Author's note. Well, the up-loading's working again so hooray for that.
You won't find out what the Autobot's plan is in this chapter I'm afraid but don't worry it won't be long until you do. The kids consider their position with Megatron and their guardians.
Enjoy and please review.
"Aw man, these things are really wearing me down" Carlos moaned, rubbing at his neck. Rad and Alexis gave him sympathetic looks as they sat on the remains of an old battery. After their nap, Megatron had once again put them onto that table and left the room. Before leaving however, he had warned them to stay put or they would be punished again. The kids were suppose to be practicing tricks with which to entertain their Decepticon guardians but so far they had just talked. Thankfully, they could sit down again.
"Hey dude, are you feeling better?" Carlos asked Rad who had been absentmindedly rubbing his arm. Rad had been badly chafed by Megatron who had been stroking cable burns inflicted when they had been captured.
"Hmm? Oh, okay" rad replied looking at his friend. "They just needed to be left alone. Are yours any better?"
"They're fine" said Carlos, waving a hand dismissively, before turning to Alexis.
"What about you, Alexis?"
"Fine, but they could really do with some air" Alexis said, fingering her orange jumpsuit. Unfortunately they were only wearing underwear underneath their suits, the Autobots transformed their normal clothes into these jumpsuits. And though the environment they were in was probably pretty sterile, it was too cold to take off their suits. The boys knew this as well as Alexis so Rad said.
"They'll be okay as long as we don't rub them."
With an effort, Rad stopped rubbing his arm. They sat in silence for a moment before Carlos got up and stretching, made his way a bit from the broken battery. Bending down, he placed his palms on the dusty table surface and pushed himself off the ground so that he was now balanced on his hands. He wobbled so precariously that he had to fall back onto his feet. However after a few more tries, he managed to balance, standing on his hands.
"Well done" Alexis said grinning as she lightly applauded. Rad also gave a grin and a thumbs up. Carlos managed a shaky grin before he over-balanced and fell onto his back. He landed on a piece of cloth so he was okay.
"Man, does Megatron really expect me to have learned how to walk on my hands by the time he gets back?" Carlos asked, not bothering to get up.
"That's probably exactly what he expects" replied Rad with a laugh. "He snaps his fingers and we jump, simple as that."
Alexis scoffed as the boys grinned.
"I suppose we should be thankful he hasn't insisted we call him master, he must have forgotten" she said, tossing her head, before turning to Rad as Carlos muttered "Thank goodness for that."
"What are yo going to do for our master?"
"Well, I was thinking of maybe doing some basic martial arts moves" Rad said with a shrug.
"Oh yeah, I remember now, you doing that in P.E" Carlos said sitting up. "You were really good at it."
"I was okay" said Rad modestly. "How come you guys didn't do it?"
"I was wanted to do boxing" said Carlos as he got back up and stretched. "What did you do, Alexis? Gymnastics?"
"I did self-defence" said Alexis causing Carlos to laugh as he jumped back into the handstand position.
"Woh, self-defence, boxing and karate, man, we can totally take on the Decepticons. Bust some serious ass."
"And that's the point that Megatron walks in" Rad said laughing with Alexis. For the next while they stretched their muscles and practiced their moves. They chatted about things in general until there was lull in the conversation where they all fell silent for a moment. And then Alexis said quietly.
"When do you think we'll get home?"
The boys didn't answer immediately, instead they sat against the side of the battery that was facing an open window. So far they hadn't gotten a glimpse of Earth, none of the Decepticons had taken them to any windows. All they could see were bright stars against a black velvety background.
"I don't know" Rad said finally in a quiet voice. "Until he gets bored of us."
There was another silence and then.
"Our parents are going to miss us eventually" Alexis said softly. "Billy and Fred can only cover for so long. And then there's school."
"It might not be that long" Carlos said. "I mean, whys he really keeping us? He wants to piss off Optimus and get as many Minicons as possible. He'll probably give us back next battle."
"What if he doesn't?" Alexis said. "What if he keeps us? Optimus and the other will be constantly worrying about us so they'll lose Minicons. And if he does give us back, Highwire and the others will be his prisoners in our stead."
"I know but what can we do" sighed Rad.
"Escape" suggested Carlos but it was more of a question than a suggestion.
"Could we?" Rad said. "They'll have locks on their security, I doubt any of the Minicons are allowed access."
"And if they catch us, Megatron will be so angry" whispered Alexis. "And he'll punish us, really punish us. And he'll be less likely to be us go."
There was a very long silence after this. They knew the chances of them managing to escape were slim and any ground gained with the Decepticons were gone."
"Basically until they let us go, we have to be good little pets" Carlos said bitterly.
