Alright so this chapter is not in the original story line but one that I swear was Amber's idea and came from out of thin air. Though it does give more insight to Amber's past and a new member of Team Prime to be introduced. Like always I don't own Transformers, just Amber and the new member you are all about to met ;)
Chapter 10
A few days passed and Wheeljack was back on earth, bring a new con by the name of Dreadwing with him. Amber didn't think much of the wreaker but Miko thought the world of him. Wheeljack was surprised that there was another human kid hanging around but he could tell that she was different. He wasn't too sure what it was but he soon learned that the following weekend. Amber and Optimus once again found themselves at the base that General Brice's was in charge of. Like always she did not enjoy being there, but the one friend she had made that was on base was making it easier. Heading to the kennels where the service dogs and the handlers were Amber smiled when Casper saw her and bound over. The 5 year old germen shepherd almost knocked her over when he reached her. "Hi boy, have you been good? Because if so I have a treat for you." she told him well scratching him behind the ears.
"You shouldn't spoil him so much Amber." Casper's handler Sergeant Bruce Wester said with a smile well he approached. "He can't do his job if he gets fat."
"I of course was going to check with you first sir." Amber said being respectful to the sergeant.
Bruce chuckled seeing the worry on her face and said. "It's actually alright Amber you don't need to look like you're in trouble or something. I was trying to joke with you so relax."
"Right sorry." Amber said letting a rush of air out of her mouth well digging the bag of dog treats she had brought out of her pocket. The two talked for a bit longer well every so often Amber would throw a ball for Casper and a give him treat when he came back. Eventually Bruce had to take Casper for training and invited her to watch. "Maybe next time, I have to go back to my dad and meet with the general and give him some important information."
"Again? What exactly are you and your dad doing that a kid your age has to see the general so much?" Bruce asked confused.
"Hey I'll have you know I am18 years old and could enlist if I wanted to but I don't think I will. Anyway I'm afraid that I can't tell you what it is we're doing for the general." she told him well she gave Casper one last scratch and then said good bye to the sergeant. The meeting with General Brice was less than ideal since he didn't really like having her there, though he understood her reason to why she was. It seemed that unlike Team Prime he had read the file MECH had on her and because of this he did not trust her. Once it was over and they were dismissed Amber gave a sigh of relief when Optimus pulled out of the base and on the road back to base.
"You seem much more at ease this time during our visit to the base." Optimus said happy that she had not been on the verge of panicking on this visit.
"Yeah I guess." she said with a smile and told him about her time she was with Bruce and Casper, unaware that Optimus had watch the interaction between his charge and the sergeant. It was nice to see her beginning to trust others that were not a part of Team Prime. On the way back to base Optimus made a stop at a gas station, to let her pick up some food for lunch. Optimus watched her peruse the selection of sandwiches, chips and drinks when a gas truck pulled up and he lost sight of her. Optimus tried to not panic at losing sight of Amber, choosing to wait for her to come back but after 5 minutes Amber sent him a wave of panic through their bond before it was suddenly cut off.
He activated his holoform and ran into the gas station looking for her but all he found was a startled group of humans that looked out of sorts and things scattered all over the floor. "Excuse me but there was a girl under my care that came in here for some food. Do you know where she went?" He asked the man who clearly worked there and help him with getting an old man back on his feet.
"If you mean the one with blue eyes and brown hair, some bald guy with a scar grabbed her and she fought him best she could. However he stuck her with a syringe full of something that knocked her out pretty fast. Some of us tried to stop him from taking her but two other men had guns and threated shoot anyone who got in their way." the worker said and Optimus felt his spark almost stop, knowing who it was that had taken Amber.
He immediately contacted base and Agent Fowler, getting all of them there fast as they could. Fowler was able get access to the gas station's video footage and soon confirmed their worst fears. "It was Silas alright and two men that are most likely are a part of MECH." Fowler told a worried Prime and the rest of bots who had their holoforms activated to talk to him outside the gas station.
