The Next Day
"Armin!" a voice shouted, "Armin wake up!"
Armin groaned as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. His vision cleared to see Connie kneeling down next to him.
"Dude, what are you doing here?" Connie asked, "And what happened with the tables? I know you didn't do that."
Armin looked over to see the destruction Megatron caused last night. "I don't…remember."
"Well, whatever happened, we better clean it up before Levi comes in here and kicks our asses," Connie said as he helped Armin to his feet, "Let's go."
"Y-yeah," Armin stuttered.
Hanji finished setting up her materials for experiments while Optimus sat in his bipedal mode, staring at Megatron's sword in his servo.
"Okay, so I have some time to run some test," Hanji explained, "Once again, Eren is not going to join us because he's a-…never mind. I already told Mikasa to ask Eren about the key yesterday, so you don't have to worry about it. We're just waiting for the response, and…"
Hanji trailed off as she noticed Optimus wasn't paying attention to her.
"Um…Optimus, you okay?" Hanji asked as she knocked on his pedes.
Optimus snapped out of his thoughts as he looked down at her. "I am fine."
"I've been around Erwin long enough to know you're not fine," Hanji remarked, "Are you worried about buckethead?"
"I…I do not know how to feel," Optimus admitted, "I feel as though there is still things left unsaid."
"Well you guys ended on mutual terms right?" Hanji asked, "I know it's not my place to pry, but I vaguely remember you saying you trusted Megatron at that party before I announced my presence? I was pretty drunk so I might be remembering it wrong, but-"
"That did happen," Optimus admitted.
"Okay good, so I can still remember stuff when I'm drunk," Hanji mumbled to herself, "Anyway, my point is: whatever happens, it happens. We humans have such little time the only option is to keep moving forward, no matter how hard it may be. You had time with Megatron, maybe it's time to say goodbye. Time is all we can ask for at this point."
"I suppose so," Optimus agreed, "Thank you, Hanji."
Hanji smiled as she gave a 'thumbs up.' "So now I am going to need a new assistant since Mobilit is dead. I could bring Armin back as my assistant, or I could ask Nifa. She's still around."
Optimus was about to respond, but stopped when he heard a familiar jet engine. The Prime stared in surprise while Hanji smiled with excitement as Megatron transformed and landed on the ground in front of them.
"Megatron, you're back!" Hanji smiled as she waved at the titan.
Megatron raised an eyebrow at Hanji's gesture before turning his attention to the startled Prime.
"I assumed you left," Optimus admitted in Cybertronian, "You were gone for a while."
"I said I would stay," Megatron reminded, "I just needed time to myself to sort out my own thoughts."
"Are you…alright?" Optimus asked hesitantly.
"…I still function. I suppose that was something I always considered to be thankful for," Megatron admitted, "You don't need to worry about me."
Optimus walked up to his former enemy and handed him the hilt of his weapon. "Welcome back, Megatron."
Megatron stared at the weapon before taking it from the Prime's servo. He felt the texture of the device, familiarizing himself with it before placing it at his waist.
"Is there something I missed?" Hanji asked, "'Cause I didn't understand that."
"I was wondering if you blew something up, mad scientist," Megatron lied as he looked down at her.
"Ha ha, you jackass," Hanji drawled out, "Well now that you are back, we need to talk about going to Shinganshina."
Megatron raised an eyebrow as he looked at the Prime.
"We intend to find out what is in Grisha's basement," Optimus explained, "Since you left, I was just going to go with Mikasa, but she needs to retrieve the key from Eren."
"Personally I don't think he's going to give it up because he's a little shit," Hanji commented.
"It appears you still are drunk, since you clearly have better coordination," Megatron remarked.
Hanji responded by flipping Megatron off.
"Hanji, enough," Optimus ordered.
"He started it," Hanji retorted.
"Why don't I talk to the Ackerman and ask her about the situation?" Megatron suggested.
