Chapter 2

Megatron knelt by Optimus his blood red optics met shattered blue optics.

"You are my brother forever my brother, and I've treated you badly." Megatron replied.

Optimus couldn't believe what he was hearing his older brother was admitting they were brothers.

Could it be he was changing now of all times?

"Brother, if you are truly serious about this allow a spark cleanse." Optimus replied still slightly suspicious.

Optimus knew there were no lies able to be told through a spark cleanse given by a prime.

"I agree." Was all Megatron said.

Optimus nodded.

"I will need a little help though from all my injuries." Optimus stated as Megatron nodded and helped his brother as the prime started the spark cleanse procedure.

"What the slag is going on?" demanded Starscream as Optimus and Megatron jumped and looked over at the enraged seeker.

(Starscream's POV)

My processors raced as I saw them together my master and the Autobot leader how was this even possible. It was true Megatron had hoped one day to bring the Prime over to our side instead of them killing each other. He knew Optimus Prime was a good leader we did; he was strong, cunning, and loyal and he also treated his men with fairness. This made what they did to him even more intolerable and yes, I know I've had my own traitorous ways with Megatron. But somehow this was completely different this was Optimus Prime not me; it seemed just wrong for his men and the insolent fleshlings to do this to him.

"Lord Megatron, forgive me; but aren't you technically crossing thin waters spark merging with him? He is the enemy, right?" I asked firmly glaring at them both but halfheartedly as my processors tried to process everything.

"We are not romantically spark merging it's a spark cleanse our brother bond has never left." Megatron said suddenly not worried about who knew the truth.

"So, that would make him not the enemy, Starscream." Megatron answered as I smirked. "Leave us, NOW!" Megatron growled at me.

"We would, sir; but we think you and Optimus should see this." I said as Bonecrusher led the drone inside Megatron's quarters. "Lord Megatron, the drone was able to record several conversations from the fleshlings and Autobots." I said as I saw both Megatron and Optimus' expressions.

I nodded as the drone played back what it recorded, and Optimus saw for himself what backstabbers the Autobots and humans were to him. They were plotting ways to kill him and calling him a deserter the look that washed over his optics I've never seen before. It was a cross between pain, hurt and anger his fists were clenched so tightly. We watched as he got up through the pain he was still in; and smashed his fist through the wall. Optimus snarled his optics flaring in extreme anger. It startled both me and Bonecrusher we had never seen Optimus so angry. I glanced at Megatron and he even looked tremendously astonished by the anger radiating from Prime.

"I gave them everything and this is how I am repaid with plots of my destruction and accusations?" Prime snarled and then stopped and realized what they had said about Bumblebee and the two humans. "We must find Bumblebee he has stayed loyal to me; we have to find him and the teenage humans before Ironhide and the others do." Optimus said.

The drone looked at Megatron nervously then a strange sound erupted from the drone making Optimus turn toward it.

"What is it?" Megatron demanded of the drone.

"Humans known as Sector Seven had taken parental units of both teenage fleshlings by order of Ironhide. The transport vehicle crashed over the side of the mountain and all were terminated." the drone said as such a roar erupted from Optimus.

"How dare they I've had it with them; as soon as Bumblebee and the two humans are safe with us I am going to the Autobot base. I will let them all know how I feel about all of this chaos and what I plan on doing about it." Optimus growled.

"Sector seven the very insects that held me captive in that human structure known as Hoover Dam?" Megatron growled.

"Yes, my Lord." I said.

"Heads will roll for this I swear to Primus they will." Optimus growled.

"I will find Bumblebee for you, Prime." Barricade said as Megatron nodded.

"Thank you, Barricade." Prime said.

Barricade nodded and headed out to search for Bumblebee, Sam and Mikaela.

"I am sorry about hurting you so badly, Prime." I said extending my servo toward him as he smiled slightly extending his servo as well as the doctor who came in to fix Optimus up more.

(Where Bee and his charges are)

Bumblebee had stopped at both Sam and Mikaela', so they could pack some stuff up because they figured the military would try to come after them later. Sam's place was a mess and there was blood on the floor he packed and found Mojo trembling under his bed. He reached for the scared dog and held him; then Mikaela held him while Sam finished packing. They found the same thing at Mikaela' upsetting Mikaela exceedingly.

"What the hell is going on?" Mikaela cried out as Bumblebee was alerted to Decepticon presence and was ready to snatch his two charges; when Barricade transformed and held his servos up.

