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Chapter Text

The price of peace can be a heavy cost, and depending on that cost, one has to wonder if it was worth it.

Optimus had once looked forward to the end of the civil war on Cybertron, the bloodshed, the politics, the violence and death. Lives dying to each other, one way or another. The war had started when he was but a young bot, training to protect the people, to protect the lives of his kind. Even from each other.

He wonders if his younger self ever expected for that to escalate, for his dreams to twist and turn into something he would have once-thought horrible. No, he does still think it's horrible- lives were lost at the hand of each other, at each faction, some were taken by Optimus himself. He merely feels a solemn type of numbness to it now as a Trion General to the Autobot Elite Guard. 

He is tired, war-weary and seen far too much in his lifetime. 

When the ceasefire is called, Optimus should have felt hope.

When the peace treaty is signed, Optimus should have felt joy. 

When he reunites with an old friend, Optimus should have welcomed him back with a smile.

None of that happens, much to his grim dismay.

When the ceasefire is called, Optimus watches on with horrified realization as even more lives are taken from his planet. But this time, not by Cybertronian means.

When the peace treaty is signed, Optimus is fighting a new enemy shortly after as one war was exchanged for another.

When he reunites with an old friend, Optimus is too busy fighting to even notice at first and when he finally does, bitter laughter comes from his intake. 

At the time, the only solace, the single sliver of positivity that he could find, was the fact his old friend- Megatron, seems to feel equally bitter and grim as Optimus himself felt. An old friendship, not exactly rekindled, but a new connection of understanding and exhaustion is forged from there on.

In the aftermath of the battle, covered in gore and exhausted to their protoforms, they don't even speak to each other for a while. Even as they camp together on the field, both their factions warily mingling, newly united against a new, common foe and too exhausted to even keep up usual hostilities, Optimus does not speak with his old friend.

Autobot and Decepticons alike are awarded for that battle, the first official unified fight; he hears some hopeful civilians call it. 

If Optimus was any younger, any less weary and tired, he would have smiled. Would have seen this as a start to change, and perhaps it was, perhaps it truly was the first step to unification of both factions on Cybertron. But he is older, exhausted, seen too many battles, on the field and in the council rooms to be so optimistic. 

They may be unified now to face the Quintesson threat, but that unification was a brittle thing. Made out of necessary desperation, and, to his dismay, he does not think it will last after the Quintesson threat is dealt with… Not with Megazarak at the helm of the Decepticons, nor with Head Councilor Zeta Prime with the Autobots. 

It is with that in mind, that he feels guilt at the stray, intrusive thought of wanting this new war to last longer than it should. Because with a common enemy, they had finally rallied together, and without that enemy, they would fracture once more.

Another intrusive thought, planted by his… colleague, someone he once called a friend, once seen as an unfortunate enemy, now a fellow soldier and solid enough comrade, Megatron, is to usurp Zeta Prime. To mirror him in his own wishes to take lead on the Deceptions. To lead the Autobots fully, not just as Trion of the Elite Guard, but as Prime itself. Only then, would they both find the unity they'd want.

Optimus… will not deny that in his lowest moment, during the times one of the other foolish senators are arguing too loudly within the meeting, consideration starts to color his thoughts. 

But the war rages on, and there is no room for other conflict amongst themselves. Not with the Quintessons hungry all around them. Half the planet is decimated, and resources are dwindling. A coup during this delicate balance would be disastrous. 

The temptation is there though, and with Zeta Prime's slyness, the council's corruption that was once abated due to the new war slowly starting to continue where it was, the continued loss of Cybertronian lives- Autobot, Decepticon, Neutral, Optimus feared that perhaps Megatron truly did have a point…

But even in the darkest pit, light can still shine through. 

And for once, in a long, long time, Optimus Trion felt hope in his spark.

He can remember the hope in his spark ignite as clear as day. 

Fittingly, it had been during a particularly hopeless situation. Another Quintesson attack, this time at an energon mining town, big enough that they could not risk having it fall to their techno-organic enemy without affecting their resources. 

Evacuation was looking grim, and Optimus was desperately trying to save as many lives as possible, whilst awaiting Decepticon back up. 

"Ultra Magnus, Ironhide- evacuation report!" He had barked then, dodging enemy fire and running into a destroyed building for cover. His pedes crunch on something, and he realizes numbly that he's stepping on datapads and immediately he steps aside to avoid doing so again. He refocuses his attention as his soldiers' replies. 

.: Most of the civilians have been evacuated into ships, Optimus Trion! :. Came Ironhide's reply and Optimus' pauldrons dropped slightly in relief but he kept his guard up, grunting as he moved to a closeby window. .: Defenses are steady, we should be able to push forward once the last of the ships have left! :.

"Await for the Decepticons for backup, do not push forward until they arrive." Optimus ordered sternly, not wanting to risk pushing forward and losing more lives without the extra forces on the battlefield. "Keep the defen—"

PHWOOOOOOOOOM

A raucous noise interrupted him, static interfering with his commlink at the disorienting noise that threatened to shake his processor right out of his helm. Pressing a digit against his audials, he looked out the window with dread at the warship descending from the clouds. He recognized that warship, knew exactly what type it was.

No.

"Ironhide, Ultra Magnus, do you read me?!" He barked, spark pounding in his chamber as horror filled his fuel lines. "Fall back! I repeat, fall back! A Spark Extractor ship is here, FALL BACK!" The sheer desperation he has in his voice, in his very being, is thick and heavy. It gets even worse as he hears nothing but static from his comm, he forces himself to move. Ultra Magnus and Ironhide would've seen the ship by now, they must have fallen back even without his verbal command. 

Please.

Optimus bursts out of the shop, running in the streets, dodging fires and limbs, he doesn't return them as he tries to run - he can see others running like him. Terror filled screams echoed in the air, the only upside to this nightmare of a situation was the fact that half of the Quintesson soldiers retreat as well, but the other half stay, trying to capture as many cybertronians as they can. Suicide extractors. 

It enrages him, as his servos transform into blades, crying out with anger as he charges at one such suicidal Quintesson who was trapping several of his people. To his luck, it didn't see him so he managed to sink his blades into the hard, bulbous head right into its organic insides. 

It cries out, enraged and in pain, but with how deep Optimus stabbed his blades into it, it falls over. Dead. The cybertronians in its tentacles, soldier and civilian alike, cry out as well, in gratitude. There's no time. "RUN! TO THE EDGE OF THE TOWN, RUN NOW!" He's forcing frames up to their pedes, shoving smaller bots into the arms of bigger ones, pushing them onwards.

They cannot stay, not with the warship looking ahead. 

Optimus tries his best, tries to save as many lives as he can before the ship fires one of its beams. Kills as many suicidal Quintessons as he can. In the distance, up above, he can hear the loud whirring, feel the energy that's being gathered and in his processor he can already see it.

The town, silent and empty. Bodies strewn all about. Autobot, Decepticon and civilian frames alike. The evacuation ships all crashed on the ground, sparkless, lifeless.

Ultra Magnus. Ironhide. Prowl. Ratchet. 

Megatron.

Himself.

It'll be Praxus all over again.

Primus, please.

Optimus is running, the streets were too destroyed and full of obstacles for him to use his alt mode. 

The whirring, the buzz, it gets louder, grows bigger and he makes the unfortunate mistake of looking back — the extended tip of the Spark Extractor's gun is glowing an ominous white, and Optimus dreads — He looks below and his yellow optics widen as he sees a single mech standing in the streets behind him. Warframe, slender, but built for combat. Purple with red highlights, strange large sword in hand.

Optimus skids to a stop, "Hey!" He shouts, running back - the soldier needs to run. He needs to run! "SOLDIER, FALL BACK! HEY!" 

Primus, I beg of you.

He reaches out, ready to grab and drag this mech with him if he has to—

Save your children.

"Shut up, I'm trying to concentrate." 

Light nearly blinds his optics, forcing him to use the servo he's been reaching out to cover his vision instead. Optimus rears back, startled, quickly he adjusts his vision and his optics widen as he sees the bright blue glow of the sword- ethereal light coming off it in a flame-like manner. 

Optimus' spark pulsed at the sight of it, disbelief and shock on his faceplate behind his battlemask as the purple-colored mech lifted the sword. "Let's hope this works." The mech says, gripping the sword with both servos before running forward, the glow of the sword getting stronger, leaving trails of ethereal light and smoke as the warframe spun in place, and with a cry, the mech swung the sword at the air. 

A wave of light blue burst forth from the sword, sharp, powerful and deadly. Its trajectory was aimed right at the main gun of the Spark Extractor warship. 

Optimus watched, vents stalled, as the wave hit the gun- exploding the weapon and destroying it. The damage was severe, enough that the warship visibly staggered mid-air, slowly descending as thick, black smoke trailed off the destroyed extractor.   

Optimus' HUD gave an alert to him that his vents were stalling too long, absentmindedly, he reset the function but most of his attention was focused on the impossible mech before him. His own face was hidden behind a mask, with a black visor hiding his optics, but even with his faceplate hidden, there was no mistaking the pride and satisfaction coming from the mech's body language. 

The purple mech looked down at his glowing sword, "Not bad, Star Saber. Not bad." 

Star Saber?

Optimus's processor immediately gave him more information at the familiar name. Prima's Star Saber, the original Prime, first holder of the Matrix of Leadership— His optics immediately zeroed on to a chestpiece on the mech's chassis. Half of it was of a clear glass casing, the left side showing a golden and glowing handle, holding a golden crescent with a small blue half moon. 

Optimus' stabilisers buckled, and he dropped to one knee. A servo clenched over his spark chamber, reverence and awe clear in his voice as he stared at the Prime whose helm snapped up to look at him. "My Prime." 

A true Prime, chosen by the legendary Matrix of Leadership. 

The Prime said nothing, observing him and he wondered what he must be thinking. What enigmatic and heavy thoughts this Prime, a real Prime, must have going through his processor. Optimus almost wanted to ask, but he didn't feel worthy enough to do so. 

Primus, thank you.

That's Dee's Optimus Trion! He shrieked into his processor, dumbfounded and mortified. I told Dee's idol to shut up! FRAG! Orion Nox, formerly O-14, bemoaned with building horror. Very much grateful for the mask and visor that hid his faceplate.

Oh wow, he definitely looks more like MTMTE Optimus than you Pax! Orion Nyx, formerly a human organic, says within their shared helmspace, sounding fascinated by the sight of Optimus Trion kneeling in front of them like that. Only he has Armada Convoy's optics. Cool!

Orion Pax, formerly Optimus Prime, at least, seemed to be uncomfortable with the situation. Even if it was less than what he was currently feeling. It is strange, to see another version of myself like this… Or at least, another version of 'Optimus Prime.'

He's not a Prime though, not here. He's a Trion, which is the General of the Autobots. Technically we're Prime now. Nyx replied and Nox shrieks even louder at his two counterparts.

I NEVER WANTED TO BE A PRIME! I TOLD YOU BOTH THAT QUITE CLEARLY EARLIER ON! IF ANYTHING OPTIMUS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE PRIME! OR EVEN DEE! HE'S SHATTERED GLASS MEGATRON!  

I mean, since we have half of the Matrix, that might be true? Nyx pointed out and suddenly the full weight of the relic in his chassis was so very obvious. Look at the brightside Nox, you swung a cool sword and took down a Quintesson warship!

… That was very cool… Slag it all. 

Focus, you two. We're still on the battlefield. Quintessons are approaching. Pax suddenly reminded, voice sharp and tense. Nox immediately looked around, tensing as he heard the enraged growls and shrieks from incoming Quintesson soldiers. Optimus Trion heard them as well, as he was suddenly standing on his pedes, servo transformed into a blaster. 

"I will fight alongside you, my Prime." The Trion declared firmly, voice grim and optics determined. 

Nox held back a groan. As soon as I find Dee, I'm giving him the other half the Matrix. I am not going to be a fragging Prime.

Elsewhere, a blue-optic miner-turned-Prime meets a Decepticon general. 

Chapter Text

Equality, justice, anger.

Those were the reasons he joined his faction, the Decepticons. 

Once a miner, then a gladiator, then a soldier and now a general.

Megatron, for all his anger at the beginning, is fragging tired . 

Tired of the war, tired of the battles, tired of being angry. 

But he does not stop, because he cannot afford to. Being angry has kept him alive, kept him moving forward and keeps him focused on his newest goal; taking over the Decepticons. Usurping Megazarak because the old fool is power hungry and cruel. 

The ideals that were once upheld, once preached to him when he was younger, have faded slightly. Pushed back behind the greed for control, he sees the way the Decepticons are forming the very castes he had wanted to break. Sees familiar arrogance that once overlaid the faceplates of the overseers of the mine he'd been forced into simply because he'd been born to bots who were also miners. 

Freedom is the right for all sentient beings.

An old friend of his insisted, back when they were still friends. Back when his spark warmed freely at the thought of the guard-to-be. His spark still warms, but it is not the flame it used to be, worn down by time and battles and different ideals. 

Optimus, now the Trion for the Autobots, had been quite optimistic (hah) and still was. To an extent. But even he was tired and war weary. Even he could see the cracks and fissures of his own faction.

The Autobot's Prime is just as a fool as Megazarak, and Megatron feels no shame in placing the seed of doubt and revolution in Optimus' processor the first chance he gets after they fight together. After observing how exhausted he was in the silence. He knows he made an effect, that he's influenced Optimus, because the bot doesn't try and change the subject as much anymore. 

Optimus would be a better leader for the Autobots, pairs well with the fact he, Megatron, would be the better leader for the Decepticons. 

Together, the peace temporarily made for the Quintessons, could last beyond it, he's sure of it. 

Megatron was still building up his forces, forming alliances and gathering power under Megazarak's notice. He will not strike now even though he wants to, not with the Quintessons attacking their planet and threatening their species and planet. Almost half of Cybertron, uninhabitable thanks to those creatures. 

The Quintessons came first, Megazarak would come next, even though in the deepest pits of his spark- he wishes he could reverse that order.

And then an opportunity comes, a chance for that wish to come true.

Optimus once said that even in the darkest pit, light can still shine through.

And Megatron found that light, and he would have it.

Megatron makes adjustments to his plans and goals the moment he sees him . 

He remembers it as clear as day. 

A mining town, near the edges between the borders of both Autobot and Decepticon territory, near the city of Harmonex, had been attacked and was being ransacked by the Quintessons. The Autobots were the nearest and were the first to respond, with the Decepticons quickly enroute to provide backup and assistance. 

With the way things were, Megatron was planning to cut through the mines of the town to both salvage and save whatever energon was left alongside the miners. Prevent the Quintessons from taking anything more then unite with Optimus and fight back against the invading forces. 

That was the plan.

PHWOOOOOOOOM

It all went to scrap when Megatron and his Decepticons intercepted a fragging Spark Extractor warship. 

The horror Megatron felt was mirrored by all who recognized the craft, who remembered what happened to Praxus. 

Millions of sparks, Autobot, Decepticon, Neutral- gone. Millions of frames empty within the ruins of the city. More than half of the sparks missing were returned to the Allspark thanks to the brave efforts of Autobot and Decepticons alike, destroying the ship before it completely left the planet but the other half were still lost. Jettisoned into a space bridge offworld. It was still considered a win despite the devastating lost. The unofficial first fight that was fought together by the once-warring factions. 

Praxus was the reason why Autobots and Decepticons fought together, why the peace treaty existed. 

The Quintessons built another Spark Extractor.

Megatron's optics spotted something else in the distance, closer to the town and the horror intensified. 

The Quintessons built TWO Spark Extractor Warships.

This could be the end of Cybertron period.

"Decepticons! We must take down the Spark Extractor no matter what!" He had bellowed, both in the comm and out loud- a correct choice, seeing as his comm received nothing but static. Their communications were jammed. He could only grit his denta and hope Soundwave could see the warships and inform high command. 

At the very least, they needed to destroy at least one warship at any cost.  

"Rise up! And TAKE IT DOWN!" Megatron snarled, transforming into his alt mode to fly alongside his troops. Leading them into battle with the hopes of taking down the Spark Extractor. He would not let another Praxus incident happen, not while energon flowed through his fuel lines. 

They're met with flying Quintesson soldiers, most of the techno-organics aiming to ground them all, to force them to land and be in the way of the main gun of the warship no doubt. He weaves through the soldiers, shooting as he does- he is not a seeker, his flight is not graceful nor easy, he had a ground-alt mode before he switched to flight but he has trained with seekers. And his experience has given him more than enough skill to dodge the incoming waves of Quintessons.

In the distance, he sees Starscream and his trine flying past swathes of Quintessons to try and reach the now charging gun of the Spark Extractor. The whirrs and buzz from the gun would be new audio for his nightmares should he survive this ordeal, but the blast from the gun and its aftermath would always be there, forefront. 

Watching with wide, red optics as the white light fell onto the city. It lasts what seemed like eternity, but in reality, were just a few kliks. Soon after, millions of smaller lights emerge from the smoldering rubble, before being sucked into the damned warship.

Dread and frustration swirl together in his tank as he sees the trine back away, rightfully cautious from the gun's charge, they needed to head at it at a new ang—

BOOM!

Frag!

He'd been hit! 

Megatron swore heavily as he tried to control his descent, hearing more than a few bots scream his designation as he spiraled out of the air- he saw a Quintesson nearby and made a choice. Transforming to his root mode to grab at the damned creature, snarling back when it dared to snarl at him. 

His clawed servos dig into its flesh, piercing the semi-hard shell it had, digging in to hold on and forcing it to be his cushion, to prevent his frame from hitting the ground directly.

With one servo still digging into the flesh, he transformed it into his signature energon blade, killing the techno-organic mid-air, forcing it to fall and land - maneuvering the body to soften his fall against Cybertron's ground. He huffs, taking a quick internal diagnostic, growling at the estimated time before he could return to the air, he jumps off the Quintesson corpse and his pedes hit the ground running. 

Comms are still down, so he can't contact his troops in the air. But he knows some of them know where he is, they've seen where he landed, and they'll know where he's headed. 

The energon mines. 

It's a landmark, a place of meeting, and he does need to check if there are survivors. 

The more pressing matter is, of course, the still charging Spark Extractor gun. 

He sees his cons fighting valiantly in the air, a few fall, a few land, and he sees Starscream's trine still trying to get near the extractor gun for a clean shot at destroying the damned thing. The dread is building, the desperation is thick on his glossa, Praxus keeps haunting the back of his optics and he's seeing sparks— lights all over the place and floating up -

FWOOM!

That was not a light.

Megatron stops in his tracks, he looks back to see a Quintesson corpse falling to the ground behind him, silver spear lodged in its head. He hadn't even realized one had been chasing him, processor spiraling out of his control but now-

"Are you alright?" A voice, gentle but strong, asks from behind him, from where he'd been running to. His helm whirls around to see a mech, a head taller than him- which was saying something as he was a BIG mech. Warframe, thickly built, a strange blaster strapped to one servo. The mech was a silvery white with purple detailing, optics blue and kind and faceplate hidden by a very familiar helm shape.

His servo twitched, almost reaching up to touch his Decepticon emblem. 

He recognizes this mech. Somewhat. The color is off, so was the size, the frame was different but similar enough and that blaster. He knows it by sight alone. The Requiem Blaster.

He named himself after a mech that looked almost exactly like this, shortened it when he joined the Decepticons. The Decepticons whose symbol was formed based on that very helm the silver mech was wearing.

"Megatronus Prime?" He wonders with slight awe and confusion. Accidentally, he says it out loud much to his detriment and embarrassment. 

The mysterious mech immediately shook his head, "Ah, no. I'm not Megatronus Prime! Just, um…" He trailed off, the large mech seemingly unsure and Megatron's processor was stalling. Buffering. 

The mech looks so much like Megatronus Prime, like the idol he had worshipped when he was younger. Named himself after in the pits damned arena. 

This couldn't be Megatronus Prime, the color was severely off aside from the purple rims and details, the optics were blue instead of gold, and he was only half the size the actual Megatronus Prime was said to be. 

But he was a Prime, Megatron realized as he stared at the chestpiece of the mech's chassis. He recognized the relic, half of it was exposed by the chassis' glass casing on the right side.

"Hello?" The silver Prime asks, but before Megatron could even reply, those kind blue optics hardened and suddenly thrust out a servo- a wet, slick noise came from behind him and he watches as the silver spear that once pierced the Quintesson he hadn't even known was chasing him, fly from where it was stabbed. Ferrokinesis?

"Get behind me." The taller mech rumbles, stepping forward past Megatron and suddenly Megatron notices the others - smaller bots, mechs and femmes that had been following the silver Prime. Energon dust and dirt staining their platings, pickaxes and other tools gripped tightly in their servos and optics shining with desperate hope - the miners.

So many miners had been following the mech who was throwing the spear again at a Quintesson.

The spear hit true, piercing through the head before flying out of the falling corpse and back to the Prime's servo. 

Off in the distance, an explosion sounds out, and they all looked to see the second Spark Extractor ship smoking. Descending from the skies as it was damaged, by what? What could damage the warship when almost all of Megatron's forces are here dealing with the other ship?

"Well, looks like he did a good job." The mysterious Prime said with clear happiness and Megatron looked at him with a confused look. Who? "Let's deal with the other- oh." 

Above, the remaining Spark Extractor warship's gun suddenly explodes as well, his Decepticons must have destroyed it. Pride fills his spark and he grins more than a bit viciously at the destroyed weapon, unfortunately it wasn't enough to take down the ship like the other one was. Instead, it was trying to fly up.

"Oh no you don't, you're not getting away." The Prime growls low and deep, unlike his gentleness from before. It sends a shiver down his spinal strut, another comes as he sees the Prime lift the servo that the Requiem Blaster was attached to. The weapon glowing a powerful, golden light. "This is for all Cybertron, you damn Quints!" 

BWOOOMMMM!!

A shock wave of air emerged from the blaster alongside a large glowing beam of golden energy, aimed at the Spark Extractor ship. Megatron's optics almost closed from the near-thunderous winds, his frame bracing for impact instead of toppling over like the miners behind him from the sheer power that suddenly emerged from the blaster. 

Instead, he watches, wide-optic as the light spears right through the warship. Not even an explosion occurs, there doesn't need to be one as a gigantic hole is left in its wake and the ship is immediately falling. Not descending, not landing, but falling. The crash shakes the very ground they stand on not long after.

From afar, he can hear the enraged and terrified shrieks from the Quintessons and Megatron stands there, like a fragging idiot, as the Prime lowered his servo. Optics shining with excitement and satisfaction. Those blue optics turned to him and before he knows it, Megatron is on one knee, processor whirring and whirling with thoughts- throwing away old plans, making the bareframes of new ones—

"My Prime!" The miners behind him chorused, and he doesn't even need to look back to know that the miners fell to their knees as well. 

Megatron realized he was still on one knee, and a part of him that hates the Primacy, hates the current Zeta Prime is seething but oh— large gentle servos are pulling him up. A frantic voice coming from behind the Megatronus battle mask with panicked blue optics staring into his own. Pained and dare he say it, embarrassed. "No! Don't- don't kneel. Please." The Prime says, pleaded and Megatron's vents stall. 

Gentle giant, the two words string together somewhere in his processor as the Prime lets go of him, stepping past him to gently pull the kneeling miners up as well. 

"Come on, up you all go. Don't kneel for me, especially not now! We still need to find somewhere safe!" 

This Prime is not Zeta Prime, Megatron realizes as the silver and purple Prime convinces the miners to get up, sounding very flustered. Uncaring of the fact his servos were being stained with dust, dirt and energon- he even sees those large, powerful servos oh so carefully wipe a crying femme's faceplate. Carefully pat one of the youngest miners in the group on the helm. 

Megatron isn't religious by any means, and he hates the current Primacy era they were in.

Yet, a small part of him couldn't help but thank Primus.

Optimus was going to be ecstatic.

Ahhhhh, I made O's idol kneel! I made every miner kneel! D-16 internally screamed, just barely resisting the urge to cover his faceplate with his servos. He is very thankful for the battlemask that was covering his faceplate right now, no one could see the huge blush he could feel himself having. I don't want them to kneel! We're still in danger from the Quintessons out here!

Ahhh, but what about after everyone's safe? Would you like them to kneel then, little Prime? Solus teased at the back of his processor, her presence was supposed to be comforting. But right now it was downright embarrassing and not helping his current flustered state. 

NO! Dee wailed back at her, I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO KNEEL TO ME! I may be a Prime now, but I'm still a miner at spark! That was too awkward and embarrassing!! 

You will have to get used to it, little Prime. Megatronus piped in with amusement, chuckling. They watched as more cybertronians descended from the sky, all of them clamoring for the grey mech that bore Megatronus' battlemask as an emblem.

My love, you're so popular now. Your mask is plastered on all of them! Solus cooed to him and Megatronus chuckled even more. 

So many Decepticons… O would have loved to be here… Dee notes softly within their shared helmspace, he paused. I need to see him. I need to make sure he's okay.

He is a Prime now, like you, little Prime. Did you not see the other warship fall? The other Primes are taking care of him. Solus reassured him, but Dee's servos clenched around his spear. 

I know, but I still worry. Plus, we need to be together don't we? If we want to heal Cybertron, revive the dead lands, defeat the Quintessons for good, both our Matrix halves need to be together. Dee replied firmly, determination laced with some excitement in his words. 

"Prime." Dee looked over to see O's idol, Megatron of Kaon himself, standing before him with his Decepticon flight troops behind the grey-silver general. "The Decepticons are here to assist you, what will you do next?" Megatron's voice was just as authoritative as the speech recordings O-14 keeps showing him. It makes him straighten and his optics hardened with his newfound determination. 

Primus, thank you for this opportunity. O and I will do our best to save you, our planet and our people.

Now to reunite with O.

Chapter Text

.: Optimus! Optimus! Do you read?! :.

Over the violence, the snarls and shots fired, he hears it. Hears them. Over rapid pedesteps and blasterfire and techno-organic flesh being torn apart. Optimus' spark jumps in his chamber, relief riding high with his elation. His soldiers. They were alive, the comms were back, and he could hear Ultra Magnus' voice.

.: Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, I read you! Commlinks are back online! :.

The relief in Ultra Magnus' voice is palpable even through the link .: Oh thank Primus! We thought we lost you. :.

Optimus' optics darted over to the Prime, admiring the way the mech fought with the legendary Star Saber. .: Thank Primus indeed. Ultra Magnus, Ironhide, status report! :. He exclaims while blasting a Quintesson's back, grunting as he shifts his other servo into a blade to drive into another Quintesson. 

It was Ironhide who answered his command, sounding relieved but also incredulous. .: Evacuation ships have all taken off! They did so as soon as we saw the Spark Extractor Warship. Sir! What the frag happened to the warship? What took it down?! :.  

Optimus was about to answer when a servo clamped on his pauldron, he wasn't given a chance to react as suddenly he was pushed down and he watched with wide optics as the Prime swiped the Star Saber, still glowing an iridescent blue although not as strong as before, into the air. Cutting down the several Quintessons that had tried to attack him from way up above. 

The ethereal glow of the attack briefly bathes the Prime in divine light.

"Watch yourself, Optimus Trion." The Prime tells him, voice stern but unmistakably concerned. It makes his spark flutter as the purple and red Prime, who was only a few meters shorter than him, tugged him back to his pedes. "Enemies are abound." 

When was the last time Optimus felt this embarrassed in front of a mech? In front of someone who wasn't just an old friend or acquaintance but someone he felt superior? Mega-cycles? Vorns? 

"My apologies, My Prime." .: Autobots, gather what able troops you can and regroup with me in town. You must see this with your own optics. :. Optimus apologizes and commands at the same time, his Prime is correct. Comming during the battle is one way to get you killed, he's making rookie mistakes, in front of a Prime no less . 

.: What? Bu- no, understood sir! We'll be there in a few kliks! :. Ironhide replies and Optimus feels pleased as he throws himself back into battle, following after his Prime who continues to slice through hordes of angry Quintessons. He could've told them about the Prime, the real Prime, holder of the Matrix of Leadership but there was no time. Besides, it was better for them to see him with their own optics. 

"My Prime, my Autobots are coming as backup." He calls out between blaster fire, immersing himself back into the rhythm of battle. A strange new energy, new purpose, motivating him to fight again. To fight like when he was younger, to fight better.

His Prime doesn't reply, a bit too busy lifting the corpse of a Quintesson ground soldier to slam it into an incoming flight soldier. It's amazing. Awe-inspiring. 

The Quintessons are thinning out, but that doesn't mean it's over, no. Optimus has a feeling they weren't done yet. Still, it gives a brief peace that brings good news nonetheless.

.: Optimus, come in. Optimus, do you copy? :.

"Megatron." He says aloud and in comm, he's a bit preoccupied in taking a vent for himself that he doesn't notice his Prime stiffening. .: I copy- it is good to hear from you. This is urgent, there is— :.

.: A Spark Extractor Warship? We know. Actually, there were two warships, one at the town right by you and one by the mines where we found it. :. The energon in his fuel lines chilled and he immediately looked over towards the direction of the mines- there had been a suspicious seismic event that happened while he and his Prime fought the Quintessons. He should've known it meant something. .: The ship is down, Optimus. The main gun was destroyed and it crashed. So do not worry about it anymore. The miners have been rescued, I've sent a portion of my Decepticons to escort them to a safe zone. :. 

He sighed in relief, "Thank Primus." .: That is good, as you perhaps have seen, the warship above the town has also gone down. :. His dermas quirk behind his battlemask. .: My old friend, you will not believe what happened. :. Perhaps it is his mood, the lingering positive feelings and hope he felt when he discovered his Prime, but he cannot help the humorous tone in his voice. 

Megatron has never been that religious after all, and Optimus knew he hated the current Primacy and Zeta Prime. Finding out about the new Prime would surely shock him, and that was going to be funny. 

.: Hah! Optimus, I believe those should be my words to you. :. Megatron closes and ends the comm before Optimus can even question him by what he meant. 

He shook his helm, yellow optics darting over to his Prime, standing atop the corpse of a Quintesson, the Star Saber, no longer glowing, was stabbed into its body. Silently regarding the area. He looked very regal. "My Prime," He calls out, gaining the mech's attention. "Both Autobots and Decepticons are enroute to meet us. There was a second Spark Extractor warship by the mines, but it has been dealt with." 

He cannot scrutinize what his Prime must be thinking or even thinking, the battlemask and visor, fully obscuring his faceplate. "That's good." Is what the Prime finally says, servos gripping the handle of Prima's legendary sword. "They'll be here soon?" 

"Yes, My Prime."

The Prime hummed, lifting his helm to the sky. "... He'll be here soon…" Optimus' audial almost didn't catch that, and he wondered, who was he?

Not long after, he hears them, pedesteps. Numerous of them, coming from two directions, for a moment he tenses but then relaxes as he realizes who it was.

From the direction of the rescue ships, his Autobots come. And from the direction of the mines, Megatron and his Decepticons approach. 

"Sir!" Chorused his commanders, Ironhide and Ultra Magnus were quick to rejoin his side. Intakes open to ask questions but then they see him, the Prime. Still stationed atop the large Quintesson corpse. He's not looking at the Autobots, but at the Decepticons.

He glances over and his vents stall, his processors lag for a nanoklik. 

Standing by Megatron's side is a vaguely familiar and large silver mech with purple rims and designs, helm extremely familiar and chestplate showing the very same golden handle and light blue moon on the right side of his chassis. They very opposite of where his Prime's Matrix was displayed.

Megatronus Prime? Optimus thinks, baffled, as he watches the silver mech, Prime (??) quickly leave Megatron's side to approach his Prime. There's murmurs and whispers coming from both Autobot and Decepticon soldiers as Megatron came over to Optimus.

"I see you found your own Prime Optimus, how fortuitous." Megatron chuckled, though it was clear he was just as shocked as Optimus was to find out there was another Prime. There's a wet sound as the Star Saber is freed from the corpse, as his Prime steps down from where he was to meet the other Prime.

The two Primes (????) were whispering to each other, Optimus could not resist trying to listen in, only to rear back at the strange language they were speaking in, familiar yet- "They're speaking in Primal Vernacular." He gasps, realizing what language the two mechs were speaking in. 

The first language of Cybertron, a very old language that was considered near dead at this point. Even before the Autobot and Decepticon war, almost no one spoke Primal Vernacular. Not since the first half of the original Twelve Primes. But these two- they spoke it as if they were fluent!

Optimus' awe continues, though it hampers slightly when the silver Megatronus-look-alike Prime latches on to the purple Prime. Hugging the mech who squirmed and barked something in Primal Vernacular, the sound makes him shudder slightly. Almost immediately the silver Prime released him, blue optics shining with clear sheepish yet positive emotions. 

" ... What the frag is even happening right now…?" He hears Ironhide not-so-really whisper, staring between the two Primes who somehow held two Matrix of Leaderships at the same time, one each. Or… Optimus' optics narrowed and he paused when his old friend leaned in to murmur to him.

"Suspect the same thing, hm? They're sharing the Matrix, they don't each have one. They each have half." 

All signs point towards that possibility yet it should be impossible, the Matrix was a single relic and there was no record of it ever being shared by two Primes at the very same time in this manner. Standing side by side, he can see both halves of The Matrix in both their chassis behind the glass casing, glowing softly. What did this mean? How was this possible? And what on Cybertron were they talking about?

"I can't believe you saved Optimus Trion! O! That's amazing!" Dee exclaimed excitedly in a low whisper, inherently aware of the optics trained on him and O-14. It's hard not to, since they've been looking at him the entire trek here. It was uncomfortable! Yet understandable. 

His Amica looked so cool too! He lost his green coloring, exchanging it for a darker red, his frame is bigger, Dee found it amusing that even as a Prime, O was still a bit shorter than him. It must really annoy him that Dee had grown leagues in terms of height! He doesn't really recognize the frame he's based off though… 

Neither do we. Solus murmured with slight concern in her voice, But he's wielding Prima's sword, so Prima must be with him. Dee could feel the longing at the back of his processor, coming from her and Megatronus.

Perhaps it's our enigmatic Thirteen, Megatronus proposed critically and Dee looked over O's frame again. We never met with him in the Well, just knew he existed since he inherited the Matrix from Alchemist… then halved it.

Before Dee could even ask about Thirteen, the mysterious thirteenth Prime that no one on Cybertron even knew existed and apparently the reason why The Matrix was halved in the first place, O replied to him and Dee immediately focused on his words. "Yeah, well, you would've cried if I let something happen to your precious idol." O grunted out while crossing his arms, glancing over to both their idols. Dee could barely hold back the urge to rock on his pedes or blurt out a greeting at Optimus Trion, the Optimus Trion! "What I can't believe is that you met fragging Megatron! And saved his aft! Primus, Dee" 

"Well, you would've been upset if I let your idol get hurt." Dee retorted with an unseen grin, and even with the visor on, he just knew that O was rolling his optics at him. The fact that O smacks his arm proves that. Usually, O smacks his pauldron, but he's too tall for O to reach it easily and he knows it's annoying O even more and he laughs, laughs probably a little too loud as he feels the gazes of the optics of everyone around them intensify, making him stop laughing and silently swallow his nervousness.

"My Primes." Optimus Trion ( Optimus!!!! Trion!!! ) finally spoke, garnering Dee's instant attention and he both wants to shy away from his attention but also revel in it because he's meeting Optimus Trion in person for the first time ever! Also Optimus called him a Prime!!! Because he is!!! What the frag is his life?!

Little Prime, you are adorable. Solus coos to him and he ignores her even as embarrassment heats his faceplate. Megatronus is not helping, laughing in his helm and not even reigning Solus back with her cooing. 

"The Autobots and Decepticons are at your command." Besides the Trion, Megatron huffs but doesn't contest his words, red optics staring intensely at Dee and O. 

Dee vents softly, the weight of the situation finally realized as he sees the optics of Autobots and Decepticons trained on him, on them. Be strong, little Prime. Do not falter, do not bend. Do not worry, you are not alone. We are here, and so is your Amica. Megatronus told him, a wave of reassurance and confident calmness washing over his processor and he stands straighter, grips his spear. "Thank you. Optimus Trion." He says aloud, thanking not only Optimus, but Megatronus for his reassurance, the Prime hummed in his helm. "Your assistance is welcomed and appreciated."

"And needed." O added in, standing beside him, "We need to make sure those ships stay down and get rid of the remaining Quintessons, prevent them from poisoning our planet any further and escape through a spacebridge." Both factions murmured as Dee grimaced, servos clenching.

The Quintessons were cruel beings, most of the reason why half of Cybertron was dead, why the dead lands even existed, was that they poisoned their grounds with a special techno-organic substance. Preventing most bots from living there, corrupting the energon into something they now called, Tox-En . Toxic Energon. It was harmless to the Quintessons, but deadly to Cybertronians. 

Those ships crashed so close to the town's energon mines, his energon mines. He was not going to let those energon crystals turn into tox-en. Not only that, but he could feel something calling him and O to the ships. Something important. 

"Pardon my interruption," Megatron called out, making Dee focus again and he didn't bother stifling his grin thanks to his mask as he noticed O's twitching servos. His best friend was no doubt, freaking out internally from Megatron's attention as well. "We still do not know your designations, Primes." 

Right.

Designations.

Uh.

Frag.

What is my new designation??? Dee frantically asked Solus and Megatronus, he hadn't actually been thinking of a new designation as a Prime! He and O were still going by their numerical designations! 

Both Primes paused, Uh… In any other situation, Dee would probably be awed and a bit proud that he managed to stump two Primes at once. Unfortunately, he was still very much panicking over his lack of designation. O didn't seem to have one either! 

Was it bad that he was relieved when they were suddenly attacked by Quintessons?

Two Primes. 

Megatron hadn't known what he was expecting when he went to meet with Optimus at the town, curious as to what brought the other ship down and wondering how the Trion would react to Megatron bringing a Prime to his old comrade who still, somehow prays to Primus even after all these megacycles. 

Seeing a second Prime, impressively standing on top of a large brutish Quintesson corpse with a vaguely familiar sword stabbed into it, definitely wasn't what he was expecting, suspecting that the Matrix was somehow divided in to two halves was another thing he didn't expect. It was at least a lot more believable than thinking there were two Matrixes of Leadership. 

Both Primes were well acquainted, that much was clear as they spoke to each other in Primal Vernacular with their actions just proving it when silver Prime hugged the purple Prime, and the purple Prime smacked the silver Prime's arm after he said something. 

It was unfortunate that not even Optimus understood Primal, no one among their ranks did. 

As they spoke, Megatron observed the purple Prime, unable to recognize the frame. The silver Prime was obviously taking after Megatronus Prime, but who was the purple Prime taking after? He should ask Optimus- 

The silver mech laughed, loud and joyous, and it is a strange sight to see. With him looking so similar to Megatronus, who had been recorded to be quite stoic, serious and absurdly powerful. 

"My Primes." Optimus said, taking the opportunity to speak, stepping forward and Megatron held back a snort at the reverence he could hear from the mech's voice. "The Autobots and Decepticons are at your command." This time, he actually lets out a huff at the presumptuous words, annoyed that Optimus was wordlessly involving him and his troops to be commanded by the Primes.

Unfortunately he would have to let it slide because logically, this was probably for the best. Both Primes were obviously extremely powerful, which was something they needed at the moment. What with the Quintessons still lurking about.

The silver Prime nodded to the red and blue Autobot, "Thank you. Optimus Trion. Your assistance is welcomed and appreciated." Megatron's dermas quirked downward, annoyed but paid attention as the other Prime spoke up as well.

"And needed. We need to make sure those ships stay down and get rid of the remaining Quintessons, prevent them from poisoning our planet any further and escape through a spacebridge." Megatron grimaced, he was not the only one. 

This mining town wasn't that big, but it was large enough that having its energon become Tox-En would be disastrous to their already limited resources. The Primes were right, they needed to deal with the ships and quarantine the substance, possibly save as much energon as they could while killing off the remaining Quintessons. 

Still, despite everything, Megatron had to interrupt, had to ask - he was very sure everyone else had the very same question somewhere in their processors. "Pardon for my interruption. We still do not know your designations, Primes." He can absolutely feel Optimus' optics burn into the side of his helm, oh please , as if Optimus wasn't wondering what to call each Prime either. Or maybe it was because he wasn't saying ' My Primes ' like the Autobot was.

Primes were an Autobot thing, and although he was sure that the silver Prime was not like Zeta Prime, he was still a Decepticon. He would not call either of them 'My Prime' unless they joined the Decepticon cause.

Oh, now wasn't that a thought?

The Primes don't reveal their names though, because the slagging Quintessons attacked. 

Damned techno-organic abominations! Megatron snarled as every bot, Autobot and Decepticon alike, went into action. At the same time, Megatron sees the new Prime, the purple one, fight with that large sword he'd had by his side. The sword glows a powerful, energon blue, and slices through the Quintesson soldiers as if they were nothing but air. 

He's impressed.

"We need to get to those ships, now!" The purple Prime exclaimed, "Come on!"

The silver Prime raised his spear, "Autobots! Decepticons! Push forward! For Cybertron!"  

Megatron felt a pang in his spark, seeing the two Primes lead on, facing the battlefield alongside them all- not like Zeta or even Megazarak who stay behind in their cushy and safe capital fortresses. Rarely seen on the battlefields, if ever.

Nothing says leadership than a leader willing to fight alongside their troops, Megatron should know.

For a moment, Megatron's optics locked on and met Optimus' optics. And at the same time, they roared.

"Decepticons/Autobots!" 

Megatron's readied his arm blaster, Optimus' servo turned into a blade.

"Roll out!/Rise up!"

Chapter Text

They're away from the town, closer to the ships. 

The Quintesson soldiers were thinning out, their numbers were dwindling and they all knew it. Plenty of soldiers had to fall back due to injuries, but there's still a sizable number of Autobots and Decepticons, the combined efforts of the two factions would have been enough to deal with one Spark Extractor ship. Perhaps two, at the cost of numerous casualties.

But with not one, but two Primes at the helm?

They were speeding towards the ships easier than any other mission that Ultra Magnus had ever experienced on. 

Ultra Magnus had no idea how to react to the appearance of the first Prime, the one in purple and red that wielded the legendary Star Saber, Prima Prime's weapon. He had barely the chance to even process the Prime's appearance when the second once came in tandem with the Decepticons, looking nearly identical to Megatronus Prime and wielding the Requiem Blaster.

"Optimus, are they…?" He had whispered to his Trion while the Primes spoke to each other, in Primal as he soon found out from Optimus Trion. 

Optimus had nodded then, face inscrutable behind his mask but yellow optics trained on both Primes with an admiration he hasn't seen on his Trion before. Not to this extent at any rate. But it was understandable because these two were actual Primes chosen by the Matrix.

The Matrix of Leadership which, according to Optimus and Megatron, was apparently divided into two separate halves? He hadn't known it was possible, and telling by Optimus' reaction, it shouldn't be. 

Ultra Magnus hadn't known what to do, how to react then.

Now? Now, he understood fully of his mentor and Trion's admiration towards the Primes. Seeing both in action was vent stalling. Awe-inspiring. Their power was mighty, and there was no mistaking it.

Not when the purple Prime cried out with a battle cry, a blade of light sent through a whole group of Quintessons in the air. Slicing through them as Star Saber glowing brightly within his servos. 

Not when the silver Prime sniped down Quintessons with the Requiem Blaster, defaulting to his spear when Quintessons managed to get close. 

Not when both Primes were seamlessly working together to protect both Autobots and Decepticons alike. The silver Prime was quick to order those severely injured to fall back, the purple Prime was obviously baiting himself as a distraction but also a first defence. 

It reminds him of Optimus Trion.

It reminds him why he followed his Trion, why he's had the private thought of Optimus becoming Prime time and time again. Leading the Autobots properly, leading all of Cybertron, properly. 

He still thinks Optimus should lead the Autobots, for he is his Trion, his leader, his mentor and most importantly; his friend . But these two Primes? He does not think he would argue if they took leadership. They would certainly do a better job than Zeta and some other senators. 

They're closer to the ships when the silver Prime's voice booms over them, "My Amica and I must separate and head to one ship each! Be cautious of the Tox-En and its effects, retreat immediately if your systems start malfunctioning or your frame starts to paralyze." They were Amica Enduras? No , not important right now. 

"Honestly it might be better if we go alone-" The purple Prime behind him says but several protests came from both factions. 

His Trion immediately stepped forward, "Out of the question, where you go, My Prime, we shall follow." Ultra Magnus followed after him, standing tall with servos clenched at the thought of either Primes going on alone. Perhaps as Primes, they had an immunity or resistance to Tox-En, but going alone was more than foolish, practically suicide, yet no one would tell that to their faceplates even when the sentiment was clear in the air. 

"... Fine , but the moment someone suffers heavy Tox-En symptoms, any hampering injuries, they retreat . Immediately. Consider that a Prime's order." The visored Prime replied firmly, low and authoritative. They all tensed at the distance shrieks and noises, "Now MOVE!"

The two Primes split directions, Optimus gives him and a few other Autobots the order to follow the silver Prime and support him, Megatron and the Decepticons. Ultra Magnus bites back his protest, orders were orders. He sees Megatron order a few seekers to provide air support for his Trion and the purple Prime. 

They're heading for the farther ship, the one that was downed by the silver Prime himself apparently, and Ultra Magnus doesn't doubt it. He's read about the Requiem Blaster, and though he will never know the true power of its blast as he wasn't a Prime, he's read records of its prowess. Of the Prime that once wielded it. 

And now he sees its new wielder, a chosen Prime in the mesh, running forth. Using it to blast Quintessons from the skies. 

Ultra Magnus fights on, and if someone told him megacycles ago that he'd be fighting alongside Decepticons he would have immediately sent them to a psych-evaluation and give them the punishment of cleaning the base's rusty equipment. But here he was, hauling an injured Decepticon to his fellow Autobot soldier, ordering them to retreat- just as one of the Primes had ordered. 

Depending on the amount of poison, Tox-En's corruption of the ground and energon itself varied. As well as its symptoms. 

A small amount of Tox-En against a moderate size crystal or cubic area was manageable, it wouldn't be pleasant, but a cybertronian could survive for long amounts of time until it completely corrupted the crystal. 

The ship had been carrying Tox-En's poison alright. Dimly glowing liquid pools were gradually appearing, colored the dirtiest of greens Magnus has ever seen, it's grim to think that soon, that liquid would seep into the ground of Cybertron. Corrupting the energon crystals, poisoning and killing their planet even more. 

Ultra Magnus does not understand why the Quintessons are doing this, when it was clear they wanted energon as well, actual energon. Surely they know that if they kept poisoning their planet, the energon they wanted would cease to be?

Then again, he doesn't think they care. 

"Remember! Be careful with the poison! If you're experiencing Tox-En poisoning or you're injured, retreat!" The silver Prime exclaimed to them all as they reached the crash site. Ultra Magnus' tanks churned uncomfortably at the amount of poison that was all around. "Get ready to board the ship."

Board the ship?

"My Prime," Ultra Magnus called out, gaining the silver mech's attention, expression grim, apologetic and confused. "Forgive me for questioning orders, but why must we board the ship? The Requiem Blaster should be more than enough to destroy the rest of the ship from this distance." Wasn't that the goal? To destroy the rest of the downed ship? To prevent more poison from leaking into their planet? 

The Prime shook his helm, blue optics apologetic but convicted. "We cannot destroy the ship, not yet. There is something inside that is calling us, me, the Matrix. We must breach the ship, whatever is inside, I need to find out." As if to emphasize, the Matrix half he held in his chest pulsed a bright glow for a moment and Ultra Magnus swallowed dryly.  

"Then we will breach the ship as you command, Prime." Megatron spoke, an intrigued and darkly determined expression on his faceplate. "A small team of Decepticons alongside Ultra Magnus and I will accompany you aboard the vessel, the rest will ensure a safe escape and fend off Quintessons from the outside." 

The Prime nodded gratefully at him, "My thanks, General Megatron. Get ready, the sooner we come aboard and find what is calling me, the sooner we can destroy the warship. I will not let more Tox-En be created by their poison, I swear to Primus and the Allspark." There was a strange reverbrance at his promise, something more that Ultra Magnus could not put a digit on. It sends chills through his frame though. 

"Let's go."

Megatron does not know how the Matrix works. 

No one does, not since it disappeared billions of vorns ago when Alchemist Prime, the last known chosen Prime by Primus and holder of the Matrix, went offworld and never returned. He had died, so it was told, his life signal had ceased and the Matrix was lost in space.

Most bots now think the Matrix was just a fictional tale from the bygone, old Primacy era. When the title of Prime meant something more spiritual than governmental to the current Primacy. 

Even when Megatron had been a miner, young and hungry, there'd been arguments whether or not the Matrix was real. Megatron himself, didn't care then, now though? Now he did. Because the Matrix was real, and its wielder, one of its halves anyway, was leading him, his Decepticons and a few Autobots deep into a Quintesson warship.

A Spark Extractor, an abomination of a warship that had decimated Praxus and stolen the sparks of millions of his kind. 

A closer look to the ship revealed to Megatron that the warship he was in was not exactly the same as the one that had taken Praxus, it was smaller than the warship that had destroyed the capital- not even half its size. Either to cut the resource cost or make things more efficient, it was still dangerous obviously, and Megatron did not like the implications this warship had for him, for Cybertron as a whole. 

The Quintessons aboard the ship were pests, trickier to deal with than the usual Quintesson soldiers- more limbs, tentacles for one, not as armed but cunning in that they tried to bind his troops in place while the more combat-oriented Quintessons would try and go in for the kill. 

Try.

Because with the combined efforts of both his Decepticons, the Autobots and the inherently protective nature of the silver Prime at the helm, there were no casualties. Injuries? Of course, those more injured were immediately sent back by the Prime's insistence. 

In any other situation, Megatron would say the Prime was soft-sparked- no wait, he'd still call the Prime soft-sparked now, but there was a legitimate reason why he sent them back; Tox-En. The Quintessons had prepared to be boarded, there were crystals of Tox-En embedded along the walls with even its original poison dripping from broken piping, the more time spent within the ship, the more Megatron could feel his strength being sapped. He was lucky enough that his earlier injury had healed enough to not be a problem.

It was dangerous to be injured within this place, so those who had more than a mesh wound, whose systems were lagging and joints locking up involuntarily, were forced to retreat. 

The Prime, of course, didn't seem to be suffering any effects. Going on strong even as the others began to falter. "My Prime, how much farther must we go?" Optimus' commander, Ultra Magnus, asked tensely. "Our numbers are dropping, we cannot stay here for much longer." 

"We're almost there." The silver mech reassured, his half of the Matrix glowing even brighter. "I can feel them, they're near." 

"They?" Megatron wondered aloud.

The silver mech doesn't reply.

He doesn't have to.

Because shortly afterwards, after killing more Quintessons, these ones even more aggressive, Megatron finds himself standing in a large room with dozens of canisters filled with glowing blue liquid and colorful lights.

"By the Allspark…" Someone whispered behind him as Megatron came to terms with what he was seeing in front of him. The horror he felt when he first saw the two new Spark Extractor ships was nothing compared to what he felt now. 

Sparks.

Cybertronian sparks, submerged in liquid energon, contained in vessels and integrated into the ship's walls. All frantically bouncing off the glass, pulsing with panicked light.

"We hear you." The silver Prime says softly to a nearby canister, servo pressed lightly against the glass. Almost immediately the lights stop, froze, before pressing themselves against the glass towards his servo. "We've come to take you home." 

This wasn't just a mission to ensure the Quintesson warships stayed down, to kill off the remaining Quintessons and prevent them from escaping.

It was a rescue mission.

Save us where are we help please Primus Sire Carrier we're lost where where save us help us where is the Well where is Primus let us go let us free help please please I want to go home home home home 

No… The sheer horror at the back of his processor wasn't all his, but Pax's. 

Pax… Nyx whispers, sympathetic and low. A stark difference to his annoying jokes and comments earlier on during the journey here. Tease Nox on how he was so disappointed that Megatron and his Decepticons didn't follow after him after his impressive display of standing on a Quintesson corpse. Heckling Nox for trying to seem so badass just to impress his idol even though Nox was planning to not stay a Prime. 

There was no humor in his voice as Nox stared at the canisters with a horror unlike he's ever felt before, intensified by Pax's own emotions and the damned whispering they hear in the back of Nox's helmspace. 

"Oh dear sweet Primus…" He hears someone whisper, he doesn't know who. Doesn't care, as suddenly, there's a burning ember of fury somewhere and it's burning hot. Burning even hotter the more they listen to the panicked whispers.

I'm scared help us I want my sire brother where are you sister help me help us help us home where Primus save me

The fury threatens to grow before Nyx firmly cages it, confines it, Easy you two. We need to be calm. We have to free them, we have to make sure the Autobots and Decepticons can take them back to the well. We don't have a lot of power left. Nyx reminded them both, reigning in their combined anger.

Nyx had a point, slag it all. 

… Nox…  

I know, Pax. Go ahead.

He reached out to the canisters, "Calm yourselves." Pax murmured through his intake, the sparks within the containers froze before crowding around the glass towards Nox's servo. Pleading, begging and sounding so— "Hush. We will get you home, you are safe now, I promise you." Flashes of memories threaten to overtake his processor, of the Well of Allsparks- Pax's Well of Allsparks, memories of Pax's sacrifice— Sweet fragging Primus, no wonder Pax seemed so fragging horrified and angry.

Primus Prime home home thank you please help us thank you calm home safe Prime

"My Prime?" Nox glanced over to see Optimus Trion and his commander Ironhide, standing there. Looking all too horrified at the latest discovery. "These are…"

"The sparks lost from Praxus." Nox answered grimly as Pax mentally stepped back, it was easy enough to piece together where these sparks came from. Ironhide swore vehemently, and several Autobots and even Starscream whom Megatron had sent to back him and the Autobots, looked sick to their tanks. 

"Not all of them, unfortunately." There were hundreds of sparks in this room, divided into the canisters, but there were still thousands of sparks missing and that made the fury caged by Nyx grow even more. "But we will take these ones home, back to the Well where they belong." 

Optimus Trion nodded, yellow optics burning with conviction and righteous fury. "Of course My Prime." 

There's a renewed vigor in the bots and cons as they worked together to carefully detach the canisters from the walls, treating each canister preciously with all the care in the world- they were tired, that much was clear. It's been joors since they've started fighting, and their injuries, light as they were, weren't helping underneath the Tox-En's effects. 

Nox was feeling the effects as well, but it seemed like the Matrix was fending it off better than most. Either that, or Nyx's presence in his processor was helping fend it off because he was originally organic. It was hard to say. 

I'm your poison taster. Nyx chuckled quietly and Nox rolled his optics. 

"My Prime, seems like all the Quintessons have been terminated now. It's possible that a few managed to escape, but they can't spacebridge. Only one ship was outfitted with spacebridging technology and it got destroyed when your fellow Prime shot down the other warship." Ironhide reported once they were all outside, still not totally safe yet, not with the Tox-En still lingering about. 

Conflicted pride filled his spark at the fact that Dee had managed to take down the ship and prevent the Quintessons from spacebridging out. Dee… really seemed like he was meant to be a Prime. Shattered Glass, he was a true Prime while he—

You do not have to be his enemy, Nox. Remember that. Pax told him, and Nox could almost feel his servos on his pauldron in reassurance. You are not Shattered Glass Optimus Prime, Nox. You are not evil, nor bad. Primus wouldn't have given you half of the Matrix otherwise.

Still so weird that the Matrix is halved here. Nyx commented afterwards, the relic pulsed in his chassis. There was still one last thing to do before this was all done.

Nox took in a quiet vent. "Good. That just leaves the destruction of these ships, and dealing with the poison and Tox-En."  

"We will begin quarantine procedures." Optimus spoke up, sounding very tired. Both Nox and Ironhide startled when the Trion nearly stumbled over- Nox caught him before he could fall. Servos gripping his arm tightly. 

"Optimus!" Ironhide exclaimed with clear concern, reaching out to help steady Optimus Trion. Letting Nox let go once he saw that the commander had the mech steady. 

"The Tox-En got to you." Nox grimaced and he hoped Optimus could feel Nox's stern glare, he definitely heard it in his voice as he continued. "Optimus Trion, I made it clear that if you're experiencing symptoms of Tox-En poisoning then retreat . Not let yourself be exposed to it any further!" 

Optimus shook his helm, "My symptoms were manageable, My Prime. I am in no danger of system failure, merely exhausted and sapped of most of my strength." He said calmly, as if his stabilisers weren't trembling and the joint of his right arm wasn't unnaturally stiff. 

Ooh, I can't wait for Ratchet to scold him! Nyx exclaimed gleefully, Oh! Oh! Can we go see Ratchet? I want to see this universe's docbot!

While it would be nice to see this universe's Ratchet again, going to see him would mean going with Optimus to the Autobots. I do not think they will let Nox leave if he attempts to. Pax pointed out and Nox thanked Primus for someone sane and reasonable in his helm. If it was only Nyx, he'd probably go insane.

Rude!

"Take your Trion to a medic, make sure he makes a full recovery." Nox told Ironhide, turning on his pede and started walking- he needed to meet with Dee after all. 

"Yes sir!" 

Before he could make it far though, "Wait!" It was Optimus, struggling against Ironhide slightly but managing to use his none-stiff arm to grab Nox's arm but was quick to let go, panic in his yellow optics. "Ah- M-My apologies for grabbing you My Prime but- where are you going?" 

"I'm going to meet with my fellow Prime and we'll deal with the Tox-En, so don't bother with the quarantine. I will leave the destruction of the Spark Extractor ships to you and Megatron." He needed to hurry, there wasn't much time left. 

"What? Wait, wait! My Prime!" 

Dramatic much? Nyx hummed, neither Pax or Nox could tell if that was aimed at Nox or at Optimus.

Ultra Magnus does not know how the Matrix works. 

He doesn't know how it can still work despite being divided in half, and it was in half. The proof?

Standing in front of him, meters away were the two Primes. 

The silver Prime had left in a hurry shortly after they had rescued the sparks — Primus the sparks, he hoped they return to the Well with peace now — and naturally, he and Megatron followed closely after. Unwilling to leave the Prime alone. 

Despite calling out to the Prime to stop, to wait - the mysterious mech continued until he met with the other Prime. 

They spoke once more in Primal Vernacular, ignoring everyone else around them. Ultra Magnus was very concerned to see his Trion being supported by Ironhide. Before they could even attempt to get closer, both Primes began to glow with power. Ethereal blue flames coming off them in waves, stopping every bot in the vicinity in their places at the divine feeling they could feel in the very depths of their sparks. 

Frozen in place, Ultra Magnus, arguably the one closest, could see both Primes open the glass casing that contained their halves of the Matrix. 

There was a roaring static in his audials, it should've felt intimidating, and it somewhat was but all in all it felt comforting . 

The two Primes, their actions synchronized, reached to take their Matrix half from their chests. Gripping the golden handles in one servo, the half-moon centers pulsing like a spark-beat and glowing like a star. 

Electricity sparked between the two halves as they were presented closer to each other before snapping together like a magnet and—

Bright

Blue

Light

Then darkness.

When Ultra Magnus came to a few kliks later according to his internal clock, the Primes were gone with no sign of where they went, much to everyone's detrimental surprise and worry.

And to further surprise but in good news, great even; all the poison within the area had been neutralized, and the Tox-En crystals on the ship? Turned into pure energon crystals.

Elsewhere, a grumpy exhausted data clerk hauled a passed out miner in his alt form alongside two unwanted passengers. And he wasn't talking about the voices in his head.

Chapter Text

"I slagging told him, I told him not to overdo it. But what does he do? He completely purifies the entire radius and ends up knocked the frag out." Nox hissed irritably, alt form driving through the narrow pathways back towards the town, no one was coming after him thankfully since the whole purification thing knocked everyone else out. Especially Dee. His dumbaft of an Amica was strapped to his bed floor and rear panel, heavy and still, two unwanted pests tucked and curled on the miner's lap. Both of them were back to their previous, pre-Prime frames. How did that work? Don't ask him, ask the pests. Not that they'd answer, they don't even fragging talk.

Please do not call the Matrix a pest… Pests… Pax murmured with a strained tone, but even he was still kind of incredulous over the whole situation. Well if the Matrix didn't want to be called a pest then they shouldn't have turned into two turbofox pups! They had jumped on to him the moment he strapped Dee down and drove away, giving him no chance to leave them behind. 

Stupid Dee. 

Hey, he just REALLY did not want any of the poison and Tox-En to stick around. Nyx pointed out with clear amusement, and Nox could feel him rummaging through his memories. He really hates the stuff. Of course he did, his creators' sparks were snuffed by the stuff. Still, Dee could've shown restraint. 

Leaving even just a little bit of the poison or Tox-En would've been fine! Dee could've at least stayed conscious if he did that. A small amount of poison would've been quarantined and gotten rid of. But no, Dee overused his side of the Matrix to ensure all of it was neutralized and purified and now he was knocked into stasis and recharging. And now Nox was stuck hauling his aft back to town, where hopefully their habsuite was intact enough to stay at for a while. Damned to the pits, did anything even survive? 

Frag, life was so much easier a decacycle ago. Back when he was just a simple data clerk and nothing more.

Back before you got brained and met us, you mean? Was Nyx's cheeky reply.

Yes, but also back before Dee brought back the literal Matrix of Leadership a deca-cycle ago. He wasn't even going to be fair with the fact no one expected that the two turbofoxes he brought back were actually two pieces of an ancient Cybertronian relic!

ONE DECACYCLE [WEEK] AGO…

He felt… light.

Like his entire body was just, floating in the air. Not falling, not flying just- floating , in the middle of the air. It was honestly pretty comfy, he felt a bit envious of the bots who could regularly use gravtech and seekers who could fly. He laid there for a peaceful moment, not having to worry about, well, anything.

No work, no stress, no anger, just…

Blissful peace.

Could be better with something nice to read… Maybe have Dee could read something out loud, he always had a nice voice… 

Suddenly, he could hear… voices. Voices, not his Dee. Muffled but slowly getting clearer, louder, and the blissful peace that he'd been feeling was slowly being replaced with the odd sense of waking up . 

Somewhat.

Wait, why somewhat?

"..eellloooooo? You gonna get up at some point?" He doesn't recognize that voice, and there was something weird about it. Off-putting in a way. He can't place a digit on it, but the voice returns along with something warm on his shoulder, shaking his frame. "C'mon! Get up! We don't have all day O-14! Get up!" 

A different, softer, deeper yet more familiar voice came from nowhere. "Perhaps you should not be shaking him like that, he is no doubt, already disoriented as it is." It wasn't familiar as in, he knew who that voice belonged to, but familiar in a way that the other voice was off. Not as weird. 

"Maybe, but the sooner he gets up, the sooner we meet, the sooner we can get this show on the road!" 

"Patience-"

"-is a virtue, yes, yes, but unlike you, Prime, patience isn't something I have when it comes to things outside my projects." 

Prime? 

What?

Maybe he misheard that, there was no way Zeta Prime was anywhere near wherever O-14 was.

Frag, he needed to get up. 

With great effort, he forced his frame to sit up, groaning as that offset weirdness about everything made him a bit dizzy. His optics came online and his vision took a bit to properly render…

"He-hey! There we go! Up and a'ttem." 

His vision rendered to the sight of some organic creature crouching by his side, startling his fragging spark out of his chamber. Dear Primus it was as big as he was! Now, O-14 wasn't the largest mechs out there but still! Weren't organics supposed to be smaller or something? Unless they were a Quintesson but this wasn't a Quintesson and just-

"Heeey O-14! Welcome to the land of the unwaking mind!" The thing chirped, their voice sounding so weird from their organic intake. Wait, how the pit were they speaking Cybertronian? Also 'land of the unwaking mind'? What?

His eyes darted around, optics going wide as he suddenly found himself in some sort of… starry landscape. The sky were stars and constellations that he both knew and did not know, the ground was some sort of mirroring liquid as it rippled around his frame and there was nothing but an orange and purple horizon. One of the most beautiful sights he's ever seen to be honest. 

O-14 swallowed, darting between the two, two of them. "... Who in the pit are you two? Where am I?" O-14 asked blankly to the strange red and blue mech on his left, and the… thing on his right. An organic, that was shaped like a Cybertronian but clearly wasn't . 

The thing grinned, clapping its weird servos. "Technically, we're both you! But also not! Welcome to your head! We're headmates!" It paused before cackling, "Oh god, we're headmates!" 

The mech on the other servo smiled gently at him, "Greetings O-14, I am Optimus Prime, the human has decided to be called Nyx. It is a pleasure to meet you." 

What the everloving frag. 

"You're not Optimus." Is the first thing he blurts out, giving the red and blue mech an incredulous look because- hello? He was? Not? Optimus??? Prime??? Optimus is a Trion! General! He was a mid-caste soldier who became a Trion during the Autobot-Decepticon war! "You're- you're not him! He's- okay you have his colors, from afar you might look like him but your optics are blue! And you're the same size as me! And he's- Optimus he's a Trion! Not a Prime!" Even though Dee always thought Optimus would make an excellent Prime- the Autobot was a Trion! Also, Optimus Trion was way bigger than a data clerk like him! Currently they were the same height!

The organic, the human, Nyx cackled again. "Oh buddy , O-14, we're currently the same height as you because it's easier that way! Also? He is Optimus, but just not the one you know, and he's a Prime for good reason!" And suddenly, Nyx's size shrank down, making his optics almost pop out from the sudden size change- mass-displacement??? Could organics mass-displace their sizes?

Also what did Nyx say?

Frag, wait, never the fragging mind because 'Optimus Prime' suddenly grew . Rising above O-14's helm height by several times, the top of his helm could only reach his neck! The Optimus that he knew of- Optimus Trion he knew of didn't seem to be capable of mass-displacement, but then again he didn't actually know the mech, he was just- someone who approved of the warframe! He liked Megatron so much better, but it was hard not to think of one without the other! Especially since Optimus was Dee's favorite.

"What the fragging frag." Suddenly his processor rolled back the conversation a bit and he jolted, glancing frantically between the two- "What do you mean you're both me?! That doesn't make any sense! Also, my head?! He's not the Optimus that I know of?!" 

Just as suddenly as they both mass-shifted into differing sizes, they were back to being the same height as him. "Oooh, Optimus, do you wanna explain stuff to him or shall I?" Nyx questioned, bouncing on his weird leg struts- why was he covered in fabric? That wasn't really effective cover or armor. It looked soft though… 

'Optimus' looked at him with kind blue optics, so much like his own but bigger, older, wiser , "O-14, what is the last thing you remember?" He asked quietly in a soothing type of voice. Different from the voice from recordings Dee showed him.

O-14 paused, venting silently to himself. His optic ridge furrowed as he tried to remember what he was doing before he woke up wherever here was. He was—

O-14 had simply been doing his job as a data clerk, sorting through the new datapads and content that the store he was working in was. He rolled his optics when he found a few overrated pieces of literature among the data, but he smiled when he saw a few that Dee would like to read and made a mental note of them for later. 

At his job, doing his job before this. Just a normal cycle, he was planning on meeting with Dee after his shift, except, it wasn't a normal cycle because—

As he spoke with a customer, suddenly the store's window exploded into glass shard and all O-14 could see was a blur before pain overtook the right side of his faceplate and helm—

"I'm dead." He breathed out in panic, servos clutching his arms, digits digging into his protoform's mesh. What the frag was that?! What had killed him?! Was it a Quintesson attack?! He really hoped not! Please, for slag's sake, don't let it be a Quintesson attack! "Oh Primus, I died I- oh frag, Dee! Dee's at the mines, does he know?! is he safe!? Dee—" Something soft and warm grabbed his digits, bringing him back from the panic attack he was about to have, the human, Nyx, was suddenly in front of him. Crouched, but thankfully not unbearably close. 

