Hope's Return

A Dither of an Issue

Soaring up in the skies once more, Hope darted through a bank of clouds before leveling out above the expanse of water. In the distance, she could see High Tide's ship glistening in the sun. As they got closer, she turned her helm towards the teens. 

"Hold on you two. I didn't exactly have a warm welcome last time."

"What do you mean...!"

Frankie's words were lost in the winds as Hope barrel rolled to avoid a harpoon. Hitting the deck, she skidded to a stop, knocking over the launcher in the process. Swirling her helm, her teeth bared in rage only to encounter a flying robot with dark curly hair and one optic staring back at her. 

Snapping her jaws, she lunged at it.

"Stop! That's just Dither, one of daddy's inventions!"

Stopping with a huff, she sat and watched warily as the small robot circled around them. It made two passes before shooting off into the deck house. With an irritated sigh, Hope looked across the empty deck before hearing noises off the starboard bow. Letting the teens off , she moved to the edge of the ship and looked down. 

In the process of climbing up the anchor chain was a disgruntled High Tide who gratefully took her offered claw. As she pulled him up and onto the deck, he brushed the excess water off and nodded his helm in thanks.

"Good timing lass. Blasted mini bot kept flying by and knocking me off the chain."

"Where are Blurr and Salvage?"

"Still down there. We were practicing  maneuvers when that bot-wana-be went berserk."

"He's in the deck house now. Secure your ship. I'll go rescue Blurr and Salvage."

Without waiting for an answer, she launched herself off the deck into the dark waters below. Her optics lighting up the depths, she saw the two rescue bots stuck in seaweed. Blurr was in the process of trying to get enough traction to free himself but his wheels were to tightly enmired. 

Using her wings to slow her descent, she landed in a patch of clean sand and used a blast of power to free him from his seaweed prison. Seeing that he wasn't hurt, Hope continued on toward Salvage who waited patiently for her help. 

This seaweed was more stubborn and she ended up propelling herself up and tearing it away with her claws. Tiny tendrils attempted to snare her but were quickly blasted away. Shielding both mechs and herself, she shot up towards the water's surface. 

Breaking through the waves, she dropped Blurr and Salvage on the deck and followed suit soon after. Lifting a weary hem at the sound of footsteps, she saw Cody and Frankie running her way. 

Her form aching, she remained on her stomach and waited for their approach. A bolt of concern shot through the bond and she felt a servo on her face plate. Meeting Blurr's optics, she attempted a smile. 

"I'm fine little brother, just a little tired."

"I don't think so Ms. Hope."

Salvage ran a servo over a wing joint and followed it to just below her shoulder. 

"You dislocated the radius in your wing and over-extended the muscle plate. I'm afraid you're grounded until it heals."

"I knew I shouldn't have been showing off. Ratchet is going to kill me.'

"But, I thought you could heal yourself?"

"I can Cody but even that takes time when I've overexerted myself. I'm afraid Salvage is correct, it will probably be a few hours before I can transform, let alone fly."

Dejected, she let her helm down with a thud and grumbled. When a thought hit her, she lifted it again. 

"What about that mini bot? Was High Tide able to secure command of his ship?"

"Affirmative lass." All heads turned towards the  deck house where High Tide was emerging, Dither in tow.

The tiny bot bounced lightly between his servo's, its malice gone and replaced with curiosity. Upon seeing Frankie, its shot towards her, stopping within arms reach.

"Dither! What got into you?!"

"It's not his fault young'n. I found this on him."

On the tip of a digit was a damaged circuit patch.

"Sorry about the damage. Little rascal gave me a fight and it was a struggle to get it off him without destroying it or him."

He handed the patch to Frankie who turned the small circuit over in her hand. On the back was the symbol of a circular trident done upside down in black.

"Cody! That's Morrocco's symbol... well sort of anyways. Isn't it usually painted red?"

"Who's Morrocco?"

"He's a power hungry scientist who likes to cause trouble for the rescue team and Griffin Rock. Once we went back in time and Dither got left behind. He used the tech to change history until we managed to rescue Dither and restore the time-line with help from Optimus and Bumblebee."

Hope tapped her jaw in thought and a small smile graced it. 

"I believe I remember Optimus telling that story back at base. Bumblebee in particular was proud of the team. But that doesn't explain this new symbol. Now that I see it up close, I may have seen it before... on the metal monstrosity we fought on my last visit!"

Hope's announcement was met with silence before everyone started talking at once. Finally High Tide stepped forward and motioned for quiet. 

"You're sure about this lass?"

At her nod, he cursed and stomped off to the main cabin to attempt fixing the damage done from Dither's rampage An occasional curse could be heard over the clanking of tools as he worked. Salvage muttered under his vents before hurrying over to lend a servo. 

Hope looked over at her sibling before  jerking her jaw in the direction of the cabin. 

"No urge to go and help?"

The sports car's grin flashed before he shook his helm.

"I'll just get in the way. High Tide says I'm all digits when it comes to repairs. Beside, I want a chance to visit with my big sis!"

Hope shook her helm in good humor and laid her head back down in order to concentrate on healing her damaged wings and plate. She felt Blurr sit down next to her and lean up against her side. Wordlessly she included him in the healing process as he sent a warm thank you in response through the bond. Settling, she closed her eyes and drifted off into recharge.