When I saw Optimus about to execute Megatron knowing that it would go against his morals, I wondered what was going on in his mind and hoped someone wrote about it. When no one did, I had to take it upon myself to write it. Enjoy. Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers: Prime or Transformers in general.

"It would seem that I'm unarmed and at your mercy. So tell me, Optimus, do you intend to take me alive or end this here and now?"

At first I was shocked. I didn't think Megatron could be taken out so easily by an Insectacon. Perhaps, it did more internal damage than external, but shock quickly turned into anger. I thought of the friendship we once shared that bordered on brotherly love. We shared a bond like no other. We didn't need the spark connection between twins to know what each other was thinking or feeling. And then…then he betrays me and swears to extinguish my spark. Not only that, but Cybertron is dead because of him. Our home. My home is gone! However, the sharp stinging pain of betrayal and the love of a brother turning into seeping hatred that wrecked my spark like acid feels so much worse than the loss of Cybertron. It's nearly unbearable, and there's no ending it. Megatron's never coming back to the side of peace. Then I think, could I end it?

Nonetheless I do not condone the termination of any defenseless life form.

I've said those words only twenty minutes ago. It's one of my beliefs that I hold close to my spark. A belief that Cybertron once shared before it succumbed to war. Megatron's defenseless. It would be morally wrong and hypocritical of me to extinguish his spark like this. I should leave him for dead or until one of his troops come to rescue him. I have no means of arresting him and holding him prisoner. It's the right thing to do.

But if I execute him, the war will closer come to an end in the Autobot's favor, and Cybertron will be one step away from saving. Would it be right if I execute this mech for Cybertron's sake even if he has no means of defending himself. It would be against my morals, but surely more good would come out of it? For a second I decide that it's the wrong way to end the war, but then I remember the bond Megatron and I used to share. The bond we held and treasured as we worked together to bring freedom to those oppressed by the caste system. It was more than just two mechs working together for the greater good. It stemmed deeper than that. We shared secrets and emotions together. If I needed a shoulder to lean on, he was there not only to provide that shoulder but to help me in any way possible. Whenever he was injured in a gladiator fight, I was there to tend to his injuries and to worry sick over him getting injured again. We laughed together; we talked together; we even shared the same housing together, and we fought for each other to protect each other. And then it all changed. He severed the bond, breaking our friendship, and tried to kill me over and over. He's the one who betrayed me not me! He's the one who told me that I was his brother and then declared that I was his archenemy. He's the one who promised to be there for me no matter what and then left me to die (and I would've, too if it weren't for Ratchet). He's the one saved my life once and then almost took it. He's the one who told me he loved me and then spewed out the words, "I hate you." The fire burned my spark. It was worse than the Pit. He severed the bond right then and there. It was a slow and agonizing process as I felt metaphorical swords cut off metaphorical energon veins that bind our sparks together. I wished for death right then and there. And now he's lying on the ground, injured and defenseless.

So, I thought, could I do it?

I draw out my gun.

Yes, I could.

So my question is, was it convincing enough? Did I fully describe the pain Optimus must have felt when his friend betrayed him?