I know it's been so long. I had my priorities. Family first, as always. But I'm back. Things are looking better in RL.

Thanks for all who voted for Orion's alt. Looks like he'll be a classy guy in the Cadillac Escalade. Leo will tease him nonstop. Hehe.

And now to Kaceystar. She will be my focal point of late. So expect updates a bit more frequently for MBRS. Yay! I know I've been neglecting her but it wasn't on purpose. Please, I hope you enjoy this chapter. And review. My muse and I love reviews. Believe it or not, they do make the updates come faster.

a/n: Italics are flash backs or comlink chatter.

Elita

"Dad?"

The worried sound of Kacey's voice instantly pulled me out of the light recharge I'd been in ever since my daughter climbed into the recharge bed with us. I sat up to see Optimus standing there by the door with a look of shock and confusion on his faceplates. It was the same feeling trickling through our spark bond.

Most of the time my love could keep such powerful emotions to himself. He never wanted me to worry about things only a Prime needed to be concerned with. Only Kacey's spark was sensitive enough to pick up on them, and vice versa – he could often pick up when Kacey was in a particularly depressed mood better than I could. It was rare that I was able to sense what he was holding back. But even on those few occasions the look in his optics often told me what his spark was keeping from me.

"Kacey, go to your room."

"But…"

"Please go," I insisted, knowing Optimus really needed to be alone with me.

Our daughter's optics and face so full of concern looked from me to her father.

"Go on, Kacey," he spoke softly to her. "I need to speak with your mother."

Kacey was reluctant but she did as she was told and got off the bed. The worry and concern only etched deeper into her face as she made her way to leave. So much so that Optimus stopped her at the door.

"You have such a good spark, my daughter," he smiled affectionately. "Always follow it for it will never lead you astray."

"Yes, father," she smiled as he caressed her face.

Kacey abruptly threw her arms around his waist and held him tight. Words were unspoken during their embrace. I didn't need to hear it anyway. I could see how much love they had for each other as father and daughter. I've felt it everyday within the bond we all shared.

So alike my Optimus and my Kacey were. One would literally do anything for the other. All they had to do was ask. And if they couldn't ask, or were being a stubborn aft, then the help was there…regardless.

When they finally parted, Optimus and I were left alone. The shock and confusion deepened from my love. He did nothing to prevent me from feeling it now. His protoform fingertips slowly rubbed the scar on his chest as he had a far away look in his optics.

I frowned and immediately moved across the room to him.

I've grown accustomed to the scars on my love's protoform. Most of them I was witness to on a battlefield. Most of them never bothered me for I knew they were a part of war. Only one troubled my processor…the faint scar on his chest. The mark that scarred more that just Optimus' protoform but scarred his processor and spark as well.

I will never understand what he had to go through that day his own brother tried to kill him. I do know that over our many long years together that whenever Optimus rubbed that scar something was deeply troubling him. And that something always has to do with Megatron.

"Optimus, talk to me," I spoke softly, my hand sliding over his chest, covering the scar, trying to sooth him any way I could.

A sudden wave of sadness flowed over our bond. His optics dimmed as he bowed his head. Then it was over in a flash. His optics flared and he stepped away from me. His battle armor quickly transformed and covered his protoform.

"Optimus?"

"My brother has gone too far this time," he growled angrily then turned and marched away.

My own armor slid into place as I chased after him.

"Optimus, what is it? What happened?" I asked, running to keep up with his long powerful strides. "Talk to me!" I grabbed his arm, making him stop. "Optimus, what's wrong?"

He stopped, staring at me for a long moment as if contemplating on whether to tell me or not. I remained quiet, knowing he would tell me. He always told me what was deeply troubling him. Always.

"It seems my brother has bonded with a femme and produced a sparkling…a mech named Venom," he said in a low tone so that only I'd hear even though it was still far too early in the morning for anyone to be in the halls. "From what I've gathered he's around Leo's age, perhaps a little younger. He's been abused and abandoned. And he needs my help."

