***I'm just going to put these here to tell myself I have them edited.

The two of them were completely silent as Optimus drove them down the road. Something called a groundbridge, a highly advanced feat of Cybertronian technology that allowed them to teleport anywhere on the planet, had transported them to the co-ordinates of a secluded location close enough to her house. It was just a matter of finding an empty place to get in and out without being seen. She had asked the Autobot to drive himself, though, if he didn't mind, because she didn't feel like she could drive a huge semi-truck very well. She honestly didn't have much experience driving anything but her motorcycle.

She looked out the window silently, thinking of what she had gotten into. Was it good? Was it bad? Now that she really put thought into it, she really didn't know. Her heart was still aflutter with the realization of what was going on around her.

"Turn left here." She murmured quietly, the robot turning onto the street her house was on. "You can pull over. This is the place."

Laura got out without a word, looking up at her house. It was fairly old, paint chipping and fading here and there, parts of the wooden porch caving in. The only reason she chose this place was because it was cheap, although it was a dump. She had the money to move out, and then some, but it was money she wanted to save for as long as possible.

"I'll start bringing some things out. I kept a lot of things in boxes because I thought I might move again soon." She glanced to Optimus, who remained incognito as a semi truck, a storage trailer attached. "Guess I was right." The brunette added quietly, letting out a small sigh.

The Autobot could only watch as the human started bringing out boxes filled with her personal belongings. It was a good thing they decided to wait a while; she didn't see anyone around.

"This doesn't hurt you or anything, right?" She suddenly asked as she put down a box of electronics. "I don't have much furniture, but it's still heavy." Her mind drifted back to her meager furnishings; a bed, a nightstand, a dresser, some small tables, a desk for her computer, and a sort of shelf for her TV. She also had an electric guitar and an electric piano, not to mention a black motorcycle. Though despite all this, she still had numerous boxes and totes packed to the brim.

"I am fine." Optimus answered simply. Laura smiled a bit, stepping back out of the truck again, starting to load more boxes. Her arms were beginning to get sore, but it was nowhere near sundown, where the guise of darkness could help her pass of the levitation as a trick of the eyes. She would have to rough it until-

"Well, if it isn't Laura Break the Witch!"

Optimus knew he needed to keep quiet, so he watched as her eyes narrowed, and she turned to face the one who had spoken; an adolescent blonde with piercings joined by two other boys, one who even had green hair.

"God, you can't even come up with a clever insult. What the hell do you want?"

The blonde didn't answer, and instead looked around at some of the boxes that were lying around. "Laura the Witch is moving? What brought on this miraculous occasion?" He sneered, taking a few steps forward. "Why don't you just use your magic to move, huh?" He smirked condescendingly.

"Can you even spell miraculous? Go jump off a bridge, jackass." She snapped, turning her back to them. "Why don't you? No one wants you here anyways, orphan!" The one with green hair shot back, picking up a rock and tossing it through the air, the brunette unaware with her back still turned.

Optimus could only sit and watch as the rounded stone hit her in the back of the head, causing her to stagger, almost falling over. She turned slightly, glaring through her bangs at them. He could almost feel her anger.

Laura took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. It was her anger that had caused this in the first place.

Thunk!

Laura whipped around at the sudden metallic noise, spotting a huge dent on the semi's hood. They had thrown a rock at Optimus, and it had even scratched some of his paint off.

"Hey!" She snapped at them, watching as they grabbed more rocks. "Why don't you and your stupid truck get out of here?" The blonde insulted once more.

"They aren't worth your anger." Optimus said quietly, Laura turning her head slightly to notice a mirror tilting to catch her reflection. "Try to ignore them."

"I'd rather show them what this freak can do, but if you insist…" She muttered back, turning away from the bullies to start loading the truck again. "Hey, don't you ignore us! Look at me when I'm insulting you, loser!"

"Oh go fuck yourself!" She called back from inside Optimus as she sat a box down. "Laura, they aren't worth the energy. Try and calm down."

