Not of These Worlds

by Helthehatter

Summary:

Several months after the events of Rise of the Beasts, a former Unicron follower arrives on Earth.
This starts a catalyst:
-Noah and the Autobots meet the former follower, a creature called Dinobot looking for the Maximals to atone for his past sins. But how could they trust him with the battle of Scourge still a shadow in their minds?
-Elena is with the Maximals in Peru when they reunite with old friend, Tigatron. But when he learns of Airazor's death, Tigatron will appear more enemy than ally.
-Charlie Watson will find herself thrown back into the world of Cybertronians and unknowingly has an odd relix that is not of any of their worlds.
-The Predacon, Tarantulas, will start up his latest science project, fully attending to leave bodies in his wake during the process.
-A mysterious and threatening prescience will slip into the Earth's very seams, and our heroes may not even know of it until it is too late.

Notes:

Apologies for such a short first chapter it's just setting one of the plot points up. I would've set up more but I didn't wanna do more than one time skip.
The rest of the chapters will be longer and more entertaining. Can't wait to write for the Maximals and Mirage.

ALSO PLEASE READ:
Okay so, I'm very aware I'm copying ROTB by doing the 'mysterious object, go on a quest to find all the pieces before big bad does' trope. But if you'll stick with me I do believe I add enough to still make it an engaging and fun read. Espeically if you ship any of the ships I listed.

Chapter 1: Prologue

Space is drifting around us.

Where is it?

Do you see it?

No, only stars and planets.

I want it back.

As do I.

He stole it from us!

We will get it back.

How, where will we find it?

The thief must be hiding on a planet.

There are many planets. We should’ve put a tracker on it.

What’s done is done. Let us go find it.

That will take forever.

We have all the time we need, we will outlive the very planets we’ll search.

We will kill the thief when we find him?

We will do worse. We will kill whoever gets in our way.

 

Millions of Years Later

 

A young boy of around ten stuck his hands in the dirt, feeling rocks brush his fingers as he tried to dig to the core of the Earth.

He was standing in the giant hole his dad and his dad’s coworkers had dug. It was for his job, the boy didn’t know what they’d do with it-probably built something.

All he did know was that his mom had brought him along to drop off his dad’s lunch. The boy wondered if he could ask his dad to bring some of this dirt home. He gleefully imagined a big pile of dirt right in his backyard, he could climb it like a mountain or dig tunnels through it…

His hand suddenly brushed something that felt more like metal than rock. Confused and intrigued, the little boy started to dig more strongly.

“Tim!” his mom was calling him. “It’s time to go!”

He ignored her, spotting something sticking out of the small hole he had dug. It wasn’t a rock. 

It was a broken shard of some kind of metal. It was almost black in color and with two perfectly made holes that were stained red. 

“Timothy,” his mom’s voice now had an edge to it. “We need to go! Your dad has to get back to work.”

The shape curved inward a bit, touching the inside of the object he realized it felt smooth while the other side felt rough and bumpy.

He knew it wasn’t important, just a broken piece of metal. Maybe from a hundred years ago when people still rode wagons pulled by horses. He should probably just throw it away or give it to his dad. But neither idea sounded good to him.

“Timothy Watson!” her mom called his full name. “Come here !”

“Okay, okay!” Tim pocketed the shard and hurried back to his mother’s side. “I’m coming!”

Really, what was so awful about keeping it for himself. He liked to collect things.

And as his dad liked to tell him: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Chapter 2: Elena

Elena sat up and stretched, her arms going up to the blue-gray sky, her tip toes pushing her up for a few seconds.

She pulled her arms down and looked over the sheets of paper in her hand: letters back to Brooklyn.

Elena had been staying in Peru for the past couple of months. Turns out, even with a group of archaeologists and other professionals on hand, completely going over an underground city takes time. And while the city nearby had phones she could use, the reception was always dodgy and she hadn’t felt completely comfortable talking over telephone lines anymore anyway.

So instead she wrote letters, some to her dad giving her a censored version of the events she’d been through (i.e. no talk of giant robots or portals in the sky) and a less censored version to Noah and the Autobots. 

She missed them all, and while she technically could return to Brooklyn she wanted to stay until the city was finished. That was partly due to her fear of someone else trying to take credit of her work, like her old boss used to.

But the other part was the fact she liked spending time with the Maximals.

Elena looked around, she was staying at the village Primal and the other Maximals had allied themselves with. They were all incredibly kind people who had welcomed her as their own. It helped her homesickness for Brooklyn.

She spotted Rhinox taking a nap a few yards away. Some of the village’s women had tied a rope to his horn and connected the other end of it to a pole. Elena smirked as she watched them place wet clothes on the line to dry. 

Cheetor was a bit closer, laying on his belly with his legs stretched out. He was letting several children crawl over him, pull at the fur along the back of his neck, wrap his tail over their shoulders like makeshift boas. It was a cute sight.

Looking past the hills that surrounded the village she saw Optimus Primal appear, lit up by the sunlight for a few moments before he made his way down the hill. He was a majestic sight.

Elena felt a stab of grief in her chest as she thought of the four Maximals she knew: Airazor. The brave and compassionate falcon who had led them to the Maximals to find the Transwarp Key. 

Scourge, the leader of the Terrorcons, had corrupted her with Unicron’s dark energy. She had nearly killed Elena and only Primal killing his own friend had saved her. And while the Maximals acted more positive and upbeat, she knew her death still hung over them like a storm cloud. 

But she smiled at the giant, robotic gorilla when he approached. “Good morning, Primal.”

He nodded to her, his green eyes kindly. “Good morning, Elena. How are you?”

“Good,” she responded, stretching out her hand to show him the set of papers. “I just finished writing letters.”

“To Optimus?” Primal tilted his massive head. 

Elena nodded, “I’ve been keeping the Autobots and Noah in the loop. They said they miss us.”

Primal turned his head to look out at the massive scenery of Peru. “I miss them as well. It was an honor to fight alongside them to stop Unicron. And it is an honor to call them friends.”

Elena smiled, “I know they feel the same.”

Primal glanced down at her, “I include you among those honors, just so you know. You, Noah, and this village remind me how valuable humankind is.”

Elena smiled, maybe a bit dorkily, like Primal was a college professor who just complimented her essay. “Thank you.” 

The two fell into a camaraderie silence, Elena looking out at the dirt road that stuck out of the village. She saw one mule-pulled wagon walking across it, a villager returning with crops from their farming grounds.

Elena turned to Primal, “You didn’t happen to see Wheeljack during your morning walk, did you?”

Primal shook his head.

While the rest of the Autobots had returned to New York, Wheeljack had decided to remain on his post in Peru. It seemed he had gotten attached to the country, and Elena saw him as very quiet and introverted. While they were his friends, he probably couldn’t handle bots as loud as Mirage and Arcee on a 24/7 basis. So instead he had stationed himself in the nearby city where Elena and Noah had found the tunnel to the temple. Last time he had visited he had told Elena he was pretty sure a family had bought him. They had spray painted the side of his van mode to say Pablo’s Flowers instead of Pablo’s TV . When Elena asked for details he had said he had zoned out thinking of his favorite formulas and when his focus came back a man was driving him around with several bouquets of flowers in his back. 

He had supposed to come pick her up and take her to the city so she could deliver the letters, but it seemed he was in the middle of some flower deliveries. 

She said as much to Primal. The Maximal looked thoughtful for a moment before turning and calling out, “Cheetor!”

The cheetah Maximal slowly lifted himself to his paws, giving the children time to jump off him and run off to find new games to play. 

Cheetor lopped over to the two, muscular body rippling as he moved.

Elena felt her nerves flare up a bit. It wasn’t that she was scared or felt unsafe around Cheetor, she just didn’t really know him-not even after these months she spent living alongside him.

But not for the lack of trying, she had tried to hold several conversations with Rhinox. The ginormous rhino was very gentle and she knew he listened when she talked, he just didn’t really respond. Clearly the Maximal wasn’t a big talker and Elena, who needed more of a back and forth, gave him his space after a while.

As for Cheetor, she just never really saw him. He was always running off into the wilderness, both day and night. When he was at the village he was giving his attention to the children and the humans he had known for so long. It hadn’t felt right for Elena to try and put herself into any conversation.

Cheetor stopped before his leader and nodded. “Yes, Primal, what is it?”

“I need you to take Elena to the city,” Primal explained. “Drop her off near the edge of the jungle so she can deliver her letters. You can bring her back when she’s done.”

Cheetor’s ears flicked up and he blinked in surprise, “You want me to take her?”

“Is that a problem?” Primal asked, sounding slightly confused at the cheetah’s hesitation. 

“Uh…” Cheetor looked over at Elena and she saw, reflecting in his green eyes, her own awkwardness. “No.”

Primal nodded and walked around the cheetah, “I’ll see you two when you return. Remember to stay out of sight of the city and any humans at the temple.”

“Of course,” Cheetor reassured. He turned to Elena who was hastily putting her folded up letters into envelopes. “Ready?”

“Ready,” Elena stuck the letters into the knapsack the village had given to her as a gift. She looked up to see Cheetor crouching in front of her.

“Climb on,” Cheetor nodded to his back.

Trying to remember how the kids did it Elena reached up and grabbed the tufts of coarse hair on his neck. She placed a foot against the side of his neck and with a grunt lifted herself up. Her belly landed on his neck and she had to clumsily pull herself around so her legs straddled him just in front of his shoulders. 

“Sorry,” she mumbled. She let out a small oof as Cheetor quickly rose to his paws. 

He glanced over to her, “Sorry about what?”

I pulled your fur,” she indicated to his neck. “When climbing up.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t notice that,” Cheetor rolled his eyes. Elena didn’t know if it was out of good natured humor or not. “You’re gonna want to hold on when I start running.” 

She hesitated, but when Cheetor abruptly put on a burst of speed she quickly leaned forward and grabbed his neck. She pressed her chest against the rough fur and felt her heart pounding in her ears while her wind whipped behind her and the wind stung her eyes. 

The green of the country around them was a blur, she felt Cheetor’s body move beneath her as his legs carried him across the ground, kicking up dirt in his haste.

It wasn’t until they reached the jungle did Cheetor finally slow down, she saw his claws unsheath to help his stop.

After he stopped he flicked his tail then started trotting into the jungle. Elena was able to sit up and tried to run her hands through her wind-swept hair to fix it up. 

Cheetor moved through brush and swerved around trees as he made his way through the jungle in the direction of the city. 

Elena couldn’t help a frown, unlike when she and Primal shared silence, this one was filled with awkward tension. She felt like she was back in highschool, getting assigned a class partner who you knew nothing about.

“So, um…” she struggled for a conversation starter while he flicked one ear toward her. “Thank you…for escorting me.”

Cheetor shrugged his shoulders and it pushed her a little further up his neck for a moment. “It’s not like I could say no to Primal.”

She squirmed a bit though he hadn’t said that rudely. He probably would’ve preferred to stay with the kids who he knew, or go off on his own. She shouldn’t take offense though, they were allies but they weren’t friends. They didn’t have a bond like she had with Primal, or Airazor.

Pushing out of some trees Cheetor stepped onto a boulder overlooking a creek. Elena recognized it and chuckled softly.

“What’s funny?” Cheetor asked, giving her a weird look. 

“Oh, it’s just-” she indicated to their surroundings. “This is the spot where we met you and the other Maximals. I was thinking of how Mirage screamed when you pinned him down.”

Cheetor gave the area another look, “Huh, so it is. Hang on.” She barely had time to obey before he jumped off the boulder and landed on the other side of the creek. 

He continued on his way, “For the record, he was scared of me.”

“I couldn’t blame him,” Elena shrugged, then added a compliment: “You’re pretty fierce.”

It was his turn to chuckle and bared his teeth at her, she was pretty sure it was supposed to be a smile. “And don’t you forget it.” 

She smiled back, the awkwardness making her more at ease.

Cheetor was passing the hole that led into the tunnels of the hidden city. The cheetah’s ears pricked open and both he and Elena strained to hear the tell-tale sounds of archeologists.

It was silent and Cheetor kept on walking. But Elena had felt the way the fur of his neck was now bristling.

“Are you okay, Cheetor?”

“I’m fine,” he replied, though his voice lost his light tone. “I just…I don’t know if more humans needed to know about the tunnel.”

“Why not?” she furrowed her brow. “Don’t you trust humans?”

“I trust my humans,” Cheetor said. “The village, and others who have helped us in the past. The ones you have digging in the tunnel are strangers to us. They don’t know the Maximals’ history or our sacrifices, and so they don’t respect it.”

The ones you have digging in the tunnel… Elena’s brow furrowed.

“I’m a part of it,” she said. “And I know the Maximals and respect them. I’ll make sure they treat everything with the proper respect.”

Cheetor didn’t say anything, but Elena let herself keep talking: “I care about history and properly preserving it. So much stuff has happened on this planet, artifacts and places like the underground city are like portals going back in time. Aztecs, Romans, the Renaissance, the architecture, the religions and the mythologies, there’s so much we know and even more we don’t know.” She looked at the back of Cheetor’s head. “Especially with the fact you and the other Maximals have been on Earth for so long…and you know, I think people deserve to witness and learn from history. That way, when people look back on us we can say our history was good and prosperous and…” she slowly stopped talking, noting not only Cheetor’s silence but also that his ears were pulled back.

Elena swallowed, face flushed. She was annoying him, she was sure. She recalled all the times she’d babble about her interests to old classmates and even her old boss, Jillian. She wanted to curl into herself with embarrassment. She wanted to apologize but was scared he’d ask what for again and she’d have to explain herself.

The silence was once again awkward. 

“Elena,” his voice made her jump slightly. “This is as far as I can take you.”

He stopped at the edge of a hill, looking down and they could see the city through the trees.

Elena threw her leg over his neck, ready to jump down but Cheetor had lifted his paw, offering her to slide onto it. She did and he gently placed her on the ground. A much more graceful landing then she had originally planned.

Elena looked up at him and tried not to wring her hands, “Thanks again. I-I won’t be long.”

He nodded, his expression neutral. “Just be careful climbing down that hill.”

She nodded as well, watching him walk away to find a spot to lie in the sun, and then quickly turned around before he looked at her again.

She thought of the tunnel, it was getting prepared to be made sturdy and suitable for people to visit. She had asked Primal and he agreed that their history should be shared, even if they didn’t know the full details of it. Perhaps it would be the start of making allies beyond the village and Elena and Noah.

Still…slowly walking down that hill, Elena decided she should’ve waited for Wheeljack to be done with his flower deliveries.

 

.

 

Miles and miles away, across the ocean, in the country of Japan, drills were going through a mountain.

An amusement park was going to be built at the base of the nameless mountain. But a trail of massive boulders were cluttered on one side of the mountain, the side where the park would be built. Both the investors and protestors feared a landslide, despite that according to everyone, the mountain had been dormant and untouched for centuries.  

One worker sat on a lift, held up several feet in the air as he carefully broke through the rock. Progress had already been made as this project was several weeks in, they were shattering the much larger boulders, making it easier to collect the broken pieces-and make any rock slide less dangerous.

Despite how high up the man was he was facing boredom and tiredness, his hands numb from the power of the drill. He felt he had held it for several days, he couldn’t wait for his lunch break.

He thought he saw the rocks shake for a fraction of a second but he just shook his head and kept on. It was no doubt just the power of the drills going on around him. Or he was just tired enough to imagine such a thing.

Then he saw the rocks shake again.

And again. 

And again.

The man turned off the drill and moved back as far as his lift would allow. Around him the rest of his coworkers were doing the same, muttering and telling their own lifts to bring them down.

The mountain was shaking, softly at first, then violently. The man stared in horror, not taking his eyes off the mountain as he called for his own lift to be brought down. Rocks were starting to fall, both small shards and giant boulders and the people on the ground hurried to get a safe distance away. The driver of the man’s lift, instead of bringing him down, started to reverse, putting distance between himself and the mountain.

Suddenly the mountain shook once more and rocks were flung in every direction as a giant feline shape clawed out of the moutain. The man crouched inside the lift’s box to avoid the falling rocks. He heard his coworkers scream and prayed no one was hit. 

When he dared to look again he saw the feline shape rushing off into the distance, vanishing in a nearby forest.

The man’s blood went cold when a noise reached his ears that he realized was laughter. A bone chilling laughter that was coming from the inside of the mountain. Where the rocks had once been there was now a massive hole swathed in shadows. 

The man stared as an orange glow appeared in the darkness and he felt like it was staring directly at him.

He was aware of his boss down below, barking out orders, trying to get everyone to evacuate the area. All of a sudden a long purple shape, reminiscent of a spider leg, shot out of the darkness and went directly into his boss’s chest-silencing him immediately. 

The rest of the workers screamed and tried to escape. The man heard a voice in the darkness say something he did not understand before more purple legs came out of the cave and stabbed and grabbed at the man’s co-workers.

He looked down at his lift driver but he had already jumped out of the vehicle and made a run for it.

He did not get far.

The man dropped to his knees and covered his head, body shaking as he listened to screams be cut short until the world was silent again.

He waited, holding his breath. There was no more laughter. Was it over? Had-whatever attacked his team vanished like the giant feline? 

He shifted slightly, wondering if he could climb down and make a run for it now.

But then he felt something poke into his back. He tried to keep still but shook uncontrollably as the pressure went up his spin to poke into his neck. He heard the mountain’s voice again, speaking words he couldn’t translate.

He closed his eyes, knowing it was all over as the pressure increased on his vulnerable neck.

Chapter 3: Noah

Noah stood observing the understuffed couch, noticing there was still a bit of dust on it. He’d have to clean it later, when it wasn’t in use.

Reek had sold Noah the used couch for twenty bucks and didn’t ask any questions. He’d been nicer and less nosey since he’d met Mirage. 

Speaking of Mirage, he had helped Noah move the couch into the Autobots’ unofficial base. They had started to set up an area where Noah and Kris could hang out when they came to visit, which was often.

Kris was here now, sitting in Mirage’s lap. The lanky Autobot had taken over the entire couch and Noah breathed a sigh of relief that the couch legs hadn’t broken.

Mirage watched intently as Kris was playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on his NES (his latest obsession). Mirage was proving a very loud backseat gamer:

“Hit that guy-no, that guy-dodge it- dodge it -do a barrel roll!”

“There’s no barrel roll button!” Kris snapped, but his eyes were bright and happy. Happier than Noah had ever seen him.

Noah looked around the base, the only other ones here were Optimus and Arcee. The two were having a quiet chat on the other side of the base. Bumblebee had gone out ot a drive in movie (apparently he had been grounded from them for a while) and hadn’t returned yet.

Noah smiled to himself, he had had a rocky start with the Autobots-mainly with Optimus-but things were going much better now. The fight against Unicron and the Terrorcons had caused a strong bond to forge between them all. Mirage had claimed Noah was now a human Autobot.

Noah turned around to study Mirage. His friend had nearly been killed when he fought with the Terrorcon, Scourge. But he had been able to fuse onto Noah to form a kind of exosuit (the weirdest and most awesome thing to ever happen to Noah) which had kept him alive but without an actual body.

After a couple of weeks Noah had rebuilt him a new body, but had to use old car parts that were either cheap or found at scrap yards. He had been very happy to have his friend back. But now that time had passed he was starting to feel bad over how rundown Mirage now looked. He had been so sleek and impressive when they first met that Noah had tried to steal him for cash.

I should start saving up, Noah thought, eyes going over Mirage’s form. I can do that, now that Kris’ healthcare is covered. I could start looking for some better parts, I’ll need to ask Reek about it-

“ Psst ,” Mirage suddenly whispered. “ Noah .”

The man jumped slightly, noticing Mirage was now looking at him. Kris was consumed with his video game. The Autobot jerked his head, beckoning Noah over.

When he did Mirage leaned down, blocking his mouth from Kris with his hand. “ I don’t know if I should mention this ,” he whispered. “ But you’re undressing me with your eyes and it’s making Prime and Arcee uncomfortable. ”

Prime and Arcee had their backs to them.

Noah rolled his eyes, used to Mirage’s teasing. “That’s not what I was doing. I was actually trying to figure out how much it will cost to fix you back up.” 

Mirage’s brow furrowed with confusion, “Fix me up?”

Noah knocked his knuckles against the Autobot’s shoulder. “At first I just wanted to get you another body. But now that things’ve calmed down I should be looking to get you back to normal.”

“Oh, you don’t gotta worry about that,” Mirage shrugged, sounding unbothered. “I like the way I look.”

Noah blinked, taken aback. Mirage had never complained about his new looks but Noah had thought that he was just being polite. Surely he’d prefer his old look. “Why’s that?” he asked.

Mirage looked at him for a second, his expression was something Noah couldn’t decipher. That is, until his tell-tale teasing smirk pulled up his mouth. Noah braced himself.

“Because,” Mirage picked up Kris and gently placed him on the floor, the little boy didn’t react to being moved. “ You made it for me.” 

Suddenly Mirage dramatically leaned himself against Noah, nearly knocking him down. The Autobot pressed the back of his hand against his temple. “It’s proof that you LOOOOVE me~”

“Mirage, get off !” Noah tried to shove the joking bot away. Unfortunately the Autobot was putting 90% of his body weight onto Noah. “You’re gonna-”

Mirage, leaning too far off the couch, lost his balance and fell against Noah. The human was knocked onto his back with Mirage’s head on his stomach.

“ What did I say ?” Noah demanded over the sound of the Autobot’s uproarious laughter. 

“Sorry,” Mirage chuckled as he sat up. “Here, let me help you.” 

He pulled Noah to his feet, the man rubbing his back. He glanced over to Prime and Arcee, they had looked over at the sound of the commotion. Now they exchanged amused looks and Noah’s ears turned red. 

He was about to tell Mirage to be careful of how he threw his weight around-when Kris suddenly made a noise of dismay.

Looking over Noah saw that the old TV he had moved into the base was showing nothing but static.

“What happened?” Kris exclaimed. “I was fighting Shredder!” 

Noah walked over to the TV. Reek had told him it was in perfect condition despite its age. Served Noah right for believing him. He whacked the side of the TV, watching the static that seemed to pulse against the screen. But after a few moments the static vanished, only to be replaced by a game over screen. 

Crap , Noah anxiously turned to Kris. He saw that his brother was trying to put on a brave face but he was clearly upset.

“I almost won,” he said sadly.

“It’ll be okay, bud!” Mirage sat up and rubbed the boy’s back comfortingly. “We’ll help you get back to that level.”

“But it took us days to get there,” Kris pointed out sadly.

“Oh yeah, that’s true,” Mirage admitted.

The young boy stood up and placed his controller next to the TV, turning off the NES. “Don’t worry about it guys, it’s just a dumb game.”

Noah frowned and shared a concerned look with Mirage. Because of his sickle cell disease, Kris had never had a chance to go out and play with friends like most kids his age. He had relied on video games and Noah to relieve his boredom and loneliness. 

Maybe it’s time that changed. His health was much better now, and though most of what Noah made went to their apartment bills and groceries-he could splurge a bit for his little brother.

“Why don’t we go do something tomorrow?” Noah asked out of the blue. “Anything you want.”

Kris looked at him with big hopeful eyes, “Really?”

“Really, really,” Mirage spoke up. “I’ll be your ride.”

“What do you think?” Noah looked at his brother. “We can-”

“Can we go to the West Center?” Kris asked immediately. “The one by Central Park?”

Noah blinked, surprised by the sudden, specific answer. “What’s at the West Center?”

“A karate tournament!” Kris exclaimed. “Joey at school told me, they’re getting the best members of dojos all around the country and having them fight!” 

Noah couldn’t help a smile at his brother’s visible excitement. Of course a TMNT fan would want to see some martial arts.

“Sounds like a plan,” he stated before looking at Mirage. “What do you think?”

“I’m there,” the Autobot declared, “...Even if I have to stay out in the parking lot. I’ll do it for Kris.”

With the plan set Noah was packing up some stuff to take home, both he and Kris were starting to yawn. But before they left a familiar yellow blur drove into the base, Bumblebee had returned and honked his horn in greeting.

“Ah, there you are,” Optimus acknowledged the bot and walked over. Arcee stretched before placing her arms behind her head and followed after.

“How was the movie?” Arcee asked.

Bumblebee’s radio turned on, he always played audio he had recorded while watching movies and this was no exception; the sound of swishing metal and people screaming revealed Bumblebee had gone to watch a horror movie. 

“ Horrifying thing to hear in the middle of the night, Bee,” Mirage said from where he now laid over the couch. “Thank you.”

Chapter 4: Charlie

Charlie Watson leaned against the cold window of the plan, down below was the hundreds upon hundreds of lights of New York City. 

Sitting beside her was her eighteen year old brother Otis, snoring softly with his head on his shoulder. Soon she’d have to wake him up once the plane landed.

She had been assigned to escort her brother to his karate tournament in the Big Apple. Her mother and stepfather had been unable to come, they had been invited onto a work cruise by their mom, Sally’s, boss. She and stepfather Ron had talked of skipping it but Otis had begged them to go, he was in his phase where he’d die of embarrassment if his parents took him anywhere. But despite being an adult who’d started to take his karate as a serious career choice, Sally had refused to let him go to New York alone. Lucky for her, Charlie, twenty five, had come down to visit for a few weeks. She thought it would be a good vacation for both kids and give 

them one more chance to spend time together before they started settling into their education and careers. 

Charlie wasn’t so sure if that’s what would happen, Otis wasn’t overly thrilled to be babysat by his sister-but a vacation did sound nice.

She was currently working at an auto shop as a mechanic. Her boss, a slightly older man named Colin, was kinda ditzy but he was nice and valued her as an employee. She was sure he was eager to get her back to work but would respect her wanting some vacation days. 

Charlie looked through the window, examining the city that was getting closer. The tournament would require them to be here for a week, Otis hoped he’d get the attention of some of the more impressive karate coaches. Charlie didn’t really follow karate but she was proud her brother was following his passions like herself. Though most would consider fixing cars less exciting than a martial arts match.

Shows what they know , Charlie smirked to herself. Some cars are more than meets the eye.

Her vision blurred as her focus shifted on some of her favorite memories.

Seven years ago she had befriended Bumblebee, an alien robot who had become one of the most important things in her life. He had helped her recover from the trauma and grief of her father’s death, and in turn she helped him stop a pair of evil robots called Decepticons. It had been crazy, terrifying, exhilarating, and sometimes she woke up in the middle of the night wondering if it had all been a dream. But then she’d look at the old polaroid that showed her with a yellow volkwagen beetle and remember everything with a smile. 

She had never met another like Bumblebee, not just because he wasn’t human, but because no one had felt like he did. Charlie had made friends in the last few years, and more than once guys have shown interest in her, but even during her loneliest nights she never responded to the advances.

Maybe that was silly of her.

She had missed him every day since the day he had left to find his fellow Autobots. She missed him now, and like always she wondered where he could be. She guessed he could be anywhere in the world, she guessed he could be back on his home planet-though she never let herself dwell on that possibility.

She remembered a weird storm from months ago that had, for some reason, made her think of him and wonder if he had anything to do with it.

Maybe a lot of Charlie’s thoughts were silly.

Nevertheless she hoped that wherever he was, he was happy and with his friends. She hoped he knew she missed him and still valued his friendship more than she could put into words. 

Something white flashed across her eyes and Charlie straightened up, looking at something that looked like a shooting star falling into the mass of lights that was New York.

Did she just see some kind of meteor? Everyone else on the plane was quiet so she didn’t think anyone else saw it. She looked over at Otis, thinking about waking him up to tell him what she had witnessed but decided against it.

She looked back at the window, there was no sign she had seen anything in the sky. But her mind considered a tantalizing thought: that whatever that was had something to do with alien robots.

Don’t get so excited , she warned herself. It could’ve been you seeing things. And even if it was real, let's not forget common sense. As much as I miss Bee, I can’t forget the dangerous robots that went after him .

She shuddered, if she never had to see a giant killer robot again it would be too soon.

Chapter 5: The Return of a Friend

“Cheetor!” Elena called out, panting. “I’m back!”

The cheetah popped his head over the hill to see the girl half walking, half crawling up to him. She had forgotten how steep it was. 

In Elena’s hand was a sunflower that had started to wilt. After she had delivered her letter, Elena had run into Wheeljack. The Autobot had been parked off to the side, the driver seat empty but the back overflowing with bouquets. Elena had complimented how lovely he now smelled, last time she was near him he smelled of old oil. 

Wheeljack had happily explained how his new boss, Pablo (“That’s why he bought me-he and my van have the same name!”) was taking double the orders to pay for little Rosa’s birthday. Elena had congratulated him on his new job, when an idea hit her. 

“You wouldn’t happen to have any spare flowers would you?” she asked. “Cheetor’s waiting for me, I’d like to get him one.”

“Wow,” Wheeljack said. “I didn’t realize you liked him. I never even saw you two talk.”

“It’s not like that,” Elena insisted, her face feeling flush from his suggestion. “It’s like a peace offering. I think I annoyed him on the way here.”

“Oh, you’re not annoying,” Wheeljack brushed her worry away. “You’re just two completely different species with completely different life experiences. It’s impressive enough you can hold conversations with each other with so many differences.”

Can I hold conversations with him? Elena wondered.

“As far as a flower, hmm,” Wheeljack hummed thoughtfully for a moment. “Do you see anyone around?” 

Elena looked up and down the street, it was a weekday and deserted. “The coast’s clear.”

There was a shifting noise and Elena watched as the van arched slightly and Wheeljack’s arm appeared out from under his undercarriage, a sunflower held between thick fingers. He offered it to Elena, who accepted it. She noticed it was missing a few petals and the stalk bent a bit as if it was dying. 

“Sorry for the shape it’s in,” Wheeljack apologized as Elena took it. “It fell out during a supply delivery and I can’t pluck anny from the bouquets, Pablo promises the best quality-100% guaranteed.”

Elena smirked, “Thanks, Wheeljack. I appreciate it.” She murmured goodbye and turned to go when she looked over her shoulder at him. “When I head back to New York, are you coming with? To see Optimus and them?”

“No, that’s okay,” he said. “Somebody’s gotta put food on the table. But if you guys are in any trouble that is-an 8/10, give me a call and I’ll take my vacation days.” 

Now Elena was huffing and puffing her way up to where Cheetor expectantly waited. No one could say she wasn’t getting her cardio workout while in Peru.

She extended her hand out to show off the sunflower, “I got you-”

Elena’s foot suddenly slipped on a pebble in the grass and she yelped, arms flailing as she started to fall onto her back. She feared the fall would send her rolling back down the hill and cause some damage. 

But a yellow blur appeared beside her and Cheetor reached around her and put the back of her shirt between his teeth, blocking her fall. 

Elena relaxed a bit, only for her feet to leave the ground as Cheetor picked her up by his mouth and carried her up the rest of the hill.

“Th-thank you,” she murmured, shirt pressing into her chest.

She heard a purr that was similar to laughter, “Didn’t think I’d have to carry you around like a kitten.” He placed her on the flat ground.

Elena pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, chuckling softly. “Well I didn’t think I’d end up living in Peru with giant alien robots that look like animals.” 

He bared his teeth again in that Maximal smile, and Elena felt encouraged to stretch her hand out to offer this flower.

Cheetor tipped his head, curious. “A flower?”

“It’s for you,” she replied.

Surprise flashed across the cheetah’s face and to Elena’s dismay his ears pulled back a bit and he looked uncomfortable. “W-why?”

The girl quickly dropped her hand, feeling stupid. Why did she think giving him a flower was a good idea? She cringed with embarrassment at the thought of explaining to him how this flower was an apology. Maybe she looked too much into the conversation earlier? Well, she definitely wasn’t overthinking now, the cheetah looked thoroughly embarrassed. 

“As-as a thank you,” Elena lied. “For taking me to the city.”

“Oh,” he still looked confused. “Did you give Primal flowers?”

“Something like that,” she lied again. She had only ever thanked Primal when he escorted her places. But their walks together were never awkward and she never got the sense she annoyed Primal.

“Well,” Cheetor hesitated. “Thank you, first of all. That was kind of you. I still need to take us back to the village, so would you hold it for me?”

Elena swallowed, “Yeah, no problem.” 

As she climbed back onto his back she remembered a time back when she was ten. She had been invited to a party by the most popular girl in her class. Her present to the girl had been a Barbie, she had not known that the eleven year old girl was ‘too old’ for Barbies anymore. Elena had to sit, mortified, as the girl thanked for the present but clearly didn’t like it. Some of the other little girls had even laughed at her.

Elena’s mouth pulled into a tight line, feeling a pit in her gut. She had helped save the world from a giant planet eating monster… Why did she still have to feel mortification like she was an awkward high school teenager?

 

.

 

Primal was waiting for them when they returned. Looking expectantly at them as Elena slid off Cheetor’s back.

“How did it go?” he asked.

“It was fine,” Cheetor replied before immediately trotting off.

Elena watched him go then looked at the flower still in her hand. She didn’t know if he had forgotten she had it or if he didn’t want it, but she wasn’t going to call him back for it.

“Elena?” Primal spoke up, looking down at her with concern. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah, just-” she hesitated, not sure what she should tell him. “On the way there we talked about the underground city and I think he’s upset that so many humans will be around it.” She glanced away, “I think he might blame me.”

But Primal shook his head softly, “Cheetor is protective of what little we have left of our own culture. He only needs time to adjust to the fact that humans we don’t know will be around it.”

“It’ll be protected,” Elena felt she needed to reassure. “I heard how it’s going to be a huge landmark for any towns and cities nearby, they won’t let it get vandalized or anything.”

“I believe you,” Primal gave a rare smile. “And even if they did. I think we’d be able to scare off any unruly tourists.”

Elena smiled, feeling a bit better.

The giant gorilla looked down at the sunflower in her hand. “Where did you get that?”

“From Wheeljack, actually,” she admitted. “I wanted to give it to Cheetor as an apology for annoying him but…” she trailed off and looked over to where the cheetah had walked off. “I don’t think he wants it. He looked so uncomfortable when I tried to give it to him.”

To her surprise, Primal chuckled. “I’d never say this to him, Elena-but Cheetor has a tendency to be socially awkward.”

“Really?” her brow furrowed.

Primal nodded, “He’s only had Rhinox and I, along with our human friends, for so long. I doubt he really knows how to act around someone new like yourself.”

“I see,” Elena replied. She guessed that made sense.

“But he does respect you, for helping us stop Unicron,” Primal added. “We all do.”

She smiled, pleased by his words. It was a bit of a confidence booster to have giant robots say such things about her.

Primal looked back to where Cheetor had walked off. He was a yellow shape, sitting and looking out at the expanse of land. “If you are willing, I’d try to give him the flower again.” He looked at Elena as he turned to walk away, “Just be honest with your words.”

Elena watched him go. If anyone else told her to try and give the flower back to Cheetor, she would have rejected the idea. But if Primal said it… He wouldn’t have suggested it if he didn’t believe it was the right thing to do.

Steeling herself and vowing to not let things get anymore awkward and embarrassing, Elena started her walk to Cheetor. It took a few minutes with her little legs and she kept expecting to see his shape run off. 

But he remained in place until she was close enough to call out, “Cheetor?”

He started slightly and turned to look at her, his eyes a bit wary and his expression caught off guard. He looked at her for a moment, then his facial features relaxed as if he saw she wasn’t something to get worked up over. “What is it, kitten?”

“I just wanted to-” she stopped. “Did you just call me kitten?”

“Yeah,” he said, lifting his chin. “Because I had to carry you like one and now you’re following me around like a kitten follows its mother.” There was a beat of silence. “...It’s a joke.”

Elena released a huff of air that was kind of like a laugh. His joke did make her feel better enough to walk closer. “It’s a good one. What are you doing out here?”

“Just enjoying the landscape,” Cheetor replied. When Elena stood next to him he shifted slightly. She didn’t know if that was to make himself more comfortable or to put distance between them. She was getting mixed signals. 

“It’s a beautiful country,” she replied, watching the green fields and rolling hills. The blue sky was gorgeous and a few fluffy white clouds slowly crossed the open blue. 

“Yes, it is,” Cheetor nodded. “I think I’ll go run-” 

Elena jumped back in surprise when the Maximal suddenly leapt to his paws. The fur along his neck was standing straight up and his eyes were big and bright with excitement. 

“It can’t be…” he breathed.

“What-what is it!?” Elena looked out to where he was staring. Horrified she’d see a Terrorcon coming toward them.

Cheetor was staring at a white shape in the far distance, running toward them. Elena narrowed her eyes, trying to make out the shape. But it was several seconds before the shape got close enough for her to realize what it was.

It was a tiger. A Maximal tiger.

“Tigatron…” Cheetor breathed softly before his voice yelled out with joy, “ TIGATRON! ”

He jumped off the hill and rushed toward the other feline. The ground rumbled under Elena’s feet as Primal and Rhinox hurried over to her side. Their eyes widened in surprise when they saw the tiger Cheetor was running too.

“It is Tigatron,” Rhinox’s low voice rumbled.

Primal stared. “Airazor said he…” Without finishing the sentence Primal hurried down to reach the tiger’s side. Rhinox following after.

Elena started her own way down the grassy hill. Seeing Cheetor knock himself into the white tiger. The two Maximals rubbed against each other ecstatically and while she was too far to hear-Elena was sure they were purring.

Primal reached them and pulled Tigatron into a hug, the tiger nuzzled against both him and Rhinox.

By the time Elena reached them they were in the middle of conversation.

“We have important news,” Primal was saying. “Scourge and his ilk have been defeated, and Unicron can no longer reach this planet.”

Tigatron stared at him and Elena looked the Maximal over. He was larger than Cheetor, holding himself with the gracefulness you’d expect from a big cat. His glowing eyes showed both surprise and relief.

“What about the Transwarp key?” he asked, his voice deep and attractive.

“We had to destroy it,” Primal admitted. “But with it gone now we no longer have to worry that Unicron can use its power.”

Tigatron nodded, not looking overly upset for the loss of the key. “That is good to hear. Though I’m surprised you three were able to defeat Scourge alone.”

“We weren’t alone,” Rhinox said simply.

“We found allies,” Primal repied. “Autobots from Cybertron are also on this planet, they and two humans helped us stop both Scourge and Unicron.” He suddenly turned to indicate to Elena who stood a few feet away. “This is one of those humans. Elena Wallace, she led the Autobots to us and then helped close the key’s portal.”

Tigatron looked at Elena and she was a little unnerved. She could tell just by looking at him this was a strong Maximal. Tigatron nodded to her and she did the same but stayed put out of respect for their reunion.

Tigatron looked over the three, seeming to drink in their presence. “By Primus, I’m so happy to see you all.”

Cheetor stepped forward and rubbed his muzzle against Tigatron’s neck. “Where were you?”

“We were told you were lost,” Primal said.

Elena looked at the gorilla, he had to have meant Airazor. The falcon had told them she was all that was left. Why wouldn’t he say her name?

“I’ve been buried under a mountain for…I don’t know how long,” Tigatron answered. “I was buried with Tarantulas.”

There was a visceral reaction to the news. Rhinox flicked his ears back and snorted, “That mad scientist is on Earth?”

Tigatron nodded, “Airazor and I found him.”

Elena stiffened along with the rest of the Maximals but Tigatron continued. “He had made a lair under that mountain. We tried to kill him, who knows what kind of damage he could do to this planet… But there was a rockslide, I held Tarantulas down so Airazor could escape but we were buried together.” He dropped his head, “My poor conjunx, she probably thinks I’m dead.”

Elena felt sick. She didn’t know what a conjux was but it was obvious by the depth of emotion in his voice-Airazor was very dear to him. And he didn’t know what had happened.

“How did you escape?” Primal asked, not bringing up the falcon.

“I was comatose after being buried,” Tigatron explained. “But another rockslide woke me up and gave me an opportunity to climb out and escape. I…I don’t know if Taratulas survived. My senses were jumbled and I just needed to escape…” 

“We will worry about him later,” Primal reassured. “For now, we’re just happy to have you back.”

Cheetor tipped his head, “How did you find us?”

Tigatron started to look around, his eyes now glowing with excitement. “My instincts, I-I felt Airazor was somewhere around here. I swam a whole ocean to get here.” He looked expectantly at Primal, “Have you seen her? Where is she?”

Elena wanted to turn around and leave, unable to witness the sad look Cheetor and Rhinox shared. Primal looked down at Tigatron with an expression that said he was about to give the tiger the worst news he could ever receive.

“You…” Primal cleared his throat. “You need to come with us.”

.

Elena covered her ears as Tigatron’s grief stricken roar filled the air.

The humans had buried the mighty falcon in the place where she had died. Primal had taken Tigatron to the grave and broke the news that she had died-corrupted by Unicron’s dark energy.

He didn’t mention that it had been up to Primal to put her out of her misery. Not that Elena blamed him for keeping quiet.

She sat on a rock several feet away, watching as Cheetor pressed himself against Tigatron as if to absorb his friend’s grief. Rhinox stood on his other side while Primal sat at the head of the grave, his expression far away and a haunted look in his eyes.

“She was a hero, Tigatron,” Primal’s voice shook. “She was brave, until the very end.”

The tiger shuttered and pulled away from Cheetor to step closer to the grave. “I should’ve been here, I could’ve protected her.”

“You can’t blame yourself,” Cheetor said before looking over at Primal. “There was nothing you could do.”

“ I could’ve been the one to rip Scourge’s head off,” Tigatron snarled. His claws unsheathed and shown in the light as he tore into the grass. 

Elena watched him for a moment before standing up and walking over. “May I say something?”

All eyes turned to her as she stood next to Tigatron. She looked up into his eyes that were fathomless with unhappiness.

“I don’t know if it would make you feel better,” she started, a lump forming in her throat. “But I owe it to Airazor to say-she was good to me. She helped me and the Autobots a lot, and if it wasn’t for her our whole world would’ve been destroyed. She-she was a good friend.” She tried to swallow the lump. “I know I didn’t know her as long, but I miss her too.”

She didn’t know if Tigatron would take offense, having a stranger talk about his conjunx whatever that was. But then his eyes showed a hint of gratitude and nodded, “That is good to hear, that she was a hero as well as loved. Thank you.”

She stepped back to give him space, stopping next to Cheetor. Elena looked at the flower she still held, wondering if she should leave it at Airazor’s grave instead.

She looked at Cheetor whose eyes were on Primal, Rhinox was looking at his leader too.

The haunted look was still in the gorilla’s eyes as if he was debating something. When Elena realized what it was, Tigatron lifted his head and noticed. “Why are you all staring at Primal?”

“Tigatron,” the Maximal leader, took a step forward. Cheetor’s body went rigid and Rhinox’s ears flicked with nervousness. Elena held her breath.

“There’s something I should tell you,” Primal went on. “You have the right to know.”

Tigatron’s brow furrowed, “What is it?”

“When Airazor was corrupted by Unicorn’s dark energy she attacked us. It was up to me to stop her.”

“... What ?” Tigatron’s voice was barely above a whisper and Elena felt chills go down her skin.

“You know the vow we made when we left our planet,” Primal’s voice was steady but his eyes continued to betray his turmoil. “We needed to do whatever was necessary to keep this planet safe…whatever the sacrifice.”

Tigatron stared at the gorilla blankly, then looked at the grave at his paws. “You killed her…”

“I’m sorry,” Primal’s steady voice wobbled. “If there had been any other-”

In a white blur Tigatron slapped his paw against Primal’s face. The gorilla jumped back with shock. Three claw marks were scored across his cheek, oil like liquid pooling down his chin.

“You killed her!” Tigatron roared and jumped onto Primal. Immediately the two Maximals rolled across the ground, Tigatron clawing and biting while Primal tried to push his friend away.

Elena could only stare as Cheetor and Rhinox hurried forward.

“Tigatron, stop it!” Cheetor yelled, jumping up onto the tiger’s back. He was almost immediately bucked off. Rhinox slammed his heavier body into Tigatron and he was knocked off Primal, leaving grooves in his chest where his claws ripped into him.

Tigatron stumbled a bit before rising to his paws to face the three. 

“You knew as well!” he demanded of Cheetor who looked gutted. 

Tigatron glared at Primal, “How could you let this happen? After all we’ve been through, all we’ve lost, how could you let this happen !?”

“There was nothing we could do!” Primal insisted, standing up. “I would’ve gladly given my own life if it meant saving her. But she begged for it, Tigatron. She wanted nothing more then to stop Unicron, you know that!”

“She didn’t stop Unicron though, did she?” Tigatron snarled. “She died before that happened. And how dare you act like you know her better-how dare you say she begged to die!” 

He lunged at them again and the three Maximals were a mass of giant bodies as they tried to defend against Tigatron. From where she stood Elena could see they were on the complete defense, none of them wanting to hurt Tigatron. They were just trying to get him off Primal.

She thought of trying to talk Tigatron out of what he was doing. She had been there when Airazor died, she had accepted that Primal had to kill her. And she wouldn’t want to see her allies fight each other like this. But she was a stranger, and while her words did a bit to help his grief-she doubted it would calm his rage.

Elena jumped back with a scream, dropping her sunflower. The four fighting Maximals suddenly fell against the grave, the flashing claws, giant fists, and large horn far too close to her. She was about to run to a safe distance when Primal kicked at Tigatron and the tiger was unbalanced. Elena realized he was about to fall on top of her.

But at the last second a yellow blurr jumped in front of her and took the brunt of Tigatron’s fall. Cheetor looked at Elena with panic, unaware he had stepped on and crushed the sunflower. “ RUN !”

He didn’t have to tell her twice, she turned and ran toward her rock. She could hide behind it.

“Don’t make me hurt you, Tigatron!” Cheetor begged his friend.

“As if you could !” Tigatron snarled.

Elena looked over and saw the two start to fight in a wriggling mass of claws and fangs. Off to the side Rhinox pushed Primal up, despite being outnumbered Tigatron had left many wounds on the Maximals.

From where she stood by the rock Elena watched Tigatron overpower Cheetor and pin him to the ground. The tiger’s head shot forward and wrapped his teeth around Cheetor’s throat.

Elena screamed and Primal yelled out, “ NO !”

Tigatron froze, his eyes wide with shock and realization. He quickly released Cheetor and stepped away, looking horrified.

Cheetor rubbed at his unwounded neck and stared at Tigatron, his expression showed nothing but heartache.

Tigatron looked at him, then to Primal and Rhinox. None of them said anything as the tiger fully processed what he had done. He took a step back, hesitated, then whirled around and ran away.

“Tigatron!” Primal called. But the tiger didn’t slow down, running out toward the landscape until he was a speck of white.

Elena hurried over to Cheetor’s side, her nerves shot. She had thought she was going to see Tigatron rip his throat out.

“Cheetor, are you-”

“ I’m fine ,” he snapped, cutting her off.

Elena froze, watching as Cheetor rose on shaky legs and walked over to Primal and Rhinox. Her heart broke at how dejected and lost.

“You shouldn’t have told him that,” Rhinox said after a few moments.

“I couldn’t live with that secret,” Primal said, eyes on the horizon. “He deserved to know…” He looked back at his comrades, “We will rest, and then we will go after him.”

Cheetor’s ears flicked up with surprise, “Go after him? Primal, you know how much I care about Tigatron but he’ll kill you if we go after him.” He shook his head before letting it fall, eyes on the torn up grass. “He can’t handle losing Airazor. He’ll probably do something even more impulsive than attacking us.”

“Another reason to go after him,” Primal stated. “We are the last of the Maximals and with Unicron gone I will not lose any more of our kind. I refuse . We will go after Tigatron, we won’t stop until we can have him see reason. I can accept if he hates me for the rest of his life, but I will not have him suffer his grief alone.” 

Cheetor and Rhinox didn’t say anything, and after a moment Primal turned to Elena. His expression softened into concern. “I am sorry you had to witness that, Elena.”

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Primal didn’t answer. “Tomorrow we will take you back to the city. You need to call the Autobots and have them take you back to Brooklyn.”

Elena stepped forward, “Can’t I come with you?”

All three Maximals looked at her and she continued. “I know Tigatron is a stranger to you, but you’re all my friends and you’ve helped me a lot. I want to do something for you.” She looked to the grave that was now decorated with the scuff marks of the fight. “Airazor meant a lot to him, so I’m sure he meant a lot to her. I owe it to her to look after those she cares about.”     

Chapter 6: The Karate Kid and The Dinosaur

The West Center was mainly a place for community work. Coachs hosted basketball games for underprivileged kids, there was a kitchen where volunteers cooked for the homeless once a week, a lounge area of old couches and bean bag chairs for anyone to come in and lounge. 

Currently it had a decently sized crowd for the karate tournament being held in the gymnasium. It wasn’t a huge audience but it was bigger than Noah had expected. He and Kris had left Mirage moping in the parking lot and stepped into the center. Beside him Kris was practically vibrating with excitement, eyes darting around looking for the contenders. Clutched in his hand was a small notepad and pencil he had brought along-for autographs. 

Noah found his brother’s enthusiasm cute but needed to remind him to be respectful and not bother the competitors when they were busy.

“I know that,” Kris was walking ahead and looked over his shoulder at his brother. “I’m not dumb! I’ll get their autographs after the tournament!”

“Watch where you’re going,” Noah ordered as they walked through the crowd. 

Kris didn’t look in front of him, “I should’ve made a banner but we didn’t have time. Plus I don’t know who I’ll route for. Jason said-“

Kris suddenly walked right into a guy who was passing through the crowd. Noah cringed as he hurried forward, an apology ready.

“Watch out,” the stranger said, not unkindly as he grabbed Kris’ shoulders and gently pushed him back. The young boy was staring at the stranger with his jaw hanging and eyes bugging. 

The stranger looked to be in his older teens, decked out in the white karate uniform with a black belt wrapped around his waist. His hair was brown and shaggy and by his strained smile he was getting uncomfortable with Kris’ open mouth staring.

“Sorry about him,” Noah apologized, hurrying over to grab Kris’ shoulders. 

He was about to pull his brother away when another person stepped forward. A brunette woman who looked to be his age and was wearing a black Blink-182 shirt.

“There you are, Otis,” she addressed the karate kid, coming to stand next to him. She looked at Noah and Kris and smiled, her expression friendly. “Oh, hi. Is something-“

“ Can I have your autograph ?!” 

The boy-Otis-visibly jumped at Kris’s abrupt and loud question. “Huh?”

Kris shoved his notepad and pencil forward, “You’re in the tournament, right? Can I have your autograph?” 

“Aww,” the woman cooed, thinking the interaction adorable.

Otis’s ears were red, probably matching Noah’s own. He started to pull his brother away, “Sorry, he’s just excited. Kris let’s go find a place to sit.”

“You don’t have to go,” the brunette said before elbowing the younger guy. “Give him your autograph, Otis. He’s your first fan.” 

Kris looked delighted by the words and even more delighted when Otis took the notepad and pencil.

“Right…” he started. “Your name is Kris right?”

While the autograph was being written the girl turned her smile to Noah, “I’m Charlie, by the way. Otis’ sister and solo cheering squad.”

“I’m Noah,” he introduced, responding well to her friendliness. “My little brother just had to come see this. He’s really into Ninja Turtles lately.”

“Oh you like the turtles too?” Otis looked at Kris. “Who’s your favorite?”

Kris was more than ready to list why Raphael was the best one. Otis was a fan of Leonardo.

“You two from New York?” Noah struck up a conversation.

Charlie shook her head, “No, we flew in last night from California.”

“Oh wow.” His eyes widened.

“I know,” Charlie huffed. “My legs are still sore from being stuck in that seat. Glad we’re staying the full week for the tournament’s three rounds.” 

“I bet,” was Noah’s reply. “Got any sight seeing plans?”

“We were thinking of visiting Central Park.”

“We’ll take you there!” Kris’ head popped up. “Me and Noah can be your tour guides!” The messy scrawl of Otis’ autograph was on the first page of the little notepad. 

Noah wanted to tell his brother you can’t just invite yourself to be someone’s tour guide. But before he could, a voice spoke up on the intercom, announcing that the tournament would be starting soon.

“Come on, Kris, let’s go find some seats.”

“Hang on,” Charlie said before they could leave. She looked over at Otis, “Why don’t they sit with me?” She looked at the brothers, “We were given three seats, one for me and our parents. But they couldn’t make it so it would just be me and two empty seats. It's in the front row too.”

Kris looked desperately at his big brother, silently begging him to accept the offer. 

“Are you sure?” Noah asked. They had only just met each other.

Otis shrugged nonchalantly, “Sure I’m sure. Anything for my first fan.” It was then Noah realized that despite his previous embarrassment and current coolness, he was thrilled to have Kris in his corner

“Well,” he glanced at Kris then at Charlie. “I’d hate to make you sit by yourself.” 

.

The tournament was more entertaining than Noah expected. He figured after fighting Unicron, human vs human would seem boring to him. But he saw more than one move he thought Mirage or Arcee, even Bumblebee, could perform. Maybe he should look into it and they could have their own karate lessons. Everything was peaceful now, and he hoped it would be peaceful for a long time, but practice couldn’t hurt. Optimus would probably agree with him. 

But no one enjoyed it as much as Kris but he kept his loudest cheering for Otis’ round. Charlie could barely pay attention to the fights, laughing too hard at the little boy’s enthusiasm. But Otis won every round so maybe Kris’ yelling was a kind of lucky charm (despite all the glares they got from the much quieter audience) 

The tournament wrapped up with twenty competitors to compete in the next round in a couple of days. Otis was part of that twenty. He received a bronze medal that he let Kris hold as the four walked out of the West Center. The sun was in the middle of the sky.

“Did you two still want to see Central Park?” Noah asked, turning to the brunette siblings. Perhaps Otis wanted to go back to their hotel and rest. 

Charlie looked at him, “Is that okay? If you had other stuff to do we can go on our own.”

“We have nothing to do!” Kris declared proudly. 

“Consider it a thank you for getting us front row seats,” Noah explained. 

Charlie looked at her brother. “You wanna go, or do you need to rest?”

“I’m more hungry than tired,” Otis replied. “If there’s something to eat at the park I’m there.”

So without further ado Noah led them to where Mirage had parked, Charlie walking next to his shoulder while Kris held Otis’ hand behind them. 

When they reached Mirage Noah remembered that most people would find his appearance…unstable for a car. 

“It works,” he said to the two siblings. Charlie’s expression was unreadable but Otis looked like he feared it would fall apart as soon as they got in.

But neither said anything as they all climbed in. Kris and Otis in the back seat while Charlie took the passenger seat. Noah was sure Mirage had questions but stayed silent as Noah started the engine and pulled out to the main road.  

He glanced over at Charlie and saw she was staring at the steering wheel, an odd look in her eyes. He followed her gaze and realized she was looking at the autobot insignia.

Could she…? No way. 

“Where did you get your car?” Charlie asked as they slowly made their way down the street. 

“I made it,” Noah said, pushing away any nervous thoughts he had about her seeing the insignia. She probably thought it was an interesting design, he added.

“Really?” Her eyes were bright with interest. “That’s really impressive. I’ve only ever fixed cars.” 

“Thanks,” he said, then decided to add. “I know it doesn’t look much right now. But I’m going to tune it up, then it’ll look like it’s fresh off the lot.”

