Ello everyone! So, here's the new chapter! A special guest will be coming to base and Emily discovers something that will change her life. And because I am unable to post pictures along with the story, Emily's suit is kind of similar to a Tron suit, only with a blue/purple color. It's on my Deviantart page if you want to check it out!
Thank you all for the reviews!
SAVVYTFORMERS009: Yeah, I meant to have Jazz's voice as a Cajun kind of voice but I may have altered it unknowingly throughout the story. I apologize for the confusion and the mistake! Great question though! I appreciate it!
The Silvernote: Thank you so much! I love writing scenes with Jazz and Emily. It makes my heart all fuzzy inside. You are right. The bond between them is more so a brother/sister relationship and it will only get stronger.
So, without further ado, the new chapter!
I sat there in the med bay, waiting for what seemed like an eternity. Time meant nothing. The only thing I could think about was Lacie. Was she ok? I unconsciously drummed my fingers against the table that I had been sitting on. Minutes passed and soon, the door to the med bay opened, revealing the familiar yellow and red color scheme of Ratchet. I jumped up from the table and ran over to him.
"Is Lacie ok?" I quickly asked him. Ratchet looked down at me and smiled.
"She is going to be fine. I managed to remove the chip. Lacie is resting as of right now. What are you doing here?" he replied as he walked over to his desk and started to look at some files. I sighed in relief. Lacie was going to be ok.
Thank God and Primus. I thought.
I have nothing to do with her healing process, nor does your God. Primus said to me sassily. I mentally chuckled.
It s an expression. I thought back. There was no reply and I drifted back to reality because Ratchet was calling my name.
"Huh?" I asked confused. Ratchet sighed and repeated
"I was asking you why you were here. I had thought that you were to be training with Ironhide."
"But I thought that you wanted to run some tests on me and my powers, health, things...I don't know!" I shrugged. I was no medical expert, so I had no idea what Ratchet wanted to see. The Autobot CMO knitted his eyebrows in confusion at first, but then realization set in. He then walked over to me and picked me up, setting me back down on the examination table. Ratchet held his hand out to me and I felt a tingling sensation throughout my body. I shivered at the sensation and looked up at Ratchet, who glanced at me and then his arm. He didn't say anything at first and that made me nervous.
"What is it?" I asked. Ratchet was silent. Instead of answering me, he placed his fingers on the side of his head. After a few minutes, the door opened and in stepped Optimus and Jazz. My eyes widened slightly. Why were they here? Was something that bad?
"Hello, Optimus. H-H-Hey Jazz." I greeted them and Optimus dipped his helm in response. His eyes, I noticed conveyed guilt and sadness. He looked pained, but why? He then turned to Ratchet and conversed quietly with him. Jazz was staring at me with anger and that made me flinch. Was Jazz mad at me? Why? What as going on? I strained to listen to Optimus's and Ratchet's conversation but I couldn't hear what they were saying. The fact that no one was telling me anything was making me annoyed. I huffed in frustration.
"Is anyone going to tell me what's going on? Or am I going to be left in the dark?" I asked, annoyance evident in my voice. Ratchet turned to me and said slowly
"The energon in your blood is trying to get rid of what t thinks is unnecessary and replace it. In this case, your blood."
"What?" I said completely confused. Ratchet vented a sigh of slight annoyance. He walked over to me and pointed to my arms and chest.
"When you touched the Allspark, energon entered your bloodstream and started to attack your blood cells because it thought your blood was an foreign invader. It is killing your blood and organs." he explained with a solemn expression.
"Will that kill me?" I asked him, my eyes slightly wide with worry. Ratchet silently nodded as he said
"Yes, when the Allspark's energy decides to complete it's 'cleansing', your organs and heart could give out."
You shout it out
My brain froze and my breathing became hitched. It felt like the air had just been knocked out of me.
But I can't hear a word you say
"How long?" I whispered. I feared his answer as I sat there, unmoving.
