Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been a couple Earth years since the war ended, if remnants didn’t stop popping up it would’ve felt more like a dream than anything else. Optimus honestly had a hard time believing that this was real, that it was really over and they were moving forward. These last few years were some of the most hectic that he had ever experienced, even more than the battles he fought.

From trying to find some level of peace between the remaining Decepticons and Autobots, to reviving the planet and the Allspark once more, to …having his son and forming the family he always wanted with Elita. Optimus after so long was finally living the life that he wanted to. …But something just didn’t feel right yet. He couldn’t put his finger on it though, just something in his chest was telling him that work needed to be done.

While ‘peace’ was made between the factions and Cybertron and its colonies were being rebuilt with large portions of it already housing those old and new, there were still problems. There were still lingering, tension between the prior factions, bodies still in fight mode and having difficulty readjusting to normality. The majority of bots lived through different time frames on separate planets, while some felt time passing slowly similar to earth time, many dealt with feeling as though only months had passed since the war had ended. These differing perspectives of time cause many problems in work, in life, in connections.

Optimus would never want to admit this to anyone, …but he was tired. From being the leader of an eons long war, to being the voice that everyone goes to when problems arise. He knows that there were still issues to be resolved and threats to handle but now after so long he just wanted to rest. He wanted to live and grow old with Elita-1, he wanted to see Hot Rod grow into the great mech he knows he can be, he wants to put down his title and just return to Orion Pax. But right now it feels less of a possibility than ever.

He goes over bots that feel like they could be the best options to take over the mantle but each with flaws or lives already living. Smokescreen is a prime candidate, already having been deemed worthy by the matrix years prior, but the more he sees the young mech living a proper life, forming bonds of camaraderie and even falling in love, he can’t burden him with that title. The matrix hasn’t called out to him in years, seems as though he was worthy but he is what is needed now.

Bumblebee also comes to mind but he too is a young bot. A bit older yes but he too had a full life to live as well. The matrix never called out to him even when Optimus was certain that the prior scout had the ability to be prime. Ultra Magnus, Arcee, Prowl, Jazz, names upon names that filled his head of bots that hold a place in his spark that feel as though they could be worthy of the matrix. But he knows that even if he calls them worthy of the title, it was up to the matrix of leadership to allow them to bestow it on them. And after all these years it’s never called out to anyone, …not even to him anymore. 

He felt it about two weeks ago, the matrix, a constant companion that has been radiating energy from his chassis for millennia ..has gone quiet. He panicked when it happened since the last time it did he was on death’s doorstep. But all the rest of his systems were functioning as they should, he was more alive than ever, healthier and physically thriving. He hasn’t told anyone about the matrix going silent so as not to cause a societal panic. He doesn’t understand what it means, was he no longer worthy, did it deem himself no longer a leader, ..or did it mean he wasn’t what was needed?

He didn’t know and right now this wasn’t what he needed to worry about. It’s been awhile since he visited Earth on official business, whenever he came it was to show Hot Rod the planet that became a second home for their kind. But this visit was to see a specific group of bots that he’s been keeping a close eye on since the moment they arrived on Earth practically a little over a decade ago. A group that began something that he truly did not expect to branch out the way it did, …the Rescue Bots.

It was a ..thought experiment really. While the Autobots needed the numbers, it was thought at the time they were mere civilians, a rescue based team. The perfect group of bots that could be the start of something, the start of true community with humanity. He knew that with his team they would never connect with humans in a proper way beyond the constant threat of Decepticons. But if bots were taken away from the combat and placed into an environment that needed not to worry of war and battle coming to them, it would cause the relationship between transformer and human to grow. 

It worked better than he ever could’ve imagined, sure he realized after that the four were full soldiers and the island was as dangerous and had its own events and problems that were raised. That along with the fact the war still found its way to the island, the bond between the Rescue Bots and the citizens of the island were unlike any of present time. Transformers came and went from Earth now, even if they settled down there was still awkwardness between human and bot. But those four along with the bots that started to form around then found ease and comfort around humans. One in particular piqued Optimus’s interest and surprise the most of his change and growth. 

Stepping through the groundbridge he saw just the mech he was looking for. Heatwave was standing scolding two recruits for improper handling of equipment and strategy. While to some it looked as though he hated them, to those who know him this is just how it is with all. It’s something that Optimus both admires and wishes that Heatwave would calm down on, but it’s shown to get results and desire the annoyance that can be felt on recruits and those outside his own team working with him, he’s good at his job, excellent at his work, and knows just what he’s talking about when it came to many things. Many bots respect him for his drive and putting everyone on the same level of reprimanding no matter if they were an Autobot or a Decepticon or a neutral. If you were an idiot at your job and not doing it properly he was going to yell at you no matter what and show you how to do it better and properly.

Optimus could almost forget that this mech would constantly call him about joining the main team and get away from the island and humans. Now he barely ever sees him leave the island outside of diplomatic duties and getting resources. He, like the rest of the team, had made home on this bizarre piece of land, while they held care for Cybertron, Griffin Rock had become their true home. After the firebot dismissed the recruits he turned to see Optimus just standing by the groundbridge having been waiting for him to finish his scolding.

“Ah, sorry about that, Optimus. I forgot that you were coming today, was busy with training and-“

“There’s no need to apologize Heatwave, it seems that it was rather important.”

Optimus held great respect for the mech, he’s experienced more events and changes within himself in his life then any bot he’s known. He’s become so much throughout years of existing and yet held to the core being of himself. On some days Optimus doesn’t even know if he’s still the leader of the Autobots or a simple lover and father trying to live his life, and the second option he wants more. Even the matrix was no longer deeming him as the leader that was needed, he only wished it told him what was needed to begin with. 

The two walk as Heatwave explains everything that’s happened with the growth of the Rescue Bots and the diplomatic relationships with humans. Optimus saw a bit of himself as Heatwave talks about the goings on in his life and the work that he was getting done not of obligation but of pure passion. While he could be seen as aggressive and frustrating to work and get along with, he truly did want the best outcomes for everyone. He was in no way a young bot, he was already an adult when they met even if Optimus was old enough to be his father. But in some way Optimus was there to help guide him, to channel that energy that could get misdirected due to personal reasons that only he and a few others truly know about Heatwave. He mentored him subtly, not in the ways he did with Smokescreen or Bumblebee, just helped with what he could.

He never expected the mech to reach this far with just a seemingly simple mission that he gave him. Now he was running an academy, several academies in fact, being the main ambassador between humans and transformers, treating bots and cons with the same level of tolerance he gives to practically everyone, and even taking part in council meetings regarding repairs and rehabilitation for all bots post war. Even with all that he still carried the energy to be a lover and parent, to keep tabs on those he cares about, and to make sure that his own mind never becomes his worst enemy again. 

To say that Optimus hasn’t thought of granting Heatwave the title of Prime would be an understatement. His name was one he was actively trying to avoid thinking about. He can tell that despite Heatwave's respect for Optimus, when it comes to the title of Prime, Heatwave wants nothing to do with it. Optimus can understand very well why the title wouldn’t intrigue someone like Heatwave. All his life Heatwave has been trying to prove himself, to make up for his sins, real and imagined, to find peace in his mind, body, and soul. And he’s reached that point, he’s content to where he is, Optimus can easily imagine what Heatwave would say if he wanted to bestow him the title. 

…No, just a simple no. Not because he’s undeserving of the role, but because he would not believe himself to be. He’s just Heatwave, nothing more nothing less, he’s right where he needs and wants to be. Optimus doesn’t really believe that but Heatwave and the matrix don’t seem to agree with his thoughts. At least that’s what he thinks.

“So how’s everything on Cybertron going?”

“To tell you the truth, Heatwave, there have been some difficulties presenting themselves.”

“Like what?”

“There are still heavy tensions between Autobots and Decepticons, while for us it may have felt as though years have passed, many still follow with the Cybertronian time system.”

“Right, it’s only been a few months really for them.”

“That is correct. Along with that many are having trouble returning to civilian life and work. We are trying to find compromises with the tension and give others a steady hand in moving away from war, but it’s been taking a toll on many of us.”

“Yeah well, it’s never easy letting go of the weight on your back from a lifetime of combat. You and I should know, everything’s …just gotta move forward.”

“…How did you do it?”

“What?”

“How did you find the strength to let go? To build yourself after so long of being a singular idea, to allow the calmness to ..surround your spark, to dull the edges.”

“…To tell you the truth Prime, ..I don’t know. I really don’t. It just …happened. One minute you’re hating being on an organic world you’ve never seen before and told to protect beings you’ve never met, and then in a blink of an eye you couldn’t imagine yourself living anywhere but an island and trying to broker relations between your own kind and people that you’ve grown to love despite how much they can annoy you.”

“…When did you realize it? That you are where you belong, that this is the version of you that you wanted to see?”

“…Truth be told I still don’t see that mech. I’m getting closer than I ever had before, I can feel it. But, …I’m happy, I’m happy where I am. This might not be the version of myself that I always wondered about, ..but it is the version of me where I’m glad to be alive.”

“..I wish you the best this life can offer.”

“…Thank you Optimus. That means more than I can ask.”

The two conclude their meeting as Heatwave goes to handle a situation on the mainland academy. Optimus is left to wander the island for a while longer as he climbs to the highest point and looks towards the stars that started to form. He places his servo to his chassis as he tries to talk to the matrix.

“You’ve been at my side for longer than I had been Orion Pax. I have been Optimus Prime since the moment you deemed me worthy. And now after so long you no longer see me as such, so all I can ask is why, who? Give me a sign, that’s all I ask of you, if it’s not me, who do you deem worthy, who do you see as the next Prime?”

Only the sounds of the oceans rocking at the shores of Griffin Rock and the leaves rustling in the wind can be heard. Optimus let out a deep sigh, why did he expect the artifact to ever truly tell him what needed to be done. As he took his first steps down he felt this sudden pain in his chassis, a pain that he felt so many years ago. Back when the matrix first entered and dubbed him Optimus Prime, he tried to stay conscious but the pain began to overtake him as he passed out. From his chassis, the artifact lifted itself out of him with a divine glow. His frame began to revert to something almost old yet new, the gold that once trimmed him faded away, his eyes returning to a shade of blue they hadn’t been for a long time, the sheer aura and power that he carried diminishing, and the title he once wielded no longer being his to bare.

