Chapter 6

First Conversation

As Optimus Prime made his way down the corner of the hallway, Jetfire came to his sights and stopped.

"Where did you come from?" Jetfire asked, his arms folding in front of his chest plate.

"I was leaving the rec room, and was on my way to my quarters. Now, may you kindly move out of my way?" Optimus answered, but Jetfire stayed where he was.

"If I wanted to, I would have slid to the wall and say 'Yes, sir', but since I'm not I might as well shall say it. Out of all the Autobots, Mini-cons, and humans that have decided to socialize with the youngling, WhY havent you?"

Optimus remained quiet for a moment. In response Jetfire place a hand on his commanders shoulder plate. " I'm not asking this for posterity, I am asking you this as your second in command, and as a friend. Why haven't you talked with Maria?"

Optimus blinked his golden optics in nervousness before he spoke. "I do speak to her."

"Only when you remind her of our rules and regulations. Why haven't you socialized with her?"

Prime looked at his second in command and frowned behind his mask. "Why would you even ask me this question?"

"I'm not the only one who wants to know. Maria has been asking me as well as the others, about you not speaking to her. She says that you seem to purposely ignore her, Why?" Jetfire annoyingly replied.

Optimus only brushed Jetfire's hand of of his shoulder plate. He was about to turn the corner when Jetfire spoke out. "Does this have anything to do with Aquarius?"

The name stopped the Autobot leader in his tracks, completly silent.

"I might take that as a 'yes'." Jetfire said.

Turning around to meet Jetfires gaze, Prime walked back over. "In a way, it does."

"What does Aquarius have to do with the youngling?" Jetfire questioned.

Rubbing his closed optics, Prime explained the true reason of his behavior around Maria.

"She is so much like Aquarius. Every time I see the youngling, it's almost as if Aquarius was right there. The youngling seems to have everything Aquarius had when we were very young. That smile. The optics, how they shine with innocence. And having loving feelings to every member of my team. Aquarius was so much like the young femme, All those qualities that mad me want to be with her, to love her."

Jetfire seemed touched the way Prime compared the youngling to his commanders past wife. He did know Aquarius well enough to know that she and Optimus seemed to be like that human term 'Birds of a Feather'.

"Aquarius was a wonderful femme. You two were perfect for each other, I can tell you that, but the real world doesn't always set our lives the way we want it." Jetfire pointed out.

"I just wished I could have been there, instead of reporting to the council for a report of recent Decepticon sightings in the northern territory, when the Decepticons were already at my home." Optimus choked, a hint of hurt in his voice. Understanding his commanders actions Jetfire placed his hand back on the same shoulder plate he had it.

"I know, Prime. I know how much you miss her, but there is nothing you can do to bring her back." Thinking about the conversation they had had, Jetfire finally realized what was going on. " Are you afraid of becoming too attached to Maria, because you think she might suffer the same fate?"

With utter guilt heard deep within his voice, Optimus replied.

"Yes."

Shaking his head Jetfire spoke again. "Prime, that will never happen again."

"But how can you possibly know that?" Optimus answered, feeling less than better.

"I may not know a lot, but I can assure you, Maria will never suffer the same fate as Aquarius. Megatron only found out about your wife when he sent out agents to find any information he could use against us. It was a horrible thing, I know, but you have to put the past behind you, and focus on what is happening now." To further prove his point Jetfire started to guide Prime back to the direction of the rec room. "And to start that off, you have to speak with Maria. Get to know her. She really wants to see you who you really are."

"Alright, but just for a few nano clicks." Optimus sighed, walking slowly to the rec room. Jetfire only stood where he was, thinking to himself, as Prime's royal red and blue form left. "If anything can help him heal from that nightmare, It's Maria."

…

…

…

…

The rec room was vacant, but the only soul inside was none other than Maria, who was swaying smoothly from side to side, in rhythm to the soft music playing from the radio. The lyrics sung clearly through the room to Optimus' audio sensors the moment he peaked in.

"Darkness on the edge

Shadows where I stand

I search for the time

on a water with no hands"

"I want to see you clearly

Come closer than this

But all I remember

Are the dreams in the mist"

"These dreams go on when I close my eyes

Every second of the night

I live another life

These dreams that sleep when it's cold outside

Every moment I'm awake

The further I'm awake."

Twirling herself in a circle, Maria did not notice some one was entering the room. By the time she finished, she yelped in surprise and stopped.

"Optimus, I, uh, is the music too loud?"

Walking towards her Prime raised a hand dismissing her concern for the radio's volume. "It's alright, Maria. The music is not disturbing me."

Sighing in relief, Maria went to radio and turned it down, just in case. "What are you doing in here?" Maria asked.

Sitting himself down on the bench, Prime answered in a tone that tried to sound friendly. "I was wondering if I can speak with you for a moment."

Maria blinked her optics in confusion. During the week, the commander did not want to converse with her, now he was sitting there, waiting for her to sit next to him. Slowly sitting herself on the bench, she waited for Optimus to speak. For a while the two sat quietly, think about what subject they should talk about. Finally coming out of his silence, Prime spoke.

"So,..., are you comfortable here at our base?" He asked, even though he already knew she was very well comfortable.

"I like it here. It's kind of like being back at the orphanage, except there aren't any other femmes but me. But I really like everyone here. They are nice." Maria answered, quietly.

"That's good." Optimus replied.