Right away I was apprehensive. Megatron…a sparkling? Something wasn't right. I could feel it in my spark.

"Opt…"

"He's alone and afraid! I will not abandon him. It was not his choice that my brother was his father!"

"I understand that," I replied calmly. "And you will. But this is your brother too. He'll stoop to any level to get to you. A little precaution isn't going to hurt."

His optics flared. I knew he was angry. I could feel it. But unlike many that stood before him, I was never afraid of his anger even if he rarely showed it towards me or to me.

"Very well," he sighed, taking hold of my hand.

My processor was buzzing with all conceivable scenarios. I've only come across Megatron's path a few times during the war. His reputation as a sparkless, cold murderous mech proceeded him wherever he went. But I never learned just how low he'd go until that day long ago…the day I learned about the scar on Optimus' chest and the day he first told me he loved me.

I snuggled in Optimus' arms, my head lying on his chest, enjoying the moment for as long as it would last. The heated passion of a long interface slowly ebbed away leaving my systems pleasantly tired and relaxed. It wasn't often we had such a long interface without interruptions of some kind – guards knocking at the door, Prowl paging Optimus to the command center, Ironhide barging in after bypassing the door lock, or a Decepticon attack on the base. Sometimes it seemed we didn't even have a few astroseconds for ourselves.

He sighed heavily, saying nothing.

As if sensing his thoughts I reached up and caressed his chest gently. It was then that I noticed the faint scar on chest. I'd noticed it before but never got to exam it so closely. It was an old scar, very old, which meant he had to be a youngling when he got it.

"How old were you when you got this?" I asked, my finger tracing the scar.

"Too young," he replied and I heard the sadness in his voice. A sadness I'd never heard before.

I lifted my head up to see he was staring at the far wall. His face mirrored the sorrow in his voice. I instantly felt bad for ruining our time together.

"I'm sorry to upset you."

"You didn't upset me," he spoke softly, looking into my optics. "It happened long ago, I was a mere youngling of eight."

I gasped, covering my mouth.

"So young?" I asked in disbelief.

"My brother tried to kill me…fired his canon at me," he said, staring off at nothing. "If Ironhide hadn't of found me when he did I would have bled to death."

Primus, how could one's own brother do such a thing? And I thought Megatron could stoop now lower!

"I'm sorry," I whispered, not know what else to tell him to ease his pain.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Elita," he smiled, pulling me up so my face was before his. "In fact, I should be thanking you."

"For what?"

"For coming into my life, for being with me during moments like this. I…" he paused, let out a long sigh; his optics glowed with a longing I'd never seen from him before. "I love you, Elita."

My spark fluttered and I trembled in his embrace. I was not expecting to hear him say such words to me. Me, a femme who's ready for anything.

"You don't have to say it back if you're not ready," he smiled affectionately, caressing my face. "It is enough for me that you know exactly how I feel about you."

I couldn't say them back. I wasn't ready. But a few days later, after being captured by the Decepticons, I knew I loved Optimus and berated myself for not telling him. And I made a promise to myself to tell him the astrosecond I saw him again.

Prowl

"Optimus! You can't go! It's a trap! They're expecting you to go after her," I said, running to keep up as Optimus raced down the hall towards the rear exit of the base.

"We're not discussing this now. I'm going after Elita. I'm not going to leave her in their corrupted hands. I cannot!"

"Please, be rational for one fragging astrosecond!"

"There's no time!" he yelled yanking his arm from my grasp.

"Sentinel would never approve of this!" I muttered angrily.

"I'M NOT HIM!" Optimus' deep voice bellowed as he came to a halt. "Stop trying to size me up to Sentinel. I will never be as great a leader as him. I'm simply doing the best I can. And I don't need you pointing out all my faults! I'm fully aware of all my short comings! And how dare you stand there and tell me not to go! Where the frag would you be if I hadn't gone to rescue you?"

