Alexis and her mother were at home, packing. Alexis was a bit surprised when she had asked Optimus if she could go with her mother and he said yes as long as she took two Mini-Cons to help her if she needed it. So Alexis got Sureshock and one of the other Mini-Cons who could transform into a bicycle like Highwire.
Alexis had decided that she would head down with Sureshock and her mother would take the other in her car. When Alexis arrived home, her mother was busy packing up a few things. Both Mini-Cons were already informed that if company were to show up, they would make a mad dash to Alexis's room to hide.
"Mom," Alexis said as she finished packing a box of CDs. "Any idea what you plan to do?"
"I'm really considering going to the farm."
"What about Optimus's offer?"
"I don't know. In case I choose to stay here I am going to have the furniture that won't be needed sent to the base so I could have a place to stay instead of on that cot. And where you will be able to be normal once in a while, you could use it."
"What about Dad? What do we tell him? Considering I said that I didn't want to move in with him."
Mrs. MacDonald looked up from packing another box of CDs. "I never thought about that. He was quite upset that you didn't want to move in with him."
"Don't you still have a living relative back home?"
"Yes, my father's sister and brother Aunt Lisa and Uncle Charlie. They have actually been keeping an eye on the farm."
Sureshock walked over to Alexis. -How about saying that one of them is sick and your mother needs to take care of them-
"What was that?" Mrs. MacDonald asked.
"Sureshock just suggested in saying that one of them is sick and we had to leave to tend to them."
"You can understand these Mini-Cons?"
"Since I activated Sureshock, I have been able to understand him. In time I was able to understand them all. Fred and Billy can't understand them."
"That could probably work. Your father never did get along with my father's family. One of them isn't in the best of the health."
A knock at the door broke the conversation. Alexis looked at Sureshock who was already heading upstairs with the other Mini-Con in tow. When they were out of sight, she went to the door and not to her surprise it was Sandy.
"I hope I'm not imposing," Sandy said.
"No," Alexis answered. "Mom and I were just doing some packing."
"Mind if I help?"
"Not at all."
"Hello Sandy," Mrs. MacDonald said. "Alexis told me you might be by sometime to help. Mind you I didn't think it would be today."
"I know. Alexis seemed quite distracted when we were shopping earlier. So I thought coming here might cheer her up."
Alexis smiled and this time it was a real smile. "You and I have been friends since Grade 1."
"You bet. Where should I start?"
"How about helping us pack up some of the dishes?" Mrs. MacDonald suggested.
"Sure. When is the big day?"
"As soon as we get packed," Alexis said.
-
It took a couple hours in getting most of the dishes packed. A few dishes remained out for meals. Alexis hoped they wouldn't be needed especially if her mother would return with her back to the base.
"Maybe we should start on your room," Sandy suggested.
Alexis snapped her head up as Sandy headed for the stairs. With quick action, Alexis jumped and quickly grabbed her friend's arm.
Sandy turned, confused. "Alexis?"
"Sorry." Alexis quickly released the arm. "I...ummmm..."
"She doesn't want anyone to see her poor excuse for a room," Mrs. MacDonald said in Alexis's defense. "I was up there earlier and told her that she had to do the room herself."
"Oh." Sandy didn't believe Alexis's mother. She knew Alexis always had her room cleaned. She had a distinct feeling that both her friend and mother were keeping something from her.
Silently to herself, Alexis breathed a sigh of relief. She could sense Kiaudica's fear. Kiaudica knew if the Mini-Cons were discovered, everyone would be exposed.
"How about...calling it a day for now," Mrs. MacDonald suggested. "I'm getting hungry."
"That's a good idea," Alexis said. She turned back to Sandy. "Thanks for coming by."
"Ah...sure," Sandy said. "Alexis could I have a word with you for a moment out back." Sandy now was really bothered.
Both teenage girls left the living room and headed outside in the backyard. An old swing set was still set up outside and Alexis walked over to it and sat. Sandy remained standing.
"What is it with you today? First you didn't want to window shop and now you freak out about your room, which I know is never a mess. So what is going on?"
Alexis released a sad sigh. "I can't tell you. I have been sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone. My mother was just recently been told about it and not because I wanted to."
"Does this have something to do with you being sick and missing school?"
"Everything has to do on that." Alexis could hear Kiaudica telling her to stay quiet. "Trust me. If I were able to say anything, I would tell you. You are my best friend after all."
"So this is a secret from someone else? Why didn't you just tell me that in the first place? Is this moving a cover-up?"
"Yes and no," Alexis admitted. "We have to move, yes but not to where you think. Listen what I have said you must not tell anyone. Optimus would have a cow, if I said something."
"Optimus? That's a weird name."
