It was yet another boring day for Thumper. She sat in her favorite spot; on top a small hill in the middle of nowhere, bored out of her mind. The Autobots told her yet again that she wasn’t to leave the headquarters and to stay out of trouble. She on the other hand didn’t listen, AGAIN!! Ratchet hated it when she did that. Prime would kill her if he knew she had wondered out that far, but she didn’t care. All she cared about at that moment was to get out of the Arc before she went crazy. Well now she was out, but had nothing to do, that is until… “What the heck are those things?!” Wolverine shouted at Cyclops’s face. “How should I know?” He yelled back as he dodged another laser beam. The X-Men were under attack by what looked like Sentinels with attitude. “I’m going to have to land, one of the engines are down!” The Blackbird was able to land but it wasn’t very graceful. It crashed nose first! But luckily everyone aboard was all right. “You earth creatures have no right to fly in our air space!!” shouted Starscream who was leading the small group of Decepticons. “Now you will pay!!” With that he and the other Deceptions began to fire on the X- Men. “Oh, what now?” Thumper groaned. She wasn’t too happy to have to been awakened in the middle of her noonday nap in the sun. When she looked up to see what disturbed her, but wasn’t all that surprised to see the Decepticons at it again. Slowly she convinced her body to get up and help instead of getting in her catnap. The X- Men were really giving the Decepticons a second thought about attacking them. If Megatron hadn’t demanded they bring these humans in, Starscream would have already retreated. But now they were just making him mad. “You humans will pay for this!!!!! How dare you mock us, we are superior to you!!!” “Still making threats that you can’t support Starscream?” came a voice from behind him. “You AGAIN! Don’t you ever give up cat!?” “Not all that easy, though I have to admit Starscream you look like you already have your hands full,” Thumper replied “ By HUMANS too!! Someone has fallen down in his standards.” With that, he pointed the gun towards her and fired. She ducked, “What do you want here anyway Starscream, you don’t usually attack humans for ‘flying in your air space’ what does Megs got you here for now?” “And what makes you so sure that I’ll tell you anyway my dear kitty cat?” “Would you please stop calling me that? You know you’ll just pay for it!” Then she forced all his energy out of him causing him to finally fall. Soundwave, who would now be in charge, told the other three robots to retreat, with that he, took off with Starscream in toe. After a few minutes passed , finally some one spoke up. Wolverine decided to take this into his own hands, “Who in the heck do you think you are? And what did you just do?” “Boy that’s a nice way to talk, it’s sweet, really. I didn’t think I was doing any thing wrong, just tryin’ to help, is all.” she continued to brush off dust without even noticing Wolverine’s threats. “ I’m sorry I don’t think that’s what Logan mean,. I think he was looking for a name.” She pointed to herself and said, “Lets try this again. Hi my name is Jean and you are……” “You can just call me Thumper. I know it’s a stupid nickname, but as a joke the name seemed to stick. I just kept it, since it’s easier to say than my real name.” She looked at all the damage Starscream had done. “Well then, since I have told you my name, may I ask what the rest of your names are?” “De names Gambit chere. Dis is Cyclops and Stormy.” Pointing to his right he said “And de charming one over dere is Wolverine.” “Well it’s nice to meet all of you, but umm what were you doing out here, last time I checked this wasn’t the best vacationing spot,” she placed her hands on her hips. “We were searching for…..” Jean said pulling out a news article from a few days ago, “the Autobots.” “Why are you looking for them?” Thumper asked a little coldly. “We need to ask them a question,” Jean paused for a minute, “do you know where we can find them?” “Well that’s for me to know and you to find out aint it?” She replied, “I don’t know if they would like me to just give out their address.” “Then you know them.” “Yeah” Well, lets just say their just some people I know. What’s your question?” “Well…” A ringing came from Thumper’s coat pocket and interrupted Jean. “Ohhhhh, what do they want now,” she said as she pulled out some sort of devise, that looked like a small portable T.V. “Hold that thought” She pressed a button and brought it to life. There was