Hey everyone, so for this story I wanted to jump forward in time to after the events in the Trials of Echo. If you need a refresher I suggest rereading it, but for new readers I will sum-up the story. At the end of the second story Septimus killed Echo because he was under Shockwave's control. Now he is on his own, in a universe he doesn't know. That is where we will begin. _
Septimus Prime- Afterlife. Chapter one-Struggles.Things had been rough for Septimus lately. He had returned to his homeworld to discover it had been destroyed during the war. He tried going to some of the places he and his friends used to hang out, only to discover they too were gone. Nothing of his old life was left, as he traversed the surface of the alien planet he had once called home. His Spark grew sad, and lonely.
As he wandered he drifted away from his brothers, who were also having their difficulties adjusting to a world that had nothing left from their time. Prima at least had his decedents to fill his life, but Septimus had nothing.
He was near where his house had once stood, when three laughing Minicons ran down the street from behind him. One of them, a female stopped and smiled up at him. Then she ran off to rejoin her friends, and left Septimus frozen.
It had been almost three months since Echo had died by his hand. He knew that he wasn't to blame, and that she was waiting patiently for him in his realm. That didn't stop his nightmares of Citrabanu running her through, or the insane amount of guilt he felt.
He took off running to the nearest bar, and found a table far in the back. Echo would have beat him bloody for drinking until he could no longer see straight, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He wanted to drown out the memories. Once he had been there long enough, the owner sent a call out to Septimus's brothers. Prima was raging mad when he went to fetch Septimus, but that anger vanished when he finally saw him.
Septimus had fallen forward until his head and shoulders sagged on the table. He was looking at a holographic image of Echo, his optics dim from having cried so much. Prima sighed and sat down beside his brother.
"Are you here to reprimand me?" Septimus said quietly.
"No, I was going to, but that is not what I think you need. Little brother." Prima answered.
"And what is it you think I need?"Septimus growled, not in the mood for any consolations.
"You need a friend. Someone you know and trust." Prima said.
"I had one. I killed her." Septimus sighed turning his head so his forehead touched the table.
"You had more than her. I recently was visited by the children of your old friend, Outreach. They told me that he was still alive. He was hoping to see you." Prima replied optimistic.
"Outreach is alive? He always was a tough Mech. I will go see him." Septimus smiled at the thought of seeing his old friend.
He tried to stand up, and almost crashed to the floor. His brother caught him and slung his little brother's arm over his shoulder. "Lets get you somber first." Prima suggested.
"Do you think Echo can see me right now?" Sep asked his brother seriously.
"We could see out of our realm, and knowing her. I would said yes, and she would very disappointed in you." Prima answered.
Septimus bit his lip. She would be furious with him, but he would take her being mad at him if it meant he could see her again. Prima helped his younger brother to the large home the Primes had been using.
Vector saw Septimus, and was about to say something of the scolding manner, when Prima shook his head in warning. Vector closed his mouth, and Nexus took Septimus's other shoulder. The two older bothers helped their younger brother to his room, and left him to rest.
"I thought he had gotten pasted this?" Alchemist said once Prima and Nexus came back.
"He is adjusting like we all are. He just needs time." Nexus replied.
"He is sliding back into what he was like before he met...oh. He saw a Minicon today didn't he." Alchemist finally said what they had all guessed.
"Yes, he always does this when one crosses his path. He has not forgiven himself for Echo. I don't know if he ever will." Quintus said joining in the conversation.
"I told him about Outreach. Maybe that will help him remember that he had other friends, and that they are still here. Then he might realize that we are here as well." Prima added.
"None of his old friends, or even we meant as much to him. He doesn't need old friends he needs new ones. Perhaps we should find another Minicon for him." Vector suggested.
"That is a horrible idea. There is no Minicon that could ever compare to Echo, and even if there was he would never accept another. Echo was not the only loyal one in their relationship." Optimus had just entered the room, and the others turned their attention to him.
"My grandson is right. Septimus would never let another Minicon into his heart. He does need a purpose though. We need to give him one." Prima said.
"A rouge group of Decepticons have been spotted making a base on a planet not to far from here. It may be battle that will give our brother purpose." Nexus reported.
"That might work, but he has refused missions every time we offered one." Quintus said.
Optimus rubbed his chin, then suggested that they make it sound like a mission only Septimus could do. "If we tell him that the planet's heat is too intense for us, then he would have to go. He is immune to heat."
"He wouldn't buy it." Alchemist contradicted Optimus.
"Not if I went with him. I want to bring the Decepticons justice too, and he would have no reason to think I would lie to him. Let me go." Optimus offered.
He didn't have much of a relationship with his great great uncle, but he wanted to help Septimus to overcome his grief. He felt he owed that to Echo for saving Bumblebee. The other Primes around him nodded in agreement that Optimus's plan was the best one.
After the other Primes left Optimus went to leave. Prima stopped him laying his hand on his decedent's shoulder.
"Be careful with Septimus. When he finds out that we are tricking him, he will be angry. Without Echo here to calm him, there is no telling how far he will go." Prima advised.
Optimus nodded, and left his Grandfather to prepare his ship.
Chapter two- old friends, new disappointments.Septimus hesitated at the door of the building where his brother had said Outreach lived. He took a deep breath and knocked softly. A young Femme opened the door and looked up at the Prime confused.
"Um..hi I was told Outreach lived here. I'm an old friend." Septimus tried.
"Yes my grandfather is here. Who are you exactly?" the Femme asked still skeptical.
"I'm Septimus Prime. I well... I used to know him." at the sound of his name the young woman's eyes widened.
She opened the door, and Septimus could now see that she resembled Opel, Outreach's Sparkmate. She had blue eyes like her grandmother, and it made Septimus's spark happy to know his friend had such beautiful progeny.
She gestured for Septimus to follow her, and she led him into a bedroom where Outreach sat on the edge of his bed. His armor rusted, and his eyes old. When he saw Septimus, he slowly stood and threw his arms around his friend.
Septimus couldn't believe it. One of his friends was still alive, after millions of years. He embraced his friend like he was the last piece of home he had left.
"I never thought I would ever see your ugly old face again. Septimus it is a miracle." Outreach's voice was old and withered, but still had his humorous spirit within.
"You too, ya old rust bucket." Septimus chuckled.
"You are technically older than me. You just had the advantage of being dead for most of it." Outreach said making Septimus laugh again.
"How did you survive this long? How did you survive the war?" Septimus asked, but then noticed the Decepticon insignia on his friend's arm. His Granddaughter also had one on her chest, and then Sep understood.
"No Outreach, tell me you didn't. After everything we did, why?" Septimus demanded taking a few steps back.
