Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: The Beginning 

Far from any civilization lies a calm, tranquil forest. The sounds of Metal Birds chirping and flying bounce in the air. In this forest, a large tree stands with a singular poster. A wanted poster specifically with the picture of a young mech.

"This is the story of how I died. 

Don’t worry! It’s not as bad as it sounds. It's a fun story. And truth be told, it's not really mine. This is the story about an exceptional mech I know. And it starts at, well, the dawn of time.

In the beginning, there was Primus. To protect our universe, he sacrificed his life and became the planet we live on: Cybertron. From within Cybertron’s core, Primus used his essence to birthed the first transformers: 

Zeta Prime. Alpha Trion. Prima Prime. Vector Prime. Solus Prime. Micronous Prime. Alchemist Prime. Nexus Prime. Onyx Prime. Amalgamous Prime. Quintus Prime. Liege Maximo. And, last but certainly not least, Megatronous. 

Known as The Thirteen Primes.

The most powerful transformers appointed to lead the planet. They built the city of Iacon, the capital of Cybertron. Within centuries, the city expanded & flourished under their watch. The Primes were beloved by all those whom they swore to protect."

The Primes stood firm, poised, and proud on the balcony of their home, The Prime Tower. They waved down to the citizens with kind smiles. Mechs & Femmes of all ages cheered & praised their strong but also kind protectors. Seeing the people happy filled the ancient transformers with warmth.

Lingering not too far away from them was a mech with shining blue & gold paint, adored with large golden wings on his back. No one noticed the scowl on his faceplate he cast in the Prime’s direction. 

"Oh, you see that blue mech with the giant obnoxious wings over there? You might want to remember him. He’s kind of important.

Anyways. Peace on Cybertron did not always last. Every now and then, a threat would loom over the world. One such was a brutal alien race known as the Quintessons. They were the Prime’s fiercest foes. Their conflict lasted for thousands of cycles. Though the Primes had almost always emerged victorious, The Quintessons were the most dangerous enemies The Thirteen had ever faced. They prayed to Primus for a swift end to this war.

What The Primes did not know was that The Quintessons had help from one of their own."

On a dark lunar cycle on Cybertron’s surface, the blue mech with gold wings flew through the sky. His destination led him to a cave deep into the mountains. The mech darted his helm around, ensuring he was not followed before entering. Inside the cave waiting for him were top-ranking commanders of the Quintenssons. He stood firmly before them. 

Then he knelt down like a subject greeting their rulers.

"Ahh! I told you he’d be important. This mech, Sentinel, was the principal aide to The Thirteen Primes. While he was in a well-off position, Sentinel wanted to rule Cybertron all for himself and was willing to do anything to achieve that. Even if it meant making a bargain with the enemy."

“So here’s my plan.” Sentinel addresses The Quintensson Commanders. “I tell the Primes that I intercepted a message about a secret meeting you all will have and lead them here. That’s when your armies will ambush the Primes, and I will help take the rest of them out. Once The Primes are eliminated, I will take over Cybertron, and you will have an endless supply of Energon." He extended his servo out. "Do we have a deal?

The Lead Quintesson Commander glances at his subordinates. All let out approving snarls. The leader faces back to Sentinel with an extended tentacle to accept the servoshake. Sentinel let out an approved smirk.

"Alright, you get the picture. Scummy traitor. Willing to sell out his own planet. Kill The Primes for power. All that jest. Sounds terrible, doesn't it? To Sentinel, it was the perfect plan to grab the power he ever so desired. It would've gone well..."

Blaster fire landed at the foot of the mech & alien right as they were about to cement their deal, causing them to jump.

"…Were not for some flaws he brushed over."

Sentinel glanced in the direction where the blaster originated. His optics widened in horror once he saw The Thirteen Primes rushing into the cave, surrounding him and the Quintessons Commanders. Armed and not happy-looking.

“I did not wish for it to be true, but there’s denying it now,” Alpha Trion’s voice echoed through the cave walls. Though calm, there was fury in his tone.

“My Primes?! This…This is not what it looks like!” Sentinel desperately insisted.

Alpha Trion manipulated the dust around his hand, showing the image of Sentinel bowing to the aliens and proposing his scheme. “I think we have a pretty clear picture of what it looks like, Sentinel.” 

“How did you even find out?!” Sentinel snarled loudly that it echoed through the cave walls, now realizing that he had been caught blue-servoed. “I covered all of my tracks!” 

“Do you really take us for fools? You think we wouldn’t discover that you're conspiring with the enemy?” Megatronus retorted back with a growl, gripping his trident tightly.

“How could you do this to us?” Prima Prime uttered in disappointment. “We took you in under our guide. Trained you. Taught you. Treat you like our own. And you were willing to betray us?” 

“Why Sentinel? Why?” Zeta Prime breathed out, still in pure disbelief.

Sentinel’s face plate twisted into a sneer. “For all the power on Cybertron. The power that I rightfully deserve!”

"You ruling Cybertron?" Liege Maximo mocked. "That's bad comedy right there."

“You’re a fool to believe you're worthy of such a thing. Not with your cold spark,” Onyx sneered at the traitor.

Nexus, Quintus, and Vector Primes marched forward to apprehend Sentinel. The blue mech pulled out his double-bladed sword. The rest of the Primes tensed as they readied their own weapons.

“Don’t even try it!” Solus Prime raised her forged hammer.

“You’re outnumbered!” Amalgamous Prime followed.

“No chance of you escaping!” Mirconus Prime stepped in.

“Don’t make this worse for yourself!” Alchemist Prime warned.

“Consider your next moves very carefully, Sentinel.” Alpha Trion said in a warning tone. “Stand down, and you'll be granted a fair trial. Attack, and we will defend ourselves. What is your choice?”

Immediately, Sentinel donned his blue battle mask as his arms transformed into guns. He hovered in the air and fired at the Primes. 

"What happened next was utter chaos as The Primes, Sentinel, and Quintessons Commanders battled each other. The Quintessons barely stood a chance against The Primes, but Sentinel did not make things easy for the ancient transformers."

The fight continued in the cramped cave as battle shouts bounced around. With so much happening, it was difficult for the Primes to keep track of who was where. In the chaos, Sentinel spotted Alpha Trion fighting against one of the Quintessons, back wholly turned. Sentinel charged up one of his guns. He may've been discovered, but he could take out one Prime at least.

He hovered in the air, weapon fixated on Alpha Trion. 

Megatronus spotted him. The purple-masked Prime threw his trident at Sentinel’s wings, clipping one of them off his back, causing the traitorous mech to fall back on the ground. His weapon fired on an unstable part of the cave’s roof. It cracked, and a rain of rocks began tumbling down.

“CAVE IN!”

"The Primes all scramble to escape the cave. The Quintessons, injured from the battle, were not so lucky. Sentinel tried to escape, but a large boulder landed on his remaining wing and trapped him. The last The Primes see of Sentinel is him crushed by an avalanche of boulders.

Once the dust settled, The Primes returned to the cave to oversee the aftermath. Every one of the Quintesson Commanders died from the cave-in. As for Sentinel, all that the Primes found left of him were his other wing & helm crest, both covered with splatters of Energon near a pile of large boulders. After searching around, The Primes had enough cause to believe the betrayer permanently offline.

Unaware that Sentinel was the opposite of that."

Sentinel panted as he dragged himself through a hidden tunnel that he barely escaped to. Dents, scraps, and cuts bleeding out energon littered all over his body. The mech jogged in fear that The Primes were closing on his trail. He did not see the steep ledge ahead outside, causing him to tumble down into the thick of the forest.

He used his servos to push himself up onto his knees, letting out a pain filled groan. His optics examined all the damage on his body he had acquired from the cave-in. Then he felt the new weightlessness on his back. Sentinel hitched an intake upon his servos feeling on the knubs of where his cherished wings once were. His optics widened in horror once he realized everything he had and worked for was all gone. 

His status as the Prime’s Principal Aid is no more. His Quintesson allies are dead. He was all alone.

Sounds of rockets caught his audio receptors. Sentinel hid in a nearby thick bush just in time to see all of The Primes flying in the night sky back toward Iacon. Denta gritted as a burning anger pulsed with Sentinel’s chassis as he watched the Primes disappear.

"From that point, Sentinel had nothing except for one thing:

Revenge against The Primes.

And so, he hid in the shadows, waiting for that moment to enact it.

With the Quintesson Commanders dead, the rest of their forces fled from Cybertron. The war against The Quintessons was finally over. All of Iacon celebrated for solar cycles. For the Primes, it was more of a bittersweet victory. Sentinel's betrayal stung them a lot. They were fond of him. Some considered him a friend even. Others can’t help but think what would’ve happened if they brushed off their concerns about him. Had they done so, things could’ve gone badly for them, and Cybertron would’ve entered a dark future.

With time, The Primes chose not to dwell on such thoughts, and Sentinel eventually became nothing but a distant memory.

Cycles passed as Cybertron entered a golden age of peace & prosperity. Happiness radiated from all Mechs & Femmes alike. It filled the Primes with love to see the planet and the people flourish in harmony.

Deep within the planet’s core, Primus’ life force could feel the rich energy of the peace. Primus’ core had not felt this much power since creating the planet & The Primes. The love from the citizens slowly powers up the core until Primus was strong enough to bless The Primes and Cybertron with a new gift.

When the time came, The Thirteen were all drawn to The Energon Fountain."

The Energon Fountain was a proud symbol of Iacon, residing in the city’s center. Overseeing it was a large stone mural of the Thirteen Primes, for this place is where they first emerged when Primus gave them life so many centuries prior. Now they are here again. All of the Primes felt the same aura, marching to the fountain without saying anything like they had planned this. Citizens gathered around to see what was occurring, getting as close as The Cybertronian High Guard allowed them to. Everyone waited with anticipation.

The Primes stood at the bank of the fountain. Alpha Trion stepped forward to kneel down. A round glow brightens as a pod floats on the Energon’s surface. Alpha Trion gently took hold of the pod and placed it on the hard ground. The pod resembled a womb sack. There was movement coming from within. One swift movement causes a hole to be formed, pouring out the fluid. Zeta knelt down, pulling out a small dagger to help cut the sack further open.

What followed was the sounds of a newborn crying.

A squirming sparkling mech lay upon Alpha Trion’s servos. Prima stepped forward, pulling out a blanket and wrapping it around the sparkling before taking him into his arms. The sparkling continued crying as Prima gently soothed the child until he calmed down. Once settled, the rest of The Primes gathered close to see the sparkling. They all watch him slowly open his optics for the first time.

“Hello, little one,” Prima waved his index digit near the infant’s faceplate with a smile. “Welcome to the world.”

The sparkling glances at the other thirteen primes that gazed down at him with adoration. Though only a few klicks old, he felt their aura of warmth within his own spark.

Zeta turns over to the crowd of Cybertronians who are still watching them. “Cybertron! Let me be the first to announce...The birth of a new prime!”

The citizens all let out excited cheers at the news.

"For the first time since the planet's creation, a new prime had been born. A healthy sparkling mech. With shining red, blue, and silver coating. And bright beautiful azure optics. The primes named him…"

“...Optimus. That shall be his name.” Alpha Trion happily declared. “Optimus Prime!”

"If you haven’t figured it out, that little sparkling is the special mech I was talking about. 

All of Iacon loved the little prime. He became the hot topic around for many mega-cycles. They would often sent the little one gifts to show their adoration.

Their level of love for the sparkling prime did not come as close much as The Primes had themselves.

Mircronus, Alchemist, Nexus, Onyx, Amalgamous, and Liege Maximo were, more often than not, always Optimus's playmates whenever they had free time and typically can be found in the youngest prime’s nursery."

“He’s so cute!” Nexus beamed, gazing at Optimus in his cradle.

“He’s adorable,” Micronus playfully wiggled his digits over the baby’s faceplate, speaking in a baby voice. “Yes, you are! Yes, you are!”

“I can't wait to take you flying around with me.” Onyx's wings fluttered with excitement.

“Assuming his alt-mode will be a flyer,” Alchemist pointed out.

“I’ll let him ride on my back if he isn’t,” Onyx insisted. “But I hope he is.”

“I don't see any wings so he's may be ground-based. Could be a car. Or maybe a truck,” Nexus guessed.

“We won’t know until he’s older,” Micronus said.

“One thing we do know, you’re no longer the smallest prime among us,” Liege Maximo playfully teases.

“Ha ha. Very funny,” Mircronus retorted back sarcastically. 

Liege ignored him, instead putting his attention back to Optimus. “Oh, I can imagine the mischief you and I will get into, little one.”

“Primus, no.” Amalgamous groaned. “The last thing we need is another you running around.”

“Says the mech who put nano spiders in my berth.”

“Because it was funny!”

“I certainly didn’t find it so!”

Optimus didn’t like the high tone that his two siblings were speaking. He whimpered in fright about to cry. Alchemist quickly took notice. “Stop it, you two. You’re scaring him!” He lightly scolded them.

It took the six primes a few klicks to calm their younger sibling down.

“Crisis averted,” Nexus vents out with relief.

“Probably should keep it that way, too.” Alchemist let out a stern glare to Liege & Amalgamous.

“Right…”

“Sorry about that.”

“Just be glad Prima & Megatronus weren’t here. They probably would’ve sent you to Primus himself,” Micronus jabbed back playfully.

Onyx then put his attention to Optimus. “Don’t mind those two. They may be Primes, but they can be bolt heads."

Onyx ignored the glare from Liege & Amalgamous.

“I made you something that you might like.” Onyx pulled a stuffed teddy cyberbear from his subspace, placing it next to Optimus, who immediately snuggled the toy close to his chassis. 

The six primes all let out collective awes at the sight.

“You know…Whatever alt-mode he has, we’ll still love him,” Onyx shared, his follow primes muttering in agreement.

"Even Vector and Quintus, the most serious of the Primes, could not help but be charmed by the sparkling."

Vector had often kept Optimus in company whenever he was overlooking the paperwork, a task he brought himself to do since Sentinel could no longer help in that department. Many were shocked because he had preferred to be undisturbed when he was working. Optimus became the sole exception. 

Even if Vector had to constantly prevent him from chewing on the supplies.

“Don’t suck on that,” Vector gently removed another datapad that Optimus tried to put in mouth. “These are not toys. They are important for our work as Primes. One day you may be able to help me out with this.”

Optimus seemed disinterested, attempting to grab another datapad. “But I get the feeling you wouldn’t be interested in doing this.” Vector states with feign defeat.

Quintus found himself inspired to paint. He had picked up this hobby before the war with the Quintessons and was more than happy to resume once it ended. Whenever he was not doing his work as a Prime or scientist, he would paint in his spare time. 

He was painting the walls of Optimus’ nursery with the baby prime secured in a carrier on his back. Little Optimus watched as Quintus painted more pretty colors and patterns on the wall. He let out a happy coo.

Quintus let out an amusing chuckle. “You like the colors, little one? I picked these ones because they are meant to be soothing for sparklings.”

Optimus noticed the brush in Quintus' servos and tried to reach out. “You wish to paint too?” Quintus reacted with amusement. “I don’t think you’re quite ready for that yet. I would be more than happy to teach you once you’re older.”

"There was also Solus who wanted to showcase her love to Optimus. She used her talents of the forge to craft something becoming of a prime. Something The Primes will cherish for Cycles to come."

“Please tell me you didn’t already make a weapon for him,” Zeta asked the blacksmith, who held a wrapped object in her servos, showing it to him and Alpha Trion, holding Optimus in his arms.

Solus heartfully chuckled. “As eager as I am to craft Optimus' first weapon, I know it will Cycles before he will be ready. I still wanted to make him something so I made this.”

Unraveling the cloth revealed a simple but elegant crown. It was made from the strongest gold Solus could meld and decorated with beautiful cyber diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. Zeta and Alpha Trion were impressed by her handiwork.

“Why Solus. It looks lovely,” Alpha Trion complimented.

She beamed.  “I scoured the whole planet for the finest materials and the most beautiful cyber gems. I thought our little one deserved the best.”

Optimus noticed the shiny, pretty crown. He reached out for it. 

"I think he approves, too," Zeta stated happily.

Solus then gently placed the crown onto the little prime’s head. It barely fits, with one side of the crown tilting on the side of Optimus’ helm. The infant merely giggled.

“I might need to make some size adjustments,” Solus remarked with an embarrassed smile.

“I’m sure he’ll grow into it,” Alpha Trio assured her.

“He will be a big strong prime. Like the rest of us,” Zeta declared with heartfelt pride.

"Then there was Prima & Megatronus. Since the day he came into their lives, the pair had grown the closest with Optimus out of all the primes."

Optimus cooed happily at the sight of Prima & Megatronus near his cradle. He was always happy to see them.  

Prima lifted Optimus, moving him close to his faceplate. Optimus reached his arms out, his tiny servos brushing against Prima’s cheeks, letting out happy squeals. Prima let a chuckle, bringing Optimus close to his forehead and nuzzling him. Megatronus look at the site fondly. 

“He takes after you.” Prima raises one of his optical rides at Megatronus’ comment.

“Pardon?” 

“He looks more like you out of all of us.”

“How so?”

“Your nose ridges are the same. So is your chin.”

Prima glances at Optimus for several moments. “Huh, so it seems. Anything else we both share?”

Megatronus took over a minute to think that over. He glanced at Optimus and then back at Prima. “You both have the same irises.”

Prima again glances at the sparkling's optics. Sure enough, Megatronus was right. Though every transformer tends to have blue, yellow, or even red optics, all irises tend to vary. The only ones to share patterns are bots that are blood-related. Prima’s have several lines of circles resembling cogs overlapping each other. Optimus’s was just about the same. No other bot has this trait, not even the other Primes. Prima let out a smile. Megatronus moved closer to Prima, wrapping an arm around to get a better look at the sparkling. Through his mask, his optics showed nothing but pure adoration.

With the way they look at him, any other outsider would assume that they were the ones who Carried & Sired Optimus.

Seeing Megatronus's loving optics gaze at the baby, Prima had an idea. “Would you like to hold him?”

“Me?” Megatronus stuttered, clearly unsure. “I’m not used to handling small things.”

“I’ll help you.” Megatronus complied upon hearing the assurance in Prima. He gently places Optimus into the Warrior Prime’s arms, instructing him. “Hold his head like this.”

Megatronus complied, gently securing Optimus. “He’s so…tiny.” Megatronus breathed out in astonishment. 

Prima gave a warm smile, leaning into the crook of Megatronus’ neck. “He’ll be big before we know it.”

“Hopefully not too soon.”

Optimus grabbed Megatronus’ mask and shifted it, revealing part of his scared faceplate. Optimus stared at the scar curiously. Megatronus let out an amusing chuckle as he brought the mask back down.

“A souvenir I received from a fierce battle long ago. Hopefully, you will never face such hardships in your lifetime, little one.”

Optimus let out a tired yawn, optic lids growing heavy. He snuggled close to Megatronus’ chassis, falling into recharge. 

“He’s so precious,” Megatronus whispered.

“He’s perfect,” Prima affirmed. “And we’ll make sure he knows that.”

"Yep. The Primes loved Optimus very much. He brought a new light to the lives they didn’t even realize they needed until he came. 

And to celebrate their love for him, The Primes launched a flying lantern into a the sky."

The Thirteen Primes gathered at their balcony, with Prima holding Optimus in his arms. Below, an audience of millions of Cybertrionians has all gathered in the streets. In front of the primes was a lone lantern with their respective symbols. Alpha Trion lit up a small flame within the lantern. All of The Primes each placed a servo underneath the lantern and gently coaxed it into the sky. The audience all let out cheers as they watched it float. The Primes all smile at Optimus, who tries to reach out for the lantern. 

"For that one moment, everything was perfect…"

A lone hooded mech with dents & scars stood amid the crowd just below the Prime’s Tower. His blue armor no longer shined, and his gold had become a more faded yellow. His optics focused solely on the sparkling prime, and he sees how much the other primes adored him.

A sinister smirk grew across Sentinel’s lips as he disappeared back into a crowd. A plan formulated within his processor.

"…Until that moment ended on a dark quiet night."

The silence of the lunar cycle was broken by the nursery window opening. A hooded figure slowly crept inside, carefully trying not to make any loud sounds. He stalked his way over to the cradle. Optimus lay peacefully slumbering away, cuddling his stuffed cyberbear, unaware of what was happening.

A black digit, littered with scratches, gently stroked the infant’s cheeks. Underneath his face mask, Sentinel let out a smirk.

“What an adorable little thing you are. So small. So helpless,” Sentinel lowly hummed, continuing to caress Optimus’ cheek. “I can see why those blasted Primes love you so much. They would be so devastated if something happened to you.”

Optimus’ cries pierce the entirety of The Prime Tower. 

All of the Primes immediately knew something was wrong. Optimus cries were not the usual needy ones. Rather he sounded terrified. They all rushed to the nursery as fast as their pedes allowed them but they were too late. When they all arrived, they were greeted with a horrifying sight.

The empty cradle knocked on the floor, with the teddy cyberbear plop not too far away, and the window wide open.

Prima let out a gut-wrenching scream so loud it was said to have wakened all of Iacon.

"Sentinel broke into the Prime’s Tower, stole Optimus, and disappeared into the night. 

It was tragic. All The Primes, The High Guards, and hundreds of volunteering Cybertronians went on a frantic search. Every space in Iacon was investigated, and then it expanded planet-wide. Many orbital cycles pass, but no one could find any sign of Optimus Prime.

The Primes were devastated.

Deep within a forest outside of Iacon, lies a hidden tower. There, Sentinel raised the sparkling as his own."

Sentinel stumbles inside his hideout, still holding onto the young prime. This tower was once a secret base before it was abandoned many Cycles before The Quintesson War. Sentinel had learned of its existence during his time as The Prime’s Principal Aid. Thinking it may be helpful one day, he deleted records of it from The Archives, and The Primes were none the wiser. With how much The Primes needed to keep track of, Sentinel figure records of a old base being missing would be the least of their worries.

A smart move in the long run.

While it wasn’t as luxurious as his old home in Iacon, it was still a decent enough living space with all the basic necessities. And it was secluded, so there was little chance of someone discovering him.

Making it the perfect place to keep Optimus Prime hidden.

Optimus had continued crying the whole trip to the tower. One moment, he was peacefully sleeping, and then he was forcefully grabbed and flew in the cold air. All while a strange mech that didn’t look like any of his siblings was holding him. The mech did not have that sense of warmth Optimus’ family had. 

Optimus was terrified. He wanted his family. He wanted to be home with them.

“There there, little one.” Sentinel softly spoke to the infant, gently rocking him too. “No need for tears.”

Sentinel offered liquid low-grade energon to the sparkling. That seemed to do the trick. Optimus reached and began sucking on it, gradually calming down.

“That’s right. I’m right here." Sentinel caresses the infant's cheek as he feeds. "You’ll be safe with me. Not with the primes. I’m all you’ll ever need.”

Optimus slowly grew more comfortable in the mech’s arms. Slowly, he snuggled against Sentinel’s chassis.

“Out there, the world will remember you as Optimus Prime. But here…You will be my son and come to know me as Father. As far as you're concerned, that is the truth. And the truth is what I make it.”

Optimus falls into a deep recharge. Sentinel smirks down on the infant.

"Sleep well...my little Orion Pax."

"After many cycles, Sentinel had finally found his revenge against The Primes. And he was determined to follow through with it."

Time passes as Optimus Prime, named Orion Pax by Sentinel, grows into a youngling. Any memories of the Primes and his actual name were lost. As far as he knows, Sentinel is his father and the only family he has.

The mechling stared out the window with a longing look on his faceplate, humming a song to himself. 

“Something troubling you?” Sentinel walks up to his side.

“Why can’t I go outside?” Orion asked.

“The outside world is a dangerous place. Filled with horrible, selfish bots that wouldn’t hesitate to hurt you. You must stay here where you’re safe, and I can protect you.”

“Oh…” The youngling responded with disappointment.

Sentinel gently cups Orion’s chin. “No need to fret. Everything you need is here. More so with me. Do you understand, Little Spark?”

“Yes, papa.”

“Good.” Sentinel held him close. The youngling hugged his father back.

 "But no matter how hard Sentinel tried, the walls of that tower could not hide everything from the curious little mech…"

Later that night, Orion tiptoed down the stairs leading from his berthroom. Once on the ground floor, he peeked into his father’s room, where he found Sentinel deep into recharge. Orion then hurried over to a window in the front of the tower where he opened the thick metal shutters.

Outside, far in the distance, a trail of thousands of lights floated into the night sky.

"The Primes & Iacon had never forgotten Optimus. Each Cycle, on his birthday, they release thousands of lanterns into the sky. In hopes that one day their lost Prime…would return."

Little Orion rested still at the window, watching the lights with awe in his optics. A dreaming smile grew on his lipplates, wondering what it would be like to see them in person.

Chapter Text

Chapter 2: When Will My Life Begin

Rays of the morning sunlight slowly breached upon Cybertron's surface. Deep into the forests, the light reaches a tower hidden in a glen surrounded by high rock walls. The thick metal shutters of the tower’s front window open up, allowing the sun rays to radiate onto a young red & blue mech with bright azure optics.

The morning light shined on Orion’s frame as he basked in its warmth. He sat on the window ledge with his pedes dangling over the ground many stories below. He intakes the air and vents it out through his nasal ridge with a pleased grin.

Quiet chirps caught his audials. One of the potted plants decorated on the windowsill had a nest with a red & blue fledgling Metal Songbird with silver stripes on its wings residing it. 

“Good morning.” Orion softly greeted the bird, who tweeted happily in response. “You think today’s the day? Ready to fly?”

The fledgling let out a nervous peep.

“You sure? Wouldn't hurt to try.” Orion gently coaxed the bird onto the palms of his servos. “Why, if I picked today to fly, this would be it. The solar cycle before my birthday. Every cycle, on that night, these beautiful lights float into the sky. Thousands of them!" Orion lifted his servos with the bird in the direction where he usually sees the lights in the same trail cycle after cycle. "It's a beautiful thing to watch. Anyone would be so lucky to see them up close. You can be that lucky one."

Orion’s encouragement ultimately got through to the bird as it started flapping its wings. The fledgling successfully flew in place, prompting Orion to pull his servos to his chassis. He laughed at the bird happily chirping at being able to fly before letting it land back into his servos.

A flock of birds flew by high above past the tower. The Metal Songbird excitedly tweeted.

“Go on, little guy,” Orion petted its helm with his index digit. “Go be with them. No one wants to stay cooped up here forever.”

The bird chirped as it flew away from Orion’s servo. He watched his avian companion fly into the sky with a smile. The smile curled into a frown the further the creature went into the distance with the other birds, and a longing look formed in his optics. 

Sometimes he wonders what it is like to be like those birds. Going where they want whenever they desire. See the world around them. Not be stuck in one place all the time like Orion had been all of his life-cycle.

Not that Orion doesn't like his home or anything. 

Sure, it was in the middle of nowhere, with no one else but him and his father. Sure, Orion had never stepped outside, not even in the glen surrounding the tower, because his father never allowed him to. And sure, it was a pretty small place. 

But small meant safe, as Father would always tell him. And Orion was grateful for that.

“It's not so bad up here...” He would tell himself almost daily.

Even with the restrictions of the tower, Orion can find plenty of things to do.

There were the usual chores to start off. Sweep, polish, wax, dust, mop, and shine up.  Not typically the fun thing to do, but Orion had become well skilled that he could get them all done within an breem. 

After that Orion can pretty much do…whatever he is able to do.

There was a collection of datapads that Father had gotten for him for Orion to read. He would read one, maybe two, or three at a time. Reading was fun for Orion. Even if reading the same collection had gotten stale over the cycles. Doesn't help that Father tends to be picky about what kind of datapad to get him.

Orion also likes to keep himself occupied by activities other than reading. Sometimes, he plays guitar, cook food, bake treats, making pottery, puzzle building, throwing darts, dancing around to music, or climbs the upper support beams on the high ceilings above. They are all entertaining to him.

None were as fun as painting.

Since Orion was a youngling it had always been his favorite thing to do. Orion didn’t know how it started, but the best he could remember was drawing sketches of scenes from the stories he read as a mechling. It got to a point where Orion begged his father to bring back colors. Many cycles later, every wall within the interior of Orion’s home is covered with various paintings. 

Something about painting brought Orion… comfort. Like a reminder of a happier time. Even though he couldn’t pinpoint what that was.

Yet, despite it all, Orion found himself asking this question constantly:

When will his life begin?

A clock dinging caught Orion out of his daydreaming. It was seven A.M. Reminding him why he was up now. The mech dashes back inside. Orion pulls on the cable rope connecting to the skylight hatch on the ceiling to let more light in.

His optics set sight on a wall section covered by drapes on a thick shelf so high that Orion had to stack some boxes to help climb it. Were he his father's height, he could've reached the shelf with his servos and pulled himself up. A bin full of painting supplies sat in front of the drapes. Behind was Orion’s latest art project.

The inspiration struck him just several mega-cycles prior. Orion had finished baking an engex pie, thinking about his upcoming birthday, when his optics glued upon the empty space. Next thing he knew, Orion had his paint box with him and was dosing the wall in a coat of blue with a big grin.

Now, just a solar cycle before his birthday, it was almost done.

Orion added some touch-ups to the mural until he felt satisfied. Then, he leapt on the floor, backing away to get a good view of his handiwork. 

The mural depicted a trail of yellow and orange orbs, like bright lights, trailing up into a starry night sky above a secluded forest—a replica of what Orion sees on the night of his birthday every cycle. 

Orion beams as he examined his handiwork. He thought it was perhaps one of the best works he had ever created as he glanced at the other paintings scattered around his home. But again, a frown grew on his lipplates upon realizing that there was barely any room left for more paints. Sooner or later there would be no more space left. Orion could request Father to acquire sketch pads, but it wouldn’t be the same.

Orion brought himself to the front window, gazing at the sky with his bright blue optics. A tired vent went through his mouth as he imagined himself watching the trail of lights float into the sky from where he was. Stuck in the same place he’s always been. The question came into his processor again.

When will his life begin?

And Orion believes the answer lies with those lights.

“What wouldn’t I give to see them myself…”

Seeing those lights in person wasn’t just a want…It was Orion’s dream. He wanted to see what life was like outside the walls beyond the tower. He wanted to see what else was out there. He wanted to see and maybe talk to other real-life bots, other than his father (not that Orion didn’t enjoy his father’s company or anything) or the birds that would occasionally nest here to lay their eggs. Orion wonders what would it be like to form a companionship with someone.

There were moments when Orion had considered keeping a baby bird inside as a potential companion. Something he could talk to other than the toys from his childhood or the paintings on the wall. At least a bird would be a living thing. But the thought of keeping a bird locked up here never sat right with Orion. The idea of forcing a living creature into a confined space made him uneasy. More than likely was because...he knew what that was like, so he never went through with it.

That and his father would probably get annoyed by the constant chirping. 

So all Orion can do is to dream. Dreams of a day where he can step outside to see the lights and see the wonders of the world. Even if it is just for one solar cycle, that would be enough for him to be satisfied for the rest of his life cycle.  

Orion turns to his new mural, thinking about the lights and how much he wishes to see them.

“What is it like? Out there where they glow?”

Once again a paintbrush finds itself in Orion’s servo as he makes one last addition to his mural: A familiar mech with a blue helm, servos, and pedes, with a red torso sitting on his knees on top of the trees, watching the lights. 

“Maybe since I’m older now, Father might just let me go...”

Orion glances at the clock again. Almost eight o’clock. He placed his painting supplies away and cleaned himself up before preparing breakfast.

