Captain and Optimus in Camelot

[The Vision]

The light vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving spots across Cap's vision. From what he could tell, they were in some sort of forest, mildly remeniscient of an English Summer. He wondered for a fleeting moment if they had ended up in the Savage Land.

"Interesting," Optimus observed. "These kinds of environments never existed on Cybertron."

Cap nodded in silent acknowledgement and scanned his surroundings more carefully. He could hear the twitters and wingbeats of various birds and spotted tracks of what looked like horses and bears scattered around the clearing where they stood. Rogers notice what seemed to be a partially worn path through the brush and pointed towards it. "My instincts say we follow these tracks. And trust me... my instincts are never wrong." He drew his shield out of habit and submerged himself in the thick foliage.

Captain America didn't know what to expect besides trouble. He could hear as much as feel the Autobot's heavy footsteps... unless that was his heartbeat? People make the mistake of assuming Steve was never afraid. They couldn't be more wrong. As a soldier, Cap had made fear go from a hated enemy to trusted ally. Hopefully the fear he felt now wouldn't be the former.

There were voices whispering through the trees as the two warriors silently traveled on their way. "Perhaps we may find refuge among these people," Optimus rumbled quietly. Cap was more cautious. "Can't just barge in there and assume their friendly, soldier." His vernacular reverted to his Nazi-fighting days, Cap continued his warning. "Last time I made an assumption I lost a friend." Bucky's face as Steve fell away from that dreaded missile flashed for a moment in his mind. He then remembered that he spoke to an equally qualified leader and turned to speak directly to the Prime. "Any ideas?"

Optimus frowned and gazed upon the trees. "Of course they are not to be trusted. But... frankly, I don't think stealth is my strong suit, in this case. I have a big head... and also big arms."

Captain looked the robot up and down. "That... That is true."

"Perhaps... You can be stealthy," Optimus rumbled, "I will attract their attention. If they are hostile, I am sure that I can take their fire. Meanwhile, you could probably use your own fire to take some of them out. Do you have any firepower?"

Captain chuckled, slightly embarrassed. "Gotta admit, no. I don't do guns much. But I do have an ace up my sleeve."

Optimus frowned. "I... do not understand."

Captain laughed and said, "Oh, believe me, Optimus, I know that feeling."

The robot turned his head. "Very well. I'll make myself conspicuous, pretend to be unaware of their presence. You will disguise yourself and attack if the targets are hostile. Do you agree?"

[Centurion]

Rogers saluted his agreement and faded into the bushes. How such a colorful character could become one with the shadows was a mystery to Optimus. They want their separate ways and soon lost sight of each other. Cap darted from treetop to treetop. He felt like he was back in 1944, dashing through French forests or Nazi bunkers. H finally spotted a group of three men. Two stood to the side and spoke in hushed tones. One held a sword. The other wielded a club. Both were grotesque and green. Ogres? Trolls? Hulks? Adrenaline started to spike back into Cap's veins

The third man was obviously human and very emaciated. He had a shovel and was digging some sort of hole, almost like he was digging his own... NO. Captain America remembered the countless times he had seen someone in this same situation. the only difference was that those monsters should be wearing SS uniforms. His blood was boiling, but he held his position. He was waiting on Optimus' signal so he could tear those damned bastards apart!

[The Vision]

Optimus strode forward, leaves crunching and branches snapping, as he approached the noise he had heard earlier. There were two green humans on a plain, and one light pink-ish one (more similar in appearance to the Captain), not far from the edge of the woods. It was going to be hard to be stealthy. Fortunately, there were only three of these humans standing there.

Optimus squinted, and raised his right fist, signaling to Captain to hold his fire. This Internet business was a very helpful database for information on humans. It even told him standard military signals of the America clan, which, Optimus hoped, the good captain would understand.

Trudging forward, the impact from his steps became quickly observed by the creatures. Two of them started waving their primitive sticks, as if to threaten Optimus with them, and began yelling in some unregistered language. Optimus scanned these two individuals, noting that the third seemed too scared to say anything. It would be quite childish for these little things to be quarreling based on differences of appearances. At least on Cybertron, their war was over something much more important.

As he watched them, Optimus had to conclude that this was the case. He was a soldier, above anything else. He knew a hostage situation when he saw one.

Perhaps these green people were from the Greenland clan. It would explain the name. But there was no time for research.

