Thank you to all my new and old followers and favourites. I can't wait to see what your reviews guys to see what you think and how I can improve.
Thank you to all those who reviewed in the last chapter: strongDarkShadowXsunny-sides, Retrokill, xVentressx, CodeSixty, FlowersForTheDead, Yami-The Lord of Darkness, Bee4ever, RougeReaper.
Review from guest: Thank you Shadow. Well I would love to read your story and see your take on and see how you would write it because this idea of an assassin going into a transformer world can go in so many directions and that's what I love about it. I would love to see someone write one and see what surprises they have in store. Because I have some surprises of my own. I'm so glad you think that's its an original story as well. Shadow's actual original name was Hunter but I changed it. She had a lot of different names originally until I just decided to stick to Shadow because that's what uses to her advantage and where she lives. Thank you.
I want to give a big THANK YOU to Jazzilynn Hall for being my Beta reader for a while. I really appreciate your help.
The next few days everyone gives me a wide berth and for once leaves me alone. The Autobots and a few others went away on a mission a few days ago. I don't know where or what for, but I'm glad. I've had peace and quiet for the last few days, giving me space to think.
"Hey," says a male young voice.
I ignore it and keep my eyes closed as I continue eating my sandwich, eating in the dinner hall for once. My mistake.
"H-Hey, er… M-Miss?" stutters the guy awkwardly, his voice oddly familiar.
So much for peace and quiet. I hear him mutter under his breathe to someone else.
"So would we go or….?" asks the male voice.
I hear a small 'Oof!' before someone new speaks.
"No Sam. We're staying and speaking to her," says a lighter female voice determinedly.
I'm guessing she elbowed him in the gut from the pathetic sound he made. Wait! Sam?! My eyes shoot open suddenly making the other two quit their conversation. It is. It's Sam and Mikaela. The stuttering boy who who somehow had the guts to kill Megatron.
"What do you want?" I ask coldly.
"Hi, I'm Mikaela and this is-" starts the girl but interrupt.
"Sam. I know who you all are. But what do you want?" I ask again.
"If you know who we all are then it's true. You're from a different dimension where we're all in movies. That is so awesome! And your eye! It's purple! Is that normal where you come from or is that a side effect from travelling through different worlds?" questions Sam excitedly.
I turn my gaze to him, making him freeze and stiffen up.
"N-not that it's b-bad. It's a-actually quite cool but um-" starts Sam rambling.
Mikaela rolls her eyes and interrupts him to save him further embarrassment.
"Don't mind Sam. He gets like that when he gets excited or nervous," explains Mikaela.
"I'll ask one more time. What do you want?" I question irritated.
"To talk. You come from another world. That's amazing," says Mikaela, her eyes shining.
"And who said I was from another dimension?" I ask as I go back to eating, making Sam relax a little more.
"Bumblebee. That's all he's been talking about. He's so excited to meet you and we are too," adds Mikaela eagerly.
So information has been passed around the Autobots like a piece of gossip. Fantastic.
"Why are you even here? This is a military base," I ask ignoring what she said.
"Bumblebee has been assigned here while the Autobots do a mission. Since Sam is Bee's charge, we were told to come up as well. Speaking about Bee, he's outside waiting for you," says Mikaela unfazed by my attitude.
I finish my sandwich, not looking at them until I speak.
"If Bumblebee wants to meet me, he can come here instead," I insist.
"That's the thing, he can't. This room isn't tall enough for his bipedal mode. And he doesn't have a holoform yet since he's been with me and Sam. When the bots come back he's suppose to have one installed," explains Mikaela as Sam fidgets uncontrollable.
I sigh before standing up.
"Lead the way," I say.
It's starting to get stuffy in here anyway. Sam beams at the fact that I've agreed and Mikaela smiles as well making me a little uncomfortable.
I follow them outside to Bumblebee. He's suppose to be the youngest Autobot, isn't he? The small Autobot brought up in war yet remains optimistic. Strange and unrealistic to me. Someone brought up in war surely must know how the real world works. It must be an act.