"Alright I'll bight who's Silas and MECH?" Wheeljack asked confused. His holoform was a middle aged man with black hair and a beard. Wearing a leather jacket, grey V-neck and jeans with work boots, all looking tattered and a bit warn for aesthetics.
"Remember I told you about the group of humans that want to take us apart and see how we work." Bulkhead said giving his old friend a look. His holoform had on a green coat, a white mussel shirt, and jeans, with boots. He had no hair, choosing instead to have gone bald after Miko had told him that she had not liked the hair style he had originally chosen.
"Oh you mean those guys that took apart Breakdown but why do they want the new kid?" Wheeljack asked and it was then that they informed him that Silas was in fact her Biological father and what they knew of what he had done to her.
"There's just one thing I don't get." Arcee said handing Fowler back the tablet that he had used to show them the video footage. "From what I know about the Light of Primus it should have protected her from such an attack."
"I believe I have a terrible theory about that." Optimus said dread filling him. "With Silas being her father by blood it would not stop him from touching her or causing her any harm."
"Well isn't that just great but I'm more concerned about how he knew that she would be here at this time and place." Fowler said scowling in frustration. "I just don't see how he could have known beforehand that you two would be here at this gas station to let her out and grab some food for herself."
"Unless he had knowledge of when they would be at the base and when they left." Wheeljack said thoughtfully.
"But there are 3 roads that lead away from the base and there isn't gas stations on all of them." Fowler said an idea of where the former wreaker was taking this train of thought, turning to Prime. "Is there anyone at base that could have known this information before hand?"
"Besides yourself Agent Fowler there is General Brice and one other. A sergeant that Amber had befriended and his service dog." Optimus said anger rising in his spark at the thought that the handler had only becoming close to his charge for the sole purpose of Amber's capture.
"What is this sergeant's name?"
-o0o-
When Amber had gone into the gas station to get food she had failed to notice the slowly growing warmth from the relic around her neck. It was only after Silas had grabbed her and it flared hot that she realised it was warning of danger. She had tried and failed to pull him off or hurt him enough to let go, well-wishing that the silly relic would do something. Remembering what Optimus had told her that other than visions it was supposed to protect her but at that moment all it was doing was giving late warnings. Then she felt the needle and she quickly lost consciousness Amber felt Optimus's fear.
It was some time later when she came to and found herself tied to a chair, in a cold room, the sweater, shoes and socks she had been wearing were gone. Her head was resting on her chest, which put a crick in her neck but she didn't dare move. The Light was painfully warm against her skin and she could hear someone moving around nearby. So closing her eyes once again and tried to reach Optimus through their bond but Amber found her focus kept slipping. Amber kept trying but she soon heard some stomping feet coming closer right before her hair was grabbed and her head was pulled back. A cry of pain left her lips, her eyes flying open and she glared at Silas's scowling face. "You can't fake sleeping well I am here Amber." he snapped at her
"Who says I was?" She snapped at him well darting her eyes around to trying to take in the room she was being held in. Silas of course saw this and stopped her with a slap across the face, which made the relic around her neck flare in hot anger. 'Do more than that if you want to stop this you stupid thing.' Amber thought to the Light of Primus.
Silas soon let her go and took a few steps away. "I imagine that you are a bit surprised that I found you at the gas station you and Optimus had stopped at."
"Yes and no." she admitted with a small shrug, hoping to use conversation as a distraction well trying to reach the beacon on her com watch, call out through the bond or both. "I have long suspected that you would try something like this if the opportunity arose. Though I do wonder if it was by chance or were you told that we would stop there?"
Silas turned to her with a smile well Bruce walked in with Casper on his leash, the sergeant looking a bit sad and sorry seeing her there. Amber glared at him but Casper whine softened her heart a little, because he looked torn between Amber and his partner. "I have eyes and ears everywhere Amber but what none of them can find out is where the Autobot base is located. That is something General Brice and Agent Fowler have been able to keep from me. But you know don't you?"
