First Leg of the year… We are reaching the final third part of the story, and my personal favorite. I will only say one thing: expect the unexpected.

I want to thank QoS, prime writer and Stunticon specialist, for beta reading this chapter.

Chapter 21

My sentiment exactly

A small chaos greeted Optimus Prime when he returned to the Ark.

His soldiers were emotional, expressive, reluctant to accept drastic changes and extremely loyal. They were not the kind that held grudges for long, but too many things had happened between Autobots and Decepticons to give forgiveness a chance. Truth be told, Optimus was very far from being pleased with the recent, abrupt changes that had taken place within the core of one of his Gestalt teams, but he had been fair enough to analyze the situation from a rational perspective.

He went directly to his office, paying attention to the general claims but not doing much about them other than promising a prompt response. At that moment, there was only one mech he wanted to talk with.

"Tell me where I was, Prowl," he said as soon as his Second in Command was in his presence.

Prowl accepted the tacit invitation to sit in the chair across the desk, but he didn't make himself comfortable. "You were with the human authorities… requesting clearance for Wildrider."

Optimus Prime had always felt thankful, not to mention lucky, for his High Command. If Ironhide was his strength and Jazz his audacity, Prowl was his brain. Optimus nodded, somewhat relieved, even though he had noticed the coldness of his Second in Command's last statement. Prowl might have guessed his leader's latest move, but that didn't mean that he approved of it.

"I was with our human allies indeed," Optimus confirmed, "informing them about Wildrider's change of allegiance. I also requested they grant him an official reprieve for the crimes he committed whilst being a Decepticon, and the immediate allowance of all the privileges and rights any Autobot possesses, in concordance with the treaty we agreed upon with the human government four years ago."

"Was your request accepted?"

Optimus preferred to overlook the malicious hope he detected in the question. "Reluctantly. Wildrider has a long history with the local authorities. Unlike other Decepticons, the Stunticons' ground modes led them to spend considerable amounts of time in human city-states."

"I don't think the problem is the amount of time, but the destruction they cause during their stay in those city-states."

Prowl was always a reliable source of pinpointing the small, and not so small, uncomfortable details. Many Autobots disliked him for that, but Optimus had learned to appreciate him for the same reason. "Which is precisely why the human government only agreed to grant him a period of probation. They can't erase his criminal history from their records, but they are willing to give him an eventual official pardon if he proves himself worthy of it."

Prowl's face was always serious, but he found a way to surpass his standards. "If he proves himself worthy…" he repeated. "With all due respect, Prime, do you think that's even possible?"

"Wildrider was built in the middle of a war that wasn't his and forced to fight it. He was never given the choice to decide what he wanted to do, much less choose a side. I would be surprised if he even understands what this war is all about."

"For a robot who doesn't understand it, he always seemed to enjoy his role in said war," Prowl counterattacked immediately.

"We have his immaturity to blame for that, not his spark," Optimus answered equally promptly. "Besides, you must not forget what Wheeljack said about his mental status. Wildrider is not able to think clearly, and thus he's susceptible to be misguided."

"The perfect excuse for a terrorist."

Optimus couldn't help smiling beneath his face mask; that was a battle his Second wasn't willing to lose. "So it would appear, but there are other facts that intervened in my decision to advocate in his favour."

Prowl looked at him suspiciously.

Optimus placed a datapad on the desk. "The humans were kind enough to share Wildrider's criminal file with me… Quite impressive, as you can see."

"I would use the word abundant instead," Prowl said, shooting a look of disapproval at the amount of data scrolling through the screen. One bit of information caught his attention. "Robbery report?"

Optimus nodded, slightly amused. "One in which Wildrider was the victim, not the perpetrator. As you know, all the Stunticons were lifeless terrestrial vehicles before Megatron turned them into his most wicked experiment."

"Stolen vehicle report filled by Mrs. Alyssa Campbell and Mrs. Ellen Laurent…" Prowl read.

"A human family unit; a marriage, to be more precise. Wildrider was supposed to be a gift for their first wedding anniversary, but he was stolen from their garage the same day they bought him from the agency. I don't suppose he's aware of his background before becoming a Stunticon."

