Chapter 2
Jack's POV
I was in a sea of black, and I couldn't remember much. I felt like I was floating.
'What happened? ... Oh, that's right. That chemical. Slag! Were the others alright? Am I alright?'
The light floaty feeling was slowly replaced by a faint tingling sensation in my skin, and as my mind started making sense of what the rest of my body was experiencing, I opened my eyes to a bright room. The med bay. I was in Ratchet's med bay. 'How long was I out?'
I sat up and looked around and saw the infamous field medic using a sort of vacuum-like device to sole up the silver-blue liquid from Raf's hair and skin.
I guess I wasn't out that long,' I though as I spotted Miko about ten feet to my left, the silver-blue substance gone from her body. 'Well, at least the burning sensation is gone.' A light tingle covering my back, scalp, and spine was the only indication that it was ever there at all.
"Good, your awake, how are you feeling?" Ratchet asked, turning to face me.
"Well, not too bad considering I just passed out, but I think I'll be OK, unless you think that something in that stuff will do something to hurt us…" I had a bit of worry knotting up in my stomach at the thought that this may hurt the other two.
"I don't think that there will be any lasting effects. They were simply nanites. I don't believe that there will be any pain or changes in your bio and/or physical make-up. In fact, even if some of the nanites did manage to get into your internal systems, I don't think that have any effects on you at all." The CMO reassured as he ran a scan over Miko. "There are still traces of nanites on all three of you, but they should wash off after a while." He explained as he then ran the scanner over Raf.
There was a groan as I watched Miko stir into wakefulness.
"Rise and shine. How you feelin'?" I asked as she turned to look at me from her reclined position on the berth.
"Dude, it feels like I'm covered in ants. My skin is crawling." She complained.
"Well, Ratch says that it'll go away eventually." I said as I gave a reassuring nod.
"Indeed, the nanites should wash off with your soaps and water."
Not thirty seconds later, we all heard Raf start to stir. "Uh… Why am I so itchy?" he asked blurrily and Miko tried (and failed) to hide her giggles.
"Sorry Raf, gonna have to wait 'till you get home to make it stop. Though I think I'm startin' to get used to it." She stated as she looked over her hands at the slight gloss that covered them.
Curious, I looked at my own, and saw that they also had the strange glossy shine on them. I rubbed my fingers together and felt a silky smooth texture on and around the flexible digits.
I was roused from my musings at the sound of heavy foot falls. Glancing around to the door, my eyes fell on the approaching forms of the rest of the bots.
"Jack, I heard what happened. You OK?" Arcee asked as she stepped to the examination berth.
"Sure 'Cee, I'm fine, though I think I'd like to head home now. Today was exhausting."
"Sure thing partner." She replied before turning to Ratchet for confirmation.
At his nod, the cycle-bot moved me off the berth, and we headed out of base.
We were about half way home when 'Cee finally spoke up.
"So, how'd your day go? "
"Well, we got to see quite a few animals, Raf got to play with a fox, Miko fed a bear, and I got to see a panther up close and personal."
"Wow, does sound like quite the day… So, what's up with the bandages on your arms?" She asked with a hint of worry.
"I got a few scratches, no big deal."
"Where did you get them?"
"Does it matter?" She always overreacts when I get hurt. She's so much like my mom it's scary sometimes.
"… Where did you get them?" She asked again with a little more force.
I let out a sigh "the panther."
"How bad are they?" She asked more softly.
"I told you, they're not too bad. They don't even hurt any more. Besides, I think that chemical sealed them a bit more-"
"Wait, what chemical?" she asked.
Scrap. "It's nothing; Ratchet says that it won't have any effects on us anyway."
"What chemical?" came her forceful tone again.
"Ratchet had the nanite substance. Miko, Raf, and I were in one hand while the vial of the stuff was in the other. When Miko lost her balance, it was the vial or Miko. So he had the three of us on the ground and the vial broke over us. We got cleaned up and he said we could go home. End of story."
Arcee was quite for the rest of the trip home. We entered the garage and I got off. I was about to enter the house when I heard her talk again.
"You sure you're OK?"
I felt a small smile pull at my lips. "Yeah, I'm sure. Night 'Cee."
"Night Jack."
I made it to my room, and started undressing for my shower. I peeled off my bandages to reveal the deep cuts. I was mildly surprised to see that the chemical had penetrated my cuts and instead of scabs covering the wounds, a thin film of gloss was holding the sides of each tear together. 'Huh… Well that's definitely interesting.'
I hopped in the shower and reveled in the fantastic heat. I felt like my entire being was being cleansed.
What I didn't see was that the glossy substance wasn't being washed off, but adsorbed.
After I finished washing up, I dried off and got into a comfortable pair of sweats and a tank top. I didn't register that the gloss was still plastered over my cuts.
