Crossing Realities
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the transformers, Autobots and Decepticons, or their related movies, toys, cartoons or comics. Those are owned by the various powers that be; which do not include me…sigh
I only own the characters of my own creation, for as long as they will allow it..
Thank you to those that pointed out my error. I know it's Skyfire, I even wrote it down, but all those names beginning with an S just got to me, that and Starscream is stuck in my head, oh well. Thanks, for catching my error, I knew I couldn't get away without any, grrrr. I've made the corrections so, thanks!
Again, because I can't say it enough, thank you. Thank you to all who have read and left reviews. I really appreciate it, so thank you. I can't say it enough. I apologize for the wait and hope you enjoy this chapter.
Now on with the show…
Chapter 3 : Party Time
At the Autobot Base
Alexis looked around the large room, and took in all the work she and her friends had accomplished in such a short time. A large banner was taped to the wall, and balloons were everywhere; rolling around on the floor, floating in the air, and bouncing on the walls. Colorful streamers hung from the ceiling, with help from Jefire, who had shook his head at it all, before going to the command center.
On a table, next to the farthest wall, was placed a sheet cake, covered in thick, real icing and decorated with big, colorful flowers, with the name Starscream, written across it, in big and bold red icing.
I can still see the look on the baker's face, when I told him the name I needed written on it.
Alexis suddenly felt nervous; worried if this was a good idea. She didn't know how Starscream would react. Would he like it, or just walk away.
Do Decepticons even have parties?
She saw Fred try to snag some icing from the cake, but before she could call out anything, Rad stopped him, and nodded in her direction. Fred glanced at her and gave her a nervous smile, allowing Rad to lead him away.
Because the computers were being used for search and defense, Billy had brought his battery powered cd player, and asked everyone to bring in their favorite music to play. Billy was next to his player, flipping through cds, trying to decide which one to play first, while Carlos was handing out confetti poppers to everyone.
Carlos walked up to her, with the multi-colored poppers. "Which one do you want Alexis?" he asked, holding them out for her to see.
"Oh, I don't' care." She said, looking at the different colored poppers, before deciding on the bright blue one. "Is everyone ready?"
Carlos looked around the room. "We seem to be, just waiting on the man of the hour." He glanced at his cell phone, to check the time. "Hot Shot should be showing up any minute with him."
Alexis nodded, once again feeling for the small box in her jean pocket. She felt nervous and a little light-headed. She hoped the party would be success.
I don't know what I will do, if he doesn't like it.
Starscream flew into the landing bay of the Autobot base, well ahead of Hot Shot, and transformed. He relaxed, and waited for Runway, Jetstorm and Sonar to enter and transform, while he decided if he wanted to attend the meeting, or just skip it and go to his personal quarters.
He heard the aerial mini-bots and Swindle chirp at him. They knew that he was trying to find a reason not to attend the meeting. Looking down, Starscream saw Runway with his arms crossed, and Sonar pointing in the direction of the meeting room.
Starscream waved his hand in their direction, saying, "Yeah, yeah; I'll go.", as he walked out of the landing bay, and into the long corridor, heading in the direction of the meeting room. After taking a few steps, he turned around, looking for Hot Shot.
He should be here by now.
He looked down at the mini-bots, who raised their arms, palms up, in response. Starscream shrugged and turned back towards the corridor, hearing his mini-bots follow him.
Carlos, who had been standing guard at the room entrance, turned to the small group and said, "He's coming; he's coming right now." Before running over to join them.
"Turn off the light." Alexis said in a loud whisper, pointing at Fred, who walked over to complete her request. Fortunately, for them, the Autobots had placed some of their room controls at human level.
Everyone blinked, to adjust their eyes to the dark, but all of them heard Fred say, "I hope he comes soon, I'm so hungry, I could faint."
"Fred!" Billy said, which was followed by Rad shushing them both, with hand movements. Alexis raised a finger to her lips and quietly said, "Shhhhhhhh!"
"He's here, he's here!." Billy said, as they heard the footsteps approach the entrance of the door. "Everyone ready and in position?" He was answered with a group of quiet yeses.
A shadowy figure press the large button, that activated the rooms light, and as the light came on, they all pulled their poppers and yelled "Surprise, Starscream!"
"What…?", echoed through the room, as Starscream stood just a little past the door. He seemed stunned and confused, as colorful confetti flew everywhere.
Somewhere in the Desert
Hot Shot stepped closer to Optimus Prime, or at least, someone who kind of resembled him. His voice was the same, deep with authority, but his face and body seemed different; he appeared more boxy and plain.
But the voice; the voice is definitely the same.