another robot in the small image but this one had a “v” like visor on his forehead. “Where are you this time, I thought I told you to stay at headquarters!” shouted the image. “Ohh Ratchet lighten up I had to get out, I was going nuts not goin’ out side. You know I can’t stand to be inside so long!” “It’s not me who needs the convincing, Optimus has been looking for you. Where have you been?” “I just told you I had to get some fresh air, that’s all, nothing big…” “Humph, alright, where are you, I’ll come and get you,” “Here’s my coordinates,” She said as she pushed a few more buttons. “Alright I’m on my way. I’ll be there in an hour or two. DON’T GO ANYWHERE!! You got that!!” “Alright, already, Bye!!” She hit the end button, then turned to the X-men “Geeeesh, What a Grouch!!” “Well what do we do for an hour or two?” Logan said as he poked a small fire with a stick. “I dunno, what ever your little heart wants.” Commented Thumper as she stretched out against log. “So Thumper, can you tell us about these so called Autobots and Decepticons? You seem to know a lot about them,” Scott asked. “Yeah you could say that. But even if I did tell you I doubt you’d believe me.” “Try us, we seen a lot of t’ings.” “Well alright,” she paused trying to think of a way to explain everything; “can you image a robot that is like a human in every way but isn’t? They have emotions, personality, and each and every one of them are different from each other.” “How is that possible?” “I have no idea, they just are.” “Then were did they come from? Mars?” Wolverine butted in. “No, they came from a planet called Cybertron. Four million years ago, the Autobot’s planet was taken over by the Decepticons. The Autobots were forced to leave their home planet. Shortly after they built and flew a ship called the Arc. Unfortunately, the Decepticons found out about their plan and built their own ship to stop the Autobots from getting more energy. They fought in space as long as they could but they finally crashed on earth. The Arc crashed into the side of a volcano and the Decepticons landed in the sea.” “You’re right that is hard to believe.” “Wolverine!” “So then how do you know so much about this?” “Humph, that’s another long story.” “Well chere, we got time,” Gambit added. “Really it’s not a story you want to hear.” Wolverine’s and Thumper’s ears perked up, as he hear something in the bushes. The rest of the X-Men seeing their faces turned to look. “Did you hear that too?” “Ya. And I think I know what it is.” Thumper said in an almost whisper. Suddenly a shot rang out and Gambit fell to the ground. Cyclops shot this laser in to the bush, hoping to catch the shooter. Then a large robotic cat lunged at them. Before any thing else could happen, a tiger attacked the robot and stopping the attack on the X-Men, allowing them to get to Gambit. The two cats fought each other until the Bangle Tiger ripped through a metal plate on the panther. It slinked away holding its side then it turned to speak. “Megatron will have that red eyed human sooner or later. We will win.” “What do you mean by that, what red eyed human?” “The one you protect!” “What do you want with a human?” “(Chuckling) I bet you already know, don’t you, little cat.” In what seemed like an instant, she jumped and pushed the robot over a cliff that led to the sea. When she turned, she saw the stunned faces of the X-Men, and Wolverine’s threatening claws. “What’s wrong?!” “Who are you?” “Wolverine, It’s me… Thumper,” she said as she morphed back to the only form they knew. The tiger’s tail disappeared and the paws changed to hands, then finally the head became Thumper’s face again. “There, is that better?” “How did you do that?” “Well, that’s kinda hard to explain” “Oh ya, why is that?” “How is he?” She asked. Ignoring the question all together. “I be alright Chere, it just stings a little.” Gambit ended in a sigh. She leaned closer to look at the damage Ravage had inflected. “It doesn’t look to bad,” she said sitting back on her heels. Just then an ambulance pulled up beside them and began to speak. “Sorry I took so long. Prime had me run a diagnostic on Telatran.” “Well I’m glad you got here, but I would have been happier if you came a few minutes sooner. . Unfortunately Ravage showed up before you,” she said standing up “Ravage?!” it said in a surprised voice “what was he after?” “I dunno, he said something about a red eyed human.” “I wonder what that means,” came another voice from the ambulance “What the Heck?” Wolverine snarled, gritting his teeth and unleashing his claws, he walked around the ambulance looking for someone to be there “Yo, watch it, he’s not the enemy he’s a good guy,” yelled Thumper trying to stop the angry Wolverine. “Everyone this is Ratchet! Ratchet I would like you to met the X-men.” she pointed to the humans before him. “How is that thing talking?” Wolverine said, “I don’t see a driver!” “Driver, What would I need that for?” Ratchet asked a bit annoyed “I can drive myself!” “No, he’s one of the Autobots!” Back in the Autobots headquarters Optimus Prime was patiently waiting for Ratchet’s return. ‘Where are they?’ he thought to himself ‘they should have been back by now.’ Finally Ratchet drove up beside his leader so Thumper could step out of Ratchet’s car door. “Thumper were have you been and why did you wander off when I specifically told you to stay here?” “Prime you should know by now that I can’t stay here all day long! It’s just too cramped for me I like to get out.” she said in a pleading voice. “And besides I found the Decepticons and drove them off before they got here. That’s good isn’t it?” Sigh “Yes! I suppose that is a good thing. But next time stay near the Arc. Your not safe out there, and you know it!” he paused a minute before he turned back around “are we clear on that?” “Yes Sir, but why can’t I go out once in a while? What harm could it do? A little fresh air never hurt anyone.” “No, but the Decepticons can. You know if you go out in public you can not only endanger yourself but others as well.” “So then your telling me that I’m too dangerous to have a real life? You make it sound as if you’re afraid that I’m gonna eat someone! I know what I am. Optimus and I know my own limitations!” “As much as I wish that I could trust that, I can not allow you to go into public.” “You mean trust me.” “That’s enough, this conversation has now ended! Now go.” “Yes Sir,” she ended with a sigh as she slowly walked to Ratchet’s office where he had taken the humans. He hated to be caught in the middle of one of their fights, besides that, he had to patch up Gambit’s right shoulder. “Well young man, your joint is now repaired. You’re lucky, one more inch or so and ravage could have broken your collar bone.” Ratchet turned around to put away his tools when Thumper walked back in to the room. “Dere you are Chere, where were you?” He said as he looked to the door. “Getting yelled at like a two year old.” She gave a deep sigh as she leaned back into her chair. “You would think that he could learn that I’m an adult now not his little pet!” “Now Thumper if you had just stayed at base . This could have been avoided. If you had obeyed Primes orders and….” “And what Ratchet? You know what I am, you know that I have to be out...” She was interrupted in the middle of her sentence when Bumblebee came rushing through the door trying to find her. Bumblebee was another one of the Autobots, not to mention he was also the smallest. “Thumper, where have you been. Hound said the Decepticons are coming. Prime needs you at the front.” “Boy that seems to be on everyone’s mind today, ‘where were you.’” “Ohhh c’mon they’re all lookin’ for you!” With that he yanked on her arm and ran out the door. TO BE CONTUNED…….. Chapter 2 “Well what are we standing around here for let’s go!!” shouted Wolverine as he tried to go pass Ratchet who was blocking the door. “Wait, I, I , can’t let you pass.” “Why not?” “Because you’re on the Decepticons most wanted list. And if you go out there they’ll take you to the labs, you’ll end up a lab rat like Thumper!!” “What do you mean ‘like Thumper?’” “Humph, Thumper as you’ve seen isn’t like you. The tiger you’ve seen is her other self.” “Other self?” “She’s a half-breed. Meaning half of her mind is that of a Bangle Tiger. The other half is hers. Does that make sense?” “Not really” “Humph, when she was six years old she was kidnapped from her family and everyone she ever knew, by the Decepticons. For six years of her life she was their lab rat. They did so many experiments on her she doesn’t even remember most of them… except for one. That particular experiment took over her mind and body, but through the years she’s gained control of her mind. For now her mind is dominate. Most of the time she can stay in her body but sometimes the beast form takes over, but because she controls their mind she is still in control of their movements.” he paused. “That’s why I don’t what you to go out there. You’ll end up like that...like her!” “Save your firepower Optimus Prime. I come here with a business proposition.” Came the low electrical voice of