The past few hours went by quietly as the autobots circulated around, taking turns in and out of the med-bay.
Phoenix could hear the old med-bot grumbling through the open doorway and couldn't help but giggle when she heard him yell at Bumblebee for squirming so much. While the others rested she took it upon herself to use the time she had to get to know the other bots.
She first approached Jady; who was waiting for her sparkmate on the stone made couch with the human Sari. In joined conversation the three made a quick connection and were soon laughing and chatting away. She could tell from the way Jady spoke so gently that she was a kind-sparked bot and found Sari fascinating being half organic and half robotic. Sari thought the same of her having a different alt mode. She thought she heard the teen mention something about another bot like her but she cut herself off and nervously asked the purple femme to forget what she had just said.
Shrugging it off she moved onto the others, Bulkhead and Ironhide seemed to be very nice and friendly mechs, as did Jazz who seemed to be very interested in her life as an organic singer. The twins too were very intrigued about her 'other' life, though in her opinion; Jetstorm seemed to be more into it then both combined. Sentinel on the other hand; stayed quite a distance away from the group. She wondered to herself if he was just badly hurt, seeing how he had not entered the med-bay yet. Only two steps were taken when a blue servo caught her shoulder. Phoenix turned around into the optics of Optimus prime, looking back to her with a calm but worrisome look.
"Uh Phoenix…I think Sentinel should be left alone for now. It's not you, it's just well your…well what I mean to say is..." the mech rubbed the back of his helm. "Is that uh,"
"It's alright." The femme slightly smiled. "I don't need a reason. If he wants be left alone then that's all I need to know."
The truck smiled back and nodded, not feeling as embarrassed as he once was. "Ultra Magnus will want to know that we have found you, perhaps you would like to tell him yourself? Just so you may have an idea to who you are going to see when you're on Cybertron." He turned and gestured for her to follow.
"That's sounds fine to me sir. I would like to know why he is looking for me so desperately."
"So do I. Oh and," he looked back to her with a smile "Call me Optimus or Prime; whichever you like. Sir; this time is just a little too formal."
"Ok then, Optimus." She chuckled to herself.
On the way onboard Omega Supreme, Phoenix explained everything that had happened down in the secret lab below. Optimus did the same; and the more she listened to his side the more intrigued she became, until of coarse she was overcome by the greatness of Omega's inside. She couldn't help but gasp at everything that surrounded her. At the corner of her optic she couldn't help but feel that Optimus was watching her in minor amusement. While she continued to look over what could have been every nook and cranny of the ship, a screen emerged across the enlarged viewing window.
"Optimus!" a familiar blurt echoed throughout the ship. An angry faced Sentinel marched up straight past the startled femme, measuring himself up to the fire truck.
"What is the meaning of this? Wandering off with a possibly wanted criminal without Elite permission or supervision?"
"She is not a criminal Sentinel! After what happened today you know well that she has proven that."
"That is not you decision Optimus."
"No it is not," a deeper elderly voice chimed. The bots turned to the opaque face of Ultra Magnus, looking down on them. "But neither is assuming one is guilty without proof. Apart from that I must congratulate you all for your handling of Kaon Prison, despite the fact that some of the decepticons even Megatron had escaped. It was indeed an event that I think we all knew was awaiting to happen."
Phoneix gazed at the older mech with curiousness. He did hint a bit of familiarity but she wasn't sure, maybe she only thought it. It wasn't until now that a sudden sting of nervousness shook through her frame. Maybe it was of his solid stature, and blank stare giving him his authoritative look that caused it but just perhaps that was all it was; nerves.
"Indeed sir." Optimus nodded "But back to the point, there is someone here who would like to meet you." He turned toward Phoenix and gestured a servo for her to come to his end. "Phoenix." She did as he asked and stood straight and as respectable as she could for the apparently very important mech.
"H-h-hello." She managed to wheeze out. Prehapes that was a little too formal; the mech had a look on his face that she could not tell if it was appalled or surprised, maybe even in shock? But either way the mech said nothing for a good few klicks before he nodded in response.
"Phoenix? Hmmm I see. We have been looking for you young femme. Would it be in agreement if I said that there are probably many questions you have to ask?"
