World Beyond Time
Provide the illusion
Hot Shot kept his optics shut the entire fall. He didn't want to see where he was going or how fast. When he felt the world beneath his feet again, he slowly opened his optics. The world was dark and dreamy, almost as if all the life and color had been drained out of it. Hot Shot looked around in awe at the sheer horror of the destroyed city. The water of the lake nearby was almost completely black.
"X-Brawn!"
Hot Shot turned, watching X-Brawn and Side Burn rushing to Prime's side. Something was wrong or at least something was happening. Optimus looked like he having a system failure. The color was draining from him. Hit Shot stepped back, completely confused. X-Brawn pulled something out of nowhere. The small syringe was filled with ever changing colors within. Quickly, without hesitation, X-Brawn pressed the syringe into the young Prime.
"What is happening!" shouted Hot Shot.
"Prime's having an attack," answered X-Brawn.
"He's really dead in his world but this medicine junk keeps him alive," explained Side Burn.
"Does he have these attacks often?" Hot Shot whimpered.
"Not often. But he's having one early, I guess. Something's not right," shrugged X-Brawn, getting to his feet.
"Great," sighed Hot Shot. "Now where the frag are we!"
"No idea," smirked Side Burn.
Optimus groaned, slowly sitting up. Side Burn helped him sit up. The young leader looked around, taking in his location. Somehow, it looked familiar. Slowly, taking everything in, Optimus began to smile. He jumped to his feet, quicker than anyone suspected. He looked around happily.
"Know where we are?" Side Burn questioned.
"It can't be…Detroit?" whispered Optimus.
"Where?" asked Hot Shot.
"Detroit…my world!" cried Optimus, looking back at them.
"How can you tell?" grumbled Side Burn, looking around at well.
"I'd know Detroit better than Cybertron, believe me," smiled Optimus. "The lake's over there. Sumdac tower is that way…or it used to be."
Slowly the wonders of returning home faded, leaving the ruins of the tattered world before him. He sighed, closing his optics. His three companions looked around as well. The awe of the world was lost, but there was still something special about it. Optimus groaned, grabbing his side and kneeling.
"I really shouldn't be here…" whispered Optimus. "Heart of the paradox for me…"
"We should keep moving then," nodded X-Brawn, looking around to see if the exit was anywhere nearby.
"Uh…where's Hot Shot?" mumbled Side Burn.
Hot Shot looked up at the dull sky. Not a single star. Wondering around without noticing, he didn't realize he'd gone far. He was just curious. The world seemed so sad, but if it was missing someone like Optimus Prime, it was understandable. Suddenly there was a sharp pain in his arm, forcing him back. He stumbled onto the ground, looking back at the attacker.
"Keep him down!"
"Help!"
Optimus perked, hearing it first. X-Brawn and Side Burn heard the second cry. By the third, all three were running in the direction of the call. Arriving nearby, X-Brawn kept Optimus back.
"We'll go in first. Don't want bots thinkin' a ghost is roaming," nodded X-Brawn. "C'mon, Side Burn."
The two rounded the corner, finding Hot Shot being held down by a large green bot. Hot Shot wailed for help one last time. Side Burn jumped out from hiding, gun raised. Something came down from above, knocking Side Burn back. X-Brawn groaned, leaving the safety of the corner, only to walk straight into a weapon. The weapon was attached to the hand of a yellow bot, who did not look happy to see them.
"Best be joining your friends," snapped the bot, nodding toward the other two.
X-Brawn slowly shuffled over toward Side Burn and Hot Shot, who were now sitting beside each other, awaiting punishment. X-Brawn sat beside them. Optimus sighed, pulling away from the corner. Then he stopped, quickly looking back round the corner. He knew those bots. He knew each of those bots.
"Now what do we have here?"
Optimus watched the familiar yellow bot step out. He leaned over, looking over the three companions. Another bot came down from the rooftops, landing beside the yellow one. The green one, who had released Hot Shot, joined the two. Optimus sighed. He knew those bots. He remembered them.
"We don't need spare Cons stupid enough to pretend to be Autobots."
Optimus watched the weapons slip out. They were preparing for the final attack. Optimus couldn't wait anymore. He jumped out, preventing Bumblebee from finishing the attack. He held onto the young bots hand, watching the sheer look of awe slowly form upon Bee's face. Prime looked up, watching Bulkhead and Prowl give the same expression.
"What do you think you're doing, Bumblebee!" howled Optimus, releasing him.
"Boss bot?" whispered Bumblebee, stumbling back into Prowl.
"Optimus?" mumbled Prowl.
Optimus stood in between the two groups. Slowly, the group behind him got to their feet. Optimus sighed, glancing back at them. They offered a reassuring nod. With that, Optimus turned back to his former team. They looked so ragged and broken, lost in color and hope. Looking at Optimus, they were in shock and fear. He offered a smile, but it soon faded. There was a sharp pain in his chest, causing him to collapse.