A pair of bots climbed on The Prime’s Tower's side, careful not to be spotted nor fall off. The leading bot was a purple optic, black femme with spider-like pincers on her back, allowing her to climb the tower stealthily. Trailing behind, holding onto cable rope attached to her, was a big bulk silver mech. The processor behind their little heist while she served as the strength, being the one skilled enough to make this climb.

The femme continued climbing until she reached a ledge, helping her partner up. They walked along, careful not to draw any attention, until they found an air vent large enough for one of them to crawl through. The femme cut the grille off while the mech set his marigold optics on the view below the tower.

In all his cycles of thieving & climbing around, Megatron had never seen a view of Iacon as great as this.

“Now this is a view…” Megatron vents out in admiration. “I could get used to this.”

The femme, Airachnid, finishes cutting the grille off. “Megatron! Come on!” She whispered urgently.

“Hold up... Oh yeah, I would love to have this.”

“We do this job, you’ll have enough shanix to afford it. Now come on!” Airachnid yanks Megatron closer to the air duct.

“Alright, I'm coming! Don’t get your pincers all twisted.”

“Just get in there, grab what we came for, and get out.”

“I know the drill. You just stay ready for out getaway.”

Megatron crawled into the air duct on his fours, careful not to be loud enough to alert anyone inside the building. This heist had to go perfectly. One wrong move would end Megatron’s streak. This was perhaps the most dangerous and daunting of all the heists he's done.

Stealing from The Prime’s Tower.

Most criminals wouldn’t dare perform such a thing, seeing it only as a suicide mission. The last time anyone had dared to do such a thing was whoever kidnapped Optimus Prime all those cycles ago. However, with the upcoming festival tomorrow, most of the Prime's forces had fanned out into Iacon to ensure everything was in order. This left the tower with limited security. And Megatron wasn’t one to back away from a good challenge.

Chattering voices prompted Megatron to halt. He glanced over to a nearby air grate. On the other side, in one of the many grand hallways in the tower, he saw two bots: a tall pink femme and a short yellow mech. Megatron could see that the blue sashes they wore showed that they were mere Iacon Guards, not the purple sashes that symbolized that they were members of The Cybertronian High Guards. 

Iacon Guards: Megatron can handle. The High Guard: Forget about it.

From where he was, Megatron did pick up bits of the femme & mech’s conversation as they continued walking.

“...And even when I insisted that I didn’t mind working during the festival tomorrow, Captain Starscream told me that I needed the ‘mandatory’ time off and that I’ve been working too much.” The femme’s voice bounced off the walls.

“I mean you kinda do,” the yellow mech responded.

“And that’s a bad thing? What’s wrong with proving to him how much of a hard worker I am? To prove that I can be a part of The High Guard? I can do so much more there than being a mere guard.” The femme paused and then gave her companion an apologetic glance. “No offense to you, Bee.”

“None taken!” He responded back cheerfully. “I know you want to join the High Guard, but having one day off doesn’t derail your progress. You’re the most hardworking femme I’ve ever known, Elita! And what better day off than tomorrow’s festival. I have that off, too! We can hang out. Oh, and my friend, Steve, can get us great seats for the race at the start tomorrow…”

The yellow one continued talking even out of view that Megatron had to wait for more klicks to crawl again to ensure they were out of range. They were out of as his processor as soon as they came. Probably won't be seeing them again.

Megatron kept crawling until he came upon the air grate he sought. He pulled up a copy of the schematics of The Prime Tower ventilation system.

“If I’m right then this should lead…” 

He gently pushes the vent down, landing in the dark room. Rows of shelves house various artifacts, treasures, and other strange things not commonly seen on Cybertron.

This was the Primes Private Treasure Vault. Where they keep the rarest and most certainly valuable items.

Megatron smirked. “Perfect.”

The low, bright red illuminated the floors. Security lasers, Megatron realized. They were easy to maneuver through. He carefully hoops over several, almost tripping on the last one before he clears them.

Megatron calmly strolls through the vault, clutching onto the strap of his satchel wrapped around his chassis. Marigold optics scans around the vault, flickering at the more interesting items. Megatron has to admit all these were pretty cool as he had become almost entranced by them.

“I wonder if any of these were found by Megatronus-”

The silver mech collided with a display of strange alien armor. He prevented most of it from falling over, but some pieces did land on the floor with loud clanks. A sheepish expression lingers on his faceplates. Megatron glanced around to see any movement but did not see any.

“Smooth move.” Megatron scolded himself. “I hope nobody heard that.”

At the far end of the vault, a security drone was alerted to the noise and started scanning with its bright orange light.

Feeling like he had overstayed his welcome, Megatron hasted his search. He could make off with many treasures here, but there was only one Megatron had his optics on. When he turned a corner, Megatron found it.

A crown—not belonging to The Thirteen Primes—was displayed on a stand covered by a glass case under a lone ray of light. What Megatron sees is the crown of Optimus, The Lost Prime. Said to have been painstakingly handmade by Solus herself as a gift for Optimus before he was tragically stolen. 

“Hello, handsome.” 

Megatron places a servo on the glass case, examining the crown. It was more beautiful than others had said, and it should make enough shanix for him. He figures it wouldn't be a problem. It's not like anyone else is going to wear it. And even if The Lost Prime himself was miraculously found, it probably wouldn’t fit him anyway. Pulling out a glass-cutting device, Megatron began to work. 

Megatron was too focused to notice the security drone discovering him, the orange light turning a bright red.

“Attention! Unauthorized movement detected in the Primes Treasure Vault!”

In a corridor not too far from the vault two members of the High Guard had received the signal.

“Shockwave & Soundwave responding. Breaching the vault in ten seconds!”

Megatron had finished cutting the glass in a perfect circle and carefully placed it down. He then removed the crown from the stand. A grin grew on his lip plates as he examines the crown more closely, muttering to himself. "...Wonder how much I can sell you for?”

“HALT CRIMINAL! PREPARE TO BE DETAINED!”

Megatron’s frame jerked, tightening his grip on the crown, turning to see a security drone stalking to him. “Uhh, hhhiii there…”

“HALT CRIMINAL! PREPARE TO BE DETAINED! HALT CRIMINAL PREPARE TO BE DE-”

Without thinking, Megatron let out a hard punch. The drone dropped on the ground but then let out an alarm. 

“Uh oh.”

Megatron stashed the crown into his satchel and ran. Light from the outside hallway shines in, accompanied by two shadows. Megatron ducked into an aisle as two mechs darted in. These were no simple guards, Megatron knows. These were Shockwave & Soundwave. Top members of The High Guard.

“This is the High Guard! Come out with your servos in the air!” Shockwave’s demanding voice echoed throughout the room, shining a light around. 

“Shockwave: Look ahead,” Soundwave spoke to him, pointing to the class contain that held the crown.

The pair dashed over, now discovering that the crown was missing.

“The crown! It’s gone!” Shockwave instructed.

Soundwave activated his commlink. “This is Soundwave. The crown of The Lost Prime has been stolen. Repeat: The Lost Prime’s Crown has been stolen."

Megatron stealthily approached the exit when the guards sent out the alert. Despite all logic telling how bad of an idea it would be, he cannot resist being cocky. “And I’ll be making my way with it!”

Shockwave & Soundwave’s helms simultaneously turn to see Megatron casually leaning against the doorway, waving his satchel with a smug grin. 

“See ya!” Megatron gave a two-digit salute before darting into the hallway with the two High Guards giving chase.

“STOP RIGHT THERE!”

“Alert! Intruder near the Primes Treasure Vault! Suspect has the crown of The Lost Prime.”

Megatron heard his comlink buzz as he dashed through the halls.

“Megatron? What’s happening?” Airachnid’s voice broke through.

“Need a getaway! Follow my signal and be ready!”

Megatron continues running as Shockwave & Soundwave close in on him. He attempts to slow them down by grabbing on an air vent grille on the ceiling and flings it down, hitting the pair. That should buy him a few more nano-klicks. 

“There has to be a way out of here somewhere…”

The hallway then split into two paths, going either left or right. Megatron goes on the one on the right, only to immediately go to the left upon seeing more High Guards chasing him. 

“Okay not that way! Where's an exit?”

Up ahead lies a window large enough for him to jump through. Without a second thought, Megatron jumps through the window.

A low shout escaped him as Megatron found himself freefalling. The ground is getting close at a high speed. As Megatron was about to think he was done for, a black tri-rotor helicopter swooped down close enough for him to grab on.

“Cutting it pretty close.” He gritted his denta.

“Shut up and don’t fall,” Airachnid’s voice came from the tri-rotor. “Did you get the crown?”

Megatron patted to his satchel. “Safe & secure. Now get us out of the city.”

Airachnid increased her speed, making her way towards the outskirts of Iacon. Megatron glances back to The Prime’s Tower. He had done something not many wouldn’t even dare to do. 

Break into The Prime's Tower. Steal from The Prime's Vault. And escape the High Guards. All without a single scratch on him! So much he had accomplished, and it was- Megatron quickly checked his internal clock- only eight in the morning!

Oh yeah. This is a very big day. The beginning of his life!

Chapter Text

Chapter 3: Father Knows Best

“Okay, this it!" Orion softly vents. "This is a big day, Orion!”

Orion was in the last stages of preparing breakfast as he cheerfully talked to himself. His spark fluttered with nervousness and excitement, making it hard to keep it all contained.

“This is the cycle for me. You're finally gonna do it. I’m going to ask Father to take me to see them! I can do this. I can ask him this simple thing."

The clock let out a chime. Orion sees that now is the time for his Father to be up.

“It’s time! Alright, Orion, keep your cool. You got this! I got this.”

Orion checked on breakfast again, realizing it needed a few more klicks to cook. No biggie, he reasoned. The fresher the food, the more likely his father would be happy. There had been instances in the past where Orion would have breakfast long ready, and his father commended him, only to let out a displeased comment on how lukewarm the food would be. This shouldn't be an issue.

Doing one last quick double-check on breakfast, Orion rushes to his father’s berthroom door to greet him like he always does. The door opens, and Sentinel's towering presence enters right on time.

“Morning, Father,” Orion tilted his helm to make direct optic contact, servos behind his back. His father was tall enough for Orion to tuck his helm underneath his chin whenever they hugged. “Breakfast is almost done. I’ve made Scrambled Tin Eggs.”

“Orion, my Little Spark. How do you do it? Wake up early every single day to make breakfast for your dear father.” Sentinel expressed sympathetically, placing one servo to grasp Orion’s shoulder and another to cup his chin affectionately. “It must be absolutely exhausting, son.”

“Oh, it's no issue. Nothing really.” Orion casually assures with an eager smile.

“Then I don’t understand why you don't have it ready on time.” Sentinel chided with a fake cheery tone, ignoring Orion’s smile faltering. Then he laughed. “Oh, relax. I’m just teasing.”

Orion could only let out a force of laughter, following his father to the full-length mirror they keep in the tower's main room. “Right…So, Father, as you know, tomorrow is a big day-”

“Orion, could you look in the mirror?” Sentinel gestures to Orion to move close and softly grasps his arms. “You know what I see?”

“What?” Orion looks at the reflection of himself and Father in the mirror.

“I see a strong, confident, handsome young mech.”

Orion gently beamed at his Father’s compliment.

“Oh look, you’re here too!” Sentinel pointed to Orion, laughing again. “I’m just teasing, my boy! Stop taking everything so seriously!”

“Uh, right,” Orion awkwardly responded as his father check himself in the mirror. “As I was saying, tomorrow is-”

“Orion, is breakfast almost done? Papa is feeling famished. Get my tanks filled up, then we'll talk.”

“Breakfast, of course! One klick!”

Orion rushes over to the small kitchen area. He hastily sets up the small table with two chairs, one on each end. Orion pulls out his father’s usual chair as Sentinel strolls over. The older mech released a surprised yelp when Orion pushed him down on the chair. By the time Sentinel had finished straightening himself out, Orion had their breakfast plates ready and a glass of Energon Juice for both. 

Sentinel knew Orion was a hyperactive mech, but he could see that Orion was more restless than usual this morning. That became evident once he saw that Orion had scarfed down most of his breakfast while he only had several bites. 

“Orion! What has gotten into you-?”

Orion zooms to his father’s side, leaning close with excitement, startling the older mech. “So Father, I was trying to say earlier that tomorrow is a pretty big day, but you wouldn’t let me finish, so I’m just gonna tell you, it's my birthday! Ta-da!”

“That can’t be right...” Sentinel gently pushes Orion away, pondering to himself. “Ah, I remember now! Your birthday was last cycle.”

“That’s the funny thing about birthdays. They’re kind of an annual thing.” Orion ex-vents, sitting back down in his chair twiddling his servos. “Father, I wanted to ask…What I really want for this birthday.” Orion then murmured to himself. “Actually, what I wanted for quite a few birthdays...”

“Orion, we talked about this. Speak clearly without mumbling if you have something to say. You know I don’t like mumbling. Blah blah blah blah! It’s very annoying.” Sentinel said with an irate tone before switching back to a happier one, giving a hard pinch on Orion’s cheek that left a stinging feeling for several moments afterwards. “I’m just teasing. You’re adorable! I love you very much!”

Orion sat quietly with a nervous expression as Sentinel resumed his breakfast. He glances back to the drapes covering his mural, tightening the grips on his servos. 

“Just say it, Orion.”

With a deep vent, Orion blurts. “Iwanttogooutthetower!”

Sentinel nearly choked on his juice at Orion’s words, covering his mouth to prevent it from spitting out. Taking a swallow, Sentinel turns to Orion. “Excuse me?”

“I…I want to go out of the tower for my birthday.” Orion repeated more meekly.

Sentinel wipes his mouth, carefully setting the cup on the table, then placing his servos over the table. Orion knew that when Father did this, it was serious. “Orion, you know why that’s not possible, right?”

“I do, but-”

“Then you shouldn’t be asking me this. Have you forgotten what this world tried to do to you? Or what it did to me?” Orion knew that dents & scars littered all over his father’s body were what he was referring to, including the two nubs on his back where he once had flying wings before they were torn off. “Need to mention what happened to your poor Carrier?”

The subject of Orion’s Carrier was always a difficult discussion. Orion barely knew anything except that they died when he was a sparkling. Whenever he asked, Father would immediately change the topic. Eventually, Orion stopped asking.

“Why do you want to leave to begin with?” Sentinel questioned him.

“I want to see the floating lights.”

Sentinel raised his optical ridge. “The what?”

“You know.” Orion walked over to the drapes, showing Sentinel the mural. “These lights.”

“You mean the stars,” Sentinel firmly clarified.

“Here’s the thing. I’ve charted stars, and they’re always constant. But these...” Orion gestured to his mural. “They appear on my birthday every cycle, Father. Only on my birthday. I can’t help but feel like…they’re meant for me.”

Orion did not see the disdainful expression on Sentinel’s face plates as he walked away from the table. 

“I know you always warned me about the world, but I’m not a youngling anymore.” Orion looks at Sentinel with his desperate azure optics. “I’m a grown mech. Please, Father. I need to see those lights. Not just from the window but right there! I’m ready to face the world." Orion then implored. "I have to know what they are...”

Unknown to Orion, Sentinel already had an answer ready for him. This was not the first instance of Orion asking to go out to the outside world. Each time he did, Sentinel would affirm that the world was unsafe. However, this time, Sentinel intends to drive the bolt deeper rather than using his usual tactics to get Orion to shut up about leaving the tower for a good while.

“You really want to go outside?” Sentinel spoke with a baffled grin, closing the metal shutters of the front window. “Orion, it's admirable to say you’re ready to face it. But the truth is…you can’t.”

“But you go out all the time!” Orion argued.

“Because I can endure what’s out there. You are too weak to handle yourself. You’re as fragile as a flower. A sampling, just a sprout. There’s a good reason we stay up in this tower.”

“I know-”

“That’s right!” Sentinel cut Orion off, boops his nose ridge with his index digit. “To keep you safe & sound here.”

Sentinel walks over to the other window, closing the drapes before going to the wall on the other side. “I guess I should’ve known that this day was coming. Knew that soon you want to leave the mast. Soon, but not yet!”

“But-!” Sentinel shushed Orion, pressing his digit against his mouth.

“Trust me, son: Father knows best.”

With one bump on the wall with his hips, Sentinel triggered the skylight lever to close, darkening the room. Orion turned on a flashlight, following his father’s voice amid the darkened home.

“Father knows best. Listen to your father when I say-” Orion yelped in fright when his father suddenly appeared in the corner of his optics, dropping his flashlight. “-It’s a scary world out there!”

With no flashlight, Orion struggled to maneuver in the darkness. Something suddenly struck his pede, causing Orion to fall backward towards a spot with light. A pair of arms managed to catch Orion before he landed.

“No matter what you may think, Orion, one way or another, something will go wrong, I swear!” Sentinel releases Orion from his grip and lets him plop on the ground. Shadows of menacing-looking bots and dangerous plants appear on the floor, causing Orion to flinch back. “Murderers! Thugs! Poison Ivy! Quicksand!”

Sentinel appeared holding a frying pan, flipping a doll that resembled Orion. “Cannibals and razor snakes!”

He disappeared back into the shadows, appearing next to Orion, holding a dimly lit lantern in a green color with a grim expression. “The virus!”

“No!” Orion cried.

“Yes!” Sentinel responded with a manic grin before disappearing again.

“But!” Orion reached out, unaware that Sentinel was behind him, waving his servo like a nano spider.

“Also, large nano bugs!” Sentinel pushed Orion back to the ground. “Bots with pointy denta!”

Orion was greeted with a crudely painted purple drawing of a mech with denta as sharp as knives. Sentinel draped across the floor in a ‘woe is me’ pose, holding one of Orion’s brushes with dripping purple paint.

“Please, no more! You’ll just upset me!”
 
Orion concealed himself in the darkness, frozen in place, unsure what to do next. Then he felt a gentle tug on his arm.

“But no need to worry for father’s right here. Father will protect you.” Sentinel patted Orion’s servo and then pulled him into a hug. “My boy, here’s what I suggest!”

Orion felt a sudden shove as Father went back into the dark. Several Cybertrionian Candles lit the room, and Sentinel proudly stood around them. 

“Skip the drama, stay with Papa!” 

In normal circumstances, Sentinel would've ended the conversation right there. But he intends to clarify the point to Orion by driving up his guilt.

Sentinel’s demeanor changed to a sorrowful one. “If you don't want to, that's fine. Step out of here and leave. Go ahead, get ravaged by a cyber panther! Go ahead, get mugged & left for dead! Me, I’m just your father. What do I know? I’ve only...fed, cleaned, and raised you alone.”

Guilt crept within Orion as he gripped both of his arms. Sentinel took notice, internally smirked, and continued with the guilt trip. “But go ahead, leave me. I deserve it! Let me die alone here. Be my guest! When it’s too late, you'll see. Just wait.” Sentinel let out a big grin again. “Father knows best!”

One swoop and all the candles were blown out. Orion once again struggled to move through without any light. Sentinel decided to keep on going by targeting the most vulnerable part of Orion: His flaws & insecurities.

“Take it from your popsy, Orion. Let's be honest here. On your own, you won’t survive.” 

Orion stumbles near the mirror. Sentinel props himself next to it and adjusts to allow Orion to see his complete reflection. 

“Messy! Under armored! Immature! Clumsy!” Orion instinctively tries to cover himself with his arms, only for something to knock him onto one of the rugs. Sentinel then rolls him up into it. “They’ll eat you up alive!”

Sentinel lifted Orion up to his pedes, continuing on with his rant. “Gullible! Naive! Possibly whiny!” He unravels the rug, spinning around Orion, leaving him dizzy. “Ditzy! And a bit, well, vague! Also, I believe, looking kinda chunky.”

Orion insecurely rubbed his chin at that comment.

“I’m only saying because I love you, my boy! Father understands! Father is here to help you!” Orion hears the skylight hatch open up. He can see Sentinel with his arms open up, inviting an embrace. “All I have is one request.”

Orion ran straight towards his father, helm tucked right underneath Father’s chin.

“Orion…”

“Yes?” Orion’s optics met with his father’s.

Sentinel narrowed his optical ridges, tightening his grip on Orion’s shoulders. “Don’t ever ask to leave this tower...” He grits his denta. “...Again.”

“Yes, sir,” Orion answered with a downcast look.

The expression on Sentinel softens, cupping Orion's chin up. “I love you very much, son.”

“I love you more.”

“I love you most.” He placed a kiss on Orion’s helm. “Don’t forget it. You’ll regret it. That Father knows best.”

“I won’t.”

“Good! No more of this ‘lights’ nonsense. Do you understand?” Orion nods in response. “Now then. Let's finish up breakfast. Probably cold by now since I had to explain things to you. Then I think I’ll go out for some fresh air.”

Sentinel returns back to their table with Orion begrudgingly following him. After he was done, Sentinel put on his cloak as Orion got one of the cable ropes to hook on the front window of the tower. He held the rope steady as Sentinel descended down to the ground below.

“I’ll see you soon, Little Spark!” Sentinel shouted once he dismounted.

“I’ll be here. Like always…” Orion said to himself dejectedly.

Orion rested his arms on the window, watching his father exit the glen through the cave that served as the path to the outside world. Oh, how Orion wished to go out there with him. Instead, all he can do is sit here with his thoughts. Replaying their conversation and the harsh words Sentinel had told him.

A lone tear trailed down Orion’s cheek, falling to the grass below.

Chapter Text

Chapter 4: Persistent Pursuit

Megatron continued to cling onto Airachnid as she flew them beyond the city limits of Iacon. They landed around a rocky formation with a lone tree a few ways from the main road to Iacon. Megatron leaped off Airachnid as she transformed back to her robot form.

“I think we lost them,” Megatron stated as he leaned against the tree with his arm.

Airachnid had her servos on her knees, venting out. “You still got it?”

“Still safe & secure.” He patted his satchel, venting out excitedly. He had done it! He had stolen from The Prime's Vault right under their nasal ridges and escaped!

That excitement was short-lived when Megatron lifted his helm, and a light gasp breached his lip plates. On the tree were two wanted posters. One of Airachnid and the other himself. He snatches the poster of him. “Oh no! This doesn't look good.” 

“You're acting like this is the first time they made those." He heard Airachnid state.

“Not that!” Megatron turns the poster in Airachnid's direction. “They got my irises wrong again! Pentagons, really?! My irises are hexagonal! Can they really not get them right?”

“Who honestly cares?” She vents out disinterestedly.

“Easy for you to say.” He leans closer to her poster. “They got your optics right...All of them, actually.”

Rumbling nearby caught their audials before Airachnid could respond to that comment. They peeked over the rocks to see many guards, most of whom were members of The High Guard. Led by Starscream, the Captain of the High Guard. “Keep your optics out! They can't be too far!” 

“Scrap! They caught up to us already!” Airachnid hissed

“Damn, we got to move.” Megatron shoved the poster in his satchel. “There’s a forest nearby. We can lose them there. C’mon!"

Airachnid halted him by grabbing his shoulder. Confusion riddled Megatron's faceplates.

“Give me the satchel first.” She reached her servo out.

“What, why?” 

“Just to make sure you don’t try any funny business.”

“Are you saying that…you don't trust me? After all the jobs we did together?” Airachnid stared back with an untouched expression, Megatron's best attempt at a pained tone having no effect on her. “That’s hurtful, you know. Just hurtful.”

The satchel was then placed in Airachnid's custody. Megatron hopped onto her tri-rotor form since she was faster in her alt-mode. They flew into the sky, where they were quickly spotted.

“Captain! Over there!” A guard yelled out, pointing in the direction of the two thieves.

“After them! Retrieve the crown at any cost!” Starscream commanded his troops, all replying with a “Yes sir!”

Starscream, along with some other guards, transformed into their flying alt-modes. Those who remained on the ground did the same but had land-based forms. Among them was a pink motorcycle and a yellow car.

The High Guard flyers were soon on the thieves' tail. “Shoot them down!” Starscream’s commanding tone bellowed.

All the flyers shoot missiles toward the pair. Megatron summons his fusion canon and fires back, hanging onto Airachnid as she dodges the firepower. Her dodges were forceful enough that Megatron almost fell off at several points.

“Would you hit them already?!”

“Hard to do that when you're jerking me around like a ragdoll!” 

Starscream decided to try a new tactic to apprehend the criminals. “On my mark, launch the wire nets!”

All switch their guns to the wire net launchers. On Starscream’s cue, all nets were simultaneously fired. All were large enough to engulf Arachnid’s alt-mode form. Megatron called out for her to watch out. Airachind had dodged all but one. The net let out a shock, causing her to transform back. Megatron and she plummeted into the forest below, disappearing from Starscream’s group's sights. 

“Megatron & Airachnid are down! Ground team, move in!” Starscream said into his comlink.

The pair of thieves let out groans of pain on the ground. Fortunately, the trees and their strong armor had broken their fall, preventing serious injuries. Megatron was several feet from Airahchind, still tied up in the wire net. 

“You alright?”

“This wire net is strong. I can’t transform or even use my pincers to cut it.” Airachnid struggled in the net wrapped around her. “Help me get free of this.”

“I'd love to, but unfortunately…” Megatron pulls out his satchel from behind with a smirk. “My servos are full.” He sprints away, leaving behind his partner in crime.

"Wha-?" Airachnid gasped in shock upon realizing what had just happened. After one more failed attempt to free herself, she could only yell his name in pure rage, rattling the trees. “MEGATRON!!”

The silver mech continued running deeper into the forest. Engines rumbling caught Megatron's audials. He turned to his side to see The High Guard ground group coming close. Megatron transformed into his own alt-mode, a tank, and sped away.

The ground Guards closed in on Megatron. “Ground Team to Captain Starscream! We have a visual on Megatron! In Pursuit!” One of the bots spoke.

The pink motorcycle moves close to the yellow car. “Stay close, Bee!”

The ground team fires their guns at the tank. Megatron swerves to avoid them in the nick of time, stopping long enough to review the weapon's impact damage.

“Okay, they're really determined to get this crown back. I need to lose them."

Ahead, he notices an old large tree on a narrow path that could fall with the right amount of firepower. This gave Megatron an idea. He charged up his canon and fired at the tree, using his boosters to speed past it. No way those guys could get past the tree before it landed. 

He did not anticipate that the pink motorcycle and yellow car would be the only ones to pass through just in time.

“We made it!” The yellow car chirped excitedly. 

“This is Elita-1. B-127 and I are now in pursuit of Megatron!” She spoke to her comlink.

“I see him just ahead!”

“We got him now, Bee! Come on!”

Elita sped up, with Bee following right behind.

Megatron noticed the two pursuing him. He needs to act quickly to get them off his tail. That idea came to him when he saw a vine dangling in his clear view. Transforming to his robot form, he grabs the vine, swinging it around just in time to kick the pink motorcycle off the trail.

Bee let out a panic cry for Elita as he witnessed both her & Megatron tumble down a hill on the side.

Megatron continued on tumbling until he finally felt stable ground. “Ugh, not my smartest idea.” He groaned, rubbing his helm.

In the corner of his optic, he could see his satchel. It had fallen off during his fall. He reached over and grabbed it, only to feel it tug back. Turning his helm, he saw a pink femme Iacon Guard holding the strap.

“Hey! That’s mine!”

Elita held her grip tightly on the satchel’s strap. No way she was going to let Megatron escape with the crown. “I’ll give back after I place you under arrest!”

“Yeah, I don’t think so.” He pulled the satchel.

She jerked it back. “Let go!”

“You let go!”

"You're under arrest for theft!"

"Not a chance!"

“You have a right to remain silent!”

“I choose to waive that right!”

The light pulls then escalates to an intense tug-of-war between Megatron & Elita. Both sides were determined to keep their servos on the satchel that held The Lost Prime’s Crown. They fought in a manner that resembled two younglings fighting over a toy.

“Stop it! Stop it!”

“Give it to me!”

The next tug they both gave caused the satchel to fly out of the servos onto a nearby tree branch. The tree was growing on the side of a cliff, and the branch it was on was hanging right over the edge.

Megatron & Elita gaped in horror. They glanced at each other briefly before Elita punched him in the face. She ran straight for the tree, Megatron quickly catching up to her. A race followed with the one tackling and tripping the other down. Elita was the first to make it to the tree. She spread her arms to her side to balance herself as she walked on it.

Megatron tackled her from behind, only for Elita to throw him off. He caught his grip on the tree, making awkward optic contact with the femme, who then attempted to stomp on his servos to get him to let go.

“This femme doesn't give up, does she?!” Megatron thought to himself as he climbed over to his satchel without getting hit by her pedes.

The impact of Elita’s stomping had caused the satchel to slide dangerously close to the edge of the branch. Megatron’s spark pulse as he hurriedly climbs over to his satchel.

“Just hang on a little longer…” He whispered to himself.

The satchel slid off, but Megatron caught it at the last second. “Yes! Ha!” he waved it to Elita, who glared at him.

Elita opened his lip plates, about to point out that she had him cornered.

Crack!

The sound caught the pair’s audials. They turn to see a large crack in the bark of the tree.

SNAP!

The tree breaks off the cliff, taking the bots with it. Megatron and Elita clutch the tree as they plummet to the earth below. They glance at each other before turning to the ground, which is getting closer at frightening speed. All they could do at that point was scream in pure terror.

A large rock on the cliff’s wall broke the tree in half, separating the pair. Elita last saw Megatron disappearing into the trees below before she blacked out.

Moments later, she felt someone gently shaking her as she stirred back into consciousness.

“Elita!”

Her optics flicker back online to see a yellow mech over her. 

“You okay?” Elita responded by almost punching the mech, who narrowly dodged her fist. “Woah! It’s me, B-127! Your friend!”

“Sorry, Bee.” Elita sat up, rubbing her helm as she let out a groan. “What happened?”

“You fell from a cliff! Are you alright?”

“I’m fine-Wait!” Elita jumped back on her pedes. “Where’s Megatron? Did you see him?”

“I didn’t. Sorry.”

Elita stomped her pede on the ground in frustration. “Damn it! I had him! I had the crown right in my servos!”

“Easy now." Bee tried to calm her. "You were only out for a few klicks. Maybe he hasn't gotten far.”

“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right!” Elita vents as she waves her index digit. “He’s probably still nearby. Maybe we can pick up his trail.”

“Shouldn’t you take it easy? Like I said, you just fell from a cliff.” Bee suggests with concern in his optics. "Not a lot of bots can walk off from that."

“I've had worse injuries. I'll be fine. We can’t waste any more time. This could be our big break, Bee. If we catch Megatron and get the crown back, we'll definitely be promoted to High Guards. Come on.”

And so the two Iacon Guards moved deeper into the forest. They passed by a large rock wall draped with vines, not paying any mind to it. Once the duo was out of view, Megatron stumbled from the small boulders near the rock wall.

Megatron carefully walked to not make any noises. He placed his palm on the vines to catch his breath and think about what to do next. Instead of meeting the stable surface he expected his servo to rest on, Megatron tumbled through the vines, straight into a cave.

“Did you hear that, Bee?!” 

Elita’s voice snapped Megatron out of his daze. He ran deeper into the cave, hiding behind a wall and hitching a vent as he saw an outline of Elita’s shadow outline through the vines.

“Anything?” Elita’s companion called out.

“No." She responded disappointingly and started to walk away. "Must’ve been an animal.”

Megatron quietly moved deeper into the cave. Straight ahead, there was light, and he went towards it. He kept his optics glued to the entrance to ensure no one had followed him until he emerged on the other end. He stopped to gape at the sight before him.

Ahead lies a tower in the center of a glen surrounded by high rock walls. Totally isolated from the outside world.

“Must be an old base of some kind. Probably hasn't been used in who knows how long.”

And Megatron would have better chances hiding in there than out there.

He heads to the tower's base only to find no visible entryway. Megatron found that unusual, but that was the least of his worries. 

Plan B.

