Chapter Text
Megatron's eyes burned, the activation of his inborn battle protocols having caused them to go red. But that was not why they were burning, they were burning with rage, with betrayal and beneath all his raging emotions and bloodlust, with grief.
He'd hadn't wanted this to end this way, banished from his home, a hime he had fought for, by a mech he'd seen as his brother. But here he was beaten, his cannon busted, his life only spared do to that traitors soft spark. Growling furiously he'd turn away from the firm but grief stricken Optimus to the remnants of the high guard, he would order, "were headed for the surface!" His mind spinning with plans of war and vengence as he'd begin to transform into his new flight form when there'd be a slam of steel on stone behind. Everyone going silent in surprise. And Megatron would turn confused to see a miner.
the miner is an old mech who had always struck Megatron as odd. looking like him but much bigger, with a very old Megatronus decal etched into his chassis right where that bastard Sentinal had burned his own into his frame. though now they were of much more equal height. the miner is just standing there where everyone has parted to make way for the old and large miner, even Optmius surprised to see the usually silent and somber mech here in the crowd, watching him as he says this and says in a cold voice megatron had never heard from the silent old miner,"you are making a mistake, young fool." nearby Optimus would watch in further surprise. the old mech had rarely ever spoke, and usually very softly. he went by the name Megatronus, having named himself after the prime.
Megatronus' words had a shocking effect on Megatron. He had not expected that from him. He was used to him being silent and just watching
"Megatronus, you finally speak... and you dare call me a fool?"
He replied in an annoyed tone, narrowing his optics at him
the mech would stand up straight as hed stands there, the crowd having parted around him and megatron, no longer bent and crouched but standing tall, an old fashioned energon pick in his hand the steel and energon blade resting against the ground, his red optics, another oddity for a miner, especially now that megatron had come to learn that they stood for activated battle protocols, burning with judgement and disdain as he stands there,"i dare to call a mechling a fool for spitting in the face of the brother who risked everything for you, for spitting in the face of peace for his own bloodlust."
Megatron's irritation grew as Megatronus spoke, his words making him feel like he was being judged by his past. He had not forgotten what his brother had done for him, and it was precisely because of that sacrifice that he was where he was now.
"Don't you understand? I'm tired of being treated like a disposable worker! I have power now, power to change things for the better!"
He retorted, clenching his fists
"You call your new toys power?" hed growl. "such things are only powerful in the hands of the wise, not in the hands of a foolish child who chose murdering a tyrant over his own brother's life. if it weren't for primus' mercy, your brother would have died this day, rather then become prime."
Megatron gritted his teeth at Megatronus' words, his irritation turning into anger. He knew that he had made mistakes, but he believed that he was doing what was best for Cybertron
"And what would you have me do, old one? Sit back and let things stay the same? Let the tyrants continue to exploit us? To bend the knee to another so called true leader of Cybertron?"
He retorted, his voice filled with a mix of defiance and anger
"you already threw away the chance to stand at your brother's side, and even now i can see you plan war against him for being Prime. Optmius might be willing to let you go, but i will not stand by while he lets the doom of our world leave. you want to see power? come, let me show you." and would raise his pick in a fighting stance.
Megatron smirked, a mix of anger and excitement in his optics, his new battle protocols purring within his processor, chanting for more energon, more death.
"Fine, old one. Let's see if you can even fight after all these years."
He said, assuming a fighting stance of his own, his eyes never leaving Megatronus'
the old mech's whole demeanor has changed, no longer does he hold himself as a miner, but as a warrior, something in his stance diffrent from any megatron has ever seen even among the high guard who seem to be reguarding the old mech with growing wariness. his eyes locked on megatron, death in their red depths.
Megatron was taken aback by the change in Megatronus' demeanor. He had always known him as a quiet and reserved miner, but now he saw a warrior standing before him, one who seemed to be ready to fight him to the death.
"So, this is the warrior you've been hiding all these years?"
He said, trying to keep his cool, but his voice betraying a hint of surprise.
"i came to the mine's for peace, young one."hed say his sharp optics seeming to be more ancient now that he's no longer hiding himself."What you call oppression i found peaceful, and i wanted to spend my last years protecting and teaching the next generation. and now when true peace is knocking, you spit apon it. i will not let you be the doom of this world, Mechling."
*Megatron chuckled at Megatronus' words, a hint of mockery in his tone*
"Peace? You call that peace? Living as slaves, doing that traitor sentinal's bidding? Breaking our backs and dying for our enemies? That's not peace, that's submission. And I refuse to accept it now or ever again, I will not be a slave anymore. I will make a world where we can all be free."
He said, his optics burning with determination
"and yet you already have freed your world," hed growl, "sentinal is dead, and the new prime risen. freedom is already here. you could have stood at his side, at your brother's side, but you chose the path of war. but i refuse to let it happen, you foolish mechling.And you dare to speak of slavery? you don't know the meaning of the word, mechling."
