Disclaimer: Transformers and all related characters aren't mine; they belong to Hasbro.
Mixed Feelings
Chapter Eight: Looking Forward
Galvatron
The heavy metal door slid open, and Galvatron stepped through slowly, surmising the situation in front of him. Razorclaw had been badly damaged in the battle, mostly because of the sound beating Prime had administered to said Predacon leader. Galvatron smiled and shook his head, both impressed by his bravery and irritated by his stupidity. The Deception leader couldn't understand how Razorclaw thought that he had any kind of a chance against him. Primus, Galvatron remembered one instance when Rodimus Prime beat him, so how could he think that Optimus Prime would be any different?
He looked around the repair bay, seeing that the Combaticons were largely undamaged, with the rather amusing exception of Onslaught, who was in a considerable amount of pain after Grimlock ripped off his backpack unit. He smirked and walked over to the Combaticon leader. Scrapper looked up from his repair work on Onslaught and almost stepped back. Galvatron gave the Constructicon a nod, and he quickly left to work on Rampage, who was giving Hook quite a bit of trouble. Onslaught sat up on the repair platform and looked up at Galvatron.
"Come to gloat?"
Galvatron removed the smirk from his face. "Not at all. I merely wished to see how my troops were recovering."
Onslaught remained silent, and Galvatron wondered what emotion was burning in the Combaticon's optics. Anger? Hate? Shame? All of them amused Galvatron immensely.
"So? How are you? Did the Dinobot do any permanent damage?"
Galvatron could see Onslaught's jaw grinding beneath his faceplate.
"Nothing," he said, looking up at his leader. "Sir."
Galvatron nodded. "Very good. You will be happy to hear that your damage was not in vain."
"What do you mean?" Onslaught said, his voice suspicious.
"Let us just say that I did not have… complete faith in your ability to defeat the Autobots. So… I took matters into my own hands. While you hunted Optimus Prime and his troops, I sent Soundwave and Astrotrain to the Autobot prison on Cybertron."
Onslaught's head moved slightly back in surprise. "But Starscream destroyed the prison when he-"
"Freed you? No. He killed quite a few imprisoned Decepticon criminals, yes. But there were still many that were waiting to be freed. And, after some… persuasion, they decided to abandon their homicidal tendencies and joined the Decepticons."
Onslaught's visor darkened. "You mean you brainwashed them."
"Call it what you want, Onslaught. The point is, we have more troops, in powerful new bodies. And that is what will help us to defeat the Autobots."
Galvatron turned to leave, but then stopped short. "Oh, and Onslaught?"
The Decepticon quickly turned, pulling an energon knife from a compartment on his body. He slashed viciously through Onslaught's visor and into his right optic, sending sparks and shattered glass flying everywhere. Onslaught screamed in pain as he fell to the floor. Galvatron grabbed the Combaticon's head, embedding his thumb into the empty socket where Onslaught's optic had once been. The Combaticon let out a moan of agony, and Galvatron lowered his head so it was directly next to Onslaught's audio receiver.
"Never… question me… again," he said, his voice barely a whisper. He roughly tossed Onslaught to the floor, who cradled his optic as energon leaked onto the floor. Galvatron stepped through the door of the repair bay, and turned to look at Scrapper, who had a disapproving and tired look on his face. Galvatron pointed at the broken form of Onslaught on the floor.
"Leave him. I'll come back and repair him later."
Scrapper's face changed to one of amazement, not sure whether he had just heard those words come from his leader.
"Uh… yes… sir."
Galvatron nodded, and, with one quick look around the repair bay, turned and left. He was quickly joined by Cyclonus, who Galvatron had told to wait outside. He didn't need him getting in the way of his vengeance on Onslaught.
"How are the new Decepticons faring?" he said, continuing to look forward as Cyclonus handed him a datapad.
"They are proceeding much more rapidly than anticipated. Although some have been causing more trouble than others; most notably Apeface and Misfire. The former because of his aggressive tendencies, and the latter because… his aim is atrocious."
Galvatron raised an optic ridge. "How atrocious?"
Cyclonus paused before answering. "So far he has managed to hit Scourge and Motormaster fifteen times."
Galvatron let out a roar of laughter, and stopped walking as they reached the elevator. He pushed a button and waited for it to arrive.
"Why have we got Motormaster and Scourge training them?" Galvatron asked, handing the datapad back to his second in command.
"Everyone else is either being repaired or is doing the repairing."
Galvatron shook his head in disgust. "We need to co-ordinate our efforts. We'll get nowhere like this. We will discuss a duty roster later."
Cyclonus nodded, making a note on his datapad. The elevator doors opened, and the two stepped in. Galvatron pushed the button for his chambers.
"Just make sure that Scourge is given overall command of the new recruits. He needs something to wake him up. And separate him from the Sweeps; he relies on them too much."