"I didn't do it out of loyalty to Lord Megatron. When the war started, you and...you were gone and so many of our friends were being killed because they chose the Autobot side. I wanted to protect my family, so I pledged myself to them. I fought for them for years until I got too old to fight anymore. Then they let me go, on the condition that my children fight instead. I made sure that my family knew better than to believe in what they were doing though. Septimus I'm sorry." Outreach answered hanging his head in shame.
"Why didn't your family believe in the Decepticons?" Septimus asked.
"For years I told them about you, and how you were the one who introduced me to Opel. That you went out of your way to be friends with someone as ordinary as me. I raised my children and their children on stories of you and of Echo." Outreach paused waiting for Septimus's reaction to the name of his best friend.
Septimus just gave a small smile. His friend was still the same person he had always been. Decepticon or no. Even the mention of Echo didn't hurt too bad. It still hurt though.
"We didn't believe, and several of us even fought for the Autobots. In my case I was a spy for Optimus. Grandfather made sure we never forgot his old friends." Outreach's Granddaughter said happily.
"I don't think I have introduced my Granddaughter. This is Icepick. My fourth great grandchild." Outreach said with pride.
"It is lovely to meet you. You are just as pretty as your grandmother had been." Septimus complemented her courteously kissing her hand.
Icepick smiled. She had snow white armor, with veins of icy blue streaking across her curvy body. She looked at Septimus with beautiful white-blue eyes that glittered like ice. She batted her long blue eyelashes, and blushed sweetly.
"My grandfather told me you were charming. He didn't mention that you looked like that though." she said nervously gesturing to Septimus's strong body.
"Like what you see?" he asked flirtatiously.
"Yes, I do. If you don't mind me saying so?" she replied placing a hand on her hip. Smiling in a challenging way.
Septimus cocked one eyebrow pleased he was still desirable to femmes. He stared to approach her, but Outreach stepped between them and crossed his arms.
"Okay, that is not happening. Septimus buddy, stop flirting with my granddaughter. You are way too old." Outreach said guiding his old friend away from Icepick.
"Hey, you are making me sound like I'm an old crankshaft. I still function like I'm young." Sep chuckled, gesturing as a joke for Icepick to call him.
"Yeah, you're still not going to date her. Call it, I know you!" Outreach laughed when he had Sep in the other room.
"Hey I'm..." Sep tried to defend himself, but Outreach smacked his hand making the hologram of Echo activate.
"Taken. You already have given your spark away old friend. I know you would be kind to my Granddaughter, but you would still be thinking of Echo, and eventually bail." Outreach said holding Sep's hand so he could see the hologram.
"Echo is not here anymore." Septimus sighed sadly.
"I'm sorry old friend. About her, I know what she meant to you." Sep's old friend said embracing Sep again.
Then Septimus heard his com-link turn on, and the voice of his nephew come through. "Septimus I dislike to interrupt you, but I require your assistance."
"Just figure it out on your own Nephew. I am not available." Septimus growled at Optimus.
"Unfortunately I can't do that. It is a mission of great importance. Please I need your help." Optimus persisted.
"Fine, I will be at your position soon." Sep sighed again before signing off.
"Outreach I have to go, but it was good to see you again my friend." hugging his friend.
"It is alright. It was good to see you too." hugging Sep back.
As Septimus left, he felt relieved that he still had friends. Even if his best friend was no longer with him.
Chapter 3 – consequences.Septimus met up with his Nephew at the newly constructed launch pad, and not to his surprise, Prima was there talking to Optimus. Prima had been grieved to learn that Stargazer was gone, but when he found he had several descendants in his line he was overjoyed. Septimus was happy for his brother, but also a little envious.
He had never been with anyone that wasn't Echo, and had no line of his own. He had wondered what it would be like, but had always counted on Echo being all he needed. Therefore he had no real interest before.
"Brother, Nephew. So what was the mission you needed me for?" Septimus greeted them as he approached.
"We have found a Decepticon base that has turned to piracy. We need to put a stop to them." Optimus said.
"And what does that have to do with me?" Septimus grumbled folding his arms.
"They are blocked from us by a supernova. We cannot get through it to engage them, while they are preying on Autobot Energon transport ships." Prima explained.
"Oh so you need me to block the supernova. I told you I didn't feel like doing any missions, I will reinforce your ship's heat shields so you can get past the supernova's heat. However I will not go, I don't know if I can without...her." Septimus refused stubbornly.
"Septimus I would greatly appreciate it if you accompanied me. I have yet to truly know you. Please." Optimus tried.
"Then you can get a drink with me sometime. I will not go, you are powerful enough on your own. You don't need me." Septimus argued shaking his head.
"Septimus." Optimus was going to try something else, but Prima stopped him.
Septimus's oldest brother put a hand on his brother's shoulder and looked at Sep sadly. Septimus glared back. He didn't care what Prima said he was not going.
"Brother they have destroyed Minicon ships. Do you think your former partner would be proud of you for letting her kind suffer. Simply because you don't want to go." Prima's tactic worked.
Septimus shoved him off, his eyes glowing cherry red for a moment with anger. He clenched his fists and swung a punch into his brother's gut.
"Don't ever use Echo against me again. If we weren't brothers I would burn you right now, I will go. She would have, and I will always protect her kind you hear me. Nephew let's go!" Septimus barked marching to Optimus's ship.
Optimus helped Prima recover for Septimus's punch. "Do you think it was the wisest to lie to him like that?"
"It is what he needed. You will have to be extra careful now. When he learns that I used Echo to lie to him, I fear his wrath will be on you. If you can try to aim his anger toward your enemies. I'm sorry Optimus." Prima looked ashamed he didn't want to put Optimus in danger, and now he had done just that.
Optimus joined Septimus in the ship. Once he was inside, Sep closed the hatch, and took off. He was silent, so Optimus thought it best to be the same. He took the co-pilot's seat and tried not to look at his Uncle.
"Mind telling me where these pirates are?" Septimus grumbled annoyed that this ship was so slow.
"I have imputed the coordinates into the ship already it will take us there." Optimus answered.
"Good, so I don't have to fly this boat. Seriously why are your ships so fat, and slow? So slow!" Septimus groaned jumping to light speed.
"You were used to faster ships?" Optimus hoped by making conversation Septimus's anger would cool off.
"Much faster. My ship could spin circles around every ship Cybertron has right now. And leave them eating space dust." Septimus missed The Bluejay.
He had wondered what had become of his beloved ship. He wondered if she was a pile of rust by now. Echo hadn't brought her into the tomb with him, and he never got the chance to ask her. When he talked to his brothers about it, they didn't know what had happened to Septimus's little ship ether. She was another thing time had taken from him.
