Optimus part Twenty Five

The last of today's batch of archiving my ongoing story. Still not sure what the blue balls is up with Blogger and not allowing paragraphs even though they're visible as such in the message composer, but whatevs. There's an actual readable version on TFW2005 if anyone reading this really wants to see this story parsed properly. -------------------------------------------------------- Gravel spat out from under the eight massive tires that moved Soundwave’s vehicle mode up the road leading to the secure military facility. On top the case he was given by Megatron jostled slightly with the bumpy road. The base was located on a plateau overlooking a city, and was right where the optimum broadcast coordinates were. As Soundwave approached the base, a checkpoint led to the base. Soundwave spied at least one human manning the station. Unconcerned with their customs or regulations, Soundwave ignored the attempts by the human to stop him, instead ramming through the gate and into the courtyard. The soldiers were reacting quickly. Before they completely surrounded him, Soundwave transformed, an action which was not met with as much surprise as Soundwave anticipated. He let the case slide off to his side and drop to the ground. This decided lack of shock intrigued Soundwave, however, he was on a time limit. The humans closed in around him, and such musings were best left for other times. “Don’t shoot.” Soundwave held up his hands. “I mean you no harm!” The soldiers exchanged curious looks. Some were unfazed. Some, however, murmured amongst themselves. “I come in peace. In fact,” Soundwave continued. “as a show of good faith, I’m giving you all the rest of the day off.” Before the humans could even process the data Soundwave emitted a burst of high-frequency sonic waves. Said frequency was designed to specifically induced sleep in mammals, and the humans all dropped into unconsciousness. Satisfied they’d be out for at least twelve hours, Soundwave picked up the case a strolled unimpeded to the specific area to which he was to activate the mysterious transmitting device. Soundwave had estimated it was a transmitter, at least. This was an opportune area to broadcast, and if it was merely a bomb this was an unusual target. Soundwave found the exact spot and set the case down next to a fuel truck. Soundwave recalled the movies Starscream watched, where said trucks were very volatile when important things were next to them, and carefully picked up the truck and moved it away. “Now,” Soundwave knelt down to open the case. “Let’s see how I’m supposed to change… the…” Soundwave stared at the contents of the box. “What the hell is all this?” Inside was a bizarre contraption resembling, as best Soundwave could figure, Megatron’s own face. Diodes blinked and motors spun on the distorted monument to Megatron’s vanity. Next to it was a small luminescent data card with writing on it. Soundwave picked up the card and read the text aloud. “Dear Soundwave, you have the honour of being the volunteer for my new Transwarp rift generator.” Soundwave read in his best Megatron impression. “As you can see the brilliant, and if I may say so, quite attractive device in front of you is already beginning a power-up cycle activated upon your opening the case…” Soundwave saw the device was doing just that. Against a sinking feeling he had, Soundwave continued to read. “You may be wondering why I did not tell you this outright, and that is a very valid question. You see, the device requires massive power to create a trans-temporal gateway, and we don’t have any batteries that big, so I designed it to siphon spark energy from the nearest Cybertronian. Don’t worry, it should only hurt a little… then a lot. Ex-Oh-Ex-Oh, Megatron.” Soundwave dropped his arm. “He actually, said Ex-Oh-Ex-Oh… also what-” Soundwave felt a stabbing in his chest as a needle-like device implanted itself into his spark chamber, violently draining energy and feeding it into the machine. Soundwave shook violently as the life was literally sucked out of him and stored in the small case. When just enough power was gathered, Soundwave was released. He fell backwards, unconscious, as the device started to shake and glow. It exploded in a flash of blue light as it discharged it’s processed energy skyward. In the blink of an eye the energy pulse made it into Earth’s highest orbit, and almost unnaturally fast, a black, warped hole appeared. Virtually unnoticeable against the black of space, the temporal warp’s only sign of existence was a circular ripple, indicative of it’s warping of the fabric of space itself. All across this side of the world the warp appeared, looming, dangerous. What no one could possibly see, however, were the small , practically invisible specks that popped through. Deep within the dark, hidden chamber of the Decepticon base, the darkness was broken by two red slits as Megatron smiled, sensing his device’s activation. Next to the scorch mark where the device used to be, Soundwave lay with a thumb-sized hole in his chest. He groggily rose, his colours faded and his blue eye-protecting visor was lit at only half intensity. He looked up at the anomaly in the sky and the black circle in front of him. Then thought of Megatron. “Jerk.” ------ Optimus carried logs in his arms, careful not to drop them, to the pile he’d created in a clearing. Optimus didn’t know much about survival, but he knew how to make fire, and he figured he could use a smoke signal to gather his comrades. He dumped the logs into the pile he’d created inside a dug out trench to avoid the flames spreading. He picked up two rocks he deemed suitable and started knocking them together to create sparks. His first attempt caused one of the rocks to bounce right out