Chapter 4: memories and power
"Who first?" Carly asked.
"Depends on who you want me to talk about…those affected or those who weren't?" Perceptor whispered.
"Those who were affected, then maybe we'll pick them out better," Freddie nodded.
"Sure…that still leaves quite a few," Perceptor chuckled stiffly.
"Prowl?" Carly offered, gaining Perceptor's attention, "You mentioned him earlier."
"Prowl…he's the strategist. He was beside me when the vortex caught us…I assume he's in the area. I swore I heard him," Perceptor got quieter the more he talked.
"When you raced out of the room the first time…when we found you by the mirror," nodded Freddie.
"Yes," hummed Perceptor, looking at Freddie but soon to Sam.
"What you looking at?" she snapped.
"You remind me of Ironhide so much…" chuckled Perceptor.
"Who?" Carly asked, hoping to keep Sam from fighting and to keep Perceptor's mood up.
"Ironhide is a fighter. Won't take no for an answer and will do almost anything to win. He's a tough old guy…Optimus worries about him sometimes, the way he runs in first. Shoot first, ask later…that's Hide…" smiled Perceptor.
"Sounds like Sam," nodded Freddie, looking at her. She snapped her jaw, scaring Freddie backward.
"Optimus?" asked Carly, "Who's he?"
"Our leader. The most selfless one I know. He cares about everyone…the Decepticons worn that out. He makes sure everyone stays in place. He's our…hope, I guess," answered Perceptor
"Anyone else?" Freddie asked.
"Sure…there's Bumblebee, the twins, and Ratchet…" offered Perceptor.
"Bumblebee?" chuckled Sam.
"Bumblebee is one of the youngest Autobots. I guess, in human years, he'd be similar to your age. Bumblebee's the smallest of all yet…he seems to be the bravest. He never gives in…he's also the most connected to humans," Perceptor explained, "He probably knew about crying…"
"Maybe," chuckled Carly.
"There are twins?" Freddie asked.
"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. And thank Primus there is only them. The two are the king of pranks! Sunstreaker's a little full of himself and Sideswipe is a true warrior. Together, they are unstoppable and inseparable," Perceptor hummed, recalling good yet terrible memories.
"Ratchet?" Sam asked, "Isn't that a tool?"
"Ratchet is our medic…though he'd probably no good now. He knows so little about human physiology. Ratchet is also usually the target for the twins' latest prank. If not him…me," groaned Perceptor, remembering days in the ARK.
Perceptor smiled lightly, remembering the good old days. He pleaded for this to be only a dream, a malfunction. He knew, deep in his spark…or heart, that he was human. The others were most likely also. He pleaded that someone would show up and help him. That's all he asked for. Help.
"Anyone…" Perceptor whispered, starting to cry again, "find me…"
Suddenly the lights came on. The children scooted closer together. Perceptor hadn't noticed. He was thinking of his friends. He closed his eyes, begging for his a friend at least to show up. Meanwhile the lights were glowing bright. While Carly and Sam were huddling together, afraid of what was going on; Freddie was watching Perceptor. Perceptor was causing the power surge, Freddie inferred.
"Perceptor!" shouted Freddie.
Perceptor opened his eyes, quickly looked up. The lights blew out, sending the halls into total darkness-apart from the darkness before which had at least the safety lights. Perceptor stood up, looking around. He was panted, looked around quickly. He stood still, not wanting to bump into anything. Someone bumped into him though.
"Perceptor?" it sounded like Carly.
"What…what happened?" Perceptor stuttered.
"You blew out the lights!" shouted Freddie, within the darkness.
"I…blew out the lights?" Perceptor whispered.
"Well as your mood changed the lights sure changed too! You snapped out of it, the lights bust!" hissed Sam.
Perceptor thought, reviewing the probabilities. He looked to the only light-which wasn't much-coming from the door to outside. He still felt Carly latched onto him. he rested his hand on her back. He heard her make a quiet gasp and look up. Perceptor could barely make out her outlining. He looked back at the door.
"Let's get outside," he called, making sure the other two could hear him.
He moved out, holding Carly's hand. He nudged the door open. The light seeped in, allowing him to see Carly. She had her eyes closed from the new light. They stopped outside. He released her hand as she opened her eyes. Carly looked back at the door. Freddie and Sam were stumbling out. Perceptor smiled lightly, seeing everyone okay. He winced, though, as Sam came up and punched him in the arm. He rubbed it hard.
"What was that for?" snapped Perceptor.
"For blowing the lights out," she hissed, storming off.
"I didn't know I could do that…" whispered Perceptor, eyeing the ground.
"Maybe the vortex altered you more than making you human?" Freddie offered.
"Hmm," Perceptor hummed, "It is plausible. I mean I was the closest to the vortex."
"Maybe you're more special than anyone else?" Carly offered, trying to lighten the mood.
"Maybe," Perceptor answered.
This fact did not lighten his mood but dampened it. If he had these powers, did the others have them or was he yet again alone in the matter. That worried, frightened him. He closed his eyes, entering deep thought. He didn't feel any power. Then there was a spark. He quickly opened his eyes, looking up. There was something different, a power, in him. And it was growing stronger.
A/N
Okay, enough Perceptor alone. Next chapter, let's bring in another Autobot, maybe a few Cons. Guess who comes into the next chapter! Go on, guess!