AMPHIBIA-BOTS
a fan-fiction by Slogokonnor99

Chapter 5: Time to catch up

-Amphibians have banished us for a thousand years- Optimus stated -but now… The rules will change!-. -Those damn amphibians- the green robot stated -they're all a bunch of bloody bastards-, -Oh, I agree- replied the silver robot -but with Prime back we surely will have a chance to get back at them-; -Well, surely we could have a little practice round, don't you think?- suggested the black and red one as he deployed a pair of built-in cannons -Why not practice with these stowaways?-. As the robot was about to shoot the Plantars, Optimus took him by his arm and threw him aside. -Ironhide, what's with you?!- said Optimus as the other robot stood and backed up -They risked their lives for mine, we owe them-. All the other robots looked at Optimus with confusion: what did he mean that those frogs and… whatever their pet was saved their leader. -I'm sorry to say this Optimus, but I doubt these stowaways wanted to simply reunite you with us- said Ironhide, -Then why would we get him back to you?- asked Anne -they're simply farm frogs for frog sake!-, -And what about you?- asked the silver robot as he grabbed Anne to inspect her -are you their personal servant or a rare and exotic pet?-, -she's their friend Sideswipe- Prime stated -now put her down-, -Like I was gonna do something to her- said Sideswipe as he placed Anne down. -Y'all haven't seen one of us in a while, huh?- said Sprig as he approached the yellow robot, -You could say that- the robot replied; -You're really taking that frog by your side Bumblebee?- said the green robot as he approached Bumblebee, -He's just a guest, Ratchet- Bee replied -I doubt he alone could hurt me-. Anne split from the commotion and tried to talk to Optimus as the other Autobots kept arguing with the Plantars, -I feel like we wouldn't last a day with them- she told him, -It's not easy to forgive someone when the wound is still open Boonchuy- Optimus replied -I do have hope that they can get used to you however-.

As the sun lowered and night began once more, Optimus decided to give a brief talk to the other Autobots to try and ease them about the Plantars. -I don't understand Optimus- Ratchet stated -a thousand years ago you wanted to destroy the Amphibians, but now you accept being the host of a farmer family of frogs?!-, -I know, old friend- Prime replied -but those times are in the past-, -The wounds are still evident though- Sideswipe stated -like the one they inflicted to you near your chest-. Optimus remembered his wound and gave it a touch; it still gave pain, but it was less than when the Plantars discovered him, -Don't worry, Optimus- Ratchet told him -I'll repair you after this-. -So now that those frogs have brought you here, what do we do with them?- asked Ironhide as he tried to turn back to the matter in question-should we get rid of them?-, -Ironhide, we're not committing murder towards innocent frogs- Bee stated, only for Ironhide to look at him with anger; -Bumblebee is right- Optimus stated -we'll take the frogs home, but we will keep the girl-; everyone looked at Optimus with confusion: why was he keeping their pet?. -When I arrived at their home, I noticed too late that a Drone had followed me all the way from the mountains- Prime stated -I did manage to destroy it, but it wasn't trying to kill me. It was aiming for her-, -That wouldn't make sense- Ratchet claimed -the Drones were designed to hunt us down, why would it target a random creature?-; -That is also what I asked myself, Ratchet- Optimus replied -but I think the reason may have been on how she managed to find you-. Bumblebee soon noticed that Anne was peeking to hear the conversation and alerted Optimus, who in turn brought her into the conversation. -This is how… I um… got your message- Anne fearfully stated as she took out her phone and showed the encrypted message, -Impressive- Ratchet stated -I've never seen such a small device like this one-, -I bet those frogs gave it to her so she could find our location on purpose- Ironhide stated; -I'M NOT FROM HERE OK!- Anne yelled at him -WHY ARE YOU JUST ASSUMING THINGS WITHOUT ASKING?!-, Ironhide didn't even answer Anne's question and focused on what Ratchet stated, -Just ignore him you… um… what are you by the way?- Ratchet tried to excuse Ironhide, -I'm a human- she answered reluctantly, -Well… human, how did you get that small device?- asked Ratchet, -It's just a phone- Anne answered -and I got it from my parents-, -And… do they live somewhere near where you found Prime?- Sideswipe asked, -No, neither me or my parents come from this place- she replied -I was… teleported here… along with my friends-. -So there's more of you?- Ratchet concluded -do you know where are they located?-. Anne began to feel uncomfortable about these questions, but she knew that they may have a way to find her friends and get them home… or at least that's what she thought. -I… don't- she stated -but… I was hoping you guys had something that could help me-, -We… um… don't unfortunately- said Bumblebee -We've salvaged everything we could to try and build at least a radar to locate our ship-, -Or what's left of it- Ironhide interrupted him, -But we don't have enough resources to spare- Bee continued -we only have enough to fix our wounds-.