I bowed my head in shame. He was right. I had no right to tell him not to go. There were times my duty as second in command and my position as being a logical mech blinded me to matters of the spark.

"I apologize," I replied. "My only excuse is that it's my duty as second in command to look after my Prime, even from himself."

"And you've been doing a remarkable job," Optimus smiled, placing a strong hand on my shoulder. "I respect you Prowl. I look up to you and rely heavily on you as my second. But there are times when a mech must to what his spark commands. Right now, I am not Optimus Prime, I'm simply Optimus doing what I must do to save the femme I love more than life itself. And it is your duty as my friend to be ready to pick us up from the designated coordinates I gave you."

"And to not tell Ironhide and Ratchet you've done a foolhardy thing," I smirked at him.

"Correct. I'll get an audio receptor from them when I come back. But I promise you, I will come back with Elita."

"Just don't make me put together a rescue team to come save your aft."

"I'll do my best," he chuckled. "See you in a few breems."

I watched my leader…my friend disappear into the darkness of the night. My processor was telling me I was an idiot. That this was the most illogical course of action and that the consequences could be disastrous if we lost Optimus.

And yet, I felt compelled to help my friend. Even when Ironhide and Ratchet cornered me and grilled me, trying to find out where Optimus went. I said nothing to them. The only mech I dared confide in was Jazz, my sparkmate.

He understood perfectly why Optimus had to go save Elita. It was why he helped to rescue me. Love…the most illogical emotion. Yet one I embrace with all my being and don't hesitate to express when alone with Jazz.

I found out a few breems later just how powerful love could be when I saw Optimus standing there with an unconscious Elita in his arms. He looked like he'd gone a few rounds with Unicron. But nothing could wipe that happy smile off his faceplates. Not even Ratchet and Ironhide's yelling at him while First Aid tended to Elita's injuries took away his smile.

From that point on, I've never doubted the will of my Prime's spark. Never.

I let out a sigh to try and relax. Every fiber of my being was tense and on edge. Something wasn't right here. This was some kind of Decepticon trick. It had to be. I could feel it. And I knew nothing I'd say Optimus was going to make him see reason.

"I don't like this, Ironhide," I whispered to big mech standing beside me. Optimus was behind us, Elita at his side. Both focused on the images the main view screen of the command center was showing

"Neither do I," he grumbled quietly. "We don't have much choice in the matter."

"The area is clear," Magnus announced from his station. "Teletran is only detecting one Cybertronian energy signature."

"Did you scan all cloaking frequencies?" I asked.

"Yes," Magnus answered. "I even checked a two hundred mile radius around the old base. No Decepticon activity of any kind."

"Then I'm going."

"Wait, Optimus take a small team with you," I suggested, quickly moving to stop my determined leader. "Every thing about this tells me it's a trap."

"I am not going to abandon this youngling!"

"We know and we understand your feelings on this matter," Ratchet spoke up.

"Then I'll bring Roller," Optimus said. "He can enter the base cloaked and check things out before we proceed."

"Very well," I frowned, not liking this one bit. "But I'm sending a team with you. It is my duty as second in command to take care of my Prime." I turned away, not giving him the chance to rebuke me. "Ratchet, Ironhide, Magnus go with Optimus and Elita in their shuttle. Hound, you the twins and Bumblebee follow in another shuttle. I'll have a small contingent on stand by in the shuttle bay just in case there's trouble."

I turned back to see Optimus' optics flared slightly in annoyance. But he did not counteract my orders. There were times where I have been overly cautious. On a few such occasions it turned out for the best. I hope this was one of those instances where I was wrong and the extra support was not necessary.

"Autobots, lets move out," Optimus ordered and then turned to leave.

I moved casually and intercepted Magnus without Optimus noticing.

"You are to remain as close as possible to Optimus. And never let him out of your sight."

"I understand," the mech nodded then hurried on.

I did not follow. My place was here, monitoring the situation from the command center and praying that my instincts were wrong.

