Jack, Miko, and Raf continued their search for Amelia and could not find her. They tried her phone, but it was silent. They even went to the old abandon racetrack where she goes to practice racing with Blurr, but she was not there. The teenage boy was heartbroken; he did not mean those words and he made her cry. Jack sat down at a bench at the park and sighed as he rested his head in his hands while Miko tried to cheer him up.
"Come on, Jack. Amelia loves you. And you love her. You will make up," Miko said.
"I agree with Miko," Raf said, sitting next to him. "But...how did Sierra get your number? I thought you didn't give her your new number."
"I didn't," Jack said. "I'm not sure how she got it."
Raf thought for a moment and remembered something. "Did Sierra say that she had a friend at the burger place where you work?" Jack thought back to earlier and remembered that Jessica asked to borrow his phone because her phone was dead. "Jessica… she used my phone, and she gave to Sierra."
"So that's how Sierra got your number," Miko said. "You don't think Jessica might have given it to her intentionally, do you?"
"I hope not," Raf said.
"I think she might have," Jack said. "Jessica said that Sierra wanted me to date her, but I said no."
"We've got to find Amelia then and tell her this was not only a big misunderstanding, but also one of Sierra's tricks to make Amelia doubt you," Miko said, standing up from the bench to find her best friend.
"But where could she have gone?" Raf said. "She's not picking up her phone."
Just then, he felt something grab the back of his shirt and he yelped as he was lifted before whatever had him lifted off the ground and began to fly away. Raf looked up to see a weird bird like thing. It had white fur with a yellow mohawk, a bunny tail and blue eyes. It was also as big as a small house. "Guys, help!" He cried out.
Jack and Miko blinked in shock. "Is that a giant bird?" Jack asked.
"Yes, and it's got Raf!" Miko said. "Come on! We must follow it!"
Raf froze as he saw how high up, they were and was relieved when not too long later, the strange bird landed on the ground in an alleyway and it hopped inside the building at the end, still carrying the boy. Miko and Jack caught up just in time to see the bird go inside with their friend and wasted no time in following. "Ok you go right while I'll go left." Said Jack, going to the hallway to the left. Miko nodded and went to the hallway on the right.
The large bird entered a room and set Raf down before chirping. Raf looked at Tim and petted it. Tim chirped and nuzzled against his hand. "Whoa you are so soft. Amelia would love you even though she acts tough but where am I?" giggled Rafael, as he hugged it. "Hmm?" A deep voice hummed before a tall person in a white ringmaster suit and a top hat pulled down over his face like a mask came out of the shadows, a wide smile on his face. "Ah, you've brought a new friend here."
Raf tried to stand up, but fear overtook him, and his legs gave out as he looked up at the very tall being, whose gaze shifted to him. "Hello there, young one," he said, walking up to the boy, but before he got too close, Raf jumped up and began running, heading out the door and down the hallway, frantically looking for his friends.
Balan smiled gently, not offended as he knew some would be startled at first meeting him, but without a moment's hesitation, he zipped around the boy and caught him, lifting him up as the boy let out a yelp of surprise and began struggling to get free, but to his shock, the Maestro's grip, though gentle, was unmovable. "Let go!" Raf pleaded in fear as he tried to pry away the hands that were around his waist, holding him up a few feet into the air.
"Calm down, Rafael," Balan said, his deep voice soothing, making the boy stop struggling in shock to which the tall being chuckled. "You are friends with an Autobot taller than most buildings, yet you are afraid of me?" The boy looked at him fearfully. "How do you know that?" He asked. "And how do you know my name?"
"I am a magical maestro, my boy," Balan said. "I know anyone who walks into my theater."
He pulled the young boy into a hug, cradling him protectively like Bumblebee did when he would comfort the boy. Raf still felt a bit nervous but noted that the hug was gentle. He then felt fingers gently poking his ribs and he began giggling. "H-Hey!" He protested, playfully pushing away Balan's hand. "Oh?" The Maestro asked with a chuckle before tickling the boy's stomach, making him laugh.
