Sigh... Okay... You know what... I need to get this off my chest. Cause if I don't this will bother me for a long time and I can't be dealing with this shit.

So... Just recently, I've been getting an uptick of these messages on Fanfiction. These messages belong to so called 'Artists' repeating this message over and over again. They keep telling me that they are impressed with my story abilities and telling me to collaborate and turn my words into art. Each message is pretty the same with different wording or phrasing and it is starting to become blatantly obvious. These so called artists on FanFiction, they are scammers. Worse the scammers. They are fraudsters. I should know, I had went through this type of crap before.

See, on March of 2024, someone came to me on DeviantArt Chat, claiming that he is a mural artist that wishes to use one of the pieces I posted on the site to use a muse for a client. I...didn't think nothing of it and I thought that this can help give me more of a reputation within the community. So I blindly accepted the offer without giving it a second thought. That, was the worse mistake of my life as after two to three days, I immediately realize that this individual was an actual fraudster and treated me like walking piggy bank, draining me of my hard earned money just to give it to others.

I really don't get into the details of what happened during the time. That would be a long explanation that would take a couple of pages on this chapter. What you should know is that I was in a dark place after realizing I got tricked my this Con Artist. Not only I had to server the deal and block his number(s), but I had to deactivate and step away from both DeviantArt and Discord just to clear my head. Took me over a month to get back to Deviant and took a different direction with how I post my stuff while it took me NINE MONTHS to get back on Discord. Plus, I had to pay close attention to those who wishes to trick me again with the same Mural Art Scam. And believe me, I have seen the same old cookie cutter/copy pasted message over and over with a different wording but give out the Mural Art message time and time again. Hell, Cluedog, one of the artists I followed, warn of these frauds two months after I got caught in it. If he had warn me about this sooner, I would've been more cautious of this fraudster. But no, I let my generosity cloud my judgement and I paid a hefty price for it. That was my bad.

Now, here on Fanfiction, I am getting the same thing with these people, only they want to collab and turn my stories into art. Now, yes, I did speak to the first one that wanted to collab. But the moment this individual mentioned about prices, the thought of the Mural fraud incident came into mind. Cause of that thought, I went cold feet and backed away. Even after that, I have been getting more and more of the same messaging in collaborating and turning my words into their art. All of which with a different wording and phrasing. And the more I get these message, the more I knew that these people are not artists and they don't want to collab with me. They want to use me and treat me like a walking wallet, just to get rich quick. That's something I cannot take anymore!

So if any of you so called 'artists' that keep messaging me with this collab opportunity and promises of creating art from my stories, I will only say this...

GET THE F $# OFF MY CASE AND LEAVE ME THE F&% ALONE!

I'm not going to respond to you! I'm going to ignore you! And I won't be working with you, EVER! I was tricked by my this shit before, I won't get tricked again! Stay away from me!

sigh...

Sorry if some of you who are not scammers are a little uncomfortable by this rant. But giving this keeps annoying me, I had to mention it just to shut these scumbags up. If some of you wish to know more on the traumatic experience I had to deal with here's the link to my Youtube video where you get the full details on what I had to endure. It's all unscripted, yes, but it helps give you the details on how this scam got me into a dark place. You just need to copy the link and removed the space to see for yourself.

www . youtube watch?v=gcGKvv6PwZM&t=1s

Now that I got all that out of my system, let's get on with the story.

Taking a look back at the first chapter's review and hit count, I can see that it's a slow start. Just two reviews and over 250 hits. Including (groan...) one of these supposed artists wanting to collab, complete with social media links and everything. Again! I need to reiterate! I won't be collaborating with any of these artists. So don't be wasting my time sending me these copy and pasted messages everyday. Got it?! Still, this is just the start and I am hoping for more eyes on the story soon. After all, this is Goji's OC we're talking about and I need to work of it at the best of my abilities with his help. We shall see..

Now let's begin with the synopsis with the next story.

After his life was saved by the Autobots, Goji was adjusting to the life of a Cybertronian. However, he's not the only one that had that emergency procedure as there is one more that had the same fate as him.

Chapter Notes

In this chapter, Sari is make her debut, but only in a different direction. If anyone has a problem with that, sorry. It is my story and I want to do things my way. Besides, can't someone like Goji has a friend that shares the same boat as him.

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Animated

Chapter 2: Sharing the Same Boat

One Day Before the Invasion...