*Megatron clenched his fists tightly, frustration evident in his voice*
"You think it's that simple? You think Optimus can just end slavery with a snap of his fingers? It's been ingrained in our society for centuries! It will take more than just him to change things."
He retorted, his optics narrowing.
"And don't call me a mechling, I am more than capable of leading our people to a better future."
"no, he can not end it all at once, but in time he will, i have faith in him and the spark of Orion Pax. faith you should have had as his sworn brother. he worked at your side, faced the same dangers as you, risked his life to save you again and again in the mines. i saw it all."
"and i will call you a mechling as long as you act like one, mechling."
*Megatron's frustration turned into anger at Megatronus' words. He couldn't understand why he was defending Optimus so vehemently.
"Optimus might have been there for me in the mines, but that doesn't mean he understands the pain we feel, the vengence we desire on our oppressors. He's a fool if he thinks he can just change everything with a wave of his hand."
He snapped back, his voice rising
"And I am not a mechling, I am the leader of the High Guard, defeater of Sentinal Prime! will show you that I can lead our people to a better tomorrow!"
Realizing there was no point to saying more Megatronus would growl,"then come defeater of Sentinal, lets see of you can beat an old miner with his T-cog removed," hed continue to stand in his ready stance, his pick, such an old fasioned tool, held in a guard stance like he was born wielding it like a weapon, his eyes glowing a brilliant ruby.
Megatron growled in frustration, but couldn't help but feel a twinge of excitement. He had never seen anyone fight like this before, and he couldn't deny the challenge*
"Very well, old one. If you want a fight, you'll get one."
He said, assuming his own fighting stance, his optics fixed on Megatronus'
the two would begin circling one another, the old miner watching his every move. finally, hed lunge forward, pick swinging for his shoulder.
Megatron sidestepped quickly, narrowly avoiding the swing of the pick. He retaliated with a swift punch to Megatronus' side, using his speed to his advantage.
hed easily block the strike with his elbow, reversing his grip on the pick and trying to stab into his gut with the sharpened end of the handle, made of raw energon, able to slice mech armor like butter.
Megatron barely had time to react as the sharpened end of the pick came towards him. He managed to block it with his arm, but the blade sliced through his armor, leaving a deep gash.
He hissed in pain, taking a step back to assess the damage. His optics widened as he realized the extent of Megatronus' skill with the pick. His new armor was so thick and yet that tool had done this much damage!?
Megatronus would reverse his grip again as hed go in for another swing, this time at his head,as hed growl, "no distractions mechling, you're fighting to the death here."
Megatron gritted his teeth, feeling the full force of Megatronus' strikes. He knew he had underestimated him and that this fight was serious. He dodged another swing, using his agility to evade Megatronus' attacks. Trying to kick him in the face as he dodged, but the old mech sidestepped it easily.
"You're right, no distractions. I'm taking this seriously now."
He said, his optics narrowing as he focused solely on the fight
as hed dodge the kick, megatronus would follow up with a return kick at his kneejoint, using the distraction of the dodge.
Megatron felt the sharp pain as Megatronus' kick landed on his knee. He stumbled backwards, his knee buckling under the force of the blow. He let out a low growl, trying to steady himself and regain his footing.
He clutched his knee, trying to ignore the pain as he looked up fast at Megatronus, a mix of anger and respect in his optics
The old miner would let the pick finish its swing before turning it and his body so he'd be swinging it down in a crushing downward swing. megatron has seen that pick in that stance go through energon ore like it was tin.
Megatron's optics widened as he saw the pick coming down towards him. He knew that if it hit, it would cause serious damage. He quickly tried to dodge out of the way, but the pick was coming down too fast, and his busted knee wasn't letting him move.
and down the pick would come into his shoulder, digging in and going down till it nearly hit his spark, in fact it would have if megatronus using emense skill hadn't stopped the strike before it hit the spark chamber. the old mech was panting as hed stare into the optics of the younger, his eyes burning with same bloodlust as Megatron's had, except he hadn't let it consume him.
Megatron let out a cry of pain as the pick dug into his shoulder. He could feel the intense pain and knew that if it had gone any further, he would have been done for. He looked up at Megatronus, his optics wide with surprise and a hint of fear
He tried to speak, but the pain made it difficult. He managed to choke out a few words
"You...you're good."
hed laugh a little,"im old, young one, and i refuse to let you make the same mistakes i did. but i also refuse to simply snuff you out, for i know theres a chance that you can change.I too know the siren call of Battle Rage and Bloodlust afterall, but I chose to turn from it, so you can as well before it's too late."
Megatron couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was still angry and determined to prove himself. On the other hand, he was impressed by Megatronus' skill and his willingness to give him a chance to change
He clutched his wounded shoulder, gritting his teeth through the pain
"What...what do you want from me then? To give up on my plans? To join Optimus?"
"neither, i desire for you to take your high guard to the surface just as you planned. only instead of trying to start a war, i want you to start a new life, build a home for yourself and your new people, give up on the madness of war."
