Optimus Prime drove at his max speed, the smoke-filled wind whipping against his frame as he cruised down the desolate elevated highway, weaving every so often as to avoid a pothole or other debris left behind. What was once a lively landscape of expansive wetlands and small clusters of what few organic trees Cybertron had was now barren and dry, towns that once dotted the riverbanks all either bombed out or abondoned to rot, with not a soul around other than himself. The war truly had left Cybertron a dying world, and this was the ultimate proof.
Optimus couldn't help but feel regret over it all. The voice within the Matrix, the false Primus, had pushed him so often towards violence. But in the end, he had pulled the trigger himself, and sealed the fate of the world he loved so dear, and any hope of it ever going back to the way things were.
In the distance, at the end of this great causeway, he saw a city come into view on the horizon. Uraya, its once great spires now fractured and collapsing, a dim glow emanating outwards as the day turned to dusk, the warm glow of Hadaen burning red through smoke-filled skies as it set low into the West. It seemed fitting almost, that storm clouds were rolling his way behind him, following him like an omen.
Optimus had seen the news broadcasts, about riots in the streets of the city. Saw that Autobot troops were advancing on the border of the neutral city-state, without his order or knowledge. But he could take a fair guess at who had commanded them. He just hoped he could reach the city before there was nothing left to save.
. . . . .
Having reached the outskirts of the city, Optimus drove further into the interior, on the lookout for any signs of life. He had expected to see the local militia, or even his own Autobots present, but saw nothing when he entered the city other than corpses in the streets, and he feared he knew why.
He drew ever closer to the city center, where lights inside buildings became more prevalent, and the buildings less damaged. Occasionally, a bot or two would peek out their windows, before withdrawing and closing their curtains.
Driving through a dimly lit tunnel, he emerged within a large plaza at the heart of the city, the road spreading off either side of him, and straight ahead was the remains of the tower wherein the city council would have once resided before the war, it's ornate engravings along the columns and windowsills giving off a sense of grandeur similar to that of downtown Iacon. Encircling it was a large force of Autobot soldiers, and all around them were the graying, lifeless bodies of this city's residents and guards strewn about the streets.
Shifting into his root mode, he hastily pushed his way through the crowd of soldiers, who at first seemed to be shocked by his presence, quickly started to part and make way for their emperor to pass through.
"Stand down now! That is an order, soldiers!" he screamed, and they obeyed, some even shrunk back, cowering in fear of the rage that was now radiating out from their master.
Once passed the amassed Autobots, he saw that the council's tower was encircled by a series of barricades and makeshift walls, sealing it off from the outside, with dozens of Uraya's local militia forces armed and steadfast with makeshift riot shields and heavy machine guns set up to deter any Autobot advancements.
At the very back of the compound, atop the front steps of the large city council building was someone who Optimus was very familiar with. An old and worn mech was giving an impassioned speech to both his troops, and as the multiple cameras entailed, the rest of Cybertron.
"...we, the people of the Uraya Free Militia, were promised peace after this war. In turn for serving the Autobots to defeat the Decepticons, we received a guarantee that the polity of Uraya would be allowed to remain independent of the rest of the Cybertronian Empire, without fear of being invaded by Autobot forces."
Optimus sent a message to his old friend over private comms. 'I've ordered them to stop. This was not my doing, I promise you.'
Kup paused, his optics locking with that of Optimus, "Even the Prime himself stands here, appalled by the actions his troops are partaking upon in our city," he said, with a wave of his hand towards Optimus where the crowd around him had parted.
"Prime!" Optimus heard shouted from behind, turning to his right he saw the lumbering bulk that was Ironhide striding through the crowd towards him, flanked by members of the Elite guard.
"Ironhide, you'd better have a very good explanation for this. I do not take kindly to my officers when they organize military operations without my knowledge."
"Well Prime, it's pretty cut and dry. These folks got a bit too uppity with this city to themselves, and I thought it advantages if we Autobots controlled the region instead of some sappy neutrals."
Optimus took a second to glance around, taking the moment to absorb the situation. "I made these people a promise. They fought by our side, and have earned their keep in this place, their independence."
"But Prime," Ironhide stammered, "We gotta make an example of em'. String em' up and punish them, make folks know not to cross us!"
"Steady yourself, Ironhide," Optimus said, resting a hand on the general's shoulder. "The tighter our grasp, the more likely dissenters will slip through our digits, and cause those who were once loyal to turn against us. Then what would we have left, but a shell of what we once were?"
"Bah, what a load of scrap iron." Ironhide said, slapping away Optimus' hand. "I may be a very blunt instrument in battle, but I know a thing or two about real strategy. The Uraya region not only borders onto Iacon's territory, but also has some of the largest star ports and shipyards on the whole planet. Giving all that away, right next to the capital, puts our rule at risk."
