I have a poll on my profile page asking a question I really want to have answered. I'm trying to get as many answers as I can, and very few people visit my profile. I've gotten literally one answer in a week, and that's sad. Please answer, and be honest about it.


I only own my OC's!


Hotshots

morning

Nellie shakes me awake in a panic. "Emily!"

"What?" I open my eyes to find my sister with her usually blonde hair now a deep sapphire blue. "Your hair!"

"I know! What should I do!?"

"Calm down. Breathe. Give me time to wake up." I climb out of bed and walk past the mirror to my dresser so I can get my clothes for the day, and gasp. My hair's…blue! "CARRIER!"

Carrier bursts into our room and looks around our room. When he sees nothing wrong, he turns to us. "Mari? Saf? What's—"

I turn to him, still freaking out. "MY HAIR'S BLUE! WHAT DO I DO? HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?"

Nellie shakes me gently. "WHAT HAPPENED TO CALM DOWN!?"

He sighs. "Calm down, Little Ones. It's all right." He sits on our bed carefully, and motions for us to sit in our little easy chairs. I shake my head and clamber into his lap, with Nellie following me quickly. "It's probably just a side effect of your needing energon. If it is, there's nothing we can do, except live with it."

"But what do we do?"

"You go to school like you always do. You act like this is completely normal. If someone asks, you colored it." Carrier, Nellie, and I turn to see Momma at the door. "Kade's waiting, Heatwave. With Chase down, we're going to have to cover for him."

He sighs. "Then you'll have to handle this crisis."

"Gladly." She smirks. "Blades and I were going to take the twins and Cody to school anyway."

Once Carrier leaves, I turn to Momma as she pulls my light pink dress out of the closet. It's my second-newest, and one of my favorites. "That's not my school dress."

She then pulls out Nellie's blue dress. "Mine either."

Momma smirks. "Then let's mix things up today."

We look up to her. Nellie scoffs. "Primus already mixed things up for today."

I shrug. "But, okay."

She looks at my other outfits as I dress in a light pink long sleeved dress, a light blue half apron, white stockings, and light blue button shoes with white buttons. I braid my now-blue hair and tie the ends with light pink hair ribbons, then tie on my light blue bonnet and slide it back. Nellie changes into her blue long sleeved dress, a light pink half-apron, white stockings, and light blue button shoes. She finishes her hair, and ties on a light pink bonnet.

We grab our school bags as Momma hands us our lunch boxes. "Blades has thermoses for you, and your "cubes", whatever that means."

We nod and run out the door. Sire hands us the thermoses and our little cubes, which we quickly drain. "How's Chase?"

"He's lying down right now. I checked on him a few minutes ago, and he was in recharge."

I smile. "Good. He needs that rest."


school

We climb out of Blades and start toward the school. We've got our bonnets up, and I tucked my braids into it on the way. I'm starting to feel out-of-place in my usual dresses, but I'm too afraid to try the modern clothes they got for me. I know through our telepathy that Nellie's nervous too. Frankie gives me a thumbs up when I move to hang my bonnet in my locker. "What?"

She beams at us. "Love the hair!"

Nellie sighs. "Oh…"

"You don't?"

I shrug. "We're still getting used to it."


after school

We run out the door after school to find Papa waiting with Chase. I quickly climb into the front seat as Nellie joins Cody in the back, and close the door before patting the dash. "How ya feelin'?"

"I have been better, but at least I am able to be out of my berth."

Nellie smiles. "That's always good."

"I would have to agree."

Papa pulls into the garage at the firehouse. We follow Chase down to the bunker while Cody goes upstairs.


Charlie's pov

I call Doc Greene as I chase after him in my Cybertronian partner. "Can I call you back? This really isn't a good time."
"I can see that, Doc."
"My solar car is out of control! It won't shut off. The accelerator's stuck. The steering system seems to have a mind of its own. And I'm getting a little carsick."

I sigh and activate my comm. "All right, team. You heard the Doc. Let's do what we do."

Chase, ever helpful, states his location. "The vehicle has turned south on the March Lane."

