Seeing her son and the girl she would be hosting left with the rookie. June walked down the foyer and transformed back to Elita, embracing her sparkmate. Tears of coolant fell form her eyes as she cried in her lover's embrace.
"Elita," the Prime said calmly. "Jack will come to terms to on his own time. Arc and Smokescreen are good company for him to settle with this revelation. They may help with wrap his head around this new reality he will be facing."
"I'm worried Orion," Elita said. "Will he reject us? Will he hate himself?"
"I don't think Jack is the kind to hate himself," Optimus said. "Though he may come to terms with it in his own time. It was in a life-or-death situation when his Cybertronian origin were revealed, he may have not fully come to terms with it during the heat of combat."
Arcee let out a chuckle. "Never knew I had my own nephew under my sensors all this time," she said. "You raised a good kid Elita."
"I wished that he would not be in this war at all," Elita sighed.
The drive in Smokescreen was very quiet. Jack had his head in his hand with his elbows on his knees. The silence was broken with a groan every few times, but Arc didn't want to say anything and non-verbally warned Smokescreen to remain quiet by twisting his gear shift.
30 minutes of the silence, Arc offered to buy some painkillers of his headache. Jack nodded and she drove them off to the local pharmacy in Jasper. When she went out to buy them, Smokescreen took this opportunity to ask the new Prime.
"That bad huh?" asked the rookie though his sound systems.
"I just found out I wasn't human Smokescreen," Jack said tiredly. "I don't know what I should feel."
"It's all my fault," Smokescreen admitted. "I pulled you guys in this mess. Elita should have told you this in her own time. I'm sorry for putting you two in danger."
"You should've called Ratchet the moment we saw Megatron," Jack laughed. "You should've listen to me in the first place."
"You outrank me now Jack, or should I say Ultimus Prime," Smokescreen said cheekily. That made Jack chuckle in amusement.
"Ultimus Prime," Jack said thoughtfully. "I need to get used to that."
"You sure do Prime," Smokescreen said cheerfully.
Arc then returned with a bag and 2 water bottles. "Bought some painkillers for you and some snacks for us," she said as she sat on the driver's seat. "Are you settling well Jack?"
"A bit," he said. "How did your parents react to you being…"
"A giant metal robot from outer space?" she teased but Jack gave a sour look to her. She cleared her throat. "It took a few days, but they got used to me being this. I stayed in England after a few days in Australia. Perceptor kept me under his supervision as I lived in the Burton estate. They had a therapist to help me deal with the PTSD. Perceptor helped me a lot in my in my recovery. He's like another uncle to me."
"Don't you miss your parents?" he asked.
"Sometimes. But I always come home for any special occasion or an emergency. It's always a groundbridge away and all. They call me often as they can if they can since the site my dad is working on is quite remote. Mom works as the teacher in the school where they live. They can both can be busy. I've got younger siblings too and I call them often."
"What do they think of you being a Prime?" Jack asked.
"Cogman explained to them what my role is as a Prime. It was sad to them that I have duties to Cybertron, but they'd rather have me like this than to not know if I were dead or alive. They won't see my graduation, but I will show them around they rebuilt cities of Cybertron if this war is over."
"Grandpa would live to see that," he said longingly.
"He would be proud of the person that his grandchild, blood or adopted, grown up as. That's what my Grand Burton told all his grandkids, and great grandkids. I think all grandparents share that sentiment."
"Humans are a caring bunch," Smokescreen stated musingly.
"It does help when older members have an eccentric hobby of helping giant alien robots for over a century," she joked. That made both boys chuckled.
"What Raf and Miko think?" Jack asked worriedly.
"I bet Miko would drill you for this and Raf maybe ask how you transformed from human to Cybertronian," Smokescreen said and he began to move to the highway once again. "They would accept you."
Jack sighed. "They would," he sighed in relief. "Agent Fowler would pass out like a light."
"You okay now?" Arc asked.
"I'm okay for now," Jack said. "Mind if I ask what my gift was?"