"And I don't suppose extinguishing his spark and returning him to his legal owners is to be considered," Prowl said as he placed the datapad back on the desk. "I admit that being turned into a Decepticon was not his choice, but becoming a terrorist was. He was granted the gift of sentient life; reasoning was his obligation. Despite his insanity, he had to be aware of his actions."

"Just tell me one thing, Prowl. Have you ever taken the time to examine the nature of Wildrider's faults?"

"The crime of one Stunticon is the crime of them all."

"That's where you're mistaken, my friend. Even though they are a Combiner team, we are talking about individuals." Optimus knew that Prowl didn't consider the Stunticons as authentic Transformers due to their terrestrial origins, but he wouldn't allow him to express his opinion on the matter. "And Wildrider is an interesting individual… Did you know that his criminal record doesn't include murder?"

Prowl didn't reply, but took a fast – and not dismissive enough – glance at the datapad.

Enjoying his small success, Optimus continued. "Wildrider has never killed a human. He hasn't even attempted to do it. That confirms my theory that he's fighting this war not only for all the wrong, but also incomprehensible reasons. He lacks the malice of any other regular Decepticon."

Prowl looked at him carefully, reading the Prime's intentions perfectly. "Are you thinking about rehabilitating him?"

"Wildrider is young and naïve. His mind may be defective, but it's also permeable. It wouldn't hurt him to have a positive influence for a change. I don't want to even think about the ways Megatron might have instructed the Stunticons about his cause."

"Considering the way we have seen them interacting, it's certain that Megatron just ordered Motormaster to force his teammates to fight for the Decepticon cause, no matter if he destroyed them in the process… But still, Wildrider is unstable, mischievous and dangerous. He lacks the basic principles that we Autobots hold sacred."

"I have my doubts about that, Prowl," Optimus said, resting his chin on his intertwined hands. "In a way, we weren't better than the Decepticons when we built the Aerialbots and made them part of our conflict. They were also confused and even thought about defecting to the Decepticons. But, unlike what Megatron did to the Stunticons, we gave the Aerialbots the opportunity to see with their own optics and make the decision by themselves. Fortunately, their sparks were in the right place and they chose wisely. I trust that giving Wildrider that kind of freedom will lead him to take the same decision."

"I think we are a little lacking in time travelling technology at the moment."

This time Optimus laughed. "I know there is hope left when you, of all mechs, allow humour into your speech, Prowl. The Aerialbots may have needed to travel to the past of Cybertron to make the right choice, but all that Wildrider needs is trust, and not only from his teammates but from the rest of us. Unlike the Decepticons, we don't consider sub groups a matter of division, but union."

Prowl didn't seem convinced, and in a way Prime was surprised that his Second restrained all the arguments he certainly had on that matter. "I find that debatable… But now that you mentioned the Aerialbots, I suppose you are aware of the news."

Optimus nodded. "Silverbolt commed me and briefed me on the events that led to Air Raid's departure."

"Departure? That's an optimistic, not to mention blind, way to consider what happened. Air Raid openly deserted."

"Air Raid made his choice, as I believe Wildrider also did when he helped the Aerialbots against his former teammates. The mechanics of Gestalt bonds are unknown to those of us who can't even conceive what it is to merge with other robots to create another individual. No wonder they call us foreigners, outsiders, even though we belong to their same faction and fight for the same things. I can't lie and tell you that I'm satisfied with the Aerialbot situation, but we have to do our best to support our friends. Before Gestalts, they are Autobots."

"I assume that the support part doesn't include former comrades that deserted us and became Decepticons."

Optimus shook his head slightly. "I wouldn't go that far. Air Raid made a decision, but he was forced to do it. The Gestalt bond is strong, stronger than any of us could imagine. I'm not so much concerned about his need to stay close to the group where he knows he belongs now, as for the decisions he will take after returning to the Stunticons. They are his team now, but he's an Autobot. Despite what his Gestalt programming dictates him to do, he can't override the principles he learned whilst he was an Aerialbot. Considering him lost would be a mistake."

Prowl's mouth was a straight, thin line on his face plates. It wasn't going to be easy for anybody, but above all, Optimus Prime was a mech of faith.

