Once again…I don't own anything, but O.C.'s. Also, I don't own the words found in Stan Bush's 'Til All Are One.'" Warning: there is a bit of rape in here...not much though.
* = Sign Language
Bold= French
At the end of the last chapter…September 12, 1995…Decepticon Base…
Snake Eyes and Jinx quickly set up the gas canisters, and then immediately went back to the submarine. As soon as they were in, Jinx called out, "Okay, Deep Dive…get us the hell out of here; those canisters will go off any minute!"
A few moments later…Starscream's quarters…
Starscream groaned out in misery as he woke up, and then he grumbled, "I feel like I lived the life of a slave!" Shaking his head to clear his processors, he smirked as he looked over at the toy that he borrowed from Astrotrain. He sat up and tugged at the chain attached to his berth; he ordered the sub mech, "Come here, and give me pleasure, slave!"
The white sub mech fearfully crawled over to Starscream, and then nuzzled his spike plate; Starscream moaned out in desire as he released his spike, and the slave immediately did what he was trained by Astrotrain to do…take any spike that was offered into his mouth. "That's right," he said as he thursted his spike into the slave's mouth, "Take it all…that's the only thing you are good for…a good fragg!"
Two Days Later…the Ark…
Red Alert was pacing the entrance to the Ark in agitation, "Ratchet, could have given me some warning…but no! Instead, he goes straight to the top and arranges this…this…visit behind my back!" He let out a deep sigh as he watched the military jeep with a small trailer come up the hill; as it stopped before him, he greeted them reluctantly, "Welcome to the Ark, I'll take you to your quarters."
"Thanks," gruffly said Beachhead as he helped Cover Girl out of the jeep.
"I'm fine, Beachy!" she exclaimed as she propped herself on her crutches, "Go get our bags!"
"How many times have I told you...not to call me, Beachy?!" he shouted as he grabbed the luggage from the rear.
"Too many to count," said Psyche Out as he finally managed to get out of the jeep with two broken arms.
Red Alert looked over at the two injured humans in curiosity, "What happened to you two anyway? The only thing I managed to get from Prime and Ratchet is that you two needed a change of scenery while you recovered."
The three Joes looked at one another, finally Cover Girl replied with forced cheer, "A very big, spider."
"A spider?" he asked in disbelief.
"It was a big one," grumbled Beachhead, and then quickly changed the topic, "Where can I put our guns and extra ammo?"
Red Alert gave him a furious look, "I am the security director here, and I assure you…you won't need them!"
"Call me paranoid," Beachhead told him as he went to the trailer, "But, I always follow the Joe motto…always have a weapon with you, you never know when you might need it!"
Red Alert rolled his optics in irritation, "And they call me paranoid," he grumbled as he watched the Joe unload the trailer.
While this was going on, Psyche Out managed to slip quietly into the Ark.
A few moments later…near Optimus Prime's office…
"Thanks for helping me, Hound," said Psyche Out as he tried to balance himself in his hand.
"No problem," he replied, "But, I have got to know…shouldn't you be in a human hospital? You've got two broken arms…"
"Broken ribs," interrupted Psyche Out, "as well as a minor concussion. But, I've wanted to study with Ratchet on Cybertrion bonds for some time now, and since I'll be stuck in bed anyway…I might as well as do something productive."
"Couldn't you do it over the phone?" asked Hound as he press the chime on Optimus's office door.
"Not really," he answered as he shifted in his hand, "it's always better to study new information right at the source."
"I understand," commented Hound and he was about to say more, when Optimus ordered him to come in. As he went in, he frowned in concern, "Are you all right, sir? You look tired."
"I haven't been re-charging well Hound," half confessed Prime as he apprehensively looked at the human within the scout's hand, "But, I'll be fine," he gestured at the Joe, "I see our guests have arrived."
"We have," said Psyche Out as he pointed at the desk, "Just put me down there, Hound."
As soon as he placed the human on Prime's desk, Hound was just about to say something when his leader ordered, "You're dismiss, Hound. I'll take Psyche Out to Ratchet later…he will be sharing his quarters while he is among us."
Hound looked at the two of them, and then with a shrug he left; as soon as he left, Psyche Out wearily sighed as he managed to sit down on the desk, he grumbled, "Blasted casts…they itch like crazy!"
"I can imagine," said Prime as he sat back down in his chair, "How…how do you want to do this?"
Psyche Out let out another weary sigh, "If you were human; I would be giving you sedatives, setting up counseling sessions with me, as well as group therapy with other rape victims," he answered, "But, do to your status as well as what happened…we'll have to be sneaky about this! Let's start with something easy…I'll say something, and you'll immediately tell me the first word that comes into your mind."
Optimus Prime took a deep breath and agreed, "Very well."
"Light," he said.
"Dark," he replied.
"Enemy."
"Megatron."
"Allies."
"Humans."
"Friends."
"Autobots."
Psyche Out paused for a moment in thought, finally he said, "Son."
Optimus smiled underneath his mask, "Love….Pride."
"Just one word, Prime," he chided, "Prowl."
Now the Autobot leader started to get anxious as he said, "Time."
Psyche Out stared at him as concern slowly crept over his face, "Time."
"Future," said Prime as he glanced away from him.
The psychiatrist frowned in worry as he said another name, "Elita One."
Optimus Prime started to shake as he stared down at the human, "B-betrayal," he stuttered out. He slumped down in his chair as tears rolled down his optics, "Betrayal…why…why Elita? Why?"
As he covered his face with his hands, crying his spark out, Psyche Out let out a deep sigh as he consoled him, "Let it out…Prime, let it all out."
