Chapter 9: Surprises and Conflicts

All Transformer characters belong to Hasbro. The halfa, Clockwork, and Ghost Zone idea belong to Butch Hartman. Any real life songs, food brands, etc. do NOT belong to me. I only own this fanfic ideas and my OCs. Don't like, don't read. Everyone else, enjoy.

Warning: violence (mild and serious), implication of death (NOT main characters), mentions of gore, and mild cursing.

At Sasha's house; Third Person Perspective

"Alright, I'm here. Calm down Zee," Sasha couldn't help but laugh as she entered the garage. The breakfast she had with her consisted of strawberry granola pancakes, one of the maple scones that Colette had made for her to enjoy over the weekend, orange slices, dried cranberries, and a cup of hot chocolate. She was currently wearing a black tank top with a yin and yang symbol on the front, dark blue sweatpants, and gray and dark lilac striped socks.

"I'm sorry Sasha. I guess I'm just really eager to get going," Zettabyte said bashfully as he had been revving his engine a few seconds ago in excitement. The training with Nephilus had broken away the reserved part of the halfa and left only room for confidence to grow. The last three days had been filled with sparring, encouragement, and plenty of delicious snacks. In the end, Zettabyte had learned that he could also make illusions, ecto-shurikens, a full ecto-force field, and could use his ecto energy like a blow torch.

It was an unusually cloudy and brisk Saturday (hence Sasha's cup of hot chocolate) but it surprisingly did little to dampen their mood or interfere with their plans. Even Midnight was acting cheerful as she finished her breakfast and proceeded to meow playfully. Over the past three days, the raven-haired girl had put together a homemade color with an old silk ribbon and three small bells. The female feline now wore a dark lavender and silvery white ribbon with the name 'Midnight' stitched into it with black thread and with three little bells on the front.

The two friends had a great week. True to her word, Sasha had come to the retirement center after school on Wednesday, remembering to bring her laptop, and had promptly put Ruth through to her grandmother. The nature-lover almost cried when she saw how much joy was brought to both women's faces as they greeted each other, talked, laughed, and cried. Sasha had nearly jumped from her seat and yelled obscenities at the nurse who came into the room to escort the emerald-eyed women to bed. Thankfully, both women had reassured her that they would talk again the next day. And they did. However, on Friday, Ruth had told Sasha and her grandmother that she would be unable to speak with them on Saturday because she was to spend the rest of the day with her grandchildren who hadn't seen her for months. Both of them understood.

After that, the Goth went home and made a volunteer application for the greenhouse. She was going to take her newly found friend's advice to heart as she had said. The application was simple enough. The nature-lover just needed to have an interview with them if they got back to her. The raven-haired girl wouldn't mind waiting patiently as she had also made a commitment of giving her cell phone number to the shelter like the rest of the club members so the shelter could call on the students for help. While Sasha had been worried that she was biting off more than she could, she had been comforted by her friends that if she loved both participations enough and was reasonable with the ones in charge, then she would be alright.

"I know, I know. We'll be on our way soon. But first I have to have my most important meal of the day. Not all of us have advanced metabolisms," the Goth joked with a smile while she continued to dig into her breakfast. Her partner had told her about Power Nectar and while she was eager to try it, the human and robotic extraterrestrial had been too busy to properly ask for some. No matter, she would eventually get to try it. She was certain. "What place should we go to collect plant samples?"

"What about the rainforest? I heard it's beautiful and exotic," the halfa offered, his mismatched optics gazing at her hopefully.

Sasha thought about it as she nibbled on her scone. Truth be told, she had never visited the rainforest. The closest things she had to it were pictures, paintings, and dried pressed plants that her grandfather had saved from his visit to the lush, foreign area before he married her grandmother and documentaries and books she had seen so many times in families' library. To her, going to collect fresh botanical samples with her partner sounded awesome.

"You know what? That does sound like a great idea," she said smiling. "I'll go get ready as soon in a few minutes."

"Great! Hey, I've also been thinking about something else," the Cybertronian teen added a little more nervously.

"What is it?" the nature-lover asked as she popped a few dried cranberries into her mouth.

"Well, I was just thinking, to see if it's possible, if we can go to the Ghost Zone to see if Nephilus can open a portal to the rainforest for us," the neutral youth said finally. "That way, we won't have to worry about Soundwave sending out Laserbeak or one of the soldiers."

"That sounds like quite an idea but will he be alright with it?" the Goth asked carefully.

"He's our friend. I believe he'll help us," Zettabyte responded, half hopeful and half determined.

The raven-haired girl couldn't find it within her to argue with her friend. He had a good point and it was worth a try. Ever since he started training with Nephilus, his shyness had gone down quite a bit and had been replaced with a social, friendly, and outgoing glow. Perhaps there was a strong chance the soul guider would do this favor for them.

Like Grandpa said; "You won't know it's possible until you try," the nature-lover thought with a smile.

An hour later in the desert; Third Person Perspective

"Do you think I filled my water bottle enough?" Sasha asked her guardian a bit uncertainly.

She had changed into a cobalt shirt with a pale baby blue, white, and silver Chinese Dragon on the front, a pair of dark blue denim jeans with the stitching of a boysenberry purple gothic butterfly, black, lapis blue, and icy blue tennis shoes which covered her wine, dark gray and black colored socks. She had on a sky blue and admiral blue camouflage hoodie with a silvery hawk outstretched on the back. She also had on eggplant fingerless arm warmers that reached to below her elbows, dark blue lipstick, cerulean and iris yin and yang earrings, and she had painted her fingernails amethyst and dark azure. She had her hair up in a ponytail with a black scrunchie.

"Sasha, you're prepared enough. You'll be okay. We both will," the mechling reassured with a smile as he gestured to the same backpack she had with her when they went to the Redwood Forest.

It held the same first aid kit, flashlight with extra batteries, Swiss army knife, towel, magnifying glass, binoculars, and her phone. However, this time she had a small box with smaller containers for plant samples, clippers to cut said samples, a refillable water bottle that was (of course) filled, her purple and cerulean drinking container which was filled with a smoothie she made, a Tupperware with her lunch for that day, granola bars, and two cans of organic tune for Midnight. The feline was contently staying in the Goth's arms.

"I know. I just like to be ready," Sasha admitted bashfully.

"Well that's another thing we share," the neutral youth chuckled smiling before he filled with his bracelet. As expected, a swirling dark green and black portal emerged. Picking his human friend and their feline companion up with one hand and placing them on his shoulder, they went through the portal. They once again ended up on one of the platforms.

"And now we wait," the Cybetronian teen said casually.

