Holy crap I am sooooo sososo sorry for taking this long to update this chapter. Between the Pandemic, moving, getting a job at Walmart( i swear they are trying to kill me!), getting engaged, and wedding planning AND no internet to be ABLE to post chapters... yeah it's been a rough year and a half, almost two years. So again I apologize for the VERY late update plz don't be mad at me! And now I give you the next chapter of Shadow Of The Night! ENJOY!
Chapter Eight: Reckless
"What you doing there Shadow?"
I turned at the sound of Cliffjumpers voice with a very large cup of coffee in my hands. I had woken up feeling like a fragging walker. Windblade and I stayed out till 1 fucking 30 AM. Yeahhhh, me is very tired. So what better way to start the day than with a very large cup of coffee with lots of sugar, hazelnut creamer, and some whipped cream? Thankfully this kitchen had a coffee maker since I had already gotten the other stuff I needed to make my perfect blend of coffee.
"I am in serious need of coffee or somebody dies... most likely Miko." I groaned out before I took a nice long drink of my liquid gold.
My guardian breathed out a laugh before taking a seat next to me, he too seemed to have a cup of what I believe is Energon. We sat in comfortable silence just sipping our drinks and enjoying each other's presence, and noooo I was not stealing quick glances of Cliff every 30 seconds...
It wasn't long before we finished and were washing out our mugs. When we were finished I turned to him before I decided to ask him what the deal was between him and Windblade.
"So about yesterday, what was-" And cue the loud explosion from the Command center.
Cliffjumper's face immediately turned panicked. "Decepticons!" But before he could do anything I grabbed his wrist and he looked at me in confusion. "Shadow, what you-"
"Don't worry, it ain't the Cons, it's just Raf's project not going as planned." I explained to him and he visibly relaxed.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about the other humans working on some kind of schooling projects." Then he looked down to where I was still holding him. Oh frag! My face flushed as I let go and quickly left the kitchen and made my way to the main room... and in the middle of Ratchet's ranting. That's when I spotted Windblade next to O.P.
They both looked towards me and I mouthed 'Good morning' to them. Optimus nodded while Windblade grinned and motioned me to him, but before I could even take one step I was suddenly scooped up by a giant metal hand and placed on the shoulder plating of my guardian.
I raised my eyebrow at Cliffjumper as he smirked at me. Rolling my eyes I turned towards Windblade who was glaring daggers at the red bot. I shrugged and mouthed 'I tried'.
"You're a motorcycle Arcee; shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?" Jack asked Arcee and I couldn't help grinning.
"You're a human Jack; can you build me/her a small intestine?" Arcee and I said at the same time. The two of us looked at each other before we started laughing, only to stop when Ratchet spoke.
"You can't work on these projects in here, you're... making a mess!" Ratchet exclaimed in annoyance. I rolled my eyes at that. Jeez Ratch, lighten up will you.
"But the Science Fair is a big part of our grade." Raf piped in.
"Yeah, if Bulkhead doesn't help me finish my model of our Solar System..." Miko started only to be interrupted by Ratchet.
"Ohh? And what does Bulkhead know of your Solar System, or Bumblebee of your volcanoes, or..."
"Arcee of our motorcycles?" Jack finished.
"Precisely! We're not Earthlings, and they're not scientists." Ratchet agreed, then stated.
"Really? You don't need to be an actual scientist to like or do science. And it would also help them learn more about Earth." I retorted in the kids and bots defense.
"I have to agree with Shadowstalker, the Autobots are their guardians, would it hurt to learn more of Earth by helping our young friends with their school work?" Optimus piped in and I couldn't help but beam with the fact that he agreed with me.
"Well maybe our young friends should try learning more of Cybertron." Ratchet tried to argue.
My hand shot up when he said that. "I'm down for that, and I'm pretty sure that the others would like to as well." I said with a knowing smirk as I glanced at the three to see them nodding eagerly.
