Woah! How long has it been since we've dusted the interview room?

Can someone please recalibrate this microphone? Nina and I have been away for quite a long time. 

Oh...did you say I'm on? 

Oops...

Uh...hey everyone! It's been quite a while too long in fact. I heard some of you humans wanted to see what happens next. Guess I should show off my skills and great storytelling chops to bring you a new chapter.

Maybe I should grab a snack before we dive right in.

_________________________________________________________________

There he was...back in the starry place. 

The empty place in some part of the universe where the planets floated around him, the stars glowed, and he was standing on a floating rock. He stepped forward, seeing every step he took ripple underneath him. It was mystical, the place he ended up making him smile. 

"You like to explore, don't you?"

He paused, hearing that familiar, maternal voice. Slowly turning his helm, he saw the ethereal form of Penelope sitting down on the piece of land. She was still wearing that flowing white dress, her hair flowing in the nonexistent wind, and staring out to the abyss. That's when he noticed a symbol emblazoned on her back; a silver-faced transformer with glowing blue eyes.

"It's you! Grandma Penny right? What is this place?  Why are you here?"

The human woman smiled, patting next to her. He hesitated but sat down next to her. His towering frame against her tiny human one made for a comical sight. He stared down at her, having so many questions to ask.

Penelope looked up at him. "Yes, I am Penelope Drake, grandmother to you and mother to your father and his family." She shrugged. "Well...more like an adoptive mother to them. They appeared to me one night in a storm and it was love at first sight. We didn't have much time together, but I enjoyed every moment with them."

"Sire talked about you all the time. I've heard so much about you and I-"

Penelope held up a hand, making him pause. "All in due time. I just have time to speak with you through your dreams."

"My dreams?" He looked around at the silent world. "Is this my mind?"

Penelope stood up and walked towards him. She placed a hand on his ped and nodded up at him. Astonished, HotRod sat there in shock from this newfound revelation and just enjoyed the momentary silence. Staring up at the stars with the grandmother he never got to meet...

"You know, I saw when you were born." 

"Y-Y-ou did? I didn't know you were there."

"Of course not. I was there in spirit. I've always been watching over you as you grew up. Sometimes I wonder how I raised such a wonderful son that made a wonderful grandson."

The shift in the atmosphere caused HotRod to gasp. His form was starting to disappear as he realized he was awakening. He reached down to grasp her hands but found himself fading too fast. He saw her face, a bit saddened but happy to have seen him.

"When you leave this planet, seek out Earth. Go to Earth to find me!"

_________________________________________________________________________

HotRod reached out as he got up from his recharge slab. His spark raced wildly as he felt his face leaking with fluid when the rush of emotions finally hit him.

He had seen her.

He had finally seen Penelope Drake.

He felt such joy flow through his entire frame as he thought about how special that made him. This blew all his expectations out of the water since he only heard about her through stories and longing gazes. Even his sire never spoke much about her beyond the fact that she was someone that saved their race and Cybertron. 

Then again, his thirst for adventure and curiosity got the better of him.

"HotRod..." A voice came from the other side of the door. "Come on and get ready. Today is your graduation day!"

It was his carrier, her sweet voice breaking him out of his stupor. That's when it all hit him; today was his graduation day! The day when he would finally upgrade to his new frame and finally become a full adult. 

"I guess Grandma can be discovered later. This is my day to shine!" He grinned, getting up to get ready.

____________________________________________________________________________

"He's going to be late Drift. Maybe we should've set an alarm for him."

"Give him some time Joyride. He's going to make it."

Outside the academy, two bots were waiting for their friend as the ceremony was about to begin. Drift was sitting on a bench, his optics turned off as he was calming himself. The figure in front of him was pacing back and forth. This was the femme Joyride, an old friend of HotRod and Drift from their early academy days. She was a toned femme with sleek arms, thick legs, and pointed parts on her head that resembled ponytails. Her frame was simple; an all-black coloring with some violet streaks, a little metal skirt, and heeled peds. Her violet optics scanned the roads, her fretting getting worse as she saw the time.

"If he doesn't graduate, he'll never get a new frame. Then, we can never travel the planets together." Her faceplate started to heat up. "Just him and me...traveling the stars, learning about other lifeforms, and maybe falling-"

"You are beginning to ramble again Joy." Drift pointed out, making her pause. "And what was that last part all about?"

"Uhh! Nothing! Nothing at all! Just some silly mutterings from a silly femme." She bumped her head with her fist and stuck out her glossa. "He better make it on time I swear!"

The sound of a revving engine interrupted their conversation as the two saw the familiar flame-covered vehicle race down the street. Joyride squealed happily as she went out into the road. Drift tried to stop her, only to wince when HotRod slammed right into her frame. She was sent flying into the air only to be caught by a shocked Ultra Magnus. HotRod spun out a bit before he transformed and landed flat on his face plate. 

"What in the All-Spark-!" Ultra Magnus exclaimed, holding the frazzled Joyride. 

"Sir!" Drift saluted, then pointed at Joyride. "So sorry about her! She just got excited to see HotRod. Thank you for catching her."

The mech in question peeled himself from the ground and glared up at the femme. "Oh geez Joy, can you not do that every time we see each other? I think I've caused more damage to you than the several lampposts on the way here."

"Several what now?" Ultra Magnus glared down at him.

"Eep! Uncle Magnus!" HotRod stood up fast and waved his servos. "Well..um...look at the time! Looks like we have to go into the academy for the ceremony!" He grabbed Drift and Joyride and ran inside. "Love you and see you in there!"

Ultra Magnus could only shake his helm and sigh. That boy was going to be the death of him. If only his mother were here, she would probably act the same way. 

_________________________________________________________________________

At the broken remains of the middle Drake household, a trio of females and a small bot were seen walking through the rubble. The young girls stare in awe at the charred remains of a broken household while the leader among them looked at the scene in pure sadness. Her hands ran down the sides of the walls, gazing at the flame-licked flowery wallpaper. The bot followed her, not wanting to leave her alone in her time of mourning.

"My goodness..." Desdemona whispered, looking at the rest of the house. "Was this...your childhood home?"

"I knew you said a fire happened, but this is much more worst than when you described it." Luna took notice of the bookshelves full of ash. 

Nina didn't speak, just taking in the remnants of a past life she didn't remember. Her memories of her parents were a big blur. She didn't know if she had siblings or even other relatives that were alive. All she knew was the address she found and that her best friend Wheelie was a gift that she cherished. Speaking of her mini bot, Wheelie came up to the bookshelf Luna was looking at and tilted his helm.

"Hey Nina, look at this!" Wheelie pushed some of the ashes away. "I found something!"

The other girls came over and saw something that made their eyes widen. Beyond the ash, past the shelf, was a hidden compartment with a symbol of a robotic face. Nina's eyes flashed blue as the symbol glowed. The house shook as the floor underneath the crew gave way as they fell deep into a hole.

Unknown to them, someone had sensed them enter the hidden chamber.

______________________________________________________________

Next Time:

?: Welcome to the All-Spark Chamber. I knew you would come.

Ultra Magnus: Congratulations graduates and welcome to adulthood.

Rodimus: I met her...I saw Penelope Drake.

Megara: This...is most surprising.