Revenge of the Swapped:
Hey everyone! So...yeah I'm not actually dead but I will say that college applications, job, no inspiration, and a severe lack of plot bunnies have made this chapter probably the hardest to get out EVER! I officially graduated though XD And hopefully can finish this story before I got off to college. I have to say out of all the times to update the reason this came up was probably because I just saw Age of Extinction today. An okay movie but it definite got my inspiration going again. So enough of my blabbering! Enjoy, leave a review and let my know what you think :) - Rin
Chapter 11:
"You do know where you're going right?" Michael whispered to me as he helped me not go sliding down the rocky slope we were traversing at the moment.
Slightly behind us Optimus was scanning the barren, rocky land while trying to stay inconspicuous. Or as inconspicuous as a walking, talking, flame-painted truck could get. Then, further down Lennox was trying not to leave the heavily panting Leo behind, rolling his eyes as the guy muttered to himself about dying of heat.
I looked up at Michael, "Um..."
His eyes widened slightly as he stared at me, making me feel slightly uncomfortable.
"Sam, I know you have this other dimensional knowledge but we're kinda strict on time here."
At this I scowled, "You don't think I don't know that? My best friend was kidnapped by the Decepticons!" I growled and trotted passed Michael up the rocky incline.
"I'm not saying you don't care." Michael hissed back but I tried to ignore him as I came to the top of one of the foot hills and looked over the rocky plains that were spread out in front of me.
The tan/orange rock and sand of the desert melding together into a mix of rosy hues that changed as the sun began to set. I saw the miles of rocky hills left and had to try not to get immediately depressed at the thought of all the way we had yet to travel. I took a deep breath and heard Michael coming up behind me.
"Why is it I'm here..." I muttered, more to myself as I watched the orange sky fade to a pinkish purple.
"I already saved this world once. Now I have to save it again, along with my friend." I ran a hand through my hair and glanced up at Michael.
He turned to look at me, his face flashing just as much confusion and uncertainty as I was feeling.
"Sam, have you found anything?!" Lennox called out, having caught up with Optimus only a couple yards behind us.
I sighed once more and turned to face the approaching soldier.
"No, I know what I'm looking for but...I just don't know where." I said apologetically, crossing my arms.
Lennox's hopeful expression faded slightly but Optimus came up as well and gazed down at us.
"Do you know what the tomb of the Prime's looks like Sam?"
I blinked, thinking back quickly to the times that Cari had chattered on and on about the Transformers and the times that she had made me watch the second movie.
"It's covered by some sort of temple or Egyptian ruin. I know it was on a hill of some sort but..." I said, cursing my lack of history and nerd knowledge.
"It's alright." Lennox held up a hand and cast a look up to the appearing stars.
"We should stop soon anyway, need to set up a place to rest."
I nodded and looked up to the sound of heavy panting coming up behind Lennox when Leo suddenly stumbled into view.
"Th...thanks for w...waiting up guys..." he panted, bent double while leaning on a large sandy colored boulder.
"No problem Leo." Michael said, laughing slightly and I elbowed him in the side before following Lennox down the hill.
For several minutes we continued downwards until all the humans, even Lennox, were panting and dripping sweat. Finally, we made it to a small flattened piece of Earth that was nestled by three hills. Easily big enough to hide us and Optimus.
"Thank the Lord!" I collapsed to the ground, staring up at the glowing stars in the sky that were just beginning to appear.
There was a few chuckles that escaped both Michael and Lennox. Leo simply had curled up on the ground near where the Major had started a fire and hadn't moved since. Optimus, who probably wasn't tired in the slightest sat further away from the group and was diligently watching the sky for any Cons.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, relieved that my tired limbs didn't have to move anymore. There was the sculling of dirt under shoes next to me and I peeked open an eye to see Michael sitting down next to me, dust coating pretty much very part of him. There were several seconds of silence in which I simply closed my one eye and enjoyed the slight wind that had come with the night.
"Do you think this is almost over?" Michael asked softly and gave a slight smile.
