Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.

Summery: Lisa Tate was a young girl who thought she was nothing special until she started an adventure with an old Pontiac Firebird with a surprise of its own.

"blah" – Normal human speak
"blah" – Cybertronian speak
blah – thinking

Phoenix Rising
by Yami-Yugi3

Chapter 3

It wasn't long until everyone was in said Rec Room. The Autobots where sipping on Energon cubes while the humans had soda while every one talked. Jazz just couldn't believe his audios when he was told Phoenix was really the new creator. "Whoa! I didn't know Primus created a son for what happened. Not exactly in the history files that he did. That's pretty fly." He turned towards Lisa. "Thanks a lot for bringin' me back."

Lisa slowly looked down shyly. "...Y-You're welcome..." she said.

He just smiled at her. "Ya know we're gonna have to protect her against the 'Creeps right?"

"Don't worry. I'll be there to protect the chosen." Phoenix spoke with a smile.

"And we'll protect you," Wheeljack said. Prowl sat there in silence, sipping his cube with his only working hand.

Prowler was nuzzling against Jazz, welcoming the presence of her mate again when she noticed Prowl's solemn mood. "What's wrong Prowlie?"

Prowl sighed. "It's nothing..." he said.

"It's gotta be something," she added, turning serious.

"I said it's nothing." Prowl said as he sat his cube down "Optimus, sir, my I be excused? I got some reports to finish."

"...If you want to Prowl." Melissa, Gadget, Jazz, and Prowler watched him leave.

"...Is he always like that?" Lisa asked.

"...Somewhat..." sighed Ratchet.

"Can I be too, sir?" Jazz asked.

"Me too?" Prowler asked.

"No," said Jazz. "Baby, I need to talk with Prowl alone. It'll be alright," he smiled.

Prowler looked down at the floor. "Okay..."

Jazz gave her a quick kiss. "It'll be okay, baby," he smiled.

"Good luck, Jazz," Optimus said. The group watched Jazz leave the room as well. Lisa was a bit confused as well as Phoenix.

"Eh em... Prowl is...how do you say... a Lone Wolf? He is serious most of the time and doesn't tend to show emotions much. Jazz will get through to him just fine," smiled Gadget. "He is Prowl's close friend."

"Oh I see." said Phoenix.

"Oh, okay," Lisa nodded.

Jazz caught up to Prowl down the hall. "Prowl..."

"Oh...Jazz..." Prowl started as he turns towards him "Why aren't you with the others?"

"Why'dya take off like that?"

"Like I told Prime, I got reports to finish. Can't get them done standing around all day, considering how hard it is to work with one hand."

"Dontcha lie ta me, Prowl," he said seriously.

Prowl sighs as he turn away. "Why don't you head back? The others missed you, mostly Prowler..."

"They'll have time to see me later."

"But Jazz..."

"Don't start. Somethin's got your circuits crossed and I'm not leavin until you tell me straight."

"It's nothing for you to worry about Jazz..." Jazz didn't move. "Jazz like I said it's nothing."

"Not the answer I'm lookin' for."

Prowl just sighed heavily. "...Jazz..." he sighed.

"I'm not leavin' till you tell me what's upsetting ya."

Prowl sighed again. "It's just..." he finally started to speak.

"Go on..." Jazz said, arms crossed.

"It's about Phoenix and Lisa...About protecting them..."

"You think you can't..." Jazz said jokingly.

"Jazz...I'm serious..." Jazz was shocked, but then laughed out right. "Jazz! I mean it!"

He stopped laughing for a moment. He walked right over to Prowl and put an arm around him. "...Prowl... You worry too much. You're one of the best tacticians I know. So what if you only have one working arm? That NEVER stopped you before. Don't be so hard on yourself, bro. There's a lot you can do besides fighting." Prowl sighed. "Don't be like that, Prowl. You're a great warrior."

"...I know but..."