The bed looked very good just then, and quickly made myself comfortable. As I slept, my dreams were filled with aurora-like wisps of glowing color, beautiful harmonizing tones, and a voice that chanted over and over 'may the spirit of understanding guide you, and embrace what you have always had buried deep within you.'
Jasper 3rd POV
Jack woke with a start as the sun just peaked over the horizon.
A contented hum escaped his lips as he stretched luxuriously. He hadn't felt so comfortable and relaxed in a very long time. He got out of bed and made his way to the window that was letting in the bright morning sunshine. He opened it, leaned out, and took a deep refreshing breath of the crisp, chilled air. It was exhilarating. He had never been so relived it was summer time.
He didn't know why, but he though the air smelled different. There was more depth to it. He wrote it off as his imagination and decided to get dressed and go out for a walk. He donned his usual attire, and stet off down the road.
Everything was bathed in the crisp dawn sun light as he made his way down the street. Then it hit him. As a car drove by, he was possessed by a violent coughing fit. The smell of the fumes engulfed him. He collapsed onto his knees, trying to cover his face with his hands to help block the horrendous odor, his mind going fuzzy and not responding well in his efforts to breathe.
The car was a good distance from him before he could make a coherent thought. He slowly was relived of the nauseous fumes and able to get a cleaner breath in. It was a good think he didn't get too far from home, and made it back without passing another vehicle.
He shut the door and was quickly bombarded by the, not as repulsive, but still fairly overwhelming sent of breakfast being made.
"Jack? Is that you?" June shouted from the kitchen.
"Y-yeah mom, it's me!" Jack answered as clearly as he could, through a plugged nose.
"Would you mind picking up some milk when you come home from work today?" she asked as he leaned against the front door.
"S-sure mom!" he hollered. 'Scrap! I completely forgot I had to work today!'
"I'm gonna head down there early to help open up! I'll see you later!" I said as I bolted past her to the garage.
"But I'm making breakfast! Won't you take some at least?"
"Uh, yeah." He stammered as he grabbed for a couple slices of toast (the only things that were NOT made of organic tofu) and an apple. "Thanks! Bye mom!" he yelled from his ten speed that he was already peddling down the drive way.
"Bye honey!" the nurse shouted back with a confused look on her face. 'What's got him so wound up?' she thought as she turned back to preparing the rest of her own breakfast.
Jack was more prep aired for the smells of the passing cars, and even though he felt like passing out from the overload, he managed to fight it until he got to the KO Drive thru. The ebon haired teen parked his bike on the wall, and headed in the back door. His shift didn't start for another hour, but he could clock in and relive whoever did the night shift that night early so they could go home. That plan went out the window as soon as he stepped into the building. The smells hit him like Megatron's fist. Everything in his mind exploded in the mixture of grease, salt, steam and all the other scents that he never paid much attention to. Until now that is. He doubled over, trying to grab for anything to help him keep up-right, and only managed to disturb a container of kitchen utensils, sending them clattering to the ground.
Becka was startled out of her thoughts by the sudden noise. "Keith? Was that you?" she asked as she walked back into the kitchen from the register counter.
Keith came into the view from the drive thru knick. "No, it came from the back."
Both teens cautiously moved to where they thought the noise had come from, and were startled to say the least when they found the unconscious form of Jack Darby on the ground. They were at his side in a moment.
They both knew Jack from school, and he always seemed so secluded.
"Becka, take his phone and call his mom, I heard that she is a nurse and will probably be able to help him more than an ambulance. HE looks like he just fainted, but I can't tell for sure."
The girl nodded and scrolled through the contacts for Jack's mom. When she found it, she quickly dialed the number and waited as it rung.
After about two rings, she picked up"Yes, honey?"
"Mrs. Darby, Jack fainted here at work, can you come and make sure he is OK?"
June froze, then her nurse instincts kicked in and she began giving instructions to the young teen."Position him on his back, make sure his legs are elevated, and see if anything is blocking his air way. I'll be there in a few minutes."
"OK." Was all she said and they both hung up their phones. "She's on her way." Becka stated as she grabbed one of Jack's arms to flip him over. When June got there, she was at her son's side in an instant. She did a quick once over, and declared him to be fine."Would you two help me get him to the car? I want to get him home."
It took some doing, but they finally managed to get him into the back seat of her white Toyota.
She thanked the two and headed back to the house.
Jack woke up just as she pulled into the drive way. "Jack! Are you OK? What happened?"
"Uhh… My head throbbing. Who hit me?"
"Jack, you collapsed in the restaurant. One of your colleges called me on your cell. What happened?"
"I…" Jack really didn't want to tell his mom that he had been overwhelmed by the terrible smells of fast food."… I got a bit light headed; I guess I should have eaten more. Sorry to worry you. I'm gonna go for a walk. Kay?" The fumes of the car were starting to get to him again. He had to get out of there.
