Shadowfire

Chapter 47

I emerged from the caverns wreathed in purple flame, and came to face my people. The Matrix hummed within my chestplating, declaring me the chosen of Primus, filling me with the knowledge of the Ancients. Optimus was no longer the last Prime, for I was the beginning of a noble lineage.

"I will lead Cybertron into what will be known as the second great age" I announced, as the cybertronians gathered 'round me, sensing in their sparks that I was Chosen "the reconstruction Era; for this is the mandate given to me by Primus. I assume the name and title of Shadis Prime, not Shadia- we will not resurrect the flawed society that created Optimus as its last defender, we will no longer be exiled to the stars, we will begin again, prevent the corruption from taking root once more, and reclaim this planet, our planet, as our home"

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"It's good to see a femme leading us back to the old ways, never did like the Council much, they were a bunch of squabbling brats. You have proven yourself a good and capable warrior, and a wise leader, I would accept your rule" Shatterhelm bowed to me, and I tried to keep the frown from showing on my face. I didn't know what the Ancient mech was referring to. His sparkmate, Brittleburst, pulled him away.
"Leave the Prime to establishing her reign" I was glad, their support would go a long way to healing the rifts between the feuding Cybertronian factions. It was high time the war ended, it had been raging for far too long. The three mechs sworn to my service, to the service of the Primes, stood at my back. Together they surveyed the work going on below us, mechs manually beginning to clear the debris cluttering the once great cities of Cybertron. It would take time of course, but eventually I would begin construction on a new city, free of the remnants of the past- a new city for the reign of a New Prime.

"Prime" Crosshairs said, getting my attention, motioning to the map and fragments of a plan arranged on the table. I moved to better study the clutter "we remain undefended"
"Who would want to attack us?" Hound scoffed "we've got no enemies anymore"
"The humans could find a way of activating the space bridge"
"Impossible" I interjected "there's only one way to open the space bridge, and it's not on Earth. No, we are more at risk of the humans destroying it than activating it" Hound smirked, but I continued "Crosshairs is right though, we should set up some means of defending ourselves- this planet has been uninhabited by mechs for almost a generation, we are at risk from insecticons, scraplet infestations, steeljaw packs and all manner of other things. Crosshairs" I ordered "see about setting up a guard detail or some sort of warning system"
"What're we going to do about the Decepticons requesting a trip to Kaon?"
"Easy" Hound laughed "don't let 'em go"
"Hound" I warned, admonishing the stout mech "the war is over, and with it the divide. I don't want to hear any more of this talk"
"Of course" he assented, bowing his head in apology. I moved on.
"They have permission to leave but they must return. I don't want any of them staying over there. As I said, the divide is over, and segregating ourselves into two separate cities screams 'non-conducive' to mending that rift. Make sure they're scanned before they come back, I don't want anyone bringing over a plague"

"Prime!" I spun sharply, spotting Drift barring the door, an Autobot trying to force himself into the room, I waved my hand and the warrior stepped aside.
"What do you want?"
"To know what's going on here, you're not in command of everyone"
"I am actually. I am the New Prime, and in the absence of Optimus I alone am fit to lead our race into the future"
"Wow, you really have been drinking your own Kool-Aid haven't you?" I didn't know what the mech meant and I didn't care, turning back to the map I addressed my three lieutenants.
"As I was saying, we'll clear the west quarter next. Make sure everyone stays out of the tunnels-"
"Shad!" The mech protested, and I turned to face him once more.
"I don't know what you're talking about and I don't have time for this" I said dismissively "either contribute or say your piece and get out"
"You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
"Earth-"
"I remember our time on Earth perfectly" I snapped, almost affronted "I have the knowledge of all of Cybertron at my disposal. Driven to the brink of destroying each other the feuding Cybertronian factions fled the planet, both ending up on Earth by coincidence; there the war continued for several years until a truce was called in the face of the rising human threat"
"It sounds like you're reading from a history textbook! What about 'Hide? Tell me, who's Lennox?"
"William Lennox, former Major with NEST, ally of the Autobots"
"You're- not Shadowfire"
"I am Shadis Prime, as you're well aware. If you don't have anything to contribute then get out"
"We need a source of energon" the silver mech said, before striding from the room.

"He's right you know" Hound commented, working his denta idly "we do need a stable energon source"
"I know" I sighed "I've been thinking about it. The problem is everything was destroyed in the war, rather than hiding it and risking it falling into the hands of the enemy. There's a reason Cybertron was abandoned, and it wasn't because it was habitable"
"We'll think of something" Crosshairs said, and I nodded.

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"Shadis" Crosshairs called softly, getting my attention "there's been some trouble with the Decepticons, they're refusing to agree to come back from Kaon. Hound's already down there" I nodded, and left the room. This particular faction, historically rebellious, had been quiet since my rule had begun, asking only for permission to leave the city. I had thought their asking permission to be a sign they were looking to turn over a new leaf, and had granted their request as positive reinforcement. Perhaps I had been hasty in assuming they were intending to change their ways in the aftermath of the war.

When I arrived at the outskirts of the city, what had quickly become the lead group of 'Cons were arguing with Hound.
"Silence, the lot of you" I demanded, gratified as Hound immediately fell quiet.
"Don't tell us what to do!"
"Just drop it Barrage" one of the other mechs said, placing a hand on his shoulder. The con deflated.
"All I require is that you return to the city, and submit yourself for medical scanning, once your visit is completed. It is quite a reasonable request all things considered, and it's not as if you have a reason to want to leave" I said, fighting or keep my voice even as my composure began to crack in the face of the mechs looking at me with derision and scorn.
"Yeah, can't think of any reason why I wouldn't want to stay here" one of the mechs snarked, turning away from me. Hound snarled in his face.
"You should respect your leader"
"She is not our leader" another of the Decepticons spat angrily.
"I will not have you rebelling as you did under the Council" I announced, equanimity swiftly fading in the face of their defiance "it was your faction that started the war. You have no reason not to be happy under my leadership. I have not punished you for your original rebellion, have not forced you into subservience as others would have. The war ended on neutral terms, I will not have you destroying that hard won peace so soon"
"Hard one peace!" The mech they had called Barrage exploded "You have done nothing to win the peace, Prime! The peace is because of Shadowfire! She is our leader, she is the one with our respect!"
"Shadis is a Prime; respect won, then and there" Hound snorted, succinctly summarising the belief most of Cybertron seemed to share.
"I don't need your respect" I told the rebellious mechs "what I need is your cooperation. You have much to gain by following my commands, and nothing to lose"
"Nothing we haven't already lost" a black mech with blue accents muttered under his breath, I ignored the comment, levelling the group with a streaky gaze until they caved to my will.
"Alright fine" one of them snapped "we'll come back. If you don't forget we've gone that is"