-There may be another way- Optimus suggested, -What do you propose this time Prime?- Ironhide asked, -The drone I destroyed still had most of its components intact- Optimus stated -If we return to Wartwood and dismember the remains we could have enough materials to build you a radar-, -Assuming the frogs haven't gotten ridden of the remains themselves- Ironhide claimed, -Why would they need them?- Anne asked Ironhide, -Currency, farming tool material, infrastructure, do I need to continue?- Ironhide replied. Anne was beginning to get tired of Ironhide, but before she could explode on him, Hop Pop showed up. -Soo… Prime, is there a waterhole near here?- he asked, -There is one just a mile away from here- Ratchet stated, -I can get them there- said Bumblebee -it shouldn't be that difficult-, -If you go, make sure those frogs don't go on their own when the darkest hours come- Prime stated -the Plantars could end up badly chilled-, -Will do, Prime- Bee replied before heading towards the Plantars.

As Bee took the Plantars away, Anne wanted to find out why the other Autobots had a grudge on the Plantars; she tried to carefully approach towards one of them without raising suspicion and tried to start a conversation. -So… Optimus said you were vanished for a thousand years- Anne stated -Why? Did they think you were a menace? Did one of you actually anger them?-, -It all just happened quickly, human- Ratchet replied with hesitance -One moment, we were allies; the next, we were enemies-, -but why?- asked Anne -did you do anything at all?-; seeing Ratchet was in distress, Sideswipe stepped in to try and divert Anne's attention. -Listen… Anne, we have a grudge on your frog friends because we don't trust anyone that isn't one of us, ok?- Sideswipe stated -it's not like we knew them for us to not act this defensive-, Sideswipe thought that was enough to make Anne go away with her question answered… but he was wrong. -That's… not even what I asked- Anne replied, -Well, whatever you asked him will probably have some outlandish response- Sideswipe stated, only for him to get smacked in the arm by Ratchet. -She's asking why did we got vanished- Ratchet implied -Not about Ironhide's hate issues-, -Well, long story short, they created drones and said they'd be our "allies", we then got backstabbed, the end- Sideswipe stated -are you satisfied now?-; Anne just gave a sigh while Ratchet tried to actually tell the truth. -Look human, this is not something I am personally comfortable to share with other living beings- Ratchet stated -especially because of the countless partners everyone lost-, -Which is why we do not even talk about it- Sideswipe added, -But don't you at least think there could be another chance to… well… start the alliance again?- Anne asked, -Given that the newts are the rulers among the amphibians, and that they most likely passed their knowledge about us for years… no- Ratchet answered, -But… there could be a chance… right?- Anne asked, -Ok, what is it really that you're trying to achieve here?- Sideswipe asked; -I am just curious- Anne answered -when Optimus told me about your past… I wondered why did you got vanished in an unjust manner-. Ratchet sighed and left to treat Optimus' wound, leaving Sideswipe to deal with Anne, -The day we got vanished, a terrible crime was committed towards the crown- Sideswipe whispered to her -some sort of portal device was stolen in front of the heir to the throne, everyone desperately tried to find the culprit to no avail; and when desperation and anger took control of the king, he blamed it on us. So with the help of those machines that we helped build, he ordered a mass execution of any "suspicious culprit", which in other words, meant us-. -That king wanted us dead before the heist happened- Ironhide complemented -he just needed a trigger to put that plan into place-, -And why did he want you gone?- Anne asked, -We don't know, it was probably jealousy- Sideswipe replied -we trusted him since we were his allies-. -That still doesn't make sense though- Anne stated, -Listen here, human: when you meet someone and consider it an ally, you should never let your guard down; because the moment you do… They'll stab you in the back- Ironhide stated, -You have a lot of Vietnam flashbacks, don't you?- asked Anne, -What's Vietnam?- Ironhide asked, only for Anne to slap her face.