"I hope so...I'm getting tired of this almost dying business." I muttered back.
There was more silence in which I was all set to just sleep when Michael spoke once more.
"Are you going to leave again? When this is all over?"
My eyes snapped open at the question and I reluctantly sat up on my elbows. I gazed up at Michael who was staring at the ground, his fingers nervously twiddling a small stone.
"I don't know if I can even get back..." I said softly, still mystified at how I even got to this parallel world.
"But if you could...would you?" Michael still refused to look right at me and I frowned.
"Yes. I have family that are probably wondering where I am right now and I have college that I need to finish. I don't belong in this world."
Michael threw the rock in his hand so that it bounded off of the side of the hill, scattering smaller stones that clacked off of one another in the half light.
I watched the young man then flop backwards, mimicking what I had done just a few moments earlier.
"Why?"
It was my turn to ask a question and I sat up so that I was sitting Indian style.
Michael shook his head, "I...I was just remembering what you said right before you disappeared last year. And just how you've been acting this whole time..."
I scowled, "What was it that I said exactly?"
Michael smirked and shut his eyes, "And I quote; Hey, buck up there mister, you'll find a girlfriend who is from you're dimension!"
At this I felt heat rise to my face and was eternally grateful that it was mostly dark so that my red face couldn't be seen. I remembered the quick kiss that Michael had given me before we had defeated Megatron and I had been transported back to my dimension. I had never really thought much about the qukc action until now but I realized that Michael must have actually...meant it.
"I'm assuming you never did find a girlfriend..."
Again just silence that stretched on for much longer than before.
In an attempt to get off the uncomfortable subject I asked, "What did you mean they way I was acting? Is there any way that I should be acting?" I finally broke the unbearable silence and turned fully to look at Michael.
The guy's eyes opened but he didn't bother to sit up in dim twilight of Lennox's small camp fire.
"The whole time I was with you last year and the whole time you've been back...you've acted like this whole set of circumstances is a huge burden on you."
I couldn't help but sneer, "And it's NOT?! I was pulled against my will, not once, but two times into this freaking action movie!" I hissed, trying not to let my voice rise into a yell.
"But you could at least act like we're human beings and not things from a movie!" Michael grumbled back, reluctantly getting up into a sitting position.
At this I pulled back, is that really how I acted? Is that really how I viewed this whole thing? Some sort of movie or game that would end as soon as I got to the final goal?
My thoughts were pulled back to the nameless and countless people that were killed or hurt when the Decepticons rampaged the city a year ago. Did I just write them off as actors just doing their jobs?
I sighed softly, tired of feeling tired and hurt and now adding this to the numerous other things that were weighing on my mind. I felt like I was ready to just give up and curl up in a ball and sleep for the rest of my life. But I felt the need to say something.
"I'm sorry..." I muttered softly before standing up and brushing the dust off my pants, not meeting Michael's gaze.
I walked just out of the ring of firelight and laid down on my side, using my arm for a pillow. Slowly my eyes drifted closed by it took a while longer for me to actually fall asleep.
The whirlwind of emotions and thoughts that I was trying to control reminding me that many things were left unfinished.
Cari's POV-
I woke up suddenly, gasping as I realized that I had passed out somehow and unfortunately I had no clue where I was. Everything was pitch black and I felt something holding me firmly in place. I could move my arms, to an extent my legs, and I could turn my head but besides that I was stuck sitting in some sort of seat.
Reaching out to the either side my hand immediately felt something hard and smooth, it was the same with the ceiling.
'Oh where am I!? Did the Cons put me in some sort of box or prison?' I thought as the memories of getting captured returned, sending my heart into my throat.
Out of habit I pounded on the side of whatever container I was in and it suddenly split open, throwing me into thin air. I screamed as I fell a good distance before falling face first onto blistering hot ground, the air whooshing from my lungs. I blearily heard the clanks and whirs of something metallic and I rolled over while still trying to catch my breath.
