Epilogue
Maria turned and took off to the room where Optimus was; and there lying on some sort of metal contraption was Optimus Prime. She saw a laser was pulling his spark from him slowly and he was in pain from it. Maria could see his eyes were flickering; he was fading and fading quickly. She ran to him with tears shining in her eyes.
"I love you…..little one….stay with Ironhide and the others; they will keep you safe…" He whispered as she put her hand on his massive metal hand as he forced a sad smile as the laser pulled his spark completely out.
Maria looked at Optimus her heart breaking now.
"No….no…..Prime please no come back to me please I need you….please." She begged as Megatron and Starscream entered the room where Ironhide and Maria were and saw Optimus had been killed. "We need you, our son needs you, please!" she screamed.
"This was wrong he was a leader and should have gone out in battle not by some cretins who thought they were all powerful." Megatron said as he hesitantly walked up to his fallen brother and something hit Megatron as he saw Optimus Prime laying there dead.
"This is my entire fault." Maria whispered sadly.
"No, Maria; it's not…Optimus was happiest when he was with you…It was because of you he had as much humanity as he did you reached him and gave him that." Ironhide said as she smiled sadly at him.
"Ironhide is right, Maria…you were his lifeline and his life was fulfilled with you in it." Megatron said as Maria heard the words; but her heart told her differently it screamed her fault and she couldn't make it stop.
"He's dead, how can I believe it's not my fault; if I hadn't fallen in love with him or came looking for him. He would still be alive; and the Autobots rightful leader; and all would be well." she cried.
"Except, he would be miserable; he loved you and wanted to spend his life with you." Ironhide said. "Why do you think he wanted to make you become Cybertronian; he wanted you like him to have you live forever with him." he said as Maria placed a hand over her mouth in terror as she realized what hit her so powerfully.
"And now, he has nothing; he has absolutely nothing all because of me!" Maria said with uncontrollable sobs. "And, I must tell Orion his daddy is gone forever," Maria said as she was picked up by Megatron.
"My brother taught me a lot; I am just sorry it took me so long to know the truth." Megatron said.
"Would you take me in to see him, please." she asked.
"Come on, youngling." Ironhide said as he took her from Megatron; and carried her over to where Optimus' body was laying at.
Ironhide placed her onto Optimus' chest plates; Maria made her way to his face. She cried brokenly as she felt his face.
"I will miss you so much, Optimus; I love you so much." she said as he tiny hands ran all over his metal skin. "You gave me so much never ever forget that," she said sobbing wildly.
Maria's hands continued to run all over Optimus' face plates; she was feeling her heart break with no end in sight. She felt guilty; she had made him feel unloved when she refused to change for him. He had overheard her vicious words; and then what she had said to him herself about not wanting to change. She had accused him of so much; and now he was dead because of her.
Flashback starts...
Maria was making breakfast for her and Orion; she was pondering something Optimus had asked her. He wanted her to think about something, he had asked her about becoming Cybertronian. He wanted to know if he could find a way; would she agree to it. She made a mistake and hesitated and made a strange expression. Optimus had made a sad sound; and went outside for awhile with Ironhide. It would just be her luck he would take it the wrong way; naturally; she was making breakfast and figured she would go see him after.
However Optimus was outside blowing things up with Ironhide; Chromia was watching and listening off handedly.
"She doesn't want to be Cybertronian; which means I will lose her no matter what." Optimus said.
"Well, Optimus just give her time; you just asked her perhaps she just needs some time." Ironhide said as Chromia got up and rolled away.
Optimus looked away, "I love her so much," Optimus whispered as he sighed.
"Maybe you should tell her again; and just explain it a little better how important it is too you." Ironhide said.
Optimus glanced away; his spark hurt him so badly. He nodded; Ironhide was right he would speak with Maria right now and try to explain things to her. He blew up one of the targets and grinned at Ironhide. " I won," Optimus said as he watched Ironhide face palm at the blown up targets.
Chromia transformed and then let her holoform appear; and she went to talk with Maria. Orion had gone into the other room to watch cartoons when Chromia came in.
"Maria, can we talk?" Chromia asked.
"Chromia hello, of course," Maria said as Chromia sat down at the table.
"Maria, he loves you so much; he wants you to be with him forever. You know, that can only happen if you're Cybertronian like us." Chromia said as Maria sighed.
