Author's note: I have been agonising over whether or not to incorporate the change that is about to happen to Phoenix's character. Does it make sense within the story? Will it work? Am I going too far? Will all 4 people who have been following the story religiously now be annoyed and be all like, ''Well that just ruined it for me! Now I refuse to read it!'' Then I decided, well I had it in the chapter outline when I planned this story a while back so, what the hell, I'll just stick with it and see how it goes. Even if ONE of my faithful 4 readers continues to persevere, I'm cool with that :-)
And on that note, thanks to those who have taken the time to review my writing, or follow or favourite. It REALLY does provide much needed motivation to keep writing - so THANKS!
And now - on with the blessed event...
Chapter 80 – Aftermath
Prime P.O.V
With the final teaching of Sentinel echoing through my processor, I watch as Sam gets out of Bumblebee and looks at me, relief and thanks evident on his features. As I stand there, shoulder dripping energon and fluids, I nod towards Sam and my teammates, a silent recognition of a job well done and gratitude for their support and loyalty.
Lennox indicates to Sam the figure of Carly as she approaches on the opposite side of the bridge before he and Epps head over to Phoenix. I watch as Sam runs to her, sweeping her up into his arms and promising to never let her go again, professing his love for her. My spark swells with happiness for them both and I feel a warmth and a sense of peace wash over me, chasing away the remnants of fear, anger and pain.
I turn around and take in the sight of a certain femme sitting upright against the bridge, still clutching at her damaged side. /Phoenix, my Phoenix. The one who has saved me in so many ways/. I begin to walk towards her, all my thoughts focus on her and her wellbeing. Just as Sam said to Carly, she is all I need in this world, or any other. Perhaps it is time to publicly declare my feelings to her too? Let everyone know that I love her and bind myself to her.
As I approach her, she lifts her helm up towards me and smiles brightly, ''Optimus,'' she reaches her servo outwards me, an invitation to close the distance between us.
I kneel down slowly before her, taking her proffered servo in mine, ''Phoenix, are you okay?'' My concern seeps into my voice as I look her damaged side over carefully. She has sustained a significant hit to her right side, though it could have been worse. She is indeed tough.
She gives a playful snort, ''Well I have been better Prime, but I'll live. We all will - thanks to you.''
I shake my helm at her, ''No Phoenix, thanks to you. You appeared right when we needed you the most. Your actions tipped the battle in our favour and likely helped win us the war. Not to mention you saved my life just now.'' I moved my servo to cup her cheek and stare lovingly into her optics, ''you honour me with your bravery.''
I hear an awkward cough below me as I turn to look at Epps and Lennox. I smile at them. ''As do you both, we could not have been victorious without the aid, bravery and sacrifice of our human allies. Thank you yet again Lennox and Epps. I am indeed grateful for your loyalty and support.'' I inclined my helm at them.
''You're welcome Prime. I'm just glad you are on our side and you're alive,'' I feel my spark constrict quickly as Lennox is about to inadvertently divulge to Phoenix what happened, ''I mean when your shuttle exploded after take-off..''
''IT WHAT?'' Phoenix bolts upright and winces at the effort though she tenses and looks at me, her optics darkening.
Lennox looked away meekly, realising too late his error, ''Ahh..'' he scratches at his head awkwardly.
''You have some explaining to do Optimus Prime,'' she fixed me with an interrogative stare, ''Don't think for one moment saving the world is going to get you off the hook for abandoning me back at HQ and keeping me in the dark about your plan. We WILL be talking about this later.'' Her expression was one of fierce determination.
I nod my helm in acceptance, ''As you wish my Phoenix, I do indeed owe you an explanation and a spark felt apology, but they can wait until we both receive much needed repairs and rest.'' She nodded slowly and begrudgingly. I reached for her and pulled her towards my chest. She did not object, as she manoeuvred herself to lean into me, wrapping her free servo around me and giving a gentle sigh.
Lennox and Epps looked between one another and then to us, ''Ah, we'll leave you both alone now,'' Epps said somewhat confused, ''It was good to see you again Phoenix, Prime.'' He nodded and turned to walk off.
Lennox likewise looked slightly awkward, though he was less confused than Epps having been around us both for longer after Epps left the Airforce to go and work at Cape Canaveral on the base down there. A small smile of recognition spread across his face as he took the sight of us both embracing. ''Well, I guess it was only a matter of time you two,'' he gave a laugh, ''The Phoenix and the Prime,'' he shook his head, ''you know, the way everything has happened over the years, the various paths that have led you here, seems to me like it was meant to be.''