We exit the building and sure enough, Bumblebee is outside in his alt mode. He transforms pretty quickly, his bright blue optics singing with excitement as he is full of bubbling energy like a child. Looking into his optics, I see it's not an act. He somehow holds an air about him that's light and bubbly. So unlike what I'm use to. I can hear him beep and whirl a little. That's right. Megatron took his voice from him. I forgot. He truly has been through horrors yet he's so….. full of life and happiness. It's confusing and a little frustrating to be honest.
"Hello ma'am…nice to meet yah…. heard you went against…. the old geezer…. and survived," greets Bumblebee but I understand what he means immediately.
I shrug before saying, "Ironhide wasn't really a problem. It's what I'm use to actually."
"Is it true your from another world?" asks Bumblebee using a another voice.
I nod reluctantly although they can't tell that I'm reluctant because of the emotionless mask I constantly wear. I'm very uncomfortable about information concerning me being passed around as well as sharing that information. It just never happened. I was just a ghost, a myth in the criminal world. No one had ever seen my face except a select few and nearly all of them are dead. But now, I'm the gossip of the military base where I have someone looking over my shoulder constantly. It's just wrong. I don't like it at all. I'm constantly on edge being around so many people. I focus back to the conversation at hand.
"So… in the end…. what happens?" questions Bumblebee as I fold my arms.
Although he is using other people's voices, I could easily see his eagerness and curiosity. Not a hint of fear, like he knows they will win. That 'good' will always beat 'evil'. Sam and Mikaela look at my face in search for answers to a very important question that no one has dared to ask me yet. I keep my face impassive as I close my eyes, and I give my answer with no hesitation.
"You all die," I answer keeping my tone serious as I lazily open my eyes.
I see shock, fear and panic immediately.
"What?!" shouts Sam as Bumblebee beeps and whirls.
"We all die?!" exclaims Mikaela hysterically.
"Yep. Right before Starscream prances in here with his heels and tutu," I continue, keeping my face straight as well as my tone
They all stare at me in shock as they try to register what I just said. Sam nearly falls over, Mikaela blinks, and Bumblebee looks like he's having a glitch.
"W-what?" stutters Mikaela still in shock.
"You don't think I will actually tell you what will happen, so you?" I ask raising an eyebrow.
They all seem to sag with relief. Bumblebee starts whirling but it's lighter than normal. Is he laughing? Sam starts chuckling with relief too.
"You actually had me then. I thought we really was going to die then," chuckles Sam as they surprise me.
I shift my weight to my other foot uncomfortable. Why are they laughing? I don't understand. I glance at Mikaela and she wears a mask on her face. I can easily see through it, I've always been able to see through masks. So I can easily see her concern and irritation.
"I suppose….the future… is better left unknown.." says Bumblebee through the radio.
"Yeah I suppose so. It might be that for the moment the future is in flux but the moment we know, it will happen no matter what we do," adds Sam, surprisingly coming out with knowledge.
Sam… out of all of them. I hide my shock well. My head starts hurting again as I hear static. Great….. just what I need. First dead ends on the mission and now a splitting headache. Great….. just great. Bumblebee starts whirling and beeping excitedly.
"The gang… is returning…. soon. They're got….news… Surprise!… When they return…" says Bumblebee through the radio.
News? My curiosity peaks but I push it back down easily.
"What do you mean?" asks Sam but Bumblebee refuses to answer him, intent on keeping it as a surprise.
I look up at the blue sky as they squabble. The heat drums down on us all as the sun shines brightly. Not a cloud in the sky. Ugh…. I hate days like this. People's mood can depend on the weather like today, most people are happier and are in better moods. But on a cold damp day, some people are down and tired. It's weird. Something like weather affecting lots of people's mood just by appearance. People are stuck in delusions of it's a wonderful day and everything perfect because the sun is shining. What a load of rubbish. It gives people a fake world of nothing can go wrong. It's just deceitful and fake. But then again, that's what people want. Not the truth, but the lie that everything's okay. We have people starving on the streets, children being trained as soldiers but hey… that's okay as long as people stay in their perfect little bubbles and ignore it. As long as it doesn't disrupt their perfect little world.