Meanwhile, Ratchet gave the final checks to Optimus' wound; it took almost thirty minutes and a fair number of spare parts to close, disinfect and reinforce where the wound was, but in the end, the area near his spark was all fixed. -Do you seriously think that those frogs will allow us to stay on their town- asked Ratchet as Optimus slowly stood up from the operation table, -I do have my own doubts, old friend- Prime replied -I have only stayed in that place of theirs once, and some of their people are indeed untrustworthy-. Ratchet took his operation tools back to a small box while Optimus wandered closely to try and keep the conversation going. -With all respect, Prime, I do not want to risk another situation like last time- Ratchet implied, -I understand your fear towards this plan- Optimus stated -but if we stay here looking for nothing those drones will soon catch up to us, it's only a matter of time-. -But don't you think those frogs may alert any other toad tower nearby?- Ratchet asked, -I doubt that since the fall of Newtopia any toad tower still remains- Optimus reassured him -the Plantars will be our guide as we help the human go home, once we do so we may be able to also go to her world and start over-, -And risk losing everyone like we did years ago?!- Ratchet asked -, -Listen, old friend- Optimus replied -everyone knows how it feels to lose a friend, but on Boonchuy I see empathy and hope. While I know everyone doesn't trust her, I will try and dig more into how her world looks like, the only think I'm asking in return is to trust her and the Plantars Prime stood up from the operation table and went in search of Anne to discuss their plan to move to Wartwood Ratchet started organizing his tools, and while doing so he stumbled into a middle-sized box. As he opened it, he admired what was inside before taking it out to clean it: a shield-blaster. -It's been a long time since you died in the hands of those monsters- He said while admiring his friend's weapon -I wish you were at least here to see Optimus again-.

921 years ago

-Optimus, this is medical officer Ratchet- he said in despair -a group of seeker drones have surrounded us; we're evacuating civilians in the area, and we need reinforcements quickly-. As he cut the radio call, another Autobot was helping evacuate the last of the villagers. While a few of them were injured, the majority survived the first assault; both however knew that the drones weren't hunting the villagers, but them instead. -We gotta go Ratchet- he stated -reinforcements are a long way from here-, -Is that the last of them?- Ratchet asked in fear, after all, he did not do a head count, -We cannot save everyone- the Autobot implied -now c'mon, we gotta hide!-.

As he and Ratchet transformed and drove away, a flock of seeker drones soon arrived to scour the area. -Negative signs of Cybertronian activity- said one of the scouts, -Release the mini drones and scan for signs of blood- said a voice from a radio implemented in the scout's head. The seekers soon deployed out a small flock of spheres that transformed into dragonfly-like cameras, and soon enough, one of the mini drones found traces of blue blood. -Energon trace detected- stated the camera, -Identify source- the scout stated, -Searching…- the camera stated as it tried to find an identical match on its database. -Autobot identified- said the camera after a small period of time -Blood belongs to subject JZ-007-, -Commander, we found traces of Autobot JZ-007- the scout -Beginning localization…-. Soon, the entire fleet took off and followed the trace of Energon; for Ratchet and his partner, time was now running out.

Soon, the pair of Autobots located an abandoned drone factory and waited out for the reinforcements; Ratchet tried to build an antenna from scratch to send another distress message while the other Autobot tried to secure the perimeter, it was just then when they both noticed a critical mistake. -oh no, your arm!- stated Ratchet as he finished building the radar, -It's just a minor wound- the Autobot claimed -it'll buff out-, -No, you don't understand- claimed Ratchet-if that wound is open, that means that a scout drone will be on their way!-. As soon as Ratchet finished that sentence, jet humming began to shake the rooftop; footsteps began to make an echo in the room as the seekers began to scan the surface. -We need to move- Ratchet whispered -I suggest scatter and regroup-, -If we stand together, we have a better chance, Ratchet- Jazz stated; as he stated that beeping noises were heard above. In an instant, an explosion followed, one that sent Ratchet off the wall of the room. -TARGET IN SIGHT- yelled one of the scouts as it shot nitrogen bullets to slow him down; Ratchet tried his best to locate his partner, but amid all the smoke and noise, it was nearly impossible.

In pure desperation, Ratchet decided to book it, he had no idea if the other Autobot had already managed to recover and flee, or if he had managed to hide; whatever his outcome was there would be no point in finding him if he didn't survive. As he transformed and attempted to drive away, the scouts switched weaponry; now they were shooting heavy artillery in order to slow him down. Missile after missile, the explosions soon caught up to him; one missile hit his front end, causing him to transform into his robot mode. One of the pursuers took the shoot and fired a missile directly at his right leg, causing it to rip it off and immobilize him in the process; injured and with nowhere to run, Ratchet could only now beg for an explanation.

-Please! Hold your fire!- he begged -Do you not see I've been injured?!-; the scout drones formed a circle around him, all armed with nitrogen bullets in case he tried to escape, -You're attacking the medical officer!- Ratchet stated -don't you see that's a war crime?!-, -THERE IS NO MERCY FOR THE TRAITORS!- a scout stated, -I am not a traitor! I am a friend!- he begged -I'm an Autobot!-, -Subject RC-011- stated another drone -all Autobot corelated to the time and period of the heist towards the kingdom is rectified for extermination, and therefore we sentence you… to death!-. As the drone transformed his left arm as a cannon and aimed at his spark, a figure leaped out of the shadows and destroyed the drone. -Get out of here, Ratchet!- said the Autobot -I'll cover you!-. Ratchet tried his best to grab his severed leg and crawl out of the battlefield while the other Autobot tried to hold them as long as he could; in the end however, as more and more drones arrived, the Autobot was overpowered.

