A/N: Here it is folks, the final part of the three-part premiere of Exiles. Got to admit, this was fun to work on and I thoroughly enjoyed the world building I introduced for this one. Not only that but there is some much needed set up for the next arc and beyond in this chapter. Which is why I am challenging you guys to find as many Easter eggs in this chapter as possible. With that, let's begin!
Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based homage. Transformers is owned by Hasbro. RWBY is owned by Rooster Teeth and created by the late Monty Oum. Please support the official release.
September 14, 2015 AD
Streets of Jasper
11:43 pm
The troops began cleaning up the wreckage of the destroyed robots and repaving roads. Thankfully, Jasper was largely quiet at this hour and the usual problem of bystanders wasn't an issue. Witnesses on the other hand were a different story.
Clayton was back in his old military uniform. Jacket and all with his old helmet back on his head. Retirement was good but it felt just as good to be back in action.
A car stopped and Clayton turned around to see a back SUV as Special Agent Fowler opened the door and stepped out. Though he had gained a few since in his time in the field, his mind and wit were always Fowler's greatest weapon. Fowler approached and stood in front of Clayton.
"Fowler" Clayton said
"Clayton" Fowler replied.
The two stared at each other and both men smiled with Fowler giving a joyful chuckle
"You son of a gun I knew you'd come back." Fowler exclaimed.
"You can't keep a good soldier down." Clayton replied.
They joked for a moment then stepped into the disaster zone. Clayton and Fowler surveyed the scene as clean up crews pulled the cars out of ditches and machines onto trucks for transport to a Sector 7 facility for study. Fowler and Clayton approached one of the trucks as they finished loading one of the trucks with a deceased Autotrooper. Fowler whistled in surprise."
"One of these could pancake a mini mall." Fowler commented
"I hear that. Fortunately it's all on the road."
"Any idea what these things could be?" Fowler asked
"No clue. In all my years I hadn't seen something as advanced as this. I don't even think the snakes could have built something this advanced." Clayton responded.
"That's a relief, the way the boys at HQ described it, I almost called the team in." Fowler said.
"Yeah, though it wouldn't surprise me if old blue hood's friends had made them either given their capabilities." Clayton replied.
"Let's just focus on the fact that they aren't responsible for these things and move on. You notice anything beforehand?"
Clayton didn't have time to think about Fowler's question when the sound of small engines was heard overhead. The two looked up to see small streaks of green fly overhead and while it was too dark and the object too far up to make out, it was low enough to note that it was the size of a human, moving at high speeds, and based on its flight path, was headed towards the outskirts of the city.
"Hold that thought." Fowler said.
He then rushed to scramble a team while Clayton eyed the object and where it was heading. As he did, he thought about what was out there. Then it hit him. His eyes widened with worry and fear for those that lived there. He turned to catch up with Fowler who had just gotten a truck big enough to carry a small contingency.
"Clayton! Hop on!" Fowler called out and Clayton jumped in shotgun and the truck began to follow.
September 15, 2015 AD
Ruins of Vince's Auto Repair
12:01 am
Penny landed in front of the ruined auto shop and was immediately shocked at the sight of it. The first thing she did on instinct was dig through the rubble. She didn't care for how unstable the structure was or the possibility of the scorched roof caving in. All that mattered was making sure her friends were safe. Her personal search continued for several hours but after searching through the burnt building. There was no sign of any of her friends.
Penny exited the rubble and started scanning the outside. It was then she thanked her father for those upgrades. It became abundantly clear that whatever happened to Ruby and her group meant that they were still alive. However, she still felt worried and felt that they were now targets of some very powerful beings. Whoever they were, Penny knew they were all in danger.
"Excuse me." someone called out.
Penny turned around to see a group of men in black military uniforms. She was then approached by agents Burns and Simmons. Both appeared to be middle aged. Agent Simmons wore a black military beret with an S7 patch over curly brown hair while agent Burns had a buzz cut and short sideburns on the sides of his head. Both wore the Sector 7 uniform and had their name and organization sewn into their military jackets
"Hi" Simmons said.
"Hello, officers. Is there a problem?" Penny asked.
"We're about to start shooting an insurance commercial. If you don't mind, we need you to start heading home." Burns replied.
"Besides, isn't it a school night? You might wanna get some sleep for tomorrow, miss uh…" Simmons said.
"Penny Polendina, sirs." Penny said with a smile and forward hand.
Simmons shook her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Penny. Now let's get you home do you.-" Simmons began before being interrupted.
"What about my friends? They were living here. Are they okay?" Penny asked with worry.
Simmons then turned to Burns.
"The brass mention anything about residents in the auto shop?" Simmons whispered to Burns
"A little, the owner retired and sold it to someone but he didn't say who." Burns murmured
"I'm more interested in how she got here." Simmons replied in a low voice.
Simmons and Burns looked back to Penny.
"It's alright, we called in advance and told them what was happening. We transferred them to a temporary home and we can take you to them right now." Simmons said.
Penny looked past the two agents to see the vehicles behind them. All of them were armored and packing military grade weaponry. Penny's memory sorted through information she had gathered on earth and to her knowledge, there had to at least be signs of a film crew and a vehicle with camera equipment, her telescopic eyes saw neither. She only saw jeeps, buggies, men in black uniforms, and guns; lots of guns.
Penny began to feel a rather unpleasant emotion. From what her father told her, he said it was something called "unease". To further add to her concern, she didn't believe the agents' story. However, she wanted to see her friends but did not do as the agents said. So, she took the next logical step.