Optimus raised an eyebrow in surprise before thinking it over. "I suppose so, but I did not assume you would want to talk to another human if not obligated."
"I tolerate her," Megatron admitted, "So I suppose I will find her."
Optimus watched in surprise as the ex-con walked off.
"Oh yeah, I have a lot to catch you up on," Hanji remarked.
Mikasa held the scarf closer to her chest as she placed the bowl back in the kitchen sink. It's been hard for her. She's been constantly worrying about Eren and making sure that he was safe. She's been feeling exhausted, and even when she does try, she can't stop worrying about what might happen and-
"Ackerman, I need to-"
Mikasa jolted as she grabbed a butter knife from the sink and turned towards the source. She stared in surprise as she realized it was Megatron standing in front of her.
"You're back," Mikasa remarked as she threw the knife in the sink.
"So I am," Megatron merely said, "But I need to talk with you regarding returning to your home. I'm supposed to go and retrieve whatever is in the confines of the basement, but I need help locating the-"
Mikasa cut the former warlord off as she wrapped her arms around his abdomen and buried her face in his chest. She finally was able to let her guard down as she began trembling and crying. Mikasa felt Megatron's hands on her shoulders and he quickly removed her from his holoform. Mikasa noticed the former warlord was startled by the teen's action as he took a step back.
"Explain what that was," Megatron ordered, "Now."
"I'm sorry," Mikasa apologized as she wiped away her tears, "I've been going through a lot lately, and I just never got the chance to thank you for saving Eren. So I hugged you. It's a gesture of kindness here."
"And yet you are shedding lubricant," Megatron retorted.
"I'm happy…and sad…and overwhelmed," Mikasa listed as more tears began to fall. She shook her head as she furiously wiped them away.
Megatron sighed. "You humans are strange."
"I'm sorry," Mikasa apologized as took a deep breath to calm herself, "You said you wanted to talk to me about Shinganshina."
Megatron was about to continue, but stopped when he noticed Mikasa looked rather tired. "Perhaps I should give you a moment to collect yourself."
"No, it's fine I-"
"Ackerman," Megatron cut off, causing Mikasa to instinctively straighten her back. The ex-con noticed and groaned while rubbing the side of his head, "Mikasa, it is better that you express your vulnerability now than on the battlefield. So I will give you a moment to collect yourself, and when you are ready, I will be waiting outside this room."
Mikasa nodded her head as Megatron exited the room. She then sat down on one of the tables before letting the tears fall.
Megatron grimaced in anger at the sound of the girl's sorrow as he waited by the door. He never thought he would be in a situation where he would feel remorse over a human, yet here he was, irritated and upset at the sound of Mikasa's crying. She may be thankful that he saved Eren, but how would she react when she learned he was the cause of his spiral into depression. The problem was…why did he care?
"You can come in now," Mikasa called out, her voice still wavering in confidence.
Megatron sighed as walked inside to see Mikasa's hunched shoulders and red eyes. Megatron turned his attention towards the cabinets, walking over to the drawers to find something that might help the Ackerman.
Mikasa ignored the ex-con's rummaging as she buried her face into her scarf. She just felt really horrible, and she just wanted all of this to stop. She just wanted to go back to the days of her childhood home with her parents or the days with Eren and his family. She was just so exhausted from everything that happened. She suddenly felt a tap on her shoulder and looked up at Megatron as the ex-con handed her a loaf of bread.
"This is what you humans usually eat, correct?" Megatron asked.
Mikasa nodded her head as she took the bread from his hand and tore off a piece. "Thank you."
"It seemed you were overworking yourself," Megatron presumed as he sat down.
"I've just been so worried about Eren," Mikasa explained before chewing the bread.
"Well, I can't have you ending up in the medical ward," Megatron declared, "You're the only human that I actually respect."
Mikasa merely sighed to herself before she swallowed. "You…wanted to talk to me about Shinganshina?"
