Authors Notes- And here I am again with yet ANOTHER Mirrorverse AU fanfic. What can I say? I'm hooked for some odd reason. As you can no doubt gather I only own the plot everything else belongs to Hasbro. I am merely borrowing them for my own amusement. Now that we got that out of the way here is Chapter One of Otherworld. I hope you enjoy.
It was just a normal day. Jack mused, as he slowly and painfully picked himself up off the dusty ground with a pained groan. Of course most days Jack never found himself laying face first on the dirty ground. Hell, if today was just another day then he would have been going to school, then spending the rest of his day hanging out with the Autobots. And in all honesty? That was how today had started out. He and the others had gone to school then to the base. But, of course like most days it seemed the peace never lasted long before they had detected Decepticon activity in the area.
And like always Miko had tagged along, despite both Optimus and Ratchet advising against it, saying that it was too dangerous. But being told no was in one ear and out the other for Miko, after all it being too dangerous never stopped her before. The girl lived for danger, though Jack had to wonder if the girl ever actually realized how dangerous these situations actually were. Not like he and Raf were ones to judge at that moment as they ended up chasing after. And found themselves in some sort of cave. A place that sent chills down both Miko and Jack's spines as they recalled one such situation where they had ended up getting buried alive.
Jack hoped this time wouldn't be the same as the trio took a few tentative steps into the cave. Jack noting energon crystals embedded in the walls illuminating the way. And thankfully it wasn't long before they heard the tell-tale sound of fighting up ahead. The trio looked from one to another before breaking out in a run. Rounding corner after corner until they came to a large cavern. And the excitement before them, and much to the children's dismay saw that things were not going well for the Autobots. Off to one side Jack could see Smokescreen leaning against the wall, energon seeping from a gaping wound in his shoulder. Pain etched on the young recruits face plate as he watched the fighting going on before him.
The other Autobots weren't fairing much better either. Arcee had energon streaming down her face plate, as she fought to keep an Insecticon off of her. Mouth agape as Jack took in the chaos, as much as he hated to admit it things weren't looking good for their friends. A worried whimper escaped Raf's lips as he watched as Bumblebee was knocked to the ground by an another Insecticon. Only to have Bulkhead blow the bug away. And in the center of it all? Was Optimus clashing with Megatron. The two leaders focused on besting the other. And thankfully Prime seemed to be holding his own-
"You three!" Smokescreen's shocked voice cut through Jack's thoughts, causing him to look in his direction. Smokescreen's bright blue optics settling on the human kids. "What are you doing here?"
"We just wanted to see some action." Miko said, as Smokescreen towards them, shielding them from any Decepticon that might look this way, and might decide to harm the humans.
"Y-you guys need to get out of here." Smokescreen told them. "This place is just one blaster fire away from coming down on our heads." And that was all the convincing the kids needed as the blood drained from their faces. "Ratchet, I need a ground bridge for three stowaways." Smokescreen said into his com, crying out as a stray blast grazed his right door wing.
Thankfully they didn't have to wait long as the ground bridge opened up before them, and all three rushed towards it. But something was wrong as the humans got closer to the portal and took their first few steps into the glowing portal. Just as it flashed an eerie black-purple color. And that was all the warning the kids got before their feet were swept out from underneath them. Terrified screams escaping their lips as the portal swallowed them whole...
And then...nothing, and that was all Jack remembered. Hissing through his teeth as he gingerly touched the bloody gash on his forehead. His fingers coming away wet. Great, Jack thought, as he dabbed at the wound again. Mom is going to kill me when she finds out I got hurt while out with the Autobots. But the big question was where were they? Brow furrowing Jack looked around, blinking in surprise when he saw that he was alone. Raf and Miko were nowhere to be seen in fact, as he looked around once more he noted he was no longer in the cave.
The black haired boy found himself sitting in a forest clearing. How... did I get here? He thought, confused. And where are the others? Worry gnawed at his stomach as he slowly got to his feet, and instantly regretted it. Letting out a low groan Jack leaned against a tree trunk as his head began to swim. Closing his eyes he waited until the sensation disappeared before opening his eyes once more. First things first. He thought, pushing himself off the tree. Try and find the others and then the Autobots. With that idea sounding good Jack reached into his pocket for his phone... Blinking when he found nothing. Odd, he could have swore he had put his phone in his pocket after work, and yet it was gone. When suddenly he remembered placing his phone on the table when he had got to the Autobot base.
Great, Jack thought. Another thing to go wrong. What next? So much for this being just another day. Looking around once more, seeing nothing but trees, trees, some rocks and oh look! Yet more trees! With no sign of where Raf or Miko were, and no phone to call said friends Jack didn't have a clue on how he could find them. Hell, he had no idea where the Autobots could be either. And to make matters worst? Jack looked to the darkening sky. It was beginning to get dark, and he had no light source. Here's hoping no 'Bot or 'Con ended up stepping on him as he stumbled around aimlessly.
Wouldn't that be pathetic. Jack thought darkly, as he slowly made his way through the woods. Me, Jackson Darby, killed by getting squished by either friend or foe. Not the ideal way I wanna go if I'm being honest. Boy, his mood certainly had taken a turn as he moved through the woods. Of course the still bleeding gash in his forehead wasn't helping things either. Pushing those thoughts from his head he continued on, trying to make out anything in the darkness.
"Raf! Miko!" Jack called out, hoping and praying that his friends would respond. Nothing. "Arcee! Bulkhead! Bumblebee!" Still nothing.
