nsokolow

[nsokolow]

Finally was able to watch Hazbin Hotel! Saw clips and reactions, but never the whole show until yesterday! Love it!

[nsokolow]

Transformers One Dead: Director Confirms No Sequel Plans | Cosmic Book News

Transformers One Dead: Director Confirms No Sequel Plans | Cosmic Book News https://share.google/GEf0mv69Rgen6x6U1

Nooooo! 😭💔

[nsokolow]

Family Guy - Soundwave, Employee of the Month

Haha nice 😆

[nsokolow]

Limited Options

Chapter Five

Tags: AirachnidxDarkwing, mentions of an OC from a previous fic

“I can’t believe we’re really doing this!” Airachnid declared as she and Darkwing flew upward to the surface. She flew in her alt mode for efficiency and safety.

“Well, haven’t you been to the surface when you and Sentinel…had that deal with the Quintessons? Not to mention when you captured the Cybertronian High Guard.” Darkwing, in his alt mode, kept the box inside himself.

“Well, it somehow…feels different. I’m going after my own goals. I’m not working for somebody else.”

“Uh…you’re working with someone instead.” Darkwing’s tone carried a hint of affection.

Airachnid smiled. “Yeah.”

The sky of the surface had its usual multiple colors. Although she had flown up to the surface often, she felt as if she was seeing it for the first time. She had her own goal and someone…an equal to witness it being realized.

“Oh my Primus…” Darkwing declared in shock. “I…can’t believe…I was never here.” He transformed back and landed with his feet onto the ground.

Airachnid transformed back and stood on the ground as well. “Well, we should probably start looking for the body. We should start looking in the air, then look on the ground in case we can’t find it while we’re flying.”

Darkwing nodded. “Right. She better not be trapped in some crevice or something.” He shot up into the air.

“Wait!” Airachnid flew up to him. “I forgot to tell you that I know where the Quintesson killed her. It was very close to where Sentinel would go to pay him off.”

“Really?” Darkwing’s face plate sunk in surprise. “Well, let’s go. Let’s keep an eye out for her body while we’re on our way. Just in case it got moved.”

“I guess we should, though I don’t know who would move it. We should also keep an eye out for the Quintesson ship.”

They arrived at the empty field Airachnid knew so well. She tensed up, remembering the threatening behavior of the Quintessons. These meetings were some of the only times she remembered seeing Sentinel so powerless, and sometime scared.

“Over there.” Airachnid landed on the ground and transformed into her bot mode. She pointed to a plant-filled area near a cave.

Darkwing also landed and transformed back into his bot mode. He ran with Airachnid to the area.

The two bots stopped short when they saw a dry oil stain on pressed-down grass.

“She was here. Charoite was here.” Airachnid tapped a foot on the stain.

“And now she isn’t. Ugh!” Darkwing balled up his fists.

“Maybe she’s nearby.” Airachnid ran. “I’ll go this way, you go the other way.

“You find anything yet?” Darkwing, once Airachnid was again in view, shouted from far away after they had searched separately for hours.

Airachnid grunted and rolled her eyes. “No! I probably know what the answer is, but did you?”

“No!”

“Okay, let’s meet!”

They ran towards each other. When they reached each other, Airachnid yelled, grabbed Darkwing’s shoulders, and rested her head on his chest.

“It’s hopeless. Let’s face it, we’re never going to find the body.” Airachnid nearly wept.

“This surface is who-knows-how-big. It’s no use.” Darkwing rubbed Airachnid’s head.

“Come on, let’s go home.” Airachnid transformed and flew up.

Darkwing did the same.

At Darkwing’s place, the two sat on the couch, deflated. Airachnid leaned on Darkwing as he held her hand.

Airachnid sighed. “Well, I don’t need an inheritance. We’ll be okay, and we already stuck it to Charoite, anyway.”

“Well, neither do I. We have each other.” Darkwing squeezed her hand.

Airachnid looked up at him, confused. “You? I was going to keep it.”

Darkwing shifted away. “What? We…weren’t going to share it?”

Airachnid sat up straight, shocked by this question. “Well, no. Who knows what was in it, anyway? It’s possible it wouldn’t have been money. Maybe it was just a figurine of Sentinel, or a collection of his decals. Of course, if it was a collection of decals, I would’ve let you have one.”

Darkwing’s face plate lowered. “LET me have one? I thought we were both in this together! We’re a couple, I let you live in my place where you had nowhere to go, and you dragged me up to the surface to find that box!”

“Dragged you up to the surface?” Airachnid chuckled in angry disbelief. “You didn’t exactly protest! Also, I’m the one who worked for Sentinel, so it makes sense that I would be the one to have the inheritance.”

