Spark of Hope (A Transformers Fic; BB/OC): Chapter Five
This ride was moderately short compared to the last few. We barely went a mile before turning into an alleyway between a few of the taller buildings in town.
The Camarobot stopped halfway down and unlocked the door. We took that as a sign to get out, coming to stand in front of the car.
A few minutes later, the silence was broken by multiple engines. Pulling in from the other end of the alley was a Search and Rescue Hummer, a darker yellow then Camarobot, a beautiful silver Pontiac Solstice, a GMC Topkick I nearly missed because it blended into the shadows so well. The last to make an appearance was a Peterbilt Semi, painted a royal blue with flame detailing on the hood. That we got to see extremely well, seeing as he stopped inches from our faces, forcing us to back into Camarobot.
How am I going to give all these guys names? I’m running out of variations of ‘robot’.
The Peterbilt transformed, taking longer than Camarobot and Robostang, and stood at at least 36 feet tall by the time all the different parts stopped shifting and spinning. All the other vehicles took big boys example and transformed as well.
Then big boy kneeled down and got all in our faces again. “Are you Samuel James Witwicky, descendent of Archibald Witwicky?”
“They know your name.” Mikaela breathed.
“Sam,” I looked at all the robots surrounding us, “no more internet for you.”
Sam gave me a look. “Yeah. That’s me.”
“My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron.”
The rescue hummer butted it. “But you can call us Autobots.”
I raised my hand. “Harlequin Prime.” Was that a stiffening of big boy’s shoulders? “That’s Mikaela Banes.” I pointed to my housemate.”
“What’s cracking little bitches?” The Solstice did a flip, landing on the, non-Autobot, car behind him. He did not just us bitches. I saw Mikaela’s eye twitch at the wording as well.
“My first lieutenant, Designation Jazz.”
“How? Where did he learn to talk like that?”
If a robot could look annoyed, it was Optimus’ face right now. “We searched the World Wide Web.” He swung a huge arm to the side, turning our attentions to the rescue hummer. “My medical officer, Ratchet.”
Ratchet sniffed the air. I didn’t know robots could breathe, let along sniff. “The boys pheromone levels suggest he wants to mate with the female.” The can sniff out pheromone levels. Bloodhound robot, great.
Then his words actually made it into my brain. I burst out laughing. Sam and Mikaela scooted away from each other, looking extremely awkward and uncomfortable. It made me laugh even more.
“And you have a tang about you. Something not completely human. But I’d have to run some tests to be sure.” Well there went my laughter. What the hell does that mean? Of course I’m human!
Optimus then gestured to the Topkick. “My weapons specialist, Ironhide.” Ironhide’s arm twisted and changed until some very badass firepower was pointed in our direction. All three of us gulped simultaneously. I think Sam even peed his pants.
“You feeling lucky punk?”
“I just wanted to show them my canons.” He sounded put out, like a puppy begging for table scraps. I snorted. I didn’t mean too, but I did. It was just so cute.
“And you know your guardian, BumbleBee.” So Camarobot is really BumbleBee. He pulled a few boxing movies, punching invisible enemies.
*Check on the rep yep second to none.*
“So you’re my guardian huh?”
A red light shot out towards BumbleBee, directed at his throat. “His vocal processors were damaged in battle. I’m still working on them…” BumbleBee coughed.
I looked at each of the Autobots, eyes staying on the Camaro. “This makes that car wash look really perverted now…” Oops, that wasn’t supposed to come out. Stupid brain-to-mouth filter breakdown.
BumbleBee looked smug, another song coming through his radio. *Baby I like it! I-i-I like it!* Oh my Goddess, we did not just go down that path. My hand made contact with my face. I’m just not going to talk, ever again.
“Why are you here?” Mikaela looked up to Optimus.
“We are looking for the All Spark. We must find it before Megatron does.”
In response to Sam’s question, Optimus touched a finger to the side of his head, blue lights shining to the pavement.
The ground fell away, with what looked like magma beneath. A few pieces broke off between Sam and Mikaela, splitting them apart. The entire section under me collapsed. I screamed, fearing falling far and fiery, before I was lifted into the air by the back of my shirt. I looked up to see Ironhide grinning, fingers pinched around my clothing. He settled me on his bed-sized hand. “Careful little one. It’s not as safe as you’d think.”
“Thanks.” I turned back to the ‘show’, balancing on my hands and knees to look down.
“Our planet was once a powerful empire, peaceful and just,” Metal columns flew out of the cracks, creating a metallic war zone. “until we were betrayed by Megatron, leader of the Decepticons.” One mechanical being stood above all the rest, a spear positioned to throw at the bots below him.
“Our war finally consumed the planet, and the All Spark was lost to the stars. Megatron followed it to Earth, where Captain Witwicky found him.” That Megatron was one creepy looking mugglehugger…
“It was an accident that intertwined our fates.” The scene turned to a frozen wasteland, a handful of men and a few dogs struggling to free an ice blocked ship. The dogs took off and started digging. The men followed and the ice started to break, Captain Witwicky, recognized by pictures in Sam’s house, falling through.