I sigh inwardly before turning back to the conversation at hand. Sam is still trying to convince Bumblebee into letting him know what the news is. I start leaving before Mikaela calls out.
"Wait… I'll come with you."
"Where you going?" asks Sam, forgetting his current argument.
I ignore him as I carry on walking, I can't afford to waste time. I need a breakthrough and quickly. The longer I don't find a clue, the longer the trail goes cold. If I don't find something soon then there'll be a high chance I never wiIl.
"Excuse me…. ma'am… but…. I can help…" calls out Bumblebee making me stop.
He must know about the machine I'm trying to tract down.
"I'm a scout… gathering intel… is what I do.." continues Bumblebee.
"Yeah, that's another reason why Bee wanted to speak to you," adds Sam.
Normally I would refuse help, but I can't afford to be cautious or prideful right now. I'm running out of time.
"If you want to come and help, fine. But you better be useful," I warn before I carry on walking.
I can hear Sam and Bumblebee start walking behind, while Mikaela joins me at the front. I can tell she's anxious from her body movements and language. She wants to talk to me. About what, I have no idea. I can hear Bumblebee and Sam talking excitedly while me and Mikaela walk in awkward silence as I pretend she's not there.
"Do me and Sam stay together?" blurts out Mikaela abruptly.
And there's the question she's been bottling in. I roll my eyes. Of course, she's worried about her future romantically.
"Do you like Sam?" I question back..
"What?" asks Mikaela surprised before her eyes narrows.
"Oh I get it. Because a girl like me couldn't possibly like someone like Sam? Do you really think I'm that shallow?" asks Mikaela fiery.
"I don't think. I know. Sam practically grew up with you since you've been in the same class since kindergarten and you only noticed him this or maybe last year. The only guys you paid attention to was the popular ones," I explain with ease.
Mikaela looks like she's been slapped in the face as she almost stops walking.
"Hey, that's not fai-"starts Mikaela trying to defend herself before I interrupt her.
"But you did manage to keep your mouth shut from the police when your dad was in trouble. So you can't be that shallow. Only you know if you like Sam for real and whether your determined to make this relationship work," I finish.
Mikaela stays quiet for a little bit as she absorbs what I said.
"But that doesn't answer my question," points out Mikaela stubbornly, making me inwardly roll my eyes.
"What do you want me to tell you? That you and Sam will live happily ever after? Or if you break up? Because if I tell you what difference does it make?" I ask a little annoyed.
"It makes a difference because if we break up you can tell me why and I can stop it or I can save myself getting hurt too badly if the reason we broke up is unfixable," explains Mikaela.
"And what if Sam is right? What if the moment I tell you it's a fix point and it will always end up that way? Right now the future could be influx. It can go either way," I question further.
Mikaela looks away from me lost in thought before she nods to herself.
"I'm going to make this work. Me and Sam will stay together," decides Mikaela determinedly.
Good luck with that because you're going to need it. Okay maybe I should of just told Mikaela that it won't work out and she should get over it but it would cause too much drama. And I don't want to hear any whining and complaining or worse: crying. And I refuse to change the timeline here. I don't give a damn about making things better, all I care about is destroying that stupid machine and leaving. I snap out of my thoughts just enough to see some type of soldiers walk our way. Two males, one much bigger than the other. He glares at me, not just that but he looks down at me like I'm dirt. I guess people must of heard of my so called 'traitorous acts.' I don't even give them any acknowledgement. I carry on walking with my head forward, refusing to give him any attention. I soon lose sight of him however as he walks on my left side where my black hair is covering my eye. But I definitely feel him trying to shoulder barge me like a kid in high school. I respond immediately flipping him over and twisting his arm behind his back.
"What the hell are you doing, you crazy-" starts the guy, shouting in pain.
"Don't you dare try to touch me again or I'll do more than twist your arm," I say emotionlessly.
Mikaela and Sam watch in shock and Bumblebee looks unsure what to do as does his friend.
"I didn't do anything!" protests the guy trying to get out of my strong grip, but it doesn't work.
"Sure you didn't. One more thing, I don't like people looking down on me so go tell your mates about it and spread the word because the next time someone does that I might not be in the best mood, and they might not be as lucky as you are," I warn before letting go of his arm and folding my arms.
