Optimus spent the next few days assisting the Autobots. He went into battle a few times, and was curious to see that the Decepticons were only attacking power plants, and other earth structures where energy was produced. The shorter Prime asked his counterpart about it, and was shocked to learn what state Cybertron was in… really, it was a little scary.
"You seem surprised." Prime said, looking across the table at his counterpart, who looked a little shaken. "It's not like that in your world?"
Optimus fiercely shook his head. "Nothing like it. Nothing like it." He said. "Granted, Cybertron does look a little worse for wear, but not to the point of the Energon drying up!"
He shook his head and shuddered at the thought.
Prime blinked. Many of the things the younger of the two had learned during his time with them had caused surprise, worry, and in one case, just a tiny bit of panic. But this… this made him look terrified.
At first, Prime could not determine the cause for such terror. But then he remembered; his young counterpart's war had not been waging for as long as theirs. Their Cybertron had not been as badly damaged. Heck, it was still in its orbit for Primus' sake.
"But…" Optimus said finally, his voice a little shaky. "That doesn't explain why the Decepticons are attacking energy complexes."
Prime frowned behind his mask. "Megatron's ambition is to store up enough energy, destroy us, then return to Cybertron and use the stolen energy to recharge the planet."
Optimus made a surprised squeak.
"It… it almost sounds like a noble cause…" He said after a pause.
Prime blinked and stared at Optimus with very round optics. "What?"
"If… if it weren't for all the causing chaos on earth, stealing energy and killing off the Autobots, Megatron's cause would seem… quite noble…
Prime's optics widened a bit more. "You're mad…"
This time it was Optimus' turn to stare at the other with wide optics. "I beg your pardon?"
Prime shook his head and stood up, saying nothing.
Optimus frowned and also stood. "Are you trying to tell me that you don't give a scrap about Cybertron?" He demanded in his Autobot Commander voice.
"No, I'm not saying that."
"Then what are you saying?!" Optimus asked, raising his voice without really meaning to.
- - -
Outside Prime's office, a red Autobot casually walked down the hallway. He had been on a mission away from the Ark since before Optimus arrived, and was not aware that there were in fact, two Optimus Primes on base.
Simply put, he was more than a little surprised to hear the argument seep through Prime's door into the hall.
"I'm not saying anything!" He heard Prime say.
"Well fine, tell me this then," Said an unfamiliar voice. "Why is it you don't seem to be doing anything for Cybertron?"
Who was he arguing with, the Autobot wondered. Skyfire? No, he never raised his voice. Prowl? He'd never argue with Prime. Ratchet? Nah.
Who in blazes was it?!
"Optimus…"
The Autobot blinked in surprise, and stepped close to the door to listen. He had heard Prime call someone else Optimus! He was sure of it!
"Don't try that with me! I've used that too many times on my own men to fall for it! Just admit it Prime, you don't care about Cybertron in the least!"
Eh? The Autobot blinked.
"Yo, Powerglide!" Said a new voice from further up the corridor.
The red Autobot snapped up. How shameful, being caught with an audio receptor against Prime's door. No matter how interesting the sounds coming through it, it was just rude… and bad enough to get him stationed in the Antarctic for the next two vorns. He looked up mournfully, but blinked to see Ironhide strolling towards him, a smile on his faceplate.
"Long time, no see bud!"
"Ironhide!" Powerglide hissed. "Come here and listen to this!"
Ironhide frowned as he came to a stop beside the lithe Autobot flier. "You're eavesdropping on Prime?"
Powerglide didn't answer. He didn't have to. A loud shout from the other side of the door did it for him.
"I do care!" It was Prime's voice. "But you of all mechs should know just what kind of slag I have to handle! There are more important things for me to worry about!"
"That's no excuse! You could still be doing something! For all the free time you have you could be thinking of something. You bloody well DON'T care, and none of your Autobots seem rightly worried about it either! I might as well be with the Decepticons!"
The two red Autobots in the hall froze and heard Prime gasp. Ironhide was the only one of the two who knew just how much weight that last statement held.
"Sweet Primus…" The older Autobot muttered to himself.
"You… you can't mean that…." Prime stuttered out. "You can't mean that!"
"I never say anything I don't mean, and you know it!"
"But it's just a planet for crying out loud!"
There was an uneasy pause.
"Just a… It's more than that! It's our home!"
"Our home, not yours."
Silence.
