THIS IS CO-WRITTEN BY WOLFSRAINRULES

TIME MEASUREMENTS:

Astrosecond: .5 seconds

Nano-klik: 1 second

Klik: 1 minute

Breem: 8 minutes

Cycle: 1 hour 15minutes

Solar-Cycle: One day (20 hours)

Lunar-Cycle: One night (20 hours)

Deca-cycle: 4 weeks (one month)

Mega-cycle: 96 hours (four days)

Meta-cycle: 12 months (one year)

Stellar Cycle: 6 months

Vorn: 83 years

Mega-vorn: 83,000 years (1000 vorns)

60 mega-vorns: 4,980,000 years

To Sam's delight, the temple held living quarters both underneath the sanctuary, and at a slight distance away from the energy field that AllSpark projected. The space under the Cube was only for those who could withstand the energy for long periods of time, such as sparklings, Sensitives, Primes and usually those Bonded or connected in any way to a Prime. Songbird could handle a mega-cycle, impressively enough, and she held a small room farthest from the field. The largest rooms were for Primes and were decorated in Old Cybertronian art, carefully crafted chairs and tables and held enough space to house twenty large bots comfortably.

Janus appropriated one of the Prime suites and reached for the little sparkling Songbird carried. "If you would be kind enough to find something for him to eat…? And possibly a berth more appropriate to his size?"

At the simply request, Songbird projected happiness and acceptance as she transferred the little one to him. "Of course, my lord Prime," she said formally, bowing her head.

Sam laughed, resisting the urge to rub the back of his head in slight embarrassment. "Simply calling me 'Janus' would be fine," he said, amusement in his vocals as the apprentice stuttered and attempted to refuse.

She quickly acquiesced when he leveled a stern look and firmly repeated his request.

"I will return momentarily, Janus Prime," she spoke with a touch of stubbornness emanating from her slight frame. She was gone before he could correct her.

Sam rolled his optics, knowing that was probably the closest to casual she was going to get with him for some time. Ironwill chirped, demanding attention, which Sam-Janus- readily gave. He ended up sitting on the floor, ignoring the furniture and simply holding the little one in his servos.

A part of him could remember the many vorns living with the knowledge that there was not a single sparkling in existence. Another part, stemming from the bundle of AllSpark in his processor, had very vivid images of what it was like to be used as well as not for vorns upon vorns, both careening through space and sitting alone and forgotten in the ice of Earth for ten thousand years.

The swell of emotions at the brief forty years of being forced to create life only for the ignorant organics to snuff it out barely cycles later. A short time when compared to how long the Allspark had been in existence to be sure, but some of the longest years the Allspark remembered all the same. A heavy pained time for all that it had been less than a vorn. Very few of the sparklings had survived longer than a deca-cycle, the experiments that they suffered through during that short time due to human ignorance and pride...when they were finally offlined, it was a mercy. Coming to the decision to hold back sparks and simply bring drones online had been bearable…and then the Allspark's joy when a Sensitive had finally arrived to bring them to safety… that had been a relief.

Being shoved into the severely corrupted spark of the once Lord High Protector was unimaginable agony. Not only was the shade of who Megatron had once been screaming, begging and pleading for 'someone, anyone please stop me I don't want this please, Primus, help me!' in an unending loop, but the Cube itself had sustained internal damage. Much of its people's history was lost, and while some was saved in pieces and eventually collected and reunited into the Matrix of Leadership, there was still loss of History-of Beloved Songs- that it had safely sheltered since its Creation.

Both the entity of the AllSpark and Sam held memories of his death and revival...memories from his visitation of the Primes of Old.

Logically, Sam knew now that the spark energy he carried- even as an organic, what his people would call a 'soul'- was taken into the Matrix at his death, which was what saved him in the end, but the fact was that he hadn't know until he picked up that sliver of the Allspark that fell from his jacket. He didn't know the AllSpark had transferred so much data into him, into the shard he carried for two years in an effort to save as much of its Beloved Songs as it could manage in such a diminished state.

If he had known sooner, perhaps things would have turned out differently.