"But nothin! Whadda I gotta do? Beat the worry outta ya?"

"Do that and I might had to send you to the brig."

"Now THERE'S the Prowl I know," Jazz smirked.

Prowl slowly smiled back. "I'd had missed you Jazz..."

"I missed ya too, Prowl," Jazz smiled, pulling him into a full embrace. "Somebody's gotta teach ya how to lighten up. Guess Prowler did that for me while I was gone."

"Yeah..."

"You know she means well. You are her creator in a sense. She looks up to you more than you know."

"Yeah but some times she's like the Twins..."

"She's still young. Besides, I know you won't let her learn TOO much from them." Prowl nods. "Now...you sure you want to get on those reports or do you want to come back to the others so Prowler stops worryin' 'bout ya?"

"Well...I guess those reports can wait a fell astroseconds longer..."

"I'll help ya too."

"You? Help with reports when you hardly do your own?"

Jazz laughed. "...I was kinda hopin' you'd forgotten that..."

"Jazz...I never forget. And your reports are years over due."

"Hey! Gimme a break! I was dead!" A rare laugh came from Prowl. Jazz laughed outright too. "...Made ya laugh, now THAT is a true miracle," he smirked.

"Don't get use to it." Prowl smirked "It's properly the only time you will hear it."

Jazz just laughed harder. "We'll see 'bout that," he smirked. They shared a smile before heading back to the others.

"...Jazz?" Prowl started as they started back down the hallway towards the main room.

"Yeah?"

He suddenly hugged him. "I'm glad you're back..."

Jazz smiled. "Me too Prowl." he said. Prowl smiled a bit before letting go. The others were staring when they reached the end of the hall.

"Got Prowl to come back, huh?" smiled Gadget. She knew few Autobots could convince Prowl to do anything other than what he wanted to do. One of those few bots was Jazz.

"Prowl? Is everything alright?" Optimus asked, sensing some of the reasons as to why Jazz had left.

"Yes...Everything is fine now, sir." Prowl said. Optimus smiled. Phoenix and Lisa watched. Prowl slowly came over to them. "I'm sorry..." he said slowly "But I will try my best to help anyway I can to protect both of you as well."

Phoenix smiled. "Do not worry, Prowl. You are a great tactician."

"Thanks," Lisa smiled. Prowl gave a slight nod. "So...?" Lisa started.

"Lisa, dear... You should probably go back home to your family," said Gadget. "They are probably worried about you being gone for two and a half hours."

"Yeah, I guess my parents are worried about me."

"I'll escort you," Gadget smiled.

"Me too," agreed Melissa.

"Come along then, Lisa," smiled Phoenix. He transforms and opens his door for her.

Gadget did the same. "We will keep in communication sir. We will be back once the youngling and Phoenix are safe."

"Protect your charge as well," Optimus reminded her.

"Don't worry sir." With that the Pontiac Firebird and the Grand Am drove off.

As they neared, Lisa's house, Phoenix got a sinking feeling. Melissa got an ominous feeling as well. "Something's not right." he said.

"...I...I don't like this..." Melissa said worriedly.

"Phoenix? Should we continue forward?"

"...I must find out for myself and hers..." Gadget did a "nod" and they went the rest of the way to Lisa's house.

Once there, eyes and optics widened. "Oh my God!" Melissa exclaimed. "What in the Hell happened?" she asked as she frighteningly and shakily got out of Gadget. She transformed and put her hand on Melissa's shoulder. There before them was a demolished and burned house.

"Mom! Dad!" Lisa cried out as she got out of Phoenix and raced over to where the house once stood. She started to search frantically through the rubble. "MOM! DAD!" she almost screamed, starting to cry and worry.

"...No...w-we're...too late... E-Evil..." Phoenix spoke very sadly. Melissa found a glint of something on the ground and slowly went over to it, shaking and shivering at all the bad vibes she was getting from the frightening wreckage.