Then like a shooting star did the matrix of leadership travel across the island at a speed unlike any other. Everyone from human to transformer felt as though the worlds had been turned upside down. And for one bot in particular, his entire view of himself and the life he would lead was going to change in so many ways. The matrix made its way over the island and across the ocean as it neared the mainland.

Outside of the academy Heatwave was settling a fight between an Autobot and Decepticon recruits who got into an argument that went too far. Heatwave was getting tired of this and really wanted to get back home and rest, he scolded both parties and was about to tell them their punishments. No one expected an artifact revered by all to crash land directly at Heatwave, knocking him out and embedding itself into his chassis, surrounding his spark not as a cage like it did Optimus, but as heart as though it found where it needed to be, it found home.

Ratchet back at Cybertron was just trying to look over artifacts of the Prime era when he felt a shiver go down his spine. He felt this so long ago when Orion became Optimus, but that was wrong. This shouldn’t be possible in any way, there was no way that a new prime could appear. No one else was worthy, only Smokescreen and even then it hadn’t called out to the mechling ever since that day.

“RATCHET! YOU GOTTA SEE THIS!”

Ratchet came over to where the shout was coming from. Before him was a large column, on it held the names of every Prime that ever existed. Optimus’s name was upon it, it appeared when he was bestowed the matrix of leadership, glowing a bright blue when it did. But this was different, a practically blinding light similar to the sunsets of Earth, flickering like flames as it began to etch a name none had heard before.

Once the light had faded and their optics readjusted they were able to read what had been written. There was only one thought that filled their minds as they read it.

Who the frag is Prometheus Prime?!

Chapter Text

The first thing Optimus felt when he woke up was a deep throbbing pain in his chassis, the first thing he saw was his conjunx endura and bitlet standing across from him as he laid on a medical berth. He slowly started to lift himself up when he felt the hand of Ratchet push him back down causing him to wince.

“Stay down Ori-, Optimus. Your frame is very unstable right now, Primus knows what’ll happen if you move too much.”

Optimus was so confused, the last thing he remembered before falling unconscious was a pain and a bright glowing light shooting away from him. He turned to look at Elita-1 and Hot Rod who were trying to comfort him, this look of ..concern, fear, intrigue came from their eyes as they looked at him. He didn’t know what was going on, what they were looking at, until he saw for himself. 

Right behind them was a full panel mirror that showed his stiff form, the gold trim that once covered his body like chains was gone, he was shorter, not the size of when he was Orion but definitely smaller than he had ever been in eons. His eyes, by Primus, his eyes, it’s been so long since they had been that blue before, the star pupils he held still marked him with the legacy of a prime, but they were no longer filled. He looked like ..himself, more of himself that he had ever been. Everything practically faded away as he took in the image that was now him, he could almost feel lubricant dripping from his optics from pure ..happiness. …It only took a minute for him to realize that if this is what he looked like now then—

“Where’s the matrix?!” Optimus sprang from bed as he grasped Ratchet on both shoulders. Panic filled every part of his body as he tried to climb off of the berth, falling onto the floor as he felt a sense of urgency that he never had felt before. He didn’t realize it at the moment, but without the matrix assisting in giving him more emotional control and rational thought, this was the first time he had felt true unfiltered fear. It was overwhelming to say the least, every piston in him was overfiring, his plating overheating as his optics glitched with his vision blurring more and more.

The idea that the matrix was gone from him was a feeling of relief and pure terror. Relief of the burden of Primehood placed upon him that lasted for far too long, and terror as he did not know where it had gone and who may have had it. He wasn’t worthy anymore and by Primus did he feel the sting of that. A title he held for so long from an artifact that no longer saw him as such. Had he failed, was this his punishment, was he a failure of a leader, was he never deserving as such, was he to die without it, what if it fell into the wrong hands, what if—

“Orion.” In that moment the darkness that threatened to consume him broke as his optics started to clear, he felt a hand tilting his chin up. He found himself looking into the eyes of the love of his life, calling him by a name that felt so distant yet undoubtedly his. She followed along with his breathing, syncing it to hers as she helped him steady his aching body. It took almost twenty minutes to return to a stable systemic rhythm. He sat against the wall as Elita-1 and Hot Rod held him close. “Everything’s okay, I promise you. It’s all going to be fine.”

“…What happened?”

“…We don’t really know, not the full story at least.” Elita looks to Ratchet who was hooking Optimus back up to the monitors and scanners. 

“We found you unconscious on the cliffside of Mount Magma. You were having some form of seizure, had to get you to the medbay as fast as possible.”

“And the-“

“The matrix, …it’s safe. It’s in a safe place for now.”

“Ah, thank Primus. Thank you old friend.”

“…Optimus”

“Yes?”

“Did you know this was going to happen?” Ratchet crouched down to be at eye level with the fallen Prime. There were signs of worry along with frustration as it was clear Ratchet was seeing the signs that Optimus knew or at least had signs that something was wrong with the matrix. “Optimus, did you know?”

“…”

“That’s all I needed to hear-“

“Not this. ..I did not know this was going to happen.”

“So, what did you know?”

“..I’m..”

“Spit it out, Optimus.”

“…The matrix no longer deemed me worthy.”

The silence that filled the medbay weighed heavy on the now ex Prime and everyone in the room. Optimus or perhaps now Orion’s fear hadn’t fully left him, as he still did not know where the matrix was. Elita seeing the returning anxiety gently grasped his servo giving him a point in reality to link to.

“To answer that question of yours more throughly, ..we have an idea of where it is, and that it landed in a safe location, …but it comes with a slight problem.”

“…And what does that mean?”

It was practically an academy-wide panic when Heatwave got knocked out by what seemed to be a meteorite that went into his chassis. The recruits that were originally at odds with each other all worked to get Heatwave to the medical bay. The medics scrambled to get any readings from him, but every scan and monitor just showed the most fluctuating spark signatures, fuel malfunction, and lines that continuously blur between life and death.

Helix and Boulder were back on Cybertron but were making their way to the groundbridge to get the academy. Chase paced alongside Quickshadow as they talked to one of the nurses on staff as the two worried about their conjunx. Accelerate was doing his best to keep Hot Shot calm as their parents tried to figure out the situation. 

“What happened, why won’t you let us see him?!”

“Look I know this is difficult to understand, we are doing everything we can to help him. But this is something we’ve never seen before, the instability he’s currently facing could be dangerous to you if you get too close.”

“What is your guess on what is happening to Heatwave?”

“From what the students reported it seems that something crashed into him and embedded itself into his spark chamber.”

“WHAT?!”

“Please lower your voice box. While his body seems to be unstable, his processor seems to be functioning at a safe level. It seems to be that he’s in a sort of coma, whatever he’s experiencing in it seems to be elevating his emotional core.”

Helix and Boulder arrive just in time for all of them to see through the window as Heatwave is laying on the berth twitching. Hot Shot being held up by Ace puts his servo to the window.

“I hope Pri is having a good dream.”

“WHERE THE FRAG AM I?!!”

A frazzled Heatwave found himself in a star filled void with no real surface to stand on. As above and below, all was the same in every direction no matter where he looked. He took a cautious step forward trying to see if there was any sort of floor to walk across, he would find that his foot connected at the same level as he stood. Gaining the confidence to take another step, he started to walk this empty dimension, all the while panicking over if he was dead or not. 

He hoped that he wasn’t dead, he had too much to get back to, he had people and things to live for. He didn’t want to die when he finally was happy about himself and could look in the mirror and see his own damn face. And all because of a stupid meteoroid or comet or whatever decided to collide him in the chest! He hated this, he hated all of this, he didn’t want to be dead, he just wants to go back home—

“Calm yourself young one, you’re safe, you are not dea-“ In an instant, the second a mysterious voice came into his vicinity, Heatwave on instinct sucker punched whoever that was immediately. He may be less inclined to physical aggression in his day and age, but this situation didn’t exactly help him to think rationally. So that’s how you end up in a situation where Heatwave had just clocked Prima Prime to the ground and knocked him out. Heatwave was left even more confused than ever before moving his eyes further up and seeing …the Primes of the past. From the ones that helped to start this world, to the leaders granted the title through achievement and honor.

And here was a bot who’s considered himself as just a blue collar worker trying to do the best he can with what he has, standing over the body of the first Prime who he had just punched right across the faceplate and was currently unconscious. Well if he was dead or isn’t dead, he’s fairly certain that either way he’s heading right down to the Pit for this. The mood was now in a more common tongue compared to the Primes language, pretty awkward. Prima recovered from the blow rather quickly, though it was clear he was not at all expecting that form of reaction when one heard his voice, then again this isn’t any of the type of bot that the matrix had deemed worthy. 

He wiped away the slight spill of energon from his mouth as he stood up fully towering over Heatwave. The rest of the Primes slowly make their way to form a circle around the flustered Heatwave being careful not to startle him any further. Prima, once clearing his throat, began to speak once more.

“Calm yourself young one. You are not dead, as you might be believing.”

“…But you’re dead?”

“…You are not dead. This is neither the Pit nor the Allspark.”

“Then where am-“

“You are within the bounds of the matrix.”

“Matrix? The matrix? The leadership matrix?! The matrix of leadership?!!”

“That very one. Why are you so shocked? I’m certain that the ceremony was a grand occasion for everyone, a passing of the torch from one to another.”

“…What the hell are you talking about?! Talk to me like a normal person here! You mean to tell me that I’m right now, inside the matrix of leadership!?”

To say that Prima and the others were taken awake by this display of confusion and frustration emanating from this mech. When the matrix was passed down from bot after bot, it carried deep purpose and meaning, each carrying it throughout their life and journey to achieve the purpose needed from them. The matrix did not just pick anyone from the crowd, it looked for those that would bear it and be the one that Cybertron and the colonies needed during that time. Some would achieve their destinies resulting in the matrix leaving them and becoming dormant for millenium. For others they carried it till the end of their lives for no other could continue and understand the work they needed to be done or maintained. 