"Septimus I feel I should tell you the world we are going to, it is the snow planet that you have visited before. Bumblebee said you have pleasant memories of it." Optimus said encouragingly.
"The pirates are on Narvia? There is no supernova in that system, Optimus did you trick me?" Septimus surprised at his Nephew who rarely lied.
"It was for your own well being. We all thought, you being active might help you recover from your grief." Optimus braced himself for Septimus's wrath, like Prima had warned him about.
"We being who?" Sep pressed Optimus.
"Your brothers, and myself. We were trying to help you." Optimus replied.
"Of course they did, because butting into my business has been their favorite thing to do since I was created. Why can't my brothers, just leave me be? Let me guess, Prima had you come with me so I would agree to go on a mission? Did he warn you that I would be angry and out of control? Well he was right about that! However you got me out here so there is nothing I can do about it now. Congratulations now you really are one of us!" Septimus hollered standing up and moving to the back of the ship.
"Septimus I..." Optimus was silenced by Septimus slamming his fist against the wall and looking over his shoulder at Optimus.
Septimus's eyes burned red, and his hand lit on fire. Warning Optimus to back off. "Did no one tell you when you became a Prime that you would become a liar. I don't think any of us ever been truly honest. Not even to the people we cared for. People worship us as perfect beings, but we are far from that. We are not perfect, we are the greatest failure in history. That is what you were made into Optimus, a liar and manipulator just like your brothers."
"Septimus enough! You are wrong. If your brothers didn't care they wouldn't have made you come! We may not be perfect, but we have not forgotten our role to our planet and to each other. You have, because you lost someone dear to you. We all have, you're not the only one who suffered." Optimus barked.
"Being brave nephew? That's because you don't know what it is to lose everything. You still have your team, your family, and your home. I have nothing, nothing left. Save my brothers' manipulations, you want to scold me on how I am being selfish. I dare you to name one thing I have left to be selfish about."
"You only have the one. The one that leaves you an apathetic, selfish coward!" Optimus roared.
"Don't" Septimus warned facing Optimus.
"Echo. You relied too heavily on her. She is the reason you refuse to accept your place in the world! I do not believe she would ever want to be your excuse to ignore your duties. She would not want to be your crutch! She is your greatest mistake" Optimus said without fear.
Septimus charged, drawing Citrabanu from his back with a roar. Optimus drew his own weapon to block the blow. He pushed the other Prime off, and quickly swung at Septimus's shoulder. He caught Optimus's weapon on his sword and kicked his Nephew's hip.
Optimus stumbled back, but came back to strike at Sep's side. Septimus blocked it, but didn't expect Optimus to elbow his lip. Their swords clashed sparks flying over the ship. Septimus pinned Optimus to the control dash, and they came out of light speed.
An intense heat suddenly consumed the ship. Septimus was the first to notice, given he power of fire. He looked up from where he had Optimus pinned, and saw that their ship was seconds away from crashing into a star.
He pushed Optimus aside and raised his hands. The Star quivered and a dissipated around the sides of the ship. Sep groaned with the effort of manipulating the star, but he was losing control. The star started to contract, and the heat returned.
What is happening? Why are you fighting me? Septimus thought as he struggled to control the fire around them.
Optimus reached around Sep, and turned the light speed back on. The ship jumped forward and left the star behind. Septimus released his power with an exhausted gasp. He clutched his spark, confused.
"Are you alright?" Optimus asked seeing Septimus's state.
"I...I couldn't control it. The star was fighting me, and I couldn't get it to obey me." Septimus said confused.
"A star is a lot to take on." Optimus said taking over flying the ship.
"I used to be able to move stars like they were marbles. If I ordered them to dance they would. I have never had them fight me like that. I don't understand." Septimus rubbed his head, and looked at Citrabanu in his hand.
The beautiful blade had a crack across the green jewel in the pummel, and it no longer glowed with his power. Then the jewel broke sending green shards trickling to the floor. Septimus gasped and tried to catch them, but they melted in his hand like snow. The glow of the blade ceased entirely, and the blue color drained from the blade.
"No! No not you too! Please no!" Septimus shrieked as his once proud weapon crumbled to dust in his hand.
"What just happened?" Optimus asked suddenly worried.
"It's gone. I...I have no..." Septimus in desperation tried to summon a flame into his hand.
His hand remained empty, not even a small amount of heat filling it. He looked at Optimus scared. "Give me your sword! Quickly!" Septimus yelled.
Optimus handed it over and Septimus stared at it his fear growing. He dropped the blade and fell back into his chair, and hand over his mouth.
"Septimus what is wrong?! What is happening to you?!" Optimus hollered picking back up his weapon.
"It didn't respond. It should have responded to my touch, I shouldn't have tried to hurt you. Optimus I am being punished by the one who created me. I can feel it, can't you?" Septimus answered.
" I can feel that Primus is angry with you. He took away your power?" Optimus couldn't believe it.
"Worse. If it had only been my power I would still have made your weapon respond. I know you're smart, why would it not recognize someone?" Septimus looked Optimus pitifully.
"If they weren't a... no. He took your..." Optimus said understanding at last.
"I am no longer a Prime." Septimus said his voice scared.
Chapter 4- Echo's fury."Why!? You can't do that to him!" Echo barked at Primus.
She had been watching from the realm of the Primes the whole time, and when Septimus had been striped of his power and title she was angry.
"He has crossed a line that I could not allow to go unpunished. He was going to kill Optimus, out of anger. You saw it too, he was going to take the path of his Fallen brother. I watched what that did last time I will not permit it." Primus answered.
"He was angry, but that does not mean he was turning into that. I can understand taking his power for awhile, but taking everything he was. He didn't deserve that!" Echo wished she could run to him and comfort him.
"He will be able to regain his title if he rejects the evil festering in his spark. I take no pleasure in doing this, but if you want to see him again. You must trust in my wisdom."
"Wait what? You mean you even locked him out of here." Echo gasped growing more furious with the god.
"For now. Have faith in him little one he will need it if he is to regain his title." the god's presence left her, and Echo wished she could punch him.
She heard a clang behind her, and turned to see Citrabanu. The weapon glowed as she approached it. She touched the blade and smiled when it shivered and jumped excitedly. It shrank to her size so she could cradle it in her arms.
"I missed you too. Citrabanu my dear friend." Echo chuckled as the sword dulled itself so Echo could hold it close.
Echo turned back to watching through the mirror that let her see Septimus. She stroked the surface and sighed.
"You can do this big guy. I know you can." She said before getting an idea.