His seat jolted forward a bit, and he glared at the steering wheel. “As soon as I fix the last of the bugs,” he added to Charlie who sat watching him.

“Oh don’t worry about my sister not liking this thing,” Otis leaned forward between the two seats. “Charlie has a thing for old cars.”

“Shut up, Otis.” Charlie pushed her palm into his head, pushing him back. 

After a slow drive they reached Central Park and Noah could feel the annoyance coming off Mirage as they once again left him behind.

He’s never gonna let me live this down . 

Their goal was to find some kind of vendor for a meal. But Noah decided he wanted to take a scenic route, finding a path next to the reservoir. It was a nice view, sunlight dappling the water and off into the distance was the colorful specks of people in paddle boats.

He looked at his little group, suddenly wondering if he shouldn't have invited two people he barely knew to a secluded area of the park. Was that a suspicious thing to do?

Kris and Otis were looking for stones to skip across the lake and Charlie was staring off into the distance with a far off look in her eyes.

“You okay?” Noah asked her, wondering if she was getting spooked.

Charlie jumped slightly at his question and looked over at him, “Oh, I’m fine. I just-did you see a falling star last night?”

Noah furrowed his brow, “Falling star?”

“Yeah, just before we landed last night I saw a light come down from the sky.”

“No, I didn’t see anything last night,” Noah answered. In the back of his mind he reminded himself to tell Optimus about this. He hoped it was nothing, but the last time something fell out of the sky in New York it had been three killer robots.

Charlie shrugged, “Maybe I just imagined it. It was a long flight.”

They spent a few minutes watching their brothers skip stones. They were getting competitive about it now. Noah moved over to stand closer to Charlie.

“Thanks for inviting us to sit with you at the tournament,” he said in a quiet voice. “It really meant a lot to Kris.” 

Charlie smiled at him, “Well, Otis would never admit it but he was shaking from the nerves of competing. I think Kris gave him the confidence boost he needed to do so well.”

Noah returned her smile.

They stood in a companionable silence for a while longer. Noah decided he liked Charlie and her brother even though they hadn’t known each other for more than an hour or two. It was a shame he couldn’t introduce them to Mirage and the others, but Optimus would have blown a gasket if he kept telling people about them. He had already been annoyed when Mirage revealed himself to Reek.

Yeah, it was better to let Charlie and Otis enjoy themselves without the knowledge of giant robot aliens walking among them.

All of a sudden, Otis’ voice spoke up: “What’s that?”

He was looking at the lake, a yard ahead of them. Noah saw a large mass of bubbles drifting across the lake. “Probably a turtle,” Noah replied, but he felt a rock in his gut as he watched the bubbles. It was heading for the shore, several feet away from the four. Noah looked around-there was no one else in sight, he couldn't even see the specks of people in the lake. They may as well have been the only people in the park.

“That’s a pretty big turtle,” Charlie noted uneasily.

“Get away from the water,” Noah told the young boys, keeping his eyes trailed on the bubbles. When Kris and Otis obeyed  Noah stepped forward to stand a little in front of Charlie, shielding her. She silently grabbed onto his bicep. 

The four watched in stunned silence as something rose up from the water-it was a set of claws. Metallic points that curled up into a reptilian hand that was the color of amber.

The hand shot down and smacked its palm onto the shore, dirt and grass flying as the claws dug grooves into the land. 

And then out of the water rose a head-the head of…a dinosaur? 

For a moment Noah was more dumbfounded than scared, watching the large body of a dinosaur crawl out of the lake, water running off its body. It was definitely something like the Autobots, its body was made of metal and circuit wires. Most of it was amber but darker stripes started from its head and stopped at the end of its tail. Then metal stripes stuck out of the back of its head and the back of his tail that Noah was sure were meant to be feathers. Its robotic eyes were blood red and hadn’t noticed the four. It lifted its massive head and seemed to be sniffing the air, at its feet were a pair of long, curled claws, one tapping impatiently on the ground.

It’s a velociraptor ,Noah realized, glad he paid attention during that dinosaur movie he took Kris to see a few years back. 

He glanced at Charlie, she was staring at the dinosaur. Her eyes were wide but only her shaky grip on his arm told him she was scared. Careful not to completely turn his head he looked behind him to See Otis standing next to Kris. They both looked terrified but the older boy was putting himself in front of Kris.

Keeping his attention on the raptor Noah took one slow step back, careful not to make any noise. Beside him Charlie did the same. Maybe the could make it to-

The raptor’s head shot around and immediately narrowed in on Noah. He sucked in a breath. 

There was a tense, terrifying moment as the red eyes bore into him. He saw the left side of its face had a long scar going across the eye.

“It’s only looking at you,” Charlie whispered, barely opening her mouth. Noah noticed and he had an idea.

“Otis,” he breathed, not turning away from the dinosaur. “Do you remember where I parked the car?”

“I-I think so,” was the stammered answer. 

“When I run-take Kris and get back there.”

“Noah, no ,” Kris spoke up, sounding scared and desperate. 

“Kris, you need to get. To. My. Car.” He said the words slowly, knowing Kris would understand his real meaning: Get to Mirage. “As soon as I start running.”

“I’ll stay with you,” Charlie told him. “We’ll distract it until…” she trailed off.

Noah wanted to tell her no, that she would be going with their brothers. But the raptor had taken a step forward and he realized he didn’t have the time. If he didn’t move his brother was going to watch this thing eat his face off.

He took a breath: “Run.”

He bolted into the woods, Charlie at his heels. He saw Otis pick up Kris and run back down the path. But then he saw the raptor in his line of vision, taking a sharp turn and following them into the woods.

Noah needed to stay as deep into the trees as possible. He couldn’t end up running into a public space, not when people brought their families out here. They’d stand no chance.

Do we?

“Zig zag!” Noah called to Charlie, recalling his military training. “Keep making turns! Don’t run straight!”

The raptor was slowed by having to constantly turn around each tree, but not by a lot and Noah feared it’d catch up before Mirage got here.

 

.

 

“Hey, Bee. You busy?”

Mirage was still parked near the park, waiting for Noah and the others to return. Honestly, how long did it take to walk around Central Park? They were taking way too long. 

“ What’s up? ” Bumblebee’s radio crackled over the comm.

“You wouldn’t believe what’s going on,” Mirage stated, immediately going into his complaints. “Okay so I dropped Noah and Kris off at that tournament thing, right? Well, as I was waiting oh so patiently outside they brought over two strangers! Including some girl who had a dumb name-Chucky or something. That name doesn’t fit a girl! It doesn’t fit anyone but creepy red-head dolls! But she was all smiles at my bro and he was all smiles at her. I can't even believe this! They just met! Hey, Bee, are you listening? Bee?”

“ Totally-totally…listening .” 

Why didn’t Mirage believe him?

His opinion of Chucky reminded him of his opinion of Elena but much more negative. He knew and liked Elena, they were friends. Even though it had stung-still kinda stung-that Noah had not resisted becoming her friend where he very much had resisted being friends with Mirage. Yeah they ran for their lives from Terrorcons together, but that wasn’t anything compared to his and Noah’s car chase bonding, right? And Noah would totally prefer to spend time with Mirage over Elena when she got back, right? 

Whatever, he was still going to complain. He was about to continue when he saw a familiar shape running from the park. It was Chucky’s…brother? Cousin? Mirage hadn’t paid attention. But whoever he was he was carrying Kris and they both looked terrified as they ran toward him.

Instantly Mirage was on high alert. Where was Noah?

The guy opened the back door and nearly threw Kris in before climbing in himself. He slammed the door shut and looked out at the window, like he expected something to be following them.

“Mirage!” Kris was crying. “Noah’s in trouble!” 

“What happened?” Mirage demanded immediately, not caring when the other kid jumped, looking around the car.

“It-it was a dinosaur!” Kris sobbed, “It’s chasing him in the park! We gotta help!”

“Both of you buckle up!” Mirage said, already sending out a distress signal to the other Autobots. He didn’t know if he was allowed to drive through Central Park, but for Noah he’d break a few rules.

Kris obediently buckled up, telling the guy- OTIS! That was his name! Not as dumb as Chucky-to buckle up. 

Otis obeyed, eyes about to fall out of his sockets. He mumbled something that Mirage thought was: “There’s more than one…”

But then Mirage hit the gas and drove straight into the park, forgetting the comment all together.

 

.

 

Noah hid behind a tree, grabbing Charlie’s arm as she passed and pulled her over. The two sat in the leaves and grass, huddled close with their shoulders tucked in. Charlie’s leg was scraped by a root when she sat and nearly gasped out in pain but Noah slammed his hand over her mouth, keeping her silent.

The two tried to breath shallow breaths, ears open to hear if the dinosaur was still following them. Had it given up? 

But then he heard the click of metal against the ground. He could imagine it tapping that curved sharp claw on the ground and tree roots. He could hear a soft growl and the crunch of leaves, both sounds getting louder as the creature got closer.

Come on, Mirage. Hurry up! 

   Noah looked at Charlie, feeling awful she got dragged into this sudden and dangerous situation. All because he had invited her to the park. 

Charlie’s eyes were flying around as if looking for something. He watched as she spotted a stick and picked it up. As best she could without moving the rest of her body she threw the stick as far right as she could. It made a crackling noise as it landed on a pile of leaves. 

There was a snarl and the sound of running as the raptor followed the sound. Noah immediately pulled Charlie up and kept running. He ran ideas through his head on what he could do. He didn’t know the park well enough to know if there were any good hiding spots. He’d been leaving the globe Mirage had given him back at the warehouse. He wanted to kick himself for thinking he didn’t need it, that life would be safe again after the defeat of Unicron. 

A furious snarl came from behind and Noah didn’t turn around to look. He tightened his grip on Charlie’s hand and picked up speed despite the stitch in his gut. He hoped Charlie would be able to keep up.

But they hadn’t run long when they suddenly burst into a small, empty clearing, tripping over their feet and falling onto their stomachs. 

A millisecond after they hit the ground the raptor jumped out of the trees, landing several feet away. It whirled around and snarled at them, looking more irritated than hungry. 

Noah realized neither would have the time to get back on their feet and keep running. Could he fight it off with his bare hands? He seriously doubted it but if it could give them some time until-

A multi color blur slammed into the raptor, knocking into a tree with such force the oak shifted. 

Mirage!

The car left the creature laying stunned on the ground as it drove over and the passenger seat was thrown open. “Come on !” Both Kris and Mirage’s voice spoke in unison but Noah was already rising to his feet. He grabbed Charlie and helped her up, she was staring at the driverless car in shock but he pushed her into it before she could respond.

As soon as they were both in Mirage shut the door and put on a burst of speed away from the raptor who was now rising to its feet.

Noah and Charlie looked out the rear view window, expecting to see the raptor give chase. But all of a sudden the familiar truck that was Optimus appeared, putting himself between Mirage and the dinosaur as he transformed. Charlie gasped loudly.

Noah looked at her as she turned around and sat facing forward, he had no idea how to decipher the expression on her face.

But there was no point trying to keep the secret any longer. He glared at his steering wheel, “Took you long enough, Mirage.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” the Autobot snarked. “Next time take your new girlfriend to a place that has an interstate!”

“She’s not my girlfriend!” Noah snapped. He was about to say more when Charlie made a noise.

He looked at her, she was covering her face with both hands, bent over and shoulders shaking. For a moment Noah thought she was crying-but then he realized the noise he was making was hysterical laughter. He guessed that was one way to react to alien robots, his reaction had been to try and hit one with an old piece of pipe.  

He looked over to Otis to see how he was reacting. The teenager was holding onto the door, looking green around the gills. Kris was rubbing his back and trying to comfort him as if their ages had been swapped.

“I’m going to throw up,” Otis stated as a fact.

“Mm-nope,” was Mirage’s immediate reply.

They had sped a good distance away from the dinosaur, which looked to be on the other side of the trees. And again there wasn’t another human in sight. 

In one smooth moment Noah, Charlie and Otis were flung out of the car so Mirage could transform. The Autobot had grabbed a hold of Kris so he could gently place the both on the ground.

The Autobot sent a sharp look at Otis who was on his hands and knees, taking in deep breaths. “You will not throw up in me.”

Noah scowled at Mirage, this was the worst way they could’ve introduced him to new people. Worse even when Reek met him and Noah was pretty sure the grown man had peed himself.

Charlie was laying on her back, arms flung over her face. He saw one of her eyes peeking out from her arms to look at Mirage. She was still giggling like a maniac but Noah realized tears were streaming down her eyes. Was she having an episode?

“Sis,” Otis crawled over to Charlie and helped her into a sitting position. He seemed to have recovered from his nauseous episode. “You need to chill out.”

She had dropped her arms and was looking at her brother with a large smile on her face, tear tracks running down her face and her eyes shining. “There’s more of them,” she softly giggled. “We found more Autobots.” She covered her mouth and continued her laughter while Noah furrowed his brow. They knew about Autobots?

“Can you get Chucky to stop her serial killer laugh?” Mirage demanded. He had turned his back to them, surveying the area, but had looked over his shoulder to the humans. “It’s freaking me out.”

Noah turned to him, “Would you just-what did you call her?”

“ Chucky ?” Otis looked offended.

Mirage rolled his eyes, “Whatever her name is. Can she stop? I feel like she’s about to stab us all with a knife.”

Charlie wiped her eyes, apparently not offended that he called her the wrong name. She smiled at the robot’s back with her eyes still bright. It made Noah feel an uncomfortable twist in his stomach.

“My name is Charlie, actually,” her voice was thick from her tears.

“ Charlie ,” Mirage echoed the name mockingly. “Like I said, whatever . Just-” Mirage stopped suddenly, with his head turned away Noah wondered if he had seen something.

But then the Autobot abruptly turned around and walked over to the four humans. He knelt directly in front of Charlie, making Otis jump back.

Mirage stared at Charlie for a second, looking her over. When he spoke his voice was no longer irritated: “Charlie Watson ?”

Chapter 7: Objects in Mirror are Closer than They Appear

Optimus kept himself firmly planted between Mirage and this robotic creature in front of him. The young car drove off with both their human allies and human strangers. That’ll be a headache for me later.

But right now he put all his focus on the enemy in front of him. He took a guess the reptilian creature was a type of maximal, he wondered if it was an ally or enemy to Primal. Either way he needed to get it out of this park before they attracted an audience. 

He looked into a pair of intelligent red optics that appeared more wary than hostile. It was no longer snarling, instead the maximal seemed to be studying Optimus. 

But then Arcee appeared in the clearing, having not been far behind Optimus. Her motorcycle alt mode swiftly shifted midair before she landed on her feet and fired several hits on the creature. It roared at the pain before turning and rushing at Arcee, now furious. 

Optimus ran after it, the maximal was very swift. It jumped on top of Arcee, larger than her, and the two bots rolled across the ground. The femme kicked and blasted when she could, trying to keep the maximal’s sharp fangs away from her face. 

Optimus reached them and with both hands grabbed the creature’s neck and head. He pulled back, fully prepared to rip its head off if it did not release Arcee. But the reptilian continued to prove its intelligence as it immediately let the femme go. The sudden release made Optimus pull back faster than intended and for a moment the creature’s whole body was in the air. It used that moment to turn its body and latched onto Optimus instead, claws scraped painfully against the Autobot’s metallic skin and he tossed the creature to the side before it could swipe at its optics. 

It landed on its clawed feet, skirting a bit across the grass from the force of the throw. Its claws glittered with both Optimus and Arcee’s energon. The Prime quickly helped the femme to her feet. Even outnumbered this was a dangerous enemy and they needed to keep their wits about them.

Then Arcee spoke, her voice shaking slightly. “Optimus…he’s got a Terrorcon insignia, right below his chest.”

He hadn’t even noticed, but now Prime’s optics widened as he could just make out the ugly insignia of Unicron’s followers. It was half hidden by three scars left by sharp claws.

Optimus didn’t know if he was imagining it, but he could’ve sworn he saw the creature flinch at Arcee’s words. But then Prime recalled how deadly Scourge and his lackeys had been, they had put Bumblebee offline, they had nearly let Unicron destroy this whole planet. There was no space anywhere in the galaxy for a Terrorcon. 

Optimus aimed his blaster directly at the reptilian’s head: “Take him down.”

The two started to fire at the creature but it had braced itself, dodging between the hits as it ran back toward them. But before it could reach them a new blaster started firing, hitting the Terrorcon right in its head and sending it falling to the ground, smoke pouring off its searing face.

Bumblebee broke through the trees, hurrying over to them. He had been the farthest away from them all. He ran right to the Terrorcon who had lifted its head. The yellow Autobot kicked it directly in the head where it had been shot, temporarily stunning it. He stood next to it and looked over the creature, “ You’re one ugly motherfucker .”

Bumblebee glanced over to Prime and Arcee, “ What would you do without me ?” But the radio spoken question was barely finished before the creature suddenly grabbed Bumblebee’s leg with its teeth.

In one swift movement it rose to its feet and flung Bumblebee’s body through the air, the scout knocking through several trees that snapped upon impact. When the Autobot skidded to a stop several broken trees fell atop him, burying him under splintered wood.

“ BUMBLEBEE !” Optimus yelled out, feeling a surge of panic go through his body. Scourge stabbing his blade through Bumblebee’s chest was too fresh on his mind.

He lunged at the Terrorcon, who was taken aback by his guttural yell. He pinned the creature down, pressing his blaster into its neck and prepared to fire. He saw fear flash in its red optics as it realized that Prime was about to kill it.

“I surrender!” a raspy male voice suddenly came out of the Terrorcon’s fanged mouth. The sudden words caught Prime off guard, leaving him staring down at the creature.

“Bumblebee!” Arcee called out. “Are you okay?”

Prime knew that it would take more than this to take Bumblebee down, but he still felt a wave of relief when he heard a reply: “ That’s gonna leave a mark! ” 

“Forgive me,” the Terrorcon continued when Prime turned his optics back to him. “I didn’t want to attack you.”

“You could’ve fooled me,” Arcee said dryly, rubbing her shoulder where a trickle of energon was leaking out.

“Why did you attack those humans?” Prime stated, keeping his blaster against the creature’s neck.

“I wasn’t trying to attack them!” the Terrorcon insisted. “One of them-it had the scent of Cybertronians. It had your scent. I wanted to find you!”

Prime narrowed his optics, “What for? Besides to attack us.”

“I’m sorry,” he apologized again, sounding frantic. “I didn’t mean to frighten the human, and I didn’t want to fight you. But you started firing before I could say anything and I was on the defensive…” there was an awkward pause. “I have a short temper. But I am not here as an enemy.”

Prime exchanged a disbelieving look with Arcee.

The Terrorcon ignored it, “Is Primal on this planet?”

“Who's asking?” Arcee turned a fierce glare on him. “Besides, you know, a Terrorcon.”

“I’m not a Terrorcon! At least, not anymore. My name is Dinobot. And yes, I used to work under Unicron but I realized the truth. I realized how evil and dishonorable it was. I have left Unicron to find what is left of the Maximals-citizens of my old home planet-to start to atone for my sins.”

Prime didn’t believe this Dinobot. No, it wasn’t that he didn’t , he physically couldn’t . The battle in Peru was still too fresh in his mind;he had hoped that destroying the Transwarp Key would stop Terrorcons from coming to Earth.

He had clearly been wrong.

Arcee stepped closer to her leader, “What do you want to do with him?”

“We’ll let Primal decide,” Prime said after a few moments of thought. Dinobot’s optics flashed with hope. “This is a traitor from his homeworld, he can decide his fate. But for now, cuff him and we’ll keep him at the warehouse.”

Dinobot seemed to accept the fact, “Here.” He started to transform under Prime, the Autobot warily stood up and stepped away. When Dinobot had fully transformed into his robot mode, Arcee hurriedly cuffed his servos behind his back. The Terrorcon did not resist.

“Bumblebee!” Prime looked to the path of knocked over trees, to the pile of wood where Bumblebee's legs stuck out. “Get out of there.” 

“I think he’s being mopey,” Arcee snickered. “He thought he was the biggest deal after the fight in Peru but now he just got thrown around like a ragdoll.” 

Prime rolled his optics and turned on his comm link. “Mirage? This is Optimus, the enemy has been subdued.”

“I’m not an enemy,” Dinobot insisted again, sitting on his knees. Both Autobots ignored him.

“That’s great, Prime,” Mirage was speaking in a hectic fashion, more hectic than usual. “We’re heading back now.”

“Heading back?” Prime echoed. “No, you need to take the humans back. Especially those two new ones.”

“No, no, no, no,” Mirage’s voice was palpable. “You gotta see who I found!”
A few seconds later and Mirage sped back into the clearing. Prime watched as one of the new humans, the female, nearly jumped out of the Autobot before he stopped. While Mirage transformed the girl hurried straight toward Optimus, staring up at him with wide eyes. The Autobot leader took a step back, unnerved and yet feeling some sense of familiarity.

“I know you,” she breathed, almost too quiet for Prime to hear.

He furrowed his brow as he looked her over, “ Do you?”

“WHERE IS HE!?” Mirage looked around, practically vibrating. Beside him Noah and Kris stood, looking as confused as Prime felt. The other new human stood next to them, his face pale as he looked at all the robots around him.

“WHERE’S BEE?!” Mirage demanded, “WE NEED HIM!”

The strange girl’s head immediately snapped around to stare at Mirage. Prime was once more unnerved at the sudden look of overflowing emotion on her face. Who is this human…

“He’s…” Arcee looked flabbergasted. “Over there.” She pointed to the toppled trees.

The girl ran over to get a better look, letting out a strange sounding hitch of breath when she saw the pile of trees that partly hid the Autobot. “ Bumblebee !” she called out, voice cracking.

Prime’s optics widened, he finally realized. I know one was good to you …

Abruptly the trees were immediately knocked aside as Bumblebee, in the most frantic nature Prime had ever seen, scrambled onto his pedes and ran toward the clearing. He stopped short at the trees, staring at the girl with his optics dilated. The girl stared straight back, seeming unable to comprehend who she was looking at. On the side Mirage was rocking on his feet, looking unable to contain his excitement. 

Bumblebee’s radio crackled and a soft voice that sounded like the girl spoke: “ Charlie … Charlie Watson. ” 

As if a switch had been flipped, tears started to fall down the girl’s face. No, not the girl; Charlie. The Charlie.

“Bee,” her breath shuddered for a moment. But then a large smile spread across her face. She let out a high pitched shriek as she raced toward him: “ BEEEEEEE ! ”

Bumblebee met her halfway, picking her up and spinning her around. He held her tightly against his chest, nuzzling frantically against her face and neck as his radio tried to play several loud, excited songs over each other. Prime couldn’t begin to decipher the noise but he could tell there wasn’t a thing on this planet that could properly express Bumblebee’s joy.

Charlie was holding onto the bot’s face, kissing his helm a few times while trying to talk through her tears. Finally Bumblebee placed her back on the ground but didn’t take his hands off her, staying crouched so the two could press their foreheads together.

“You’re here,” Charlie breathed. “You’re actually here, I can’t believe it.”

Bumblebee repeated her words over and over again: “ You’re here, you’re here, you’re here, you’re here .” 

“I missed you so much.”

“ I missed you so much .”

“Awww,” Mirage cooed happily. “This is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Beside him Arcee stood, slack jawed. Bumblebee had told them both all about Charlie. 

Noah was looking at everyone, still confused. “What am I missing? Otis?” He looked at the other human.

“My sister,” Otis said, “Has a… history with Bumblebee over there.”

“They’re best friends!” Mirage stated to Noah before marching over to the yellow robot. He nearly knocked Bumblebee down when he leaned over his friend. Bumblebee had to pull away from Charlie to avoid falling down under Mirage’s weight. The younger bot offered his hand to Charlie, “Hi! I’m Mirage!”

“Hi, Mirage,” Charlie smiled at him, letting him shake her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. To meet all of you.” She looked at Arcee who offered her own awkward smile and then to Prime who tensed a bit. “I-I had always hoped this day would happen.” 

Prime quickly stepped forward, “We need to leave. We’re too exposed out here, I don’t want any more witnesses to this fight.” He looked at the toppled trees and burning, torn up grass. “We’ll let humans decide for themselves what happened.” He looked to Dinobot who had watched the whole scene quietly. “Mirage, Bumblebee, we need to-”

“We’re bringing them with us right?” Mirage indicated to Charlie and the other new human.

Prime hesitated, his opinion of mankind wasn't as lowly as they once were but…he didn’t like inviting a bunch of them to their base. But Bumblebee was looking up at him with such a hopeful gaze that Prime relented. Bumblebee had been through a lot and the scout deserved something for all of it.  

But just this once…

 

.

 

Charlie was so happy she thought she would throw up. Her heart was aching with joy and her hands were shaking as she held the steering wheel of Bumblebee’s car mode. That camaro she had gawked at right before he left seven years ago. How many times had she done a double take when she spotted a yellow camaro driving past?

His leader, Optimus Prime, who was so imposing and awe-inspiring had put that raptor dinosaur, Dinobot (Otis had muttered to her how dumb that name was) into a trailer that he was now pulling along the New York highway. 

As soon as the decision had been made to leave Bumblebee had transformed and opened the driver’s door for Charlie. She climbed in immediately and Otis had been quick to join her, giving Bumblebee an awkward hello as they had never properly met. 

“Bumblebee,” Charlie had spoken up, her voice still strained from all her crying and laughing. “You know my brother, Otis, right?”

“ Hello ,” Bumblebee sang the greeting.

Otis waved at the radio.

Noah and Kris had climbed back into Mirage. Charlie couldn’t believe the crazy coincidence of running into the only two people in New York who also knew about Autobots. She had thought she had been seeing things when she saw the Autobot insignia on Mirage’s steering wheel.

There was a kind of fuzzy silence in the car as they were driving. Everyone wrapped their brains around what had happened. Charlie glanced at Otis who had a funny, thoughtful look on his face. He had made comments in the past as he got older that indicated he was having doubts. That there had to have been a rational explanation for what happened in 87.

Well, he didn’t have any doubts now.

Optimus Prime’s voice came over Bumblebee’s radio. “When we get to the base I want to have a quiet interrogation of our prisoner. But I understand this is a highly emotional time so whatever you need to be loud about-do it now.” There was a click as if Optimus Prime had hung up (or muted) all of them.

Almost immediately squeals came from the radio that Charlie realized was Mirage and Arcee.

“I can’t believe she’s here!” Arcee exclaimed, she was riding right behind Prime. Charlie had been surprised to see she could summon a human hologram to ‘drive’ her.

“I know right?!” Mirage said as if they weren’t on a private line.

“Would you stop screaming?” Noah’s irritated voice spoke up, slightly muffled. 

Mirage ignored him, “Charlie! Charlie ! Can you hear me?”

“I can hear you,” Charlie laughed, she liked the robot’s enthusiasm. 

“ We can all hear you ,” Bumblebee’s radio said.

“Bumblebee never shuts up about you,” Mirage said immediately.

“It’s true he doesn’t,” Arcee added, chuckling.

“You’d think that’s not possible cause he doesn’t talk but somehow he made it happen,” Mirage continued. 

“ Shut up-shut up-shut up ,” Bumblebee repeated the one line over and over while Charlie felt heat rise up her neck. The temperature seemed to have risen inside the car.

Arcee giggled again, “What, it’s true.”

Otis suddenly grabbed Charlie’s arm, looking terrified. “I need to ask a question.”

“What?” Charlie looked on edge. What embarrassing question was her brother about to humiliate her with?

“How many are there?”

“What?”

“How many cars out there are actual talking robots?”

Charlie shrugged, “I don’t know. Bumblebee?”

“ It’s a mystery~ ”

“Why do you ask?” Arcee’s voice spoke up. 

Otis, still looking afraid, turned to Charlie, “Do you remember Mr. Harrison?”

“Your old science teacher?” Charlie furrowed her brow, not knowing where this was going. 

“Remember how I said he was the worst? And that the only thing nice about him was his car? I’m now terrified that that car is actually a robot and will come after me.”

“Why? What did you do?” Mirage asked, sounding entranced by the story.

Now it was Otis whose face flushed bright red. “I was fourteen.”

“Otis…” Charlie breathed warily. “What happened?”

“When no one was around I, uh…” his voice dropped to a mumble, “I threw a bad of dog…you know, at it.”

“OH MY GOD , OTIS!” Charlie fell back against the seat, covering her face out of mortification. Meanwhile the Autobots and even Noah had burst into shrieks of laughter.

“Kid, if that was a transformer-” Arcee tried to speak through her laughing- “You wouldn’t be here to tell the tale!”

“My sides hurt!” Mirage shrieked. “But seriously, never do that again!”

“Okay! Charlie spoke up, pulling her hands away from her face. “Are you reassured, Otis? Mr. Harrison’s car isn’t going to enact revenge on you. I might but I’ll do that later. Can we please change the subject now?”

“Yeah, actually,” Noah spoke up, catching his breath from his laughing. “ I want to ask a question. Charlie, how did you end up knowing about the Autobots?”

“Oh, well,” Charlie felt relief and gratitude. Her favorite story. “I’ll start at the beginning…”

 

.

 

By the time Charlie had finished telling how she and Bumblebee met and became friends, they had reached an old warehouse. The ‘base’ Optimus Prime had spoken of.

Once inside the red and blue truck detached from the trailer and transformed. Charlie and the others stepped out of Bumblebee and Mirage so they and Arcee could transform. 

Charlie stepped closer to Bumblebee, her shoulder brushing his leg. He didn’t want him to step a foot away from her right now, as if he did he’d vanish again.

But Optimus Prime had other plans, “Bumblebee, help me push this to the corner.” He indicated to the trailer. Charlie could hear the click of metal tapping on metal inside. 

She swallowed, almost following as Bumblebee reluctantly left her side to help his leader move the trailer away. She hoped that trailer was strong to keep that raptor inside. If he was anything like Dropkick and Shatter…

She looked over to Noah who had politely listened to her memories. “I never asked,” she walked over to him. “How did you meet the Autobots?”

Noah looked a bit embarrassed, “Oh, uh-I kinda tried to steal Mirage.”

“Steal?” she echoed.

Mirage bent down toward them. “He was inside me.”

“Stop saying it like that!” Noah snapped, looking flustered as Mirage laughed. “My family just needed the money so I almost did but I changed my mind. But then security spotted me and then we were in a car chase. Keep in mind I didn’t know Mirage was Mirage so I was freaking out.”

“But now we’re the best of bros,” the Autobot stated proudly.

“That’s sweet,” Charlie cooed. 

“It is sweet,” Mirage nodded in agreement.

“What else happened?”

“Oh, so there’s giant robot animals called Maximals living in Peru,” Noah informed.

Charlie’s eyes widened.

“And we fought a giant planet eating monster. You remember those giant storm clouds from a couple months ago?” Mirage asked. “That was us almost about to die. But we stopped him, don’t worry. And you’re welcome.”

Charlie’s jaw dropped, she recalled seeing those storm clouds.

“There were these super strong evil robots called Terrorcons who worked for it,” Noah added.

“Are they like Decepticons?” Charlie asked.

Noah looked up at Mirage, “Are they like Decepticons?”

“Yeah, but uglier,” Mirage shrugged. “Also Bumblebee was dead for like a day.”

“ WHAT !?” Charlie looked over at her friend who was pushing his shoulder into the trailer to make it move.

“He came back,” Mirage reassured. “It was a long story.”

“We’ll tell you later,” Noah said. “But yeah, that was the main thing. Oh, Elena! She’s another human, she’s currently in Peru with the Maximals. If she gets back while you’re here I’ll introduce you.”

Charlie blinked, trying to process what she had just heard. She looked for her brother, Kris was showing him a couch and tv. Next to the TV were several NES games.

Noah followed her look, “Ah, we made a bit of a rec room for when we hang out.”

Charlie couldn’t help a twinge of jealousy. She had to let Bumblebee go so soon and Noah hung out with him enough to require a rec room.

With a last scraping noise Bumblebee and Optimus Prime had pushed the trailer into the corner of the warehouse.

Bumblebee hurried back over to Charlie, kneeling down before her. She stepped forward, wanting to touch him, but Bumblebee suddenly held up his hands to keep her back. She frowned, watching as he opened his chest and placed his hand in, apparently searching for something. After a moment he pulled his hand out, something square and flat held delicately between his fingers. He offered it to her.

Charlie took the object and nearly started crying again. It was a polaroid, but not just any polaroid. It was the picture she had taken seven years ago, when she was a dorky looking eighteen year old and he was an old volkswagen. “You kept this,” she breathed. “After all these years…”

The Autobot nodded enthusiastically. Off to the side Mirage and Arcee were watching them like they were part of a riveting movie. Noah looked at the two Autobots with disapproval. 

Charlie wanted to tell Bumblebee she still had all the pictures she took of him, she still had all the cassettes they listened to, she had even kept the keys to his old alt mode. But before she could open her mouth Optimus Prime walked over. He looked over the four humans. Kris was in the middle of explaining how he had finally beat Bowser to Otis.

“It is time for you to leave,” the leader looked straight at Charlie.

She felt a jab of dismay go through her heart. I just got here! Bumblebee reached his arms around her and pulled her closer, buzzing angrily at Optimus Prime.

“Not forever ,” Optimus Prime rolled his optics. “Just for tonight, all of you need to go.” He looked at Noah. “Dinobot,” he pointed to the trailer. “Is a Terrorcon.”

“Wait, he is?!” Mirage balked. Bumblebee went rigid against Charlie’s body. 

“ Yes , and as I said before I want to interrogate him. I don’t want Noah, Charlie, or any of them here when we let him out of the trailer. It’s not safe.”

Charlie wilted with relief, Optimus Prime didn’t hate her, he didn’t want her to leave forever. “Can we come back tomorrow?”

He nodded stiffly.

Charlie gently pulled away from Bumblebee, having enjoyed his embrace a bit more than was probably necessary. She looked over at her brother, Otis was trying to give Kris his unidentified attention but she saw the exhaustion in his eyes. The adrenaline from Dinobot and the Autobots had been worn out and now the toll of the tournament was coming down on him.

“I should take Otis back to the hotel,” Charlie looked up at Bumblebee. “He’s currently in the middle of a karate tournament, I forgot to tell you. He needs his sleep.”

“And it’s past Kris’ bedtime,” Noah added. He looked up at Mirage, “You gonna take us home?”

“Will I?” Mirage jokes. “I’ve never done that before.”

“ I’ll give you a ride ,” Bumblebee offered to Charlie.

She smiled softly, “I’d like that.” 

 

.

 

Mirage parked next to Noah and Kris’ apartment. The older brother sent Kris up the fire escape first. He needed to talk to Mirage first.

“So,” he drummed his fingers against the steering wheel. “You’re in a better mood.”

“I’m always in a good mood,” the Autobot stated. “What’s your point?”

“My point is you hated Charlie’s guts until you found out she’s bee’s friend.”

“I did not!” Mirage gasped. 

“You called her Chucky!”

“I’m bad with names, sue me!” Mirage snorted, “I don’t know why you’re so obsessed with how I ‘apparently’ acted.”

“You acted like an asshole,” Noah said bluntly. “And my Mirage isn’t like that. Yeah, he’s annoying and talks too much, but he’s not an asshole.”

“Oh am I your Mirage now,” the Autobot cheeked. “When did that happen?”

Noah rolled his eyes, feeling his ears grow hot. “You know what, never mind. I’m tired. I’ll pretend you didn’t imply Charlie was an evil doll as long as it doesn’t happen again.” He slipped out of the car. “Goodnight, Mirage.”

“Goodnight, bro,” the Autobot’s voice was uncharacteristically quiet. 

 

.

 

Bumblebee parked next to the hotel. Otis mumbled a sleepy goodbye and Charlie told him to wait for her in the lobby. He was nearly stumbling as she watched him walk inside.

“ You okay ?” Bumblebee asked after a few moments of Charlie just sitting there.

“Yeah, I just-” she swallowed. “It’s stupid, I’m just scared that when I go inside I won’t see you tomorrow.”

“ You will ! I swear !” 

She was nodding, “I know, I know.” She laid her head against the steering wheel, clutching it tightly. “I just…God, I missed you so much Bumblebee. I thought I was going to grow old and die never even knowing what happened to you.” She closed her eyes, not wanting to cry again. “I looked for you, not as long or as hard as I should’ve… But I tried. And now you’re here. You’re actually here…”

He let out a bumblebee-like buzz.

“Also,” she had to add. “Mirage told me you were temporarily dead?”

“ Tis but a flesh wound .”

Charlie pulled back and frowned at the steering wheel. 

“ Sorry .” 

“Just…” Charlie breathed. “Bring me along next time, okay? I can look after you.”

“ It’s a date ,” Bumblebee chirped. He made a rewinding sound. “ Not like a date-date.”

Charlie chuckled, her face pleasantly warm. “Well, Otis is going to be waiting for me. You promise you’ll come pick us up tomorrow? We have nothing but free time.”

“ It’s a promise .”

Charlie patted the steering wheel and stepped out. As she walked into the hotel she felt her face split into a goofy smile as Bumblebee started playing Unchained Melody .

Otis was waiting for her by the elevator, leaning on the wall.

“I thought you were gonna stay out there with your boyfriend all night,” Otis said in greeting.

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Charlie said sharply, hitting the button for the eighth  floor.

“Whatever,” Otis yawned.

The elevator dinged and the two siblings stepped into the empty space. Otis continued to lean on the wall as they started to go up.

“Otis,” Charlie began. “You know we can’t tell anyone about the Autobots, right?”

“Who would believe me?” he asked.

“Don’t forget about those government men who came to our house. They can not know about any of this, understand?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“... Do you like them? The Autobots?”

“Sure,” his voice was slurry with sleep. “I like the pink one, she’s cute. Bumblebee’s cool…don’t like Noah’s car though.”

“You’ll warm up to them,” Charlie smirked.

The elevator reached the fifth floor when it suddenly stopped with a violent shake, nearly sending the two siblings to the floor. The lights started to flicker.

“What-is the elevator broken?” Otis looked around, now awake.

Charlie was staring up at the golden light signally they were on the fifth floor. “Otis, look.”

The number was glitching, changing into shapes she didn’t recognize-but then letters started to appear:

W…H…E…R…E…I…S-

There was another shake and the elevator’s light came back on. They felt it start to rise up again. The number six appeared, followed by seven, then eight.

Charlie and Otis looked at each other.

Chapter 8: Lost Trail

Tigatron stopped at the edge of the water, the waves splashing against his paws. He stared out at the wide expanse of ocean, his body still shrieked with exhaustion from his earlier swim. He did not look forward to doing so again.

Besides, where would I go? Tigatron dropped onto his belly, his legs no longer able to support him. He felt like a gaping hole was in his chest, the salty water encrusting it, the insects of the earth crawling into it.

Airazor … he bit back a sob, burying his face in his paws. It felt like only yesterday he was caressing her face, nuzzling into her warmth… And now she was gone-killed-by Primal . 

He didn’t bite back the growl that was rising up his throat. Primal had been their leader after Apelinq’s death, he had been supposed to protect them! Tigatron refused to believe there hadn’t been another way. They could have caged her, as awful as that sounded, until they could cure her of Unicron’s influence. 

They could very well be the last Maximals alive, they couldn’t be reckless like that-so quick to end one of their lives.

Hypocrite , the word echoed in Tigatron’s head. Could he really talk when he tried to kill Primal? When he had nearly killed Cheetor ? He pushed the image of the young Maximal’s distraught expression away. He had always looked up to Tigatron…what was there to admire now? 

Without Airazor he was nothing but an empty husk with no direction to take. He kept his optics closed, he couldn’t even muster the energy to look out at the ocean. If he laid here long enough, would he turn to stone? With the Maximals killing each other, perhaps this was the better option…

A vibrating noise made his ear flick and he pulled his optics open. Instantly he was back on his paws, back arched. Before him, hovering over the water, was the familiar circular shape of a ground bridge. And he knew of only one creature on this planet who had a ground bridge.

Thin, metallic arms shot out of the portal, such a deep purple they were nearly black. They stabbed into Tigatron’s body, not deep enough for serious injury, but enough to where the Maximal couldn’t escape. Tigatron flailed and kicked, digging his claws into the sand. But it was fruitless, with a roar he was dragged through the bridge. It was immediately turned off when he was pulled through.

“ TARANTULAS !” 

He lunged at his captor, the familiar, ugly Predacon. The spider-like robot released him and leapt, sticking to a cave wall. Tigatron realized they were back in that awful cave they had been trapped in. All the fallen rocks had been moved to block the entrance, hiding Tarantulas’ various tech and webs. There were webbed cocoons hanging from the rocky ceiling, they smelled rank.

“Easy, Stripes,” Tarantulas hung upside down. “I didn’t drag you here to kill you.” His voice was grating to the audio receptors and his twitching maw was damp and dripping.

“How did you know where I was?” Tigatron demanded, snarling. 

“Oh, I put a tracker on you.”

“You what ?!”

“Tragic what happened to Airazor,” the Predacon shook his head forlornly.

Tigatron jumped, Tarantulas’ quick reflexes keeping the Maximal from ripping his head off.

“Don’t say her name!” Tigatron’s claws left sparks as gravity dragged him down the cave wall. He landed back on the ground, “Don’t you dare say her name!” 

“But that’s the whole reason I brought you here,” Tarantulas crawled over the ceiling. “I can not believe Primal did that. At least when I try to kill you, it’s not the ultimate betrayal.” 

Tigatron growled, “Come down here and I will assure you the feeling is mutual.”

“We could pick up where we left off,” Tarantulas agreed. “But then who’d get Airazor back?”

Tigatron stiffened, “What?”

“There’s this…device…” the Predacon spoke slowly. “Told to hold incredible power from upgrading a Maximal to…reviving ones that are dead.” 

Tigatron stared at him.

“That’s the whole reason I came to Earth, research told me it was here. I even found it-but it was stolen from me.” He looked at Tigatron with an unnerving intensity. “I’m not a fighter like you, Tigatron. I need you. You could get it back for me. Then you can use it to bring Airazor back to life.”

“Why should I believe you?” the Maximal demanded. He was trying to ignore the desperate hope that was clawing at the hole in his chest.

“Why should you miss out on your one chance to bring your conjux back?”

Tigatron narrowed his optics, “What even is this oh-so powerful device?”

“Its creators and origin is unknown,” Tarantulas admitted. “But it’s called the Transwarp Driver .” 

Tigatron hesitated, this was a terrible idea. He had never heard of this Driver, nor had he ever heard of a device that could bring back the dead. Tarantulas was calculating and cruel, he could not be trusted. But who could be trusted anymore? Not the other Maximals. And he couldn’t ignore the soaring of his spark at the thought of seeing his beloved Airazor again. What else was there to do without her? Would he not spend the rest of his lonely days wondering if the Driver was real?

Tigatron sighed and looked up at the Predacon warily. “What would I need to do?”

 

.

 

“Elena, I need you to do something for me,” Primal had spoken to her.

“Anything,” she had responded. 

The Maximals had immediately wanted to go after Tigatron’s trail while it was still fresh. She would not have time to try and find Wheeljack or contact the Autobots. She had to entrust the villagers to deliver a letter to the excavation team that she was taking a break to explore the sights. 

“I want you to help keep an eye on Cheetor,” Primal explained when both Cheetor and Rhinox were not near. 

Elena furrowed her brow, “Keep an eye on him?”

“He and Tigatron were very close,” Primal explained, staring off into the distance. “This affects him greatly.” 

Elena remembered how Cheetor had snapped at her after Tigatron fled. “I don’t think he’d like that.”

“I would not expect you to tell him of my request,” Primal looked down at her. “I also will respect your choice if you’d rather not do this. But having someone with a calming presence near would do him good.”

Was Elena a calming presence now? She always considered herself a trouble magnet. 

“But what about you?” she looked up at his face, now disfigured by three long claw marks. It wasn’t just Cheetor who had suffered.

Sorrow flashed in Primal’s gaze for a moment before he looked away. “I am older, I can handle my grief.”

Elena reached out and placed her hand on his large forearm. Primal gave her a grateful look, “But I would be more at ease with you to look after Cheetor.”

Elena exhaled, this giant gorilla had her wrapped around his finger. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Thank you,” Primal replied. “We should leave now.” They had already said goodbye to the village, who had been king enough to give Elena a pack of supplies.   

Shouldering the pack she walked over to Cheetor who was busy stretching out his legs. He paused when Elena cleared her throat to get his attention. 

“Can I walk with you?”

His ears flicked, “Walk with me?” He looked over to Primal who was talking to Rhinox. Did he suspect he had asked Elena to come over?

“I just thought…” Should she be honest? But she didn’t want him to think she and Primal pitied him. “We deserve a do-over, that walk to town had been pretty awkward, huh?”

He looked at her for a quiet moment, she wished she knew what he was thinking. But just before she was about to back off, he knelt down.

“Climb on up, then.” 

 

.

 

With Elena riding atop of Cheetor the Maximals moved quickly. She had tried to spot tracks or knocked over trees, anything to prove Tigatron had been here. But if there were any traces they moved too fast for Elena to spot them. So instead she tried to come up with a plan for when they found Tigatron. Was there something she could say to have him forgive Primal?

She doubted it.

Was there something she could say that would keep him from trying to kill Primal?

A bit more possible. Though she had no prior friendship with Tigatron, so it was a slim chance he’d take what she said seriously. But she had been friends with Airazor, and sort of (?) friends with Cheetor. Maybe that could count for something.

Elena looked down at her hands, his fingers gripping the coarse fur of the Maximal’s neck. The three had slowed to a walk as night fell, although their eyesight was better than humans Primal wanted to exercise caution. 

He was in the lead now, Rhinox loyally trampling beside him. It was Cheetor who stayed a few feet back, head hanging and tail dragging.

“Are you tired?” Elena asked after a few moments. 

“No,” was the gruff answer.

Frowning with concern she reached out and stroked his neck, hoping to offer some comfort. But Cheetor flinched at the contact and she immediately pulled her hand away. She wrapped the arm around herself, accepting the awkward silence that followed.

But, surprisingly, Cheetor broke it. “I just don’t know what we’ll do when we find him.”

Elena didn’t have to ask who ‘him’ was. “I’m hoping he’ll have calmed down when we find him. Maybe then he’ll be more inclined to listen to Primal.”

Cheetor sighed, “I-I never thought he’d attack us. But I also never thought Airazor would get infected by Unicron…”

“Try not to hold it against Tigatron,” Elena was speaking just as much to herself as to Cheetor.

He made a humming noise, “It’s not like I can begin to understand what he’s going through. How would you react if your friend had to kill your conjunx?” He turned his head to look at her, his bright eyes staring with an intensity that confused and even unnerved her. 

“I…I wasn’t told what a conjunx is.”

“Oh,” he blinked and the weird look was gone. “It’s like-a word for a Maximal who is deeply loved by another. I think humans use the word mate.”

“We use a lot of words for that,” Elena replied, a little dryly. She had successfully guessed what a conjunx was, at least. “Did you have one?” 

“Why are you asking?” he demanded, his voice strained and his muscles tensed under her thighs.

“I was just curious, forget I said anything,” was her quick reply. Oh man, did Cheetor lose his conjunx too? He didn’t mention it but why would he want to talk about something painful with me ? Change the subject, Elena! Change the subject!

She looked up, they were walking through a field so the starry sky was stretched up above them.

“Did you know-” she began. “That for centuries humans used stars to travel both land and sea?”

Cheetor glanced at her, “We did so as well, back on our home planet. Our stars were different though.”

Elena kept talking, “We used constellations to track the sun and planets. They helped us build the first accurate calendars and to know when to plant fields. Back in 1584, there was a guy named Giordann Brune, and he thought stars were similar to the sun. So astronomers started measuring changes of the star's luminosity and even the proper motions. I don’t know exactly how that works. I'm just good at remembering what happened. Anyway, the first measured distance was made by Friedrich Bessell back in 1838. That star was 11.4 light years away-maybe you passed it by on your way to Earth. By the time the 20th century rolled around astronomers started using photography to study stars. We used physics to help explain the different colors of stars and how this matched their luminosity and temperature. Oh, also we learned the Milky Way has between 200 to 400 billion st-” She stopped abruptly when she saw Cheetor was watching her. She couldn’t read his expression-but he was probably annoyed by her going on and on.

She dropped her gaze, “Sorry.”

Elena felt a vibration coming from the base of Cheetor’s throat, it went up through her bones. 

“It’s ok-” Cheetor’s words were cut short. In front of them Primal let out a startled snort and galloped forward. Both Cheetor and Rhinox quickly hurried after. They had reached an empty beach, the water black with the exception of moon-colored ripples. 

“His scent ends here!” Cheetor exclaimed. 

“Did he go back into the water?” Rhinox paced the shore line. “We can’t follow him through the ocean!” 

Primal was staring at the ground, “Look at this.”

The sand had been churned up as if there had been a scuffle, Elena could make out the long marks of claws.

“Did-” Cheetor shuddered. “Did something drag him into the water?”

Elena wrapped his arms around herself. What on this planet could’ve pulled a Maximal into the water?

Primal looked over the shore, and then to the ocean, he seemed to be lost in thought. But then he spoke, “We can’t do this alone, he could be anywhere. He could’ve been taken… We need help. We need the Autobots.” 

Elena felt a rush of excitement at the thought of seeing them again. “They have Stratosphere. We can cover more ground.”

Primal nodded, “I wanted to be swift in finding him, but that is no longer an option. Can you contact Prime?”

“With a phone I can,” Elena replied. “But we’ve traveled so far. It would take a while to-”

“There’s lights over there,” Rhinox interrupted, nodding to the left.

Elena followed his gaze. Several yards away there were lights near the shore. A town, and towns had phones, and she had Noah’s number memorized…

Chapter 9: Too Dangerous

Optimus stood over the bound Terrorcon. Dinbot had been placed on his knees, hands cuffed behind his back, when he was removed from the truck trailer. 

Arcee stood next to Prime, arms crossed. Bumblebee and Mirage stood behind Dinobot, while their blasters weren’t aimed at his head they were at the ready-just in case.

Dinobot looked up at Optimus imploringly, “You’ll contact Primal? I must speak with him.” 

“Not now,” Optimus had planned to reach out to the Maximals…but now that he thought of it. This Terrorcon could be trying to trick him, wanting to get to Primal to kill him. Just like Scourge and his ilk. Optimus did not want to contact Primal until he knew for certain this Dinobot was no longer a Terrorcon-and he had some serious doubts on that.

The bot’s red optics flashed with frustration and desperation. It was a shallow thought but the color of his gaze didn’t help put Optimus at ease. It reminded him too much of Decepticons.

“How about we get to know each other instead?” Arcee asked. She sat down to get comfortable, crossing her legs and leaning forward. “I’d personally want to know how you’re a former Terrorcon.”

“That’s former in quotation marks,” Mirage added, optics unfriendly.

Dinobot glanced back at the blue bot, then to Arcee, then back to Optimus. “You don’t understand the sway Unicron has on his followers…how he makes following him sound-”

Bumblebee let out an angry buzz, interrupting him. “ Give me a break! ”

“I understand what ‘eating planets’ means,” Arcee replied, unimpressed. “Did he not tell you that detail?”

Dinobot stared at the floor. Optimus wondered if the shame in his gaze was sincere or not. 

“Don’t interrupt,” Optimus told his group, not looking away from the Terrorcon. “I want to hear what he has to say.”

Dinobot wouldn’t look at him now, “I…I struggled, back on our home planet. There was a civil war going on between Maximals and Predacons…” He shook his head when he noticed Optimus and Arcee share a confused look. “It doesn’t matter anymore, that war is over now, and was so miniscule in the grand scheme of things. But I was angry and alone and Unicron preyed on that. He made it sound like the planets he destroyed weren’t worth it. This was before he set his sights on my planet.” 

“Oh, is that when you grew a conscience?” Arcee asked dryly. She would probably have said more if Optimus hadn’t glared at her.

“That’s when I started to have my doubts,” Dinobot admitted. “Comparing Primal to some of the disgusting tyrants we have killed... I did not like most of the Maximals, but I respected them. With the planet destroyed I started to realize that I was on the wrong side of history, that what I did was dishonorable. The exact opposite of what I wanted to be-but I also thought, ‘this is Unicron’, what could I do?” He lifted his head to meet Optimus’s optics. “But then he tried to destroy Earth. And you stopped him.” He looked around at the Autobots, and despite the hostility that surrounded him, there was respect in Dinobot’s red gaze. “You and the Maximals, you all did.” 

“Yeah,” Mirage replied, puffing out his chest. “We were pretty awesome.” 

“I realized I didn’t have to settle for the mistakes I’ve made,” Dinobot continued, ignoring Mirage’s comment. “That I could make up for my wrongs, to live the honorable life I had wanted. So I left, I destroyed my insignia-” he nodded to the claw marks scored across his chest and symbol- “And I came here. I just need a chance, a start. And that start is making amends with Primal.”

Dinobot leaned back, his story done. The Autobots looked at each other, different thoughts expressed in their faces. Mirage and Arcee still looked highly doubtful but Bumblebee’s expression was thoughtful.

“Put him in the trailer,” Optimus said at last, turning around. He could feel Dinobot’s disappointment but the Terrorcon didn’t resist as Bumblebee and Mirage pulled him back to the trailer.

Arcee stood up to stand next to Optimus, looking at him with worry. “Do you think he’s telling the truth?”

“I’m not sure,” Optimus replied, unable to ignore the sincerity he had seen in Dinobot’s optics. “But I don’t want to react hastily.”

Arcee frowned, “How do we know he doesn’t have a tracker on him?”

“We’ll keep a lookout,” Optimus sighed. “Though I feel his arrival may be a sign for something dark ahead.”

“What isn’t a sign for something dark ahead?”

 

.

 

“Mmm, yeah that’s weird,” Noah admitted. “I’ve never heard of anything like that before.” 

He, Charlie, Otis, and Kris had returned to the warehouse. Mirage picked Charlie and her brother up for Bumblebee, apparently he had to run an errand that couldn’t wait. Noah had noticed Charlie’s disappointment and had to wonder what would be so important that Bumblebee couldn’t go pick her up. 

When they arrived at the warehouse, Optimus had greeted them politely enough. But Noah could tell he hadn’t wanted them there, he would’ve felt hurt if not for the fact they weren’t currently holding a war criminal hostage. 

From where he sat on the couch he had a view of the truck trailer that hid Dinobot from them. Noah tried to relax but the terrifying memory of Dinobot chasing him made that impossible. Arcee had said Dinobot had not planned to hurt him, that he insisted he only wanted help finding the Cybertronians. Noah found himself unable to believe that.

He and Charlie were shoulder to shoulder. Otis and Kris sitting on the floor, taking turns on the NES. Despite the age difference the two were becoming thick as thieves, and Otis had left Charlie to explain what happened last night at the hotel.

“You think I should be worried?” she asked Noah. 

He frowned, an elevator stopping and spelling out ‘where is’ was definitely weird but he wasn’t sure if it was weird enough to be worried about. 

“It could’ve been some kind of prank,” Noah pointed out. He leaned his head back, seeing a familiar car in the edge of his vision. “What do you think Mirage?” The Autobot was parked just behind the couch.

