Heya readers!

In the last chapter, I asked if anyone got the reference to when Casey, Raphael and Michelangelo commented about probing? Well if you didn't get it, here's the answer.

It's a reference to the Sonic the Hedgehog movie (The first one) when Tom and Sonic first meet.

Tom: Not in the mood to be probed!

Sonic: You think you're worried? I'm not even wearing pants!

Hope that got a giggle out of you! And now, on with the story!

Chapter Eight

Friendships Formed

A couple of hours past, and soon the mutants and Autobots were deep in conversation as they started to learn more about each other.

Leonardo seemed to be getting on well with Optimus, as Leonardo spoke to the leader about how he was leader of the group, how seriously he took his role, and due to be the next sensei after Splinter passed on.

"So yeah, as the oldest son, it's my destiny to lead the family." Leonardo explained as he laned on the railings of the raised platform looking up at the Prime "It can be hard work, but it's a true honor."

Optimus said very little as he listened to Leonardo's words, and he glanced several times at Splinter who was watching the other turtles, April, Casey and Monalisa as they got to know everybody.

Donatello was already asking Ratchet endless questions about the large computers as well as the technology the Cybertronions used, and Michelangelo wanted to explore everything.

"So, what's this?" the orange turtle asked as he reached out to touch a hub with many dials and buttons.

"Broken!" Ratchet said making him jump "Don't touch!"

Michelangelo then went to touch a disk drive when the medic said without turning around, "Don't touch that either!"

"Is there anything I can touch?" Michelangelo whined to which Donatello elbowed him in the chest, prompting the youngest turtle to be quiet.

"Why are you using human computers anyway?" Donatello asked as he placed his duffel bag that he carried with him on the platform and looked at the many screens.

"Certainly not by choice!" Ratchet groaned "It was handed down from the previous tenants when we inherited this former silo, I make modifications as I see fit."

"Right." Donatello said then he looked at the tunnel where the swirling blue and green vortex had been that brought them to the silo.

"So what as that thing you used to get us here from the woods?" Donatello asked.

"It's called a Groundbridge." Ratchet explained.

"What's a Groundbridge?" Michelangelo questioned to which Ratchet sighed and rolled his optics as he found himself explaining the same thing he said to the girls not long ago.

"A scaled down version of space bridge technology!" he replied in an obvious tone turning to the screens "Since we don't possess the means or energon required for intergalactic travel."

"Thus you're stuck here!" Donatello asked feeling sorry for the Autobots "On Earth."

Ratchet nodded.

"With the likes of you, yes." He grumbled "But I!" he added in a proud tone "Contructed the ground bridge to enable travel from here to anywhere on your planet!"

"Wow!" Michelangelo cut in "That is awesome!"

"I'll say it is!" Casey agreed and looked at April who looked rather enchanted.

"Of course!" Ratchet answered with a nod and another hint of pride in his voice.

"Cool!" Michelangelo grinned, "Hey Don! How about we take a trip to anywhere in the world? I always wanted to visit Hawaii! Or maybe Miami Beach? What to do think Bro? Can we? Can we?"

He started to bounce a little like an excited child in front of the purple masked turtle who sighed.

"I have to agree with Mike." April said to Casey "We never really had a honeymoon after we got married and I've love to go to Hawaii." She hinted to which Casey blushed and looked at Ratchet who was staring in amazement as Michelangelo who was still bouncing up and down.

"Can we? Please! Did I mentioned you're my favorite turtle?" he pleaded.

"Well, if we ask the nice Autobot…" Donatello said turning his eyes to Ratchet who raised an optic ridge.

"Is he always like this?" Ratchet asked.

"Sadly yes." Donatello replied, "I'll calm him down, don't worry." He winked before turning back to Michelangelo.

"Come on Mike, let's see what the bots hide in their sock drawers!" he suggested putting an arm around his younger brother and leading him off.

Ratchet sighed.

"And I thought the young lizard girl was bad enough!" he muttered under his breath.

"I heard that!"

The Medic's optics widened, and he looked over to see Pandora sitting in Bulkhead's palm and looking over with a frown.

Ratchet stared at the hybrid.

"How did you...?" he asked to which Pandora tapped the side of her head where her ears would be.

"I got ninja ears dude!" she said, "Better be careful when you complain to yourself about us!" she clicked her tongue and pointed at him, and Bulkhead chuckled slightly at Ratchet's bewildered face.

"Busted!" Ironhide poked Ratchet's arm to which the Medic scoffed and rolled his optics wondering if the day could get any worse as he went back to his work station.

Meanwhile, Arcee walked over to Raphael and Monalisa who were discussing the issue about his destroyed Shell-Cycle.

"I loved that bike!" Raphael lamented as Monalisa rubbed his arms to comfort him "That's the second time it's been destroyed! First it was that Lard Butt Hun! Now those rust buckets!"

"Hey Raph..." said Arcee kneeling to Raphael "I just wanted to say, I'm sorry about your bike and your brothers other vehicle."

"The Battle-Shell." Monalisa explained with a sigh.

Raphael looked angry again as he remembered his precious Shell-Cycle.

"Those bastards owe me a new bike!" he growled, and Monalisa squeezed his arm.

"It's okay Raph." She said, "I'm sure Donnie can fix you a new one? Like he'll find a New Battle-Shell."

Raphael sighed.

"It won't be the same." He mourned.

Arcee cocked her head, then decided to transform into her bike mode making the couple look at her.

"I could help you out?" she said as she drove up to him "I mean, I may not be like your old one, but I could give you a few rides if you need it?"

