Chapter 15: Recreation time
Several weeks had passed with the Autobots working around the clock without rest. Their engines and joints squeaked and ached as they tried their best to continue their work but found they were experiencing a new feeling which they could never feel in robot mode, Sleep.
Optimus and Ironhide were laying bricks, but both of them yawned and they felt their eyes getting heavy.
"Prime, I feel funny."
"Me too Ironhide, I wonder what this sensation is?"
"Its called sleep." Lightning answered.
"Sleep? Describe this feeling." Asked Optimus.
"Well you know, you guys have been working flat out for two weeks without rest. Your bodies are running out of energy so you need to sleep."
"Running out of energy? That must be it, our power must be running low Ironhide, but without an energy source we'll be knocked into stasis lock!" warned Prime.
"Hey don't worry about it just sleep on it, trust me you'll wake up tomorrow morning as good as new." Said McQueen.
"Hmm perhaps it could work that way, when our power runs low in car mode our Earth bodies must display signs of tiredness, but perhaps if we did sleep then our bodies might actually recharge on their own, but that's just an educated guess." Said Optimus.
"Well Prime, I dunno but I really need to power down right now…." And Ironhide simply fell asleep there and then.
"Hey why are you lazing around? There's work to do." Said Doc barging in.
"Aw give the guys a break Doc, they've been working for weeks without rest, at least give them some time off." Said Lightning, Doc grunted but if his laborers were running tired then they needed rest to work as hard again tomorrow.
"Alright you Autobots, I've decided to give you a chance to rest or do some free time, if anyone wishes to rest they can go in the town hall with everyone else taking shelter there. Or if you'd rather have some free time then explore a bit but you must be accompanied by a resident car, no running off!" Doc then looked at McQueen "Make sure they don't run away McQueen, show them around if you must but keep them in sight you hear?"
"Sir yes sir, Doc" replied McQueen.
Optimus towed Ironhide to the town hall to sleep, but stopped to tell the young Autobots to have some fun.
"Listen you three, I don't want you causing any trouble that will make our punishment more severe so behave yourselves and keep in contact with any Earth cars you understand?" Hot Rod and the Lambo twins nodded in agrement.
"Good, now I and Ironhide are going to take five and recharge, the Protectobots will continue working but I'm not sure what Bumblebee wants to do so if you do something invite him along, well good night Autobots."
"Good Night Optimus" the Autobots said in Unison.
As soon as Doc was out of sight Lightning linked up with Hot Rod and the Lambors.
"Hey guys how's it going?"
"Fine thanks to you!" said Hot Rod in a foul tone.
"Aw please are you still upset about that race?"
"No its because you acted like our friend then you tricked me into a race in which you knew exactly what would happen and now we're shoveling dirt caused by those freakin' Decepticons!"
"Well about that, I'm sorry I had to do that but we could've used the extra hand you know, not all us cars can turn into big strong robots like you can" said Lightning "Anyway you can put down your shovels now, would you like to do something fun?"
"Well now you're talking!" said Sideswipe enthusiastically.
"Oh boy can I join in guys?" said Bumblebee, he looked for the younger Autobots to see what they were up to.
"I dunno Bumblebee, only we big cars can handle these kind of things" laughed Sunstreaker.
"Aw shut up Sunstreaker, I'll have you know I'm older than you!"
"Relax 'Bee he's just kidding" said Hot Rod "So anyway Lightning, what sort of fun do you have in mind?"
"Tractor Tipping?!" said a confused Hot Rod.
Himself, Bumblebee, the Lambo twins and Jazz (who wanted to come along so he could see more Earth Culture) found themselves in a large open field, one of few grassy areas in this part of the desert, along with Mater and McQueen, strange looking vehicles occupied this field, covered in pink skin and Caucasian colored spots on their hides.
"What are those wretched looking things?" asked 'Streaker.
"Why those are Tractors! You never seen a tractor?" asked Mater.