"Good...worm, you're awake." a voice growled and I froze as I realized that my 'container' had really been the inside of Megatron's jet form.
I squinted in the bright sunlight, seeing Megatron and the Fallen looming up over me. The setting sun casting them into ominous shadow. Quickly, I scrambled backwards but the loose sand made me simply move a few feet away as a giant clawed servo reached down and grabbed me around my shoulders.
"Now. Tell us where the Matrix is, and I can make your death as painless as possible." the Fallen rumbled as I struggled within his grasp.
"I don't know!" I grunted, trying not to let my paralyzing fear show.
The Decepticons didn't seem too happy with my answer though and the servo pinning my arms tightened, making me gasp in pain.
"Do not take this lightly...fleshling. I had no reservations about slaughtering your ancestors, do not think I will not do the same to you." the Decepticon leader's optics narrowed and the fins surrounding his face plate shivered as he brought me right up to them.
"Where is it!"
I gulped, knowing that I only had a few moments before I was crushed by the Decepticon's servo or simply vaporized by a shot from an energon cannon. My mind raced as the Con growled and continued to constrict his hand, making it harder for me to breath. That's when a flash of light suddenly appeared, blinding me and causing the two Decepticons to growl in surprise.
The Con released me suddenly and I fell back into the sand, feeling something hot against my chest. Fumbling with the collar of my shirt I lifted the chain that was connected to my Transformers pendant.
"What power do you possess fleshling!?" the Fallen hissed, putting his face plate uncomfortably close to mine.
I stuttered senselessly, unsure of what had just happened and gripped my pendant tightly.
"I..I don't..." I tried to get the words out but was stopped with a growl from the Fallen.
"Silence!" the Con leader hissed and I involuntarily shut my mouth as I was dropped to the ground.
"This meat bag had somehow managed to control a piece of the All Spark and knows the location of the Matrix!" the Fallen turned on Megatron who, to my surprise, shrunk back slightly.
"I was unaware that this human even had a shard..." he tried to growl in defense but was swiped at by the Fallen.
"I want my Matrix and if the Prime gets to it first it will be YOU who suffer!" the larger Decepticon roared and I almost cringed in sympathy to Megatron.
Slowly though, I stood the setting sun casting long shadows as I took a hesitant step backwards. The Fallen continued to growl at Megatron and I took this as my one chance of freedom. But, as if reading my thoughts the Fallen turned back and snatched me from the ground, his claws bruising my sides.
"If this human cannot lead us to the Matrix then perhaps she can lead us to the Prime."
At this I felt his servo tighten around my waist and I let out a pained scream.
"Up and at'em! Time to get up sunshine!"
I groaned as something pointy poked me in the back, jolting me out of a deep sleep. I barely peeked open my eyes and tried to roll over but my aching muscles complained. I hissed in pain as I slowly rolled over to see Lennox standing next to where I lay.
"What...time is...it?" I yawned, feeling something pop in my back in my half asleep state.
Lennox, who had been the one to wake me answered,"Just about five am. We need to get moving before the heat sets in."
I groaned once more which got a amused smirk out of the soldier. Slowly I sat up but didn't bother standing yet, knowing full well that if I tried I would have tipped over and ended up on the ground again.
My eyes closed once more as I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to focus my groggy brain. It was then that I felt something hand tap the top of my head and I looked up blearily.
I saw the bright blue optics of Optimus staring back and the single digit that had touched my head.
"Perhaps a ride would wake your processor up faster." he said softly, and I happily nodded.
Within minutes our who camp was brushed over to hide our prints and the fire's ashes stamped out. Leo was still walking like a zombie below as I hung onto one of the pieces of metal that stuck out of Optimus' shoulder. No sooner had I been placed up there the sun began to crest the horizon and already I began to feel it's heat.
"Optimus, what is the Matrix exactly?" I asked, suddenly curious as we finally started a trek back towards the mountains.
The Prime looked at me out of the corner of his optics before answering.