At the base, Optimus and the others caught up with Elita. She explained to them that she did not want to her son to be involved in the was as the Decepticons would capture him and abuse his power for their gain. "Now with Ultimus and Hestia out in the world," Arcee said. "The Decepticons may hunt them down. Hestia especially since she is the heir to the power of Solus Prime."
"The power of creation itself," Ratchet said in alarm. "Optimus…"
"No Ratchet," the Prime said firmly. "She may be young but I will never underestimate her and her extensive connections on Earth, as well as her ingenuity. She has been avoiding them for 3 years, she can handle herself. Now she is under Elita's care as per her exchange student status, we can best assure her safety. She is not a Prime that leads by a steady hand. She leads by compassion. That was how Solus Prime led her before she was terminated long ago."
"You're letting the rookie handle her safety?" Bulkhead asked.
"She seems to be getting along with her well," Bumblebee pointed.
"If he falls short," Arcee said. "Elita and I can pick up the slack."
Optimus nodded. And then the proximity alarm sounded and showed Smokescreen returning.
"Seems like Jack has taken it in," Arcee commented. Smokescreen later rolled in, Jack and Arc exited. Both shifting to Ultimus and Hestia, and Smokescreen shifted back to walk up to them. Ultimus looked astounded by his current look.
"Never had much chance to check myself out," he said as he was looking at his arms.
"You look just like your father," Elita said, walking up to him. "You three were gone for a while. I take it you're alright with everything?"
He looked at his mother and bent down to give her a hug. "I'm sorry mom," he said. "It's… just all happened so suddenly. Hestia and Smokescreen here helped me big time."
"Ultimus," Optimus said carefully. Ultimus turned to looked at him and then ran up to the older Prime to embrace him. Optimus in turn embraced his son fully for the first time.
"Feels nice to have you here," Ultimus said. "You have missed so much… dad. I would ask where were but that would sound dumb."
"You are not a fool Ultimus," said the elder Prime. "At least now I know you and your mother are safe. I have never expected that my son would grow this rapidly." He then pulled his son away to look at him. "You have grown well. I am proud."
"A chip off the ol' block, I'll say," Hestia quipped. "Prouder is that boy of yours Optimus is the best shooter in his age range in skeets and air pistol in the world. Gold medallist in last year's Youth Olympics. Mighty fine aim if you ask me. Serious contender for the real one in a few years."
Ultimus laughed nervously. Everyone in base except for Elita was shocked.
"You never told us that!" Bulkhead accused.
"No wonder you were a natural with a blaster," Arcee said in wonder.
"No way!" Bumblebee bleeped.
"It is true," Elita said proudly. "He has been shooting ever since he was 8. He has steady aim like his mother. Never been one to brag. Humble like his father, I'll say."
"You never asked?" the young Prime weakly said. Optimus patted his shoulder with a proud grin on his face.
"It seems that too much key moments in your life son," he said, a hint of sadness laced his voice. "Regardless, I am proud of your achievements."
"Thanks dad," Ultimus said in relief. "That means a lot."
The sword in Optimus's hand glowed and all the optics of the Primes followed. They all went frozen.
"Optimus, Ultimus, Hestia!" Ratchet called. "Speak to me!"
"We are receiving a message," Optimus replied, focused on the sword.
"From who?"
"Alpha Trion," said Optimus.
"Solus Prime," said Hestia.
"Vector Prime," said Ultimus.
Arc/Hestia
She was in the bright in the place where the floor glowed and the skies were lit with stars that she never recognised. Yet this place was familiar to her. This was the place she trained with Solus Prime. Her mentor, predecessor, and a second mother.
"Hestia," the familiar voice of her mentor said from behind.
"Solus!" she greeted her. Hestia ran up to her mentor and gave her a hug. "Why did you call me?"
"I sense that you have been getting close with Optimus and his son," she said. "Is the boy the reason why you pick to exchange in Jasper?" Solus had a cheeky tone in her voice and a spark of amusement in her optics.
