The Diego Diaries: Festival (dd6 68)
-0-Getting organized
The family stepped out of the Residence to walk to the elevator. Miler and Venture carried Sojourner and Prima. Prowl followed with Solus. Everyone else was parted out to carry holds or child carriers. All of the cats and dogs including a big bug were left at Ratchet's house. They went down to the lobby to wait with the others and ensure that the children were taken ahead to the Temple steps. Ratchet's crew was there with children in arms as they gathered. "Are we ready to go?" Ratchet asked as Prowl and his genitors joined them.
"We're ready. Where's Blue and the twins?" Prowl asked as he looked around. Standing in groups was the rest of the family including Kestrel and Tagg who were talking with a number of 'their boys' in the Elite Household Guard.
"They're by the door," Ratchet said nodding that direction. The femmes with Maelstrom, Jetta and Magnus were there along with Ironhide and Ratchet's family. Given that they shared grandchildren, they were technically considered by Cybertronian custom as part of Prime's immediate albeit extended family. They would walk toward the Temple through the streets so they could gather there to wait. "Shall we go?" Ratchet asked. Prowl nodded so they began to round everyone up. Springer and Drift showed up to follow, walking behind them while leading their horses. They would be on duty immediately afterward to help with crowd control. All of the family including extended was there to go.
Maelstrom was nervous as he stood with Chromia who was chatting with Turbine who would wait for Prime. They began to form with Kestrel, Tagg and Prowl in the front, Ratchet and his crew following with Miler and Venture. The door opened, they walked out and the crowd hushed. It would be a long public stroll down the center of the highways to the Temple District some miles away. Everywhere that someone could stand, someone did. On IntraComm, Lee-Lee, Gen-O and Aleph explained things to everyone, especially Earth who was watching on the MCA.
"Here comes the immediate and extended family. For those who are less informed about family life on Cybertron, let me explain," Aleph said. "Prowl as bond has pride of place with the genitors or parents of Optimus Prime. They are leading the family toward the Temple where they will wait with the rest of us for Prime to go in, then come back out when his venture is fulfilled. The big mechs on either side of Prowl are Kestrel and Tagg of Iacon, the parents of Optimus Prime. Behind him, related by bonds and grandchildren, the rest of the family is following. Because they share grandchildren and both families share children in bonds, they are considered related.
"Ratchet and his bond, Ironhide are with their genitors or parents. The big mechs in black armor are Blackjack, Raptor and the one with the twins, his great grandsons, is Hard Drive. Beside him on the left is Alor of Iacon, his parents and brother, Scout, Trooper and Flint of Iacon followed by Delphi, bond of Hard Drive. The children being held are the grandchildren, some of them shared with Prime's family making them all technically a clan. The femmes following are Elita-1 with her bond, Jetta of Iacon, Chromia of Kaon along with Greenlight, Lancer, Moonracer, Firestar, and Arcee of Polyhex. Arcee is bonded with Ultra Magnus, the massively big bot next to her and Chromia is with her bond, Maelstrom, whose brother is as massive as well as being a feared Decepticon currently residing in the prison. With them are the twins, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe with their bond, Bluestreak, Prowl's son. In front of them are the parents and grandparents of Ambassador Ratchet. They are Ravel and Tie Down, famous metallurgists and artisans, Chan, Corr, Docker and Ratchet, the Ambassador's grandfather and namesake. The children are Reflector and Sunspot, infants of Ironhide and Ratchet. The mechs following that group are Springer and Drift, both members of Ratchet and Ironhide's family.
"Even before the war, it was common place for adoption among adults as well as children. Prowl's son, Bluestreak, and most of Ratchet and Ironhide's family, that is, the adults are adopted. Given the amount of orphans, it was common to see it and who doesn't want to be part of a family?"
The group continued onward, some of them pausing a moment to speak to a friend or to take a word with a stranger. The sun was directly overhead now and it looked warm to view but wasn't. It was very cold with a slight breeze. The sound of their footfalls was clearly heard in the canyons of The City as they echoed off the buildings. It was strange and intriguing how quiet that many bots were in such a space. Light glinted off the windows everywhere, some of which were filled with individuals watching.
They walked onward as the cameras followed them, then they saw the Temple coming into view. On the platform in front, secured behind a small barrier, the humans who could come were there watching them as they walked. When they reached the plaza, they gathered into their space, the one for Prime's family and general officers. Turning to look down the way, they waited. Nearby, the rest of the general staff who weren't related were standing with their families and friends. Paragon and Arrow were there along with the Seeker command. the titan representatives on the ground, and others from Cybertron including civilian dignitaries. It was a glittering group that waited, gist for much conversation and speculation among the humans who were watching on television.
When it was clear that they had arrived, Prime turned off the monitor, gathered his thoughts which were already merging with the Matrix, then walked to the door to leave. The ride down alone was short and sweet. When he reached the lobby, the Household Guards snapped to attention. He nodded to them, squared his shoulders, then stepped out. The Guards came with him, pausing on each side to wait while the crowd roared in approval. The ripple effect of their cheering spread out in all directions and excitement was electric on the neural nets of the vast crowd. Everyone's anticipation raised as they waited to see him, this god caste among them on this, the holiest orn of the year.
