A/N: Option C won, Y/N's v card shall remain intact until all the main Autogals and Deceptigals have been introduced. I was not expecting so many comments. Goes to show how much ya'll love this book. I definetely fumbled and should have introduced everybody else before the island arc so that's a bad move on my part since technically for now the other autogals and deceptigals are nonexistent yet. Buuuut, there will be another Beach Arc so don't worry ya'll. Enjoy!

Y/N's POV

Walking back to the resort hotel, I couldn't help but wince as the gentle breeze reminded me of the swollen side of my face. Megatron really let me have it earlier—not that I didn't deserve it. I mean, forgetting her at the spa for hours after I promised to help? Yeah, I'm surprised I got away with just a bruised ego and a ringing ear.

Still, she seemed to have gotten all her frustrations out because now she was completely knocked out, cradled in my arms like some sort of grumpy princess. Meanwhile, Starscream was glued to my other side, clinging onto my arm like it was a lifeline. Her lovestruck expression was something out of a rom-com, her eyes sparkling as she recounted every moment of our date for what felt like the hundredth time.

"And then you handed me that seashell, and oh, Y/N, I just knew this was the perfect day!" she sighed dreamily, leaning her head against my shoulder as we entered the elevator.

"Yup, perfect day," I mumbled, too exhausted to remind her that my day involved getting screamed at by an angry Megatron. The elevator dinged, and we arrived back at the penthouse suite.

I carefully laid Megatron down on her bed at the far end of the room. She groaned softly but didn't wake, thankfully too tired from the whole ordeal to notice Starscream still hanging off me. I turned to head to my own bed, but the second I moved, I found myself flying backward.

"Whoa—!" I barely had time to react before I landed on the plush mattress, and Starscream was on me in an instant.

"Now, Y/N," she purred, straddling me and leaning in close, her hands pressed against my chest, "it's time for our final activity. Just you and me... no interruptions." Her voice was honey-sweet, but there was a fire in her eyes that told me she wasn't joking.

I felt my face heat up as I tried to come up with a response. "Star, I don't think—"

Knock, knock.

The sound broke through the moment like a lightning bolt, and we both froze. Starscream narrowed her eyes at the door, irritation radiating from her like an aura.

"Who dares interrupt us?" she hissed, her fingers twitching as if she were about to throw the nearest piece of furniture.

"Uh, I'll get it!" I said quickly, sliding out from under her before things could escalate. My heart was pounding, and I was half-grateful for the interruption. I stumbled toward the door, trying to keep my composure.

When I opened it, I was greeted by—

—Bumblebee, grinning ear to ear, with Arcee standing just behind her, looking exasperated.

"Hiya, Y/N!" Bee chirped, completely oblivious to the tension in the room. "We figured you'd be back by now, so we thought we'd come check on you! And, uh, Megatron. You know, since you kinda, totally left her at the spa all day."

Arcee rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "I told her not to come, but she insisted."

I blinked at them, unsure whether to thank them for saving me from Starscream's... enthusiasm or curse them for walking in at the worst possible time. Behind me, I could feel Starscream's glare boring a hole into the back of my head.

"Bee," I started nervously, "now's not really the best—"

"Oh, hey, Star!" Bee peeked around me, completely unfazed by the atmosphere. "Did you guys have fun? You two seemed super cozy earlier."

Starscream stood, her expression switching to an overly polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh, it was wonderful. Until, of course, someone decided to interrupt our very important plans." Her tone was sugary sweet, but the underlying threat was as clear as day.

Arcee groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Bee, let's go. This was a mistake."

But Bumblebee was already walking past me into the room, making herself at home on the couch. "What plans? Oh, let me guess! You were about to—"

"BEE!" Starscream and I yelled at the same time, both of us blushing furiously.

"Okay, okay! Geez, no need to yell," she muttered, throwing her hands up in mock surrender. "I was just kidding."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. As much as I cared for these girls, I was starting to feel like I was in way over my head. "Alright, Bee. You've checked in. Megatron's fine. Everything's fine. Can you please just—"

Before I could finish, Megatron stirred from her bed, her voice groggy but sharp. "What's with all the yelling? I'm trying to sleep over here!"

Great. Now she was awake too.

I turned back to Starscream, who was glaring daggers at Bee. "You owe me for this, Y/N," she whispered before storming off to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.

"Well," Bee said with a bright smile, "I guess we're all hanging out now!"

I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. This was going to be a long night.

. . .

. . .

