july, 1993
…
A knock on a front door of a small house of a young woman in the early hours of twilight in a small town of Detroit, a female with straight strawberry blonde hair put down a bundle of blankets in a circular wooden basket without a handle onto the concrete step, a soft breeze blew as the hum of a jet in the distance made the woman startled. She ran away leaving the basket with the blankets shifting until a tiny porcelain hand of a baby broke through the plush blankets, the chilly breeze of the night brushed against the tiny hand, a loud distressed wail filled the open space reaching the ears of the mother. Tears dripped down the female's chin with her mouth twisting in pain, she continued to run, she had to keep going. She couldn't let them near the baby, she needed to be sure the baby would survive.
The owner of the small house opened the door, a 19-year-old woman that worked for the state in downtown, she had curly fire red hair, brown eyes and ivory pale skin, the young woman looked down at the dark wooden basket with a wailing baby girl with unnatural bright red hair. The woman looked around as she knelt and picked up the note that was resting on the tangled blankets. She read the contents on the small piece of torn paper, rushed writing but she was able to read it, she looked back down at the baby, dejected by the note. This woman couldn't believe this was happening, this woman was an orphan herself with it being close to two years of her parents' death from a car accident, and this baby came to her when she was sad and lonely. The words from the notes traveled through her mind again, and she made her decision, she was going to protect this baby. She was going to care for this baby, the person who wrote the note she immediately assumed was the mother begged for the person reading to care for her baby, protect her.
The note provided the baby's given name, her gender, her birthday, everything they needed to know about her in her short life. The baby was a year old, her birthday in April, the mother has been searching for her father but she hasn't and has been hiding with the baby since. She scooped the crying baby into her arms and began to soothe the baby. She picked up the wooden basket and walked back into her house bouncing the baby on her arm to soothe her, she closed the door and set the crying baby back in the basket on the floor near the loveseat. The woman immediately began to dress to run to store for supplies, and then she was out the door with the baby in her arms who quietened herself down into slumber.
The woman was Crystal Williams, a woman who graduated high school at the age of 16 and completed college and had a bright future working with the state. Crystal wasn't a relationship person, she wasn't attracted to anyone, not physically, mentally, emotionally, romantically, platonically, sexually. But she grew to love the baby quickly, the baby girl won her over within several hours, Crystal was fascinated with her vivid blue of her eyes and as the years passed and the girl grew the vividness of her eyes stayed. The girl's soul bloomed beautifully, she was speaking full sentences before her fourth birthday, she loved the arts, music, dancing, singing, acting, instruments, arts like drawing, novels, graphic novels, comics, animes. All before she started school, Crystal was nervous about her starting school, she didn't want to let the girl go.
She wanted her to stay small forever but that was so selfish, and this girl was growing beyond words, when she was due to start kindergarten. Crystal explained to the girl she couldn't go by her given name and was to go by the name of Rose Williams, Crystal used spray on hair dye to cover up most of the bright pigment of her red hair and explained to her things are different now. The girl understood at her youthful age. Arias Prime was Rose Williams, daughter to Crystal Williams until Crystal lost her life while on summer vacation with Rose in 2008, Rose didn't see who it had done it. She had just heard the gun shots and the commotion of young voices as they left the hotel room, she had recognized the voices as the spoiled rich teenage kids that had been awfully stank towards them earlier that day.
Upon going through Crystal's things before the police arrived, Rose left Texas on her own when she found letters Bella had wrote in case this happened, she had to stay hidden because well that's how it's always been. Rose knew she had to survive for her and obey her wishes she had programmed in her mind before she was able to understand anything else. Rose relocated to Jasper, Nevada without going back to Texas or Wyoming where they relocated to when Rose was 11, an agent had found her at the beginning of her senior year in september and all she did was provide him with the letters Crystal left her and everything she told her. After that, she was regularly visited to make sure she was alive, and she planned to avenge her mother's death, whether she was biological.
…
november, 2010
…
"So, there I am on the lookout when out of nowhere," A red muscle car with polished horns on the front of its hood began his story, this wasn't just any old muscle car. "These height beams light up my rearview. And then it hits me. I'm illegally parked!" Cliffjumper boosted a story to his partner, Arcee, via commlink.
"Another parking ticket?" Arcee sighed.
"Better. The Boot."
"Big metal tire clamp impossible to remove," Arcee guessed, smiling.
"Bingo! So, the local polies do their thing. I let them get all the way down the block. That's when I kicked off my new shiny shoe and. BAM!" Cliffjumper exclaimed, laughing.
"New York's finest soil themselves." The smile in her voice was loud.
"You know me, Arcee. You mess with Cliffjumper," Cliffjumper started the catchphrase.
"And you get the horns. Not sure how that complies with Autobot rule number one: keep a low profile," Arcee reminded her partner.
"What can I say? Patrolling for Energon out here in Dullsville is lonesome. Almost makes me miss the Decepticons."
"Like Jasper, Nevada's a party? We're alone wherever we travel on this rock, Cliff." Arcee said in a warm, relaxed tone turning a bend towards the said small town.
Cliffjumper's GPS navigation system started alerting him of a change in his perimeter. His screen changed from the road route of the area to a solar map.
"I'm getting a signal," Cliffjumper announced.
"Need backup?"
"Do I ever need backup?" Cliffjumper retorted with a soft chuckle before going off-road.
He drove towards the alerted location. When he arrived, he skidded to a stop at the edge of a ditch. He knew exactly what was within his sight.
"I just found a whole lot of Energon," Cliffjumper declared to Arcee before the sky darkened above casting shadows down over him, and transformed, "Decepticons!"
The Decepticon mother ship unfolded a gun and blasted down a shot behind making him fly into the air. He crashed into a pile of Energon. Cliffjumper managed to get back onto his feet recovering from the blast. A door under the ship opened and a group of Cons descended. Cliffjumper gritted his teeth upon the sight, he was outnumbered and sounded by explosive objects.
"Arcee, about that backup…," Cliffjumper trailed off.
…
"Fair warning, boys. I'm gonna put a few dings in ya," Cliffjumper vows before transforming into his vehicular form.
He drove up the ditch wall flying into mid-air and transformed into his bipedal mode and began descending in the air with a balled fist.