Phoenix and I both looked at each other and then down to Lennox who now had a massive grin plastered on his face, ''I am happy for you both. Prime?'' he addressed me in particular, ''you look after her,'' and he nodded at Phoenix. ''While she drives me insane and is a royal pain in the arse at times,'' Phoenix rankled slightly, ''she will always be like a little sister to me, so if you do wrong by her, you'll have me to answer to.'' Phoenix relaxed a little and I felt waves of gratitude, humility and affection rolling off her.
''Thanks Lennox, your words mean so much to me - to us, thank you,'' Phoenix smiled down at him.
I drew Phoenix closer to me, a gesture to indicate to Lennox the sincerity of my feelings, ''You have my word as a Prime,'' at his arched eyebrow I continued, ''An uncorrupted and good Prime.'' Lennox smiled and nodded. ''I am grateful for your support.''
Lennox nodded at us both, ''Well, I'll leave you both alone,'' he turned to leave, ''though I doubt you will get much time to yourselves,'' as he nodded in the direction of some Autobots who were approaching and with a laugh he walked off.
''I thought I had lost you again Prime,'' I heard her whisper into my chest. ''I couldn't bear..'' she clutched at me desperately.
I lay my helm against hers, ''Shh… Phoenix, I know. I am here.'' I pulled her as close to me as I thought her wounds and mine would allow. ''I am safe, thanks to you.'' I kissed her helm gently.
Rachet, Jazz, Ironhide and Bumblebee had approached us. ''Prime, Phoenix, are you both okay?'' Rachet's concerned voice interrupted our moment together. His trained optics scanning our bodies for damage and performing triage on the spot. His dermas twisted in a look of shock and annoyance as he took in the extensive damage to my arm and body. Barely a surface lay untouched from damage of some sort.
He shook his helm as he looked at Phoenix's damaged right side. ''Perhaps that was a redundant question,'' the medic muttered to himself. He started to gently look around Phoenix's side and, producing some small medical instruments from his subspace, he proceeded to patch her up so she would be stable.
My injuries, although extensive and my arm severe, were nothing I could not survive until I could be repaired. Sadly, over the millennia I had had much experience in getting badly injured, so I had the necessary endurance and fortitude to ride it out.
''I've seen him look worse,'' Jazz chuckled with gentle derision as he smiled fondly at his Prime and friend. Though the words were unspoken, we all recalled that day not so long ago. I felt myself shudder slightly.
Ironhide nodded his helm at us both, ''Good to see you both functioning. Phoenix, glad you could join us today.'' He had a glimmer of mischief in his optics.
Phoenix sat up slightly and removed herself from my embrace. ''Yeah, well 'Hide I WOULD have been here sooner if a certain Autobot Commander didn't decide to keep me out of the loop and let me tag along with you all in the first place.'' She turned fiery optics towards me.
''I'm glad he didn't! As it was there was precious little room,'' Ironhide retorted, ''so it worked out well. Besides, far more dramatic an entrance swooping in like you did. Glad you are on our side.'' He smiled at her.
Phoenix snorted back at him, ''Yeah just you remember that 'Hide, don't incur the wrath of the Phoenix.''
Rachet interrupted the playful banter, ''That's enough you two, there is a serious number of repairs to be done here, not to mention, sadly, some losses.''
My spark constricted tightly in my chest and I turned sad optics towards Rachet, ''Who did we lose today Rachet?'' I had been unable to keep track of the status of my team as the battle had progressed and I had engaged Sentinel and Megatron. Then the euphoria of seeing Phoenix again alive and well distracted me from seeing to the wellbeing of my team. I felt a twinge of self-recrimination assail my spark.
Bumblebee made some sad beeping an whirring noises as Rachet replied, ''Que, Jolt and.. the Twins.'' With each name said out loud I felt a piece of my spark die along with them. I hung my helm in sorrow unable to speak for a moment. Phoenix also hung her helm, and her optics grew dim as she gave a gentle sobbing sound. She closed her optics for a moment as she remembered each of them.