The next morning, I found myself waiting in the resort lobby, scrolling through my phone to pass the time. Megatron, Starscream, and the rest of the Deceptigals had already gone ahead to enjoy the beach. Megatron's ankle was healing nicely, so she was finally moving around with less of a limp. That left me waiting for the Autogals, who apparently had a grand plan for us to celebrate our "successful rescue."

The lobby buzzed with chatter as students shuffled through, but I barely noticed when a familiar voice cut through the noise like a laser.

"Y/N! There you are!"

I looked up and froze. Bee was the first to appear, dressed in a bright yellow sundress with black accents, perfectly matching her bubbly personality. The dress flowed just enough to hint at elegance but screamed fun with its playful floral pattern. Her golden hair shimmered as she bounded toward me, grabbing onto my left arm with an infectious grin.

"Ready for the best day ever?" she asked, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Before I could respond, a sharp sigh drew my attention. "Bee, give the guy some space," Arcee said, stepping forward to my right.

She was dressed in a sleek, deep blue wrap dress that hugged her athletic figure, radiating confidence. The asymmetrical cut showed just enough leg to turn heads without trying too hard. She placed a hand on my right arm, glaring at Bee. "You said this was a group thing, remember? Not your private cuddle time."

Bee pouted but didn't let go.

"Girls, girls," came Optinessa's calming voice.

She stepped forward gracefully, dressed in a stunning white maxi dress with intricate golden embroidery along the hem and neckline. Her style was regal, as always, giving off the air of someone who could own the beach and the resort at the same time. She gently pulled me toward her for a hug, her serene demeanor instantly diffusing the tension.

"Let's not fight," she said with a soft laugh. "We're here to enjoy ourselves."

"You're cheating!" Smokescreen called out from behind, her voice teasing as she crossed her arms.

She strolled up in a sporty crimson romper with sleek black accents, exuding a tomboyish charm that fit her perfectly. Her short hair caught the sunlight as she smirked at Optinessa, wagging a finger at her.

Optinessa simply cleared her throat, smiling knowingly before turning to address the group. "Now, let's get back on track, shall we? Here's the plan: Y/N spends the morning with the Autogals until one o'clock. Then from one until the evening, he'll be with the Deceptigals. But for dinner, we're all coming together at the beachfront restaurant we booked."

Bee clapped her hands, her excitement bubbling over again. "And for this morning, we've got the perfect lineup! First, we're hitting the water park—slides, lazy rivers, you name it. Then a volleyball game! After that, we'll grab smoothies and chill by the pool. Oh, and—"

"Bee, breathe," Arcee interrupted, though there was a faint smile on her face.

I glanced between them all, a mix of amusement and apprehension bubbling in my chest. Today was going to be... interesting, to say the least.

"Alright," I said with a small laugh. "Lead the way, ladies."

Bee immediately tugged me forward, with Arcee and Smokescreen trailing close behind, both exchanging playful jabs. Optinessa lingered a step back, watching the group fondly before following.

The Waterpark

The waterpark was alive with the sounds of splashing water, laughter, and excited screams from towering slides. As we walked in, Bee was practically vibrating with energy, pointing out every single slide she wanted us to go on.

"Look at that one! And ooh, that one over there looks awesome too!" she gushed, dragging me toward the nearest spiral slide.

Arcee, ever the composed one, simply crossed her arms. "Bee, you'll scare him off before we even start."

"I'm fine," I chuckled, adjusting the bright yellow wristband the park attendants had given me.

Optinessa tilted her head with a smile. "Perhaps we should start with something everyone can enjoy, like the lazy river?"

Bee groaned. "Lazy river? That's for taking naps, not having fun!"

Despite Bee's protests, we started with the lazy river. Optinessa floated gracefully in her tube, her serene demeanor drawing curious stares from passersby. Meanwhile, Bee kept splashing me and Smokescreen until we had an all-out splash war. Arcee, ever the pragmatist, leaned back in her tube, trying to stay out of the fray.

Later, we hit the water slides. Bee challenged me to race her down a massive twisty slide, and while I might have underestimated the speed of the thing, the pure exhilaration was worth it. When we reached the bottom, Bee popped up from the water, grinning victoriously.

"Told you I'd win!"

"I didn't know I was racing!" I shot back, laughing.

Optinessa, of course, came down last but in the most graceful manner possible. "It's not about speed," she said with a wink. "It's about enjoying the journey."

The Volleyball Game

The waterpark fun transitioned into a volleyball game on the beach. A net was set up, and teams quickly formed: Bee and Arcee on one side, with Smokescreen, Optinessa, and me on the other.