Later…Ratchet's Quarters…
Ratchet frowned in concern as he gave Psyche Out his medicine, "Can you help him?" he asked as he loomed over his desk.
"Yes," he replied as he took the medicine and settled down into the bed that Ratchet had set up for him, "But, it's going to take a great deal of time and effort on his part!" He let out a deep sigh, "How is Wheeljack doing on that project for me?"
Ratchet snorted in disgust, "He's blown up his fingers eight times now; he should be done soon…hopefully…but why did you want him to build modified data cubes anyway?"
"I want Prime to keep a secret journal," he answered with a yawn, "in order to sort out his thoughts as well as feelings on what happened; and since we've got to keep the time line in tact, we really don't need the Decepticons or Cobra to get their hands on it!"
Ratchet grunted in agreement, "When do you think he will be able to handle more information from the future?"
Psyche Out looked at him in surprise, "I thought we're supposed to keep the time line in tact?"
"We are," replied the medic as his optics shone white in fury, "But, Prime needs to know about…that…that…"
"That?" prompted Psyche Out as he looked at him sleepily.
Ratchet hissed out in rage as he pressed a button on his desk, immediately the room's soundproof system activated, "THAT FRAGGING, POMPOUS, AFT HEAD WHO MAKES RODIMUS PRIME'S EXISTANCE A LIVING PIT AND RUINED A LOT OF SLAGGING LIVES IN THE FUTURE!"
Psyche Out winced as his ears rang, "Okay," he drawled out as Ratchet's shout brought him fully awake, "Why don't you tell me what you mean by that…in as little detail as possible, so I won't screw up the future, all right?"
Ratchet fumed as he began to explain to the psychiatrist, why he needed to tell Optimus Prime as well as the reason behind the future Prowl's sorrow.
Four months later…in front of the Ark…
"Prime," advised Prowl as he stood sternly in front of the entrance, "The Decepticons have been extremely active lately, and I do not see the reason for going out on these 'country drives.'"
"I need them Prowl," snapped out Optimus Prime as his optics briefly flashed white, "I fragging need them!"
Prowl was about to comment on his leader's words, when Ironhide and Wheeljack came up to them from Weapons Range, "I'll go with him," volunteered Ironhide as he handed a canister to Wheeljack, "And if any decipto-creep shows up…I'll blast them out of the sky!"
Prowl thru his hands up the air in defeat, "Very well, just be careful and watch the roads!" he exclaimed, "It snowed heavily last night, and the human state crews are still trying to clear it up!"
Optimus grunted in agreement as he transformed and drove away; Ironhide sighed sadly as he told Prowl, "We'll be carefully." Quickly he transformed, and raced to catch up with his leader.
Prowl shook his head in exasperation, and then turned his attention to Wheeljack, "Do you know what's wrong with Prime? He's been acting…different since I came back from Cybertron."
"Nothing time won't cure, Prowl," he replied mysteriously, "Now, if you'll excuse me…I need to go to Hawaii and drop this off in the nearest active volcano."
"Very well," grumbled Prowl as he stared at the direction Optimus Prime and Ironhide took; a moment later, he's processor caught up with Wheeljack's departing words, "Wait a nanosecond…Hawaii?! Wheeljack!"
An hour later…at the outdoor skating rink in Greenville, Organ…
Jinx yelped as she fell down on the ice again, "Sensei, wouldn't it be better if I used skates to get across the ice?!"
Snake Eyes snorted in disagreement, as he got onto the ice and calmly walked across it, *See, if I can do it without skates,* he signed out to her, *you can too!*
Psyche Out rolled his eyes in irritation as he muttered, "I wonder if he will tell her, he only managed to do that two weeks ago!" Suddenly, he noticed a semi and a black GMC truck parking beside the military jeep he was in, he got out and called out to the ninjas, "Session time…you two spooks know the rules!"
Snake Eyes merely waved a hand at him in reply; and Jinx yelped out as she fell down again, "Okkaay!"
"Do I even want to know what they are doing?" asked Ironhide as the Joe passed him by.
"No," he answered as he got to the semi's door, and it opened for him automatically, "In fact…I don't want to know! I find myself much saner if I don't know what goes thru a ninja's mind! Ironhide, remember…"
"I know," he interrupted him, "No listening in…all I am suppose to do is keep an audio out for Decepticons and Cobra agents."
"Exactly," confirmed Psyche Out as he got into the cab of the trailer, and as soon as the door shut; he asked, "How are you doing, Optimus?"
"Busy," he replied wearily, "If it's not the Decepticons…it's those slagging twins pulling pranks!"
"I asked how you were doing…you," scolded the psychiatrist, "Not the great Autobot leader, Optimus Prime…you."
"There is no difference," he grumbled as he shifted on his tires, "My personal as well as professional life are one and the same."
Psyche Out rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Look…in my professional life I am known as Dr. Kenneth Rich a.k.a. Psyche Out, a member of the G.I. Joe team; in my personal life, I am known as Kenny. Kenny is a loving son, and boyfriend; who loves to play chess, to ski during the winter, and to eat Mexican food. Now, I ask you again…how are you doing, Optimus?"
Optimus was silent for a moment, then he said, "Orion…before I was Prime, I was called Orion Pax."
Psyche Out tried not to shout out in joy as he thought, 'Finally, I am making progress with him!' "How are you doing, Orion?" he asked again.
"Tired," he replied, "When…when…I am able to recharge, all I can see is Elita forcing me to…to…"
"Go on," he softly prompted, "She's forcing you to do what?"
"To lick her front port," he confessed shamefully, "She has me on a leash, so…so…I will be able to serve her anywhere…at anytime."
