"Optimus."

The Prime optics slid over to his left as he turned slowly, his red, white, and blue pattern glinting in the light. His derma pulled up to a soft smile when he saw that it was Ironhide that had called him, another member of the high council. The mech had also been a long time war hero, and while he had been a bit shy, he had taken the position humbly after a short time. The general gave him a small grin of his own as he approached with a data pad in his servos.

"I have another family for you, sir," he said, giving him a respectful nod of the helm when he stopped in front of him. Similar white streak patterns fell across his plates and shone brightly, a detailing that the New Council had been given in the beginning of the New Age.

Optimus nodded his helm as he took the data pad from his servos gently. "A relocation?" he asked.

"No," Ironhide answered, his voice similarly deep. "They just arrived. They only heard of Cybertron's rebirth a short while ago, and it took them some time to get here." His optics glinted with something Optimus had seen a lot of in the last five years. Joy, hope, and excitement for the future.

The Prime wished he could feel it as much as his people.

Optimus smiled a little brighter, his optics gentle as he looked over the family. It was three young Autobots. Two of them were sparkmates, while the other was the twin sister of the mech. The Prime was happy to see that such young ones were still here after the war, most of them having lost their lives in battle because of their inexperience. He lifted his helm and nodded to Ironhide in thanks. "I will see to them."

Ironhide nodded his helm, grabbing his arm as the Council Leader was beginning to walk off. "Hold up," he said. "My sparkmate said she wants to speak with you." The look in his optics was a bit more serious.

"Chromia?" Optimus slightly raised an optic ridge as he stood straight again. "What does she wish to speak of?" he asked.

Ironhide shook his helm. "No idea. She hasn't even told me yet. Must be important." He turned his helm and the Prime followed his gaze. Sure enough, a lighter blue femme was standing off in the crowd of Cybertronian passerby's. When she saw that they were looking over to her, she straightened and waved slightly, coming over. Optimus thought she looked familiar, but couldn't quite remember why she looked that way.

"Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, sir," she told him when she stopped in front of the large mech, offering him a small smile. Optimus returned it with one of his own, but he couldn't help but think that her very small stature was also familiar. He practically towered above her.

"Don't take to much time, Chromia," Ironhide chuckled teasingly, reaching over and kissing her cheek quickly. "I have another family to relocate," he told them as he began to hurry off.

"Alright. I'll see you soon," Chromia called after him before turning her attention back to the Prime. There was a pause, her optics awkwardly scanning him for something he didn't know, before she spoke. "Well, I have to say it's an honor to meet you, sir," she told him, holding out her small servo.

He took it and they shook briefly. "Thank you. Is there an important matter you wish for me to attend to?" he asked seriously, hoping nothing was wrong.

She blinked at the serious and worried look on his faceplate and then laughed a little. "No. Sorry to worry you," she told him, shaking her helm. Her helm raised and then she was looking directly into her teal optics, purple flecks dashing at him. "I actually wanted to come and thank you for something special you did for me."

Optimus stared at her blankly and tried to recall what she was talking about. Nothing came to his processor, and he gave her a small apologetic smile. "I'm afraid I don't recall what you speak of."

She chuckled again with a smile. "I wanted to thank you for watching over my sister all those years. I'm sure she was honored to fight with you." She reached out and placed his servo on his arm as he widened his optics at her in surprise. "Thank you for staying with her as she offlined. It means a lot to me, staying with her when I couldn't."

Optimus' spark felt like something had just punched it. "Arcee..."

"Yes," she said with a nod. "Arcee was my sister. Again, thank you for staying with her. It meant a lot to her, too." She smiled and let go of his arm, backing away a few steps.

The Prime could only watch her, unsure of what to say. His expression turned soft and he nodded. Memories of the fierce femme filled his helm and his spark sank with sadness. His optics glanced at the ground for a moment.

When he looked back up, he saw it.

At first he wasn't sure if what he was seeing was a trick of the light, or the fact that his optics weren't as good as they used to be. But a moment later, he recognized them immediately, and he went stiff. The faint frames of Cliffjumper of Arcee glinted in the brightness of the day, only so faint that they seemed transparent. Jack, taller and older, sat of Cliffjumper's shoulder plate, while the mech was holding Arcee's servo. All three of them were watching him, each with gentle smiles on their features. Arcee's optics looked more peaceful and free than they ever had, the purple specks glinting with happiness. Cliffjumper still looked excited and like he was ready for trouble, but his stature was calm and experienced. Optimus gasped quietly.

