Summary: How did the War start? How did Optimus become a Prime? How did Megatron become leader of the Decepticons? What was life like for these metal giants before the war ever started?

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, except the ones you've never heard of, which would be my OCs (Stalk, Strike, Wolfstrider, etc.)

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy this installment of the Spark of Primus Saga. The origins and lives of the characters in my story are different than other series. This particular book takes place before the Great War starts. I suggest you read my first book, A Time for Courage, before you read this one. My ideas are original, and stem from the different adaptations of Transformers series. Please ask if you would like to use my ideas.

Book 1 in the Cybertron Chronicles

Prequel to the Spark of Primus Saga

Prologue

Optimus Prime stood in front of the Cybertronian computer, searching for Decepticon energy signatures. He was intent on the screen, and didn't notice Ratchet coming up behind him. "Prime," he said.

Optimus jumped slightly and turned to Ratchet, "Yes?"

"What are you doing for Spark's sake?"

"Searching for the Decepticons." Optimus turned back to the computer.

"Prime," Ratchet sighed, "I don't know if there are any more waltzing around on Earth. Megatron is fatally wounded, after all."

"Starscream is still out there," Optimus reminded him, "and Megatron can easily recover. There are always rogues out there, too."

"I don't know," Ratchet said disbelievingly. He started to say something more, but stopped at a beep from the computer. Energy signatures, glowing purple, were starting to pop up all over the globe. Optimus turned to look at him. "I'll start up the ground bridge," Ratchet said obediently. Optimus walked slowly over to the other Autobots.

They were all in a clump, which included Hannah, Bruce and Kiara. Everyone turned to Optimus as he approached and all conversation stopped. "We have energy signatures," he said simply. Everyone, including the humans, stood up. "Everyone is coming," Optimus ordered, "except for Hannah, Bruce, and Kiara."

"Aww," they said in unison, "come on Prime."

"No," he said sternly, "Prowl, you will stay and watch them. Ratchet will also stay so he can activate the ground bridge for us."

"Don't you need me?" Prowl asked accusingly.

"Of course," Prime's voice was softer, "but we also need someone to keep these three here." He gestured to the humans, and they huffed.

Optimus turned to the others, "You need not engage these Decepticons if you are outnumbered, though I'd like to get them off of this planet; you just need to get a tag on them. Roll out," he commanded. The Autobots lined up in front of the ground bridge entrance, waiting their turn. Ratchet sent each one to a different coordinate.

Prowl, Kiara, Hannah, and Bruce sat silently on the various couches and chairs strewn around the bunker. Prowl sat still for a long time, but it was not as easy for the humans. Hannah began to fidget first, and Bruce followed not soon after. Kiara, who had been training with the ninja-bot, found it easier to sit still for an extended period, but eventually she found it hard to stay still.

Only Prowl's optics moved to look at them. "Can't you sit still for a little while?" he asked. They shook their heads. Prowl looked over at Ratchet, who was working on something, and sighed. He stood up and walked out of the room.

"Did he leave us?" Hannah whispered to Kiara.

"No," she answered. Prowl might be independent, but he would never disobey Prime's direct orders.

Prowl entered the room again a couple minutes later and set something down on the table in front of them. "Here," he said, sitting back in his chair. It looked like a miniature version of Cybertron.

"What is it?" Bruce asked, sounding slightly disappointed it wasn't a new video game.

"A record."

"Of what?" Hannah asked innocently.

Prowl smiled and touched a part of the model. It began to glow faintly, "Our lives on Cybertron."

A hologram appeared above the model, a hologram of Optimus Prime's head. "Hello, I am Optimus Prime, leader of a faction called the Autobots. We come from a planet called Cybertron, and this is our story. Mine and my Autobots: Jazz, Bulkhead, Ironhide, Ratchet, Arcee, Bumblebee, Prowl, Stalk and Strike. We hope you listen carefully, and understand what we've been through." The hologram disappeared.

"This is supposed to be for the humans of Earth so that they understand what we have been through, what has happened, and what must be done. One day, we might go back to Cybertron and it will be put into the records."

"So," Hannah got straight to the heart of the matter, "in this you're telling us your stories?"

"Not telling, exactly," Prowl pushed a different button on it. The glowing intensified, "These are actually copies of our memories, fixed together to make a story."

"It wasn't easy making them, believe me," Ratchet grumbled from behind them.

"What about Mirage and the others who came later?"

"We made this before we found them, though much of their stories are in here. They should be added soon, if they want." The hologram came out from the model again, but this time it filled the whole room. The landscape was not familiar to them.

"What is this?" Bruce asked in wonder.

"Cybertron," Prowl said simply, and leaned back in his chair to enjoy the show.