Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers (Prime).

Episode 2: Darkness Rising Part 2

Rosalie's POV

"Megatron has not been seen or heard from for some time, but if his return is eminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic. And now since you know of our existence," Optimus continued, rising up to his full height. "As of last night, I fear that the Decepticons now know of yours."

Jack nodded. "Got it, if we spot any strange vehicles, call 911. Can we go now?" I was flabbergasted. Go? After all this, I don't think that I ever want to go back home!

I was about to protest, but Miko beat me to it.

"Are you insane? I'm living the dream here in BOTSwana, and I'm not going to let you, or anyone else for that matter, shatter it!" She said threateningly.

Optimus' voice cut in then. "It is best that you four remain under our watch, at least until we can interoperate our enemies' intentions."

"Optimus!" The reddish-orange and white Autobot muttered harshly, even though everybody else could hear it. "With all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here, than anywhere,"

"Children?" Jack and I said simultaneously, offended.

"They have no protective shell! If they go underfoot, they'll go...squish! Go where!" the bot said in a louder tone before taking an intimidating step towards us. I take a weary step back, unintentionally stepping onto Jack. We recoiled too fast for the naked eye, but the shock upon impact was irrelevant. I pointedly looked away, and gazed at the Autobots.

"Then for the time being, Ratchet, we'll have to watch where we step," Optimus ordered blandly. Just then, a bunch of green lights flickered on and off, suggesting some sort of activity is going on.

The bot named 'Ratchet' and Optimus moved to further inspect the alarm.

"What's that?" Jack asked, stepping out again.

Bee whirred something that I understood as: "Proximity Sensor. That means someone's up top." Bee pointed up at the ceiling of the base.

Jack looked back at Raf and I curiously.

"Proximity Sensor," I explained. Jack nodded while Miko had a 'what-the-heck-are-you-talking-about' look on her face.

"Someone's up top," Raf finished, pointing up, the same way Bumblebee did.

"It's Agent Fowler," Ratchet grunted.

We looked over at him questioningly. "I thought that we were the only humans who knew about you guys," I said accusingly, disbelief in my voice.

Optimus looked over at us. "Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. Since he tends to visit only when there are...issues, it may be best if you did not meet him at this time."

We nodded in understanding and looked for a place to hide. I looked around me, only to notice that the others had gone. Great, even my own brother deserts me. I heard the elevator coming down, and frantically searched for a place to hide. Just as I started to walk towards a place to hide, even though it was at the other end of the room, a large yellow foot stepped down in front of me. I looked up and sheepishly smiled at Bumblebee. I saw that Raf, Miko and Jack were hiding behind a corner close by. Bumblebee just smiled back.

A plump man emerged from behind the elevator doors with a cross scowl on his face.

"Seven wrecks, thirty-four fender benders, a three hour traffic jam, and a particular note of numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make, and a black and yellow custom muscle car," He pointedly looked at Arcee and Bumblebee at the last statement. Arcee and Bumblebee shrugged at each other, but I noticed that Bumblebee shifted a little to provide a better cover for me.

"So, anything you gotta get off your tin-chest, Prime?" Agent Fowler responded harshly between clenched teeth. Ouch. I flinched from his tone. That gotta hurt. But if it did, Optimus chose not to show it.

"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler," Optimus replied in his smooth voice.

"They're back, aren't they," Agent Fowler stated, without question. Who's back? I thought to myself.

"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts that they ever left; your planet is much too valuable."

"Then it's time to wake up the pentagon."

"Hear me Agent Fowler. We are your best, possibly your only, defence against the Decepticon threat"

"Says you."

"Hey fleshy," Bulkhead interrupted, "Did you see anybody get splattered on that freeway? Team Prime knows when to use force, and how much to use," and just like that, he crushed a weird tool that was lying about on the overlarge table.

"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet yelled at Bulkhead. I snickered silently at the scene.

"Enough!" came Optimus' loud and crisp command.

"Military involvement will only inflict more casualties. Perhaps you can withstand widespread casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."