Cyclonus nodded. "I agree… it shall be done, Galvatron."
The doors opened, and the two walked to the Galvatron's chambers. He turned to his second in command.
"Come in, Cyclonus; I have something to discuss with you."
Galvatron slowly walked to the viewport that overlooked the bustling form of Trypticon in his city mode. He remained silent and simply enjoyed the view, not concerned with the strange look he could feel Cyclonus giving him.
He had returned. He felt so free. The random spasms of pain were gone, as was the irrational anger and fear that had accompanied it. It ashamed Galvatron to think that he had felt such emotions, but he had. He had been afraid that he was leading his Decepticons to ruin. He had remembered the days of Megatron and worried that those times were dead and gone. The thought that he would still someday by named ruler of Cybertron… the galaxy…
It brought a smile to his face.
"Mighty Galvatron…?"
Galvatron turned from his musings to see his second in command looking at him with an optic ridge raised. Galvatron put a hand on the Decepticons shoulder and led him over to the desk.
"Please, have a seat, Cyclonus."
He sat slowly, still looking unsure of his leader. Galvatron removed his cannon and sat on his side of the desk.
"Tell me, Cyclonus. Have you ever heard of 'The Plasma Energy Chamber'?"
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Optimus Prime
The Plasma Energy Chamber…
The key…
It is the key… to a miracle…
Optimus stepped forward, his arm outstretched, trying to feel something in the mist surrounding him.
"Alpha Trion?"
An Autobot appeared before him. Optimus didn't recognise him. He was almost equal to Optimus in height, his face completely concealed by both a visor and a face plate. His bulk suggested a warrior, but his demeanour suggested a personality both gentle and strong. His black and white chassis shimmered in the mist, and faded away.
"Wait… who are you?"
"Prime."
Optimus turned at the sudden noise to see Spike stood in front of him, his usually small human frame rivalling Optimus' own.
"Spike?"
"Prime? You there?"
Spike's image faded away as the mist sifted from view. Optimus' optics looked from left to right in a daze, and Optimus suddenly felt unsure of where he was. He looked around and slowly recognised his office. He felt a certain amount of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly.
"Prime? Yoo-hoo… You okay?"
The Autobot leader looked down to see Spike Witwicky waving at him from the ground. Optimus shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Spike. My mind… drifted. What were you saying?"
He wasn't sure what to make of what he had just seen. The only times that he had seen such things was when he had travelled into the Matrix.
But the Matrix is…
Spike raised an eyebrow. "I was saying that it's Daniel's birthday soon, and it would mean the world to him if you could come."
Optimus nodded absent-mindedly. "Of course…" he shook his head. "Uh… yes, Spike. It would be my pleasure."
Spike smiled. "Great. We could catch up too. I haven't had a chance to talk to you since you came back." He paused for a moment, then laughed and shook his head.
Optimus looked at his human friend with understanding optics. "Feels odd to say it, doesn't it?"
Spike nodded, laughing nervously. "It's not something that's easy to get used to."
"I know what you mean…"
Spike smiled. "Well, I've still got some birthday plans to arrange, so I'll be off."
Optimus nodded. "I have some work to take care of as well."
"Just don't drift off again, or you won't get anything done."
Optimus smiled beneath his faceplate and picked up a datapad.
"Oh, one more thing."
Optimus looked up from his datapad.
"I really want Hot Rod to come too, but I can't seem to find him anywhere. Would you mind using your influence and getting him?" he said, saying 'influence' with a particularly villainous tone.
"I'll see what I can do," Optimus said, his smile widening beneath his faceplate. Spike nodded and left. Optimus shook his head and got back to his datapad. It always amazed him how comfortable Spike and Daniel walked among the Autobots as if there were nothing amiss. Even now, most humans were quite uncomfortable walking with Transformers, fearful that one misstep would quickly end their life. Carly was especially wary of this where Daniel was involved. Of course, Optimus knew that was impossible; inbuilt proximity detectors prevented such mishaps. The only humans that were remotely comfortable with them were Spike, Carly, Daniel…
Sparkplug…
Optimus put down his datapad and looked out over Cybertron through his viewport. He missed Sparkplug as though he had known him for the same amount of time he had known Ironhide, Prowl and the others. To Optimus, he had known the human for an incredibly small amount of time, yet he had touched his life in ways he had no idea was possible. He remembered the day that Spike had told them of Sparkplug's death. Ratchet had taken it the hardest. He had simply disappeared to the repair bay for months before slowly making his way back out.
Not even Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had managed to break his depressed demeanour. Of course, their theory of making him feel better by getting him mad at them probably wasn't the best idea. But Optimus rarely thought what they did was a good idea, although he had learnt to appreciate what they contributed to the Autobots besides their considerable fighting skill.