"Your commander and the mad scientist suggested that I go into your hometown in order to retrieve the information in the basement and check to see if there is any way to seal the hole in the wall. I can easily find methods to seal the hole, but many of the homes were destroyed and the ones that aren't look the same. So I need your help in identifying your old home and taking the Intel from there,"
"I'm aware," Mikasa said as she nodded her head.
Megatron noticed Mikasa's hesitance and raised an eyebrow. "There's an issue. Isn't there?"
Mikasa slowly nodded her head. "Eren…He said he wanted to go."
Megatron's eye twitched as he rubbed his temple with two fingers. "Any particular reason?"
"His father was the one that gave him the key, and…that house was his home too," Mikasa explained.
"Didn't he eat his father?" Megatron recalled.
Mikasa threw the remainder of her food at Megatron's face. The ex-con sighed as he wiped the crumbs away before setting the bread on the table.
"Alright that was…inconsiderate," Megatron forced out as he rolled his eyes.
"I just don't know what to do," Mikasa said.
"And…you want my personal opinion," Megatron assumed.
Mikasa nodded her head.
"You won't like what I have to say," Megatron informed.
"I need some way to make a decision," Mikasa declared.
"Alright," Megatron began, "I believe the boy's desire to go to his home while he is mentally unstable is a rather foolish decision that will no doubt get him killed. Unless he wants to try and commit suicide again,"
Megatron noticed Mikasa's shoulders slumping while she put her hand on the side of her head. "You said you wanted to hear my personal opinion."
"No, I agree with you," Mikasa proclaimed as she put her hand down, "It's just…I don't know."
"You're letting your personal feelings for Eren conflict with rational decisions," Megatron declared.
"It's not just that," Mikasa explained, "It was our home. It was mine after my parents were killed. The Jaegers took me in and treated me like I was their own. Eren grew up in that house ever since he was born. It was also the place where…Eren's mother died."
"So there are personal feelings for both of you," Megatron concluded, "I usually try my best to avoid feelings of the past. I believe that they conflict with future emotions and decisions."
"But what should I do?" Mikasa asked, "I don't want him to die, but going to the basement is something that's important to him."
Megatron thought it over. "How has the boy been?"
"He…hasn't really talked to me about how he's been feeling," Mikasa admitted.
"Have you talked to Optimus about this yet?" Megatron asked.
"No," Mikasa answered, "I didn't get the chance."
"You didn't, or you refused to?"
"I didn't,"
Megatron sighed to himself as he drummed his fingers on the table. "Do you want to hear what I have to say, Mikasa?"
"If…if it gets me to a good decision," Mikasa proclaimed.
"I still believe the boy returning to his home with his current mindset would only lead to disaster, but…it might also provide him some closure," Megatron explained.
"Closure?" Mikasa questioned.
"You said so yourself: his creator died in that house, the secrets about the titans are there, and his other creator was the one that provided him the key to said house," Megatron listed, "Going to the place where it all began might provide him with some closure, a sense of completion. He no longer has to run around waiting for the truth of this world and can lay his past to rest. Although if he does go he's going to have to be watched at all times."
"Okay," Mikasa nodded her head.
"Just make sure to tell Prime about it," Megatron ordered as he stood up, "And get some rest."
Eren curled in on himself once more as he pulled the sheets over his body. He had to go back home. He had to go back, he had to-
Eren flinched and grabbed his sheets as he heard someone knocking on the door of his room.
"Eren," Optimus called out as he knocked on the door again, "I need to talk to you. May I come in?"
"I…I don't-…," Eren stumbled on his words before taking a deep breath, "No. Don't come in."
"Are you alright?" Optimus asked with concern.
"I'm fine," Eren answered, "I just…don't feel well,"
Optimus sighed, deciding to sit down and lean his back against the door. "I still need to talk to you. Mikasa told me that you wanted to go to your home-"
"I'm going," Eren cut off.