"Why don't you keep quiet before they hear you?" She whispered back harshly as she stepped out the back.

The brunette narrowed her eyes behind low bangs as she noticed the three still loitering around. "Don't you have puppies to be kicking or something?" She quipped, picking up a particularly heavy tote. "Don't you have slipknots to make?" The third boy finally said, a black haired teenager with no distinguishing features.

The tallest of the three, the blonde, finally grew tired of the silence, scowling as he turned his back on Laura at last. "Come on guys. This is just pathetic." The blonde sneered, he and his followers walking away, laughing.

"All you alright?" Optimus asked in a normal voice as soon as they were out of earshot, watching as the young woman lightly touched the back of her head, examining the blood that came off on her fingers. Laura didn't respond, but he could hear sharp intakes of air, watching her frame shake; she was crying.

"Just perfect…" She finally laughed quietly, loading another box into the trailer. "Would you… like to talk about it?" The Autobot asked somewhat awkwardly as she made several more trips. "What's to talk about?" She finally asked in response, struggling to carry a mattress into the back, having to levitate it slightly to make it easier on herself. "Everyone wants to pick on the fucking reject. Words just fuel their petty little hatred, so I have no choice but to lie back and take it." She turned her back to Optimus, looking from the empty yard to her old home. "That's everything; 'place's empty." She said aloud curtly, climbing into the driver's seat and slamming the door with a little too much force.

The Autobot was silent as he started up his engine. His interior mirror briefly caught the brunette pulling something from her pocket, attaching whatever it was in her hair. They were the same kind of clips he had seen Miko use on occasion, the small pins parting her bangs out of her eyes.

"Since I'm leaving, there's no point hiding these anymore."

Her eyes were strikingly blue in an almost unnatural, beautiful way. Her skin was pale but flawless, smooth and unmarked. A line of brown dots ran across her cheeks. If he remembered correctly, they were called freckles.

She looked into his mirror with a knowing look. "Come on. I don't want to be here much longer."

...

"Why do they treat you that way?"

Laura looked up, confused. Optimus was driving them back towards where they had come from; a groundbridge. It had been quiet besides the occasional sounds of other cars, so his sudden question caught her off guard.

"I'd…" She looked away. "I'd rather not discuss it." Her fingers idly turned her necklace between her fingers, To Optimus, it looked like some sort of black rock or crystal, but he paid it little mind.

"I see." Optimus finally murmured. "I was just curious as to what you did to provoke their… behavior."

Laura gave a vented sigh, turning back to look at the inner mirror. "You really want to know? I messed up once, a few years ago in my freshman year of high school." She paused for a moment, considering her guardian's unfamiliarity with the human race. "Four years ago, when I was 15."

The brunette rolled her eyes. "I'm so stupid. I knew I couldn't hold it in forever but I still…" Optimus caught the slight clenching of her hands around her arms as she spoke. "They weren't always like this. I used to be one of those stereotypical popular kids. Good grades, supposedly good looks, friends with everyone." Another sigh in frustration. "But no, I just had to fuck it all up."

"What happened?" The Autobot finally asked through the silence. Laura leaned back in her seat, breathing deeply. "I got picked on, stuff shattered, end of story."

"Shattered?" Optimus asked, confused.

"Every window on the entire floor shattered, all at once, the moment I became so angry I screamed. Every single one of them."

The young woman ran her hands through her long hair. "That's when I was branded the witch, the freak, the reject; pick your own term. From that moment on, everyone hated me, no matter what I said or did."

"I see." Optimus replied quietly, silently pitying the human. "Though I don't know what to make of all of this….." Laura looked at the Autobot's radio, where his voice had been coming out of. "Thank you for getting me out of there."

Optimus did a sort of smile. "It's the least I can do."

The two of them were talking when Ratchet buzzed in on the radio. "Optimus, are you at the coordinates yet? I need to know when to open the Ground Bridge."