"I come in peace," Optimus declared in Danish, "I only wish to talk."

The green ones glared at him, confused.

"You a Prime or summin'?" one of them said in rough, slightly odd English. Optimus' databanks registered this as "Cockney."

"Ah, my mistake," Optimus chuckled, not sure how they knew about Cybertronian military ranks, "Wrong language. Yes, yes, I am a Prime. Optimus Prime."

"You jokin', guvna'?" the other one snickered, "Your name is Prime? Cor, you don't see me calling meself 'Dexter Sekky!'"

Optimus had no idea what they were talking about, but clearly, it was amusing, because they started laughing.

"What business do you have with the... digging one?"

"Das none uhvya bizness, bruv," a green one snapped.

"I'd like to make it my business."

"Who do ya think you are?" the one holding the metal stick (possibly a sword with no Energon?) snarled, gripping his weapon tighter, "Buttin' in on someone else's private mattuhs?"

"Like I said, my name is Optimus Prime," the robot rumbled, "And... let's say I can be... persuasive."

Optimus raised his right arm, transformed it into a large cannon, and readied it. He raised his left arm and balled it into a fist. Optimus did not wish to fire. Hopefully, they could resolve this peacefully.

[spoiler]Cap, if you want, you can open fire somehow. It's up to you how this goes.[/spoiler]

[Centurion]

Cap was not known for impulsive behavior. He recognized Optimus' signal and held his ground. He was close enough to hear that the two green brutes were speaking with Optimus, but not close enough to know what they were saying. That is until one of them raised their voices.

"Who do ya think you are?"

Cap knew aggression when he heard it. He was impressed by Prime's restraint, but gripped his shield tighter when he saw the Cybertronian transform his arm into some sort of cannon. It was Cap's call. He could rush into this and start something he couldn't stop, or he could end it before he began. There was only a moment to make a decision and Cap knew what he had to do. He'd been an Avenger long enough to hate killing, despite his experience in the war. However he wasn't really a superhero, not to himself. He was Captain America, soldier first, hero second. It happened in an instant. Cap and Optimus locked eyes for a fraction of a second and instantly knew how to work around each other. The two soldiers were too experienced for anything less.

Cap dived forward and landed with a grunt. One of the green men turned in surprise to see a red, white, and blue lightning bolt sprinting towards them. Optimus released a single shot, obliterating the first monster, and turned toward the other. The green brute screamed with fear and aggression. Cap slowed at the last second and delivered a powerful punch to the hostile's jaw. its massive frame buckled and fell backwards. The ogre-like creature groaned with pain and writhed on the floor, grasping its awkwardly loose jaw in its hand.

Cap motioned to the fallen beast and turned to the terrified man. He felt dirty, making the call that caused a death, but he knew that if he let them run, whoever was in charge would be after them in a second. He trusted Optimus to interrogate the other brute before eliminating him. The Prime was strong, but not brutal. Steve only hoped Prime wouldn't think less of him because of his decision.

Cap helped the shaken stranger to his feet. He prayed that if that freak wasn't talking, this man was. Praying, huh? Cap asked himself. Hav'nt done that in a while. Maybe I should... just a bit more often. Cap offered a shoulder to the emaciated victim and walked him to a small stump. "You'll be alright son." Cap lightly patted the young man's head. He was pale, with a gaunt face and wide eyes. His shaggy brown hair was missing in places, seemingly torn out by his verdant aggressors. "Now then", Cap said softly. "Mind telling me whats going on?"

[The Vision]

Captain Rogers was now dealing with the light-skinned human. Optimus knelt by the half-melting corpse of the green one and the one writhing in the grass, and analyzed their bodies. According to his database about Mutter's Spiral, (or what little information the humans had of their own galaxy) these creatures did not match anything on Sol 3. It certainly didn't look Cybertronian, or any of their neighbors. It was scarce to find anything in Optimus' galaxy that was all... smushy on the inside. And organic creature, clearly. Optimus once more scanned the creature before rising to his feet.

"These are not humans," Optimus said to the captain, as if this was a surprise.

"Well..." Captain Rogers frowned, "No, they are not."

"They're orcs," the other human shivered, "Sons of Thrall, rebelling against their father. Bloody psychopaths, they are."

"Who is Thrall?" Optimus boomed.

