Arise

Cybertron, the Great War. The High Council Tower of Iacon

The massive, silver auditorium was packed, row upon row of Autobot filling every metallic bench. In the front row sat Autobot High Command: Prowl, Meister, Perceptor, Blurr, and Kup. The stage was decorated with statues of each Prime, the lineage of Cybertronian leaders flanking either side of the Primal Chamber, where the selection process was completed. The center of the floor was a massive mural of the Matrix of Leadership, the crystal replaced by a large circular hatch, thin ribbons of white light leaking upwards through the cracks. The chamber looked exactly as it had for thousands of years, save for a large Autobot banner draped above the Primal Chamber’s entrance.

The Chamber door opened, the red-and-purple figure of Alpha Trion walking forwards. He raised his arms, quieting the room and drawing everyone’s attention, leaving only an anxious air throughout the crowd.

“As the last remaining High Circuitmaster on Cybertron, it is my honor to lead in this sacred rite. It has been tens of thousands of years since the last Prime was chosen, and it was High Circuitmaster Boltax standing in this very spot to present this to Sentinel Major, our esteemed Sentinel Prime and leader of the Autobots, may his spark find peace at last. Til all are one.” A solemn ‘til all are one’ rippled through the crowd.

“But today we are not here to mourn, but to rejoice.” Alpha Trion continued. “For our oldest and most sacred occasion, the Ceremony of the Unending Circuit, comes to pass once more. Today the next Prime shall rise, and I have no doubt he will lead us closer to, if not achieve, peace.”

The elder stepped back, and from the Primal Chamber came the soft footfalls of Orion Pax. The honored and beloved soldier looked across the rows of cheering Autobots. He smiled sheepishly before standing before the hatch on the floor. Alpha Trion placed a hand on Orion’s shoulder. “Have you prepared a speech? Anything to say before you’re immersed?”

Orion looked to the stands and cleared his throat. “Before all this, I was a platform worker at a dock. I loaded and transported crates. That was me. And today, I stand here, having been chosen to receive this honor. I’m just a soldier doing his duty, and to me, this is another role I must fill for my people. Thank you.”

Alpha Trion nodded and activated a switch on the wall. The hatch opened, white light spilling out into the air. Inside was a pool of white-blue liquid. Purified Energon. “Within this pool, the Well of Allsparks, is the Matrix. Orion Pax of Iacon, you must submerge yourself and bond with the Matrix. It will be painful, and you may not be the same when you are done. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

Orion nodded, and stepped cautiously into the Well. He could feel the energies permeating his form. Around him, the onlookers began to chant.

“Til all are one.”

He looked down and found himself glowing a faint blue. He submerged himself completely, his entire frame electrified. His hands found the Matrix and he opened his chest panel, taking the Matrix in. A surge of pain shot up his back as the Matrix connected, his vision clouded.

“Til all are one!”

Orion focused, channeling the Matrix energy, as his body began to shift and burn. He could feel it absorbing the Energon, reshaping his body.

“TIL ALL ARE ONE!”

The Well’s surface broke, the newest Prime rising from it. What was once a modest frame was now a large, towering form worthy of a Prime. He stepped out and looked up to the crowd. The cheers were deafening. Alpha Trion could barely be heard.

“Arise, Optimus Prime.”

END.