Hey, boss bot! Cliffjumper laughed, lifting his other servo to give him a wild wave. Been a while!

There voices were just above an echo, soft like a gentle touch. It was like they were carried away by the wind the moment they finished speaking, the words gone but still lingering.

Jack chuckled lightly as he jostled on the red mech's shoulder plate. It's good to see you again, he said.

Arcee playfully slapped Cliffjumper, her faceplate smiling and happy. We just wanted to apologize for leaving you that way, she said when she looked back to him.

Cliffjumper nodded and became more serious. We know that must have been hard for you.

We want you to know that we are okay, Jack told him, giving him a smile.

And to tell you goodbye one last time, Arcee added. And thank you.

For everything, they all said in unison.

As the light seemed to brighten and make their frames fade, each of them waved, shooting him bright and gentle smiles, and disappeared.

Optimus exvented heavily, blinking his wide optics. He had no idea how to react to what he had just seen.

Chromia was still standing in front of him, also gently smiling as she turned and waved. "That's all I wanted to say," she told him as she began to walk off. "Thank you for allowing me some of your time." After that, she hurried off to join her sparkmate.

The Council Leader stood perfectly still for a few more moments. He felt tears began to brim in his optics and he quickly blinked them back. He invented slowly, his chassis making exagerated movements as he did so, letting it out a few moments later. A small smile fell upon his derma and he gripped the datapad he held in his servos a little tighter. He felt a little happier as he went to go locate the family.

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"Thank you again, sir!" the youngest femme, Omega, said cheerfully. She was practically bouncing up and down, excited about her first living quarters in years.

Alpha, her twin brother, raised a servo to try and calm her down. "Chill out! You are way to hyper right now."

"Don't tell me you're not just as excited," Freezecharger said, the medic walking up to him and hugging her sparkmate.

Optimus nodded once and smiled a little at them. "It is my pleasure to serve you."

Alpha gave the Prime a cocky grin. "You know, it's funny to hear the Council Leader and the Autobot's savior say that to us." He turned so he was completely facing him and held out his servo.

Omega kept looking between Optimus and her new home, but finally her wide optics stayed on him. "You know, we want to thank you for more than just this."

"We understand Bulkhead, Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, and Smokescreen all worked under you for some time," Freezecharger said after she nodded.

The Prime was a little taken back, nodding once hesitantly.

Alpha face became more serious. "I worked with the Wreckers for a bit. It was only a short time, but they became like family to me. Even the stiff," he added with a laugh.

Omega nodded her helm. "I was stationed with my brother. They meant so much to us. Especially Wheeljack," she quietly added, a slight blush rising to her faceplate.

"I was the medic under the Elite Guard," Freezecharger explained calmly, bringing an open servo to her chest chassis. "Smokescreen and I went to training together for a short while, though I was stationed before him. However, he and I always remained close." She smiled thoughtfully. "He was like a little brother."

"So we wanted to say that it is an honor to know that they worked under you, and we're grateful that you protected them until they met their end," Alpha said, grinning brightly. His optics glinted in the light and Optimus thought for a moment that he was a bit like Cliffjumper.

Omega stepped forward, holding out her servo while she held the other behind her back. Her optics were bashful as she smiled up at him. "You have no idea how much it means to us."

The Prime smiled, humbled and happy. He took her servo gently and shook it once. "The honor was all mine. Every one of my team members meant very much to me." His optics saddened just the slightest bit as he remembered them, the ghosts of Arcee, Cliffjumper, and Jack fresh in his processor.

"We understand that must have been very heard for you," Freezecharger said with a shine of apology in her optics. "We are very sorry."

Optimus nodded, his smile turning gentle, before something caught his optic just above the femme that was still clasping his servo. He looked up quickly, his optics widening once more.

Again, he saw the faintest of light shift to someone he knew.

The frames of the two Wreckers, Ultra Magnus, and Smokescreen were all standing behind the small family. An older Miko sat on her guardian's shoulder plate, her face as cheerful as ever as her hazel eyes laughed. Wheeljack looked cocky as ever, but for a moment, when he glanced down at Omega, his expression softened. Bulkhead was grinning broadly, his kind optics showing his big heart. Smokescreen looked as excited and awe struck as he always did, but something about him was older, wiser. Ultra Magnus looked almost exactly like he always did, but his faceplates looked the slightest bit happier as he smiled a little as well. 

Again, he heard the voices like the wind wisp into his audio receptors.