Ironhide's optics went wide. Powerglide blinked. Whomever Prime was arguing with seemed to have been halted… and didn't, by the sounds of it, seem to be Cybertronian. Robotic certainly. But not from Cybertron?
The two red Autobots jumped back as the door hissed open and a red and blue mech stormed out, before walking briskly down the hall. Prime appeared at the door to his office and looked down the hall after the younger Autobot.
"Optimus!" He called.
"Shut up!" Came the sharp reply as Optimus vanished from sight.
Prime grimaced and sighed.
"Man." Ironhide said, making the Autobot Commander snap around in surprise. "The guy has a bit of a temper." The veteran looked at Prime. "He's not a whole lot like you after all, huh."
"You heard that?"
"Most of it, sir." Powerglide said quietly. "I'm sorry, we shouldn't have listened in…"
"'Glide, you may a'noticed that they were yellin' pretty loud. It's a wonder the whole staff ain't here." Ironhide huffed.
Prime shook his head.
"What was that about anyway, Prime?" The red Autobot asked, looking down the hall after Optimus. "He seemed right upset about somethin'…"
"Cybertron." Prime said, rubbing the back of his neck. "He seemed offended that I'm not putting any thought towards fixing it, like Megatron is."
"He's not seriously goin' to defect, is he?!"
"Primus, I hope not."
"Optimus Prime the Decepticon… it just doesn't sound right."
"Eh?!" Powerglide exclaimed. "I don't understand! You weren't talking about Prime, Ironhide. Prime isn't... wouldn't consider defecting to the Decepticons!"
Prime placed a hand on the plane's shoulder. "You've missed a lot while you were away from the Ark, Powerglide."
And the tall Autobot began to explain.
- - -
Sparkplug had been hanging out with Bumblebee and Spike when Optimus careened past, looking more annoyed and hurt than the Minicon had seen him for years. He beeped an apology to his companions that they didn't understand and ran after his partner.
(Optimus?) He beeped, running to keep up with the larger mech's fast pace. (Are you okay?)
"I'm fine!" Optimus snapped, his voice poisonous.
Sparkplug paused, and watched the Autobot walk away from him. (Yeah, right Optimus.)
Ratchet peeked out of the Med Bay door as Optimus strode past, hearing him snap at his tiny partner. He frowned and looked down at the Minicon.
"He seems upset." He said dully, and Sparkplug looked up at him in surprise.
(Optimus is upset, Ratchet. He's very upset.)
Ratchet frowned. Partly because of the way the smaller mech communicated, and partly because he thought he recognised his name amongst those beeps.
"He's lost everything." The CMO stated. "He's lost everything. Not even an Optimus Prime… could handle that without flinching."
Sparkplug looked back down the hallway as his partner disappeared.
(You might be right, Ratchet… You might be right…) Again, the medic recognised the beeps that formed his name. (I've lost everything once too. And I'm not losing my partner again.)
The Minicon got a determined look on his faceplate and bolted down the hall after Optimus Prime.
Ratchet sighed. "I hope they find what they're looking for." He said quietly, slinking back inside his domain.
- - -
Optimus kept storming until he was halfway through the canyon that lead to the Ark. He let out a pained groan, mingled with a spark-felt sigh, and stopped, before turning to one side and leaning his back against the canyon wall.
"Can't believe I just did that…" He sighed.
Then, as he looked up, the errant Autobot Commander spotted a small path, heading up and beyond the canyon walls. Curious, he pushed away from the rock and followed it.
He never noticed the small yellow car following him from behind, or the black mechanical bird following overhead.
- - -
"Megatron, Laserbeak reports that the strange Autobot is leaving the Ark, unescorted." Soundwave droned.
"Is he?" Megatron mused. This could be his chance! He could corner the Autobot, where Prime and his weakling warriors would not be able to interfere! This was his chance to find out who he was!
Megatron frowned. If the Autobot hadn't been willing to say his name or rank before, he certainly wouldn't now, seeing how much like Prime he was. He'd need to take Soundwave with him, then.
But another thought lingered at the side of his mind. An unpleasant thought, truly, even by his standards. But, regardless, it had merit; in its own, sick twisted way.
This Autobot had been far too much of a problem. And was far too interesting to outright destroy. Megatron sighed to himself inwardly. He never had been able to pass up the opportunity to improve his already vast store of information about warfare. And the Decepticon General was sure that this enigmatic Autobot held a wealth of information on that particular topic. He was not much of an Autobot as far as he knew Autobots, and that was interesting.