Janus firmly shoved that thought into the deepest, darkest places he could in his processors and mimicked the act of taking a breath.

He couldn't afford to sit and think of what could-have-beens.

Megatron wasn't insane, everyone was alive for the moment and he was going to brutally murder the Fallen, the first chance he got. He would not live through all these memories of war and death, destruction and madness that were featured prominently in his memory banks. He would not allow the younger versions of those he had once called his family live through them. His little sparkling was curled up on his servos and for an instant, Janus dampened the connection between the two of them and let his rigid control over his emotion ease.

If he were human, he would weep. He would curl up to sob himself into a deep sleep. He did not have the luxury of allowing that here and now, but in the peace and quiet of the temple, feeling the comforting hum of the AllSpark, both internally and externally, he could mourn for a time. All the lost lives, the destruction of this entire planet. All the burdens and scars his friends and family had once carried that shone so vividly in his processor as he recalled them. And even as he mourned for what he remembered, he mourned for the Allspark at the same time, giving voice to its anguished pain.

And even as he mourned, Janus-Sam- remembered. He remembered the Optimus Prime he had called friend and perhaps even 'brother' was confident and assured, even heavily burdened as he had been. He had known a single misstep could and would-that it had- cost lives and resources they couldn't afford to lose, known that he was the leader, the one his people looked up to. The sheer toll of death and destruction he had seen...instead of letting it break him, he had turned it into determination. Determination that there would 'not be another one' that 'we will not allow this to happen again'. The faith the Prime had carried for everyone who fought besides him, those who had survived, the hope and belief that one day things would be better...the unbelievable depths to the faith his Optimus had carried in his spark was staggering.

Remembered Bumblebee's innocence that even Deceptions and endless war hadn't managed to snuff out completely. Ironhide's unwavering respect and loyalty to a Prime who might not have even been a Prime, but one Ironhide followed all the same because he believed. Jazz, the same before his death, protecting those who Optimus had deemed worth protecting. Ratchet, weary and tired, who made do with what he had, to keep everyone alive. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, both without knowing if the other was still living, but never giving up hope.

And all those lost, so far from home. Acree, Skids, Mudflap, Jazz, Ironhide.

The shining examples of the last Prime and the best of the last remaining Cybertronians.

So much pain and grief at the memories, Janus could barely think. He had no need for breath, yet his chest hurt, ached and throbbed. He couldn't, would not go through any of that, not again.

Please, he begged silently, images of crushed little bodies and ruins of once beautiful cities, of a scattered, broken fighting people who would one day end up on an organic planet millions of light years from their home flashing through his processor please let this not come to pass once more. Please let me be enough.

He was physically bowed over the tiny child in his servos, feeling as if his spark was breaking when a noise drew his attention. In the time it would take one to blink, he had stood and lunged, drawing his sword in a ringing sound, bringing the blade to the exposed throat of the intruder while in that same instant angling his body so Ironwill was shielded and taken from immediate sight.

His processor shifted to battle-mode and it would take the barest of movements for Janus to remove the head of whoever had startled him. It took barely an astro-second for him to identify who was caught at the end of his blade. Before another blade could bat away the one currently threatening the life of Bumblebee, before anyone could react, Sam wretched the weapon away with such force it slipped from his grip and imbedded itself in the far wall. He stumbled back two steps, ignoring the (painful, oh Primus, they were all there) faces standing protectively behind the Sensitive and Megatron himself who stepped up in front of Bumblebee.

As if to protect the youngling.

From Sam.

It was a sharp, stabbing pain in his spark now. The rush from stillness and mourning to the sudden spring to combat-ready and just as quickly shutting it down in two sudden nano-kliks briefly made his brain module ache. The expressions on all of their faces, (Ironhide, Jazz, Optimus, Bumblebee, two Enforcers hovering in shadows- Prowl? Barricade?) suggested both a hesitant curiosity and regret they stumbled on an obviously private moment. An instant later, Janus was rounding up every single emotion he had allowed out and shoving them right back in. The memories were shoved into the deepest, darkest corner of his processors, because he could not look into the optics of any of them and not see what had been once upon a time if he didn't leave the memories where they belonged. In the past.