Psyche Out tried not to stare at the steering wheel in pity, as he calmly said, "All right…do you feel like telling me what else she does to you?"
"Not today," replied Optimus as he shifted on his wheels again, "Could we talk about something else?"
"All right," said Psyche Out, "Has Ratchet given you anything recently that involves the time incident we had a few months ago?"
"No," he answered with curiosity, "Why?"
"Ahh," muttered the Joe thoughtfully, "Get in touch with me as soon as he does, I got the feeling that you will need a sounding board after you read it."
"Read what?" he asked suspiciously.
"Oh, just a little list that you need to read," drawled out Psyche Out, "Ratchet will give it to you when he thinks you're ready."
One year after the time incident…Earth…Autobot Air Field…
Prowl frowned in concern as Optimus Prime rushed out the Omega Supreme's door, "Prime…what…are you all right?!" he shouted as he rushed to his leader's side.
"I'm fine," he weakly replied, and then he threw up again, "just something I ate."
Prowl was about to say something when Ironhide came up to them, "Let's get him to Ratchet, Prowl," he suggested as he swung one of Prime's arms over his shoulders.
"Good idea," agreed Prowl as he swung the other arm over his shoulder.
Ark's Med Bay…
Wheeljack watched in amusement as First Aid scurried out of the room, "Ratchet…you need to be normal with him," he advised him.
"Why, Jack," purred out Ratchet as he polished one of his wrenches, "I am perfectly normal with him…absolutely normal."
"It's not normal to make him write out two hundred times that patient confidentiality is important and then making him write another report on it," he pointed out with a raised brow.
"IT IS NORMAL IF THAT..." bellowed out Ratchet as his optics flashed white; and then he took a deep, calming, breath; but before he could say anything further; he stopped when Prowl, Prime, and Ironhide came into the room.
"What happened?!" shouted Ratchet as raced to help them put Prime on a nearby berth.
"I don't know," explained Prowl as he released his leader, "He just started to throw up as soon as we landed; he said it was just something he ate."
"Or something else," drawled out Ironhide as he released him as well; "You know, Cybertron was wonderful…I saw Chromia again…"
"Ironhide, now is not the time!" snapped out Ratchet as he ran the scanner over Prime's sick form, "Oh, slag!" He quickly dodged as Prime threw up again, "What in the pit is wrong?"
"Prowl, why don't you go check out what's been happening here," suggested Ironhide innocently, "I'll stay with Prime."
Prowl looked at him for a moment, then he said as he left the room, "Very well…I hope your feeling better, soon…Prime."
As soon as he left, Ironhide ordered, "Wheeljack, cut on that sound proof system!"
Wheeljack quickly did as he was instructed, while Ratchet stared at him suspiciously, "Do you know what's wrong with him?"
Ironhide grimly replied, "Like I said…I saw Chromia, she wanted to have a bit of fun before we headed back; and so did Elita."
Ratchet threw the scanner on the floor as he stormed into his office, and slammed the door shut; at the same time, Wheeljack cursed out, "Pit…how are we going to get him to Psyche Out?!"
Later that night…Med Bay…
Snake Eyes fell out of the nearby vent, and then signed out above him, *Jump, don't worry…I'll catch you.*
Psyche Out jumped out of the vent, biting his lip to keep from yelling out loud; once he was on the ground, he gave Ratchet a furious look. "I thought I told him that going back to Cybertron was a bad idea?!"
Ratchet shrugged his shoulders as he answered him with exasperation, "I know…I told him the same thing, but Primes are notorious for being stubborn afts! Particularly, when they feel that they have to help a fellow Autobot…especially when it's their mentor and a bot as famous as Alpha Trion."
*Isn't this the same bot that ghost said was in condemned to limbo?* asked Snake Eyes in curiosity.
"Yes," answered Ratchet, "But, like Prime told me before his little joyride…it would look odd if he didn't go rescue the fragger!"
Three years after the time incident…Med Bay…
Wheeljack winced as Swoop put in the last audio receptor, "Thank you, Swoop," he said gratefully.
"Me Swoop say You Wheeljack welcome, but Me Swoop ask what did You Wheeljack do to Him Ratchet to make Him Ratchet yell like that?"
"It wasn't me that he was angry at," grumbled Wheeljack as he looked over at the slightly calmer, medic who was busy setting up a test for the Dinobot, "Are you done yet, so I can fix your vocalizer?"
"Yes," he whispered hoarsely as he handed Swoop the test, "Take your time, Swoop and you can use my office."
"Me Swoop say okay," he told him as he quickly went into the office and shut the door.
Ratchet looked over at his old friend eagerly as he softly asked, "Did you record it at the highest volume setting?"
"Yes," he replied wearily, "But, dare I ask why you wanted to record it that way since you yelled at the top of your vocalizer, anyway?"
Ratchet's optics narrowed in fury as he softly growled out, "I wanted to be certain that no matter what that fragger tries…he will be able to hear me loud and clear!"
"He will be able to hear you all the way to Cybertron," he told him sarcastically "Now…hold still until I fix you up!"
Elsewhere…Ironhide's workroom, near the Armory…
Ironhide threw the broken piece of energon metal into the recycling unit, growling in frustration, he decided to work on something else and then come back to his problem when he had a clearer processor. Opening his personal safe, he took out the gun that he was currently working on; he took out some grate paper in order to smooth out the handle. As he worked, he chuckled out evilly, "Kill me in a gutless way …let's see how they deal with this masterpiece when Primal shoots them…hopefully…in the spike plates!"