Megatron. Prime noticed the Decepticons did have their weapons lowered. Slowly Optimus Prime lowered gun. “Very well Megatron speak.” “You are in the business, of saving lives are you not,” Optimus Prime nodded his head in agreement, “well then, tell me, would you save the life of a miserable human or the life of a fellow Autobot?” A few of the bigger Decepticons came out from behind a large boulder and threw Jazz to the ground. Energon chains bound him cruelly as he sat on his knees trying to look up from the ground. As Jazz hit the ground stunned gasps echoed from the other Autobots. “How did you, you were….” Thumper stammered trying to talk, but the words wouldn’t come out. “Sorry Thump I dunno what…” “Silence you miserable Autobot!” Megatron hit him over the head. “You see that’s why you never leave your partner. You of all people should know that,” Megatron grinned before he could continue, “Now, I will release him unharmed if you hand over the red eyed human, if not well…. you get the idea.” No one moved, not even an inch. No one knew what Megatron would do to Jazz if they did. From inside the Arc Ratchet listened tensely but he heard no guns going off. He figured the battle had already diminished, and walked out side of the Arc, with the X-Men close behind. Making his way through the crowd he found Jazz and an energon blade behind Megatron’s back, he could only think the worst. “What are you talking about Megatron we have no red….” “Have you ever noticed your human companion right there look him in the eye.” Megatron pointed towards the X-Men. Both human and Autobot finally figured out what Megatron meant, he was after GAMBIT!!! They all turned to Gambit who suddenly looked pale compared to his usual color. “What’s your choice Optimus Prime, your comrade… or a HUMAN?” “You should also know I don’t trade lives and I can not allow one human to die for an Autobot.” Prime argued “Yes, but can you allow an Autobot to die?” Megatron looked into Prime’s optics knowing that he know he was right, Prime could not give up an Autobot’s life either. He was taking longer to decide than he thought, Megatron was going to have to persuade him more. “This Autobot is a fairly young one isn’t he?” Megatron took out the energon blade from his back and held it to Jazz’s neck making him hold his head higher. “How old are you Autobot?” stressing the term “Autobot” a bit. “I asked you, HOW OLD ARE YOU!!! Answer me!!” “Why should I tell you Mega-rat?” “Because I told you to, NOW ANSWER ME!!” Seeing no other choice Jazz was forced to answer Megatron’s questions. “Twenty in stellar cycles,” Jazz spat out. “Let him go now or you’ll be the one with the blade at your neck, Megatron,” said Thumper, stepping out in front of the other Autobots. “I mean it Megatron let him go!!” “Give me the human and I will be happy to.” “You know I can’t” “Very well.” Slowly Megatron began to slice through a few circuits in his neck making Jazz whimper in pain. “No stop!! You can’t do that!!” She screamed taking a few steps forward. “Give me the HUMAN!!!!” “Never!” A few more wires were cut. “She givin’ up her best frien’ for me??” Gambit whispered. “Why, she barely know me? Why don’t she just let dem get me?” “Like I told you. She’s sworn never to let the Decepticons use another human again….. like they did her,” Ratchet’s words were soft and much calmer than they usually were. Now she was angry. How dare they do this again! She was going to make him pay, one way or the other. “What is your choice Prime?” Prime hesitated. The other Autobots stood still not saying a word. “No Prime, don’t I’ll be okay don’t let them.. Aaagghh” Jazz attempted to say but was cut short when Megatron slit his neck deeper. “I thought I told you to be quiet! Make your choice quickly Prime.” “I….” “Very well I think you have chosen.” Before anyone could react Megatron yanked him off the ground and then jabbed the blade through Jazz. Jazz’s eyes flashed a bright blue before they turned a deep dark blue. Coughing Jazz sank to the ground. “NO!!” Her eyes flashed yellow and started to glow. She ran to Jazz’s slide to remove the blade, and the chains. “Hold on Jazzy boy,” She whispered to him before she let her temper get to her. With one shot, she hit Megatron enough to stun him. Then removed the blade from her friend carefully; Jazz quivered slightly. She walked over to Megatron and placed the blade to his neck. He was still dazed by the shot. “Don’t worry, I have a business proposition for you.” The blade was only centimeters from his neck. “Have your troops