Disclaimer: This is the final chapter of the story and boy howdy, it's been a hell of a ride. I want send a BIG thanks to all the reviews and support you've given me. You ROCK HARD!
Chapter XXIX
The Autobots and Decepticons were unaware of what had happened in space, instead continuing the battle and nearing exhaustion at the same time. Then they heard a sonic boom and stopped their fighting for only a brief moment, looking toward the sky. Megatron was seen high above on approach to the Harbinger and landed on its hull. The Decepticons on the ground, namely the Constructicons and the Combaticons, all halted their assault to look up at their leader. The Autobots on the ramparts looked up as well with concern when they noticed no sign of Optimus Prime.
That changed when a second sonic boom sounded off. Optimus Prime was seen in the distance heading straight toward the city. He flew overhead and stationed himself above the city, Star Saber in hand and ready to fight if the need arose. Looking up at the Harbinger, Optimus Prime was more than aware that Megatron was looking down on him as he was looking up. Their eternal enmity was matched only by the begrudging respect that existed between them. Then Megatron disappeared into the ship. The Decepticons on the ground didn't immediately continue the fight with the Autobots, and it was either because they're given orders or because of Optimus Prime's presence.
Megatron returned to the bridge of the Harbinger where Skullcrusher, Wingspan and Pounce were waiting for their next orders. Dreadwing returned as did a wounded but still functional Shockwave as Megatron approach the helm and looked out through the main viewport. Autobot City was hit hard but still standing, and Megatron could clearly see Optimus Prime hovering over it. As much as he wanted to unleash the full power of the Harbinger now that he was in command of it, Megatron opted against the idea. Instead, he looked to Dreadwing as he approached the helm and sat at the chair.
"What are your orders, Lord Megatron?" Dreadwing asked.
Megatron was already reconsidering his options but his initial decision remained unchanged. "We're leaving. Transmit a message to our forces; have them reconvene at the forthcoming coordinates."
"Ay, Captain." Dreadwing replied and did as he was told.
"But… they're weak. They're vulnerable. We can…" Skullcrusher said before Megatron slammed his head down onto the console.
"Do I look a bot who repeats himself?" Megatron snarled and released Skullcrusher without waiting for a reply.
Megatron returned to his chair with Shockwave standing beside him. "You are not going to renew the battle?" Shockwave asked.
"The Autobots have seen enough battle, Shockwave, and I've already given Optimus Prime my word that we will leave them alone. Let them mend the wounds and mourn their losses because either way, they now know that the Decepticons had indeed returned," Megatron stated with a demented smirk. "Dreadwing, take us out of here."
The Decepticons on the ground received a coded message from the Harbinger and, after looking up at Optimus Prime's hovering above Autobot City, they assumed their vehicular forms and departed. On the ramparts, the Autobots still had their weapons trained on the Decepticons with the expectations of continued attack ever present. Optimus Prime watched as the Decepticons departed one after the other, driving or flying off into the distance with bothering to commence another assault. Megatron appeared to have kept his word. Optimus Prime looked up at the Harbinger as it was starting to leave the sky and eventually disappeared behind the clouds.
Optimus Prime descended down into the courtyard were the Autobots gathered, some aiding the wounded and other standing over a single, fallen husk. Elita One was the first to greet Optimus Prime, running up to him and throwing herself into his arms. He embraced her tightly before his vision was diverted to the husk ahead of him, and he was shocked to note that it was Sentinel Prime lying on the ground. Dark Steel, Breakaway and Tigatron handled the dying Prime with care as Optimus approached. Optimus knelt down beside Sentinel, who was still functional enough to acknowledge him… and chuckle weakly.
"We meet again, Optimus Prime." Sentinel weakly said.
"We all believed you to be lost to the stars, Sentinel. I must say it is… good to see you again." Optimus replied.
Sentinel smiled and said, "I suppose it is, but we both know that… I'm not long for this life. My time has come to pass over to the next world. Funny really; I never believed in such things until now."
"We have medical facilities, Sentinel. We can save you." Optimus stated.
"You already have, Optimus. I'm at peace with that," Sentinel held out his hand, and Optimus took it in his own as a last sign of respect. Sentinel said, "Thank you, Optimus Prime."