"Eren-"
"No," Eren said as he stood up from his bed, "I am going and I am not going to change my mind, no matter what you or Mikasa say."
"Eren it is dangerous for you," Optimus retorted.
"I signed up for the military; I knew it would be dangerous!" Eren shouted as he slammed his fist on the door.
"You tried to end your life," Optimus retorted in a stern voice, "You've been actively avoiding the Survey Corps and refusing to seek help. Everyone is worried for you, but you will not look Armin and Mikasa in the eye. How do I know that you will not try something reckless if you do come with us?"
Eren's lips began to tremble as his hands began to shake. "I won't…,"
Optimus sighed as he rubbed the side of his head. "I know how much this means to you, but the last thing I want you to do is try to put yourself in danger."
"Optimus…I can't stay here while you and Mikasa go," Eren declared, "I killed my dad. That's going to stay etched in my brain for the rest of my life, but he told me to go to the basement. The last possible instruction he gave to me. It's also my home. I lost everything that day, and was left with nothing but an unanswered question. Now I just have more questions and I'm so…confused."
Eren sighed as he sat down and leaned his head against the door. "You wouldn't understand."
"…Eren, of course I understand," Optimus declared with sadness, "I…I miss my home."
Eren lifted his head from the door while Optimus continued. "I miss Cybertron. I miss the stars in the night sky surrounded by the three moons. I miss waking up from stasis to see the sun rise. I miss Iacon, and Alpha Trion. I miss…so many comrades that I have lost during the war. That place was my home, and it still holds a place in my spark."
Optimus sighed. "Just because I do not openly express my feelings does not mean I do not understand. I know the pain you are going through right now, and how much this means to you, but the last thing I want is for you to get hurt. All I want is for the ones I care about to be safe."
Eren leaned on his side against the door. He took a deep breath and reached for the handle. He pulled the door open and sneaked through the small crack before closing the door. The titan shifter sat down and looked up to see Optimus sitting next to him.
"Hey," Eren greeted.
"Hello," Optimus greeted without looking at Eren.
"Optimus…I get that you're worried, and I'm sorry for assuming that you didn't experience loss," Eren began, "But I need to go. I…need closure. I can't just stay here!...I need to go home. And I'm not giving you the key unless I do get to go."
"Eren, we need the truth as soon as possible," Optimus retorted, "You're not in a right state of mind."
"Please, Optimus, I'm begging you!" Eren pleaded.
Optimus finally looked at Eren before closing his eyes. "I am against this, but…I will make a deal with you: if I do bring you back to your home, I expect you to fully cooperate and if there is any danger we leave immediately."
Eren's eyes brightened with hope. "Yes, of course."
"Also, you must talk to someone about your feelings," Optimus added, "You cannot keep yourself locked in your room and ignoring your feelings."
Eren genuinely hesitated at Optimus' last proposal. He didn't want to talk to anyone.
"Eren, please," Optimus pleaded.
"Okay," Eren agreed in defeat, "Okay, I'll do it."
Optimus sighed with relief. "Thank you, Eren."
Later that night
"Megatron, I have a favor to ask you," Historia requested as she walked up to his resting bipedal mode.
Megatron opened an optic before deciding to sit up. "You seem to ask many favors of me."
"Please, this is important," Historia said.
Megatron sighed. "Fine, what is it?"
"We speculated that Reiner would be in Shinganshina, since would still want to retrieve Eren and take him to where he's from," Historia explained.
"Your point?" Megatron demanded.
"I need you to find Ymir, and bring her back," Historia requested.
Megatron looked at her in confusion. "Who?"
"Another titan shifter," Historia explained, "You…crushed her face when you first arrived here."
"I see," Megatron said as he remembered the small titan, "I also recall that she went willingly with the enemy."
Historia remained quiet. "That's not who she is."
"She had the option to run away and come back with you, but she chose to go with them," Megatron declared.
