Ch. 11 Mission Accomplish

Northwest Section of Fairgrounds

The hours had trickled by at a steady pace as the citizens of Detroit enjoyed the many fun-filled activities of the fair. People had laughed in their mirth, screamed and cheered on their favorite rides, talked and gossiped about current events, and were overall having fun through the day. Even the Autobot, giant robot heroes of Detroit and honored guests, had managed to join in the festivities while keeping their guard up for any potential danger. Some of them had even tried their luck at a few of the many game stands provided there. Ratchet, after finding out how quiet and peaceful his look out spot had been, decided to sneak in a light stasis nap. Prowl took interest in a simple yet challenging dart throwing game, that forced him to carefully calculate the distance and force needed to hit a tiny, bright red, balloon among a rainbow of others. Optimus had tried his luck at tossing a teeny tiny white plastic ball into the only bowl of water that had anything in it. Achieving the goal had him winning a goldfish, to which he had no idea how to care for and so ended up giving to a child that had made the attempt before and failed. Needless to say the boy was hysterical.

Meanwhile Bulkhead had followed his excitable little buddy around, whom in turn had followed Sari around to just about every single game stand she could find so that she could stuff her backpack with whatever prizes she could win. The little scout had witnessed all sorts of fun activities from dunking booths to ring toss stands and had even been allowed to try a game that involved hitting a spot on a board with a little mallet in order to ring a bell. It had taken him a few tries do to the fact that he hadn't wanted to break the game, but he had managed to win a chocolate colored teddy bear as big as Sari. Soon enough it was the late afternoon and time for the entire team to regroup and compare notes.

"Great work Autobots." Optimus had congratulated his team on a job well done. Not a single incident, short of a minor nausea, had occurred at the festivities and no sneak attacks from any of their flying enemies. "The fair's just about over and there hasn't been a single incident."

"There is only one event left before everyone retires for the night." Prowl had stated as he kept his audios on high alert for any sounds of whirling chopper blades anywhere in the air. "That would be the robotics show in about three mega cycles."

"The Mayor has asked if we could do a performance of our own." The young Prime had stated with a nod of his blue helm as he thought up of a decent performance. "I'd say now would be a good time to think about…" A large approaching figure had soon caught his attention and had forced him to do a double take. "What the spark?"

"Hey guys…" Bulkhead had called over a bit nervously to the rest of the team. He wasn't sure how the others would react to the sight of his little buddy's new look.

At the sight of the rest of his caregivers the little bot had mimicked his best friend's call, but with far more enthusiasm. "Hi guys!"

"Oh, you…" As they had approached the group of astounded Autobots, it was all Optimus could do to hold in his laughter. "Got a new paint job?"

Bumble Bee was a college of tiny pictures and bright colors over the dark red. Everything a child could paint from an apple to a zebra and everything in between could be found somewhere on the little bot's body. Why, at that very moment the young scout was looking at the Prime with a face plate painted with a black spot just below the center of his optics, three lines on either metal cheek and half circles painted from the tips of his mouth curling almost back towards the black spot. There was heart on one gray cheek and a star on the other. A line of sloppy flowers decorated from his fore helm all the way around, like a crown, with a trio of butterflies hovering just above them near his new horns. Those temporary antennas had white bands around it, giving them the look of candy canes. The sight would be forever burned into his memory banks.

"Heh-heh, not exactly. A some of the children had seen Bumble Bee getting painted and thought it was part of the fair." Professor Sumdac had explained as he rubbed the back of his head in some embarrassment for what had happened. He too had been sporting facial paint in the form of a white face, and two black diamonds on either cheek. "Things… may have gotten a little bit carried away." Studying the happy rainbow mess of a robot again, the short man though that maybe he had been a little too subtle in telling the tale. "On the bright side, the face painting booth next to us raised a lot of money renting out their paints to everyone."

"A little carried away?" Sari had laughed from her position on Bumble Bee's shoulder. Like her robotic friend, she too had been painted with whiskers, a black nose, and kitty lips. "They swarmed all over him like ants!"

"It was fun!" The innocent little bot in disguise had been as giddy as a sparkling, bouncing around on his first play date with others his age. "Bulkhead has some nice ones on his legs too."

"Really?" Amused the red and blue leader had glanced over to the large Autobot.

"Yeah, they got me too." The large bot informed somewhat glumly. It wasn't that he didn't mind being used as a canvas, it was jut that the pictures where on the silver portions of his frame and he couldn't see what had been painted on his legs very well. His friends had told him they were very nice, but he had wanted to see for himself.

"Ah, no worries." Prowl stated while doing his utmost best not to look directly at his now multicolored neko student. "I'm sure it'll wash off in time for the performance." If ever the little scout were to regain his memory, the ninja would now have something to hold over his helm if he should ever bother him again.

The little robot had gasped in surprise and, at that moment, had done a perfect impression of a wide-eyed, overjoyed, animated kitten with its paws up to his collar and huge open mouth grin. "We're going to see a show?" Primus save them all, the only things missing from the situation were the ears and tail.