Carefully and deliberately, he projected a sliver of regret and a mental apology while voicing another.

"Excuse my actions," he spoke deliberately, moving Ironwill from behind his frame to allow the little one to curl up against his spark, "I was not expecting visitors."

The others relaxed at the sight of the sparkling, suddenly understanding that they must have triggered the Protection Protocols in the Prime's subroutines by entering unannounced. That was an expected action to a threat to a sparkling, nothing surprising.

Although Janus' reaction time and the speed in which he had stood up, unsheathed his sword, and held it to Bee's throat was unbelievable. Megatron stepped away, still close enough to intervene, but at a distance that gave a slight impression of trust.

Janus firmly ignored the knowledge that every bot in front of him must have felt his anguish and turmoil as they came into the room. He was allowed to grieve. Even if the events had not come to pass, he remembered them, he had suffered through them, he had lost, and they had no right to judge him for grieving.

That line of thought was very quickly extinguished. They didn't know, couldn't know, and he wouldn't be surprised if they turned around. He had never seen Bee so young...so inexperienced when compared to what he he had been. Will be. Might have been.

"Our apologies, it was not our intention to alarm you."

Megatron broke the silence, with a curt nod of his head, something eerily similar to sympathy and understanding projecting off him and in his optics that made a part of Janus scream in rage- how dare he after what's he done- but that was another life. One that was dead and buried with everyone else and it wasn't going to be dug up. Megatron was Lord High Protector and his focus was on protecting his people. Janus was an odd Prime who appeared rather suddenly, but he was no threat and there was no reason for him to fear another Prime's Lord High Protector.

That was that.

"What are your intentions?" Janus queried, raising a quizzical optical ridge, "For what purpose have you come to see me?"

There was a short disbelieving silence before Ironhide muttered a scarcely audible curse, gearing up some kind of rant, before he subsiding with a wave of Optimus's servo. The Prime stepped up and respectfully inclined his head as one equal to another. Janus returned the gesture, directing his curiosity to the larger mech.

"You have done me a great service-"

That was as far as he got before Janus gave a sharp chuckle, not one of amusement, but of bitter commiseration. He turned his back to the Prime and his Pack as he strolled over to the recharge berth, gently laying the sparkling down into the enormous place before returning his attention to the strangers before him.

"You are a legitimate Prime now, Optimus. Before, your mistakes would have been accepted as 'well, he might not be a Prime anyway'. Now that you are Declared, you will not be looked on as a person who can make mistakes, who learns from experience. Rather as the perfect leader, incapable of doing wrong."

Janus scoffed, visions of Egypt dancing in his mind as the once great Prime tried his best to harvest the sun of an inhabited planet.

"They call this the Golden Age of Cybertron. In my opinion, the Golden Age was the Wandering Times when each Alpha lead their own Clan, their own Pack and they did as their spark desired. Wandering across this planet, to distant stars, coming home every vorn to join in the One Song as they shared their history with one another and welcomed the newest generations to life, to speak their history aloud for the AllSpark to store as Beloved Songs."

Janus vented in nostalgia and melancholy, though not his own, as the AllSpark itself recalled these times so long past that the only records still surviving were housed in the Cube itself.

"Alphas?"

Sam swung around to stare at the unfamiliar voice. Little Bumblebee who had not yet had his vocals ripped out by Megatron-who would not if Sam had anything to say about it- and could speak perfectly fine at this point in time. Still it was the questioning tone of his voice that redirected his attention.

"Pardon, there's not much difference between an Alpha and a Prime. Though I have not heard Prime referred to as an Alpha in many, many mega-vorns, so the use was forgotten."

Janus took a brief moment to wonder if the reason why Cybertronians were down to one Prime were because they didn't act in an Alpha capacity in these times.

Sam knew for a fact that Optimus did. That he had even when Sam was still human. His Autobots were his Pack and he acted accordingly. Sentinel had never had a Pack, nor even a Lord High Protector, merely subordinates and Optimus as an apprentice. Sentinel had had no desire in his spark to form one either, which should have been an indication that he was not meant to be a Prime for long, honestly.