Ironhide

"Optimus!" I called after entering Sentinel's quarters.

I sighed.

They were Optimus' quarters now. My spark ached for the youngling. He was far too young to bare this burden of leadership. Far too young. Yet, he did have an inner strength, one I don't think Optimus even realized he has. One that makes him the leader we need right now.

Looking around I saw that Optimus wasn't in his bedroom. Nor was he in Sentinel's. Again I sighed heavily and made my way to the one place Optimus liked to be when he was upset. And sure enough, I found him lying on the ground in a restless recharge up on the roof of our tallest tower.

The youngling suddenly bolted up, screaming 'NO! Sentinel!'. I didn't hesitate to take him in my arms, to comfort him as I did when he was a little youngling. At first the young mech welcomed it. Then, when he was fully awake he pushed away from me, staring at the two moons in the sky.

"Optimus, talk to me. It's been two weeks since Sentinel was killed. It's not good for you to be recharging out here exposed to the elements."

Tired optics looked back at me, his hand rubbing over his armored chest.

"He reached out to me again…said he's going to kill me," he spoke softly, optics dimmed, head bowed down.

"Not while I'm fully functional," I replied confidently. "Every one of these mechs and femmes under your command will not let that happen."

"Only because I'm Prime now," he exhaled.

I grabbed his chin and turned his face towards me.

"NO!" I growled at him. "That is not true! Leader or not, you are an Autobot. We take care of our own. And you have earned the loyalty from each of us! If you can't see that then pull your fraggin head out of your aft!"

Optimus' optic covers blinked a few times before his optics filled with tears. Again, I held him close as he wept like a little youngling.

"But why me? I never asked for this!" he shouted angrily, pushing away, rising to his feet, tears streaming down his faceplates. "Why did he even adopt me? Why did he have to go and die and leave me all alone?"

"Because it is Primus' will that…"

"Frag Primus!" he screamed.

"Don't you ever talk like that again!" I yelled back, grabbing him by the collar of his chest armor. "I'll whip your aft so hard you'll wish you were never sparked!"

This time Optimus embraced me.

"I sorry," he wept. "It hurts…I miss father so much."

"I know it does. It hurts for me too. But you're not alone, Optimus. I'm here for you whenever you need me. So is Ratchet. You know you can always come to us. Just don't tell him your recharging on the roof, he'll blow a gasket."

"Ironic, Sentinel kept trying to get me to get my own quarters," he said sadly. "And now that they're mine, I can't even go in there. It reminds me too much of him."

"Come on. You can recharge in my quarters then. Ratchet and I will figure something out. Maybe we can get Jazz to redecorate your quarters to make them more you."

"Maybe we'd better have him decorate now," he smirked. "I'm not sure I can recharge in your quarters, you're always fraggin a femme."

"Sure you can," I smiled, putting my arm around him. "I'll make sure she's quiet so you can recharge."

Optimus laughed. My spark lifted for it was the first time in two long weeks I heard him laugh.

"Come on lugnut. I'll tuck you in."

My young friend didn't protest. But he was quiet as I led him to my quarters. I had a spare recharge bed just for him when he was growing up. Ratchet did as well. Often one of us was in charge of caring for Optimus when Sentinel was away.

"Ironhide…"

"Yes, Optimus," I spoke softly, pulling the thermal blanket up over his chest.

"You're right. It is Primus' will. He sent you to find me so that Ratchet could save me. It was His will that I be alive. It seems I am the only one capable of taking on my brother."

"But you don't have to alone."

"Yes, I must. He is my brother. My responsibility. No one but me will stand against him. I will not risk another's life. I will not let anyone fight my battles for me…not even you."

I watched Optimus carefully with my peripheral vision. The look on his faceplates still had a mixture of sadness and that determined look I'd seen many times when he faced his brother. Ever since Sentinel's death he kept to his word. He never let anyone go one on one against Megatron. For those of us who were unlucky enough to have gotten cornered by the Decepticon leader, Optimus was always there to rescue us, me included.