None were sure just how he had done it, or how he had spoken so clearly considering what he was faced with, Optimus managed to smile and stated. "No, we're going to be in it."

Robotic Fair Stage Show

"Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls!" The announcer's deep voice rang clearly through the evening air as the crowd applauded for the last performance. "It's now time to introduce our final volunteers for tonight's show." The giant robot team waited patiently in the wings of the stage for the cue that would signal them to go out and perform. "Detroit's Annual Robotic Fair is proud to present to you, all the way from Cybertron, our giant robotic defenders, the Autobots!"

At the sound of roaring applauses and cheers the mechanical team went out on stage. The lights shone off their polished armor as they waved back towards the crowd. Bumble Bee, now clean of the extra water based paint, stood close to his Prime while holding onto his servo as he waved. He had never seen so many little people before nor had he ever performed anything in front of a crowd before. 'Sensei Prowl said its not that much different than when Sari watched me spar with him… Maybe it won't be so bad… but there sure are a lot of them out there…' There was a light grip on his servo had him looking up at his guardian, whom in turn smiled down on him in support and comfort. The action had brought out a little smile to the disguised minibot and had also brought up his confidence another level.

"Ready?" Optimus had asked the shy little robot in a low tone.

The younger Cybertronian had nodded his helm eagerly at his father figure. "Ah-ha." Then remembering that they were on a mission, the little scout had switched to respectfully saluting his commander. "Yes sir." With that confirmation, the little bot step forward along with Prowl while the rest of the team backed away to give them room.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" The announcer's ever-excitable voice rang from the speakers high above the stage as the two robots stood facing one another at a respectful distance. "For your entertainment the Autobots will now display their planet's version of Jujitsu!"

"Jujitsu?" Not recognizing the odd word the little student looked towards his teacher for an explanation, hoping that it wasn't anything bad.

"Earth style Circuit-su." The slim motorcycle explained with a small smile at how quickly the scout understood. "It'll be just like it was on the island." Soon enough the black and gold cyber ninja shifted into a defensive stance, of which the smaller Autobot mimicked. "Just focus on me and remember what you've learned. Alright?"

"Yes, Sensei Prowl."

Thus the first of several shows for the evening had begun. The crowds had the delighted privilege to witness a mini tournament between master and student. Displays of speed, agility, accuracy, and precision were demonstrated expertly by both bots and ended with a crowd-pleasing stalemate. What had followed shortly after they had taken their bows and retreated into the wings, was a demonstration performed by Ratchet and his magnetic powers. Volunteers had been called up to the stage and invited to sit a collapsible bleacher, where once that had settle where soon lifted into the air by a powerful magnetic field surrounding the metal.

So after a few more performances it had been time to execute the finale. It had been agreed upon that Bumblebee would sit this one out as it required skills he was currently lacking. The stunt was to be a tribute to the legendary human stunt driver, Evil Canivil. The stunt will be performed by Prowl in his vehicle mode with assistance from Optimus Prime, Bulkhead, and Ratchet in their respected alt modes. Bumblebee had stood in the wings of the stage in order to watch without wanting to get in the way of his caregivers. Two ramps had been placed just far enough for the three larger Autobots to park side by side each other. From what the young scout hade been able to understand, his teacher would ride fast and hard up the ramp, over all three of the bigger cars and roll down the other one safely.

"Gee, I hope Sensei Prowl will be okay." The little Autobot watch intensively as his teacher revved his engines in preparation for his stunt. A particularly loud and strange creak followed by a near whispered grunt caught his attention and had him looking up towards the rafters. "Huh…?" He saw what he thought looked like one of the taller people he had seen around the fairgrounds; only he was wearing what reminded him of the soft stuff Sari would wear when she was going to go to sleep at night. The funny person was reaching out towards one of the heavy looking lights on the walkway and there were some sparks coming out of it. "What's that?" For once, in his short known life, his curiosity had gotten the better of him and he carefully began climbing up the shaky structure.

"Grrr, lousy robots…" The would-be villain growled with resentment at those whom had taken his place in the crime fighting business the year before. "This ought fry their circuits good." He muttered to himself has he carefully began to blow torch threw the metal joint of the heavy stage spotlight. If getting hit by this thing didn't hurt the huge machines, the electrical current running through it will.

Back then he had been well known and revered as the mysterious Wraith. [Comic: Transformers Animated: The Arrival, Issue #2] Ever since that day those retched machines revealed the trick behind his illusions, his career and fame had plumed. He even went as far as to try and frame one of them, the small yellow one that had started it all, so that he could rush in and save the day. However those other, bigger, robots had jumped in and ruin it! He had spent the last year in prison plotting of revenge when an opportunity to escape came in the form on a car exploding outside the prison gates during the chief of police periodical visit. It wasn't hard figuring that those glorified scrap piles would be at the fair. It was, after all, to celebrate machines.

"Hey!" All at once the would-be vandalizer found him in the grasp of a large red and gray metal hand and brought face to really big faceplate with a pair of glowing amber eyes frowning at him. "What are you doing?"

