Chapter 1: Darkness Rising Pt. 1

"So, if you guys are robots, who made you?" Raf questioned as he looked in awe at the living robots standing in front of him. The three kids heard a laugh coming from behind them and they turned to see a young woman with long dark hair, brown eyes, and a tanned complexion. She has on a red t-shirt with a heart in the middle that has an arrow going through it, along with jeans and skin-tight fingerless gloves on her hands. She has a knife attached to the waistband on her left hip and a gun strapped to her right thigh.

"Please do tell. Who made you?" The woman grinned at the old medic who she just loves to tease.

"Puh-lease," Ratchet responded as he rolled his optics. It wasn't long before the kids saw another giant robot walk up behind the woman.

"We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as Autobots," the giant robot explained.

Jack stepped forward, "Why are you here?"

"To protect your planet from the Decepticons."

"The jokers who tried to bump us off last night," Arcee added.

"Big baddies who would love to destroy our planet if they could," the woman added.

"Okay… Why are they here?"

Optimus kneels to get closer to their level, "A fair question, Jack. In part, they are here because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war."

"Why were you fighting a war?" Raf asked.

"Foremost, over control of our world supply of Energon, the fuel and lifeblood of all Autobots and Decepticons alike. The combat was fierce and endured for centuries. In the beginning, I fought alongside one whom I considered a brother, but in war, ideals can be corrupted, and it was thus that Megatron lost his way."

Miko sighs, "Is there gonna be a quiz?"

"No, but it would help to know what is threatening you and our planet," Natalie tells the girl.

"So, what does Megatron, or any of this, have to do with us?" Jack asks.

"Megatron has not been seen nor heard from in some time, but if his return is emanant, as I fear, it could be catastrophic."

"So, who are you?" Miko asked the woman standing next to Optimus.

"The name's Natalie and I'm this big guy's partner. I'm part of a military group that keeps track of alien activity, so I'm here to keep an eye on them."

"Don't make it sound like we're kids or delinquents that need to be watched," Ratchet spoke up.

"The delinquents part would fall more on the Decepticons."

"Since you now know of our existence…" Optimus continues, "…I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons now know of yours."

"Got it, if we spot any strange vehicles call 911," Jack responds, "Can we go now?"

"Are you insane?" Miko asks him, "I'm living a dream here in Botswana and I will not allow you or anyone else to shatter it."

"It's not that simple, Jack," Natalie speaks up, "If you leave this base you will have no protection from the Decepticons, the police won't be able to help you."

"She is right, it is best that you three remain under our watch. At least until we can determine our enemies' intentions."

Ratchet turns around to look at him, "Optimus, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere…"

"Children?" Jack questions and Natalie covers her mouth to hide her laugh.

"They have no protective shell, if they get underfoot they will go squish." Ratchet stomps his foot to make a point.

"Well, you already have to watch where you step when I'm around, you just have three more humans you have to watch out for," Natalie responds.

Before Ratchet could respond the alarms sounded, "What is that?" Jack asked.

Bumblebee buzzed in response and Raf translated for him, "It's the proximity sensor, someone's up top."

"It's Agent Fowler," Ratchet said as he brought up the footage from the security camera on top showing the agent getting out of his helicopter.

"Augh, and I'm sure I know exactly why he's here," Natalie says as she pinches the bridge of her nose.

"I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys," Jack spoke up in confusion.

"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. As he tends to visit only when there are issues it may be best if you do not meet him at this time."

The kids go hide as Fowler comes down the elevator. As soon as the door opens, he steps out and starts speaking, "Seven wrecks, thirty-four fender benders, a three-hour traffic jam…"

"Yep, here we go," Natalie says as she rolls her eyes before heading for the stairs.

"And a particular note, a speeding motorcycle of unknown make, and a black and yellow custom muscle car."

"Man, you guys really showed off out there," Natalie joked as she reached the top of the stairs and made her way over to Fowler.

"Don't start, Natalie!" Fowler says as he glares at the woman.

