Hi! Since I'm now officially 18(and since I got my own laptop. WAHOO!!), I thought I just might update this story! Here, enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Three
Optimus Prime's POV:
"Optimus, you're thinking of it, aren't you?"
I glanced at my trusted friend and cast my gaze ahead of me, analyzing every bit of the horizon. I wasn't surprised to know that he figured out about what I was going through. He didn't even need his gadgets to discover internal wounds. Well, he is a doctor after all. I gave a slow nod and kept my stare straight ahead. "Yes, I am. The day of The Ambush. It has been three years, hasn't it?"
"Yes, sir." He replied grimly and sighed, "I know that what Hotshot said reminded you of that day, especially her. What happened three years ago was an enormous loss, and it was a greater one for you, but you'll have to let it go."
"I know, and you are right." I stated with a strong voice, "What she would have wished for all of us is to move on."
A leader must know when he must be strong for those who look up to him. But sometimes, he finds himself amongst the simple warriors, who has his own matters to think of instead of a whole situation of a war. I have visualized myself right there. Deep inside my spark, I wished that I could have done more than simply watching back at that time. She had all the strength I was seeking for and all the endurance to survive through fierce battles and hardships. Only this time, it wasn't enough.
"Optimus, Scattershot here." I heard a voice through the transmitter, "I apologize for disturbing you, sir, but the kids have returned."
I let out a laugh. "You never disturb me, my dear friend. All right, we'll be on our way." I turned my head to Red Alert. "Let's head out to HQ."
"Are you sure you'll be all right, sir?"
"I'll be fine." I said, "Thank you for being here with me, Red Alert."
"The pleasure's mine, Optimus. At anytime, we're all here for you."
I am and remain proud of my team. However, as leader, I have to put effort as well to become an example so that they can build up their trust and unify with one another for future difficulties.
Trust, union… Hm, you always used to say that, dear old friend.
As we headed for our base, soaring through the air in our vehicle mode, I couldn't help but look back and think of that day…
It was in a time when Cybertron had suffered amounts of attacks from the Decepticons, especially from their leader, Megatron, and from one of his most feared minions, Terminator. A viscous, merciless and dangerous Decepticon. From what I heard, most of the Autobots feared him more than Megatron because of the way he fought and tortured his enemies in the end. Many of my comrades fought him, but failed and were destroyed. There were a few times when those who tried to fight him survived, but barely. They weren't only severely injured from the inside, but they witnessed horrible things that happened to their friends. Landmine was one of them. Out of the five men I sent in for a mission, Landmine was the only one who came back.
When he returned, it was a view that I had wished to forget. Critically damaged, he was brought to the med bay. He survived, but when he spoke, horrid things that Terminator did flowed out of his mouth like an Energon stream, only that this wounded Autobot screamed it.
A week after he had recovered, I assembled all the autobots. But when we were together, they all were arguing, losing faith, their beliefs, giving up all hope, even though they didn't want to admit it. But it was visually clear in their eyes.
"Settle yourselves, Autobots." I spoke, "We must not give into those attacks, that is what they're expecting. We must stand-"
"And do what?" one of them cried, "Megatron will keep attacking and all what we'll have left is nothing but ourselves. We should just join forces with Megatron and-"
"Enough!" a female Autobot cried. She was painted white and with dark-blue flames going up her legs, her dark-red optics staring at him. And that's where it all changed.
That one stepped up and punched the Autobot who just spoke before right in his face. He stumbled back, falling to the ground and looked up shocked at the attacker.
"What in Primus' name is wrong with all of you bots?!" she shouted, "How dare you question your leader, Optimus Prime, who works so hard to lead us to victory? You're going to abandon all hope and surrender? Then you are all tin-canned idiots. Have you forgotten why we are fighting? To defend our people and to finally have peace on our planet. Do you know how many brave warriors have suffered to do that?"
"Yeah, but-"
"I didn't question you to interrupt me, soldier!" she cried. Her scream that echoed throughout the room was so intimidating that no one had the courage to oppose her judgement. Not even me.
She breathed in and carried on. "By their last spark, these destroyed Autobots fought hard and never even thought of giving up. And now, all of you are willing to throw everything, everything they worked so hard for, away?"
A deafening silence took over the hall. Never in my life had I seen such silence. Suddenly, she held out a hand to the punched one and pulled him up.
"On your feet, Autobot. I'm telling you this: We will not let the Decepticons discourage us by savaging our planet, not even Megatron. We will fight back! And if he destroys parts of this planet, then we will rebuild it with pride in our sparks, just as Primus, our creator, would have expected us to do. And if it's the last slagged thing I'll ever do, then I will fight until my last spark has left me! All of us, together, we can do this! United we are, invincible we remain!!"
The atmosphere around me began to change. Each Autobot cheered loudly, shouting and screaming with powerful determination and joy throughout the halls as hope began to rebuild itself within the sparks of each Transformer. I will admit that as leader, I was beginning to lose that hope, until I heard that speech. Never had I seen such a strong-willed Autobot in my life.
As everyone began to depart, resuming what they had planed that day, I went to her and thanked her for returning their courage.
"Don't mention it, Optimus Prime, it's the least I could do. I can't let them lose hope when there is a chance of winning."
"You have a great power, Autobot, one who can change the fate of this battle." I said, "I don't think we've ever met, have we?"
"No, we haven't." she said, "I am new here. And I was looking for you. I want to join you Autobots to defeat the Decepticon. I will not let you down, I promise I'll fight as hard as possible to restore peace!"
It was beautiful to see such strong, luminous determination in her eyes.
I nodded. "You are welcome to join us. But with whom do I have the honor?"
I flashed back to reality. Our base was right ahead of us. A boulder shifted open, revealing a vast hall. The entrance to our base. We crossed these halls within seconds before landing with a gentle rumble on the departure bay, transforming and taking forms of what we truly are. In a slow march, we made our way to the computer room, each of our thoughts stuck onto the memories of our destroyed friend.
Heatbreaker…
The past has become Optimus' burden. How will it be lifted off his shoulders? Find out next in The Value of True Memories.