"I know, Chromia," Maria said. "I just am not sure I am ready to give up so much for him; he left me 6 years ago; how do I know he won't just pick up and leave again." she pointed out. "And then where would I be?" she asked softly. "I would never have a normal life then; I wouldn't belong here anymore either, then what? Why should I give up so much for him; when he could leave again?" Maria demanded as Optimus listened in not sure what to make of what he had just heard.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Orion said worried about his daddy as Maria heard her son's voice and froze.
Optimus had heard everything...
Optimus stood there listening to her words; and it sent surges of fear tightening within his spark. He had asked her to think about changing for him; he wanted her by his side for life. Now, he was hearing for himself that maybe she truly didn't love him at all. His spark hurt more so by the second; he needed to give himself some space away from Maria. He had lost everything because of this human femme; he lost leadership, and was exiled all for her. He didn't care about that; but to know she might not truly wish to have him around made him think all of it was for nothing. That of course made the Autobot's spark hurt even more; and he heard Maria then.
"Optimus please wait." she said as he turned to look at her, his azure optics suddenly filled with sadness.
"Maria," was all he said.
"Look, what I said to Chromia; I just can't change alright. I don't completely trust you right now; you left me once I can't and won't change my life all around when you might get another idea of leaving me. What would I do then; I wouldn't be human anymore and you would be gone out of my life and Orion's life once more." She said.
"Orion cannot leave my side; he is a future prime; and my brother and the Deceptions could come back." Optimus said softly; but firmly.
She was silent then.
"I thought Megatron was dead," was all she said.
"He is but his army lives on; and if they learn of my son I need him with me. But I want you with me too; you are my mate. I was exiled and removed as leader; because I chose to fall in love with you." Optimus said in a soft tone.
Silence was all he got, as he nodded then.
"I will leave you alone; forgive me." Optimus said as he transformed and drove to the side parking alone his engine racing wildly.
Optimus had never sobbed; but he sobbed then wild sobs filled with abandon.
"Please come back to me, please." He begged as he dimly realized it was over he had lost now so much now.
Flashback ends...
"I will always love you, Optimus." Maria said as her small hand rested on Optimus' massive one; and she suddenly saw him in her mind and speaking to her and giving her a chance to try once more; and at least clear Optimus' good name if anything else.
"Little one, on this day one shall stand one shall fall; you will not fall you shall stand. You will always belong to me and you will stand no matter what has happened to me….I love you and my son and always will." Optimus said as she stared at him in her mind and realized what she had to do.
She had to confront the Council once more...
Maria went back to the Council; she stood in front of them and was unafraid now.
"You will hear me out; you murdered a hero. You may think you didn't; but you did. He saved so many on Earth; and I am sure on other planets as well. You are wrong for faulting him for something he needed; everyone needs and craves love. There isn't a being around who doesn't want to be loved and treasured by someone. Optimus was no different; he shouldn't have been punished for that it was wrong; and at least don't make this hero, father and husband or if you prefer the term mate in your culture. I loved him and his son loved him; and now his son won't have his daddy any longer. Is that fair for a little boy to have his daddy taken from him like that; when all he is being punished for is loving someone and wanting to be loved back?" She asked as the Council members glanced at each other; it was clear they were carefully thinking of something to prove a point to her.
"Stay here, we will be back." the leader of the Council said as they headed back to where Optimus' body was; and where Ironhide, Megatron and Starscream were. "Here is the deal; we will revive Optimus Prime with an Allspark shard; and we will give him an Allspark shard to change her to a Cybertronian and abolish the law about mating." the leader said as Megatron narrowed his optics he smelled a rat now something was amiss and he knew it.
"What's the catch?" Megatron demanded.
"We will give her a complete memory block of Optimus; if she can remember him on her own. Then and only then will we abolish the law; and reinstate his reputation and leadership." the Council leader said.
Megatron and Ironhide acted at the same time; they grabbed the Council leader and slammed him up against the wall.
"That is a bunch of slag; and you know it!" roared Ironhide.
"That is our final offer; you can take it or leave It." the leader said as Ironhide pushed the leader away in a disgusted way and glanced down at Optimus.
Megatron glanced at Ironhide; and then at Starscream. They knew the Council had known they had them; because they wanted Optimus back no matter what. But could they do that knowing that she would forget him; and everything that she and Optimus shared?
Ironhide growl deep within his engines as he suddenly punched the wall from heated anger within himself; Megatron knew there was nothing they could do.