Four and a half years after the time incident…Autobot Air Field…
"Magnus," greeted Optimus Prime, as soon as the newly arrived Autobot officer stepped off the shuttle.
"Prime," he greeted him in return, and was about to say something else when they both heard a large crack behind them.
Turning around they stared at Ratchet, Ironhide, and Wheeljack; all three of them had strained smiles on their faces, also Ratchet had a broken wrench between his hands. "If you'll excuse me, Prime," said Ratchet tensely, "I've…"
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud shout came from behind Ultra Magnus as Hot Rod stepped off the shuttle, "We're here, finally!"
"Hot Rod," Ultra Magnus wearily scolded him as he closed his optics and pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation.
"Oh, can it…Magnus!" exclaimed Hot Rod, "I've been waiting to see Earth for trons!"
Optimus Prime looked over at his son in longing, "Hot Rod, I assume?"
"Yes, sir," said Hot Rod respectfully, "I…hey!"
"C'mon, youngling!" shouted Ratchet eagerly as he dragged the young Autobot away from the group, "I need to get away before…I mean start checkups on you new arrivals and you're my first volunteer!"
"But, I didn't volunteer for anything!" protested Hot Rod, "And I hate cheek ups!"
Ratchet rolled his optics in annoyance, as he thought, 'Like father, like son…must include a lesson on getting Primes for their check ups when I do that series of instructional videos for Gadget and Swoop!'
Four months later…Portland, Oregon…
Ironhide growled under his breath as he took an old friend to the Cancer Clinic of Portland; Sparkplug whom was sitting in his passenger, asked him weakly, "Are you sure I am not keeping you from something, Ironhide?"
"No," he reassured the elderly man, "In fact, you're doing me a favor…there is only so much of Ultra Magnus I can slagging take!"
Sparkplug frowned at him in concern, "I thought he was an old friend…" he started to say.
"With his head so far up his aft that he can't fragging see straight!" interrupted Ironhide, he took a deep breath to calm down, "I'm sorry, Sparkplug to be laying this slag out on you…but Ultra Magnus has changed from the mech I knew eons ago!"
Sparkplug was about to say something, when Ironhide was nearly ran off the road by newly arrived Cybertrion. "Yahoo!" screamed out Hot Rod, as he sped passed them, soon right behind him was the Portland City Police Department, chasing after the speeding vehicle.
"Turbo raving punk," growled out Ironhide, and then he asked the old man with concern, "Are you all right, Sparkplug?"
"Yes," he gasped out as he shook his head in amusement, "Damm can that kid, go! Whoever named him Hot Rod, it was certainly appropriate!"
If he wasn't in his truck mode, Ironhide would have been rolling his optics in irritation, "Oh, his name is very appropriate!" he exclaimed sarcastically, "Primus…if he wasn't suppose to light our darkness hour…"
"What?" asked Sparkplug in confusion, "Light our darkness hour?"
Realizing he said too much, Ironhide pleaded, "Sparkplug…for Primus's sake…please promise me that you will not repeat what I just said!"
Sparkplug raised a brow at him, and stared at his radio for a moment, finally he said, "All right, Ironhide…I promise…and I won't push you about it either."
"Thank you," he said with relief and continued on his way to the clinic.
Meanwhile in Optimus Prime's office…
Prime looked up as Ratchet came into his office and asked, "Ratchet…could you please tell me why you are so furious at Ultra Magnus?"
"I am not furious with him, Prime," he lied even as his optics flashed white.
"You're lying," confronted Prime as he leaned back into his chair, "Ratchet, I know he has done something that has set off your legendary temper due to the fact that every time you're near him, you break whatever you have in your hands at the time."
Ratchet remained silent, as his leader warily looked at him, "Old friend, what has he done to get up your tail pipe?" he asked again.
The medic wearily sighed as he grumbled out, "I guess its time for you to read the list from the future."
Optimus blinked at him in surprise as he asked, "The future?" Suddenly, he remembered his son's final words before he went back to his own time, "What's going on Ratchet?"
Ratchet scowled in mere thought of the dreadful list, "I'll be by your quarters later…your just going to 'love' reading it!" he exclaimed as he rushed out the door.
Optimus's optics narrowed in suspicion, "Why do I believe this will be the opposite of the word 'love?'"
Suddenly, Prowl burst into the room, "Prime…Hot Rod is in Portland's impound yard…again."
Optimus rolled his optics in annoyance, "What am I going to do with that…" he stopped as he thought occurred to him. He smiled mischievously, "Pay his tickets from my personal account, Prowl."
"Again?" he moaned out, "I know he's…"
Optimus raised a hand to stop him, "I have an idea on how to curb his tendency to speed, Prowl."
"Oh, really?" he asked in disbelief as he folded his arms.
"Yes, really," said Optimus Prime as he opened his desk communicator, "Prime to Carla, do you still need a semi-permanent babysitter?"
"Carla to Prime," she replied, "Yes, I do…who do you have in mind?"
Later that night…Optimus Primes' quarters…
Ratchet waited patiently for Optimus to finish reading the last pad, to the medic's sharp optics, he noticed the furious expression that came over his otherwise perfectly poker face; finally Optimus looked up at him, and asked calmly, "All of this was written by Grimlock…Grimlock?!"
"Yes," he replied as he shifted in his chair.
"Do I dare ask how long the long list was and whom wrote it?" he asked as he closed his optics and pinched the bridge of his nose in aggravation.
"According to Chromia…her future self...Red Alert wrote that one and it reached the Ark's ceiling," answered Ratchet coolly; he paused as Optimus made a strangled noise in his vocalizer, "Optimus…I can't tell you too much, but soon there will be an ambush by the Decepticons. Ironhide; and I will be killed…as well as Prowl...if I don't do something rather drastic."