With his last words spoken, Sentinel's optics dimmed and his body faded to the ashen gray that signified a Transformer's passing. A solemn silence fell over the courtyard as the Autobots bowed their heads. Optimus Prime placed Sentinel's hands over his chassis, a sign a respect paid that he long observed the humans do. He then stood up and delivered a salute, with the Autobots following suit. The only sounds were of faint footsteps approaching from deeper in the city. The Autobots looked toward the source and blinked their optics in disbelief when they saw Hotrod approaching with Ultra Magnus, Triage and Jazz, along with the Autobot's human allies.
Arcee was the first to react and ran to Hotrod where she carefully embraced him, to which Hotrod somewhat sheepishly responded with his own embrace. Optimus Prime then approached Hotrod and gently placed his hand on the young bot's shoulder. Hotrod almost fell over, though it was more out of sheer exhaustion than pain. Then Optimus Prime drew Hotrod with an embrace.
Meanwhile outside of the city wall, the Wreckers mourned the losses of Stratosphere and Depth Charge. Drift led a salute for their fallen comrades. Sideswipe knelt down beside the dead husk of his brother Sunstreaker and bowed his head in silence. Brainstorm mourned the deaths of the Technobots, picking a piece of metal from the ground and holding it close to his chassis. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Crosshairs standing over him. There were no jokes or wisecracks from Crosshairs. There was only the silent mourning for comrades lost.
The Autobots were gathered outside the city walls, standing in front of several pyres that had been established for their fallen comrades. Four pyres were set up for Sentinel Prime, Sunstreaker, Depth Charge and Stratosphere. Their grayed husks were levitated over pillars of light akin to fireflies. A fifth, smaller pyre was set beside them with a holographic image of William Lennox, erected in his memory. Optimus Prime stepped forward toward the pyres with the Star Saber in hand as he turned to the Autobots in attendance. He held the blade of the Star Saber to the ground with the palm of both his hands on the hilt. As expected, the Autobots stood silent as Optimus Prime delivered a eulogy.
"We have lived here on Earth for over thirty of this world's years, and in that time, we have come to call it home. In this time, we Autobots have not only befriended humanity, but we have built a family of a courageous few. As with any family, we have experienced great loss time and again. On this day, we honor those who sacrificed everything so that we may continue to protect our home and I give this most solemn vow that their sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Then Optimus Prime looked to Crosshairs as he was standing by a control panel and gave him a subtle nod. Crosshairs returned the nod before he operated the panel. The pyres hummed a faint hum as the tiny lights swirled around the bodies of the deceased Autobots, each one touching against the metallic surface of the bodies. The Autobots looked on as the bodies of their fallen comrades slowly but surely dissipated into tiny lights. There were too many to count and too few to compare to the stars across the galaxy. But the Autobots were counting the stars. They were paying their final respects to their brethren.
Nearby, Spike held Carly's hand in his own as did Daniel held the hand of Verity. Chip, with his leg braces repaired enough to walk, put an arm around Marissa's shoulders to comfort her. Marissa felt tears dripping down her bruised face as she was inwardly saying goodbye to William. She checked her hands and in them was the engagement ring that William intended to give to her before he died. With sorrow but a small measure of closure, Marissa knelt down by the pyre that was William's memorial and placed the ring in a small compartment before locking it away forever.
Optimus Prime had watched the entire scene and felt no small measure of sorrow for Marissa, but he could also see that she'd found some closure. As he looked back to the pyre on which Sentinel Prime vanished in the many tiny lights, he saw Alpha Trion standing just behind the pyre. Alpha Trion said nothing to Optimus Prime, but he gave an approving nod to him before disappearing again for the final time. Optimus Prime, now knowing his true nature for the first time as one of the Original Primes, produced a miniscule smile. Everything was changing in ways he'd never expected, and hopefully, it meant it was all for the better.
Brainstorm sat alone in his laboratory with his head rested on his palm and with the only remaining piece of the Technobots resting on the table. The piece of shredded metal just sat there, useless and broken, and all Brainstorm did with it was lightly tap it. Highbrow entered the lab quietly before still audible enough for Brainstorm to hear him without turning to see him. Highbrow said nothing at first as he stood at Brainstorm's side. He also looked at the piece of metal on the table and tried to count the number of times that Brainstorm tapped on it.
"You weren't at the service today." Highbrow said.
"I'm not overly fond of saying goodbye to friends, Highbrow," Brainstorm claimed and tapped the piece a few more times. "I know we barely knew them, but the Technobots felt just as much a part of the Autobots as you and I."
Highbrow nodded and leaned on the table on one hand, not that Brainstorm had an issue with it. "I agree with you, Brainstorm, but wallowing here does nothing to honor their sacrifice."