"Yes sir, many questions."
"Understandable. I assure you that all will be answered when you port back to Cybertron….for all of you." He nodded toward the two Primes standing by. "I do however have one question for you...Phoenix was it?"
"Yes sir."
"How is it that you have been eluding Optimus and Sentinel's teams for so long?"
"Oh…w-well sir the short version of it is…I have been living on this planet for the past couple of months as an actual organic human."
The Magnus looked at her with slight hint of shock, but reframed from expressing anything more. "Really? I'm sure that will be quite the story when we finally meet. As I said; all your questions will be answered when you return."
"That won't be a long wait Ultra Magnus sir." Sentinel said, saluting, "We were just about to leave. We will make sure the femme arrives safely."
"Be sure that you do." The elder mech looked away, "Now, Optimus Prime."
The summoned mech stepped forward "Yes?"
"In convenience of this transportation we are in need for your crewmate Bulkhead. There are bridges here that are in need of mandatory and crucial repairs that only he might know."
"Of course sir I will let him know immediately."
"Safe travels to you all." The screen vanished and sunlight resumed seeping through the window, brightening the room.
"Soooooo," Phoenix rocked back on her pedes, hoping to break the silence. "Should I go with you then? Or should I go tell the twins it's time to go?" she blushed towards Sentinel. The blue snowmobile did look amused. Phoenix rubbed the back of her head smiling, feeling her faceplate burn more in embarrassment.
"No need." Sentinel looked away from her as he clicked his commlink "Jetstorm!Jetfire! Board the Steelhaven at once were taking off! Oh and uh...tell the large one Bulkhead he will be coming along."
"Yes sir Sentinel Prime sir!" the reply echoed.
The bird femme raised a servo in front of Optimus; the mech was at first slightly surprised by the gesture then he smiled back and took the offering. "I guess this is 'see you later'." She chuckled. "Optimus I want to thank you and the other autobots for everything. You've been a great help and…I'm sorry I made it difficult for you to find me."
"No apology needed and you too have been a great help to us Phoenix. I hope you find all the answers you're looking for."
"Me too."
"Set course for Spacebridge!" Sentinel commanded.
"Everything is okie for dokie!" Jetstorm called from his seat ahead while his twin sat on the other side of the control board. Phoenix and Bulkhead stood behind as the action took place watching in silence. Phoenix wobbled as the ship began to move but was steadied by the green giant; taking hold of her arm. "Easy there," he smiled. "Don't worry; ya get used to it. But ya better hang on for this next part."
"Thanks…erwait next part? What next part?" A bright blue light suddenly engulfed the front of the ship, the femme stood in awe as the ship merged through the spacebridge, clinging to Bulkhead's side for balance. A quick flash of white and suddenly outside of the Steelhaven; the sky of blue turned into a sea of black and stars. Phoenix jaw dropped; it was like a dream. Her thoughts lost in numerous upon numerous of beautiful shining stars, until a vicious shake woke her from hypnotized state and clung to Bulkhead again.
"Landed Sentinel Prime sir!" Jetfire saluted.
"Good." The Prime rose from his seat in an authoritative march, sternly glaring at the two passenger bots. "Jetfire! See to it that Bulkhead here get to the bridge that is needing repairs and you," he pointed to Phoenix, "Will follow me and Jetstorm here."
"Sure. I mean where could I possibly go that I know?" She smiled but wiped it away, seeing Sentinel's non-approving glare.
"He's not big on the humour." Bulkhead whispered to her before stepping out.
"So I figured."
"That's enough snarkyness from you Miss Phoenix. Disrespect is not something us autobots take to likely. Especially bots from the high council like Ultra Magnus."
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" The femme crossed her arms in annoyance, glaring sternly.
"It means; hold your tongue and you won't get into any more trouble."
Phoenix did as she was told and followed behind him with a piercing glare. What? She could be autobot, why else would she be here? Then again…maybe it could be because she wasn't one. Well, if there was one bot she thinks who knows all the answers it would be this Ultra Magnus.
Jetstorm followed her behind her, he wanted to put his servo on her shoulder to ease her from Sentinel's sharp words but with a nervous shake he reframed himself.
