"CYBERTRONIAN"

"ENGLISH"

...

CHAPTER 43

It was both nerve-wracking and surprising when Max was told about Optimus's plans. While he was excited to receive his own Cybertronian name, he none-the-less, found it to be nerve-wracking. Optimus and Elita did not tell him what name they chose for him, saying it was tradition the child learn it on the day they received it. Sunstreaker, Ironhide, and Bumblebee were space bridging down for it, and a few of Opitmus's old friends had decided to come. All in all, there would be ten people there that day, all over a naming ceremony, it didn't exactly help with Max's nerves at all. When the day came, the nerves only got worse, what if he screwed something up, that was his biggest concern. Yet he didn't have to do much, other then be there really. Most of the work went to Optimus, as generally, the Father's christened mechs and the Mother's christened femme's.

In a way, it was an honor, Max was the first human child since the Genocide to ever receive a Cybertronian name. AJ was next, but it wouldn't be for another two years, as he was still only eleven years old, whereas, those who got them from their parents got them when they were thirteen. Or in the case of actual Cybertronians, the equivalence to it. He spent most of the time perched upon Sunstreaker's shoulder, meeting a few of Optimus's old friends. He also had the brief chance to speak to another of his Father's close friends, Bulkhead, who'd apparently worked with the Allan Family since his Great Grandfather was alive.

There was a lot of high grade drinking, and talking, though Optimus didn't partake in much drinking. He wasn't a heavy drinker. Elita on the other hand, went all out about it, and did quite a bit of drinking. Matt was being watched by Bumblebee's holoform in the meantime. About mid-way through the proceedings, Optimus made his way toward Sunstreaker, and held out a palm. "I believe it's time Max." He winked at the boy, who gulped a bit at this "Come on son, you'll be fine." Optimus noted.

Max slowly crawled from Sunstreaker's open palm onto Optimus's. It was at this moment that most of the proceedings ended, all optics in the room poised on him. He felt as though he had just killed someone and was being stared down. Though he didn't understand just how big a deal this was. Being he was the first person in eleven years, perhaps more, to be given this honor. And the very first human, at all, to be given the honor of being named by a Prime. Optimus made his way to the center of the room, near Axel, who stood proudly, a smile formed on his features.

"We are gathered here today, to celebrate an occasion I am glad has come again. No human being has been given this honor since the tragic genocide that befell our planet eleven years ago. The survivors all are too young for their time again, all but one." Optimus smiled at Max, who gave a nervous smile in return "Today, I have the great honor, of naming the first human child in that time, to have come of age. For it is my son, who's christening we celebrate on this day." Max listened carefully to Optimus's words "True son of a great soldier, who I am honored to have at one time called an ally. All of you no doubt know, for the last four months, we have had the honor of adopting, and raising the young boy. To bring him out of a dark life he faced for far too long." He noted.

Max shifted a bit, wondering why Optimus was speaking through all of this. Though Bumblebee, earlier on, had said he'd done the same to him. He had given a speech on all of his children before giving them their names, their Cybertronian names, that was. "Maxwell Cornelius Pax." Optimus spoke a bit louder, Max turned toward him slowly "Today, you are honored with one of the grandest traditions of Autobot culture. Your naming, makes you one with our faction. Whether metal or flesh, from this moment on, none may question your place in our ranks." Optimus carefully scooped Max up, and brought the boy close to his optics, which seemed to beam with pride.

Max knew the moment of truth was coming, he bit his lip, expecting at any minute for himself to be named. "On this day, my son, I give you the Cybertronian name of Sirius Pax." Optimus said loudly, so all could her him, Max was surprised by how human the name actually sounded "Much like my first name of Orion, named after the stars. The one that shined brightest from Earth." Max tilted his head a bit, not understanding why he'd be named for that "Because, my son, despite the travesties you have lived through. You have never given up hope, your hope, your heart, shines brightest." Optimus noted with a smile.

