Welp! Here is the next chapter! This was the one chapter I've been dying to show you all! OMG, I'm so excited. Damn, I hope you all like it!
Chapter 19:
Wake the Silvery Fire
The cool darkness of midnight signalled the approach of winter. An owl hooted softly, and then on silent wings it took off into the sleeping city to begin its normal routine of hunting. That didn't seem to bother Optimus much as he drove through the quiet streets of the town toward his destination. He was all for quietness of the trip as his thoughts drifted in and out, not even bothering to notice Jason's shiftiness to keep warm until he tapped the dashboard to indicate that he was cold.
Optimus was quick to oblige and he turned on his air conditioner to heat, making Jason more comfortable.
Despite the streets being empty of people and vehicles, Optimus still found it best to keep his hologram on just in case a wandering human or passing vehicle appeared from out of the shadows and noticed the missing driver.
Jason noticed that they were heading northwards at the edge of the town, puzzling him. Whatever Optimus' reason was to come this far, it had to be something very important. It must be so important that it concerned Optimus enough to not take on the guardianship of both Jason and Jasmine any longer.
"Optimus, where are we going?" Jason asked for the umpteenth time.
No answer.
It seemed that Optimus' thoughts were not entirely focused on the passenger inside him, but rather on his destination and the road in front of him. Jason was forced to let off a huff of annoyance and settle in the passenger's seat, wrapping himself up in his jacket. He turned his attention to the door's window, watching the world go by, getting further and further away from home.
Then... things started becoming strangely familiar.
He was about to ask Optimus when the vehicle turned a left, pulling in front of a massive gate with a sign on top that read: 'Auto Salvage Yard.' He shot a glance over at the Autobot commander's hologram, but he still didn't say anything. Then Optimus gave two loud honks, as though he was trying to get someone's attention.
A security guard dressed in a grey jacket and jeans with a flashlight in his hand approached the driver's side. The guard flashed the torch in both their eyes, but Optimus seemed to be unaffected by the brightness. "And what brings you out to this junkyard on a cold night, gentleman?" the guard asked, frowning suspiciously.
Optimus' hologram seemed to take a deep breath and answered, "Jason and I are looking something that was recently added to the yard. We are doing it for a friend's upcoming birthday. We were hoping to find something that still works."
He then burrowed his left hand into one of his pockets and pulled out what appeared to be an ID card. He handed it to the guard to look at. The guard stared at it for a moment, and then glanced down at the truck in surprise. He nodded frantically and saluted.
"Sorry, Sir, I didn't know it was you," he squeaked and rushed over to the gate, pressing a single button and the gate slid open. "Go right ahead!"
When it was open, Optimus then slowly drove inside the yard. As they went, Jason was staring at Optimus in absolute shock. "How did you do that?" he questioned.
Once more, Optimus refused to answer his questions; instead his vision was set on what was in front of him. The yard was stacked up high with hundreds of different vehicles. Some of them looked intact, others were squashed, and missing their doors and their bonnets, even the windshields were smashed and bits of glass littered the ground. Scraps of metal were even placed in very neat piles not too far from the vehicles.
It was pretty much like an equivalent to a Cybertronian graveyard.
Optimus didn't seem to pay attention to his surroundings; he was too far into what lay in front of him.
He suddenly grounded to a halt.
Jason was glad that the seatbelt he was wearing was strong enough to keep him in place or perhaps Optimus was paying attention to his passenger after all. Optimus' hologram turned to look at Jason and a simple command echoed from his lips: "Hope out, please."
Confused, Jason did as he was ordered, undoing the seatbelt and slid out of the vehicle.
Satisfied, Optimus proceeded to transform into his bipedal form. The transformation seemed slow and deliberate, as though he was thinking as he was becoming what he was. As he stood up tall and his head appeared between his shoulders, the headlights beneath his chest cavity switched on, illuminating the dark junkyard with its intense brightness.
He took three steps forward, each one careful so as to avoid stepping on anything that might trip him. The beams of light moved until they settled upon a broken and battered, yet familiar, Peterbilt 378 with red and silvery flames coating its chassis.
It was all that remained of Jasmine's beloved truck: Silverflame.
Jason looked up at Optimus, his confusion only growing stronger than before. "What do you plan to do?" he asked softly.
Optimus responded by clutching onto the object he had been given by Greg Boiling tightly in his hand. He answered in a low voice, "We came here to do what I believe is the right thing to do."
He approached the truck and stood before it, his bright blue optics glowing intensely in the darkness of the yard, despite the highbeams set up to its maximum. He appeared to be thinking for a long time on whether he should continue with what he intended. As if his inner thoughts were screaming at him, demanding that he not waste such a precious object. But out of the goodness of spark, for the sake of his charge, he thought against that instinct as he kneeled before the truck, outstretching his hand with the object laying flat in the palm, drawing it close to its waiting host.