Laura pushed a button on the radio, one which Optimus had told her would let her talk to anyone on the Autobot frequency.

"Hi, this is Laura. Optimus can't talk right now because he's trying to drive. You wouldn't believe how crazy people act on these roads." The brunette watched as a car cut in front of them, the corners of her mouth turning down into a scowl. "But yeah, we're almost there. We just have to get off this intersection."

Ratchet made a sound of approval. "Should I open up the Ground Bridge now, then?"

Laura thought for a moment.

"Yeah, we're almost there anyways. See you then."

The young woman watched as the blue-green portal opened up, she and her new ally driving in, parking inside the Autobot base.

Laura hopped out of the Transformer, landing on the ground gracefully. The brunette had started unloading boxes, setting them on the floor for now, when Arcee suddenly spoke up.

"Optimus, Jack and the others should be getting out of school soon." The femme-bot stated, looking over at Bulkhead and Bumblebee. "All right." Optimus responded, making Laura confused as to what they were talking about. "Try and hurry back."

The three Autobots gave a nod, leaving through a nearby tunnel in their vehicle modes.

"Who's 'Jack and the others'?" Laura finally asked as she carefully levitated a few of the heavier boxes out of the semi. "A group of humans we've been looking after." Optimus responded, waiting patiently as the young woman continued to unload her things. "They shouldn't give you any trouble." He added, noticed a nervous look on the brunette's face.

Ratchet gave a nod as he continued working at the terminal. "Although they are a bit loud." The ambulance added, an annoyed look on his face. "Or maybe you're just too uptight." Laura responded with a laugh, levitating the last of the boxes and furniture out onto the silo floor. "Okay, you can turn back now."

The Autobot gave a sound of approval, changing back into his more anatomically human form. Laura felt guilty as she saw the sizeable dent on the leader's chassis.

"Hey, Ratchet, you wouldn't happen to know where the place Bulkhead was talking about, would you?" She looked up at the mechanic/ medic, partially shy. "Actually, I'm afraid I don't. You're going to have to wait until Bulkhead returns."

"Oh." Her gaze drifted to the floor. "Ok." The medic looked down at her with a confused expression. "Is something the matter?" The young woman gave a nervous laugh, twiddling her fingers. "I'm just… not very good at… talking to people…" Her voice grew gradually quiet, almost becoming as whisper. Ratchet looked to his leader with a curious look, to which the Autobot simply nodded.

"I see." The medic mused, turning back to the monitor. "I'm sure they won't give you any trouble." There was a pause. "I'm sure Jack and Rafael won't, at least. Miko is a bit… eccentric, for her age."

Laura gave an approving hum, ascending a set of stairs to sit down on a couch. "Um…" She began, looking to Optimus and Ratchet with curious eyes. "Is it ok if I ask a few things? I mean, about you and your species?" She paused. "It doesn't offend you when I say 'your species', right? I mean, I don't know about your culture or anything so…" The brunette cut off her ramblings, looking away shyly.

"Not at all." Optimus smiled back. "What would you like to know?"

"Well… I'd just like to make sure of a few things. To avoid any confusion and stuff."

"Alright."

"So you guys are the Autobots; Bumblebee, Arcee, Ratchet, Bulkhead, and Optimus, I'm going to guess you're their leader?"

"Correct."

"Your species is called Cybertronian, which means you come from…. Cybertron? Or Cybertronia? One of those two, or am I completely wrong?"

"We come from the planet Cybertron, although unfortunately…" Optimus' gaze dropped. ",our home has fallen."

Laura caught the droop in Ratchet's posture at the monitor, along with his leader's tone. "I… I'm sorry. I can't begin to imagine how hard that is for you all." She was answered with a silence. "May I…" She stopped herself. "Never mind."

Optimus looked at her. "If you'd like to know something, all you have to do is ask."

The brunette sighed. "I just don't want to bring up any bad memories or anything."