"Oh, no you're not, you just passed out! You are going to get something to eat, then you're going to get a ride to the base were Ratchet can keep an eye on you while I'm at work. Got it? I'm calling him now."
"Mom, please! I promise I won't be gone long, and I won't overexert myself. I just need to go get some fresher air."
He could see her resolve weakening. With a put-upon sigh, she conceded, but he had to take an apple and water, and was NOT to be gone for more than ten minutes.
Grabbing the requested items, the ebon haired teen bolted down the street. He kept running until he got to the little park that he used to go to when he was small. It was old and mainly unused, as far as he knew, and was pretty close to a patch of trees. He usually used the swings, but they were too close to the, now boiling street, and opted for the small alcove by the tiny park. Choosing the highest and sturdiest one, he began to climb. He didn't stop until he couldn't climb higher without risking breaking branches.
The bark felt wonderful on his skin. The light breeze wafting through the branches toyed at his hair and clothes, and left him wanting to jump into it and take off. The wind came rolling over off the desert, holding the light sent of drying plants and the heavy heat of the sun-baked sand. The relaxed peace that he had woken up with that morning was back, and he just wanted to bask in it. Primus, it seemed, had other ideas.
Just as the teen was about to dose off, he heard an engine pull up to the bank of trees, followed closely by the sound of Arcee's voice."Jack, You up there?"
He debated on whether to answer or ignore her, but decided on the previous. "Yeah, I'm here."
"What're you doing up there?"
"… Relaxing."
"Well, June sent me to get you. Are you OK?"
"Yeah. Nothing' to worry about."
Arcee rolled forward a bit. "Jack, are you sure? Your mom sounded concerned."
"… "
He knew he should tell her. She was his partner. She needed to know if something was wrong so they could fix it if need be… But, this was probably nothing. He could handle it himself. The Autobots had enough to worry about with the need for more energon and fighting the Decepticons. No, they definitely have enough to worry about without him adding to it.
"No 'Cee. I'm fine. Let's just head up to base."
He silently climbed out of the tree and onto Arcee.
He froze. 'Well that's new.' He felt her… legitimately felt her presence. It was like he could feel her spark beat, the energon pumping through her systems, like he was holding her very spark in his hands… And then he saw it. He saw her spark through her armor, it was a soft, ice blue, glowing orb radiating a strong and determined aura. He reached out with his mind, and tried to stroke it. It felt soft and warm, little wisps of light like misty smoke flowed from the bright sphere, clinging and twirling with everything they came into contact with… It was phenomenal!
"Jack?" Arcee's worried tone broke through the excitement of his discovery.
"Yes?" his own voice in a pleasant, relaxed tone.
That got her attention. 'Huh, maybe I should let him climb trees more often…' "Nothing."
The ride back was comfortably silent. Jack reveling in his new found ability and Arcee glad her partner was so happy.
Autobot Base 3rd POV
The missile silo was comfortably quiet for its occupants. Ratchet working diligently in the med bay, Bulk' and 'Bee were watching Raf beat Miko at a racing game, Arcee leant up by the ground bridge dozing, and Optimus idly scanning over police reports for any Decepticon activity. Unlike the rest of team Prime, however, Jack was not at all comfortable. There was something going on in his insides, and it was driving him insane. It felt as if certain parts of his body were trying to expand, uncurl, and spread. His skin felt terribly tight, and the discovery of his new abilities, (heightened senses mainly) however cool they were, made it just a bit less durable. Especially his 'sixth sense' as he dubbed it. Feeling and seeing the life forces of everything that came into range was cool, but not the side effects. If he was close enough, he could feel their emotions, and in a group of more than three, it got overwhelming very quickly.
It had been a week and a half since the nanites fiasco, and after he had fainted at work, things just escalated. He found that the longer he spent with others, the more uncomfortable was. His senses went wild, trying to absorb all that they were, and to be truthful, it had started to get painful.
That is why he was where he was now, on top of a large supply crate at the farthest end of the main area of base. He was trying so hard to block out everyone, using the meditation techniques that he learned early on to relive stress, reaching down into his calm reserve that he had accumulated for occasions such as this. But no matter how far he delved, he couldn't fully block out their conflicting emotions. (For those that don't know, conflicting signals to the brain is what causes motion sickness)
He was so deep into one of his sessions, that he didn't notice the large form of Optimus Prime approach him.
"Jack?"The ebon haired teen nearly jumped out of his overly tight skin at the sudden intrusion of his despite efforts. "Is something wrong? You have been very distant these last few days."
It was concerning to the red and blue bot. The boy seemed to be falling into himself again, like he was when he first med the Autobots. It had taken a fair amount of time to draw the reserved teen out into the open, and now it seemed that something was undoing all of their progress with him.