Suddenly, the drones pin him down and a large, armored newt emerged from the smoke; he was carrying a small weapon, and ordered the drones to make him kneel. -What do we have here?- he asked -it looks like we finally caught the elusive Autobot lieutenant-, -Congratulations, my lord- the Autobot answered sarcastically -you expect me to give you a bag of coppers or maybe a trophy?-, -How about something more useful?- he stated and grabbed the Autobot by his throat -I'll let you go, seeing that you're already a lost cause, IF you tell me where the last five are hiding-, -You think I'll tell you just like that?- the Autobot stated and tried to catch the newt unaware, but the armored titan saw his arm twitch, and as he transformed it into a shield-blaster, the newt ripped it off. -This is your last chance… Jazz- the newt stated -Where are they hiding? Where is Optimus Prime?!-, -In your dreams you large slimy bastard!- said Jazz. -Poor choice of words- said the newt before he activated his weapon and stabbed Jazz straight through his Spark, ripping it off. -My lord- stated one of the scouts -we lost trace of RC-011-, -Send all scouts back to Newtopia- said the newt -and take JZ-007's body as well to melt it down-. As the drones collected Jazz's remains, Ratchet peeked behind a rock, scarred from what he saw; as the scouts took off, they accidentally dropped Jazz's shield-blaster, and Ratchet silently grabbed it. -If only I didn't get shot, if only I managed to see the error- he said to himself; now the only thing he could do is try to cauterize his wound before the others try to find him

The sun once again arose on the arid desert, and Bumblebee reappeared after a long, cold night with the Plantars; the three of them were rehydrated and at full strength, although Hop Pop's leg was still covered in bandages. -Well, Bee- Hop Pop stated as he exited from the vehicle -I think you're the nicest of the four-, -Believe me when I say you shouldn't say that in front of Sideswipe- Ironhide whispered -you're only gonna get him jealous-. Nearby, Anne was waking up from a short sleep, she had spent all her time asking to Sideswipe about what happened to them before that, but during all that she literally fell asleep while Sideswipe was explaining why Ironhide had a grudge on them… for the hundredth time. -It's time to go, Boonchuy- Prime stated as Anne stretched to get the laziness off -we must get back to Wartwood before another night settles in-. As Optimus transformed, the other Autobots began to pile up whatever they could; however, there wasn't enough equipment to carry everything on one single trip. -We cannot risk trying to carry everything in one go, Prime- Ratchet stated, -Why not simply alter turns?- Bumblebee suggested -we can just simply arrive to weirtwood…-, -It's actually called "Wartwood" Bee- Sprig corrected him, -Well… to that place, and one of us stands guard while the rest grabs more supplies-, -So basically "Divide & Conquer"- Sideswipe stated, -You could say that- Bee replied.

As the journey towards the mountains began, Optimus decided that it would be a good time to ask Anne a thing or two about her world. -Does your world have a name?- Prime asked her, -We call it "Earth"- Anne answered -I know that it sounds cliché that its named like that, but we live with it-, -How would you call it then?- Optimus asked -Planet dirt?-, -Funny- Anne answered sarcastically -being honest, where I come from is way more advance than where I stay-, -How advanced- Prime asked, -Well… we have drones too, although they're smaller and used mostly to spy- Anne replied -we have armored vehicles called tanks, small platforms where one can use water as propulsion, coded algorithms called programs or apps…-, -Sounds like basic stuff- Prime replied, -Well… given that you come from a planet full of robotic life I wouldn't be surprised- Anne sarcastically replied. -And what about their inhabitants? Do they all look like you?-, -Well… no- Anne replied -everyone is different from each other, I'd even say that everyone is good at something-, -And what are you good at- Optimus asked her; Anne however didn't know what to say, -I'd say I'm good at… cooking?- Anne attempted to reply, -You have culinary expertise?- Prime assumed -interesting-. Anne kinda had a bad experience with that question, every time she was asked that she never knew what to say, even when her friends were around. Her friend Sasha had good leadership skills, Marcy had great intelligence, but what about her? What was her specialty? Her talent?. -How long will it take to reach the mountains?- Anne asked, trying to switch the topic, -We should be there in a day- Prime replied -if another sandstorm doesn't engulf us that is-, -Let's hope that doesn't happen- Anne begged. As the Autobots kept going, someone watched them from above; his red eyes gazed at the five with hatred and anger, but instead of attacking them he just simply flew away to the southwest.

He had a rendezvous with someone… familiar.