Turning her glare on him she wasn't surprised to see most of the men in the room shiver a little, which always happened when she was angry. Silas was the only one not affected well Amber snarled. "Go to hell because I am never going to tell you."
"No your right about that, you've always been too stubborn to willingly give me what I wanted." Silas said well he motioned one of his masked men forward. He brought with him a cart that had a car battery on it and it was hooked up to what looked like a cattle prod. "I am going to offer you one chance. Either you willingly tell me what I want to know or-" The man went to put the prod into Amber's side but than a blue shield stopped him. A second later an energy wave sent everyone but Silas and Casper flying back.
With no one holding his leash, Casper ran over and took a protective stance in front of her, growling at all of them. "Bruce move your mutt or I'll shoot it." Silas ordered well Bruce and the others righted themselves, frowning at her. It was that that Silas's eyes landed on the Light of Primus. "What is that you have around your neck?"
"Oh just a little something that I picked up when I snuck on to the Decepticon warship." Amber informed him well twisting her wrist and finally got the beacon activated. She smiled when a light on the watch flash but then Casper yelped right before shearing pain hit her side. Crying out Amber looked up at Silas, who was holding the prod to her side.
"It seems that it can't stop me from using the method your familiar with to get what I want." He pulled the prod back and sneered at her before he pushed the chair onto its back. This caused the back of Amber's head to hit the floor sending shearing hot pain through it but that was only the beginning as he brought the prod to her feet.
-o0o-
The Bots had all returned to base when Optimus felt Amber wake up, her anger reaching him but that was all. It worried him some when he went to the main room and told Ratchet that she was awake. He worried that Silas may have unintentionally blocked the bond somehow but his old friend assured him that it was most likely the drugs Silas had put in her system. Optimus tried to talk to her, ignoring everyone else around him, who were slowly gathering. "It's no use I can't make a clear connection with her." He finally said after a few moments of trying and failing.
"Then it's up to Amber." Arcee said looking at him, a small smile grazing her face plating. "We all know how clever she is, she'll find a way to tell us."
It was then that Ratchet's station beeped and an Autobot locator beacon activated. Checking it they saw that it was coming somewhere north of General's Brice's base. "Well it seems she heard you Cee." Wheeljack said well Ratchet set and activated the ground bridge. They ran through and found themselves outside a set of warehouses that looked to have been abandoned some time ago. They spread out to search for any sign of MECH but Amber's screams reached them and brought them to one building on the edge of the property. They could see MECH soldiers guarding the outside. "So how do we get in there and rescue her?"
Optimus thought about it, relived that with being closer he could feel Amber better. 'Where are you?' he asked her through. She tried to reach out to him but there was too much pain for her to send anything else. However it was enough for him to pin point her location in the warehouse. "Amber is located at the far back corner of the building. Wheeljack, as MECH is not aware of your presence, you will sneak around the back and see if you can get to her. The rest of us will attack them from the front drawing their fire and attention."
Wheeljack nodded and did as Prime ordered, hearing more cries of pain, soon hearing the rest of the bots engaging the soldiers. He made it to the back of the building hearing a commotion going on beside Amber's screams in the room on the other side of the wall. Pulling out his swords Wheeljack swiftly cut a hole in the wall big enough for him to enter. Once in the room he spotted Amber tied to a chair, which was on its back, a scarred faced man was near her who he assumed was Silas. He was currently fighting with another man, the cattle prod between them. The dog was attacking one of the other masked soldiers, biting the man's arm, making him scream in pain.
"Huh and here I thought it was the kid's cries of pain we were hearing outside." Wheeljack said walking in glad to see a smile on Amber's pale face. Silas and the other man stopped fighting at the sight of him but this gave the other man the opportunity to get the upper hand. He got the prod out of Silas's hand and hit him across the face with it, knocking him away and over some nearby equipment. This man hurried over to Amber well Wheeljack put her chair up right, and helped to untie her. "I'm sorry Amber, I didn't know that he was planning to do this to you. Casper let that man go."