"You think we could've done more for them?" Brainstorm said, letting Highbrow take the metal piece from the table.
"I think that's something to really think about. Don't worry, Brainstorm… things will get better in the long run." Highbrow said and then left the lab.
Brainstorm looked up now to see Highbrow leave, and it was only then that he noticed something out of the corner of his optic. It was small, blackish-blue with a tiny Autobot insignia on it. His scientific curiosity was piqued when it was clear that Highbrow left him some sort of drive. Brainstorm picked it up and studied the tiny item with interest that seemed to grow with each passing moment and he plugged the drive into a port just below the edge of the table.
He started typing rapidly on the holographic console that appeared and the screen popped into a diagram full of detailed schematics. Brainstorm couldn't discern the schematics at first but as the images came through and more of them were shown, his optics started glowing a bright blue. He couldn't come close to believing what he was seeing or how and when Highbrow procured them, but it was clear what was on the screen. The schematics were a means of rebuilding the Technobots. He didn't notice that Highbrow returned to the lab until he turned around.
"How did you…" Brainstorm asked.
"Scattershot gave me a drive containing those schematics as well as individual they're personalities. It also includes a way to keep them from self destructing should they ever combine into Computron. You asked before if we could've done more for them. I think we should find out." Highbrow said.
Brainstorm got up from his chair and clasped his hand into Highbrow. "Let's get to work."
Marissa had made her very personal decision some time ago after William's death, but it still didn't stop Verity from asking her. She was one of Marissa's closest friends and she wanted what was best for her, but the decision to retire from active duty still hit pretty close to the heart. Spike understood and didn't try to talk Marissa out of retiring. Neither did Chip or Carly. Daniel tried but wasn't able to convince her otherwise. Carly was stubborn and she showed it when she caught up with Marissa.
Marissa had to laugh when Verity stopped her for the umpteenth time. "You don't give up, do you, Verity?"
"Not in my nature, Marissa. Are you seriously sure that you want to do this? Just retire from the field?" Verity asked.
Marissa gave Verity a meaningful smirk and replied, "Very sure. I think it's high time that I step aside from the battlefield. Maybe I'll take up a cozy desk job in Washington."
"Well, that sounds pretty boring." Verity quipped.
"I don't doubt it, but I keep thinking back what led to Josie Beller's change and whomever was behind it. Someone has to get answers before whomever changed Beller comes after the Autobots."
"You think you'll be able to figure this out?" Verity asked.
"Yes, I do. Besides Crosshairs, there's nothing that can't be explained." Marissa stated.
Verity wasn't about to let Marissa go that easily and rushed to embrace her. Marissa accepted the gesture with her one healthy arm since her other in a sling. Verity was careful not to hurt Marissa anymore than she had been, but Marissa was able to endure. She whispered something in Verity's ear before releasing her. Verity nodded to whatever Marissa whispered to her before Marissa took her leave. A few tears welled in Verity's eyes but she wanted to be seen strong, so she hastily wiped the tears away. It wasn't long before Daniel appeared next to Verity.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Verity replied and turned to Daniel. "She asked me to take care of you and the family."
"Oh, well that's nice of her. But I'm all grown up now, so I can look after myself." Daniel insisted as Verity threw her arms over his shoulders.
"I know that," Verity said and gave Daniel a light kiss. "But don't try to stop me from trying."
Daniel smiled and said, "I never could stop you from trying anything." Then he returned the kiss.
Verity broke the kiss with a smile and said, "I wouldn't have any other way."
Tigatron studied the small-sized Autobot ship in the hanger bay with a keen outlook and knew it would be suitable for his cause. Optimus Prime approached Tigatron and studied the ship as well. The Wreckers were busy making the final adjustments as Dark Steel and Breakaway also approached the ship. Tigatron had to marvel at the ship as he watched the Wreckers work.
"It is called the Axiom." Optimus Prime said.
"It's impressive, and it'll do just fine for my journey out into the stars." Tigatron said.
Optimus Prime nodded before he asked, "Are you certain that we cannot convince you to remain here on Earth, Tigatron?"
"I'd like nothing more than to make my home here on this planet, Optimus. I actually might do that, but I have a more important priority." Tigatron explained.
"You speak of your brother, Cheetor. I've studying manifestos of several vessels that departed Cybertron during the war. The most promising is one called the Alchemor."
"The Alchemor. Thank you, Optimus. Hopefully, I'll find my brother amongst its crew." Tigatron said.
