The Diego Diaries: After the Dance (dd6 419)
-0-Home
They walked in, an endless stream of family and friends, all of them joining Prime and the family after the ceremonies. It was a lot of people but the Residence was huge. Prime greeted everyone as they came in, hugging some, shaking hands with others, joking with a few. Only Prowl knew how much this spirit walk was lingering. They always did but not to this degree. Children were placed on the ground and ran with Miracle and the twinnies toward his bedroom and toy box. That was when a stampede happened with the usual suspects along with Resolve, Rekker along with Bulkhead and Tyro's newest little baby, Ferrous. He ran on his fat baby legs with Halo shrieking behind him as the mob headed for the toy box of their pals, Miracle, Sojourner and Solus. The older kids everywhere in the room ran for the berth rooms of Spirit, Rambler and T-Bar.
The titan and dread kids were going with ammas and appa later on as the other big frames and a number of other friends were having a party in the Central Labor Hall. They were all here now for a moment. Shadow and Zenith bowed to Prime, then sat in a wide chair together. Everyone began to sit when someone near the door asked Prime, "Optimus, when you go to the Matrix and see whatever you see, is it against the rules to tell us about it?"
Zenith and Shadow glanced sharply that direction shocked at the question, then back to Prime who appeared to be thinking it over. Never in their experience at the top of the social, financial and political heap did it occur to them to ask a Prime about such things. But never in their sojourn there did it occur to them that if anyone had asked Nova, Nominus, Sentinel, and even Zeta, they would've had no experiences to tell about. They watched Prime with disquiet.
"There are no rules about it," Prime said. "I may or not disclose what I wish." He sat back as he thought about it as Prowl leaned into him.
"You don't have to say a word, Optimus, until you think it through or even ever for that matter," Prowl said.
"I go there for everyone. Some things are for me alone, I acknowledge that," Prime said, "but not all."
"I concur. I tried to get the Councils to let everyone in on the mysticism. We are talking about our collective sparks and most deeply held beliefs," Alpha said as he sat next to Chevron, Sela and Lauren. They nodded in agreement.
Prime considered that, then the string of images that were as fresh right now as they were then. "I found myself in a swamp that led to a path. When I walked out another path led to a big old fashioned house," he said as the room hushed with expectation. "It was very old and ornate. I walked inside, then looked around. It was beautiful there and I could smell food. Walking forward, I entered a dining room where most of the Pantheon sat at a long table waiting for me."
The room stilled as everyone listened. Prime had made his statement like someone might about seeing someone at the club. This was the Pantheon and among those who listened, even among the most heathen, there was a sense of the divine.
"They were waiting for me and invited me to dine with them. We talked instead about many things, about The People and what I could do to lead them the way I need to so they all might proper. There was much discussion, then agreement that the path we are on is a good one. They were very unhappy about the Functionalists and their actions … their 'perversion' of the ideas and ideals of the Guiding Hand."
Fireball who was holding Prima in his arms leaned toward Ratchet and whispered, "Shouldn't we be standing or something?" he asked.
With enormous regard around the room for the sweetness of the youngling, Ironhide patted his knee. "We're good, infant. If we had to, he would have said so."
Fireball glanced at Prime, then Ironhide, then nodded. He sat back and listened with awe on his handsome face. Lumi slid his arm around Fireball's shoulders and listened with the same expression.
"The told me something about Megatron that lends me to believe that he will not be an issue for some time," Prime said as everyone in the room exclaimed with relief and delight. "He is being … managed. They have stepped in that much to ensure that the refugees have an easier path to our door."
Prowl who was dealing with rising emotion of his own sat forward. "They did that because you are holy, because you are The One Who Comes, because your ideas and leadership here is what They wanted all along. Anyone who challenges that is a traitor," he said with no small amount of venom.
Ratchet glanced at Zenith and Shadow who were watching vigilantly but it didn't show on their handsome faces. Those were schooled to calm and reason, the typical mask of a high caste.
Prime continued. "There were cautions about how to proceed with the Functionalist children. I will discuss this further with Cyclonus. They were going to take them on Themselves but worry about the frailty of their genitors. We discussed Ominous and Razorclaw, then I was back in the Temple."