"Primus?" she called out to see if the god was listening.
She got no response, so she touched the mirror again. She need to wait some, but she wouldn't stand for the punishment Primus had ruled. Not when she could do something about it.
"I will see you tonight, my boy. You are not going to do this alone." then she darted off to find a hiding spot, so Primus wouldn't find her.
Chapter 5- Dreams of hope.Septimus couldn't believe it. He wasn't a Prime, but he had always been. He didn't know that his father would take everything from him for attacking Optimus. He was confused and hurt. He no longer knew who he was and for the first time in his life he was ordinary.
"Septimus are you alright?" Optimus asked.
"What do you think? I just lost everything I am, and its my fault. I don't know what to do, I don't know what I am. No I am not alright." Septimus snapped burying his head in his hands.
"I sure there must be a way to regain your title. Perhaps you should meditate, and ask Primus why he did this. I will pilot the ship." Optimus suggested trying to helpful.
He couldn't imagine what Septimus must be going through. He had started out not as a Prime, but to begin life as one then in a moment cease to be that which you were. It must have been very confusing for Septimus. So he let him have some space to adjust.
Septimus sat on one of the bunks in the back of the ship. Then laid down, he didn't know if his father would even talk to him, so he fell asleep feeling hopeless. His dreams brought him back to when Citrabanu turned to dust in his hand. His sister had made it for him, and it was part of his family. To lose it was like losing her again.
Solus had been one of his siblings Shockwave hadn't found the tomb of, so she had not been brought back like that others. Liege Maximo had, but he was imprisoned shortly after the scrapyard battle.
Suddenly he felt someone press against his mind. He tried to push the intruder away, but when his spark recognized the soul of the one he really needed most. He opened his mind, and let her in with excited joy.
"Hey big guy. Miss me?" Echo's voice rang through his head, as beautiful as he always remembered it to be.
"Every day." he smiled let her take him to an open plane.
He was surrounded by thick fog, in a place he recognized to be the sea of rust. Then through the mist he saw her. Only this Echo had a major difference. She was as tall as him, just little shorter. He didn't care, and ran to her, and wrapped his arms around her.
"Hey, watch where your hands are. Oh I missed you." Echo laughed holding him close.
"Echo I... I made my father angry with me he took away my title. I can't be with you now." Septimus said his eyes starting to mist up.
"I know, I shouted at him for it. When you attacked Optimus with intention to kill him. Primus sensed in you the same evil that consumed Megatronus and Maximo. He didn't want the Primes to fall apart again so he took your power away." Echo stroked the side of his face with her hand.
"What? But I would never. You know I wouldn't."
"I thought you would be fine without me too, but look at how wrong I was there. Yeah I was watching, you knew I was. You still did everything I hoped you wouldn't."
"I'm sorry Echo. I'm not as strong as you were when I died."
"You think what I did was strength? No I buried both of us. Shut the world out and sat in the dark for millions of years. I was bitter and cruel, willing to murder millions. The only reason I moved on was because you told me to. Then when the role was revised you went back and tried to find a life. You were stronger than I ever was and still are."
"But I failed."
"Yes you did, and that is why you aren't a Prime. You can get it back though Septimus. The dark thoughts and anger you have stored up. You only have to let them go and Primus will give you your power back. Go on this mission with Optimus, and find yourself again." Echo said her sapphire eyes hopeful.
"How I no longer have my weapon? How am I supposed to help him" Septimus answered holding out his empty hands.
Echo took his hands, and touched his cheek again. "Did you have Citrabanu when you fought Unicron, or when Arklight had captured you? You did just fine without him then."
"I had fire then."
"And you still do. You can't control it right now, but you it is still in your spirit. Find your fire, and it will heal you. You can do this, without being a Prime, without your sword, and most importantly without me."
"I don't know how, Echo please. I need something to help me." Septimus pleaded with her.
"Here why don't you hold onto these. They helped me find my strength, maybe they will do the same for you." She said pressing the handles of two familiar axes into his hands.
"Are... are you sure?" Septimus asked astonished.
"Have I ever let you use them? Yes I'm sure. I have faith in you. You will find your way, and then you can give them back to me." Echo laughed with a charming smile.
"Hey Echo." Septimus said looking at the axes in his hands.
"Yeah?" Echo replied.
She gasped as Septimus reached his arm around her waist and pulled her close. He leaned down and kissed her lips passionately. Echo's eyes widened, and she struggled. She pushed against him and he released her with a grin.
"Hey!" she protested.
"Sorry, I just always wanted to do that." Septimus laughed as she broke out of his grip.
"Bad Septimus. See if I ever make you dream me big again." Echo laughed pushing his face away playfully.
"I would love that." He bounced his eyebrows, suggestively flashing his green eyes at Echo.
"Down boy, you've got things to do. I have my own work to do." Echo chuckled stepping away from Septimus and started to walk back into the mist.
She stopped and turned back just before she vanished. She pointed at Septimus with a very serious look. She jabbed an authoritative finger at him, before speaking seriously.
"And if you break my babies. I will come back and kill you myself." She said.
"Yes ma'am." he promised twirling the axes.
Echo vanished into the fog, and Septimus woke with a start. He smiled, he sat up and was happy to see the two silver battleaxes in his hands. He lifted one and looked at his reflection in them, amazed that he now held them.
"Thanks sweety. I love you so much." his voice caused Optimus to look back and come to check on his Uncle.
Then Optimus saw the axes. He knew who they belonged to, he had gotten a close up view. When Echo almost killed him in the tomb. Only now they weren't tiny, they were huge and somehow in Septimus's hands.
"I thought they were back in your tomb with..." Optimus said cocking his head.
"My girl came to me in my dream. She gave them to me, and helped me to know what I need to do. Lets do this mission." Septimus said with a determined look.
Optimus smirked, silently thanking Echo for once again knowing just how to help. "I am sorry for what I said before. I shouldn't have said anything like that about her."
"I'm sorry too. I was trying to kill you earlier, I shouldn't have gotten so angry. You are no liar. You're actually annoyingly honest most of the time." Septimus apologized giving Optimus a friendly shove.
Chapter 6 – shot down."What did you do!?" Primus's voice boomed across the realm.
"Helped him. How was he supposed to find his way if he didn't know what he was meant to do? I told him, because he needed my help." Echo snapped.
"To what end? Now he will be leaning on you even more than before. When he finishes this mission he will sink back into his sorrow. You have not helped him, you have crippled him."
"I gave him hope. Kind of my job as his best friend, and you are not the only one who knows what he needs. I have already taken care of it." Echo smirked mischievously.
"What do you mean? Minicon, I demand you tell me what else you did while dream walking."