"I don't want to fight I have come to bring you to Optimus Prime; there is no time to waste, Bumblebee. Please follow me; Optimus will explain once we get to the Decepticon base." Barricade said as Bumblebee shrugged and transformed his two humans getting inside right away.

They arrived at the Decepticon base and Sam had Mojo on a leash and a duffle bag slung over his shoulder; while Mikaela had a duffle bag slung over her shoulder too. Barricade headed for Megatron's quarters and the second they saw Optimus Sam and Mikaela ran over to him; while Bumblebee approached him as well.

"Sir, what happened?" Bumblebee asked.

"I had been kidnapped but things had changed gravely I am afraid." he said as he lowered his hand toward Sam and Mikaela. "Sam, I do not know how to tell you this; the humans known as Sector seven they had been given orders by Ironhide to take your parental units and Mikaela' parental unit. This was a move to keep you in control I would imagine but the vehicle crashed over the side of the mountain there were no survivors." Optimus said as he held both teenagers as Mikaela screamed out in tears and Sam just buckled down in tears.

"I didn't do anything to Ironhide why would he do this...why!" Sam yelled as Bumblebee looked angry.

He was madder now not only had Ironhide hurt Optimus who was like a father to him; but now Sam and Mikaela were hurt.

"Optimus, we have to do something; this is treason on Ironhide's part." Bumblebee snarled.

"I think it is time to pay the Autobot base a visit and let them know I know everything." Prime said.

"You will not go alone, Prime; we will go with you to protect you and Bumblebee." Megatron said.

Sam and Mikaela both looked up at the Decepticon warlord shocked at his manner now. Starscream showed Bumblebee and the two humans the recordings and anger erupted all over again.

"They are ALL plotting to kill you, Optimus!" Sam shouted in anger.

"They don't deserve you." Mikaela cried.

"No, they don't." Bumblebee said.

Megatron looked over at Prime and decided to ask him as other Decepticons walked in waiting for their master to ask the Prime what they all knew he wanted to ask him.

"Would you and Bumblebee join us, Optimus Prime; you both would be welcome additions to my army. The two humans may stay as well; they will be treated as allies." Megatron asked extending his servo toward Prime. "My brother."

Optimus looked at Bumblebee who nodded his approval as well as Sam and Mikaela who nodded. Optimus reached out his servo to Megatron without hesitation then and the two shook on the deal. The second the deal was signed the roar of approval from the newly arrived Decepticons and the older ones were enthusiastic.

"We're coming too." Sam said. "But Mojo has to stay here, is that okay, Megatron?" Sam asked as the warlord nodded.

"Doctor, watch the little organic while we are out." Megatron said they headed outside and transformed heading for the Autobot base.

Optimus checked on Sam and Mikaela by opening a private link to Bumblebee.

: Are Sam and Mikaela okay:

: They are crying and very distraught; how could Ironhide do this, Optimus:

: All the Autobots have turned against me, Bumblebee; I have led for thousands of years but this treachery is unforgiveable and now the humans as well plotting for either my banishment or extinction when I have done nothing wrong:

There was silence and then Optimus spoke again.

: Thank you, dear friend who is like a son to me for staying true to me:

Bumblebee couldn't help but feel his spark soar at those words that Optimus thought of him as a son.

: Thank you, Optimus:

The Autobot alert alarms rang loud and clear as NEST soldiers and Autobots alike rushed out seeing their former leader, Bumblebee accompanied by the Decepticons. General Morshower and John Keller were also on the base because of the recent talks regarding Optimus. Optimus transformed and stared angrily at Ironhide and then saw the humans bringing their weapons out and train them on Optimus, Bumblebee and the Decepticons.

"You're not wanted here, Optimus; you deserted us, remember?" Lennox yelled.

"I deserted no one I was kidnapped and tortured; but I suppose that doesn't matter to any of you. I led the Autobots for thousands of years I have never turned my back on any of you not once. I know every warrior who has died under my command I know their rank; how they died and who killed them. I was shown what was said about me and the plotting to kill me or banish me when all along it was out of my control. But no Ironhide wanted leadership and stole it from me and turned all of you against me even you humans whom I never have harmed. Where is the drone who recorded the conversations?" Optimus asked as the drone stepped up next to Prime. "Play your findings." Optimus growled as the Autobots were forced to watch everything; when it was finished Optimus spoke and only then. "You all want me gone I have decided to leave the Autobots and so has Bumblebee; you want me gone well you got your wish, Ironhide." Optimus said as he approached Ironhide quickly and sent the weapons specialist flying against the building with a punch. "That was for the deaths of Samuel and Mikaela' parental units." snarled Prime.