"No we haven't. What's so fun about watching a bunch of dumb animals?" asked Sideswipe.
"Aw heck, we don't stare at 'em, we sneak up on 'em and honk our horns real loud like, the tractors will get such a shock they'll tip over and…well let's say a reaction happens when they do, hehehe." Chuckled Mater "Here just watch me, cuz I'm an 'exterp' at this game, OH and watch out for Frank!" and the rusty tow truck drove away quietly.
"Who's Frank?" asked the Autobots, but McQueen stayed quiet, smiling rather evilly.
A poor oblivious Tractor snoozed away completely unaware that Mater was stalking it like a Lion after prey, Mater tip toed one-two-three-four, until he was within range….
'HARROOOGA!' belched his horn, the Tractor tipped up in sheer terror and then out of its exhaust it let off a big…'reaction'.
"Aw Primus that smells awful!" cried Jazz, but his cries were unheard for Mater's laughing.
"Hey are you Autoboots gonna try this or whut? You'll have the time of your lives."
The trio of Autobot youngsters, being troublemakers back on Cybertron, couldn't resist, they each picked their targeted Tractors and let off a honk of their horns, in thirty seconds, five cows had already been tipped.
"Aren't you coming Jazz?" asked Bumblebee.
"Nah kid, I can't stand that smell they make, made me nearly puke my coolness out. You go on ahead I'll just watch."
"Okay then!" and 'Bee was off, he merrily honked his horn as he sped past tractors, all of them flipping over as they did.
"You enjoying this guys?" shouted McQueen, all four Autobots laughed and Lightning took that as a yes.
Pretty soon at which the Autobots speedily tipped the tractors there was no more to tip.
"Aw dude that was awesome" said Hot Rod panting.
"Yeah too bad they all tipped now!" said Bumblebee.
"Yeah thanks Mater & Lightning, that's just what we needed to cheer up!" said a jubilant Sideswipe.
"Well I'm glad fellas, but that's not the finish we got more fun stuff we can…." Mater stopped, something instinctive in him alerted him of Danger, nobody heard it at first but Mater simply said:
"There's Frank!" and sped off, same as Lightning, he had heard that warning once too many.
"Frank?" asked 'Bee, but his question drowned out in the sounds of a furious beast thundering their way, the sky lit up in the darkness of night.
"W-w-what the frag is that?" asked 'Streaker.
"GUYS FOR GOODNESS SAKE DRIVE!" shouted Lightning from afar.
But his warning was too late, from a neighboring line of trees and fence, Frank the combine harvester smashed through letting off the sort of snorting roar a bull would give off and the four Autobots screamed with fright, they saw Frank advancing upon them with his swirling blades of death, they chopped up thousands of pieces of grass each second he passed over a patch.
"I don't mean to steal someone else's motto but ROLL FOR IT AUTOBOTS!" shouted Hot Rod, all four of them sped for their lives.
They should have been able to outrun the lumbering Harvester, but their fear had gripped them so much, they couldn't go fast enough as they found to their horror when Frank was catching up.
"Autobots, split up!" shouted Hot Rod and they all instinctively went separate ways, however unfortunately for 'Bee, he found Frank still chasing him, the harvester seemed to pick him out especially because he looked small and vulnerable…and yellow.
"Aaaahh he's still after meee!" screamed Bee, he drove for his life but he soon found himself cornered, thick bush and high fencing blocked him in as he tried to crawl out but to no avail, he turned to see Frank slowly like a killer approach, snorting evilly like a bat out of heck.
It seemed to 'Bee that Frank suddenly churned his blades faster and faster, ready to dice him up even better, the yellow bug cringed in fear, he closed his eyes and buried his bonnet into the ground, it seemed like the end…
Frank approached but he was in for a very nasty surprise. For out of the darkness a car was leaping into the air like a bird, but this car was different to the usual pests Frank was use to dealing with, in mid air the car skillfully changed, a distinct noise could be heard, it grew bigger and it slammed in between Frank and Bee, for once in his life Frank was looking up at someone for once.