…
"Arcee to Optimus. The 'Cons are back. Cliff might be neck deep in scrap."
"Understood. Ratchet, do you have Cliffjumper's coordinates?" Optimus Prime asked Ratchet through the commlink.
"I've locked on his signal, Optimus. But our team is scattered across time zones," Ratchet informed Optimus as he skidded to a stop on the icy road.
"Arcee. Bulkhead. Bumblebee. Rendezvous back at base and prepare to Groundbridge," Optimus adjured.
…
One Decepticon landed an attack on Cliffjumper so roughly one of his horns detached from his head and sent him flying back into the ditch. He recovered quicker than before, he spat out Energon filling in his mouth. He felt alive, he was just complaining about being bored. He wasn't bored anymore; he was determined to see this through.
"You want the horns? You got them," Cliffjumper stated as he charged his cannons ready to fire.
The gun fight began and was over as quickly as it started as Cliffjumper was able to dodge gunfire, but he couldn't dodge the gunfire that collided with Energon and exploding. Knocking him clean off his feet and unconscious. Above within the safe confines in the mothership, a slimy Decepticon stood by and observed the events unfolding. He watched in frustration at the blue explosion and bright blue smoke.
"The Energon; it's worthless to me now," Starscream gritted his teeth, seething.
He turned around to his minions hauling Cliffjumper into the command room and made him kneel before Starscream.
"Starscream. It's been a while." Cliffjumper said his head after coughing, "Where's your master?" Cliffjumper asked cheekily as he coughed.
"That doesn't matter! I am my own master now," Starscream snapped shoving his clawed fingers into Cliffjumper's chest, "Any last questions?"
Cliffjumper replied with strangled gasps as Starscream pulled his hand from his chest, splatters of Energon falling onto the floor. He fell to his knees and collapsed in front of Starscream. Dead.
"Clean it up," Starscream ordered in disgust.
The mothership flew away into the Earth's orbit as a groundbridge portal opened at the site of the Energon ditch. The first to drop down was Bulkhead, then Bumblebee with his own battle mask covering his face, Arcee, Ratchet and then finally, Optimus Prime with his battle mask activated. All their blasters ready and aim at an empty and destroyed Energon site.
"An untapped Energon deposit," Optimus observed as they deactivated their weapons.
"What's left of it," Bulkhead corrected.
"The first Decepticon activity in three years," Ratchet remarked to his comrades.
"That we know of," Optimus retorted as his face guard unfolded, "If the Decepticons are scouting for Energon, they may be preparing for his return."
Immediately, Arcee and Bumblebee jumped their way down the rocks to the bottom to scout ahead. Arcee's observant pink and blue optic eyes picked out an object in the rubble. She picked up his horn, her face falling into despair as she looked up at Optimus with Cliffjumper's horn.
"Ratchet, can you track his position?" Optimus inquired turning to Ratchet hoping he could save his subordinate.
"No!" Ratchet screen on his arm for tracking Autobot life signals flickered offline, "Cliffjumper's life signal just went offline," Ratchet announced sadly.
…
"Soundwave. What is it?" Starscream demanded impatiently as the Decepticon approached him.
"Like Jasper, Nevada's a party? We're alone wherever we travel on this rock, Cliff." Soundwave replayed the recorded call with a visual effect on his screen face.
"The one called Arcee," Renier said uninterestedly, perched on the control console, a techno-organic with charcoal grey hair and blood red eyes.
Starscream clasped his hands behind his back and turned to Soundwave, "Why slay one Autobot while we still have the advantage of surprise?" He chuckled wickedly.
Renier sighed, his face set in a deadpan, he didn't say anything.
…
"We must not allow our anger over the loss of Cliffjumper to impair our judgement. As of today, only we five Autobots remain on this Earth. We owe it to ourselves; to the memory of Cybertron; to any Autobots in any galaxy seeking safe harbor; to humankind."
The Autobots stood in an open space of the desert where Arcee laid Cliffjumper's horn down upon the rock, they stood around as Optimus Prime gave a spark warming speech.
"And we owe it to the memory of our fallen comrade to survive."
"Arcee…," Optimus' voice trailed off watching the smaller femme walk away with a solemn expression on her face.
"If Cliff's gone, standing around here sulking won't bring him back. So, unless anyone minds, think I'll get back to protecting humankind," Arcee said bitterly before walking further away, "We still have a human girl to search for."
"Optimus, helping humans will result in more tragedy," Ratchet warned his leader.
"Your opinion is noted," Optimus nodded before gazing worriedly at Arcee's retreating form.
"Do you think we'll find Arias? Or Elita? It's been 18 years already with no sign," Bulkhead said, discouraged.
"No matter how many years pass, I won't stop looking for her until her expected lifespan is over," Optimus vowed, "I have a feeling she's closer than we believe. Until that day, let's not forget why we have been searching for her."
"The future ruler of Cybertron," Ratchet said distantly.
"Precisely, old friend," Optimus smiled softly at him, "My daughter, Arias, I know she's out there."
"She's a Prime, after all," Ratchet finished.
"Ew," Bulkhead mocked dry heaving, "Please stop that."
…
In downtown Jasper, Nevada, a sixteen-year-old boy working at the local fast-food restaurant named KO Drive-In, a mock restaurant of Sonic Drive-In from the East Coast. He had jet black hair and blue eyes. A normal teenage boy with a part-time job, school and a worry wart for a mother. His headset dinged with a customer in the drive thru, the young woman at the counter cashing out a couple. She had reddish brown hair that reached her middle back and glistened under the lights of the restaurant, her name tag on her uniform shirt read, Rose, turned to him as she closed the cash drawer. Her dark brown eyes met Jack's dark blue eyes.
She was the only woman on the KO team, and the only one who worked day shift Saturday through Wednesday, today was a different story. She was called in when the other day shifter quit five minutes before their shift started at 10 am. KO Drive In was open 8 am until 2 am. Her shift was 11am to 7 pm, Jack came in after school at 4 and only worked two to three hours per mother's insistence and then he worked either Saturday or Sunday or both days for a regular full shift.
"Can you take that for me, please?" She asked, politely, smiling apologetic.
Jack nodded at her, he touched his headset to accept the drive-thru order, "Welcome to KO Drive-In where the patties are a knockout. May I take your order?" Jack Darby spoke in the microphone in a very bored and forced manner.
