Disclaimer: We do not own Transformers Prime or its canon characters; Hasbro and the Hub do. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns Skye Shelsher and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Caliber, Speedway, Air Raid, Jetfire, and Blackout.
Theme Song: Ode to the Fallen by Adrian von Ziegler
And grieve the Autobots did after everyone was repaired. By God's grace, they were fortunate enough to evacuate the human military base into another isolated one nearby in the mountains. As predicted, the Nemesis laid waste to the Autobot base, the Decepticons thinking that the Autobots and their allies were still there.
It was a day of rejoicing for the Decepticons as opposed to the melancholic atmosphere that now haunted their enemy.
Several large mounds of earth marked where the fallen miners now rested. A separate ceremony had already been made for the Autobots' human allies that had fallen in battle. However, whatever humans that were part of the battle and were still alive insisted on attending the Cybertronian burial ceremony, as well.
It cheered Optimus' spark a little to see the shared connection the human military had had with the miners. They had willingly fought together for the greater good, despite his grievous mistake, and now stood together to comfort one another.
Darkstorm knelt next to the miner's graves, helm bowed. She whispered a prayer before placing a large bundle of roses next to them. A few stray tears escaped her optics as she stared at the lonely mounds of earth. Bumblebee wrapped her in his arms and she hid her helm against his shoulder plating, wishing that this was only but a dream but knowing the cold, harsh reality.
The human children, having been informed of the situation, too attended the small ceremony. Even Miko, who would normally crack jokes to lighten the mood, was as quiet as a mouse.
Optimus vented wearily before moving to the front of the large group. Never before had the Autobots seen such pain splayed across his features but still, their leader remained strong. His form showed no signs of weakness even though his optics told a completely different story.
"We come here today to honor those who were offlined at the hand of our enemy... An enemy that I allowed to come to that base." Optimus fought to restrain himself, his violent emotions threatening to spring forth.
Orion, this was not your doing. No one else blames you for what happened. Soundwave was responsible for that slaughter, not you, Elita One tried to soothe her sparkmate.
That still does not excuse my actions, Ariel. I am their leader... I should have known better.
Elita's spark ached as she felt his sorrow and tried to send her comfort and love. No one is perfect, not even you. You were only trying to save the natives of this planet. Please... do not allow yourself to wallow in guilt. It is not your fault, she insisted.
I wish I could believe that, dearest Ariel.
"They entered the battle courageously, despite the fact that they were not warrior class and had no proper training. They willingly gave their lives for not only our cause but for the freedom and safety of all life on this planet. For that, we owe them our eternal thanks. They shall always be remembered for their sacrifices..."
Optimus took a deep breath before continuing. "In 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 it says, 'So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.' If they called upon Him, we should have faith that they are safe and content, away from this war. They are with God and in a far better place than this... And in 1 Corinthians 15: 54-57, it says, 'When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?... But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Autobot leader vented deeply. "Let us continue to hold that hope in our sparks... for we shall see them again. And let us also have the confidence that their deaths and those of the humans will not have been in vain." He bowed his helm before walking back to his place in the crowd.
A long solemn silence ensued before a human military officer walked towards the front of the crowd. He was young, perhaps in his mid-twenties or early thirties, with clean cut black hair and an intelligent gaze. He cleared his throat before beginning. Even though he ten times as small as the Cybertronians in attendance, his voice rang out loud and clear even without the use of microphone.
"Today, not only did ten good Cybertronians die but ten of my men died, too." Colonel Lennox chuckled slightly, "Funny, how I used to dread the idea of waking up and worrying about my own men. I'd worry if an accident would happen, whether they'd get stepped on, or if my life would turn into a cheesy remake of War of the Worlds... But, as I got to know them, I realized that you and I aren't all that different. Some of those... mechs?" He looked to Special Agent Fowler for approval. Receiving a slight smile and nod, he continued. "Even chose names for themselves that were human. A great honor, in my eyes…"
He paused before continuing. "Brandon would sneak into my office and watch Tom and Jerry when he thought everyone's backs were turned. Daybreak was best known for his killer 'yo mama' jokes and he told them all the time, even when it wasn't the best time for them," Lennox chuckled slightly at the memory. A few of the other officers did the same.
"Danny would always strike up a conversation with you and he always ready to listen to my men and give advice. And Jagger... well, he was Jagger. If he hadn't listened to me, he'd have gotten into a lot more trouble than he was worth. But he sure brought the life to any party... J-Lo was fearless though everyone knew his weakness was just a simple bird. Maybe some traumatic memory of an aerial attack that just stuck...