Jazz also spoke up, ''Arcee has sustained some serious injuries. Dino and Sideswipe only superficial injuries. Myself, Ironhide, Rachet, Bumblebee and the Wreckers also only minor injuries. Quite miraculous really given the intensity of the battle and the number of enemies we engaged.''
I nodded, ''Indeed Jazz,'' I turned my attention towards him, Ironhide and Bumblebee. ''Please ensure our fallen comrade's bodies are carefully collected for a proper send off and honouring.'' Ironhide, Jazz and Bumblebee nodded.
''Of course Prime, we shall see to it right away,'' Jazz gave us both a nod before turning to walk off and scour the area for our fallen friends.
''Come on Bee, let's go,'' Ironhide turned to the yellow scout. Bumblebee, who had remained silent during the discussions, made a sad whirring noise before he turned to follow Ironhide. As I watched them both go, I made a mental note to talk to my young scout when I had a chance. While he had seemed upbeat moments before with Sam and Carly, he had experienced much today and been through some traumatic moments. His demeanour and tone just now told me as much. I wanted to check he was okay.
Bumblebee was so desperate for my approval, that he was prone to burying his emotions deep down, locking them away so he would not be overwhelmed and could carry out his duties to seek my praise. Bumblebee would not willingly come to me to talk as he would be too embarrassed and shy so I would have to seek him out and start a conversation. We were overdue for a chat. When I was repaired and Phoenix and I had had a chance to spend some time together, I would ensure my brave scout and I would have a talk.
Phoenix still said nothing, her grief overwhelming her. I placed a servo on her shoulder, and she dove into my chest, burying her helm against me. I just held her and tried to offer comfort. Rachet spoke softly to us both, ''we best try to move out now and head back for repairs and rest.''
Phoenix lifted her helm and spoke softly, ''Prime, Rachet, is there any chance we could head back to our home, to Diego Garcia for our repairs. I don't like the Washington HQ,'' she lowered her helm as if embarrassed by her request and honesty, ''unpleasant memories''.
Rachet looked to Prime, ''If you, Phoenix and Arcee are stable enough to travel, I don't see why not. It will be a longer wait until repairs can be made. Whilst enroute I can only perform basic procedures and repairs. Prime?'' Rachet looked to me for approval.
I considered Phoenix's request and Rachet's words carefully. I also had another growing concern gnawing at me, ''I shall talk to Director Mearing about it. I fear that what has transpired here in Chicago has set in motion a chain of events that may not bode well for us Autobots.''
Phoenix snapped her helm up, ''But WE saved Earth and all its people. If it wasn't for us and our NEST, NAVY SEAL, Air Force and Special forces allies, things would be very different indeed right now. How can our Governments and the people of Earth not see how necessary Autobots are to the ongoing safety and defence of this planet?''
I looked down at her and shook my helm, ''Phoenix, how I wish that would be true but unfortunately, I feel that the humans and Governments of this world will see it in an entirely different light. I fear all they will come to see, and all they will come to believe, is that because of us they are in danger. Their loved ones are in danger and their home is in danger.'' I paused a moment, ''in some ways they are right, and I do not blame them.'' I raised a servo to brush her cheek at her saddened expression. ''Then again, perhaps you are right, and I am mistaken. Perhaps all will be well, and I am merely overreacting and over thinking things.''
Phoenix raised her helm to me, a teasing smile playing on her dermas, ''Well that doesn't sound like you at all does it now Prime?''
Rachet laughed out loud, ''She's got you there Prime.''
I shook my helm slowly, my own smile on my dermas as I once again brushed her cheek. ''She's got me regardless Rachet.'' Phoenix's expression changed and she started to lean in towards me just as I felt myself bend down towards her; my optics focused on her dermas.
''Uh hem!'' Rachet made a coughing sound, ''Medic still present, if you don't mind. There will be plenty of time for that later.'' Rachet stood beside us and offered his servo to me.
I sighed out loud and took his offered servo, raising myself slowly to my pedes. I was starting to feel tired and sore, the aches and pains surfacing once again. I turned to face Phoenix and offered her my left servo as did Rachet and together we helped her rise to her pedes too. Phoenix took a step closer to me and leant gently against me for support or just an excuse for contact, either way I didn't mind.
Rachet turned to face me, ''Prime, you contact Mearing and gain clearance to return to Deigo Garcia, I'll go and perform a final triage on everyone to make sure everyone is fit enough to make the journey otherwise,'' he turned back to Phoenix, ''I'm sorry but we will have to remain here.''