Growing up in a suburban neighborhood in Detroit, there are always going to be some obstacles in your way. For me, I had to go through a lot in my life. When I was born, the doctor diagnosed me with both autism and dyslexia, two of the most effective deficiencies at a young age. Thankfully, those two mental diseases rarely affect me much. It is only a few things that can resurface from time to time. In small periods, I get a little sensitive, somewhat eager to move around a lot, fidgeting, forgetting something, and at times, I can't understand very big words. Thankfully, with my family support, I was able to overcome them all with the help of special classes for the disabled and joining groups that have a variety of disabilities as well where they take part in special events. One of these events was actually a tour of Sumdac Systems. And that's when I met them…

The Autobots…

Apparently, they were there to help with creating a defense system to prevent the Decepticons from attacking the city. I got a chance to meet some familiar faces, including Optimus Prime, Ratchet, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead. There were even new members of the group that included Jazz and Arcee. I was amazed that they were there as they were pretty much my idols. Ever since they came to Earth, I couldn't help but to feel awestruck by their presence. They risk their lives, day by day, to protect the city of Detroit from Decepticons. To protect me and my family. Looking up to them, there was a small part of me that wished to join them in the fight. After all, they are a family too, and would do anything to protect each other as well as those around them. That was my dream.

As I saw the kids gather around them, I noticed someone on the huge consol typing feverishly on the keyboard. Approaching her, I notice bronze skin and red hair done up in two pigtails. Her name is Sari Sumdac and she is the daughter and brilliant professor in robotics, Isaac Sumdac and friend and teammate of the Autobots. I remember that she was a part of the team since they arrived and there were rumors that she was in fact a techno organic. As in she is half human, and half cybertronian. Freaky yes, but it seems to make sense. After all, she has never been to school in her life and she does act a little weird at times. But of course, the one change I never expect is that she is a teenager around my age. I remember that she was meant to be 8 based on the news broadcast. But now, she was a teenager, inputting code with her fingers split into multiple segments for quick typing skills. This was proof that she was more than meets the eye.

As I watched, I could see Sari turning to me and giving me a warm smile.

"Oh! Hey! Didn't see you there. Welcome to Sumdac Systems! I'm Sari. Pleased to meet you."

Sari extended her hand to me as her segments reverted back into her fingers. I was…hesitant at first, but I accepted her hand and we shook.

As the kids were hanging out with the Autobots, I was with Sari the whole time and we talked about each other's life.

"Wow… That's sure is something… Having both autism and dyslexia? That must be really hard on you." she said to me.

I sighed and rubbed my hands, as we looked at the view of the Autobots hanging out with the other kids.

"Yeah… It is… Guess that's the reason I look up to the Autobots. I want to be strong like them and overcome any obstacle before me. That includes fighting off my disabilities. I just wish to be a fighter like them. I want to protect my home and family from any threat imaginable. I want to be an honorary Autobot. You… You think I can do that?"

I turned to her, hoping to get an answer. Sari looked at me and gave it some thought. Turning her head to her friends, she sighed and gave me an answer.

"Well… It's really hard to say. I can tell that you have the heart to fight. But honestly, with your disabilities, I feel like that it's…quite a reach."

Hearing those words, I turned away and gave a deep sigh.

Sari noticed me feeling a little upset and decided to lighten the blow. "However, I can tell that you have what it takes to protect your family. Trust me, I have to look out for my dad, giving Megatron has his sights set on him. And I would do anything to protect dad. If you wish to help the Autobots, do me this one thing. No matter what, whatever it takes, I need you to protect your family. Promise you do this for me."

I heard her advice and was surprised by it. She is willing to risk her entire life to protect the only family she has. And now she is giving me the same advice to do the same. I… I don't know what to say…

"Sari!"

We both heard a male voice and turned to see Issac Sumdac standing there as he told her daughter that they need to get back to work.

"Please refrain from talking to the students. We need to get the main defenses for Detroit up and running before the Decepticons decide to attack the city. Let him be with his friends. They are about ready to leave anyway."

Sari listened to her father and understood what he meant. "Right. Sorry, dad. I'll get to work right away."

Issac soon left us as Sari turned to me and told me, "Sorry about this. But I have to get back to work. The Autobots want to build a defense system around Detroit in case a Decepticon invasion comes. I need to make sure everything is operating up to Cybertronian standards. I'm sure you understand."

