Chapter 1: Lonely Lake

It seemed like hours since I first made my way into the forest. But then, maybe it wasn't; I did not own a cell phone or have a watch on me, so figuring out exact measurements of time was not an easy thing to do. Even then, however, I probably would not have cared too much about it. I was sick of the crap I knew was going to await me at the personal hell hole I called school and decided to play hooky for the day.

You know how everyone has those bad days where you think you will never be important or do anything that would make a difference in the wide world around you? These thoughts usually appear because of a tragedy, no matter how big or small, that impacts your life and changes who you are? And other times...it's just some jerk-wad who kicks you when your down for no reason whatsoever to make your life miserable.

For me, it's a certain girl named Kenya: the most popular girl in the school. Cliché, I know; high school students have that kind of life, though. It was due to her bullying and no one apparently seeming to care about my opinions or feelings on it, that made me decide to skip school in the first place. The night before, I had planned out the day and decided to stuff my backpack with my swimsuit and art kit instead of the books and other school supplies that were usually in it. And when my mom dropped me off and wished me a good day, I waited till she was out of site before making my way to a forest near the school. Luckily, the trip wasn't too far; the building was located on the outback of the town. And that, conveniently, was nearby the forest.

Finally making my way to what felt like the heart of the forest, I almost felt myself gasp from the rather large lake that stretched out before me. I had heard that there was a lake in the wood (hence why I brought a swimsuit in the first place), though I didn't expect it to be as big as it was. The light blue water lapped at the shore quietly as I placed myself under a willow tree and gazed out at the beauty around me. Suddenly, an idea struck me: I was, perhaps, one of the few people that actually knew about this part of the forest and of the crystal clear lake in front of me.

"I should give this place a name…," I placed my right hand on my chin as I thought deeply. A few minutes passed before I snapped my fingers. "Aha! I will call you Lonely Lake. Makes sense since I'm sure most people don't know you exist until they actually take the time to look!"

Nodding in satisfaction over the new name, I decided to lay back and close my eyes. The peacefulness of the atmosphere around me was making me want to just take a nap, but my mind instead began to figure out what I wanted to do first. Just as I was deciding between swimming in the lake or maybe taking my art kit out for a spin, though, a sound caught my ears that made me jump up to my feet on instinct. It was the sound of footsteps, and judging from the sound they made alone, I knew whatever was coming from the other side of the lake was big. Very...Very big…

Saying that I was not afraid would have been the biggest lie I would have ever told myself. Doing my best to hide behind the tree, I peeked out and waited to see what I would have to unfortunately face. But what finally appeared through the trees near my location made my jaw drop. I knew on a first glance, that it was some sort of robot; that part I could wrap my head around. But what was strange was that it was a robot I had never seen before, not even in the movies. The thing was huge, maybe even as big as the Willis Tower in Chicago, and it was adorned with some sort of blue and red paint on certain parts of its body.

Doing my best to stay silent, I maneuvered a bit more behind the tree as the robot made its way to the water's edge at the other side of the lake and sat down. Apparently, it hadn't noticed me and I continued to stare at it for a bit before curiosity started to take over. Very slowly and precise, I tip-toed through the woods to get closer. I had decided to stay away from the water's edge so it wouldn't see me. After all, I wasn't a complete idiot; the robot could be be some sort of invader with hostile intent.

Getting a few feet away, I finally was able to see more of the mysterious newcomer. There were windows on its chest piece and these big smoke stacks coming off his shoulders like it was some sort of semi-truck or fire engine. But the part that caught my attention the most was how the overall body gave the impression that it was...somehow human…

Suddenly, the thing turned its head in my direction and stared for a second before it raised one giant hand and made a motioning movement for me to come closer. My whole body felt like it had frozen...here I was, standing in the middle of a forest with a giant possibly dangerous robot only a few feet away from me and no way to take its picture or call for help. Reluctantly, I finally gulped and found some courage deep within myself as I adjusted my backpack and made my way towards it. The mechanical automaton must have realized how nervous I was, because it motioned the same hand for me to sit nearby it and waited until I did so before placing the hand back down and looking relieved.

"I know this must be a great surprise to you, human," the robot spoke with a deep male voice, its tone alone sounding important and full of power and wisdom. "But I must ask that you trust me when I say that I mean you no harm."

