*    *    *    *

Sky, the dinosaur and Ink Demon were peacefully sleeping, I on the other hand was back and laying on the couch while staring at the ceiling. I was obviously bored, but I didn't want to awaken any of them. Sighing and turning my attention to the sleeping human in the bed, I had noticed something, her bracelet wasn't on her wrist. The bracelet wasn't anywhere in the room. I know that bracelet is rather important to her.

I need to find it before Sky awakens. I sneak out of the room as I began searching the living quarters. Searching every nook in cranny in this area, nothing. Where the hell did it go? Maybe it left the area, I head towards the exit and leave the living quarters. Looking both ways, I decide to head towards the outside where Sky and I talked last night. My animatronic ears pick up the sound of little taps against the metal floor, like something small running. I follow the sounds as they were headed outside.

Orange sunshine shone down on me as I made it outdoors, I saw a small robot with the same jewels encrested into it's arms. It was moving in a panicked manner. I was rather confused as to why she was so panicked.

"What are you doing?" I ask it.

She screamed for a second as she spun to see me, her body language read fearful and skittish. But as she saw me, she seemed to calm down.

"Oh god...I thought you were Lockdown..." She said.

"Who? And why would you think that?" I ask, confused.

She looked as if she was about to say something, but stopped herself. She couldn't seem to figure out her words, or find a good way to explain it. I believe she means that robot Sky had showed me a picture of only hours ago. Why would he be named after an emergency procedure? And in my personal opinion, he looks more human than anything else.

"Is it that robot who is trying to kill Sky?" I cross my arms.

The robots eyes seemed to widen at the mention of it, she was speechless.

"Tell me, what's his problem with her? What did she ever do to him?" I kneel down to look at her.

"Well as far as I know, it ain't personal. 6 girls, including myself, went there prior to her. All of them but me ended up dead because of him, I was already a ghost when I went there. Only I was sent by someone to make sure that this relic I possess doesn't end up back in Quintessa's hands." She explained.

"Who's Quintessa?" I ask.

"Its uh...hard to explain. But she projects herself into my sister's dreams because of this relic, and she could be accompanied by one of the others." She says.

Now that got me thinking. So whoever is wearing her, can see these aliens? Or at least this Quintessa character? My curiosity skyrockets as my thoughts race through my mind.

"So if I wore you like she did, I could see them?" I look back to her.

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea-" she stepped back.

"What's the worst that could happen? We'll be meeting them soon anyways." I argue.

"Bunny boy, you're not like my sister. If I were to attach to you, you could possibly see things you'd wish you hadn't." She said firmly and walked past me back towards the living area.

Perhaps she is right. Maybe it is best that I don't. Although what doesn't make sense is, she thought I was this "Lockdown". Sky had told me hours ago that he told her that she would see him soon. These robots seem to be working in mysterious ways obviously. They seem to frighten that little robot very much, and to the human they seem to almost torment her emotionally. I growl to myself, thinking of how this character is gonna somehow magically appear out of nowhere.

I sigh and head back towards the living area, seeing Sky slowly exiting the quarters with the bracelet back on her wrist. Her hair was wet and she was in clean clothes, must be taken a shower. A quick one at that. She immediately noticed me and looked nervous.

"Oh hey Springy..." She said.

"You wouldn't be sneaking off to go on their shark hunt, would you?" I ask.

She sighed, "Alright yes. But they found a high energy signal on their radars, it's gotta be the gem. Also technically if I'm on a boat doing nothing, that counts as relaxing."

Can't argue there. Bendy came out after her as he stretched with a yawn, his sharp teeth showing.

"Where are you going?" I ask him.

"I'm going with her on the shark hunt to keep her out of trouble." The Ink Demon replied.

"Good." I nod and enter the living area.

*   *   *   *

After Bendy and I helped Jonas and Suyin load up the equipment for the search, we boarded the boat. We were joined by a chubby bearded man, a lady with grey eyes and short, a short Asian man and a tall white man. The others were quizzically eyeing Bendy and I, probably wondering what Bendy is and why I'm here. But they said nothing. Bendy and I took a sest as the boat took off across the ocean.

Might I say that this is one of the dumbest things I've done on this quest? Or maybe even THE dumbest thing I've done. Going out on a boat with 2 sharks that are supposed to be extinct, that are almost 50 and 90 feet long and could tear this boat apart with ease. And how am I going to get the damn gem with those things in the water? I lose myself in my thoughts as we continue to speed across the water.

Which raises another concern. Sharks are drawn to vibrations and panicked movements, this is MEGA stupid. But I'd rather take on 2 Megs than deal with the cons right now. Lesser of 2 evils I say. I silently go back into my mind and close my eyes. My mind is my happy place, just me and my many thoughts and ideas.

"You have come a long way, young one. I knew you were special." An unfamiliar male voice echoed in my ear.

I open my eyes and look around for who could have said it. But no one was near me except Bendy, and he was looking out at the waves.

"Who said that?" I thought to myself.

"I did, young one. I am very proud of you." The voice said again.

This caused me to gasp, "Are you in my head?"

"Indeed, but I am no threat." His voice was gentle and kind.

I smile slightly.

"Who are you, sir?" I mentally ask.

"I cannot say as of now, but I have been with you for years. But I must say that you are making a very dangerous choice." The voice continued.

I sigh, "I know I am. But I unfortunately don't got much of a choice. I need to get these gems for Quintessa, or she'll kill Optimus and Bumblebee."

The voice then went silent for a moment. I wonder who this could possibly be. I've never heard his voice before, yet I feel like I can trust him.

"Are you aware that any of them could merely come find you, take the relic and just use it to find the gems themselves?" The voice asked.

My eyes widen. They could have done this themselves?! They could have killed me already just to find t hise damn gems??

"What?! So why haven't they done that yet? Why didn't they do this themselves?" I ask him.

"They are waiting for the perfect time. As you keep surprising them with how you act and think, they delay their as you find each and every gem." He explained.

So they could've killed me already, but I keep surprising them with what I'm doing? Now that, THAT is unexpected. Months ago, I didn't even know the Autobots or Decepticons personally. But now, I've befriended every Autobot at the base, and every Decepticon is on my tail after my sister. Not to mention this journey to get back to them. It's been the most exhilarating thing I've ever done in my life.

I've been rather independent here, and it's the greatest feeling I've experienced in my life. Not to mention the adventure, the thrill, the friends I've made, everything. But it's bittersweet. Optimus and Bumblebee are being held captive by the Cons. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't be doing this. I must thank them when I see them again.

"Thats unexpected. So may I ask you one more question, mister?" I say.

"Certainly, what is it youngling?" He asks kindly.

"Why do you speak to me now, when you could have at any point?" I ask.

"Because as you are reaching the end of your journey, you are becoming stronger with each gem you collect. But be aware that those gems aren't what are making you stronger. I must be going now, but know that I will be with you when you need me." He said as his voice faded away.

I smiled once again, "Thank you." I whispered.

"Who are you thanking?" The Ink Demon next to me asked.

"Oh uh, it's nothing. Just thinking aloud..." I say.

Bendy said nothing as he looked back at the water.