It was surprisingly easy to sneak into the park. Then again, with an advanced alien helping out, why should it not be easy? With the sun barely hanging over the mountains, nightfall was just around the corner. The night shift patrol was notorious for skipping their routine patrols in the farther parts of the park. Fortunately for Alexandra and her friends, tonight was one of those nights. Amethyst nudged the two girls,

"Sweet, we're in,"

The national park they had snuck into consisted of small canyons with all sorts of plant life, ranging from the smallest of bushes to breathtaking seventy-five-foot trees. The park had a single river flowing through it, but small ponds and creeks were spread out here and there.

The group of friends explored with the little light still provided by the sun. They went to as many of the information markers spread throughout the park as they could. When the sun had set completely, everyone but Alexandra pulled out their cell phones for light. Alexandra had Leonardo as her light. They were relieved to get some great resources for their school assignment. Everything was going smoothly, until they entered one of the caves at the edge of one of the many canyons.

The girls stood at the entrance of the dark, creepy cave, debating whether they needed information about it or not, since none of them wanted to go any farther in. Optimus was standing in the canyon next to them, his abdomen at the level of the cave entrance. Quickly growing tired of their discussion, he took a knee to be eye level with the cave entrance.

"Step aside,"

Alexandra and her friends did as they were told. The cave was suddenly lit with light. Alexandra looked at Optimus to see what he had done, surprised to see that his eyes were like spotlights looking into the cave.

"There, you now have enough light to continue with your research."

"Sweet! Thanks, Optimus," 

Amethyst gave him a thumbs up and the three girls stepped inside, completely oblivious to the growing sound of helicopters in the distance. While Amethyst and Alexandra were taking notes, Rosalyn was making shadow puppets on the wall.

"Hey guys, check this out," 

Rosalyn laughed as she made a variety of animals. She was actually pretty good at it.

Alexandra shook her head, 

"Very nice, but do you want to come over here and be useful?"

Outside, Optimus sighed. This is going to take forever, he thought to himself. He really wanted to get back to his base to continue working on his 'project.'

Then Optimus heard helicopters a few minutes prior, but the sound had grown uncomfortably close. He began to feel something was wrong. He turned his head toward the rotating rotors, which were behind him. But before he could turn completely, he heard a series of complaints from the now darkened cave.

He quickly looked back into the cave,

"Sorry, my bad."

Alexandra yelled from inside the cave,

"It's okay! Is everything alright out there?"

"Uh..." 

Optimus hesitated because he wasn't completely sure if something was amiss or if he was just being paranoid. He didn't have much time to think, as he quickly turned to the sound of three military helicopters coming straight at him from over the treetops. Optimus turned to the cave one last time,

"Stay in there, and don't come out!" 

He distanced himself from the cave, attempting to lead the helicopters away from Alexandra and her friends.

Inside the cave, the three teenagers and little Transformer roamed about blindly in the dark.

"Did he just yell at us to stay in here?" 

Leonardo activated his lights after he asked the question.

When the girls saw the little light, they gathered around it. Amethyst nodded toward Leonardo, 

"Yeah, I think so, but why would he?" 

They all were wondering the same thing. What was going on out there?

Alexandra stood up,

"I'm going outside to see what's going on,"

Alexandra started walking toward the cave entrance. Leonardo jumped up, trying to stop her, 

"But Optimus said to stay in..."

Suddenly, the little iPod was thrown off his feet by an unknown force from outside. The humans all fell down as the ground and walls shook violently for a few seconds.

Leonardo was on his little hands and knees,

"That can't be good."

Optimus gritted his teeth, his metal groaning under the helicopter's tethers. The soldiers barked orders to tighten the grapples, trying to pin him down. But Optimus planted his feet firmly, his optics glowing bright blue as he taunted in Cybertronian, 

"You'll need better than that to bring me down."

Inside the cave, it shook again, knocking the three girls down again, 

"What the heck is going on out there?!"

Rosalyn squeaked as she tried to get off the hard ground. Leonardo stood back up,

"I'll go check it out. You guys stay here where it's safe. I think,"

Leonardo made his way to the entrance.

He emerged to see Optimus on the ground, smoke emerging from his chest, with three helicopters circling around him.

"Yikes!"

Leonardo turned on his heels and ran back to explain to Alexandra what was happening.

"We got a situation! And it's not good!" 

Inside the head helicopter, Judy Witwicky noticed something odd about the alien they were attempting to capture. Yes, it was the biggest one they had ever documented, but this one was just different from the rest.

"Silas, do you notice anything different about this one?"

Silas raised an eyebrow. As far as he was concerned, it was just another invader that needed to be caught and studied. Judy rolled her eyes at how oblivious he was acting,

"The way it's fighting. How it's not using any of its weapons to defend itself? It's not even trying to run away. Is none of this odd to you?"

Silas gave her a slightly confused look,

"Well, now that you pointed it out, I guess it's a little strange. But we'll have to worry about that later. For right now, we just need to capture it. Our orders are clear. Take him down!"