“I can tell you for a fact it’s got nothing to do with transformers,” the car said bluntly. “You wanna know why? Cause not one transformer would ever want their altmode to be a hotel elevator .”

Charlie snorted, amused by his way of talking. “Yeah, you’re probably right.” She looked over at the truck trailer, “Besides, looks like we have a more serious problem.”

Noah followed her gaze, “Optimus doesn’t know what to do with him?”

“We can’t exactly let him go,” Mirage pointed out. “I mean, we could execute him but we’re kinda hesitating to go that far.”

Charlie and Noah frowned in unison. He was definitely not for letting this Terrorcon go, but if Optimus was hesitating to kill him then there was more they needed to know-

A familiar yellow blur suddenly sped into the warehouse, honking ecstatically. Charlie nearly accidentally smacked Noah in the face, she jumped up so suddenly. 

He smirked at the way she immediately lit up and rushed over to the car, “Bumblebee, you’re back! Where’ve you been?”

Noah watched the two for a moment, wondering if-had he been separated from Mirage for seven years-if he would greet him with so much enthusiasm. He felt red with embarrassment at the thought of running to him.

He stood up and stretched before following Charlie, Mirage transforming and going after.

“That’s what I want to know,” the Autobot said, coming to stand over Bumblebee’s alt mode. “You just vanish without a trace. Poor Charlie was so distraught when it was me picking her up.”

Charlie flushed crimson, “I wasn’t distraught .”

“ Sorry-sorry ,” Bumblebee spoke through the radio. “ I’ve brought you a gift …”

He opened his driver door and from where he stood Noah could see two movie tickets on the driver seat. Charlie picked them and examined the print. She looked at Bumblebee, her eyes shining a bit. “Tickets for a drive in theater?”

“Are you asking her out on a date?” Mirage demanded, crouching down to be at eye level with the humans. He looked thrilled at the thought.

“ It’s not a date !” Bumblebee’s radio insisted. 

But Mirage’s question had caught the attention of both Optimus and Otis who looked over at the four, disapproval in their different set of eyes.

“Where did you get those anyway?” Noah asked.

“ Don’t worry about it .”

“Well, I’d love to go, Bee.” Charlie finally said, her eyes still shimmered though her ears were red. “I never got to take you to a drive in back in Brighton Falls. Let’s make up for that.”

Bumblebee played that I’m So Excited song for a few moments making Charlie giggle. It reminded Noah of how girls from his old highschool would act when the popular guys asked them out. 

He good-naturedly rolled his eyes. Not a date…Sure, Bee.

“But what are we going to do with a second ticket?” Charlie asked. “ You don’t need one.”

Mirage suddenly plucked the second ticket out of her hand. “This one’s for Noah, we’ll come with.”

“What?” Noah and Bee said in sync. “Why do I have to go?” the young man asked. 

Mirage leaned closer to Noah, “It’ll be fun,” he whispered. “And someone has to chaperone these two kids.”

“Charlie’s twenty five years old,” Noah pointed out. “And Bee is…I assume an adult age for transformers.”

“You know we can both hear you,” Charlie spoke up. She smiled reassuringly at Noah, “I don’t mind if you guys tag along.” She looked at Bumblebee, “Is that okay with you, Bee?”

There was a long pause before: “ Sure .”

“Then that’s settled,” Mirage stated as if Noah had never voiced a complaint. 

 

.

 

The tickets Bumblebee had gotten were for a kid’s movie called Casper . Charlie had seen a few trailers for it before her trip to New York.

Bumblebee and Mirage had gotten there early to park directly in front of the screen. Charlie felt a bit of a thrill to be driving Bee out in public again, with no one around them realizing what he was.

But most of all she just enjoyed spending time with him again. During the trailers before the movie started she had asked what movies and music he had been listening to, getting a wall of film dialogue and snippets of songs. She was glad to see he had impeccable taste for movie film and music-and she was also glad that one of the songs he played was from the Smiths. 

She leaned back against her seat, watching Christina Ricci befriend the friendly little ghost. It was cute and reminded her of how she and Bee became friends. In hindsight Bumblebee had acted a bit more like Christina then she did.

“This is fun,” she murmured at one point. “I really wish we could’ve done this sooner.”

“ We can start now ,” Bumblebee replied. “ We can go see as many movies as you want .

Charlie smiled softly. “That would be nice but…I’m going to have to go back to California at the end of the week. I told you about my mechanic’s job, I need to get back.” 

He hummed softly and she easily detected his disappointment. She felt a pain in her chest. She felt sick at the thought of going back and for a wild moment she considered finding a job here, on the other side of the country. But she made herself pump the breaks on that.  She and Bumblebee were best of friends but she needed to be…careful with what she did. She also needed to understand he was a soldier, by Dinobot’s arrival he was still in the middle of fighting. What happens if he and the other Autobots had to move again? Would she go with? What if she couldn’t find a job again? 

No, moving her would be reckless and she was trying not to be as reckless as she once was. She was trying not to entertain thoughts better left alone.

Though for a moment she pictured Noah and Mirage and felt a stir of envy.

“I’m sorry,” she breathed at least, reaching out to rub her hand over the steering wheel. “Honestly, I should’ve looked for you harder than I did. Maybe we wouldn’t have missed all these years.”

“ Too dangerous ,” Bumblebee pointed out.

“Yeah,” she murmured, not thinking about Decepticons or Terrorcons or even Sector Seven. “Too dangerous…”

She made herself comfortable against the seat, pulling her legs up. “But let’s just worry about enjoying tonight.”

“ After the movie…we can go on a drive .”

Charlie smiled, letting things be a bit dangerous, “Yeah, that sounds nice.”

 

.

 

“Wow, that was messed up,” Noah commented, eating popcorn. He had just witnessed Casper’s ghost uncles pretend to be the dad’s dead wife.

“Yeah,” Mirage replied, half chuckling. “I like this Casper kid though, he’s going to have this human girl head over heels.”

Noah rolled his eyes, “Yeah, cause you’re an expert in writing romance.”

“I may not write but I am an expert in romance, thank you very much,” Mirage stated. “I mean, look at Bumblebee and Charlie over there.”

“This wasn’t your idea,” Noah pointed out. “Bumblebee got those tickets.”

“Yeah, but I’m the one who called it a date,” Mirage pointed out. “So now that that’s in their heads, they’ll start seeing this as romantic, which will lead to them wanting it to be romantic, which leads to it being romantic, which leads to them driving off into the sunset.”

“You are incredibly convincing,” Noah popped another piece of popcorn in his mouth. “Did anyone ever tell you that?”

“All the time,” Mirage laughed. “But seriously, you haven’t known Bumblebee as much as I have. He talked about Charlie all the time, he really missed her. I want him to enjoy his time with her,” his voice was warm with affection. “Even if, right now, he won’t accept how he actually feels.”

Noah didn’t have to ask what he meant, it was pretty obvious from the way the two looked at each other… It was cute, even if bizarre. And out of respect for them he was careful not to think of how that would work. Mirage wasn’t considering the fact that Charlie would have to leave soon. Though Noah found himself grateful the Autobots were staying in Brooklyn.

The two watched a tender moment between Casper and Kat on a lighthouse, silent for a while. Noah envied how simple Kat’s life was even after discovering something so fantastical as ghosts. 

“Heh,” Noah said after a few moments. “I wonder if Bee knew what he was doing, getting tickets for this movie… These two are reminding me of him and Charlie.”

“It’s cute,” Mirage insisted.

“It is,” Noah agreed.

Mirage suddenly chuckled softly, so quiet Noah had almost not heard. He looked at the steering wheel, “What?”

“Oh, nothing,” Mirage replied. “I just think it’s funny that-with us coming along on Bee and Charlie’s ‘not-date’ date-it’s like we’re on a double date, ya know?”

Noah smirked, “Yeah, I guess you could say that.” He looked back up at the screen. “Though our relationship is nothing like those two.”

It took him a moment of watching the movie to notice Mirage’s dead silence. He frowned, “Mirage?”

“You know,” the Autbot’s voice was weirdly strained. “A joke isn't funny if you explain the punch line…” 

 

.

 

The four movie goers actually became quite invested at the very end of the movie. Casper becomes a human, for just a short while, to dance with Kat. To kiss her.

It was a sweet scene, a lovely scene even, with the music making it very emotional. And though it was just a short amount of time, for that time Casper’s problems were solved-his dream was fulfilled.

Noah thought-while a good scene-was a silly kids movie and didn’t want to put more thought into it.

Charlie found herself thinking of her own wishes, what became true and what was best left unfulfilled.

Bumblebee and Mirage couldn’t help feeling a bit annoyed to realize that they were jealous of the fictional ghost and his wish.

All in all, 1995’s Casper truly left the group with some dangerous thoughts…

Notes:

Hope this was worth the wait.

I really like the Casper movie, go rewatch the ending scene.

Chapter 10: Liberty Island

Reek was loitering on Liberty Island. He watched the families of tourists walk past, snapping pictures. The giant statue of Lady Liberty loomed over them all, Reek standing idle under her shadow.

He checked the beat up watch on his wrist, waiting for his business partners to show up. He had some ‘merchandise’ to sell to them, some of it having been rebuilt by Noah to be almost brand new.

Speaking of Noah, he was the reason he was doing his business out on Liberty Island instead of in the streets near his apartment. Said apartment was too close to the ex-militant and his new ‘friends’. He shuddered at the memory of Noah’s beat up old Porsche (that they were supposed to sell for money) had turned into a giant robot. It had taken Reek some time to fully process that aliens existed and that they could turn into ugly cars. But when he did Noah gave him a small run down and reassured him the robots weren’t a threat to him or to New York.

“Unless you tell anyone about us,” the Porsche-Mirage-had added. Reek hadn’t been able to tell if he was joking or not. But he had decided it was best to give that garage a wide berth and have his sales done elsewhere. 

The man turned on his heel to look out at the murky water of New York Bay. He had been waiting for hours, spending good money on those overpriced boats to get here. But it looks like his ‘business partners’ had better stuff to do than buy good merchandise. 

Wallowing in self pity he almost didn’t notice the flicker of white in the water. Reek narrowed his eyes as he saw it again, something was swimming just beneath the surface. He knew the bay was connected to the ocean, but he didn’t think sea life came this far. Was it a dolphin? A shark?

Suddenly Reek’s jaw dropped as he saw a large white feline head rise out of the surface. He rubbed furiously at his eyes before looking again, yeah it was still there-and it was swimming toward the island…

As it got closer he noticed black stripes, like a tiger, and that it looked to be made of…metal.

Oh hell no .

Reek reached into his bag, rummaging through it while trying not to panic. Finally he pulled out what he was looking for: a walkie talkie. 

Kris had given it to him, telling him it could reach Noah and him no matter where they were because it had been rebuilt by their robot friends. Reek had been really scared that it would be a tracker, but hadn’t been able to reject a gift from the kid. And now it was coming to good use:

“Noah, Noah ! Answer me right now ! It’s an emergency!” He released the button, hearing static. Around him he heard people gasp and even scream, he was not the only one who had noticed the tiger. People were swarming around him, crowding around the island’s railing to get a look at the approaching creature. Reek pulled himself out of the crowd, he wasn’t going to be crushed via panicking mob if that thing started to attack.

“What is it, Reek?” To the man’s relief Noah answered, sounding annoyed.

“I’m in the middle of something right now.”

“Well get to the end of it cause one of your robot friends are at Liberty Island,” he whispered into the walkie talkie. He watched people snapping photos. “And it’s got an audience.”

“What? Who?” There had been the sound of chatter in the background that was muted as Noah got to a quiet spot.

“I didn’t ask for its name,” Reek snapped. “It looks like a big tiger! A tiger , Noah!”

He heard the younger man mumble something he didn’t catch before his voice cleared again: “Reek, I don’t know who that is. But I’m on the way, I’ll get the Autobots and we’ll handle it.”

The crowds got louder and Reek looked over, using his tall height to look over some heads. The tiger had climbed up onto a patch of grass, several yards away from the crowd. No one approached it, they all stared at it as water cascaded off it’s body, leaving large puddles at its massive paws. It blinked glowing golden eyes at the people, but it didn’t look threatening.

He heard the faint sound of a camera taking a picture and suddenly the tiger let out a roar. Reek jumped back and several people started to scream and run for the boats. He also saw people suddenly drop their cameras which had popped and exploded, small plumes of smoke rising up.

“Reek, I need you to-” Noah’s words were cut off and replaced by a grating noise of static. 

 

.

 

Noah cursed as the walkie talkie spilled out static. He shoved it back into his pocket and pushed the center’s doors open, Charlie at his shoulder. The two had been in the middle of watching Otis’ karate tournament with Kris. He felt awful having to leave both boys-but he was fearing what would happen if they didn’t deal with this mysterious tiger.

He had to trust Otis to look after his little brother until he got back, hopefully it wouldn’t take long.

“You think it’s one of those Maximals you met?” Charlie asked. She had overheard the conversation and didn’t hesitate to follow him outside.

“I think so, hoping it’s as friendly as the ones I know.”

They reached the parking lot where Mirage and Bumblebee sat next to each other. Charlie went straight to Bumblebee while Noah climbed into Mirage.

“Is the tournament over?” Mirage asked, sounding surprised to see him so soon. “Where’s-”

“Contact Optimus!” Quickly he explained what had just happened. And to his relief both Autobots immediatley pulled out and headed for Liberty Island.

“Optimus! Arcee!” Mirage called over the radio. “We’ve got a problem. At least-I think it’s a problem.”

“What is it, Mirage?” Prime’s voice called over the radio and once again Noah explained what Reek had seen.

“What would a Maximal be doing all the way out here?” Arcee asked. 

“I thought Primal, Cheetor, and Rhinox were the last ones,” Mirage added.

“We will find out when we get there,” Prime answered, he let out a sigh that sounded bone weary. “Though it is clear it will not be the stealthiest mission.”

Noah couldn’t help but feel Prime was the only one really upset over that.

“Head toward the island,” he ordered Mirage and Bumblebee. “We are on our way.”

 

.

 

“Let me come with you!”

Prime and Arcee looked to Dinobot, they had let the cuffed prisoner out to stretch his legs when they got the call from Mirage. He had listened with interest and now his red optics were desperate as they looked at Prime.

He was instantly on high alert, as was Arcee.

“Why should we?” the femme asked. 

“They said it was a tiger like Maximal,” Dinobot asked but didn’t wait for an answer. “I know who that is. It must be Tigatron.”

Prime blinked, “Who is Tigatron?”

“One of Primal’s allies,” Dinobot replied, talking swiftly in his growing excitement. “He won’t harm helpless organics, but if I can talk to him-let him know I need to speak with Primal…”

“I told you I would decide if you should speak with Primal,” Prime reminded sternly.

“ Please ,” Dinobot took a step forward and Arcee tensed next to Prime. “You can keep me cuffed, just let me speak with him.”

Prime stared at the Terrorcon, trying to be cynical of the sincerity in his optics and voice. Was he truly telling the truth about wanting redemption?

Maybe this Tigatron will let me know if I can trust him…

“I don’t want to leave him here alone,” Prime turned to Arcee. “Even tied up there’s a risk he could escape.”

The femme looked up at her leader, and by her expression she knew that Prime was starting to pity Dinobot. “Let’s put him in the trailer then,” she sighed.

“You won’t regret this,” Dinobot vowed.

 

.

 

By the time Mirage and Bumblebee arrived at the dock where the touring ferries were kept, Noah hadn’t figured out how they’d get onto the island.

But to his surprise not only was there only a few stray cars around-but he saw the familiar alt-modes of Prime and Arcee already on one of the ferries.

“What the…” both Noah and Mirage trailed off in unison.

But both cars were quick onto the ferry, Noah and Charlie stepping out as they parked next to Prime and Arcee.

“How did you get a hold of a boat?” Noah demanded, looking around. It was empty.

“Don’t worry about it,” Arcee said simply. “Can you drive it?”

“Can I drive it?” Noah whirled around to look at the motorcycle in shock. They expected him to drive a ferry?

“I’ll try,” Charlie walked past them to find a helm.

“ You can drive…a boat?” Bumblebee’s radio asked.

“I didn’t say that,” she called over her shoulder, “I just said I’ll try.” She walked up the flight of stairs of the two stories boat. Noah moved to follow her, but caught sight of the silhouette of Liberty Island miles away. He squinted, trying to spot the tiger Reek had mentioned. Despite how annoying the man was Noah still felt worried for him…

“Why did you bring your trailer?” Mirage’s question made Noah turn back to the Autobots.

He hadn’t been paying attention, but now he saw the large white trailer was connected to Prime, leaving even less room on the boat. 

“Dinobot is in there-”

“You brought the Terrorcon!?” Mirage interrupted Prime and even Bumblebee let out an angry buzz. “What if we have to fight this tiger guy? Is one enemy not enough for you? We have to make it harder?”

Arcee drove in between Mirage and Prime. “Dinobot told us he knows this tiger, he’s apparently one of Primal’s friends called Tigatron.”

“And we believe him?” Noah furrowed his brow, remembering how the raptor had chased him and Charlie through the park. “I don’t think-”

He was cut short when the ferry suddenly jolted forward, sending him off his feet to land on his shoulder. 

Even the Autobots who weren’t moved an inch by the sudden motion let out exclamations of surprise. From the top floor of the ferry Charlie’s head popped up, her hair blowing in the wind.

“I got it moving!” she exclaimed with triumph. Bumblebee played the sound of cheering over his radio.

“Charlie, do you know how to steer it?” Prime called up to her.

“No,” even from down here Noah saw her worry. “I’m actually more worried about finding out how to stop it before we hit the island.” She vanished as she returned to the helm.

Mirage transformed and Noah felt his hands around him, helping him back to his feet. “You okay, bro?”

“Yeah,” he rubbed his shoulder. He tensed a bit when Mirage gently knocked his hand away and rubbed his shoulder for him.

“Bee,” the Autobot looked over to his friend. “If your girlfriend crashes this boat I’m gonna blame you.”

“ She’s not my girlfriend !” was Bumblebee’s quick reply.

Noah looked up at Mirage, who was still rubbing his shoulder. “You can stop now.”

Mirage ripped his hand away like Noah was on fire, “Right, I was just checking. Your shoulder isn’t broken, by the way.”

“Good to know.”

Following Mirage, Arcee transforms and looks to the fast approaching island. Now they could see the white feline shape of this Maximal-this Tigatron. He was looking straight at him and Noah could see a mass of crowds keeping their distance from it.

He swallowed, were any of them looking at the boat? Did they see Mirage and Arcee? 

He looked to his friends, Mirage was watching the tiger as well, but Arcee had walked to the other side of the boat and was staring hard at the water. 

“Uh…Charlie-” Mirage stood up, sounding on edge. “Did you find the brakes?”

Arcee spoke over her shoulder, “Do you guys see that shadow?”

Before Noah could reach her side he heard a strange groaning sound-and the next part happened so fast: Something large and rusty red burst out of the water right next to the ferry, in a split second Noah realized it was an arm. And then it slammed down into the boat, Noah heard the boat shriek as it was torn in half from the impact. Then he was under water, his limbs flailing as he tried to swim away from the torn apart boat. He saw a massive shadowy figure in front of him, its head as big as Prime’s entire body. He saw a flash of venemous green eyes that glowed in the dark waters. 

Noah frantically swam upward, breaking the water’s surface and gasping for air. “Mirage!” he yelled, looking around. “Prime!” He felt a burst of panic. “ Charlie !” She had been the closest to whatever the hell just destroyed the ferry and she was neither an Autobot or a trained soldier.

He looked over to Liberty Island just in time to see Tigatron rush and jump into the water. Was it going to help? Or was that a new problem?

A splash came from behind and he whirled around, letting out a yell of relief to see it was Mirage floundering around.

“I can’t float!” he exclaimed angrily. “I’m too heavy!”

“Mirage!” Noah started to swim forward, relieved that his body hadn’t been injured when the boat was destroyed.

The Autobot spotted Noah and relief filled his blue eyes, “ Noah, my man !” He stopped moving his limbs and his head dunked underwater before he flailed back up to the surface. “Hang on! I’m coming!” 

But despite Mirage’s best efforts, it was up to Noah to reach him. “What the hell hit us?”

“Like I know!” the Autobot sputtered. 

“Did you see anyone else?”

“Hang on.” Mirage stilled his limbs and dropped into the water. Noah was about to dive in and follow him when he heard gasping and coughing. He turned and saw Charlie, climbing up onto a sheet of metal that had once been a part of the ferry.

“Charlie!” Noah swam toward her, feeling his limbs start to ache already.

She looked to Noah, reaching her hand out to him even as she heaved for air, her face half covered by her streaming hair.

“Did I do that?” she asked, voice shaking as she helped Noah onto the wreckage.

“No,” he laid on his back. “Something-something attacked us. I saw it, I think it’s a Cybertronian.” A really big fucking Cybertronian . 

“I didn’t see Bee,” she was gasping again, her eyes wide with panic. “I didn’t see anyone !”

“I found Mirage,” Noah looked at the water, besides the ferry debris floating the surface was still. Were the Autobots fighting that thing just below them?

Charlie grabbed his arm and he turned to her, she was looking over at a spot of debris he hadn’t noticed. “Isn’t that Optimus’ trailer?”

He followed her gaze, laid a top of a piece of what was once the boat’s floor was the familiar white trailer. It was shaking and moving, as if something was trying to escape.

“Dinobot is still in there!” Charlie slipped into the water and started to swim toward the craft. Noah had no choice but to follow her, surprised by how fast of a swimmer she was. 

When the two reached the trailer it nearly fell on top of Noah, Dinobot thrashing wildly inside.

“Hang on!” Charlie called, trying to crawl up on the slippery surface. “We’ll get you out!”

Noah ducked under water and grabbed Charlie’s legs, hefting her up the debris while he used his upper body strength to climb on. 

The trailer had a latch that would be easy enough to unlock if Charlie could reach it, she was jumping up, trying to reach it.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Noah reached her side, unable to not speak his mind. 

“We can’t just leave him in there,” Charlie insisted. “He could help them fight-whatever that thing is.”

Noah sighed but used his taller stature to his advantage, reaching up to undo the latch. “Dinobot, you need to-”

He pulled back so sharply he knocked into Charlie, just barely avoiding the trailer door as it was pushed open. Dinobot-in robot mode-fell out, still cuffed as he fell into the water and sank below its depths. The two humans were left watching the water, waiting for him to resurface. He didn’t. 

Noah let out a laugh that was near hysterical, “At least we know they can’t drown.”

 

.

 

Prime kicked his legs, keeping himself from sinking to the bottom. He stared with a mixture of fear and awe at what was before him. 

It was Cybertronian he was sure, it had the anatomy of one-but that anatomy was the size of three of Prime. In the dimness of the water he could just make out it was a shade of orange and its body was crusted over with barnacles and even pieces of what looked like broken boats.. Its massive pedes were placed firmly on the ocean floor as it looked over the Autobots it had knocked into the water. Its green optics flicked toward Arcee and its mandibles flexed. As the lightest of the bots she was the closest to the surface and was moving much easier than Prime himself. The giant creature reached a clawed hand out to try and grab her but she flipped backward out of the way, everyone’s moves so sluggish under the weight of so much water. 

Prime looked to the bot’s right hand. It was holding Bumblebee in its grasp, having made immediate contact with the yellow bot as soon as it hit the boat. To Prime’s relief Bee looked to be fine, or at least had enough energy to struggle wildly in its grip. He even fired a few blasts at the enemy’s servo but the massive bot didn’t even flinch.  

The Autobot leader didn’t see Mirage, and he feared for the well being of the humans.

Prime aimed his own gun at the hand that held his comrade, but before he could fire a white blur appeared in his line of vision. It was the Maximal, Tigatron, swimming with great ease and speed to latch onto the wrist that held Bumblebee. The Maximal started clawing ferociously at the bot’s arm, Bumblebee  stopped shooting to keep from risking hitting Tigatron. Pieces of barnacle and metal were rising up from the creature’s arm as Tigatron seemed to be digging into the limb. Prime wasn’t sure what he was trying to accomplish but he felt secure enough to turn his attention to helping Arcee. She was near the bot’s helm, trying to shoot at its optics while avoiding its open mandibles that were trying to bite her.

His energon went cold when the bot suddenly feigned left and its mandible stabbed into Arcee’s arm. She let out an inaudible shriek and kicked at its face, putting distance between them as she held her arm. Her energon was surrounding her in a liquid cloud. 

Prime aimed his blaster and started to fire at the bot’s head, but the enemy only shook his head as if Prime’s attacks were an irksome but harmless fly.

From the corner of his mind he saw Mirage suddenly appear, sending three of his holograms toward the bot’s head. Prime saw it snapping at them the same way it did to Arcee.

Was…was it trying to eat them?

But the real Mirage let himself sink to the bottom of the ocean, landing firmly on his pedes. Clever , Prime thought. The young bot was clearly going to try and take the enemy’s legs out. Perhaps that was the only true way to hurt it. 

Prime stopped kicking his own limbs, aiming to go down and help Mirage. But a sudden weight on his back made him whip around as fast as the water would allow. His servos warped around the arm of-Dinobot.

The Terrorcon had somehow escaped the trailer although was still cuffed with his arms behind his back. He looked beseechingly at Prime, he said something but the words were garbled and unintelligible under the water. But Prime didn’t need a translator, it was obvious what Dinobot wanted. And Prime may be about to prove himself a fool for relenting…but he aimed his blaster and shot the cuffs, the metal immediately melting and freeing Dinobot. The Terrorcon transformed into his alt-mode and Prime braced himself for an attack, but Dinobot swam right past him and toward the giant bot’s head.

He felt a wave of relief, that was six bots against one, no matter how massive. If they could get it off its legs then they could-

The giant bot suddenly swung the arm that held Bumblebee, Tigatron holding on tight. Prime had no time to move, its servo slammed into him and he met Bumblebee’s optics a moment before the arm was thrown up above the surface.

 

.

 

Noah and Charlie had only been on the debris for a few moments before there was a loud splash that sent them both into the water. Noah swallowed even more disgusting water before he returned to the surface.

The creature’s massive arm was stuck up straight above the water. The Maximal tiger was flung off the arm, bits of debris raining down on the humans as the giant feline hit the water again.

Noah covered his face as another wave rolled over him and he was nearly hit by pieces of wood and metal that fell off the robot’s giant arm.

“Ow!” Charlie’s voice caught him off guard. He hadn’t seen her resurface. She was rubbing her head and now holding what must have hit her. It was a strange piece of metal that was a rusty red in color. It looked unremarkable to Noah but he didn’t miss the familiar glint in Charlie’s eye.

“Why does this-” her head tilted up to look at the arm and her words were cut short when she saw what the bot was holding. “ BEE !” The yellow Autobot was struggling in the giant robot’s fist. He looked down at Charlie and Noah and waved to them like it was no big deal. Just underneath him was Prime, struggling to hold onto the limb.

“Optimus!” Noah called out, voice hoarse from the water he had swallowed.

Before he could do anything-what could he do? Tigatron suddenly reappeared just behind them, his head bobbing in the water and golden eyes flashing furiously. Noah felt a glimmer of hope, thinking the Maximal would attack the arm and help Prime and Bee. But Tigatron’s eyes jumped to the two humans and narrowed in on Charlie. She held the strange object to her chest, looking frightened by the tiger’s intensity.

Abruptly Tigatron lunged forward, mouth open as it knocked Charlie under the water with it.

“ Charlie !” Noah shrieked.

From above Bumblebee screamed, it almost sounded like his friend’s name.

Noah could see the white shape of Tigatron under the surface as he headed to Liberty Island. Prime saw as well, jumping off the limb and swimming after the Maximal.

Noah looked up at Bee, feeling sick with dread. The yellow Autobot was stabbing and blasted at the hand that held him, trying desperately to get free. Noah saw the arm vibrate before it suddenly flung Bumblebee through the air, back to the mainland. The Autobot hit the water and Noah yelled out for his name. He had to do something-what could he do?

The arm was submerged again, only to be replaced by the massive head of this bot. Its glowing green eyes barely spared its surroundings a glance, looking instead down at Noah. Its mandibles clicked and the man was reminded of the time at a petting zoo when he watched a snake set its sights on a mouse. 

The feeling was proven accurate as the massive creature opened its mouth, water streaming out like a disgusting wave of drool. Noah splashed backward, calling out for Mirage or Arcee, fearing he was about to find out if Cybertronians had stomachs. But before the bot could tear into him with its mandibles a shape suddenly broke the surface between them: Dinobot. He claws dug into the bot’s face and his fangs shattered the glass of its eye. The creature shrieked and Dinobot jumped off it as it dove back underwater. The Terrorcon reached Noah, grabbing his shirt and half carrying, half dragging the stunned human to a large piece of debris where he placed him on top of it.

“Stay here,” he hissed before diving back under water. As Noah tried to decide if he was going to listen to the orders of a Terrorcon , he looked over to Liberty Island where he saw Tigatron crawling out of the water.

 

.

 

Charlie was dropped onto a patch of grass where she vomited up what felt like half the New York Bay. She tried to sit up but failed, lying on her side that was stinging furiously. Gasping painfully as she tried to fill her lungs she reached her hand down to her side, when she lifted it back up she saw blood on her palm and nearly passed out.

The bot, Tigatron, leered over her, water dripping off his massive body. He ignored the shouts and shrieks of the humans that were still on the island. Charlie ignored them too, everything seemed so far away in that moment.

“Give that to me,” Tigatron growled down at her. For a moment Charlie’s brain went idle, unsure what he was talking about. But she was aware of something in her free hand and she realized she was still holding the object that hit her head. The object that filled her with a strange sense of nostalgia when she looked at it. The object that Tigatron stared intently at. 

Is that why it had nearly drowned her? Because of some piece of trash?

Tigatron leaned forward and the memory of Shatter and Dropkick made Charlie freeze up.

“Give it to me!” Tigatron snarled, but before he touched her the bot was suddenly dragged back with a ferocious yowl. 

It was Optimus, he had climbed out of the water and grabbed Tigatron’s tail, dragging the bot away from the girl. Charlie felt a wave of gratitude and relief as Prime kicked the tiger away from Charlie, putting himself between the girl and the bot.

Tigatron snarled, but his eyes flashed curiously at the Autobot. “Are you Optimus Prime?”

“I am,” Prime’s voice was thick with threat. “Are you Tigatron?”

“I am,” the robot straightened up, straightening his spine as he faced the Autobot. “Primal told me about you. I want to thank you for helping the Maximals defeat Scourge and stop Unicron.”

Charlie could tell Prime was taken aback by the words. “Then you are also an ally of Primal?”

Tigatron didn’t answer and Prime continued, “Why did you attack this human?” He glanced down at Charlie. “Primal values human life. I had assumed you would be the same.”

“I don’t care what Primal values,” Tigatron said simply. He looked back at Charlie and she flinched. “The object in her hand, I want it. I need you to give it to me.”

Charlie was all for that if it kept her from being the tiger’s chew toy. But Prime wasn’t as eager, “Why? What is it?”

“That isn’t your concern.” Tigatron was starting to slowly approach the two, his eyes dangerous. “You will give it to me now .”

Prime straightened up, and Charlie saw his blaster thrum with energy. “I give nothing to my enemies. And I feel that is exactly what you are.” 

“I don’t care what you feel.” Tigatron had barely said the words before he lunged at Prime with a roar. The two bots rolled on the ground, kicking and clawing at each other, though Prime made a conscious effort to push the two toward the water.

Charlie forced herself to sit up, watching with rising panic as the two fought. How did this go so terrible? Just a few minutes ago her only concern was figuring out how to stop a ferry.  

Suddenly Tigatron’s fangs fit around Prime’s neck, the Autobot pushing at the bot as a blue liquid seeped onto the ground.

Charlie had a vision of Prime getting his head torn off and she let out a scream: “Stop! Stop !”

Tigatron didn’t release Prime but the two turned their eyes to her. Charlie was carefully placing the object on the ground, “You can have it okay?” she held her hands up in a soothing gesture. “Just let him go…. please .”

“Charlie-” Prime’s voice was hoarse, but before he could say more Tigatron released him and rushed at the object. He picked it up between his teeth, glanced at Charlie and running off to the other side of the island. She wordlessly watched as a blast of blue energy suddenly appeared and Tigatron raced into it, he vanished alongside what she realized was a portal. 

 

.

 

Mirage had been stabbing and blasting at the creepy giant’s leg when a sudden blue light engulfed him. He looked down and would’ve screamed out in shock if he hadn’t been under water.

It was a groundbridge. He hadn’t seen one since Cybertron, and it was rapidly expanding. He swam back as the giant bot’s pedes started to sink through it. He felt the gravitational pull of the bridge and was scared of being sucked into wherever this bot was being taken. 

He felt arms wrap around him and a pressure on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Arcee and Dinobot pulling him away from the groundbridge. Together the three watched, unnerved as the creature thrashed, trying to escape from the bridge. But it continued to sink until finally, with one last grasp of its claws it vanished into the bridge, which flickered out immediately after.

Chapter 11: Pieces

Elena didn’t get a chance to tell Noah what all had happened over the phone. Standing at a phone booth in the middle of a rural town, she had been expecting the call to not even go through. 

But it had and Noah had spoken quickly, in the middle of getting ready for a karate tournament he and Kris had been following. Knowing time is of the essence, Elena told him to please have Stratosphere come and pick up the Maximals and herself and they’d explain everything once they arrived in New York. 

 It was cute how Noah was simultaneously eager to end the call and get going, and incredibly curious to why the Maximals wanted to come to the city.

But that would happen in due time.

Elena had finished the call and hurried back to the Maximals, who set up their signals so Stratosphere would find them. Then all they had to do was wait.

They did not have to wait for long. Only a few hours later and Stratosphere appeared on the horizon. The three Maximals transformed into their robot modes and waved their arms to catch the plane’s attention. Elena couldn’t help admiring the three, they so rarely transformed into robots though it would make the squeeze into the plane more bearable.

“You all are a sight for sore sparks!” Stratosphere said in a way of greeting, not bothering to transform as he clumsily landed before them. “I was starting to get bored without a bot to carry around.”

“We appreciate your help,” Primal said formerly, of all the Autobots he had talked to Stratosphere the least. Elena could sense that inherent awkwardness one felt when spending time with a new coworker. 

“I don’t suppose you three just wanted a joy ride, hmm?” the plane asked as Primal and Rhinox climbed on.

“I’m afraid not,” Primal sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I’ll explain on the way.”

But Elena hesitated to climb up onto the cargo plane. She was better at flying than she was before she met the Autobots but…she still wasn’t the biggest fan. 

“Here.” Cheetor was suddenly at her side, offering a hand for her to climb onto. He must’ve thought that she wasn’t able to climb into the plane on her own. 

Taking a breath, Elena climbed up onto his palm, her legs hanging as Cheetor climbed into Stratosphere to sit across from his allies. The plane was shut and Elena felt a jolt in her stomach as it started to move. 

Cheetor placed Elena down and she sat next to him, trying to ignore her rising dread. She was aware of Primal already going into what had happened since the Autobots left Peru. But she could barely hear him over the blood pounding in her ears. 

Stratosphere then lifted himself into the air and Elena’s stomach was left on the ground. Instinctively her hand reached out and clutched Cheetor’s thigh, making him flinch at the sudden contact.

“Sorry,” she mumbled, pulling her hand away and wrapping it around her stomach. “Sorry.”

“Are you okay?” Cheetor asked, leaning a bit so he loomed over her.

She waved his concern away, “I just don’t like flying…”

She turned her head away and kept her eyes on her knees, wanting to focus on something that wasn’t the metal around her. Turbulence made Stratosphere shake and she gasped a bit. It felt like her nerves were dancing around the cockpit.

But then she felt Cheetor wrap his hand around her and without a word dragged her closer to his side, so close her skin touched the warmth of his metallic armor.

Unable to not feel flustered, she peeked past her lashes up at Cheetor’s face but he was keeping his eyes straight forward. Elena looked over to Rhinox and Primal, the former had his own eyes closed as if sleeping, Primal gave her an amused look before turning his head to look out a nearby window.

Elena let herself relax against the Maximal. He was clearly trying to comfort her and she was grateful for it. She started to hum softly to herself, pressing her shoulder hard against him when the turbulence got too rough. 

“Are you singing?” Cheetor asked after a few moments, turning his eyes back to her.

Elena, despite being a bit embarrassed, nodded, “Yeah, I uh…it helps keep me calm.”

“...Will you sing a bit louder?”

Elena gave him a look and she noticed that there was a shade of anxiety darkening his eyes.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been airborne,” he breathed.

Feeling suddenly closer to the cheetah, Elena snuggled up a bit to get more comfortable. “I can. Be warned, a taxi driver once told me I made his ears bleed from singing.”

Cheetor made a rumbling sound that was like a mix of a purr and a laugh, his thumb silently brushing her shoulder.

 

.

 

Tigatron pulled himself out of the ground bridge, shaking the last of the moisture off his skin. He was an excellent swimmer but even he was getting sick and tired of it.

In his hand he held the small, unassuming piece of metal that Tarantulas had wanted. The ugly little object he had nearly killed someone for.

Tigatron closed his optics and the image of that human he had grabbed flashed in his mind-he hadn’t meant to hurt her. Nor had he wanted to fight Optimus Prime.

It’s done, he reminded himself. I got what I needed and now I’ll have Airazor back. Everything will be- He opened his optics and choked back a scream.

Tarantulas had cleaned out the mountain the two had been buried in, it was now an impossibly large cavern that the Predacon had claimed as his lair. And only a few feet away lay the giant Cybertronian-esque creature he and the Autobots had faced in the water. It was lying on its back, its orange body still damp from water and covered in aquatic debris. 

Tarantulas stood atop its chest, looking to examine it with a critical optic and casual pose.

“What is this!?” Tigatron demanded, not daring to take a step further.

The Predacon looked down at the Maximal, looking surprised to see him there. “Oh, you’re back. Good to see you.”

“What is this?” Tigatron repeated himself, snarling. 

“Oh, this is Rampage,” Tarantulas continued to talk as if they were having an unimportant, informal conversation. “He was a Predacon like myself, we went way back. He volunteered to be part of my experiments.”

Why don’t I believe that …Tigatron narrowed his optics.

“Admittedly I bit off more than I can chew,” Tarantulas spread his arms out to indicate to the giant transformer. “And he got really boring like, ‘oh, how could you do this?’ and ‘oh, my body is screaming in agony’. It was a real mood killer. It got even worse when he ran away with the only piece of the Transmetal Driver I have.” The Predacon suddenly turned abruptly, kneeling on Rampage’s chest to get a better look at Tigatron. “Did you get it? The Driver?”

But Tigatron could only stare at him, “Did you say…a piece?” He looked down at the piece of metal in his hand. “This is only a piece?”

“Oh, did I not mention that?”

If Tigatron wasn’t exhausted he’d have leapt up and ripped Tarantulas’ head off. “How many pieces are there!?”

Tarantulas shrugged, “Not sure. Probably three.”

Tigatron was vibrating with fury, something the Predacon noticed. He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Maximal, “You’re not going to give up are you? Isn’t Airazor worth the effort?”

Tigatron looked away from Tarantulas, fighting himself to keep from attacking the Predacon. “Why did you even need me to get it? You brought Rampage here. The Driver piece was on him.”

“I’ll be totally honest with you, I didn’t think sucking him into a giant ground bridge would work.” Tarantulas looked at the rows of computers he had built against his lair wall. “I just started up my ground bridges. To have made one with enough power to pull something as colossal as Rampage…isn’t that something.” He looked back at Tigatron, “But you fetching it for me was a safer option.”

Tigatron kept his optics on the unconscious robot. When would he wake up? And what would they do when he did?

“Don’t worry,” Tarantulas cooed, as if reading his thoughts. “I knocked him out with some of my venom as soon as he got here. He won’t cause us any problems.”

“What are you going to do with him?”

Tarantulas tapped Rampage’s face with one of his long spindly spider legs, his voice dropping. “That’s to be decided…Maybe I’ll kill him. There’s a lot I can do with this body…”

Notes:

I'm taking a lot of artistic liberties when it comes to Beast Wars stuff.

Chapter 12: The Tunnel Monster

The Autobots left a trail of water behind them as they took the back roads and allies to get back to their warehouse. After all, they no longer had a trailer to put Dinobot back in.

None even entertained the thought of the tired looking creature trying to make an escape.

Once in the warehouse Noah all but fell out of Mirage’s driver seat, soaked to the skin. But though his body felt heavy he hurried over to where he had placed a first aid kit. Meanwhile Optimus opened his driver side door so Charlie could stumble out, clutching her side. Prime had warned them she had been injured but hadn’t yet explained what had happened. 

Bumblebee had transformed quickly and was there to help Charlie down. She was talking too quietly for Noah to hear but it looked like she was trying to soothe Bumblebee. The yellow bot was making loud, concerned buzzing noises. 

Will she need a hospital? Noah, first aid kit in hand, stumbling over to kneel beside Charlie. That water is filthy, she could get infected… But hospitals will ask questions.

Noah grabbed the edge of Charlie’s shirt, pulling it up so he could get a good look at the wound-only for Bumblebee to smack his hand away with an angry buzz.

“ Bee ,” Noah snapped, not having the patience. But Charlie simply pulled her shirt up herself, leaning against Bee (who kept his hands on her arms) like a pillow. 

Noah looked over the two red lines that were Charlie’s wounds, wet with blood and water. It looked like a bite mark. He grabbed all of the antibiotic swabs (which wasn’t a lot) and started to clean. Charlie let out a hiss of pain and Bumblebee made a frantic whirring noise. 

While he helped her the rest of the Autobots had transformed and tried to shake the water out of their systems.

“What the hell…” Mirage said slowly. “Was that ?”

“Oh, those are some of those giant robots that destroy boats and throw bots around like the world’s worst juggler,” Arcee snapped sarcastically. “You never seen one of those?”

“Quiet,” Prime snapped at the two, rubbing at his neck. Noah thought he could see bite marks on the bot’s neck that were similar to Charlie’s.

The Autobot leader turned to Dinobot who had laid on his belly in the middle of the warehouse. “Do you know what that was?”

Dinobot slowly shook his head, “It was…Cybertronian. But I’ve never seen such a thing…” He trailed off and stared at the ground, his red eyes far away. “But I wonder how long it’s been on this planet. Perhaps the Maximals know about-”

“If you mention the Maximals one. More. Time .” Mirage’s own voice held an uncharacteristic edge to it, the usually upbeat and energetic bot was angry and tired. 

“Chill out, Mirage,” Noah called from over his shoulder, happy to see the bot almost instantly relax his stance. “You’re going to have to get used to hearing that word. I meant to tell you guys after I got back from the karate tournament, Stratosphere left to go pick up Elena and the Maximals.”

He felt the Autobots look at his back with confusion, and saw curiosity brighten Charlie’s pained features. 

“Why?” Prime asked.

“When will they be here?” Dinobot asked, a trace of energy returning to his voice.

Noah tossed a bloody swab to the ground and kept cleaning Charlie’s wound. “I don’t know why, Elena called and said they needed our help.” He hunched his shoulders, trying to make his waterlogged brain run through all the best options for Charlie. 

“I wonder…” Prime’s deep voice trailed off, as if he was deep in thought.

“Wonder what?” Arcee asked.

“If Primal is looking for Tigatron.” Prime looked at Dinobot, his eyes flashing with sudden suspicion. “Are you sure that he is an ally of Primal?”
“Yes,” Dinobot narrowed his gaze. “Why?”

“Didn’t you see?” Charlie spoke up, her voice a little tight and shaky. “He dragged me to the island and-and he attacked Optimus.”

Noah noticed Bumblebee’s grip tighten around Charlie, as if Tigatron was still around.

“He what?” Dinobot sounded shocked. Noah looked over his shoulder at the raptor, noting how genuine his surprise looked. But then Bumblebee basically growled at the young man and Noah returned to Charlie’s wounds.

“What exactly happened?” Dinobot demanded. “Tigatron wouldn’t attack an Autobot, or something as helpless as a human.”

“I am not lying,” Prime’s voice was low with irritation. “He grabbed Charlie, tore into her flesh and nearly decapitated me-all for some piece of metal.” He addressed Charlie, “Did he say anything to you? Why was it so important?”

Charlie shook her head, “I don’t know. It-it gave me a weird sense of deja vu though, like I’ve seen it before…” 

Prime turned back to Dinobot, “The way he talked it was more important than any of our lives. Tigatron even told me he cares nothing for Primal’s value of human life.”

“I don’t understand,” Dinobot sounded pityingly confused. “Tigatron had always seemed so honorable, he cherished Primal as a friend. I don’t know what would cause him to act like this.” 

“Oh, are we done talking about the giant one that threw Bumblebee across the bay?” Mirage asked, as sarcastic as Arcee. “Cause I think I could spend the rest of the day talking about that.”

Arcee spoke up, “Yeah, like how it got dragged into a giant ground bridge that came out of nowhere.”

They had informed Prime about that fact on the drive back to base. Noah and Charlie had gotten a short lesson on Cybertronian technology; ground bridges being portals that someone could walk through to get to any place on the planet. 

“Tigatron used one as well,” Prime pointed out. “I don’t think that’s a coincidence. Whoever took the large bot is working with Tigatron.” 

“And neither are working with Primal,” Arcee replied. “Otherwise the Maximals would use the ground bridge to get here instead of asking for Stratosphere.”

“I think we need to wait until they arrive,” Prime replied. “Hopefully they will come with the answers we need.”

“While we’re waiting,” Noah stood up,having placed the larger bandages over Charlie’s wounds. “We need to decide what to do with Charlie.” He looked up at the robots. “We had witnesses. People saw Tigatron hurt her. If she goes to a hospital like this, drenched and looking like she got bit by a lion-they’ll put two and two together.”

Mirage rubbed at his eyes, “I forgot about our audience.” He chuckled almost hysterically. “So much for being incognito, huh?”

“We’ll have to see how that plays out,” Prime replied. “If worse comes to worse we’ll have to leave New York.”

Noah felt a jolt of panic that he quickly stomped down. He had more important things to worry about than the Autobots-then Mirage-leaving him. Speaking of Mirage, the smaller bot gave his leader an affronted look. He probably would’ve said something if Charlie had not spoken up.

“I’ll be alright,” she replied, voice still strained. “We just need some antibiotics. And maybe a new set of clothes.” She looked at her drenched clothing. “I don’t want to walk into my hotel like this. Just in case…”

“I can go on a supply run,” Arcee spoke up immediately. “I can use my holoform to purchase it.”

Prime nodded, “That will do. But be quick, I want us all-including the humans-to stay here for a while. Just until we can figure out our next step.” 

Bumblebee made a wary buzz and Prime looked at him, “If Charlie must go to the hospital we will take her. But it will be hard to watch over her if we do, and other humans may be…apprehensive if they connect her to Tigatron and the large bot.”

Noah agreed and quickly gave Arcee the list of medicines he’d need, glad he studied up on it during his time on the force. 

But once the femme had left Noah took in a breath, and walked over to Dinobot. The raptor looked taken aback when he realized the human was approaching him.

“I wanted to say thank you,” Noah said bluntly. 

Dinobot blinked, “Thank me?”

“You saved my life,” Noah replied. “That thing would’ve chewed me up and killed me if you hadn’t shown up. I appreciate it.” 

“Noah is right,” Optimus spoke up. “You were a valuable asset.”

“ Thank you ,” Bumblebee added. He still sat beside Charlie, who had curled into his arms.

Dinobot kept his head down, eyes on the floor. “I merely want to prove myself, but…I appreciate your gratitude.”

Is he embarrassed , Noah smirked to himself. That’s cute. 

Noah looked over to Mirage who had kept oddly quiet. He just caught an unpleasant, almost ashamed expression, before his friend abruptly turned his back on the group.

 

.

 

“Don’t feel bad, Otis. You’re going to the final round!”

Otis bit back a sigh. He had Kris on his back, carrying the boy down the subway steps. 

Charlie and Noah had never returned so they didn’t witness Otis just barely winning his last fight of the day. He’d be going to the final round, but he’d be going up against the best of the states-and he felt completely unprepared. 

Noah and Kris’ mom had been at the tournament and despite having only just met the woman she was incredibly nice and even agreed to have Otis escort Kris home (she was running late for an important final exam). Sally Watson always said her son had a face all mothers fawned over and trusted. 

His karate gear and the newest medal had been thrown haphazardly into his gym bag that was just barely hanging on his shoulder.

“Thanks, Kris,” Otis sighed, reaching the bottom step. “But if I want to win the final round I have to get some serious practicing done.”

“I’ll help you!” Kris exclaimed. “Noah and Mirage can to!”

Otis smirked, trying not to be horrified at the thought of facing off against an Autobot. Though if Arcee volunteered to help, I may be persuaded…

Or Bumblebee, Otis needed to keep an eye on both him and Charlie. She was older but he was clearly the more level headed and mature of the Watson children. 

He let Kris slide off his back as they waited for their train. He had never been on a subway, his mom telling him horror stories of all the germs down here. But he wasn’t going to act nervous around a kid who was his number one (and only) fan. 

But as they waited something caught Otis’ eye. It was an old man, probably late fifties early sixties and clearly homeless. Otis felt a beat of sympathy watching him shuffle around, wishing he had some cash on hand to give him. But it wasn’t just him that noticed the old man. He saw a group of three men a few feet away, eyeing the man malignantly. Otis was raised not to judge people based on looks but these men were oozing with a maliciousness that made him step closer to Kris.

But as he watched the old man lumbered awkwardly over to the train tracks, climbing down and starting to walk down the empty tunnel.

Otis' jaw dropped and he looked around, expecting an older adult to step up and do something. But besides the three creepy men and a scrawny guy snoozing on a bench, Otis and Kris were the only ones here.

“Should we do something?” he asked the younger boy, incredulous. 

Kris had watched the old man sadly. “My mom told me not to get on the tracks, it’s dangerous-what are they doing?”

Otis looked back and saw the three other men were climbing down onto the tracks to follow the man. Otis felt a sense of dread and knew he couldn’t just ignore that.

“Kris,” he breathed, “Stay right here.” He walked over and, after a moment of hesitation, he jumped down onto the tracks. He kept his ears open, his heart thumping wildly at the thought of being stuck down here when the train came.

“If something bad happens,” Otis didn’t want to give details. “Go get help.”

Kris nodded, looking serious as he watched Otis walk into the darkness of the tunnel.

He didn’t have to walk long when he heard the chilling, mocking laughter of those three men. Ahead of him was the small glow of a cigarette lighter and through the dim Otis made out the strangers, standing over the whimpering body of the old man.

“HEY!” he called out with no real plan. “Get away from him!”

The three strangers whirled around, their surprised expressions quickly turning into amusement when they saw it was just a skinny eighteen year old.

“Looks like we got a hero, boys,” one man snarked, his skin so pale it almost glowed in the dark.

Another man, brandishing a pocket knife, pointed it toward Otis. “I think you should turn around and forget you saw anything, little boy.”

Otis straightened his spine and puffed out his chest. He was suddenly aware of his dream as a kid, to use his karate skills to take out several bad guys at once… But eighteen year old him was very aware that getting stabbed would hurt very much. 

And who knows what other weapons they have hidden …

He took a step forward, trying to deepen his voice as he spoke: “Am I supposed to be scared of three guys ganging up on an old man? I bet the rats in this subway put up a better fight.”  

Despite the darkness he was very aware of how quickly their humor depleted, replaced by the maliciousness that had them attacking a defenseless homeless man.

Without a word two of the men lunged toward him, Otis kicked at them, trying to remember his moves. He got two solid kicks in before the third man knocked him into concrete ground. The other two held Otis’ arms to keep him pinned and the boy kicked wildly, starting to panic. The third one that stood over him, that was the one who had the knife.

“Let’s give you a new tattoo,” the man snarled. “That’ll make you remember to mind your own business.”

But before the man could move there was a shrill scream. Otis and his attackers looked to the old man, he had jumped to his feet with surprising speed and ran past them-back to where Kris was left.

Otis’ brow furrowed. Was the man screaming about being attacked? Kind of a slow reaction. He looked back to the darkness beyond them. Maybe he was just-

Otis let out a shout, the two attackers immediately releasing him.

Eyes. A pair of glowing red eyes stared at them through the darkness. The pinpoints were too large to fit in a human skull.

A growl was heard, going up from the ground and up Otis’ bones.

The attackers let out a string of curses and ran away, leaving Otis sitting on the ground. He could only stare as he heard the sound of footfalls against the concrete. The eyes were getting closer. And as Otis' eyes continued to adjust to the darkness he could just make out the shape the eyes were attached too.

It was a rat. A rat the size of a very large dog…

Otis finally did scream, jumping up and racing back to where he left Kris. The boy looked thoroughly spooked as Otis climbed back into the fluorescent lights. He grabbed Kris and carried the boy back up the stairs, terrified that if he turned around the red-eyed monster would be right behind him.

“What is it!?” Kris demanded, sounding both scared and annoyed.

“A rat!” Otis practically shrieked as they reached the surface of the staring passerby. “A giant fucking rat !” 

 

.

 

The human had dropped something. He stepped closer to get a better look. It was a silver medal, like some kind of sports trophy. 

He sniffed and several scents filled his circuits and he took his time going over them, placing them in specific files in his brain core. Most of them were the typical smells of New York. Smoke, asphalt, plastic, sweat, hot dog, and-

He blinked, his body tensing as he felt a thrill of excitement. 

Was that…No, it couldn’t be. But he couldn’t pretend he didn’t know the scent of Cybertronians when he smelled it. True it was a faint scent, barely there, but it was something. And after all this time alone, he’d happily claw and grab at ‘something’.

Picking up the medal with his teeth he let it slide down his gullet, he’d cough it back up when he found the boy again. And he would find him.

But first…he closed his optics and focused, feeling his body twist and turn into itself. It was a tight, almost painful feeling, but he’d gladly endure it.

When he reopened his optics the tunnel looked much larger, his size now shrunk into an acceptable earth rat size.

He basically pranced toward the nearest entrance, he knew these subway tunnels like the back of his paw. And once he reached the outside world-Primus when was the last time he went out there?-he’d use his superior sense of smell to find that boy. He’d follow him and, hopefully, would be led to a Cybertronian.

I hope so, Ratrap thought wistfully. I’ve gotten lonely on this planet.

Chapter 13: Ugly Reunion

Mirage leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching Noah help Charlie bandage her side. Next to the Autobot was Bumblebee, who was also watching but with obvious concern. Both humans had asked him to give them space to bandage her up, Bumblebee had been been practically on top of Noah. He had watched like he expected Noah to stab her.

Mirage had his own problems though, he turned his optics to where Dinobot stood at the other side of the warehouse. He had transformed into his robot mode and was examining his claws. Mirage kept waiting for him to peak a glance at Noah.

“Can you believe that guy?” Mirage muttered to Bee after a few kliks.

Bumblebee glanced at him then looked back to Charlie.

