Hello! What's up? As I promised, I'm uploading the one-shots I wrote whenever I needed to take a break from my previous fic Redemption.

Now, this is how things are going to be: each story will circle around a different character, and will have a different genre. Each of them will have its own summary, and genre detailed in each post, ok?

The ones I already have are: Optimus Prime (which I'm uploading now), Starscream & Shockwave (who will share the spotlight), Drift, Hot Rod, Ultra Magnus (which I might rewrite soon), Thundercracker, Ratchet, Elita, Sunscorch, Arcee, Ironhide, Fowler, Bumblebee, and Knock Out. Then, the ones in which I'm working on are: Miko, Millie and Pharma. Sometime in the future I might write the rest of the team (Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Chromia, Jack, Raf, Nightglider); also, I would like to give a closure for the Dinobots and the Predacons... Anyway I CAN'T promise that I will write them all, ok?

Plus, I have to warn you, since my holidays has completely ran out. I'll try (stress the 'try') to upload one story each week, but there are big chances that you'll have to wait longer. Just saying...

Warning: English isn't my mother language, so there might be some grammar mistakes in here.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers franchise, nor its characters. It is a registered trademark of Hasbro.

Summary: Being informed about Cybertron's political situation, Optimus decides that it's time for him to honor his entitlement as Prime, and have a meeting with the new Council. (Takes place between the chapters 'Till All Are One part 2' and the 'Epilogue' from my previous fic, Redemption)

Genre: Drama & Humor

-OPTIMUS PRIME-

Back in Business

The Councilmen faces at the sight of Optimus entering the room was beyond priceless, and even Ultra Magnus couldn't help but to try to cover a chuckle by coughing, pretending he was clearing his throat. But it was nothing compared to the face they made when the blue and red mech announced that the Matrix has chosen a new Prime, and gestured Hot Rod ―now known as Rodimus Prime― to walk closer to him. Things weren't going well for them… The Council never counted with two Primes showing up; and right after an armed conflict, nothing else!

Oh, but that was the last of their problems…

Optimus wasn't just angry to know what these bots were planning for Cybertron's future. Oh, no. He was pissed. Didn't these guys learn anything from the war? Can't they see where a new caste system would lead them to? He might've not been important enough before to make the Senators listen, but, as a Prime, they didn't have another choice now. So, frowning, the tall mech walked up to the balcony where the Council was sitting, and, taking a deep vent, he started to give them a little piece of his mind.

"Members of the Council of Cybertron, I have been informed about some concerning measures that this court has taken since the end of the war. And, though I do not wish to believe it, after seeing the planet's situation, I have no choice but to admit that my fears proves to be true." Optimus started, the clerk he used to be taking over his speech.

"We… do not understand…" One of the Councilmen said with trembling voice. If they couldn't convince at least one of these two Primes to follow them, then all their work would've been for nothing.

"I'm talking about the caste system." The blue and red mech clarified, his frown intensifying.

The room was filled with Autobots of all kind, including the Dinobots, who went to the meeting just to corroborate that Optimus Prime was back. All of them were internally cheering the Prime's words, hoping that he would put those bags of rust in check; and Ultra Magnus was among that group, enjoying every single time that the Councilmen's faces turned a shade paler. A couple smiles escaped his lips whenever those good-for-nothing bots lost ground in the debate; and he could swear that he heard Prowl cheering the former clerk, next to his brothers.

Optimus heard the old mechs' reasons to want the old system back; however, he didn't listened a word they said, knowing that their true motives were the same from eons ago: to enlarge their richness, at expenses of their people. Thanks to his life as a librarian, the blue and red mech was well-aware that Kaon used to be populated by laborers that worked in factories and distilleries… until the city's Senator decided to automatize the facilities, leaving half the population without work. Megatron ―a former miner― and Soundwave ―who worked in a factory― between those bots. The whole slagging conflict could've been avoided, if the caste system would've provided those people some sort of way out of the streets; some job they could've taken after losing the previous one! But, no. They only offered them the gladiatorial pits… The older Prime couldn't say he was surprised of seeing how fast the Decepticons grew in numbers; not after knowing that more than the half of them were bots that Megatron picked up from the streets.

Suddenly realizing that he wasn't paying attention to the Councilmen's speech, Optimus forced himself to come back to reality; only to notice that they were still trying to give him reasons of why the old system was viable now.

Ok. He got enough.

