I caved. I caved like a mother fucker. I've watched every episode TO DATE of the second season.
Moving on, I'm sorry if this seems cheesy. Sometimes, when I'm re-reading a story, any of mine, I think 'God, this is awful'. I uh…..Well, as an artist- drawing and writing- I've become highly critical of any of my own work. Sometimes it's just never enough, and sometimes I can't help but think ' God, how can anyone read this?'
With that explained and out of the way, I hope you can all enjoy this chapter :3
Please don't think what I did with the shard is stupid :( It's not like I can take it back
With her mission clearly defined and laid before her, Laura was able to regain a piece of herself. With her mind clear, she had regained some control over her emotions, reversing a few of the changes Unicron's influence had inflicted upon her. Her eyes were still violet, but the whites had returned and her hair was no longer ebony. As he looked down at her as she made preparations for departure, Optimus couldn't help but think how much she had matured. Looking at her now, he no longer saw her as a child, but as an adult. She seemed older now, ready to face any challenge ahead of her with an unwavering confidence. He couldn't help but think of old friends and allies he had had back on Cybertron that reminded him of her.
The brunette had changed into a black tanktop and some camouflage cargo pants with multiple pockets. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, dark military-style boots adorning her feet. She knew there was going to be a fight; she could sense it. She was preparing for war, and she couldn't have been any more ready.
Laura had always been a gun fanatic, her opinion of them only being properly described as 'badass'. It was a good think she was a bit of a tomboy, although Optimus wasn't exactly happy when she revealed her collection to him.
Across her waist was a holster belt containing exactly six grenades, two flash bangs and the rest volatile explosives. A burst-round handgun rested on her right hip filled with deadly explosive rounds, several more magazines resting in one of her pants' deep pockets. Hanging from a strap and currently resting against her left hip was a rifle, which had enough fire power to destroy countless targets, adding that to its range made it formidable. Even if the bullets didn't pierce the armor or outside of whatever they were going to fight, it would at least make them stumble, maybe even stun them. In reality, she had no idea what they were going to fight.
But one thing was for sure; Cybertronians were made of metal, which lead to her last weapon. It was like a grenade launcher, save for its ammunition; deadly shells filled with a corrosive acid powerful enough to burn through most metals. If it didn't completely disable what they would fight, she could shoot through the weakened metal.
She had it all figured out. With these weapons and the powers she already had, she felt as if she could take down an army. Picking up a backpack filled with medical supplies and various tools, she looked up to the Autobot leader with stern eyes. "I'm ready."
Every head and helm turned to look at them as the pair entered the Bridge Room, Tenebrae rushing up to see his owner. "What's with the gear?" Jack asked hesitantly, looking at the brunette, who returned his gaze with a small smile. "What do you think?" She motioned towards the coordinates indicating the earthquake's epicenter on the screen, then to the Bridge. "You can't be serious." June cut in, taking a step forward. "Optimus, she is not going with you. You of all people should-"
The mother was cut off as Laura let out a laugh. "June, calm down. I'll be fine; we're just gonna have a chat with a universal destroyer. No big deal."
Arcee stomped a pede, cutting her off. "No, it is a big deal!" She turned her gaze to her leader. "Listen, it isn't like I don't trust your judgment, but are you really going to bring a kid to meet with Unicron?" The femme asked seriously, her expression concerned. "I'm inclined to agree, Optimus. I mean…" Ratchet seemed to stammer for a moment. "What would even make you think bringing her along would be a good idea?"
Optimus looked at his medic with an unmoving expression until his gaze turned to Laura, who merely nodded as she looked up at them. "As a part of Unicron, I guess, I have faint ideas of what his actions would be, or how he would react. If anything, I can use this to negotiate with him, if not try to sway his judgment. Besides…" A gloved hand dove into her pocket, pulling out the bright Energon shard. "Look at it." She said simply, all eyes dropping to the piece that was shaped like a star from the sky itself.
A warm sensation seemed to sweep over the room, a sort of security that couldn't be explained. Several voices seemed to echo soundlessly, unheard words seeming to encourage the girl's departure.
But then the unexpected happened.
Just as Laura was about to slip the shard back into her pocket, it pulsed with an audible volume, eyes widening as light shot out everywhere. As everyone looked around bewildered, they realized that they were no longer in the Bridge Room, but…somewhere else. Images flew around them as if they were surrounded by one huge monitor. "Man, this is trippy as hell!" Miko finally said, breaking the silence. "Indeed, but how is this possible?" Ratchet spoke up. "Could it be something in that Energon shard?" Bulkhead suggested, Bumblebee beeping in a confused fashion.
Laura's heartbeat stopped as a particular image began to move.
A woman with brown hair and brown eyes. A stunningly similar young girl sat next to her on the couch, a dark purple pendant dangling from her neck. It was Laura and her mother; but how?
"Mom…?" The real Laura looked up at the illusion with wide eyes. "Mom, why do people fight all the time?" The childlike Laura of version asked, looking up at her mother with sad eyes. "My god, I remember this!" The young woman said as the two illusions were silent. "How is this even possible?" She asked aloud, turning to look at everyone in shock, still holding the shard as it pulsed wildly. "I have no idea. I can't think of anything logical that would explain this besides mass-hallucination…."June trailed off. "This is no hallucination." Raf cut in. "It's way too real." Tenebrae gave a bark of approval.
"Because some people just don't understand, Laura." Her mother responded." Understand what?" Young Laura asked with curious eyes. "They don't understand that fighting is never the answer." Her mother smiled sadly, ruffling the girls hair. "But you aren't like them. You're going to change the world someday."
The vision seemed to fade almost immediately, but that last line began repeating itself over and over even as the scene turned back into the reality of the Bridge Room.
You're going to change the world someday. You're going to change the world, Laura. Laura, you're going to change the world. Change the world….change the world….
The glow of the Energon shard seemed to pulse brightly before it faded, revealing that the crystal's color had changed to a lustrous gold.
No one could speak, everyone too dumbfounded by what had happened. But for some reason, Laura and Optimus understood.
The brunette turned to Ratchet with a serious expression. "Ratchet, fire up the Bridge. It's time to go."
The Autobot leader merely nodded, still reeling by the miracle that had just been performed.
Neither of them knew how, or even why, but they knew.
They knew they had just been spoken to by Primus himself.