"Basically, yeah" Rad said as they stared at the twinkling stars, their hearts heavy with sadness. They hadn't been gone that long, little more than a day, but that didn't stop a wave of homesickness wash over them. Just as the seriousness of their situation was starting to get them down, they heard a sudden noise.
They looked around for the source of the strange sound, it was like a melodious computer beeping. And then they spotted several Minicons, including Leader-One standing on the ground below them. They realised the sound was coming from them.
"Dude, what is it? Carlos said in wonder as Alexis said softly "It's beautiful."
"They're singing" Rad said, realising it was the Minicon form of music.
The kids gazed as the Minicons continued, it was nothing like they'd ever heard before. And what was more, it was a happy melody that filled there very hearts with joy. Soon the three of them were grinning as the Minicons swayed to their own music. Eventually the song ended, and the kids clapped and cheered, showing how much they had enjoyed it. The Minicons gave small bows and then Leader-One spoke.
"Don't despair, you will find a way home" he said in his serious voice. The Minicons didn't actually speak, they beeped but ever since the kids had discovered Highwire, Sureshock and Grindor, they had been able to understand.
"The Decpeticons are not all bad" Leader-One continued. "Find a way to reach their Sparks which they do possess, if deeply concealed."
And with that, the Minicons turned to go. Carlos however, couldn't resist calling out.
"Even Megatron?"
This time, Leader-One really did quirk a small smile.
"Even Megatron."
And with that, they were gone as quickly and as quietly as they had come. But their brief visit had achieved its purpose, the kids were happy again. And soon they were chatting and exercising again.
Sometime later.
Megatron paused outside the entrance to the throne room and was pleased to hear the kids chatter coming from inside. Good, they had done as he had said. As he entered, his smile widened as he saw them jumping about the table he had left them on. They stopped as they saw and undoubtedly heard his approach. He grinned as he walked forward, his sense of well-being always improved when people did as he ordered.
Once he reached them, he held out his hand and to his delight they immediately scrambled onto his palm. He brought them up to optic level, smiling widely at their happy faces.
"Now isn't this much better, my dears" he said, lightly stroking their heads. Obviously all they had needed was a firm hand. "When you do as I say, we're all happy."
The kids smiled sheepishly as Megatron curled his fingers around them slightly. He did this so they were more secure in his hand as he took them out of the room. Eagerly they peered all around them as Megatron walked through the dim corridors.
"Where are we going" Carlos asked eagerly causing Megatron to chuckle.
"It's a surprise" Megatron said teasingly, making the kids more excited.
"Where are Starscream and the others" Alexis asked, looking up at him.
"Hmm,working" Megatron said mysteriously.
Eventually they reached a small room and Megatron deposited them onto a semicircle of glowing buttons. Gently patting them, Megatron said.
"Now just relax and stay still for a moment" he said before waving his hand over a panel. A light engulfed the kids for a moment, and when it receded they found they were wearing white spacesuits.
As they examined themselves in wonder, Megatron picked them up again and walked towards a door. It opened and he stepped out with the kids onto the open Moon surface. They all gasped as they stared at the barren grey landscape where few had walked.
"Oh my god, we're on the Moon, really on the Moon" Carlos creid in excitement.
"I can't believe this" Alexis said in awe.
"Pretty incredible" Rad agreed.
Megatron laughed at their awe.
"I forget that humans have barely managed to break through the atmosphere of their own Planet. It is truly amazing that you can find such wonder in such an empty landscape" he said, grinning widely.
"Hey man, this is the Moon, how many kids get to do this" Carlos said as Megatron continued walking, though he now had a tighter grip on the kids. Before Megatron could say anything, there was a sudden explosion which made the kids jump.
"What was that?" cried Rad as they all held onto Megatron's hand. Megatron just chuckled and said.
"Ah, you'll have to wait and see."
As they crested a particularly large crater and looked down, they saw what had caused the explosion. It was Starscream, Cyclonus and Demolisher and they were shooting at several moving targets. While Starscream and Cyclonus were suing blasters, Demolisher had combined with his Minicon and was using his upgraded firepower. After obliterating a target that had been shooting back, Demolisher stood back with an air of deep satisfaction. As the kids watched, Demolisher said.
"Now hows that?"
"Not bad" Cyclonus cackled as he put away his blaster. "But this is how you do it."
And he transformed into his helicopter mode and lifted off the rocky ground to soar high above the targets. with a mad whoop, he charged at the target, firing wildly. Most exploded under his barrage but some managed to shoot back. However he dodged them and landed, transforming to proudly swagger back to his comrades.
"Was that good or what?"
