A,n: This fits in round about the end of Chapter 2 of For the Promise of Peace, and I'm putting a warning for character death and a possible need for tissues on this part. I didn't think I would ever write this part for the simple reason that Mirage tends to fade into the background on me, he has a special place in my heart because he was the first Transformer I ever owned many years ago, but we managed to thrash this out between us and here it is. Enjoy. FB.

Mirage

Every Autobot hoped that this day would never come; it feels as if the whole Earth is shaking, the roar of battle is deafening, the Decepticons are throwing everything they have at us, and with more than half of our force on the Moonbases there is little we can do, except hope that our allies will arrive in time, and pray that somehow we will live to see the sunset.

As I watch I see one of Autobot City's many towers fall, and my processor flashes back to a moment half a life-time ago. I have to forcefully remind myself that this is not Crystal City all over again, but it feels the same; horrifying.

I have lived on this planet for many years now, and while I will always miss Cybertron I have recently realised that my home is with Wheeljack, and so, because of him I belong on Earth. I am only just starting to understand what this truly means.

It has been less than a week since Wheeljack and I made the decision that would change our lives forever. We thought it was finally safe, that the last battle would be fought on Cybertron, and that neither of us would be involved. Maybe we're both fools, but after so long together it seemed wrong to wait any more, and the last few days have been such a wonder to me that my only regret is that we did not make our decision sooner.

No one knows that we are bonded yet. We intended to tell our friends when we returned to Autobot city, but the attack sirens sounded before we were given the chance, besides Wheeljack wants Jazz to be the first to know, I will give him this indulgence... who am I trying to fool? I would give him anything within my power, and it seems only right as Jazz was the one who helped us get together all those vorns ago.

Fear floods our bond and not all of it is mine. I don't blame him for being scared, but it seems to echo with my own emotions and no good can come of that. I try to soothe him, but the bond is so new to both of us that I'm not sure if it works.

Neither of us are warriors in the true sense of the word. WHeeljack's intellect is wasted in the battlefield, and my talents are better used in more subtle ways, although I have never been completely comfortable with my role as a spy either. That was Jazz's idea, not mine, never mine, all I ever wanted was a peaceful life.

A savage blast rocks the ground I am stood on, debris flies everywhere and all I can do is dive to the floor in an attempt to avoid the worst of it. Panic fills my senses, but I am also aware that some of it isn't mine, it's his, and I am consumed by the need to be with him. This is why Autobots stopped bonding one another, I understand that now, because of the bond I cannot stay at my post, my bond-mate needs me and I am powerless to resist.

I'm running toward him before I can even think, but I don't get far before pain rips through my spark and sends me crashing to my knees. It feels as if the world is caving in on me, instinctively I reach for the bond but it's not there, all that remains is a jagged tear deep within me and I know without question that my beloved Wheeljack is dead.

The battle goes on around me but I don't hear it, my fear is gone because I have nothing left to loose, nothing left to fight for. The Decepticons have finally taken everything from me, my love, my planet, my home, without those things everything else is meaningless.

If I could know who did this I would rip his spark out with my hands just so he could know how it feels, maybe that rage would keep me fighting for a while, but I have been denied it, so I do the only thing I can think of to do, I disappear.

I do not know where I'm going, but as I reach the hills that surround the city I look back. My latest home burns below me but nothing can make me feel worse than I already do, my war is over, my cause died with him.

For a while I stand and watch with morbid fascination, it was the same when Crystal City fell, I stood helpless then too. Then it occurs to me that I have a small task, something that those still fighting will not have time to do because the moments hesitation it would take could easily get them killed.

Turning my face up to the sky I call on Primus himself to guide the unfortunate mechs who have perished to the Matrix, and keep them safe. Alone on the hillside I whisper a prayer for the dying, and then I walk away. No one will find me unless I want to be found, but I can't see that happening. The only Autobot I ever want to see again is already gone.