"Our rule, Ironhide?" Optimus said, staring daggers down at the blocky mech. "You command my armies, yes, but I am the one who rules this and many other worlds."
"This is about more than just armies and planets, Prime! This is about stability." Ironhide said, then leaned in close. "The whole empire's economy is geared towards this war, and you know it. The moment we stop fighting, everything will bottom out."
Optimus considered this for a moment. As much as he hated it, it was true. "Perhaps that is so, but I know you better than that, Ironhide. Prowl's shown me the details, and I know just how much money you have invested into military manufacturing. You are profiting off of your own violence."
"Bah, so what? We were always gonna win this war anyways, so nothin' wrong in making a little extra Shanix on top of it all!" Ironhide said with a handwave. Optimus merely stared in annoyance at the general, wondering if promoting him to his position was even worth it anymore. It would certainly have spared him the helmache.
"All that aside, I will admit I have to keep some cards close to the chest, but I am an open ruler for the most part."
"Open ruler? I couldn't tell you the last time I laid optics on ya'! In fact, nobody can!" He shouted back to his amassed troops, many seeming to murmur and nod in agreement.
"You've been locked away in your palace as long as anyone can tell. Hiding from the outside world, barely taking any calls." Ironhide yelled, as the talk devolved into a screaming match.
"Are you questioning my judgment, Ironhide?" Optimus said, as the two were now face-to-face in their distance. A peel of thunder was heard in the distance, as droplets of rain began to fall.
"Maybe I am. After all, without that fancy gem in yer' chest," Ironhide tapped over where the Matrix of Leadership was, "you wouldn't even be in this position. You just aint cut out for the job of ruling over Cybertron and the colonies, Orion."
At that, Optimus snapped, his right hand already clenched, he struck Ironhide right across his mouth, sending the mech staggering backwards.
"I've seen you dish out worse for lesser offenses than my insubordination," Ironhide said, wiping away the energon bleeding from his face. "Face it, Prime. You've gone soft."
The weight of that statement got under his plating more than he would ever admit, and Optimus went from angry to furious. He lunged forwards to strike again, but Ironhide just side-stepped out of the way, as Optimus slammed into one of the barricades the militia had set up. Looking up, he saw that Kup and a larger number of the locals had gotten close to watch the confrontation.
In spite of the rain making his armor slick, Ironhide managed to get a good grip on him, and pulled him back into the impromptu fighting pit, people watching from all sides. Optimus jammed his elbow back, striking Ironhide in the abdomen plates, forcing him to let go. Spinning around, Optimus used the wet ground to get momentum to land another punch to his chest.
"I shouldn't be surprised that Ultra Magnus was not the only conspirator against me. You play the role of a brute, but we both know you are a military genius."
"Better than Prowl, Impactor, and the rest of the worthless lot combined! They were nothing but specialists. While they were operating on their own, I led whole armies, my armies, to victory after victory for you. But you always made sure to stand in front for the spectacle of it all! Make yourself look good while the rest of us do the real fighting!" Ironhide shouted as he pulled out his large hammer, and it was now that Optimus realized that a large number of the Autobots were forming up behind Ironhide, whereas a few dozen stood by his side, still blocking Ironhide from furthering his slaughter on the city of neutrals.
"Step aside, and let a real leader finish the job," Ironhide said, a smug look on his faceplates as his own troops armed and readied their weapons.
Optimus looked side-to-side, receiving a nod from the still loyal Autobots, and heard a thud behind him. Looking back, he saw Kup had jumped down from the barricades, his own militia members following suit. The old mech slapped Optimus on the shoulder, "I got you on this one, Prime. You may be a brickhead sometimes, but you're a lot better than this joker," as he lit a fresh cy-gar, blowing out a long puff of smoke.
Outnumbered three-to-one, Optimus reached over his shoulder and unsheathed the Star Saber. Pointing the blade squarely at Ironhide, the blade began to glow blue like energon, as it synced with the Matrix. "I will not let you pass, Ironhide. You will fall, so that all of Cybertron is rid of you for good."
Ironhide bellowed a terrible laugh, and raised his hammer to the dark and rainy sky, "KILL THEM ALL!" he shouted out, as his forces began shouting and jeering.
Optimus took a step forward, and cried out, "Autobots, defend this city!" as he broke into a sprint, he and Kup's army joined him.
The two walls of troops slammed against each other, clamoring and shoving to get up close and personal with their enemies. Axes and swords clashed, sparks flew from where armor was struck. From up on their defenses, the Uraya Militia used their vantage point to fire down on Ironhide's forces with rifle fire and mortar shots.