He nodded. Unpleasant as it was, that little thing would make his job a lot easier… and that particular old associate of his would be happy to help out. Or in the very least… could be pressured into helping.
The Decepticon leader indulged himself in a self-satisfied evil smile, and strode off to his personal quarters, to make a private call.
- - -
"… How nice of you to actually answer your vid phone. It's been a while, Victor."
"Feh, not long enough if you want my opinion..."
Before Megatron was the sight of an aged, cybernetically modified human.
Dr. Victor Archeville, since the days of his initial aiding of the Decepticons and his subsequent imprisonment on the planet had been in the 'employ' of his former partners, lending his unbelievable scientific talents to the Decepticons. Most of the gadgets that the alien conquerors had used in their many failed attempts to dominate the Doctor's home world had been of his own design. He had even been set free from the automated chair he had been strapped to after his reconstruction at the hands of Starscream. Behind the grizzled cyborg was a darkened laboratory, formerly the Air Commander's private lab (given to Archeville as a means of infuriating the egocentric seeker).
Archeville kept his gaze trained on Megatron. "But I digress. What can I do for you, Megatron?"
Megatron's left optic twitched momentarily, but smiled with diplomatic politeness none-the-less.
"I need some of your equipment, Victor. Something to suppress an Autobot's weapons, and a few other functions as well."
The Decepticon General paused, and considered the part metal human carefully. "Surely," He said slowly. "From your little burrow there, you have seen and heard of this new Autobot that we have been pitted against?"
Archeville nodded. "Indeed I have, Mighty Megatron." he smirked a little, performing this act of insolence only because the Decepticon commander could not reach him. "Very curious, how similar he appears to Optimus Prime. Perhaps he is the latest model, hmm?"
He turned around and vanished off screen, the sounds of equipment being moved around and faint cursing being heard. Archeville appeared onscreen again, lugging with him what appeared to be a large, Cybertronian-scale band.
"THIS is my latest device in the field of Autobot suppression. It renders the target incapable of onboard weaponry use, vehicle mode operation, onboard communication systems, and sub-spacing capacity." He patted the thing proudly, a wicked gleam in his bionic eye. "All you need do is attach it to a limb. An arm, a leg, a neck... it makes no difference, the result shall be the same."
Megatron looked at the band on the screen and shuddered inwardly, knowing full well that it would work just as effectively on a Decepticon as on an Autobot. Archeville tended to do things like that.
"Very impressive, as always, Victor. Only the one shall suffice, I believe." Megatron said, privately disgusted by the thing.
"Very well then." Archeville took some triumph from the fact that he could disturb the ancient warrior so. Given his current life condition, it was all that he had to prevent himself from going insane.
Well, more insane, anyway.
"I'm curious Megatron, what exactly do you intend to do with this mystery Autobot?"
"I don't quite see why it's any of your business, Victor, but perhaps this once I shall indulge you." Megatron said, closing his optics.
"This Autobot, as I am sure you are aware, has many unusual and powerful weapons, and strange abilities as well. In addition to the fact that not a single mech in my ranks has the slightest idea as to who he is, the extent of these abilities is unknown. It is my intent to remedy that." He opened his optics again and their red light burned at the scientist on the screen. "I will drain him dry of information and dispose of him. But we shall have no use for his shell. Perhaps you would want it?" He suggested.
Archeville put a metallic hand to his chin in consideration.
"Hmm... Yes, as a matter of fact, I would have use for his shell. Thank you for offering my lord." Archeville bowed his head respectively. Then he faced the warlord once again.
"Tell me... has Starscream been giving you any trouble over this? Because as you know, I have many devices here that could teach that imbecile some manners..."
Megatron couldn't help but smirk a little at the thought of making the Air Commander's life that much harder.
"No." He said at length. "Starscream has been... unusually cooperative in this case. He took quite a beating from this Autobot and hasn't quite lived it down." He sighed. "I feel he won't be happy till the Autobot's secrets are common knowledge, and the Autobot himself done away with. He has, however been begging me to be the one to deliver the final blow, but that is reserved for me."
He looked up at the screen once more. "I want your opinion, Victor, on one particular one of that Autobot's abilities." He said solemnly.
Archeville bit back the urge to say something smarmy, aware that if Megatron couldn't hurt him, Shockwave still could.
"Very well. Which ability?"
"Have you ever seen any kind of device that can form spheres of energy in the air?" Megatron asked, his voice cold. "He created a sphere of energy, in the air, with his hands."