"I want to talk to Wildrider," Optimus said finally. "Send him here."

"He's in the Repair Bay," Prowl said calmly, not reacting toward a request he was certainly expecting. "Air Raid shot him point blank in the chest before leaving."

Optimus frowned. "What's his condition?"

"Completely functional, as far as I know… Ratchet reported that the damage was not serious, but he still has to spend the rest of the cycle in observation."

"Fine," Optimus said, getting up. "I'll go to see him, then."

Optimus had almost reached the door when he stopped and glanced back over his shoulder. "Do you have something else to say, Prowl?" he asked, certain that his Second in Command wasn't convinced at all.

"Negative," was the frugal response.

Optimus nodded slowly. "As you wish. Inform the rest of the Autobots about my decision, and be extremely specific by letting them know that I won't tolerate any violent action taken against Wildrider from now on."

Prowl nodded respectfully and Optimus decided to let him process the news. Obviously Prowl wasn't satisfied, but he was also loyal and always followed orders, no matter if he approved them or not. Optimus just hoped that, with the time, Prowl would come to understand, just as Optimus himself needed to do so much at that moment.

Decisions were generally hard to take, especially when lives depended on them. Since his ascendant as the last of the Primes, Optimus had been forced to decide the fates of so many sentient beings that sometimes he found it ridiculous to talk about freedom anymore. But as he contemplated the offlined Decepticon on the repair berth, he couldn't remember any other time in which his orders had been so inclined toward the bizarre. He was not admitting a regular Decepticon into the Autobot ranks, but an insane, unpredictable, irresponsible terrorist… who happened to be innocent as well.

He wasn't surprised to find Silverbolt and Fireflight sitting beside their teammate. Optimus had bumped into Slingshot and Skydive on his way to the Repair Bay. Both Aerialbots had avoided him as soon as they saw him, apparently ashamed for a situation they had provoked, and yet accepted. Optimus would never blame them for that.

"Finally!" Ratchet greeted him. "I hope your arrival means also the arrival of some sense. Would you be so kind as to get these two out of my sight? I'm sick and tired of telling them to frag off!"

Optimus smiled beneath his face mask, more because of the image of Fireflight holding Wildrider's hand than because of the medic's rant. It had happened indeed; the Aerialbot Gestalt had finished readjusting.

Silverbolt hurried to get up and stepped towards him, but he didn't manage to do anything but bow his head.

Maybe Optimus Prime hadn't known the Aerialbot Commander for long, but he knew him enough. "Apologies are unnecessary, my friend, as I have nothing to reproach you for. You acted as the leader and the Autobot I always knew you were."

"Sir, I…"

When Silverbolt's vocalizer failed to continue, Optimus put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Silverbolt. We'll talk when you feel ready, but first I would like to have a conversation with your new teammate, if that's all right with you."

Silverbolt nodded and signaled Fireflight to follow him. Fireflight hesitated but let go Wildrider's grip. Optimus noticed how, despite being in stasis lock, the former Stunticon moved his fingers, subconsciously looking for the physical contact. What a marvelous thing the Gestalt bond was…

"Don't bother coming back," Ratchet told the two Aerialbots as he pushed them towards the exit. "Nobody is going to tear the crazy slagger off in your absence… and I could use some peace and quiet in my own slaggin' bay!"

Optimus walked towards the berth and stood beside Wildrider. "How long will he remain in stasis lock, Ratchet?"

"Unfortunately, not enough," the medic grunted and approached his leader. "He's not actually in stasis lock… I just offlined his primary circuits because I really didn't need to hear his jittery… He just makes no sense! Besides, there was already too much Aerialbot love here for my taste. If it's a berth these punks are looking for, they can go somewhere else, not my Repair Bay!"

Optimus repressed the chuckle. "Does that mean that you can return Wildrider to online status right now?"

"Mmph, yes… although I wouldn't recommend it. This Deceptiscum is much better company when he's offlined. Which reminds me… I was thinking that maybe we could sneak sedatives into his energon from now on, or chain him to the undercarriage of the ship. If he's going to stay here for good, it wouldn't kill us to have him under control."