Darkwing let out a long, loud grunt as he stomped his foot. “I wanted to go because I thought we were going to share the inheritance! You know what, I was right about you from the start. I can’t believe I actually was convinced we needed each other! That I needed you! That I cared about someone as selfish as you!”

“Selfish?” Airachnid shouted. “How dare you!”

“You know what, find your own place to live! We’re through!” Darkwing stormed off to his room.

Speechless and numb, Airachnid silently walked out the door and flew away.

[nsokolow]

How to Write a Character

↠ Start with the basics, because obviously. Name. Age. Gender. Maybe even a birthday if you’re feeling fancy. This is step one because, well, your character needs to exist before they can be interesting. But nobody cares if they’re 27 or 37 unless it actually matters to the story.

↠ Looks aren’t everything… but also, describe them. Yes, we know their soul is more important than their hair color, but readers still need something to visualize. Do they have the kind of face that makes babies cry? Do they always look like they just rolled out of bed? Give us details, not just “tall with brown hair.

↠ Personality isn’t just “kind but tough.” For the love of storytelling, give them more than two adjectives. Are they kind, or do they just pretend to be because they hate confrontation? Are they actually tough, or are they just too emotionally repressed to cry in public? Dig deeper.

↠ Backstory = Trauma (usually). Something shaped them. Maybe it was a messy divorce, maybe they were the middle child and never got enough attention, or maybe they once got humiliated in a spelling bee and never recovered. Whatever it is, make it matter to who they are today.

↠ Give them a goal. Preferably a messy one. If your character’s only motivation is to “be happy” or “do their best,” they’re boring. They need a real goal, one that conflicts with who they are, what they believe in, or what they think they deserve. Bonus points if it wrecks them emotionally.

↠ Make them suffer. Yes, I said it. A smooth, easy journey is not a story. Give them obstacles. Rip things away from them. Make them work for what they want. Nobody wants to read about a character who just gets everything handed to them (unless it’s satire, then carry on).

↠ Relationships = Depth. Nobody exists in a vacuum. Who do they love? Who annoys the hell out of them? Who do they have that messy, can’t-live-with-you-can’t-live-without-you tension with? People shape us. So, shape your character through the people in their life.

↠ Give them a voice that actually sounds like them. If all your characters talk the same, you’ve got a problem. Some people ramble, some overthink, some are blunt to the point of being offensive. Let their voice show who they are. You should be able to tell who’s talking without dialogue tags.

↠ If they don’t grow, what’s the point? People change. They learn things, make mistakes, get their hearts broken, and (hopefully) become a little wiser. If your character starts and ends the story as the same exact person, you just wasted everyone’s time.

↠ Flaws. Give. Them. Flaws. Nobody likes a perfect character. Give them something to struggle with, maybe they’re selfish, maybe they push people away, maybe they’re addicted to the thrill of self-destruction (fun!). Make them real. Make them human.

↠ Relatability is key. Your character doesn’t have to be likable, but they do have to be understandable. Readers need to get them, even if they don’t agree with them. If your character never struggles, never doubts, and never screws up, I have bad news: they’re not a character, they’re a mannequin.

↠ You’re never actually done. Characters evolve, not just in the story, but as you write them. If something feels off, fix it. If they feel flat, dig deeper. Keep refining, rewriting, and letting them surprise you. That’s how you create someone who feels real.

Now go forth and write characters that actually make people feel something. And if you need a reminder, just ask yourself: Would I care if this person existed in real life? If the answer is meh, start over.

[nsokolow]

How to show emotions

Part VIII

How to show helplessness

slightly open mouth

downturned mouth

eyes slightly more open

being hesitant in their movements

shrugging shoulders

wringing their hands

crossed arms to protect themself

buckling of the legs, becoming instable

speaking softly and shaky

How to show optimism

openly smiling

relaxed face

bright, attentice eyes

steady and natural eye contact

open and upright posture

energetic and animated movements

speaking in an upbeat and positive tone

walking with a spring in their step

walking confidently

How to show anticipation

bright and open eyes

looking around

sweaty palms

trembling hands

heart racing

fidgeting with their entire body

crossing and uncrossing one's legs

having restless legs, rocking them

drumming with their fingers

bouncing on one's toes

shifting from one foot to the other

pacing around

fussing with clothes

How to show amusement

eyes twinkling with mirth

chuckling

bursting out in laughter

eye contact to share their amusement

being open and relaxed

a genuine smile

raised eyebrows

crinkling around the eyes

tilting of the head

slapping their thigh

playfully nudging other characters

How to show respectfulness

standing tall with good posture

maintain steady, appropriate eye contact

avoiding direct staring to not make them feel uncomfortable

speaking in a calm and measured tone

showing attentiveness by listening actively

using polite language and manners, not interrupting or talking over anyone

no crossing of arms and relaxed hands

More: How to write emotions Masterpost

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[nsokolow]

Limited Options

Chapter Four

Tags: AirachnidxDarkwing, mentions of an OC from my previous fic

As Airachnid flew beside Darkwing, she stopped short when she saw the sky-based building with the newsroom at the bottom. She knew this was likely where Darkwing was leading her, but her recent experiences there gave her a surge of discomfort and fear.