of his hand. He cursed, then tried again. Once more the rock went airborne. He cursed again. Another attempt yielded the same results. Frustrated, Optimus started furiously banging the rocks together, hitting his hands. Sparks leaped off his metal knuckles at impact and began a flame. “Or that works.” Optimus cupped his hands around the small flame. He blew as gently as the filter pumps in his chest could without blowing the flame out. Eventually the fire spread and the entire pile was alight. Optimus watched with satisfaction as the fire produced a nice plume of smoke that climbed up through the tree branches. He gazed at the fire, watching the orange waves wash over the blackened logs. Optimus felt his eyes close, then snapped to. He remembered the last time he had any sort of energy, and felt the capacitors in his gut groan. He’d murder an energy conductor if he had one, but alas as he felt in his back compartment he found only a twig, no doubt lodged during his fall, and a funny-shaped rock he and Ironhide found outside their new base. He held the rock, really a pebble, and recalled their last debate on it’s resemblance to persons living or dead. Optimus’ gaze slowly drifted past the rock and back to the flame. He sighed deeply as he became lost in the inverted stream. His eyes closed as he asked himself. “Why?” He heard. “Why?” He said, but not with his voice. “Why would you do something so stupid?” Orion said. “Because I couldn’t stand the thought of you in here alone.” Optimus said from the other side of the energy barrier separating him and his friend inside the correctional facility. They were in a small room, divided by an energy barrier. Orion sat, hands bound on one side. A guard cloaked in shadow behind him. “Besides, I didn’t hurt anyone. Just knocked off a few pubs. Just enough to get arrested and hopefully get tossed in here, but apparently that‘s not good enough. Or bad enough….” “Optimus, man.” Orion shook his head, smiling. “You can’t-” “I mean, you’re like a dad to me, you know? I can’t just let you rot.” “Optimus-” “And it’s not right! You didn’t do anything wrong! Those big shots, those fatcabs up top don’t know what it’s like for us, the things we have to do to survive-” “OPTIMUS.” Orion Pax shouted. The guard behind him took a step forward, but Orion nodded him back. “Kiddo, you need to listen to me. You can’t undo what’s done, and you can’t go getting yourself arrested to get in here. Prison’s not the kind of place for you.” “What am I supposed to do, just forget about you?” Optimus crossed his arms. “Yes.” Orion said. Optimus dropped his arms. “I don’t want you making the same mistakes I did, kid. You need to move-” “No.” Optimus said. “Don’t say that. I won’t.” “You have to.” Orion smiled that smile. The kind of smile that meant the world to whoever saw it. “Listen, I. I don’t have much time.” “What are you saying?” “I…” Orion Pax was cut off by the guards hand on his shoulder. Optimus could see now that the guard had a protective facemask on. “Orion…” Optimus asked. “What’s going on?” Orion looked to the guard, his expression sombre. The guard nodded sympathetically. “Don’t waste your life, Optimus. Move on.” The guard took his hand of Orion’s shoulder, nodding towards the door. “I gotta go now.” “Orion? Orion, wait!” Optimus put his hands on the barrier, it shocked him back. He looked at his smouldering palms, then to his friend being led from the room. Optimus slammed his hands on the barrier again, ignoring the pain of the shock, he pushed on the barrier. Smoke came from his hands as he finally gave in and was tossed back. He watched the door close. From the floor he looked up to the ceiling, which was suddenly gone. Instead he saw the looking arrow-shape tower that was the capital building of the Autobot military headquarters. He looked at the fortress that houses all that was the military, until his gaze landed on the red and white face of freedom. Optimus stood up from the ground and looked down at the smouldering pile of ash, a thin trail of smoke being the only sign of the fire that was once there. He looked up to the rays of light the pooled in from the branches above. “I hate this forest.”

Optimus part Twenty Four

Optimus briskly jogged through the forest. He weaved between trees, leaping over logs and side stepping small ponds. He quickly and nimbly dodged, rolled and slid past obstacles, leap-fogging over a boulder and rolling down a steep hill. He came to a river and jogged right through, the strong current doing little to impede a being his size. After crossing and re-entering the foliage, he made a few more flashy leaps and bounds before slowing to a stop. Optimus, panting as he gave his internal mechanisms a reprieve, surveyed the dense forest containing him. “Yup, I’m lost.” He said. He looked past the canopy, hoping he could see the sun. Unfortunately it was too dense, and only trace light was sending faint spots across his body. He realised he’d have a better view from the river, where the forest split, and was just about to heel-turn when he heard a twig snap. He stopped suddenly, freezing solid. He listened for any out-of-place noises. A dark pillar moved back and forth in front of his face as a leaf drifted down, casting a shadow through the air in front of him. Just as it gently, lazily sunk beneath his nose, from above dropped a mass that attached to his face. Optimus reeled back, flailing and screaming as his attacker grasped his face. Then another, and another, until at lest half a dozen small fiends assaulted the Autobot, who stumbled screaming and convulsing, smashing trees and crushing hollow logs all the way to the river where he fell backwards into the current. The attackers were swept away, only to manage to fight the current long