“But Megatron crash-landed before he could retrieve the Cube. He accidentally activated Megatron’s navigation system. The location of the Cube was etched on his glasses.”
“How’d you know about the glasses?” Mikaela called out.
“Sam!” I screamed to him. “I am so deleting that account as soon as we get back to your house!”
“If the Decepticons find the All Spark,” Ratchet added, “they will use its power to transform Earth’s machines and build a new army.”
Optimus stood to his full height. “And the human race will be extinguished. “Sam Witwicky, you hold the key to Earth’s survival.”
Ratchet looked to me as Ironhide lowered me back to the ground. “But you hold the key to another cause entirely.” He muttered. I just barely heard it 10 feet in the air. The others, humans that is, didn’t hear a thing.
“Please tell me you have those glasses.” Mikaela pleaded.
BumbleBee pulled in a small road near the Witwicky household, the rest of the Autobots quietly following. “Okay, I need you guys to stay here, and stay quiet.” Sam instructed, getting out of ‘Bee. Huh. ‘Bee. That’s cute, just like the car himself. Too adorable for words. Anywho, back on track. He pointed a finger at Mikaela and I, “Watch them.” then disappeared.
“So…what now…?” I stood there and swung my arms back and forth. I could hear Sam babbling in the background. How do you ‘keep an eye’ on five alien robotic beings?
Optimus transformed and stepped over the fence. Not good.
“Wait!” Mikaela whispered-shouted, rushing after him. “Come back!” The other Autobots quickly followed their leaders lead.
BumbleBee crouched by the corner of the house and peaked around it. I ran to him, shaking my head and arms flailing. I held my finger to my lips, the robot mimicking me, and pushed against his tall frame. Trying to get him out of sight. Thankfully, he moved.
Sam successfully distracted his dad, and came running back to us, flailing like I was not moments ago. “What are you doing? I told you to stay! Stay over there; people are going to see you!” Optimus circled the flailing boy, stepping on back and on the fountain.
“Oh, not the fountain!” I covered my eyes. Maybe it’ll all go away if I cover my eyes.
“Sorry, my bad.” No such luck.
Mojo came running out of the back door, to stop at Sam’s feet. Sam, who rounded on the only girls of the group. “You two were supposed to watch them!”
“Have you ever tried babysitting 18 foot tall robots? They don’t like listening to little 5’7” me!” I gestured between myself and the looming aliens.
Mikaela nodded. “They seem to be in a bit of a rush.”
“Um Sam…” I pointed behind him. “I think you need to tame your crackhead dog. Now is not the time for male dominance issues.”
Mojo now stood next to Ironhide, leg held poised in the air. Sam yelled ‘No!’ just as Mojo peed on Ironhide’s foot. “Of the robot!”
Ironhide whipped his guns out, pointing them straight at my best friend holding his stupid dog. “You seem to have a rodent infestation. Shall I terminate?”
“No, no, Ironhide! He’s not a rodent, he’s a Chihuahua!” I may think he’s a crackhead dog, but he’s cute and I love his crackheadedness. “We love Chihuahuas, don’t we?”
“He leaked lubricants all over my foot.”
“He did?” I gave Sam a terrified look. Sam threw ‘the finger’ at Mojo. “Bad. Bad Mojo!”
Sam ran to the safety of his house. “Just go hide!”
‘Go hide’ must translate to ‘truck stop’ in Cybertronian, because as soon as the words left his lips, all the robots transformed and sat there.
You better find those glasses quick Sam.
Optimus rolled over to my Impala and sat there a few seconds before throwing open his passenger’s door. Me, being closest, figured it was an invitation to hop in. As soon as the door was closed, a series of clicks came through the speakers and Ratchet rumbled over.
“…Harle…who does this car belong to?”
My Impala? Well, Judy and Ron’s car was in the garage so I guess he means my Impala. “It’s mine. My Mom gave it to me, before she…before she left…”
“That is no ordinary Earth-vehicle Harle.” Ratchet’s voice came through Optimus’ speakers. They must be some sort of com-link. Cool.
“What do you mean? It’s just an old Impala. A classic, of course, but really, these things are popping up anywhere these day-“
“No Harle.” Optimus said. “This is Fireblaze Prime. My sister. She left Cybertron during the war. She must have come to Earth and decided to stay. She always did like to explore new places…”
Optimus seemed to have trailed off into his memories, so Ratchet took over.
“This is the reason you are different from the other humans. The reason for that ‘tang’ surrounding you. Your Mother did not leave you; she changed into her alternate form and stayed that way.”
“I…she…but why…here…never transformed…huh?” It’s official, all the craziness in my life has reduced my brain to mush.
“She cannot transform,” Optimus sounded sad, “because she is dead. This car is just a husk of her former body.” Oh, yeah, sad. Now I was tearing up.