Archeville put a hand to his chin, closing his eye as he tried to recall... ah yes, that was it! He opened his sole organic eye and refocused his attention on Megatron.
"In theory, there could exist devices capable of drawing ambient energy from the air and channelling it, even giving it shape and form; like a more advanced version of my exponential generator. However, I have not actually SEEN such a device in action... created a sphere of energy with his bare hands, you say? That is... most disturbing news."
Megatron shook his head. "Oh, it gets better, old friend." He said. "Not only did he do it with his hands, but he did it instantly."
Archeville bit back a harsh retort at being called "friend", memories of Megatron's fool scheme to gain Energon via the near destruction of Earth still fresh in his mind after so many years. At the mention of the mystery-bot's ability however, he did have the good sense to look shocked.
"Instantly?! Megatron, are you positive you need only one suppressor?" he jutted a thumb in the direction of the aforementioned suppressor.
Megatron sighed. "Yes, instantly. Like this." The silver Decepticon mimicked the action that had formed the sphere, clapping his hands together in the direction of the screen.
The Decepticon shook his head. "However, I think just the one will do. I have seen the effects of your earlier efforts, Victor, and they were more than enough. This," And he gestured towards the band on the screen with the cannon on his right arm. "Should be sufficient. At least to disable him enough so he is no longer a threat."
Megatron looked at the scientist carefully. "I can tell from your expression that your interest in this Autobot has been… peaked." He said, raising his optic ridges slightly.
No matter how much Archeville's inventions and overall dislike for his species sent shivers to his core, the warlord had a sort of odd respect for the cybernetic old man. He was, simply put, really the only one who was as fond about discovering new technologies and weapons as much as Megatron himself.
"Yes, I should say so," the old scientist nodded. "After all, not only does this Autobot possess technology that no one has ever seen before, he also bears such an uncanny likeness to your age old foe. It begs so many questions. Who gave him this technology? Was he built with it, or was it an enhancement? And why does he look so much Optimus Prime? Their designs are so similar; I could almost say that they were like brothers..." He didn't add his desire to dissect the mystery bot and discover the true depths of his technology; he knew that Megatron would never allow him to be the one to uncover the secrets that the Prime look-alike may have contained.
Megatron nodded. "Indeed. But there are other things about him that are strange as well, Victor. For example, he didn't seem to know who I was."
Anticipating that the scientist was going to ask for him to clarify, the Decepticon held up a holodisk. "This holds footage from our first battle with this Autobot. I'm sure you'll be interested to see it."
Megatron inserted the disk into a nearby console, and turned the screen so Archeville could see it.
It flicked on, just in time to see Megatron fire a blast that tore through the Autobot's fingers, sending his large, black barrelled gun, not unlike Optimus Prime's own, flying across the battlefield.
"What say you now Autobot?" Megatron on the screen asked. "Now what will you do?"
"You know," The Autobot said, looking up at Megatron as sparks danced between his fingers. "You're much too much like Megatron for my taste!"
The Autobot clapped his hands together in Megatron's direction and the sphere was formed, shooting forward and connecting with Megatron's chest.
Megatron turned off the video.
"So Victor..." The Decepticon said darkly. "What do you think of this new Autobot?"
Archeville's eye widened at what the Autobot had said. Too much like MEGATRON...
Then, it hit him.
"I think I know why he looks so much like Optimus..." he said suddenly.
Megatron raised an optic ridge. "Then enlighten me, Victor." He ordered.
"The reason he LOOKS like Optimus, is because he is Optimus... just another version of him." The scientist clarified.
Before Megatron could ask, he continued on.
"It has long been theorized that there exist alternate realities, timelines where things turned out differently then in our own. He is a variable, what could have been... and apparently, it would seem that you are plagued by Optimus Prime no matter what timeline." He chuckled darkly at that last bit, greatly amused by the idea that Megatron couldn't beat that goody two-shoes Prime in this or any other dimension apparently. He wondered what his alternate was like...
"But then that would suggest that, in this other world, Autobots are constructed with many powerful weapons integrated into their systems." Megatron argued. "As a leveller, one can only presume that the Decepticons are even more so."
"Oh, I would wager that to be the truth, since we are talking about universal constants." Archeville nodded. "Just as Optimus remains driven by moralistic drivel, then it can be safely said that the Decepticons of his dimension are much more heavily armed. But then again, maybe not." Archeville added slyly. "After all, it IS an alternate universe, and ultimately I cannot accurately predict what will be similar and what will be different. Who knows, maybe HIS Autobots are winning the war."