Optimus shook his head slightly. As always, Ratchet was as perceptive as he was ill-humored. The medic had been perhaps the first Autobot to realize that Wildrider had arrived to stay, even before his own teammates. The Autobot leader would never be thankful enough for his CMO. "We'll see about that, old friend. Wake him up."

"Do you have your rifle ready?"

"Ratchet…"

The medic raised his hands. "All right, it's your frame… Just don't come and bother me to repair your when this nut case tries to kill you. I heard he bites."

Ratchet was as grumpy as few robots, but he was also one of the most compassionate mechs Optimus had ever met. The medic may have been reluctant to have a Decepticon in the base, but he had also accepted the situation and was willing to give Wildrider the same care he would give any other Autobot. Those were the principles of brotherhood that Optimus hoped all his soldiers would apply to their new comrade-in-arms, and hopefully Wildrider would learn to do the same.

Ratchet rebooted Wildrider's systems from the life-support machine the new Aerialbot was connected to, and left as discreetly as a grumpy medic could leave.

As the darkened optics began to lighten again, Optimus Prime wondered, not for the first time, if he was doing the right thing. Of course he had the integrity of one of the Autobot Gestalts to consider, but forcing a Decepticon into the Autobot ranks without expecting trouble was too much to ask.

Once again, he reminded himself that the former Stunticon before him had little blame. He was like a child, a lost and ill-mannered child, and proper guidance was something that could only benefit him.

New doubts about his decision – and the sanity of his new soldier – rose at the very first moment Wildrider returned to functional status. Two purple optics focused frenetically on Optimus' face and a hand pointed above his shoulder.

"Look! There's Elita-One with her spark chamber open!"

Those were definitely not the words Optimus expected to hear. Still, he didn't allow himself to be provoked and simply pushed Wildrider back when the ex Stunticon attacked him.

Wildrider fell on the berth again and cast him a confused look. "No, no… it's actually Megatron, look!" he went on rambling, grabbing the life-support machine and lifting it above his head, swinging it and preparing to use it as a weapon.

Optimus sighed inwardly, summoning all his patience. "That's hard-to-replace equipment; you'd do well by putting it down. I'm not here to fight, Wildrider."

Confusion intertwined with insanity in the depth of the purple optics. Wildrider looked around several times before finally putting the machine down. "Is this the Well of Allsparks? Dead End says that's a myth. I always thought the afterlife was more like a comic book."

If Optimus had thought he knew craziness just because he dealt with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker on a regular basis, he was very mistaken. "We are in the Repair Bay of the Ark."

Wildrider started and jumped off the berth, snatching off the cables that still connected him to the life-support machine. "What? Does that mean I lost the fight? Frag! I demand a second round!"

"There won't be a second round. You won't solve anything by fighting."

"But… but I have to kick that fragger outta my team, I gotta—"

"The status of the Aerialbots remains the same as it has been since you were admitted into their Gestalt. Your position in the team is not at any risk."

Wildrider blinked in confusion. Optimus Prime wasn't sure because he really didn't know him, but he thought he saw a mixture of relief and pain in those lost optics. Wildrider may have been insane, but he also appeared to be very sensitive.

"You mean… they didn't kick me out?"

"No, Wildrider, they didn't. As a matter of fact, the Aerialbots are outside the Repair Bay, waiting for news about you."

Hope crossed Wildrider's face as his legs moved faster than his brain module and started to take him towards the door, only to find Optimus standing in his way. It was only then when Wildrider seemed to realize who he had been talking to.

"Uh… do we have to fight? 'Cause the boss said I shouldn't pick more fights with Autobots."

Optimus looked at him with interest. "Did you usually pick fights with Megatron, Wildrider?"

The ex-Stunticon laughed. "You're kidding, right? Frag no! Only Starscream messes with Megatron, and the Combaticons once… but no one else, nope. If the boss has a heavy hand, Megatron has it even worse."

It was clear that, despite understanding that he didn't belong to the Stunticon Gestalt anymore, Wildrider would use his former team to relate to everything that surrounded him. The way he had called both Silverbolt and Motormaster "boss" was just a small proof of it.