Another odd addition to the humans that Optimus hadn't met before was Marissa Fairbourne, who not only didn't fear the Transformers; she threw herself into the thick of them whenever possible. Even Spike in his reckless days knew better than to get in the middle of a battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. But Fairbourne… Optimus had to admit, she was impressive. He grunted as he realised that he was due for another meeting with said Earth government operative tomorrow.
In fact, it was for that very reason that he was filling out a datapad; it was his overdue report. Marissa had made an offhand remark about how Rodimus was always on time with reports, and Optimus had been given pause at that. Quite simply, Optimus just wasn't used to filling out reports anymore, rather receiving and reading them. Hot Rod probably had an advantage in that area when he became leader. Optimus was still adapting to the concept of deadlines and meetings with dignitaries and representatives. It boggled the mind how many different trade agreements the Autobots had made in his absence. He gave one last brief glance at the datapad that was strewn on his desk before heading for the door.
He would finish it later; right now he wanted to find Hot Rod. Ultra Magnus wouldn't approve, but if there was one advantage to being Autobot leader, it was being able to ignore disapproving glares from second in commands with ease. He stepped out and saw Blaster working at a control panel, tapping his feet and tilting his head to the music that he was playing on his own private audio channel. Optimus walked over to him Blaster pushed a button on his front to lower the volume.
"Hey Prime. What can I do for ya?"
"Could you locate Hot Rod for me?"
Blaster grinned as he pushed a few buttons on the control panel to carry out Optimus' request. "The young 'Bot in trouble again?"
"Not yet," Optimus said cautiously. It was entirely possible Hot Rod was getting up to something that would be considered questionable, but he didn't want to assume the worst instantly. He reserved that right for the Lamborghini twins. The control panel bleeped. Blaster's happy demeanour faded slightly.
"He's uh… in the mausoleum."
Optimus nodded slowly, and left. Once outside, he transformed and headed in the direction of the mausoleum, enjoying the feeling of the surface speeding away beneath him. Hot Rod could have taken Brainstorm there, but Optimus doubted it. The new Autobot recruits were being trained as a group at this exact moment, and he didn't think that Hot Rod would pull him out to show him Autobots passed. Optimus was particularly proud of Brainstorm; he mentally reminded himself to put the bright young Autobot in for a commendation. Once their training was finished, Optimus was most definitely putting him on his personal crew.
He pulled up the front of the building and transformed. He only then just realised that he hadn't been here since his return. He stepped in slightly sheepishly, only imagining Ratchet and Ironhide's grumblings about how it took him this long to visit. The heavy doors opened automatically upon his approach, and Optimus stepped forward, seeing names of Autobots long gone by. For each name, there was a golden statue, each one the exact size of said Autobots. It made them seem all the more magnificent in Optimus' optics. It allowed them to stand on their own accomplishments; to humbly stand before whoever saw them and say that they didn't need towering statues to make them seem great.
Optimus walked along the Autobots until he came across a name he did recognise; Sentinel Prime. His predecessor, and great Autobot leader. Greater than him, anyway. Optimus wondered why so many referred to him as being such a great Prime, when Sentinel was vastly superior to him in so many ways.
The next name was Alpha Trion. His recent vision still fresh in his mind, Optimus lightly touched the nameplate.
Alpha Trion…
His optics drifted over to his right and he saw Ironhide stood in front of him, his chassis gleaming golden in the light of the mausoleum. A determined scowl adorned his face as he looked at some unknown enemy. Optimus sighed and walked to the statue.
"Well, old friend. I suppose you think I've taken my 'sweet time'," he said, adopting his old friends drawling accent. He sighed.
"I'm sorry for that. I've been busy. You've left me with quite a lot of work to do by myself. And… I suppose I've been avoiding coming here."
He looked around the mausoleum. "Kup's fine. I think the new recruits are giving him a run for his money. I've seen Chromia, too. After my return, she seems to think that you'll come back any day now. With how stubborn you are, that wouldn't surprise me."
He looked to the right and saw a statue of Prowl, his arms crossed in front of him. Optimus had seen that stance many times before, usually when the twins had done something wrong or otherwise destructive. He had even been on the receiving end of that look himself, when he became too involved in his work and refused to go and recharge.
"And you, Prowl?" Optimus let out a grunt of laughter. "I think you've taken over Ultra Magnus' body. He's been keeping a tight leash on me most of the time."
His mind lingered on the report briefly.
"It's very different than when you were here. Now I'm filling out the reports." He smiled. "Never thought you'd see the day, I suppose."
He wondered what else Prowl would want to know about. "Jazz is still his same happy self… though he seems a bit more serious now. You must have rubbed off on him."
He turned to the next statue, which had Ratchet with a scowl on his face and his hands on his hips. Optimus almost burst out laughing, remembering how many times he had seen Ratchet yelling at someone while adopting that very stance.
