Chapter Seven: Songbirds
This is a bit of a filler chapter… Special thanks to Bee4Ever, Wrecker Radioactive, journal129 and Bubblicious bot for reviewing! Read on!
"Comm link"
"Bond talk"
Lyrics
'Thoughts'
Flashback narration
"Flashback comm link"
"Flashback speech"
'Flashback thoughts'
"Flashback bond"
Me: Did you know I actually went through a Mary Sue phase?
Nightstar: NO! D-Did you actually post those stories on FFN?
Me: Thank Primus I didn't! I wrote them into dinky little notebooks I carry around with me all the time. I burnt them soon after.
Nightstar: Thank Lordy! If not, I would've run away screaming!
Me: *sigh* You never change. Well, I don't own Transformers or any other songs that may turn up!
WARNING: Pole-dancing scene ahead. Just skip the part where it's Shadow's turn.
When the tour was over, Arcee and Flareup parted ways with the femmes. They waved to the six of them as they disappeared around the corner.
"Say… It's that time of the month again isn't it?" Nightstar said.
"You know, I think you're right! We were abducted on the 28th of the month if I remember correctly." Nova nodded and replied.
"Two cycles have passed since then, so it is time." Icewhip verified.
"Alright! Yeah! But… which room are we gonna use?" Swiftstreak asked after she and Crystal did a little dance of joy.
"We passed by a training room didn't we? It should be empty now; and it will have plenty of space." Shadow said.
"Last month was doubles so this month it's singles!" Crystal cheered and clapped her servos excitedly, earning an "aww" from Nightstar.
"Well then; forwards my fellow femmes!" Swiftstreak shouted before walking down a random corridor.
"You… have no idea where it is, do you?" Shadow's statement of truth had her go to her emo corner once again.
"C'mon, let's go! I remember where it is!" Crystal led the little team towards the training room.
"Okay, here we are! Who's up first?" Nova said jokingly. Everyone knew that they followed only a certain order of who went up to perform.
Flashback:
Back on Earth, near the end of every month they would have gotten a sort of "free day" to do whatever they wanted. It was during these days that they would meet up in an abandoned room and each would choose a song to sing to, except for the twins, who would dance to the songs instead. Every month, they would alternate between performing alone and performing in pairs. The month before they were abducted, they had done so in pairs; meaning that they were to perform solo this time round. As a joke, they also rated each other's performances.
Crystal bounded up to the middle to an instrumental song with a catchy beat as the others sat on the floor. Nightstar walked up and handed her a microphone. Mind you, it didn't work but it was fun to add to the atmosphere. They clapped as she bowed and introduced the song she was about to sing. "Hey guys! I'm gonna sing Vanilla Twilight by Owl City!" She gestured for Nightstar to start the music as she took a deep breath and launched into song.
The stars lean down to kiss you
And I lie awake and miss you
Pour me a heavy dose of atmosphere
'Cause I'll doze off safe and soundly
But I'll miss your arms around me
I'd send a postcard to you, dear
'Cause I wish you were here
I'll watch the night turn light-blue
But it's not the same without you
Because it takes two to whisper quietly
The silence isn't so bad
'Til I look at my hands and feel sad
'Cause the spaces between my fingers
Are right where yours fit perfectly
I'll find repose in new ways
Though I haven't slept in two days
'Cause cold nostalgia
Chills me to the bone
But drenched in vanilla twilight
I'll sit on the front porch all night
Waist-deep in thought because
When I think of you I don't feel so alone
I don't feel so alone, I don't feel so alone
As many times as I blink
I'll think of you tonight
I'll think of you tonight
When violet eyes get brighter
And heavy wings grow lighter
I'll taste the sky and feel alive again
And I'll forget the world that I knew
But I swear I won't forget you
Oh, if my voice could reach
Back through the past
I'd whisper in your ear
Oh darling, I wish you were here
The femmes cheered and raised up scoreboards according to what they thought she deserved. Everyone had given her a perfect ten except for Nova and Nightstar, who gave her a hundred and infinity in scores respectively.