"Mew," Midnight mewled plainly as if to say 'okay.' Ten minutes passed when the cobalt and silver mech finally appeared. Unsurprisingly, to Zettabyte, the soul guider's cloak was once again wrinkled and the musky scent was once again present and just a bit fresher than it had been the first tame he smelled it.

"Hello Zettabyte. Hello Sasha, Midnight. To what do I owe this visit?" Nephilus asked with a cool smile, tickling the feline under the chin.

"Mew," the female cat purred at the gentle gesture.

The human and Cybetronian smiled politely as the cat meowed before the mechling spoke, "Hey Nephilus. Sorry if we interrupted you with anything. We were just going to the rainforest for plant samples and we wanted to ask you if you can open a portal that leads to it for us."

"We don't want to risk Soundwave sending Laserbeak out even when the Cons detect Zee's energy signature," the nature-lover added hopefully.

To their relief, the mech smiled and said, "Why not. May I suggest one in Central America around, I don't know, let's say Costa Rica?"

The human and Cybertronian grinned and nodded as the soul guider took out his scythe which, moments later, began glowing with a pale cerulean aura. Then, with the quickest strike that the trio ever saw, Nephilus cut the empty space next to him. Almost as if he sliced a wall of soft clay, a rip appeared in the space before it started to spread wider. Soon, the slice became a signature Ghost Zone portal.

"Thank you Nephilus," the halfa said gratefully with a sincere smile.

"You're welcome Zetta. It was no problem, really," the mech replied with friendly, calm tone. "May I suggest that from now on, Zetta, you use the Decepticon Groundbridge when you go without Sasha or Midnight. That way they won't get caught and you three can come here when you need to get somewhere together."

"Now that sounds like a great idea. We will. Thank you," the neutral youth nodded thankfully and proceeded to walk towards the portal.

"Wait!"

The three stared as the mechling turned so they all can look at the mech.

Nephilus immediately took out the same crystal glass bottle he had brought after his and the mechling's first training session. He then put a finger over the whole before lifting it to show a golf-ball sized ball of Nectar levitating on his finger, before he outstretched his arm to Sasha. He was obviously offering her a taste of the ambrosia-like substance. The raven-haired girl eagerly leaned forward from where she stood on her partner's shoulder plating, puts her lips to the small sphere, and sips it. As the liquid traveled down her throat after washing across her tongue, she could only stare in amazement and mouth "Wow."

"I knew you would make that face," the soul guider chuckled as he closed the bottle.

"I can't help it, it's delicious!" the Goth finally said, mouth spreading into a wide grin.

"Well then, perhaps when you guys visit Terrana, she'll let you two have some more along with the fruits, vegetables, and other delicacies of nature she has growing in her garden," Nephilus said smiling. "Have a great time guys. See you later."

"Thank you! We'll see you later too!" both Sasha and Zettabyte said before the latter moved through the portal with his two smaller companions still on his shoulder. Not two minutes later, the odd trio finally arrived to their destination and marveled at the scene before them.

Lush green plants and towering, colossal (by human terms) trees with vines dangling on their branches like the herbal noodles Zettabyte had consumed that week. A couple of hot pinkish-red and yellow flowers dotted a nearby bush and a large group of Morpho butterflies fluttering about them. A toucan was perched calmly on the branch of one of the trees, cocking its head curiously at the newcomers before taking flight. A squirrel monkey paid no attention to anything other than the fruit it had picked off one of the trees and was now chewing on. A two small red-eyed tree croaked and flopped after each other one of the higher branches.

"It's beautiful," the halfa breathed.

"It's just like the pictures my grandfather showed me," the nature-lover whispered in joy and amazement. "I've got to take photos."

As the Cybertronian teen lowered his human friend and furry companion, the Goth began digging through her backpack for her phone. Midnight caught sight of the butterflies and immediately gave a little chase, batting at them while the bells of her ribbon jingled. The largest of the trio kept a sharp optic on his two smaller charges. With his now enhanced vision, it was not difficult. It was then that he caught sight of something falling out of the raven-haired girl's backpack as she finally fished out her phone.

"Hey Sasha, I think you dropped something," the neutral youth stated curiously, pointing at the object. Sasha looked up at him in confusion when she spotted what he was pointing at. She picked it up and blinked in shock.

"How did this get in here?" she muttered.

"What is it?" the mechling asked quizzically.

"It's one of my ISB flash drives," the raven-haired girl answered as she inspected the drive.

Petra and Clementine, two of her brainy cousins from her mother's side, had given her a large collection of flash drives of every shape color, and design for her twelfth birthday before she started sixth grade. While it may have seemed like an unusual gift to some, even boring, Sasha saw the gift as thoughtful and responsible. She thanked them and used the flash drives as much as she could. The collection was one of the many things she brought with her. The one she currently had was a cerulean blue and dark green sea turtle that was a little bigger than a the cap from milk gallon with a small clip so it could be attached to her backpack. The nature-lover concluded that she must have accidently put it into the backpack sometime ago.

"Well, you never know when you might need one of these," the Goth said shrugging as she put the USB back into her backpack before slinging the backpack over her shoulders and began taking some pictures with her phone.

"That's true," Zettabyte nodded as he picked up Midnight who had almost disappeared into a bush.

Once the raven-haired girl finished taking pictures, she put her phone back into her backpack and pulled out the box and grinned, saying, "Now let's get some samples."

The neutral youth smiled and nodded eagerly, "Let's start with those flowers."

The Goth laughed softly with a nod of her own as she made her way over to the flowers her guardian had pointed at. As she got out the clippers, cut off one of the flowers, and placed it into one of the smaller containers filled with a special preserving solution, Sasha couldn't help but feel that meeting Zetta and Midnight were two of the best things that happened to her.

Elsewhere; Third Person Perspective

"Are we almost there?" Nikolai asked impatiently. The masked middle-aged man was riding with one of his companions to a special location out in the Costa Rica. This place in question was a M.E.C.H. hideout.

However, the soldiers in charge of the hideout had not reported in the last few days. Silas, who was still in a simmering angry mood from the loss of the lone Cybertronian, had shortly ordered two of his men to go and check on "those slow zealots" as their scarred leader called them. Nikolai had quickly volunteered and now he was somewhat regretting it. It wasn't that he had a fear of flying but rather he was fearful of what the soldiers at the hideout were doing. If they were busy working on something that would please Silas, then all the soldiers were going to be alright. But if they were goofing off, then everyone would pay.

"No. Don't you start asking fifty times like an impatient kid," his companion, Benson, snapped irritably.

"I wouldn't be inclined to if you would fly this thing faster," Nikolai growled back.

"We're just barely half way there! Relax will you!?" Benson shouted.

Nikolai huffed and crossed his arms before saying, "I would if we didn't have the boss man to worry about."