"Can I see the film's director?" Penny asked.
"No can do, he's busy coordinating with the DP Cameramen to get the equipment ready." Burns replied.
"Well, is there someone else I can talk to?" Penny said.
"As a matter of fact, yes." Simmons replied.
As the three were discussing the matter, Simmons and Burns' radios turned on.
"Fowler to South Team, do you copy?" a voice spoke.
Burns looked at Simmons and waved it off.
"I'll handle it." Burns said.
The Sector 7 agent then stepped away from the discussion and held his radio next to his face
"This agent Jack Burns, go ahead Fowler." Bruns answered.
"Agent be advised of a possible unidentified craft nearby. Something or someone landed near you a few minutes ago." the voice of Fowler said.
Burns' posture and tone changed in an instant.
"I'm listening." Burns said
"We don't know what it is but something got to your location just before you arrived. It appears to be a human sized adolescent with flight capabilities. Whatever it is, make sure it stays where you are when you find it." Fowler ordered.
Burns turned around to look at Penny. He wasn't sure but something told him that he and Simmons were staring it in the face. She was a humanoid adolescent and the fact she got this far out at night was both extraordinary and bizarre. Something Sector 7 had a history dealing with.
"Copy that." Burns said into his radio and put it away.
Burns then returned to Simmons as he continued to talk with Penny who refused to leave.
"I can't go until I know my friends are safe. Someone attacked them." Penny said.
"Well, if someone did attack your friends I can assure you we will find the ones responsible and bring them in." Simmons said.
Burns then tapped his fellow agent on the shoulder and Simmons turned to Burns.
"I don't think we're dealing with someone human." Burns whispered.
Simmons looked at Penny, then back to Burns, and back to Penny.
"Excuse us for a second." Simmons said.
The two agents put some space between them and Penny.
"This better be good. Something's off about that girl and I ain't letting her leave my sight." Simmons said in irritation.
"Oh trust me you will. Fowler called on the radio. He mentioned something about an unidentified object landing here a few minutes ago. Now what are the odds you wanna bet she didn't get here on foot.?" Burns answered.
Simmons kept his gaze near Penny who stayed where she stood but seemed to get nervous with each moment.
"Can't say for sure but I see your point. We'll need something more solid. Something that can give us a reason to bring her in." he said
Burns then looked at Penny and noticed a pair of extra straps on her outfit for what looked like a backpack of some kind.
"I have an idea." Burns said.
Burns then approached Penny.
"Penny, are you by any chance carrying anything?" Burns asked.
"I uh… I have my backpack." Penny replied as she took a step back.
"Can you please empty it for me?" Burns asked.
Penny froze. She was now experiencing a rather human emotion. She was thankful the Grimm didn't exist on Earth lest a family of Ursai or a pack of Beowolves pounce on them all. Still, she had already garnered their suspicion; not good.
"I'm afraid I can't do that sir. Besides, I didn't take anything, if that's what you're asking." Penny answered.
"Penny, please. We just need to be sure." Burns said.
"And I already told you, I can't." Penny replied.
Simmons then walked back to the two and was now standing by Burns' side once again.
"Then you need to come with us, Penny. We don't want to do that so please, let us take a look." Simmons said.
Penny only had one reply. Her face contorted with fear, worry, and the uncomfortable but invigorating sensation of anger.
"Where are my friends?" she asked.
"Penny, listen." Simmons said
"Where are my friends?" Penny asked again.
"We can take you to your friends if you just.-" Simmons began
However, something hit him in the face and Burns watched as his partner went down. He then turned and pulled out his glock only to be met by the butt of what he thought was a sword. Both men were face down with a frightened Penny standing over them and a pair of swords from Floating Array hovering in the air.
"Where are my friends?" she asked again.
The swords blades transformed and the front halves retracted and shifted back to their round hilts with a green power button symbol on them. The tip of the blades now were the barrels of guns as the handles, turned to become grips for a pair of rifles. These rifles were aimed at Simmons and Burns' heads as they hovered in the air.
Penny didn't want to do this, she was hoping they would tell her, she never truly killed someone. Though she had slaughtered hordes of Grimm back on Remnant, she had never killed a Human or Faunus in her short life and she hoped she never had to. The two men didn't say and stayed perfectly still.
Penny breathed softly as she continued the stand off. Though it was brief.
A shot rang out and hit Penny in the side who gave a brief scream of pain as Aura pulsed across her body starting from her shoulder. From what the two agents could see, Penny wasn't bleeding.
"Freeze, missy!" Fowler called out with his pistol drawn.
He was flanked by Clayton who had drawn a pistol of his own and a squad of Sector 7 troops who all began to point assault rifles at Penny.
"Call off your weapons, young lady and stand down!" Clayton said.
Panicking, Penny activated the entirety of Solar Array and now a series of swords appeared and turned into rifles before they aimed at Fowler, Clayton, and his men. Penny was scared now. This wasn't what Ruby wanted. She needed to find her, and find her soon. She then heard a series of guns cock and men and women shout. Her eyes turned to see more Sector 7 agents moving in.
This was getting her nowhere. She had only one choice and she hated it. Papa always told her to respect law enforcement and the armed forces, if they ask, be willing to lend a hand, and don't run.
I'm sorry daddy. Penny thought to herself.
She then lowered her weapons, put them back in her backpack, and made a run for it.
The Sector 7 agents began to chase after her while Fowler and Clayton ran to Simmons and Burns.
"Seymour! Jack!" Fowler called out.