“He thinks he’s a big deal now after that fight in the bay,” Mirage pointed out. “I bet he thinks Noah likes him after that ‘daring rescue’ but my best friend was just being polite.” In truth-not that he’d admit it-Mirage felt lower than those pink wiggly things that humans found in the ground. Like he said, Noah was his best friend. Mirage should’ve been the one to save him from that giant bot, he never should’ve left Noah’s side. And the most horrifying thought was-what would have happened if Dinobot had not been with them.

He knew he should be grateful toward the maybe/maybe not Terrorcon. But his ego and jealousy would not allow that.

“And now he’s leaning over there with his arms crossed, trying to act cool. As if Noah is going to give him the time-” he stopped short when Bumblebee suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

The yellow Autobot gave him a droll stare. “I don’t care.”

Before Mirage could reply Noah leaned back on his hands and Charlie let out a sigh of relief, a thick strip of gauze wrapped around her stomach. “Thanks, Noah.”

“No problem,” he said coolly, his eyes going to Bumblebee. “Okay, Bee now you can come over.”

Bumblebee took a few steps forward, only to stop and give Charlie a questioning and concerned look.

She nodded with a soft smile, “You can come over, I know you were worried.”

He didn’t have to be told twice, hurrying over to kneel down next to her. At this point Charlie’s shirt had fallen back over her bandages, but Bumblebee reached forward as if to check. Though before he did he looked up at Charlie and spoke in a recording of her voice: “I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

“Sap,” Charlie chuckled before letting him lift up her shirt to examine Noah’s handiwork. But Mirage saw the faint red in her face and remembered Noah telling him that meant a human was flustered.

Mirage smiled a bit to himself, watching Bumblebee fawn over Charlie, with her clearly enjoying his attention. I want that…his optics casually, and not on purpose, moved over to Noah who was cleaning up the first aid kit.

From the corner of his optic he caught Dinobot moving slightly and looked over at the bot. He was staring in disbelief at Charlie and Bumblebee, the Autobot running his servos through her hair (that was admittedly still messy even with a new change of clothes).

Mirage bristled, ready to demand to know what Dinobot’s problem was with his friends-when suddenly Otis ran into the warehouse, holding Kris and panting like he just ran a marathon.

“What’s wrong?” Noah immediately jumped to his feet when he saw the two.

Otis placed Kris down (the little guy running over to his brother) and held his hands on his knees, catching his breath. “I saw-WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”
He was staring directly at Bumblebee, who had his hand up his sister’s shirt.

“Nothing!” Bee pulled his hand away like Charlie was on fire.

“Otis, did you run here all the way from the karate tournament?” Charlie demanded, quickly changing the subject.

By this time Prime and Arcee had walked over, so all of the warehouse’s attention was on the young human.

“I saw a rat,” Otis gasped, his eyes about to fall out of his head.

Prime and Bumblebee, who had been tensed and ready for a fight, immediately loosened their shoulders, the former looking annoyed.

“Otis, buddy,” Noah said pitinigly. “You’re in New York. You’re gonna see rats.”

“Ones with red eyes?!” Otis demanded, pulling at his hair. “The size of a dog!?”

Mirage noticed that Dinobot’s head immediately shot around to look at the boy, a look of shock on his face. It was not dissimilar to the look he gave to Bumblebee and Charlie.

Noah stared at Otis for a moment, the boy was looking a little unhinged. “Not in the subways I take. Kris?”

“I didn’t see it,” Kris replied reluctantly, as if he wanted to support Otis. “But he was in the subway tunnels.”

Charlie stood up, stumbling a bit before catching herself. “You went into the subway tunnels?”

“That is not the important part of what I’m saying to you,” Otis snapped. “I’m not you, Charlie, I didn’t sign up for all this crazy stuff to happen to me.” He looked up at the Autobots and Dinobot. “No offense.”

While Charlie tried to calm her brother down, Mirage looked over to the large open entrance of the warehouse. If he hadn’t looked he wouldn’t have noticed a fuzzy little brown spot cautiously walk in and keep close to the wall. He narrowed his optics with a smirk. Noah was right, he’d seen more rats than he cared for including some in this warehouse. But to have one waltz on in while Otis was claiming to have see the Rat King-it was very funny.

That is, until he noticed Dinobot. The Terrorcon had noticed the rat too and was staring at it with a hateful, scary expression that made Mirage uneasy. What did he have against Earth’s wild life?

Wanting everyone else’s attention on it, Mirage cleared his throat. “Uh, Otis, just to let you know-” he pointed over to the rat. “I think your buddy followed you here.”

He had said it as a joke but when Otis saw the rat he actually let you a yelp and fell onto the ground, staring at the rat with a pale face.

“Stop embarrassing me!” Charlie snapped, crouching to help him up.

The other Autobots, along with Noah, let out soft chuckles as they watched the little rat scurry away to hide under a pile of wood and iron beams.

But then Dinobot stopped past them and snarled at the pile of materials. Mirage’s jaw dropped. Was he really about to attack that small rat in front of them?
Bumblebee and Arcee exchanged a look and Prime spoke: “Dinobot, what’s wrong?”

“Step out, Vermin!” Dinobot growled. “I know it’s you! I can recognize your stench anywhere.”

There was a heavy moment of silence, and Mirage was about to imply some not nice things about Dinobot-when suddenly there was a shifting noise and SLAM! A large brown blur knocked into Dinobot, sending him to the floor where the two grappled and rolled around.

His attacker was…a large rat.

“I told you!” Otis insisted as Bumblebee snatched up him and Charlie. “I told you!”

Mirage grabbed Noah and Kris (who could only stare dumbly) and the two Autobots backed away. Dinobot threw the rat off him, right where the humans just were.

Mirage finally got a good look at the thing. It was ugly, but reminded him of the Maximals (only not as attractive), a metallic body simliar to the Autobots but with artifical fur running along its back. It flicked a long, powerful looking tail and glared balefully at Dinobot with bright red eyes. Mirage also noticed three claw-marks running across its back.

The rat hissed, and then spoke: “I’d say it’s good to see you, Chopper-Face! But I’m not a liar!”

By this point Dinobot had transformed back into his raptor form and was now barring his fangs, looking ready to pounce again.

“I’ll finish what I started with you,” Dinobot threatened, holding up a set of claws. Claws that matched the scars across the rat’s back.

The rat bunched strong looking muscles, “Speaking of, you should thank me for that scar on your optic. Distracts from the sob story that’s your face-”

“ENOUGH!”

Prime forcefully put himself between the two, looking at both of them with that hard gaze that made Mirage nervous. Arcee had her blasters ready but had yet to aim it at anything. Bumblebee and Mirage placed their friends down to be ready to come in, if needed.

“I don’t know who you are,” Prime looked down at the rat. “But I will not have you coming into my base and picking fights.”

“Am I suppose to be intimidated by you?” the rat demanded, without a trace of fear for the Autobot that loomed over him. “Your optics are so far from your mouth, I have room to build a city!”

Mirage quickly slammed his servo over his mouth so his laugh wouldn’t escape.

“I,” Prime’s voice was slow and low with menace. “Am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. And Dinobot is under our protection.”

Said Dinobot looked at Prime’s back, looking touched to not be referred to as a prisoner.

“Autobots and Terrorcons are buddies now, huh?” the rat said scornfully. “Must’ve missed that on the New York Times.”

“Who are you?” Arcee demanded, looked over the rat like she couldn’t figure him out. Mirage was sure the feeling was shared with everyone in the room.

“I’m Ratrap,” the rodent lifted his head proudly. “A Maximal spy for Optimus Primal.”

“You know Primal?” Prime blinked, looking amazed.

“I do,” Ratrap replied. “We go way back.”

“He is telling the truth,” Dinobot said reluctantly.

Mirage tried to imagine this Ratrap guy standing next to Maximals as might as Cheetor or Rhinox. He didn’t have that good of an imagination.

“Don’t tell them my business!” the rat snapped at Dinobot. “I don’t care if your new friends believe me or not!”

“We are Primal’s allies as well,” Arcee spoke up quickly, coming over to stand next to Prime. “They didn’t mention you.”

“They don’t know where I am, obviously, Tootz,” Ratrap began but then looked at them like he just processed the words. “Where-where did you find them?”

“They’re on this planet,” Mirage spoke up, watching Ratrap closely. “They’ve been on this planet for a long time…”

Ratrap turned around stared at him, and Mirage realized he hadn’t known. His friends had been on the same planet as him for so long, and he hadn’t known.

“All this time…” there was a quiver in his voice, come on by centuries of loneliness and despite himself Mirage felt some pity for the ugly bot.

Dinobot snorted, “Even I knew they were here.”

Ratrap shook himself as if shaking off his surprise and whirled back on Dinobot, “I don’t speak leather bag!” He looked up at Prime, “Why should I believe your Primal’s allies when you’re protecting a Terrorcon? Primal hates Terrorcons!”

“I am aware,” Prime replied. “We helped Primal and the Maximals defeat Scourge and stop Unicron from attacking this planet-”

“WHAT!?”

“-But Dinobot claims to have left the ways of Terrorcons. And I will leave his fate to Primal.”

“You defeated Scourge and Unicron?” Ratrap looked at Prime and Arcee, then looked back at Mirage and Bumblebee as if he was trying to picture them stopping such dangerous enemies. Like Mirage, it looked like he didn’t have a big imagination either.

Arcee crossed her arms and glared slightly, “Why’s that so hard to believe? We did more than you, Mr. Subway.”

“Obviously I’d have been there had known!” Ratrap snapped. “I’ve been underground for ages! Humans don’t exactly like giant robots walking around.”

“Which reminds me,” Prime gave him a once over. “Why did you follow a human here?”

“The human!” Ratrap sounded like he completely forgot. Turning around his red optics immediately zeroed in on Otis who stared back with horror.

“The little hero!” he exclaimed and started to scamper over to the humans. Immediately Mirage and Bumblebee put themselves between him and their companions.

“That’s far enough,” Bumblebee warned.

Ratrap frowned up at them. “I just came to return his medal.”

“His medal?” Charlie peaked around Bumblebee’s leg. Noah came to stand beside her while their little brothers stayed behind.

“Yeah, he dropped it after scaring off those thugs,” Ratrap answered, waving his tail back and forth a bit as if he was a dog.

And then-to everyone’s horror-he coughed once and vomited up a slimy silver medal. He picked it up with one paw and shook off the energon-esque slime before extending it toward the humans.

“Uhh…” Charlie stared at it. “That was very sweet.” She looked at Noah who subtly shook his head. “Otis, what do you say?”

Otis looked ready to barf. But he gasped out a “Th-thank you.”

Bumblebee looked at Mirage, who copied Noah and shook his head. “Not happening,” he mouthed.

Finally Bee took the bullet and leaned down to take the medal from Ratrap.

Ratrap wiped his paw on his chest then turned and crawled back to Prime. “Now that I have finished that… If you guys are really friends of Primal you don’t need Chopper-Face over there around. He can’t be trusted.”

The raptor growled softly but Prime lifted his hand and he actually went quiet.

“As I said,” Prime replied. “That is for Primal to decide… He will be arriving here shortly.”

Ratrap’s optics widened and there was no missing the shine of joy and hope there. “He is? Here in New York?”

Prime nodded, “You are…free to stay until he arrives.”

Immediatley the rest of the group, including Dinobot and the humans (sans Charlie and Kris) resisted the idea but Ratrap sat up on his hind legs and puffed out his chest.

“I accept. I’d rather go back with Primal back to-where have they been this whole time?”

“Peru.”

“…Right, okay, Peru.” He turned a sharp glare and smirk at Dinobot, “And while I’m here I’ll keep my optic on that one.”

Notes:

I don't know when the next update is cause I'm still trying to figure out something I'm happy with. But it'll be a heavy Norage chapter.

Chapter 14: Vacation Starts...

Notes:

Hey...so...I forgot. It was actually Elena's turn for a chapter. While the Noah and Charlie's chapters switch POVs, they are suppose to be going in order from Elena to Noah to Charlie.
So NEXT chapter will be Norage.

Elena had learned very quickly that if you are friends with giant robots from outer space-things will escalate quickly. The scientific fact hadn’t failed her ever since she discovered it.

But even so, she let herself relax so the escalation is so much worse.

One moment she was leaning against Cheetor, half dozing and appreciating the natural body heat of the Maximal’s body.

The next Stratrosphere leaned sharply to the right, so sharp and so sudden and with the sound of a heavy impact.

Cheetor fell to the side and Elena tumbled after him, her shoulder aching as she landed against the hard metal wall. Rhinox slid into Primal who had braced himself and caught the larger Maximal before he crushed him. All the while Stratosphere had let out a yell of pain and was now throwing out fast-paced curses Elena didn’t recognize.

She had landed close to a window and swallowing her fear she peeked out, and immediately wished she hadn’t: Stratosphere’s wing had a chuck torn off it and he was hovering high over the ocean.

Elena jumped back with a gasp of fright, trying to brace herself for suddenly being underwater.

“What happened?” Primal’s commanding voice boomed, nearly shaking Elena’s bones.

“Something hit me!” Stratrosphere answered, voice strained. “I can’t stay up! I need to land!”

Elena’s heart went up her throat, “In the ocean?!”

Stratosphere moved sharply to the left, his altitude dropping. Once again Elena started to slide toward the left, she scrabbled for a grip on the flat floor. But before her back hit the wall Cheetor snatched her up and cradled her against his chest.

“I’m gonna make an emergency landing!” Stratosphere informed them. “Hold onto ye afts!”

The three Maximals exchanged a look and even without a word spoken Elena could tell what they were thinking: A plane as old as Stratosphere didn’t do ‘emergency landings’ they were going to crash.

“I got you, Elena,” Cheetor suddenly said, wrapping both arms around her. Her face was pressed hard against his chest and she couldn’t see her surroundings. But maybe that was for the best.

A few terrifying seconds later and the plane smacked into something, sliding against the ground as the sound of destroyed trees filled the cargo hold. Elena pushed herself closer into Cheetor’s chest as the Maximal wrapped himself around her.

Throw the chaos Rhinox’s voice spoke up: “Open the door!”

Elena tensed but didn’t dare move, she didn’t even open her eyes. Instead she heard the plane’s door slide open (Stratosphere actually listened?!), wind tugged her hair and then they were jolted to a stop. Cheetor was flung forward, still protectively wrapped around Elena as she felt him roll.

It wasn’t until he stopped did she dare open her eyes.

They had landed in the middle of a forest.

Stratosphere laid on the ground behind them, one of the plane wings torn and the door still open. Behind him were several toppled over trees. Primal was hanging out of it, having grabbed the edge of the plane to keep from falling out like Cheetor. Rhinox was nearly directly under Stratosphere, Elena realized he had jumped out to stop the plane from sliding. She turned to her right to see, a few yards away, a cliff top. Rhinox wouldn’t have known it was there, but if he hadn’t jumped out they would’ve fallen.

“Are you okay?” Cheetor straightened up to loom over her. She was still laying in his hands, the Maximal on his knees and his face very close to her. Inches apart Elena noticed there was flecks of gold in his green eyes.

“Elena!” he hissed, his voice rising an octave when she didn’t answer.

She blinked, startled back to herself. “I’m okay. I’m…I’m glad we didn’t land in the ocean.”

Cheetor’s shoulders dropped with relief and Elena was taken aback when he pressed his face into her chest.

“I thought you got hurt,” he mumbled against the fabric of her shirt.

Elena didn’t respond right away, her heart still hammering from the adrenaline of the crash. Not only that, she was acutely aware of the feel of his face against her skin, her heart was thumping against his cheek.

He really was so worried. Elena thought of him grabbing her and holding onto her during the crash, not only that, she thought of how he tried to comfort her during the ride despite his own anxiety. She thought of how warm and smooth yet hard his body was against her. He’s kinda…

“Elena! Cheetor!” Primal’s voice called out to them.

Cheetor pulled his face away and the moment was gone. “We’re fine!” he roared over to his leader as the girl got to her feet. “What hit us?”

“I wish I knew!” Stratosphere’s thick accent was even thicker with anger as he transformed into robot mode. “I can’t fly like this!”

Rhinox crawled out from under the plane, “At least it only hit your wing. Whatever it was, it probably would’ve killed us all if it had hit you directly.”

Stratosphere nodded reluctantly, “That’s true.” He glanced down at the Maximal, “Thank you, by the way.”

Rhinox nodded simply as if stopping a plane in its tracks was the easiest thing in the world.

“Where are we?” Elena asked, following Cheetor back to the others.

“Not far from New York, actually,” Stratosphere explained, looking at their surroundings. The forest seemed to go on for miles. “In New Jersey I think.”

Elena blinked, remembering the playful animosity her father had toward their neighboring state. “I don’t suppose we’re close enough to walk to New York?”

“Even if we are, our alt modes leave much to be desired when it comes to blending in,” Primal pointed out. “Stratosphere, can you contact the Autobots? Maybe send them a distress signal?”

“Maybe?” Stratosphere swatted at his head like there was a mosquito on his cheek. “My comms don’t work in the best of times and I think my head hit a boulder back there. But I’ll try.”

“Not here,” Primal said quickly. “Humans may have seen you crash and come to investigate. Let us go farther into the woods then send a distress signal.”

The three Maximals transformed back into their animal forms. Watching Cheetor’s man-like body revert back into a large cat, Elena felt a sense of relief. It was like there was something about his robot form that made her some kind of uneasy. She couldn’t quite put her finger on why though. Sure she had theories, but they were all outlandish.

“Let’s go,” Cheetor knelt so Elena could crawl onto his back. “We’ll be at your home soon. Are you excited?”

“I am actually,” Elena crawled up onto him, still feeling the sensation of his hands and face against her. “I think New York will help clear my head.”

 

.

 

It had landed in the water after hitting the plane. He did not know, nor did he care, if the plane would crash because of the impact.

His small, circular pod landed in the bottom of the water’s floor. He was never fond of the liquid but he understood this planet was absolutely covered in it.

I’m glad none of the Autobots have alt modes that can swim, he thought casually. The pod opened and he watched impassively as the water filled up the small space.

The Maximals and him may be a different story. But its not like his mission had a time limit. He was told he could go at his leisure, even treat it as a little vacation, as long as he did what needed to be done.

He crawled out of the pod, slightly annoyed at the salty water that filled his crevices. The less he was in it the better.

He checked his position, he was not far from the first destination. He’d find his targets there and then move on to the next, and then he’d enjoy his vacation.

And I’m going to enjoy every step of the way…

Chapter 15: The Ruined Race

It was Mirage’s turn to watch their guests. Prime and Arcee were on patrol while Bumblebee won a game of blaster, fist, swords and got to take the humans out for food.

But at least someone had to stay at the base. Mirage rolled his optics at the thought. What happened to Dinobot being so brave and a hero, like everyone was saying after the fight in the bay? Why did Mirage need to watch him? Especially when their second guest never took his optics off him.

Ratrap sat on top of that railing floor inside the base, staring at Dinobot as if the Terrorcon would explode if he glanced away.

“When’s Primal getting here?” the rat asked after a few moments of silence that weren’t nearly long enough. Mirage wasn’t used to not being the chatterbox of the group.

Ratrap narrowed his red optics at Dinobot who was pacing restlessly, “I want to help him dismantle Feather n’ Fang over there.”

Dinobot shot a droll look over his shoulder at the Maximal, “Is that the best insult you could come up with? Living underground with the rest of the vermin must have made your comeback machine short-circuit.”

“Oh, oof, ouch!” Ratrap dramatically rolled onto his back, clutching his chest. “I’m wounded! Call a medic! Everyone knows my greatest weakness-your negative opinion of me!”

Mirage ran his servos down his faceplate, wanting to turn off his audio receptors. “Would you two just make out or shut up or leave Earth? Hell, do all three I wouldn’t mind.”

“Shut up!” the two snapped in unison. “And don’t copy me!” they snarled at each other.

“Anyway, to answer your question, Ratrap,” Mirage turned all his attention on the Maximal. “I don’t know when Primal is getting here but I hope soon.” I know Stratosphere’s got one leg in the Well of All Sparks but he’s sure taking his sweet time.

“We’re all gonna rust sitting here waiting for him,” Ratrap grumbled, his tail lashing back and forth. Mirage could guess he was anxious to see his old allies again.

While watching Ratrap try and fail to look patient, Mirage hadn’t notice Dinobot walking over to him until his snout nearly touched his helm.

“I wanted to ask you something,” he murmured, his snarly voice low.

Mirage was immediately on edge, “If it has to do with Noah, the answer’s no.”

The Terrorcon blinked, looking thoroughly confused. “It…doesn’t. Why would it be about the Noah human?”

Oh as if you don’t know. Mirage glared at Dinobot, but realized if he started a fight he may sound too much like Ratrap. “Nevermind. What’s your question?”

“The yellow Autobot, and the female human…”his voice wobbled with awkwardness. “Are they always that…close?”

“Is that a problem?” Mirage’s arms were already crossed and he felt his muscles brace.

Dinobot looked at Mirage as if he didn’t know how to answer that question. “Are Autobots and humans always so…how do I put this politely.”

“Just say it,” Mirage growled, flexing his hand for no reason.

“Shameless with public intimacy. With our kind we’re usually much more private about such things.”

Mirage furrowed his brow. For a klik he wondered if Bumblebee had finally gotten some courage around Charlie and he had missed it. “What?”

Ratrap popped his head over the railing. “What are you two talking about? Whose shamelessly intimate?”

“The yellow Autobot and the female human,” Dinobot answered. Momentarily forgetting his hatred of the Maximal in the name of gossip.

“Oh you mean Bumblebee and Charlie?” Ratrap had already learned everyone’s names. “I like Charlie, she’s hot.”

“Well, she’s taken,” Mirage said for Bumblebee’s sake. Not that he thought Ratrap could ever be an actual love rival.

“Bumblebee runs his servos through her fur,” Dinobot lifted a set of claws and mimicked the movement. “In public.”

“IN PUBLIC?!” Ratrap’s jaw dropped.

“How is that so weird?” Mirage demanded. “When I was with the other Maximals I saw them nuzzle each other from time to time.”

“It’s a blink and you’ll miss it kinda difference if you aren’t a Maximal,” Ratrap explained, placing his chin on his paws. “But the way you rub up on someone tells you if you’re just friends or if you wanna jump their pipes.”

“Nuzzling like your two friends did,” Dinobot put in. “It’s kept private in a showcase that you want there to just be the two of you, that the only ones in the world are you. So seeming them being so casual about it-it caught me off guard.”

“Should’ve enjoyed it,” Ratrap added snarkily. “Closest you’ll get to someone loving you, Chopper-Face.”

Dinobot rolled his optics, but Mirage couldn’t help being curious.

He lifted his hand toward the feathers along Dinobot’s neck, “So how’s the difference-”

Dinobot jumped back several feet, giving Mirage a horrified, wide optic look. “Don’t you dare!”
Ratrap nearly fell off his perch laughing, “Don’t have such low standards, Mirage!”

Before anymore could be said there was the tell-tale sound of tires against concrete and a few kliks later Bumblebee and Arcee drove into the warehouse. Mirage perked up instantly.

Arcee, of course, had had her holoform at the ready. But it disappeared in a flash of pixels as she transformed into robot mode. She had her wrist to her face plate, talking through her comm.

“Can you hear me now, Wheeljack?” by her tone she had already asked that question many times.

“Yes, I can hear you,” came the familiar, accented voice of Wheeljack. It was tinny as if he was far away.

Which he is, Mirage reminded himself that Wheeljack had decided to stay in Peru.

“I’m just trying to keep you up to date with what’s going on,” Arcee replied. “We’ve got two new possible allies, a Maximal tried to kill Optimus, and there was a giant robot in the New York Bay.”

“That does sound troubling,” Wheeljack said.

“Right, so we could probably need an extra pair of servos to help out,” Arcee said pointedly. “In New York…”

There was a pause. Then: “Rate in on a scale of one to ten.”

“Excuse me?”
”Rate this problem on a scale of one to ten.”

“I don’t know-Mirage?” Arcee looked helplessly to her friend.

Mirage thought about it, a ten would be if that giant robot was going Godzilla on the city. A one would be them all leaving Earth.

“I’d say a five. A six if I’m being generous.”

Another pause. “I can’t do it. Sorry.”

Arcee blinked, “What?”

Uh-oh.

Bumblebee had transformed, their pack of humans standing by him. While the four looked curious about Arcee’s conversation while Bumblebee looked wary. Mirage couldn’t tell what Dinobot and Ratrap were thinking.

“Little Rosa’s party is just around the corner,” Wheeljack explianed, his voice a little heated. “I can’t stop my delivery work now!”

“Who’s Rosa?” Arcee demanded, her patience cut like a string. “Are you seriously not coming to help us cause you got a delievery job?”

“Do you even know how expensive a Pink Princess Life Size Castle and Pony costs, Arcee?!” Wheeljack demanded as if he seriously thought she should know that. “My job is currently at a ten, when your problem hits a ten call me back!”

There was a clicking noise, indicating Wheeljack had turned his comm off.

Arcee stared at her wrist, “Did he just hang up on me?”

“Where’s Prime?” Mirage answered the question with a  question, wanting to quickly change topics.

Arcee blinked, scowling, but turned to Mirage to answer: “We finished our patrol and he sent me back here. Said he wanted some time to himself, that the base is getting a bit crowded.” She glanced over at Dinobot and Ratrap. “Can you imagine?” she asked sarcastically.

Noah, who had kept silent with the rest of the humans, stepped forward. “Well, we have some good news and bad news if you guys are interested.”

“What’s the bad news?” Arcee asked warily.

“As we expected the TVs, the newspapers, everyone’s talking about Tigatron on Liberty Island.”

Mirage flinched, “And the good news?”

“There isn’t any proof,” Noah looked visibly relieved. “Somehow all the tech on the island, the cameras the phones, even Reek’s walkie-talkie, they all malfunctioned.”

“And since the only people who saw him were on the island, the rest of the city are saying it’s a dumb prank,” Charlie added, she was leaning on Bee’s leg. “A prank or some kind of gas leak or drug party.”

“That’s one less thing to worry about,” Arcee sighed, servos on her hips. “Let’s hope Tigatron doesn’t come back.”

Ratrap muttered to himself, probably still finding it hard to believe Tigatron would attack Prime and Charlie.

Dinobot took a hesitate step forward, “Have you heard from Primal?”

Arcee looked over to Dinobot, Mirage didn’t miss the worry in her optics. “No. That’s another thing Prime is trying to do, contact Stratosphere and see what’s taking them.”
Dinobot nodded and returned to his corner, curling into a ball on the ground. Ratrap repositioned himself so he was directly facing the Terrorcon.

Unable to help himself Mirage glanced over at Noah, and just as he thought his friend was looking over at Dinobot with pity in his eyes. (Charlie and Kris were too, but they hadn’t been rescued by Dinobot in the bay).

“So, how was the drive?” Mirage spoke a little loudly, walking over to get his friends’ attention. “Hope it was worth leaving me here to shut down from boredom.”

Bumblebee rolled his optics and Charlie giggled.

“We were being detectives!” Kris pointed out, puffing out his chest.

“Of course,” Mirage smiled at the kid, feeling some of his bitterness burn away. “Thanks for the help, little man.”

“Uh, I was the head detective,” Noah pointed out jokingly, leading the group to their little lounge area.

While the younger ones got comfortable, Noah sat on the arm of the couch. “Actually, Mirage. Maybe you can confirm or deny something Bee told us.”

He glanced at the yellow Autobot, “What did he tell you?”

“Between our sleuthing we got to witness the start of a drag race,” Noah explained. “And while the cops nabbed him Bumblebee said those cars speed was nothing compared to how fast he could go.”

“Said he’s the fastest in the team,” Charlie added, she glanced over at Bumblebee. “Which I believe,” she added loyally.

Like Kris Bumblebee puffed out his chest, as if Charlie’s opinion was the only one that mattered.

“But I wanted to get a second opinion,” Noah said with a smirk. Clearly this was more for fun than a serious inquiry. “Is he the fastest?”
”Compared to your Earth cars? Sure,” Mirage answered. “Compared to the rest of team? Well…I’d say I take the gold medal for that.” He remarked fondly the street racing he did back on Cybertron.

“HA!” Arcee said so loudly Ratrap and Dinobot jumped. And even Bumblebee hummed a chuckle.

“What do you mean ‘ha’?” Mirage whirled around to glare at the femme. “I am the fastest on the team.”

“Whatever helps you recharge at night.” She wasn’t looking at him, instead she was gazing at a pigeon who had built a nest in one of the higher windows of the warehouse. Mirage half wondered if she thought that was a Maximal too.

He turned back to his friends, “You believe me, don’t you Noah?”

“Well…” Noah began slowly, Mirage couldn’t tell if he was still joking or not.

But either way Mirage felt a burst of need to impress Noah. To remind him how great he was before Dinobot (or anyone else) tried to steal the Noah’s Best Friend title from him.

He planted his servos on his hips, “Then I’ll prove it.” He looked at Bumblebee and Arcee. “Let’s have a race.”

 

.

 

Arcee and Bumblebee were quick to agree, leaving Mirage to drive out and find a suitable place for racing. Noah was left with the others, thinking if Mirage had seemed too excited for the race. As if proving himself was the most important thing to him.

I didn’t know he cared that much, Noah felt a sense of guilt. He had just been trying to have a laugh after all the danger and stress they just went through. He wouldn’t have brought it up if he knew it would upset Mirage.

But while they waited he noted Ratrap leaving his self appointed post and crawling over to the humans. Bumblebee and Arcee were talking quietly with each other, probably about Stratosphere’s late arrival-or about who would win the race. Dinobot was curled up, looking to be asleep.

“Soooo,” the little Maximal began when he walked over, Noah swallowed when he caught his rotten scent. “What’s the low-down between you guys and the bots?”

“What do you mean?” Charlie asked. Kris and Otis had given her and Noah the couch while they occupied the floor. They had been in the middle of sorting through comics when Ratrap walked over.

“I mean, humans don’t usually just stumble onto giant alien robots,” Ratrap explained. “Unless you’re that guy.” He pointed his tail to Otis who looked embarrassed to be signaled out.

Charlie smirked at her brother, “That’s exactly what I did. It must run in the family.”

“Don’t jinx me like that!” Otis balked at his sister.

“How’d you stumble on Sunshine over there?” Ratrap nodded at Bee who was still talking with Arcee.

Charlie glanced at Noah, as if she didn’t know if they should share their backstory with the unfamiliar robot. But Noah just shrugged, Ratrap was weird and smelled awful, but he didn’t think the Maximal was any real threat to them.

So Charlie explained how she had accidentally purchased Bumblebee as an old Volkswagen, fixed him up and brought him home-only to find out he was an Autobot.

Ratrap chuckled, his red eyes flashing with interest as she told her story. “That’s adorable.” He glanced over at Bumblebee with a knowing look. “Adorable...” He turned back to Charlie. “You know, I’m a little something of a mechanic myself.”

“Really.” Charlie glanced at his stubby paws but was nice enough not to say anything. Noah didn’t know if he’d have reacted the same, the smell was making him irritated.

And to his dismay Ratrap turned his attention to him. “What about you, Curly?”

Noah really didn’t want to tell Ratrap about how he and Mirage first met. Especially right after Charlie shared her wholesome first meet with Bumblebee. “Mirage didn’t already tell you?”

“Mirage,” Ratrap rolled his eyes. “He’s so chatty until Chopper-Face or me brought up you, then he’s all quiet and makes this face.” Ratrap twisted his snout into an ugly scowl and glare.

Noah furrowed his brow. Mirage loved telling that story, he just told Charlie all about it. Why would he not want to talk about Noah now…

But still if it made Ratrap give him some breathing room. Noah reluctantly told how he accidentally kidnapped Mirage which led to a crazy car chase and him meeting the team. And as expected Ratrap threw his head up and laughed loudly.

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard!” he guffawed and gave Noah a knowing look. “Absoutley adorable.”

Why does he keep saying that?

His loud laughing caught Bumblebee’s attention and the Autobot quickly walked over to the group. “What’s going on?”

Like with Prime, Ratrap wasn’t at all intimidated by a much larger robot looming over him. “I wanted to come see my new little buddy.” Then to everyone’s surprise he flicked his tail toward Otis.

“ME!?” Otis’ jaw dropped with horror.

“Of course,” Ratrap nodded, his mind made up. “You stumbled onto me, you’re a human, I’m a robot. If everyone else gets human friends I want one too.” He trotted back to his spot, “Better than being friends with Chopper-Face!”

“I don’t want to be friends!” Otis yelled after him but was ignored. He looked to his sister. “Charlie!”

“It’s okay, you’re okay,” Charlie tried to sooth him while also trying not to laugh.

It was around that time both Mirage and Prime drove back into base, transforming in unison.

The Autobot leader turned his optics immediately to Arcee, “You three are going to race?”

She shrugged, looking embarrassed. “Noah brought it up and both Mirage and Bee think they’re the fastest so…” She swung her arms a bit, glancing away. “I thought it’d be fun, a nice way to blow off steam and stuff.”

Noah smiled, between Mirage and Bee, Arcee gave off an older, mature sister vibe. It was cute seeing her excited for something like a race.

“And I found a great place for it!” Mirage declared.

Prime looked at his team, “And I’m to assume you except me to watch Dinobot on my own?”

“I’m literally right here,” Ratrap called out from his perch.

“It wouldn’t take long,” Arcee reassured Prime. “Just one quick race and then we’ll be back.”

“Besides,” Noah got off the coach and walked over. “I thought we had warmed up to Dinobot after the Bay incident. If he had wanted to run off or cause problems, that would’ve been the perfect time to do it.”

Mirage gave Noah a weird look for coming to Dinobot’s defence, but quickly looked away when the young man turned to him.

Prime sighed slowly, “Very well. If you can promise to have your full attention on guard duty. I…I may need to go out and look for Stratosphere.”

Bumblebee tensed, “You haven’t found him?”

“I’m getting bits and pieces from his comm,” Prime tapped the side of his helm. “I’m going to keep trying. But if I get nothing tonight we need to organize a search party.”

The three Autobots exchanged looks, the mood brought down.

“I already agreed to let you go,” Prime pointed out. “Now get out of my sight.”

Mirage shook himself, as if knocking off the heavy atmosphere. “Come on, Noah.” He picked the man up, “Time to deny that ‘Bee is faster’ rumor.”

Noah couldn’t help a smile, his mood was easily lifted around Mirage. “You coming, Kris?”

“Do I get to drive during the race?”

“Actually, bud, with this race it’s probably best there’s no drivers,” Mirage said apologetically.

“Then why am I going?” Noah asked.

“On the slim chance there’s a tie I need you as a bias judge to declare me winner,” Mirage said easily.

“Then I’ll stay here and play a game,” Kris declared.

Charlie looked to Bumblebee, “Can I still come along?”

Immediatley the Autobot transformed into his alt-mode.

“You coming, Otis?” Charlied asked, standing up and stretching.
”I’ll keep Kris company,” Otis answered. He glanced warily at Ratrap, but the Maximal had gone back to watching Dinobot. The former Terrorcon had not moved an inch since he laid down.

Is he really sleeping…or does he just not want to interact with robots who don’t trust him… Noah felt another wave of pity for the Con.

But then Mirage was transforming (still holding Noah) and driving out of the base, followed by Bee and Arcee.

 

.

 

Mirage’s great place for a race was a construction sight. It was certainly big enough, miscellaneous supplies and equipment volunteering as obstacles. And with it being night time, the place was deserted.

Noah and Charlie sat on a pile of 2 by 4s, watching the three Autobots prepare for the race.

Arcee was stretching, rolling her shoulders and straining the circuits of her legs. Mirage was shaking out his pent up energy, jogging slightly. Only Bumblebee stayed still, carefully observing the construction sight before them.

“So, what does the winner get?” Arcee asked, reaching her arms up to the black night sky. Stars blotched out by the construction lights Noah and Mirage had turned on when they got there.

“Bragging rights?” Mirage asked, standing between Arcee and Bumblebee.

“That was a given,” Arcee waved her hand, nonchalant. “Let’s make it interesting!” Even from here Noah could see a mischievous glint in her blue eyes. And to his surprise she looked past the two mechs and toward the humans. “How about whoever wins gets a kiss from Noah and Charlie?”

“What?” Mirage choked out the word.

Bumblebee had immediately shook his head, “No, no, no, no.”

Noah laughed, ignoring a small pit forming in his stomach at Mirage’s reaction. Beside him Charlie rolled her eyes and shook her head, but Noah thought he could see a pink tint on her ears.

“I don’t think the judges are usually the reward, Arcee,” Noah chuckled.

Charlie added, “We’re just here to make sure you three play fair. You remind me of me and Otis when we were babies.”

“Rude,” Arcee said with no real malice. But she shrugged a shoulder and gave one one teasing look at Mirage and Bumblebee. “I guess it’ll just be bragging rights.”

“Yes,” Bumblebee said, his radio crackling with a stern tone.

Noah stood up on the plywood as the three transformed into their respective vehicles. He lifted his arm, “When I say three, go. One…Two…” he threw his arm down, “THREE!”

Smoke flew up into the air as the three sped forward, quickly disappearing around a parked crane and driving deeper into the construction sight.

Noah sat down beside Charlie, realizing that they could only really wait until they got back. So much for being proper judges.

“Who do you think will win?” Charlie asked after a moment of silence.

“Well, I know who you’re rooting for,” Noah joked, bumping his shoulder against hers.

“Haha,” she said dryly, the pink spreading from her ears to her cheeks. “And you’re obviously rooting for Mirage.”

“About that…” Noah trailed off, looking back to where the three bots had disappeared. He could just hear the sound of their engines.

“What’s wrong?” Charlie leaned forward to meet his eye.

“I didn’t say anything, but I’m worried Mirage won’t be able to keep up,” Noah admitted. “Remember when I told you I fixed him up? He can transform and drive just fine but…I don’t know if he’s at one hundred percent.”
Charlie followed his gaze, “Is he acting any different than how he did before fighting that Scourge Con?”

Noah shook his head, “No, personality wise he’s the same. And he wasn’t struggling anymore than then other Autobots back at the bay but…”

“Are you scared next time he will?”

“I’m scared I caused him even more trouble,” Noah admitted. “He wouldn’t even have gotten beaten like that if he hadn’t been protecting me. And he wouldn't have needed to protect me if I hadn’t gotten caught by Scourge. I just-”

He stopped talking when Charlie placed her hand over his fist, giving him a small, sympathetic smile. “Noah, you can’t blame yourself over things like that. I get it, believe me. When Bumblebee got attacked by those Cons back in California-I think he was offline, at least for a little bit. I was able to revive him with an electric shock but the whole time I was blaming myself.” She pulled her hand away, looking off into the distance. “I thought about how I should’ve kept a better eye on him, kept him hidden. But Bumblebee made it, he beat those Cons.”

Noah remembered her telling him that story, “If it weren’t for you two we probably would’ve been overrun by Decepticons a long time ago.”

She looked both embarrassed and flattered by his praise. “My point is, them getting hurt and needing to be fixed up is just a part of their lives. I don’t think they mind it nearly as much as we do. And I think they really, really appreciate our help, even when it feels like it isn’t nearly enough.”

“You’re right,” Noah sighed. “Sorry, I’m being stupid.”

“No, you’re not. I think if either of us is stupid it’s me.”

Noah furrowed his brow, “What did you do?”

Charlie looked back at him, her flattered expression was gone. She now just looked awkward and embarrassed with her face still pink: “What I didn’t do is fuse with Bumblebee and actively fought and beat evil robots. It’s probably awful to say, I hate to think of how injured Mirage was, and I can’t imagine Bee getting that hurt. But I still feel jealous. How you described it, it sounds so…intimate.”

“It was,” Noah admitted, finding it hard to truly put into words how that felt. But he knew he wouldn’t feel like that without anyone else. Maybe not even another Autobot.

Charlie looked wistfully back at where the three had driven away, “Maybe even a bit…romantic.”

Noah nearly jumped out of his skin at her quiet words. “No, it wasn’t! I mean-not for me. It…it wasn’t like that.”

As he floundered for words, body overheating, Charlie turned back to him. She looked both worried and confused. “It’s not?”

“No,” Noah didn’t mean to snap out the word but did it anyway.

Charlie blinked, taken aback. “Sorry. I was just thinking…the way you-”

Whatever she was going to say was drowned out by a loud honk. The two humans stood up, and from their vantage point they saw Mirage, Bee, and Arcee racing back toward the starting line. While they each occasionally pulled into the lead it looked like it would be a tie. The thought made Noah’s shoulders sag with relief, as long as Mirage wasn’t dead last.

“Go, Bumblebee!” Charlie cupped her hands and called out. “Whoo!”

She got a loud beep in response.

Noah felt he should cheer on Mirage (and Arcee as well). They had one more turn to go and then they’d be back at the starting line.

That’s gonna be a sharp turn. Arcee will make it easy. Bee will have trouble cause of how bulky he is. Mirage, he might-

All of a sudden Mirage pulled away from the two and drove straight over a pile of rubble, making an impromptu short cut. Noah’s eyes widened, seeing his head hit so much speed he was airborne for three seconds as he hit the top of the hill.

Impressive but probably not necessary, I wonder if-

But just as Mirage hit the ground again he swerved, as if he landed wrong and slammed into a nearby crane. A crane that was holding an entire set of large iron beams. The iron beams shuddered and slipped from the wire that held them, falling down like rain to fall on top of Mirage. Noah just saw a beam stab through Mirage’s hood before he was buried under the beams.

“MIRAGE!” Noah shrieked and nearly fell on his back scrambling down the plywood. Charlie hurried after him.

Bumblebee and Arcee had already transformed and was moving the iron beams off their friend.

Noah sprinted forward. Did it hit something vital? Can his body handle that? Maybe before I tried to ‘fix’ him! No, oh no, no, no, no. If something happens to him, if I made him weaker I’ll never forgive myself-

He reached the pile of beams, panting. Bumblebee was already dragging Mirage out, Arcee holding the beam that was hanging out of his chest. Mirage moaned in pain when she yanked it out, the end dripping blue.

Noah felt a stab in his gut and bile rising in his throat, the same feeling he had when he thought Mirage had died on top of him.

“Is he okay?” Noah hurried over as Bumblebee placed his friend down.

Noah grabbed the Autobot’s hand, trying to rationalize. The hole in his chest didn’t look too bad, and he clearly had worse injuries. He should be able to handle this wound. At least, he would’ve if I was better at fixing him.

Mirage groaned again, “Ugh, Noah?”

He sounded so pitiful, Noah tightened his hands around Mirage’s own. “I’m here, buddy, it’s okay.”

“It’s-it’s getting dark,” Mirage mumbled. “My chest…”

“We’ll get you fixed up,” Noah reassured him, his throat aching. “We just gotta-” He swallowed, unable to finish. He was aware of Charlie and the others around them but he kept his focus on Mirage.

The robot lifted his hand, “Don’t worry, bud.” Mirage daintily placed his finger tip on Noah’s head. “I’ll be…right here…”

The man blinked. Did…did Mirage just quote E.T.?

“Would you get up already?” Arcee snapped suddenly. She was standing on top of one of the beams. Both she and Bumblebee were looking at Mirage with annoyance. “That was basically a scratch.”

Noah started as Mirage let out an aggravated sigh and easily sat up. Noah actually looked at the wound this time, seeing it was a small hole that could be easily fixed. Noah’s adrenaline and fear had made it look worse than it was.

“Oh, so Bee can mope under a pile of trees but I get in trouble for being dramatic?” Mirage demanded.

“You’re both plenty dramatic all the time,” Arcee pointed out. “And thanks to your little stunt the race was a dud. Let’s just try and clean up these beams a bit. I feel bad for the humans who are going to see this tomorrow.”

Charlie was looking relieved, her heart over her chest. Bumblebee was watching Mirage with a disapproving look. But Noah barely noticed any of them, he was still staring at Mirage.

“You pretended to be hurt?” his voice was dry sounding.

The robot looked down at him and actually looked amused. “Yeah, haha. I was trying to show off with that jump I did, clearly should’ve practiced that before the race. But if I can’t be winner I’ll definitely be the comedian.” He snickered down at Noah, “You should’ve seen your face, bud! You looked like I got stabbed by Scourge again!”

A deep, burning mortification swallowed up Noah. So much so he had to drop his eyes, not unable to even look at Mirage. He was joking, of course he was joking. Why was he surprised? He thought me being scared was funny… And maybe he was right. Even if he had to have been rebuilt by Noah, Mirage was still a giant alien robot. Of course a couple of iron beams wouldn’t kill him. Mirage would probably tease him about it til Noah was as old as Prime.

He thought me beign scared was funny. I was worried because I… he couldn’t finish that thought, feeling even more humiliation and a sense of denial. I was scared and guilty and he’s laughing at me.

Noah snorted and stood up, dusting off his pants and abruptly turning around. He couldn’t be around Mirage right now, he didn’t want to be around anyone right now. That mortification was threatening to choke him.

“Noah?” Charlie was at his side, looking worried. “Are you okay? It’s, uh-”

“I need to go home,” Noah cut her off, keeping his voice stoic. “I need to go get Kris and we need to go home.”

“Let me help Arcee clean up,” Mirage spoke, voice casual. Of course, this wasn’t a big deal to him. “Then I’ll drive you home.”

“I want Bumblebee to take me home.” Noah’s request was meet with silence.

“Noah…” Mirage’s voice finally sounded awkward. “Are you mad at me?”

He didn’t answer.

“I wasn’t trying to upset you,” the robot insisted, a little more heatedly. “I was only playing around.”

“Yeah,” Noah turned around, and just managed to look Mirage in the eye. “That’s all you do.” He threw his arms up in defeat, his palms slapping against his pant legs. He turned away and started to stomp toward the site’s exit. “I want Bumblebee to take me home.”

It wasn’t until he was out of the site’s lights did he wipe at his eyes. He could only blame himself, really. This was what he got for being such a delusional idiot.

Chapter 16: The Next Mission

Bumblebee did give Noah a ride back to the base. The young man sitting in the camaro’s passenger seat while Charlie occupied the driver seat. It was a silent ride back, silent and painfully awkward.

If he wasn’t in car mode Bumblebee would shake his head over Mirage’s idiocy. He cared so deeply for the (slightly) younger Autobot, he saw him as a brother. But he could make the worst decisions sometimes.

Bumblebee knew Mirage had been feeling edgey over failing to help Noah during that last fight. And it didn’t make him feel better seeing Noah be friendly to Dinobot. Even though Noah was clearly just being nice… But it looked like Mirage had tried to impress Noah with that short cut jump. That part was fine, silly, but fine. It was when Mirage faked being seriously injured was the problem. That had clearly not impressed Noah. The human was sitting in his sullen silence, gaze far away and a bit damp. Bumblebee felt a twist of pity for both of his friends.

A part of him also wondered if-had he been in Mirage’s place-would he have acted the same. He was lucky, he didn’t have to try to grab Charlie’s attention. Bumblebee had been all too aware of her eyes on him when they were near each other. It was a fact that delighted and flustered him, though he hoped his emotions weren’t too obvious.

But what would I do to catch her attention…What will I do to have her stay with me?

He had felt a sense of completeness when Charlie found him again, a hole in his spark that was immediately filled in the moment he laid his optics on her. And even though she looked a bit different, shorter hair, older eyes, her body more filled in, she was still the most perfect thing he had ever seen-

Keep it together, Bee, he had to remind himself sternly.

It was one thing to let his fantasies fly when he was a hapless scout stranded on a new planet. He was with his team now, they had a base and were professional. And not only were they currently dealing with new problems, Bee was still in the middle of disapproving of Mirage’s choices.

And it’s not like fiction ever becomes fact…

They eventually reached the warehouse, a few lights inside for the humans. Bumblebee led Mirage and Arcee inside. Otis poked his little head from behind the couch when they arrived. Kris was leaning on the arm rest, looking to be asleep. Ratrap was still on his perch, watching as Dinobot walked around Prime, agitated.

What’s that about?

But the three’s optics turned to the new arrivals as Charlie and Noah closed the camaro’s doors. Noah immediately made a beeline toward his brother while Bee and the others transformed back to robot mode.

Mirage, looking more pitiful than Bumblebee had ever seen him, quickly put himself between Noah and the couch, stopping the man.

“Can’t we talk?” the Autobot asked softly, brow furrowed with concern and guilt. “Please.”

Noah stared straight ahead as if he didn’t see Mirage. “I don’t want to talk. It’s late, I’m tired, and I want to take my little brother home.”

“Let me take you two home,” Mirage offered, as he always does.

“I said I want Bee to take me home.” Surprisingly, Noah flung an arm out and indicated to Dinobot. “In fact, I’d rather him take us home and he doesn’t even turn into a car.”

Mirage flinched as if Noah had struck him.

It was at this time that Prime stepped forward, looking thoroughly confused. “What’s going on? What happened?” He stiffened when he saw Mirage’s chest. “Did you get hurt?”

“It’s nothing,” Mirage tried to wave away Prime’s question. “It’s all nothing, we were just-”

“Yeah,” Noah snarked venemously. “It’s nothing at all.” He turned abruptly and stomped out of the warehouse, not even glancing at any of the crowd that watched him go.

Mirage looked ready to go after Noah but Arcee quickly stepped in front of him, grabbing his arm. “Give him a minute,” she told her friend. “Let him calm down.”

“I’ll go make sure he’s okay,” Charlie spoke up before rushing outside after Noah.

“What happened?” Prime demanded again. From where they stood Ratrap and Dinobot listened openly, clearly interested.

Arcee quickly explained what had happened, and by the time she was done Prime’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Is that all?”

Mirage, who had been staring after Noah, snapped his head around to give his leader an incredulous look.

“What do you mean ‘is that all’?”

Prime narrowed his optics at Mirage’s tone. “I’m sorry Noah is upset. But in the grand scheme of things this is not a serious problem. We need-”

“Yes, it is,” Mirage cut off Prime. “My friend is mad at me! It’s a huge deal!”

“It doesn’t need to be-” Prime looked like he wanted to say more but stopped. He glanced at Arcee, “I need to talk to him in private.”

Arcee frowned but nodded, and walked over to Dinobot, ushering him and Ratrap away. Bumblebee went to follow.

“Stay there, Bee,” Prime said, catching the yellow bot off guard. “This is for you to hear too.”

Feeling a sense of dread Bumblebee didn’t move.

“I know you’ve both made strong bonds with Noah and Charlie,” Prime began. “And I know how important friendships are. And it’s the hardest thing in life to have to let one go but…this isn’t a friendship.”

Bumblebee squirmed a bit and Mirage watched Prime with an unreadable expression.

“I’m not blind, I see how you two interact with them. And I know that it’s more than friendship you two seek. But there are too many obstacles. We live dangerous lives and there’s no telling when we’ll have to relocate again. And even if we let them tag along and protect them from danger, you’re different species with different life spans. They’ll die so much sooner than either of you, and in that short span of time you can not give them what other humans can.”

“Last I checked both Noah and Charlie helped us out in big ways,” Mirage spoke up then, his voice low and uncharacteristically serious.

“I value them as allies,” Prime replied. “And that’s all you two need to value them as, nothing more.”

Bumblebee looked away. And here he thought he wasn’t so obvious. Looking back to how he acted around Charlie-that was a dumb thing to think.

“Are you done?” Mirage asked.

Prime gazed at the Autobot spy. “Talking about your relationships? Yes.”

“Good, well since we’re having this conversation-” Mirage stepped forward until he was practically on top of Prime, glaring up at him with defiance and anger burning in his optics. “It’s none of your business how I value anyone. You’re my leader on missions, that’s it. You can tell me who to shoot at, you do not get to tell me how I feel about someone. Ever!” Mirage pulled back and walked off, looking to be heading outside.

“I said I’m done speaking about your relationships,” Prime called out to the Autobot. “I wasn’t done speaking, period. I got in contact with Stratosphere.”

Those words made Mirage stop and turn. Arcee, Dinobot, and Ratrap returned to them as well.

“He was struck by something and crashed out in a forest in New Jersey. Everyone’s safe but he’ll need medical attention before he can take air again. We have to get supplies and go find him and the Maximals.”

“And I can come too?” Dinobot stepped forward, looking hungry with eagerness.

“Yes,” Prime nodded to the former Terrorcon. “I can’t leave you here alone, you will come with us.”

“Then I’ll come too!” Ratrap invited himself along.

Prime glanced at the Maximal, “I won’t have room in my trailer.”

“Did you forget I can shrink? I’ll ride shot gun. Besides, Primal and the gang will want to see me!”

While they talked Bumblebee felt something tap his pede. Looking down he nearly jumped to see Otis standing there, looking uneasy yet serious.

“I agree with Mr. Prime,” Otis said to him, his voice low so as not to get the others’ attention.

Bumblebee felt a wave of mortification. He had forgotten Otis had been sitting on the couch while Prime talked to him and Mirage.

“I’m sure you’re a great guy, Bee,” Otis went on. “And I know Charlie would follow you wherever you went if you asked. But can you…can you not ask her?”

Bumblebee watched him as Otis continued, looking out of place. “I saw those bite marks, from that giant cat robot from the island. And she’s acting tough, but Charlie could’ve easily been killed. I know neither of us want that, plus she’s got a good thing going in California. A nice job, she’d make friends and stuff if she put herself out there. Don’t tell her I said this, but she’s really funny and nice, anyone would like her.”

Bumblebee agreed with that.

“But it’s been seven years and she has been so hung up on you, and now that you’re back I don’t know what she’ll do next.” Otis then met Bumblebee’s optics, his expression beseeching. “Please, Bee. I’m not saying don’t be friends. I’m just asking you to let her go, when it’s time for us to leave. I already lost my dad…I don’t want to lose my sister too...”

Even if Bumblebee could speak, there was nothing he could say to that.

 

.

 

Charlie found Noah sitting on a stump of cement outside. Elbows on knees and face buried in his hands. Charlie felt an overwhelming sense of sympathy, and despite them not knowing each other for long, she walked over and wrapped him into a hug.

Noah was tense from the embrace for only a moment, then he leaned into it. He seemed smaller than he actually was.

“This is terrifying,” Noah mumbled into her arm.

“What is?” Charlie asked, though she had a good idea.

“How I’m feeling about Mirage… I-I can’t say it.”

“Is there anything you do want to say?”

“I’m really mad at him right now.”

Charlie couldn’t help smirking. “I get that. If Bee did something like that to me, I’d be spitting fire.”

Noah gently pulled away from her, then. “We’re not like you two.”

“I know,” she replied, sitting down next to him. Noah and Mirage felt like a closeness she could only dream having with Bee. They were close, of course, but if they were that close Charlie might go crazy and say things she shouldn’t say.

Am I qualified to talk to him about this? She wondered to herself. She thought if the two put their feelings toward each other out in the open it would solve this problem. But she wasn’t planning on doing that with Bee. Not that she should, it was a terrible idea. Unlike Noah she would have to leave soon.

Three days, actually…

“You think you’ll be okay?” she asked after a moment.

Noah sighed, “Eventually? I don’t know…I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Okay,” Charlie nodded, not wanting to push. “Maybe a good night’s sleep will help?”

