Author's note. Hope everyone likes the kids new names. Fun fact, originally I was going to call Carlos Loosewire and Alexis Electra. I decided on a better name for Carlos, though you may have noticed I named a Minicon Loosewire. As for Alexis I suggested the name Electra for someone who is doing a similar story (The new Transformers in town by StoryMaker7) and they took that name. Doesn't matter as I think I've come up with good names.
About the story, Optimus has a serious talk with Alexis as she is the only Femme.
Enjoy and please review.
"Oh man," Carlos groaned as HotShot pulled him to his feet. "This could only happen to us."
Alexis was helped to her feet by Optimus and Rad was helped by Jetfire. The three kids swayed a little on their new metal limbs as they looked each other up and down. They still couldn't take in what had happened as they like their guardians were transformers.
"Wow, you guys are huge," Billy exclaimed staring up at their towering forms. Beside him Fred was also gawking, his mouth hanging open, his chocolate bar forgotten in his hand. The Autobots too looked like they were having difficulty comprehending the situation. Optimus stared sadly at his kids, he knew this would be difficult for them, even if they didn't fully realise it at that moment.
"Cool wings, Alexis," Carlos suddenly said staring at the beautiful wings protruding from Alexis's back. At Carlos's words, Alexis reached back and touched them, her bright green optics widening in surprise and wonder. She hadn't realised that she had turned into a flyer.
"You'll be able to fly just like Jetfire now," Rad said grinning.
"She sure will," Jetfire coming closer, his optics raking over Alexis's wings. "And of course someone will need to teach her and I guess that someone will have to be..."
"Optimus after he's combined with you," Scavenger cut in, giving Jetfire a suddenly stern look. Jetfire spluttered back Alexis was more concerned with why Scavenger had given the shuttle that look. But before she could dwell on it, HotShot said.
"Hey kids, you want to get a proper look at your reflections?"
"Yeah, that'll be great," said Rad and the three kids followed the yellow Autobot out the room. But as they did so, Alexis could have sworn she heard Scavenger say to Jetfire.
"Back off."
"What I do," Jetfire said in disbelief as the kids and HotShot walked out of hearing range. Their hearing range however was now much bigger and the base seemed to echo even more loudly with each step they took.
"Dude, I can't wait to see what we can transform into," Carlos was saying excitedly. He seemed to have gotten over the shock and now was looking forward to a good time. Soon they had entered the wash rooms which contained a mirror to allow the Autobots to make sure they were fully buffed up and clean.
The kids took a few minutes to fully examine themselves, gazing in awe at their new bodies and colours.
"Pretty impressive, huh," said HotShot, grinning.
"I'll say," said Rad as he peered at his back. Suddenly he frowned and put a hand to his stomach.
"Hey HotShot, I feel a bit weird."
"Yeah me too," said Carlos also frowning but HotShot just laughed.
"I think you guys need some Energon."
"Energon," the kids repeated in wonder, they had often wondered what the Autobot's food source tasted like, now they were about to find out. HotShot led them back to the Rec Room announcing to the room at large that the kids were hungry.
Blurr poured them each a glass and they all had their first taste of Energon. It was nothing like they had ever tasted before, it had a sort of savoury flavour and seemed to instantly energise them. Billy and Fred came over to ask what it was like and Carlos eagerly told them.
The Energon helped the kids and their guardians relax and pretty soon everyone was relaxing. Alexis was just watching Rad pick Fred up gently when Optimus came over to her and she remembered her confusion from earlier.
"Optimus, why was Scavenger annoyed at Jetfire earlier?" Alexis asked curiously. "What's the harm in letting him teach me how to fly?"
"There is no harm," Optimus replied. "What Scavenger meant was..."
Optimus suddenly gave a heavy sigh.
"Alexis's would you come with me for a moment, there are things I need to explain to you."
Alexis nodded and followed him out the room leaving the boys to mess around with the Energon. Walking side by side with Optimus, she marvelled at how she could now keep up with him without running or being carried. In no time at all they had reached Optimus's office and he let her in. Sitting down on a large chair she waited as Optimus walked round to his chair behind his desk.
Sitting down and taking another deep breath, Optimus said.
"Alexis, now that you are a transformer there are things about us you need to know. Things about our species and culture that is very important."
Alexis stared at him, feeling slightly uneasy though she didn't know why. After all she had always wanted to learn more about her guardians and where they came from. Perhaps it was because Optimus was looking so serious.
"Alexis, how many females are on this planet there compared to males, for your species?"
Alexis frowned at the question as she answered.
"For humans it's an equal ration, we have round about the same amount of girls as boys. Optimus, why are you asking me this?"
"Because for our species it is different," Optimus said simply. "Alexis, Femmes' barely make up a third of our population."
Alexis's jaw dropped, only a third? How could that be?
"Because of this, Femmes are considered very precious as they are our Spark Bearers and there are so few of them. I am lucky enough to have a mate, her name is Eilta One."
His gaze became fond for a moment before focusing on Alexis again.
"Spark Bearer, you mean they have your children?" Alexis asked, frowning slightly, was that all girls were good for on Cybertron?
"Yes but generally with just one life partner," Optimus said correctly interpreting her frown. "And Elita happens to be leader of the Autobot Femmes."
Alexis beamed, very pleased with that, she was a strong believer in women's rights, something the boys never dared to argue with her about.
"Do any of the other Autobots have a mate?" she asked eagerly.
"Just Red Alert, her name is First Aid. HotShot and Sideswipe are still quite young and have plenty of time to find one if they wish. Scavenger is a confirmed bachelor as is Blurr. Jetfire is considered something of a 'ladies mech' and it'll be a miracle if he ever settles down. None of the Decepticons on Earth have a mate."