"No. You want Septimus to be happy, so do I? I got this, and you don't need to take away anything else from him."
"I could expel you from this realm. What will you do if I chose to do that?"
"I would wake up your brother and point him in your direction. Don't you threaten me like that. Just because I know Septimus a little better then everyone else it seems."
"I made him. I gave him his soul, I do know him. Tell me your plan and I will give him back his power."
"No you won't because you want him to learn. Well, he will learn your lesson, and then I have what he actually needs lined up. So why don't you sit back and let me handle this."
"If I do not find your plan to be the right thing for him, I will end it and will expel you from this realm." Primus left, and Echo groaned.
She really wished Primus would drop himself off cliff sometimes. Still she wouldn't be here without him. She had to thank him for that. Didn't mean she had to agree all the time with him though.
The ship dropped out light speed with a jolt. Below it was Narvia, a white orb of pure snow and ice. Its poles were so cold a bot would freeze upon entering the atmosphere. The equators though were warm enough to be safe for colonization.
To Septimus this planet was the same one he had his snow ball fight with Echo. He had always loved that memory. He patted her axes at his hips, cherishing it. His memories were cut short however by four ships closing in from all sides of the ship. He tried to turn the vessel to avoid the pirate's attack, but it was too slow.
Missiles hit the side of the ship and sent it careening out of control. Septimus cursed the ship again, as he and Optimus were blasted toward Narvia's neighboring moon. As the ship broke the atmosphere it caught fire, and quickly started to plummet. Septimus tried his best to land the ship without getting them killed, but it was obvious that it was not going to be the smoothest landing.
Septimus and Optimus crawled out of the wreckage both coughing from the impact. They were not safe on the ground, the Decepticon ships fired on them from above. Septimus and Optimus rolled out of the way, finding cover behind the skeletons of countless ships for the civil war.
Septimus jumped behind the broken hull of a battleship, and stared to fire back at the enemy ships. He tagged two, before the other two were shot down by Optimus, who was also taking cover. Once they had a moment to breath, they came out of hiding and looked at their burning ship.
"Well that complicates things." Septimus joked.
"Perhaps he could find a way to repair it in this junk." Optimus said trying to be encouraging.
"We would have better luck building a new ship from scratch. That thing isn't flying again." Septimus contradicted hating that he couldn't put out the flames.
"Lets start looking around. There has to be a way to get off this moon." Optimus was getting a little tired of Septimus's negativity, but said nothing.
They both started digging through the graveyard of ships the war had killed. Septimus found many parts that were still functional, but without a ship to put them into they were useless to him. At one point his foot caught on the wings of a desecrated ship and he tripped into a huge pile a sticky mud.
"Perfect." Septimus grumbled starting to get to his feet. Then the light from the system's blue star flashed off the hull of a ship into Septimus's eyes. He squinted to see better, and could make out a symbol on the side.
He marched to the ship which was buried under a thousand years worth of mud and scrap. He wiped some of the muck off the symbol and grinned. The symbol was his own. A triangle of diamonds with two circles in the center.
"No. So this is where you have been my old friend. This place became your grave as well?" Septimus whispered to the ship he had built.
"Septimus did you find something?!" Optimus called from the top of the ridge.
Septimus didn't answer, instead his hand slid over the panel that activated the side door of the old ship. With a groan of rusted complaint the door opened and Septimus entered his once proud vessel. She was covered in centuries of mud and dirt. Small frogs crawled over everything they could get onto, and thick moss hung down from the roof.
Septimus swept a curtain of moss aside and found the captain's chair molding and broken. He touched the consul and pressed the ignition. To his surprise the engines roared to life, blowing mud and filth from the exhaust ports.
"You still function? After all this time, you still have life in you old girl." Septimus smiled.
He couldn't believe he had found the Bluejay. She still worked, and still knew him to be her captain, he hadn't lost everything, not yet. Septimus took his seat, and once again took hold of the Bluejay's steering wheel.
She slowly rose from out of the garbage that she had been entombed in for centuries. Optimus watched in surprise that Septimus had found a ship that still worked. He had never seen a ship like this one.
The ship had a flat pointed nose while her tail end was sporting a pair of straight wings. The nose of the ship split around the round windshield, but still extended passed the cockpit for a few more feet. The ship was streamlined and perhaps at one point in its life, beautiful.
Septimus gently drifted over to Optimus and let his Nephew into the old ship. Optimus looked over her interior, and noticed shelves inlaid into the sides. A bed frame in the back, which had lost the bed to time. A weapons locker revealed a old sword holder, and a spot for two axes.
Optimus saw Septimus's mark on the locker and knew that this ship was far older than he realized. He moved to the front and found Septimus in the cockpit piloting the ship with familiarity.
"This is no ordinary ship is it?" Optimus asked.
"No. This is the Bluejay. I had thought she had been destroyed or just lost somewhere. I didn't expect to find her ever again." Septimus said with excitement and joy the Optimus had only heard of Septimus having.
"You seem proud of her. I'm glad you found your ship." Optimus said happy Septimus had found something he loved.
"Just wait until you see what she can do. Remember when I mentioned I was used to faster ships? Well you might want to hold onto something."
Optimus took Septimus's warning and found a loop in the ceiling to hold onto. Septimus opened the throttle and Optimus was lost for words. The Bluejay moved faster than Optimus knew any ship could.
Within a matter of minutes they were back to where they had been shot down. A new blockade of Decepticon ships barred their way. But there was nothing they could do to stop Septimus's ship as it blasted passed them like a arrow. They didn't have time to react, before Septimus flipped around blasted four ships, destroying them.
"Septimus your ship is incredible." Optimus said in awe, placing a hand on Septimus's shoulder.
Septimus was bursting with joy. His ship was amazing, and now she was back in the stars where she belonged. Not rusting under junk, his spark pulsed with happiness, and he could almost feel heat coming off his armor.
He turned the Bluejay into a fast decent to Narvia's surface. The Decepticon base was an old bunker in the mountains. Septimus landed the Bluejay with a drift for fun, tossing snow into the air. He and Optimus charged off the fast ship. Only to find several blasters aimed at their heads.
"We have a welcoming party. Great, where is the cake?" Septimus joked feeling much more himself.
Chapter 7- unexpected plan.Septimus and Optimus cut their way through the enemy brutally. Septimus swung Echo's axes, marveling at how quickly he could move with them. No wonder Echo had always been the faster fighter. He drove one into the gut of a con firing at him, but at the same time cutting the head off another.
"Okay Echo. I like these things, I understand why you never let me use them. I would not have given them back." Septimus spoke into the cold air.