Rose turned back to the couple and handed them their change with a smile as she listened to the order, knowing the suffocating pain of fast-food service.
"Uh, two super combos, extra fries." The voice of a douchebag teenage boy greeted their ears.
"OK. Deus numerous deus. Anything else?" Jack asked as he began to assemble the orders.
Rose and Jack worked greatly together, there were times when the two would run the place by themselves, no one was able to manage the pressure of fast-food service, if they weren't teenagers their boss would hand the keys over to them and take his retirement early with a peace sign.
"Yeah. Some advice. How do I get an awesome job like yours?" The boy tormented as the car laughed, Jack and Rose both rolled their eyes simultaneously.
Rose closed the cash drawer as she handed out the lobby order with the change on the tray. This wouldn't be the first time they heard this mocking laughter, nor would it be the last.
"So that's two not-as-funny-as-we-think-we-are combos with a side of bite-me," Jack sniped as he placed the bags on the counter.
"What'd you say!?"
"$5.59, sir, at the window," Jack said through his teeth having a challenging time maintaining his professional composure, he turned around to prepare to cash out the order.
The car pulled up to the window, the sound of crinkling bags and then shrieking tires of the car speeding off without paying.
"Hey!" Jack hung out of the window, he smacked the windowsill with a defeated sigh, "You have to pay for that!"
"I'll pay for it," Rose said pulling a ten from her apron, and selected an option on the POS system and cashed out the order and left Jack the change.
"Hey, Rose, we still on for tonight?" Jack asked, swiping the change from the counter, with her back turned to him he dropped the change into her purse.
She turned back to him, smiling as she swept the grill area, "Of course, I still have need to kick your butt in COD."
"Cool cool," Jack replied nodding his nod, he turned to the lobby counter smiling professionally at a middle-aged man in construction gear.
"My usual, Jack, please," The man sighed tiredly.
"Another long day, Henry?" Rose asked as she wiped down the available counter with a sanitary wipe, and a long with some trays with fresh wipes.
"Always, Miss Rose," He replied, "What you two kids up to tonight? A date?"
Henry knew these kids for the past year and half now for as long as they worked in the joint, his question he asked every day. It was more of a joke than a serious question, he knew, and all the regulars knew that the two were power partners during rushes.
"If only," Jack smiled joining in on the joke, "Rose keeps turning me down."
"Pfft!" Rose laughed and the other two chuckled. "June would have a heart attack."
…
"Twins," Arcee chimed.
She shifted her mirrors to see the two identical dark purple Cadillacs following her, she gained speed to evade them for now to get to a less busy area in case of witnesses. Arcee pulled into the KO parking lot and parked as the twins drove past, she was clear for now.
"Take five, Sadie," Arcee advised as she deactivated her holoform, and turned off her engine.
Jack and Rose walked out KO after clocking out as night shift took over; Jack pulled his ringing phone from his pocket and Rose followed behind him as he talked with his mother.
"Hey, mom. I just got off. … No. I'm not going to the dance. Experience says I should never cut a rug…unless I'm installing carpet." Jack sighed before dropping his head into his hand and then lifted his head. "Mom don't worry. Ro's coming over tonight. Mom! You know it's not like that!" Rose smirked at Jack's flustered expression knowing what June was saying to him. "…Be careful? This is Jasper," Jack scoffed before his eyes wondered onto the parked blue motorcycle in front of Rose, "I love you… Yeah. I love you too, mom. I gotta run. Mom says hi."
"Jack, that's not your bike," Rose said as he began walking up to the bike, "And he's going to be a bike pervert."
She knew well enough Jack loved motorcycles and anime girls, she knew what was coming next.
"Shut up. Hello, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?" Jack caressed the bike's curves, "Nice! It may take a few KO paychecks. But I am going to own a ride like you someday," Jack said to the sleek street bike as he felt the curves of the motorcycle and climbed on.
"Are you talking to your motorcycle?" Sierra scoffed before she and her friend laughed, Sierra, a fiery red head and her friend had pale blonde hair.
Rose choked on her Dr. Pepper, she coughed and wiped tears from her eyes.
"M-My motorcycle?" Jack inquired, then Jack recovered, he replied nervously trying to impress the girl, "No, uh, I mean, yes, yes. It's mine. But uh. W-Well, I'm-I'm not talking t- I'm talking to you," He face palmed fumbling for words. "I am," he sighed, and scratched the back of his head glancing at Rose.
She gave him a pushing motion with her hands, she dropped her hands when Sierra and her lapdog glanced at her, she smiled at them forcefully kind. She didn't like these two, they hung around Lance and the others, Jack was their prime subjects for classic high school torture and public humiliation. He was just naïve and had a stupid crush on the girl.
"How's things, Sierra? Take you for a spin sometime?" Jack offered, nervously.
"Come on, smooth operator. Wrap it up," Arcee pleaded quietly turning her mirror to the Con approaching from behind.
Rose shook her head as she stood near Jack and the motorcycle, she checked out the bike and noticed the vehicle approaching, she stepped closer to the bike.
"You know my name?" Sierra inquired, shocked, she was certain she had never seen him before.
"We're in home room together. I'm Jack. Jack Darby?" Jack asked hoping she noticed him.
The twins revved their engines and shone their headlights upon the group Jack.
"Scrap," Arcee cursed as the cars approached and the girls ran away shrieking.
Jack grabbed Rose's arm, and she climbed onto the back of the bike as the bike came to life, speeding out of the parking lot mainly on the back wheel and speeding between Decepticons. The Cons followed Jack, Rose and Arcee through the streets of Jasper.
"Do not let go!" Arcee advised Jack and Rose.
"Who said that?" Jack asked, scared for his life with Rose holding onto Jack for dear life.
The Cons surrounded their sides and Arcee knew she had only one option. With perfect timing Arcee braked making the Con collided together and sped around them and took off ahead. The Cons followed behind, catching up and reporting back to seething commander.
"Commander Starscream, target sighted with two human youths."
"Destroy them all!"
When Arcee had Jack and Rose safe in an alleyway, she skidded to a stop and let the two off.
"What are you?" Jack demanded the motorcycle.
"I don't exist. Tell anyone about me and I will hunt you down," Arcee threatened Jack and Rose, Jack grabbed Rose's hand and led her away.