"A few months." his voice spoke almost inaudibly. No doubt he was heartbroken too. I didn't say anything. I couldn't. Basically, I was going to die once I completed my job with reviving Cybertron. But I didn't want to die! I was still a teenager, one that hadn't gone to college or got married. The mere thought of the new Ratchet had just told me was devastating. I didn't know what to think.
"No. No no no! Ratch' there has to be another way! Ya can't do anythin' to stop its progress?" Jazz desperately asked. A shake of the helm was all he got in reply and Jazz growled in anger. He then suddenly punched the wall, causing the whole room to shake and vibrate. A very loud clang! resounded throughout the room and I flinched. I had never seen Jazz so mad before. He was usually so clam and care-free, but now, he was obviously mad. Not at me but what was happening to me. Optimus stepped forward towards the silver Autobot and calmly tried to calm him down.
"Jazz, please stand down. I understand that this is not what you want to hear but this is not the time nor place to lose your temper." he rumbled. Jazz stopped and vented a loud sigh. He looked down at me and knelt down.
"Ah'm so sorry, lil' lady." was all he said as he tried to comfort me by rubbing a clawed digit carefully along my tiny frame. A tear escaped my eye.
I'm talking loud
Not saying much
Jazz then activated his holoform and pulled me into a hug, in which I cried into his holoform's chest. He brushed my hair soothingly, muttering words of comfort in attempts to calm me down. Optimus and Ratchet looked on in silence before Ratchet broke it.
"We will find a way around this, youngling." he whispered. I didn't reply. I really hoped that he was right. After Ratchet wordlessly took a look at my prosthetic and made sure I was ok otherwise, I numbly left the med bay to see Lacie. Jazz followed, watching me like a hawk. I didn't blame him, especially after what I had just found out. I didn't even care anymore. I just wanted to him with me. I broke out into a sprint as I sped down the hall, hearing Jazz's voice to tell me to slow down. I needed to make sure she was safe and okay. Once I entered, I saw Lacie. She was laying on a white bed with a heavy bandage wrapped around her head and she was sleeping. She looked so peaceful. I almost choked back a cry. How was I going to tell her about me? I didn't want to see her cry when I leave. She was my best friend and I had found out a few minutes ago that I was going to die because of what happened to me years ago. She was going to live and I wasn't. Life wasn't fair.
I walked over to the bed where she lay and sat down in the chair next to her. Lacie's white and red hair was slightly disheveled and I lightly laughed. I grasped her hand into mine, tears once again threatening to fall.
"I can't leave you. I don't want to." I whispered aloud. I didn't care if she could hear me or not. But I felt like she was listening somehow. Suddenly, I heard the door open and as I turned to see who it was, the holoform of Optimus came into view. I guess Jazz decided to stay outside to give me a moment alone with Lacie. I looked back at the sleeping form of my best friend before returning to gaze back at Optimus.
Optimus took my hand into his and gently squeezed it.
"I-I..."I couldn't find words to describe what I felt and he just stared me with guilt and pain on his face. He then enveloped me into a hug.
"I am sorry. You should have never have been brought into this war. This is my fault." he rumbled. I lifted my head in shock.
"No! This is NOT your fault! It's mine! I'm the one that touched the Allspark! I should have never went to work with mom and dad! Maybe if I was gone then maybe they would still be alive!" I was practically and hysterically shouting now. Optimus had let go of me and was looking at me with a surprised expression. He then put his hands on my shoulder, like what Ratchet did earlier and very seriously stared at me.
"Emily, do not speak that way. None of this is your fault. It was my job to protect this planet and your parents. I had sworn to. Allowing the Allspark to be placed in your government's hands was my mistake. It is not your fault. I am deeply sorry. Please know that." Optimus said to me. His statement made me frown and tear up. It wasn't Optimus's fault, despite what he said. It didn't change the fact that I was the one to blame.