"Do you accept our terms?" the leader asked.
"Yes, we do." Ironhide finally said as the leader nodded and produced an Allspark shard and placed it on Optimus activating him and then leaving.
Optimus onlined; and the first thing he wanted was his mate; and Ironhide, Megatron and Starscream were not sure what to say to Optimus then.
"Where is she?" Optimus demanded.
"Optimus, we have to tell you something it's about Maria," Ironhide started to say.
Unexpectedly, the three Council members appeared they were smirking something Ironhide, Megatron and Starscream found quite distressing; especially Optimus Prime who knew the Council got their kicks off of causing great stress and drama.
"Where is she?" Optimus demanded.
"Our game has twists, Autobot; we never said you couldn't be together." They said.
"There are just are a few shall we say bridges to cross in order for you to be together. This is a test for our enjoyment to see if you truly belong together." The leader said.
"What did you do to her?" Optimus demanded.
"She has a full memory block from who the father of her child is; and most importantly you Optimus Prime her love for you has been wiped clean from her mind." The leader said as Optimus' anger knew no bounds.
"Is this some sick joke, if she doesn't remember my son will not know me and he will be in danger; he is a future prime!" Optimus roared as the Council of Planets merely laughed at him.
"Are you having a laugh at our expense, does making a human female vulnerable and at your mercy make you feel important? All this what you did to me and then her has nothing to do with law it's merely a show of power. Because what I see is a bunch of Council members no better than Unicron is; you're playing with everyone's lives because you can." Optimus said as he looked at the others. "Let's go and pray we reach her and get through to her heart and mind." Optimus said as they found a ship to take.
Optimus was worried about this if he couldn't reach her and enemies got to her first. Prime's spark surged with anger and fear. He was so afraid the Council would win and he'd lose Maria and his son forever. A tear ran down his face as Ironhide put a hand on Prime's shoulder.
"We'll reach her in time, Optimus." Ironhide said as Prime tried to keep his hopes up but he was so worried.
He loved Maria so much; he was not going to lose her not now not ever again. He would find her and bring her back, he had to he would be lost without her that much he knew for sure.
Maria had been sent somewhere different; she wandered aimlessly on a beach trying to make sense of where she was and why she was there. Maria heard a noise and when she saw the ship which held Optimus, Ironhide, Megatron and Starscream; she looked almost horrified by it. She stood there and screamed in horror. Amber slid to the sand behind the boulders as Optimus, Ironhide, Megatron and Starscream emerged from the ship.
"Fan out, scan the area for her, don't scare her; she's going to be scared enough from whatever they did to her." Prime said as Ironhide scanned the area and found where Maria was hiding at.
"Prime, here I've got something." Ironhide said as Optimus scanned it as well and his spark jolted when he realized it was his Maria.
He bent down carefully as Maria tried to hide further. "Please little one, please try to remember us. I'm Optimus Prime and you're my mate; we have a son together he is a techno organic." He said as Maria frowned at him.
"How can I be your true love, and have a child with you; you're a robot. You can't love anything you don't know how too?" She demanded.
"I wasn't just speaking about physical love I was talking about…." He tried to say until she turned on him with a razor sharp verbal attack clawing and ripping Optimus' spark to shreds making him gasp from the point blank vicious verbal attack.
"I would never fall in love with a robot now let me go, please." She begged as Prime moved slowly out of her way.
Optimus felt his spark surging hard the Council had won. They knew this would destroy him slowly and render him useless to anyone. The Council's sick twisted mind games were strong and had a firm hold on his mate's mind; which made it hard for her to remember what they meant to each other. Maria stopped walking and turned around to face them or more to the point Optimus Prime.
"How could you fall in love you don't have emotions nor can you feel anything. You might try to fool yourself that you're human but you're not." She said as she paused and sealed Optimus Prime's fate once more. "Please stay away from me or I will let the officials know you're here and let them handle you and your kind." She said as Optimus frowned at her coldness.
"Very well, little one." He whispered as she turned and ran off away from Optimus Prime.
Optimus unconsciously ran his hand over his chest plates; as his legs buckled forcing Ironhide and Megatron to grab his servos.
"Prime...!" Ironhide shouted.
"He's having a spark attack; ease him down onto the ground." Megatron ordered.
