Okay, here goes, my first Transformers fic. As with all of my ideas, this came to me randomly, so naturally, I took it and ran with it. This will end up being multichapter, so stick with me, guys.

Note: This entire thing is AU, so I will be mixing characters from different TF-verses (mainly Bayverse and Armada) Some OCs will appear (NOT Mary-Sues). Just to make sure you know, I am using Armada Megatron for this fic

Also, yes, I made up the Cybertronian word used in this chapter. I will be making up the Cybertronian language used in this story.

Song lyrics belong to their respective owners.

- 1. Exile-

He stared out at the ruins of the city that he, the other Autobots, and the Decepticons had made the site of their battle. They had won, yes, but the cost had been many innocent human lives and even a few Cybertronian lives.

How long can this go on? Optimus wondered, How many more have to die before all is peaceful again?

He remembered how the Autobots had given him sour looks after he'd called the truce with Megatron and allowed him to leave alive. Most of them thought the Decepticon lord deserved nothing short of death. At first, Optimus had considered it himself. But he couldn't bring himself to kill his own brother. That would have made him no better than a Decepticon. Yet because of his decision, the Autobots were thinking of exiling him. What was he to do?

"Optimus." He turned to see Prowl approaching him, his face as stoic as ever, "We have finished our debate and come to a conclusion as to what your fate will be. Before you speak, you should know you've been relieved of your position as leader of the Autobots." Optimus did nothing to hide the shock and surprise in his face.

"Wha-Why?" Prowl just glared at him, and started back toward the base.

"Come. The others will tell you." The Transformer's voice held no emotion as he addressed the elder Autobot. Optimus reluctantly followed him back to the base.

I've been relieved and replaced. I doubt anything worse could happen. Primus help me if it does.

The other Autobots stood in a circle talking with each other. They stopped when they heard Prowl and Optimus enter.

"Ah, I see you've found him, Prowl." Sideswipe said.

"It wasn't hard. He just stares out into space most of the time." A tiny hiss of frustration escaped Optimus.

"What is going on here? Why have you all turned against me?" He cast a helpless glance at each Autobot as he spoke.

"Optimus, you allowed the enemy to escape with their lives." Ratchet stated flatly. Optimus' hands flew up.

"They called a TRUCE! What was I supposed to do, murder them? I thought that was the reason we were fighting this war anyway, to prevent more senseless slaughter."

"Enough." Ironhide said gruffly. All optics turned to him.

"We have...reached an...agreement." He faced Optimus.

I'm so sorry, he thought, Please have the spark to forgive me, old friend.

"Optimus Prime, the majority of the Autobots have decided that for allowing the Decepticons to leave alive, an act we consider treason, You are hereby banished to the Corona, effective imediately." Optimus was dumbfounded.

"Wha-...But...I...I...NO!" he shrieked.

"You can leave on your own or we'll forcibly remove you. Your choice."

Optimus couldn't believe this! The Autobots, his own people, were ganging up on him. He knew his face betrayed how hurt he was by this, yet the Autobots fixed him with cold indifferent stares that seemed to scream out their thoughts.

You're no longer wanted here.

Their cold optics seemed to burn into him, right through his armor, as if they were branding him. As if he were an animal. Now he understood what humans meant when they said they felt like a cow being led to slaughter. Slowly, Optimus proceeded to his own slaughter, the slaughter of his spark. He took a good look around, since he figured this was the last time he would see any of them again. Once he was outside, Optimus heard the gates to the base slam shut and lock behind him. He glanced back and began his long, miserable walk of shame. He heard someone calling his name, but he didn't have the spark to face Sam in this state. He ignored the human and continued walking. He didn't bother to transform, where he was going, he wouldn't need to.

The Corona was a mountain range a little ways off from the NEST base. Its highest peaks were arranged in a circle. The mountains were filled with caves and streams and wooded valleys. It was a place filled with natural life and beauty, and Optimus thanked them silently for sending him here as opposed to Death Valley. He paid little mind to the human superstitions and legends that surrounded the Corona, describing it as a strange, enchanting place, a real life Calypso's Island. Strange creatures were thought to dwell there, and some humans even believed there was a force they called "magic" at work in the area. Optimus cared little for such things, but they reminded him of his days of childish innocence where his only fear was being caught by Sweepers because he stayed up past his bedtime. He smiled as he remembered that the "Sweeper" was just his mother with a cloak over her face. She would "sweep" him into her arms, his squeals and giggles of delight "melting her spark" as she'd called it.

What would you think of me now, N'anye (1)? he thought, the Cybertronian word for "mother" sounding alien to him now, yet it was all he had left of her. Dazed, he flipped through the human radio stations he could pick up until he heard a rather sad sounding song come on.

I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?