Pulling out two climbing hooks from his subspace, Megatron hastily scales the entirety of the tower. He scrambles through the front window, slamming the metal shutters closed and releasing heavy, tired pants.

In haste, Megateon failed to notice the recently watered plants on the front window. When he entered the dimly lit tower interior, he also did not see how clean it was or the recent dishes in the nearby sink.

Nor a blue servo grabbing a frying pan off the counter.

Taking in a deep vent, Megatron moves his servo over his face plate with a relaxed expression.

“Safe at last…” 

WACK!

Chapter Text

Chapter 5: A Promising Opportunity

Orion relaxed on the beams hoisted in the tower’s ceiling with a leg dangling down and both servos resting on his tank. His optics lingered on the skylight, watching the sky outside. A flock of Metal Songbirds flew past by high above. Orion wonders if the fledgling bird from earlier is with them, enjoying the freedom of flying about. If he is, Orion hopes that he’s happy.

A deep ex-vent went out of his mouth. Orion sits up, legs hanging over the side and servos resting on the support beam he's sitting on. Azure optics scanned around the tower’s interior. Father’s words from their earlier conversation play through Orion’s processor and similar ones they have had throughout Orion's lifetime. 

That was not the first instance Father rejected Orion's request to go outside. Whenever Orion tried to insist that he would be fine, Father made a compelling argument to disprove it. He said that the world was that dangerous, and sometimes he would accuse Orion of not being grateful before the younger mech would submit and apologize, even if he felt like he didn't do anything wrong but didn't want to provoke his father any further. Father would tell Orion how lucky he was to have a safe home like the tower. A privilege that many bots out there did not have. Orion is thankful for such things. His father had done so much to give them this life. One would think Orion was the mech that has everything. He has necessities & pleasures of plenty, as well as fun & amusement galore.

But Orion wants so much more.

The lights were only at the top of his list of the many things he wanted to see. Some of the datapads that Orion has also give him an insight into the outside world. Including stories of Bots enjoying the wonders Cybertron offers.

These are the deep desires Orion could never share with Sentinel unless he wants to hear another lecture about how ungrateful he was and that the stories are nothing but pure fantasies. Father has always maintained how dangerous the world is. He shared stories of bots tearing each other apart to satisfy their selfish desires and taking advantage of the weak & vulnerable. 

It sounds awful to be out there, and it frightened Orion.

But could it be that much so? Can a world be so horrible that it can make something like the floating lights? Or the other things Orion had read?

“I don’t see how a world that has such wonderful things like the lights…could be bad.” Orion thought to himself.

And even if it was so, was it bad enough for Orion not to be able to defend himself? But then again…Orion had never been in any conflict, so could Father be right? He usually is. 

And Orion knew that Father would never deliberately lie to him.

But there has to be some way Orion can prove him wrong. Prove that he's more than meets the eye. “But how can I when he won't let me?”

Before Orion could think of a solution, grunting caught his audials. It sounded like someone was climbing the tower. Could it be Father? If so, why climb instead of calling for Orion to drop the cable rope like normal? They even had a code phrase, which was always, “Orion! Let down the rope!” And nothing else.

Something wasn't right.

Orion leaped down on the floor without making any loud noises. He moved to the room's far end and towards the open front window.

A silver mech scrambles inside, slamming the shutters shut—someone who wasn’t Father.

The Silver Mech’s back faced Orion, unaware of his presence. On instinct, Orion grabbed the frying pan on the kitchen counter and quietly stalked his way to The Stranger.

“Safe at last…” The mech said as Orion swung the frying pan on his helm.

WACK!

The Silver Mech fell face down onto the floor. Orion let out a quiet yelp as he hid behind Father’s dining chair. He took a moment to recompose himself before he peeked over to see the unconscious mech. That's when it hit Orion that this was real. Somebody was in the tower.

Clutching his frying pan tightly in his servos, Orion crept over to The Silver Mech’s unconscious body to get a better look. This mech was bulky and probably could break Orion like a twig. Shining silver paint covered most of his body, but his legs, pedes, and servos were black. And there were tiny drops of red. The mech may also be around Father’s height, if not a few inches shorter.

Orion tapped the intruder’s helm with the pan to see if he remained knocked out. No response of any kind occur. But Orion still had his guard up. Father’s warnings race through his memory banks. Of how most mechs out in the world were not like he & Orion but rather brutal, monstrous-appearing ruffians.

Orion used the frying pan to nudge the mech’s helm to the side to show his faceplate partially. Well, he doesn’t look like a monster. The corner of Orion’s optic then caught over the crude painting of a mech with sharp denta that Father had conjured up during his lecture. Orion lifts the mech’s lipplate with the frying pan’s handle, showing his denta to be completely normal.

Orion let out a mesmerized hum. 

He sat on his knees, pushing The Silver Mech on his side into a small ray of light peeking inside. Orion got a better look at the mech’s faceplate. Judging by the youthfulness, this mech couldn’t be that much older than him. Orion tilted his helm to the side as he found himself…fascinated.

The outside light brought out all the outlines of the mech’s faceplate, including the sharp cheekbones and firm chin. Yet there was a softness to this mech. Orion was sure he had never seen a combination of force & gentleness of this type in anything. His azure optics could not look away from the mech's helm. The Silver Mech’s face was…pretty.

Before he realized what he was doing, Orion slowly moved his servo towards the mech to touch his faceplate.

A sudden groan came out from the intruder.

WACK!

Orion gasped as he brought the frying down again. His optics remained close until he opened one to see the mech out cold again.

All of Orion’s senses came back to him. What he needs to do is get this mech secured. Orion glances at the closet that he and Father used for extra storage. That will have to do for the moment. 

Next came the challenge of getting The Silver Mech into the closet. The mech’s weight was so heavy that dragging him to the closet was difficult for Orion. 

"Are all mechs out there this heavy?" Orion grunted out as he tugged the intruder.

Getting The Silver Mech into the closet was one thing. Trying to get him to stay in the closet took Orion several methods.

First, he used a cable rope to fling him in, but the rope wouldn't pull out through the doors without opening them. Orion placed his helm in an irate manner at that. When Orion finally got The Silver Mech inside, he forgot to latch the closet, resulting in him falling out and landing on Orion in the middle of his victory strut. 

Finally, Orion decided to use a broom and every ounce of his strength.

"Get. In. The. Darn. Closet!" Orion gritted through his denta as he shoved him in and shut the closet. However, Orion did have to push The Silver Mech’s digits in after they got caught between the doors.

Orion places his chair on the door handles to prevent The Silver Mech from escaping should he wake up.

“Okay, Orion. You’ve got a bot in your closet. You got a bot in your closet...” Orion mutters to himself as he tightly holds his frying pan. He turns to the mirror as those words then sink into his processor. An excited grin grew in his lipplates. “...I’ve got a bot in my closet!”

This…This fixes everything! Orion had successfully subdued a mech. With a frying pan of all things! Father has to see that he is capable of leaving the tower! Maybe there's still a chance he can see the floating lights!

“Too weak to handle myself out there, huh, Father?” Orion spoke to his reflection, dusting the pan before twirling it in his servo with a proud smile. “Tell that to me and my trusted frying pan-” The pan struck the side of his helm. “Okay... Not telling him that.” He groaned as he rubbed the impact area.

Something caught Orion’s attention in the mirror’s reflection—a shiny object within The Silver Mech’s satchel. Orion reached inside the satchel and pulled it out.

The object in Orion’s servos was gold. Beautiful cyber gems meld on it, including the ones that match his red & blue paint. His optics caught a lone engraved word.

Solus

He had no idea what a ‘Solus’ was, but Orion felt like he had heard it somewhere. Something about this object was familiar, but he couldn’t pinpoint it. With the number of adored gems, Orion concluded that this object was jewelry. But what kind?

Orion’s first guess was a bracelet, so he put it over his wrist. However, the jewelry was too big to stay on, so that was out.

The second guess was some optic wear. Upon closer examination, Orion quickly crossed that off, realizing there was no way he could get it over his optics.

He examines the jewelry further, trying to deduce what it is. Then it clicks to him: stories he read during childhood told tales of Kings, Queens, Princes, and Princesses, all of whom wore the same type of beautiful helmwear: A crown.

This jewelry looks similar to a crown. Wanting to test that theory, Orion turned to the mirror. He slowly places the crown onto his helm. He gaped at his reflection to see that the crown stayed on his head. It fitted him perfectly as if this crown had been made specifically for him.

The longer he stares, that sense of familiarity grows increasingly higher...

“Orion!” Sentinel’s voice suddenly echoed from outside, making Orion jump. “Let down the rope!”

The younger mech scrambled to hide the crown and The Silver Mech’s satchel. He settled from the decorative pot on the room's far end. Sentinel never bothers with it, so Orion hastily places the items there.

“Orion, I’m not getting younger down here!” Sentinel called out again.

“Just a moment, Father!” Orion responded as he opened the front window shutters, throwing the cable rope down.

“I have a big surprise!” Sentinel announced as he secured himself on the cable rope.

Orion started pulling his father up. “I...do, too!”

“Oh? I bet my surprise is bigger!”

“I seriously doubt it…” Orion whispered to himself happily, glancing over to the closet as he pulled the cable rope.

Sentinel looked eager when Orion pulled him up to the front window. “Guess what? I found parsnips. I’m going to make iron nut soup for dinner. Your favorite. Surprise!”

“That's great, Father." Orion nervously clasps his servos together. "Um, there’s something I want to tell you-”

“Oh Orion, you know I hate leaving you after a fight.” Sentinel hung his cloak, strolling to the kitchen area with his back to Orion. “Especially when I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.”

“Right, um, so I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said earlier-”

“I hope you’re not bringing up the stars again.” Sentinel kept his tone gentle and his face plate away from Orion so he wouldn't see the irate expression.

“Floating lights. And, yes, it relates to that-”

“Because I thought we agreed we would no longer talk about that nonsense, son.” Sentinel continues to unpack his bag.

“No, Father, I’m just saying you think I’m not strong enough to handle myself out there-” Orion moves closer to the closet.

Sentinel turns to face Orion. "I don't think that, my boy. I know you're not strong enough to handle yourself out there.”

Orion’s servo lingers over the closet door handle. “But if you just-”

“Orion, I'm not going to repeat myself. We’re done talking about this…” Sentinel said in a warning tone, lightly gritting his denta. But Orion kept on persisting.

“Trust me-”

“Orion.”

“I know what-”

“Orion…”

“Oh, come on! Just-”

Sentinel slammed his fist onto the table, so suddenly and loudly Orion flinched, losing all of his patience. "ENOUGH WITH THE LIGHTS, ORION! YOU ARE NOT SEEING THEM! AND YOU ARE NOT LEAVING THIS TOWER! EVER!!!”

Orion stood frozen as he felt his father’s furious voice rattling throughout the room. He moves his servo away from the closet, only staring back at his father with a hurt expression.

“Oh great...” Sentinel plopped down on his chair, rubbing his two digits on his forehelm, avoiding Orion’s kicked cyberpuppy look. “Now I’m the bad guy!”

Orion’s gaze lingered on his father, then slowly turned it to his mural of the lights. A sad realization struck him. “He’s never going to let me leave, no matter what…”

The chair leaning against the closet door returned to Orion's visual field. A sudden idea entered his processor. It sounds wild, but at this rate…it could be Orion’s last, no, only shot at seeing the lights in person.

First, he needs to take his father out of the equation.

“All I was going to say, Father, is that…” Orion moved into Sentinel’s direct view. “...I know what I want for my birthday now.”

“You could’ve started with that…” Sentinel sharply retorted, venting out, “What is it?”  

“New paint. The ones made from those shells from The Rust Sea you brought me once.”

“You do know that's not exactly a short trip, Orion. It would take three solar cycles.”

“I just...thought it was a better idea than the float-...Stars.”

Sentinel thought it over, considering it. His expression softens as he lets out a vent. “You sure you’ll be alright on your own?” He walks over to Orion.

“I know I’m safe as long as I'm here.” Orion hugs his father, nuzzling under his chin. “I have everything I need, all thanks to a father who loves me dearly.”

Sentinel was surprised by Orion’s increased affection but accepted it nonetheless and thought nothing else.

Both made the preparations needed. Orion packed Sentinel’s bag with the necessary Energon cubes for his father's journey and other food. Sentinel places his cloak on himself as Orion hands the bag to him.

“I’ll be back in three solar cycles,” Sentinel promised Orion. “I love you very much, Little Spark.”

“I love you more.”

“I love you most.”

Orion helped his father down outside with the cable rope. He remained at the window, watching Sentinel walk over to the cave. Sentinel’s formed turned back and gave a wave, which Orion waved back. With that done, Sentinel disappears into the cave.

Waiting several klicks to ensure Sentinel was gone, Orion dashes back to the interior, pulling the cable robe back in. He grabs his frying pan and sets his optics to the storage closet.

Orion slowly pulls the chair away from the closet door. Hiding behind the chair, Orion releases a deep ex-vent, prepping himself. “Okay. Here we go.”

Orion unlatches the door, dashing straight back behind the chair. Frying pan high above his helm in case the closet’s occupant had awakened and would run for it. To his relief, The Silver Mech’s body toppled out, comically landing on the floor. Orion watched a few more nano-klicks to ensure he wasn't pretending.

“Huh. I guess I hit him harder than I thought. Unless...” Orion squints closer to the mech's broad, firm, well sculpted-wait what was that last part?- chassis still slowly rising & falling. "Okay, I didn't kill him. Good. Now I can hope this will work."

After that, Orion moved over to the mech with a cable rope in his servos. He was ready to get to work.

Chapter Text

Chapter 6: Fated Meeting

A cloaked bot speed walked down the streets. It was dark, and there was no one else but them. The Cloaked Bot clutch a bundle close to their chassis. They darted their helm around, searching for something desperately. Their optics caught to a building with a lone light shining over the front door.

The Cloaked Bot dashes over to the building with a sign on the front. A relieving vent escaped them.

Iacon Orphanage

Something stirred in The Cloaked Bot's arms. Their optics moved to the bundle. Wrapped in blankets, a sparkling grey mech with a black helm was sleeping away, unaware of what was happening.

The Cloaked Bot walked up the stairs leading to the entrance. They knelt down, carefully placing the sparkling before the door. Right at that moment, the sparkling roused from his slumber. He stared at the bot with his large marigold hexagonal optics, cooing happily as he reached for them. The Cloaked Bot could only let out an exhausted vent.

With a low, indistinguishable voice, they whispered to the sparkling, “I’m so sorry…”

The Cloaked Bot rapidly knocked on the door loudly and ran into the darkness of night, never to be seen again.

The sparkling grey mech reached out to the bot as they disappeared into the shadows. Where were they going? Why were they leaving him on the cold ground? He let out pleading whines, which usually got their attention. But they didn’t come back, no matter how loud he got. The whines then escalated into full-out crying.

Another bot, one of the caregivers who worked at the orphanage, stepped out through the door, gasping at the sight of the crying sparkling. They picked him up, trying to soothe him. “Oh, Primus! Where on Cybertron did you come from?!”

The Caregiver rocked the sparkling as they glanced around the dark street with their optics, trying to find the one who had left him. The Caregiver released a dejected vent, looking at the sparkling with pity. “At least whoever left you brought you to the right place. Let’s get you inside, young one.”

With the sparking in their arms, The Caregiver entered the building. They went to a quiet room to calm the sparking, who was screaming his helm off. "Shhh, I know, I know, you're scared. You're okay now." It took The Caregiver a little while to calm the sparking down.

“No note on you, so I don’t know your name. Poor thing,” The Caregiver expressed sympathetically, gently rocking the grey sparkling. “Might as well give you one since you're staying here.”

They spent a long time thinking about it before deciding on one. “You can always change it when you’re older, but we’ll call you D-16 for now.”

The newly named D-16 looked up at the bot, hexagonal optics flickering. The Caregiver smiles down. “What unique optics you have. I'm sure that's bound to get you adopted.”

D-16 let out a yawn, snuggling into the bot’s chassis.

Time passes, and the orphanage remains mostly the same. Young bots come and go. 

The door opens, and out comes a pair of bots with a little youngling they had just adopted. The youngling giggles excitedly, happy to have a new family. Their adopted parents respond with joyous grins.

Sitting at the window inside the orphanage, a grey mechling watches the newly formed family leave. He rested his helm on the window, letting out a sad whine.

One of the orphanage caregivers rested a servo on his shoulder to comfort him. “There’s always a next time, D-16. You'll find a family one day, I'm sure.”

The following family that came didn't adopt him, nor did the next one after that, and the next one after them, and so on.

Cycles passed as D-16, on the bridge between teen & adulthood, felt the punch of another mech. 

He was in an underground fighting ring. Mechs & femmes were cheering, yelling incoherent words, and throwing stuff as they watched the other mech seemingly dominate D-16 in the ring.

“What's the matter? Can’t handle a big boy fight?” The opponent mocked him.

D-16 responded by spitting out Energon that had been bleeding out of his lipplate, panting heavily, and then glaring back at the offender. His opponent could only give a smirk.

“Aww, is this too much you, boy? Are you going to cry to your creators?” The Mech cooed. He then made a feigned gasp like he remembered something he had forgotten. “Oh, that's right. How could I forget? You don't have any…”

That was the final push for D-16, whose optics turned red as he charged over, screaming in fury, annihilating the mech. The crowd cheered at this turn of events. 

It was a cycle that continued to repeat for a good while. As D-16's frame grew broader, he went through opponent after opponent. Like this latest fight, it was no different from previous ones. And like them, D-16 was in the lead. 

Until one of the opponents he was fighting gave a hard strike on the center of his chassis. D-16 found himself on the ground. The world around him blurred. He felt cold.

Cold.

Cold…

COLD!

Megatron yelped as he was awakened by cold solvent poured on him. He glanced down and found himself tied to a chair by a cable rope, with its end trailing on the floor several feet away. Megatron tried to loosen the ropes, realizing they were tied tight.

Everything quickly came back to him. He was running until he found…a tower! He climbed it, and that's when he remembered something hitting his helm. Got him good since it was still sore.

Megatron scans his optics around. He was still inside of the tower. There was a lone light beaming down on the center where he was. Everywhere else was covered by shadows. Yet even with the limited light, Megatron could see the evidence that someone lived here. Unlike the tower’s exterior covered with overgrowing plants, the inside was more well-kept & clean. Whoever was living here was more likely the one who knocked him out.

“Okay, Megatron. You’re tied to a chair in a tower, a tower that someone lives in, in the middle of nowhere where no one can help you. Now, who actually lives here, I don’t know. Could be either a reclusive old crazy hermit or a psychopathic killer.”

Megatron again jerked his limbs and body to free himself. “If I can free myself from these ropes, maybe I won’t find out.”

“Don’t bother!” A new voice that sounded like another mech echoed within the tower. “Struggling…Struggling is pointless!”

The voice sounded like it came from above. Megatron glanced at a bucket with remnants of the cold solvent slowly dripping. Another rope was tied to it, and the end went to the far side of the ceiling. He followed it to the outline of a mech hiding in the shadows of the support beams.

“What the?” Megatron squinted his optics, watching the figure land on the floor.

“I know why you’re here and…I’m not afraid of you!”

“What?”

The mech gradually strode into the light in Megatron's whole visual field, and the silver mech's jaw went slightly agape. The outside light radiated every feature of the tower's occupant, drawing Megatron's optics to them.

His shining red and blue paint reminded Megatron of the beautiful cyber rubies and sapphires he had stolen from previous heists. The mech also has an excellent frame, but his faceplate is what mostly drew Megatron’s attention.

The mech’s well-sculpted faceplate had a soft youthfulness to it. If Megatron had to guess, this mech must be several cycles younger than him. His chin was firm. Large but attractive nose. And his optics. The tower occupants' optics were pretty. Megatron had seen many blue optics, but this mech's color wasn't as simple as they were. His was a lovely shade of azure.

Whatever he was expecting the tower’s occupant to be, Megatron did not expect him to be…handsome. Though he did seem short…

Frying pan firm in his servos, Orion did not quiver at the intruder before him. Staring at him intently, Orion spoke out in a commanding voice. “Who are you? How did you find me?”

Megatron didn't respond, still gaping at the mech before him.

“I’ll ask again. Who are you, and how did you find me?” Orion scrunches his nasal ridge, raising his frying pan.

Several nano-klicks pass before Megatron snaps out of his trance.

“Okay, this guy doesn’t seem like a crazy hermit. At least not an OLD one. Certainly not a psycho killer. Unless that frying pan is his murder weapon. Wait, did he use that to knock me out?! Nevermind that. Gotta get myself out of this. I'm tied up, so I can't fight him off. Hmm... Maybe I'll have to use my other option: Charming him.”

Clearing his throat, Megatron spoke. “I don’t know who you are or how I found you. But I can say this…” He mustered up his best flirtatious grin. “Hello…”

Orion did not react, but Megatron kept on going. “How you're doing? You can call me Megatron. How’s your day going?”

Orion could only raise his optical ridge as he tilted his helm. Why was this mech, Megatron…talking to him like that? And why was he making that uncomfortable-looking smile? Was Megatron trying to confuse Orion? If that was his intention, he would have succeeded in that. But Orion will not falter to this mech’s strange tactics.

“Who else knows my location…” Orion points his frying pan to his captive. “...Megatron?”

“Okay, this mech means business. Flirting off the table…” Megatron flinched his head back to avoid the frying pan.

“Alright, take it easy, Mister…” 

“Orion Pax!”

“...Oreo Packs.” Megatron ignored the offended look on Orion. “Here’s the deal. I was in a bit of a…situation. Gallivanting in the forest where I came across your tower…” The silver mech’s optics were struck with panic, darting his helm around. “My- my satchel! Where is it?!”

“It's safe. But I’ve hidden it. Somewhere, you’ll never find it.” Orion crossed his arms with a smug grin.

Several nano-klicks pass of Megatron scanning the room. “Let me guess…It's in that pot, isn’t it?” He gestured to the pot on the far end.

WACK!

Cold solvent again awakened Megatron, who gave another loud, high-pitched yelp. “Would you STOP with that! I was just joking! I didn’t think you hid it there!”

“Well, NOW it’s hidden where you’ll never find it!” Orion proclaimed again with that smug look, tossing the bucket in his other servo away.

An annoyed groan let out from Megatron as he watched Orion circle around, keeping the frying pan pointed at him.

“Now that we got that out of the way let's discuss why you came here. Have you come to take my parts?”

“Huh?”

“Steal me to make me your pet? Or sell me as one?”

“What?!”

“Rip my spark out and eat it?!”

“N-no! NO!”

“What the frag is this mech going on about?” Megatron couldn’t believe the absurdity he was hearing. Where did this mech get such notions from?

He’ll have to worry about that once he gets free from his predicament. “Listen. The only thing I want from you…is NOTHING!”

Orion opened his lipplates to make a retort but stopped upon registering what Megatron had said. “Wait…You’re not here for me, then?”

“I didn’t know anyone was living here! Look, I was being chased. I saw a tower and thought it was abandoned, so I climbed it. End of story!”

“You’re…telling the truth?”

“Yes!” 

Orion let out a hum. He was…surprised to hear such a thing. Father had always told him that no one knew of this tower, and if they did, they would come to bring harm to Orion. But Megatron appears to have no such intentions. So he claims, at least.

“Excuse me.” 

Orion moved several steps away. In a soft tone, he began conversing with himself like he usually did.

“He doesn’t seem to want to hurt me.” “I think he’s definitely telling the truth.” “You could get him to take you.” “He doesn’t have fangs.” “This could be my one and only chance.” "What other choice do I have?"

Megatron watches Orion speak to himself with bafflement in his wide optics from the confines of his binds.

“Is he…conversing with himself? Okay, this mech is not only weird, but he’s also maybe crazy!”

Megatron jerked his body to free himself from the cable ropes hard enough to make the chair shift several times.

“Okay, Megatron…” Orion’s voice pulled Megatron’s attention back to him. “...I’m prepared to offer you a deal.”

“Deal?!”

“Yes! Now look this way!” Orion turned Megatron in the direction of the drapes. He climbed to the shelf and removed the drapes covering his mural of the floating lights. “Do you know what these are?”

Megatron squinted his optics. “Looks like the lantern thing they do for the prime...?” 

“Lanterns…I knew they weren’t stars!” Orion whispered to himself, happy to hear that. He straightened himself back up and continued speaking to Megatron. “Well, tomorrow night, they will light the night sky with these lanterns.” He pointed his frying pan at Megatron. “You will act as my guide, take me to these lanterns, and bring me home safely. Then, and only then, will I give you back your satchel. That is my deal!”

“Yyyeeaaahh, that’s not happening. Unfortunately, Iacon and I aren’t exactly on…good terms at the moment. So I won’t be taking you anywhere.” Megatron his best ‘sorry but there’s nothing I can’t do about it’ expression.

But Orion would not let this mech weasel his way out of this. He doesn’t know how, but there’s a reason Megatron is here. He is the key to the outside world. Perhaps the only key Orion has to see the lights. Who knows how many cycles it will be before another opportunity comes. If it even comes at all.

Leaping on the floor, Orion grabbed the end of the cable rope attached to Megatron. Pulling himself as he spoke. “I don’t know what, but something brought you here, Megatron. Call it what you will. Fate…Destiny-”

“A crazily persistent pink femme,” Megatron stated with a deadpan expression.

“-So I have made the decision to trust you!”

“A horrible decision, really...”

“But trust me when I say this!”

Orion gave a hard yank on the rope, causing Megatron to fall forward. The fall was prevented by Orion bracing his servo on the back of the chair. He looked directly into Megatron’s marigold optics. Their faceplates were only several inches apart. Close enough for both of them to feel each other's vents.

“I’ve lived in this tower my entire life. I know every nook & cranny of this place. I know hiding places you wouldn’t think would be hiding places. So you can tear this tower apart piece by piece, but without my help, you’ll never find your precious satchel,” Orion laid it out firmly, not breaking optic contact.

Megatron cleared his throat. “Let me make sure I got this right: I take you to see the lanterns, bring you back home, and then you’ll give me my satchel?”

“I promise. When I promise something, I never break that promise. Ever…”

Megatron gave Orion a skeptical look, unsure what to make of this. Was he really going to agree to this? Escort a mech he barely knows when the authorities are looking for him? That’s all too risky to do for a mech he just met.

Maybe he could have one last shot to get out of this.

“Are you sure I can’t change your mind?” Megatron put up his flirtatious grin again. “I can be very persuasive…”

Orion was not relenting to him. “Why is he doing that again? What kind of tactic is this? This mech is…weird.”

Klicks of awkwardness pass in the air. Orion showed no sign of relenting of Megatron. 

“Okay fine! I’ll take you to see the lanterns!” The silver mech caved in.

“Really?! Yes!” In his excitement, Orion released his grip from the chair. Megatron landed face-first on the floor, letting out another yelp. “Oops…!”

“I’m fine. You just…broke my face." Megatron groaned.

Orion scrambled to lift him back up. “Sorry. Got caught up in the excitement.” He gave a nervous smile. “You okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I've had worse." Megatron glances at the ropes. "Can you please untie me now?”

“Oh, sure! This might take me a few klicks.”

“Not like I got anywhere else to be…” Megatron vented sarcastically. Sitting back, he let Orion do his thing.

“Just what I need. To be an escort to this weird mech.”

Megatron wondered if he had done something awful in a previous life that warranted this because it felt like he was being punished.

This day couldn't possibly turn in a weirder direction.

Chapter Text

Chapter 7: One Small Step

In the cycles spent living in hiding, Sentinel had come to appreciate its benefits.

Not that he enjoys it by any means. Had Sentinel been given a chance to go back to his life before his attempted betrayal of the Primes, he'd take it in a spark beat. He missed his old life of being part of the High Caste. The abundant wealth. The delicious food. The grand parties. Every luxury that the High Caste lifestyle provided.

Those would've been the energon cherries on top of engex cake had he succeeded with his plan to murder The Primes. He would no longer be Sentinel, the insignificant Principal Aid that most others wouldn't dare give a second glance to. Only see him as a glorified secretary. No. He would've been known as Sentinel Prime.

The Icon of Iacon. The Savior of Cybertron. The Slayer of Quintessons. 

The people of Iacon would cheer his name as he graced them with his presence. Everyone would know his name. He would’ve lived like a King. And get the Quintessons off everyone's backs and allow them access to their energon without everyone's knowledge. Really, it would’ve been a win for Cybertron, The Quintessons, and himself. Everyone would've gotten what they wanted. It would’ve been perfect.

“If only those damn Primes didn’t poke into my business!” Sentinel would find himself thinking bitterly constantly.

If he could go back in time, the only thing he would change was to get The Primes off his aft.

Constantly, Sentinel found himself staring at the scars & dents he had obtained the lunar cycle The Primes discovered his treason. Optics often linger on the torn ridges on his back, covered by his cloak, where the golden wings he cherished used to be. His blue and gold paint no longer radiated brightly but was reduced to a darker blue and a faded, ugly yellow color. The scratches & dents he buffed a few of them, but many remained, and the best facilities for those were in Iacon's upper levels, and there was no way he was going there. Sentinel was still decently attractive, but Primus he used to look so gorgeous. 

Thinking about that lunar cycle filled him with fury. How dare The Primes foil his plans? How dare they give him these scars? How dare they destroy his future, forcing him to hide out in the wilderness to live off the grid like a wild mechanimal?! They ruined everything!

Sentinel stopped to recompose himself. Getting angry won't change the past. What’s done is done. All he could do was move forward. And move forward, he has.

This brought him back to the benefits. Since The Primes & the planet believed him to be dead, no one was actively searching for him. Making it easy to blend into the crowds whenever he needed to make the necessary trips to civilization. Even as the Principal Aid to the Primes, he was not famous to the public. Few High Caste families knew him at most, but that was it. The only bots he was worried about were The High Guard. But they rarely venture outside Iacon unless it's something they specifically need to handle. Just as long he kept the conversations brief, not sharing too much, and keeping the cloak on, Sentinel was just another average insignificant mech upon a populace of millions of them.

Which made enacting his revenge by kidnapping Optimus all the more easier. Sentinel saw no problem with that. The Primes took away his promising future. It was only fair that Sentinel took theirs.

And by Primus, did that give him such tremendous feelings.  

Every time Sentinel went into Iacon, he saw notice boards pleading to the public for any information regarding the whereabouts of Optimus Prime. Sometimes Sentinel would look for old holo-videos of The Primes making one of their stupid grand speeches that always made Sentinel roll his optics about how they will never give up searching and encourage anyone who knows anything about The Lost Prime to step forward, whether it may be significant or not. The Primes always had their stoic bravado but Sentinel had worked with them long enough to know that behind that facade, he could see the despair in their optics. 

He can see that Optimus being missing drove them crazy. Not knowing the fate of their youngest. That gave Sentinel such a rush that brought a smile to his lipplates. Centuries of hardships they faced, yet he was the one who brought down the high & mighty Primes to that state. He had something over The Primes that they didn't have over him: Power. Sentinel held power. He was the only bot in Cybertron's history to do something none of The Primes enemies had succeeded. It made Sentinel sickly proud of himself. That feeling was intoxicating, and he relished it. Each cycle that The Primes had spent without Optimus added another level of despair for them and another of joy for Sentinel.

As The Primes wallow in their grief, none knew that their youngest member was tucked away under their nasal ridges, with a different name that Sentinel picked and no idea about his true family. It was thrilling, really. Being the only one out of the billions of bots that live on this planet to know the whereabouts of Optimus Prime. It was the one thing that made this life worthwhile to Sentinel. 

Even if the young mech can be aggravating at times.