"I don't have to answer to Empire scum like you," the man spat.

"Empire?" Captain asked, "What Empire?"

"What bloody Empire do you think?" the man scoffed, "Were you born today?"

Captain America shared a glance with Optimus.

"You could say that," he replied.

The man scowled, then understood what Rogers meant.

"Oh! New Primes! I am so sorry, where are my manners?" the man said, "I thought you were from Coruscant. That's uh... never mind. My name is Scott. Thank you for saving my life. And you are...?"

Optimus waved at Captain Rogers, inferring that the man was not too fond of giant robots.

"My name is Captain Steve Rogers," Cap said, "And this is Optimus Prime."

"We come in peace," Optimus replied helpfully.

"Yeah, that's what you told the bloke you blew all to Hell," Scott snapped.

"Unfortunately, I do not respond well to aggression," Optimus boomed.

"Yea, got that. Cap, you should start controlling your toys."

"I am not a toy!"

"Alright, let's everyone calm down," Cap interrupted, "Scott. This 'toy' is my partner. He is as capable a fighter as I am, and clearly he is capable of complex thought. Why don't you and I treat him as an equal, hm?"

Scott glared at Optimus. It was as if he had some sort of issue with giant robots. Optimus looked back at Scott, partially wanting to "blow him all to hell". Suddenly, a voice rang in their heads.

"Summers, bring your guests to Minas Tirith. I'd like to meet them."

Optimus scowled and whirled around. He was not used to psychic communications, but Captain Rogers was. Too familiar.

"Son, did he just call you 'Summers'?" Rogers said incredulously.

"Yea. Scott Summers. What's it to you?" the man answered.

Captain Rogers rarely let his jaw drop. It was, after all, quite rude. This time, his mother (bless her heart) would have to make an exception as he gazed at medieval Cyclops. Which meant that the psychic voice was...

"C'mon," Scott beckoned, "Professor Xavier wants to see ya. The uh... the robot, too."

Optimus scoffed indignantly, unaware of the ironic situation, and followed Scott towards the massive fortified city in the distance.

[Centurion]

Cap had seen alternate universes and different timelines. H'd even traversed dimensions and met other groups of heroes. Now he was following a medieval version of an X-Man accompanied by a giant alien robot after fighting Orcs. To say that soldier was surprised was the understatement of the day. Scott led them across a relatively treeless area to a cobblestone road. The road winded through the plain until it terminated at a large Castle gate, beyond which was, he assumed, Xavier.

"Alright son," Rogers began. "Lets get down to business. This 'Empire' and these 'Orcs' obviously have you spooked. Why?"
Scott ran his fingers through his hair. Now that they were in the light, Cap saw that it was distincly brown.

"The Empire is the enemy of Camelot and all its citizens whereas Orcs are mindless brutes who hate humanity as a whole!" Scott's vehemence increased with every word.

"This Xavier... Is he your leader?" Optimus inquired.

"Kind of," Scott responded carefully.

"I think we can trust Xavier, Optimus," Cap said. "Assuming he's the same here as he is back home."

Optimus nodded in agreement. "I believe it best for you to handle the talking Captain Rogers. People here seem... apprehensive toward beings such as myself."

Captain America gave a simple 'thumbs-up' to acknowledge Prime's statement. Prime... That was a word Scott had used, just not to refer to Optimus alone. Cap's mind wandered back to Omni's chilling speech and he remembered that there were others such as himself. Either way, if there was anyone he trusted to help him figure this out, It was Optimus Prime

[The Vision]

As they approached the city gates, two humans raised their palms and motioned for the trio to stop.

"Halt! What brings you to Minas Tirith?" one of them said.

Optimus glanced at Scott, who knocked on his left breast with his fist once.

"I am Scott, son of Christopher, family of Summers-"

"We know who you are, X-Man," the guard interrupted, "I'm talking about the one in blue and... the... robot."

Optimus sighed. He was clearly not welcome in this city. He looked at Captain Rogers expectantly, beckoning him to answer.

"I'm Captain Rogers. This is my partner, Optimus Prime," Captain America replied, "Cycl- Scott here is taking us to Xavier."

"Well, your partner ain't exactly allowed in here. It's gonna have to wait outside."

"Listen, fella, I don't know what problem you folks have with robots," Rogers firmly said, "but Optimus is an ally of mine. I have no desire to leave him behind and I suspect he feels the same."