Nyx gave them a reassuring yet serious look, "You're not dead."

Behind it, the not-Optimus was close as well, his reassuring look was far more gentler but just as serious. "Nyx is right, you are not dead O-14. Merely in stasis. We would not be in your helmspace if you were dead." They didn't mention Dee. He'd almost be grateful if he was calmer. 

He wheezed, "This could just be a last-minute hallucination before I return to the Well." You never slagging know! Suddenly, his faceplate whipped to the side, a sudden pain blooming across the soft metal. " OW! " He shouts, servos flying up to cover his faceplate. 

"Nyx!" He hears- he can't call him Optimus, he really can't. That mech was not Dee's Optimus! The mech called out in scolding outrage. 

He puts a servo down, cradling his pained cheek and glaring at the shrugging organic, Nyx. "Hey, he needed to calm down and think he wasn't hallucinating! Ergo, pain." It grinned widely, tucking its weird arms behind its fuzzy helm. "Pain is proof that we're alive. Well, you technically. Optimus and I, here, were pretty sure we died." 

Huh????

The mech, the not!Optimus, stepped forward, nudging the organic away. "My apologies about Nyx, O-14, he is… an eccentric individual." He offered O-14 a servo, and after looking up at the taller mech with clear hesitation, he accepted it. He doesn't know why, but he does. "Unfortunately, or fortunately if one could put it, he does speak the truth. You are alive, whilst Nyx and I are supposedly dead. We do not know how we came here within your processor, but we feel a connection to your spark. It resonates with us so familiarly, our current assumption is that you are another version of us within this world and somewhere along the way towards our own afterlives, we were drawn to your spark after the danger." Not!Optimus explains as he helps steady the data clerk on his pedes.

The explanation has his stabilisers weak, and protests almost form in his throat, and yet- deep within him. Within his very spark even, he cannot help but believe them. 

The organic made a noise behind the mech, making cybertronians look at it, it had an arm out with a look of fascination on its soft faceplate. "Pretty as this place is… Let's make it a bit more useful, shall we?" With a snap of its digits, the beautiful starry landscape rumbled. 

The ground around them rippled, like disturbed liquid, and from the depths of somewhere, walls- shelves upon shelves of walls appeared around them. Made of a material he wasn't familiar with, it wasn't metal, yet it had luster. There were thousands of datapads and other things on the shelves, was that a mini-not!Optimus??? What the frag, who the slag were the other cybertronians with it??? Wait, was that Megatron??? Why did he look so different?? He doesn't wonder for long as he suddenly finds himself standing on something soft. 

He lifts a leg and finds himself staring wide-optic at a constellation map rug underneath his pedes. His spark pounds as he tries to figure out which map it is, but is dumbfounded when he realizes he cannot recognize what map this was. But what a pretty map it was. 

There's a set of connected stars prominent in the middle, he wonders what it's called.

"Orion." 

O-14's helm snaps up to see Nyx, sitting on some, plush short of chair with a soft smile on its… his faceplate. "The main constellation on that map is called Orion." He told O-14 who mouthed the constellation's name with a sort of wonder he didn't think he had anymore. His optics dart over to the mech, not!Optimus is looking at the floor covering with a soft, nostalgic look on his faceplate. 

"Orion." Not!Optimus repeats softly. After a moment of silence, a chair appears behind him, and he sits down with a heavy vent. 

Seeing them both sit down, O-14 feels a bit out of place and dares to try- there. A chair. His favorite chair from his habsuite, the one he likes to read his datapads on the most. 

O-14 takes in a deep vent, feeling calmer than when he first 'woke' up. 

"... Let's start again from the top."

O-14 has no idea how long they stay there, in his helmspace. He's gone through a lot to accept it, both the… He doesn't know what to call Nyx and… Not!Optimus. Nyx suggests mind ghosts, or psychic imprints, or force ghosts- he suggests a lot of things. Both of them were dead, and now they were within O-14's processor.

They came from his spark, as far as either could tell or guess, how or why was unknown. 

They could access his memories, and he could access theirs, it was what helped him accept the whole situation in the first place. Accept that in some alternate world, his species, his kind, himself were a fictional thing. Luckily, even the other (so weird) Optimus was rather stricken with that information. 

"Honestly, I thought this was a Shattered Glass scenario at the start." Nyx admitted, bringing up multiple 'Shattered Glass' holographic pictures, both cybertronians stared at the pictures with varying degrees of anxiety. No… The other Optimus (so fragging weird) had a dismayed look on his faceplate while O-14 squinted.

Those… were definitely his colors. Purple with green. 

A lot of them looked like him.

Frag. 

What the slag.

Nyx shrugged as he brought up more pictures to hover around them, so many pictures. "From what I can tell, the world you're in? Is a whole new continuity, could be a blend of a lot! We didn't exactly go through all of the stuff in your noggin' here O-14." 

O-14 wasn't listening, just staring at a specific picture of- of a mech wearing his colors, face blotted out in shadow but optics so so red while tearing out what seemed to be another mech's t-cog. He knew that mech. Bright silver underneath dust and dirt. Knew those eyes, blue as energon. Dee, D-16, his best friend, his Amica , his artistic dumbaft miner who idolized Optimus Trion. 

There's another right behind it, of Dee shooting him . Looking shocked and devastated, while O-14 is smiling and saying- I knew you could do it.

"... Ah. Um." The pictures disappear before him and he gives a shuttering vent. "Don't mind that, that's- um-" Nyx mumbles something incoherent, suddenly looking very sheepish and guilty.

O-14 and Not!Optimus take a while to recover from that.

"I'm not calling you Optimus." O-14 deadpans to the red and blue mech. The scenery around them changed again, they were in the Iacon Archives. Or at least, a version of the Iacon Archives. He's already freaked out about them when the mech changed their surroundings, thankfully keeping the starry night sky, the sunset view as well as that constellation map rug. He never thought he'd see the Iacon Archives, even in memory, even if they were another version of them. 

Nyx was busy reading through the Iacon records, memories of them from the mech that stood before him, that shared the name of Dee's idol, that was technically another version of him???  

"And like scrap I'm calling you Prime." He glared, hating how understanding the mech seemed to look. Hated that he probably did , but only because he, along with Nyx, went through his damn memory. Sure, this Optimus was a Prime, the actual Prime, chosen by the fragging Matrix of Leadership. Something that was supposed to be missing! or fictional, it was a legend, a leftover tale from the old Primacy era- but that didn't mean scrap to O-14! 

"I understand. As it were, I do not think I am able to use the name anyway, for I am no longer a Prime, and I can understand the confusion should you refer to me instead of your own Optimus." The irriatingly understanding mech replied with a small, reassuring smile that O-14 just wants to sneer at. "I think I shall return to my old designation, Orion Pax." 

That gives O-14 pause, "Orion Pax?" He repeats, the slightest bit intrigued. 

The mech… Orion Pax, chuckled, "Indeed." They both glanced at the constellation map on the ground.

O-14 felt… both satisfied yet disappointed. He didn't know why. 

"Is it because you wanted to redesignate yourself as Orion when you wake up?" Nyx suddenly asks, popping out of literal slagging nowhere!  

"GAH! Don't fragging do that!" He hissed at the organic with irritation, before he processed what he said. "That…" 

"Hm, you are the main version of me in this world. O-14, if you wish to rename yourself Orion Pax, feel free to do so." Orion Pax said softly and O-14's expression twisted, glaring at the both of them.

"I am not renaming myself to Orion Pax! I… want to name myself, not gain the name of someone else." O-14 scowled, arms crossing as he looked away. 

Nyx hummed, grinning with a gleam in his weird, organic optics while the mech, Orion Pax, nodded. "Of course."

"How long am I supposed to be here? Are you sure I'm alive?" O-14 asked quietly, looking around the scenery. Their surroundings had changed once more.

To a landscape he was utterly unfamiliar with, where organic life flourished.

Earth.

Nyx's homeworld, and a planet that Orion Pax had stayed on when his Cybertron had gone dark. 

"It is hard to say." Orion Pax murmured, datapad in hand as he sat on a nearby boulder. His form was bigger, bulkier, Beast Hunter mode , as Nyx had called it. He's huge, bigger than Dee's Optimus Trion and somehow more refined. It's unreal. Apparently when he was a Prime who pretty much died the first time (first?? time??), but was reforged thanks to the Forge of Solus Prime. Another mythical relic from the Primacy era. 

Wild to think that in another world, those relics were real and had been sent to another planet. O-14 was starting to think that perhaps, the relics his own world had lost, had been sent away as well. It made sense after all. "In terms of how long you are supposed to be here, we do not know, unfortunately. But we do know you are alive, O-14. Your spark beats yet, you have not been terminated." 

"Yep! Internal diagnostics just say you're in stasis and your spark's online!" Nyx called out with bright laughter within the trees. There's a small unit built among the thickest of ones, supported by smaller supports and trees, made entirely out of wood. A telescope pokes out of the open window. "You just gotta wait! Plus, this is your helmspace, time works a little bit differently here… maybe!" 

O-14 rolled his optics, but looked up at the Earth night sky. Similar, yet ultimately different from Cybertron's night sky. "So reassuring…" As he continued to watch the stars, watching them blend into the Cybertronian night sky in admittedly beautiful ways. "... Do you think Dee is okay? That- that whatever happened to me was just… that it wasn't a Quintesson attack?"

Neither Orion Pax or Nyx reply, and honestly, O-14 prefers that. Any reassurance he would've gotten, he wouldn't believe or even lash out at. Maybe they knew that, they were supposed to be other versions of himself. Maybe. 

The night sky blends together, Cybertronian and Earth constellations twinkling together. 

There's a word on his processor, and his mind is still on that single constellation. The name haunts him because it feels right. But…

He does not want to be Orion Pax. 

He does not want to be Pax.

He knows what Orion Pax went through, knows what Optimus Prime went through. At least the broad strokes of it all.

Knows what type of Optimus Prime he could be. Shattered Glass. 

D-16 laughs brightly, waving around O-14's datapad with that dumb little smile of his. He shows him his latest art piece on the pad and O-14 lies, says its ugly, just to see him glare.

He is not that bot, not the bot that tears out his t-cog. That praises his best friend when said friend fragging kills him. He refuses. 

He stares up at the sky, traces the stars that slowly come together, forming that damn constellation.

"Orion Nox." 

He does not look at either of them as he speaks the designation. His designation. 

Primus dammit he liked the designation of Orion, but like pit he's going to be a Pax.

"... It is nice to meet you, Orion Nox." Came Pax's soft words and Nox sends him a seething look, the look quickly is sent to Nyx who laughs from his tree-habsuite. 

"Boys, I got the wildest of ideas now!"

"I'm not going to be a Prime like you." Or like him. Nox says, then thinks, thinking of the other Optimus Prime. Shattered Glass. "I'm not going to be a leader, or some- some revolutionary. The Autobots and Decepticons have a treaty now, they're not at war with each other. All of Cybertron is at war with the Quintessons. There's already an Optimus here, he can be the new Prime. So I'm not going to be a Prime." He hates how it seems like he's just making excuses, not stating actual facts that reinforced the idea that he wasn't going to become a Prime. 

He's different. Yes, he hates how things are, hates that D-16 has to work so hard at the mines, hates that he's not someplace better, hates working in a small data shop in town, but he'll bear with it to keep Dee alive. He will not Shatter, he will not hurt his Dee OR make Dee kill him. 

They're in a habsuite. Nox's habsuite that he shares with D-16, granted it's been modified to fit all three of them comfortably in it, but it's home. His home.

Primus, was his home still standing? Was the Quintesson attack finally over? Was Dee even ali—

No, don't think about it. For all he knew, it could've been an accident that took him down. There wasn't a Quintesson attack and Dee was fine. He was fine. He had to be. 

Pax, taking the form of his original Orion Pax frame from his pre-Prime life, gives him a look, hesitant but understanding and Nox wants to throw something at him. But Nox was sitting on Dee's berth, at Dee's side of the habsuite, and anything he throws at Pax will be Dee's- sure it's a memory of it, but he won't throw something of Dee's at the ex-Prime. 

"I understand. I actually agree with your decision, Nox. The title of a Prime is a heavy thing to have on one's pauldrons." Pax replies from his place by the window, another datapad in servo. Nox's datapad, one of them at least. 'Borrowed' from the shop. "I do not see why you should take up the mantle, when there is already an Optimus capable of doing so." 

"Or, y'know, could be D-16 who does it." Nyx mentions atop Nox's berth, nonchalant and horribly annoying . Nox had been trying to ignore him ever since his idiotic suggestion of using Orion was a shared unit designation. Or rather; a family name. Asian style, last name first, actual name last! He had crowed before Nox chucked him off a cliff. As expected in the helmspace, it didn't do much but make the damn human laugh. "'Cuz, y'know…" Shattered Glass, goes unsaid but it is there . 

Nox bristles, "What?! No! Dee can't be a Prime! That's- that's too much for him! The responsibility, the scrap that gets thrown his way because he takes that fraggin' mantle- no! NEITHER of us are going to be Prime! Let Primus take Optimus, leave me and Dee out of this! " He shouts, angry and terrified because in truth, Nyx has a point.

In truth, Dee would probably make a wonderful Prime. 

In truth, Dee would take the responsibility and flourish , because he's Dee and he loves Cybertron. Loves the stories of the old old era of Primacy, of Solus Prime, Micronus, all the other Primes right up til Prima. Heroic figures of tales, legend and history, one of the reasons why he likes Optimus Trion so much is because Optimus Trion was Prime worthy. 

The alternative universes proved that, made it so clear. 

So Optimus Trion had to be the new Prime.

Because if Dee is Prime, then Nox will be- Nox will have to be his enemy. 

So says the linear plots of nearly all these damn continuities. O-14 and D-16 are friends, comrades, best friends even at the start.

And in the end they become enemies, Optimus and Megatron, and Nox refuses.

Optimus and Megatron already existed in this world, let them be the two broken friends. They already were. Nox will give up any big goal he had in mind, if he could just keep Dee as his friend. By his side. Safe and sound. Nox will not hurt Dee, nor will he force Dee to hurt him back. 

"Nox."

Suddenly, he's between Pax and Nyx. Suddenly, he's realizing he's hyperventilating, intake gasping for air and frame shuddering. The ex-Prime had a careful servo on his pauldrons, Nyx was holding his servo tightly. "Just because Dee might get the Matrix, doesn't mean you have to be his enemy." Nyx tells him quietly and Nox falters, "The world you're in, isn't a continuity I know of. I could be wrong in D-16 getting the Matrix, it's just a possibility. But either way, even if he did- you don't have to be his enemy, your existence is yours to choose." 

"He is right, you are a sentient being, Nox." Pax murmurs reassuringly, squeezing his pauldron slightly. "You are free to decide what to do with your life. Should Dee obtain the Matrix, become a Prime, you do not have to fear being his adversary. You do not wish to do so."

"I… I don't- I don't want to hurt my Dee." Nox rasps, optics blurring with fluid that he quickly wipes away. "I don't want to be Shattered Glass. I just- I want to be me and I don't want to fight him, to be at war with him." 

"Then don't." It sounds so simple . "It sounds simple, I know, but we know it will weigh heavy on your mind, Nox. Just know, we'll be here to help you and remind you. Okay little brother?" Nyx soothed, smiling widely at him. 

Nox sniffled, wiping his faceplate as he squinted at Nyx. " ... I'm not your little brother." 

"We are one letter away from being the same name! And in context, our names literally mean the same thing! We share the same last name!" Nyx replied with a grin, embracing the topic change to heckle Nox who now glared at him. "We're practically twins!" 

"You're a human! You're not my twin! I am OLDER than you! Orion isn't meant to be a last name!" 

"It is now!" 

"You can't decide that!" 

"Yes I can!" 

"C'mon, we're family! We're Orion's Belt! "

"For the last time that is a stupid idea! We are not a family nor are we calling ourselves that!" 

"It's fantastic actually, perfect even. You're just jealous you didn't think of it first, little brother." 

Nox gave a wordless shriek, tackling the human to the ground while Pax watched with exasperation, venting heavily.

"If Dee did get the Matrix, what would you do?" 

The area was back to the original starry landscape Nox first found himself in alongside Pax and Nyx. He doesn't know how much time has passed since he entered stasis. 

The question from Nyx has him pausing, intake opening to breathe fire and vehemence before he closes it to dryly swallow his words. Forcing himself to actually think on the question. 

… 

"Be his advisor." Nox finally answered, tense, stiff but determined.

Nyx hummed, "Not his Lord High Protector?" His voice isn't mocking, just genuinely curious and that's the only reason why Nox isn't shoving him off a cliff again. 

"I'm not a combat bot or warframe, I'm a data clerk." Nox hisses, annoyed.

"And Pax was also a data clerk, an Iacon archivist, who had a talent for axes even before he was a Prime." Nyx replied, aiming a look at Pax who smiled faintly. "Everyone can fight, or learn how to… You just don't want to be given military power, or any kind of power that could harm D-16." 

"If you already knew that, then why did you ask? " Nox summoned a cube of energon to throw at the human. "You already know why I don't want to be his Lord High Protector! Why are you so sure Dee will be a Prime anyway?! Optimus Trion is right there! " 

Nyx huffed, "I'm not sure just- you have to be ready for the possibility of Dee becoming a Prime. The last thing anyone would want, especially you, is to either push him away if he becomes a Prime or…" He trailed off but Nox got it anyway. "I just want you to be okay, Nox."

Nox stared at the human, a look of incomprehension on his faceplate. Before he could even open his intake or think of a reply, the helmspace shook. "What the-?!" 

Things started to feel hazy and Nox could feel this strange tugging from the depths of his processor. "It seems you are waking up now." Pax said, smiling slightly. "Coming out of stasis."

"Really? Wait, if I'm going out of stasis, what'll happen to you two?!" That was not concern in his voice, no. He just wanted to know what the frag'll happen when he wakes up! Are they still going to be in his helm? Haunting his processor or will they disappear?

He just met them, spent an indiscernible amount of time with them. Was he ever going to see them again?

"No idea! There's only one way to find out!" Nyx exclaimed, organic servos on his hips as the surroundings rumbled and the tugging was more insistent. "Good luck Nox! We'll see you when we see you!" Besides him, Pax stood as well, smiling encouragingly at him.

Nox felt his pedes lift off the starry waters, voices murmuring in his audials, "Wait, wait!" 

"Be careful, Orion Nox." Pax bade softly before everything turned white.

"...e's awake now?!" 

The loud familiar voice exclaimed from the distance as O-1— Orion Nox onlined. Various HUDs popping up in his vision that he shoved aside with a groan. He could feel digits on his helm and pauldron, another familiar voice, this time much older, grounded him and his vision. "That's it, easy there mechling." 

"'M not a mechlin'." Nox rasped out, vision adjusting to see Doctor Fortify, the town's main and oldest doctor, hovering over him. 

I mean, compared to that old bot and Pax? Yeah you are. A voice came from the back of his processor and he froze. Look whose staaayiiing little brother! Tis I! And Pax is here too!

We are glad to see you awake, Nox.

Nox groaned, lifting a servo to press against his faceplate. "Oh fraggin' Primus." He wheezed with dread. And relief. They were still there, in his damn helm! 

Hahaha! Yeah, you're not getting rid of us THAT easily! Nyx cackled, making Nox wince as his helm throbbed. 

Pax at least, was trying to speak softly for his benefit. Your doctor is speaking Nox. He was?

"-14? O-14 can you hear me? Can you focus?" The old bot asked with clear concern. 

Nox nodded, grimacing as he sat up, "Yeah, I hear you doctor." 

"Fantastic, I was a bit worried there when you weren't responding to me. You must be disoriented, that's normal. Your helm took quite the damage in that accident." 

Accident? "Accident?" All three Orions, not that the doctor knew, repeated as Nox stared at the older mech. "What accident? W-What happened to me?" So whatever the slag happened to him wasn't involved with Quintessons, thank Primus' spark. 

Fortify adjusted the grey tinted bifocal visor on his faceplate, the bot was hunched over, on the account that he was a bit big for the room they were in. Despite being such a bigger bot, his clinic wasn't exactly the best accommodated for the doctor's height, he never seemed to mind even though he kept hunching outside the clinic as well. Most of his plating was grey instead of stark white, his red paint chipped from the long megacycles. He rarely did any repainting on himself. "A mechling's booster project was overcharged and modified beyond what it was supposed to be, the damned thing crashed through the window and hit your helm dead on, denting it quite terribly." 

Immediately his servo went up to try and find the dent, "Slag." He found a misshapen divot by the right side of his helm near his optic. 

"I've managed to correct most of the denting, however the blow did hit a few of your processor circuitry. Not too badly but enough that I had to put you into stasis so I could make sure you were alright and fix the damage. You're quite the lucky bot, had the project been a few more inches, you could have lost an optic and sustain some questionable processor damage." Nox swallowed dryly, servos shaking as he forced them back down.

It's alright Nox, you're alright. Pax soothed, he would've jolted at the wave of emotions suddenly going through his frame if it weren't for the fact those emotions were calm, reassurance, support - Nox took in a deep vent. 

"H-How long was I in stasis?" 

"Not for long, just a single cycle." 

There was a commotion behind the doorway, a familiar voice exclaiming noises that had Nox both tense yet fond because he knew that voice. Foritfy vented heavily, "Oh, for the love of- just let him in Text! The patient's awake!" 

There's a moment before the door opens and a familiar, dusty-silver mech comes stumbling in with a cry of, "O!" And Nox cannot help the short laughter that escapes his intake at D-16's ridiculousness. Something fond curling in his spark at the sight of his frazzled Amica. His faceplate lighting up at the sight of him, relief and worry shining in his blue optics. "Oh thank Primus! You're okay! I was so worried when they told me you were here." His Amica exclaimed, smiling widely at him. 

Amica, mhmm. Nyx hums at the back of his helm and he ignores the slagger to focus on Dee who… has two turbofox pups in his arms. One of them was squirming insistently. "Dee, what the slag have you been up to?" He gave the mech a bewildered look. 

Before Dee could even respond, the small squirming turbofox freed itself from Dee's hold, leaping into the air with a mechanical chirp and landing firmly on Nox's lap, claws digging into his finish. Startling him with a cry as he almost toppled off the berth from the sudden movement. 

"O! Oh no- I'm sorry! H-Hey now, little one, come back here-"

"Get it off! Get it off! Ack!"

AWWW CUTE!

Oh dear…

Fortify exvented heavily at the chaos happening in his clinic as two young mechs scrambled with two turbofox pups. 

His optic ridge twitched when his patient finally fell off the berth, "Alright! Enough of that!"

Apparently during the cycle that O-14 (he's yet to tell Dee about his new designation) was out, Dee had found two turbofox pups that would not leave him alone. They followed him everywhere and refused to leave him alone. 

And Dee, being the absolute soft-sparked dumbaft he was, decided to temporarily take them in. Because he was worried about Nox, and needed the distraction to stop over -worrying about him. Thus the turbofoxes. 

After being discharged by Fortify, Nox had to put his pede down. "We're not keeping them." He said, ignoring the turbofox snuggling against his neck. He's tried getting it off, but it keeps digging its claws into his plating so- ignoring it for now. 

Dee gives him a wide-optic look of pleading, blue eyes so fragging unfairly shiny as he cradled the second turbofox pup in his arms like it was precious. Which it was not . "But O…" His voice is just as pleading as his expression and Nox is struggling not to bend like, like-

Cardboard? Nyx supplied with amusement. He thinks of the material and sneers, faltering when Dee gives him a hurt look. Slag, he actually sneered at Dee. Still, he tries to stay strong- "Our habsuite is not a place for these things. And we'd need shanix to properly care for them." Probably dip into their savings, savings that Nox wanted to use to move them both somewhere else. Somewhere better. 

Dee looks down— You kicked the poor puppy! Nyx gasped, affronted. What? 

What he means is that D-16's expression resembles a kicked 'puppy'. It's a human phrase. Pax supplied, Primus dammit even he sounds hesitant at the sight of Dee's 'kicked puppy' look. Nox…

Fragging—

"I am not taking care of these two." Nox told Dee firmly as he started to walk back towards their habsuite. He takes a few more steps before looking back at Dee, who was looking up at him with slight confusion and a sad, pathetic look. "The frag are you waiting for Dee? Let's go home." 

Dee's confusion grew before it clicked and he beamed at him, rushing to join his side while babbling about naming the two mechanimals. The turbofox at Nox's neck seemed to purr, something he ignored even as Nyx made it known that he loved the things, Pax seemed happily amused.

Dee was just happy period.

Ugh…

Still, at least the reason he was down and out was because of a freak accident and not a Quintesson attack like he feared. Sure, he gained two pests as a roommate in his and Dee's shared habsuite but Dee was happy and that was what mattered.

Just a fragging deca-cycle later, the Quintessons attack his town and it turns out? The stupid turbofox that's been following him around? Part of the Primus-damned Matrix.

That would be the last time he'd ever cave to Dee about bringing something home. And y'know what? Dee could have the whole Matrix! Be the Prime! Just leave him out of this!

Ignore Nyx's mocking laughter, the human was a pitspawn slagger. At least Pax was politely staying silent.

Chapter Text

"And there's absolutely no sign of them?" 

Ratchet clicked his glossa, none-too-gently pressing the Trion back against the medical cot. "Stay down!" He hissed to the idiot, "Or else I'll use straps to keep you down! Don't think I won't!" He threatened the mech, glaring sternly at him.

Optimus gave him a look that was both apologetic yet irritated, even if he had his battlemask on, which he wasn't right now, Ratchet would've deciphered the mech's emotions by his optics alone. "Ratchet—" 

"Ep-Ep-Ep!" Ratchet interrupted firmly, glare intensifying. "Stay still, frag's sake Optimus. While your tox-en poisoning isn't lethal nor is it the worst, having you moving around will not help your condition! You know what? Forget the Quintessons, the Tox-En, pit! Forget Megatron or any other Decepticon! I'll deliver you to the Well of Allsparks myself if you don't. Lay. Down!" He shouldn't be so harsh, he really shouldn't. But he feels stressed, even though this was likely the least amount of injuries and deaths he had to deal with in a long, long time from a Quintesson attack. Somehow that was more stressful.

Mulish, Optimus finally laid back with a disgruntled noise. "... Ultra Magnus." He spoke, helm looking up to his commander who watched the entire ordeal with a blank faceplate. "Are you sure there's not even a hint of where they could've gone?"

The commander shook his helm, neutrality breaking into a frustrated, slightly ashamed and apologetic expression. "No, sir. No sign of where they could've gone. There was a set of tracks leading back to town, but those tracks were from a smaller, unknown alt mode. Although we have not seen either Primes' alt modes, from frame-type alone, their alts would have been far too big for the tracks that were found, and only one set was found, not two so it might have been a civilian frame fleeing. No pedestep tracks either that would have matched the Primes." The commander's audials flicked downwards, "I have failed you, sir."  

Ratchet vented slightly, optics glancing between the commander and Optimus' vitals. "It is alright, Ultra Magnus." Optimus replied with a heavier vent, "You did your best… I have no doubt that Megatron is facing the same results as we are, but if there is a chance they found something… Make a correspondence with him, find out anything you can. Other than that, you are dismissed, Ultra Magnus. Go rest, it has been a long day for all of us." 

The mech didn't look very happy but saluted with a respected Sir! before he left the room. 

For a moment, there was nothing but silence before Ratchet finally spoke. "If it weren't for the fact there were several witnesses, including you and Megatron, as well as some… evidence, I wouldn't believe it." He spoke blankly, digits frozen over his datapad as he remembered the evidence ; canisters of liquid energon and sparks, the purest energon crystals he's ever seen and an impossibly completely inert poison that was just… dull liquid at this point. "Pits, I'm still quite skeptical over the matter; two Primes? The Matrix of Leadership being real and split in half? Primus, Optimus, this sounds more like a tale told to sparklings and bitlets." 

Optimus Trion chuckled, low and gently. "Believe me, Ratchet. I know." His yellow optics closed and he vented an even heavier sigh. "I know… But it is not. What I witnessed today was nothing short of a miracle, an actual, Primus-blessed miracle." The awe in his voice had Ratchet pausing, having rarely heard it, especially now well into both their megacycles during the second war for their lives. 

"You should have seen him, Ratchet. Seen them both." The smile on his old friend's faceplate was a terribly hopeful thing. "They were amazing." 

Ratchet looked at him with skeptical optics, "If they were so amazing, then why disappear? Why leave while everyone was down? They never even gave you their designations." Which, in his personal opinion, seemed suspicious. 

"There was a lot going on, asking for their designations wasn't on the forefront of anyone's processors." Optimus replied, "... However the question as to why they disappeared and left is quite concerning…" He muttered, opening his optics with a grimace. 

"You don't say?" Ratchet grumbled, "In any case… I fear the future is going to be a lot more complicated now, and Primus-forbid what the council will think about this entire thing."

In the corner of his vision, he sees Optimus cringe hard enough to groan. He almost snorts. 

"Yes, the council…" The mech trailed off before doing the heaviest vent he's done in recent memory, dare Ratchet say it, the Trion might actually dislike the council. Note the sarcasm in his use of the word. "... Perhaps it is for the best, the Primes have disappeared. Hopefully temporarily." 

Ratchet's neck cricked with how fast his helm whipped to look at Optimus, "What?" 

"I have no doubt that Zeta and the other senators on the council will be interested in both Primes, specifically the Matrix halves they both wield." Optimus murmured, his optics darken as he continued. Ratchet couldn't help but notice that he referred to Zeta Prime as merely Zeta. "I worry that they might do something drastic to obtain the relic."

Ratchet's expression twisted, he couldn't even argue about that. What he could do was point out how powerful the Primes seemed to be. Though Optimus, as always, had a response to it.

"Powerful as they are, they are not infallible. No mech is, perhaps even those chosen by Primus." Optimus replied softly, shifting on the cot, sitting up with a small grunt. "There might be a greater reason why they left, disappeared, hid themselves. And I will respect their decisions… and be ready for a time when they choose to stay. As Trion, I vow to assist them in whatever endeavors they pursue." 

How poignant. 

However… 

"Lay your aft down Optimus Trion, you're still not over your tox-en symptoms!" Ratchet bristled, waving his datapad at the Trion threateningly. 

Primus save him from melodramatic Trions and their apparent sickness of keeping still and resting.

"My apologies General Megatron, but my seekers haven't found any sign of the Primes anywhere. We searched the area thoroughly." Starscream reported solemnly from his bowed position. "Just tracks from a civilian ground alt who probably fled during the attack." 

Soundwave tilted his helm slightly in thought at the information, for a moment he considered a small idea but was quick to dismiss it. From what he gathered from the reports from various bots as well as a personal retelling from his General and the seeker before him. The Primes were large mechs who would have equally large alt forms. Especially the silver Prime. There was a limit as to how small your vehicular alt form could be for bots… but did that change for the Primes? 

He pauses and files the question as a possibility to be brought up later after a second consideration. He focuses back to the present, where he, Starscream and their General stood within the mech's office aboard the General's personal ship; the Nemesis. Currently stationed nearby the most recently attacked town where residents were slowly returning, if only to assess the damage or retrieve their belongings from the wreck and rubble.

Miraculously, this attack possibly had the least amount of Cybertronian deaths and injuries in the past few orns. And considering that this attack had the comeback of not one, but two Spark Extractor ships? Truly something miraculous… and the reasons for this miracle were currently missing. 

"Tsk." Megatron's optics narrowed with displeasure, a firm frown on his faceplate. "Do one last sweep, contact the Autobots for any possible lead they might have as well… Finding those Primes will be extremely beneficial to us." Us being the Decepticons gathering underneath Megatron's command instead of Megazarak. 

"Beneficial, General Megatron?" Starscream questioned, even without the confusion in his voice, Soundwave could feel the confusion in his thoughts.

Megatron turned to Soundwave and immediately, Soundwave let the image of the silver Prime appear on a holographic screen in front of him. Provided by Megatron himself. The picture Soundwave chose among the others was a powerful scene of the Prime using the legendary Requiem Blaster against the Spark Extractor ship. 

"Do you not recognize who this mech resembles, Starscream? Have you not read about the Decepticon's history?" Megatron questioned lowly, intense, interested optics focused on the mysterious' Prime's visage. "He resembles Megatronus Prime, a Prime that inspired the Decepticon's very emblem!" Whom Megatron has named himself after in the pits of Kaon, Soundwave remembers vividly. "Whose statue still stands today in the middle of Kaon itself." 

Starscream seemed to finally get an inkling as to what Megatron was insinuating. "You… wish for this Prime to join the Decepticons? To lead it?" 

Immediately red optics glared into Starscream's orange ones, the Seeker flinched, realizing he'd said the wrong thing. "No." Megatron growled, servos clenching into fists. "Lead? Of course not, I have not gone this far, done so much just to relinquish my entire plans to lead the Decepticons to a Prime. Chosen by Primus or not! But join… That is perhaps a possibility, a favored one in fact." The general reigned in his emotions. "He will be useful against Megazarak, just the sight of him alone by my side will sway a great deal of Decepticons away from that old fool. Not to mention, the power he wields. The other Prime was very impressive as well, powerful from what I've heard from you and the others. And together…"

Soundwave switched the picture of the silver Prime to a clip, showing the last known sighting of both the silver and purple Primes. It was taken from afar, Soundwave enhanced the clip to show an angled take of what happened. Of how both mechs took their halves of the Matrix to turn it whole, the entire clip turning a bright blue before cutting out as the clip taker was forced into a reset. 

He then pulled up the latest findings of the nullified poison liquid as well as the purified Tox-En crystals.

"Exactly. When together, they have the power of purifying Tox-En crystals, converting them back into pure energon crystals- as far as Shockwave has seen, the purest crystals in modern records to date. Perhaps they could even revive the deadlands of Cybertron." That made both Soundwave and Starscream stiff at the revelation. Soundwave even dropping the holographic screen.

Soundwave hadn't even considered that. Starscream was especially affected, considering his birth city of Vos was part of the deadlands. One of the first cities hit by the Quintessons. "I… see." There was much emotion being held back in the Seeker's tone, but there was a new determination in his optics and a whirlwind of thoughts in the seeker's processor. "I shall ensure my seekers and I leave no stone unturned Lord Megatron." 

Megatron quirked an optic ridge but seemed pleased. "Good, you are dismissed, Starscream." 

The seeker bowed before striding out of the office as quickly as possible while remaining composed but Soundwave could feel his thoughts frantically tangling together, the word Vos the most prominent among them. The visored mech turned to his General, his Lord. 

"Query;" Soundwave started quietly, "If Primes cannot be recruited?" 

Megatron hummed, optics glancing over to his fellow ex-gladiator. "So long as they do not stand in my way in usurping Megazarak taking control over the Decepticons, then there will be no problem." He replied simply, "But it would be better for them to join our cause, especially the silver Prime. I was not being humorous in my words, Soundwave."

Soundwave tilted his helm, thoughtful. "... Additional query; if Primes are like Zeta Prime?" 

That made the general scoff, "Neither of them are like Zeta." He sneered, not even bothering to add the title of 'Prime' to the mech's name. "That, I can assure you. The silver Prime, powerful as he was, was… unerringly kind." He said lowly, as if in quiet disbelief. "He focused on the protection and safety of everyone around him, careful and gentle with nearly every interaction he had, the miners praised him to Primus and back. I watched him stain his servos with energon dust and dirt and the tears of a femme miner after insisting no bot kneel for him. Believe me, Soundwave, that mech is as far from Zeta as one could be." Knowing his lord's origins, he can tell the last detail incurred a soft spot within him. 

"... And the other Prime?" 

Megatron paused, helm tilting in thought. "I know little of the other Prime." He admitted but a smirk graced his derma as he looked towards Soundwave. "But Optimus seemed enthralled with the mech, who was indeed impressive. Wielding the Star Saber, Prima's sword with such ease and finesse. If the Prime were anything like Zeta, then Optimus would be a bit more reserved on the matter."  

Soundwave could understand that logic, while Optimus was… not content, but not exactly resigned, with how things were. If only because of the war; Optimus had a point when he said now wasn't the time for insurrections and civil wars amongst each other, was that not why Autobots and Decepticons had the peace treaty signed in the first place?

However… "Statement; Have only met the Primes once." 

First impressions were indeed important, but it could also obscure an individual's true nature until it was too late. What was to say that the Primes weren't like Zeta? That they were like Zeta? More information was required.

"Indeed… However, something tells me that my statement is true, and that this will not be the last time we will see either of them." Megatron's optics narrowed, "I will not allow it."

The last thing Dee remembers was O's voice…

O's voice warned him in Primal, " I know what you're thinking Dee but don't overdo it. "

And then a flash of blue light as the Matrix pieces they had, fused together whole .

"Your Amica was right, you shouldn't have overextended yourself little Prime." 

Dee stubbornly kept his arms crossed, very much not pouting as he sat on his habsuite berth. At least, a memory of it- the landscape around him was a shifting environment, unfamiliar places that a bot like D-16 couldn't even dream of going to, pass by while equally familiar places lingered around him. Like part of the habsuite that he and O shared. He looks up at Solus Prime, the Solus Prime, with determination and a familiar contempt. 

Not at her of course, but at the damn tox-en . "I wasn't going to let a single drop of that poison, a single shard of Tox-En, linger around the area. I couldn't! Yeah, quarantining it would have been easier and I could've stayed awake at least but- but I can't let anyone die from Tox-En any longer! Not when I can finally get rid of the damned things for good!"

Fact; thanks to the brilliant minds of scientists from either faction, they could now cure Tox-En poisoning. Disposal of Tox-En crystals was also possible, just recently some scientists were able to convert Tox-En back into energon. Low grade energon, but energon nonetheless. 

Another fact; the poison that created the tox-en crystals was still very dangerous. The conversion rate between energon to tox-en was still much faster than the reverse conversion. The cure for tox-en poisoning was expensive, and depending on the level of poisoning, ineffective. 

In the distance of his helmspace, he could see it. Familiar, from the depths of his memory. A glass window and a pair of blue optics with blots of murky-green pixels, faceplate in spark-breaking despair and Dee swallows dryly. Remembering those optics, remembering the glass, the bigger servos that took him away from his poisoned carri— Suddenly he flinches as his sight is blocked by a wall of purple. Not O purple.

Dee blinks, suddenly finding himself facing Megatronus Prime. The usually gigantic mech was now smaller, smaller than he should be even with mass displacement- but anything was possible within the helmspace as far as Dee knew it. "I understand your reasons, little Prime." The warrior rumbles, "You bear pain along with responsibility, you wish for the betterment of our kin, for the continued light of the sparks around you." 

Dee shifted on his berth, uncomfortable, "... But?"

Megatronus shook his helm, "There is no 'but', I believe my spark has prodded you enough and I believe your Amica will scold you once you wake." Dee winced, knowing that he was right, O was definitely going to lecture him the moment he woke up. The Prime guided Dee from his berth, their surroundings shifting completely to a semi-familair training ground. It wasn't his memory, but from Solus and Megatronus. "You must, however, keep in mind that overextending yourself constantly will lead to mistakes and perhaps even injury. Injury that may not be your own." 

At that, Dee looked away, upset at the thought of unintentionally hurting someone else through his recklessness. Even though he didn't regret his actions, he acknowledged that he might've overdone it…

"Your fellow little Prime should be awake at the moment, and taking you and the Matrix back to safety." Solus hummed as she stayed at the side. "It would not do well to reveal that you cannot hold the Matrix or be Primes for extended periods of time just yet. And the Matrix halves are too weakened and vulnerable like this, mere pups as turbofoxes." 

"Um, why did the Matrix turn into turbofox pups?" Dee couldn't help but ask, wordlessly accepting the spear thrown his way from Megatronus. 

Solus hummed, "We can only assume that Primus accepted some help from Onyx to keep the Matrix hidden and safe. No one would expect a relic of the Primes to primarily transform into mechanimals after all. Again, it is merely an assumption."

Megatronus' own spear thumped loudly against the memory-made floor of the training grounds. "Regardless of the assumptions, regardless of the actions, we must start your training, D-16. I assisted you in battle this day, gave you my experience and instructed your actions, but you must learn to fight on your own." He twirled the spear, aiming the head at Dee who gripped the pole in his servos tightly. "It is possible that Solus and I might not stay to guide you forever, so you must be prepared." 

The thought of them being gone brought a pang in Dee's spark, although he's only known them for a short amount of time, he was bonded to them through the Matrix. They were his mentors now, his fellow Primes, and the thought of them disappearing one day was honestly a bit terrifying. 

And to think, they only showed up joors earlier, when Dee almost fragging died during the Quintesson attack.

THROUGHOUT THE DECACYCLE…

It's been a pretty busy decacycle for D-16! 

First, he found a pair of twin turbofox pups near the mine that just wouldn't leave him alone— trust him, he tried . And by try, he meant shoo them off, gently put them outside the mines, try to ignore them but then inevitably caving in to their wide-innocent optics and feeding them a few sips of his own energon cubes during his break. 

He knew his hab-mate O-14, O, his best friend, his Amica Endura, wasn't going to be happy with Dee bringing back the pups and Dee really tried to keep them away. 

But then O was involved with an accident, knocked into stasis for a whole cycle.

And Dee had been so very worried for him. The habsuite was so lonely without his best friend. Even for just a night, it was kind of unbearable. Even with the pups around, he missed O…

The turbofox pups seemed to have noticed and did their best to stick with him even more. How could he ever think of getting rid of them now? 

And then O woke up! Thank the Allspark! Dee had been so very happy as he barrelled into the room with the pups in his arms- he actually forgot about them for a moment in his haste. Which was a mistake because one of the pups, he hasn't really named them yet, jumped out of his arms and onto O.

O, as predicted, did not take it well.

It was kind of chaotic there at the clinic before Doctor Fortify calmed things down, checked over O one last time and then discharging O.

As expected, O was not happy with Dee's hopeful suggestion in keeping the pups- one of them just seemed to really liked O! Which was a surprise! Dee wasn't even jealous that O had managed to win over that turbofox so easily since he still had the other one who was content to stay with him. So he thought, with that pup liking O so much, they could keep them?

O said no.

That made Dee sad, looking down at the pup in his arms and wondering on just what he could do. But then…

"I am not taking care of these two." O had told Dee firmly and Dee looked up at him with confusion and sadness. O was giving him a look, "The frag are you waiting for Dee? Let's go home."

He would've thought that O would insist on leaving the turbofoxes behind, or at least stop by the edge of the town to release the pups into the wild. But O just insisted them going home and it clicked for Dee, immediately happiness flooded his systems and he rushed to walk alongside his Amica, wondering aloud on just what names to call the pups.

Dee immediately denied O's suggestion of 'Pest' or 'Problem'. That was so mean of O! But at least O was suggesting names instead of telling Dee to get rid of the pups, so that was a win in Dee's book.

Throughout the decacycle, many names were suggested, none them seemed to stick to the pups. And the pups? Absolute sweetsparks, Dee would tell you. He loved them, he had so many drawings of them in his datapad, he even had a cheeky little sketch of O napping with one of the pups on his chassis. It was adorable, he was going to keep it forever. 

O would say otherwise, complaining about how hyperactive the little mechanimals were in their tiny habsuite- which was fair, their tiny home wasn't really meant to house four occupants, even if two of them were very small. Still, he never told Dee to get rid of the turbofoxes despite all his complaints and grouches and Dee loved him.

O also seemed to be going through something? He spaced out a bit more, stared at Dee when he thought Dee wasn't paying attention but he caught him a few times. O asked him if he thought of an alternate designation for himself yet, which he hadn't, he was a bit too busy thinking of designations for their pups after all! (O rolled his optics at that, but Dee could see his dermas twitching.)

The worst thing to happen, since O's accident, were these weird nights when O would suddenly wake up. Taking shaky vents and muttering in a language Dee couldn't understand. When did O even learn it anyway? The first time it happened, Dee had abruptly been woken up by the pups who had cried out the moment O woke up with a bitten off cry. 

"O? O, what's wrong? " There's a strange, uneasy feeling when O's optics suddenly hone in on him. There's a flash of something so strong, yet so brief that Dee's spark skipped a pulse and he worriedly got out of his berth. 

"It's- It's nothing Dee, go back to sleep- back to recharge. Just, leftover slag from the bludgeoning to the helm." O had sharply replied, stubbornly pushing Dee back to his berth and forcing himself into recharge. 

Dee reluctantly went back to recharge as well, but worried about it the next day. O wouldn't mention it, and Dee decided not to push it. Not yet at least. 

It happened a couple more times during the decacycle and always, O insisted he was fine. Even snapping at Dee for suggesting he go back to Doctor Fortify. He apologized immediately after of course, which was- it was nice don't get him wrong. But Dee kind of expected him to sulk a bit more before apologizing like usual? It's just how O was .

But he apologized right after, even gave Dee some energon sweets later that day. Dee's favorite flavor even!

It was, literally, quite sweet but Dee was worried. 

By the end of the decacycle, he wanted to sit down and have a serious talk to O about everything. 

And then the Quintessons attacked during his shift at the mines.

"How about- Razzle? Razzle's a good name." Dee suggested to the tiny turbofox tucked against his neck, the favorite spots where the pup and its twin, like to stay on both him and O. O didn't like it but never moved the pup whenever it was at his neck because he claimed the pup would sink its claws into his plating and he wanted to avoid fixing that every time it happened. Dee knows it'll be a cold cycle in the Pit before O admitted he liked having the pup there.

'Razzle' chuffed and chirped somewhat in distaste, or at least Dee figured it was distaste. "Hey! It's a perfectly good name!" He replied in jest, leaning against the stone bench that was a few steps away from the mining area. He liked to take his breaks there, nice and quiet and he could see the sky. "Okay fine, not Razzle then… Y'know, it's been a decacycle since we've taken you in and you don't like any of the designations I've been trying to give you and your twin." 

The still, unnamed turbofox pup, wasn't bothered at all. Merely tucking its helm into its frame as it curled against his neck cabling with a tiny, rumbling purr. Dee clenched his fist, Primus that was just too cute. Just as cute as the time he found O napping with the other pup like that against his neck, he had never sketched a scene so fast before- sure, a picture could've been faster but drawing made it personal and special . 

O would never find the drawing of course, he'd demand it to be deleted, which Dee would never do. Hah!

Dee grinned, finishing off the energon he started when he came to take his break. Stashing the empty container in his subspace afterwards and standing up with a stretch of his struts. "One of these cycles, I am going to find the perfect designations for you and your twin. Designations that O might even like!" He declared, shaking his fist in the air. 

With that, he stood up, looked towards the mine—

BOOOM

The ground shook underneath him, making him and the pup yelp in terror and surprise. An explosion? Slag, was it an energon explosion?! No, the explosion would've been a lot worse, so what—

Oh.

It was so, much, worse than an energon explosion.

"QUINTESSON!" One of his coworkers screamed from the very bottom of their intake.

A quintesson, large, many-limbed and powerful , stood at the center of the outside mining operation. Roaring at the miners that were scrambling to get away. 

Dee watched with muted horror as it grabbed one of the miners just to throw them into the wall, watched as it speared another miner through the chest - instantly snuffing their spark, watched it swing its techno-organic tentacles and bat away the helpless miners that were just trying to escape, watched as its tentacles began to wrap around the carts filled with energon. Energon that they mined for the day. The screams get worse by the nano-klik.

"Remember Dee," O told him one day, faceplate grimly serious and grip firm on his pauldrons. "If a Quintesson attack starts, you run. You hear me? You run away, try and find me, and we'll run go find safety together okay? Promise me that, Dee. Promise me."

Sorry O.

It's the primary thing he thinks underneath his anger as he ran towards the Quintesson, he doesn't even remember when he started running. Doesn't remember when he plucked his energon pickaxe from his subspace. Doesn't remember when he leaps into the air because the Quintesson slaghead had a new mech, that's G-721, new miner, just got his frame upgrade from being a youngling— 

SHWICK! 

The sharp end of his energon pickaxe pierces through the tentacle that was holding G-721. "Run!" He shouts at the young mech, who landed roughly on the ground. The small yellow bot stared at him with wide, red optics. "RUN!" He roared as he swung at the Quintesson again .

He's not the only one to do so. Some miners gained some bravery, start fighting back against the Quintesson soldier. Most of them are running though, into and out of the mines. Trying to find safety, trying to escape, and Dee is fighting a Quintesson. He's fighting a Quintesson, O was going to kill him.

That was, if the Quintesson didn't kill him. Which it probably will. 

A tentacle blurs into view and—

Sorry O.

Pain.

Wind.

Pain.

Crash.

More pain.

Dee's optics flickered blearily, trying to process what the frag happened.

A tentacle blurs into view, hits his helm, sends him flying in an unknown direction. He hits something, he crashes through something and lands, skidding on his faceplate.

Ah, he got hit in the faceplate by a Quintesson tentacle and now he was in one of the old, sectioned off tunnels of the mine. Frag.

He tried to move, only for pain to blare throughout his frame. HUD warnings and messages popping up in his bleary vision. 

Strange, Dee had always kind of prided himself to being somewhat solid and strong. He could haul an energon cart all by himself most cycles. But one hit to the faceplate by a Quintesson attack and he crumples? That's… That's so fragging unfair.

O…

Oh Primus, was O alright? The Quintessons were attacking the mine, they should be attacking the town too, right? 

O, his Amica, standing behind the counter. Being bored but professional at his job as a data clerk. The store's front just exploding as a Quintesson barges in. His Amica looking absolutely terrified—

O!

Frag the pain, frag the warnings, O needed him!

He forced his frame to comply, wiping his vision clean and clear of the HUD windows, gritting his denta as he got to his arms, got to his knees. Frame shaking from the effort- he could taste energon in his intake. Could feel some on his servo digits as well. Frag. Get up Dee. Get up!  

Chirp

He froze at the familiar sound, optics adjusting within the darkness to find a certain turbofox pup sitting in front of him. He… He actually forgot about the pup for a moment. He panicked, almost collapsing back down on the floor, "A-Are you- a-alright?" He grunted out, worried for the pup.

It barked at him, its silver plating shaking. It- It seemed alright? Just fine. But hadn't been on his neck? No, it must have fallen off, but then it found him? What?

His optics shuttered as the turbofox pup suddenly began to glow. "What." He choked out, pain still pinging in his system but that didn't matter because the tiny mechanimal was glowing, glowing a soft, bright blue light. Then it began to transform.

Tsu-ch-ch-cchh

That is—

What in the—

What?

At a time much later, when asked about the Primes that appeared out of nowhere and bore two halves of the Matrix of Leadership. Many others who were not present, would repeatedly ask the ones who were. How did you know it was the actual Matrix of Leadership? What if it was a fake?

Those who were there would always answer We just knew. We felt it, right at our very sparks. The moment we saw it, we knew it was real. There would be a divide then, but that was for later.

For now, a miner stared at what seemed to be half of the Matrix of Leadership  He recognized the relic, the shape was similar to the records of it. And deep down, at his very spark, he knew it was the Matrix and knew it was real. "What." 

The Matrix, or half??? of????? it??????? Floated up in the air, right before him. "Um…" He had a strange feeling in his chassis, and before he knew it, he was accepting the command prompt of opening his chassis? What?????? Nonetheless, the command went through and suddenly his chest was opening and the Matrix was moving and it slotted itself.

Right into the right side of his chassis. Snug, as if it had a right to be there.

A right to be there?

His vision suddenly whitened.

It was a curious time, to awaken inside the Matrix once more. After what seemed to be countless of vorns of drifting in the Well alongside his conjunx. It was a curious yet very different time to awaken inside the Matrix as it felt different. More solid in a way. 

There was something strange happening and it started when Megatronus Prime and his conjunx, Solus Prime, awoke into the helmspace of a miner mech. A miner mech which held half of the Matrix of Leadership.

The Matrix had survived the enigmatic Thirteen's actions. They had felt the moment mysterious Thirteen inherited the Matrix, and not a moment soon afterwards, did he cut the Matrix in half. A blasphemous action, yet Primus did not smite his spark as soon as he entered the Well. Merely obscured his signature and hid him away. 

Megatronus and Solus concluded that whatever Thirteen did, it was with Primus' blessing. As hard as it was to believe. The other Primes eventually came to the same conclusion, but in varying degrees and with varying opinions. Megatronus did not approve of the action, Solus did not care. However, what's done was done and there was nothing to do about it.

So now here Megatronus and Solus were, at the very back of the miner, D-16's helmspace, watching through his eyes. They had arrived the moment D-16 met the two turbofox pups who were the Matrix, Onyx's work somehow but surely. With how it was just Solus and Megatronus within Dee's processor, she concluded that the other Primes were either still within the Well or some were residing in Dee's Amica's processor.

What with how strange he was acting anyway, at least, according to Dee's thoughts.

"He reminds me of you, my love." Solus said with clear amusement as they watched Dee's life over the decacycle together. "Sweet and kind." 

Megatronus chuckled, "Many mechs would disagree." 

Solus smirked at him, "And I would disagree back." She teased, stealing a kiss from her conjunx who melted after her like molten metal. She still had it. "I am serious though, he reminds me of you. Perhaps he should take your form." She suggested, having found an option within the Matrix coding that was inactive and deeply hidden within Dee's processor. Secretly uploaded from the Matrix when Dee was recharging, sneaky. 

"He is quite the artist though, would he not benefit from you, my love?" Megatronus questioned back softly, hesitating slightly at the thought of this kind miner taking his gigantic appearance. It would not be a perfect recreation of course, but the mech would inherit his mask, his abilities… His legacy was not a kind one.

Solus hummed, optics dimming before they brightened once more, "I have a feeling he might need your strength and visage more than mine, Megatronus." She replied firmly before smiling, "Besides, I can still mentor him in his creativity and skills. It's more fun that way." 

"If you say so, my sun." 

They continue to watch, frames tensing within the depths of Dee's mind when the Quintessons finally appear. "Oh, Quintus would be weeping right now." Solus murmured sadly, already hearing the grief that the bot would vocalize at the sight of one of his creations turning on Cybertron. 

"Hopefully he is not weeping within the Amica's mind, I fear his emotions might influence O-14's actions and decisions." Megatronus replied quietly with a grim tone. Solux grimaced with him and, unfortunately, agreed. Perhaps having Quintes stay in the Well would be the best course of action... She just hoped someone responsible was within O-14's mind. Prima hopefully, maybe Alchemist or Thirteen finally appeared and Prima would get some answers for them all...

Dee runs not away from the fight, but towards it. Solus is having flashbacks right at this moment.

"Megatronus."

"I know." 

Dee sticks a pickaxe into the Quintesson's tentacle, saving another mech. He takes on a brave front, attacking the techno-organic with a ferocity that is incredibly familiar.

"Megatronus." 

"I know. " 

Dee get smashed aside by a tentacle, flown off and right through the boarded entrance of the mine. Injured but spark still flaring with a type of flare that calls to them. To the Matrix. The turbofox pup, which had fallen off preemptively before Dee attacked the Quintesson, was quick to follow after him.

"It's time." They say together as the Matrix reveals itself, half of itself, to D-16.

Dee, subconsciously, accepts the Matrix into his chassis. Into his programming. And Solus and Megatronus are there to greet him in his helmspace while his phsical frame is healed and reforged. Even if it was merely temporary for now.

There are two new Primes this cycle.

A faint connection lets them know of O-14 accepting the Matrix as well and both Primes smile.

"Hello D-16." Solus says grandly as the mech finds himself standing in a memory of old Iacon with them, standing together in the middle of the old meeting room where she and Megatronus once commanded.

Megatronus stands beside her, tall and imposing. "Hello little Prime."

D-16 stares at them for a moment, before he squeaks. "What." 

Oh, he is adorable.

Chapter Text

That is Megatronus Prime.

He knows this, recognizes him from the old data files of history that O would excitedly show him whenever he talked about Megatron, about the Decepticons- their emblem was a depiction of Megatronus Prime's very helm. So yes he recognizes Megatronus Prime.

And beside him is Solus Prime.

He knows this, recognizes her from also old data files of history, files that Dee sought out himself because he was fascinated by old era Primacy and the Original Twelve. Solus Prime was an infamous artificer as well as an artist that Dee deeply admired and idolized, he got into art because of her. 

There are two Primes standing in front of him and he fragging squeaked. 

Dee is forever mortified, this beats out The Incident™ that he made O swore to never talk about…

Actually no, nothing could beat The Incident™ but this was a close second to it.

" What is happening right now. " He forces himself to choke out, faceplate absolutely burning as he desperately tries to move on from his embarrassing squeak in front of two Primes, who may or may not be real. Primus, he wants this to be a dream, wants this to be a hallucination. But he was feeling echoes of pain throughout his frame, and the memory of what just happened - the Quintesson attack, being flung away, turbofox pup Matrix???? - were fresh on his processor. 

"You have been chosen, D-16, to be one of the new Primes of this era." Megatronus Prime told him, golden optics peering at him with an intensity that Dee wanted to look away from but couldn't. Stunned silent as the words cycled in his processor. 

" ... 'one of'...? " He finally whispers, intake suddenly very dry as he thinks of the other turbofox pup. 

Solus Prime ( Solus!!!! Fragging!!!! PRIME!!!! ) smiled with clear amusement, nodding her helm, "Indeed. As you're already expecting, your friend, your Amica, is also a Prime like you now. He just accepted it, here." She waved a servo and suddenly, Dee is feeling—

Something.

It's faint, very faint. But so very familiar.

'Dee?'

A voice, so quiet, curls in his audials. 

" O. " He vents out softly, reaching his servo out to- nothing. Because O wasn't around, and the feeling faded. He made a noise of loss, looking over to Solux who gave him an apologetic look.

"Apologies, little one. But the connection between both halves of the Matrix is complex and unexplainable. And somewhat weak at the moment. But you felt him, did you not? He accepted the Matrix, just like you." Solus smiled and Dee's servos fell back to his side, clenching as he tried to process everything that was happening. 

So the twin turbofox pups he and O have been taking care of were two halves the Matrix of Leadership, the Quintessons were attacking right now and both Solus Prime and Megatronus Prime are in his helm because he accepted the Matrix into his chassis and his Amica was doing the same thing.

What was his life right now?

No, wait. Focus , the Quintessons were attacking right now. The Quintessons were attacking right now. 

"I-I need to- I need to wake up! I need- The Quintessons! They're- the fragging quints, they're attacking the mines, what if they poison the crystals?! They'll poison the crystals! They'll make Tox-En, my town, the others, O-14— " Dee stammered, falling over himself in trying to- to-panic, worry and anger boiling in his tanks, affecting his helmspace that shook at the force of his emotions.

Large servos grasp on to his pauldrons, forcing his attention to golden optics and a faceplate. Oh slag, that's Megatronus' faceplate, no one knows what he looks like underneath the battlemask but now Dee knows, oh FRAG— " Calm yourself, little Prime." Megatronus said firmly, somehow having shrunk down to Dee's size instead of his gigantic height from before. "I understand your panic, your anger, but now is not the time to spiral. Indeed, you do need to wake, your frame is almost finished with its healing and reforging. Time is different in your helm, but time is also of the essence right now." 

"Your worries about Tox-En is admirable, but worry not. The Matrix has a solution for it." Solus spoke, stepping to be beside Megatronus, her size shrinking to match them both. Although she was not as tall as Megatronus, she was still taller than Dee initially. "However, that must happen after dealing with the Quintessons. You will also need your Amica's assistance for that anyway, so focus on defending your fellow Cybertronians first."

Dee took in a deep vent, frame shuddering underneath Megatronus' hold but nodding tersely. "I- you're right. I'm- frag, I'm still freaking out about everything but there's some more important things to do first. " Soon however, he falters, "I don't know how to fight though. I don't- the most I can do is punch! A-And swing a pickaxe." To be fair, he saved one bot with his pickaxe, G-721. He doesn't think that would be enough though, would the Matrix make up for his lack of battle skills? It had to, right?

"Worry not about your skills, Solus and I will guide you, aid you in this battle."

Megatronus' voice became distant as a soft blue light overtook his vision. 

"You'll do fine, little Prime. Especially with Megatronus' weapons and skills helping you." 

The last thing he hears was Solus' voice before he 

woke

up

reforged

anew

In the aftermath of the Quintesson attack, many a bot were interviewed about what happened. It varied from civilians to soldiers, to merchants, to even the younglings of the town that slowly returned to the town of Prologex, a mining town that was on the borders of both Autobot and Decepticon territory with the closest city being Harmonex. 

Prologex would be declared one of the greatest successful defense and rescue operations, as well the starting point of a new legend that would spread to the masses. But that would be the future.

In the present, mechs and femmes alike mourned the loss of their loved ones as well as their lives and livelihood. Stores and buildings had been destroyed, frames were being uncovered from the rubble. Some cold and still, others were either barely or half-functioning but alive.  

Corpses littered the town, but most would find, to their relief and delight, it would be Quintesson corpses that mostly decorated the streets. The ratio between Cybertronian and Quintesson dead was astoundingly different from the usual statistic, for once in a long, long while, the Quintessons had suffered a major loss.

Especially with the two warships shot down. Two Spark Extractor ships, smaller than the destroyer of Praxus but no less deadly.

Naturally, the returning citizens as well as others like new troops from both Decepticons and Autobots, wandering bots and more, were curious as to what happened.

The miners were happy to tell the tale of a Prime suddenly appearing in their darkest joor.

"He came out of nowhere!" A large femme miner exclaimed to her audience, those willing to listen. "Large! Silver! He looked like Megatronus Prime! " Many would roll their optics at the information, but many miners insisted it was true.

"He took down the warship in a single shot! He had the Requiem Blaster!" Another mech miner shouted aloud, agreement from his peers who shouted more and more details to a skeptical group. 

"He had the Matrix of Leadership!" A young miner in yellow, just into adulthood, would tell to those not listening, because honestly. It didn't sound real at all.

But then the soldiers, the Auobots and Decepticons who were there began to back up the miner's words. 

"He's real. The Silver Prime the miners tell about." A Decepticon seeker admitted to those who sought their side, their information, their truth. "But he wasn't alone."

"There was another Prime." An Autobot soldier added in, much to the disbelief of everyone who heard. "Purple, wielded the Star Saber of Prima Prime. Took down the other warship in one blow. Optimus Trion said it himself." 

Even the energon miners were surprised to hear about a second Prime. But were quick to accept it, especially because it came from the Decepticons who had escorted them away to safety. 

Whispers, rumors would spread throughout the town. Of two Primes. Of the Matrix divided. Of horrific deeds done by the Quintessons with the sparks of Praxes. Of poison and Tox-En purified.

Optimus and Megatron would have wanted to keep the information on the down low, but it was too late. The rumors were spreading, the information would reach audials they wouldn't have wanted it to reach. 

"Where are they?!" Some would demand.

"Who are they?!" Some would ask.

"What happens now?"

So, what happens now?

Miracles of fragging miracles, his and Dee's shared habsuite was intact. Not exactly unscathed as there was a hole in the wall and the windows were shattered, but they still had their stuff. "Now, I wait for my dumbaft to wake up and give him the other half of the Matrix." Nox replied to Nyx gruffly optics narrowed at his still unconscious Amica with two napping turbofox pups curled on his chassis.

It's honestly a bit adorable, and Nox was tempted to take another picture but the situation stayed his servo. Huh, I thought you were joking. Didn't you say you didn't want Dee to be a Prime either? Nyx pointed out as Nox sat down at his berth, feeling so very exhausted but thankfully not enough to drop unconscious, and he needed to stay awake to look after Dee in case something was wrong. 

"I don't. " Nox griped, "I want to rip the Matrix away from Dee and punt them both at Optimus Trion, he could be Prime for all I care but-" His processor provided the memory of Dee's delight, Dee's strength, and in the moment as the Matrix fused to one relic once more- he had felt Dee's determination.

It was a flame that Nox couldn't even try to douse even if he wanted to. 

And he wanted to, so badly but at the same time, it had been something beautiful. It made Nox feel ashamed for even thinking of trying to destroy that determination. And Nox was just so exhausted, now. Having fought for joors, having hauled Dee back home, and the uncertainty of the future…

Everything will be alright, Nox. Pax murmured soothingly from their helmspace, It might not seem like it right now. But it will be.

Nox shifted on his berth, pulling both his legs up to hug his knees. "How can it be alright? My town's been attacked, Dee's a Prime and so was I and I-" He choked on his words, the memory fresh on his processors. "I almost died. " He tried to ignore the phantom sensation of something piercing his side. The sounds of screams, the dust in the air as the shop front exploded and—

There was a reason why Nox had accepted the Matrix into his chassis after all. He would've declined in almost any other situation. The chance to live, that was all Nox had been focusing on at the moment. And then his next focus had been to reunite with Dee the moment he felt Dee in that very brief time when he first accepted the Matrix- it had knocked him back into his helmspace with Nyx and Pax. 

He and Pax had been so fragging confused and freaking out about how the turbofox pup was actually half of the fragging MATRIX! while Nyx checked the new programming that the Matrix provided. Pax was quick to calm down, he as well as the faint connection he felt with Dee, were the only reasons why he calmed down afterwards. 

After that, it was a scramble to protect himself (Pax helped immensely in fighting) and reunite with Dee- somehow summoning the Star Saber from a new subspace he had access to (Nyx was the one to find it) and from there it was history. Meeting Optimus Trion, killing Quintessons, meeting the Autobots and Decepticons, meeting Megatron.

… I still can't believe you posed on a Quintesson just to try and impress the Decepticons. Nyx pointed out and that startled a huff from Nox. You just- you kept THE Star Saber in the damn corpse RIGHT UNTIL Dee and Megatron showed up with his posse! Pft, you were focusing SO much on making sure you didn't trip! You try hard!

"Shut up!" Nox hissed, faceplate flushing at the memory. He just wanted to make a good first impression! 

I believe you achieved that quite well, Nox. Pax supplied in support, trying to be helpful but just making Nyx laugh harder and Nox feel even more embarrassed. 

Y'know, if you give Dee the other half of the Matrix, you won't be able to do anymore 'impressive impressions' to Megatron and the Decepticons. Nyx pointed out with clear amusement but also hesitant caution as he treaded back to uncomfortable territory. You were pretty good out there today, even with Pax helping you out.

"I can't be a Prime, I just can't. " Nox denied immediately, servos clenching at the thought. Yes, the thought of impressing Megatron and the Decepticons further was tempting, but not nearly enough to make him seriously consider taking the Matrix. Or even half of it. 

You're not Optimus Prime, Nox. You are not Shattered Glass, not you nor Dee. Nyx murmured, suddenly more serious than ever. I made a mistake in showing you those pictures, and I'm sorry. Don't let your fear rule out options from your life.

While I agree that Nox shouldn't rule out options because of his fears and that he is not Shattered Glass, nor Shattered Glass Optimus Prime. He is also free to choose whether or not he wants to bear the Matrix and become a Prime. Or at least, half the Matrix. Pax replied, sounding gentle yet firm. 

I'm surprised Pax, didn't you say that Primus wouldn't have given Nox the Matrix if he was evil or bad some time earlier? Nyx didn't sound anything other than genuinely curious, yet Nox couldn't help but bristle all the same. 