Jack and Rose ran down an alley way, Jack grabbed her arm and pulled her from solid looking boxes she most likely would've tripped over.
"Are you okay?" Jack panted as they turned down another alleyway, worried for her wellbeing.
"Yes!" she answered out of breath. "You?"
"I've been better!"
Arcee noticed the Decepticon cars approach her from behind, she noticed that one took off in a different direction, the same alleyway that Jack and Rose had retreated.
"Scrap!" Arcee exclaimed frustrated as she took off after them.
Arcee wheelies jumping over the oncoming Con and sped around the corner. In the alley, Jack and Rose ran down they both looked over their shoulders at the vehicle approaching him, knocking trash and boxes out its way.
"I don't even know her!" Jack yelled.
"Go away demon car!" Rose shrieked, pushing herself faster nearly losing her glasses.
That same moment Arcee drove over the car, and sped up alongside Jack and Rose.
"Hop on!" Arcee yelled.
Jack hopped on first and Rose jumped on behind him, wrapping her arms securely around his waist. Arcee sped out of the alley onto the main road before turning onto the highway. Both teenagers yelped and ducked at the blasts of gunfire from the demon cars behind them.
"The demon cars are armed!" Rose shrieked.
"Why are those guys shooting at us?" Jack demanded.
"There's no us, kid. And they are no guys," Arcee retorted.
Bumblebee joined them on the highway from behind them and rammed into the Decepticons. After spinning around the highway a little bit, Bumblebee regained control and immediately followed after Arcee, Jack and Rose. Ready for another attack if Arcee needed him.
"Friend of yours?" Jack questioned.
"Family," Arcee corrected.
Rose looked back at the yellow car, unable to understand the keen interest in the yellow sports car with black racing stripes and no driver. Bumblebee couldn't believe her facial structure, two faces he had come to know over the years to search for a girl, their faces were mixed on her face. The shone on her in a way that made her brown hair glisten in a red shade and her dark blue eyes glistening. Bumblebee slowed down in shock and was blocked off by a Con, Rose twisted more to look behind her, worry filling her chest over the yellow car.
Under the reconstruction highway bridge, a young boy with a thick head full of brown hair imitated engine revs of a muscle car holding a controller in his hands as he watched his remote car drive in his own designed racetrack lap.
"Hi, mama. Racing right up the street. Okay. Just five more minutes?" Raf asked his mother before hanging up and resuming his race.
On the bridge above Arcee neared closed off construction signs and made a sharp right turn off the highway onto the hill, speeding down the hill with Jack and Rose shrieking, Arcee speed off the hill and onto the pavement. She skidded to a stop with a wide swing of her back tires and fully came to a stop.
"Whoa!" Raf gasped in awe, catching their attention.
"You have no idea," Jack retorted as he and Rose climbed off with shaking limbs.
"I lost my glasses because of you!" Rose pointed at the motorcycle.
"Not my problem," Arcee replied coolly.
They all turned to the sound of engines, they watched as they transformed into mid-air and landed quite bit away. They stood in fighting stances, their blasters unfolding from their arms, ready to catch fire.
"This ends here, 'Cons," Arcee declared as she transformed.
"Run!" Rose ran off first to the opposite wall of the open space of the underpass, Jack and Raf followed her.
She pressed her back against the wall, "Cars transforming into giant robots," Rose sputtered slipping onto the pavement as the battle begun before them as Arcee ran forward avoiding Con gunfire.
"What are they?" Raf asked looking over at Rose who got up and began looking around.
"Talking cars that turn into robots… or the other way around," Jack guessed.
Rose found the drainpipe and took off into the dark tunnel. She knew it was wrong to leave the boys but she prayed they would follow. Raf looked for Rose again.
"Uh, your girlfriend just took off," Raf pointed out.
Jack looked down at him already knowing who he was speaking of, "She's not my girlfriend. Huh?" He looked over to her last location and then looked around with no sight of her.
"Rose!" Jack called, he turned back to Raf, "she's not my girlfriend."
"You said that."
"This! *punch* Is! *punch* For! *punch* Cliff!" Arcee shouted at the Con she had landed solid left and right hooks into his face.
The Decepticon quickly recovered, turning his head back at her unaffected and began firing at her. For the first few blaster fires, she successfully dodged them until the very last one that hit her square in her chest and made her fly backwards. She landed on her back skidding to a stop, the teenagers watched in shock with impending fear creeping up their spines. From above on the bridge a yellow sports car broke through the construction barrier, the car fell and transformed into a male robot and landed on a Con and right hooked the other. Bumblebee pressed his foot down on the Con and then stepped back a couple times before crunching plastic reached his audio receptors. Bumblebee looked down and lifted his foot to see a destroyed toy remote control car under his foot, he stepped back and looked over at the three humans. Bumblebee buzzed an apology which only Raf understood between him and Jack.
"No problem. Really," Raf reassured him.
Bumblebee was shot square in the chest. He flew backwards as the Cons descended on him.
"Leave him alone!" Raf yelled, his confidence fleeting once the Cons turned their blasters in their direction, "Please?"
"Bad call," Jack remarked, "Now might be the best time to run."
One of the Con's began to approach them. Jack and Raf ran towards the drainpipe.
"Come on! Come on!" Jack shouted as they ran away from an approaching Decepticon.
They ran as far as they could into the drainpipe. Jack and Raf pushed themselves faster as a robot claw reached out for them.
"Keep moving!" Jack yelled as they ran.
The two turned to the clawed hand was sharply tugged away and the sounds of metal on metal before metal fell onto the pavement. Bumblebee's face came into view, Bumblebee bleeped a question.
"We're fine," Raf reassured him, smiling in appreciation, "Thank you," Raf thanked before Bumblebee beeped a reply and walked away.
"Don't look back," Jack instructed turning Raf around and Naomi was running again.
"What did we just see?" Raf asked as they started running again.
"No idea and I'm not sure I wanna find out," was Jack's reply.
…
The fight between Bumblebee, Arcee and the Decepticons dragged on. One involves Bumblebee getting kneed in his lower waist. As Arcee helped Bumblebee to his feet, the Decepticons slowly approached them ready to finish the job. Bumblebee and Arcee got into their fighting stances. An army green bulky SUV honked it's horn as it approached, the SUV transformed into the former wrecker, Bulkhead.