He tilted his head and narrowed his optics, saying again, "Optimus?" His voice was full of questions and doubt.
Optimus glanced at his friends, and scanned them quickly. He knew by the information he received, that they were beginning to come back on line, and would wake up within mintues.
Turning to the Autobot, that reminded him of his friend and teammate Bumblebee, he answered once again, "Yes, I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots."
Hot shot scratched his head, looking left and right, expecting someone to leap out and tell him, he was the victim of a prank.
I wouldn't put it past Side Swipe or Jetfire, just for their amusement.
"Who are you?" He heard this Optimus say, breaking him from his thoughts.
Looking over, he noticed for the first time, that there where other Cybertronians with him; ones he didn't recognize. They all seem to be powering up, after some type of temporary shut down. He turned back to Optimus, "I'm Hot Shot; don't you, um, recognize me?"
"Unfortunately no." Optimus answered, "I've searched my data banks, and cannot find a record of you." Feeling that the one called Hot Shot was of no threat, he walked over to his friends, who were now stirring.
A very groggy Jazz, open his optics and looked around at the unfamiliar terrain. "Hey boss, what hit us?"
"I'm not sure, my friend. But I'm glad that you're awake." He offered his hand, which Jazz took, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
"The last thing I remember was beating the Deceptigoons, and watching Megatron and company turn tail." He saw the unfamiliar Autobot. "Then whammy; and here we are."
"I suspect the whammy was some type of energy wave, but I'm not sure who or why it occurred." He answered, as he, and now Jazz, helped the others, as they woke up. All of them had the same questions that Jazz had. Questions that he had no answers.
No answers yet. But I will.
"Jazz, Bumblebee, Ironhide, Skyfire and Ratchet." He called their names, and saw each one salute in response. "It appears something very unusual and, as of right now, unexplainable has occurred."
Bumblebee spoke up, asking, "Do you think Megatron is behind it?" Waiting for his leader to answer.
"Possibly, but I can't be sure." He said, seeing that they were looking to him for answers to their many questions.
During this time, Hot Shot had stayed still, wanting to offer help, but not sure what was going on. He knew, from his many years in battle, that you don't rush in, when you didn't know the situation. You watch, you observe, you determine your next step, and then take action.
He knew this wasn't his Optimus, but he could sense that this one wasn't lying. He could sense the others, which were watching him, were no threat. That they viewed their Optimus, much the same way he did his. He made his decision, to trust them to an extent, and said, "Hi, I'm Hot Shot."
"Ain't never heard of you." Came from the one he heard Optimus call Jazz.
"Yeah," said the small yellow one, that had a faint resemblance to him, "neither have I."
"Gentlemen," Optimus said, raising a hand to stop the questions, "this is Hot Shot, an Autobot, just like us." He turned towards Hot Shot, motioning for him, to step closer. "Let me introduce you. This is Jazz." He motioned to a white and black Autobot, that had the resemblance of an Earth sports car.
Jazz nodded to him, and said, "If Optimus can trust you; so can I."
The small yellow one stepped forward, and again, it seemed to be an Earth automobile, and gave him a jaunty salute, "I'm Bumblebee."
"Ironhide." came from the red one, again some type of automobile.
The white one, with a red cross, the international Earth symbol for medics, gave him a nod, saying, "I'm Ratchet, team medical officer."
The only one who didn't seem to be some type of Earth land vehicle, and instead some type of jet, introduced himself, "I'm Skyfire, scientist and soldier."
Hot Shot acknowledged them all. "Like he said," pointing to Optimus, "I'm Hot Shot, Autobot,and serving under the command of Optimus Prime on Earth."
The one he now knew as Skyfire said, "But we serve Optimus, and, like Jazz, I don't recognize you at all!" The others around him added their agreement.
"Well, yeah, as to that," Hot Shot tried to explain, "I'm not sure if I recognize your Optimus." This only earned him hard stares and silence.
Thankfully, their Optimus decided to step in; "I take it, you can introduce me to your leader?" Looking directly at Hot Shot.
Weighing the pros and cons for a few minutes, he finally said "Yes." He had listen to his internal programming, what humans would call his gut. "I can take you to the base to meet him."
He waited for their answer. He saw Optimus talk quietly with his team. Knew his was listening to his internal programming, as well as his team's opinion. He turned back to Hot Shot, with a simple answer, "Please lead the way."
The new Autobots all stretched, working out the kinks in their bodies, and walked over to join him, and Optimus Prime, who had come back to stand at his side.
They all took their alternate Earth modes, and, following Hot Shot; began to move in the direction of his Autobot headquarters. As they raced along the ground and air, they reached speeds that no true Earth vehicle could.
