The Death of Optimus Prime

[tillallareone]

[1] [Autobot City Medical Area] [Music for the Scene]
[Autobot city and Metroplex had taken a beating. There were injuries among the defenders... but foresight by Red Alert and the intervention of the Unity Group many lives were saved. But every battle, every victory comes at a cost. And today... the cost is high indeed. The sky, already stained from the smoke and destruction rumbles as rain begins to fall.]

H....hh...

[Optimus-... Orion Pax lays upon a medical berth within one of the few undamaged areas within the core of Autobot city. His body shattered, both Autobots and human technicians are struggling to keep him alive. Energon feeds and sensors were scattered across his broken form as his air intakes struggled to operate and his vocalizer crackled. Perceptor who had been close by transformed from his enlarged Microscope form, conferring with Ratchet and the other members of the medical team. His expression is grave and his voice tired as he regards those who were present.]



"... I'm sorry. All the damage Optimus took... even if he still had the Matrix... its fatal. He has hours... maybe less at the very most..."

[The medic lowers his head, glancing at his fallen leader. His fallen friend.]

"If... you have anything you want to say to him... this might be the time..."

[From where he lies, Orion Pax struggles to look at you as he raises his hand weakly... trying to beckon you closer.]

[Will you speak to the Autobot Leader in his final moments?]

[2] [A while after Prompt 1]
[It was only hours after Optimus' death before things became even worse. Among the casualties of the battle, the crew of the hijacked shuttle had included one of the Autobot's primary Adjutants - Prowl. With Optimus dying before he could name someone to take his place, the chains of command had fallen to Ultra Magnus... and his first order was not met with enthusiasm, both by his fellow Autobots and by mankind.

Having come upon the information that Commander Huffman had made an exchange to get a hold of Decepticon Technology, Ultra Magnus had immediately followed protocol... and had the Autobots cut ties with ESUN. More than that... he was now ordering a mass exodus to return to Cybertron. That the Autobots would finish the war without human assistance. A majority, simply wishing an end to the eons of fighting begrudgingly obeyed. This move however was not so universally followed.]



"What you all are doing goes beyond disobedience. A breach of regulations on this level is tantamount to treason!"



"And you can cram those regulations up your exhaust port Magnus! Optimus promised he'd help these people! We aren't gonna abandon them and even if she didn't already decide to stay you aren't taking Metroplex with you either!"



"These people had knowingly collaborated with a known Decepticon Arms Dealer and had illegally purchased an Omega-Class explosive. While seizure, dismantlement and destruction of any technology they may have gained from their requisition is not a concern they still committed an act that precludes them from any further assistance. Furthermore we don't have time to deal with their problems. Megatron is badly injured, the Decepticons have taken heavy losses. We won't have another chance to end this war. So either follow your orders or be stripped of Autobrand. Your-"

[Before Ultra Magnus could complete his sentence, Grimlock all but towers over him, glaring at the now de-facto commander of the Autobots with utter disdain as he simply reached to his own chest and tore the Autobot insignia away from it. Crushing it without a second thought and throwing it at Magnus' feet.]

"-Choice. I never took you for a coward Grimlock."



"Optimus... made promise.... to... humans. Optimus... dead. Will... keep promise. Even if... you don't."



"Do you expect me to believe you of all Autobots are doing this out of the goodness of your spark? You wanted to lead the Autobots before. You hated Prime."



"Grimlock.... was... jealous of him. He... earned... respect... Humans. Did... too. Will respect... last wishes."



"We all are."

[Red Alert was the next to cast off his insignia, standing aside Grimlock. The paranoid security chief glaring up at Magnus. One by one the Autobots who had fought alongside both Optimus and the Unity Group cast their insignias at Ultra Magnus' feet, it went without saying that the Dinobots too would follow Grimlock's lead. Magnus' face remains stern... but despite their actions he offers them a salute.]



"Very well then. For what its worth... I hope they're worth it."



"Optimus thought they were."

[A single nod was all the reply Bumblebee received as Magnus strode away. There they stood. Autobots no longer.]

[Speak to one of the Ex-Autobots? Or Perhaps try to convince Magnus to reconsider?]

Comments

1

[tiger_ken]

I'm sorry!

[Ken can't hold back the tears. Bad enough that another ally be dying, but this...

This was his fault. If he hadn't been in the way, Optimus wouldn't have had to hesitate. Megatron wouldn't have...]

...I-I'm... I'm sorry...

[His voice is a trembling whimper throughout.]

[tillallareone]

[Orion's voice rasps weakly as he looks at Ken. His optics struggle to retain focus, glowing weakly.]

Do not... blame.. yourself... Ken... hh-

[His words trail weakly as he struggles to remain online.]

Megatron... had... deceived... better... than us... you... could not have... known..

[tiger_ken]

I could have trusted you to handle it... I could have trusted everyone else...