I did, and that still stands true. Yet it's important to remember that the Matrix seems to be working very differently in this world. There is a chance that he may not have to bear half of it, that he may pass it to someone else. Becoming a Prime is a responsibility, a duty, and Nox is unsure of it himself. There is a chance he may have a choice in this matter, freedom of choice… is important. Pax's voice is soft, yet there was something else in it that Nox couldn't exactly decipher. 

… And if there isn't a chance? If there isn't a choice? Nyx questions and both Orions stay silent for a moment.

Nox took in a shaky invent, intake opening wide to reply heatedly but froze as he heard a groan coming from Dee's berth. His helm snapped up to see his Amica shifting and slowly sitting up. Barely even startling the turbofox pups on his chassis, the two mechanimals that formed the Matrix just started sliding off the damn mech.

"Dee!" Instantly, he's off his berth, reaching out for the miner.

The Matrix could wait, Dee always came first.

Dee feels sore when he goes online. His entire frame is aching, like he's done a solid two or more cycles mining for energon or exercising. Another consequence for overextending yourself! Solus giggled as Dee groaned, shifting in what felt like a berth and slowly making himself sit up. 

" Dee! " He felt servos helping him up, heard O-14's voice and his optics were now fully functional and saw his best friend's worried faceplate. Guilt stabbed into his spark, "Dee, how are you? Anything painful? Run a diagnostic on yourself." 

Dee's expression scrunched before he ran a diagnostic. You've no internal injuries, little Prime. Merely a sore frame. Megatronus told him throughout the scan, which ended up being true. Not that he was doubting the once-Prime. "Just extremely sore O. I'm good." He reassured his Amica, smiling when the purple and green mech sighed in relief.

Only to cry out as he felt a brief smack against his helm by O's servo, not done enough to hurt but enough to make a clanging noise and startle Dee. "I told you not to overextend yourself you stupid fucking dumbass!" O swore at him with a scowl on his face that had Dee cringing back with a sheepish expression. 

Also, fucking? Ass? He thinks those are swears, but he doesn't recognize the words nor know where they came from. 

"I know, I know, I'm sorry!" Dee apologized, rubbing his helm with a sheepish smile. "But hey, it worked out, didn't it?" 

O crossed his arms, glaring at him, "Barely. I had to haul your aft here after the Matrix knocked everyone else out including you. I'm fragging exhausted! " O grumbled, stumbling backwards towards his berth to sit back down and- no kidding. He did look exhausted, his frame was sagging, his optics were dim and there were lines along his faceplate made it clear just how stressed he had been.

Everything that happened, WAS quite a lot. Solus murmured with sympathy and Dee nodded in agreement.

"You should get some rest O, you deserve it." Dee told him softly, shifting guiltily on his berth. Honestly he's surprised that their habsuite was mostly intact, sure the windows were broken and there was a hole in the wall but it seemed mostly fine! Certainly better than some buildings that he'd seen around town when he went to meet O earlier on when they were Primes. One building was completely totaled.

O took an invent before exventing heavily, "I'll get some rest after we deal with… that." He gestured to the turbofox pups. To The Matrix. The two mechanimals were still in recharge, even though they slid off him and just ended up sprawled over his berth. "Dee, we need to talk. About… everything that just happened."

"But- well, okay yeah, that's fair." Dee sighed, tiredly rubbing his faceplate as he glanced over to him. "Primus, where do we even start though?" 

O huffed, "Maybe start with the fact you somehow brought back the fragging Matrix and that the Matrix is somehow two mechanimal pups?" He replied dryly, glancing back to said pups who, again, were still in recharge. Dee brushed a worried servo against their still frames but was relieved to find both were warm, and that they were cycling air in their recharge. 

The Matrix is currently recuperating. Megatronus further soothed.

"I don't know what to tell you O, I just- they just showed up at the mines one cycle and they wouldn't leave me alone!" Dee insisted, how was he to know that the two mechanimal pups he was bringing back were actually two parts of an ancient relic? "As for how the Matrix is um, that - maybe because of Onyx Prime?" 

Has to be her, who else would give the Matrix such a form? Solus determined with conviction. 

O's servo pressed against his faceplate in thought, "It would make sense, Onyx Prime is the progenitor of beastforms..." 

It seems that Onyx is not with your Amica. Megatronus noted, If she was, then she would've told him and thus us about the Matrix. Not all Primes have returned to the Matrix to help you both, some have stayed in the Well.

Out of their own volition or because they cannot join even if they wanted to? Solus questioned quietly.

A question we do not have an answer to, yet. And if O-14 is not providing anything at the moment, neither do the others with him.

So there wasn't a point to ask O about it huh? Still, Dee should ask O who was with him, which Pri— "Ack!" Dee yelped as he suddenly felt a small form jump on his shoulder, startling him. It was the Matrix, half of it, anyway. Both pups were awake and had gone for their respective holder, O spluttered when the other pup, the other half of the Matrix, landed on his lap. 

"Hi! You're awake! Hello!" Dee's shock turned into delight, reaching over to pet the pup. Despite knowing it was half an ancient relic, he just… he couldn't not give it pets! It was so cute! Its little engine was even purring! How can an ancient relic be so cute?!

How envious, the Matrix didn't turn into a mechanimal when I held it. Dee could practically hear the pout in Solus' voice as Dee scratched the underside of the pup's chin. 

"Get off me! You're an ancient relic of the Primes! Have some dignity! And Dee, stop petting the Matrix!" O was holding the pup with one servo away from him, looking harrowed and annoyed as the pup squirmed in his grip. Closer inspection would find that O wasn't hurting the pup, just holding it firmly. "Slaggit all, why the frag are you in two pieces anyway?!" O snapped at the pup who finally stopped squirming in his grip.

The half-Matrix-turned-turbofox-pup said nothing, merely chirped with its big old light blue optics and wagging the flexible plating that made its tail, while its glossa hung out adorably from its muzzle as it vented. There wasn't a thought behind those optics. 

"Answer me!" 

"O, I don't think the Matrix can talk… in either forms?" Dee hesitantly chimed in, a bit amused by O trying to interrogate a mechanimal pup, even if it was half a relic. 

Does that mean Thirteen is not with him either? Surely he would have told O about why the Matrix is in half… Solus murmured worriedly, Not to mention the frame that he took on when he held the Matrix…

Perhaps Thirteen's frame was one of the options available. I saw Quintus' frame offered in the programming and he is not here… Megatronus replied, but even he sounded a bit disquieted. 

Did that mean they really didn't have anyone available to answer the questions of the Matrix? Huh, no wonder O was trying to get answers from the mechanimal pups in the first place. Speaking of which, Dee's optics flickered as O stood from his berth towards Dee's side of the room. 

Immediately Dee shifted to the side so O could sit beside him, the mech squinting angrily at the pup in his hands and the pup still on Dee's shoulder. "They turned into the Matrix, they were able to reunite there at the end, why in Primus' fraggin' spark are they still in half when they can just-" Annoyed, O pressed the pup in his servo against the pup on Dee's shoulders. " What the frag is wrong with you? " He hissed, insistently pushing the pups together and subsequently against the side of Dee's helm. 

The pups chitter and churr, not sounding like they minded the action at all. Dee couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

He raises good questions, unfortunately, again, we do not have the answers. Megatronus sighed in the helmspace. 

O gave up with a frustrated groan, placing the pup on Dee's shoulder, scowling when it didn't stay on Dee's shoulder with its other half to instead scramble up his arm on his shoulder instead. "No." O plucked the pup off his shoulder, plopping it on Dee's lap. " Stay there you pest. " 

"O! Don't call the Matrix a pest!" Dee laughed, even as he picked up O's pup. Because face it, this was O's turbofox Matrix pup now. "Look at it, how can you call this cute thing a pest?" He raised the pup to O's faceplate, delighted when the pup tried to lick O's faceplate and laughing even more when O reeled back with visible disdain. Dee's pup chittered with what almost seemed like jealousy as it curled around Dee's neck.

"How can you call an ancient relic, cute?" O shot back with a glare, shifting away from Dee.

One typically does not call an ancient relic, cute. Megatronus agreed with amusement while Solus cackled in the background. 

"Well, if the ancient relic is in the form of a turbofox pup, it'd be pretty slagging cute, no?" Dee grinned, setting the pup on O's lap much to his Amica's obvious displeasure. "And, well, since the Matrix is in the form of two turbofox pups, it's doubly cute." 

You are absolutely correct little Prime! Solus agreed with glee while O gave him an 'are you crazy ' look with his optics alone. "Ugh…" O groaned, dropping his faceplate into a servo while obviously trying to ignore the turbofox pup settling on his lap. Dee's pup dropped down from his shoulders to his own lap to do the same thing.

Dee smiled, glancing at both their laps with building delight… and relief. He was just so glad that despite everything, he and O had made it together. Pit, he was glad they were chosen together. 

"O-" "Dee-" Both of them stopped as they realized they were about to say something but spoke at the same time instead, "Frag, sorry-" "Ah, sorry-" They did it again.

There was a bit of a humorous if a bit awkward silence before O sighed, "Y-You go first, Dee. What is it?" 

Dee hesitated before he beamed, leaning over so he could lay a servo on O's pauldron. "I just- I wanted to say, out of everyone who was chosen to be a Prime with me. I'm… I'm so, so glad it was you, O. " He told him sincerely, glancing back down between the turbofox pups on both their laps, completely missing the way O stiffened and the incomprehensible look on his faceplate. "Not only because you're my Amica Endura, that plays into it but like- I was really worried, y'know? Yeah, accepting the Matrix was- it's so cool but it's also kind of overwhelming right? And it's just half of the Matrix but it still felt like a heavy responsibility… And I don't know what I would've done if it was someone else other than you. Probably okay, but I just- I'm so glad it's you , because I know you have my back. And I have yours! We'll watch each other's backs as Primes and- and we'll fix Cybertron together!" 

Anxious excitement builds up in his tanks as he looks up at the ceiling, wildly gesticulating. "If it's the both of us, I know we can do it! We worked so well together back there! Before we like, went off separately but, you were so awesome! And so was I! And together, we'll be amazing Primes! I'm… I'm so relieved and happy that we're in this together O." 

Thunk

Dee was a bit startled to find O's helm bumping into his shoulder, the mech leaning over to do so. O's servo gripped Dee's arm tightly for a moment, trembling, and Dee shifted a bit worriedly. "O? What's wrong?" 

"... You're so fragging optimistic. " O groaned, sounding… painfully resigned and exhausted. 

Despite the worry Dee had, he instinctively blurted out, "Someone has to be since you're so pessimistic." 

O finally lifted his helm, there was something on his faceplate. Something Dee couldn't understand before it was wiped away into a glaring deadpan, "I prefer realistic. " He grumbled then sighed. "Yeah sure, we're… in this together." The way he says it… it makes Dee feel a bit guilty, and confused.

… Neither Megatronus nor Solus say anything, giving Dee no Prime or mentor-ly insight of what was going on. 

"So…" Dee said a bit awkwardly, smiling encouragingly at his best friend. "You wanted to say something too?" 

O's optics flare before he took in a deep invent. "... Orion Nox." Dee tilted his helm, "My new designation, it's Orion Nox." 

Well, that was a surprise. "You finally found a new designation you want to go by?!" Dee gasped with newfound excitement, grinning wildly. "O- uh, Orion! That's great!" He paused before he brightened even more. " I can still call you O! That's even better! " 

"Wouldn't've expected anything less." O, Orion but still O, replied dryly but Dee could see a ghost of a smile on his faceplate. "... I've actually had the designation in mind from the past week…" He admitted and Dee was quick to make a few connections.

" That's why you've been asking me about my own designation?" 

Orion (Dee needs to get used to it and also test it out!) huffed, "Yeah… it's been long enough, you don't have to be D-16 forever and…" Orion looked away, "I can't change my designation officially until you get yours, remember?" 

"Let's change our designations at the same time O! Whenever we think of it anyways." "Yeah, sure. Though I might have to pick one for you, your naming skills are horrible." "HEY! I can think of a good designation for myself!" "Mhm, yeah, totally." 

Warmth filled Dee's spark and he resisted the urge to bounce in place on his berth, he had a pup on his lap after all! "Aww, O-rion!" He grins as he sees the color slowly begin to seep into the soft metal of O's faceplate. Orion's faceplate. Orion.

O-rion.

O-r-ion.

Or-ion.

Yeah, Dee could get used to O's new designation just fine… Hm…

"Shut up!" Orion griped, giving him an unhappy look before huffing again. "Think of a designation soon, alright? I wanna change my fi-"

"Dion." Even Dee's surprised by his abrupt interruption with a word that he's pretty sure is his designation. "... Just Dion." 

Orion squints at him, optics flickering and cycling. "... Dion? " He says suspiciously and Dee, Dion , grins back at him shamelessly. "What kind of name is that?"

"Mine!"

"No seriously, what the frag- what kind of fragging name is that?! I spend- how long thinking of Orion Nox and you just- right now- you're just coming in slapping ion with a D!" Orion's faceplate twisted with something strange before he's back to glowering at Dion who just kept on grinning. "You lazy son of a-"

Dion. I like it. Solus hummed as Orion lunged at Dion, startling both pups off their laps.

Dee, now Dion, defends his new designation from his irate Amica Endura, Orion Nox. 

It was short, simple, O could still call him Dee, and they shared ion together just like they shared the Matrix. 

What's not to love in a name?

Now, they just needed designations for their Prime forms and they're golden!

Chapter Text

A few cycles have passed since the Quintesson attack. Bots were slowly trickling back into Prologex, the miners and citizens of the town were being escorted back by the dozens as camps and other facilities were being set up at the safer, less destroyed outskirts.

Programs were being implemented ranging from energon fuel relief and debris and rubble clearing, to Quintesson clean up and item scavenging. Autobot and Decepticon troops were aiding them all, going around doing this and that.

In any other situation, Nox would have either felt despair and anger at the attack on his home or be awestruck at the fact that there were Decepticons around. And a part of him definitely was, but mostly? He was paranoid over the fact there were a lot of Autobot and Decepticon bots around. 

He didn't exactly know if this was the normal amount of relief sent in to aid an attacked town the size of Prologex or not, but he felt like it was more than it probably should? Even then, he knew exactly why they were around.

They were looking for him and Dion.

( Lazy slagging glitch, Dion? Dion. Really? Stupid mech, dumbaft artist. ( Sentimental slaghead. )) 

More specifically, they were looking for the Primes.

It wasn't hard to figure out, he and Dee had disappeared abruptly after appearing out of fragging nowhere. Of course they'd be on the look out for Primes, especially with the fact that any poison and Tox-En that was around had been purified by the last stint of the Matrix. 

"We need to be careful, Dee. No one can know we're the Primes, that we each hold half the Matrix." Nox warned his Amica as the soldiers from both factions were patrolling around the wrecked town. He and Dee were still in their shared home, rested and relatively safe and isolated. For now. "It's too dangerous." 

Dee, surprisingly, agreed. "We'll be careful, they won't know about us- our frames were so different, our paint were shades different and our faceplates were hidden behind our battle masks. You even hid your optics with a visor!" Nyx had somehow managed to add a visor alongside Pax's battlemask, his 'Prime Form' was entirely based on Orion Pax's Prime frame when he was Optimus Prime, thankfully not his Beast Hunter frame, it had been weird enough trying to adjust to the sudden height change throughout the time he'd been Prime. He had to rely on not only Pax's combat skills but also his sense of balance and frame familiarity as well. 

The added bulk of the Beast Hunter frame would've been too much… No offense, Pax…

None taken. Pax replied with amusement. Even I was rather taken aback to the changes when I awoke to them. I was quick to adapt of course, but it was still… somewhat difficult to adjust to it.

Honestly, I wasn't too attached to that frame. Too bulky. I did like the jetpack and the energon machine gun you had though. Nyx chimed in.

That, he could agree with Nyx. The jetpacks at least, the memories of flight that Pax had were… amazing. 

"But-" Dee continued, snapping Nox's reverie and gaining his attention again, the miner looked worried. "-what do we do now? O, if we're going to fix Cybertron, we can't really stay in Prologex can we? And I know… I know like, a few cycles ago I said we could do it together, and we can! Of course we can but, we'd still need some other help right? We'd need to get to the deadlands somehow, a-and what if the Quintessons attack again? But, somewhere else? Like- like in one of the cities? Or another town that's so very far away?" 

Dee clutched his arms, hugging himself, panicking. "We'd be too late, we wouldn't- how could we save our people if we can't be there for them the moment an attack happens?!" The pup on Dee's shoulder churred, rubbing itself against Dee's helm reassuringly before hopping down.

Nox swore quietly before reaching over to grab Dee's shoulder in a steady hold. "We'll figure something out, for now, let's just… pack our things and change our designations on our files. Like you said, we can't stay in Prologex."

Dee gave him a grateful look for the hold, but his optics still held a look of worry. "But where would we even go?" Doubt began to seep, "Maybe- Maybe we should go to Optimus Trion, he could help." Nox's faceplate twisted and Dee misinterprets it with a snort, "Or maybe Megatron? You'd probably like that." 

Nox would, surprisingly. Nyx snickered in the helmspace, Even knowing how bad Megatron can become, he's still a fan of this world's Megatron.

Be fair, Nyx. This Megatron has not committed the atrocities and crimes that both of us know, his admiration is understandable. Pax replied sternly, It is not fair to judge the crimes of someone's counterpart in other worlds.

Both of you can shut up. Nox griped, giving Dee a dry glare. "We can't go to either of them. Not now at least, not yet. As for where… Well, we've always wanted to go to Harmonex. We can start there, figure things out on the way." 

Chrrp! CHRR!

Both mechs looked over to see both turbofox pups hopping in place, trying to gain their attention with chattering noises. "Okay, what do you pests want now?" Nox groaned, crossing his arms. "We already fed you energon, and we're not in the mood to play." 

His irritation was blindsided when both pups stopped in place, sitting down and began to simultaneously glow. The blue biolights of their mechanimal frames began to shine an ethereal blue. The light made the silver of their frames turn gold, and they looked less like normal turbofox pups, but something more . They felt more like The Matrix despite still being turbofox pups.

Speechless, Nox almost didn't notice Dee grabbing on to his arm, both their optics wide. 

Their tails straightened into points before inevitably pointing southward. Two pairs of mystical blue optics stared at them, pulsing with untold knowledge and warmth. And suddenly, a series of numbers appeared in Nox's processor.

These are… Pax started with breathless awe.

Coordinates. Nyx finished with a murmur. 

And just like that, the light show ended. The gold coloring on the pups' frames melted back into silver, their biolights and optics dimmed back to normal, tails now wagging furiously as they started chittering in what seemed to be playful pride. 

Nox took in a deep vent, ignoring the murmurs of both Orions before he knelt down to scoop both pups into his servos. "You… gave us coordinates leading to somewhere…" He started slowly, optics narrowing at the pups who stared at him noticeably without the previous untold knowledge and warmth like before. "Because we had no idea where to go…" His grip tightened and he began to shake the pups frantically with almost comical fury. " But you don't tell us what the FUCK is going on with you?! " 

" AH! O! No! Don't shake the pups! " 

Nox! Please! Do not shake the Matrix like that!

PffthahaHAHAH!

"I'm sorry about O, he's just stressed." Dion apologized to the turbofox pup on his shoulder, smiling at the way it was sitting on his pauldron without a care in the world. It didn't seem to be bothered at all, not when Orion was shaking it and its other half in his servos, demanding once again for answers. Dion still felt compelled to apologize on Orion's behalf, not just to the pup, but to the Primes in his helm.

If I were in his pedes, I'd probably do the same. Solus waved off, sounding far more amused than offended.

Megatronus laughed, low and deep, No, you wouldn't. You'd do something worse. You'd try to take apart the Matrix to figure out how it works again.  

Again? 

Bah! You and Onyx stopped me from even trying, I'm sure I could've put the Matrix back together. Solus sniffed, playfully offended. 

Dee stifled a laugh, imagining Megatronus and Onyx Prime holding Solus back from trying to take apart the Matrix- he couldn't help but imagine the Matrix cowering behind something as a single, bigger turbofox too. 

Amusing imagination, however the Matrix wasn't able to turn into a mechanimal back in our time, little Prime. Megatronus pointed out. And most of the time it was safely placed within our chassis.

Really a shame! Onyx should have thought to turn the Matrix into a turbofox sooner! The femme Prime exclaimed loudly. 

Dee couldn't hold back his laughter anymore, pressing a servo against his faceplate in an effort to quell and muffle the sound- it would be weird for him to end up laughing in the middle of the encampment. He was already garnering some looks for having the still unnamed pup on his shoulder. 

He latched onto the thought to make himself stop laughing, We really need to think of a name for the pups. Dee thought to himself and the Primes as he took in deep vents of air, exhaling steadily as he moved on from the hilarity of things. We can't keep calling them 'pups' and 'relic' and 'the Matrix' after all. Not when they're young mechanimals at the moment.  

Dee reached up to scratch the underside of the pup's chin, smiling softly at the way it eagerly rubbed itself against his digits. 

We certainly can't call them 'pests' like the other little Prime does. Dee snorts at the reminder, about to respond to Solus when he heard someone call out for him. Using his former designation. Which shouldn't be a surprise really, only Orion knows about his new designation.

"D-16!" Dee turned to see a yellow bot quickly jogging up to him, familiar and smiling. G-721. "D-16, hey." 

Oh, this is the young one you rescued with a pickaxe. Solus hummed, reminding him of his act of heroism at the start of everything. "G-721, hey!" Dee greeted back with a bright smile. Happy to see that the young mech seemed to be doing okay, the last time he'd seen him was at the very start of the Quintesson attack at the mines. "It's good to see you, you been doing okay?" 

G-721 suddenly seemed bashful, shrinking back with a shy smile, red optics gleaming with something Dee couldn't exactly decipher. "I-I've been doing okay… I just- I wanted to say thank you. " He said with surprising conviction and a look of awe on his faceplate. "Thanks for- y'know. Saving e-uh, saving me. With that pickaxe! That was- frag, that was so cool! " 

It was Dee's turn to feel bashful, reaching up to awkwardly scratch his cheek. "No problem! It was- well, it was pretty cool wasn't it? Still, you… you were in danger and I had to help." Everyone was in danger, I had to help. Dee thought to himself with a small smile, it grew at the wave of approval and appreciation he got from Solus and Megatronus Prime. "Honestly I wasn't thinking too much at the time, there was a Quintesson, I had a pickaxe, you were in danger… I just moved." 

G-721's optics widened, glowing a brighter shade of red, smile growing wider and wider. " Cool. " He started fidgeting, glancing between him, the curled up turbofox pup on his shoulder and then their surroundings. "Hey, uh, D-16—" He started but Dee decided to interrupt.

"Dion." 

The young miner blinked, "Huh?" 

Dee gave him a bright grin, a bit excited to tell someone else about his new designation. "I'm not going to go by D-16 anymore, my new designation is Dion." Primus, it felt good telling someone else about his new name! To introduce himself as Dion instead of D-16! 

A part of him will miss that designation, yeah, but having a new one- one that he shares with his Amica, it just felt right.  

"Dion." G-721 repeated quietly, a look of disbelief and awe on his faceplate. It made Dion tilt his helm in curiosity, wondering why G-721 sounded so… full of wonder? Was that the right thing to call it? It was a bit weird, wasn't it?

Both Primes hummed in his helmspace, but didn't comment. Eyeing the young miner with interest. "Right, Dion, okay, um—" Something else interrupts G-721 again, not from Dion, not technically at least- he gives the bot an apologetic look as his comms pinged. 

"Sorry, can you give me a moment? Someone's comming me." G-721 seemed put out but nodded all the same. Dee checked his commlink, "Ah, it's Orion." He sees the young mech's questioning look and realized that Orion hadn't told anyone either. "O-14, he's changed his designation too. He's going by Orion Nox now." He answered O's comm.

.: Dee? You got the energon yet? I checked the shuttle schedule, there's a shuttle we can get to Harmonex within the next few joors. We're lucky, I snagged the last two open seats, we just need energon for the trip and we're alright. :.  

Right, frag. The entire reason he was at the encampment was to get energon rations. .: I'm at the encampment, got stopped by G-721. He's thanking me for saving him from the Quintesson back at the mines- and before you say something, it was before the whole Prime thing so he doesn't know, I hit a Quintesson with a pickaxe all on my own. :. He was still a bit proud about that tidbit. 

Unfortunately, the same couldn't exactly be said from Orion. .: You did WHAT?! :. Dee winced, oh right. He hadn't told O about the attack at the mines and- whoops.

What a protective Amica you have. Megatronus approved with a sly tone that had Dee groaning. .: Dee! :. 

.: It ended up fine! Look, I'm going to get the energon rations now! See you in a bit O! :. 

.: Dee, don't you dare hang up— :.  

Oh, he dared.

Dee grinned to himself, shaking his helm with amusement before glancing over to G-721. "I gotta go, G-721, I need to get energon rations and then meet my Amica. It was great to see you again!" He bade, knowing he had to hurry since Orion would probably be going after him. 

Hopefully he can placate his irate best friend with the rations by the time O found him. "Bye!" He quickly jogged off towards the energon distribution tent, leaving G-721 behind. The young miner in yellow wilted, before straightening in determination. 

Almost half a joor later, Dee was dragged to a more remote part of the encampment while trying to avoid being lectured by O. " I told you! I told you! Run AWAY from the Quintessons not AT the Quintessons! " O hissed through gritted denta, smacking his servos against back with increasing force. 

" I know! I know! I'm sorry! " Dee complained back with a wince. Both their pups were just watching by their pedes.

Oh this brings back memories, doesn't it Megatronus? Solus questioned, somewhere in his helm. He briefly gets an image of an irate Solus reprimanding Megatronus. 

Yes it does. Megatronus sighed with equal parts fondness and exasperation. 

"Is there a problem here, mechs?" 

Both Amicas froze at the sudden interruption of a vaguely familiar voice. Helms snapping over to see a mech of red and silver with the Autobot emblem proudly displayed on the front of his right pauldron. It was Ironhide.

"You're commander Ironhide!" Dee blurted out with awe, grinning widely at the sight of the Autobot commander, especially one that worked under Optimus Trion himself!  

Ironhide clearly wasn't expected to be recognized, but grinned, nodding to Dee before his optics glanced between him and O. "Now, what's going on here?" 

"My Amica's a reckless fragging dumbaft, that's what's going on here." Orion told him bluntly, annoyed but tense. Why would he be so tense? This was Ironhide! 

He's probably worried you'll both be recognized somehow, little Prime. Megatronus said and that made Dee stiffen, his excitement faltering but only for a moment. Oh right, they couldn't really afford to be found right now. Even though Dee kind of wanted to let Optimus Trion know, Solus, Megatronus and Orion made convincing reasons why they couldn't go to either the Autobots or Decepticons.

Ironhide looked intrigued, "Oh? Now what'd he do?" 

Suddenly his pride over his heroic act disappears and he's feeling more embarrassed than heroic at the moment. "I um…" Orion turns to him sharply, and he gives a sheepish grin, "I jumped on a Quintessona and attacked it with a pickaxe?" 

The bewildered look the Autobot gives him makes him blush and look away, "It- it had one of my co-workers in its tentacles! I just- I had to do something!" His blush got worse when he heard the Autobot Commander laugh , he looked down to the pups, bending down to pick up his pup while O's pup climbed the purple mech's frame.

O grunted but said or did nothing, just had his servos on his hips with a narrow-optic look aimed at Ironhide. " Wow! Alright, yes, that's quite reckless of you soldier." 

"He's not a soldier." Orion snapped, "He should've ran."

"But then G-721 would've been hurt, O. I couldn't let that happen." Dee replied quietly, he couldn't find it in himself to regret it. He petted the pup, letting the action soothe him and the mechanimal relic. "Look, I know you hate that I ran in like that, that I put myself in danger and I'm sorry, I really should've thought of a better plan but… I don't regret rescuing G-721." He finished firmly, looking up to meet his best friend's optics. 

O looked like he was trying to stay annoyed, and he was only partially successful, he sighed with tired exasperation. "Primus-below… Fragging- ugh, okay. Whatever…" 

He got a message from Orion. 

[ Orion Nox ]
:- You better not fragging do that again, even as a damn Prime. Don't you dare be reckless like that. -:

[ Dion ]
:- I'll be more careful, I swear. -:

"Spoken like a true Autobot." Ironhide rumbled, gaining both their attention. "From what I can see, you faced a Quintesson and came up on top. Honestly, we need more mechs like you in our forces." Dee straightened, feeling flattered and grinning wide. "Ever think of joining the Autobots?" 

Oh, did he ever? Dee opened his intake only to snap it shut when he got O's message. 

[ Orion Nox ]
:- Remember what we JUST discussed about joors ago Dee? We can't join either side. -:

He's right, little Prime. Your current situation as an one of two, impermanent Primes, is precarious, and I am not liking the political situation that is happening between both factions. The leaders of the Autobots and Decepticons, the false Prime Zeta and that mech, Megazarak… neither of them seem like trustworthy mechs. Solus warned grimly, all previous humor was gone. I know you admire Optimus Trion, but he is one mech and only a general. It is safer to be on our own for now.

"I um- well, yeah but, maybe not right now." Dee fumbled over his reply. Right, right. He thanked both of them for the reminder, internally sighing with disappointment. "A lot of stuff is happening…" 

Ironhide hummed, thankfully not looking very disappointed. He nodded, "Shame, but understandable. Just know that the Autobots would welcome someone like you. I know I would." That made Dee feel a bit better, he shot O a bright smile that made his Amica huff and roll his optics- in a fond manner of course. "Hey, I got a question for you uh-"

"Oh! I'm Dion, and this is my Amica, Orion Nox." Dee introduced, gesturing between him and O. "These two… we don't have names for them yet." He added in, gesturing between the pups. 

The commander chuckled, "Got it. Dion, Orion Nox, and two unnamed turbofox pups. Anyway, back to my question- you mentioned a pickaxe and a Quintesson- you a miner?" It was asked with genuine curiosity, Dee knew that, O probably knew that, but he saw him bristle.

"And if he is?" There was an edge to O's voice that made Dee feel warm and happy.

Protective. Megatronus hummed while Ironhide held his servos up. "Nothing against miners! I'd just like to ask him if he saw the Prime appear, the silver one that came in with the Decepticons." Ah.

Scrap.

"Um, well, n-not really?" Dee focused on the turbofox in his servos instead of Ironhide. Do not lie, little Prime. The best lies are unsaid truths. Solus instructed softly, nudging Dee towards his answer.  "After I got G-721 out of that Quintesson's tentacles, it kinda just- it threw me into one of the abandoned tunnels of the mines. I- I blacked out after that."

"I found him unconscious later, took him home after that." O added in sourly, glaring at the Autobot Commander who seemed disappointed in his answer. 

"Damn, I was hoping you would've seen when and where the Prime came from." Ironhide sighed with slight frustration before shaking his helm. "He just appeared at the mines, and no one knows where he or that other Prime went." He told the two mechs who definitely weren't the Primes he was just talking about. 

Dee felt… well he didn't know what to feel at the moment. A bit silly, maybe? It was kind of funny that Ironhide was talking to them about the 'mysterious Primes' when in reality, he and Orion were those Primes. Solus and Megatronus were certainly amused at least. 

"I mean, we don't even know their designations." 

He bit down on his derma to stop himself from smiling sheepishly, right. That. While he and O finally got their designations as well, normal bots, they still hadn't thought of their own Prime Designations… Hey Megatronus, Solus, did you have designations before becoming Primes? Or did you just… took the title of Prime in addition to it? He asked the two in his helm. Because I don't think Dion Prime sounds very… Primely. Orion Prime could work but, uh, yeah. No.

I had another designation before becoming Prime. Solus replied, her tone belaying even more amusement. Megatronus on the other hand merely added the title of Prime after he was passed down the Matrix.

Megatronus chuckled, You and Onyx insisted on it, my spark. Said my original designation was grandiose enough. 

Being fair, she and Onyx Prime had a point…

"Anyway, that's all I wanted to ask. Thank you for your time you two." Dee's attention was brought back to the present, grunting in surprise when he felt Ironhide's servo pat his shoulder. The miner looked up at the Autobot commander in surprise, "And hey, keep what I said in mind, alright Dion? You seem like you'd be a great Autobot soldier." 

"Um, uh, thanks!" Dee replied as the commander winked before walking away, the pup in his arms chittered, climbing up to reach the shoulder that Ironhide had roughly patted to sit down on. He waved his goodbye as O went to stand beside him, expression dry and frowning.

"Stay out of trouble you two!" 

Both he and O watched the Autobot walk away, waiting until he was well out of audial-shot. "Did you hear that? Commander Ironhide said I'd make a great Autobot soldier." Dee turned to O, grinning widely at the purple bot. O had a strange look on his faceplate before he shook his helm with a huff.

"Guess so, but, you're not going to be an Autobot soldier. Not with these two pests around." O motioned to the turbofox pups who chirped in unison. 

Dee pouted at him, "Don't call them pests! And- yeah, I guess you're right. Still, it was nice to hear from a cool Autobot like Ironhide." It would've been so much cooler if Optimus Trion said it. He couldn't help but think, the mere thought of it had him flustering a bit. He shook his helm furiously to clear the thought, ignoring the clear amusement he could feel from the Primes which really just fed into his embarrassment, "A-Anyway, what were we doing again?"

" I was scolding you for being a reckless dumbaft who jumps at a Quintesson with a slagging pickaxe of all things." O reminded with pursed derma, glaring at Dee who immediately stepped back with a sheepish smile. His Amica sighed, pressing his servos against his faceplate. "But that's over with since you just said you don't regret it, and- okay, I understand that. I do, but please be more careful next time. If the Matrix wasn't there, if you had died I… " Any annoyance that O had seemed to drain right out of him, making Dee's spark ache while guilt stabbed itself into his chassis.

"Hey, hey, it all worked out." He soothed, reaching over to pull O into a reassuring side-hug. "I'm here. I'm alive. We're okay." O's pup chittered, rubbing itself against the side of O's helm, for once, the purple mech didn't even grumble at the action. 

"Just… be careful, Dee. Even as a Prime, frag, especially as a Prime. The Matrix gives us stronger frames, powers and weapons yes but I'm pretty sure we're not invincible. So we need to be careful." O's servos clutched at his arms and Dee squeezed O's frame against him.

"And we will. I promise." He turned the side-hug into a full hug, wrapping both his arms around Orion. "I'm sorry I worried you O." 

Orion didn't reply, merely hugging back with a desperation that made Dee worry more about his Amica. Before he could even ask him what else was wrong, his Orion broke free from the hug with a disgruntled expression. "Apology not accepted, but definitely appreciated." 

"Wha- why isn't it accepted?!" Dee bafflingly questioned. 

"Because you're just going to end up worrying me again and again regardless." O sniffed before shaking his helm, "All this aside, we need to focus Dee. You have the rations?" He asked seriously, optics determined and frame tense. 

Dee took in a vent before nodding, "Yeah, should be more than enough for the trip and then some! We could also always get more energon in Harmonex."

"Good, c'mon. Our shuttle leaves in half a joor, everything's packed up. Let's go now." 

…

Hidden behind a corner, a bot quickly scrambled away. 

"Harmonex. They're heading to Harmonex, I need to get a shuttle there. "

Chapter Text

" Still no signs of the Primes?" 

Ironhide withheld a deep vent at the irritated voice he heard as he entered the room, "It's been the same answer for the last few cycles, Starscream; no. No one knows where the Primes came from or where they went." He replied stiffly, reminding himself that Optimus and Ultra Magnus told him to be cordial with the Decepticons. 

Cordial, cordial.

He could do cordial.

He could probably be better at cordial if he wasn't talking to Starscream of all mechs.

"We've probably asked every bot in town, and yet no one can give any further information about the Primes!" Starscream growled, pacing back and forth in place. "General Megatron will not be pleased to hear this." 

Neither would Optimus, being honest. "Let's just face it, the Primes are gone and still a mystery. I'm going to start calling back my soldiers, Harmonex is sending construction workers and laborers to help rebuild Prologex's buildings. Thankfully, not from the ground up." He mutters the last part with a sigh of relief. 

As much as there was a lot of damage to the buildings and lives lost, in reality this was probably the most successful battle they've had in a long while. Usually towns the size or even lesser than Prologex would just be wiped out, more lives would've been lost, but not this time.

"You're giving up already?" Starscream sneered and Ironhide couldn't help but sneer back. 

"It's not like we have any other leads, or any lead for that matter! We're not going to find the Primes here, and I don't think we'll find any clues either so there's really no point in continuing to search." Ironhide snapped back, servos clenching into fists. Did he seem like he wanted to give up? No! His Trion had entrusted him to try and find at least something about the Primes and he was going to have to report nothing new. Again.

"Ugh." Starscream groaned with disdain and frustration but said nothing further, knowing that Ironhide was right. The seeker stomped out of the room, leaving Ironhide alone.

The Autobot commander took no pleasure from the fact he was right or the fact Starscream had left since he understood and, Primus-forbid it, sympathized with the Decepticon. 

It was almost half a deca-cycle since the Quintesson attack, since the appearance of the Primes. Actual Primes, chosen from the Matrix. Ironhide wasn't the most religious of bots, and history and religious topics about the old Primacy and Primus himself wasn't something he paid attention to or had any interest in.

If Ironhide hadn't been there himself, hadn't seen the two Primes in action, hadn't witnessed everything- he'd probably be as skeptical as Ratchet was, as skeptical as the returning bots who hadn't seen anything. But he had been there, seen the two Primes in action- mostly the purple Prime.

His processor thought back to the other purple mech he's seen recently- his designation was, Orion, wasn't it? He'd been paying more attention to the other mech, Dion, to take much note of the purple bot other than the fact he seemed pretty protective over Dion and had quite the prickly personality. 

Dion and Orion… Silver and purple.

For a humorous moment, he tried to connect the two mechs to the Primes only for a number of differences to stack against the possibility. 

Both bots were shorter than the Primes, not to mention their frames were vastly different, though their colors were somewhat the same in purple and silver- Orion's purple was a darker shade, and the bot had green trims and coloring instead of red like the purple Prime. Dion was a duller silver, standard metal that was made darker from his job as a miner probably. 

Their helms didn't seem to have been augmented with battlemasks, or even a visor. They were both civilian frames all in all. 

Plus? He can't see Orion as the purple Prime, too grouchy. The purple Prime had been… soft, in a way. Kind. Strict in some senses, but comforting in the end. It had left a big impression on Ironhide and more than a few other soldiers who witnessed him.

Right behind Optimus Trion, Ironhide watched with wide optics as the Prime reached out against the canister, servo gently pressing against the glass. The sparks within froze before crowding the glass against the servo. "Calm yourselves." The Prime said in a voice so soft and soothing, Ironhide actively tried not to let it affect him. "Hush, we will get you home, you are safe now, I promise you."

It wasn't the last time the Prime had used that voice, had been that kind and comforting- throughout the extraction process of the canisters from the warship, the Prime had soothed the sparks within each one. 

"We are here, you are safe." The Prime reassured the sparks out loud. "Hear my words, feel my voice, we will take you home. You will not be harmed any longer. Shush now." More than one soldier, Autobot or Decepticon, had stopped in place just to listen to his comforting murmurs.

When every canister left the ship, they were no longer filled with anxiously bouncing sparks, but sparks that simply floated in the energon in what seemed to be peace. 

It was something Ironhide would never forget in his life, that much he was sure. 

The purple Prime was slightly stand-offish, but ultimately, the mech was kind. The moment Optimus Trion had shown that he'd been affected by the Tox-En, the Prime had instructed Ironhide to take Optimus to a medic immediately. And really, he intended to do that but- well…

"Optimus you heard the Prime! You need to see Ratchet, the symptoms-" 

Optimus interrupted him, voice hard with an edge that made Ironhide stiffen, "I understand your orders, but I wish- no, I NEED to know where our Prime is going. What he will be doing. Something in my spark tells me that I need to see him. My symptoms are manageable at the moment. And as Trion, I am ordering you to allow me to do so. Assist me if you must, afterwards, I will go to Ratchet." 

Even if the purple Prime was a Prime, ( the Prime? ) Optimus was still his superior commanding officer. So, against better judgement, he helped Optimus follow after the Prime. Which then led them to seeing the whole, Matrix fusing together as one and then knocking everybody out event that happened soon afterwards.

Nobody was happy when everyone came back online. Optimus and Megatron had both immediately ordered the area to be searched, for the Primes to be found- though Optimus had to quickly leave due to the lingering Tox-En symptoms. 

Surprising but more amazing news came when it was found that the Quintesson ship's Tox-En crystals seemed to have turned into pure energon crystals. And the poisons? Neutralized. 

Reports came in that several waves of blue light suddenly washed over the surrounding area, Autobot and Decepticon soldiers watched as the waves purified the crystals and nullified the poison. After some investigations, it was clear the waves emanated exactly from where the Primes and the Matrix had been, which gave all the more reason for them to be found.

Only problem was that they couldn't be found. 

Not one sign of the Primes.

Ironhide gave a frustrated vent as he went over to the console that was connected to most of the town's information network, the files, the data- anything pertaining to the town's citizens. Nothing personal and invasive of course, but the basic identification data that was registered. Not a single bot in town matched the Primes.

Well, there were some similarities to some bots but only in little details like frame-height and paint-shade. But nothing that denoted they were the Primes they were looking for. Then came the information of bots who weren't residents of the town, visitors, merchants, bots who were merely passing through at the time- none of them matched either.

They'd questioned and interviewed with every bot in town at this point, Ironhide was sure of it. 

Starscream had searched every inch of the town and its surroundings, he had made that very clear, catalogued it in his own reports. 

Ironhide didn't like giving up, in fact he hated it. Despite what Starscream might think, no, Ironhide wasn't giving up. He was just- postponing any further searches. They clearly weren't going to get anymore information about the Primes and their whereabouts at the moment, they would have to wait for the Primes to appear again and continue from there.

The Primes would show up again, Ironhide doubted they were one-hit wonders. 

Still, it didn't sit well in his tanks that he'd be telling Optimus Trion all of this during his next in-person report…

Gigantic, crystaline-shaped buildings that shifted in color from time to time, be it from the sky's own light or perhaps the light of outside forces that controlled the colors themselves. Paths and roadways winding around large, natural forming crystals on the ground, flight areas clearly yet beautifully lit with floating lines that shone in the night yet were still visible in the day. 

Harmonex.

The Singing City of Cybertron.

Infamous for its lithic crystals that grew from Cybetron's earth, the crystals produced soundwaves that sang in perfect harmonic frequency at certain times of the cycles. It was said that every few mega-cycles, there would be an entirely new song played from the crystals for all to hear. 

It was beautiful. 

It was also; noisy.  

Nox thought to himself, even with their audio dampeners adjusted as instructed and suggested by other passengers of the shuttle who went to Harmonex- the city was noisy. Yet, it was still so very pretty and so much to the two bots who came from a town near its borders. Both he and Dee had only seen the city from afar in Prologex or in vids, and posts and such. 

Harmonex… Pax whispered with a voice of awe, grief and nostalgia. It was one of the first cities destroyed in the escalation of the war.  

In your war. Here, it still stands. Nox replied dryly, ignoring the pulse of dread that he felt at the reminder that in most worlds it seemed, or 'continuities' that Nyx has seen. The cities of Cybertron or Cybertron itself would just… die because of the stupid Autobot-Decepticon war. 

That was partially the reason why he wanted no part with either factions, why he insisted on being on his own side with Dee. Yes, he still admired Decepticons, his Decepticons, but the thought of the faction he admired being the cause of his home planet's decline or even… demise…?

No. 

No.

He refused.

Hey, chin up Nox! The Autobot-Decepticon war isn't going to take down Harmonex, Nyx soothed only to immediately trample over his own comfort attempt by continuing on with; it's more likely that the Quintessons will do it here anyway.

Nox seethed, mentally throwing Nyx off a cliff and felt viciously satisfied by the sound of indignation he heard from the human while Pax started scolding Nyx for his careless words. 

No one was taking down Harmonex, or even Cybertron itself! No one! Not the Decepticons, and certainly not the fragging Quintessons.

"O? You okay?" Nox straightened, looking over to see Dee wincing slightly but looking at him with concerned optics. The turbofox pups were both on their respective shoulders, thankfully they'd behaved the whole journey to Harmonex- good. Paying extra because of them wasn't a waste.

Nox took in a deep vent, "I'm fine, I should be asking you that. You're the one with a more sensitive sensor suite." He replied sternly, "Maybe we should buy you a new dampener upgrade."

Dee immediately shook his helm, regretting the action with another wince and waved his servo instead. "No! No need for that O, just- let me adjust my dampener a bit more. And get used to the noise. It's just… a lot, y'know?" He said as his optics dim slightly to focus on adjusting his auditory sensors. 

"Compared to noise in the mines and Prologex, it's probably more than 'just a lot'." Nox muttered dryly, but quietly. 

It's so interesting to know that miners have more sensitive sensory units compared to most bots. Makes sense though, better to sense whether or not a tunnel is in the danger of collapsing or something else dangerous or important happening underground. Nyx hummed with clear interest as he waited for Dee to finish adjusting his systems to his own liking. 

Not every miner has the same sensitivity that Dee does, he volunteered to get his auditory and olfactory units tweaked and upgraded because he's a softspark that wants to make sure his co-workers are okay. Nox grumbled with a hint of fondness. Didn't even care about the fact that the payment came from him, I was so angry and worried.

Dion is truly a kind spark. Pax murmured, Nox ignored the feeling of confliction and longing that he felt from the ex-Prime. He was probably thinking of his own Dee- or uh, his own Megatron? Megatronus? Alternate worlds were such a pain to deal with. 

Yet you benefit from knowing that they exist! Nyx insisted smugly, You get to learn so much from all the new knowledge that Pax and I provide! You're welcome.

"I think I got it all tuned now." Dee says, interrupting Nox's second mental throw of Nyx off a cliff. "Let's go, O! This is- this is Harmonex! Let's go look around! " He said excitedly, as if to mirror his mood, the pup on his shoulder's tail began to wag. And as if to mirror that pup's mood, the other pup on Nox's shoulder began to wag as well. 

Three against one was so fragging unfair. 

FIVE against one! Pax and I want to see the place too! Nyx exclaimed loudly, Nox could feel the slightly embarrassed agreement Pax was giving out instead of an actual verbal reply. 

"Ugh, fine! The place we need to go to to change our designations doesn't open for a while anyway. Might as well look around- but! " He said, trying to stifle their excitement and actually be responsible here. "We're also going to look out for things we might need." There was no telling when and where they'd find the location of the coordinates. Harmonex was ultimately just a pit stop.

" Got it! " Dee agreed enthusiastically, rocking in place with the brightest smile Nox has seen in a while. That smile was infectious as he felt his dermas tilt upwards. " Let's go O! Whoo! " The grey mech grabbed his servo before tugging him forwards towards the noisy crystal city.

Red optics stared at him from the screen, a displeased sneer gracing that aged and scarred faceplate. " Is it true, Megatron? Two Primes, wielding two halves of The Matrix of Leadership, Chosen by Primus himself, walk the earth of Cybertron? " 

Megatron kept his own faceplate serious and neutral, nodding to the screen. "It is true, Lord Megazarak, I saw them both with my own optics and witnessed one of them up close in action." He kept his servos behind his back, clenching them into fists as an outlet to his familiar simmering hatred at the sight of the Decepticon 'leader'. 

" And yet you did not see fit to immediately tell me about this, Megatron? " Megazarak growled and Megatron stifled the urge to roll his optics and sneer back at him. No use in showing his contempt just yet. He was patient, he was cunning, and he had plans- yes, some of those plans would have to be delayed and most of them would have to be modified but he had plans.  

"I was gathering information. Soundwave will be sending you an information packet of all we currently know about the Primes right about now." In the background, the red-visored mech nodded, signifying that he had completed sending the data packet towards the Leader of the Decepticons. 

Megazarak leaned back as he received the data, he was on his throne in the center of Kaon. His helm's ridiculously massive jagged-edged horns could barely fit in the screen, ridiculous as they are, Megatron knew exactly how dangerous Megazarak's horns could be. 

The mech was old and a fool, but that didn't mean he wasn't a threat. 

" Megatronus Prime…? " Megazarak muttered, the call barely picking it up but his faceplate was one of… wonder. It took Megatron aback, and he felt torn as he had somewhat the same reaction when he first saw the silver Prime. The same went for Optimus, the Trion had done the very same thing, and that had been gratifying. Yet now? It just made Megatron disgusted that he had the same reaction as the old mech. 

He was stunned though, to see Megazarak's faceplate twist into what can only be described as a wild and obsessed smile. His optics gleamed brightly as he showed sharp denta in his wide smile- no, it couldn't be called a smile at this point. He was just baring his dentae at the screen. " Find him, my General. Find Megatronus and bring him to me. He belongs here! With me in Kaon! With my Decepticons! " He boomed through the screen, clawed servos clenched in front of him. 

"... Lord Megazarak?" Megatron cautiously questioned, processor trying to understand the sudden change from the usually stoic yet arrogant Leader. This was… no, this wasn't unexpected, Megatron realized with a tense frame as he made a connection in his processor. Kaon had Megatronus Prime's statue there for a reason, Megazarak had sought him out back when he was a gladiator and went by Megatronus for a reason.  

The Decepticon's emblem was Megatronus Prime's helm for a reason.  

" Megatronus has come back from the Allspark, I WILL have him by my side. Do not fail me, Megatron. " Megazarak continued, abruptly cutting the meeting short as he disappeared from the screen. Leaving Megatron speechless as he and Soundwave stared at the screen that depicted the Decepticon symbol in gleaming purple.

"... Remind me, Soundwave. How old is Megazarak?"

Soundwave stayed quiet for a moment, "Calculating… Answer: Megazarak once claimed before that he was part of Megatronus Prime's forces when he was young… Unable to find exact data of his age, Soundwave: Apologizes." 

That made Megatron tense before he pressed his digits against the lids of his optics, that… hmm… 

"This changes a few things." He murmured to himself before a smirk came to his faceplate. "Yet our objective has not changed at all, you heard him; we find the Silver Prime and bring him to the Decepticons." His smirk twists into a disgusted frown as he thought of the way Megazarak called the silver Prime Megatronus Prime …

The silver and purple mech shook his helm frantically. "Ah, no. I'm not Megatronus Prime! Just, um…" He trailed off, the large mech seemingly unsure.

Although the Prime was currently nameless, and his frame was so similar, the silver Prime was not Megatronus Prime back from the dead.

Crystalline blue optics stared back at him, panicked, as large gentle servos pulled him up from his kneeling position. "No! Don't- don't kneel. Please." The Prime pleaded, those servos leave him and he watches as the Prime starts gently pulling the miners, dirt covered, energon dusted, and low-caste miners, up from their own kneeling positions. Gently admonishing and pleading. More focused on their safety than their worship.

Even if he was, he wasn't bringing the Prime to Megazarak's Decepticons in Kaon.

Hah, the fool didn't even bother mentioning the other Prime too. Truly, Megazarak needed to be disposed of...

" Find the Primes and send them to Iacon immediately, Optimus Trion. They must prove their worth and present The Matrix of Leadership to myself and the Council. This is your main priority now, do you understand? " 

Optimus Trion made sure to keep his optics neutral as he stared blankly at the screen, "I understand, Zeta Prime." He replied, the title of Prime lays heavy and sour on his glossa. He did not want to refer to the blue and orange mech on the screen as Prime, yet he had to. Lest he be accused of insubordination. Zeta was already so possessive and paranoid over his authority as Prime when Optimus made Trion, Optimus would not give Zeta the opportunity to demote Optimus or do anything else untoward.

He couldn't.

Not when he was in the perfect position to assist the true Primes. 

But never again shall he refer to Zeta as 'My Prime', no that was reserved for—

"Watch yourself, Optimus Trion." The purple Prime tells him, voice stern but unmistakably concerned. Optimus' spark fluttered slightly as the purple and red Prime, who was only a few meters shorter than him, tugged him back to his pedes. Black visor glinting from the light of the Star Saber. "Enemies are abound."

" Good, do not fail me, my Trion." Zeta's voice made him refocus on the screen, the mech's orange optics looked at him with impatience and expectancy. 

Optimus bowed his helm, "Of course, Zeta Prime." He replied politely with practiced grace. By the time he lifted his helm, Zeta's faceplate was thankfully gone, replaced with the Autobot emblem instead. "Prowl." 

The mech, who had been standing in the background for most of the meeting, straightened. "Find out who sent Zeta the information we had about the Primes." Not once, did Zeta ask for the information during the meeting. Just confirmation and clarification.

"Yes, sir." Prowl nodded with narrowed optics, just as, if not, more displeased with the situation as a whole. "... He had not even mentioned about the Praxian sparks we liberated." The mech's voice was tightly wound and edged with carefully restrained anger. 

"He had not." Optimus agreed grimly, thinking of the canisters of energon and sparks that were being guarded heavily by both Decepticon and Autobot forces. It had been mutually agreed to protect them together, seeing as the Primes had rescued them with both forces present, and it had not felt right to guard the canisters separately after everything that transpired. 

He glanced over to the white mech, "Prowl, after dealing with the leak, would you like to accompany the escorting forces to the Well?" He asked quietly with a firm look of understanding and sincerity. The sparks were of Prowl's people of course, his citizens, his home. 

The Praxian tactician's doorwings twitched tellingly, even as Prowl's faceplate had hardened into something contrastingly brittle. "I- yes, I would like that, my Trion." He tensely admitted, taking in a deep vent. 

"Consider it done, then."

Harmonex was amazing, there were sights and sounds that Dee has only heard or seen on the Grid! Yeah, the city was loud and he had to keep his auditory and olfactory senses down with his dampeners cranked up more than normal but it was worth it!

The city was a beautiful place, with so many bots!

Dee thought Prologex with the Autobots and Decepticons were a lot of bots in one place, but the city? Wow! He's never seen so many bots in person before!

Ah, Harmonex. My, it has changed from our time, hasn't it Megatronus? Solus hummed in the back of his helm as he and Orion wandered around the city, making the mistake of going with the crowd only once and never again. Dee had almost gotten completely lost and overwhelmed but luckily, and thankfully, his Amica was quick to find him and drag him somewhere less crowded. 

It certainly has… Megatronus replied quietly, Prima always liked the crystals of this land. They responded so beautifully to his songs. To see this city, he must be elated. Dee can't help but look over to O, seeing the wonder and interest his Amica had over a nearby crystal. 

It stays in his helm as he and Orion kept sightseeing while waiting for the office that they needed to go to to change their designations on their files to open. Which thankfully, doesn't take too long after they arrive. The only problem? 

The building wouldn't let them in while they had the pups on them. " No mechanimals allowed inside the building. " The guard at the office growled when they tried to enter at the same time. Dee did try to convince the guard that the turbofox pups would behave, which they totally would, but the guard was adamant about not letting them in if they were going to bring the pups along.

"We can't leave these things behind or outside on their own." Nox vented with a look of annoyance, "We're just going to have to get in there one at a time, leave the other with both pests until we're done." 

Dee gave him an exasperated look, " Stop calling them pests, they're youngling pups!" He petted his pup in his servos, as if to make a point, his pup chirped adorably which made him smile. 

"They're not letting us in because of them, they're pests." Orion replied ruthlessly, unphased by the cuteness that were the relic pups. 

[ Orion Nox ]
:- Also they're actually fragging old as The Matrix, younglings my aft. -:

Dee pouted at him but suddenly found himself holding both halves of the Matrix pups. "Hold this, I'm going first." O told him before glaring at the squirming and whining pup in his servos. " Stay. With. Him. Got it, pest? " The pup whined in his servo but seemed to settle. 

"You really need to be nicer to them, O. I don't understand why you're so mean." Dee muttered gloomily, adjusting the turbofoxes in his arms so he could give O's pup a comforting pat on the head. 

Orion rolled his optics, "You don't have to understand Dee. I don't like them, I don't have to like them, you can't make me like them. Now, please look after them and don't go anywhere without telling me first, okay? I'll be back as soon as I'm done with the designation change then you can go." With one last stern look aimed at the pups and a softer look at Dee, he left towards the entrance of the building. 

This time, without the pups, the guard let him through. Not without looking at Dee though. The miner- well, ex-miner, now? Bristled slightly and held the pups in his arms a bit tighter. 

Now that, Prima definitely wouldn't approve. Solus laughed slightly, Prima liked mechanimals, how can they not let these two cute little things in? And I don't understand why your Amica doesn't like the pups either, little Prime. They're adorable!

Yet also frustrating. Megatronus countered knowingly, I believe Orion Nox does not like them because they give no answers to the questions he has. He sees them more as The Matrix rather than turbofox pups and possibly resents the lack of information. Prima was the same, he disliked not-knowing information when it was clear there was more to things than meets the optic.  

Dee winced, yeah, that could be a good reason why. Orion was a data clerk, he liked knowing things. Still, he tilted his helm in thought as he sat down at a nearby bench with the pups in his arms. You've both been talking a lot about Prima ever since we came to Harmonex.  

… It seems that we have… Was Megatronus' reply. Dee could feel both him and Solus hesitating in his helmspace, he could feel restrained emotions of sadness, longing and… grief. 

Solus spoke after a moment of quiet, Do you know how Harmonex was founded, little Prime? Dee shook his helm, he just assumed that ancient Cybertronians found the singing crystals that made the city famous and settled down like most other cities. That is… somewhat correct. However, there is more to it. Harmonex was founded by Prima and his followers.

He nearly jolted up from the bench at the revelation, What? Seriously? Why isn't that more well-known?! That's huge!  

In truth, it was more of Prima's followers who founded Harmonex instead of Prima instead. Megatronus corrected with nostalgic sadness and fondness, Prima wanted to retire to somewhere peaceful from his time as Prime. He chose this beautiful area with crystals that resonated and harmonized with his singing. His followers, of course, came after him and established Harmonex afterwards.

Because Prima wanted to be in peace and left alone, he told the founding bots to keep his name from being known. But he DID name the city Harmonex at their request. Solus added. 

Dee looked around the city with a new view of it, wide-optic and awed. So Prima retired here, in Harmonex…

And… He died here, in Harmonex… Megatronus said quietly, shattering the awe that Dee had in one swift moment. 

What? 

Something flashed in his processor, of a gold and white mech, covered in bright blue energon and something else, a purple substance- the image was blurry and corrupted, but the clearest thing he could see from it was the wide smile on the cracked faceplate. The image was quickly pushed away with a shaky apology from Megatronus.

Prima retired and died in Harmonex, little Prime. Solus whispered with grief but sent a soothing wave of comfort to Dee who was tightly gripping the now concerned pups in his arms. They chirped quietly, nuzzling against his chassis as they sensed his distress. Do not be sad, little Prime. He died with a smile on his face. He seemed happy.

He was happy. Megatronus murmured, grief and mourning and regretful . He said so himself.

Oh Megatronus… Another, stronger wave of comfort washed over Dee. The grey mech took in a deep vent, trying to calm himself as Solus continued; Being in Harmonex, seeing it have grown into this city- it's amazing. I'm sure Prima is happy to see it in its full glory, just like us.

Dee bit down on his derma, looking over to see O coming out of the building, looking pleased and satisfied. I sure hope so.

"Alright Dee, hand me the pests and you can go change your designation." Nox told Dee as he approached, feeling incredibly satisfied for being able to officially and legally refer to himself as Orion Nox. 

Damn am I envious of your identification systems, so much faster than the human ones with less fuss to deal with. Nyx muttered petulantly, having watched the entire thing with envy while flashing the legal process of how things went in his time on Earth. That seemed unnecessarily complicated for something as simple as a designation change. 

Cybertron is simply better. Nox replied smugly but his smugness disappeared when Dee stood up from the bench with a serious look on his faceplate. "Harmonex is a really pretty and an amazing city." Dee told him as he handed over the Matrix relic pups who chirped happily. "I'm really glad we came here O, coordinates or no." 

Confused, Nox accepted the pups, "I uh, yeah? Harmonex is great, I'm glad we came here too, Dee." He replied with a small if a bit confused smile. Dee looked at him with squinting optics before nodding, stomping off towards the office with a determined stride.

… I believe we have missed something. Pax said as Nox stared after him. 

"... I don't suppose you can tell me what the frag that was about?" Nox asked aloud to the mechanimals in his arms. The two pups looked up at him with wagging tails and thoughtless optics. They gave him nothing as an answer. "Useless, both of you are." 

You are so fucking petty against the Matrix, it's HILARIOUS! Nyx snickered, enjoying both the discomfort he felt from Pax that seemed very conflicted and Nox's own disdain for the disguised ancient relic in his arms. 

Nox rolled his optics and decided to walk around a bit instead of waiting on the bench, sending Dee a message as he did so. He needed to stretch his legs. 

As confusing as that had been with Dee, Nox had meant every word. Harmonex was a great city, and he was glad he came here with Dee as well. It had always been the plan; save up from Prologex and move here to the city for better prospects and jobs and lives. 

Too bad they weren't here to stay. 

That was another reason why he treated the Matrix as he did, not only did it disrupt the peaceful life that Nox had with Dee, it also ruined any of the future plans he wanted to make with Dee. 

It saved your lives. Nyx hummed, Without it, you and Dee would have either died or been injured at the Quintesson attack. It also saved other lives as well.

And that's a good thing, I get it. Nox griped as he walked around, idly looking around with interested optics at the architecture and buildings and just passing bots on the streets. Doesn't mean I still can't feel angry at it anyway.

Of course not, Pax supported, a feeling of sympathy and slight bitterness that echoed along Nox's helm and spark. You are free to feel angry at the Matrix all you like, while I do not approve of the way you treat it sometimes, I will not blame you for doing so.

… Your time with your Matrix really fucked you up huh Pax. Nyx commented as Nox caught sight of a nearby bookstore. He tried to enter it but was once again rebuffed at the fact he had mechanimals with him. Uncollered, with no leash.

… It is a heavy burden to bear the Matrix. Was all Pax replied with, conflicting emotions warring within Nox who smoothed it over with his own irritation at the Matrix.

"We can't go fraggin' anywhere with you two can we?" He realized aloud as he stopped by an adornments store. Glaring down at the wide-optic pups in his arms. "Most of these places aren't going to allow uncollared, no-leashed mechanimals in their shops which means- fuck, I need to file you shits as required pets or something. Buy you collars and leashes and- ugh, this is going to be a pain. " 

At the mention of collars and leashes, the pups seemed to squirm unhappily. Finials pinned back and whining, Nox struggled to keep them still. "Stop that! Primus-below, Dee and I need to find a place that'll let us stay while letting you pests in…" He vented, "Worse comes to worse, we find a place to park for the night in our alt modes." Not as comfy as a berth but it would do—

Hey, uh, what are they looking at? Nyx interrupted his back-up planning to bring his attention back to the pups who were looking at the windows of the adornment store. Jewelry and other fashionable components were being shown at the store's front. 

His optics were immediately drawn to the metallic adornments that seem to be meant to be worn on chestplates or pauldrons or even around a bot's waist if they liked. 

Tsu-ch-che

His arms suddenly felt extremely lighter, and something latched on to the middle of his upper chassis, right between his windows, with something looping around his neck and settling on his plates with a distinct purr. He looked down to see a purple, his exact purple , circular adornment placed between his windows on his chassis, thin plates of purple metal with simple light blue and green carvings covering his neck and pauldrons, attached to his plating. 

In one hand, a very similar circular adornment but in grey, Dee's exact grey coloring , laid in his palm. An artistic carving of a curled up turbofox in light blue was there, he would later find a very similar carving on his own purple adornment. 

" What the frag. " Nox whispered as he found himself missing two turbofox pups but suddenly having two accessories. The Matrix, which was two turbofox pups, were now... jewelry?

… Oh my Primus and Unicron, Nox you're a fucking magical girl.

Chapter Text

Dee had been very excited when he exited the office, his main designation on all his files would now be Dion instead of D-16! 

Congratulations, Dion. Megatronus bade while Solus cheered in the background, both just as pleased as Dion was as he looked around for Orion. Didn't your Amica say he was going to take a wal—

As if summoned by name alone, his Orion appeared in the distance, speed walking with the tensest look Dee has ever seen on his faceplate- it actually terrified Dee for a moment there. Even more when the purple mech grabbed his arm and started dragging him away from the office. "O? O? Uh, is something wrong? O? Uh-" He spluttered, letting himself be dragged because, what else is he supposed to do?

Something had set his best friend off and he had no idea what nor had no idea what to do! 

He's rather troubled. Solus noted, a bit tense herself before she noticed something that Dee probably should have noticed right away if he wasn't focused on the fact his Amica was extremely upset. Where are the pups? Where's the Matrix?  

Dee's optics cycled and flickered as he realized the absence of the two mechanimal younglings that should be with his Amica. " O where are the pups?! " He exclaimed with panic as Orion dragged him into an isolated alleyway, away from the streets, probably for the sake of privacy. Yet Dee didn't notice as he frantically looked around for the turbofox pups. 

" Here. " Dee grunts roughly as O smacks his chassis with something hard, tensing when he feels something slide over his plates and latch on. He looked down to see an adornment settling right between his chestplating, making itself at home at the top of his chassis with thin metal plates covering his neck and pauldrons that were decorated in darker grey and light blue designs. " That's where the pests are." 

"What?" Dee boggled, glancing between himself and O.

The purple mech gestured aggressively between the new jewelry on the both of them- wait a klik, Orion had the same ornament??? He squints and sees an artistic carving of a light blue turbofox curled on the purple metal of the adornment. " The slags can shift into fragging jewelry! " O hissed, servos thrown up in the air with an aggravated and stressed expression, optics wide and almost manic. 

As if to confirm his Orion's words, he felt the metal plating over his neck and shoulder warm and almost purr, the circular plate on his chassis shook slightly before stilling. " Oh. " Dee uttered, dumbfounded.

… The Matrix continues to come up with new and new surprises. Solus forced out, equally dumbfounded. Megatronus was silent, but Dee could feel he was surprised too. 

"They changed when I was fraggin' talking about how we probably wouldn't be able to get into anywhere with them around!" Orion explained in a rush of… furious wasn't the word, too much, uh- upset? Yeah, upset vents. His poor, stressed, Amica paced in place. "I was by some fashion store or something and then— " He aggressively gestured once again to their matching set of turbofox-themed jewelry. 

"They turned into chassis adornments." Dee concluded correctly, reaching up to press his digits against the warm metal of the transformed pups. It trembled underneath his touch, and he had the vague sense the pups were proud of what they'd done. 

Really, why couldn't the Matrix have done this before? Solus complained to Megatronus but Dee was paying more attention to his best friend who finally stopped pacing.

" They turned into chassis adornments! " O repeated, much harsher and in a hiss, his frame shaking as he glowered at the transformed pup on Dee's chassis and then his own- he glanced back and forth with increasing agitation.

Dee's spark clenched and he reached out slowly, making sure O could see him move. " O. " He said in the most soothing tone he could, servos landing on the mech's pauldron. Orion froze for a moment, tensed up before slumping forward slightly as Dee stepped closer to give him a side hug, wrapping a firm arm around his best friend's shoulders. "... Better?"

O's mandibles clenched then unclenched and he vented deeply, "Better." He said after a bit, expression and demeanor much calmer than before. He muttered something in that strange language he's been speaking in more and more- what was a ' ma-ji-kal go-rl' ? Before he could even ask about that language, O returned the side hug briefly before letting go. "We need to go and find someplace to stay for the night, preferably somewhere away from this area." 

Dee gave him a questioning look, "The pests transformed in front of a shop- I'm not sure if anyone saw them but I don't want to find out." O explained sharply.