"She wouldn't do it willingly; she was blackmailed," Historia proclaimed.
"You really do not know that," Megatron retorted.
"And neither do you!" Historia shouted, "You don't know her like I do! I know she could've run away the first time she revealed her titan form, but she chose to stay and fight for us! She acts like a bitch, but in reality she's a kind person! She wouldn't throw me aside; she wouldn't leave me on purpose! Why?!...why?"
Megatron raised an eyebrow in skepticism. "What does this creature mean to you?"
"She's not a-"
"Is she your conjux endura?" Megatron asked.
"My-my what?" Historia stuttered.
"That's not the term you humans use," Megatron muttered to himself, "I believe the term you humans use is 'soul mate.'"
"Soul mate?!" Historia exclaimed.
"Clearly you love her, since you're willing to ask me to retrieve in the chance that she might still be alive or even in that location," Megatron stated, "I could be wrong, but the passion you're displaying right now makes me think otherwise."
"She's not my!...," Historia trailed off, "I don't know what she means to me just yet. I care for her, but I'm also angry at her for what she did. Maybe I do love her, maybe I don't, but I'm…just mad."
"So…if I do manage to retrieve her, what do you intend to do?" Megatron asked.
"If she is there, and you do manage to bring her back…," Historia trailed off before mustering the confidence to look Megatron dead in the eye, "I'm going to punch her in the face."
Megatron chuckled. "Oh, I am holding you against that."
The Next Day (Trost District)
"So Megatron is already in Shinganshia, surveying the area to determine if there's a way to seal the wall?" Hanji asked Optimus as he remained on the outside of Wall Rose.
"Yes," Optimus answered, "If we cannot find a way to seal the wall, then we can plan operations to do so without sacrificing the lives of your comrades."
Hanji smiled in response as Eren and Mikasa, equipped in uniform and 3D gear, were lowered down an elevator near Optimus. Mikasa refused to even look at Eren, while the titan shifter stared at his feet. The Prime didn't notice as he lifted his servo next to the elevator, allowing Mikasa and Eren to get off and be lowered to the ground.
Optimus transformed into his alt mode and opened his doors to them. Mikasa sat in the driver seat while Eren sat in the passenger seat.
"Good luck!" Hanji shouted as Optimus drove off towards Wall Maria.
Optimus adjusted his side view mirrors to get a good look at Eren and Mikasa. The two of them were looking outside the window, and they haven't said a word to each other ever since Wall Rose.
Did something happen between the two that he missed? There was an extreme amount of tension between them, but he didn't know if he should ask about it right now, not when they were doing a mission.
Optimus rotated his side view mirror to see Wall Maria coming into view, along with the hole in the wall caused by Reiner.
Mikasa seemed to notice the wall as she sat up in her seat. "Is that…?"
"We are here," Optimus declared.
Eren and Mikasa both opened the windows as they drove under the damaged gate. The two look ahead of them to see their old home still in ruins. Some houses remained intact, and others were destroyed. Mikasa stared at the ground, noticing the footprints lefts by the titans, while Eren stared at the overgrown grass and plants.
"We're…we're home," Eren spoke.
Optimus adjusted his side view mirrors and saw the two humans had a nostalgia and sadness written on their faces. Nostalgia for what they had and sadness for what they had lost. Optimus took a left turn down the old street and continued to drive ahead. Eren saw Optimus slowing to a stop before noticing what was in front of him.
Megatron stood at the center of the town in his human form. With his hands behind his back, he merely stared at the destroyed water fountain and didn't seem bothered by the Prime's presence.
"You're late," Megatron remarked without looking back at them.
"My form is not as fast as yours," Optimus retorted as he let Mikasa and Eren out of his alt mode.
"Which is why I never understood why you kept it," Megatron said as the Prime activated his holoform and walked up to him.
"It has provided me with certain advantage," Optimus reminded.