Bee smirked, spinning the ball on her finger. "Prepare to lose, Y/N."

Arcee gave a competitive grin. "We've got this."

It started well enough. Optinessa, while not particularly aggressive, managed to serve the ball with precision. Smokescreen was the wildcard, diving for every ball with reckless abandon. I...well, I did my best to keep up.

But Bee and Arcee? They were a powerhouse team. Bee's boundless energy and Arcee's athleticism had them dominating the game.

"Got it!" Bee yelled, spiking the ball over the net.

Smokescreen dove to save it, sending the ball flying toward me. Panicking, I swung my arms, only for the ball to ricochet off my head and land on the other side of the net.

"Point for us!" Bee cheered, laughing.

As the game continued, Bee got even more competitive. When it was my turn to serve, she faked me out, yelling, "Boo!" mid-serve. My distraction caused the ball to sail straight into Smokescreen's back.

"Y/N!" Smokescreen groaned, clutching her back dramatically.

The game ended in chaos. Bee went for a final spike, but I moved to block it, and...

Wham!

The ball smacked me square in the face, and I stumbled backward, landing face-first in the sand.

"Oh no, not again!" Bee giggled, rushing over to help me up, déjà vu from the basketball game clear in her mind.

Arcee shook her head. "You're a magnet for sand, aren't you?"

Even Optinessa couldn't hold back her laugh as she dusted sand off my back. "At least he tries."

Smoothies by the Pool

After the game, we headed to the resort's pool area to cool off and recover. A smoothie bar was set up nearby, serving colorful drinks topped with fresh fruit.

Bee wasted no time ordering a mango-strawberry smoothie with extra whipped cream, while Smokescreen opted for a bright blue drink called "Ocean Blast."

"This is amazing," Smokescreen said, sipping loudly through her straw.

Optinessa picked a tropical pineapple-coconut blend, sitting gracefully at a nearby lounge chair. "This has been a lovely morning so far," she said, smiling warmly.

I got a classic strawberry-banana smoothie, and Arcee, ever the minimalist, chose plain watermelon juice.

As we lounged by the pool, Bee started recounting every highlight of the day, from my failed volleyball serve to Smokescreen's dramatic dives.

"And the look on his face when he hit the water slide was priceless!" she added, laughing.

"Bee, give him a break," Arcee said, though she was smiling too.

Optinessa chuckled softly. "He's been a good sport, though. We couldn't have asked for better company."

I couldn't help but smile at their teasing. Sure, it had been a hectic morning, but seeing them all laugh and enjoy themselves made it worth it.

"Alright," I said, raising my smoothie. "Here's to surviving another round of chaos with you guys."

They all raised their glasses, even Smokescreen. "Cheers!"

. . .

As soon as I finished my smoothie, barely setting the empty glass down, I felt a sudden tug on my arm. Startled, I turned to see Starscream, her lovesick smile gleaming brighter than the midday sun. Her grip was surprisingly firm, and before I could say anything, she declared, "Time's up, Autogals. Y/N is ours now!"

Knockout strolled up, her confident smirk on full display as she addressed Bee and the others. "Fair's fair, ladies. You had your turn. Now it's time for us Deceptigals to show Y/N a real good time."

"Excuse me?" Bee growled, stepping forward, but Arcee grabbed her by the shoulder, shaking her head.

Optinessa, always the calm mediator, sighed softly but didn't protest. "Just don't overdo it," she called out, giving me a sympathetic smile as Starscream whisked me away.

Once outside, I was greeted by the other Deceptigals. Megatron stood front and center, her sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight as she grinned confidently. She wore a daring two-piece ensemble that matched her imposing yet undeniably alluring presence.

Soundwave stood off to the side, her more reserved style somehow making her sleek black-and-silver bikini all the more striking. Knockout, meanwhile, flaunted a bold red outfit, perfectly tailored to match her fiery and vivacious personality.

"Finally," Megatron began, her grin widening. "Let's show you what real fun looks like. Today's going to be unforgettable, but I suggest you brace yourself—our plans are a little...extreme."

Starscream, still clinging to my arm in her sultry beach dress, leaned in closer and whispered, "Don't worry, my sweet. I'll protect you."

I gulped. Something told me I wasn't ready for what was about to happen.

Extreme Jet Skiing

Our first activity was jet skiing, but this wasn't the leisurely ride I expected. Nope. Megatron's idea of fun was a high-speed race across the waves, with jumps and sharp turns that nearly sent me flying multiple times.

