Kup, Windblade, Prowl, and Strongarm sat in a room alone, remembering Chromia. \u201cAt least she went peacefully,\u201d sighed Kup. A small chuckle escaped Prowl\u2019s lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s so fragging funny about that?!\u201d demanded Windblade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing, I was just remembering when we first had a mission together,\u201d explained Prowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou mean the London incident of 2008?\u201d asked Strongarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the one. I was mech-splaining to her when we were setting up the flare, then I went and tripped over it, setting it off!\u201d He was giggling a bit, a rare thing for the normally stoic bot. \u201cYou should have seen her face as the flare\u2019s light illuminated the whole city and we had Decepticons coming out of the sewers ready to kill us!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, yeah!\u201d laughed Windblade. \u201cShe wouldn\u2019t stop complaining about you for months! But, out of all the mechs she met, aside from Ironhide, she liked you the most.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe did? Why?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe said you meant well, just like Firestar!\u201d Windblade\u2019s face then turned to a sad expression. \u201cJust like Firestar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAnd Ironhide,\u201d recalled Kup. \u201cThat\u2019s all of them. That whole side of Ratchet\u2019s family is gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGone, yes,\u201d called Optimus\u2019 voice as he entered the room. \u201cForgotten, never. Not while there are those who remember them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re so right, Sir,\u201d agreed Prowl. \u201cHow are the others holding up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs well as can be expected,\u201d answered Optimus. \u201cSnarl\u2019s just finished up his degree in psychiatry, so he\u2019s asked me to tell everyone he\u2019s available if you want to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s our psychiatrist now?\u201d asked Windblade. \u201cHe always was a good listener. I think I\u2019m gonna have to take him up on his offer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatever you need, he\u2019s there for us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you gonna speak to him anytime soon?\u201d asked Strongarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am. That was the first time I ever took part in medical euthanasia. Chromia told me as Ironhide died that seeing rigor-morphis will never get easier for people and she was right. Unfortunately, decision-making in light of these circumstances isn\u2019t any easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you mean, Sir?\u201d asked Kup. Optimus sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cG.U.N\u2019s picked up someone who was in the Decepticon Camp for a while,\u201d he explained. \u201cA hedgehog woman who claims she has information about the Decepticons\u2019 plans once they leave Mobius. With that loose end and the Erazor Djinn still out there, we can\u2019t afford to bring everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPlease tell me there aren\u2019t any objections,\u201d interjected Strongarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBelieve it or not, the Technobots offered to stay behind, so did Cosmos, as well as the Knights of the Round Table, Guinevere, and Merlin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCosmos? Why her?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe figured Mobius could still use a warp-capable space-craft in case of an emergency. Given that she\u2019s built with a warp engine, she volunteered to be that craft.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWell, if there are bots willing to stay behind, then there aren\u2019t any objections from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNor me,\u201d agreed Prowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI ain\u2019t complaining,\u201d supplied Windblade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSounds like the Technobots and Cosmos got heads on their shoulders,\u201d remarked Kup. \u201cNo complaints from me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s actually a relief,\u201d sighed Optimus. \u201cYou guys, I wasn\u2019t too worried about understanding my motives, it was the bots of my generation I thought would be more hesitant. Still, it\u2019s good to know that everyone understands. There IS one bot I think would object, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWho?\u201d asked Prowl. Optimus steeled himself before answering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBlaster. I want him to stay behind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDid you tell him about that decision yet?\u201d inquired Windblade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, he\u2019s the last bot I\u2019m telling. I have a feeling he\u2019ll object.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do you mean you want to have your Cybertronian Citizenship revoked?!\u201d Optimus asked Blaster later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAfter Xitra, I never really felt at home on Cybertron. I felt more at peace on this planet, even during the first war. I want to live out the rest of my days here on Mobius, so asking me to stay behind is actually a good thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoes Aleena know about this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was hoping we could both call her together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen let\u2019s do it. Though, I don\u2019t know what her reaction will be. Teletraan, mind calling up Aleena?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSure thing,\u201d answered Teletraan. After a few seconds, Aleena\u2019s face popped up on the console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOptimus, what can I do for you?