Casper did what he was told, running over to them licking some of the welts on Amber's feet making her wince a little. "I don't know what you were thinking he would do once he had me Bruce. Being a part of MECH you should have known he was going to interrogate me."
"Actually I've only been a part of MECH for a short time and it was to be a spy for General Brice. I was to gather enough information on them and eventually shut them down for good." he told her making both bot and girl look at him in surprise. "I had hoped that by helping in your capture it would get me closer to accomplishing that but I never wanted it to be at the cost of-"
A gun shot cut Bruce off, a spray of blood hitting Amber in the face and Bruce's now lifeless body fall into her lap. She looked at Silas in shock, seeing the gun in his hand, glaring at her, which induced a panic attack. She started to hyperventilate and her whole body began to tremble but her gaze was fixed on Silas, who began to approach her. Wheeljack didn't want the man to get close to her so he sent the terrorist flying with a single flip of the back of his hand. He then made sure to pick up Bruce's body, quickly wrapping it in a sheet he found nearby and then picked up the trembling girl. He wasn't all that surprised when the dog Casper followed him out of the back of the building.
It didn't take him long to rejoin the others, handing Amber to her guardian who took over trying to comfort her. Well Prime did that Wheeljack told them what had happened well they were busy. All of them looked at the poor sergeant's body, sorry they had thought the worst of him, but Casper's scared whining drew their attention. Arcee slowly lowered herself to the dog and ever so gently picked him up and held him close well Optimus called for a ground bridge.
Ratchet, Jack, Miko and Raf were waiting on the other side of the ground bridge, the medic's eyes widening when he saw the wrapped body in Wheeljack's hands. "No-"
"Ratchet that is not her but Sergeant Brice Wester." Optimus said keeping is optics on the now passed out girl in his hands. Optimus took her to Ratchet's lab, placing her on the gurney and they all got a full look at her injuries. Both of her feet were burned and bleeding from were Silas had held the cattle prod too long. Noticing a burn mark on the right side of her shirt, Ratchet used is holoform to lift her shirt and saw a burned welt there as well. "Jack call your mother and tell her to bring a change of clothes for Amber and her medical bag." Optimus ordered not taking his optics off his charge, not wanting to leave her. He felt that he had failed her back at the gas station because he had not gone in with her. Optimus felt if he had stayed at her side Amber would not have been taken by Silas and tortured by him.
June soon arrived, as did agent Fowler, who looked at Amber in shock, June gasped and rushed to the bed taking in the blood and wounds on the poor girl. "What happened to her? Someone tell me now!" June demanded of the bots well putting her med bag on the bed, the clothes she brought were dumped into Jack's arms. June glared at Optimus well he explained about what had happened up to when they called her. Wheeljack only taking over to tell her what had happened in the warehouse laying the sergeants' body down on the medical berth. Arcee carefully put Casper down and let the dog look around a bit well she joined the others, half smiling at the alarmed look on Ratchet's face when he spot the dog.
Fowler was fuming. "I can't believe that General Brice would send one man and his K-9 partner to infiltrate MECH unprepared and not fully briefed." the man snapped well he took a few moments to take a few pictures of Amber's condition. He then asked Optimus to bring the Sergeants' body up to his chopper and wasn't taking no for an answer. "I'll be sure to show General Brice these pictures and I am a reporting his negligence that got a good man killed."
Optimus nodded in understanding well he placed the body in the back of the chopper and backed up so Fowler could secure it. The two of them were quiet well he did this, that is until Fowler broke the silence with a sigh. "You know it wasn't your fault that this happened, right? It was bound to at some point with her always going out into the field to help you guys. Though I doubt she would say it Amber cares too much about you bots to stay on the side lines."
Optimus nodded. "On that we agree but I can't help but feel that I should have done more to protect her from Silas. He has already done so much and has scarred her in so many ways." Never before had Fowler heard the last of the Primes sound so emotional, so defeated about anything. It just showed how much Optimus cared about Amber.