"How are they treating you there, Ratchet? I suppose there's something that doesn't meet with your approval. The twins are fine. They're on damage control, if you can believe that. I couldn't understand how it happened when Goldbug told me."
He snapped his fingers. "Oh, that's right, you don't know; Bumblebee is Goldbug now. But I'm sure you all know that already."
His voice took on a more mournful tone as he continued. "It doesn't seem like all of you to simply die and leave. Especially not you, Ratchet. I'm sure you've been looking forward to haunting the twins for quite some time," he said, a slight smile tugging at his mouth beneath his faceplate.
Movement in the corner of his optic interrupted Optimus' thoughts. Hot Rod walked over and stood next to him. He turned and looked over at the statue of Ratchet.
Silence filled the mausoleum.
"What are you doing here?" Optimus asked, keeping his optics on the statue.
Hot Rod sighed, keeping his mouth closed. "I'm not sure where I'm going. I was hoping that by looking to the Autobots that came before me, I'd be able to…" Hot Rod chuckled slightly. "Well. I didn't. So… what brings you here?"
"I have a request to make of you. Two, actually."
Hot Rod raised an optic ridge.
"One: Come to Daniel's birthday party."
"And two?"
"Two… I want you to take over from Kup as official trainer of the new recruits."
Hot Rod did a double take. "What? Me? Why?"
"Because you need it. Because you can do it. And because…" he turned to face the young Autobot.
"…Because you're the best Autobot for the job."
Hot Rod nodded slowly, as if only just comprehending what was going on. He quickly shook it off, then smiled. "Okay… but first, I've got a request for you."
"Which would be?"
"Assign Springer to active duty."
"Springer?" Optimus asked, an optic ridge raised.
"Yeah. Y'know, green triple changer?"
Optimus nodded. "I know who is, I just want to know why."
Hot Rod seemed taken aback by this. "Oh. Well. I just… think he wants some front line activity."
Optimus smiled. "Is that right?"
Hot Rod nodded.
"Well, it just so happens that Springer contacted me the other day and asked me for something with a bit more responsibility."
An optic ridge rose on Hot Rod's face, and he seemed slightly amused. "Is that right?"
Optimus nodded, and Hot Rod shook his head in disbelief.
"Well I'll be damned… he does believe the slogan…"
"Come again?"
Hot Rod waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind."
Optimus smiled and nodded towards the door. "Come on. The trainees need to meet their new commander."
They walked to the doors, and Hot Rod stepped out. He turned to look at Optimus questioningly.
"You go on ahead. I'll be there in a moment."
Hot Rod paused for a moment, then nodded. "Optimus… I just wanted to say… uh…"
Optimus nodded, and Hot Rod smiled. He transformed and headed off in the direction of the training center. As the Autobot leader turned back to the mausoleum, he heard Hot Rod's revving engine fading into the distance. He walked into the mausoleum and stood before his old friends.
"Thank you."
He left the mausoleum, and the door closed behind him. Optimus hesitated in front of the building, and he walked over to the control panel of the door. After pushing a combination of buttons, the doors flew open, this time staying open as he walked away. Optimus gave a satisfied nod and transformed, following his eventual successor to the training center.
And Ironhide smiled.
So did Prowl.
Even Ratchet managed a smile.
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The End.
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(A/N: It felt a little bit wrong to have a story about Optimus' feelings concerning his return without dealing with the other deceased 'Bots. And the reason that I didn't include the other Autobots that died (such as Huffer, Brawn, Wheeljack and Windcharger) was because Optimus seemed to have the closest relationship with Ironhide, Prowl and Ratchet:
Ironhide: Because he considered himself Optimus' unofficial bodyguard (and he hung around with him all the time as a result in the show).
Prowl: Because he was the second in command, and it would only be natural for him and Prime to have a Picard/Riker relationship as a side effect.
Ratchet: For the obligatory Kirk/Bones dynamic. Seriously, there's not much better.
Forgive the Star Trek references, but they're the best analogies I can think of.
In case you haven't seen 'Rebirth', there was a whole slew of new characters introduced, so I thought that I'd try my hand at explaining where they came from. Also, the 'Plasma Energy Chamber' that Galvatron mentions to Cyclonus here is the plot device that moves the whole story along.
In addition, at the beginning of said three part episode, Optimus tells Ultra Magnus that he's had an overwhelming feeling that 'something big' is going to happen, so I thought I'd add some of that stuff here. The black and white Autobot in Optimus' little day dream is Cerebros, one of the central Autobots in the trilogy, along with Spike, who combine to become a Headmaster, and then proceed to do said big thing that Optimus was talking about.
I'd just like to thank you all for your reviews and for reading this damn thing.
And thanks for the suggestions for fat Transformers, Tiamat1972 and Brain Damage 101.
With that said… Cosmos and the Sharkticons are singing a duet, folks.
Don't forget to review this chapter as well.)