"Keep up, Y/N!" Megatron yelled as she zipped ahead, her laughter echoing over the roar of the engines.

Starscream stuck close to my side, giggling each time I nearly lost my balance. "Don't fall behind! You wouldn't want me to leave you in the dust, would you?" she teased, her voice carrying a flirtatious edge.

Soundwave, true to her quiet demeanor, didn't race so much as glide smoothly across the water. Still, her graceful maneuvers were enough to keep her ahead of most of us.

Knockout, meanwhile, treated the whole thing like a stunt show. She was doing spins, flips, and everything short of actual aerial tricks. "Come on, Y/N! You've gotta live a little!" she shouted as she shot past me.

By the time we finished, I was soaked, a little dizzy, and more than ready for something calmer.

Cliff Diving

Unfortunately, calmer wasn't on the agenda.

Next, we found ourselves at a cliff overlooking a crystal-clear lagoon. The drop was intimidating, to say the least. Megatron stood at the edge, her arms crossed as she looked back at me.

"What's the matter? Scared?" she taunted, though her grin had a challenging edge to it.

Starscream stepped up next, holding my hand and looking genuinely excited. "Don't worry. I'll jump with you!"

Before I could protest, Knockout gave me a playful shove. "Come on, Y/N! You can't hang out with us if you don't have at least a little courage."

With Starscream by my side and the others cheering (or laughing, in Knockout's case), I took the leap. The rush was exhilarating, and as we hit the water, Starscream surfaced first, pulling me close with a victorious smile.

"See? I told you it'd be amazing!"

Even Megatron gave an approving nod as she climbed out of the water. "Not bad. You might survive our company yet."

Sunset Parasailing

For our last big activity, they decided on parasailing, something I admittedly found much more relaxing than the previous stunts.

Starscream insisted on going with me, clinging to my arm as we soared above the ocean. The view was breathtaking, the golden hues of the sunset casting a warm glow over the water.

"Isn't this romantic?" she whispered, resting her head on my shoulder.

I nodded, genuinely taken by the moment. "Yeah...it's perfect."

From below, Megatron and the others waved, their figures tiny against the backdrop of the shimmering ocean.

Time skip.

As I finished changing into my decent clothes, I couldn't help but smile, knowing that this evening was going to be a memorable one. The sunset parasailing had been incredible, and now I was walking alongside the Deceptigals, each of them dressed in elegant, yet comfortable beach dresses that perfectly matched their personalities. Megatron, in a dark, sleek outfit that showed off her imposing figure, led the way, while Starscream, wearing a light, flowing dress that seemed to enhance her beauty even further, clung to my arm. Knockout, as always, was the center of attention with her bold red dress, while Soundwave, ever the reserved one, wore a simple but sharp outfit.

As we approached the outdoor beach restaurant, the breeze carried the scent of the sea, and the soft sounds of waves lapping against the shore created the perfect backdrop. The Autogals were already inside, seated at a large table, and they waved energetically as soon as they saw us.

"Y/N!" Bee called out from the table, practically bouncing in her seat. She had that bright smile on her face that made it impossible not to feel welcomed.

I waved back, trying to keep my grin in check as the Deceptigals and I made our way inside. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed, with soft jazz music playing in the background. When we reached the table, I took my seat between Megatron and Optinessa, the latter of whom greeted me with a warm smile.

"This looks perfect," I said as I looked around the beautiful setting, my eyes catching the glow of candlelight on each table. But I didn't get a chance to savor the moment for long.

"Hey! Y/N!" Starscream pouted from across the table, trying to maneuver around Soundwave to get closer to me. "I want to sit next to him!"

"No, I do!" Bee whined in unison, crossing her arms and huffing playfully. "I had him first!"

I chuckled, trying to manage the situation. "Alright, alright, calm down," I said, but I could tell it wasn't going to be an easy task. Both of them were determined to claim their spot next to me.

After some playful shuffling, we finally settled down and began to order. The table quieted for a moment, and as the waiter took our orders, I found myself looking around at everyone, feeling an odd sense of contentment. Despite the chaos of the day, despite the tension between factions and the uncertainty of the future, today had been perfect.

As the conversation turned to more casual topics, I smiled and decided to express my gratitude. "Thank you, everyone. Seriously," I started, looking at Megatron first, then glancing at Optinessa. "For saving me... for saving us... and for making my first semester here at Transformers High incredibly fun. I honestly didn't expect any of this when I first came here."

Optinessa smiled warmly, her hand gently resting on mine. "You're welcome, Y/N. We're all in this together," she said softly. "You've earned it, after all."