Prime took their cheers, then watched as they bowed. He nodded to them, then turned to step forward into the street, heading toward the intersection ahead. The crowd bowed as he went, a hush falling over them once more. His heavy treads could be heard in the tense atmosphere as the cameras lovingly filmed him. A small elderly mech ran out, touched him, then ran back. A murmur of approval was heard, then it was silent again.
"For those of you from Earth," Aleph began, "who may not know what just happened, it's considered good luck to touch a Prime, an ancient custom that fell by the wayside as the Primes became less accessible to the public. Then the time came when no one wanted to touch them with anything less than a howitzer. Prime has restored more than just a safe living space for his people. He's helped them find their past and customs as well. "Sometimes, you see him walking here and there in The City and someone will touch him in passing. I'm not sure he even notices anymore. You would never get that close to a Prime in the recent past and no one would have allowed it. This Prime, however, is a Prime of The People and he respects everyone."
Optimus walked toward the Temple and as he did the view became less and less distinct. He didn't even notice that behind him walked Turbine, a Maker from his small but incredibly influential sect and clan. Turbine was noticed and received respectful nods as his tattoos were read by the spectators. He walked tall and with great dignity as he followed Prime to the Temple. He would wait with the priests until Prime returned to honor him. Turbine held in his processor and spark many of the things that Prime knew and saw on his journeys but his vow of silence regarding them kept them safe. No one from his sect had ever betrayed their charge.
-0-Earth
They sat in the studio, the panel chosen by lots from the worldwide pool of journalists who handled the Autobot brief. They watched and listened to the commentator. No one had explained the bot following Prime. A commentator turned to Colonel Reynolds, a Morshower aide who drew the short straw. Barstow was on Mars this time. "Who is the last bot?"
"That's Turbine. He's Ironhide's grandfather," Reynolds said. "He carries a lot of prestige. He's honoring the Prime by walking with him, albeit in a subordinate position. They have a lot of knowledge in common and Turbine's one of the few who can speak to Prime in some of the Primal languages that he knows. There's a lot more to this but I'm not at liberty to tell you."
Prime reached the square where the Temple stood, then paused to look around himself. Everyone including Turbine bowed, then watched him as he seemed to mentally phase in and out. He was as still as a statue, then he walked for the steps and began to climb them, Turbine following. The Guards walked up the steps pausing one to a level, then turned to face Prime. When he was at the top, they turned as one again, came to attention, then parade rest. They wouldn't move a muscle until he came out again.
Prime walked across the platform toward his greeting party. The priests and Alpha Trion bowed as did Turbine. Alpha grinned. "Welcome, Pilgrim. We are yours to command."
"Thank you," Prime said. "I am here to find the truth."
Alpha nodded, then stepped back to allow him to enter. Prime walked past as the group bowed, then paused at the door. Looking back at the multitudes who watched him without a sound, he entered the building and was gone from view. Turbine walked to the priestly group to wait beside Cyclonus and three of his senior leadership.
-0-Inside
The sconces flickered in the darkened building as he walked toward the balcony railing that protected the AllSpark. It was turning more swiftly than normal as It began to recognize his energy. Prime stared at It, then continued onward to the stairs. Down he went, then paused at the edge of the Well. He stared at the AllSpark feeling the energy of oblivion reaching out for him. He seemed to fade out, then without a word, he stepped onto the ledge of the Well of AllSparks and jumped in.
-0-Others
Proteus and Madura stood in the crowd, two mechs who didn't look familiar to anyone but the small group of individuals that they were coming to know, most of them Circle families from the Halls of Order. It had been debatable up to the last minute whether Madura could manage the crowds but they came together anyway. He had counseling every orn and they ate lunch in the cafe of the Halls of Order when Proteus stopped for food. Madura had to take a train to get there, no small thing, but it got easier every orn. It had given Madura more confidence and they had ventured out from time to time to look at the colony.
No one knew or recognized them. Madura had some features changed himself, though it was highly unlikely that anyone short of Sentinel Prime would know him and even that was doubtful. The disconnect between the life they led, what Proteus did in it and his own beliefs was so severe that he had fled into his own processor. It was probable that if it had gone on longer, he would have ended himself. As it was, he had fled in the bombing, found a ship and made his way alone. Fortunately, the group he traveled with all that long lonely time were Missionaries for the most part. They helped him, recognizing his mental condition for what it was.
Finding Proteus had been discombobulating. He had hidden away even more in the beautiful little apartment he had been given when he came, visited only by a mental health worker and the Missionaries who had befriended him. Now, because Prime was merciful, they were standing in the street near the Temple waiting for the Pantheon to weigh in on their condition.
Proteus put his arm around Madura. :Are you alright? We can leave, Madi:
:No, Proteus … I want to see this: Madura replied.
They would wait to see what happened. So would 22 million Martian Cybertronians, nearly 1.5 billion Cybertronians on world, nearly 7 billion humans and who knew who else? Certainly, among them would be the pensive figure of Razorclaw.
-0-TBC 7-18-17 edited 8-2-17