Ratchet was the one to speak this time. "Your concern is touching, but believe me when I say we lost our home long before you were ever born. The wounds are still there, but they aren't as deep as they used to be."

"Oh." Laura shifted on the couch uncomfortably. "I was just wondering what you meant by 'Cybertron had fallen'."

Optimus' expression grew stern for a moment. "It was ultimately destroyed in a war between the Autobots and the enemy faction you met earlier, the Decepticons."

"Oh, I'm… I'm so sorry."

"It is alright."

"So… the Decepticons were the ones to start the war, right?"

"Correct. In fact, the Decepticons didn't even exist until their leader created the faction in his quest for power." Ratchet answered from at his terminal.

There was an uneasy silence besides the hum of the computer's machinery. "Um… I'm sorry I'm asking so much, but…"

"What now?" Ratchet snapped, earning a pointed stare from Optimus before the leader gave her a nod to continue. "How could your planet be destroyed? Was it blown up or…"

Optimus shook his head. " Much unlike your own, our planet was made of the same material that comprises our species. It would not be far from the truth to say that our home was very much alive." There was a pause. "At the center of our planet was an ancient source of power known as the Allspark, but during the war, it became corrupted with a malicious substance known as dark energon, and our planet's core eventually grew weak and died."

"That's… that's awful."

"Ever since Cybertron has fallen, our race has scattered across the galaxy in hopes of someday eventually reviving our home." Another pause. "My team and I are currently the only Autobots on Earth, but unfortunately, a large quantity of the Decepticon army is as well." His expression grew dark. "Including their leader who was the one to create this chaos."

"I… I wish there was something I could do… I know apologies and sympathy could never be enough."

Optimus gave an understanding smile. "Your assistance today was a great help to us. I personally thank you for that." That brought a smile to Laura's face. "At least I can do something."

She was tempted to ask another question, but the rumbling of engines stopped her. She watched light reflect off the wall as the three Autobots turned around the corner and parked, three young humans coming out of each one separately. As the brunette slowly descended the stairs, all three of them stared at her in confusion.

"Um, hi…" The brunette gave a small smile and a wave, staying close to the leader's foot in case she felt the need to hide in embarrassment. There was an awkward silence before anyone spoke again. "Arcee, why is there another person here?" A boy with black hair asked, looking to the motorcycle expectantly, who in turn looked to her leader.

"This is Laura. She will be staying here from now on." Optimus answered for her, receiving confused looks from the three teens. "Bulkhead, go show her where she'll be staying." The leader advised his comrade, seeing the look on the brunette's face, if only slightly.

The van nodded, walking over to near a passageway, which most likely lead to the housing barrack he had spoken of. His back was turned away from her until he eventually looked over his shoulder, seeing the brunette carrying a single box. "Hey kid, can't you do that floaty thing and speed things up a little?" Laura visibly cringed as all three children looked at her with curious eyes. "'Floaty thing'?" The youngest of the three asked, adjusting his glasses. He looked like he couldn't be any older than 12.

Laura gave a vented sigh. "Yeah… I can uh… move things."

A girl with a pink streak in her black hair was the first to respond. "Well we can all move things. Big deal." A skeptical look was pointed at her, making her feel even more uneasy. "What Laura means to say is that she has telekinetic abilities." Ratchet finally spoke up, looking over to the group.

"Really?" The oldest boy asked, looking back up to Arcee. "Pretty much. I've seen her do it myself, so I can vouch for it." The female Autobot responded simply. "Can I see?" The youngest of the three asked curiously. Sighing once more, Laura set the box she was holding down, looking around the room for something to demonstrate on. She eventually saw an old soccer ball sitting among the mountain of boxes.

The ball spun around and flew about with little difficulty, considering its mass. Twists and turns sent it all over the room, before eventually it came to rest back on the ground again. All eyes were back on Laura again, who had inched towards the hallway Bulkhead was standing in.