But one commonality that truly stayed was that the matrix would never simply enter another without a grand show. Each who was bestowed were given a ceremony, where they would be given the power and title to be what was needed for their home to thrive. They understood the importance of the work that would follow for them, and while it may become painful along the way, they understood that pain was what they were agreeing to. They knew they were to be the next prime.

“Okay can one of you old gasket cases tell me what on Earth and Cybertron is going on?!”

Safe to say this was an entirely new situation they had found themselves in. Because for the first time in all of time, the newest Prime did not realize he was deemed worthy by the matrix of leadership and has already become Prime. None of them really ever wanted to admit this but whenever this sort of thing happened each time it was more a formal greeting into Primehood and giving slight advice before sending them back to reality. By now they would’ve already gotten to Onyx in giving congratulations and words of wisdom, but now they were dealing with ..this one. 

“I understand this may be quite a lot to take in, becoming a Prime is not easy on the mind-“

“I’M A PRIME!??”

This situation is what you may call getting worse than getting better. At this point what used to look like great beings standing stoically as they tried to introduce this new bot to his destiny, were now bots scrambling to try and get this whole ordeal under control but seemed more like headless chickens trying to find their way. Solus stepped up to the plate to grasp Heatwave by the shoulders, dropping the formality entirely because it’s clear that unless spoken directly nothing was going to get through the mech.

“We need you to calm down and listen okay, give us a minute to explain what is happening and then you may speak alright?” Heatwave is still so confused about everything, while believing this to be no more than a fever dream or coma of sorts, he nods his head and becomes quiet to hear them all. With the peace that settled they started to explain what happened to him and where he was now. They let him speak during certain intervals to receive more information on what happened to make him so flummoxed.

Safe to say he was right to freak out because the matrix had never done that before in all its history. To choose someone who seemed far from its usual criteria and granting him the title in such an unceremonious fashion while leaving Optimus, who they had all believed to be the very last of the Primes, just leaving him in the dust. Heatwave’s reaction honestly was the proper one with the scenario that they had all found themselves in. At this point none of them were even trying to speak eloquently as they tried to process this.

“Okay, alright, we don’t have a lot of time so here’s the run down. You’re the Prime now, the matrix has deemed you worthy, we don’t know what it sees in you or what it believes you can bring to Cybertron, not a jab at your character it’s the same with all the other primes. So uh, good luck, make good decisions and oh, your name’s Prometheus Prime now.”

“Wait what-“ Heatwave could feel himself falling from the facade surface he stood on into the endless starry pit of the void. His surroundings turned darker and darker as the light slowly faded into pitch black. And as he grew ever closer to the end, a different light started to fill his optics as he found himself waking up prematurely in the middle of the medbay surrounded by panicking nurses and doctors. 

He barely reacted when his partners, friends, and kids came into the room in a hurry and started asking him if he was okay. What seemed like eternity since he heard it, the faint sound of ringing filled his optics as he turned his head to see himself in the mirror. He’s never told those close to him about …his reflections. Sure they knew about his past, his issues, the feeling of never being enough and never being the person he thought he needed or wanted to be, the feeling of being alive as something he dreaded over and over again, the feeling as though he wasn’t worth a damn, ..they knew all of that. But he never, ever, told them about the mirrors.

And here it was, after years of thinking he beat it, that he could see his face once more, there it was. Just a dark scribble covering it, his face, his identity, his self, all of it was up in the air again. He was terrified, because it meant he’d taken a step back, that he failed, that he was made wrong, that he was made into something he could no longer recognize. He hasn’t even changed physically yet, but mentally all he can see is a stranger looking right at him.

“Heatwave, Heatwave are you okay?”

“…Prometheus.”

“Wha what?”

“Prometheus. ..Prometheus Prime, that’s what they called me.

Chapter Text

The calling of the council was made as soon as Heatwave and Optimus were well enough to get out of the medbays. Everyone who was on the council or was important to the restoration of Cybertron was sorted into the meeting area. The tension that was felt was almost on the same level of when the peace treaty was being signed. This was unprecedented, unpredictable, and all and all something that could mess everything they were working for up.

Optimus sat at the head of the table as he could feel the eyes of both allies and ex-enemies staring at his new form. It wasn’t a major difference but when you’ve held a stature and form for longer than you had your original one, it starts to become the image all see you as. No longer strung with gold, his height now to that of a regular tall mech, his strength diminished, and his eyes a soft blue, while looking the same, the grandiose aura that held on to him was no more. He could also tell when those eyes began to shift to the bot next to him.

There were only a few times that he’s seen Heatwave break his stoic composure, whether it was the very existence of Earth in danger or when the Well of Allsparks opened once more to revive their home. All he could see was the complete dread that covered the firebot’s face and body. While he appeared the same, it was clear the change to Prime was already beginning. His eyes had always been golden with diamond pupils, rare and full of light that held too many meanings that affected moments in his life.

When he first met the mech, he hid those eyes to be a standard yellow with square pupils, as though ashamed of such a beloved trait. He had only recently started to show his true eyes in public and find peace with them. But right now he could barely look anyone in the eyes as his pupils were now stars, showing that the matrix was already taking to change his body. It was altering his form much faster than it ever did for Optimus, whatever that might mean is anyone’s guess.

“Thank you all for gathering here tonight, I understand that this was of late notice but it’s of dire importance.”

“Well when you hear that the matrix decided to BURST YOUR CHASSIS AND EMBEDDED ITSELF INTO THIS ONE!!” Optimus can practically see Heatwave out of the corner of his optic sinking deeper into his seat. He should’ve considered that bots such as Prowl would have a more difficult time with this ..situation. As far as it goes the records of Heatwave weren't anything grand, he didn’t have major battles or combat related events that made him one of the well known names of the war. The only reason he became as well known as he is, is due to Optimus giving him the mission to protect Griffin Rock and become an ambassador between humans and transformers. Optimus has gotten some flack due to picking Heatwave as the main diplomat between Earth and Cybertron, being told that others could do it better, that others had better qualifications then someone who spent most of his war time being a rescuer. Just a regular bot doing what he could in a time of crisis.

Optimus never liked when he heard bots talk badly about the Rescue Bot leader, he had shown him time and time again to be a good honest mech. He along with his team are the only ones with any true qualifications to be ambassadors with humanity, and only he has the ability to be able to mediate between the two species with the same level of respect and accountability out of any Autobot.

“Watch your tone Prowl, what has occurred was in no fault of Heatwave’s, and I will not tolerate any disrespect towards him. Do I make myself clear?”

“…Yes Optimus.”

“Good. That goes for everyone else as well, this event was incapable of being predicted. I apologize for hiding the anomalies I had been experiencing with the relic, but believe me when I say this, the transferring of Primehood from me to Heatwave was not of my own choice. The matrix had believed me to no longer be worthy of its power, and with all that we have gathered has now given Heatwave the title of Prime.”

“Prometheus Prime in fact. From what that engraving said to what he said when he woke up.”

“Ratchet please.”

“…I’d still prefer being called Heatwave.”

“Optimus, are you sure that it has fully granted Heatwave the title of Prime?

“Prometheus Prime, Ultra Magnus, don’t forget Prometheus.”

“Knockout cease. To answer your question, yes. The matrix has fully fused into his spark chamber, becoming one with his systems. Removing it would mean removing his entire spark.”

“And I would love to keep my spark.”

“..Why? Why though, why him of all bots? Surely someone else would’ve been a better candidate than him, no offense.”

“All taken.”

“I’m simply stating that the qualifications to be Prime-“

“Are unknown and fluctuate judging by the societal atmosphere of us as a community. It deemed me worthy during the time of revolution and war, now in a time of peace, ..it did not see me as the one to lead our people forward into light. Instead it chose to find someone it believed could lead us to greatness, and that bot is none other than Heatwave.” Everyone in the room turned to Heatwave once Optimus completed. Heatwave looking down at his hands thinking over what to say in this moment, what to do that would make this any better or sane compared to the bombshells that were said. So instead of saying anything, he simply stood up, calmly collected his things, and proceeded to walk right out of the council room.

“Wait where are you going?!”

“Home!” He said as he started to pick up speed to get out of there faster. “You all can figure this out without me right? Right.”

Some of the bots in the room got up as well and started to try and catch up with him. It was practically a chase at this point when Heatwave started to pick up speed till he reached the elevator and desperately pressed the close button on it. Right when they were about to catch up the door finally closed as he waved them goodbye and descended to the first floor. Everyone looked back at Optimus who was at the back looking for any sort of answers. All he could do was give a weak shrug and face filled with cautiousness for what’s to come.

“So, …you’re Prime now?”

“No, no, oh Primus no.”

“…But uhh-“

“Yes I know I have the matrix, and I know it’s wrapped into my spark, but that doesn’t mean I’m Prime.”

“Well in terms and records and the circumstances that have happened within the last 24 hours, this very much constitutes you being the current Prime-“ 

“Chase, Chase, …you know I love when you talk, but please, for me, not now.” 

“I mean it doesn’t sound bad being the conjunx to the Prime.”

“Quickshadow please, I’m already losing my mind right now.”

After the meeting Heatwave hauled aft back home to Griffin Rock. He avoided everything that could relate to his ascend into Primehood. Unfortunately when your conjunx enduras are both a cop and an agent who you’ve been together with for years now, they're able to read you like a book. They have been treating him the most normal out of everyone, they still tease, they still love, they still are treating him as the same old Heatwave. They aren’t letting go though of the fact he was now essentially the new messiah for Cybertron. Now lying on their couch, Heatwave only wishes that this nightmare will be over soon.

“Calm yourself Heatwave, everything’s going to be fine.”

“Indeed, I’m sure that Optimus and the others will find a way to remove it safely without damaging your spark.”

“And if they don’t?”

“Well congratulations, you’ve gotten a promotion.”

“Urrrggghhhhhh, this is the worst day of my life.”

“…What about?-“

“One of the worst days of my life.”

“Alright let’s actually break this down. The matrix of leadership, made by the first Prime himself, passed down generations of bots who had been deemed worthy to handle whatever crisis was happening on Cybertron at the time. From Sentinel, to Vanguard, to many others through time, all then leading to Optimus Prime. All of them having at least the forethought of becoming Prime, knowing they were worthy and going to have the ceremonies to become Prime.