"What is it?" Gadget asked, worried as well.

She picked up the object, a metal scrap with part of a symbol on it. "NOOOO! DAMN THEM!" she screamed out, bursting into frightened tears. "DAMN THEM ALL!" she screeched, throwing the scrap at Gadget's feet. Phoenix transformed and went to Lisa, who was still crying looking for her parents. She screamed a blood curdling scream when she found them cold as ice with blast wounds, buried under the wall of their bedroom.

Phoenix sighed sadly. "Not even our powers can bring them back..." he said "...They made sure of it..."

"NO! I WILL!" Lisa screeched, tears streaming down her eyes. She put her hands on them, closing her eyes in concentration. "LIVE! LIVE I SAID! COME BACK!"

Phoenix gently places a hand on her. "...Lisa..." Melissa collapsed to her knees, sobbing. Gadget tossed the symbol away, knowing who had done this to Lisa.

"She didn't even know! She didn't know! WHY! WHY!" she sobbed. Gadget knelt down to her and held her tight against her chest.

"They didn't care, youngling... She is only a source of power to them. They want her by any means necessary."

"...Th-they...didn't even know...her car...was one of you..." she choked.

"Sssshhhh, I know Little One... I know..."

"COME BACK! Damn you stupid powers! WORK!" Lisa sobbed.

Phoenix gently picked Lisa up bring her up near him. "...Lisa..." he spoke softly.

"Put me down! I have to bring them back!"

"...Lisa...We cannot." he spoke "They are fare too damage to..."

"No! There has to be a way! Please! Do something!"

"...Lisa...I cannot... I do not have the power to interfere with your god's creatures... Not even you have enough power for humans..."

"But..."

"It cannot be done... Besides...they won't last long if we could... They would just die again... I'm so very sorry, Young One..." Lisa started to cry harder. "I'm...I'm so very sorry, Lisa... I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."

"...Little One... I'm so sorry... Sorry you had to witness such cruelty..." Gadget almost whispered, trying to calm Melissa down.

"What now?" Lisa asked with a whimper.

'Gadget...Gadget, this is Optimus Prime. Please report in. Are you on your way back?'

"...Sssshhhh, I know...I know it's horrible..."

'Gadget? Is everything alright? Are...are the younglings safe?' he added, hearing Melissa's sobs.

"...We will figure things out from here. We must think of a way to tell your family without endangering more of them."

'Gadget?'

'Y-yes sir...?' she replied, trying to calm herself.

'Is everything alright?'

'...N-no sir... T-the...The...Decepticons...have...have...' She had to swallow and take deep intakes to continue. 'Lisa's parents... Th-the house is...gone...'

'PRIMUS! Such...disregaurd...for innocent life... Get back to base immediately! I'm sending an escort.'

'...Y-Yes sir...' Lisa had cried herself horse, welcoming the warmth of Phoenix's embrace. She nuzzled into the warmth of the metal arms and hands. Gadget whispered softly to Melissa as she slowly cried herself to sleep. Ironhide and Ratchet pulled up.

Ironhide transformed. "Holy Cybetron! What did those slaggers do?" he asked wide-optic. Ratchet came over to the four of them, running scans to see if everyone was alright. The scans turned out fine, but he decided to ask anyway. He put a hand on Gadget's shoulder.

"Gadget...? Are you alright?" he asked concerned. She nodded weakly, but the now flowing tears in her optics said different. She turned and stared at him, meeting his concerned look. She broke down in the presence of her teacher and mentor, throwing an arm around him and burying her head against him. A now sleeping Melissa was held tightly against her with the other.

"Slag it must be bad, for Lil' Red to break down," Ironhide said sadly.

"She's still young, like Bumblebee. A casualty like this is very hard to bear."

"Lisa...I'll protect you with everything..." Phoenix spoke softly. He came over to the others. Ratchet put an arm around Gadget, looking sadly at all the destruction.

