Chapter 6: Leaving Trails

Iacon, a more peaceful version of Kaon, well at least at night! This is where Jazz's current life is. Many streets to race around, not much dirt and full of well-behaved cybertronians. Most of Jazz's friends lived here. Mirage is one of Jazz's most trustful friends. They got along more than they did with others. However, Mirage didn't trust Bumblebee a lot mainly because of his personality, but Jazz would often have to tell him otherwise. As Bumblebee and Jazz entered the neighborhood, they spotted Mirage storing things in his tool shed. They decided to sneak up on him. Once they reached the front of his house, they waited till Mirage had his back turned. When he did, the duo walked quietly behind him.

"MIRAGE!" Jazz yelled.

Mirage swung around and punched Jazz in the mouth. If in slow-motion, energon could be seen flying out of Jazz's mouth.

"OW! Not the best way to scare someone!" Jazz said rubbing his mouth.

"I told you many times not to do that!" Mirage said. "Oh...it's you Bumblebee!"

"You're never happy when I'm around!" Bumblebee said rolling his optics.

"True, so why are you guys sneaking around in Iacon?" The heavily italian-accent mech asked.

"Just checking around to see if Sideways said anything before he...mysteriously vanished." Jazz said.

"He's gone? Never noticed!" Mirage said.

"That's because you barely talk to him!" Bumblebee snapped.

"Watch your tone!" Mirage snarled.

"Speak for yourself!" Bumblebee snarled back.

Jazz was luckily in between the two mechs to he kept them apart so they wouldn't fight.

"Whoa, whoa calm down you two! Look, we need to find whatever happened to Sideways, so we need to go inside his house." Jazz said hoping the two would calm down. "And I need to show you guys the note I found."

"Fine!" Mirage said in a low tone.

Jazz wiped his forehead in relief. Nothing happened as they walked to Sideways house where it seemed messy. Empty energon cubes layed in the front yard, a front window was broken and several tires and rims layed on the front porch.

"Was this place ransacked?" Bumblebee asked.

"Nah, the note explained why!" Jazz said moving some of the tires out of the way.

Then they spotted the note stuck to the door. Jazz peeled it off and gave it to Bee.

Dear Jazz,

If you are reading this, then I am far away from Iacon. I wanted wanted to tell you that I've never given up on my racing dream, just like your best friend Bumblebee hasn't, at least I hope not! But, no need to worry, I'm okay, I'm getting help from a few friends of mine...speedy help that is! You're probably wondering why I haven't contacted you...what I'm doing is personal, nothing you need to be involved in. But...if you do come...be careful! You're also probably wondering why my house looks like slag. I had a little racing accident, that and I was drinking a lot of energon, got me a little hyper! Sorry about that! But if you need more info...if you're curious, talk to Soundwave! He should help you! Till next time we meet...

You're cousin, Sideways!

Bumblebee was surprised and Mirage was very curious.

"Why would Soundwave know? Did he tell him?" Mirage asked.

"It's possible! Better speak with him!" Jazz said.

Soundwave's house was just a few houses down. Soundwave was a mech of few words, just ask his little deployer Lazerbeak. While Soundwave may not look tough, he will kick your aft until there's nothing left! Once the group reached his house, Soundwave was already outside reading a book on his porch. He looked up at who was approaching him.

"Hello Soundwave, can we ask you something?" Jazz asked.

Soundwave nodded and looked at Bumblebee. Soundwave played a video on his monitor of Bumblebee racing around on dirt!

"He-he, yeah I still do that!" Bumblebee chuckled. Mirage rolled his optics.

"Soundwave, did you ever see Sideways a few days ago?" Jazz asked.

Soundwave played a video of him talking to Sideways 3 days ago.

On video...

"Hey Soundwave, if anyone asks, I was leaving for awhile! Don't know when I'll be back, but, think you can help me out a bit? I'll owe you!" Sideways begged.

Soundwave nodded his head!

"Thanks Soundwave, you're a true friend!" Sideways said before walking away.

Sideways tried to race back home but only crashed into a pole making Soundwave wince.

"I'm okay!" Sideways yelled before deciding to walk back.

End of video...

Hmm, not much we could get there Soundwave!" Jazz shrugged.

Soundwave looked down making the others think they upset him.

"No Soundwave don't get upset, I was just saying. You always give out useful info, besides it was Sideways who didn't tell you much!" Jazz said trying to comfort Soundwave.

Soundwave looked back up and nodded. Then he played a video of Sideways leaving Iacon in such a hurry. Like he was running away from something!

"That's strange, mabye we should check his room!" Bumblebee said. "Thanks for the info Soundwave!"

Soundwave nodded and showed what looked like a picture of Bumblebee with a trophy that had 1st place on it meaning Soundwave was hoping Bumblebee wins any race he competes in.

"Thanks Soundwave!" Bumblebee said.

Back at Sideways' house, his room was filled his pictures of him winning races and being called a hero. Several custom rims were also hanging around and one lied on his berth.

"He's really desperate for becoming a racer!" Mirage said.

"Too desperate!" Bumblebee said.

"You think where he's going might be some place that could teach him different styles of racing?" Jazz asked.

"I heard of some places that can teach you, but they don't let just ANYONE in!" Mirage said. "One friend of mine went to a place like that, and he changed when he came back. He seemed to be aggressive and wouldn't even hang out with me anymore! At least for awhile!" Mirage said.

"Well Bumblebee, looks like we got some more clues, now we just need to find him! Mabye we can help him with whatever problem he has!" Jazz said.

"You're right, let's hope he knows what he's doing!" Bumblebee said.

Once they exited the house, Mirage stopped them.

"Well, I would join you guys, but I got other things to do. I'll be seeing ya! Oh and Bee..." Mirage said seeing Bee look at him. "Stay out of trouble!"

Bumblebee couldn't respond back before Mirage transformed into a Ferrari and took off.

"Come on Bee...we got a cousin to find!" Jazz said and Bumblebee nodded.

The two transformed and raced out of the city more determined than ever! One question however remained in their heads. Did Sideways know the mechs he was possibly seeing?

To be continued...

I REALLY need to work on suspense! But hopefully this chapter was good and the next one should be more on Sideways' POV. I'm still thinking so hopefully the next chapter will be thought of soon! So many thoughts! Please Review!