The Diego Diaries: The Solemnities (dd7 331)
=0=Somewhere
They walked along until they came to the door, then the two tiny children stepped into the light streaming from it, light that felt warm and sentient.
Prime hesitated for a moment because he lost sight of the children. His sensor network wasn't working so he was unaware of where they were in the brilliant illumination.
A tiny kid walked back to him. "Come, she." Orion smiled. "Comed to this one." He walked back into the light.
Prime stared into the light, then entered it. The door vanished behind him.
Two kids stood before Prime. They looked sub adult but it was clear who they still were. Orion and Halo were still holding servos as they smiled at him. The two were taller, slender, beautiful versions of some fine orn when they would be this old.
Orion smiled. "You came."
"I did, Orion," Prime said. "Where is here?"
The space they occupied was huge, a translucent vastness that appeared to be glass or perhaps crystal hollowed out to be a room. It looked out onto a swirl of objects, all of them represented by large bubbles. They were separated from each other by space that appeared to repel each of them when they floated too close together. He considered them, the space around him, then decided that each of the vast bubbles was a separate universe.
"You would be right," Halo said, obviously reading his processor as she walked to the window closest to the three. The light outside swirled like energy as she watched, her reflection on the mirrored surface of the wall/window showing her beauty.
Prime considered that, both of them, knowing they shared the same facial features. He suppressed a grin as a comment came to him at that moment … 'on her it looks good, Ironhide'. "What now, if I may ask?"
"You can, Orion Pax," a different voice said from Halo, a male one. The figure shifted and before him instead of Halo was Prima Prime, though he was no taller than Optimus. The baby figure of Orion shifted then Solus was there.
She grinned. "I can be both mech or femme. Or even neither, which incidentally we all are. I find it amusing sometimes. Those two children are amusing so we borrowed their forms."
Prime bowed to them. "I am happy and honored to see you."
"You always are, brother," Prima said. He grinned. "You appear to be light of spirit."
"We sent a message to three groups that threaten our peace," Prime said. "We did it without a death for either side. I consider that a celebration."
"As do We," Solus said. "We reverence and love all of you, every one of you so every death is a sorrow for Us as well."
"We are all one," Prima continued. "All of Us are equal, though many wouldn't think so if they were around Us. Its a strange thing for me to see faces go immediately solemn when I am mentioned. I rather have a good sense of humor, do you not think so, Sister?" He turned toward Solus who was smiling at Him like She had invented Him Herself.
"I do, but then I rather adore You Myself," She replied.
He grinned at Her, then looked at Optimus. "We are well pleased. We know you work hard on the idea of moving Cybertron to good space to be tethered to a star. Keep working on that and you will have success. How and when? We cannot say. Not everything is available to you now or what would be the purpose of your life on this plane?"
Prime considered that. "It would be superfluous and empty."
"True, that," Prima said. "We know about the three groups. They are well in servo. We also know that you have several criminal groups that require perhaps more justice than you can personally deliver. We are aware and will be ready to do whatever We feel is necessary. Would that all would come to their senses but you know how it is."
Prime almost grinned at the big mech, handsome beyond measure, smart, determined, filled with love to the point of bossiness and difficulty. He was the leader, the mantle of such placed on Him from the First Orn. He took his work seriously, though he did indeed have a good sense of humor. Thus, Orion and Halo as their covers. "I do believe I do, Lord Prima."
Prima stared at him, then a faint grin appeared on his face. He stood in the bright light that was His aura, taking in Optimus. "Keep doing what you do. We cannot tell you much but there are many working to capacity within the limitations of your spiritual contract and free will to assist. The One has made it clear that the solar system where you have developed a redoubt is going to be free of negativity eventually. It was never destined to be a negative system. Neither was the galaxy. At some point, there will be an intervention if things get out of hand."
"The spirit of Mars, Shan, she speaks well of you and your efforts. We are proud and happy for you," Solus said. "But there is another who wishes to speak to you. We will take you there."
Prime nodded, then blinked. He was alone on the silvery beach once again. Standing in front of him with a smile on his beautiful face, a figure watched him orient.
He was tall, metallic like Prime but different. His body was Cybertronian but His aura was not altogether anything he'd ever encountered before. It seemed so vast to him that it was almost intimidating, like universes lived in His energy field. It would have been intimidating but for the love that radiated out of Him. It could be seen it was so strongly a part of what and who this individual was.
Prime considered that, then bowed deeply. As he did, he knew who was standing before him.
It was The one.
=0=Simfur
They were gathering and gathered at the Temple, the plaza filled outward to the mid town of the city. Several hundred thousands were there, all of them waiting for Prime and his party to come. They would arrive, then the Temple would be consecrated. It would be up and running again just like in the past.
It was expectant and electric in the crowds as they waited. It would take what time it did back on Mars before Prime returned to the city. When he came it would probably be darker and colder but hopefully soon enough that the night wouldn't be on them. It was up to The Pantheon when that would happen. They waited together for answers and the opening once again of the holiest spot on Cybertron, the ancient and beloved Temple of Primus at Simfur.