"...Let's get them out of here..." sighed Ironhide.

Phoenix sighed heavily. "...Such pain..."

"Everything will be alright, Gadget... Let's get the human younglings out of here..." Ratchet spoke gently.

"Come on Lisa." Phoenix said gently. She nodded weakly as he carried her over.

"...O-Okay sir..." Gadget slowly let go and waited for Ratchet and Ironhide to transform back. Gadget gently put a sleeping Melissa in Ironhide's front seat. Phoenix set Lisa inside as well. He transformed and got ready to follow.

"You'll be alright driving?" Ratchet asked him.

"I'll be fine." he spoke.

Gadget sniffled and took a deep intake before transforming too. "Gadget...I don't think you're emotionally stable to drive," Ratchet warned.

"...S-sir...?"

"I know this must be traumatizing for you. Why don't you ride with me or Ironhide? I don't want to risk you getting hurt."

"...A-Are you...s-sure sir...?" she asked with another sniffle. "I...I can drive...just fine..." she said shakily.

"He's right, Gadget." Phoenix spoke gently.

"I...I want...to be strong...for...for the little ones..."

"...Gadget...you know you don't have to do that..." Ratchet said.

"...I...I want to..."

"Alright, I'm going to follow behind you just in case."

"Let's roll... I'm gettin creeped out..." said Ironhide. Everyone agreed and drove off.

On the way, Gadget tried to remain focused. Her processors couldn't erase what she had just witnessed. "Are you going to be okay Gadget?" Phoenix asked gently as he pulled up next to her.

"...What...?"

"I asked if you are going to be okay."

"...Oh...Y-yeah..." she said, gaining a bit of speed to catch up with Ironhide. Ratchet kept an optic on her as he drove behind. Phoenix wasn't too sure on the answer. Melissa started to toss and turn in Ironhide's back seat. Lisa was silent in the front passenger seat.

The base could be seen a few miles ahead. Gadget sniffled a bit, remembering what had happened and how awful it would be if that had happened to the base. She was jarred out of her thoughts with laser fire. Barricade sneered as he hit the wrong Pontiac. "What in the Slag?!" Ironhide shouted.

Gadget growled from the pain in her side. "YOU FILTH!" she cried, speeding over into the next lane with a screech of her tires. She barreled down the other direction, chasing Barricade.

"Gadget! Come back!" Ratchet called after her.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!" she screamed, chasing him like a cop would a criminal.

"Slag...Lil' Red's got one slagger of a temper..."

"She should not be pursuing him in such a state," added Phoenix.

"Aaah!" Melissa cried as she woke up from her dream about what had happened. "...Oh... We're almost back to...Gadget? Where is she, Ironhide?"

"...Don't worry, she's fine..."

"She's not behind us! Where is she!"

"Damnit Youngling! Ironhide! Get Phoenix and the others back to base!"

"Right."

'I want answers you cranky medic!' Melissa demanded through Ironhide's comm link. Ratchet didn't answer as he sped off. Ironhide sighed and answered for him.

"She went after Barricade..."

"SHE WHAT!" Melissa screamed.

"Calm down, youngling..." Ironhide sighed. "Ratchet's going after her, she can hold her own," he 'smiled'.

"...If you say so..." Melissa sighed heavily. "Damn...what a day..." She turned to Lisa. "You alright hun?"

"..."

"Don't worry, alright? We're all here to protect you. We'll bury them properly... It's gonna be okay..." Melissa smiled, pulling Lisa into a hug.

Meanwhile, Gadget was fighting Barricade on a barren stretch of highway down the road. "You son of a GLITCH! You filfth! YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO KILL THAT INNOCENT GIRL'S PARENTS!"

"Shut up, you piece of scrap!" They fought hard, both taking heavy hits. Gadget screamed as Barricade's spiky weapon hit her for the third time, this time being harder than the others, almost crushing her chest. The headlights were already broken out. At that moment Ratchet finally caught up. He cursed inwardly as he transformed. He came over and pushed Barricade aside, trying to break them up.

