**Takes place halfway through Season 1 of Transformers Prime, more towards the end than the middle.*

Written: February 28th → March 4th 2019

Your POV

Why did school have to be so boring?

You watch with mild amusement as one of the more troublesome kids in your Science class throws a ball of paper at his friend, only to receive one back to the face moments later.

He's gonna get up out of his seat, walk over to his friend and a brawl is gonna break out.

Almost is you had predicted the future, the kid that had originally thrown the paper ball at his friend gets up and waltzes over to his friend, who was looking toward the now angry boy with fear evident in his eyes.

"Howie! Sit down!" The teacher orders, looking up from his newspaper to glare at the heated student.

"Sure thing, Mr. Steward." Howie seethes, shooting a menacing glare towards the frightened boy.

That glare could only mean one thing. There's gonna be a fight after school.

Whatever.

You sigh, casting your gaze towards the clock mounted above the chalkboard at the front of the room and then back at your open textbook and finished work.

"Why does this stuff have to be so easy?" You mutter softly.

You see, you had always been one to achieve high grades in every subject, specifically in any Science, Technology and Mathematical course. Everything was just so easy!

You glance at the clock once more.

Ten minutes left of class...

Deciding to pack up early, you begin to shove your textbook and binders into your backpack hanging on the back of your chair as you fish your earbuds and phone from the pocket of your leather jacket, plugging them in and putting on your 80's era playlist.

As you listen to the music drowning out the rowdy Science class in the background, your phone vibrates.

Peering at the screen quickly, you see its a message from your friend, Miko.

"Hiya, Y/N! Wanna hang out with me and the guys after school today?"

You smile inwardly, knowing the hidden meaning behind the Japanese transfer student's words.

"Sure thing, Miko. I'll meet you guys outside the front doors!"

As your thumb taps the 'send' icon, the bell rings and you rush into the already crowded hallways of Memorial High School, heading to the front doors, eager to breathe some fresh air after being cooped up inside all day.

Although, the air of Jasper, Nevada wasn't all that fresh, but at least you were outside.

As you descend quickly down the school's front steps, unplugging your earbuds, someone taps you on the shoulder.

Turning to see who had tapped you, a flash of black and pink whisks by you, causing you to jump back a bit in surprise, only to be replaced with recognition once the owner of the black and pink flash turns around and waves.

"Miko!" You scold teasingly, waving back and making your way over to your friend. "I've told you many, many, many times before! Do not scare me like that!"

She smiles knowingly.

"I know... But you scare so easily!"

"Vince and his gang shoved you in a locker?!" The voice of an enraged Jack yells, the sixteen year old coming around the corner anger evident on his face, your conversation with Miko falling silent.

"Yeah. They did." Another voice pipes up sadly from behind the corner, the light footsteps growing closer as Raf rounds the corner, straightening his glasses slightly.

"Did you hear that, Miko? Vince and his thugs shoved Raf in a locker today!" The angered teen snarls, balling his fists. "Something needs to be done!"

"I agree! I say we get revenge!" The pink haired Japanese girl agrees, tensing.

Eyes wide at the sudden situation about to spike, you step in between Jack and Miko, arms outstretched as if to act as a barricade.

"Woah, woah, woah! Easy there tiger! No one will be getting revenge on anybody." You state, pulling the 'oldest friend' card.

"Fine." Both angered teens huff as a blue motorcycle, black and yellow muscle car and a green heavyweight SUV pull up to the front of you and your friends.

Seeing this, Jack rushes to the motorcycle, and Miko towards the SUV.

"See ya later." Miko cheers, almost as if nothing had just happened.

"Yeah. See you soon, Y/N!" A now much calmer Jack grinned, putting on his helmet as he mounted the bike, promptly leaving the school parking lot followed by the SUV.

"Raf... About today... You okay?" You ask, concern lacing your voice as you place a hand on the twelve and quarter's shoulder reassuringly.

He looks up at you, smiling slightly.

"I'm fine, Y/N. It's just... Why do some people have to be such big jerks all the time?" He questions as you both make your way over to the black and yellow vehicle, it's door opening as you both neared.

"Now that! That is a very good question." You sigh, slipping into the driver's seat as Raf climbs in next to you.