It was Jazz, his mouth had a angry look to it and his visor flashed blue angrily, Frank like the BULLy he is, felt nervous at looking up at the bigger Jazz, who proceeded to stomp down on Frank's spinning blades, they stopped dead and the middle of the large lawnmower like device was completely flattened, Jazz then grabbed Frank by the his exhausts which resembled Horns, lifted him up with great might and said to Frank:
"Get lost"
The combine harvester didn't have to think twice as he sped off in fright. As soon as the danger was gone 'Bee could finally relax.
"Thanks Jazz, I thought I was nut & bolt chop suey!"
"Come on bug buddy, let's rejoin the others." Ordered Jazz while transforming back into a Porsche.
The two Autobot cars returned to find their comrades laughing hysterically with McQueen and Mater.
"Aw dude the adrenaline I got off of that, I'm almost going crazy, that's the most fun I've had in a long time!" laughed Hot Rod with the Lambo twins laughing in agreement.
"Aw man you should've seen the faces on you guys when Frank showed up, it was Priceless!" laughed McQueen.
The others turned to see Jazz and 'Bee had finally caught up, but the expressions on their faces was different from theirs, Jazz looked furious and 'Bee looked nervous.
"Uh what's wrong fellas?" asked Mater.
Jazz looked at the Earth and Cybertronian cars with a stern look.
"Where were you all when Bumblebee was about to be chopped into tiny bits?" he asked.
"What are you saying Jazz?" asked 'Swipe.
"I'm saying you lot were all standing here laughing your eyes off when Bumblebee was about to be grinded by that beast thing if I hadn't shown up, and as for you McQueen why didn't you warn us of that Frank, someone could've been injured or worse…" Lightning struggled to find a response.
"Hey listen, err I didn't mean to put you in danger, its part of the fun…"
"Nothing is funny about death!" roared Jazz, this was a side to Jazz the Autobots had never seen before.
"Oh yeah, what do you know about death Mr Big shot?" asked McQueen sarcastically.
"What do I know kid? I've been fighting a bitter war for millions of years, and you have the ball bearings to ask me that? I suggest in future you warn someone of such dangers, because something you find 'funny' could end up with you losing someone you care for, just like I had once…" Jazz stopped there and cruised back to RS at a slow pace.
McQueen looked at Bumblebee, he was twitching badly and shaking, any tiredness that had been in him got thrown out through fright. McQueen felt bad, seeing 'Bee that scared must've meant he had a rough time just like Jazz said.
"Bumblebee, I'm sorry I didn't mean for you to be in any danger, I just wanted you to have a good time." 'Bee looked at McQueen with an angry look, but 'Bee saved his frustration for the Autobot cars.
"Thanks for leaving me you guys, maybe next time I can return the favor when you're being beaten to a pulp by a Decepticon!" roared Bumblebee and he chased after Jazz.
"But Bumblebee!" the Autobots shouted, but their words fell deafly on 'Bee.
The 'Bots & Cars just stared at each silently until McQueen said:
"Come on guys let's go back home." He said in a sad tone, the fun had been ruined tonight as any hopes for further activities was washed out quicker than Lightning could race.
Jazz & Bumblebee got to RS first, Bee bid Jazz goodnight as he tried to get to sleep, Jazz didn't feel tired, he just stared into the stars as if he was searching for something, no doubt Cybertron.
Sally watched Jazz from her half wrecked Cozy Cone Motel, she saw Jazz seemed upset, maybe he was homesick she thought.
"Hey Jazz, you look sad." She asked, seeing Sally made Jazz very happy suddenly.
"Oh hey Sally, you still up at this time?" he asked her.
"Yeah I don't feel tired. What happened? You look as if you smelled onions."
Jazz didn't know what onions meant but he got the hint that she knew he was upset.
"Well Sally it's two things, I like visiting other worlds and all but when you learn you've been away from home for millions of years, it really takes a toll on you, that and Bumblebee was almost hurt tonight because of that McQueen guy."