Megatron growled at the thought.
"Well, we'll soon know." He said. "I am taking Soundwave to confront this mech. Familiar as you are with his abilities, I'm sure you realise what that implies."
"But of course." Archeville grinned in sadistic joy. "You know, I've been working on something to mimic Soundwave's unique capabilities... I was hoping you'd let me use Starscream as a test subject, but then I recalled that in order for it to work the intended victim must have a sentient mind."
Megatron coughed back an approving laugh at that comment. "Yes, well." He said. "If he IS from another reality, then there are some other questions as well. How is it that he came here? Why? Could there be more Autobots coming? It is worrying. Especially if Soundwave can not gleam satisfactory information from this possible Optimus Prime."
Archeville put a hand to his chin. "If that is the case, then I suggest you prepare for the worst. But take heart; Soundwave has yet to fail you, and I somehow doubt that this Optimus Prime is less vulnerable to telepathy then the usual one you deal with."
"Perhaps. But as you yourself said before, it is impossible to predict." Megatron said.
The Decepticon general leaned back in his chair a little. "I'll send Skywarp over to collect the suppressor shortly Victor." He said in closing.
Archeville grimaced a little, not at all pleased with the idea of being around Skywarp. But, there was little he could do.
"By your command," Archeville bowed his head respectively, then gave a salute. "Decepticons Forever!"
Megatron turned off the vid screen.
- - -
Optimus followed the path up the canyon wall and along it, then followed it down, as it dipped down into a wide crevasse. Looking around, it reminded the red and blue Autobot of the place where Sparkplug's Minicon Panel had been hidden.
Overcome by a sudden wave of grief, remorse and shame, coupled with an odd sensation, one he had no definition for, which wasn't an emotion and wasn't a physical feeling, Optimus Prime dropped to the stone floor and curled into a ball.
"What is… wrong with me?" He said out loud.
- - -
"Is he still there?"
Wheeljack nodded, looking up from Teletran1's monitor. "Yes sir. He's still just lying there."
Ratchet looked at the readings on the monitor and frowned. "He's not dead at least."
Prime grimaced. "Thankyou Ratchet, that is so reassuring." He said flatly. Optimus Prime couldn't do sarcastic, but he could do flat.
"Sorry, I was just sayin'." The CMO said, moving away from the monitor.
"I can't understand it." Wheeljack said, shaking his head. "He just dropped and curled up. As if he were a frightened child."
"In truth, Wheeljack…" Prime said, his voice heavy. "He really still is."
"What does that mean?"
Prime looked guilty for a moment. He never lied, and it wasn't often he withheld information. But he had in this case, and felt worse off because of it.
"He told me… admitted to me, that his war has not been as lengthy as ours. His war has only just reached five million years, and he is only six million years old himself."
"We're all older than that by miles!" Ratchet exclaimed. "For the greater part, most of us were three, four million years old when the war started, and that's only just come adolescence! If he's only six mill, then…!"
Wheeljack shook his head in disbelief. "Then he's only recently come out of adolescence. How, by Primus, did he get to his position at a million years of age?"
"I can't answer that Wheeljack."
There was a silence.
"I worry about that Autobot." Prime said sadly.
"That Autobot…" Powerglide said suddenly, making all heads snap around to look at the aeroplane, having not realised he was in the room. "He's not much on an Autobot."
"What do you mean?" Wheeljack asked.
Powerglide frowned and leant back in his chair, putting his arms behind his head. "Even for Autobots of his age… it's unusual to be built with so many weapons integrated into your system."
"He's the Commander, Powerglide." Ironhide huffed.
"So is this Prime standing here, but he doesn't have weird weapons and freaky powers coming out his audios, does he?"
Wheeljack and Ratchet mumbled an agreement.
Prime frowned.
"And… his optics are gold."
Ironhide blinked in surprise. "What does that have to do with it?"
"Autobots have blue optics. Decepticons have red. Neutrals more have greens and purples, but a few of the 'Cons have those colours too."
"Powerglide, the colour of his optics is not important." Prime said.
"Isn't it?" The plane returned. "I say it is; I've used it to determine which mech belongs to which faction before any insignia is made visible, or IFF is made available, dozens of times. It's never wrong Prime. Not once have I been wrong using it."
The Autobots mulled over the information.