He could almost feel her glaring into his head. "Right, you would have made me give them back. Sorry." he smiled hoping that satisfied her.
He could no long feel her presence so he assumed she was. Then continued to cut down the Decepticons. One managed to toss a grenade at Optimus, and Septimus jumped to push his Nephew out of harms way, and used Echo's ax to bat the explosive away. Then to both of their surprise a white fighter jet with icy veins of blue over its wings dropped down from above them.
It peppered the ground with a barrage of bullets. Forcing the cons to retreat into the bunker. Septimus shook his head in disbelief. The jet flew to them and transformed into Icepick, Outreach's grandchild.
"Icepick? What are you doing here? How did you...?" Septimus stammered confused.
"I had a dream, and a Minicon told me you needed my help. She told me where you were and that you needed me." Icepick answered making Septimus even more confused.
"The Minicon in your dream, did she look like this by any chance?" Optimus asked holding up a holographic image of Echo.
"Yes that is her. She said that Septimus would need me, and that he would need me more than he realized." She said with a nod.
"Echo sent you to me? Why?" Septimus asked the air, hoping Echo would explain herself.
"Wait that was Echo? You know I should have known that, a Minicon telling me to help you. I should have guessed, what is wrong with me?" Icepick smacked her hand to her forehead, and groaned.
"Nothing as far as I can see. I just am a little confused as to why Echo would send you." Septimus said rubbing the back of his head.
"Maybe it will become clear after we storm this bunker? I have been itching to fight beside you since you came to my grandfather." Icepick said slightly flirtatiously.
Septimus smirked, "Why, you got something to show me?"
"Many things, like for instance." Icepick blasted the bunker doors with a cannon that froze the doors solid.
Then with a graceful back kick she broke the doors into thousands of ice shards. She looked back at Septimus and Optimus with a charming smile. They let her take point as they descended into bunker, intent on destroying the leader of these Decepticons.
"You spoke to the girl on your dream walk. Why did you send another on Septimus's mission, how do you think this will help him?" Primus's voice spoke from the mist.
"I told you I had a plan. Icepick is my plan, not just to help Sep become a Prime again. I brought her to him, to give him the only thing he really needs." Echo smiled sweetly.
"I see know. Your plan is to have Septimus follow in the path Prima took. To fall in love with the girl, and find joy in that." Primus was genuinely surprised by this.
"Yes. She is the remedy for the rest of his life, not just his quest for his fire. I am giving him a way to forget his grief over me, and move on."
"But in so doing you surrender him to another. I didn't expect you to willing to do that."
"I want him to be happy. If that means letting him go then I will. I refused to leave him once and it turned me into a monster. I won't let him become that way ever." Echo said assuredly.
"Forgive my earlier bitterness towards you. Finish your plan, and your care over my son. Then I will reward you for your never ending devotion." Primus said his voice gentle and proud.
"You already did by letting me in here." Echo chuckled.
"I will grant you an even greater reward. I give you my word." Primus promised then left.
Capture 8- guess who.As the trio pushed deeper into the base Septimus found he couldn't take his eyes away from Icepick. She was an wonderful fighter, using her ice cannons to freeze cons in their tracks before knocking them down. She was spunky and sweet. Septimus was finding it difficult to remember Outreach's request to not hit on his granddaughter.
Icepick wasn't do well of hiding it when she looked over Septimus's frame, her cheeks red. She had loved all the stories her grandfather had told her about the Prime he used to fight beside. When she was little she used to imagine meeting him, and fighting beside him like her grandfather had. Now she was doing just that, but she had not imagined how dashing the Prime would be.
Optimus, Septimus, and Icepick fought their way to the command chamber. They burst through the door and the leader of these renegade Decepticons jumped in terror. Optimus recognized him immediately. It was Starscream, former second in command of Decepticons.
"I should have guessed that it would be you trying to take control in our time of peace." Optimus growled.
"Peace? We never had peace Prime, not while those who see my vision lived." Starscream gloated.
"You mean all those soldiers we killed getting in here? Cause they don't really see any vision of yours now." Septimus joked jerking his thumb behind him at the corpses.
Icepick laughed under her breath, but Septimus still heard it. He smiled, she had a sweet laugh.
"Bah, aren't you missing someone Septimus? Isn't your Minicon supposed to be here, that's right she is as dead as those useless vehacons are. And who's fault would that be?" Starscream words were like a dagger straight into Septimus's spark.
"Now I see why every thing you did failed." Septimus snarled in a terrifying voice, "You failed because you never learned how to shut your mouth."
Septimus threw Echo's axes at Starscream who yelled and ducked out of the way. The coward threw something at the group, then burst through a window behind him. He vanished, before Septimus could get to him.
"Septimus!" Icepick screamed.
Septimus turned and realized what the thing Starscream had thrown was. It was a detonator, that had already been set off. The hall they had come from was now being blown to bits, as the base began to explode from within.
Without a second thought Septimus ran to both Icepick and Optimus. He gabbed them both and with his strength threw them out of the window. They crashed against the snow, and Optimus covered Icepick as the base behind them exploded. Septimus with it.
"No!" Optimus barked once he looked back to where the base had been.
It was only a flaming pile of rubble, and there was no sign of Septimus. Icepick put her hands to her mouth horrified.
"He will be fine right? He can control fire." She asked Optimus hoping her fears weren't true.
"No, there was an incident, and he has been striped of his power and his title. Without his power over fire I do not believe he could have survived. He is gone." Optimus replied solemnly.
"He can't be dead. He can't." Icepick shook her head in anger.
Optimus hung his head, no one could have survived the blast. If Septimus had his power he could have, but without it. He had to have been killed, and without his title. He would not be with Echo, to Optimus Septimus's sacrifice his damnation.
Chapter 9- Flame on.Septimus had never know the pain of a burn, he had never known heat to cause him pain. Now he lay trapped under the roof the the bunker, while burning debris fell onto his face. He could feel them burn through his face and armor. He wanted to yell out but his crest was being crushed by the roof.
He tried to push it off, but as he did a broken spike of sharp metal sank deep into his side. He gasped in pain and dropped the roof, making the metal push in deeper. He panted, and tried again only to drop it again.
He looked to his right a saw one of Echo's axes laying just out of reach. He struggled to reach it, but eventually got hold of handle. He looked at the blade, and thought about how without being a Prime he would not see her again.
Fear consumed him. He was dying and he was going to die without knowing what was going to happen to him. He had no fire, no Echo, and no family to help him this time.
"Father, I am sorry for all that I have done. Please if this is how I am to permanently end then please let Echo know that I'm sorry. I let her down again, and I'm so sorry." Septimus prayed as his vision started to grow dark.