Barricade fought back. "STAY OUT OF THIS YOU CRANKY OLD MECH!"

"You better watch that mouth!" he glared, brandishing his weapons.

"I had my fun anyway...killing those humans..."

"YOU BASTARD!"

"STOP IT! Let him go!" Ratchet barked. He held Gadget back as the very wounded police car drove off.

"BUT SIR! HE-..."

"THAT'S ENOUGH YOUNGLING!" She shut up instantly, realizing the tone of his voice and the force of his grip that she was in grave trouble.

"...S-sir I..."

"YOU LISTEN TO ME AND LISTEN TO ME GOOD!" he started. She overted her optics, feeling a huge ton weight in her chest. "THAT WAS VERY WRONG ATTACKING A DECEPTICON ALL ON YOUR OWN! YOU COULD HAVE GOTTEN KILLED!"

"..."

"YOU KNOW HOW RECKLESS THAT IS? IF YOU DIE THEN WE'RE NOT ONLY DOWN A FIGHTER BUT I'M DOWN A GOOD ASSISTANT! NEVER GO AFTER ANYONE ON YOUR OWN AGAIN!" Gadget was still silent, starting to cry from everything and from her wounds she was now aware of. He sighed heavily. "...Damn youngling..." he sighed, pulling her into a gentle hug. "I know how upsetting this all is, but you can't go pulling stunts like that. It's going to be okay."

"..." He carefully patted her on the back. "...It...just...hit hard..." Gadget sobbed. "...I-if...if that had been Melissa...I...I don't know what I'd do..."

"I know, Gadget... I know."

She nodded weakly, rest her head on his shoulder. "...I-...I'm sorry, teacher..."

"It's alright. You were upset. I'm not happy that she is without her creators either. C'mon, let's get you back to base before your charge gets too worried. I need to get a good look at you anyway." He hugged her again and then let go, transforming. He made some slight adjustments to the back to help her fit more comfortably. She slowly transformed and drove inside. He closed the back hatch and took off towards base.

Once back at base, Ratchet let her out. Melissa rushed over, Ironhide having arrived with Phoenix first. "Gadget!" She slowly drove over and transformed. She collapsed to her knees, still crying. Melissa ran over and climbed into her lap, nuzzling against her. "Please...don't...don't scare me like that..." she sniffled.

"Oh...youngling..." she sighed shakily, holding her as tightly as she could.

Ratchet did a quick scan of Phoenix, Lisa, and Melissa. He nodded, glad that they all checked out. "C'mon, Gadget. Let's get you patched up." She let go of Melissa and carefully stood, wiping away the tears from her optics. She walked over to him and followed him into Medical. Optimus and the others watched worriedly.

"What will happen now, Prime?" Prowl asked.

"The rest of the femme's family will be notified, but precautions will be taken not to endanger them." He sighed, knowing this whole thing was bad. It took a lot to make Gadget upset.

"So she will be staying here?" asked Prowler.

"For now. Phoenix is all she has at the moment."

"C'mon, Lisa. Let's go to my room where you can calm down and rest," Phoenix said gently. Lisa just nods as she let him pick her up and headed towards his room. Everyone was silent and just watched him disappear down the hallway.

In Medical Bay, Gadget was beside herself. She was hurt, she was upset, and she was angry. All of the emotions poured out from her optics. Wheeljack had come in to help out. She was crying on said bot's shoulder. He had raised her since she was a sparkling. Wheeljack was the closest thing she had to a creator. She told her protector everything, making her more upset as she relived it. "...I...I just..." Wheeljack patted her on the back. "...Grampa...I...If it was you...or Melissa...Oh gramps..." she sobbed.

"It's going to be okay Gadget." Wheeljack spoke gently.