"Mixmaster loved music, if you didn't guess by the name, and he could always be seen humming or blaring the latest popular song... Mikey could play a mean game of b-ball given the chance... Trevor was caught several times for sneaking into the kitchen for any source of sugar or caffeine. Needless to say, he was impossible to live with afterwards." This time more people chuckled.
"And Leo was most famous for his infamous prank on General Bryce himself. Yup, that's right. He was the mech behind the 'I thought it was a good idea to dump neon rave paint over him and then post photos of it on Facebook' scheme. I've never seen my soldiers laugh so hard in their entire lives." Not only did more people chuckle, but some even dared to laugh. Even Optimus' lips tugged upwards in a slight smile.
"By the way, those pictures are still on Facebook to this day. Seriously, look them up. They're still there," Lennox smirked before laughing. "I'd be lying if I said the good general didn't deserve it."
He soon continued. "And, finally, there's the one and only Ethan. He was quiet, compared to the others, but was also willing to lend a helping... er, servo. And boy, did he have the magic touch for art. Apparently, during his free time in the mines he'd draw on the walls of the cave or the dirt. When we gave him some paint and paper, well see for yourself." A soldier handed him a large piece of paper, clearly meant for a Cybertronian. With the help of several men, the sketch was laid out.
It was magnificent. It was a painting of an Earth forest with several animals and birds. The sky overhead glistened brightly with hardly a cloud. And the miner himself could be seen in the painting, without his mask. He was sitting next to a large tree, staring up into the sky with outstretched arms.
"He... called this piece 'Hope'," Colonel Lennox said. "He said that he hoped that he could start anew, here on Earth... away from Megatron or long work days... or nights filled with fear that he would be the next to be made an example of. Maybe one day, when the world is free to know of you guys, it can be put into a museum, where everyone can enjoy it."
"I'm sure he would like that," a miner friend of Ethan's, Tony, smiled and nodded.
Colonel Lennox returned the gesture. "But anyway, what I wanted to come up here and say is that my men don't regret helping yours. They might have been apart from the military action but they were seen as part of the family here... They were our friends, our brothers, and they will be missed. It's comforting though... to know that they're up there" He pointed upwards. "With the humans who had died."
"And I say, we make sure that their work is finished. I was informed that the Decepticon known as Soundwave was brought there on the grounds of interrogation. Optimus Prime wanted to find out what the Decepticons were planning for both them and us. I'd have done the same thing in Optimus' shoes." Optimus stared, almost disbelievingly, at the human colonel. "He did everything he could and still is doing everything to make sure that our home is safe, that our people are safe. He even denied the chance of seeing his own home, Cybertron, restored in order to protect us. We owe him our gratitude. Thank you, Optimus."
To his team's surprise, a tear escaped from the Autobot leader's optic. Elita One held onto his servo reassuringly. Overcome with emotion, he simply nodded his helm in his own way of thanks.
"And I'd also like to say that I look forward to serving alongside the Autobots in order to end this, once and for all. Sure, General Bryce and all those higher-ups at the Pentagon can dictate our communications with each other but I for one know which side I'm choosing. I believe I speak for every soldier here when I say that we are happy to help you in any way we possibly can."
Optimus finally gained the strength to speak. "Thank you, Colonel Lennox. You honor us with your words."
"Anytime, big guy," Colonel Lennox smiled. "Now, I think that's it. I'd better step down before the girls get too impatient. I'd like to give a big shout out to Moonracer, Skye Shelsher, and Miko Nakadai who've agreed to perform a Cybertronian burial song, but in English for all us humans. Give it up for them! Show them some love!" He grinned and began to applaud the femmes who all blushed slightly in embarrassment.
"Thank you, everyone," Skye took a deep breath before gesturing to the graves. "This is for them."
Soft strains of the violin and electric guitar enveloped those in the audience before Skye hesitantly sang. "Go, my sparkmate. Go, my sparkling. Go, my brother. Go, my sister. Go into the light. Let your spark remain vigilant as it awaits mine, until we are united, until all are one. I will stay here, carrying on, carrying on for us both. And, I will wait. Yes, I will be vigilant and wait, until the day my frame is broken and I arrive in the Well. Until then, let your spark remain vigilant as it awaits mine, until we are united, until all are one."
After the song was finished, the three femmes bowed as the audience applauded.
"Awesome as always, Skye," Smokescreen smiled when she returned to her seat.
Her shaking hands gripped her pants at the knees. "Thanks." A frown tugged at the corner of her mouth as she let the barrier she'd put up for that performance fall, and the memories of that night started coming back in full force. Before she knew it she was choking back tears, then even that defense crumbled.
Smokescreen too frowned and, once he activated his holoform, wrapped his arms around her. "Hey… It's gonna be alright."