"I did not kill anyone, and I certainly didn't kill their parental units." Ironhide growled.

"You ordered their capture to secure the human teenagers, so they wouldn't cause you problems and the vehicle went over the side of a mountain… there were no survivors, Ironhide." Optimus said as Ironhide looked shocked for a minute.

"Optimus, I didn't know that happened I didn't mean for their deaths I wanted to keep those two at bay...So I could..." Ironhide's words died in his voice processor.

"So you could kill me? So, the humans could trick me or trap me I saw it all, Ironhide all of you plotting against me after I had been through hell and back. My own men and the very humans I had sworn to protect plotting my death or banishment. Well, as I said you want me gone so badly; well you've got it Ironhide can stay your leader for all I care." Optimus said as Arcee approached Optimus her optics wide and filled with concern.

"You're leaving us?" Arcee asked horrified.

Optimus snorted.

"You don't need me none of you do; that's quite clear and quite frankly I don't need soldiers or so-called allies who are plotting against me." Optimus said as General Morshower stepped up.

"Are you siding with the enemy now?" he demanded as Optimus looked down at the General anger and hurt shining in his optics.

"I am going where I am wanted as it's quite clear I am not wanted here." Optimus said as he started to turn away.

"You will be considered a hostile, Optimus Prime and the next time..." the General started to say until Sam spoke up.

"You bastards murdered my family and Mikaela'; I doubt very much any of you should be slinging threats at Optimus or the Decepticons for that matter. They opened up to Optimus and Bumblebee and what did you guys do? You plot to kill him and threaten to lock us up. You stole something from Mikaela and me that we can never get back I hate all of you for that but YOU most of all Ironhide." Sam said as Mikaela just looked tired and sad as Bumblebee held her close.

"Sam, I am sorry about your parental units I had no..." Ironhide tried to say until Sam cut him off.

"Save it, Ironhide just save it." Sam said as he snuggled closer toward his guardian's chest.

Optimus glared at Ironhide and shook his head; it wasn't until Jolt stepped up approaching Optimus his blue optics ablaze with hatred for Optimus now.

"YOU ARE A TRAITOR TO THE AUTOBOTS! Look at you siding with the Decepticons you are no better than Megatron, Optimus; you're not even worthy of the title of Prime." Jolt snarled as he sent violent charges crashing into Optimus' systems.

Megatron, Bumblebee and Starscream steadied Optimus as Megatron brought out his deadliest weapon his fusion cannon aiming it at Jolt.

"BACK AWAY FROM HIM...!" Megatron snarled as Jolt narrowed his optics and never moved as Bumblebee brought his cannon out.

"NOW JOLT..." was all Bumblebee ordered as Ratchet walked up toward Optimus seeing his new interface unit realizing what had happened to him.

"ENOUGH!"

All the Autobots and the NEST soldiers looked up at Ratchet; who had walked closer toward Optimus.

"Give us another chance to make this up to you, Optimus." Ratchet said.

"NO, I am finished here I can't trust any of you." Optimus said as he turned and didn't look back as he transformed and drove away.

Megatron and the others followed him back to the Decepticon base; but it was along the way that Optimus and Bumblebee both wanted a change from the old to new.

: Optimus, we need a change from our old look now that we aren't Autobots any longer:

: Yes, I agree with you:

Optimus decided to com link Megatron.

: Megatron, I think Bumblebee and me could stand a new look, don't you:

: What do you have in mind, Prime:

: You will see:

Optimus chuckled which sounded vaguely like a veiled cackle as he and Bumblebee made a beeline to an area where trucks stored and found something quite suitable. The others waited at the Decepticon base and all the Decepticons were shocked at the transformation. Optimus had scanned a new Peterbilt form that was black with golden lightning bolts. Megatron seemed very pleased with the new alt colors; but next was the real test removing Optimus' Autobot insignia. Optimus didn't flinch or hesitate he was really going through with it Megatron was truly pleased as the doctor removed the Autobot insignia and replaced with the Decepticon insignia. Bumblebee had scanned another Camaro but this one was black with yellow and orange flames on the sides of the doors.