"You and me both," his companion replied solemnly. Not another word was spoken.

One and a half hours later; Third Person Perspective

"Okay, that's the last sample," the nature-lover said with a smile as she put the box away.

The sample collecting had gone better than either had thought. They had collected samples from as many types of trees, plants, flowers, and even some fruit trees as possible. Zettabyte had found a blue orchid that he found extremely beautiful. Instead of plucking it, the young robotic titan had made a crude but sturdy flower pot out of a rock using his ecto-energy. His charge then gently helped him scoop the flower into the makeshift pot before he stored it into his sub-space.

"I can't wait to see what they're like under a microscope," the mechling said excitedly, practically bouncing up and down like a little kid who was about to be given a sweet treat.

"I know. Just remember to let me handle the microscope," the raven-haired girl laughed. The microscope in question was an old piece of equipment that her aunt and uncle found at a yard sale a few years prior. They liked collecting devices that they may need to use or could donate.

"Got it," the Cybertronian teen nodded in agreement. Their conversation however was stopped when a sudden bang resounded from somewhere in the opposite direction of where they arrived.

Midnight let out a terrified level before jumping into Sasha's arms. The Goth was then lifted up by the neutral youth when a horde of animals came stampeding from the direction of the bang. Birds flew through the air in wild patterns. Tree animals like lizards, amphibians, monkeys, kinkajous, and even some bats raced through the trees to get away from whatever danger there was. Even the jaguars that ran past them paid no mind to the tapirs and deer that ran alongside the large feline predators. Once the stampede had died down, the trio was only meant with silence that did not fit the lively environment around them.

"W-What the Pit was that all about?" Zettabyte asked incredulously.

"I-I don't' know. It sounded like a gun shot," Sasha stuttered out shakily.

"Mew," the shadow-colored feline mewled shyly.

"Gun shot? I thought hunting is frowned down upon in protected areas like the rainforest," the halfa spoke up.

"That doesn't stop hunters or poachers from doing it," the nature-lover stated in a matter-of-fact voice.

Suddenly, both human and Cybertronian slowly turned their heads to look at each other and exchange looks of shock, worry, and horror as a despicable possibility popped in both their minds. A minute later, Zettabyte was running towards where the disturbance had sounded from. The raven-haired girl hung on tight to her friend's right neck and shoulder area. Both their expressions were hardened and their gazes were fixed straight ahead neither caring about the endangering their secret.

"We have to find out what that sound was. There could be a hurt animal," Sasha said aloud in an urgent tone.

"If there is, we're gonna raise the Pit," the mechling agreed firmly. All Midnight did was snuggle deeper into Sasha's backpack. Zettabyte accelerated his pace, careful not to step on any large plants or small animals. Upon finally reaching their destination, the human and Cybertronian were unprepared for the sight that they came to.

A large metal structure, not unlike that of a portion of an industrial factory, stood before them. However, it looked old and abandoned with a few vines wildly smothering it and leaves and lumbering trees that looked ready to fall covering it, almost giving camouflaging it. There were no visible windows, just a large metal double door that had vines across it, as if it was imitating a quarantined area or crime scene with police tape. With the aura of the air, it seemed to hit it right on the spot. The halfa took a step to the double door and tore away the vines before placing both servos on the door, digits digging into the space as he waited for his partner to give him a sign that it was alright for him to open it.

"Go for it Zee," the Goth stated, voice quiet but determined.

The Cybertronian teen nodded as he half pried, half ripped the doors open and took a step inside the somewhat dark interior. Thankfully, the ceiling was high enough so the mechling wouldn't need to crouch. The raven-haired girl gave him a tap on the area where his jaw line would be, a sign she wanted to be put down to which the neutral youth obliged. It was at this time that Midnight pushed herself out of the gap in the nature-lover's backpack and meowed. Catching her furry companion's hint, Sasha gently lifted the feline out of her backpack, setting her on the ground, before grabbing the flashlight and turning it on before they continued their investigation.

They began to make their way through the building, Sasha shining her flashlight around so the odd trio could get a better look at their surroundings. The place had the smell of rust, gun powder, and chemicals. Wires, mechanical parts, and computers were scattered everywhere. It almost reminded the Goth of Chip's room whenever he was doing a science project. As they made their way further in, they saw more disarray.

Broken glass, used bullet shells, and shreds of something that were either cloth or papers littered the ground. They caught sight of an overturned table with now rotting food and beverage stains on it on the part of the floor where it tipped over. Sasha blinked when Midnight halted and hissed and looked to where the cat was hissing at. Crumpled metal pieces of what looked to have once been guns laid in the corner, scratches adorning the parts that weren't totally destroyed. But the raven-haired girl saw something else. Dark stains and droplets were inches away from the now totally useless gun that gave off a brick-colored glint. But before Sasha's mind could come to a morbid conclusion, she heard her partner gasp audibly.

"Zetta, what's wrong?!" the Goth asked in a panic tone, swinging herself around and looking up at him while pointing her flashlight in the direction her friend was looking in.

She saw that Zettabyte's optics were wide with fear and shock, staring at something in particular in the left corner. Slowly tearing her eyes from her guardian's face, she turned to look at the area he was focusing on. To her surprise, a rather large screen with a computer console was currently on and located in a far left corner. She began making her way to the screen for a better look, Midnight following right on her heels. As she stopped a few inches away from the screen, she finally got a good look at it. The screen background was a bright orange and had different blueprints and files open. It was then that she caught sight of one word in particular; M.E.C.H. It finally clicked in her head why her partner was so frightened. This place was property of the ones who tried to capture and do heaven knows what to him.

"Zetta, are these-," the raven-haired girl began but was interrupted by her friend.

"M.E.C.H. files? Yes. And these files show Cybertronian-related material," the neutral youth stated darkly. "Including notes on our anatomy."

The nature-lover suppressed a shiver of unease as she asked, "What happened here?"

"I'm not sure. It looks as if there was a struggle here," the Cybertronian teen stated in a unsure tone. "And by the look of the untouched files, the intruders weren't interested in the information."

This time, Sasha could not prevent the shiver that wracked her body. But as she looked at the computer screen again, she felt a new emotion; anger. Anger at these people for having threatened and hurt her friend just before she met him. Anger at them for wishing to harm his people just to learn more about them for their own benefit. She realized that she was now shaking out of rage. They couldn't leave this place without doing something to get back at these dirtbags. They had to bring them to justice. Suddenly an idea came to mind.

"Zetta, can you see if there are any more files that we can open?" the raven-haired girl asked.

"I can check," the neutral youth responded as he finally became calm enough to speak.