She leaned into him and just let it out, trying to remain at least somewhat quiet as to not disrupt the rest of the memorial. "I'm so sorry, Skye… I know it must have been terrible, especially if you aren't used to war… But they're in a better place now, like Optimus said."
"If only they hadn't gone so violently. And in their own home."
Smokescreen sighed. "I know… I know."
While Wheeljack and Bulkhead were exchanging high fives with Miko and attempting to cheer her up, Flareup approached Moonracer. The young femme turned from conversing with Dreadwing and a secret look passed between them.
"That song… It was my sister's," Flareup whispered. "I haven't heard her music since… the early days of the war."
Moonracer smiled softly. "I thought it'd be fitting."
Flareup paused before returning the smile, her hardened features softening. "Thank you."
"Wait, your sister was Firestar? The Firestar? Man, I tried to buy every album she had back on Cybertron," Jolt grinned.
"Who did you think I was talking about?" Flareup smiled wryly. "Yes, that was my sister. The Firestar, one of the greatest known femme musicians on Cybertron."
"Any idea what happened to her?" Jetfire asked.
Flareup's facial plating once more took on its hardened appearance. "During the Rust Sea Siege, she refused to come with Elita and the rest of us because her sparkmate, Inferno, was still out there. I found her barely recognizable frame next to his after the battle was over and after Elita finally gave us all the clear."
"We're…. We're really sorry," Air Raid whispered.
"S fine," Flareup shrugged before turning to Moonracer, obviously trying to change the subject. "You played beautifully out there, Moon."
Moonracer visibly brightened and grinned. "Well… I do try. These human instruments aren't nearly the same as the Cybertronian ones, but I made do."
Flareup smiled slightly. "Don't be so modest. You're amazing." She gestured to the miners with a digit. "Now, come on. Let's try to cheer them up, huh?"
"Sure thing," Moonracer grinned.
"Lord Megatron, I heard that there was an Autobot on this ship. Is this true?" Predaking asked.
"It is," Megatron nodded his helm slightly.
Predaking's golden optics flashed as he clenched his servos into fists. "Then allow me to do them what I failed to do with the Prime!"
"Patience, Predaking. Even though he may be one of our sworn enemies, he can aide us in restoring our home. Do you not wish for the restoration of Cybertron?"
"I…" Predaking vented. "I do."
"Then trust me when I say that his usefulness will end. Once he aides us in our goal, you are free to dispose of him how you will," Megatron smirked.
D/N: Dang, this was also a super tough chapter to write. But, like we said before, it does make the fic so much more realistic since they are in a war. Still, I nearly cried when I was writing the first part. And then good ol' Colonel Lennox trying to cheer everyone up. I swear, he was the one thing Michael Bay did right. Anyway, we hoped you liked the chapter, even though it was a bit on the darker side, and we hope to hear from you guys!
Oh and, just a note, we will probably be updating this on Wednesdays now due to the fact that I have so much college homework on the weekend now so... look forward to awesome updates on hump day :3
To Super Shadic: Actually, if you read into what happened in Tyger Pax, Bumblebee did mock Megatron as well as not give him his information. Below is a link to a canon novel, Exodus by Alex Irvine, that explains exactly what happened. Thank you for your feedback, however! We truly do appreciate it. And we look forward to hearing from you again.
moviesblog. mtv 2010/ 06/ 22/ exclusive -learn- how- bumblebee-lost- his- voice- in- this- short- story- from- exodus- author- alex- irvine/
To Savvy Orion: Well, we thank you, Savvy and Wheelie, for your lovely review. We did try to make it as realistic as possible. And me too. OP blames himself and Ratch… well, he's going to go through a lot, needless to say. :D And me too. Linkin Park was the first secular band I really got into and I fell in love. It's like they get me, you know? And I can't wait to read some of your stuff! As for Wheelie being stuck with you… xD It ain't too bad, mech. You could be stuck with Flareup and dodge cannon fire every few nano-klicks. Lol, well thanks so much for the review you guys and we hope to hear from you again soon. May God bless both of you!
Have an awesome weekend and may God bless each and every one of you!
B/N: And the sadism strikes back. Lemme tell ya, this chap was hard on us. The feels . . . usually we're the ones giving them to you guys, but this time it's like they turned on us and said "Heh heehhh suckahs!" I mean, the fact that it is a bit more realistic makes it all the sweeter, but dude. Reality sucks sometimes, too :'D hope you enjoyed et, nonetheless. We pour blood, sweat, and tears into each and every one of these chaps (though usually mostly tears), so we usually like to hear back, juuust to know just how badly we've killed your feels
Oh, and blondie gets moment to brag. I have to say, after having finished this new story image or cover or whatever-you-all-that-pic-next-to-the-description, I have a whole new respect for people who both make covers and draw Cybertronians often and for fun. Major props, yo