"I don't know if it has to do with you two being bonded, than again I think all that is a bunch of nonsense. But Amber is lucky to have a proper father figure like you in her life." Optimus looked at Fowler, seeing the genuine smile on his face before he entered the chopper and left. Heading back down into the base Optimus found that June was done treating Amber's injuries and had put a blanket on her. Also it seemed Casper had decided to stay with her having jumped up on the gurney lying next to her, his head on Amber's chest.
"I've done what I can but I think it would be for the best if Amber stays here tonight." June said cleaning up and throwing away what she had used or was covered in blood. "Make sure when she wakes that she cleans up. I'll be back in the morning with food for her and the dog."
"I believe his name is Casper and I will be sure she takes care of herself June." Optimus said looking at his charge and Casper who had raised his head a little to look at the big mech when he had said his name, his tail giving a little wag. June smiled and pet Casper, telling him he was a good boy before she left in her car. Jack, Raf and Miko left with their guardian's soon after leaving Prime, Wheeljack and Ratchet alone with Amber and Casper. None of them said anything well Ratchet did some work at his station, Wheeljack heading to Bulk's room and Optimus sat on the medical berth intending to wait for her to wake up.
Amber's Pov
I knew I was having one of my nightmares, well I crawled through mud, under the barbwire that was above me. I cringed in pain when the wet dirt got into my many scratches and open wounds from other training exercises. If I remembered correctly I was 8 years old at the time this had originally happened. "Faster Amber, you're falling behind your last time." Silas bellowed at me far above my head his tone harsh as always. I tried to move faster but my body was tired, broken and ready to give up entirely that it wasn't listening to my silent pleas. I could see the end of the wire obstacle he had me running, it was so close that I could taste freedom. Then I saw an army boot kick out one of the supports, making the whole thing fall on me and the sharp spikes of metal dug into my skin. I bit back a cry of pain, hearing Silas shout at me to move but the more I tried the more the metal dug into my skin and clothes. In the end I gave up and curled up into a pathetic ball, hot tears on my face, all the while Silas shouts at me, about how pathetic that was and that I am a waist.
Suddenly his voice died down and a new voice reached me. "Why are you afraid?" I could tell that it was female, but one I didn't recognise. I didn't answer, just pulled myself into a tighter ball, wanting the pain to go away. The owner of voice seemed to sigh and I felt myself being picked up and held gently to what I soon realised was an armored chest. Blinking back tears I looked up at the face of a femme that was looking down at me sadly.
Her optics were golden amber, holding a gentle kindness that almost seemed impossible with her hard silver face. She had cable like hair that was like hair on the back of her head under a helmet, flares of metal fameing her face and coming down on either side of her jaw. I don't know how I knew it but her name left my lips. "Solus Prime, how are you here?"
"I have always been here Amber Star Bishop for I am you in your past life and there have been times that I have taken over to protect us. However during the foundry explosion I had used a lot of energy to protect us and was dormant till now." she told me well adjusting me till I was sitting in her hand instead of laying down in it.
"So you're the reason I survived that day instead of dying." I said wishing I could remember all that had happened after everything in the plan had gone wrong.
"Yes and no." Solus said with a smile well she held me to her face. "Optimus has said from the beginning that you are so much stronger than you know and its time you show that true strength. You must tell him not only about that day but all that you have endured. It is the only way that we can finally heal and you can prepare for the challenges to come."
I looked at her in surprise and asked. "What challenges?"
The ancient prime looked at me sadly, her body and face slowly fading well she put me down. "You must tell him and let go of all of your pain. Do not make the same mistakes that I did." With that she was gone and I found myself staring up at the celling that was familiar to me. I could feel tears on my face but than a wet tongue began to lick them away. I looked down and saw Casper's head laying on my chest looking at me sadly. I reached up and slowly ran my hand down his head, feeling dread and sadness, quickly realising that it was Optimus's feelings through the bond.
