He was so very tired.
After Buffy found out about Travers she called him a demon, insisting that –her- Xander would never kill, threatening to kill him if she saw him again. Giles had stood back and let it happen. Willow had tried to play intermediary for once, tried to keep Buffy from reacting like this.
Buffy threw her into a wall for her troubles.
He had crushed a chunk of the ceiling blocking her from doing it again. Willow had been a crying messing in his hand, he didn't blame her. One friend never to be human again, the other spouting off how she'd 'save' her from the demon, and the only real father figure either of them had standing back and letting it all happen.
He'd taken Willow home, given her the option of getting Oz, which she did, and setting some of his back up programs running.
They left town that night.
They had driven across the country more than once, traveling where they wanted. His internal systems let Willow hook up her laptop to the internet anywhere they went, letting her get her GED, along with Oz, and apply to colleges while they took their 'Great Road Trip'.
It shocked all three of them when, years later, Giles managed to contact them and ask for help.
Guarding Buffy's sister.
He had rushed back to the Hellmouth, Oz and Willow staying at the college they were both attending.
What he found shocked him to his core. A girl he'd never met before knew him like Buffy used to, remembered Halloween, movie nights, driving when they just needed a break. When she touched him a set of memories flew through his processor, giving him two set so foe memories for the same time.
Even if he hadn't known her, he'd have guarded her, just because she didn't treat him like a freak.
Then the hell goddess came, the host killed by himself, a portal opened, and Buffy jumping.
He took his new little sister with him when he left the Hellmouth, this time for good.
He'd spent many years with Willow, Oz and Dawn, content if not entirely happy.
Willow and Oz had both passed on from old age, Dawn growing up, finding her way in magic and revolutionizing the Watchers. Dawn aged slowly, but she did age. It took almost three millennia, but eventually she passed away, quietly in his hands, watching her last sunrise. The essence of the Key was returned to its form of energy, retreating back to wherever it went when not walking the Coil.
And he wandered on alone.
He still fought the good fight, not having the nerve to end his own existence, and slowly starving from lack of energon. It didn't exist in this world, and he had no means to make it.
And really, he had no reason to try.
"God, Primus, Anyone who's listening, please, I'm so very tired."
He shifted into his alt, once again the large semi truck, his version painted like the night sky with comets on his doors, Willow's insistence, and settled in for another unfulfilling recharge.
'Xander?'
He must be losing it. That couldn't be Willow's voice he heard.
'Xander?'
Dawn's too? Was Oz going to make an appearance? So close to recharge and he could still hear them.
He missed them so much.
And he was so tired of being alone.
'Xander?'
~*~otherplace~*~
-He is worn.-
-But he still has use.-
-He should be allowed to rest.-
-He is needed.-
-We cannot, it would not be right.-
-The need is too great not to.-
-He is not one meant to be in such a position.-
-Yet by the powers of his own world he is a Prime.-
-He has given enough.-
-The other two will need him to teach them.-
-It is too much to ask of any one, man or mech.-
-And yet we need to ask more.-
-On your own heads be it.-
Reality bent, shifted and snapped, leaving an empty space where a large truck once stood.
~*~*~*~*~*~
'Sorry man, but you're not done yet.'
Oz? This was getting too weird.
'We'll be waiting when you're done.'
'Yeah, we promise. Love you Xander.'
Please, don't leave me alone. Not again.
'You're never really alone.'
'Just remember us when it gets bad, ok?'
'Yellow crayon, Xan. Just another yellow crayon.'
I'll be with you, someday.
'We know. We'll wait.'
Be seeing you.
'Just don't make it too soon, Xan.'
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The soldiers stood shocked as a huge dark form suddenly materialized in the middle of the battlefield. A huge semi sat there for a moment before a low hum came and it started to shift. Sam dying and coming back had been a huge shock, but this was approaching the limit on the collective weird-shit-o-meter.
It was like Optimus, and not. The armor pattern was similar even if the paint job wasn't. The face was narrower, the optics a darker color, and the overall stance somehow radiating exhaustion and a will to win no matter the cost to himself.
"Hey kid, you ok?"
Sam startled for a moment, his hand still on the sock filled with black sand. The voice sounded so… young compared to the fallen Prime, but so empty.
"Um, yeah."
"Good, be ready to move. I'll cover you."
The soldiers watched as the mech's battle mask lowered into place and its canons came online. An ominous hum and suddenly there were two less Cons on the field.
The Autobots were glad the mech was on their side, he fought efficiently and without mercy. Canons fired and hit every target, swords sliced enemies in two, hands gripped and tore plating from protoform. Twice he took shots meant for their own, shrugging off the damage and wading deeper into the mêlée as Optimus rose and battled the Fallen.
When it was all said and done the Cons barely managed to pull their much smaller numbers back as the dark mech approached the assembled Autobots.
"Who is he, Optimus?"
"I don't know Sam. But I do know that he is a Prime, and that he bears the likeness of nova Prime, one of our greatest leaders and fighters."
"Hello."
"Greeting fellow Autobot, thank you for all your aid. May we know your designation?"
The great mech vented softly.
"I do not have a designation, not anymore."
That was odd, it implied that the loss of name came with a loss of self. Optimus found himself wanting to help this new mech however he could.
"Well, no matter, you are welcome among us. Thanks to you, we lost no one this day."
"You lost friends before?"
"Too many, one only a few years ago."
"I am sorry, I know what that is like."
"Will you come with us?"
"Why not, it's not like I have anywhere else to be."
The ride to Diego Garcia was a bit tense with the new mech, but peaceful over all.
Optimus and Sam talked, rested and dreamed.
~*~dreamscape~*~
-You will need to help him. He has lost much.-
-What has he lost?-
-Everything.-
-how can we help him?-
The Ancient Primes looked down on their two descendants, expressions carefully hidden. Finally One Optimus knew to be nova Prime stepped forward.
-Do not let him be alone. And tell him his name is Novus Prime. He will wear it well.-
-Novus? The one foreseen to be a life-giver and healer?-
-Yes. He is the one.-
-But the way he fought…-
-Is the way one fights when there is nothing left to loose, and very little to gain. Help him, heal him, and you will find an ally great enough to end the war. Farewell Peace Hunter, Far Seer, take our blessings to the Life Giver.-
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The Autobot formerly known as Alexander LaVelle Harris slept with slow dreams, knowing that someday he would see his loved ones, his family, again.
Until then, he'd fight on and make them proud.
Three spirits watched over him.
And smiled.