Alexis laughed at the Jetfire comment but she was still confused, why was Optimus still looking serious, she didn't understand.
"So why did you need to talk to me, how come the boys aren't here?" she said curiously.
"Alexis out of the fourteen transformers on Earth only two of us have mates. And that is quite an accomplishment."
At Alexis's look, he continued.
"Femmes are so rare compared to Mech's that each one is pursued until she takes a mate. Because of our unbalanced population, many Mechs never desire a mate so as to decrease the pressure on Femmes, its part of their programming. But for the other Mechs, until they manage to find one, they fight to obtain one. It is not possible for a Femme to remain single, she is courted until she picks a mate. As I said, in groups of Mechs only one in five will win a partner. So to have two Femmes in such a small group..."
His voice drifted off as his point had been made. Alexis was totally shocked, how could Optimus allow such medieval practises.
"Don't judge us too harshly, Alexis, we cannot afford to lose any Femme, especially with the war, we need out population replenished. And no Femme in my territory is ever forced into something she doesn't want. And unlike Megatron I allow Femmes in the army."
"Megatron won't let any girls into the army?" Alexis said in outrage.
"No, he believes a Femmes place is with the Sparkings and Younglings. And I'm afraid there are some Autobots who share that view, that Femmes should be jealously guarded. Decepticons if they manage to take a mate won't allow they anywhere near other the fighting and do not like letting any males near their Femme."
"Unbelievable," Alexis said angrily. "I'm glad I don't live there, I'm not being married off to some man just to sit around the house all day."
Optimus chuckled at Alexis's words before turning serious again.
"You may not live there Alexis but you are now a Femme. An unclaimed Femme."
"Unclaimed!" Alexis said, her voice trembling slightly. "You mean one of the guys or one of the Decepticons is going to try and...Marry me? Is that why Scavenger was getting onto Jetfire?"
"Do not worry Alexis," Optimus said firmly reaching across the table to grasp Alexis's hands. "Jetfire tries to charm every Femme he comes into contact with, he meant nothing by it. Scavenger was merely reminding him that you don't know that and might become uncomfortable. And as I said Scavenger and Blurr are not looking for mates and the two young one see you as more of a sister."
"As for the Decepticons," Optimus paused to consider his words.
"Though Cyclonus may chase you and make silly comments, he is not ever serious so take no notice. Demolisher is a not interested and neither is Tidalwave. I'm not sure about Wheeljack, he is still young so he probably won't show interest. It is other three Decepticons I'm a bit concerned about."
Alexis was horrified, she really didn't like the idea of Megatron being interested in her, and he was so old. Ewwww.
"Megatron likes Femmes?" she said disgusted.
"Yes but I'm afraid it's very difficult to know what he's attracted to, frankly I can't tell who he'll fall for. Meaning I don't know what he'll do when he sees you. Though to his credit he'd never touch a Youngling, he'd considered that beneath his dignity. And since you're a Youngling he won't force you to be his."
"So why are you concerned about him?" Alexis asked.
"You're just kids but in a few mere human years, you'll be a grown woman. We can't tell whether you'll grow fast in relation to your human age. We transformers live for thousands of years, meaning if he wants to, Megatron will wait until you're the right age."
Before the pink Femme in front of him could express horror at that, she suddenly said.
"You said Megatron won't touch me while I'm this young, are there those who would?"
Optimus's expression darkened.
"There are," he said grimly. "I for one would not let a Mech like Thrust near any Younglings, he is a slimy scumbag and until this moment I was very glad he was far from Cybertron. I will not allow him near any of you kids and neither will any of the other Autobots."
Alexis nodded, wondering how she was going to tell all this to Rad and Carlos, they would be appalled. But then she remembered a Decepticon Optimus hadn't mentioned.
"And Starscream?"
"Starscream," Optimus repeated slowly. "Out of the Decepticons on Earth, he is the most honourable. However he does not have a mate and since the two of you are both Seekers will try to win you. He won't force you but he will try to make you his."
Alexis was totally stunned and for a moment couldn't move. This day was getting weirder by the minute. First she and the boys were turned into Autobot then she found out some of the Deceptcions would be chasing after her. What was going to happen next?
"Don't stress yourself Alexis, we will teach you and the boys how to defend yourselves, especially as Sideways is still kicking about," Optimus reassured her.
"You'll let us fight, won't you?" Alexis said jumping to her feet as Optimus stood up. "And help you find Minicons?"
"Once you've been trained, then yes we will," Optimus said his optics twinkling. "I have the feeling we couldn't stop you even if we tried. Come, let's rejoin the others."
They made their way back to the Rec Room where most of the group was still messing around. As Optimus went to say something to Scavenger and Blurr, Rad came over to Alexis.
"Hey, what were you and Optimus up to?"
"I'll tell you later," Alexis said as Optimus cleared his throat and everyone turned to him. With smiling optics, he said.
"I'd like to introduce the newest Autobots to our team, Rad, Carlos and Alexis."
The boys gave whoops as Billy and Fred exclaimed 'awesome'. Alexis just grinned, delighted that Optimus was making them Autobots. But he wasn't finished.
"As you are now transformers, I think you need new names while you are in these forms."
The kids gasped as Optimus continued.
"Rad from now on you will be known as...Radical."
Rad nee Radical laughed.
"Carlos you will be...Wildracer."
"Cool" said Carlos now Wildracer.
"And as for you Alexis you will be...Celestialsun."
Alexis nee Celestialsun couldn't say anything, she was completely overwhelmed, all thought of the Decepticons banished to the far corners of her mind as the Autobots and Billy and Fred congratulated them on their new names. Now all they needed were vehicle forms.
Author's note. Please tell me what you think of the kids' names, I will give you their meanings in the next chapter. Next time, the kids try transforming and Megatron wants to know what happened. Till next time.