Noah snorted, as if the idea of a good night’s sleep was laughable. “What I need is a good distraction. Where’s a Terrorcon when you need-”

“We found him!”

The two humans jumped. Bumblebee had spoken, walking out with Arcee right behind.

“Found who?” Charlie blinked.

“Our friend, Stratosphere,” Arcee explained. “While we were gone he got in contact with Prime. He and the Maximals crashed in some forest out in New Jersey.”

“Are they okay?” Charlie asked.

“In New Jersey?” Noah wrinkled his nose.

“They said they’re fine, but we need to go out and get them,” Arcee replied. “Do you two wanna come?”

Charlie almost agreed to, wanting nothing more than to go on an adventure with Bee and his team. “I’m sorry. Otis’ last tournament is tomorrow. I already missed the second one I can’t miss this one.”

“That’s okay,” Bumblebee reassured her, his blue eyes soft. Charlie wondered if he was looking at her differently or if she was just feeling over sensitive at the moment.

“Yeah, we’re bringing them to the base,” Arcee reassured. “Somehow…we’ll make sure you get to meet them.”

“Is Elena with the Maximals?” Noah asked.

When the two Autobots nodded he continued, “I’ll go. I’ve missed her.”

“And you’re part of the team,” Arcee said kindly. “You should go anyway.”

Charlie bit back a sudden surge of jealousy. “You’ll have to tell me all about it when you get back,” she told Noah.

Noah smiled softly at Charlie, “And you’ll have to keep an eye out for my brother for me.”

Charlie wondered if she was imagining the look of nervousness in Noah’s eyes. But at least he wasn’t so mad at Mirage he’d forfeit a chance to go on an Autobot mission.

I just hope they hurry back. Her hands flexed into fists on her thighs. I’m running out of time.

Notes:

Haha, isn't it funny when the main characters make plans that'll clearly not work out?

Chapter 17: The Misunderstanding

Cheetor slipped through the American forestry, back to the makeshift camp the Maximals had made.

A night had passed since they had crashed, the group finding a secluded clearing to rest and contact Prime. Said contact had been successful, Stratosphere had sent his coordinates to his leader and now they waited for help.

Cheetor felt sympathy when he walked into the clearing and spotted the cargo plane. Back in alt mode the destroyed wing still looked like a nasty wound, but Stratosphere was assured that Prime and the others would fix him up.

Under Stratosphere’s uninjured wing Rhinox was curled into a massive pile of metal. A few feet away he saw Primal resting against a few trees, optics closed.

Elena was right where he left her, and that’s where Cheetor padded toward. Elena was sleeping, like Rhinox she was practically curled into a ball. She had fallen asleep last night, snuggled against Cheetor’s torso for warmth.

The Maximal let a thrill of affection curl his tail as he walked toward the woman. He could hardly believe that, only a few short days ago, he had only thought of her as a friend. He had thought she had saw him the same way: until she had given him that flower.

Cheetor was not a stranger to human customs, their old village sharing much of Earth’s cultures. He recalled how the giving of a flower was meant to be romantic, and his surprise when Elena had suddenly given him one. While she claimed it was just a token of gratitude, she had said that after Cheetor had reacted less than ideally. He was positive if the roles had been reversed, he would’ve claimed it was only a thank you as well, to save face. Not to mention she had never given Primal any flowers even though they had spent more time together. And afterwards she had started following after him, keeping him company over Primal and Rhinox…

While Cheetor had been taken aback, time with Elena had proved…pleasant. Incredibly, so.

She’s so smart, and always has interesting things to say. She’s clearly self-conscious about whether people want to be around her-but I find that kind of cute. And she’s so sweet and brave, just look at how much she did when we battled Scourge and the Terrorcons. Not to mention loyal to a fault, coming along with us on this dangerous journey after Tigatron. How had I never noticed any of this before?

But now that he was thinking about it, it was so obvious to him. It made his chest swell and he felt intense gratitude that, for whatever reason, Elena liked him first. He was returning her feelings, and he was almost ready to confess to them.

Cheetor nuzzled against Elena’s shoulder, making her wake with a startled grunt.

“Good morning,” he whispered to her, not wanting to wake the others.

“Oh, uh-good morning,” she answered groggily, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “Ugh, my back’s killing me. Is Optimus here yet?”

“Not yet,” Cheetor’s mane bristled with excitement. “I went for a walk and I found this spot-I want to show it to you.”

Elena blinked, “Right now?”

“If you don’t mind.”

“...Sure.” She sat up and stretched. Cheetor tried to subtly admire the curve of her spine. “Carry me?”

Gladly. Cheetor knelt down so Elena could draw up onto his neck. He fought back a pleased shudder when her fingers ran through his mane. Once she was sitting he stood up and hurried off to the spot he had stumbled upon, a purr rising up his throat.

“I hope you like it,” he said, halfway there.

“I’m sure I will,” she replied.

After a few short moments Cheetor popped out of the trees to reveal what he had found: It was a small lagoon, fed by a soft flowing waterfall atop a sheer cliff, nearly as tall as Stratosphere. Combined with the trees hanging over the cliffs, the sound of the waterfall, and the feel of the water flowing across his paws, Cheetor felt a sense of contentment.

And now with Elena here, it’s perfect.

He looked eagerly over his shoulder at the girl, she was admiring the view, her expression bright and impressed.

“Wow…” she breathed. “This is so pretty. And you just randomly found it?”

“Lucky for us, I’m a restless spirit,” Cheetor purred and knelt down, letting her slide off his back.

“Reminds me how much I want a bath,” Elena chuckled.

“Don’t let me stop you!” Cheetor replied before running into the lagoon, splashing about in the cool liquid. The lagoon was deep enough to cover nearly half his legs.

“Watch out!” Elena exclaimed, jumping out of the splash zone and laughing. She threw her shoes off and went ankle deep into the water. From where he stood Cheetor watched her chest slightly rise and fall as she sighed happily.

“Want to get closer to the waterfall?” he asked. Without waiting for an answer Cheetor transformed into his robot mode and offered his hand out to her. He’d admit to himself that he just wanted a reason to hold her. And to his delight Elena climbed up onto his palm, holding tightly as he carried her toward the waterfall.

“Don’t drop me,” she warned, looking down at the water below her.

“Never.” Cheetor knelt down next to the falling water, letting Elena get as near as possible without getting wet.

“This is nothing like the waterfalls back in Peru,” Elena said, leaning back on his palm. “But I like this one too.”

“Me as well,” Cheetor said, but his optics were on Elena. He was noting how water droplets landed on her skin and he wanted to brush them away. He pictured himself brushing the droplets away with his mouth.

“Can I tell you something?” Cheetor asked suddenly, feeling a burst of courage.

“Of course,” she replied, though her brow furrowed slightly with confusion.

Cheetor stepped away from the water and placed her back on the ground. “Oh, is this serious?” she asked with a laugh, but Cheetor caught the gleam of uneasiness in her eyes.

“I admire you greatly,” he started, kneeling so he could be at her level. “More than once you’ve proven how dependable you are.”

Elena blinked, her face flushed. “T-Thank you. I try my best. Not that I’m as impressive as you or the other Maximals.” She reached her hand out and brushed it along Cheetor’s jaw, he shivered. “I should thank you twice, actually. You’ve been so good to me recently. I would’ve gotten really hurt in the crash if you hadn’t protected me.”

Cheetor rubbed his jaw against her palm, “I’d always protect you.”

Again she looked flustered and abruptly pulled her hand away. “Sorry. You were in the middle of talking.”

“Right…” his voice trailed off for a bit, he wished she hadn’t moved her hand. “I wanted to talk about the flower you gave me.”

He waited for her eyes to brighten with excitement, he was ready to talk about her feelings-their feelings-and accept her confession…

But Elena tossed her hand and looked away, now embarrassed. “Oh, please don’t bring that up.”

Cheetor blinked, “Why not?”

“That was so awkward,” Elena shuddered. “I was just trying not to annoy you.”

“Annoy me…” Cheetor stared at her, feeling a rising sense of dread. Had she-had he misread this entire thing?

“I know I said it was a thank you,” Elena shrugged, wringing her hands. “But I was actually just trying to make sure I wasn’t irritating you. It felt like you didn’t like me…”

“I like you,” he stated numbly. I like you too much.

“Yeah, I know,” Elena offered a placating smile. “I read how you felt all wrong, that’s my fault. I’m sorry. You’ve always been so nice to me, I’m glad we got to hang out. You’re a great friend.”

Cheetor didn’t say anything. What could he say? Clearly Elena hadn’t realize what he had been about to tell her. Perhaps that was for the best, cause now he was the embarrassed one. The flower, following him around, telling him about stars…it was just her clumsy attempt at friendship? Nothing else? What was he suppose to do with all these feelings now? He couldn’t tell her now. It would put pressure on her, it wouldn’t be fair.

I’ve fallen into a trap of my own making…

“Cheetor?” Elena was looking concerned now. “Are you okay?”

“Elena…Elena, I-”

A sudden holler made the two jump, it was followed by a loud splash. Cheetor whirled around and transformed with a  threatening snarl, putting himself between Elena and the lagoon. Something had fallen from the cliff into the water and was splashing wildly about.

Cheetor narrowed his optics… What was that?

A familiar head popped up out of the waves and red optics stared directly at Cheetor. “I knew I smelled you! Blondie!”

The Maximal gaped, unable to believe it. “Ratrap!?”

 

.

 

All of a sudden Cheetor lunged toward the weird rat robot with a growl of delight. Elena stood on the shore, watching as her friend and the rat (Ratrap) nuzzled happily against each other, the latter climbing up onto her friend’s neck.

“You haven’t changed a bit!” the rat declared happily, waving his tail like an ecstatic dog.

“I can’t believe you’re here!” Cheetor said, his voice thick with a purr. “Where were you? How did you get here?”

“You’re never gonna believe this!” Ratrap was sitting on Cheetor’s head. “I’ve been in New York this whole time!”

“What?” Cheetor exclaimed, looking shocked.

“Yeah, in the subway tunnels!”

Elena thought of the few times she had rode the subway. If, during any of those times, she had seen this giant rat, she would have died of a heart attack.

“But I met the Autobots and came with them to come find you!” Ratrap added.

“The Autbots are with you?” Elena called out, feeling a new wave of excitement.

The two Maximals turned to look at her. Cheetor expression darkened slightly but he hurried over to her, Ratrap riding on his back. “Elena, I’m sorry. I haven’t introduced you. This is my friend, Ratrap, he’s a fellow Maximal. Ratrap, this is Elena, she’s a-a good friend.”

The rat jumped off Cheetor’s shoulder and scurried toward Elena. It was then she was hit with the stench that came off him and it took all her willpower not to cover her nose and bolt.

“H-Hi,” she breathed, scared that if she opened her mouth too wide she’d taste the stench.

“Hey there,” Ratrap looked her over with a bright eye then glanced slyly up at Cheetor. “Hope I wasn’t interrupting something.”

Cheetor knocked his paw against Ratrap, pushing him to the ground and making the smaller Maximal laugh.

“Where’s the Autobots?” Elena asked again.

“Up here!”

Elena shot her head up at Arcee’s voice. She smiled when she saw the femme standing next to Bumblebee and Mirage. From behind the yellow bot Noah appeared, appearing over the cliff and waving down at her. “Hey, Elena!”

She waved back, “Hey, Noah!”

 

Chapter 18: Trial Start

Noah ran into Elena’s waiting hug, pulling her off her feet and spinning her around. It was hard not to bond with a person when you both shared several near death experiences together. And with Elena having been in Peru for months, Noah had missed her.

“It’s so good to see you!” she exclaimed as he put her back on her feet.

“Are you okay?” he asked, holding her at arm’s length. She didn’t look too banged up for someone who was in a plane crash.

All around them the Autobots swarmed the two Maximals, happily greeting Cheetor and asking for Primal and Rhinox.

“They’re just in the clearing,” Cheetor had explained, flicking his tail out toward the trees. “You all arrived so quickly!”

“Of course,” Prime replied with a nod.

Cheetor looked over at Noah, watching him and Elena a second before offering a quiet greeting, “Hello, Noah.”

The man smiled up at the Maximal, “Hey, Cheetor. It’s good to see you again.”

“You too. I can’t believe you’ve found Ratrap.” He looked happily at the smaller Maximal who sat between Cheetor’s front legs.

Noah couldn’t say he had been overly suspicious over whether Ratrap was telling the truth about being a Maximal. Nonetheless he was happy to see he was obviously telling the truth.

“That’s not all they found,” Ratrap declared. “Get a load of that.” He flicked his tail to where, behind Prime, stood Dinobot who looked awkward.

The fur along Cheetor’s neck went up when he saw the dinosaur-like robot. “Dinobot? What is he doing here?”

“I don’t mean any harm,” Dinobot said quickly. “I’m here to talk to Primal as an ally.”

Ratrap snorted loudly.

“He’s cool,” Noah spoke up, letting Elena’s arm ago. The girl was looking at Dinobot with a mix of surprise and awe. He shouldn’t be surprised, as a history buff Elena probably was a fan of anything extinct-and this was the closest they’d get to an actual dinosaur. But Noah left her side to come stand next to Dinobot. “He saved my life, too.”

The former Terrorcon looked down at Noah gratefully. Ratrap shook his head pityingly, “Humans are too nice for their own good.”

“I will attest for him, as well,” Prime added. “He’s proven loyal when we fought enemies back in New York. Don’t we agree?” he looked at his Autobots. Bumblebee and Arcee agreed but Mirage pointedly turned his head away with a shrug.

Noah frowned, annoyed by Mirage’s childishness. He disliked Dinobot even more than Ratrap. His annoyance mirrored Prime’s own who didn’t comment on Mirage’s sullen silence.

But Cheetor stepped forward, “What enemies? Are there Decepticons in New York?”

“Maybe?” Arcee shrugged. “I didn’t see an insignia on that skyscraper sized bot, but I wasn’t exactly looking either.”

Cheetor did a double take, “What? What are you talking about?”

Before Prime could answer Bumblebee moved forward to be closer to the cheetah, “Do you know a white tiger?”

Cheetor went rigid, his eyes bright with surprise and concern. “You met Tigatron?” his voice was low.

Elena looked  to Noah, looking concerned. “He’s in New York?”

“Let us get to Primal and the others,” Prime spoke up. “Then we can discuss everything that happened in detail.”

 

.

 

Cheetor led the group into a nicely sized clearing where Primal and Rhinox were standing next to Stratosphere’s alt-mode. Ratrap let out a trill of joy and scampered over to the two Maximals. Like Cheetor they were shocked to see him, but were happy to let him crawl over the two.

“Ratrap,” Primal exclaimed as the small Maximal jumped from his shoulder onto Rhinox’s back. “I thought you were lost.”

“I’m too tough to get rid of,” Ratrap lifted his chin proudly.

Cheetor hurried over to the three, but not before glancing at Elena, as if he wanted her to join them. Noah couldn’t help feeling touched to see the four Maximals together.

If only Airazor were still here.

Dinobot, who had stuck behind Prime, stepped around him and into the clearing. He looked both scared and excited to see Primal.

“How did you get that one out of New York?” Elena asked Noah, leaning over to whisper into his ear.

“Prime’s trailer.” Not only did the trailer carry Dinobot but also several supplies collected for Stratosphere, making the Con have a cramped ride. Ratrap had transformed into his small rat form and rode shot gun in Prime’s alt-mode along with Noah.

Primal spotted Dinobot first, his muscular body tensing. Cheetor noticed and quickly told the gorilla what they had told him.  

“Don’t worry, Primal, I’ve been treating with sever prejudice,” Ratrap reassured, sliding off Rhinox’s back.

Dinobot glanced, irritated, at Ratrap but stepped forward and actually bowed. “I’m here to make up for what I’ve done wrong.”

Primal stepped away from the other Maximals and stood before Dinobot. “Do you mean when you fought with on the side of Unicron, or the Predacons?”

Dinobot flinched, keeping his eyes downcast. “Both. I was confused and disenchanted from the war between Maximals and Predacons that I left the planet. I should’ve come to you, instead. I always thought you an honorable leader, even when I disagreed with you.”

“Tail licker,” Ratrap muttered, loud enough for even Noah to hear.

“When I meant Unicron, he made it sound like I was helping to rid the galaxies of tyrants, of the dishonorable.” Dinobot kept talking like Ratrap hadn’t said anything. “I suppose I considered it an necessary evil. And like a fool I didn’t realize what Unicron truly was until he ate our planet. I had been blinded by my desire to be honorable and became the thing I hated.” He tipped his head up to look at Primal. “I was so relieved when I heard you escaped with the key. And then to hear you defeated Scourge and his ilk. It inspired me, made me realize I wasn’t doomed for an eternity of servitude to Unicron. So I escaped, and I want to repent for the evil I’ve helped… I want to become a Maximal.”

Primal had listened to Dinobot’s words in a stony silence, his green eyes thoughtful. Noah looked over to the other Maximals to gauge their reactions. Rhinox looked impassive, they would only know what he thought if he said it out loud. Cheetor looked interested, as if sincerely considering Dinobot’s offer of an alliance. Ratrap was fidgeting, as if he was starting to realize the chance that Dinobot would be his newest team member.  

When Primal finally spoke, it was a question: “How did you escape Unicron’s influence? I know he had placed himself in his followers’ minds. How do we know he’s not in yours.”

Noah hadn’t known that. He glanced over at the Autobots, they looked a little uneasy, wondering how much of their base and personal life may have been on display for Unicron.

“He is no longer in my head, “ Dinobot stated. “If he was he would’ve had me kill the Autobots. But I don’t know how I escaped it…I remember I was on a barren planet, preparing my escape but there was a…there was a blank, as if I black outed. When I came to I felt my mind freed from Unicron’s control.”

Disbelieving looks were shared around the group. All except for Ratrap who had narrowed his optics at Dinobot, now looking as thoughtful as Primal.

Dinobot sighed and shook his head, “I am sorry, I wsih I had a better answer to this. I wish I could prove I’ve changed for the better.”

“You can prove it,” Primal suddenly stated. “I will be putting you on trial.” He looked at the Autobots, then to the Maximals. “We will all study Dinobot and decide if he is being sincere, if we’re all satisfied he can become a Maximal.”

“WHAT!?” Ratrap balked. Dinobot looked like he would’ve wept with relief if he could have.

“Primal, you don’t have to include us in this trial,” Prime spoke up. “We not Maximals.”

“True, but you are my friends and I value your opinions.” He smiled softly, “It is good to see you, by the way.”

“Likewise,” Prime nodded. “But now, there’s more we must discuss.”

 

.

 

Hours seemed to pass, Noah and Elena finding a comfortable patch of grass while the robots talked. The Autobots told the Maximals about the New York bay attack. They were shocked and confused by the giant bot none of them recognized. Though they were sadly understanding when they were told about Tigatron. Primal apologized on the tiger’s behalf, explaining they had recently reunited with him. He had been Airazor’s conjunx (mate, Elena had whispered to Noah) and had been distraught when he learned of her death. He had been even more so when he found out it was Primal who killed her. A weight seemed to bury the Maximal leader as he talked of Tigatron blaming and attacking him. Rhinox leaned against his leader, a silent comfort.

“He is another reason I want to give you a chance,” Primal looked to Dinobot. “I’ve already lost two Maximals, even if you were both a Predacon and a Terrorcon, you are still one of the last pieces of our home world.”

Dinobot looked floored by the words, as if he was realizing the weight of them, but he didn’t say anything.

Prime also mentioned the ground bridges, which confused the Maximals as well. Tigatron, as far as they knew, had no such access to that technology. So perhaps there was another bot somewhere on the planet.

“And knowing our luck,” Prime sighed, “Whatever hit Stratosphere’s wing will also be a problem.”

“Speaking of!” the plane spoke up loudly. They had yet to attend to his wing.

Prime and Arcee went to fetch the trailer of supplies, in charge of fixing up Stratosphere. Both groups agreed to stay in the clearing until they could figure out a feasible plan to get the Maximals back to the warehouse.

Dinobot had asked Primal if there’s anything he could do to help (making Mirage and Ratrap roll their eyes), but the gorilla simply told him to sit and wait.

Dinobot obeyed, walking over to a spot of shade. He glanced at Noah as he paced and the man gave him a thumbs up, the robot nodding in response before going to curl up in the shade. As expected Ratrap plopped himself next to Cheetor and kept his red eyes on Dinobot. He obviously wasn’t going to be happy with Primal’s trial idea, but he seemed he was going to respect it.

“And here I thought I was having a wild time,” Elena stated suddenly, leaning back on her hands. “Is there anything else I need to know?”

“They didn’t really talk about Charlie,” Noah informed her.

“Who’s Charlie?”

“A friend of Bumblebee’s. His very first human friend, actually. You’d like her, she’s very sweet. She would’ve come with but had stuff to do in New York.”

“You’ll introduce me when we get back?” Elena asked.

“Of course,” Noah said, then remembered something: “Maybe you could help her out. Tigatron, he attacked her at the bay-”

“He did?” Elena looked horrified, Prime had only vaguely mentioned how Tigatron had attacked him.

“I don’t know if he meant to hurt her,” Noah said with an attempt at some grace. “He wanted this weird piece of metal she found. Charlie told me it gave her the weirdest sense of deja vu, like she had seen it before.”

Elena quirked an eyebrow, “And you think I’ll know what it is?”

“I mean, since I’ve known you you kinda just happen to know some really important information.”

“Touche, I’ll see what I can do.”

They drifted off into companionable silence for a few moments. Noah felt eyes on him and looked up to see Cheetor watching the two, his expression unreadable. Noah waved at the cheetah and Cheetor flicked his tail in return. Ratrap was whispering to the larger Maximal and Cheetor looked away from the humans to give his friend his attention.

“Is Cheetor okay?” Noah couldn’t help but ask. He had the sense something was off about the cheetah. I mean, besides the Tigatron thing?” He had not tried to hide his sadness when Primal talked about Tigatron’s betrayal.

Elena had a very soft smile as she looked over at Cheetor, a smile that the Maximal didn’t notice. “He’s great. We’ve gotten real close lately.”

“Have you?” Noah quirked an eyebrow, not expecting such an affectionate reaction.

“Yeah, I mean-you’re right about Tigatron. He’s really upset about it, but he hasn’t let that stop him. He’s still as devoted as ever, maybe even more so.”

“I’m glad to hear you two became friends,” Noah said. “I didn’t even see you talk last time I was in Peru.”

“Well, we talk now,” Elena said easily. She turned her head to Noah, “Speaking of robot friends…did something happen between you and Mirage?”

Noah had expected and feared that exact question. He was very aware of Mirage standing a few yards away, his back to the humans as he talked with Bumblebee.

“He usually follows you around,” Elena pointed out. “Or you follow him around.”

“We’re not talking right now,” Noah grumbled. “He pulled this dumb stunt and…he doesn’t take anything seriously. And he doesn’t care if he upsets anyone in the process.”

Elena frowned, tilting her hair, her curls going past her ear. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I’m just embarrassed that I fell for it. He’s acting like I shouldn’t care that he pretended to be hurt.” He thought of the battle of Scourge, of that horrific moment when he thought Mirage had died on top of him. “Like I said, he can’t take anything seriously.”

A moment later and Noah felt Elena’s head on his shoulder, offering comfort similar to how she did after that final fight with Scourge. It made Noah feel a bit silly, having a fight with Mirage wasn’t as big of a deal as Unicron nearly eating their planet.

But he appreciated it nonetheless.

Chapter 19: Spotted

Noah and Kris’ mother went with to Otis final tournament. Charlie thought it was kind of her, apparently Noah talked her and Otis up before he had left with the Autobots. And with the way Mrs. Diaz talked about how handsome and smart and sweet her eldest son was-Charlie realized she may have read too deeply into Noah’s compliments.

But Mrs. Diaz remained respectfully quiet as the three sat in the front row, watching Otis battle the last of the competitors. Occasionally Kris would pull on his mom’s sleeve to tell her about a certain move of a specific rule. The sight of it made Charlie miss her own mother, even though Sally was currently getting a tan on a cruise ship somewhere.

They’ll be back soon, a day after Otis and I get back to California.

Charlie swallowed back a lump that rose in her throat. Two more days and she would have to leave New York, and Bumblebee behind. How was she going to manage it? How was she suppose to go back to her everyday life as if nothing had happened.

All Bee would need to do is ask me to say, and I’d probably fold like a lawn chair. No matter how impossible any of it was…

Charlie pushed the thought away, she needed to focus on the now and support her brother. She yelled out his name when he made it to the last round.

And she’d admit that, despite all the sci-fi danger she’s faced in her life she ended up holding her breath in the last round. She knew her brother had worked hard to get to this competition and she couldn’t stomach the thought of him leaving without that trophy.

But then with a Karate Kid style sweep Otis knocked the other kid to the ground and the winner was declared. Charlie couldn’t hear the rest of the audience over her and Kris’ cheering. She jumped up and hurried over to her brother, pulling him into a big and even kissing his hair. And while Otis loudly complained, he wrapped the arm that wasn’t holding the trophy around his sister.

Kris had begged his mother to take Otis and Charlie out to a celebratory lunch. And while both the Watson kids insisted she didn’t have to, Mrs. Diaz offered to cook them up some of her favorite meals at her apartment (“Along as you two are comfortable with that.”).

Unable to resist Kris’ puppy dog eyes the two siblings dropped Otis’ trophy off at their hotel. Charlie’s heart swelled when Otis mentioned he eagerly wanted to tell the Autobots about his victory.

“They probably won’t care though,” he said after a moment. By his red ears he was embarrassed over getting so excited. “Compared to fighting giant robots, winning a karate tournament isn’t that big of a deal.”

“They’ll be impressed,” Charlie reassured him.

They reached the apartment complex. Noah had shown off the garage where Mirage usually stayed, but she hadn’t had the chance to see where they lived.

Just as they were heading inside the door to the garage popped open and an unfamiliar man’s head peeked out a red twizzler hung from his mouth. “Hey, Mrs. Diaz. Is Noah here?”

“Reek,” the older woman sighed. “What are you doing in there?”

Ah, so this is Reek. Charlie appraised the man, she hadn’t believed her ears when Noah told her Mirage transformed in front of him for the laughs.

“I got an old radio and wanted Noah to help me fix it up,” Reek explained, he looked at Charlie and Otis. His eyes were curious but he didn’t say anything to them.

“Noah, had to go out of town for work,” Mrs. Diaz informed him. “He’s in New Jersey.”

“Oh, gross,” Reek gagged. Charlie wondered if he deduced that work was Autobot related.

Only one way to find out. “I can help you with the radio,” Charlie offered, stepping forward. “I know a thing or two about fixing old stuff up.”

Reek turned his attention to her, “And you are…?”

“Charlie,” she greeted.

“She’s Noah’s new friend,” Mrs. Diaz declared. “Isn’t she pretty?”

Otis and Kris snickered behind their hands. Charlie sent the two younger boys a glare, “I’ll be right up, Mrs. Diaz. Otis, go help her set up lunch, okay?” After her brother reassured her he would, Charlie followed Reek inside.

The garage felt a little empty without Mirage there, but she immediately zeroed in on Reek’s radio. She walked over and examined it, happy to see it only need a bit of wire work. She grabbed the tool set Noah had shown off last time she was here.

Reek watched her work for a moment, “So, like-are you and Noah a thing?”

Charlie snorted, “No, even though his mom clearly approves.”

Reek chuckled, “I’ve tried to hook him up with a few girls I know, for some reason he always said no or left the date early.”

Charlie thought of Mirage. “For some reason…”

“So, how do you two know each other?” Reek still wanted to hold a conversation. “You work at the same company?”

Charlie straightened up and looked at him. All of her instincts always told her to keep the Autobots a secret…but Reek already knew about them..and Charlie had only had so many people to talk to about it.

“Oh, we’re both friends with giant robots.”

For a second she was sure the man’s soul left his body. “Is-is that right?” he glanced away as if he expected an Autobot to pop up out of thin air. “It’s a small world.”

“Isn’t it,” Charlie chuckled, turning back to the radio. “Heard you were on Liberty Island?”

“I’d rather not talk about that, if I’m being honest,” Reek murmured.

“I get that,” Charlie replied. “Did you see me there?”

He stared, “You were there?”

“I got dragged onto the island by that tiger,” Charlie said, resisting the urge to rub her hand across her new scars. “You didn’t see that?” A few news channel mentioned people seeing her but thankfully she had remained unidentifiable.

“Why would I be near that thing when I could be on the other side of the island,” Reek pointed out. “By the way, I was on the other side of the island.”

Charlie couldn’t help but laugh again, “That’s fair.”

“And you’re still hanging out with those…”

“Autobots.”

“Yeah, Autobots.”

“Of course,” Charlie said, fixing up the last wire of the radio. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Her words were soft with sincerity.

Reek’s voice was droll, “You and Noah are too much alike.”

Charlie didn’t reply, instead turning the knob on the radio. She smiled proudly as music filled the garage. She stepped back and waved her arms toward it, “Ta-da.”

“Wow, you fixed it already,” Reek came over to study it with a critical eye. “Impressive.”

“Not really,” Charlie tried to be humble. “It just needed a bit of a touch up.” She turned toward the door, “It was nice to meet you, Reek. But I need to get up to Mrs. Diaz and-”

“Where is it?”

Charlie halted as if she was magnified to the floor. The static, emotionless voice came from the radio.

“Where is it? Give it back to us…Charlie Watson.”

Charlie felt a bile of fear rise up her throat. She swallowed and slowly turned around. Reek was staring down at the radio in horror.

“Charlie Watson…where is it? Give it back to us…Give us back the-”

In one fast, frantic motion Reek pushed the radio off the table, knocking it onto the ground. The man slammed his foot several times down on the radio, until it was an unrecognizable pile of metal and plastic. All the while shouting: “No! Hell no!”

When the radio was destroyed he stood there, panting. Making like a nun he crossed himself, “I don’t care if that was one of your friends or not I’m not having possessed appliances coming to my place! I am not!”

“It’s not a robot,” Charlie murmured, staring down at the destroyed radio. “Something was…talking through it.” But what?

She remembered that moment in the radio, where the small screen spelled out the words: ‘where is’. And with the radio asking ‘where is it’, this was no coincidence. It couldn’t be. Something was in New York, invisible and talking through elevators and radios, trying to contact her.

It want’s something from me. I don’t know what it is, or if I even actually have it. But I don’t think this is the last I’ll hear of it… I need to get out of the city. She shuddered at the thought of going to the airport now, with it full of technology.

I need to go where there are no plug-ins. I need to go to the forest. I need to go back to the Autobots and tell them what happened.

“I need to go Reek,” Charlie started, but the man was already walking past her.

“I’m out. Noah can throw that possessed junk away when he gets back.”

Charlie didn’t reply, hurrying out of the garage and into the complex. She pointedly avoided the elevator and started up the stairs. Noah’s apartment was only on the second floor anyway.

Calm down, she ordered herself. She couldn’t freak out Mrs. Diaz and the boys. Oh gosh, what was she going to say to Otis? He’d panic. Could she send him back to California on his own? Would the voice go after him? How much did it know about her? Could it find where she lived?

When she reached the second floor she took a moment to herself. She leaned against the wall, taking in some calming breaths. I’m fine. I’ll be okay. Bumblebee and the Autobots will help me figure this out, I just have to go find them. I’ll tell Mrs. Diaz something came up…I should probably be honest with Otis, it was only fair and he’d want to follow me either way.

With a plan in set Charlie felt a bit better, she walked down the hall until she found the right door and knocked twice.

It wasn’t Mrs. Diaz or Kris or even Otis who opened the door, it was a man Charlie had never seen before.

He was older, a balding head, he carried himself like a military man. When he saw Charlie he looked mildly surprised but instantly wiped the look away. “Can I help you, ma’am?”

“Is this the Diaz residence?” Charlie tried to look past him. To her relief Noah’s mother appeared, walking over to stand behind the man.

“This is Noah’s boss,” the woman explained. She shot the man a look, something wary and distrustful. “He dropped by on a surprise visit.”

“Sorry about that,” the man apologized smoothly. “I was just hoping to talk to Noah. I…forget the company sent him off to New Jersey.”

Immediately Charlie bristled, warning signals going off in her head. Noah had mentioned to her that his work knew about the Autobots, had wanted him to join an organization called the G.I. Joes. Noah had said, while he liked the idea of being a hero, he didn’t like the idea of following orders from a group who would only see the Autobots as weapons. And Charlie was sure he didn’t want this man hanging around his home either.

Feeling a sense of protectiveness to the Diaz family she reached out and grabbed the man’s arm. “Maybe I can help. Noah told me all about his work. I’d like to learn more, maybe start my own career there.”

The man stared at her for a moment, Charlie hoped she was telling him with her eyes she knew exactly what was going on. “Sure, we can talk. If you’ll excuse me, Mrs. Diaz.” He shut the door behind him, before Noah’s mother could say anything.

“Let me guess…” the man began slowly. “You and Noah have the same friends.”

Charlie narrowed her eyes, “Let me guess, you think that’s any of your business?”

Annoyance flared in his eyes, “Who are you?”

“You can call me the good friend of the Head of Sector 7,” Charlie stated bluntly. “Agent Burns, to be precise. Have you heard of him?”

She could tell the man hadn’t been expecting that. But Burns had left Charlie his personal number years back and she tries to calm him monthly. She had always hoped he’d be able to tell her if Bee had been spotted. But a friendship had been formed as well and she now saw him as an older brother. An older brother who would throw his weight around for her sake.

“We’ve worked very closely with Sector 7,” the man stated. “And they agree that this is our business. The rest of the country may think the Liberty Island incident was a prank, but the Joes and Sector 7 know what actually happened. People could have been killed. And if your ‘friends’ can’t stop them then we need to step forward and handle it ourselves.”

“They’re handling it just fine,” Charlie stated, narrowing her eyes.

“They need to be more than fine,” the man replied sharply. “That’s what I’m here to talk to Noah about. If the Autobots can’t keep themselves under cover and there enemies away from the public, then we’ll need to clean up their messes.”

Charlie didn’t like how he said that. Like the Autobots were the problem and not Tigatron or the Decepticons or that-that voice.

“It would be best if they came to work with us,” the man pointed out.

“No, it wouldn’t be,” Charlie said point blank. Her mother always said she had a tendency to be too blunt. She was going to flex that. “Burns can already tell you; they aren’t weapons for you to use. They’re sentient and have their own rules. And they’ll handle their own problems.”

The man looked a bit red but he took in a deep breath to calm himself. There were a few moments of silence: “Why is Noah in New Jersey?”

Good to know they didn’t know the man’s every move. “He’s on vacation,” Charlie lied.

He glared at her one more time, “You’re very comfortable taking advantage of your friendship with Burns. But he isn’t the only one in charge.” Abruptly he turned on his heel and made to leave. Before he reached the stairs he glanced back at her, “Make sure your Autobots handle this new problem. If anything like Liberty Island happens again, we will have to step in.”

Charlie didn’t answer, silently watching the man leave. And once he was out of sight she opened the door and walked into the apartment.

“What happened?” Mrs. Diaz asked immediately.

She was standing next to a stove top, sizzling food. Otis and Kris sat at the kitchen table, Kris going over his comics with the older boy. A small TV was on, a news channel currently talking about a missing transit bus and driver.

“It was a very nice talk,” Charlie lied to the woman. “He said goodbye and that he’ll come to speak to Noah another time.” She looked sadly at the food the woman was cooking. “Mrs. Diaz, I’m so sorry. But something came up, I can’t stay for lunch.”

The woman blinked, “What did that man say to you?” She sounded like a concerned mother.

“It’s not about that,” Charlie reassured her. “I just remembered there’s-there’s something I need to do.” Which was go out into the middle of nowhere. She glanced at Otis, who was watching her with concern. “You can stay, if you want.”

As expected her brother shook his head and stood up, ready to follow her out. Kris looked to the two with worry, and with that worry came the lack of staying quiet: “Did something happen to Noah?”

“Why would you ask that, baby?” his mother asked, giving him a scrutinizing look. Charlie tensed when the look turned to her.

“I’m sure he’s fine,” Charlie told the little boy. “But Otis and I really need to go, thank you for offering lunch. Next time it’s on us.”

“Hang on,” Mrs. Diaz spoke. The two words held such mom authority they both stopped (even though she wasn’t their mom). “All three of you are hiding something. Normally I’d mind my own business but I can’t help but feel it has something to do with Noah, and he is my business.”

Charlie glanced at Otis. She wracked her brain with something to say to appease the older woman. Could she just say Otis needed to rest? That their flight was rescheduled and they had to go to the airport? Maybe they-

“Is he in danger?” Mrs. Diaz looked from them to Kris. “I’ve noticed how you two have been acting. Like you have some secret. If it’s something serious you need to tell me, Kris.”

While Mrs. Diaz stared down her son, Charlie stared at the floor. Too many things were rushing through her head. From the voice, the Joes agent, needed to get to New Jersey and find Noah and the Autobots, the sudden worry for the Diaz family now that she pissed that agent off...

So distracted by her thoughts, she hadn’t seen Kris squirm uncomfortably until he threw back his head and groaned. “Fine, Mom! I’ll tell you!” He looked her right in the eye. “Noah, me, Otis, and Charlie are friends with giant robots from outer space.”

Charlie’s jaw dropped as she stared incredulously at the little boy.

 

.

 

Tigatron sat in the corner of the lair, watching Tarantulas. The Predacon was standing before several large screens, a super computer he had been building since he first arrived on the planet. He had connected it to the electric waves of this world, being able to collect information from their satellites, machines, nearly everything.

Tarantulas had four spider-like arms attached to the computer, to better search for…whatever he was looking for. Tigatron hadn’t asked, but he hoped it was the next piece of the relic. He glanced at Rampage’s body that was taking up much of the lair’s space. Would they ever use it? He cringed at the thought of the Maximals and the Autobots having to face off against such a beast.

All of a sudden Tarantulas let out a startled noise and ripped his legs out of the computer, stumbling back a bit. Unnerved Tigatron jumped up and padded over.

The Predacon was rubbing at his head, staring at the computer with an unreadable expression.

“What happened?” Tigatron demanded.

“Nothing,” Tarantulas said, trailing off slightly. But then he shook himself and turned to the Maximal. “I got a new mission for you.”

Tigatron pulled his ears back, wondering if he was imagining that Tarantulas looked spooked. “What is it?”

“Saw on a news cast a plane got hit by some meteor thing and landed out here.” He clicked a few spots on the computer and a map of a large forest showed on the screen. “I want you to go there, do some snooping, see what you can find.”

Tigatron narrowed his optics. Didn’t Primal said the Autobots had a plane? “And what if I find something?”

“Then you comm me and we go from there,” the Predacon said easily. He clicked another button and a ground bridge appeared before them, bathing the two in a blue light. “Get to it.”

Tigatron braced himself, every time he stepped out of this lair something bad had happened. But he stepped through anyway, vanishing inside. But Tarantulas didn’t close the portal.

Instead, with a relieved drop of his shoulders he changed it’s coordinates. That Maximal was so moody, really brought the whole room down.

I might as well go collect it while he’s gone, Tarantulas decided. Maybe it’ll make him be less annoying. The Predacon turned around and stepped into the ground bridge, it’s blue light vanishing a moment later.

Chapter 20: Theif

Elena really couldn’t wrap her mind around it, and she tried so hard not to stare at Dinobot. She hadn’t even wrapped her mind around Maximals that looked like animals that weren’t extinct. To see one look similar to a dinosaur that’s been dead longer than the Maximals had been on Earth? Elena had checked with Primal, the dinosaurs were extinct by the time they took refuge on this planet.

It just made her wonder yet again, how they had already looked like Earth’s animals when they had never stepped foot on the planet? Another question she had asked of Primal-his answer had been a little heartbreaking.

Primal, in a low voice, had explained that he had not appreciated his history, his peoples’ archives, until the threat of Unicron was inevitable-and by then it was too late…

Having an entire culture and history destroyed was like a stab in the chest for Elena. She did not dare to ask anymore, the pain in Primal’s eyes had been too great. And, despite the fact she always had questions, she was a bit too intimidated of Dinobot to ask. Not that she thought that a Terrorcon would know more of the world he helped killed than Primal would know. Nor would the other bots let her get to close. They had agreed with Primal’s trial plan-but Dinobot had not passed any trial yet.

So instead she glanced over to Stratosphere. He had seemed to wilt with relief when the Autobots first showed up. Right now Prime and Arcee were tending to the plane’s wound with the supplies they had brought. Mirage had told her while neither were medics, they knew the basics way more than himself or Bumblebee did.

Speaking of those two, Mirage was still being moody and avoiding Noah, who in return pretended the robot wasn’t around. All while Bumblebee tried to keep busy, but more than once just stared wistfully out into the woods. She wondered if that had to do with his friend, Charlie.

Feeling a bit aimless Elena found her feet leading over to Cheetor who was relaxing in some shade, his paws tucked under him, eyes narrowed. Elena held back a chuckle, he looked like a giant house cat. “Hey, Cheetor.”

He popped his optics open and turned his head toward her. Perhaps it was Elena’s imagination but it looked like his eyes brightened for a moment, only to dim a second later.

“Hello, Elena,” he greeted, sounding a bit forma. “Did you need anything?”
”No, I just wanted to come say hi.”

“I see,” Cheetor nodded once then turned his gaze over to Primal and Rhinox who were talking with Bumblebee. Elena remembered that, out of all the Autobots, the yellow camero knew the Maximals the least.

But Elena felt a wave of dread. She recognized that tone of voice, he was sounding (and acting) just like he did back in Peru. Like he didn’t care for her company and didn’t want to talk to her.

I don’t understand, just a few hours ago we were having so much fun together. She wracked her brain, trying to figure out what she did wrong. But when she came up with nothing she threw her awkwardness to the win and just asked.

Cheetor turned back to her, “You haven’t done anything wrong?”

“Then why are you upset with me?” she asked quietly. “You’re acting like you used to, before we became friends.”

Cheetor stiffened. “I’m not upset with you!” his insistence was passionate. “Nothing’s wrong, you just…I just-”

Elena suddenly gagged and slammed her hands over her mouth, an overwhelming stench making her flesh crawl.

“Hey, Blondie! Hey, Els!” Ratrap trotted over in good spirits, as if his sense of smell didn’t work.

And maybe if Elena wasn’t newly upset about Cheetor’s attitude than she would’ve had more tack. “I can’t do this,” she stated. “Ratrap, you need a bath.”

The Maximal blinked at her, confused rather then offended. “I do?”

“Yes,” she insisted. “You need to go back to the lagoon Cheetor found.” She looked up at the cheetah, “Do you want to come with?”

“Well…” he trailed off a bit, and during that moment Elena saw Noah. He was leaning against his tree, ideal with nothing much to do since he wasn’t spending time with Mirage.

“Noah!” she called over, “Come here!”

He listened, walking over to her and the two Maximals. To Noah’s credit his nose only scrunched up a bit when he stood next to Ratrap. “What’s up?”

Elena quickly explained her plan. “Want to come? You weren’t doing anything else,” she added brashly.

“True,” Noah shrugged. He glanced over her head toward Cheetor, she looked back as well.

“So, are you coming?” she asked.

“No, thank you,” he said politely but tonelessly. He stood up, metallic muscles folding. “I’ll stay here.” Without a word he padded off to where Mirage and Bumblebee chattered together.

Elena watched him go, feeling a coldness in her chest. They had become so close…perhaps too close-

“Are we going?” Ratrap asked loudly, apparently not worried over Cheetor’s iciness. “Personally I think this is a waste of time but I’m so bored.” He sent a glare over to Dinobot who was crouched in the shade of trees. “I can trust Primal and them to keep an optic on that one.”

“Dinobot’s not so bad,” Noah said in the bot’s defense as Elena led them into the woods. “I already told you, he saved my life when we were fighting that giant robot.”

“One good thing doesn’t make him a good guy,” Ratrap pointed out glumly, keeping his head low to the ground.

“So you trust him?” Elena asked, focusing on the path ahead. Time in Peru had actually helped her get good at walking through the forestry and recognizing landmarks.

“I don’t know if trust is the right word,” Noah said, a bit slowly, a bit thoughtfully. “But I don’t think he’s like Scourge and them. He’s different, I think he’s sincere too. And Prime and Primal are at least open to the idea.” He suddenly snorted, “And out of all the bots back there, he’s not the one I’m most annoyed with right now.”

Elena frowned at the comment but Ratrap cackled a bit. “Ah yeah, you’re still mad at Play-dough.”

“Don’t call him that,” Noah said.

Elena could tell that while he made the snide comment, he didn’t really want to talk about the falling out. But she was interested in speaking about her own problems: “I think Cheetor is mad at me.”

The two looked at her, surprised.

She turned back to the trail, her face flushed. “Well, maybe not mad. But he does seem upset with me. We were getting along really well before you guys showed up and he’s acting all…distant.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Noah murmured with sympathy.

Ratrap made a loud humming noise. “I haven’t seen Blondie and you hang out much. But yeah, I guess he is acting a bit less like his cheerful self. I just thought it was because he was stranded in the middle of nowhere.”

“I’m wondering if I did something wrong?” Elena said, a bit quietly.

Before more could be said she stepped out to see the lagoon before them. Her chest felt a bit lighter, remembering Cheetor bringing her here. How sweet of him, to think of her and wanting to show it to her. To spend time alone with her…

Elena pulled at her collar, feeling a bit hot.

“Alright, Ratrap,” Noah stood beside her and indicated to the water, “Go on-”

The Maximal zoomed past them and jumped in. He sent a big splash up, that would’ve drenched the two humans had they not fallen back in time.

For a few moments Ratrap paddled happily through the shallows. As Elena watched, a reluctant part of her thought it was cute.

“Now what?” he asked, turning to the two, water dripping off his chin.

“Good question,” Noah stood up and walked over to stand on the edge of the water. “We don’t have any soap or sponges with us. Try scraping yourself on the rocks under the water.”

Elena stared at him.

“It might get the grime off,” Noah shrugged, defensive. “Do you have a better idea?”

She did not and the two watched Ratrap dive underwater. She could just see his brown shape through the liquid and watched it twist and turn, apparently actually scraping himself against the rocks.

“He’s kinda funny,” Noah pointed out with an amused smile.

“Yeah, he’s alright,” Elena agreed.

They waited a few more minutes in companionable silence before Ratrap popped back up. He swam over to the two and climbed out. Standing on his hind legs he loomed over the two and practically pressed his body against them. Both Elena and Noah leaned back to avoid the water dripping off him.

“Smell me!” he ordered.

They did, and while he didn’t smell good, Elena could breath around him. That was good enough, and she said exactly that to the Maximal.

“Excellent!” He dropped back onto all fours, nearly knocking over Noah in the process. “Man, I feel like a new robot! Thanks, guys! I’ll be sure to repay the favor.”

“Yeah?” Elena arched an eyebrow.

“Yeah, I’ll fix your relationship problems.” He started to trot off, “I’ll talk to Blondie and Play-Dough, do some investigating~”

The now horrified humans chased after the rat.

“No, no you will not!”

“Don’t you dare!”

 

.

 

It was late, that was the only time Wheeljack could slip away from his family. He came to check on Primal’s village, they had commed him about leaving and asked him to watch over their friends. He had agreed.

The Maximals nor Autobots had contacted him in a bit, so whatever problems they may be facing must not be a ten yet.

But when he arrived at the village they had told them the leader had gone on a walk and had not returned yet. They asked him to quickly go fetch him before it was too dark.

Wheeljack agreed, his driving carrying him back to where Primal had had to kill Airazor.

He found the leader, hunckered down in the grass, watching a clearing a few yards away. When he spotted Wheeljack coming toward him he motioned him forward but begged him to be silent.

The Autobot crouched next to the human and looked for what he saw. Wheeljack felt a wave of shock and horror.

Something was dragging Airazor’s body out of the grave they had dug. The limp corpse was covered in dirt and still mangled from her final fight.

The creature that now held her looked spider like in design, reminding Wheeljack of a Maximal. But he could tell this was no friend of Primal’s.

Things got even more surprising when a blue circle of energy appeared next to the grave robber. It was a ground bridge, and the stranger was dragging Airazor’s body toward it.

If Wheeljack had been Optimus or Arcee or Bumblebee, he would’ve jumped up and challenged the stranger. But he was not, he was an inventor, he wanted to know as much as possible about an enemy before he faced it battle.

So, barely thinking he lifted his arm and carefully aimed it toward Airazor, keeping out of the stranger’s sight. A small, disk-like shape shot out of Wheeljack’s arm and landed under Airazor’s wing. The bot, now dragging her through the ground bridge, didn’t notice, and the portal closed behind the two. The only evidence they had been there was the now giant hole that had been Airazor’s grave.

The village leader started talking frantically, so fast Wheeljack could barely translate. But for a moment he ignored the man to check the screen on his arm. The disk he had fired had been a home made tracker. If it worked he could tell where that creature took the dead Maximal.

And despite how ominous the whole situation was, he felt a sense of relief when he saw the tell-tale dot on his screen.

Chapter 21: A Short Conversation

Notes:

I was going through some personal problems that weren't letting me write, so that's why it took so long to get out such a short chapter.

Cheetor walked over to sit near Mirage and Bumblebee. He didn’t say anything, just gave the two bots a nod then turned his head to look at something else.

Mirage followed his gaze and felt his spark do a little twist. Noah and Elena were leading Ratrap off into the woods, Mirage’s friend didn’t even glance back at the bot as he left.

“Where are those two going?” Bumblebee asked through his radio, his head tilted slightly.

“They’re off to give Ratrap a bath,” Cheetor said, in a voice so melancholy  Mirage looked at him with surprise.

“Did-did you want Ratrap to not have a bath?”

Cheetor gave him an annoyed look, “That’s not what I’m upset about.”

Bumblebee leaned forward a bit, “What’s wrong?”

The Maximal glanced away again, “I’ve gotten…used to Elena’s companionship… I didn’t want to share.”

“Oh.” Mirage blinked, “OH!” He pointed at the Maximal, “Are you and Elena-”

The wiry mane on his neck bristled as if he was embarrassed. “I thought we were! There was a…misunderstanding, before I said anything. And now that Noah’s here and she’s clearly so happy to see him-” he sadly looked back to where the trio had vanished. “I feel like a fool.”

Mirage felt some sympathy for the Maximal, and Bumblebee murmured. “Welcome to the club.”

Cheetor’s ears flicked up in surprise.

“Oh, you don’t know,” Mirage smirked at the yellow bot. “Bumblebee here is obsessed with his human friend, Charlie. It’s adorable.”

In response Bumblebee gave him a rough push with a servo. “You’re one to talk!”

Cheetor looked at Mirage, “You, I’m not surprised.”

Mirage scowled, “You’re not.”
Cheetor shook his head. “It was obvious how close of a bond you had with Noah when I first met you two. You aimed a canon at Primal for his sake.”

It was Mirage’s turn to glance away, feeling a bit embarrassed. He could tell himself that he had gotten a crush on Noah very early and very easily. But the fact he was obvious about it felt kind of mortifying. Did Noah realize his feelings? Was he purposely ignoring them? Is that part of the reason he was giving Mirage the cold shoulder? The Autobot felt sick at the thought.

“I also sensed something bad had happened,” Cheetor continued. “When everyone arrived. Noah seems to be ignoring you.”

“He is,” Bumblebee said bluntly, and Mirage shot a glare at his friend.

“What happened?” Cheetor asked.

Relucantly Mirage gave a short description of what had happened at the race. And to his dismay Cheetor cringed at his explanation.

“That was a bad joke,” the Maximal said.

“I realize that now!” Mirage threw his arms out.

“Did you apologize?” Cheetor asked.

“I’ve tried,” Mirage’s shoulders dropped with defeat. “He doesn’t want anything to do with me now.”

Cheetor stared at the grass beneath his paws, looking thoughtful for a moment. He then looked up, “Have you considered telling him how you feel?” He looked at Bumblebee, “Have you told this Charlie how you feel?”

The two Autobots flinched, as if the suggestion was a dangerous and deadly mission.

“It’s not that easy,” Mirage admitted.

“Prime doesn’t-”

“I don’t care what Prime says!” Mirage interrupted Bumblebee. Once again he felt a sense of irritation and anger over their leader trying to tell them how to feel about the humans.

“Then why haven’t you said anything?” Cheetor asked.

“Because I…” Mirage trailed off. He thought of all the reasons Prime gave them, he didn’t care about those. But maybe he did care about his own fear of rejection. He already felt so low and lost to have Noah be mad at him. What if confessing ruined their friendship? Could Mirage risk that? Should he put Noah on the spot like that?

“I don’t know…” he murmured finally. He glanced at Bumblebee who just sadly shook his head. He probably shared Mirage’s own insecurities, and unlike Mirage, Bumblebee respected Prime’s opinion-even if he didn’t agree with them.

Cheetor looked at the two, sizing them up. “I’ve learned to try and appreciate things as much as possible, for as long as you can. I didn’t do that with my home planet, and now I never can. So now I’m going to appreciate this planet and all it has to offer.”
”But you didn’t tell Elena you like her,” Mirage pointed out. His tone was a bit waspish, not liking being put on the spot. “Isn’t that ‘not appreciating’?”

Cheetor stared at him for a moment, looking a bit taken aback as if he hadn't considered that point. But then he stood up, his expression determined and resolute. “You’re absolutely right.”  

Chapter 22: The Bus Ride

Charlie could not handle all of these things happening at once.

Truth be told, she was only just getting over the initial shock of Bumblebee returning, the Maximals being a thing, the fact a giant planet eating alien existed…

But now there was something out there that was following her, something that knew her name, could travel through electronics, and thought she had taken something from it.

And then she found out the government is furious with the Autobots, and who knew what they would do because of it.

And now, and now-

Charlie turned on her seat in the transit bus to look behind her. Mrs. Diaz was sitting next to Kris, while Otis took the seat across from them. The bus had emptied a while ago, only the four were left as they were going to be dropped off as close to their destination as possible.

Just a few short hours ago, Mrs. Diaz had stared at her son with a stern motherly glower.

“Kris,” she said. “Do not lie to your mother. Especially a lie as ridiculous as that!”

“But it’s true!” Kris insisted, his lip wobbling a bit at his mother not believing him. “Otis! Charlie! Tell her!”
Charlie stood, dumbfounded. Keeping the Autobots a secret was second nature to her. All the times anyone in her life found out about the bots, it had been out of her hands. And while Kris was just a little kid she couldn’t believe he just went out and said it like it was no big deal.

“Don’t drag these two into your lies, young man,” Mrs. Diaz snapped. She turned an apologetic look toward Charlie, then noticed her expression. The older woman then looked to Otis who was still pale and looking at anything but the three people in front of him.

“Don’t try to play games with me,” Mrs. Diaz was stern. “Whatever you’re trying to hide about Noah, I’m his mother, I have a right to know.”

“I just told you what we’re hiding!” Kris insisted. “Noah is  friends with the robots! They’re called Autobots! His best friend is a robot called Mirage! Mirage can make copies of himself, and they went to Peru together and met a giant gorilla robot and then they had to fight this giant planet that eats-”

“STOP!”

