Chapter 15

Tricks and Tickle Time

One year had passed since Maria, the female youngling had crash landed onto Earth and had been discovered by Optimus Prime and his team of Autobot's. And during that time, they have became a surrogate family for the youngling since she admitted to being an orphan. during that time, the Autobot's have surprised Maria with plenty of surprises, such as her very own quarters for her to sleep, an outdoor area she and the others can transport to for peaceful times together when she felt bored or stressed, and have even started practicing the earth holidays with the help of Rad, Carlos, Alexis, Fred, and Billy.

Halloween was a great success; but instead of trick-or-treating from house to house, the Autobots decided to have a costume contest of sorts, using some spare pipes and pans, and some old cloth that the human kids brought over. Thanksgiving was fine in most aspects, but they didn't have a traditional Thanksgiving feast like most of the inhabitants of earth had, instead they settled with watching a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving special on one of the screens in the command station. Christmas was the best thing the Autobots had celebrated. None was happier on Christmas day than Maria. She was given a makeshift boxing bag to practice her fighting skills as well as some lesson provided by Scavenger. She also given a Autobot sized radio for her to listen to music in her room and a Karaoke system for her to sing along with her favorite tunes, they even had a karaoke contest that same night singing mostly christmas songs.

For the past two months after the new year, not much mini-cons activated during that time, meaning Maria and the Autobots would have more time for family moments that I can't think of. Their had been some Decepticon activity and Optimus woul sent part of his team to fight as well as himself, while the rest would watch the youngling for her safety and to keep her company. Despite the battles that happened, the Autobots won them all and none were injured. All in all, everything was going well with Maria and the Autobots.

One day, something very interesting was going on around the Autobot base. while most of the Autobots were in stasis, the human kids, along with the mini-cons and Hot Shot , Sideswipe, and the youngling Maria, were busy going through plans for the day. The other day the human children have informed the three particular Autobots about April Fools day, and have thought out the tricks they would play on the rest of the Autobots. But the thing was, neither of the other Autobots knew of what was about to happen.

"Alright, everybody , let's go over this one more time. Alexis and Carlos, you will cover Blurr and Hoist's quarters. Fred and Billy, you have Red Alert, Scavenger and Jetfire. Hot Shot and Side Swipe, you and the mini-cons will take care of the command center screen. Maria, you and I will have Optimus Prime."

"Got it," Everyone answered.

"Now remember, do not let yourself get caught, and when everything is ready, report back to the command center and Hot Shot will sound off the alarm. Now lets roll."

And with that, all members of the group dispersed through the hall ways leading to each of the quarters. Maria, trailing behind Rad, asked him,

"How come you and I get Optimus, I love him and I don't want to play a bad trick on him."

"Don't worry, the tricks aren't that bad. They are meant for fun, so he can laugh about it. That's why it's called April Fools Day." Rad reassured the youngling.

"Oh, alright. I just hope he finds it funny." Maria answered.

Meanwhile, Alexis and Carlos had exited out of Blurrs quarters and had entered straight into Hoists room, with bags filled with bubble wrap. Taking out the bubble wrap, they began laying the individual wraps all around the room, being careful not to awake the snoring mech on the berth.

Despite the threat of waking Hoist, Carlos couldn't help but chuckle.

"Wait 'till he wakes up. It will be so priceless."

"Carlos, be quiet." Alexis hushed him, as they laid down the last of the wrap, and quickly ran out.

On the others, Fred and Billy had finished up with Jetfire and Red Alerts rooms and were finishing up with Scavenger, and by finishing up, I mean gently puting on some girly stickers all over his face plate.

*Rumble*

"Fred, shut you gut up." Billy hushed Fred.

"I can't help it, I'm hungry."

"Your always hungry."

While the two were quietly arguing, Hot Shot, Side Swipe and the mini-cons were hanging up a big banner across the screen, with huge letters spelling 'April Fools' written on it. With the last part done, the footsteps of both the humans and the youngling were heard coming down the hall the entrance.

"We are all ready." Rad announced, but Maria for some reason kept giggling uncontrollably, making everyone in the room look at her.

"What is so funny?", asked Alexis.