In the middle of it all were the two fractured commanders, as Optimus Prime and Ironhide clashed one on one. Ironhide tried to strike first, but Optimus deflected the hammer's blow with the Star Saber, the thrum of energy from the blade resonating and staggering Ironhide. Optimus went to slash down on him, but was not so lucky, as a stray fusion shot struck his arm, leaving a solid burn mark on his purple armor. Ironhide saw an opportunity, and swung his hammer upwards, striking Optimus in the jaw with enough force to knock him to the ground, as he fell flat on his back. His battle mask now bore a large crack, through which he could see the Prime's grited denta.
Rose-colored optics alight in rage, Optimus forced himself to his feet and charged forwards with the Star Saber. He waited for Ironhide to swing first, and quickly ducked and rolled out of the way. Spinning back up behind the mech, Optimus raised the ancient relic. A bolt of lighting connected with the Star Saber, and he slashed down Ironhide's back, as glowing fresh energon began to bleed from the deep diagonal cut. Ironhide cried out in pain, and frantically swung around without care, but thankfully Optimus was able to raise his sword to parry the hammer yet again.
Ironhide just laughed it off like the maniac he was, seeming to revel in the pain. Optimus tried to make sure he didn't show it, but he was scared of that.
"C'mon, come ON!" Ironhide shouted, as he pounded his chest with his spare hand, and outstretched it to point to Optimus. "You can be crueler than that, Orion!" as a battle mask of his own came up, covering his whole face, his optics hidden by a dark crimson visor. His hammer glowed down the middle, grabbing it with both hands, it transformed and split in two. He rolled his head back and forth, and then rushed Optimus like a wild animal.
Only by jumping aside was he able to dodge the attack. He looked up, and saw that the hammerheads were glowing with molten energon now, and he collided with a few of the troops fighting in the surrounding fray. Turning to face the Prime, he ran at him, but was again not fast enough, as Optimus got back up in time for the hammers to slam the ground where he had just been.
Optimus slashed at the now fully deranged general, but was blocked as Ironhide crossed his hammers over each other. Pushing them forwards, he smacked the Star Saber right out of Optimus Prime's hands, and it clattered onto the rain-soaked street. Distracted as his optics were fixed on the sword, Ironhide seized the opportunity, and slammed one hammer against Optimus' back, causing him to fall to his hands and knees. Then, swung the second one upwards from down low, and struck him in the chest, the force flipping the purple-and-blue Prime onto his back. The rain slicked down his bare face, as now his battle mask was totally destroyed. Dazed, all he could do was look up into the dark storm clouds above, as he saw Ironhide step into view, standing over him, feet planted either side of him.
Not an insult or jab was said, as he slammed his molten hammers against him, one blow after the other. His face, his chest, all over he was being assaulted in totality. Each swing another dent, another fracture, building up to a breaking point for his armor, the molten energon searing him, getting under his plates and into his nerves. He had been made weak, vulnerable…
*SLAM*
In that moment, he was reduced from Optimus Prime, Emperor Pax, ruler over Cybertron, Caminus, Devisiun, Carcer, and dozens of other planets and solar systems, to Orion Pax, a librarian that was far too in over his head.
*SMASH*
A fool who had gambled on the hope of divine intervention, and ended in his home being nearly uninhabitable.
*CRACK*
Most of all, an arrogant tyrant who pushed away all he once cared for, because some voice stoked his pride.
A question weighed upon his mind, and he became broken beyond whatever Ironhide could do to him;
What monster have I become?
Ironhide raised both hammers, and slammed them into his chest. Glass shattered and metal broke, as his spark chamber became exposed, and the blinding light of the Matrix of Leadership was exposed to all, Ironhide having to shield his optics from its radiance.
Orion thought it was the end. That he was now on death's door. He watched as Ironhide leaned down over him, jamming his knee into his abdomen as he kneeled. He tossed a hammer aside, and reached a hand down, placing it upon the Matrix.
Orion shuttered his optics, knowing that he could not stop this. Feeling the rain fall down on him, he knew this was fated to be. It had not been Primus who chose him to begin with. And even then, once the true Primus was revealed, he had such minimal contact, he was certain he was not worthy to bear the Matrix.
Ariel… please, forgive me.
.
..
…
Orion Pax was confused. Ironhide had plenty of opportunity to kill him, yet he seemed to still be alive.
I… still function?
Opening his optics, he watched as Ironhide stared down into the Matrix of Leadership, most holy of the ancient relics, mouth agape in awe like a total idiot, a look of fear stuck to his face. Suddenly, he felt a surge of power in his chest. Erupting forth from the Matrix was a burst of radiant white, with a beam of energon blue reaching into the sky and piercing the storm above. Without warning his body began to levitate upwards, Ironhide slumping off of him in shock. He couldn't see it, but he knew the fighting had stopped, because he couldn't hear it anymore.
Then, the ground began to rumble, and bolts of lightning from above struck into the Matrix, and a voice sounded out from everywhere.
"ARISE, OPTIMUS PRIME."
