IN DARKEST HOUR
Epilogue: The Promised Dawn
1. A PASSING OF TORCHES
--Cybertron, six months ago--
"So, how did things go?"
Walking out of the council meeting chambers of the newly-rebuilt Iacon Great Dome, Optimus Prime glanced at Elita-One as he moved alongside her. "Surprisingly well, actually. The peace treaty will be signed tomorrow with everyone's signatures-- mine, Dai Atlas', Metalhawk's... and Starscream's apparently. The Decepticons have elected him to be their leader."
"Really?" Elita said. "How did that happen?"
"From what I hear, he gave a rousing speech to them in Kaon... though I'm more willing to believe that the Decepticons simply no longer care who leads them at this point. A good number of them have already left Cybertron to either return to New Kaon or find somewhere else to settle."
"I'm not sure I like the idea of Starscream leading the Decepticons again," Elita murmured. "I'd keep an optic on him."
"We already are," Optimus said. "There's also the matter of the war still going on with the Predacons on Animatron. Leo Prime and his Maximals will be staying here until we have a plan for handling that situation."
The two continued on in silence until they exited the Great Dome. As they stepped out into the night-lit streets of Iacon, Elita quietly said, "Do you still find it hard to believe? About Megatron?"
"Yes," Optimus said wistfully, looking pensive. "Yes, I find it very hard to believe. But whats done is done."
"Aren't you worried about the repercussions it may have? The Decepticons may gain stronger political power now that their former leader is seen as a hero by some."
"From what I've been seeing, Elita, is that it is not Megatron who is being hailed as our savior, but rather Optronix," Optimus said. "Still, I understand your concerns. After all we've been through, I doubt an everlasting peace with the Decepticons will be possible. But for now, let's make the best of everything as much as we can."
Elita nodded before smiling at the Autobot leader. "So, are you still too busy to spend some time with your significant other?"
Optimus looked down at her and chuckled. "Yes, I suppose I owe you as much after a century-long absence. But first I'll need to stop by Ratchet for repairs. This body has seen better days."
"Maybe you should go for a new color scheme. I think black would suit you--"
"No, it wouldn't," Optimus said quickly. "Trust me, it wouldn't."
--Present day--
Hot Rod knew that he should not have been feeling nervous-- he had brought this upon himself, after all. Regardless, it was hard not to feel jittery about being face-to-face with the one and only Optimus Prime.
After having waited patiently for about an hour (just barely though), he was finally called in to enter the Prime's office. Doing his best to appear as mature and confident as possible, Hot Rod stepped into the office.
He wasn't exactly sure what he had been expecting to be Prime's office, but he certainly wasn't thinking of a simple room with a desk, three chairs, and a few personal belongings. No holographic busts of Primes, no ancient sculptures; it was like any other mech's habitiation suite.
Optimus Prime himself was sitting at his desk, analyzing a datapad. Upon noticing Hot Rod's entrance, the Autobot leader gestured towards one of the two unoccupied chairs at his chair. "Take a seat, Hot Rod."
Hot Rod did as told and silently waited for the Prime to speak again.
Without lifting his gaze from his datapad, Optimus said, "So you wish to command a ship."
"Yes, sir," Hot Rod said.
"To find the mythical Knights of Cybertron."
"Yes, sir."
"Why?"
Hot Rod took a moment to prepare his rehearsed speech before answering. "Because, sir, I know this peace isn't going to last forever. The Decepticons are still their evil selves and they have plenty of war crimes to account for. It is my belief that the Knights of Cybertron-- whom I'm positive exist-- can restore our lost culture and fully reunite our race."
"And how do you intend to find them?"
Hot Rod winced slightly. He had not rehearsed for that.
"Well, Drift and his friends in the Circle of Light are kind of working on that. They believe that they have found some sort of map to Cyberutopia, the Knights' fabled home. At least, they're pretty set on that theory."
Optimus lifted his gaze at him. "Not much to go off of, especially to lead a crew of over a hundred Autobots."
"Yeah, I guess..." Hot Rod muttered.
Optimus set down his datapad and folded his hands together. "Have you ever commanded a team before, Hot Rod?"
Hot Rod sighed. "Once, about 130 years ago. I led a team of Autobots to Ki-Aleta to search for the Magnificence."
"And did you succeed?"
Hot Rod bowed his head. "No. Most of my teammates were killed by the Omega Guardians that guarded the Magnificence and the rest of us were forced to retreat."
"I see." Optimus rose from his seat, turning around to look out his window. "Tell me, Hot Rod: do you think you're up to the task of leading this quest?"
"Yes."
"Be honest now."
Hot Rod hesitated. "Yes-- well, no. At least, not by myself. I would need someone at my side, help show me the ropes and stuff. But I'm sure I'd do good, Prime. After all, I've seen you in action on the bridge."
Optimus turned around again to face him, a twinkle in his blue optics. "That's a good enough start. I'll put your request under consideration. Until then, I'd go out and let the word out of this prospective quest; see if there's enough interest."
Hot Rod nodded as he got up from the chair. "Will do, Prime."
Walking around his desk, Optimus stepped up to the younger Autobot and rested a hand on his shoulder. "I see much potential in you, Hot Rod. You are driven and out-going, qualities that are good for leaders. But you can be impulsive and reckless. Keep your crewmates interests in mind before making any important decisions."
Hot Rod nodded again. "Understood, Prime. And... thank you."
"Don't mention it. Dismissed."
Optimus watched as the young mech left his office. He saw much of himself in the younger Autobot-- specifically his own younger self, when he had been Orion Pax. Perhaps there would be a day when he would eventually retire and see Hot Rod take his place.
But not today. Not for a very long time.
---
EDITED 5/14/2016 Took out the description of Optimus' new body. I had originally written it as it G2 Laser body, but since that body had lots of black, it would contradict his aversion to the color which he expressed in the beginning. As such, I've decided to leave it more ambiguous.
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