I almost laughed when Ratchet seemed to be at a loss for words before he grumbled and walked away.
The three kids continued on with their projects with their guardians help. I looked up at Cliffjumper and got his attention.
"Hey can you let me down?" And the fragger gave me a fake hurt expression.
"But why? Am I not good enough for you anymore? Ouch, I'm sparkbroken!" He brought his servo up over his chestplate with such dramatics that he could have won an Emmy Award.
"Oh ha ha, very funny, I just want to help Raf with his project." I playfully backhanded the side of his head. He laughed and lowered me to the ground.
I walked over to the young boy who smiled upon seeing me. "Morning Shadow, how are you doing?"
"Oh I'm doing pretty good, what about you?" I asked as I lightly ruffled his hair. "I'm good, but I would be better if my volcano would stay up like it's supposed to." He said in disappointment. I hummed as I stepped up to the deflated project before looking back at him. "Mind if I give you a hand?" I asked and his face lit up, nodding.
"Mind if I join ya'll?" Windblade asked as he walked over in his holoform. I grinned. "The more the merrier." And with that the three of us started working on the project.
Suddenly I remembered that Ratchet goes all mad scientist on them later on today. So taking out my phone, I started a group chat with just Jack, Miko, and Raf.
'Hey just letting the three of you know that sometime today, Ratchet will be helping with y'all's projects which would be great and all if only he doesn't go all mad scientist on us. So when I tell ya too, go put ya projects in my room and i'll help ya finish them later. Let Arcee and Bulkhead know as well.'
I sent the text and not two seconds later Raf pulls his phone out, reads the text, then looks at me. 'show bumblebee' I mouthed. He nods and shows the curious scout while I tell Windblade what's going on.
Our phones then went off letting us know that Jack and Miko had responded.
Miko: 'Seriously? Alright, as long as I get a good grade so I don't fail sophomore year.'
Jack: 'Okay, thanks for the warning.'
After that was done we continued helping Raf while Bee tells us how he became a scout and how he wishes to become a warrior.
"Really? Then how do you make Warrior Class?" Raf asked Bee in curiosity as he laid down another newspaper.
"A lot more experience apparently." Bee answers the boy.
"But I've seen you in action. You're awesome, Bumblebee!" Raf exclaims with a big smile and I nodded in agreement as the bot chuckles.
Then seemingly out of nowhere, Prime lays a servo on Bees shoulder. "I second your opinion Raf, but Autobot life cycles are much longer than those of humans. Though it may be hard to believe, our young scout still has much to experience."
Before I could get any words out the main computer suddenly went off. Here we go again. We're off to see the coward, the cowardly robotic chicken. I mentally sang to the tune of Wizard Of Oz.
"Exposed Energon, and it's on the move." Ratchet informed us as we started to gather by the computer. Windblade lifted me to his shoulder before going over to the computer.
"And since we're not moving it, guess who must be." Bulkhead says.
"Decepticons." Arcee voices all of our thoughts as she stands next to the wrecker.
"Without Megatron?" Miko asks, confused.
"Unfortunately Megatron's legacy will live on as others rise up to take his place. Autobots, you have projects to complete. Ratchet, I may require aid." Optimus informs before turning to the medic, who in turn looks at the three projects. "Science Fair is a big part of their grade." He turns back to O.P.
"Perhaps I'm better suited to remain here and supervise." Ratchet decided.
"Very well. Bumblebee, let us see about this Energon in transit."
"Y'all have fun and be careful out there." I called out to the two as Ratchet got the ground bridge ready. Optimus nodded while Bee reassured me that they'll be alright, to which I already know that they will even though they will be going against Skyquake.
As soon as they were gone I smacked my forehead onto Windblade's neck. "Wellllll fuuuuuuck." I groaned low enough that only he heard me. "So Shadow, what are your orders?" He asked me as I sighed before looking back to see Ratchet already approaching the kids.