Miko, hearing her friend's laughter, grew curious and followed it, soon finding Raf and the tall being who was tickling him. "Hey!" She cried out, at first worried that the stranger had plans to hurt the boy, forgetting her fear as she ran up to the tall being, who smiled as he saw her and snapped his fingers.
The girl squeaked in surprise as clones appeared and caught her. She tried to pull away from them but was soon in a fit of giggles as the clones began tickling her. She squealed as they quickly found out that her ribs were the most ticklish and Balan chuckled. "My, my, a fearless warrior you are, young Miko," he said as he still held Raf in a hug, the boy having calmed down and was now giggling at seeing Miko trapped in a ticklish situation.
After a while, Balan let the two have a breather and set them down on a couch. "So, I know you so let me introduce myself." Said Balan, while bowing like an entertainer would do." My name is Maestro Balan. But you can just call me Balan. "Miko looked at him in wonder while Raf was looking around curiously. "Hey, have you seen a girl with ginger hair, gray eyes, and a scar across her nose?" Balan nodded and set the two at a dinner table. "She is resting right now. She is suffering by a terrible heartbreak."
Raf nodded. "She and Jack got into a fight because of another girl who is jealous of them and trying to break them up."
"Oooh! Sierra really makes me mad," Miko said, knuckles clenched in anger. "I wish she'd get the message and buzz off! Jack loves Amelia and he always will."
"Jack is loyal to Amelia?" Balan asked curiously. "He'd never betray her?"
"Never, those two really love each other." Raf said firmly. "And Sierra is jealous of that."
"Sounds like this Sierra is a spoiled girl who is also toxic," Balan said as he snapped his fingers and plates of food appeared in front of them. "Eat up, young ones. You'll need your strength to help your friends."
"Where is Amelia?" Miko asked.
"She's sound asleep in one of the guest rooms," Balan replied. "I'll set up rooms for you two after we eat." Relieved that Amelia was safe, Raf and Miko began eating, surprised at how delicious the food was.
Meanwhile Jack opens a door to see a giant Library and there were flying books in the air. " Whoa this looks amazing Amelia would..." gasped jack in wonder but looked heartbroken when he remembered the hurt look on Amelia's face. He sat down on a seat and put his head into his hands" she never forgives me for what I have done."
" I think she would."
Jack jumped and looked around to see a mysterious looking man holding a book in his hand "Do forgive me for startling you, dear boy." The man was a tall, thin figure with elf-like pointy ears and black, tendril like hair with rainbow markings around each one. He also has similar eight looking tendrils protruding from his back, but it is possible that he can produce as many as he would like. He wears a dark violet tight-fitting jumpsuit with a long-sleeved purple sweater. He also wears rusted gold low-heeled shoes. A pair of white masks are located on his hips, and he has frayed black and pink cuffs. His forehead is covered with pink markings with the center marking resembling a heart. He has thick black eye shadow and a white lower face with a single black marked tear under his left eye, as well as three dots going alongside the same eye.
The young man was unsure, but noticed the mystery man gave off a calm aura, like the one Optimus gave off when Jack and the others first met him. "Who or what are you?" he asked, sensing the person was not human.
The mystery man chuckled in amusement. "Already guessed I'm not human, hmm?" he asked, his eyes seeming to laugh. "Well, no offense, but you don't look like any human I've seen before," Jack said. "Who are you?" Another chuckle came from the man. "I am a Maestro, my boy. A magical being," he said. "My name is Lance. And you are Jack, correct?"
"Yes... wait how do you know my name and have you seen a girl with ginger red hair, grey eyes, and tiny scar on her nose? My friends and I are looking for her."
"I know everyone who walks through the doors of my theater," Lance said, leading the young boy to a seat to help him calm down. "And yes, I have seen the girl you seek. She fell asleep after she and I spoke. Rest assured, she is safe within these walls, as are you, Jack."
"Are you sure is safe?" Jack asked, his eyes filling with worry.
"Yes, she is safe," Lance said, noting that although this put the boy at ease, tears began to fall down his face. "Jack, if I may ask, what was said that led to you and her both being hurt?" He asked gently, hoping that talking would not only help the boy, but give Lance a chance to soothe him and help him clear his mind for when he did get a chance to talk to his girlfriend again.