All the plates and armor that had broken, all the scars and burns on his protoform, it all began to heal. Where his spark chamber had been broken open, it sealed as he descended back down, stepping gently onto the ground. He looked down at himself, and saw that his paintwork had been changed; his blues had stayed the same, but his purples were slightly more vibrant, and from his knees to his hips, and the gap in his arms at the elbows, was now black where it had once been gray, and the glass panels on his chest were now a deep amber.
All around him, everyone had stopped fighting, and was looking right at him in awe.
"Doesn't change a damned thing!" Ironhide screamed, huffing in rage as he energized his hammers again. He charged at the rejuvenated Prime, but ultimately failed, as Optimus Prime grabbed one in each hand, and broke them in half as if they were nothing.
Ironhide stared at the ground where his hammers had crumbled, then to his fists as he clenched them. He drew back a punch, but as he threw it, Optimus caught it in his hand, although clearly struggling to hold it in place. With his other hand, he grabbed Ironhide, and raised him over his shoulder and tossed him backwards, sending him falling flat on his face.
Optimus walked over to the Star Saber, bots clearing the way as he moved, and held the ancient blade in hand. It resonated in a way that it never had before, a way that felt right. Turning back to Ironhide, he stepped up to the traitorous mech.
"I give to you one final warning, Ironhide. Yield, and you will be given a fair trial for your treason, and your undoubtable many other crimes."
Stumbling to his feet, he looked at Optimus with disgust. "To the Pit with you, Orion," he said, as his hands transformed into blaster cannons and fired.
Optimus was caught off guard, but before Ironhide could fire again, the Star Saber was brought down, and was driven right through the traitor general's spark chamber.
He slumped on the blade as his optics went out, as Optimus pulled the sword out of the now dead mech, cleaned it of the energon in the crook of his folded elbow, before returning it to his sheath on his back. He felt a pang of guilt, if for nothing else other than not being able to save the brilliant warrior from his madness.
He looked up from the corpse, and looked around at the amassed people; neutrals, Autobots, dissenters, all focused on him as the sound of rain and distant thunder filled what would otherwise be silence. He began to walk back through the crowd, and up towards the barricades where he found Kup.
"I… believe that settles the problem of unwarranted invaders in your city." Optimus said, glancing back out to the crowd. He now saw that many who had sided with Ironhide had begun to flee, while some were pleading with other Autobots for forgiveness.
"Yeah, guess so." Kup said, as he lit another cy-gar. The two of them stood there for a moment, before looking up and seeing that one of the camera drones from before was hovering close by.
"Huh. Guess the whole world saw that one." Kup said, nonchalantly.
"All of Cybertron, and beyond." Optimus said, knowing full well something like this would get spread to the colonies, maybe even beyond the general Cybertronian sphere of influence.
"There is one last thing I need to do before I go, if you would allow me?" Optimus asked, pointing at the camera drone.
Kup nodded, and signaled for it and the other remaining drones to come closer. From the tops of the steps, Optimus readied to lay down the final word on the matter for now, and try to set things right. The broadcast was live, so it was now or never…
"I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to not only all of Cybertron, but to all worlds beyond the stars, to all Autobots out in the universe. The time for conflict is at an end, as this war has served no purpose other than our own destruction. I call upon all Autobots to halt their advance, whatever front they are fighting on, and return to the nearest friendly space station or colony world effective immediately.
"And to all neutrals who fled this war, I do not blame you if you do not wish to return to Cybertron, as it is nothing more than a barren husk of what it once was. I will not mince words, this planet can still support us, but I would be lying if I said it was ideal for it. But I have faith that one day, we will have found a way to heal our world. As the primary instigator of this war, I take full responsibility on that matter. And I promise to work in cooperation with neutral groups, such as the local forces here in Uraya to make things right."
Optimus finished, as he shook hands with Kup, then stepped out of view of the cameras.
. . . . .
"I've ordered my Autobots to help you rebuild from this incident. Keep them as long as you wish, they know they have to pay for what they have done."
"You sure you wanna drive all the way back to Iacon in this weather? I Know a bar nearby we can just shoot the breeze at 'till this storm blows over."
"Perhaps another time. I need to find some answers for myself, and I am sure there are many in the capital who will be demanding an explanation on what I've done."
Kup gave the Prime a salute, as they transformed into their truck mode, and began to weave their way out of the city and back to Iacon, tail lights disappearing into the rain.
Yes, that's right. Optimus thought to himself, finally no longer feeling the pressure from the false Primus any longer.
What I've done.
A/N; Firstly, hope you all enjoyed that chapter. Admittedly, it's a little extra self indulgent for myself, but hey, what's the point if I can't enjoy my own fic? Some not-so subtle references and callbacks hidden about, see if you can spot them.
This chapter was always going to be more plot than filler, but damn did I shove a whole lot into it, twice as long and dense as I planned.
As always, stayed tuned for next time.