"Well first, get their projects into my room so we can finish them later when Ratchet isn't paying attention." I whispered low enough so Mr. Pistons-May-Be-Rusty-But-Hearing-Sharp-As-Ever can't overhear.
Lowering me to the ground we walked over to where everyone was gathered and Ratchet was already in the process of gathering tools and material for his projects.
Noticing that the others were looking at me, including Cliffjumper, who Arcee must have let him in on the plan, nodding to them to let them know to start putting the projects into my room. So Windblade, careful not to mess it up, gathered Raf's volcano while Cliffjumper gathered Jack's bike and parts and headed for the room. I ran up the stairs and grabbed Miko's Solar System while she grabbed her paints and brushes and hightailed it to my room.
"So where do you want us to put these?" Windblade asked as I looked around the room.
"We can set them over there." I pointed to the right side of the room that doesn't have anything yet.
After we sat the projects down and Miko ran back to the main room, I plopped down onto my bed face first. Then I heard two sets of Transforming. Not long after I felt the bed shift before the person laid next to me with their arm purposely lying over my head.
Chuckling, I reached up and moved his arm. "Crazy nutcase of a guardian." I muttered.
"Yeah, but that's what you love about me." Cliffjumper says with a huge grin in his tone.
I couldn't hold back my own grin. "No argument there."
Suddenly my stomach makes itself known in the loudest way ever. Primus, i'm starving, all I had so far was a cup of coffee.
"Well something tells me you're hungry." Windblade says as I felt him sit on the other side of me. I breathed out a laugh as I turned onto my back. "Starving."
"How do you feel about going somewhere to eat? My treat." Cliffjumper offered and I gave him a look.
"Oh so you happen to have a wad of cash hidden somewhere on you?" My guardian laughed before standing up.
"I got my ways." He smirked and pulled me up.
I shook my head, chuckling. "Alright, whatever you say Cliff." Then I turned to Windblade. "Would you like to join us Windblade?" And I swear to Primus Cliffjumper seemed to falter at my offer. Either the white bot didn't notice his reaction or he didn't care as he seemed to beam at my offer.
"I would love to join you."
Nodding, I went over to my wardrobe and scavenged through it, cause there's no way in hell I'll go into town in a dark purple spaghetti strap and black shorts with a Halloween Hello Kitty on it.
It didn't take long to get ready and out of base, though I could clearly hear hushed arguing between Cliffjumper and Windblade while I was in the bathroom getting ready. I swear I have absolutely zero clues as to why those two seem to dislike each other so much.
All I did was ignore them the best I could and finish putting my hair up in a messy bun that actually looks cute and not make me look like I'm higher than cloud 900 and doing every drug on Earth. I was wearing a brown shirt with the RealTree logo over my heart, blue jeans, brown bracelet with turquoise rhinestones, and my black converse.
"So what's this place we are going to?" Windblade asked me as we are going through Jasper to get to the next town, which is a bit bigger.
"It's called Buffet Palace, it's an all-you-can-eat Chinese Buffet." I couldn't help but feel giddy about going to it. I am in love with Chinese Buffets as well as Japanese grills and sushi bars.
"A buffet is where you have several columns with different varieties of foods. And with buffets you can actually see what you are getting and get as much as you want. I, for one, absolutely love Chinese Buffets." He grinned at me.
"Well if you like it, then i'm sure i'll like it as well."
"Yeah, and I'll help you a bit since this would be your first time at any restaurant. A bit of advice, when you pick whichever food you want to try, try only a small portion at first so you can see if you like it or not and if you do you can get more." I explained to him before looking out at Cliffjumper who was driving in front of us, per my decision.
Yeah, I had to look on google maps for the nearest Chinese Buffets, which was roughly half an hour away in Henderson. I gave Cliffjumper the address and told him that I will ride with Windblade since he's still pretty new to Earth's roads. He seemed to want to protest but luckily kept his mouth shut.