He scrambles up quickly trying to regain his dignity.
"I will never show you respect. We all know that you're the one who gave away secret information and that you talked with the Decepticon," spits out the big dude angrily.
And although he says all that, I can see a little fear in his eyes and that's all I need because he won't be looking down on me again. I wonder though who told them all this. For a base full of soldiers, they all gossip like teenage girls. I keep my face straight easily, not revealing even one emotion.
"And you know this because of what exactly? Rumours?" I ask raising an eye brow.
He stumbles for words for a few seconds but I don't let him speak a coherent sentence.
"Exactly. But I don't really care what you think or want to believe as long as you don't come near me again," I say making myself very clear.
"Shouldn't we get involved or something?" whispers Sam but I hear him easily.
"Bit late isn't it?" replies Mikaela just as quietly.
Bumblebee moves his hands in hushing movements.
"You don't get to tell me what to do. You need to go back to wherever you came from. You don't belong here," retorts the guy clenching his fists.
Ouch! That hurts…. not.
"You're right I don't belong here so I'll be leaving soon and when I do I'll disappear off the grid completely," I reply, my words seemingly harmless but my eyes show the underlying threat loud and clear.
He gulps, hiding it well but I see his fear. He turns around and gives a fake cough.
"Good riddance, I'll say," says the male soldier before starting to walk off his friend throwing me a wary glance before following, I see Mikaela and Sam relax and sigh.
"Was that really necessary?" asks Bumblebee over the radio.
"He left alive and with no limbs detached or broken," I reply in my defence before continuing, "Where I came from he wouldn't of been so lucky, and he definitely wouldn't of survived too long even with his military experience."
"Where exactly do you come from in your dimension?" asks Mikaela.
I turn my glare towards her before walking forward refusing to answer her. It's not like she has a right to know. It's my personal business. After all why would someone like to talk about the darkness from whence they've came?
—
It's been a good few hours and nothing, even Bumblebee couldn't find anything, though he couldn't fit in the room so he's outside at the window. I feel like screaming or stabbing. Yeah…. stabbing something might help. It's been a while since I've done that. I take a deep breath and push all of my anger away. If it's one thing I'm good at, it's self control. And I definitely need it because it really won't look good if I stab something or someone. And just like that my anger is gone or buried away, I'm not sure which. Come on now I need to think. I hunt people down it's what I do. This should be easy for me. Granted I'm not in a military base constantly watched, with people looking over my shoulder all the time, questioning my every move, and I definitely don't normally have a beat boxing Bumblebee and rapping Sam in the background. I keep just looking at Sam and Bumblebee every time they do something annoying making them instantly stop. They'll be fine for a while before they'll start doing something annoying again. I hear Mikaela laughing at Sam's attempt before Sam and Mikaela start laughing too, well… whirling in Bumblebee's case.
Soon I start hearing the laughter of children and I'm pulled into a memory. Soon that laughter turns into cries and screams and pleas for help and mercy. Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder and I act immediately. I turn and stand up, using that momentum to swing my leg high in the air, stopping just at the neck of my attacker. For a few seconds, all I hear is silence until people react urgently. I hear guns being drawn out and shouts before I notice that my attacker isn't an attacker.
"Lennox?" I nearly fury my brow in confusion but I stop myself just in time.
"Yes. It's me. Now do you mind moving your sharp heel from my neck?" asks Lennox calmly but I can see his anxiousness.
I completely snap out of it and move my very sharp heel of my boot away from his neck and put my hands on the computer desk looking down. Everyone seems to relax more around me and my 'escorts' put away their guns when Lennox waves his hand. My heart is starting to slow down from the rapid pace that it was.
"Didn't anyone every tell you not to come behind someone?" I question as everyone awkwardly tries to get back to what they was doing. I see Mikaela and Sam watch intently so does Bumblebee outside by the window.
"Do you mind telling me what that was?" asks Lennox in a quiet but urgent voice.
"Just don't come up behind me, especially when I'm in deep thought," I say, my heart rate still beating a little too quickly for my liking.