It is best to be overly cautious. Megatronus agreed, getting over his surprise in favor of ensuring he, Orion as well as the Matrix were safe in obscurity.

"Alright, let's go then." Dee nodded, briefly glancing down to the pup disguised on his chassis. "I'm starting to think you're more trouble than you're worth." He couldn't help but joke, brushing his digits against the carving and laughing slightly at the way the metal shook slightly. 

"You're just starting to think that?" O drawled as he grabbed Dee's arm and dragged him further into the alleyway, towards the other end that led out into a different street. "Fragging little tricksters…" His Amica grumbled and for some reason, Dee latched on to the word.

Tricksters.

Trickster. 

Hmm…

"The Wrench of Doom has finally released you from his hold, has he?" 

The unexpected greeting startled a vent of amusement from him the moment he stepped into the meeting room of the temporary habitat it was located in. His own yellow optics met with red and Optimus Trion couldn't help a slight chuckle from escaping him. "Not without several warnings and threats." 

Megatron snorted, leaning back against the chair he was sitting in. For the moment, it was just the two of them, their respective commanders were currently busy with other tasks. "But we're not here to discuss my health, Megatron." Optimus continued as he sat on an opposing chair, his body and his systems feeling leagues better now that the Tox-En effects had worn off. 

"No, we're here to discuss the continued missing absence of the Primes." Megatron said with a purse of his derma, looking all-too displeased about the topic. Which, unfortunately, Optimus had to agree with, somewhat. "Nearly a deca-cycle of constant searching and no one has seen even a shine of either Primes with no new information whatsoever." 

The disappointment that Optimus felt when Ironhide reported to him about that had returned fullfold. "Ratchet has made the proposal that they disappeared through a bridge." Optimus offered, which would make sense and however…

"Starscream proposed the same thing, yet Soundwave couldn't detect anything else but the Quintesson's spacebridge signature nor have they found a hidden bridge anywhere near the area." The Decepticon General grunted back, bringing up the reports from Soundwave and Starscream who had been dutifully scanned and searched the whole area spanning the town, the mine, and even the wider landscape. Neither could find anything pertaining to a hidden bridge of any size.

"We can only assume that perhaps they have a way to mask their spacebridge signatures and hid their bridge somewhere we cannot access." It was the only other reason that was possible after all, there was no sign of where they went, be it on ground or in the air. Seekers and aerialbots alike from both sides had flown in the air mere moments after the Matrix's purifying waves had stopped. No one saw any unidentified or foreign flight frames that could've possibly belonged to the Primes, fly off anywhere. Same with the ground team. "We will have to move on from continuously searching for the Primes around Prologex… Speaking of the town, Harmonex relief teams have finally arrived this cycle and have started the reconstruction." 

Megatron chuckled with sharp amusement, "I'm sure Zeta Prime is going to be thrilled, no competition for him yet ." Optimus barely twitched at the mention of Zeta, but his spark did lurch uncomfortably at the added word of Prime to the mech's name- knowing there were real Primes out there now, Zeta had no claim to the title. 

However it wouldn't be that easy to make Zeta relinquish it, much less his authority over the Autobots and most of Cybertron. "I'm sure Megazarak will be similarly enthused." He threw back neutrally, holding back a smirk at Megatron's now dour expression. 

"No doubt." His old friend, enemy and once again comrade muttered with disdain before shaking his helm. "So I see both our leaders have assigned us similar tasks then, find the Primes." Optimus' dermas thinned, and that was all Megatron needed as confirmation. 

Optimus needed no confirmation of his own, the moment he saw the Silver Prime- he just knew that Megazarak (or even Megatron himself) would seek out the Prime, or even both Primes but mostly the Silver Prime. The Decepticons had Megatronus Prime's mask as an emblem, and seeing a mech, although not Megatronus himself but closely resembling their symbol? And a powerful mech, a Prime at that? The Trion was not surprised whatsoever.

"So it seems." He agreed with, showing perhaps, a bit too much exhaustion and disdain. The sharp look in the grey mech's optics weren't something Optimus was willing to indulge this time. Not yet, at least. "I've arranged my side of the escort team for the spark canisters, my Commanding Strategist, Prowl, will be joining and leading the Autobots on this task." 

Megatron's optics widened as the sharp glint turned into a grimaced look of sympathetic thought- the ex-gladiator knew Prowl, remembered him, knew him to be Praxian. The Decepticon General would not argue or say otherwise to Prowl's involvement. If anything, the mech approved of the choice. 

"I see. My own Decepticon team is ready as well, Starscream and his trine shall be leading the team for extra security." At Optimus' questioning look, Megatron continued. "Vos had close ties to Praxus before both cities fell, there were quite a few Seekers who lost their sparks in Praxus as well. And Starscream was quite adamant in being involved, he was Vos' rightful heir and technically the next Winglord."

Optimus nodded in acceptance, understanding the Seeker's need to be involved just like Prowl. "Very well, then the plan is as such; the canisters will be taken to the nearest most secure spacebridge- Hydrax." Before Optimus could continue, Megatron held up a servo to catch his attention.

"Before the teams bridge to the Well of Allsparks, Shockwave requested the chance to be able to scan the canisters in person with his equipment." Optimus gave him a sharp look and Megatron met it with calm red optics, "He has promised to only scan the canisters, no further experiments, he is even willing to be under heavy observational guard as he scans them and give out the results to Autobot scientists. However he is also requesting to analyze the canisters as well as the energon within the canisters after the sparks return to the Well."

Optimus Trion took in a slight vent, thinking over Shockwave's request- the head scientist and weapons manufacturer for the Decepticons, the unfortunate mech who shunned the Autobots for probably the most understandable reasons yet was infamous for his own cruelty during the Autobot-Decepticon war. 

Megatron spoke once more, trying to convince the Trion. "Shockwave may have questionable morals but even he will not cross certain boundaries, and I feel he made a sound argument. The Quintessons want energon and as it is made clear as of late; they want sparks as well. We need to find out why and how, Shockwave said that it is impossible to keep a spark submerged and survive off of pure energon alone- the energon within must be different or perhaps it is the containers themselves. We need to know, Optimus, so that we can prevent this-" His expression twisted into an angry snarl, "- abominable act from continuing." 

There is a moment of silence between the two Generals, between old friends and enemies and once again tentative comrades- not exactly friends. Not like before. Not yet. Yellow optics met with red, searching, seeking. 

"... He will be under heavy surveillance, Prowl will oversee his scans of the sparks before they bridge to the Well. The information from it, his investigations, they will all be sent to Wheeljack. He will be Shockwave's correspondent for this." Optimus finally said quietly. 

Megatron rose an optic ridge, "Wheeljack? The Wrecker?" 

Optimus quirked a smile, small as it was. "He was a scientist far before he joined the Wreckers, occasionally, I refer to him for scientific expertise." Even though officially, Wheeljack was no longer a scientist registered in their ranks. 

The way those red optics lit up, the sly smile on the mech's derma, something old sparked within his chassis. A small near-forgotten ember that suddenly burned as he hears the hearty chuckle come from the Decepticon General. " Subterfuge, Optimus? My, oh my, how clever. " The ex-gladiator practically purred, reminding Optimus of late nights with high-grade energon far back before they parted ways, stolen moments that never went further for one reason or another. "Is this the beginning of something, Optimus Trion? Have you finally seen sense?"  

"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean." Optimus replied with a polite smile that had Megatron cackling. It's a humorous moment, but what laid underneath was far from it. 

Zeta had his circuits connected to far too many places, but the Wreckers? A blindspot that Zeta had no claim over, not when he sent those mechs, his mechs now for quite some time, to their deaths without a second thought. Wheeljack will keep the information sent from Shockwave safe far more effectively than the Autobot scientists themselves. 

That will have to be enough. 

For now.

GOMEN NE sunao ja nakute!
yume no naka nara ieru
shikou kairo wa SHO-TO sunzen
ima sugu aitai yo~

Nox would like to say that he was not enjoying the song, not enjoying the way human music (even if it was old according to Nyx) seemed so different from Cybertronian music, not enjoying the weird, colors and drawings- animation that was being shown to him at the moment but…

Dammit, fine, he'll admit it. Humans were a lot more creative than he'd normally like to admit. 

Animation was different between humans and cybertronians, entertainment was different, music was different, and it was all so- so- so-

"Fascinating." Pax provided beside him as they watched the show together. Nyx was in the background, singing and dancing along to the show's intro with glee. He seemed just as enamored as Nox was, though more willing to show it. "Humanity, for its short lifespan and 'primitiveness', is filled with wonders that none of us can really comprehend or even think of." 

The helmspace had changed to a mish-mash hab that was a mix of Pax's old Iacon apartment, Nox's own little shared habsuite as well as Nyx's old home. It was a very strange landscape, jagged at the edges since they were still trying to shape the area into something more cohesive, but for now, it was as comfy as it could get.

A large, boxy screen was the center of tonight's attention, Nyx had said that if they were going to watch Sailor Moon then they would watch it as he had watched it- on an old box tv that was so archaic in the sense of Cybertronian technology, Nox was surprised to even know it existed. 

And yet, he can't help but be charmed by the piece of old alien tech. 

It had been an abrupt thing, as soon as Nox had slept in the temporarily rented berth of the shared room he and Dee had found- Nyx had pulled him into the helmspace for a proper binge-watching session. His earlier ire at Nyx for comparing him to a 'magical girl' had been the reason for it-

Nox hadn't exactly known what a magical girl was, but after Nyx had shown glimpses and small clips of his own memories of the topic- Nox had been so annoyed, borderline furious. It felt like Nyx and the Matrix were mocking him, that his dumbfounded and near-to-no knowledge about the situation was something of their callous entertainment.  

That probably wasn't accurate to the Matrix, but it felt like it. 

Nyx was definitely entertained, but not as callously as Nox had thought- if anything, he sounded delighted for some reason. And it confused him, he'd already been somewhat stressed over the whole situation- he and Dee had left Prologex, they took every shanix they had to their names, quit their jobs and they had left behind the lives they had lived in that town chasing after unknown coordinates that the damned pups said nothing about and had the responsibility of protecting the Matrix, of protecting Cybertron, of power and responsibility on both their shoulders and-

If it weren't for Dee, grounding him physically with that side-hug and comforting him in reality as well as Pax comforting him in his helm with Nyx sincerely apologizing… Nox would have probably done something bad. Maybe something stupid, but ultimately bad.

What exactly, Nox didn't want to know.

That picture, the knowledge, Shattered Glass will always haunt him and Nox did not want to know.

Anyway, as far as Nox could tell- he'd been lucky that no one seemed to have noticed the relic shifting shapes from mechanimals to jewelry. And being honest, it was for the best.

No longer did Nox have to worry about the pups causing trouble, of possibly losing them if they decided to jump off their perches on his and Dee's shoulders, of the pups being stolen for being mechanimals, and as of recently; of being barred entry from most places that didn't allow the presence of mechanimals. 

It was how he and Dee found a good place to stay for the night without resorting to a public parking place, recharing on a berth was much better than recharging in his alt mode out in public. It would be easier to keep the Matrix around them, on them, no need to worry as much if they were in adornment forms rather than chaotic cybertronic bodies and definitely not in their Matric forms. 

Though they did shift back soon after they settled in for the night, recharging in their root turbofox pup forms rather than staying as jewelry. So long as they weren't causing trouble…

As soon as he recharged though, Nyx decided to educate Nox and Pax on what a magical girl actually was. That they weren't just, weird, superpowered humans usually dressed in what seemed to be illogically skimpy clothing which didn't really make any sense armor wise and seemed frankly ridiculous at first glance.

But after watching Sailor Moon - it's… a little more understandable? But still, Nox didn't like the comparison.

"Face it, Nox, you're a magical girl! Magical boy? Magical bot. " Nyx proclaimed after another episode of Sailor Moon concluded, "You've got a secret identity, you've got an anima- mechanimal companion, chosen by someone, given powers, given a new form and- you got magic jewelry! " He finished with flourish, referring to the Matrix's new disguises. "Magic jewelry that are your mechanimal companion, even!"

"Fragging shut up about that already! " Nox groaned, pressing his faceplate against his servos from the human's insistence. Unfortunately, it wasn't like he could protest that much because he brought up points that were pretty much true. 

Oh sweet Primus, he was a magical gi- bot. Magical bot. Fragging— a stray thought has him reeling back in horror.

"If there's a magical transformation sequence as elaborate as in the show, screw Primus, screw the Matrix, I'm giving it all up to Dee and going into stasis until everything makes sense again." He hissed, affronted by the thought of having a ridiculous transformation sequence like in the show. 

It was- it was okay in the show, it was a show. Animation. Not real. 

But if it happened to him?  

Unmaker take him now.

"I am sure that such a sequence does not exist, Nox. Calm down, your detransformation had been subtle and quick, nothing like the transformations in the show." Pax soothed, physically bringing up the memory of how Nox had de-transformed from being a Prime onto the boxy tv screen. "Remember?"

He does.

He doesn't remember being reforged, doesn't remember his frame becoming a Prime's, becoming more like Pax's Optimus Prime frame from the 'TFP' continuity as Nyx had said. Nox had been dying, accepted the Matrix, got knocked out and awoke with a new frame.

Detransformation on the other servo, he remembered quite vividly.

After Dee overdid his part with the Matrix, and had somehow knocked out everyone else (which honestly was a blessing now that he thought about it). He remembers the feeling of plates sliding away from his frame, armor and metal disappearing into a subspace that he was losing connection to. The very same place he got the Star Saber from, and where the sword disappeared into as well. 

For a moment, he, Nyx and Pax had been worried that he would've retained his injuries before the reforging but no. He'd been fully healed, just drained of energon and stamina. 

Nox remembers feeling disoriented, his height, weight and frame back to normal, his limbs felt too short yet just right his faceplate suddenly feeling the air after joors of being behind a visor and battlemask. He remembers scrambling to get his detransformed Amica on to his alt mode along with the turbofox pups. 

It hadn't been flashy at all, detransforming back from being a Prime.

"Detransforming isn't usually flashy." Nyx hummed, watching the memory as well. "Who knows about transforming into a Prime again though."

Nox doesn't typically pray to Primus, he was one of the mechs who'd been skeptical but with Pax and Nyx in his head, the Matrix having changed him and his best friend…

Well, he prays that Primus wouldn't let his Matrix have a fragging magical bot transformation sequence.

G-721 won't be the first to admit that he's an impulsive bot. That he makes sudden plans that don't usually end that well and he doesn't exactly realize it until he's halfway through it, but he doesn't like backing down or out of things so he usually has to see them to the end.

Like now; his current plan? 

Follow D-16, uh, Dion and Orion Nox to Harmonex, find both of them and reveal the fact that he knows their biggest secret.

G-721 knew that both of them? They were Primes, chosen by the Matrix itself. 

He knew that, he saw it. Saw Dion's transformation from miner to Prime.

It was way back during the attack, back when G-721 had almost been killed by a Quintesson soldier. The yellow bot had really thought that was the end of him! Which would've been really unfair because G-721 had only been an actual adult for like, a couple of mega-cycles! He had so much to live for!

Thankfully Primus thought so as well, or rather; Dion had thought so.

He had saved G-721 from the Quintesson soldier with an energon pickaxe! Freeing him from the tentacle and letting him escape! Dion had been amazing, had seemed so strong! And he was! Dion was one of the strongest miners in their ranks, G-721 honestly had no idea why Dion stayed a miner when he could've gone to Kaon and become a gladiator with the strength he had. Then again, the mech was really kind. Didn't seem to like fighting that much…

Even though he obviously was amazing at it. G-721 had seen it with his own optics! 

Well, the first thing he saw with his own optics was Dion's Prime transformation- the mech had been thrown into one of the mine's abandoned and cordoned off tunnels. Worried for his savior, G-721 had rushed over, he had wanted to help Dion- to repay him for saving his life!

But instead, he got to witness a historic event;

Dion accepting the Matrix into his chestplates.

Or half of it at least, somehow G-721 had missed the fact that the Matrix was only half of itself, but that had to be forgiven given the fact he witnessed Dion becoming a slagging Prime!!!

He had watched at the entrance of the tunnel, as Dion glowed, blue flames, sparks and electricity coming off his frame as he actually floated in the air for a moment. Slates of metal and new armor slid itself over Dion's frame, bulking his frame, making him taller, wider, stronger.

A familiar metal mask slid over Dion's faceplate, sharp, powerful, recognizeable- Decepticon.

Dion was a Decepticon! Or well, his mask resembled the emblem! Dion was so. Fragging. COOL!

G-721 learned from the others that Dion, or 'the Silver Prime' as most bots called him, looked like Megatronus Prime. Who inspired the Decepticons but yeah, same thing right? It was just amazing! 

Nobody else knew, nobody else witnessed it, just G-721. He knew that because everyone else was busy running away or getting terminated by the Quintesson soldier which now had back up! Quite honestly, G-721 wasn't so sure how he hadn't been killed while watching Dion become Prime, but he wasn't complaining!

And he didn't complain either when Dion kinda just- burst out of the tunnel cannon blazing and spear throwing. Why would he? Dion was kicking Quintesson aft! Killing Quintesson aft! He saved everyone in the mine, saved G-721. He saved G-721 first, and as much as he wanted to brag about it- it hadn't been the time.

Even afterwards though, after everything, G-721 realized that bragging about being saved by Dion first wouldn't really make sense and that Dion (and Orion he guessed) were hiding their identities as Prime. Neither mech had come forward, revealing their status as Prime so G-721 kept his intake shut. 

Sure, he told bots around that the Silver Prime had the Matrix of Leadership but he never said who the Silver Prime was! Besides, all the other miners backed him up because they saw it too! The Matrix in Dion's chassis, not Dion becoming a Prime, no, that was something only he witnessed. 

The news of the Second Prime had been surprising but he rolled with it, Dion was a much cooler Prime anyway. The fact the Purple Prime was Orion Nox, Dion's Amica made sense! Who else wouldn't he have be Prime with him? It was really cool of Dion to share all that Prime power to his Amica. And from what he heard, Orion did great as a Prime too! So Dion chose well!

Dion would also choose well if he took G-721 into his ranks! G-721 was a young bot, he could learn stuff, he could totally help Dion in whatever Prime stuff he has to do! G-721 would become an awesome, entirely badaft warrior like Dion and fight Quintessons! He wouldn't be powerless, wouldn't be weak if he could just learn from Dion and be part of his side. 

And working with Dion, his savior, as a Prime- that would be great.

So, his plan was to tell Dion that he knew his and Orion's secret, get taken into their fold as a recruit to be taught and become one of the strongest mechs out there! 

Slight problem; He didn't get to do that.

First it was Dion telling G-721 that he had a new designation; Dion, he was no longer just D-16 a simple miner from Prologex. Good for him! Awesome really! It wasn't his Prime name obviously since he was using it casually, but the fact he told G-721 about it was still a good thing. Not bad, he could still tell Dion he knew-

Only for bad timing to strike as Orion Nox, no longer O-14 (must have followed Dion's lead and gotten a new designation too, good for him), commed Dion. Dion seemed to be busy, no problem, that's fine; everyone needed energon and yeah, he needed to meet with his Amica. Cool, not great, but he could manage.

More than half a joor later of waiting and trying to find Dion and Orion found him hiding behind a corner as both mechs talked with an Autobot commander. That bot was Ironhide, he remembers because he and a few other bots went around getting information about Dion- well, the Silver Prime.  

G-721 had told him the basic story that every other miner had; the mines were attacked by the Quintessons, the Prime appeared out of nowhere and saved everyone. Like scrap he was going to tell someone else what actually happened, tell someone that he knew who the Primes were without talking to them himself first.

This was an opportunity not to be wasted! He will become Dion's right hand mech! 

G-721 had been a bit too distracted by his plans to notice his chance to step out and get the attention of the two hidden Primes had entirely slipped away. Refocusing just in time to hear—

"Yeah, should be more than enough for the trip and then some! We could also always get more energon in Harmonex."

"Good, c'mon. Our shuttle leaves in half a joor, everything's packed up. Let's go now."

Panicked, he looked from where he was hidden to see the two bots already jogging away. Frag.

Quickly, he scrambled away—

"Harmonex. They're heading to Harmonex, I need to get a shuttle there. "

Primus must be sending obstacles his way just so he could prove himself because G-721 couldn't get an immediate shuttle towards Harmonex- the last two seats had been taken and the next shuttle wouldn't be for another cycle. 

That was fine, that just- it gave him time to plan stuff and quit his job as a miner! OH! And also think of a new designation for himself!

He couldn't just call himself G-721 when he stood next to Dion as a Prime, right? 

Hm, should he follow his Prime's pedesteps and get two designations? One for casual use, like Drion, and another for being a cool warrior? G-721 doesn't know his Prime's other designation as a Prime, but already he can tell that it was going to be great! 

G-721 rifled through his things, having ran back to his habsuite to pack everything he needed to follow the Primes to Harmonex. As he did so, he paused as he held a guilty pleasure of his; his organc-insect datapads. Detailing alien insects, organic, technological and even a few techno-organic ones.

Some insects, alien, organic, techno-organic and technological- were just really interesting to him. One of his favorites so far were these techno-organic bugs from a Cybertron colony planet that looked like they were made of gold. And another was an alien insect based on a Decepticon predacon warrior-scout called Waspinator! 

G-721 paused, pondering…

Golden bugs…

Waspinator…

The yellow bot with red optics grinned to himself.

He found his designations!

"Just where are these coordinates leading us?!" 

Dee smiled wanly at his irritated Amica, the both of them were on a hovering boat that was designed to traverse through the thick, gaseous fluxes and terrain of the Rust Sea. "I'm sure it'll be something O, yeah, it's in the middle of the Rust Sea but Trixy and Mako wouldn't lead us to something that wasn't important. Wouldn't you? " He cooed, running his digits along the newly named Trickster aka 'Trixy's back. The pup chirped, happily enjoying the petting.

Currently Trixy was in their turbofox pup mode, having transformed the moment he and O had set sail in their newly bought vessel. It wasn't the best out there, needed to be manually handled but it still wasn't cheap as Orion had grumbled when they left Harmonex.

"It really, better not." O groaned, ignoring Makoto, aka 'Mako' who was curled up on O's shoulder. O was steering the vessel- better than what Dee probably could have done. 

"Hey, O, you never told me. What does 'Makoto' mean, anyway?" Dee questioned, tilting his helm to the purple mech. "Where's it from?"

Orion's faceplate flushed slightly and his optics darted between him and the open Rust Sea before them. Dee immediately honed in on the flush, smiling at the way his Amica looked slightly embarrassed. Why? "It means a lot of different things," O said with a frown, avoiding looking Dee in the optic. "Too many to really say but, as for where it came from it- i-it came from a brave femme warrior. It was- it was her original designation before she uh, changed it to Jupiter. A planet of some kind." 

A brave femme warrior he says? Solus questioned with clear intrigue, How lovely! Ask more from him, little Prime. I'd like to hear about this 'Jupiter' femme.

Jupiter? I don't recognize the name. Megatronus hummed, Must be a new planet discovered.

Probably. Dee agreed, about to fulfill Solus' request about asking more about Jupiter- he also wanted to know himself!  She must be something if his Amica is willing to rename his half of the Matrix, whom he regularly called 'pest' to 'Makoto'!

"We're nearing the coordinate location." Orion suddenly said with serious and narrowed optics, squinting ahead.

Immediately Dee pushed everything else aside to focus, turning his helm towards wherever the coordinates led them to. Up ahead, there was an island. Dee tilted his helm, checking the map he and O had downloaded before hand- the island wasn't on the map… Definitely must be the coordinates then?

Moment of truth, just where did the Matrix lead them?

Chapter Text

The island was small, actually, even just calling it island was a stretch. It was an islet, covered with dense crystal pillar trees, cable-vines with dragon cress flowers growing at the beaches within the thinner, mistier gas areas where the Rust Sea met the rising ground. 

Cybertron has such interesting flora. Nyx hummed with interest as Nox docked the boat at the shoreline of the islet, eyeing the frozen-flame shaped crystalline flowers that were steadily growing along the low, misty ground. They crumpled easily underneath Nox's pedes and the docking boat. Not to mention the language, phonetically- to my human hearing, I hear nothing but elongated pitches, trills, beeps and sounds I cannot describe in varying tones and more. Garbled noise that I can only understand because I am a part of you, Nox, and your mind automatically translates for me. I should've studied linguistics a bit more, the fact I can associate a lot of your words to a word from my own language is truly a fascinating subject- turbofoxes, cable-vines, dragon cress… 

It is rather fascinating, Pax agreed with a soft sigh, and Nox could feel him smiling in the helmspace. I too, had been surprised with the amount of words that could somewhat easily be translated into the human language. Although there were some other words that could not be as easily pronounced. Personally, I find some of your written language to be far more interesting.

For all the chaos and trouble and grief Nyx starts in his helm, for all the nonsense that he put Nox and even Pax through, it's moments like this that reminds Nox that Nyx? Was an adult, who had a lucrative job, and could be pretty smart when the time came for it.

Like when he figured out that Nox had a separate new subspace as a Prime and managed to find the Star Saber for Nox to use, or when he was messing with the Matrix programming and somehow managed to add a visor to Nox's Prime Form, or when he sometimes went on a tangent on how cool Cybertronians were after Nox showed him information about his species and the man started absorbing the information and comparing it to the information Pax presented him earlier on.

It might feel like it sometimes, might not sound or even look like it but Nyx? Nyx was a NASA Engineer and Scientist. He came from a family of archivists and astrologists which… makes his connection to both Nox and Pax make a little bit more sense despite his personality being a far cry from either Orions. 

It was probably because Nyx was human, that was why he was so chaotic. 

"The exact coordinates lead deeper into the islet." Nox said aloud to Dee once he made sure their vessel was docked properly and would stay docked. "We should be careful, even though the place is small- we don't exactly know what's around." 

Neither Nox or Dee were really trained in combat, nor did they have weapons. Not really? Nox had a knife he got for self defense while Dee usually relied on his strength and the few moves older miners taught him long ago… 

"If anything dangerous happens- we use Trixy and Mako." Nox told his Amica who nodded in agreement with a look of determination and apprehension. Both pups turned into their cosmetic adornment forms, settling once more atop their chassis. 

With how Nyx had insistently forced Nox and Pax to watch Sailor Moon during recharge, his optics looked down to Makoto, previously just pest to him, and he quickly looked back up at the islet instead.

Jupiter Supreme Thunder~ Nyx teasingly called out and Nox firmly ignored him. 

Dee glanced over to him, offering a servo. "Ready?" 

"Ready." Nox replied, taking the servo with a firm grip.

Together, they walked towards the coordinates located deeper into the islet. 

And when Nox said deeper, he meant deeper, as in underground deeper.

The islet was bare of any other life than Cybertronian flora- just more crystal trees, thick cable-vines and so and so. It was eerie, almost, being on such a small islet in the middle of the Rust Sea with no other bot aside from his Amica. It would be even more eerie and downright disturbing if Nox had come alone though, so having Dee with him was definitely helping.

Especially when the coordinates led them to a sizable crack in the islet, leading them underground. 

Even if they weren't Amica or friends, Nox would have definitely wanted someone like Dee with him for this- being a miner, Dee was the perfect bot to navigate through the subterranean tunnels that they found themselves in.

"Give me a moment to adjust my sensors O." Dee murmured quietly when they slipped deeper into the crack, the front panel of Dee's helm flipped, becoming a dim light source for the both of them. Their optics adjusted to the provided light that contrasted the darkness- another win for Cybertronian biology, even basic optics didn't need a lot of light to see in the darkness. One still needed to get their optics upgraded for beyond that though.

Nox took in a deep vent, waiting for Dee to finish adjusting his auditory and olfactory sensors- trusting that he knew what to do now that they were underground. "Hold my servo, don't let go." Dee instructed sternly, taking on a more serious demeanor as he took the lead.

"This really better be worth it." Nox told himself, Mako, Nyx, Pax, and Dee. Everyone really. Nox… didn't exactly like being underground. He tightened his grip on Dee's servo, taking in another deep vent.

Dee rubbed a thumb over Nox's digits as they slowly made their way through the tunnels of the underground, still searching for the exact coordinates that the Matrix provided them. "It'll be okay, Nox. It'll be worth it." It has to be. Dee doesn't say, but Nox hears it all the same.

"If this ends up being a wild goo- frag, if this ends up being a waste of time and shanix I'm going to get a cage for Mako and Trixy and then leave them on this islet." Nox muttered darkly, squinting at both transformed relic pups who merely stayed silent to his threat.

Dee, though, laughed and looked back at him with a grin, "You could try but I wouldn't let you."

No, no he wouldn't. Nox thought with a begrudging sigh, optic twitching at the laugh he got from Dee who definitely heard him because of his enhanced senses at the moment. As they walked, pedesteps echoing along the tunnel's walls, Nox's optics kept trailing back to Dee. 

The mech's faceplate had gone serious once more, blue optics focused on the path ahead, surveying the pathway as he led Nox with a type of confidence and seriousness that Dee didn't usually show aboveground. The only time he saw this type of confidence was back when Dee had been a Prime- focused on the battle, focused on fighting, focused on protecting .

Dee was meant to be the Prime. Nox thought to himself, spark clenching in his chest with bitter acceptance. The only Prime…

Don't cut yourself short, Nox. You did pretty well as a Prime. Nyx said, nudging away the bitter acceptance.

Nox mentally scoffed, I did well because of Pax, sometimes you but mostly Pax. He was the one who did most of the fighting. He argued back. Dee fought amazingly on his own.

It is most likely that the Matrix gave him the experience he needed to fight at the moment. Pax reasoned, soothing over Nox's indignancy and his emotions. The Matrix is a source of Wisdom and Knowledge- when I first received the Matrix, it also provided me with combat experience that I did not have before. Had Nyx and I not been here, it is most likely it would have assisted you the same way it did with Dion.  

Assuming that without you, I would've still been chosen by the Matrix. Nox couldn't help but bite back. 

It was something of a theory of his. Nox had no idea why the Matrix had chosen him- or half of it anyway. Despite what Nyx and Pax might insist, he was still essentially a version of Shattered Glass Orion Pax. He shouldn't have half of the Matrix in his possession, ergo, Orion Pax was probably the reason why half of it chose him. Maybe the Matrix sensed that Pax was once worthy of the Matrix and it mistook Nox as Pax.

Nox… Nox bit his derma at the tone of Pax's voice, at slight tinge of hurt he felt from the mech as well as the emotional exhaustion. 

Pax had a complicated opinion of the Matrix, both his and Nox's, especially his original world's Matrix. … Nox, if you truly are burdened by the Matrix then—

OKAY, that's enough! Look, right now we can speculate about how and why the Matrix chose you but the truth of the matter is that we don't know why or how. Nyx intervened sternly, sounding serious enough that Nox winced slightly. Also, Pax is part of your SPARK, part of YOU. So if the Matrix chose Pax, it still chose you, it chose me. It chose US. All three of us. 

We can go round and round with the 'what-ifs' and the 'should've's' and 'would've's' but it wouldn't change the NOW. Nox, you're a Prime now WITH Dion. You heard him, he's glad that you're with him as a Prime. Comforted by it even, it doesn't matter if Pax helped you in fighting- you can always learn on your own, that's why we're here; to help you learn. It doesn't matter if Dion is talented or is being guided by the Matrix, he still wants your help, still appreciates you being by his side and shouldering the responsibilities that are on BOTH your shoulders.

And Pax, don't you DARE offer to take those responsibilities from Nox. You've held your Matrix for millenia, you've fought through one war already. Rest, for fuck's sake. You can help, you can teach, you can provide insight, experience and all that but you are NOT a Prime anymore. Not completely and not on your own. This world is not yours, it's not mine, WE are voices in Nox's head and for the most part, we need to STAY that way.

I know it's unfair, life is unfair but we go through it. And we don't have to do it alone. Now both of you, shut the fuck up about the Matrix and Primes because Dion just found something.

Both Nox and Pax were reeling from Nyx's tirade and rant, taken aback from the sudden seriousness that came from the usually chaotic human of their shared helmspace. Nox felt his tanks churn uncomfortably, was Pax really going to offer to take the responsibilities of Prime from him?? Yeah, he didn't want to be a Prime but- with how Pax felt about the Matrix, he thought Pax wouldn't want to be a Prime again…

He shook his helm, now wasn't really the time to think about that- but he did make a note to apologize to Pax properly later on. He glanced over to Dee, finally noticing the fact they had stopped in place and the grey mech was wearing a complicated expression. "... Dee?" 

"We're almost to the coordinates but…" Dee hesitated, optic ridge furrowing and dermas pursing into a look of disbelief and confusion. "The mineral composition here doesn't really make sense- we're in the Rust Sea - right in the middle of it on an islet but…" 

"But?" Nox prompted after Dee trailed off, his Amica's expression suddenly shifting to hard determination. "Dee?"

"C'mon." Suddenly they were walking again- a little bit faster this time. Not full-on running, but Dee was gripping his servo tightly and urging his steps to be faster and faster. "Look! Up ahead!" Nox tried his best to keep up with him, looking forward to see a faint blue light coming from the far end of the tunnel they were in. 

His optics squinted before they widened as he saw familiar looking crystals starting to slightly jut out of the walls. Was that…? "Energon crystals?" He questioned aloud as he and Dee moved closer and closer.

Dee slowed down to a stop as soon as they came upon a smaller crystal growing out of the wall of the tunnel they were in, using his free servo to lightly prod the crystals. "Energon crystals." Dee confirmed to Nox, looking over to see a small trail of more energon crystals growing along the cracks of the walls. "These are newly emerging crystals, there should be more nearby." 

"Nearby… did the Matrix just give us coordinates to an energon deposit? " Nox asked incredulously, looking down to the transformed Mako and Trixy on his and Dee's chassis. They didn't move an inch to the question, not giving any sort of answer. 

Having coordinates to an undiscovered energon deposit was certainly useful but… that couldn't just be it, could it? He would've expected something… more from the ancient relic. 

"Not just an energon deposit." Dee replied, tugging on his servo and moving once again. "You're not a miner Nox, so you don't know this but; most energon deposits aren't anywhere near the Rust Sea. The compositions of the ground just aren't ideal for it, energon crystals grow better in certain mineral caches and areas." Dee explained as they slowly walked further along the tunnel, more and more energon crystals starting to show along the way.

"We're on an islet and we're nowhere near far enough underground from the Rust Sea to justify a natural energon deposit from forming like this. The only reason I can think of for energon crystals to be here is…" He trailed off as they found the end of the tunnel. Bright blue light spilling from a wider space beyond it.

They shared a cautious look before tightening their grip on each other's servos and stepping out of the tunnel and into a wider space.

"... if there was a massive amount of energon spilled from somewhere that crystallized over time." Dee continued in an awed whisper at the sight before him. "And grew from the remains of something that had the right minerals to propagate its crystallization." Nox gasped, optics wide as he too, took what laid before them both.

A gigantic cavern laid before them, geodes of energon crystals growing from the floor and walls, this was the biggest cache of raw energon that Nox or Dee had ever seen in person. But that wasn't the true reason for their awe, no, it was the massive starship that was no doubt, the main source of the energon crystals. It was old, very old- rust and glittermoss covered most of the ship outside of the energon crystals that bloomed on its sides. 

The ship itself was mostly buried halfway into the wall of the cavern, slightly tilted. But surprisingly levelled. 

Nox and Dee gawked at the sight of it all, processors trying to comprehend what they were seeing before they were suddenly snapped out of their stupors by the noticeable shaking of Trixy and Mako. The relics clattering against their chestplates as the turbofox carvings began to glow.  

Both mechs cried out as blue light overtook their vision.

Blue optics watched as the canisters were carefully, carefully, lowered into specially padded crates. The glow of the containers, of the bright blue energon within, of the multi-colored sparks that were suspended peacefully in the liquid- it all disappeared as soon as the crates were carefully, so carefully, closed. 

Prowl took in a vent, resisting the urge to order the mechs from opening the crates just to see the containers again- it was an illogical urge. He saw them all get packed into the crates in the most careful way possible, he watched with a close optic as the canisters of sparks were handled with the utmost care. 

The sparks were fine, they were all fine, this mission would end with them being welcomed back into the Well of Allsparks where they should have gone in the first place.

The thought has his digits gripping his datapad with growing force, threatening to crack the device. His processor brings up memories against his will. 

Of his city.

Of his people.

Of lifeless frame upon frame upon frame upon frame.

The silence that permeated the air in the aftermath of the battle… the horror and grief that nearly threatened to terminate him from the emotions and statistics alone… 

Millions of sparks, gone. Majority were Praxians, just bots trying to live. And they were all just…

Gone.

In an instant.

In a flash of light and noise that overtook the entire city, leaving nothing, no one, in its wake.

"Commanding Strategist, Autobot Prowl?" The voice immediately has Prowl shoving those memories away, he noticed with a mental grimace that he had dented his datapad- scrap. His optics glanced over to see a familiar mech, Starscream. 

Prowl turned to face him, stiffly nodding his helm. "That is me. And you are the Seeker Captain Decepticon, Starscream." He replied with a blank and serious tone. "You, your trine and your team will be escorting the sparks with my team. You have my gratitude." He offered a servo, if only to be polite.

The orange-optic seeker accepted the servo, shaking it firmly. "It is only right, as Vos' heir and next Winglord, it falls on me to fulfill my duty. Praxus was an ally to Vos, and many seekers were within the city when the Quintessons attacked." He replied quietly with a grim look, something that Prowl mirrored.

Yes, he remembered that. He remembered stumbling upon the crashed frames of Seekers who'd been flying only to lose their sparks mid-air in an attempt to escape. There'd been hundreds of crashsites, hundreds of flight frames in their altmodes—

"I see…" Prowl swallowed down the grief and anger that threatened to come rushing back, it wouldn't be directed at Starscream of course, but it wouldn't do to show such impropriety before such an important mission. "May your Seekers find peace in the Allspark." 

"May your Praxian brethren find peace in the Allspark." Starscream returned with a respectful nod, his optics sharpened, something akin to furious determination. "We will get these sparks back to the Well where they belong. No matter what."

Prowl took in a steady vent, his own blue optics sharpening as a sense of comradery established itself between the Praxian mech and the Vos seeker. "That we will…"

Starscream turned to the rest of the bots in the room, Autobots and Decepticons alike straightened as Starscream exclaimed loudly. "Alright mechs! Get everything ready! Decepticon and Autobot fliers, with me! We're establishing the protective flight pattern around the main cargo ship!" 

"Autobot and Decepticon grounders, get to your stations and get these crates into the ship! We leave for Hydrax in three joors!" Prowl exclaimed afterwards as both teams went into a flurry of movement. 

Before the Quintessons, Prowl probably wouldn't have expected such seamless teamwork and cooperation between Autobots and Decepticons. Now though, it was to be expected. Especially with the objective of the mission they had in mind. 

As he organized the ground forces of the teams, part of his processors wandered over to the reason they were even able to return these sparks in the first place.

The Primes.

Prowl had stayed back with Ratchet to assist with the injured and coordinate relief, so he wasn't one of the Autobots to have seen them in person. Merely images and clips provided by others, even by his Trion. A part of him was torn at the fact he hadn't been part of the squadron that had discovered and recovered the canisters from the damned warships, but ultimately he felt grateful for both Primes' benevolent actions.

That was a big reason why he was going to enjoy finding the leak who told Zeta Prime about them, as well as enjoy the inevitable downfall of said 'Prime'. 

The mech hadn't even mentioned the sparks. Prowl remembered darkly.

Prowl was not oblivious to the growing dissent within the Autobots, within Optimus Trion even, against Zeta 'Prime' and the High Council. The war had temporarily set back the corruption, but slowly, he saw things seeping back to the way things were before the Quintessons attacked. 

Optimus Trion hadn't been able to do anything because of the war, too little time, resources and power- the last thing they needed was to restart the civil war when they were already facing the Quintessons. But now, with the added variables of the Primes…

He will stand by Optimus Trion's side all in all.

Dee hadn't been conscious when his frame had been reforged. He hadn't even been conscious when he detransformed. 

So being aware of how his frame shifted, of heavy, durable armor and plating sliding over his limbs- body parts shifting to make way for new parts while his limbs lengthened, strengthened and a new yet familiar sense of power settling into his core-

It was definitely jarring as the blue light faded and he stood with a height much taller than before. He bearing the frame of a Prime once more. Megatronus' mask having settled over his faceplate again. 

That was rather abrupt. Solus commented as Dee shook his helm, clearing the slight stupor he felt at the sudden transformation. 

"A little warning would've been nice!" Dee glanced over to see O, rubbing at his chestplate with clear frustration. He too, was in his Prime form once more, faceplate hidden behind his visored battlemask. "I should've stuck with the name pest. " 

"Aw, c'mon O. I think Makoto's a great name!" Dee laughed, letting Megatronus' mask slide open- there wasn't anyone nearby, so why hide their faceplates? 

O's helm looked over to him, staying silent for a bit before his own visor and battlemask slid away, revealing his Amica's familiar faceplate underneath. Dee grinned- there wasn't much changed with Orion's faceplate, it just seemed a bit more- mature? Wiser?

Makes him wonder if his faceplate was the same.

"It is a great name, I just don't think the Matrix earned it." O replied petulantly with a cute little scowl, "So, we're in our Prime forms now… Does that mean this area is dangerous?" The purple and now red mech wondered aloud, looking over the ship with a critical optic. 

Dee immediately sobered, There is a reason why the Matrix transformed you both. Be on your guard. Megatronus advised. "Whatever's here, we can handle it." He said as he reached into the Matrix's subspace- it was where he got Megatronus' Requiem Blaster from originally, however, he doesn't think it would be safe to use that weapon in such close quarters and by raw energon crystals. Spear it was.

Similarly enough, Orion got out what looked to be a double-sided energon battle axe. Dee doesn't really recognize the weapon from anywhere. Must be one of the others' spare weapons. Solus said with interest. Just because a Prime had a signature weapon, doesn't mean it was their ONLY one, little Prime.

You didn't know I wielded a spear. Megatronus pointed out and Dee conceded with a nod. 

"Mask on Dee, don't take any risks." Orion instructed abruptly, his own visor and battlemask snapping close over his faceplate again. Already he missed the sight of his best friend's faceplate.

"Got it." His own battlemask slid close. 

Together, they approached the gigantic ship within the gigantic energon cave.

The miner in him can't help but look around and see ways to harvest the raw crystals; lay tracks from here to there, reinforce that wall, scaffolding along the crystals to reach the topmost ones first, that crystal over there seemed very thick so it would need a drill not a pickaxe…

The mines back at Prologex weren't nearly as big as this cave, far from it, so his plans were probably on a smaller scale operation compared to industrial sized mining operations that would fit this large cavern. 

Focus little Prime, you can think more about the energon crystals at a later date. Focus on the ship. Megatronus gently reminded him and Dee shook his helm, internally thanking Megatronus as he and O reached the ship.

It looked much bigger up close. 

I don't recognize this ship. Solus hummed with interest, looking through Dee's optics. Then again, it's a bit hard to recognize with all the energon crystals, rust, glittermoss- and half of it is buried in the wall.  

"Now, how do we get in?" He hears O mutter, and turns his helm just in time to see his Amica lay a servo against the rusted hull of the ship only to flinch back as electricity seemed to jump between his servo and the rusted hull- Dee immediately grabbed his arm, tugging him back as the ship shook. Metal groaning as something shifted from behind the hull. 

Dee gripped his spear in one hand and protectively held O's arm in the other as beneath the rust, a blue light began to pulse along the ship's seams. O grunted, freeing his arm from Dee's grip much to Dee's reluctance but he quickly forgot it as the groaning grew louder and the pulse of blue grew brighter.

The pulse suddenly travelled along the ship's hull, as if trying to lead him and his best friend along towards somewhere. With a hesitant glance at each other, they followed the pulse further along the rust and glittermoss-covered hull. 

It led them to a specific part of the ship, though, as they came closer to that part of the ship, the more a strange warmth started to spread from their chests. Right from the Matrix. "You feel that?" Dee asked his Amica quietly, pressing a free servo against his chestplate.

"Yeah." O replied just as quietly.

The warmth peaked as the pulsing blue light circled around a large area of the ship's hull. The gigantic ship shaking once more, ancient metal and mechanisms groaning as the hull opened and a ramp slowly but surely extended from the opening. "An entryway." Orian said with trepidation.

Pedesteps echoed in the cavern, pedes hitting metal as they climbed the ramp and cautiously peered into the ship- it was completely dark in there. 

Until Dee took a step forward, and from underneath his pede, that blue light from the ship's hull appeared once more- spreading throughout the floor and into the walls. Activating dim lights, chasing away most of the darkness. Some lights didn't turn on though, and that was fine. It was already a miracle that there was enough power to turn on the ship. 

"Just what… is this place?" Dee wondered aloud as he and O ventured deeper. 

Unlike the outside there wasn't any rust within it seemed, but there was a layer of dust everywhere. The hallways were long and there were so many different rooms- the ship must've been for big mechs. Bigger than Dee as a Prime right now, the doorways were much bigger than him! 

Even Megatronus would be able to walk through here comfortably, definitely a ship for big mechs. Solus agreed, calculating the size of the ships compared to Dee's current form which, though smaller, was still based on Megatronus. Dee prodded Megatronus slightly if he knew what this ship was.

Few ships can be so accommodating to my size, yet this ship I do not recognize nor remember. Megatronus said with a slightly apologetic tone, Dee could feel him shaking his helm within the helmspace and sighed quietly with some disappointment. 

"Dee! Over here!" O called out at the end of the hallway he was in, Dee quickly made his way to his smaller Amica- pft, he was definitely enjoying being so much taller than him hehe- and saw a map being displayed on the wall. It was… It was written in Primal Vernacular.

Most of the map was faded from time, but the rest of the map was legible enough to tell them where they were and where to go. It even had the name of the ship plastered on the map, though it was severely incomplete. Dee tilted his helm.

M - - R O - L - X

"By the Allspark…" O suddenly breathed, gaining Dee's attention. "We need to get to the control room, now. " O's digits traced over the map, staring from where they both were towards where the control room was. 

"O? Why do we need to go to the control room?" 

"To confirm something! Come on Dee!" O's servo grabbed his arm and tugged - Prime strength surely helping his Amica tug his large frame with him as they were suddenly on the run towards the control room. 

"To confirm what?!" He called as they ran through the halls.

" Whether or not this starship is Metroplex! " 

Metro who??

Chapter Text

They find the control room, it's in as bad a shape as the rest of the ship. Layers of dust cover every surface with nothing but the dim lights powered on. They were lucky that the doors to the control room were open, but Dee would've been able to pry open closed doors- he didn't want to damage anything though. 

"Who's Metroplex, O?" Dee asks as they enter the control room, his Amica making an immediate stride towards the wide main console that was situated in the middle of the room. Dee's thankful that he and O were still wearing their masks, the amount of dust around would have had Dee coughing for a while there. 

Orion doesn't answer immediately, busy trying to get the console powered and working, "He's-" He finally starts as the console flickers and struggles to stay on , "Slag, come on please- okay so, you remember all those legends about Prima Prime's reign? One of those legends were these, giant cybertronians, as big or bigger than the mountains we have on Cybertron? They fought alongside Prima against Unicron, they were his first soldiers, his first subjects. Metroplex… Metroplex was one of them." 

Titanformers. Megatronus breathed in the back of Dee's helm, Primus, yes I remember. Prima told us about them eons ago, not much but he always spoke of them with pride and grief. He… thought they all died in the battle against Unicron.

Unicorn? The Unmaker? The Destroyer?? He was- wait, The Matrix of Leadership was real, the Primes were real, of course that slag-fragging evil deity was real. Why was Dee even surprised at this point? "Oh." Was all he could really say aloud as he was… reeling with the information he was getting from both O and Megatronus at the moment.

One survived. Solus murmured with disbelief, Prima… oh Prima, he must be ecstatic.

… We don't know if Metroplex truly survived, Solus. By the looks of things, he was injured, you saw the energon crystals growing on him, around him. He may still have power but we do not know if his spark is still lit. Megatronus cautioned regrettably and Dee shuddered as he realized that he and O may very well be standing within the corpse of a gigantic cybertronian. 

Oh Primus. Dee thought with building horror. 

"Come on, come on." He watches Orion mess with the console, knelt down to deal with the wires underneath. "You have enough energy to turn some of the lights on, to open an entryway for us, please, please, let your console work." He hears him mutter and Dee shuffles in place, not really knowing what to do, how to help.

Solus? Dee questioned a bit desperately, Solus Prime was a famed engineer and architect. Surely she could help, right?

… Titanformers were before my time, little Prime. We thought them extinct…Solus started slowly, thoughtfully, a bit regretfully but not without hope. Suddenly, she pushed a very recent memory forward- back when O had been trying to touch the ship but instead, had electricity jump between the hull and his servo. This reaction, it stayed with me throughout the time we've been here. The Matrix gave us these coordinates, turned you both into your Prime forms, perhaps… Perhaps it can give enough power for the console. Join him, little Prime.

"O." He called out with newfound determination, and a tiny hope budding in his spark chamber. The purple mech glanced back and seemed surprised at the servo that Dee offered him. "Come on." Confused, but trusting, Orion took his servo, letting himself be pulled up. 

Dee kept hold of his servo, his free servo hovering over the console. "Please, work." He muttered underneath his breath glancing over to O who mirrored his actions. 

Together, they set their palms on the controls.

Light spilled from their chassis, electricity sparking off the crystal glass of their chestplating, traveling down their arms and into the console- the sensation of it was faintly uncomfortable, making Dee shudder but he pressed on, just like Orion.

The console seemed to absorb the sparking electricity, sputtering for only a moment before glowing firmly with life. " Yes! " Dee cheered as Orion immediately let go of his servo to type rapidly into the controls. Holographic screens coming to life to settle above the console, information blurring as his Amica worked his skills on the controls, digits flying across the keyboard.

Dee watched closely, noting how different his Amica's servos were as a Prime- they were bigger of course. Yet no less lithe and skilled as O's original servos. O's profession as a data clerk, even from a town like Prologex, was working in their favor… Actually, maybe the Matrix was helping O as well? Dee can't remember how fast his friend's typing had been in the past, but the skill he was showing, especially for such an old console like this- it was surprising.

Suddenly, O's frame slumped with- relief? Leaning against the console with a shuddering vent that was loud and clear despite the visored mask covering his faceplate. " Oh thank Primus, he's alive. " Dee's helm snapped up to look at the screen. 

All the information was in Primal Vernacular glyphs of course, but with the Matrix in him, he could understand it. On the screen were vitals, concerningly low, but O was right. Metroplex, now confirmed since his designation was right there, was miraculously alive.

Thank Primus. Solus echoed Orion, Dee's shoulders, which had been tense now dropped with the same relief.

"He's in deep stasis." Dee murmured, "His spark's… so weak." It was barely there, even in stasis, it was so weak. 

"If no one found him in the next orn, he would've died. All alone." There was grief in his Amica's voice print, grief that wasn't Orion's own. Prima. Megatronus whispered quietly. He never forgave himself for losing all the titanformers. Seeing one alive… "Frag, if we don't do something he'll still die." Orion's servos clenched tightly.

Dee straightened, a new tension in his frame. "What do we do? We can't let him die." 

Even if Metroplex hadn't been a titanformer, or someone from Prima's past- this was a cybertronian, part of his people. His kin, he was of Cybertron and he fought for Cybertron. He didn't deserve to die, not here, not all alone deep underground.

A miner's death was not suited for this old giant.

I… might have been way too fragging impulsive.

It's a persistent thought for Goldbug as he stands in the streets of Harmonex, half-awed by the big, beautiful city but mostly troubled as the consequences of his actions come bearing down on him. He'd been on a one-track mind the entire time, he had packed his things, he had quit his job, he got on the shuttle to Harmonex and now here he was; in Harmonex…

With no idea where Dion and Orion Nox were, nor how to find them.

I should have asked for Dion's comm! I should have gotten on the same shuttle as them! Pit fragging damn! The yellow bot thought to himself with a frustrated scowl, pressing a servo against his faceplate and holding back a groan. It hadn't occurred to him until he got to the city that he had no idea how to locate two bots in a city like Harmonex, he didn't even know if they were still around! 

They definitely went to the official grid building to change their designations- that was his only lead so far and that lead… quickly died as he asked around if they saw Dion and Orion. The guard did of course, he only remembered because the bots tried to get in with those two mechanimal pups that Dion took in.

Those things were cute, but apparently they weren't allowed inside most buildings, not without a collar or a leash at least.

Asking other bots around led to nothing either, who would remember random bots on the street? Even with turbofox pups around- there were hundreds of bots passing on the street and- ugh, the only good thing that's happened to Goldbug so far was that he also got his designation changed as well.

He was now officially Goldbug! 

It was a bit hard to choose between the two names, both were great in either circumstances but he ended up favoring Goldbug as a casual name, Wasp would be cooler designation as a warrior of the Primes! Plus, it's a nice homage to the cool insect predacon, Waspinator! Primus, he can't wait to meet him! Because he'll have to meet Waspinator in person at some point right? Since he'll be cruising with his main Prime, Dion!

If he could find him and his Amica anyway…

"Dammit…" Goldbug groaned, wondering just what he should do next. He wasn't going to give up of course, he already quit his job as a miner and packed up all his important things- he was not going back to Prologex! He was going to become his Prime's warrior and right hand mech! 

He just… needed to find a way to get there.

First; he needs a place to stay. Preferably cheap but comfortable, then, he needs to find a way to locate Dion and Orion. The Primes were sneaky, but Goldbug was confident he could find them- it was his destiny! 

Looking around the crystal city, a thought crossed his processor and he grinned as he got an idea. 

[ Goldbug ]
:- heeyyyy Delver! -:
:- you said you're in harmonex for this mega-cycle yeah? -:

[ Delver ]
:- Who is this? -:
:- Hold on, G-721? Is that you? -:

[ Goldbug ]
:- yep! it's me!! -:
:- got my designation changed!! -:

[ Delver ]
:- I can see that, congratulations. -:
:- Did you name yourself based on Taxim's golden bugs by chance? Those ARE your favorite insects. -: 

[ Goldbug ]
:- heh, knew you'd immediately figure it out! -:

A fond smile came up on his derma at the fact Delver instantly figured out where his new designation came from- Delver was a fellow insect enjoyer. Kind of. Delver, unlike most bots, enjoyed organic life and found it to be fascinating. The black and gold bot, in turn, found insects to be particularly interesting as well.

They met on a forum discussing insects and sort of just, clicked from there. 

Delver was a good friend to him, he'd been there for him for a while. Mostly online since he moved across Cybertron a lot for whatever reason, but he remembers Delver mentioning that he'd be Harmonex for the mega-cycle. Didn't mention why but that didn't matter.

[ Delver ]
:- I heard that Prologex was attacked, are you okay? Any injuries? -:

[ Goldbug ]
:- im good! no injuries whatsoever!! -:

[ Delver ]
:- Thank goodness… -:
:- Is it true, then? -:
:- The rumors. -:

[ Goldbug ]
:- wow did it reach harmonex already?? i guess i shouldn't be surprised, lots of bots left prologex as soon as they were allowed to -:
:- but yeah, rumors are true -:
:- there's primes around Delver, i saw one of them myself even! got saved by him!! half the matrix in his chestplate and everything!!! -:

[ Delver ]
:- That's -:
:- Incredible. Inconceivable but incredible. -: 

[ Goldbug ]
:- i know right?? but it's true, i swear! -:
:- i even got a few super cool pictures in my data banks! and a couple of clips, wanna see? -:

[ Delver ]
:- If you wouldn't mind. -:

Goldbug's dermas formed a grin. 

[ Goldbug ]
:- i don't mind! just need a favor from you!! -:
:- let me crash with you for a bit, okay? -:

Oh, Metroplex… Pax whispered, voice laced with old, momentous grief as they stood at the very center of the titanformer. The titan's spark chamber, where his spark, dim and weak from behind the crystalline glass, laid dormant. 

The moment that Nyx had figured out the possibility that the name on the map had been Metroplex, Pax had been urgent, had been grieving, had been hopeful. This Metroplex was not his own, but the familiar name, the familiar bot- it had definitely brought up old emotions that Pax had, so much so that it affected Nox.

I'm sorry, Nox. Pax had apologized but Nox had immediately waved it off.

We'll do what we can for Metroplex Pax. Nox reassured him, having watched Pax's memories of his own Metroplex. The heroic Autobot titan that gave his life to save innocents- it was the least he could do for this Metroplex. Not to mention, this was possibly one of the oldest living cybertronians out there. Metroplex, theoretically, had been alive since the very start of Cybertron.

Since Prima's reign.

If they could stabilize Metroplex, if they could strengthen his spark, fix him enough that he could safely come out of stasis… He would have a wealth of knowledge that surely would have been forgotten. Maybe he could even help with understanding what the frag was with the Matrix, or even in the best case scenario… He could help with the war against the Quintessons. 

Right now though, they needed to assess the damages and just do what they could at the moment.

His comm pinged and he immediately answered, hearing his Amica's voice. He had gone back out to harvest some giant chunks of raw energon to refine and fill Metroplex's fuel tanks slightly. Enough to get the power on properly at least without relying on the mystic electricity of the Matrix. .: I've got Metroplex's energon distillery and refinery up and running! It's old, and ancient, but it's still working! We can make our own energon here AND give the rest to Metroplex. :.  

.: Good, I've already shut down the flow and access to most of Metroplex's fuel lines. The rest of his body doesn't need it right now, so now we can finally get his internal power back on and continue to fuel him. :. Nox replied, looking at the map he and Dee both downloaded off the console. .: His spark chamber is fully intact, no breaches or severe damage that I can see, thankfully the fuel lines to it aren't damaged at all. :.  

I find it a bit morbid that we're feeding Metroplex his own crystallized energon. Nyx couldn't help but say in their helmspace, I mean, most of these crystals grew from his spilled energon and the minerals off his frame and now we're just… feeding it back to him.

"It's more than a bit morbid, yeah." Nox muttered back with a twisted, complicated expression on his face. But what else could they do? The raw energon crystals did grow from Metroplex's own spilled energon, and they couldn't exactly buy gallons of energon from anywhere without it looking extremely shady and suspicious. 

Very morbid indeed, but if it will fuel Metroplex, help prolong or even save his life… then so be it. Pax said with a grim tone, Nox could feel him frowning in the helmspace. 

We'll do what we can. Nox repeated to Pax with determined optics. Besides, the raw energon crystals are mostly based from his energon and mineral composition yes, but they're entirely new since they've grown over a long, long time.

Nox moves on from Metroplex's spark chamber, following his map of the titanformer to head towards another area that he needed to go. Something very important for him and Dee, it had surprised him when he realized Metroplex had one; a spacebridge.

If we tweak the bridge into functioning the same way that Pax's bridges, then we can essentially go anywhere on Cybertron so long as we have the coordinates. Nyx exclaimed eagerly, something that Nox actually shared and echoed back—

Spacebridges, or groundbridges, whichever, in Nox's world required a secondary bridge to connect to. Spacebridging was technically lost technology, or they had been at the start of the Autobot and Decepticon war- it wasn't until the Quintessons attacked that spacebridge technology was recovered from the alien warships who used it to send their ships through space, usually to escape from Cybertron with the bridges built into their ships. 

The exact details and information wasn't known to the public so Nox wasn't entirely sure about the specifics but the most common knowledge on his Cybertron was that if you needed to bridge somewhere, it had to be somewhere that already had a bridge built. 

But Pax's world? 

That was beyond Nox's world's current spacebridging technology. To be able to bridge somewhere else without needing a secondary bridge to connect to? Phenomenal!  

Technically I only have the schematics of a groundbridge based on Cybertronian and Earth technology, not a spacebridge. The spacebridge we used to have was achieved with the Forge of Solus Prime. Pax reminded gently, though he was feeling quite positive at the moment as well. Even then, the schematics may be incomplete- I helped Ratchet with the creation of both bridges but it is he who truly knew how those worked…  

Still! Your groundbridging is already layers better than Nox's bridges here on this Cybertron! Nyx retorted, It's pretty much bridgeless bridging essentially! As for being incomplete- leave that to me! I'll handle it!

You really think you can? Nox questioned as he traversed the vast hallways of Metroplex, nearing the ship's bridge. You're a human, this is Cybertronian technology…

I WAS a human, yes- but I was a NASA Engineer and Scientist for fuck's sake! Also! I have been absorbing all the Cybertronian knowledge from BOTH of you. I know how to deal with Cybertronian technology! Plus, don't underestimate human ingenuity! Nyx shot back and Nox could feel him rocking on his human feet in excitement. 

Pax hummed, believing Nyx more than Nox did. Human ingenuity isn't something to scoff at, Nox. Memories flitted by of his time on Earth, Nyx helped by adding snapshots of his own memories. It would be worth trying at least.

Despite still feeling skeptical, Nox agreed by the time he reached the bridging room. It was one of the rooms that still had power, all three of them had been meticulous in making sure certain areas of Metroplex would be, temporarily at least, shut off to save energy and fuel for Metroplex. In their meticulousness, that was when they found the bridging room on the console's maps. 

The spacebridge was huge, twice as large as Pax's groundbridge on Earth. 

As he stood there, in the room, he couldn't help but think over the plans that he and Dee had; they had both agreed that Metroplex would now be their base of operations. Their new home, so to speak. It made sense, they had an energon deposit right outside of Metroplex, and despite being old and dusty, Metroplex was perfectly livable. They didn't have to pay shanix to live in him and though most of the raw energon crystals outside would go to Metroplex, they didn't need to buy energon for themselves either.

Plus, it would take a lot of time to fix Metroplex and get him out of stasis. Neither of them were medics and even though Nyx was an Engineer and Scientist, he was still one guy in Nox's head. Who wasn't even Cybertronian in the first place! But, currently, it would have to be enough.

We can think of bringing someone else on board later. Nyx said seriously, Right now, we do what we can.

As if on cue, the dim lighting of the spacebridge room brightened, the consoles at the sides flickering to life. "Looks like the energon's now fully flowing and powering Metroplex." He said aloud, then winced. Some of Metroplex. Majority of him would be unpowered for now, the priority areas at the moment that would get power and energon were Metroplex's spark chamber (duh), Metroplex's main console room, the energon refinery and storage room (also duh), and the spacebridge room that Nox was standing in. There were also a couple of nearby habsuites that were recieving power as well, but as a tertiary priority. Secondary being the ventilation systems- they needed to clean up all the dust and get it out of Metroplex.

Anyway, the habsuites would be his and Dee's rooms, they were near the spacebridge for ease of use. He thought of doing the main console, but Pax decided that being able to rush to the spacebridge would be easiest and best just like how he and his Autobots did at Omega Outpost One. Nyx agreed with him, which was two against one.

Nox should be able to access the majority of Metroplex's database from any console anyway. 

You should detransform and take a break, you need energon. And so do the pups and Dion. Pax said, reminding Nox of his energon levels and his current state as a Prime. It had been a couple of joors since they found the islet, since they found Metroplex. They hadn't had any energon since they woke up this morning. 

.: Dee, I'm detransforming and taking a break for energon. Make sure you do the same, I'm in the bridging room by the way. :. Nox commed Dee, pausing as he figured out how to detransform manually instead of abruptly after the Matrix had been out of power from purifying the Tox-En and poison.

There wasn't exactly a gauge or timer that indicated just how long Nox could stay a Prime, it was more of a… feeling.

.: Alright! I'll stay a Prime a bit more, it's easier to harvest a few more big chunks of energon like this. I'll detransform and fuel after. :. Dee replied and Nox couldn't help but smile slightly. It was a funny thing to imagine, a Prime mining for energon- especially the Prime in question being his dumbaft Amica who looked like a mini-Megatronus Prime.

Hey, Pax was a Prime and he had to mine for energon as well. Nyx laughed slightly.

Pax gave the tiniest of huffs, It was less humorous circumstances but yes, even Primes will mine for energon should the situation call for it.  

Ah, right, less humorous circumstances being that his team had been suffering an energon shortage… Which led back to Cybertron being unable to provide energon… because it was dead…

… It won't happen here. Surprisingly it was Nyx who said that, with more conviction than both Pax and Nox could have said with. We won't let it.

Nox's dermas tilted up as his frame began to glow. 

"No. We won't."

"Hope you're feeling better Metroplex." Dee said into thin air as he sat against the wall, he had detransformed as promised to his Amica, Trixy was drinking from a smaller container of energon by his side as he enjoyed his own cube of energon. Even thought the titanformer couldn't hear him, he couldn't help but talk to him anyway. "Being in stasis with an empty tank must've been uncomfortable huh? Don't worry, we're working on that."

The refinery and energon storage room was as big as the rest of Metroplex's hallways and rooms, the machine that would refine raw energon crystals was old and ancient. If it weren't for the Primes in his head, he'd probably have spent so many joors trying to figure out how to use it without breaking something. 

I upgraded a refinery almost just like this before I became a Prime. Solus hummed with clear pride coming off her in his helm, The systems are a bit older but the basics were essentially the same. If given enough time, tools and resources, we can upgrade it to be more efficient!  

Another time, Solus. Dee thought as he sipped his energon down- this was his ration energon from his subspace, not the newly made energon that was from the machine. He didn't want to use any of the energon in store right now. That was all for Metroplex. Right now, I'm just glad we can make energon for him.

The energon made right now is nowhere near enough to get him out of stasis. Megatronus noted solemnly as Dee looked over to the nearby screens that showed just how full Metroplex's tanks were- the titanformer had four sets of gigantic energon tanks. Almost all of them were empty, but one tank was currently filling up but it wasn't anywhere near even a quarter of the way. But it should be enough to make living within him comfortable enough for the two of you, as well as keep him stable.

We still need to fix any damage he has before we can get him out of stasis anyway. Solus replied, urging Dee to bring up Metroplex's map in his HUD. His vision glosses over slightly as he does so. With your Amica temporarily cutting the power and energon to most of his other rooms and systems, redirecting it to focus around his spark- this will theoretically keep him stable for a lot longer than an orn. 

Dee grimaced, Is that how long it'll take to fix him?

No, if it's just you and your Amica- even with my knowledge and hopefully another Prime's knowledge within your Amica, it will take longer to fix Metroplex. You are still only two bots, you can only do so much. Solus vents with an apologetic tone that had Dee leaning back with a similar vent of his own. … At some point, we will need more bots on our side.

Realistically, Dee had known that he and O couldn't do everything together even if they had the power and knowledge of Primes- even saving Cybertron. Did he have a big amount of faith that they could do it together? Of course he did, but in reality, Solus was right. He and Orion were just two bots, and they needed at least a team of bots they could trust to help them.

We will find them, little Prime. Megatronus soothed, In time… For now, do what you can. Do what you must. 

Determined, Dee nodded, finishing his energon cube with gusto. He heard a chirp and saw Trixy finished with her own container, tail wagging happily. "Aw, you done, bud? Need anymore?" He asked, watching the way Trixy chirped again before scrambling up Dee's side to perch on his shoulder like usual. "I'll take that as a no." 

He gathered Trixy's empty energon container to put into his subspace along with his own empty cube. "I was thinking of turning back into a Prime to get more energon for Metroplex but, I think we've done enough for now." He looked over to the several huge chunks of raw energon crystals set aside to be refined, then he glanced back towards the screen, trying to think it over. "... Maybe I still should, I'd at least like to get to a quarter of the first tank…" He mumbled reluctantly as he began to have second thoughts.

