the 'Enter' button. "We all decided that you should have your own room." Then he pressed the button and I gasped when the door slid open to reveal a large plain room with a full size bed (My duffel bag and backpack sitting on top), six drawer dresser, a desk and rolly chair, and two bedside tables. Pit, I even have a mini fridge. Across the room I saw another door where I believe the bathroom is.
"By the allspark..." I breathed out as Cliffjumper lowered me to the ground before transforming, but I didn't pay attention to it as I walked closer to the bed. Placing my hands on the simple beige bed covers. I will have to go to the store and get some new bedspread.
This room was huge, and I loved it. Back home my room was very very small and it didn't fit all my stuff. But now I have a new room that's big enough to fit in about four or five of my old room.
A huge smile broke across my face as I spun around to the two mechs, who were both transformed and using their holoforms. They were both smiling at me and before I knew it I had ran across the room and threw my arms around Ratchet. He grunted slightly making sure to not fall over before he chuckled and wrapped his arms around me. "Thank you, so much. This is incredible!" I said. letting go when I heard a throat being cleared. "What an I? Left over Energon?" Laughing, I went over to the now grinning Cliffjumper and threw my arms around his neck. Laughing softly he held me close to him and felt him lean his head against mine. "Thank you Cliff." I said quietly as I closed my eyes. "Your welcome Shadow. I'm glad you like it." He said softly.
"Well, I'm going to go recharge. See you both in the morning." I heard Ratchet say before I heard transforming, but I still didn't move myself from Cliffjumper. "Good night Ratchet." "Good night Shadow." And with that he left Cliff and I.
Neither one of us seemed to want to let go, and honestly, I didn't want to.
I've hugged many people back in my world, but non of them were like hugging Cliffjumper. He was warm and I can hear his soothing 'heart' beat, and it was like everything that has ever weighed on my shoulders just disappeared. In his arms I didn't have to worry about what has happened or what will happen, I was able to finally for the first time in my life... relax.
Then a question that I have always wanted to ask him popped in my head. So without moving from where I was, I spoke. "Cliffjumper, can I ask you something?" "hmm?" He hummed. Well, here it goes. "Will you be my guardian?" I almost whined when he slowly pulled away and look at me in shock before his face softened. "Of course I will Shadow, I would be honored." He stood back and bowed to me. I laughed then noticed a smirk on his face. "And somebody's gotta keep an optic of you and keep you out of trouble." My eyes narrowed as his smirk widened. "Oh your gonna get it now!" I yelled as I leaped at him, but he had been expecting that as he jumped to the side. "Get what?" He asks innocently. Fragger. "Your about to find out!" I said as I ran at him and he turned and ran towards my bed before flipping over to the other side. I stopped at the bed and put my bags down under the bed so they wouldn't get harmed, all while I kept a close eye on him. "Can't catch me." Cliff teased. I smirked as I took off my shoes and socks and got up on the bed.
Cliffjumpers smirk faltered as he took a couple steps back. I went towards the foot of the bed for if he tried to go around I could jump him, and if he tried to go over the bed then I can still jump him. I smirked when I got him cornered. No where to go my dear Cliffjumper. I mentally laughed.
I then saw him slightly shift his weight on his left. Think that I didn't see. It was about three seconds later that he started to sprint to go around the bed, but at the last second he changed direction and attempted to flip over me bed. I knew you were gonna do that. I thought as I jumped at the same time Cliff did and I able to grab a hold of him before he could get over. We ended up wrestling before I was able to pin him down under me and used my hands to hold his wrists down on either side of his head.
Panting, I smirked down at him. "And what was that about me not being able to catch you?" He smirked up at me, and before I knew what was happening I was thrown off and was suddenly pinned to the bed with Cliffjumper on top. Don't blush. Don't blush. DON'T YOU FRAGGING BLUSH! I mentally screamed as I stared up at my guardian. Damn he looks good. Wait, no, stop it! Bad Shadow! Bad! I mentally smacked myself. "And now I got you." He said and I stuck my tongue out at him. He just chuckled at me action before getting off and laid on the bed beside me.
"So where's your room?" I asked as I turned over onto my side, facing him. "Right across from yours." He said as he also turned to face me. I smiled as I closed my eyes, already feeling tired. "I'm glad I got to meet you Cliffjumper." I said softly, and I barely registered him moving part of my hair out of my face. "I'm glad to have met you too Shadow." He said quietly and that was all I heard before I gave in to sleep.
Now here's a long chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, I worked hard on it.
So Shadow asked Cliffjumper if he would be her guardian and he said yes, thing just got much more interesting. And next chapter we will meet Jack, Miko, and Raf and go on an epic rescue mission to save Fowler from the cons. I had been debating whether to have Shadow join the humans and bots to save Fowler, or to have it where she somehow shows up where Optimus, Ratchet, and Megatron are and somehow survive ahordeof Terricons. But I guess you will all find out in the next chapter.
Cliffjumper: *In holoform* I got a charge!
Shadow: *Trying not to fangirl* I got a guardian!
Cliffjumper: *Looks to Shadow*
Shadow: *Looks to Cliffjumper*
Cliffjumper and Shadow: *Highfives each other* WE'RE PARTNERS IN CRIME!
Ratchet: *Waves a couple wrenchesthreateningly* What was that you two just said?
Cliffjumper and Shadow: NOTHING! *Runs away while being chased by the Hatchet*
Me: *Watching from afar before face palming* Oi, what have I done?
Me: Well I guess I should stop them before someone gets hurt. So until next time, Shadowstalker, Out! *Runs after the two bots and human*