Optimus Prime looked up at him and wearily sighed, "I knew Prowl was my son's SIC when I met his future self all those years ago; but I never knew the reasons behind Prowl's continued position as SIC of the Autobots despite the tradition of a SIC retiring when there is a new Prime…now I fragging know!" he exclaimed, "My son needs Prowl to replace this," he gave the data pad a quick look of revulsion, "aft head!" He let out another deep sigh as he ordered, "Ratchet…you have my permission and blessing to do whatever is necessary to keep Prowl alive, including telling him that it is under my orders that he does whatever you tell him to do."
Ratchet nodded his head in agreement, "Thank you, Prime."
"However," he said as he handed the data pads back to him, "If you can save yourself and Ironhide along with him…"
"It's not possible," interrupted Ratchet sadly, "It would fragg up the time line…Prime, there is something else."
"What?" he asked harshly, as he thought about how wrong he was about one of his closest friends as well as the pending deaths of two more old friends.
"Soon, after the ambush," he choked out as he struggled to contain his tears, "You will die as well, but you will take Megatron down with you."
Optimus was silent for a moment, and then he muttered sadly, "I always knew it would end this way…between Megatron and me." He let out another deep sigh, as he stared at Ratchet, "Now, my biggest question is…who do I leave the Matrix too until Hot Rod is ready? Since the three bots I trusted the most…are either dead, comatose, or has his head up so far his aft that he can't slagging see straight!"
"Prime," whispered Ratchet, "Remember what your son said before he left? You need to give it to Ultra Magnus and act like you never knew what he will do to Hot Rod in the future."
"WHY?!" raged out Optimus Prime, "WHY SHOULD I LET MY SON GO THRU THAT PAINFUL SLAG?!"
"BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY WAY YOUR SON WILL SAVE US ALL!" Ratchet shouted back, and then took a deep breath in an attempt to calm down, "He will save us all; but in order to get to the Matrix at the right place and at the right time…you will need to make that aft head a decoy!"
Optimus Prime was shocked into silence, finally he hesitantly asked, "Ratchet…please don't tell me that my son is the one that the Priests of Primus only spoke about in those riddles that they used to give out to tourists during the Festival of Light? Please don't tell me…"
"'An Autobot will rise from their ranks,'" interrupted Ratchet as he repeated on of the priests' famous riddles of the Chosen One, "'and use the power of the Matrix to light our darkness hour.' One of those riddles, Prime? Then I am afraid the answer is yes."
Optimus moaned out in agony as he placed his head between his legs, "My poor son," he muttered sorrowfully.
"Huh-huh," agreed Ratchet as he slumped into his chair, "Why do you think Ironhide, Wheeljack, and I give him a break whenever we catch him speeding? He's going to have enough slag thrown at him soon enough, he needs to have a little bit of happiness before it hits him!"
There was silence between them, finally Optimus rose up and said, "Very well…I'll do what you say, Ratchet. But, I need something in return."
"Our entire race's continued existence is not enough?" asked Ratchet bitterly.
Optimus snorted in agreement, "You have a point, but in order to pull this off…you need to stop breaking things around Ultra Magnus."
"I can't help it!" growled out Ratchet as his optics flashed white, "What you read was just the tip of the slagging iceberg…and I can't tell you what else that fragger did because of the time line!"
"I understand," Prime said as calmly as he could, "But, both he and Prowl are starting to get suspicious of your recent behavior."
Ratchet scowled at him as he asked sarcastically, "Then how do I deal with my anger at him, sir?!"
"Take up a hobby," suggested Prime as he gestured around his room.
Ratchet gazed at the numerous model Earth ships that were placed carefully on the shelves around the room, "You want me to do that?"
"No," replied Optimus, "Not unless you want to…find something that interests you, and do it. This helps me deal with…" he stopped as he shook his head in despair, "my nightmares...feelings; Psyche Out was the one who suggested I take up a hobby in order to help me deal with them."
Ratchet looked at him softly for a moment, and then he reluctantly said, "All right, I'll try to find something. Good night, Prime."
"Good night," he said and then stared off into space for a moment, lost in thought. Finally, he cursed out, "Pit…I am not going to get any recharge tonight." He opened his desk drawer and pulled out the latest model ship he was building, the U.S.S Constitution a.k.a 'Old Ironsides.'
A week later…G.I. Joe Headquarters…General Abernathy's a.k.a. Hawk's Retirement Party…
General Hawk smirked in amusement as watched Flint steered his daughter away from Shipwreck and Dusty, "Daddy, we're just talking!"
"You don't need to be talking to them," he scolded her, "In fact; you don't need to be talking with that young punk that hangs around you at school!"
"But, Daddy!" she cried out, "Jason is captain of the football and on the honor roll!"
"He's young punk who just wants to get into your pants!" he yelled back as he finally lost his temper with his little girl.
As they argued, Ace came up them and said, "Flint, no one will be good enough for your little girl!"
"Of course there is," he protested, "He just has to be a prince among men!"
Hawk, as well as all those who met Marrisa Fairborne's future 'husband' snorted in amusement; Mainframe came up to his retiring commander and pleaded, "Just one bet…just one little bet to get back at that manipulating gambler?!"
Hawk wearily sighed as he stared at a scowling teenage Marrisa, as well as the two arguing men; finally reluctantly agreed, "Fine, just make certain that you won't screw up anything!"
Mainframe cheerfully gave him a salute, and raced toward Ace shouting, "Oh…Ace, old pal…I just heard what Flint said…and it gave me an idea for a bet!"