"You are welcome, Tigatron, and know that you are always here on Earth." Optimus Prime.
"You're not going alone, Tigatron," Dark Steel said suddenly. "I'm coming with you."
"I can't ask you to do that, Dark Steel."
"I know, but we've been through so much already that I can't possibly justify letting you go out into the stars without a friend. So I'm going whether you like or not."
"You not really serious, are you, Dark Steel? This is Earth; this is your home." Breakaway pleaded with Dark Steel.
"This was Tempest's home, Breakaway. I'm not her anymore. I have to let that go." Dark Steel said as she followed Tigatron onto the Axiom.
Breakaway watched Dark Steel enter the Axiom along with the Wreckers, who were commissioned to join them, "I feel like I'm losing Tempest all over again."
"I believe there is still a small part of Tempest within Dark Steel. It will take time, but she may yet recall her past life." Optimus Prime said assuredly.
"Yeah." Breakaway said solemnly.
Optimus Prime was quick to notice the genuine hurt in Breakaway's optics and surprisingly said, "Breakaway, perhaps it is best then that you accompany Dark Steel and Tigatron on their journey."
"What?!" Breakaway asked in surprise.
"Regardless of whatever identity Dark Steel may or may not, you obviously care deeply for her. It is only fair that you accompany her in the event that she remembers, which I strongly can and will happen." Optimus Prime stated to a beaming Breakaway.
"I… don't know what to say."
"Just know that we will be here waiting for your eventual return home, Breakaway. And… take care of them and of yourself." Optimus Prime said.
"Thank you, Optimus Prime." Breakaway responded with a crisp salute to Optimus Prime before he headed for the Axiom.
Meanwhile in the Axiom's cockpit, the crew was making final preparations for takeoff. Tigatron, being a well-versed pilot during his time on the Harbinger, sat at the helm with Dark Steel beside him. The Wreckers all sat at separate control areas along the sides and corners of the cockpit as the ship's engines whirred to life. It was to Dark Steel's surprise when Breakaway appeared and took the seat next to her opposite of Tigatron.
"What're you doing here, Breakaway?" Dark Steel asked.
"What's it look like?" he asked.
"You know I can't stay on Earth, so stop trying to convince otherwise." she snapped.
"I'm not; I'm going with you. Besides, Tigatron over there'll need all the help he can get if he wants to find Cheetor." Breakaway claimed and drew the attention of Tigatron.
"Are you for real, Breakaway?" Tigatron asked with a smirk.
"Yeah, so let's go find your brother." Breakaway smirked back.
Tigatron smiled before focusing on the helm. Dark Steel merely smirked in slight annoyance followed by a sense enjoyment. Inwardly, she was very happy to have Breakaway by her side. It was just it was when Tempest was alive. It was also interesting that Dark Steel had that notion playing in her psyche. Maybe Breakaway was right all along; there was still a little bit of Tempest in Dark Steel. Neither she nor Breakaway would ask for anything more.
Outside of the Axiom, Optimus Prime and the Autobots and the humans silently bid a fond farewell to their allies as the Axiom's engines came to life. It then rose slowly from the landing zone and lifted slowly and steadily out into the sky. It turned to face its front toward the sky and then gunned the engine before rocketing into the sky and vanishing from the sight of the Autobots, and Optimus Prime mused inwardly that in time, the Axiom and it crew would return. But he also knew with grim understanding that sooner or later, the Decepticons would return as well…
…and the Autobots would be waiting.
Epilogue
It is never easy to bid farewell to members of a family, but it is how we respond to it and how greet them upon the return that makes all the difference. This is a notion I have learned more than once in my lifetime, in addition to learning my own true nature and origins. Those are memories that I will carry for as long as I exist to defend the world I call home.
I am Optimus Prime, and this messages to those wayward Autobots that wander the stars; you have a home here on Earth… and a family waiting for you.
Author's Note: I did it! I managed to weather the storm and finish it. Aside from a few hiccups here and there, I'm pretty with how it came out. But would do you think?
Here are a couple of small facts here for those who might get a bit confused. First, I purposefully left out what exactly happened with Josie Beller's body. Secondly, while I did kill off the Technobots, but that scene with Highbrow and Brainstorm may suggest a return in the future.
Also, I wanted to write off Breakaway, Marissa and the surviving Wreckers in a way without killing them, so I had Marissa retire and had Breakaway and the Wreckers join Tigatron and Dark Steel in leaving Earth.
Drop me a few of them reviews and I'll present the CAST chapter soon. Peace out!