The two men were still stunned by what just happened but they started standing up with Fowler and Clayton's help. Just as they got up, they heard the sound of something take off and watched as Penny sored skyward and away from the immediate area.
"Simmons, what in the Sam Hill is going on?" Fowler asked.
"Don't know, sir." Simmons said.
The agent then turned to the ruined auto shop as he reflected on the series of events that just unfolded.
"But I think we'll find out, starting here." Simmons finished.
Clayton then stared at the ruined shop. He'd have to call Yang and see if she was alright and fast. He quickly excused himself and sent her a message before running in to dig through the rubble but like Penny before him, no body's were found.
Penny meanwhile, landed near the school. She would have to wait here for the night but she knew that at some point soon, her friends, if they were still alive, would be here. They had to be here. They had to be.
Penny then took out her scroll and tapped a phone icon before tapping a box with Ruby's face on it. Her scroll rang for a few seconds.
"Hello?" Ruby asked on the other end.
Penny felt another emotion now. Rather, she felt several. Her eyes would have welled up with tears if they could as she smiled softly. Joyful that her friend was okay and scared about where she was.
"Hello, friend Ruby, how are you?"
Jasper High
2:55 pm
Yang left the classroom in a hurry and headed towards her locker. Last night was rather hectic for the blond bombshell. After their fight with the Decepticons, Ironhide was tasked with keeping her and her friends safe and they spent the night outside the city for the time being. Her bike, unfortunately, was totaled from the fire. Thus, she joined her friends with Ironhide to get her and her friends to the high school that morning.
To top it all off, Ruby talked to Penny last night and she said that she was attacked, Ruby told her to meet them outside the school to meet up for what would happen next. When Ruby told Ironhide that Penny would be joining them, he was not happy that another would be joining them. Ruby had already explained that even if they didn't, Penny would follow them anyway, the old bot begrudgingly agreed. Still he was not happy.
Yang approached her locker, put in the combination, and grabbed the belongings she needed for tonight. As she did, she heard Jack Darby open his locker beside her. The two got what they needed in awkward silence before Jack closed his locker and saw Yang's tired expression.
"Hey, you alright." Jack asked.
"Yeah, just a lot happened last night. The shop burned down." Yang answered.
"Gosh, I'm… I'm sorry to hear that. Was anyone hurt? Are you okay?" Jack asked.
Yang smiled.
"Everyone's fine. It happened while we were at the tournament." Yang said.
Jack breathed a sigh of relief.
"At least none of you got hurt." Jack said.
Yang briefly paused as she recalled the battle with the Decepticons.
"Thankfully" Yang said
"So what are you going to do now? If you need a place to stay, my mom and I can help. We can get Raf and Miko to help and we can talk with Mr. Witwicky and" Jack said but Yang cut him off.
"Thanks, we'll keep that in mind. Right now we have some business to take care of and we'll go from there." Yang said.
"Oh, okay." Jack said.
Yang looked at Jack and took note of his nervous demeanor. Something was bothering him and she knew exactly what it was. She wasn't surprised by it either.
"Something on your mind?" Yang asked.
Jack internally panicked.
"Uh… nothing. It's nothing." Jack said.
Yang giggled.
"You know, most girls would be creeped out if you keep staring at them." she said.
"Noted." Jack said.
Yang moved closer to Jack who stiffened from nervousness.
"With that said. I'm not like most girls." Yang said with a flirty wink.
Jack blushed in response and stifled his words, unable to give a coherent response. At this Yang laughed.
"Relax, man. I swear you get flustered so easily." Yang joked.
Jack gave a nervous laugh as the two chatted for a few minutes. Yang felt her scroll vibrate in her pocket and she remembered what she had to do.
"Oh shoot! I've got to get going. Listen, I'll keep you posted and if we need something, I'll call you." Yang said.
"Sure, just give me a holler." Jack said.
"Thanks, see you soon." Yang replied
Yang then booked it for the entrance as Jack watched her leave. Things didn't go as he'd hoped. He was hoping to tell her today but given what's happened recently, it wasn't a good time. Perhaps, sometime in the near future would be better. Until then, his feelings would have to wait.
Yang was his friend first and right now he had to be there for her and her friends. Maybe soon he would tell her and maybe, just maybe, he hoped they'd be something more.
Jasper High
Entrance
3:00 pm
Yang walked out to the front doors and down the stairs as the last students trickled out. She observed her surroundings and was surprised to see that the damage from last night was completely erased. The roads were fine, no wrecked cars, or giant footprints crashed into the pavement.
What happened here after we left? Yang thought to herself.
"Yang! Friend Yang! We're over here!" a cheerful voice rang out.
Yang looked up to see Penny waving in front of Ironhide in vehicle form. Yang smirked amusedly. Even after all that happened, she was as cheerful as ever. Yang walked up to Penny and shook her hand.
"It has been too long, friend Yang." Penny said.
Penny didn't particularly stand out. Wearing a long sleeve cream and dark-green turtleneck and khakis with green shoes, Penny opted for clothes that were both inconspicuous and yet still felt like her. Her orange hair still sported her pink bow that paired with her big smile and green eyes perfectly. Yang couldn't help but smile back.
"It's good to see you too, Penny-oh!" Yang said as Penny pulled her into a hug.
Yang internally sighed.
Guess some things never change. she thought.
Penny then let her go and the pair hopped in closing the door to Ironhide's side doors. Penny sat next to Nora at the edge of the car while Yang got closer to the back. Jaune had put on his armor over his hoodie and Pyrrha had put on her gear and armor. While the group didn't get to wear these as much as they'd like, it felt nice to wear their old gear again.