"Stickers? Why what's he been doing now?"
Jazz told her of tonight's events.
"Aw god that immature little car, doing that at his age and he didn't warn any of you about Frank? I don't blame you for being angry."
"Well that's just one thing, me and McQueen had an argument and I said things which I wish I hadn't, because it reminded me of the terrible things I saw back on Cybertron…." Jazz stopped there and closed his eyes with sorrow.
"Hey Jazz I think I know what might cheer you up, follow me." Said Sally and she drove off slowly, stopping to tell Jazz to follow, the Autobot Porsche finally did.
He followed her past RS and up tailfin pass mountain, until they eventually reached the abandoned Wheel Well Motel, opposite the derelict building was Sally's favorite look out point on the mountain.
"What is this place?" asked Jazz.
"That's the Wheel well motel, it used to be a great place for Cars to stay, but like our town once was, it was left and forgotten about." Replied Sally.
"Your town? What happened to it?" asked Jazz again.
Sally told him the whole story about how RS used to be a fantastic place with hundreds of visitors coming each day; times were happy and prosperous, until the motorway came.
"Back in its heyday Radiator Springs was the most beautiful place in the universe and many Cars agreed." Said Sally.
"You know what Sally, if I was from Earth and Radiator Springs, I would agree with you." Said Jazz.
"Buuuut…?" asked Sally.
"But of course I'm from Cybertron and every Transformer agreed that during the golden age, Cybertron was the most beautiful place in the universe."
"What is Cybertron like?" asked Sally.
"Cybertron was the bomb man, the entire planet when it flourished with energy was literally a planet of gold, hence 'the golden age of Cybertron' everything was peaceful, until the Decepticons came…." Jazz grew silent, Sally knew that he was to upset to talk about what the evil robots did, but then she remembered something she wanted to ask Jazz about.
"Why did you save me during that battle a few days ago?" she asked "I understand that you Autobots protect the innocent, but you seemed to particularly help me, several times in fact."
Sally instantly saw Jazz taken back by the question and he turned beetroot.
"Oh, err, well like I said I wouldn't be much of a gentle-bot if I didn't help the ladies in distress!" he replied nervously.
"No please be serious, tell me the truth. I promise I won't think any less of you whatever you tell me."
Jazz breathed in and then let out his true emotions:
"Sally…..I know this might sound freaky to you, what me being a robot and you a car….but Miss Sally, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen, I don't know why I feel this way, maybe because like you I'm a Porsche, but I speak the truth."
Sally smiled and giggled.
"Hehe I knew it, you men are so predictable…" she laughed, Jazz however his bonnet lowered in disgrace.
"I'm sorry Sally I understand that you would feel this way…"
"Oh no Jazz, I'm not saying that I don't like you. I'm just saying when I first looked at you with those eyes; they read 'love' all over like a book. I'm happy you feel that way for me Jazz, but I'm afraid I already love someone else…"
"Oh of course Miss Sally, I understand that if there is someone else before me then I should stand down…"
"AHAA!" shouted a voice, Jazz and Sally turned shocked to see McQueen standing there furiously.
"Stickers!" said Sally.
"I knew it, I knew since you came here you were after her!" accused McQueen.
"Hey man I dunno what you're talking about!" said Jazz.
"You know what I mean Jazz, just because you feel angry about me putting Bumblebee in danger, doesn't mean you can steal my girlfriend in retaliation!"
"I wasn't stealing Sally, sure I'll admit she's an attractive car, but I wouldn't move in on her if I knew she was with you." Replied Jazz.
"Oh that's a load of baloni!"
"Knock it off you two!" Sally came barging in "Stickers you need to calm down I was only talking with Jazz, we didn't do anything that would ruin your ego."
"Ego? What does that mean?" asked McQueen angrily.
"Oh you know what I mean Stickers, you like to keep treating me as if I'm your property, I talk to another guy and you think I'm going to kiss him!" replied Sally.