…And then there’s you who just got hit by the matrix out of nowhere after deeming OPTIMUS PRIME no longer worthy or needed, and now you’re the only one who has the ability to fix the crisis, whatever that may be. Is that what we’ve currently come to?”

“It’s a fluke, it means nothing. I’m sure that within the week it’ll come out on its own and realize that I’m not the mech for the job. Simple as that.”

“And if it doesn’t?”

“…We’ll cross that bridge when it happens.”

“Heatwave, let me ask you a very serious question, and you must answer it truthfully.”

“…Alright.”

“Why do you think you are not fit to be a Prime?”

“Alphabetical or chronological.”

“Heatwave.”

“Okay, alright. Look, I’m just ..me.”

“And you is?”

“I run my mouth where I shouldn’t, I piss off practically everyone I work with, I am no war hero in any way, the only reason people even know my name is because Optimus gave US, the very specific mission to protect Griffin Rock. Being given a mission directly from him is the reason why I’m even on that council in the first place.”

“Isn’t it because you are the ambassador that you are on the council?”

“That’s, that’s something else, that has nothing to do with me supposedly being Prime or even having the qualifications for it right now.”

“I don’t know, I mean you were the only one to be able to mediate during that reconstruction process in Chicago. Managed to get everyone on board and communicating, even the Decepticons on site listened to you.”

“Okay, what does this have to do with me being Prime?”

“Well what do you think the qualifications are?”

“I don’t know! I guess, being selfless, trying to find the best solutions that makes sure everyone is safe, being a leader to all even in the face of danger, protecting and leading entire planets of bots who are looking to you for answers! You know, being Optimus, that’s the face of a Prime, that’s someone who’s been Prime for so long he is the embodiment of what a Prime is, that’s someone who is worthy of the title.”

“Was, was worthy. And now you are.”

“…I’m not worthy. Not even a bit.”

“Well let’s see with your qualifications for the title. Selfless, you’ve been selfless for all your life that it can border on harm. You think before you try anything, before you put fists up, you look to figure out how to help. You are a leader whose literal job has been to face danger at every turn. Protecting and leading entire planets? You are the one who does that when connecting humans and transformers! You are already the bot they look to for answers when it comes to rescues, to rebuilding, to make do with what we have! 

If Optimus is your idea of a perfect Prime and those are your qualifications for being a Prime, you’ve passed all of them with flying colors.”

Heatwave clearly was looking for any form of rebuttal against all of it. But he couldn’t produce a single word out of his mouth before crashing into the couch. A deep groan came from his voice box as he placed his face plate into his servos.

“Relax. It’s not like anyone else knows about this. It’s only between the Rescue Bots, the medics that were on staff, and the council. I’m sure everything will be fine, they’ll figure out something before everyone finds out. Don’t worry Heaty, like you said, this’ll blow over within the week, we’ll figure it out.”  The two kiss him on both cheeks before cuddling up. Heatwave blushes hard and he closes his optics making himself comfortable, this is nice. For now he’s gonna rest and not worry about it all, hey at least he’s not gonna have a ceremony in front of the entirety of Cybertron.

“Alright so how are the plans of Heatwave’s primacy ceremony coming along?”

Optimus sitting across from those he believed could assist in making the announcement to the people of Cybertron and the colonies.

“Optimus, are you sure about this? We still do not understand what the matrix desires out of Heatwave, and he seems to have no desire for the matrix either. Going forth with this may cause many to feel frustration and perhaps fear of the direction Cybertron is heading.”

“I understand your concerns and I hear them. This will change everything that comes forth, but hiding the truth will cause greater harm. They must know that I am no longer Optimus Prime, and that a new Prime has been called upon.”

“…Do you truly believe Heatwave is the next Prime?”

“…The matrix has never steered us wrong before, and I will not question its choice to change hands. …From this moment on, I will no longer be Optimus Prime, …I am Orion Pax. And soon the worlds will know the name of the next generation, …Prometheus Prime.”

“…Alright, let us hope that others see what you do in him.”

“That I hope, that I hope.”

Chapter Text

It had been quite some time since Alpha Trion had been called upon. When he was retrieved from stasis it was quite a fanfare for a while. Reuniting with Optimus and Smokescreen held many tears, many apologies, especially to the young mech. Gone on that long believing that he didn’t save an old mech like him, that will forever be one of his biggest regrets, leaving Smokescreen with such a guilty conscience that was not his to hold.

After the reunion, Alpha Trion retired to the archives. While he gave words of wisdom to all who sought it, it wasn’t his place anymore to drive their worlds into a better tomorrow. He was old, frail, ideas bold yet ancient with no true place for the more modern bots. He still enjoyed when young ones came with questions of the past, it filled his spark with light whenever he could pull out the right datapad for them. The newest generation treat him no more than a grandfather type of mech, the eldest try to hold him to the respect of a demigod he did not wish to be anymore. He’s tried to take some lessons from Alchemist or Maccadam as he’s dubbed himself in this day and age, but his face is still too well known in this time to take a new identity. So he’s living in quiet solitude however he can until his face too is gone from memory.

But when he received that message from Optimus, well it wasn’t anything that he would ever expect. The matrix of leadership had always been quite the character, when it first emerged it was only the hilt to his brother’s sword. But when blessed by the power of Primus itself, the fickle thing began to have a mind of its own. It disappeared for a long while, it didn’t emerge until after Megatronus’s betrayal and each of the remaining Primes went their own paths. Only then did it return with a vigor, it burst forth from its resting spot and appeared at the top of a mountain. Though many reached the top, it wasn’t until a bot named Zhe arrived before it. The matrix placed itself into the bot and forth came Zeta Prime, the first bearer of the matrix. With him and the power it granted it allowed for Cybertron to flourish more and more until it deemed him complete of his mission and went missing once again.

Each bot after had to find the trickster artifact once they had been deemed worthy. Of course no one actually knew the parameters of what it meant to be worthy of such status and power. They could guess and claim that a bot was worthy of the title, but they never got it right, and it always ended up being someone else who gained a vision to find the matrix. They were given a ceremony when they returned with the matrix and transformed before a crowd as the next prime. Sentinel Prime was a false one, he claimed to have found the matrix and activated it before he returned, but really he simply upgraded himself to give the illusion of Primehood until his demise. Most bots never realized this and still put Sentinel on the lists of Primes, Trion has been doing his best to correct history. It wasn’t until Optimus that they actually managed to pick right and that it was someone who was worthy, the matrix was only waiting for the right moment.

But never did it decide to leave a host so prematurely, especially one that even he thought would be till the very end of his life and crash into its next host. He does not know much about this Heatwave, unlike other bots that Optimus had always spoken so highly about, this one was the only one to never visit the archives. Always busy with something, one of the founders of a new training path, an administrator to see over all the academies, a teacher for said students of the original academy, the leader of a rescue team on a human island, the ambassador between the fledgling humanity and transformers, no matter what he always had something keeping him far away from the archives. He only had what Optimus had told him, he had a fire that could burn brighter than the sun, that he could prove to be difficult for some to work with, but he held kindness and care in his spark that carried him through challenge after challenge that tried to diminish it.

Even before all of this had begun Alpha Trion was certain that Optimus would try to guide Heatwave into Primehood. While Smokescreen had potential and even was made worthy of the matrix back on Earth, he was still young, he was still finding his way in life and deserved to live. All of this has been surprising and would very much shake up Cybertron for quite some time taking in a new Prime and an unknown destiny, but Trion believed that it would best to take it all with stride. There’s much to be done to catch the mech up to speed.

“…So this is Heatwave?”

“Yes, I apologize in advance if his tone comes off as rude. He has what humans have referred to me as an ‘asshole voice’.”

Alpha Trion was ready for anything when meeting the brand new Prime, but he was not expecting his appearance to be the thing that caused his mind to almost completely blank. Sure Optimus gave him a vague description of the mech, but nothing prepared for the sheer amount of old memories he was going to experience. For the bot that was awkwardly standing at the doorway of the archives …looked exactly like Nexus Prime. Well one of the pieces of his brother, the one that held the over four together and acted as the main voice of him. Optimus guided the younger mech to see Trion face to face, …the more he takes in the more it only brings dark memories of the past with his siblings.

“Heatwave, meet Alpha Trion. Alpha Trion, this is Heatwave, or as the matrix has dubbed him Prometheus Prime.”

“Uh, it’s nice to meet you sir. Please just call me Heatwave, Prometheus doesn’t sound right.”

“…Of course, of course. ..Come along, I have much to show you.” Not only did this bot carry the face of his missing brother, he also carried the voice of him in perfect pitch. He knew it couldn’t be him, the parts that made up Nexus chose to separate permanently in an attempt to hide all the artifacts, that is an action he could never take back. This bot from what he knows is an injector spark, he’s lived a full life outside of any influence from the Primes. It was probably in the realm of descendants, each of the primes did feed their own energon to the Allspark to assist in creating the groundwork for Cybertronians. This mech here simply would’ve gotten the majority of his spark from Nexus’s energon. Still it did not help Trion’s psyche whenever Heatwave would speak, every word from his mouth felt as though he had Nexus back, if in a much more youthful and anxious voice.

Still he couldn’t let his past affect the present, there was so much he had to share with the new prime about the changes he would experience of mind and body. It’s clear from just his eyes that he was already beginning to change, this was odd to say the least. The eyes were usually the very last part of a bot to become Primely, but Optimus did say the progression was moving faster than it ever did. Trion showed Heatwave ancient texts showing the evolution his body would undergo and the ceremony that all Primes before him had to connect with the populace. It wasn’t hard to notice that Heatwave was hardly paying attention to the information, he constantly was looking at his communicator to see if anything came up with the academies or the island. He does not like spending this much time away from his duties, he knows that the others can easily handle it since he helped in handpicking recruits, staff, and assigning teams to different sectors on Earth and Cybertron. It was clearly more a way for him to avoid all of this and not fall deeper into becoming a Prime.

“Alpha Trion, sir, this is all …nice to hear but really this isn’t even worth your time. Just pull out the datapad that says ‘How to remove the matrix’ and we can all just avoid all this bureaucracy.”

“That is …not possible.”

