It's...another chapter! This one is super short though, which is why it's posted so soon.

Thanks again to my reviewers, Wolf Prime, Optimus'girl, and CherryBlossom713!

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Chapter 3: Talks and Understanding

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Optimus heard Ultra Magnus dismissing the others, but it didn't really register until a servo came to rest on his shoulder. Snapping back to the present, he met Ultra Magnus' optics.

"It's hard to let go of a friend, even when they've betrayed you." Ultra Magnus spoke with the weight of experience in his words, and Optimus could only nod mutely. His processors still weren't over the shock of such a revelation. Slowly Ultra Magnus removed his servo and stepped back. "There are a few things we need to discuss."

"Yes sir." Optimus acknowledged quietly.

"Optimus, if any bot has earned the right to call me Ultra, it is you," Ultra told him, "the hero who saved all of Cybertron."

"But you said it's not in my programming to be a hero!" Optimus blurted out, unable to censor himself. Before he could apologize, Ultra cut him off.

"It's not in your programming to be a hero, but a leader." Optimus' hopes were shattered and rebuilt in a nanoklik. "All leaders have the opportunity to be heroes, but not all heroes can be leaders." Ultra studied him for a moment. "I told you I felt you were meant for greatness, and I hoped that by telling you that you would stop seeking to be just a hero, and look for something more. Perhaps I was too vague."

"I didn't understand. I'm sorry." Optimus apologized, replaying those conversations. Maybe if he'd considered them as a whole, instead of focusing on single sentences he might have seen the hidden meanings.

"Once again, you are not at fault, Optimus. I regret that I could not tell you directly then, but as Magnus I cannot allow myself to show favoritism towards any cadet." Ultra made sense, and he was slightly glad. He'd had a difficult enough time in the Academy without being accused of being a suck-up to the Magnus. "Now, there are some things you need to be aware of. First, the shattering of the AllSpark was not made common knowledge. Second, as a hero and Autobot Second in Command, when you speak, bots will listen."

"Are you asking me to lie again?" Optimus asked, optics narrowing.

"No. Nor was that my intention on Earth. You must understand, Optimus, I was trying to do what I thought best for Cybertron. At the time, I felt the negative effects of such an admission would demoralize the Autobots and empower the Decepticons beyond what could be handled. I believed the information needed to be guarded. I apologize for not having more faith in you then." Ultra vented, moving to sit in his chair again. "One of the most difficult duties as a leader, are decisions that may harm a few in the hopes of protecting many." Ultra shifted, pushing away his sadness. "What I am saying, Optimus, is that you have the opportunity to present the truth in your own way. I am not asking you to lie or change it, but asking you to realize that your words hold new meaning in the optics of all Cybertronians. One simple word can change how any statement is received."

Optimus realized what Ultra was saying now. How mentioning the destruction and rebuilding of the AllSpark could reflect positively or negatively, not only on himself, but also Prowl. Worry and anxiety began to gnaw at his processor. Obviously he'd need to put a lot more consideration into what he would be saying at the memorial.

"If you would like, I can assist you in drafting a statement for Prowl's memorial. I know you haven't had the time to do so yet." Ultra offered.

Optimus managed a small smile. "I would appreciate it, sir."

So many bots had wanted to pay tribute to Prowl, that the memorial ended up being held at the Iacon Center Stadium, and every seat was filled. Prowl's shell had been laid beneath the address platform, ultimately making the whole affair just that much harder on Optimus. Even now, as bots slowly filed past, paying their respects to a hero, Optimus could barely keep his emotions from spiraling out of control. For some reason, it hurt him to think that they would only ever think of him as the hero who saved Cybertron, not the ninja-bot he really was. His true essence would be lost to the stories of glory, with only a few to remember him.

"It ain't easy to put to rest a fallen hero you knew personally." Ratchet spoke up suddenly from where he stood to Optimus' right. "Believe me, Prime, I know what you're feeling. Went through the same thing when they honored Omega Supreme after the Great Wars. Although, there wasn't a memorial for him. I didn't think I could bring him back, and that hurt, but what hurt more was hearing other bots speak of him. They never knew him, and even if they did, they just let the heroic image overwhelm the memory of who he really was. All I could do was remember him for the bot he was."

"Have they changed their views of him, now that he's back online?" Optimus asked slowly.

"No, and I don't expect they will." Optimus regarded him for a moment, disappointed and disheartened. "You have to realize something, Optimus. All heroes, online or in the Well of AllSparks, will be viewed through the image they've been given. We're all in that shuttle now. Every bot will know about us, maybe even think they know us, but only a few actually will."

He considered what Ratchet said as he continued to watch bots file slowly by. The truth in the statements was not lost on him. Looking to the right, beyond Ratchet, he let his gaze rest on the team, the family, standing there. Bumblebee was trying to look strong, but the amount of concentration he was putting into not looking at Prowl told everybot that he was just barely holding his emotions in check. Bulkhead was simply staring at the ground, sadness etched plainly across his faceplates, while Sari openly cried. Optimus' spark went out to her. She'd already cried for megacycles before their return to Cybertron, and it seemed she would continue to cry for cycles yet. Jazz's face was downcast, his lip plates a thin line, but Optimus couldn't tell what he was truly thinking. The only bot to his left was Ultra Magnus, who stood tall and still, his gaze focused on the crowds below. Of all the bots there, Ultra was the only one who hadn't gotten much of a chance to truly get to know Prowl, but he remained standing with them to honor Prowl.

A hero is not something Prowl ever aspired to be, yet now he is. A great hero to be revered alongside those commemorated in the Great Wars. Optimus thought to himself. And he gave back to Cybertron what I failed to protect. He hadn't mentioned the shattering of the AllSpark directly, only a passing reference when he shared how Prowl gave his spark to pull it back together and stop the clones. Ultra's talk helped him realize that Prowl's memorial was not the place for the airing of that incident.

Nearly a megacycle later, the last bots filed out. Prowl's shell would now be transported to the Memorial Garden. Transforming, they gathered around the trailer onto which Prowls' shell lay, encased. Optimus connected to the trailer and moved out, surrounded by the others, a quiet but unhindered procession.

The Memorial Garden was a beautiful place, filled with the most amazing sculptures and reflection crystals. A wide path, inlaid with every gem and metal imaginable wound through the garden to the very center, where an enormous circle had been carved into the ground. When they reached the center, several attendants came forward and lifted the case with Prowl's shell, laying it in the center of the depression. Once they exited, the whole circle began to glow, the ancient machine superheating his shell and the case in which it lay. Ever so slowly, it began to disintegrate.

Optimus shuttered his optics. It wasn't enough. The last part of Prowl's physical presence was almost gone, and he couldn't help but think that Prowl deserved so much more than what little honors they had been able to bestow upon him. Pain flooded his spark. There was nothing left of Prowl but memories. Another friend lost, another wound to the spark that would likely never truly heal.

So, yeah, there's no actual speeches or any of that because I just couldn't get them to come out right.

Review! :D