Chapter 3: First Encounter
After a satisfying lunch, Jonathan Dave Carter and his stepson embarked on a short drive to a cozy mini-hotel, their temporary sanctuary before their return to Idaho. As the day wore on, Anthony felt the urge to reach out to his mother, Katherine Carter. He stepped outside, phone in hand, hoping for her voice on the other end. But alas, the call went unanswered, leaving Anthony no choice but to leave a heartfelt voicemail.
"Hey, Mom, it's Anthony. Just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. You'll be happy to know that Jonathan and I are starting to get along. I'm really trying my best to make you proud. Love you, Mom." Anthony sighed, ending his message before tucking away his phone.
With a mix of emotions swirling inside him, the seventeen-year-old settled onto a plush couch as his stepfather returned, bearing a delightful assortment of snacks procured from a nearby vending machine. Among them, Jonathan had thoughtfully grabbed Anthony's favorite drink, a bubbly orange soda. The gesture did not go unnoticed.
"Thanks, John. I was starting to get parched," Anthony expressed his gratitude with a smile, accepting the refreshing beverage offered to him. Jonathan neatly arranged the snacks in the cupboard, then joined Anthony on the couch, bringing them closer together.
As the TV flickered to life, Jonathan held the remote, seeking his stepson's preference for a channel. "What shall we watch, Anthony?" he inquired, genuinely interested. Anthony pondered for a moment before making his choice.
"A nature show, please," he requested, intrigued by the wonders of the natural world. Jonathan nodded, acknowledging the request, and with a few deft button presses, a mesmerizing program on wildlife unfolded before them. Side by side, they indulged in a bag of chips and sipped on their preferred beverages, the room filled with the vibrant colors of nature and the sounds of animal adventures.
Among the array of channels, Anthony had always held a fondness for programs featuring animals, sports, and captivating space documentaries. Aware of his stepson's enjoyment, Jonathan munched on his chips with impeccable manners, ensuring that his chewing wouldn't disturb Anthony's viewing experience.
As the evening drew near, their television marathon came to a close. Anthony and his stepfather exchanged contented glances before deciding to embrace a well-deserved rest. Nestled within the comforting confines of the mini-hotel, they settled down for a peaceful nap, their bond gradually deepening as they embarked on this unexpected journey of family and connection.
Meanwhile, deep within the enchanting forests of Idaho, Orion Eclipse ventured into the unknown, his adventurous spirit leading him through the dense foliage. Unbeknownst to the bustling human world, he stumbled upon an unexpected treasure—a hidden junkyard, a graveyard of discarded automobiles and twisted metal. Ensuring he was alone, Orion's keen optics scanned the surroundings, assuring his solitude, before he embarked on a scavenging mission. With nimble hands, he collected various spare parts, salvaging them for potential use in times of dire need, his resourcefulness a testament to his survival instincts. Satisfied with his findings, he vanished from the junkyard, a phantom amidst the forgotten remnants of human civilization.
Returning to his secluded cave nestled within the majestic mountains of Idaho, Orion's hunger stirred, demanding attention. Deep within the cavern's recesses, he discovered a cache of bright blue crystals—an energy source unknown to him, but instinctively recognized as Energon. In his early days on Earth, Orion had stumbled upon these captivating crystals, a fortuitous discovery that would sustain and heal him. Yet, his curiosity would not rest. In his quest for sustenance, he encountered a volcanic region, where mysterious purple crystals, known as Dark Energon, lay in abundance.
Intrigued by their allure, Orion's first taste of the forbidden substance ignited a momentary surge of power coursing through his circuits. However, the euphoria soon gave way to devastating side effects. The Cybertronian equivalent of drugs had left its mark, transforming his once vibrant blue optics into a haunting shade of purple. Plagued by hallucinations, he heard a foreboding voice resonate within his mind, a twisted symphony of torment. Yet, amidst the dissonance, a gentle voice offered solace, cautioning him against consuming the perilous substance. Orion learned, at great cost, that the allure of Dark Energon was a treacherous path, one he vowed never to tread again. With a heavy heart, he retreated to his sanctuary, burdened by the realization that he had narrowly escaped poisoning himself.
"I should have never succumbed to the allure of that... purple elixir," Orion muttered, his voice filled with regret. "It tainted my very essence, altering the color of my optics. And worse still, I am haunted by the ethereal whispers that echo through my thoughts."
As the evening sun painted the sky in hues of warmth, marking the passage of time, Orion Eclipse emerged from his mountain abode, driven by an unexplainable longing. His path intersected with the humble mini-hotel, where Anthony Carter and his stepfather shared a meal, their lives intertwined yet unbeknownst to them. With purpose in his steps, Orion sought solace at a nearby lake, its still waters reflecting the radiant glow of the full moon above. Gazing upon his own reflection, he contemplated his existence, his optics filled with curiosity and longing, seeking answers that eluded him.
"What am I? Where did I come from from the very beginning? And how did I find myself on this unfamiliar planet?" Orion whispered to the night, his words carried away by a gentle breeze. With the heavens adorned in a tapestry of stars, he sought solace in their celestial majesty, his inquisitive spirit reaching out to the cosmos, silently questioning his own destiny amidst the vastness of the universe.