"I'll say the latter" Starscream sneered as he steeped forward. "Watch this."
"Swindle, combine."
Starscream's red Minicon did as commanded, attaching himself to his master's back. When this happened, huge cannons appeared on Starscream's shoulders and he leaped into the air. As he soared upwards, he aimed and blasted the remaining targets. There was a large explosion and when the smoke and dust cleared, the Moon had a new crater.
"That's how you do it" Starscream said triumphantly as he landed. It was at that moment, he spotted Megatron and the kids.
"Megatron, sir" he said respectively causing Demolisher and Cyclonus to turn around.
"Sir, we didn't see you there" said Demolisher, standingto attention and nudging Cyclonus to do the same.
"Woh, you sure annihilated those targets" Carlos said as he and his friends clung to Megatron's fingers as he descended. The Decepticons looked immensely pleased at Carlos's statement.
"Not bad, gentlemen" Megatron said approvingly as he held out his hand with the kids. The Decepticons leaned froward and held out their hands and the kids jumped onto their Decepticon guardians hand. Alexis gave a small cry of alarm as she almost floated into the air but Starscream caught her and the boys watched as Megatron pressed a button on a remote he was holding. There was a beeping sound and several new targets sudden;y appeared. And judging by the clicking sound, they were fully armed and loaded.
"Leader-One combine" Megatron roared and his Minicondid so, meaning Megatron now had a large cannon on his front which he used. In a matter of seconds there was nothing left of the targets who's shots had bounced off the Decepticon leader's armour. Turning to smirk at his soldiers and gaping kids, he said.
"But there's always room for improvement."
The three Decepticons looked both awed and proud at their leader. The kids couldn't help but be a bit impressed themselves.
"Wow sir, Optimus Prime will have no chance" said Demolisher.
"I'm not sure about that" Rad said without thinking.
"What do you mean" Demolisher demanded, holding Rad up to optic level.
"Well it's just that first time we saw Optimus and Megatron fighting" Rad began.
"It was the second time" Alexis interrupted. "When they tried to kidnap us and our Minicons."
"Yeah then and um, you tried to Optimus and you, um.."
"Missed" Carlos interjected helpfully. "And Optimus kinda laughed and you said you were going to get him next time. So you started firing and it was so powerful, you were propelled backwards. And then you sorta tripped and fell" Carlos finished somewhat lamely as everyone stared at him.
"So, um" Carlos coughed. "What happened next? Rad, Alexis?"
"Starscream went over to help Megatron but Optimus grabbed him by the face and tossed him away" Alexis continued. She looked at Megatorn and said slightly nervously. "You sort of Warped away with Starscream and Demolisher. But Cyclonus got two Minicons off us" she finished, trying to smile.
There was a very long silence.
"But hey, you've fought much cooler battles since then" Rad said encouragingly.
"Yeah, like the time we got swallowed by the sand" said Carlos. He grinned over at Demolisher. "Hey is it true you said you'd eaten us."
"Um yeah" said Demolisher, wrinkling his brow. "How did you remember that."
"Oh, we remember it all" said Rad.
"Like when we first met you" Alexis said, directing her statement at Megatron. "You flicked a rock at us."
Megatron smirked.
"Why yes, I did" he said. "I imagine I gave you all quite a startling when I appeared."
"You sure did" admitted Rad. He and Carlos grinned over at Alexis. "Just as well Alexis came to snap us out of it."
Megatronleaned over and petted Alexis on the head, smirking.
"A feisty little thing aren't you, my dear."
Alexis blushedunder her helmet causing Megatron to chuckle.
"So you kids don't think I can defeat Optimus" he continued, raising an optic brow.
"We didn't say that" Alexis said quickly. "It's just we think you're both pretty evenly matched, I don't think either of you could defeat the other easily."
To the kids relief, Megatronsmiled and petted Alexis some more while saying.
"A very clever answer, my girl."
"It's the truth" Alexis insisted, causing Megatron to chuckle again.
"Of course it is. And I can't deny that Optimus Prime is a formidable opponent, and your right" he added with a smile. "It wouldn't be easy. But i would not have it any other way" he said with a predators grin that sent a shivers down the kids backs.
"Now, my little pets" Megatron said briskly. "I'm going to leave you with your guardian for a while."
Turning to his men he said.
"Report to the throne room when you are done."
"Yes sir" his men all chorused and with that Megatron departed, striding away. Once he was gone, the Decepticons stared down at the humans in their hands. The kids just grinned back up.
To be continued.
Author's note. Next time, the kids spend time out on the Moon surface with their guardians and once again Cyclonus has a misshap resulting in hilarious consequences. Till next time.