“Why, why, why isn’t it possible? I mean you’ve been around for a long time, right. You’ve had to at least see someone get close to it.”

“Yes, when the matrix was being ripped out of their chassis and ending their life.”

“…I meant ones where they didn’t die.”

“Heatwave. I’m going to tell you the clearest I can. There is no removing it, there is no denying that you are a Prime and there is no changing that.”

“But, but you said it yourself I’m not complete, my body is still in the development phase, there’s still a window for me, I’m not a Prime yet and we can stop it before it finishes.”

“As long as you bear the matrix, as long as it’s chosen you, it does not matter if your body and mind haven’t completed their final forms. You are a Prime, in title and in destiny, it’s merely your physical form that must catch up.”

“N-, no, no, NO! That can’t be it, there’s gotta be a way, there’s just gotta. If it can choose me and clearly it can unchoose someone, I just have to find some way to make it known that I’m not worthy. Once it realizes that it’ll leave me and then-“

“And then what? It’s been made obvious that the matrix does not wish to return to Opti-, …to Orion Pax. And it’s shown to have a strange interest in you. Even if we were to remove it, what then? Cybertron would be without a Prime, who knows what will happen then?”

“And what if we didn’t have a Prime?”

“What?”

“I said what if we didn’t? Do we really need one, do we really need a Prime for ..whatever the matrix thinks is even needed for a Prime?”

“Cybertronians need a leader, they need someone who can bring them to a brighter tomorrow!”

“And it has to be a Prime!? It has to be someone given a title who, by the way, doesn’t want it!”

“It is not a matter of want, it is a matter of necessity! I can not question or control what the matrix is going to do! It answers only to the wish of Primus, and even then it will do what it deems necessary against even his wishes!”

“WELL SORRY TO SAY THIS BUT WHATEVER PRIMUS OR THIS THING WISHES, THEY’VE GOT THE WRONG MECH! SORRY THAT I BELIEVE WE DON’T NEED A PRIME TO TRY AND FIX ALL THE FUCKUPS WE’VE DONE AS A SPECIES! SO WRONG THAT THE OTHER PRIMES WONDERED WHY IN THE PIT I WAS EVEN CHOSEN!”

“THE WISHES OF PRIMUS HAS ALWAYS GUIDED US TO-, …the other Primes? ..You’ve spoken to the other Primes?”

“I-, …yah, ..isn’t that, they told me they do that with everyone who arrives in …whatever that space was in the matrix. …Why?”

“…Because you’re not supposed to see it until the transformation is complete.” Alpha Trion quickly went to the nearest shelves, pulling out data pad after datapad.

“Heatwave” Orion stated as he clasped his servo on Heatwave’s shoulder, “that was uncalled for.” 

“…Sorry, just ..got a little heated there. ..I just, …”

“..I understand that this is something that you never planned for, none of us ever did. But it is here, and as far as it all goes, it is staying. …You are a Prime, ..and it would be wise to find peace with it, to use this gift granted to help even more than you already are.”

“…Did it feel like that to you? …A gift?”

The silence Orion carried said more to Heatwave than any word the ex Prime could’ve attempted. Just when Orion was about to speak Alpha Trion slammed down multiple datapads and scrolls of various sizes.

“I and the rest of the archivists shall look over all of these in the coming days. Your progression into your new form is an unknown variable. I am unsure if this development is a sign of good faith or-. In all seriousness until this is figured out I suggest constant surveillance of your body and reporting to the medics of any changes, slow or rapid.”

“I, alright, sure I’ll make sure to do that. …This isn’t a sign that it’s going to kill me right?”

“…I will have the information ready within the week. For now, what you have to concern yourself with is your coming ceremony and speech.”

“…Do I have to?”

“If not then it only be time until it’s revealed Orion is no longer Prime. It’s better to do it all at once then let word of mouth reveal the truth. The only question is ..what will you say to them?”

Heatwave looks to the floor as Trion asks him. He’s been avoiding any talk of ceremony. He’s been trying to deny it all, to avoid it, to find a way out of this. …And he can’t, he can’t avoid this any longer, even if they manage to find anything on how to remove the matrix it would take too long. The whole of Cybertron, the colonies, Earth, they would learn the truth before he would ever be able to get rid of it.

To stand before all bots and humans alike, to stand and say ‘I am the Prime’, to know that they will want answers, they will want guidance, guidance he’s not even sure he could ever provide. He’s not a Prime, …at least he doesn’t feel he is. Every part of it just ..doesn’t belong to him, a Prime …shouldn’t be what’s needed now and yet here he was feeling as though he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing. This title, this power that he supposedly now holds, …it shouldn’t be his, the future of Cybertron shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of a Prime, especially not one with so much hatred of himself in his spark.

“…I don’t know. I really don’t know.”

Chapter Text

Earth had been a lot of things to Heatwave over the years. When he first arrived a prison of sorts, a place where he was unfortunately made to reside. He didn’t want to admit it but back then when all of them were taking in the new environment, …he fell in love with it. Of course due to the circumstances they were in, him wanting to join the Autobots, and not trusting the Burns family yet, he hid the awe he felt when they made home on Griffin Rock. Even to this day he never brought up the fact he too fell in love with Earth and the mission from the moment they arrived.

He didn’t know if it was pride, or fear that made him hold his glossa for years but he liked this world, ..he loved this world. Even when they started to work with the Burns and help the people of the island, he made efforts to get Optimus to take him to Nevada to help the Autobots. He’s glad that Optimus never took him up for that offer, things would’ve taken a whole different turn in his life if he went. He honestly couldn’t imagine a different life than what he has led on an island that’s tried to kill him more than once. He didn’t realize how much being on the island changed a lot of his own views.

When Cybertron revived, when the Well was restored and the space bridge was open, …he wasn’t the first to go in. Everyone went in before him, he didn’t even take the first step forward. For a mech who claimed to have missed Cybertron more than anything, he sure was hesitant to go back to it. When he finally did it brought tears to his optics, the light that had died before his eyes had returned in its full glory. But the personal pain he held came to him face to face only a week into peace, …his units.

His team, the Burns, they knew he was an injector spark, the only one in the team with parents, the others had mentors of sorts but he was the only one that was born with biological parents. …Though he doesn’t really consider them his parents anymore, at this point they’re just acquaintances, strangers, bots that just happened to work in the same field. Beyond work, they were completely cut off from his life, no visits, no comm link, no interacting with his kids or family in any way. Others had called him harsh for doing it, the revival of Cybertron supposedly meant letting old dogs lie, the grievances you carried to fade away and start anew. ..And going no contact with them was starting anew, even before Hot Shot was even thought of, Heatwave knew that he didn’t want Red Alert and Inferno near him and his new family.

He tried to make peace with them, to talk about what happened before the war even began, to at least get closure so they could move on closer than they were back then. …Instead he got dodging accountability, still believing what they did was for his own good, telling him they didn’t have the access to help themselves and him due to Cybertronian bias and functionalism. Which was partially true, until he brought up the ways they could’ve faced it, how they could’ve helped him to build himself up as he was instead of trying to hide him from the world. 

How they could’ve helped themselves get better, to be better, how both could’ve taken less time on work instead of leaving him home alone for hours without going to a proper schooling, how Inferno could’ve stop pretending everything was fine and putting on a smile in a home that was already broken, how Red Alert could’ve taken his medication, something he had access to, and he never took them, not even to see if it would help him. There’s only so much a mechling could take being afraid of your own Sec because he was having a paranoid episode and thought the world was out to get them and locked you in your room without energon for hours and didn’t let you out until your Pri got back home. And even when you were let out you weren’t even the first thought, instead your Pri calms your Sec in another room not even bothering to get checked up on you even after while you’re left wondering why no one bothered to see if you were okay, if you felt safe in your own home.

And not even bothering to chase you when you ran away from it. Not even caring when you land in the hospital because all the terrible thoughts in your processor told you that you weren’t worth a damn. So you decided you really weren’t, you survived somehow, managed to get away practically scotch free, a rusted railing was blamed instead of the hatred of your own being, Primus were you lucky that no one realized what you actually did. And you’re left lying in the hospital, …and neither came, you almost died, and neither of them came.

All of this, everything, every little thing, he would’ve given them a second chance, another damn chance if they could say they fragged up. If they said it from the start, the minute they sat down and talked, he would’ve forgiven them and they could’ve found a way to make their relationship work. Instead he gets avoidance, inability to say how much they messed up, downplaying the slag that was his childhood. That's when he knew there was no fixing this, there wasn’t going to be fixing if he was the only one truly wanting to fight to have a real conversation, a real relationship. So he just left ten minutes in, that’s all it took for him to know he never wants them in his life ever again.

Quickshadow and Chase were more than willing to keep them away, they realized quickly that it was both the easiest and hardest decision of his life. Helix and Boulder took a bit of convincing but they understood that it wasn’t their place to say that he should let them into his life. Especially after learning about what happened during the meet, they were more than understanding of his decision. Accelerate was a bit off put by not getting to know his adoptive grandparents, but he never put up a fuss about it. He had the family he made here and that was enough then bringing in two random bots that bring bad memories.

And when Hot Shot was only just a spark they freshly injected, Heatwave fully made his mind of never letting his units into his family. He could never ever trust them to be around his children, to be around him, without feeling like they will scar them just like they did to him. If Hot Shot wanted to meet them in the future when he’s an adult, he’d be more than willing to let him meet his grandparents. But now, when he’s only seven years old, they will never get near him, not under his watch. Ace didn’t really care to meet them, even when Heatwave said he could. Ace heard enough about how they were with Heatwave, meeting them wouldn’t do him any good.

Cybertron while it was home, he couldn’t deny that after so long being on Earth, when the memories returned, Cybertron felt tainted. That’s why he never settled back into a home there, he had a separate housing for him and his family to live in on Griffin Rock. The firehouse bunker was a bit too tight to hold them all comfortably in private, took two years but when it was built it was exactly how they wanted it. Nothing fancy or over the top, just comfortable, a safe place, …home, just pure home. 

