Mistakes

Jetstorm was restless he didn't want to rush her, but if he could'nt convince her to come out soon; he was afraid drastic measures would be taken. "Phoenix, come please! Sentinel Prime is not a patient mech." "Why are there so many of you? Why are they looking for me?" Phoenix backed up completely up against the cave wall. "Calm down, if you come with me we explain." She shook her head franticly. "I don't know, I'm…I'm scared." Jetstorm was about to say something when a loud cry echoed into the cave causing both bots to jump. "Jetstorm where are you? Hurry up in there. We haven't got all day." The jet could see her shaking; in fear of the booming voice. "Um, Sentinel Prime sir," he called back "Would you mind not shouting as much please." "Excuse me?" "To no disrespect sir, but you're…kind of freaking her out." He could only imagine what shade Sentinel's face was turning right now. "What did you just say?" He could hear Optimus making a feeble attempt to calm the blue mech down. "If she doesn't come out of there in the next 5 minutes; I am coming in with the stasis cuffs!" The jet's spark started to race; he needed to get her out soon.

"Now what are you getting those out for?" Ratchet watch in worry as Sentinel brought out a pair of cuffs. "Just in case they try to pull anything." "But sir! You heard Storm; she's just frightened that's all." Jady was also concerned. "And what happens if their a decepticon huh? For all we know this could be a trick." He made his way to mouth of the cave as quietly as he could. "I really doubt that Sentinel." Optimus was hoping to take the cuffs from him, but missed when he tried to reach as Sentinel went further into the cave. "You have 3 more nanoclicks!"

Phoenix began to panic. Everyone that she had ever met when she first awoke had betrayed her trust. How could she possibly trust them? "It will be ok, please. Just come with me." Jetstorm used the quietest and calm tone he had, despite his racing spark. He was running out of time. Phoenix's head began to ache; the pressure and panic was starting to build. Confusion and dizziness soon came after; she rubbed her head hoping the pain would leave but just became worse. "No, I can't. I can't go with you." His visor widened, he wanted to try to convince her otherwise but became distracted hearing footsteps coming closer and closer. "Phoenix hurry!" A sudden overbearing feeling overcame her body. Looking up; a shadow along the cave wall grew as the echoing footsteps became closer. Seeing this caused something in her to finally snap; Jetstorm watched in panic as she quickly shifted back into a giant bird. "No! Phoenix wait!" It was too late as she flew by him, heading straight for outside.

"Should we go in after him?" Asked Ironhide. "If he's so sure of what to do, by all means let him go." Mumbled Ratchet. Optimus nodded, "I'm gonna have to go with Ironhide's question Ratchet. Knowing him he's probably going to need some..." "WHAT THE?" Sentinel's yelp interrupted him. The bots fell back as a Sentinel came flying out landing hard on his aft as a bird on fire rushed by him and the lake; shooting straight up into the sky at full speed. "Dang! What was that?" Jazz shouted, watching the bird fly off. Jetstorm came running out clutching his chessie, "Phoenix wait!" Waking out from his shock Optimus ordered Jetfire and Jady to follow the runaway bot. Both nodded, transformed and flew full-speed away. "Optimus sir, please being careful! Shez harmless I swear it!" The leader nodded and put his hand on Jetstrom's shoulder "They will Storm, don't worry."

The jets were close behind; she could'nt shake them no matter how many loops or sudden turns she did. Jady's voice called through her head, "Hello? Phoenix? Please stop, we just want to talk!" Phoenix didn't know how they were doing it but not wanting to stop she flew faster. Over the city she tied to circle around buildings and diving low but still nothing could shake them off her tail. The clouds overhead gave her an idea; she flew straight upward and into the white thickness. "Quickly!" Jetfire shouted following behind. Their vision was overcome with whiteness until they came back into the blue sky; she was gone. "But…how?" Jady asked, "I dunno," the orange jet replied "we should be heading back. Boss bot not going to like this."