The vehicle's engine comes to life and you leave the High School's parking lot behind, heading into Jasper's outskirts.

"So, Bee? What did you do today?" The boy sitting in the passenger seat asks the vehicle, curiosity evident in his tone as the car continues to drive along.

Beeps and whirs is the only response.

Grinning, Raf replies, "That sounds like fun!"

How can you understand him, Raf?

The rest of the drive is silent on your part as Bee and Rafael continue their conversation, your attention fixed on Jasper's bleak and boring landscape, your thoughts wandering to when you first met the Autobots, by complete accident. Literally.

*Flashback*

You were walking along the sidewalk, earbuds in and music playing loudly.

It was also dark.

The darkness never bothered you, you actually found it rather comforting at times, but that's besides the point.

You were on your way home from the park after spending the evening with Jack, Miko and Raf, your closest and only friends. You had spent the evening hanging out under the stars and chatting about school and such. But now it was late, too late and you were hurrying home.

"I hope Mom isn't mad at me again! What do I tell her? I wasn't paying attention to the time? My phone died?" You mutter, coming to a crosswalk, paying zero attention and not bothering to look for approaching vehicles.

Big mistake.

The last thing you see before everything goes black is a extremely bright light, headlights.

You hit the pavement, hard, wincing in pain at the impact.

With your vision gone and senses fading, you focus on the loud voices filling your ears as you feel yourself lifted off the pavement, only to be put down gently on something else a bit softer moments later.

"Ratchet! You ran Y/N over!" A faint voice cries in horror.

The voice was somewhat recognizable.

Miko?

Your head spins, and your senses leave you floating in the darkness of unconsciousness.

****

"Uh..." You groan, opening your eyes, only to shut them quickly once more. "So bright..."

You lay still, silently listening to your surroundings.

Something steadily beeping? Soft talking? Am I in a hospital?

Suddenly, the memories are dragged to the forefront of your exhausted mind.

I was hit by a fricken car.

Your next thought surprised you.

Mom is gonna be pissed.

With your senses slowly returning to your bruised body, you decide to try and open your eyes once more, this time prepared for the extremely bright lights that awaited.

Your eyes flutter open, taking a moment to adjust to the light.

"You're awake!" A familiar voice cheers from beside you, the voice's face appearing in front of you moments later.

"Miko! Miko?" You exclaim, confused.

Almost as if the Japanese girl sensed your confusion, she cleared her throat loudly, attention elsewhere, before returning to you.

"Just stay calm okay. They aren't gonna hurt you." She whispers before sitting back down beside you, leaving you more confused than before.

"Hurt me? Stay calm? Miko, I'm not afraid of doctors... Oh my gosh."

What you saw before you was frightening, but at the same time, exciting.

Giant robots. Standing in front of you.

You yelp in surprise, scooting backwards slightly.

"You needn't be afraid, we will not bring harm to you." The robot with the red and blue paint scheme assures, kneeling to make his form less menacing.

"W-w-what are you?" You croak out silently.

"We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as Autobots. I am Optimus Prime, leader of this Autobot base known as Omega One." The one known as Optimus clarifies.

"So... Your basically giant robot aliens..." You trail off, awestruck as the sound of a motorcycle motor fills your ears, accompanied moments later by laughter and the shifting of gears.

Casting your gaze behind Optimus, your eyes go even wider, if that's even possible.

There was Jack, standing next to-

"Jack? Is that your motorcycle?" You gasp, astonished.

The teen walks over to your bruised and bloody form, followed by the newest bot in the room.

"Yeah... She is. Y/N, meet Arcee."

You wave feebly towards the smaller Autobot.

"So you're giant robot aliens that can transform into cars... Cool."

"It is cool!" Miko chimes in, suddenly sitting on a couch perched on a platform beside what looked to be a computer station. "That's Bulkhead! He's my Guardian, just like Arcee is Jack's and Bumblebee is Raf's!"

You stare at the large green bot known as Bulkhead, and the yellow bot known as Bumblebee who had both somehow managed to slip into the room unnoticed by you.

"Woah..."

Arcee smiles slightly before turning to Optimus.

"I guess I should probably let Ratchet know the human is awake?"She questions, waiting the Leader's response.