"Thank you! Next up is Icewhip!" Crystal handed the mike over to Icewhip, who accepted it graciously before stepping to the middle of the room.
"This song's called Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood." Nightstar started up the music when Icewhip offlined her optics and gestured that she was ready. When she onlined her optics, almost every bot in the room shuddered at the vengeful and deep look in her optics.
There was a couple of wolf whistles as Icewhip took a bow. "You don't mess with Icewhip!" Nightstar yelled.
"Swiftstreak, you're up." She passed it over to Nightstar, making sure that it was safely in her servos before she let go. Everyone knew that Swift wouldn't need a microphone with all the movements she would be executing.
"Alright! I'm gonna dance to Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne." Swiftstreak cheered and began to jam to the beat.
"WOOHOO! PERFECT MARKS!" The femmes cheered. Swiftstreak laughed as she pushed Shadow up front.
"It's your turn, Shadow!" She ignored the half-hearted glare her twin sent her, instead taking her place beside Crystal.
"The song I've chosen's called Off With Your Head by Mz Ann Thropik." Shadow said shortly before looking over at Nightstar.
"Ah, wait! I'm quite sure I have a dancing pole here…" Nightstar felt around, finally pulling out a really long pole from subspace.
"Um… How did you- Never mind. I don't want to know." Nova waved her off dismissively as she, Nightstar, Shadow and Icewhip anchored the pole to the ground and to the ceiling.
The Seeker and the medic stepped back, Nightstar starting the music as they allowed Shadow full control of the dance floor.
Fall down a rabbit hole
Or just climb through a looking glass?
One of Shadow's servos gripped the pole as she walked around it, the guitar plucking a spine-chilling melody. A heavy drum beat broke the silence, the distorted piano chords adding to the atmosphere. Cycling a deep vent, the wires in her arms tightened as she twisted around the metal, moving upwards.
You get taller and taller and taller…
You get smaller and smaller and smaller…
Her neck arched back as she gripped the pole tightly with her legs, arching her helm back into a full backbend. This gave all those gathered in the room a perfect view of her chassis. There was a disapproving noise made by Swiftstreak, but no one listened as Shadow continued to weave her silent spell over her mesmerized audience.
The Cheshire Cat with his evil grin says...
"Remember who you are"
Shadow was lost. Lost in the world of music and dance. She offlined her optics and gave a small, secretive smile, no longer paying attention to her friends that were watching. She moved herself upright, her hips undulating against the pole and pelvic region grazing the metal. This time, Icewhip made a disapproving sound but was quickly silenced by both their SIC and team commander.
The Mad Hatter and his cups of tea,
And the Raven and the writing desk
She pulled herself to the top of the pole, her brows cinched in concentration as she curled herself into a fetal position, one leg stretched out in front of her while she spun, embracing the other leg that was anchoring her from falling.
Well nothing makes sense anyway
It doesn't make sense any…
Shadow uncurled and stretched, until she was twirling with nothing but her thighs. A devilish idea popped up in her processor, and she pretended to lose her grip on the pole.
Everyone gasped in horror, frozen and unable to 'help' the femme.
Oh Alice, Oh Alice
You're falling down a rabbit hole!
Shadow gave a soft laugh, arching backwards until her servos gripped the lower portion of the pole firmly. She righted herself before twirling and flipping higher, returning to her position atop the pole. Locking one of her ankles around the metal, she swung her pede into a vertical split, brushing along the heated metal pole.
Off with your head
Off with your head
Off with your head
Off with your head!
The music faded away, and Shadow slowed to a stop, turning and twisting so that her back was to the pole, and her helm was nearly touching the ground. One of her legs was hanging on, the other one straightened, pede pointing towards the ceiling. Both servos came out in a flourish.
There was a moment of silence, before everyone burst into applause and wolf whistles.