I stared up at the thing and gulped again, nodding. "O-Okay...?"

The robot leaned down a little as if to better have us see eye to eye, surprisingly being very formal with human interactions. "I am Optimus Prime, leader of The Autobots from a planet known as Cybertron. May I ask who you are?"

"I-I'm Nissa, just a normal human from Earth. It's nice to meet you, Optimus."

It nodded, as if mentally making a note of it. "Forgive me for intruding on your time here, I did not know others came to this place."

I quickly shook my head, "N-No it's fine! I didn't know people, or anything for that matter, came all the way out here either." Some moments of silence went between us before I spoke again, clearing my throat. "So um...what brings a giant robot like you out to a wood lake like this?"

A flash of amusement flashed through the face of the robot as it straightened up again. "As I stated before, I am the leader of The Autobots. We are a peaceful race that shares a common goal of uniting all races under a banner of peace. However, another group of Cybertronians known as The Decepticons declared war and began a campaign of chaos and death to our home, wanting to take it for themselves."

His tone darkened somewhat and he gazed out at the lake, as if remembering something he had dwelled on many times. "We fought hard and bravely against them...but our war destroyed Cybertron and the survivors were forced to flee into the confines of space. Eventually, I and some others, landed on this planet. The rest...I do not know..."

My eyes were wide with wonder as I took in all that Optimus had said. "Wow...that's so cool..."

Optimus gave me a strange look. "As for what I am doing here, I came to locate something vitally important and decided to start near the lake. Hence how I found you." He fully turned now, his gaze almost intimidating and serious. "Although, now that we have met. I must ask you one thing: do not tell anyone of my being here, or of the existence of The Autobots. If the world was to know about our kind, it would cause more trouble than good."

I nodded, "Of course I wont tell! I mean, who would believe me anyways about giant, sentient robots walking around through forests. They would most likely think I am crazy."

He narrowed his eyes as if to study me before sitting up again. Needless to say, I was more than thrilled that he believed me. Waiting a few more seconds to let my heartbeat go back to a decent speed and not thump loudly in my chest, I opened my mouth to speak but was cut off as Optimus stood up with a surprising speed. His head whirled to the side and one of his arms pulled out some sort of cannon weapon to point in that direction, "Get behind me, Nissa! Now!"

I quickly do as I'm told and stare out into the forest with Optimus, my heart back to its panicked speed as we both heard footsteps that sounded close to his own coming to our location. His grip tightened on the weapon and his trigger finger was about to fire it into the trees when a voice called out.

"Autobot Commander Optimus? Is that you?"

At the sound of whoever it was that was calling his name, Optimus relaxed and sighed heavily while putting the weapon away. From the trees, another huge robot walked out, this one looking ancient compared to Optimus. It's body was mostly painted white and pink with little bits of gold and a light blue here and there. Embedded in its chest was a large engine looking device with a red core that matched the robot's eyes while on its back was a pair of wings.

"Indeed, Vector Prime. Forgive me for not recognizing you earlier."

"It is I that should be forgiven," Vector Prime shook his head with a small frown etching onto his blue face. "I would have used the device you gave me for communication, but it seems the contraption does not wish to function. So, I figured that I would find you on foot, if necessary. I know it is dangerous, but these trees provide the cover needed for an escape of view."

Optimus nodded and looked past him as three smaller robots came running into view from behind. A sports car looking one was panting slightly as he looked up at Optimus but then saw me.

"Vector Prime..." he said hurriedly, pointing at me. "...It seems Optimus isn't alone! Look!"

All robots present besides Optimus turned their heads to me, making me hide more behind the leader's leg nervously. Vector Prime seemed to take an interest in me and his eyebrow raised. "I have...seen this one before, Prime. It would be wise to allow the girl to join our cause."

The three looked at Vector Prime as Optimus seemed to think for a second, nodding. Moving so I wasn't hiding behind him anymore, he then kneeled down so we were somewhat face to face. "Vector Prime insists that you join us, so I must take his word that you are indeed needed. Tomorrow is what you humans call a 'Saturday'; meet us back here at this very spot and we will bring you to home base. But remember what I asked earlier...I do not like those that break a promise."