Then, as if the truck was a magnet, the object flew toward it and struck dead centre in the middle. With the absorption complete, sparks of electricity danced from all around the chassis, beginning a quick journey from the bonnet to the exhaust ports.
Silence hung over the air.
"I... don't think it did anything," muttered Jason.
As if in response, the truck let off a gasping cough, startling Jason and he fell on his backside. Exhaust escaped from the vehicle's pipes. Its entire body rattled as it continued to choke and wheeze, as though it was taking its first breath after being born.
Optimus took one step back, whispering something to the truck in a series of electronic whistles and clicks. The truck shivered in response, answering back with something Jason didn't understand. Optimus nodded and took one step backward next to Jason, watching with unblinking optics.
Suddenly, the entire form of the vehicle started to shift and slide, metal breaking and building into a zillion pieces as long legs in a crouching position with two toes on each foot extended from the back wheels. The front section of the vehicle slowly lifted off the ground as the legs stood up and a pair of arms with five-fingered digits on each hand spread out. A head similar to Optimus' but without the antenna stretched upwards to the sky, bright blue optics shone above a piece of metal shaped almost like a nose and humanlike lips.
The arms fell flat against the being's side and the optics' lens extended and constricted, as though it was testing its range of vision. It opened its mouth and spoke in a youthful masculine voice, "I'm awake...?"
Jason, who had been sitting on his butt during the transformation, finally came out of his astonishment. He heard a low rumble from above him and glanced up to see Optimus looking down at him with a bemused expression.
"You can get up now, Jason," Optimus told him.
Jason blinked and picked himself up off the ground, dusting off his thick jeans and his jacket. He stared at Optimus. "What just happened?" he demanded.
Optimus took a step towards the mech and stretched a hand out to him, a gentle smile forming on his lips. The mech stared at the hand for a moment, as though he was considering what he should do. Then he took it in his hand, proceeding with the handshake. The smile never left Optimus' faceplates.
"Welcome, Silverflame," he greeted the mech. "It has been too long."
Jason's jaw dropped. This was Silverflame?!
The mech – now named Silverflame – let off a small, unsure smile in response. His optics shifted from Optimus over to Jason. They widened as if he appeared to be seeing a long lost friend. "Jason?" he whispered. He took a cautious step toward him.
Jason stood stock still as he watched the mech come closer. It was as though some invisible force held his feet firmly in place.
Silverflame bent down to get on even ground and offered his hand out to the human. Jason complied by climbing into his hand and Silverflame stood up to his full height with Optimus watching silently, as though he didn't want to ruin the moment.
"How did you know my name?" Jason asked quietly.
Silverflame blinked nervously. "I... I don't know," he said. "But I recall stories Jasmine told me while I was in my coma." He suddenly froze and his optics extended outwards. "Shit, Jasmine! Where's Jasmine?"
Optimus came up beside them and looked Silverflame dead in the optics. "Jasmine is alive and well, Silverflame," he told him. "But she was physically damaged in the accident that you both got caught in."
Silverflame frowned. "That accident..." he whispered, his voice hardening and his posture stiff. "That was no accident! That was an attempt of murder!"
Optimus nodded slowly, no doubt knowing that he couldn't hide the truth from someone so young. "Yes," he answered. "Starscream tried to kill you because he thought you were me. It was a case of mistaken identity."
"A mistake that nearly cost Jasmine her life!" Silverflame hissed, though his anger was not aimed at Optimus. "If I ever come across Starscream, I'll kill him myself for ever touching her!"
"That will have to wait another time, Silverflame," Optimus said softly. "I have a special task for you."
"No," Silverflame spoke up, determined. "Before I do what you ask, I want you to take me to see Jasmine."
Optimus seemed a bit unsure about Silverflame's demand. Jason looked between both mechs, worried that Optimus would say no and that Silverflame would do things on his own, whether it was with permission or not.
Finally, as though some god was controlling him, Optimus sighed in defeat. "Very well," he said, "you may see her. However, you will not wake her. For what I require of you must be started immediately after."
"What do you mean?" Silverflame asked.
Optimus bowed his head. "I'll tell you once we've returned to the house."
The sound of two trucks driving through the quiet streets would have been enough to disturb even a mouse, but not on this night. It was quiet enough to allow Silverflame time adjust to his vehicle form without the use of a driver. Optimus had to give him specific instructions in order to be able to maintain control over himself without going off the road and crashing into a lamppost or a dustbin.