"Then do us both a favour, and handle this Prime," he stalked off to the lift, and waited for it to arrive. "Under the radar," he added. He entered the lift and pushed a button or two. "Or I will," was his final statement. When I heard the lift move upwards, I exhaled a breath I didn't know I was holding and slumped down by Bee's foot.

Bee looked down at me worriedly.

"Are you okay?" His eyes kept adjusting, much like a camera's.

I waved him off. "Yeah, just, *yawn* a bit tired, that's all. I didn't get that much sleep last night."

Raf marched over to me with a sceptical look on his face. "Well, that's what happens if you're on your phone all night, you know," he chided.

"But-but Raf! For hundredth time, it was not me!" I whined. Okay, I'm one to whine much, but Raf keeps accusing me of being on my phone last night...okay, so I was, but not on purpose! It was all that loser's fault! And since Raf and mine rooms are next to each other, the annoying ~A message has arrived~ ringtone echoes out from room, and into his.

"Dude! He has a point! Even I heard it, and that's sayin' somethin'!" Miko exclaimed.

See, Miko is our neighbour, and her room is across from mine, only a small stretch of land divides my bedroom from hers. We usually leave our windows open at night to let the cool breeze in. Oh, did I mention that Miko's a heavy sleeper?

"But it wasn't me!"

"Oh, then who was it? Santa Clause?" Miko asked sarcastically. Boy, was she grumpy today. Must have been the lack of sleep.

"It was that idiot Vince! Can't he take a hint?! When a girl says no, it means NO!" I screamed. Okay, now I'm steamed. I did not want to go down that road. Vince is such an imbecile! He's asked me out god knows how many times and yet he doesn't get it! "The whole of last night he kept on texting and texting, heck, I even tried to mute my phone, but nooo. IT JUST MAGICALLY SWITCHES ON! Now, the buzz is really getting on my nerves..."

Raf and Miko silenced after my outburst, and I think Jack backed up a bit. I think even the Autobots hesitated and looked over at me for a second! I pinched the bridge of my nose in annoyance and in embarrassment. I never shout or have an outburst.

"Wait, hold on a sec, did you say Vince,as in 'Mr. Hot-Shot' kept texting you? Wasn't he after... Sierra?" I noticed that Jack blushed a bit when he mentioned Sierra's name. I rolled my eyes. All the guys fall for her. She seems a little shallow to me, always hanging out with different guys each day and staying out after curfew at some dirt track or something. Whatever. Not that I care about Jack's love life, but I still think he could have done better.

"Um, FYI Jack, do notice that he is also know to be a player, so that makes him 'Mr. Hot-Shot Player'," I smirked.

Jack rolled his eyes.

Miko came forward and sat next to me on the cold tiled floor. "May I see your phone?"

I gave her my phone and then she went into my read messages. Her eyes widened at the amount of messages I had to go through.

"You see what I've been through?"

She nodded sympathically and was about to hand me my phone back when she halted, a certain envelope catching her attention.

"What?" I asked her.

"Um...you have a new message..." Miko spoke quietly.

"Hmm? Oh, must have been from when we were travelling in Bee. Let me see that," I took the phone from her and when on to read my message.

To: Rosalie

From: Vince

Hey R, What's up? Yeah, I haven't seen you around recently, and today, I saw you with that nerd Darby and the tiny midget nerd. C'mon babe, ya know ya wanna hang with the big boys, right? So give me a call, and I could be all yours, - Vince, your soon-to-be boyfriend.

What. The. Hell. My brows furrowed and teeth ground together in anger. What the hell, who does he think he is?!

"That was the last straw! I'm gonna kill him! And how did he get my number any way?! I can handle him constantly hitting on me, 'cause I literally hit him back (more like punch him back), but he DOES NOT mess with my friends, and most importantly, my little brother! Miko, I need that axe and a flamethrower."

"Uh-oh, what'd he say?" Miko asked, coming over to take a look at my phone. I did not feel comfortable reading it out loud, so I showed her the message.

"WHAT THE HELL!? I'M GUNNA KILL THAT LOW LIFE! HOW DARE HE!" Ah, there's my over-protective sister! One of the main reasons love her: She keeps Vince away.