Phoenix nodded, ''That's fine Rachet, I understand. I would just prefer to be back home if possible.''
I nodded, ''Understood Rachet, I shall contact her directly and comm you when I have an answer either way. Keep me informed as to the status of my team and notify me immediately if you feel Arcee or any of the others are not stable enough for the journey. I shall also contact Lennox to inform him of our intentions and to arrange for immediate transport.''
Rachet nodded to us both and headed off. I began to walk off slowly with Phoenix wrapped under my left arm. I had to try and locate my flight tech I had abandoned when I joined the fight on the ground. I also had to relocate my trailer and check in with Lennox if there was anything the able-bodied members of my team could assist with before we departed. Though where do you start when the devastation that surrounds you is on such a massive scale? It was overwhelming.
I felt a shudder run through my damaged and aching frame at the thought of how many lives had been destroyed and lost, not to mention the loss of my dear friends and teammates. That familiar weight of responsibility for having brought our war here, having been the cause of so many lives being affected, settled on spark and my battle worn shoulder struts.
Though as I held Phoenix close as we began to walk, I felt some warmth begin to banish the coldness of despair. It felt good to feel her by my side, her presence alone was a soothing balm for my wounds, physical and emotional. I turned my helm to look at her and tell her how proud I was of her and how well she had fought when something caught my optics. I faltered for a moment causing her to look up at me with worry.
''Are you okay Prime?'' What is it?'' she asked concerned.
I stopped and looked at her again. There, glowing faintly blue against the silver and red metal on her face, down her neck and on her right shoulder, were ancient Cybertronian runes. I stared in disbelief. /THE MARK OF THE PRIMES!/. What on earth? I blinked my optics rapidly as I struggled to take in what this meant and why or how this could have happened. While I had known for some time that OC or, Phoenix, was special, the extent of that was only now being revealed to me.
''Prime?'' Phoenix called out to me yet again, her facial features expressing her growing concern.
I shook my helm, ''I… I'm okay. I just noticed something on you. Something I have never seen before that I think, has just appeared.'' I reached out a digit to gently trace over the runes.
She grabbed it and stilled it. ''What? What have you noticed on me? Am I bleeding?''
I shook my helm, ''Phoenix, I don't know how to explain this to you but, you have some markings on your face, neck and shoulder.'' She immediately lowered her helm to try and see for herself. Noticing something on her shoulder she snapped her helm up to me.
''What does it mean? Am I having a reaction to something? Is this a result of what Rachet said may happen after I became a Transformer? Am I dying?'' Her questions were fired in such rapid succession I had to raise my servo to beg her stop.
''Phoenix! Enough. It is none of those things. It is something wholly unexpected, and quite honestly, beyond my understanding. My dear Phoenix,'' I brushed her cheek with the runes as they glowed brighter. ''It would seem Primus has favoured you in some way. These runes you see, they are ancient Cybertronian. These runes say,'' I paused for a moment to let my words sink in, ''they say you are a Prime.''
For a moment Phoenix did not move. She did not speak. It was as though she ceased to function. Her optics were wide with shock and her dermas hung open. I shook her gently, ''Phoenix? Are you okay? Say something?'' She continued to stare at me blankly for a moment, though she started to blink her optics.
After a second more her dermas began to move as she slowly tried to form words, ''Umm… I… tha… that is… unexpected… not what I thought you were going to say,'' she shook her helm and looked at me quizzically. ''How does that even happen Prime. I thought, from the bits and pieces you have told me over the years, that not since the original Thirteen Primes had there been more than one Prime at a time. Why has this happened now, after all of this time?'' Phoenix fixed me with a perplexed looked. If it hadn't been such a serious topic, I would have bent down to kiss the endearing look of confusion from her face.
I ''sighed'' out loud. I was weary, sore and my spark ached at the destruction that had been wrought and the lives that had been lost. Yet a small part of me was very intrigued as to why this had happened – and how. ''Indeed Phoenix, not since the existence of the Thirteen Primes, the original Transformer creations of Primus – our God – has there existed more than one Prime at a time.''