Ace raised a brow in curiosity, white father and daughter yelled out at the same time, "A bet?!"
"What they said," commented Ace, "What type of bet did you have in mind?"
"Oh," he drawled out, "A prince wouldn't be good enough for Flint's little princess."
"He's right," muttered Flint.
At the same time, Marrisa protested, "I am not little!'
Ignoring them, he continued, "I bet a thirty that she gets together with a king within twenty years!"
Ace's face turned gleefully, "If you want to loose your money so easily, I'll take that bet! In fact, I'll go see if any of the other Joes want in on it!"
As he went away, both Flint and Marrisa stared at Mainframe in disgust as well as fury, "A king?!" she exclaimed, "Do I look like the type that would be showpiece on some arrogant jackass's arm?!"
"I noticed you didn't mentioned marriage in that bet, Mainframe!" shouted out Flint.
Mainframe didn't comment on Flint's words, but he did answer his daughter, "Mara…right now you're a show piece on that arrogant football captain's arm!" He drew out a cd, "In fact, he was bragging about it to his buddies…if you don't believe me listen to this."
She scowled in fury as she swiped the cd, and immediately headed back to her temporary quarters to listen to it; Flint stared in shock at Mainframe, "Thanks…but, why did you do it?"
Mainframe gave him a mystifying smile, and asked, "Where is Psyche Out? I thought he would be here."
Flint shrugged in response, "Apparently, he got an emergency counseling call a few days ago; Beach Head is taking him toward whoever his mysterious patient is…its the same one his been counseling for years!"
Mainframe winced at a memory from the past as he said, "I believe I know who it can be…and before you ask, no! I can't tell you!"
Meanwhile…at a café on Route 66…
Beach Head sighed wearily as he got into the GM Truck, "Damm it, we're missing the party! How much longer you think this will take?"
"However long it takes, Beach Head," replied Ironhide, "And don't spill coffee in my interior again! It took ages for the Hatchet to get it out the last time!"
At the same time…somewhere on Route 66…
"I still can't believe that one of my oldest friends could do something like this!" Optimus Prime growled out again as he drove along the highway.
"Let me ask you this," said Psyche Out calmly, "Are you anger at him for betraying you or you're son? Or is the real reason that your so anger is that you, Ratchet, Ironhide, and Wheeljack will die soon; that you will never have a chance to fully get to know your son?"
Optimus was silent for a moment, finally he replied, "I am not angry at dying…what I am anger about is that I'll never have that chance to develop a relationship with Hot Rod…pit! He doesn't even know I am his father, and I can't tell him because as soon as I do…Megatron will use him as a tool to get to me!"
"Then try to sneak in whatever time you can with him," advised Psyche Out, "leave him a message for him to see after your death…do whatever you can to show him how much you love him!"
Optimus was silent again, finally he let out a deep sigh as he agreed, "You're right…you right, Psyche Out. Before I leave for Moon Base 2 in a few years, I'll leave my journals with you in case anything happens to me, you can give them to my son if he asks for them. If Primus willing...when I return to Earth, nothing happens…I'll retrieve them and tell my son that I am his father; to the pit with Megatron, Ultra Magnus, and Elita!"
"All right," he said with a somewhat amused expression on his face, "Anything else that you'll do for him?"
Prime said with sarcasm, "Besides paying his speeding tickets? I'll leave him and Prowl a message; I'll…I'll try to explain to them how 'she' was before…before…"
"It's okay, Prime," soothed out Psyche Out, "I'm sure you…"
Optimus interrupted him with a bitter laugh, "I suspect that Prowl will figure out what that glitch has done to me before his sees my message or goes back in time!" He laughed some more, "Primus…I was a love struck fool not to see her true self; the Matrix constantly tried to warn me before we bonded, but like the fool I was…I ignored it!"
Psyche Out sighed as he once again repeated to Optimus Prime, "It wasn't your fault…and love can make fools of us all at times!"
Eight Years after the time incident…outside of Paris…night…
Ratchet wearily sighed as he sat down and gazed at the sight of Paris's sparkling lights; he heard a sound behind him, and he turned his head slightly, "Going to kill me now, Soundwave?" he asked half sarcastically as soon as he saw whom was behind him.
"Statement: Negative," said Soundwave as he sat down beside the Autobot, "Statement: Latest pieces of sculpture…interesting."
Ratchet chuckled out bitterly, "I didn't know you were a fan," he turned his attention back to the view.
There was silence between them finally Soundwave asked, "Query: About the sculptures…"
"Which one?" bitterly interrupted Ratchet as he kept his optics on the view.
"Statement: 'Kicking Aft' self explanatory, I can…understand why you do not like Autobot Ultra Magnus," he droned out; as Ratchet let out a growl of fury, he quickly continued, "But, this one…" He showed a hologram of a yellow giant, monstrous robot destroying what apparently is Cybertron; "And this one…," he said. He showed another hologram of two robotic figures holding hands as blue flames swirled around them; they faced against what was apparently a giant, black spider. "They remind me of what used to be seen in the private part of the temple of Primus. Query: What was inspiration?"
Ratchet was silent for a moment, and then turned his attention to the Decepticon as he said reluctantly, "If I tell you, I need something in return."
Soundwave tried not to roll his optics in annoyance, "Query: What do you want?"
"I am currently starting the Trail of Temples," he told him as his lips quirked in amusement as watched shock briefly come over the stoic Decepticon communications officer; "Ironhide and Wheeljack will soon be doing theirs as well…since there is no slagging way for us to do it on Cybertron; we are doing it here on Earth by visiting historic landmarks. I, and the others, would certainly appreciate…NO FRAGGING DECEPTICON BOTHERING US WHILE WE DO THIS!"