More hooks shot out, one ensnaring his arm again. As he struggled, a sudden crack rang out from the cliffs. One by one, the grappling cables snapped—severed by high-powered rifle shots from unseen allies. In the distance, a team of cloaked figures watched through their scopes. Each shot precise, calculated. The leader, her silhouette sharp against the twilight, lifted a hand in salute before continuing to fire, helping Optimus break free. Silas growled,

"What are those things?!" 

Silas tried squinting into the dark at the shadowy figures. Judy Witwicky felt a shiver run down her spine. 

"They're not like any other aliens... They're... different."

"I don't care what they are. Take them out!"

But as the helicopters opened fire, the figures shot skyward with an uncanny speed, weaving through the gunfire with almost effortless agility. The leader spoke through a vocoder, her voice resonating with authority, 

"You are attacking a sentient being under our protection. Stand down, or we will retaliate."

Silas was livid, his voice a near growl,

"Shoot them down!"

Dodging the rapid-fire, the leader tossed a small sphere into the heart of the canyon, her voice calm as she spoke to Silas, 

"Sweet dreams, Agent Silas." 

The sphere exploded in a flash of blinding light, a makeshift flashbang that dazed the soldiers, buying Optimus the precious seconds he needed.

Freed from the grapples, Optimus steadied himself, sparing a glance at his rescuers, 

"Thank you. What should I call you?"

The leader tipped her helmet slightly, her voice warm yet firm. "The Blazing Phoenix."

With a respectful nod, Optimus turned back to the cave, extending his hand to the entrance. 

"It's time to go."

Alexandra and her friends emerged into the light, squinting,

"Do you mind telling us exactly what's going on?" 

Alexandra coughed as she noticed the helicopters.

"I'll explain later. Now, let's get a move on." 

Optimus scooped everyone into his hands and took off toward the road, careful not to jostle the teenagers too much. Rosalyn covered her mouth.

"I think I'm gonna hurl," 

Rosalyn's face green as she tried to hold it in. Leonardo gasped,

"Not on me!"

"Stop squirming!" 

Optimus jumped over the park fence. Now, on the open road, he could transform to get them out of there. 

"No one move," 

He transformed with them still in his hands mid-sprint. He shot out an EMP to avoid detection, shutting down all surrounding power.

Everyone was safely inside Optimus, now speeding away from the national park. Rosalyn groaned,

"Okay, now I'm gonna hurl," 

Rosalyn groaned again and threw up in the back of the fire engine.

"Ah," 

Optimus growled in frustration. His patience was wearing thin.

"Ew! I didn't think you would actually throw up!" 

Amethyst cringed as she scooted away from the mess,

"Someone open a window; it stinks!"

Optimus quickly rolled all his windows down. 

"Alexandra, would you please clean up your friend's mess when we get back to your house."

"Sure thing."

Optimus knew he wasn't being followed; with the power out, they had no way of tracking him. He hurriedly dropped off Amethyst and Rosalyn at their houses. There wasn't much discussion about what had happened.

"Thanks for the ride, Optimus. And sorry for vomiting inside you..." 

Rosalyn hesitantly apologized.

"It never happened. Goodnight," 

He was very frustrated as he headed down the road until he reached Alexandra's house. 

𝐼𝑛 𝑎 𝑆𝑎𝑓𝑒 𝐻𝑜𝑢𝑠𝑒

Four figures walked into the small house. The Blazing Phoenix squad. The leader laughed as she took off her helmet to reveal a smiling Mazikeen Witwicky, 

"Did you guys see that alien?! That was so cool!"

William took off his helmet with a smirk on his face, 

"Shame that you don't know where he is now,"

Mazikeen winked at him, 

"We will find him again, I have faith,"

Fig laughed as he took off his helmet, 

"Yo, these suits are awesome, Mynx! I look sexy in it,"

Mazikeen fake gagged, 

"Oh, that's nasty,"

Epps chuckled as he took off his helmet, 

"I have to get going. My daughter was hanging out with your little sister, and I promised her I would make dinner,"

Mazikeen nudged him, 

"Big softy,"

Epps rolled his eyes and punched her shoulder, 

"Shut up, Mynx. You would do the same for Sam and Alexandra,"

Mazikeen shrugged, 

"Probably...I might go home just to check on them again...I'm worried about them,"

Fig shrugged, 

"Maybe you should be. Big robotic aliens exist now!"

Mynx shrugged, 

"They always did...Yeah...I'm going home again,"

Will patted her shoulder, 

"Take a day off, I'll cover your shift tomorrow,"

Mazikeen hugged him, 

"Thanks, Will...just keep the suits by you at all times,"

Fig rolled his eyes, 

"I would be shocked if we had a choice, they are literally buttons,"

With that. The four pressed their chest, and the suits dissipated into a small device on their chests,

"You love me for my inventions,"

Epps wrapped his arm around her shoulder, 

"Always will,"

"Goodnight guys, I'll see you tomorrow,"

"See you tomorrow, Mynx,"