"Aw for goodness sake I don't need your moaning as well Sally."
"MY moaning?!" as anyone knows saying things like that REALLY insults a woman.
"You can talk you little pampered up celebrity wanabe, when you first came to this town all you could do was moan and whinge…" shouted Sally.
The argument swayed between the three sides until Sheriff finally came up.
"Quiet you kids, you're disturbing the peace, we can hear yer' shouting all the way down there, now hush up and come home, Doc is getting worked up about you three."
The three cars looked at each other furiously and followed Sheriff home, when they got there everybody had went to bed, Optimus was snoring like a pig all night. Morning came and the feeling was still the same as last night, strained and boring as the Autobots again continued their work.
However things were to change for the better, with the arrival of Mack, towing McQueen's personal trailer he surveyed the damage and construction work going on around him.
"Woah, what the heck happened here?" he asked himself.
"Mack! What are you doing here?" asked McQueen who spotted his big red truck friend.
"Oh don't tell me you've forgotten kid…"
"Forgot what?" asked McQueen.
At the same time Optimus and Hot Spot were lifting bricks.
"Hey Prime, this block of bricks is too heavy to lift, can you get it for me?" asked Hot Spot.
"Certainly Hot Spot, it'll be easier to lift in robot mode, I hope that Doc person isn't looking…" and Optimus slyly transformed and lifted the set of bricks with his arms, Mack had caught him doing so.
"WAAAHHH It's those robots!" he yelled, Optimus turned to look at the noise.
"Uh-Oh" he said.
Mack was panicking badly until McQueen calmed him down.
"Mack, MACK calm down! These robots are our friends!"
"Woah…they are?" asked Mack.
"Yes, these aren't the same guys you saw tear up the highway. The ones you saw on TV were Decepticons, these are Autobots"
"What's an Autobots and a Decepticon?" asked Mack.
"Perhaps I can explain…" said Prime, transforming to his truck mode.
"Aw hey you're a truck? Sweet!" said Mack, it wasn't often he got to mingle with vehicles his size.
Optimus explained to Mack the whole story about Cybertron and how RS was wrecked through a battle with the Decepticons and how they had been made to rebuild the town.
"Woah that's a lot to take in, visitors from Outer Space who can turn into cars? Amazing, yeah Doc was probably a little too judgmental in making you rebuild the damages those evil 'bots made." Said Mack.
"Yes but we can't deny the fact that because of our war, your proud town was destroyed and for that we are just as responsible as the Decepticons." Replied Optimus.
"Hey Mack I almost forgot, what did you say I forgot about earlier?" asked McQueen.
"Oh yeah, don't you know? It's the pre-season charity race this weekend, whoever wins gets a one million dollar reward to donate to their selected charities."
"Oh my gosh you're right, aw man I completely forgot about that because of the arrival of the Autobots. Oh man I'm totally not prepared, I better tell Doc and Guido to get ready as well!" and Lightning shot off to tell his pit crew of the race. Optimus drove up to Mack.
"Excuse me this race you're talking about, did you say it is for charity?" he asked.
"Yup one million smackeroos! Any charity that gets that money will have a wheel of a time!" replied Mack.
"Can, anyone enter?" asked Optimus.
"Well in case you were wondering trucks can't enter, so don't get your hopes up, or robots for that matter" laughed Mack "But yeah if you can get your details in on time along with your selected charity anyone can enter, this race is usually full of hopeful rookies hoping to get a sponsor for the season so it's a good choice for newcomers." Replied Mack, Optimus turned to Hot Rod.
"Hey Hot Rod, how would you like to enter a major Earth race this weekend?"
"WOULD I?" shouted Hot Rod in glee…
Well well, a major pre-season race, sound like it could be fun, especially for Hot Rod, this could be his chance to get back at McQueen. However don't expect the next chapter to be all fun and games, because with all that rich Dinoco lying around in the stadium, some people will be after it you can count on it.