"It's the trick Rad and I did on Optimus while he was asleep. You should see what his face looks like, hee-hee." Maria tittered.

Side Swipe but join Maria and giggled himself as he reached for the emergency switch, this would sound off the alarms set up around the base.

"We might get to see what you mean in...3...2...1!"

And with that he pulled the switch, and the alarms sprang to life, sending the piercing scream throughout the compound. Most of the mini-cons, humans and the youngling had to cover their ears and audio receptors so as to not become deaf.

The first of the Autobots to arrive was Red Alert. As soon as he come in, everyone began to laugh, making the medic look up at them.

"What do you find so amusing?The sirens are going off and it may mean either a Decepticon attack is in..."

But before he could continue, Rad interrupted and pointed to his tool-hand.

"There is nothing wrong, but there is something on you that is making us laugh." He snickered.

"Huh?" said the confused medic, then he lifted his arm...and their, instead of his pole attachment, their was a soft, green, goofy looking snake puppet with its felt tongue sticking out as if mocking the Autobot.

"Ha-ha-ha, good one," He chuckled at the foolish trick, but then his attention was interrupted by heavy steps as Scavenger came in. Red Alert had to do a double take, because he saw was butterflies, flowers, kittens, and lollipop stickers decorated all over Scavengers gray face plate, causing everyone to howl with laughter.

"What kind of a wake up call is this?" Scavenger growled, not looking a bit pleased about his new look.

"Ha-ha-ha, you look so cute with those stickers, Scavenger." Tittered Alexis. Scavenger didn't think it was that cute.

"What's goin on?" Blurr came in, yawning a little bit since he never awakened around this time.

"Get ready, Fred." Billy whispered and Fred pulled out a remote control with a big red button on it. The moment he pressed the button, a loud, obnoxious noise came to all ears and audio receptors, and it was traced to Blurr's aft.

*Fart*

"Blurr, are you serious. At least you could have given a warning." Scavenger growled, covering his olfactory sensor, Red Alert did the same.

"That wasn't me." Blurr retaliated, but another farting noise was heard.

*Fart*

"Knock it off. It's disgusting," Red Alert grumbled.

"Those arent real farts, it's a joke." Billy spoke up. "Turn yourself around, Blurr and the culprit is taped right on your butt."

Not wanting to have another fart noise to burst unannounced, Blurr turned himself around and there, taped to his aft, was a tiny gassy sound maker. One click from the remote that Fred held and a farting noise would turn on, making a very embarrassing moment for the victim, unfortunately that victim was Blurr.

"Okay. Very funny.. Now what was that all for anyway." Blurr sarcastically chuckled while removing the device and tape from his aft and giving it to Maria, who showed a bit of remorse for that embarrassing moment he had to endure.

But before anyone could answer, Jetfire burst in, nearly knocking over Scavenger and Blurr since they were the ones closest to the entrance, and he did not look the least bit please. The reason was because a cartoonish set of buck teeth were drawn onto his face mask.

"Who did this." He said, sounding not to pleased with his make up.

Hot Shot raised up his hands and tried to calm down Jetfire. "Take it easy, it's just a prank."

"I don't find it funny. What if Optimus sees me like this?"

"HEEEEEEELP" Shouted a voice from deep in the corridors.

"That was Hoist. Something is wrong, we have to go see." Red Alert ran out with the rest of the team and humans behind him. Reaching to where the noise came from, the Autobots stood at the entrance to Hoist's quarters, wondering what had caused him to cry for help. Knocking on the door, Jetfire called, "Hey, Hoist. You alright?"

"Does it look like I'm alright? There are bombs lay out around my room!" Hoist shouted, he sounded terrified even though he would boast that he was fearless among his peers.

"Bombs? You can't be serious," Scavenger answered, sounding surprised.

"I am serious. Don't come in, unless you want your aft blown to pieces." Hoist shouted.

"Calm down." Blurr spoke from the other side of the door, in hopes of getting what caused to Hoist to think his room was supposedly laid out with bombs, since he guessed it was a prank. "Tell us what happened, what makes you think that you quarters are covered with bombs?"

