This is for you, my friend. The Optimus/Liliy fic I promised ages ago.

"In the beginning, there were two beings: Primus, the Father of creation, and Unicron, the Chaos-bringer," a mother told her child. "They were always fighting each other but they were both equally matched and neither one could get the upper hand."

The young child sat up a little straighter on her bed. "Like Grandfather and Grandragon?"

"Fu fu, yes. Much like the village chiefs." The mother sat on the edge of the bed. "Only there was no love between Primus and Unicron. Primus hated Unicron for destroying everything he would make."

"He sounds like a meanie."

"Yes. Unicron was a very bad person. Finally, in order to defeat Unicron, Primus created thirteen warriors to help him."

"The Thirteen Primes!"

"That's right. Primus gave a portion of his power to each one of them and together they fought against Unicron. It was a fierce battle and many of the Thirteen were injured. But finally, the youngest of the Thirteen, one of the few who had not been injured, struck down Unicron. The blow did not kill Unicron because he is an immortal being, but it injured him enough that the others were able to seal Unicron away in a place called the Pit. After that, Primus created the world as he wanted and retreated to the AllSpark to rest, leaving the Thirteen to look after the world for him."

"Whoa!"

"But that is not the end of the story for the Thirteen. You see, when some of them were injured by Unicron, the Chaos-bringer's power infected them."

The child gasped.

"But it was a slow poison and for many years it stayed hidden while the Thirteen lived in peace and harmony, teaching and guiding the clans of the world. It finally manifested when the one we call the Fallen killed his sister, Solus, in a fit of jealousy. He became mad with power after that and went to war with his brothers. The clans were also drawn into the war that became known as the Great War. The holy nation of Cybertron, the center of the world, was divided by the war. The Empire followed the Fallen and the Primedom followed Prima and his brothers.

"In the end, they were not able to kill the Fallen for he proved to be stronger. In order to stop him from destroying the world, they had to seal him in the Pit together with Unicron. Some of them sacrificed their lives to do so, including the youngest. The remaining Primes disappeared in the aftermath, leaving the clans to pick up the pieces. Their story became myth while the Great War is merely a memory from the past. Though, for some it remains a grudge. The Empire hasn't forgotten, even if the Primedom just wants peace."

"They're still fighting?" the child asked.

"Sometimes. But right now, there is peace."

"Then why must we stay hidden?"

"Because, little one, our clan, the Laserblade Clan, is the most powerful out of all the clans. While all the other clans can trace their lineage back to one or two of the Thirteen, we were created from all of them."

"But if we're the most powerful-"

Her mother did not let her finish. "The Fallen had a silver tongue. Even we were no match for his power. It was the Predacon Clan that freed us, and we escaped with them to this place. We built this secret village in the mountains to stay hidden so that our power can never again be abused by others."

"But what about the prophecy?"

"The prophecy? The one that says that when the Fallen rises again, the thirteenth Prime will come back and a powerful ally will help him slay his brother? Oh, child, you've been listening to that silly old bird too much."

"Granny Griftron is not a silly old bird!" the child cried, crossing her arms and pouting.

"Yes, she is. She is older than the village chiefs and has been crazy since I was a child. You should not listen to her."

"But what if the prophecy is true?" the child demanded.

"What if it is?" replied her mother. "It does not matter to us. If the thirteenth Prime does come back, he will find his ally among his own clan." She leaned over and kissed the child's forehead. "It is time for bed now, my dear Liliy."

The child was still pouting as she laid down and let her mother cover her up. Her mother kissed her on the head again before she put out the light and left the room.

The child looked out the window beside her bed. She could see the stars from where she lay.

"But what if he doesn't?"