Everyone nodded, then glanced at each other. Ratchet grinned at Prime who was musing further, something that reminded Ratchet that Prime was still involved in some part of this that was unspoken. "But that wasn't all, right?"
Prime glanced at him. "No. It was not." Prime thought about it as he stared at everyone, then he sat back resolved. "I then met with that portion of Megatron known as the higher self."
The religious among them knew immediately what he was saying, but the rest glanced around. Fireball took the bull by the horns. "Higher self?"
Lady Sela nodded. "We are all from the same source, though the path from that and back again may tell a different tale for each group, hence the Temple practice and the Guiding Hand, two main groups based around the same Pantheon. We come to live a material life many times to learn all the lessons we need to know. Lord Optimus can attest to that," she said as everyone in the room nodded. They could remember the 18 or so times Prime had died, then came back. That alone signaled his significance not just to The People but to the Pantheon. "Part of us remains behind as a guide, our conscience, the part of us that absorbs wisdom and catalogs our experiences. Everyone has one no matter what or who they are."
Prime nodded. "That is true. We had a … productive conversation that I must still study. I have to speak to someone ..." He trailed off, then stood. "I need to speak to someone. I will be right back. Forgive me a moment," he said as everyone stood. He walked through them, his family and friends, then out the door which closed silently behind him.
Everyone watched, then Prowl grinned. "That's The One Who Comes. That is a Primus Blessed mech. He's the greatest mech that ever lived." He glanced at his grand genitors who were staring at him with unreadable expressions.
"You won't get an argument out of us, Granny," Ratchet said as everyone laughed. They sat down again and though it took a moment for everyone to relax, they did. Then they helped feed the children. It would be three joors before the siren rang out and everyone could break fast together.
-0-Outside
The roads were filled with more traffic than usual but most of the great crowd had dispersed as evening gathered. He drove past the Temple which was jammed up with foot traffic as citizens lined up to pay their respects to the AllSpark, the Pantheon and visit the relics in the Pavilion. He drove past heading to a place where he knew he would be able to think and ask the questions he needed. Passing the Mausoleum, he drove onward. The Shrine of the Thirteenth Prime called to him but he was headed toward the one of his patron. Reaching the Basilica, gratified that nearly no one was there this late on such a family-oriented orn, he transformed and began to walk up the steps to the building set on the platform of the Basilica.
The Basilica was lit up with spotlights and those installed in the walls to highlight its colossal beauty including that of its colossal statuary. He walked toward the shrine, itself rather simple like all of them were. The interiors usually took care of all the glitter and glitz associated with the Pantheon and Their lives. The buildings themselves were smaller versions of the Temple but had no outward embellishment but for two very tall statues of Solus Prime standing greeting pilgrims on either side of the huge open doors. He walked inside where the light was muted and the building had an empty feel.
Usually, he came here when it was late or early. He had grown up reverencing Prima whose shrine was located in Iacon. He loved Prima and his stoic resolve, something that he had himself in spades. He also loved Solus who loved him back. There was something between himself and all of them, he had always felt if not acknowledged. Prime was humble and resolved about himself. He wasn't going to be guided by ego nor by any sense that he had to have the adulation of the masses. He had seen what that had done to Megatron and he also had the example of his exemplary genitors. The Pantheon was right, he thought with pride. His genitors were amazingly remarkable people.
He walked down the main aisle noting the artifacts, icons and writings on display for Her, this wonderfully good individual. When he reached the giant statue of Her at the end of the building, standing in spotlight as she rested Her servo on the grip of her hammer, he felt a warmth suffuse him. It happened when he entered the shrines, all of which he visited often for inspiration, comfort and meditation. They always greeted him with warmth, like a mental hug. He had never told anyone but it was so.
He had always thought it was the Matrix answering Their holiness but he knew after a while that They were comforting, encouraging and engaging him Themselves. He stared upward, then began the silent prayer he always gave to Them.
"Make me a good mech. Make me a wise mech. Make me worthy."
"You already are," someone said.
He turned to look. Then he sank to his knees knowing instinctively who he was seeing before him. No one else appeared in the building but the two of them. He pressed his forehead against the floor, waiting for the Grace before him to speak.
That individual chuckled. "Rise, Optimus Prime."