"Well, I woke up from my stasis, same as I do everyday. I turned over to get off the berth, but the moment I placed my pads on the floor, I hear a popping noise and felt a gush of small air pop underneath me. I tried to move away, but then the popping noise keeps going on every time I move. So I leapt back onto the berth and called for help and here we are." Hoist explained, still in belief that the bombs were still there.

That was when Carlos came clean. "Hoist, those are not bombs, it's just bubble wrap. That's what's making the popping noise. it was a prank." He said, stifling a laugh. Soon he quieted down.

Hoist, now realizing that it was a playful trick, started to blush and got off the berth and made his way to the door, the popping of the bubble wrap signaling everyone on the outside that he was coming. "Nice trick, but please don't make it one that might give me a spark attack." He chuckled with slight embarrassment.

Maria was happy to see that Hoist took the joke into stride but then remembered something. "Hey, What about Optimus? he hasn't showed up." She spoke up.

"You're right. I havent seen him yet either." Rad answered, but then heavy foot steps came from in front of the group, and all eyes and optics turned and their was Optimus Prime, but then they all started to snicker, for there, drawn on his mouth plate, was a huge, red, pair of lips.

All at once the hallway was filled with hysterical and uncontrollable laughter, leaving Optimus dumbfounded, for he had know idea what was going on, and had came over to were the group was after hearing Hoist's cry for help.

"What in the world are you all laughing for?" Said a confused Prime.

"Ha-ha-ha, Take a look in the mirror!" Hot Shot laughed.

Since he didn't have a mirror at that moment, Optimus turned to the wall, which reflected his image...and his face plate turned pale. Now he knew why everyone was laughing at him. But before he could confront with whoever did it, Rad came over and explained everything.

"It's just a joke. Today is April Fools. It's when you pull a harmless prank on someone. Maria and I did that. Sorry."

Optimus nodded in understanding and his gaze moved to the youngling who was next to Jetfire, and suddenly got an idea. Since Maria had a hand in pulling off this prank, he was going to punish her in a way that would be enjoyable for him and Maria.

"Jetfire, grab her and hold her arms apart." He commanded his second in command, but in a rare mischievous tone.

Jetfire did as he was told, fully knowing what Optimus had in store for Maria. Maria on the other hand was taken by surprise. What was going on? What was Optimus going to do?

Optimus soon started to walk over to where Jetfire held Maria securely in his grasp, but then began to kneel down on one knee joint as he came close to them, and suddenly lifted his hands and curled them into claws. Maria took one look at the hands flexing in a sort of menacing manner and suddenly felt scared. The way the hands looked reminded her of the abuse her past father brought upon her; worser still, she remembered Jetfire's angry response to his trick. Was Optimus angry about the painted lips, and was he going to break his promise in not hurting her? Those questions made her shiver, despite having taken her medicated energon.

Prime noticed the younglings sudden change and backed up a bit and thought for a few seconds until he said, "Jetfire, let her go."

Jetfire did as he was told, even though he was confused as to what caused Optimus to stop his assault, if that was what it was. Maria just knelt to her knee joints and held her arms and shook, but Prime gently picked her up and held her in his arms as he turned to the rest o the team.

"Everyone, continue with your duties, I will be with you in a moment. Maria and I need some time alone."

…

…

…

…

The room of Optimus's quarters were dimmed to a comfortable lighting as he and the youngling came in and Optimus settled the youngling onto his berth before he sat himself next to her. Maria's shaking had stopped and she looked to Optimus who had a concerned look in his optics.

"Maria, are you alright?" He asked her.

"I guess I am," She answered quietly before she continued, "Why did you do that? You promised you wouldn't hurt me." She suddenly said sharply.

"I do not understand. I have kept my promise in not harming you, why are you defensive all of a sudden?" Optimus asked, he did not understand Maria was a bit upset.

"The way your hands were coming to me...It reminded me of how my father came at me before he would beat me. Slow at first, then reaching up with his hands, and then..." Maria stopped, covering her optics in order to hide the tears that were about to pour out. Optimus, seeing this, pulled the youngling close and cooed.

"Easy, Maria. It is alright. I am sorry about that."

