Bird's of a feather
It had been 3 orbital cycles since the attack of the decepticon Shockwave. Those who have been operating said he was very lucky to be still On-line. Comparing on how long he was on stuck life support; they said it was a gift from the Allspark that he made it. Sighing, he sank deeper into his chair, rubbing his wounds trying to erase the painful memory from his processor.
"You wanted to speak to me Ultra Magnus sir?" Ultra Magnus was seated in his chamber as Sentinel's large head took over the monitor. "Yes Sentinel Prime, I have decided to take you up on your request." "Request, sir?" The large chinned bot gave a confused look. Magnus nodded. "You did say you if I needed help with our search you would be of assistance, did you not?" "Oh,'ahem', of…of course I did sir." He straightened up," What was it that you need?" The autobot leader sat back into his chair, "We have finally located the signal that we have been looking for." A mischievous smile crossed Sentinel's face, "Oh excellent sir! I am assuming that you wish for me and my crew to go and receive this...um...what exactly are we looking for?" He waited for Ultra Magnus to reply. The mech just stared at the chrome floor, deep in thought. "You will know when you follow the signal to its source. That is all I am able to say at this time."
Sentinel was now more confused than ever, how can they look for something when they didn't even know what is was? Either way it sounded like a big mission; possibly one that could get him back onto Ultra Magnus' good side and forgetting about his...temperate position as Magnus. "We are ready to go sir! Just give us the name of the planet and we will set off as soon as possible." "You are to go directly to earth." "Of course it is." He thought. His processor raced "No disrespect sir but then shouldn't Optimus's team be notified for this mission then?" Ultra Magnus finally gazed up from his train of thought, "Indeed, but from what I heard last from them was that they had no ready ship and an unstable spacebridge in order to return the... well." Sentinel nodded. "We will however notify them allowing for a quicker search." Sentinel saluted, "Will do sir. We will have the ...thing, located and returned in no time!" "Very Well." Ultra Magnus nodded as Sentinel vanished behind a black screen.
Cringing at the slight pain in his back he leaned back into his seat until the pain eased. Sighing again, he closed his optics and carefully shifted a small piece of purple metal in his fingers.
~~~A week after the incident with the constructicons, Phoenix no longer had a fear of meeting new people. In fact; Mac had even officially claimed her 'one of the boys'. Now she and Rosie could visit whenever they wanted. Even though the autobot Wreck-Gar was not alot of help, it comforted Phoenix that she was not alone in her dilemma.
Wreck-Gar was very much the same when he first came into the world; lost to who he was. Phoenix and Rosie would listen intensely when he came to the part of him risking his life to sink a boat infested with metal eating microbots. It was in the end that he saved the city, and became a hero. They loved the story, possibly because it was kind of hard believe that a bot like him could do something like that.
Lying in the grass of their secret getaway; the two busied themselves by sunbathing. Rosie rolled to her side facing her large metallic friend in a more comfortable position. It may have been more comfortable, but the lighting was too bright; as the sun bounced off Phoenix's armour, into her eyes. Squinting, Rosie got up to sit on her knees and noticed a small, triangular shaped chip on the very edge of Phoenix's stomach armour. It was so small it was no wonder nether of them had seen it. "Hey Phinny?" she asked, "Yes?" "How did you get that chip on your side?" Phoenix traced the gap with her finger. "I have no idea, never even noticed it before." Shrugging, she quickly lost interest. Rosie however could not stop staring; a small glimmer shone through. Rising to her feet, she looked deeply into her friend's chipped armour. Feeling a small tickle sensation on her side Phoenix looked over to see Rosie had crawled onto her stomach and was moving her hands around in the gap. "Uh, what are you doing in there?" she raised an optic. "There's something in here." Rosie replied as she moved her arms in deeper. "There is?" "Hang on...all...most...got it!" A small shine of gold metal fell from the tiny opening. Rosie scrambled down and took the small device.