With both vehicles lighting the way with their highbeams, they arrived back at the house without much of a hassle, though Silverflame came close to hitting a cat that was crossing in front of his path.
Optimus led Silverflame into the backyard and Jason hopped out just in time for Optimus to transform quietly, followed by Silverflame. None of them had any wish to disturb Jasmine as she slept, oblivious to their presence.
Before Optimus could tell Silverflame where to find her, the young mech headed over to the room himself and peeked inside. Optimus' optics were extended with surprise, blinking brightly. How could someone who had just come online know where everything was in such a short amount of time? It was probably one mystery he would never be able to solve.
Silverflame peered into the room, dimming his optics until only a faint beam illuminated the room. He spotted Jasmine tucked underneath the covers in her usual place, though he could just make out the canine shape of Midnight lying at the foot of the bed. A faint smile crossed his lips as he watched Jasmine sleep. She looked so peaceful there, undisturbed by the soft light coming from him.
He was about to pull away to talk to Optimus when Jasmine started trembling, then she started tossing and turning, her mouth opening into a silent scream.
Concerned, he reached inside and used his pointer finger to gently stroke her back in an attempt to calm her nightmares. He continued this treatment until her shaking ceased all together. She was calm once again.
He noticed a blanket lying on the floor. Perhaps he could make things warmer for her. He reached further inside, picked the blanket up between his forefinger and thumb and lay it over without disturbing her.
Satisfied, he brushed a digit over her sleeping form carefully. "I'll see you soon, Little One," he whispered softly to her.
He didn't notice Midnight awaken until he heard her whimpering and her tail thumping on the floor. She looked into his optics, her lips pulled into what appeared to be a smile and her tongue lolling out. He put his finger to his lips, telling her to shush.
As if she understood him, she hopped onto Jasmine's bed, curled up, opened her maw wide in a yawn and went back to sleep.
Content that his work was complete, Silverflame pulled away and returned to Optimus and Jason. "What do you want to talk about?" he asked quietly, so as to not disturb Jasmine.
Optimus beckoned them to come a little closer and they comply. Once they were well away from the house, Optimus took a deep breath. "I intend, Silverflame, for you to become the guardian of Jason and Jasmine Clark."
Jason stumbled a bit in surprise.
Silverflame just blinked as though he already knew it was what Optimus was going to tell them. "Why are you doing this?"
"Bigger things will be happening in the not too distant future," Optimus explained. "The Autobots and N.E.S.T will need me more and more on the field; very soon I will no longer be able to care for Jason and Jasmine like I had promised. My role as leader must come first."
Silverflame frowned, as though he was thinking carefully about what Optimus was requesting. He didn't know why, but he sensed something was amiss. He just wasn't sure how or why he knew. Finally, he asked, "How will I be able to protect them if I do not even know how to fight?"
Optimus smiled. "I already have that covered."
Jason and Silverflame look at each other and then back at him.
"During your, Silverflame, awakening," he continued, "I contacted N.E.S.T and told them to have a plane ready to transfer you over to Diego Garcia and have you trained by my fellow Autobots. I will remain here a little while longer to care for Jason and Jasmine until you're ready to take your role as their guardian."
Jason opened his mouth to say something on whether he should agree to it or not. But as he did, his thoughts came rushing back him. Considering how the Decepticons had captured Jasmine and had tried to use her for some sinister purpose, perhaps to get to Optimus, then there was a chance that Optimus didn't want Jasmine or him to get hurt. And if Optimus left Silverflame in charge of their safety, then there was less of a possibility of it happening again. Without Optimus in their lives, then that weakness would not be exposed. They may even have to consider moving somewhere else for that purpose.
There was no way of knowing for sure until that came to pass.
"I'll do it."
Jason shook his head and stared at Silverflame in surprise when he spoke up. Did he really mean it?
Optimus let off a deep puff of air from his vocal processor, as though he had been holding his breath for a long time. "Thank you, Silverflame," he said and told him the directions he needed to get to the airport.
With the directions given, Silverflame stood still for a moment, as though he was storing the information in the back of his processor for later and kneeled before Jason. He carefully picked him up and looked him dead in the eye. "Look after Jasmine while I'm gone, ok?" he told him.
Jason crossed his chest. "Cross my heart and hope to die."
He then leaned forward and wrapped both arms around Silverflame's face in a warm embrace. Silverflame nuzzled him back carefully. "I promise I'll come home soon," he breathed into his ear.
He gently placed Jason back down on the ground and stood up to his full height. He gave Optimus and Jason one last look before he stepped through the fence. He walked out onto the driveway, and then gave a quick wave to the two. They waved back in response and he transformed into his vehicle mode. He started his engine as quietly as he could and rolled onto the road, heading toward his destination.