Dani comes over the comm from her helicopter. She and Cody have their eyes in the skies, watching Doc to see if he's in any serious danger. "Hey, how about we drop down and bounce on his roof to slow him down."

Blades is less than happy with her idea. "Helping out is good, dropping is okay. Bouncing I'd like to discuss a little further."
I tap my comm link. "Dani, you two just keep an eye on things from up there."
Cody's voice comes over the comm next. "Doc's now on Waverly. Headed right for some parked cars!"

Kade responds. "Roger that. I'm on it."
Heatwave groans. "I think you mean we're on it, don't you?"

Kade snaps back. "Just get us there, Heatwave."

"What about us?"

"Shut it, Emily."

Heatwave transforms and uses his ladder as a ramp to propel Doc Greene over the cars.
Cody comes back with Doc's latest location. "Doc's back on Main street."
Blades comes up with an idea—one I'm surprised I hadn't come up with. "You know, if I were ground unit I kinda pop Doc's tires."
Dani agrees. "Good idea, Blades. Guys, I'll go back to the station and get a spike strip."

"No need, Dani. Boulder and I can improvise." Graham holds up a tablet, showing Boulder his plan. "What do you think?

Feasible?"

"A thing of beauty!" Boulder knocks a manhole cover loose and throws it like a Frisbee. It knocks a hanging sign loose on one side, knocking a spool of barbed wire into the street.

The tires pop, but quickly re-inflate. Doc Greene beams. "Well, at least I know the automated tire replacement works."
Cody comes over the comms again. "Oh, no. Doc's on Old Canyon road."
Dani turns to the screen in Blades' vehicle mode. "Blades, can you stop Doc's car if we land in front of it?"

Blades appears to prefer this idea. "Beats dropping and bouncing."

I come back on the line. "No, Dani. Stay in the air. Chase and I are closing in." Chase transforms and grabs the back bumper before bracing himself. The car still almost drags us into the gully. Once it's stopped, Chase pulls it off the bridge. "It's all right, Doc. You can let go the wheel now."

"All in all, except for the part where I couldn't stop, or steer, not a bad test run!"

"Uh, yeah."


outside, normal pov

Huxley Prescott is doing an interview with the three, and Cody is washing the Rescue Bots. "An out of control vehicle, an unsuspecting public. Disaster in the making. How did our brave family of heroes save Griffin Rock yet again?"

Kade smirks. "Guts. It was harrowing, but I dug deep and—"

Huxley moves the microphone to Graham. "Graham, anything to add?"

"Well, in order to create a makeshift tire hazard I had to calculate the distance between—"

Huxley moves the microphone to Dani. "And how did you confide, Dani?"

"Me, I—"

Kade jumps in, hugging his sister with one arm. "Dani monitors everything from the air. I tell ya, we couldn't do our job without my little sis. We probably could, but—" Dani groans and shrugs her brother off before heading back inside. "As I was saying, a rescue this type requires on skill and concentration."


with the bots

Carrier sighs. "You know, if there is mud to be found, Boulder's gonna roll right through it."
"I'm part tractor. It's what I do."

I shrug from my place beside Chase, where Nellie and I are in Cybertronian form, buffing the bottoms of his feet. "He's right, you know."
"I believe there must be a more efficient way to hold a runaway car than skiing behind it."

Nellie giggles. "Still, it does sound like fun."
Cody laughs. "There sure is. Keeping Doc Greene out of the driver's seat."
"Gotta love the Doc. He keeps us busy."

Sire sighs. "Some of us. Others only watch from the sky."
"Don't feel bad, Blades. Maybe our next rescue will happen in the air."
Sire nods. "That would be nice. As long as it's not too high in the air."
Carrier scowls. "What does it matter who does what? None of us is appreciated."
"What do you mean, Heatwave?"

Carrier sighs. "Did you notice that I was one out there risking hook and ladder, but Kade took all the credit. Once again."

"Well, I don't know who's get it for helping either. Neither does Dani or Emily. But I know we're appreciated."
"Something tells me Dani would not agree with you."