"No, I'm absolutely fine! Never better!" the boy said with an obviously fake chipper tone. It was said too quickly, a bit of an edge to it, and it was blankly obvious that he was uncomfortable, and started shifting as if something were bothering him. He knew that Jack would never come right out and say what that something was, so the Autobot leader did the one thing that Ratchet always did to get to confess his problems.
"Jackson, you are shifting as if uncomfortable, your tone is forced, and are secluding yourself. You have either done something you consider wrong, or are experiencing some sort of discomfort or pain. I do not wish seem intrusive, but I am highly concerned." He didn't really think that the teen had done anything wrong, but if he brought it up, it would hopefully play on his morals enough to coerce the boy into defending himself, and possibly reveal what it was that was bothering him. The clearly uncomfortable shifting had mildly increased, and when the boy didn't answer he decided to prod a little more. "Jack, please tell me, and if you feel you cannot confide in me, please ease my conscious some, and go see Ratchet. Your shifting is not of guilt. I can plainly see that. I simply wish for you to trust me."
The reaction of Jack's senses weren't nearly as bad when he was only around one individual, especially when said individual is a cybertronian. He didn't want to be a burden to the bot with his problems, but seeing as (at least with Optimus) his discomfort was noticeable, and weighing on the leader's conscious, it would be better to tell him and get it over with. He had a feeling that the sensations were not going to go away.
With a deep sigh, the teen looked at his feet before responding. "I… I'm… Changing."
Well that wasn't the answer he was expecting. "Would you elaborate?"
Jack was quiet for a moment. "My… My senses have gotten a lot sharper than they were, to the point that it's overwhelming to be around others. I smell all of them their change in hormones, emotional chemicals, and their movements never stop. The noises that they make when they move… I hear everything, and…"
"You are overwhelmed, and thus need to distance yourself."
Jack nodded "that's not all. I can feel them I can sense their souls, the wisps of life that you all produce I can hear the songs that your sparks sing and the closer I am to you the more I can feel your emotions."
"You can sense my spark" Optimus said in wonder.
"I can sense the life forces of all of you… Each of you is very different. You wisps are different colors and each soul sings a different song."
The boy paused.
"Is there anything else that you…" Jack didn't hear the rest of what Optimus said, because suddenly the tight feeling in his body intensified and he felt like screaming. His body began morphing and warping. He grew to the point that his clothes ripped and black fur began to sprout over his skin. He felt long appendages extend from his back and the base of his spine. The process was bordering on agony as he felt himself become something else. Something large and powerful; just when he thought it would never end, it stopped. All traces of discomfort were gone. He opened his eyes and looked into the confused and awe filled optics of Optimus.
The large bot hesitantly brought a servo to the huge creature that could only be Jack. He was a panther. A huge winged panther with dark grey/blue eyes, and slowly levered himself up onto his paws. It was mildly startling when the ebon creature opened its jaws and spoke. "O-Optimus? Wh-what happened?'
Optimus POV
The boy was huge; if standing he would easily reach a good eight feet, and his wings doubled his visual size. 'I started when he spoke, asking me "what happened?" "I do not know; Jack, are you still in pain?" The huge skull shook in the negative before its rear was promptly planted on the floor; eyes staring dumbfounded at his forepaws.
He looked so lost. I had to do something; so, I bent and brought the distraught creature to my chassis, its head nuzzling under my chin.
I couldn't help but feel like a small youngling who brought home a turbo fox to my creator. I run my servo down his spine and was rewarded with a deep rumbling par. I was entranced by the vibrators traveling through to my spark, and was utterly awed by the creature in my servos, each new breath intensifying the rumble before decreasing again.
I was startled out of my trance by a familiar voice
"By the Allspark… Optimus, what… What is that?" Ratchet's voice rang quietly from behind me. I turned so the medic could have a better view of the huge ebon feline in my servos. "This, my old friend is Jack."
His free plates were a study in shock and awe. "How is that possible Jack?" Jack isn't." "Human, I know, but I was here, I watched him change with my own optics. I am not absolutely positive, but I believe that may have started a few days prior to this event. I had confronted Jack not twenty minutes before because he was secluding himself from the team."
"Did you find out why?"
"Yes, he stated he was experiencing an intense increase reception. Enough to cause him extensive discomfort, possibly even pain, when around the rest of us."
"Bring him to my med bay." The red and white bot said curtly before turning to said location and walking off.
I followed slowly, enjoying the steady purr that resonated from Jack's chest, trying to have as much time to relish in the boy's current attentions before I had to relinquish him into the medibot's care.
I made it into Ratchet's domain and deposited the only feline onto a medical berth, though he was reluctant to let go. "Do not worry Jack. I will not go anywhere, unless Ratchet says otherwise."