"Wait till school Miko, that's when we'll get our revenge..."

I yawned, and then I realized that I was still sitting on the ground. I stood up and tried to shake the feeling back into my legs since they've fallen asleep.

A metal hand came down in front of me, taking me by surprise. I looked up to see Bumblebee smiling at me and motioning me to get on. I hesitated for a second before climbing on. I grabbed hold of his thumb as he walked over to a raised ramp.

I yawned, and my eyes started to get droopy. Bumblebee noticed this and placed me on top of the green sofa located on the high ramp. There was also a TV and a DVD player here too.

I got off his hand and looked up at him. "Thanks, Bee."

I heard the sound of footsteps clanging on metal and forced my eyes to open. I saw Jack and Raf ascending the stairs that led to the ramp I was on. Oh, I felt so much better now. I literally jumped out of bed...well sofa.

"Hey you guys," I said as I beamed at them. They seemed surprised at my appearance.

"Hey, Rose. How are you feeling? You should go back and lie down before Bumblebee has my hide. He made me and Raf promise to keep you in bed." Jack said nervously, scratching his head.

"Oh, well, sorry. No can do. I just need a thirty minute nap, and then I'm as fresh as baked bread, so you can't stop me!" It was then I noticed something weird. The base was empty; with the exception of Ratchet. "Where is everybody?"

Raf came over and gave me a small hug, which I gladly returned.

"Well," Raf started, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Last time I checked, they headed out in search of someone named Cliffjumper. I didn't get it at all since no one bothered to explain."

I nodded. Hold on, where was...

"Rose! You're awake!" That was all I heard before being tackled down on to the warm, carpeted floor of the ramp.

"Hey, Miko. Was just thinkin' 'bout ya."

"Urgh! Stupid Earth-tech!" Ratchet swore. I rolled my eyes before heading over to him with Raf following my lead.

"How come you guys are using human computers?" Raf asked.

Ratchet just grunted and groaned with annoyance. "It certainly isn't by choice. It was handed down to us when we took over the former missile silo; I make modifications as I see fit."

More block-ups showed on the giant screen and Ratchet's only reaction to that was to hang his head in defeat.

Raf looked up at me, and I nodded, knowing that we both were thinking the same thing.

"I think I can fix that," Raf offered.

"Oh, really," Ratchet scoffed. "You know this is complex technology you're dealing with, I'm mean, it isn't a child's toy," Ratchet gave a nervous laugh.

I rolled my eyes as Raf started to do his hacking expertise.

"Raf, add this too," I leaned over and typed some things as well before looking up at Ratchet. "Now try."

Ratchet rolled his eyes and reluctantly faced the computer. His expression: priceless. I looked over at him sceptically.

: Ratchet! Open the Groundbridge. Now! : I recognized that voice to be Optimus, so I hurried over to the railing and peered over to where Ratchet quickly pulled down on a lever. A portal of some sort opened, and in the background, a huge blue explosion could be seen, along with vehicles. I recognized Bumblebee and Arcee in the group, so I'm guessing that the jeep and the semi-trailer truck are Bulkhead and Optimus respectively.

My eyes were so mesmerized by the beautiful blue explosion that I forgot about the Autobots for a second. "Whoa," I gasped.

"Whoa, would be the right word to say," Jack said as he appeared next to me.

Optimus, Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee stumbled in before the explosion. As soon as Optimus had stepped through, the 'Groundbridge' was shut down by Ratchet.

"Cutting it a bit close. How about Cliffjumper?" Ratchet asked.

None of the other Autobots made eye contact with Ratchet, which only meant one thing: Cliffjumper is no more.

Miko decided to jump in and fire questions away like no tomorrow. "What was that explosion? Was there a fight? Can I come with next time?"

Arcee came out from behind Optimus with a really irritated frown on her face. "Look-" she started harshly.

"Hey, hey, hey, Miko, let's um... go see what the bots hide in their sock drawers" Jack said nervously, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her away.

"Seriously?" She grumbled

Optimus turns to face Arcee. "Arcee. What did you see?"