Hey, Optimus! Smokescreen called, his optics sparkling as he waved. Finally!

Wheeljack laughed at his enthusiasm, crossing his arms. You sure have been waiting some time, haven't you? His optics, cooler and calmer, slid back to his leader. Good to see ya again, Prime. Been a while.

Your new paint job is so awesome!! Miko exclaimed, her eyes bright with wonder. She smiled wide as she waved enthusiastically. And hello! I hear you really kicked Con butt!

Bulkhead chuckled and nudged her with a digit. We heard that you are Council Leader now. Congrats! he said happily, smiling big.

Well done, sir, Ultra Magnus said to the Prime, his optics more cheerful than any of them had ever seen. His voice was gentle, the former authority in it also seeming to whisk away in the wind.

I know this may seem out of line to say, Smokescreen spoke up, calmer now as he grinned gently. But we're proud of you.

You've come a long way, and we're happy, Bulkhead said with a nod.

Wheeljack slapped his friend on the back playfully, nearly knocking Miko off. Though I gotta say, gonna miss blowing up Con scum! he joked.

We wanted to wish you farewell, Optimus, Ultra Magnus said, using his real name for the first time in ages. 

Miko again waved as the light slowly began to swallow them up. Don't worry! No matter what happens, we got our eyes on you! she exclaimed with a cheerful laugh.

All of them raised their servos and waved, their facial features happy and at peace as they faded away. The glint of hope in their optics remained in Optimus' spark even after he could no longer see them. For a millisecond, he stared at the empty space blankly. The corners of his derma tugged upward just the smallest bit as he closed his optics for a moment, allowing the peace to swim through him for a short time.

"Thank you," Optimus said to the little family when he looked back up.

The three of them were staring at him in curiosity, wondering what he had been looking at a moment ago, but decided not to question the wiser one. They let his peaceful gaze give them small smiles as they each nodded, Omega letting go of his servo and going back to her brother. Alpha threw him a small wave as they turned to go inside their new home, deciding not to say anything more to their leader.

Optimus watched them go, together and happy, and felt his spark sink a little.

He still felt alone.

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Opimus drove into the Healing Center and transformed quickly, towering over the nurses and psychologists that came to greet him. Some of the older and more cheerful ones were quick to inform them of all the progress they had made on their patients, talking about releases and good feedback from the mechs and femmes that felt at peace now. The younger ones were too shy and awestruck to say much, just walked with them or gave him respectful nods as he passed by. The Prime listened to each of the stories intently as he walked, but kept his destination in his processor and stayed on course. When he reached the designated room, the older and more experienced nurses and doctors nodded their helms and left him almost in unison, knowing that their leader would rather be with the patient alone.

Optimus vented in deeply, closing his optics for a brief moment before closing his digits around the doorknob and turning it slowly. The door opened quietly, but his pedesteps were as heavy as ever as he entered the room, his optics turning gentle as he went farther in. He was met with an empty first room, which consisted of a two couches and an entertainment screen, though the latter was collecting dust. He went into the next room evenly, a small smile resting on his as his gaze found the patient, sitting hunched over on his berth with a datapad in his smaller servo.

"Hello, Bumblebee," the Prime said to the scout.

Bumblebee jumped at the sound of his designation, his big optics whirling as he turned. The moment he saw him, however, he immediately both relaxed and perked up, setting the datapad down quickly and jumping to his pedes. He wobbled for a moment, and Optimus saw that an IV was attached to his arm, a blue substance going through it. He quickly reached forward and steadied the smaller mech, slowly sitting him back down.

"Easy now, Bumblebee," he said soothingly, sitting next to him. "You shouldn't exert yourself during your daily Energon refuel."

The scout paused, his optics glancing over to the IV sadly. A digit traced the long tube as his optics looked over the Energon in it. The color was a bit brighter than his otpics, which still sometimes held a bit of the purple glint from the substance that had been keeping him alive before. Optimus remembered how quickly the yellow and black scout had agreed to this treatment, not wanting to remain in that state any longer. The Prime often worried over him, his processor state sometimes a bit confused and the treatment was taking longer than either of them would like. However, the doctors informed him that all was going well and that Bumblebee wouldn't experience any side affects when he was finally finished. Honestly, he was proud of the scout for enduring this for so long without much of a fuss.

Optimus looked over to the discarded datapad. "What is that?" he asked curiously with a small grin.