Suddenly he heard a sound, and then the section of roof pinning him down was cleaved in two. Above him was Citrabanu, his sword flaming like a torch. Holding it was Echo, her face more frightened then his. She cut the metal shaft out of his side, and jumped onto him. Septimus had only the strength to smile with joy at Echo. Then his green eyes went out as he fell into black.
"No no no. I'm not going through this again! You saw what he just did, and I know you can see that he let the anger out of spark. Primus he did it, now keep your promise, and help him. I will not lose him again!" Echo barked shaking Septimus.
"You hold the key to his restoration. It is in your hand, return it to its master. I will keep my word." she heard his voice in her mind.
Echo understood immediately, and ran to Septimus's hand. "You're not going anywhere. Not yet." she said as she placed Citrabanu into his hand.
The flames from the sword crawled backwards up the blade and coated Septimus in dark blue flames. Septimus's green eyes onlined burning brighter than ever before. He breathed in and inhaled the flames into his being. Echo watched with a smile of pride, she had always known what he was, Primus or not.
Outside the base Optimus and Icepick watched as the destroyed base suddenly exploded again with a tornado of fire that erupted from the ruins. It reached hundreds of feet into the air, and melted everything around it.
"Optimus do you think it could be?" Icepick said happily.
"Only the King of fire could create a flame like that. He has been restored, he is Septimus Prime once again." Optimus smiled.
Septimus burst out of the building like a firework. Flames as blue as his armor burning high off his broad shoulders. Optimus smiled again when he noticed a familiar Minicon sitting on Septimus's right shoulder. She beamed with joy, as Septimus turned his head to look at her with his usual large grin.
"Hi." he said causally.
"Hey." Echo laughed.
They both laughed, and hugged each other, ignoring the others. Septimus glanced at Icepick, she was watching him burn with amazement spread across her face. Without noticing, his flames climbed higher, and burned brighter. Echo did notice, and chuckled.
"Icepick could you come over here please." Echo called to her.
"But won't the flames... hurt me?" Icepick asked nervous.
"I don't think they will. Trust me." Echo assured her with a playful smile.
Icepick followed Echo's command and was astonished when the blue flames held no heat for her. Septimus let the flames climb even higher, as the Femme stopped before him. Echo rolled her eyes at him, and shook her head.
"I can't believe it is actually you. I mean you were in my dream so I know it is you, but wow." Icepick stammered breathless.
"Why were you in her dream by the way? Why did you send Icepick here?" Septimus addressed his old friend with curiosity.
"I brought her here for you Sep. I am well aware that the two of you are quite smitten, and I want you to be with each other." Echo answered.
Icepick's crystal blue eyes jumped open, and she gasped. Septimus just laughed like Echo had just told a funny joke. Until he noticed that she was not laughing.
"You're serious? But Echo I... we are Sparkmated. Why would you let me..." Septimus's eyebrows came together in confusion.
"We were ever meant to be Sparkmates though. We bonded by accident, and because I love you I didn't mind then. Now I am dead Sep, and I want you to let your Spark be happy again. That is why I am letting you go." Echo's eyes displayed every emotion in her soul, and Septimus understood.
"Why me though? I don't know if I am right for this, powerful one. I'm just ordinary, I don't understand." Icepick asked looking at her feet.
"You are the first girl other than myself that he has showed a serious interest in. I know you think you are ordinary. I thought I was, then I realized that no one ever is. You are someone Sep could learn to love, and that makes you far from ordinary." Echo said nuzzling Septimus with her forehead.
Icepick looked up into Septimus's emerald eyes, and with her cheeks still very red, smiled. Septimus felt conflicted. He did like Icepick, and he knew in his spark that Echo was right. He could learn to love her, but he still felt his love for Echo fighting against it.
"What about me? What if I am not okay with this? Echo, I don't know about this." Septimus asked quietly.
"Oh don't worry about betraying me. If I am telling you to take the chance, then it is not betraying me. You are going to be just fine." Echo held her hand out for Icepick to take it.
Icepick obliged and let Echo place her hand in Septimus's. They looked at each other, and let themselves accept what Echo was giving them.
"Wait where are Verndari and Basilah?" Echo said suddenly looking around at the rubble.
Septimus let the flames around them die, and hunched his shoulders in nervous panic. He held his hands out and Echo's axes flew to him. He held them up to his Minicon, and smiled sheepishly.
"Here they are, perfectly fine. Not damaged at all." he nervously smiled.
"Nice save, big guy." Echo laughed, touching her blades and making them shrink.
"Will you still wait for me?" Septimus asked hopeful.
"Of course will. There are no goodbyes for us Septimus, only see you laters." Echo promised, before she let herself be pulled back into the realm of the Primes.
Optimus finally was able to join them. The flames had been hot for him, so he patiently waited for them to finish. The first thing he noticed was Septimus and Icepick's hands entwined, and the looks they were exchanging. Echo was gone, but he knew what she had allowed.
"Once again it would seem the Echo knew what was truly best for you." Optimus said to Septimus with a smile.
"She always did. I am going give it a shot. That is if you will have me, Icepick?" Septimus wanted to make sure she wanted this as well before he accepted Echo's plan.
"Yes, yes I would. My Grandfather can't exactly argue with Echo can he?" She giggled placing her other hand on Septimus's chest.
"Not a lot of people could." Septimus laughed, putting his arms around her.
"Septimus are you ready to let Echo go? Are you sure about this?" Optimus asked worried that he might not be.
"I would be lying if I said it will be easy to let her go. I know she is right though, and I can follow her example." Septimus sighed letting his connection with his Minicon fade into only a memory.
Icepick leaned on him to comfort him, and he smiled. Icepick then remembered why they were here in the first place.
"What about Starscream? He will be back won't he, what should we do about him?" Icepick pointed out.
"We will continue to search for the coward, and if he shows his face again. We will be ready." Optimus replied.
"If he shows himself again let me know Nephew. I owe him one for blowing me up." Septimus demanded raising a hand and lighting it on fire.
Icepick looked at the dancing flames, she couldn't help but reach out to them. She froze her own hand and slid it into Septimus's. Steam rose from their hands as fire met ice. Septimus smiled again and pulled Icepick closer.
Chapter 10- Echo's reward."You have done very well little one." Primus appeared in a smaller interpretation of his true form.
"He will be happy with her." Echo answered proud of Septimus.
"I promised you a reward for your care of my son. Would you like to know what I have decided should be your reward?" the god asked placing a hand on Echo's shoulder.
"Sure, though just being able to watch Septimus be happy is plenty for me." Echo shrugged indulging him.