"Alright, is this everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE? No other surprise guests you're planning to bring along?" Ironhide asked.
"Who was that?!" Penny said, clearly startled by Ironhide.
"Oh, that was Ironhide. Don't worry, he's nice." Nora said. She then leaned closer to Penny's ear.
"Even if he can be a bit grouchy." Nora muttered
"You know I can hear you, right?" Ironhide remarked as he materialized a hologram of a middle aged man in the driver seat.
Nora jolted back into her seat flushed with embarrassment from being caught.
Ruby, couldn't help but smirk and roll her eyes knowing Nora was being Nora.
"Yes, that's everyone." Ruby answered.
Ironhide then started his engine and they left the school.
"I hope you're right, keeping our existence secret is hard enough as it is." Ironhide said.
14 miles from Jasper
3:42 pm
The road seemed to stretch on endlessly. Miles and miles of desert as far as the eye could see. The only thing of interest was the large mountain they were approaching. The trip was mostly silent with small bits and pieces of banter between the former huntsmen and huntresses.
Jaune, Weiss, and Nora had all fallen asleep with Pyrrha and Ren about to follow suit. Yang stared out at the desert taking in the scenery. Granted, there wasn't much to look at but to her it provided a relaxed feeling as she stared out into the sands and cacti just beyond the stretch of road they were on. Ruby sat as she contemplated what had happened recently and wondered what was about to happen
Blake meanwhile was talking with Penny about the events of the previous night.
"After the fight, the leader, Optimus, I believe opted to keep us under his groups watch until things settle." Blake said.
Penny took a second to ponder the information she had just been given. It seemed like a lot to take in for the human mind from a sense that such beings were real. However, the idea itself didn't seem too far-fetched. She couldn't help but imagine them as toy puzzles that children could play with for years.
"Amazing, alien machines that can turn into vehicles found on this planet. From what you've told me, they seem to pack a real punch." Penny replied.
"They sure do. If Ironhide's friends hadn't shown up…" Blake stopped herself, worried by the thought of what Soundwave and his personal army might have done to them had things gone differently. Penny placed a hand on Blake's shoulder.
"But that didn't happen. You're still here." Penny said.
Blake smiled. The two then looked at the front and looked back and forth between Ruby and Ironhide's holographic driver. The two didn't say anything but they knew what this could mean and they knew Ruby did too. The fact that they found these things may have been by pure accident but the fact still remained. These living machines were powerful and they were natural fighters and if they could convince these two groups to unite against the Quintessons, Remnant might just have a chance.
The two then felt the van shake violently and garnering everyone's attention and waking up anyone who was asleep. Ironhide was still driving as normal as he drove straight toward the mountain and accelerated his speed.
"Uh… Ironhide."
"Relax, we're almost there." Ironhide said
He kept going faster, and faster, and faster, and faster. Then it seemed as if the world outside began to glitch.
"Ironhide…"
He didn't respond as the glitching grew worse. Then, just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished.
Everyone stayed still in anticipation. Waiting for something to happen. Nothing did.
"We're here." Ironhide said and everyone looked ahead.
"Whoa." Ruby said in awe.
Inside the mountain was a massive starship of what seemed to be a simple design. It had two pairs of massive engines separated by part of the craft itself, and a boarding ramp that remained wide open below. As Ironhide drove closer he decelerated to a more natural cruising speed. He then drove up the ramp and into the ship itself.
"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the Ark." Ironhide said.
The Autobot weapon specialist pulled into the cargo bay and opened the doors. Penny and both Teams RWBY and JNPR immediately got out and Ironhide transformed into robot mode. They then walked down the corridor and watched as various Autobots performed various tasks.
Some were testing out technologies. Others were repairing Autotroopers. With every step, the humans found themselves passing a hallway or room of the massive ship. None of the Humans said a word as they walked down the ship. Either too awestruck to see the metal giants occupying the ship or just shocked to believe what they were seeing.
Eventually, the group came to the bridge of the ship. The room was semicircular with a captain's chair before a console flanked by a pair of stairs that led to a floor with a series of consoles and computers on the walls with the large computer, Teletraan-1, on the left side with three computer screens lighting the marvel of Cybertronian computing.
Among the occupants were Bumblebee and his red armored twin, Cliffjumper. There was also Ratchet, a white and red robot with parts of an ambulance similar in build to Ironhide's van form, and there was Sideswipe, a red, white and black robot with a shoulder mounted blaster. At a computer on the side was a red and gray robot with a yellow chest. Though his build was similar to Soundwave's, his colors and design alteration made Blaster differ from his Decepticon counterpart's appearance such as the lack of a battle mask and visor, the bright blue eyes, and the appearance of the Autobot symbol on his chest. Blaster turned to Ironhide and smiled.
"Yo, Ironhide! Good to see you man! Glad to see you still got some groove in ya." Blaster said.
Ironhide chuckled.
"I may be old but I've still got some fight in me." Ironhide joked.
He then went down the stairs and walked to Ratchet and Sideswipe.
"Hey 'Hide, hope the trip wasn't too much for ya. Ratchet's ready to go." Sideswipe said.
"What about the others? Do they know about what happened?" Ironhide asked.
"Not yet, with everything's been moving rather fast in the past twenty four Earth hours. In the meantime, you said that you bro-." Ratchet wasn't even able to finish his sentence when a blur of red rose petals zoomed past the group's feet as Ruby zipped around the room in excitement.
"This is amazing!" Ruby cried in joy.