Sentinel did not love Orion, but the young mech must never know that. Should Orion find that out, he would try to leave. Sentinel dedicated himself to putting up the act of a caring father who loved his son. Doting on him. It was not so different from how Sentinel interacted with others in his old High Caste life. Lying to their faces to get what he wanted. Sentinel knows it would make keeping Orion in the tower easier if Orion was a willing captive. And in some weird way, Sentinel liked having Orion around. Like a pet he keeps for amusement. The young mech did help maintain the tower when he was old enough to do so. Works well for Sentinel since he never liked doing chores. That's what the lower caste servant bots he used to employ were for, and Orion was the closest to that. Orion wouldn’t dare to complain because he wanted to make his father happy. Sentinel was very well aware of that.

When Orion does something Sentinel does not particularly like, he will gaslight & guilt him. Sentinel would say if this is how Orion repays him after how much he gave & sacrificed to give them the life they have. Even going as far as withdrawing all signs of affection. Sentinel had learned Orion was a very empathetic bot, so this had been used to his advantage, with Orion relenting and doing everything he could to make up for his wrongdoing. In return, Sentinel gives him gifts and reciprocates his fatherly affection back. Rinse & repeat.

Sentinel had Orion wrapped around his digit. It may not be the adoring crowd of billions he had yearned for, but he supposed one was better than none. And the fact it was The Prime’s youngest made it all the sweeter. A double blow.

However, that's become difficult in recent cycles. While Orion was still obedient, he had grown curious about the outside world. He started asking questions. Too many questions. So Sentinel had relented by telling fictional stories of the horrors that lay out there. Stories of bots who would bring harm to Orion without hesitation. For the most part, they do work with the young mech recoiling in fear. But they could only work for so long. Sentinel knew it would only be a matter of time before Orion started to get bolder. Orion was too curious for his own good. Keeping his grip on the red & blue mech was becoming more and more hard to keep a hold of. 

“I suppose it could’ve been worse…Had Orion been able to activate his T-Cog…”

But even with that in mind, Sentinel knew how determined of a bot Orion was. He would’ve stopped asking questions about the outside world long ago if he wasn't. He always wanted to learn more. And if Orion learns too much…

Well…Sentinel does have those spare chains hidden away.

Until that time comes, Sentinel will continue using his tactics. Driving the fear of Primus into Orion and guilting him to not ask about the outside world for a good while. And giving him gifts to manipulate his emotions. 

Like what he is doing now. Traveling in the lush forest on his way to The Rust Sea to get those stupid shells for Orion. He agreed to it to make up for ‘unfairly’ snapping at his dear son. But of course, Sentinel reminded Orion that wouldn’t have happened had he been more explicit with his request. To his surprise, Orion immediately agreed. Not arguing back once. Perhaps he finally accepted his place in the tower. But for good measure, Sentinel would guilt Orion just how tiring the whole trip was when he returned. There was some truth that. The trip would have been quicker if Sentinel had used his alt-form, a blue jet, but losing his golden wings made flying into that form difficult. He could still transform, but staying stable would require a lot of energy. Knowing Orion, he would’ve already made him an engex pie and not ask anymore questions about the outside world for at least a good several orbital cycles as a form of gratitude.

Truth be told, Sentinel did not mind getting away from the restrictions of the tower. Another reason why he agreed to get the shells. Sentinel would often look forward to trips that would keep him away for several days. A good break from his annoying captive. Just because he deprived Orion access to the outside world doesn't mean Sentinel should do the same.

In the cycles following the end of the Quintesson War, there had been a steady rise of settlements growing on the surface of Cybertron. Sentinel would visit these settlements for supplies. Thank Primus Sentinel was smart enough to store some extra shanix in his hideout before going through with his plan to betray The Primes, along with valuables he would occasionally sell to earn him enough shanix to last a good while. He tries to avoid going to Iacon unless necessary or to reminisce about his old life or drink in The Prime’s misery whenever he needs to cheer himself up. 

Strangers passing by were typical in these settlements, so the residents wouldn't think twice about him. 

The growing surface settlements did bring concern to Sentinel. Some of them were close to the edges of the forest. Nothing to raise an alarm for the time being but enough for him to keep an optic on. There had been several close calls during his cycles in hiding, both before & after kidnapping Optimus. Most Bots were smart enough to not get near. Occasionally, Sentinel did have to…deal with stragglers himself. Always made sure to stage them as tragic accidents or wild mechanimal attacks. He cannot take any risks of anyone finding out his secret.

Whenever he got stuck in small talk with the occasional bot, he kept them vague and quick. Otherwise, he would stick with those who don't ask questions.

One such type was another reason why these trips would take a while. Every settlement Sentinel frequently visits has a mech or femme to help with his…needs. While covered with scars, Sentinel was still attractive enough to have a partner to spend the evening in a berth. He feels nothing for them and vice versa. What's better is that they don’t ask questions. All that matters is the shanix they earn, nothing more or less. One of those settlements was on the way to The Rust Sea. If he had enough time, he might stop by on the way.

Of course, Orion would never know this little secret. Sentinel did everything he could to minimize Orion’s knowledge of interface. Even removing datapads that dare have the briefest mention of it. Among other subjects as well.

Knowledge of Cybertron’s history was pretty much banned in their home. Most history datapads contained information about The Primes, and there was no way that Sentinel would ever let Orion learn about them. So, he barred that subject as much as possible. Teaching Orion only basic things such as how to read, write, and so on (proclaiming that he was not going to have a moron as a prisoner).

In short, Sentinel thought of everything…

“Except Orion’s persistence!”

Even with all the precautions taken, Sentinel still can't help but worry. Orion was never one to give up. A trait that he had, unfortunately, inherited from The Primes.

“Orion’s getting too curious. I'm not sure how much longer I can keep him subdued without using force…”

He chose not to dwell on such thoughts, wanting to enjoy these next three solar cycles of peace. He’ll worry about that in, hopefully, the far future.

“I’ll figure something out. You went on this far, Sentinel. Orion will never leave that tower. And no one will take him away from me.”

“You coming, Pax?”

Megatron called out as he steadily descended the tower with his climbing hooks.

“I…I just need a klick!” Orion bellowed back.

Standing on the front window, Orion, frying pan tucked under his arm, nervously clutched the cable rope as his optics were glued to the ground below outside. This is it. After a lifecycle in the tower, dreaming of the world outside, Orion was finally doing it. He was leaving the tower to see the lanterns. He was excited but…also afraid.

“Look at the world. It's so close, and I’m halfway to it. Look at it all, so big, do I even dare.” Orion glances at his floating lights mural, optics lingering over to the red & blue mech watching them. “Look at me, there at last! I just have to do it.”

“Should I…” He reached in but quickly stopped himself. “No! Here I go.”

Taking a deep vent, Orion tossed the cable rope down outside. He had done this many times before to allow Sentinel to leave and return inside. Now, Orion was the one leaving for once.

Grabbing the cable rope, Orion slides down. Megatron had to duck as he raced past. Orion lets out cheerful laughs as he descends to the earth. The excitement lasts only several nano-klicks when Orion stops his decline. Below by a mere feet is the ground. Orion keeps his legs hovered as he holds the rope with dear life. He stares at the grass with wide optics, venting nervously.

Finally mustering up the courage, Orion slowly placed his pede on the ground, then the other after a klick. He let out a quiet gasp at the new sensation, wobbling both of his pedes to get used to the feeling of the grass.  Orion…let out a laugh. One mix of disbelief & pure joy. He then got on his knees, rubbing the grass with his servos, continuing with his laughter. Orion petted the grass as he lied down, rolling around on it, stretching across his back. A relaxed vent came out as a gentle breeze brushed against his frame. He closed his eyes, soaking in these new sensations.

Orion loved every single one of them.

To smell the grass and the dirt. Just like Orion dreamed they be. To feel the summer breeze. The way it's calling him.

He rolled on his front, resting his helm on his servos, as his optics caught sight of a dandelion plant. Another breeze pushed through, causing the seeds to float in the air. Orion got up and chased after them. A surprised gasp came out of him as a sudden cooler feeling caught his pedes. He glanced down to find himself standing in a pond of fresh solvent. Orion laughed again, instinctively splashing the solvent into the air, raining it down over him.

For the first time ever, he's completely free!

A familiar Metal Songbird flew around him, hovering for a few moments before going toward the direction of the cave. Orion started jogging to the cave, slowly turning it into a full sprint. Never once did he look back at the tower. A big grin formed on his lipplates as he ran into the cave and the forest outside. So many thoughts swarm in his processor as new possibilities emerge with his newfound freedom.

Orion could go running, racing, dancing, chasing, leaping, bounding, finial flying, spark pounding, splashing, reeling, and finally feeling…

And that’s when Orion realized that's when his life begins!

Orion gaped at the trees. He’s only seen them in pictures but never with his own optics. And there were so many of them! A flock of Metal Songbirds flew through a gape through the forest. One familiar fledgling hovered by Orion and let out happy chirps to him before joining back with its kind.

“I can't believe it did this…” Orion exclaimed happily. Then he placed his digits on his forehelm. “Ican’tbeleiveIdisthis! I can't believe I did this!” He happily danced in place. Orion couldn't believe he had pulled off something he never thought he would do. All without his father’s knowledge.

And if Father found out about this…

“Father would be furious...” Orion whispered to himself nervously.

Five klicks later…

Orion was sitting on a rock in the middle of a pond with the tips of his pedes soaking in the water.

Lingering in the back was Megatron, watching impatiently with a servo on his hip as he watched Orion converse with himself again.

“You went behind Father’s back and disobeyed him…but it should be okay. He’s gone for three solar cycles. You'll be back before he’ll be.” Orion picked up a water lily, resting it in his servos as he gently sniffed it. “…Besides, what Father doesn't know won't kill him, right?”

Five klicks later…

“Oh my gosh…” Orion’s whimpers echoed off the walls of a cave, hugging his legs as he gently rocked himself. “...This will kill him! Hurt him beyond belief! He’ll be shattered!”

Megatron watched in perplexity at the entrance of the cave.

Five klicks later…

“This is soooooo FFUUUNNNN!”

Orion ran around with delight, kicking a small pile of leaves. Megatron was examining his digits, flinching his frame with an irate look as the leaves fell upon him.

Five klicks later…

Orion stood on a large tree branch, his forehelm resting on the large bark of the tree, his arms dangling below, and his frying pan in his servo. Megatron watched him, still unsure what to make of this.

“I am a horrible son…”Orion muttered to himself. “I’m going back.”

Five klicks later…

“I AM NEVER GOING BACK!”

Orion ran down a hill. Performing several cartwheels before falling on the ground and rolling down. Letting out a giggle as he reached the bottom

Five klicks later…

“I’M A DESPICABLE SENTIENT BEING...!” Orion loudly sobbed, laying face-first onto a patch of flowers.

Megatron sat beside him, resting his helm into servo with a bored look.

Five klicks later…

“WOOHOO!”

Orion swung on a vine around a tree. Megatron rested against the tree with his arms crossed, looking impatient as he watched Orion swing around, still cheering.

“BEST. DAY. EVER!”

Orion sat near some rocks with his faceplate buried in his servos. Quiet whimpers emitted from him. He was feeling so…conflicted about this whole thing.

From the sidelines, Megatron watched the whole process of Orion’s nervous breakdown. Clearly, this mech was uncertain about making this trip. From what little he picked up, Orion’s father was a strict mech, and Orion looked up to him dearly.

Perhaps Megatron could have one more shot to get out of their deal.

Megatron gently struts up to Orion. Clearing his throat before kneeling down to his level. “You know…I can't help but notice that you appear to be a little at war with yourself.”

“W-What?” Orion pulled away from his servos to meet Megatron’s gaze.

“Now I only have bits and pieces.” The silver mech stood back up. “Overprotective father. Forbidden roadtrip. Serious stuff right here. But let me ease your conscience! It’s a part of growing up! A little rebellion here and a little adventure there. That’s all good! Healthy even!”

“Y…You think?”

“I know! You’re overthinking this! Now, does your father deserve it? No. Would this break his spark & crush his soul? Absolutely! But you just got to do it!”

Orion let out a quiet gasp. “Break his…spark?”

“In half.” Megatron casually plucked a berry from a nearby bush.

“Crush his soul?” Orion shuddered, biting the tips of his digits.

Megatron squeezed the grab between the thumb and index digits. “Like an energon grape…”

“He would be sparkbroken, you’re right!”

Megatron helped Orion back on his pedes. The red & blue mech hugged himself with an unsettled look.

“I am, aren’t I? Oh bother…” Megatron placed his servo on the center of his chassis with a faux sparkbroken tone. “Okay, you’re clearly uncertain about this, so I’ll let you out of the deal.”

“What?!”

“Don’t thank me.” Megatron picked up Orion’s frying pan & cable rope to give back to him. “We’ll turn back and take you home. No big deal. Here’s your pan & rope.” Megatron wraps his arm around Orion, forcing him to walk. “I get my satchel back. You get a father-and-son relationship based on mutual trust! And bingo! We part ways as unlikely friends!”

“No!” Orion shoves off from Megatron. “I may be conflicted about this, but I’m seeing those lanterns!”

“OH COME ON!” Megatron waved his arms. “What's it gonna take to get my satchel back!”

Orion brought his frying pan up to Megatron’s faceplates. “I’m not afraid to use this again…” Orion gently threatened.

The sliver mech flinched his helm back. His optics widened in a motion that his life flashed before them. “Point taken…” Megatron gently pushes the pan away. Mentally, he scolded himself. This short mech reached up to his chassis, yet he overpowered him with a simple household item.

Nearby bushes suddenly started ruffling loudly. Bushes directly next to the pair of mechs. Orion was on instant high alert.

“What is that?! Murderers?! Thugs?! Cannibals?! Have they come for me?!” Orion hides behind an unfazed Megatron, clinging onto his back for dear life, pointing his pan toward the bushes.

Out of the bushes came a lone petrorabbit. 

“Stay calm…It can probably smell fear,” Megatron deadpanned.

“Oh…A petrorabbit! I-I knew that! I was…I was seeing if you knew!” Orion let out a nervous, toothy smile.

“Oh don’t worry. I know.”

The petrorabbit stared at the pair with its curious optics. It hopped over to Orion’s pedes respectively, sniffing at them. The creature then lifted his helm to meet Orion’s optics. The petrorabbit titled his helm on its side. Orion did the same. Before he realized it, Orion knelt on the ground to be closer to the animal. He stuck his servo out, letting the mechanimal give several sniffs. It then rubbed itself on Orion’s servo.

With a smile, Orion petted the petrorabbit. “It looks so cute!”

“Yeah, until they bite you,” Megatron responded disinterestedly. “You’re really not supposed to pet wild mechanimals.”

“This one seems to really like me.” Orion petted in between the creature’s long audials, giggling as it rubbed its faceplate against his servo.

“Alright, alright. Enough petting the rabbit. Go on. Shoo!” Megatron chased away the creature. 

“Hey! That wasn’t really nice!”

“Look, as much as I like to pet cute forest creatures with you, I like to get a move on. Since I have no choice but to be your guide, you could at least listen to what I say. And if you want to see those lanterns tomorrow, we gotta get moving now.”

“Alright.” Orion stood back on his pedes. “Lead the way, guide.”

Megatron started walking with Orion not too far. A sudden thought came to the thief's processor.

Since authorities are still hunting him, Megatron needs to stay low. That would mean not using his alt-form. Not many bots have warframe alt-forms, so he would stick out like a sore thumb. So he has no choice but to walk. And there’s Orion, with his bright red and blue, which would also allow them to get easily spotted.

“You’ll be okay with us walking, right?” Megatron spoke to Orion, preparing himself for Orion to insist on using their alt-forms. 

“Uh, yeah…? How else are we supposed to get there?”

That was…not the answer Megatron was expecting. But he certainly would not complain. “Just…making sure. Keep up. I’d like to make some good progress before it gets dark.”

And so the pair begin their trek into the deep forest.

In the center of the planet, Primus' core shined a little brighter than usual. It did so when the red & blue finally took his first step into the outside world. For the first time in vorns, Primus felt delighted. His youngest had finally entered the outside world. 

“Soon, all of my children will finally be together.”

It was only a matter of time before Optimus learned his true heritage. All Primus could do was wait & watch, looking forward to the inevitable reunion. 

And the blooming relationship between his youngest and the thief who found him.

Chapter Text

Chapter 8: Chance Encounter

“Where could he possibly be hiding?”

Elita used her scanner to search the forest area she and B-127 were exploring. Their pursuit of Megatron has been nothing but a series of dead ends. But the pink femme will not give up easily. She was determined to find the thief and finally prove herself worthy of being part of The High Guard.

“Anything on your end, Bee?”

“Nothing yet,” He responded back.

“Keep your optics out. Megatron can’t hide forever.” Elita locked her optics on her scanner, which concerned Bee because she appeared ignorant of her surroundings.

“Are you sure you’re okay from that fall?”

“For the last time, yes.” Elita vents out with irritation, her optics still locked on the scanner.

“You did a system check to make sure of that?”

Elita glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, Bee. My systems remain functional, and my coordination is fine.”

As she turned her helm back forward, Elita’s faceplate met with a paper smacking into it. The pink femme’s arms flailed around until she finally grasped the paper to move it away. In her servos was a wanted poster of Megatron. Though the picture depicted him with octagonal irises, Elita knew this was the same thief she was searching for.

Both arms gently shake as her grip on the paper tightens. Her lipplates twisted into an irate sneer. The anger & annoyance that had been building up since earlier this morning threatened to break free. She could vent it out best by tearing the poster into tiny shreds like confetti. Bee stood watching her with concern.

“Elita…Are you really okay?”

Elita let out a deep vent. “...If only I kept a better grip on him. This could've been my only chance, and I blew it.”

Bee tries to offer words of comfort. “Your chance will come. But you really should take it easy. Stressing yourself isn’t going to help you. It's like what my other friend, A-A-Tron, once told me. Life isn’t a race. If you treat it as such, you’ll miss out more than you realize. He also taught me some great breathing exercises that help keep me relaxed whenever I’m overwhelmed, which I think you would like. Like this one method…”

Elita didn’t hear the rest of what Bee said, for the sound of a twig snapping below a pede caught her audials. “Bee, shut up!” She whispered.

“What? Don’t you want to-?” Elita cut him off by clamping her servo over his mouth.

Another sound of twig snapping followed. The pair simultaneously glanced at each other.

“You heard that?” Elita said in a hushed tone.

Bee nodded in response, moving Elita's servo. “You think it's Megatron?”

“Who else would be out here this far into the forest?” Elita glances over to a pair of trees positioned across from each other. “It's coming over there.”

“Oh boy! Time for…” Bee pulled down his battle mask with a blue visor. He balled his servos into fist. Plasma knives popped out of both of them. “...BADASSATRON,” He said with a low, deepened voice.

“Shhh! Don’t let him hear you.” Elita rolled her optics. Bee’s antics were annoying at times. But Elita will never admit out loud that she does find them charming. “Get behind that tree, and I’ll hide in the other. Wait for my signal.”

Bee gave her a thumbs up. Both hide behind their respective trees. Nano-klicks later, a shadow the size of the average mech loomed between them.

Optics on her partner, Elita lifted her servo as she readied her own weapon with the other: a sword. When the time was right, Elita brought her servo down, yelling, “NOW!” as She and Bee leaped from the trees.

“FREEZE!”

Elita held her sword with Bee next to her, ready for battle. 

Pointing their weapons to a blue & yellow hooded mech that yelped back in shock.

Bee pulled back his visor and his knives. “Well, um...This is awkward.”

Elita examined the mech before her, which was more than likely a traveler. With the scars, scraps, and dents he had, he clearly had seen better solar cycles. But something about this mech seemed familiar to Elita. Not from meeting him but more like seeing him somewhere before, but Elita could not pinpoint where. 

She snapped out of her thoughts upon seeing the fear-stricken expression on the mech, with how wide his bulging optics were & his tense venting. Did she and Bee scare him that badly? He looked like they were about to end his life.

Clearing her throat, Elita sheaths her sword. “Apologies, sir. My partner and I thought you were someone else.”

“Sorry about that!” Bee chirped with an apologetic grin.

Elita & Bee did not know the arm cannon powering down behind Sentinel’s back. A relaxed vent escaped as he straightened himself back up. “That's…quite alright.” He said, trying to be polite. Sentinel’s optics caught sight of the pair’s blue sashes, widening upon recognition. “Iacon Guards?”

“That’s what we are!” Bee said with excitement. “I’m B-127, but you can call me Bee! This is my partner, Elita One!”

“Charmed…” Sentinel responded, trying to hide his disinterest. He wondered why two low-ranking Iacon Guards were out here, miles away.

“Could they be…? No. They wouldn’t send two guards like them for him. Right…?”

Curiosity got to Sentinel. “May I ask what brings you both out here?

“We’re looking for a thief. He stole something precious from The Primes,” Elita explained.

“How…awful.” It took all Sentinel’s strength to not sound like he didn’t give a slag about it. If anything, he commends the bot responsible. The Primes deserve every ounce of misfortune that comes across them.  

“The thief goes by Megatron. He’s around your height. Has grey colors, a boxy frame, and yellow optics. Seen anyone like that?”

“Can’t say that I have, miss.”

“They’re not here for Orion. Thank Primus…” Sentinel mentally vents out with relief.

“That sucks! But I’m sure we’ll find him. We got The High Guard searching around here too!” Bee shared.

“Wait…The WHO?!” Now, that did catch Sentinel’s attention.

“D-Did you say The High Guard?” Sentinel urgently asked Bee.

“Yep!” Bee turns his front to face the forested area before him. “They’re combing this whole forest for Megatron. Pretty serious about it, too. Even Captain Starscream is with us! He’s determined to get him. We’re just volunteers helping them, but we’ll find him!”

As Bee continued rambling, neither he nor Elita noticed Sentinel slowly walking backward. Fear washing over his faceplates.

"If The High Guard are searching this whole forest..."

"Orion..." Sentinel whispered fearfully

Elita stepped forward to Bee. “Bee! Stay on topic.”

“Oh. Sorry.” A light blue blush painted his cheeks.

The femme rolled her optics. She pulled a chip containing the High Guard tipline from her subspace. “Anyways, if you see something, sir, you can contact—” Elita turned to see that the stranger was gone. "Where did he go?”

“Maybe he's in a hurry?” Bee shrugged. “He seemed like a nice mech.”

“Yeah...” Elita returned to her thoughts as that nagging feeling telling her that the mech was familiar came to her.

“Why do I feel like I saw that mech somewhere before? I’ve never met anyone like him…”

“Should we get back to searching, Elita?” Bee’s voice pulled her back to reality.

“Oh, Right!” Elita pulled out her scanner as she started walking with Bee by her side. She shrugged away the nagging feelings.

“Probably got him confused with somebody else. Maybe an actor from a holoprogram or something...”

Speaking of the said mech, Sentinel hid behind one of the trees, watching the pair exit his visual field. Dread overfilled his systems, and spark rapidly pulsed against his chassis. 

Sentinel was lucky that The High Guard did not find him when he kidnapped Optimus all those cycles ago. He will not push that luck again.

Confident that the two Iacon Guards won't follow him, Sentinel activated his blue jet alt-form. Flying back to the direction of his hideout. Due to his missing wings, he rarely uses his alt-form due to a lack of proper balance. Sentinel only uses it for drastic measures, like urgently getting back to the tower. He put all of his focus on staying balanced until he arrived at the vine-covered cave.

Back in his robot form, Sentinel could see evidence of faint pedeprints near the entrance. That further increased his anxiety. He dashed into the cave straight to the tower. The metal shutters on the front window were closed, so there was hope that Orion was still there. Sentinel will make up some excuse that he saw a group of murderous thugs and he ran back to protect Orion from them. 

“Orion!” Sentinel bellowed when he reached the base of the tower. “Let down the rope!”

There was only silence.

“Orion? Little Spark?!”

Again. Silence. 

Sentinel ran to the side of the tower’s base, which was covered with green foliage. His servos felt around the greenery until he found what he sought. Yanking a large patch off revealed a door barred for many cycles. Sentinel banged his shoulder against the door several times until it finally opened. Sentinel dashed up the spiral staircase that led to the top.

Loud bangs echoed inside the tower as one of the floor tiles slowly shifted. The tile finally plops off, revealing a secret hatch door. Sentinel tossed the tile onto the side as he ran straight in.

The inside of the tower was dark. Not a single light on. And it was quiet. Too quiet. All of that did not settle down Sentinel’s nerves. He glances up at the door of Orion’s berthroom on the second level.

“Orion?”

Sentinel ran straight in, hoping that Orion was simply taking a nap. Yeah, that had to be it! That hope dwindled when Sentinel stepped in but found no sign of Orion. It dropped further when he yanked back the covers of Orion’s berth, only showing the pillows he usually leaves scattered. 

“No…This can’t be happening!”

Sentinel scrambled around the tower frantically, looking everywhere Orion possibly was hiding. He checked his berthroom, the higher beams where Orion liked to sit, and even the storage closet. With each spot he searched, Sentinel’s panic steadily increased.

“ORION!” 

Sentinel ended the search by ripping off the drapes of the other window. The outside light pierced inside the dark interior, almost ominous-like. Sentinel stood frozen in place as he started hyperventilating. Both his servos ran through his faceplates, and he clutched his helm. The thing he feared for was real.

Orion was gone.

“They found him... They actually found him! And if they have him, it won’t be long until-”

A tiny speck of light caught one of his optics, snapping Sentinel out of his spiral. The speck reflected off a glint of metal from underneath the floorboard of the bottom step of the stairs. Sentinel blinked, raising one of his optical ridges. He knows for certain that it wasn't there before.

Pulling off the stair floorboard revealed a brown satchel. One that Sentinel knows he never owned. Sentinel reaches into the satchel and pulls out a crown. He examines it for several nano-klicks before letting out a loud gasp, dropping the crown on the floor as if it had burned his servo. He didn’t need to see ‘Solus’ engraving to recognize her handiwork. 

Confusion overrides the shock in the mech.

“This…This doesn’t make any sense. Why would The High Guard have THAT crown with them and leave it here…Unless.”

Sentinel recalled the words the pink femme Iacon Guard had shared. 

“We’re looking for a thief. He stole something precious from The Primes.” 

Is it possible that…?

Grabbing the satchel again, Sentinel searched around with his servo until he yanked out a large piece of paper. It was a wanted poster with a sketch of a mech. His optics flickered at the name.

“The thief goes by Megatron.”

Megatron…

The dread Sentinel had felt mere moments earlier was now filled with rage. He scowled down the wanted poster. Everything is starting to make sense now. Somehow, this mech, Megatron, found his way here. And if Sentinel had to guess, Orion got him to agree to take him out of the tower. 

Sentinel barely knows anything about Megatron, but he already feels nothing but hatred. How dare that…that thief come by here and take his Orion away? Well, not if Sentinel has anything to say about it. He will not let a low-life petty crook undo everything he had worked for. Every moment Orion is with Megatron, the chances of him discovering his true origins grow higher. And Sentinel was not going to let that happen.

The blue mech marches to his berthroom. He pulls out a small compartment drawer. In it contained his prized Primax Blade. At least what’s left of it. No longer was it the extensive double-bladed sword. His battle with The Primes had damaged it significantly. One whole blade was completely gone. The remaining one had parts damaged, forcing Sentinel to remove a good chunk. It now resembles a small sword but was still deadly enough to get the job done. 

Sentinel started preparing once he placed the blade, hidden by the cloak, on his hip. For he was now on a hunt. Megatron was nothing but a threat. Sentinel will make sure that he will regret whisking Orion away.

“And I know exactly where they’re going…” Sentinel gazes upon Orion’s floating lights mural. More rage boiling up inside of him every time he thought of Megatron.

Chapter Text

Chapter 9: I’ve Got A Dream

Megatron doesn't know what to make out of his current predicament. 

Of all the ways he expected this day to play out, it certainly wasn't this. In the breems that had passed since they started their trip, Megatron quickly learned just how odd Orion Pax was. Megatron had met many unique bots in his lifecycle, but Pax was undoubtedly the most…interesting. And Megatron doesn’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. 

This mech was curious but also skittish about everything around him. He wanted to see more but was afraid. Megatron figured this mech to be an agoraphobe but couldn’t recall if he had ever met a bot that had it this bad. Probably doesn’t help that Orion’s father was super strict from the bits of information Megatron has, and the red & blue mech was deathly afraid of disappointing him. Yet this was the same mech that knocked him out with a frying pan, of all things, with no issue as he had done so before and decided to go against his father's wishes to go on this trip.

Yeah. Orion Pax was a strange one. 

But at least he was bearable to be around. Megatron has been around more annoying bots, and Orion wasn’t anywhere near close to it. He did have trouble staying by. At points, Orion had wandered away to gawk at something, which almost gave Megatron some spark attacks, like what was happening right now when Orion had walked away again to look at some trees. Megatron was tempted to grab a vine or use Orion's cable rope to make one of those leashes for sparklings that just learned to walk that creators use to keep them from wandering off.

”This forest is beautiful. I never knew there could be so many trees in various sizes in one place.” Orion muttered in awe.

Megatron huffed in annoyance as he caught up to him again. “Could you please stop wandering away?”

Orion gave his best apology smile. “Oh, sorry. I’ve…never been this far out before.”

“I can tell. Now, can we get going again, please? And stick by me?”

Something that the silver mech noticed was how easily amused Orion was. He looked around this forest like a youngling getting a new toy. Yeah, this forest is pretty, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary. Megatron and probably billions of other Cybertronians have passed through this forest dozens of times. It was as common as the skyscrapers of Iacon. Pretty to look at but nothing special.

Yet Orion had that look of marvel in his optics that Megatron couldn’t help but notice (and find cute- why the pits did he say that?). How can a boring old forest be that interesting? Just how much does Orion go out?

A new sound caught both of their audials.

“What's that noise?” Orion tensed, clutching his frying pan, ready to use it.

Orion followed the noise behind a tree, letting out a quiet gasp. Megatron rolled his optics at Orion’s jumpiness. Seriously, just how much of an agoraphobe is he? He poked to see what Orion was looking at. A wide road expanded to his left & right for miles. Across the road was a small building. Some voices sounded like other bots. Orion looked at the building with caution. Megatron was relieved.

“Finally! The main road! And food, too!” 

Orion’s optics widen as he witnesses Megatron walk across the road without a care. “What are you doing?” He loudly whispered.

“Getting some food. I haven’t eaten since way early this morning.” Megatron resumed walking.

Orion mustered the courage to walk onto the road and gently grab Megatron’s wrist. “But…There might be bots in there!”

“Well, yeah. It’s a pub! Bots come and go here all the time.” Megatron felt another tug when he tried to walk over again.

“But what if…What if there’s murderers, or thugs, or cannibals in there?”

Megatron fought the urge to roll his optics again at that absurd question. “Don't be ridiculous.” 

“‘But Father always said-”

Megatron cut Orion off with a groan. “Okay. Do you talk to anyone besides your father?”

“Well…I do have baby metal birds that sometimes nest at the tower…”

“Anyone besides your father AND baby birds. Don’t you have any friends? Femmefriend? Mechfriend? Penpal?”

Orion retracted his servos back to himself, optics glancing to the side, remaining silent.

“Seriously? When’s the last time you left that tower?” Megatron inquired.

“You wouldn’t understand…” Orion immediately answered, crossing his arms.

The silver mech blinked, then raised his servos. “You know what, I don't want to.”

Megatron started his trek towards the building, with Orion having no choice but to follow. When they got closer, they saw that the building looked run-down, with some paint chipping away and cracks in the windows. This place had not had any maintenance done for a while. Other than those blemishes, it looked fine.

Orion caught the sign hanging on the establishment.

The Auto House

“What is this place, again?”

“It's a pub. A place where we can get food.”

“And it's safe?”

