Subi: Poor Optronix, another memory attack for him... Isn't he just loved?... Wait... Don't answer that.
20. Everything
"We're home, Sentinel," I called softly as I walked through the door with Magnus in my arms. Not even ten seconds later, Sentinel was in the hallway to see if we were alright.
"You were gone for so long, I was beginning to wonder if you'd been kidnapped or something!"
"Your worry is noted. We're fine, Magnus fell asleep on the way home."
"Did you have a good time then?"
"It was entertaining."
" 'Entertaining'? That's all it was?"
"Sentinel..." I sighed. "We're exhausted. You're blocking the hallway. Move."
Something flickered in his optics, and he stepped to the side quickly so I could get past. For a moment, I thought I saw a sense of uncertainty and bewilderment, but I pushed the idea away, telling myself I was probably imagining things because I was tired. I carried Magnus up the stairs to his room and laid him down on the recharge bed. I paused slightly, seeing the peaceful look on Magnus's face. A stab of saddened jealousy ran through me, and I silently left the room.
Lucky... I mentally growled. Able to fall asleep so quickly and without any horrors waiting for him in recharge... Feeling in a semi-blaming mood, I kept going, knowing I was really just ranting to myself. Having someone to watch over him and make sure he's alright... Never witnessed a City's death; Never lost a lover... All of his friends... Everything...
Everything.
I stood by the desk in my room as that thought swirled in my mind, stunned.
Everything.
That was what I remembered about Atlantis now.
Everything.
Ariel's face, welcoming and kind... David's big smile, the wave of his hand... Jo's cautious, examining look as he worked... Drawback's 'business first' attitude as she looked over the sign-in papers... And him... I remembered him clearly now... His mostly silver frame was a little taller than I was, with a large, pipe-like design attached to his right shoulder... But I remembered his optics the most... those unforgiving optics as he glared down at me... His crimson red optics... even as he shot me with his attached gun... And I remembered collapsing to the ground... struggling to grip Ariel's hand... even as I lay dying...
Everything.
The pain... The hope... The darkness... The light... The emptiness... Alone...
Everything.
Death. I remembered Death... The Ryynn, and it's powerful form in the shape of a dragon... darker than the night, almost like glass... It touched my back once, then turned to something nearby... 'Shii...' Ryynn called... Life. It was calling Life... Suddenly there was a white dragon before me... Life... It was saying something... I remembered trying to focus on it's words...
..."We are the Tamashii; We hold life. The creator lives within; He's asked us to come. Rise, Orion. Live your name. Primus had your middle name mean 'returning one' for a reason. You may be a Howahku, but your first name says more... Optimus, you have much to learn. Death is not a lesson for today. Rise again, learn to lead; Lead the living lost home. Lead the unseeing by lending your sight. Lend the resistance your strength, may time hold you well, and understand that life is a gift for all to have, and death to the one who takes it away is the only way to end the darkening circle..." The White Dragon said, then placed it's claws on the wound in my chest. "Shii za yo bella; obell zu linumo, Optimus... Not everything is gone as long as you live..."
Ryynn was back, holding something in it's claws. "A piece of yourself to remember your family by," The Black Dragon said, and dropped what it was holding into my hands. I froze, recognizing the silver chain work and the locket on it. "Hide it well, Optimus. We shall remember your spark for times to come."
"And if you, like I, forget?"
"The Ryynn does not forget refusing death. You will have no fear of us for a long time to come. There will be times were we will feel close, but it will be your choice to fall when it is time. Primus has made us promise this on our honor, and honor we refuse to taint. Do what you have sworn to yourself and Primus that you would do. No innocent blood will be spilled near you again..." ... ...
And I cried myself into recharge, not seeing a faint silver light appear in my hands and turn into the locket from my memory... ... ...
Subi: And I'd like to send off this note: THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BORROW YOUR CHARACTERS, INA!... You are loved. The Tamashii (Shii, aka "The White Dragon of Life") and the Lewaaryynn (Ryynn, aka "The Black Dragon of Death") belong to Inabikari Tamashii; not me.