I listened to her and understood what she meant. There were always the occasion of Con attacks in the city, but on smaller scales and happen in small streets. But with the people fearing a full blown invasion, they need something that can protect them from a Con assault. And while Autobot ships and Elite Guard forces are a nice touch, sometimes they need more to keep them at bay. Guess that's why she was at the controls. She was making sure that the defense system is in working order before it can go online. With that, I nodded and decided to let her be.

"Sure… I get it. Protecting Detroit is a really big deal and all. Never much time for hanging out and such…" I sighed, knowing that she has to get back to work. But I did smile and said, "You know, maybe when we're done, we can hang out sometime. Maybe get something to eat down at Burger Bot. If you want to, that is."

Sari looked at me with a smile and said, "Are you kidding me? I love going to Burger Bot! It is my favorite spot when it comes to getting a burger. I'll be sure I'll be done in a week. If that's alright with you."

I heard her and was amazed that she wishes to go out when she's done working on the defense system. I mean, this is the first time I would make a friend around here. With that, I nodded and said, "Great. I'll see you next week at twelve. Bye!"

I soon turned around and met up with the rest of my class, as we were about to leave. But then, I heard Sari yell to me, "Hey!"

I stopped and turned, seeing the Autobots and Sari there as they were about to get back to work.

"I haven't gotten your name yet. Can you tell me who you are?"

I guess I've forgotten to give her my name since we started speaking. But since we are going to be friends, I decided to give her my name anyway. And… That 's all I remember the day before it all happened. And to think, one day everything was okay and peaceful, and the next, all Hell broke loose.

Now...

Fast forward over a week later and I was sitting on a hoover wheelchair getting pushed by Red Alert, another medic from Hot Rod's team. It was a week since the attack in Detroit, where my family perished by a Con missile crashing into their house and I died as a human. Since then, I was reborn as a protoform, the early stages of every Cybertronian, by an emergency procedure in which my soul became a spark and both that and my mind was transferred over to a protoform. Course, my mind was more of a mess than my body as most of my memory files were corrupted, making me remember just bits and pieces of my human life. Still, despite that I was reborn as one of them, but not without the sacrifice of my entire family.

After being in that room for that long, Ratchet believed it was time for me to be out of the lab and go about the ship, Omega One. Course, I can't walk yet as my legs are still badly damaged and I need to learn to walk again. So here I am, sitting on a hover wheelchair just getting a tour of the place from Red Alert.

"And this here is the mess hall, where we get our daily intake of energon to fuel our bodies and charge our weapons. You will get used to drinking energon to maintain your energy, but be careful not to waste it, you need it for your recovery."

I lowered my head and sighed a little. As much as I am glad to be out of that lab, I feel like having Red Alert around showing me the ship wasn't what I wanted. If it were the case, I would've been better off with the one femme that wishes to take care of me. Turning to her, I started to utter a few words as my voice box was starting to repair itself.

"Where…Ar…Cee…?"

Red Alert looked down to me and could tell that I wanted to see her. Shaking her head, she told me about where she was.

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that Arcee can't be with you today. She is back on Earth, assessing the damage with the rest of the team. They won't be back until later."

I heard that and groaned that Arcee wasn't around. But at least I have clearity that she will be back at a later time. However, there was one thing I heard from Red Alert. Apparently, Arcee is with the rest of the Autobots accessing the damage the Cons have caused in Detroit. Now I have been on Omega One for a while after that emergency transfer and I have not been back to Detroit since then. I don't know how it looks and I want to know about my home and family. No doubt, they were long gone, but I need to confirm it myself. But for now, I am stuck in this ship recovering from my transfer.

As Red Alert was pushing my hover wheelchair to the end of the hallway, the door in front of us opened up and we entered another room, one that looks spacious and has an incredible view of Earth.

"And finally, we have reached the observation room. This is where Autobots would come and mingle and look at the view of space itself. I must admit, the view from space is quite amazing."

I stared in awe at the sight. Just looking at Earth itself was breathtaking. Makes me miss my home in general.

Red Alert moved me to the view as I watched on.

"I'll return with your energon. You need your daily intake after all. Just wait here until I come back."

I turned to her and gave her a smile.

"Thank…You…"

Red Alert looked at me with a warm smile.

"Don't mention it."

With that, she turned and walked away, heading to the mess hall to get my energon. As soon as she left me, I turned to the window and stared off into Earth, my home world.