"Who's ready to rumble?" Bulkhead asked standing in position with his fellow Autobots.
The cons took one more look at the three Autobots before turning away and transforming, retreating.
"What took you?" Arcee demanded as Bumblebee doubled over still feeling the pain from being kneed in his mech regions.
"Traffic," Bulkhead replied as Bumblebee looked over at Arcee.
…
Rose found her way back to her house after spending a couple hours at the Darby residence, after kicking Jacks butt in COD multiplayer several times. She pulled her keys from her pocket as she walked up the sidewalk to the apartment where she resided in a small apartment. Jack refused to speak about what they witnessed, and she didn't push him, she left it again when he said the first time he didn't want to talk about it. She would've stayed for dinner at the Darby's but she wasn't feeling June's organic tofu tonight, she didn't notice that yellow sports car parked a few cars down watching over her.
He was going to return to base to report back after their patrol was over.
She showered, and made herself dinner before she found herself at her living room window staring out at the darkened winter sky. The days heat was thinning into chilly desert night air the more she stared out at the sky with a clear mind. Bumblebee wasn't sure if what he was real, all the way on the third floor in the window he seen a girl that looked like Rose with bright red hair looking out a window. But then her chest flashed signaling to him that it was her after his own insignia flashed, she didn't notice it. This was the girl they were searching for while battling the Decepticons, he just couldn't believe she had been here the whole time.
Time passed on as Bumblebee weighed his options, he wanted to be certain. Before she realized it, she was blinking and looking down at the muffled sound of an engine, she watched a yellow car drive down the street. From there, she began to think about the transforming motorcycle and muscle car. She woke up several times throughout the night taunted by nightmares, nightmares of unknown figures torturing her, nearly killing her. A fire filled battle with falling debris and large unknown figures, voices she couldn't decipher, people around her trying to get her away that she couldn't decipher.
But one image she was able to decipher, a young man a year or two older than her with golden blonde hair and icy blue eyes staring back at her. Reaching out to her with open wounds across his torso with a dark battered t-shirt, bruises littering his pale skin. Bruises around his throat, cuts and bruises on his handsome face, reaching out to her with shaking hands and anxiety filled eyes. Calling her by a name she hasn't been called since she was four. That image was branded in her eyelids every time she blinked staring at the wall across from her. She knew she was going to be dragging herself through work the next couple hours in an exhausted and delirious fog when she couldn't lay down anymore.
She went through her room, cleaning and going through her clothes, she picked up the pendent in fourth drawer hidden under pairs of pants and shorts. She examined it before putting it back in her drawer. What she didn't know, was that she was going to be seeing that same logo not even twelve hours from now. She made herself breakfast, she went to start a pot of coffee to prepare for work when she realized it was Friday.
She didn't need to, she found herself curled up in room with the a/c on and asleep. After 1 she woke up in a sweat from the vivid nightmare that paralyzed until she felt like she couldn't breathe. She kept seeing that man, and other figures she couldn't pick out.
…
"And the 'Cons would've been scrap metal if I wasn't distracted by the humans," Arcee reported to Optimus back at the Autobot base with Bumblebee at her side.
"Humans?" Optimus repeated, Bumblebee answered in bleeps with three fingers raised.
"Two boys and a girl."
"I guess the third one caught us in action. I don't know. Was a little busy at the time." Arcee replied rather sour, the wounds of her fallen partner still fresh.
"If the Decepticon's are targeting us. Anyone perceived as our ally would be at grave risk," Optimus declared.
Bumblebee bleeped an announcement that shocked both Arcee and Optimus.
"The girl?" Arcee asked.qaqqqa
"What is her name?"
Bumblebee answered din buzzes. Optimus began a search on Rose Williams.
…
After school the next day, Jack walked down the concrete stairs to the entrance of Jasper High dejected, a Japanese girl sketching in a sketchbook perched on the ledge, waiting for him patiently. Raf waved over at him from the tree on the corner of the block catching the pair's attention, Jack walked over to the younger boy.
"Raf. Hey," Jack greeted, scratching the back of his head, "Look. Let's just keep this between us and forget it ever happened, okay?"
"Jack!" Raf gushed excitedly as Bumblebee approached them.
"Not again," Jack moaned as Bumblebee opened its door, revealing Rose in the driver seat, looking exhausted, and Bumblebee beeped at them, "It wants us to get in."
"No, just Rose and I," Raf corrected, solemn.
"How do you know that?" Jack demanded.
"He said so," Raf shrugged simply.
"What?" Jack gaped in confusion.
"Yours is over there," Raf said, pointing over to Arcee parked in the parking lot.
"I really don't think that-," Jack was cut off.
"Hey, Raf." Rose greeted.
"How's it going?" Raf asked as he climbed in.
"What?" Jack turned around to Raf climbing into the car, Bumblebee closed his door once they were in, "Rose! Wait! Stop!" Jack called after Bumblebee speeding away.
Jack looked over his shoulder at Arcee before sighing and walking away.
"Coolest… bike… ever," The Japanese girl, Miko, squealed as she drew Arcee. Her ringing pink phone interrupted her, she flipped the phone open to a picture of her host parents calling her, "Host parents? Ignore."
She looked up to Arcee gone from the parking spot, she looked over her shoulder to see Arcee driving down the street behind her, she followed the bike. As Jack walked the alleyways, Arcee swung out in front of him and stopped in front of him.
"Relax... I just wanna talk to you," Arcee reassured him.
"Don't you mean you and your new friend?" Jack asked, bitterly.
"Kid, there's a lot you don't understand," Arcee told him as her holoform phased out.
"No. No. I get it. The first part about Robot Fight Club is you don't talk about Robot Fight Club. What you need to understand, I don't want a whole bunch of crazy talking vehicles following me around trying to get me killed!" Jack retorted as Arcee transformed behind him.
"Look, Jack, is it? Your personal safety is exactly why Optimus Prime has requested your presence," Arcee explained.
"Wait. Optimus who?" Jack demanded.
"You may be in danger because you are one of the few – one of the only – who have ever seen us," Arcee told him.
"Dude! What are you waiting for? Go with!"
The two turned to a Japanese girl who was observing excitedly.
