Jasper Rain ((TFP ULTRA MAGNUS X OC))

9

"... Lani.."

"A... ani..."

"Ailani.."

"Ailani!"

The sensation of her shoulders being violently shaken bolted the oracle into consciousness. Her eyes shot open and a hard gasp escaped her parted lips. The sun was high in the sky and shining rudely into her baby blues, prompting her to squint as she was heaved into a sitting position.

Her shoulders slumped and her head fell forward. She faced the road she had been shot into, and her limbs felt like ten tons of led. The place where August's blast made contact burned against the gentle outdoor breeze, and only then did Ailani realize that her top had seared holes and burn marks sprinkled on her chest — revealing the singed tank top she had on underneath. A dense hand came up to the achy flesh hidden behind her clothes, and finally she looked up.

Who stared back at her was a young man she hadn't seen since last years Thanksgiving. Her eyes widened at the sight of his fade hair cut and strong jawline. His expression screamed in worry, and he wore a loose white button up and khakis. His hand was plastered to her shoulder, and as she shifted her gaze to the right, she could see Miko standing a foot away from them.

"Jack..." Ailani croaked, palming her forehead as another dull throb ached at her brain. "How'd you... what're you doing here?"

"We got a com from Optimus about the situation with August," he told her, taking her cheeks and tilting her head from side to side — searching for lingering wounds. "The other Autobots are waiting at base, but no one knew where you went; so we came looking for you."

He gestured to Miko, whom was now standing an inch behind Jack; brows scrunched in worry as she held her mobile to her chest.

"The Autobots are here already?" Ailani gaped, scrambling to her feet with Jack rising with her. He caught her as she stumbled forward.

"They just arrived," Jack said, steadying her by the shoulders. "What happened?"

"I was driving last night and August showed up," she summarized hurriedly, detaching herself from Jack's protective hold to make her way toward her Peterbilt. "He knows about Molly. Where is she?"

"She's with Magnus," Miko piped up as the younger adults followed behind the oracle. "She's fine."

Ailani exhaled in relief at that and yanked open the driver side door.

"Are you really okay to drive?" Was Jack's immediate question. The oracle only rolled her eyes as she turned to frown at him.

"Tis but a mere flesh wound," she told him, causing his nose to scrunch at her sudden spirit to joke. "And it's been hours since I got shot, I'm fine."

"I'll ride with her." Miko offered, and without giving either of them a chance to protest, she rounded the hood of the truck and hopped into the passenger seat; dusting the energon shards into her hand.

"'Lani," Jack said as she plopped herself down in front of the wheel. He held the door open and leaned into the cab as she glanced down at him. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, cousin, I'm fine," she offered him a lopsided smile. "Let's get this reunion on the road."

Jack bit the inside of his lip, and after a curt moment, took three steps back to allow Ailani to shut the door. She watched him as he back peddled to his black Sedan that was parked behind her Peterbilt, and watched him through the rear view mirror as she started the ignition.

"Who all showed up?" Ailani asked as she turned onto the road toward Jasper.

"The whole gang is there," Miko replied, elbow propped on the windowsill. "Except for Optimus."