"I have never heard of the Wandering Times," Optimus spoke up in the middle of his thoughts, his voice thoughtful with a touch of interest, "Nor have I ever heard a Prime called an alpha."

Janus's intake dropped open with horror, his optics opening wide as he gaped at his fellow Prime. Bee was startled by his reaction and jumped in surprise at the flabbergasted expression on the elder Prime's face. Ironhide shuffled a bit to the side, taken aback at the sudden flux of emotion radiating from the black mech. It was Megatron who stepped up to his brother's side to continue what he wanted to ask, but didn't know how to phrase.

"If you would explain the term Alpha-"

"I shouldn't have to," Janus said, whisper soft staring at Optimus as if he'd never seen him before.

A klick passed before he lunged forward to stand bare millimeters away from the mech, chest-plate to chest-plate, his optics glowing a sharp blue, ignoring the open edge of tension and the barest touches of hostility at his sudden actions. Bumblebee was looking on in curiosity while Megatron felt that the other Prime did not mean any harm. The Lord High Protector motioned for Ironhide to stand down, knowing the weapons specialist's actions would be mirrored by the rest of them. Although the two didn't really enjoy each other's company, Ironhide followed his orders. There was silence for a just short of a breem before either one moved.

Janus broke the staring contest first, relief pouring off of him, easing into amusement before he took a step back.

"You, Optimus Prime, are an Alpha, and a very powerful one at that. Congratulations."

Optimus blinked in confusion.

"I do not…understand?"

The amusement faded into grief and sorrow as Janus's optics dimmed. He cast his gaze away from the mechs gathered near his door and waved a servo invitingly into the suite.

"Come, sit, and I will tell you of times long past and of the Gift you have been given."

They carefully filed into the room and settled themselves into seats at the table, saving one end for Optimus and the chair on his right side for Megatron. Ironhide took his left and Bumblebee sat in between him and Jazz. Both Enforcers (who Janus was surprised to see were Prowl and Barricade) stuck to the wall behind their Prime, giving the room a thorough visual check before they settled into their places.

The door slid smoothly shut as Janus walked to the opposite end of the table and eased himself into the expertly crafted metal to begin his history lesson.

"Many eons ago, there were the High Priests who wandered the lands. They were given the stewardship of Primus' Creation. They were naturally caring in most cases, magnetic in their personality and welcoming to those that sought their company. In this they tended to gather mechs and femmes to their side simply by being themselves. Those that chose to follow these High Priests- what we would come to call Primes- would be taken under wing by these bots.

The Original Thirteen Primes left the planet itself in the hands of these Priests as they were sent off to various places around the Universe with missions and goals- things such as exploration or finding new inventions for the advancement of their society. They were absent many long vorns and in their place, it was the responsibility of every Alpha, Priest and Prime to gather once every vorn and rely their history to one another and to the AllSpark. This was done through Song.

The Song itself generally lasted a cycle, but the Gathering typically lasted a deca-cycle. New sparklings, maps and drawings of the land as well as laws were discussed. If a Cybertronian from one Pack chose to take a spark-mate from another Pack, it was decided during these Gatherings where they would roam." Janus paused a moment, longing and happiness emanating from his frame, before his optics dimmed in sadness and ancient sorrow.

"For many vorns it was this way. Life was simple and treasured. That began to change at the return of the Original Thirteen. You must understand, " he said, the barest edges of pleading in his tones, "that they had lost one of their own, betrayed by the one now known as the Fallen. They had seen wonders and mysteries explained on numerous planets, beautiful creations crafted by others, both organic and metallic. They wished to share these wonders, especially in the face of such a loss as one of their own. They wished for the greatness of Cybertron. As all Primes have a love for their Planet, a love for their people is learned.

When the Thirteen reappeared with knowledge and ideas none on Cybertron had seen before, many Alphas came together and helped erect the first cities, the beginnings of what was meant to be a glorious thing, something to help better our- their- people. They took in younglings to help with administrative tasks now that there was a demand for organization and records. Previously, this had been done by memory which was made into the One Song. Something passed on from Elder to youngling to sparkling to be Sung of, in remembrance of all they knew, all they had learned. We were a very oral culture at this point, everything we knew and everything we learned passed to one another in this way and shared amongst the Clans at every Gathering. As the younglings were brought into the Cities, packs grew and blended together.