"Not fighting with your Supreme Commander is the only similitude you will find in your new life here, Wildrider. I am, as I suppose you've already understood, your leader."

Wildrider's face went blank for a moment. "Nope, you're not. You're like the boss of the Autobots…"

"I was appointed commanding officer of the Autobot army, and that includes the Aerialbots, your team."

Wildrider burst into laughter. "Ha! Yeah, the link says I'm an Aerialbot now."

"Which means you are an Autobot as well."

"Nono!" Wildrider shook his head frantically. "I hate the Autobots and all they stand for."

That was exactly what Optimus was expecting to hear, and he wasn't precisely displeased. Wildrider had spoken words embedded into his programming, words that he clearly didn't feel or understand.

"And what is it, Wildrider, that you hate so much? What are we Autobots and what we stand for? Please tell me."

Wildrider opened his mouth with decision but for a moment he seemed taken aback. When he finally spoke, the spikes beside his head had lowered a little. "Well, all that boring stuff, you know… All that goody-goody thingo, and the skirts and the—"

"Do you even know what we fight for, Wildrider?"

"Yeah, to stop Megatron."

"To stop Megatron from what?"

Wildrider scratched his head. "Gah! I never got to read those files Motormaster said we should read… they didn't have any drawings. But it has to do with his revolution, you know? When you had the Decepticons enslaved and slag?"

Optimus Prime sat on the chair and signaled Wildrider to the berth.

"Are we going to 'face now?" Wildrider said, looking from the berth to his own aft. "But I was saving myself for Thundercracker…"

"Even though I admit that the ancient Autobot Council could hardly be called fair, things were not as Megatron told you," Optimus said, choosing to ignore Wildrider's comment. "The ways of our elders were mistaken, but Megatron's are even worse. Our fight, Wildrider, is for freedom. Such is what the Autobots believe in. Now tell me, do you hate freedom?"

Wildrider frowned and rubbed his chin, looking confused. "Mm, no… I like to drive wherever I want to."

"Then you will agree with me that such is your right, as it is the right of every other sentient being."

"Well yeah. I mean, if you have wheels, what's the point of not using them?"

"What would happen if others forbid you to use them? Do you consider that fair, Wildrider? Think carefully."

Probation had officially started, and even though Optimus was convinced that Wildrider could be turned into a real Autobot, he needed some proof of the existence of goodness inside his spark.

"I guess not…"

Optimus smiled, relieved. "Now what happens if others are not only trying to take away your right to drive, but every part of your freedom?"

"Let'em try. I would slag them all."

"Our fight is for your rights, and those of every sentient being. That's what we Autobots stand for, that's what you said you hate. Do you still hate it?"

Wildrider folded his arms across his chest, for once seeming focused enough to actually consider Optimus' words.

"Dunno… that's not how Megatron said it…"

Optimus stood up. "I could tell you many things about Megatron, but I won't try to gain your trust by speaking the truth about my enemy. You know him, perhaps not for a long time, but enough to realize how cruel and manipulative he is. I'm here to make you an offer, Wildrider, one that can give new meaning and value to your life."

"I don't know… You're not really my type, you know?" Wildrider said, giggling.

It was very good that Optimus had a great deal of patience bestowed by his personality component. "I'm aware of your situation. I know that your Combiner programming was altered and that you now belong to the Aerialbot Gestalt, a team you were forced to fight as an enemy since your origins."

The word enemy wiped the smile from Wildrider's face, renewing Optimus' hopes once again. Wildrider was insane, but he understood. And, more importantly, he felt.

"From brothers, we Cybertronians became enemies. The hate between our factions is millenary, but yet I'm here welcoming you not only to the Aerialbot team, but to the Autobot team as well."

Wildrider stepped back, almost tripping against the life-support machine. "But I'm a Decepticon," he said, pointing toward the purple insignia on his chest.

"You were created as a Decepticon, but the final decision is yours to make. I'm not going to lie to you, Wildrider, or threaten you as I'm sure Megatron did. The Aerialbots are Autobots, and even though your bond with them gives me every right to appoint you my subordinate, I'm giving you the right to choose."

"Choose?"