Soundwave stared at the medic in surprise, from his memory banks he remembered his grand sire talking about how the elderly as well as the terminal ill Cybertrions visited all of the temples of Primus and Prima as a way to reflect on their life; but Ratchet, Ironhide, and Wheeljack were far from elderly or on their last tires. 'What was it?' he mused in thought, 'There was something else that he told me that the Trail was used for…but it's been so long since I even contemplated his teachings, I can not remember what it was.'
"Well," drawled out Ratchet impatiently, "Do we have a deal?"
Letting out a deep sigh, he grudgingly agreed, "Statement: Affirmative."
Ratchet was silent for a moment, finally he explained, "Several years ago; Ironhide and I were with a dying femme…she gave out a dying prophecy." He heard Soundwave gasp out in shock, he continued, "She said, 'The power and wisdom from those long before will lead them to victory, he will light our darkest hour and she will join him in their one destiny. Truth has its moment, and right always wins…prepare for the fight Blackarachia.'"
By now, it was taking all of Soundwave's will power not to pass out in shock; finally he asked, "Query: Do you know what prophecy means?"
Ratchet half lied to him, "I assume its talking about the Chosen One and that Unicron will be at Cybertron's doorstep soon…as for Blackarachia, I have no slagging idea. I assumed its some type of monstrous spider since the prophecy groups it right up there with the God of Chaos."
Thankfully, Soundwave didn't realize that Ratchet was not entirely telling him the complete truth, "Statement: You have given me much to contemplate about Autobot CMO Ratchet," he said as he stood up, "Statement: No Decepticon will bother you as well as Autobot Ironhide and Autobot Wheeljack on spiritual journey."
"Thanks," muttered Ratchet sarcastically as he watched the thoughtful Decepticon leave; he turned his attention back to the view, "Right always wins…Primus," he bowed his head down in pray, "please give me the strength necessary to help bring about the light in our darkness hour…and for Prowl to kick the slag out of that Aft Head Magnus!"
A warm breeze passed around his body, which was unusual on this chilly night in France; he smiled as he looked up once more at the view; it was as if something touched his spark and gave him encouragement when the breeze blew around him. "I wonder," he mused thoughtfully, "If Soundwave will ever find out that I left out a few words in that prophecy."
Three months later…Billings, Montana…
Retired General Abernathy a.k.a Hawk looked out of the kitchen window at the familiar truck that was coming up his drive way; sighing wearily, he went out, "Ironhide, I thought you would be on Moon Base 1 by now!"
"Well," said Ironhide as he transformed, "Not yet…I will be in four months, right now I'm on vacation."
"Vacation?" he asked in surprise, "I thought you didn't believe in vacations."
"Yeah, I do. General…" he replied and then sighed in despair, "do you remember our visitors from the future?"
"Yes," he drawled out in curiosity, "But, what does that have to do…"
"I am not going to see Earth again, sir," he interrupted him dejectedly; "In fact…I am not going to see the Autobots re-take Cybertron."
Hawk stared at him in shock, and then he softly said, "I am so sorry, son."
"Yeah, well…what can you do?" he said with forced cheer, "That's why I'm on vacation; I always wanted to go across the U.S. and back without any Decepticons on my tail! I just came from Yellowstone, now I'm on my way to Mt. Rushmore!"
Hawk smiled at him sadly, "Care for some company?"
"No," he declined quietly, "In our ancient times, when a warrior knows he is going on a suicide mission…to sacrifice himself for the greater good; he or she would go alone to the various temples of Primus and Prima praying for the strength to be able to do what is necessary for his or her people. Since I can't exactly do that…visiting your greatest national sites is the next best thing."
"I see," Hawk said softly, "I assume Wheeljack, and Ratchet are going to be doing the same thing?"
"Ratchet just done his when I left…came back from Europe," he said wretchedly, "Wheeljack will go to Asia, when I leave for Moonbase 1."
There was silence between them, finally Hawk asked, "What are you doing here, Ironhide?"
"Came to drop off Primal's gun," he said as he brought out a gun case from subspace, "There is a message cube from me within the case."
Hawk gave him an amused grin as he pointed to one of the huge barns on the property, "Just put in the red barn over there," he ordered, "Anything else?"
"Yeah," he said and brought out several human sized VHS tapes, "Give these to Psyche Out; Beach Head; Cover Girl, and Flint as well as his wife, Lady Jane." Hawk grunted in agreement as he took the tapes from him; while he took them, Ironhide warned him, "Be sure to tell Psyche Out to have ear plugs handy when Ratchet starts in on First Aid."
"Why?" he asked warily as he looked at the tape in question.
Ironhide winced as he remembered Wheeljack's painful expression after helping Ratchet record his message to First Aid, "Ratchet is really not…happy…how First Aid behaves in the future," he replied.
Meanwhile...near the lake below Look Out Mountain…
Hot Rod smiled in relief that he managed to give Kup and Ultra Magnus the slip; as he took out his fishing pole, he muttered, "I really got to thank Spike and Daniel for introducing me to this human activity…its nice to do when you want some peace!"
"Really?" drawled Optimus Prime as he came up from behind Hot Rod.
"Prime!" he yelped as he turned around in surprise, "What are you doing here?"
Optimus lips quirked in amusement underneath his mask as he replied innocently, "Same as you Hot Rod, fishing," he brought out his own fishing pole from sub space.
Hot Rod stared at his leader and the brand new fishing pole in his hand, "Fishing?" he asked suspiciously, "Have you ever done it?"