He hesitated, then did. "You are here."
"I am," the individual said. "I Am. I am Everywhere and Everyone. I Am, you see."
Optimus glanced up at last, then nodded. "You are, Great One. I am honored. I ..." He trailed off as he stared in the Face of God.
-0-Up there
They fed the kids, giving them some of the dinner that was waiting for everyone. All orn long before leaving for the Temple, everyone coming had brought something for the dinner. The bachelor mechs had brought the booze, everyone else food. As they sat and talked, laughing together, the clock ticked past. Zenith and Shadow were chatting with Perceptor and Wheeljack as Resolve sat on the floor petting Miss Kitty. That redoubtable feline was accepting his attentions as her just due as Queen of the Place. Kids were everywhere, dogs, cows, a bug, and cats bounded as they waited for Optimus to come back. It would take a bit of time.
-0-Shrine of Solus Prime
"You seem shocked to see me, Optimus Prime," the figure said. It was a mech, a shining figure of light, one that radiated the most gracious love and regard Optimus had ever felt including during the Blessings. "You forget, my son, that I am Everyone and Everything and Everywhere. You are me and I am you." He stepped closer. "I have assumed this form for your comfort, though I can be anything and I am. I can be anything and anyone."
"Even the AllSpark?" Prime asked almost breathlessly.
The figure grinned. "Not the AllSpark specifically but very, very close. I live in the AllSpark on this dimensional plane, though because I do you are technically right. It is My vessel. I created it to experience even more closely the lives of all of Our people. I want to be more a part of the world but not of it. I have many who need Me but I am able to be Everywhere at all times. The humans say that I have My eye even on the sparrow. They are right. Because I Am. Understand?"
Prime nodded. "I believe I do."
"You are aware of the unrest on many worlds, Earth included. The souls of many are in unrest. They long for peace, safety and community. You are doing the job you wished here. I am well pleased. It won't be easy but you are on your way. The Pantheon are mine. They speak highly of you, though They also know that I am aware of All That Is because I Am. Understand?"
"We are you, you are us. You are The One."
"I am," he said with a nod. "It is the starting point of All That Is, the I Am. The drama happening to My son, Primus is hard to watch. But then the drama happening to you, to Earth, to everyone who are Mine is difficult. I suffer, too, do you understand? I have given free will to the humans. They have taken it as they please. It has hurt them greatly but they awaken now, hence the great unrest there. They remember how truly wonderful, how miraculous, pure, and splendid they are. They understand that love is all there is. You can have the riches of the universe but when you leave life, you take nothing with you but your memories and the love you had and gave.
"Nothing is more powerful than love. It makes you do the most difficult things for your people. You embody love, Optimus. Love, decency, goodness, kindness … your genitors are very wonderful and they raised you the way I had hoped. You must always err on the side of love. Nothing is more powerful in the universe than Love. It is the memory, the ties that bind us all together. Negativity and darkness flees before the light of love. I have some experience with both." He smiled, then looked around. "Neither hatred, darkness nor chaos will win in the end, I assure you. My daughter, Solus, is a being of light who I give leave to assist and comfort you and all The People. So are you. So is All That Is, even the lowliest and seemingly least significant thing. You understand that all things no matter how great or small have spirits, souls if you will?"
Optimus nodded. "Yes, Great One. I learned that with Caminus."
The One nodded. "Yes. Caminus and that star were joined in so many adventures in the eons of their lives. So has everyone. You do not live only one life as you well know. Neither does anyone else. You have more chances. You learn, you live and hopefully, you experience great love. Even in solitude, even in lives spent without others around, you can learn about love and grace. It would do well for everyone to understand that they are never, ever alone. I would never leave my beloved children alone. You and All That Is are never alone."
"It feels that way often," Prime said.
The One nodded. "Because you create it yourself by believing it is so. You create separation between you and everyone else when the opposite it true. Your limited dimensional belief makes you lonely. Go among The People and look at them. All of them are perfect, living perhaps imperfect lives. But all of them are yours and you are theirs. All of us are one. We are all one. Separation is a construct of the ego. Conquer your ego and the door to love opens wide. You will never be able to hate or fear again. Know, my beautiful son, that I am always here. I will never nor have I ever left you." He grinned. "That is a very hard sell to the humans but the same is true."