Darkwing noticed Airachnid wasn’t beside him anymore. He stopped flying and looked back at her. “What?”

Airachnid gave her head a shake. “Oh, uh, nothing.”

Darkwing shrugged and continued to fly. He headed for the red window, held a fist out, and broke though.

Airachnid smirked at the screaming, cowering bots as she flew through the hole in the window.

“Aw, man! We just got this place fixed!” one bot exclaimed.

“We’re here to deliver some important news.” Darkwing menacingly stood over them.

“It’s a shocking follow-up to Sentinel’s reveal.” added Airachnid with crossed arms.

“Wait, really?” A blue and silver bot slowly stood back up.

“Well, you could have just come to us and asked!” The blue and silver bot replied peevishly. “We’re always looking for good stories!”

“Oh.” Darkwing relaxed his posture. “Well, okay then. It’s in her memory.”

Airachnid pressed buttons near the screen her head leaned on the day before.

“This just in!” An automated female voice announced.

Darkwing typed on the desk.

Airachnid allowed moments from her memory to project from her eyes onto the screen.

These moments included Sentinel giving Charoite a decal of his face before kissing her, and him affectionately touching her cheek during a trip to the surface. She also showed Sentinel asking Charoite if she was ready to go to the surface, before he told her that whatever happens on the surface stays on the surface.

Satisfied with the murmurs and boos from bots, Airachnid approached Darkwing, then looked past the hole in the window. She saw screens of her broadcasted memories, along with Darkwing’s typed words, “Breaking: Sentinel Prime and his secretary/upcoming Iacon 5000 racer, Charoite, were in a relationship.”

Darkwing put his arm around Airachnid. “Told you it would feel amazing.”

“Huh, you were right.” Airachnid leaned on his shoulder. She hoped most of the boos were directed towards Charoite.

Airachnid rested her head on Darkwing’s lap as they ate cubes of energon on the couch. They watched a horror movie…something that relaxed both of them even more than revenge.

“I was thinking…there’s something else I wanna do.” Airachnid turned onto her back and stared up at Darkwing.

Darkwing looked down and touched her head. “What?”

“Well, Sentinel left Charoite something in his will. It’s in a box that can only be opened by her hand. I was thinking…we could fly to the surface to try to find her body, then open the box with her hand? I’d have to go back to Sentinel’s tower to find the box.”

“That’s…that’s a great idea!” Darkwing stood up and let Airachnid’s head fall on the couch. “What if it’s money?”

Airachnid stood up with a smirk. She turned off the TV. “Well, what’re we waiting for?”

The two flew off the balcony and to Sentinel’s tower.

[nsokolow]

Limited Options

Chapter Three

Tags: AirachnidxDarkwing angst, comfort, mentions of an OC from my previous fic

In Darkwing’s sleeping pod, Airachnid basked in his warmth, his large arms encasing her. They only had each other, and she never wanted him to let go. Even if they never were able to find their footing in life again, at least they had each other. She turned to her other side and faced him. She leaned into his chest and softly cried, not knowing if the cause was mostly grief or gratitude. Her crying slowed when she felt his embrace tighten.

Light peeked through the pod’s tiny window. Airachnid woke up on her back, staring up at the tiny unlit light bulbs on the pod’s ceiling. She figured they probably had a lot of life left in them, given Darkwing didn’t keep any of them on at night.

Airachnid turned over and saw Darkwing’s side was vacant. She was briefly scared, hoping he hadn’t left the apartment. She dropped her face in her hands. How stupid! It wouldn’t be a big deal! She’d see him again!

“At least retain a little bit of dignity!” Airachnid grumbled to herself.

She took a deep breath, climbed out of bed and out of the pod. She was stunned by how recharged she was! Judging by the light, and how late she stayed up, she couldn’t have gotten the best amount of sleep. Either the pod was a really good, fast-charging model, or it was happiness and relief.

Airachnid wandered into the living room and saw Darkwing relaxing on the couch, staring at the TV.

Darkwing turned to Airachnid. “Oh, you’re up. I’m watching my old races to feel better.” He patted a spot next to him.

Airachnid silently walked over to the couch. She snuggled up next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“Not all the ones I’ve been watching are from the Iacon 5000. Before that, I was in more amateur races, such as the one provided by Maccadam’s Lounge.” Darkwing sighed. “I’ve been avoiding watching my latest one.” He grunted and pounded his fist on his knee. “Stupid miners! First Charoite, then them!”