"Fair enough," Megatron accepted as he fully turned to him, "I surveyed the area around the gates in this town. There's nothing large enough to seal the damage done."
"We'll report that once we return to Wall Sina," Optimus decided, "For now we need to focus on the task at hand,"
Megatron glanced at Mikasa before gesturing his hand towards the houses. "Lead the way, Ackerman."
Mikasa nodded her head before staring at the street she remembered traveling down before. "This way."
Mikasa walked down the path with Megatron following her. Optimus looked back at Eren and beckoned him to come. Eren quickly followed behind as they made their way towards their old home.
Eren crossed his arms as he stayed close to Optimus, staring past him and at the back of the former warlord. This is the first time he has seen him since that night, and needless to say, he was terrified. He didn't know why he was still here, or if he was still mad at him. He wasn't as strong as Optimus or Megatron, and because of the stunt that he pulled, he thought he drove away the one chance to end the titan's reign forever.
So…was he staying because of Optimus? Did the stuff he said to him was a lie just so he could get on Optimus' good side? Eren lowered his head in shame. He was just another pawn.
"I think we make a left turn here and…," Mikasa stopped in her tracks as she stared ahead.
"Ackerman," Megatron spoke as he stood next to her, "Where is it?"
Mikasa didn't answer as she walked forward, causing the former Decepticon to follow her. Eren lifted his head and looked in shock to see Mikasa standing in front of damaged home. Eren slightly gasped as memories of it came flooding back. His family, home-cooked meals, questions about the basement, simple chores, and…the day he wasn't strong enough to save his mother. Eren walked up next to Mikasa, both reminded of the day the gate was destroyed, how they couldn't lift a damn beam, and how they were forced away from the home they had.
"Is this the place?" Optimus asked before turning to the two of them and noticing their expressions.
Megatron glanced back at the two as well before turning to Optimus. "I'll start removing the wreckage."
Optimus nodded his head in understanding as Megatron made his way towards the rubble. The Prime turned towards the children and kneeled down in front of them.
"Can you handle this?" Optimus asked.
"It's just…been so long," Mikasa spoke.
"I can bring my form around, and you can wait-"
"No," Eren interrupted as his hands formed into fists, "We're…we're already here. We have to do this."
Optimus quietly sighed before noticing purple flowers growing next to Mikasa. He plucked them from the ground and handed two to Mikasa and the other two to Eren.
"Paying your respects might help," Optimus stated as he closed their hands.
Mikasa stared at the flowers in her hand before deciding to walk towards her second. She muttered a quiet thank you for Carla before setting the flowers onto the ground.
Eren took a deep breath and walked forward to the house. He stopped when he noticed something on the ground; almost throwing up when he realized that it was his mother's shoe. He knelt down and picked up the shoe before placing it next to Mikasa's flowers, trying not to think about his mother's struggles against the smiling titan. Eren then got down on his knees and placed the flowers on the ground, trying his best not to cry.
"I'm sorry," Eren apologized in a hushed voice, "I'll find a way to make things right. I'll be stronger; I'll make you proud."
Megatron grunted as he moved the last of the wooden beams, revealing a set of stairs that led to the basement door.
"I found the door," Megatron informed.
Eren stood up while Optimus and Mikasa walked over the wreckage to see the stairs. Eren quickly caught as he stared at the basement door he wondered about for so long. Eren made his way down the stairs with Mikasa following close behind. Optimus followed the two down the stairs while Megatron stared at the top of the wall. He kept a trained eye at his surroundings as he made his way backwards to the basement.
Eren pulled out the key from around his neck and stared at it before taking a deep breath. This was it. This was finally it.
Eren placed the key in the lock and turned it. He waited for the door to open, but nothing was happening.
"It's…not opening," Eren said.
"What?" Optimus spoke.
"Try again," Mikasa said.
"I am!" Eren exclaimed as he kept on trying to unlock the door.