Phoenix watched with her head sticking from below the cloud; watching the jets turning back. Sighing with relief she came out from her hiding place and glided across the sky until she found a building roof, landing with slight difficulty. It had been awhile since she tried out her wings. Panting in execution from the sudden burst of adrenalin she sat bird-style, looking over the city. "Huh, it's a lot bigger and beautiful than I thought. I wonder of Jetstorm ever…" Jetstorm…how could she just leave him like that? The guilt began to well up inside; how could she be so selfish? "I'm letting all of Rosie's searching go to waste." her 'ears' lowered, "what is wrong with me? I should be finally meeting others not running away from them!" Shaking all the depressing feelings from before, she transformed and puffed out her chessie. "No. This is what I've been looking for for so long, and darn it! I'm gonna do it!" standing, she raised a fist into the air, "I'm gonna make you proud Rosie."

A slow paced clap snapped her from her rant. "What a charming little speech." Phoenix twirled around to face a hovering femme in purple and blue, with a sarcastic smirk across her face. "Um, hello...how long have you been standing there?" she blushed, rubbing the back of her head. "Long enough." the jet femme landed uncomfortably close. "You're a strange looking one." She circled around Phoenix; looking her over. "Who are you?" Although she did just say she was going to be more open , she could'nt help but feel like there was something…shifty about this one. "The names Slipscream, and you are?" she saw the empty space on Phoenix' chessie where an insignia should be. "Apprently no one." She poked the empty space. "No, my name is Phoenix" the bird bot backed up. "My mistake." Slipscream used her kindest voice. "So I hear you have trouble meeting others?" "Well…Sort of." "What would you say if I knew a way you can make it up to them?" Phoenix 'ears' perked up, "That would be great. But what is it?" A sneaky grin crossed her face, "Just follow me." Switching to jet mode she flew straight up into the atmosphere. Phoenix hesitated. Should she? Yes; she was not going to let feelings get the best of her this time. She followed.

~~~On Cybertron the council were deep in discussion. Ultra Magnus rubbed his head; his processor ached. The conversations by the council were blurred and unclear. "I would also like to say once again; welcome back Ultra Magnus." The mech nodded in reponse. "And what is being done about the explosion from lab 25?" Alpha Trion voice slowly became clear. "All debris and wreckage has been removed with little injuries." Proceptor complied. "What about the…subject?" The scientist said nothing; he looked over to Ultra Magnus to see if he had the appropriate answer. Ultra Magnus took the hint; the entire room was filled with an eerie silence waiting. "It has been located on planet earth," he could hear the gasps many try to keep silent. "There is no need for alarm. Optimus and Sentinel Prime's teams are searching for it as we speak." "Do they know of what they are seeking?" "They will soon enough." "Are they even aware of the danger they could be in?" Botanica blurted. "I have very high doubts that they will be in any harm." "After the find, what will be done? They will want answers of course." Cliffjump added. "If they don't try to take it by force." Botanica mumbled. "There is no need for that Botanica" Alpha Trion was looking towards Ultra Magnus; who appeared concerned. "Once they return and we are sure that they can be reasoned with, all will be dealt with then." "But what if they are not? We can't simply do what has been done before. By now they will have grown stronger." Cliffjumper stated. Ultra Magnus knew this could be troublesome if Cliffjumper was right. "If that is the case," Alpha Trion's tone became low and weary, "Then their will is only one other option; that I pray to Primus that we will not have to take." "We cannot have another one of 'him' on the loose." Botanica clutched her fists at the very thought. "Ultra Magnus do you agree to this?" The mech cursed the word that escaped his mouth, "Yes."

Among the dark corner of the wall; a pocket bot recorded for its master behind prison lines. Shockwave listened closely through the static transmission. "It appears you reputation proceeds you." He spoke into the shadow of the cell across from him. A pair of red optics stared blankly back. "But not to worry, if all goes according to plan, you can have much more than that." The eyes continued to stare, saying nothing, and making Shockwave uneasy. "Megatron we'll be pleased to have you back, thought I cannot say the same for Lugnut." "I'm not worried about that walk'in scrap heap." A grungy voice replied. "You just make sure that infiltrator of yours doesn't mess things up." Shockwave did not appreciate the advice and ignored it while listening to the rest of the meeting.