"Scrap," Arcee sighed.
…
Miko cheered from behind Jack on Arcee, Bumblebee driving in front of them with Raf and Rose in his backseat.
"And why exactly are we taking her?" Jack asked, annoyed.
"Rules," Arcee replied.
"Hey. Wait! Whoa!" Jack shouted as they drove past a stop sign, driving off road to a massive rock formation.
Mechanical doors opened from a rocky face, and they drove in to reveal a secret tunnel. As soon as Bumblebee and Arcee were inside the doors closed shut. Miko gasped in amazement looking up at the ceiling as they slowed down and entered the main room.
"Cool," Raf gasped dreamily as he admired the computers with Rose at his side pushing hair out of her face as she leaned over to see.
"Whoa," Jack and Miko gasped as they faced more of the Autobots.
Jack and Miko climbed off Arcee as Raf and Rose climbed out of Bumblebee, and the Autobots transformed behind them.
"I thought there were three?" Ratchet asked, recalling previous conversations.
"Haven't you heard? Humans multiply," Arcee stated dryly, walking away from the humans.
"I'm Raf," Raf introduced himself to Miko.
"Rose," Rose saluted two fingers at the medical officer and looked down at the logo near her feet.
She froze in shock
"I'm Miko," Miko piped in as she ran up to Bulkhead, "Who are you?"
"Bulkhead."
"Are you a car? I bet you're a truck! A monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wrecking ball for a punching bag?" Miko's questions came faster than Bulkhead could process the questions, making Bulkhead nervous.
"So, if you guys are robots, who made you?" Raf questioned.
"Puh-lease," Ratchet scoffed, annoyed to the max.
"I don't think he likes us very much," Rose commented to
Suddenly, the ground began to shake underneath their feet. Jack, Miko, Rose and Raf were a little freaked out. Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee weren't phased. Before the three humans knew it, they were standing before the commander of the little Autobot team, Optimus Prime. They looked up at him in awe.
"We are Autonomus Robotic Organisms from the planet Cybertron. Also known as Autobots," Optimus answered.
"Autobots?" Rose repeated, staring up at Optimus a little freaked out.
"Why are you here?" Jack asked.
"To protect your planet from the Decepticons," Optimus answered.
"The jokers who tried to bump us off last night," Arcee reminded Jack, Rose, and Raf.
"The demon cars," Rose recalled making Ratchet begin to seethe.
"Pfft!"
"Okay... Why are they here?" Jack asked.
"A fair question, Jack," Optimus complimented as he knelt before the humans, "In part, they are here because our planet is uninhabitable; ravaged by centuries of civil war."
"Why were you fighting a war?" Raf questioned.
"Foremost, over the control of our world's 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," Optimus explained.
"Is there gonna be a quiz?" Miko sighed twirling hair on her finger.
"So, what does Megatron or any of this have to do with us?" Jack demanded.
"Megatron has not been seen or heard from in some time. But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic," Optimus replied.
Rose ran a hand through her hair, "That's intense."
…
Aboard the Nemesis, Soundwave's screen face displayed a transmission signal as he walked up the path to where Starscream stood at the frontal console.
"Those transmissions are emanating from deep space. I would hate to waste the Energon…" Starscream sighed, "Unless you are absolutely certain."
Soundwave nodded his head once in confirmation.
"Then lock on transmission coordinates and activate the space bridge," Starscream requested, a hint of aggravation in his tone.
A Decepticon drone nodded and typed in the transmission coordinates into the computer. Within moments, the space bridge opened.
Way out of Earth's orbit, a space bridge portal opened. Breaking through the barriers of the portal slowly was a silver and purple fighter jet who transformed when he was free.
"Decepticons! … I have returned!" Megatron proclaimed with his twisted grin.
…
The Nemesis hovered above a mountain, door unlocked and opened on the belly of the ship and lowered a Cybertronian elevator technology to transport the Energon into the ship.
"Of the Energon deposits we have located while you were away, Lord Megatron, this one is by far the most significant. The drones have been mining without pause during your absence and have amassed quite a stockpile," Starscream reported with delight, he pointed to random drone, "You there, fetch me a sample."
"Starscream."
Starscream flinched, startled at Megatron's bellowing voice, Megatron walked out from a Con made tunnel and glared down at Starscream. His son, Renier, on his flank, Renier was smoother framed and sleek than Megatron's spikes and sharp edges. Megatron was a Cybertronian jet, and Renier was a Aston Martin Rapide, instead of an identical arm canon, Renier had a sword strapped to his back.
"Now that I am returned, I will issue the commands." He began walking forward again to overlook the labor.
"I understand, Lord Megatron." Starscream said meekly, disappointed. "Then as your humble servant. Shall I ready the space bridge to bring forth the Decepticon Army, you have surely gathered during your three years in space?"
"My army will come," Megatron replied, he looked over his shoulder at Starscream, "But my time away has yielded a more intriguing means pf materializing them – a solidified form of the matter – the ancient texts refer to as the Blood of Unicron." Megatron held a electric purple shard of Energon in his right hand, the shard illuminated purple light.
Starscream gazed at the shard from the side, "Unicron the destroyer. But it is said that his blood is the antispark."
"Plucked from cosmic shores, I suppose," Renier said while looking out over the mine.
"Gaze upon Dark Energon," Megatron breathed in delight.
"Legend tells that it holds the power to… revive the dead," Starscream was beginning to mental question Megatron's actions.
"We require only a cadaver to be certain." Megatron glanced at Starscream with only his eyes, "Are you willing to make the ultimate sacrifice?"
Starscream chuckles, nervously, "That may not be necessary. If I may, Lord Megatron?"
Down the hatch in front of them, two Vehicons and a red Cybertronian strapped to a metal slab, restrained. The metal slab moved with the Cons as they approached their psychotic master.
The red Cybertronian was, no other than, the very dead Cliffjumper.
"Consider it a 'Welcome Home' present." Starscream says looking at Megatron.
Megatron grinned, pleased, as Renier observes from a distance.
…
"And since now you know of our existence, I fear that as of last night, the Decepticons know of yours," Optimus explained.
"Got it. If we spot any strange vehicles, call 911," Jack retorted. "Can we go now?" Jack asked.
