- MEMORIAL -

 

 

Ten million years ago. Cybertron

Optimus Prime and Lord Megatron stood atop the ancient mountain that was a site of pilgrimage for all Cybertronians, a sacred hulk of metal that was formed from the Allspark cube. Below the hill and lining beside the pavements were the metal fields, razor-sharp iron stabbing upwards towards the lazy sky. In the distance, sprawling cities of towers made by the hands of Metroplex spanned the horizon. As the afternoon passed, the two ancient brothers watched the daily activities of the common Cybertronians, observing soldiers shuffle by, civilians walking along the boulevard, and smaller robots carrying out their everyday duties. Megatron, massive and mighty, stood beside his co-equal sentinel, who exuded a primeval, eternal wisdom. ‘Look at them,’ said Megatron quietly, his titanic bulk outsizing Prime’s slightly. ‘Our fellow robots. How small they look from up here, like turboants. They know nothing of a grand vision for Cybertron, like you and me. They know nothing of true power, the true will to life.’
‘Power is not the end of all things, brother,’ replied Prime. ‘Love is.’
‘And do you love me, brother?’ snorted Megatron, looking disdainfully at a nearby metal hill, where a romantic couple were enjoying watching the afternoon sun that orbited Cybertron.
‘Yes,’ said Prime immediately. ‘You know our Sparks come from the same Source, the same Father. We are the rulers of this planet. I am the hand that offers refuge, while you are the fist that dispenses justice. Our people look to your auspices as the ultimate judgement.’
‘If they could protect themselves – arm themselves with weapons – they would not need so much protecting.’
‘They are worth protecting. Great and small, they deserve all we can offer.’
‘We will never see eye to eye with each other, Prime. In the end, no matter who dispenses justice, one must use power to rule and enforce. There cannot be mere compassion.’
‘That is the reality,’ said Prime. ‘But perhaps there is another way, one where Cybertronians need not be cowed by threats just to do what is right.’
Megatron snorted again. For a few moments, the two colossi fell silent, leaving each other to their own thoughts. Then Prime glanced at the distant couple, kissing and embracing each other on the metallic mountain. ‘As great a brother as you are, I would like another companion with whom to share my life with, like my comrade Ironhide. He is truly lucky to have encountered love with his own student. I would never have thought, by the metal of Primus, that the day would come – that he would confide in me about how much he loved her.’
‘How exquisite,’ sneered Megatron. Naturally, he never saw himself as the sentimental type. There was only one thing he was in love with – and that was the dominance he exercised. ‘I must say however, Elita-One is the wisest and most experienced vixen I have ever known. Granted your obsession for our weaker counterparts, I don’t know if you will ever remember to ask her for her time.’
Prime laughed. ‘What about you? Do you have your eye on anyone? Given your standards, is there anyone on Cybertron fit to be the Lord High Protector’s Empress?’
Megatron paused, only for a few moments, and his face was nonchalant, although his gleaming red eyes shone, for just a few seconds.
‘Do not fret, dear brother,’ said Prime, putting his hand on Megatron’s shoulder. He gestured outwards with his other arm, spanning a grand motion across the landscape. ‘I will stay by your side and we will watch Cybertron prosper and expand even further. All we need is dedication, loyalty, and perhaps a dash of luck.’
Megatron, for once, nodded slowly. ‘Yes…’
The sun was tipping slowly down the horizon when the two brothers made their way down the hill to join the evening celebrations.

*

Luxor, Egypt

Prime stood on the sand where the Earthen CELESTIAL base once had been erected upon. The ruins, after only a few months, had been swallowed up by the desert of Egypt. He could still hear the laughing voices of the human technicians, the grumbling of failed experiments, his conversations with Ironhide, the jokes shared by Bumblebee and Jazz, Ratchet playing his silly hopscotch with the orphans, and the giggling Michiko as she gossiped with Arcee.
Another voice in his head was also present. ‘Hello, brother.’
As much as he hoped the Spark of his brother had not been extinguished, he knew it was wishful thinking. Megatron would always remain his brother, but he was dead, and he was gone forever.
Perhaps one day he would return. Perhaps the Spark Singularity would somehow allow him to traverse space-time. Perhaps his evil would prove eternal, immortal, indestructible.
Perhaps. But not undefeatable.
‘Until you return to us, brother. Until you return to Father and my side, I will always be ready to subdue you. I will never stop – I will never give in to the evil that was too powerful for you.’
He paused, lifting open his chest. His Autobot Matrix Spark hummed quietly, contentedly, as if it had felt something was achieved. ‘As long as my Spark functions, I will fight you to the end.’
   But if you ever break free of the evil that corrupted you…
I will be the first to welcome you with open arms.
Until then, farewell, my brother, and my great nemesis.