"But I also remembered how Jetfire hated the trick that was pulled on him. It was similar to yours, and that made me feel like you were going to react the same way." Maria sobbed softly.

Optimus gently wiped away her tears as he turned her to face him. "Maria, I would never react like that to you. I used to like pulling pranks as a youngling, but I had no knowledge of what was going on today until I found out. Yet what I was going to do with you was not ment to hurt you, I was going to make you laugh."

"What do you mean?" Maria asked. After letting her go and setting her next to him, Optimus sighed and said, "I was going to tickle you."

Maria was now more confused than ever.

"Do you know what tickling is?" Optimus asked.

"No. What is it?"

Optimus was soon confused, how could a youngling not know what tickling was. But then she was abused by her father, and never had the chance to experience it. So he sighed and said.

"Tickling is when someone lightly strokes or prods an area of the body, causing a sensation that causes laughter. It is in no way painful, it is actually in a way...fun." He explained.

Maria was interested by what Optimus told her and asked, "What parts of the body are ticklish?"

"Mostly it is at the mid-section, pads, and the arm joints. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I want to know what it feels like, if it is alright." She asked softly, blushing a little.

Optimus was a bit surprised at this but then agreed. So he clapped his hands together and spoke in a happy tone. "Alright then, where shall you like to be tickled?"

"I was wondering if you could start from my pads to the arm joints, but will you stop when I tell you?" Maria asked with a smile.

"Of course. I will go slowly, to test the sensitivity. Then I'll go faster when you tell me to, Okay? I want you to enjoy this." Optimus said, cracking his knuckles before getting started.

"Okay, let's do it."

Seeing that she was ready, Optimus had Maria lay herself down on her back as he brought himself over to her pads (feet in case you were wondering.). Gently picking up her right, bell bottom styled leg, and looking over her blue pad, he said,"I'll start slow, then when your ready I'll go faster.", and using a fore-digit(Forefinger), he lightly stroked the sole of Maria's pad.

A tingling sensation was sent shivering around her pad; it felt strange but pleasurable and made her pad twitch, and a tiny snicker came from her mouth. The light stroking continued before Prime stopped and looked at Maria, noticing a small grin, indicating that it was tickling her.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Uh huh." Maria nodded, and all at once all of Primes digits tickled her pad, and Maria began to laugh. The sensation was now intensifying than when Prime stroked softly, but it felt fun.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, That tickles, Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha." Was all she could say, as Optimus then took her other pad and began tickling both of them, making the youngling explode in giggles.

"Looks like your pads are ticklish, that's good." Optimus chuckled, keeping his attention on his wiggling digits, that were tickling the living daylights out of Maria's pads.

"S-s-s-stop, Ha-ha-ha-ha. No more, I can't take it anymore!" Maria gasped, and Optimus stopped, giving the youngling to refill her oxygen tanks. After a while, Maria had caught her breath and waited for Prime to continue. He then moved closer to her mid-section and told her the same thing he told her before he tickled her pads. Maria nodded and Optimus began the process.

The moment his digits began to lightly dance along the smooth, soft surface of her stomach, the tingling sensation was now more powerful and Maria began to laugh .

Maria tried to stifle her giggles, but Optimus heard the small giggles and smiled. It turned out that Maria's stomach was her most ticklish spot. But before he started the assault he asked her, "You do seem to be very sensitive around here, are you sure you want me to tickle you here? I am not sure if you'll handle it."

"Hee-hee, I can take it." The femme reassured Prime as she gripped the large cover that lay over the berth.

Optimus couldn't help but chuckle at the younglings bravery and started to count to 3.

"1,...2,...3!"

The entire room was soon filled with almost hysterical and crazy laughter, as Maria felt the hard, blunt digits of Optimus Prime, press and wiggle around her belly. The tickling was now increased to an almost overwhelming power, draining out the younglings energy, but Maria managed to hang on by gripping hard on the cover underneath her, tears of happiness pouring from her optics. Optimus laughed along as well while still tickling her like crazy. "Cootchie cootchie cootchie cootchie coo!" He teased.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, What does tha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-hat me-hee-hee-hee-en!" Maria screamed in laughter, squirming furiously to get herself free.