retreat, and you will go unharmed and if not well.. you know the rest…” “If you kill me my Decepticons will destroy you in a second, is it worth it?” He grinned. “I know and yes it is worth it. Just the fact that you’re dead will be worth it.” She looked him dead in the eye, “It’s YOUR choice.” In his mind there was no way she would do it, she didn’t have the guts, but he couldn’t be more wrong, “very well I think you’ve chosen.” When she began to raise the blade he realized she wasn’t bluffing. The blade was so close to his neck he could feel its heat. “Decepticons retreat!!” he shouted hoping she would stop. “You may have stopped me but you’ve still lost.” He stood up and Thumper removed the blade. “Your friend is still gone and there’s nothing you can do now,” he chuckled his evil laugh and flew to the sky above. Jazz breathed as deeply as he could but he was still losing consciousness. His neck was badly cut and a deep wound across his torso, where he had been stabbed. He managed to prop himself up on his left elbow, his arm around his waist, while his right arm helped to support him. Slowly he gave a weak effort to get himself off the ground but failed and fell back down. Ratchet walked over and crouched down beside him. Careful of his wounds, he grabbed his right shoulder and gently laid him onto his back. Jazz held his breath in as he fell back; his left hand was clamped across his stomach. “Its okay buddy, you need to stay down you’ll only hurt yourself more than you already have.” He looked to Wheeljack who only shrugged his shoulders. Jazz continued to choke and cough; he was obviously not in the mood to laugh and joke like he normally would. The X-Men had also came to see what happened. “He’s losing energy and fast,” The medic looked up to his so-called sister, “Thumper do you think you can sustain him long enough for me and Wheeljack to repair him?” “I might be able to but I’m not sure. I’ll try though.” “Good. Let’s get him inside.” The diagnostic revealed that Jazz’s energy absorbers were damaged in the fight. Though Thumper herself didn’t have much energy left she was Jazz’s last hope. For about an hour the X-Men and the rest of the Autobots sat outside the repair bay waiting for his outcome, not knowing what was happening inside “Ratchet I can’t hold this up for much longer,” Thumper squawked, “It’s to much I can’t …..Please Hurry…” “I’m trying just a few more adjustments hold on a little longer.” Ratchet’s patient was unconscious, and without Thumper’s energy he would have died long ago. “I…..I …I can’t.” A few minutes felt like a lifetime, as she held on. “Ok……now,” yelled Ratchet. She fell to the ground and into a deep sleep as soon as he said those words. Thanks to Thumper, Jazz lived through the operation, but Thumper now had her own problems. It drained her of all lasting energy, and left her unconscious. During the two days she was unconscious the X-Men stayed in Oregon with her. She finally woke up only to find Storm right above her. “Wha…….?” “Good to see you’re finally awake.” “Storm? That was your name wasn’t it?” “Yes, how are you feeling?” “I have one major headache, but other than that okay. How long have I been out?” “About two days or so. A great many things have happened since then.” “What, what kind of things?” “Well….” The door burst open and Ratchet come in. Like usual his face was buried in paperwork. “Hey Ratchet wasssup?” “Nothing really I’ve just got a new dynastic on Gambit’s…..” He looked down to see Thumper looking up at him. “Thumper you’re finally awake. I’m glad to see you again!” “Yeah it’s nice to be up.” She looked to the computer then back to him. “What were you saying again? What about Gambit?” “Well it’s not important,” Ratchet said trying to change the subject, “Jazz has been wanting to see you. He’s fine now thanks to you that is.” “Ratchet don’t change the subject on me what happened to him?” Ratchet finally spilled the news to her. Yesterday Rumble created a fight to keep the X-Men busy while his buddy Ravage got inside the arc. Gambit was playing solitaire when Ravage attacked. Nobody even noticed Gambit wasn’t there. Later they realized Ravage had taken him to the Deception’s headquarters. The Autobots had not yet found a way of getting him out. “So now what do we do?” grumbled Wolverine who was getting frustrated with the entire situation, “We can’t just stay here!” “Yes, but we can’t just walk in either,” argued Prowl, who was sitting at his computer also trying to come up with a way but was also not getting anywhere. “What we need is a way to get in but without being noticed. They can detect any transformer life, which means none of us can go in without being noticed.” “What if we went in?” Jean interrupted, “They can’t detect us can they?” “No they can’t,” he went back typing on his computer. “If the five of you went…” Prowl stared to mumble, as usual did when he had an idea. ********* *In one of the rooms in repair bay....