Book II
     "Acts of Vengeance"

     Chapter VI
     "Mourning"


     It was cold.  The wind blew
cold, and off in the distance Optimus
could hear the distant rumblings of
thunder.  The clouds above were dark,
and it looked like it was about to
rain.
     Just twenty four hours earlier,
it had been a warm spring day.  The
sun had been shining, and a gentle
breeze whistled along the hillside. 
Optimus Prime was about a mile from
Autobot City, on a small hill at the
base of Mount Trion.  The mountain he
had dedicated in Alpha Trion's name. 
The hill was covered by green grass. 
A little stream trickled down the
side of the mountain, fed by the
melting snow.  It flowed calmly by
him a few feet away.  Twenty four
hours ago, there could not have been
a more perfect place on Earth.  The
birds were singing, and it was so
peaceful.  Twenty four hours ago,
this is where Elita One was put to
rest.  A statue of her now stood,
marking the spot where she was
buried.  Optimus Prime had been here
since then.  He had not moved in a
day.  He just stared at the statue of
his beloved Elita One.  Twenty four
hours ago, Optimus Prime might as
well have buried himself.
     He could not bring himself to
say anything at the memorial service
that was held.  Ultra Magnus said a
few words though.  He had been
eloquent as ever.  One thing he said
stuck in Optimus's mind.  "She lost
her life while trying to aid another
who was injured."  That is what Ultra
Magnus had said, but that wasn't the
whole truth.  She was shot in the
back.  She was shot in the back by
Megatron.  If Elita had killed in
battle, Optimus thought he could
except that.  She believed so
strongly in the cause of peace, that
kept them apart for so many years. 
At least he would have known she died
fighting for what she believed in. 
But that did not happen.  She was
shot in the back, and all she was
doing was trying to help the one she
loved.
     If Optimus had not allowed
Doctor Fujiama to continue his
experiments, this might not have
happened.  Optimus blamed himself,
and he blamed Megatron.  It would
torture Optimus forever.  But Optimus
knew that for Megatron, it was just
another kill to add to his list.
     The other Autobots, and many of
the humans who worked at Autobot City
had come to pay their respects, but
all had long since gone, save Optimus
Prime, and two others.  Rodimus Prime
and Spike waited patiently for
Optimus by the road at the foot of
the hill.  They did not want to
disturb him, but they did not want to
leave him alone either.
     "Spike, should we do something",
asked Rodimus?
     "I don't know.  We can't leave
him here.  I'm just not sure we
should disturb him either", said
Spike with a yawn.  He had not slept
in over 24 hours.
     "Well, we have to do something",
said Rodimus.
     "You're right", said Spike. 
"I'll talk to him."
     Spike walked up the hill to
where Optimus stood.  "Optimus", said
Spike.
     "What is it Spike", said Optimus
in a lifeless tone.
     "You can't stay here forever",
said Spike.
     "I know.  I know.  Just give me
another minute, and I'll join you and
Rodimus", said Optimus Prime.  His
voice was unable to hide his pain.
     "Sure", said Spike.  Spike
walked back down the hill to wait
with Rodimus.
     Optimus knelt down on one knee,
and placed his hand down on the
grass, beneath which Elita was
buried.  "I'm sorry Elita.  I'm so
sorry.  Goodbye", he said.  "Goodbye
my love."  Optimus stood up, and
headed for the road.
     Optimus walked down the hill to
where Rodimus and Spike were waiting
for him.  He silently transformed,
and headed for Autobot City, with
Rodimus and Spike close behind.