All the femme could see was out of the ship was the over stature build of the blue mech ahead of her until it moved from her view and there standing were three new bots standing before them. The one standing in the middle, wielding a hammer she recognized as Ultra Magnus; Primus he was a lot taller then she thought! The other two she didn't recognize until the snowmobile saluted in front of them. "Ultra Magnus sir, Alpha Trion, Perceptor."
The other two nodded in response but remained silent.
She stood frozen as the blue and white mech approached her. She could have sworn she felt the ground shake as he walked, it wasn't long before she had to look up to see his optics starring at her blankly. "It is good to see you again…Eternia."
Optics blinked blankly, what did he just call her? "I…sorry?"
"Uh, disrespecting not Ultra Magnus sir; but her name Phoenix." Jetstorm muttered.
"Shushit!" Sentinel sharply nudged the solider.
The magnus smiled lightly at the confused femme. "I am aware cadet Jetstorm, but that is the name you know her as. The name that was given to you young femme has always been; Eternia."
Phoenix cocked an optic ridge, "Eternia? That's my name? But…."
"As I said before; I will answer any questions that you may have…" he quickly glanced at Sentinel and Jetstorm. "But in private. I have much to show you."
The femme nodded.
"You are dismissed Sentinel Prime. I will be accompanying this bot for now on." With a turn of his pede he placed an arm over Phoenix shoulders and led her past Alpha Trion and Preceptor; who followed not too far behind.
"Ultra Magnus sir, I…don't know how much you can tell me about...well me, but I-"
"Do calm yourself my dear." The red, tall mech introduced as Alpha Trion called from behind. "Answers will come, but before then we think it would be better; if you were to see where you have been these last few cycles until the time you awoke."
"Awoke?"
The mechs said nothing further the rest of the way to the tallest building she had ever seen. It seemed to tower over the other buildings of the city, Phoenix glaring at the city in complete awe and amazement. Everything was to her size; it almost looked like Detroit but more…advanced. She thought hard; thinking that maybe somewhere in her memory she remembered any views like this, but nothing came to mind. Through what look like the towers main lobby, a red mini-bot stood and saluted at the sight of the on-coming Primes.
"Cliffjumper." Ultra Magnus nodded.
"Welcome back sir, I hope you received what you were waiting f-"Cliffjumper froze, as did his glance falling upon Phoenix.
Phinny waved and smiled nervously greeting the short red mech but was only welcomed with an irritated face, almost angry. She slowly put her hand down in confusion and to admit, a bit scared.
"Decepticon prisoner sir?"
"No, she is not a con but a guest, and that is all you need to know. Now excuse us and keep in mind that no one is to bother us."
"Err…uh yes sir."
Ultra Magnus pushed the femme ahead, entering a tube-like elevator. The one bot she presumed to be Perceptor; took a key card from his sub-space and slid it through the card scanner upon the wall. The 'lobby' floor vanished as the ground below raised them upwards. Suddenly nerves shook up her frame; she rubbed an arm to keep her from twitching from discomfort. How high where they going? To the very top? She dared to look up and see the ceiling coming in close at a fast pace, her spark raced as it came closer and closer…until at the last second it parted into halves and moved out of the speeding elevator's path, closing again below.
"Not many know about this floor," Preceptor explained bluntly, making no attempt to make optic contact "And we wish to keep it that way."
"Uh…..of course." She reframed from asking why the floor was so secret.
A slight shift indicated the end of the ride, all left the shaft and entered through a pair if automatic doors. Phoenix was overwhelmed of the colossal lab, at least that's what it looked like; besides the piles of fallen debris, and smashed or broken computers. The mechs stepped ahead of her while she gazed about the surrounding walls. This; somehow did appear faintly familiar…but something deep down kept saying it was not in the good way.
"Tell me, what exactly do you remember?" Phinny jumped at the Mangus' sudden question, turning to see him looking down to her.
"Nothing really sir….it's honestly all a big blank. The only past things I remember are when I woke on earth."
He nodded but said nothing more; he twitched his helm in a direction that he walked and she followed.
"Eternia!" An excited cry echoed through the room.
"Wha?-ACK!" Before the bird bot knew it; she was off the ground and squeezed tightly by a white bot with green and red stripes. He might have been smiling from what she could see from his expression but it was hard to tell when there was a metal plate where his mouth should be. "Um..ow….nice to…nah…meet you…too!"