:::::::... Hook, this is Megatron I need you here at the location I am in; I sent the location to you. You need to hurry...:::::::
:::::::... Hook here, I am on my way, Lord Megatron...:::::::
"Hook is on his way," Megatron said as he looked at Optimus. "Hold on, brother." Megatron said.
"They should have just kept me in stasis lock this is utter torture for me." He said as his blue eyes glowed and radiated confusion and pain as his spark froze with a paralyzing pain he had never known before. It ripped at him and left him completely hollowed out inside. He didn't know what to do he wanted to cry he wanted to go find her and make her see the truth.
Megatron went up to Optimus and scanned him and saw for himself this was slowly taking down a powerful leader. It made Megatron angry.
"There has got to be a way to make her remember who he is," Starscream said.
"Yeah, but how?" Ironhide asked.
"I don't know, but for Optimus' sake it better be soon." Megatron said as they all watched Optimus.
Hook arrived and went over to Optimus; he opened his chest plates and found out what had happened.
"He's had a spark attack," Hook said as he gently gave Optimus a sedative.
"Will be alright...?" Ironhide asked.
"Yes, but whatever has spurred his stress needs to be taken care of; or he could very well have a massive attack." Hook said.
...
Megatron waited until Prime and Ironhide were out of audio range; he had Hook stay with them; while he motioned for Starscream.
"We are going after Maria and try to knock some sense back into that girl for Prime's sake." Megatron said.
"Okay, we'll do our best." Starscream said as he transformed and bolted after Maria, while Ironhide and Hook watched from afar.
"Let's just hope it works the plan they have." Ironhide said as they watched Starscream and Megatron flying off.
"Think they can pull it off, Hook...?" Ironhide asked.
"He better because from what I scanned off of Prime his spark is overheating from pain; I have never sensed anything like this before it's like his pain is tearing right through his spark." Hook said.
Ironhide had found a message that Maria had left for Optimus; which held music and other things to it. It was an audio and visual message; and he knew it would help her remember him. He landed on the ground transforming in mid air and put the message close by where he had found her.
Maria had come out of the cave she was hiding in her curiosity getting the better of her; as she went to the item on the sand. She hit play and watched the message play; as her mind wandered as it played.
"Optimus, okay here it goes I wanted to make a little gift for you to tell you just how much I love you….."
Maria slid to the ground watching the video playback on the message; it was true she did love this being named Optimus Prime. He was telling her the truth they were together. Suddenly the screen changed and Maria saw Prime was shown on the beach, while Ironhide and Hook tended to him.
"He'll never recover from this the Council knew exactly what they were doing to him when they pulled this stunt. She succeeded in saving him but in the process they give her a mind block and it's like he died anyway." Ironhide said as Maria stared at the screen which went to Optimus now.
She saw for herself he may have been a robot but he did indeed have very real feelings. She saw the tears falling down from his face. She started to get to her feet; when she saw Megatron and Starscream standing there.
Maria's memories swirled to life in her mind; as she saw her life with the Optimus and how she and Optimus shared a strong love one that couldn't be broken. She saw they had a son; and she also knew exactly who Optimus was to her...Her one and only true love.
"Come on, Optimus needs me; let's go." she said as Megatron transformed and Starscream placed her gently inside of Megatron.
They headed back to where Optimus was; and once there Megatron transformed and placed Maria close to where Optimus was.
"Optimus please don't leave me." She said as he froze in his tracks and stood frozen not daring to move afraid it was a dream that she hadn't really spoken to him asking him to come back. "Optimus, its okay look at me." She said as he turned as she asked him too and bent down toward her.
"Little one, you remember me?" He asked as she motioned for Optimus to lower his hand so she could climb onto it.
"Optimus, I love you so much." She said touching his face as her giant love broke down tears falling down his face hitting her making her all wet from his tears.
Maria suddenly wished she was in Cybertronian form to hold him and feel him in her arms. Suddenly Maria fell back and screamed as her body suddenly floated into the air as the Council of Planets appeared horrifying everyone thinking it was another cruel trick to torment Optimus once more.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
"Optimus, look at her!" Ironhide exclaimed as Optimus looked over seeing her body glowing as white and glittery smoke surrounded her body.
They suddenly couldn't see her body and it startled them especially Optimus. "Maria, where are you?" He asked as he scanned for her urgently. "Maria, where is she; can anyone see her?" Prime asked.