"What? No!" Hestia said in surprise, pushing her mentor away. "It's just that I want to investigate more about Nemesis Prime. When I fought him, he was an using a scrapped replica of Optimus. Plus, I was nearly crushed today by a giant foot made from rock! That ma'am is not natural!"
Solus laughed. "I understand young one," she said. "I was just teasing you. But the real reason I called you is to share you what other Primes have shared with me."
"What is it?"
"You have the favor of Primus," she began. "As all Primes do. You were one of the beings that evolved from the dust that had collected over Unicron over time. He has seen your capacity of change and positive unpredictability."
"So, I'm a glorified dust bunny. Nice to know," her protégé huffed. Solus chuckled and rubbed the top of her student's head.
"If that what you think you and humans are," she joked, her tone later switched back to serious. "In all seriousness Hestia Prime. To counter the rise of these 'Dark Primes' that Unicron has created. You need to find any weapons of the original 13 Primes. Which are my Forge, and Prima's Star Saber. Many of them were destroyed, smelted, or returned to Primus for one reason or another."
"Most of them were Forged by you," Hestia shrugged. "I could Forge a new line of weapons for this generation of Primes. Just like you did in yours."
"That is true." Solus said and she placed her hand on Hestia's chin to make her look her in the optics. "In nearly 3 short years, you have grown so much. You learnt well from me, Perceptor, and the others you met on your way."
"I am still not as good as you," Hestia said in shame.
"I can teach you theory in this realm," Solus said, hoisting Hestia's chin to make look back. "Now the Forge is in your reach, I now can judge you in practical."
Jack/Ultimus
"Where am I?" Ultimus asked himself as he walked within a white void.
"You are within the Matrix within you my boy," said a wise voice. He was met with mech which was taller than Optimus. He has this King Arthur feel to his looks and his armour was gold and has clockwork gear designs on him. "I am Vector Prime young one."
The young Prime bowed but the Prime of Space and Time stopped him. "Please do not bow," he said. "I am but an equal to you young Ultimus. I am here to deliver you a message from Primus and of the future."
Ultimus stood up in attention. "What is it?"
"As when the battle was between Primus and Unicron was fought, he created us to assist him. Tipping the scale to our father's favour. Unicron's awakening has created dark counterparts of you in hopes of winning against heirs to Primus's first creations. His brief awakening only managed to create three Dark Primes. Terminus Prime, bane of Optimus Prime. Mimas Maximo, bane of Hestia Prime. Iapetus Prime, bane of Ultimus Prime."
Ultimus gulped. "So, we need to fight them?" He asked.
"Inevitably. You must face off your own bane, Iapetus. Hestia shall forge you of your own, but you must be patient as she is still learning as well."
"Is that all it?" Ultimus asked. Vector Prime let out a chuckle.
"No young one," said the elder Prime. "That was merely a message about the future. Primus himself sent a message. That is in regard to your generation of Primes."
"My generation?" he asked.
"Yes. As in this war, he only manages to bring out 3 Primes to carry his will. Optimus to lead, Hestia to care, and you to bring about unity. As time progresses, more Primes are chosen as Cybertron rebuilds until a full set of 13 is rallied. A new era is upon us Ultimus. Confusion, conflict, and disputes shall arise. Our era was one that was quick to spiral into chaos but has it moments of brightness of it's own. Your era shall be different, an era of brightness that my dim once in a while but shall prevail, as your generation and the previous shall set an example so history shall not repeat itself."
Ultimus took a deep breath, "That is a big ask. Do you think I can do it?"
"You are the son of the 13th Prime. One who's spark hums closer to that of our creator. I have no qualms in believing that you can achieve any plans that Primus has set."
The young Prime nodded.
Optimus
Optimus was floating in a dark void with a bright hologram of Alpha Trion. "I wish that I could meet you under better circumstances, Optimus Prime. But I fear that Iacon will not withstand the next Decepticon assault," said Alpha Trion.
"So you speak to me, from across the ages?"