"Well," he answered sheepishly, "Not really, but you seemed to enjoy the activity and I decided to try my hand at it."
Still suspicious, Hot Rod warily asked, "Why?"
Prime gave him an innocent look as he half lied, "It looked like a calming activity to do," his optics then narrowed in fury as he growled out, "hopefully, it will be calming enough to prevent me from strangling a few Autobots."
Hot Rod raised a brow at him in surprise, "All right," he drawled out, "c'mon, and I'll show you how to do this."
"Perhaps, later when its night...you could help me with a bonfire," Optimus suggested with a hopeful expression on his face.
"Bonfire?" he asked with a puzzled look on his face.
Later that night by the lake…
Optimus cheerfully place another model ship onto the fire, and then he looked over at his son, "I thought you were going to help me?"
Hot Rod shook his head in disbelief as he asked, "Why are you burning all of the model ships you worked so hard to build?"
Optimus wearily sighed as he picked up another ship, "They represent…bad memories for me Hot Rod." He showed his the ship within his hand, "This is the Titanic, an Earth ship that sunk on its first voyage due to an ice berg." He threw it into the fire, "To me…it represents all of the time I was in stasis after the Ark crashed onto this planet."
Hot Rod stared at him for a moment, and then picked up a model ship from the huge pile beside Prime, "And this one?" he questioned him as he showed him the model.
"The Mary Rose," softly replied Prime, "that ship represents my slagging, idiotic, youngling, foolishness!"
Hot Rod blinked at him in confusion, "What do you mean youngling foolishness? Every bot does something foolish my age…what did you do?"
Optimus hissed out in rage as he swiped the ship from Hot Rod and threw it into the fire, "Are you in love with Arcee?"
Hot Rod flushed as the unexpected question, "Y-yes," he stuttered out, "In fact she's my first, and hopefully only love."
Optimus grunted in displeasure at the thought of first loves, "Let me give you a piece of advice," he said as he threw another model on to the fire, "And do be sure to pass it on to your children…never, ever, bond with your first love!"
Hot Rod stared at him in astonishment for a moment, finally he asked hesitantly, "Why?"
"Because," drawled out Optimus as he threw another model into the fire, "you'll never know what type of glitch she'll be later in life!"
There was silence for a moment, finally Hot Rod decided to change the subject, "So…do you like NASCARR?" he asked as he grabbed a model ship and threw it into the fire.
"I prefer the NBA and the WNBA, actually," answered Prime as he threw another ship into the fire.
Four months later…the Tomb of the First Emperor of China…
'It was hard to say good bye to the Dinobots…for the final time; but I managed it,' thought Wheeljack as finished his scans on the tomb.
"Thank you for doing this," said one of the officials and scientists next to him, "We were afraid of opening the tomb due to legends concerning it."
Wheeljack grunted in agreement, "Well…those legends were right! There is a high volume of mercury within the tomb."
The officials and scientists were silent, but Wheeljack could just imagine the curses going thru their minds; so he decided to give them the good news, "Fortunately, Hound and I upgraded our holographic technology…you'll be able to tour the inside of the tomb without endangering yourself to mercury poisoning."
Wheeljack grinned underneath his mask at their loud cheers of jubilation, 'At least…I helped to invent something used for peace, and not for this dreadful war,' he thought to himself.
Ten years after the time incident…after the Death of Optimus Prime…in an insane asylum near Marseilles, France…
"NO!" bellowed the elderly woman as she thru a chair at the TV, which it into little pieces; "NO...I COULD HAVE SAVED HIM…WHY DID THEY STOP ME?!"
As she continued to rant, the orderly rushed into the room and immediately placed her into a straight jacket as she continued to cry out, "NO, WHY DID THEY STOP ME?!"
As they dragged her from the room, one of the doctors asked a nurse, "What set her off this time?"
"The news…there was an attack on Autobot City," replied the nurse, "The leader of the Autobots, Optimus Prime is dead."
The doctor frowned grimly, "I am sorry that such a noble leader is dead…but, I am afraid how this will affect Mrs. Black…her records indicate she as delusions about being Optimus Prime's wife."
The nurse raised a brow in surprise, as she suggested, "Perhaps, she will get better."
"I fear she will get worse," said the doctor pessimistically.
One moth later...Cemetery at St. Michael's...outside London...
Hawk, Scarlet, Psyche Out, Cover Girl, and Beach Head we're the only ones to attend the funeral of Mrs. Ella Black; as soon as the priests left, Beach Head stared down hard at the coffin, "I wasn't there when you fought her, but what I saw on that projection…" he shook his head in disbelief, "how can we give this insane bitch a proper burial after all she has done…will do…aaghh! I hate time travel!"
"I do too," grimly answered Hawk, "but, to answer your question Beach Head…we have to prove that we are more civilized than this…as you called her…insane bitch!"
Beach Head scowled at his reply, and then Hawk continued, "By the way…I got some tapes for you, Cover Girl, and Psyche Out from Ironhide and Ratchet."
"Oh?" asked Cover Girl on behalf of the three of them, "About what?"
Hawk frowned grimly, "I don't know…but Ironhide told me to tell you not to listen to them until a week before the tenth anniversary on the attack on Autobot City. Also, Psyche Out…Ironhide recommended you have a pair of earplugs near by with your video."
Psyche Out wearily sighed out, "I am going to regret asking this, but why?"
"Something about Ratchet not being happy about First Aid's future actions," Hawk replied as he gestured the group to follow him, "C'mon…I think all of us could use a good strong drink after burying that insane bitch!"