Somehow Optimus knew that Wildrider had no experience with that word whatsoever. "Choose your allegiance, choose your destiny, choose a place to belong. An accident made you an Aerialbot, but what happens to your life from now on is your decision only. I know that your way is not one of evil. Even when you were a Decepticon your actions were guided by irresponsibility, not malice. What I'm offering you now is the opportunity to acknowledge the side of you that remains unexplored, the side of a free Cybertronian. As an Aerialbot, and an Autobot, freedom is your right, just as it is your obligation to protect the freedom of others."

Wildrider kept staring at his Decepticon insignia. His face looked strangely serene, a clear signal that he was thinking, perhaps as seriously as he had never done before in his life. Maybe there was hope for his sanity as well, not only for his spark. Optimus was convinced that whatever frantic and violent life Wildrider had been forced to live so far had done nothing but increasing his insanity. That was another change that could only benefit him.

Finally, a nervous tic on his right optic returned Wildrider to the current moment. His mouth twisted in an ironic smile when he looked at Optimus again.

"So, I'd be like a hero?"

"You will be whatever you want to be, the choice yours for the first time in your life. If your intentions are fair, you will find heroism meaningless compared to what you can achieve."

Wildrider's silence made clear that he was not used to that kind of processor activity. Optimus nodded to him and took one step back. "I understand that you will need time and space to consider my offer. Whether you decide to make this base your home or not, please consider yourself welcome. The Aerialbots are your team and will assist you in whatever you need, but don't hesitate to look for me if you require advice."

Wildrider shrugged his shoulders, but his gesture failed in being disdainful. Optimus knew that he had ignited something inside that processor, and he was more determined than ever to save it not only from insanity, but from evil.

Still, he knew it was too early to call that a victory. He opened his commlink and notified Silverbolt that their new teammate was ready to reunite with his team.

Prowl typed his response on the keyboard without any hurry. Ancient Cybertronian characters, known only by a handful of robots, were displayed on the screen. Precautions had been taken; not only the use of an almost dead language, but the securely encrypted frequency he was using assured the privacy of the communication.

The blue light of the screen bathed the right side of his face gently, his quiet countenance not betraying the discomfort he felt. But revealing himself was the last of his preoccupations; he knew that, at the other side of the frequency, he had nothing to hide. It was hard when his intentions were as clear as his method blurry.

The sound of strong, hurried steps outside his quarters made him end the communication earlier than he would have wanted. But, then again, formalities were not required. Once again without any hurry, he typed one last ancient character before the blue light shut off, his face once again returning to the partial darkness of his room.

He stood up just as the door was opening. The identity of his visitor didn't surprise him. He had anticipated it; actually, he was expecting him.

"Slingshot," he said, rather tiredly. The conversation was necessary to the Aerialbot, but futile to him.

Prowl had anticipated the punch as well, but the fact that it managed to lift him from the floor managed to surprise him. He saw the ceiling of his quarters and the back wall before hearing the sonorous thud of his back hitting his floor. But he barely gave any attention to what his sensors could perceive. His processor was flooding with activity, all detonated by his pain receptors.

"Don't you ever, ever, tangle me in your web again, did ya hear?"

That was all Slingshot said before storming out of the room as abruptly as he had arrived. Prowl sat up laboriously and grabbed the nearby chair for support, his free hand assessing the damage to his face. For once, he didn't even think about the serious discipline violation Slingshot just had committed. The Aerialbot's fury, after all, was something that Prowl had anticipated too.

To be continued.

I never considered Wildrider evil, but rather irresponsible and impulsive. Had he been created on the other side of the insignia, he would have been a very sui generis Autobot. But well, it seems like he will have his chance.

You may remember the G1 episode 'War dawn', in which the Aerialbots travelled to the past of Cybertron. Prowl made a little ironic reference to that event. And Prowl attempting humour? Yeah, weird… but maybe because he has his own agenda, as you could see. And do any of you guys remember how Springer punched Prowl in the IDW Universe for a similar reason? Yeah, also in there Prowl had it coming.

Update coming soon. I take it you guys want to know what happened to Air Raid…? Please review if you liked :o)