"This femme is dangerous!" Nova laughed nervously once the noise died down, praying that no bot could hear the sound of her cooling fans working overtime. "Hey Star! You're up!"
"Okay femmes! I'll be singing Can't Be Tamed by Miley Cyrus!" Nightstar chirped as Crystal started up the music. A serious look overcame her face plates once she got into the mood of the music; her optics contained the slightest hint of feral seduction as she fully immersed herself in reflecting the tone of the beat in her singing.
Nightstar ended with swiping her servo in the air. "Meow." She shot a sultry look at her audience.
"Pit Yeah! We've got a little wildcat in the house!" Swiftstreak whooped as Nightstar sashayed over to Nova.
"Our dear leader, it is now your turn." Nightstar bowed mockingly and offered the microphone over to her.
"Of course, Nightstar. It would be such an honor." Nova hissed, playing along with their little game. Stepping up front she bowed and announced, "Hey bots! I'm gonna sing New Divide by Linkin Park. Yes, I know it was from that movie but ta Pit with it! I like that song!" Swaying her hips gently to the music, she sang.
The song ended soon, far too soon for Nova's liking.
"Girl, I envy your mad skills!" Swiftstreak called out.
"That was great!" Crystal giggled.
"Aw stop… You're making me blush!" Nova laughed and handed the microphone back to Nightstar.
"We'd better head back and recharge. I don't think Optimus will be glad to see any of us sleeping on the job tomorrow." Icewhip said.
"Why? I'm sure Op would love Nova to…"
"SHUT UP!" Nova tackled Nightstar to the floor, covering the medic's mouth with her servo.
"What did I tell you? They must be communicating with the Decepticons!" Red Alert screeched from his seat in front of the screen.
The other six mechs sweatdropped at his ridiculous statement.
"They're just havin' a good time is all!" Jazz said. The others nodded at his statement but in reality, all of them had their thoughts fixated on the show the unaware femmes had put on for them.
Flashback:
"Optimus sir!" Optimus winced at Red Alert's shrill voice coming through his comm link that was laced with panicked paranoia.
"Yes, Red Alert? What is it this time?" Optimus replied patiently.
"You would not believe what is happening right now! I was right! The new femmes are Decepticon double-agents!"
Optimus pinched his nasal ridge in slight frustration. "I will be heading over to the security room now with Prowl. Prime out."
"What is it sir?" Prowl looked up from his report. He had gone to Prime's office to give him the report on the cycle.
"Red Alert is certain that something is going on with the new femmes." Prowl's doorwings twitched at the unexpected news.
"Well then, it looks as if we will have to find out more." Prowl stood up and followed behind his leader.
-;-
"Hey Jazz, do ya hear that?" Blaster stopped in his tracks, cocking his helm to the side to listen better.
"Ah sure do. An' it's comin' from Red's security room. Let's go an' check it out!" Jazz's visor glinted as he tugged his friend along the hallways.
"I never thought of Red Alert as the type to listen to Earth music. He'd be too busy finding out if the song had a hidden meaning or was trying to brainwash him!"
"Mah point exactly! C'mon!"
-;-
"Hey Sunny!"
"Don't call me that."
"Whatever! Y'know, it's been awhile since we've pranked Red." Sideswipe watched as his twin straightened and turned his helm towards him.
"What's the plan?"
"Well…"
-;-
"Well?" Optimus watched as Red Alert beckoned him and Prowl into the security room.
"Here!" Red gestured to the largest screen in the room. The two of them watched, wide-eyed at the ragtag group of femmes laughing and having a good time as they walked down the corridors. Suddenly, the six of them darted into an empty training room.
"Give me a klik…" Red Alert typed a few commands on the keyboard and soon the scene changed to inside of the training room.
-;-
"Whew! Hey Red!" Jazz called as he and Blaster walked into the Security Room. 'Wait. Why is Prime and Prowl here…'
A couple of shushes greeted his statement. Beside him, Blaster was tapping his pede to the time of the catchy beat. Jazz could sense his friend freeze as a voice came clearly through the speakers.