~~~Phoenix followed the seeker across the bare moon's surface. They passed a few large craters until giant shadow appeared over the horizon. She gasped , it was the remains of a crashed ship; the remains of The Nemesis. "So…what exactly can I do from all the way up here?" "You'll see" Slipstream opened the ship's entrance, and walked in without looking back. Phoenix gulped being slightly intimidated by the darkness of the structure, but followed close behind. Slipstream led her to a large room with a berth at the end of a small hallway. Among its narrow hallway were the remains of what looked like bodies. All of them were the same structure and color but some were missing limbs or were burnt and destroyed. They gave Phoenix the creeps; it was like out of one of those horror movies Rosie made her watch once.

"I need you to bring him back."

"Who?" The femme seeker put her servos behind Phoenix's back and gently moved her forward to have a good look to whom was laying on the birth. "Him" It looked like one of the mangled bodies from the hallway but it was all intact. It looked like Slipstream but he had no colour, and motionless. She stared at the lifeless shell of Starscream. "What happened to him?" "It was because of those accu-er I mean it was an accident." Phoenix saw that his spark chamber was empty, "Should'nt we take him to the others then?" "NO…ahem..no. I brought him here so the others didn't have to...see his sad state. It would have only upset them. But if you brought him back then the others will forgive you." She lied through her teeth. "Oh I see. Well, I'm afraid I don't know how I can bring him back." "Oh I think you do. I saw you that night; pulling that jet out of the lake and I saw you using some freaky power to heal his scars." "Oh! Oh no I could'nt heal him completely; I became too exhausted from healing most of him. I kind discovered this ability after I found a wounded bird and it just sort of..." "Yes yes that's very touching just get to it will ya?" Phoenix was surprised at the sudden rudeness but did what she was told, placing a hand over the empty chamber. "Not there." Slipstream tapped his forehead to open it; inside was a small, glowing shard, "Usually an Allspark fragment is enough to give life to anything but this one here is still too small. This is where you come in." she smirked. "But, I don't know if I can do it again, fixing Jetstorm's scar was….wait" The seeker raised an optic as realization overcame Phoenix. "How did you know about me pulling him out of the water? Or have known about that scratch on his chessie? Unless…" she backed up slowly, "It was YOU!"

Before she could take another step Slipstream pointed her null ray right into Phoenix's face. "Indeed. I just can't believe how long it took you to realize it." Phoenix pushed the insult aside and tried not to look intimated by the ray. "Now, be a good bot and do what I told you." "N-no." "I'm losing my patience," she took hold of one of Phoenix's wings and roughly pulled her over. "Ow!" "Now do it!" Taking her servo, Slip forced it onto her brother's forehead, still holding the weapon closely then letting go. Phoenix; seeing that she had no choice, closed her optics, hoping that this would work. Her servo gave a slight blue glow, causing the shared to glow brighter, and started to enlarge in size. Slipstream's jaw dropped to what she was observing. With one Final burst of energy a faint silver ring appeared from her shoulder and made its way down, spinning around her servo, then vanished into her digits like giving the final push. Opening her optics, the forehead closed but nothing else happened. She panted from exhaustion, grabbing the edge of the berth for balance.

Then the body suddenly shifted, a small moan escaped his lips as he finally sat up rubbing his head. "Ughh, what the frag happened?" Everything appeared blurry when he opened his optics. As his vision slowly cleared the first thing he saw was Phoenix pulling herself together as her energy returned. "Well hello there." Phoenix looked at him confused, while Slipstream rolled her optics shoving her out of the way. "What do you want?" he moaned, "Nice way to thank the one who's been trying to get you back online." "Thank you? You're the one who ditched me for Megatron you glitch! In fact why did you even bring me back anyway?" "For one, you'll be happy to know is that Megatron is now in prison and two I am not going to be the only one stuck on this miserable planet!" "That's it? (And did you say Megatrons in jail)?" "Yes!"