…And now, …he’s meant to be the leader, the bearer, the Prime, …for a planet that has long since …stopped being your true home. Not that you’d admit it to anyone’s face, but it changes things, things you really don’t want to think about right now. Things were meant to be routine, not simple but at least routine, and now it’s just ..one more variable in a life he was fond of. All he wants is-

“Hey Clifford, have you even been listening to anything I’ve said in the last thirty minutes? We’re going the wrong way.”

Heatwave’s train of thought derailed completely as he was brought back to reality. He almost forgot that he was on a drive with Kade back from a mission, he had been circling the same route this entire time and ended up going down the wrong trail.

“…Did you just call me after that big red dog book?”

“Yes cause you haven’t been listening to a word I’ve said since we started driving back to the firehouse.”

“Yeah, sorry about that. Just …a little stuck in my head.”

“…This about the ..Prime thing?”

If there was something that he could always count on Kade to do, it was to downplay the significance that was being a Prime. He was one of the only ones still treating him like himself, the rest of the original Rescue Bots and the Burns thankfully have been continuing to treat him as his regular self. No one was doing a better job than Kade who was still being the same annoying glitch even after almost two decades of them being together. He remembers when Kade was still fresh, young, annoying to be around twenty something constantly. Now he’s old, wrinkled, in his forties, and took over the human side of the Rescue Bots after Chief, or well Charlie retired. The fact that this guy now has a kid, if you told Heatwave this when he was three years living on Earth, he’d think you're crazy.

The level of importance and power that was a Prime was harder for humans to truly comprehend. Even after so long it would never be fully understood by their perspective since they don’t have anything that is equivalent to it. While they knew it was something that was eons of leaders after leaders, the more philosophical parts would always end up muddy for now.

“Part of it is.”

“Man you’re getting too into your own head, you’ve got to look at the bright sides.”

“And those would be?”

“…”

“Kade-“

“Shut up I’m thinking. ..Well you’ve got the power to help out more people.”

“Theoretically. Who knows if they’ll actually listen to anything I say, the ceremony is in two days and none of us know what the reaction will be.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine. You’re you, you’re one of the toughest bots I know, if anyone could do this it would be you.”

“…I guess.”

“Come on get more into the spirit! Where’s that fire in your eyes? If anything, you wanted to be more like Optimus than anyone.”

“Yeah in my own field, not being Prime!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll drop it, for now.”

“Primus, good, trying not to worry about it until the ceremony.”

It was a quiet drive for a solid five minutes before Kade decided to speak up once more.

“You know I was just thinking.”

“That’s scary, didn’t know you could do that.”

“Shut up. I was thinking about your new name.”

“It’s not my new name, it’s just a name that’s now part of the title.”

“Whatever. So the name right, ..why is yours something based on humans?”

The gears that were turning in Heatwave’s processor were brought to a halt. While he was given the name Prometheus Prime, he never sat down to understand the meaning of the name. Each Primes’ name from the original to the bearers of the matrix held some sort of meaning, he just never thought to search for meaning in his own name, ..until now.

“All Primes have a human translation Kade, it’s not that special.”

“Yeah but none of them have a name that ties to human made myth.”

“…What?”

“Prometheus, it’s a Greek thing. Cody and Frankie were looking your name up and realized that you have the actual name of a character in human myth. Turns out to be a titan or something, brought fire to humans and gave them knowledge with it somehow, then the big guy Zeus got mad about it and chained him to a rock so an eagle could eat his liver.”

“And avian eating organs is important to the name?”

“What no, just, ignore the organ eating bird. The point is, you’re the only one whose name has weirdly direct ties with humans. All the others including Optimus, all of them have human translation but yours is the only one where you’re fully named after something in our mythology. That’s weird right?”

“…I, …I guess it is. …What else about this titan?”

“Well just the basic stuff I said. He brought fire to humans, well first he ‘defied the gods’ by taking it back from them. Then giving it to people and giving them technology, society, just the start to get to here. Definitely not true, but then again almost twenty years ago I thought aliens weren’t real so who knows what I think about it.”

“…If that’s what Prometheus is, …what does that mean for me?”

“…I wish I could tell you. But I can’t, this is all on you big red. If you’re supposed to be Cybertron’s Prometheus, better be careful not to get caught bringing fire.”

“I’m the one you call to douse the fire idiot, not gonna bring any fire. …Thanks.”

“For what?”

“For …getting me out of my own head. Was spiraling a bit there.”

“Yeah I could tell. We’ve been partners for years, you don’t think I don’t know when you’re stuck in your own brain overthinking everything. Please, I know you from the back of my hand.”

“So that lump is a regular part of it?”

“There’s a lump?” Kade immediately took off his glove to see if there really was a lump before realizing Heatwave’s face on the monitor trying not to laugh. “Haha, very funny asshole.

“I didn’t think you would actually fall for it.” Heatwave snickering once they finally arrived back at the firehouse. Kade slowly exits out the driver's seat as he walks past Heatwave to get inside. He looks back to him before going in.

“I actually didn’t, just knew you needed a laugh. Good night partner.”

“…Night.”

Kade closes the door as Heatwave begins to drive away back home. He’s got two days left as a normal bot, a normal life, …he’s gonna cherish them as much as he can.

Chapter Text

If one was to say that Alpha Trion was going to a bar of all places, they would deem you mad. Why would one of the original Primes, especially one as wise and archival as him ever find himself outside of Maccadam’s Oil House during its closed hours? Well it wasn’t exactly the place Trion wanted to have this meeting, but ..he insisted on having it here, something about the archives being too ‘dusty’ for him. 

Alpha Trion pushed open the door, making sure that no one would see him enter as he stepped inside. Despite being closed and the lights seeming to be off when looking through the windows, it was fully lit up as if it was open to all. A rather stocky mech stood behind the bar cleaning up glasses and pouring out two cubes of the finest high grade he had on the shelf. A small ding came from the clock that hung to the right as it landed right on the dot.

“You always were punctual brother.”

“And you always had a taste for intoxication.”

“You got that right. Come on, take a seat.”

Alpha Trion sat down as Maccadam continued to move and pace, cleaning up all the leftover mess from tonight’s customers. Trion didn’t even touch the cube of high grade in front of him as he pushed it to the side and watched his brother do mundane tasks. As if he wasn’t the one who arranged for them to meet here to have a proper conversation.

“..I’m sure you’ve heard about it already.”

“I have. Get a lot of bots in here, and none of them realize I’m always listening. So how do you feel about it?”

“…Surprised.”

“Really, I wouldn’t take you as someone who’d ever be surprised.”

“I am not filled with confusion on why the matrix chose Heatwave. Everything I’ve heard about the mech has proven him one of the most worthy to ever gain its blessing. And once I met him that only grew, …, but the progression that it is going is questionable.”

“Well you were always one to chronicle everything, finding new things to write about is what you love doing.”

“He saw our siblings Alchemist.”

That stopped the barkeep dead in his tracks as he looked over his shoulder. The glasses that covered his eyes permanently shone with a mischievous light, though there was a flinch when his old name was said, as he pulled up a chair and sat down right across from him. He took a swig of his cube as he put it back down.

“He saw them?”

“Spoke to them as well.”

“That’s-“

“Unprecedented-“

“Amazing. Just amazing. I could never have seen it coming, someone managed to talk to our brothers and sisters before it was complete! Oh ho, you must’ve put the archivists through the Pit trying to figure this out haven’t you?”

“..Should’ve expected this reaction from you. But yes, me and the archivist had been combing through the texts and scrolls over anything about the matrix’s transformation process.”

“Annndddd?”

“Nothing. Nothing we found could tell us or show us why the process would ever change. It’s been consistent with its phases, the times may change but each stage stays in its proper place. And meeting our siblings is the last of it. From what the medics have been telling us, all of his systems are functioning as normal despite his insistence the changes aren’t happening, it’s clear that his systems are developing at a rapid rate.”

“Any theories for why he got to talk to them first? Must’ve been a surprise for them meeting someone who didn’t even realize what was happening right then.”

“Some theories but they’re less based on any evidence recorded and more of what I’ve observed of him.”

“Does it involve gold eyes and looking too much like Nexus?”

“How did you-? I haven’t even described what he looks like.”

“Didn’t need to. Seen him come in before, light when it comes to drinks and heavy with family issues, just like us. You really think that’s why he got to see them, appearance, that’s where your processor is going?”

“I ..do not know. Still, it’s very interesting that the first golden optic bot to ever become Prime somehow managed to meet our fellow Primes. His spark is strong as well, his body able to handle three additional vehicle modes as well being an outlier and injector made, his frame …clearly he got a heavy amount of Nexus’s CNA within him to effect his appearance that much. He’s perhaps the strongest candidate prior to ever receiving the matrix to date.”

“It would be funny if once the transformation is done he’s as strong as Megatronus, hell maybe even Prima!” 

“Don’t joke in such a manner brother! This is serious, you and I both know the matrix will draw the most core aspects of a bot to its maximum potential. The process is meant to be gradual, but now with this the phases could be completely reversed, the power in him could form before his frame could ever handle the output. We don’t know what we’re dealing with.”

“We’ve never known what we were dealing with. Not even when we were first made, we were just children wandering this world and trying to create something that looked like society. You know the matrix won’t ever hurt him, it seems to like him a lot to show him first.”

“Sigh, I just hope that I’ll be able to guide him with Orion Pax into his Primehood.”

Trion was waiting for Maccadam to respond but when he looked to his brother, he could see him staring down at the drink in his servo before finishing the cube off. It was quiet for a minute until Maccadam looked back at his sibling. 

“…I need you to do something for me.”

“…You’ve never asked me for anything, ..what is it?”

Maccadam stood up from his chair to get himself another pour of high grade. He takes a deep drink, his back turned to his brother as he looks at the bottle.

“…I need you to not do that.”

“Do what?”

“Guide him.”

The level of shock on Alpha Trion’s face was something that Maccadam couldn’t bear to ever turn to look at. He just continued to pour himself a drink as he heard the chair scraping against the floor as his brother stood now, his eyes boring into his brother’s back. 

“You want me to not guide him? Are you mad?! Has your processor gone to fog?!”

“…I’m thinking very very clearly. Honestly the most I’ve been for years.” He turned to see his brother, their eyes locking, one with eyes filled with a form of betrayal, the other whose eyes were filled with speaking a truth he’s kept deep within his spark.