Even though the command was aimed at Kris, both Charlie and Otis couldn’t help but to flinch.

“Kris Diaz, if you say one more word you won’t see those comics or video games for a month!” Mrs. Diaz glared at Charlie now, “Now tell me where my son is.”

Charlie stared at the woman, floundering for a bit. She didn’t know enough about Noah to come up with a decent lie. She glanced at Otis, who shrugged helplessly and even mouthed: ‘just tell her’.

Was she the only one who knew how to keep a secret?

She sighed…Apparently not. “He’s in New Jersey, on a mission. With-with the Autobots.”

What followed was several minutes of Mrs. Diaz furious that they would all dare lie to her. But with Charlie and Otis both being as sincere as they could be, and with Kris about to break down into tears, something unexpected happened:

Mrs. Diaz believed them, or at least, believed Noah was in New Jersey. And she was going to go with them.

Of course, Charlie tried to insist she and Kris stay here, where it was safe. But her insistence didn’t last long, not only because it was hard to tell Mrs. Diaz what to do. But because of her lingering fear that that agent would be back and be much less friendly. Perhaps they’d all be safer with the Autobots, she knew she’d feel safer.

Not just from that agent, but from that voice. She had left her walkie talkie back at Noah’s house, not even calling Noah to tell her they were coming. Bumblebee had told her the coordinates and she would have to find them the old fashioned way. She was too scared that voice would somehow attach itself to the walkie talkie. She was scared it would know where she went.

“So, uh….”

Charlie looked up, hearing the bus driver clear his throat. He looked older than her, but younger than Mrs. Diaz. And he looked frazzled, as if it was his first day on the bus.

“What’s-what’s taking you guys all the way out of the city?” He was giving off the sense that he wanted to politely hold a conversation-but had terrible social skills.

Charlie felt a wave of pity for him, remembering how socially awkward she used to be.

Mrs. Diaz must have caught that vibe too, her voice kindly, “We’re just visiting my son.”

“Ah, that’s nice,” the bus driver glanced over to the four. “Are you-are you all related?” Almost immediately he shook his head, “Sorry, that’s rude. I need to get a radio or something in here. I hate the quiet.”

Charlie didn’t answer him. “Mrs. Diaz,” she leaned toward the older woman. “We probably shouldn’t say much.”

The woman frowned, “Are you worried he knows about...your friends?”

The two women are whispering quietly to themselves. The driver was focusing on making a slightly sharp turn, they were leaving the city behind.

“No,” Charlie admitted quietly. “But who knows if he’ll mention what we say to someone else and then word will get around.”

The woman nodded before leaning back in her seat. Charlie noted the look of wariness and even fear on her face and she felt guilt for spooking the woman.

“Don’t worry,” Kris grabbed his mother’s hand. “You’ll feel better when we find Noah.”
Mrs. Diaz smiled at her son before glancing over at Charlie and Otis. “How hard will that be?”

“I don’t know,” Otis murmured back and shot a glare at Charlie. “We don’t have a way to talk to them.”

Charlie glared at her brother. She had not told Mrs. Diaz and Kris about the voice, she had only told Otis after they ran to get their luggage (which sat next to him on the bus seat).

“We’ll find them,” Charlie reassured them. “Let’s just get there.”

It was about an hour later when the bus finally stopped. They were in a parking lot, Charlie spotted a hiking sign that led off into the New Jersey woods. This was the spot the Autobots would take, going straight through the path and into the woods.

She and Otis grabbed their bags and led Mrs. Diaz and Kris out of the bus.

“Are you sure this is where you want to stop?” the bus driver asked, eyes wide with concern. “There’s a motel not far from here, I don’t mind dropping you off there.”

He probably thinks we’re off to live with a cult in the woods, Charlie thought. She gave him a reassuring smile, “We’ll be okay, thank you.” And followed the three out of the bus. She glanced back as they headed toward the trail. The driver still watched her, but offered a smile that had matched her own, as if wishing her luck. He then closed the door and drove off.

Charlie took the lead as they started through the hiking trail. By both Otis and Mrs. Diaz’s glowering and mumbling they were not fond of this idea. But she kept going, wondering if she was imagining this pull forward. She just wanted to focus on getting back to Bumblebee.

 

.

 

The driver kept his smile on as he drove around and out of sight of the four humans. And once he was hidden by the trees he felt the smile slowly drop, a flicker of irritation making his brow furrow.

The four had whispered together like he hadn’t been able to hear him. Like he hadn’t heard the word Noah Diaz…

He didn’t know who these four were, but they know where they were going.

To the Autobots, probably to the Maximals as well. They were in that forest, all huddled up together, easy for the pickings.

How…incredibly boring. Slaughtering them all was suppose to be the more fun part of his vacation. Hopefully burning this planet to cinders would suffice.

He stopped the truck and leaned back, holding his arm up to examine the fleshy appendage. Well, there was one other thing.

Silently he watched as his arm transformed, becoming slimmer, a bit more tan. He felt the hair on his head go past his ears, his figure becoming more curvy. And when he looked at the mirror in front of him, he was now looking at the human female. Charlie, they had called her.

Transit smirked at his reflection, this holoform might make this more fun…

Notes:

We're just gonna pretend I know how transit buses and new york geography works lol.

Also sorry to everyone who thought it was another beast wars character who messed up Stratosphere's wing and crashed in the ocean.

Chapter 23: One

Rhinox had taken himself on a leisurely stroll through the forest. It was nice to see Arcee and the other Autobots again, but sometimes he needed quiet. Something the group didn’t excel at.

Plus, he liked this forest. It reminded him of his home planet. He felt a sense of comfort, and even content; despite the millions of light years of distance between the two, Earth felt so similar to his old home. It made him want to protect it even more. Not just from Unicron and Terrorcons, but even from his own Maximals.

I don’t know what Tigatron has affiliated himself with…but I know I will help stop him if need be. Rhinox thought of the majestic Maximal who had never shed from danger. He, and several other Maximals who had already perished or went missing escaped on another pod similar to Primal’s. There had been relief that they wouldn’t face this new world alone, that they wouldn’t have to protect the transwarp key alone. But the group had separated, and after so many years-one learned to assume the worse.

Even when we reunited with Airazor, that was for such a short time. We lost her to Scourge just as we lost Apelinq and so many others. And then we found Tigatraon, but we lost him too… Though Rhinox had trouble discerning which was worse, tragically losing an ally as loyal and dependable as  Airazor-or being betrayed by an ally who was as brave and inspiring as Tigatron.

Rhinox shook his head, metallic ears slapping against his thick skin. He had to put such thoughts away, at least for now. They weren’t helping. Right now the focus was to fix up Stratosphere and somehow get to New York, Primal and Optimus were currently in the middle of planning that. Rhinox would wait patiently, and help when he was needed.  

I can focus on the good things, he decided, making a turn around very thick and large foliage. Ratrap has returned to us, and Dinobot seems to be willing to redeem himself and become an ally. Truth be told, Rhinox had rarely seen Dinobot before Unicron destroyed their planet, but he knew Ratrap well. Despite his jokes, his insistence on holding grudges and the like, he was dearly loyal to the Maximals. And far too stubborn to get killed.

And they didn’t just have him, Rhinox had an image of Arcee and the other Autobots in his head: they had new friends now. And he wouldn’t take them for granted. He would-

All of a sudden four humans appeared around a tree, Rhinox nearly stepping on them. They all pulled back at the same time, the Maximal’s ears pulled back with panic while the humans flailed and yelled in surprise. Two of them falling onto their backs in the process.

Rhinox stared silently at the four, trying to figure out what to do. He was suppose to stay hidden-what were four humans doing so deep in the forest? Were they lost? Why wasn’t he a triple changer? He needed to transform into a car or something.

The humans still stared in mute silence, only the littlest one looking more thoughtful than scared.

Do something! Do something right now! Rhinox slowly turned around and began to walk away without a noise.

But then: “You’re Rhinox!”

The Maximal stopped and looked over his shoulder, now his optics were wide with surprise. It was the little one who had spoken, pulling out of his mother’s arms to smile with excitement. “You’re Rhinox, aren’t you? You gotta be!”

He carefully turned his bulky body around to get a better look at the humans, “How do you know my name?”

“I’m Kris! I’m Noah’s brother!”

Rhinox’s ears flicked up, “You’re Noah’s brother?” He nearly wilted with relief. “Thank Primus.” He looked at the other humans, recalling all the new information he had received. “Are one of you Charlie?”

One of the humans who had fallen down lifted her hand, “That’s me. Wow, you are…immense.”

“Thank you,” Rhinox nodded to her. He looked to the other two humans, the other one on the ground was similar looking to Charlie. While the other female reminded him of Noah and Kris.

“This is my mom!” Kris hugged the female.

“My name is Breanna…” she was staring wide eyed at Rhinox, and the Maximal realized he was probably the first giant alien robot she had ever seen.

“And this is Otis,” Charlie pulled herself and the last human up. “My little robot.”

“There’s really giant animal robots,” Otis murmured more to himself than to anyone else. “Just…hanging around.”

Rhinox looked at the four, finally noticing the luggage next to them. “What are you doing here?”

Charlie and Kris talked over each other, wanting to see Bumblebee and Noah respectfully.

“Are they close by?” Charlie asked. “Can you take us to them?”

“Of course I can,” Rhinox reassured. Carefully he bent down onto his knees. “Climb on, I’ll carry you.”

 

.

 

While Elena believe Ratrap had been joking about fixing her and Noah’s friendships with their respective bots-she was still a bit anxious when they returned to the clearing. Rhinox was the only one not there.

Ratrap flounced around, trying to get everyone’s attention: “Notice anything new?”

Arcee who had moved to stand next to Bumblebee and Mirage, gave the Maximal a once over. “Nope,” she said sweetly with a teasing smirk. The other two bots snickered behind her.

Ratrap frowned at them, but before he could reply Dinobot stood up from his shaded spot and walked over.

“I heard you bathed,” the raptor stated, bending down to sniff at the smaller robot. Ratrap hissed and jumped away, back arched from the close contact.

“Your scent’s improved,” Dinobot said with snark. “Though I suppose, when you’ve hit rock bottom all you can do is go up.”

“Featherbrain, you’ll know when I hit rock bottom,” Ratrap stretched his neck out so the two were practically nose to nose. “Cause I’ll be asking for your opinion.”

Noah shrugged at Elena, “I’m gonna make sure those two don’t break into a fight.” He looked to the Autobots. “If they do, Mirage and Arcee look like they’ll start making bets.”

Elena chuckled as the man walked off, and as he did she felt gaze warm on her shoulder.

She turned and saw Cheetor standing a few feet away. To her delight his eyes were bright again, and he didn’t look as standoffish and detached as he had been when she left the clearing. What had happened in the short time she had been gone?

Cheetor padded over to her, sitting before her and wrapping his tail into a circle around her. “Elena,” he started, his voice low and serious. “I need to tell you something.”

“You can tell me anything,” she responded, despite the seriousness of his tone his eyes were the warmest she’d ever seen.

He opened his jaw to say more, but his head suddenly turned sharply to the left, ears pricked. The other Maximals did the same, clearly sensing something.

Elena followed Cheetor’s gaze and saw Rhinox returning to the clearing, looking both expectant and nervous. Elena narrowed her eyes, there was something on his back-

“MOM!?” Noah balked from where he stood next to Dinobot, looking like he’d faint.

“CHARLIE!” Bumblebee called out happily, hurrying over to Rhinox. The big Maximal had knelt down so the four people could slid off his back. It was easy to see who was Mrs. Diaz, and the little boy she held onto must be the little brother Noah told her all about, Kris.

Mrs. Diaz pulled herself and Kris away as Bumblebee knelt next to the brunette girl. She instantly held her hands out for the yellow bot to hold onto. “Hey, Bee,” she greeted with an adoring smile.

Oh, Elena immediately realized what was going on with those two. Didn’t expect that.

Primal and Prime had left Startosphere’s resting side to come and stand next to Arcee. The Autobot leader was looking at the humans sternly. Mrs. Diaz was staring around them, jaw loose and eyes bugging, so overcome with the several robots in front of her she didn’t notice Prime’s annoyance.

“What are you doing here?” Prime spoke directly to Charlie. “I thought you were going to wait-”

“WHY IS MY MOM HERE!?” Noah interrupted Prime, he too was looking straight at Charlie. “You told her about the Autobots?!”
”I did no such thing!” Charlie shot back, pulling her hands out of Bee’s grip.

“I told her!” Kris stated, puffing out his little chest proudly.

Mirage, who had been staring in shock the whole time, finally spoke. “Why-why would you do that, bud?”

Kris didn’t get to answer. Mrs. Diaz had overcome her initial shock and sent a terrifying glare toward her eldest son. “Noah Diaz,” she started to stomp toward him. “Tell me why my youngest son and two strangers had to tell me what you were really up to!” She stopped halfway and Elena realized it was because Noah was still standing in the shadow of Dinobot. The former Terrorcon was watching the scene with curiosity if just a bit of confusion.

“This was your real job your whole time?” Noah’s mother demanded. “Fighting with-with these!?” She indicated wildly to the Maximals and Autobots.

“Mom, I can explain…” Noah began, then hesitated. “…I didn’t plane for you to find out about this today.”

But then Mirage stepped forward, delicately putting himself between the two humans. “Hey, Mrs. D.” His greeting was polite but on edge, as if Noah’s mother was more scary than a Con. “I’m Mirage, it’s nice to officially-”

“Is that your car!?” Mrs. Diaz looked behind Mirage to stare incredulously at his son. “This robot has the same paint job as your car!”

Noah glanced away, flustered. “Yeah…he’s my car.”

Mirage knelt down to be at closer eye level with the woman. “And that’s been a blast. Listen, I know this is a lot to take in right now but I just want to let you know Noah is completely safe with us, and he’s been a huge help too.” He looked around, “Right guys?”

Most of them murmured in agreement, wanting to support Noah but also wanting to stay out of this awkward family moment.

Surprisingly Dinobot spoke up, “Noah is an honorable human, you should be proud of him.” He gazed down at Noah warmly and the man looked even more flustered. Neither noticed the glare Mirage sent the former Con.

But then Optimus stepped forward, towering over Mirage and Mrs. Diaz. The woman took a step back as she tilted her head up to look at him. If she was unnerved by the robot she gave no sign of it.

“I am Optimus Prime,” he greeted her. “I am the leader of the Autobots. It is true your son has saved my life and your planet, he is a valuable ally to my team.”

Noah stared at Prime, looking touched by the Autobot’s praise.

Mrs. Diaz sighed, putting her hands on her hips and looking around. “I’m still not sure if I’m dreaming right now.” She turned to look at her son for a few moments, and then her shoulders loosened. “I least you aren’t selling drugs.”

The next few moments was Noah giving Mrs. Diaz a crash course on the Autobots and the Maximals while introducing everyone. Elena had reluctantly left Cheetor (who had stayed silent through this exchange) walked over to shake the woman’s hand. Noah had apparently told his mom about her. At this point Charlie and the young boy walked over so Elena could be introduced to the two newest (or in Charlie’s case, the oldest) human members of the team.

But just as she was introduced to Charlie’s brother, Ratrap suddenly tackled the boy, knocking him onto his back.

“OTIS!” he cried happily, his long tail wagging and nearly whacking Elena and Charlie who jumped out of the way.

“Ratrap get off me!” Otis pushed vainly on the Maximal who rubbed his chin on the boy’s shaggy hair.

“Smell me!” Ratrap stated, making Mirage burst into laughter. “I took a bath!”

“I can tell cause I’m not about to throw up!” Otis declared. “Now get off me!”

It was Prime’s turn to kneel down before the humans, “Charlie, why did you bring everyone here?”

“I wasn’t planning to, it was going to be just me,” she admitted. “But some soldier showed up at Noah’s place and it didn’t feel save to leave Kris and his mom there alone.”

Noah looked at her, “One of the Joes’ agents?”

She nodded, “He was warning us that if the Autobots didn’t stay hidden they’d have to handle things themselves.”

“I’d like to see ‘em try,” Mirage snorted, clearly unbothered. Noah glared up at the Autobot, “Can you try to take this seriously? It isn’t easy playing nice with guys I don’t trust so my brother can afford the hospital.”

Mirage flinched as if Noah had struck him.

“But you were coming here anyway?” Bumblebee spoke up, standing next to Optimus and looking at Charlie with big, adorable blue eyes.

But there was fear on Charlie’s face as she looked up at him, “Something’s after me.” She told him a horrifying story of a voice talking to her through a radio. “It knew my whole name. It thinks I have something-I don’t know what it could be. But I was scared to be in the city, around all that technology, it was probably watching me the entire time I was there. I needed to get away.”

Bumblebee reached his hand out again and brushed Charlie’s hair. “You’re safe now.”

Elena didn’t miss the almost scandalized look Dinobot and Ratrap shared.

“I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Prime admitted before turning to Primal. The Maximal leader had stayed mostly quiet during the entire exchange. “Have you?”

“No,” Primal shook his head. “But in light of everything, if it isn’t an active threat we should solve our problems that are.” He looked reassuringly toward Charlie, who looked intimidated by his mere presence. “But if the voice does become a threat we will handle it. Bumblebee is right, you’re safe with us.”

 

.

 

An hour or so later Elena and Charlie sat on a fallen log together. The former had apologized to Cheetor for getting distracted and the Maximal reassured her it was fine, they’d talk later.

He was laying down now, letting Kris climb up on his back and slide down while Mirage watched. Noah and his mother were talking a few feet away, Mrs. Diaz glancing more than once over to her youngest. Otis was back on his feet but being circled by Ratrap, asking for details about his final tournament. Bumblebee was standing nearby, listening and murmuring congratulations. Elena couldn’t help feel he was trying to get Charlie’s brother to like him.

Everyone was waiting for Stratosphere to be finished, which Prime reassured wouldn’t take much longer. Though as night was starting to fall Elena imagined they would be spending one more night out here.

Charlie was telling Elena about the attack on the bay, and how Tigatron had nearly killed her and Optimus trying to get some junky looking object.

“That sounds terrifying,” Elena said with sympathy.

“Part of life when you’re friends with Autobots,” Charlie shrugged. “But still that thing he took…it gave me the weirdest sense of deja-vu.”

“I wonder if it’s a historical artifact,” Elena said thoughtfully. She then pulled out her small journal and pen. “Here, can you describe how it looked? I’ll draw it.” They needed to hurry before the sun had set.

Charlie looked doubtful this would help, but she tried. It was apparently a very simple design, and by the time Elena was done drawing it Charlie reassured her that was an accurate depiction.

“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Elena admitted with a sad shake of her head. “It…I’m sorry to say this. It looks like trash.”

“It does,” Charlie admitted. “Optimus didn’t recognize it either. Maybe the Maximals would?”

Elena looked around, her first thought would be to ask Cheetor but he was talking quietly with Mirage. The conversation looked a bit heated. So she called the Maximal closest to her, “Ratrap? Come here, please!”

The rat obeyed, Bumblebee and Otis following after him.

“Charlie,” her brother groaned, “Tell Ratrap I don’t need a party to celebrate my final win.”
”Charlie,” Ratrap groaned in the exact same tone. “Tell Otis we should celebrate him kicking ass in karate.”

Charlie smiled at the two, “Oh, I don’t know, Otis. He’s right, it’s a big deal. I don’t want to overshadow your accomplishments.”

Bumblebee hummed his agreement, kneeling down next to the small group. Otis looked away with a red face.

“What do you need, honey?” Ratrap asked Elena, coming over to stand before her.

“Do you recognize this?” she showed him the picture. “It’s important to Tigatron. He attacked Optimus and Charlie for it.”

Bumblebee made a low, angry sound. Without looking Charlie stretched her arm back to give his hand a reassuring pat.

Ratrap narrowed his eyes as he studied the picture, but after a few moments he shook his head. “Sorry. I don’t recognize it.”

Otis, apparently over his embarrassment, leaned over Charlie’s shoulder to get a look at the picture. His brow rose, “Hey, I’ve seen that.”

“You have!?” both women and Ratrap looked at Otis with surprise.

“You’ve seen it too,” he told his sister in a tone that suggested she was an idiot. “That’s one of those weird old ‘treasures’ Dad liked to collect. It’s still in that box in the hallway closet back home.”

Charlie covered her mouth, realization dawning. “You’re right…how did I forget that…”

“Because the only thing of Dad’s you cared about was the corvette,” Otis rolled his eyes.

Ratrap was staring at the boy with disbelief.

“Wait, that means there’s more than one piece,” Elena pointed out. “Do they connect? Are they like the transwarp key?”

“I don’t know,” Charlie stood up, “But we need to find out!” She turned and called out for Optimus, Bumblebee followed her, the two eager to share this new discovery.

Ratrap watched the two go, his expression dark.

“Ratrap,” Elena spoke gently. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he reassured her, his head drooping. “I just don’t know why my human friend doesn’t want us to celebrate his achievements. I think it’s very impressive he won gold and I just wish he’d let us-”  

“Ohmygawdfine!” Otis threw his hands up in defeat. “If it’ll make you shut up have a party without food or music or lights!”

Ratrap wagged his tail.

.

 

Otis was wrong about the music, Elena stayed on her log while Bumblebee and Mirage argued about what was the best kind of music to play over the radio. Charlie was jokingly trying to make Otis take a victory lap on Ratrap’s back. The red-faced boy vehemently refused.

Elena leaned back on her hands, staring up at the sky that was now becoming speckled with stars. Tomorrow they would be heading back to New York, maybe even California. Optimus and Primal were talking about going to retrieve the strange object from Charlie’s house, in fear of Tigatron somehow finding out about it’s existence.

It was  a few moments later that a shadow fell over her and Elena smiled up at Cheetor. He was surprisingly, in his robot form.

“Has the party started yet?” she asked with a chuckle.

Cheetor rolled his eyes as he sat next to her. “It’ll be daybreak by the time they decide on anything. Still, it’s nice to do something simple like celebrating an accomplishment.”

“It’s a breath of fresh air,” Elena said.

She glanced from the side of her eye, taking in his human-like form. She still felt-odd, when he looked like that. Almost less approachable.

“You wanted to tell me something?” she reminded him. “Better to tell me know, before we get interrupted again.”

“You’re right,” he said, staring at the crowd. They were a good distance away from them, and no one was paying them any mind.

Still, he was silent.

“Cheetor…” she trailed off.

The Maximal turned his body to face her, his eyes seemed to glower brighter than the lights of New York. “Elena, I’m in love with you.”

She stared up at him, sure she had misheard or misunderstood his words.

“I was under the impression you were in love with me,” Cheetor explained. “When you first gave me that flower, back in Peru. I was caught off guard and didn’t react, but it made me look at you differently. I’ve realized the depth of your passion and loyalty and courage. You have a good heart and I’ve fallen for it.” He reached his hand out as if to touch her but then thought better of it. “When I showed you the lagoon, I was going to confess then. But then we spoke of the flower, and I realized I completely misread your feelings.” He glanced away, as if gathering courage, then turned back to her. “But my own feelings are still strong, they’ve overcome me, and I needed you to know.”

When Elena didn’t say anything he continued, “But please understand, I don’t expect you to return my feelings. You can even pretend I’ve never said anything, and I won’t think less of you for it.”

Elena stared at the grass beneath her feet, mind racing. She thought of how they interacted after she gave him that flower. All that time, he had thought she was in love with him, all that time…he had been falling for her.

But I’m a human…It didn’t make sense? How could that work? How did she feel about it? She liked Cheetor as a friend of course…but could she like him more than that? She wasn’t sure. She had only ever loved history, she had never even had someone confess to her before. And it wasn’t a human but a giant robot that transformed into a cheetah. Her weird life was suddenly that much wierder.

All the while her mind floundered, Cheetor watched her in silence. His expression was unreadable.

“I…” her voice felt dry. “I need time to…process all this.”

Cheetor nodded, “I understand.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You’ve nothing to apologize for, Elena.”

 

.

 

Tigatron stalked away from the clearing, hardly believing none of the Maximals or those Autobots had sensed him. His energon was burning with excitement as he contacted Tarantulas through the comm.

“What-what!?” the spider Predacon answered, sounding irritated.

“They know where the next piece is,” Tigatron growled to him, having heard the conversation between Elena and the other human female. The one he had bitten…

“Really?” Tarantulas’ voice softened with interested.

Tigatron told him what he had heard. “I don’t know the exact coordinates, but it’s somewhere on this continent.”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to head over and ask where the piece is,” Tarantulas stated simply.

“You’re coming here?” Tigatron looked around the dark forest.

“Don’t worry,” the Predacon reassured. “I know how to ask nicely.”

Notes:

Learn from my mistakes. Don't put all your plotpoints in one chapter like this GOODNESS GRACIOUS

Anyway, this chapter title will make sense in a bit.

Chapter 24: Two

Mirage sat off to himself, watching Cheetor talk to Elena. He was so sure the Maximal wouldn’t actually go through with it, that he was bluffing when he said he would confess to Elena. But while he couldn’t hear what they were saying, he saw the shock on Elena’s face, and the resignation on Cheetor’s.

Mirage’s jaw dropped. He actually did it. And the results were…well, they didn’t look good. Elena was no longer looking at Cheetor, and after murmuring one more thing, the Maximal stood up and walked away, head low and tail dragging.

Mirage considered going to check on him, but it looked like Cheetor wanted to be left alone. He actually laid not far from Dinobot, who looked over at the Maximal but didn’t say anything.

The sight of Dinobot gave Mirage a sense of irritation and…oddly enough, courage.

Elena had clearly rejected Cheetor, Mirage’s biggest fear if he did the same. But seeing Dinobot he was reminded of what he had said: Noah is an honorable human, you should be proud of him.

It wasn’t like Mirage disagreed, Noah was fantastic. But he didn’t like the way the two looked at each other when Dinobot had said that. And he didn’t like the thought of Noah spending all his time with Dinobot, of replacing Mirage…

I need to talk to him, I can’t have Dinobot replace me!

He walked past Bumblebee, he was crouching in the grass, having won the radio contest. He was playing music as Charlie, Kris, and Ratrap tried to get Otis to dance with them. Noah had shared a short, clumsy dance with Charlie earlier. Mirage handled that better then if Noah had danced with Elena or Dinobot.

But now the man was sitting on a rock with his mother, watching Charlie and the others. He looked up when Mirage approached and his expression became guarded. “What’s up?”

“Can we talk?” Mirage asked quietly. He glanced at Mrs. Diaz who shared Noah’s expression, and offered the woman a nervous smile. He had imagined the day he’d finally meet Noah’s mom, it had gone much smoother in his head.

“In private?” the Autobot clarified, not wanting to lay his spark out in front of everybody.

Noah hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, “Yeah, okay. I’ll be back in a bit, Ma.”

“Will you be okay?” she asked.

“I’m safe with Mirage,” he reassured her. The four words made Mirage’s pathetic spark swell a bit.

He let Noah take the lead, away from the clearing and into a spot a yard away. The moon was full and offered light as the two stopped. Noah sat on the grass and Mirage joined him, the two not saying a word for a few moments.

“Well,” Noah said after a moment, “What did you want to talk about.”

First thing’s first. “I’m sorry. I’m like, really, really sorry for upsetting you.”

Noah had tensed when the Autobot had apologized, but now he was turning sharply to look up at his friend. “You get why I’m upset, right? The whole thing?”

Mirage blinked, “Uh, because you thought I thought it was funny? That you were upset?”

“That’s one thing,” Noah ran his fingers through his hair. “You know if you get hurt, I’m going to blame myself, right?”
”What?” Mirage’s brow furrowed and he leaned forward. “Why would you blame yourself? You didn’t do anything?”

“I did though,” Noah indicated to Mirage’s body. “I did that. What if you aren’t as strong now? What if by me fixing you, you can’t handle hits like you used to?”

“I can though!” Mirage stated. “I don’t know if you remember this, but we fought a robot that was half the size of a skyscraper.”

“It being big didn’t make it strong,” Noah pointed out. “What if you run into another Con like Scourge? You know-the bot who nearly killed you because of me?”

“Now you’re blaming yourself for that?”

“No, I just-” Noah shook his head. “Clearly that battle affected me more than it did you!”

“You shouldn’t let it affect you like this, then,” Mirage said. He lifted his chin proudly, “I’m Mirage, remember. The best spy, nay, the best Autobot in Prime’s team. I can handle Scourge, I can handle giant sea robots, I can handle-”

“You’re doing it again,” Noah cut in. “You’re acting like this is all a joke.”

“I am not!” Mirage snapped, feeling frustration well up. He hadn’t even confessed yet. “This is how I talk!”

“You don’t take anything seriously,” Noah wasn’t listening. He stood up as if he was ready to go. “Thanks for the apology, but you’re still making me feel like it’s stupid of me to worry about you, making me feel like I’m an idiot for thinking you took our friendship seriously. I’ll just-”

Mirage moved forward, so quickly it caught Noah off guard and he fell onto his back. Mirage loomed over him, glaring and feeling his steam with come off his body.

“You are the only think I take seriously!” he snapped. Noah stared up at him with surprise and Mirage felt a wave of mortification. That wasn’t how he had planned this confession either. And he had thought about it, many times.

“I’m going to fight and joke that’s just who I am! But don’t even consider thinking that means I don’t care about you. That I don’t worry about you. I’m sorry I’m not as serious and poised as Dinobot-”

“What does Dinobot have to do with this?”

“Or as flawlessly pretty and smart as Elena-”

“What does Elena have to do with this?”

“But I want you, and I want to think that’ll be enough!”

The last confession he had imagined in his head, it was when he watched that movie; The Mask. The main character had danced with the hot blond and kissed her, Mirage had imagined himself in that situation, more than once.

To hell with it.

He had to hold himself back from breaking Noah’s jaw, slamming his mouth against the man’s. His mouth felt both soft and coarse from his stubble and Mirage realized he had never had an idea of what kissing Noah would feel like.

He liked how it felt.

And he was about to force his mouth away when he felt Noah return the kiss, his own human glossa licking the inside of Mirage’s mouth. The man’s hands reached up to deepen the kiss and Mirage put his hand on Noah’s back. Did he feel as hot as Mirage felt? The Autobot couldn’t tell.

After a moment Noah pulled away, sudden and panting as if he just realized what he was doing. The two stared at each other, the glow of Mirage’s optics lighting up Noah’s flushed features.

“Sorry,” the Autobot mumbled, remembering he wasn’t in a movie. “I just…sorry.” It was then his processor caught up with itself and he looked at Noah in a wondering kind of way. “You kissed me back…”

“Yeah…” Noah murmured, sounding like he didn’t believe it either. “I…I wanted to.” His hands were still on Mirage.

The Autobot leaned forward, wanting to kiss again. But Noah gently pushed him back, his expression apologetic and beseeching. “We need to think this through.”
”We do?” Mirage’s wasn’t proud of how his voice whined. “What’s there to think about?”
”We’re-we’re different, Mirage,” Noah pointed out the obvious. “We can’t just go ahead like-like a normal couple.”

“Are we a couple?” Mirage asked eagerly.

“I don’t know,” Noah contiuned. “You dropped this on me and I don’t want to rush forward without thinking about this. About how this…would work.”

Mirage stared at his friend, hating that Noah was right. It was close to what Optimus had said. A human and a Cybertronian were an odd match and they had much to consider. Even though Mirage thought Noah was worth running into this without a plan, he wanted to respect his friend’s wishes. But there was still one thing…

“But you like me?” he breathed, barely above a whisper. “At least, more than you like Dinobot?”

Noah gave him a look that was both flabbergasted and amused, “Of course I like you more than Dinobot. I like you more than anyone-OOF!” The last noise came out cause Mirage had buried his face into Noah’s chest, pushing the man closer against him.

Before Mirage could say more, or let Noah drag him back to the others, the sound of sobbing caught their attention.

“Noah! Noah!”

The two scrambled to their feet, now on high alert. “That’s Charlie!” Noah said, hurrying forward. Mirage followed, keeping a look out. Something bad had happened.

Charlie burst out of the trees, nearly making the two jump out of their skin. She looked horrid, crying uncontrollably with hair a mess and body shaking.

“Charlie, what happened?” Noah demanded, eyes wide with concern.

“I need you help,” she sobbed, turning and running off. “Help me, please!”

The two followed her, Mirage was confused on why she was running away from the clearing. Then the image of Tigatron filled his head and he felt a new wave of dread. Did Bumblebee take her out on a moonlight stroll and got attacked? Was that ‘Maximal’ tracking them?

Oh, I’ll give him something to track!

Charlie had rushed out into a new clearing, larger than the one they had left. It was bathed in moonlight but otherwise completely empty.

Charlie stood a few feet away, staring at them with relief and gratitude. “Thank you for coming,” she sobbed happily.

“Where is everyone?” Noah demanded, looking around. “What do you need us to do?”
”Not much,” Charlie’s voice sounded weird. “Just stand right there.” And then she vanished into thin air.

A holoform, Mirage realized just as a sudden weight knocked into the Autobot’s back, sending him to the ground. He saw nothing but grass and dirt as a pair of claws (that were too long to be Tigatron’s) pressed his head down. Completely immobilized, Mirage heard Noah yell out his name, followed by something letting out a pitying yet mocking laugh.

Chapter 25: Three

Otis and Kris eventually got tired. The two going over to Mrs. Diaz who was also getting ready to get some sleep. Charlie could hear her mumbling about having to sleep on the ground. But Otis was pulling out a blanket from his suitcase so she and Kris wouldn’t have to lay on the grass. At least the night air was warm and comfortable.

Noah and Mirage had walked off and had yet to come back, hopefully they had made up and were friends again.

Charlie looked around. Elena was laying with her head and arms on that log the two girls had sat on. Cheetor was curled up not far away, but he seemed so stiff to Charlie. Perhaps it was just her imagination.

Optimus, Primal, Arcee, and Rhinox were clustered together near where Stratosphere had rested. They had fixed up his wing and the plane went on a solo flight to make sure things were in working order. If all went well they’d be flying him back to New York.

Charlie couldn’t help feeling enthralled by the Maximals. Not that the Autobots weren’t impressive, they were, but the Maximals were so large and so similar to animals that were from a planet light years away. According to what Noah told her, they had always had these alt-modes, which left a lot of unanswered questions.

Speaking of Maximals, she looked over to Ratrap and Dinobot. The latter having returned to his spot under the tree and the smaller bot not far off, clearing keeping one eye open to watch Dinobot. Charlie wondered if Ratrap would ever relax around the raptor-like robot. Once in a while it seemed they almost enjoyed each other’s company, or at least, enjoyed messing with each other.

But like a moth to flame Charlie’s attention turned back to Bumblebee. He was sitting in front of her, similar to how he sat years ago, when she tried to fix his radio and activated Prime’s message. So much time had passed, and even though he had changed, a part of Bumblebee was still the same. It was comforting.

He was playing a Smiths song, which Charlie appreciated. She was pretty sure he still wasn’t a fan.

“Hey,” she said quietly. Her arms were held behind her back and she felt a bit of a blush warm her ears.

“Hey,” his radio repeated, just as softly.

Charlie had danced with Kris and even managed to get Otis to participate, now she offered her hand out to Bee. “I saved the last dance for you.”

She hoped she wasn’t over analyzing the way his blue eyes lit up. Music still playing he stood up and pulled Charlie up into his arms in one smooth motion. Immediately Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his shoulder, being taken back to the garage as Bumblebee gently swayed.

Had that hug been the start of it all? Bumblebee had given her something she had desperately needed, and she had held onto that feeling for seven years. It felt like it was flourishing now, burning like a strong fire while Bumblebee’s arms were wrapped around her.

“Told you I was a good dancer…” Bumblebee suddenly quoted Casper. Charlie pushed her face into his metal skin, smiling. And then like the love-struck teenager she used to be, she found herself begging him to continue the line.

Can I keep you? Please say it, Bee. I need you to be the one to say it… It was selfish and evenly cowardly but if Bumblebee said that, Charlie would say yes. She’d figure out all the messy stuff later. His arms were around her and they were listening to the Smiths and that was all that mattered.

Just say it…Her mouth felt thick like cotton and she knew she couldn’t get any words out. Please keep me…

 

.

 

Bumblebee thought of finished the line. He wondered if Charlie would think he was being serious. If she did, he could go along with it, it would be out in the open. She’d agree to stay with him in New York and things would be so, so much better. She could become an official part of the team like Noah. She had fixed him up once, maybe she could become the team’s medic? That would be wonderful.

He reached his hand up to stroke her hair, he adored her hair. It would be so wonder…

Bumblebee started, noticing Optimus in the corner of his optic. The Autobot leader had not moved from his spot next to the others, but his blue gaze was watching Bumblebee with sadness and knowing. Bumblebee felt a sense of guilt and doubt drag his hand back down.

Optimus needed him to stay focused, the scout owed his leader so much. Charlie had a life waiting for her back in California, a safe, secure, steady life-far away from Bumblebee. He knew that, he hated it, it made him feel sick, but Optimus had been right.

“You should get some sleep,” Bumblebee said through his radio, carefully placing Charlie on the ground.

The girl looked taken aback for a second, holding onto his neck for a moment longer. If she hadn’t dropped her hands in the next klik Bumblebee may have lost his self-disclipine and scooped her back up.

“You’re right…” she breathed, keeping her eyes down. “It’s been a long and stressful day for me.”

Bumblebee nodded, thinking of the voice she had told them about. That’s no doubt Cybertronian related. It wouldn’t be happening if we hadn’t found each other.

Charlie murmured a good night and turned to walk over to her brother. Bumblebee felt like he had just betrayed her, he felt like he had betrayed himself. That had only happened once before… Why did it have to happen again?

Feeling like gravity was weighing him down Bumblebee walked over to Optimus. His leader looked at him silently, both sympathetic and grateful. He opened his arm a bit and Bumblebee let himself lean against his leader, for just a second. He was with the Autobots, he was where he belonged. And Charlie belonged…somewhere else.

Right?

 

.

 

Otis was watching Charlie as she walked over. Mrs. Diaz and Kris were curled up asleep. She kept her eyes downcast, for some reason feeling like Bumblebee had just rejected her.

“We need to talk,” her brother said before Charlie could even sit down.

She wanted to tell him to wait until morning, but Otis stood up, grabbed her wrist, and led her off toward the trees. If any of the bots noticed, they didn’t react.

“Otis, what is it?” Charlie asked, she was tired and hurt and wanted to lay down.

Her brother dropped her arm and turned to face her, looking like he was about to accuse her of a crime. “Be honest with me.”
”What?”

“You aren’t just friends with Bumblebee, are you?” Otis demanded.

Charlie blinked, having not expected him to ask such a question. And maybe if she wasn’t exhausted and stressed and sad, she would’ve lied. “I really think I do,” she rasped.

Otis shook his head as if he couldn’t wrap his head around it. But all he said was, “It couldn’t work.”
”Don’t you think I know that?” she asked him, throwing her hands up. “I don’t even think he feels the same way-but even if he did I know we can’t marry or buy a house together or have kids. But I still love him, more than I’ve ever loved anyone.”

Why could she have the courage to say these things to Bumblebee himself?

“What about your family?” Otis asked, quietly as if he was scared of the answer.

“What do you mean?”

“The Autobots are nice, but it’s so dangerous to be around them,” Otis pointed out. “What if you get ki-”

“Are you two okay?”
The two humans jumped at the sudden voice, Charlie whirling around to see Dinobot popping his head out of the bushes.

“Dinobot, you scared us,” Charlie said. Was she relieved or disappointed it wasn’t Bumblebee overhearing this conversation.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized, slipping out of the buses to stand over the two humans. “I saw you walking away and was concerned. It…it doesn’t feel safe out here.”

“It isn’t safe!” a new voice spoke up. “Because you’re here!”

Ratrap popped out of the buses, right behind Dinobot, and put himself firmly between the dinosaur and the two humans. “Good thing I was watching you, to think you’re out stalking my buddy and dollface over here.”

Dollface? Why did he sometimes talk like he was in the 1920s?

Dinobot rolled his eyes. “I can’t wait for the day you become obessesed with someone else. And then I’ll-” he stopped abruptly, eyes widening.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Ratrap demanded, his back arching slightly.

But Dinobot walked right past the three, snout up in the air and breathing deeply. He walked further into the woods. Ratrap scampered after him, and Charlie found herself following the two. Otis was her shadow.

“Dinobot, what is it?” Charlie called, feeling a new sense of unease. Maybe they should go back and get the Autobots.

Dinobot stopped abruplty, still breathing in deeply. Charlie wondered what it could possibly be to make him act like this.

But then it was like a switch had been flipped, Dinobot’s entire body went rigid and his eyes flared in terror.

He whirled around to face the three, “Get back to the clearing!”

“What’s wrong?” Ratrap demanded.

“Can’t you smell it? There’s a Terrorcon here!”

Charlie felt a wave of nausea, suddenly remembering Shatter and Dropkick with horrifying clarity.

“Go and get the others,” Dinobot ordered Charlie and Otis. “Tell them to hurry. Ratrap, come with me.” He turned and headed deeper into the trees. Ratrap cast one look over at Charlie and Otis before following.

Otis grabbed Charlie’s hand and nearly dragged her back toward the clearing. She followed after him, looking over her shoulder at the retreating robots. It was like a storm of foreboding was hovering over the forest.

Something bad was going to happen.

 

.

 

Ratrap stayed practically under Dinobot as the two slinked through the woods.

“If this is an ambush, don’t think I can’t handle two Terrocons,” Ratrap growled. “I’ll bite your tail off and use it to-”

“Stop talking,” Dinobot turned and fiercely whispered at the smaller bot. Ratrap couldn’t help being taken aback but how scared and frantic Dinobot looked. It didn’t feel staged, the Predacon wasn’t that good of an actor.

Ratrap smelled the sent of course, and it carriged the tang of a Terrocon. But there was a scent under it too, a familiar one he couldn’t identify.

He identified it a moment later when the two looked past a patch of trees into a new, much larger clearing.

Mirage was lying on his stomach, a stranger pinning him down. Noah was a few feet away, looking to be saying something but Ratrap couldn’t hear him.

The Maximal studied the aggressive stranger, the one that smelled like a Terrorcon. He was a mixture of white and gray, spikes studded across his body and a spider-like maw that moved as he whispered something to Mirage.

Dinobot was tense next to Ratrap, and he breathed out two words; sounding like a scared sparkling: “It’s Transit.”

Notes:

Eletor Shippers: Get a confession
Norage Shippers: Get a kiss
Charbee Shippers: Get nothing XD

Patience is a Heavenly virtue and I'm afraid you guys will have to exercise it a bit. Especially since the next chapter is going to be lengthy and I don't know when it'll be done. And I'm considering taking a short break afterwards to finish planning out the rest of the fic.
But I do promise Charbee shippers will be fed.

Chapter 26: Attack

“Seriously?” the bot had a knee digging into Mirage’s back. “I should have just left a trail of energon candies on the ground.” He leaned forward so his maw was right next to the Autobot’s helm. “You couldn’t make it a bit more fun? Put up a fight?”

“Who the hell are you?” Mirage snapped, struggling under the bot’s greater weight. “Let me up I’ll show you fun!”

Noah stood a few feet away, fists flexing, trying to think of a way out of this. The bot wasn’t paying Noah any mind, perhaps he could make a break for it and go get Prime. But he hated the thought of abandoning Mirage like that, what if this bot killed him while Noah was gone?

I’m such an idiot, Noah berated himself. He should have realized something was wrong about that ‘Charlie’. He should have considered  how uncanny the hologram had been. Though how this stranger got a hold of Charlie’s likeness he had no idea.

“Oh, thank you for asking,” the robot purred down at Mirage. “My name is Transit.”
”Are you a Decepticon?”Mirage demanded, trying to look up at the bot from the corner of his eye. Noah tried to make out any sort of insignia on Transit’s body, but it was too dark.

The bot chuckled, as if the question was funny. And then he turned his bright red eyes to Noah.

“You must be Noah Diaz,” he greeted silkily. “I thought you’d be taller.”

Noah felt a thump of fear in his chest as he looked into the bot’s eyes. There wasn’t hatred there, barely even aggression. It was like he was an insignificant bug in the robot’s perspective.

Mirage had immediately started to struggle again when Transit turned to Noah. “You stay away from him-”

Transit grabbed Mirage’s head and slammed it back into the ground, cutting the Autobot off.

“Don’t-” Noah stepped forward, unsure what he had planned to do. But in one swift moment Transit pulled his free arm toward the man. His hand had transformed into a humming cannon that was pointed directly at Noah’s heart.

“If you’re going to be stupid, you better be bullet proof,” Transit warned.

“Noah, get out of here,” Mirage begged, his voice muffled by the ground.

Transit’s optics narrowed, “If you’re going to run-you better be fast.”

“ENOUGH!”

Noah had never been more happy to hear yelling. He turned to see Optimus step out of the trees from the right of the clearing. Behind him came the rest of the Autobots and Maximals, looking like an imposing force. Noah glanced over at Transit, expecting him to look frightened or at least intimidated; but instead the bot looked excited.

“You’re all here,” he breathed, “Even Dinobot.”

The raptor was practically hiding behind Primal, staring at Transit with open horror, which didn’t make Noah feel any better. How could he still be scared of a single bot when he was outnumbered?

“Release him,” Prime ordered, his voice thick with threat.

To Noah’s surprise, Transit relented, straightening up into a standing position. Instantly Mirage lunged for Noah, mid transformation. Now in car mode he drove Noah toward the Autobots, putting them behind Rhinox and Bumblebee.

“You really are all here in one place,” Transit stated, gazing at them like he had found a lost civilization. “I was wrong, this doesn’t make it boring. Defeating you all in one go will be my greatest triumph.”

Arcee snorted rudely, “Big talk for an outnumbered bot.”

Prime gazed at Transit thoughtfully, “I know you.”

“I’m touched,” the bot replied.

“Who is this, Prime?” Primal asked, glowering at the bot with open dislike.

“His name is Transit,” Prime explained. “He’s a Decepticon.” He turned back to the Con, “Is Megatron here with you?”

His voice was neutral, but Noah wondered if the idea of the Decepticon leader made Prime nervous. Bumblebee had told him what a powerful gladiator Megatron had been.

But Transit threw his head back and laughed. “You haven’t been keeping up with this war, have you Optimus Prime? No one’s heard from Megatron in ages!”

The Autobots all went tense, Arcee and Bumblebee looked at each other. Optiumus’ had his back to Mirage so Noah couldn’t see the bot’s reaction.

“I imagine he’s rusting on some nothing planet somewhere,” Transit shrugged, clearly not bothered by the thought. “Which you’ll be doing soon as well.”

Dinobot looked to the Autobot leader, his voice quiet as he spoke, “Optimus, he’s not a Decepticon anymore. He’s a Terrorcon.”

“Yes,” Transit agreed, having heard the quiet words. “I’ve found a…let’s call it a higher calling, something bigger than a pathetic Cybertronian civil war that’s floundering without a purpose.”

Arcee scowled and Bumblebee’s antenna pressed back against his head like an angry cat. Even Mirage thrummed with a growling noise. They clearly didn’t like hearing the war they had fought and risked everything for be called meaningless.

“It still pains me that I couldn’t assist Scourge, Nightbird, and Battletrap in fixing up the transwarp key and letting my master feast on this planet. But I was busy chasing that one around the solar system.” Transit pointed to Dinobot and Noah didn’t mistake the intense loathing burning in the Con’s eyes. Dinobot took a step back. “But Unicron has sent me to finish what’s been started.”

“There is nothing to finish,” Primal growled, voice deep and loud. “The key is destroyed! Your master will never be able to touch this planet!”

“Oh, I know,” Transit said, his voice eerily calm as he looked at the Maximal. “And so does Unicron. He’s made the decision that any planet that can’t serve him, is a planet that no longer needs to exist.” He looked around the forest, “I’m going to destroy this place, leave it a husk of what it once was-kill every last living thing on it…” He turned to glare up at the Autobots and Maximals. “But first I have strick orders to kill all of you and your human pets for destroying my master’s plans and killing his followers. Scourge was useless, but his loyalty was something to admire… But, I’m not unreasonable.” He pulled his arms out, as if physically offering the new option. “I can make your deaths quick and painless, if you hand over Dinobot right now.”

The raptor flinched, eyes widening.

“He had the option to follow Unicron, and he betrayed and abandoned us all. That’s something I have no tolerance for,” Transit growled. “And he’ll suffer for it.”

Surprisingly Ratrap, who had stayed still and quiet, jumped forward to stand in front of Dinobot. “Sorry bub, but if anyone’s going to kill Chopper-Face it’s going to be one of us!”

“He is under the Maximals’ protection,” Primal stood at Ratrap’s side. “We will not hand him over to you.”

“The Maximals’ protection?” Transit echoed, incredulous. “What good is that? Aren’t there like, four of you left?”

Rhinox grumbled angrily, and it was at this time Noah realized Cheetor wasn’t here. He turned back to Transit, just in time to see a familiar yellow figure silently slip out of the trees, stalking toward Transit. In one smooth move Cheetor jumped onto the Con’s back and dug his fangs into his neck.

Noah waited to see the blue blood call energon pour out-but nothing. Cheetor’s bite didn’t even leave a dent.

Transit glanced at the Maximal and rolled his eyes. “Please.”

The con grabbed Cheetor’s head and threw him across the clearing like he was made of paper. “Alright then,” he stated to the group. “I’m no longer reasonable.” He aimed his canon at the tree line, but instead of a blast of energy fire shot out. Flames that felt more alien than earthly attacked the trees, hungrily devouring them and rapidly turning into a giant inferno.

“Let’s heat things up!” Transit declared.

With a battle cry Primal led the group down hill into the clearing, rushing toward Transit like a stampede. Before he followed Prime looked down at Mirage, “Get all the humans and get them somewhere safe now!” And then he was gone.

Mirage obeyed, driving off into the trees back to their camp. His headlights were unnecessary, a hellish red light was illuminating the forest as the fire raged.

“They can beat him, right?” Noah needed Mirage to reassure him. “We beat three Terrorcons and an army before, we can take down one more.”

Mirge didn’t’ answer, but Noah could probably guess what he was thinking: Scourge could be wounded.

Just as they reached the clearing Noah nearly flew out of the driver seat before Mirage stopped, fear for his mother and brother making him reckless. “Mom! Kris! We need to-”

The five humans were huddled in a corner. Otis and Elena protectively in front of Kris, Mrs. Diaz and Charlie holding branches like weapons. Noah turned to see what they were looking at and felt sick.

It was Tigatron. He was standing on the other side of the clearing, his tail flicking back and forth, his amber eyes frustrated.

 

.

 

Charlie felt a wave of relief when she saw Noah and Mirage run into the clearing. They were safe. But no other Autobot or Maximal followed them.

Charlie felt a wave of worry. After sending the team off to Dinobot and Ratrap she had woken up the Diaz family and Elena so they could all keep watch-and run if they needed to. When she saw the tell-tall glow and smoke of a forest fire, running had been the exact plan. They could’ve followed the old hiking path back out of the woods.

But just then a familiar white shape slithered out of the trees and Charlie wondered if she would have to try and fight the bot that left scars on her stomach.

Mirage immediately aimed his gun at Tigatron, who bristled at the reaction.

“Back off!” the Autobot warned.

Tigatron glared at Mirage for a moment, but then he turned back to the humans, but then he looked directly at Charlie.

“I need you to come with me,” his voice was practically a beg.

Charlie stared, dumbfounded.

“You have a piece of the transmetal,” Tigatron explained. Charlie remembered the object he had nearly killed her and Prime to get. “Please, just help me get it and nothing bad will happen.”

Charlie didn’t believe that for a second, and clearly neither did Mirage.

“Not gonna happen, Stripes,” the Autobot growled.

Tigatron glanced at Mirage, “I’m not asking for your permission.” He took a step toward Charlie, “You will have to come with me whether you want to or not-”

A yellow blur slammed into Tigatron, knocking him across the grass. Charlie felt a burst of relief and joy at the sight of the corvette. Bumblebee transformed into robot mode, facing off against Tigatron who scrambled to his paws. The Maximal looked taken aback by the sudden ambush.

“Bee-” she called.

Bumblebee whirled around, and his eyes were bright red: “Run!”

Mirage didn’t see Bumblebee’s red gaze but he transformed back into his car mode and threw the doors open. Elena grabbed Charlie’s arm and dragged her to Mirage. The two climbing inside as Mirage drove off.

Charlie watched from the rear window to see Bumblebee lunge at Tigatron, the Maximal meeting him halfway. The two fell to the ground in a mess of fighting limbs.

“Bee, he’s-he’s angry,” Elena murmured, watching Bumblebee and Tigatron disappear as the trees blocked their view.

“I’m not surprised,” Mirage stated. “Not after Tigatron nearly bit Charlie in half.”

“WHAT’S GOING ON!?” Mrs. Diaz shrilled from the passenger seat. She was holding onto Kris who had buried his face against his mother. Clearly trying to be brave but Charlie could see him shaking.

“What was that!?”
”It’s okay, Mom,” Noah said from the driver’s seat. “We’re going to get you to safety.”

“What is going on?” Elena demanded.

“Where are the rest of the Autobots and Maximals?” Charlie asked.

“Me and Mirage were attacked by a Terrorcon,” Noah explained. “His name is Transit, he’s-he’s different from the other Terrorcons we fought.” He looked down at the steering wheel. “Mirage, when you get us out of these woods you need to go back and help.”
”I will,” the Autobot promised. “I don’t know what I can do to help, but I will.”

“What’s that tiger thing?” his mother demanded to know. She was clearly struggling to stay calm for her youngest son’s sake. She turned to look at Charlie, “Why did it want you to come with it?”

“It thinks I have something it wants,” Charlie said. She felt sick, realizing Tigatron had been watching them and had heard her and Elena talk about it.

“We should’ve stayed in New York,” Otis murmured, sitting between Charlie and the door. He looked ready to jump out at any time.

“Don’t worry, kid!” Mirage said. “Our friends will keep Transit away and Bumblebee is going to hang Tigatron out to dry. Besides the forest fire, we don’t have anything else to worry about!”
Just as he said this a purple beam of steel shot out of the darkness, stabbing the ground right in front of them. Mirage had to stop so abruptly, Noah threw his arm out to protect his mother and Kris from hitting the dashboard. Elena hit her back against his seat, having been still watching through the rear view window. Otis let out a pained grunt as his face smacked into the back of the passenger seat. Charlie, having sat in the middle, was flown forward to land painfully on the center console.

Before they could recover from the sudden stop, the back of Mirage’s car dipped slightly. Something had grabbed him from behind.

“Get out,” Mirage ordered immediately, voice shrill. He started to be pulled backward by what had grabbed him. “Get out GET OUT!”

The humans did, scrambling out and falling to the hot grass as Mirage transformed into his car mode just as he was lifted out of the air.

What held him up by his leg was a bot, of course. Through the glow of the forest fire that was coming closer, Charlie could make out that it had some sort of arachnid theme going on.

“Who are you!?” Mirage demanded, more angry than scared as he struggling to break free.

The spider robot tossed him aside, Mirage landing roughly nearly a yard away.