With relief his grip loosened and she was placed back onto the floor, though struggling a bit to keep balance from the small moment her frame went numb. "Last I saw ya you were only this big!" he squinted a pair of digits together.
Phoenix cocked an eyeridge.
"Uh, hehe, well not exactly THAT big but you get what I mean."
"Wheeljack if you please," said Perceptor. "If this femme here is to remember you she first must know about her beginning."
"That is correct Perceptor." Ultra Magnus replied to the scientist from a short distance away, with his back turned to them, starring at an odd and strange container which turned out to be, as she came closer; some sort of chamber.
Its glass covering was almost completely shattered from its metal frame and the edges around it seemed charred.
At the corner of her optic she could see Ultra Magnus lift his free servo, holding a small purple chip. The shape ….she recognized it. She traced her own servo where she and Rosie found the triangular shape in her armour and the device that changed her form. The Magnus must have noticed, "Missing a piece of yourself?" he asked quietly.
"Is this-?"
"No, it is not your place of origin, but it is the last place you have been these past cycles." An eerie silence took over the room. She looked around and whenever came into optic contact with another they quickly turned away.
"Excuse me sir but I can quickly fix that no problem if you don't mind?" Wheeljack asked cheerfully. With a nod the Magnus gave the chip over to him. Taking it he quickly rushed to Phinny's side. "Lift up please." He tapped her arm.
She did what he asked as he pulled out a small blow torch, placed the chip in its rightful spot and began to fuse. Phoenix turned away from the mechanic, there were too many questions to get distracted from. "So...all this damage..it was from me?"
"Not exactly."
Not exactly? What was that supposed to mean? She pondered. "How did I get here?"
He finally turned to her, not noticing that Wheeljack had finished the repair. "…It's…a long story; which I was only a small part in, but I will tell you what I can." He looked deeply at her, almost saddened for what he wanted to say. "Follow me, there is someplace that you will want to see."
"But we just got here."
"I know but trust me…you'll want to see this place even more." Walking past her she did as he suspected and followed to a pair of large doors upon the other side of the lab. He moved to the side after he entered and waited for her to pass on by before checking to see if no one followed before the doors closed.
"Sir, I really need to know….who..who are the ones who gave me my name?"
The room was dark and small. Phoenix waited nervously when a bright blue like…almost like a spacebridge brightened the small square room. "One of our smaller spacebridges," he explained "Like the larger ones we use mostly but are only capable of transporting a few bots to one location."
She nodded. He gestured his hand for her to go ahead, she was not sure of at first but what else could she do? With a gulp and shutting her optics she slowly stepped through the bright light. When the temperature around her went from a nice fuzzy warm to cold she re-opened her optics; it wasn't exactly the nicest place she seen.
The entire surrounding was grey, dark and dead, the few buildings around them were pitch black and all seemed to be abandoned, if not; were completely destroyed with only a their few remaining walls still standing in pieces or were severely burnt. Bits of wire, rubble and glass were scattered everywhere; making no place along the path clear enough to walk. The sky was covered in dark grey clouds….and the smell of ash. She knew this place; it was in her dream, the only way she knew for sure was if she could find….and around the corner there it was; the house from her dream with the caved in roof, the walls crumbled and singed with the door that looked like it had been kicked in. "It...it can't be" she whispered. Stepping near the frightening scene, the sound of breaking glass was heard from under her pede…..she dared to look down at a broken picture frame, with the silhouette of the unknown couple. The panicking femme clasped a servo over her mouth.
Ultra Magnus watched her from behind silently, "You remember this place….don't you."
"I…I think so. I-i-i-i remember seeing this in a dream and now it's here an-an-…where is this place?" there was panic in her voice.
"This…is the abandoned side of Moon Base 2. Your home."
"My…home?" Phoenix looked around once again across the ongoing lands, so gray, silent and wilted of life.
"Like so many other places on Cybertron it was once a very much a nice place to one who wanted live outside the city. But then the Great War came…." The elder bot paused, grieving to the memory "It was a surprise attack; we did not know until it was too late."