Raphael blinked as he took in Arcee's bike form and he walked over and ran his hands over the leather seat.

"Hmmm." he said purring and analyzing the vehicle form of Arcee "I think you'll suffice."

He climbed onto Arcee's back and sat comfortably before a smirk graced his lips.

He then remembered how he had ridden her when she and the other Autobots saved him and his family.

"I have to say Arcee." Raphael said as he looked Arcee all over where he was sitting "You are one beautiful bike!"

"Why thank you Raphael." Arcee replied flattered "You are charming."

Monalisa gave a cough, and a slight frown and Raphael looked a little sheepish as he looked at his mate.

"Better watch out sister!" Michelangelo teased from the high platform "I think Raph's found a new bird!"

"Bird?" Bulkhead asked looking over from talking to Pandora.

"Human speak for babe." Donatello explained "You know, pretty girls, Doll? Cupcake?"

Ratchet raised an eyebrow.

"Beg pardon?" he asked.

"Come on! Don't you have babes on your planet?" Michelangelo asked "Do you have Girlfriends? Wives? Mates? Because I do!" as he said that he thought of Kate back in Mutopia.

"Yeah! And me!" Casey asked wrapping an arm around April who rolled her eyes at her husband's antics as well as Michelangelo's question.

"As a matter of fact,…" Ironhide started but Optimus stopped him placing a servo on his arm before the red autobot could go into a long speech.

"We did have other what you would call females, like Arcee over there." He explained "Or in our case, femmes on our planet, both Autobot, Decepticon and Neutral, like us, they fled Cybertron, we don't know how many still function, but we can only hope many we know are searching amongst the stars."

As he finished that sentence, he looked at Ironhide, as well as Ratchet, and Leonardo thought he saw a slight twinkle in their optics as well as a knowing look.

Splinter also rubbed his chin in thought as he observed the behavior between the three Autobots.

"Mikey!" Monalisa's voice interrupted their thoughts and brought the attention to her.

"Arcee's offering to be Raphael's bike! And anyway, I'm not threatened by a 20-foot-tall lady robot!"

"Well, you know Raphie boy loves his bikes," Michelangelo said "And Arcee is a stunner, this is the mourning period, so I'd keep an eye on him!"

"Shut your trap Mikey!" Raphael growled as he sat comfortably on Arcee.

"Arcee's just a beautiful bike, that's all, but Mona's my top girl!"

"I should think so!" Monalisa said strutting over to Raphael and swaying her hips before taking out her closed fan and holding it under Raphael's chin "Or you're in trouble big boy!"

Raphael gave her the evil smirk which sent her shivering all over and her pulled her into Arcee's seat he was straddled over and into a passionate kiss.

"Jesus!" Pandora groaned at her parents as she turned to Bulkhead "Get a room!"

Michelangelo also pulled a face and turned away.

"Oh please!" he said rolling his eyes.

Leonardo chuckled, as did Splinter.

The two reptiles kissed and nuzzled as well as chuckled, both having no intention of moving off Arcee who sat there in Bike mode.

"Looks like you're stuck there for a bit Arcee!" Ironhide laughed folding his arms and Bulkhead chuckled as well at the sight.

A groan was heard from Arcee as she sat there in her vehicle mode.

"Yep!" she said grudgingly "For now..."

Bumblebee who had been listening to Kemeko as she talked, bleeped a few times as he laughed at the sight of Arcee having a mutant turtle and lizard making out on top of her.

Optimus blinked as he observed as well as gave a small smirk.

Ratchet also smirked in amusement seeing the scene and turned back to the computers.

As he did, a signal popped up on the screen and his eyes widened in disbelief.

"Blasted Earth Tech!" he exclaimed in annoyance "Cliffjumper's signal popped back online!"

"Whose Cliffjumper?" Michelangelo asked but the Autobots didn't answer him.

"How is that possible?" Optimus asked.

"It isn't!" Ratchet replied gesturing to the screen "It has to be another bug! The Systems chock full of them!"

Arcee upon hearing the name Cliffjumper jolted and Raphael and Monalisa quickly stopped making out and jumped off her giving the femme a chance to stand up.

"If there's any chance Cliff's alive?" she implored eagerly.

Optimus narrowed his eyes.

"Ratchet, prepare sickbay!" he ordered "We may need it."

"Hey!" Donatello called out making everyone look at him "What can we do?"

There was a small silence before Optimus spoke again.

"You earthlings will remain with Ratchet." He said in a tone that told them all that this was not to be discussed.

Ratchet moaned in annoyance.

"Again?" he muttered looking at the turtles, rat, lizards, and three humans then activated the ground bridge.

"Autobots! Roll out!" Optimus commanded and he transformed into his semi-truck form, the other autoboots following his lead and they disappeared through the ground bridge.

As that happened the turtles, Monalisa, Splinter, Pandora, Kemeko, April and Casey watched in awe.

"Dude!" Michelangelo cried.

"What just happened?" Casey cried.

"I transported them to the designated co-ordinates via the ground bridge." Ratchet explained.

"Awesome!" Michelangelo cheered.

The others just stared in wonder.

"Wow..."

Splinter blinked.

"I too am very impressed by this."

"After all we've been through." Raphael muttered "Nothings starting to surprise me anymore..."

So a few friendships have been formed, and a few jokes have been shared, but now the Autobots have been called to action.

For those who watch Transformers Prime, I think you know what's going to happen!

Note: When Raphael mentions its the second time his Shell Cycles been destroyed, he's referring to the TMNT 2003 episode 'Hun on the Run'.