Stella goes Camping

Excitement coursed through Stella's veins. The last few weeks had been rough. Starting school, getting into a fight on her first day, on top of starting to spar with her three uncles almost every other night. With all that happening, she had completely forgotten until her mother had reminded her a week ago. The family camping trip. This weekend every year, her and her mom would go to a special camping spot they had found some time ago. The tradition started after her dad died, a way for them to try moving on from the loss. When her mother reminded her, she practically jumped upstairs to start packing. Finally, a break from all the worries of Empire City and school. No Homework, no rushing, no 'Connie'. It'd be perfect.

Much to both of their surprise, Stella and her mom saw Iron waiting in the back seat of the car. "Iron, are you coming with us?"
"Yes. The other metals and I discussed it, and it's too early for Stella to be taking breaks. And it was decided that I should be the one to accompany you two on this trip, to make sure Stella continues her training."
"You sure?" Ms. Galaxy was wearing a nervous smile. "I mean, it's one weekend. What's the harm in letting it slide?"
"Nonsense. A blade must be constantly maintained. To forget once, and rust begins to take hold.
"It's fine mom. Besides, it's always fun with just you and me. Adding Iron might just make it better."
"Stella... Alright." Ms. Galaxy let out a held in breath. "Hop on in Iron. We should get going."
"Wonderful."

Much to the displeasure of Ms. Galaxy, Iron had taken position in the passenger seat, while Stella crammed in the back with the camping gear and some of the art she had brought just in case. Iron was regaling them of one of the many fights they had witnessed between humans since they came to earth. It was different than what they had usually done during these trips, but Stella enjoyed it. Hearing about the great battles and conflicts between different national powers always interested her. The time slipped away with the large towers of Empire city eventually turning to deep woodlands. Moving onto a dirt path, they continued until they reached a small clearing. "Alrighty, Stella, Iron, we're here."
"Wooo!"
"Where is here?"
"Well," Stella began explaining as she rushed out of the car, grabbing her pack and some of the art supplies. "Back when dad died, mom and I came out here camping. We managed to find this weird platform. While I was messing around with it, it started glowing, and all of a sudden we were on a tropical island! Better yet, I could feel it, dad's warmth in my chest. Since then, we come back every year and it takes us to a new place."
Iron looked like he was watching someones death. "Take me to the platform."

Neither Stella or her mom had heard Iron be this serious. Leading him to the platform, his eyes grew dark. "Stella, Ms. Galaxy, this is not something you should be playing around with. Bring everything to the car, let's go home."
They sounded off with a synchronized "WHAT?"
"Iron, no! This is one of the few things that reminds me of dad! I can feel it, I can feel his warmth."
"Stella's right! We've been using this thing for years and nothing's happened. If it were dangerous I think we'd know about it."
"Look Stella, I can explain back at the house. Once I smash this thing, we can leave."
Stella went wide eyed. One of her few connections with dad, destroyed. She looked at it, her mother was already on it. "No."
"Excuse me?"
"We're going camping." These were her last words to Iron as she dashed onto the large, crystal-like platform. She could feel the soft warmth in her chest as the platform began lighting up, and a beam shot from it engulfing Stella and her mother. Iron quickly followed them, jumping into the beam.

"See? We're perfectly fine." The trio had arrived in a cold forest. The sound of waves could be heard in the distance. "Like I said Iron, Mom and I have been doing this for years. No need to worry."
"Worry? Worry! Stella, this is enemy technology!"
"Enemy? What enemy?"
"Kid, these being here means the earth is in danger! The guys who put this here? They're not friendly. You using their tech? If they're watchin, they know you're here. And if they know you're here, then we-" Iron's rant stopped dead in it's tracks. Taking a slow look around, he started again in a hushed voice. "You and your mom go to the warp pad. Don't activate it until I get there. I need to check something." Iron went to the treeline, not checking to see if Stella was following his orders. A few minutes passed as a mighty roar was heard out in the woods. As Stella began running towards it, eager for a fight and to make sure Iron was okay, his silhouette began to emerge. He had some kind of sparkling powder across his hands. "Kid, please don't argue. Just... Lets go home." Stella could only nod.

The drive back was done in silence. When they had gotten back home, it was already night. Stella couldn't say a word as she walked up to her room and face planted onto her bed. It was gone. Her tradition was gone. Her weekend with her mom was gone. The platform that could help her feel her fathers warmth was gone. She could feel the tears trying to creep their way forward. The knock on her door was a blessing, giving her just what she needed to keep them from coming. "Stella, you alright?"
"F-fine mom."
She came in, taking a seat at the edge of her bed. "I know this weekend didn't turn out like we had hoped, but there's still something I think we can do. C'mon." Stella dragged herself from her bed and followed her mom. She soon found herself on the roof of the apartment. A small fire had been set up, along with a tent and some sleeping bags. "It's not the great outdoors, and it's not exactly roughing it, but I figured we could still go camping. Just you and me."
"Mom... The platform... Dad's warmth..."
"Honey, you don't need some platform to feel your dad. He's part of you. Literally! He loved you more than anything, and that love is still inside you. Whenever you look at a mirror, your looking at part of him. Platform or not."
"Mom... What was he like?"

The three Metal men were standing in the living room. Stella and her mom had gone to the roof. "Iron, ya sure your not rustin? Gems, here?"
"Chrome, I know what I saw. Hell, I crushed it with my own hands. Though, it wasn't right. Gems are supposed to be... Humanish, right? Like us. This one was a monster, more like an animal than anything else."
"You smashed the warp pad, right?"
"Of course Bronze."
"This is all very strange. Any of their Injectors entering the atmosphere should have set off some kind of red flag. But there's been nothing. Not even any reports of fighting. Something like that would make news for humans."
"What should we do?"
"Wait for now, prepare. If the enemy strikes, we must be ready, but if we strike into the unknown, we're likely to lose."
"And Stella?"
"Just keep training her for now. If it's like we fear, we're going to need her ready. It's her planet, she's going to have to fight."