I looked at Lacie, who was still asleep. She didn't deserve to be put in the middle of this. She's here because of me. I looked away. Since I had time left before the final battle, I wanted to make the most of what I had. So, I got up and affectionately patted Lacie's hand in comfort. Then, I turned to Optimus and said
"Let me know when she wakes up, ok?"
"You will be the first to know." He assured me. He then rose from his chair, making his way to me and followed me out. Jazz quickly stood straight and walked over to us. Unexpectedly, Optimus stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway. What was going on? Was everything ok?
"What is it?" I asked him. Optimus turned to me and answered
"Lennox has just informed me that a woman has arrived to create your uniform. They are in his office at the moment." I quirked an eyebrow. How was he able to contact Lennox in his holoform? I guess I would ask about that later. But the real question: was this the E person Lennox mentioned earlier? I asked
"Alright. Um, do you think you guys can-" I began to ask. I didn't know where Lennox's office was, considering I had never seen it or had reason to. So, to my surprise, Optimus know what I was asking, because he responded with
"We would not mind at all." And with that, we walked together towards Lennox's office. Optimus's and Jazz's large strides were no match to my smaller ones, especially since I had a slight limp with my prosthetic. I had to jog a little to keep up with him and their towering frames. After a few minutes, we got to Lennox's office and once we walked in, Lennox was there speaking to an unfamiliar woman. She was noticeably short with short black hair and large round glasses. She wore black all over. She seemed like a no-nonsense type of person.
Lennox stopped talking and saw us come in. He smiled widely and and waved us over. My heart dropped to my feet. Lennox didn't know yet. About my situation. How was I going to tell him? How would he react? I looked to Optimus, who nodded to me and remained where he was while Jazz and I walked over next to Lennox.
"E, I would like you to meet Emily. She is the girl I spoke to you about the suit."
The woman looked up and down at me and extended a hand.
"Hello, darling." She said with a heavy German-Japanese accent.
"Emily, this is Edna Mode. She will be designing your suit. She is a very well known fashion designer for people with powers." Lennox introduced her to me.
I shook Edna's hand and smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Edna." I said and Edna waved her hand dismissively as she replied
"Please, I'll have none of that! Call me E. Now, what do we have here?" She asked as she started to circle me. Her eyes stared at my body and leg with curiosity and wonder all over her face. What was she doing? I glanced nervously at Lennox, hoping that he would provide some explanation as to what Edna was doing.
"Uh, excuse me? I'm a bit confused. What do you mean?" I asked dumbly. Edna sent me a glare before lightly slapping my leg and scoffing.
"What I mean is what are your powers? Your height, weight! Details, darling!" she exclaimed. I gave her a look of confusion, trying to process what she just said.
"Uh, invisibilty, teleportion, force field and energy manipulation?" I answered hesitantly. Edna then looked at me with an intent stare.
"Is this a question?" she asked me, gesturing to me wholy. I shook my head. She sighed and brought a hand to her head.
"Darling, I have designed suits for people who are the same as you. My suits are designed to fit their powers like a glove. Yours, however, will be quite unique." she said and her eyes lit up like she had an idea. She beckoned me over as she brought out a sketchpad and a pencil. I sat down on the floor next to her while she sat in a chair.
"I had made a suit for a young girl who had powers that are similar to yours. I have made a material that will disappear completely as you do." she began to explain as her hand glided across the page effortlessly.
"What about my other powers?" I piped up. Edna brought a hand up and performed a 'shush' gesture without looking up from the paper.
"Ep ep ep! I am not finished!" she said. Edna was an odd woman. There was no doubt about that. I heard movement on the other side of the room and I saw Lennox walking out of the office with Jazz and Optimus before giving me a look. A pang in my chest ade me realize what they were doing. I hastily looked away and brought my attention back to Edna. She looked up from her sketch and stared at me.
"You are different from the other supers i have worked with. You are young and still have much to learn." she said.
I said nothing.
"William has told me that he is a friend of your parents." she said. I looked down, unable to answer right away.
"Yeah, I guess you can say that." I whispered softly.
"Have you told them about your gifts?" she asked.
