Transformers: Rise of the Beasts

One

1994

Noah was working on a gadget, being very very careful with the small pieces. He cut the tip of a cable. "Alright, baby, come on", he mumbled and placed the cap on. "Show me the money. Show me the money"

There was some static on the TV. The TV turned on. 

"Here we go. There we go", Noah said happily and clapped at himself once. Eclipse grinned.

"I'm impressed", she said and crossed her arms. "I will never be able to do that"

"Yo, Sonic, Silver. Breakfast ready yet?"

"We ain't your butler, Kris", Noah spoke through the walkie talkie. 

"Come on, man. No names over the airwaves. It's Tails"

"His bad, Tails", Eclipse said and chuckled. Noah took the walkie talkie from Eclipse and got up. Eclipse followed him.

"Kristopher Diaz from 974 Wilson Avenue, Apartment 2-C, Brooklyn", Noah said. Food was sizzling.

"Ooo~ That was way too much information", Eclipse said, shaking her head. Noah ran to the stove. 

"No real names. They're listening"

Noah turned off the stove, the food burning. "Ain't no secret government agencies worried about us, Tails. Now, get your behind out here while it's hot"

"At least they got that going for 'em", Breanna said. "Here. I ironed this for you" She hung Noah's button shirt on the chair. She looked at Eclipse. "Hello, Eclipse"

"Good morning", Eclipse answered with a smile. 

"I already ironed it. What-?"

"Like you cooked those eggs?", Breanna asked and pointed at the burned eggs. 

"Whachu mean? Their just...seasoned", Noah said.

"Seasoned?", Eclipse asked.

"Aw, come on", Kris complained. He took a seat and placed the small gaming device on the table, shaking his head. 

"Come eat, bro", Noah said as he placed the burned eggs on the plate.

"I can't get past Bowser", Kris said. 

"Well, good morning to you too", Breanna said, pouring water into a glass cup. She placed the cup next to Kris' plate. "Drink this and take your medicine. All of it"

"Ok", Kris said. 

"Are you sure you can take him?", Breanna asked Noah. 

"Yea, uh, hospital's on the way. I got time", Noah said, waving the smoke away with his hand. 

"And, if that lady, that administrator, is here and she mentions a bill just...", Breanna paused. "Tell her we're handling it"

"I will", Noah said. "And after today, I'll be able to help out more"

Breanna cupped his face with one hand and smiled. "Good luck on the interview"

"'Thanks, mom'", Eclipse whispered to Noah. Noah said nothing. 

"Don't forget to laugh at all their jokes", Breanna said, putting on her jacket. "White people love that shit"

"Ma, language", Kris said firmly. 

"Ok", Breanna said and kissed Kris' forehead. "Remember I have class tonight, so I'll be home late. Los quiero"

"I love you", Noah said. 

"Bye bye", Eclipse said, waving.

"Hurry up, man. We gotta get into the city", Noah said and took a seat. Eclipse sat across Noah. The door closed. Kris struggled to lift the fork. He used his left hand instead. "Hey. Hold up. Hold up. Your hand's hurting again?"

"No, it's nothing", Kris lied, tucking his hand under the blanket. 

"Yo, let me see", Noah said. Kris hesitated. "Kris"

"Kris, it's ok", Eclipse said, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. Kris hesitated again. He then moved his hand to Noah.

"It's swollen", Noah said. "The sickle cell must be blocking the blood flow again"

Kris retracted his hand.

"How long has this been going on?", Noah asked. 

"Couple days", Kris said.

"Hey, yo, look, I told you, you gotta tell me these things", Noah said softly. "You fighting this alone, or we fighting it together?"

"Together", Kris said, nodding. 

"Home team?", Noah asked. Eclipse smiled. Kris nodded. 

"Home team", he answered as they made small finger movements before bumping their fists gently. 

They walked out of the house, Noah closing the door behind him. They walked down the stairs. There were two men standing by a red old car.

"Two for ten. Two for- Stop touching everything", the one to the right said. Noah, Kris, and Eclipse came into view. "Oh, hell no"

"Oh, hell nah", Eclipse mumbled. 

"Kris, what'd I tell you about letting your mans come out the crib looking like a whole square?", asked Reek.

"Only so much I can do", Kris answered. Eclipse crossed her arms. Noah opened Kris' backpack and took out the device he was working on before. 

"Yea, whatever, bro", Noah said. "Look. Here"

Noah handed him the box to Reek. Reek placed the Twister candy in his mouth and took the box. 

"Ooo~! My dawg!", Reek said and gave Noah some money. Noah took it. "When you gonna let me put your skills to work and get you some real money?"

"Yea, says the dude who can't  even afford cable", Noah answered. 

"'Says the guy who...'", mocked Reek and paused as Eclipse shot him a glare. Reel spoke normally. "I choose not to purchase cable. It's my own personal way to protest the vampiric nature of modern-day capitalism!"

But they were already at the edge of the sidewalk, ready to cross the street. They crossed it.

"Hey, good luck with that interview in that dusty suit!", Reek yelled.

Somewhere else

Tires screeched as the car came to a stop at the parking lot. Elena rose from the driver's seat, bringing with her four coffees on a cup holder. She closed the door and ran to the museum. She paused and turned back to her car. She opened the door to the back seats and took out a white bag, then closed the door with her foot.

She ran in the museum, going upstairs as fast as she could but also being careful. The pager beeped. "Ugh! I'm coming"

Once she was up, she slowed down to a fast walk. "Hey, guys. That's a good one but the Ankylosaurus was an armored dinosaur"

She opened the door and looked inside. She looked nervous as she glanced at the blonde-haired woman. Elena nearly crashed into a wagon but she stopped just in time. She let the man go first before she quickly walked to her desk. 

"Thank you, thank you...", Jillian said before turning and quickly walked to Elena's desk. "for being patient~"

Elena placed her stuff down.

"Intern? Intern?", Jillian called as she stood at the entrance. "I paged you three times. Why didn't you call me?"

"Ok, well, I figured if I stopped to call, that would make me later", Elena answered, leaning forward the desk. Jillian sighed, still grinning. She became serious.

"The police are here", she said. "They busted an art auction. The owner claims that everything is authentic, but they want a second opinion?" She grinned.

Elena looked down at the desk and shrugged slightly. "Alright"