Starring on, I couldn't help but to reflect on what I went through in the past week. To think I just died as a human and then reborn as a Cybertronian is quite unexpected. Living in a protoform body is also quite strange. With the liquid metal skin, the inner workings are far different than my human counterpart, and having nothing to eat or drink but energon is very weird for me. However, the more time passed, the more I started to adjust to it. It's like being a baby all over again, only…the baby is a teenage protoform. A damaged…teenage protoform. Regardless, I need to recover and get back on my feet. Or was it my pede. Damn it. I really need to get use to thes Cybertronian slang terms. It will be a long process, but I know that it will be worth it.

As I was looking at the view of Earth, I didn't realize someone was entering the room with me. A shadow soon loomed over me as I heard a voice that was really familiar.

"So… You're the new bot I've been hearing about on the ship."

Hearing that voice, I did my best in turning my head to get a good look at her. As I turned, I noticed another Cybertronian that is just the same teenage protoform like me, only this one is female. The difference is that her protoform skin has a breast plate while mine is flat. Starring on, I realized who that voice belonged to. The same voice that I heard the last time we met.

"S…Sari…?"

Sari gave a warm smile and said, "Yep! That's me! And you're the organic that had that experimental operation that saved my life. Many thanks for that. Mind if I join you? Guess you could use some company."

I was a little surprised that I got to see Sari again after over a week, but I never thought my emergency transfer was the reason why she needed it afterwards. And while I prefer to be alone at the moment, it's nice to have someone who went through the same scrap I had. With a smile, I got my arm out and said, "Sure…"

With that, she soon sat on the floor next to me and looked at the same view I am witnessing. We were both silent for a while until I heard her whimpering. Turning to my side, I can see Sari with her head in her arms and appears to be sobbing. Knowing something is up, I spoke to her with my voice box still in repair.

"What's…wrong…?"

Sari heard me and looked up to me with energon tears streaming down her face. Wiping the tears of her protoform arm, she tried to hold it together.

"Sorry… It's just that… Whenever I look at Earth, all I can think of…is my dad."

Hearing that, I knew something was wrong and I had to know, even if it's private.

"Is…he…?"

Sari was silent for a few moments before nodding with an energon tear coming down her metal cheek. That is when I knew what happened and felt sorry for her. After all, I lost my family too in that attack and felt the same pain she is going through. Turning my head away, I decided to apologize for trying to butt in.

"I'm…sorry…"

Sari looked at me and told me, "It's okay. It's just that… I miss my dad." She soon slumped down and was doing her best in holding back tears.

I was trying my best to not poke around in her life. But since we both share the same tragic end and a new beginning, it is best that we share each others tragedy. Looking back at her, I ask her, "What…happened…?"

Sari sighed and was silent for a moment. Knowing she doesn't want to talk about it, I turned away and stayed with the view. But then…

"It happened without warning."

I heard her speak and turned to her to see what happened back in Detroit.

"The Cons hovered all over Detroit and began their attack. Optimus and the rest of the Autoobts did their best holding them back, but the cons spread them thin. And even with a military presence, it wouldn't matter as the Decepticons had the numbers and firepower. As my friends were doing their best in holding the Cons back, Megatron came to Sumdac Systems to settle some unfinished business with my dad. With Optimus away to protect the people during the evacuation, Sumdac Tower was vulnerable. So I had to be the one protecting my home, my dad. I did my best holding him back, but he was too much for me to handle. He tore off my arm, blasted my leg, and crushed my back. I was vulnerable as I watched his flagship hover over Sumdac Tower and used some sort of blaster to destroy my home. And the last thing I saw was a piece of debris crushing me and…"

She turned her head away, doing her best in holding back her tears. But hearing the story, I can tell that she did her best, but it wasn't enough. She was too small, too weak, too unprepared to take on Megatron on her own. If Optimus was there, things would've been different, but he was trying to make sure people got out safely. If he had known…

I was silent as I don't know how to react to that. But Sari soon continued with the story and told me what happened next.

"Next thing I knew, I was up here in Omega One in this protoform body. Ratchet told me that they had to perform an experimental emergency transfer of my spark and brain into this body. The same treatment they did to you first. And as you can see, I really worked. I was glad that I was alive and got a second chance. But when I asked if my dad is all right, they…they…"

She soon burst out in tears, crying over the fact of the news they gave her. That moment I knew what happened afterwards.