So it's my fault for yo-" starts Lennox but I look up and he cuts off immediately. He must see something in my eyes, some sort of emotion. I don't know what but I steel myself quickly as his eyes reveal that he's thinking about something carefully.
"Yes it is," I say distracting him.
I stand up straight before beginning to walk away, walking past him.
"Wait V-" starts Lennox turning but I cut him off.
"Aren't you suppose to be on a mission? Where are the rest of the Autobots?" I ask trying to change the subject, having a suspicion of what he wants to say.
"Some of us went ahead. The Autobots wanted to race around for a bit and stretch their legs properly before coming back. But first Vi-Shadow, are you okay?" asks Lennox concerned or curious, I can't tell which at the moment.
"I'm fine, I just need to go outside for a second," I reply.
I feel like I'm suffocating in here. It's getting harder to calm myself.
"But-" starts Lennox but I cut him off quickly.
"Here's a question for you Lennox. If this is a high class, professional military base then why are soldiers gossiping like teenage girls," I question glaring at him slightly.
"What?" asks Lennox stepping back slightly.
"I thought professional military investigators will keep any suspects A.K.A me, a secret but apparently that's too hard to do," I answer coldly.
"Wait people know that you're a suspect fort the missing information?" questions Lennox.
"Yes. Not only do they know but they are pretty sure I've done it. So I don't know who's been telling people that I was arrested but you'd think that in a high grade military base, people would refrain from gossiping and spreading information that is not relevant to them, whether it's true or not," I explain showing my irritation.
"Wait, people aren't suppose to know about that?" questions Sam butting in.
"No. Any investigations are meant to be kept confidential including the suspects so there's no prejudice or unfair treatment in the base. If someone was accused of being a traitor, all it would take is a few hard heads and we'll have a fight in our hands," explains Lennox to Sam but he keeps his eyes on me.
I could hear the sound of rain falling making the temperature drop.
"Exactly. And while I don't give a damn about what others think of me, their actions are making me use a bit of force. And trust me if one more person tries to undermine me, I will start to act how I usually do instead of holding back," I warn coldly.
"Shadow, if you respond physically to anyone who looks at you wrong then there's no way I will be able to protect you," tries Lennox giving me a fair warning.
"Then don't. I don't need your protection. In fact, I don't any of this, I don't even remember why I'm here in the first place," I state coldly.
"So what are you saying? Are you going to leave?" asks Lennox.
"I don't know… All I know is that I need some space and air to think and to breathe," I reply shaking my head before storming away.
"Shadow! Vi!" calls Lennox as he watches me leave but I ignore him and I carry on walking, going to the exit I instantly memorised when I first came.
I know my 'escorts' are following me so I turn around a corner before jumping out of the window. I hold onto the pipe as I watch my pursers look confuse before running down the corridor, assuming I've ran ahead. I inwardly sigh in relief but it's not enough. I need to get out of here. I climb down quickly as the rain starts to hammer down. I see a lot people run inside for cover, the only ones out are the ones who have to be for patrol. I use this as the perfect chance to escape. I need to be out there away from this suffocating cage. I easily climb over the gate quickly and quietly. The dark thunder clouds makes everything darker and harder to see. I hit the floor and start moving swiftly.
I run quickly until I eventually stop. I look back to see the base is still in view. I turn back around away from the base and I stand still. I let the rain hit my face, cooling me down. My heart starts to slow down properly at a normal pace. I look up at the furious sky and I can finally breathe! I nearly laugh in relief but I refrain. Rain is the opposite of sunny days. Sunny days make you believe everything is okay when it's not. But rain….. It keeps you grounded. It reminds you of the bleak reality of life. It doesn't tell you lies only the truth. That not everything is perfect. I feel relief as I feel like a bit of my freedom is restored. I know that I have to go back. They're my best chance to find the machine and ending things for good. Plus my motorbike is back there. It's my most treasured possession. But it's nice to have this moment. This moment of peace so I can pull myself toget- my thoughts suddenly cease as I see something in the air. Actually there are a lot of somethings, behind it in the air. And in the flash of lightening I see they all have something in common:
A deception symbol.
And my moment of peace is over.
—
The other players have arrived. It's time to play….