"Are you insane?" Miko inquired, "I'm living the dream here in Botsuana! And I'm going to allow you or anyone else to shatter it!"
"It is best you four remain under our watch. At least, until we can determine our enemies' intentions," Optimus cut off their argument.
"Optimus, with all due respect. The human children are in as much danger here as anywhere," Ratchet protested.
"Children?" Jack repeated, offended.
"If they go underfoot, they will go… pssh. Squish," Ratchet said, the word squish with a cringe, gesturing with a slight raise of his foot.
"Then, for the time being, Ratchet, we must watch where we step." Optimus concluded destroying Ratchets hopes.
Alarms started going off startling the quad of human.
"What's that?" Jack asked.
Bumblebee bleeped in response.
"Proximity sensor," Raf answered, translating for Bumblebee, "Someone's up top."
"It's Agent Fowler," Ratchet announced pulling up security camera screens.
"I thought we were the only ones who know of you guys?" Jack asked confused, Optimus gazed down at the boy.
"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. As he tends to visit when there are… issues," Optimus explained shortly before advising, "It may be best if you do not meet him at this time."
With that, the four began to scramble for a hiding spot. Rose, Jack, Miko, and Raf hid under the stairs as the hissing of the elevator doors opened to scrawling heavy set man.
"7 wrecks, 34 fender benders. A three-hour traffic jam. And of particular note: numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make," Fowler listed the complaints as he walked across the platform to get a better visual of the Autobots, "And a black and yellow custom muscle car. So is there anything you want to get off your tin chest, Prime?"
"We have the situation under control, Agent Fowler," Optimus replied calmly.
"They're back, aren't they?" Fowler asked.
"If you're referring the to the Decepticons, I have doubts they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable," Optimus answered.
"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon," Fowler suggested.
"Hear me, Agent Fowler. We are the best, possibly you're only, defense against the Decepticon threat," Optimus remarked, not willing to put human lives at risk.
"Says you," Fowler snapped, so ready to make that call.
"Hey, fleshy," Bulkhead called ready to defend Optimus' words, "Did anyone get splattered on that freeway? Team Prime knows when to use force, and how much to use," Bulkhead retorted while crushing an object of Ratchets in his hand, seeming to pop a part of the trinket.
"Bulkhead, I needed that!" Ratchet snapped, glaring at him.
"Enough!" Optimus ended the argument before it started, he turned back to Fowler, "Military involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, Agent Fowler. I, however, cannot."
"Then do us both a favor, and handle this, Prime. Under the radar," Fowler advised while stepping into the elevator, "Or I will."
With that the doors closed and he was gone.
"Better big bearings for a human," Bulkhead grumbled.
"Agent Fowler is concerned for his world, Bulkhead." Optimus said looking down at the human teenagers, "As he should be."
…
Megatron walked up to the slab while rising the shard in his hand.
"Let us see if power born of darkness can reignite the spark." He declared to himself before stabbing Cliffjumper harshly in the chest with the shard.
Cliffjumper came back to life with his body glowing purple, the sound of snarls emitting from his throat as he trashed around the slab before ripping off his restraints, undead Cliffjumper jumped off the metal slab and tackled an armed mining drone to the ground. Punching him and dodging the blaster fire, Megatron smiled in content. Cliffjumper squeezed the head of the drone, his buddy coming to his aide in blaster fire. Cliffjumper recovered from the two blaster fires that hit him and tackled the other drone further into the mine. Starscream started retreating.
"Is that your plan?! Bring Autobots back from the dead to attack us?!" Starscream demanded, freaked.
"That is no longer an Autobot – just a mindless beast, its only instinct to destroy anything in its path."
Cliffjumper began to walk out of the shadows and run towards Megatron snarling, Megatron unfolded his blade and prepared for Cliffjumper. Megatron sliced it in half making undead Cliffjumper slow and then split into two as he fell over the edge.
"There, Starscream," Megatron folded his blade, and the trio walked to the edge, "Rise the indestructible seed of my army, the ultimate weapon."
Megatron kicked off the part of Cliffjumper that held onto the edge, and it fell three levels down.
"Once I learn to control it."
…
"All this talk is making me hungry," Miko remarked after her stomach growled lowly making Rose chuckle.
"At least, I'm not the only one."
"Blasted Earth tech!" Ratchet cursed while staring at an anomaly with surprise, "Cliffjumper's life signal just popped back online!"
"Who's Cliffjumper?" Miko inquired.
"How is that possible?" Optimus asked.
"It isn't. Another bug. Systems chock-full of them," Ratchet replied.
"If there's any chance Cliff's alive…" Arcee railed looking up at Optimus.
"Ratchet, prepare sick bay. We may need it," Optimus advised.
"Hey! What can we do?" Miko asked, excitedly.
"Remain with Ratchet," Optimus replied.
"Awww," Miko and Ratchet both moaned in disappointment as Ratchet activated the groundbridge.
"Autobots, roll out!" Optimus instructed as they transformed into their vehicular modes and drove into the portal.
"What just happened?" Jack asked curiously.
"I transported them to the designated coordinates via the Groundbridge," Ratchet answered.
"What's a Groundbridge?" Raf questioned.
"A scaled-down version of Space Bridge Technology," Ratchet explained annoyed, "Since we don't possess the means or Energon required for intergalactic travel…"
"You're stuck here… on Earth," Jack chimed in realization.
"With the likes of you, yes. But I constructed the Groundbridge to enable travel from here to anywhere on your planet," Ratchet boasted proudly.
"Does it work for humans?" Raf asked curiously.
"Naturally," Ratchet nodded.
"You mean we could just shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?" Miko questioned.
"Within moments. In fact, allow me to send you there immediately. All four of you," Ratchet offered hopefully.
"Watch it, Ratchet," Miko warned.
…
"What is this, anyway?" Miko asked as she went to touch a piece of a open console.
"Broken. Don't touch," He answered, Miko went to touch something else, "Don't touch that either!" He had mom eyes on the back of his head.
"Is there anything in here we can touch?" Jack questioned standing beside Miko his eyes scanning the area.
"How come you are using human computers?" Raf asked Ratchet as one of the computers began to have heart attack.
"It certainly isn't by choice. It was handed down from the previous tenants when we inherited this former missile silo. I make changes as I see fit," Ratchet explained trying to fix his screens.