“Yes. No murderers. No thugs-”

“-and no cannibals?”

“Yes, no cannibals either. It's perfectly safe. Nothing bad happens in pubs.” Megatron paused as he recalled the several bar fights he had witnessed or taken part in the past. He would not tell Orion this. “...Usually.”

Orion opened his mouth to form a response, only to let out a small groan as he placed his servo over the center of his chassis. That caught Megatron’s attention. “You alright? You’re still not nervous, are you?”

“Not nervous,” Orion lifted his other servo in assurance. “Sometimes, I would get this stinging feeling within my chassis out of nowhere. This is normal for me. They only last for a few nano-klicks. Don’t worry.”

Megatron found that somewhat odd but decided not to press on. “Alright. Ready to go in, or are you afraid and want to give up on this endeavor and give me back my satchel?”

"Nice try, but I'm not backing out."

"Can't blame me for trying. You think you can handle it?"

Orion hugged his frying pan close to his chassis. “Well…I do like trying new things!”

Megatron opened the door to The Auto House, gesturing Orion to go in. Orion walked in with Megatron following.

The inside of the pub was dimly lit. About several dozen mechs and femmes were scattered around. All were sitting at their own tables, standing with others in far corners, or playing some sort of game. All bots went silent upon seeing the silver and red & blue mech enter the establishment with wary optics.

“Uhh…Hello?” Orion gave an awkward wave.

All the patrons immediately returned to their businesses, ignoring the pair’s presence. 

“Not really a chatty bunch, are they?” 

“These types usually are. Which means they probably won’t give us trouble. C’mon, I see a table on the far end.”

Megatron guided Orion throughout the inside. Orion took that time to look around. This place was so different from the tower. There were so many other bots, but few stood out to Orion. 

There was a table with two mechs, one red with a large rectangular glass over his chassis and a more enormous green mech with touches of gray and a lone star on both shoulders, locked in an arm wrestling match with the green one winning. Watching them was a light green femme, a white mech with small touches of red & green, and wing-like pauldrons, and a mask over his mouth. On the bar nearby, there was a blue & silver mech, a femme that was primarily pink & white but had tiny touches of blue with massive pauldrons that looked like wings sticking up from her shoulders, and another white mech with dabs of red and a wing for helm crest trying to read on a datapad. Another table had two identical mechs, twins, one yellow and the other red, each with small electronic devices playing weird music, looking intensely at them as they rapidly tapped their digits on it. Then there was an aqua femme sitting by herself staring at a poster that read ‘Iacon 5000’ that had tomorrow’s date with a dreamy look.

“Here we are!” Orion turned his attention back to Megatron next to a table with two chairs in a quiet pub. “Wait here.”

“Where are you going?”

“Getting some food. I won’t be long. You just stay here. And…try not to draw attention to yourself.”

“A-alright.”

“Good. I’ll be back in a few klicks. You can time me!”

Megatron moved deep into the pub, leaving Orion alone with no option but to wait. Orion vented through his nasal ridge as he sat at the table. Being alone, surrounded by dozens of strangers, felt… nerve-wracking. He wants to believe Megatron’s words that none of these bots would harm him, but his father’s warnings kept nagging his processor. So, Orion avoids making optic contact with all the patrons to keep it safe.

But that still didn’t stop some of them noticing him.

“Never seen that mech around here before.”

“His paint is so shiny!”

“Not bad looking either.”

“He’s kinda short...”

“Is he holding a frying pan? That's weird.”

Orion used his pan to block the corner of his optics, breaking the temptation to look at the whisperers. 

"Stay calm, Orion. Megatron will be back. Just don't focus on them."

He takes in a deep intake, quietly reciting some words to himself. "Flower gleam & glow. Let your power shine..."

With Megatron, he found himself in the center of the pub. He scanned around the occupied tables. His optics brightened up to the ones with delicious-looking energon cubes and some other food. Now, he COULD buy his own since he has the shanix on him. But why waste it when he could easily steal the food already before him?

Pulling out a bag, Megatron made his way to each table. Grabbing the edibles from customers who weren’t looking. Or when he needed to distract them by accidentally bumping into or sharing a flattering comment. 

Megatron did not notice on the other end of the bar that someone had seen what he was doing. A black & white mech with door wings on his back and a red-winged helm crest. He nudged over to another mech next to him. “Jazz?”

The mech, with a black helm & blue visor, and doorwings of his own, turned to him. “What’s up, Prowl?”

Prowl gestured to the silver mech stealing the food. Jazz let out a groan. “Frag, not this again…How many thieves do we need to kick out before they-” Jazz paused upon getting another look. “Hold up. Doesn’t like mech look familiar to you, Prowl?”

The black-and-white mech looks at the silver mech again, its optics widening. Prowl pulls a piece of paper from his subspace and shows it to Jazz. They both are hit with recognition.

Megatron peers into his bag after taking another piece of food from a passed-out drunk mech that was mumbling things he couldn’t understand. There were several cubes, some rust sticks, and some tasty engex treats. 

“That should be enough. Hopefully, Pax will like at least some of these.”

“Excuse me?” 

A new voice almost made Megatron jump. Keeping the bag behind him, Megatron turns to see a black & white mech.

Prowl stared directly at Megatron with his arms crossed. “Mind telling me what’s in that bag of yours?”

“Scrap.” Megatron internally panics, knowing this mech caught on. So he did his next best trick: Act Dumb.

“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about-”

The bag was yanked out of Megatron’s servos. The silver mech turns out to be greeted by many unhappy patrons, with Jazz leading them as he dumps the stolen food out of the bag.

“Ah, slag…”

“Now I have another question.” Prowl slams a wanted poster of Megatron on the wall. “Is this you?”

Megatron nervously glances at the poster. Prowl’s index digit covered the optics. He gently shifted the digit away, only to see that the poster had his irises shaped like triangles.

“Aw, now they’re just being jerks...” Megatron muttered.

“It’s him, alright.” Jazz stalked close to Megatron with balled fists on his hips. “You picked the wrong pub to steal from, mech.”

“Hey now, no need for violence,” Megatron lifted his servos.

“I ain’t gonna hurt ya.” Jazz grabs him by the arm. “But I am going to collect that reward. That’s enough shanix to pay off my bills for a few cycles.”

“You?! I could use the shanix!” The masked white mech with green & red grabbed Megatron.

“What about me?! I’m broke!” The pink & white femme argued as she grabbed the silver mech.

All the patrons jumped onto the thief in a vicious game of tug of war. The commotion was loud enough to get Orion’s attention. Azure optics widen in fear upon seeing his guide being ganged up by the other bots. 

“Megatron!” Orion ran over to the crowd. “Stop!”

“We can work this out!” Megatron tried to appease the mob, which was still yanking him around.

“Hey! Leave him alone!” Orion pleads to the crowd. When that didn’t work, he tried hitting their backs with his frying pan. “Give me back my guide you thugs!”
 
Orion’s pleas continued to fall upon deaf audials. The patrons were getting harsher with their yanks on Megatron and shouting louder. Orion knew he needed to act fast to stop this before Megatron could get hurt. 

There was a small stage with a sound system to play music. The dust collected on it made it apparent it hadn’t been used for some time. An idea came into Orion’s processor. He ran over to the system. He powered it one and then found some knobs. He didn’t know what they were, but any idea was better than doing nothing. He twisted them, and a loud, piercing ringing echoed through the interior.

The mob stopped to cringe at the ungodly ringing. Everyone groaned in pain. Orion covered his audials to block out the noise, but he managed to turn it off. His trick got them to stop fighting over Megatron.

“Put. Him. DOWN!” Orion shouted loud enough for his voice to echo around, holding his frying pan tightly in his servo with a fierceness he didn't know he had.

All the patrons simultaneously turn their helms to the red & blue mech. Orion could feel all of their optics pierce at him. Megatron could only look with pure bafflement. 

“Look! I have no idea where I am! And I need him to take me to see the lanterns tomorrow because it's something I’ve been dreaming about my WHOLE lifecycle! He’s my ONE chance at seeing them. Probably the only chance I’ll ever have! Find your compassion! Don’t any of you know what it's like to have a dream?”

The patrons stared at Orion, unsure what to make of him for several long klicks.

“I…I had a dream once.” All optics turn to the source of the voice while Megatron gets placed on a hook hanging off the wall. Orion sees a black helm mech with a blue visor walk up to him. “I’m Jazz. You are...”

“Orion Pax. You said you had a dream?”

The blue visor mech nodded, sucking in a deep vent. “Yes, I did. It was a dream I've had since I was a mechling. But I have never accomplish it.”

“Why haven’t you?”

“Bots told me that I’m loud, brash, and obnoxious. That my voice is too piercing. And I’ve never had much shanix growing up. They all said the same thing: A mech like you can never accomplish a dream like that!”

“What is your dream?”

“I wanted to be a musician.” Jazz revealed. “I loved music for my whole lifecycle. I wanted to create my own beats others can enjoy. I always picture myself making sweet tunes. Jamming the air until everyone is all pumped up. I rather be called noisy, for my sweet, wonderful melody! But others said no one would listen to a Low Caste bot’s music.”

“I’d like to hear it.”

“You would?” Orion nods, smiling at him.

Jazz turns to the music system on the small stage with hesitance. One glance at Orion, giving him an encouraging look. The blue-visor mech didn’t know why, but he got this rush of confidence. One look at this mech gave him nothing but good feelings. Jazz moved to the music system and started playing some beats. Orion loved every note Jazz played. The music Jazz was playing sounded so cool. And judging by the impressed murmurings from the other patrons, they all seem to agree. How could anyone say that Jazz’s music wasn’t good enough?

“That music is wonderful!” Orion proclaimed happily. 

“You really think so?” Jazz questioned with a disbelieving expression.

“Of course! Those beats sound so…awesome. Anyone would love to hear them!”

“I…No one’s ever said that before. I just thought maybe it was a stupid dream. That I should just forget it.”

“Believe me, I know what that's like,” Orion recalls Sentinel denying his requests to see the lights or to go outside because he couldn’t handle the outside world. Well, here he was. “For most of my lifecycle, someone often told me that I can’t fulfill my dreams because I couldn't take care of myself. Today, I decided to make my own choice and leave to fulfill my dream. And I think I made some great progress. If I can do it, you can make your dream of being a musician come true!”

“Can that apply to any dream?” A new voice spoke up as an aqua femme approached Orion. “I’m Chromia, and I have a dream of my own.”

“What is it?” Orion inquired eagerly. 

“I’m petite, thin, and dainty. Many said I’m as pretty as a doll. And that sometimes get me some unwanted attention.” Right at that moment, the drunk mech that was passed out earlier made a cat whistle to her before passing out on his table. Chromia rolled her optics as she continued. “Everyone says I’m cut out for the beauty industry, but the truth is…I want to be a racer! Can you picture on the race track? Crossing the finishing line on first place! I want to feel the thrill of speed, my spark pounding as I race down a track, and the joy of victory! I may be beautiful, but I’m a thrill seeker! But bots told me no one would take me seriously as a racer.”

“So why not prove them wrong then? I can tell how much you want to do it. You have that spirit in you, I can tell. I don’t think others should dictate what to do because of your appearance. You should show that you’re more than meets the eye.”

“You think I can?’

“I know you can if you put your spark to it. Anyone can make their dreams come true if they can.”

“Anyone one of us?” One of the patrons spoke up.

Orion smiled at them all. “Everyone of you.”

What followed next was all the patrons, one by one, going up to Orion to share their dreams that they wanted to come true. Orion was patient and listened to them with interest, whether big or small. He comforted them when they shared their woes about why they could not fulfill their dreams.

First, there was Jazz’s best friend, Prowl, who Orion learns wants to put tactician skills to help others.

Next was a white & red mech named Ratchet, who dreams of being a doctor but cannot afford to go to medical school

Then there is Arcee, the pink-and-white femme with a dab of blue, who wants to be a teacher but has been told it is a waste of time.

The white mech with green & red called Wheeljack wants to be an inventor but struggles because his experiments always fail.

A red mech named Ironhide wants to be a weapon specialist but doesn’t because other bots finds his passion weird.

“You feeling lucky, punk?” Ironhide pointed his two cannons at Orion.

“Take it easy, Ironhide. Don’t scare him,” Jazz scolded.

Ironhide chuckled. “I’m kidding. I just wanted to show him my cannons.”

Then there were the yellow and red twin mechs Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, whose dreams are to become stuntbots and impress others.

The blue & silver mech Mirage wants to be a great hunter.

A light green femme, Moonracer wants to be a dancer.

“And Bulkhead here,” Jazz gestures to the large green mech with stars on his shoulders. “Wants to collect ceramic cyber-deers.”

The behemoth of mech pulls out two tiny figurines of cyber-deer in his servos, booping them together to mimic a kiss as a smile grows on his faceplate. Orion couldn’t help but let out a cute ‘Aww.’

“What about you?” Jazz suddenly question Megatron, still hanging on the wall, watching everything in pure annoyance.

“I’m sorry, me?”

“Yeah! What’s your dream?” Chromia demanded as Megatron was placed down on the ground 

“Woah woah, no. Sorry guys, but I don’t share.” Megatron said with a defiant grin as he crossed his arms.

His processor swiftly changed once the patrons brought out some weapons or pressed their fists against the palms of the servos.

“I have dreams like you! No, really! Just not as touchy-feely. That mainly happen somewhere warm & sunny. On land that I own. Well rested and alone…” Megatron shared with a nervous grin, only for the patrons to look back with unimpressed looks. “...Surrounded by enormous piles of shanix.”

The patrons cheered in response, not noticing Megatron letting out relieved vents. The atmosphere within the pub gradually became more cheerful.

“What’s your dream, mech?” Jazz asked Orion as the other patrons looked interested.

“My dream…My dream is to see the floating lanterns gleam. I’ve spent my whole life in a tower merely watching them every cycle. This one, I decided to see them for myself. And with every passing breem, I’m so glad I left my tower! Like all of you lovely bots, I’ve got a dream!”

“That sounds wonderful!” Chromia exclaimed. “The lanterns are wonderful to watch.”

“Not just wonderful: Gorgeous!” Arcee pipped in.

“And Stunning!” Wheeljack added.

“Pretty to watch,” Ratchet stated.

“You’ll love it, mech. I hope you’ll get to see them,” Jazz said.

“And I hope all of you achieve all of your dreams too. They all sound so wonderful!” Orion said with pure enthusiasm.

All of this life, Orion expected all bots to be nothing but selfish, cruel, and greedy, as Father had said. But these bots were nothing like how he described them. They were like Orion. Bots with dreams & desires of their own but could never gain them because of obstacles. Orion relates to them. Knows their struggles of trying to achieve their dream. Everyone shared their woes, and Orion saw himself being talked down by his father. Imagining others in that position felt wrong, so he wanted to encourage them. He felt all of their struggles. Empathize with them. He connects with them.

“You know…I feel inspired right now to make some cool beats.” Jazz proclaimed. “You wanna hear them?”

“I do,” Orion responded, followed by the eager patrons.

Soon, the entire pub was filled with Jazz's music, and the atmosphere was filled with joy and laughter. Impressively, the patrons all started singing an improvised song.

“He’s got a dream
She’s got a dream
We’ve got a dream
I’ve got a dream!”

On the sidelines, Megatron was taking a vent from the joyous chaos. The twins grabbed him and placed him on a loose floorboard. The twins signaled over to Bulkhead as the other patrons watched, continuing their improvised singing as Megatron stood in pure confusion. 

“So our differences ain't really that extreme.
We're one big team!”

Bulkhead took one hard stomp off the floorboard, making Megatron leap into the air. He landed right into a proud Bulkhead’s arms like a Conjux who just got married. The green mech then threw the sliver mech onto a barrel. Ironhide kicked it, causing Megatron to roll as the other patrons danced around & sing.

"Call us poor, sad, pathetic
And unrealistically optimistic!
'Cause way down deep inside
We've got a dream."

"I've got a dream
I've got a dream
I've got a dream!"

All the other patrons continue celebrating in their own ways. Sunstreaker & Sideswipe swung around the chandelier. Wheeljack was doing an improvised dance under a spotlight.  Mirage threw a makeshift spear to show his hunting skills, with Megatron having to duck down with a yelp to avoid it as it flew out of a window.

On the other hand, Orion was having the time of his life as the other patrons danced around with him. Jazz and Chromia held his arms on each side of him, dancing as he listened the others finish their song.

“Yes, way down deep inside
I've got a dream!”

“Yeah!”

The patrons let out loud whoops as they entered into excited chatter. Orion could only let out a delighted laugh.

“Wow! I can't remember the last time I've felt so…lively. Or see everyone else the same,” Jazz turns to Orion. “Thank you.”

“Oh, it was nothing…” Orion tried to wave it off.

“No, really! Thank you so much! You're amazing, mech!”

Orion was surprised to hear that. “You…mean that?”

What followed was the patrons, each sharing their praises.

“Dude! You're awesome!”

“You're the first to believe in me like…ever!”

“I can't remember the last time I felt this confident in myself! It's all thanks to you!”

Every single one of those words sang nothing but praise. No criticism. No backhanded insult. Nothing like Father would’ve done. These bots had nothing but their gratitude. It gave a warm feeling inside Orion’s chassis.

When was the last time Orion felt like this? Had he ever felt like this in recent memory? Or at all?

Jazz gently grasped his servo. “Orion. Consider yourself an honorary Autobot. You're welcome here anytime!”

“Autobot?” Orion raises his optical ridge 

“It's a word he likes to call patrons who frequent here,” Prowl shared. "I think it's a bit excessive.”

“Don’t act like you don't love it, Prowler.” Jazz wraps his arm around Prowl’s shoulders, making the black & white mech’s faceplates flush a light blue. 

Chromia stepped forward. “You really think we can achieve our dreams?” 

Orion smiled at her. “I know you can.”

The aqua femme let out a beam. “I…don't think anyone has ever told me that before. But you're right. I'm gonna do what I can to make my dream come true! I'll prove to everyone that I'm more than meets the eye!” Chromia glances at the Iacon 5000 poster she was gazing at earlier. Her optics brightened. “I’ve gotta go! I’ll catch you later, Jazz! It was nice to meet you, Orion. I won’t forget you!”

Orion watched Chromia dashed out of the pub with a smile. He glances at Megatron, keeping his distance. 

“Can I ask you something, Jazz?”

“Anything, mech.”

“Could you extend your ‘Autobot’ status to my friend and not turn him in?” Orion pointed to Megatron, who gave a nervous look. “I still need his help to achieve my dream.”

Jazz let out an accepting shrug. “Eh, why not! He seems cool anyway. Right guys?”

The patrons chattered in agreement.

“Just as long he doesn’t try to steal again,” Prowl crossed his arms with a glare in Megatron's direction.

“He won’t! I promise!” Orion swore with a toothy grin.

“In that case, welcome to the club, both of you!” Jazz proclaimed.

Orion gave his thanks. Jazz rejoined the rest of the patrons, promising to show more of his music, which he received excitedly. As that was going on, Orion went back over to Megatron.

“You doing good?” 

“Yeah. I think so.” Megatron let out a pause. “Orion…?”

“What?”

“T-Thank you. For helping me out.”

“Oh. No problem.” 

Orion’s lipplates curve into a smile. A rather cute smile. Megatron shoved that thought out of his processor but gave a smile back to him.

Yep. Orion Pax was an interesting mech. But perhaps that was a good thing…

Across from The Auto House, bushes rattled in the forest lines. A large feline-like bot with a mix of grays poked its helm out, looking both ways of the road. Seeing that everything was clear, it walked out of the bushes. The feline sniffed the air, making its way to the pub. To others, it may look like an ordinary cyber-pather on a hunt. But the 'H.G' initials on its shoulder blade shows otherwise.

The feline stops just before a window, stands on its hind legs. It scans around the inside. Optics widen upon spotting a familiar boxy grey mech. It analyzes the mech for several kilicks before fleeing back into the trees.

Meanwhile, deep into the forest, Captain Starscream was in the middle of a conversation via his commlink.

“-This really isn't a good time for a call, Skyfire...Yeah, I’m still looking for him…Don’t worry, tomorrow’s plans are still the same…Hopefully.”

A notification for a communication request popped up in Starscream’s HUD. 

Ravage: Transmission request

“Look, I’ll call you back, love. Don’t wait up for me if I'm late. And make sure the kids recharge on time. Love you too.” Starscream closed his current link and opened up the new one. “Captain Starscream here. What’s your report, Ravage?”

“I believe I found your crown theft.”

That got the High Guard Captain’s attention. “Where is he?”

“I found a mech matching his description at The Auto House pub.”

“I know that place…That isn’t too far where me and my team are.”

“What shall I do?”

“Remain hidden! Do not move until I arrive! Understood?”

“Yes, captain! I will wait for your arrival.”

Starscream shut off the line. Pride overfilled him. “You’re not getting away from me this time, Megatron.”

Chapter Text

Chapter 10: Down Time

Megatron relaxed at the bar, gently sipping his high-grade energon on the house courtesy of Jazz. These types of scenes were typical for him. Under normal circumstances, Megatron would gladly indulge himself with several rounds of high grades until he would proceed to either keep drinking until he was utterly slag-faced or find a mech and/or femme with a pretty face to hook up with or get into a brawl with some idiots over some dumb scrap. Or some combination of two or, in rare cases, three. It's not the best lifestyle, Megatron is aware, but it's better than the one he had before becoming a thief.

But he didn’t mind not doing any of those things right now. Megatron was content and was simply relaxing. With the Autobots' promise not to report him to The High Guard, he could finally relax. Megatron’s optics linger in the pub's open space, where several patrons dance as Jazz plays more of his excellent music. Among the sea of dancers, Megatron kept his gaze on the red & blue mech that was his traveling companion. Orion has been roped into dancing with the twins, Sunstreaker & Sideswipe.

On the dance floor, Orion was having a blast. He can’t recall the last time he’s had this much fun! So far, today has been the best of his life. The bots here are a far cry from what Father had told him. Sure, they were rough initially, but Orion looked past that and saw they were all wonderful!

Though he did wish that Sideswipe would stop accidentally stepping on his pedes.

“I call this The Agile Metal Peacock!” The red twin minced a cry of the bird, making a leap before stepping on Orion’s pede yet again.

“Ow ow!” Orion quietly uttered and tried to play it off so as not to appear rude.

“Sorry about him. My brother is not the most graceful dancer,” Sunstreaker told Orion.

“Hah! You’re only saying that ‘cause you're jealous, bro!” Sideswipe snarked back.

Sunstreaker rolled his optics as he said sarcastically. “Oh, I’m riddled with envy.” 

Orion watched how the twins interacted. Growing up with just him and his father, the only experience Orion had with siblings was through the stories he had read. They ranged from caring for each other, like the one he used to read about two sisters, one of them having powers and isolating themselves from her sibling out of fear of hurting her, to another story with the main villain being the brother of the king who he killed and made his nephew, the prince, believe his father’s death was his fault and convince him to run away just so he could take control of the kingdom. Though those stories have happy endings, with the sisters reconciling and the son taking down his evil uncle in their respective stories, it doesn’t take away the pain they had to endure to get there.

It made Orion curious about what it was like to have a sibling. Having another younger family member look out for Orion or having an older figure helping take care of him sounded pleasant. Really, Orion would like to daydream of bonding with someone else who was part of his family besides his father. Whether they were a brother or sister didn't matter to Orion. Having someone to share thoughts he had that he wouldn't share with Father rather than keep them hidden to himself would've been great. 

Hearing the mean talk between Sunstreaker & Sideswipe did make Orion concerned. Something about it felt familiar.

“Are you two…always like this?” Orion asked the pair.

“Like what?” Sunstreaker raised his optical ridge.

“....Harsh?”

“You’re an only child, aren’t you?” Sideswipe put it bluntly, surprising Orion.

“Uh, yes…Did I say something wrong?”

“Oh, nah! You’re not the first. Believe me, we’ve had weirder questions. But yes, me and bro are always like this, but it's all in good fun. We care for each other.”

“Even though you’re a pain in the aft most of the time,” Sunstreaker said point blank.

Sideswipe laughed. “See? Nothing like good old teasing. We’re both cool with it. If not, then it’d just be downright hurtful."

“Teasing…Hurtful.” Orion quietly trailed off under his breath, recalling his interactions with his father earlier this morning, and previous ones similar.

“Oh, relax. I’m just teasing.” “I’m just teasing, my boy. Stop taking everything so seriously!” “I’m just teasing. You’re adorable! I love you very much!”

“Why did all that feel different from how the twins interact?”

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen this place so lively! Jazz looks so happy playing his tunes!” Sideswipe exclaimed.

“I never knew he had such talent either!” Sunstreaker said in agreement.

Orion took a glimpse over to the music enthusiast in question. Jazz played on the music systems with a massive smile on his lipplates. Though he only knew the mech briefly, Orion could tell this was the happiest Jazz had been in a long time. He then spots Prowl walk over to him, giving the mech an energon cube. Jazz uttered a quick thanks, lifting up his servo to ball it into a fist, with Prowl mimicking the gesture, both giving each other a fist bump.

“That looks neat.”

“You truly are something special, Orion Pax,” Sunstreaker commented.

“Huh?” Orion needed a few nano-klicks to register what the yellow twin talked about. “Oh, that. It was nothing. Just trying to help out.”

“You did a damn good job with that. I don’t think I’ve met another bot as optimistic as you.” Sideswipe then says in a joking tone. “What, did the Primes themselves get wind of our problems and send you over?”

“Uh…What’s a Prime?” Orion asked with genuine confusion.

The Twins looked at Orion for a long time and then back at each other. They suddenly broke into laughter.

“What’s a Prime? Oh, that's a good one!” Sunstreaker said in between his laughter.

“An optimist AND a comedian! You are one cool bot!” Sideswipe followed.

“I…I sure am, heh heh.” Orion responded with fake laughter.

“Alright, hang on!” Sideswipe suddenly grabbed Orion and dipped him back, causing the young mech to yelp. “They don’t call me The Little Dipper for nothing!”

Helm hanging down, Orion glimpses over to Megatron. The silver mech gave an amusing grin while Orion could only sheepishly smile back. Sideswipe pulled him back up and started doing more of his strange dancing.

“Like a metal chicken with the face of a cyber monkey, I fly!”

Klicks later, Jazz finished his song, earning quiet applause from the patrons. As the next song began, Orion decided to join Megatron at the bar. The silver mech could see that the dancing tired him out.

“You good, Pax?”

“I’m fine. I'm doing fantastic!”

Orion hopped on the barstool next to Megatron. “This whole day has been amazing! I don't think I've had this much fun in…ever! Everyone here is so nice!” Orion eyed Megatron’s energon cube. Its shade of blue differed from the ones he and Father would consume.

“I didn’t steal it,” Megatron spoke up. "It was on the house."

“Wha-? Oh, no! I wasn’t thinking of that. I...I have never seen an Energon cube in that color before. Is that normal?” Orion leaned closer to examine the cube.

“It's high-grade energon,” Megatron responded like it was common sense.

Orion tilted his helm in confusion. “That's a thing?”

Somehow, Megatron wasn’t surprised to hear that from Orion. “Primus, you really are sheltered...” He vents out. "Suppose that's another thing Daddy Dearest doesn’t allow?”

“Father probably just never liked high grade,” Orion reasoned, not liking Megatron’s insinuating tone. His optics eyed over to the cube again. “Can I…try it?”

Megatron glanced at his high grade, then back to Orion with a hesitant gaze in his marigold optics. “Are you sure about that? This stuff is pretty strong. It may be too much for you.”

“It can’t be that different from normal Energon. Please?” Orion gazed at Megatron with cyber-puppy optics. The silver mech tried to resist, but Orion’s optics remained glued with no sign of budging.

“Okay, fine!” Megatron handed his cube to Orion. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I think I can handle it just fine-” One tiny sip of the cube and Orion almost choked on the liquid. The taste was indeed strong. He covered his mouth so that he wouldn’t spit it out. Forcing himself to swallow it, his glossa stuck out as he felt remnants of the bitter taste. “Oh, wow! That was strong…”

“I warned you.” The sliver mech chided teasingly.

“Does all High-Grade taste like this?”

“Varies but for the most part, yes. Welcome to the real world, Pax.” Megatron reclaimed his cube, finishing it all in one gulp. A pleased vent escaped his mouth. Megatron glanced away briefly from Orion before turning back. “Hey, um, I know I said this earlier, but thanks again for getting me out of that tight spot. I didn’t know you had that in you.”

“Neither did I, heh…” Orion smiled shyly. “So…where you're from?”

“What?”

“I...I thought we should get to know one another more since we’re traveling together.”

“Sweet thought, but unfortunately, I don’t do backstory.”

“Oh, I see.”

“But I am interested in yours.”

“You are?”

“Wouldn’t hurt for me to know about you.”

“Alright, but two conditions.”

“Name them.”

“Don’t ask about me & The Tower, or My Father.”

“Okay. Noted.”

Orion straightened himself in his stool, thinking of what to say. “I guess to start off, I do like to read. I have a collection of datapads and stories. I also like to take care of baby metal birds that nest…”

Meanwhile…

The walk on the main road leading to Iacon gave Sentinel the time to calm his emotions. Beneficial, considering he needed a stable processor to solve his current predicament. Despite that, a small flame of fury was burning in his chassis.

One part of it was directed at Orion. 

“I tell him to follow one simple rule. Stay in the tower. And what does he do? The opposite! Unbelievable...Just like all of The Primes! So disrespectful!”

Oh, how Sentinel would give Orion the guilt trip of a lifetime. Go on about how worried sick he was, going through so much trouble finding him, and how hurt Orion had betrayed his trust in the way he did. Sentinel will amp it up by accusing Orion of not loving his dear father anymore after everything he’s done to give him a good life. A tirade like that and several solar cycles-no- A good few MEGAcycles of the silent treatment would ensure Orion will NEVER pull something like this again.

Another part of his anger was directed at The Primes. Them and their damn lanterns! Why was Orion so fixated with them?! Why couldn’t he just accept that they were stars and move on? Why couldn't The Primes use another dumb gesture for their stupid remembrance festival that didn't involve floating into the sky? Even now, The Primes are again ruining things for Sentinel, and they aren’t even trying!

And then there was Megatron…Sentinel could only feel pure disdain for him. That mech dared to barge into his life and whisk Orion away. The only thing keeping Sentinel calm throughout his walk was imagining vivid, violent scenarios of him dealing with the petty thief. 

Striking Megatron down from behind with his sword in a quick fashion.

Or doing the same except in front. Slowly plunging the blade into Megatron's chassis, watching his optics dim to empty black as Sentinel stared directly into them with nothing but a cold sneer, baring his denta. 

Or beheading him. That thought brought a special kind of joy the more Sentinel fantasized. The mech would be brought to his knees, both arms tied, looking at his fear-stricken optics before Sentinel swipes the blade to slice Megatron’s helm clean off his frame hard enough that it lands several feet away.

Sentinel wanted to do many terrible things to the good-for-nothing thief. That crook stands as a threat to everything Sentinel had built for these many cycles with Orion. Oh, how Sentinel loathed that filthy mech. 

“When I get my servos on you, Megatron, you’ll rue the moment you barged into my life…”

Sentinel was too deep in his thoughts that he failed to see the long object on the ground ahead, which he tripped and landed facefirst, earning him a mouthful of dirt. 

“What the Pits-?” Sentinel exclaimed as he spat out the dirt. He glanced at the offending object that tripped him and was surprised to see it was a makeshift spear. He opened his mouth only to stop when the sounds of music caught Sentinel’s audials. Turning his helm to the side, he sees The Auto House pub.

“Ugh, that place.” 