enough to reach the other side. Optimus watched as six furry little monsters retreated to the dry shore. “Stupid possums…” Optimus’ voice cracked as he cursed the creatures from afar. He sat in the river as he rubbed his head, which he had hit lightly when he fell. Behind him he heard a creaking. With a sinking feeling Optimus turned around, just as a tree, weakened by a blow from his theatrics, tipped towards him, hitting the robot square on the head. The blow hurt, hard, as he reeled back from the hit. His vision was fuzzy, but what he saw didn’t look like the forest, but instead was the pale metallic blue of… “Careful now, Ops.” A voice from behind said. Optimus shook his head and the world around him sharpened into his old workplace on Cybertron. He turned, and behind him stood a silver and blue robot who stood, hands on hips, with a humble grin on his face. “I told you to duck when you use the crank.” “Sorry, Orion.” Optimus said. “What can I say? It snuck up on me.” “Because winch cranks are known for their stealth, of course.” Orion offered his hand to Optimus, who took it and was lifted off the ground. “You know, I didn’t sign up for this. Manual labour.” Optimus picked up a rag and wiped his hands. “That’s for metal heads like you.” Orion laughed, patting his friend on the shoulder. “Hoisting signs is the closest you’ve ever gotten to a workout. A little iron-pumping should be good for you. If you ever expect to join the Autobots…” Orion was cut off by Optimus folding his scrawny arms. “Are you gonna help me get this sign up or what?” Optimus motioned to the crank. Orion gently moved Optimus aside and with out hand cranked the winch, reeling in the lien and raising the sign up into place. Pre-applied magnets grabbed the sign, perfectly securing it into position. “Show-off.” Optimus remarked. “If you’ve got it, flaunt it.” Orion grabbed the rag Optimus held and wiped oil from his arm joints, tossing it to optimus, who cringed. Orion laughed. “Alright, I guess you can take it from here, kiddo. Time the important Orion Pax got a move on.” “Going out to see your ‘partners?’” Optimus flippantly remarked. Orion’s cheerful tone faded, but he remained nonetheless warm. “You should be more grateful. My business partners are the reason we even have this shop in the first place, so show a little respect.” Orion said. “I don’t like it, Orion. I heard they’re into some shady stuff. I was talking to Xaaron-” Optimus was cut off. “Don’t listen to that eight-bit, Optimus.” Orion said. “He doesn’t know when to keep quite.” “But-” “But nothing.” Orion’s tone was more harsh. Optimus knew it was time to be quiet. Orion’s stern expression softened. “Now you get in there and get things going. I’ll be back soon to help, don’t worry. You can’t have the grand opening of ‘Double-O’s Pawn and Loan’ without that first ‘O’, can you?” “I thought I was the first ‘O’?” Optimus joked. Orion winked and transformed into his five-wheeler mode before driving off into the street. Optimus turned to the sign, then walked towards the building it was on. He ducked inside and thumbed a switch on the wall before returning to his place outside in time to see the two large stylised ‘O’s flicker on, followed by the remaining store name in simpler, smaller Cybertronian text. “‘Double-O’s’…” Optimus repeated to himself. He stared at the sign as it glowed a warm orange. He felt a calm, soothing sensation as he watched it. But then something changed. The glow became less intense. The comforting sensation was replaced by unrest and gloom. The sign because to dip, the building it was one went from shiny and new to rusty and dilapidated. Optimus watched as his dream died in front of him. He looked to his left. A bulletin stand displayed a news story. “Double-O’s Orion Pax arrested on suspicion of weapon smuggling.” stood out like a needle in the eye. Optimus looked to his right, and there sat Orion Pax and a cell. “I’m sorry kiddo.” Orion said. Optimus looked back to the sign, now cracked and missing one of the ‘O’s. The sign dipped forward slightly before breaking off and crashing to the ground, smoke jutting into the air. As the dust cleared the building had disappeared, and instead he saw the Autobot enlistment offices. A familiar, uncomfortable sight. He sombrely walked towards the offices and was admitted in to see a recruitment officer. The process raced by, from the physical exam to the interview all the way to basic training. It was like a sped up version of his most vivid memories. It kept it’s dizzying pace until Optimus stood in line in a training field with other robot of different sizes and colours. Optimus felt his cheeks waver, his lip tremble. His brow furrowed and he stood straighter than ever before or since. From what this was caused by was not clear. Sadness, fear, anxiousness. He felt a nudge to his right, and he looked to the robot next to him. “Hi,” Said the short black robot who extended his hand. “I’m Ironhide.” Optimus accepted his hand and shook. His eyes opened. He lay on his back in the river, head half-submerged in rushing water. Optimus sat up. His eyes winced, but he blinked the feeling away. He felt the cool rushing water against his legs and realised he was against the elements. He stood up, shaking the mud from his hands. He looked to the forest and jogged into the brush. Right now he needed to focus on finding his friends. ------ “This forest is the scariest thing I’ve ever seen.” Ironhide said. “We’re in Maine. I swear, we are actually in Maine.” He tip-toed through the dark forest. Even though it was day, the thick tree line kept much to the woods dark. “Don’t be such a big fat baby,” Road Rage followed along behind, looking around the forest. “We’re not in Maine.” “Did you just call me fat?” Ironhide