Jack explains to him what happened and about the huge fight. Lance listened to him and noticed that the negativity is consuming jack. 'He is worse than I thought.'
"Jack," he said. "I understand how frustrated you feel, but don't let it consume you." He was worried because he saw Jack was falling deeper into despair.
"I... I do not deserve her," the boy sobbed out.
"That's not true, young one," Lance said, about to call Balan when suddenly, he felt Jack grasp his hand. To his shock, the teen transformed into a Nega Boss before his very eyes. "Oh, no," he said, now very worried.
"Amelia," Jack said as the transformation took over, tears falling down his face before he fully transformed, looking at Lance with a heartbroken expression.
Lance realized sharply that he could not do anything else except lead the transformed boy to a door. He opened it and it led to Jack's personal Wonderworld there. "Go ahead, young one," he said. "Wait in here and hopefully soon, you'll be free."
The Nega Boss cried more, and Lance felt helpless. He could not free Jack because the boy was so enshrouded in Negativity. "I really hope his girlfriend and friends can save him," he said before going to find Balan, hoping the Maestro of Positivity could either convince the others to save Jack or at least find a solution to save the boy.
As they finished eating, Miko, Raf and Balan were drinking tea while Miko and Raf told the maestro of positivity about their fears and dreams when someone came into the room, out of breath. Balan looked up to see it was his brother and he noticed that he looked worried. Balan looked up in worry. "Lance?" He asked. "What happened? Is Jack all right?"
Miko and Raf were immediately on alert. "Jack?" The younger boy asked.
"What happened? Where is he?" Miko demanded to know before glaring at Lance. "You better not have hurt him." Lance looked at Balan in worry. "Brother, Jack has become a Nega Boss," he said worriedly. The Positive Maestro's eyes widened in shock. "Brother, you didn't," he said in disbelief. "No, not intentionally," Lance said. "Balan, no matter what I said, that boy was being consumed by negativity. He suddenly reached out and grabbed my hand and when he did, he transformed." He bowed his head. "There was nothing I could do."
"Um, what's a Nega Boss?" Raf asked, curiously. Miko gave it some thought. "Well, a boss would be the ultimate bad guy in a game, right?" She said before blinking. "So, Jack's become a bad guy?"
"Not necessarily, no," Balan said. "You see, children, Lance keeps an eye on the Negativity while I keep an eye on the Positivity, making sure they are always in balance."
"Like how good and evil have to be in balance? If one becomes too much, the other must work fast to restore the balance?" Raf said.
"Yes, young Raf," Lance said with a nod. "Long ago, I used to negatize people to become Nega Bosses, consumed by negativity. Now, I instead help my brother to make sure all hearts are balanced. Negativity and Positivity exist in all our hearts. When a heart is consumed by Negativity, it can be very dangerous and make a person prone to being negatized, though I do my best to make sure this doesn't happen unless it is a last resort."
"A last resort?" Miko asked. "Like...if there's no other way?"
"Correct," Balan said. "If Jack has become a Nega Boss, which means it's going to take you two and Amelia to save him."
"How do we do that?" Raf asked.
"We'll explain that later," Lance said gently, noticing the time. "I think it might be best if you two get some rest. You'll need it so that you can save Jack."
"But we've got to save him now!" Miko said, standing taller. "He needs us."
Balan gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Your loyalty is commendable, my dear, but Lance is right. A good night's rest and then you two and Amelia will be ready to save Jack. It will not be easy, but I have faith in you all that you will save your friend," he said.
Raf felt sleepy and he rested his head against Balan's shoulder, which Miko noticed before she felt sleepy herself. She took a deep breath before looking at Lance. "Is Jack at least safe?" She asked.
"He is, despite his current condition," Lance said with a nod.
Balan gently picked up Miko, holding both her and Raf in his arms. "Let's get you two to bed," he said as he began to hum softly, Lance harmonizing with him. The gentle tune made Raf instantly fall asleep and Miko tried to stay awake but was losing the battle. "Hang on, Jack," she said softly before falling sound asleep.
