Chapter Text
CHAPTER ONE
I remember, years ago, I’d dream of being a princess. I’d always lay awake, staring at the Nemesis' ceiling, imagining the galaxy bowing down to me and my little tiara that a few Vehicons had made for me. Megatron would entertain the idea, promising me that once he had the galaxy under Decepticon rule, he’d make me the princess.
Now I sit here in the corner of my quarters in the Autobots’ Nevada base, very much not a princess.
I sigh sadly, mourning. I know I’m not supposed to dwell on the past, but sometimes…it’s just nice to take a moment to mourn. Not to mourn the past, but to mourn my younger self and my familial relationships. I’m well aware that the Decepticons are evil now, which stings a little worse. They weren’t evil to me as a kid. They were my family.
I shake my head, standing up and looking into my full length mirror and at my hybrid body. A metallic organic. A fusion of two worlds. It should be a beautiful thing, but it's not. It just reminds me of…never mind…I had other things to worry about. Like how my best friend has taken Optimus’ place as Prime since he…since he’s gone. And Hot R— er uh, Rodimus’ first act as Prime is to board a ship called the Lost Light in order to find the Knights of Cybertron. And guess who’s also part of the crew as the fourth in command (didn’t know that was a thing until Rodimus made it one)?
I straighten my posture, trying to look braver. Trying to look like I wasn’t still hurting. But no matter how hard I try to look like a fearless leader, I still look like a scared, sad kid.
My head snaps in the direction of my door as I hear a knocking and a gruff yet caring voice.
“Avery, the ship’s ready to take off. Are you packed and ready?”
I relax, realizing it was just my da— Ratchet. It was just Ratchet.
“Uhm…yeah. I’ll be out in a few. Just uh, go ahead and board.”
“I’m not going to board without you. C’mon, give me one of your bags.”
I allow a small smile to creep onto my face. Ratchet never really let me be alone during big events, which could be compared to an overprotective and worrisome parent. While most people my age would find it annoying, I find it reassuring and a piece to fill in the empty gap in my spark.
I grab my bags, using the human sized keypad to input my code. The door slides open and I look up at the twenty foot tall, orange and white, robot medic. He smiles ever so slightly at me as I struggle with my many bags before taking his large hand and taking them from my arms. I frown, putting my hands on my hips.
“Hey! I can get those myself, y’know!”
“You’ll strain your back if you carry all six of these bags. Besides,” he opens his subspace and drops my bags in before closing it, “They’ll only slow you down.”
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I find myself staring at the gargantuan starship outside about ten minutes later. This was really happening, wasn’t it? I was about to leave my home, Earth, to go help find six mystical beings that probably don’t exist, just to save a different planet that I had never even been to before. Was it too late to back out? Too late to decline my best friend’s offer? Too late to hide in my quarters again?
My thoughts are interrupted as I feel someone hug me. I blink a few times, coming back to reality and looking at whoever had hugged me.
It was Miko, which wasn’t a surprise, but wasn’t unwelcomed. I slowly hug her back, idly toying with her pigtails. I know that me leaving was hard on her, given that we had gotten really close the five years I was here. I remember when I first stepped foot into the base, she immediately ran up to me and asked question after question after question. At first, I was repulsed by the hundreds of questions and energetic nature of this girl. That soon melted away as I realized that I could see myself in her. Y’know, the old me before….
I shake my head, throwing the thought to the back of my head. I didn’t need to think about those things right now.
Miko pulls away, tears in her eyes. “Do you really have to leave, Avery? I mean, it’s never too late. You can just…I don’t know…maybe just decline Rodimus’ offer last minute?”
My expression softens as I see her tears. I bring my hand up, brushing the tears away. “Miko, you know I have to go. I mean, someone’s gotta keep Rodimus out of trouble. Besides, look at me,” I pause, waiting for her to look me in the eye. I then smile softly when I catch the gaze of her bright eyes, “Anytime you miss me, just look up at the stars. I know you can’t really see me and it seems like I’m really gone, but I’m up there, amongst the stars, nebulas, and galaxies. I’m somewhere out there, looking back at you and thinking about how proud I am of you.”
Miko nods, sniffling. “Thanks, Avery.” She hugs me again, burying her face in my shoulder as I hug her back. We stand there for a moment, just hugging before she pulls back again.
“I’m…going to go say goodbye to the others…I’ll come back before you leave.”
I watch as she walks away, sighing and glancing at the ship again. I was going to be gone for God knows how long. It could be days, weeks, months, or even years. I have my doubts about it being a short trip, though.
For the next thirty minutes, I say goodbye to everyone I’d be leaving. Jack, Raf, Miko, Arcee, Bulkhead, Smokescreen, Bumblebee, Bluestreak, Jetfire, Slag, Snarl, Swoop, and Sludge. I was going to miss them a lot more than I’d like to admit. I mean, they were part of my new family. How could I not miss them?
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I stand at the entrance of the ship along with the rest of the crew as they smile and wave goodbye to everyone. How are they so happy and chipper about this? Is it because they’ve done this before? Probably. I mean, Cybertronians do travel across space pretty often. Does it just get easier every time?
The ship’s door begins to close, and everyone goes to the head of it. I linger for a moment before following everyone, having to jog to keep up with the giant robots. This was really happening. I was actually leaving. I get a cold rush over my body that’s followed by a pin pricking sensation. My tanks then start to churn and I feel as if I’m going to be sick. Was this a mistake? Did I just make the wrong decision? I suddenly start to get dizzy and more nauseated. This was such a bad idea…
I then look up as I see someone kneel down in front of me. It was Rodimus. He looked worried, picking me up and setting me in the palm to his hand before bringing me closer to his face.
“Hey, you ok? You look—”
I interrupt him, “Sick? Like I’m about to pass out?”
“No, you just look,” he pauses for a moment, considering his words and does that thing where he purses his lip when he’s thinking. That was rare, given that he rarely ever even thinks. The only time he ever does that is… I groan internally. He only does that when it’s about to be a serious conversation.
“I just look what?”
“You just look, I don’t know, scared. You can opt out, Avery. I mean, we haven’t even taken off yet, so if you really want to stay, go ahead. I’m not going to make you leave with us.”
I open my mouth to say “yes! Please, let me off!”, but I can’t bring myself to say it. In fact, I physically can’t say it. I’m not sure why, but some strange force is telling me to go. Telling me to stay by my friend’s side. Telling me that I need this.
“No, no. I’m not leaving. I’m just…nervous, y’know? First starship trip.”
Rodimus’ expression softens into a more relaxed and calm one rather than the worrisome and concerned one he had a few moments ago.
“Well, if you say so. Just, if you get too homesick or scared, say the word and we’ll find a way to get you home. Ok?”
I nod, allowing myself to smile a little. “I’ll let you know the second my mind changes, captain.”
He grins at me before setting me down, standing up, and walking in front of the crowd, preparing to announce take off.
“Everybody, may I have your attention?” He waits for everyone to stop talking before continuing, “We’re taking off in T-minus five minutes! Now, I’d like to thank you all for coming along on this legendary quest to find the Knights of Cybertron. You’re all extremely brave to make this decision, considering that we don’t really know the exact course. But, I’d like to reassure all of you that everything will go according to plan. Now, time for the moment we’ve all been waiting for! Till all are one!”
I grab onto the side of a table leg, bracing myself as the ship lurches and blasts off. There’s no turning back now. The journey has begun.
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