TFP - A Different Approach, Chap. 2

The school bell rang and the children were free. Arcee drove Jack to his job, Raf hopped inside Bumblebee, and Miko rushed to Bulkhead.

"Mon-ster truck ral-ly!" Miko pronounced each syllable as she clicked her seat belt on.

"Yeah-ah!" Bulkhead excitedly replied.

"How's about some track 12?"

"Comin' up."

Bulkhead's interior filled with the pounding beat of Slash Monkey. Miko started playing air guitar and vigorously shook her head up and down. About a minute into the song, Bulkhead turned it down to a less deafening volume.

"So, how was school?"

"Awww! Can't you ask me after the song is over?" Miko stopped what she was doing and crossed her arms.

"Just answer the question."

"School was fine..."

"Uh-huh, sure."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothin'."

Miko started staring out the window upon deciding that the conversation was over. Aside from the turned-down music, there was an awkward silence. This silence endured the rest of the trip to the Autobot base.

Miko's mood swiftly changed as she grew more and more excited about the things she and Bulkhead had planned for today. She exited the vehicle after coming to a stop, and her robotic companion transformed.

"So when do we leave?" The young girl looked up with eager eyes.

"Not for another two hours."

"Awww! Can't we go to the dunes to pass some time?"

"Uh-uh. No dunes until after the rally. I've got the whole day planned out y'know."

"Okay, then what do you have planned for right now?"

"Well, it just so happens that there's a two-hour marathon of Dan Vs. playing on the Hub today."

"Alright!" Miko hurried to the platform where the TV was, her mechanical guardian close behind.

* * * * *

"Okay, it's about time we get going."

"Wooo!" The spunky teen happily turned off the television and bounded down the steps to Bulkhead.

"Ratch, care to do the honors?" Bulkhead looked at the medic, who rolled his optics and activated the groundbridge.

"Don't get too lonely without us!" Miko called before jumping inside Bulkhead, who was now in his vehicular form. The two thrill-seekers then sped through the portal before them.

After the groundbridge closed, Ratchet spoke, "As if."

Bulk and Miko drove the rest of the way to the monster truck rally. By the time it was over, the sun had started to set.

"That. Was. AWESOME!" Miko exclaimed after hopping into the passenger seat.

"YEAH! And that part when- Wait, what're you doing?" Bulkhead inquired about why she was dialing her phone.

"I'm calling Ratch for pick-up."

"Miko, it's too crowded here. Besides, I thought we were going to the dunes."

"Oh yeah! Duh!" Miko slapped her head.

"What is it?! We're a little busy over here!" Ratchet snapped over the cellphone.

"Sorry Ratchet. I forgot Bulkhead was taking me to the dunes. Forget I called!"

"Miko, wait-" Miko hung up before Ratchet could finish.

"To the dunes!"

"To the dunes!" Bulkhead repeated.

With that, the Wrecker and his charge drove off.

The sandy hills were beautiful under the red sky. Some of it even glistened in the sun's final rays. Our daring duo raced up and down these hills of beauty until the stars began to shine bright.

Now, Bulkhead's robot form lay atop the soft grains and Miko lay on his chest plating.

"'Found the Big Dipper!" Miko exclaimed whilst pointing at the constellation.

"The big what?" the green mech asked.

"Never mind."

Although the activities of today were simple, Miko was having the time of her life. She loved hanging out with Bulkhead, even if all they did was something silly, such as staring at the stars. She enjoyed getting away from everyone else and spending time with her massive guardian.

Bulkhead suddenly shifted a bit. "Did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"I thought I heard something..."

"It was probably just the wind."

"I don't know... I'm gonna check it out."

"Awwww!"

Bulkhead gently lifted Miko off of his metal frame and placed her on the sand. He then proceeded to descend from the hill in the direction of the sound he had heard. When turning to his left, he saw nothing but dunes. But when he turned to his right- WHAM! Bulkhead was greeted by a tackle from Breakdown.

"Bulkhead! Fancy meeting you here," Breakdown said and readied his hammer.

Bulkhead replied by brutally punching him in the face. The Decepticon stumbled backward and Bulkhead lunged at him. But Breakdown managed to dodge. With his hammer he pummeled the back of his rival's head. Bulkhead now lay face down and motionless.

"Bulkhead!" Miko screamed.

Breakdown looked up the hill where the girl stood. "I'd love to stay at chat, Bulk," he said. "but you're not the one I'm here for." Breakdown began to climb the dune and the downed Autobot immediately got up and chased him.

Bulkhead went for Breakdown's legs and missed. He started sliding down the sand. The hill was too steep to run up, especially for someone his size. If he took it slowly, he would be too late.

"Bulkhead to base, Miko needs a bridge! Now!"

"Supply coordinates," Ratchet said over the comm.

Bulkhead began working out the coordinates in his head, but Breakdown already started to disappear over the dune. There wasn't time to be exact, he'd have to estimate. He told Ratchet where to open the groundbridge and a green light could be seen almost instantaneously.

With a sigh of relief, Bulkhead transformed and carefully drove up the sandy hill to deal with Breakdown. But when he made it to the top, the brute was nowhere to be found.

"Uhhh, Ratchet... Did Miko make it through?"

A groundbridge portal then opened up behind him. That wasn't the answer he wanted.