The massive head nodded before turning to observe the white and red bot that was calibrating a scanner to run over him.
"What do you think happened?" Jack asked as the medibot plugged the scanner into the main frame after scanning him.
Ratchet looked startled at Jack's ability to talk in his new form, but quickly recovered. "I'm glad that you can still communicate with us early even though your current form might have suggested otherwise." The only thing that I can think that might have had any part in changing you was the manic composition that you came in contact with. I will have to do more research in order to be sure, though. Optimus said that you were secluding yourself before the transformation due to the discomfort you were experiencing from the sensory overload when around the others. I have read that there are certain chemicals and medicines that can help you tolerate them, and happen to have the ingredients for a scent deadener, if you were to wait for me to make it if you want?"
The feline's ears perked up at the last part. Even I could figure that it was most likely the scents that were mainly ever whelming the boy. So he may be able to better tolerate the other's presence more with it.
The ebon skull bobbed in the positive. I would like that a lot. Thank you."
As the medibot turned to his work desk, Jack looked to me uncertainly before looking at his forepaws. "I'm, uh… sorry that I kind of broke down you back there."
"Jacks on, there is no need for apology. It was pleasant and enduring that you would allow yourself to show me such tender emotions in your time of need. I am honored that you trust me enough to do so." I assured as I ran a servo down the ebon felines back. The rumbling purr started up again, and the boy turned panther nuzzled back against my chassis.
"Your presence is much more pleasant and calming that the others. I wonder why that is… "Jack whispered as his wings unfurled and wrapped around my abdomen. The fur and features were very soft against my armor, as a warm, light sparked feeling engulfed me, and I continued to run my servos down the enormous feline's spine.
I don't know how long we stayed like that, but I was brought out of the sensations by a servo on my shoulder.
I turned my helm slightly so as not to disturb Jack, to see Ratchet with a vial of… Something.
"Jack, it's ready."
Said boy was startled at the sound of the gruff bot's voice, and pulled himself abruptly from my grip, his features a study in embarrassment.
I exchanged a look with the medibot. "Is there something wrong?" Ratchet asked.
"No, you just surprised me… So that will help deaden my senses?" The boy turned panther inquired to change the subject.
The medic decided to go along with it"No, just your sense of smell, but it should make being around others more tolerable. All you have to do is drink this and it should start to take effect immediately."
Jack nodded and contorted to one of mild disgust at the vial's contents. "What's in it anyway? I can see the chunks floating from here!"
"The instructions state that it may be best not to tell you, but I can assure you that it is nothing too bad." Ratchet stated as he poured the contents into a shallow bowl that Jack could drink from.
The ebon cat bent to sniff at the substance before taking a tongue full."How much?"
"You only need enough to coat you throat. From there the vapors that come from back up your esophagus will be breathed into brachial tubes and through your lungs. You should try as much as possible to breathe through your nasal passages."
The enormous head bobbed in understanding then bent to take a couple more tongues full.
When he was done he tilted his head back and inhaled deeply. A pleased panther's smile cracked his face before nodding to Ratchet with a 'thank you'.
"Alright, before you go, I would like to take a sample of your blood. Would you mind?"
With Jack's nod, Ratchet bent with a syringe. "There, you're free to go. I would suggest telling the rest of the team when you go. No need for ill feelings between comrades."
With the dismissal, Jack leapt from the berth, landing with sudo-grace. It was obvious that he had a natural balance and agility, but had yet to get acquainted with it. I couldn't help but wonder if the boy needed help with confronting the others in his new form, or if he would try to get out of seeing them at all.
3rd POV
Optimus and Jack walked into the main rec. area, but stopped short as the boy headed towards the other end of the room.
"Jack?"
"Look, I don't want to go see them. I'll probably scare them…" The panther stated as he tried to avoid the large bot's optics.
"If you would prefer me to inform them of the circumstances, and prepare them for you, I can. In fact, I think that may be the best way to go about this. If you wish to stay here, that would prove helpful, but I must ask you not to leave. You are unfamiliar with your body, and do not know if you will change back." Jack looked as if he were about to protest, but then thought better if it and nodded. The boy turned panther padded over to a large crate in a corner and lay down, placing his massive head on his equally massive paws. Optimus then turned and walked to the area of the rec. room that held the rest of his team.
"Everyone," he bellowed in a commanding tone "there has been an occurrence with Jack that needs to be brought to your attention." This had all of the room's occupant's attention fixed on the Autobot leader.
"What do you mean? What's wrong with Jack?" Arcee enquired with the faintest undertone of concern. She had become more protective of her junior partner over the last few weeks. Taking him 'under her wing' as the human saying went.
"Is he hurt?" Raf asked. He had developed a strong, brotherly bond with the older teen. He may have had another older brother, but Jack always seemed to be there for him when he felt down, and wanted to be there for the ebon haired teen when he was in a time of need.