looked over his shoulder. “You… think I’m fat?” Road Rage softly patted his back. “Oh no, I didn’t mean…” She shook her head. “You‘re just a utility size!” “Utility? What am I hauling?” Ironhide asked, “Cakes.” Road Rage giggled. Ironhide did a dramatic gesture. They heard a rustling to the north. The two became quiet and ducked down. They heard another bout of noise, the scurrying in fleeing creatures. Ironhide moved his arm in front of Road Rage, who moved into position to pounce on his mark. The rustling continued towards them, but neither robot could see very clearly. They spotted movement. A brief slither here or there. Whatever it was, it moved with a startling grace, fluidity and skill. So it obviously wasn’t Optimus or Jetfire. Ironhide remembered the Decepticons had also been with them prior to the event, and balled his thick hands into fists. “I thought I’d never find you two.” A smooth, accented voice said. “Botanica?” Ironhide said. “Where-?” Two aqua spheres appeared over a tree, and Botanica emerged. Her body contorted and shifted, panels decorated like bark and leaves flipped to show her regular colours beneath. Her arms unfolded from branch facsimiles, her already plant-like stalk transformed out of a shrub, and a large knot split into several tiny fragments and folded away, revealing her soft smiling face. “Happy to see me?” She asked. “More than you know.” Ironhide sighed relief. “How were you… what were you doing?” Road Rage was stunned. “You think I call myself Botanica for my health?” Botanica stretched her arms. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.” “So cool…” Ironhide commented. “I guess you haven’t found Optimus?” Botanica asked. “Or Jetfire.” Road Rage replied. “What even happened to us?” “I’m not entirely sure, but I think we experienced an explosion of trans-temporal energies not unlike those found in the wake of transwarp ships. I investigated upon awaking and judged our position. Indeed I now believe we…” Botanica practically saw smoke coming out of her company’s head, and opted to spare them a migraine. “We travelled through space. And time.” “We’re on another planet?” Road Rage was aghast. “We’re in another time?” Ironhide added with equal surprise. “No and yes.” Botanica said. “We’re still on Earth. I don’t mean outer space. I matched the stars to our position and relative to my last record of their placement.” “The stars?” Ironhide looked up. “How can you see the stars through the trees?” “How else? I found the biggest tree I could and climbed as high as possible.” Botanica said matter-of-factly. Ironhide and Road Rage looked at each other and blushed for not considering said method of locating their position. Road Rage rubbed her arm. “So now what?” Road Rage asked. “Why are you asking me?” Botanica asked. “With Optimus missing, shouldn’t one of you be in charge? I mean, you were here before me.” “Yeah, we never really had a clear command structure.” Ironhide said. “Just that Optimus was boss, and that worked, you know?” “Besides, you’re smart. You must have a plan, right?” Road Rage said. “Well…” Botanica said. “I do have one. I saw a mountain ridge that overlooked the forest. We should head there, and from that elevation we can better locate our missing fellows. However…” “What?” Road Rage asked. “No doubt the Decepticons have come to the same conclusion.” Botanica said. “And will most likely be heading there.” ------ “Why aren’t we heading to the mountain?” Strika asked Scourge, who led her through the trees. “Would it not prove advantageous to seek high ground so as to observe incoming enemy, and contact our brethren? This plant matter interferes with our communications.” “You’re far too talkative for a soldier of your calibre.” Scourge cut his way through the foliage with his sword. “I apologise.” Strika said. “But I simply wish to know-” “The Autobots would surely expect such a move, and seek to intercept or ambush us.” “But they may not have even survived? We fell from such a height, who’s to say they’re not craters-” Scourge shot Strika a look that cut her off. “Poor choice of words. But regardless…” “Strika, I consider you a competent and respected warrior.” Scourge sliced again, cutting down a thick thorn bush. “Do not sully my opinion of you with such complaints. It is unbecoming for one of Megatron’s finest.” “Consider the issue dropped, then.” Strika bowed her head as she casually pushed aside a hundred-year-oak with a flick of her arm. “But if I may ask but one more question…” “If you must.” Scourge cut again. “How do you know Megatron?” Strika tilted her head. “You’re Scourge. THE Scourge. You’re a legend among Decepticons, predating even Obsidian, though he‘s never mentioned you-” “Obsidian is here?” Scourge shrugged. “Small galaxy. To answer your question, I merely seek the same goals as are esteemed leader, and have heard of his ambition to restore our caste system to Cybertron, and so I sought him out.” Strika accepted that answer for a moment, but then found herself wanting more. “So…” She said. “Now that you’re here, what do you plan to do?” “What do you mean?” Scourge planted his sword and faced her. “I am not a fool. The last one who claimed to seek the same goals as Megatron ended up critically wounding Obsidian and then disappeared. I owe my life to Megatron, and Soundwave and Starscream are just hired help, but what do you-?” “No further questions.” Scourge said. "But know this, Strika: if I sought to usurp Megatron I would have done so immediately. I pledged my blade to our leader, and that is a conviction I cannot fabricate.” “Very well.” Strika said. “But know that I will not ever tolerate a second attempt on our leader’s life.” “Hmmm.” Scourge retrieved his sword and continued cutting a path through the brush.