"Ruby, hold on!" Yang called out.
Ratchet stared at Yang and Ruby's antics before he, Ironhide, and Sideswipe looked up near the command desk to see a group of humans walk down the stairs as best they could.
"That answers my inquiry." Ratchet murmured.
"Wait, I thought you went to find energon?" Sideswipe questioned Ironhide
"I did. I went to find it but the energon isn't exactly something we can take." Ironhide said
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Sideswipe replied
Ruby meanwhile zoomed in circles for a few seconds and garnered Blaster, Cliffjumper, and Bumblebee's attention with Ruby stopping between the latter two. Cliff and Bee were startled by Ruby's sudden appearance.
"Hi, my name's Ruby." Ruby said.
"Hi" replied a nervous Cliffjumper.
"Still not used to humans yet?" Bumblebee quipped.
"No!... Okay, maybe a little." Cliffjumper replied.
Bumblebee gave a brief laugh.
"Don't worry, he'll warm up to you eventually. I'm Bumblebee and he's Cliffjumper" Bumblebee said.
"'Sup?" Cliffjumper said.
Ruby smiled as Yang caught up to her.
"Well I'll be. Looks like some new guests have come to join the party." Blaster said.
Blaster observed the curious newcomers as they went around the room. He watched Blake, Pyrrha, and Nora meeting up with Yang and Ruby as they talked with Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. Meanwhile, Jaune, Ren, and Weiss walked up to Ironhide, Ratchet, and Sideswipe. He then noticed Penny observing one of the computers. Blaster walked up to Penny.
"You seem mighty interested in Teletraan-1." Blaster said.
Penny looked between Blaster and the computer and her eyes widened.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be nosy, I was just fascinated by how advanced this ship is." Penny replied.
"Ah no worries, this terminal's been down for a bit. We'll get it fixed someday. Until then, this thing ain't turning on." Blaster said.
"I see." Penny said.
"Anyways, let me introduce myself, the name's Blaster, Autobot communications officer and the Ark's lead radio engineer." Blaster said.
Penny straightened herself and looked Blaster in the optics.
"Well, salutations, Blaster. My name is Penny, Penny Polendina." Penny replied as she held out her hand,
Blaster pulled out his finger and shook Penny's hand .
"Nice to meet you Penny." Blaster replied.
Penny was about to speak but the doors to the bridge opened and in Optimus Prime with Wheeljack and Brawn close behind him.
Wheeljack was a rather strange fellow. His face was covered by a battle mask and his head had a pair of metal flaps on the side of his head. His design was that of a white sports car with red and green stripes.
Brawn was a shorter build and more armored with orange and olive green armor and gray helmet for his head. His body had parts of a small jeep on his back and legs.
Prime entered the room and observed the scene before him.
"I take it you are becoming acquainted with our new guests." Optimus said.
All of the Autobots, sans Brawn and Wheeljack, stood in attention and saluted the Prime.
"Optimus, sir!" Ratchet said.
"At ease old friend." Optimus said.
The Autobot Medic relaxed.
Optimus walked down the stairs as Wheeljack and Brawn went to assist their fellow Autobots. Prime spoke with his fellow Autobots and introduced himself to teams RWBY and JNPR's various members as they met.
"Who is that?" Penny whispered to Blaster
"I'd rather let him introduce himself. Suffice to say, he is the head honcho of the Autobots with a spark of gold." Blaster said.
"I see." Penny said. She then approached the Autobot leader who turned and noticed her as she did. Optimus then knelt down to meet her.
"Greetings," Optimus said.
"Salutations, my name is Penny Polendina. It is an honor to meet you." Penny replied.
She then extended her hand and Optimus gently did the same with hers as they shook hands.
"It is good to meet you Penny, I am Optimus Prime." the Autobot leader replied.
"Likewise." Penny replied.
The Prime's optics brightened as if to indicate a smile under his battle mask. He then stood up and turned to the rest of the humans.
"Given the previous night's incursion, you must have many questions for your current situation." Prime said.
"Yes, we do." Weiss said.
"You might say we have a ship load of questions." Yang joked.
Her joke earned several groans and face palms from RWBY and JNPR. Even some of the Autobots were visibly annoyed by Yang's joke. Prime on the other hand gave a small chuckle at Yang's antics.
"Might want to save those for later." Prime remarked.
"Yang's joke aside, what exactly are you? Who made you?" Weiss asked.
Optimus walked over to Teletraan-1 and typed on the keyboard causing the center screen to light up and display a planet of metal in deep space.
"We weren't exactly built, per say. Rather, we were forged on our homeworld, the planet Cybertron. It is a metallic, inorganic world and birth planet of the Transformer species."
"Transformers?" Blake repeated.
"It is what we are, an race of intelligent machines that can think and feel as you do. Though our kind lives on many worlds across the galaxy, Cybertron is our birth world and its inhabitants are known as Cybertronians." Optimus explained.
Ruby's face lit up like a Christmas tree with excitement. An entire world of shape shifting robots and they were everywhere in space. She could barely keep it in.
"So you all have this amazing ability to turn into vehicles?!" Ruby joyfully exclaimed.
Though initially surprised by Ruby's outburst, Optimus knew it came from a place of excitement and wonder.
"Yes, though not all of us choose to turn into vehicles." Prime said.
"Take me for instance, I used to turn into a minivan but I changed my alt mode into a boombox." Blaster chimed in.
Ruby's excitement reached an all new high as she just imagined what other forms they could turn into. Though not everyone was thinking about possible alt modes their friends could take.