* With quiet footsteps, a figure approached a med bed, which was at the moment still in use. Jazz laid there what seemed to be peacefully, his optics still remained dark with unconscious. The only thing that could be heard in the room was the faint humming of the machines that were attached to him. She approached the bed cautiously careful not to disturb him. She had to see him only to make sure he did indeed make it through the two days she was out. He was still unable to speak due to the fact that he had not fully recovered from the slit Megatron created; his stomach still wore a patch on it. The only thing Jazz could really do(that Ratchet said he could do) was move his hands and head. Over the last couple of days, Ratchet stayed up till all hours of the night tending to him. Finally Jazz had become stable enough to be in the room alone. His body was still sore, so much so that fatigue had cover come him. According to Ratchet he had to get as much rest as he could, to cope with the stress on his circuits. Ratchet had sealed off everyone from his room just so that Jazz could get his rest. She however found Ratchet’s code and entered with out him knowing. If Ratchet had returned to his sleeping patient, and found her there, he would not be a very happy mech.(if you catch my drift) She decided it would be best if she left before he did come back. As quietly as she entered she left, like a shadow in the night. The Autobots accompanied Thumper and the rest of the X-Men to the cliff were the Decepticons dwelled. Then Storm lowered them to the waters edge. With Thumper’s knowledge of the Decepticons base they got to the lab from beneath their headquarters. With Wheeljacks’ small oxygen mask they could breath underwater. Everything was going as planed, so far. Once they reached the lab they found Gambit chained up to the wall. The right side of his face was bruised and was turning purple. His skin was much paler than the last time she saw him. “Hold on Gumbo, we’ll get you out soon,” Wolverine said as he cut the chains that bound his teammate. As soon as the chains were off, a gloating shadow appeared in the doorway. “I’m so glad to see you. Now I don’t have to go find you. Thank you for your help.” In a swift motion Megatron hit a button and a giant energon net came over them. Then every thing went black. “What…. What happened?” grumbled Wolverine he and the other X-Men got up little by little. When everyone finally woke up they found they had an energon chain around their necks. Much to Wolverine’s dismay they couldn’t be cut with his claws, and the other X-Men couldn’t use their powers on them either. Everyone was close together except for Gambit. He was separated, but he was also chained to the ground and still unconscious. “Ahhh, so you’re finally awake?” said his annoyingly mocking voice. “I’ve been waiting for you.” He walked over to the fallen X-Men and stood over them to show his superiority. “I wanted you all awake to witness your friends new…form .” “What do you mean by that Megatron?” Cyclops asked, “What have you done to him?” “Lets just say he was being prepped.” “Prepped for what,” asked Storm. “Lets just say Thumper isn’t going to be the only one of her kind anymore. If this works that is.” Thumper thought about what he said for a minute or two then all of a sudden it hit her like a ton of bricks. “NO..No you can’t do that you could kill him!” Megatron fiddled with something for a minute before he turned around. Then she could see what he had which only made her struggle even move. “NO!” “Don’t worry if this fails I have five more….lab rats.” Then a small syringe flew from the gun Megatron was holding, and into Gambit left arm. He shouldn’t have felt it being he was unconscious but some how it made him wake up with a start. “What the heck,” stammered Wolverine. But he was cut off when Gambit started to change… Gambit watched as slowly his arm started to grow black and his hand changed into a ….paw?!” He started to scream as his whole body changed. Slowly his skin changed into black fur, it grew rapidly covering his entire body. Then his face morphed into…a black panther?! He collapsed into