It was a square the size of both of Rosie's hands; it looked to be made of some sort of gold material, except for a small red square in its centre. There were even some small decorative engravings around it. Rosie sat on the ground and looked it over in her hands trying not to press the button. "What is this?" she asked but never looked up as Phoenix shifted into sitting position. "I don't know. I didn't even know there was something in there! And...why is it so small?" gesturing a hand at Rosie, the organic handed the small device over.
The golden icon was the size of a pea in her own hand. The more they stared at it the more it became tempting. "What is this for?" They looked at each other then back to the mysterious button; both with worry and excitement. Giving into curiosity Phoenix pushed it.
A small flash blinded Phoenix only for a few seconds, but when she opened her eyes everything seemed...different. She gazed at her hands...they were smaller and what looked like to be... fleshy. She walked to the water's edge and gazed into the reflection; she gasped. Her long ears were gone; and were replaced by headphones that were placed over her helmet which was now a cap. The sliver cables that hung from the back of her head turned into long brown locks of hair. A small breeze on her mid-drift made her shiver. Her tail plates and armour; other than the ones turned into clothes had gone. Phoenix rubbed her hands over her new soft face, "This...this is amazing."
"Phoenix you're... human...That is SO COOL!" Phoenix quickly glanced away from the water just in time to catch Rosie jumping into her arms. She was a lot heavier than Phoenix remembered, but then again she was also used to be palm sized and not waist high. "I have to say, it really is a different perspective." She said as she gave a small hug then put the child down. Rosie smiled, "We can go out into the city and explore! You'll blend in perfectly and you can finally meet some of my friend's without freaking them out. Oh...no offense." Phoenix giggled, "Its ok, I have to say if I saw someone with my real size I would probably freak out too." Rosie laughed along with her, and then looked up to the setting sun. "I guess it's time for me to go now." "Aww, really? But we have so much time left!" Rosie shook her head, "Sorry, but I gotta leave early today." "I'll walk you home." "NO!" Rosie arms suddenly flew upwards, Phoenix jumped at her reaction. "Err, I mean no. Its ok I'll be fine by myself." Phoenix gave a disappointed look then nodded "Alright, if you're sure."
Pressing the button again, there was another flash and was once again looking down at Rosie at a higher perspective. "I'll see you tomorrow ok?" the small human waved as she made her way through the woods. Phoenix waved back until she noticed Rosie's guitar case on the ground.
She was about to shout for Rosie when an idea crossed her mind. "Hmm, I COULD call her back," she thought "Ooorrrr." She smirked, "I just might have a chance to test this baby out." Holding up the small device once again; she pressed it. Giggling with excitement she picked up the guitar case and ran through the woods. It was much more pleasant now that the branches were not hitting her in the face. Coming into the streets she gasped; how high the building around her. Looking around through the crowds of people she finally spotted a blue dress child turning the corner. Bolting down the street Phoenix finally stopped to breathe as she saw Rosie walking to a large brick building with other children running around.
"I didn't know Rosie had siblings." Getting a better grip of the handle she made her way to the house, "Rosie!" she called. Rosie turned and eyes widened when she saw who it was running across the street. "P-Phoenix! You shouldn't be here!" "Nice to see you too." Phoenix replied, slightly insulted. "You forgot this." She handed over the case, Rosie hastily took it. "Uh right thanks; look you better go I'll see you..."
"Rosie?" Came a soft voice.
"Oh! Ms. Lauren!" Rosie turned back around to a tall, sleek young woman with hour glass glasses. "Who is your friend?" she asked giving Phoenix a polite smile. "Oh this is my friend Ph...Uh I mean...nix..Nixy! Yes, this is Nixy." "Nixy?" Phoenix gave her a strange look, "But my name is..." "She was just dropping off my guitar" Rosie interrupted. "Oh I see, well thank you Ms. Nixy" Ms. Lauren made a slight bow, "No problem" Phoenix returned the smile.