"Why are you here?" Jaune asked
Optimus' expression darkened.
"A fair question, Jaune. We are here because our world has been rendered uninhabitable. Torn asunder from eons of civil war between me and my fellow Autobots and the Decepticons." Prime stated.
"The Decepticons being the punks we fought last night." Ironhide said.
"I guess you guys are the Autobots then?" Yang asked while looking around the room.
"You bet." Cliffjumper remarked.
Yang turned back to Prime.
"Then, why were… are you fighting?" Yang asked.
"Foremost, for control of the planet's supply of Energon; the lifeblood of all Autobots and Decepticons alike. We also fought for the future of our world. Where we Autobots sought a peaceful existence with the rest of the galaxy. Our Decepticon adversaries sought a policy of galactic conquest and expansion." Prime explained.
That doesn't sound good. Ren thought.
"In the end, our war brought our planet to the brink and the Autobots were on the verge of defeat. Thus, in a final hope for survival, we built the Ark, the very ship we stand in to leave our homeworld and search for a new life among the stars. Yet even this did not stop our enemies' pursuit." Optimus continued.
He could remember the exodus like it was yesterday. The launch of the Ark, Megatron's attack, and their inevitable crash landing on Earth.
Ruby and the other were left shocked, disturbed, and in Ruby's case, both.
"Our battle led to this world and here we slumbered for millions of years. Then, little more than thirty years ago, we were awoken from our slumber by an earthquake and with the Decepticons on the world, we have vowed to stop them before they can destroy your world."
"Then, how did we become part of this? None of us asked to be here? So why would these Decepticons target us?" Blake asked.
Optimus expected this.
"That is why you're here." Optimus began
"For the past few months we've been tracking a massive Energon signature. Every day, it would accumulate under the local academic institution you call Jasper High School. It would remain there until near twilight when the energon signature would reappear throughout the night at your former place of residence."
Weiss and Pyrrha quickly realized what Prime was saying. The way this Energon signature behaved was similar, if not identical to their routine the past few months. If that's the case then…
"Excuse me, Optimus sir. I'm sorry to interrupt." Pyrrha said.
"There is no need to apologize. You may speak." Optimus replied.
"Thank you, but from what you're saying, you make it sound like we were the source of the Energon." Pyrrha stated.
Optimus nodded.
"You heard correctly." the Autobot leader said.
RWBY and JNPR all paled or gulped at Primes words. They slowly began to back in closer and began to reach for their weapons.
"Do not be afraid, we will not harm you. To do so would go against the very principles of the Autobots." Optimus said.
"And that would be?" Ren asked.
"That freedom is the right of all sentient beings. To hold you here without reason is to take away that right. You are first and foremost, our guests." Prime reassured them.
Though a little on edge, the humans relaxed to a degree.
"Okay, then. Just to recap, your alien robots from a metal world and you're fighting a civil war on this planet with no means of getting back home?" Nora said.
"Nora!" Ren said.
"What?!"
"That is correct. While we may be stranded, we cannot leave until the Decepticons are vanquished. I refuse to let your world suffer the same fate as ours." Prime replied.
"Excuse me, Optimus, sir?" Penny asked.
The Prime then turned to Penny.
"Yes?" he asked.
"If it is alright with you, I would like to clarify something, if my friends will let me." Penny said somewhat nervously as she and Optimus turned their heads toward Ruby. The red cloaked huntress then turned to her friends who all gave silent nods of approval. They all knew what Penny was about to say. By now it was becoming obvious that they couldn't hide what they were forever.
Ruby nodded and Penny took a deep breath.
"As you no doubt are aware, my friends and I have certain abilities that most people on this planet do not have. While we normally would not reveal this information; given what has happened in the past twenty four hours, and present company, it is only fair that you know what we are." Penny stated.
"Which is?" Prime asked.
Penny paused, she was nervous as to how they would react, especially when they learned about what she was. She ran a million explanations a second in her mind but none of them could truly give the fullest explanation. She then decided to be blunt.
"While we appear like the humans of this world, we are not from it." Penny said.
The Autobots either looked on with widened optics or looked at each other with confusion.
Optimus had a more muted reaction. This was an unexpected explanation but this peaked his natural curiosity.
"I know this may not be what you thought but it's the truth and you deserve to know that." Penny continued.
"I appreciate your honesty but how did you manage to arrive on Earth?" Prime asked. Cliffjumper's optics widened in shock.
"Optimus, you can't be serious. No offense to our guests, but the odds of finding two species that are practically identical are nearly 4.3 billion to one." Cliffjumper remarked. Optimus turned to
"Perhaps, but if this is that one chance, we must know for certain." Prime answered and looked back at the ex-huntsman. The nine expected Cliffhjumper's reaction. The idea of finding aliens that looked exactly like humans seemed impossible. They were rather surprised, however, by Prime's willingness to listen.
"As I asked, how did you get here?" Prime asked again. It was now Ruby's turn to speak.
The red cloaked warrior was nervous but then she felt Yang place a hand on her shoulder. She didn't need to look to know what her sister meant. The leader of Team RWBY took a deep breath and spoke.
"We crashed in a ship we stole from the Quintessons." Ruby answered.
It was then she heard what sounded like a record scratch from forcibly stopping a track followed by several Autobots reel from shock. Even Optimus took a step back. All optics in the room fell On Ruby as she and her friends looked around at the now staring Autobots with expression of shock, and or fear on their face plates.
"What" Ruby said
"You're lying." Cliffjumper exclaimed.
Ruby looked at Cliffjumper.