I stand and cross my arms. I'm with Carrier on this one. "Like we don't. We may be younglings, but we can still help!"


that night, my room

I sigh. We need to get changed for bed, but I know Momma's got something planned, and I don't want to sleep through it. Nellie's reading in her small easy chair while I draw, lying on my stomach on our bed.

Momma knocks on the door before opening it, and holding out two pink stainless steel water bottles with pink caps, wrist straps, and white bunny graphics. "Emily, Nellie, Blades sent these for you."

I take mine from her. "Thanks."

Nellie nods, and sips from hers before replying. "Thanks."

She smiles at us. "Want to come with me? I'm going up to the lab to ask Doc Greene about something."

I grin. "Really? We can go?"

"Sure. Just grab a jacket. It's kind of chilly out."

I grab my shawl and run after her, my energon bottle strapped securely to my wrist, and my sister behind me. We scramble into Sire with Momma's help. "Hey, Sire!"

"Hey. I thought you two were going to bed."

I shrug. "We were going to, but Momma asked us to come with her."

"Oh." He sighs. "Heatwave, Mari and Saf are with me."

"I was just about to check on them." He sighs. "Just be careful."

The ride continues in silence. We sigh, and I try to finish my energon before we reach the lab.


doc's lab

"Doc, are you here?" Doc Greene reaches over and drags us behind an overturned table, startling Momma, Nellie, and I. "Oh."
"Sorry, Dani. Nellie. Emily. I'm building a replacement for the newspaper dispenser I ran over."
"One that beams readers in the head?" Momma deadpans.

"No, no, no! One that tosses papers into your car as you drive by. Anyway, I'm glad you're here. I wanted to thank you for your help today."
Momma shrugs. "Well, I didn't do much. But that's all going to change." She holds up a paper. "Can you build me one of these?"

"Ah, a scoop claw. You know, they used something like this on the island years ago for lugging. Might even have one in storage."
Momma beams. "Could you lend it to me?"

"Absolutely." We peer over the table as one. "Right after that thing runs out of Sunday editions."


firehouse, my room

Once we're back in my room, we change into our white nightgowns, then climb into bed with my Fleecy and Aster; Bluebell sitting in my pink chair to mimic a decoration unless I need it. Nellie's got Blankie and Rose, with her large bear, Zinnia, sitting in her blue chair.


midnight

I sit up straight, barely managing to not scream. I look over to Bluebell and smile. I grab Bluebell by the arm, leaving Fleecy and Aster in my bed since they won't do me any good in robot mode. I shift into my Cybertronian form and sneak through the bunker, leaving Nellie to sleep.

I sneak through Carrier's open door and crawl between him and the wall before drifting off, curled into his plating with Bluebell in my arms.


two hours later

Carrier rolls onto his side while recharging, not expecting to hit something. His right arm smacks into my doorwings, causing me to wake up with a scream. Carrier jolts awake before gasping. "What in Primus' name are you doing in here?"

I whimper, my abused doorwings falling parallel to my back. "I'm sorry, Carrier! I-I just had a bad dream."

His face softens as he sits up and pulls me into his lap. "I didn't mean to—" He sighs. "You startled me, Little One. Did I hurt you?"

I nod before motioning to my door wing, coolant in my optics. "Hurts."

He reaches back and runs a hand over my shaking doorwing. "Oh. I'm sorry, Mari." He sighs. "I can get Blades to take a look."

I shake my head. "I'll be 'kay. He's 'chargin'." I sigh softly. "Guess I gotta go back to my own bed now."

Carrier sighs and shakes his head. "Just lie down. You need to recharge."

I lie down as close to the wall as I dare with my doorwings, using Bluebell as a pillow. "You do to, Carrier."

"I plan to, but I need to make sure you're able to fall back into recharge first. I don't think Optimus would be very happy to find out I not only hurt you, but neglected you too." He sighs. "After all, you have a tendency to act like a sparkling, which means you need our protection more than if you were a normal youngling." He sighs, and lays a hand on my doorwings. "Why wouldn't anyone back in your time try to help you two?"