"Hey guys! I'm gonna sing Vanilla Twilight by Owl City!" Both of them looked at each other before scrambling to get a good spot to view whatever the trio were looking at.
-;-
"Ready, three two one…" Sunstreaker counted off on his fingers as he and his twin prepared to jump out of nowhere and scare the wires out of Red Alert. Just as they were about to leap, a statement caused them to cease movement and listen clearer.
"Alright! I'm gonna dance to Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne!" Both of them shared a look and slipped into the room, noting that their commanders and the communications officer were already watching. Blaster had a dreamy look in his optics while Prowl appeared to be twitching gently, face plates flushed blue.
-;-
For once, Sunstreaker did not have anything to say.
Once Shadow finished up her rather… erotic dance, his processor spun at seeing this side of the femme that had been silent throughout her entire time here. Beside him, the others were utterly astonished at her change in behaviour. Was she or the femme team even aware that there were other mechs watching? It appeared that they did not even have the slightest suspicion. None of the mechs dared to look at each other in the optics, not wanting to show what they felt about that kind of dancing.
The silent thunder of cooling fans was answer enough.
Jazz had immediately noticed the twins upon their arrival, but decided not to chase them out as they did not seem to be causing any trouble at the moment.
"Okay femmes! I'll be singing Can't Be Tamed by Miley Cyrus!"
Jazz snapped back to attention as soon as he heard Nightstar speak. To be honest, she was the one that had caught her optic, what with her love of fun, dependability and the adorable and honest way she spoke about anything and everything. He watched in awe as the navy blue femme's light temperament changed to one of a darker and deeper meaning. A shudder made its way down the third-in-charge's back struts as those sapphire blue optics looked up and burned a hole through his spark. He was captivated as soon as she sang the first line.
-;-
Optimus looked on, shocked at the drastic change of the femme Prime's attitude. 'What has caused her to gain such confidence? During our encounters she was rather bashful…' His optics were fixated on her as she happily made her way up to the front, tossing a few jokes back and forth with her teammates. This was a side of her that Optimus wasn't sure if he'd be able to see for himself.
I remembered black skies, the lightning all around me
The Prime's jaw dropped as soon as he heard her voice coming through the speakers.
I remembered each flash as time began to blur
'Her voice is beautiful…' He thought.
Like a startling sign that fate had finally found me
'I could listen to her forever…'
"Sir? Sir? Optimus sir? Are you alright?" Optimus quickly regained focus, noting that his Second and Third IC were looking at him worriedly.
"Yes, I am quite well. Is there a problem?" Optimus asked.
"Well Prime, ah would say…" Jazz trailed off, looking from Blaster to the twins pointedly a few times before the tape deck got the message.
"Alright, both of you out. Prime would like to talk to them in private."
"Hey, thanks Blaster!" Jazz thanked his friend over the comm link. Blaster chuckled.
"No probs, bro. Anytime." Blaster shoved the two protesting troublemakers out of the door and followed closely behind, shutting the door behind him.
"Anyways, ah would say yer even more in love with that femme than ever!" Jazz comm linked Optimus, opening up the channel to Prowl so he could hear him too.
"What do you mean? I am not 'in love' with her as you so eloquently put it." Optimus folded his arms across his chassis, optics narrowing at the smirking Jazz.
"Then why were you leaning so close to the screen, sir? It was not the most optimum position to view the recording." Prowl questioned his leader.
"W-What? I-I don't…"
"Denialll…" Jazz sang, earning a glare from the Prime.
"S-Sir?" Red Alert's voice broke through their conversation.
"At ease, Red Alert. There is no problem with these femmes as I have seen so far." Red Alert nodded, a worried frown on his face plates as he turned back to the screens. "Good recharge to you all." Optimus said before leaving the room.
I am angered at the abrupt ending of this chapter. Oh well, it can't be helped. Love you all, please R&R!
-Love, Nova