You want to see your Amica though. Solus hummed, Go on, Dion, go see your Amica. This is enough energon for now. I'm also curious about the spacebridge within Metroplex, it will no doubt be useful for us! And I've always wanted to see a bridge intact!  She seemed excited to see the spacebridge.

Useful, there is no doubt about that. Megatronus agreed, Being able to get to other spacebridges will be a great boon for us.

The public ones at least, private spacebridges will need to be hacked into. Solus murmured then vented lowly. Ah, I wish I was able to complete my research with Alchemist about spacebridging, we were just in the beginning of that project. Trying to rediscover spacebridging technology after Quintus destroyed it and the research connected to it…

Dee frowned, Well, at least it was rediscovered eventually? Even if it's because of the Quintessons anyway… He reached up to scratch Trixy's chin before nodding. "I'll go see O. We've got enough energon for now." He opened the map once more, trying to plot his way towards the spacebridging room that his best friend was in. 

Metroplex really was big, Dee reckoned that even if he transformed into his alt, it would still take a while to get to where O was… He shrugged and transformed anyway, making sure Trixy was secure and safe in his alt mode before he went for a drive. This was a nice and short opportunity to stretch his treads!

As he drove, his thoughts wandered and he came upon a familiar thought. I still haven't thought of a Prime designation yet. Dee thought to himself and the Primes in his head, wincing. It's almost been a deca-cycle since he first became a Prime and he was still a nameless Prime. 

It has been a rather busy deca-cycle. Mused Megatronus, thinking back to how he and Orion were a bit busy in packing, planning and such. Not to mention the last cycle itself with Metroplex. He checked his chronometer and it was almost night time! 

Time had flown while he and O were looking for the coordinates location and then finding Metroplex and- yeah, he hadn't realized just how long they'd been here. Underground in the body of a titanformer currently in stasis.

It has, but if I'm going to be a Prime, I need a name. I can't freeze up and NOT give a name when I'm asked who I am next time. Dee vented heavily as he remembered how he had froze when Megatron asked him for his and O's designation, did Orion have a Prime designation in mind already? He probably did, so now it was just Dee who still had no idea… I doubt convenient timing will happen again to let me dodge out of answering the question. He added dryly, feeling a bit silly at how relieved he'd been when the Quintessons attacked and interrupted them.

You never know, little Prime. Solus humored with a loud laugh, It happens more than you think! But you're right, you cannot go on being a nameless Prime.

During the drive, Megatronus and Solus helped think of a few designations for Dion to choose for his Prime name. It was surprisingly hard since Dee didn't know where to even start…

Megatronus, though, had an idea. Dion, your frame is from me, but you should have something from Solus as she is here as well.  

Naturally, both Dee and Solus were extremely interested.

"Woah, Delver! Your place is so cool! "

In all honesty, Delver shouldn't have accepted Goldbug's, previously G-721, request. He should have, instead, directed the yellow bot to a hotel he could stay for the night. And yet, in a fit of impulse, he had agreed. And now his online insect-enjoying companion was now within his habsuite.

A habsuite that wasn't exactly… his per say. Not legally anyway. Not that Goldbug knew that. 

"Settle down, Goldbug. And please avoid touching my personal items." Delver instructed and scolded, shooing the excitable bot away from his wall of knives. He had just put them up a few deca-cycles ago. The knives were purely decorative at least, his true collection was safely stored somewhere else. 

The black and gold painted two-wheeled bot corralled Goldbug into his living room, watching him sit down on his couch, "Now, since I am letting you stay within my habsuite for the night—"

Goldbug's red optics met his blue optical glasses, "Can we extend that for a few days? I uh, really need a place to stay for a while Delver. I… quit my job as a miner in Prologex." He admitted with obviously great reluctance. 

Delver reeled back in surprise, "Whyever would you do that? I thought your place was to work as a miner to save shanix so you could move to Kaon, become a warrior there and join the Decepticons." He said, sitting down on the other side of his couch, arms crossed. "This wasn't within the timeframe of your plan." It wasn't exactly a plan that Delver approved of, considering his own past but who was he to dictate the actions of another? Especially one as rambunctious as Goldbug.

Goldbug hesitated, "... Delver, you're like- my best friend at this point. You've known me since I was a youngling, pretty much mostly online, through a screen, yeah but- I trust you."

Those words have him freezing in place, and the regret of bringing the bot into his habsuite grows along with the guilt. Goldbug trusted him? He hadn't exactly realized that, but it should be obvious in hindsight. They've spoken since Goldbug had been a youngling just browsing through the entomologist section of forums. 

Hm, at this point, perhaps 'friends' wasn't too far off the mark, but best friend? Really? This was the first time they'd met in person instead of through screens and the rare face call.

Delver frowned, hesitating, "Goldbug…" Goldbug trusted him and that… made Delver feel very conflicted. Considering he couldn't exactly say the same now could he? He hasn't even told Goldbug why he keeps moving from city to city, place to place all over Cybertron…

"What I'm about to tell you Delver, it's going to be wild and really important. You have to promise you won't tell anyone else, alright?" 

Chapter Text

While Nox did agree to let Nyx deal with the bridge, he'd been slightly worried.

Oh sure he was kind of worried that despite the human's confidence and both Nyx and Pax's reassurance, Nyx would end up not being able to do it or even worse; break the bridge beyond repair. But he had to trust the human because honestly, the concept of bridgeless bridging was too good to pass up. It would make things so much easier for him and Dee, especially as Primes.

But the thing that worried Nox most was…

How the frag was he going to explain it all to Dee???

Because it's one thing to be able to wave off his own Prime skills as gifted by the Matrix like Dee was doing, but it's another thing entirely to explain the fact he'd managed to break through several scientific theories and create a whole new way of bridging that required only one spacebridge with no secondary bridge at all. One capable of going anywhere so long as it had coordinates, power and wasn't shielded against?

Like, scrap, bridge shielding wasn't even a thing in Nox's world, one had to have access to the secondary bridge's coordinates and permission from an authorized command to use it. 

Nox was pretty sure scientists all over Cybertron, pits, even the Quintessons would kill to get even a glimpse of the schematic of Pax's bridging technology. Incomplete as it was.

So, how does he explain to Dee that he's doing that right now and not admit he has voices in his head that were technically other versions of him? Because he'd really rather avoid that…

Aw, you're really trying to keep us as your dirty little secret forever? Nyx teased as he took control of Nox's servos to carefully rearrange some wires connecting the spacebridge. Nox had originally intended to rest as Pax had insisted, he had fed Mako and himself energon but Nyx couldn't help himself and pestered Nox into working on the spacebridge now.

Because apparently he's been thinking about recreating Pax's spacebridge the moment he and Dee had become Primes and already had a good idea on how to integrate it using Nox's knowledge on Cybertronian technology. They were already in the bridging room with the spacebrige itself, they had the tools and resources within that room and even better; they had the schematic of the spacebridge downloaded off of one of the consoles.

I don't want to freak him out, nor do I want to explain you guys to him. Life's fraggin' complicated enough as it is right now, he doesn't need to think his Amica's gone crazy and his mind's shattered like- Nox stopped himself, realizing the phrase he'd almost said and physically cringed back. Memories of those pictures coming forth.

AY! Hold still! This is delicate work! Nyx scrambled to steady his servos, mentally waving those pictures away. I really fucked up showing you those pictures, telling you about Sha- uh, the SG continuity. I'm sorry…  

Nox doesn't reply, doesn't want to and neither Pax or Nyx mention it. Instead, Pax gently continues, sending waves of soothing encouragement and reassurance into Nox's spark. Your Amica would not think that of you, he is kind. Understanding. Your bond with him would not change if you told him about us, ultimately however, it is up to you.

Yep, totally up to you. Nyx agreed as he leaned Nox's frame forward to get a closer look at the components he was carefully removing from the spacebridge's inner mechanisms. It was old, needed to be replaced, like a lot of other things in it, just in case and Nyx needed to tweak the spacebridge's operating systems, recalibrate the geographical programs to suit and adapt to modern coordinates—

For a moment, Nox just lets himself be whisked away into Nyx's bizarre yet focused thoughts. He doesn't understand half of what the man's thinking, not yet at least, but he does pay attention to his ending thoughts.

-e need to see if Metroplex can connect to the modern Grid. I'm not sure if old OLD Cybertron had the same internet system as your modern one does. Honestly, I'm not that impressed with what I remember from you Nox, even we humans had a more colorful and crowded internet compared to you 'superior cybertronians'. Nyx thought to Nox as he hauled the old parts of the spacebridge to the side, Mako was thankfully on a console napping instead of pestering Nox.

I'll admit, some of the sites from your human internet were definitely more entertaining than the Grid forums. Nox grumbled but went back to the point. We should be able to connect Metroplex to the Grid, at least partially, it spans all of Cybertron. If you can connect to it from the deadlands then you connect to it anywhere.  

We are underground though. Pax wondered as Nyx continued to control Nox's frame to do some work on the spacebridge- this time grabbing tools and other things to haul back to the circular frame of the portal. The human was back into the 'zone' as he would call it, his thoughts whirling as he compared Pax's schematic to the spacebridge's blueprints, trying to connect the two in ways that Nox was still mystified with at the moment.

He was a data clerk that liked to read everything, especially the stars, not a scientist or engineer- much less one that was trying to recreate another world's technological marvel. 

It was kind of strange taking the backseat like this, he'd only done it for Pax when the mech was helping him in fighting the Quintessons in his Prime form, and even then, he let Nox move on his own from time to time, teaching him and lending experience that Nox could use for himself.

Nyx was in Nox's normal frame, having taken control almost entirely just so he could focus on reverse-engineering and tinkering. In any other situation, maybe Nox would be worried that Nyx would just- completely take over his body but strangely enough, he wasn't. 

This world is not yours, it's not mine, WE are voices in Nox's head and for the most part, we need to STAY that way. 

Plus, it was easy enough to instantly gain control over his frame again from Nyx if he needed to. Which he didn't at the moment, let the one person in his helm deal with the bridge for now.

Metroplex should have a satellite dish or something close to it. Nox pointed out, bringing up the map of Metroplex's starship form, looking for it. We cut the power to it but giving power back as well as adjusting its position should get us a… signal…  He trailed off, suddenly feeling… off for some reason.

It felt like someone was watching him.

Because someone was watching him, at the corner of his vision he could see a blotch of familiar grey—

DEE! Nox yelps, wrestling control back from Nyx who makes an indignant noise, mentally yelling at Nox not to drop the tools he was holding. He doesn't, instead, he grabs them tightly with his servo and denta as his helm whips to the side to see wide, fascinated optics watching him from a relatively safe distance. Still, his sudden presence had Nox's optics wide with panicked fright and his frame tense.

Nox was crouched down, one servo deep into the open side-panel of the spacebridge, pressing against components that Nox had no idea what they were, his other servo was holding some sort of tweezers and his intake was biting down on a screwdriver with other tools and mechanical stuff on the ground around him. 

He felt ridiculous and his spark was pulsing rapidly in his chamber. 

Uh oh.  

Oh dear.

Ah fuck. Nox thinks to himself faintly.

Dee's optics cycled and realization dawned on his faceplate and he gave a sheepish and apologetic look, "Did I- uh, did I startle you O? I'm sorry!" He rubbed his neck cabling, Trixy hopping off his shoulder to join its other half on the console but Nox's attention was solely on Dee. Who looked sheepish but also- delight??? "I should've said something but you looked so focused and I just ended up watching you… Sorry. About that." 

Nox mentally lagged for a moment before he put down his tweezers- he couldn't get his servo against the component he was pressing it against off yet, Nyx said not to- to free his servo and get that fragging screwdriver out of his intake to finally speak. "A little warning would've been nice, yeah. Like, I don't know, a comm??? " 

Dee winced, his sheepish smile growing on his derma. "I wanted it to be a surprise?" He says it, like it was a question. Frag his dumbaft Amica. "A-Anyway! I'm here now! Is there something wrong with the spacebridge? Can I help?!" He questioned with increasing excitement, his optics shining in a way that left Nox blindsided.

No questions about what he was doing? Just a 'is there something wrong' and 'can I help' instead of 'why are you doing' or 'do you really think you can do that' type scrap? 

Dion is such a cinnamon roll, he must be protected at all cost. Nyx solemnly said, or as solemnly as he can without snickering. Asshole. You're getting awfully comfortable with human swear words.  

"O? Hello? Everything okay?" Dee's suddenly a lot closer, not in Nox's personal space but a lot closer than he'd originally been. 

"Everything's fine I'm just…" Frag, okay, might as well tell him what Nox was doing and hope for the best. He'll blame it on the Matrix. "Technically there's nothing wrong per say with the spacebridge on Metroplex, it's just- really fragging old compared to the more 'recent' ones in most cities. It's perfectly functional in theory but we can't exactly afford to show up at the spacebridges in the cities in our Prime forms or even as normal bots. We'd be caught sooner rather than later if we did that, and they might trace it back to Metroplex." Nox explained, slowly at first but gradually picking up speed as he lets Nyx take control over his servos once more, if only to keep busy and continue what he was doing.

"So instead of doing that, we're uh-" Hopefully Dee would get the ' we ' as in, he and Nox instead of, y'know, Nox and the voices in his head. "We're not going to do that. Instead, we're going to tweak the bridge so it doesn't need a second spacebridge to connect and just- go anywhere on Cybertron so long as we have coordinates and it's safe… And this is all thanks to the Matrix." He adds at the last second, hoping his Amica would buy it.

He doesn't risk a glance at his Amica just yet, mostly because Nyx needs to see what he's doing; which was unscrewing something.

"So we're going to be tweaking the bridge to do bridgeless bridging? " Dee breathes with such awe that even Nyx pauses his actions and Nox finally glances over to see Dee's optics practically shining with excitement and glee. The mech could hardly stand still, " Thank the Matrix indeed! O, let us help! I can help! " 

Wait he actually fragging bought that?

… Considering you hold the other half of the Matrix, Nox, it is safe to say that he will believe that any unnatural knowledge you show is on the behalf of the Matrix. Pax says and frag, yeah that makes sense. It's so slagging obvious Dee would believe that, why was he so apprehensive in the first place?

Oh right, he didn't want his Amica knowing his processor's got some screws loose in his helm and that he was being haunted by other versions of himself. 

"Yeah, sure, I need you to mirror what I'm doing at this side of the bridge on the other side with a few differences." Nox instructed, or well, Nyx instructed.

Two pairs of servos working on a bridge was better than one at least.

Alchemist you sly, beautiful mech! You continued the research after all! Solus had shouted the moment Nox explained what he was doing, what he and Alchemist Prime was doing. Because it had to be Alchemist Prime, as far as Solus and Megatronus knew it, only Alchemist was interested enough in spacebridges as well as smart enough to think of bridgeless bridging. 

So Prima and Alchemist reside within the helm of Orion Nox. Megatronus hummed as Dee and Solus focused on the spacebridge alongside Orion. It was mostly Solus who took to O's instructions with ever growing glee. Curious… But why has Alchemist not told what happened to the Matrix to Orion Nox? What happened that led him to giving the Matrix to Thirteen, WHO Thirteen really was?

Well, maybe he doesn't know? Dee proposed as Solus guided his servos, making sure they were steady as he pried open a panel from the other side of the spacebridge. It's the only reason I can think as to why he hasn't said anything, O wouldn't keep important information like that from us.  

Megatronus hummed again, clearly not as certain but conceding.

We can always ask about it later on, right now, we have a spacebridge to modify! Solus exclaimed, her glee and excitement infecting Dee who agreed vehemently. Megatronus vented in the helmspace but both femme and mech could feel the exasperated fondness he gave off before encouraging them to continue onwards.

Before Dee knew it, he and O had been working on the spacebridge for joors , last Dee had checked, they were deep into the night.

The spacebridging room became a lot more cluttered the more he and O modified the bridge, components, panels and parts littered the floor, tools were strewn about a bit haphazardly, there was some spilled energon here and there when Mako and Trixy decided to run around during a brief energon break which led to O spilling some on himself and the floor- his best friend hadn't been happy at all because of that.

Right now, while O was at the spacebridge's main console tweaking the bridge's operational systems, Dee was modifying the energon fuel lines that lead into the spacebridge, having to take apart the floor to reach them- O had grumbled about the energon consumption of the spacebridge and Solus immediately thought of a solution that Dee eagerly got into. The less the bridge consumed energon from Metroplex, the better! 

Dee also made a priority reminder that he and Solus needed to upgrade the energon refinery on Metroplex later on to help with that, he'd need to check if they had the materials to actually do that first. They were lucky enough that the bridging room had the resources they needed to modify it in the first place, hopefully the refinery had the same, if not- then Dee would need to buy parts from somewhere else.

"O! I'm done! It's not much at the moment but it should reduce the energon consumption a good amount? We'd still need to do a test run to see first." Dee called out as he climbed out of the floor, wiping a few energon stains off his plating.

"Got it, I'm done with the operating system myself. It's rudimentary with plenty of room for improvement but it'll do for now. I've converted the old coordinate system it was using to the more modern scale- not all of it, but just enough to do a test run." O called back, his optics trained on the holographic screen of the console before him. "To do a complete conversion we'd need to activate Metroplex's satellite dishes, maybe adjust them and then connect to the Grid."

Dee nodded, going around to tidy up a bit- if only for safety reasons. Didn't want to trip over anything while they were going to do a test run. "Got it! First test run is to open a bridge just outside of Metroplex and into the energon cave, right? I'll go there now!" He jogged over to the doorway, Trixy on his heels once it noticed he was leaving.

"Remember! Throw something into the bridge first if it appears, then a cube of energon!" O called out to Dee who nodded and called back with a simple ' Yeah! ' as excitement flowed through him from himself, Solus- even Megatronus was looking forward to the testing!

Bridgeless bridging! No secondary bridge required! If this worked, he and O could go anywhere on Cybertron! 

As long as we have the coordinates! Solus cheered with him as he transformed, racing down the halls at high speeds to exit the titanformer and start the tests. Trixy chirping and revving its little engine at his fast movements.

Careful, don't crash, Dion. Megatronus reminded him as he made a sharp turn that got him a little too close to the wall. Oops.

He slowed down a little bit after that.

But hey! He managed to get to the exit in record time! The exit was actually the entryway that the Matrix had opened, the one where he and O had entered in the first place. He and O decided to leave it open for now. 

Dee eagerly transformed back into his root mode, jogging over to the coordinates that O had input for the bridge to open- he stood a good distance away to avoid being caught up in the bridge but he couldn't stop himself from rocking on his pedes, optics shining bright with hope and expectation as he commed his Amica. .:I'm in position! Fire it up Orion!:.

.:Got it! Opening bridge, stand by.:.

Dee's vents stalled in anticipation, optics wide and searching as for a few kliks, nothing happened.

And then, like a crystal flower blooming when it was time, a wave of green, white and light purple washed over Dee and the grey mech's faceplate was practically splitting in half from how wide his smile was.

" WE DID IT! "

Hydrax, the Plateau was situated in the middle of the Rust Sea at Cybertron's equator. It was a rather beautiful plateau, infamous for its various species of dragon cress crystal flowers and various other cybertronian flora. On the plateau was a city named after it; Hydrax City, Cybertron's most connected bridge and space port.

Various goods from space were mainly delivered here, and Hydrax boasted the most amount of spacebridges available for public use that connected to all over Cybertron. Because of that, Hydrax was heavily guarded so Prowl shouldn't feel so tense as he and the escorting teams arrived at the city.

And he would have, had it not been for the main reason why they were stopping in the city in the first place.

"I am here to scan the canisters." 

Standing before him was a tall and large violet mech with the Decepticon emblem stamped across his chassis. His servos were large, four clawed digits that could easily tear apart a normal bot, his helm bore no faceplate, merely a seamless visor that held one large red optic and sharp audial finials that were probably as dangerous as the mech's digits or whatever else weaponry that was hidden within that frame of his.

Prowl's servos clenched from behind his back.

He had no problem with mechs who underwent Empurata, even those who had been criminals. The punishment had been abhorrent and he had no qualms over the poor sparks who suffered from that horrible time of the Autobot cause- one of the things Prowl was truly ashamed of that happened because of his own faction. He understood why many Empurata victims joined the Decepticon cause even after the punishment was firmly banned shortly after Optimus became Trion. 

But this mech…  

"I do not know why my Trion allowed this, but know that we will be keeping a close optic on you, Shockwave. " Prowl told through gritted denta at the one-optic mech who regarded him with disinterest, bristling at the way his red optic was solely interested in the crates that were being unloaded from the ship. 

They were in a secluded and private docking area of an Autobot-owned base within Hydrax city. 

"Understood." Shockwave replied in an infuriatingly blank tone- normally, Prowl would only be chagrined, annoyed certainly, by Shockwave's demeanor and presence but the reason why he was here, why they were all here was personal.

If Shockwave so much as twitched the wrong way, Prowl would descend on him like fury incarnate. 

Those sparks were his kin, his people, Praxians! They had suffered enough at the servos of the Quintessons, they needed to be at the Well, needed to return to the Allspark, not prodded again by mechs like Shockwave! 

Prowl actually didn't care if there was logic behind it, and usually he would have encouraged it but damn it all! He was a Praxian, like scrap he was going to let anything else happen to these sparks while he was leading this mission to get them where they belonged!

Prowl stood closeby, watching the mech instruct Decepticon soldiers to open one crate to retrieve only one canister- only one was allowed to be scanned thoroughly by Shockwave. That was the agreement. Yet Prowl felt like it was still one too many. 

His mandibles clenched and without looking away, he spoke to the mech that came to stand beside him, also watching Shockwave with a tense frame. Yet he didn't seem to be as tense as Prowl was. "Starscream." He said the mech's name, gaining his attention, "Have you worked with Shockwave before? Tell me about him." 

He and Starscream corresponded over the cycle it took to take the canisters from Prologex all the way to Hydrax. Harmonex would have been ideal, but Harmonex didn't have private spacebridges, only public ones. Hydrax, while boasting the most public bridges, also had private ones for military uses. It was an oversight that Prowl wanted to rectify in the future, every city should have a private spacebridge for military use. 

Anyway, he found the Seeker amicable, respectful even. The mech took his duty of escort and protection seriously, Prowl learned more about Vos from him. It had been rather pleasant.

"I have not worked personally with the mech, but I know of him." Starscream replied quietly for his audials only, "I know you Autobots have rumors about him, some of them are accurate, others are far from the truth. But I, Starscrean of Vos, swear to you, Prowl of Praxus, Soundwave and General Megatron wouldn't have allowed Shockwave to scan the canisters if they thought he was a danger to them." His voice was steady, convicted even.

That… didn't ease Prowl's emotions very much, but he was no longer gritting his dentae, doorwings which had been hiked up in an instinctive aggressive flare, began to droop slightly but still tense. It was something. It was… enough. "... Which rumors of him are true?" He has to ask, his optics narrowing at the one-optic'd mech. "And which are not?"

He was… handling the canister with care. More care than Prowl would have ever expected from someone like him. 

"The rumors that he is emotionless are untrue, he is merely apathetic as far as I can tell." Starscream replied, voice a bit tighter than before. He hesitates, but only for a klik. "The rumors of his ruthlessness though… now those are true…" Seeing Prowl's doorwings flare once more, Starscream continued. "However, he does have boundaries. There are lines he hasn't crossed." Not yet. Was the unheard words that Prowl adds, he's not sure if the Seeker does, but Prowl does not trust Shockwave. 

He doesn't even trust Starscream, though he respects the seeker at least for what he's done so far.

But he does trust Optimus Trion, and, for whatever reason, his Trion had allowed this to happen. Allowed Shockwave to come to the Hydrax Autobot base and allowed the mech to take those scans and eventually, after, the sparks are welcomed back into The Well, allow the Decepticon to take half of the reminaing canisters to analyze them and the energon left inside.

Prowl's servos creak from how tightly he's curled them into fists, he's probably dented his palms slightly. 

"Very well."

The spacebridge works.

The bridgeless bridging works!

It's the thought that dominates his helm, he hears Solus cheering in the back of his helm with Megatronus' quiet wonder as he drives through the tunnel of incandescent shifting lights- he had done his initial tests already, tossed a piece of scrap metal through first. Nothing happened.

Small cube of energon tossed? Nothing happened.

Driving through the tunnel in his alt mode? Nothing really important happened.

Sure his tanks were shifting uncomfortably, but that wasn't too bad! Plus, Dee had never really been through a spacebridge before and he's read that first-time goers through a bridge had felt that or even purged but that was normal. 

But this was different from normal spacebridging wasn't it? This was spacebridging without a secondary bridge! They had done it!

Alchemist you genius! Solus exclaimed as Dee hurriedly transformed back as soon as he saw the end of the tunnel, he was back in the bridging room. Orion stood in front of him, his anxious expression turning excited awe and wonder, an expression that Dee hasn't seen very often and with the bridge's colorful light shining on his Amica's face—

Beautiful. Dee thinks faintly as he smiles brightly at O, "We did it!" He laughed, rushing over to bring his Amica into a tight hug. "O! We did it! Bridgeless bridging! We did it! " He can't help but lift the purple mech, twirling around in rapturous glee. The turbofox pups yipping happily, running circles around them both.

For once, Nox doesn't call for him to let him down. Instead, disbelieving laughter spills from the mech's intake, his faceplate alit with joy and victorious happiness as he lets Dee swing him around in the hug. His spark spinning and pulsing fast in his chest.

Solus and Megatronus were suspiciously quiet as Drion and Orion cheered together, the bridge still activated and highlighting their frames. Eventually though, Dee stumbles over his own pedes and ends up toppling down with O in his arms, it does little to squash their happiness and laughter as Dee ends up on his back on the floor with O on top of him. 

O has his servos on Dee's pauldrons, unintentionally pinning him down as he pushed himself up, looking over at the bridge with wide, shining optics and that same beautiful smile that was made prettier with the colors that shined on his faceplate. "We did it, we actually did it. Haha! This is- this is incredible! " 

Dee doesn't really glance back at the bridge, optics entranced by the sheer joy and light that his Amica had. Sweet Primus, he hears Megatronus faintly in the back of his helm, he's worse than you, my spark.

Shh! Solus shushed, sounding and feeling embarrassed for some reason.

What am I worse than Solus at? Dee's optics flickered, paying attention to the Primes now in his head but his optics were still on his Amica, watching the way his best friend sat up, getting to his pedes. No longer pinning him down on the ground. 

Before either of them could reply, O looked back to him, optics wide with concern now on his faceplate. "Wait! Dee, make a self-diagnostic scan- the bridge works yeah and, and that's incredible but we have to make sure there weren't any side effects! Come on!" He grabbed Dee's servo and hauled him up with a groan.

Touched by his concern, Dee didn't complain as he got to his pedes. "Alright, alright! But just to let you know, I feel fine O! My tanks didn't feel too good during the ride but it faded and I feel great!" He told him as he ran a self-diagnostic scan. 

It doesn't seem like there were any side effects, you were briefly uncomfortable but that was it. Solus told him while he scanned himself. When he relayed it back to Orion, even sent him a copy of his finished scan to him just to prove himself, O was fully relieved and finally shut the bridge close. 

The colorful light of the spacebridge disappeared, and the purple and green mech turned to him. "First test worked! Short range bridging was achieved, if we want to do more long-ranged tests, we're going to need access to the Grid."

Which meant their work wasn't done.

It WOOORKS! It works! It works! It woooorkssss~! HAHAHAH! I AM THE GREATEST HUMAN SCIENTIST IN THIS WORLD!

Nyx has been celebrating in Nox's helm for about half a joor now, the sheer joy and smugness that Nox felt from the human was almost suffocating but considering what Nyx has managed to accomplish? He lets it slide. 

So far it works for close distances, we haven't exactly worked out if it works for longer distances. Pax pointed out, not to ruin Nyx's mood, though Nox doubts he even can, but to just be cautious. 

The first test had been flawless, Dee had thrown a piece of scrap metal through the bridge- the tunnel of light seemed stable. He threw a small cube of energon- no exploding energon. And finally, despite Nox's initial worries, Dee crossed the bridge in his alt form after picking the scrap of metal and energon cube, driving right through and ended up fine according to Dee's self scans. The moment of celebration they shared before that had been spark-warming though, and Nox had saved the memory in his Favorites file.

It'll work long distance! Nyx insisted, We're working with purely Cybertronian tech here, which, admittedly, is far more advanced than Earth tech. Yes, it's old but it's still leagues better than the Earth components you and Ratchet worked with on your Earth. We actually didn't need some of the components from your schematic since you only had to add those because you didn't have access to that much Cybertronian technology AND we already had a spacebridge to go off of, you needed to start from scratch. Which is FAR MORE impressive, your Ratchet is absolutely phenomenal.

Pax smiled, nostalgia and pride flickering in Nox's helm and spark. That he was… There was another flicker of longing and sadness that accompanied it. I can only hope he's doing well, wherever he is now…

… From what I can remember from the sequel show; Ratchet will be fine, Optimus. Nyx offered quietly before moving on swiftly. Anyway! Once Dee is done with manually adjusting the satellite, and we're done with the remotes, we're mostly set!

Dee had gone to manually adjust the satellites on Metroplex- the rust outside of Metroplex's body had gotten them stuck unfortunately. While Dee did that, Nyx had brought up the fact that they needed a remote to control the spacebridge. They didn't exactly have a bot they could leave behind to control it like Pax did in his world. For now, it was just the two of them and the would definitely be times when both of them would have to leave together. 

Thankfully, there were remotes to control the bridge within the bridging room, but they needed to be heavily modified to be able to control the bridge from anywhere he and Dee were. 

Nox let Nyx take over his servos again, taking apart the remote at the console while he waited for Dee. Mako, the little pest, was thankfully napping once more on a toolbox instead of causing him trouble. He still hasn't forgiven it for spilling his energon during the break from joors earlier…

Speaking of break, he and Dee should take one soon. They earned it.

And speaking of time, Nox checked his chronometer and blinked- they had worked through the night it seemed. It was only a handful of joors till morning in Hydrax and Harmonex, the two closest cities to where he and Dee were in Metroplex. 

In another half joor, his Amica commed him. .: Okay, I've adjusted the satellite dishes O! And made sure they were getting powered. Try to connect the Grid now!:.  

.: Alright! I'm almost finished with the bridging remote, I've only modified one as a prototype. I'll bridge you back into the room. :.  

Nox activated the bridge through the console instead of the remote, he was almost done with it but it was better to get Dee back into the room for the next test. While he was doing that though, he attempted to gain access to the Grid through Metroplex's old systems. He needed to start converting the old planetary position system and its coordinates to fit the modern systems instead…

The bridge comes to life behind him as Nox refocused back on the remote for a moment, waiting to hear Dee's pedesteps or treads incoming before closing the bridge once more. He briefly checked the energon gauge- it took more energon from Metroplex than he liked but it was better than the original consumption, and they could always improve that later.

"Is Metroplex connected to the Grid now?" Dee asked as he approached the console, standing besides Nox, curiously watching him finish up on the bridge remote. 

Nox glanced up at the screen and the way it was loading, "Should be about now, yeah." He replied as he closed the remote's panel with a grin. "Alright, prototype complete. Let's take a break and—"

They both froze as the screen on the console flared red, Metroplex's operating system had finally connected to the Grid.

And on the Grid, there was an important emergency message being broadcasted all over.

Hydrax City was being attacked by Quintessons.

Chapter Text

It's joors before daytime when it all goes to Pit in Hydrax city.

It happens in a quick sequence of events that had Prowl tense the moment the first event happened.

It starts with the private spacebridge they had booked to use, malfunctioning a joor before they were set to cross- Shockwave having finally finished his scans and the teams of Autobots and Decepticons ready to accomplish this very important mission. 

That had Prowl on edge, paranoia seeping into his processor, his battle computer computing the likelihood of a spacebridge malfunctioning right before he and the others were set to leave Hydrax with precious cargo. 

He was right to be paranoid, as soon, other spacebridges, private and public, began to malfunction one after the other.

And then the Quintessons appeared.

No one missed the gigantic warship appearing in the middle of the night sky in a flare of strobing light, spacebridge'd into existence right above the city of Hydrax.

Widespread panic was immediate and Prowl was shouting order after order as Quintesson soldiers and beasts descended from the ships en masse. The moment that happened, Prowl and Starscream immediately contacted their Generals for mass reinforcements and protection. The soldiers that were already onsite weren't enough, not with the amount of Quintessons and their horrible techno-organic beasts with them. 

And they still needed to protect the canisters because Prowl was very certain that that was their goal. To retrieve the sparks that they liberated from the Prologex spark extractor ships. 

And like FRAG he was going to let that happen!

" Mechs! Protect the canisters at ALL COSTS! " Prowl ordered aloud and in the shared commlink that was open to both Autobots and Decepticons. " These sparks are returning to the Well so help me PRIMUS " 

His TacNet whirred in his helm, battle computer fully operational and immediately going at full capacity- he was not going to lose these canisters. He was not going to let Hydrax fall like Praxus.

He'd rather terminate than let that happen.

And if slag went wrong- then as much as he'd like to avoid it…

He'll join his Praxian brethren in the Well.

" Oh FRAG! O, QUICK! OPEN THE BRIDGE IN HYDRAX! " 

" Give- Give me a moment! " 

" O, Hydrax doesn't HAVE a moment! "

" I KNOW THAT! But the consoles need a moment to convert their geographical coordinates from the old system to the modern one from the Grid! We don't HAVE coordinates to Hydrax at the moment! " 

" Can't you do it any faster?! " 

" I-I'll try! Just- give me- some time! This- frag, frag, frag- I'm focusing the conversion and processing coordinates around Hydrax— " 

" O, the Quintessons have been attacking Hydrax for almost a fragging JOOR! " 

" I've got SOME coordinates at Hydrax- "

" LET'S GO! " 

" DEE WAIT! We don't know where these coordinates lead! We don't know what's on the other side of the bridge if we use them! " 

" There's no time! Hydrax needs us! " 

" And what about bridging back?! The remote I have is a proto— " 

" ORION! " 

" SLAG IT ALL- FINE! MAKO! "

" TRIXY! " 

.: Starscream! Status report! :. Megatron's voice crackled through Starscream's helm as he and his trine tore through the sky, trying to deal with the aerial Quintessons that were flying through the city- Hydrax had tall buildings, weaving through them normally wouldn't be a challenge but with enemies in the air and other, panicked civilian fliers around as well as the fact the sky was still dark; it was mayhem.

However, Starscream and his brothers weren't elite Seekers for nothing. .: Gino-class Quintesson Warship locked in place above the Northwest side of Hydrax General Megatron! Heavily guarded with Quint-fliers, averaging around Bulk-classes mostly, we haven't been able to get close! :. Starscream reported, his alt twirling to avoid the incoming fire- Skywarp and Thundercracker seamlessly following his lead. .: So far there's no sign if the warship is also a Spark Extractor, sir. But it's almost been a joor but no further movement from the ship aside from dropping soldiers and beasts. :.

.: And of the Autobot base? The cargo? :.

Starscream would grimace if he was in his root mode, .: Autobot Base has been compromised and overwhelmed! But cargo has been kept safe and is on the move! :.  

.: Good, eta for our arrival is 10 kliks at best- hang on until then. Keep the cargo safe, do NOT let them fall back into enemy servos! :.

.: I'd rather eat scrap. :. Starscream snarled, the thought of letting those sparks fall back into Quintesson custody made him furious. It had come out abruptly, forgetting that he was talking to his superior but that didn't matter.

.: Good. :.

Because Megatron understood his fury. 

General Megatron disconnected from the commlink and he addressed his trinemates, .: You heard General Megatron! Ten kliks until the Decepticon back-up! Till then, keep scrapping the damned Quints! :.  

Skywarp laughed in their shared commlink, .: You don't have to tell us twice Screamer- Thundercracker, you still got charge?! :. Starscream made a note to admonish Skywarp for his nickname later, after the battle. 

The purple-colored Seeker's wings began to glow bright purple, his biolights flaring almost eagerly while his brother in blue grunted, .: More than enough. Starscream? :. His own blue wings began to glow, electricity crackling across his frame. 

.: Enough for a few short bursts. :. Starscream growled, sharply turning up against a building, flying along the cracked glass of its face. 

.: Bogeys on our tail! :. Thundercracker reported as behind them, five flying Quintessons, two flying big beasts with three soldier riders, one beast carrying two at the same time as the group flew after them. 

Starscream immediately stopped his engines, .: SPLIT! :. He ordered his trine as he transformed mid-air into his root mode, glaring at the incoming Quintessons- his trinemates flew off to the side as Starscream entered free fall to meet the Quintessons. .: BRACE! :. He warned as he took in a heavy vent and screamed.

Sonic waves spilt from his throat, the air visibly distorting as his scream completely shattered the glass windows of the building they had been flying against. The Quintessons, mounts and riders, reeled back in obvious pain as their audials or whatever auditory systems they had as techno-organics, were obliterated from his sonic attack, dark blood splattered from their heads but they were still alive. It wasn't his best one, but it did enough. 

He gave them no chance to recover, as he landed on one falling mount, swiftly activating his blades from the gauntlets of his servos to stab into the mount while kicking its rider off to fall to their death. 

He sees Skywarp and Thundercracker suddenly appearing in a flash of purple light, already transformed into their root modes with Skywarp savagely kicking the heads of the two soldiers while Thundercracker stabbed his servoblades into the mount's side, frame crackling with electricity.

Skywarp was quick to let go of Thundercracker as their trinemate growled and electrocuted the mount and the two soldiers on it. All three of them activated their engines, the bottom of their pedes flaring as they slowed their descent before simultaneously transforming back into their alt modes to fly off, not even bothering to linger and watch as that puny group of Quintessons fell to their deaths. If they weren't already dead anyway.

They had a much more important target to go after.

His comms pinged, it's the Praxian Autobot leader, .: Prowl to Starscream, we've moved to a new location. Cargo is all accounted for and secure. Eta for Autobot reinforcements is 10 kliks, ground evacuation process is 40% complete, aerial evacuation is 70% complete, central spacebridges are still down. :.  

Starscream growled, spotting a group of riderless mounts, just more Quintesson beasts in the air, unleashed for more chaos and destruction. He readies his missiles and splits his attention, firing then speeding forward. .: Copy. Eta for Decepticon reinforcements is now 8 kliks and counting, focus on protecting the cargo and the evacuation effort. Shockwave hasn't reached the spacebridges yet? :. He and his trine flying past the snarling techno-organics who attempt to follow, only to cry out as Starscream's missiles hit them from behind.

.: He's a few kliks from reaching the nearest spacebridge. :. Prowl's displeasure was clear, it was probably more about the fact they were relying on Shockwave to fix the spacebridge to escape from Hydrax rather than Shockwave not reaching his destination yet- the mad scientist said that he could and Starscream knew that he could.

It was only because Shockwave had kept to his words on scanning the sparks within a canister and not doing anything else that let Prowl agree to Shockwave's assistance with the bridge. Well, that and the sparks' safety came first alongside the civilians of the city.

.: Any signs of the Primes? :. Prowl asks, he's asked it before and Starscream feels frustration bubble in his tanks as he and his trine dodge incoming fire once more. 

The frustration stems at the answer he will have to tell Prowl; no.  

No, the Primes haven't shown yet. At this point, would they ever? 

It's almost been a joor since this attack started, many bots had already died, the Autobot base had lasted for twenty kliks before the Quintessons reached through and forced everyone to flee.

This wasn't like Prologex, the number of the dead were continuing to rise and the Primes still haven't shown up. Had it been a one-time thing? Did the Primes not know? But then how and why did they show up at Prologex? At a town instead of here, in the city? Were they still in Prologex? 

What did he and his trine miss in their search for them!?

Starscream, with a heavy, burdened and angry spark, was about to answer Prowl only for Thundercracker to interrupt, speaking up into the shared commlink with an urgent tone.

.: Starscream, Southwest, up in the air, 4 meters from that tall building! :.  

Starscream immediately looked, seeing something bloom in the air- lights of light green, white, purple, pink- a rainbow of light colors that seemed very familiar. A spacebridge?! He thought, dumbfounded to see the circular portal appearing in thin air but with no sign of a secondary bridge anywhere! A ship didn't even form out of the light!

No, instead, two figures lept from the portal which soon closed after them. 

From where he and his trine were, he could see glints of silver and purple and his spark thudded in his chassis. .: Change direction! :. He ordered his trine in one link before focusing back on Prowl, watching as a familiar flare of ethereal blue light came from the purple figure in the air- it stabbed itself into the building, trying to slow down his descent. The silver mech on the other hand collided against a beast underneath, still falling mid-air.

.: Starscream to Prowl, I have spotted the Primes. I repeat; the Primes have arrived! :.

[ This is Flashfeed of Cybertron Global News, reporting live as Quintessons attack Hydrax City. It has been 47 kliks since the attack started and already, hundreds of confirmed deaths have been reported with the numbers steadily rising. What also has been confirmed is that the warship that appeared above the city is a Gino-class ship, dropping Heavy-Brute Quintesson soldiers and beasts into Hydrax. ]

Anxious red optics watched the news going on on the screen, they'd previously been excited but as time had passed, that excitement turned into panic. 

What was happening? Where were Dion and Orion? Hydrax was being attacked! They had to be there! Were they still on their way? Did something happen to them? No, they had the Matrix on their side, they were Primes, surely they'd be able to get to Hydrax somehow and save everyone there! 

"Goldbug…"

" Shh! " Goldbug shushed, unable to tear his optics away from the news, watching and listening carefully for any change. For any sign of his savior and his Amica. 

Yes, Harmonex was very far from Hydrax but surely Prime powers could get them there in time! Despite being so big as a Prime, Dion had been so fast! He had killed so many Quintessons before they met with the Decepticon General, Megatron himself! 

"Goldbug."

Goldbug ignored the gaze he felt from his friend, from Delver, he couldn't miss this. He was already missing the action from the fact it was in Hydrax instead of Harmonex- not that he'd ever want a city to be attacked by Quintessons but still! It would've been so convenient and easier if the Quintessons had attacked Harmonex instead! Dion and Orion would've already been on the scene in an instant! And Goldbug could've found them just as easily because of it!

A servo grabbed his arm and suddenly Delver's stern faceplate was staring down into his. " Goldbug. " He said in a severe tone that had the younger bot shrinking back slightly. The two-wheeler paused before venting softly, loosening his grip on Goldbug's arm. "I think it's time to turn off the news and get back into recharge." Is what he says but Goldbug knows what he really wants to say.

They aren't coming.

Indignation flared through his spark chamber and he tugged his arm free completely from the black and gold bot. " They'll be there! I swear! My Prime wouldn't just- NOT be there! " He hissed, offended by the unsaid words that Delver surely must have meant. 

Dion wouldn't miss a Quintesson attack! His Prime wouldn't! He was a hero, a mech who fought for Cybertron, he was a Prime! And Goldbug wasn't lying! He knew his Prime would be there, he just knew it! He wasn't wasting Delver's time by insisting on watching the news with him for an actual glimpse of the Primes on live news!

And he wasn't lying to him that he knew the Primes! Knew who they were! He wasn't lying for attention! 

Well- he did want a little attention, especially from his long time friend but Goldbug didn't tell Delver their designations, he did want to finally brag to someone (mostly Delver because they were friends) about knowing the Primes but he wasn't fragging stupid. He kept their designations in his spark chamber.

All he told Delver was that he knew the Primes, knew they were in Harmonex, knew who they could be and that his new plan in life was to be Dion's right hand mech! Delver could be all condescending and indulgent all he wants, but he was going to prove it! 

Delver vents again, a bit heavier, " Goldbug, " He starts and Goldbug was ready to interrupt whatever speech he has for Goldbug this time- he wasn't going to go back to Prologex! He wasn't going to be a miner anymore!

[ W-What? Viewers, please hold as new footage is being streamed into the studio live from Hydrax during this attack. It's- Primus, the rumors were actually real? ]

At the sound of disbelief from the anchorbot, both Goldbug and Delver's helms turned to see the original footage being replaced with distant, angled footage of a familiar large silver mech crashing a monstrous Quintesson beast into the ground. Spear in one servo, blaster on another. The camera jolted, swerving upwards to reveal another familiar mech in purple, wielding a glowing blue sword that was stabbed into the side of the building that was quickly being swarmed by other flying Quintessons-

Goldbug was instantly on his pedes, " YES! I KNEW IT! I KNEW YOU'D BE THERE DI— " He slapped the palm of his servo against his intake, realizing he almost revealed his Prime's designation to Delver. He swallowed down the name and looked back with a smug look aimed at the suddenly silent mech. "I told you they'd be there."

Delver didn't say anything and Goldbug took that as a win, sitting back down with a grin splitting his derma.

.: Assist the Primes! We need to inform them of the situation! :. Starscream ordered through his trine's commlink, making a split decision, .: Thundercracker, Skywarp, assist the purple Prime! I'll go to the silver one! :.

.: Primus, make sure to ask for designations this time! We've been calling them by color for so fragging long! :. Skywarp complained but did as ordered, taking Thundercracker with him towards the purple Prime who was quickly being approached by a group of Quintesson flyers.

Starscream didn't reply, but his trinemate had a point; they finally had a chance to ask for both Prime's designation. Despite the near-deca-cycle of time that had passed, no one had actually made the effort to name the Primes, either no one dared to or no one seemed to know what to name the Primes. 

So they stayed nameless, only referred to by the main color of their paint. 

That would change this day. 

He flew towards where the silver Prime was falling, seeing from afar as the Prime stabbing and wrangling the Quintesson beast mount to the point he was obviously going to use it to cushion his landing. Smart, strong- he's seen his General do the same thing multiple times. 

The beast crashed into the ground, leaving a trail of dark blood as it left a gouging crater from its large size and weight. The Prime wasted no time, dislodging his spear as nearby ground soldiers and beasts were attracted by his landing. Twirling his spear, he leapt off the downed mount and towards the nearest group. 

Starscream transformed out his alt mode to his root mode, landing on top of a smaller soldier- crushing it underneath his pedes, activating his engines to burn the damn thing. It cries out, attracting attention from its comrades and Starscream's orange optics narrow. " Prime! " He called out, taking his energon-sword from his subspace, the red blade glowing bright red as he activated it to its deadliest setting. 

Above, the night sky brightened as he glimpses a wingless purple mech jumping between mounts and swinging a sword that Starscream was very much familiar with now; the Star Saber. He itched to get a closer look, to see that glorious swordwork and sword up close once more but focused on the Prime that his General was more interested in, his brothers would meet with the sword-wielding Prime.

Starscream swings his sword, energon blade cutting through thick metal or hardened flesh, trying his damnedest to get to the silver Prime. He makes it, about to call out only for the silver Prime to roar, " Duck! " Immediately, Starscream threw himself to the ground just in time for a spear to whizz past where he once stood, utterly nailing the slender Quintesson soldier- a stealth type warrior, not normally seen on frontline battles. Starscream's spark thudded, he probably wouldn't have died from the stealth-type but it would have definitely injured him more than he would have liked.

The Seeker quickly got to his pedes, unwilling to stay on the ground but suddenly a large servo grabbed his shoulder- dear Primus his servos were bigger than General Megatron's - and tugged him off his pedes. Starscream would forever deny the yelp that escaped his intake from the sudden action, about to shout—

Thud thud thud thud

Only to shut his intake when a large body fell where he was on the ground. Multiple bodies actually. It was from the Quintessons above, falling dead or severely injured. "I'm sorry for grabbing you so suddenly." A voice told him gently, making Starscream jolt before he was set back to stand on his own legs instead of being held above the ground. Starscream turned to see gentle blue optics behind a very familiar mask, resembling the emblem that was stamped on his very wings. "I didn't hurt you did I?"

Starscream's wings twitched in annoyance, "No, Prime, I am uninjured." He replied politely- he could have handled the body on his own. He wasn't a helpless bot, he was the leader of his trine, a commander of the Decepticons! Starscream stamped down on the irritation, mostly because a flash of purple light caught his attention, his trinemates had teleported to the ground with the purple Prime in tow.

Perfect.

"Primes, more Autobot and Decepticons troops are enroute to Hydrax in a few kliks. The warship is Gino-class and heavily guarded by flying Quintessons. An Autobot commanding officer designation; Prowl is coordinating the evacuation and safety of the civilians as well as ensuring the safety of the spark canisters liberated from the attack on Prologex." That had both Primes immediately tense, "Before we progress, Primes, what are your designations?"

The silver Prime spoke first, standing tall and proud, blue optics glowing brighter. "I am Solaris Prime." He said firmly, proudly, a strange twinge of happiness in his voice. Was he really that happy that someone asked for his designation? 

Solaris Prime turns his helm towards the purple Prime beside him, gesturing with his servo. "And this is my Amica…" He trailed off, letting the mech introduce himself. Starscream briefly glanced at the Star Saber in his grip before looking at the masked helm of the Prime.

"Artemis. Artemis Prime." Artemis Prime said, shifting on his pedes, his helm turning and Starscream can feel the hardened gaze on his frame through that black visor, making him stiffen. "You said the spark canisters are here? In Hydrax? Where? " 

Before Starscream could tell him or ask for his comm- the Matrix halves within both Primes' chesplates glowed brightly. "There— Solaris, deal with the warship. I'm going to make sure those sparks are safe from the Quintessons and assist with the evacuation." Artemis Prime said firmly, gripping the Star Saber in his servo tightly, "We're in a city this time, Solaris, not a town, be careful where you aim." 

Solaris Prime nodded solemnly, "I'll keep that in mind- be careful out there, Artemis."

"Starscream, Skywarp, Thundercracker." At the sound of their names, Starscream and his trine straightened and Starscream was surprised to know that the Prime knew their designations in the first place- perhaps not himself, but he was much more well-known than his trine since he was the leader. 

"Please assist Solaris in taking down that ship."

.: This is Prowl to Optimus Trion, Starscream had reported sightings of the Primes. They have arrived in Hydrax city and are engaging with enemy forces. :.  

Optimus' spark thudded in his spark chamber when he heard the comm, he gave a quick response, ordering Prowl to stay put and continue to guard the sparks and coordinate the evacuation while keeping an audial out for more information about the Primes. 

They were here, he was here in Hydrax.

Almost a full deca-cycle since their first encounter in Prologex. 

Optimus wished it was under better circumstances… 

Landing on a battlefield was always a tense affair, especially when it took place in populated areas like towns and cities. It was worse in cities, the damage was always more extensive than a town unless it was razed to the ground, more populated areas meant more bodies to be dug out when the fighting was over.

But now with the Primes, there would be less bodies.

Optimus was sure of it.

.: Prowl to Optimus Trion, Starscream has reported that both Primes have split up. The Primes have given their designations; Solaris and Artemis Prime. Solaris is the Prime of silver, while Artemis is the Prime of purple. Solaris has been tasked to bring down the warship while Artemis is assisting in cargo protection, civilian evacuation and rescue. He is heading my way, I'm sending you my coordinates. :.  

Artemis and Solaris Prime, the Trion thinks, practically engraving both designations into his processors. Artemis Prime, the mech I met, the one who wield's Prima's Star Saver is Artemis Prime. .: Acknowledged, stay safe Prowl. I shall be attempting to unite with and assist Artemis Prime. :.

Optimus gives out orders to his troops, dividing them before he and his contingent of Autobots rush off to search for Artemis Prime by going towards Prowl's coordinates. It's not long before he gets Megatron's comm as they drive through the wrecked streets.

.: Megatron to Optimus Trion, Decepticons are heading your way for assistance in cargo protection, rescue and evacuation with Artemis Prime. I will be joining Solaris Prime in taking down the Quintesson warship. :.

.: Many thanks, General Megatron- likewise, Autobots are coming to assist you and Solaris Prime. :.  

They meet with Quintesson forces on the way there, heading towards the direction they were going. Optimus makes sure they don't follow or reach there, he and his Autobots make quick work on them. There's a few bots along the way, in need of rescue, in need of medical help- he gathers them into his group, they would be safer when they reached Prowl.

Prowl's location was a nondescript building in Hydrax, far from the warship and closer to the spacebridge ports where Optimus knows Shockwave is in- he's sent Wheeljack and a few Wreckers to assist him in getting a spacebridge online. 

"Trion! Around the corner!" A gruff voice called out in front- Kup, an old friend and an even older soldier, lieutenant of the Wreckers- the mech gestured with his helm around the corner, "Found the location, sighted the Prime." 

There was murmuring among his Autobot soldiers behind him but Optimus nodded, if his servos weren't currently blasters, he would've clenched them. .: Optimus Trion to Prowl, we have reached your location! We are joining Artemis Prime in battle, injured and rescued bots are going to be escorted to the building- status on precious cargo? Civilians? :.  

.: All crates accounted for and secured, civilians safe, there are doctors and medics here for the injured. I've got word from Wheeljack, he's joined Shockwave and they're going to fix the spacebridge as soon as they can. :.

.: Acknowledged. :.

"Forward on, bots! Keep your guards up!" He ordered as they turned the corner.

There.

Fighting in front of the building, there he was. Artemis Prime. Unlike before, he wasn't wielding the Star Saber with both servos- the sword was laid on the Prime's back, attached firmly as the Prime fought with one double-sided battle axe in one servo and his other transformed into a bio-blaster. He was leading other Autobots and Decepticon soldiers against a large attacking force of Quintessons on the ground.

Above, a familiar blue seeker was leading Autobot and Decepticon flyers to fend off the flying Quintessons mounts and soldiers, preventing them from getting any closer to the building where Prowl, the spark canisters and the civilians were in. 

"Break through the Quintessons, get those injured and rescued inside the building!" Optimus bellowed as they ran into the fight, one of his servo blasters transforming into a blade- attacking from the side of where the battle was ongoing. " Kup! Ironhide! With me! " 

" Sir! " 

It takes effort, to be able to reach his Prime through the groups of Quintesson soldiers while still protecting the injured and the rescued as they were escorted into the building. It gets easier though, when that task is finished, Prowl's comm confirming that they've successfully received the bots and Optimus can focus on protecting the building as well as moving forward towards Artemis Prime.

The Prime notices him, and in a brief lull of battle, when most of the attacking forces are dead, the Prime greets him first. "Optimus Trion." His Prime nods his visored helm, his frame, scuffed and covered in energon and dark blood but no less was the mech dignified. His blaster transforms back into a servo as he lets his axe settle on the ground. "You've recovered from your Tox-En symptoms." 

Ironhide coughs something in the background that Optimus decides to ignore, "I have, my Prime. It is an honor to meet and fight with you again." He replies with a slight bow of his helm. 

"Likewise, Optimus Trion." Artemis Prime turns his helm as he hears the whine of an engine come from above, the Decepticon Seeker, Thundercracker, lands behind him, transforming into his root mode. "General Megatron is with Solaris?" 

"He is, along with most of the Decepticons- they're fighting their way towards the warship, giving Solaris Prime a pathway towards it…" Thundercracker seemed to be hesitating on something, "Solaris Prime admitted to having no alt mode. Do you…" He trails off as Optimus shares a surprised look with Kup and Ironhide, did the Primes have no alt mode?

"Currently as of the moment? No." Artemis confirmed with a hard edge to his voice, "Becoming Prime… locked out our previous alt modes, we hadn't noticed it until now. The past deca-cycle or so has been hectic for us both, I don't suppose anyone has a spare alt mode kit available?" The last part was said dryly, mostly in jest but the edge was still there.

Becoming Prime… Optimus briefly wondered just who his Prime was before he was Artemis Prime before he focused on the more important information; the Primes truly had no alt modes at the moment. He shook his helm, seeing many others do the same, "My apologies my Prime, perhaps-" He was about to suggest going to a store that sold alt mode kits for a temporary one, it would be civilian grade, but it was better than nothing.

Unfortunately, the ground began to rumble, interrupting him. "The frag was that?" Kup questioned before Optimus had the answer from Prowl. Not from a personal comm channel, but the emergency channel that linked all Autobot and Decepticons together within a city range.

.: ALL PERSONNEL BE ADVISED! THREE GIGA-CLASS QUINTESSON BEASTS HAVE DROPPED FROM THE WARSHIP. I REPEAT; THREE GIGA-CLASS BEASTS HAVE BEEN DROPPED AND ARE NOW IN HYDRAX CITY. PROCEED WITH CAUTION. :.  

" WHAT?! " Someone shouts in panic, a wave of nervousness and panic washing over the soldiers, for good reason. Giga-class beasts were rare, but they were devastating. Hard to kill without extremely heavy weaponry. Weaponry that would take time set up. 

Or it would, had they not had a Prime by their side. Said Prime looked around in apparent confusion, and Optimus realized he probably had not heard Prowl's warning. "My Prime." He spoke aloud, firmly, gaining everyone's attention. "Three giga-class Quintesson beasts have been released into Hydrax." He made a reminder to himself to authorize the Primes comms into accessing emergency channels- and to get his Prime's comm when this was over.

Immediately Artemis Prime stashed away the energon battle-axe, instead reaching to draw the Star Saber at his back in a smooth action. " Where? "

"Prowl, sir? There's someone that wants to speak with you, it's urgent." 

Prowl barely pauses his work, servos flying across the keyboard as he was trying to coordinate the safety and survival of so many mechs- three giga-class beasts have just been released into the city. Starscream reported that Solaris Prime, they finally had both Primes' designation thank Primus, and the Decepticons were engaging two of those beasts at the same time while the third one had managed to get away.

Ironhide was reporting that Artemis Prime was going to engage with the runaway third beast with the Autobots as his back up. "It better be urgent, we are in the middle of an emergency here." Prowl snapped to the soldier, Hot Rod, his processor provided semi-helpfully while his battle computer was hard at work already. 

He was going to get such a migraine again once this was all over, but if the sparks were safe then it would be worth it.

Hot Rod's faceplate was grim as he nodded, "This is very important sir, we've got a mech who knows there's a Quintesson spy within the building." 

That had Prowl freezing, his TacNet sputtered before spewing out the likelihood of it being high. Far too high for his liking. " Knows? " He says lowly, his voice, cold and frosty. 

Hot Rod gestured a bot to come closer, their face hidden by a full-facial screen visor, edged with light green biolight seams. "Knows." Hot Rod nodded stiffly. They were a slim mech, a frame that was clearly more suited for speed, a flight frame perhaps? There were additional plates to their frame in some places, oddly protruding a bit- they'd sustained damage. Gashes and welds, clear on their frame with medical mesh wrapping around their limbs, their helm was wrapped with it as well, but it didn't cover their visor. 

They were hunched over, trying to avoid touching Hot Rod but helm tilted up at Prowl with a strange determination and desperation.

Hot Rod leaned in a bit closer, whispering, "They're an outlier sir. Touch-based mind reader with empath sensing. They can show memories they've read from touching someone, that's how they found the spy and how they've convinced me to go straight to you, sir." 

Prowl stiffened before quickly looking around- the room was busy with other intelligence mechs, all paying attention to their tasks like Prowl had been. "Follow me." He told the soldier and the bot, going into a separate room that was a bit more private. 

As soon as the door closed behind them, the bot's visor lit up, and a rough, growling voice came from the mech's speakers. {We will soon send down three of our superior beasts to occupy those Autobots and Decepticons. Use that to your advantage and get those sparks back into our possession, do this, and you will be rewarded greatly.}

Another voice, unfamiliar, replies a bit nervously. {Of course, I'll get those sparks back to you, masters. Glory to Quintessa.}

{Glory to Quintessa.}

Prowl snarled, servos clenching as he reigned in the urge to hit something- if only there was a table, then he could flip that but this room was woefully fragging empty. " Damn it all! " He hissed through gritted denta, before going back towards the still nameless mech. "Who is it? Who is the spy?" 

A picture appears on his visor-screen and Prowl recognizes the bot, a soldier. Part of HIS escort team and he gives in to his urge, slamming a fist against the wall hard. He was going to kill that bot with his own servos… He glanced back towards the bot. "You're an outlier, civilian- normally you'd be punished for draft-dodging but you've come to me, revealed your abilities even though I have every right to take you in once this is over." Did the bot think Prowl would let them go as a reward? He probably would, however their abilities were very tempting…

They finally spoke, frame hunched as they caressed their chestplate in a self-soothing manner. "Artemis Prime: saved this unit, brought this unit to safety. Artemis Prime: concerned for the sparks, wants to protect them and everybot within the building." 

"Pulsebeat: repaying Prime for saving this unit's life. Pulsebeat: wants to protect the sparks too."

Pulsebeat stared dazedly at the Prime that held them in his arms, carrying them from their destroyed habsuite, uncaring for the energon that was spilling onto his once pristine armor. "You will be alright." The Prime told them, "We're heading towards a safe place, you can get medical help there."

Pulsebeat would normally be thrashing at the touch, hating the close proximity and yet they felt… calm despite the fact they were being carried. That someone's frame was touching theirs. That they could hear someone's mind like this, and yet… The Prime's mind was… quiet. With a feeling of slight bliss that Pulsebeat has never encountered in a mind before.

There was sound, there was thought, but it was muted almost. Quiet in a way most thoughts weren't. Even stranger, there seemed to be… more. To it.

…undwave?....o, wrong size and co….young…

…eck… cassettes?

"Are your cassettes okay?" 

Pulsebeat gives a numb nod, Glider had managed to escape and was hiding somewhere. Mend was safe on their chassis, they had protected their little cassette from the debris at the cost of his own safety. They could feel Mend's concern, could almost hear their little hound whine. 

…lmost there…

Pulsebeat's helm had taken quite the hit, so maybe that's why they felt more hazy than usual aside from the calming effect that the Prime had on them. And why they don't remember the trip to the safe place that the Prime mentioned before. There were others, other bots the Prime rescued, but only Pulsebeat stayed in touch with the Prime, probably because Pulsebeat's leg were sparking and broken, but he was held with a protective arm that Pulsebeat leaned into gladly through the blissful haze that drowned out the pain. 

"Here, you will be safe here." Pulsebeat was being handed to someone else, and immediately their mind touches theirs and they squirm uncomfortably -leg is broken, get that to Doctor Plugline, dent on the helm possible processor damage- loud. They reach out, clutching the Prime's arm to feel that lasting calm and quietness.

…esn't want us to le… 

…ave to…

We need to protect the sparks, and everyone in this building. Let go, it will be okay.

The voice is soothing, strange but clear, clearer from anything else from the Prime. There was also this strange- music almost? 

Pulsebeat lets go, and watches through dazed optics behind their visor as the Prime leaves after saying something. For once, the mind of the bot holding them isn't as grating. They don't feel that uncomfortable, it is there, but not as precedent. 

They are calm.

They stay calm.

Until they bump into a spy.

Chapter Text

After nearly a deca-cycle of mystery, Megatron could finally pin designations on the Primes that appeared in Prologex. Finally had a designation to the mech whose frame resembled and was based on Megatronus Prime, Solaris.  

Solaris Prime and his Amica, Artemis Prime.

Optimus must be thrilled to learn the names of the Primes, certainly more thrilled than Megatron. 

.: General Megatron, Artemis Prime requested my trine and I assist Solaris Prime in taking down the warship. Skywarp and I are complying, however I sent Thundercracker with Artemis Prime to aid in protecting the cargo and civilians. :. Starscream reported to him soon after Megatron entered Hydrax city and after informing Megatron of the Primes' designations- weaving through the buildings and seeing the carnage and damage that's been dealt with the city already. 

.: Acknowledged, I will be joining you and Solaris Prime. Send me your current location. :. He ordered Starscream before sending a brief message to Optimus Trion who would no doubt focus more on rescue and evacuation, so the mech will meet with the other Prime. 

 .: Megatron to Optimus Trion, Decepticons are heading your way for assistance in cargo protection, rescue and evacuation with Artemis Prime. I will be joining Solaris Prime in taking down the Quintesson warship. :.

He got an immediate response, .: Many thanks, General Megatron- likewise, Autobots are coming to assist you and Solaris Prime. :.  Definitely thrilled to know the Primes' designation, Megatron thought with slight amusement. Either way, Starscream sends his location coordinates to him and he leads his soldiers towards that location. 

It's easy enough to find them, considering he hears the familiar screech of his Seeker Commander's outlier ability. He spots the three mechs, two seekers in the air, dealing with flying mounts while the grounded Prime was skillfully dealing with the soldiers on pede with more soldiers coming from around the corner. 

Megatron growled and wordlessly dived, transforming mid-air to slam his fist against a brute of a Quintesson soldier that was nearly as big as he was- he hears countless of transformations following his lead as well as other engines that stay in the air to provide air support and defend from incoming flying forces. 

The brute reeled back, roaring in pain as Megatron swiftly used his fusion cannon to kill it point black with his fist still buried in the Quitnesson's neck- the short yet powerful burst obliterated the soldier's head. The stench of burnt metal and organic material is unpleasant like always, but he's long been used to it. 

Around him is organized chaos, his Decepticons are fluid, brutal, on ground and in the air. 

Solaris Prime is prominent among them, yet he fits right in with his combat skills. The mech was swinging his spear, hyper aware of his surroundings as he made sure none of his spears was ever pointed at Megatron's soldiers or himself whenever they were nearby- he seamlessly fought alongside them with what seemed to be vorns of experience in fighting alongside an army in battle. 

Megatron had to wonder just who this Prime was before he became a Prime. Where he came from, what his origins were. Questions for another time, he had more important things to focus on.

"General Megatron." The Prime greets him the moment there is a lull in the battle, the last of the current Quintesson forces dying at the hands of his soldiers- Autobots had longed joined their fight which made things easier and faster. "A pleasure to meet you once again, and an honor to fight alongside you, the Decepticons, as well as the Autobots." Those optics… kind as ever, blue orbs that were glittering with glee and a hint of excitement as they surveyed the mechs and femmes around him. 

"Solaris Prime," Megatron greeted back with an amused curl of his derma, "Likewise to you, Prime. It is fortunate to finally have a designation to you and your Amica, Optimus Trion is meeting with him as we speak." The large silver mech nodded, helm turning to notice Starscream and Skywarp finally landing close by. "You'll be using your Requiem Blaster to take down the warship I assume." 

It was obvious, the blaster was powerful- legends said that Solus Prime had crafted it from the heart of a dying star, that it could level mountains. And from how it had easily taken down the Spark Extractor ship from Prologex, Megatron could believe it.

"You assume correctly, however I need a clear shot at the warship that doesn't risk destroying the city or killing anyone who might get in its way." Solaris nodded, optics narrowing with a hint of frustration. "It was easier to aim in Prologex, no tall buildings to worry about, skies were open." The mech lamented slightly with a shake of his masked helm. 

Megatron's optics glanced between the Prime and the buildings around them- it was indeed for the best to avoid damaging the city further. There was no telling if all buildings were already evacuated or not. "Then we'll find the perfect spot for your Blaster to aim, Soundwave! " He called out, his ever dutiful communications officer and fellow ex-gladiator landed from the skies. "I need you to find the perfect sniping position for Solaris Prime to use his Blaster on the warship without damaging anything in the city. For now, we transform and get closer to the warship." 

"I can't." Solaris Prime suddenly blurted out, despite being the bigger mech, he seemed to shrink back slightly in what seemed to be embarrassment. "I can't transform."

What?

"What do you mean you can't transform?" Skywarp, the trine member that had the least amount of tact, questioned with disbelief. 

Solaris Prime vented, his free servo, the one with the Requiem Blaster, reached up to rub the back of his helm in a sheepish manner. Megazarak, this mech is not Megatronus Prime reborn. Megatron thinks to himself with a deadpan, now, he has no idea how Megatronus acted when he was alive but there was no way this mech was Megatronus Prime. "My Pr- ah, I currently don't have an alt form as a Prime. Accepting the Matrix seems to have locked my old alt mode, I'd need to scan a new alt as a Prime." 