“Mirage-” Noah called out, if not for his mother and brother beside him Charlie was sure he'd rush over to his friend.

With the Autobot momentarily stunned, the bot turned to look at the humans huddled together.

“Oh no,” he murmured, his voice high-pitched and unpleasant. “I don’t know which one of you I’m suppose to take.”

Charlie swallowed. Why did he need to take any of them? Was he working with Transit? Or Tigatron? The Maximal had wanted to take her.

She saw Mirage jump to his feet and fired several blasts at the bot, hitting him directly in the shoulder. The bot let out a nasty hiss of pain and turned to glower at Mirage.

“Go! Get out of here!” Mirage yelled at the humans just before jumping onto the bot’s back. The two struggled as Noah helped his mother to her feet, took Kris from her, and led them down the path. Charlie and Elena running after them.

Charlie glanced over her shoulder, hating having to leave Mirage to face whoever this bot was on his own. But just as she looked around she saw a blue circle of energy appear, directly behind the two bots. The spider then shot out one of it’s long, metal longs toward the group of fleeing people, like he wanted to grab one.

And he succeeded.

 

.

 

There was something different about Transit. He was a formidable fighter, and quick for someone of his size. But that wasn’t what made him stand out: even with them all attacking, their guns, blades, claws, and fangs did no damage to Transit’s body-not even a scratch.

Scourge and his ilk had been strong enemies, but they had not been invincible. Transit made some comment on how Unicron did not make the same mistake twice, and had given the Terrorcon an impressive upgrade.

He kicked Prime away, fired a blast at Cheetor who just barely managed to dodge. Ratrap jumped onto his shoulder and he flicked him away as if he were a piece of trash.

The forest fire had reached the grass around them, sending out lines of flame that-while it wouldn’t kill the bots-became another obstacle for them to dodge.

At one point they lost Transit in the flames, Dinobot had done his best to stay at the edge of the fight, not coming near the Con. But now he was alone, now he was rendered still as stone as Transit stepped out of a wall of fire and marched toward the traitor.

“This is going to be good for us, Dinobot,” Transit insisted to him. “You’ll help me fufill Unicron’s orders, you couldn’t ask for a better reason to die.”

Dinobot snarled, feeling like a helpless sparkling in the shadow of his former ally. But just before Transit reached him, Primal appeared, putting himself firmly between Dinobot and the Terrorcon.

“You will not harm him!” the Maximal leader roared. “He is under my protection.”

“Your protection?” Transit stopped, looking Primal over. “You think you can save him?” He flicked his wrist and two holograms sudddenly appeared before the Maximal.

One was Apelinq, the former Maximal leader, being nearly ripped in half by Scourge. The other was of Primal, being forced to crush Airazor to death. It was a bird eye’s view, and Dinobot realized these holograms were from Unicron’s point of view.

“You couldn’t even save them,” Transit goaded.

Primal was staring at the holograms with horror and guilt and grief, and didn’t react in time when Transit shot his hand out and grabbed the Maximal’s neck.

“And you definitely can’t save yourself.”

“PRIMAL!” Dinobot choked out the name. Move your body! Attack! Shield him! Don’t be the reason the leader of the Maximals dies!

But Dinobot’s fear kept him rooted and he watched helplessly as Transit held up his other arm, a blade brandished and ready to go through Primal’s head. Then suddenly Rhinox appeared through the flames, slamming his giant body into Transit. The hit sent Transit into a pair of trees, making them bend under the impact. Rhinox charged at the stunned Con, Arcee on his back.

Rhinox stabbed his horn into Transit’s torso, trying to break through his impenetrable armor. Arcee jumped off Rhinox’s back to land on Transit’s shoulders and tries to stab at his head. But try as the two might they didn’t even make a dent. Transit threw off Arcee and blasted a wave of flame at Rhinox, sending the Maximal fleeing from the scorching pain.

“Come on, now!” Transit yelled at his enemies. “You bested Scourge! Show me what you’re really made of, before I rip it out of you!”

Primal had dropped to his knees, seemingly overcome by what Transit had shown him. Dinobot could now move, and rushed to his side. “Primal, I’m sorry!”

The Maximal leader looked up at him, optics dark.

“I’m so sorry,” Dinobot’s voice was a beg. “But we have to go! We can’t beat him! We have to run!”

 

.

 

Tarantulas slipped through the ground bridge he had summoned, quickly pulling it shut. He didn’t need that annoying whelp of an Autobot trying to follow him. He had been upset that he had grabbed one of his little fleshbags.

It struggled in Tarantulas’ grip now, screaming at him but he barely payed attention.

He hadn’t had any set coordination in mind when he pulled up the ground bridge. Just a little further away into the woods. But he had been placed near the heart of the forest fire, and down in a clearing he saw figures fighting amongst themselves. He blinked in surprise when he recognized Primal. Was that Cheetor? He thought there were all in Peru? They-and some of those Autobots he had been told about-were fighting an impressive looking bot. He seemed to be holding his own fairly well considering how outnumbered he was. And the more Tarantulas watched, the more of an idea came into his processor.

All of a sudden, across the clearing, a familiar white shape popped out of the burning tree line.

It was Tigatron, being chased down by a yellow bot. The Maximal stumbled and ran around the fighting, keeping out of sight of his former allies. But the yellow bot saw his friends struggling with the stranger and rushed in to help.

“Come here,” Tarantulas said over his comm link to Tigatron. The white Maximal started, looking around before seeing Tarantulas up on the hill. He obediently ran up to him, and the Predacon saw he was wet with energon, large wounds across his body.

“Oh, wow,” Tarantulas chuckled. “That little guy tore you a new one, didn’t he?”

Tigatron didn’t react to the question, his optics turning to the little human Tarantulas held. It had stopped screaming, instead it was coughing violently. Probably from the smoke.

“What are you doing?” Tigatron asked the Predacon.

“Oh, you said one of them knew where the transmetal piece is,” Tarantulas answered easily, waving the human around a bit.

“But that’s not the one!” Tigatron panicked. “That’s Elena!”

Tarantulas looked at the newly named human. This Elena stared back at him with hateful, wet eyes. He shrugged, “A hostage is a hostage. If the Maximals like her so much, they’ll do what we say if we have her.”

He turned back down to the battle, “Now, there’s one thing I want to do before we go.”

 

.

 

Elena could barely breathe. This spider bot was tall enough that his head was directly in the fire’s smoke, which meant she was as well. She struggled to catch her breath after every cough. She thought she would vomit.

Panicked and frightened she couldn’t even pay attention to what Tarantulas said to Tigatron. But her attention was finally grabbed when the two headed down hill to the battle.

Are they going to attack the Maximals and Autobots? She wanted to yell out a warning but her lungs ached. Instead she was forced to silently watch what unfolded:

Tarantulas pressed something on his arm and a blue portal suddenly appeared behind the bot that had to be Transit. He had nearly been about to crush Bumblebee under his foot, but was distracted when the portal appeared. And in the short moment he turned to look at it, Tigatron rushed forward and pushed the Terrorcon into the portal. It immediately closed behind Transit, trapping him wherever the portal had led to.

And then all attention was on Tigatron and Tarantulas, the latter coming to stand behind the striped Maximal.

“Tigatron,” Primal spoke as if he couldn’t believe his former friend was here.

“Tarantulas,” Rhinox growled. “Tigatron, are you working with Tarantulas!?”

But then Cheetor appeared in her line of sight, bristling and terrifying with his teeth bared. “ELENA!” he roared.

She stared desperately at her friend. Please save me!

“Let her go!” Cheetor ordered the spider bot, Tarantulas.

“You’re misunderstanding what’s happening here,” Tarantulas began. “Little Elena here, is coming with us.” He moved the leg that held her until she was nearly pressed against his chest. “But I’ll be happy to return her with her head still attached-as long as you fetch me the transmetal piece.”

“What?”Optimus blinked. His body was tensed up, and it was clear he would’ve lunged at the bot if it wouldn’t have put Elena at risk.

“I’ll be keeping an optic out for when you do,” Tarantulas continued. “I’ll even be nice and give you three Earth days. If you don’t have it for me by then…” He suddenly increased the pressure on Elena. She didn’t have enough air in her lungs to scream, and instead she broke into a sob, unable to help herself.

She felt the hot air around her vibrate with static and she saw that Tarantulas had opened the portal again. He was taking steps backward, carrying himself and her through it. “I’ll be looking forward to seeing you all again.”

“DON’T YOU DARE!” Cheetor suddenly lunged forward, heading straight for them with break neck speed. But before he reached them Tigatron flung his paw out and slammed it into Cheetor.

It was horrifying, an arc of energon flying through the air before landing on the burning grass. Metal skin ripped off his body as Cheetor fell stumbling to the ground.

Elena tried to sob out his name but her throat closed up.

Tigatron, who had had his back arched, suddenly relaxed, staring at his soaked paw as if he didn’t realize what he had just done.

The rest of the Maximals and Autobots rushed forward, yelling out for Cheetor, for Elena, begging Tigatron not to go with Tarantulas.

But the spider bot wrapped two arms around Tigatron and dragged him along into the blue void. Elena tried to look at Cheetor one last time, but then they passed through the portal.

Her world went white-and Elena was completely alone.

Notes:

Think I'm gonna go on a break now, try to plan out the rest of the fic.

Chapter 27: Alliance

Notes:

Hey

The portal ripped the smoke out of Elena’s lungs, making it easier to breathe.

And easier to cry.

Her vision was blurry as she struggled against Tarantulas, the Cons’ grip squeezing her ribs.

As she struggled she tried to look around at where the portal had taken them. Past her tears she thought she was in some kind of lair. Appropriate, but awful. Where on Earth did they take her? Was she even still on Earth?

A white shape caught her eye, Tigatron was stepping into the middle of the lair, his head low and tail dragging. At the sight of him Elena felt heart ache and fury tear into her chest like a wild animal.

“HE WAS YOUR FRIEND!” she shrieked, her voice echoing in the large lair. The image of Cheetor laying on the grass played over and over in her mind. She didn’t even see all the damage Tigatron had done, she just saw so much energon…

“CHEETOR WAS YOUR FRIEND! HE TRUSTED YOU, TIGATRON, HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!?”

Tigatron looked up at her, green eyes bleak and almost wet looking. Like he was on the verge of tears.

What does he have to cry over!? Elena’s teeth grinding together, feeling like they’d shatter. If Cheetor’s dead it’s because he tried to save me! He told me he loved me and I couldn’t even respect him enough to give him an answer.

If Elena had eaten that day she would’ve thrown up.

Instead she turned her vitriol on Tarantalus, “My friends are going to come for me! They’ll-” her words came to an immediate stop when she saw past his shoulder. Her heat felt like it had stopped as well.

Tigatron, who had kept his gaze on her noticed her staring and followed it. He let out a wail, a mixture of horror, excitement, and anguish.

“AIRAZOR!”

The fallen Maximal’s body laid on a examination table as if ready for dissection. Her body was still bent and blackened from her final battle, but now dirt was caked between her feathers and claws from where she was buried.

Tigatron had rushed forward, transforming into robot mode to kneel over her, stroking her feathers as he did. His entire body was shaking.

“Why-why do you have her?” Elena’s throat was raw from her cries and screams as she looked at Tarantulas.

The bot, who had seemed to be looking around for something, gave her an annoyed/confused look. “How else would I bring her back?”

“Bring her back?” Elena fit all the pieces together. She turned back to Tigatron. “That’s why you’re doing all this? You think Tarantulas can revive her?”

“Oh, I can,” the Con growled.

“What do you think will happen if she finds out what you’ve done?” Elena demanded waspishly. She thought Tigatron flinched but couldn’t really tell because of his quaking.

“This is all very fascinating,” a voice suddenly drolled. “But if someone doesn’t explain why I’ve been kidnapped, I will kill all of you.”

The voice came from the other side of the lair that was hidden in deep shadow. Tarantulas, looking more excited, hit a switch on a wall and lights lit up. Her jaw dropped as she saw another robotic body, this one massive, red, with barnacles along its arms and body.

Sitting atop it was the spiked Con Tigatron had pushed into the portal: Transit. The one that had tried to kill Noah and Mirage.

“A thousand apologies,” Tarnatlaus nodded to him. “But I thought we should have a talk. And it’s so hard to get a word in when you’re in the middle of a battle.” He extended his arms out, “But an enemy of the Maximals is a friend of mine.”

Transit cocked his head, reminding Elena of a curious bird. “Even if I’m also friends with Unicron? You’re a Predacon, you aren’t upset he ate your planet?”

“What did that planet and its inhabitants ever do for me?”

Elena looked over her shoulder at Tigatron to see if he had a reaction to this. He was watching the two, but kept his arm atop Airazor, as if he was scared someone would take her away.

Elena had to swallow back her returning grief for Airazor, with Cheetor possibly dead and her captured-she had to stay focused.

“Are you interested in following Unicron?” Transit asked. “I noticed what you have on your computer there.”

Said computer was so big Elena wasn’t sure how she didn’t notice it. The screen was covered in an alien text, blue print images of some kind of portal accompanying.

“You’re building a space bridge,” Transit growled, sounding like a cat who had just caught a canary.

“I am,” Tarantulas sounded fairly proud of himself.

“Those are rare,” Transit pointed out. “If one big enough for Unicron could be made…” He trailed off, and it sounded like a threat.

Elena shuddered. She had never heard of a space bridge. Was it like the key? If so she had to do everything in her power to not let Transit get a hold of it.

“Perhaps,” Tarantulas said. Elena honestly couldn’t tell if he had sensed that underlying threat. “But I need the rest of my transmetal first. Those pesky bots keep getting in my way.” He fixed Elena with a stare that made her want to shake like Tigatron. “I’ll be getting it soon though. And when I do I need to get rid of that group before they do something stupid-like try to destroy my space bridge.”

“From what I’m told, that’s pretty in character,” Transit chuckled. As if the fight at the volcano was a cute joke, not the most harrowing thing that had ever happened to her.

“So, let’s make a deal, uh… What’s your name again?”

“Transit,” the Con introduced, sliding off the giant’s body. Elena didn’t bother asking what it was or where it came from. Something worse was happening in front of her. “Former Decepticon, current follower of Unicron. And you?”

“Tarantulas,” the Predacon held out his hand. “And if you help me kill the Autobots and Maximals, I’ll give you the blue prints to my space bridge. With a bit of math, I dare say you may just be able to build one big enough to summon your Unicron.”

“Well, now I feel like I’m taking advantage,” Transit accepted Tarantulas’ hand. “I was already going to kill them all.”

Notes:

Hey so I'm asking you guys not to hold your breath on anymore updates coming soon. I don't wanna say I'm dropping this fic but I'm dealing with such horrendous anxiety that makes it hard to write or draw or any of that. Sadly this fic in particulary got the brunt of it.
So while I might try to update this or try writing other fics, but number one goal is to get to a place anxiety free even if means not engaging with my hobbies.

Again I'm really sorry

Chapter 28: Location

They hid out at an old motel.

There was only one other shabby old vehicle in the parking lot, and it probably belonged to the half asleep man who gave them a room key. Charlie, Noah and their families barely took note of the ratty old beds before heading out to the second floor balcony. It looked out to an empty pool that was growing weeds, a chain link fence exasperating the concrete area from a patch of trees.

This was the reason they had chosen this motel. The pool area was directly behind the building and, along with the trees, was a way for the bots to hide from people driving by.

Charlie leaned on the balcony railing and strained her ears. She could hear the loud sirens of fire trucks, and beyond that the blaze of the forest fire. She dug her nails into her skin.

Please let them be safe, she prayed, trying to swallow a lump in her throat. Please let them save Elena.

 

.

 

“Cheetor!”

Bumblebee couldn’t recognize who had shouted the Maximal’s name, but Primal and Rhinox rushed toward their fallen comrade.

It felt too loud, beyond the yelling of the fire, he could hear sirens that were rapidly approaching. The Autobots and Maximals were yelling at each other, trying to process what had happened.

Elena was taken. That was what kept replaying over and over in his head. That Predacon-Tarantulas-taking her through a ground bridge. They could be anywhere on the planet. And not only that, they were with Tigatron and that Con, Transit. Both bots who had proven themselves dangerous.

“We need to go!” Prime’s voice boomed past the rest of the noise, catching Bumblebee’s buzzing thoughts. His leader pulled his attention to him like an anchor, settling Bumblebee and helping him focus.

But Arcee looked at her leader with dismay. “We can’t leave her!”

“There’s nothing we can do for Elena right now! Don’t you hear the sirens? Humans are coming we need to leave!” He looked toward the Maximals, Cheetor had been placed on Rhinox’s back. “Come with us!”

Bumblebee transformed and followed Prime out of the forest, flinching when a burning branch struck his hood. Bursting out of the trees and onto the road, the night air was a relief. While he, Prime, and Arcee could drive, Primal and the other Maximals had to stay in the woods. More than once fire trucks sped by, but if they saw the giant animals in the trees they didn’t care enough to stop.

They were escaping the last of the fire’s heat when a car suddenly pulled onto the asphalt: Mirage. Without a word he took the lead and the group followed. He led them to a lone building with a patch of trees just big enough for the Maximals to hide in. For a brief moment the group ran across the road, visible if any human drove by. But the roads were empty, and after Dinobot’s tail vanished Mirage led the Autobots to the back of the building where a group of familiar faces stood on a balcony.

“Charlie!” Bumblebee transformed, his relief kicking up his speed as he hurried toward the balcony, his servos clutching the railing. She’s okay. He hadn’t wanted to think of it, but in the back of his mind he had feared Tarantulas had did something to here as well.

“You’re okay,” she unknowingly repeated his thoughts. She reached her hands out and held his face for a moment, the simple gesture settling him more than even Prime could.

“Optimus,” Mirage transformed as he spoke. “Did you see Elena? That eight legged freak he-there was a ground bridge-it all happened so fast! I wanted to go after him but I had to get the other humans somewhere-”

Prime held up his hand, halting Mirage’s rambling. “Yes. We saw Elena.” His shoulders sagged as he sighed, “She has been taken by the Predacon.”

“His name is Tarantulas.” Primal’s deep voice called through the woods. He stepped out of the trees and over the fence to stand next to the Autobots, Rhinox and Ratrap followed while Dinobot stayed in the shadows of the trees.

Mirage and the humans gasped when they saw Cheetor lying on Rhinox’s back. Bumblebee could finally see the wound up close and well-lit. So much of his neck had been clawed off that Bumblebee wondered if his voice box had been destroyed.

“What happened?” Kris’ voice wobbled with fear and his mother clutched him close.

“Tigatron happened,” Ratrap bristled. The small Maximal was pacing around his allies, tail lashing wildly. “He tried to kill Cheetor! He’s working for Tarantulas!”

“Let me guess, that’s the eight legged freak,” Mirage said dryly, his optics dim with anger.

With Primal’s help, Rhinox gently placed Cheetor on the ground. “It should have been me Tigatron injured,” the former mumured, running a knuckle across Cheetor’s temple.

“Is-is he gonna make it,” Noah spoke up for the first time, his voice heavy with concern.

Bumblebee tensed when he saw Cheetor’s optics flicker open. Had he been conscious this whole time?

Ratrap stopped pacing and hurried to sniff at his friend, as if his scent would tell him his recovery status.

“Of course… I’ll be okay,” the feline’s voice was strained and raspy but still working. Cheetor tried to get to his paws. “We need…to save Elena.”

Primal placed a hand on Cheetor’s shoulder, keeping him on his belly. “Rest, friend. We’ll find a way to get her back I promise you.”

“That Tarantulas,” Prime spoke up. “He wants us to retrieve the transmetal piece in exchange for Elena.”

“That must be the piece Tigatron got back at Liberty Island,” Charlie pointed out. “How many-” she trailed off, her eyes widening as if she had just realized something.

“What is it, Charlie?” Prime had caught her look.

“When Otis told me our dad had a piece of the transmetal piece, we were out in the woods.” She looked at her brother, “I think-I think they might have been listening. That’s why they took Elena.”

“Then we’ll have to go get it,” Noah said as if he was in charge.

“We can’t just give him it,” Rhinox pointed out. “I don’t know why Tarantulas wants this thing, but if he gets it there’s no telling how much damage he’ll do with it.”

Ratrap, who had been lying next to Cheetor, suddenly jumped over his friend and scurried to the woods. Dinobot’s optics glowed in the darkness.

“You’re being awfully quiet, Chopper Face,” the Maximal said in an accusing tone. “Think you could help us brainstorm? Since you couldn’t be bothered to help us fight back in the woods?”

Dinobot growled lowly but didn’t respond.

“That’s another problem we must deal with,” Primal grumbled. “That Transit…it’s bad enough he’s been sent by Unicron on a revenge quest. But-none of us could injure him.”

“Think Tarantulas and Tigatron could kill him?” Arcee asked. She was sitting, cross legged, under the balcony. She was toying with her comm device on her wrist, it must’ve gotten damaged.

“I doubt we’d be that lucky,” Ratrap snorted, coming back to the others.

Surprisingly Dinobot followed him, stepping out of the forest-his head low with shame. “The most you can hope for is Transit kills Tarantulas and Tigatron… I don’t know if he’d bother to keep Elena alive.”

Several bodies flinched at Dinobot’s blunt words. Cheetor strained to lift his head and glower at the bot. “What do you know?” he snarled.

“I know Transit. He’s one of the best of Unicron soldiers. He has chased me across galaxies after I abandoned them. I-I don’t think you can beat him.”

His words were met with silence, Cheetor letting his head fall back down. Prime and Primal looked at each other. Bumblebee stepped closer to the humans.

“I’ll still save her,” Cheetor mumbled, optics closed. “Whatever it takes.”

Primal stroked Cheetor’s mane. “Rest,” he ordered again. “We will think of a plan.”

“I still think we should get the transmetal piece,” Noah insisted. “We don’t have to give it to Tarantulas. We can try and trick him so we’ll get Elena back.”

“Be ready to shoot the guy cause I doubt he’d give back Elena even if we did give him the transmetal piece,” Ratrap pointed out.

“We’ll figure that out after we get the piece,” Charlie spoke up. “Stratosphere’s ready to fly now, right?” The plane had flown off on a test flight before the Transit attack. Prime had commed him during the escape, telling him to stay out of sight until called. “He can fly us back to California and I can-”

“You’re going with them?”

During the entire conversation Charlie’s brother had been quiet. But now Otis had stepped forward and was looking at Charlie with a mixture of disbelief and hurt.

She looked at her brother, “Of course. They need my help.”

“No, they don’t,” Otis’s voice was hardening with anger. “They haven’t needed your help since we met them!”

“Otis…” Charlie’s voice was sharp, glancing at the Autobots with embarrassment. “If you wanna talk we can-”  

“No, I wanna hear it!” Otis turned toward the Autobots, but his eyes were straight on Bumblebee, glaring. “Tell me you need Charlie. That whatever you’re going to do you have to have her? Tell me you have to risk her life!”

The robots shifted uncomfortably. Noah was shepherding his own family inside, clearly not wanting to witness the argument.

Charlie grabbed Otis’ arm and tried to drag him inside as well, looking apologetically at the Autobots.

Mirage-Primus bless him-thought it was a good idea to answer Otis. “Well, um, she can be there to open the door to your house…to get the piece…”

“Ratrap can turn into a rat!” Otis snapped at the bot, “He can break in! Hell, Bumblebee could just destroy our house again like last time!”

Bumblebee squirmed at his words, the memory still a source of embarassement.

“That’s enough, Otis!” Charlie snapped, standing over her brother. “What is your deal? Why are you acting like this?”

“YOU COULD DIE!” he yelled, throwing his arms out. “You could die and you don’t even care! I already lost Dad, Charlie! Why do I have to lose my sister too? What about Mom and Ron? You don’t even care how we feel! You’ve always acted like you were the only one who missed Dad-and now you’re acting like I won’t care if you get killed!” Liquid was pouring down Otis’ cheeks now. “We couldn’t do anything about Dad, but you don’t have to put yourself in danger. But you’re obsessed with following him around!” He pointed an accusing finger at Bumblebee who flinched.

Charlie stared at her brother, who was taking heaving breaths. After a moment she slowly grabbed his hand. “Let’s go talk about this,” she murmured quietly. This time Otis let her lead him off the balcony and into the building.

Bumblebee felt his insides squirm, understanding where Otis was coming from. Of course, Bumblebee would give up his own life to protect Charlie. But would that be enough?

 

.

 

“I understand how serious this is.” The two Watson siblings sat in the motel’s stairs. Otis turned away from his sister.

“But I promise I’m taking this seriously. You won’t lose me,” Charlie went on. “And I’m sorry, I know you and Mom grieved for Dad. I know I acted like you two didn’t love and miss him. That was wrong of me. But Otis…” Charlie looked beseeching at him. “This is where I belong.”

He finally looked at her, his eyes blood shot. “With alien robots?”

“Yes,” Charlie nodded, not caring how ridiculous that sounded. “I felt so, so lost when Dad died. If I hadn’t met Bee I don’t know where I’d be right now, but I’m sure my relationship with you, Mom and Ron would be nonexistent. When he’s around, I feel whole.”

Otis kept looked at her, she could’ve sworn he looked pitting. “He’s not even human, Charlie.”

“That doesn’t matter. He’s my friend, and he’ll keep me safe until I can come back to you.” Charlie straightened up, “Besides, it’s not just about me and Bee. I want to help them save Elena, I need to. And after that…we need to stop those robots from hurting our planet. I’m suppose to be a part of that. I don’t know how I’ll help, but I will in whatever way I can.” She held her brother’s hand. “I love you, Otis. You’re one of the few pieces of Dad I have left. I’m not gonna leave you, I’m doing this to protect you just as much as I’m doing it to protect the rest of the world. And I really, really need your support in this.”

Her brother stared at their hands for a moment, the silence deafening. But then like a switch had been flipped, Otis started crying again. He held onto his sister, crying into her shoulder. Charlie pulled him into a hug, feeling like he was a helpless little toddler again.

 

.

 

The bots were in the middle of plans when Arcee, still sitting under the balcony, let out a whoop of triumph. She jumped up-only to smack her head on the balcony, making Mirage and Ratrap let out short chuckles they quickly cut off.

“What is it, Arcee?” Prime asked.

The femme walked over, rubbing her head. “Oh, I fixed my comm is all.” It started to beep loudly and Arcee frowned. “That’s Wheeljack. What does he-”

“ANSWER ME!” the Autobot’s shriek made them all jolt as Arcee answered the comm.
”What!?” the femme snapped.

“Arcee? Is that you? Where have you been? Never mind, never mind, I need you to find Primal!”

“I’m here,” the Maximal leader spoke up, looking dumbfounded.
”Primal! Thank Primus! Listen, I went to check on your village like you asked-they’re all fine by the way-but I saw this weird bot with eight limbs.”

“Tarantulas,” the Maximals all said in unison.

“You know him?”

“Unfornately,” Ratrap grumbled.

“What was he doing there, Wheeljack?” Primal demanded.

“That’s why I needed to comm you. I don’t know how to say this. He-he dug up Airazor’s body.”

The group let out exclamations of horror.

“And then he dragged it into a ground bridge.”

Prime stared at the Maximals, “Why would he want with Airazor’s body?”

“I-I’m not sure,” Primal shook his head, looking lost.

“Did you find anything else out, Wheeljack?” Arcee asked.

“Actually, yes. I managed to put a track on Airazor’s body. I’ll send you the coordinates now.”

A holographic map appeared over Arcee’s wrist. The group stared at it, a sense of both dread and excitement rising up with this new information.

“I don’t know why,” Wheeljack continued. “But her body is in the country, Japan.”

Chapter 29: Not of These Worlds

“There’s nothing I can do to stop you, is there?”

Noah turned away from the window. From the motel room he had a good look at the Autobots who were crowding around Arcee. He wished he could hear what they were saying.

His mother sat on one of the beds, Kris sleeping with his head on her lap. Noah felt a twinge of guilt over his brother, after coming inside the motel away from Charlie and Otis’ fight, Kris had looked on the verge of tears. As much as the little guy liked the Autobots, he clearly was too young to handle the danger. Noah was an adult and even he felt too young to handle it sometimes.

Now his body was tense as he looked at his mother. She wasn’t looking at him, her eyes on her youngest as she stroked his curly hair. But the silence was worse than Otis’ yelling and Noah swallowed, “This is my job now.”

“We could’ve all been killed tonight,” Mrs. Diaz’s voice was unnervingly soft. “You know that, right?”

“Mirage wouldn’t have let that happen,” Noah said, meaning it. “He’d have given his own life to keep us safe.”

Mrs. Diaz finally looked up at him. “You trust your car that much?”

“I trust him with my life,” Noah said honestly. He hoped his face wasn’t red as he pushed the memory of the kiss away.

There was another bout of silence.

Noah kept talking, “You and Kris need to stay here. I think Otis will too. I’m sure Prime can leave one of the bots to protect you until I come back.”

“If,” Mrs. Diaz’s voice was a wobbling whisper.

Noah furrowed his brow, and then felt a spark of panic when he saw tears filling his mother’s eyes. “If you come back.”

Noah immediately rushed over and wrapped his arms around his mother, burying his face into her hair. Her body was trembling and Noah hated-hated-that he was the cause of it.

“I’m going to come back,” he vowed.

 

.

 

By morning Charlie and Noah had returned to the balcony. Otis had gone back to the room where Mrs. Diaz and Kris stayed. Charlie hadn’t said what she and Otis talked about and Noah knew it wasn’t his business to ask.

“Here is the plan,” Prime faced the Autobots and Maximals. “We will rendezvous with Stratosphere. He will drop off Bumblebee, Arcee, and Charlie in California where they will retrieve the transmetal piece.”

“I’m going with!” Ratrap cut in.

Prime glowered at the small Maximal but didn’t reply to him. “Stratosphere will take Primal and I to Japan. We will figure out exactly where Tarantulas is. I’m sure he is near Airazor.”

“We will try and find a way to rescue Elena while we’re there,” Primal put in. “But either way we will all meet up back there.”

“I’m going with you.”

The raspy voice was from Cheetor. He had managed to put himself into an awkward looking sitting position. His neck was no longer bleeding but it still looked ragged and exposed.

“Cheetor…” Primal breathed, looking at his ally with deep empathy.

“I’m going with you,” Cheetor repeated. “I’m not sitting here…not when Elena is in danger.”

Noah frowned. He could understand Cheetor wanting to go and rescue Elena of course, but he looked exhausted just from sitting. Mirage had had troubled fighting Tarantulas and he hadn’t had his throat torn open.

Primal looked at Prime, and it looked as if the two had a silent conversation. But when the Maximal turned back to Cheetor he gave him one short nod. Bumblebee and Arcee shared a surprised look.

“What about me, Prime?” Mirage asked, stepping forward.

“You, Rhinox, Noah, and Dinobot will stay here. Stratosphere will not be able to carry anymore.”

“We’ll need to find a different place to stay,” Rhinox pointed out. “Make some kind of base.”

Noah glanced at Mirage. He looked annoyed but at least he was keeping his mouth closed. Though he must have sensed Noah watching him cause he suddenly looked back at him. The human smiled back at him and Mirage quickly looked away, suddenly looking in a much better mood.

“Any objections?” Prime looked around, no one said anything. “Then let’s be on our way.”

 

.

 

The flight to California was crowded. The cargo plan clearly struggling to carry so many bots.

Charlie was pressed up against Bumblebee, with Arcee on her other side. On the other side Prime and Primal sat together, Primal in his robot form which actually looked fairly similar to Prime.

Cheetor was curled up in the middle of the plane, Ratrap atop his back. He was being uncharacteristically quiet, having not said a word since he demanded to go to California with them.

Charlie turned her face so her cheek could brush against the edge of Bumblebee’s torso. She hoped Otis would be okay, she trusted Noah and his family to keep an eye on him-but she felt so guilty over how worried he was for her.

All the more reason to hurry up and get this done.

Bee shifted beside her and she wished he would’ve put his arm around her. But his hands stayed firmly planted on the floor.

I might need to reel myself in. Charlie thought to herself. She knew she should’ve done that much earlier, and now it felt he was distancing himself…

Despite the greater weight Stratosphere was faster than the plane Charlie had taken to New York. Peering through the window she saw the Golden Gate bridge before Stratosphere landed several yards way on a grassy plain.

Arcee was the first to jump out, stretching her body as if she had been crammed (behind Charlie she was the smallest and had the most room). Ratrap gave Cheetor one more concerned sniff before jumping out after her. Bumblebee slid out onto the grass and turned to offer his hand to Charlie, she took it and he carefully placed her on the ground beside him.

“After you get the piece, wait here,” Prime told the group. “Stratosphere will be back for you.”

The two Autobots nodded, Ratrap was staring out at the bridge.

“What are you doing?”

The raspy question came from Cheetor. Primal had suddenly nudged the cheetah, pushing him off the plane where he landed on the grass, legs shaking.

“I’m sorry,” Primal said simply before Stratosphere’s door shut.

“Wait!” Cheetor snarled, reaching up to grab at the door with his paws. “Let me go with you!”

But the plane started to pull away, Cheetor tried to give chase but his legs failed him. He fell into the grass as Stratosphere flew into the sky.

“They lied to me,” Cheetor hissed, his voice sounded painful.

“Calm down, Cheetor.” Arcee and Ratrap walked over to him. They weren’t surprised so clearly they were told this was going to happen.

“But Elena…” Cheetor spluttered to a stop. Charlie guessed it hurt too much to take more.

“We’re going to go save her,” Ratrap reassured. He rubbed himself against his friend in comfort. “But let our leader go first, figure out the best way to do it, then we’ll go after and help get her back.”

Arcee was more blunt, “If you went with them now the cons will finish what they started with you.”

Cheetor hung his head in defeat. Arcee’s shoulders drooped before walking back over to Bumblebee. “I’ll stay here with Cheetor. You can comm me if you need backup.”

Bumblebee nodded and despite herself, Charlie felt a prickle of excitement at the thought of just him and her going on this mission. But then Ratrap trotted over, transforming into his much smaller, more organic looking, rat form.

“You may need me to break in!”

 

.

 

Bumblebee felt a deep wave of nostalgia as he drove through Brighton Falls. It felt like it had been centuries and only a few days at the same time. They passed the scrap yard where Charlie had found him, he recognized the road that led to the cliff where that weird Tripp guy tried to get Charlie to dive. He still felt some guilt for trying to encourage her to do something she wasn’t ready for.

Charlie kept quiet throughout the ride, her expression unreadable. Meanwhile Ratrap in his small animal form, didn’t stop moving. Climbing onto the dashboard and the back seat, trying to see all the sites of this town. Bumblebee was at first annoyed, but then remembered the Maximal had lived in subway tunnels for a very long time. Bumblebee would probably be excited for new sights as well.

The Autobot felt a glow of pride as he turned a corner and there was Charlie’s house. He hadn’t needed her to direct him, he remembered the path perfectly. Like it was…like it was home…

“Here we are,” Charlie stated, finally speaking. When Bumblebee stopped in the drive way she got out and went to the front door. Looking under the door mat she picked up a small key and opened the door. She was out of sight for a few moments, but then the garage door slowly opened, Charlie now inside.

Bumblebee felt another thrill of excitement and nostalgia as he slowly drove inside the garage. Charlie closed the door behind him and he transformed into robot mode, Ratrap quickly jumping out of him in the process.

“Nice digs, kid,” Ratrap complimented, skittering around the room.

It hasn’t changed at all. Bumblebee saw the old TV where he watched movies, the rows of vinyl records they had played. When was the last time he’d heard Unchained Melody.

“I’m gonna look inside!” Ratrap said loudly before running toward the dog door and disappearing inside.

But Bumblebee was examining the records, wanting to flip through them but remembered how protective Charlie was of her dad’s music.

As if she had read his mind, Charlie was already beside him, “Here ya go.”

Picking out a familiar vinyl she placed it on the record and wordlessly turned it on. He thought he saw her body relax as the music filled the small room.

Bumblebee was overcome by memories of the first time he had heard this song. He had been a lost scout with no memories, alone and scared-but he had been lucky enough to be found by Charlie. She gave him a name and a place to stay, more importantly she had given him a friend. And that night when they listened to Unchained Melody, when she had told him how much she missed her father and they had shared a hug. He felt he had done something for her no one else had, it made him feel-special. Special in a way he never could be with the Autobots, no matter how much he cared for them.

Bumblebee barely knew what he was doing before his fingers brushed against Charlie’s arm. She looked up at him, faint surprise in her eyes. Bumblebee wanted to hug her, but there wasn’t a real reason too-and he didn’t think he was at a place where he could hug her for no reason. Not when he was following Prime’s orders. But still he leaned forward, she was a flame and he was a moth drawn to her. There faces were barely an inch apart when Charlie broke away quickly. Pulling her arm from his touch as she backed a few feet away.

“Please,” she murmured, her voice barely heard over the music. “Don’t give me hope.”

Bumblebee’s brow furrowed. What did she-

Loud yipping interuppted his thoughts. Charlie’s eyes nearly bugged out of her head before she rushed to the door, “CRUD! I FORGOT ABOUT CONAN!”

 

.

 

Charlie ran into her living room to see Conan, now a fat old dog, squaring off against Ratrap. The Maximal’s back was arched and his fur bristled as he hissed at the dog.

“Down, boy!” Charlie ordered loudly.

Immediately both Conan and Ratrap sat down, turning their attention on her. She shook her head, “Don’t pick fights with the dog, Ratrap. We need to hurry and find the piece before we go.”

“I wasn’t picking a fight,” the Maximal said with an unconvincing tone.

Leaving Conan, who had decided to take a nap on the rug, Ratrap followed Charlie into the hallway. The Watson family had a closet in the hallway that had become makeshift storage. And as expected when she opened the door, up on the top rack was the box with her dad’s old stuff. She felt a wave of grief wash over her and she took in a shuddering breath as she reached out and grabbed it.

Placing it on the floor she moved miscellaneous items around, like a baseball mitt or an empty glass coke bottle. “I can’t see-Ah!” Her brain clicked as she picked up the piece that was near identical to the one Tigatron had taken from her. She tried to remember if her dad had ever told her about it and there was just a fuzzy memory of when she was four. He had told her he had dug it up and Charlie had tried to get the shovel and dig up her own treasure… Her mother had been exasperated.

“That’s it,” Ratrap said in a weird voice, his eyes staring at the piece held between Charlie’s fingers. “You actually have it.”

“Let’s go get Elena.” Charlei pocketed the piece and then put the box back where it belonged.

She was walking back to the living room, ready to tell Conan goodbye and get back to Bumblebee and Arcee-but her eyes were drawn to the TV. It had been left on (both Sally and Ron insisting Conan would want to watch TV while they were gone), but instead of a rerun of Alf the screen was now showing nothing but static.

“Charlie?” Ratrap tilted his head as she walked over to kneel in front of the TV. Something was off.

She stared in silence for a moment, feeling a familiar sense of uneasiness. Maybe she was just being-

“Charlie…Watson…”

Her eyes widened and her jaw felt slack. It was the voice from the radio. It was back. It had followed her.

Ratrap was standing beside her now, and she felt him bristle next to her hand.

“Where is it? Where is it?” the voice, despite being emotionless, had a sense of urgency in it.

“Who are you?” she breathed, the hair on her arms standing up.

“We are…the Vok. We want…the piece. Give it to us.”

Charlie glanced down at Ratrap who shrugged helplessly. He didn’t know what the Vok was either. Were they robots? Aliens? She had no idea. But she did know one thing; they needed the piece to get Elena back.

“Give it back.” The voice continued, warbled by the static. “It is ours…it belongs to us…Give it back…or you will regret…”

That actually made Charlie scowl. She was frankly tired of threats, she already had three giant robots to deal with-she didn’t need a weird voice doing the same. She was creeped out, it clearly had the ability to travel through electronics, and it was keeping an eye on her. And yet:

“Come and get it.”

Ratrap stared at her like she had lost her mind. But the TV was silent with the exception of the static.

She stared at it, “If you can’t do that. Then you’ll have to wait. I need it for my-”

The lights suddenly started to flicker chaotically, she heard the blender turn on, the microwave beep repeatedly. The radio shrieked alongside the TV.

“YOU WILL GIVE IT US! OR WE WILL RIP IT FROM YOUR LIFELESS BODY!”

Charlie shuddered, a newfound fear swallowing up her temporary bravado. She needed to get out of here.

Ratrap shot forward and smacked the TV’s power button, flicking it off. Immediately the rest of the electronics went quiet, the lights returned to normal. The Maximal stared wide eyed at Charlie, “I panicked.”

She stood up on shaky legs, pressing her hand against the piece inside her pocket. “We need to go.”

“What about your little dog thing?” Ratrap pointed toward Conan. The old dog had not moved an inch, snoring loudly as if Charlie hadn’t just been threatened by an other-wordly force in her own living room.

“He’ll be fine,” Charlie murmured, heading toward the garage door. “It’s us I’m worried about.”

 

Notes:

I'm not quitting this story but I am considering starting a different rotb sequel that'll be a mix of two other things I'd been wanting to try-for better or worse.

Chapter 30: In the Lair

Elena’s body was sore, her legs numb.

Tarantulas had hung her up on the wall via his slimy, stringy feeling webs. It wrapped over her chest and arms and left her legs dangling. Her hand hung, her curls hiding the view of the cave floor below.

She was so tired but couldn’t sleep, so hungry but didn’t even dare fantasize about food-lest the pain in her stomach increase.

The lair was so quiet. She was fairly certain Tarantulas and Transit were no longer in the cave. But she couldn’t spare the energy to lift her head and checked. What difference did it make if they were here or not? There was nothing she could do.

Nothing…except thinking about Cheetor.

His confession played over and over in her head like a broken record. But with each turn she’d think of what else she could’ve told him.

She could’ve told him how flattered she was, that someone as impressive as him wanted someone like her. Humans felt so ordinary compared to giant alien robots.

She could’ve told him the truth about the flower. Maybe he would have taken back his confession and not try to rescue her. Then she could at least have the peace of mind that was he was safe and well.

She could’ve returned his feelings…

Could I? Things were so confusing now, so terrifying. She really couldn’t pinpoint how she felt about everything. She liked Cheetor, he was her friend. But was she willing to go as far as to pursue a relationship and all the dangers and difficulties that would come with that?

She sighed, her body shagging against the web strands.

The sound of metallic foot prints reached her ears, but she didn’t bother looking up-not until she felt a hand brush against her side.

Her head shot up, wide eyes staring up into Tigatron’s robotic face. And without a word he sliced the strands of web and Elena slid into his waiting palm.

Pins and needles went up her legs as he gently placed her down on the cave floor. She looked around, there were the only ones in the room beside Airazor’s body that was still laying on the medic bed. Originally grimy it had been cleaned of the dirt from her burial.

“That should be more comfortable,” Tigatron rumbled. “Tarantulas won’t mind if you’re walking around, as long as you don’t cause problems.”

Elena glared up at him, any sense of gratitude melted by a hot wave of fury. “Why bother making me comfortable!? We’re not friends!” She snorted, “If we were I’d be dead by now.”

He flinched again before letting out a sigh of his own before sitting down next to Elena. She stiffened at the close proximity but he made no more moves to get closer.

“I had not meant to attack Cheetor,” he said after a few quiet moments. “I just…I want Airazor back.”

Elena stared at him. “I want her back, too. But not if it means turning on those I care about.” She tried to rub the feeling back into her legs. “Airazor would never want Cheetor and the others to suffer for her sake.”

“You did not know her as long as I have,” Tigatron’s voice had the edge of a growl.

“Does that make what I said any less true?” Elena asked, not looking at him.

“You’ve spent a majority of your life without her, I take it?” the bot asked. “We’ve have been together longer than you can imagine. And now that she’s gone…it feels a piece of me is missing. I can’t keep going on without her, I need her.”

Elena leaned back against the rocky wall of the lair. She felt like the conversation was going in circles. “And what if Tarantulas does revive her? You don’t think she’ll hate you for what you did?”

Tigatron didn’t answer. He was no longer even looking at her.

“The Maximals still loved you. You could have been with them, it wouldn’t replace Airazor, but it would’ve healed some of the hurt of losing her.” Elena thought of her lonely life before she met Noah and the Autobots and Maximals. “That worked for me.”

“I’m not you,” Tigatron growled, back still her. “I’m not-”

“AH HA!”

The loud voice made the two jump and Elena’s eyes went up. Out of the shadows of the lair’s ceiling slid down Tarantulas. The spider bot landed gracefully in front of his computer and tapped away at the screen for a few moments. “I love my drones.”

“What did they find?” Tigatron asked, standing up.

“The posse are splitting up into three groups. Lucky for us only two matter. The one with the transmetal piece, and the one that’s just Prime and Primal.” He looked at Tigatron. “The latter are heading this way.”

Elena felt a burst of joy fill her chest. They knew where she was! They were coming to rescue her!

As if she had spoken aloud Tarantulas turned to look at her. If he was annoyed by her no longer stuck on the wall, he didn’t say. “Don’t get too excited. Transit and Tigatron can go deal with those two. With their leaders gone the rest of the Maximals and Autobots won’t stand a chance.” He flicked a claw at Tigatron, dismissing him. “Go on then, Transit is already outside.”

Tigatron took one last look at Elena, and with her face she tried to beg him not to do this. She had faith that Prime and Primal could probably take down Tigatron together. Transit was another story…

But the Maximal simply transformed into his animal form and ran out of the cave, leaving her alone with Tarantulas.

“And while he does that…” the spider bot stepped away from his computer. “I’ll be off to get the transmetal device.” He pulled his mandibles into a disgusting smirk at her. “You’ll be getting some company real soon.”

 

.

 

Optimus and Primal stood before Stratosphere. The plane was crouched, trying to recollect his energy for the long flight back. Optimus felt guilt, Stratosphere was getting older but they continued to rely on him for their transportation.

When this is all over perhaps we can have a dangerous mission that will stay on one continent.

“Should we go on ahead?” Primal asked him.

Prime looked at the signal Wheeljack had sent them. By its coordinates he could tell Elena was near a dormant volcano. He could see its massive form in the distance. And any other time he would’ve immediately driven forward to perform the rescue.

But he didn’t forget Transit had been taken as well, and a part of him feared both he and Tarantulas had formed an alliance.

“We need a plan,” Optimus replied. “If Transit is in there we can’t just rush in guns blazing.”

Primal shook his head. “I knew Unicron would still be a problem, but I didn’t think he could do that with his followers.”

“He has to have a weakness, something we can use against him.” Optimus insisted. “We were able to defeat Scourge and his ilk.”

“Barely,” Primal replied. “And we had everyone with us when we faced them. And they weren’t holding a human hostage.”

A frustrated sound escaped Optimus before he could stop himself and Primal gave him a surprised look.

“It’s not Elena’s fault, “Optimus started. “It’s not any of the humans’ fault for what has happened. And I know they’ve helped us more than once…but at times like this, I think how they belong among their own kind. In safety.”

“Perhaps they like the thrill of the danger,” Primal joked, patting Optimus’ shoulder.

“No, it’s not the thrill. It’s the attention. Our younger bots give these humans too much attention. It makes the humans think they have an obligation in staying and facing the danger.”

Primal merely shrugged. “There’s worse things one can do for love.”

Optimus looked at the Maximal. “I did not miss how Cheetor padded after Elena.”

“Nor did I.”

“It does not worry you, the complications such unions would bring?”

“We’ve all lost so much,” Primal pointed out. “Both from Unicron and your Decepticon war. If our young can find love and happiness in…peculiar places, I don’t think it is in my right to stop them.”

Before Optimus could reply Primal gave himself a shake, “We’re wasting daylight. We can head toward the coordinates and think of a plan while we travel.”

“Too late,” Stratosphere’s thick accent spoke above their heads. And when the two smaller bots looked up at him he continued, “They’re on their way.”

Optimus whirled around and-in the distance- he could see two familiar figures getting closer and closer. Tigatron…and Transit. Optimus pulled on his battle mask, and together he and Primal raced forward.

So much for a plan.

Chapter 31: Minus One

“It should be illegal to go this slow.”

Noah glanced down at Mirage’s meter. “We’re going 50.”

“The speed limit is 75!”

The reason they were going so ‘slow’ was because they didn’t want to outpace Rhinox and Dinobot. The two had to stay in the thick of the trees as they made their way down country roads. Even though they had only passed a handful of cars in the past few hours, both Rhinox and Dinobot were adamant to stay hidden.

Noah looked in the rear view mirror, thinking of his family with a pang. They had left his mother and brother and Otis at the motel, Mrs. Diaz mentioning she was considering going to visit Noah’s uncle while they were out of New York. He hated having to leave them (again), but he knew it was the best way to keep them safe. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too long until he came back, the Earth once again safe.

He looked back at the steering wheel, for once his hands not on it. Now that the adrenaline from facing off against Transit, escaping the forest fire, and the motel drama, he was letting himself process that kiss.

He could still feel the indent of Mirage’s mouth against his own and Noah had to hold back from wiping at his lips. Last thing he needed was the Autobot to ask him what he was doing.

What am I doing? He was no longer angry about Mirage’s stunt that was one thing. It had still been stupid but it was a relief for Mirage to see and understand how upset it had made him.

I want you, Mirage had told him and the words had sent a bolt of lighting through Noah’s body. And while it had been in the back of his mind since Mirage had met and promised Kris he’d look out for his brother-he had only now fully realized how much he had wanted Mirage to say that to him. To look at him the way Noah caught himself looking at the robot. How long had that been going on? What would they do next?

What would they do next?

While he wouldn’t be interested in Elena or Charlie, his life would be much easier if it was one of them who had kissed him last night. They weren’t giant alien robots. They would have a similar life span to Noah. They would be spending their entire life on Earth, not planning to ever go back to a home planet far, far away.

He really was out of his depth, and until he was back in Noah had to try and not think about the fact he was inside Mirage. Something that he never really thought about until now.

“So, um…” Mirage started after a few minutes of silence. “How do you think everyone else is doing?”

“I’m sure they’re doing fine,” he reassured his friend. “Bee and Charlie and them will get that transmetal piece. Prime and Primal will get Elena back. We’ll find a base spot so great you’ll want to move out of New York.”

“I wouldn’t move away from you,” Mirage said so causally that Noah didn’t react to it at first. But then the words processed and his ears suddenly felt hot.

Mirage made a flustered noise, “Did that make this weird? I made this weird, didn’t I?”

“It’s fine,” Noah stated, unsure where to look. He decided on the trees outside the window. “We’re fine.”

“Are we? Cause it feels like my spark is gonna short-circuit.” Mirage laughed awkwardly then abruptly went quiet.

Noah fidgeted a bit, trying to think of what he should do next. They should probably talk more about their relationship but he didn’t know if he was ready for that-at least, not the serious important topics.

So he tried for something simpler but still mortifying: “You-you weren’t upset with me, were you?”

“About what?”
”Last night I-I didn’t give you a great answer.” He cringed as he spoke. “I’m sorry.”

“Why would you have to be sorry about that?” Mirage asked, but then his voice got nervous. “Are-are you regretting that we-you know. If you are I totally respect your feelings I just-”

“I don’t regret it, Mirage,” Noah quickly cut in. “I’m just confused. But I didn’t want to hurt you.”

“You didn’t… Okay, I was hurt about you being mad at me, but that’s my fault. And I wasn’t thrilled with you and Dinobot being buddy-buddy but you’re a friendly guy so…”

Despite everything Noah rolled his eyes. “You know, maybe you’d feel less threatened by Dinobot if you got to know him.”

“Nah, I’m good.” Mirage said immediately.

“Come on,” Noah tapped the dash board with his knuckles. “He’s not a bad guy. And he’s really trying to turn over a new leaf. I kinda feel for him, it was hard for me to start over when I came back from New York too.”

“After we got back from Peru?”

“After I got back from service.”

Mirage was quiet for a moment, and Noah thought the conversation was over. He was just relieved he hadn’t embarrassed himself during said conversation.

But the Autobot spoke up, his voice quiet, “Is it really that important to you?”

“I just don’t like seeing you unhappy,” was Noah’s honest answer.

Mirage let out a long suffering sigh. “Fine. I’ll try to be nice to Dinobot. But if we hit it off and fall in love, don’t start complaining.”

Noah smirked, and in a moment that was too bold even for him, he placed a small kiss on the steering wheel. “I’m not too worried.”

 

.

 

Tigatron slammed into Primal, knocking the Maximal onto his back and sending the two rolling across the ground. But while he snapped his jaws and slashed his claws, he was so disconnected from this battle. He barely registered that only a few feet away, Transit was battling Optimus Prime.

He was thinking of Elena, thinking of what she had said to him:

“And what if Tarantulas does revive her? You don’t think she’ll hate you for what you did?”

She was right, Airazor would hate him. Almost as much as he hated himself. This battle with Primal was cut between with memories of him attacking Cheetor-of hurting Cheetor.

As he ducked Primal’s fists Tigatron thought of his memories back home. Airazor at his side as he taught Cheetor to stalk. The friendly banter between him and Primal, back when Apelinq was still alive, back when they were young and carefree.

I’m not that Tigatron anymore. He jumped atop of Primal, biting into his shoulder. And I won’t be that Tigatron ever again, even when Airazor is brought back to life.

Primus he missed her so much, his missing piece. But even if that traitours Tarantulas did bring her back, would she wake to find the bodies of their friends at his paws? Was he going to live with himself after that? Could his spark handle his love’s rejection and the murder of their friends? The possible last Maximals in the entire galaxy.

Primus grabbed his back legs and yanked Tigatron off his shoulder, knocking him onto his back. He pinned the Maximal down and Tigatron stiffened.

But not out of fear…it was relief he felt. Primal was going to kill him, he wouldn’t have to choose between his conjux and his comrades. He wouldn’t have to feel the pain of missing Airazor, the guilt of hurting-possibly killing-Cheetor. It would all be over.

“Does that make what I said any less true?” Elena had asked.

And Tigatron had become so tired.

So he kept still, waiting for Primal to give the finishing blow.

But the Maximal only looked down at him, green optics burning with an agony so intense Tigatron could feel its heat.

“What are you waiting for!?”

The question was spoken by both Transit and Prime. The two had temporarily stopped their fight to watch the Maximals fight.

“Get up, Tigatron!” Transit hissed, furious.

“This is your chance, Primal!” Prime shouted.

But Primal was shaking his head, stepping away from Tigatron. “I couldn’t. I couldn’t kill another Maximal, never again. Kill me if you must, Tigatron. But I could never hurt you.”

Tigatron clambered up onto his paws, but could only stare. He ignored the egging on of Transit, he couldn’t look away from Primal’s mournful gaze. It looked familiar…it looked like the same pain he felt.

“The Maximals still loved you. You could have been with them, it wouldn’t replace Airazor, but it would’ve healed some of the hurt of losing her.”

With a  vicious snarl Tigatron turned and lunged at Transit.

The Terrorcon was caught off guard and was knocked off his pedes. Tigratron desperately scraped at his body plates, biting at his neck. He tried to give as much damage as possible-but he already knew it was fruitless. His claws slid harmlessly across Transit’s body, and his teeth didn’t break wire.