"The Quintessons were wiped out when we drove them from Cybertron. There's no way they still exist! The only explanation is that you're lying!" Cliffjumper declared.
"She's not, we all saw them, hell one almost strangled me to death." Jaune said.
"His lyrics may be off key but Cliffjumper has a point. It's impossible for any Quintesson to still be alive after the War of Liberation." Blaster said
"Now hold on, there's no clear evidence to suggest that the Quintessons are extinct." Ironhide retorted.
"Enough!" Prime interjected. The Autobot leader then turned his attention back to the humans.
"Ruby, can you prove your claim?" Optimus asked as he stood up and Ruby nodded in response. "Yes, I can show you where we crashed." she said and joined the Optimus in front of Teletraan-1. Optimus Prime then turned back to the Cybertronian computer.
"Tell me where we can find the crash?" Optimus said. Ruby then guided him toward the Mojave as he typed the coordinates and sure enough there the ship was. While the ship had seen better days, it was still intact enough to make out a solid design. Optimus then typed a command and a tab with the image appeared on the main window.
"Wheeljack, can you confirm this is a Quintesson vessel?"
The Autobot mechanic stared at the image for a moment. He then activated the computer closest to him and combed through the onboard archives as another tab opened showing the general design of several starships next to a partial reconstruction of the ship from the image. He compared every ship design in the archive with the image. Eventually, it settled on the design of a Quintesson starship and after merging the reconstruction and the ship together. The two images merged into one; it was an exact match.
The Autobots had reactions with Blaster in shock, Cliffjumper, disbelief, and Ironhide in a state of anger to name a few. Prime clenched his fist as he stared at the image.
"Impossible, this, this has to be some sort of sick joke." Cliffjumper said.
"I-It-It's not. The records match up. Th-This… This is real." Wheeljack replied.
"Don't remind me. I'm having a hard time seeing it myself." Brawn finally spoke. The Autobot muscle looked at RWBY and JNPR.
"How in the pit did you manage to pull something like that off?" Brawn asked. His tone aired with an impressed surprise and dread. Ruby paused to gather her thoughts, a feeling of nervousness and fear grew within her. Reliving what happened was not a pleasant thing to do. Yang placed her hand on her sister's shoulder and Ruby breathed for a moment.
"We had friends help us. We managed to get our hands on the citadel they were operating out of and while we went to cut the power, our friends broke into one of the ships in the launching field and they would hold off anyone who tried to force them out. When the power went out, we ran for the ship and left." Ruby asked
"What of your homeworld? How did they find it?" Ratchet asked. Ruby stayed silent.
"We don't know." Blake spoke up. The Autobots fixed their attention. The cat Faunus began.
"We don't know what's happened since we left or how they found Remnant in the first place." Blake began
"They're arrival just happened…"
One Year Ago…
September 18, 2014 AD
Remnant
Amity Coliseum, Valean Skies
11:34 am
The crowd cheered as Yang and her opponent stepped into the arena. Yang looked around the arena and then her opponent.
"You better not go easy on me." Yang said with a smile. Her opponent simply smirked.
"You wish." He replied.
"We were all at Amity when they arrived. Yang had made it to the single rounds and was about to start her match."
Yang cocked Ember Celica while her opponent did the same for his boots as they stood in front of each others with fists almost next to each other.
"3…" Professor Port called from the commentators booth
Yang steadied herself
"2.."
"We all thought it was the start of the final few rounds of the Vytal tournament as we celebrated the end of the Great War. We were celebrating peace."
"1…"
Yang's opponent tightened his fists for a moment and stood ready for Yang to strike.
"Fi-AHH!"
Port never finished his statement and fell to the ground covering his ears alongside Oobleck as a loud, painful sound echoed throughout Amity. Yang and her opponent knelt over as the sensation of a thousand needles being stabbed in their ears overwhelmed them.
"If only that peace…"
Then Yang looked up to see a Quintesson ship just above the arena. A mix of confusion and dread washed over everyone inside Amity. Several ports near the bottom opened…
"…could last forever."
…And out came the Sharkticons.
End of flashback
Autobot Ark
3:52 pm
"They swarmed Amity and attacked everyone in sight. Any huntsmen that weren't preoccupied with their monsters were evacuating the arena. After that, we spent five months fighting the Quintessons but they were always one step ahead of us." Blake said.
She paused to collect herself as she began to recall what happened. There were many things she witnessed during her last days on Remnant; some more painful than others. Blake managed to take a breath and regather her thoughts.
"Then what happened?" Prime asked.
"We devised a plan. We would try to escape and find help. Not everyone was onboard with the idea because they feared that there were other aliens like the Quintessons." Blake said.
"But you still took the shot." Jazz said.
"We had to. We couldn't imagine the alternative. I mean, we'd rather be exiles than slaves to those monsters." Jaune said. The room fell silent. Neither Human nor bot dared open their mouths. Optimus pondered the words of the humans. They had traveled far from home and risked being stranded on Earth in a desperate mission to save their world from an ancient enemy he and his kind knew all too well.
"There is much to be considered. While we cannot abandon this world to the Decepticons. We cannot allow the Quintessons to continue their tyranny on your world either." Prime said. He knew the situation was urgent and would have to be dealt with as soon as possible so he would need to think.
"For now, it is best that you remain under our watch. Ratchet," said the Autobot medic turned his attention to Optimus as he spoke. "Have Red Alert prepare the medical bay for our guests to undergo a biometric evaluation." Prime said.
"On it." Ratchet answered. The Autobot medic then left the bridge to do as he was requested.