=0=There
Prime stared at the tall mech, one who met his gaze levelly. The intensity of the love that he was receiving was powerful enough to gather on his armor. Prime bowed, then dropped to a knee. He stared at the ground overwhelmed with the realization that a representation of the Creative Force that the humans often called I AM was standing before him. "Lord ..."
"Rise, Optimus. We are equals, you and I. Do you not know there are no hierarchies?" He said in a very amused voice.
Prime hesitated, then rose slowly. It took real effort to meet the figure's gaze again. "I am honored."
The One grinned, then glanced around. "I tried to make a decent construct for us to meet. We have always been one but a face-to-face is a rarity. I do talk to everyone all the time but most do not hear Me. Pity."
"You live inside the Allspark. It is Your vehicle and home among those of us who make part of Your creation."
He grinned. "That is true. It is also true that everything that exists is Me as well. You are created out of My essence and live your lives to experience things, ideas, places. When you come back to Me you share that information and when you do, I can grow, expand and create new things. We feed each other, this loving relationship that we have. I cannot know Myself unless I can experience that and I cannot Myself. Hence, you, my wonderful children, have that duty for Me. For My own sake, I am grateful."
The cognitive dissonance of the words would have struck Prime as inexplicable in the past but he had been around The Powers and knew that not all things are simple. That The One could feel grateful to them, that The One needed them for experiences … it was weird.
"You create for us."
"I do," he said with a touch of pride in His voice. "It is symbiotic in a way. I create, you choose lives that experience My creations, you come back and that information is a part of Me, thereby allowing Me to create and expand even more. All who choose lives benefit from what you and I both do. And so it is."
"I have the burden and honor of leading billions of lives into a better future. When I come here I am open to wisdom," Optimus said. "I have had an uplifting feeling for some time but I am not sure what it means."
"I have given a great deal of thought to something. I am clear that its time. You are aware that as Creator and Prime Source of All That Is that nothing is beyond my powers?" he asked.
"That is so, Lord. You have created everything. I am sure there is nothing that is beyond Your powers," Optimus replied. "You are more than a multiversal singularity … you are the universe. All of them."
The figure nodded. "You have visited more of them than usual for anyone living one life. I am well pleased that every venture was peaceful and mutually beneficial to everyone involved," He said.
"It is my ultimate goal to live my life without violence," Prime responded.
"I can see that," the figure said with a smile. "I have decided to do that which I have decided to do. You will find out shortly. For now, I will answer three questions. If they do not conflict with free wills, I will give you the answer." Then he grinned. "Three is my number."
Prime considered that. "I am grateful for whatever you in your wisdom make happen for my people."
He grinned. "You're welcome. Question one, then?"
Prime considered that, then asked the Big One. "Where is Megatron and what level of threat do we need fear from him now?"
"Ah, that one. He is problematic but circumstances being what they may, he could have been much worse. The Darkness is very dense in him. As for his whereabouts … he is pursuing the vast armada and kingdom of a semi-mechanical predatory species. They adapt to pursue prey, then absorb them and all they know. It is good for them to find prey that will defeat them. They are nearly invincible. This is the first step toward becoming something else, something better. As for threat … it is rather nil for now. He pursues them with his son and lusts for the hunt and territory."
"Then he grows in strength?" Prime asked.
"No. He destroys and disperses in his wake. He is not building nor consolidating anything."
"When and where will I find a safe haven for Cybertron and the local group? There are forty planets that are part of our inner empire. What about them?"
"You will find a way. It will take time and Cybertron will be first. You have moved many planets already. Do not fear the ones ahead. Their spirits are aware and will assist where they can. Primus is well aware. He has already agreed to help the move. Believe him," he said.
A huge load of tension slipped away for a moment as Prime considered that. "We have special circumstances hearings ahead. I would like to know the condition of those already recalled by you, if I may."
The One considered Prime. "Your compassion is still your greatest weapon. The ones who have come to Me are well and progressing, albeit at their own pace. The Functionalist Council is very dogged about their situation. They will take a very long time. Kudon is a great assist for some of my other wayward sons and those who come … they will be safe as well. All of them are going to return to themselves eventually. Do not fear for them."
"Thank you," Prime replied.
"Thank you. You lead the way I wished the others did but then everyone has their free will. It is the greatest gift I give to you, to decide what you want to do and take the consequences of your choices. The learning you do in your life is remarkable." He glanced out the translucent walls nearby. "I have to go. Your … gift … it is waiting for you. You will see it when you get to where you are going. Now, someone else wants to see you." The One grinned slightly as the radiant love of which He was made found its way into Optimus. "You have many who love you, Me included. Follow your path, Optimus Prime. It is your destiny."
With that, he and the room disappeared. In its place was his street in the old neighborhood. Standing behind him as he turned to look around, Sirius waited with a smile. His wonderful grandfather was waiting on the sidewalk for him.
"Hello, grandson," he said before Optimus walked into his arms.
=0=TBC 7-18-2020