"It is an ancient relic that was passed down from one Prime to another. But when the Fallen tried to use it's power to start taking energon from living suns it was hidden by his brethren."
"So it's a key?" I asked, not exactly following the Cybertronian history lesson.
"Being a key is one of it's many uses but yes. In this set of circumstances the Fallen wants to use the Matrix as a key to harvest energon from your sun."
I wanted to say something else but couldn't think of anything of relevance to add, Optimus didn't seem too key on talking either though. He seemed to be extremely uneasy and constantly kept glancing upwards to the sky or behind them.
"You didn't sleep last night did you?" I finally asked after what seemed like the hundreth time he looked back.
The Prime seemed surprised by my question though he kept a stoic face.
"Cybertronians do not need to recharge as often as you humans. But to answer your question...no I did not."
"Thanks for asking, I slept fine!" Leo growled up from the ground, the sarcasm dripping off of his comment.
I simply rolled my eyes and a resumed staring at the horizon, searching for any sign of the temple that the matrix was hidden in. Instead I saw a small shape off to the right that was slowly making it's way up from the ground. My first thought was perhaps a campfire or the cooking fire of some small Egyptian village.
"Optimus...do you see that?" I asked, pointing to the wisp that was getting bigger and bigger.
The Autobot leader stopped his trek and I heard a whirring noise, like that of a camera focusing.
"It seems to be smoke
I nodded, "Is it a village?"
Again Optimus was silent but suddenly strode forward, out stepping both Lennox and Michael who were already in the lead. Prime walked quickly making me have to hold on tightly to his shoulder as he went to the top of a set of huge rocks.
"Optimus!" I exclaimed as he continued forward, "What is it?"
The Autobot leader was silent for another moment, his optics narrowed dangerously before he finally answered.
"It's energon fire." he said softly and any residual sleepiness I felt evaporated instantly as my eyes followed the smoke in the distance.
Immediately Lennox, Leo, and Michael froze on the ground below and I quickly gestured for Optimus to put me back on the ground. As soon as my feet hit the dirt I scrambled up the side of more large rocks that led up the side of the hills. I needed to see if there was anything I could make out. It took a few minutes but I finally got high enough up that I was above even Optimus' head.
I squinted in the early morning light as saw the smoke start to thicken as it spread through out what looked like small stone buildings.
"That has to be Cari!" I shouted down to my friends, feeling both panic and joy at the same time.
Lennox frowned, "Damn that Galloway...if we had better reinforcements then we could head out that way."
Optimus stepped up to where the Major was and brought two digits up to the side of his helm.
"I have made arrangements Will. I suspected that the Decepticons would make the first move so I ordered my Autobots to stowaway until they were able to rendezvous here in Egypt."
I felt my jaw hang open slightly at this revelation and looked to see that Lennox and the others seemed to have similar looks. I knew that the Prime was an awesome leader and all but he was downright scary at how well he could predict what was going to happen.
"Are you sure I'm the one with all the know how?" I said, only half joking.
"Alright then..." Lennox hesitated as if trying to get his thoughts back into order.
"If the Bots are on their way then what do we do about the hostage and the Matrix?"
Optimus stepped up to where I was on my rock perch and offered me a hand which I carefully stepped onto.
"My Autobots will arrive in a little less than four clicks. Until then I would suggest you three stay here until they arrive. Sam and I need to continue looking for the Matrix."
I nodded, feeling that the plan seemed pretty good, though something was still making my heart flutter.
"What about Cari? The Fallen and Megatron still have her as far as I know."
At this Lennox cocked his gun with a satisfying series of clicks, "Leave them to us Sam. This Fallen may only be able to be defeated by a Prime but we can sure as hell hold him until you get back.
I felt a slight smile cross my face, nervousness making me feel slightly giddy as Optimus nodded and began walking forward once more.
"But Sam..."
I turned back to look at Will who was motioning for Michael and Leo to head down towards the smoke in the distance. The soldier gave a nervous smile in return.
"Just make sure you hurry."