I knitted my optic ridges in concentration as I cast my processor back millions of years to a time when the very wise and seemingly all-knowing Alpha Trion had been a source of counsel and guidance for me in my early days as a new Prime. ''I recall Alpha Trion, that very ancient and wise Autobot, very much like a Prime himself, once told me that when it came time for Prima, the first bearer of the Matrix of Leadership, to pass the Matrix on, it was written in the Covenant of Primus…''
''The Covenant of Primus?'' Phoenix interrupted my explanation. ''What the hell is that?'' At the look of slight exasperation that settled on my weary features, Phoenix had the decency to look embarrassed at having cut me off, ducking her helm and averting her gaze for a moment. ''Ahh Sorry Prime. My bad.''
I allowed a small smile as I shifted on my pedes, ''I can appreciate that you are confused and eager to understand what is going on Phoenix but please, be aware that I am trying my best to answer all of your questions as well as make sense of this – event – myself.''
Phoenix nodded and rose on her pedes, wrapped her arms gently about my battered shoulders and placed a kiss on my cheek. ''Sorry Optimus, I won't interrupt again. Please continue.''
At the touch of her dermas, I felt a warmth spread throughout me and my spark felt light. /Primus but I loved this femme/. ''In answer to your question Phoenix, the Covenant of Primus is an ancient text as old as Cybertron itself, that contains many ancient writings, scriptures of our past and prophecies that may pertain to the future of our race. In human terms that you may be more familiar with, I guess you could draw comparisons with the Bible, the Tanakh, the Qur'an or any other sacred religious text that contains important information, rules, wisdoms and prophecies.'' I raised my optic ridge at her to see if my explanation had been sufficient for her.
She nodded silently to indicate she understood.
''As I mentioned before, when it came time for Prima to relinquish the Matrix of Leadership, it was decreed in the Covenant of Primus that Cybertron could only ever have one Prime at a time and so it has been ever since… until now that is.'' I blinked my optics and then bent down to kiss her dermas, not caring who saw us. Repairs be damned! I was not waiting any longer. I heard Phoenix give a gentle ''sigh''. I had needed this.
After a moment Phoenix pulled away from me and I felt bereft of the contact between us, ''But what does this mean?'' she asked.
I gave a small teasing laugh, ''It means I like you Phoenix, I find you appealing.''
She snorted and gently shoved my left shoulder, ''Very funny Prime. Maybe I should never have encouraged you to make jokes. Seriously though, what does it mean if I am now a Prime too? Why would there now suddenly be a need for two Primes at once? Will we have like a roster system?''
It was my turn to give a snort and a laugh, ''A roster! Phoenix, I don't know what this means as I have never encountered it before.'' I felt my body ache once again, my arm was throbbing painfully, I still had to talk to Mearing and now this! /Primus may have favoured Phoenix but he didn't appear to be favouring me at the moment!/. ''Phoenix, I am as perplexed and curious as you are about this but now is not the time to discuss it. We have much to do yet, the least of which is receive repairs and rest. I will inform Rachet and while we are recovering back on Diego Garcia, if we can get permission to return, we shall both look into it. For now, can we both just accept that it has happened and that we shall try to address it at a later stage? Agreed?''
Phoenix nodded, ''That seems fair Prime.'' She looked up at me sheepishly, ''I'm sorry for going all ''fifty questions'' on you back there, it's just, kind of a big deal for me and took me by surprise.'' She looked very seriously at me and raised her servo to touch my cheek. ''As long as it doesn't stop us being together, then I don't care about it too much.''
I smiled at her, ''My Phoenix, nothing will stop us being together again, certainly not this. You are mine as I am yours. Always and forever.'' I felt my spark speed up. /Now, tell her NOW!/. The words began to form on my dermas as I stepped close to her, ''Phoenix I…''
My comms went off again and I growled out loud. ::Prime here!:: I shouted down the line before I immediately looked contrite. ::Director Mearing, my apologies. I am glad you contacted me:: I shot an apologetic look at Phoenix, ::there is something I would like to raise with you..::
As I walked off to continue the conversation, a rather annoyed Phoenix in tow, I made the silent commitment to turn my comms unit off the next time we had this ''discussion'', there was no way I was going to be interrupted again when I went to tell Phoenix how I truly felt about her.
Though I knew she loved me, and I suspected she knew I loved her, and I had already confessed it to her comatose form, I wanted to tell her, I wanted her to hear the words spoken out loud. I wanted everyone to hear the words spoken out loud.
I wanted everyone to know I that she is the other half of my spark – My Phoenix, My Prime.