*

Two years later. United Nations Headquarters. New York. The world’s cities have recovered from the devastation the Decepticons wreaked, and the populace are slowly rebuilding their lives…

The giant hall had been designed specially for the Autobots. It was higher even than Metroplex and Omega Supreme; it spiralled into the sky, a gargantuan auditorium built for this one event. It was constructed in a manner where the Autobots, in robot mode, could move around freely. It was done partly in tribute, but also in celebration of the new CELESTIAL treaty that was about to be drawn up between Optimus Prime and the Secretary-General.
‘And I proclaim a new era of harmony between the civilisations of Autonomous Robotic Organisms and homo sapiens, with Act 12 of the CELESTIAL charter.’ Prime bowed his head, and the Autobots cheered. ‘It is a new golden age for Earth! And as we embark on new adventures across the stars, you can be sure that humanity will always remain in our hearts as our closest compatriots and allies! Thank you… all of you!’ He met with a standing ovation, as leaders of all nations clapped and cheered at his speech. Michiko sat on his shoulder, gazing at the congregation in awe. In only a year she had seen more than what most people would see in several lifetimes.
It seemed… overwhelming.
Later, as the officials filtered out of the conference hall, Prime turned to the members of Fleet V, CELESTIAL, and the other Autobot battalions. ‘I have to apologize, friends. But… in many ways, this is the end.
‘We have fought together for the survival of this noble planet, and our own. We have risked much, and lost much. But now, we have to part. For now, Fleet V must disband. Such a large armada will attract fear and suspicion from the humans. We are here to hide among them and protect them, not to intimidate them. We must disband, for new projects and adventures beyond this planet.’
The leaders of the fleets – Ironhide, Jazz, and Evac – looked at each other, and although most tried to remain expressionless, all felt a heavy weight on their hearts. The bond of comradery had been forged in their war against Megatron, and now, they had to go. Landmine placed his hand on Longarm Prime’s shoulder. Elita-One and Chromia looked down, unhappy and downcast. Metroplex’s face was even grimmer, and Omega Supreme simply had a blank, dazed expression on his face.
Life had to go on.
Michiko suddenly began to cry. Her small shoulders heaved, tears running down her cheeks. The Autobots looked at her, shocked. ‘Michiko,’ exclaimed Ratchet. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘I… I can’t believe this is goodbye,’ mumbled the human girl, sniffling. ‘Is this really the end? I thought… I thought all of you would be staying. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me…’
Bumblebee looked at Jazz, and kneeled before Michiko. ‘I am,’ he said brightly.
‘Me too, yo,’ said Jazz. ‘I’m rockin’ this place.’
‘I am going to look after the orphanage,’ said Ratchet, ‘so count me in.’
‘I am here with you, Michiko. Wherever you are, I will always watch over you.’ Prime nodded in satisfaction as Michiko gave a small smile. He turned away. ‘Arcee? Ironhide?’
Arcee took Ironhide’s hand. ‘Come back to Cybertron with me, coach,’ she whispered. ‘Don’t you want to come turbofox hunting, just like when we lived in the Golden Age?’
For the first time in a long time, Ironhide gave her a true smile. ‘That sounds great, girl.’
Arcee’s verbal speakers cooed in delight, and Michiko gave a little cheer. Bumblebee looked at Jazz and shrugged. ‘Good ol’ Ironhead. You gotta love him.’
‘Good luck, Arcee,’ squealed Michiko, clapping her hands. ‘Don’t keep Ironhide to yourself for too long.’
‘You can talk, you with Optimus,’ laughed Arcee. ‘I’m not saying goodbye, Michiko-chan, my dear little baby girl. I will come back. We’ll meet again, I promise.’
Michiko nodded, her eyes as bright as day.
Silence remained as the Autobots looked reverently at Prime. He could only smile and shrug, and he tried to hide his own sadness. But he himself had no words. There was nothing left here. Only the hope of a new day, and the wistful remains of a sad parting.
‘Well,’ said Bumblebee suddenly, spreading his metal hands. ‘Who’s up for one last ride along the highway?’
The Decepticons had remained defeated. Lord Megatron had found some measure of peace, and Fleet V was no longer needed.
It was all good.