"Sandy please, I'm begging you, on my brother's grave, don't say anything." Alexis crumbled to the ground, just about in tears.
"I won't," Sandy said quietly. She knelt down and hugged her friend. "What happened to your brother?"
"He was my twin brother and he was hit by a car when we were six. I was there on that day. Ever since then I considered myself as an only child. I have friends who only know my parents are divorced. I told them I was an only child.
"You remember when I was young and I would get into trouble, trying to get attention. I did that so people would forget about my brother."
The hug was soon short lived, when Alexis suddenly collapsed in pain. Sandy jumped back, at first not knowing what to do but quickly stood up and quickly ran and got her mother.
Alexis's mother came flying out of the house, with Sandy at her heels. She crouched on the ground, taking her daughter into her arms as Alexis cried in pain. A few minutes later the cries calmed to whimpers.
"Is she ok?" Sandy asked, concerned. She knelt down beside Alexis putting a comfort arm on her shoulder.
"No," Mrs. MacDonald said as tears fell from her eyes. "I'm losing my daughter. Just as I lost my son."
"Mom," Alexis whispered. "I feel like I'm being torn in half. I think it's..." Suddenly Alexis screamed out.
Mrs. MacDonald didn't want to leave her daughter but knew she needed to get to Sureshock. She looked at Sandy and decided to forget the secret. Optimus would understand, at least she hoped he would.
"Sandy, go to Alexis's room. There are two robots there. She needs them."
"Robots?" she question, confused. But after one look at her friend, she ran up to Alexis's room. There sitting on the bed, when she opened the door were two robots; one orange and one green. The orange one turned and quickly went a little defensive. Sandy's mouth dropped.
"I...ah...ah...Alexis has just collapsed outside in the backyard," she rushed out.
Both little robots jumped off the bed and quickly took off past the frightened girl. The orange one turned and ran back to Sandy. He grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him. When they reached outside, the orange one quickly knelt down beside Alexis.
Mrs. MacDonald looked at him. "We need to get her out of here and fast. I couldn't leave Alexis so I sent Sandy."
Sandy watched as the orange one pulled something off of her friend and started beeping into it. When the beeping was done, Sandy heard a male voice say he was on his way.
Mrs. MacDonald turned to Sandy. "Sandy what you see, you mustn't say a word to anyone. These robots are intelligent beings from another planet. This is Sureshock, a Mini-Con. He is Alexis's Mini-Con who transforms into a scooter, which you probably seen Alexis driving on earlier. She has had him for almost a year now."
"Transforms? Sureshock? Mini-Con?" She was in total shock.
A few minutes later, a boy came running from the house. "Alexis! Sandy!" Rad squeaked as he ran towards Alexis.
Sandy was now confused. Even Rad knew about this.
-She knows. At least part of it- Sureshock beeped. -Who's with you-
"Hotshot and Red Alert." Rad pulled something out of his pocket and began to spoke. "Optimus we may have a little trouble. A friend of Alexis is here too."
"Worry about that later. Right now get her back here. Might as well bring her friend too. Has her friend seen Sureshock?"
"Yes. She's beside him right now."
"Get here stat!"
Sandy watched as Rad put...what ever it was back into his pocket and went up to Alexis. "Hotshot is waiting out front. Mrs. MacDonald, take Sandy to the base."
Mrs. MacDonald nodded and reluctantly placed Alexis down. She started to walk way, taking Sandy's hand to get her to come. Alexis was still shaking violently and her skin was starting to turn to metal. Sureshock bent down and picked up Alexis and walked towards the house. Rad and the other Mini-Con were in tow.
When Sandy reached the curb she saw a yellow car and a red and white car waiting. She gasped as she noticed there was no one in either car. The yellow car suddenly opened its door. "Get it."
"Wh-"
"He's a transformer," Mrs. MacDonald said. "Who will take Alexis?" She was scared for her daughter.
"I will. You go with Hotshot and we'll meet you at the base."
"I...I..." Sandy tried to say as she got into the yellow car. Alexis's mother went around to the driver seat.
The yellow car sped away just as Rad and the Mini-Cons were coming out with Alexis. Red Alert opened his door so Sureshock could let Alexis in the back. Rad climbed into the driver seat as the two Mini-Cons were in the back with Alexis. When everyone was in, Red Alert kicked into high gear to catch up to Hotshot.
-
As her eyes opened the first thing she noticed were lights. It took her a few minutes for her eyes to clear to notice that she was in the medical bay at the base. She moaned...well tried to sigh but a moan came out instead.
"Oh Alexis." She heard a female voice say. Alexis recognized the voice.
"Sandy? What happened?"