Some opposed this strange way of life. Clans took pride in their ways, their traditions and practices. Others were more accepting and several Clans banded together to leave the Wandering Time for settling into houses and the confines that a city imposed. In the beginning, there was room and a place for all that came to the Cities. Those that came to the Cities- the first to leave behind their Wandering- were called Alphas, in that they had come first. Some, of course, rejected being labeled something that was Gifted as a simple identification, but when more arrived- Betas and Gammas- they agreed to the way of labeling those who came to the Cities in an effort to keep organized."

Janus stopped at the annoyed/irritated/pained astonishment that proceeded Megatron leaping to his pedes, his face plates twisting up in anger.

"A labeling system?! That's all it was?!" The mech snarled the words, rage bleeding from his every motion and word he spoke.

Janus nodded slowly, vividly recalling Classes had been an issue before Megatron had slaughtered enough people for it not to matter anymore- especially when Optimus backed his choices in declaring the Class System to be outdated and useless.

"Yes." he agreed, flaring his own feelings of annoyance/anger over what had become of the labels.

AllSpark education was a very thorough way to learn the entirety of a culture stretching over thousands of mega-vorns.

"The system that was put into place was never intended to label in the sense of a Cybertronian's right or lack of right to do or be anything. To receive what was needed for them and their families- their packs, that was the original purpose. It was also used as a census tool. To see how many were in each group. Each group had different needs, different crafts, talents and Gifts that required different necessities to live comfortably. It was simply a tool intended to keep track of what was needed where, and how many mechs, femmes, younglings, and sparklings were in any one place. "

The black Prime vented heavily before raising his gaze to stare Megatron optic to optic.

"Never was it intended to place value on lives, simply because they bore a label of "Alpha" or "Gamma". It was the mistake of those who did not understand the consequences of their actions, of those who were used to following only the trusted word of their Alpha-their chosen Prime- and using an inexperienced system to institute laws and order. Crime, once dealt with by the victims, witnesses and Primes, became a public spectacle.

"The Primes were familiar with leading. Some with greater numbers than others. Their successors had proven, both their character and ability to protect and guide their Pack. There was a Council, in the beginning. Made up of all the Primes. Of course, there were many Primes, so the number was reduced to those who had earned the place, who had proven themselves with their Packs before during the Wandering Time. Those who had the largest Packs, those that thrived and continued to do so- those that lead properly were allowed to have a place on the Council to guide the Cities to the best of their ability."

Megatron stood for a moment longer, only reigning in his rage when Optimus reached up to lay a servo on his gauntlets. He regained his neutral expression and retook his seat, under the understanding gaze of Janus who dipped his head, projecting his own feeling of understanding-agreement-simmering rage.

Bumblebee tilted his head, waiting a moment before he spoke up.

"There is a Council in this Age, Ratchet once served on it, but it's nothing like you describe. Sentinel was the Prime and ruled as such. The Council held no power, they could only discuss and offer suggestions to influence Sentinel's decisions. They were able to solve minor disturbances when the Prime wasn't present, but that was the extent of their function."

Janus shook his helm. "It was never meant to be that way. In the Ages past, there were many Primes and they were all present on the Council. They acted to check and balance one another. No one Prime was meant to have that much power without someone to balance them. Like a Lord High Protector."

His optics drifted to Megatron. "The Lord High Protector is the optics and audials of their Prime when dealing with people that are not part of their Pack. The Protector will be the one that walks freely among the people, and the one to tell all that he or she learns to their Prime so that they may come to the best decisions. Never was it meant for a Prime to just assume they knew best when they don't understand what it is they are trying to solve of those they govern over. When they sit on their self-made throne and refuse to walk amongst their people no matter what this Age would consider their 'class'" Janus sneered the word, spat it like it was a curse.

Janus bared his denta, fury glittering across his optics as he continued. "Sentinel has no Lord High Protector to do this for him, and because he thinks himself above his own people he never took the time to understand them. He took command by virtue of his name alone with no Pack to help him."