“Explain yourself, Alchemist.”

“Maccadam, it’s Maccadam, Trion. It’s been Maccadam for longer than I had ever been Alchemist. ..I know you want to help him, you want to help him understand what it means to be a Prime, the tasks that would be given him, the legacy and responsibilities that he’ll need to fulfill with whatever prophecy the matrix sees in him, …but he needs to do it on his own.”

“Alc-, Maccadam, I’ve helped to guide each new Prime that has come to be. While you were here running this place, I’ve been assisting each Prime to understand the importance of their role so that they-“

“Die alone with no one truly close to them?” Now that shut Trion up. After taking another bit of liquid courage and setting the glass down he continued. “I know you’re coming from a very good place brother, I know you, I know you don’t mean to harm anyone but you do, you have.”

“…I have not harmed them. …I’ve never had.”

“Not by servos or weapons no, …but by words you’ve …caused more pain then they ever could carry.”

“…And what pain have I caused?”

“Isolation, the feeling of judgement of every action you take, unable to make real connections with others without the fear of betrayal, or harm that could be done to them for being close to the Prime. Being told so much is going to be put on their shoulders before they even fully have a chance to understand that it’s their own path to take that they won’t ever look for help in those close to them. ..To hide their true feelings ..because they can’t afford to be anything but the title.”

“I ..no, no that is not true. I’ve helped them.”

“I’m not taking away that you haven’t helped them, to guide them into being good leaders, you just …forget to help them how to keep close relationships beyond the title. Well, not really help more  you don’t know how to teach that.”

“…That’s, …”

“I know this is hard for you to take in. I know I’ve never helped to guide any of the bearers …but I’m a damn good listener when it comes to bots’ problems when everything feels like it’s crushing down on them. I watch and see, and each time I see, I just see a lonely bot that let the mantle consume every part of their life until they didn’t have anyone to truly mourn them as the bot they truly were inside. I’ve seen them give up passions to focus on being the symbol that everyone needed, to put the needs of worlds beyond their own, to become a caricature of what they once were that only serves to keep stability, …not to grow to make our home better.”

The silence that filled the bar was almost haunting, here Trion was sitting and staring down at his hands after his brother told him a truth that he had been carrying for so long. With a hesitant hand he took the cube that was placed beside him and took a deep sigh as he let it pass his intake.

“I’m always right when someone is gonna need a drink.”

A few minutes pass in the silence as Trion sits with his thoughts and Maccadam cleans up the cubes they used. 

“…All of them?” The uncertainty that filled his brother’s voice was something that Maccadam never wanted to hear but it was necessary to break through to him.

“I mean besides Orion Pax. But he managed to live long enough and successfully drop his walls to let others back into his true self, and now he’s no longer the Prime. You might not have been there during the moment he was in his process of becoming Prime cause of the revolution but you already were his mentor after all. 

Taught Aerial which led her to him, which led him to you, and you taught him as much as you could. You weren’t there during the changes but your thoughts, your ideas, your …need to keep peace was stuck there, in his processor. Everything that you are became a core part of him and his thinking, but with you out of the picture during the war and not saying anymore to him, he was able to grow past your words, your wisdom so to say, to make choices, to be wise in a way that belonged not to Optimus but …to Orion Pax.

Because that’s who’s making the choice, not a title, not a name, but a soul. And that soul needs room to grow on its own, and it doesn’t require your water to do it.”

“…I-“

“You do that quite a lot. …Try to stay away, to let Cybertron move on its own without our influence, …and you keep coming back. It’s like you're afraid to see what it could become without YOUR constant guidance. …Are you afraid?”

“…Afraid of what?”

“…Taking a step back. Letting the pieces fall where they want, without you trying to micromanage it all.”

“…If I were to do that, …to step back, …what do you think will happen, …what will become of Prometheus?”

“Well, …that’s for him to decide. You can help him through the physical process, make him get comfortable with optics on him, ..just don’t try and tell him who he needs to be or become. You and I don’t know what he’s meant to do, so let’s not try and control a fate that is not strings we’re meant to pull.”

“…What if Orion Pax? …Do you believe he too should take a step away?”

“…Yes. As far it goes, this is no longer his duty. He carries no mystic title to him, he’s known as the savior of Cybertron but the hands of fate don’t belong to him, and soon all eyes will be on the new Prime. He can rest and live his life, with his family, away from the title that has bound him for too long.”

“…He will have difficulty stepping away, it is his protege and he still feels inclined to take care of Cybertron in any way he can. ….Prometheus trusts his words, he will listen to him and ask him for his wisdom.”

“And Orion Pax can’t do that. Because no wisdom from him will ever be the right one for what Prometheus must do on his own. These aren't your words to be spoken, and neither is Orion's, it has to be only and truly his words.”

“…Like Prima.”

“Just like that golden glitch. It will be the first time, in a long time, where a Prime must speak from the spark with no other voice but their own.”

“That will be quite the voice to hear. I’ve heard how he’s spoken, the rage and passion in his voice box, the denial and belief that he is undeserving of it all. The belief that a Prime is not what is needed but a resignation to the name he carries now, …only Primus and the matrix know what will be said tomorrow once he’s up to a crowd.”

“..Good, that means there won’t be anything keeping him from speaking his truth. With how he is, his name will be Prometheus Prime, …but the spark that will speak will be Heatwave. And by Primus I want to know what that mech has to say.”

Maccadam poured two final cubes for the both of them, handing one to his brother. Trion takes it from his hand, the two raise them to the air and toast.

“To Prometheus Prime Trion.”

“..To Prometheus Prime. …May he find his way.”

The two drink in the quiet bar as the night flourishes. Tomorrow shall be one of the biggest moments in Cybertron’s history, they can only hope that it goes well. For once, they tied their own backs, the strings of fate will not be theirs to tug.

Chapter Text

Heatwave couldn’t stop his leg from bouncing due to the anxiety and pressure he was feeling. The weakest part of him wanted to run but there were bots at every corner of this stadium, anyone would see him leave and cause a bigger problem than what he already had. Today was the day, …he was going to tell the world he’s the Prime, …Prometheus.

It all feels so surreal, like a sort of vivid dream that would only come in the deepest depths of his processor. But it wasn’t, it was all too real and too fast for his taste. He was in a backroom area right outside the main stage and podium, everyone else was out there getting everyone inside and making sure everything went according to plan and ceremony. Chase, Quickshadow, Accelerate, and Hotshot were seated already to make sure his conjunxes and kids didn’t get crowded when everything began. Blades and Boulder were also seated right next to them. He wasn’t even able to talk with them before he was ushered in which just filled him with dread without hearing their voices. He had a few datapads with him that he’d spent hours and hours of writing, trying to figure out what the Pit he was ever going to say. None of them felt right, they didn’t …feel like him. He asked for some advice from Orion, but lately it seemed like he was pulling back from helping him, which didn’t help to ease his nerves. None of the speeches he attempted to make ever sounded like it was his voice, his mind speaking out the thoughts and feelings of becoming a messiah figure.

He only had what, half an hour until he had to get up there and speak his spark out? It’s not enough time, it’s never enough time. He didn’t know what he was going to do, …even if deep down he knew the words that he’d been keeping within his spark for the longest time. But if he were to say them, what would it mean for his relations with the Autobots, the Decepticons, neutral, everyone, …if he were to say what he truly felt was needed to be heard.

“Rather pathetic to find the Prime moping in the dark like this. Turn on the light at least.” With the flick of a switch the lights in the room turned on. Heatwave blinked as he adjusted his optics to the change in lighting to see the one and only infamous sky commander himself, Starscream.

“What are you doing here?” It wasn’t as though the two were true enemies or rivals during the war, neither caused a personal pain to the other, but when you’re on opposite sides with widely different views on things with one of them being one of the main players of the war, tension was the word to describe the room.

“What can’t I come in and congratulate you on your promotion? From a firefighter to a Prime, that is a jump in position that makes me laugh from the absurdity of it.”

“Are you really just here to make fun of me or you’re slowly getting to a point?” He didn’t need this right now, not only was he anxious, he was now getting annoyed.

“I just want to know what you plan to say. Getting a sneak peek of what Cybertron’s new leader will say to the masses is important for a bot of my status."

“Too bad, not telling anyone.”

“Because you don’t even know what you’ll say?” That caused Heatwave to pause, Starscream smiling at the break of composure.

“Don’t think I’m blind to all the datapads. Reminds me of my academy days, would write and write and never find the right one to submit. That was small fry compared to what you’ll have to do.”

“…What’s the point in all of this?”

“…You’re one of the few bots I’ve encountered after all of ..this ended, that seemed to hate us, as much as you hate your own faction. If I can even call it yours.”

“What are you talking about, hate?”

“Hate, tolerance, ‘respect’, whatever adjective to describe how you speak to others, but all of it is just the same. You’ve let in cadets of Decepticon origin, from the most innocent to ones with records that could make anyone scream in terror. And yet you still yell at the older ones with the same glossa as you do with ones of Autobot alignment. Some more than others but still, you treat the ones who’ve drawn energon as though they were unruly students, which ..they are but still. No matter who, the one thing I’ve heard consistently about the things coming from your voice box, like ‘I don’t care if you’re a war criminal or if you were in the background, get off your ass and do it better.’, or something like that.”

“..Where’s this going?”

“Its just interesting is all, how treat yourself as though you’re not an Autobot? Despite how much Optimus or well Orion wished to say he didn’t have bias towards the Autobots when it came to the reconstruction, well ..we both know that’s a lie right?”

“…”

“Now now, don’t go quiet on me. Where’s that fire I hear so much about? You can feel the bias in everyone, including me right? The need to make sure your faction gets the most out of the war’s end. ..But it’s not a faction’s ideology that makes you the way you are. Oh no no no, I’ve seen what a bot who follows the Autobot code is like, you however,” the sounds of snickering turning into guttural laughter come out of Starscream as he finds this the funniest thing he’s encountered in his life, “you’re no Autobot are you?!”