Sentinel had passed by the pub on supply runs many times. Never once did he step into the establishment. The whole building looks so disgusting. It reeks of Low Caste. Same with the type of bots that frequent there. A bunch of insufficient nobodies no one would care if they vanished off the face of Cybertron. Sentinel wouldn’t be caught offline hanging around a place like that in his old life, especially now. He was about to walk by like usual when a sudden thought struck him.

Could Orion be in there? This hideous building would be unappealing enough to scare him off, right? But Orion was too curious for his own good. And with the company he has with him…Oh yeah. This would be the perfect place for a dirty thief like Megatron to frequent.

Sentinel crosses over to one of the windows. Peering inside, he could see several dozen other bots. Loud, obnoxious music was playing, and some bots were dancing. This was the kind of music Sentinel never allowed back in the tower. He would always have active but gentle music. Every other genre besides it, Sentinel detested, and he wasn’t going to have Orion to endure it.

It didn’t take Sentinel long until he found a familiar red & blue frame of Orion sitting next to a larger silver one on the pub bar.

For the first time, Sentinel sees Megatron in the metal. A Warframe from the looks of it. This mech was nearly as tall as he was. Definitely the kind to put up a good fight if push comes to shove. But Sentinel was confident he would find a way to take down Megatron if that comes. 

As he watches, he can see that Megatron is engrossed in a conversation with Orion.

“...So all those pictures I saw all over the tower walls were painted by you?” 

“Yep. All by me. Did you like them?”

“Not gonna lie, they did look cool.”

Orion let out a shy smile. “I do have a big imagination. Always dreaming of a world outside my tower. And now I finally get to see it. It’s so…different from what Father told me. I wonder what's out there. I can’t wait to see more of it!”

“Just don’t forget to stay close to me,” Megatron gently reminded.

A low growl rumbled from Sentinel, who gritted his denta and gripped the window ledge so hard he could’ve broken a piece off.

Already, Sentinel could see the cracks forming. If not dealt with now, cracks will grow bigger and break apart. Orion was seeing through the lies Sentinel had placed into his helm. Sentinel needed to do something, get Orion away from the thief, or everything he built would tumble down. 

“Not if I can help it…”

Bushes rattling from across the main road caught Sentinel's attention. A strange-looking cyber panther strolls out of the tree lines. Behind the panther were four seeker bots. Sentinel’s optics widen upon recognizing the panther as Ravage and the lead seeker to be Starscream, accompanied by Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Slipstream. Still as sharp as they were back when Sentinel was the Principal Aid. There was also a fifth member with them. A black femme with her servos tied behind her back, but Sentinel couldn't care less who that was.

“Scrap! The High Guard!” Sentinel scrambled to hide away from The High Guard’s view. 

Mirage was sitting near the window inside the pub when he heard a loud noise. He peeks through the window to see the source. What he did see instead made him let out a quiet gasp when he saw The High Guard just outside walking towards the pub. The blue & white bot scrambled over to Jazz, still playing his music.

“Mirage, mech, what’s going on?” Jazz questioned, still turning his dials.

“High Guard outside! Walking this way!”

This caused Jazz to stop his music abruptly. Those close enough to hear what Mirage said gasped in shock. The rest, including Orion and Megatron, muttered in confusion.

“What’s going on? Why did Jazz stop playing?” 

Megatron looks over to Jazz, noting the distressed look on his faceplates. Especially when he glances in their direction. Dread washes in his chassis. “I don’t think it’s anything good.”

Jazz hastily marches over to the pair. “You two need to get out of here!”

Orion was alarmed. “Why? What’s wrong?”

A thunderous knock bounced throughout the interior of the pub. “This is Captain Starscream of The Cybertronian High Guard! We’re here for Megatron! Open up!”

“That's whats wrong,” Jazz responded.

“You said you wouldn’t call them!” Megatron hissed at him.

“I didn’t! None of us did, I swear!” Jazz defended himself sincerely. “They must've somehow tracked you down here!”

“Is there a lot?” Orion asked the blue-visored mech.

“Mirage told me he saw the captain plus three seekers.”

“There was also a black femme with them. Purple optics and all spider-like, too! Kinda creepy looking,” Mirage added on.

Megatron grew afraid when he heard Mirage’s words, quietly muttering. “Airachnid…”

The thundering knock echoed again. “Open this door!” Starscream booming voice demanded.

“Prowl, stall them!” Jazz instructed the black-and-white door-wing mech, who nodded in compliance. He then waved for Orion and Megatron. "You two, follow me.”

Jazz guided them behind the bar counter. He pulled down on what appeared to be a normal-looking drink lever. Right after he did, a small section of wall with a large ‘A.H.’ initial opened up, revealing a dark secret passage.

“This will lead you to a place called ‘Shifting Gorge.’ Follow the path straight, and another tunnel should lead back into the woods.” Jazz gave them a serious look. “But whatever you do: Do not, under any circumstances, touch ANY of the fault lines. Not a single tap. Got it?”

“Yeah, we go it,” Megatron ensured.

Jazz gazes into the tunnel. “Go. Live your dream.”

“I will.”

“No offense, mech, your dream sucks.” Jazz points at Orion with his thumb digit. “I was talking to him.”

Megatron gave a ‘that makes sense’ expression before jumping into the tunnel. Orion moves close to Jazz. “Thanks for everything.” Orion then gives him a hug. A gesture that surprised Jazz. 

“Thank you for giving us hope with our dreams. I promise, I’m naming my first single after you. Hope we see each other again.”

“Yeah…Me too.” Orion muttered, trying not to let the uncertainty slip out, quietly joining Megatron in the tunnel. Jazz then closes the hatch door.

Several klicks earlier…

Not too far away, Elita & Bee continued with their search. Elita’s processor still lingered over the strange, scarred, blue mech from earlier. No matter how much she kept dismissing her thoughts about him, she still got that nagging feeling. Her thoughts stopped when she and Bee’s respective comlinks beeped. 

“All units! This is Captain Starscream! We have received word that Megatron has been spotted in The Auto House pub. We are requesting backup from nearby units!”

“Auto House? I think I know that place. Not too far from here,” Bee stated.

Elita immediately answered. “Elita One & B-127 responding! We are close. Be there in several klicks.” she closed her comlink. “C’mon Bee. If we hurry, we might be able to earn that promotion.”

“I’ll lead the way!”

The duo transformed into their alt-forms and rode off. They made it to the main road, and Elita followed Bee. Soon, the pub came into their visual fields, and they transformed back into their robot forms.

They could see Starscream talking to someone at the entrance with an irate look, with Ravage, one of Soundwave’s cassettes, sitting by his side. Skywarp, Thundercraker, and Slipstream were joined with them. There was a black femme with her servos behind her in stasis cuffs.

“They caught Airachnid,” Bee pointed out as he and Elita made their way to the group. Said femme gave them a brief glance at them and moved her helm away disinterestedly.

“Oh, look. The overachiever has arrived,” Skywarp greeted teasingly. 

“Hey, Skywarp!” Bee greeted me with a happy wave.

The seeker let out a groan. “...And so is the yapper.”

“Can it, ‘Warp.” Elita chided in a warning tone, pointing an index digit at him. “We got the Captain’s message. What’s the situation?”

“Ravage believes he spotted a mech matching Megatron’s description inside,” Thundercracker laid it out.

“So why are we all standing out here?” Bee questioned.

“Because one of the patrons is being a stickler about the law,” Slipstream pointed to the entrance. Elita saw Starscream talking to someone through an open slot in the door, which showed the bot on the other side’s optics.

“Look, Mr. Prowl. I am fully aware of Cybertron’s laws-” 

“And I’m well educated with those laws to know that you need a warrant approved by at least two of the Primes to search any establishment,” Prowl responded matter-of-fact, aggravating Starscream further.

“Not for a place like this. My guards and I have a right to search this place without one.”

“Do you have a copy of Cybertron’s laws that show you can legally do that?”

“I do…Unfortunately, I don’t have it because my chip was damaged. But I speak the truth.”

“Well, along with many others here, I want peace of mind to ensure you’re not abusing any laws." Prowl calmly maintained. "So as far as we're both aware, I can deny you entry without legal repressions.”

“Ugh…I knew I should’ve borrowed Soundwave’s.” The High Guard Captain grumbled, moving his servo through his faceplate, turning his group, not noticing Elita & Bee were there. “Does any of you have a copy of Cybertron’s Laws on you?”

Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Slipstream shook their heads, much to Starscream’s annoyance. But Elita herself had her own chip. Always carrying it around for situations like these, maybe to impress Starscream. She stepped forward. “I have a chip, Captain,” 

The High Guards, including Starscream, looked at her with surprise. Skywarp muttered ‘Of course she does…”.

Elita ignored that snarky comment. She walks to the door, looking at Prowl’s optics through the gap, and a holo screen appears over her arm. She speaks to him as she scrolls through the text.

“Prowl, right? You are correct when you say Cybertronian Laws state that warrants signed by at least two of The Primes are required for members of the law to search an establishment.” The scrolling stops, and the index digit points over to a section of the text. “However, the law also states that the warrants only apply to residences and private businesses…” She holds up the screen for all parties to see. Elita pulls up another screen and does a quick search. “And this pub is listed as open to the public. Therefore, as Captain Starscream said, he has the right to search this establishment freely.” She now attempts to defuse the situation. “It's a common mistake many other bots make, so the captain will let this holdup pass. Although now that you're aware, any other acts holding us up from this point will be considered interfering with an investigation, which will have severe legal consequences.”

“...Thank you, Elita One,” Starscream responded in a tone that kept it serious but with a hint of impressiveness. The High Guard Captain stares straight into Prowl’s optics. The mech slides the gap in the door shut, opening the entrance itself. Starscream didn’t waste any time marching inside, shoving Prowl to the side, with a wall of Auto House patrons staring at him. He addressed the crowd with demand in his vocalizer. “Where’s Megatron? Where is he?”

None of the bots inside responded as the rest of Starscream’s group entered. “I know he’s in here somewhere!” He turns to the others. “Ravage, watch Airachnid! The rest of you, find him! Turn this place upside down if you have to!”

The trio of seekers and the pink & yellow Iacon Guard duo spread out to search for Megatron. When questioned, none of the patrons gave away where he went, claiming they hadn’t seen him. 

“These guards are irritating,” Ironhide whispered with an annoyed tone.

“Yeah, yeah, quiet!” Ratchet hastily hushes the red mech as one of the guards passes by within an audial shot.

The guard walked away about a few nano-klicks later. “Think I could take them all down?” Ironhide wondered with a curious glint in his optics.

“Ironhide! You can't say stuff like that when they're around!” Arcee reprimanded with a low tone. “Honestly, what is with you sometimes?”

“Well, I’m just saying we could. It’s just an option,” Ironhide responded with a calm shrug.

On the other end of the pub, Starscream talked to Sunstreaker & Sideswipe. 

“We believe this is the mech you’re looking for!” The yellow mech held a Drunk mech while the red twin held the poster beside him.

“Yyoouu ggoott mmeee!” The Drunk Mech slurred his words.

“A clear resemblance, if I say so myself!” Sideswipe stated with a toothy grin.

Starscream lets out a groan as he rolls his optics.

Slipstream approaches her captain. “Sir, there’s no sign of Megatron.”

“We’ve searched everywhere!” Thundercracker followed up.

“He was here, I swear!” Ravage hissed with insistence.

"Are you sure?"

"As certain as the sun rises from the east!"

“Maybe he left?” Skywarp suggested.

“Impossible!” Ravage protested. “Nobody came in or out of this place since I called it in.”

“We didn’t find a back door either,” Slipstream shared.

“Check around again!” Starscream commanded. “He’s gotta be here somewhere."

As Starscream barked orders to his seekers, Elita noticed something peculiar on the bar. One of the High-Grade dispenser levers had an ‘A.H.’ initial on the top that matched the same one on a wall section. She noticed particles of dust lingering on the floor that appeared to have been recently moved. Bee noticed Elita’s intense focus on her faceplates. He’s known her long enough to know what that means.

“Did you find something?”

The pink femme pointed at him, directing him at the drink lever & the initials on the wall. “Interesting how they both have the same initials…”

“Maybe that’s where they store the drinks?” Bee guessed.

“An awful lot of space just to store one type of drink…” Elita brought her index & thumb digits to her chin with a pondering expression. “That looks big enough to fit a full grown bot…”

Bee thought it over for a klick when his faceplate widened with a sudden thought. “You know, I once read on the cybernet that this place used to be an old outpost during The Quintesson War. I heard rumors there were secret passages here.” He looks back at the wall. “Do you think…”

Elita pushed down the lever. That section of the wall flipped up, showing the dark tunnel. Big proud grins grew on both her & Bee’s lipplates. 

The sounds of the secret door opening caught Starscream’s attention. He walked over, opening his mouth to say something, only to stop in shock upon seeing the tunnel. “A secret passage! That’s where Megatron must’ve gone off to! Elita One. B-127...” The duo looks at the captain. “...Good work.”

Bee shook his fists in excitement. Elita maintained her composure but still felt giddy inside. 

“Mechs. Femmes. Follow me! We can’t waste another klick!” Starscream addressed everyone. He turns to Ravage, still guarding Airachnid. “Ravage! Think you can keep guard of her?”

“I can handle her, Captain,” The cyber panther assured.

“Everyone else, follow me!” 

One by one, Starscream & the seekers go into the tunnel. Elita & Bee scrambled behind to follow them. Ravage turns his attention to the black femme. Growling at her as a means of intimidation.

Airachnid was nowhere close. But the cogs in her processor start turning. “Oh, please. I’m not intimidated by a mere house cyber cat.”

“I’m no cyber cat! I am a proud cassette of Commander Soundwave of The High Guard!”

“Oh yes, Soundwave. The mech who got knocked down by a mere air grille. I’m ~so~ impressed!” Airachnid spoke in a mocking tone.

“Do not mock my master!” Ravage growls, expanding his claws.

The black femme merely scoffs. “Or else what…Kitty cat.”

One of Ravage’s front paws attempted to swipe at her. Before he could strike, Airachnid moved swiftly, timing the cyber panther’s strike just right for her to turn around so he could break her stasis cuffs. Then she knocks him out in their moment of confusion. Now free from her cuffs, she turns to the gaping patrons.

“What are you all looking at?” Airachnid pulls out all of her pincers in a threatening display. 

They all turn away. Good, just how she wants it. Airachnid leans down to Ravage’s unconscious form. She searches him around with her servos to find something useful. To her luck, she saw two items: Spare stasis cuffs and a stun bolt gun. Those items could be helpful for her.

“Now I can go get that crown back.” A dark smirk curves on her lipplates.

Outside the pub, staring through the window, Sentinel kept himself hidden when the guards searched the pub and discovered the secret passage. He watched Airchnid jump through the tunnel. His lipplates pressed into a scowl.

“Dammit! Orion slipped through again. How am I going to find him?”

Quiet, off-key singing suddenly caught Sentinel’s audials. Stumbling outside the pub’s entrance was The Drunk Mech, swaying around as he sang his song.

“I’ve got a dream…I’ve got some dreams…I-” The Drink Mech frozen upon meeting gazes with Sentinel. The mech gave his best attempt at a cat whistle. “Well…Somebody get me a glass. Because I just found a tall drink of solvent…”

The Drunk Mech’s attempt at flirting repulsed Sentinel. He was about to scoff at the mech’s advances when he got a sudden idea. 

“Oh, please. There's no need for such flattery.” The Sentinel responded with his best gentlemech smile, and the Drunk Mech let out a giddy chuckle.

The Drunk Mech’s giddiness was replaced with fear when Sentinel pulled his blade to the mech’s throat. “Sharp knife…”

Sentinel stared down the mech with a threatening glare. “Now tell me: Where does that tunnel lead out?”

Chapter Text

Chapter 11: Shifting Gorge

Light pedesteps echoed through the dark tunnel leading away from The Auto House pub. Megatron led ahead, using his forehelm light to help guide the way, with Orion sticking close and holding his frying pan close to his chassis.

The tunnel the duo walked through shows evidence that it was carved out many cycles ago. Wires withered away, barely hanging onto the walls or dangling from the ceiling. Same deal with the broken, rusted pipes. Overhead lights on the ceiling with bulbs that had long since gone out.

Orion observed every inch of the tunnel with fascination in his optics. “This tunnel looks neat.”

“Yeah, sure...” Megatron responded calmly. Truthfully, this tunnel kind of gave him the creeps, but he would rather go offline than admit that out loud.

“What do you think they used it for?” Orion questioned.

“Some old military tunnel. Probably made during The Quintesson War,” Megatron hypothesized.

“Quintesson War…Father told me about that.”

“And what did he tell you about that?” Megatron prodded, almost sounding skeptical.

“That the war was devastating. Father said those aliens were nothing but hideous, brutal savages. And what’s worse was that those in charge barely did anything to stop them…”

“Well, he was right about the Quintesson thing…”

“Probably the only true thing he said so far.” Megatron thought to himself, recalling the holovids he had seen of those aliens. “But he was wrong about the leader part. The Primes gave their all in the war.”

“Primes?” Orion stares at Megatron questioningly.

“You know. THE Primes." He told him like it was common sense. "Zeta. Alpha Trion...Megatronus!” The silver mech said the last one with admiration.

“Oh yeah! The Primes! I know them.” Orion said, acting like he knew those bots were.

“Again with those Primes. Who are they? Why do Megatron and other bots keep bringing them up? And…Why do some of those names sound familiar?”

“Can I continue with our questions thing?” Megatron’s voice pulled Orion out of his thoughts.

“You still want to do that? What else do you want to ask?”

"Something that's been in my processor since we started this. If you want to see the lanterns so badly..." The silver mech stops and turns his helm to his companion. “...Why haven’t you gone before?”

“What?” Orion stumbled back.

“You knocked me out with a frying pan & tied me up. Convince me to go through this trip. And saved my aft from those other bots from turning me in. You seemed capable of handling yourself. You could've pulled off the forbidden road trip without my help. What's the deal?”

“Uuhhh...” Orion’s lipplates curved into an uneasy smile as he nervously chuckled. “Well, it's kind of a long story-”

A pebble suddenly bounced off Orion’s helm. More loose pebbles around the mech's pedes started vibrating around. The wires, pipes, and overheard lights were also shaking. A rumbling sound was getting closer & closer.

“Megatron…?” Orion uttered out.

The thief looks to the path behind them. A faint glow of light quickly brightens as sounds of running pedesteps reverberate off the tunnel walls. Emerging were a group of bots with searchlights.

“....Megatron!” Orion expressed more urgently.

“MEGATRON!” Starscream’s yell bounced off the walls as he and his group charged straight to the pair.

“Run!” Megatron pulls Orion ahead of him. “RUN!”

The mechs ran as fast as their pedes allowed, with the High Guard closing in on them. A brighter light, the tunnel’s exit, entered their visual fields. 

Stepping out into the brightness of the outside, Megatron & Orion found themselves in an immense gorge. There were several broken old structures littered around. The pair moved towards the ledge they were on, only to see the ground a few stories down. Also plastered around the gorge were giant cracks with a faint pulsing blue light, which must be the fault lines Jazz warned them about. The pair saw the ledge extending directly forward, curving behind a wall. That may also be the path Jazz instructed them to take.

Loud banging brought the mech’s attention to a boarded-up hole below the ledge. The metal blocking it flew off as Airachnid dashes out. The black femme glances up at the mechs, casting an angry glare.

“Megatron!” She piercingly screamed with every fiber of anger.

Orion’s faceplate twists unsettlingly, whispering to Megatron. “Who’s that?”

“She doesn’t like me…” Megatron responded with the same tone.

The rumbling brought the mech’s attention to the exit, remembering their pursuers. The High Guard steadily halted when they emerged with an aggravated Starscream in front. "Halt, Megatron!"

“Who’s that?” Orion asked again.

“They don’t like me either!” Megatron responded urgently.

“Stop right there, Megatron!” Elita One ran out of the tunnel with an out-of-vent B-127 tumbling out.

“WHO’S THAT?!” Orion exclaimed.

Megatron gently grabs Orion’s shoulders to look him directly into his optics. “Let's assume for the moment that everyone here doesn’t like me!”

“Stay where you are, Megatron,” Starscream instructed, saying the thief's name like a curse.

“Hey, Screamer….” Megatron nervously greeted him. “You’re looking good. Did you get a new paint job? Because it's absolutely dashing on you-”

“Flattery won’t get you out of this! You caused me enough trouble today and over the past several cycles." Starscream points to his throat. "Including what you did to my voice box!"

"It wasn't that bad-"

"I sounded ridiculous for MEGACYCLES."

“Funniest megacycles of my life,” Skywarp whispered, earning some snickers from Thundercracker & Slipstream. They stopped when Starscream glared back at them momentarily.

“Enough of this! You and...” The High Guard captain notices Orion. “...You and your little friend are now under the custody of The Cybertronian High Guard.”

“What’s a teenager doing hanging around him, anyways?” Thundercracker wondered.

“I’M A GROWN MECH!” Orion bellowed out loud, frying pan raised up, glaring at a mortified Thundercracker and being held back by Megatron.

“Feisty little guy,” Slipstream commented. 

“Whatever!” Starscream scoffed. “You’re both coming with me.” He pulls out the stasis cuffs, slowly marching over to the pair.

Now would be a good time for Megatron to make a new plan. His alt mode probably wouldn’t do well in this terrain. But there was another bot here who probably does.

“Can you fly?” He whispered to Orion.

“What?” Orion answered back.

“Your alt mode? Are you a flyer?” 

“Uh, no…” Why did that answer sound like Orion was unsure, but that was the least of Megatron's worries.

“Well, can it help us get out of this?”

“...I may have one idea.” Orion looks over to Starscream. “I wouldn’t move any closer if I were any of you!”

Starscream quirked up his optical ridge. “Oh really?”

“Yep! If you do, I’ll…transform into my super dangerous alt mode!” Orion said in the most obvious fake threatening tone.

Starscream gave him an odd look, as did Elita.  Bee just looked confused. The other three High Guards could only snicker.

“Super dangerous alt mode?” Thundercracker muttered questioningly.

“Like we haven't heard that before,” Slipstream said with interest.

“That's rich!” Skywarp straight-up bellows with laughter. "A tiny guy like him? There's no way!”

"Oh yeah?" Orion raised his servos to his faceplate level. "Well watch… this!”

The High Guard stood frozen as they watched the red & blue mech move his arms, legs, and helm, mimicking a transformation in progress. Nano-klicks later, the mech grabbed Megatron’s wrist and ran away from the guards.

“What the-?” Starscream blinked, snapping back. “Get them!” He led the chase of the two mechs.

Down below, Airachnid follows the mechs. She kept all her optics on them, waiting for that right moment to strike. 

“THAT was your master plan?!” Megatron barked out as he finally released his wrist from Orion’s grip.

“It gave us time, didn’t it?” Orion retorted.

“Yeah. Like a few nano-klicks!” Megatron glances his helm over his shoulder to see The High Guards gaining on them. “Maybe I can shoot at them-”

“Don’t! You could hit the fault lines! Jazz warned us, remember!”

“Then maybe you can tell me if your alt mode could help get us out of this situation, Pax!”

“I…I don’t think it can help us here! But I don't think we need it! Jazz just said there’s another tunnel ahead!”

They approached the turn on the path only to be greeted by a ledge with no further path. Ahead was another ledge. On that side, far in the distance, was the other tunnel. On both ends of the ledge’s cliff were remnants of a bridge that had been long destroyed. The High Guard turned the corner, leaving the duo trapped.

“Okay. Now what?” Megatron contended.

Orion examines the area. Above the gap between his & Megatron’s end and the cliff across was a piece of ruined but sturdy structure sticking out. Orion’s azure optics flickered with an idea.

“Hold this!” Orion shoves his frying pan into Megatron’s servos. He pulls out his cable rope to tie up a loop on one end to make a lasso. Orion throws the rope up on the structure column above.

“What are you doing?” Megatron stressed, holding the frying pan like he didn’t know what to do with it.

“Getting us both across!” Clutching the rope to make sure it was secure. Orion swung across the gape, reaching the other end.

Megatron's confused optics glues to Orion, unsure what to do next. A dark chuckle caught his audials. “Looks like another partner has run out on you, Megatron.” Starscream marches towards the silver mech. “No matter. It's you were after.” With a smug smirk, Starscream pulls out a sword. "I've waited a long time for this..."

Megatron had only a nano-klick to act before Starscream lunged at him. The sliver mech dodged the High Guard Captain’s swipes until he impulsively swung the frying pan in his direction. A metallic WACK rang with Starscream falling onto the ground unconscious. One by one, Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Slipstream jumped in to apprehend him, only to fall victim to the frying pan. When they were all knocked down, Megatron stood frozen.

“Did I just-?” Megatron gaped at the sight, slowly blinking, sinking into the fact that he did knock The High Guard Captain & his three subordinates down with a frying pan. “Ha! Maybe Orion has the right idea." He exclaimed with an excited smile. "Anyone else wants to try me!” The tip of another sword caught the corner of his optic. He points the kitchenware item towards the assailant.

“I do,” Elita held her sword firmly.

“Oh great, you…” Megatron said with dread.

Bee reached out for his friend. “Elita?”

“Help Starscream and the others, Bee. I got this.” Elita leaped forward with her attack.

What followed for the next few nano-klicks were the sounds of frying pan & sword clashing together. Despite putting their focus, the Thief & Iaconian Guard looked at each other with wide optics like they couldn’t believe this was happening.

“This is the strangest thing I’ve ever done!” Megatron & Elita thought at pretty much the same exact time.

One perfectly time strike on Elita’s end hit the frying pan hard enough to fly out of Megatron’s servo. Both watch it slowly plummet to the ground below the ledge until a loud clank rang in the air.

"Two out of three?” Megatron sheepishly suggested. Elita responded by pointing her sword at Megatron’s chassis, prompting him to raise his servos.

Orion had finished tying his cable rope to another rock. Just in time to see Elita cornering his guide. “Megatron!” He threw the end of the rope on one of his servos. Megatron closed his grip on it, and Orion tugged it hard.

As he felt himself being pulled away, Megatron gave one middle digit to Elita, uttering a “Bye!” as he swung across the gap, not giving Elita a chance to grab him.

Orion was using all of his strength to keep hold of the rope. The rock it was tied around served as an anchor to keep it steady. Glancing quickly to his side, Orion’s optic widens with panic once he remembers the black femme on the ground. “Megatron! Look out!”

Megatron sees Airachnid charging up at him, all pincers out, ready to attack. With one hard tug, Orion lifted Megatron out of Airachnid’s strike just in the nick of time. Megatron turns back to see the femme giving an irritated glare at him.

“Ha! You should see your face because you look-!” Megatron’s frame smashes against a lone column of stone, a faceplate buried in it. “-Ridiculous…” He painfully groans out.

“Sorry!” Orion hastily started pulling Megatron back to his ledge.

Back on the Guard’s side, Skywarp eased himself back to consciousness. The first thing he sees is Orion helping pull Megatron back up. This screams like an opportunity for him as he fires his weapon at them.

“No! DON’T!” Bee tackles him down, but Skywarp's weapon fires a mere nano-klicks before he does.

Megatron had just finished climbing up when he saw Skywarp fire in their direction. “Pax, get down!” He tackles Orion, shielding him and dodging the blast at the last nano-klick. The blast landed right on the gorge's high walls, right above one of the fault lines on the ground.

When it was clear, Megatron’s optics glanced at the direction of the impact area where the gunshot had struck. There was no pain felt anywhere on himself, which was a relief.

“Megatron…?” Orion’s nervous voice broke out.

Right then, it just dawned on the silver mech what had happened. Glancing down, he could see the red & blue mech lying on the ground, between large black servos, with Megatron hovering over him. Neither of the flustered mechs could move nor figure out if one of them should say something. Orion especially didn’t know what to make of this. There’s a part of him screaming to move Megatron off of him, but there was also another part that...strangely likes this.

Back with the guards' ends, Skywarp glared at Bee, annoyed. “What was that for, Yapper?! I wasn’t going to kill them!”

“You could've hit the fault lines!” The yellow mech waved his arm to the several plastered on the walls near them. "I read about these once. They react to even the lightest contact. And if you touch them..."

“Please, I didn’t hit anywhere close to it.” Skywarp pointed to the blast impact high above one of the fault lines. “See?”

Unbeknownst to both parties, one tiny rock broke free of the gorge wall of the impact zone of Skywarp's blaster. After cracking free, it slowly plummeted to the ground below. Then, it bounced towards the fault line, barely stopping towards the end. Not before one end of the small rock made one slight tap.

The blue light of the fault line started to rapidly glow. Loud rumbles echoed throughout the gorge. That finally prompted Megatron to get off Orion, helping him back up. Starscream and the rest of the High Guards with him came back to consciousness, with Elita helping them right as the rumbling caught their attention, too. All optics were on the particular fault line. Light in the fault line continues glowing more & more erratically. A wave of blue electric lines pulses throughout the gorge, and a wave of dust briefly obscures all parties' views. The dust settled as the fault line was no longer emitting light. 

All seemed calm.

"That's what you were worried about?" Skywarp snipped at Bee.

"Not that..." Pillars of jagged stones piece through the fault line, causing the gorge to shake. "THAT'S to worry about."

The rocks throughout the gorge started shifting, and the walls cracked. Pillars of rocks appeared and disappeared, and the ledges began to change. 

“Oh frag,” Megatron muttered.

“What does that mean?” Orion asked with shakiness in his voice.

“We need to move. Now!” Megatron grabbed Orion and his cable rope as they ran again, dodging all the giant rock pillars appearing out of nowhere.

Elita watched Megatron and his partner flee. There’s no way she could lose him! Not when she was this close to catching him! Her one chance of getting a promotion was slipping away. Another pillar of rocks came growing in between the gap of the two ledges—just the perfect size for her to help her cross over.

Bee saw what Elita was doing. He had worked with her long enough to read her body language. “Elita, No-!” Bee's cries were unheard by the pink femme as she leaped across the pillar and reached the other end. Bee tries to go after her, but Starscream stops him by wrapping his arms around his chassis.

“Fly up!” Starscream commanded his soldiers.

“What about Megatron?” Thundercracker questioned.

“And Elita?” Slipstream followed.

“Too dangerous! We need to get high above this gorge, NOW!” Starscream flew up into the air, followed by his soldiers. 

All Bee can do is helplessly watch his friend walk herself into danger, chasing Megatron.

Elita was not the only femme after them, for Airachnid continued her pursuit. The black femme resorted to changing into her alt-mode to help navigate the shifting environment. Her many optics allowed her to avoid getting struck by the pillars. But when she was in a space spot, all optics locked onto Megatron, who became her sole focus.

Orion & Megatron continue running on the ledge leading towards the other tunnel ahead.

“I now see why this place is called Shifting Gorge!” Orion yelled out after he narrowly avoided getting hit by another pillar.

At that moment, Megatron barely avoided getting hit by another rock sticking out. “No kidding!” 

The mechs continue running for their lives as the environment violently transforms around them. Out of nowhere, the side of the ledge collapses near Orion. The red & blue shouted as he felt himself about to tumble below.

“PAX!” 

Megatron grabbed his servo just before he could fall. The silver mech pulled his companion back up to where he was. Orion looked shaken at the fact that he almost died. "Hey. You okay?” Megatron gently grabbed Orion’s faceplates, looking directly at him.

“I-I think so. Thanks,” Orion responded.

Whirling buzzing caught their audials. Megatron’s marigold optics widen upon realizing Airachnid’s tri-rotor form was closing in. 

“Go, GO!” Megatron pushed Orion forward, resuming their running.

Airachnid closed in on them. Her annoyance boils into fury the longer Megatron remains away from her grasp. She would get that crown back and make the mech pay for double-crossing her. Once she feels close enough, she returns to her robot form and dives towards them.