He must have sensed I was awake because he entered my field of vision a moment later. "How are you feeling Amber?" he asked looking down at me sadly and I wasn't surprised to see Ratchet join him a moment later.
"Sore and a little thirsty." I told them sitting up, wincing at the twinge of pain I felt in my side, remembering Silas using the cattle prod there. I than remembered my feet, pulling the blanket off to see that they had been bandaged, most likely by June. Casper whined making me look at him so I scratched him behind the ears, feeling sorry for him. I was so lost in my own world that I didn't even notice that Ratchet had left to get water till his holoform put the bottle in my hands. I thanked him and opened the bottle slowly drinking it.
"June was kind enough to bring you a change of clothes Amber. You should take them to the washroom and clean up a bit before you change." Optimus said carefully laying the pile of clothes on the bed beside me and looking down at myself I realised he was right. So once I had had enough to drink, I carefully and painfully slow walked to the only washroom the base had, Casper following me. I put the clothes down, about to take my shirt off when I caught my reflection in the mirror and paused to stare at myself. I looked at the splatter of blood on my face and most of my shirt, it had dried sense my panic attack made me pass out. I turned the tap on and splashing water on my face, taking the time to clean the blood off, quickly turning the clear water pink. Cleaning up and changing clothes was almost mechanical and I didn't have to think about it, in fact my whole body was numb. I didn't really feel much of anything well I put my soiled clothes in a plastic bag I found and left the washroom heading back to the main room. As I drew closer the Light began to glow and suddenly I was thrown into a vision.
I was in the base main room, all the bots but Optimus were there, and there was two Wheeljacks, fighting each other? I stared confused, noting the angry and confused looks on everyone else's faces well the two bots fought. "Which ones the real Wheeljack?" Raf asked no one in particular.
Miko looked from one bot to the other. "Ah…I lost track." Miko exclaimed worried and confused. I watched the fight in awe having heard of this incident but suddenly I sneezed, of course closing my eyes well doing so. When I looked back both Wheeljacks and the other bots were gone, in fact I wasn't even in base any more. I was outside what looked like a huge silo of some kind, the stars alight in the night sky above but the sounds of two bots battling drew my attention to the top of the silo. Looking up there I saw Optimus fighting- someone but I couldn't make out who, also something looked different about my guardian. I ran forward, wanting to reach him and see who it was he was fighting but then I saw Optimus fall.
"No!" I shouted and suddenly found myself kneeling in the hallway of the base, Casper at my side whining. My whole body was shaking, my arms showing it as they struggled to hold me up and my heart was beating loudly in my ears. I also discovered that we weren't the only ones in the hall, looking up I met the concerned gaze of Wheeljack. A moment later Optimus appeared, most likely having picked up my fear. I bit my lip to keep back my tears, struggling to get to my feet but it surprised me when Wheeljack carefully cupped his hand around me to steady me. "Take it easy kid, just breath."
I followed his instructions well he lifted me up and put me in Optimus's waiting hand. "I heard her in the hall and checking on her I saw her collapse but I could see in her eyes she was somewhere else." He told my guardian but he was looking at me. I looked back at him, not sure about the emotion I was seeing in his optics. I gave him a shaky smile well Optimus thanked him and walked back towards the main area.
'Optimus?' I asked through the bond.
'Yes Amber?'
I took a hesitated breath in a stead myself and asked. 'Can we go to your quarters? I need to tell you something and I don't want Wheeljack and Ratchet to hear. Or I'm not ready for them to hear about my past.' He stopped dead in his tracks and looked down at me in surprise. He then smiled gently well he turned around and headed to his room. We were soon in his room, the door closed and locked, him sitting on his berth with me and second later Casper to sit in his lap.