Megatron leaned back in her chair, her sharp eyes watching me closely. "Yeah, well, don't get too sentimental, kid. If you don't pick the Deceptigals in the end, you're as good as dead," she said bluntly, but there was an unspoken affection in her words.

I chuckled nervously. "Yeah... I kind of figured you'd say that."

Optinessa, ever the voice of reason, nodded thoughtfully. "Take your time, Y/N. You've got one more semester to think it over. And you haven't met all the Autogals yet... the ones back at the school."

Megatron gave a small nod of agreement, though it was tinged with something close to approval. "True. Plenty of time to see where your loyalties lie," she added with a smirk.

I felt a slight weight on my chest at the thought of making that decision. With everything that had happened, with how much I'd grown attached to each faction, choosing one group over the other wouldn't be easy. The thought of it was a little overwhelming, but I was determined to enjoy the moment now.

"Yeah..." I said softly, looking at all of them, appreciating how they'd shaped my first semester here. "I'll definitely think it through. But for now, I'm just glad I'm with all of you."

The others didn't say much more about it, but I could tell they were all thinking the same thing. This wasn't a simple decision, but it could wait. Tonight was for enjoying the now.

We all dug into our meals, the sounds of laughter and light chatter filling the air as the evening drifted on. It felt like the calm before the storm, and despite the uncertainty of what was to come, I couldn't help but feel incredibly lucky to be here with these amazing, powerful women.

. . .

I stepped outside, wanting a little space to breathe after the chaos of the restaurant. The night air was cool, and the ocean breeze helped clear my head. I looked out at the beach, the waves gently lapping at the shore, the moon reflecting off the water like a thousand diamonds scattered across the surface. It was a peaceful sight, and for a moment, I let everything else fade away.

Then I heard footsteps approaching, and I turned to see Bee walking toward me. She looked a little more subdued than usual, her eyes not quite meeting mine as she stopped beside me.

"Hey, Y/N," Bee said softly, glancing at the ocean. "I can't believe we only have two days left here. It feels like it's gone by so fast."

I chuckled, looking back at the restaurant. "Yeah, time really does fly when you're having fun. But hey, we'll get through school together, right? It won't be all bad."

Bee nodded, but there was something about the way she sighed that made me feel like she wasn't entirely convinced. "I know... but it won't be the same. School's going to get so busy again, and I don't know... I kind of wish we could just stay here."

Without thinking, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Bee stiffened at first, but then relaxed against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I couldn't help but smile at how natural it felt.

"We'll make time for it, Bee," I promised her softly. "I swear, we'll do this again—together with everyone. We'll make sure we don't lose these moments."

Bee smiled up at me, her face turning a shade of pink I hadn't expected. "I'm glad. I don't want to lose this."

Then, as if something inside her shifted, Bee inched a little closer, her breath catching slightly. I could feel her eyes on me, her gaze flickering from my eyes to my lips. The air between us felt electric, and before I could even say anything, Bee leaned in, closing the gap between us.

Our lips met, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. No other sounds, no other thoughts—just the two of us, under the stars, on the beach. It was perfect. And in that perfect moment, I thought about how lucky I was to be here with her.

But, of course, nothing ever goes perfectly for long.

Out of nowhere, a sandal smacked Bee right in the side of the head, and she broke the kiss with a gasp.

"Hey!" came an angry, drunken voice behind us. I turned to see Starscream, stumbling out of the restaurant in a dress that was just a little too askew. "What do you think you're doing with MY Y/N!?"

Bee giggled, quickly breaking away from me and bolting down the beach, with Starscream chasing after her in hot pursuit. "Whoops!" Bee called over her shoulder, laughing as she ran.

Starscream, despite her obvious drunkenness, was surprisingly fast, shouting something about getting revenge as she chased after Bee. "You better stop, Bee! I'm going to—" she tripped slightly, but quickly caught herself, still intent on catching Bee.

I couldn't help but laugh at the whole scene. It was like nothing could ever stay calm for long around here, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Starscream and Bee running around like that was probably just the beginning of another night of chaos, but I was more than happy to be caught in the middle of it.

I turned back toward the restaurant, where I could see everyone inside still enjoying the night. Despite all the madness, I felt content. We'd made it through an incredible adventure together, and now, as the island arc came to a close, I knew I'd carry these memories with me.

With one last glance at the beach, where Starscream and Bee were still playfully running around, I sighed and let the sound of their laughter drift into the night. Whatever the future held, I was ready for it. After all, this was just the beginning.

The end of the Island Arc. . .