Authors Note: Hey…its been like a few months since I've finished the story and I'm going to start another Transformers story when I'm finished revising this one. =D

Thanks for all your reviews!

This chapter has been revised!!

-Kitsune

Thanks to:

Stesuna the Dragon - Thanks! I thought the wings would be a nice touch since she's a Cybertronian Phoenix.

RavenDiesel1 - like I said in the note I'll probably be able to update after my exams.

FMAandWolf'sRain - Thanks! I appreciate the review

Saxidani - I'm glad that so many people like to read my story. Thanks for the review!

Razorgaze - Yeah, those would hurt! I think the worst I've gotten was a gash on my ankle!

ShadowDemon-Gengar - I'll try to separate the clumps better but I don't think my story is a Mary-Sue. Ratchet is a medic and he's trying to save a girl's life. That's what medics do: save people's lives. And the "Never" that responded to the girl's whimper was like the doctors code of "I vow never to harm a human" (or Cybertronian in Ratchet's case (except for throwing things and threatening them))

Elita One - Well...I'd tell you how she knew but it's explained in this chapter. Thanks for the review!

Gaara's Pyro RACOON - Thanks for the review! I'll try to make longer chapters in the future.

Todel - Thank you!

ninja-pirate-alchemist - Thanks for the review! I'm glad you think I'm a good author!

Chapter 2

The Phoenix Arises With The Truth

The panic quickly flared in Ratchet's chest as he quickly sprang forward to check her pulse, pressing two fingers to the vein in her neck. His head snapped up and locked onto Ironhide and Hound, motioning them over to his general area. He positioned himself behind the girl's head, cradling it softly, and ordered Ironhide to take one of her wings and fold it against her back. Hound obediently grabbed the other wing, gentle yet firm so it wouldn't slip, and folded it to her back like Ironhide did. This made two things possible: her wings wouldn't get in the way and they wouldn't get any more injured than they already were.

The battle hardened medic started to bind the girl's head wound to staunch the flow of blood; Hound secured her arms over her chest via the medic's instructions so she wouldn't hurt herself. When Ratchet was finished he placed an arm under her neck, on her upper back, and his other under her knees, lifting her easily in his holoform's arms.

The girl's silver eyes opened slightly, albeit cloudy with the pain from being jostled, and traveled from face to face as Optimus retrieved Ratchet's med-kit. Ratchet moved as slowly as he could, shifting the girl in his arms slightly, and wincing as he heard her gasp quietly. He froze, letting her settle in a comfortable position before continuing onward. The started back up the cliff but the girl started to struggle, wincing in agony.

"Please! My necklace!" she pleaded as a thought struck her; she weakly pointed to a branch on the dilapidating tree. A faint glimmer could be seen from the brush as the girl struggled to get free from the medic's arms in order to retrieve it. A glare from Ratchet and Hound quickly snatched the necklace from the tree as Optimus and Ironhide secured her wings with gauze from the kit.

Silent tears of pain trickled down her face, making the Autobots look away as their sparks tugged painfully in their chests. Optimus handed the necklace to the girl, calming her almost instantly. She relaxed into Ratchet's arms while they picked their way back up the slope. The swaying motion caused the girls eyes to droop as she drifted into unconsciousness once more. The old medic was instantly alert, stopping to check the girl's vitals. He let out a relieved sigh when he realized that she was only sleeping.

"She's only sleeping. The poor girl deserves her rest." he relayed to the others, who nodded, and continued to where Sam, Mikaela, and Bumblebee stood waiting. Once they reached the top Mikaela instantly demanded to know if the girl was alright. Ratchet nodded his head in a positive manner but his eyes conveyed the seriousness of the situation.

"We can't linger. We MUST get her back to my primary form!" Ratchet insisted, shaking his head. He looked down at the girl who was sleeping in his arms, a faint trail of blood dripping down her chin.

The young blonde scout stared intently at the mysterious girl's face, studying and imprinting each line and crease of her skin into his central processor. She was, indeed, beautiful, with the deathly pale pigmentation of her skin and her blood red lips. Even though he didn't know the femme he wanted to get to know her once she awoke from stasis.