It took me a moment to get started but once I did I found I couldn't stop. "After my mom died in the line of duty Silas at first didn't start my training right away, he waited till I was 5 and a half and MECH was in full operations. As I have told you he trained me to the point of exhaustion, broken bones and would punish me if I didn't follow orders. When he realised that I had an aptitude for shooting primarily with a sniper rifle, he decided that I would be his assassin. The first time he made me take a life I was 8 and only did it so he would stop cutting me with his knife. It had been the wife of one of his soldiers, who he suspected wasn't as loyal as he seemed. After that he had me kill 4 other times, another wife, one husband, a male partner and the last being a small boy. All related to someone he suspected were not loyal or being deceitful.
"Then not long after my 10th birthday one of his men visited me in the middle of the night and he raped me. I tried to fight him off, using all the training that had been forced on me but he was so much stronger than me, with much better training. In the morning when Silas learned what had happened he shot the man right there in my room, killing him right in front of me. For the first time in years he comforted me but it only lasted a few hours before my training took on a whole new level. I fought against him less because he had dealt with my rapier but I felt myself die a bit more as time passed. Then when I was 12 I was sent on a mission and which he did not come along on.
"It had been a simple mission, take over a foundry to get some much needed parts and materials made for a project that Silas's technicians were working on. I was ordered to stay up high and out of sight and pick off anyone that was uncooperative. However I couldn't take any of the shots, they were all innocent workers just trying to make an honest living. I'm not sure how it happened but an alarm soon sounded and evacuation order was given. I remember standing by a pair of windows that over looked the river and then there was flames everywhere.
"The next thing I remember I was waking up in a soft bed with a bald monk seated next to my bed redressing a bad burn on my chest and stomach. It took him and 3 others to stop me from attacking and eventually calm me down enough to listen. I was told that they had fished me out of the river, half dead and brought me there to heal. After that I was given some clean clothes food and water before I rested some more. A week passed, I barely left that small room, trying to regain my strength and it was in that time I asked why they never contacted child services since I was clearly under age. The abbot in charge of the temple simply told me that he could tell that my soul was injured by one that was meant to love me and felt it would be better that I not be found by said person.
"I stayed with them for almost a year recovering from my injuries and learning about how life was meant to be for someone my age. I thought it silly at first but the monks made it a point to make me play with them every day, be it was a game of Go or surprisingly cricket. At one point a group of shaolin monks visited the temple and one of them took a great interest in me. He caught me doing some work outs and practicing some of the combat manoeuvres I knew out of habit. His name is Hang Lee and he could tell that my heart was not into the movements I was forcing my body to do. So like his name says he persisted in training me shaolin Kung Fu. I resisted at first, not trusting his intentions but I quickly realised that I enjoyed it and soon soaked up everything he was teaching me. It even helped with the panic attacks that had begun to plague me since my new found freedom. Than one day I just felt that it was time to move on from the temple and strike out on my own. I left in the middle of the night, when everyone was a sleep, leaving a note thanking them for everything they had done. For the next 5 years I lived from place to place not really trusting anyone I came across. Than everything changed when infiltrating that MECH base, downloaded its data base and those thugs grabbed me at the Pawn Shop. Because it was then that I met all of you."
I fell silent after that, not daring to look at Optimus but I didn't have to, through our bond I could feel that his feeling about everything I had just confessed. I gave him a few moments to collect his thoughts, petting Casper who had decided to lay across my lap. Finally he spoke. "I see now why you were able to sneak onto the Decepticon warship and your skills with a rifle but what you went through no young one should go through. I know I cannot do anything to erase what Silas has done to you but I vow that I will do all in my power to give you a brighter future free of him and the pain. If you will allow me to that is?"
I looked up at him in surprise, realising what he was saying. "Are you suggesting that you want to be more than just my guardian?" I asked trying and failing to keep my hope to myself.
Optimus smiled at me. "It did not escape my notice that every time we have visited General Brice that you have been referring to me as dad. I would be honored if it were official here on earth and bring you legally back from the dead as you justly deserve to be." Hearing him say that brought me to grateful tears well I scrambled up his frame to hug his face.