Meanwhile, amidst the dense forest, Ratchet and his trusty Autobot comrades, Ironhide and Hot Rod, embarked on a perilous quest. Their mission? To track down the elusive Cybertronian relic that their esteemed leader, Ultra Magnus, had deemed of utmost importance. Simultaneously, they kept a vigilant eye out for the crafty Decepticons, Shockwave and Starscream, who had mysteriously gone missing. The tension hung thick in the air as they pressed on.
Ratchet's temper flared as his tracking device malfunctioned once again, his frustration tangible. "Slag it!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with exasperation. "We've been trudging through this blasted forest for hours, and there's still no sign of anything or anyone!"
Hot Rod chimed in, attempting to offer a solution. "Hey, Ratch, maybe we should transform into our vehicle modes. It's getting dark, and we don't want to attract any human attention."
Ironhide scoffed at the suggestion, his gruff voice cutting through the conversation. "Hot Rod, we're in a forest, not a disco. Humans aren't nocturnal creatures with night vision."
Ratchet grumbled, trying to coax his malfunctioning device back to life when his keen optics caught sight of something peculiar on the ground. "What in the name of the Allspark?" he muttered to himself, astounded. "A Cybertronian footprint?"
Curiosity piqued, Ironhide approached Ratchet. "What's going on, Ratch? Did you stumble upon something?"
Ratchet knelt down, his analytical mind scrutinizing the colossal imprint left on the forest floor. "Indeed, Ironhide. It's a Cybertronian footprint."
Hot Rod, unable to contain his excitement, joined the duo, his thoughts racing. "Could it be an Autobot? Or a Decepticon? Or...?"
Ratchet's optics narrowed as he examined the distinctive marks. "I'm not entirely certain, but there's something uncannily familiar about this footprint. It triggers a memory."
Hot Rod and Ironhide huddled around Ratchet, their processors working overtime to decipher the enigma before them. "You're right, Ratchet," Hot Rod mused, excitement dancing in his optics. "There's a sense of déjà vu. Maybe it belongs to Shockwave or per—"
"Hush!" Ironhide abruptly interrupted, his audio receptors catching a faint disturbance in the surrounding foliage.
They readied their weapons, prepared to confront the potential threat lurking in the shadows. But their caution proved unnecessary as a harmless creature sprang out—a startled deer, innocent and oblivious to the monumental events unfolding around it. Relieved, the Autobots powered down their weapons and exchanged bemused glances as the deer bounded away.
Hot Rod shrugged, attempting to lighten the mood. "False alarm, guys. Just a deer," he chuckled, casting a sideways glance at Ironhide.
Ironhide grunted in response, his optics narrowing with determination. "Well, let's hope we stumble upon that relic before we cross paths with Starscream or Shockwave."
Ratchet concurred, acknowledging the need for rest to replenish their energy. "Agreed. We'll camp here for the night and resume our search at first light."
With a synchronized transformation, the Autobots converted into their vehicle modes, their engines revving in unison as they made their way towards a nearby parking lot. It served as their makeshift refuge, mere steps away from the humble mini-hotel where they sought solace for the night, recharging their mechanical bodies until the break of dawn.
The next day, Anthony Carter and his step-father, Jonathan, ate breakfast before they went swimming at the pool. At noon, Jonathan Dave Carter and his stepson ate lunch and played basketball before Anthony decided to go for a walk by himself.
Jonathan told his stepson to bring a phone with him so that Anthony can dial 9-11 in case of emergency. Anthony walked outside the mini-hotel and walked over to a lake in the woods when he suddenly came across giant footprints, much to his surprise.
"What the heck!?" Anthony said out loud. He held out his iPhone and took a picture of the giant footprints in the sand before he joked to himself, "Don't tell me this is where Bigfoot lives."
Anthony Carter looked around and he followed the giant footprints before he found something that shocked him to his core. He saw a giant robot fast asleep near the trees. Orion Eclipse had been sulking near the lake last night before he fell asleep near the forest. He forgot to head back to his cave in the mountains. Anthony nearly screamed before he mumbled in hysteria, "Oh...my...god."
When Orion opened his optics, he got up and yawned before he saw Anthony Carter staring up at him. The teenager was frozen in fear because he had never come across a giant mechanical being before. He only saw them in science fiction films but he never found a real giant robot in real life. Orion Eclipse gasped before he shyly said to him.
"Uh...hi?" Orion said to Anthony before they both screamed at each other. "AAAAAAAAAGH!"
Anthony Carter walked backward before falling to the ground. When the young man got up, he started to run away as if he were in danger. Orion Eclipse didn't mean to frighten the boy so he spoke to him.
"Wait! Come back, don't be afraid! I won't hurt you!" Said the young Cybertronian.
Anthony stopped running before he slowly looked back at Orion. He was surprised to hear that the giant robot could speak English.
"You...You can talk!?" Anthony said to Orion.
"Yes, I can talk," Orion replied. "I've studied human language," he told the teenager.