"I think I can fix that," Raf retorted plugging a cord into his laptop and into a console.
"Really? You know this is complex technology, don't you? I mean, it isn't a child's toy," Ratchet laughed as Raf typed away on his laptop.
"Now try," Raff invited.
Ratchet looked back at his screens and the pop-ups disappeared, Ratchet looked back at Raf in disbelief.
"Rose!" Jack called.
…
Above, aboard the Nemesis, Megatron observed his stash of a massive cluster of Dark Energon, He walked up to it, "Blood of Unicron, how might I fathom the depths of your mystery, become worthy of wielding your astonishing power?"
The screen towards his left arm beeped with a immediate transmission call, Starscream's upper body displayed on the video screen, "Lord Megatron, intruders have been detected in the mines."
"Optimus?" Megatron asked, hopefully.
"Indeed." Starscream clarified.
"I need more time to prepare an appropriate reception for my old friend. Ready the ship for departure."
"But the Energon I've mined— The Autobots will seize it!" Starscream protested.
"Then send down Renier!" Megatron growled,
Renier opened his optics from the other side of the room taking a step that certainly made his father uneasy.
"Very well."
"Your stealth has increased, Renier. But I ask if you would please announce your presence around me."
"Yes, Father." The doors closed behind Renier's form.
…
Down below in the mine, behind cover Bulkhead, Bulkhead, Optimus, and Arcee shot up at the levels of flooring with creeping Decepticons firing back, Rose's presence was known after he after transformed the first time into the mine as they prepared for being in the middle of a sea of Decepticons. Only be caught in the air by Arce and made the Autobots job a bit more difficult. Rose huddled down behind the metal crate near Arcee's feet, Arcee ducked down and glanced down at the young woman.
"See? This isn't a game, Rose!" Arcee scolded, and then looking back up to search for Cliffjumper, and returning fire.
"I'm sorry." Rose apologized, covering her ears, "Mom said my curiosity would bite me in the ass someday!"
"It's Cliff. I have a visual." Arcee reported to Optimus.
"We'll cover you go. Go!"
Arcee jumped over the crate, and Rose stayed in her place. Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Optimus covered Arcee as she made it to Cliffjumper, Optimus growled as he seen a dark grey form fall down the hatch and land on the ground in a crouch. Renier stood to his feet with his sword on his hip drawn.
"Optimus," Renier greeted, calmly.
"Renier." Optimus replied.
"I'm sorry to cut this reunion short. I have a job to complete," Renier held out a bomb that was already ticking before he whipped it at the Autobots.
Arcee was already speeding up to Rose who jumped up and climbed on, gripping her handlebars as Arcee took off at high speeds with Optimus yelling out a command just as an explosion was impending.
…
Ratchet, Jack, Miko and Rafael turned to face the Groundbridge as they heard the explosions and the sound of engines breaking through the barriers of the portal. Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee raced through the portal into the command center as Rose climbed off Arcee and ran towards the stairs. Jack, Miko and Raf ran towards her. Once Optimus was out, Ratchet closed the Groundbridge, preventing the exploding Energon to follow further into the base. Optimus transformed, back flipping away. Once he saw that his team, once he realized everyone was safe and sound he relaxed.
"Whoa!" Jack, Miko and Raf gasped as they all looked on.
"What were you thinking?" Arcee leaned down to Rose, her optics flaming with anger.
"Cutting it kinda close. How about Cliffjumper?" Ratchet asked, causing the four Autobots to lower their heads dismayed.
"What was that explosion? Can I come with next time?" Miko gushed.
"Look," Arcee growled, losing patience.
"Hey, hey, Miko. Let's go see what the bots hide in their sock drawers," Jack suggested as he led Miko away.
"Seriously?" Miko replied blinking.
Rose and Raf both looked at each other before turning to Bumblebee whom walked up to them.
"Arcee, what did you see?" Optimus asked his second-in-command gently.
"Not Cliff. At least… not anymore," Arcee answered, "He was mutated. Butchered like something from those 'Con experiments during the war."
Suddenly, a wave of dizziness wash over her. Arcee nearly fainted. Bumblebee beeped in worry as he stepped forward to assist her before she collapsed.
"I'm fine, Bee. I'm just dizzy." Arcee reassured him.
"Bots who get dizzy," Miko gasped.
"Robots with emotion," Raf added.
"Robots who can die," Jack piped in.
"There's more them than meets the eye," Rose sighed.
Optimus, Bumblebee and Bulkhead looked at her. Immediately, Ratchet did a scan on Arcee's hand, the blue beam turned red. He noticed a purple substance, he scrapped it off with medical tool.
"What is this?" Ratchet asked.
"Don't know. Cliff was covered in it. Leaking it," Arcee replied, distraught.
"Go take a decontamination bath. Now."
Bumblebee guided Arcee to the decani enation showers as Ratchet began to analyze his sample.
"Optimus, I hate to bug. But… no bars," Jack held his phone up for Optimus to see.
"A security precaution. The silo walls isolate all radio waves," Optimus explained to Jack.
"Well, if I don't call my mom, like now, I'm pretty sure the cops will come looking for me," Jack explained, he glanced over at Rose.
"Have you broken the law?" Optimus asked worriedly as he bent down so he was leveled with his new human friends.
"Uh, curfew. It's after 10pm," Jack corrected.
"I'd better get home too. Or I'll be grounded for a year," Raf piped in.
"Earth customs. I haven't considered," Optimus hummed before speaking up again, "But the issue of your safety remains. Bulkhead, accompany Miko home."
"Awesome! My host parents will freak!" Miko cheered.
"And maintain covert surveillance in vehicle form," Optimus added.
"Curbside duty. Got it," Bulkhead nodded in understanding, Miko groaned in disappointment again.
"Bumblebee, you'll watch over Raf," Optimus said turning to Ratchet, "Ratchet?"
"Busy," Ratchet waved him off as Arcee walked out of the showers.
"Arcee, if you feel up to it, you'll accompany Jack," Optimus decided.
"Still dizzy," Arcee informed Optimus, hoping to get out of it
"You're fine, says your physician," Ratchet butted in.
Arcee sighs in defeat.
"What about Rose?" Miko asked.
"I will accompany Rose," Optimus replied looking down at the young woman.