"She may not pull through. She's lost too much blood and she's slightly hypothermic." Ratchet's tired and weary voice cut through the night sky like a butter knife, pulling everyone from their thoughts.

"What do you mean?!" demanded Ironhide, inching closer to the old medic while balling up his fists. That meant that he worked so hard for nothing…and the girl needed to live! It caused his aged spark to ache knowing that there was nothing that the Weapons Specialist could do to help. Ratchet sighed for what felt like the millionth time that day.

"What I'm saying is that she's lost a vast amount of blood. Far more than a normal human can lose to survive. That is why we need to get her back to my primary form; I have the necessary tools to help her healing progress but that is only if we can get her back in time." he explained in exasperation. He was already halfway back toward his primary mode, trying not to jostle his precious cargo than need be.

Bee and the others chased after them, Optimus making sure that nobody got in Ratchet's way. Wheeljack, now sporting his holoform with short white hair and pale yellow scrubs, opened the back of Ratchet's medical area; he motioned them inside, frowning at the girl with a sad face. He already had a large amount of bandages ready for their use.

"Lay her on the table" he instructed Ratchet as they disappeared inside the Search and Rescue Hummer. Bee and the others let their holoforms drop as they transformed back into their bipedal modes. The young scout sat on a boulder a few feet from everyone else, tilting his head up to gaze at the stars. Not long after he slipped into a light recharge, his bright blue eyes dimming down into a soft blue.

Hours later he awoke feeling slightly refreshed but still worried about the girl. He paced back and forth in front of the Search and Rescue Hummer, trying to get his mind off the fact that the girl may not survive her trauma. The young sun colored scout paused, staring at the ground. He noticed something sparkling out of the corner of his optics, vaguely remembering the girl was carrying something that sparkled like that.

"She must have dropped this...and…I should return it to her." he mumbled, kneeling down next to the sparkling object. He carefully picked it up between two of his giant fingers and brought it closer to his facial plates. The strange metal almost glowed in the moonlight, casting an almost unnatural glow to shine upon his facial plates.

The material was shaped like a flaming bird, wings flared out towards the sky. The bird had a long and graceful neck, curled down next to its chest, and had a tail that split down the middle into separate smaller ones. There was an urethral flame on the tips of its spread wings and clutched in the majestic bird's mouth was a glowing crystal. It was like a small glowing orb of light, captivating all who gazes at it. Little sparkles of light danced within the crystal, dancing against their confinement.

"I wasn't sure at first but know I know. I recognize the girl from my past…before I was awarded the title of Prime." Optimus' voice reverberated behind Bumblebee. Bee jumped in surprise, whirling around to stare at his commander. Hound and Ironhide fell into stasis just a while ago, next to the tents where their human companions slept.

"What do you mean, Sir? You knew her from your past?" Bumblebee asked, still turned toward his leader. Optimus gazed at the necklace, deep in thought. Finally he turned back to the scout, a strange and sad gleam occupying his bright blue optics.

"I will tell you what I know, but first we must wake Hound and Ironhide." The Autobot Commander said as Ratchet's holoform opened the door to the medical area of his Search and Rescue Hummer form.

Wheeljack's holoform carried the unconscious girl out from the medical area so Ratchet could transform to his bipedal mode. The white haired inventor had a look of rage upon his face while Ratchet held his stoic medic look, however, you could practically feel the anger radiating from his metallic body.

"Report soldier." Optimus commanded as the medic started clenching and unclenching his fists. Ratchet's teeth clenched together a he forced himself not to pound his fist into anything close to him.

"Sir! The girl has several lacerations and contusions on various locations of her body. She has several puncture wounds, as if from needles, and a broken wrist, which has also been set with a cast. Her left wing was almost ripped from her back so we had to literally stitch the skin back together. Her right wing has been fractured, but nothing serious. She also has a rather large laceration on her forehead." he concluded angrily, waking Hound and Ironhide from their stasis.

"We must be quiet. By Earthen terms it is still very early in the morning." Hound whispered, bringing a finger to his lip components in an attempt to hush the others.

Hound is correct Optimus said, opening a private com link between all of the Autobots.