A war? Phoenix clutched her helm; her processor ached and pounded. No matter what the answer, there was always another question. She stood silently, organizing herself in thought; first things were first...it was time she found out who they were. "Who were they?" she asked quietly "My parents?"
The Magnus looked at her in slight shock "How did you-?"
"Jady mentioned something about parents, do I have them? And if so…..what happened to them?
The mech nodded in sympathy and walked beside her through the fields of debris. "'Parents are not a common thing on Cybertron, it is quite a rare pairing term then to earth. But yours were, different; even more so then to earth customs."
"How do you mean?"
"Allow me to start from the beginning. Your, in a term 'father' was known as Headshot. A great and widely known soldier. One of the finest. I come to notice that you have some of his features." He smiled slightly, surprising Phoenix.
"And my mother?"
"Your mother…was indeed different, in more ways than one."
"Sir?"
"Where here,"
She followed his gaze to a lone standing house with a teal roof that was still mostly intact, with but few charred spots along its grey walls and a broken door.
"This is where you were created."
It seemed like the planet and time stopped before Phoenix, starring at the little house. It must have been several klicks she stood there, she was arguing with herself either to move inside or not. Inside that building was the past life she could finally remember…but did she want to? Now with all this chaos around it. Did she really want to see all that pain that possibly lay inside, of the life she once had; destroyed? But that was just it; she didn't know anything of that life. Yes, she wanted to know.
Slowly, the femme walked into the darkness, the only source of light came from outside through broken windows. Past the door she walked down the small hall, pushing away the small bits out of the way with her pede. On her right appeared to be the living room; it looked very quaint. She looked for any possible pictures or anything that could resemble what her family could have looked like, but there was nothing but dust covered furniture, except for a little grey crib that was flipped on its side. Curiosity at its peak, she took hold of its exposed side and carefully lifted it to its upright position. The spinner's lil star shaped toys hanging above moved a little as it shook, playing only a few notes of a lullaby before it stopped dead. Phoenix held one of the soft stars, an unfamiliar feeling sweeping over her, and then slid it over the pillow floor covering on the crib's bottom. For a moment she could have sworn it was still warm….and….could hear the faint cry of a baby and another voice singing to it. Yes, someone's voice echoed that same lullaby as the spinner did.
In panic she shook her head and moved away from the crib, into the other room. It looked to be an office, there was the desk, and a couple of shelves filled with datapads, anything else that was in this room was thrown to the floor or broken, if it was not possibly stolen. She could see him; pacing the floor, shifting through pads at the desk, his mind busy until he hears the cry of a baby and leaves his work. Was this it? Is it all coming back? The only room left was the staircase down the small hallway.
Slowly she made her way up to the one and only door. Inside was a double sized berth; this had to be their bedroom. In the far corner was a larger crib, its one side smashed in. And small, broken toys were tossed on the floor. Further in she ventured toward a vanity, its large mirror reflecting the bird bot in the room. Swiping a servo slowly across the dusty top and looked into what appeared to be jewellery boxes, but nothing was in them. She looked back to the sparkling toys among the floor and picked the one most intact. She caressed the little blue stuffed bird doll, holding it closed to her spark. "Chirps…..I remember you." She hugged it tightly "Yes…your name was Chirps. You were my favourite."
Now more than ever did she want to remember. She looked back to the empty berth; were her parents once slept. "Who where you." She whispered wearily.
A small pink drop slid down her cheek arch. For a couple that she did not remember or knew, she couldn't help but miss them. No matter who they were. She opened her sub-space and placed the little blue bird inside carefully. As she stepped forward her pede kicked something. Rolling on the floor was a small, black, broken chunk of metal, that would have been circular if not for its missing half. She picked it up and inspected it; finding a small square button. "It probably doesn't work but…what the pit."
The button was pressed; a blue ring lite up along its side as a faint blue light emerged from its top revealing a flickering hologram of a smiling female…not an organic nor a Cybertronian one but… alien. Phoenix was stunned; aside from the femme's species she actually was pretty in her opinion. The hologram was only a faded blue so colour of skin was not certain, but the hair…or what looked like hair seemed to be white. From her forehead were two ribbon-like antenna, and her eyes were white with no pupils; they were beautiful. She wore no clothes or armour but…looked to be made from the stars themselves. Phoenix looked over the lovely alien femme, and then noticed that she carried a small bundle of blanket in her arms, but the face was gone. The rest of the piece must contain the other half of the hologram. She looked all around the floor of the room but saw no sign of it.