The wonder of who this mech was before he was a Prime returned, he wondered what alt mode Solaris previously had before Starscream's voice cut in with a dry tone, surprising Megatron for the mech's clear disrespect. The Seeker was usually a bit more amicable, "And you didn't scan an alt mode in the deca-cycle you and Artemis Prime were gone?" 

The sheepish expression, somehow showing through optics, body language and the Prime's own wavering voice, was telling. Megatron would never admit to it, especially not now, but it was somewhat endearing in a way. "It was a very busy deca-cycle, and neither Artemis nor I noticed that we didn't have alt modes as Primes until now." Solaris shook his helm, dropping his servo down to his side and clenching it with newfound determination. "I'll make do without right now, we need to take that warship down as soon as possible."

What a strange weakness and setback that the powerful mech had, Megatron had noticed Solaris stumbling over his words when he first said that he didn't have an alt form as a Prime. Not to mention the suspicious length of time spent, not noticing the fact he had no alt form as a Prime… Unfortunately, he'll have to save his suspicions for another time. "Then we will carve a pathway towards the warship for you. How fast can you run?"

Answer?

Faster than a mech his size should.  

The Matrix, even if it was merely half of a whole, gave the Prime quite the boosted abilities. 

It was easy enough to keep speed with the running Prime in their alt modes, but it was still pretty impressive for a non-speedster frame to get that fast in root mode. 

Along the way, more Quintessons showed up of course. The techno-organic scum and their ghastly creatures relentless and mindless in their attempt to take them down, in their attacks, another thing he despised about the Quintessons; their usual soldiers were merely canon fodder. They held no sentience, they had no wills of their own, barely better than the beasts most ride on by the fact the soldiers were programmed to be able to fight combat and wield weapons.

The true Quintessons, the smart, cunning ones, rarely did they appear on the battlefield. ( Just like Megazarak and Zeta. )

Cowards.

Not like them , not like Megatron and Optimus who fought alongside their subordinates for the sake of their planet. And certainly not like the Primes who did the same, fighting in front, protecting their people- it compelled Megatron, made him interested in them more and more.

Especially Solaris, who held so much power in his servos yet still held the optics of an optimistic mech. Solaris somewhat reminded him of Optimus, in a way, back at the very beginning when his optimism seemed endless. But even that had faded in the test of time and constant battles.

" My Prime! General Megatron! The warship! It's MOVING! " A soldier calls out, an Autobot, and much to his dismay- the soldier speaks truth. The warship was moving in the air, slowly readjusting itself- uncaring that a few buildings were scraping at it from the bottom, the tops of those buildings broke easily from the force of the ship's movement.

Debris falling as the bottom of the warship opened, and from the belly of the ship, three large bodies dropped onto Hydrax's streets. The streets quaked from the weight of the three beasts that landed onto Cybertronian grounds, for they were beasts.

Giga-class beasts to be exact, six-legged, drooling maws filled with strong, sharp teeth- no eyes, it sensed through other means. Hard to kill pieces of scrap without heavy weaponry…

Luckily they had a Prime.

" FLYERS, OFF THE GROUND NOW- GROUNDERS, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! " Megatron immediately ordered, a snarling scowl on his faceplate as the three beasts roared in tandem, bots were scrambling to follow orders as the Gigas began their rampage- separating to cause destruction in different directions. Megatron glanced between the Prime and a certain purple seeker, about to open his intake when the Prime beat him to it.

" Skywarp! " Solaris Prime called out, raising his arm up, " Get me close to one of those things! NOW! " 

The Prime was thinking of the same thing then, good. " Follow Prime's orders! " Megatron barked at Skywarp who quickly flew towards Solaris Prime. " Decepticons, Autobots! Keep the other two distracted- gain their attention! Don't let them rampage further into Hydrax! " 

Skywarp transformed back into root mode, flying low to grasp Solaris Prime's arm. Looking over to the nearest raging Giga. "This'll be a long warp, it's gonna be rough! " 

In a flash of light, both mechs disappeared from where they were.

"You need a Morphic-Equalizer if you wanna get that gunk out of the bridge's energon fuel lines."

Amused blue optics as he saw the barest hint of a twitch from the tall, violet mech that was hunched over, the large, clawed, servos attached to them were contrastingly, carefully peeling away the main covers of the spacebridge's energon fuel lines that had a strange blockage of substance preventing the spacebridge from getting any energon.

Just another problem among the lost list of what was wrong with the sabotaged spacebridge.

It was probably different for other bridges, or maybe the same, how would Wheeljack know? He was sent to help but mainly keep an optic on a certain Decepticon scientist that was before him, make sure he was doing the job he said he'd do; fixing a spacebridge for the sake of the spark escort mission. 

"Illogical suggestion, I would only need a Morphic-Equalizer if the substance is—" "—a volatile explosive substance that will explode, discharge or react to any prodding- yeah, yeah. I wouldn't've suggested it if I didn't know what it was. Both the tool and the substance." Wheeljack interrupted him, tossing up a disarmed grenade, order from Ultra Magnus who felt twitchy at the thought of a live grenade being tossed so casually nearby a spacebridge. Takes the fun out of it, but even Wheeljack knew how serious the situation was.

Well, it wasn't serious enough to stop Wheeljack from subtly prodding the scientist and critiquing his science skills. Optimus Trion didn't exactly give him the mission to do so, but Wheeljack could read the lines, or well- the lines that he saw. Plus, he wanted to see just how composed the infamous Shockwave could be himself.

He was going to be Shockwave's little hidden correspondence in their near future.  

"I know you're probably thinking that gunk's harmless, it's got the same color and consistency of gathered energon slag but that ain't it." He shifted, settling his weight on his heels as he crouched along the floor where Shockwave was underneath, looking down with a grin. 

"That's Phospho-BM, it reacts when you try to move it around or like, divide the connected slag. Gives off tiny electrical pulses that are usually harmless… unless it's in direct contact with liquid energon of any size." Wheeljack whistled as he craned his helm to see the amount of Phospho-BM jammed into the fuel line. "You need a Morphic-Equalizer to disable the electrical pulses it'll set off when you start scraping the fuel line open." 

Shockwave turned his helm, that unsettling single red optic made Wheeljack the tiniest bit uneasy but he flashed the con a deceptively (heh) easy smile. "You are sure it is Phospho-BM?" The Decepticon questioned seriously. Huh, taking his word on it?

Wheeljack wiggled the disarmed grenade in his servo, "Wrecker's Demolition Expert speakin' here bud, I know my explosive scrap." He replied sunnily, and, because he discovered Phospho-BM. Side effect to a few old experiments of his when he was still a scientist, not that anyone seemed to remember that part of his life anymore. Primus, he was old now.

"... Very well, I shall use a Morphic-Equalizer." Shockwave's helm turned back to the fuel line, reaching into his subspace for said tool, Wheeljack waited a moment to see if that was the only thing he'd get- it was. Wheeljack shifted, his knee joints creaking slightly as he forced himself to stand up- he made a reminder on his priority list for after the chaos of this early fragging morning; get his hinges oiled. He's been procrastinating that far too long now. 

He hears the door to the private spacebridging room open, optics narrowing and frame tense for a moment before he relaxes when he glanced over to see Ultra Magnus and a few other Autobots returning from an abrupt reason that Wheeljack hadn't exactly been paying attention at the time; he'd been preoccupied in rewiring the console unit to the bridge. "So, I see you lot got busy while you were away…"

He eyed the energon stains that were not there before Ultra Magnus left. The commander's faceplate was also grim and heavy. "Prowl contacted us earlier, he found out there were spies within the area, among the technicians and both Autobot and Decepticon escort teams." Both Wheeljack and even Shockwave stilled at the revelation.

It had been suspected as much that there were spies in the technicians- someone had to sabotage all the spacebridges somehow. But the escort teams? The ones who were supposed to be sending the sparks back into the Well of Allsparks? Frag.

"Damn slaggers self-destructed." A voice growled and Wheeljack craned his helm past Ultra Magnus to see a lightly singed and energon-covered Breakdown, part of the Decepticon's Detritan team, aka the Decepticon version of Wreckers essentially. Both sides would usually throw a fit from the comparison though. "Their fragging heads exploded."

"I don't think they self-destructed themselves." Dead End, Breakdown's comrade fellow Detritan, commented gloomily with obvious disgust, he was using a microfiber cloth to wipe away the energon off his plating. "They were terrified, and it happened too suddenly for it to be them." 

"Then something set them off, trigger the hidden bombs they had in their helms." Wheeljack grimaced, shaking his helm. "Scrap, things are bad enough with three Gigas on the loose in Hydrax." They had felt a faint quake earlier on, then Prowl's announcement came- there was panic for a moment, Ultra Magnus had almost ordered for an evacuation of the spacebridge port if it weren't for Prowl's follow-up comm command to him, the Wreckers, Detritans and Shockwave.

The Giga-Class Beasts were being handled and they weren't near the spacebridge ports, both Primes were on it with both Megatron and Optimus assisting so hopefully, things would be more peaceful on their end and they could repair the spacebridge without worrying about three Gigas on their tailpipes.

"Shockwave, Wheeljack, status on the spacebridge?" Ultra Magnus ordered, looking all too unhappy with the situation at large. Which was fair. 

"It's almost completely repaired commander," Wheeljack reported, glancing over to Shockwave who was still clearing the now neutralized Phospho-BM from the energon fuel lines. "Just gotta clear some slag from the fuel lines, hook it back into the power grid, and do a quick de-frag and she'll be good again." 

"The coordinates to the bridge at the Well have already been inputted." Shockwave spoke aloud, "Lo—"

The room shook as the sound of a muffled explosion was heard from above, "Aw scrap. " Wheeljack hissed, not knowing exactly what happened but had a great suspicion was to what.

" Quintessons are attempting to breach the building! " Ultra Magnus suddenly barked, "Mechs! Fend them off- Wheeljack, Breakdown, stay with Shockwave, we will deal with the Quintessons! We are not losing this spacebridge when it is so close to being fully repaired!" 

Wheeljack bit back a protest, wanting in on the action but knew he needed to hang back just in case. "Aye, aye, commander."

At least it wasn't the fragging Gigas.

Skywarp hated Giga-Class scrap.

Be it the ships, the soldiers, and the fragging beasts. Anything above Heft-Class was just too fragging big in the purple seeker's personal opinion. But no, those techno-organic freaks just had to overcompensate their freakish techno-organic-ness with size and numbers and- ugh, he hated it.

He also hated warping over long distances, made his tanks and inside all crackle-y and bad. He was more adept in short distance warping, excelled in it, mastered his own created combat style based on his warping. He hated long-distant warping especially with heavy-aft mechs that outweighed his trine.

Solaris Prime classified as such, being bigger than General Megatron- he wasn't going to say scrap though, because he may not be the brightest spark among his trine brothers but he's not that dim. Don't insult the bigger mech a blaster that can take down a fragging Spark Extractor ship in one, dear sweet Primus-damned blow. 

Yeah, he wasn't mouth off the mech that can do that. 

Plus, now just wasn't the time for that type of scrap anyway, there were fragging Giga-Beasts around! Warping the Prime to deal with one of them was better than dealing with them himself! Even with the support of the Decepticon army! So when the Prime says he was going to deal with the Giga-Beast on his own? Well, then the crakle-y tanks and circuits in his frame were worth it! 

Skywarp gritted his denta as he and Solaris Prime appeared right above the Giga-Class beast- that was close enough, right?

Right, because Solaris immediately let go of his arm to fall atop the giant creature. Spear thrusting downwards to pierce the metallic hide of the techno-organic abomination, causing it to roar in pain and anger, thrashing to get Solaris Prime off of its back. 

The big Prime clutched the spear with one servo, the other, digging his digits into the hide, hard enough to dent and create a hold on it. " Skywarp, fall back! " Starscream ordered, " Provide air support, but keep away from the Giga and Prime! " 

Don't mind if he did! Skywarp angled his legs, keeping to his root mode as he flew away from the Prime and the thrashing beast but keeping his optic on them just in case. The Prime was still holding on, suddenly, the Prime's optics flashed blue and- oh frag, did he just get more spears out of his subspace without manually reaching into his subspace??

There were suddenly a dozen copies of Solaris' spears that were in the air! They circled around the Prime before flying off at high speeds to pierce into the six legs of the Giga-Beast! Fragging pit! .: Third Giga has escaped the perimeter! It's heading towards the location of the cargo and the civilians!:. He hears Starscream report angrily with a hint of panic into the Decepticon commlink. 

Before anyone could even re—

BWOOM!!

There was a flash of golden energy, terrifyingly familiar. It had taken down the Spark Extractor ship, and now it had taken down the Giga-Beast with ease- the creature was in two, charred and smelting pieces with a gigantic circular shape that was burnt into it and the street it had been pinned to thanks to the spears. 

The hole was deep, went meters down into the earth and slag was smelting at the bottom, bubbling molten liquid that smoked as different metals and chemicals mixed together from the blast with the lingering heat of the golden energy beam from the fragging Requiem Blaster.

Last time, they had been lucky no one had been in the way of the blast, and the beam had been aimed at the sky. It was no wonder that Artemis warned Solaris Prime to be careful with the slagging thing! 

The silver Prime had jumped back, landing in a crater on the streets of the blast and Skywarp dropped low enough to hear his say, " Whoops. I don't think I held back enough. That hole is deep. " 

Whoops?? He didn't hold back enough???? 

He makes a crater, a hole deep enough to bury a Giga halfway and that was him holding back? Had he been holding back with the Spark Extractor? Or had it been full power? 

Primes were fragging terrifying. This Prime in particular, was terrifying. It was no wonder the other Prime told him to be so careful! That the Prime said he needed to be closer to the warship and avoid destroying buildings and slag!

Skywarp hated warping the Prime, but damn did he like him, he was cool!

Skywarp hears his commping and he answers, it's General Megatron. .: Skywarp! Get that Prime here to the second Giga, we have it distracted! The third Giga is being handled by Artemis Prime and the Autobots! :.  

"Prime!" He calls down, offering his servo, even though his insides haven't exactly settled yet. "There's still another Giga! The third one ran away- the other Prime and the Autobots will deal with that one!" 

Solaris Prime looked up at him, optics gleaming, "Got it!" There was a hint of worry in those optics that didn't really make sense with Skywarp.

Was the Prime worried about the other Prime? They were Amica so it made sense, but the other Prime was still a Prime like him, and he wielded that dumb sword that Starscream kept mooning over the past deca-cycle. It was pretty powerful, so there shouldn't be any worry about it.

" Primus-fragging-dammit. " Prowl hissed, bristling with anger as he stared at the headless body of the spy that Pulsebeat had revealed to him and Hot Rod. There was energon all over him, his arms were burnt from protecting his chest and helm from the brief blast, first degree metal burns at worst but definitely annoying. 

His intent was to mostly restrain the damned bot for further interrogation, if he had to be a bit rougher than necessary to deal with the traitor then that was no one's actual business but his. That was the plan at least, but the moment he had cornered the damn bot with Hot Rod and a few other soldiers, the mech's helm fragging exploded.  

"Pulsebeat." He called out to the young bot who shuffled forward. "Can your ability work if the mech is dead?" It was a long shot but… Prowl bit back a huff when their helm shaked 'no'.

"Pulsebeat: needs helm intact and alive." They murmured quietly, a bit shaken from the sight of the headless frame. It was hard to say where they were looking at with that visor of theirs covering their faceplate, yet Prowl suspected that the bot was looking anywhere else but the corpse. 

Prowl stepped between Pulsebeat and the corpse, blocking the bot's view. "Alright, thank you for your assistance Pulsebeat. The Autobots are in your debt… We could use someone like you among our ranks you know, you're smart, resourceful-" Apparently they had pretended to faint against the spy earlier on to extract more information, it was how Prowl was able to tell Ultra Magnus about the spies who were among the spacebridge port's technicians and the escort team. They were still searching for the last spy but with no luck unfortunately. "-you would be welcomed easily among us. I could personally take you under my care." 

Pulsebeat stayed silent for a moment, frame shrinking underneath Prowl's gaze, "Offer: tempting, will consider it." They replied in an even quieter tone, though it seemed like they were only trying to be polite. They were a draft-dodger after all, they wanted to avoid joining either faction or be involved with the war with the Quintessons. 

Perhaps, if there hadn't been a law that required all outliers to join, Pulsebeat would've been more open to it, Prowl thought to himself grimly. Still, he hopes the bot will truly consider the offer, especially now that they've seen a glimpse of the Quintessons but also see the good they could do. 

"The offer will always be open to you, Pulsebeat."

"Thundercracker, how much electricity can you generate?" 

The question comes out of nowhere, quite frankly. Thundercracker glanced to the Prime who was suddenly asking him that question, why was he suddenly part of the conversation when there was a Giga-Class Beast coming their way??? Starscream said it was heading their way! 

"Uhh," Slag, he still needed to answer, Starscream and General Megatron told him to follow Artemis Prime's orders so- "Not enough to take down a Giga, that's for fragging certain." 

Had he been too blunt? Disrespectful? Still, it was the truth! He had an idea as to why the Prime asked- Thundercracker's done something similar. Electricity didn't usually mesh well with techno-organics, it's why he has the highest Quintesson deaths between his brothers, most of those deaths were Gen-Class Quintesson soldiers and scrap. 

The biggest class he'd been able to take down with his electricity was a Heft-class and that took a lot of saved up power on his end and left him weak for cycles afterwards. 

There was no way Thundercracker's electricity could take down a Giga, he was already halfway through his reserves! And there wasn't nearly enough time to gather more power before then!

"Doesn't matter, you don't need to have enough to take down a Giga-Class, I just need your abilities." Artemis Prime told him, helm looking over the direction the Giga was said to appear soon. " Everyone! I have a plan! You're not going to like it. " 

Artemis Prime was right, no one liked the plan. 

Thundercracker was conflicted about the plan, especially at the fact this was something being done on the fly without prior testing! And why? Because the Prime was concerned of destroying the city even further! Which, okay, that was fair, but still! 

Unfortunately, there wasn't any time to think of anything else and by Primus, the Prime was persuasive. There was just something about their voice that seemed to soothe their worries enough to actually agree to the wild fragging plan. 

Thundercracker stood behind Artemis Prime as the mech stood in the middle of the street= the Autobots and Decepticons were meters behind them as Thundercracker placed his servos on the Prime's back. " I really hope this works, for frag's sake. " He hissed, to both himself and the Prime who said nothing.

" Giga sighted! " 

Immediately Thundercracker's wings sparked to life, electricity generating and sparking between his wings as a temporary outlet before the electricity flowed over Thundercracker's frame and into the Prime's frame. Artemis Prime stiffened and let out a pained groan, gripping the Star Saber with both servos- there were sounds of something in the back behind them, Optimus Trion shouting something but Thundercracker was too busy trying to generate and control his outlier abilities to hear it properly.

The sound of thunder in his audials as, to his ever growing belief, his electricity seemed to be absorbed into the Prime who began crackling with it. " More. " The Prime rasped through probably gritted denta, " Thundercracker! " 

The ground was gradually shaking, Thundercracker kept his optics on the Prime's back even as he knew The Giga was getting closer. Thundercracker had been trying to gradually generate the electricity for the Prime's sake but frag it! 

" Here we go! " Thundercracker shouts before pouring all of his remaining electrical power into the Prime. Stumbling back from the abrupt drain and watching with dazed optics as the Prime glowed- the white electricity that Thundercracker generated shifting into a bright blue hue- it coated Artemis Prime and the Star Saber, jumping up and down mech's limbs and weapon.

In the nearing distance, he could see the Giga rushing forward with destructive, ground-shaking steps. " Primal… " Artemis choked out stance shifting as the crackling bright blue electricity glowed even brighter. " Star THUNDER! " The Prime roared, swinging the now shining Star Saber-

A wave of thunderous blue energy flew off the Star Saber, sounding like real thunder but more mystical. The wave reached the Giga in no time, making it skid in an attempt to stop as the wave collided against it hard and disappeared into the suddenly convulsing techno-organic beast. 

It let out a strangled beastly roar of pain as its attempt to stop left a gouging trench in the street before it finally stumbled forward, collapsing not far in front of the Prime who stood, seemingly unphased and just fine.

What the frag.

Artemis Prime shifted, looking back at Thundercracker, at the stunned group of Autobots and Decepticons. "Better make sure that thing is dead. Blast it to hell and back." The Prime commanded.

Thundercracker had no idea what 'hell' was, but no one disobeyed the order and started making sure the Giga-Class stayed down.

The blue seeker was still reeling from the whole experience, Thundercracker looked back to see Artemis Prime's servo offered to help him stand up. Without thinking, he took it, letting the Prime help him up. When the Prime let go, both of them flinched as leftover electricity sparked between their frames. 

" My Prime! " Both of them turned to see Optimus Trion rushing over, concern clear in his yellow optics. "My Prime, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Optimus Trion. Leftover discharge from Thundercracker's abilities." Artemis Prime looked back at him, ""Thundercracker, thank you for your assistance. Your electrical powers are amazing, you must be proud of it, rightfully so." 

Thundercracker couldn't help but preen, wings twitching slightly behind him as he nodded, "Glad to be of help-" He would've continued, give in to the rare urge to boast over his own abilities, he usually left that to his brothers but his intake shut when he saw the intense look the Autobot Trion gave him.

Something about those yellow optics made him step back with a strained smile. "Really though, it was all you Artemis Prime. That attack? Primal Star Thunder? That was really something." He wasn't even lying, that had been… fragging insane.

Artemis Prime twitched, coughing lightly behind his visored mask. "Y-Yes, that- mn, that attack. I'm simply glad it worked."

"As am I, my Prime." Optimus Trion smoothly interjected, "While the plan had been reckless, I will agree that it was amazing and it is fortunate that it worked. Are you truly alright, my Prime? Your… Your servos are shaking." He points out gently and Thundercracker glances down to see that yeah, Artemis Prime's servos were shaking, the Star Saber rattled slightly against the ground from the shake.

Immediately, the shaking stopped as Artemis gripped the sword tighter. "I'm—"

BWOOOOM!!

From the distance, a slanting, golden pillar of light speared through the Gino-class warship, the bright golden pillar disappearing into the sky, contrasting the slowly shifting colors as night abruptly and temporarily turned to day.

"Solaris." Artemis said with a hint of fondness and relief.

Two Giga-Class Beasts and one Gino-Class Warship, taken care of in such a short time. 

With as little property damage as possible.

Just like in Prologex, the death count was small in comparison to what should be. 

Without the Primes, they would've spent joors of fighting, possibly cycles to defeat all the Quintessons including the Giga-Beasts as well as taking down the warship. With countless of deaths, Autobot, Decepticon, Neutral- both military and civilian alike.

Not to mention, this was Hydrax City. The main city that imported goods from space and and was the spacebridge port to most of the other cities on Cybertron. Had the Quintessons taken or destroyed Hydrax, it would've been disastrous.  

So seeing Hydrax mostly intact, all because of the assistance and power of the Prime. Of two Primes…

Megatron was more determined than ever to gain their assistance, to get them by his side.

Solaris Prime especially.

The power of the Requiem Blaster was too much, it had turned the dimming night into bright day for a solid moment there when Solaris finally fired it from the position that Soundwave had found that could hit the warship without damaging any other building of Hydrax. 

Not to mention Solaris' ferrokinesis abilities, being able to control those spears, summon them from presumably his subspace without needing to physically and manually reach into them…

Solaris Prime was fretting but also thanking Skywarp, worried over the seeker's health but utterly grateful for the warps that had greatly contributed to the battle. 

Skywarp was heaving in the background, being supported by Starscream, having done multiple long-distance warps with Solaris Prime had affected the seeker heavily. Strained his outlier ability. Megatron made a reminder to reward Starscream and his trine once this was over. 

Which wouldn't be that soon, unfortunately.

His comms crackled and Megatron snarled, gaining everyone's attention.

" The Quintessons are attacking the spacebridge ports AND the location the sparks are being held! "

Just because the warship was down, it didn't meant that every Quintesson was dead.

Chapter Text

"I apologize for this, Optimus Trion." Artemis Prime apologized with a strained voice, servos holding on to the roof of his cabin, down on one knee with one pede planted flat on the platform between his fifth wheels where usually his or any trailer would be hooked and connected to him if he needed it. 

The Autobot leader was in his alt form and driving at full speed alongside his Autobots. "There is no need for an apology my Prime." Optimus replied reassuringly, "You were in need of assistance, and it is an honor for me to do so in under any circumstance." 

The moment Prowl made a panicked comm saying that Quintessons were attacking both the spacebridge ports and the location he, the sparks and the civilians were in, he ordered everyone back towards the location as Megatron, Solaris Prime and the others would head towards the spacebridge port. However there had been a couple of problems with his order.

Artemis Prime did not have an alt mode, so he could not transform like they could at the moment. It wouldn't be a problem considering his physical prowess- the mech could run fast, faster than someone his frame should be, the Matrix was most likely enhancing his abilities like that. Artemis Prime was prepared to run, however his frame gave a shudder and his Prime faltered. Small arcs of blue electricity coming off his frame.

Thundercracker had tried to do something but even he ended up shocked from trying to reach out to Artemis Prime. Optimus grimaced but wondered why he felt a little satisfied from Thundercracker's inability to help- never mind. 

The powerful attack from earlier, Primal Star Thunder, had clearly been too much even for the Prime. Especially considering he had absorbed Thundercracker's outlier electricity and turned it into his own. It was most impressive, and the memory would be forever filed in his new Artemis Prime folder. A folder created for the sole purpose in storage of information of Artemis Prime, Solaris Prime also had a folder of course, although the information within Solaris Prime's folder was slightly less and most of it was provided by Megatron.

Anyway, the point was; Artemis Prime's attack hadn't left the Prime unscathed, and running seemed to be out for the moment. A moment they did not have, time was of the essence, so here was the solution;

Artemis Prime would ride Optimus in his alt form. Holding on to him as they drove back.

After all, Artemis Prime was only slightly shorter than Optimus and Optimus' alt mode could easily carry the Prime. None of the current flight frames and fliers were equipped or could handle the Prime dangling from their hold, and most other ground alts wouldn't be able to comfortably carry the Prime either, not without sacrificing speed, something they needed right now. 

So it fell on Optimus Trion to let his Prime use him as a vehicle, something that Optimus had no problems about. If anything, it thrilled him to be able to help his Prime in such a way. It was even pleasant! 

Wait, pleasant?

"Still, I will be searching for an alt for myself as soon as I am able after this so I might not burden you with something like this ever again." His Prime promised, and Optimus couldn't help the feeling of disappointment, a protest in the back of his vocalizer until he abruptly realized that he shouldn't protest it. Why would he protest it? Why shouldn't he protest it? 

" Quintessons! " Kup barks aloud as they finally return to the building. It was swarmed with Quintessons, Brute-class soldiers with double the amount of Gen-classes, the Autobots and Decepticon guards they had left behind were desperately fending them off.

Focus. Optimus scolded himself, feeling his Prime's servos clench against his roof, "My Prime—" He gets interrupted when he feels his Prime stand, alt mode shuddering slightly as he feels his Prime briefly hold on to one of his exhaust pipes in a firm but careful grip to steady himself. Primus—

" Excuse me, Optimus- " His Prime hisses with anger and suddenly Artemis Prime was leaping high off his alt mode and Optimus hit his brakes, skidding to a stop to avoid colliding with anyone from the abrupt departure of his Prime. He transforms back into his root mode, pedes digging into the street slightly to control his stop.

Up ahead, his Prime lets out a battle cry -his frame still sparking with leftover energy from Thundercracker's ability- and buries the sparking blade into the Brute-Class soldier he'd been aiming for- " ATTACK! " Optimus ordered, his servos transforming into his weapons as the horde of Brute and Gen-class Quintesson finally noticed their arrival.

The Quintesson warship was down, but the battle wasn't over just yet.

Delver was normally a quiet mech, even before everything —teacher, weapons, training, be silent, be still, wait for the right time to stri— Delver had been a mech of few words and rarely was he at a loss of words.

[ -uintesson Warship is down! Three Giga-Class Beasts AND the Warship is down! Viewers, I-I can't believe it either bu— ]

" That is my Prime!" Goldbug cheered from the other side of the couch, barely able to sit still as his optics were glued to the screen, to the footage being shown- there was another clip showing the silver Prime— " Go Solaris! " whose designation had only just been revealed from a leaked audio clip of Autobot commanding tactician Prowl's voice saying both Primes' names and who each Prime was with. (Someone was going to get in trouble for that, no doubt.)

Solaris Prime was with General Megatron of the Decepticons, while Artemis Prime was with Optimus Trion of the Autobots.

Both Primes were powerful.

Artemis Prime wielding a large, glowing and powerful blade, taking down swathes of Quintessons in just a few swings. 

Solaris Prime controlling multiple spears that appear out of nowhere, likely his subspace, pinning the Giga down before using the Requiem Blaster—

His digits twitched, his own blades in his subspace trembled at the memory of the very impressive display of ferrokinesis. Or perhaps, telekinesis? The footage was taken too far to tell, but it was impressive all the same. Much more than what he could do. 

Suddenly, the footage from the news suddenly blacked out and the news anchorbot flusters. 

[ Apologies viewers, but it seems the brave streamers that have been dutifully trying to show us the situation live, have been caught by the Autobot and Decepticon rescue teams and are being escorted into safety. ]

"Aww, what?! C'mon! They've been doing good so far! Let them continue streaming Solaris! Show just how awesome MY Prime is! " Goldbug jeered, sticking his glossa out in childish petulancy. It's amusing, really. But Delver still frowns at him anyway. 

[ This just in; although the Warship is down, it does not mean the Quintesson attack is over! The remaining soldiers and beasts have split forces and are attacking both the spacebridge port and the main evacuation center building of Hydrax! But do not fear, it seems that our heroic Primes are on the move! Stay tuned for further news! ]

Goldbug's jeering turned into cheers, servos thrown back into the air. "That's more like it! Solaris and Artemis will wipe the Quints out and that'll be that! Hydrax is saved!" He jumped to his pedes, shuffling excitedly in place. That's even more amusing. What's less amusing though, is when Goldbug turns to give him that smug look again. "I told you they'd come, that my Prime wouldn't just leave Hydrax to be attacked! Solaris Prime would never do that!" 

Delver vents, low and slow. "So you have." He replied neutrally, still trying to parse out whether or not Goldbug was making up the fact he knew the Primes- not personally, but knew who they were.  

When the yellow ex-miner (Goldbug truly insisted on the ex part) claimed that he knew who the Primes were, that he followed them here into Harmonex- Delver naturally assumed he was lying. He'd been disappointed, really, that Goldbug would do such a thing with Delver. 

Goldbug didn't tend to lie or make up facts, not anymore at least- he'd been a youngling when he tried to do that, bragging that he was much older and so very strong, it was only after Delver insisted that he, frankly, did not care how old the bot was and whatever else lies had ceased.

Perhaps that was where Goldbug's trust started, since from there, Delver supported him during their online talks whenever it was possible. Goldbug wanted to go to Kaon and become a warrior? A Decepticon? Delver didn't approve personally but Goldbug was excited, he just wanted to be strong and what bot didn't?

Delver helped Goldbug with his initial plan in life; wait until he was older, work as a miner in Prologex for some mega-cycles to earn some easy, early shanix, save that shanix to be able to buy some upgrades and weapons before enlisting into the Decepticon army and cause. Delver had even been planning on contacting some old ties to help Goldbug, at the very least, ensure Goldbug didn't end up dead in a ditch somewhere in Kaon.

But now that plan was entirely scrapped because Goldbug wanted to become Solaris Prime's second in command. Or at least a student and warrior of the Prime. 

Delver would admit that he was a little ticked off at Goldbug for scrapping the plan, especially when Goldbug for some reason, admitted that Delver of all bots was Goldbug's best friend- Delver was still coming to terms about that- but that was Goldbug's life he was completely shifting paths for. Not Delver's.

Except…

Except Solaris Prime, both Primes, were clearly strong. Very strong.

And so far, neither seemed to have really sided with either Autobot or Decepticon faction. Yes, they worked together, but neither were wearing the badges of either faction. 

Would—

No, it was too soon to think of.

Goldbug's impulsivity was already affecting him by sheer proximity alone. 

Delver needed to wait, needed more information, needed to see where the Primes stood over all. 

And Goldbug… maybe he wasn't lying. It would be safer for him, for both of them, if he was. But if he wasn't…

Frag it all.

"Goldbug." He said, gaining his… friend's attention. 

"You need to learn how to fight."

Skywarp truly deserved a break after this battle, Megatron thought to himself with a rare sliver of sympathetic pity as the overworked seeker was quickly ferried away on the orders of his worried trinemate and leader. Megatron let him, considering Skywarp had just purged onto the destroyed streets of Hydrax and very well collapsed after warping Solaris Prime on the far end of the street after doing so multiple times previously- the mech was down and out for the count. 

Still, it was necessary considering the emergency they had gotten; the remaining Quintesson forces seemed determined to cause as much mayhem and destruction while they still lived while serving a distraction for something more nefarious no doubt.

Optimus Trion, Artemis Prime and the others would deal with the attack on the main evacuation building that protected not only the civilians, but the liberated Praxian sparks from Prologex. Paired with the sabotaged spacebridges- it was not hard to connect the two, the connection served more fuel to his rage and utter hatred towards the Quintessons.

They arrived at the spacebridge port to see several spacebridges destroyed and the Quintessons, Brute-classes mostly but plenty of Gen-classes, attempting to break into the private spacebridges below through the main entrances. 

" Attack! " Megatron ordered and both Autobot, Decepticons, even Solaris Prime himself, followed his lead. The Requiem Blaster was nowhere to be seen, in an effort to be just a little lighter for Skywarp and to avoid using it again in such an important area like the spacebridge port, the Prime had stowed it away in his subspace.  

Relying on his spears and combat skills alone to dispatch Quintesson after Quintesson. 

If only Megatron could properly admire and analyze the Prime's martial prowess without the risk of being offlined or injured by techno-organic soldiers, perhaps one cycle, he could even ask to spar with the mech. It was an exciting and pleasing thought, to be able to fight a Prime, regardless of his similar appearance to the one Prime he had looked up to when he was younger. 

For now, he would have to be satisfied in the fact he was fighting side by side with one. He certainly knows Optimus was more than thrilled in being able to do the same with the other Prime. 

Soft metal and hard flesh caved into his fists, his blade and his cannon, the cries of battle in the air as Cybertronian and Quintesson lashed out at each other with a familiar ferocity- one side angry and desperate, the other strong and confident.

This battle, this time, it was Megatron and his kin who sounded strong and confident. The Quintessons were fighting a losing fight, their numbers were dwindling rapidly with no hope of replenishing now that their warship was down- with how big of a hole that Solaris blasted through the ship, he had surely, once again, destroyed the Quintesson's spacebridge as well as majority of the Quintessons on board.

At some point of the battle, he unintentionally makes it to Solaris Prime's side. The bigger mech accommodates to his presence with barely a problem, they work well together, fight well together, it reminds him more of Optimus. 

Until it doesn't, in the sense that Optimus knows Megatron can handle himself in a fight. He does not need to be protected, but suddenly Megatron finds himself in Solaris Prime's embrace, the silver Prime looping a protective arm around his torso and using his frame to protect him from a sudden divebomb from above.

In any other situation, Megatron would've found it annoying, unnecessary, yet for some reason- his spark spins a little faster as the silver Prime growls helm turned back while sending a few spears into the air with that kinetic power of his. 

Megatron notices an incoming foe, and immediately aims his fusion cannon while breaking out of the Prime's hold. Solaris lets him go, but keeps close.

He keeps close until the end, until the last Quintesson is defeated. 

They're all tired, injured to an extent, but alive. And the amount of casualties on their side is astonishingly low. 

"Prime." 

Solaris looks at him, covered in energon and dark Quintesson blood, scuffs, scratches and dents along his armor plating but his optics were still bright, still actively wary but they look at him with a sense of softness that Megatron isn't familiar with paired with a big mech like Solaris Prime. 

"Faring well?" Megatron asks, having seen glimpses of thin but deep gashes along the Prime's back, some energon (blue like the rest of them, even the Primes bled the same, Zeta ) leaking, the result of that earlier dive bomb attack that had been meant for him.  

Solaris Prime nodded, "Yes. I'm fine, and you, General Megatron?" His blue optics are searching, observing Megatron's own injuries. Scratches, burns, scuffs and dents- quite honestly, Megatron has had worse, his limbs are all intact and his energon levels weren't critical.

Far from it, he's practically in top shape for the near-aftermath of an attack on a city. "Couldn't be better." Megatron smirked, pleased with everything so far.

"General Megatron!" Both their helms turn to see a certain group of mechs coming out of the main entrance to the private spacebridges below- Autobot Wreckers, Decepticon Detritans, and most glaringly; his main scientist Shockwave. "Solaris Prime." Ultra Magnus stepped forward, nodding to the both of them. "Thank you for your assistance, we believe that's the last of the Quintessons nearby."

Megatron nodded back, "The spacebridge?" He glanced over to Shockwave and Wheeljack, knowing both of them had been working to fix one. 

"We have one fully operational, General Megatron." Shockwave reported dutifully, his red optic glancing between him and Solaris Prime. He had questions, wanted answers no doubt, the Tox-En purification reports had been weighing heavily on the scientist's processors but now was not the time. The violet mech lowered his helm slightly at the warning look Megatron gave him. "Coordinates to the Well of Allsparks have already been registered, ready for the escort team to bridge at any moment." 

"You fixed a spacebridge?" Solaris surprisingly cut in, sounding very intrigued and even excited. 

Shockwave looked at him, helm tilted. "Yes."

Wheeljack snorted, gaining attention as he placed a servo on his hip. "He had help." 

"It is easier to fix a spacebridge with two sets of servos." Solaris nodded in agreement, and Megatron narrowed his optics at the familiar way he was saying it. 

"Speaking of spacebridges…" Starscream suddenly said, a look of comprehension and growing shock in his optics as he thought of something. "... Did you and Artemis Prime bridge here? You both just- appeared in the middle of the air, that looked like spacebridging! The portal you both fell from but—" 

Multiple optics snapped towards Solaris Prime, whose optics were shining bright with happiness and pride. "It was. Bridgeless bridging- somewhat. Bridging without the need of a secondary bridge in place, my Amica is so smart! I helped him of course, but he's the processor between the two of us! The one who started tinkering with our bridge to do it! Artemis is simply wonderful!" He boasted, chestplate jutting out slightly in clear pride, the Matrix half in his chassis even seemed to glow brighter. 

His pride seemed to grow at the stunned looks he got from those around him. 

"You've… figured out bridging without the need of a secondary bridge? " Shockwave's red optic glowed intensely, his vocalizer was as hungry as it was fascinated. 

Strangely enough, Wheeljack mirrored Shockwave's tone in the expression of his faceplate. "How? Bridgeless bridging is still mostly theoretical, with countless of experiments that tried to achieve it, ending in failure-" 

"You'll have to ask Artemis for most of the details but from what I could gather when I was helping him it was mostly modifying the universal-warping system's wire grid paired with I believe a quantum-articulation drive and the energon flow regulator-" Was Solaris not only a warrior but a mech of science? Megatron thought with growing surprise. Telling by the excitement shown both by Shockwave (to any other mech it would be missed but Megatron knew the mech very well)  and Wheeljack, even Starscream seemed enthralled, it seemed so. 

.: Optimus Trion to General Megatron, come in, Megatron. :.  

Megatron straightened, "General Megatron to Optimus Trion, I'm here." He said both aloud and in the comm, it shuts the Prime in his place. His blue optics immediately turned to him with an intense, expectant look filled with intrigue and a serious glint. Remembering that now was probably not the time to dive into science.

.: We have dealt with the Quintessons at our end however the evacuation building has been damaged severely, we've received word that a spacebridge has been fully repaired at the bridge port and that you've cleared it of Quintessons. We shall be accompanying Prowl's escort team to oversee the cargo's deliverance as well as the safety of the civilians and the injured. :.

"Copy that, we shall establish a safe perimeter around the port for any stragglers and leftover Quintesson soldiers." Megatron replied before addressing the Prime as well as the soldiers present. "The main evacuation building has sustained enough damage that they're moving here towards the port- I want soldiers to fan out to secure the perimeter! Make sure no Quintesson is left alive or can get anywhere near the port!"

"Artemis Prime." 

The purple and red Prime looked at him after setting an injured mech onto a stretcher, he's been moving constantly even after the battle. Refusing medical aid even though he had multiple scratches and mesh wounds over his frame, instead focusing and insisting on other mechs who needed assistance more. 

"I am Autobot Commanding Tactician Prowl," He starts, his doorwings hiked up despite the ache and pain he felt from them- a Quintesson soldier had managed a lucky shot at his doors unfortunately, but it was fine. Prowl dealt with it. "On behalf of Praxus, thank you, you and Solaris Prime, for finding, and saving the missing sparks of Praxus." He bows his helm, fist pressed against his spark chamber with his doorwings hanging low in gratitude. 

"Lift your helm, please." Prowl lifted his helm, he could feel the gaze through the Prime's visored helm. He could also feel his Trion's gaze, soft, concerned, understanding- "I appreciate the gratitude, Prowl of Praxus, however I do not think I can wholly accept it. We've only saved a fraction of the missing sparks from Praxus, the rest are still missing, their sparks- neither Solaris nor I can feel them at the moment." 

So that meant there weren't any sparks on the warship then, that both eased Prowl but also agitated him- Artemis Prime was right. The rest of the sparks were still missing, hundreds of thousands of sparks were still gone. "You still saved my people, they can finally return to the Well of Allsparks now." He replied firmly, optics burning as he looked at Artemis Prime- it was rare for him to feel so… so intensely. But anything involving Praxus always invoked a deeper reaction from his emotional cortex of his processor and spark. 

"He is right, my Prime. These sparks can finally rest, and return into Primus' embrace." Optimus joined the conversation with a soft tone, "As for the rest of the sparks- we will find them. We will bring them home, just like these sparks." He promised, to both the Prime and Prowl. 

Prowl took in a deep vent as the Prime nodded, "Solaris and I will make sure of it. Till all are one." There's a finality to his words, a promise, etched in metal, carved into Prowl's processor.

"Till all are one."

They make plans to move the civilians to the spacebridge port now that the area was secure and cleared of Quintessons, the spark canisters must be returned to the Well as soon as possible and as closely monitored. The reveal of spies among their midst has Optimus Trion's engines revving with clear anger and the Prime gripping the hilt of the Star Saber tightly. 

Thankfully though, as far as Pulsebeat has seen to it, there were no other spies in their teams- Prowl had them subtly check all those involved by having the young mech shadow Hot Rod, who was safe and cleared. 

Prowl would try to convince Pulsebeat to join the Autobots once again once things were settled, their ability was simply invaluable to a mech like Prowl. Especially now. 

Both his Trion and Prime take point in leading them all towards the port, their journey isn't as fast now that the warship was down and there wasn't the near-constant threat of Quintesson. Just leftover stragglers who were swiftly dealt with away from the civilians and injured and the cargo.

The cargo was closely guarded, Prowl and Thundercracker keeping close to the crates of precious canisters- all twelve of them, securely stored and protected. The moment there was a sign of danger, Artemis came up like a vengeful spark from the Pits, attacking with a protective ferocity that Prowl approved considering what was at stake.

Soon, they finally met with General Megatron, his Decepticons, Ultra Magnus and the Wreckers, and Solaris Prime. 

Prowl took a slight moment to fully take in the silver Prime, his resemblance to Megatronus Prime was uncanny almost. He'd seen through the pictures and clips, but seeing him in person, along with his current injuries… It was different.

"The spacebridge's ready Prowler." Wheeljack said as he, Starscream, Ironhide and Shockwave approached him. "Locked on to the Well of Allsparks."

Prowl made a face at the nickname, "Do not call me that, Wheeljack." He said stiffly, glaring at the Wrecker who chuckled, holding up his servos. He cast Shockwave a wary gaze but the mech seemed far more interested in the Primes, watching them from afar, yet he hadn't approached yet. Probably because of Ironhide and Wheeljack.

"Right, right, only Jazz can call ya that." Not in public he can't, Prowl thought to himself dryly but knew that even then, it didn't usually stop Jazz from calling him that in public. Primus, he wanted his conjunx back. This had been stressful enough without him by his side.

"All crates are present and accounted for." Prowl told Starscream, who nodded back with a pleased and relieved look on his faceplate. "Optimus Trion gave us leave to continue the escort mission, the civilian settlement shall be dealt by oth—"

There was a shout and helms turned to see Solaris Prime shrinking back in what seemed to be sheepish dismay as Artemis Prime standing before him with his servos on his hips and his frame leaning towards him in an obvious display of agitation. The shout had been in a semi-familiar language, Primal Vernacular, his TacNet provided and Prowl grimaced, wishing he knew the language so he could understand what either Primes were saying.

It was obvious Solaris was being scolded by his fellow Prime, his own Amica, and it was a somewhat comical sight, seeing the much larger mech being talked down by a smaller mech and both of them being Primes. However the question still stood; just what had Solaris done to earn Artemis' ire? 

"My Primes? Is everything alright?" Optimus Trion asked, breaking away from his conversation with General Megatron and Ultra Magnus, both mechs joining him. 

Artemis Prime paused from whatever he was saying, "It's…" He looked around- most of the other Autobots and Decepticons were dealing with the civilians, getting them settled into the newly declared safe zones at the port. "... I'd like to speak with Solaris privately."

It's just one fragging thing after another! Nox thought to himself as he and Dee- Solaris , went to a more private area of the port. Between two buildings, away from prying optics.

First, it's us realizing we don't have access to our old alt modes as Primes! 

A very curious choice for the Matrix, my alt mode shifted with me when I became Optimus Prime. Pax murmured with slight apprehension.

THEN Nyx does the whole 'named attack' bullshit AFTER suggesting that cracked fragging plan in the first place!

Nyx was still laughing, IT WORKED AND IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER AND YOU LIKED IT TOO, ADMIT IT!! Nox threw Nyx off a mental cliff, ignoring the screaming human.

And now Dee revealed the fact we have a BRIDGELESS BRIDGE to Megatron and the others?! PRIMUS DAMNIT DEE! Nox aimed an unseen glare at his stupid slagging Amica. Despite it being unseen, the silver bot seemed to feel it regardless, shuddering before slumping into himself a bit more. 

"I'm sorry Artemis…" His Amica whispered softly, servos fidgeting with each other. It was so adorably pathetic, Nox was tempted to let go of his an—

No! Stay angry Orion Nox! He fragged up! 

"Your apology is noted, Solaris." Nox replied coolly, trying to keep neutral to Dee's helm dropping. They were out of sight, from his subspace, he took out the spacebridge remote prototype. "We'll talk more about this on Metroplex, Dee. For now, we're leaving." 

Dee's helm looked up, shock in his optics. "We're leaving? But the warship—"

"Was a Gino-Class infantry dropper warship, those types don't have that much Tox-En poison in their stocks and Quintessons don't poison cities anymore, they aim for mining towns like Prologex. The Autobots and Decepticons can deal with it, you took down the warship in an area away from the power grid of the city AND its energon supply. We. Are. Leaving. " Nox interrupted firmly, they had fought a lot, and took more damage than they had in Prologex. He doesn't know about Dee, but his energon levels were getting really low, especially since they only had a small fuel break joors ago. " ... We can check for Tox-En later, AFTER we've rested, refueled and recharge. All four of us." 

Dee's optics shook before he vented, nodding. "Alright…" 

Nox nodded back, looking down to the remote in his servos. "Primus, please work. " He muttered before aiming the remote at the nearest wall. The remote sparked, making Nox flinch, but thankfully, the bridge opened. "Thank frag!" 

"Haha! Hey the remote bridge works! I just knew it would! Great job O! " Dee praised, but quickly winced when Nox gave him a look. "Going, I'm going…" He walked into the glowing portal, frame slumped sullenly. 

Nox took a step towards it- "My Prime! Wait!" 

Both Dee and him whirled to see Optimus Trion and Megatron standing some distance away, both mechs looking at the opened bridgeless bridge in shock and wonder. "Please keep this a secret, you both know how dangerous the knowledge of this can be." Nox called out as he stepped back into the portal, finger pressed against his battlemask. Behind the mechs, he can see-

Oh frag, it's TFA Shockwave! Nyx yelps, mostly because 'TFA Shockwave' was running towards them— Nox immediately ran into the bridge, pushing at Dee. "Go, go!" He hissed as they both ran forward- the portal closing behind them with great timing.

There was the sound of multiple pedesteps, "Wait! Wai—" 

Great timing in at least preventing anyone from following after them and discovering their base, aka Metroplex, but not so great timing ALSO because that signalled that the tunnel of the spacebridge would soon collapse if they weren't out of it in time.

Behind them, the bridge of light began to crumble as he and Dee ran as fast as they could out of the bridge and into the spacebridging room of Metroplex. 

He tackles Dee as the portal closes completely behind them, tumbling into the floor with dual pained noises. 

They were back in Metroplex. Alone.

Thank fuck.

Chapter Text

It doesn't occur to Megatron that he and Optimus shouldn't have let the Primes speak in private until Megatron's optics pause over the destroyed spacebridges within the port. "Slag." Immediately, he turns on the spot, gaining Optimus' attention.

"Megatron? Megatron wha-! " Optimus grunts when Megatron suddenly grabs his arm, dragging the Autobot General with him towards where the Primes were going to talk in private- the area between two buildings away from the settling civilians, working soldiers and prying optics.

.: The Primes are going to disappear again!:. Megatron commed at him as he broke into a brisk yet hurried walk- no need to alert the others just yet, surely he and Optimus could stop them on their own, or at least convince them not to leave just yet.

Optimus was quick to follow after that, his yellow optics narrowed and alert. .: What? Why? How? The Ma- :.

.: Not the Matrix, not this time- they'll bridge away, that's how they escaped Prologex undetected! :. Megatron interrupted, a light flickered deeper into the area where the Primes were supposed to be. Could it be? .: They have bridgeless bridging technology! :.

Before Optimus could even voice his shock in comm or in real life, they arrived just in time to see Artemis Prime with one pede into a blooming spacebridge portal. They both stopped in shock at the sight.

It was so much smaller compared to the spacebridges that Megatron has seen, public or private. Further into the portal, he sees Solaris Prime's back plates, even from where he was, he could tell that the silver Prime seemed dejected.

"My Prime! Wait!" Optimus called out desperately, causing both Primes to look back at them both. 

Artemis stepped back into the portal, digit pressed against his battlemask, Megatron swore the opacity of the visor had lightened to show glowing highlights of the Prime's optics for a brief moment there. "Please keep this a secret, you both know how dangerous the knowledge of this can be." The Prime told them just as the portal started closing.

Megatron's optics glanced over to Solaris, blue and red optics met and his spark tightened slightly. Suddenly, Megatron could hear rapid pedesteps behind him, he made the mistake of breaking optic-contact with Solaris just to see Shockwave with Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus on his heels, running towards their direction.

"Wait! Wait! My Primes!" Optimus called out once more, for naught as the portal fully closed by the time Megatron glanced back. Leaving the area empty, save for two Generals, and soon, three other mechs. 

"Darn! They really just leave like that?!" Wheeljack vented as he, Ultra Magnus and Shockwave arrived by Megatron and Optimus Trion's sides. "Frag, should've known! They said they had access to bridgeless bridging—"

Shockwave whirled to Megatron, the cyclops' single optic was wide, searching, hungry as he stepped closer. "General Megatron, you and Optimus Trion were able to see the bridge portal weren't you? Please, tell me everything pertaining to it- what did it look like? What was its size? The color of the lights? Did it seem stable? Any residual effects- no, that part must be scanned, I need my equipment—" Just as fast as the mech had stepped closer, he had stepped away, looking through his subspace for his precious scanning equipment. 

It is a rare thing to see Shockwave so excited about something, Megatron thought to himself dryly. Holding back his irritation, he glanced over to Optimus Trion, the Trion didn't look very happy. Disappointed was the word that popped into his processor, but it didn't seem to fit exactly. "Shockwave, Wheeljack, Ultra Magnus, Megatron." The Trion suddenly said aloud, each mech snapped their gaze towards him, his own yellow optics were set at where the portal used to be. "Are you the only ones to know that the Primes are capable of bridgeless bridging?"

"Uh, no, sir. My Trion." Wheeljack said as he straightened, hearing the serious edge in Optimus' voice. "Starscream was there, some of the Wreckers too." 

"Make sure they don't say anything about it, I want a gag order about the information of the Primes and their access to bridgeless bridging technology. No one says a glyph about it." Optimus said, ordered really. 

Megatron clicked his glossa in annoyance but knew that this was the right order to make, Artemis Prime's words spoke the truth after all. "Shockwave, you're free to scan the area, any information you get from this will join the correspondence you have with Wheeljack." He instructed the scientist whose optic gleamed brightly. "Interview Starscream once he and Autobot Prowl return from the Well of Allsparks, I believe he saw the Primes and their bridge first when they arrived." 

Shockwave's helm immediately jerked towards Starscream's direction, the seeker had gone down into the private spacebridge areas underground with Prowl and the rest of the escort teams (sans a few injured soldiers like Skywarp, who was suffering from overuse of his outlier ability) to finish the mission. " After, the mission is successful, Shockwave." Megatron warned with a low growl as Optimus pinned Shockwave with an intense glare, both Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus stood aside with their own warning looks. They were not going to delay the sparks' return to the Well any longer.

The cyclops stiffened but looked back with a short nod, "Very well, General Megatron."

Megatron takes a deep vent, exhaustion starting to nip at his frame as he sees the sky no longer dark as before. The cycle was just starting, and their work wasn't done yet even after the battle was over.

Both Primes were gone once more, just as abruptly as they appeared but at least this time, they knew the Primes' designations.

Solaris and Artemis Prime…

Hopefully the next time they meet, it would be under better circumstances.

A new thing to learn about their forms as Primes; some injuries on their Prime frames carried on to their normal frames. Most other wounds were gone, but some? Some lingered, like the metal burns they had from exiting the spacebridge (Orion called that the best outcome which, okay, fair) although they were healed a little. Another were the gashes on Dee's back from when he protected Megatron from that dive-bombing Quintesson had stayed on Dee's frame despite being detransformed.

Which of course, led to know; Orion dressing the gashes because Dee couldn't exactly reach his back as easily.

" Ow… " Dee couldn't help but whine as the medical mesh pressed down a bit tightly against his frame. Not too tight but enough to feel uncomfortable. The sting of the disinfectant applied over his wounds not exactly helping the sensation. Still, it was needed to fight off infections, so he knew better than to complain.

Especially when Orion was still clearly miffed about Dee revealing sensitive and important information to Megatron and the others. Which was… fair. Look, he was- he was just so proud over what they'd done! What Orion and Alchemist did! Dee and Solaris may have helped but they were the ones to have started it- to have thought of it! 

It wasn't everyday a mech got the chance to brag about their Amica to the General of the Decepticons and stuff! Plus! The Autobot Wreckers were there too! Dee wanted the whole world to know just how amazing his Orion Nox was!

Perhaps another time, Dion. Solus said with a truly apologetic tone, she hadn't exactly helped during then. She too, wanted to talk about the bridgeless bridging technology to like-minded bots. Shockwave and Wheeljack were clearly processors of science with how much they hungered for the information in such detailed ways, even Starscream had been interested! It had been so long since she had to discuss science with others who enjoyed it! 

No offense to her conjunx of course, but Megatronus was far more interested in combat than the intricacies of science and engineering.

None taken my spark, I should have stopped you both as well. But you were very excited and I did not think to do so. Megatronus murmured back with his own apologetic tone. Hindsight reveals to us now just how dangerous our method of travel is in the bigger picture.

"I'm sorry."

Dee's optics flickered, bewildered as he looked back to O, to Orion who was scowling but his optics were- dejected. Ashamed? Wha- "What?" He's confused, why was Orion apologizing when it was Dee who clearly fragged up? 

"I'm sorry. For yelling at you." Orion mumbles out and Dion shifts on the floor, turning around to look at his Amica. Mako and Trixy were off to the side, sharing a cube of energon, ravenous and hungry so it was just him and Orion with no distractions between them in the spacebridging room. Orion was looking down to his servos, having just finished tying off the medical mesh fiber that now wrapped Dion's torso. "I shouldn't have yelled at you in front of- of everyone. " 

Dion frowned, "Orion, you were right to be angry, I fragged up. I revealed to Megatron, Shockwave and other bots about bridgeless bridging. That was reckless of me!" 

Orion's helm shook, "I still- I still shouldn't have yelled at you like that. I didn't even tell you to keep it secret, how could you have known?" 

"W-Well, I still shouldn't have said anything really." Dion replied firmly, spark aching from how upset Orion had been, to how upset he was now. "We didn't have any time to like, establish that bridgeless bridging was supposed to be kept secret because I hurried you-" Frag, he'd shouted at Orion then, didn't he? Guess they were even!

Orion didn't seem to think so. "Hydrax was getting attack, I was wasting time-" 

Something's wrong with O. Dee thinks faintly, and thankfully Solus and Megatronus are quiet as he grabs his Amica's servos. " O. You did your best, I shouted at you to hurry up and I'm sorry. Hydrax was getting attacked, but I shouted at you too. We're even, yeah?" O still wasn't looking at him, he was looking at their servos. "Really O, I should've known to keep our bridge a secret. It's obvious in hindsight, that type of tech- we're just painting a brighter targets on our backs… I painted a brighter target on our backs. And I'm sorry, Orion." 

Orion squeezed his servos, and Dion squeezed them back- he wished he learned chirolinguistic, just to convey every emotion he couldn't put to verbal word for his Amica through his touch alone. They hadn't spark bonded yet, just shown each other's sparks and value, but that would've been close enough right?

Solus and Megatronus are murmuring something, but Orion is speaking so he focuses on him instead. "We'll manage, like always…" 

Dee smiled, gentle and happy. "Yeah, we'll manage like always. Together." He promised, leaning in to press his helm against O's. O's optics offline as he presses back, just a bit.

"Together." Dee's optic ridges furrow at the slight tinge of desperation and despair he thinks he heard from the tone. Something was wrong, something was up. Something was wrong with O— Just as he was leaning away to ask him, he suffered from a mild shock that came from his Amica.

They both cried out in surprise and slight pain, it happened again when their servos let go. " Frag! Ugh, absorbing that much of Thundercracker's electricity was such a bad idea." O complained, shaking his servo slightly and watching with a grimace as small arcs of lightning sparked between his digits. "Dee, are you okay? Sorry, I thought it was all gone, but I guess some discharge still lingered."

Dee stared at him, slack jawed, " Say that again O? You did what?! "

" I can't believe you fragging did that! " Blue optics watched as the purple, green and blue mech shake the human- a part of him wanted to stop it because humans were fragile and small but the fact that Nox and Nyx were currently the same size reminded him that this was the helmspace. Nox's helmspace.

Nox could try to thrash and manhandle Nyx all he liked without causing any damage to the human, who was only a mental consciousness, or a 'brain ghost' or whatever else Nyx saw him and Pax as. There was no actual danger of Nox harming Nyx, not permanently or at all anyway.

Nox had finally entered recharge after he explained to Dion, rather awkwardly, about what Nox did as Artemis Prime. Dion hadn't exactly been happy yet he was still awed over what Nox had done, which made Nox embarrassed considering it wasn't exactly his idea to absorb Thundercracker's electricity and use it as an attack. 

" Hey, it worked didn't it? Besides, you liked iiiiiiiiii— " Pax had been rather concerned at the start when Nox first threw Nyx off the cliff of the helmspace, but now, it was a comically common experience whenever Nox needed to do something to Nyx as revenge or punishment. 

The human never hits the bottom, always appearing back by either of their sides, face split into a smug and amused grin. " -it! Yeah, sure, you cringed a bit but it was still, very cool! You liked it! " He insisted to the fuming Nox who snarled wordlessly at him. "Besides, it was either Primal Star Thunder, " The name made Nox groan, pressing his servos against his faceplate, "Or collateral damage via powerful Star Saber Slash…"

Both Pax and Nox winced at the word, collateral damage. It was something neither of them had really thought of, at least Pax hadn't thought of it in a while. His last fights with Decepticons had been out in open spaces, where collateral damage wasn't a concern- but he very much remembers needing to heed moments of restraint to prevent such a thing throughout the war even before Earth, Agent Fowler reinforced it shortly after Bulkhead tripped into some power lines and took down a human suburb's power grid.

Nox had seen for himself what his powers as Prime could do to the environment in Prologex, one careless swing of the Star Saber, although it had defeated a group of Quintessons, it had also damaged the buildings- something Nyx had immediately noted and brought to mind when they arrived into the city.

Orion Nox and Dion had power to protect and destroy Cybertron, Pax was very much aware of that. The Star Saber, while not as destructively powerful as The Requiem Blaster, was still very powerful, and the signature slashing technique that could be sent through the air could deal terrible damage if left unchecked.

While Pax had more experience in using the Star Saber, he was not an expert in its abilities. His time with his Star Saber had been brief, and while he did rely on the wisdoms of the Primes of his own Matrix in wielding the artifact, this Star Saber, whilst similar, was still ultimately different; it had absorbed Thundercracker's electricity and converted into something more.

Which is why they even considered Nyx's bizarre idea of 'absorbing Thundercracker's electricity, use a little of the Star Saber's power to change the energy and electrocute the Giga-Class Beast' to avoid destroying Hydrax's buildings since, in theory, the electricity would only hit the Giga and not go further.

For as chaotic Nyx was, truly, his ideas worked more than they didn't. Even if they did have a few, painful side-effects.

In all honesty, Pax was amazed by the human's accomplishments so far; he's made use of what memories Pax had about Pax's groundbridge technolgy and managed to tweak and modify Nox's spacebridge and essentially recreate the bridge! Granted, the long-distance bridging needed some work since both Nox and Dion sustained metal burns from bridging back but that could be fixed.

And although the attack, Primal Star Thunder, had been a little childish in nature. Especially with Nyx's want to label the name in reference to the 'magical girl genre' as he put it, it had worked. During the encounter, the only damage to the area had been the street when the beast had skidded to a stop. 

The downside so far was the fact Thundercracker's electricity had lingered in Nox's frame, even after detransforming. At the very least, it wasn't very painful like the initial absorption. 

Thundercracker… he looked so much different from the Thundercracker that Pax knew as Optimus Prime, but to be fair, everyone looked different from what he remembered. All except-

A bot was stuck underneath a whole lot of debris within the apartment, the Quintesson soldier that had attempted to enter was dead to the side. Digging into the pile, Pax was stunned to see a familiar frame, a familiar visor, slightly scratched with their helm leaking energon- Soundwave?

"Penny for your thoughts, Pax?" Pax was startled out of his thoughts by Nyx, the human had shifted into a smaller, more accurate height between them both instead of his usual decision of being equally tall to both cybertronians within the helmspace. The smaller being was by Pax's pedes, though his voice was loud and clear. "Or should I say, shanix for your thoughts, Pax?"

"I'm familiar with the human phrase, Nyx." Pax replied with a sigh then lifted his helm to look around for Nox. Only to realize he was suddenly on a hill while around them, was a labyrinth of shelves and walls and giant datapads at certain sections. "What…" He was almost afraid to ask.

"Oh that? Nox needs mental stimulation, so I challenged him to find his way back through the maze I made- left a few puzzles for him to solve too!" Nyx replied with an easy grin. "That should keep him busy for a while, until he gets fed up or bored and tears down the labyrinth." 

Nox was in control of the helmspace. Anything either human or ex-Prime did, could always be overridden and pushed away by Nox's will- he and Nyx could always push back of course, but still. If Nox really wanted, he could have rejoined either of them instantly.

"So! What's on your mind, Pax?" 

Pax hesitated before bringing up the memory of that bot, the Soundwave-lookalike. "Ohh, should've known. They really do look like Soundwave don't they?" Nyx hummed in understanding, climbing up Pax's knee as soon as the mech sat down on the grassy hill. Pax didn't bother trying to stop them, maybe it was because, somehow, this human was another version of him just as Nox was -they shared a spark- but he didn't mind him climbing. 

"This world is weird Pax, there's an Optimus here that was never Orion Pax and instead of a Prime he's a Trion , there's a Megatron who was once a Megatronus the gladiator but never D-16 the miner and just earlier we ran away from a mech who looked very similar to Animated Shockwave." Nyx peered at the holographic picture of the not!Soundwave. "Wild to see Pri-uh, TFP Soundwave's frame is here, if a bit different… His coloring…" 

Seeing the human trail off, Pax gives him a questioning look. Without saying another word, Nyx summons a few pictures for Pax to see. Soundwave, but different frame. Different color. Green, white, light grey- clarity comes as he sees the English lettering of SG on one of the pictures. 

"You're thinking that this bot is… hm, SG-Soundwave? With his frame from my universe?" He… could see it. The bot had an uncanny likeness to Pax's Soundwave, but his color, size and subtle details had been entirely off. 

Surprisingly, Nyx shakes his head. "No… maybe? I… I'd rather not make a similar mistake like I did with Nox." He admitted, glancing over to where they both could feel Nox was within the labyrinth maze. "Showing him those pictures… Telling him, and you, about Shattered Glass- fuck. It really traumatized him. He's- Pax, I fucked up." Nyx dismissed the pictures, with a frustrated sigh. 

Pax's optic ridges furrowed, "You're worried." He notes softly.

"I am worried, Pax. Nox has… changed a lot since we've been in his head. So far, it hasn't- it hasn't been that bad but I'm worried about his fear of becoming- y'know." Nyx waves a hand, as if that could explain that Nox was fearful of becoming the mech in the picture he saw, of becoming Shattered Glass Optimus Prime in a single gesture. Which it did, for Pax at least. "I'm mostly worried on what that fear will translate into. What he might do, how it'll affect him and Dion…"

"That's understandable." Pax nodded, leaning back on his servos on the grassy hill, looking up at the sky- a perpetual sunrise and sunset with constellations of Cybertronian and Human origin seamlessly shifting around. "We will do what we can to soothe Nox's fears, show him that although he has a connection to… Shattered Glass, it does not define him." 

Nyx hummed, grabbed the picture of the TFP Soundwave look-alike, "Either way, I won't lie, you've got me curious about them now. At the very least, I hope they're alright, them and their cassettes."

"I'm not sure this is a good idea Pulsebeat." 

A series of chirps, beeps and the occasional bark came from their chassis. "Mend, just because the Primes seemed nice doesn't mean we can trust them." Was the hissed reply.

Thin servos reached out to soothingly pet the agitated bolt-bat on their shoulder. "Glider: is justified in her paranoia. But Mend: is correct. The Primes are nice. Artemis Prime is… nice." Pulsebeat murmured quietly to their cassettes. 

Glider's plates bristled before the bolt-bat huffed, "Alright. Fine. Do you at least have an idea where the Primes could be? You saw my feed, they have a bridgeless bridge. " She'd been following the Prime ever since he rescued Pulsebeat. Pulsebeat had so much footage of Artemis Prime, footage that they would keep to themselves of course. "They could be anywhere on Cybertron! Pit, they could even be on one of the moons!" She flapped her wings, lightly smacking Pulsebeat's helm.

