The Power Within - Transformers Prime (2)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

  "Hey!" I turned to see Miko, Jack, and Raf walking into the living room. They all rushed over to the couch.

  "You're awake!" Raf exclaimed and I gave the younger boy the chair I was sitting on, seeing the worry that was etched on his face. He and Finn had grown close over the past few months.

  "Sure am." Finn gave him a grin, then winced slightly. "Barely."

  Miko moved to stand next to the chair. "I was watching from the security cameras, and I had no idea you could use a machine gun! It was so cool! You were all like 'take this Typhoon' and he was all like 'ahhh' and itwassocool!"

  "I am military trained," Finn said, his tone slightly offended that she doubted his skills.

  She shrugged. "You don't seem like the violent type. You seem like the type to talk things out, and then punch them when they don't suspect it."

  He opened his mouth to protest, then closed it and nodded. "Actually, that's true." I laughed at that.

  "I should get my mom," Jack said. "She wanted to check up on you when you woke up."

  "I'll go with!" Miko said, but tugged my arm back, whispering in my ear, "Finn is totally crushing on you."

  My eyes widened slightly and I swatted her. "Go away." I shoved her playfully and she grinned.

  "Open your eyes, A!" She called as she followed Jack outside.

  I shook my head and turned to Raf. "How were things down in the media room?"

  His face practically lit up. "That room is amazing! The tech is nothing like I've ever seen, and Cam's whole system.... I can't believe you kept that hidden down there until now!"

  "It... never came up," I said, then made a decision. "You can use it if you want, though."

  Finn gave me a surprised look, but I didn't take my gaze off of Raf, who immediately perked up.

  "Really?" He asked. I gave him a half smile.

  "Sure. You've earned it, for having our back earlier. Also, having someone actually managing it beside Cam would be nice."

  "Thanks, A!" He exclaimed, bouncing to his feet. "Can I-?"

  I nodded, smiling fully now. "Go ahead. Have fun."

  He grinned and dashed down the hall. Finn's surprised expression never left.

  "I didn't expect that," He admitted.

  "You can't expect everything," I sighed. "Besides, aren't you the one who's always telling me to open up more and share this sort of thing?"

  "Yeah but... you never listen to me."

  I raised an eyebrow. "I listen. Sometimes."

  His expression went serious all of a sudden and he grabbed my hand. "I'm glad you're okay. I was worried that..." He didn't finish, didn't have to.

  "I told you," I squeezed his hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere."

  "Finn!" Ms. Darby hurried into the living room and I stepped back, giving them some room. "How are you feeling?"

  She launched into her medical inquiry and I used that as an excuse to head outside. I passed by Jack and Miko, who were talking in the kitchen, and walked out the back doors, surveying the area. I couldn't see the battle area from here, not with the hill in the way, but I could see Optimus and Arcee walking back to the mansion. I headed out to meet them, and once I did, Arcee gave me a nod before continuing to the mansion. Optimus crouched in front of me.

  "I am glad to see you awake, Amanda," He said. "How are you feeling?"

  I shrugged. "Worn out, a little sore, but nothing I won't recover from. Just a few bumps and scratches. It would have been a lot worse if you guys hadn't shown up when you did." I met his gaze. "Thank you for that."

  "There's no need to thank us," He said. "I am only sorry we didn't arrive sooner."

  "Nonsense." I peered past him, towards sector B-8. "How bad does it look back there?"

  He glanced back. "Would you like to see?" When I nodded, he put his hand down and I climbed on. Then he walked towards the hill, stopping at the top of it so that I could see the entire area. I sighed. It looked pretty bad, with the broken machinery strewn across the ground and the grass ripped out in most of the place, but it could have been worse. Nothing some hired help wouldn't fix. I was just glad Typhoon hadn't been able to get to the main part of the backyard or the mansion.

  Typhoon... he won't be the last after me....

  "Hey, Optimus?" I spoke up.

  "Yes, Amanda?"

  "Typhoon said there were others like him. Others who wanted revenge on Cleona and were coming after me. Do you have any idea who they might be?"

  He was silent for a bit, processing this. "I'm afraid I do not. Cleona was alive since the creation of Cybertron, and she had fought many different Cybertronians who wished to spread chaos and destruction. Typhoon had murdered the leaders of the Council and couldn't be caught by the authorities, causing Cleona to intervene and banish him. I only fear that those he was referring to are as cruel as he was."

  That would mean they'd also be as hard to fight as Typhoon was, maybe even harder. Probably harder, judging by how Typhoon was so sure the others would be the ones to kill me if he didn't. I barely survived this attack, and only because Optimus and Arcee had shown up. But I did learn that the powers of Cleona could make even the smallest weapons powerful enough to fight a Cybertronian. I couldn't be caught off guard again, not after this.

  "Optimus," I said suddenly, causing him to look down at me. "I- I need to know how to fight Cybertronians. I know I'll never fight a Decepticon or do anything like you, but I need to know how to defend myself if anyone attacks me like Typhoon did. I don't want to be made the victim here; I want to learn how to fight."