The Transformers Meet the Archies

Epilogue

by Phantom (phantom1313 at tfrid dot com)
Phantom

This story is a continuation of The Transformers Meet the Archies, written by Anubis Soundwave (Janell Clark)(acsound at hotmail dot com), which is archived at Suzanne's Fanfic Page. The original concept and human characters are credited to her. I humbly offer this as a continuation.

Chapter Four

Everyone climbed out of the car and headed for the entrance to Pop's.

"Allie, did Ron ever introduce you to anyone as his wife?" Mr. Primrose asked.

"No," she replied. "He didn't want to risk bringing me out in public. That would have given me an opportunity for escape. Not that I didn't find one anyway!"

"I'm glad to hear that," Mr. Primrose told her. "I didn't want anyone to get suspicious when I introduce you as my wife."

Terry burst through the doors of Pop's with his usual enthusiasm. "Hey, everybody!" he boomed in his best DJ voice. "Let's get this party started!" He looked around the restaurant, pleased to see all his Riverdale pals.

"I've got some people to introduce you to," he continued. "These are Buzz's parents. Normally they wouldn't dream of crashing our hangout, but Buzz's mom was craving some good eats! Besides, they were cool enough to get lost during Buzz's bash, so we owe them one!" His last comment was greeted with laughter.

Terry's face took on a sober look. "I'm afraid I've also got some bad news for you all. Buzz's dad got a job in the city, and we all have to move as soon as possible, so today will be our last day in Riverdale."

"Not you too!" exclaimed Betty. "All of my new friends are leaving!"

"Don't you worry, Betty," Terry reassured her. "With Pop's permission, we're going to have a farewell celebration!"

Pop shook his head good-naturedly. "You've brought in a lot of business, Terry. Not to mention the improvements you've made on the jukebox. You've got the run of the joint!" This statement was greeted with shouts of joy.

Terry was in top form. "Get on your dancin' shoes, Riverdale, 'cause tonight we rock!" He stepped over to the jukebox and selected a song. "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang blared from the speakers. The floor was soon filled with dancing bodies.

Mr. Primrose shook his head. He was amazed at Terry's ability to get a party started. A gurgle from his stomach reminded him of the purpose of this visit. He steered Buzz and Allie towards an empty booth.

Allie and Tim decided to sit next to each other, with Buzz on the other side. Seeing that the others were ready to order, Terry gestured to Pop and settled himself down in the booth next to Buzz.

Pop approached with a pad and pencil in his hand. "What'll it be, folks?" he asked.

"Gosh, I don't know," Allie confessed.

"Order the pizza, it's out of this world!" Buzz instructed. Allie nodded to Pop.

"I'll have a double-decker cheeseburger with a side order of fries," Terry decided.

"Hmm...I guess I'll have the same," Buzz told Pop.

"I'll have a chicken sandwich," Mr. Primrose declared.

"Coming right up," Pop said cheerfully, walking towards the kitchen.

"Look at Betty," Terry said to Buzz. "She looks really bummed out."

"Yeah, I feel bad that we're leaving her, especially since she's still missing Sonny," Buzz agreed.

"I think that I may be able to help her out," Mr. Primrose declared.

Terry looked skeptical. "I don't mean to bust your bubble, Mr. Primrose, but I think she needs to talk with someone her own age."

"That's where you're wrong, Terry. I think that she could use a little grown-up advice." Mr. Primrose stood up and walked over to Betty's booth. Her companions had gotten up to dance, so she was the sole occupant. She was absently stirring her straw in the remains of a strawberry milkshake as Mr. Primrose sat down across from her.

Betty looked up in surprise. "You're Buzz's father, aren't you?" she asked him.

"I am," he confirmed. "I don't mean to intrude, but you look rather lonely. Buzz has told me about your relationship with Sonny, and I saw you two practicing your French skit together. I thought that you two made a great couple."

"Yeah," Betty said morosely. "But he's gone now, and I have no way of contacting him. He's the first guy who made me feel special, like I was worth getting to know. I don't think that anyone will feel that way about me again."

Mr. Primrose shook his head. "Now I know that's not true. Sonny saw something very special within you. I know his type, and he's not the type to fall easily for a girl. In fact, it took your friendliness and kindness to melt his heart. I saw how he was trying desperately to deny it, but he fell in love with you. I tried to ease his mind by having a talk with him. He tried to fool himself, but that never works. I could see how much he cares for you. It took a very special young lady such as yourself to open up his heart. In fact, I bet he's thinking about you right now."