“GIVE ME THAT CROWN!” Her screaming fury caught the pair's attention as their distance grew closer.

A rock pillar suddenly appeared below the femme, causing her to fly into the air and disappear from the mech’s sights.

The pair stood agape, shocked to see what had happened. “That’s one problem taken care of,” Megatron commented. 

The pillar that just knocked Airachnid disappeared back below, revealing the ever so persistent Elita One.

“Ah, C’mon!” The silver mech groans.

“STOP!” The pink femme demanded, but the mechs just started running again.

“That is one very persistent femme,” Orion commented, almost impressed.

“You have no idea!” Megatron responded, prompting Orion to solely focus on running.

The chase between the two mechs & pink femme continued despite the chaos. Both parties focus on quickening their speed while avoiding dying in the process. Elita was so focused on her targets that she failed to notice the ledge started shifting again. This time, she was the one to fall over. She caught herself on the edge, keeping her grip on tight. But the circumstances of the still shifting rocks of the gorge continue, making it hard for her to keep a hold.

Orion stopped running when he noticed the femme’s predicament. He could see she was struggling to climb up. Yes, she was trying to catch Megatron, but he couldn’t bear to stand by and maybe watch Elita fall. It was also his fault that everyone, including her, was in this situation. Orion knew what he had to do.

Elita’s servos continue to loosen their grip. She tried to climb up the shifting rock wall. It was slow progress, but it was progress. Until one of the stable rocks holding up one of her pedes shifts back, catching her off guard. For that brief nano-klick, she felt herself fall until she felt a firmer grip around her servo. The femme’s optics widen upon lifting her helm to see her savior. 

Orion kept a hold on Elita despite his lack of strength. “Climb up!” He instructed her.

Getting over the shock, Elita climbed up with the support of Orion until she was safely back on the ledge. Heavy ex-vents came out of both of them. Then, they made optic contact. There was this feeling that Elita could sense coming from this mech. A feeling of warmth. Telling her that she was safe with him around. That he posed no danger. 

“I-I…” Elita barely mustered the words out of her mouth.

Orion’s lipplates mustered a response, but only for a yelp as Megatron lifted him into his arms.

“Pax, we gotta keep going!” 

The silver mech exchanged a look with Elita, who was still in a state of shock. Then he ran off with Orion. Elita didn’t chase after them. If she had any thought of going after them again, Thundercracker & Slipstream flew down to grab her when they had a brief opening had prevented any plans to do so.

Megatron kept on running, holding Orion tightly in his arms while Orion wrapped his own around Megatron’s neck. Up ahead was the tunnel that was their ticket out of this mess. However, A new problem emerged when, during the gorge’s rampage, a large boulder started breaking apart right above the tunnel until it began to descend to the tunnel.

A race against time came between the boulder and the two mechs. Orion glanced at the falling rock fearfully, parts of his processor telling him that they wouldn’t make it or the boulder would crush them. He swore he could hear Megatron’s spark thumping harder and harder the closer they reached their destination. 

With only a few nano-klicks left, the frying pan Megatron had lost earlier flew into the air after another stone pillar popped forward, flinging it right in front of the pair. Megatron had just enough time to grab it in the final few nano-klicks.

Right before the boulder landed, Megatron leaped into the cave with Orion holding onto him as darkness covered their visual fields. 

Chapter Text

Chapter 12: Caved In

A soft groan emitted from Orion when his optics gradually came back online. A good part of his frame felt sore as he rolled from his side to his back. Was he thrown? Orion couldn't remember. All around him were the dark cave walls. What was he doing here, Orion wondered. He darted upwards once previous events of the pub, the guards chasing him, and the gorge replayed in his memory banks.

There was a stretch of darkness in every inch of the cave. The only thing Orion saw was his frying pan lying just several feet away. He reclaimed it in his servos, clutching it close to his chassis like a youngling holding their cherished stuffed mechanimal. The cave was so dark that the bright glow of his azure optics was the only light source.

“M-Megatron?” Orion’s unsettled voice reverberated throughout the cave walls, but he had gotten no response. The red & blue mech was on the verge of hyperventilating as the possibility that he was alone in this cave became stronger. No, he can’t panic. He needed to stay calm.

“F-Flower gleam and glow. Let your p-power shine.” Orion chanted to himself like a prayer to keep him calm. “...Make the clock the reverse. Bring back what once was mine-”

“O-Orion?” The red & blue turns to the voice to see a marigold glow. Upon seeing a familiar silver mech on the ground, his spark pumped with relief. Orion immediately dashed over to him.

“Megatron! Are you okay!” 

“I think. Ugh, my equilibrium…” When Megtron tries to get up, he quickly realizes something is preventing him. Glancing up what was before him, his optics widen upon seeing his reason. “I’m stuck!” 

Orion’s optics rested on an enormous boulder lodged over Megatron’s legs. The sliver mech tries to pull himself out to no avail. Orion then tries to pull the other mech out, but the process makes Megatron feel pain. Both mechs then try to push the boulder together, but it doesn’t budge once. A grunt of pain came from Megatron when his left servo sliced across the boulder's surface, earning a large cut over his palm. In frustration, Orion desperately wacks his frying pan against the boulder to break it down, even when it proved futile. 

“Orion, stop! It’s no use!” Megatron stated to the smaller mech. “Okay, no more screwing around. What’s your alt-mode?”

“How would that help?”

“If you can transform into something that can help move large objects. Like a bulldozer. Can you transform into that?”

“Um-”

“Or a crane?”

“Well I-”

“Or even a forklift?”

“I…I don’t know!” That was not an answer Megatron had anticipated hearing. 

“Pax, this is seriously not the time for jokes!” The silver mech snipped with a higher volume. Honestly, what kind of sick joke was Orion playing?

“I’m not joking! I really don’t know!” Orion responded back, his volume getting higher as he spoke.

“How the frag do you not know what your alt-mode is?!”

“I just don’t, okay!”

“You’re telling me that you haven’t transformed into your alt-mode not once in your life?!”

“It's the truth!” Orion crossed his arms, trying to avoid his gaze from Megatron. “I don’t know what else to tell you!”

“No fragging way! I’ve never met a bot who doesn’t know, much less never used their alt-mode!” He barked back to Orion, still with a skeptical tone. “How would you get anywhere whenever you leave your tower-”

“I NEVER LEFT THE TOWER!” That very sentence echoed in the cave walls. Words fell before Megatron’s glossa at Orion’s revelation. Only his optics widen in shock. Whatever he had to say stopped when the red & blue mech continued. “I’ve spent my whole life without leaving the tower! Father never let me go outside, not once! Not even even around the glen surrounding our tower! Today was the first time in my life that I left! That’s why I never had any friends to talk to! That’s why I needed you to take me to see the lights! And…” Gentle vents came out of Orion as he slowly sat down on the ground next to Megatron, bringing his knees to his chassis. “...And that’s why we’re stuck here with no way out.”

“No matter what you may think, Orion, one way or another, something will go wrong, I swear!” Sentinel’s words haunt Orion’s processor.

“This is all my fault…” Orion’s quavering voice broke out. Tears slowly cascade down his cheekplates. “Father was right…” He turns to Megatron. “You were right. I never should've done this. I’m…I’m so sorry, Megatron…” Orion buries his faceplate into his knees, wrapping his arms around his legs and filling the silence of the cave with his sobs.

All of this was a lot for Megatron to take in. He didn’t know what to say. What could he say besides ‘What the frag’ to this newfound information? Everything he thought about the red & blue was wrong. Orion wasn’t someone with a bad case of agoraphobia but was kept away from the outside world, not by his own choice, thanks to his overprotective father. 

Sounds of Orion’s sobs draw Megatron's thoughts away from the whole ‘What the Frag’ manner of the whole never going outside thing. Marigold optics linger upon the hunched-over red & blue mech. Whatever irritation Megatron felt for him was now all brushed away. Seeing him crying made Megatron feel bad. None of this was Orion’s fault. He was a mech who was desperate to go out. And Orion helped him out in tight situations even when any other bot would've left Megatron to his fate.

Megatron decided to do something he had never done before. After what they had been through, Megatron figured it made Orion worthy to know. It was something to take Orion’s processor out of their predicament. If this cave was to be their final resting place, Orion shouldn’t spend it in sorrow. 

Exhaling a deep vent, he utters one word. “D-16…”

“W-What?” Orion sniffled and lifted his helm back in the silver mech’s direction with confusion in his tear-filled azure optics.

“My real name is D-16. Not Megatron,” The silver mech confessed. “If we’re gonna be stuck here, someone might as well know.”

Orion hummed with a small smile, wiping away the tears. “D-16, huh? Not a bad name.” Before he could say that, a yelp of pain came out of his mouth, clutching his chassis.

“Orion?” 

“Just the stinging feeling again. It's acting up more than usual.” D-16 watched one of Orion’s servos gently pat the area of his chassis where his transformation cog should be nestled. Between that and the revelation that Orion never transformed into his alt-mode, it makes D-16 wonder.

“How long has that been going on exactly?”

“Since I became a teenager.”

"Interesting," D-16 thought to himself. That's usually when T-Cogs can fully activate, allowing a transformer to switch to their alt-mode.

Almost like Orion was reading D-16’s processor, he then told him. “That’s…another reason why I didn't leave before. Father told me that my T-Cog was defunct when I was born. It was evident on my first birthday as a teenager when I had extreme pain that lasted for breems when my cog tried to activate. Since then, I’ve always gotten stinging feelings in my chassis at random.”

“Born with a defunct T-Cog?” The silver mech parroted like he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “That’s impossible.”

“It is for me.”

“No, I mean, that shouldn’t be possible.”

“How?”

“No son or daughter of Cybertron is born with a defunct cog.” The silver mech laid it out matter-of-fact. The same lessons he had learned from teachers who taught him and the other younglings at the orphanage over the cycles. “That’s basic common knowledge.”

“I’ve been with myself since I came online, and this thing-” Orion taps his chassis. “-Has never worked.”

“Have you checked it?”

Orion huffed. “Of course, I’ve got it checked. Father looked it over for me.”

“Have YOU checked it?” D-16 emphasized.
 
“How am I supposed to do that?”

“By opening up your chassis…?”

“And how can I do that while I’m not awake?”

“What are you talking about?” D-16 said after a few nano-klicks of silent blinking.

“You’re not supposed to open your chassis while awake. Father told me that doing that was a guarantee offlining,” Orion maintained as if it was a well-known fact.

Again, the silver mech was too stunned to speak by what Orion had shared. “That’s not true either. Look.” He pointed to his chassis, indicating for the other mech to look. Orion’s optics widen as he watches his guide’s chassis opening up, showing his T-Cog in the center without showing any signs of pain or anything. “See? Perfectly fine.”

Orion was trying to construct & deconstruct what he had just witnessed. “But…But father-...He wouldn’t-…How did you...?”

D-16 gently grabbed one of Orion’s servos, snapping out of his spiraling. “Do you believe me now?”

The other mech slowly turns his gaze to his chassis, unsure what to do. “How do I open this?”

“Just pretty much focus on opening it.”

With a slow ex-vent, Orion closed his optics as he focused. Sounds of metal parting caught his audials about a few klicks later. When he opened his optics, Orion was greeted with the sight of his chassis port, showing off his T-Cog surrounded by dim lines of blue lights. It was memorizing being able to see his cog for the first time. His servos slowly stroked it, letting out shaky vents, and he couldn't believe that what his father had told him as absolute truth for cycles was wrong.

“- looks fine.” D-16's words pull Orion out of his thoughts.

“What?”

“Your cog is in perfect condition. Just like mine.” The silver mech showed his cog for comparison.

“So…what’s wrong with me then?”

D-16 thought about what to do next. “Can you remove your cog?” Orion’s optical ridges narrowed skeptically. “It's safe, I swear.” D-16 demonstrated by gently pulling his cog out of his cog port, showing it to Orion before putting it back perfectly, and then closing his port. “If you take yours out, I could get a better look at it.”

Orion nods his helm. He reaches into his T-Cog port to remove it like D-16 had done. He comes across a new problem when he tries to pull it out. “Its-Its stuck.”

“What?”

“It won’t come out. Like something it’s lodged-” Orion gave several gentle tugs before letting out one hard one to allow the cog to pry free into his servo. A small metallic thump rang into the duo’s audials. 

In between them was a small metal rod pin of sorts. D-16’s optics were locked onto it as he watched it fall out from Orion’s cog port and when Orion gently picked it up to get a better look. “If I have to guess, I say that’s what has been causing your chassis pains and preventing you from transforming.”

“But…How did it get in there?” Orion darts at the rod pin and his port back to back, his faceplates showing confusion.

Given everything he has learned, Megatron has a grim guess on what was responsible for the rod pin being in there. Or rather, who put it there. But he wouldn’t voice any of that right now, not when Orion was confused.

“Try putting your cog back in.”

The other mech hesitated to place his cog back inside, fearing nothing would happen. One glance at the silver mech, seeing the encouragement in his marigold optics, told him otherwise. With a deep vent, Orion placed his cog back into his port. Nano-klicks passed with the mechs, watching Orion’s cog with nothing happening. Orion was starting to think that the cog won't activate until he let out a shout.

The blue & red mech groaned as his frame doubled over. Deep within, he felt a sudden burst of power break out, like a mechbeast that finally broke free of its chains after being bound to them for a long time. On the sidelines, legs still trapped under the boulder, D-16 could only watch Orion’s cog rapidly turning, changing his frame. 

The dim blue line lights surrounding Orion’s cog brightened as they trailed over his exposed protoform all over his frame. Broader metal slammed over his chassis port. Bulkier plating covered all over both of his arms & legs as all four limbs grew longer. The exhaust vents on Orion’s shoulder extended in size, no longer needle thin but became wider pipes. His helm area remained the least changed, with his helm crest being the same size, minus his finial antenna extending to poke above his helm rather than the small nubs they were and both his helm fins slightly growing. The blue lights then died down, signifying the completion of Orion’s transformation. 

Heavy vents came out of Orion as he plopped onto his palms when the process was done. After recomposing, he slowly stood on his pedes, wobbling due to the newly added weight. Standing up straight, Orion gets himself a good look at the new changes. He was still the same but also so much different. He was bigger, taller, and shinier too! A confused but excited smile grew across his lipplates. 

On his end, D-16 was speechless at Orion’s new form, no longer a unusual short bot but now a truly full-grown mech. Seeing that smile on the other mech gave the thief a warm feeling. Seeing Orion happy gave him joy.

“Look-Look at me!” Orion excitedly laughed like a youngling who had received the best gift they had ever gotten. “Oh gosh, I’m so big! I can reach things now!” He inspected both of his pedes, lifting one of them behind him. “I feel great! I feel-” Azure optics trail up to his servos. Then to D-16 trapped under the boulder. A strong surge of energy pulses through his circuits “...Stronger.”

Orion makes his way over to the boulder, trapping his guide’s legs. Blue servos gently laid upon the rough surface, feeling around until Orion found the right spot. 

Whatever confusion in D-16’s optics was replaced with shock when Orion started pushing the boulder off his legs. And it was working! Until moments before, when he was a small, scrawny mech who failed to make the boulder make a tiny bulge, Orion, in his true form, could now successfully push it off inch by inch until it rolled off D-16’s legs. At last, the silver mech was free.

"Woah..." D-16 breathed out.

“I did it! I can’t believe that worked!” Orion cheered happily.

“Thanks, Pax.” D-16 started to stand up.

“Here, let me help you up.”

“Hey, it’s fine. I can-” Orion bent down, gently grabbed both D-16’s servos, and pulled back up. That's when it hit him, and maybe Orion, that the red & blue mech is now as tall as him. Staring directly at his faceplate "...Hi.”

“Hi,” Orion responded with a shy smile. “…We're the same height now.”

D-16 let out a hum of agreement, taking a split nano-klick to check out Orion. “You…You look good.”

“Thanks.” A light flush of blue paints on Orion’s cheekplates. 

In the corner of Orion’s optic lay the rod pin that was housed in his cog port moments earlier, which he had dropped when his T-Cog activated. Slowly, he reached down and picked up again. A sad, confused frown grew across his mouth as he examined it. “All this time…My cog was never dysfunctional. How could've Father been wrong?”

D-16 opened his mouth to speak, but something else caught his attention below Orion. Orion noticed this, placing the rod pin in his subspace.

Tiny specks of blue light gradually brightened up around Orion's pedes. They trailed away from Orion to the cave walls, brightening the cavern with warm blue lights and revealing a tunnel showing a way out.

“Wow…” Orion vents out astonishingly, memorized by the lights. Strange enough, he feels some connection to it, as if it is comforting and tells him they are happy. Orion has no clue where any of that came from, so he doesn’t bring this up to the silver mech. “Is that normal?”

“I...Have no clue.” D-16 was equally confused. He had never seen or heard of this kind of phenomenon happening. Growing up, he heard stories about how Primus had his ways of making his presence known. Could this be it? Was Primus helping them out? Did he have some special interest in Orion? D-16 quickly brushed it off. Those were nothing but made-up stories to entertain younglings. “Whatever it is, it's leading us out. Come on.”

“D-16?” He heard Orion say his name with softness. The silver mech faces his companion. Orion opened his mouth to say something but faltered. Without warning, he engulfs D-16 in a hug. “Thank you. For helping me with my T-Cog.”

The silver mech stood frozen with his arms awkwardly hovering to his sides like he did not know what to make of this. Then he recuperated the hug around the other mech. 

Neither noticed the blue lights in the cave briefly brightening up, dying back down when they pulled away.

“I feel so great! All because of your help!” Orion hovered his arm, clenching his servo into a fist. D-16 raised one of his optical ridges in confusion. “Back in the pub, I, uh, saw Jazz & Prowl did this thing where they touched their hands liked this-”

“A fistbump.”

“Yeah, I guess that's what it’s called. I assumed it was some gesture of friendship.” Orion withdrew his fist, shyly rubbing it.

“You see me as a friend?” D-16 questioned.

“I don't see why not. You're a good mech. And you would be the first friend I’ve ever had...” Orion said with a small, sad smile.

“I never really had friends either.” D-16 confessed after several long nano-klicks of silence. “Most of my life, it's always been me. Never had anyone having my back but myself."

“Well, tell you what? You watch my back, I promise to watch yours.” Orion lifted his fist again, eagerly waiting for D-16’s answer.

The silver mech fondly stares at the red & blue one, lipplates curving into a smile. “Alright. Thanks, Pax” His servo bends into a fist, lightly bumping against the other.

With that said and done, both mechs made their way to the tunnel side by side.

Deep down in Cybertron’s core, Primus felt immense joy as he watched what had transpired with his youngest. 

At long last, Optimus had finally activated his transformation cog, leading him one step closer to learning who he truly is. But he was only halfway to his full potential. To become the prime he was meant to be. Something that was still in progress. Primus can only help out in little ways, including lighting up the cave to help Optimus & his companion navigate their way out (The god may have gotten a bit excited when they hugged). But he cannot interfere with everything else because his youngest cannot grow stronger on his own if he does so.

For now, Primus was happy that his youngest had at least activated his cog. Allowing him access to his birthright. Of course, young Optimus didn’t do it entirely on his own. Primus had really grown to like D-16. The potential was noticed when the thief stepped into the glen of Optimus’ prison. The more time they spent together, the more Primus grew fond of them. He could see the mechs compliment one another well. D-16 could help Optimus become the best bot he could be. And perhaps the young prime could do the same for the thief.

The god’s processor returns to Optimus' circumstances before learning the truth of his T-Cog’s state. The mere thought of how that happened made him angry. Truthfully, the life Optimus had been forced to live angered Primus in general. Optimus was meant to be raised in an environment where he would be loved by his fellow Primes, where they would help him grow, guiding him to be a happy mech.

Sentinel took away all of that. 

The mech who not only dared attempt to horrifically betray his other children but then later kidnapped his youngest from them, forcefully isolating Optimus from the world he was meant to enjoy, all under the fake guise of being a caring father protecting his son, all because he blames The Primes for the poor circumstances he placed himself in, without any ounce of remorse sickened Primus greatly. Primus had seen a lot of awful bots since creating Cybertron, but none of them could top Sentinel's vile nature. The god likes to see himself as merciful, but someone like Sentinel doesn't deserve it. Not for his crimes he had committed against all fourteen of the Primes, his precious children.

Including the lengths to keep Optimus within the confines of that tower...

Many cycles ago…

A preteen Orion sat at the table with an excited grin as his father finished preparing their evening dinner. 

“What do you think my alt-mode will be, Dad?” Orion asked Sentinel. “Do you think I’ll be a jet like yours? That would be so awesome!”

Unbeknownst to the young mech, Sentinel suppressed a groan, not showing that he could care less. “I’m sure it would be marvelous, son.” He said, sounding like he was interested.

“And since I’ll be a teenager tomorrow, do you think I can go out of the tower with you for supply runs?”

“Maybe, son. Just maybe.” Sentinel places plates of energon food on the table. “Now eat up.”

Orion’s grew confused. “Dad, you didn’t make our drinks.”

“Oh, silly me!” Sentinel said, acting completely surprised. “Probably because I got distracted by your questions. Let me just whip them up! You get started with your dinner.”

Sentinel made his way to the kitchen area as Orion started eating. The older mech glimpses over his shoulder to see his captive fully engrossed with his dinner and attention away from him. 

“Perfect…” Sentinel thought to himself. 

The blue mech pulled out two cups and poured the drinks into them. Taking one more look to make sure Orion wasn’t watching, Sentinel pulls out a tiny vial of a liquid substance. He had stolen it several megacycles prior from a transport carrying medical supplies. An entire bottle of this is strong enough to put a fully grown mech into a deep recharge within minutes.

And for a child of Orion’s size, it was precisely what Sentinel needed.

Sentinel dumps the entire vial into one of the cups, hiding the small bottle in his subspace. The blue mech carries the cups to the table, handing Orion the one with the recharge drug. Orion didn’t think twice before drinking out of his cup.

Within klicks of consuming the drink, Sentinel could see Orion’s opticlids drooping, and then he yawned. “Are you okay, Little Spark?” Sentinel asked in his best attempt of acting concern.

“I feel…tired.” Another yawn came out of the small mech.

“Perhaps you should turn in now.”

“But it’s too early to go to recharge...” Orion didn’t fight back when Sentinel picked him up and carried him into his room. The smaller mech was already deep in recharge when Sentinel placed him on his berth.

Sentinel tapped his faceplate and other parts of his frame several times to ensure he recharging. Not once did Orion rouse awake. The drug had done its work. Sentinel then manually opened Orion’s chassis port, revealing his T-Cog.

The mech glares daggers at the cog nested within Orion. Like it was taunting him. Come tomorrow, Orion’s birthday, it would awaken, like all younglings would expect on their first birthday as a teenager, giving Orion an alt-mode to transform into. With an alt-mode comes more potential difficulties in keeping Orion within the tower. Whatever his alt-mode may be, he knew Orion would want to go outside more to use it. Increasing the risks of him running off and learning who he really is. Sentinel cannot allow this. Had Sentinel gotten his way, he would've removed the cog out entirely and destroyed it. Unfortunately for him...outside forces prevent him from doing so.

Luckily for Sentinel, he had found another solution.

Sentinel carefully removed the cog from his fake son’s port with one servo. Orion’s frame slightly twitched, causing Sentinel to flinched back like he was expecting an attack. Orion’s frame settled down, no sign that the young bot would awaken, much to Sentinel’s relief. Sentinel pulled a rod pin from his subspace using his other free servo.

Optics locked onto the cog & rod pin in his servos, then to Orion. He placed the rod pin, followed by Orion’s T-Cog. Ensure both were secured before closing up the young mech’s cog port. The mech tucked Orion into his berth, leaving his room.

All Sentinel could hope this would work, and he had no doubt it would. He spent many cycles planning for this. Looking over every little potential flaw. One little glossed-over mistake could topple future efforts to keep Orion away from The Primes. He had even tested the rod pin on his own cog many times to ensure it would work. Now he just needs to wait & see.

So he went about his night, doing his normal routine, until turning in for the night in peaceful recharge. 

Early the next morning, Sentinel was awoken to painful screaming from Orion’s berthroom. Sentinel was there within a klick. On the floor, he sees Orion lying in the fetal position, clenching onto his chassis, whimpering with tears streaming down his face. The young mech was solely focused on his pain, and he did not notice the subtle glee on Sentinel that his plan had worked.

“Dad…My chassis. I-it hurts…” Orion let out throaty sobs as he reached out for him. That was Sentinel’s cue to play a loving, caring father.

“Oh, son. Come here.” Sentinel put up his best act of concern as he lifted Orion to his berth, holding him close and saying soothing words as Orion continued to whimper, asking what was wrong with him. This went on for breems until the pain finally stopped.

Then Sentinel told his lie.

“I have a defunct cog?” Orion stared back at his father in disbelief. 

Sentinel said with a sympathetic tone. “Your…carrier and I never found out how that happened when you were born or how bad it was. I never told you because I wasn’t sure if it would affect your ability to transform. I prayed to Primus that it wouldn’t be this bad. But…it looks like I was wrong.” 

“So I…I can’t transform?” 

Sentinel pulled the young mech into his embrace. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way, my son.” He then gently grabs Orion’s chin, lifting his optics to meet his own. “But you know what this means, right?”

“What?”

“It's another reason why you must stay here. The world is cruel & wicked enough. But to bots with defunct T-Cogs…they would show no mercy at all.”

Orion's optics widen with fear. Just as how Sentinel predicted it.

“You would be an easy target for murders & thugs alike. Or, dare I say, a quick meal for cannibals. They’ll take your parts. Or keep you alive as a pet or sell you as one. Or eat your own spark.” 

Orion let out a fearful shudder. “Would they, really?”

“Oh my dear Little Spark. You don’t know what it's like out there. But I do.” Sentinel expressed in a grim tone to lie. Hiding the truth of The Primes still searching for their lost loved one, or how millions of Cybertronians join them every cycle in remembrance of the lost Optimus Prime. And how happy he is that he has a new way to quell Orion’s desire to leave their tower. 

“I do...”

Chapter Text

Chapter 13: Moving Forward

A group of cyber deers stood between the tree lines and a large rock wall, grazing the grass. In the rock wall lay a tunnel archway that had been sealed up by stacks of rocks many cycles ago. The rocks suddenly blasted away with a boom, causing all the cyber deer to flee back into the trees.

D-16 held his fusion cannon up as he walked out of the tunnel with Orion next to him. “Wow. That thing really is powerful,” He commented in awe of the weapon.

“Perks of being born as a Warframe.” D-16 pridefully smirked as he blew the smoke sizzling out of his cannon before it transformed back into his arm. 

Orion glances at the surrounding nature. “So...We made it.” He vents out.

“Yep.”

“We’re alive.”

“Mhmm.”

“I…” Orion stares at his servos. Then he twirls around. “I feel so alive!”

“Seems like you’re taking your new form pretty well.”

“How can I not?” D-16 was startled when Orion excitedly grasped his shoulders. The silver mech didn’t complain. “I can do so many things now! I can reach shelves without any help. That's going to make painting so much easier. And I-” Orion’s optics suddenly widened with glee. “...And I can transform into my alt-mode! I can probably do that, right?”

“Why don’t we find out.” D-16 glances at their spot. “This clearing seems big enough for a test track. Give it a go.”

“Right!” Orion pumps his fists excitedly. Only to get a blank look. “Umm, how do these things work?”

“Just focus on turning your cog.”

Orion closes his optics, groaning as he focuses on his T-Cog. He can feel the seams move. Opening his optics, he giggled excitedly as parts of his frame shifted around. “It’s working! It’s work—“ His helm ducks into his chassis. “My helm! My helm!” Orion’s muffled voice emitted from within as he wandered around, waving his arms.

“Oh no,” D-16 muttered worriedly, jumping in to help his friend, chasing him as the other mech flayed around.

“Help! Help!”

“Slow down, Pax!”

“Where are you? I can’t see!”

“Stop flailing around, and I’ll-”

Orion crashed into D-16, causing them to fall onto the ground. His helm finally appears back out of the confines of his chassis, directly above D-16’s flustered faceplates. Finding himself lying right on top of the silver mech.

The mechs lay there for a good long klick or two in silence. This up-close, it became more apparent to D-16 just how handsome Orion is. Marigold optics were glued to smooth cheek plates & chin, beautiful azure optics, and those luscious lips that were perfect for kissing if anyone was lucky. Then he realized that due to Orion's freshly awakened Cog, his & Orion’s frames were now perfectly flushed together. Not before remembering that his servos were grasping Orion’s waist, but with a startling realization of how well sculpted and grabbable it was.

The worst came when Orion nervously chuckled, “Sorry. We really have to stop ending up like this. " He showed an apologetic smile, showing his denta, and that's when D-16 saw them.

Fangs.

Orion Pax now has fangs.

“Oh Dear Primus…” 

“Dee? Are you okay?” Orion lifted himself up, straddling D-16’s waist. Not knowing it made the mech internally scream.

“Fangs.” Was all he could utter.

Orion was confused until it seemingly clicked to him to use his glossa to lick around his denta, feeling his fangs around. “Oh, cool!” He responded nonchalantly.

D-16’s cooling fans activated once he replayed the image of Orion licking his denta, straddling his waist. “Are you okay?” Orion asked again.

“Uh, yeah! Fine!” D-16 quickly answered, snapping his processor back to reality. What the Pits was that all about?

The two mechs gradually got back on their pedes. “Sorry about my helm getting stuck.” Orion then groans in shame. “That was so embarrassing.”

“You’re good, Pax. I think that part might've been my fault."

"How?

"Stuff like that is common for bots with freshly awakened cogs.”

“It is?”

D-16 nods his helm. “I knew this femme with a motorbike form had only one of her pedes transformed into a wheel, and she raced around out of control on her first try. Bots had to chase around to catch her. And a mech I once knew, who can transform into a car, didn’t get his wheels from, so he was just a car with arms. And you want to know what happened to me on my first try?”

“What?”

“The first time I transformed, my right pede got stuck mid-transformation. I was wobbling around and tripped over things.”

Orion chuckled. “Really?”

“Yep,” D-16 answers casually. "Totally normal. Except it usually happens to teenagers and not fully grown mechs. I probably should've given you a helms-up." He realizes the poor choice of his wording. "Uh, no offense."

“Is it safe to try again?”

“Should be, now that you got all the kinks worked out. But stay still if your helm gets stuck again.

“Right. Okay, here I go.”

Again, Orion focused all of his attention on his cog. He felt it turn again, the seams on his frame struggling to shift around. D-16 thought Orion was about to get another body part stuck again and reached out in case Orion needed help. It was unnecessary as Orion's frame shifted into his alt-mode without any problems this time.

Nano-klicks later, sitting right before D-16, was a sturdy, strong Cybertronian red & blue truck.

“How am I, Dee?” Orion’s voice called out.

“You look great!” He responded back.

“What am I?”

“A truck.”

“A truck? Sweet! I wonder how I drive?”

Orion’s alt-mode started to drive around. He speeds up, backs up, and even does donuts. Overall, he had performed exceptionally. When Orion was done, he returned to his robot form, laughing in absolute pure joy.

“Holy scrap, Dee! Did you see me? You saw all that, right?” Orion squealed in excitement. His finials flicked back and forth, which caught him off guard. “Wow. I didn’t know they could do that.” Orion grasped them with an embarrassed flush.

“That’s normal for bots with antennas.” D-16 told him. “As for your driving, you do pretty good.”

An inquisitive smile forms on Orion’s lips. “So, what’s yours?”

“What?” 

“What’s your alt-mode?” Orion asked D-16 again. “You saw mine. Now I want to see yours."

"It's nothing interesting."

"Please?" Orion looks at him with that cyber puppy optics again.