"That is sometimes said to help increase the ticklish feeling, Tickle tickle tickle!" Optimus cooed, tickling her harder and Maria practically shrieked.

Just then he stopped, letting Maria time to breath until Optimus revealed something he had never shown anyone in a long time. The silver face mask slid back into the cheek parts of his helm, showing a blue, smiling face. Before Maria could utter a word about how Optimus had an actual face, his face dove to her mid-section, blowing a huge, big raspberry on her belly. Maria went into hysterics.

"Ahhhh-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, Stop it. No more, No more!" Maria shouted.

Giving her a few more raspberries to her belly, Optimus finally stopped and Maria quickly curled herself into a ball, protecting her mid-section from another tickle attack. Instead of him tickling her, Optimus picked her up, placed her close to his shoulder and started to caress her back.

"Calm down, little one. Take your time. and breath. Everything is alright." He cooed sweetly.

"Ha-ha, That was torture," Maria gasped, "I thought I was going to go offline."

For a while, they stayed like that until Maria finally caught her breath and her panting ended. She then looked up and was disappointed that Primes mask slid back into place and said, "Why didn't you tell me you had a face?"

Optimus saw how disappointed she was and decided to let his mask retract and show his full face. "I am sorry, I guess I forgot to tell you about my mask. It is a requirement for a Prime. It is used to hide a Primes emotions so an enemy can see how the Prime feels and uses it to their advantage. I just thought I would give you a raspberry." He smiled, his lips curling into a gentle beam.

"You actually look nicer without that mask, not that I'm saying you are ugly, but just nicer looking." Maria commented, trying not to sound insulting, but Optimus knew what she ment and petted her head in understanding. "Thank you. Now I think that is enough tickling for one day."

"No, wait," Maria reached foe his hand as he lifted himself from the berth, causing him to look at her. "You forgot my arm joints."

"I don't know if I want to continue, I don't want to hurt you. Too much tickling can cause a shortness of breath." Optimus tried to convince Maria, but Maria pushed it aside and stared at him with a look on her face that seemed to make him melt.

"Please? I won't ask you again."

Optimus, smitten by the pleading optics, just could not say no. "Very well, but this will be quick. I have to get back to my work." He smiled.

Maria lay herself down once more and stretched her arms up, exposing her arm joints. Seeing she was ready to go, Optimus immediately started tickling her arm joints, slowly at first to test her sensitivity. As soon as his digits caressed the smooth, soft, warm area of Maria's arm joints, the youngling squeaked and twitched. "Are you certain you want to proceed?" He smirked.

She nodded her head a couple of time and closed her optics, tightly, preparing for the torture.

Soon Optimus increased his speed and pressure and soon the loudest, happiest shriek of laughter entered his audio receptors. The tickling of the arm joints went on for about 5 minutes, but Maria was a fighter. Despite almost loosing her breath she held on, laughing her head off, with tears in her optics.

"HA-Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, No-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, No more, Stop it. I can't take it anymore. Haaaaa-haa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Oh, please stop it, plea-hee-hee-hee-hee-ease. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaa!"

"Alright, that is enough." Prime chuckled, and no sooner had he released her from her torture, Maria flopped on the berth, her optics still closed. She was exhausted, still giggling because her arm joints still felt the tickling sensation in them. Optimus leaned over her and started to wipe the tears away from her face, and picked her up and hugged her gently, and she returned the embrace.

"Ha-ha, that was fun. Whew!" Maria gasped, snuggling her cheek plate into Optimus' face plate.

"Easy now, you little rascal. I'll leave you in here to rest. I think I might have tickled you to your limits. Okay?" Optimus said, tucking Maria into his berth.

"Sure," Maria cooed, falling asleep.

Before he left to work, Optimus leaned down to the femmling and kissed her forehead and left, leaving Maria to rest peacefully.

(Hope everyone loved the tickles. I made this chapter extremely fluffy and tickly for everyone's enjoyment. But I fear that may not stop the Decepticons and their plan in the next chapter. Disclaimer I do not own the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving tv special, all credits go to CBS and Charles M. Schulz. See you soon.)