Ratchet... That name sounds familiar...

"Ratchet! Was he the one who ran me over?!" You screech, pulling yourself from a sitting position and hoisting yourself onto your feet, only to fall into the hand of one of the bots.

"Indeed I was." A new voice affirms, closer to you than the other voices.

The hand you're laying in begins to rise, until you come face to face with the mech that nearly killed you.

"You! You nearly killed me!" You seethe once more, making another feeble effort to stand, only to fail once more.

"But I didn't." The one they call Ratchet growls. "I brought you back here and treated your injuries."

At this point, you notice the room had gone silent as you and the white and orange bot bicker.

"You treated my injuries?" You mock, doubting that a giant alien robot could treat small human injuries.

"Yes. Yes I did. I'm a medic, if you haven't guessed by now." Comes the snarky reply.

Certainly a miserable one at that.

Curiosity overcoming your anger now, you lower your tone, interested to know more about this medic called Ratchet.

"I would've had such small injuries... how could a giant alien robot like yourself, manage to do that?" You muse aloud, your fingers brushing over the neat stitching on your cheek that you had just noticed. "You obviously have tools small enough to work on things my size."

At this, the medic chuckles softly, setting you down gently on the floor.

"You'll be back on your feet in no time. Just make sure you take it easy for a bit. Now scram." He orders, turning to the computers.

"Wait? What?" You yell, confused at the bot's sudden turn of emotions.

"I have work to do. Go find the other children."

"Ratchet," You hear the commanding voice of the Autobot leader speak up, breaking the silence. "What is the status on Y/N's injuries?"

The orange and white medic turns from his work, clearly annoyed by being interrupted from whatever he was doing, glancing at you before back to Optimus.

"She will be fine, Optimus."

"Hey, Y/N! Come play some video games with us!" Miko calls from the platform with the couch, waving down at you happily.

"Sure, Miko..." You sigh, beginning to make your way towards the platform, only to be scooped off of the ground and set gently on the couch beside your Japanese friend.

You smile kindly at Optimus, who had been kind enough to help you get to your friends faster.

Seconds later, a remote control was thrust into your hands and the game ensued.

*End of Flashback, Back to Present Day*

"You okay, Y/N?" Raf's concerned voice pulls you from your thoughts. "We're almost back at base, and I was wondering if you wanted to help me fix my remote control car."

"You got a new one?" You ask questioningly.

Bumblebee had accidentally stepped on Raf's first R.C. car when he first met him. Now the boy had gotten another one to be trampled?

"Yeah. I did, but it's not brand new. It was a used one, so she needs some fixing up. Wanna help?" The boy sitting beside you asks once more.

"Sure, Raf, as long as I'm not needed for anything else, I'm sure I can help."

At this, both Raf and Bumblebee fall silent.

"Was it something I said?" You joke, pretending to be offended.

No answer.

What on Earth is going on here?

As the vehicle your sitting in pulls to a halt inside the Autobot base, you step out onto the concrete floor confused about what Raf and Bee's sudden silence could've been about.

"Ah, you're back." The voice of the grouchy Autobot medic sounds from the computers.

"Yep. We are, Ratchet. Where is everyone else?"

"Out." Was the only answer you received as the sound of shifting gears erupts from behind you as Bumblebee transforms, followed by a series of beeps and whirs.

"You're right, Bumblebee. Y/N is not going to like what Optimus has to say..." Raf replies to his mechanical friend.

"What does Optimus have to say?" You ask sternly, putting your hands on your hips. "Where is everyone?"

Ratchet turns to face you, not amused.

"Optimus has some... news. Arcee and Bulkhead should be back shortly and then you can all annoy me to no end with your constant chatter." He explains, throwing in the scheduled complaint, right on time.

"What kind of news?" You press, wanting to know what the Autobot leader might have to say to you.

The orange and white medic sighs in frustration.

"I don't know anymore than you do."

Just as you were about to press for further information, the sound of everyone else arriving back at base and transforming, interrupts you.

"Thank Primus your back! Now we can get this 'news' over with." Ratchet exclaims, relieved by the presence of the Autobot leader to finally answer your question.

"Yeah, about that... Raf and Bee said that I'm not gonna like what you have to say, Optimus... what is it that you have to say exactly?" You question, trying to not sound too demanding toward the leader.