"If you are listening to this message, then I take solace that you now possess the Star Saber. I am certain that you have deduced how these Cybertronian relics and Decepticon weapons came to be found on such a remote world. Indeed, I transported them there. Not so much for them to keep from Megatron's hand but to ensure they reached yours. As you have long suspected, the Covenant of Primus record events of the future as well as the past. My imperfect understanding of its runes, affords me a shadowy glimpse of what is to come. The Covenant's pages foretold that you, Optimus Prime, would journey to a small but significant planet. And there in a crucial chapter in the war against the Decepticons. I know neither the nature of the battle nor its outcome. I only hope these relics of the ancients will aid the Autobots in your time of need. Of utmost importance, in a few moments I will launch the last of the relics. The most significant and powerful of them all."
All three of the Primes fell onto knelt from the encounter with the past Primes. Ratchet immediately went to Optimus's side, as Elita tend to Ultimus, and Smokescreen aided Hestia. "Easy Optimus," Ratchet said calmly. Optimus stood up, as the others as well. Hestia shook her head to get the dizzy feeling out.
"So, did Alpha Trion asked about me?" Smokescreen asked, and then received a smack to the back of the head by Hestia and a killer glare.
"What was the message?" Bulkhead asked.
"It is paramount that we recover the final four Iacon relics, the Omega Keys," Optimus said sternly.
"Keys?" Elita and Arcee asked.
"To what?" Ratchet added.
"To the regeneration of our home planet." That sentence lifted up the spirit of the whole base. Everyone but Hestia and
"Pack your gear," Bulkhead said excitedly. "We're going back to Cybertron!"
"We really get to go home?" 'Bee bleeped excitedly. "I can't believe it!"
"Well believe it now Bumblebee!" Ratchet laughed. "Civilization at last!"
"But I just got here," Smokescreen protested.
"Remember oil baths, Elita? First I'm gonna do planet-side is soak for an entire solar cycle," she said dreamily.
"Sure do sister," Elita agreed. "I can't wait!"
The cheerful mood was not shared by the younger Primes. Hestia turned to the hallway looking unsure, while Ultimus looked concerned as he stared the ground. Optimus saw the distressed looks on his younger Primes and walked up to them.
"What did Vector and Solus Prime relayed to you?" he asked.
"Solus came to me and told me to use the Forge," she said with a sigh. "To prepare for our clash with the Dark Primes. I feel like I'm still not ready for it. The practical to all the theory I have been thought. Solus is still up there in the crevices of my mind, she will the final judge to any creation I make with her powers"
"I have no doubt you can earn her approval Hestia," he encouraged.
"Thank you, Optimus," she said.
"What of you Ultimus?"
"Vector told the names the Dark Primes," Ultimus said shakily. "Terminus Prime, bane of Optimus Prime. Mimas Maximo, bane of Hestia Prime. Iapetus Prime, bane of…me. They each have powers to counter or mirror ours. Terminus can weaken anyone's spark. Mimas can break any creation made. Iapetus can be imitate anyone."
"Why imitate?" Arcee said.
"It's because of Primus's gift to me," he said. "I scan and turn into anything or any creature but I will always be myself."
"Iapetus is just a perversion of what he is," Hestia surmised. "He can impersonate anyone, to ruin the trust that was built over time. Ultimus's ability allows him to communicate with other beings to build relationships. Iapetus uses the same ability just to break bonds."
"I'm alright facing him," Ultimus admitted. "But Vector also told me the wishes of Primus himself. More Primes are coming over time, but he can only appoint only three. It's just you, me, and Hestia for now. Dad, Vector called me the Prime of Unity. I don't think I'm ready."
Optimus placed his hand on Ultimus and gave the younger Prime an encouraging look. "When I first given the Matrix of Leadership," Optimus began. "I too was unsure if I was ready for the Matrix of Leadership. I look at you, my son, and I see that the future is in steady hands. You have been at our side for a short time but you have fought valiantly, even as a human. In time you would grow into your place that Primus has created."
"We're both in this together," Hestia said cheerfully.