"Is anything coming back to you?"
Phoenix jumped and turns to see Ultra Magnus standing in the doorway. How did she not hear him come up the stairs? "Yes…well…kind of…it's sort of coming to me in very faded flashes. Sorry."
"There is no need to apologise." He looked at the hologram she held in her servos.
She noticed his gaze, "Is….this her?"
"Yes…Your mother was in fact of another species."
"And that bundle in her arms?"
"You."
Phoenix looked at the device half one more time before it was switched off. "Where are they now? Do you know?"
"Unfortunetly." The mech replied wearily. Following down the stairs, he led her further out into the deserted field. The femme looked back at the once wonderful home she lost falling into the distance.
As they continued Phoenix could not help but see what appeared to be passing headstones, realizing that they were traveling through her spark began to quicken in pace. "This is where those who didn't make it during the attack are laid to rest." The hammer wielding mech stopped. Gulping, she walked to his side and looked down at the grave. Her optics couldn't help but wield up with tears, starring down at the engraved white stone covered in what looked to be once beautiful now decaying flowers.
ECLIPSE
Beloved wife, mother and friend
"Let your spark shine like the star you are."
"Eclipse," she sobbed quietly. "It's a nice name *sniff*"
"I am sorry Eternia." He placed a servo over her shoulder "I truly am."
She wiped away the fallen tears but noticed no other headstone beside her mother's. "Where is my father's? Where is Headshot?"
"Headshot is not offline,"
"What?"
"But he is unfortunate not easy to find either, you see….." he cut off and stared out into the distance with a blank expression.
Phoenix looked oddly at him "Sir?"
"We are not alone."
She looked in the same direction but saw nothing but open space, scattered remains, headstones and eerie silence. She was afraid to say anything, worried she might give them away.
"Do you have any weapons?" he whispered closely into her audio sensor.
"Yes, but I have only used it a few times." The femme reached behind, feeling about for the metal handle, taking it out of its holding space and released the long winding cable with it sharpened arrow head.
"I suggest you remember those times of use." The magnus held his hammer with both servos, in battle ready position. "You might be needing them. Get behind me."
Phoenix backed slowly behind the towering bot; carefully searching across the terrain, but still saw nor heard nothing. She kept her back against his, whip at the ready. She gasped hearing the small sound of movement in the distance.
"What is it?" the mech turned to look at her.
"Um..n-nothing. I guess it was nothing." She eased herself, but kept a firm grip on the handle.
"Let me know if you hear it ag-AAAHHHH!"
Phoenix yelped then jumped back at Ultra Magnus' cry, as he fell to all four, twinging in slight pain. "Sir! Are you alright?" she fell to one knee, a servo on his shoulder.
"Yes…aagh…I am fine! But keep guard up, don't break your focus!"
Understanding she quickly rose to her pedes watching over the bent over mech. She looked down to him and saw the giant, deep slash across his backstruts. The sight of the cut, scared her; whatever or whoever did this meant business. But as she was told she held her guard and franticly seeked over the area for any other forms of life. "Who….whos there?" she called in her bravest voice.
No one answered. "Show yourself you coward!"
"Ooooooo don't you sound threatening." A deep voice mocked. "Really Ultra Magnus I thought you would do a much better job of getting yourself a body guard but this…" Khaos stepped out from behind a broken down wall, his stature towing over the bird bot, spiked armour shielded his shoudlers, as did small spikes cover the rest. What she found to make him look even more like a walking nightmare was his bat shaped wings and red optics with narrow slit pupils. Phoenix sparked raced but kept her post in front of the injured Magnus. "I don't know if you're kidding yourself or on a date, you must be more perverted then I thought you sick ol' bot you." He sneered, showing off his rows of sharpened denta.
"Don't you talk about him that way!" Phoenix exclaimed.
The purple and black mech made no reply but simply rubbed his chin. "I think I've seen you before right? Then again those who I have ever met I never exactly see again."