"Our bruises would heal 'fore we had to go ta school. We could heal really fast. We'd tried to run before, but he always found us, and took us back home. I'm still scared."

"Are you now?"

I nod timidly. "He hurt us, Carrier. I could feel when Nell got hurt, and she could feel when I did."

"That's part of being split-spark twins, Sweetspark." He looks down at me, sadness in his eyes. "I hurt you."

"You hurt me by accident. He meant to. He tried to kill me." I smile at him before yawning. "I can tell you care."

He lies down facing me. I snuggle closer to him before drifting off.


heatwave's pov

I leave my berth room, leaving Mari to recharge. "Mari's in my berth. Saf should still be in her room. I'm keeping them home. I'll have Dani call in for them later." Blades cocks an eyebrow ridge. "Mari had a nightmare about her biological father. I don't know why she came to me, though. You're better with younglings."

Blades shrugs before handing me a cube. "You're her Carrier, Heatwave. Younglings her age prefer their Carrier to their Sire."

"She should be outgrowing that by now." I finish my cube and set it in the sink before turning to the dispenser Optimus brought us. I sigh and take one of the metal bottles Chief Burns had given us. After filling it with low grade, I set the bottle on the counter to wait for Mariposa to wake up, then set a second aside for Safire.


normal pov

I stumble out of Carrier's berth room an hour later, only to realize I'm late for school. Before I have the chance to shift to human form, Carrier pulls me aside. "I'm keeping you both home today. Dani already called the school."

"But…why?"

"You needed to recharge, and I'm your Carrier. I can make those decisions." He hands me a cube. "Now, finish your cube and change your clothes. I want to see what abilities you've got."

"Don't you—"

"Boulder's taking the first patrol, and I don't have to go out until this afternoon."

"Nellie?"

"She's reading in your room. Just get changed."


my berth room

I shut the door and set Bluebell into the corner before turning to my sister. "Hey, Nell."

Nellie looks up at me. "Where were you?"

"Carrier's berth room."

"Why?"
"I had a nightmare." I sigh, and change into my red floral print short sleeved dress, a white half-apron, white stockings, and red button shoes—the same outfit Nellie's wearing. I braid my hair and tie off the ends, then tie on my red floral print bonnet. Once I'm done, we spread our bed up, and I glance in the mirror before we head up the elevator.

After eating quickly, we head back down to the bunker. "Momma said we could patrol with someone today."

Sire grins. "You can go with us! Dani and I have patrol later this afternoon!"


garage, two hours later

Carrier, Nellie, and I pull into the garage as Cody slides down the pole into the garage. Cody starts toward his sister as Nellie and I climb out of the passenger side. "Hey, Dani, what are you doing?"

We turn to find Sire on a lift, and Dani attaching something to his undercarriage.

I climb the lift and hang upside down from Sire's runners, feeling both bored and daring. "What's going on?"

Nellie climbs up beside Momma. "What're you doing to Sire?"

"Cody, I beg of you, talk some sense into your sister, please."
"Relax, Blades. You're looking good."
Boulder turns to Carrier. "Hardly noticeable.
It's obvious that Carrier doesn't feel the same way. "Yeah. Just don't fly over any power lines." He laughs.
"Actually, that's a sound advice." Chase points out.

"This town needs to have those orange balls on the lines. That way Blades can avoid them better." I whimper softly when I realize how high I am. "Carrier?" He looks over to me. "Help?" I can't hold back the unmistakable tremor in my voice. He steps over and holds a hand under me, allowing me to tumble into it before lowering me to the ground. "Thanks."

Nellie sighs. "She's scared of heights."

I cross my arms and stick out my tongue. "Sire is too."
Cody gives us a look before turning to the brown scoop claw Momma's standing on. "What is that thing?"

"A scoop claw, and it's gonna put both Blades and me into the action." She pats the runner I had just been rescued from. "Right, Blades?"

"So you keep telling me."

"Time to winch it up. Hand me the remote, please?"