Megatron's optics widened at Megatronus' proposal. He hadn't expected this, and he wasn't sure if he could trust him*
He looked at Megatronus for a moment, considering his words
"And why should I trust you? You're on the new Prime's side. We're enemies."
"i am not on anyone's side, im just an old miner who's tired of death and doesnt want to watch you go down the same blood drenched path i did. but if you make me, i will end you rather then watch you start a war that will destroy everything, your spark will rest easier in the Allspark without such a weight on it."
Megatron clenched his fists, feeling the weight of Megatronus' words. He knew that he was right, that the path of war and destruction would only lead to ruin. But it was hard for him to let go of his new beliefs and desire for more retribution.
He looked at Megatronus, his optics searching for any sign of deception.
"I...I don't know if I can do it. I want to tare him to pieces, i want vengence for him choosing peace over me. How can I just give it up?"
"you fought to give your people, new and old, a better life. all im asking of you is to fulfill that promise and do it."
"do not make me take your life. you are young, with so much potential, but i will if i must to both to save our world from war, and you from the crushing weight of the guilt that you will feel once bloodlust has lost its sweetness and you find yourself surrounded by death."
Nearby Optimus would be being held back by Bee and Elita, not wanting to see his old friend be killed, but she would whisper" look, really look, orion. I think... I think he's actually getting through to the hard headed idiot," which would calm the the new Prime who would begin to watch with tentative hope.
Megatron's resolve wavered as Megatronus spoke. He could feel the weight of his words, the truth in them. He had sacrificed so much to give his people a better life, and he knew that war would only bring more suffering and destruction.
He took a deep breath, his optics searching for something in Megatronus' gaze
"You're right. I don't want to live with the guilt of starting a war. I want to create a better future for my people, one where we can live in peace and prosperity. But how can I do that? How can I change the path I've set for myself?"
His voice was small, as the heady bloodlust of his battle protocols began to recede, his eyes going orange instead of bright red, feeling younger and more lost then he'd ever felt, even back in the tomb of the Primes.
The old miner would sigh with relief as hed say calmly," do as you had planned. take your high guard to the surface, and build a new city there. do it not for war but for a better tomorrow."
Megatron nodded slowly, still uncertain but willing to try
"I'll do it. I'll take my high guard to the surface and build a new city, one that's free from war and oppression. But I need your help. I can't do this alone."
Megatronus would smile softly," i guess these old plates have enough left in them to be an advisor for you young one." as hed carefully would remove the pick from megatron's shoulder, and would pull him to his pedes.
hed then turn to the new Prime who had watched it all with Elita and Bee, a wondering look of heartbreaking hope in the young Prime's blue optics, and the old miner would go to one knee, his pick in his hands like the blade of a knight, the pick head down, handle under his hands as hed ask,"Optmius Prime, once Orion Pax, one of those i watched over in the mines below.i ask for the order of exile to be lifted from Megatron and the high guard in ten vorns and peace negotiations to begin then should peace remain."
*Optimus would looked at Megatronus with a mixture of respect and surprise and heart breaking gratitude for the old mech saving his friend, his brother from a path that would have destroyed him.
Trying to sound offical hed say as formally as he could,"Rise, old friend. Your request is granted. Megatron and his high guard shall be allowed to build a new city on the surface, and peace negotiations will begin in ten vorns.
He then turned to Megatron, his eyes soft with hurt and hope, glad that his friend would not be destroyed by his own desire for vengence, and tentatively hopeful that one day, they could be friends again, never the same, but still friends.
"Megatron, I trust that you will uphold your end of the bargain and build a city that is free from war and oppression."
Megatron would look at the prime, his fury gone his face unreadable but there was a hint of shame in his optics as he'd nod his asent.
Megatronus would stand even as hed look up at the prime with a soft wistful look,"you have made me very proud, young one. im sure you will make a wonderful prime. i feel it in my spark."his eyes glimmering with strange memory.
Optimus smiled at Megatronus' words, touched by his praise
"Thank you, old friend. Your words mean a lot to me. I will do my best to lead our people into a new era of peace and prosperity."
He then looked at Megatron
"You should listen to him, Megatron. He may be an old miner, but he's wise beyond his station. Take his advice and make the right choices."
and with that, the prime would hold out to the old miner the T-cog that megatron had thrown away to take Megatronus Prime's T-cog. the old miner would smile at the Prime as hed take it, and inserting it inside his frame, hed transform into a flyer with a heavier stlye of wings then a seeker, again similar to megatron's new filght mode, and nodding at the slightly recovered megatron, would follow megatron and the high guard to the surface.
Megatron watched as the old miner transformed into a flyer and followed them to the surface. He couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards him. Without his intervention, he would have continued down the path of war and destruction.
As they flew towards the surface, Megatron couldn't help but think about the future. The weight of responsibility was heavy on his shoulders, but he knew that with the old miner's guidance, he could create a better world for his people.
"And just maybe," he thought as his mind would turn back to his old friend no longer in hatred but hopeful sorrow,"a chance to mend my wrongs in the future."