The brunette waited for their response. Would they be afraid, or angry, or-

"That is so cool!" A girl with black hair with pink fringe cried out, jumping up in the air. "It's like you're a superhero or something!" The hyperactive teen ran up to her, her eyes gleaming. "No, it really isn't a good thing…" Laura said quietly, but the other girl ignored her. "So what's it like? How do you do it?"

The brunette shot a worried glance to the tallest Autobot, feeling her anger and anxiety slowly rising. "Optimus-"

"Oh, I bet it's so cool! You have no idea what I'd do if I could-"

"Miko-" Bulkhead started, seeing the oldest human begin to back away.

"-do it! It'd be so cool! I'd give anything to be able to do that all the-"

"Shut up!"

Everyone turned to look at Laura, who had an angry expression. "I can't even get a word in edge-wise with you! Do you ever stop talking and let someone else speak for a change? You don't even stop and think how fucked up my life is because of this!"

The Asian girl took a step back, her expression hurt. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-" She was cut off as an overhead light bulb shattered. Laura was too angry to notice.

"You'd do anything to have this, huh? I'd like to see you say that after your parents are killed right in front of you because something you did!" The brunette's angry, hurt voice seemed to echo interminably throughout the silo, the entire base seeming to quake. "I have to live every day of my life knowing that they died because of me! It was my fault!"

They all watched as the young woman's emotions began bearing down on her all at once, tears streaming down her face. Her hands rose to cover herself as she began to cry. "It should've been me!" There was an awkward silence as she choked back sobs. "It should've been me…"

"…Laura?"

She froze, Optimus' calm voice snapping her out of her emotional breakdown. The brunette looked around the room, seeing all the broken computer monitors, all the shards of glass. Bulkhead stood in front of the girl defensively, Bumblebee and Arcee doing the same for the other two.

Laura's expression immediately showed regret. "I…" Her voice was a choked whisper, the adolescent slowly backing away from the group. "I'm sorry… I… I really am…!"

Before anyone could say anything, she turned around and bolted around the corner and out of sight.

"Lord Megatron…?"

The Decepticon leader turned around irritably, his gaze drifting to his subordinates before him, two fighter jet twins by the name of Jetstream and Skyrim, who he had sent out on a scouting mission earlier that day.

"What is it?" He snapped, causing the two to flinch. "W-well….while we were out…we, uh, found Prime, sir…" Jetstream, the oldest, started, letting his sentence hang as he thought of what to say next.

"And? What happened?"

"Well….we were winning…but uh…" The brothers looked at each other, exchanging nervous expressions. "I-I think it would be best if you saw it for yourself, my Lord."

The Decepticon leader watched impatiently as Skyrim hooked up his head via a cable to a computer monitor, accessing his memory banks from earlier that day.

Megatron's optics narrowed as a visual of what looked like Optimus Prime fighting his subordinate shown on the monitor, Skyrim being behind the Prime and slowly approaching their enemy.

The Decepticon watched as moments before a blade was to be sunk into the Autobot's back, an odd noise caused the younger Decepticon to look to the side. The visual of a human with a hand outstretched was barely caught as rocks flew towards him and pelted him to the forest floor.

"Interesting…" Megatron mused as a recording of nearly the same happening to Jetstream was played, crossing his arms as the human once again appeared to be the source of the strange occurrence. "You may go. But don't you dare fail me again, understand?"

The two brothers scrambled out of the room in fear of their master, leaving him to continue his duties.

"Starscream, Knock Out, Soundwave."

He called out the names of three of his more competent minions, the three Decepticons appearing within moments, constantly on standby for their leader.

"Yes, Lord Megatron?" Starscream rasped, bowing respectfully, the other two doing the same.

"Keep a look out for Prime's new ally. I'm sure he'll keep them with him just like those infernal children."

"And what should we do upon finding this girl, my Lord?" Knock Out asked, raising a brow in curiosity.

An evil smirk spread across their master's face.

"Bring her to me."