The scariest moment was perhaps when Megatron had little Kacey in his hand and appeared to be squeezing the life out of her. Still, if that brave little femme hadn't have shown up we might have lost Optimus. There are times when the love in his spark blinded him and he doesn't see reason. I can't blame him for it. None of us blame him. In fact, many of us would do exactly the same thing if we were in his position…risk our own life to save one we loved so much.

But this youngling claiming to be Megatron's son…this was a new tact by the fragger. It's diabolical to use a youngling to lure our Prime. At least that's what I believe. Optimus doesn't see that. I think a part of him still believes he can save his brother or in this case…his brother's son.

"Hide, I don't like this."

"I know, Ratchet," I replied over the private comlink. "I don't like it either. It stinks of one of Megatron's traps."

"And Optimus doesn't seem to see it. We have to stay close to him."

"Agreed, I'm not letting the lugnut out of my sight. He can throw me in the brig later for being an annoyance."

"I've already talked to Prowl. He has Teletran's sensors linked directly to Magnus' and Hound's sensors. So if the 'Cons do a sneak attack hopefully we'll get the jump on them."

"I've already told Bumblebee to keep scanning the area with his long range sensors once we land. He has a bad feeling too. Frag, even Sunny doesn't like it and he and his brother are always looking for a fight with the 'Cons."

"I just pray we're being too paranoid."

I silently agreed.

A gently nudge from within pulled me from my inner thoughts. Chromia's hand covered my own, holding it tight.

'It will be alright, my love,' she told me through our bond. 'You have never failed in looking after Optimus.'

'How do you know I'm worried about him and not you?'

'Because you have this fatherly concern look on your face when you're worried about Optimus. It's the same face you have when you worry about our little mechs. And your spark never lies to me.'

'Only you know me so well.'

'Good, let's keep it that way.'

"We're on approach," Magnus announced.

Optimus quickly got to his feet as did I. The two of us stood side by side behind Magnus. The sun had slowly risen in the east, just enough to blanket the desert before us with a soft morning glow.

On a regular day I would have enjoyed the scene. Only today, it appeared ominous, foreboding. I glance over at Optimus and my spark trembled with apprehension.

Magnus

The burial ceremony was short only because we couldn't afford to let our guard down for fear of a Decepticon attack. I noticed that Ratchet and Ironhide were quick to usher Optimus inside and away from the rest of the Autobots. The young mech had his battle mask on but I could see the sorrow in his optics.

My spark ached for him. We all felt for Optimus. He was still so young. It didn't seem fair that he was made Prime so soon. I'm not sure why Primus saw fit to do this. Many believed it was the end of the Autobots, that Optimus was far too young to lead us. And as the days passed since Sentinel's death, I wasn't sure myself about our chances in the near future.

I am a faithful disciple of Primus and therefore trust in Him. Trust that He knows what He's doing for I cannot believe that Primus would let the Decepticons take control over all of Cybertron, the Allspark, and ruin what He helped to create. I must also trust that He'll take care of our new Prime, we need him far more than he realizes.

The door to my office suddenly chimed, pulling me from my inner thoughts.

"Come in," I said, sitting up in my chair. I was quite surprised to see Optimus slowly walk into my office. I quickly got to my feet, standing at attention. "What can I do for you, Sir?"

"Please, don't call me that," he spoke solemnly from behind his battle mask.

"Sorry, Prime," I corrected myself.

"Don't call me that either," he sighed, his shoulders sagged, he looked so tired.

"You are my commander, my leader, I must address you as Sir or Prime."

"If I give you an order, then yes. However, I'm here to ask my friend of a favor. I need your help Magnus."

"Of course, S…I mean Optimus. Anything, just ask me."

Optimus moved inside then shut the office door.

"I need you to make me a better warrior."

"Pfft, Optimus, you're one of my best students," I retorted. "You kick Decepticon after better than most."