The two Maestros tucked the two children into bed before retiring to their own rooms, Balan hugging Lance comfortingly. "It wasn't your fault, brother," he said. "On the positive side, Jack is at least safe here and now wandering around out there lost in despair."
"I know, brother, but I didn't want this to happen to him," the darker being said.
"I know," Balan said soothingly. "Let's get some rest. As the saying goes, 'things will look better in the morning'." Nodding, Lance hugged his brother before they both went into their rooms, both falling sound asleep moments later.
Meanwhile Amelia was still asleep when she began to have a nightmare. she sees jack in front of her looking over a cliff. Amelia smiled to see her boyfriend again, she wanted to apologize to him for how she acted towards him, "Jack!" He turned to her, but he did not smile. His face was emotionless which caused her to pause. "Jack ... Are you ok? " said Amelia looking worried. He did not speak, but a tear fell down his face before he transformed into something that was not him at all.
Amelia was terrified and tried to go towards him, but he kept walking backward. "Jack watch out." His foot then slipped, and he began falling off the cliff. "Jack!" Amelia screamed out in horror, trying to run up to him, but she was moving too slowly, feeling like something was weighing her down.
Lance was sleeping peacefully when he heard a scream. He jumps up and flew towards Amelia room then burst open the door to see Amelia having a panic attack.
Seeing she was sitting up and crying. He walked up to her and sat down on the bed beside her. "Amelia," he spoke softly.
"Who are you?" asked Amelia with her guard up.
"I'm Lance, Balan's brother," he said, sensing the negativity was being pushed away, for which he was grateful. "I won't hurt you, my dear."
She looked at him cautiously before seeing him hold his arms open in the universal gesture of offering a hug. "You look like you could use a hug," he said gently. "I can ease that nightmare from your mind too."
Amelia hugged him and calmed down a bit. " I'm very worried about Jack I just can't trust anyone, but I guess deep down I do trust him that he wouldn't cheat on me either it's ego or my past prohibited me to see."
Lance looked at her. "Amelia, I met Jack," he said. "And... He is terribly upset over what happened. So upset that...when he grabbed my hand, he transformed into a Nega Boss, a being a Negativity. While I can transform people into negative beings, it was not my intention to do so for Jack."
"Then why did you transform him?" She asked.
"It was an accident, but also, because he was so consumed by the negativity, my powers transformed him before I could stop it. I couldn't even get him to calm down beforehand and was about to get Balan when Jack transformed."
She gave it some thought. "You can reverse it though, right?" she asked hopefully.
He gave her a sad look. "I'm afraid I can't," he said softly, and she looked away sadly, feeling Lance gently turn her face back to look at him. "But you, Miko, and Rafael can."
"How?" She asked.
"It will not be an easy journey, but you must pull through it to remind Jack of your love for him and to show him that he means the world to you. Before he transformed, he felt he did not deserve you. I told him that was not true. You both more than deserve each other. Your love for each other is without compare."
Lance now smiled at her. "Amelia, will you save Jack?" He asked.
Amelia nodded and was about to go when lance stopped her," You still have too much negativity in you to help him."
"But...I need to help him," she said.
"And you will, once your heart is back in balance again," he said soothingly. "You, Miko, and Raf must heal your own hearts before you can save Jack."
She felt sad that she could not save her boyfriend yet and looked up at Lance pleadingly. "Lance?" She asked.
"Yes?" He replied.
She hugged him again. "Promise me you'll keep an eye on Jack?" She asked. "Keep him safe until me and the others can save him?"
He nodded, kissing her forehead in both comfort and affection. "I promise, young one," he said. "Now, let's get you back to sleep. It's far too early in the morning." She sniffled and he began rubbing her back, humming a soothing tune.
A moment later, Amelia was sound asleep again and Lance gently tucked her back into bed, brushing a hand over her head gently. "Don't lose hope, Amelia," he said softly. "I have faith in you." With that, he left, closing the door to Amelia's room, not seeing Balan had seen him, but the green-haired maestro just smiled, also having faith that the four hearts would be balanced soon.