They didn't mind, she was concerned and she raised a good point. Although Pulsebeat couldn't hear a lot from Artemis Prime's mind, couldn't see any of his memories, there'd been a word he had managed to snag in his haze and the glimpse of an image that Pulsebeat recognized. "Harmonex: a clue, a start, relocation." 

Their apartment in Hydrax was destroyed anyway, so they needed a new place to stay.

"It's something, but you better find the Primes quick! That Autobot, Prowl- I don't think he's going to let us go that easily." Glider muttered, climbing off of Pulsebeat's shoulder to transform and attach herself onto his back. "As soon as he gets back from wherever he went with those sparks, he'll be gunning for you Pulsebeat." 

"That's a possibility, but Prowl: very busy returning the sparks to the Well of Allsparks." Pulsebeat reminded before pausing, thinking about the poor sparks that were in the crates- they never saw them in person, but the memories they had seen from the bots they had touched… "Pulsebeat: hopes the sparks are now in the Well."

Mend chirps at Pulsebeat, and if he wasn't attached to Pulsebeat's chassis, they knew the little hellhound's tail would be wagging furiously. "I'm sure they are, you helped protect the sparks." Glider said with pride in her voice print. Even though she disapproved of Pulsebeat revealing their outlier abilities to anyone, not even she could say she wasn't proud over what the young bot had managed to do.

Pulsebeat smiled underneath their visor, nodding, warmth filling their spark. "Pulsebeat: repaid Artemis Prime. Protected the sparks…"

It was a nice feeling, to be able to help.

Hopefully, they could do something like that again, but with the secure protection of a Prime.

Hearing that the Primes were gone wasn't surprising, but it was definitely disappointing. The same could be said about Pulsebeat, the young mech had predictably disappeared once safety was guaranteed for everyone, especially the sparks. 

Normally Prowl would have looked for Pulsebeat, the mech's outlier abilities were very useful however something far more important needed to be done first. So Pulsebeat could slip away for the moment.

A soft glow came from the depths of the cavern, welcoming, nurturing. The walls were a soothing grey with energon blue lighting, etched along every surface. If one were able to look closer, they would see countless of small glyphs within the etched lines of the walls. 

The cavern itself had multiple tunnels that went all over Cybertron; it was said that these tunnels were connected to every hotspot known to bot. Hard to say, since no one could enter most of the tunnels or cross a certain Boundary within the cavern.

The Well of Allsparks.

The source of all Cybertronian life, and where all sparks were said to return to once they extinguished in a spark chamber, one way or another, regardless of where they were. 

It was where all the sparks that were stolen in Praxus, should have returned. 

And now they would be.

Prowl stood before the cavern of the Well, eyeing the surroundings with a critical look that could hardly cover the awe he felt for standing in such a sacred place. The Well of Allsparks was a restricted area, guarded, but not for the reason one might think.

Nobody could enter the deeper area of the cavern, no one.

Not a bot, nor an alien, and thankfully not even a Quintesson.

The original entrance to the Well of Allspark had been permanently sealed away long before the Quintessons started attacking, back then, it had been a mystery but now? It was a Primus-sent blessing. The only way to reach the Well now was through a private spacebridge with multiple express permissions that were only granted to a few and for very special circumstances. 

Obviously, this counted as such.

"The light of the One welcomes you all to the Well." A rasping yet gentle voice greets from the side as a bot, twice the height of Prowl, of most the other bots present, came ambling from the tunnel that wasn't beyond the boundary of the cavern, even slouched unnaturally forward, the bot was still taller than any other within the cavern. Draped and covered in a silver robe, old fibermesh with bronze wiring weaved delicately through the hems, the bot's faceplate was covered by the hood of their robe, showing only their lower jaw with an old intake covered in scars. 

Behind the bot, several more bots followed after them, all wearing the same robes and hoods, though their hems weren't as delicately designed. 

The Guiding Lights, self-proclaimed guardians of the Well. Extremely reclusive and rarely seen anywhere else.

"Cicerone Lodestar." Starscream greeted with a bow of his helm, Prowl mirrored the movement. Though he was a bit surprised to hear Starscream speak first to the old bot. "We thank you for allowing us a visit to the Well." 

"You bring home the lost and the stolen, it is only natural we would allow you here. Though I must admit my disappointment, I had wished to see the Primes here, to bear witness myself, the chosen of Primus once more." Lodestar murmured, making Prowl look up at him with questioning optics.

"Lodestar was alive when Alchemist Prime reigned." Starscream informed him quietly as Lodestar's helm shifted to observe the Autobots and Decepticons open the crates- the canisters of energon and sparks. There was a murmur among the robed bots behind Lodestar. "The Guiding Lights used to be a more open and well-known religious group, but after the Matrix was lost, they exiled themselves into protecting the Well of Allsparks instead." 

Prowl's derma pursed, and he gave the seeker a questioning look, wondering how he could know this. "Despite not being a seeker, Lodestar was forged in Vos. Though he is no longer of Vos, he was still one of my people." Starscream replied stiffly, both mechs jumped when Lodestar suddenly chuckled. The tall bot's helm turned towards him, a smile on his scarred derma.

"How admirable, young Winglord-to-be, to consider this old wingless gear to be one of yours." Starscream's faceplate colored slightly, "I am honored. Though Vos is no longer my home, I regard it fondly. My spark broke when I heard news of its fall, but my light did not waver, did not dim, for I know Vos shall rise again. Just as I knew, one cycle, those stolen from Praxus would be found and returned to Primus' embrace." 

Mention of Vos and Praxus had both of them straightened, a melancholic but determined look on the seeker's face while Prowl's optics were burning. "This is not all of them." His gears are practically grinding as Prowl has to admit that, "But we will find the rest, and bring them back as well." 

The visored helm of the Prime nodded, "Solaris and I will make sure of it. Till all are one." Finality in his words, a promise, etched in metal, carved into Prowl's processor.

"Till all are one." 

The Cicerone's helm bowed low, " Till all are one. " He repeated in agreement. "Yes… Come now, take each container in servo. It is time for All, to be One." He murmured almost reverently, motioning them to come forward. Their pedesteps don't echo despite the vastness of the cavern, any other sound seemed to be absorbed into the walls, and the distant light in the depths curled in the air. 

Prowl was not a mech of mysticism, his mind found more comfort in logical explanations and his TacNet was hardwired for precision possibilities and numbered logistics with simulating routes and subroutines of plans. He knew the Well existed, every bot on Cybertron knew it existed, it was part of everyone's education. 

No matter the class, no matter the faction, the Well was common knowledge.

But few had ever actually seen it with their own optics. 

Prowl, on his mission to see the peaceful ends of his Praxian brethren, the lost sparks of Praxus, stood in the Well. His pedes on what was definitely Holy ground. He and Starscream had cleaned up as much as possible before arriving in the Well, but even the smallest of scuff marks, the tiniest drops of energon and blood, seemed too… unprofessional? As they stood there.

Yet it did not matter, as the glow in the distance, the slanting maw of the cavern, seemed to grow ever so faintly brighter as he, Starscream, Thundercracker, Ironhide, Autobots, Decepticons- soldiers , stood in line. Each with a canister of sparks in their servos. 

The sparks seemed to know where they were, no longer peacefully floating in the glowing blue liquid, but eagerly pressing against the glass towards the direction of the welcoming light far off into the Well.

Prowl stiffened, as his audials began to hear…

AllsparkWellHomeHomeFreedomHomePrimusSavedBrotherSisterCarrierSireCreatorWeAreHereWeAreSafeWeAreHereWeAreHome

Whispers.

"He kept- he kept talkin' to them." Ironhide rasped suddenly aloud, staring down at the canisters with- with a look of incomprehensible tension, his faceplate turning pale and almost ill-like. "Artemis- kept- kept trying to calm 'em down, that they were safe— "

MySparklingMyLoveMyBrotherMySisterMyCreatorMySireMyCarrierWellHomeWeAreHereWellOfAllsparksWeWantWeWillGoWeNeedToGoHome

" Oh Primus. " Starscream choked, looking down to the canisters in his servos. Wings pinned down against his back, trembling with his orange optics blown wide with terror, shock, horror and slight awe. "W-Was this… Was this what the Primes were hearing? On the ship?" 

Prowl's servos clutched the canisters, something blocking his vocalizer as his TacNet scrambled through what he was hearing, deciphering the nonsensical blurbs of meshed together words, the emotional undertones, the voiceprints. Was he recognizing a few among the crowd of voices he was suddenly hearing in his processor? Designations, countless of designations flash through his processor as he subconsciously tries to connect each voiceprint he thinks he's hearing—

" Peace. " 

His vents rattled as he suddenly found servos, old, long and large, cupping his own. Covering the canister in his grip. He looks up to see Cicerone Lodestar, helm still obscured by that ridiculously large hood, "The lost are eager to return, here in the Well, they are not voiceless lights anymore… It is overwhelming to hear, I know, if you so wish, you may step back and let us handle this matter. For we are those who Guide the Lights." 

Prowl swallowed his dry intake, he sees the others being cajoled by the robed bots as well. Thundercracker had given the canister he'd been holding away, Ironhide as well, multiple soldiers did but Prowl's spark trembled in his chamber before he gritted his denta and shook his helm. "No, I- I can do this. I must do this." These sparks were his kin, he would see this through.

Cicerone Lodestar's helm dipped slightly, and the bot's servos let go of Prowl's servos and the canisters. "I see your determination, it is admirable. You as well, young heir." He says the last part to Starscream, whose wings were flaring up, orange optics glowing brightly with a determined scowl on his faceplate.

"It is the duty of mine, to see the sparks returned to where they belong. Some of these sparks were of Vos, I am Vos' rightful heir, the next Winglord, and Praxus was an ally of Vos. I will not besmirch my heritage." Starscream looked straight at Prowl, a new respect for the seeker was being built somewhere in Prowl's processor as they nodded in tandem. "Cicerone Lodestar, we are ready."

"Then, stand at the Boundary of the Well."

The Boundary. 

An unexplainable area of the Well, an invisible, indestructible and impenetrable wall that no bot could cross. The cavern was deceptively open, but at a certain point, the Boundary would appear and prevent all from going forth any further. 

Prowl knew of the mysterious phenomenon, and this would be the first time he would experience it. He stood before the 'wall', it was invisible, he could not see it yet deep in his spark, he could feel it. As if he was staring at a physical wall, there was something there, his processors insisted, yet his optics could see nothing but the continued space of the cavern. 

A foolish, curious soldier reached out and found their servo pressing against thin air. As if something was there, before quickly flinching back and retracting their limb from it with a shuddering vent. They quickly gave up their canister to an awaiting Guiding Light follower. 

The whispers were still there, still eager, more eager really, but Prowl was doing an admirable job in ignoring it even though he had to cancel every prompt  and start up routine from his TacNet just to do so.

Cicerone Lodestar was the closest to the boundary, a canister in his servos and a prayer on his derma. Any noise from the soldiers and followers silenced, as the old, robed bot murmured. His voice seemed to echo within the cavern, contradictingly loud in his soft words. 

"Primus, guide the sparks who've lost their way,
Stolen from your eternal light, their sparks return to your embrace."

Hisss

Without straying from his prayer, he twisted the top of the canister, air hissed from the container.

Hiissss

Throughout the prayer, canisters hissed open. Although Prowl is not the first to do so, he opens the canister not as the last. 

Servos shook, infinitesimally subtle, but they shook as slowly, the lids were pried open. And despite the fervor, the rapid way the sparks had been pressing against the glass, they did not immediately fly out.

"All-Father, Creator, One-Mother,
Welcome the weary, the tired and the 'fraid,
Where no pain, no rage, no fear and darkness lay beyond the veil."

Instead, they drifted up, hesitantly, out of the glowing blue liquid within the containers. One by one, like embers in the air, eternal embers of all colors. Each a unique shade and hue. Slowly, they flitted about, flitted around the awed and ventless bots within the cavern.

"Into the Well they've come, to your lambency and warmth,
Their journeys end, from earth and sky, their lights dimmed low."

Lodestar did not flicker an optic, continuing his soft prayer as the sparks began to flutter and fly faster, swirling around the air like- like-

"Seekers." Starscream chokes out, optics trained on a specific group of sparks flying in tandem. In line, in a formation. He, Thundercracker and a few other seekers among the team gasp in grieving wonder when the sparks seemed to do tricks in the air.

Prowl's optics were on the sparks that were zooming lower around them, the movements, the trails of lights- he could almost see forms. Lines that formed altmodes, Praxian altmodes from near almost every spark that was preferring to fly at a lower altitude compared from those above- 

A spark circles him, swirling around his frame- light grey. Familiar.

There are no whispers anymore, just faint laughter of freedom and happiness and joy and home.

The light grey spark, he's entranced, he cannot look away as it hover right in front of his faceplate. Suddenly, he feels pride, pride that is not his own , fill his frame and an old love and warmth that he had not felt since—

Prowler's all grown up now. I think Blue has too. I'm glad.

His processors nearly crash at the whisper in his audials, his derma tremble and his vision blurs. " Silverstreak. " Light grey frame, silver chevron, strict yet joyful blue optics, black servos that held him and Blue when they were small and taught Prowl everything he knew. His servos reach up and grab the spark, yet it dodges. No, please, Bluestreak wasn't here yet, his brother wasn't here to hear their sire one last time—

Sorry Prowl, it's time to go. I love you both, so much. You and Blue live happy, you hear me? Live long! I shouldn't see you or Blue in the Well any time soon!

The spark, Silverstreak, his and Bluestreak's sire, flies deeper into the Well's cavern. Not as the first, but not as the last. Sparks shoot across the air, like meteors in the sky, a chromatic shower of life and light that were freely returning to where they should have gone in the first place. 

Prowl makes an aborted move to follow, to call out but catches himself in time for the impulsive response it was. Instead, he saves the memory, desperately hoping that the memory had caught Silverstreak's voice, his words- Bluestreak needed to hear it, needed to hear him one last time. 

"May their sparks light anew, flare brighter from your infinite presence,
Primus, may they rest peacefully within your spark,
Guide our hopes, guide their dreams, in your name we pray."

The glow in the distance grew brighter as the sparks disappeared further into the cavern. The whispering sounds of laughter and joy disappears with them.

Prowl could feel something drip from the chin of his faceplate. He wipes at it, realizes it's coolant from his optics. He'd been crying, he doesn't realize when it started but thankfully he's not the only teary-optic bot. And it's only natural to cry after something like that, wasn't it?

Prowl's servos clenched, one servo making a fist while the other held on to the liquid-filled canister with a death-grip.

"Till all are one."

They were going to get the find the rest of the missing sparks of Praxus, and the Quintessons would pay.

No matter what.

Chapter Text

"Welcome back, Prowl." 

Although he was exhausted, mostly mentally and emotionally considering he just exited a… harrowing call with a certain 'Prime', Optimus still greeted his main tactician with a welcoming and polite smile, if a bit wane. Said tactician seemed equally exhausted, his doorwings were low, there was an almost distracted look in his optics that Optimus was curious and slightly concerned about.

"Are you alright?" He decided to ask, when Prowl seemed to stay quiet, not even responding to his greeting. That seemed to finally snap the mech out and straighten in place. His arms snapping behind him in a proper militaristic stance. 

"I am- I am fine, Optimus Trion. Escort mission was successful, every canister was accounted for and every spark within was released safely back into the Well of Allsparks." Prowl started stiffly, and if Optimus hadn't been searching for signs- he would have missed the way the bot's wings trembled ever so slightly. "Each canister was then repackaged and is now being sent to Decepticon Scientist Shockwave for the analysis for both the canisters and the liquid within each container as per order for the mission's aftermath." 

Right, that.

To the normal optic, the liquid within each container seemed to just be energon but Megatron was unfortunately correct. It was better to analyze the liquid fully and see just what kept the sparks tethered and visible within the container. Sparks outside a naturally created spark chamber tended to wither, dim and disappear- so fragile and easily snuffed just by existing outside a chamber.

Artificial spark chambers were hard to create, yet the canisters had managed to house so many sparks within them. 

They needed to know how. 

"Wonderful, I'm glad that everything went well." Optimus vents with relief- at the very least, among everything else, this important mission had went well, had succeeded. Artemis and Solaris Prime would no doubt be pleased to hear it, the next time they would meet. Whenever that was… 

He sees the deeply thoughtful look on Prowl's faceplate, "Is there something else, Prowl?"

"... Yes, I would… I would like express permission to show a section of my mission to my brother. A memory that I saved. I would like to show Bluestreak what I saw, what I experienced." Optimus Trion's optics flickered in surprise, Prowl was asking to show a segment of an important mission to someone not involved? Bluestreak was Prowl's brother, a part of his unit of course but still… "It is- it's a personal request, my Trion. There was an… incident, during the release of the sparks. Nothing dangerous, just- deeply personal to me, and soon to my brother." 

Prowl's optics were dim, his servos curled tight, helm bowed slightly with his faceplate mostly unreadable but there's flashes of grief and desperation— Optimus has seen this Prowl before, right in the aftermath of Praxus and for a moment his spark sinks. Only, there's something new.

Clarity. Closure. The type of grief and desperation is different somehow, lighter.

Prowl continues, words going a little faster, a little more desperate. "I will ensure that Bluestreak maintain complete silence over the contents of the memory, he will sign multiple NDAs, swear to you, the Primes, the sparks and Primus—" "Prowl." The Praxian's intake shut as Optimus levels a calm look at him.

"What you will show him, is it safe?"

"Y-Yes, my Trion. I will even edit out certain details if necessary."

"... You say this is a personal request, and I believe you, however forgive me for asking but- just what is it that you wish to show your brother?" Optimus was loathed to ask, but he must. He's already half-tempted to grant the request because Prowl doesn't often ask for anything like this from him, not like this. 

Prowl's mandibles clenched, and it takes a moment for him to answer. Optimus doesn't hurry him since this indeed seemed very personal to him. "... During the fall of Praxus, my brother and I were fortunate to have been assigned missions away from the city. It is the only reason why we survived, why any other Praxian survived." Optimus nodded slowly, already knowing this but letting Prowl take desperate control over explanations- he needed it at the moment. "However, our sire, Silverstreak, was not as fortunate."

Ah.

Ah.

Optimus' spark clenched with painful sympathy, but he keeps it clear from his faceplate. Prowl has no need for his sympathy, and suspects he wants none of it either. "Your sire… was one of the sparks that was liberated." He hazards a guess. 

Prowl nods, his doorwings tremble behind him before snapping low, as if to prevent any more movement. "Yes. Although Bluestreak and I had hoped he had returned to the Well along with the others when the Spark Extractor was taken down, however it seems… it seems that he was in fact, one of the sparks stolen." He pauses, to gather his thoughts, to recollect his faltering composure but as he continues, his voice wavers. "He spoke to me, his spark- he spoke to me, before he left with the others towards the Allspark." 

Optimus Trion takes the information in silence, lets a moment of silence hang in the air. For how was he to respond to that? Respond to the fact that the sire of one of his soldiers had been stolen, retrieved and spoke one last time to him? That his soldier, his friend, was requesting him permission to show that final moment to his brother- the last of his unit? 

"I can show you the footage."

Optimus' optics snapped back towards Prowl, startled. "What? Prowl-" He starts to protest but doesn't get the chance to continue as Prowl held a servo up.

"I have several reasons; standard protocol, it is part of my report and…" Prowl hesitates, but the desperation is there once more, heightened. "I need to know if what I recorded- if my sire's voice can be heard by other mechs when they review the footage. I need an unbiased, uninvolved third party to see this before I present it to my brother." 

And who was Optimus to say no?

So, after making sure his office (temporary, they're still in Hydrax) was secure, Prowl shows him what happened in the Well of Allsparks.

The footage leaves his vents stalling, his optics prickle almost, his processor lagging slightly as he comprehends what he witnessed- this was merely footage through Prowl's optics, he can only imagine what it was like in person, in reality. He manages to recompose himself by the time Prowl's sire, Silverstreak, speaks to Prowl. A light grey spark hovering before Prowl's optics.

It is… an intimate moment, a moment that Optimus loathes to intrude on, to witness- it feels invasive. But it makes Prowl unbelievably relieved when Optimus confirms that he could hear Silverstreak's voiceprint from the memory, it wasn't just in his processor, he could share this footage with Bluestreak and both mechs would find solace in the last words of their sire.

Optimus grants Prowl's request, "Prowl, consider yourself off duty for the next deca-cycle unless it's an emergency." He says to Prowl, who rears back with shock, "Jazz shall be returning from his mission in the Deadlands in a few cycles. And I recall Bluestreak is within Iacon at the moment." He adds, staying steadfast in Prowl's protests.

"This is your Trion's orders, effective immediately. Go, Prowl, enjoy your time off."

"Goldbug."

Goldbug turned to Delver, smug smile still on his derma. Though he faltered at the serious look the black and gold mech was giving him. 

"You need to learn how to fight."

"AUGH!" 

When Delver told him he 'needed to learn how to fight', Goldbug had rolled his optics- no duh! He knew that! If he was going to be by his Prime's side, of course he needed to learn how to fight! 

He'd just… been thinking it was his Prime who would teach him how to fight was all. Who wouldn't want to learn from a Prime? Dion- er, Solaris Prime had been an amazing fighter! From the brief moments he'd seen the mech fight, both in real life during Prologex's attack and through the news showing Solaris fighting, that much was very clear! 

So yes, Goldbug knew he needed to learn how to fight.

He just never expected Delver of all bots, to offer to teach him.

Delver… was a mysterious mech. Goldbug may consider him to be his best friend, but Goldbug knew the bot was hiding stuff from him- Delver was much older than him. Older bots had secrets, every bot had secrets, and Goldbug didn't mind that.

All he cared was that Delver supported him, considered him a friend and liked the same stuff he did.

They had spent mega-cycles talking with each other about entomology, insects and other stuff related to it- Delver's true interest was always organic stuff like plants and animals but he never failed to be just as enthusiastic with Goldbug over the sighting of a rare, prismatic flickerfly sighting in the Sonic Canyons or the successful revivification of the once instinct bolterbeetle from Yuss. 

Those weren't organic insects but Delver was excited all the same.

And Delver helped Goldbug in making his first plan for himself, when he wanted to become a brave Decepticon soldier and fight Quintessons alongside Predacons! Delver didn't approve, he said that as much but he still helped Goldbug in his plans! 

Goldbug felt a little sorry for abandoning that plan, they spent a while thinking over the details but becoming a follower to Solaris Prime, to Dion was so much more recent and totally achievable! Was Goldbug really going to try and blackmail Dion and Orion into becoming part of their fighting force against the Quintessons? Yeah, that was a bit bad but it was more immediate and actually a bit more exciting than waiting to save up and join the Decepticon cause!

Anyway, he was digressing; Delver. 

Delver knew how to fight, not exactly surprising. Delver was a mysterious mech and being much older than Goldbug meant he learned how to fight to probably protect himself, that's fair, that's reasonable.

Goldbug repeatedly finding himself being flipped over again and again, being unable to so much as touch Delver in a 'spar'? Totally unreasonable. " Ow… " The yellow bot groaned, ugh, that was definitely a dent at his hip. 

"You need to orient yourself while falling, if I had thrown you any harder, your hip-plating would've cracked." Delver said bluntly, calm, cool, collected and a total fragging crankcase. He stood at the other side of the mat, the two of them in an abandoned building on the outskirts of Harmonex. Delver's usual go-to area to train apparently.

Although the building was outwardly abandoned, inside, Delver had transformed it into a training area. Multiple mats all over the floors, a dummy made out of tough metal that had a few dents and even thin holes from knives, and it was knives because there was already a knife buried at the shoulder of the dummy. There were multiple metal sheets hanging all over the place with targets painted all over them with the same dents and knife-holes as well.

"Fragging Primus, Delver." Goldbug cursed as he got himself on his pedes, looking down to check- yep, dent at his hip. "I thought you were trying to teach me how to fight, so far you've just been flipping me and denting my aft." Thankfully not literally, the dent of his hip was the closest thing but he had plenty of other dents and bruises over his frame. 

"You need to learn how to land, how to keep getting up, and most importantly; how to dodge. " Delver told him calmly, "The less you get hit, the longer you can fight." Now that he says it it's so fragging obvious but Goldbug can still feel frustration bubbling in his tanks. 

"Yeah, yeah, I get that dodging is important but seriously! I need to know more than to just- keep away from getting hit! I gotta be able to hit back, don't I?" He grumbled, red optics narrowed at the blue-shaded and slim mech. "You offered to teach me how to fight. " 

Delver vents, there's something on his faceplate- it flashes by too quickly for Goldbug to really make sense of it. "And I am, I will… As soon as you can land on your pedes after being flipped multiple times in a row. Trust me, Goldbug, this is for your own good." 

Trust him.

… Frag it, yeah, sure why not? 

If he can learn something from this that could be helpful in the future, why the pit not? 

…

Trusting Delver leads to several dents, aching limbs, more than a few cuss words thrown around and an exhausted Goldbug layings face-first on the mat. Condensation on his frame from overworking himself- pits of Unicron, 'sparring' with Delver for just a few joors was somehow worse than a full cycle of mining back from Prologex! How was that even possible?

"Well, you've started landing on your pedes. Sooner than I thought you would." He hears Delver's voice from above, he swears to Primus that the clearly sadistic mech, sounded amused. And maybe the tiniest bit impressed, Goldbug hopes so at least. "When you start doing it more consistently, I'll teach you how to properly throw a punch." 

Goldbug grumbles something unintelligible into the mat, and that was definitely a chuckle from the two-wheeler. Before Goldbug could tell him to frag off, he feels something being pressed against the side of his helm. He turns to see a thin cube of energon being offered to him, and his tanks groan as finally the HUD warnings that he'd been ignoring popped right back up- low on energon. Need to refuel, they all said. 

Delver isn't that bad of a mech. 

Still a slagger though, Goldbug thought to himself as he forced himself to sit up with a tired groan. Getting himself on his aft so he could properly accept the energon offered to him. He popped the top the cube off and drinking steadily, his tanks finally settled as his energon levels slowly rose. 

Delver sat down beside him, holding his own thin cube of energon. Barely a scratch on his finish. Goldbug huffed, sulking into his cube as he thought of how dented, bruised and a little scratched Goldbug was compared to him. Ugh, he couldn't wait to be able to move on to actually learning how to fight- he'll get Delver back one day for the dents and bruises. 

For now, he reviewed on his recent memory files on how to land on his pedes consistently- Delver had shown him how, but he was two-wheeler with a slimmer frame than him. It was a bit more different for Goldbug… 

"Goldbug." 

Goldbug grunted, "What?" He said while his processor was still trying to review the clips in mind, he needed to twist his hips more in the air. That much was clear…

"Throughout the entire spar, the entire time we've been here… You haven't asked anything about it." Delver murmured quietly, his calm faceplate for once showing emotion- perturbed. Uncomfortable. Goldbug frowns, it's not one he likes- not really. 

" 'It?' " Goldbug repeated with slight confusion, "What about?" 

His helm turns, and even through those pointy visor-shades, he could practically feel the incredulous gaze looking back at him. "The reason why I'm teaching you to fight? The abandoned warehouse, my methods of teaching- where I even learned to fight? " 

Oh.

That.

"And?" Goldbug prompted, tilting his helm at the mech, derma smiling at how suddenly Delver's composure was just- breaking from the simple word.

"Aren't you curious? You haven't asked for any clarification or even explanations to what would tip off the normal bot into asking for the obvious." Delver's voice doesn't exactly raise, or shout, but it's a near thing. And that kind of makes it funnier. 

Goldbug hummed, Delver had a point, any other bot would be asking questions about how Delver learned to fight, about the warehouse and everything inside. Goldbug wasn't any other bot, and also, now that Delver's pointed it out, Goldbug now didn't even want to ask out of spite. If only to get back at Delver for denting his hip.

"Yeah, well, I'm not really interested in knowing unless you like- tell me about it yourself? " He replied after taking another sip of energon, and that was most of the truth. Partially it was spite now. "You got secrets Delver, everybot has, but I'm not going to ask unless you wanna tell me about it."

He can't help but laugh at the utterly gobsmacked look Delver gets for his words, he decides to hammer it down. "Besides, I trust you." The look disappears, Delver straightens, and his expression becomes oh so carefully blank. Pft. "I told you, you're like- my best friend Del. I don't think you'd betray that trust, but if you did…" He trailed off at the thought.

Something in Goldbug's sparkchamber clenches but he shrugs, "I'd be disappointed." And probably hurt, but mostly disappointed. 

He hoped at least.

Goldbug finished his energon cube, tossing the empty container back at Delver who caught it on reflex but still had that blank look on his faceplate. "C'mon, break time's over! I'm going to land these next few flips and then we are finally going to move on to you teaching me on how to actually fight!" The yellow mech declared, grinning widely at the silent black and gold mech.

Delver said nothing, simply put away the containers of energon and stood up. "Alright." 

It's probably Goldbug's imagination, but he can't help but think that Delver's attempts to flip him are a bit slower. Either way, he does land on his pedes multiple times in a row.

Training with Delver was surprising, exhausting, a bit painful but ultimately helpful.

Goldbug can only imagine what training with Dion could be like.

"So there really were Seekers in the canisters?"

There were only a few times that Starscream had heard Skywarp's tone be so… quiet, disbelieving and sad. His brother was an energetic hard-helmed mech that usually didn't think to filter the thoughts and words that came through his intake from that processor of his. 

Usually, after straining his abilities to their limits- the purple seeker would be complaining about his insides and components to no end but right now… Skywarp watched the clips that Starscream and Thundercracker had taken in the Well of Allsparks in quiet and despaired wonder. The very same feeling Starscream, Thundercracker and a few other seekers had felt when they first saw it with their own optics.

Starscream had already gotten permission from General Megatron to show him what happened, it was only fair. Skywarp was supposed to be there with them in the first place, and- and there'd been Seekers within the sparks. Vosnian Seekers. Starscream was Vos' heir, the eldest among their trine and his brothers were to be Primaries. His Primaries, as the next Winglord. 

"How admirable, young Winglord-to-be, to consider this old wingless gear to be one of yours." The old bot said with a bowed head, though light, there was genuine respect and gratitude in that tone. It made Starscream blush slightly but also stand straight and proud- Thundercracker stands with him, and they both wish Skywarp was there to complete their trine.

Skywarp deserved to see the sparks of their people being released back into the Well. 

The mech's wings twitched, and he gasped in tandem with the recorded gasps from the clip as the sparks performed clearly Vosnian air tricks- they could practically see the Vosnian altmodes that would twirl as they performed in the air. 

A perfect formation performed by the colorful sparks of seekers long gone. 

Seekers now peacefully returned to the Well. 

"Is-" Skywarp starts after the video stops, "Is it bad that I… I'd hoped we wouldn't have proof that there were Seeker sparks in the canisters?" He asked quietly to his brothers. The mech's digits were clenching in his lap as he was sat up on his berth, where he'd been confined to stay until he was fully rested. "I just- I wanted… I wanted to think that somehow, every seeker spark from Praxus went back into the Well already. That it was… it was just the Praxians and grounders that were stolen."

"That would've been highly unlikely Warp." Thundercracker replied, not sternly but not gently. Just pointing it out but Skywarp winces all the same. "There were too many sparks stolen-"

"I know! I know that but…" Skywarp groaned, harshly rubbing his faceplate. "Sorry, it's stupid-"

"It is." Starscream agreed, but was quick to continue with a pressing yet reassuring look at Skywarp. "But at the same time, it really isn't. No one wants to think that their people, their kin's sparks, were all stolen by those- those techno-organic abominations. " He hissed and was pleased when his trine members hissed with him. 

"Either way, be glad that none of us personally knew the seekers that were there." Starscream says quietly, remembering that he had glanced over to the Autobot Tactician, Prowl and saw the sheer devastation and recognition as a light grey spark hovered before his faceplate. Just the sight of it had made Starscream's own spark shudder and clench painfully, he'd been quick to look away just as he heard the whispers of a name from the Autobot's intake. "It would have made things even more horrifying than they already were."

Both Thundercracker and Skywarp shuddered, nodding in agreement. Starscream's comms pinged, and he rolled his optics when he saw it was Shockwave pinging him. "It's time for me to go, Thundercracker, stay with Skywarp and get some rest." 

"Shockwave?" Thundercracker guessed as Starscream got to his pedes, nodding to him in reply.

Skywarp groaned at the name, "Ugh, not him. He was here earlier, y'know. Asked so many questions about Solaris Prime." The purple seeker laid back down on his berth with a soft thud, "Cracker, sorry not sorry, but he might go after you later- I told him that you went with Artemis Prime."

Starscream leaves the room to Thundercracker's enraged spluttering, huffing fondly over the shenanigans of his two brothers and trinemates. Idiots. But they were his idiots.

It didn't take long to reach Shockwave's current residence- they were back at Hydrax for the moment on a Decepticon base. But soon, they would all return to Kaon as intended after Prologex's attack. 

He entered the room, "Shockwa-" He barely started before he was dragged forward abruptly. Instincts had him flaring his wings, digging his pedes into the floor to prevent himself from being dragged further and his free servo turning into a blaster only to be met with the sight of a single servo, extended from Shockwave who was hunched over a console, looking at a screen that had multiple clips of the Primes playing at one side of the screen with another side showing pictures of the canisters.

"Finally, you are here." His shock at the sight of the violet scientist made it easy for the mech to drag Starscream closer. 

As soon as he was closer, Starscream turned his blaster back into a servo and growled, prying Shockwave's digits off his arm. "Do not grab me like that you imbecile! I could have shot you!" He barked at the cyclops who didn't seem phased at all, his red optic eerily staring into his orange ones. 

"You could have tried to." Shockwave replied tonelessly, emotionlessly. It was easy to see where the rumors of Shockwave's lack of emotions with how he talked, but the moment something caught his interest- the rumors were easily disproven. Shockwave's optics flared a bit brighter as he leaned forward towards the perturbed seeker, "Now, Seeker Commander Starscream, I need several things from you; clips of the Well of Allsparks as well as information. I need you to tell me everything you know about the Primes."

Starscream couldn't help but take a step back from the intense look Shockwave bore in his single red optic, "I have already gotten information from your trinemate Skywarp, he says you saw the Primes appear in thin-air, you said it yourself as well. You saw them appear, you saw their portal. "

Shockwave finally leaned back, but pointed at the console, never breaking Starscream's gaze. "Show me."

Starscream held back a shudder, refusing to show weakness to the clearly mad scientist. "Alright." He muttered, going through his memory files from joors ago- it was a good thing he saved that specific file. A habit, whenever seekers needed to find something in the air, it was best to save recent memory files during the flight just to make sure they didn't forget anything. And when he saw the portal and the Primes, he knew it'd be important to save a clip of the moment.

Said moment was now playing on the console after Starscream uploaded it, rewatching Thundercracker's voice calling out and seeing the spacebridge portal form out of thin air without a secondary portal there. Now that he wasn't in battle, in flight, he could properly appreciate the stunning marvel of spacebridge technology.

" Fascinating. " 

He wasn't the only one.

Shockwave's lone optic were trained on the clip, watching the portal of light bloom into existence. His entire frame was unnaturally still and silent. Not even a hum from his vents as he watched the clip play. Only moving when the clip restarted- it was a short clip. 

Instantly his servos moved across the console's controls, sharp digits typing into the keyboard in an impressively quick manner for a mech his size. "It's so small compared to our current spacebridges, even the smallest bridges that are currently in development. Barely twice the height of Solaris Prime." 

Starscream watched, a bit fascinated himself as Shockwave took a separate picture of a frame image from the clip. When both Primes were in close proximity in falling out of the portal. Numbers and lines appearing, indicating the height, length and width of the primes and the portal in comparison. 

"Is it to save on fuel and power? Even then, we do not even know where they were bridging from! And the colors that are shown from the light of the transwarping energy of the portal, so very different. I must know, I must speak with the Primes, find out what they did to achieve this type of bridgeless bridging, not to mention their method of Tox-En purification." Shockwave murmured, opening several windows of spacebridging calculations and theories, the prufied Tox-En and poison from Prologex, as well as distant pictures of Solaris and Artemis Prime. 

Starscream tilted his helm in thought, "Solaris Prime seemed knowledgeable about the subject however he was insistent that Artemis Prime was the mind behind the concept of bridgeless bridging if I recall correctly." He said aloud, remembering Solaris Prime boasting about how 'his Amica is so smart!'  

Shockwave paused in his typing before he had the consoles zoom into a picture of a distracted Artemis Prime, viewed from the side as he spoke with Optimus Trion and Prowl. "He did, didn't he? Hmm… Artemis Prime… That reminds me." Starscream stiffened as Shockwave's optic returned to him, optic glowing brightly with interest. "Your other trinemate, Thundercracker… he was with Artemis Prime for most of the attack, was he not?"

"There are reports that he and Artemis Prime even took down the Giga-Class Quintesson Beast together, with Artemis Prime absorbing Thundercracker's electricity…" His brother's electricity was what? "I must question him."

Clearly, Starscream needed to do the same. What the frag, Thundercracker?

" Solaris Prime? " 

Soundwave stayed silent as Megazarak spoke, keeping an optic between his General -his true Lord- and the older mech on the screen. Keeping to the background, unseen by Megazarak, although he doubted that the mech would pay attention to him at the moment.

Surprisingly, despite the 'failure' of capturing Solaris Prime, Megazarak wasn't enraged by it at all. In fact, he seemed amused, saying that Megatronus would not be caught so easily. But just emphasized Megatron to do better next time, and to capture him as soon as possible. 

Megazarak would have no knowledge about the bridgeless bridging that the Primes were capable of. He didn't even ask how 'Megatronus' escaped.

"Yes, Lord Megazarak, Solaris and Artemis Prime are their designations." General Megatron replied, Soundwave caught the underlying thoughts of foolish mech and how will he react drifting off of him. Easier to pick the thoughts out now that they were alone. 

Megazarak hummed, an almost, nostalgic look on his scarred faceplate. Soundwave briefly wondered what thoughts he could have gotten from him if he could read Megazarak's processor… It was a shame that somehow, the old mech, was completely immune to Soundwave's telepathic abilities. Neither Megatron nor anyone else, knew how that was possible.

" He's named himself after his late conjunx. " He mutters, a crooked smile on his derma. " A proper way to honor her, I suppose. " 

He's still thinking that this is Megatronus Prime back from the dead. Soundwave didn't even need to reach for his General's thoughts to know he was thinking the same, adding a few insults against the Decepticon leader of course. 

" Artemis Prime… " Soundwave tilted his helm while Megatron peered at Megazarak's sneer with curiosity, this was the first time the Decepticon leader even acknowledged the existence of Solaris' Amica. " Gaining the attention and support from Megatronus- pardon, 'Solaris', is an impressive feat. And that frame… Hm… " 

Did Megazarak know the frame that Artemis Prime was based on? Was Artemis Prime based on another Prime just like Solaris? 

"Do you know of him, Lord Megazarak?" General Megatron dared to question, his thoughts of another Prime frame? and Optimus did not know which flitting by that Soundwave glimpsed at slightly with some of his attention, most of it was on Megazarak's answer. 

" Not quite, he seems familiar. I must look into my old memory files to know for sure, but either way, this… Artemis Prime. He is an adequate fellow Prime for my Megatronus. But his presence is temporary at best. " Megazarak's optics narrowed, " Should he still be around when you capture 'Solaris', take him as well. " 

The screen went black and Megatron vented low and heavy, "As of late, Lord Megazarak seems to be picky and selective of retaining the information we send him." He says Lord in such a mocking way, and insults him even more in his helm. Soundwave waves away those thoughts to focus more on Megatron's words. "Still, if he has information about Artemis Prime's frame… Soundwave, you couldn't hear Solaris Prime's thoughts- is it the same as the way you cannot hear Megazarak's thoughts?"

It had been a shock to Soundwave as well- on the battlefield while he'd been relatively close to the Prime. Soundwave hadn't been able to pick up a thought that seemed to belong to him, Soundwave had focused on the Prime, but wasn't able to hear anything from him. 

"Answer: Negative." Soundwave answered, thinking of the differences between Megazarak and Solaris Prime, perhaps even Artemis Prime though Soundwave hasn't had the chance to try his abilities on the other Prime. "Megazarak: actively on guard. Has something defending his processor from telepathic prodding. Hostile to any attempt." Thankfully Soundwave was safe in the knowledge that Megazarak didn't know about his telepathic abilities, those early attempts had been risky… 

"Solaris Prime: unable to hear thoughts, does not seem aware of any attempt but is protecting himself effortlessly. No reaction to prodding, all telepathic attempts so far were met with nothing. Not hostile." 

Megatron frowned, servo rubbing his lower faceplate in thought. "Next time you're in close proximity with Solaris Prime in a more stable setting, try again, just to make sure. The situation beforehand was quite hectic." That was certainly possible… Soundwave nodded his agreement. "For now, resume your normal duties… but also look into the identities of the dead traitors that were discovered."

Soundwave could feel the anger lancing through his General's thoughts, a similar anger was quietly bubbling in Soundwave in turn. Traitors- not only to the Decepticons but to Cybertron itself! How abominable. 

"Mission: accepted."

"One more thing, Soundwave. About those canisters and Shockwave…"

{My apologies, masters. The sparks were returned to the Well of Allsparks.}

{And the canisters?}

{Closely guarded as they are to be 'disposed' of… Though I suspect they shall be ferried away to be examined.}

{We cannot allow them to examine the liquid within. Destroy the canisters and their contents by any means, leave nothing behind. Find out who it was being sent to.}

{Yes, masters.}

{Keep a close watch for these new… Primes. If any new information is found, send it immediately to us.}

{Yes, masters.}

The Cybertronian on the screen disappears and as one, they growl. Tendrils tracing over the red symbol of their main informant within that Cybertronian faction. 

First their original plan to extract the sparks of the mining towns with their newest versions of a more compact, faster and energy-efficient Spark Extractor warship design was destroyed and now their plan to retrieve the stolen sparks from said ships had also been thwarted. They'd lost three well-bred Pets as well, not their best but they should have been enough. Should have caused more destruction to add into the distraction.

Truly, this meant that the new 'Primes' weren't something to scoff at. 

Still they hesitated to contact their Empress and inform them of the situation, they needed more information about these 'Primes', to see if they were truly the real deal, that they had the true Matrix even if it was divided.

So far, it seemed like the genuine thing, but it is better to be overly cautious when it comes to the matter of the old relic. They remembered the last foolish Noble who tried to lie to their Empress about the Matrix…

A shudder ran through them, the ship around them shaking from the memory itself. 

But oh, if it were truly the Matrix- the sheer joy and elation Empress Quintessa would have. Not to mention Cybertron itself… 

They needed to plan meticulously for this. And gather more information.

Chapter Text

Moving into the stasis-locked alt mode of a gigantic Cybertronian who once fought alongside the First Prime to have ever been known or even created was both fairly simple… yet somewhat complicated.

It was easy enough to move into the closest habsuites that were near the Spacebridge room, he and O had packed up pretty much everything from their shared habsuite, their subspace had practically been stuffed absolutely full with their things. Which was mostly some Autobot and Decepticon memorabilia and other little trinkets they gathered over the mega-cycles. 

It was funny though, when Dion laid out all of his things in the habsuite after a thorough cleaning job- he realized that he didn't even fill a section of the suite with his things. It was so big compared to the shared one he had with Orion, it was honestly jarring.  

And oh, he was alone in the room. 

Just him.

Well, physically at least.

Solus and Megatronus were still there in his helm, but he hasn't had his own room in a long, long time. It was exciting! But at the same time, he couldn't help but miss having O in the same room as him when he recharged. He kept looking to the side on instinct whenever he woke up, expecting to see either an empty berth or a sheen of purple metal. 

It's embarrassing but he wants to ask O if they could sleep in the same room again- only just for a while… Oh nevermind. He just needs to get used to having his own room again!

Anyway, back to the point; Metroplex.

Moving into Metroplex.

Easy enough! They had all their things unpacked, all the energon they could ever need thanks to the energon deposit that was morbidly sourced from Metroplex himself (something Megatronus had noted and Dee desperately tried not to think about often) and they didn't have to pay rent anymore!

All they had to do was maintain Metroplex, fix up any damage he sustained, make sure he got back online and hopefully get him out of his stasis. That… was the more complicated bit.

"Solus, you're brilliant and all, Alchemist too, but… I think we need more than just engineering and stuff to fix Metroplex." Dion said aloud as he stood in the empty and dusty engine room deep within Metroplex. "And definitely more than two sets of servos." He leaned against the railing, looking down the gigantic engine blocks that were embedded into the room's floor, concerningly, there were energon crystals growing in the crevices. For his safety and health, he was in his Prime form, utilizing the mask just as Orion insisted when he said he was going to try and find the damaged areas of Metroplex.

I should have studied more Cybertronian biology. Solus murmured, looking through Dion's eyes as they catalogued the damaged engines. Then again, Titanformers are definitely different from the average Cybertronian, both from my era and this cycle's modern era.  

 "Probably yeah." Dion sighed, shaking his helm and making his way out of the engine room, following the map downloaded off of the consoles. 

Metroplex was huge. His altmode was a whole starship, with its size clearly meant for mechs as big, if not bigger than even Megatronus himself. 

Past Cybertronians were simply bigger, I suppose. Megatronus hummed with amusement with Solus laughing in agreement. There was truth in that, because both he and even Solus were bigger than him within his helm whenever they were at their accurate heights. 

Anyway, Metroplex was big with tons of space and rooms, and even with the map, it was rather easy to get lost in the titan. 

.: O, I'm leaving the engine room. His engines are pretty fragged, there's energon crystals growing in some places. :. Dion commed his Amica as he climbed the stairs to another level.

It didn't take long for Orion to reply, .: That is definitely not good. :.

.: How's his processor? Any chance we can get him online enough to speak to? :. He asked somewhat nervously, worried that even though Metroplex's spark was still lit, his mind might've been lost whatever happened to him. They'd been able to get his consoles working afterall, but no sign of his consciousness showed yet despite Orion using his consoles.

.: No, to do that we'd need to get him out of stasis since both his body AND mind are deep in it. :. Orion replied sadly, making Dion frown. .: Even if we're using his consoles now, have some energon and power flowing through him, he's… not in any shape to be partially out of stasis, even if it's just his processor. Whatever happened to him- it really knocked him down for the count. :.  

Orion's tone shifted into frustration and worry, .: Aside from the basic command files, I can't even begin to access any of his memory or personal files- they're locked in stasis with his own processor. And what files I CAN get to are- illegible! They're so corrupted and fragmented, I can't make sense of them at all! Oh Metroplex, what happened to you? :. He whispered at the end, clearly speaking to the unconscious titan instead of Dion.

Orion… Dee thought solemnly, something that Solus and Megatronus shared as they thought of Prima.

Prima did not speak much about the war with Unicron, Solus mused quietly. All he said was that too much had happened, and much was lost though we had gained freedom and peace from Primus' dark brother. Metroplex must have been lost within the chaos of war.

He wouldn't have settled in Harmonex if he'd known Metroplex was here. Megatronus agreed grimly, Instead of wasting away in Harmonex, he would have done whatever he could to heal Metroplex himself… At the cost of his own ailing health.

Prima was sick? Dion thought, finally deciding to ask for more information about the first Prime. He usually didn't, because Solus and Megatronus always sounded so sad talking about him. Absentmindedly, he ran his servos over the hallway walls. Tracing along some of the cracks along the surface. 

He was. Solus confirmed after a moment, Why do you think he retired in the first place? He stepped down from being a Prime after the war with Unicron, mostly due to his injuries.  

Really? He… hadn't exactly known that. But then again, there were a lot of things about the Original Primes that Cybertron didn't know. Not anymore.

The history of Cybertron was… incomplete, safe to say. Before Solus and Megatronus came into his helm, before the Matrix appeared in the forms of two turbofoxes, the tales of the Twelve Original Primes were simply that; Tales. They were taken as historical tales, yes, but most of the details were lost. And a lot of bots didn't give much thought about them as fact, mostly as fiction most of the time.

Archivists and historians were still trying to uncover such details…

They'd be so jealous over him and Orion. 

What happened? Dion asked, curious as to what happened to Prima. 

Prima never liked talking about his time in the war, that part of his past he seemed content to stay quiet over. Megatronus said as Dion kept walking- he could take his time for the moment. It's not like he could transform into his alt mode. That was still locked since he was a Prime at the moment, and he still didn't have an alt for it so; walking it was. But he got injured during the final fight with Unicron, severely so. Enough that he decided to step down as the main Matrix holder to Vector Prime.

Dion noticed the words, Main Matrix holder?  

Prima may have been the first Prime, the first creation of Primus, but he wasn't the only one. Vector, Quintus and Alpha were there as well. Prima was the main holder of the Matrix but occasionally, the others would hold it in times of need or importance. Solus told him, suddenly her voice became a little subdued. The Matrix… was never meant to be held by one Prime alone. Usually, there would be three or more.

Dion paused, looking down to his chassis, pressing a servo against the crystal panel that hid his half of the Matrix. "Oh… so even if the Matrix was whole now, it was going to choose more than one Prime?" He asked aloud this time. Processor trying to imagine the Matrix coming to him and O whole, instead of divided. 

Though it was hard to imagine just how it would power the both of them if it was whole instead of the way it was now; as Trixy and Mako.

We would think so, yes. Megatronus confirmed, Though perhaps it's for the best that you and your Amica share a half of the Matrix, though unexpected- the temporary power and frame-changing has given you two an advantage to keep yourselves hidden in these dangerous times.

I wonder if Alchemist and Thirteen knew that, if they knew that this would happen. Solus murmured, Dion catches a glimpse of a mech in teal, of circular golden lenses that seemed to peer right at him- Alchemist Prime. But… younger. Alchemist always had uncanny and unusual instincts, even when I mentored him, I never seemed to know what was going on in that helm of his.

Megatronus pushed the image out of Dion's helm, And we know even less of who Thirteen was or what he was even thinking.  

"Well, we could ask Alchemist what happened now, O's in the main console room." Dion reminded. They'd been so busy with Metroplex and keeping audials out for Hydrax and any other Quintesson activity, any actual questions they had for Alchemist, the Matrix, Thirteen, kinda fell sideways with what felt like more important stuff. 

So far, nothing had happened, Hydrax seemed safe and was in the process of rebuilding- all the while news about Solaris and Artemis Prime were spreading. That little tidbit had Dion all bashful, admittedly, the amount of clips of bots thanking Solaris and Artemis, thanking him and Orion.  

Dee had to hide his faceplate and helm because O started teasing him for blushing! It got a bit worse when Solus and Megatronus joined in, at least with O he could storm off properly but his two mentors were stuck in his helm! 

Anyway, even if Alchemist didn't remember for… whatever reason, he had to know something. Anything. It was better than nothing. 

He at least had to know who Thirteen was, honestly it was surprising they hadn't even asked for Thirteen's actual designation! They'd just been calling them Thirteen this entire time!

Dion checked where he was with Metroplex's map before detransforming- the sensation of mass, weight, metal and plates disappearing into that strange subspace connected to the Matrix, it's weird. Like, really weird. But he thinks he's getting used to it. 

From his chassis, Trixy pops out, landing on the floor with a happy bark. "Thank you again Trixy, you're amazing as always." Dee can't help but praise, kneeling down to pet the little turbofox whose tail wags at his praise. "Hungry? Need energon?" 

The turbofox didn't reply, merely climbing up his arm to take its place on his shoulder like usual. "I'm guessing that's a no." He smiles as the pup nuzzles the side of his helm. 

Truly, Onyx should have converted the Matrix to a turbofox sooner. Solus giggled, Ah, if only she was here…

Ah, if only she was here…

BAM

"If only! You both seem to be having so much fun over there Solus! I want to meet the new Primes! I want to see the Matrix as turbofox pups through their optics! I want my winglet! Let me in! Let me in! " 

BAM

Amused golden lenses watched as the beastformer slammed her forepaws against the barrier, scratching and clawing at the sapphire wall that kept them from connecting to the Matrix and thus, connecting to the new Primes the same way both Solus and Megatronus were. Despite her powerful claws digging at the wall, there's hardly a scratch.

"Onyx, you couldn't get in before, I doubt you'll be able to get in now. Calm down and stop scratching the wall." He called out with regretful amusement, the gryphon beastformer let out a warbling noise before roaring with frustration, stepping away from the barrier and transforming back to her root mode. 

Her wings flared in clear annoyance while her faceplate snarled, "This is so frustrating! How are you so calm Alchemist? We're supposed to be in the other little Prime's helm! Not here!" She threw her arms out, gesturing to the crystalline room they were both situated in. Behind them, were tunnels that each led to a certain Prime- mostly.

Some tunnels were blocked completely. Others were open but the Primes they led to were currently… unavailable. 

"We don't know who's in Orion's helm, we don't know what's going on! Not even you- even though this was your plan wasn't it?! " 

Alchemist frowned but hummed, "No, not exactly. But even then, even with things not going according to plan- it's not a bad thing. So far they've been doing alright, fantastic even." Alchemist was especially enthralled with the way Orion and whoever was with him had managed to modify the spacebridge on poor Metroplex. Alchemist was even reconsidering a few theories he had because of it… 

Did Orion have… Hm…

"Solus, Megatronus and little Dion are mistaking whoever's in little Orion's helm as you and Prima- Prima's not even awake!" Onyx growled, "Alchemist—"

"If they were dangerous to Cybertron, to the Matrix, to Primus himself- the Matrix wouldn't have still provided power to Orion Nox and whoever is with him." Alchemist pointed out to her, causing her bluster and protective frustration to falter. "Instead, so far, they've assisted in protecting our planet, our people, and their current interest aligns with our own. They're even planning on healing Metroplex." 

Onyx's tail lashed back and forth behind her quickly in irritation, the beastformer huffed before sitting down abruptly. "I still don't like the fact we have no idea who's his head." Abruptly, Onyx shifted into her beast alt, sulking as she laid on her forepaws. "Orion was supposed to be my winglet." 

"They're fully grown mechs who don't need new creators." Alchemist's derma twitched upwards at the deadpanned look Onyx gave him then glanced over to Solus and Megatronus speaking to Dion on the other side of the wall. "Neither Solus nor Megatronus think of themselves as such."

"They've always been obtuse when it came to personal connections and relationships." Onyx scoffed, but her tone was exasperatedly fond. "Solus especially, without me and Megatronus himself, she would have never realized she didn't just have a crush on Prima but Megatronus as well… It'll take a bit for Megatronus to realize it, much faster than Solus at least." Both she and Alchemist chuckled.

Alchemist heard stories about his mentor and her conjunx, and he'll no doubt hear more now that he was here with Onyx. 

Both Primes perked at the familiar voice coming from Dion's side of the wall.

.: Dee, where are you? I need to bridge you to the control room. Right now. :.

We've managed to convert the old geographical systems to the modern ones and link Metroplex to the Grid of Cybertron… But this? This is… Nox trailed off, looking over the corrupted files he managed to scrounge up in Metroplex's partially open database. 

Most of the other files that weren't pertaining to commanding and controlling certain functions and facilities of Metroplex's starship were just that; severely and utterly corrupted. As a data clerk, he's had to handle a few corrupted or even a few encrypted files in datapads sold to and from his old workplace. He wasn't the best at it, but he could handle basic corrupted files with time and effort.

This though? It was fragged.

… Pax? Nox tried, turning to the much older mech who had been a data clerk for way longer than he had. He'd even worked at the Iacon Hall of Records! 

This… I would need to examine the files further, see the extent of its corruption. I hold no promises however, it has been far too long since I've done data-repair work. Even when I first lost my memories as Optimus and worked for Megatron as Orion Pax, all I did was decode encrypted Iacon files. Pax cautioned and reminded.

Despite it probably not possible, but maybe-

If you're asking me next, I'm with Pax here. I'm still severely unfamiliar with Cybertronian datawork. It was easier to fix and modify the spacebridge because, one, I'm an engineer and scientist and two, it was practically in pristine condition and Pax personally worked on the groundbridge with Ratchet and both you and he helped with the coordinate system. I'm not that good at coding, or datawork. These files, as far as I know; are fucked. Nyx interrupted, though at least he sounded a bit apologetic this time. It's up to you and Pax for this one, I'll help with some human ingenuity and maybe a suggestion or two but I don't think I can help much with this until I learn more.

"Frag." Nox muttered aloud, rubbing his faceplate as he sat down in one of the control room's chairs. It creaked, but thankfully held up despite being ancient. He clicked his glossa when Mako took that as an invitation to migrate from a nearby chair to his lap. The half-relic making itself comfortable on his lap with a low rumble. Nox ignored it, speaking to his…

Sigh.

Fellow Orions.

We've still got so much to do. Nox pressed his digits against the lids of his optics, feeling a helmache forming as he thought of everything they needed to do.

Metroplex's injuries needed to be catalogued and noted, they needed to find ways to fix those injuries and a way to get Metroplex online. They didn't need to pay rent or energon but he and Dee were currently jobless so their money was limited, and even though they could probably scavenge and repurpose a bit of materials from Metroplex himself, no doubt they'd still need to buy things anyway. 

And whatever those things were, they wouldn't be cheap.

Which meant shanix, a lot of it at that.

Primus, we need to get jobs. Or find a way to make money. Nox realized with horror, groaning aloud and covering his faceplate. Past the horror, he felt reassurance from both Pax and Nyx. Not only that, we need more help. Not only because Dee and I can't heal Metroplex alone, but because in the end, Prime powers or not- it's just the two of us against the Quintessons and whoever else we're gonna face.

That meant finding trustworthy enough bots to bring to Metroplex, to where he and Dee lived now. 

Not only that but you and Dee need to do an inventory check on the Matrix Subspace- see what's really in there. And also see what the Matrix can do for Cybertron's Deadlands. Nyx reminded, making Nox grimace and groan even more. Yep, that was definitely a helmache coming on…

Pax sent more waves of reassurance, We will find a way, Nox. Much has already been accomplished in a short timeframe, do not burden yourself with recklessly rushing ahead.  

Short timeframe… it's almost a whole giga-cycle since Nox's whole life was changed. A cybertronian month has passed since he nearly got brained in the helm ( almost lost an optic, Doctor Fortify tells him ) and woke up with voices in his head. Voices of other hims, of alternative hims, of knowledge that really shouldn't be possible yet was.

And three deca-cycles since the Matrix entered his and Dee's lives.

At the thought of the relic, Nox looked down at Mako on his lap, the turbofox was curled up comfortably. Seemingly uncaring to the woes and troubles that Nox was feeling and a short burst of heated annoyance flared in his spark before fizzling out with a scowl. 

As if sensing it, Mako's optics onlined and looked straight at him. 

Bright but empty.

No ancient wisdom, no looks of understanding. It was a mechanimal with shiny plating.

"... I don't fragging get you." Nox whispered, servos clenching on the armrests of the chair. "You're supposed to be this, repository of knowledge and wisdom from the Primes-" Or it was said in most the continuities Nyx knew of anyway. "But you… What do you want? Why now? Why Dee? Why… " He doesn't continue, unable to even reference himself, or maybe just Pax, or pits, maybe Nyx. 

Nox-

Shut up. Nox interrupted tiredly, but paused. … Sorry, Pax, but- I just… Not now…  

Taking a deep invent, Nox grabbed Mako with both servos so he could stand back up. "I don't know what you want, I don't know what Primus wants, but I know what Dee wants." He looks at Mako's optics, still nothing. What was he even expecting? "And what he wants… I'll help. Just for him. And for Cybertron." 

Vwhoop!

Nox flinched at the sudden noise, dropping the mechanical on the ground, looking at the console as the notifaction he set up about the Grid flared. Unaware of sad, knowing and glowing blue optics from below, Nox ignored Mako in favor of the console.

He stiffened at what he saw, immediately calling for his Amica.

.: Dee, where are you? I need to bridge you to the control room. Right now. :.

Temporary relocation to Harmonex; a successful endeavor.

Finding more information about the Primes; …

Work in progress.

Despite Glider's complaints and worries, Pulsebeat wasn't that worried about not finding anything about the Primes in Harmonex yet. It hadn't been that long since their encounter, since Hydrax's attack. Cycles had passed, nearing a deca-cycle, nearing three deca-cycles since the first appearance of the Primes in the small town of Prologex.

Prologex was near Harmonex, and though the Primes had a bridgeless spacebridge, the fact Artemis Prime had thought of Harmonex surely was not a coincidence. There had to be something here, Pulsebeat just knew it in their spark. 

Although the connection was weak, there was at least the fact that Harmonex was one of the cities that weren't sided with either faction like Hydrax. Draft dodgers and outliers like themselves, could find more peace here, easier accommodations as well, rather than openly sided cities like Kaon or Iacon. 

So Pulsebeat moving to Harmonex wasn't that bad of an idea. 

Currently, they were staying in a hotel although they did make plans on buying a new place for themselves if they couldn't find any signs of the Primes… that came from the Primes themselves and not the gossipping bots that spoke of the Primes.

Before, with Prologex's attack, there'd only been rumors of the Primes. Unconfirmed, plenty of speculation that came from a mining town on the outskirts of a city between the borders of Decepticon and Autobot territory. No one really took it seriously.

Not until Hydrax.

Not until proof of the two Primes' existence came from the livestream of news. Of course there was still plenty of speculation but the rumors were growing, the belief was solidifying. Two actual Primes, chosen by Primus, wielding two halves of the whole Matrix, were walking around the earth of Cybertron. Defending Cybertron from the invading Quintessons.

Pulsebeat could provide more proof, they had exclusive footage thanks to Glider of both Artemis and Solaris Prime. Mostly Artemis. 

But they keep the footage to themselves. The longer Cybertron speculates and doubts the existence of the Primes, the safer it was for the two.

There must be a reason why they hadn't come forth to the Senate after all, a reason why they hadn't made themselves publicly known to all of Cybertron.

A reason why they didn't kick Zeta Prime off the seat of power.

But maybe…

[ Greetings my fellow cybertronians. ]

Just maybe… 

They should have done something with Zeta Prime.

Pulsebeat stood at the side of the street, although they were away from the crowd, they still tucked into themselves to avoid touching anyone passing by. They'd brushed up against enough bots and minds for the cycle, and although they disliked the Autobot Leader and 'Prime', they needed to pay attention to Zeta Prime's global broadcast on the Grid. 

Zeta Prime stood at a pedestal, backlighted by faint blue lighting and a gold and white background. His finish was ever so pristine and polished, whose golden rims and fancy kibble always seem so perfect. A stark contrast to the scuffed, scratched and blood-covered pair of Primes that Pulsebeat had seen, had been held by one specifically.

[ These past few deca-cycles have been wrought with both loss and hope. The Quintesson attacks on Hydrax and Prologex had unavoidable casualties despite the efforts made yet in our grief, rises a new unexpected hope for Cybertron. 

I'm sure rumors of their existence are known, that they were spread far and wide from Prologex; many scoffed and thought it baseless. I will be the first to admit that I, too, doubted these rumors. Yet with some investigation and confirmation from my own Trion and his troops, and even from the Decepticons— it astonishes me to admit that  perhaps two other Primes now walk among us. And with them, historical relics thought lost to the ages or were thought to have never existed in the first place. Yet it seems that they do exist! ]

As Zeta spoke, more and more bots stopped in place to listen. Quiet murmurs that traveled to and fro, Pulsebeat paid them no mind, merely frowning behind their visor as they listened and watched the Autobot speak further with a charming expression on his faceplate

[ Although I have not confirmed it with my own optics, I trust the words of my mechs. These two Primes seemed to have come in our time of need, heroically aiding us Autobots and even Decepticons against the Quintesson threat. Truly… They have done much for Cybertron, and for that I would like to thank them and welcome them to Iacon. I invite them to personally speak to myself and the Council, we have much to discuss, my fellow Primes. 

The safety of Cybertron being paramount over all, and… Solaris, Artemis, we must officiate you both in the Primal Basilica to keep to tradition. Your names should be carved on the walls alongside our predecessors. ]

Pulsebeat twitched, long digits curling against their sides as they processed Zeta's words, picked apart his speech and read between the lines. An open invitation to Iacon, praising words and a honeyed tone… 

Hah, what a—

"—load of scrap. " A young voice abruptly said out of nowhere in one brief moment before Pulsebeat stumbled in place, a yellow bot colliding against their frame. They'd been too focused on Zeta's speech to keep up their mental shielding, and for a moment the bot's mind and emotion brushed against theirs. Usually they would immediately slam their shields up, but—

Annoyance. Anger. Indignance. What a slagger that FALSE Prime is- Dion is such a better Prime- wait frag, I bumped into someone—

There's a pained sound, a frantic apology that Pulsebeat doesn't pay attention to because suddenly the yellow mech has his servos on them and there's a memory on the forefront of the mech's mind, strong, protective and clear.

A silver mech with blue optics floating in a tunnel, a familiar half of the Matrix floating into an opening chassis, an echo of that familiar warmth felt by emotions of pure awe as the mech's frame shifted—

What was that?

" Goldbug! " A distant voice exclaimed, and the bot- Goldbug- apologized once more before rushing off. Pulsebeat was too busy reeling from the familiar feeling of awe and though it was different and just an echo, the feeling of something more.  

"Pulsebeat? Pulsebeat. " 

Glider's voice rang in his audials, a worried ping from their bond, Mend made a low whine and Pulsebeat shook their helm. "Glider: Eject. Follow. Yellow mech, designation: Goldbug." 

They found it.

A connection to the Primes.

Right here in Harmonex.

"Excellent speech, High Councilor Zeta Prime, the masses are certainly moved." Was what Zeta heard the moment he got off the pedestal and stepped away from the set. Various broadcast mechs moving about to do the job they'd been forged and hired to do. 

Zeta turned towards the voice and lifted an optic ridge, "Senator Proteus, you've appeared quite abruptly." He replied with a slight smile, polite but amused. "I was not expecting your presence, I would have prepared something for you." 

The blue mech chuckled, servo waving slightly, "Think nothing of it my Prime, I'm simply here for a brief, if important, visit." A knowing glint appeared in both their optics and Zeta Prime's smile widened.

"I see, then let us talk in my office."

…

The moment the two of them were in Zeta's large and opulent office, the Prime activated the defenses and the deceptively open office immediately turned into a fortress. The diamond glass windows tinted over, another layer sliding over it to reinforce it further, the door shifted, plates and walls growing imperceptibly thicker. 

Zeta sat down at his chair, leaning back against the plush furniture. "You bring good news, Proteus?" The blue and gold mech smiled and nodded, taking an offered seat in front of Zeta's desk.

"Fantastic news. Your personal squad is now fully trained and under your complete command, ready to do your bidding." Zeta's optics glowed bright, a pleased expression crossing his faceplate and he nodded for Proteus to continue. "And with them trained, it has freed my workers as planned and we are ready to receive any new asset you provide. I presume I shall make sure two spots are reserved?" 

"Yes, keep those spots open no matter what. While it's not likely they'll be filled soon, I'd rather have them ready and open for when the time comes." Zeta replied with a hum.

Proteus bowed his helm with an amused grin, "Of course, no rush." When he looked back up though, he was slightly taken aback by Zeta's frown and the serious look in his optics.

"Your New Institute has been impressive so far Proteus," Zeta started, leaning on his arms on his desk and threading his digits together in front of his faceplate. "However this request… will your Institute work on a historical relic? And those affected by it?" 

Proteus hummed, "So far, no bot has been able to resist the mnenmosurgery and shadowplay we've been able to do. Perhaps these new ' Primes' " He quotes, smirking at Zeta's amusement, "will be somewhat difficult but they are still mechs. Despite the legends and the myths, the Original Twelve were said to have died one way or another. They are mortal, they can be hurt, surely they can be changed. The Matrix though… that might be trickier… But we will give it a shot."