"But I'm not good enough," he seriously said. His battle mask retracted and I could see the determination in his face. "If I'm to face my brother repeatedly on the battlefield then I must be able to hold my own. And I'm not. Our brief fight after…after he killed father was enough for me to know. I may be faster than my brother but he is physically stronger than I because he's bigger. He'll turn me into scrap metal the next time we face off."

"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for," I countered. "And you're just inexperienced. Some things will come with time."

"You don't understand! Time is a luxury I do not have. I am Prime now. I must be able to handle Megatron. What would happen to the Autobots if I were to be badly damaged during a fight with my brother? How would they have confidence in me as their leader if I cannot be evenly matched against my brother?"

He paused, standing up straight, determined.

"Don't think I'm blind or oblivious. I hear the whispers. I know when a room suddenly goes quiet when I enter that everyone is talking about me. They don't believe I can lead them. They're losing hope. I cannot let that happen. I refuse to let it happen!"

It was in that moment that I saw a glimpse of Primus' plan. Although it seemed so unfair to pit brother against brother. But if Optimus was saved long ago for this purpose then I knew I must do what I could to help my friend. It was my duty as his friend and as his loyal soldier.

"Optimus, I'm sure you don't need to hear this, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I don't like this," I said, walking with Optimus across towards the deserted Autobot base, the others close behind us. "This has got to be some kind of trap."

Optimus shot a look of annoyance at me.

"I don't care," I glared at him. "You're my friend as well as my leader. I'm not going to take any chances here. It's my duty to protect your stupid aft."

"I know my brother better than anyone," he growled at me. "I'm fully aware this could be a trap. However I cannot stand idly by when someone calls for my help." He paused and his toned softened. "But I am grateful that everyone is here to protect my aft, just keep your hands off it. Elita's the only one who can touch it."

I laughed heartily. Optimus was never one for showing his sense of humor too often. And when he did it always caught me off guard and made me laugh.

"Too bad…you do have a cute aft," I smirked back, receiving a smack on the head.

"You've got a femme, stop talking like that."

"Both of you get your cute afts moving or I'll shove my cannons up them," Ironhide chimed in, his cannons humming in a threatening manner.

Optimus turned to give the 'as if' look that made Ironhide chuckle and the femmes roll their optics in annoyance at us mechs. But then just like that the moment of fun was over. And Optimus was back to his serious self.

He'd come so far from that young Prime who couldn't control his emotions. He no longer needed to hide behind his mask. And he could switch emotions so suddenly when he had to for any given situation.

"Roller, disengage and link up with Teletran and myself," Optimus ordered.

Immediately, Roller disengaged from Optimus' back transformed in mid air and landed on his wheels. The tiny Autobot zipped around and waited for further orders in front of Optimus.

"We're receiving Roller's sensor readings," Prowl said over the open comlink we were all sharing. "As our initial scans indicated. No other energy signatures."

"Engage your cloak and proceed inside Roller," Optimus ordered.

"Understood, Sir," Roller responded on the same open comlink.

I watched as the feisty little bot sped off, disappearing into a dust cloud as he activated his cloaking shield. I have to admit, Roller was one good little Autobot. Loyal to Kacey and Optimus too of course. But the little guy always obeyed Kacey without attitude. Everyone else got either a loud raspberry or static.

"I don't like this," Ironhide grumbled. "I like to see things for myself."

"That can be arranged," Optimus said.

He reached up, touching the side of his head, and activated his hologram projector. All of us got see what Roller saw. Optimus' hologram projector wasn't as advanced as Wheeljack's or Hound's but it worked well enough for situations like this.

"I have located the youngling," Roller announced as he turned a corner and came to a stop.

There, curled up on the ground was a youngling about the same size as Orion. Only right away I could see this youngling was different from normal younglings.

"Roller, zoom in," I requested.

The image immediately changed and we could see the youngling in more detail.

"Primus…is that armor?" Ratchet gasped.