Phoenix cringed.
"Waaaiiit…..I recognize those lil' wings of yours!"
"Sir, who is that?" She kept her watch on the smiling con as she helped up Ultra Magnus, balancing his weight on both her and the Hammer.
"That is Khaos…he…is the one who killed your mother."
Phoenix froze, her spark stopped, it was like she couldn't vent. Eclipse…was murdered? And here now stands her killer. How…just….how.
"Baby bird!" the con jeered with arms outstretched in rejoice. "The one that got away. We have some unfinished business between you and me." A pair of matching, arrow head tails hovered above him.
A flash ran past her optics, those tails….shes seen them. There would be a flash of black and white….then it would fade to red. "Times up." a voice echoed.
"Eternia? Eternia…Phoenix!" Ultra Magnus shook her slightly but the femme was completely frozen and did not budge. It felt as if everything just shut down and could do nothing to move.
"Hehehe, A usual reaction I suppose."
"What are you doing here Khaos?" the Magnus demanded.
"Well after Megatron's little breakout I went out to explore that dirt ball of a planet….not very exciting really, explored some new places, terrorized a few organics, tried one or two of them; which by the way were disgusting! In the end I decided to come back home sneaking through the bridge and next thing I knew I was here. So I took a nice little stroll down memory lane of one of the best raids I ever led, and here we are now."
The Magnus struggled to stand tall but he would not let his pain show, "We have no business with you, if it is privacy you are wanting fine, we will leave in peace."
"That's the thing….I don't have any business with YOU Magnus. This is between me and the bird bot, so I that case we'd appreciate it if you LEFT!"
Phoenix optics shot open with Khaos taking off in a vicious pounce in their direction, straight at Ultra Magnus. "No!" she cried trying to leap or push the Magnus out of harm's way, but in blurry flash of black and purple she felt droplets of warm liquid spray over her faceplate before hitting the ground. The moment she hit she lifted herself on all fours in panic and looked up.
Above was the two mechs; Ultra Magus was still as Khaos' tails were dug into his chessie. A chuckled escaped his lips as he yanked out the spear head end and watched the autobot leader fall to the floor, energon spilling from his wound.
"NNNOOO!" she screeched, dropping the whip and ran to the dying bots aid. "Sir..sir! Oh no no nononono this…this is- this is, sir please hang on!"
"Oh sir please don't die!" Khaos mimicked impersonation of the crying femme. "Get over it birdy," his tails moved swiftly around her frame. She gasped as she was held in the air, one tail kept her arms and wings pinned and the other with her legs facing the monster. "My lil snack grew into a full-grown meal….let's see how you taste with age."
Phoenix watched in horror as the mech opened his jaw exposing rows of the sharp denta aiming for her throat. Unable to budge she shut her optics tight and turned away, awaiting the worst. "GGAAHHH!" Khaos shrieked as a volt of electricity shocked and overheated his circuty, dropping the femme.
Phoenix looked up; Khaos fell backward into unconsciousness and the struggling Ultra Magnus released the handle of the hammer having no more energy to wield it and he too fell onto his back struts. Phoenix ran to his side, looking over his wound. "Oh…sir. M-maybe I can heal you just give-"
"No"
"What? But sir! You'll die if I don't!"
"Listen to me young femme," the mech gasped between words "I've lived my life; it's time for me to move on to the well of all sparks. I am ready this time. Promise me when I pass; that you will not attempt to revive me.
"I…I"
"Promise."
Tears streaked down her face, "I promise."
"Good. To know the story…of your past…seek out a bot named Kup."
"Kup?"
"He was a friend of Headshot, hes knows the whole….. story…"
"I-I can never thank you enough," she weeped.
"It was my pleasure, farewell…and good luck." The colour slowly faded from his frame until it was the shades of grey. She felt his chest; there was no pulse or beat remaining. He was gone.
'I can bring him back' she thought 'I can re-do this!' but then she remembered; a promise is to be kept and so she will respect it. The femme sat back on her knees, mourning.
"How sentimental." Khaos groaned, standing over the surprised femme. "Unfortunately, it will be the last promise that you keep." He raised a servo ready to swipe down with piecing claws.
To be continued….