Optimus part Twenty Three

Starscream teetered back and forth in his chair, attempting to balance himself on the edge. In his hands he held a small plastic square with a screen on it. He tapped away while he carefully balanced himself, making minor adjustments with his free hand. His test of skill was interrupted by Soundwave waddling out of the hallway leading to Megatron’s chamber, Starscream stuffed the square into his chest compartment. “What’s wrong?” Starscream asked. “Megatron give you a spanking for losing the only smart people on our team?” “No, idiot.” Soundwave said. “He just… has Megatron seemed weird to you lately?” “He’s always been weird. That dude seriously has a problem with personal space.” Starscream said. “Wait, do you mean has he been acting weird for us or for him? Wouldn’t weird for him be normal for us? Err, no…” “He just asked me to change the world…” Soundwave held up a large case with a metallic design on the front. “I have to drive all the way out to the middle of nowhere. And apparently I need to use this thing.” “Oh! If he finally went crazy-crazy I want his big chair. I’ve always wanted that chair.” Starscream nodded to himself. “Why do I even talk to you?” Soundwave walked away. “I could seriously just talk to a tree and get the same amount of useful feedback. In fact, probably more.” “Oh yeah?” Starscream rose from the chair energetically. “Can a tree do this?” Soundwave watched as Starscream held up both hands and, concealing his left thumb with his fingers and wrapping his right index finger around his other thumb, pretended to separate his left thumb, before throwing his hands up and walking backwards to his chair. Soundwave didn’t know what to say to that, so he left. Starscream waited until the sound of Soundwave‘s footsteps had completely faded away, then retrieved the square from his chest. “No, it’s okay.” Starscream said. “I showed him my thumb trick. Blew his mind. He won’t be a problem.” Starscream returned the square to his chest and continued his balancing act. ------ Shockwave paced back and forth in his furbished cave hideaway, arms behind his back, while he waited for the scanning software to download. To his right light pooled in through a falling wall of water, and to his left was a mound of messy equipement, a light and flat area to sleep next to a box of energy rations. He continued pacing. The matter analyser he pilfered from the stasis pod was just what he needed to finish his own subterranean scanner. When his memory block was destroyed, it released not only his emotions, but large portions of his mind that had been blocked away. As the rage and pain subsided, he was no free to take advantage of his incredible intellect. An entire lifetime of forgotten practise, experience and skill returned almost in an instant, unhindered by the thieving hands of age. Mega-, Shockwave’s plan to recover the universe’s single most powerful being in the name of galactic conquest would be complete, as soon as the scanner was finished. While he waited he examined his other equipement he’d salvaged and modified to fit into his person. A beacon locator swiped under cover of night from his former comrade’s hideout, now stripped of it’s casing and power supply and integrated into Shockwave’s left arm panel. A fully calibrated compass and long-range barometer appropriated from those idiot Autobots, who foolishly left it and other such useful items merely tucked into a corner of their impractical little log cabin while they were out performing no doubt stupid activities. It was installed into his right forearm. And a Cybertronian-sensitive IFF radar, which had been an invaluable proximity-warning during the pilfering of the previous gear, installed internally but accessible through a hatch on his chest. This was but a faction of a large amount of stolen goods, but the rest was all about to become unnecessary. Satisfied, Shockwave returned all this to it’s concealed status under his skin, and kept waiting for the software to finish. It was incredibly complex, hand-written quantum algorithms Shockwave had entered during his memory flashback, specifically coded to locate ancient dormant or residual Decepticon energy signals, and it had already been days. An unfortunate side-effect of his restored mental state was a decided impatience. Old Shockwave would have found this to be illogical, but now he didn’t really notice it. He felt almost as two minds melded into one. He was neither his pre-assassination self, nor his emotionless, calculating machine self. He was new, yet different. Familiar, yet alien. He wasn’t at all sure he liked it. He watched the screen as the progress bar inched a bit more to the right, the sound of his tapping foot performing a soundtrack to express anticipation. Finally an alleviating ping signalled it’s completion, and Shockwave unplugged the device from the computer modem next to it and slotted it into a previously created slot at the base of his neck. His eye blinked, then dulled. It returned, “filling” as the device was integrated into his body. Once his eye filled completely, he shook his head before standing straight. He was ready, and not a moment to soon, as the scanner already had a firm lock on a signature. Shockwave turn to the waterfall and jumped, through the glistening curtain and out into a vast canyon above a large river. He transformed in midair before rocketing off over the lush green below.