"Perhaps, in his universe it doesn't work that way. Maybe, where he is from, Autobots have gold optics." Prime suggested.
"Or, he's not as Autobot as we have been led to believe." Powerglide continued. "He might not be Optimus Prime. He might not even be an Autobot. He could have lied to us."
The other Autobots pondered this possibility. After all, he didn't seem to be a whole lot like their Optimus Prime.
Prime however, didn't agree with Powerglide's theory. The strange mech was most certainly Optimus Prime. He knew things only the Prime could know. He had the same precious Matrix of Leadership hidden in his chest, right near his spark.
The Autobot Commander blinked in surprise and stood bolt upright. He had just realised something! The other Autobots looked at him curiously.
"Prime?" Ratchet said gently. "What's… wrong?"
"I don't believe I don't think of it before…" The Prime muttered. "The reason he was acting so strangely…"
"Prime?" Wheeljack urged.
Prime looked around at the Autobots. "I'm going out there." He said. "I have to talk to him again."
- - -
Sparkplug transformed into mech mode and walked up to his partner where he lay. The Minicon hadn't seemed to notice that the normally very strong Autobot was having an emotional breakdown. He strolled casually up to Optimus and gently rested his hand on the big mech's helmet, feeling him jump slightly.
(It's okay, Optimus.) The Minicon beeped. (You stay there till you feel better.)
Optimus shuddered slightly. Had he started to feel better? At all? Lying there had eliminated the possibility of him falling over and hurting himself, but it didn't make him feel any better. The odd feeling welling up in his chest just behind the Matrix had not yet faded.
Suddenly, Optimus sat bolt upright, making Sparkplug jump back in surprise. "The…Matrix…"
He hadn't considered it before. Could the Matrix be making him feel this odd way?
The red and blue Autobot quickly looked around for any sign of life around him, got onto his knees and, leaning forward a bit, opened his chest compartment, and took the Matrix out, holding it under him. The moment it was no longer resting against his body, the odd feeling started to fade, and he started to feel normal again. "So it was the Matrix… doing that to me…"
Sparkplug edged closer and looked at the important object, frowning.
(What's it… doing?) He asked.
Optimus looked at it was well. It was flickering oddly.
"I don't know Sparkplug. Perhaps it is reacting to the other one in this universe."
(The other one! Prime's one!)
Optimus nodded and carefully put the Matrix back inside his chest, grunting as the feeling returned, and slumping back down onto the ground.
(You have to keep it there though, huh.) Sparkplug said with a sigh.
"I do… I must keep it… even though it… is making me feel… so strange…"
(Have you figured out what the feeling is?) The smaller mech asked.
"No… I can't think well enough to…"
(Hmmmm…) Sparkplug mused. (Well… when you were angry before, you felt really, really angry… right?)
"Yes…"
(And now, you feel really, really bad… depressed? Self-loathing or whatever?)
Optimus grimaced. "Yes…"
(Perhaps it's amplifying your emotions? Whatever you feel, it kicks it into the extreme?)
Optimus was quiet.
(You hate it when I'm right, don't you?) The Minicon smirked.
"Yes. But in this case… it might explain this feeling… and I might be able to explain it to Prime… and he might forgive my behaviour…"
(I'm sure he will. He might even agree with us. You never know unless you try.)
Optimus blinked and sat up. Everything seemed eerily calm all of a sudden. He looked around.
(Optimus? What's wrong?)
"Something… isn't right…" He muttered.
Suddenly, a purple seeker appeared out of nowhere, and slapped a silver band around his arm.
"Ha ha! Easy!" The seeker said, standing upright and looking proud of himself.
Optimus stared at the seeker, before looking at the band. He reached forward to pull it off, and it crackled, spitting sparks off in every direction. Optimus cried out. The thing was interfering with his internal systems! The band sparked a little more, and power flickered through the red and blue mech's body, seeping out of his fingertips.
The purple seeker backed away a little.
"Is… is it supposed to do that?" He muttered to himself.
(What the hell is it?! What did the seeker do?!) Sparkplug beeped hysterically.
"It…. It's disrupting… my systems!" Optimus managed, before letting out another cry as a spike of power resonated through his CPU.
(O-optimus…) Sparkplug said, feeling helpless. Then, the Minicon's expression changed, and he leapt at the purple seeker, and clung to his face, beating his small fists into the seeker's optics. (You slimy slagging bastard! Get that thing off my partner, NOW!!!) He screeched.