Optimus sighs, seemingly not looking forward to delivering his news.

"Y/N, you know about our enemies, the Decepticons, correct?"

We already went over this, OP! Two days ago!

"Yes. You informed me of them when I first met you all." You reply, casting your gaze to the group of bots standing behind their leader.

Optimus is silent for a few moments, seeming to be deep in thought.

"Since Y/N now knows of our existence, she will need a Guardian to protect her from the Decepticons." He states, turning towards the medic.

Ratchet raises his hands in front of him, almost as if to ward off the inevitable of what the Autobot leader was saying.

"Optimus, I am not taking responsibility for this human!" The medic complains, before realizing that the leader was not leaving room for argument.

"You are the only one who does not currently have the responsibility of protecting a human and the risks are too high for Y/N to accompany me anywhere, therefore, you will be Y/N's Guardian, Ratchet."

You couldn't believe what you were hearing.

"You two might have more in common than you think!" Miko chimes in from behind Bulkhead.

I doubt it.

"Well, if that's all, I'll be getting back to what I was doing before I was interrupted." Ratchet growls lowly before turning his attention back to his work.

Great... I'm stuck with a miserable war medic that doesn't even want to get to know me, let alone even be on this planet! Gosh, why'd this have to happen?

"Y/N? May I speak with you?" Optimus' voice asks quietly, pulling you from your thoughts.

You look towards the platform that you and your human friends hang out on, hearing the sounds of Miko's cheering and Jack's yells of defeat.

"Looks like I'm still champion, Jack. You up for another round?" The Japanese girl's cheery voice asks.

You did not want to be up there when Jack finally did end up beating the 'Champion'.

Looking to the Autobot leader quickly, you nod, doing your best to follow behind the tall mech's strides as he makes his way towards the exit tunnel and transforms into his vehicle form.

You climb into the large truck, marveling at how similar it was to an Earth equivalent of a Mack truck.

As you drive out into Jasper's evening sun away from base, you can't help but blurt out the questions that have been spinning around in your head since the moment all of this started.

"Why me, Optimus? Why did I have to get hit by a ambulance that apparently is a alien robot war medic? Why did I get dragged into the middle of your war? Why did I have to get stuck with Ratchet as my Guardian? Why can't I just be normal?" You exclaim, sighing heavily as you finish your sudden outburst.

Silence.

"I-I'm sorry. I shouldn't have blown up on you like that... it's not your fault that any of this happened..."

Silence.

"Optimus?"

The Prime pulls off the main road without a word, parking behind a large rock formation in the desert's bleak landscape, and opens the door beside you.

Confused, you step out onto the chilly evening air, shivering slightly as you close the door behind you slightly.

It's gets so much colder without the sun.

The truck in front of you begins to transform into the robot that you had come to know over the past few days.

"I am not certain why the universe has chosen you to assist us in our struggle against the Decepticons, but what you can be certain of, is that you have been chosen for a reason." Optimus explains in an attempt to reassure you.

"And as for Ratchet?" You mutter, crossing your arms over your chest.

"I am too much of a target for Megatron, the Decepticon leader. If I was to be your Guardian, I would be directly endangering your life. That is why I chose Ratchet to become your Guardian, Y/N. I also believe you and my old friend may have more in common than you can currently see."

You roll your eyes, although considering what the Autobot in front of you had said.

"So... what should I do? It's obvious that he doesn't exactly like humans..."

Optimus smiles slightly.

"That is for you to figure out, Y/N. Now, let us get back to base. It is getting late and I am sure your Mother is wondering where you are."

You nod, getting into the blue and red Mack truck, your thoughts still on the conversation you and the Prime just had.

How am I supposed to warm up to a mech who doesn't even want to talk to me, let alone see me? Or any human for that matter!

Another thought occurs to you, more pressing than figuring out how to get to know your new Guardian.

"I hate to say this, but Ratchet doesn't exactly blend in around town, being an ambulance and all... maybe it would be best if Arcee dropped me off before she takes Jack home?" You muse aloud, hoping Optimus would agree and save you a bit of time before you absolutely have to get to know the white and orange medic.