Just as he did when he downloaded information on Sasha's computer, Zettabyte lowered his right index finger and out popped two wires that plugged into the console. Immediately, five or so more files popped up. Meanwhile, the Goth had put away her flashlight and had taken out her turtle USB flash drive. Taking off the cap she looked over the console for USB port. She finally came across one after a few seconds and plugged her flash drive in. Remembering what she learned from Chip, Sasha began typing at the console to download the information into the drive as Zetta's wires retreated.

"C'mon, c'mon," the raven-haired girl hissed impatiently. After a couple of minutes, the downloading finished and Sasha popped the drive out, sealed it, and put it in her backpack. "Yes! Now let's get out of here."

"Agreed," the halfa stated as he scooped up the feline and human. Just as he began to turn away, he stopped and looked back. Then, without warning, he went into his ghost mode, raised a his servo, and obliterated the computer with one ecto-blast. "Just a precaution."

Despite her shocked expression, Sasha nodded in understanding and said casually, "Gotcha."

Placing his companions on his shoulder, Zettabyte ran out of the entrance and kept going as he fiddled with his bracelet. As he ran through the portal, neither he or his charge saw the helicopter landing.

A few minutes later in the Ghost Zone; Third Person Perspective

"Nephilus?! NEPHILUS!" Zettabyte practically screamed as he stopped running to catch his breath. Upon entering the Ghost Zone, the halfa had begun calling out for his mentor and friend in a distressed voice. He was relieved when he saw the soul guider coming towards him and his friends.

"I was just about to go out and fetch you guys! Are you three alright?" the mech asked, his tone full of concern and face held intense worry.

"We're all fine Nephilus. We- Wait! What do you mean you were about to come get us?" the Cybertronian teen asked, his panic subsiding for a moment to make room for confusion.

"I just got news that some Spite Mites escaped into the last night. They travel fast so there was no telling where they could be. So I was going to come get you guys," the cobalt and silver spectre stated before he noticed the icy cold hints of terror in the optics of his student and his human acquaintance. "What's wrong?"

"W-We came across a M.E.C.H. hideout in the rainforest," the neutral youth began explaining. "But we checked it out…it…it was…"

"It was a mess. Like a angry-mob-turned-the-place-upside-down kind of mess. There were no soldiers but we have the feeling that they were attacked out of nowhere," Sasha finished for her guardian, sensing his discomfort and fear.

"Mew," Midnight said weakly, still snuggled in the Goth's arms.

All three watched as Nephilus cursed under his breath in a language they didn't recognize. Suddenly, the mech took out his scythe, and just like before, used it to create a portal.

"You guys need to return to Jasper while I take care of this," the soul guider said firmly.

"But what about your safety?" the mechling asked worriedly.

"I'll be fine. I've dealt with these situations before. Now go," Nephilus ordered sternly, leaving no room for argument as he raced away.

Not willing to disobey his teacher and friend, Zettabyte stepped through the portal he made. As soon as they arrived back into the sandy, desert of Jasper, the halfa looked down at his two companions.

"Now what?" he asked in a tone crossed between unsure and concern.

At a hidden location somewhere in the outer regions desert; Third Person Perspective

Silas tapped his foot as he stood in front of the main computer. While he was a patient man, he did not tolerate tomfoolery of any sort. He had sent two of his men (two was all he could send as a majority were injured thanks to the Cons and he needed the others here) to check on the Costa Rica team. It had been awhile since his two soldiers left, meaning they should have arrived and contacted him already. The other soldiers who were present, mostly new recruits who had been held back from going on the mission last week, could sense their leader's growing ire and were becoming increasingly nervous themselves. They tried to busy themselves with their work while trying to keep the noise level down in fear of awakening the fury that was building up inside their leader.

A minute later, the scarred man grumbled, "What is taking those two i-?"

His rant was stopped when one of the nearby walkie talkies crackled, signaling that someone was trying to communicate. Everyone froze as Silas slowly made his way over to the communication device, snatched it up, and prepared to speak into it.

"Silas here," the M.E.C.H. leader said, almost growling.

[Sir, it's Nikolai] came a response.

"Nikolai? Where are you? Did you and Benson get to the hideout? If so, why aren't you using their computer to contact us?" the scarred man asked in a demanding tone that bordered on irritation.

[We ARE at the hideout sir. We couldn't use the computer because it was destroyed and no one's here except Benson and myself. The whole place is trashed and deserted! There are some signs that indicate that…that the Costa Rica team is no longer alive,] the soldier cried over the link. A few others who were in hearing range gasped and muttered shocked questions under their breath.

"What?! How is that possible?" Silas hissed in question, angry and shocked.

[We're not one hundred percent sure but we think we know. When Benson and I arrived we saw a Cybertronian running away from the hideout. We think they did it,] Nikolai explained.

"Was it an Autobot or a Decepticon?" the M.E.C.H. leader asked impatiently.

[We don't know but it we saw that it was blue and red. That's the only thing we got,] the soldier said in a finishing tone.

Silas was quiet for a moment before saying, "Salvage what you can and come back immediately."

[Yes sir,] Nikolai answered before he hung up.

The scarred man calmly set the walkie talkie down as he spoke in cold, callous tone, "So, the Cybertronians are getting bold, are they? Well we'll just have to teach them a lesson."

Not a moment after he said it, one of the new recruits who were stationed at the console spoke up, "Sir, we got word from the scouts that two of the Autobots' human allies have been spotted driving around."

"Is that so? Well then, why don't we have some fun with them," the scarred man said with a sinister grin. "Bring them here."

In the inner region of the desert; Third Person Perspective

"What should we do with the information we got?" Zettabyte asked curiously. It was a couple of minutes after they returned and the Cybertronian and human were debating over what to do with the M.E.C.H. information they had acquired. They were currently hiding behind a large rock formation just a few meters away from the road. His charge was currently standing on the sandy ground.

"Well we can't give it to the police without revealing that there are aliens living among us. We can't post it on the web without getting labeled as conspiracy kooks or getting targeted by the government for submitting suspicious material on the web," the Goth mulled over out loud. "Man, we can't really show this information to anyone, can we?"

"Apparently not. Slag , what are we gonna do now?" the neutral youth muttered.

"We could go home and look through it," the raven-haired girl offered. "That way, we can get a better look at what we're dealing with."

Just as Zettabyte was about to respond, he froze and then looked off into the distance. Before the nature-lover could ask what was wrong, she heard the sound of oncoming vehicles. Turning her head in the direction her partner was staring at, she saw automobiles. One was a rather heavy-looking dark Kelly green and black muscle car that was chasing a white sedan. Sasha looked back to her friend to discover that his faceplates were contorted into an expression of recognition, shock, and horror.

"Zetta? What's wrong?" the raven-haired girl asked fearfully.