The seeker stumbled back. "What the hell is this thing?! Ahh! It's on me! Get it off!" he cried, flailing his arms around a little before the idea to reach up and pull the smaller mech off his faceplate actually occurred to him. Once it did, he did so, holding the yellow mech by a piece of metal on his back. Sparkplug kept swinging his fists in the seeker's direction, perfectly enraged.
(I'm gunna kick your Decepticon butt, you no good slagger!) He proclaimed, among other things.
"Man, what IS this little thing?" The seeker wondered, peering at him.
Suddenly, something cast a shadow over them all. The seeker froze, and looked up. Sparkplug and Optimus also did so.
Two mechs were standing on the hill behind them. Two Decepticons.
"Megatron!" The seeker exclaimed.
Optimus blinked. The pain from the strange band was wearing off, but his body's functions were not returning. Transformation, weapons, subspace (not that he used it, but still) were no longer available to him. He couldn't even feel the familiar tingle behind his fingertips from the energy generators in his hands anymore.
The Autobot stood.
"Don't get up on my account, Autobot." Megatron sneered.
Optimus huffed, but raised no comment. Sparkplug however, had other ideas.
(Just because you're a sleazebag doesn't mean he should be!) Plus other assorted Cybertronian curse words that the Tyrant would not have understood came out of the little mech's vocals. Even Optimus didn't fully understand Minicon curses.
Megatron raised an optic ridge at the smaller creature. "That is the small mech your cassettes found." He said, looking at the mech beside him. "Is it a cassette?"
The blue mech shook his head. "It is not a cassette."
Cassette? Optimus thought. What is a cassette?
Megatron shrugged, and leaped down to stand at the same level as Optimus and the purple seeker.
"Skywarp. Leave that thing and return to the Nemesis." He commanded.
"Yes sir." The seeker let go of the Minicon and vanished, appearing again a little distance away, before vanishing again.
Megatron looked down at the unusual Autobot before him. It felt so much like one of his many confrontations with Prime that it took all of the Decepticon General's will not to leap at his throat.
"I want your name and rank, Autobot."
(Go to the Pit!) Sparkplug grumbled, pulling himself to his feet after being unceremoniously dropped by the seeker Skywarp.
"I'm not going to give you either, Megatron." Optimus said stubbornly, his voice echoing with a different tenor, no doubt from the suppressor on his left arm, Megatron reasoned. "It's not any of your business, and it would only serve to confuse you."
"We can do this without the dry wit, Autobot. You are, for the better point, helpless. That band on your arm will suppress your functions and weapons for as long as it's there, and I think you'll find it's quite impossible to remove."
(Nothing short of removing your whole arm will get it off is what he means.) Sparkplug beeped, looking up at his partner before running to him and climbing up onto the larger mech's shoulder.
Megatron growled. He could not understand the beeping language of the smaller mech. But the Autobot seemed to be able to. Just another thing he must find out from this Autobot.
"Name and rank Autobot!" He demanded. "Even if you don't give it up, I shall take it!"
"Go right ahead and try." Optimus said calmly.
Megatron smirked and looked up at the blue mech on the hill. Optimus followed his gaze. He had never seen a mech who looked like that before. He was kinda creepy…
The blue mech looked down at Optimus and a high pitched screech started ringing inside the Autobot's head. He grasped his head with both hands. "Ahhh…" He grunted.
Megatron's optic ridges raised in surprise. This Autobot… could feel Soundwave reading his mind? No, it couldn't be. It must be a reaction to Archeville's suppressor... yeah, that had to be it.
"Stop it..." The Autobot grunted, looking up at Soundwave.
Megatron blinked. Or not. This Autobot really could feel it! Could he really be another world's Optimus Prime like Archeville thought? Could he be that powerful?
"Stop it!" The Autobot said again, this time his voice louder, but a dark growl.
Soundwave wasn't feeling so sure about this anymore. The Autobot could feel his telepathic probing, which was weird enough… but the information he was getting was not… to his liking. He blinked his red optics as sparks started dancing off the ends of the Autobot's fingers.
"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!" The Autobot roared, swiping his hands in Soundwave's direction. A wave of white energy ripped out of the Autobot's hands and a moment later, collided with Soundwave, sending him flying backwards. Megatron stepped back in surprise and gasped. He… overpowered Archeville's suppressor!?!
Although he was sure the blue mech didn't mean to do it, Megatron sensed a telepathic "OW" from Soundwave.