"That sounds like it would work best. I will inform Arcee she will have an extra passenger from this point forward." Optimus' voice replies, agreeing with you.

"Thanks, OP." You yawn, resting your head against the window, your eyes beginning to grow heavy as the sounds of the road lull you into a light slumber.

****

"Thanks for the ride, Arcee." You whisper, sliding off the back to the motorcycle.

"See ya later, Jack!" You yell after the pair as they leave you in their wake.

Jack turns and waves back at you as he heads around the corner, disappearing from your view.

Sighing, you walk up to your house's front porch, hoping with all your will that the door was locked and your Mom was in bed.

"Nope." You mutter as the door opens with ease, a single light on in the living room, accompanied by the obnoxiously loud sounds coming from the TV.

Slipping your shoes off silently, you creep up the stairs, dodging the squeaky parts and being careful not to trip in the dark.

You'd done this many times before, being out late and all, but nothing as extreme as hanging around giant alien robots in the midst of a war with evil giant alien robots.

If you got caught, you'd have to have a really good excuse for this one-

"Scrud!" You curse silently, tripping up the last step, landing on your hands and knees.

The sounds of your Mother's footsteps echo throughout the quiet house as you scramble to your feet and rush to your room.

Shutting your bedroom door behind you quickly but quietly, you throw on a pair of PJ's shoving your backpack from school into it's usual corner and crawl into bed, facing the wall so it appears you're asleep.

As you steady your breathing, a bright light shines into your room, hurting your eyes.

Nothing to see here, Mom. I've been here the whole time, sleeping, after I finished my homework... You knew I was out. I texted you... Go away!

Your Mother sighs slightly, closing the door behind her, submerging you into darkness once more as you lay there in your bed, staring at the ceiling, thinking about today's events.

"How the heck am I supposed to get to know Ratchet?"

As you turn those thoughts over one last time, your eyes grow heavy once more, sleep overtaking you for the second time in a matter of a few hours.

****

"Be careful, Rafael! I need that!" The white and orange medic exclaims as he watches with wide optics as the twelve and a quarter year old boy picks up one of Ratchet's tools and examines it closely.

"What is this thing, Ratchet?" He asks, his voice full of curiosity at the small piece of Cybertronian technology.

"Fragile." The Autobot huffs, taking the small piece of tech out of the boy's hands and setting it back onto the table gently.

Gotta love Saturdays!

This was your first full Saturday with your newfound Autobot allies, and needless to say, you were growing restless of being cooped up in the old missile silo, watching Jack and Miko play video games, and Raf bug your newly appointed Guardian to no end.

Today was going to be boring.

Or so you thought.

Suddenly, an obnoxiously loud sound startles you, as the medic drops what he's doing and rushes over to the computers, clicking a few buttons on the keyboard.

"What is it?" You question, making your way over to stand beside Raf, who had his laptop open and at the ready in case his computer skills were going to be needed.

"Bridge us out of here, and get two sick bays ready!" The voice of Bulkhead yells through the computer's speakers, causing Miko to let out a startled gasp.

"They're in trouble!" The Japanese girl yells, rushing towards the Groundbridge controls.

"Miko, don't touch that!" Both you and Ratchet command in unison.

Shocked, you stare at the medic questioningly, while he only glances down at you with amused optics as he gently nudges the girl away from the controls.

"I haven't trained you how to use this yet."

"But Bulkhead and the others are in trouble!" Miko yells, anxious and afraid for her Guardian's well being.

"Well, messing up my Groundbridge controls won't help them!" The medic growls, activating the vortex of green and blue.

Sulking slightly, your Japanese friend joins you at your side, a worried expression written all over her features.

"They'll be fine..." You trail off in utter horror at the sight before you.

Optimus Prime was the first through the Groundbridge, holding the limp form of Arcee gently in his arms. The femme was covered in what appeared to be some sort of blue blood, which was oozing from a large hole in her chest.

"Arcee!" Jack gasps, his eyes also widening in horror.

You turn your attention back to the Groundbridge, watching as the other two Autobots appear, Bumblebee limping alongside Bulkhead, the same blue stuff dripping from a gash on his leg.

Autobot blood?

The black and yellow Scout casts his gaze towards you and Raf, beeping softly.

