The Next Generation

C25: Zombie Optimus

"NOOO!" Optimus lurched forward, optics wide and bright. There was a paramedic leaning over him, holding a roll of medical tape, but jumped back in surprise at Optimus's sudden awakening.

The area around them was sectioned off by police vehicles and an ambulance. Endeavor was cursing in the background as Recovery Girl tried to kiss him. People were clamouring, shouting, trying their best to get a look at the scene from behind the vehicles. Various heroes were standing around, watching him and Endeavor, and talking amongst themselves. A media helicopter flew overhead, desperate to get a shot of the chaos.

"You killed our planet!"

Optimus started hyperventilating, his optics shuddering as he took it all in.

"Get out of my way!" someone shoved the medic to the side and knelt down by Optimus. "Breathe, Prime, breathe! Remember your training. Chest goes up and down, inhale and exhale. Oxygen goes in, carbon dioxide goes out. Take it slow."

"I killed them," Optimus gasped. "They're all dead."

Aizawa shook his head. "No, don't think about that. You're breathing. Think about breathing."

Optimus nodded, still struggling, and Aizawa held his servo.

"Slowly. Slowly. Good job," Aizawa told him. "Keep it together. You're doing good."

After a minute, Optimus was back to normal.

"Give me the tape," Aizawa barked to the medic before snatching it away. He started to lift Optimus up and wrapped it around the bandages covering the burn on his chassis.

Optimus groaned. "I killed them."

"We'll talk about it later," Aizawa said softly. "Just keep breathing."

"But I can't," Optimus felt lubricant gather in his optics. "If he's right—"

Aizawa shushed him. "Stop. I need you to be strong right now."

"You want my help?" Midnight asked, walking over.

Aizawa nodded. "Yeah."

She held out her hand and pink mist floated down. Optimus offlined his optics again.

▪️◾◼⬛◼◾▪️

When Optimus woke up again, he could hear muffled talking. He was in Mr. Aizawa's bed, not the couch he'd been using. Optimus sat up slowly and raised his servo to his bare chassis, feeling for wounds. Nothing. He looked down at the blanket and stared.

He mourned.

But he didn't want to be alone. Optimus peeled back the covers and stood up. He found a large shirt and pulled it on before quietly opening the door. He walked down the hallway and looked around. To the left, the television was playing, but no one was watching. To the right, Mr. Aizawa and Present Mic were playing a game of cards.

Optimus walked out into the open and picked up the remote from where it was sitting on the arm of the couch. He turned the television off and then put it back.

"That's my background noise," Aizawa said.

They'd argued about this before. Optimus always said it was bothersome. Unlike Aizawa, he couldn't ignore it. It captured his attention and distracted him from more important things.

Optimus turned around and walked over to them. He sat down next to Mr. Aizawa and looked at the cards.

"Teach me to play?" Optimus asked quietly, trying to keep his voice from cracking.