Bumblebee brightened and picked it back up quickly. No one was exactly sure why Bumblebee refused to use his cracked voicebox, but they all assumed he had his reasons and didn't want to traumatize him further. Optimus watched as he silently held the datapad out in front of him, his features brightening when he saw pictures of Jasper and other places on earth. Slowly but surely, the planet was coming back to life, hope and determination restored once the enemies were gone. His teal optics fell back to the scout as the little mech brightened. 

"Earth is looking better," he said, and Bumblebee nodded happily.

Another bend in the light startled Optimus, but this time he wasn't surprised when he saw a ghost of a figure sitting next to Bumblebee. His features gentled when he saw little Raf, though he looked older and bigger now, peeking at the datapad that Bumblebee was still holding. His eyes suddenly found the Prime behind the red framed glasses, and he jumped a little, as if he hadn't expected him to be there. A moment later, he smiled brightly and sat straighter. Optimus was surprised at how wise his face was, how experienced and older he looked once the boy smiled at him.

Hey, Optimus, his voice said, carrying away in seconds. You've been watching over Bee, too, I see. He paused, though he didn't seem to expect the Prime to answer. Bee watched over me for so long, I felt like I should check up on him every once in a while.

Bumblebee seemed oblivious to the fact that his charge was sitting right there, his big optics dazed while he looked at the datapad once more, deep in thought. Optimus smiled gently at Raf, nodding his helm once. 

Well, I think I ought to be a less worried now that I know you're here, Raf said to the Prime quietly. So maybe I should get going for now. He stood up, and the dim light of the room seemed to grow brighter as he began to disappear. Thanks, Optimus. It was fun. And goodbye.

And he was gone.

The Prime took a shaky breath, his spark fluttery. He wondered why he was seeing spirits now, of all times. Not that he didn't like it. He was happy that he could see them all one last time.

A machine next to the IV beeped, telling to the mechs that Bumblebee's dose of Energon was done. The scout jumped at the noise, silently sighing and setting his datapad down.

"I was wondering," Optimus said as he helped the younger one take the IV off carefully, "if you would like to join me today. I planned on heading to Earth to see Taylor and June, after I finished with my duties here for the time being."

Bumblebee immediately jumped back to his pedes, nodding his helm furiously. Optimus grinned in amusement as his excitement, standing up slower and nodding once. He went and spoke to a few of the nurses, but it didn't need much convincing considering who he was, and the fact that he had taken Bumblebee to Earth before. 

Now it was just a Spacebridge away.

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The two of them decided to drive the rest of the way to Taylor's house after they visited June instead of Groundbridging. One semitruck and a sports car parked by a smaller house with a big yard, their engines turning off as they waited for her to come out. They knew she didn't need to be told they were out there; she would know in a few minutes, and wouldn't be surprised that they were visiting.

The door swung open, but it wasn't a small silver haired woman that burst through. A young boy, not much older than four, trotted out quickly, his cheeky face bright with excitement. His white and red hair fluttered as he hurried along, trying to get to the vehicles in the parking lot. A few moments later, a flustered mother hurried out after him, calling his name and holding out her arms. She was much faster than her young son, and scooped him up, which caused the young boy to laugh. 

"Phew," Taylor sighed. "Hospice, you know better!" she scolded playfully, tapping his nose. 

Hospice squealed in glee before he turned back to the cars, squirming and reaching for them. "I wanna go! You can come out now!" he called to them. 

Optimus chuckled slightly as the both of them transformed, much to Hospice's delight. Bumblebee immediately sat and crossed his legs on the pavement, waving happily at the young boy. Optimus bent over, gazing at the mother and son with a happy smile.

Taylor giggled slightly. "Look! It's Uncle Optimus and Uncle Bee!" she exclaimed, setting her son back down. 

"I know, I know!" he answered excitedly as he ran over to his favorite, the yellow and black mech. "Hi, Uncle Bee!!"

Bumblebee looked just as happy and excited, extending his servos out and letting the boy climb onto them. He lifted him up and brought him close to his faceplate, allowing the boy to nuzzle his helm and neck cables. Optimus watched them fondly, and when his optics trailed back down to Taylor, she was making the same expression as she hugged her arms. Her head turned and her big blue eyes looked up to the Prime and she smiled. 

"Good to see you again, Optimus," she said as she began to walk his way. 

The Council Leader nodded his helm, setting his open servos on the ground so she could climb on. "To you as well, Taylor," he replied. "How is Hospice doing?"

She laughed as he lifted her up. "Same as always. He skipped another grade the other month. The teachers are considering moving him up again." She sat in his palm and closed her eyes. "He takes a lot after his father."