"Do you think so?" Betty asked hopefully.

"I'm sure of it," Mr. Primrose replied. "I've had a lot of experience with long-distance relationships. What I've learned is that if you truly love a person, they are always in your thoughts."

Betty smiled, pleased that Sonny might be thinking of her. "I know that I may never see him again, but that won't stop me from thinking about him! Maybe someday I'll see him again, or at least meet someone who cared about me the way he did."

Mr. Primrose looked over to his booth, where the food was being delivered. "It was nice talking to you, Betty. I know that Buzz and Terry will miss you very much. Don't forget what I've told you. You're a very special girl, so don't sell yourself short."

As Mr. Primrose headed away from the table, Archie approached the booth and slid into the empty space. "Hey, Betty," he addressed her casually. "You're not still mooning over that loser, are you?"

"Sonny is not a loser," Betty said firmly.

Archie dismissed her statement with a wave of his hand. "Never mind that. I've got something to ask you. How'd you like to watch the sunset with me tonight?"

Betty thought back to her conversation with Mr. Primrose. "I don't think so, Archie. You're only asking me because you're broke and Veronica won't date you until you've got money again."

"I...aw, come on, Bets! You've never said no to me before," Archie wheedled.

Betty shook her head. "Maybe some other time, okay? I'd like to be by myself right now."

"It's your loss," Archie told her, sliding out of the booth and exiting Pop's.

Terry and Buzz broke into wide grins, getting the gist of the conversation from the expression on Archie's face. Jughead gave them a thumbs-up signal from amidst the mass of gyrating bodies.

"That was delicious!" Allie exclaimed, swallowing the last bite of pizza. "Definitely much better than fast food!"

"Your taste in hangout spots is impeccable, Terry," Mr. Primrose declared. "I remember doing some hanging out myself in a place like this during the Golden Age. Remember that old place, Alita?"

"Sure do!" Alita grinned. "That was where we had our first date!"

Terry, witnessing the romantic turn of events, decided to give the two lovebirds a little push. "Aren't you guys still a little hungry?" he asked.

"Come to think of it, I've still got some room left," Allie decided.

"I'm not quite full either," Mr. Primrose said. "What are you getting at, Terry?"

Terry grinned at them. "You know, Pop serves the best strawberry shake on the planet! You should try one."

"Good idea, but I don't have enough room for an entire milkshake," Mr. Primrose told him.

Buzz bit back a smile, seeing what Terry had in mind. "That's no problem!" Terry declared. "You two can share one! That way each of you can have some without getting full. What do you say?"

"Why not? You up for it, Allie?" Mr. Primrose asked.

Alita said, "Sounds good to me."

Terry gestured to Pop, who came over to the booth. "Bring over a strawberry shake for the lovebirds," he said, gesturing to Buzz's parents. Pop nodded and walked away.

Mr. Primrose stared suspiciously at Buzz and Terry, who were snickering behind their hands. "What's so funny?" he demanded.

"Nothing!" they chorused, laughing harder.

The shake arrived, with two straws sticking out of the top. Mr. Primrose and Allie each leaned forward to take a sip. Terry and Buzz began to elbow each other.

Mr. Primrose began to realize what Buzz and Terry had been snickering about. His face was in close proximity with Allie's, their cheeks only centimeters apart. He recalled Buzz telling him about this same situation involving Betty and Sonny. Terry had planned this all along!

"C'mon, Mr. Primrose! Slip her one!" Terry hissed. Mr. Primrose glared at him over the shake.

"Aw, come on, Dad!" Buzz whispered. "She's your wife! Show her you love her!"

Despite Mr. Primrose's scowl and warning glares, the duo would not quit. Allie was beginning to send him questioning glances. Mr. Primrose felt his cheeks turn crimson.

Buzz and Terry elbowed each other. They were enjoying themselves immensely. It wasn't every day that they could make their leader blush like a schoolboy. Terry puckered up his lips and made smooching sounds. Mr. Primrose curled his fist on the table, frustrated with his lack of control over his troops.

