I think you guys know what this is… It's Love and Forever. This story is in canon with my story Talida Prime: Rising Darkness and it's a more in-depth version of the love story between Optimus and Arcee. EEEEEEP! Hopefully, this will satisfy all Optimus/Arcee fans out there.
© Transformers: Prime rightfully belongs to Hasbro and The Hub. (Just over a week now until season 2. EEEEEEEEEEEP! I CANNOT WAIT!)
© OCs belong to me. (*cough* Rayna! *cough* What can I say? I thought it'd be interesting if Cybertron had a techno-organic Princess.)
We Found Love belongs to Rihanna and her respective record label. (Seriously. I just had to go and get that song stuck in my head, didn't I?)
Italics, bold and underline means the narration in the song.
Oh! Did anyone see the 12-minute preview of the season 2 premiere? As soon as I heard about it, I immediately began searching YouTube, forums, any website I can find for the video but I had a hard time. When I did find it, I almost did cartwheels because I was so happy and excited. Thank GOD we only have to wait one more week until the second season premiere of the show. Especially after watching practically the first half of the first episode. Anyone else feel the same way I do? But… *snickers* Seriously? Ratchet? The Doctor of Doom? A warlord? I'd pay to see that! Sorry if I just spoiled it for you.
Also, this story is dedicated to fellow Optimus/Arcee shipper haloangel21. She's also a pretty amazing artist. Check out her drawings on Deviantart. She actually drew a picture of Optimus and Arcee on their wedding day. And…I've decided to have her become the official artist for Talida Prime: Rising Darkness. So go and check out her drawings. NOW!
ENJOY!
"It's like you're screaming, and no one can hear.
You almost feel ashamed.
That someone could be that important.
That without them, you feel like nothing.
No one will ever understand how much it hurts.
You feel hopeless; like nothing can save you.
And when it's over, and it's gone,
You almost wish that you could have all that bad stuff back.
So that you could have the good.
Yellow diamonds in the light.
Now we're standing side by side.
As your shadow crosses mine,
What it takes to come alive.
It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny.
But I've gotta let it go.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place."
War ravaged around them. The explosions muted their sound processors. Energon-curdling screams pierced through the pained atmosphere around them. Fires burnt their way around the slowly dying planet known as Cybertron. Bodies of fallen Cybertronians stained the streets. Every mile. Every corner. Every home was affected. Including the home of the royal family.
Outside and inside.
Trusted loved ones surrounded the bed of the Cybertronian Princess. She was named Rayna. Her electric blue eyes were dimmed as her energy slowly faded. Her long honey brown hair was slick with sweat as her skin became clammy due to her illness. Her beautiful tanned skin was now sickly pale. Her white dress clung to her as she lied in what could be her deathbed. (AN: She is going to have A LOT of dresses so the link to all of them will gradually appear in my profile.)
The trusted loved ones that surrounded the dying Princess are Bulkhead, Jazz, Ironhide, Abelard and his heavily pregnant wife, Ada, Ratchet and Rayna's most trusted friend, Orion Pax. Her parents would be by their daughter's side if they could. However, her parents were among the first casualties in the ageless war. Heartbroken, she might have been, but Rayna knew that the planet depended on her to rule with the same wisdom and kindness her parents did before her. Sure. She remained a Princess and did not rise to become Queen of Cybertron. However, she still had the power to completely rule.
"How are you feeling today, Rayna?" Ironhide asked worriedly.
Before the war, Ironhide didn't personally know the Princess like Orion, Abelard, Ada and Ratchet had. But despite the circumstances they met under, they had a close bond. Like brother and sister. So Ironhide cared for 'Little Rayna', as he liked to call her.
"Worse than yesterday," came Rayna's weak response.
"She's dying with the planet, I'm afraid. Since she was born of Primus and the core after casting Unicron out so long ago, she will die when the planet dies. There's nothing I can do to prevent this. I can only make sure she doesn't feel pain and she passes on peacefully," Ratchet sighed sadly.