Optimus knelt in front of the guards, stooping his head. The guards flinched and raised their spears, scowling at him warily.

"I am not your enemy," he said calmly.

The guards glared at each other, then slowly let their spear hands relax.

"Fine," he said, "If Professor X trusts you, I guess you can come in."

Optimus rose to his feet and smiled at the guard. Scott passed between the guards. Captain Rogers followed suit. Optimus was about to step over them.

"BUT!"

"If you cause any trouble... We will have no mercy on you."

Optimus nodded, and rumbled, "Consider that a promise."

Optimus trudged away, ignoring the angry glares of the local villagers. The guard exchanged looks. One of them grumbled, "That Professor X is letting in robots now. Next thing you know, we'll have whitecaps patrolling the streets!"

Optimus heard them, but pretended that he didn't.

[Centurion]

Captain America's fist was clenched obscenely tight as he struggled to contain his anger. The last time he saw someone that... hateful was during WWII. Optimus was handling this surprisingly well. they passed many shops and houses and emerged into the city's center. the chaos of everyday life seemed to slow around them as head after head turned and eyes locked onto Optimus' massive bulk. Prime managed a friendly smile.

"Lets keep this moving son," Cap whispered to Scott. "These people don't look too happy to see him."

Scott obliged and pushed through the crowd, repeating his credentials to anyone who gave him resistance. They finally emerged from the throng to find themselves standing before a castle. The guards standing at the entrance spoke more clearly than those at the city gates.

"Hold!" one called out. "Why have you brought these outsiders to the court of Aragorn, Scott, son of Christopher?"

Scott replicated his earlier salute and reintroduced his colorful companions.

"Primes, eh?" the other guard mused. "I'll have a detail take you to Xavier. He'll know what to do with you."

The second guard motioned for the portcullis to rise and ushered the trio inside. he left them in the care of four stone-faced soldiers. if they shared their city's distrust of Optimus, they weren't showing it. After a brisk walk through the gilded hallways, they arrived at a tall, wooden door marked only with a golden "X"

The guards pushed open the door. They were met by silence and an empty office.

OOC: Apparently Xavier is handling something else. Since you are more experienced, I leave who we meet instead entirely up to you.

[The Vision]

Optimus was doing okay. He was used to being hated or blamed for whatever crime he did not commit. Megatron had made sure of that. But one thing was very alien to him.

Psychic communication.

Most psychics cannot actually manipulate a Transformer in any way. They are, after all, machine, and their minds are actually extremely intricate computer codes. However, in the Omniverse, Optimus had not only shrunk to half his height, but he was now susceptible to things he was once immune to. As was the case when Professor X invited his guests inside.

"Who's there?!" Optimus bellowed. He transformed his arm into a cannon again and waved it around, trying to find the mysterious speaker. The people around him gasped and screamed, running for their lives. The guards nearby immediately raised what looked like extremely primitive guns that still operated on string fuses. They couldn't do any real damage.

Fun fact: Since he got weakened when he arrived in the Omniverse, now he actually can be hurt by things like musket balls.

"Optimus!" Captain hissed through his teeth. He stuck his left hand out to comfort the robot, and the other subtly reached for his shield. "Optimus. Calm down."

"There is a voice... In my head..."

"I can explain it," Captain Rogers whispered, "It's not hostile. Just... Just put away the cannon, son."

Optimus scowled and scanned his environment. As Rogers had said, there seemed to be no hostile forces besides the retaliatory reaction of the guards. Optimus turned his cannon back into a hand and bowed his head.

"My apologies," Optimus said, "I overreacted, the captain tells me. Please... lower your weapons."

The guards immediately snapped back into a neutral stance and continued marching down the hallway of the palace.

"That was... easy," Optimus muttered to Cap, "Now what was that voice?"

"It's Professor X," Captain Rogers said, "He's psychic."

"Which means...?"

"Well, he can do a number of things. Read minds, send mental messages, even control minds if he needs to," Captain Rogers explained, "But there's no need to worry. He's a good man. He's from my world, actually."

"Is that so?" Optimus mused.

"Yes. The Avengers, that team I told you about, has a pretty close relationship with his team, the X-Men. Hopefully, this Xavier will recognize me, too."

"Yes," the voice rang in their minds again, "I do, Captain Rogers."