Soon enough we were pulling into the parking lot and I was quite happy to see that the place seemed a bit bigger than the one I used to go to, which I love. The bigger the place the more food choices you have. And I can't wait to get my hands on some Sushi.
*The Next Day*
Well apparently I don't get to go to bed till very late at night now... I didn't get to go to sleep till somewhere between 1:30 and 2 in the fragging morning because as soon as the three of us got back to base, we started to help with the kids' science projects. The bots (minus Prime and Doctor Control Freak) had gone into their rooms and came back using their holoforms, which would help a lot since my room isn't big enough to hold all the bots and not cause damage to my stuff, the projects, and us humans.
Windblade had decided to keep a lookout in case Ratchet came around.
Before we left the restaurant I had researched the best DIY volcano formula for Raf and stopped by the store to pick up some supplies. When we got to my room I had printed out the formula for Raf and Motorcycle Engine Schematics for Jack, and let Miko use my Microsoft to get what she needs for her project.
Miko's project was the first to be finished and Bulkhead took her home after we told them that we were good here when they offered to stay and help. No, it's best that she gets as much rest as she can since it was 11:30 pm. We got Raf's finished around 12:10 and we can see just how exhausted he was as he nearly passed out in my arms when I gave the young kid a hug. Then there was Jack's project which took the longest but finally finished around 1:55 or so.
After everyone left my room I stripped off my clothes except my underwear and sports bra, too lazy to put on my pajamas, just about face planted onto my bed.
So I wasn't at all surprised when I ended up waking up at 12:45 noon. But did I feel like getting up? Hell nah to the nah nah nah (Sorry I've been watching Tik Tok).
Flipping myself over onto my left side I found myself looking at my computer and many thoughts crossed my mind. Could I still access anything about Transformers?
Curiosity finally got the best of me as I hauled myself out of bed, wrapping a smaller throw blanket around me before grabbing my phone and sat down at my desk, turning on the laptop.
After it warmed up I went straight to YouTube, searching up Transformers Prime. I know I got the DVDs with me but I still wanted to see if it'll still show up.
It took a few seconds but I couldn't help but squeal in joy when all sorts of videos of the show popped up causing me to slap a hand over my mouth. Please tell me no one heard that.
I sat frozen for several seconds before relaxing when nothin-
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Shit!" I yelped before exiting out of the website faster than I have exited out of anything in my life and made sure the blanket was around me.
"Yeeesss?" I called innocently, and the door opened to reveal Optimus.
"I see that you are finally up." He steps in, door closing behind him.
"Been up for a few minutes, I was just going through some stuff on my computer. Was gonna stay in here a little longer, see if going through some stuff could possibly trigger any memories. Plus, there shouldn't be any Decepticon activity today... Wait, what is today?" I asked curiously.
"Today is Friday I believe. Why do you ask?" Well scrap... then that would mean that tomorrow we could be dealing with some scraplets. I also realize that I have been here for a week. Damn! Time really does fly by!
"Can't really say right now, but I will tell you that it has nothing to do with the cons so you don't need to worry about that. But that's all I can say." I said and he nodded in understanding.
"Let me change real quick and I'll come out." I grabbed my gray Bass Pro t-shirt and camo sweatpants, before going into the bathroom. When I came out he was still at my door. Tossing the throw on my bed I made my way to the Prime, who lowered his hand to my level so I could hop on.
When we got to the main room I could see everyone but Bulkhead and Bumblebee, who could possibly be out on patrol. Ratchet was, as always, by the computer while Arcee and Cliffjumper were conversing by the groundbridge and Windblade was by the entertainment center messing with a beautiful sword that looks oddly familiar.
"Hey Optimus, can you let me down?" Nodding, he lowered me to the ground where I proceeded to make my way over to the white mech, all the while staring at the sword that was all black with some purplish tint on it.
Windblade watched as I got closer, noticing how I was looking at the weapon.