"Rayna, there has to be a way," the Wrecker known as Bulkhead begged, clearly distraught by the thought of losing his love.
"Orion…come here, Orion," Rayna pleaded.
Orion was by her side immediately. This is his closest friend lying on her deathbed. He gently grabbed her small hand in his engulfing hand. Softly, like tending to his sparkling, Orion gently ran his free fingers down the side of her face, a touch Orion smiled to.
"You may be a Prime and a leader of one of the sides in this ageless war now, Orion Pax. But you're still the bumbling, fumbling, sometimes idiotic data clerk that I have grown to love like a brother," Rayna laughed, despite her situation.
"And I you, Rayna. And I you," Orion smiled at her, his smile immediately disappearing as Rayna squeezed her eyes shut and groaned in pain as she clung to his hand.
"I need you to do something for me, Orion. I need you to take me there," Rayna begged him.
"Take you where, Rayna?" Abelard asked.
"Where do you want Orion to take you?" Ada repeated her husband's question gently when Rayna struggled to answer.
"The…the core…" Rayna gasped as she felt herself become even weaker.
"Is she strong enough?" Orion immediately turned to Ratchet asking worriedly.
"I don't see why she can't go. You will have to carry her though," Ratchet warned.
"I don't mind," Orion smiled as he gently squeezed Rayna's hand.
Before long, the Autobots were standing outside the Royal Residence preparing Orion and Rayna for the journey to the core, which was only a few miles away. Jetfire was to be their escort. Ada was saying goodbye to Rayna who was nestled in Optimus' arms weak. When Rayna's parents were murdered during the first few days of the war, Abelard and Ada took it upon themselves to become the parental figures in her life, guiding her to becoming the sole ruler of Cybertron. They say its because they didn't want Rayna to feel like she was alone. However, Orion and Rayna glanced at each other and knew that they wanted to practice because Abelard and Ada have talked about having sparklings for a long time. And now they have one on the way. Rayna couldn't be any happier by the thought, continuously saying that she is going to have a baby sister.
"You'll be fine, Rayna. I'm sure of it," Abelard smiled as he squeezed Rayna's hands.
"I'll take good care of her, Abelard," Orion swore.
"Hey. Your sister wants to say goodbye to her," Ada giggled.
Rayna laughed weakly and rested her hand on Ada's slightly swollen stomach, her smile only growing bigger when she felt her 'sister' kick against her hand. Suddenly, Ada's facial expression changed to one filled with pure pain. Immediately, everyone was worried.
"Ada, are you alright?" Orion asked worriedly.
"I'm fine," Ada reassured them, "Go. Rayna's depending on you, Orion."
"I won't let her down," Orion promised before beginning on his journey.
They made it to the corner of the street when they faintly heard yelling. However, considering how far away they were, they thought they were imagining the residence crying aloud,
"ADA'S IN LABOUR!"
Neither Orion, Jetfire nor Rayna knew how long their journey to Cybertron's core from the Royal Residence. But all they knew is that they were there. In fact, they surprisingly made it without a hitch…and their definition of this is only facing one or two Decepticon insurgents trying to destroy Iacon from the inside.
There was no time to waste. As soon as they were at the door, they ran inside. They didn't feel like being caught up in a firefight. Not while Rayna is dying. Dimmed lights filled the core. The core of their dying home planet. Jetfire and Orion were lucky to make their way around without falling or dropping Rayna.
"I'll see if I can heal the planet," Jetfire decided.
Orion nodded and Jetfire was on his way. When Jetfire left, Orion stood there. Trying to figure out what to do. Rayna's wheezing gasps filled the atmosphere plaguing them as she tried her best to gain her dear friend's attention.
"Lay me down," Rayna begged, "Lay me down."
Wordlessly, Orion obeyed. He played Rayna on the cold, hard ground beneath them. Rayna closed her eyes as her bare skin contrasted with the metal. Immediately, Orion grew worried. He was hoping Rayna wasn't dying already. Even if Orion was his commander, Bulkhead would never let him hear the end of it.