"Members of the Council, you seem to forget who you're talking with." The tall mech interrupted, closing his optics and slightly shaking his head in disapproval. "I was once Orion Pax, a clerk that spent his days working at the Hall of Records, researching about our society's situation. I often spoke to the previous Council about it, trying to convince your predecessors that the caste system was doing nothing but bringing chaos and misery among our people." He looked up to the old bots, his frown still deep and meaningful. "None of them paid attention to my words, and vorns after I started my meetings with the Senators, a war exploded on our planet." The Prime scanned their faces, before continue: "The caste system has proven to be unsuitable. For so, I reinforce my beliefs that all Cybertronians should and must be treated equally, and respectfully; regardless of their city or colony of origin."

It was impossible to describe the smiles that appeared behind Optimus's back, on the faces of all the bots who were listening to his speech. Bumblebee, who was among them, chuckled.

Yup. The old Prime was back in business.

"But… then…" One of the Councilmen stammered at the speech, only to be gestured to remain silent by the blue and red mech, who wasn't finished.

"Though it's not the most efficient way, I understand that the Council's existence is necessary. However, I do not believe for the best that said Council doesn't count with some representatives of both factions." Optimus commented, receiving horrified faces… almost from everyone. Nonetheless, there were a few who looked at him in awe, surprised for his sudden statement… Drift among those people.

"The Decepticons started the war that destroyed our home!" Another Councilmen yelled, jumping off his seat, and slamming the table in front of him with both hands.

"Indeed. But we cannot ignore that plenty of them were deceived to enlist themselves into the faction's ranks; nor that, many others, joined them due to their desperation for fuel." Optimus quickly retorted.

"Oh, is that so…?" One of the Councilmen snickered.

"It was my case, sir." Drift hurried to say, taking a step forward, and gaining everyone's attention. "I spent entire deca-cycles on the streets surviving as a burglar, stealing to eat." He averted his eyes at the memory. "I also lost a friend in the hands of the Senate's guards…" The knight added, and kept a minute of silence in respect. "Megatron didn't have to do much to convince me to join them."

"It's different. You left the Decepticons and switched factions." One of the Councilmen said, trying to dismiss the warrior's words.

"Precisely." Optimus pointed at the old bot's commentary. "And Drift wasn't the only one who abandoned the Decepticon cause, after realizing that their leader didn't act according to his promises. Two more former Decepticons are present in this room as witnesses of my words." He said, gesturing to Ambulon and Knock Out. "Now: I realize we cannot force anyone into it; forgiveness and redemption must be wanted by the person itself, it is a choice that must be taken freely after recognizing their mistakes." The Prime admitted. "Even when the possibilities of finding a Decepticon who actually regrets his previous actions are low, we cannot ignore that such thing may happen. But they must know that such option does exist."

The room submerged in a tense silence, in which the blue and red mech eyed the Council, making sure they didn't dismissed his words just because it didn't pleased them, nor their interests.

Finally, the old politicians gave in and approved Optimus's idea, saying that they'll make sure that all the Decepticon prisoners knew about their chance to prove themselves as good citizens, as long as they showed regret for what they did. However, they made sure to stress the fact that all those who wished to have this opportunity of redemption would have to face trial, and pass a period of parole. Basically: do what Knock Out did. The older Prime found such terms fair, and simply nodded.

The Councilmen sighed in relief. For a nanoklik they thought that their meeting with the former clerk would be harder…

And they were right.

As soon as the debate about change the politic system was over, Optimus decided to talk about some other issues; such as Cybertron's unquestionable bonds with Earth, due to their previous discoveries; plus, the fact that there were two high ranked (and highly dangerous) Decepticons at large in said planet. Also, and talking about the runaway 'Cons, he also mentioned that some of them stole a few spaceships and hid among the stars during the prison breakout. And, all this was without mention the fact that, now, there were two Primes; thing that, also, had to be debated…

When the old bots that composed the Council started to shiver in fear at the list of matters to discuss, Optimus couldn't help but smirk pleased.

It was so good to be back…

First one, done. Sorry if you find it kind of boring or something alike, but this was the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about Optimus...

P.S.: The idea of the Council counting with some representatives of both factions, came out of the comic too; however, I believed this to be more realistic than just say that, for some crazy reason, all Cybertron was fine with putting Starscream as king... Besides, in the comics are some 'Cons that hangs around with 'Bots (in Blurr's bar at least).

Please, let me know what you think.

See you next time. Bye!