Janus tilted his helm scanning each of the bots around Optimus and himself, his optics warming even as he allowed his pride/pleasure/joy to be felt.

"You, Optimus Prime, have chosen those that would help you rule and guide your people well. Each of the bots you chose- subconsciously at that which is a mark of your character- are from all walks of life. You have a diverse Pack that will help you will any and all situations you may come across in your reign as Prime. And in a further mark of your spark, every single member of your pack will unflinchingly offer you criticisms and advice...and you are not so...entitled that you will not listen to them."

A tiny, pleased smile curved his dermas.

"Truthfully, the fact that you were able to establish yourself as a powerful Alpha while you were unaware of exactly what you were doing is remarkable. Young and inexperienced you may be, yet at your side both older and younger bots are deferring to your decisions without hesitation." Janus paused, a smirk pulling at his dermas as he continued. "Unless, of course, they are stupid-aft decisions and they've elected to ignore them."

A burst of surprised laughter from Jazz almost muffled the amused snort from Ironhide. Janus allowed his grin to grow a little at the sounds. "It is the mark of both a remarkable Prime and an excellent Alpha that their Pack feels confident enough to do so of course."

At the sudden sound of the door opening without warning, every bot, save for Janus and Jazz, startled and reached for their weapons. Megatron had pushed back his chair, surging to his pedes in readiness for if the bot on the other side of the door proved hostile.

Prowl and Barricade were already in motion, one one each side of the entrance, Barricade already positioned with a blaster and a dagger aimed at the intruder before they were identified. Before anyone could get a clear look, Janus was up and moving. In an impressive display of speed and dexterity, he leapt up from his seat and moved like lightning, leaping up over Prowl and Barricade to scoop up the frozen form of Songbird with her arms full of a sparkling's berth and energon cubes. With the little femme safely settled in the crook of his arm, he turned a terrifying glare to the Enforcers, engine revving threateningly, his sword positioned defensively in front of their frames.

Sam fought not to initiate the first move, his own memories of his brief acquaintance of the Decepticon Barricade in the forefront of his mind. Still, he was impressed with how quickly both mechs shifted from hostile positions into a defensive stances, moving away a few steps. They gave the distance that Sam needed in that instant, their weapons being sub-spaced and their servos lifting into a Cybertronian promise of no violence, crossing at the wrists and their servos flat and open.

"My most humble apologies!"

Songbird fairly shrieked the words from her position shielded by the bulk of Janus Prime, sitting awkwardly in the crook of his arm like a sparkling. Her fans kicked in, an audible noise in the stillness of the room, a sign of her rapidly rising embarrassment.

Janus relaxed his frame at the visible promise of no violence from the Enforcers, his optics darting to the others inside his claimed rooms.

"She is one of Mine," he spoke, his words were soft in the silence after Songbird's exclamation, his harmonics lending a encompassing weight to the the word 'mine', "And she was not expecting company any more than I myself was. I had told her to come back to me before you all joined me and so she had every right to enter without knocking as she was expected."

He paused, taking in Megatron's tense frame, his weapon visible in his servos and the rest of the gathered in similar states.

"I do apologize for not informing you of this when you entered," he said, slowly and delicately lowering the femme to the ground.

He understood after all that their Prime- their Alpha- was inside the room, and how an unannounced, unidentified presence would be taken as a threat. He really should have thought ahead when he invited them into his rooms. It was dangerous, lowering his guard around them. They weren't his nor was he theirs as it was back on Earth.

He gently laid a servo on the femme's shoulder plate, silently reassuring her and calming her from her fright before making introductions.

"This is Songbird. She is an Apprentice here at the temple and she has graciously offered her services to me as a guide and a helper where (one-who-is-determined-and-brave) Ironwill is concerned."

The poor femme stared in shock and awe at (moves-to-ruthlessly-search-in-stealth) Prowl, the Praxian Enforcer that she had only heard through gossip and rumors. (to-block-and defend-against-opposing-forces) Barricade was supposedly the only one who would work with him, but some were of the opinion that the Enforcer shared a brother-bond with the Praxian. They both inclined their heads, once to her and another to Janus, pressing a sense of regret and an apology to them both.