His worries only grew as he saw a blue beam shoot out from the core. Aiming directly at Rayna. Orion went to protect Rayna. But something stopped him. It was almost like an invisible force was holding him back. Like he wasn't meant to protect the Princess from this mysterious force. Slowly, Rayna was lifted from the ground. He didn't know what was going on. Or whether or not this was good.
Rayna opened her eyes. Her electric blue eyes glowed brighter. As if she was back to her normal self. However, when she opened her mouth to speak, it wasn't her voice that was used.
But rather, the voice of Primus himself.
And she didn't call him Orion Pax, like she knew him as.
But rather the name he was given when he became Prime.
Optimus Prime.
"Optimus Prime. You have fought valiantly. But you have come too late," Rayna proclaimed.
Orion didn't like the sound of those words slipping past Rayna's light pink lips. Primus was practically declaring his death sentence. Not just for dear Rayna. But for Cybertron and any Cybertronian that has not become one of the many casualties caused by this ageless war. Losing Rayna was the last thing Orion wanted.
"No," Orion denied, shaking his head, "There must be something I can do. There has to be a way for me to save Rayna and this planet."
"Perhaps there is. Perhaps there is not. However, there is something you can gain on your voyage here to heal myself and my daughter," Rayna smiled softly before continuing, "I am sure you remember when the High Council and the Royal Family declared that you were to be the next Prime, Optimus. However, this title is not theirs to grant. While Rayna and Alpha Trion pled your case as well and with conviction, not even two people as powerful as them can determine the succession of the Primes. Not while Sentinel Prime is still alive. He has long since failed to meet the expectations laid out before him when he was first declared Prime. However, the title was still his. Sentinel passed on the title of a Prime to you when you rescued him from Decepticon imprisonment and he realized his unworthiness for the title. Now, I shall give you something. Something that Sentinel Prime proved himself unworthy of obtaining for far too long."
As she spoke, Rayna's chest began to glow brightly. Brighter than any other part of her body. With a gasp from Rayna, an object came out of her chest and hovered in her hands. The object was familiar to any Cybertronian. It was the jewel from the hilt of Prima's sword. However, what Primus said through Rayna next shocked Orion to the core,
"Behold the Matrix of Leadership."
Orion was shocked. The Matrix of Leadership was real. No doubt about that. The Matrix of Leadership was powerful and carries the wisdom of the Thirteen Original Primes. Again. No doubt about that. The Matrix of Leadership was hidden where no one would be able to find it. Once again, no doubt about that. Inside Rayna was somewhere you wouldn't expect it to be…in a way. But the fact that Orion had proven himself worthy to carry such a vessel.
THAT is what he doubted.
"Take it, Optimus Prime. Take it and be worthy. Be worthy of the title of Prime," Rayna said as she gently pushed the prized possession towards her dear friend.
Orion caught the Matrix in his hands. The valuable relic hovering between his hands. Parts of Rayna's personality shone through Primus' possession of her and she let out a laugh as she watched Orion stare at the Matrix in between his hands. Unsure of what to do next.
"Take the Matrix of Leadership into you, Optimus Prime. Let it guide you as it has guided the Primes and Rayna before you. May it defend you as it defended Prima and Rayna until the time came for them to yield it. May it keep you on the righteous path and guide you when you are uncertain. May it strengthen you both in body and in spirit. May it be the light within you, that you may be the light of the Transformers who would follow you," Rayna smiled at him.
However, Rayna's smile began to disappear when Orion began to push the Matrix of Leadership towards her once again, shaking his head in the denial as he repeated the words he had said to the High Council and the Royal Family when they declared him to be the Next Prime,
"I am not worthy of this."
"You are worthy of this, Optimus Prime. However, it is up to you to remain worthy. This is the essence of Primus, the animating principle of all Cybertron and everything that has ever lived on Cybertron," Rayna declared.