Optimus part Twenty Two

Optimus’ first reaction to his new surroundings was blinding brightness. Only when it was briefly obscured did he realise he was staring at the sun. He shook his head and tried to grab his bearings. He briefly recognised falling debris before he noticed he was in freefall yet again. Now it was sinking in. Only a moment ago was he in an abandoned underground human facility, and now he, and parts of said facility, were falling rapidly towards the Earth. Optimus spun around in air to see the ground below. He watched as rubble, pipes, and other bits plummeted around him. He noticed some of the other pieces of wreckage were familiar. His friends. Ironhide, Road Rage, Botanica and Jetfire were all visible some distance away. He spied two others. The Decepticons Scourge and Strika. The disorientation was just leaving, replaced by uncontrollable panic at the thought of imminent and inescapable death, as he saw a glimmer far below. On the green of the Earth. Then black. “Optimus…” A voice from the abyss called. “Optimus…” The black faded. Fuzzy white pooled at the corners of Optimus’ vision, a dark mass hovered in the middle. Optimus felt a helpful hand firmly on his shoulder. The air was warm, and Optimus lay on soft grass. The fuzziness faded, sharpened into a clear image. The image of someone familiar. Someone caring. “Time to wake up, buddy.” The voice repeated. As the light faded, Optimus glimpsed a face like his own, but older. A kind smile and confident gaze was all he made out before the darkness came back. Optimus jolted awake. The other was gone. It was dark, and a cold wind rushed over him. He lay face down in mud and tree roots. Slowly Optimus pulled himself from the ground, a familiar sensation. He practically spent more time face down in dirt than he did on his feet these days. He shoot mud and tree bits off, looking upward. A thick canopy of trees blocked the moonlight, leaving the surroundings illuminated with a dot pattern. Optimus looked to his feet halfway sunk in the mud. There was no crater, and the trees above were undamaged. He looked around. Nothing suggested how he got where he was. Optimus was confused only long enough to stop caring and focus on his friends. He now realised they were likewise scattered. And the Decepticons. And the big robot. Optimus briefly lamented his lot in life before beginning his trudge through the forest. ------ “Wakeup!” Road Rage slapped Ironhide again, this time as hard as she could. She clutched her hand and fell back in pain, rolling off the stout Autobot and into the river she had pulled him out of. She swore and hit the water out of frustration. It had been ten minutes since she found Ironhide and dragged all twenty tons of him out of the river. This was, of course, after she’d spent three hours walking through the creepy forest, convinced she was being stalked by bears and Bigfoot. She sat stewing in the stream. Road Rage knew Ironhide was alive because he was snoring, as always. She just couldn’t wake him up. He literally slept like a log. Road Rage stood up and walked back to shore, only to trip on an underwater rock. She screamed and insulted the rock and it‘s non-existent rock parents, picking it up and violently throwing it into the forest, the sound of cracking branches detailing it’s landing. Road Rage stopped and calmed herself, reminding herself that violence was what caused her vehicle mode problems, and that she was a better robot than that. She re-evaluated the situation, figuring if she wasn’t strong enough to wake the sleeping giant, she’d need something that was. Road Rage snapped her fingers, then hopped into the bush. As she emerged she carried the rock, offering a quiet apology. She stood over Ironhide’s head, rock held high. “If this doesn’t wake you…” She said. She flung her arms back, then brought the rock down. That instant Ironhide’s yellow eyes opened and, startled, Road Rage dropped the rock on her own foot. Screaming in pain she tried to hop, but instead fell forwards onto the ground. “What’s going on?” Ironhide asked Road Rage as she rocked back and forth, clutching her foot. “What took you so long!” Road Rage slowed her rock, releasing her dented foot. “Oh, so being knocked-out is my fault now?” Ironhide said. “Never mind,” Road Rage said. Ironhide surveyed his surroundings. “Where are we?” He asked. “Either Narnia or New Zealand.” Road Rage said sarcastically. Ironhide took a moment as his most recent memories returned. “The facility-” Ironhide began. “Yeah, I was hoping you could fill me in.” Road Rage asked. “You don’t remember?” “All I remember is fighting Strika one moment, then a haze, then just… this forest.” “That ‘haze’ was you climbing on that big guy’s face and turning him on.” “I don’t like how you phrased that.” Road Rage cringed slightly. “What I mean is,” Ironhide glared. “You were in some kind of trance and, well, I guess you woke him up somehow. Then he said something weird and… that’s all I remember.” “Eh…” Road Rage said. “Whatever. I think we should focus on finding the others.” “Right,” Ironhide said. “But where do we start.” Road Rage looked up and down the stream next to them. It was all darkness and trees. “I’d say we should look for higher ground, but…” Road Rage shrugged. “I don’t know where higher ground is.” “Ha!” Ironhide said. “Time’s like these it pays to be heavy duty.” Ironhide beat his chest for emphasis, then dropped down into his four-by-four mode. Running lights winked on and a path into the darkness was revealed. He started into the woods, his massive tires and thick hide crushing or moving weak branches and plants out of the way. Road Rage followed on foot, the rough terrain forbidding her from using her vehicle mode. They disappeared into the trees. ------ Soundwave briskly strode down the hall to Megatron’s private quarters. The quickness of his pace was not out of anticipation, no. He was quite the opposite. The last thing he waned to do was tell Megatron the news. He’d spent a good twenty minutes preparing himself for the encounter before deciding that it’d be best to get it over with. He made it to the door, which he was surprised to find did open upon his approach. Soundwave was about to knock when he heard voices from behind the door. Rather, he discerned, just Megatron’s. He could tell it was one half of a conversation. “We have it, yes.” Soundwave heard him say. There was a break before Megatron continued. “Now, and do not let personal matters interfere. I expect you to-” Soundwave couldn’t make out the rest. He heard Megatron end the conversation. The door beeped and unlocked, opening automatically. Soundwave glimpsed Megatron rising from the floor in his throne. Quickly Soundwave backed up, then did his best to look like he’d just walked up now. Megatron spotted Soundwave’s approach and waved him in. “Greetings, my lord,” Soundwave said. “I have… unfortunate news. I’ve been unable to locate Scourge and Strika’s signal and-” “Yes yes, very good,” Megatron cut Soundwave off. “I have something much more important for you to do.” Megatron hopped down from his throne and walked up to Soundwave, who nervously straightened himself as Megatron grabbed his shoulders and leaned in. “I need you… to change the world!”