Optimus left it on that station, the soft slow melody seeming to draw its power from his emotions. It suited his mood well, he thought.

Well it goes like this: the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

He heard a soft purring sound and realized it was himself, humming along with it. Optimus had heard this song before, so he knew its tune quite well.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

He kept his optics on the path ahead, missing the words to the entire second verse. But the third caught his attention, as it reminded him of how he had loved Elita.

Maybe I've been here before
I know this room and I've walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I've seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

By the fourth verse, Optimus' own voice had joined with that of the singer, mournful and sad, hopeless, lost, but still so full of emotion

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
I remember when I moved in, you
Your holy dark was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Maybe there's a God above
And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you

Optimus' voice rose with the pitch on the last half of the verse, the strong sound resonating throughout him, his hand subconsciously pressed to his spark in a moment of emotional release and passion.

It's not a cry you can hear at night
It's not somebody who's seen the light
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah

His voice softened again as he reached the second to last refrain, and again even more on the final one, his head bowing as his song faded into silence.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

He sighed as it ended and let his thoughts wander to Elita. The humans had dubbed them the Transformer Romeo and Juliet, after hearing Optimus' story of their love forbidden by Sentinel, who had only taken a sparkmate to continue the line of Primes. He had left Optimus' mother, Alnai, soon after.

Elita's father had been a military commander who literally thought of the Primes as gods, and therefore, to him, his ordinary daughter would never be good enough for them. He only told her to be careful with them, as he didn't want to see her hurt by them. But the moment Elita's and Optimus' optics met, they knew their sparks would have no other. He let himself remember now the feeling of her in his arms, or her arms wrapped around him. The soft touch of her mouth plates against his cheek. The warmth of his hand in hers, and the happiness in their sparks as the reveled in the fact that, despite the war, love still existed. Mechs and femmes still fell in love with each other, even in the warzone their world had become.

Optimus was jolted out of his thoughts when his knee slammed into the trunk of a tree. A cry of pain escaped his vocalizer as he staggered backwards. He looked around and was surprised to find he was already at the very edge of the foothills around the Corona. The sun was falling fast below the horizon. Optimus decided to stop and rest for the night. He doubted anyone was following him to make sure he went to the Corona, but he wanted to make sure.

"I know, I'm not at the Corona yet." he said out loud, "But it is nightfall, and I am tired after today. I am stopping to rest for the night and will continue tomorrow." With that, he lay down in a grassy clearing and stared up at the sky. He knew Cybertron was out there somewhere, and he suddenly thought of Megatron. Others had thought Optimus was crazy for letting him leave Earth alive.

You don't know him like I do, Optimus thought, He wasn't always a tyrant. He isn't now. Optimus remembered seeing a picture in his mother's home from the day he was born. Megatron, only a few years older, held the tiny sparklig in his arms as though it was his most beloved treasure. And indeed he had been. Optimus had a kind spark from the day he was born, but other sparklings and younglings only saw this as a reason to pick on him. They would do so relentlessly, until Megatron showed up. Even as a youngling, Megatron had been impressive to look at. His deep red eyes full of concern for his little brother, the twin antlerss on either side of his head and the tall treads atop his shoulders made him seem taller and more menacing than his age. But little Optimus had never feared him, knowing full well his brother loved him and would protect him.

Optimus remembered how shocked and hurt he'd been when he found out that Megatron had become a Decepticon. He had personally gone and tried to make Megatron see reason. But Megatron only said, "We are not younglings anymore, Optimus. We have gone our separate ways. Our next meeting will be in battle, as enemies." Optimus had cried himself to sleep that night. He had vowed to himself that he would never be the one responsible for Megatron's destruction, as he wouldn't be able to bear it.

But now Megatron's spark had been cleansed of the darkness within it, and the old Megatron had returned. The first thing Megatron did after his cleansing was to sweep his younger brother into a tight embrace, letting up only when Optimus winced in pain from his severed arm.

Said arm hadn't even been reattached properly. Sure, he could use it, but it hurt every time. His other wounds hadn't been treated at all, so there were occasional puddles of energon on the ground in his wake.

"Does no one care how I feel anymore?" Optimus said aloud.

"I do, Optimus." replied a familiar voice. Optimus turned his head to see the air shimmering around a rather large robotic form. He gasped as it materialized into a mech he thought had left for good. Tall tank treads stood upright on his shoulders. A pair of twin antlers adorned his helm. Deep red eyes gazed out from a solemn face. The barrel of a tank cannon stuck out to the side from behind him. Decepticon insignias shone on the fronts of his shoulders. He was scarred from battle, but it was obvious his wounds had been treated, though some older ones remained as battle scars. Optimus couldn't help but smile.

"Megatron." he said.