"Or what?" She asks as she leans on the railing with one hand on her hip, "You know you can't beat me in a fight, I will body slam you straight through this metal grate down to the floor."

Fowler cleared his throat as he turned his attention back to Optimus, "So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?"

"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler," Optimus responds.

"They're back, aren't they?"

"If you are referring to the Decepticons, I have doubts that they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable."

"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon," Fowler says before turning to Natalie, "Or even better, call in your team."

"Hear me, Agent Fowler. We are your best, possibly your only defense against the Decepticon threat."

"Says you."

"Hey, fleshy. Did anyone get splattered on that freeway? Team Prime knows when to use force." Bulkhead grabs one of Ratchet's tools, "And how much to use it," he finishes as he squeezes the tool in his servo, destroying it.

"Bulkhead, I needed that!"

"Enough!" Optimus says sternly before looking back at Agent Fowler, "Military involvement will only result in catastrophe, perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."

"He's right, we don't need any human casualties," Natalie adds, "Also, there's no reason for me to call in my team just yet."

"Then do us both a favor and handle this, Prime. Under the radar," Fowler says as he turns to walk back to the elevator. He gets in and turns to press the button to close the door before glancing back at Optimus, "Or I will," he says as the door closes.

Bulkhead walks up to stand beside Optimus, "Pretty big bearings, for a human."

Optimus turns to look at him, "Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead. As he should be."

Natalie stands with the three kids as Ratchet explains to them about the Ground Bridge, "You're stuck here, on Earth," Jack says when Ratchet finishes explaining.

"With the likes of you, yes."

"Aw, come on, Ratchet. You know you love being here with us," Natalie teases him.

Ratchet just ignores her remark as he continues, "But I constructed the Ground Bridge to enable travel from here to anywhere on your planet."

"Whoa!" Raf says as he looks at the Ground Bridge before turning to look at Ratchet, "Does it work for humans?"

"Naturally."

"You mean I could just shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?" Miko asks.

"Within moments. In fact allow me to send you there immediately, all three of you."

"Awe, sweetie-pie. You want to get rid of the kids already?" Natalie asks with a fake look of disappointment.

"You'll be going with them, Natalie."

After some time, they get a call from Optimus asking for a Ground Bridge and Ratchet opens one for them. Natalie and the kids see the Autobots drive through with blue flames from a blast closing in on Optimus, but Ratchet closes the Ground Bridge before the blast can get into the base. The kids were in amazement.

"Cutting it a bit close. How about Cliffjumper?"

All the 'Bots looked down in sadness, but before anyone could respond to Ratchet, Miko started shooting off questions. "Miko, you really need to learn how to read the room," Natalie tells her, "This is not the time to be asking questions."

"Hey, Miko. Let's go see what the 'Bots hide in their sock draws," Jack says as he drags Miko to the side.

"Seriously?"

"Arcee, what did you see?" Optimus asks the femme.

Arcee hugs herself, "Not Cliff, at least not anymore. He was mutated, butchered like something from those 'Con experiments during the war," she says before falling to the ground. Bumblebee steps forward while asking if she's alright, "I'm fine, just dizzy."

"Robots who get dizzy?" Miko asked in confusion.

"Robots with emotions."

"Robots who can die."

"You kids are getting into a completely different world from what you're used to," Natalie says as she watches Ratchet scan Arcee. Her heart goes out to the femme, she's now lost two partners. She's gonna miss Cliffjumper, he really made things lively.

A few minutes later, Optimus appoints an Autobot to each kid to be their guardian and they leave the base. Natalie sighs, "We now have three children we need to look after, I really wish they didn't get caught up in this."

"As do I, but we cannot change what is done. We just have to make sure they stay safe."

"Yep," Natalie says as she makes her way down to ground level, "Anyway, I better get back and report to my leader everything that's happened. Care to give me a ride?"

"Of course," Optimus says before transforming. Natalie gets in and they drive off, which makes Ratchet very pleased since he now has the base to himself.