"You fainted from the pain as you were being brought here," Sandy explained. "You have weird friends."
"I'm surprised," Alexis managed out. "That Mom got you to get Sureshock."
"I can see why you need to keep their identity a secret. If the government were to find out about them, they would freak."
"Have you been told everything?"
"No, just what is happening to you. It must be hard to keep this from everyone. I was told why and how you are becoming one of your giant friends. Your skin has changed to metal."
Alexis's eyes widened. She raised her arm and inspected her robotic arm. She laid the arm back down and looked away. "Sandy, I am glad you know this. I didn't want to keep this from you but I had no choice."
"I understand. Your mother told me that you will be able to be human once in awhile. She also told me how."
"Have you met everyone?"
Except for your close friend...Star..."
"Starscream. Yeah him and I have become close. He's probably in his quarters, outside on the mountain top or in his hiding place."
"Optimus Prime seems very nice. He is very concerned about you."
"Everyone is. For a few days Optimus wouldn't even let me out of the base. And then today I needed to get out so I snuck out but was watched. Starscream followed me until I met up with you. I can't blame him, if Megatron were to find me...I could die...he doesn't like me..." Again a sharp pain came from Alexis.
Alexis's scream brought Red Alert and a few other bots to her side. Even her mother came running into the room. Red Alert helped her up to Alexis.
Sandy had no idea what to do. She placed a hand on Alexis's arm as she started to shake violently again. The pain this time was fierce. Out of the corner of Sandy's eye, she could see her arms and legs getting larger.
"Get back!" Red Alert shouted. He picked up both Sandy and Mrs. MacDonald as he noticed that Alexis started to grow.
Alexis screamed out again and then fainted from the pain.
-
A weird feeling was emitting from all over. She didn't feel like herself. She was standing in a white-misted room, with Kiaudica in front of her.
"What's happening?" Alexis asked.
"It's finally happening. You fainted from the pain. I also had something to do with that as well. When you awake, you will no longer be human. Even as I speak, your body is being stretched."
Alexis's head fell as tears fell from her eyes. "What will happen to you now?"
"I will still be here. You will be able to sense my thoughts but we will not be able to communicate nor will I be able to take control. I may be able to land a punch or so but that will be about it. However, I should be able to communicate with you when you are human."
"Why do I feel weird?"
"You are feeling your body change. The last spell you took at your home was the final transformation of your insides and now the exterior is changing. Be patient with your friends. They will want to train you as fast as possible. I have the feeling Megatron is about to attack."
"Will you help if he does?"
"I'll do the best I can. I will only be able to help you fight. Don't be scared. You have Starscream and me to help. Not to mention the rest of the Autobots."
Kiaudica suddenly looked up. "It's over. I will allow your body to relax before allowing you to return. Remember, you are a Transformer now. You still have a few more changes to go through but the worse is over. I'm not sure what those changes are. I must leave you. We can no longer talk to each other. Good-bye. It has been a pleasure."
Kiaudica faded away leaving Alexis alone. When she was alone, she crumbled to the floor and wept. After she calmed her tears, she stood back up. Knowing that she was still in a dream she decided to find out what she was going to look like. She imagined a mirror and willed herself to what she was going to look like. But just before her change was complete...
-
Sounds were the first thing she noticed. Remembering what Kiaudica told her, she relaxed her mind and willed herself to get a feel of her new body. She could sense circuitry through her body where once was organs and veins. Wires were now in place of her veins and vital systems were in place of organs.
Knowing that she needed to see, she willed herself to know where her optics would light up. As the optics came online the first thing she noticed was Red Alert. Wow! He looked different now. She knew to expect to be as tall as the Autobots but looking for the first time at the face of a friend in a different way was strange.
"Your awake," he said. "How do you feel?"
"Like I've been hit with a transport truck," she said. She quickly noticed that the sound of her voice had a metallic sound to it.
"A what?" Optimus asked.
Alexis looked over to Optimus. "Sorry. Didn't mean you."
"Well she has a sense of humor," Blurr said. "I still haven't been able to find Starscream."
"Don't worry," Optimus said. "Alexis why don't you try standing."
"Where's mother and Sandy?"
"We're here," Sandy said. "Alexis I'm sorry."
Alexis slowly sat up with Red Alert's help. It really felt weird being helped up him. For a long time his hand was always used to carry her and now he was pulling her up by her arm.
"I have been monitoring your systems and you have full functions of all systems," Red Alert said.
When Alexis was sitting up. She felt like she needed to get up. She slowly pulled her legs around the table. When she felt her legs touch the floor, she pushed herself up. She stood as tall as Red Alert.
"Try walking," Red Alert suggested.