“So I’m one of you guys? But I’m not big…or a robot…or transformy…”
Ratchet continued. “That symbol on your chest is proof enough. It is the ‘American flag’ of the Autobots you could say. We each have one etched onto our skin in our holoforms, in different sizes and places.
“This has never happened before in Cybertronian recorded history. From what I can gather, I believe your Mother conceived and carried you in her holoforms. Resulting in your human appearance. I would like to study this further, but for now I will let the news sink in.” the Hummer moved away.
I sat in Optimus a bit longer until speaking again. “So does this make you my uncle? Uncle Optimus?”
“If you wish it little spark. I would be glad to call you family.”
“Yeah. That’d be nice. I’m…I’m gonna go…be…with my…Mom.”
The door opened and I climbed out, we both had a lot to think about. I walked to my Impa-Mom, and climbed in. Sitting in the front seat, tears streaming down my face, I cracked. I screamed, and cried, and kicked, and slammed my hands against the dashboard.
I stopped when I heard a pop. Opening my eyes, I was surrounded by a soft blue light, originating from my Autobot symbol. I whipped my eyes and looked around. The center of the steering wheel had opened up, a miniature metal arm holding out and envelope. I took it and split the seat; it was addressed to me and the blue glow was enough to read by.
My Darling Harlequin, my lovely StarSearcher,
If you are reading this, than I am gone and the other Autobots have arrived. Only with them around would your spark have been able to sense this hiding place and open it. I came to Earth many years ago, hoping to help my brother win the war, and stop Megatron. But I was distracted. I met a man, Cal, and I loved him from the beginning. I was new to these human emotions and their intensity took me by surprise. I lost control and you were born. When I first held you, I knew I could not keep you, at least not for long. Somewhere deep in my spark I knew you would need a Cybertronian body, and unfortunately, Earth was in short supply. With no way of knowing when the other Autobots would arrive, and if they would even have a medical officer who would know what to do, I decided to leave you with your father, and his other daughter Mikaela. Your sister. I left a note, saying I couldn’t care for you and to give you the Impala, me, when you were old enough. Then I transformed for the last time, to make sure you, my little sparkling, would have exactly what you needed when the time was right. Always know that I love you and we will see each other again one day. Be strong StarSearcher. Follow your dreams and your spark; they will lead you true through the universe.
A few tears hit the page, smudging the ink. I sniffed and stuffed the papers back in the envelope and slid it back in the tiny compartment. The steering wheel closed, the blue light faded. It was too much. An uncle, a mother, becoming a robot at some point in my future, driving around a dead body, an alien war, it was too much. I cleaned myself up and climbed out, headed for the Autobots. Optimus at least deserved to know.
They were no longer vehicles, but crowding the house. The yard was absolutely destroyed and the entire neighborhood’s lights were out. What did they do?
Judy was gonna be pissed.
Optimus saw me and carefully lifted me to eye level.
“She did it for me. She died so I could live. Apparently I will need a robot body at some point, don’t know when. But it was all for me…”
Optimus nodded “Fireblaze would have done anything to protect her sparkling.”
“And she called me StarSearcher.”
“That would have been your Cybertronian name. But, living on Earth, you would have needed a human name as well.”
“Well I like it. Where did Mikaela go?”
“Inside to help Sam find the glasses.” Optimus lifted me further, until I was flush with the window. I toppled into the empty room, and decided to head downstairs. Sam’s room was more of a mess than usual, so I guess they already checked there. But first…I walked over to his computer and wiggled the mouse, bringing up his eBay page. I easily deleted it. No more random visitors from space thank you very much. We’ve had enough of that. I turned off the computer and left.
“Sam?” I walked into the kitchen to see said boy throwing things around in search for his backpack. “Have you found the glasses yet?”
He held them aloft. “Yes!” He crowed. “Now we have to get them to Opti-were you crying Harle?”
“No!...Yes…I’ll tell you later.”
Mikaela joined us in the kitchen. “Your Mom’s really nice.”
Change of topic, good. That’s good. “Don’t you just love her.?”
“I want you two to distract my parents. I’ll take the glasses to Optimus.”
“Ronald Wikity?” We heard from the living room. Who is here at 11:30 at night. And who can’t even pronounce the household name?
We ran into the room, a bunch of suit wearing men man-handling Ron and Judy. The man closet to Judy looked to us. “Is your name Sam?”
“You need to come with us.” The man came towards us and Judy went full blown mama bear.
“You are not taking my son anywhere mister.” Mojo barked.
Another man approached Mr. Thinks-He’s-In-Charge. Handing him some weird device he said “I think direct contact.” Mr. THIC looked shocked.
“Son? Step forward please.” He frisked Sam with the device, causing it to beep like crazy. His eyes widened and he frisked Mikaela with the same device. Beeps.
Next was me. The think beeped so much it started smoking and finally caught on fire. Mr. THIC dropped it and if eyes could get any wider, his surely did.
“Boys, bag them and tag them!”