There was a flash of light from the torch accidently coming into contact with a metal beam. It had been so harsh, it blinded the disguised Autobot enough to slip and fall backwards. The ex-hero gave out a scream as he had still been held in the falling robot's hand. Reacting on reflexes, Bumble Bee's free servo stretched out and grabbed onto the support beam and held on as he kept a light grip on the little person he held. A scream escaped the man as he had found himself being held a good twenty-five feet off the ground by the dangling Autobot. The distressed cry immediately brought the attention of all whom heard it upward towards them.

Squinting against the bright spotlights, Sari had been able to see and recognized the large figure above them. "Oh no, Bumble Bee!" A chorus of screams had erupted from the audience as the minibot lost his grip and once again fell.

The little Autobot optics had all at once glowed gold again and his servo shot out, grabbed a protruding beam, rotated on it and building momentum until he paused into a handstand. The crowd below gasped and screamed as the still captured man yelled franticly at the position he was in. Brightly lit determined optics looked down at a clear spot on the stage before the dark red figured bent to fall and used the momentum to rotate on the beam twice more before releasing. The force and speed were not enough to send the bot flying towards the crowd but instead have him falling near the edge of the ramp. His human passenger still screaming, the little bot held him against his chest and curled around him in a protective ball; at that moment a familiar mechanical shifting sound echoed against the cries. Recognizing the sound, Ratchet had reacted by activated his magnets on the floor of the stage and pulled at the metal supports until a crude ramp was made underneath the falling car. The red, trick out looking, compact hit and rolled from one ramp, onto and over the other as it flew, with its scream passenger locked inside, over both Optimus and Bulkhead still in their vehicle mode. The little car had flipped once and the sound of a transformation sequence echoed once again and had the red minibot in disguise landing in a crouched position with his passenger safely cradled in his servo. All were silent for a solid minute before single person in the audience erupted into a round of applauds for the daring feat performed by the smallest Autobot.

The little robot blinked down at himself as he held on to the skinny human in his servo. "…I did it…?" It had all happened so fast he wasn't too sure if it actually happened.

"He did it…" Optimus couldn't help but awed at the spectacle he had just witnessed before him.

"He did it." Sari had been absolutely beside herself with joy, jumping into the air in her excitement and cheering loudly. "He's finally did it!"

"I did it! I did it!" Much like a small excitable child, the little scout had been jumping up and down and he cried happily at finally accomplishing his ultimate goal. "I transformed! I transformed! I've really transformed!"

"Ooooh man…" Unfortunately for the man in his mechanical hand, he had to hang on for the seriously bumpy ride. "I think I'm gonna be sick…"

"Oops. Sorry..." Adopting a more cautious demeanor, the little Autobot carefully put the now dizzy person down where a pair of police officers quickly rushed forward to steady him and take him into custody. "Um, but that should teach you not to try make a big heavy light fall on people." Although he wasn't very sure why the odd little human had tried to do such a silly thing since his caretakers were probably too big for the light to hurt. "Someone could've gotten hurt." Still Sari was with them and she wasn't very big at all.

"Bumble Bee!" He had done it! Her best friend had finally gone and transformed! Two great accomplishments in two days and she had been there to see both!

"Sari!" Happy to see that she was alright, and wanting to keep her away from all the broken glass and stuff, he cooped her up in his servos and cradled her. Then had reached out a servo towards the blue and red fire truck so that he could hug him. "Heh, I did it, Dad-bot. I finally did it!"

"Yes you did, Bumble Bee." The Prime's spark had been swelling wit pride as he returned the hug. He wasn't sure if he had ever felt as proud as he did right then and there for his little soldier. "Yes you did. Great job."

The crowd had cheered loudly in celebration at the spectacle they had witnessed, which only encouraged him all the more. He even had the vessel waved a little to the large group of tiny people while holding onto his favorite one of all and staying close to his father figure. He couldn't believe how so many people where happy for him at finally accomplishing his very first transformation will the frame he dwelled in. He just knew his caregivers would be proud now. As he watched the on going events before him and felt the contentment of his vessel, he thought that perhaps there could still be a way to take it further and learn to better defend himself. Truly if he could accomplish this, then there was no reason why he couldn't continue his studies with the Sensei and help strengthen the frame further.

Throughout all this, none had noticed a figure standing on the very top of a tall pole just off from the stage. He body no longer bored the glowing red flame tattoos from earlier and had allowed him to hide perfectly in his dark little spot. The loose strands of his red mask flapped with the wind as he looked on at the spectacle in front of him. He had recognized the stunted that the yellow machine had pulled. He felt the familiar energy that had vibrated through the metal frame. Just as he saw the remaining light wave of golden waves that flew up towards his spot. He allowed the small waves to hit him dead on and immediately felt the connection he had been seeking. He took a deep breath to fully absorb the pure energy and gave a satisfactory growl as his red aura suddenly flashed in a controlled crimson glow around his entire body.

"Got ya." He smirked as he narrowed his glowing red eyes at the smallest of the robots. His target, at long last, had been found.

{Exactly who is this strange creature? What is his connection with the white haired boy? And why is he suddenly interested in Bumble Bee? Find out next time in Laws of Nature 3.}

Morayma N. Rodriguez ©2009