Alexis nodded and concentrated to feel where the circuits were for her legs. When she found them, she took a step forward and then another.
"Good," Optimus said. "Alexis not to push you or anything but..."
"I should be ready to train tomorrow," she answered. "Kiaudica told me that it would be best for my training to start as soon as possible. Just let me get a feel of this body."
"Alright," he said. He walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I suppose you would like to see what you look like?"
Optimus moved to the side as he allowed her to see a mirror. Alexis gasped at herself. She looked almost human still except for the light blue optics over her eyes. Her head was shaped like her hairstyle. She was light bluish green and white accenting the armor. She looked a bit like she did the day she went up against Megatron but without the wings.
"How do I copy a design?" she asked.
"You scan a design and your body automatically becomes that design," Red Alert said. "I better get to work on the ship. It's near completion."
"Good idea and I'll leave you with your mother and friend," Optimus said. He left with Red Alert, as did Blurr.
"Mom," Alexis said. "Well it's over now."
"Yes it is. I have decided that I am going to move to the farm. Seeing you like this is too upsetting. I hope you understand."
"I do. I will come and visit you, I promise. Sandy, please help my mother."
"Don't worry I will. I will come and visit you. I'll tell everyone that you moved away."
Alexis gave a sad smile. "Will you guys stay for a while longer?"
"I'll stay as long as I can," Sandy said.
"I'll stay until tomorrow but I have to finish packing," Mrs. MacDonald said.
"Ok. I should go find Starscream and show him. Mom show Sandy the lounge." Alexis walked out. She walked down the hallway hoping not to run into Rad or the others. She didn't think she could go on if they saw her. Luckily for her, she found the doorway that led down to the bottom of the ship. She wasn't sure if Starscream would be there and if he weren't, at least she would have some time alone.
This time when she walked down the darkened stairwell, she was able to see. Her optics allowed her to see in the dark. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she quietly slipped opened the door but stayed in the shadows and found Starscream doing some more sword techniques.
She also noticed he was talking himself but she couldn't make out what he was saying. For a few minutes she watched as he flexed his wing sword in ways she never really noticed before. Suddenly he stopped and looked towards the door. He couldn't see anyone but he had the feeling someone was watching him.
"Who's there?" he demanded. "Show yourself."
"It's me," she said.
"Alexis?"
"It's finally over." She pushed the door all the way open, revealing her new body."
Starscream stared in awe at the girl...no female Transformer. He had no idea that this was happening to her. No words could describe her beauty. She was almost as beautiful as Kiaudica, if not more.
"When did this happened?" he managed out without stuttering.
"Within the last two hours," she answered. "I told Optimus that I would be willing to start training tomorrow."
"You look...amazing."
"Thank you," she said sadly. "I didn't know if you were down here or not."
"Why?"
"I was a bit hoping to be alone. But since you are down here...I'll go somewhere else." Alexis turned to walk away but Starscream swiftly grabbed her arm, stopping her from leaving. Her head was turned away from him.
"Don't go," he said gently. "You are hurting."
"I've just come to realize that I will never have the pleasures of doing other human things; like get married. I always dreamed that I would have a big wedding with a big white wedding gown, something from out of a fairytale." Tears started to build up in her optics. "Plus my mom is moving to Maine because she can't take my changing. I don't blame her. And I will only see my mother when I'm human and I'm afraid to see Rad."
With his hand still around her arm, Starscream took his other hand and placed it on her cheek. It felt soft to the touch, almost like what her skin felt like. He ignored the sensation as he gently made her face him.
"Don't be. You know they have been expecting this. They saw you when you became a Transformer and attacked Megatron. The good thing is that Megatron is still in the dark about this."
"But...how..." her voiced chocked. She couldn't get the words out. Pinkish tears slid out from her optics.
Starscream stared into her face as he brushed the tears away. "Let us show you. You once said to me that I wouldn't let you in, now it's my turn to say the same thing. Let me help you."
She looked up at Starscream as tears were streaming down her face. She quickly wrapped her arms around Starscream and cried against his shoulder. Starscream wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight.
He finally was able to give Alexis comfort like he wanted to from the start. He knew it was a matter of time when he needed to tell her how he felt and hopefully she felt the same way. He didn't know what he'd do if she didn't feel the same. But he had a feeling that she wouldn't reject him.
-
Quick Notes: Originally Starscream and Alexis Series was suppose to be about 15 chapters long. Plus it was suppose to go with the show and beyond...well guess what, that isn't happening.
Another thing I thought it would be a nice touch to add in that Alexis had a brother who died. When I first wrote that Alexis was a single child, I had no thoughts of her having siblings. I think it ties well in. The next chapter will be the explanation of why her brother is dead and why it's a painful subject.