(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Optimus and Ironhide carefully followed the young, small bot, both the bigger bots keeping their systems on high alert. They did not want to fall into a trap. Clipper, wanting to save the few remaining bots of Kaon, led the two bigger bots on towards where the safe area had been. Optimus was a bit surprised when the small bot led the pair to a different part of the broken kingdom wall. Optimus and hide could easily fit through the opening in the vehicle modes and even side by side. Hide was extremely cautious, as this area looked dangerous thanks to all the damage from when Megatron had attacked.
"We are here, sirs" Clipper stated, stopping in front of a dilapidated building.
"No one could have survived that building crashing" Hide blurted out. He didn't realize that the building was not the safe area.
"No, we want want in on the other side of this old road" Clipper carefully answered, pointing out what looked to be what earthlings would call a man hole cover, though this was a bit bigger, as bots were bigger, though it didn't look like a bot the size of Optimus or Hide would fit through the opening.
"I think we will have to wait up here, as I don't think we will fit through there" Optimus stated, still hoping this wasn't a trap.
"Okay. One question, may I ask who you are so I can tell the others?" Clipper asked, having failed to ask sooner.
"I am Optimus Prime" Optimus stated. The name didn't mean much to the young one, but the older bots in the safe area would recognize it instantly.
"Thank you, sir. I will go down and let them know" Clipper stated, easily fitting down into the tight quarters. He went to see the others.
"I wonder how many could have possibly survived" hide carefully said to Optimus.
"I guess it depends on how big Bee made it before he had to give up on it" Optimus replied.
Meanwhile, Clipper ran to the handful of bots who remained. All were mechs, Clipper's father Winder, Clipper's two brothers Slider and Shifter, their older neighbor Slicker, Clipper's friend Swift who had been saved by Clipper's father, and two random mechs that had become friends Dirge and Driftwood. They were older that Clipper's father but only just slightly. All seven were surprised to see Clipper return.
"Why have you returned so soon, my son. Does the war still rage on?" Winder asked, fearful.
"No, it's not that. I didn't see any fighting, but I found two bots that were wandering the old kingdom. I wasn't sure who they were but I know they were safe to approach as they had Autobot symbols on them" Clipper replied.
"Are you sure they are not scouts?" Slicker asked.
"I don't think they were…" Clipper tried to answer.
"Did either of them have a name?" Dirge asked, unaware of the shock the older bots would be in.
"Well, the bigger one said his name was Optimus Prime" clipper answered, having no idea the significance of the name.
"The Prime is here?" Driftwood asked in shock.
Clipper didn't get a chance to respond before Winder stated, "if the Prime is here, we must go forth. He would not be out with just his guard if the war is not over." The others agreed, and soon, all eight headed back up.
Hide and Optimus were stunned. They had no idea how many had survived. Winder took one look at the Prime, knelt down and bent before the Prime, not realizing that Optimus had changed the way Cybertron would be run. The others followed Winder's lead,
"Please, I don't require anyone to bow to me. I may be Prime, but Cybertron will be free once it is rebuilt. It won't have kingdoms, but instead, citadels. Even though the Prime will still be the top bot, it will also be run by a counsel who will be elected by the people, one bot from each citadel" Optimus explained. The eight were shocked, but grateful to hear that.
"Are there any other survivors of Kaon?" Clipper asked.
"A few. One is my mate, Mirage" Optimus replied.
"The prince lives?" They asked.
"Yes, he does, but he just wants to be a regular bot now" Optimus replied.
Wonder smiled. He remembered Mirage. "That's how Mirage has always been. Just wanting to be a regular bot." The older bots of the troop of eight nodded. Optimus smiled and soon led the troop back to the current Autobot base as it would be safer for now. Hide followed. They all hoped that things would be safe as they traveled. Optimus could only hope Mirage wouldn't flip out at this discovery. Surveying more of Cybertron could wait, for now, getting these newly found bots to safety was top priority.