Songbird lifted her gaze to take in the sight of the other mechs gathered in the room. She glanced at Janus Prime, who had saved her life and trusted his sparkling into her care without a second thought, then at the Prime that rule her planet. By his side was was his Lord High Protector and almost all of the mechs that were in charge of leading Cybertron. Not all of the Cybertronians that he had chosen for leadership positions and those he called friends were present, but it was nonetheless an intimidating crowd. Slightly less intimidating than it would have been had she been not abruptly scooped up into her Prime's arms and Claimed, but Optimus cut an impressive sight. The Prime in question, was on his feet, half a step behind his Lord High Protector, although he did not have any weapons visible on his person, he looked no less dangerous.

While (to-fight-with-passion-and-power-for-desires) Megatron held a terrifying reputation in many circles, it was other mechs that held reputations of their own that both assured and frightened her. The silver one, she knew was designated as (one-who-lives-through-rhythm-and-sound) Jazz, the rumors all whispered that he was some kind of genius in any field he applied himself in. Songbird didn't stick around long enough to hear the dangerous things said about him. The one with the weapons, was obviously (strength-that-will-fight-to-protect-those-behind) Ironhide who did not need explaining at all.

The mech was legendary, on and off the battlefield. He had a Gift for weapons, any and all of them and the things he did with them, both modifications and applications, was unbelievable. People said that he had personally help train Optimus before the Prime was even apprenticed to Sentinel.

(flitting-freely-from-place-to-place) Bumblebee, was one she knew, actually. They had spoken a few times during her Energy Endurance Tests, but she couldn't claim friendship with him, rather a passing acquaintance. They were polite to each other, not hesitating to greet one another in passing or to comment on the weather or even how Priestess This-and-That did something that Priest So-and-So disapproved of.

She aligned herself with quiet dignity, tipping her helm in a gesture of respect and submission. Without further prompt she turned to face her Prime.

"Janus Prime, if you wish these to remain here, I can take Ironwill out to be fed. He is likely hungry."

Optimus stepped forward, flaring his energy field in a silent request for attention.

"That is unnecessary. I had not intended to remain for long. Your knowledge of forgotten history was greatly appreciated and I thank you for the information you revealed."

He motioned towards the exit, allowing the others to filter past his frame before he moved, Megatron falling into step behind him. Janus only smiled, his own emotions firmly reined in his once beloved friends left the room without a backwards glance. All save for three.

Bumblebee stopped a short distance away before he spoke hopefully.

"Would I be welcomed if I should like to hear stories of Cybertron's past?"

Sam's spark leapt in joy and quickly voiced his agreement.

"As you wish," he said, carefully projecting a lightly neutral tone, "Your company would be welcome at any time. You are a gifted Sensitive yourself, are you not?"

Bumblebee nodded in happiness and promptly vanished out the door. Optimus meet his optics firmly, a glimmer of respect and the beginnings of trust already shining in his spark, adding another apologetic look to Songbird, before he too left the room. Leaving him alone with Megatron.

Sam could not help but fear some part of Megatron. Granted, as a human he had successfully killed him and injured him and watched his downfall, there were many times that the mech had almost taken his life. The fact that he had been corrupted by the Fallen and the AllSpark remembered his screams in his dying moment in Mission City, was the only reason why Sam was able to calmly stand in front of him.

Janus was immensely skilled in many areas, with a thousand lifetimes of the histories of war, weapons and military tactics from many different Primes and great generals of the past. That wasn't even mentioning the experience his frame had in his memories. Beyond the fact that Megatron had no reason to attack him, Janus was positive that although he would take serious damage, he would be able to kill the once-warlord.

So he smiled at the strange look in the other's optics, wondering if that was reluctant admiration, grudging respect...or the beginning seeds of suspicion. It didn't matter because the emotion was quickly masked and Megatron quietly left the room with an acknowledging glance at Songbird.

A/N Have started watching Robots in Disguise...I won't even mention G1, good God. So update~! Yay!

Until next time.