"You'll be okay, Bee. Ratchet will take good care of you..." The boy next to you consoles, smiling feebly.

The two injured bots are immediately laid down on medical cots, and the medic gets to work.

"What about the Groundbridge?" You scream, your gaze still fixed on the vortex, watching two unfamiliar figures slowly approaching the safety of the base.

At this, Bulkhead rushes back towards your side, taking up a protective stance in front to both you and Raf.

"Close it!" He orders.

You nod at the boy next to you, as he climbs up to the controls, closing the portal hastily.

"That was close..." He sighs, slumping to the floor.

"Too close..." Miko's Guardian mutters, wincing in slight pain as he lowers his protective stance and makes his way silently towards his two injured teammates and his leader.

"So what happened out there?" You hear Jack ask from his position on the platform.

"We were ambushed by Decepticons." Optimus replies quietly, gazing at his wounded comrades before turning his optics to you and your friends.

"Oh." Was the only thing you could say as your attention was drawn to a calm, but frantic looking Ratchet as he worked on patching Arcee up.

You couldn't just stand there and do nothing! How hard could it be to patch up a living robot? It was just like taking apart a computer at school, right?

Without a word, you stride towards the Med bay, making your way towards your Guardian, tapping on his leg platting.

He gazes down at you, his optics clearly showing annoyance.

"I want to help." You declare, realizing how foolish your words likely sounded once you spoke them.

Huffing, the white and orange medic picks you up, setting you on his shoulder.

"Well, if your going to be hanging around me so much, you might as well learn something about Cybertronians." He mutters as you smile inwardly.

Maybe Ratchet wasn't so bad after all.

****

Bumblebee was back on his feet within a few hours, Arcee however, well, her state isn't as great.

"What else can we do?" You muse aloud from your perch on your Guardian's shoulder.

The field medic sighs in frustration.

"Not much, I'm afraid. We've done all we can do, but she'll be fine. Her vitals are stable."

For now...

"We've raised her Energon levels, patched up all visible injuries and have her vitals linked to the monitor. I guess that is all we can do..." You list off, mentally running through a checklist.

You glance towards Bee and Raf who were working on the twelve and a quarter's new remote control car. Well, Raf was working, Bumblebee was watching.

There were still puddles of Energon, the lifeblood of both Autobots and Decepticons, splattered on the floor that no one had bothered to clean up since the rush for intimidate medical care after the bots had returned.

Miko and Jack were out with Bulkhead, claiming they would only be gone a short while and Optimus was nowhere to be found. Both you and Ratchet were left in charge.

"Well? Do I get a thank you?" You ask smartly, laughing lightly as your Guardian sets you down gently beside Raf and his Guardian.

Ratchet just sighs, turning to the main computer screens and avoiding you once more.

It's almost as if we just didn't work together to save two lives!

Now it was your turn to sigh as you pull your attention away from Arcee's motionless form laying on the medical cot to Rafael's smiling face as he turns his newly fixed remote control car on it's back, flipping the switch.

"Let's give it a whirl." You smile as Bumblebee whirs loudly from behind both of you humans, watching with eager anticipation.

"Here goes nothing." The boy replies, hitting the accelerator on the remote.

The R.C. car rockets forward with a satisfying whine of mechanics as Raf lets out a whoop of excitement.

"We fixed it, Bee!" He cheers, guiding the small car back towards where the three of you were sitting on the floor beneath the Groundbridge controls.

The black and yellow mech behind you beeps and whirs an exciting series of sounds, the twelve and a quarter year old, understanding his words completely.

"What'd he say?" You question, turning the plastic vehicle off.

"That he knew I could do it." Raf replies, smiling. "And I did do it! I did it Y/N! I bet those bullies at school can't do something like this!"

You laugh, ruffling the boy's hair.

"I'm sure they can't, that's for sure. You have such a unique talent, Rafael. Not every kid your age can just hack into the Government's computer system, you know."

"I know." He replies quietly, his gaze fixed on the R.C. car in disbelief.

****

A/N

5041 words total... I think I am going to end things there and publish a second part, so stay tuned! As always, please please leave feedback, chapter/plot ideas, one-shot ideas, anything really! (I need a way to end this monstrosity!)