The Decepticon General looked back at the strange Autobot. His torso was rising and falling, as if he were breathing heavily, and his hands were still sparking wildly. What kind of Autobot WAS this?
Then, something strange started happening. As Megatron looked, the Autobot's colour started changing. The brilliant red and deep blue of his armour started wisping off… like licks of smoke. Underneath, was deep crimson, black, and night blue. The Autobot grunted and flinched, shutting his optics. He stood like that until his entire original colour disappeared, then, slowly, he opened his optics again.
Megatron's jaw fell open.
"You…"
"M-Megatron!" Soundwave said weakly. "The… Autobots… are approaching…!"
Megatron hissed. "Retreat!" And the two took of and vanished into the sky.
Optimus looked up after them. He wasn't quite sure what he should do about that. Megatron was getting away… again… as usual. Eh, who cares?
"Optimus!" Called a voice from the canyon. "Are you alright? Optimus!" It was Prime.
The other Autobot commander came running up the path and stopped a short distance away. Ratchet and Prowl were behind him.
They stared.
"Optimus…" Prime said quietly.
Suddenly, a blast struck the ground near Optimus, causing him and the other Autobots to jump. They looked up, and saw Powerglide hovering above, frown on his face and gun pointed at Optimus.
"I knew it!" The red plane declared angrily. "I knew he couldn't be an Autobot!"
"P-Powerglide!!" Prowl exclaimed. "What in Cybertron's name do you think you're doing?!"
"Didn't I tell you? Autobots have blue optics, Decepticons have red. This, 'Optimus Prime' is no more than a slagging Con!" He fired again, missing as Optimus took a few steps to the side.
"What does… he mean by…" Optimus cut off and blinked in realisation. "Primus no…"
(Your optics… they're not gold anymore Optimus…) Sparkplug said quietly, still clinging to his partner's shoulder. What ever had changed Optimus' colouring seemed to have affected the Minicon a little as well; he now had wisps of black paint caressing his arms and torso, and his legs were completely back, making the yellow that remained seem all the more brighter. (…They…. They're red…)
"Powerglide! Stand down! That's enough!" Prime boomed.
"But Prime!"
"That's an ORDER!"
Powerglide glared at Optimus and slunk back.
Prime sighed and stepped closer to the now black Autobot in front of him. He didn't look like a Decepticon, save his optic colour. His Autobot logo still glared out at them from his shoulder… more so now that it was surrounded by black rather than red. His face and construction hadn't changed. But, even though he hadn't changed, Prime could tell that the younger mech was now frightened of them... of him.
"Optimus?" He said gently. The black Autobot took a few steps backwards. Prime flinched. "Optimus…" He held a hand out towards the younger mech.
Optimus flinched and turned on his heel, bolting out of sight.
"Optimus!" Prime called, but made no move to go after him. What would it achieve anyway? If he were to chase him, Prime would only frighten him more.
Ratchet stepped up to stand next to Prime. "Now what do we do?" He asked.
Prime sighed.
"I guess we just… leave him alone… until he realises that… we're no threat to him."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
XD
And there goes chapter 10! I hope you liked it, and I hope you forgive me for taking so flipping long to get it finished and up here. Ah well. Time for some A/N:
IFF: Identification: Friend or Foe
Basically, it's reading the energy signature of another mech to determine wether they are Autobots or Decepticons. I think …most Bots and Cons in G1 have IFF equipment installed inside them, and I guess the Armada guys must have some version of IFF or another.
Also, I didn't really mean for Powerglide to be such an ass. It probably suits Sunstreaker better than 'glide, but I just wanted a flier in here. I like mechs that can fly.
Reviews:
Tahalli – XD
JMC – I guess so… but I'm lazy. And I figure if I can do this decently without it, I should be okay. But, I could always research something if I really wanted to go authentic. XD
SpartanCommander – Maybe be… XD
Storm Blue Lightning Saix – XD So it was!
Fk306 animelover – Right!
TransHinageshi – XD Glad to hear it!
RoseGad – Those things are everywhere huh? XD
PrimeTouch – Actually, I did. Back when Optimus was explaining about his second transformation configuration, he mentions that it is something both he and Jetfire have, so they can 'fight as one'. It's not a direct explanation, but its there.
Also, I'd like to heap praise and thanks onto my good friend Vehicon, who helped me with the Archeville sequence.
Well, till next time,
Iniku
PS. Btw, today's A/N and reviewer responses only takes up less than a page in a 16 page document! XD