A stream of enquiring, worried beeps, whirrs, and clicks flowed from Bumblebee, and Bulkhead and Miko pitched their own forms of agreement.
"Jack has experienced a morph in his body structure due to the nanite incident according to Ratchet, though he is not positive. The change from his human form to what he is now is very drastic, and needs as much emotional support as we can give him."
"How drastic do you mean? What does he look like now?" Arcee asked a bit skeptically. Agreeing mummers echoed around the room.
Optimus sighed lightly, a habit he had picked up from their human partners. "He is a very large feline with feathered wings."
The team exchanged disbelieving looks before turning back to their leader."That's not possible. How could a bunch of nanites turn Jack into a cat? That's like, totally sci-fi!" Miko stated in an amused tone.
"Show us." Arcee said with an air of finality.
The large red and blue bot nodded before gesturing the others to follow him. They all froze at the sight of the enormous, winged panther that lay on an equally large supply crate which was dwarfed by his form.
At the presence of his friends, the massive creature lifted his head and levered himself up into a sitting position, ears laid flat against his skull that was bowed in uncertainty. His tail curled around his rear paws, and wings clamped tightly to his body, further revealing his discomfort and nervousness.
"Slag! He's huge! You sure that's him?" Bulkhead exclaimed.
Optimus nodded "Yes, I was with him when he changed. This is Jack, and he needs us right now."
Arcee hesitantly approached the massive new form of her partner. So as not to intimidate her more than what he already was, he carefully crawled off the crate to better face her. His head easily reached her chest plates and met her optics squarely.
"Jack?" the one word held many questions.
"Yeah Arcee, it's me, and I'm as alright as I can be."
It was startling for the rest of team Prime to hear Jack's voice come from the powerful looking jaws of the winged panther. The silence was palpable in the room as the news sank in.
"Dude! What's it like to be an awesome, powerful animal?"
The massive skull tilted to the side in amusement "Well, Let's just say that I'm glad that Ratchet gave me that sent deadener. You may not stink, but I wasn't used to having such a sensitive nose. It was overwhelming most the time. I hope that explains my avoidance from you guys."
There was another round of agreeing mummers before Raf came forward."Can… Can I tough your wings?"
A warm panther's smile graced his face "Sure, I don't mind." He said as he lay down on the ground and unfolded his expansive, feathered wings. The young genius ran his hands down the large, black feathers, feeling how soft and strong they were.
Now wanting to be left out, Miko joined him, and soon the rest of the team was running servos and hands alike over every available surface. Arcee's digits were probing over the joints where his wings met his back and nearly had a spark failure when a deep, rumbling, groan-ish growl escaped from the massive feline's clamped maw. It was a strange sound, and she couldn't quite make out what emotions were hidden in its wavelengths, and then it hit her. She recognized that sound.
Jack's POV
It was near unbearable. If I had known that their touches would do this to me, I wouldn't have let Raf touch me at all, let alone my wings. Every gentle touch, every curious prod sent wave after wave of pleasure through me. The only thing that kept me from moaning and growling in ecstasy was the every constant thought that these were my friends that were touching me. I was going to politely ask them to stop, but as I turned my head to do so my voice caught in my throat. I had seen Raf's face, that look that could only be made by a child in their happiest moments. The innocent joy in his features held back any request to stop. I couldn't take that away from him. The look on his face and the emotions he emitted were too much, so he tried to ignore the arousing touches as best he could until they had satisfied their curiosity. 'It shouldn't be too much longer' I thought, right before the pleasure intensified tenfold as a nimble servo ran around the connecting joints to my wings. I couldn't stop the aroused and pleasure filled groan that ripped from my throat, but I was thankful that I was able to at least mildly muffle it as I clamped jaws, and then my heart skipped a beat when I heard Arcee's worried tone.
3rd OPV
"Jack?" She felt him flinch slightly at her voice. She hadn't noticed before now, but he was avidly displaying all the signs. They were the signs she tried so hard to hide when she got a wash from the local car wash. She knew Jack didn't have the heart to ask them to stop, so she did the only thing she could. "Hay Jack, why don't we go out and see how fast you can get now?" The boy turned panther hesitated for a split second, but then caught on to her plan.
"Sure 'Cee. That sounds great! Is it alright for us to go out?" he directed the last part to Optimus, and at his nod, Jack got to his Paws and quickly followed Arcee out of base. The moment his pads touched the hot pavement, he took off, the wind cutting through his fur, flowing under his wings and around his body as his paws created a steady, almost silent thunder. It was a sweet relief from the awkward ecstasy elicited from his friend's ignorantly innocent hands and servos.
