Chapter 9: The Core

Phoenix dreamed of fire. Flames surrounded her and clung to her, cascading over her like a burning waterfall. It was more horrifying than the flames that had burned her parents, more terrifying than the fire that she'd run through to save a child. Phoenix cried out in fear unable to see anything past the searing heat of the blaze.

'Earthspark…' She heard it whispered over and over again in her mind, perfectly clear amidst the tumultuous roar of the fire, 'Earthspark…Earthspark…'

She looked around frantically, searching for an escape.

'Earthspark… Earthspark … Earthspark…'

'Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!' She couldn't think clearly.

Suddenly a shadow formed and grew, coming closer to her until it created a solid, substantial form. It reached towards her and she saw it for what it was.

'Optimus!' She opened her eyes.

He was standing a little ways away, and she realized she had created a barrier out of defence while she slept. She relaxed and released the force field and Optimus stepped closer to her, looking concerned.

"Are you all right? You were thrashing around in your sleep."

"Ya, I guess I just had a nightmare." Phoenix whispered.

Optimus looked up the word. It was something that he had never encountered before.

"What was the nightmare about?" He asked.

Phoenix shuddered. "Fire, lots of fire. I couldn't go anywhere… And someone kept saying something… It was 'Earthspark' over and over. Then I saw you." She smiled lightly, "My prince charming."

Optimus had to look up that word too. It was amazing how he could be so intelligent and then have this human make him feel stupid when he couldn't understand what she was saying.

After a moment of researching 'prince charming' he laughed humourlessly.

"I do not feel like a prince charming. I couldn't come within five feet of you. How can I ever protect you? You can do it fine yourself." He sighed, feeling somewhat useless.

Phoenix huffed. "Well one day you'll have to! I'm not going to keep these dumb powers for long if I can help it!" She stood up, grabbing Optimus's hand. "Let's go see how to get rid of them!"

She ran down the hall to the medical bay with Optimus in tow.

"Ratchet!" she yelled.

"Phoenix, he might be working!" Optimus hushed her. "You have to do it like this- RATCHET!!!!!!!!"

Phoenix laughed, "Wow, your small but you're still really loud!"

"I try my best."

Phoenix laughed again.

Ratchet came around the corner. "Optimus you'd better have a good reason for interrupting me!"

Optimus smiled. Ratchet was usually the most respectful of him as leader, but you did not mess with the medic when he was working on something important.

"I am sorry, Ratchet. What were you working on?" he asked curious for the reason behind the rage.

"I've been working on Phoenix's… situation. That is what I'm supposed to be doing, is it not?" He grumbled.

"Yes. We would like to see your progress."

Ratchet grunted, which Phoenix took to be consent. He reached down for Phoenix and to

A much dismayed Optimus. Phoenix giggled, seeing how embarrassing it was to have to be picked up and carried around.

"Welcome to my life." She said.

Optimus just frowned at her.

"Remember, this is all for research."

Ratchet took them into his office and pulled up a document on his computer.

"I have been researching rocks and legends on them and such, but there's not as much as I would of hoped. You are sure that it was a stone that melded with your hand?"

Phoenix wound a strand of hair around her finger and chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully. She remembered the stone well. It had been black and shiny; it looked like the sort of rocks that she'd seen around a volcano that she'd visited when she was younger. She also remembered her dream about fire.

"Look up rocks that have to do with fire." She said.

Ratchet typed in the search. He scanned the first page.

"What is the 'core'?" He asked.

"What are you talking about? Oh! You mean the earth's core?" Phoenix looked at him. "If there was ever going to be legend about a rock it'd be that one! I didn't even think about it."

"Well?" Optimus inquired, "What is it?"

"It's sort of like a huge rock at the centre of the earth. Nobody really knows much about it because it's so hot and so far down that you can't get to it. I've heard people talk about it being supernatural and all that though! I bet that's it. But how did Starscream get a piece of the core?"

Optimus sighed, "Transformer technology is far more advanced than human technology. If there is a way to the earth's core then he'll have found it. What I want to know is why?"

Ratchet spent a few minutes downloading information on the core.

"This is very strange."

Phoenix and Optimus looked at each other.

"What is it Ratchet?" Phoenix asked.

"I cannot say yet, but I need to run some tests. Optimus, if it is not too much to ask, and you know I wouldn't unless in dire need, but may I borrow the shard of the Allspark?"

Optimus's eyes widened. "I- I suppose, but what on earth are you doing?"

"I'll explain after. Phoenix, I also need to borrow your palm. Don't worry, I'll leave it attached to you!" He said seeing the alarmed look on her face. "But if I may put you to sleep for just a while."

Phoenix was a little pale but she nodded. Optimus however put his foot down.

"Ratchet, I demand you tell me what is going on now!"

Ratchet just shook his head. Picking Optimus up around the middle, he threw him out into the hall and locked the door behind him.