As she spoke, Orion felt something strange happening within his body. That was when he realized. His body was accepting the Matrix of Leadership into him. Allowing the vessel to become one with his own pure spark. When the Matrix became one with his spark, he felt different. He no longer felt like Orion Pax, the humble data clerk in the Hall of Records sorting data in the DataNet all day long. But rather, he felt like Optimus Prime, the last of the Primes who would lead the Autobots to victory. He was given not invincibility, but certainty. He also felt power. But he didn't feel the desire to use this new power over others unfairly.
"Now you are truly Prime. And now you must lead your Autobots through this war so they may live long enough to make a journey in the future," Rayna said.
"What journey?" Orion – or OPTIMUS, as he is now known as – immediately demanded.
"You'll find out soon," Rayna promised before the glow died down and she returned to the way she was before that fateful day in the chamber of the High Council.
"Are you alright?" Optimus asked worriedly.
"I am fine now, Ori-I mean, Optimus," Rayna immediately corrected herself, "Come on. We have a war to fight. And it's not going to end anytime soon."
Rayna immediately proceeded towards the exit with Jetfire. Optimus stood there for several moments. It still felt strange. Having the Matrix of Leadership inside his chassis. Situated over his spark chamber. As those several moments passed, the strange feelings slipped away. Now, he felt like a true leader. The leader everyone had been expecting him to be since the beginning of this causeless war.
Wordlessly, he began to follow Rayna and Jetfire, who were already outside the core's entrance waiting for him.
"I hate to abandon the both of you. But I fear I must return to my squadron. Those Decepticon drones aren't going to destroy themselves," Jetfire remarked.
"Take care, old friend. And thank you," Optimus thanked.
"Think nothing of it, Commander," Jetfire smiled before transforming and flying away.
"I fear I must leave as well, dear friend. I feel wounded Cybertronians nearby. And…well, one of my duties as Princess is to ensure that my people are provided with the medical care they need," Rayna pointed out.
"Take it easy," Optimus immediately advised.
"Me? Take it easy? You've known me for how long now, my dear friend?" Rayna smirked before flying away on her hover board. (AN: Psst! Rayna's hover board is the same hover board Talida has.)
Optimus knew that his dear friend wasn't going to take it easy. Especially when her people are in need. It didn't matter that she had just recovered from her recent brush with death. She would still find a way to help her people during the war. No matter what. That was one of the things Optimus loved about Rayna. Nothing would stop her from helping those in need.
"Optimus!"
The voice distracted him from his thoughts about a certain Cybertronian Princess. Normally, if the circumstances were normal, Optimus would immediately stand ready to fight. However, this time, the circumstances were far than the circumstances, which have become normal circumstances when the war began. Instead, two of his trusted friends, Abelard and Ada, were approaching him happily. Ada was happily holding a bundle in her arms. That was when Optimus knew.
Abelard and Ada's sparkling was born.
And they wanted him to bless their child.
"Abelard. Ada," Optimus greeted as he glanced at the child asleep in their arms, "You gave birth, Ada. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Optimus. It was slightly painful, naturally. After all, what's childbirth without a little pain? But seeing her bright optics made it all worth it," Ada smiled.
"She looks just like her mother," Abelard smiled, "We were wondering, Optimus. Would you bless our sparkling?"
"I would be honored," Optimus responded without hesitation.
"We still need to give her a name," Ada couldn't help but point out sheepishly as she gently passed her sleeping daughter into the waiting arms of Optimus Prime.
Optimus stared down fully at the newborn sparkling in his arms for the first time. Abelard was right. The newborn femme looks just like her mother. Something deep inside Optimus awakened. Something that was dorben since his own birth so long ago.
Softly, Optimus ran his thumb over the child's forehead. Fondly. Lovingly, even. The child awoke to his touch. The fatigue that was once laced into the soft blue and lavender eyes disappeared when they began tracing Optimus' face. Taking in every aspect. Every line. Every groove. Everything. Immediately, she reached up for his hand, cooing happily when she successfully grabbed his thumb in her tiny hands. Optimus smiled as he began murmuring the first incantation.