"Y-You're a giant robot!" Anthony yelled. "Please, don't step on me!"
"Easy, young man. I'm not going to hurt you," said Orion.
"Who are you?! What are you?!" Anthony asked.
"To be honest, I don't know what I am other than a giant robot, but my name is Orion Eclipse." Orion introduced.
"Where...the hell...did you come from?" Anthony asked.
Orion Eclipse paused. "I don't remember," he said. "I'm not sure how or when I got here. I've been alone on this planet for eons. I've suffered from amnesia." he explained.
"Oh my god. A giant talking robot! This is unbelievable!" Anthony said.
"Are you okay? What's your name?" Orion Eclipse asked the young teenager.
"My name...is Anthony. Anthony Carter." Anthony introduced himself. "Are you some sort of alien from Mars?" he asked.
"No, I don't think so. If I was an alien I would have green skin and big black eyes." Orion replied.
Anthony chuckled nervously. "I think I better call the police." He mumbled. "No, wait. If I told them about a giant robot, they wouldn't believe me. Unless..." he thought before he had an idea.
Anthony holds up his iPhone to take a picture of Orion Eclipse, much to his confusion.
"What's that thing you're holding?" Orion asked.
"It's called a phone. I'm taking a picture of you." Anthony replied.
"Why?" Orion asked, curiously.
"No reason," said Anthony. He took a picture of Orion Eclipse so that he can show it to his step-dad and give evidence of a giant robot in Idaho to the government. After he took a picture in one flash of light, Anthony started running again. But then, Orion Eclipse grabbed the young human before he looked at him once he held him up.
"AAagh! Put me down!" Anthony yelled.
"Not so fast, Tiffany," Orion said.
"It's Anthony, you bucket of bolts!" Anthony corrected.
"Listen carefully, young man. I'm not letting you tell anyone about me!" Orion said.
"Why not?! You're a giant killer robot!" Anthony accused Orion.
Orion Eclipse gasped, feeling offended before he made an angry expression on his face. "How dare you?! You don't know anything about me, human. I would never harm or kill anyone on this planet compared to horror movie monsters you've seen on television." Orion said to Anthony.
"Well, you're the one who's holding me against my will! Does that make YOU a friendly giant robot?!" Anthony asked.
Orion's angry face dissolved into a sad expression before he sighed. "Listen...If I put you down, will you promise NOT to tell anyone about me?" he asked.
"And why should I?" said Anthony.
"Because I don't want to be hunted down and killed for my existence," Orion replied. "All I want is for you to trust me. Believe me when I say that I would never harm or kill, okay? But there's something else that I want..."
"What is it that you want exactly?" Anthony asked.
Orion Eclipse paused before he answered, "A friend. I've been alone for years. All I want is for humanity to accept me. I don't want to be feared and hated. I want to coexist with your kind. You don't know how much loneliness I've endured for so long." he said, feeling sad.
"Orion, I think I understand. I've never had a friend in my life either." Anthony replied.
The young Cybertronian looked at Anthony with surprise before he asked him, "You're alone? Like me?"
"Well, not exactly. I have a mom and a stepdad. But I don't have any brothers or sisters. I don't have any real friends to talk to." Anthony told Orion.
Orion put Anthony down gently before he said to him, "I never knew my father or my mother. I also don't know if I even had a family."
Anthony looked at the giant robot before he started to feel sorry for him. "I'm so sorry to hear that. It must've been hard and scary having to live alone yourself, especially with memory loss since you've told me that you have amnesia," he told Orion.
Anthony suddenly heard his phone ringing before he said to Orion. "Hold on a second," he said before answering his phone. "Yes?"
"Anthony, are you safe?" Jonathan asked his stepson through the phone.
"Yes, John. I'm alright. I'm in the woods, but I'll be back right now." Anthony told his stepfather.
"Oh, okay. Just don't wander off too far." Jonathan replied.
"Okay. I'll text you when I get back to the hotel." Anthony promised.
After Anthony promised his step-father that he would come back to the hotel, he hung up his phone before he spoke to Orion and he told him, "I have to go back to the mini-hotel before Jonathan worries that I'll be hurt or kidnapped." he said.
"Who's Jonathan?" Orion asked.
"He's my stepfather. I better go now." Anthony said.
"Wait, when will I see you again?" Orion asked.
"Maybe tomorrow or even next time. I'll call you the next time we meet." Anthony promised.
"Okay. Goodbye, Anthony," said Orion Eclipse.
Anthony Carter left the woods and ran back to the mini-hotel before he went back to his stepfather. He didn't tell Jonathan how he met the giant robot in the woods and he made up an excuse as to why he went exploring near the woods. Meanwhile, Orion Eclipse returned to his cave in the mountains before he lay down feeling happy. For the first time in his life, he met a human who was not only afraid of him at first, but he understood his loneliness.
As for the Autobots, Ratchet, Ironhide, and Hot Rod blend in with their vehicle modes while using holograms to fool humans into thinking people are driving them, just so they won't cause any suspicions. The Autobots don't realize it yet, but something is about to happen next as soon as they have found what they're looking for.