Optimus instinctively reached for his ion blaster, but one look from Cap informed him that the voice was to be trusted. The soldiers swung another set of doors. The hallway was just high enough to fit Optimus' head, but he couldn't help feel wary about scraping his antennae on the roof. But now, for the door, Optimus had to stoop to fit inside.

Refreshingly, the room they walked inside was much larger. Optimus could stand to his full height without having to worry about the roof. However, the floor was much more fragile than anywhere else, and each footstep left a small crater. The wide room housed one human, sitting on a chair with wheels. Captain Rogers approached the man in the center of the room, smiling.

"So this is where you've been cooped up, old sport," Captain Rogers called out.

"Yes, Captain," the man replied in a mocking tone, "And I took care not to develop Jay Gatsby's speech habits."

The man grabbed the wheels on his chair and pulled them in a way that he could face the giant robot. He was wearing a... well, the Google called it a "suit". He had no hair, unlike most of the humans that Optimus had met.

"You will forgive me for not standing, Optimus Prime, but my legs are not what they used to be. My name is Professor Charles Xavier. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," Optimus replied, "I do apologize about the floor."

"Oh, please. Don't worry about that. We have people who can fix that in seconds," Xavier said, "I gather you've met the X-Men of the Omniverse. Or, perhaps I should specify, one version of the X-Men."

"Well, one X-Man," Captain Rogers said, "Very different from the Cyclops I know."

"Yes, not quite the inspiring leader, I've noticed," Professor X mused.

Captain smiled. "I was talking more about the lack of eye lasers."

"Ah, yes," Professor X chuckled, "His optic blasts. I'm almost grateful that this world's Scott Summers is not that kind of mutant. The technology to fashion a suitable visor is not available in my new home. Perhaps elsewhere, but not here. Now. How may I help you gentlemen?"

Rogers shrugged. "We have... many questions, Professor, and-"

"Ah, yes, I imagine so. Scott tells me that you both are new to the Omniverse. Interesting pairing, I might note."

Professor X sighed and gazed at the pair's faces.

"Two leaders of a mighty army fighting for justice. Strong fighters, stronger peacemakers still. Cast into a world that is not their own by a great tragedy, and yet, continue fighting for what they stand for. And an alarming affection for the color blue."

The professor leaned back in his chair and smiled.

"Captain America and Optimus Prime. Come, walk with me. I will answer your questions in the garden. Perhaps you would be more comfortable in the great outdoors, Optimus."

With that, Professor Xavier pleasantly rolled his wheelchair across the room. Two guards opened the door for him, and waited for the pair to follow suit. Optimus grinned at his partner.

"I see why you like him," the robot said.

[The Vision]

"Optimus?" Captain shouted, "Optimus!"

Optimus snapped back to reality and blinked rapidly. For humans, blinking was to moisten the eyeballs. It had a similar purpose for Cybetronians. Optimus was, in fact, switching from lens to lens to find the most suitable one.

"Hm?" he mumbled, registering the empty room.

"Glad to see you're back with us," Rogers chuckled, "Professor Xavier isn't around."

"I'm not sure what you mean. He's just exited through that door."

Optimus pointed at the doorway. Captain Rogers frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

"The man. In the vehicular chair."

"Yeah, that's him, alright," Captain Rogers answered warily, "And he's not around."

"He just exited through that door. He spoke to us. Mentally."

Optimus suddenly realized why he had been so unsettled. He checked his peripherals, getting a full scan of the environment.

Captain Rogers blinked.

"Yes, he did, didn't he? It sounded very strange, too. Didn't sound like him. I assumed that it was an other world issue. And if he's not here-"

Captain America came to the same realization that Optimus did.

"Then how did he speak to our minds?"

Another voice spoke in both of their minds, "Come along, Captain. You, too, Optimus."

"That's definitely Professor X's voice," Captain muttered to Optimus.

"Someone's impersonating him," Optimus mumbled back, "Trying to take advantage of us."

"Shall we say hello to him?" Captain Rogers muttered back.

"I think I would like a proper introduction, yes," Optimus said.

"Even if we know it's a trap?"

"Captain," Optimus smiled, "I doubt anything can properly trap the two of us."

Captain Rogers grinned at Optimus and readied his shield.

"Into the breach, then," he said.

The two of them started exiting through the door.