The Arisen Rises Once Again (IDW Optimus Prime x Blue Archive) [Rewrite]

Prologue

I decided to make a completely new prologue.

"I was forged Orion Pax. As war began, I was called Optimus Prime. Now some call me The Arisen, the Thirteenth Prime. But the masks are gone now. I am Orion Pax. Before this... who were you?" - Optimus Prime.
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Darkness... that was all Optimus could see within this carcass of an empty void as his blue optics flickered from time to time when he continued to float in this infinite nothingness. Multiple theories and thoughts raced through his mind, and the only thing he could wonder about was: where was he?  

Was he in the Dead Universe? 

Was this the Pits? 

Was this his personal hell?

Was this his punishment for his sins? 

Was he even dead?

As these kinds of thoughts were the main focus, Optimus found himself starting to believe that he deserved to be here rather than be one with the Afterspark. For the things he'd done while alive, the memories started to come back: blackmailing Soundwave, abandoning the Autobots in their time of need, neglecting the chance to end the war sooner and preventing countless casualties, manipulating faith through his Prime status, annexing Earth and forcing it into the Council of Worlds. So many things he did during and after the Great War. He couldn't find anything to justify his actions except that he only tried and wanted the best for everyone. 

But, of course, everything went to scrap later on. 

Optimus took a deep breath underneath his mouthplate and closed his optics. How tired he was...

But now he could only hope that everything would work out for everyone - Cybertronians, humans, other species, and so on - with the threat of Unicron gone but at the sacrifice of Cybertron and himself, the universe could heal. And so everyone else. 

With that single biggest positive and hopeful thought that someone could possibly have, the Prime went into stasis. 

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"It was all my fault." 

Immediately hearing the voice Optimus slowly opened up his optics while finding it weird and was surprised that somebody else was here in this void. But when his optics were completely opened, he didn't find himself within that carcass of a place, but rather on a train. 

"Train?" Optimus thought as he tried to move his optics to look around but failed, instead, they were focused on the human girl sitting in front of him. 

Her white uniform, her pale skin, and her blue hair were covered in blood and bruises. Instantly, Optimus' instincts kicked in, wanting to ask if she was ok but he couldn't speak.  

"My decisions, and everything they caused." Her voice soft yet filled with sorrow and regret as Optimus' visions shifted between one another. 

He saw himself somewhere in a dark and grim place, but he quickly noticed two humans. One standing in front of the downed one, pointing a gun at the person. He couldn't descibe how they looked like due to them being blurred and hard to see. Before shifiting back to the train. 

"It had to come to this for me to finally realize that He was right all along..." She continued but Optimus knew how she possibly felt behind those words. "So forgive me for being so bold, but I must ask for your help... Optimus Sensei." 

Optimus was taken slightly aback mentally about how she knew his name, if he could ask he would but that wasn't possible.

"You'll forget these words, but it won't matter," She softly remarked. "Even if you're not Him, you'll probaby make the same decision as He did. Therefore, I believe what matters most are the choices we make, not the experience we have. There are choices only you can make."

"The choices we make, not the experience we have." These words made Optimus think for a brief moment. It made him feel... something. Hard to explain what it was. 

"I've spoken of responsibility before. I didn't truly understand it then, but now I do," She paused. "Adulthood, responsibility, obligation... and the choices you make that extend beyond those ideals. I even understand their implications. Therefore, Sensei, you're the only one I can trust. Only you can free us from this twisted, distorted fate... and find the choices that will lead us to a new reality."

"..."

"So, Sensei, can you please help us?" 

Optimus closed his optics, feeling the flicker of his tired spark. It wasn't burning as brightly as it did before, but it's strength remained. While he reflected on his long journey - he had been many things: a law enforcer, a leader of a war faction, and a freedom fighter. He protected the weak not just because of his strength, but because it was the right thing to do. There was a reason he had been chosen as a Prime, though even now he didn't fully understand that reason. But perhaps it didn't matter anymore. What mattered was that someone needed his help. And despite everything, deep within his spark, he knew his duty. He was still a protector, still a servant to those who could not defend themselves.

And with all his might and willpower Optimus made only four words and that was all he needed.

"Little one, I do."

"Thank you." She whispered under her breath as suddenely everything for Optimus became dark.

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"Sensei, wake up!"