Max felt his face go bright red, it was a fitting name, when he thought about it. On top of this, he actually liked the name, it was Cybertronian, with the slightest touch of human origins. It came down to, however, if Max chose to keep it. If he did not take on the name it would be a codename, so-to-speak, once he chose to join the Autobots in the war itself. Once the clapping was done and everyone returned to their actions, some clapping him on the back, Max stared at Optimus. "Sirius, I kinda like it." Max grinned, he looked at Optimus "I like it a lot." He added.

"Are we really, you know, allowed to take it as my name? Or is that a Cybertronian thing?"

Optimus stroked his chin thoughtfully, no human had ever actually wanted to keep their Cybertronian names. But he couldn't blame him, really, after all, he did have the honor of being named by a Prime. No human had had it before, so the Autobot Leader figured this may be the reason. To use it proudly, to show to everyone that he was more then just a human who got lucky. "None have asked to take their Cybertronian names before, Max." Optimus told him calmly, he stared at Max slowly "But if you wish to take your name as Sirius from this moment on, I would not object. As the choice is your own to make." He tilted his head "Is this, what you wish, Max? It can be a nickname and have the same effect as it would as your actual name." He noted.

Max looked thoughtfully at Optimus, he knew if he took the name there was no turning back. Bumblebee had told him such when he spoke of when he received the name of Bumblebee. Yet, as much as he liked the name Max, he knew this was something he had to do. Be the first human to accept a Cybertronian name. "I'd be proud to take a Cybertronian name for my own, Dad." Max told him quietly, he took a deep breath "If you'll let me have the honor." He added.

Optimus smiled a bit at Max, or rather, Sirius, calmly. It was going to take some getting used to from both of them to get used to that. But he knew it wouldn't take long, there was no doubt it would be his legal name in the optics of all. He suspected that in a couple of months, he'd forget the name Max entirely. "Your true Grandfather via myself would be honored for you to take his name for your own." Sirius's eyes widened quite a bit "You are named for more then a mere star, son. You are honored with the name of my own Father, whom I never met." He set Sirius down, and crouched down to him "You do him a great honor, by carrying it." He noted.

Sirius stared at Optimus slowly, or rather, stared at his Father, and smiled. He did him a great honor more then he did Optimus one. For the first time, he felt as though he was part of his family moreso then he had before. He'd expect that kind of honor to go to Matt, if anything. But there he was, officially named Sirius Pax, honored with the name of a dead Prime, let alone Optimus's own Father. "I'll be sure to do him proud Dad." The boy carefully stepped over, and hugged the mech's giant thumb carefully "Though I'm not sure I'll ever get used to not being called Max." He noted.

"It is normally difficult to transition names. But within time, it will become easier, Sirius." Optimus told him calmly, setting him onto his shoulder, as the chronicler took the data pad, he took a deep breath, and listed his former name, then looked at Sirius calmly "Son, once I sign this, it will be official. All your files will list your new name, and the only mention of your former name will be under 'Birth Name'. Are you sure that is what you want?" He questioned calmly.

Sirius stared at the data pad for a long, hard moment. If he did this, he left behind his old identity, and embraced a new one. He'd be recognized as Optimus's son, he'd be a full member of the family by doing so as far as he was concerned. Yet, he felt nervous, thinking it may be like betraying his parents. He closed his eyes, and let himself think long and hard, was this what he really wanted? He felt a hand upon his shoulder, and turned, yet nothing was there, not even Optimus's finger. He knew, somehow, it was one of his parents telling him not to worry, that they still loved him even if it was what he wanted.

"I'm ready if you are." Sirius leaned against his Father calmly.

Optimus smiled, feeling as though he had finally broken through the boy's mold. He knew this would help, but not even he could have expected him to ask to use the name. To say the mech beamed with pride would have been an understatement. As he wrote his new name onto the data pad so that it may be recorded, he sighed gently. It felt as though that day, all of four months ago was not the day Sirius truly joined the family. Today, the day he embraced and accepted them as his family, was the day that he truly became their adopted son. And to tell the truth, in his son's mind, the feeling that day was very much mutual.

...

A/N: I felt Max would be someone who'd exchange his human name for his Cybertronian one. :) So from now on, Max will be known as Sirius. :) Who is not named for the Harry Potter character, but rather for the actual star. It was the only star name I could actually pronounce. Reviews make my day!