Nominated for Most Creative Plot Idea '03
Purpose
By: Hacker
Authoress' Note: This is my take on what Rhinox could have been thinking when he was off searching for Optimus in the Matrix.
Not the best thing I've written, but hey, I'm not perfect…
Rhinox stared blankly ahead as he drifted through the other side of the Matrix. What was he searching for again?
He'd lost track of all things sane and was now letting his mind open up in this endless abyss.
His mind drifted to the past recent events. The exploding the alien's craft, the death of Optimus, and the loss of a friend.
Optimus, that's why he was in the Matrix in the first place. To try to find the only way possible to bring back a mentor, friend, and a leader.
But it was so hard to stay on track in this place, so far away from all the battling, pain, and death. Now all the pain was ebbing away from him as he silently slipped farther and farther away from reality and life.
The smallest jolt would make him let go of all he knew and he'd be free to roam these uncharted roads.
One small hit would be all it took to put him in this wondrous place for good.
What was his purpose again? To cause destruction to this world of peace? He couldn't live like that, and now, thanks to the strange aliens, he'd lost one of his best friends to this war.
He couldn't live the life any more.
A light suddenly lit up in front of him and a familiar figure came into view.
He'd found Optimus, or at least his spirit.
No, he hadn't found Optimus. Optimus had found him.
Suddenly, Rhinox was no longer a head.
He had his entire body and he was facing Optimus's spirit, which took form and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Do not let the Matrix get to you Rhinox. You have done only what you had to do. You've stopped the Predacons many times from destroying your comrades, the base, and the Earth."
Rhinox shook his head, "But all at a price."
Optimus nodded, "You must understand, everything comes at a price. Freedom of all things does not come free. Freedom you must fight for. You must fight for what you believe in."
Rhinox felt his head clearing for the first time in a long time, but did he really understand?
Optimus took his hand off of Rhinox, "Go home Rhinox, I'll follow shortly. You're friends need you right now."
Rhinox nodded once and he turned back into a floating head as he heard his name being called from far away. He started drifting farther away from Optimus until he was no more than a speck among other specks.
Rhinox realized he had served his purpose and now he had a new one. He turned toward the light as his name was called out again.
He was needed.