"Where is she?" Ironhide asked as they all saw the glittery smoke started to disappear.
They noticed in its aftermath something was lying on the ground; but nothing resembling Maria at all. Whatever it was it wasn't human; that much was very clear.
They approached cautiously and when they drew closer Optimus was in for the shock of his life. Maria was in a very special form now….her forever special Cybertronian form. Optimus couldn't believe it she was exactly like him in colors; except she was smaller in size. He let his hands glide over her smaller frame as tears fell from his shining blue eyes. Maria opened her eyes and scanned her beloved's face as she smiled at him.
"Optimus…"
"You really are my other half now." He said as the Council spoke to them.
"You're right, Optimus Prime; this was all a test. We are sorry we put all of you through this but it had to be done." The Council said as Maria ran her hand over his face causing him to hold back just grabbing her and kissing her. "The law is now abolished; we will speak with the other Autobots as well."
"Wait little one, I will take you somewhere for us to be alone." He whispered as she grinned.
"Alright….Optimus," She simply said.
Optimus and Maria stood up he scanned her over and over again.
"My love…." He whispered as he held her tightly. "I love you so much." He said over and over again as Maria's eyes glowed brightly.
"Let's go back to Autobot base after we go get Orion and Bumblebee." Ironhide said as they all transformed and followed Optimus and Maria.
Once there the others expressed how glad they were that she was back with them again. Then Optimus wanted time with his mate. They went to a spot on the beach. Prime sat down first then he pulled Maria into his arms and maneuvered her onto his lap.
"I like you in this form it suit's you and I am not just saying that because you look like me either." He said as he touched her metal form all over.
Suddenly he fell silent and she touched his face caressing him as old emotions whirled up in his spark. He had been so afraid he had lost her but nothing could have prepared Optimus for this. She looked like him except for her female build she mirrored him. She slid her gentle touch into his hidden compartment for his spark something he wanted done very badly. He wanted to help her and open hers as well but she stopped him.
"My love, this is for you for all the terrible pain you suffered during this awful time." She whispered as her lips found his.
She was sliding her metal hands into his chest into his spark making him gasp for only a minute as she worked her magic on Optimus as his optics flickered from his emotions as he watched her.
"Little one, I love you so much." He whispered as a single tear rolled down his face as he needed to hold her. "Please my love….let me hold you...now." He ordered as she heard the command in his voice but it also mirrored love as she let his arms embrace her metal body.
He kissed her with such intense force that both robots were shaken by the sheer energy of the kiss. It rocked them to their very core. Optimus traced a metal finger down her tiny waist.
"You're so small here." He growled in a low tone as she grinned at him.
"I'm a girl, Optimus." She said in a humorous tone of voice.
"So I have noticed." He said as he maneuvered her under him careful not to crush her small frame.
"Optimus, I'm not going to break if you want to feel me completely under your body." She said.
A sound escaped Optimus at the understanding of her statement.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
"Yes, I'm sure." She said as he slowly let his full body weight down on to Maria's body as his closed his blue optics to savor this beautiful moment of closeness they were sharing together. "See told you I wouldn't break my gorgeous Autobot leader." She said as this mighty leader shook from both love and relief that she was safe in his arms and world once more.
Prime touched her new form exploring it everywhere loving her the only way he knew he could. He needed to touch her spark as he slowly opened the chamber holding her spark captive and hidden from view. He ran his hand over her spark and through it making her kiss him with such force.
Maria watched Optimus talking with Ironhide and Ratchet as her spark pulsated with love for Optimus.
"She's a keeper, Optimus." Ratchet said as Prime's eyes glowed brightly. "I am sorry for my part in hurting you." Ratchet said.
"Sir, I owe you an apology as well; you could very well put myself and Prowl into the brig for our parts in this." Ultra Magnus said.
Optimus sighed.
"It is over the rules are abolished forever and things are back to normal; I hold no grudges." Optimus said.
"She means the world to me." He said as she walked up. "My flower." he said as he pulled her close to hold her around her waist in the air. "You complete me…." He started to say until her lips found his.
The others found Amber and their leader's love refreshing and sweet; and as Orion watched his parents he grinned as he himself was beginning to change as well. His body changing into one of a complete Cybertronian sparkling; and Optimus for his part had everything he wanted a mate and sparkling. He had it all; and now with the rule of no mates was abolished everyone could have a mate if they chose to and many did try to have one.
Till all are one...