Waiting until Ms. Lauren was at a safe distance she whispered, "What's with the name change?" Rosie shrugged "Well Phoenix is a cool name, but it's not exactly...I dunno...human-ish?" Phoenix glared. "Human-ish? Really?" Rosie gave an innocent smile. "So then what's with all these other kids? Are they your siblings?" Rosie rubbed the back of her head. "In a way yes, but... not really" Phoenix cocked her head, "What do you mean?" Rosie sighed deeply, "I have to confess to you Phinny...I don't have a family, not one of my own anyway." "But then what are all..." "The Detroit Home for Kids" she pointed to the large sign hanging over the building doors, "Or just the fancy way of saying 'Orphanage." "Rosie? Why didn't you just tell me?" "I...I don't know really..It's just," The little girl looked up at her friend with shameful eyes "I didn't want you comparing yourself with these kids….or me" Phoenix scratched her head "What do you mean? "I did'nt want you to feel what most of us do." "Feel what?" "Alone, abandoned...not wanted." "Is that really how you feel Rosie?" "Why not? My parents just dumped me here as a baby, how else I'm I supposed to feel?" She looked away as her eyes stared to water. Phoenix kneeled down and lifted her chin gently with the tips of her fingers, "But I don't feel alone and nether should you. I have you and you have me that's all the family we need. Even if I never do find an autobot, con or whatever too find out who I am. I know that I still have you with me." Rosie made a small giggle and stared deeply into Phoenix's smiling face. "Besides, all these kids will eventually find families of their own too, right?" Rosie nodded, with a sudden urge she slammed her own body into Phoenix`s giving her a tight hug as tears streamed down her face. "Phoenix, just promise me one thing." "Yes?" "Don't tell Mac or anyone else, promise? The last thing I want is people pitying me." Phoenix nodded, "I promise"
"If I ever get adopted into a real family; I want you to be part of it." "I would love that." she hugged the small child back. They embraced each other until Ms. Lauren called all the children in. Finally letting go; Phoenix watched and waved from the curb as Rosie ran inside. A smile swept across her face as she made her way back. The street lights came on.
~~~"This is Ultra Magnus to Optimus Prime. Come in Optimus Prime." The voice called through Omega Supreme's controls, the fire truck mech pressed a button allowing a static filled screen to stretch across the ships main view window. The static was replaced by Ultra Magnus`s face. "This is Optimus Prime responding sir."
"I am here to tell you Optimus; that in a few short cycles or so that Sentinal Prime and his team are to be coming to the planet to conduct a search" "A search sir?" He didn't like the sound of that. "Yes. About an orbital cycle ago our scientist had been monitoring a….certain project, which has now escaped from their labs. It is most urgent that we find it." "Project sir?" "I'm afraid I cannot discuss it" "Understood. May I ask what does this have to do with us?" "The last signal that we located has shown us that it has landed on your designated planet. I was hoping that you and you crew will be able to assist in search." "Absolutely sir," he nodded. "And another thing Optimus; has anything…. unusual happened?" Optimus rubbed his chin. "Not that I'm aware of sir. Wait…." a sudden spark went off in his mind "I remember Sari and Bulkhead telling me about a sudden object bursting out the sky a few cycles back." "Object?" Ultra Magnus' optics widened with interest. "Almost like a comet, but it had just apparently appeared out of nowhere." "Interesting…and did you make a search for this object?" "For a while, but not knowing to where it had actually landed we gave it up until the landing site was found by the earth authorities. Unfortunately nothing else has happened to indicate anything suspicious or to where it has disappeared to." Ultra Magnus nodded "I see, well keep looking and I will make contact with you again soon." Optimus saluted until the screen vanished.
"What was that about?" asked Rachet, seeing Optimus deep in thought. "To be honest…I'm not quite sure."
~~~"Wow! These are delicious! What are they?" Phoenix was Nixy once again, eating away on small, colourful, animal shaped squishy bits. Rosie giggled, "There gummi bears" eating a few herself. "Mmmm yummy and cute looking!" she squished the little yellow bear before popping it into her mouth.
The city was much larger than she thought; now that she was finally able to explore without causing any attention. They more they ventured around the city the more it seemed to Phoenix that Rosie seemed to know almost everyone. Where ever they went there was at least one person that would say hello to her or her to them.