Prime grinned in spite of himself. "Can I speak to you, Great One, when I need to do so? May I use the AllSpark as my reference point?"
He nodded. "Yes, if you wish and need it. Everyone can. Just speak to me in your head or go somewhere and talk. Do you really think you are talking to a void? Do you really think that I who love you beyond the words of any language wouldn't hear you? I do. I love you always. I reverence you. You are my CHILDREN. Know that I am always there even if you don't think so. You are connected to me forever and that tie is eternal."
Prime nodded. "Thank you."
The One grinned at him. "Thank you, my son, for being love for your people. I am ever and always here." Then he vanished.
Prime stared at the spot for a moment, then he began to run for the door. Out into the night he went, then he leaped into the air, transformed and hit the ground running. He sped onward into the night back to The City, then pulled up outside the Temple. Transforming, moving as gently as he could through the surprised crowd, he made his way inside. Across the main room he made his way, then down the steps to the Well and AllSpark. It was turning slowly, then it stopped. Prime walked to the Well, then looked upward.
It was deeply silent in the crowded room. Then he heard it along with everyone else. A flash of light crackled over its surface, then the faint sound of laughter like music could be heard in the vastness of the room.
-0-TBC 7-21-18 edited 7-21-18
One of the oldest names of God, the Creator, Prime Source among humans is I Am. That is why affirmations begin with I am ... I am good, I am free, I am loved, I am beautiful ... its us reconnecting with divine truth. :D
NOTES! (I wish I had musical notes to add to my punctuation. I sure would use them in the notes section. LOL! HERE WE GO!)
Silverhornd chapter 418 . 5h ago
Wait, A question if the all-spark has some awareness how did it feel beaning launch into space and landing on earth, how does it feel that bots where fighting over it and then having Sam (a human) caring it around in his sub-space.
ME: That will be coming. I have it on the list. Since you got this far, that Sylvia character will be back and not only Prime will be asking things about what you listed but other things as well. :D HUGS!
Guester chapter 413 . 11h ago
I am finally catching up with the story. Nice way to spend the summer holiday, reading Diego Diaries!
I guess you have a huge list of things still to be written, but I thought I'd mention a few I noticed are still hanging.
-Ominous still has some seekers with him
-Straxus was saved by somebody and is still somewhere
-There was a seer and ghosts which haven't shown up yet
-In ch. 298 there were bots Fermi and Ophir traveling in space, but we never heard of them again
-Paragon never went on bar hopping with Prowl?
-The dimensional stuff is coming slowly I guess, but I am eagerly waiting to see how you are going to write that
Thanks for writing and continuing to write the story. And a mosquito free August to you!
ME: THANKS! We do call the mosquitoes our state bird. LOL! Sometimes, they gather in clouds around the caribou and drive them insane. They can run for miles being chased until they find some snow to lay on or water. I love that you list stuff. I will check my list to see where these fit on it. If they aren't there I will add them. I am editing this whole behemoth and checking what I find against the master list. Interestingly enough, I am not missing much. Feel free, anyone, to add things to lists. The more, the merrier. :D HUGS!
Guest chapter 412 . 12h ago
If all the signs in the colony are in English, French and Cybertronian, will the bad guys not be able to learn Cybertronian from those? They must have linguist experts at their payroll and since they are hell bent on cracking the files they have from Sentinel, I would assume they would make every effort to get what they want.
ME: Yes, indeed. That's part of why they are having such a selective time getting freedom to come and go. They do have them and part of the key to cracking Cybertronian is math. The kids instinctively know that as well. Someone once said the language of God was math. I believe them, Too bad I'm not better at math. LOL! HUGS!
Guest chapter 418 . 17h ago
When I think festival can't get any more cool you just take it over the top. :-) I do so love this story. I've been with for two years? I don't know. But it's been a while. I can't wait to see what happens with our spark and all of the people and there's just so much going on that it's always fun to catch up.
ME: FANCY! So glad you're here. We began in 2010 and its 2018. Who would have thought it would last this long. LOL! I live to serve. ;) HUGS, my dear Fancy!
HUGS to everyone who reads this. Remember, you are loved. :D