"I know both of those vehicles," the Cybertronian teen spoke quietly. "I need to help the ones in that white vehicle. Sasha, you stay here."

"But-!" Sasha began to protest but she was cut short when her partner jumped out from behind the formation and began charging to the two vehicles. "Please be careful."

June and Fowler's Perspectives

Neither the nurse nor the government agent knew what to expect that day. What had just meant to be a drive around the desert turned into a car chase as they try to shake the all-too-familiar, not-so-nice vehicle containing some unwanted company. Unfortunately, their attempts were fruitless as the ones in the muscle car stayed persistent.

"C'mon, c'mon," the obsidian-haired woman pleaded as she desperately tried to evade the pursuers.

"For the love of Teddy Roosevelt, get a signal already," the African-American man growled as he tried to contact the Autobots but to no avail. No doubt the soldiers in the car were blocking the signal.

Both jolted in their seats as the muscle car got close enough to ram them lightly. They knew that they were going to be caught now. However, their dark thoughts were interrupted by tremors that the two adults found very easy to identify and the sound of screeching tires behind them. Stomping on the brake to halt with a screech, June and Fowler turned to look at each other for a moment to make sure they were both alright before they got out to see which of the bots had come to their aid.

What they saw shocked them.

The bot that had come to save them was a total stranger. It was about Bumblebee's height but was blue and red like Optimus, except the shades were different. While they couldn't see the front of the bot, the defensive stance told them that the strange Cybertronian meant to protect them. Their attention switched over to the four individuals that slowly got out of the muscle car. Each of them had powerful looking guns.

"You better get out of the way you walking hunk of metal. This doesn't involve you, tin can!" the soldier to the front right, a male based on the voice, snapped.

"Oh, really?" the Cybertronian spat sarcastically, his voice clarifying that he was indeed male as well and a young one at that. "Because I think terrorizing the innocent does concern me you power-hungry thugs."

The soldier who spoke aimed his gun and fired. The young Cybertronian merely tilted his helm quickly away but remained casual about it. The blast dispersed in the air, dissipating entirely. Before anyone had a chance to react, the titan swooped down and picked up the soldier who had shot at him. Cries of surprise escaped the other masked members as they pointed their guns at the robotic extraterrestrial but didn't dare shoot in fair of invoking the death of their cohort.

"Listen to me and listen carefully," the young male hissed, making sure he had the masked human's attention. "I don't know what quarrel you have with my kind but if you think I'll stand by while you harass the innocent civilians of your own kind, you better think again. All my life I had to endure watching the defenseless be attacked and killed but not anymore. I'm gonna stand and fight for what I believe in. Starting with you. If I catch you chasing helpless humans again, I will come after you.Got it?"

Once the man in his servo nodded his head furiously for a few seconds, he was put down. The man then stumbled for a bit before running to the car, his team mates already getting in themselves. A minute didn't past before the muscle car squealed as it when into reverse before doing a one eighty turn and speeding away.

Silence.

Then the Cybertronian turned to the two adult humans. They now saw that his faceplate was, like a few parts of him, shockingly similar to a certain two-wheeler they knew. The young male's mismatched optics were also a surprise but not a frightful one. In fact, they seemed friendly. Any trace of the malice that he had shown the M.E.C.H. scouts was gone and replaced with a gentle concern. His optics studied them as though to make sure they were alright before he made a move to leave.

"Hey, hey! Stop right there!" Fowler ordered, finally finding his voice. "What's your name? Who are you with? Cons or Bots?"

The young mech twisted around and stared in utter shock before stuttering, "Cons or Bots?! You mean you know that there are other Cybertronians on this planet?!"

Before the government agent could press further, a young girl began running over to the Cybertronian. She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen and was had raven-hair with an amethyst highlight.

"Zetta! Are you alright?" the girl cried out as she stopped at the young mech's pede a gently put a hand on the side.

"I'm fine Sasha. Confused but fine," the young mech, Zetta, answered before turning back to the African American man. "This human apparently is familiar with my kind and the factions."

The teen turned her head to stare at them before asking aloud, "Really?"

"Yes he does. And so do I," June answered as Fowler seemed too shocked to answer. Hearing the girl's name gave the nurse a theory. "Your last name wouldn't happen to be Morgan would it?"

"Yes. Why?" the teen asked carefully.

"You go to school with my son, Jack," the obsidian-haired woman said politely.

"You're Jack's mom?" Sasha echoed in shock to which the nurse nodded.

It was then that Fowler found a chance to speak to the Cybertronian, "And Zetta wouldn't happen to be short for Zettabyte, would it?"

The Cybertronian youth stared at him before asking in a hushed tone, "How did you know?"

The three humans and robotic extrerrestrial remained staring at each other for a bit before the middle-aged man said, "I think you two need to come with us."

A few minutes later at the Autobot base; Third Person Perspective

"He did what?!" Ratchet nearly screeched.

After some careful reassuring, the Goth and mechling had followed the two adults in their car back to the Auotbot base. Upon arriving, the old medic nearly had a spark attack when he discovered that not only had Zettabyte returned but had also gained a human charge. The Autobot CMO was obviously full of mixed emotions and those emotions had only gotten more tangled when June and Fowler told him the story.

"He sent those punks running. Didn't back down once," the government agent said in a-matter-of-fact tone. "He stood his ground."

"He was very brave," the nurse as she cradled the blue orchid and its makeshift pot in her arms.

Upon meeting the woman who's home he had somewhat invaded, Zetta's guilty conscious got the better of him and he confessed to her what he did and had apologized, going as far as to give the single mother the orchid he picked up. Being a sensible lady and seeing how remorseful he was, not to mention the fact he saved her and her companion, June had accepted the apology and the beautiful specimen of flora.

Sasha, having discovered that Fowler was a government official, had taken out the USB, placed it into his hand, and said he would know what to do with it. The agent was startled and confused but obliged as he saw the deathly serious glint in the high school student's violet orbs. He just hoped none of his acquaintances would laugh at him for the shape of the USB.

"Well we'll just see what Optimus and the others say," Ratchet responded gruffly.

Sasha frowned at the medic from where she stood with the nurse and government agent. The old mech's blunt attitude was becoming aggravating. Almost as if he was more upset that her friend had revealed himself to her and had confronted humans who already knew about the Cybertronians on Earth rather than the fact that the two adults were in danger. Before she could say anything, the Groundbridge opened to allow the ones they had been waiting for in.

The air felt as though it had dropped a good number of degrees as the first to arrive was a familiar moss green vehicle came first. Zettabyte stood rigid, feeling his spark pulse faster with apprehension and fear. He looked at his charge and the look he saw on her face only added to his own stress. Her mouth was gapped and her eyes were wide open. In their depths, he saw the following emotions; shock, horror, and a barely controlled seething anger that bordered on hatred.

