This is a slight redo of my first fanfic attempt, written in late 2001 and early 2002. It incorporates characters from Generation One, Beast Wars, and Robots in Disguise.

GENESIS

Chapter 1

Optimus Prime stared hard at the image of Cybertron, displayed on the front view screen. It seemed like an eternity since he had last seen his beloved planet. "Time of arrival?" he asked.

Brawn was quick to respond. "Not soon enough." The tough minibot was more homesick than anyone else on board their ship, but nobody dared pointed it out. He'd have clobbered them on the spot.

Optimus silently agreed and leaned forward in his chair. "Contact Autobot base and inform them of our return." Prowl nodded and began to relay the message. "Feels good to finally be home," Prime sighed.

Suddenly, Prime shot up out of his chair. Something had caught his attention rather abruptly. "Magnify image- two hundred percent!"

Wheeljack complied, and soon the enhanced image came into focus for all to see. "What is that?" he asked.

Optimus walked over and stood directly in front of the view screen. "Magnify three hundred percent." The entire screen was filled with an even more detailed scan of Cybertron's image. Or, what should have been Cybertron. But this was a different planet than the one they had left behind. Very different indeed. "Grass?" Optimus thought to himself. "On Cybertron?"

"Prime," Prowl started, "I have an incoming message from base... sounds strange."

"Stranger than what we're seeing?" he asked in a hushed tone. "Put it on speakers, Prowl," Optimus ordered.

"...IDENTIFY YOURSELF..."

Optimus could sense the tension on the bridge growing, the situation quickly becoming more and more surreal by the second. He tried hard to remain calm. "This is Autobot Commander, Optimus Prime. My crew and I are returning from a deep-space mission. Who am I speaking to?"

Prowl looked up from his station, decorated with multi-colored buttons and switches, and informed Optimus of a visual message being received. "By all means, Prowl- put it on-screen."

What they saw on the view screen defied reality. Wheeljack turned and looked at Brawn in utter dismay, who shared the sentiment. Prowl, void of any logical explaination for what they were looking at, remained silent and still.

Both of the beings on the view screen resembled their beloved Optimus Prime; not completely identical but certain features were very similar. There were other beings standing behind them, and a lot of noise- hectic and hurried conversation- the details of which would come later. "With the way things have been happening, we were wondering whether or not you'd show up," one of them said.

Optimus kept his voice smooth and clear of any anxiety. "Has there been an incident? Has Autobot Base been attacked?" Brawn grew more uneasy with each passing word.

"You could say that," the taller form said. "Prepare to dock- we'll explain what we can to you once you're safe inside."

Prowl shot a glance at Optimus, relaying his concern without uttering a single word. "With all due respect," Optimus said, picking up on Prowl's vibes, "I don't think I can do that until I know what's going on."

"Very well," the shorter one said. "First, though, I think an introduction is needed. I am Optimus Primal, leader of the Maximals- relatives of yours." His words hung strangely in the air.

The taller form, primarily red, now spoke. "And I am..." He paused briefly, bracing for how the following words would be met. He had a feeling they would be scoffed at, and he was right. "I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots." He steadied himself for whatever outcry followed.

Brawn gave him what he had expected. "This is some type of Decepticon trick, Prime- don't listen to them!" He waited anxiously for the order to raise shields to be announced.

"On the contrary, Brawn," Optimus Primal said. There was a soothing effect in his tone, helping to keep things from deteriorating further. "For the time being, the Decepticons are the least of our troubles."

end of chapter 1.