"I failed… I failed my home… I failed my friends… I failed my dad… I failed everyone! I never expected that I would lose everything I had. All that training, all that hard work. And for what?! Just to get beaten by Megatron of all cons? I can't believe I lost to him! I'm…I'm a failure!"

She balled out crying, knowing she screwed up on such a spectacular level. Hearing her story, I couldn't help but to feel sorry for her. Like me, she lost everything she held dear to. Her home, her family, her life, all gone in an instant. We are both pretty much on the same boat. All she needs is a friend to comfort her. And with the team a little preoccupied repairing the damage, I'm the only friend that she got.

Doing my best to lean to her on my hover wheelchair, I placed my hand on her shoulder. It was then that Sari stopped crying and turned to me, with damp energon tears across her face. It was then that I spoke to her the same advice she gave me the day before the attack.

"It's…okay… You…did…best… Like…you…said… No…matter…what… Whatever…it…takes… You…protect…family… That…promise…"

Sari stared at me with her blinky teary optics. Suddenly, her optics grew wide as saucers and realized those words sounded so familiar.

"Wait a nanoclick… You're… You're that kid I met the day before the attack! The one at the class field trip to Sumdac Systems? What's your name again?"

There was a bit of silence from me as I turned away and had a vague clue on my original name. So I try to cover it up.

"Does…not…matter… Remember…little… Old…life…died… And…I…failed…too…"

Sari heard that and knew how that felt and asked me a question I wished she didn't ask.

"You're family… Did they…?"

I was silent by this and just slowly nodded for an answer. Knowing this, Sari looked back to the view and gave a sigh.

"I see… Well… Guess we're in the same boat, huh?"

I was still silent…

"But hey. Look on the brightside. Even if we lost so much, at least we got each other."

Still silent…

Sari could tell that I was hurting. And coming from her, that's saying so much. So she did something that I never thought was possible. She got up from her spot and block my view of Earth. Seeing her shadow in my view, I turned to see her placing her servos on my shoulders and she gave me a serious talk with her energon tears still drying.

"Listen to me. I know it hurts. It really does. I know that you blame yourself for not saving them sooner, that you did everything in your power to protect them. But it's not really your fault. What happened was unexpected and the Cons took us all by surprise. Now I know how it feels losing someone close, but you can't just weep about it all day. The best thing for us to do is to keep pushing forward and live our lives to the best of our abilities. It is what your family wants. It is what my dad would want. Promise me that you will get through this.."

I listened to her advice again and didn't know what to say. She lost someone close to her and feels like she needs to move on for her father's sake. And now she wants me to do the same. It is a difficult journey, but maybe her words can help me through this.

"I…"

"Just promise me. I know it will be tough, but we will overcome this together."

After a few seconds, I reluctantly nodded and said, "Yes… I…promise…"

Sari gave a warm smile and placed her forehead on top of mind, giving me clarity that I would hold on to that said promise. "Thanks… You are truly a good friend…" she said as she soon realized that she forgot about my name. "Say… I have forgotten about your name. Think you can tell me who you are again? Since…you know…we're going to be here for a while."

I was surprised that Sari forgot my name already. Though it is because it's been over a week since we first met and became friends. Combine that with that Decepticon attack and it would be easy to forget about that incident. Knowing that, I decided to give her my new name.

"Does…not…matter…? Old…life…gone… New…life… New…name… Call…me… Goji…"

Sari heard my new name and couldn't help but to smile. Wiping the tears out of her face, she said, "Goji, huh? That's a fitting name. Welcome to the team, Goji."

And with that, we became fast friends. We sat next to each other and we talked about our past human lives and our now undetermined future. Who would've thought the loss of family can bring you closer together.

That's all for chapter two. I got to say, this is a quickie but a goodie, not only do you get to see Goji's orgin before becoming Cybertronian, but also have Sari as a Cybertronian as well and the bonding friendship they have. I know there will be haters not liking the idea of Sari as a Cybertronian and not a Techno-organic, but this is my story and I like to do things my way. After all, I have some good plans in store for the two in the later chapters. Anyways, hope to you like this. Stay tune as Goji continues with his recovering and keeping a deep secret he never told him family. Will he tell it to the one Cybertronian he looks up to? Find out and see. Please Review. Oh and for those that want to continue to barrade me with these collab requests and the like...STOP IT!

#WherearetheGoodCartoons?