"All else fails, we can always replicate the Matrix and keep experimenting on the real one."

It has two names.

Four really.

But its holders use two of four a lot. 

Trickster, Trixy.

Makoto, Mako.

It has never had a proper name before.

Much less two.

But it enjoys them.

It enjoys being two.

Even though it had hurt becoming two.

But that's okay, because it can enjoy itself now.

Itselves.

Two, more than one.

This was fun.

Being more than one.

It was still it.

But it was more than one.

And it had two holders now.

Two holders again.

Less than the beginning, where it had four.

Then slowly, four became less and less and then it had no one.

For a long long time.

But now it had two.

Wonderful two.

One was kind.

The other, less so but still so.

Two holders

And it was two.

So each holder got to have one of it.

Not like before, where its holders kept giving it away to each other, that had been nice.

This was better though.

It, Mako, blinked as it was suddenly lifted by one holder. Less kind but still kind. Orion. Its body, alive and moving, began to aggressively shake because of its holder. " We! Are! Not! Go-ing! To! The! Pri-mal! Ba-si-li-ca! You hear me, you pest?! " Pest was another thing Orion liked to call it. But it liked Mako better.

Its, Tricky, other holder. Dion. Was quick to try and calm Orion. "O! Stop shaking Mako! " Mako didn't get why, it liked moving but that was fine because Dion was kind. And its holder. Tricky's holder.

Yes, this was better.

Chapter Text

Iacon.

His city of birth, the main Autobot capital on Cybertron and home to not only him, but unfortunately the Council. Optimus loved his city, do not get him wrong. He just hated the corruption that was welded into its cracks, barely held back by the current war.

However, for as corrupt as the Council was… there were a few friendly faceplates on there that Optimus was happy to see.

"Optimus! It's good to see you back in Iacon. It's been giga-cycles since I've even seen a glint of you in person instead of contacting you through audio or video." Optimus Trion's optics softened and a smile placed itself on his derma at the familiar voice print.

A mech of green, blue and white greeted him with a bright smile and kind blue optics. "Joltline." He greeted back, pausing, "Councillor Joltline." He corrected himself, his smile growing wider at the mech's huff and roll of optics.

"Har, har, Optimus, we're not in the council room or among other councillors- you're my friend. Don't just call me that, I watched you drive backwards the first time you had high-grade." Joltline replied exasperatedly, his smile growing when it was Optimus' turn to huff. 

The Councillor, his friend, stepped to stand right beside him as they overlooked Iacon from one of the best spots of the city. On one of the higher, but thankfully more isolated and not very well-known parks. 

"I recall that you were the one to prompt me to drive backwards then, and I have my own drunken tales about you Joltline." Optimus replied good-naturedly, the familiar jesting has his spark feeling lighter just a bit. 

Together, they sat down at a peculiar bench and Optimus doesn't bother to hide his laughter as it wobbles and Joltline swears in a very un-councillor-like way. Immediately he stood up, shooing Optimus off the bench as he jostled it, watching it wobble with a growl. "I fixed this! You watched me fix this! Is this bench cursed by damned Unicron to wobble and stay uneven forever?!" He snapped, glaring at the bench they were intending to sit on with seething optics before aiming them at Optimus in an accusatory manor. "Did you…"

The way he trailed off was menacing, Optimus held his servos up, derma smiling helplessly at his friend. "I swear to Primus I did nothing to this bench, Joltline. Any modification to it, as far as I know, was made by you." He gave his genuine answer that was tinged with amusement as Joltline gave him one last suspicious look before grumbling lowly. "Perhaps Proteus found that you've fixed this bench and decided to undo it just to mock you." 

He had said it as a joke, but paused when Joltline's faceplate hardened and darkened far too much for his liking. "... Joltline?"

His friend took in a deep invent, "Apologies, Optimus, I wasn't expecting to talk about Proteus so soon after we met. Probably for the best though." He said, reluctantly sitting back down on the bench. Not even grimacing at the wobble, which made things even more serious, Optimus feared.

He took a seat beside him, "You want to speak about Proteus." 

"Him, Zeta… And the Primes." Optimus' spinal strut straightened at the mention of the Primes. "You saw the announcement from Zeta." 

That he did, and he did not like it. Not one bit. 

"You can already tell, it's a trap. And an obvious one at that." Joltline continued, "Which makes it more dangerous since it's too obvious. There's something more to it, I think I know what he's trying to do but still… Calling the Primes to the Primal Basilica… You've met the Primes- twice now, I hear. Will they show?"

Optimus grunted, displeased and pensive. "As you said, I've only met them twice, so I don't know if they will. I'd hope not, however…" He trailed off, his pensiveness growing as Joltline prompted him to continue.

"However…"

"However… in the past, before the disappearance of the Matrix, it was said that every Prime visited the Primal Basilica more than once to commune with Primus. It is a holy site, like the Well of Allsparks." Joltline groaned, pressing a servo against his forehelm.

"So there's a non-zero chance they'll go to the Primal Basilica at least once within the future for whatever reason- possibly due to the Matrix or whatever else mysterious, mystical reason there is for the Primes." He concluded, leaning back and crossing his arms when Optimus nodded. "Fantastic… We'll have to keep an optic on Zeta, Proteus- the Basilica as well."

"You said you had an idea on what Zeta is trying to do…"

Joltline nodded, "A few ideas, Zeta obviously wants the Matrix- that's the proof that he needs to stay in his position as Prime, leader of the Autobots, and to solidify his status undeniably. I've checked and recently Zeta's supporters are dropping for the simple fact he's not wielding the Matrix, which wasn't an issue until the Primes arrived bearing it." Optimus nodded, having already known that but let Joltline speak his thoughts. "Most of them are on the fence. The Matrix, as far as we know, was meant to be whole, but now it's in half and there are two Primes around. Said Primes haven't exactly said or done anything to or against Zeta."

At Joltline's silent question, Optimus could only give a helpless sigh. "Neither of them have mentioned taking charge as Primes in the limited time they've been around, it seems their main focus and goal is to protect our people from the Quintessons." The thought brings a warmth to his spark, remembering the chivalry and heroism that both Primes showed. Artemis Prime's first appearance came to mind and he smiled underneath his mask.

Joltline casted him a look but nodded, "Absolutely commendable, but unfortunately worrying. In the sense that this is just giving Zeta time to try and prepare whatever it takes to ensure he doesn't get deposed and lose the power he's had for a millenia now." He clarified when Optimus narrowed his optics at him. "There's a lot of ways he can try to spin things, Optimus. If the Primes don't reply, he'll use that to his advantage. If the Primes do show up- he'll try to get the Matrix and if nothing else, try to get the Primes on his side. And if that fails…"

A loud angry growl sounds in the air and it takes a moment for Optimus to realize it was coming from himself, Joltline's looking at him with wide optics and he reigned in his temper. "Zeta will not lay a servo on the Primes."

"Not if I can help it."

"The Primal Basilica…" Dion breathed aloud, wide-optic and searching, helm looking all around with awe and excitement. .: O, it's so big and beautiful! And there's so many bots here too! :. It was a bit disconcerting and overwhelming but Dee had adjusted his sensors before he went into the building. .: I wish you were here with me. :.

His amica's disgruntled voice came through their private comm, .: I— yeah… But I'm not risking setting off something Prime-ish or mystical just because BOTH of the Matrix halves are there. That is the last thing that we need happening right now. :. Dee frowned but nodded in agreement, touching Trixy who gave an imperceptible wiggle against his digits on his chassis, currently hiding in plain sight as jewelry.

Ideally, he and O would be looking around the Basilica together without either Mako or Trixy but it wasn't like they could leave them alone in Metroplex. And knowing the Matrix's mystical nature, there was a chance that if they entered the Basilica together, it would trigger something. Who knows.

Not even Solus and Megatronus knew, not really. The Basilica could indeed respond to the Matrix, it has before but after so many vorns missing… It was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, it had been risky to go into the Basilica with just half the Matrix anyway. So far though, nothing happened so Dee was safe.

.: Yeah… :. He voiced his agreement after remembering O wasn't around to see him nod, .: It's really a shame though… I'll take plenty of pictures for you O. :.  

.: You just want proper reference photos for when you sketch out the Primal Basilica, we're literally going to switch jobs in a couple of joors. :. Dee's frown turned into a cheeky grin and he chuckled. 

.: Alright, you got me… Well, I do want a picture of us standing in front of the Basilica. :.

.: … We can do that later, for now, we look around… Damn Matrix and its mystical shenanigans, it never has to be straight to the point huh? :.

Dee's grin turns to a helpless smile but he lets Orion grumble about the Matrix, about Mako and Trixy who were the reason why they were even at the Primal Basilica in the first place.

Shortly after Zeta's announcement, both Mako and Trixy did that weird glow again. The one where they provided coordinates to where Metroplex was, and this time was no different. Kind of, they did get new coordinates and after inputting it in Metroplex's satellites and new geographical systems, they found that those coordinates were exactly within Iacon at the Primal Basilica.

Orion was very displeased with that fact. He grabbed Mako and shook the poor pup, something that Dee had hoped he had stopped doing now that they were settling in Metroplex. It was a bad habit to have, even if the relic turbofox didn't seem to mind one bit. 

They had spent the next couple of joors arguing about whether or not they should go to the Basilica. O was obviously against it, citing that Zeta's announcement could be a trap- which unfortunately, Solus and Megatronus both agreed and Dee… also kind of agreed.

Look, he may like the Autobots and Optimus Trion but Zeta Prime (who at this point, shouldn't be a Prime anymore technically)… has never been his favorite. He always thought that Optimus would make a better Prime, and he still kind of does! At least, when it came to leading the Autobots and stuff. 

Dee could lead a mining team, but an entire army? A civilization? Even with O, that was… that was a bit too much for him.

Anyway, the Matrix had given them the coordinates for a reason. They needed to check it out!

So here they were now, some cycles after Zeta's speech, looking around the Primal Basilica for a clue of why the Matrix wanted to be here. Or at least, brought it to their attention. For now, it was just a scouting attempt in broad daylight, get familiar with the area before they try to sneak in at night.

One should always be cautious, if given the chance to scout an area, take it. Megatronus had hummed.

And Dee was! He was scouting the area! 

As a tourist who was finally visiting the Primal Basilica for the first time in his life, completing the look with his datapad out to take pictures and a pen to sketch out the area. Nothing to see here, just an excited ex-miner who was visiting to see the sights and sketch them out for inspiration…

I think you've gotten too into character, little Prime. Solus teased as Dee found himself sitting on a bench in a less populated area of the public part of the Basilica- he can't access the private parts obviously. But so far he's gotten pictures of everything he could and now he was full-on drawing in his datapad. No longer sketching, but he's painting in colors, adding in highlights and details, it's the most he's drawn ever since Prologex.

I… probably have. Dee realized as he looked over his current art piece; of O- no, of Artemis Prime standing regally at the center of the public chamber he'd just exited from. His Amica had the Star Saber in a casual hold, the blade pointed downwards towards the floor, glowing lightly. 

The background is rougher than Artemis Prime, he's always been better at bots than backgrounds but even he was impressed with the detail he's put into the slightly messy piece- there's some lines he's missed, some colors that were going beyond the sketched lines, but honestly? It adds into the picture.

It's a lovely piece, makes your Amica look very Primely. Solus praised and Dee grinned widely, Hmm, perhaps add a faint outline of his optics at his visor? Hm, maybe just one.

It'd be cooler that way.

He makes a faint gray outline of an optic on Artemis' visor, as if part of it was slightly more opaque, showing a glimpse of his amica's face- his serious eyes that he no doubt would have as a Prime. 

"Ah, I wanna draw his faceplate…" Dee mumbles aloud as he zooms out of the picture, admiring the drawing of his amica as Artemis Prime in full. Perhaps he'll make a second drawing, remove the battlemask and vi—

"You'd need to see his faceplate first." A voice hummed from behind and Dee jumped, nearly stumbling off the bench and totally not making a strangled noise of surprise from the out of nowhere voice that was familiar.

Familiar for a reason. "Optimus Trion???" Dee gapes, fumbling with his datapad at the sight of the Trion who'd been standing behind him??? What?? How?? When??

He came a few kliks ago. Megatronus informed with clear amusement, Dee dared to shove at Megatronus mentally, wondering why the Prime hadn't said anything! I was honestly impressed that he managed to sneak up so silently, granted, you and Solus were distracted with art. Also, it serves a lesson- try to keep awareness of your surroundings. Especially on scouting missions like these.

Before Dee could retort- he'd leave it to Solus who complained to her conjunx, having been just as surprised- Optimus Trion held his servos up with an apologetic look on his faceplate. "Ah, I've startled you. My apologies, it wasn't my intent." 

Dee could feel his faceplate heat up, clutching his datapad close to his chassis. Oh Primus, Optimus Trion was right in front of him, Optimus Trion was apologizing to him! Him!

You've met him before little Prime. Megatronus chuckled.

As Solaris Prime! Not Dion! That's totally different! He could barely control himself as Dion! At least with Solaris, he could hide his faceplate and expressions! Most of your expressions. Solus teased, Dion ignored her firmly to try and respond to Optimus Trion, flustering as his Autobot hero patiently waited for him to say something.

"I-It's—" His tone is too high pitched! He frantically clears his throat, "It's okay." Too low! Frag! "Y-You uh, you didn't- mean to?" Why the frag did he end that as a question?! He was embarrassing himself in front of Optimus Trion!!

Megatronus and Solus murmured their support and for him to calm down, thankfully dropping the teasing to help keep Dion from doing anything else embarrassing. Like make his fans whirr a bit too loud. 

Optimus Trion ( standing!! right!! in front of him!! as DION!! ) nodded with a welcoming smile, "Again, my apologies for surprising you. I should have said something, but you were very focused on your art. I try not to break an artist's concentration, I know how important that can be for their work." 

Dion could feel his spark trying to leave his body, be it from mortification at the fact that Optimus Trion had been watching him draw or elation because Optimus Trion called him an artist! "I-I-I wouldn't- I'm uh- not- I-" He's struggling to say words, he took in a deep vent as Solus was instructing. "Not. Uh, I'm not an artist. Not like, professionally." He finally admitted shyly, looking back down to his datapad- the drawing was flawless and intact despite his fumbling. Good thing he had saved his work. 

"Truly? You have a talent for it, your drawing of Artemis Prime is quite amazing ." Optimus said, walking around the bench and sitting! Down! Besides him! 

He's screaming in his processor, he must be causing so much noise for Solus and Megatronus, he's sorry! 

It's nothing we can't handle little Prime, focus on Optimus Trion. Solus instructed, seemingly pleased and definitely amused by the whole situation. 

"It's- you think it's amazing?" Dion questioned, not quite believing his audials. Or optics. Or the moment in general. This went beyond whatever scenario he imagined meeting Optimus Trion in the past. 

The red and blue mech nodded, "I do. May I?" He gestured to Dee's datapad and after some slight hesitation, he offered it to him. He watched those yellow optics look at his drawing on the pad, finally seeing the awe and marvel as the Trion looked at his drawing of his amica's Prime form. "Yes, this is a marvelous drawing of Artemis Prime, very detailed and as far as I can see it- very accurate to the mech himself."

Dion nodded, proud of the details he'd managed to capture in the drawing in such a short amount of time.

"Have you met him?" 

The question makes him freeze, the Trion's optics now on him instead of his drawing. Frag, he should've known that Optimus Trion- who had fought side by side with Orion, would notice the details that Dee had drawn! As far as the Trion knew, Dee was a civilian bot, so how did he accurately draw the Prime in all his glory? 

"Uh- k-kinda?" He blurts out, hearing the murmurs of Megatronus and Solus. "I um- I saw him up close- he- well, he rescued me." Orion had rescued him and he did see Artemis up close. He kept in mind Solus' advice, the best lies weren't lies at all, half-truths and words left unsaid.

Let the other bots come to their conclusions, let them fill in the blanks and assume.

Optimus Trion let out a hum, nodding and his optics returned to Dee's drawing instead. So he missed the silent sigh of relief that Dee let out as he spoke again. "I'd thought so… He's amazing, isn't he? Artemis Prime. He and Solaris both."

Dee perked, beaming and blushing at the same time as Optimus complimented not only his amica but him! He was Solaris! Optimus Trion called him amazing! Optimus called his drawing amazing and called him amazing! 

"They're both, really, really cool." Dee agreed after holding himself back from making an embarrassing noise or something- it will stay in his helm with no one but Megatronus and Solus the wiser to it. He was already going to be teased by the two former Primes later, but it was so worth it! 

The Autobot General turned back to Dee, who straightened, "I just realized, I've been rude, you know my designation yet I haven't even asked for your own." He offered a servo, one that Dee immediately took.

"Oh! No no, I should've introduced myself in turn! I'm Dion, it's an honor to meet you in the plating Optimus Trion!" He exclaimed enthusiastically, shaking the servo excitedly. 

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dion." Optimus Trion chuckled, the handshake seemed so brief to Dee and he tried not to wilt when he had to let go of the bigger mech's servo or else it'd be weird. He didn't want to be seen as such by a mech like Optimus. He was starstruck and flustered, not socially ignorant.

"Dion," The Trion started speaking again, "you may not be a professional artist, but I was not lying when I said you had the talent." 

Dion was going to overheat at this point, he was going to die in the Primal Basilica right in front of Optimus Trion. Orion was going to hate him for it.

Optimus Trion looked him straight in the optic and smiled, and wow was he more handsome in person- "May I purchase this drawing from you, Dion?"

"... Huh?"

I don't see the fragging point of why we're here. Nox griped in his helm as he walked through the streets around the Primal Basilica. It was a dangerous place to be for him and Dee, and Nox hated that they had to split up but having both of them within the Basilica could possibly trigger something, which they definitely didn't want during the current busy joors with so many bots visiting and around.

Dion has a point, the Matrix sent coordinates to the Basilica for a reason. Pax reasoned, We found Metroplex because we followed their coordinates in the first place.

Do you think there's another titanformer underneath the Basilica? Here in Iacon? Nyx wondered, names of titan and cityformers whirling in Nox's helm. 

If there is one, it's in way better shape than Metroplex. Nox thought as he stopped in place, looking around with new, suspicious optics. Trying to see if Iacon or the Basilica was another titanformer somehow. He kind of hopes not, Metroplex's existence made things complicated enough, knowing there was another right here in Iacon would just be stressful.

…

Then again, it could be something to take advantage of? If no one knew—

Nox shook his helm, If the city was a titanformer, someone would have to know. 

There's a chance no one knows, Nyx retorted, bringing up instances of titanformers being unknown in other continuities. Sometimes knowledge about things like that can be forgotten, lost to time, for one reason or another… It'd be great if there WAS a second titanformer though. Someone intact and healthy, we'd be able to maybe scan them and get more information on how to help Metroplex.

Nox huffed, Nyx had a point. 

He and Dee have done all that they could for Metroplex, and there was still much left to do. He and Dee weren't doctors, Nyx was an engineer sure- he could figure out spacebridge technology thanks to Pax, who had some medical knowledge thanks to his time in his war and his Ratchet but combining both to fix and help a titanformer?

Overall, they needed a doctor, or someone who had indepth knowledge about the giant cybertronians in general. 

A cityspeaker would be preferable. Pax murmured, and for a moment, Nox was confused before both he and Nyx provided information about it. Nyx seemed a bit surprised that Pax knew about cityspeakers.

I didn't know the Aligned continuity had them. Nyx commented while Pax laughed softly.

They were extremely rare, but they did exist in my world for a time… Nyx didn't comment as Pax's tone turned sad. Nox wasn't really paying attention to them as he absorbed the information he got from them both.

Part engineer, part starship pilot, and brain module surgeon? A cybertronian capable of cooperating or even controlling a whole titan themselves? Primus.

I… don't think they exist here. Nox thinks as he rounds the corner, a bit taken aback at the possibility of such a bot in his world. Titanformers were already considered myths, legends, but, well… Metroplex existed.

They could, it'd be hard to be a cityspeaker without any titanformers around. Nyx pointed out, Not to mention, there's a possibility that titanformers may still be out there beyond Cybertron.

Again, Nyx had another point.

Even before the war with the Quintessons, Cybertron had trouble staying in contact with its colonies. Losing connection when the war between Autobots and Decepticons started, any attempts to reach out were currently at risk thanks to the Quintessons who were preventing them from leaving their sector of space and their attacks on Cybertron.

It was hard enough to maintain intergalactic trade like this.

It made Nox want to deal with the Quintessons beyond their planet…

Unfortunately the spacebridge at Metroplex isn't for intergalactic use, it can cover the planet easily but we'd need a secondary spacebridge- or an anchor beyond the planet. Nyx muttered, helm-aching numbers and formulas popping into Nox's mind before being pushed away. Besides, before we can do that, we need Cybertron to be stable- much more stable than this. More than half your planet is inhabitable, we have to fix that.

We'd be doing that if the Matrix hadn't blindsided us with the coordinates towards the fragging Primal Basilica. Nox groaned, aiming a glare at said building from afar. He could barely see it now that he was a bit deeper into the city. 

He reached up, tapping the Matrix in its disguised form irritably. He could feel it wiggle ever so slightly against his digits and rolled his optics. 

For now, let's continue scouting until it's time to switch with Dion. Pax said, used to Nox's constant irritation with the ancient relic. 

Despite his irritation though, and despite his initial mission, Orion Nox couldn't help but marvel Iacon as he walked. Although it was the Autobot capital of Cybertron, Nox would be lying if he said he hadn't thought of visiting Iacon before- as a Megatron fan (shut up Nyx, stop laughing, at least Pax is being polite in staying silent) Nox had always wanted to visit Kaon or Tarn at least once in his lifetime.

But as an archivist, the Iacon Hall of Records would always be a place of interest.

Even though Nox had seen Pax's Hall of Records, he definitely did want to see his Iacon's Hall of Records. 

Unfortunately the building was practically on the other side of the city, away from the Primal Basilica and Nox couldn't really risk going there right now.

Another time, Pax reassured him. We will visit another time.

In the past, Nox wouldn't have thought so but thanks to Metroplex, he and Dee could bridge anywhere on the planet. Never having to worry about bridging fees or anything related to it, Nox could afford to come back again another time. This wouldn't be the last time they would be in Iacon, Nox nodded to himself.

With that, he continued wandering around the area of the Primal Basilica, scouting but also taking in the sights of the capital. 

As he wandered, his optic caught sight of a certain establishment that Nyx immediately started shouting in his helm about.

NOX! NOX! WAIT WAIT GO BACK! Startled, Nox almost tripped over his own pedes to instinctively follow Nyx's shouts. 

Nyx what the frag? Don't shout out of the blue like that! Nox snapped, taking a moment to steady himself, ignoring the strange looks he got- mostly. His faceplate flushed but he kept his expression neutral. Nyx??

Look up. Was Nyx's sharp command and Nox did, lifting his helm to see the sign.

Pax let out a breathless noise, Ah.

Nox tilted his helm, quietly saying the sign's words aloud. "Maccadam's Oil House?" Sounded like a bar? What was so important about a bar?

Might be a lead to meeting a living ex-Prime.  

Nox almost tripped again at Nyx's urgent words, his pedes already taking him towards the bar. What??

In some continuities, Maccadam ends up being a bar owned by an ex-Prime. Or at least has connections to one. One continuity had Alchemist Prime himself manning it… Pax?

… Alpha Trion was quite close with Maccadam in the past…

Alpha Trion? Like Optimus Trion- wait slag, not the time! You really think there's a chance we'll find an ex-Prime in there? Nox questioned incredulously as he stood before the establishment's doors. 

It's a possibility. Besides, it's pretty close to the Primal Basilica, what are the chances for that?  

Stewing over Nyx's words and the feeling of Pax's silent approval, he took a quick invent before reaching out and opening the door to the bar.

Only to immediately regret it afterwards.

Chapter Text

Nox's immediate regret came from three main factors.

One, the bar was full of patrons. Loud and cheery, there was more than one mech at every table and laughter was being shared between energon, engex and other treats. An additional thing to this was the second factor of his regret; the moment he opened the bar door, he'd been dragged into the energetic bar, swept into the festivities against his will.

The third and final factor of his regret of coming into this bar, was the fact he had spotted a very familiar faceplate among the crowd of bar-goers. Technically, three familiar faceplates, but Nox has only met one of them recently. He had promised that faceplate that they would find the rest of the missing sparks, trusting him to put the ones he and Dee had found to rest within the Well of Allsparks.

Prowl of Praxus sat at a table with a mech who looked similar to him, and a visor-wearing mech that Pax immediately recognized as Jazz. There was another mech with them, a Praxian by the looks of their frame.

If that wasn't enough, a pink-painted femme came to their table, carrying drinks while beaming. Her faceplate was also familiar and soon Nyx labeled her as Transformers Animated Arcee. Or at least, an Arcee-lookalike.

Wow, okay, full bar AND familiar faces? That's unfortunate timing. Nyx commented as Nox struggled against the flow of merry bar-drinkers and customers without disrupting anything or making a scene. The last thing he needed as to gain attention from everyone within, especially with the possibility of an ex-Prime manning the bar. But at this point, he was starting to think it wasn't worth checking, not right now at least!

Unfortunate timing my fragging aft! Nox cursed back mentally as he outwardly, disgruntedly apologized to every frame he bumped into. He swears, he's almost bumped into the same minicon waiter like, three times! Which isn't surprising considering how busy the bar was. Why the frag is the bar so full at this time of the cycle!? There isn't even a holiday or event going on!

Pax was quick to notice the reason on the screen above the main bar area, Ah, it seems this bar is moving locations and they're having one last celebration before it closes down. He said, pointing their attention to the screen and its contents.

The screen reading; Maccadam's Last Round in Iacon! Drinks 50% off with free energon treats!

As if on cue, a mech, somewhere within the crowded bar hollered loudly; "Next round's on me!"

Immediately the enthusiastic air intensified and the cheers grew even louder, Nox had no idea how neither he, Nyx or even Pax noticed the bar's situation before they entered. They'd been too focused on the possibility of an ex-Prime being around to even notice the festivities going on inside! I need to leave, we'll come back later when there's less people around! The amount of people and noise was starting to get to him, he was never one for big celebrations, he preferred small gatherings to big parties.

Neither Nyx or Pax argued with Nox's decision, seeing how uncomfortable he was in the crowd and feeling his emotions within their shared helmspace.

Unfortunately for the Orions, trying to escape the celebrating bar was easier said than done. The flow of the bar seemed to keep Nox trapped deep within, and despite wanting to leave, Nox didn't want to disrupt the mood of the bar or make a scene. And in the end, the poor mech somehow managed to get to the main bar instead, sulking on a barstool he had managed to get on to escape the movement on the floor and take a break.

At some point, he also managed to obtain a glass of engex so there he was; sipping the glass while sulking. At the very least, the engex in Iacon was a better quality than Prologex's. Damn, it does taste like alcohol… but weirder. Cybertronian senses are wild. Nyx hummed, tasting the engex on Nox's glossa while bringing the faint memory of his own experience drinking alcoholic beverages.

Nox didn't bother replying, still nursing from the glass with a frown as he tried to plan his escape. Though, the most likely chance of him escaping is when the bar was finally calm enough for him to leave without a fuss. Which wasn't going to be any time soon by the looks of it… Frag.

The purple mech drained his glass at the thought, perhaps a little too quickly, too soon, however just as he did, someone tapped his leg. Oh. it was the minicon waiter he almost bumped into multiple times. The small green and silver mech looked up at him, an airy but cheery smile on his faceplate, optics hidden behind a blue visor as he held up a bottle of engex, "Refill?" He asked, loud and clear.

Nox's optics shuttered, blinking twice before he sighed, smiling wanly with a nod. "Yeah, sure. Thank you." The minicon beamed as Nox slouched down a bit so he could get his glass filled with engex again. Stopping when he felt like it was enough. "Thanks again, be careful." He couldn't help but warn, the bar was full of big mechs that didn't seem too keen in watching their steps once they had a few glasses of booze in their systems.

The little waiter seemed surprised but smiled widely, nodding, patting his leg again before scurrying off. Nox's optics widened at the way the minicon waiter moved, weaving between mechs like it was nothing, following the flow of the crowd without any sign of worry while carrying a fragile bottle of engex. Seemed like his warning was unneeded?

Minicons are very capable beings, they're very aware of their sizes and can usually adjust to the situation as needed. I'm sure your warning was appreciated though. Pax said, taking a moment to enjoy the taste of engex on Nox's glossa as well. It'd been far too long since he'd drank any.

Unbeknownst to them, as they were enjoying Nox's drink, they caught a few interested optics. And with the state of the bar and the fact they were letting their guard down slightly just to enjoy the taste of cybertronian alcohol, they didn't notice these optics at all.

A couple of kliks pass before something in the air changes, the stage of the bar, which had a few patrons drunkenly sitting on it were suddenly whisked away by- Is that Lugnut?? Nyx blurts out, surprised to see the gigantic mech gently but firmly escort the drunk frames off of the stage.

Lugnut?

Nyx pointed Nox and Pax to his memories of Transformers: Animated- ah, the same continuity that the Shockwave they saw was from. There was another frame working with Lugnut, a large framed femme with purplish-maroon paint, Strika. Nyx said after a moment of looking through his memories and spotting the femme.

Strika and Lugnut… They were Decepticons in the continuity, and yet here they were, in a bar with no emblem of either faction on their frames. They were Neutral as far as Nox could see, maybe they were undercover? But then again, they didn't seem to have any weapons on their frames, their kibble was different from the continuity that Nyx recognized them from, and they seemed cordial compared to the fanaticism they were known for in the Animated continuity.

It's bad enough that Prowl, Jazz and Arcee are here, but Strika and Lugnut too? I shouldn't have come here, ex-Prime lead or not. Nox despaired, nearly draining his cup a bit too fast again. We don't even know if it's a lead! I mean, if it WAS a lead, then wouldn't Mako be doing something?! The thought hit hard as he realized that the ancient-relic in disguise was suspiciously still on his chassis. It hadn't move at all since he had came into the bar.

Wasn't that a sign that maybe there wasn't even a ex-Prime here? That Nyx had been wrong? That Nox was just wasting his time and was now stuck in an unfortunate situation, trying to chase down someone that maybe, maybe, had the answers to the questions he had about the Matrix? About everything?

Nyx didn't give a retort or a quip, I'm sorry if that's the case. He apologized sincerely, and whatever building anger and annoyance Nox had just puttered out. The purple mech looking at his near-empty cup with a deep vent.

A small servo tapped his leg, and Nox blinked as the minicon waiter had returned. "Refill?" The small mech asked quietly in an almost concerned tone, a frown on his faceplate. He held up the bottle to Nox.

Nox took a moment before venting again, nodding and offering his cup. "Yes. Please." He lets the waiter fill his cup, letting the high grade engex fill it more than before. "Thank you." The waiter smiled, tapping his leg again, but instead of leaving like before, he pointed to himself.

"Shepherd!"

What?

He's introducing himself, Pax nudged Nox mentally and Nox coughed slightly. Leaning down closer and giving the visored minicon a nod, "Nox. Orion Nox." He introduced back, offering a servo to the small mech. Shepherd's smile widened and he set down the bottle to shake Nox's servo with both of his. The size difference between them was a little ridiculous, especially since Shepherd was probably a few inches taller than Nyx's actual height as a human.

Minicons, human-sized cybertronians. Nyx laughed in their helmspace, I wonder if they grant powers here like in the Armada continuity.

Nox internally cringed as he remembered the Armada continuity- mostly because the Megatron of that continuity looked unfortunately close to the Decepticon Leader Megazarak, only less intimidating and more sane, if you would believe it. But then he paused and mentally kicked Nyx, I don't want to find out if that's possible here. Minicons have it hard enough at their sizes- they don't need to be the new Outliers!

Nyx winced, remembering the fact that most Outliers were being pulled into conscription on both sides- it wasn't exactly a law yet, but it was heavily promoted and encouraged for those with outlier abilities to become soldiers and to fight, before it was against each other but now it was against the Quintessons. Okay, fair point.

"Enjoy your drink, Orion Nox!" Shepherd chirped, letting go of Nox's servo, waving as he prepared to go back to work.

"Thanks, you- uh, have a nice work shift." He barely managed to save his own aft, almost saying 'You too'. Which would have mortified him, which was the last thing he wanted to feel while in a bar, or drinking high grade. Shepherd beamed before slipping back into the crowd with envious agility. Nox would probably stumble if he tried to do the same. Primus, he shouldn't have barged into the bar without checking from the outside…

"Alright everyone!" A voice boomed, startling Nox slightly. Oh right, the stage was being cleared for a reason it seems.

And that reason was a big, portly mech in rustic green and bronze, sporting something akin to a metallic beard over his faceplate. From the noise around the bar, he realized the mech was Maccadam, the bar's owner. He didn't look like any mech that Nyx and Pax could recognize, nor did he resemble any of the Primes that Nox could remember from the historic pictures of them. He certainly didn't look like Alchemist Prime, who left Cybertron so long ago.

And Mako was still not doing a single thing, not even a tremble.

Maccadam wasn't an ex-Prime.

Nox didn't know if he was relieved or disappointed.

Maccadam's orange optics swept through the crowd, and for a moment, their gazes met. Nox tensed but then relaxed when he moved on, he probably imagined the glimmer of interest in his optic, or maybe it wasn't for him. Maccadam was hosting an event in his bar after all. "Thanks for comin' to the last round in Iacon! Hopin' to see some of ya bucketheads in our next locaton; Kaon!" He announced making Nox perk, Kaon?

Megatron's home city?

For all the gripes he had about the bar, their engex seemed top-notch. He was enjoying the glass of whatever high grade he had at the moment. But what did he know? He'd tasted Prologex's high grade before this, so if he visited Kaon at some point and they were established there, he wouldn't mind getting another drink here, preferably with Dee and there were less patrons in the bar.

It is good engex. Pax agreed softly in his helm and Nox could see a few fragmented memories drift about their helmspace, of a gladiator and an archivist sharing a drink in the depths of Kaon. Neither Nox or Nyx commented about it, leaving Pax to his reminiscing.

The crowd of drinkers and drunks were a mess of cheers, jeers, boos, laughter and cries of protest. "You've moved all over Cybertron you old piece of slag! Settle down permanently why don't you?!" Someone shouted somewhere in the bar, and a few bots exclaimed their agreement.

The old mech snorted, "And deprive the rest of Cybertron of my good booze? Not a chance! Iacon's had it good for the time bein', we actually overstayed here y'know! 'Bout time we moved! Now shut your traps and le'me continue on you no-good drunks!" He retorted harshly, though there was no heat behind his tone. The crowd merely laughed or boo'd him again, "The round's not over yet! We've got good booze, we got treats, and now I'm in a good mood! Don't make me regret this ya'll, but I'm openin' the stage to anybody who wan'a sing!"

The crowd's response was cacophonous, Nox had to press against his audials while lowering them as much as possible- he was kind of glad Dee was in the Primal Basilica now, he'd get such a migraine here right now.

"Alright! Alright! 'Nuff 'o that! Pipe down!" Maccadam commanded as the stage shifted slightly, a thick microphone stand rose from the ground, "I ain't done yet! We got rules in place! No one 'cept my bouncers get to shove mechs off my stage! If I don't like the song, you're off the stage! If I really don't like the song, you're outta my damn bar! The stand's got a jack-in for songs only! No speeches, no strange audio slag, music only bots, you got that?!"

Nox had to wonder if someone had commandeered the stage to make speeches now, From what he's said, probably. Nyx laughed as Nox sipped more of his glass. He hears the bots around the bar agree loudly, with only a few disagreements or joking complaints drowned out by the numbers.

Certainly hope the first song's good. Nox thought to himself as Maccadam continued.

"Good! Now, to start us off…" Maccadam snapped his fingers and pointed. "You."

Nox choked as nearly all optics turned on him, the damning digit a Primus-damned spotlight on his frame, "Purple 'n green bot at the bar, chokin'. Yeah, you'll start us off." Maccaddam clarified, as if to further seal Nox's fate, a denta-filled smile on his faceplate, orange optics glowing bright. "Get 'im up here!"

"No, wait, hold on!" Nox tried to protest, but the more loyal and enthusiastic bar patrons were quick to grab him from his barstool and guide him all the way to the stage with minimal protests. From the other patrons at least, Nox was trying to get away with all the protests. "This isn't- hey! No! Wait! Sto- let me-" For a mech who had single-handed downed a Spark Extractor Ship, who wielded the Star Saber and helf half of the Matrix, Nox was helpless to the crowd that managed to get him to the stage with only a few scratches and maybe a dent or two from the drunken handling. Nothing serious but still.

Oh dear.

Uh oh.

Were the oh-so intellectual reactions of his fellow Orions as Nox found himself standing on stage with Maccadam, the damned old mech looking far too pleased with the events going on. "I don't- I'm not singing!" He blurted out, faceplate heated- well, his entire frame felt a bit hot. Heating up from not only the stress and attention but the high-grade he'd drunk- he swore he had a better tolerance to engex, he only had two glasses of the stuff!

"Sure you are, lad!" Maccadam denied, pressing the microphone into his servo and gesturing to the slot at the microphone stand, "Remember, songs only! And hey, if ya do somethin' good, I might give ya a bottle o' the engex you were drinkin'. On the house." The fragger had the gall to pat his shoulder before absconding from the stage entirely before Nox could say a word in return.

Leaving Nox alone on the stage, physically at least.

Internally, Nox was screaming in his helmspace at his otherselves who were trying their best to keep him calm. Though it was a bit hard with how warm the helmspace suddenly seemed to be. It's- It's okay. Pax stuttered- stuttered? Maybe we can… just leave?

Before Nox could even try to do that, because he really wanted to, a shout from the crowd drew his attention away from the helmspace. "Come on now! Sing!"

"Yeah! Start us off mech! Don't just stand there!" Another one chimed in, and just like that, the bar was loud again, and a chant was forming.

"Sing! Sing! Sing! Sing!"

Nox's helm felt stuffy, warm and he felt like throwing up. He couldn't throw up- but he couldn't sing either.

Yeah you can, you've got a nice voice Nox. Nyx reassured firmly, somehow sounding the most put together out of the three of them. Pax made a soft noise of agreement. Need some help?

PLEASE.

Nyx opened Nox's wrist paneling for a cable, connecting to the slot in the microphone stand, Wait, hold on- Nox protested but Nyx mentally patted Nox's helm.

Trust me Nox. Come on, let's at least have some fun here.

Nox would have protested more, if his optics hadn't wandered, and somehow in the crowd, he managed to spot Shepherd looking at him. Somehow, despite the visor, he knew the minicon's optics were wide open and expectant, his smile was small yet stood out the most among the chanting crowd. Something in his chassis twinged, and the warmth in his lines tingled

Nox's digits tightened around the microphone.

Frag it.

"I'm glad you guys could make it!"

Jazz waved off Arcee's bright exclamation with his own laughter, "And miss out Maccadam's last round? Where they serve his best brews for cheap? You'd be out of your mind if you think I'd miss that!" He replied as Arcee set down the drinks on their table.

Smokescreen grinned with him, "Yeah! 'Sides, we needed a nice pick-me-up and some good engex anyway." He said lightly, though only Jazz knew that he meant it because of what Prowl had revealed to him, Bluestreak and Smokescreen. Somewhat.

Prowl, his lovable, cute conjunx, had told Smokescreen, Jazz and Bluestreak about the sparks recovered from the Spark Extraction ships. Sparks, Praxian, Vosnian and whoever else who'd been taken during the fall of Praxus, had been safely returned to the Well of Allsparks where they belonged. Smokescreen had cried the moment he had found out, relieved to know that his people, some of them at least, were back in Primus' embrace.

Bluestreak had cried too, at first with grief, it turned to relief though from whatever Prowl showed him in that video memory. Jazz wouldn't know. And he wouldn't ask, not unless Prowl offered to show him as well. He had his suspicions, he knows Silverstreak, the brothers' sire, had fallen in Praxus but again, he wouldn't ask. Wouldn't mention it, just offered comfort and support to the two most important mechs in his life.

And now they were here, partially mourning but mostly celebrating in Maccadam's bar. The fact it was his Last Round in Iacon was a good bonus, the high grade would be cheap, even if they ordered the best in stock. Jazz would've been willing to splurge though, his Praxian love and friends deserved that much.

But Arcee was footing the bill for this, and Jazz wouldn't complain about that.

"It's really crowded!" Bluestreak awed as he began dipping his gel-oil treat into his engex, enjoying the flavor. "I knew Maccadam's was a good bar, but there's a lot more mechs I expected."

"Never underestimate the lure of discounted booze and a reason to party." Smokescreen retorted with a grin, hefting his large cubic glass of engex- heaviest drinker that Jazz has ever known and yet somehow his FIM chip was still good going, damned mech doesn't even have the decency to have a hangover the next cycle. "Plus, Maccadam's got some loyal followers, though some are kinda…"

Arcee took over when Smokescreen trailed off uncertainly, "Delusional." She chirped, a similar sized glass in her slim servos- at least she could get hangovers. But the femme was weird in that she actually liked the processor aching aftermath of a heavy-drinking event.

Prowl and Jazz snorted while Smokescreen smirked, "Wow, straight to the cable of it huh?"

"Delusional? That seems a bit much." Bluestreak said with a wince, and Jazz knew he was thankful they were in a semi-private close quarters comm. While festivities were happening around them, they could speak comfortably in private and actually hear each other without shouting themselves, so unless someone knew how to read intakes like Jazz, they couldn't exactly hear what they were all saying.

"Hey, I call it like I see it." Arcee replied with a shrug, "Some of them think that Maccadam's got this- pre-warning senses or something. Or that Maccadam can see the future, outlier ability of precognition. Maccadam's been moving his bar since before the Quintesson wars, started like, a few vorns after Alchemist Prime's life signal died- get this? One of the rumors about Maccadams is that he's an ex-Prime. Can you believe it?" She and Smokescreen shared a laugh while Bluestreak gave them both a befuddled look.

Smokescreen continued on, hooking an arm around Bluestreak's shoulders, "Point is, Maccadam has been a bar owner for a very long time- he never opens other branches, sticks to one bar only. And he moves said bar to a different city after some time, could be a few hundred vorns, could only be ten. Some folks think that because he's been at it for so long, and that he keeps moving cities, he can predict when slag goes wrong. He's managed to avoid a slag ton of events that should've put him under one way or another, but he always manages to just- move away just in time."

"Really?" Bluestreak's blue optics glanced around the table, to his shock, even Prowl nodded.

Although Prowl's faceplate was an entirely dry expression, "Maccadam's managed moved out of a city right before a Quintesson invasion, that's one of the reasons why they think he can 'predict' bad events and why he keeps moving. Not only that, but there's allegations of him dealing under the table, so to speak. A few investigations were even called on him, his staff and his bar, but nothing ever came out of it." He glanced over to Jazz who nodded back.

One of the weirdest investigations that Jazz had ever had the pleasure of partaking, then again, he hadn't done much since he'd been a lower rank and it was all the way back in Polyhex but yeah, nothing came from the investigation. Just really good booze, nice treats, decent service and a charm that had Jazz coming back to the bar whenever he's around in whatever city they're in.

He was pretty lucky when they came into Iacon a long while ago, meant that he could come over more often.

Was there something more to the bar? Maybe, Jazz would admit that were a few odd things here and there but Maccadam never seemed to do anything too shady, nothing obvious at least… Not that Jazz would tell anyone but Prowl and those involved with the investigation, which had been pretty bogus from the start anyway.

Maccadams wasn't an outlier, and no one working in the bar were outliers either.

"Enough of that! It's time to drink!" Arcee declared, ignoring Prowl's statement of 'You were already drinking' in favor of raising her big glass of energon. "We've got things to celebrate! Booze to down! A bar to say bye-bye to! To Maccadams!"

Smokescreen snorted, lifting his own large glass to clink against hers, "To good company!"

Jazz grinned, nudging Prowl so he could go first, his beloved conjunx rolled his optics but complied, glass clinking softly against Arcee's and Smokescreen's. "To success."

"To the ones we lost along the way." Bluestreak offered softly, smiling a bit sadly but having a glint of determination in his optics as his glass joined the others.

Jazz's grin widened as he lifted his cup, "And to the future, where things look up for everyone!" He exclaimed, wondering how his past self would react to him now. An Autobot espionage agent with a loving conjunx, great friends and a future that seemed to look a little brighter.

Meister wouldn't be able to believe a slumbot like him turned out this way, straying from the Decepticon cause that he thought was the best path of life for him.

Which made every good moment he had with Prowl and the others, all the more worth it.

Festivities within the bar continued, a few drunk mechs even bumped into their table but nothing violent happened- aside from Prowl's annoyed look, most of them just laughed and sent the drunkards on their way. Speaking of drunk, Arcee and Smokescreen were well on their way towards that.

Prowl and Bluestreak had colored faceplates but were still clear-minded while Jazz was in a comfortable buzz. Or as comfortable as getting drunk he would let himself in public, he was always more comfortable in being more drunk in private, especially if it was just Prowl.

Still, he enjoyed it.

Drinking with his friends and conjunx, the air of the bar was great, morale was high and Jazz was very much looking forward to his favorite part of a Maccadam's Last Round celebrations.

"Alright everyone!" A voice boomed and Jazz perked, intake curling upwards as he sipped his drink. There it was.

Open Stage Time.

As an enjoyer of music, Jazz loved Maccadam's tradition of opening the stage to any random bot who wanted to sing. Even if sometimes the songs weren't his style, or if the singing was bad, usually it was a great time and a few rare occasions, Jazz would be filing away a new song to add to his playlist.

He was mostly in it to watch bots sing their sparks out, see which bot was passionate enough to finish the song in spectacular fashion, even when drunk.

Sometimes though, he did feel a bit bad for whoever ended up getting dragged up there. Jazz's smile lessened when a purple and green mech got dragged to the stage- that part was normal actually, Maccadam always chose someone to go first. But usually they willing participants.

The poor mech on stage looked like he was about to breakdown from the attention he was getting.

He clearly didn't want to sing, or at least, he was panicking from being put on stage so suddenly.

"Damn." Smokescreen said with a frown, noticing the same thing.

Bluestreak cringed when the bar began to chant 'Sing! Sing! Sing!' "Oh no." The mech looked even more overwhelmed. "M-Maybe someone should help him?"

Arcee pressed her glass against Jazz's free servo, "Alright, I'll get him off the stage, sing out Luna One or something." Before she could leave though, Jazz grabbed her arm, stopping her.

"Wait." Something shifted in the purple mech's body language, "I think he'll be alright." Despite how he was near-panicking just a few nano-kliks ago, his shoulders set, his frame tensed, he took a cable from his wrist and he reached out to grab the microphone after plugging in the cable.

Looks like the mech was going to sing after all.

"Think he's gonna sing a popular song?" Smokescreen asked curious now that the purple mech was going to sing.

Jazz shrugged, wondering the same thing, but as he did, he spied Prowl's faceplate. He looked curious, but there seemed to be more on his processor. Before he could send a message to Prowl about it, music started to filter through the bar's sound system.

A funky type of music that made Jazz pause, instantly curious about the unfamiliar beat. The bar's chanting had stopped when the music started.

This was definitely not a popular song, at least, not anything Jazz knew about. Pit, he can't even recognize the music instruments being used in it!

Finally, after a few kliks of music playing, the mech leaned forward and began to sing.

"All that I want,
Is to wake up fine.
Tell me that I'm alright,
That I ain't gonna die."

Somewhat morbid lyrics for such a funky start of a song, but at the same time, Jazz couldn't help but bop his helm to the beat. Sides, it was relatable, everyone wanted to be alright, no one wanted to die. Especially not now.

The mech's pede began to tap on the stage, his hesitation gradually being replaced by confidence. And he should be! It was an interesting start to an interesting song, and his voice was great now that he was steadily focusing on singing instead of letting himself be overwhelmed.

"All that I want,
Is a hole in the ground.
You can tell me when it's alright,
For me to come out."

For some reason, Jazz's thoughts went back to his younger cycles as a slumbot sparkling. He'd slept in a few holes in the ground quite literally, waiting for his carrier, or anyone kind, to coax him out. His servos tightened around his glass, yet when he caught Prowl's concerned optic, he smiled, relaxed.

He'd come out of those holes eventually, even without anyone else to tell him to.

"(Hard times.)"

The mech sang, though this time, there was a strange accompaniment to his voice, like someone else was singing- must be an additional background voice layered in the music playing in the sound system. The mech knew this song by spark if he sang right at the same time alongside the background voices.

"Gonna make you wonder why you even try,
(Hard times.)
Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry!
(These lives—)
And I still don't know how I even survive.
(Hard times.)
(Hard times!)"

The mech's frame straightened, and he looked up at the crowd with a determined expression, holding to the microphone with one servo while his free one pointed downwards.

"And I gotta get to rock bottom! (UH!)"

Arcee and Smokescreen were bouncing slightly in their seats to the rhythm, clearly enjoying the song and having drunk even more. "'S a good song!" Arcee exclaimed after a large swig, smiling widely in the moment where music played.

They weren't the only ones who enjoyed it, Jazz looked around subtly and saw that bar, who had been unsure of the unknown song, slowly getting into it, trying to learn the beat and lyrics- he'd heard a few trying to sing along, but no one knew the lyrics to it and failed when the mech on stage moved on to a whole new verse.

"Walking around,
With my little rain cloud.
Hanging over my head,
And it ain't coming down."

Jazz had been recording the moment he heard the music play and realized it was a song he didn't recognize. He'd try to find the official song later, but he wanted to revisit this moment and analyze the lyrics and sound at a later time. Plus, it was just a good song- he's pretty sure he's not the only one recording.

Still, he has to wonder about the origins of the song, was this a personal song the mech had made? Or a close friend did? It was made pretty well, all things considered, professionally even. The music could rival some of Jazz's own favorites, or a few classics like Luna One and Primal Role.

If it was an original song, professionally made, why debut it in a bar? Why not go to a music producer? Jazz swept those thoughts aside for now, wanting to focus on enjoying the music for the moment.

"Where do I go?
Gimme some sort of sign,
You hit me with lightning!
Maybe I'll come alive."

Prowl gives a small snort, a wry smile on his faceplate for some reason that Jazz couldn't get why. He shot the mech a questioning look.

.: Artemis Prime absorbed Decepticon Seeker Thundercracker's lightning and used it on a Giga-Class beast. :. Prowl reminded him in a private channel and Jazz coughed, how the frag did he forget that? It had been one pit of a thing to find out, not just from an official report, but by a few shaky clips of the entire incident that got leaked into the public. It was an famous clip at this point.

Yeah, he can see why this part of the lyrics made Prowl snort. It made Jazz wanna laugh now that he had in it mind.

"(Hard times.)" The mech leaned forward, and nearly the entire bar perked as they recognized the lyrics he was singing.

This must be the chorus, and the patrons were determined to sing along this time.

"Gonna make you wonder why you even try,
(Hard times.)
Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry!
(These lives—)
And I still don't know how I even survive.
(Hard times.)
(Hard times!)"

The entire bar joined in this time when the mech, they really needed to find out his name, pointed downwards.

"And I gotta get to rock bottom! (UH!)"

There were multiple thuds from servo and pede slamming down to emphasize the end.

The music shifted slightly, still keeping its funky tune but slowing a tad as the mech continued without pause. His voice slow, wistful almost, as he sang the next part of the song that only he seemed to know. Leaning away from the stand, swaying slightly in place.

"Tell my friends I'm coming down,
We'll kick it, when I hit the ground.
Tell my friends I'm coming down,
We'll kick it, when I hit the ground."

It's almost melancholic, the way he sings. Nostalgic in a way, and Jazz can feel a few old memories surfacing in his processor. Moments where things were tough, where he'd been knocked down again and again.

"When I hit the ground…"

Moments where he sometimes doubted on what the frag his life even was, and he wondered if he'd survive to see another cycle.

"When I hit the ground…"

Moments that, ultimately, had been a hard time for him to get through. As Meister, as Jazz.

"When I hit the ground…"

But in the end, Jazz had gotten through those hard times, had managed to get to a point in the end, a point in his life, where he felt safe enough and comfortable. Where he was happy and wanted to keep that happiness.

"When I hit the ground…"

"Jazz?" Prowl's optics shuttered as Jazz's servo reached out to thread their digits together, the tactician looking questioning and concerned before surprise as Jazz laughed, standing up to sweep Prowl off his seat and unto the floor. He's not the only mech to stand, Smokescreen and Arcee drag Bluestreak from the table, multiple sitting patrons find themselves pulled from their seats or getting up themselves.

Despite the unfamiliarity of the song, the chorus was learned quickly and the whole bar was on their pedes, dancing and singing.

"(Hard times!)
Gonna make you wonder why you even try.
(Hard times!)
Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry!
These lives—
And I still don't know how I even survive.
Hard times, (hard times!)
Hard times, (hard times!)"

There wasn't that much room to dance comfortably, yet no one seemed to care. Any bumping or collision was brushed off in favor of more dancing, the song resonating something deep within their sparks whether they knew it or not. Jazz was very sure he even saw Maccadam indulging a brief dance with one of his small workers, a minicon waiter.

Either way, Jazz was having fun. Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Arcee were having fun. Prowl was having fun even! A smile on his faceplate as his threaded digits tightened in Jazz's hold, their frames brushing together, and their bond twining deeply against their sparks.

"(Hard times!)
Gonna make you wonder why you even try.
(Hard times!)
Gonna take you down and laugh when you cry!
These lives—
And I still don't know how I even survive.
Hard times, (hard times!)
Hard times, (hard times!)"

The mech on stage was grinning now, optics glowing bright as he shuffled on the stage, dancing in place- it was adorable. But the real treat was, of course, the song. The music. The lyrics. His voice. It seemed to get better and better throughout the song, filling with confidence and passion and Jazz just knew that some music producers would be approaching him at some point- if they were in the bar right nor or even afterwards.

It was a sight to see, Jazz couldn't even recognize the passionate mech on stage from the overwhelmed bot who got dragged up front by the old bar owner. Jazz hadn't been happy he had chosen someone who didn't seem willing and seemed to gave in to peer pressure, but he can't deny that the results were fantastic at the end.

"(Makes you wonder why you even try,
Makes you wonder why you even try,
Makes you wonder why you even try,
Makes you wonder sometimes!)"

The mech had stopped singing for a while, letting the background voices take over. The voices sounded strange, two from what Jazz could hear. One sounded soothing, comforting even, especially in song form. Meshing well with the second voice that sounded extremely strange.

Despite the lyric's contents though, Jazz couldn't help but feel uplifted. It did make him wonder why he tried, all his life. And the reason was right in his arms, right by his side, living a life with his Prowler, his friends and family. Jazz wanted to keep them safe, keep them happy, and see the next cycle with them.

That was why he even tried.

"(Still don't know how I even survive,
Still don't know how I even survive,
Still don't know how I even survive,
Still don't know how I survive!)"

It was a wonder, yeah. On how he survived sometimes, but he was grateful. He was happy. And he hadn't stopped at surviving.

He was living his life. And nothing would stop him from that wonderful fact.

The mech leaned forward, this time, pointing at the crowd instead of downwards, belting out the last lyrics of the song.

"And I gotta get to rock bottom! (UH!)"

The bar burst into cheers as the music slowed to a stop, the purple and green mech venting visibly on stage. A bead of condensation trailing down his faceplate as he looked on with a kind of awe and wonder. Jazz clapped alongside everyone else, grinning in approval- it was a great start to Open Stage Time.

Maccadam managed to get himself back on stage, an impressed and approving expression on his faceplate, "Now I speak for everyone when I say; good job mech!" He exclaimed, slapping a servo on the mech's backplates, almost knocking him forward against the stand. The bar cheered again, agreeing with the owner's words. "Alright, ya earned that bottle! Off ya go!"

A few patrons actually began to protest, "Why not let 'im sing again?!" "Encore! Encore! Encore!"

Despite the bright expression the purple mech had earlier, he physically cringed back at the prospect of singing again, still venting a bit heavily. Thankfully, instead of giving into the crowd, Maccadam stomped his pede with a dark warning look, "Stop y'er yammerin' you rustbuckets! No encores! This is the last round of my bar here in Iacon! Not a damn concert! We're gettin' other mechs on this stage as is tradition you dumb fools!" He declared, nudging the purple mech off the stage with the careful help of one of the bouncers- Lugnut, Jazz remembered him.

Lugnut was even as helpful in making sure the other patrons weren't bothering the clearly exhausted mech, acting as a temporary bodyguard as he was escorted away. While Jazz was glad that the mech was being taken care of, and not being forced to sing again but he'll admit that he was a little bit disappointed in not hearing another song. Be it a new one from the mech, or maybe the mech's own voice in singing any other popular song. He was really good.

Jazz could only hope he was going to get scouted by a good producer, and that he'll debut at some point. Or maybe he'll upload his stuff on the Grid. Who knows.

At any rate, OST continued on and the Last Round of Iacon in Maccadam's Oil House was a great time all in all.

.: O! There you are! It's past the time where we have to switch but you didn't show up and I couldn't reach you at all! Did something happen?! Are you okay?! Where are you!? :.

.: Dee, I wanna go home. :.

.: O?? What the- are you okay? O? :.

.: I think I'm gonna purge… :.

.: WHAT?! Hold on! Tell me where you are! :.

.: Blugh- urp— :.

.: Orion?! :.

Goldbug watched a bit stunned from behind Delver as the two-wheeler kept a protective stance in front of him, using his own body to shield him away from the strange white and green stranger that had suddenly burst into their training warehouse.

"Who are you and what do you want?" His friend demanded with a firm frown.

The bot, a flight frame? Held their servos out in an attempt to placate Delver, a deep yet soft voice calling out from behind the full-faceplated visor. "Pulsebeat; does not want to fight. Only wants the same thing you two want."

"What?" Goldbug couldn't help but ask aloud, optics shuttering in incredulous confusion.

Suddenly, the visor flickered on and instead showed the faceplate of Artemis Prime.

"Pulsebeat; wants to find the Primes. Goldbug; knows identities of the Primes. Mutual interest, same goal."

Ah.

Well that's… something.

Chapter Text

Delver was in trouble.

Delver was in deep trouble.

One of his personal lines had been crossed, unknowingly by himself, by Goldbug of all bots.

Don't get attached.

Attachment meant a link, a weakness. Something that could be used against him. Especially when it meant other bots.

Every bot in his life was labeled neatly in his processor, and then placed firmly in an appropriate distance. From his strict and equally distant teacher to his estranged, missing sire. He put distance between nearly all of his relationships, past, present and future… at least, he thought he had.

Goldbug.

G-721.

Or as Delver had first known him; insect1fan_127.

He had met Goldbug when the mech had been a youngling, scrawling through the entomology section of the organic wildlife forums. Organic life was something of an interest of his, something he used to try and curb, especially when he was still in training but now, on his own? He indulged in it. At first, hesitantly. As time passed, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

There was just something about organic life that enthralled him, fascinated him. The difference between living cybernetic life and organic life was just interesting flat out, and unlike majority of his planet, he liked organic creatures.

The Quintessons obviously didn't count, they were techno-organic abominations.

But most other organic lifeforms? Fascinating.

If it weren't for the Quintessons, the war in general, Delver would have left Cybertron in favor of personally seeing all the organic life he'd read about. Technically, he could. But that was, unfortunately, a last resort. A risky one at that.

At any rate, he'd been visiting the entomology section when he stumbled upon someone posting comparisons of an organic insect to a cybernetic one. Gushing about both but making some interesting points in comparing the two as well as some key differences. It was a fairly interesting post, enough that he interacted, having questions that were swiftly answered.

Answered in a surprisingly intellectual and factual way, though some of his writing was suspiciously juvenile and childish. Delver had done some research of his own after the post, just to see if insect1fan_127 had been correct; he had. The mech behind the post was a clear enthusiast and a knowledgeable one at that.

The post led him to pay more attention to organic insects, not just the usual species he drifted towards- mamals, they were called. Insectoids of the organic sway were just as interesting, he found. And because of his new interest in insects, he bumped into insect1fan_127 frequently on the same posts or went to him with questions he might have, he seemed like a reliable expert of it.

And from there… it grew beyond interest.

Delver found himself checking 127's profile and posts, the ones not involving insects and found himself baffled by the juvenile contents. Boasting about how strong 127 was in real life, not-so-subtly asking questions about thigns that, if he'd been truthful in his other posts about his age, he should know about already, and more.

It was then that Delver realized that 127 was possibly a youngling, someone who hadn't even entered their adult frame yet. It was surprising, for all the knowledge 127 had, rivaling specific organic researchers at times, 127 was someone much younger than him.

He should have cut his interest there, moved away from organic insects, away from insect1fan_127.

He didn't.

Instead, he kept an eye on 127.

Kept asking him questions about insects.

Eventually moving on to some more personal questions- if only to ensure that 127 wasn't shooting himself in the pede. 127 had gotten into some childish fights online with some other entomology-enjoyers, who were admittedly false on their end (usually), and Delver was worried the youngling would doing or saying something that he would either regret or get in trouble for.

The mech was a mechling, a youngling.

His interest in insects were endearing, but he shouldn't be getting into online fights with other, older bots.

Delver ended up looking out for 127.

And as a result, he got closer to 127.

Eventually learning his actual designation; G-721.

Eventually gaining G-721's personal commlink.

Eventually seeing G-721's faceplate.

Eventually letting G-721 see his faceplate.

Eventually learning more and more about G-721, his goals, his past, his dreams.

A dream Devler didn't approve of, but didn't think he had the right to intervene on. They weren't that close, and G-721 was now a full adult- a young one, but he was an adult all in all. No longer a youngling.

Delver should have cut ties then, the moment G-721 changed into his first adult frame. The moment G-721 revealed his plan of joining the Decepticon cause. The moment G-721 revealed his faceplate, his designation. The moment G-721 had asked for Delver's commlink, his own designation, and that first face-to-face call.

He didn't though.

And now here he was.

Teaching Goldbug how to fight, in an abandoned building he'd converted into a private training warehouse. Letting Goldbug stay in his habsuite, one cycle turned to a few more then nearly two deca-cycles.

Delver made the mistake of becoming attached to Goldbug, maybe he could have cut things off when they were still just online friends but now? Having spent time with Goldbug in reality, having lived with him for two deca-cycles, having trained him in dodging and as of recently, the very basics of fighting and self-defense?

"Hup!" Goldbug made a noise, dodging the basic punch that Delver threw only to be caught in a hold- when Delver attempted to throw him over his shoulder, the young four-wheeler managed to twist out of his hold. It's passable, in truth, it was impressive considering Goldbug has only seriously been training for the past couple of deca-cycles.

Then again, Goldbug admitted to sticking to a healthy exercise regiment, not to mention being a miner required one to build stamina and reinforce a few cables and frames. Goldbug was surprisingly flexible for his frame type, and he was fast. As a learner and a bot.

However…

Just as Goldbug tried to reorient himself, Delver took the opportunity to grab the yellow and blue mech again, instead of throwing him over his shoulder, he twisted, using momentum to sweep Goldbug to the side where he stumbled and crashed into a metal dummy.

Goldbug let out a yelp of pain, curses tumbled out of his intake, "Dammit Delver!" He exclaimed after managing to get himself on his pedes again.

"The sooner you can reorient yourself, the better the outcome of the fight. Especially if your opponent is more focused than you." Delver told him, derma curling upwards slightly at the annoyed, 'duh' expression on his faceplate. Yes, it was obvious advice, and yet it was the truth. There were enemies whose entire fighting styles relied on disorienting and discombobulating their opponents to gain the upper hand.

Goldbug would need to hone his instincts and reflexes to even stand a chance against those foes. He needed to be ready for whatever would happen if he truly did want to stand by a Prime's side.

Delver's thought process faltered at the thought of Goldbug following after a Prime.

He had already disapproved of his first goal of joining the Decepticons, but now aiming to join the enigmatic Prime's side? Supposedly, they were neutral, but those were merely rumors and assumptions. Based on the fact they'd yet to make proper public appearances or declare their intentions were, aside from obviously defending Cybertron from the Quintessons.

Which was a commendable and well-liked reason, but soon enough, bots would wonder if the Primes would show favor to one side or the other. He already knows that some Decepticons were saying that Solaris, the Silver Prime, Goldbug's favored Prime, was a Decepticon supporter for the sole fact he looked nearly identical to Megatronus Prime. The Prime that inspired their faction, whose helm was the literal symbol of their side.

It didn't help that the Prime had, so far, mainly worked with General Megatron. Another mech that Goldbug admired greatly, and was one of the reasons why he first wanted to join the Decepticons beforehand. It made Delver wonder the same, but until there was more evidence or maybe even verbal confirmation from the Primes', either one of them, he would hold off any real assumption about their sides.

Privately though, he hoped the Primes would actually be neutral. More and more bots were being pulled into both sides by the cycle, and outliers who weren't picking a side were being called draft dodgers even though there wasn't actually a law about outliers having to enlist… yet.

Despite being plagued by worrying thoughts, Delver's frame moved as an arm swiped at his side. Dodging Goldbug's attempts at a punch with ease. "Ugh! Even when distracted I can't hit you." Goldbug complained petulantly, but he was back to basic fighting stance that Delver taught him. It wasn't a perfect fit for the mech, Goldbug wasn't exactly suited for cyberninja training, but he was suited for a fighting style that was fast and nimble.

"I wasn't distracted Goldbug," Delver replied amusedly, "Just thinking. Though, even if I was, I'm trained enough that my instincts and reflexes will keep me safe." Anybody else would think this him bragging but it was just the truth to him. Goldbug seemed to know that, nodding with a look of determination set in his red optics.

It was a trait that Delver had to admit, he admired of Goldbug. Despite the strict training regime that he's made Goldbug undergo, though not as strict and harsh as his own, though the mech had complained, he always went through with it in the end. Even his complaints were brief enough that Delver wasn't annoyed by them.

Time and time again, Goldbug continued to surprise him.

And time and time again, the truth of the matter would continually return to his process;

Delver was attached to Goldbug.

They were…

Friends.

Not acquaintances.

The label of 'friend' didn't even seem to fit, but Delver was already struggling to accept it as it was already.

It wouldn't be a while until he'd verbally agree with Goldbug's label of— 'best friend.'

Delver took in a deep, calming vent. One step at a time, Delver reminded himself. The same advice he'd given to a briefly impatient Goldbug much earlier during their training.

One step at a—

Something in his processor twinged, and immediately Delver was twisting away from Goldbug's lunge but instead of catching Goldbug, he grabbed a few knives from his subspace and flung them high into the air, startling Goldbug who made a yelp of confusion as Delver's knives flew threw the air and at the window.

The glass shattered but the knives didn't lose their momentum at all, boosted by Delver's ability.

Something cried out in alarm, not a mech's cry, yet there was a voice that cursed him out afterwards. Delver tensed as the door to his training area burst open, making Delver step back and slip into a protective stance, keeping Goldbug behind him. The younger bot was finally back on his pedes and thankfully kept himself behind Delver without complaint, optics wide and frame just as tense.

The intruder was a slim bot, Delver's investigative training kicked in as he observed the stranger. Possibly younger than him, but much older than Goldbug. Green and white were the majority colors of their slim yet large frame, Delver couldn't see any weapon kibble but he could recognize the closed ports to tentacle-cables which could be used as weapons even though their main purpose was mostly information gathering.