Cody picks it up. "I can do it."
"I don't know. It's a little complicated." Momma takes the remote and pushes a button.

"Yeah, pressing a button is so tricky."

Momma gives him a gentle noogie. "I just wanted it done right, little brother. Let's see you transform with it, Blades." She then steps over and taps the pedal to lower the lift.

"Nobody laugh!" Sire transforms. The scoop claw winds up over his abdominal plating. Cody's and my chin hit the floor.

"I love it! I have to show Dad." She runs off to find Papa.
Boulder and Carrier start laughing, though they try to hide it at first. I do my best not to, but their laughter is too contagious.

Sire gives them a look. "What? Does it make me look fat?"

"Not at all, Captain Lead Belly."
Cody turns to the two after lightly slapping me. "Come on, don't make fun of him."
I cross my arms and glare at him. "I wasn't!"

Nellie slaps Cody back lightly. "Their laughter's contagious, Silly!"

"He knows we're joking." Carrier elbows Boulder. "Sort of." The two start laughing again.
Cody, Nellie, and I glare up at them. "Maybe Blades just wants to be treated like he matters." He turns to Nellie and I. "Come on, Em. Let's go."

Cody, Nellie, and I start for the back door. "Come on, Cody, we were just—" When he notices we're ignoring him, and turns to Chase and Boulder. "You guys never know when to stop, do you?"

Before we can make it to the door, the alarms go off. "Cody, get to the command center. We have a rock slide to deal with."
Cody, Nellie, and I share a look. He looks horrified, while Nellie looks mildly surprised. We're used to rockslides, having lived here before there was anything to do about it. I turn to Momma. "Momma…can we—"

"Not this time. It's too dangerous."

Papa runs over. "Stay with Cody in the Command Center, Emily."


on-scene, Charlie's pov

A rock smashes through a window as we pull up. The bots transform, leaving us inside. Heatwave jumps to smash a rock, before the others start following his example. It doesn't take long before a rock knocks Chase down. "Dani, what's your 20? We need all hands."

"Blades and I are almost there."

"Cody, can you see what's coming down from the hill side at us?"

"Stand by."


command center

We look up the hill using the security cameras. "A boulder as big as a house is coming right down on top of you."


on-scene, Charlie's pov

Boulder comes over the comms first. "A house. Sounds like the whole neighborhood."

"The way I see it, we have two options: smash it or grab it."

"Smash it! On three! One! Two!"

Blades grabs it moments before it lands on us. "Three!"

Boulder gasps.

"Oh."

"Huh."

"Whoa!"

"Stand down, boys. Blades and I have it under control."

"Nice job, Dani. You too, Blades."

Graham sounds as surprised as I am. "That was certainly unexpected. Though impressive."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, but since when do we not test a new apparatus before using it?"

"Consider today the test, grumpy. See you back home."

Heatwave sounds unimpressed. "There will be no living with Blades now."


firehouse

Sire comes down the elevator, patting the scoop claw. Cody, Nellie, and I run over once the bots return. Nellie and I smile and hug his legs. "You were amazing out there, Sire!"

Cody looks up to him. "Blades, that was so cool! How do you know you could pull that off?"

"I didn't really. I thought the boulder would be too heavy, but then I tapped into the reserve of strength I didn't think I had."

"I'm trying to tap a new reserve of patience I don't think I have." Carrier says drily.
Chase leans over and points to him. "For the record, Blades, that operation exceeded the acceptable level of risk."

"Guys, you should be happy for him. It was a great save."

Nellie sighs. "Cody's right. You should be grateful, Carrier."

I rub my arm and look down. "We don't need to lose another Carrier."

Carrier walks over and lays an arm around my back.
Boulder nods. "Sure was. We could've been flattened out there. So, thank you, Blades, for coming to our rescue."

"Anytime." Sire bows.

Carrier groans.


later that morning

I'm sipping from a silver stainless steel water bottle with a pink gripper with a butterfly graphic, and a blue lid, with a pink wrist strap secured around my wrist, and reading a book, while Nellie works on her homework while sipping from a matching bottle. "How about that patrol now?"

