Author Note: artwork that inspired these stories were by EvilWinnie. Perhaps you might like to check out the awesome talent and see where my inspiration for these chapters were drawn from. . /pin/398779741977183539/

Rachet POV

When you entered the room and I locked optics with yours momentarily, I recalled the first time I met you all those millennia ago. I thought you would be just like most of the other Primes. Arrogant, smug, self-serving, greedy, and manipulative, using your position of power and trust to serve your own needs. I was sure you would follow in their path.

How wrong I was.

I have watched as you have shouldered the mantel of leadership with humility, and an innate sense of justice and dignity. Watched as you learned to not only speak the truth, but to seek it, demanding it from others and yourself. I have watched as you learned knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens and you have tried to listen to your spark and do what is right not for you, but for your race - for the greater good.

I have watched so many times as you have put your own needs aside to address the needs of those around you. I have watched as you have fought for those who could not fight for themselves. Watched as you have fought for freedom for all sentient beings. I have watched as you have gained confidence in your own abilities as a leader and a Prime. Slowly recognising your own worth but always tempering that knowledge with modesty and a lingering self-doubt that seems to lurk beneath the surface of that calm façade.

I have watched in frustration as you have showed compassion and honour to those who would not do so for you. I have watched on in sorrow as you have privately mourned the loss of those who have died under your leadership in service to our cause. Your spark wracked with guilt at the senseless loss of life. I have watched in anger, a quiet rage consuming me as time and time again you seemed to allow Megatron to escape, believing him capable of change.

I have watched in horror and fear as you have willingly put your body on the line to defend us – your family - and this planet. I have spent countless vorns patching up and repairing your battered, bruised and broken body so you may be ready to do it all over again. Just like that day you defeated Unicron and lost your memories. When you followed Megatron and abandoned us, you unknowingly broke our family apart. For you - are its heart.

Since that day I have waited in vain that you would remember who you are and come back to us. I have waited impatiently for a solution to present itself so that we may do as you have always done for us and come to the rescue. I have waited with a guilt-ridden spark, wondering what I could have done differently to prevent you from being taken from us. I have waited in hope that I may one day see you walk through the spacebridge into the command room and make our family whole again, restoring its heart. Returning the light to our darkest hour.

And now – that day has finally come.

As you stand once more amongst us, I cannot stop the smile that spreads slowly across my faceplates. My optics shine brightly with joy as my gaze rests upon your towering figure. I incline my helm towards you in a gesture of utmost respect and acknowledgment, and you smile towards me once again. Your optics mirror the same emotions that I am sure are reflected in mine before you return the gesture and incline your helm towards me.

You are my Prime and that title demands my respect and allegiance. It demands that I serve you, willingly and without question. That I put my life on the line for yours without hesitation. And I do these things willingly, but not because you are my Prime. You have somehow risen above that title to become something I deem far more important.

You are my friend.

My oldest and dearest friend – Optimus Prime. And when you entered the room, I was honoured to be reminded of that.