"...I...I know...it's just...it...it's a...pretty low...blow...cl-close to the spark..." Ratchet was waiting patiently, doing various scans that he could.

"...It'll be okay... Sometimes...there are casualities. Lisa will be protected. Optimus will make everything alright." Gadget nodded weakly and sat up. She smiled weakly and Wheeljack smiled back, handing her some "tissues".

"...Thanks Grampa..." He just smiled as she dried her optics and her face plate. He pat her on the back. She weakly looked up at Ratchet who was starting to lose his patience. "...Sorry teacher..." she said, properly disposing of the "tissues". Ratchet smiled softly at her. He did more detailed checks and scans and put her on an IV for the amounts of energon she was leaking from her wounds. She winced as certain wounds were worked on or touched a certain way. She weakly stared at the ceiling, sending out prayers and cries of help to Primus.

Her optics slowly closed in recharge, everything finally taking it's toll on her. "Gadget?" Wheeljack asked worriedly.

"She fell into recharge is all," Ratchet spoke as he worked on her. Wheeljack sighed in relief. He gently patted her on the shoulder.

"Sleep well, youngling... This Lisa, she must be very special for the Decepticons to take such a horrible action against her."

"...Wheeljack...You're slaggin lucky you weren't there. Those Decepticons...they were so brutal... I never seen such...well... I've seen worse..."

Wheeljack sighed. "...Yeah... But...right always wins... We'll recover from this...somehow..." Ratchet just nodded.

"Can you come over and help? Barricade literally almost killed the poor femme."

"Yeah sure." Wheeljack checked on Gadget's IV and vital signs before picking up some tools and helping to fix her chest.

Optimus came in. "How is she?"

"She's stable. She took some heavy hits, but she'll make it," said Ratchet, carefully fixing the internal damage on her chest.

"That's good to hear." said Optimus "I should go and tell Melissa, she's been worried about her."

"Yeah..." agreed Wheeljack. "She'll have a hard time recovering from this." Optimus nods before leaving the med bay.

Melissa was in Gadget's quarters, lying on the recharge berth. She had her back to the door, sobbing and shaking and trying to forget what she had witnessed. She was worried for Gadget too. She heard the door open behind her. She didn't even bother to look up. "G-Gadget...?"

"No, she's still in Medical." Optimus spoke gently "But Ratchet said she'll be just fine."

"...S-she will...?"

"Yes." said Optimus with a smile "Ratchet is good at what he dose."

"...I know... Can I see her?"

"Ratchet is still working on her."

"...Oh..."

"When he gives the word, I'll make sure you will see her."

"...Thanks..."

"You're welcome, youngling." He turned to leave.

"Optimus sir...?"

"Yes Melissa?"

"Have you ever... ever seen..." She shook and couldn't finish.

Optimus knew what she was trying to say. "Yes...many of times." he said.

"...H-how...how do you...forget?" she sniffled. "H-How...do you make it...go away...?" He sighed and went over to her, sitting down on Gadget's berth.

"...It's hard to say... I cannot tell you that you will forget and I cannot tell you that it will go away. As long as the Decepticons live against us, then there will always be casualties. I can only offer my apology. It was not something a youngling should see. However, I can still hope. As long as there is hope, things will get better. I can at least promise that we will get through this, we will protect you and Lisa, and I can promise that it will become easier to deal with. You will move on and things will get better." Optimus gently smiled at her. She just laid there, still trying to calm down from everything. "I promise you that." Optimus said. She slowly nodded. Optimus smiled at her again.

"...Wh-...What about MY parents...?" she shivered, suddenly drawing a connection.

"We will make sure they are safe as well."

"...Th-thank you..." Optimus smiled. Melissa sighed and tried to look at him and smile back.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked gently.

"...No... Thank you..."

"Very well." Optimus said was he got off the berth and headed towards the door again. She heard him leave and just laid there. She eventually fell asleep.