Buzz whispered softly across the table. "Come on, do it already! You know you want to! She won't mind!"

Allie was curious as to what the whispering was all about. She straightened up and looked to her husband for an explanation.

Mr. Primrose found himself caught in her gaze. He looked at her delicate features, feeling his heart swell with emotion. Buzz was right, he did want to kiss her. He couldn't resist the temptation, so he quickly improvised. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, his lips lingering on the smooth surface.

Buzz and Terry chorused, "Aww...." But Terry wasn't quite ready to relent. "You know that wasn't what we meant!" he hissed. Seeing Mr. Primrose's expression of alternating embarrassment and anger, he quickly gave up. A kiss on the cheek was more than they had gotten out of Sonny, after all.

With a loud slurp, the last drops of the milkshake were consumed. Allie smiled at Tim happily. "Thank you for a delicious meal. I enjoyed every bite, especially the shake." She leaned over and kissed his cheek. Mr. Primrose blushed, feeling the eyes of the teenagers on him. He reached into his wallet, pulling out the money for their meal. He left a hefty tip behind.

Terry assumed his usual spot by the jukebox. "Attention, everybody!" he commanded. "I hope you've all had a great time tonight. I know that we'll miss you all, and I hope you won't forget us. We've got time for one last song before Pop kicks us all out. This one goes out to Buzz's parents, who make the best couple that I've ever seen." Terry selected "Hungry Eyes" by Eric Carmen. Soft strains of music wafted from the speakers. The dancers paired off, swaying in time with the music.

Mr. Primrose held his wife close, wrapping his arms around her. She sighed happily and rested her head on his chest. He closed his eyes, feeling his heart about to burst with happiness. He knew that she would have to go back to Cybertron very soon, and he was determined to enjoy every second with her.

While dancing with Cheryl, Terry's gaze fell upon Betty, still sitting in the booth. She was staring off into space, a slight smile playing about the corners of her mouth. Terry smiled to himself, pleased that Soundwave had managed to do something nice for once. Despite his extreme dislike for the 'Con communicator, the sight of Betty's shining eyes made Terry's heart soften. He smiled at Cheryl, who was also watching Betty.

As the strains of music faded away, Mr. Primrose cupped his wife's chin and gently tilted her head back. Seeing that Terry and Buzz were not watching, he lowered his lips to hers, kissing her slowly and gently. They remained this way for several moments until the cheers and applause of onlookers made them part. A blush climbed up Tim's cheeks once again as he realized that Buzz and Terry were the loudest.

Mr. Primrose and Allie headed over to Pop, who was standing behind the counter. "This place is wonderful!" Mr. Primrose beamed.

"Yes," Allie agreed, "it reminds us of a place that we used to go to years ago. It's brought back a lot of memories."

"Glad to have met you folks," Pop smiled affably. "Too bad you're leaving so fast. Don't forget about your times in Riverdale!"

"We won't," Mr. Primrose declared, smiling at his wife.

Terry and Buzz saw the couple exit the diner. After many responses to "goodbye" and "we'll miss you", they headed over to Betty.

"You take care, Betty," Buzz told her. "I'm going to miss you. You're very special, and I know I'll never forget you."

Terry squeezed her hand. "Stay cool, Betty. It was great hanging out with you. You're one of a kind. Don't ever forget that."

"'Bye, you guys. Good luck! I'll miss you." Betty replied.

Buzz and Terry waved goodbye to the Riverdale crowd as they walked out the door. They headed over to the car, looking around for Buzz's parents.

"Where did they go?" Buzz asked, scanning the parking lot.

"There they are!" Terry exclaimed, pointing at the back seat. The two lovebirds were inside, kissing passionately. He strode up to the car.

Tim and Allie sprang apart as Terry opened the driver's side door. Buzz noticed that they were flushed and out of breath. "Having fun?" he asked them, watching his father blush yet again.

"Don't be embarrassed, Mr. Primrose," Terry reassured him. "We understand. Besides, you're married. Kissing is expected of you."

Mr. Primrose still looked embarrassed. "This place sure brought back memories," he said to Allie. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

Terry switched on the sound system, inserting a tape of romantic songs. Buzz turned his head slightly, glancing into the back seat. He smiled, seeing his mom and dad holding hands. Everyone was silent on the way back, each lost in thought.

end of Chapter Four

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