Now all of you listen to the story I must tell. Before any of us were created, even Ironhide, there was a special second race that lived on Cybertron. he started as the other Autobots settled down on the grass. They knew something serious was happening for the Autobot Commander rarely spoke of his past. Optimus waited until everyone got situated before settling down himself and continuing the story.

This other species was totally different than us Autonomous Robotic Organisms. They were organic.Optimus said, earning startled looks from the others. Bumblebee listened with his bright blue optics wide; the others hung on every word completely focused on the story of their Commander's past. The aged medic had heard this story before but always thought that it was just a myth. He looked at the winged girl, trying to decide if it was just myth or reality. It was just a myth, right?

The organics had an eternal life, like us, and did not need water nor food to survive. They converted energon into compatible energy for their organic needs. They took the form of great birds, crimson in color, but could also take on a humanoid form. They had wings and their eyes were a beautiful silver color.the great mech leader reminisced thoughtfully. The other Autobots spared a glance at the girl, now more interested than ever.

Yes, the last Phoenix was when I was a young bot, still under the name of Orion Pax. Her name was Nexia and she was but a small child then. Her grandfather and I were close friends, but, sadly, we couldn't see each other as much as we had hoped. Unfortunately they died out when the Decepticons found out about their powers. Optimus said, continuing with his story. The other bots were hanging onto his every word; it was something that he was always able to do - he was a great storyteller.

It was probably because they had mysterious healing powers, that only worked on organics, mind you. They could also fly, due to their massive wings, and they could control fire and could produce mystifying sounds with their song. They often called the fire "Phoenix Fire". Soon they hid from all transformers except for my friend. He told me that he sent his granddaughter to a far world and could only be recognized by one thing. Optimus explained, glancing down at the necklace that the girl had with her.

What would that be, Sir? Ratchet asked, eyeing the necklace in Optimus' hand.

This. the great commander said, holding out the necklace for the other bots to see.

The jewel represents a Phoenix's spark. The dimmer it gets means the closer to death the Phoenix is and it is the only way a Phoenix can die, other than being killed in battle or dieing of a broken spark. If it is crushed or shattered than the phoenix will die. he continued, looking at the wavering light. The light was slowly getting dimmer but then it would brighten up again in small intervals.

I am positive that the girl is Nexia, the granddaughter of my friend from Cybertron. She is the last remaining Cybertronian Phoenix. Optimus declared, optics burning with determination. Bumblebee's optics were wide with amazement while Hound and Ironhide were conversing with excitement. By this time the sun was beginning to rise and it was a new day.

"My scans show that the girl's internal body is slowly stabilizing. Although the crystal says that she will live I am unsure if she will wake. She has lost a vast amount of blood." Ratchet said, breaking the silence of the excited atmosphere. He was unaware that the crystal was glowing brighter with each word he said, pulsating softly in time with his own spark.

Optimus subspaced the necklace, intending to give it back to her when she awoke. He turned to his soldiers, smiling behind his faceplate when he saw how excited they were.

"It's been a long day. Get some recharge everyone." he said, settling down upon a rather large patch of grass. The large bot shifted slowly until he was lying on his back, gazing up at the soft sky. He could hear the others settling down for stasis as well, hoping to get a few hours of recharge before the humans awoke.

Ratchet settled up against a tree next to his new charge, slowly but subtly sneaking glances at her once in a while. He promised himself that he would make sure that she got better, more for Optimus' sake than for his. The large bot was so intent on believing that the girl was, indeed, Nexia. He looked at the girl, absorbing everything that was going on around her.

Her wings were well enough that they didn't need splints but her ankle and wrist were not that lucky. He scanned her once more with his deep penetration scanning system before deciding that she could be left alone for a while. Leaning up against a tree he slipped into a light recharge, keeping one optic open on the girl.

Ironhide settled down with Bumblebee beside the tents; Ironhide beside the Lennox's tent and Bee beside Sam and Mikaela's tent. Hound settled down near a pile of fallen trees while Wheeljack was on the other side of Ratchet, also keeping an optic on the mysterious winged girl.