"Ah, so you've got it right now? I seem to remember a certain sparkling with a love of calling me 'Murgatroid' when he couldn't remember 'Megatron'." Optimus allowed himself a small laugh at the memory. Megatron's face was serious again as he took in the sight of his brother.

"Oh, Optimus, what happened?" Optimus told him the story of all that had happened since Megatron left for Cybertron. Megatron let out a low growl when he heard how the Autobots and humans had hurt his brother.

"Those slag heaps." Megatron hissed, "I've half a mind to throw a wrench at Ratchet and knock some sense into him. And that Mearing witch...I'd bet my energon she had a part in this."

"Brother..." Optimus began, but was cut off by Megatron's hand on his arm.

"Don't worry, ma t'alnyón (2), no harm will come to them. I was only venting. I know you still care about them." Megatron said quietly. He looked over to where he'd materialized from, seeming to notice a large crate for the first time. He picked it up and brought it over to where Optimus lay.

"What are you doing?" he asked as Megatron opened his crate.

"You are hurt, brother, and it is my fault.. Let me care for these wounds I caused you." Optimus' optics misted over with energon tears. Megatron had come all the way from Cybertron just to help him and care for him. Megatron noticed this and gently brushed the tears away.

"You'll be all right now, Optimus," he said softly. Optimus winced as Megatron began working on his injured arm.

"For a CMO, Ratchet didn't do a very good job with this." Megatron stated.

"He didn't do it, I did." Optimus murmured. He hadn't realized how much energon he'd lost since leaving the base, but now it was beginning to take its toll. Megatron realized this and pulled out a can of energon.

"Here, drink this. It'll help." He gently lifted Optimus into a sitting position and helped him hold the can as he drank greedily. When he finished, he dropped it with a heavy sigh.

"Primus bless you, Megatron, you're a lifesaver." Megatron simply smiled at his younger brother. He could hear something faint and shaky, and when he looked down, he saw Optimus' head against his shoulder.

"What do I do, Megatron? I wasn't meant for this. I was meant to lead, to make decisions, to command troops. What's to become of me now? What reason have I got to remain online any longer? Perhaps they'd have been happier if I'd just offlined right there." At that, Megatron grabbed him in a fierce hug and held him tight against him, one hand on Optimus' head keeping it down on Megatron's shoulder.

"Don't say that, Optimus, don't you ever say that again." He could feel Optimus' energon tears on his shoulder, and he stroked the Prime's back gently as his brother's body shook with his sobbing, or perhaps the cold that was gathering around them as snow began to fall. With one hand, Megatron pulled a large, Transformer sized blanket out of his crate and wrapped it around the two of them. Optimus clung to Megatron for dear life, for he had lost everyone else. Megatron seemed to be the only one left who cared at all for him.

"They might be happier," Megatron said softly, "but if you offlined, it would tear my spark to shreds. I love you, little brother, and always will." Optimus looked up at those words.

"Are you going to leave? To go b-back to C-Cybertron and th-th-the Dec-cepticons?" Megatron shook his head.

"I made that mistake once. I'm not making it again. Not this time." Megatron answered.

"What'll you d-d-do?" Optimus asked.

"I'm going to stay here, with you. I'm going to care for you and protect you and love you, like I should have done all along." He noticed Optimus' optics dimming. He leaned back against a rocky cliff with Optimus in his arms still. Optimus lay wrapped in the blanket and Megatron's arms, as Megatron softly sang to him in Cybertronian, as their mother used to do for him. The sound still held sway over Optimus, filling him with warmth and comfort.

"I love you, too, brother." Optimus whispered as he slipped into recharge. For the first time in a long time, Optimus felt safe and loved. And though the wind and snow were cold, he'd never felt so warm as he did now.

Megatron finished his song and looked down to see his brother recharging. A smile crossed his face as he took in the sight. Lying there, asleep in his arms, Optimus seemed no different than the sweet innocent sparkling he'd grown up with. Megatron thought of part of a song he'd heard somewhere that reminded him of this. He looked down at the sleeping Optimus as he sang to himself.

Your little hand's wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light
To you everything's funny, you got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, just stay this little
Oh darling, don't you ever grow up
Don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple
I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart
And no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up

With that final note, Megatron lowered his head and allowed himself to slip into recharge, not knowing that the next day would change both their lives forever.

(1) N'anye = Mother (Cybertronian)

(2) Ma t'alnyón = My brother (Cybertronian)

Someone did a drawing based on this chapter on deviantART omega-knight01. deviantart art/I-ll-protect-you-brother- 348363944 Take out the spaces and follow the link to see it.

Okay, first chapter's done. Originally, I was going to leave Optimus all alone, but I knew I wanted Megatron in this. So I decided to just go ahead and bring him in and write some fluff. Hope you like. Please review!