Kneeling down, he held the sword just off the ground in front of me. It was so beautiful and so familiar that it was starting to irritate me.
Unbeknownst to me the entire room was watching me, wondering what was happening.
As my eyes traveled closer to the guard I noticed some Cybertronian script engraved into the metal. I only remembered a good handful of Cybertronian and at first I couldn't read what it said, but as I ran my fingers over the symbols I started to understand what it was saying.
Windblade
"Windblade." Then I noticed more writing on the other side.
To The Best Partner Anyone Could Ask For -Shadowstalker
My breath got stuck in my throat as I read the line over and over. Now I know why it looked so familiar, I gave it to him, My... partner. He was my partner.
All of a sudden I am bombarded by several memories all at once that I nearly collapsed. I remember him, as well as all those from the Shadowhunters. The sword, it was a gift I made him for his creation day, a day that we all got together and partied like there was no tomorrow.
I gasped as I finally snapped my head up to the bot before me.
"Blade." I said softly and I knew he heard me because he broke out in a huge grin. "You remember?" He breathed out. When I nodded he transformed, activating his holoform before wrapping his arms around me and spinning me around, hugging me like he hadn't seen me in ages. "Thank Primus, it's about time you remembered me."
"It's not just you, I remember everyone from the Shadowhunters. I gave you that sword for your creation day and our unit celebrating." I told him and he beamed. "Even better!"
"Sorry to interrupt, but Shadow?" I had to crane my head back to look at Ratchet since my partner here doesn't want to let go of me. "Yes?"
"Would it be alright if I did another checkup and scan of you?" I nodded and Windblade reluctantly let me go before deactivating the holoform and transforming. I hopped onto his hand when he lowered it down to me and followed Ratchet to the med bay.
I felt the tingle as the scanner ran down my body. Ratchet went over to the computer to analyze the results. "Everything seems to be in check. I just wanted to make sure that nothing abnormal was starting to come up." He explains before turning back to us. "You are free to go, though I would like to do a checkup a couple times a week just to be sure everything is in order."
I nodded. "Thank you." And with that we left the Med bay. When we came by Arcee and Cliffjumper it finally hit me why Windblade was pissed when Cliffjumper was calling me his partner.
"Alright, Cliffjumper, Windblade, Let's get one thing straight. Windblade is my partner from the Shadowhunters, and Cliffjumper is my guardian. So I don't want to hear y'all fighting or anything or so help me Primus I will disassemble the both of ya and turn ya into toaster ovens. Got It?" They both nodded viciously while Arcee started chuckling by how terrified they looked.
I gave them a cheeky smile. "Good. Now could you please let me down Blade." I almost burst out laughing at him pouting as he lowered me to the ground.
"So any of y'all wanna play a game with me?" I asked the three of them as I started walking backwards towards the steps.
"I would but I got to go pick Jack up from school. Perhaps when we come back." Arcee smirked before transforming and zooming out the base. Cliffjumper and Windblade however transformed and activated their holoforms.
"Well my charge is right here, so i'm in for sure. What game do you want to play?" Cliffjumper asked me. Poor Windblade just looked confused but seemed determined to join in on the fun.
"Call Of Duty Black Ops or Super Mario." I looked at Windblade. "It's confusing at first but after a bit you start to understand how to play."
We ended up playing COD and I helped Blade with the controls. It didn't take long till he got the hang of it... annnd now I wish I didn't show him how to play because he is now killing me over and over again... This is gonna be interesting.
And there we have it! I hope y'all enjoyed it, i'm sorry it took this long to post it, I don't know when I will be able to post the next chapter, we'll just have to play it by year.
Shadow:*Glares at Cliffjumper* Care to explain why you called me 'partner' to piss off Windblade?
Cliffjumper:*Gulps nervously* *Runs*
Shadow: Get Yo Aft Back Here! *Runs after her guardian*
Me:*Grabs popcorn* This will be entertaining. But until then, Shadowstalker out!