a heap. “What did you do to HIM?” “Why don’t you ask Thumper?” he said with a smirk on his metal face. Thumper sat with her head down. She knew exactly what he did to him. Calmly Cyclops asked her, “What did he do to him Thumper? We need to know.” She looked up at him with a look of sheer sorrow on her face. “He’s what I am…He’s a half breed.” “F..F..Forever?” “No, there’s five stages to it, that’s only the first one. It lasts about a month.” “What lasts only a month?” “At the end of a month he’ll be back to normal if…” she paused to catch her breath, “If the second one isn’t administered.” “Very good Thumper you figured it out all by your self. I’m proud of you.” He chuckled, “I’ll leave you to be with your new…friend,” he laughed again before he left. “I’m sorry you guys this is all my fault I shouldn’t have gotten you into this,” Thumper sighed as she sat back down on the cold floor. She was interrupted in the middle of her sentence when Gambit started to awaken again. “Ohh, what happened,” Gambit mumbled while he struggled to his feet but was unable to do so as he fell back to the cold floor. “Hey Gumbo, you finally decided to get up eh?” “Wolverine? What happen, I feel like I been hit by a truck.” “No, not a truck,” Wolverine chucked, “Do this.” Wolverine wiggled his fingers. “Why is dis some sort of game you want to play wi’t me or….Ahhhhh!!” When he did what Wolverine said he realized he didn’t have any fingers that all of his hand was gone, and a black paw replaced it. “What happen to my hand,” he felt his face, “My face, my…tail??! What happen to me?” “Well…” Thumper when on to tell him all that happened, very quickly. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean for this to happen….” “Save it Chere. Let me get dis straight I’m stuck like dis for a month?!” “Hey it could be worse. At least it only lasts a month.” “A month!! A MONTH!! You make it sound like it nothin’!! I don’ want to be in dis body a week, much less a MONTH !!” “Do you know what I would give to have that chance? No, I guess you don’t, well let me fill you in buddy. I’ve been like this for most of my life, it’ll be twenty years this January. But you know what’s worse than that? I didn’t have anyone to bail me out of here like you do. No one came to my rescue; no knight in shining armor came to get me. I’m stuck like this for the rest of my LIFE!! You can go home free in a month but me I’m stuck like this. Do you know what it’s like to watch every one else life their life ‘the normal way,’ but you’ll never get that chance. What you guys do on a daily basis you take for granted. You can go to the grocery store and the mall, but me, I can’t. I’ve never been able to do any of that. This is my life, everyday the same thing. I fight in a war that you can’t ever win. Do you know what I would give to be like you, now?” Her voice was soft she wasn’t yelling, her face was filled with the tears. She felt better, now at least she’d had gotten that off her chest. Now though she was wondering if she should have said all that. She decided that the best thing to do was to lie down and try to avoid eye contact with the X-Men. They on the other hand were completely shocked by what she had said especially Gambit. He knew that he had no place to say what he had. The truth is that not even he knew what made him even said it. It was like every thought just came right out of his mouth, like he had no control over it. He didn’t know what to tell her. Finally the words came out, “I…. didn’t mean what I said. I didn’t even t’ink…” “I know, that happens a lot to me. Don’t you see it?” she lifted her head to met his. “You have two different personalities in you now. You might not have meant to say that, but that.. thing in you did. Sometimes the other personality just jumps in. Trust me I know.” She ended with a sigh as she laid back down. “We had no idea you felt like that child. Why didn’t you tell us?” Storm’s worried voice asked softly. “Because no body knows and that’s how I was gonna to keep it before I opened my big mouth, again.” “It’s not good for you to keep everything bottled up inside. You might feel better if you let some of those emotions out.” “I already did that, just a couple of minutes ago. And trust me if I let go completely let go it can be dangerous!!” Gambit looked to Storm with a wink, “Why does dat sound familiar?” Storm glared at him. “You know Chere we have a lot in common wi’t you. For one t’ing you and Wolverine were bo’t used in experiments. Number two, Storm also has to control her powers, she can’t cut