Megatron growled in irritation as he stomped down the stairs, pushing past Optimus and Eren before kicking the door down.
"Megatron-"
"Do not lecture me about anything," Megatron cut off as he pointed a finger at Optimus, "We are in enemy territory, and I have a feeling we are not alone."
Eren stiffened as Megatron turned to him. "That was clearly not meant for the door, and we do not have time to ponder over your creator's stupidity. Stop preening and move quickly!"
Eren nodded his head before quickly going inside the basement with Mikasa right behind him. Optimus gave Megatron a disapproving look before following the two children inside. Megatron decided to stay outside the door and keep watch. He instinctively reached at his side for his sword, but groaned in anger and remembrance that the holoform was not armed with weapons.
Eren and Mikasa stared at the dusty basement the two have wondered about for the past five years. In front of them was a work desk with a couple of drawers while the walls were littered with medicine supplies and shelves full of books and other materials.
"We need to move," Optimus reminded as he stepped past them and searched the room.
Eren and Mikasa snapped out of their thoughts and began to search the room. Optimus picked up one of the containers from the shelf while Eren looked inside some of the boxes that were there.
Mikasa meanwhile examined the desk in front of her and moved her hand across the dusty table. She quietly gasped as her thumbs swiped across a small hole. Mikasa knelt down and saw a small keyhole on the top left hand corner of the drawer.
"I found a keyhole," Mikasa spoke, causing Eren and Optimus to walk up next to her.
Eren examined the keyhole before taking the key once again and inserting it inside. He sighed with relief when he turned it and heard a small click, causing the drawer to open. The two teens stared in confusion as the drawer was revealed to be empty.
"It's empty," Eren said.
Optimus moved his hand towards the drawer and felt the smooth wood on his hands. He searched until he found a loose end and pulled out the false bottom.
"Looks are deceiving," Optimus merely said.
The three looked back into the drawer to see three different colored notebooks in a well kept condition.
"They're notebooks," Mikasa remarked as Optimus picked up one of them.
"You mean to tell me the key to humanity survival are notebooks," Megatron hissed, "Alright then, I officially hate your creator."
"Megatron!" Optimus scolded.
"He's not leaving a good impression on me," Megatron retorted as he glared at Optimus, "It feels like everything in this room is a cop out!"
Eren picked up the notebook in the middle and placed on the table. He felt the texture of the cover as his hand moved to open the book. Eren felt a hand on his and looked to see Mikasa staring at him. They both nodded their heads in understanding before opening the book together. The two looked in confusion and shock at the first page they were met with. Eren removed the sheet of paper stuck to the page and stared at it, trying to figure out what is was.
"Is this…a portrait?" Eren questioned.
"But it's so detailed," Mikasa retorted.
Optimus glanced at the two of them before his eyes widened in shock and realization. It was a photograph of a man with his wife and child in professional clothing.
"It's a photograph," Optimus spoke.
Eren looked up at Optimus before handing him the picture. "You know what this is?"
"These were common on Cybertron for a long time and common on Earth for about a century," Optimus explained, "But this requires lenses, lights, technology, how-"
Megatron walked over to the Prime and snatched the photo from his hands. He snarled before looking at Mikasa.
"I thought your world doesn't have this kind of technology," Megatron recalled.
"It doesn't," Mikasa retorted, "We don't even know what that is. Portraits are done with paint, not this."
Eren took a closer look at the picture in Megatron's hands and noticed something black on the back due to the sunlight coming from the door.
"There's something on the back," Eren declared.
Megatron looked at Eren before flipping to the back of the photographer. He stared intently at the information before his eye twitched.
"Now I really hate your creator," Megatron declared as he handed the picture back to the three, allowing them to see the back.
"' This is not a drawing.'" Eren read, "'this is the reflection of the light of the objects burned on special paper. It's called a photograph. I came from outside the wall, where people live in luxury. Humanity…is not extinct at all.'"