Optimus part Twenty One

The Autobots were not sure what to make of this discovery. They all remained on the overlook, staring at the titan below. The behemoth was larger, upon first inspection, than even Jetfire. “Exactly what,” Optimus slowly raised his hands, than quickly extended them downwards. “The artic hell IS that thing?” “Is it Primus?” Road Rage asked. “Don’t be stupid.” Ironhide said. “It’s obviously the Chaos Bringer, Unicron.” “You’re both wrong and need to be quiet,” Botanica said. “Optimus, I need to tell you something.” Optimus and Botanica moved back into the tunnel to carry out their conversation in private. Road Rage looked to Jetfire. She realised he was completely still, eyes fixed on the giant. “Hey Jetfire, you okay?” She asked. Ironhide also noticed he was acting bizarre. He placed a hand on Jetfire’s arm to get his attention, and realised the elderly robot was shaking. Jetfire stepped forward towards the ledge. “Hey, hey!” Ironhide tried to hold him back, but Jetfire merely kept walking, right off the edge. The old man fell fifty feet to the ground below, tripping and falling on his face. Road Rage and Ironhide winced. Optimus ran up from behind, followed shortly by Botanica. “What the hell?” He said. “I literally turn my back for two seconds!” “He just walked right off!” Road Rage tried to explain, but they were distracted by the sound of Jetfire rambling to himself. Optimus grabbed his tow hook and hooked it over the concrete edge, rappelling down. Ironhide and Road Rage grabbed the line and slid down after, Botanica following. Jetfire was already up, trudging towards the giant robot. It was even bigger up close, as Optimus quickly found out as he placed himself between Jetfire and it. “Jetfire! What are you-” Optimus asked. Jetfire kept rambling. “I did it… I found you… they didn’t want me to do this…” Jetfire murmured as he walked slowly. Optimus tried to hold him back physically, but was merely pushed along to concrete floor, sparks kicking up from his feet. “They didn’t tell me. They didn’t tell me anything! They didn’t…” Jetfire continued. He stopped about five feet from the giant, Optimus turned to look at it up close. It was massive. Thick, angular legs firmly planted it on wide, two-toed feet. It’s torso was squat with a rounded chest decorated with some sort of interlocking canopy design loosely resembling an animal face. It’s shoulders were wide with large pads, it’s forearms were cylindrical and ended in large claws wrapped around balled fists. The head was small, the face drenched in shadow, but Optimus could see it had a large swept fin and forehead chevron on it‘s skull. What he assumed to be part of the apparatus holding the behemoth was actually a large pair of delta-shaped wings. Optimus had no idea what this robot was, but he knew they shouldn’t be messing with it. Jetfire had stopped, and was acting strangely lucid. “You…” He said. Jetfire stared into it’s shadowed face. A flood of memories came back. He remembered back to Cybertron. To the first, and last, global civil war. The world blurred into what looked like a balcony of a large tower. He no longer stood before the titanic mechanoid, but instead before another large robot. This one was thick. It’s arms alone were twice as wide as it’s head. It was dull red and dark sand blue. It’s green eyes squinted. “You understand what I’m asking of you?” Primal Prime said. Jetfire knew him well. “Completely.” Jetfire responded. “My life is yours to spend. I owe you that much for sparing my life.” Primal Prime nodded his head on his incredibly thick neck. He raised a massive blue hand and placed it on Jetfire’s shoulder. It literally felt like the weight of the world. “I know you are not like Obsidian and his ilk. And know I do not ask this of you lightly.” Primal Prime leaned on the edge of the balcony. “You need only tell me of where I shall find this mighty warrior.” Jetfire stood perfectly still in respect. Primal Prime’s face was like solid stone as he looked to Jetfire. He held out his hand and a mini holographic star map emitted from his palm. “You shall journey to this system and seek out the blue planet six macro units from the star at it’s core. He will be there. He will be waiting.” “I shall retrieve him.” Jetfire bowed. “And if you cannot, you must make sure he never again threatens our people.” Primal Prime closed his fist, the map disappeared. “I want you to know you were not my first choice. I do not wish for you to consider this mission an honour. It could very well be you demise.” “I understand,” Jetfire said. He stood straighter than ever. He made certain to hide his emotions, but obviously not well enough. Primal Prime reacted to his posture change and extended a massive hand to Jetfire. Jetfire accepted it and they shook. As he watched his hand bob up and down he was phased back into reality, the imagery of the two joined hands replaced by the incessant snapping of Optimus’ fingers. “Thought we lost you for a second, buddy.” Optimus said. “What got into you?” “This!” Jetfire’s expression shifted to a mad gaze. “This is why I’m here! Why we’re all here!” He looked at the robot again. “We have to get it out of here. We need to-” Jetfire was cut of by his head spontaneously combusting. Optimus reeled back as flames engulfed the elderly robot, who frantically tried to pat the flames down. Botanica acted fast and deployed a nozzle from her wrist that dispensed a foam, quelling the blaze. Optimus turned back to where they had entered. A sleek jet-black truck sat perched above, a large artillery cannon, still smoking, sat on it’s bed. The Autobots heard a cry from overhead and Strika fell into their midst, knocking all but Jetfire and Ironhide aside. Ironhide tackled the Decepticon and drove her into a small