Though if Jack was being honest he kind of figured to the ground bridge probably sent him and the others far away from the battle. And, he hoped far away from the Decepticons as well. "Anybody!" He called out once more. Nothing.
Just his own voice echoing back to him in the darkness. After what seemed like forever Jack finally came to a small clearing, the moon above shining down on it. Exhaustion gripping him as he stepped into the clearing. Glancing around he moved to where a fallen tree lay, and sat down. Where was he? Was he at least near Jasper? Jack hoped so, getting blasted half way around the world didn't sound like his cup of tea. Letting out another sigh Jack lay across the tree, looking up at the night sky as his eyes slowly slid shut before snapping open. No! He couldn't fall asleep now he still needed to find the others.
But, Jack mused, gnawing at his bottom lip. Maybe the others were looking for him as well. So, maybe it was for the best if he just sit still and hopefully they might just run into each other. Sure, he knew that was a far-fetched idea but Jack just couldn't find the energy to go any further. Maybe a little rest would help him, after all, this headache of his wasn't helping anything. After a few more minutes Jack slowly drifted off to sleep. Little did he know that he was being hunted...
As Jack rested a figure lurked in the shadows of the forest. The moonlight shining off of red armor plating as the sleek figure moved quickly and quietly through the trees. Blue optics scanning the area, an eager grin on their face plate. Though they knew they should really return to base they just couldn't help themselves when they heard the sound of the human boy calling out. How foolish, the figure thought. For a lowly human insect to be roaming around so carelessly...No matter... The figure thought, lifting their head as they heard the human call out once more. This time it called out the names of Autobots. Now this was interesting, rarely did humans know their names. So it was obvious that this human was a fool looking for a quick death, or a Decepticon ally. That too was a possibility, there was also the chance that the figure was walking into a Decepticon trap. Though they knew that was unlikely as the Decepticons had turned tailpipe hours ago. After he and his fellow Autobots kicked the scrap out of them.
But never less the figure told himself to be cautious as he stalked his prey.
* "Cliff, come in Cliff." * Arcee's voice spoke into his com, making him stop in his tracks.
"Cliffjumper here, what's wrong 'Cee? Miss me already?" The figure called Cliffjumper responded. Voice low enough as to not alert his prey as he continued to hunt. He didn't want to lose sight of his plaything.
* "Like rust in my under carriage. Where did you run off to? We're supposed to report back to base." * Arcee said.
As she spoke Cliffjumper could picture her in his head. As he came to a stop as he watched his human come to a clearing. No doubt the two-wheeler had the same disapproving frown on her face plate like she always did when it came to him. No doubt none too please with him taking off on her.
"Just some hunting." He told her, pushing the thoughts of Arcee from his head, optics glued on the human before him.
Now he wasn't too familiar with humans but if he had to guess this one was a teenage boy. A youngster, one that had yet to live his life and here Cliffjumper was about to end the boys heart-breakingly short life. Too bad.
* "Hunting?" * Arcee parroted.
Found a little human roaming around the woods all alone." Cliffjumper watched as the human looked around. "Care to join me?"
There was silence on the other end then.. * "I would love nothing more," * Arcee purred, that brought a smile to Cliffjumper's face plate once more as he sent her his location.
Optics never leaving the boy as he lay across a fallen tree trunk and, Cliffjumper could only assume, fall into the human equivalent of recharge.
* "Lord Prime can wait." * Arcee murmured before telling him that she would be there shortly, then the fun would begin.
"Sorry, kid." Cliffjumper whispered. Another cold smile creeping up his face plate. "But you should have stayed home where you were safe..."
Everything hurt. Smokescreen thought as he and the others slowly and painfully trudged back to the Autobot base. A heavily damaged Wheeljack leaning on him as Smokescreen guided him through the bridge. The wreckers energon staining his paint job. Not that it really mattered as he guided the white wrecker onto the medical table. However, that wasn't what bothered Smokescreen as he looked around the silo. Confusion etched on his face plate.
"What's the matter?" Arcee asked, noticing the look on his face plate.
"Where are the kids?" he asked. Looking towards the mezzanine where the kids usually resided. Seeing no sign of them.
"What do you mean?" Bulkhead asked.
"W-well when we were fighting the kids invited themselves along." Smokescreen explained.
"Without our knowledge?" Ultra Magnus barked,
"You're surprised? I mean you have met Miko, right?" Wheeljack grunted, as Ratchet set about fixing him up.
Ultra Magnus scowled at the wrecker before looking to Smokescreen.
"S-so I called for a ground bridge then...something odd happened." Smokescreen said.
"Odd?" Arcee pressed.
"The ground bridge it...glitched or something because it turned this weird color then I heard them scream. And then they were gone..."
Silence permeated the area as the Autobots processed this.
"That would correspond what I witnessed on my side." Ratchet spoke up after a while. "When Smokescreen called for a ground bridge the very same thing happened here. But it was so brief I didn't think anything of it. But if what Smokescreen said is true...then maybe...maybe the children got transported somewhere else..." Ratchet mused, looking over his shoulder at the group.
"You think they got transported to the Shadowzone again?" Arcee asked.
"I can only hope. I just hope they're okay." Ratchet said, a grim look on his face plate and on the face plates on everyone in the room. All of them praying that the children were safe...
Authors Notes- Don't ask me why I always like the whole idea of the kids somehow getting transported to another dimension where things are different. So, here is my take on that. Rambling aside I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it and this is Blackjack signing off.