Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers – or anything else (recognizable) mentioned in this fanfiction – nor do I make any monetary profit from this story.
Categories: Friendship, humor, angst, adventure-?
Warnings: OOC, slash, possible spoilers...
Universe: It's before Transformers: Prime. Elements and characters will be taken from all different continuities, and characters not from Prime will be mentioned as they premiere.

Prologue: Memories

Because I can't wait for you to catch up with me.
And I can't live in the past, and drown myself in memories.
~In Memory – Shinedown – Leave a Whisper

Optimus Prime stood in the far side of the room, facing the wall. Optimus hadn't been his self since... Megatron was offlined in the space bridge explosion. The great leader of the Autobots was silent, and most thought he was just thinking.

In truth? Optimus Prime was mourning.

But the only one who knew this was Ratchet. Said medic walked up behind his leader and friend. "Optimus, why so glum? This planet... all planets are finally free from Megatron's tyranny."

Optimus shook his helm. "I do not disagree, Ratchet. It's just... a small part of me hoped to change Megatron's mind. Not extinguish his spark."

"Optimus! His vileness was not slain by your hand, but by his own twisted arrogance!" Ratchet swept his arm to the side passionately.

Optimus let out a low, uncharacteristic growl and Ratchet instantly knew that he had crossed the line. "I'm sorry. I know the two of you had quite a history." The "Because I was there too" was left unspoken.

Optimus regained his bearings before speaking. "But the Megatron whom I once fought beside perished eons ago. The day he chose to become a Decepticon."

Later that same day, Optimus tiredly collapsed onto his makeshift recharge berth. It was primitive to what the ones on Cybertron were, but Earth was not nearly as advanced.

Optimus allowed himself to relax into the not-very-soft metal. He was exhausted, in both mind and body.

His emotions were little more than an indistinguishable hurricane inside of him. His mind and spark battled ferociously. His mind was of the opinion that he should not be mourning Megatron's death; his spark, on the other hand, wept for the loss of his once brother.

It was a terrible feeling. What was worse was that Optimus had to put on a brave face and act as if nothing was wrong. He was the leader and his soldiers depended on him.

But he was alone for now. He could let it all out if he so chose – but that wasn't Optimus' style. Instead, he was the type to be sentimental. To reflect and remember fondly.

And that was what Optimus did. As he powered down, he pulled up all his memories of Megatron to relive. Starting with the day that they first met.