"You certainly are popular" "Nah, I just get around a lot" Rosie shrugged. A sudden beat caught the little girl's attention towards a park fountain. A skinny teenager with a goatee was playing with records on a large box, making strange scratching noises.
"Come on!" Rosie grabbed hold of Phoenix's hand and pulled her into the park. After letting go she walked up to the skinny teen, "Hey DJ guy." She waved, "Yo, what up little Rosie dude." He replied while still playing the disks. "This is my friend Nixy." Phoenix nodded and smiled, he did the same. "What up pretty lady?" she blushed, "Hehe fine thanks." "Awesome beat!" Rosie shouted as she sat on the fountains edge. "You not gonna sing squirt?" he asked. "Hmmmm…only if Nixy sings with me." Phoenix gave a surprised stare, "Oh…I…uhhhh" "Ya, a duet. Awesome idea. I'll start the beat." He replaced one of the records and let it spin.
Rosie started, her voice echoed sweetly through the park, turning people's heads in her direction. She gestured a hand for Nixy to join her. Feeling the rhythm she joined in; their voices went together in beautiful harmony as passer-byes stopped to hear them, slowly creating a crowd. It felt just like being back at the junkyard; dancing and singing with Wreck-Gar and Mac all over again. She never wanted it to end.
After a few hours they decided to call it a day; they bowed to the audience as they cheered and tossed a few coins at them. Gathering the money up they gave it to 'Dj guy' and he split it evenly between them. "There ya go ladies, come back anytime alright." "Sure." They replied and made their way back home. Nixy stretched her arms and yawned, "I think I like being an organic" she smiled, "Ya you say that now," Rosie nudged Nixy's hip with her elbow "but you don't have to put up with all the responsibilities like one." Nixy shrugged "Ya well still." When they came around the corner to the children's home they hugged each other goodbye and Rosie watched as Nixy made her way back to her secret domain. When she was completely gone from sight Rosie turned to head inside, but just before she entered the yard a flash of yellow whizzed by as a small car with a black stipe screeched to a halt only a few meters away.
A teenager with red hair in a yellow dress stepped out; Rosie watched then gasped as the car suddenly changed into a tall robot. The duo looked around, turned to each other and shrugged apparently not finding whatever they were looking for. "Nothing suspicious here." The red-head looked up at the yellow bot as it shook its head in response. "Sigh, just like a few months ago." "How are we supposed to look for something if we don't even know what it is?" it cried. "Well Optimus did say if we followed the signal…" "Umm Sari? I hate to be a buzz kill but….what signal? It keeps vanishing as fast as it reappears."
"Umm, excuse me…" both turned in surprised at the sudden small voice. "Are you an autobot?" Sari bent over with her hands on her knees keeping her face in lined with Rosie's. "Aww aren't you cute. Almost reminds me of when I was that age." "It's not hard; it was only a few…." The bot stopped when Sari gave him a dark glare. "Thank you Bumblebee. And yes he is, why you ask?" Rosie's eyes opened wide with excitement; suddenly words started pouring out of her mouth. "Well-you-see-I-have-this-friend-you-would-never-guess-was-that-thing-that-crashed-awhile-ago-so-im assuming-that's-what-you're-looking-for-her-name-is-phoenix-well-that's-what-she-named-herself-well-WE-named-her-anyways-she-landed-here-and-doesn't-remember-who-she-is-so-we've-been-looking-for-an-autobot-such-as-yourself-to-see-if-you-can-maybe-help-her-out. Oh-she-also-has-this-really-cool-ability-to…."
The two stood and glanced at each other as the little girl went on at high speed. "Wow…I think Blurr speaks slower then she does" Bee whispered, No kidding. Uhh…look kid, we have to go. If you see anything suspicious just call the police and go straight home to mommy and daddy alright?" "But I`m telling the truth! And I`m not a baby you know." Rosie blurted crossing her arms. "Of course you're not." Bee cooed, patting her head "Now why don`t you run along now and go play pretend somewhere else ok?" "But…" Before she could finish Bumblebee had already changed back into vehicle mode Sari jumped in and drove off, speeding down the street. "I`m not making it up…."
To be continued…