We look up to see Momma before hopping up. "Sure!" I look down to my book. "Just let me put this up, and we can go."

Nellie beams. "I'll meet you up top!"


in blades

We fly overhead as Boulder and Graham walk up to where a fallen tree is blocking the road. Momma, Nellie, and I share a look before directing Sire to pick up the tree. Momma gives the two a thumbs up as Nellie and I beam down at the two with a wave. Boulder and Graham look up at us, both confused and upset. Boulder raises an eyebrow ridge.

Kade and Carrier pull up to a brush fire. Momma, Nellie, and I arrive soon after Kade climbs out, with the scoop claw full of water. As Carrier prepares to put it out, we dump it on the fire and the two of them, soaking not only the duo, but Huxley as well. The two growl at us as we retreat, Carrier with a raised fist.

Papa and Chase have Don pulled over. Don takes off before Papa can give him a ticket. Seconds after Papa climbs in, Momma, Sire, Nellie, and I catch him with the scoop claw and carry him back to Papa and Chase, his face pressed into the windshield.


firehouse, Cody's pov, noon

"And there you have it. Another thrilling rescue by Dani Burns and her helicopter bot."
I climb over the couch to look out the window when I hear Blades returning. "OK, if you yell, she's just going to yell back."
Graham crosses the room before turning to me. "We're not mad, Cody, we only want talk to her."
Kade walks over to Graham. "No, I'm mad."

I join them as I hear Dani, Nellie, and Emily coming down the stairs. "She's just trying to help."
Kade gestures to Dani. "Helping is one thing, hogging every mission is another."
"Hey, slackers." Dani puts an arm around Graham, and another around Kade. "Rescue work has never been this much fun, am I right? Woo!" She looks around before turning to Graham. "Is something wrong?"

Graham steps over beside me. "Dani, we're concerned you might be stretching yourself a little thin."

Kade holds up a hand. "What he means is stop highjacking our rescues!"

"Your rescues?"

"Yeah. You're swooping in like some hotshot."


normal pov

Nellie and I cross our arms. "Look who's talking."

Momma puts her hands on her hips. "Actually, I think I'm doing a pretty good job."
"Except it's not your job, Dani, it's all of ours."

Cody shrugs. "Well, if you ask me there's always room for—"

Momma waves a hand in my face. "Oh, Cody, please, this doesn't really concern you."

Cody's face falls, and he turns to leave. Nellie and I look to the arguing trio before turning back to run after Cody.

She looks around. "Where's Dad, what's he say about this?"

"You know Dad, he wants us to work it out ourselves."


garage

Cody, Nellie, and I slide down the fire pole to find Carrier coming at Sire with a large drill. "Hand over that claw, Blades. I promise you won't feel a thing."
Sire turns to see Cody. Neither of them notice where I'm close to tears over their fight. Nellie sighs, but she won't leave. She knows how I react to arguments. "Cody, a little help? Please."
"This doesn't concern Cody."
"Really? You guys too?"

Nellie lays a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, Cody. There's got to be a better solution for this than just everyone yelling at everyone else."

Boulder gasps. "We were just thinking that it might be best if that claw isn't used quite so often."
Sire is obviously frustrated. "Nobody had a problem when it was a big joke. But now that I'm saving the day—"

Chase interrupts. "Technically, you're not saving the day. You're assisting the day when the day has not requested assistance."
I step back. All these emotions in my spark are stressful and confusing, and I have no idea what's going on. Before the chaos gets worse, I run for the fire pole, with Nellie following me.


third pov

"That claw is staying right where it is." Dani slides down the fire pole and storms over to us. "Blades, we're going back out on patrol where we are appreciated."

Blades turns back to the others. "Excuse me, I'm needed in the field."
Heatwave turns to watch Blades before turning to Cody. "What you gonna do about this, Cody?"

"Nothing. Like everybody says this doesn't concern me, right?" He takes a step before sighing. "Fine, I'll see what I can do. Dani, hold on. I'll be your spotter."

