Hope's Return

A Familiar Memory

Hope sat at the end of the long pier. Her legs dangled in the waters as she watched the boats sail by. Breathing in the salty sea air, she searched with her spark for a direction but none was forthcoming. Was Griffin Rock where she was supposed to be? Who was she here to help?

"Nice day huh?"

A pair of legs dipped in the water as Cody sat down next to her. Turning her head to look at him, she gave a small shrug.

"I guess so. The water is very peaceful today."

The two sat in quiet companionship, just looking out on the waves.

"Is your family tired of keeping an eye on me yet?"

At the youth's startled look, she had to laugh.

"Oh come on Cody, it's hard to miss 15ft  robots peeking around corners when I pass by."

Cody studied her expression before answering.

"You're not upset that they're watching out for you?"

"I assumed it was because I'm a stranger to Griffin Rock. Besides, I've worked with Cybertronians. In bipedal mode, it's very difficult to be sneaky."

The pair glanced back at Boulder who was attempting to conceal himself behind two trees before laughing and returning to their conversation. 

After a few minutes of friendly talking, Cody fell silent.

"Is something wrong Cody?"

He hesitated but finally looked up at her.

"Why are you really here? I mean, Griffin Rock is cool and all but it's weird that you just happened to stop by for a visit."

The waves pounded the pier as she considered her response. Eventually she just stretched and leaned back on her arms.

"My spark led me here."

"Your spark? But that means you must be a Cybertronian."

At her nod, the teen continued.

"Were you really Optimus's sparkmate?"

"Of all the questions you could ask, you had to start with that one. Fine, yes I am...was his sparkmate. It's still painful so I'd rather not get into it."

At Cody's quickly stuttered apology, she smiled a bit ruefully.

"It's alright Cody. I just miss him, that's all. Since my reawakening,  I've been searching for the rest of my Cybertronian family."

"Awakening?"

"I was in stasis for several years following his off-lining and the rebirth of Cybertron. Believe me, I'm trying to catch up as quickly as possible."

"So the car we rode in is your alt form? Noble! But where is your insignia?"

"My insignia is the moon and stars. I'm what they call a Neutral. I won't choose a side because I believe there's good in all Cybertronians."

"Why don't you want to be an Autobot? Optimus was one. Besides, aren't Decepticons evil?"

Her words came out harsher then she intended.

"Not all Decepticons are bad Cody."

Softening her tone, she continued.

"There are rouge ones of course but the multitude of them were fighting for a better life on Cybertron."

"Kind of like Earth's Civil War? I guess that does make more sense."

"Thankfully the war is over now and both sides can work towards reconciliation. "

"Do you think the dragon was the shifter you spoke of earlier?"

A smile played on her face as she considered his reaction if he only knew the truth. She opted instead to answer ambiguously.

"Perhaps, perhaps not...it's a good possibility. "

Cody's radio crackled to life as Chief Burn's voice came over it.

"Rescue team, we've had an emergency call from High Tide's location. His ship is under attack by a metal creature."

"Is it the dragon dad?"

"Unknown. Blurr and Savage are with him. We need all hands on deck "

Blurr? Why did that name sound so familiar? Hope searched her memory files but couldn't find a connection to the feeling in her spark. She was jolted out of her thoughts by Cody.

"Ms. Hope? We could really use your help. Dad has the bots heading to our boat, except for Heatwave who has a fire boat mode. He's  meeting us there."

"Then we'll meet them there. Do you have the coordinates of High Tide's ship?"

"Yes, but we need to get to the boat."

"No need."

As the teen watched in amazement,  Hope drew on her power and transformed into her dragon form. Turning her helm, she looked back at him.

"You coming or not?"

"Noble!"

Picking Cody up gently in her claws, she placed him between her shoulder blades before shielding him with a force shield.  With a running start, she launched herself into the air, the teen whooping in excitement.

"Cody, where are you?", his radio squawked.

"Uh, right above you dad."

The rest of the team stared in shock as they flew over head.

"Was that a dragon?!"

"Told you it was real Kade."

"Shut up Dani"

"Son...is that Ms. Hope?!"

"Affirmative dad, don't worry, I'll be fine. Who would mess with a dragon?"

Hope snorted out a fiery laugh as they continued on their way.