The Power Within - Transformers Prime (2)

Chapter Seven

No Episode

[Amanda]

  "Amanda, focus."

  "I am focusing." I said through gritted teeth. "It's not my fault the stupid thing won't work."

  Optimus shook his head. "You must believe that you can lift it with your powers, which requires you to focus your will on moving it."

  I narrowed my eyes, willing the silver dust to lift the metal dumbbell in front of me. Ever since I told Optimus about the whole Champion of Cleona thing last week, he and I have been practicing in my backyard everyday to try to build up my ability to use these new powers. Yesterday I managed to lift the metal rod I'd been working with before and even managed to bend it out of shape midair, but that's about all I could do so far.

  The dumbbell was heavier than the rod from before, making it harder to lift, but I was holding it a couple feet over the ground now. All of my muscles were tight, both my hands outstretched with silver dust flowing from them. I managed to keep the dumbbell there, then shifted my focus to lifting it higher. Just as I did, a bird's shadow passed over me, which I wouldn't have given a second thought any other day, but it caused me to lose my focus. A sudden burst of silver dust shot the dumbbell almost halfway across the backyard, sending it crashing into a lion shaped shrub, leaving a hole in the lion's stomach.

  "Scrap." I cursed and plopped down. "This is going nowhere. I can't use the dust when I want to and can't control it when I don't want it!"

  "You need practice." Optimus assured me. "You have the potential to use your powers to perform great tasks, but that ability won't appear overnight. Cleona used to be able to lift entire buildings in one hand with her magic."

  I flopped back, my eyes on the sky. "That's because she's the queen of this stuff. I am nothing but a lowly amerture."

  "Take a rest. We can continue once you catch your breath."

  A sigh left me and I closed my eyes. With the hot Nevada sun beating down on me, I wanted to forget the practice and jump into the pool instead, but I knew I had work to do. Though he didn't say it, I could sense Optimus wanted me to provide the edge to the Autobot-Decepticon war that we needed, just like Cleona herself had. But I wasn't the goddess, I didn't think I'd ever be able to take her place in the universe, despite what she had told me when we met. I could barely make a metal rod do what I want, how was I supposed to lift a building like she did?

  "Go ahead, old friend." Optimus said and I opened my eyes to see his finger pressed to his comm. Something must have happened at base and Ratchet was calling him. "I understand. I'll be at base shortly." Then he turned to me. "Amanda, I must return to base to handle a Decepticon situation. You don't have to accompany me back, which I recommend as you need rest."

  I nodded. "Sure thing. Have fun kicking butt."

  He gave me a small smile before walking around the mansion to the driveway and transforming, the sound of a truck engine rumbling away until he was too far to hear. I didn't move for a long while, still on the cool grass as the sun beat down. For the past week I felt drained, all of this practicing getting the better of me, though it was getting a bit better. I nearly passed out the first day Optimus and I trained together. Now I was just a bit winded.

  "Miss Beckett, there is a boy at the door." Blair's voice travelled across the backyard. "What course of action would you like me to take?"

  I didn't move, still laying on my back. "Description?"