And all of it was focused on the Wrecker as he transformed into his bipedal mode.

As soon as he was finished transforming, Bulkhead's optics locked on the ruby and sapphire mechling who immediately froze like a deer caught in a car's headlights. The heavy armored mech narrowed his optics at the youngling. However, his narrowed gaze immediately changed when he locked eyes with a certain, fuming raven-haired girl who he hadn't seen since he dropped her and Miko off at the monster truck show. If looks could kill, there would be nothing of him left except a scorched mark on the ground to show where he once stood.

Just as Sasha was about to let loose a string of expletives, she was stopped by two voices calling her name in surprise.

"SASHA?!"

The Goth's head snapped to the direction of the voices and her purple orbs met two sets; one blue and one brown.

"Surprise," the raven-haired girl couldn't help but say through nearly grit teeth and anger still bubbled in her for the moss green mech just feet away from her. Agent Fowler had already revealed that her two classmates were in on the secret and while she was surprised, she was more angry as she continued to glare hard at the Wrecker.

That was until the motorcycle-turned-femme rushed over and hugged her guardian.

Arcee could care less about the stares she was receiving from her teammates, her leader, and the humans. She felt her spark beat with joy as she wrapped her arms around the mechling. After a second or so, Sasha was staring hard at her.

The nature-lover watched as the sapphire femme hugged her friend. Zetta could only allow the older female Cybertronian to hold him, afraid to cause offense should he pull away. However, he did notice his spark grow warmer with the presence of the two-wheeler Autobot. The same kind of warmth a Cybertronian youth would feel when reconnecting with someone dear.

"I like sweet moments as much as the next guy but I think Zetta here has had enough, Arcee," Team Prime's liaison said a bit awkwardly.

"Whoa, wait! Zetta? As in Zettabyte?! This is him?!" Jack cried in flabbergasted tone, pointing at the ruby and sapphire mechling that his guardian had finally stopped hugging.

"Jackson Darby we do NOT point at others," June scolded her son sternly. "But yes, his name is Zettabyte."

"So this is Jack," Zettabyte said as he took a few steps towards the male human teen. "Sasha has told me much about you."

"Really?" the onyx-haired teen questioned, a little too nervous to look at his classmate who was standing beside his mother and the Autobot liaison.

"Yes. She and I both agree that you have the merit of being the responsible adult as though it's second nature," the ruby and sapphire mechling said kindly, causing the young human male to smile.

"Thanks," the teen boy said casually but genuinely pleased.

"Where did you get that flower from Ms. Darby?" Raf asked, pointing at the orchid in the woman's arms.

"Oh, Zetta gave this to me. It turns out he was the friend that retrieved Sasha's bike for her," the nurse explained calmly.

"WHAT?!" Bulkhead roared.

Zettabyte immediately stepped away, pressing himself against a wall.

"Bulkhead! Enough!" Ratchet snapped irritably. "We've discussed your attitude problem already and how you should treat Zettabyte from now on."

"That was before I found out he was gonna go around sneaking into the kids' houses," the Wrecker growled as he took a menacing step towards the neutral youth.

"WAIT! You're Bulkhead?" Sasha almost shrieked. "The Bulkhead who chased Zetta out because of who he is and how he thinks?!"

There was a pause of silence.

Then, in a voice that almost sounded too low and dark for a girl her age, the Goth said, "You. Are. Gonna. Die."

Before anyone could register what was happen, the nature-lover grabbed a piece of pipe that was leaning against the wall behind her, ran down the stairs, and charged at the moss-colored mech. Seeing the murder in her eyes, Bulkhead fearfully backed up, only to trip on his pedes and fall against the console, denting a great deal of it.

"Bulkhead! We needed that!" Ratchet screamed.

Seeing a partner in a state of distress and chaos, the Cybertronian teen hurried and picked up his human friend.

"Sasha, what-!" Zettabyte began.

"He was the one who drove Miko and I to that stupid monster truck show!" she snapped, pointing at the Wrecker as she hissed at said mech. "If it's not bad enough you tried to hurt Zetta for who he is but he's partnered with that little witch!"

Now it was the ruby and sapphire mechling's turn to be shocked and angry. And he would have gladly thrown himself at the larger mech if Bumblebee hadn't caught the loathing look in his optics and grabbed his shoulder plates to prevent him from doing just that.

"You slagging piece of Cyber trash!" Zettabyte hissed in a hateful voice. "Are you completely stupid or do you just not care for others besides your precious Miko?"

"Keep talking, punk," the moss-colored mech snarled as he got back up.

"Here I was ready to forgive you for chasing me out and I find out that you were the reason why my friend could have died?!" the halfa growled.

"Whoa! Wait a minute! What do you mean almost died?" Fowler asked abruptly.

"Zetta and I met when he saved me from being crushed by the stadium when it started crumbling," the raven-haired girl said, starting to calm down a bit. "I lied and told the Sandersons that I got a ride from a classmate who took me to a place to blow off steam. It's so they wouldn't worry. I would have called the Sandersons to come get me before the stadium collapsed but my phone died."

Everyone turned to look at Zettabyte.

"It's true," he confirmed. "I was near the stadium when it was collapsing. I saw Sasha was going to be crushed so I just flew into action."

[All by yourself? Wow!] Bumblebee complimented as he took his servos off the other mechling.

"So you've been with Sasha all this time?" Optimus asked Zettabyte patiently.

"Yes and no," the Cybertronian teen answered.

"What do you mean?" Arcee asked.

"There were times where I stayed in Sasha's garage…other times…I was on the Nemesis," the neutral youth confessed.

"I knew it! I knew your loyalty was heading towards Con Central!" Bulkhead spat angrily.

"Hey! If saving Zee from psychos like M.E.C.H. is evil, maybe you should try it sometime rust bucket!" the Goth hissed with equal if not more rage.

"WHAT?!" the femme screamed. "When was this?!"

"The day before I met Sasha," the halfa admitted before quickly adding, "But they never hurt me! They even allowed me to use one of the rooms that belonged to one of their scientists!"

"Really?" the Autobot medic asked curiously. "What was in there? Can you sneak any of the material here?"

"No, don't do it Zee," the nature-lover butted in before turning to the other bots. "Zetta doesn't owe you guys anything. You have no right asking him to spy on the ones who saved him."

"Sasha, you don't know what the Decepticons are like," Jack spoke up. "We've seen them up close in battle. They're far from merciful, let alone trustworthy."

"And you don't know what they're truly like when they're not fighting," Zettabyte responded back. "The only reason they hate Autobots is because they all think that you're fighting to return Cybertron back into the caste era."