Heatwave looks around. "Wait, where are the twins?"


dani's pov

"Keep your eyes peeled, Cody." I sigh. "OK, with luck we can take care of any problems before Kade or Graham even learn about them."
"You know the saying: the whirly bird gets the worm."

Cody sighs. "I liked you a better when you were all on the same team."

"We're still a team, Cody. It's just… Sometimes Kade and Graham think I can't do anything on my own."
"Yeah, I know the feeling."
"What do you mean?"

"You kinda treat me the same way."
"Oh, Cody, I do not." She turns to him. "Do I?"

"Yeah, I think you do. And every time Kade and Graham make you mad I have to stay out of your way."
"Do you think I take my anger out on you?"

"Cody speaks the truth. Take it from someone whose controls get a furious workout when you're mad."
"Cody, I'm sorry. I'll do better, I promise."
"Thanks."
"And you too, Blades. I'll go ease you under controls."
"This conversation has been very cleansing, hasn't it?"

I suddenly notice how overcast the sky has gotten. "We better head back. Electrical storms and aeronautics do not mix."

Before we have a chance to turn around, Blades gets struck with lightning. "I'm losing altitude. Hang on!"


bunker, heatwave's pov, 20 minutes later

Boulder, Chase, and I have spent the last twenty minutes trying to find my new daughters. "Mari? Saf? Little Ones?" I pause when I see a small light blue pede sticking out from under the console in our command center. I know Safire would never abandon Mariposa when she's upset. I step in and look under it to find her curled into a ball in her Cybertronian form, her doorwings flat against her back and coolant on her faceplates. "Oh. Little One." I reach under and pull her out before standing with her in my arms. She may be ten feet tall, but I can still hold her and carry her easily. I turn when I feel a hand on my arm to see Safire standing behind me.

"Heatwave, have you—"

"You found them! I'll go let Graham know."

Mariposa hides her face in my chest plates, causing me to glare at my team.

"If I may—"

"She was hiding under the monitor." I sigh. "Tell Chief Burns we found her. I'll bring them up once she calms down."

I step into my berth room, where she transforms into her human form before leaning into my leg and clinging to my plating. "I'm sorry, Little One. Blades and I argue like that sometimes."

She whimpers before trying to curl deeper into my leg. "I could feel everything, Carrier. It hurt my spark."

"Me too." I look toward the door to find Safire on the berth beside me, trying to climb onto my lap. "I could feel your anger."

"It felt like you were going to leave…"

"I know, but we're not going to leave you because of an argument."


garage, normal pov, 10 minutes later

We step into the garage as Momma's voice comes over the comm system. "Mayday, mayday. Dad, Kade, Graham, is anyone there?"

"Dani. Dani, what's wrong?"

"Hit by lightning. Forced to land. Cody's with me."
"What is your location?" Papa leans forward when he doesn't get a response. "Dani! Tell me where you are!"
"Ridgeline cliff!"

Carrier stands. "Rescue bots, roll to the rescue!" He turns to Kade with a glare. "And the twins stay with me."


with dani, dani's pov

Cody and I climb out to inspect the damage. "Don't worry, I'm sure it looks worse than it feels." Blades transforms. "Aah. Actually, no. It hurts."
Cody and I share a look before he looks up to Blades. "Just take it easy, Blades."
"Yeah, help will be here soon." I turn to see lightning strike a tree, setting it on fire.

"We can't stay here. Which way to the road?"

I look around before pointing up. "Maybe we should ride out the fire inside Blades."
Blades sighs. "I can handle the heat but you two would bake inside me like snickerdoodles."
"So that cliff is our only way out?"

I sigh nervously. "We don't have the equipment to scale it."

Cody turns to look at the scoop claw. "Sure we do."
"Here we go. Activate the winch."
Cody hands me the remote, but I push it back to him. "You do it."
When we reach the top, the bolt comes loose, and we almost fall backward off the cliff. "Everyone all right?"

"Yes. Nice job, Blades."
Cody points down to where the trees below us are completely engulfed in flames. "Yeah. But now what? Look!"