Arcee drove along beside him reaching speeds of eighty and ninety miles per hour. Driving fast was always exhilarating, but having the onyx form rumble beside her was a completely mew sensation. The under tone of challenge in his booming roar that he unleashed was clear in her audios and she gave an excepting rev of her engine. They both took off at a faster pace, setting an exhilarating tempo down the deserted road.
Seeing a car in the far distance, both beast and machine darted off the street and across the desert landscape, never breaking stride or slowing.
Then on impulse, Jack unfurled his wings, felt the wind tug at his primaries and instinct took over.
All Arcee could do was watch as the huge expanse of onyx feathers spread, and then beat down in one pump of the great muscles, then two, then finally, Jack was off the ground, into the air, soaring with instinctual ease. It was awe inspiring, watching the massive form of her partner fly in a primal dance on the thermals and down drafts as if he had done so all his life. Each wing beat confident and precise, performing intricate and elaborate combinations of moves that she had only seen practiced seekers execute. As she watched, she couldn't help but wish to be up there with him.
The boy turned panther was in absolute paradise. The wind in his ears and under his powerful wings was phenomenal. He felt his control increase with each wing beat and mid air twirl, then it hit him. It wasn't enough to break his previous concentration, but it gained his attention. A feeling of longing awe that brushed against his consciousness, so strong it was impossible to ignore. He knew who's it was. They were of his grounded partner. He felt her awe at his new found talents, and wished to join in his fantastical discovery of himself, and he thought he could grant that wish. So with a graceful dive, he back winged to a soft landing not twenty feet in front of the cycle-bot.
"Care to find out what it's like to be the passenger?" he asked with an inquisitive tilt of his massive skull.
Autobot Base
Soon after Jack and Arcee had left, the rest of team Prime had returned to their previous activities, though of thought of the boy turned panther never left their thoughts.
It had occurred to Raf that if it was the nanites that triggered the change,,, and he and Miko had also come into contact with the microscopic devices… Then why was it that neither had experienced what Jack did? But what if they had… Just to a less intense degree… No two people were the same… Maybe Jack was more in tune with how he normally functioned, and could tell when changes occurred. The boy genius never really paid much attention to himself… Maybe if he focused on what he was feeling… As he did so, a few clicks that he associated with Bumblebee's door wings adjusting rang in his ears. 'Huh. I can usually only hear those when I'm on his shoulder… And he's easily twenty feet away…'
His thoughts were interrupted by a pained grunt from the girl next to him. "What's wrong?" the boy inquired.
"It's nothing! Just… It's nothing. I'll be right back."
Bulkhead, who was watching them play from behind, had a worried look on his face plates. He quickly followed the obviously discomforted girl down the hall. "Are you sure you're alright?"
The Japanese girl put up a grin. "Yeah. It's probably just my time of the month. Everything is tight and feels funny, but I'll be fine!" she had had to explain to her guardian about her monthly visits not too long after she had met him. He was mature enough to understand, and often helped her out in avoiding conversations with the other occupants (cybertronian and human alike) of the base when the time came.
"… But, you not due to start again for another two weeks. Maybe we should-"
He was cut off by a stream of persistently suppressed whimpers and moans. The weapon specialist froze at the spectacle that was before him.
His charge was changing. Her small, lean body was growing, her feature morphing and reconfiguring, her body becoming a strange mash of a bear and a lizard. Her long tail curling in a tight coil around her half fur/scale covered form. She was shaking lightly as her large round head turned to face her guardian, but almost immediately ceased as she began to look over her new form.
The corners of her mouth curved upwards and her eyes got a bright gleam. "This is AWSOME!"
Bulkhead could only watch as she stood on her hind legs and took on a fierce pose. Her lips curled back to reveal razor-sharp teeth and fangs, and let loose a sharp hiss. The loose skin on her neck came up, circling her head in a wide collar. She was huge, almost eye to optic with her guardian, her entire frame bulky and muscle Leiden. With an amused snort, she lowered back down onto all fours. "I gotta show Raf!" she exclaimed as she made to head back to the main area.
Snapping out of his trance, 'Bulk shouted after her. "Wait! We should give them a bit of warning before you just waltz in! What if you scare them and they attack you?"
This gave the girl pause. (Heh, I made a funny) "Oh… Well, when you put it that way…"
"I'll com them." The green bot said as he moved a servo to his helm and contacted the rest of his team in an open line.
/Hay guys? You know how Jack turned into a panther?/
/Yeah…/
/Yes/
/Of course/
/Why? /
This was said all at the same time.
/Well… I think something very similar has happened to Miko…/
The com was silent for a moment before Ratchet spoke /bring her to my med bay. /
/Will do. / The weapon specialist replied before turning to his charge who was staring at him.
"Well?"
"I'm taking you to the med bay; they'll all meat us there."
She nodded before turning to said med bay.