nearby structure. The black truck shuddered, it’s cannon telescoped into itself, the cab jolted and lifted off it’s frame, splitting. The entire vehicle briefly resembled a jigsaw puzzle before elegantly and forcefully reforming into Scourge. The dark warrior unsheathed a massive transparent ruby broadsword and leapt down to face Optimus. “Nice pink knife.” Optimus scoffed. “Impudent whelp,” Scourge chuckled as if witnessing a child’s antics. “This is the Sword of Fury. Forged of rare, nigh-indestructible crystals from-” “Sorry man, I was just being a jerk. I actually don’t care.” Concrete ripped as Optimus sprinted towards Scourge. Scourge swung his blade, but Optimus dived. The blade scraped against his back as it narrowly avoided cutting Optimus down the center. Optimus rolled to his feet, but Scourge had already followed through and hit optimus with the flat side of his sword. Optimus grabbed his face as he tried to stop his head from shaking like a cymbal. Scourge struck Optimus’ knee with his left arm, the spikes along his gauntlet shredding the armour plates of his calve. Optimus, still dazed from the sword hit, didn’t register the pain in time to stop him from grabbing Scourge by the shoulders and slamming their foreheads together. They both reeled back in pain. Optimus clutched his head and he writhed on his back, realising the stupidity of head butting right after receiving such a painful blow to the skull. Scourge shook his vision clear and, no longer amused, swung with the intent to dismember. Optimus barely dodged the swipes meant for his limbs as Scourge’s blade merely made short work on the concrete beneath him. “Does your cowardice know no end?” Scourge stomped his foot on optimus’ chest to stop him from moving. “Face the void with some shred of dignity?” Scourge prepared to deal the final blow. As the tip hovered over Optimus’ face, he saw his expression mirrored in the edge. Optimus grabbed Scourge’s pinning leg with his left hand, and with his right grabbed the sword. He quickly pushed Scourge off before he could react and scampered away. Optimus clutched his hand. A deep gash from touching the sword revealed the inner workings of his hand through his palm. Optimus converted to truck mode and drove to one of the ramps that led back up the room. Scourge sheathed his weapon and followed suit, his tires squealing as he pursued his quarry. Below Ironhide and Road Rage wrestled with Strika. She was incredibly strong, and as Ironhide locked grips with her in a deadly game of mercy, Road Rage held onto her back, trying to distract the giant. Strika pushed Ironhide away long enough to leap backwards, crushing Road rage against the wall. She tumbled off as Ironhide recovered and charged. His bravado was met with a plasma-enhanced disk cast from Strika’s palm. Road Rage picked herself up in time to see Botanica helping Jetfire. The elderly robot groan as he lazily tossed on the ground, still stunned from Scourge’s incendiary attack. Road Rage’s gaze then shifted towards the giant robot the two parties fought over. She stared at it’s darkened face and felt what could only be described as a massive weight off her shoulders. She felt care free, yet compelled to get closer. Trancelike, she slowly walked towards the titan. As the sound of battle raged behind her Road Rage, upon reaching it, began to climb the robot. This was witnessed by Optimus, who stopped at the mouth of the tunnel overlooking the room below. He transformed and turned, Scourge stood behind him, sword already drawn. “You have nowhere left to run, Optimus.” Scourge said. “If you submit your life quietly I may spare future generations the tale of your cowardice.” “You know, Scourge,” Optimus pointed to him. “I’m starting to think you don’t like me. Was it the pink sword remark?” “Your incompetence is more than enough fuel for my ire. Not helped is the similar stupidity among my own who refer to me as a mere imitation of you.” “Ha! That’s rich. Let me guess, it was the dude with four eyes? He’s a dumb-” Optimus was struck by a backhand swipe from Scourge. “Silence! Your very voice is an insult to me.” Scourge kicked Optimus over. He held the tip of his blade to Optimus’ throat. “Perhaps it’s time I rendered this a non-issue.” Optimus stared at the blade once more, but a reflection in the sword reminded Optimus of Road Rage’s bizarre behaviour below. He turned his head to see she gripped the chevron on the robot’s forehead and hung in front of it’s face. This act caught the attention of not only Scourge as well, but the others below. Jetfire, finally recovered from his injury, stood up as fast as he could. “No!” Jetfire screamed. “Don’t!” His words were not heard by Road Rage. Still entranced, she touched the reflective jewel that sat in the middle of the robots forehead. A dull thud reverberated throughout the cavernous room. Everything was still and quiet. Road Rage’s grip gave out and she fell to the ground below, Botanica sliding in to catch her. An instant later the robot’s eyes flickered briefly before warming to a burning red-orange. It’s face was illuminated, revealing a mouth guard in the shape of a stylised maw. Silence filled the air for a moment before a monotone voice like distant thunder rumbled out of the giant mechanoid. “System restart successful. Survey scan complete. Eons of unrest, cannot sway my devotion, for time is patient.” “What?” Optimus asked from across the room. “I, however, am not.” The robot said. Forks of lightning shot out of it’s body, arching to the far walls. Everyone was immobilised. Optimus and Scourge were knocked off the overlook. The room was bathed in a blue tint as a swirl of energy collected around the robot, and within an instant, it, the Transformers, and the entire chamber they were in, disappeared.