Airachnid hugged Darkwing around his waist. He shuffled closer to her.

A few minutes into quietly watching the race together, Airachnid was startled by Darkwing bolting up from the couch.

Darkwing held a hand down to her. “Come on, let’s go stick it to Charoite.”

Airachnid’s eyes widened. “But she’s dead.”

“Well, it’ll still feel amazing. Do you have memories of any romantic moments between Charoite and Sentinel?”

Airachnid’s mouth gradually curled up into a smirk. “Of course.”

“Great. Let’s go.” Darkwing extended his hand further.

Airachnid took his hand before they walked out the door and flew off from the balcony.

[nsokolow]

Some people been asking where the new art of Starscream, Elita, Bumblebee and Sentinel Prime is from. They are from the original TfOne team work! Here is a video proving that those arts are theirs:

You cannot steal art! Give owners credits!

[nsokolow]

Limited Options

Chapter Two

Tags: AirachnidxDarkwing, angst, comfort, mentions of an OC from my previous fic

Airachnid and Darkwing continued their conversation sitting on one of the couches at the other end of the bar. It had been a while since Airachnid felt so comfortable and free to speak to someone…not just because of the drinks.

“So, what’s your best memory of Sentinel?” Darkwing asked as he put his drink back down on the table.

“I…I don’t know…” Airachnid leaned her head back. “I guess…when I first got to know him after he hired me. We both loved the power we had, and we had fun trying to hide everything from everyone. I’m more into being feared than loved, though.”

“Yeah, me too,” replied Darkwing, “Kind of…evil to take cogs from bots before they came online, though. It did give me status, though.”

Airachnid sighed. “Well, Sentinel had to take control of his future. The truth was what he made it; nobody knew anything until those miners ruined everything.”

“Well, I’ve gotta find a new job now. I don’t know how many bots would be fans of me now.”

“You think you have it bad? You weren’t directly involved with Sentinel. Besides, you were a racer in the Iacon 5000.”

Darkwing grunted. “Okay, good point.”

Airachnid stood up. “Well, I should probably fly home—” She froze.

Darkwing leaned forward and looked up at her. “You don’t have a home anymore, do you?”

Airachnid’s shoulder’s sunk. “The tower isn’t in great condition, and it’s the first place angry mobs would look for me.”

Darkwing put a hand behind his head. “Uh…I have a nice place. I made a lot of money running the mines.”

Airachnid’s face lit up.

“Maybe you could stay with me until…something changes? Besides, it’s nice to know someone who…kind of knows what I’m going through.”

A smile spread across Airachnid’s face. “Thanks.”

Darkwing’s apartment was, as Airachnid imagined, large and mostly tidy. The floors were a dark gray, the living room a large square. There was a sectional couch against the wall, made of a stone that varied in shades of blue, most of it a middling shade.

“Welcome,” was Darkwing’s simple introduction as he ushered Airachnid through the door.

“Nice apartment.” Airachnid’s eyes settled on a large bottle with a pump on top, resting against the wall.

Darkwing glanced at her. “Oh. That’s my joint lubricant. Iacon 5000 racers are provided with especially high-quality ones for safety reasons.”

Airachnid smirked and let out a short laugh. “That traitor Charoite won’t get any of that lubricant now.”

“Charoite. I forgot her name. Sentinel announced she died, right?”

Airachnid sighed. “Yes. He said she disappeared and he found her dead from a Quintesson-like stab wound. He said he concluded she got lost trying to help find the Matrix and she may have stumbled upon where the Quintessons lived. He wanted to keep up the lie that Quintessons hadn’t been seen on the surface for fifty cycles, and the story was a good way to garner sympathy from the public.”

“Oh. What do you mean she was a traitor?”

Airachnid frowned. “She wouldn’t kneel to the Quintessons like Sentinel told her to. He could’ve been killed in the process.”

Darkwing groaned quietly as he clenched his fists. “I hated her for humiliating me, but she was right to choose Cybertron over Sentinel. You were the traitors.”

Airachnid took a big step back. “We had to do what we had to do! Sentinel took control of his future, and some sacrifices had to be made in the process!”

Darkwing threw his head back. “Ugh! Why did I take pity on you? If I wasn’t such a kind bot I’d throw you out onto the streets and leave you to at the mercy of Iacon!”

Airachnid’s eyes narrowed. “Bold of you to assume I need you.” She headed for the door.

“Wait.” Darkwing put a hand on her shoulder. “Stay.”

Airachnid froze. She turned around with a cynical expression. “Why?”

“We…need each other. Not to mention you don’t have a home.”

Airachnid sighed and turned the rest of her body around. “You think we need each other?”