But his spark lit up with pain as Transit stabbed him through the chest, nearly slicing him in half.

A rushing noise filled his audio receptors. Primal’s cry felt far away and out of the corner of his optic he could make out Prime dragging the Maximal away.

Then he was air born, Transit tossing his broken body into the air. He hit the ground, but all he could focus on was keeping himself from blacking out.

Transit grabbed his tail and dragged him across the dirt. He was sure the Terrorcon was saying something, insulting him, but he couldn’t get his hearing to work.

And then he was tossed into a body of water. Energon drifted above him, along with the last of his energy. He couldn’t get himself to move, he couldn’t keep his optics open.

His consciousness drifted away, and with it the words: “I’m sorry.”

But for the life of him he didn’t know who he was apologizing to.

Chapter 32: Transformation

Charlie had explained everything on the car ride back to Cheetor and Arcee. Bumblebee did not recognize the name ‘Vok’ and agreed it was unnerving. But they also agreed they should first get Elena and then figure out this problem. Especially since so far, the Vok was all bark and no bite.

They found Arcee and Cheetor had moved from their spot on the plain, instead finding a spot at a nearby river. The Maximal was lying down, looking absolutely miserable. Charlie’s heart went out to him.

Arcee had been in the middle of pacing when she spotted Bumblebee driving up.

“Well?” she asked when Charlie climbed out of the driver’s seat. Her blue eyes lit up when the girl held out the transmetal piece. “Fantastic, now we just have to wait for Stratosphere to get back. This went well.”

“It could’ve gone better,” Ratrap mumbled, scurring over to Cheetor’s side.

Arcee watched him go, her expression confused. “What’s he talking about?”

Like with Bumblebee Charlie explained the harrowing moment in her house, where the Vok spoke to her and demanded the transmetal piece. The femme’s optics widened, looking unnerved.

“We-we definitely need to tell Prime about that. Just as soon as we-”

She stopped speaking as both Cheetor and Ratrap lifted their heads, as if they had heard something.

“What is it?” both Arcee and Bumblebee went tense and Charlie felt a wave of dread.

Cheetor forced himself to his paws and Ratrap turned into his robot mode.

“Something’s here,” they growled in unison.

A second later a white flashed appeared a few feet away, a portal. And Charlie watched in horror as a familiar long limbed body crawled out of the groundbridge to stand before the group:

Tarantulas.

Charlie spotted the piece of transmetal-the one Tigatron had taken-hung around his neck like some odd type of pendant.

“Looks like I got here just in time,” the enemy snarked, optics narrowing in on the piece in Charlie’s hand. “I’ll take the piece now.”

Bumblebee immediately snatched the piece from Charlie’s hand and stood in front of her in a defensive posture.

“Where is Elena?” Cheetor snarled, even with his wounds he looked absoutlely ferocious.

“She’s back at my place, patiently waiting for you to give me the rest of the transmetal,” Tarantulas informed. “She’s a lovely little guest, by the way. Real quiet and soft.”

Cheetor let out a noise akin to a roar and-ignoring Ratrap and Arcee’s yells-lunged at the Con. The two fell to the ground, grappling, but it wasn’t long before Tarantulas grabbed him with one of his spider legs and knocked him away.

Ratrap and Arcee rushed to help. Bumblebee kept himself firmly planted between Charlie and the fight. She wondered if he was worried Tarantulas would try to snatch her as well.

But even being outnumbered, the giant spider was holding his own against the three robots. Especially since Cheetor was still being held down, too weak to put in a good fight. Charlie flinched when Tarantulas kicked Ratrap to the ground and pinned him down, all while keeping Arcee at bay.

“Help them!” Charlie begged Bumblebee.

He glanced at her, before placing the transmetal piece in his chest cavity and rushed toward the fight.

Ratrap’s optics nearly bugged out of his head when he saw the Autobt running toward them. “BUMBLEBEE, DON’T-”

Bee hadn’t even touched Tarantulas when there was a flash of light that enveloped the group of robots. The force of it sent Charlie falling onto her back, the wind knocked out of her. She felt the ground vibrate underneath her-she wasn’t the only one who had fallen down.

She struggled up into her hands and knees, coughing as she tried to catch her breath. The sound of fighting had stopped.

She looked over to see all five robots sprawled across the ground. And they were all…different. Cheetor stood up first, his wounds healed and now his golden paint job had splashes of dark blue and white. His limbs were shaking.

Ratrap was next to him, completely passed out and his brownish color was almost completely replaced by silver and slices of red.

Arcee was struggling onto her knees, wavy stripes of beautiful blue went across her body. The femme looked nauseous.

And then Bumblebee, his paint had been inverted. His body now black with yellow splashes and stripes. He was still laying on his back.

“Bumblebee!” Charlie managed to push herself to her feet and hurried to her friend. “Are you okay?”

To her relief his blue optics flickered open and he was able to pull himself into a sitting position, rubbing his temple.

“Oh, that smarts.”

Charlie’s jaw went slack and her eyes nearly fell out of her head. “You’re talking.”

“I’m what?” he placed his hand on his throat and repeated himself as if he didn’t process his words. “I’m what?”

“You’re speaking…” Charlie trailed off. So much was happening at once but she had always wondered, fantasized even, what he sounded like.

“I am,” he agreed then turned his head to her. The sudden bright intensity in his gaze caught her off guard. “Charlie, I’m in love with you.”

“What?!”

“What?”

Cheetor suddenly crashed into Bumblebee, sending the Autobot onto his back. Cheetor basically ran over him and bolted across the plain. He was a blur and Charlie could tell this was a greater speed than the Maximal had before.

And he was laughing, looking like he was on high as he ran circles around the group.

Charlie turned back to the Autobot, “Bee, are you okay?”

But her friend had started to giggle, murmuring about how silly his voice sounded and playing random channels on his radio.

“Bee?” Charlie stared at him, and then looked to Arcee who was still crouched on the ground, looking sick. Charlie got up to go to her, “Arcee-”

“Do not touch me,” she warned, staring at the ground with wide optics. “Don’t even look at me.”

Charlie looked helplessly to Ratrap, he was still out cold.

There was a grunt and Charlie remembered that Tarantulas was still here. The most notable change in him was that parts of his body was painted in black, reminding Charlie of tar.

He was crawling, clearly out of it. But she noticed that he no longer had the transmetal around his neck.

Looking around Charlie spotted it just a foot away from the woozy robot. And before her courage could fail her she hurried over and grabbed the piece, pocketing it.

Tarantulas turned, but before Charlie could react, Cheetor knocked into the robot just as he did Bumblebee.

“Ha-ha! Not so tough now, are you Long Legs!” Cheetor goaded Tarantulas, practically dancing on his paws.

Oh my God, they’ve all lost it. Charlie realized too late, looking around at the robots. Cheetor was jumping and running around like a toddler on sugar-high. Ratrap was unconscious.  Arcee looked like she was going to vomit, not that Charlie knew if transformers could vomit. And Bumblebee was still chuckling to himself like he was listening to a stand up routine.

I’m just gonna put what he said to me on the back burner, she decided, not even letting herself consider what those words meant to her. Until everything has calmed down.

There was a static nosie and Charlie turned to see Tarantulas crawl into a ground bridge without a look back. The bridge closed before Charlie could even process it.

I’m sorry, Elena. Please hold on a little longer. She turned back to the robots. She had to get these four back to the others. Prime would know what to do.

She let out a breath of relief as she heard the familiar sound of an airplane engine.

Stratosphere landed beside the group. “What happened here? Bumblebee, laddie, did you get a makeover?”

Bumblebee pulled himself to a standing position. “Black is slimming,” he declared, before buckling over laughing.

“Stratosphere, we need to get these guys back to the others,” Charlie stated. She hurried to Arcee and quietly asked if she could get into the plane.

The femme groaned but was able to get up and slowly walk into the plane where she curled into a ball in the corner.

“Bee,” Charlie looked at him, but wasn’t able to fully meet his eye. “Can you put Ratrap inside?”

He threw his arm up in the Breakfast Club salute, “Yes, ma’am.” Charlie flinched when he grabbed the unconscious Ratrap by the scruff and basically tossed him inside. He then continued to stand next to Stratosphere, swaying a bit in his step.

“You climb into the plane too, please,” Charlie told him.

“Okay,” Bumblebee agreed, hitting his head on the side of the door before crawling in to sit next to Arcee who hissed at him.

Charlie climbed into the plane and looked toward Cheetor who was still running around. He hadn’t even noticed Tarantulas had left. He was clearly out of it.

“Cheetor!” she yelled out. “Here, boy! Get in the plane!”

He turned and rushed toward them. Charlie dived out of the way as Cheetor rushed in, so fast he slammed into the wall of the cargo plane and Stratosphere yelled in pain.

The plan door was slammed shut and the engine turned back on. Cheetor fell onto his side as if he was now exhausted.

Charlie sat back against the wall, away from the unpredictable bots. She reached her hand into her pocket and felt the transmetal piece. She did not know how-but she was sure it was to blame for what had just happened.

Chapter 33: Welcome Back

Elena sat crouched right where the rock wall and the lair’s computer met. Her only company was Airazor’s body laid cold on the table. Tarantulas had stabbed wiring all across her body and connected the wiring to the computer. Elena assumed it was to appease Tigatron, to make him think he could revive her.

It was sickening to see her friend lying there, and if she was tall enough she wanted to stand up and yank the cables off her.

     She jolted in place when she heard the heavy foot falls and in stormed Transit. He was alone. 

“Where’s Tigatron?” the answer came out before she could think better. She didn’t want this con’s attention on her.

But his red optics shot down to her, narrowing her in, making her feel so small and helpless. 

“What do you care?” His head tipped to the side. “You’re not friends.” But he didn’t wait for her answer. “I killed him.”

Elena straightened up, and Transit chuckled at her horrifying expression.

“You’re more shocked than I was. He’s just like Dinobot, letting past relations get in the way of the greater goal. He turned on me instead of killing that old fool, Primal. So I stabbed him and threw his body in a nearby lake.”

Elena swallowed, she hadn’t eaten in ages and she didn’t want to taste the bile if she vomited. She hadn’t wanted Tigatron to hurt his friends, but she hadn’t wanted to die for his redemption either. She was surprised by the grief that formed a knot in her throat. But she had to push the unexpected sorrow away for a moment, there was something else Transit had said…

“Primal is here?”

“Oh, don’t get too excited,” Transit said sweetly. “Him and Prime ran off after I dealt with Tigatron. They won’t get far… actually, maybe you should get excited.” His maw, not dissimilar to Tarantulas, twisted into an eerie, artificial smirk. “I’ll bring you their bodies when I find them. Just to be nice.”

Without waiting for her reply he turned and left the lair, back outside, back to hunting down her friends. 

     Elena leaned back against the wall, trying to steady her breath. “They’ll be okay. Your friends are here…they’ll stop Transit and rescue you.”

She wondered if Cheetor was out there, waiting for her… Elena rubbed her eyes, looking over at Airazor and wishing she could hug her. Wherever Maximals go when they die-was Tigatron reunited with her?

.

     She has almost fallen asleep when the appearance of a portal appeared, and Tarantulas dragged himself through it. Elena furrowed her brow, he looked exhausted. Had he gotten into a fight? And why did he have a darker paint job?

She watched him a moment as he crouched in the middle of the floor, his spider limbs twitching.

“Transit killed Tigatron,” she informed him. Was there a chance he’d turn on Transit?

But Tarantulas looked over at her with a droll look. “Okay?”

A bolt of anger made her forget she was at this robot’s mercy. She rose onto shaky legs. “Don’t you care? He gave up everything to follow you!” 

“Oh calm down,” Tarantulas rolled his optics. “He followed me because I offered what he wanted. You’re young and stupid so I’ll let you know that’s one thing EVERY living creature does. They use each other. Loyalty, friendship, or whatever drivel you throw up is a myth.”

“That’s not true.” Elena must’ve gotten cabin fever to be arguing with her captor. 

“Yes, it is. Though I’ll admit I don’t know why the Maximals and Autobots keep you around.” He looked her over, taking her in. “Or maybe I do.”

Elena flushed, and she pressed her back against the wall as the Predacon leaned toward her. He no longer looked exhausted.

One of the spider legs shot out and grabbed her arm. She wouldn’t find out what he was about to do-if he had even planned to do anything-because the moment he made contact with her skin white hot pain nearly blinded her. Elena screamed bloody murder as she fell to her knees. Tarantulas immediately released her, pulling the spider leg back with surprise. 

Through tears Elena clutched her arm, where Tarantulas had touched her there was now a large burnt mark.

Shaking with pain and fear she looked back at Tarantulas who was examining the spider leg, yellow liquid dropped from it.

“Acid…” the con murmured to himself. 

Elena curled back into her corner while Tarantulas stood up. He didn’t look at her, instead going back to his computer. “What is going on?” He whispered to himself. He sounded relaxed, even excited. That wasn’t good news to her. 

 She buried her face in her knees and openly sobbed. How could today get any worse?

She got her answer almost immediately.

Tarantulas had been clicking away on his computer for what felt like hours. She heard him growl under his breath. She made out the words ‘autobots’, ‘drones’, and something about a blue print. 

The pain of her acid burn receded to a dull ache, and Elena made herself stand up. She needed to do something useful, like getting important information. If she didn’t she’d have to sit there,  torn over Tigatron, terrified for Primal and Prime, grieving for Cheetor, with her arm aching.

She has just looked up at the large screen, unable to read the alien language, when it was suddenly covered in static. 

“What the-“ Tarantulas snarled, slamming a fist against the board. 

The static only lasted for a moment and the screen became clear again. Elena quirked a brow, had the con made this computer? If only she could mock him engineering skills.

A sound from behind caught her attention, something like a rustle.

Tarantulas was too busy with his computer, he didn’t even notice Elena had stood up. So it was only her who turned around, looking for the source of the noise.

Was Transit coming back?

She swallowed. Was he coming back alone?

Then she saw Airazor’s wing shift. 

Elena stared, so sure she had imagined it. But then it happened again, her wind moved slightly, as if getting used to moving.

What the hell is going on? Fear pooled in her stomach.

“Tarantulas…”

Airazor’s neck moved from the right, then to the left. Her optics were still empty.

“TARANTULAS!” 

“What?!” The predacon turned toward her, clearly furious she was distracting him.

But then he saw Airazor stand up. The wires were tugged off her body, she looked horrific, her body still destroyed from fighting Scourge. 

And her optics were dead.

Airazor’s beak opened and it wasn’t her voice that came out: “Transmetal… Where’s the transmetal?”

Tarantulas only stared, clearly out of his element. 

Airazor lunged at him, knocking him down to the ground and scratching at his body. Elena rushed to the other side of the lair away from the fight. Terror seized her heart. What was going on?! WHAT WAS GOING ON?!? 

Tarantulas was using his new acidic ability on her, the burns searing across her body but she didn’t react.

Instead Airazor’s body let out an aggravated snarl. “Don’t have it… Charlie Watson… Where’s Charlie Watson?” She jumped away from Tarantulas and rushed to the lair’s exit. She ran right past Elena without even glancing at her-and then she was gone. 

Chapter 34: Connect

Prime kept his optics open, surveying their surroundings. All the while Primal carried Tigatron’s brutalized body into the nearby forest.

They had not gone far the first time, when Transit had thrown Tigatron’s body into a lake. Prime didn’t think the Maximal leader would’ve left it to rust even if Tigatron had still been the enemy. But with the striped Maximal refusing to kill Primal and attacking Transit-Prime didn’t even try to drag Primal far away.

“I can’t leave him,” the Maximal insisted when Transit had left. Primal’s optics were glassy. “I won’t.”

And so the two of them had fished Tigatron out and made camp in the forest. Prime stared at the mountain, knowing that’s where Elena was being kept (as well as Airazor’s body for unknown reasons). His body was rigid with frustration. They needed to save her, but he couldn’t go in guns blazing.

Instead he turned to Primal, who had gently placed Tigatron on the ground. He looked so small now, so different from the beast that had attacked him in New York.

“First Airazor, and now him,” Primal’s voice dragged with defeat.

Prime looked at him. “I’m sorry,” his own voice was heavy with understanding.

Primal tapped his fist against Tigatron’s chest, causing the cavity to open. Prime turned his head immediately, he was so sick of having to see the empty chest of a transformers, to see a space where a spark should have been.

But then he heard a gasp, “Prime, look.”

He forced himself to, and at first he was looking at exactly what he expected. An empty chest cavity.

But then he saw it-a flicker of blue. Stepping closer Prime saw the tiniest flame inside the chest cavity. Transit had not completely extinguished Tigatron’s spark.

He still had a chance.

 

.

 

Noah, Mirage, Rhinox, and Dinobot had found an area a good distance from civilization. It was a cliff that over looked the ocean. It had a few deep trenches the bots could climb in and hide on the chance any human did wander out here.

Noah sat atop the cliff now, legs dangling, watching the ocean and trying not to let his nerves get to him. As soon as they had found the spot, Mirage had tried to get in contact with Arcee and Prime. Neither responded so he just sent the coordinates to Stratosphere.

Noah wished he could check in on Kris and his mother. Mirage still had the walkie-talkie, but he didn’t want to risk the Joes finding out about this mission. The Maximals being in the States, the transmetal, it was best none of them knew about that.

A moment later and he felt Mirage’s prescence as the Autobot came to sit beside him. His own long legs dangling off the side.

“You doing okay?” was the hello.

Noah shrugged, looking up at him. “As beast as I can be, given the circumstances.”

“Don’t worry about Optimus and Arcee,” Mirage began. “I don’t know why they aren’t responding…but they can take care of themselves.” Mirage then let out an annoyed grunt, “Personally, I needed some space from Prime.”

Noah cocked a brow, “Why, what happened?”

Mirage looked at him, clearly trying to decide whether or not he should answer that question. But he folded fairly quickly, “Optimus doesn’t want me to spend so much time with you.”

The words stung. “I thought Prime liked me.”

“He does like you. He also just doesn’t think we should do things like kiss. Which I told him was stupid.”

Noah pondered that for a second.

Mirage kept talking, “His hang up is that humans don’t live as long as us.”

“He’s right,” Noah pointed out, though he hated to think about it. “We…” he looked back to the ocean. “We won’t have as much time as we would’ve if like-I was an Autobot.”

“You don’t know that,” Mirage sounded so solemn it drew the man’s eyes back to him. “I had plenty of Autobot friends, by all accounts I should’ve gotten to spend eons with them. But it feels like I only knew them for a  klik before they went missing or were killed by a Con.”

It was Mirage’s turn to look out to the ocean. He was always so goofy and laid-back, Noah often forgot he was a soldier just like him.

He scooted over so he could lean against the Autobot’s side. Mirage had felt tense but instantly relaxed against his friend. He was warm.

“I never made friends like that,” Noah said after a while of silence. “when I was in the service.”

“How come?”

“It’s hard to put your trust in someone like that.”

Mirage’s body made a shifting noise as he looked down at the human. “You trust me.”

Noah snorted but then straightened up, “I’m gonna tell you something. But you can’t tease me about it.”
”What?” Instantly Mirage’s optics were hungry and curious.

“You’re the first real friend I’ve had since I was a kid,” Noah admitted, his voice low.

Mirage stared for a moment, “What about Kris?”
”He’s my little brother, that doesn’t count.”
”What about Reek?”

Noah rolled his eyes, “We’re more acquaintances than anything. The one good thing he did was lead me to you.”

“Oh…OH!”

“I said no teasing!” Noah spluttered, face hot as Mirage picked him up and crushed him against his chest.

“I’m not teasing you I’m hugging you!” Mirage rubbed his face against Noah’s. “I popped your friend cherry! I’m so happy!”

“Don’t say it like that!” Noah felt even more flushed.

Mirage laughed but then seemed to calm down, keeping his tight grip on Noah’s waist, his face pressed against his neck and shoulder.

“You’re like no one I’ve ever met before,” Mirage murmured against his throat. Shuddering bolts went up Noah’s spine.

“Thank you,” he breathed, cause he didn't know what else to say.

“I don’t care what Optimus or anyone else says,” his grip tightened. “Please don’t listen to them.”

Noah reached his hands up to trace Mirage’s helm. Thanks to his handiwork it wasn’t as smooth as it had once been-but that was okay. “You can have me for as long as you want.”

Mirage’s mouth flexed with a smile.

Noah was sure they would’ve kissed again, but then a shadow fell over them. Stratosphere was back.

Dinobot and Rhinox, farther down, let out shouts of excitement. The group had been getting stir-crazy from the waiting around.

“It Optimus is in there, I’ll talk to him,” Noah offered as Mirage placed him down.

But the Autobot shook his head, “That’s nothing for you to worry about.”

By then Stratosphere landed. Noah and Mirage stood next to Rhinox as he and Dinobot waited for the cargo plane to open.

It did, just an inch. Charlie’s face appeared, looking red and haggard. “Something happened.”

Instantly Noah was on edge.

Mirage stepped closer, “Something…bad?”

Charlie shrugged helplessly and pushed the door the rest of the way open.

Bumblebee, Arcee, Cheetor, and Rattrap were all there, but they looked unconscious. And they all looked different.

“What happened to them?” Rhinox asked. Dinobot only stared.

“I have no idea,” Charlie admitted, jumping off Stratosphere. “We found the other piece to the transmetal. But then Tarantulas showed up and there was a fight and then a white light and now their like this!” She sat onto the ground, burying her face in her hands. “They said some weird stuff.”

“Stratosphere?” Mirage spoke.

“Don’t ask me, I showed up after all of that happened.”

Noah crouched next to Charlie and rubbed her back cause that seemed to be the thing to do right now.

“Okay then,” Mirage flexed his digits. “Let’s get these guys outta there first.” He reached out to grab Bumblebee, only to jump back with a yelp. “He shocked me!”

Noah looked at Bee, he was still unconscious.

Mirage tentatively reached out to touch Cheetor’s shoulder, and relaxed when he wasn’t zapped. He grabbed the Maximal and started to drag him out. “Dinobot can get Bee.”

Said Dinobot rolled his optics but transformed into robot mode to grab the Autobot. He was not shocked.

Meanwhile Rhinox was pretty quick to transform and carry Arcee out.

The three were placed carefully on the ground, but before someone could grab Rattrap, the smallest Maximal grunted and started to move.

With several loud grunts he pushed himself into a sitting position, rubbing his helm. “Who the scrap sat on my head-”

He saw Mirage and the others staring at him, then looked down at the three passed out on the ground. “Something happened.”

Dinobot bared his fangs, “Obviously!”

“Rattrap, what’s going on?” Rhinox demanded.

The Maximal was studying his hand as he slid out of the plane. He and the rest of the group had gotten a new paint job-which Noah silently admitted looked pretty freaking cool.

“It must’ve been the transmetal pieces…” Rattrap muttered to himself, then seemed to remember he had an audience. “Uh, I mean-with the transmetal we had and the one with Tarantulas-it must’ve caused some sort of reaction when they got too close.”

“And gave you guys a make over,” Mirage looked over his friends.

“It would seem so,” Rattrap shrugged.

Dinobot stepped toward the small Maximal, giving him a dubious look. “How would you know that the transmetal can do all that?”

Rattrap stared at him, and for a few moments Noah thought he wasn’t gonna answer. But he did, “What else could’ve caused this?”
“Speaking of the transmetal…” Charlie straightened, looking shame-faced. “I think I messed up.”
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a piece of transmetal. Rattrap took a step back.

“I took it from Tarantulas when he was out of it,” she sinced. “I panicked, I forogt we needed him to have these thigns to get Elena back. By the time I rembered he had left.”

Noah patted her on the back while Mirage crouched on the other side of her. “If it’ll make you feel better,” the Autobot began. “I highly doubt Tarantulas is going to give us Elena. We’ve have to rescue her, transmetal or no transmetal.”

Rhinox stepped forward, “There’s no telling what else the transmetal can do. It is best it isn’t in Tarantulas’ claws.”

Charlie gave him a grateful look, they looked back at the piece she had. “It looks like it’ll connect to the piece we found at my house.” She looked at Rattrap, “You think something else will happen if we connect the two?”

He rubbed the back of his head, “Well, I mean-even if it did. It’s not like anything bad happened.”

The rest made a point to look over to Bumblebee, Arcee, and Cheetor-still passed out.

“Oh, they’ll be fine,” Rattrap waved his hand. “They’re just slow-risers.”
Charlie stood up and headed to Bumblebee and standing by his chest. But she just looked at him with an odd expression.

Dinobot spoke, “He didn’t shock me.”

Charlie looked up as if she ahd forgotten he was there, “What?”

“When I picked him up, he didn’t shock me. Mirage must have dumb luck.”

Mirage made an annoyed noise.

“Oh, right,” Charlie blinked. “Thanks.”

She reached her hand out and lightly tapped Bee’s chest. A second later she had the other transmetal piece in her free hand. Everyone-even Rattrap-braced themselves as she pressed the two together. There was a click and then…nothing. The group relaxed.

“See?” Rattrap spoke. “Told ya.”

Notes:

I'm an Offical AO3-er now. I wrote this while dealing with a power outage from a hurricane

Chapter 35: Secret Keeper

Notes:

Gawd this chapter is so messy and full of me doing whatever the hell I want with the transmetal. What even is canon accurate lore?

Bumblebee let out a pained grumble as his consciousness was dragged back to the forefront.

He lifted an arm, it still felt heavy, and covered his optics. The sun was glaringly bright. What in Primus’ name had happened?”

“Oh, hey, you’re back with us!”

The loud voice had Bumblebee dropped his hand to look up at Mirage, who was now standing over him with a big smile.

“What happen-” Bee jolted, reaching his servos to his throat. “I can talk?”

“Woah!” Mirage sounded impressed. “You got a paint job and your voice box fixed up. I’m jealous, man.”

“What-what happened?” He forced himself into a sitting position, and spotted the paint job Mirage was talking about.

The yellow he had worn since…forever, was now jet black, his iconic stripes was what was yellow now. He looked around himself.

Rhinox, Dinobot, and Rattrap were not far off, talking among themselves. Stratosphere could not be seen, probably off to rest. They were no longer in Brighton Falls, instead some sort of canyon area.

Mirage stood next to him, now looking at Arcee and Cheetor who were lying down next to Bee. They two were slowly rising, grunting and groaning. Like Bee they had gotten a new look, a beautiful blue swirled with Arcee’s pink. Cheetor had teal and silver colors along with his spots.

“What happened to us?” Arcee spoke, her voice hoarse and a hand on her helm.

“My wound is healed,” Cheetor was touching his throat that was no longer shredded.

“That’s cause of the transmetal!” Rattrap’s voice made them all turn to see him trotting over in robot form. Rhinox and Dinobot followed. Bumblebee hadn’t realized before but the small maximal was also a new color, instead of brown he was a stately silver.

“The transmetal?” Arcee was struggling to stand up. Rhinox reached out to help her.

“Yeah, I don’t completely understand it-” Rattrap began. “But I think the two pieces we had caused some kind of…tune up for us. That included Tarantulas.”

Bumblebee was straining to get himself up, holding his hand out to Mirage for help. For some reason the Autobot hesitated for a second before cautiously grabbing his friend’s arm. Mirage visibly relaxed when he did so, as if he was expecting something to happen.

“Tarantulas…” Cheetor spoke slowly, unlike Arcee and Bee he had an easier time standing on his four legs. “I remember he attacked us. I ran very fast…”
”You are a fast runner,” Mirage told him.

“No, I mean faster than I could before.”

“Damn. That is fast.”

Bumblebee was reminded that he had a transmetal piece in his chest cavity. He went to check on it but Rattrap shook his head. “Not there anymore, bud. Our hero Charlie is holding it. She got that piece and the piece Tarantulas had.”

Cheetor looked sharply at his friend, and Bee thought he would say something. But before he could Mirage spoke up again:

“So, what can you two do?” he asked Bee and Arcee.

The two looked at him.

“What are you talking about?” Arcee asked. She looked to be collecting her balance back, but she continued to lean against Rhinox.

“Cheetor can apparently go faster,” Mirage said. “And then Rattrap can-”

“Watch this!” the smaller bot spoke up. Without another word he slammed his fist straight into Dinobot’s face…only for it to go through him like Rattrap’s arm wasn’t solid.

By Dinobot’s face this wasn’t the first time Rattrap had done it while Bee had been unconscious. And he didn’t want to ask how Rattrap had figured that out.

“I don’t know…” Bee slowly looked around, his head was no longer foggy. “Where is Charlie?”
Mirage jerked his head behind him. Bee looked over him to see Charlie and Noah sitting together, having a conversation. They didn’t seem to realize the bots had woken up.

At the sight of Charlie Bee’s memory came back to him. “Oh, Primus…” he whispered, slowing falling back onto his hands and knees. “Oh, Primus what have I done?”
”What? What’s wrong?” Arcee straightened herself up. Mirage knelt next to Bee, the Maximals all gave Bee their undivided attention.

“I told Charlie I’m in love with her,” Bumblebee admitted, staring at the ground and feeling like heat was coming off him in waves. “The first thing I said to her was ‘I’m in love with you’”.”

“Aw, really?” Mirage held his hand to his chest, looking like Bumblebee had confessed to him instead.

“Oh, is that all?” Arcee leaned back against Rhinox. “I thought something bad had happened.

“Good for you, Bumblebee,” Cheetor nodded at him.

“Wait, weren’t you two already together?” Rhinox asked.

Bumblebee looked up at the massive Maximal in shock. Had he been that obvious?

Dinobot and Rattrap just gave Bumblebee knowing looks.

“Why are you still talking with us?” Mirage tried to pick Bumblebee back up. “Go over there and pull her into your arms! Try and figure out how to kiss!”
”I can’t!” Bee snatched his arm away from Mirage. “And you know why.”

Mirage glared at him. “If this is about what Prime said, you need to-”

“I’m not talking about this right now!” Bumblebee snapped. As he spoke he felt something like an electric current wrap around him. He looked down at his arm to see bolts of power dancing around his arm.

If one more thing happens I’m going to self-destruct.

 

.

 

Charlie had her face buried in her hands, her entire body felt like she was overheating.

Noah sat next to her, giving her a comforting pat. She had just told the man Bumblebee had confessed his love to her while acting all bizarre from the transmetal. The two were sitting at the cliff edge, basically a yard away from the bots so none of the them (I.e. Mirage and Rattrap) wouldn’t be nosy and eavesdrop.

“So…are you upset about it?”

“No-yes-” she let out a ragged sigh and shook her head. She straightened up and looked at him. “I’ve realized I always wanted Bee to say that to me. I just didn’t realize it until he had to leave Brighton Falls.”

“But?”

“But I don’t even know if he meant what he said,” Charlie pointed out. “He was completely out of it when he said, they all were. He may not even remember when he wakes up. What’ll I do if I go and tell him the feelings mutual and he has no idea what I’m talking about?”
Noah looked at her. “Even if he hadn’t meant to tell you, I do think he’s in love with you, Charlie. He’s kinda…obvious about it.”

“I’d give anything for us to run away together,” Charlie leaned against her knees, and her voice was soft with wistfulness. “But can we? With all the crazy things happening…we shouldn’t even be worrying about this with Elena gone.”

“We’ll get Elena back,” Noah said, not a doubt in his tone. “I don’t think it’s bad to figure out what we’ll do next. I’m trying to figure that out with Mirage.”

Charlie looked at him with surprise and he continued, “He confessed to me. Probably in a way more messy way than Bee did.”

“Good for you,” Charlie smiled sincerely. “What’s your plan so far?”

“Right now it’s convincing Prime to be okay with it,” Noah said the words before he thought better of it. Charlie’s eyes widened and he cringed as he continued, “Prime doesn’t think Autobots and humans are a good romantic mix. I think he said it to both Mirage and Bee.”

“Oh….” Charlie looked away, eyes trailing up at the sky. She spotted the distant speck of a bird flying. She looked back to Noah.

She must have looked as pitiful as she felt cause he was quick to add, “It’s not like Prime doesn’t like us! He just knows it’ll be…complicated…having a relationship with a Cybertronian. He probably thinks its best to stop now before it gets harder to separate. But Mirage is worth all the trouble he comes with.”

Charlie looked at him for a moment. “Prime likes you,” she clarified. “He barely knows me.” Before Noah could reply she continued, “And of course Mirage is worth it. Bumblebee is more than worth it.” She looked back up at the sky, the bird was a bit closer, its flight crooked like it had hurt its wing. “The question is am I worth it? Can I be what Bee needs me to be. To be together he’d have to go against Prime and I know how close they are. I don’t wanna be the one who gets in the way of their bond.” She looked back at Noah. “I’m not worth the trouble I come with.”

Noah opened his mouth, looking like he was going to give Charlie a very firm encouragement, when his eyes looked up. And just like that his face twisted into one of terror. Charlie wiped her head around, expecting a Decepticon to be lunging at them. Instead her eyes went skyward again and the bird was even closer now. But this time she saw the glowing eyes, the metallic feathers, the way it was getting larger-too large-as it came closer. Its talons were aimed right at the humans.

“GET AWAY!”

A hand wrapped around Charlie and she and Noah were snatched back, into the chest of Cheetor. The Maximal rolled and just missed the talons that landed on the rocky ground, sharp edges scrapping.

“Airazor?!” both Noah and Cheetor spoke in unison as the humans were placed down. They both looked equally horrified. The creature standing before them was clearly a maximal, a hawk one. And it looked like it had seen better days, dirt was clumped across it and its body was ragged as if shaken and beaten. It walked awkwardly, reminding Charlie of a zombie. By then the rest of the group, including Bee and Arcee, had reached Cheetor’s side. By the expressions all but Bee recognized this Airazor, the once yellow Autobot was glaring with hostility at the bird.

“How did this happen?” Rhinox asked, his ears twitching.

“What happened to her?” Dinobot asked, his long tail swaying slowly.

“She died,” Cheetor said bluntly.

Arcee and Mirage exchanged a look. “She doesn’t look very dead right now,” the latter pointed out.

Airazor snapped her neck to the side, eyes that flashed white stared straight at Charlie. Words came out of her wide open beak: “Give us the transmetal.”

Charlie flinched and took several steps back, “That’s the Vok’s voice.”

“Charlie Watson, give us the transmetal.” Airazor stepped forward, wings spread and head tipping back and forth.

Bumblebee put himself firmly between Charlie and Airazor. “I never got to meet you when you were alive,” he told the Vok-possessed Maximal. “I won’t feel bad when I beat you.”

Charlie stared at his back. She was definitely not used to him talking like that, especially with such a cold tone.

Airazor let out an ear-bleeding shriek and flapped her massive wings, rushing at Bee.

Cheetor reached her first, knocking her to the side. The two Maximals were sent rolling across the dusty ground, scratching and biting and pecking.

“Hold her down!” Rhinox yelled, charging forward.

Airazor tried to take flight as the bots rushed her, nearly carrying Cheetor with her before Rhinox and Dinobot latched onto her. But even then they seemed to struggle with keeping her to the ground, her wings slapping against them with a painful thunk.

“Fire at her!” Cheetor snarled, her talons still wrapped around him as he dug into her metal skin with his claws. Bee, Arcee, and Mirage obliged, firing at the Maximal. But Arcee only shot twice before she looked at her blasters in shock, it took a second for Charlie to see that where she had hit Airazor there was a thin layer of ice on Airazor’s body.

“Found Arcee’s new gimmick!” Rattrap voice seem to come out of nowhere. But then the Maximal appeared, leaping onto Airazor’s back and biting at her neck.

For a  moment Airazor-or Vok-turned her head to stare at Rattrap like she recognized him. And then she dug her beak into his neck and ripped him off her, shaking him badly.

Bumblebee took this time to jump at her, stabbing his stinger into Airazor’s chest. She sent Rattrap flying as electricity surged through Airazor’s body, making her drop Cheetor and Rhinox and Dinobot quickly released her.

She landed for just a second before righting herself up, flipping over and pinning Bumblebee down, holding his hands to the ground. The group rushed at her again, but before Charlie could continue to helplessly watch a strong scent was suddenly at her side.

“Charlie,” Rattrap’s voice was heavy. He was in his beast form, crouching beside her and looking rough after being shaken like that.

Charlie started to reach her hands out to comfort him but he pulled back. “Hold on a second.”

“What are you doing?” Noah demanded beside her when Rattrap started to gag violently. The two watched, not without some revulsion, as a metal piece slid out of his throat and clattered on the ground.

Rattrap transformed into robot mode and picked it up, then stretched his freed hand out to Charlie. “Give me the transmetal.”

Wordlessly Charlie obeyed, realizing what Ratrap had just thrown up. He connected the last piece of the transmetal together, turning it into an orb the size of a baseball.

“I hope this works,” Rattrap murmured before rushing back to the fight.

Charlie watched as he slid between Rhinox and Mirage who were trying to pull Airazor off Bumblebee. He put himself between the bird Maximal and the Autobot, shouted, “Get out!” and slammed the transmetal into her chest.

Airazor arced her back and shrieked so loud that Charlie had to cover her ears. She was so sure New York could hear her. Noah covered his own ears as well, his teeth greeted. But then both humans let out gasps as they saw something crawling out of Airazor’s beak.

No, not crawling-it was being dragged. It was a twitchy whiteish blue light that looked to be made of static. It was pulled out of Airazor to writhe and screech above her. Charlie realized it was the Vok.

Give it, it hurt to hear it talk as it reached for Rattrap who immediately put distance between himself and it. Give it…to us. But then with another howl it started to evaporate, like a puddle in the hot sun. The entire group watched wordlessly as the Vok slowly vanished from existence. Airazor’s lifeless body fell on top of Bumblebee who was quick to crawl out from under her.

Charlie took a step forward, wanting to check on him. But before she could Rhinox’s voice stopped her:

“Rattrap…is that the entire transmetal?”

The Maximal looked uncharacteristically awkward, holding the sphere in both hands. “Y-yeah.”

"Where did you get the last piece?” Arcee asked slowly.

For a long moment it looked like Rattrap wouldn’t answer, but under the optics of all his allies he broke: “I-I’ve had it since before I arrived on Earth.”

“WHAT!?” so many voices spoke at once, so loud Charlie and Noah jumped.

“And you didn’t think to tell us?” Mirage asked.

Dinobot spoke up from where he stood next to Cheetor, the cheetah was looking at Rattrap as if he didn’t know who his friend was. “You know more about the transmetal than you’re letting on, don’t you vermin?

Rattrap glowered at him, but didn’t deny Dinobot’s claim. “Yeah. I was out looking for planets we could stay in case Unicron ever…I found an abandoned one, I stumbled across the lab. And I found this.” He held out the transmetal. “From what I read this thing could be one of the most powerful items in the galaxies. It could do just about anything if you set your mind to it.” He looked at Bumblebee and Arcee but made a point not to look at Cheetor. “I’m guessing we were all wanting to be stronger when Tarantulas attacked us and that’s why we got an upgrade.”

“That’s why you didn’t want me to get near the fighting,” Bee spoke up, realization accenting his words. “Cause we had the entire transmetal this whole time.”

“I didn’t know what would happen,” Rattrap spoke quickly. “I was half sure it would kill Dinobot when I used it on him.”

“You did what!?” Dinobot looked like he was about to finish what Airazor started.

Rattrap looked at him like he thought he was stupid. “You never wondered why Unicron isn’t in your head anymore? Why you aren’t a giant tracker for that planet eating monster to find us?”

Dinobt only stared, taken off guard. “What…what did you do?”

“Remember the last time we fought?” Rattrap tapped his face to indicate Dinobot’s scar. “I already had the transmetal with me when I knocked you out. Having read about it being able to like-purge things, I thought to try it out on you. And it like, took Unicron’s influence out of you somehow. Not that I stayed long enough to see if it worked. But since Unicron isn’t using you as a puppet it’s safe to say I was right.”

Dinobot now had the same expression as Cheetor, as if Rattrap wasn’t who he thought he was.

The Maximal continued, “That’s why I thought to use it on Airazor, to get the Vok out and kill it.”

“And what do you know about the Vok?” Bee asked.

“Not a lot,” Rattrap was quick to say. “Just that they’re after this thing. They may have been the ones to build it, I don’t know. But if they’re willing to use a corpse like that to get it I think it’s safe to say they shouldn’t have it.”

The group looked around at each other, as if trying to gauge each other’s reactions. Noah took that time to step up and speak, “Why was it broken into pieces?”
”I did that,” Rattrap admitted. “After what happened with Dinobot I was thinking how deadly it would be in the wrong hands. And I’m a great fighter, but I didn’t think I could protect it on my own. So I broke it into three pieces, sent two pieces off into space, and swallowed the third. I didn’t think they’d all wind up on Earth…”

Silence fell again, Noah rubbed the back of his neck and looked at Charlie. He didn’t seem to know what to make of all this news. Neither did she.

But all of a sudden Cheetor rushed forward, and with a paw (claws sheathed) slapped Rattrap, sending him to the ground. There was more than once gasp of surprise.

“And what about Elena!?” Cheetor snarled viciously, glaring down at his friend. “If Airazor hadn’t shown up you never would’ve told us that you had the last transmetal piece!”

“I’m sorry-” Rattrap began but Cheetor cut him off.

“Were you going to let us keep hunting for it? Till what? Until Tarantulas kills her!?”

To Charlie’s surprise Dinobot surged forward to stand over Rattrap as if to protect him from Cheetor. “Be calm, Cheetor. We can’t be angry at him right now, not with enemies who-”

“Oh, I’m not just angry at him,” Cheetor snapped, then turned his glare over to Charlie.

Guilt nearly overcame her before Bumblebee stepped forward to face the Maximal.

“Do not blame, Charlie,” he said. “You’ve seen what this thing can do, Cheetor. She’s done us a favor by taking it away from Tarantulas. He can’t have it.”

“We’re going to save Elena another way,” Noah told him, putting a comforting hand on Charlie’s arm.

“For all we know our leaders have already rescued her,” Mirage pointed out.

Cheetor continued to glower at them all as if they were enemies. Until Rhinox spoke up, his voice firm and harsh: “You will calm down, Cheetor. You will not behave as Tigatron did.”

Cheetor flinched at his words but did look to physically relax.

Rattrap spoke up, “Cheetor, I’m-”

The Maximal slunk away before his friend could finish. Charlie wanted to apologize as well, but he was already walking past them.

“Give him time,” Rhinox spoke to them all. He then looked at Rattrap, “I know you were doing what you believed was best. But why wouldn’t you even tell Primal?”

“I thought it be best if no one knew about it,” Rattrap spoke, his voice hoarse and defeated. “Even if none of us would use it for evil, we would find bots who’d use it as a weapon.”

Rhinox nodded, apparently satisfied with the answer. “We’ll need to tell Primal when we next see him.”

“What are we going to do about Airazor?” Arcee asked, casting a sad look over at the body.

Rhinox’s optics flashed with grief as he looked at Airazor. “I’d like to take her back to Peru. When we can.”

“I’ll sit with her body,” Noah offered immediately.

Mirage spoke up, “And we’ll try to get in contact with Prime. Think Stratosphere would be willing to try and fly us all over to Japan?”

Mirage followed Arcee and Rhinox away from the cliff. He sent Noah a reassuring smile as he passed. Dinobot looked at Rattrap as if waiting to see what the bot would do. Rattrap looked absolutely miserable, still holding onto the transmetal he transformed back to beast mode and slunk over to lay next to Airazor. Dinobot watched him go, looking lost himself.

Noah walked over to join Rattrap, leaving Charlie looking up at Bee.

He looked down at her, finally giving her his full attention. For once she found it hard to hold his gaze.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice soft and caring.

Charlie swallowed and glanced away, “Yes, I’m fine, thanks… Are you okay?”

“I’m okay, I’m fine,” he replied, now sounding as awkward as she felt.

He remembers what he said, Charlie realized. Is he going to bring it up? Should I? What about Optimus?

“I’m glad you got your voice back,” she ended up saying.

“Yeah,” Bee puffed his chest out. “I missed it. What do you think about it?”

“Bee!” Arcee spoke up before Charlie could answer. “Can you come here, please? I wanna talk about that electricity thing you did.”

“Coming,” he called. He looked at Charlie, “Do uh, what do you…”

“I’ll sit with Noah and Rattrap,” she said.

He nodded, a jerky motion. “Right. Just call if you need anything.” He moved to go, then gave her another look, suddenly looking much more serious. “We need to talk.”

Charlie’s heart went to her throat. “Right now?”

“Later,” he said. “When things have calmed down. Okay?”

“Okay.”

He walked away to join the Autobots, leaving Charlie to go and sit next to Noah.

He was sitting cross-legged. Rattrap had let him hold the transmetal and the man was examining the artifact.

“Everything good?” he asked when she joined him.

“I’ll let you know when I know,” Charlie replied, her heart still stuck in her throat. But for better or worse things were going to be laid out. She looked at Airazor, "Who was she?"

"A good friend," Noah said softly. "She was the one who introduced us to the Maximals, and helped us fight Scourge. She-she didn't make it, we buried her back in Peru after we stopped Unicron."

Charlie nodded solemnly then looked over at Rattrap who still looked pitiful, staring blankly at Airazor. Dinobot was standing by himself, staring up at the sky as if he expected another possessed Maximal to drop down.

Charlie reached out to rub Rattrap’s back. He flinched slightly at the contact, “I really messed up.”

“We all do,” Charlie told him.

“I was scared.”
”What’s done is done,” Noah said. He was looking thoughtfully at the transmetal, no doubt thinking of all he had learned about it. “All we can do is keeping going forward.”

“Cheetor hates me.”

“He doesn’t hate either of you,” Noah reassured them. “He’s just upset. He’ll be better once we get Elena back.”

“We really need to figure out how,” Charlie pointed out. “Even if Prime and Primal have rescued her, they can’t get back here without Stratosphere. And unless we make more than one trip that’s a lot of bots on a very long flight.”

“Do you think this thing could stop Transit?” Noah suddenly asked, indicating to the transmetal. “Like, assuming he’s invulnerable because of Unicron, could this thing remove that from him?”

“Maybe,” Rattrap admitted quietly.

“Coming up with some ideas?” Charlie asked.

Noah didn’t look at her, instead his eyes slowly moved over to Airazor’s body. “Yeah…I wanna know what all this thing can do.”

Chapter 36: Rescue

Elena was dying.

She didn’t know how many days had passed, her body hanging from the cavern wall, but she knew humans couldn’t last long without water.

She was ashamed to remember how she had begged Tarantulas for water, multiple times. The one time he did he had dumped salt water on her head like a plant.

Feeling the salt water pass her chapped lips, it was like it sapped all the energy she had left. Her body was limp, her chin poking into her breast bone. She was in and out of consciousness she was pretty sure. Tarantulas, who had been too absorbed in his new abilities to focus on his prisoner, suddenly let out a furious snarl and left the room. Elena couldn’t muster up any sense to wonder what had happened.

This was really how she was going to go? Not slipping quietly away in her bed at age one hundred (preferred), or being blown up in the middle of an alien battle over earth (expected). She tried to be angry about it, but her dry throat was too distracting. It felt like she had swallowed the entire desert. Her stomach twisted desperately at the thought of the word ‘swallow’.

Elena closed her eyes, trying to picture herself somewhere else, anywhere else. Her last defiant thought; this wasn’t the place she wanted to die…

Something touched her shoulder.

Elena’s eyes peeled open, and a bolt of fright sent her heart pumping. Two metallic hands, the size of her head, slipped out of the cave wall behind her. They were on either side of her head, one grabbing her shoulder. The owner of the hands must’ve thought she would scream (she would have if it didn’t feel like her throat would start bleeding), because it came over her mouth to muffle any potential sound.

The warm press of metal against her skin did made her try and move her body, a last bit of adrenaline, a last bit of fight in her.

Then a voice spoke in her ear, “Relax, Els, it’s just me.”

RATTRAP!?

Elena stared as his robotic face popped into her line of sight. He was halfway out of the solid wall like he was Casper the Friendly Ghost. And Elena would’ve started crying if she had any water left in her.

She was starting to hallucinate.

Despite knowing that she let the mirage of Rattrap bite off the strands of web holding her in place. Her legs were beyond numb and she was immediately rushing to the floor. Ratrap’s arm was quick to wrap around her waist, saving her from smacking into the floor and waking up from this fever dream.

He felt unnervingly solid as he held her up to his chest. “I didn’t get to practice this with a human yet,” he murmured against her tangled hair. “But how different are people from rocks, when you really think about it.”

A crazy sentence, but one she expected when she was hallucinating. However she hadn’t expected her dehydrated mind to go as far as to have Ratrap carry her into the cave wall.

Despite knowing it was all a dream she clung tightly to Rattrap and closed her eyes against the blackness that surrounded them. It was such a weird and unnerving sensation, she felt the prick of stone across the entirety of her body, as if she moved just a hair she would feel the press of the rock around her. She felt nauseous, but luckily for Rattrap she had nothing to yak up.

A few moments later and white light burst against her eyelids. It took Elena a long time to manage to open her eyes to the sunlight. She hadn’t seen the sun and sky for so long.

Rattrap was still walking, and Elena looked over to see where he was going-and was given undeniable proof this was all a cruel dream.

Elena broke into a dry sob and buried her face into Rattrap’s neck. She couldn’t bear to see the femme bot standing before them, looking like the first time she had saw her.

Airazor.

 

.

 

Earlier…

 

“What are you thinking?” Charlie breathed, sitting next to Noah.

He almost didn’t want to say it, a desperate clinging of hope hung on his ribs. He worried if he spoke his idea it would fall off and vanish.

Yet the words came out anyway; “Could it bring her back?”

The two humans were still crouching next to Airazor’s body, Noah’s fingers wrapped around the transmetal. He was pretty sure he was shaking a bit.

His question was directed to Rattrap, who was sitting on the other side of Charlie. The Maximal’s optics widened slightly, as if he hadn’t considered the possibility. “I…I don’t know.”

Noah glanced behind him, the rest of the bots were still huddled together, still planning the next move. All except for Dinobot, who was a few feet away. He couldn’t hear their whispers but he was warily watching them nonetheless.

And before Noah could think better of it, he placed the transmetal against Airazor’s neck. He thought the words: “come back to us” as hard as if he was praying.

Nothing happened.

There was a heavy, almost suffocating silence…

The body twitched.

Airazor’s eyes popped open the millisecond her entire body jolted upward.

Rattrap slammed into Noah and Charlie, knocking them out of reach of the Maximal’s massive wings. He kept his body over them, shielding them. And a moment later Dinobot was there, standing over both the humans and Rattrap, fangs bared at Airazor.

“WHAT HAPPENED!?” one of the bots yelled, the sound of stomping footsteps. “WHY IS AIRAZOR-”

The voices came to a halt as Airazor’s body started to twist and contort, to transform. Replacing the hawk was a tall, slender frame that was similar to Arcee’s. She was on her long, shaking legs for maybe two seconds before she fell back down.

Airazor, now in robot form, stared off into the distance, seemingly collecting herself. Cheetor took a small, hesitant step forward. Both he and Rhinox looked like they were too scared to believe what they were looking at.

“Airazor…?” Cheetor’s voice was small, sounding like a child’s.

The femme’s head snapped around to look at them, and everyone flinched at the sudden moment. She looked at each face, taking the group in…her optics narrowed. “Cheetor? Rhinox? …What happened? Where’s Prime-”

She was cut off as both Cheetor and Rhinox rushed at her, throwing their arms around her in a conjoined embrace.

“You’re alive!” Rhinox sounded close to tears. “You’re back!”

“Back?” Airazor echoed, but had returned their embrace just as fiercely. “What happened to me? Last I remember was finding you two and Primal…with the Autobots.”

“Airazor!” Rattrap left the others to squeeze in into the group hug. Cheetor immediately pulled away, as if touching Rattrap would burn him. But the femme bot didn’t notice, staring down at Rattrap as he snuggled into her chest. “Rattrap…you were alive as well? What is going on-” she caught sight of Dinobot, and her entire body stiffened. The raptor immediately lowered his head, trying to make himself look small.

Her expression morphed into further confusion, and she looked back and forth at the group that surrounded her. “How-how long have I been gone?”

 

.

 

Elena flinched as she felt Airazor’s beat nudge her back. She had remind herself this wasn’t real, it was a cruel dream that would follow her into the afterlife.

“She’s in bad shape,” Rattrap said the obvious, his voice edged with worry.

“We need to get her back to the others,” Airazor’s voice made Elena sob again. “Both of you, on my back now.”

Elena opened her eyes when Rattrap placed her on top of Airazor’s back, the metallic feathers oddly soft.

“Hold on to me, Elena,” Airazor spoke softly, as if the human was a frightened fawn.

“You’re not real,” she murmured, clutching the feathers. Rattrap sat behind her, a secure arm around her waist. “Neither of you are real. I’m dreaming.”

“I know you got a lot to catch up on, doll, but we’re real,” Rattrap reassured her.

“You’re safe now,” Airazor assured, then she took flight.

Elena’s body jolted as the Maximal took flight. The girl looked over Airazor’s neck to see a mountain below, that was where Tarantulas’ lair is. And for some reason-the sight of the mountain was what made Elena realize she was not hallucinating. This wasn’t a dream. She had escaped. Rattrap had got her out. Airazor was alive.

And Elena really, really hated heights.

With a yelp she smothered her face into Airazor’s feathers. She thought she heard Rattrap chuckle, but the wind was too loud for her to know for sure.

She once again wanted to weep, but was still as dry as a bone. She was safe, she had finally been rescued, and by a friend she thought she’d never see again. At the moment, Elena didn’t even care for the details of how Airazor was back. She was just happy she was.

They were leaving the mountain behind, Airazor thankfully getting closer to the ground. Rattrap suddenly nudged her, “Look who else is here.”

Swallowing past her acrophobia she pulled herself up to look to the ground-and let out a shrill cry of joy.

Cheetor.

He looked different, she could tell even from up here, there was more colors on him, but she felt those same eyes on her. She waved down at him, only for Rattrap to pull her back when she started to slip.

When Airazor landed it was among the forestry, hidden from the view of the mountain.

Cheetor was faster than last Elena saw him, and he had reached them just as Airazor landed. He transformed into robot mode immediately, and was still moved when he reached his arms out for her. Elena was ready, jumping into his arms, and the two ended up sprawling across the ground.

Cheetor hugged her so tight to her chest Elena thought her chest would burst. Or maybe that was just the joy and relief that was overwhelming her and having her throw her arms around his neck. Without thinking about it she kissed at his face, every inch of it but his lips.

He was talking, so fast she could barely make out the words. But she knew he had missed her, had worried for her constantly, was so, so, so happy she was back in his arms.

Elena was doing her dry sobbing again, struggling to get the words out of her sandpaper throat.

  “I’m sorry,” she managed at last. “I’m so sorry!”

“Sorry,” Cheetor was making a purring noise, his closed mouth moving along her neck and chest. “Sorry for what?”

“I should have answered when I had the chance-I should have realized!” she snuggled deep into his neck, and just let herself exist for that moment-for him. “I love you too, Cheetor.”

Notes:

The time skip between Airazor's revival and Elena's rescue will be explained in later chapters