"Well, that's a problem."
I reach up to my radio. "Dad, do you read? Kade? Graham?" I groan. "That power surge must've fried it."
"I'll try flying again."
He takes off, but starts to spin. "No, Blades. Stop. You're hurt."

"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Everything will be all right. The team will find us."


with the team, Papa's pov

Chase zooms in on Blades, and displays him on the windshield. "I see them. Heatwave, Kade, lead the way."
"You heard the Chief, bots. Let's grow some legs." They transform, and Heatwave starts dousing the fire.


with Dani, dani's pov

"Now I know how the snickerdoodles feel."
"Blades, you might to transform so we can make a run for the road."
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but I can't move. I must be more damaged than I thought."
A branch hits the canopy. I reach over and take Cody's hand nervously. Moments later, we see water hit the window before completely pouring over Blades. Once the water clears away, I can see Heatwave's silhouette, followed by Chase and Boulder.

"Is everyone all right?"

I sigh. "We are. Thanks to Blades."
"But he's injured, Dad. Bad. He can't transform."

"He won't need to." The three pick us up and carry us back home.


late afternoon

Cody, Nellie, and I are watching TV in the bunker with the bots. Cody is leaning on the back of a chair while kneeling on the seat, while I'm sitting on Carrier's shoulder with my head on his helm, worn out from my earlier meltdown. Nellie is sitting beside Carrier in her Cybertronian form. Huxley Prescott is once again outside the firehouse. "Dani, how did you feel being a rescuer in need of rescue?"

"I felt lucky, to be a part of such a great family of heroes. And that includes my little brother, Cody."
"Thanks, Dani."
"And we couldn't do any of what we do without our amazing, amazing rescue vehicles."
Boulder elbows Carrier. "See that, Heatwave, we're officially appreciated."
Carrier's arms are crossed. "She could have mentioned us by name."
Chase turns when he hears Sire return from where they stored their tech. "Blades, how are you feeling?"

Nellie and I turn to see him, but otherwise stay put. "Much better. Thank you. Spend an hour in stasis pod and I'm ready for action."
Cody walks over to him. "Only an hour? Then where have you been all afternoon?"

"Dani and I were retrieving that scoop claw from the cliff."

Carrier sighs and I groan as Boulder voices everyone's thoughts. "You're still gonna use that thing?"

"Only when we'll need it. Which hopefully won't be too often. That claw is so uncomfortable."
"And you know what else? Your waistline looks better, too."
Sire smiles. "Thank you for noticing."
We all start laughing. Cody runs for the elevator before joining the family outside.

Nellie looks up to me. "Emily? Can I…"

I nod. "Go 'head. I'm okay."


outside

Kade shoots, making a basket. "All right, Graham, think fast."

Papa laughs. "Good one, Graham."

Nellie giggles, and runs after the ball as it rolls away.


inside, heatwave's pov

Mariposa yawns before curling into my neck.

Blades reaches up to her. "Sounds like someone needs some recharge."

"She started crying because of the argument earlier. You know sparklings feed off others emotional states."

"No' a sparklin'."

"You are, Little One."

She yawns again. "Rat'et say' I'm no' a sparklin'."

Blades laughs, causing me to glare at him. "She told you."

"I guess she did." I sigh as Blades takes her. I know she's drifted into recharge on my shoulder, and I don't want her to fall. "Give her here."

"What?"

"Give her to me. I'm going to put her in her berth. Chief Burns can wake her for her food and energon when their meal is ready."


evening, heatwave's pov

"Heatwave? Cody said Emily was down here."

I nod. "She's in her berth room."

Chief Burns nods before turning to Nellie. "Go ahead and get your sister."


Normal pov

I stumble out of my room with Nellie. "Papa? What—"

"Supper's ready, Sweetheart." He puts an arm around me. "Dani said you've had a busy day."


that night

We change into our nightgowns before climbing into my bed. It's early, but with the day I've had, I need the rest. Nellie climbs in and curls into me. As twins, it's not so weird, but we do need to cuddle sometimes. I wonder if their twins do the same. After all, we're half-Cybertronian.