Darkwing took a step closer. “I know we do.”

Airachnid looked down and lightly touched his arms. She slowly looked back up at him and pulled him into a light kiss.

[nsokolow]

Awesome info!

[nsokolow]

Drooling over these beautiful Charoite spheres from Russia. These beauties are very chatoyant and exhibit all the best qualities of charoite! Credit: G mineral

[nsokolow]

So cool against these backgrounds!!

[nsokolow]

Limited Options

Chapter One

Tags: AirachnidxDarkwing, character death

A/N: This is a fic about Airachnid and Darkwing’s short-lived relationship, mentioned in my previous fic, “Transformers One: Charoite.” Enjoy!

Airachnid’s head remained rested on the screen since that miner bot Elita-1 had forced it there. Forced her eyes and brain component to project the truth about her best friend for all of Iacon to see. She feared not regaining her strength soon. Here Sentinel needed her now more than ever, and there was nothing she could do. Elita-1 had managed to best her in the fight to get her to the newsroom. It didn’t help that she lost one of her legs.

Airachnid didn’t even care that the bots who worked in the newsroom weren’t helping her. The one thing more humiliating than appearing beaten up and weakened would be to be helped up. Airachnid, with her fearlessness, her many purple eyes and many sharp legs, may have been the most feared bot in Iacon. She loved wielding her powers of strength, fighting skills, and flight, acting as Sentinel’s lieutenant. She knew most bots perceived her as creepy and uncomfortable to be around…and she enjoyed it.

She hated that she felt this way, but when Orion, Elita-1, and that little yellow bot ran out of the newsroom, she felt hopeful they could get D-16 to leave Sentinel alone. However, she was Airachnid. She was his lieutenant. She hoped to not endure another possible humiliation. She had to be the one to save Sentinel. Her best friend. The ruler of Cybertron. The Icon of Iacon. “S-Sentinel…” Airachnid managed to mumble. “I’m coming.” She shifted her head downward and fell to the floor.

Airachnid managed to turn to her side and face the bots and the screens…what was left of the screens since the yellow bot went crazy and damaged the room because he thought they were on Sentinel’s side. Idiot.

The bots were all looking through the large, red-tinted window.

“No!”

“No! He didn’t have to jump in front of him!”

There was a collective gasp as one of the bots fell back into his seat.

“The silver bot dropped him! Why?” A bot exclaimed in horror.

Airachnid rolled her eyes. Ugh…serves Orion right for ruining her friend’s life. It was satisfyingly ironic that he seemingly was killed by whatever was supposed to kill Sentinel.

Airachnid listened in agony as the bots made different short exclamations that didn’t clarify what was happening.

Suddenly all the bots screamed and cringed, some holding their heads.

Airachnid made a small, distressed noise.

“Sentinel! The silver bot just…ripped him in half!”

For a moment, Airachnid felt nothing. This didn’t seem real. Surely that bot was mistaken. There’s no way D-16 was that strong. Maybe that bot was just using a metaphor for D-16 beating Sentinel up really badly?

Airachnid took a deep breath, hoping to be able to talk loud enough to be heard. “He’s…dead?”

The bots slowly turned their stares down to her.

“Uh…yeah.” A blue and silver bot nodded.

Airachnid forgot all about her hopes of saving face. She curled up into a ball and stared out into nothingness.

“We should…probably get her to medical bay.” A bot said after a few seconds of silence.

“Yeah…” added another one, “…then she’s the rest of Cybertron’s problem.”

As she felt a bot pick her up, Airachnid’s brain component sank into depression as she fell asleep.

Airachnid woke up in a basic bed in a basic white room. She looked to out of a window to her left and saw the sky began to darken. She looked down and saw her missing leg was replaced.

Dr. Ratchet, a large white and red mech with red crosses on his shoulders, entered the room.

“Well, Airachnid. Fancy seeing you here.”

Airachnid noticed his tone wasn’t as jovial as usual. As Sentinel’s lieutenant, she made sure to get regular check-ups. Though she never remembered Sentinel encountering a hater, or even having any, a few creepy bots who very much felt the opposite way would aggressively try to prove it, and she would have to fight them off.

Sentinel.

“Thanks for the new leg.” was Airachnid’s monotone response.

“No problem. Limb replacements are pretty routine here, though most of them are for mining bots.” He froze. “Whoa…I just remembered…no more miners. Or mining. The energon’s back and miners can transform now.” He cleared his throat. “Anyway, no charge, since it’s routine.”

“Good.” Airachnid stared out the window as tears filled her eyes.

“Do you feel strong enough to leave?”

Airachnid extended her two front legs and placed the ends on the floor. She stood up and nodded.

“Okay, great. Well, uh…take care, Airachnid.” Dr. Ratchet walked out of the room.