[His tiny, human hand can only clutch the giant's finger.]

Now you're dying... And the Matrix... you said it was so precious...

2

[keep_your_dignity]

NOT A VERY WELL CRAFTED SET OF RULES YOU'RE WORKING UNDER, I SEE.

[Maguns is going to hear Kagura as he walks out. She hasn't even bothered turning to face him]

[tillallareone]

"Major. If you found out that your allies had interacted with a war criminal, not only that but one who is also a known enemy to gain access to a weapon of mass destruction, what would you have done?"

[keep_your_dignity]

IT'S A PRETTY SITUATION YOU FIND YOURSELF IN, MAGNUS. [Kagura continues, ignoring Magnus's words as she turns to look at him, floating into his path] THE RULES SAY THAT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. BUT LEAVING FOR CYBERTRON MEANS LETTING THE DECEPTICONS KEEP THE MATRIX OF LEADERSHIP SO THEY CAN CRACK IT OPEN.

NOT A FUN PLACE TO BE, BETWEEN DISOBEDIENCE AND TOTAL STRATEGIC SUICIDE, IS IT?

BELIEVE ME, I KNOW PLENTY WELL.

1

[abugslife]

Optimus Prime...

It has been an honor.

[tillallareone]

General... the honor was... mine.

I... I regret I am unable to... see the end of my war... as you have done yours.

[abugslife]

I cannot promise I will see it either, I am afraid.

But this, I can: we shall recover the Matrix of Leadership. And we shall push the Decepticons away from Earth.

1

[herodrawing]

Mr Optimus!

[They were going to go on a trip! Then, Izuru heard the bad news...]

Mr Optimus, no...

[tillallareone]

Izuru... do not grieve... soon... wherever it is... I will become one... with the Matrix...

[A weak and labored groan of pain escapes from the former Prime, hand reaching towards Izuru before it turns, facing palm up.]

You have... accomplished much in your young life. I... am proud... to have met you and your friends.

1

[majestic_keiki]

Optimus...

[Kei is moving closer, but she isn't saying much more right now.]

[tillallareone]

Kei... forgive me... for such ill timing...

[The Autobot leader's arm lowers slowly.]

You had... plans...

1

[actuallyselfish]

Dido, her overalls stained with coolant fluid, arms blistered from welding flame, slumps at the side of Orion P...no, Optimus Prime.

"I'm sorry," she mumbles. "I...we should have done more–"

She sniffs, then wipes the tears from her cheek. "No. Pity later. What-what should we do to stop Megatron?"

[tillallareone]

Do not... blame yourself Dido. You... Ratchet along with the others had done your best. It... it is simply my time.

[Despite the pain he was in and how quickly he seemed to fading... Optimus was at peace.]

...Megatron... the... Decepticons... are controlled through... strength. With him... at his weakest... they will not... remain united...

1

[kill_all_vagans]

Optimus...

[tillallareone]

Flit... I am... glad you are alright...

[Orion even so close to death, regarded Flit with worry. Reaching out weakly to the young pilot.]

You fought bravely... many people... owe you their lives... thank you... for being there.

[booty_chaser]

[Ashe is sitting there, with a sad, guilty expression]

...sorry, old man. Should have taken the shot faster. I could have gotten you out...

[tillallareone]

What's done... is done Ashe. Life... is too precious to dwell on regrets.

[Even on death's door, Optimus is not having any of this.]

Even though my spark fades this day... others still live. Young lives that may become... something greater thanks to you. Your sister... is... so proud of you. As am I.

1

[brought_it_back]

[Eva sits quietly next to Optimus, her knees folded under her.]

...Is there...somewhere you are going?

After this.

[tillallareone]

Where I go... is a place where all... are one.

Return to the origin. Eternal rest... or perhaps... one day.. even rebirth...

[He regards Eva with a sense of peace despite his state.]

2

[a_monetized_mind]

[Some time after the departure of most of the autobots, Jen takes a moment to meet with the remainder.]

...So that's it? They're just leaving?

[tillallareone]

"I don't blame 'em lass. Optimus is gone... they need to do something or everything'll fall apart. But it's definitely not what he would've wanted."

[Grimlock grunts loudly, clearly not impressed by the actions of the Autobots who had left.]

"Won't be easy... but me and the rest of the lads will try pick up the slack. We owe all of you that much."

2

[tiger_ken]

[With Prime's passing, Ken finds himself skulking near the Autobots who have chosen to remain on Earth. He... feels he has to approach them, say something, but he's not sure how...

And neither is he being a very good ninja, with how obvious he sticks out.]

[tillallareone]

"Ken. I suppose you heard all of that?"

[Ratchet seems to sound pretty tired. The Autobots seem to all be in various states of irritation, exhaustion and a whole slew of other emotions... but none are showing outright hostility to him.]