Ruby stood unsure as to what was going on but she knew one thing. She, her team, her friends, and the rest of her allies across the globe could have a semblance of hope. They had a chance to save Remnant. She recalled Jaune's words and thought for a moment. She didn't think she and everyone else that came on the ship were in exile but if they had failed, would such a fate have been better? However, they didn't fail but they were still in an exile of sorts. So, what did that mean for them now?
A short time later they began to leave the bridge and make their way to the medical bay. Ruby still thought on that single word. Though they weren't banished, Ruby felt that the word Jaune used was the best fit for her and the rest of her friends and allies. Even still, if this was the way things were now, Ruby knew this wasn't the end.
For Ruby, this was a whole new beginning.
The Nemesis
Bridge
5:23 pm
When you're the leader of Decepticons you have a responsibility. Not just to yourself but to your subordinates, your empire, your comrades. This was something that until very recently, Starscream had failed to realize.
The Decepticon Air Commander bore the build of the Decepticon seekers. His chest consisted of the cockpit of a jet with red exhaust vents above his shoulders and a pair of wings on his back. His upper arm thighs were gray with blue feet, shins, forearms, and hands. A pair of null rays attached to his shoulders and extended down to his forearms and just above his hands.
Yet as he stood tall before his fellow Decepticons, he felt no satisfaction as he once had, no need to gloat, nor lord his position over them; not this time. Now he was starting to actually settle into his role. For the first time he began to feel the responsibility of being the leader. He should be reveling in his position and yet, he felt no such desire as he had before. For Starscream, the mantle of leadership he had coveted for so long was no longer looking as glamorous as it once was. If there was one thing these past forty Earth years he had learned, it's that leadership is not as it appears to be.
Oddly enough, Starscream found himself actually missing his former master. It was something he found himself feeling more since his predecessor disappeared. A strange feeling indeed.
His musings were interrupted by the arrival of Soundwave. As he entered the bridge before approaching the catwalk and kneeling before his master whose back was turned from the communications officer.
"Lord Starscream" Soundwave said. Starscream smirked. If there was one thing that hadn't changed, it was the satisfaction he felt every time someone addressed him as "lord". Something he would hold onto as long as he could. The Air Commander continued to stare out the window of the Nemesis as he observed the world below
"Rise Soundwave," Starscream said as Soundwave did as he was asked. Starscream continued.
"I wish to discuss your recent encounter with Autobots and the organics they were with. Based on your report, one of the organics was able to incapacitate Rumble and nearly left him in a permanent state of morph lock. I'm curious, how in the pit was an organic able to obtain so much power in an instant and without any outside power source?" he inquired.
"Unknown, use of the cortical psychic patch seems to indicate that the organic's power seems to stem from her muscular movement. It is possible that her power is linked to her natural generation of Energon." Soundwave explained. Starscream turned his head, blue optics staring into Soundwave's red visor.
"Can you verify this information?"
"Not at present." Soundwave answered. Starscream sighed, placing a hand on the front of his helm.
"Then find a way to do so. If the organics are under the Autobots protection, procuring one of them will become an even greater challenge. We must find out more about these Humans and what they're capable of. Their involvement could irreparably turn the tide of this conflict either in our favor or in theirs." Starscream ordered. He turned to face Soundwave. Standing tall with a calm composure.
"I sincerely hope that you find an explanation. Or at most bring one to me intact." The Air Commander said.
Soundwave stood silent. Given the gravity of the situation, he had to ensure he procured this information and fast. While he required a deft touch, he also needed someone who would provide a more… logical approach.
"As you command, Starscream."
Ark
Medical Bay
5:36 pm
Weiss had recently begun her biometric evaluation. She stood on the platform as a series of rings scanned her body. Before she stepped in, her scroll and Myretenaster were put off to the side to get a more accurate picture of her bio chemical composition on a cellular level. As she stood, with arms stretched out, the heiress couldn't help but wonder when she would be contacted by the company she applied for. It had been eating at her for awhile and she was worried that she might have been turned down.
She wouldn't know until after her evaluation was done but at that moment, her scroll began to ring. It would last for a good minute before going to voicemail. The image on the caller ID was a capital "M"
A/N: Bet you didn't expect Clayton to show up again after the last chapter. Expect him to show up more often in this season. As for what happens next you'll have to see in the next chapter. For now, I hope you enjoyed and I hope you guys have as much fun reading this as I had writing it. Before we go, I wanted to take a moment and respond to some reviews I got over the past two chapters. I plan to do this more often so Please read and leave a review. Not only does this help me improve my writing, but it also gives me a chance to interact with you guys.
GothmogOnslat: Adam will appear this season and as we go into this next arc, just note that he might not be alone.
ranjira1988: That's not entirely accurate. As we saw in Volume 5 of the show, no Grimm was present when Ruby activated her silver eyes. The flare was more of an emotional reaction to a mixture of the brawl on the ship and the past few months she had been fighting to on Remnant against the Quintessons. I do intend to expound more on it in the later seasons and phases of the series but for now, just know that you're on the right track with your theory.
hiddenlock: I don't know what you're talking about, this a Transformers x RWBY crossover. Why would I put that in the disclaimer if I didn't want people to know that yet? ;)
Next time, Weiss goes out for her interview accompanied by new friends and allies of the Autobots while Yang and Ruby join Jack on a day at an arcade but both groups will soon realize how wrong things can go and how fast. See you all next time when we begin the Sector 7 Arc in Chapter 4: The Interview
Until then, live life to the fullest and God bless you.