Hot Shot transmitted a message to his Optimus, telling him he was arriving with more Autobots. He didn't give details, because he didn't think he could adequately explain the situation, plus, he wanted to see everyone's reaction.
This could get very, very interesting.
Back at the Autobot Base
"I don't understand." Starscream said, standing before them, brushing the confetti from his body.
"Dude," Carlos explained, "Alexis said we should say thanks, for bringing back the rock from Mars; so she planned this party for you."
Starscream scratched his chin, "A party, for me?"
"Yeah," Fred said, "you rock, for bring back a rock!"
Billy, Carlos and Rad groaned, and Alexis only shook her heard, at Fred's remark. She said directly to Starscream, "You're a hero, not just for bringing back the mini-con, but a piece of Mars too." She waved her arm, directing his gaze to the decorations. "It's all for you."
Starscream seemed speechless, as he took in the entire room. Seeing the colorful decorations and the cake. As he looked at all the decorations, Alexis ran over to one of the tables, and picked up the group gift.
"Starscream," Alexis said, back in front of him, drawing his attention to her, "we all made this for you." She held up a patchwork of cloth.
"Yeah, even us guys helped sew it together." Rad said, lifting up his hands, wiggling his fingers, "and we have needle pricks to prove it."
Very gingerly, between two fingers, Starscream lifted their gift from Alexis' hands. He stretched the cloth out, holding it up to his face, to view it better.
"It's very… colorful." He said, and noticed that the humans expected something more, but he didn't know what. He decided to ask, "What is it?"
Alexis, with a big smile on her face, "It's a hand made polishing shammy. You can use it to polish Runway." The mini-bots behind Starscream chirped in response to her remark.
"I've never received a gift before." Starscream said, which elicited shocked comments and looks from the humans. "I don't know what I should do."
"You can begin with saying, thank you." Alexis said.
He looked at the gift, the room and the humans, "Thank you, thank you…right?" He seemed unsure.
Alexis flashed him a bright smile, nodding "Right."
"Hey, Starscream," Fred said, getting his attention, "you want to cut your cake?" He pointed at it. "I'm really, really hungry."
"Ummmm," Starscream looked at the cake, across the room. "I don't eat…cake." He looked back down at them, "I don't eat human food; my body can't process it and it offers no energy."
Alexis stared down at her feet and wanted to kick herself.
I should have known. What was I thinking?.
Starscream, saw that Alexis was upset. "I can't eat it, but all of you can." He walked towards the table holding the cake, "How should I cut it?"
The humans, and mini-cons, followed him. The one called Fred ran over and picked up a knife, and offered it to him. The knife was small next to Starscream's hands, much to small for him to hold.
"Alexis," Starscream directed to her, "I would be honored, if you would cut my cake for me."
Alexis blushed, but felt a burst of joy in her chest. She took the knife from Fred, who now offered it to her. Everyone gathered around her; humans, mini-cons and Decepticon, and watched her make the first cut in the cake.
As she placed the first piece on a plate, she heard Fred say, "Hey Starscream, if I ate your piece of cake, with mine, would you be honored by that too?"
Oh Fred…
They all laughed, as the party began.
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Somewhere else in the Autobat Base
Hot Shot lead the other Optimus Prime and his Autobots into the base. He had considered and disregarded warping them in; but he didn't know if their forms had the ability to do it, or if they would suffer ill effects from it.
Best not to take chances.
But he did take pride in their reaction to his base, and, home away from home on Earth.
"Most impressive." Optimus said, he looked around and took in the main entrance bay area. The other Autobots had similar reaction, moving around to get a better view.
"My leader," Hot began, getting their attention, "uh, Optimus Prime, will be here any moment, with Jeffire, his second-in-command."
Jazz and Bumblebee looked at each other, then at Optimus. "I don't get it," questioned Bumblebee, "his Optimus?"
"Yeah, I don't get it either." Added Jazz. "I'm not getting much, since waking up."
Ratchet, Ironhide and Skyfire remained quiet, looking at their leader for guidance.
"It seems," He began, "that there are two of me, which leads me to believe we are in a parallel reality." He looked from one to another, looking them directly in their optics. "It would explain many things, including the strange, unknown power surge, that we encountered."
His announcement was met with silence, then quizzical looks, and many, many questions, which Optimus answered the best he could.
Hot Shot, although not entirely sure of the situation, or what the power-surge was, that they spoke of, tried to help with some of the answers; but had many questions himself.
One thing he was certain of, regardless of where this Optimus came from, another reality or such, he was much like his leader, in every aspect.
He's definitely the same, where it counts.
They all waited for his Optimus and Jetfire, who were both in the command center, covering for Starscream, so he could attend his surprise party. A surprise party he should be at.