Hours passed since the Autobots found the girl and there was no change in her condition. It was now mid morning and Sarah was the first to wake. The girl laid motionless on a mat that Sarah had provided when she first noticed the winged girl's injured condition.

Sarah was currently trying to brush the nasty tangles out of the girl's beautiful hair. Sam and Mikaela had gone for a swim and Will and Ironhide had gone fishing. Ratchet stayed by Sarah and the girl in case the young phoenix's condition worsened.

"Poor girl. She's so inured…and so young." Sarah said to nobody in particular as she stroked the girl's face. The older woman pushed her blonde hair into a messy ponytail as she rose to clean out the tent. As she did so a muffled groan caught her attention; she turned around and stepped outside of the tent once again in order to see what caused the noise. Ratchet was in a deeper recharge than before so he couldn't have possibly made the groan. The only explanation was that the girl was waking up!

"Ratchet!! Wake up!" Sarah whispered harshly, shaking the larger bot's leg. The medial officer's optics snapped online and his scanners instantly started to scan the girl's vitals. The girl groaned louder as her eyes fluttered open, revealing her haunting silver irises. Ratchet bent over the girl, staring into her eyes as she smiled softly. Her eyes traveled over to Sarah, widening as she realized that Sarah was a human.

"By Primus, a human!" the girl gasped, struggling against Ratchet's metal hand, and whimpering as Sarah tried to approach her. His face grew worried as the stitches in her side ripped open, blood pouring freely from the wound once again. Soon she tired herself out and was leaning against Ratchet's arm for support.

Sarah cautiously crept forward and offered the winged girl a cup of cold water. The girl looked back and forth between the cup and Sarah a couple of times, meekly accepting the cup after some encouragement from the medic behind her. She drank, mindful not to drip anything on her ripped and muddy black shirt as it was the only thing she was wearing aside from the pants.

"Thank you..." the winged girl whispered softly, offering a shy smile to the human woman. Sarah could tell that she was still afraid so she backed off slightly after giving the injured girl a warm smile.

Ratchet lifted the girl up to optic level, scanning the injury on her side. He didn't want to seem possessive but it was in his nature as a medic to take care of those who were injured. He decided that the wound only needed some new bandages but her stitches were fine.

Optimus, the girl has woken from stasis. Ratchet commed to his Commander, gently stroking the winged girl's back. The soft soothing motion calmed her somewhat as she sighed contently.

Understood. All Autobots will be there shortly. Optimus said, closing the link from Ratchet. While waiting Ratchet changed the girl's bandages, gently prodding the wound with one of his external sensors that was conveniently located in his finger.

"I'm sorry, little one, if I am causing you pain but I must make sure the wound is clean." he explained quietly, trying not to startle the poor girl any further. She nodded, gritting her teeth in pain and letting him continue to examine her.

Soon the rumbling of a semi truck could be heard, followed by a yellow Camero, GMC Topkick, a forest green Jeep, and a white Ford Focus. They skidded to a halt, releasing their passengers, and transformed into their bipedal modes. Optimus kneeled down next to the girl and offered one massive finger in greeting.

"My name is Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. We are very honored to meet the last of the Cybertronian Phoenixes." he said, watching her intently with his electric blue optics. She looked at him with shock before looking at the faces of the other mechs and humans. The shock dissolved into a warm smile as she stood, grasping Optimus' finger. She turned, with the help of Ratchet, and faced the Autobots.

"My name, as you all probably know, is Nexia, Nex for short. Will you listen to my story?" she asked, earning vigorous nods from mechs and humans alike. She nodded, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.

"Well then. You may want to get comfortable. It is quite a long story but I shall summarize the best I can." she said. Everyone proceeded to do so but Nexia felt herself being pulled into the air and set down upon a yellow-green shoulder. She looked at him quizzically but the medic only smiled and shook his head.

"My name is Ratchet just in case you haven't heard." he whispered, making her smile softly at him. Her eyes danced as the silver glowed, becoming much more prominent in her haunting irises. The look on her face was contagious as he found himself smiling as well.