Phoenix watched confused by the two arguing seekers. While they were busy she tip-toed away until there was a sudden yank on her wing shoving her back against the wall. Slipstream held her null ray to face again but this time it was loaded. "Thanks for the help kiddo but you're usefulness has expired." Phoenix shut he optics ready for the shot. "Now now no need for that." Starscream took hold of Slipstream's ray; Phoenix opened an optic to see what happened. "Let's be reasonable here." He slipped his fingers under her chin; "I must thank you for helping me, despite its LACK OF REASON!" he turned toward Slip who was huffing, sticking her tongue out. "N-no problem?" The only thing Phoenix could mutter, "And who are you my little saviour?" his brought his face uncomfortably close to hers. "Phoenix." "Well Phoenix I guess you think I owe you for reviving me" there was a slight irritants in his voice. "Oh no that's ok! Really, you don't owe me anything." If there was one thing she wanted; it was out of there. Starscream gave her a surprised look, "Nothing? That's a first." Not knowing why; he was growing strangely attracted to this tiny femme. He saw the empty space along her chest, "I see you have no insignia." He tapped a claw on her chessie, (which made her feel really uncomfortable.) "And just whose side are you on anyway?" "I'm not on anyone's side" she wanted to back away but she was already up against the wall with Starscream's servo blocking one side. "Then, how would you like to be on my side?" "Your side?" Phoenix asked confused. Slipstream faceplamed, moaning. "Don't get him started." Starscream turned and glared at his 'sister' in annoyance. "SILENCE! With Megatron finally out of the way, I can easily take my rightful place as Leader of the Decepticons! Muahahaha!" "Here we go again…" Slip rolled her optics. "Oh shut up." He looked back over to the stiff birdbot. She gulped. He played with one of her cable like 'hairs' that was hanging over her shoulder. "I think that little ability of yours will prove useful my dear." Phoenix was too scared stiff to move. 'I-I-I-I it was just a onetime thing really." "Oh I doubt that. Say, what don't you and I go somewhere a little more PRIVATE! And discuss it over." The creepy, maniacal grin stretched over his face made Phoenix feel more uncomfortable than ever. She could swear he was slowly leaning in closer, almost like, like...he wanted to...kiss!

At the last nanosecond she ducked under his arm and cautiously walked backward towards the exit. "Thhhaaat sound great and all, but uh I really should be heading back and…" "Now hold on there..." Starscream turned as Slipstream banged her fist over the mech's head. "When you're done your hopeless flirting; maybe you'll realize she might tell the autobots of our whereabouts!" "I fragg'in realized that alright!" He took hold of Phoenix's arms, "You would do that would you sweetspark?" "Uh….no?" she mumbled, pulling from the painful grasp. "Nice try little birdy, but I think it's time to put you in your cage." He picked her up by her waist with ease. Spark racing she struggled against him but her strength wasn't enough, "Ugh! No please. Let go of me!" He took her all the way down to the brig and dropped her into the cell, closing the glass door. She helplessly banged her fists against the glass. "Do get comfy," he teased "you're going to be here awhile." He left the room; which suddenly felt hollow, cold and dark. Huddled into a corner she wrapped her wings around herself, holding back tears. There really was no one she could trust, and what's worse; she brought back a con. Now she could'nt even trust herself.

~~~Come on! There has to be something!" Bee pressed every button and switch he could reach. "Chill BB I don't think we're gonna get anywhere else tonight ya dig?" Jazz placed a hand on the mini-bots shoulder. "He's right we've been searching for hours. I think we'll have better luck with fresh optics and a recharge." Optimus clicked off the computer on the Elite Guard's ship and left with the others following behind. "See you two laters." Jazz saluted to the twins, "So long mister Jazz sir!" "Sentinel" he nodded. "Jazz" The blue bot replied before the snazzy car drove off, joining the others. "That goes for you two as well. " Sentinel called back. "Yes sir," Jetfire saluted alone, "Brother?" looking over his shoulder; Jetstorm was still scanning the screen. "Brother, iz time for recharge, you heard Optimus Prime; we check later." "You go head, I still want to be looking." "But Storm," "Please brother, I come when ready." The tone in his voice seemed strange. A teasing sensation came over Jetfire, a mischievous smile crossed his face, "You wouldn't be having crush on birdbot now would yoooouuu?" "What! Of corase not," Storm tried not to blush, "She just help me now I helping her." "Suurrrzzz you are." Fire continued to tease. Storm scowled but said nothing in return. "Well not being up too late." Fire waved as he left the room. "Sure" Storm never looked away from the screen. Fire turned back one last time; to see his brother sitting in the dark before leaving. The scar on his chessie was gone thanks to Ratchet. Jetstorm could sense his twin watching, he pretended to ignore him until Jetfire turned in for the night. As long as there was still a little energon still in him, he would keep looking all night if he had to.

To be Continued…..