"It doesn't even remotely resemble anything Cybertronian," Hound commented.

"Neither did Megatron's," Optimus stated plainly. "What do your medical scanners say, Ratchet?"

"No malfunctions detectable. Energy levels all normal."

"Odd, if he'd been abused or abandoned wouldn't he be somewhat energy deficient?" Bumblebee asked.

No one answered. Not even Optimus. We all knew the answer. At least, I hope Optimus did. However, it was clear what Prime's intentions were. He deactivated his hologram projector and stared hard at the base's main entrance.

"Try to get him to come outside, Optimus," I suggested, not liking the idea of a possible fight in such tight quarters.

"Very well, remain back a short distance he is very frightened," my leader replied.

Optimus moved away from us. Further away than I would have liked. Ironhide and I were thinking the same thing. With our weapons drawn and fully primed, we moved up discretely to get closer to our leader. Thankfully, Optimus was so focused on this Venom that he didn't notice us.

Roller emerged first, uncloaking in his vehicle form behind Optimus. Several long, tense minutes later the youngling stepped out into the morning sun. The jagged armor on his arms and legs looked menacing, even on such a young bot. No doubt Megatron experiment on the young mech. Why else would Venom have such armor?

I sighed, lowering my weapon.

He was simply a youngling. He looked afraid, unsure. Small feet shuffled to a stop out of Optimus' reach. His red optics darted from Prime to Ironhide and myself. Ironhide had not lowered his canons. In fact, they were swirling angrily on his forearms, aimed directly at the youth.

"Ironhide, stand down," Optimus ordered, glaring at the weapons officer.

Ironhide let out a short, loud snort of dissatisfaction while lowering his cannons. Despite Optimus being our Prime, there were times when he got an audio receptor full from Ironhide or Ratchet. Both were discrete about not doing it in front of the army or the officers. But I'd always hear about it later for Optimus always came to me for a sparring session right afterwards to blow off some of his own rage for being treated like a youngling.

I had a feeling it was going to be one of those days as Ironhide stormed past me to join the others.

"Come on, Venom," Optimus smiled, kneeling down on one knee, both hands out, palms up at the young mech's level. "We will not harm you. I promise."

Red optics locked on mine briefly. I smiled and nodded, taking a couple of steps back, holstering my weapon on my hip. I kept crossed my arms across my chest so the young mech would see I meant him no harm as Optimus had promised.

'What the frag?' I thought to myself.

Venom smirked at me as he took a step forward, closing the distance between him and Optimus. That smirk sent a chill down my spine and my spark quaked. It was Megatron's smirk. I'd bet my spark on it.

And then the unthinkable happened so fast and my reaction felt so slow as if I were moving in slow motion.

Venom's mouth opened wide, long sharp fangs extended in a flash. Sunlight glinted briefly off them just before then sank deep into Optimus' hand. My leader did not cry out in pain but more out of surprise. Before I even reached Optimus he'd managed to pry the youngling off.

Mischievous giggles erupted from the youngling mech as he darted away.

Confused, I looked from the youngling to Optimus' hand. I grabbed hold of it, examining it.

"It's nothing," Optimus growled, yanking his hand from me.

"I have a message from my father for you uncle," Venom smirked as something transformed on his back. "He sincerely hopes…you have a most painful death."

On instinct I dove for the young mech, missing him as he shot up into the air away from my grasp. His wings…frag…he had wings…were fully extended as he hovered above us.

"DEATH TO ALL AUTOBOTS!" he cheered.

And just like that, my worst fear became a reality. I heard a strange, garbled choking sound. Elita's shout sounded so far away as it rang through my audio receptors. And when I turned my head, I watched in horror as my Prime…fell.

How was that? Not so nice? Too bad! Hehe.

In the next up coming chapter(s) we'll found out the answers to these questions: Is this the end of Optimus Prime? Is Kaceystar going to be made Prime at such a young age? Will Megatron finally finish what he started so long ago?