Arcee hung her head and spoke shamefully and heartbroken. "Not Cliff. At least, not anymore. He was mutated...butchered like something from the con experiments during the war,"

Then without warning, she started swaying and fell down on to one knee. My hands flew up to cover my mouth from shock.

Bee moved forward. "Are you okay?"

Arcee put up a hand. "I'm fine. Just...dizzy."

"Robots who get dizzy?" Miko spoke softly.

"Robots with emotions," Raf added.

"Robots who get hurt," I whispered.

"Robots...who can die..." Jack muttered.

I looked over to see Ratchet scanning Arcee like he did to me, though on her, a certain area appeared red.

"What is this?" Ratchet leaning towards her outstretched hand to examine it closer. From where I was, it looked like a purple blot.

"Dunno. Cliff was covered in it. Leaking it,"

"Wait..." Ratchet scratched off a bit of it with a knife-like object. "go take a decontamination bath. Now!" Ratchet ordered.

Jack flipped his phone open and frowned."Um, Optimus, I hate to bug, but... um no bars."

Optimus walked closer to us. "A security precaution. The silo walls isolate all radio waves."

"Well, if I don't call my mom, like now, I'm pretty sure that the cops will be out looking for me,"

My eyes widened at that statement. I got my Android phone out and checked my bars, and indeed; no bars. Mom was gonna flip!

"Have you broken a law?" Optimus leaned in closer to us, so that we were face to face.

"Um, curfew," I said, nervously shifting the weight on my feet.

"It's after 10 PM," Jack added slowly.

Raf nodded. "We better get home too, or we'll be grounded for a year," he looks up at me with a serious face and I nod back at him.

"Earth customs. I hadn't considered," Optimus rose, but you could hear the regret in his voice. "But the issue of your safety remains. Bulkhead," he called. Bulkhead looked up. "Accompany Miko home,"

"Awesome! My host parents are gonna freak!" Miko yells and does a little happy dance. I chuckle and shake my head.

"And maintain covert surveillance, in vehicle form." Optimus added.

"Curb side duty, got it," Bulkhead agreed, walking up to stand next to Optimus.

"Aww," Miko moaned.

"Bumblebee," Bumblebee looked up to see who called his name. "You'll watch over Rafael and Rosalie. At least, you will watch over Rosalie temporarily." Bumblebee looked over at us with a small smile, and I returned it with one of my grins and Raf smiled back.

"Ratchet-"

"Busy," was Ratchet's answer just as Arcee reappeared. Wow, he cut off Optimus.

"Arcee, you'll accompany Jack."

I looked at Jack as he looked away a scratched the back of his head.

Arcee looked alarmed and started to sway, though you could tell that it was faked. "Ooooh, still dizzy,"

"You're fine, says your physician," Ratchet cuts in. He got a glare from Arcee in return.

"Raf, Rose, are you coming?" Bee beeped. Raf and I rushed down the flight of stairs and just as we appeared in front of Bumblebee, he transformed into his vehicular mode. I have to admit, I love his car mode. I've always wanted a yellow Urbana 500, and now my 'guardian' is one.

Bee opened up both the doors to the driver side and the passenger side; Raf climbed into the passenger side, but I hesitated.

"Bumblebee? Is it okay if I can sit at the back?"

"Of course," I climbed into the back via driver's side with a 'thank you' and sat down. I was slightly caught off guard when the seatbelt slinked its way across my body on its own. Bee's motor started up quietly and before I knew it, he sped out of the base. It was still quite a drive back to the city of Jasper, Nevada, so I rested my face against the nice, cool window. A million little white stars were dotted across the navy blue night sky. I could just imagine the Autobots travelling through and to all those scattered stars.

"Sleep, Rose. Sleep." And that's exactly what I did.

Another chapter/episode done! I'd really appreciate reviews from you all, so please don't be shy! Next episode: Darkness Rising part 3

Princess of Dreams (Guest): Thank you for your review! I've also been waiting for a story in which Raf had a sibling who cares about him and that got involved with all the trasnformers =) So in the end, I decided to make one myself =D And all the BIG changes shall appear after the first...5?...episodes or something. I'm not saying anything more than that! =D

Forest-Rose