Irritated at Dr. Ratchet’s apparent rush to get her out of there, Airachnid left the room and took a vigorous walk down the hall.

“Look! It’s Airachnid!” A frowning femme shouted from one of the room. She was missing an arm and a leg but still tried to get out of bed as another bot restrained her.

Airachnid smirked. Bot thought she was brave, but was actually just stupid.

“Get her!” someone yelled.

Airachnid felt something hard hit the back of her head. She looked back and saw a crowd of angry, shouting bots running towards her, some holding heavy medical tools.

She let out a long yell and ran towards them, but was stopped by a series of objects being thrown at her. After a wrench hit her face, she loudly grunted and ran away. She transformed into her drone form and flew out the door.

Airachnid couldn’t bring herself to seek out Sentinel’s body. Her spark couldn’t take seeing him lifeless, his regal blue and golden colors turned gray. Even if she wanted to, it was a sure way to be humiliated or attacked by bots.

She sat at a bar stool inside the sleaziest, smallest, cheapest, most out-of-the-way bar she knew of. Where bots would either not recognize her or not care, since they had some…unpopular values themselves. She hated this gross little place, but she was just happy to be somewhere where she could drown her sorrows. She had flown there, and was glad none of the flying bots gave her anything more than an angry shout along the way.

Airachnid, her long head and slim face leaned on the bar, pushed her empty glass up. “Another.”

The bartender, with an unsure look on his face, took the glass and poured her another drink.

“Having a bad day myself.”

Thinking the deep, gravelly voice was familiar, Airachnid looked to her right and saw a dark blue, wide-chested bot. His eyes were a strip of pink, the rest of his simplistic face smooth and light blue, save for a dark blue stripe on top of the metal facial plate.

“Darkwing?” Airachnid felt a flash of comfort.

Darkwing downed a gulp of his drink between his eye area and facial plate. She never really paid attention to how bots with such faces drank.

Darkwing sighed. “My career is over. I oversaw mining production for cycles. Now that the energon’s back, I don’t know what else I’m going to do. First I’m humiliated by that little purple plane bot, then those miners ruin my chance to win the Iacon 5000, and now…” Darkwing yelled and slammed his fists on the bar, startling some nearby bots.

“Sir!” The bartender held a hand up.

Darkwing grabbed his head.

“I know about all of that, Darkwing. I wasn’t a fan of the purple plane bot.” If Airachnid was in better spirits, she would’ve thought it amusing he felt the need to inform her of his latest trials. She knew him, given his rank wasn’t much lower than hers, and that he was in regular communication with Sentinel concerning mining progress and orders. They however never exchanged a word. They would just see each other every time Sentinel met with him and the other bots who also ran the mines.

“I’m Airachnid; I know you know.” Airachnid gave him a nod.

“And I’m Darkwing. Good to meet you…officially.” Darkwing held his drink up.

Airachnid shrugged and did the same.

They both clinked their glasses together.

[nsokolow]

Transformers One: Charoite

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” Charoite knocked on B’s sleeping pod with both fists until she saw his eyes open. “Today’s the day my dream finally comes true!”

B sprang upright, burst out of the pod and into Charoite’s arms. “This is great! The day’s finally here! We’ve talked about it since forever! And Optimus is in charge of the Iacon 5000 for the first time! Can’t wait to see what he says for his speech! And I can’t wait to see you win! I mean, high-performance planes have more stamina than other planes, right? Yeah, I think that’s right.”

Charoite kissed B and threw an arm around him as they left his room. “I can’t wait to win, either! I mean, well, even if I don’t win, I’d still be happy I raced, and that my name was on the leaderboard! Maybe being called, ‘Chariot,’ will finally be a thing of the past, especially if I win!”

B hugged his arm around her. “Well, no matter what, I’ll just be happy to see my future sparkmate race!” He kissed her cheek.

The stadium filled up in minutes. It helped that Optimus had announced that there would be no work for anybody that day. B succeeded in his mission to arrive early enough so he would be able to sit in a front row seat.

At the starting lineup, Charoite, with a tight grin, bounced on her feet as she looked around at the other racers. Her eyes settled on B, who was behind her. She gave him a quick wave, and he gave her an equally excited wave.

The announcer spoke as the lights dimmed. “Announcing, Cybertron’s new leader, Optimus Prime!”

The stadium erupted into applause, cheers and screams as a spotlit Optimus emerged on a floating platform, which circled around the area. Optimus displayed an air of confidence, with a hint of humility as he smiled and waved to the crowd.

The platform came to a stop in the middle of the stadium. “Hello, Iacon City. Thank you very much for being here today, and for embracing me as your new leader.”

The cheers of the crowd resumed.