"Believe me, I know you find this satisfactory." Primus answered smiling at Echo in a strange manor.
Light started to flow from Primus like smoke. Without warning the smoke attacked Echo forcing its way into her nose, mouth, and into her spark chamber. She yelped as the light pushed through her being changing everything within her. It seemed like a eternity before Primus's power finally settled and Echo was released.
She did not feel the same however. She felt like there was a incredible amount of power running through her body. She looked herself over because she was now constantly glowing, and she couldn't understand what had just happened.
"What did you do to me?" she demanded of Primus.
"I siphoned all the love others of your kind, and Septimus has for you into your soul. You are as I , and my brother are. The power to do anything you can think of that comes from those who love you. In time they will come to know you in your new form." his words left Echo wide eyed and amazed.
"Your saying that you made me a... god?" she couldn't believe the words leaving her mouth.
"In a sense. I have made you into the literal persona of loyalty. As I am the persona of order, and my brother of chaos. To the eyes of the Minicons who revere you, and to the eyes of most Cybertronians you are a being of the cosmos as I am." Primus answered confirming Echo's new status.
Echo couldn't believe it. She was a god now, and she had more power than she knew she could yield. Forever gone was the Minicon she had once been. She had achieved the impossible so many times, that now she had acceded beyond it.
She could see Cybertron, and the whole universe around her. She could see every spark, and the true intent in each. She found she could even influence the souls she could see, encouraging them to be more loyal. She could see Septimus's Spark and feel his growing feelings for Icepick. She could feel the ones Icepick had for him, and knew she had found the right person for Sep.
"I can see so much. I don't know what I should do." Echo said honestly.
"Guide them in whatever way you think you should. My brother would seek to cause the sparks you can see pain and misery. I would wish them joy, and so I try to subtly nudge them in the way of the light. What kind of guide you will be is up to you." Primus replied wisely.
"Thank you Primus. I will try to be a good God, I have no way to really let you know how much I want to thank you." Echo bowed with all in respect she could muster.
The God of light nodded and held out his hand for Echo to take. "You have no more need of this realm. Come let me show you how to create your own."
Echo took his hand and let him show her how to use her new powers. She was determined to be as good as he was, and to take good care of the souls she was now watching over.
Chapter 10 – Five years later.A small sob came from the damp ally way of Cybertron's lower streets. A young female Sparkling wiped her sliver eyes, and called out for her father again. She received no answer, and so continued to wander down the ally.
She heard a horrible scrapping noise and looked behind her for the source. She saw nothing but the empty ally. Then she gasped as a horde of small purple eyes looked at her from various places. She screamed and started to run, as the monsters chased her.
She tripped over a dip in the road she didn't see, and fell into a cold puddle. The creatures were right behind her, their teeth whirring like chainsaws. The Sparkling shrieked, as the creatures started to descend on her. Suddenly she heard running footsteps and looked up in the hope it was her father.
She saw only a blur, as her rescuer slashed and cut through the creatures like a blender. Once the last of the monsters was destroyed, the Sparkling's savor emerged from the shadows. It was a Minicon, with dark blue armor that glowed slightly and two very sharp looking axes.
She came to the Sparkling, and squatted beside her, sheathing the axes on her hips. The Minicon smiled, and helped the Sparkling to her feet. The child didn't know what to say she just wiped her nose sadly.
"Nasty little things, Scraplets. Are you okay?" the Minicon asked in a gentle and kind voice.
"I am okay, thank you so much.. Daddy and I were buying things from the market when I got lost." The Sparkling said putting her small arms around the Minicon's waist.
"I know, come on I will help you get back to your father. He is looking for you." the Minicon answered lifting the little girl into her arms.
"You know my daddy?" she asked innocently.
"Oh yes. I have known him a very long time." The Minicon answered with a nod, and a smiled.
"He is going to be so angry that I got lost." the girl sobbed and looked scared.
"No, I think he will be just happy your safe, Firelight." The Minicon assured her.
"You know my name?" Firelight said wondering who this Minicon was, and how she knew her.
"Yup, like I said your father and I are very old friends. I was there when you were born." she answered.
"My daddy said it was just him and my uncles. I have a lot of uncles do you know that?" Firelight giggled.
"I did know that. I was there too, but I am so small you see, your daddy didn't notice me." the Minicon and Firelight had reached the main square where they could see a tall figure searching everywhere frantically.
"Daddy!" Firelight chirped happily.
The Minicon set her down, and watched as she ran to her father. Septimus heard his daughter and sighed relived that he didn't have to let Icepick know he had lost their kid. He picked her up and hugged her close.
"Firelight, you scared me. Are you okay?" he asked his child, checking her over for any dents.
She was as pretty as her mother, with blue armor that varied the shades. The sides of her head and antenna similar to her father's, and her shining silver eyes were also like his. Firelight was beautiful, but most importantly to Septimus, she was unharmed.
"I'm okay, a Minicon helped me. You told me that they were nice, and you were right." Firelight smiled at her father.
"A Minicon? You sure honey?" Septimus asked confused.
"Yeah she is right over... there." Firelight pointed to where her friend had been, but now there was nothing there.
"Where did she go? She was right there." Firelight gasped.
"She? Your Minicon friend was a she. That's nice." Septimus chuckled touched that his daughter's imaginary friend was sounding like someone he would like.
"She said she knew you, daddy. She said you were old friends, and she saved me from Scraplets." Firelight was confused as to why her new friend had vanished.
"Scraplets? Are you sure love? We should head home then, cause if there are Scraplets around we shouldn't stay here." Septimus walking away from the Square, and into the heroes' circle.
This was a circle the people of Cybertron had built to honor those they saw as heroes. Firelight looked up at the statue of her own father, and then noticed the Minicon who had helped her on his shoulder. She gasped again and pushed on her father to get him to stop.
"There daddy the one on your shoulder! That is the Minicon who helped me, up there!" she shouted excitedly.
"What where... wait you are sure it was her. That's the Minicon you saw?" Septimus said when he finally realized where his daughter's finger was pointing.
"That is her. She really was your friend!" Firelight clapped happily.
"She was, is my best friend hon. If it weren't for her you would not exist, I am glad she got to meet you." Septimus's smile grew wider as he realized that Firelight's friend had not been imaginary.
"Do you think I will get to meet her again, daddy?"
"I don't know sweety, but you might, I don't know." Septimus looked at the statue of Echo and silently sent her a thank you through his Spark.
As he and his daughter left to return home, Echo watched her heart full, and her Spark welcoming Septimus's gratitude. Just as she had once sworn to protect him, she now made a new vow. That she would protect his family.
The End.