Again, there was silence. Maria sat quietly, kicking her stabilizing servos a couple of times before she looked back up and asked.

"I don't want to sound like I'm getting in too deep into your personal space, but is it okay if I ask you this?"

Turning his head to face her, Optimus nodded.

"Okay. How did you become a Prime?"

Prime stared at Maria for a second, then chuckled. "I was sparked into being one. You see, members of my family are actually descendents of the very first Prime." Allowing Maria to scoot closer to him, Optimus continued. "His name was Prima. Legend has it that Prima was created by living skin from the planet, Cybertron, and was given half of Primus' spark. From that moment Prima knew that he had to obey what ever Primus told him. Now one night a giant being began to form up in the sky, and there, covered in black darkness, was Unicron. As he floated through the cosmic air, he shouted out to Prima, challenging him to see who was truly the most powerful being in the galaxy. Now since Prima was not as gigantic as Primus or Unicron, he was concerned about his chances of going up against a giant form of evil. Primus, being caring as any godly form, came to Prima's mind and told him to fight Unicron, no weapons, and no thought of death. He told his child to only think about one feeling. The only feeling Primus kept inside of himself."

Maria drew herself even closer. The story Optimus was telling her was just astounding.

"Primus told him to think of Peace. Peace. No Anger, no Hate, nor Greed, just Peace. Prima obeyed his orders and went to Unicron, shouting out that he agreed to battle. The giant being then dissolved into a black mist as he flew down to the planets surface, changing back into his monstrous form, but not in his mammoth size, but at the same size as Prima. The very look of him was much more disturbing. Two horns set atop his head. His metallic skin as white as disintegrating rust. But the most fighting thing about Unicron was his optics. Red as scarlet fireballs. Eyes that saw neither love, comfort, or peace. Only death, terror, and evil."

Optimus stopped as he looked at Maria, worried that he might be scaring her. "Should I stop now?"

"No, go on ahead. I like this story." Maria insisted.

Remembering where he left off, Prime resumed. "Now as Unicron stood, he told Prima that if either one were to win the fight, each would be given a reward. If Unicron were to win, Prima would be killed, and Primus would be forced to renounce his power, and Unicron would become ruler of the galaxy, bringing chaos and death upon the stars."

"What if Primus won?" Maria asked.

"If he were to win, Unicron would be exiled from Cyberton's atmosphere, and would lay in suspended animation for 1 million stellar cycles, and Prima would lead a civilization that would reign forever, spreading comradeship, love, and peace. Prima accepted to the terms, and waited for Unicron to make his move. Finally Unicron charged forward, screaming in a shrill, low scream, and the battle began. Using nothing but their fists, Prima and Unicron fought, each exchanging punches, kicks, blocks, and blows. Unicron fought almost like a demon, demented and wild, and his attacks were brutal and worthy of putting another being out of their misery, without any consent. For a while it looked as though Prima was going to lose when he remembered what his father told him. Think about peace. With that, Prima kept that word in his processor, and all of a sudden, he saw his body change color. Instead of being a pale hue of gray and silver, his body turned into golden yellow and royal red. Not only was his color altered, so was his form. His form was now muscular, tall, and god-like."

"What happened?" Maria asked, getting excited.

Seeing her anticipation Optimus went on. " When Unicron attacked Prima, Prima raised one hand and grasped Unicrons clawed hand, and squeezed hard, making the evil god roar in pain. Now Unicron never felt pain in his life. Right now, with his hand in the crushing grip of his opponent, he was feeling an excruciating pain he never experienced. Feeling as if his hand was going to be torn, Unicron surrendered, and kept his promise in living in exile. With that said, Unicron dissolved into black mist and floated up into the sky, and away from Cybertron's atmosphere, forever. Primus was very proud of what his son had accomplished. So proud in fact, that he came to his son in his mortal metallic form, and handed him a spark he had personally created. He told his son to build a body of another robot, but in a different form. Prima did so, and when the body was finished, Prima placed the spark into the chest plate, and watched as the optics of the body open. Primus told his son that this would be his wife. Together they would create a line of great leaders who would serve their god, and protect their world, as well as others, from great dangers that would threaten to destroy life. Ever since I was born, I was told this tale, and I was instructed to follow those virtues that were carried by my ancestors, that way I would overthrow, any force that would try to control the galaxy, and bring chaos and destruction with it."

Maria was awestruck. To think that this mech right next to her, at this moment, was related to one of the most powerful robots off all time.

"I'm guessing you like my story."

"I do. I never knew that all the Primes were related to Prima. And I can see the resemblance, I mean with your red coloring at least." Maria answered.

Optimus laughed quietly at the compliment. He then decided that it was time for him to resume his work, and got up and started to walk out, but was stopped by a small hand griping his silver one.

"Wait a moment, Optimus" Maria said.

"What is it? I have to get back to my work. I promise that I'll have some time to talk with you some other time." Optimus stated. Letting go of his and, Maria blushed a little in the cheek plates.

"I just wanted to say 'Thank You' for the story. It was really cool." Maria smiled, instantly charming Prime.

"You're welcome." He said, and left the room. Maria stayed behind, thinking to herself. "Maybe he's not that bad. If only he could stay a little longer."

(Concerning the story Optimus has told, I took inspiration from the original origin of the Autobots mythology and added some other elements of my own. Also I do not own the following Song "These Dreams" by Heart.)