Optimus continued, “I also want to take the time to congratulate all of our first-time racers, especially those who were once known as mining bots.”

“And bots with misdemeanors!” Charoite yelled as she threw her fists in the air.

A smattering of laughs reverberated throughout the crowd. One bot yelled, “Woo!”

Optimus gave a small chuckle. “Yes, that too. Anyhow, I would like for us to have a moment of silence for the rest of the Primes. I thank Primus every day for the time Cybertron graced us with their existence, and for honoring me with the title of Prime.”

Holographic images of the rest of the Primes appeared in the air.

Charoite bowed her head and closed her eyes along with the rest of the stadium. She thanked Primus for the same things, along with him giving her a chance to be in the Iacon 5000, and for showing her who her spark really belonged to.

“Thank you everybody,” Optimus said. “Now, racers, on your marks!”

Charoite looked again at B, who was at the edge of his seat with his hands folded. She gave him another wave before she transformed.

“Get set!”

Charoite revved her engine.

“Go!” Optimus shot a gun into the air.

Charoite zoomed past the starting line and into her dream.

The End

[nsokolow]

Transformers One: Charoite

Chapter Twenty-Four

Charoite and Optimus had, for hours, sat in a waiting room at Medical Bay. Not only was Charoite excited for B to get his voice back, but she was nervous as well. The procedure, as the nurse had told them, was a delicate one. The doctor, after B was brought in, told Charoite and Optimus that the surgery would take up to six hours.

“You think they’ll be done soon?” Charoite asked Optimus, who sat next to her.

“Probably.” Optimus forced a smile. “I think it’s been almost six hours.”

“I hope he’s okay.” Charoite glanced down at her drink and realized she barely touched it.

“I’m pretty sure he is. No news is probably good news.”

A nurse entered the room. “Optimus Prime? Charoite?”

Optimus stood up. “Yes?”

Charoite sprang up from her seat. “How’s B?”

The nurse smiled and gave a nod. “B-127’s surgery was a success. We’re waking him up. You two can see him in a few minutes. I’ll take you to his room then. We don’t have to bring him to you right away, since we’re not crowded right now.”

Charoite and Optimus cheered and laughed.

“He’s okay!” Charoite exclaimed.

“Thank you, Primus!” added Optimus.

“And thank you, Sentinel! Feels kinda weird to say that!” Charoite giggled.

A few minutes later, the nurse returned. Charoite and Optimus followed her to a room where B was lying in bed, his eyes wide open.

“Hey, guys!” B said slowly, his voice airy. “My voice is back! I missed hearing it, and talking with it.”

“It’s good to hear your voice again, Badassatron!” Charoite ran up to B and hugged him.

B weakly patted her back.

“Did you dream when they put you under? The only surgery I ever had was when I was already passed out!” Charoite sat at the foot of the bed.

“Huh, I wish! All I remember is being conscious, then not being conscious, then waking up,” B’s voice began to sound stronger.

“So, when did they say you can be brought home?” Optimus asked.

“They said they’ll tell us,” replied B, “I’m feeling stronger and stronger.” B shifted his legs for proof.

A big red and white mech entered the room. “Hey, B-127! How’re you feeling?”

“Awesome, Dr. Ratchet! I can talk again! There’s a lot I’ve been holding in against my will! I mean, yeah, I had a tablet, but it got really annoying to keep writing, and—”

“—That’s great! Before I let you go, I just wanted to give you your treatment plan, help your vocal component adjust to your system faster.” The doctor held up a bottle filled with a transparent green liquid. The bottle had a row of equally-spaced dashes on it. “Drink this down to each mark once a day until its gone. Tastes pretty similar to energon; I’m assuming you’ve had it before.” He gave B a mischievous smile and handed him the bottle.

“Thanks! Can they take me home now?” B sat at the edge of the bed. “I can do this now!”

Dr. Ratchet chuckled. “Yes, they can take you home now.” He looked at Optimus. “You turn into a truck, right?”

“Yes, Doctor,” Optimus replied.

“Well, I’d advise you to drive him home to be on the safe side.”

“Will do. Thank you.” Optimus transformed. “B, Charoite, ready?”

Charoite put her arm around B and walked him to the back of Optimus’ truck form.

During the ride, Charoite and B stayed tightly cuddled next to each other, Charoite joyfully listening to B release his stream of thoughts.

[nsokolow]

Transformers One: Charoite

Chapter Twenty-three

Charoite and B moved to the indoor area of Maccadam’s. They sat leaned back on one of the couches, Charoite’s arms around B’s waist as she leaned on him. B held his arm around her shoulders.

“You know, I was thinking…” Charoite began, “…maybe we could apply for jobs together. Since you have a really good reputation in Cybertron, maybe it would bode well for me. I mean, it didn’t at Décor Galore, or at Maccadam’s race, but it might at other places. What do you think?”

