Falsity (Transformers Book AU)

[4]

After that encounter, Sam got more into the stories his grandfather told them. He would even add his own ideas, though explosions were still involved.

Troy decided to base a character off his older grandson, but couldn't think of one. He sat quietly and watched as the two boys interacted with each other. At times it seemed as if Oliver was a hero to his older brother. Then it hit him.

"Sam." He said and the boy looked at him from playing cars with his brother. "Did I ever tell you about the Autobot rookie?" He asked.

"No." He said in wonder and sat up as Oliver looked at him.

"A cookie?" The small boy asked with confusion. Troy chuckled softly and sat him in his lap.

"No a rookie is an inexperienced person who is still learning. Technically it's a new recruit for an army but you get the idea." He explained.

"Was he mean?" Oliver asked quietly as he looked at him. His grandfather smiled a little and fixed his hat.

"No. He was just cocky and wanted to prove himself to the great Optimus Prime. The Autobot leader that he looked up to and idolized. This young bots name... was Smokescreen." He said after he paused for dramatic effect. Sam's eyes widened and he grinned excitedly as he sat by the man.

"What happens?" He asked and Oliver smiled brightly as he listened. Troy chuckled and told them the story of Smokescreen and how he arrived on earth.

"He had something very special inside of him. But didn't know what it was. The others didn't know either and just mocked him because of what he felt. But Optimus knew he could be something so much more if he put his heart into it." He said as he poked Sam's heart. The boy stared at his grandfather's finger then looked up at him.

"Did... he become more?" He asked quietly. Troy smiled a little and ruffled his hair.

"You'll find out tomorrow." He said and the boys groaned in protest.

"Aw grandpa." Sam wined as Oliver pouted cutely.

"You always leave when the story gets good." Oliver complained. Troy chuckled again and hugged them both close to his heart.

"It's late and you both need to get some sleep." He whispered. They didn't argue and their father came in to be with Oliver so the other two could go home. As they walked Sam hesitated and looked at the older man who held his hand.

"Grandpa... did... I ever tell you... I met Ratchet?" He asked and they stopped suddenly.

"What story is this?" Troy chuckled and stared at him.

"No this really happened." He insisted and gripped his hand. "That day when I was mad and ran off... I ended up in a parking garage with all the ambulances. I sat in the corner with an old one and he spoke to me." He said as his eyes grew wide. Troy didn't say anything and crouched to his level to listen.

"Next thing I know he's human and he led me back inside after I hugged him." He explained. "Grandpa you have to believe me." He said as tears filled his eyes. They were both silent for a few minutes as the older man thought. Was this getting out of hand?

"I... I do believe you..." he whispered and picked him up then carried him out of the building. Sam wondered if he really did and fought back tears. He looked around then his eyes widened as they walked to the car.

"Grandpa that's him! It's Ratchet!" He shouted and the man looked to where he was pointing.

"Sam... that's just a man with a paramedic uniform." He said gently.

"No he had an undercover name... um... uh... Gregory!" He yelled and the said man turned around. Troy furrowed his brow as the man smiled a little and walked over.

"Hello Sam." He said and shook the boys hand. "You haven't been hiding by my ambulance have you?" He asked as he furrowed his brow.

"Uh uh." He said and shook his head quickly. Troy stared at the man and blinked in surprise.

He listened to them talk for a moment before the man had to leave. Troy took his grandson home and seemed a bit dazed. He again asked himself if things were going to far.

~

Optimus watched the last few rays disappear as he stood on a hill. He stared at the battlefield and the fallen Cybertronians, con and bots alike. Ash fell from the sky and covered the dead like a blanket. The cities were still smoldering from fires. He stared at the scene with a blank expression. He had to leave this world. There was nothing left.

The Prime turned and slowly walked away from the scene. He made his way through the rubble and ruins. He was taking a few Cybertronians to a different world. A place called Earth. Possibly their new home.

He didn't know what lied ahead of them. What to expect. He paused and gently set a servo against a crumbling wall. He sighed quietly as his spark ached for his home. For those he once knew. He stared at the ground as he let a moment of silence pass. He looked around at the ruins and continued on. As he walked he gazed to the heavens and thought of the bots he had met.

Fought beside, only to watch them fall. The cons he had fought and tried to change. His brother being one.

He saw the others... the survivors. He walked to them and made sure they were alright. Their faceplates were solemn. As expected, they were leaving their home, and everyone they knew behind.

Optimus looked at them sadly and then turned back to gaze at the dead landscape. He felt lost on what to do. Primus was gone and their world was dead, but he couldn't dwell on that. He looked at them and realized they couldn't stay here, not anymore...

~

Troy stopped writing and dropped his pencil as if it were a hot coal. He shook his head in horror as he stood and backed away. What was he writing?

It came from his heart but he didn't expect this. He quickly turned off the music which he had been listening to on Pandora. A song called 'The Last Goodbye.'

He sat down and buried his face in his hands as he sobbed silently. The story felt so real and haunting. Optimus was saying goodbye to his life and moving on with the others.

Optimus was Oliver.

The boy couldn't die. He couldn't leave them and go with the other children that were dying. He grew angry with his writing and tore the pages to shreds.

"He's not going to die!" He shouted to no one in particular. "He can't die he's just a boy..." He sobbed and fell to his knees. He felt his heart ache from the pain and sorrow.

This grief was affecting his writing and he could only write what was in his heart. He eventually calmed down and sighed shakily as he bowed his head.

He had found himself praying everyday for guidance from the Lord. He didn't know what else to do. He had tried to distract his grandsons from the pain but he couldn't get rid of his own pain. He looked to the heavens and prayed to God for help as tears fell down his face.