(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Several weeks later, Mirage had just sent his little ones off. It was their anniversary and he wanted things to be as perfect as possible. He already had a plan for what he hoped would be a fun night, but that all depended on Optimus and his mood. Hoping for the best, Mirage began to put his plan in motion.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Optimus was oblivious to the goings on of things. And for right now, he was in Iacon. He still saw those who had been lost, especially those who had been most loyal to his father, Sentinel. Optimus was alone, as he had told no one and thanks to needing to check weaponry, Hide was busy. Optimus was thinking back to what the kingdom had been.
"Don't dwell too much on the past or the future or you neglect the present" came from what seemed like a disembodied once, as Optimus heard the sound but didn't see anyone.
"If we don't learn from the past, we can't protect the future. For those who ignore history are bound to repeat it" Optimus suddenly replied, not sure why he answered the voice. Maybe because it sounded familiar.
"That is true to an extent" the voice replied. Suddenly, an image appeared. It was Sentinel Prime, well, his image that had appeared.
This time, Optimus spotted the ghostly image. "Father?" He asked, a bit stunned. This made little to no sense.
Sentinel nodded. "It is I. Primus sent me back to talk to you, now that peace reigns yet again. My biggest regret was not recognizing a threat before it destroyed us. Even if it was my fate to have my existence end the way it did, I could have prepared things better if I wasn't naïve about things. Use the wisdom you have gained, and put it to good use" Sentinel informed his son.
Optimus nodded and thanked his father one last time. Sentinel disappeared and once that occurred, Optimus heard another voice. It was the voice of Ironhide searching for the Prime. Optimus headed towards the voice and soon met up with Ironhide. Ironhide wasn't too pleased that Optimus was out and about alone, as Optimus was getting very close to sparking. Optimus headed in, knowing it was necessary.
Unaware of what had occurred, Mirage was waiting for Optimus to arrive. It was only a matter of time and Mirage hoped that Optimus would appreciate what Mirage had done.