Meanwhile, on the ground near Bumblebee, Mikaela caught sight of the two smiling at each other. She smirked and thought about all the ways she could get Ratchet and Nexia to admit their feelings.

Once everyone got settled Nexia looked around, finally deciding to start her story.

"As you know I am neither human nor an autonomous robotic organism. I am an organic life form from the metallic planet of Cybertron. We were used as pets for the Quentessons, the creators of the Autobots and the Decepticons. We were very unhappy as pets so naturally we were excited that there was a new race to befriend. I know I was, even though I was very young at the time." Nexia said, fondly remembering her time with the new creations.

"They were happy being who they were and they would visit us from time to time. I vaguely remember my Grandfather talking about a mech named Orion Pax. Those workers were my friends and I imprinted their spark signature into my mind and memory. That way I could recognize them anywhere in the universe, even though their new title was the Autobots. Soon after there was a revolt of the Phoenixes and most of my people were killed." she said as a crystalline tear crept down her face.

"Who killed them?" Will asked, wrapping an arm around his wife, tears dripping down Sarah's face as well. Nexia looked down at the cast on her arm, deep in thought. She drew her legs up and curled her good arm around them as she thought about the past. The sullen winged girl jumped as she felt a finger stroke her back in a comforting manner. She looked up into the face of the medic, smiling slightly in response to the warm look on his face.

"It is alright. Take your time. Remembering the past is always hard - especially when the memories aren't very pleasant." he whispered, patiently waiting for her to continue. She looked down as she continued to tell her story.

"It was Megatron. He killed them all except my grandfather and I. My grandfather was gravely injured in the attack and spent all of his energy to protect me and send me into space. I drifted through space for a countless amount of years before I crashed on Earth. I spent four years hiding in the forest and abandoned houses. I remember children being afraid of the supposedly 'haunted' forest that I lived in. Then, about two years later, a group of alien hunters called Sector Seven found me." she said, another tear rolling down her face. She could feel the medic stiffen underneath her fingers while Bumblebee's optics dimmed.

"Sector Seven?!" Mikaela gasped, grabbing onto Sam's arm. Bee crooned at her, a sat yet spiteful look in his optics. It was almost like he knew what it was like being trapped within their presence.

"Sector Seven captured me, tortured me, and almost sent me into termination. They took away my spark, ran experiments on it, and almost crushed it in the process." she continued.

"We Phoenix people are naturally peaceful, preferring to live in harmony with other creatures. They took a vast amount of blood, probably for testing, and plucked several feathers from my wings. Then, a few months ago, I escaped when they captured an 'NBE'." she said, pausing to wet her lips.

The Autobots were concentrating on her every word but Ratchet felt himself become furious. It must have been his nature as a medic, caring for each and every living thing. Life was precious and should not be tortured in any way. He looked around and found that the carefree Wheeljack had his face plates scrunched in anger as well.

"I hid on the edge of Tranquility, about as far as I could get from Hoover Dam. Everything was good for a while until some of the football jocks decided to search me out. I was running from them last night, in the storm, but I tripped down the cliff. And then you found me, Ratchet. You're my knight in Cybertronian metal." she said, pecking him on the cheek plate. He was immensely glad that his armor could not change colors when they blushed but he couldn't hide the heat that was quickly rising.

Optimus sat still, thinking over what the young Phoenix had told him. She had a rough life and he felt this compelling need to protect the girl. He knelt down and looked the young girl straight in the silver eyes.

"Nexia, how about staying with one of us?" he asked, watching her face carefully. Her eyes brightened and she shook her head vigorously.

"Great. She can stay with us." Sarah announced, standing up and disappearing within the tent. Nexia's eyes widened in horror but she bowed her head in acceptance as the Autobot medic assured her she could go back and forth as she pleased.

Sarah came back a bit later with more bandages, handing them to Ratchet. Nexia sighed but it quickly turned into a squeak of surprise as Ratchet picked her up and set her upon the ground. He activated his holoform and set upon changing her bandages. With the heavy sedatives she didn't feel a thing but quickly fell into a deep sleep. Ratchet chuckled softly and whispered a goodnight, not going unnoticed by Mikaela, who smirked as she remembered her plan to get them together.