Optimus' spark flinched slightly as he remembered his old friend. He looked over to Hospice, who was chatting away happily with the scout. The young boy had been a surprise to everyone except Taylor. She had later admitted that she had been given a spark by MECH earlier in her life, but when it began to fail her, Ratchet gave her a sliver of his own to make sure she survived. Eventually, that had led to her becoming pregnant with Ratchet and Taylor's child, precious little Hospice. The Prime wished so badly that the medic could see him; Ratchet would have been so proud.

"How fares your spark?" he asked softly.

She sighed through her nose. "It hasn't had any kind of failures, even though he's... gone. I think at some point, it became my own." Her eyes opened and looked back up to him as she paused. "The only thing.. is that sometimes it feels empty. That's all." She looked back to her son, who was now on the ground running circles around the amused scout, and smiled. "Where does he get that energy from?"

Optimus, came a voice over the commlink. He recognized it as Ironhide quickly.

"Excuse me," he said to the woman apologetically, setting her down nearby Hospice. When he was sure the both of them were out of the way, he stood up and put his digits to his audio receptor. He exchanged conversation for only a short amount of time before turning back to the others. "I am afraid I am needed," he said with what sounded like a small sigh. "You should probably get back to the Healing Center as well, Bumblebee."

Hospice awed in disappointment, Bumblebee sharing a similar expression, but the scout got up slowly and nodded. His helm looked back down to the mother and son just as a SpaceBridge opened up behind them. He waved his servo and the two of them waved back, though Hospice was now very much interested in the swirling vortex. Bumblebee smiled and walked through. Optimus was right behind him when he turned back to wish them goodbye one more time.

And there he was.

Optimus' vent hitched when he saw Ratchet bent over, hovering above Taylor and Hospice. He was smiling gently as his optics traced them, and then flickered back up to Optimus. His expression turned to one of surprise when he seemed to realize they were looking at each other, but that only lasted a moment, before his features washed over in relief and gentle happiness. 

Hello, old friend, he said, his voice clear but carried. He smiled genuinely, his optics crinkling ever so slightly. I must say, it's good to see you.

Optimus opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. 

The medic chuckled. No need for words, Optimus. I understand, and I'm proud of you. He stood straight, looking up and his oldest and closest friend. Thank you for it all. His otpics fell back down to his family for a moment. I promised her I would come back. Once I came, I wasn't able to bring myself to leave. He smiled fondly at Hospice, who was still watching the SpaceBridge, now with a very focused expression. I think I will be with them for a while.

The Prime tried once again to speak, raising his servo in hopes of catching him, taking him back.

Ratchet shook his helm. You can't come with me to this side, Optimus. You are needed. He paused. I am sorry I had to leave you. Leave them. His expression turned solemn for only a moment.

"Uncle Optimus?" Hospice called curiously, staring at him with big Energon blue eyes.

The Prime was pulled away from his friend to look down at the two of them awkwardly. He had no idea what to really say at all. His derma opened and closed, before he finally sighed and fell silent.

Taylor blinked at him for a moment, before chuckling slightly and smiling wisely. "Alright, Hospice, we should probably get back inside. Didn't you have a project you were working on?"

The young boy jumped up in excitement. "Oh, yeah!!" He immediately took off back into the house. 

Ratchet was still behind Taylor, watching his son run away quickly. He most certainly has Taylor's old bouts of energy, he chuckled.

Taylor's smile turned bigger as she turned to follow him. "It was good to see you again, Optimus." Her hair flipped as she quickly followed her son into the house, Ratchet right behind her.

His helm turned back one last time. Farewell, old friend, he said quietly, slowly fading away as he followed them home.

Optimus stood there and stared even after Ratchet was gone. His whole family. They were all gone and broken now, and nothing was like it had been before. Both worlds were healing, both species were healing. All of them, through the course of time, were getting better, even on the dark days that they missed each other.

Optimus had always wished to see them all one last time, have them speak to him once more.

Now they had. 

Optimus closed his optics and smiled. "Goodbye everyone. I love you all."

Then he turned and walked through the SpaceBridge.

He crossed the endpoint and headed for a new hope.

A new beginning.

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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

FINALLY DONE!!

IT TOOK ME LIKE A WEEK TO WRITE THIS EPILOGUE!! WHAT THE HECK!!

But here it is. I hoped you guys like it. It made this very depressing book... less depressing?

Here is the end.

Goodbye. 

And thank you. 

*waves*