\u201d asked Aleena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about Blaster here,\u201d explained Optimus. Blaster took over the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour Majesty, I want to move here and be a Mobian citizen. I\u2019m in the process of revoking my Cybertronian Citizenship and\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFinally!\u201d sighed Aleena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026Finally?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was hoping we could have someone move here. A lot of senators don\u2019t want to recognize Transformers as citizens unless they actively wanted to live here and pay taxes. Come by the Mobian Congressional Building the day after the funerals of Chromia and Arthur and I will personally make you a Mobian Citizen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you, Your Majesty!\u201d Blaster was smiling by then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPerfect,\u201d sighed Optimus as the call ended. \u201cNow, the next things are the funerals and that mystery hedgehog girl.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first funeral was for King Arthur. The mourners met in his tomb as they had arranged to have him reinterred there. Lancelot, Shadow, Gawain, and Knuckles bore Arthur\u2019s body. Merlin then lowered him back into the coffin. \u201cHic jacet Arthurus,\u201d pronounced Lancelot, \u201cRex quondam, Rexque futurus.\u201d Everyone just stood there with their heads declined in respect for King Arthur, the former Monarch of England, and the Holy Roman Empire. After a respectful silence, Excalibur then spoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn his new life, Arthur was wiser and learned from his mistakes of his previous one. He gave his life so that we may all live to read and learn from all stories. He touched the hearts of millions, may he continue to do so.\u201d Optimus then came forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen I met him, I was so sure he was just a story. He and his actions proved me wrong, and I have never been more grateful for that. In the short time I knew him, he taught me about of chivalry. I won\u2019t ever forget him, as I\u2019m sure no one else will forget. In pace requiescat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn pace requiescat,\u201d repeated the mourners. Lancelot then stepped forward to give one last prayer, straight from a book that gave him surety so long ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cForasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother here departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.\u201d Sonic shut the lid once the funeral finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGoodbye, Arthur,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cI\u2019ll make sure to rule Mobius as you once ruled Camelot a long time ago.\u201d Everyone then left Arthur\u2019s tomb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chromia\u2019s funeral was much like Ironhide\u2019s. She was laid upon the same apparatus that would vaporize her body like it once did Ironhide\u2019s. Optimus took his place at the podium. \u201cEveryone,\u201d he began, \u201cwe gather here to honor the death of Master Sergeant Chromia Teznark of Iacon. A devout Camien, a Wrecker warrior par excellence, a wife, a mother and friend, and a loving soul, Chromia will never be replaced. Like Ironhide, I won\u2019t ask anyone to replace her. It would cheapen her life and I won\u2019t do that. Chromia, you will be remembered, and we will dedicate our victories to you and the family you have reunited with in the After-spark. Rest in peace.\u201d Optimus then nodded to Kup, Goldbug, and Jazz. They stepped forward, left a space between Jazz and Goldbug, and raised their weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFire!\u201d called Goldbug. They fired three times, then holstered their weapons and saluted. They then let Windblade perform a Camien Funerary Rite. She approached the body and placed her hand on Chromia\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cChromia,\u201d she said, \u201cwe once bared our Sparks to each other and bathed in their combined light, making the universe brighter. It is now dimmer without you, but I shall continue to keep our light alive. Rest well, my Amica Endura.\u201d She stepped back and nodded to Optimus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen a Spark goes online, there is great joy. When one is extinguished, the universe weeps.\u201d The Autobots then each took a phial of Innermost Energon and held it up to the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou flare. You flicker. You fade.\u201d After the chant, the Autobots set their phials down and Windblade stepped up to the control panel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGoodbye my friend. \u2026Rest in peace!\u201d She pressed the button and Chromia\u2019s body was vaporized after a few seconds. Windblade then started crying and Optimus hugged her, his own tears falling down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Kup, Windblade, Prowl, and Strongarm sat in a room alone, remembering Chromia. \u201cAt least she went peacefully,\u201d sighed Kup. A small chuckle escaped Prowl\u2019s lips. \u201cWhat\u2019s so fragging funny about that?!\u201d demanded Windblade. \u201cNothing, I was just remembering when we first had a mission together,\u201d explained Prowl. \u201cYou mean the London incident of 2008?\u201d asked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[98,667],"tags":[146,337],"class_list":["post-4278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles","category-transformers-mobian-chronicles-arc-17-living-stories","tag-sonic","tag-transformers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4278"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4279,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4278\/revisions\/4279"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}