Ratchet was working with something in his work area as the two of them walked in. "Miko, If you would sit on one of the berths, I will be with you shortly." He informed with his back still facing them.
Bumblebee came in with Raf on his shoulder, followed closely by Optimus.
"Miko?" the boy genius questioned when the berth came into view, though the girl turned bear was still eclipsed by her bulky guardian.
"I'm over here!"
The green bot stepped out of the way to grant his team a view of his charge.
"Whoa! Miko, you're massive! Bigger than Jack is!" It was true, she easily had a full foot or two on the boy turned panther. "I wonder what I'll look like."
*What makes you think that you'll change too?* 'Bee asked curiously.
"Well. Ratch said that it was probably the nanite substance that changed Jack, and Miko and I were both in contact with it, too. So since Miko has now changed, it seems logical to assume that I'll also change in some way."
"I have to agree," Ratchet interjected "he analysis makes sense, and I believe it would be wise to keep him here for the change/"
Bumblebee nodded in confirmation, and turned at the sound of metal ped steps.
"What'd we miss?" Arcee asked as she stepped around the large form of her leader, Jack following.
"Oh, nothing much, just a growth spurt and a change in style." Miko replied nonchalantly.
Jack leapt up onto the berth next to the girl's new larger form. "Wow, just how many growth spurts did I miss. Last time I checked you were a head shorter than me, not one taller." The onyx feline joked.
"Well, you've got flight, I've got brawn." The two continued to exchange banter as the others listened in, excluding the medic still working diligently behind them.
Raf had stopped paying attention though. His focus had turned to the strange tight sensation in has skin that had developed in the last hour. The feeling intensified and he had a hard time holding back the yelp he felt in his throat, and then his own transformation began.
He didn't get much bigger, but he was still large. He morphed and changed until the plush fur, long tail, and equally long ears stopped growing.
Bumblebee's distressed tones cut through the haze that had formed in his mind. *Raf! RAF!*
"Uhh… Well, at least it doesn't hurt anymore." The boy turned fox groaned from his new position cradled in his guardian's servos.
"Ahh!" Miko cooed "You're so cut! You look like a mix of a rabbit and a fox, but like us, you're huge!"
Bumblebee had to agree. His charge was quite adorable. Very fluffy, legs long as if built for speed, and with his tail and long ears tucked close, he looked so vulnerable. He held the furry creature to his chassis, and rumbled, twittered, and chirped a string of coos as he ran a servo down the length of his spine.
"Well, don't hog him 'Bee! Set him with us so we can get a better look!" the girl turned bear complained as the yellow bot turned a half hearted glare at her before placing the tiny (to him) creature on the med berth. The fox was easily size of a bull mastiff, but less bulky.
"We all have two animals," The boy genius pointed out, "two animals that we have come in contact with." Remembering their trip to the zoo.
"What makes you say that?" Bulkhead asked skeptically.
"Jack was scratched by a black panther and some black birds, Miko was bitten by a bear and those lizards, and I was hit by a fox and my rabbit." He explained.
"You have a rabbit?" Miko asked.
"Yeah, I've raised it for a while now, but back on topic. I don't know how we got so big, but the nanite substance that we all came in contact with initiated the transformation process."
"I think your assumption is accurate Rafael, and I have a batch of altered nanites that I think will either reverse the transformation completely or… "The medic trailed off.
"Or what, Ratch?" Arcee asked.
"Well… It's difficult to explain. The best explanation I can think of would be a form of control over your transformations. You might have a mental control over the changes, though I'm not sure to what extent."
"Well, that ought to make it easier to fit back in with regular life." Jack said with more than a hint of relief.
"The nanites got into your blood stream through your cuts, and thus, were given better access to you DNA. So, in order to get the command nanites into each of you, I have to inject them. From the injection, they should settle in your brains and respond to your brain waves as commands to follow, and send their own signals to the other nanites to react to." The medic explained as he held up three small syringes.
"Does it matter where you inject us?" Raf asked with a hint of apprehension. He honestly didn't want a shot into his brain.
"No, as long as it gets into your blood stream, they should be able to follow the programming I installed to your brain. I can inject you anywhere there is an accessible blood line."
The boy nodded as a wave of relief washed over him.
Soon all three of them were injected with the command nanites, and were chatting about random topics before bumblebee noticed that the kids weren't reverting back to their human forms. "Ratch? How long is it supposed to take? Raf's parents will start to get worried soon"
"I'm not sure. It may be a while before they have enough control over the new nanites to fully transform back, but I'm not completely sure."
"I can call my parents to ask if I can stay for the night. Its summer and we have no school until August. They should be fine with it." Raf reassured his guardian.
"Scrap! I forgot about mom! She's totally going to freak!" Jack exclaimed.
"I'm going to freak about what?"