"And how do you know this?" prodded Optimus.

"Because they told me," the neutral youth said boldly.

Flashback a few days ago on the Nemesis; Zettabyte's Perspective

"So…," Zettabyte began asked he attempted to start a conversation up with two of the Vehicons who were off duty. "What's it like being part of the Decepticons? I mean, being an official member and whatnot.

"Better than working for those kiss-up Autobots," the Vehicon, who had identified himself as W4LL3, replied with a grumble. "Like they really believe in that 'freedom is the right of all sentient beings' scrap their Prime spews."

The halfa was taken aback as he asked again, "What do you mean?"

The other Vehicon, B3N, snorted as he replied for his comrade, "Please. You think they really care about equality for others. They're just doing the dirty work for the surviving nobles. They're nothing but Sheepicrons."

"Think about it. Most of the Autobots are from classes only two or three steps below the upper caste. We're at the bottom. Who would have a better chance of rubbing elbows with heartless snobs," W4LL3 said scornfully.

"Not to mention their precious Prime started out like all the other Primes; a noble with no experience with leadership, politics, or law," B3N added bitterly. "The great Optimus Prime is just making stuff up as he goes along."

"The guy says he's seen us go through injustice but the fragger doesn't know the half of it," W4LLE muttered as he began to walk away. "He didn't have to work himself to death mining energon before the war. He wasn't fighting for his life inside the Pits. And he certainly wasn't struggling to survive!"

"I'm telling you kid; if this war ends in the Autobot's favor, there's no hope for true peace let alone Cybertron's restoration," B3N said finally as he too left, leaving a shocked Zettabyte standing alone in the hallway.

End Flashback

Everyone stared at the neutral youth who finished re-telling the tale.

"And you all know what? I believe them," the Cybertronian teen said bravely. "No one came to their aid or defense during Sentinel's reign or any other past Primes' reign. Why would they believe Optimus could help them now? Especially when he came from the same class as all the Primes before him?"

"Zettabyte, you can't really believe that the past justifies the Cons' actions," the Autobot CMO reasoned.

"But it's the past that led up to those actions! You're not gonna look me in the optics and tell me that if they had been treated better, this way still would've happened," the neutral youth argued back. "You know, the humans have a little debate here on Earth called Nurture vs Nature. Basically it's saying that individuals become who they are based on their genetics or their environment. I'm pretty sure that in the Cons' case, Nature is the factor. They had to kill to continue living. It's no surprise that they are killing your faction."

"That's exactly why you have to come back with us! It won't be long before one of them kills you!" the femme pleaded. "Here you'll be safe."

"Yeah? For how long? Until the Autobots win and the nobles who survived or their descendents rise again to reshape Cybertron into the classist prison it was? Why do you even allow nobles into your faction? You do know the majority of them are just doing it for survival, right? They don't care about the fact that their ignorance and arrogance led to all of this. Some of them won't even bother to remember the names of any of the mechs and femmes who died in the name of the Autobots," Zettabyte replied stubbornly.

Arcee opened her mouth to argue but nothing came out. She knew he was right. While the fallen Autobots would be remembered by a few of their fellow comrades, there was a very high chance that none of those mourning comrades would be from the upper caste. In fact, the two-wheeler was practically certain that said nobles would try to rebuild the lives they had before the war while not learning any lesson about the consequences of their pre-world actions.

"That doesn't excuse the things they've done in this war," Bulkhead grumbled.

"What about the things they did before the war? The energon they mined for the other castes? The toiling they did as slaves? And what about the Autobots who were nothing but low-lives before they joined up? What about the thieves, illegal racers, and corrupted individuals? How can any of you forget about that?" the ruby and sapphire mechling looked at everyone as he said it.

The humans and Autobots, excluding Bulkhead, had become more intent on listening, have quieted themselves down.

"And while we're at it, has anyone ever wondered why it seems like the Decepticons are winning?" the halfa asked but received no answer. "They've experienced hardships before. They've know what struggling to survive is like. They know how to respond. None of you did at first. And the things you are learning just barely scratch the surface of the survival skills they have honed."

"Feh, do you know how ridiculous you sound right now?" Bulkhead barked cruelly.

"Better watch what you say, garbage heap," the Goth gritted out. "In case you have forgotten, neither you aren't exactly righteous yourself. Especially since you partnered with Miko."

"What is that suppose to mean?" the Wrecker crouched down to meet Sasha's hateful gaze with a steely glare himself.

"Because Zettabyte never made Mrs. Sanderson cry," the nature-lover muttered coldly.

The day before: Sasha's Perspective

Sasha didn't know what drew her to the Sanderson's backyard. She had come out to take the compost pile to the shed so she could grind it up before spreading it over the garden. That's when she heard it.

Quiet sobbing.

She couldn't identify it at first but as she got closer, she could make out the choked gasps and sniffles. She had hopped over the fence that separated the houses and turned around the corner. She froze when she found the source of the painful noises.

Nora Sanderson was kneeling in her garden, dressed in her pale yellow gardening outfit, furiously wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. The raven-haired girl felt her heart plummet. She hadn't seen anyone cry this hard since her grandfather's death.

"Mrs. Sanderson?" Sasha asked cautiously.

Immediately, the blonde woman's head shot up. She seemed to be shocked and mortified that the teen had caught her in such a state.

"Oh, hello Sasha," Nora said, sniffling while forcing a smile on her face despite her watery eyes, red eyes. "Did you need something sweetie?"

"No, I'm fine," the nature-lover said reassuringly. "I just came to see what you're doing out here so late in the afternoon."

"Oh, I just needed some quiet time to myself is all. Since Miko is confined to her room, she's been playing her guitar non-stop," the Sanderson matriarch bit her lip. "At least she's not repeatedly getting into shouting matches with my husband and I like the first time we grounded her."

"Well that's…fortunate," the Goth nodded awkwardly. "Are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Just got dirt in my eyes," the blonde tried to lie as she got up and dusted herself off. "It happens."

"I see," Sasha nodded though both female humans knew it was a terrible lie. "Have you…gotten any letters from Scott?"

"Hmm? Oh yes! He sent us a letter saying he was having a good time and he's doing well. He sent pictures and everything," Nora said, trying to sound cheerful. "He even mailed us the grades he currently has. All As and Bs. Isn't that wonderful?"

"It does," Sasha said sincerely with a soft genuine smile of her own. "Maybe I could write him a letter to go with yours when you write him back."

"I'm sure Scott would like that," the older woman nodded. "Well I better go inside and make dinner for everyone."

"Alright. I'll see you later," the Goth bid her goodbye as she turned to go back to her house but stopped and turned around. "Mrs. Sanderson?"

"Hmm?" Nora hummed in question.