This first one blessed the child in his arms. Blessed her with a happy life. Something that was impossible in the war. But she would have a happy life if she did what she loved. Nothing more. Nothing less. The first mark appeared on her arm. The mark of bravery. This meant that she would be involved in the war. As a soldier in the near future. This was something Optimus was inwardly dreading. She's so young. So innocent. So beautiful. Someone who shouldn't be in the war. But there must be a destiny for her.
Then Optimus murmured a second incantation. Something special and sacred. Abelard and Ada glanced at each other. They knew what this incantation was.
Abelard did this to Ada when they first met. He felt his own spark swell with happiness and pride, even. His daughter was the first sparkling to be blessed by the new Prime. And not only that. She also found her soul mate at just minutes old. Normally, a father would go crazy protective over his daughter when it comes to love and boys. However, he had known Optimus for a very long time. Even when the new Autobot leader was a regular data clerk known as Orion Pax. He had grown to respect him and couldn't think of a better mech for his child.
Ada was the same. Optimus has a gentle heart. A gentle soul. She knew he would protect her daughter with his life. Even die for her if he had to. All she could do is pray for a happy future for her and Optimus.
Optimus' smile grew even wider as he finally finished the ancient incantation. The second mark appeared on the newborn sparkling within just nanoseconds. This time, on her chassis over her spark chamber. The spark of a soul mate. Optimus' spark swelled. In happiness and in possession. He knew that one day, when she was older, when the war had died down a little (although the latter is simply wishful thinking), they would be together. They would marry and have a happy family of their own. Deep down, he immediately began wishing for that day to come soon.
"She shall be called Arcee," Optimus proclaimed.
Abelard and Ada immediately liked the name. It suited their daughter perfectly. Optimus stared into Arcee's beautiful optics. Those optics would enchant him as she grew. Along with his deep and passionate feelings for her. That much he knew. Softly, he kissed her forehead before passing his future love into the waiting arms of her overjoyed father, Abelard.
"The Cybertronians only had minor injuries. It was nothing that I couldn't fix. Although…Bulkhead's going to kill me for overworking myself AGAIN," Rayna remarked as she joined the group exhausted from her running and recent use of powers…before noticing the predicament, "Uh…did I miss something?"
"Rayna, meet your new sister. Optimus called her Arcee," Ada smiled as she proudly showed off her daughter.
"Whoa. Wait a cycle. Optimus named your daughter? But I thought that only-. Oh…," Rayna trailed off before suddenly smirking and turning to face Optimus, "Oh, and Optimus…"
"What?" Optimus demanded.
"Remember that conversation we had before the meeting with the High Council? How you doubted you would find your soul mate and we agreed that if you did, I would be allowed to say I told you so?" Rayna asked.
"Yes," Optimus nodded, already knowing what Rayna was going to say to him next.
"Well…guess what?" Rayna smirked before screaming in Optimus' face,
"I TOLD YOU SO!"
Yes. That was Rayna, Princess of Cybertron, who has returned to her normal self. And then there was Optimus, the new Autobot leader who recently found love.
"Shine a light through an open door.
Love a life. I will divide.
Turn away 'cause I need you more.
Feel the heartbeat in my mind.
It's the way I'm feeling I just can't deny.
But I've gotta let it go.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
Yellow diamonds in the light.
Now we're standing side by side.
As your shadow crosses mine…
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place.
We found love in a hopeless place."
hehe What can I say? I just had to add that last part in. :P Hey! Does the relationship Optimus and Rayna share appear familiar to you? ;)
I know, I know. This is all wrong and doesn't happen in the actual series. Well…there is a reason why that this particular genre is called 'fan fiction.' Just like I said in the story that started it all, this is an extension to chapter 6. If you want the abriviated version of this story, read chapter six of Talida Prime: Rising Darkness.
Speaking of which, I have a party to attend to. If you've read the story I mention before, you should know the drill by now. Review. Fave. Alert. Whatever.
BYE!