The sounds of a datapad cracking in half rang out in the room. Heatwave set down the broken datapad as he stood up and looked eye to eye with Starscream, the multichanger was a touch shorter than the seeker but still able to be at eye level. This is what he was waiting for, for the Prime to show his true colors, the rage, the aggression, he was recording the entire conversation since the moment he came in. He was going to show the world how unfit this mech was to ever be a leader, just one punch and his possible respect and power as prime would all be over before it ever began if a little mockery from Starscream of all bots riled him up. 

The second Heatwave lifted his hand Starscream could practically taste the defeat of the new Prime. He’s been hit before, the pain will fade as the delight will take in from his wrath. …But when Heatwave gently put his hand on the seeker’s shoulder, Starscream realized that what he planned was flawed from the start, and the second those words came from Heatwave’s mouth, it was a high level of unknown that Screamer had ever felt in his life, he didn’t know what was going to happen.

“…You’re right. …I’m really not, am I?” It was one thing for someone to ever say that Starscream of all mechs was right. It was entirely another thing when what he was right about was someone admitting that they weren’t of the faction they supposedly were for years. He felt unbridled glee, he found something that would shatter any faith that his prior ever had in him. But he did his best to keep a neutral expression as Heatwave continued as he let go of the seeker. “…How’d you figure it out?”

“Well, …I’ve seen you look over the very code that leads your faction, or what was to you, with a face like how I look at Megatron. The pieces fell into place after.” While some of it was true seeing Heatwave read over the code once or twice, Starscream was fully pulling all of this out of his aft, …and being dead to rights.

“..Thought I was being subtle with that. …I mean part of it is because it’s a long and hard read for me. …The other part…”

“…Tell me, oh dear and knowing Prime, what do you believe about the Autobot Code?”

“…Sigh, ….its the dumbest piece of slag I’ve ever read.” For Heatwave this was a moment of vulnerability and truth to someone he could effectively say it to without being immediately hunted down by those who saw him as a steady ally. For Starscream, it's the greatest show he’s ever been a witness to.

“Is that SO? Oh this is amazing, you, a bot that Optimus Prime himself before his fall from grace, the bot who has called you one of the greatest examples of his mantra he preaches to the Allspark, ‘Freedom is a right of all sentient beings’, you, YOU, deem the Autobot code the biggest piece slag you’ve read?!!!”

“BECAUSE I DONT NEED A FRAGGING BOOK TO TELL ME TO BE A DECENT BOT!” Now that Starscream makes a major step back away from Heatwave. He’s still holding a cocky expression, but it’s clear that the shout brought some old memories and reactions to the surface. Looks like he pressed a few too many buttons in Heatwave that he brought out the side of him that only came out on very stressful and emotionally draining occasions. Heatwave continued on with his truthful rant as he paced back and forth. “I MEAN 10,000 PAGES AND PAGES OF THE SAME SLAG OF HOW TO NOT BE A SHITTY PERSON! THE FACT IF EVEN NEEDS TO BE WRITTEN DOWN IS THE DUMBEST THING I COULD HAVE POSSIBLE READ! I CAN BARELY READ TO BEGIN WITH AND NEVER SAT DOWN TO READ THAT HUNK OF JUNK CAUSE I WAS TOO BUSY SAVING BOTS IN AN ACTIVE BATTLEFIELD, THAT ONCE I FINALLY MANAGED TO HAVE TIME AND READ IT FRONT TO BACK, I WANTED TO PUNCH THE DAMN WALL FROM THE HYPOCRISY AND CONTRADICTIONS AND ALL POINTING BACK TO DON’T BE A GLITCH!!” 

A deep crack was made into the wall as he slammed his fist from the rage within him. Starscream jumped back as Heatwave retreated his servo to his side and sank back down after that outburst. 

“..Sorry for that, ..that was…”

“..I must say, ..I wasn’t expecting that much truth.”

“..I’m guessing you’re gonna try and use this as blackmail?”

“Saw the recorder?” 

“Only now. …It’s kinda useless having it though.”

“And why would that be, oh Prometheus Prime?”

“…Cause I’m going to tell them.”

“Really,” This was only getting more interesting for Starscream as he sat down right across from Heatwave, “you are going to tell Cybertron, to tell all the Autobots in attendance, to yell to the Allspark and back, to stand right next to Orion Pax, and say you don’t believe in the Autobot Code?”

The next couple of seconds were filled with silence as Heatwave thought deeply about the question. His eyes wandered to the pile of speeches that he could never get right, …and that was because he never wanted to write that harsh truth. One that he’s been thinking about for a long time, even before the war ended, even before he ever came to Earth, he questioned himself, he questioned …if he was an Autobot.

“…The point of this whole thing to me is …sharing my truth out to the world. To say what I believe needs to be said so we can move forward, …and that includes things about myself and not lying about who I am. ….So, ..yes, I’m going to tell them I don’t believe in the code.”

Starscream opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t find any words that could describe what he was even feeling at the moment. Because this wasn’t like anything he’d ever dealt with before, not from Autobot nor from Decepticon, not even from a neutral. He placed the recorder down next to him in full view, he didn't turn it off trying to spin it into a ‘he has the power here’ experience, but each time he looked to Heatwave, he only saw a mech who was exhausted by his own existence.

“You don’t believe in the code?”

“It’s a contradictory mess at best and a complete disaster at worst that can be broken down into two things, how to run a military and how to be a decent bot. The fact that to treat others with kindness, with basic levels of empathy and the fact we had to have it written down and promoted in a code too long for its own good that no one would be willing to actually read through all of it unless they were dedicated or desperate.”

“Isn’t one of you conjunx endura one of the dedicated ones of the code?”

“Chase? Sure he’s read it front to back and quotes it once or twice, but he’s never needed a code to tell him to be the kind mech that he is. That’s just how he always is, he didn't have an encyclopedia to tell him how he should treat another.”

“Heh, a joy to see someone pointing out the flaws of their, well, was their own faction.”

“You aren’t cupcakes either.”

“Oh, tell me about it. What makes us so terrible? I’m dying to hear it.”

“Cruel for cruelties sake. Tell me what was the goal?”

“For the Autobot defeat, of course. Decepticon control and freedom for all who followed.”

“No I mean what was the goal?”

“…What do you mean?”

“What was the goal? Defeating the Autobot is one thing, what did you plan for after? How did you plan to rebuild the planet with bots who lived for bloodshed and cruelty alone, the ones that thrived in it that we had to lock up because they couldn’t stop wanting energon on their servos? Even with the ones the most outside of the battles, they would never be able to rebuild into a stabilized society on their own when all their head honchos either have their own agendas or fell deep into having a weapon on hand and never letting their guard down. It took BOTH factions with the help of NEUTRALS this long just for rebuilding and housing and making an economy again. …So what was the goal?”

“…”

“…It’s alright if you don't have an answer. Asked Orion years ago when I was feeling ‘homesick’, what would be the new Cybertronian society. …Never got an answer out of him until the first real discussion meeting where everyone was just talking over each other and also reignited everything again. Because when you’re in a war mindset for that long, you never really sit down and think about how to rebuild everything from scratch. You just fantasize what would have been your ideal victory, but no one took the time to write out the logistics of how the fuck we would ever rebuild and make things better. …In my opinion we’re not even where we should be in rebuilding and establishing everything cause we can’t sit down long enough without someone giving someone else murder eyes and the meeting going to shit in some way.”

“…”

“…What’s your goal?”

“What?”

“Your goal. You’re known for doing things to benefit yourself, you brought a recorder with you to get me at my lowest which you are. But it can’t be for the Decepticons because that’s not how you do things, so this is something for you. What’s worth enough to come in and try and get me to be angry at you for blackmail?”

“…Vos. …That’s why I’m here. You’re Prime, which means your authority is the one others will now follow, so I’m here, if I control the head, I can get what I want.”

“What about Vos, the reconstruction, cause if it’s that I can give Boulder a call and he can-“

“Not the reconstruction! …When it’s rebuilt, ..I wish to rule it once more, I must rule it again. And I won’t have any Autobots nor Decepticons trying to tell me what to do with my city!”

“…Okay, …that’s it?”

“Wha-, what do you mean that’s it?! Aren't you going to argue that I’m ill fit to be given such power, that the crimes I’ve committed push me out of any position of authority!?”

“Well the crimes you’ve done make me never want to have you in charge of my safety. …But it’s Vos, the city of seekers, you were the prince and ..honestly you did a good job before things went to shit. When it comes to legislation and reviving the cultural legacy of the city, I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t understand it better than you. I mean obviously there’s gonna be check ins to make sure you’re not getting power hungry for more, making sure resources are stable, and at bare minimum you going to therapy once a week and making up for all the slag you’ve done, but beyond that Vos is your city. Why would I ever have the right to take that away from you?”

“…You’re serious? …You’d give me control over Vos?”

“With a watch but yeah, it makes the most sense, who wouldn’t pick the one who kept it stable for that long before the war began.”

“…Do you forgive me? Is that what this is?”

“Oh no, no no no no no. Trust me, there’s nothing I really can forgive you for when we’ve never had something that was personally devastating between each other. I can’t forgive you for turning to a path that just destroys others to their very core. And I know plenty of bots that will never forgive you to the day they die. …But you can be better, you’re one of the biggest glitches on Cybertron but you know how to run something thriving when you put your spark into it. Don’t ask for someone’s forgiveness that they’ll never give, it’s a waste of time. If they’re hating on you till the end of their life, then that’s just them wasting their own lives, cause they can just keep living away from you and never talk to you again, and it would be the same with less weight. So no, I don't forgive you, and I want you to do better because of that, not because you ‘earned’ forgiveness, …but because you want to be better even without it and make your city beautiful.”

The sounds of a crowd can be heard as an announcer began to speak to all in attendance. Heatwave didn’t even realize how much time had passed while he was talking to Starscream. He stood up and dusted himself off as he walked to the exit door, he looked back to the sitting and stunned Starscream as he looked at him. 

“…I think I know what I’m going to say now. …Thanks for the chat.”

Starscream was left alone as Heatwave left, he looked to the recorder that still laid beside him the whole time. He picked it up and pressed it against his forehead as he thought deeply about the conversation he had. He held it in his palm as he deleted the recording and any evidence of what was said in this room. 

“…Well then Prometheus Prime, …perhaps there’s hope for you yet.”