B grinned, nodded, and held a thumb up.

“Charoite?” Charoite heard Optimus in her head.

Charoite and B both jumped in their seats.

Charoite commed Optimus back. “Uh, yes?”

“Oh, good, you’re close enough to comm. Is B with you?”

Charoite glanced at a bewildered B. “Uh, yes. Is everything okay?”

“Could both of you come back to the base? I’ll be in my office. There’s someone here to see you, Charoite.”

Charoite froze. She was terrified. Who could be there to see her? Were they out to get her? Then again, Optimus wouldn’t have let them in if he thought something was wrong. Hopefully he was right.

Charoite took a deep breath before stepping onto the elevator of the Autobot Base. B grabbed her hand as the doors closed in front of them.

They walked together towards Optimus’ office.

Optimus, Elita-1, Jazz, and Arcee stood defensively, surrounding Airachnid.

Charoite felt like something heavy was thrown at her. “Air-Airachnid?” She suddenly felt weightless with anger. “You have some wire visiting me! After you and Darkwing broadcast my relationship with Sentinel!”

Airachnid’s serious expression briefly saddened. “I know. I’m not here to hurt you. I’m just here to deliver something to you and go.” She gestured towards a blue box that rested on Optimus’ couch.

Charoite cautiously walked towards the box. She thought she saw it before. As she picked it up, she saw it had a screen. The words, “Greetings, Charoite,” slid across the screen. Charoite looked back at Airachnid. “W-What is this?”

Airachnid sighed. “Sentinel. He left you something in his will.” She weakly laughed. “I tried everything I could to open it and take it for myself, especially since I thought you were dead, but it can only be opened with the hand of the bot it’s for. After Sentinel died, I even went to the surface find your ‘body’ so it could be opened, but no luck there.”

Charoite gasped and nearly dropped the box. She recalled Sentinel one day asking her to put her hand on some screen on a box. When she asked him why, he shrugged, gave her a smirk and replied, “Eh, official Prime business. You might thank me later, Char.”

Charoite looked around the rest of the room and saw small, hopeful smiles. She looked back at Airachnid. “W-Why? Why are you giving this to me?”

Airachnid glanced to the side. “After Sentinel died, I was angry. Not just because I lost a friend, but because my way of life was over. I didn’t have the power I once had. Darkwing lost the power he had too, since mining bots were in the past, and we found comfort in each other. Eventually, we got into an argument about that box when I was trying to find your ‘body.’ I didn’t want to share whatever was in it with him, so he broke up with me. I found myself truly alone for the first time, and it took me forever to find a place where I was welcome. I realized what I terrible bot I had been for such a long time, and what I had helped put the miners through…and you with that live transmission. I don’t think anything I say or do will ever be enough, but I want you all to know I’m sorry.”

Optimus briefly looked at Airachnid, then stared down at the floor. “Thank you, Airachnid. If that’s all…”

“It is.” Airachnid blinked her many eyes and nodded. “I’ll be leaving, now.” She stopped short. “Alpha Trion’s body is in the wall of the fifth floor of Sentinel’s tower. It’s the wall facing the windows.

Optimus raised his eyebrows. His mouth slightly fell open. “T-Thank you.”

Airachnid ran out of the office, and was soon seen out the window, flying away in her drone form.

Elita made her way to the office’s exit. “Jazz, Arcee, come with me. We’re digging out Alpha Trion, then arranging for him to have a proper burial and funeral.”

The bots enthusiastically followed their commander.

“Do you wanna…open it now?” B stared at the box with wide eyes.

Charoite gulped. She touched the screen. Text sliding across it read, “Authenticate with the palm of your hand, Charoite.”

Charoite pressed her right hand on the screen since she remembered having used that hand when Sentinel asked her to put her hand on the screen. All the sides of the box collapsed, revealing many, many coins. She stared at the equally surprised faces of B and Optimus.

“We have to count all this!” Charoite exclaimed.

“Lucky for us, I have a device to take care of that!” Optimus dug through a drawer under his long desk and pulled out a square screen. “This scans money and quickly calculates it.” He scanned the money in the box, a turquoise grid sliding across the coins.

A voice on the device announced in an expressionless manner, “Eighty-thousand shanix.”

Charoite looked at B and chuckled, tears filling her eyes.

B grinned and jumped in the air, his limbs out. He ran to Charoite and tightly embraced her. He held her at a distance before he kissed her and spun her around in his arms.

When B put her down, Charoite was a bit embarassed at Optimus’ wide-eyed stare.

“Well!” Optimus broke the silence, “Looks like a lot happened while you two were gone!”

The three shared a long, loud, joyous laugh, something none of them had in a long time.