He assumed that Red Alert was in the medical unit and the others were probably working on the restoration of their ship.
I just hope Starscream is having fun for both of us.
At the Party
Carlos was screaming; who was held, upside down by Starscream, from his legs. It began as a dare, while eating cake and drinking punch. All the guys began to challenge each other to dares. They started out as small stupid dares, and quickly escalated to large stupid dares, involving Starscream.
Alexis watched it all, shaking her head at their antics. At first, she tried to stop it, but once realizing that guys will be guys, backed off.
I think they're on sugar highs.
Rad, Fred and Billy clapped, as Carlos hung above them, his shirt falling over his face and waving his arms. If not for the laughter, you would think he was in danger.
Alexis could see that Starscream wasn't entirely sure what was going on, but seemed game to participate, as each boy asked to be held upside down.
"Me next, me next." Billy cried, jumping up and down. "I wanna go next."
Starscream finally asked, "I don't understand why you want me to do this?"
Carlos, still upside down, said in a muffled voice, through his shirt, "Cause it's fun, dude."
Starscream just shook his head and lowered Carlos to the floor, where Billy was waiting for his turn.
"You're not the only one who doesn't understand," Alexis said, licking the icing was her fork, "but I think it's because they're guys, and they don't make any sense. Just ask any girl."
All the guys looked at her, with Rad saying, "Like girls make any sense."
Alexis shook her head, and looked over at Hotwire, Grindor, Sureshock, Swindle, Runway, Sonar and Jetstorm, who were all together next to the cd player, going through the cds, and randomly playing them, and seemed to be, at least to her, dancing to the music.
It's good they're having fun. They deserve it.
She heard Billy begin to scream, as he was pick up by his legs, and flipped upside down.
Guys.
When the boys were done, she intended to pull Starscream aside, and give him her personal gift. A gift she hoped would mean as much to him, as it did to her. She didn't entirely understand why, but she wanted, no needed, Starscream to like it. She put so much into having it made. All her…
Alexis stopped that thought, before she could finish it.
In the Autobot Main Entrance
"Guys," Hot Shot yelled, to get everyone's attention, as they continued talk amongst themselves, "Optimus, uh, my Optimus said the scanning is taking longer than expected, so he wanted me to escort you to the control room, if that's ok?"
Optimus looked over at him and said, "Of course, please lead the way." He turned to his team. "Come on everyone, let's get moving."
Hot Shot led the way, taking them into the corridor that would lead them to the control center, that would past by the room the kids were throwing their party.
During the walk, he was asked questions about rooms they past, and he did his best to give an answer, but not reveal too much, until his Optimus Prime gave the official ok.
As they approached the open door, where the party was taking place, he could hear Billy screaming, at the top of his lungs, "Starscream…"
Before he knew it, the other Autobots, pushed past him, going into military mode. He cried out "Stop, don't!"
No, no, no, no, no!
At the Party
Alexis watched Starscream lower Billy to the floor, and prepare to pick up Rad, when Optimus ran through the room entrance, along with a small group of Autobots, she didn't recognize.
It happened so fast, she didn't have a chance to scream or shout a warning.
"Starscream…"
"Decepticon infiltrator…"
"He's trying to hurt the kid…"
"Stop him…"
"Disable him…"
She didn't know who fired the shot, but she saw the burst of light and the sparks as it hit Starscream in the center of his chest. She saw his stunned look as he fell backwards. She saw all the guys running faster than she had ever seen them, to avoid being crushed.
She saw him crash down on the table holding his cake, and lay motionless on the floor.
She ran over to him, climbing up onto his chest. She stood there to face Optimus and the new Autobots. To defend Starscream with everything she had, not knowing why they had turned on him.
"Stop! Don't you hurt him!" She cried, as loud as she could.
She heard Rad, Billy and Fred demanding answers and saw Hot Shot run into the room. She heard Hot Shot ordering them to stand down, almost pleading with them. She heard him calling on Optimus, to join them immediately at the party.
But Optimus is here…
She heard a groan and realized that Starscream was still alive. She couldn't stop the tears of fear and relief from falling.
No one noticed the small Decepticon that had followed the Autobots into this base, and while the chaos ensued, no one noticed it fly from the room, through the corridor and out of the base.
Lazerbeak had much to report to Megatron.
End Chapter Three
Don't worry, Megatron and crew will be in the next chapter; but I hope you enjoyed this very long chapter, and forgive me for hurting poor Starscream. Also, I did use some of what was said during the party scene, but embellished on it, for my own self.
I apologize for any typing errors, I might have missed during the proofreading, and I read it over and over again, trying to find them all!