lose either. And we both fighting for our own rights. Not to mention, were all mutants too. You not so far off from being like us.” She looked at him with a look of disbelief on her face. “So what is that supposed to mean?” “It means if we get outta here maybe….” Gambit was cut off when a loud bang went off. “What was dat?” More loud bangs continued to go off, by the sounds of things the Decepticons weren’t winning either. TO BE CONTINUED… Chapter 3 “Rumble get out here those humans aren’t going anywhere, Megatron wants you.” This was their last chance to get out, now that their guard had departed. It seemed all of the Decepticons were away, for whatever reason. What ever it was it must have been important. The bangs were getting closer, and louder, until finally the wall was pierced by a loud thud. Though the hole came two of Thumper’s well known friends. “JAZZ, BUMBLEBEE!! Man, I’m so glad to see you guys!” “You didn’t think I would let you save my life without me returnin’ the favor, did ya girl?” He gave her the smirk he always gave her, it was one that no matter what mood she was in it always made her smile. “We’ve got to hurry, I dunno how long Optimus and the others can hold those Decepta-clowns off.” With half of the X-Men in the small Volkswagen and the others in the Porsche, they took off for the Arc. On they’re way back to the Ark the X-Men fell fast asleep in the two Autobots seats. Finally all of Megatron’s prisoners were free, thanks to a few of the Autobots. When they awoke in the morning, they had found Jean wasn’t there, both Wolverine and Scott raced out to the main room. Storm, Thumper and the very groggy panther followed close behind. It didn’t take too long before they found her sitting on the edge of Tela-tran’s keyboard talking to the Autobots. “Jean?” Wolverine and Scott said in unison. As soon as the “Humans” made their way to the main room everyone stopped talking and stared at them as if they were the president or something. “Ummm… is something bothering you guys, or are you gocking at us for no reason at all?” They remained silent; the only noise that could be heard was Jean’s legs swinging back and forth. Finally Optimus prime spoke up first. “Thumper I have a new assignment for you.” Prime sighed and leaned forward in his chair to look into her eyes. “ Ohh really,” she said a little sarcastically, “and what may I ask is that?” When she looked around at all the other Autobots she noticed some long faces, among them were Ratchet and Jazz. “I have spoken to Professor Xavier, he is the X-Men’s teacher in New York. I have requested that you accompany them back to Westchester and help Gambit learn how to cope with his new body. At the end of the month if it is your wish you may come back to Oregon with us.” “What? You mean… your letting me go?” “Yes, if that is your desire, you may.” She was completely taken by the shock. ‘Optimus is letting me. …Leave??!!’ “Well do you except your mission?” “YYYes I do!! I can’t believe… I…. Thank you!” She was going to New York for a whole month!! No war for a whole month, no Decepticons for a whole month, she was on top of the world until… When she turned around she saw Ratchet and Jazz’s long faces. If Ratchet were human they would most likely be in tears. Ratchet had come to know her as a sister, but that’s a story for another time. For Ratchet it was like losing a family member, even if it was only for a month. Jazz on the other hand, Thumper was his partner and his best friend. Sure he still had friends like Cliffjumper and the other guys, but they weren’t like her. They were just you know.. the guys. He wasn’t in love with her or anything but he did care about her, kinda like Ratchet. But unlike Ratchet he was always covering it up, trying to stay just a friend not her brother. Though once and a while his brotherly concern got out. “Well I guess this is good-bye for a while eh? Try to behave?” “I’ll try to Ratch,” she stammered trying to look as if she herself wasn’t about to cry. He patted her on the head. “Hey don’t forget to call once and a while girl,” said Jazz, “best not fall off the Earth or something.” She ran to him and tried to hug him but it’s had to do when he is a giant robot. She turned back to the X-Men. “Oh well, the more the merrier, but don’t say I didn’t warn ya,” grumbled Wolverine. With in a hour Thumper gathered all her belongs and stared to board the newly repaired Blackbird. With tears running down her checks, and yelling of, “Good-bye,” and “Good luck,” she boarded the Blackbird and in to the sunset.