"I'm always here if you feel like having someone to talk to," Sasha offered gently, waiting for a reaction.

The Sanderson matriarch gave a sincere smile as she said, "I'd like that very much."

Sasha smiled as she turned and started walking back to her house.

End Flashback

"The Sandersons may not be yours or Miko's idea of "cool" people but they don't deserve to be driven to their wits ends just so she can see what she can get away with. They're good people," the raven-haired girl explained briskly to the moss-colored mech. "I'll admit, I may have issues with authority at times but at least I've never done any of the stupid, selfish stunts she does."

"Easy Sasha. Perhaps it's not completely Miko's fault," Zettabyte put in before he sent Bulkhead a nasty look. "Maybe the reason she acts so terrible is because her partner acts that way too."

That was the last straw for the Wrecker.

With an angry roar, Bulkhead launched himself towards the neutral youth. He did not see it coming.

As if he was dodging a jogging passerby, Zettabyte coolly and swiftly stepped to the side at the last minute, letting his right leg stick out a bit. The moss mech tripped before landing face first on the floor. Before he could even get up, Optimus came over, grabbed Bulkhead by the shoulder plating, lifted him up, turned him to face him, and gave him an icy stare.

"Bulkhead. That is enough. Go to your quarters and wait there," the Autobot leader commanded in a cold tone. "You will remain there until I come to get you."

Bulkhead didn't even attempt to argue as he made his way towards his room. He did, however, stop to give Zetta a growl and a death glare to which the ruby and sapphire mechling just responded with a hard look.

"We're done here," the Cybertronian teen declared, catching everyone but Sasha off guard ashe made he set Sasha down.

[What?! But you just returned!] the yellow and black mechling protested helplessly.

"A mistake that I will not repeat a third time," the halfa said calmly. "It's obvious I can't persuade any of you to understand as you all can't change my mind."

"You don't have to leave right away," Raf added politely.

"No. Sasha and I must take our leave. It's better this way," Zettabyte stated before saying in an apologetic tone aimed towards the human members, "I'm sorry we had to meet under these circumstances. I hope that next time we meet, it's under better ones."

"No, don't-!" the sapphire femme began to plead again but was stopped by the Prime.

"You are welcome here whenever you wish to contact us, Zettabyte," Optimus offered with a kind tone.

Not even acknowledging the gesture, the neutral youth transformed, allowed the Goth to enter his passenger door, before driving out of the base.

Arcee would have gladly followed if the medic and Prime hadn't held her back.

Three hours later at Sasha's house; Third Person Perspective

Sasha poked in frustration at her rice bowl which included tofu, corn, black and red beans, sweet potato, bell peppers, mushrooms, and cauliflower. To say she was too upset to eat would have been an understatement. To have to watch as her partner's opinions and ideals be shot down was infuriating.

She was thankful that Midnight hadn't jumped out of her bag while they were at the Autobot base or there could have been even more problems. The feline was currently taking a nap in Sasha's room in the dark blue and white bed that her caregiver had fashioned out of an old winter sweater, some old rags, and a pool noodle she found in the shed.

"You really should eat," Zettabyte spoke up softly to his charge. "There's no use in starving yourself."

"I know. I just can't believe what happened today," the nature-lover took a few bites before taking a sip of her berry smoothie. "It's like they weren't even fully considering what you and I were saying. Didn't it feel like we were arguing with a brick wall, didn't it?"

"Seems to be that way," the metallic titan sighed to his partner. "Their anger has made them forgotten that not all Decepticons join Megatron out of hate and ambition and not all Autobots joined Optimus out of the desire for equality and peace."

"I know! It's like they just let us talk so we'd shut up faster," the Goth mumbled in exasperation.

"It's hard for the ethnocentric to admit the faults of their people," the halfa stated simply with a shrug.

"That's probably it," the raven-haired girl muttered.

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of Sasha's Smartphone.

"Hold that thought Zee," Sasha stated as she answered. "Hello? Oh hey Sawyer!"

The nature-lover paid no mind to the fact that Zetta was watching and listening. He had proven to be very supportive of the idea that she spent as much time with her friends as she liked.

"Really? Is your grandmother okay with that?" the Goth asked into her phone, waiting for a response be she replied, "Alright, sure. I'm gamed. See you tomorrow."

"What did he say?" the neutral youth asked curiously as his charge ended the call.

"He asked me to hang out with him tomorrow," the raven-haired girl explained. "We're gonna go watch another movie, check out the greenhouse, make some homemade pizza together and munch on some more of Addie and Colette's goodies, and maybe play a video game or something."

"That sounds nice," Zettabyte said genuinely kind. "Is he gonna pick you up or do you need to me drop you off after my session with Nephilus tomorrow?"

"He said he would pick me up so we don't have to worry about anything except being at here at five o'clock tomorrow when he arrives," the Goth answered casually. "I am worried about what you'll do while I'm with Sawyer."

"Oh, I'll probably just go for a drive, do some a little tinkering here and there, or something. I'll figure it out," the Cybertronian teen reassured.

"Thanks Zee," Sasha said gratefully as she smiled. "What did I ever do to get a great friend like you?"

"You were just there for me," Zettabyte replied with a warm smile. "That's all a great friend asks for in return."

At the Autobot base; Optimus' Perspective

Optimus sat in his room, staring at the floor. Today couldn't have been more far from good as it could be. They had found Zettabyte and now knew where he now resided but that didn't change the fact that things were still sour between the Cybertronian youth and the team Wrecker. It was most probable that the mechling wouldn't set pede again into their abode for some time. The Prime wasn't the only one who was displeased.

Arcee had run off to her quarters. June had began viciously scolding the medic and Prime, saying that it was Bulkhead's roughness that put Zettabyte in the position he was currently in. It had ended with her saying that if anything happened to Zetta and or Sasha, whether it was at their hands or the Cons' hands, the nurse would never forgive them or allow the children back to the base.

The Autobot leader knew that the human matriarch had every right to be angry with him. He also knew that many of the things Zettabyte said were true. Up until that moment, the former archivist how the Decepticons had lived through misfortune much longer than any other Cybertronians he knew. The hope, determination, and compassion that the mechling had spoken with was almost no different than how he and Megatron use to speak to their friends, lower caste bots, and any other bot they thought could be persuaded.

"You have much potential young Zettabyte," Optimus said out loud to the emptiness of his berth room. "I just hope that you know what you're doing."

Here it is! Chapter 9! I'm sorry for the late update and the lack of the holiday fics I promised. This winter was one of my more mediocre ones. And this semester of college is gonna be hectic for me. But I promise that I will try to be more punctual with these main fics. Again haters will be ignored and flamers will flamed.

Everyone else, Happy Reading!