"My parents are gone. That's why I'm here in the the first place. They worked with Lennox and the others. But they did know about my powers." I told her. Now, it was Edna's turn to be silent as she continued to sketch. Then, she resumed asking me questions about my powers. Soon, she stopped drawing and glanced at me.
"This is just a rough sketch of your suit, darling. Of course, I still need to make changes and to see you demonstrate your powers." and she showed me her sketch. It looked like a spandex-leather mix of material. The color of the suit was black and there were lines that ran down the sides. The boots were also black. The intricate designs of the lines running down the sides were blue in color and looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. All in all, it looked amazing. I loved it.
"This is amazing!" I exclaimed. But then something stopped me. I glaned once more over the sketch.
"What about my prosthetic? Am I going to be able to wear it underneath the pant leg?" I asked worridly. Edna waved her hand dismissively and replied
"I will make the necessary adjustments to the suit when it comes time to. " I nodded in understanding and handed the pad back to her.
"Well, I like the design. Could you maybe explain how it adjusts to my powers?"
Edna went on to explain the different materials she would use for the suit. All the while, I listened but my mind was thinking about what Optimus, Jazz and Lennox were discussing outside.
3rd POV
"What?!" Lennox shouted. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Optimus and Jazz had brought Lennox outside his office to discuss something regarding Emily. Optimus had just told him what Ratchet had found out earlier.
"She is dying, Will. She does not have much time left. When she revives Cybertron, she will..." Optimus said, unable to finish his sentence. Lennox clenched his jaw and fist in anger. Why?! Why did have to end up like this? She was dying. It felt like someone had just punched Lennox in the chest. He couldn't breathe. What was he supposed to do now? The thought of Emily being gone made him feel like someone had taken Annabelle away. He cared about Emily, like she was his own daughter. Now, it was starting to affect him.
"How much time does she have?" he managed to choke out.
"A few months. Six a most. Will, A'm sorry. Ah failed." Jazz replied as he tried to apologize. Lennox shook his head.
"I think I just need some time." and with that, Lennox turned around and walked back towards his office, leaving Optimus standing in the hall with Jazz. Optimus, with a look worry and Jazz with one of guilt.
Lennox's POV
As he stood outide his door, Lennox deeply inhaled. Ever since he had been unable to ask Emily his question, it was then that he decided that he would ask her now. He didn't care if it was only for a few months. All he cared about was giving Em what she was missing. Holding his breath, Lennox opened the door and walked in. Emily was on the floor with E still discussing her suit and he cleared his throat. They both looked up and Emily's eyes widened slightly.
"If you don't mind E, I would like to talk to Emily for a moment in private." he said softly. Edna nodded curtly and turned to Emily.
"I would like to meet with you later, darling for you to show me your powers." she said and Emily nodded. Edna then got up and walked past them and out the door, leaving just him and Emily. There was silence for a moment. Lennox didn't know how to start. Words fumbled inside his head and he couldn't find the strength to speak. Emily noticed this and went over to him and looked at him, a look of worry on her face.
"They told you, didn't they?" she asked. He found himself nodding and he opened his mouth.
"They did. I'm so sorry, Em." he teared up. He hugged her, which she gratefully accepted the hug and rested her head on his chest.
You need to ask her. he thought to himself.
"Em, I want to ask you something." he said as he released her to look at her.
"Ok. What is it?"
"I know that you've been on your own for a long time and I don't want you to get mad at me and think that I want to replace them." he said as he stumbled over his words. Emily looked at him with confusion.
"Replace them? Who? What are you talking about, Lennox?" she asked. He placed his hands on her shoulders and stared at her.
"I have started to love you like you were my own daughter, Em. I worry about you. Ever since you came back from Dallas, I wanted to ask if you would let me adopt you." he said. A gasp escaped the brunettes's lips as her eyes widened and she started to flicker, ghosting in and out of visibility. Then, he heard a sob come from her.
"I don't want to be alone anymore!"
Lennox smiled.