D-16 relented. "Okay, I'll show you!" 

Orion watches in awe as D-16 transforms into his alt-mode, letting himself examine it for a few klicks. “…What’s this mode?”

“A tank,” D-16’s voice emitted.

The red & blue mech gradually scans every inch of D-16’s alternate form. “You look so cool...” He uttered with widened optics.

The other mech quickly transformed back to his robot form. “Eh, I’m not that neat.” D-16 lifted his left servo, exposing his palm to Orion, in a shrug. “There are other Warframes that are more impressive than me, but I appreciate the compliment.”

A quiet gasp caught D-16’s audials as Orion grabbed his left servo without warning, jerking his frame. “Woah! Everything okay, Pax?”

“Your servo.” Orion shows D-16 the cut he acquired back in the cave from trying to push the boulder off his legs.

“It's just a cut. I’ve had worse. Not a big deal.” All his attempts to brush off his concerts felt deaf on Orion as he started to pull him into the trees.

They spent the next few klicks wandering around in the forest. Orion darted his helm around like he was looking for something. There was no choice for D-16 other than to let the other mech drag him.

“Okay, you’re being strangely cryptic as you’re dragging me through the woods without any explanation.”

Orion did not respond as he continued searching for whatever he sought. That answer came when his optics caught a big flower-like plant with thick petals. “Yes! Just what I was looking for.” Orion plucked one of the petals off.

“Care to fill me in?”

“Sit down.” Orion guided D-16 to the root of a tree growing above ground. He sat next down, moving D-16's left servo close to him. “The petals from  flowers like that one have a gel that can heal cuts up well.”

“How do you know that?”

“A lifetime stuck in a tower gives you plenty of time to read a lot of datapads about medicine and plants.” 

“Ah, right…” D-16 almost forgot about that messed-up detail.

Orion lay the petal over D-16’s palm. With a hard squeeze, the gel came out of the petal and onto the silver mech’s palm. D-16 wasn’t prepared for the strong stinging on his servo, which caused him to flinch harshly.

“Augh!”

“Sorry. Forgot that it stings at first.”

“I say it makes us even. It burns like the Pits, though.” The sliver mech moves to touch the gel

“Don’t wipe it off! The stinging means it's working. Here.” Orion gently places one of his servos on the side of D-16’s helm to look directly at him, using the other to hold his cut servo. “Easy. Focus on me. Not the stinging.” He gently encourages him with soothing words

The mech’s helms were so close that their forehelms almost touched. Up close, Orion looked better at his guide’s facial features. He found himself not looking away from D-16’s cheekplates that were forged at just the right edges. Getting a good feeling from the servo on the side of his cheekplate, Orion could feel how soft D-16 really was despite the sharpness that his faceplate displayed. His nasal ridge that Orion couldn’t help but find rather cute. And his optics…Orion was fascinated by them. 

The silver mech’s were not like anything Orion had ever seen before. Orion had been used to his azure optics or Sentinel simple blue ones all his life. When he saw D-16’s marigold optics, Orion was intrigued, including his hexagonal irises. That, Orion believed, was the coolest thing about his guide. 

Everything about D-16 was simply…unique.

Orion noticed D-16 gently nuzzling his faceplate into his servo. 

“You okay?” Orion spoke to him

D-16 quickly stopped nuzzling, with an expression like a youngling getting caught by their creator eating an engex treat before dinner. “I—uh think so. The stinging is gone.”

“Good. Let’s finish up.” Blue servos gently spread the gel across the black palm. Orion noticed that even his T-cog awakened, D-16's servo was still bigger than his own. Gentle humming emitted from the red & blue mech, which D-16 thought sounded beautiful until Orion finished covering the wound. “Now it just needs to dry up, and the cut should heal just fine.”

D-16 flexed his left servo to better examine it. “Thanks, Orion.”

Part of Orion was expecting the mech to say something else like he should’ve been more forward about the stinging or a backhanded insult about how Orion could’ve done more to make the cut heal faster. That was something Father would’ve done, but D-16 didn’t. He just gave a simple ‘Thank you,’ and that's it. Nothing like Sentinel.

New sounds caught Orion’s audials. A combination of bloops, splashes, and rumbling. Like the sound of pouring liquid energon into a cube or solvent trailing down a drain in a washrack. 

“Do you hear that, Dee?” Orion’s helm turns in the direction of the noise. The silver mech also hears it too.

They walk through the trees, following the sound as it gets louder the closer they get. After a few clicks of walking, they step out of the tree lines and into a new area.

Up ahead, several feet away, was a river with bright, clean, fresh energon flowing down. Far away in the background was the sun that had started to set.

“Woah…” Orion softly vents out, stepping closer to get a better look. “Is that Energon?”

“An Energon River. One of many that flows throughout Cybertron,” D-16 explained.

Orion’s attention moves from the river to the sunset behind, optics widening with curiosity. “I… I've never seen the sunset before.”

D-16 turns to him. “The rock walls around the tower blocked all views of it. All I’ve got were pictures from datapads.” Orion elaborated.

“What do you think now you're seeing it for real?”

The red and blue mechs scan around the whole area, their azure optics wide like a sparkling in awe at the sight of the river combined with the pretty glow of the sunset. “It’s...beautiful.”

While Orion looked around at his environment, D-16 kept his optics on Orion. Other bots would brush off a sight like this, taking it for granted. Pits, D-16 has also been guilty of that. But Orion saw it as the most fantastic thing in the universe.

Knowing what he now knows about Orion’s circumstances with his father & the tower, D-16 pitied the other mech. He wanted to ask Orion many questions, but now wasn't the best time. Especially since he can see how much Orion is enamored by this scene. D-16 didn't want to ruin this moment for him.

Getting a better look, D-16 could see the glows of orange and yellow radiating off Orion perfectly, bringing out all of his best highlights. Orion Pax was handsome, but here…he looked absolutely divine under these warm lights.

“Yeah. It is…” D-16 responded back, turning back to the river & sunset

Questions can come later. Right now, D-16 would rather enjoy the moment of peace.

Today had been a long one.

Low thumps bounced from behind an old, worn hatch door with faded-out ‘A.H’ initials residing within a dead tree. The thumping got progressively louder with each nano-klick, indicating someone was climbing inside.

And that’s precisely what Sentinel had anticipated.

Prying the location of the tunnel from that drunk mech was easy. Sentinel found himself hiding behind some boulders mere feet away from the hatch. Armed with his Primax dagger, he waited for the right moment to approach until he was certain whoever was climbing up, hopefully Orion and that lowlife thief that took him, was getting close. Dagger gripped tightly in his servos, Sentinel slowly stalked his way over to the hatch, ready to attack Megatron.

The door opened, and instead of two mechs coming out like Sentinel expected, out came a black femme. Sentinel quickly retreats back behind the boulders, watching the femme stumble out, landing on her servos & knees, letting out heavy pants. Several dents & scruff marks were over her frame, indicating that she went through some ordeal. Sentinel took a klick to realize that the femme right ahead was Airachnid.

He has heard quite a great deal of her. A ruthless criminal who had been on the rise over the past few cycles. Airachnid had a fearsome reputation for going to intense, brutal lengths to get what she wanted. Morals were nonexistent to her. Others would find her terrifying, but Sentinel found that admirable. Had he succeeded with his plan to become Prime, he more likely would’ve hired her to work for him. Someone like her would've been perfect to help maintain his regime. Alas, that was not meant to be in this life.

“Megatron…” Airachnid growled with a hint of a groan. “...When I get that crown off of you, you’re a dead mech.”

Sentinel’s interest was now piqued. It was evident that Airachind & Megatron worked closely. Judging by her anger, that partnership went sour.

The gears in Sentinel’s processor started turning as he cupped his chin in a thinking gesture. Maybe he could use this to his advantage…

Airachnid stood back up on her pedes once the pain's soreness disappeared. “If I hurry, I may be able to cut him off in Iacon and get the crown back.” She starts to walk away.

“Or...!” Airchind stops dead at the sudden new voice. Sentinel stood on top of a boulder when Airachnid faced him, giving his best gentlmech smile as she scowled at him. "Perhaps I can offer you another solution!"

“Who the pits are you?”

“Who, me? I’m a simple gentlemech who wants to extend a helping servo to a lovely lady in need of assistance.”

“I don’t need help from the likes of you. I suggest you beat it before it gets nasty for you.”

Sentinel tsk at her. “Now, now. Threats are not needed. Maybe if you stop acting like wild cyber dogs chasing their tails…” Pulling out from the confines of his cloak, Sentine lifted up a satchel. Megatron’s satchel. “...And think for a moment.”

Airachnid’s optics widen with shock before turning into anger. She pulls out all of her pincers in a threatening display.

Hook…

Sentinel let out a smirk, chuckling with amusement. “Please. There’s no need for that, my dear.” He tosses the satchel in the black femme’s direction.

Airachnid caught the satchel with one of her pincers. She hastily dug into it, pulling out The Lost Prime’s Crown. She then gave a skeptical look at the mech. “What’s the catch?”

“Catch?” Sentinel repeated innocently, acting like he had no clue what she was talking about. “There’s no catch. Like I said, I’m a gentlemech helping out a lady.” He gazes at his digits. “Although I was going to offer you something worth more than a thousand crowns that would’ve made you rich beyond belief. And that’s not even the best part!” Sentinel shrugged. “But if that's all you want, then you can be on your merry way and enjoy your crown!”

Airachnid’s optics glance between the crown in her servo and then to the mech walking away. “Rich beyond belief?”

Line…

“To infinity and beyond.” Sentinel declared with calm confidence.

“And the best part?” She prodded.

“We both share a common enemy. A silver mech that greatly wronged both of us. The best part..” Sentinel pulls out the wanted poster. “...Comes with revenge on Megatron.”

A giddy sinister grin crept upon femme’s lipplates on that promise. A plan to obtain great wealth and get back at a traitorous partner sounded so promising.

“So, my dear, do we have a deal?” 

“Deal.”

Sentinel grinned proudly.

Slinker…

Chapter Text

Chapter 14: Calling It A Night

D-16 gently blew on the fireplace he had built with several sticks from the nearby trees and some rocks Orion found to keep the fire confined. The silver mech kept venting air onto the fire to help spread it among the sticks. The spot where the mechs had made their little camp for the night was in a secluded spot in this batch of the forest. There is enough coverage to hide from anyone, but it is close enough to the Energon River. Bioluminescent plants were prevalent in this little spot, much to Orion's delight. A clearing above allowed them a view of the starry sky.

As D-16 tended to the firepit, Orion had his optics to the sky, scanning at each constellation. He spent all his life charting these stars from the confines of his tower, but now, for the first time, he can see them all out in the open. They were all beautiful, including the two moons, Luna 1 and 2. The bioluminescent plants around him draw his attention. Up until now, Orion had only seen pictures of these plants. Those pictures did not do justice how beautiful they are. Orion reached his servo to stroke one of the plants. It glowed brighter when he touched it, only to dim back down once he pulled away. Odd, he thought. Was that normal?

Tiny gold lights gently flew over to Orion, captivating his attention. Nano-fireflies, he realized. As a youngling, Orion sometimes stayed up late to watch these bugs fly around in the glen surrounding the tower. The nano-fireflies were drawn to him, flying around in perfect sync as if something had enchanted them. Orion let out a delighted laugh. 

Neither of the mechs noticed plants suddenly brighten up when Orion laughed.

The silver mech stepped closer, causing the nano-fireflies to scatter. “How are you doing, Pax?”

“I’m good, thank you,” Orion responded, returning his attention to the starry sky.

D-16 sat right next to him, moving his optics to the stars. “Beautiful night, isn’t it?” He spoke up after klicks of slience.

“Yeah. It is…” Orion responded back dreamily. "I never thought I would see the stars like this. I spent most of my life charting them and learning about constellations." He turns to D-16 with an eager grin. "You want to know which one is my favorite?"

"Let me guess? Is it Orion?" D-16 said teasingly.

"No!" Orion giggled, playfully punching the other mech's shoulder as he also laughed. "My favorite is Lyra."

"Where's that?"

Orion took a few klicks to scan the sky. "I think it should be that one." He points to help direction D-16. "Its shaped like a rectangle but has a triangle attached." 

"I think I see it," D-16 shared once he found the constellation. "Looks neat. Why is that your favorite?"

"Its the one I often see the most when the lanterns rise an the sky. And Lyra means music and I really like music."

A sudden thought popped in the silver mech's processor. “Speaking of music, that reminds me of something. Back in the cave, were you singing a song?”

Faint blush painted on Orion's cheekplates. “Something...I learned when I was a youngling. I sing it to calm myself down.” A pregnant pause followed. “Do you…want to hear it?”

“Are you offering to sing?”

“Do you want me to? I’m not that good…”

Somehow, D-16 knew that wasn’t true. “I don’t see why not. You look like you could be a decent singer. Believe me, I’ve heard worse singers.”

“How bad were they?”

“Enough to make me want to tear out my audials. I doubt you can be anywhere close to that.”

“If you say so…” Orion relented, albeit not too confident. He straightened himself up, clearing his throat. D-16 watch in anticipation, expecting a decent vocal performance. 

Except what came out of Orion was something D-16 did not expect.

“Flower, gleam and glow
Let your power shine
Make the clock reverse
Bring back what once was mine.”

“Heal what has been hurt
Change the fates' design
Save what has been lost
Bring back what once was mine
What once was mine…”

As Orion finished his song, D-16 was left speechless for the right reasons. The red & blue mech’s singing was high above decent. It was...angelic. Unlike anything he had heard from other bots, which ranged from decent to good. The only one who could rival Orion's singing that D-16 could think of was Prima Prime's.

Orion noticed the silver mech’s shell-shocked expression. “It was bad, wasn’t it?” 

“What? N-No! No! It was…wonderful!” D-16 answered back quickly.

“You think so?” Orion responded, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Frag yeah, it was!”

“Thanks…” Orion suppressed another blush. “The song was from a story I used to read as a kid. It was about a princess who had healing powers that she could only activate by singing that song. I would sing it to myself if I needed to stay focused. Or if I hurt myself, I sing it to keep me calm. Or-”  He stopped suddenly.

“Or…what?” D-16 leaned in curiously.

“...Or I upset Father, and I would sing it to help cope with his silent treatments.” Orion finished glumly.

“Ah…” A black servo awkwardly rubs the back of his silver helm.

One look at D-16’s expression was enough for Orion to know his thoughts. “I guess I owe you an explanation about my... unique home life.”

“That’s a light way of putting it,” D-16 lowly uttered. “Your father never let you step outside? Not once?” Orion solemnly nods at his helm. “Why would he do that?”

“Father told me when I was a sparkling, some bad bots tried to kidnap me. He got hurt badly saving me, but my Carrier…” Sadness washed over Orion’s faceplates as he twiddled his servos. “...My Carrier was killed protecting us both. Between that and my ‘defunct' T-Cog, Father took what he believed were necessary steps to keep me safe. That’s why he never…Why I never…” He paused, letting out a tired grunt as his finials lowered down.

“...You never left that tower.” Orion could only look back at D-16 with an expression that confirmed it. “And you’re still gonna go back?”

“No! Yes…” Orion answered like he didn’t know himself.

“Why? Your father kept you locked up.”

“Locked up sounds to be a bit extreme-”

“That’s what it seems like to me!”

“What are you getting at?”

“From what you told be about him, your father doesn’t sound like the best guy around.” D-16 put it out bluntly, not an ounce of sugar-coating his words.

“How could you say that?” Orion was genuinely offended.

“I’m sorry that your father had to go through with you being kidnapped and losing his Conjux, but keeping you confined away from the world sounds over the top. That’s not normal at all! And do I need to bring up the pin in your cog port?”

“I-I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation for that…”

“What explanation could justify that pin being there and your father not knowing it? Unless he had something to do with it?”

“Father would never do that to me!” Orion barked back defensively. 

“How can you be sure?” D-16 challenged.

“I’m his son! He would never hurt me like that!” The sudden fierceness of Orion made D-16 almost jump. “You don’t know how hard he had to work to raise me all alone! Or how he would stay in the tower whenever I got sick! Or how he taught me to read & write! You don’t know him at all!”

D-16 had more to say but felt it was best not to pursue this topic further. Not wanting to upset Orion.

Seeing D-16’s faceplate soften, Orion continued. “Look, Father is overprotective, and maybe strict, there’s no denying it, but... He’s still my father. The one who sired me. Maybe he’s…a bit misguided, but Father loves me. He’s done so much to give us the life we have. I can’t just leave him. It's-” Blue servos covered his faceplates. “It's complicated...”

D-16 wasn’t sure how to respond. 

Part of him wants to continue arguing about Orion’s Father's methods because they were questionable. Everything about The Father is sounding alarms in D-16’s processor. D-16 has encountered bots who have been through similar experiences of having lousy if not downright abusive parents. Few do go on to have at least decent lives, but others never got the strength to let go of that trauma. They become addicts, mentally unstable, or even continuing that cycle of abuse onto other poor souls. The mere thought of a sweet, kind mech like Orion going on that path made D-16’s spark ache. 

What happened to Orion’s Carrier was awful, and D-16 sympathizes with Orion’s Father. Still, everything D-16 knows about him were nothing but red flags violently waving in the wind. Not allowing Orion outside, not even in the glen surrounding their tower, and making up exaggerated lies to make him afraid of leaving? That didn’t sit right with the silver mech. D-16 almost believed Orion’s Father didn’t want him to leave for any reason. Was the Father THAT deathly afraid of losing Orion, or was something else going on?

One glance at Orion’s distressed state, feeling his aggravated EM-Field- Something else he needed to help Orion how to handle-persuades D-16 from further arguing. He reflects on what Orion said about not knowing their situation. And maybe he’s right. D-16 didn’t know all the details of his life and was probably overthinking it.  

“I’m sorry.” He gently said to Orion, 

Orion moved his servos, turning his faceplate to meet the silver mech’s. “What?” He said with surprise.

“I shouldn’t have presumed like that. I’m sorry.” D-16 apologized again despite the alarms blasting within him.

“You’re…You’re fine.” Orion sounded sincere, but he wasn’t sure how to feel. Usually, he apologized whenever he upset Sentinel. Never once was it the other way around, so Orion assumed that it was always his fault whenever something went wrong. Sentinel had always made that fact obvious. This time, someone else had now apologized for something they had done to him. 

How does he respond to that?

Not wanting to dwell on that, Orion decided to change the subject. “So…'D-16' huh?” He states to him with an inquisitive grin, his finials perking straight back up.

“Ah yeah, well...I’ll spare you the sob story of Poor Orphaned D-16.” He waved it off as if it were no big deal. “It's a bit, um...A bit of a downer.”

“I'd like to hear it.”

“You really want to?”

Orion scooches closer, elbows on his knees, resting his chin onto his both servos, staring at D-16 with his cyber puppy optics again. D-16 vents out with compliance. Why not? He already knows about Orion’s messed up life. He might as well share his own.

“I…I grew up in an orphanage. Someone left me on the doorstep when I was a sparkling. I have no idea who my creators were. My best recollection was someone covered in a hood just leaving me there.” D-16 tries not to wince as the memory, one of the fewest from his sparkling hood from his banks, replayed. Tiny black servos reaching out for a figure of a hooded bot running into the shadows as the loud wails of an infant echo around. “The orphanage caregivers gave me the name D-16.”

“Why would your creators leave you?” Orion questioned in a quavered tone. For all his issues with Sentinel, he can’t imagine him doing something like that.

“Either they couldn’t take care of me. Or, for all I know, they took one good look and decided they didn’t want me.” He concluded glumly, trying to conceal the pain in his voice. “The caregivers were good bots, but I was just one of many kids they were watching over. They couldn't stand in as parents. I’ve spent my entire childhood watching sparklings and younglings get adopted. Every one of them except for me. I did everything I thought was right, but I never caught the optics of adoptive parents. I gave up once my T-Cog activated. Orphaned teens have pretty much zero chances at that point.”

Memories played of D-16's younger self pestering the orphanage caregivers of appointment dates for couples visiting. When that day arrived, D-16 would always be on his best behavior, make himself look nice, and give the adopters the brightest smile he could muster to appear as adorable as possible. Yet every attempt always ends with the bots not sparing a glance for more than three nano-klicks. He would always sit at the window, watching sadly as the lucky kid left with their new parents. Occasionally, tears would stream from young D-16's optics.

“Once I was old enough to care for myself, I left and never looked back. I joined an underground gladiator ring.”

“That sounds unpleasant,” Orion commented nervously.

“I was a brooding teenager who was angry at the world and didn’t care if I died tomorrow or not. And it earned me some decent shanix. Seemed like a good idea at the time.” D-16 calmly shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal. “I did that for a couple of cycles until some afthole got lucky and punched me hard in my chassis.”

D-16’s servo hovered at the center of his chassis, covering his T-Cog. At first glance, the metal appeared to be smooth. Upon closer inspection, Orion could see the faint crater lines of the cracks illuminated by the fire pit.

One of his blue servos reached the silver mech’s faint scar. The sudden touch almost made D-16 flinch. Trying to keep the temperature of his faceplate cooled, he watched Orion’s blue digits gently stroke his scar with curiosity in his azure optics. He wasn’t used to gentle touches like Orion’s. Usually, the touches he received were from fighting it out with other bots, those displaying their intimidation, or the rough interface he has with his hookups. Orion’s touch was gentle as if he were stroking something that needed to be handled with care. D-16 remembers how Orion held his faceplate while healing his servo and nuzzled into the soft blue servo.

When was the last time anyone had touched D-16 with that tenderness?

“Did it hurt?” Orion lifted his helm to meet D-16's gaze, still carefully tracing the cracks 

“Well, I almost went offlined, so yeah,” D-16 answered calmly. 

“You almost died?” Orion questioned with shock.

The silver mech nodded. “I thought that was it for me. But I guess Primus, for some reason, decided I wasn’t ready to join the Well of Allsparks yet.”

Orion then asked him something else. “What was that like? Almost dying?”

How can D-16 describe that awful moment?

How terrified he felt when he landed on the ground after that punch and couldn’t move. The cold slowly swept across his frame despite the pain burning around the impact zone. The alerts in his HUD with various ‘critical error’ pop-ups. Not a single bot came over to his side to check on him. And that horrible realization dawned on him that he was very likely going to die as he felt his frame get colder by the klick.

That was an experience D-16 would much rather not go through again.

“Lets just say...I hate the cold.” He put it bluntly. Orion did not press on any further. “After that, I realized how much I wanted to live, so I left the fighting rings. I started stealing and quickly discovered I was good at it. So instead of being D-16 the Overlooked Orphan, I became the infamous Megatron The Thief. Living life as a rouge, not letting anyone getting close.”

"Your life sounds so...lonely." Just like his own, Orion realized.

"I've learn to cope with it." D-16 shrugs it off, not wanting to show that it bothers it when it really does.

"Why the name Megatron?” Orion then asked.
 
An excited grin crept on D-16’s lipplates. “There’s this mech I admire. The one and only Megatronus Prime! War Hero! Best warrior alive! Gentle to the helpless, too. Not that he ever bragged about it, of course. I would watch holovids of him in action and share stories with the younger kids at the orphanage.”

“Was he a thief like you?”

“You’re joking, right?” D-16 scoffed in disbelief. “He is one of the Thirteen Primes! The most powerful transformers on the planet! Don’t tell me you don’t know them.”

“I actually…Don’t.” Orion confessed nervously, earning an odd look from D-16.

“For real?”

“Father never told me about any Primes.”

“Surprise, surprise.” D-16 thought to himself sarcastically. He was not going to bring up the subject of the Father again not unless he wants Orion to be upset again.

“Who are the Primes?” Orion pressed on with interest.

“They were the first transformers created by Primus. Appointed to help build & lead Cybertron. There are thirteen of them: Zeta. Alpha Trion. Prima. Solus. Vector. Micronous. Alchemist. Nexus. Onyx. Amalgamous. Quintus. Liege Maximo. And, last but certainly not least, Megatronus.”

Something about all those names sounded familiar to Orion, but he couldn’t pinpoint it.

“That’s a lot of Primes,” Orion responded astonishingly.

“A lot of servos are needed to help run a planet. Each one helps run the planet in their unique ways.”

“What makes Megatronus special?”

“He's the strongest Prime ever to live! The coolest, biggest, baddest, and toughest! He can take on a whole army!” D-16 explained like an enthusiastic youngling. Orion found it cute.

“He sounds incredible.”

“He’s my hero. I wanted to be just like him!” D-16 relaxed his posture, holding his servos. “And for a youngling with nothing, I…I don’t know. It seemed like a better option. Naming myself after him, I thought it would no longer make me an insignificant mech.” 

“I don’t think you're insignificant,” Orion said to him softly. “I think you’re pretty great.”

D-16 turns to him, smiling as he lets out an appreciative hum. “You can’t tell anyone about this. It could ruin my whole reputation.”

“Ahh! We wouldn’t want that.” Orion teasingly retorted.

“Well a fake reputation is all a mech has.”

“Fine. Whatever you want, Dee.”

The silver mech raise an optical ridge. “Why do you keep calling me that?”

“Why not? You call me Pax, so I thought giving you a cute nickname was fair. Either that or Megs.”

“I guess Dee doesn’t sound so bad.”

The red and blue mech chuckled before looking at D-16 with a smile through his large, beautiful azure optics. Two things that were getting increasingly harder to resist for the silver mech.

Hastily, D-16 cleared his throat, stood up, and began to walk away from the camp. “I, um, I should get more firewood and fill up the energon cubes.”

“Hey.” Orion called out to his friend, who turned back to look at him with his beautiful glowing marigold optics. “For the record, I like D-16 much better than Megatron.”

The silver mech gazes at his left hand, which Orion had helped heal earlier, then glances back at him. “You would be the first, but thank you.” D-16 resumed strolling into the forest. Not before giving Orion another sweet smile.

As Orion watched him leave, a warm feeling grew within him that he wasn’t sure how to describe. The more time he spent with D-16, the more it grew. The silver mech was unlike any of the horrible bots Sentinel had told him. Dee was no murderer, thug, or cannibal! Orion enjoyed his company. Just the mere thought of being around Dee was enough to make him feel giddy.

How can Orion not? D-16 had been gentle, kind, and patient. Not to mention very handsome. With his perfectly forged frame, including his waist, thighs & legs. Shinning, smooth silver and black armor. And wonderfully sculpted faceplate. That thought got Orion caught off guard. Why was he thinking like that? It made him wonder.

He’s read his fair share of romance stories growing up. Enough to know the details the characters felt once the realization struck them that they were in love. Was this what it felt like? And does D-16 see the same way? Or, at the very least, like him? He showed no sign of not enjoying being around Orion after the whole thing back at the pub. If he hadn’t, D-16 could have easily overpowered him, but he didn't. D-16 helped Orion with his cog, listened to him when he spoke without cutting him off midsentence, and thanked him when Orion assisted him with no backhand insult following.

As Orion pondered in his thoughts, he was unaware of a hooded mech lingering in the shadows on the edge of the campsite. A smug grin grew on their lipplates when the silver mech finally left. “WWEEEELLLL! About time! I thought he'd never leave!”

Orion’s frame tense with fear as he felt his circuits go cold. His EM picked up a familiar reading of dread. Even without his newly awakened EM, Orion recognizes that voice anywhere. “F-Father?!” He softly exclaimed in disbelief as he turned to the voice.

Sentinel lowered his hood down with a calm but also smug expression. “Hello, son. Surprised to see me?”

No one noticed the bioluminescent plants dimming down.

“I-I-I...” Orion started stuttering in a panic, moving onto his pedes. Sentinel stalks his way over, briefly stopping to scan over Orion. There was a shocked look in Sentinel’s optics, no doubt noticing that Orion was no longer small. The shock was instantly replaced with calm and he resumed his stalking, pulling the stunned Orion into a casual hug. “How did you even find me?”

“Oh, it was simple really. All I had to do was listen for the sound of complete & utter betrayal and follow that,” Sentinel gently said into the younger mech's audial.

“Father, I-” Orion vents out but doesn’t get the chance as Sentinel cuts him off.

“Thank the stars I found you! You gave me quite the scare, Little Spark. Did you have fun? Did you get everything out of your system?” Sentinel told in a sickeningly sweet tone. Then he pulls away, firmly grabbing Orion’s wrist, telling him sternly. “Because this little game of yours is over. We’re going home. Now.”

Sentinel attempts to pull Orion. The red & blue mech held in place, looking at his father pleadingly, and he gently held his servo. “You don’t understand! This whole day, I’ve been on an incredible journey. I’ve seen and learned so much!” He looks at the older mech with a soft sense of excitement. “And…I even met someone.”

“Ah, yes! The wanted thief. Wonderful choice of friends! I’m so proud!” Sentinel retorted with a sarcastic, cheery tone. He rolled his optics and tugged on Orion’s wrist again. “Let's go, Orion!”

“Father, wait-!” Orion was dragged several feet from the camp before breaking free of Sentinel’s grip. “Just- Hear me out!”

Sentinel stood silently for several nano-klicks with his back facing Orion’s. “And what could you possibly have to say to me?”

“I…I don’t think the world is as bad as you think it is. I’ve met bots who I helped. Bots who were kind. There’s so much beauty here.” Orion glances at the bioluminescent plants around. “And I…Activated my T-Cog.”

“Yes, I can see that,” Sentinel responded disinterestedly. 

“There was a rod pin in there.” Orion hovered his servo over his chassis. “Did you know about it?” No response came out of Sentinel. His silence was enough to confirm Orion’s suspicions. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

A vent came out of Sentinel. He took a moment to gain his composure. Unbeknownst to Orion, he had another lie planned out in case this moment had come. He turns to face him. “Those bots that kidnapped you put that in your cog port.”

“Why didn’t you remove it?”

“I did not know what would’ve happened. For all I knew, removing it could’ve killed you.”

“So you lied about my transformation cog being defunct?”

“Because I didn’t want to take the risk of you messing around with it and having you offlining yourself. I was only trying to protect you.”

“You could’ve told me the truth from the start! Like when my T-cog was trying to activate that day! I was in so much pain!”

“Okay, I admit I may have told a misguided lie. Does one lie matter compared to everything else I did for you? I fed you, kept you healthy, and did everything in my power to make you happy. I did it out of love, Little Spark. Does any of that not matter?”

“I-...I don’t even know what to think.” Orion glances away from Sentinel, crossing his arms.

Right before him, Sentinel could see his worst fear playing out. Orion was breaking away from his hold. Sentinel cannot allow this to happen. Otherwise, the revenge he has been working on for many cycles goes up in smoke. He needed to think of something to regain his grip on Orion or he'll lose him forever. The image of a particular silver mech comes to him.

“You prefer to take your chances with that criminal Megatron?”

“He’s been helping me out. He was the one who helped me activate my cog.”

That made Sentinel even more agitated, raising his tone that always made Orion back down. “You think he’s helping you out of the kindness of his spark?”

“But…he’s been kind to me.” Orion defended meekly

“Don’t be an idiot! Megatron is not being kind! He’s cunning! He’s a dirty thief! A criminal! The lowest of the low! Bots like him are not capable of real love! Think boy! Think of your carrier!”

“You don’t know him! Not like I do!” Orion asserted himself back with all the courage he could muster, which made Sentinel silent. After a few long nano-klicks, Orion continued. “Dee’s nothing like those things. He’s a sweet mech. Not a murderer, thug, or cannibal. He's a lot like me more than I thought. And…” He paused. “I think he likes me.”

“Likes you?” Sentinel scoffs back in perplexity, not liking of what Orion was implying. “And could you possibly mean by that?”

The shy smile on the red & blue mech’s lipplates was enough for Sentinel to get the answer he was dreading. “Oh, you cannot be serious! Please, Orion, that’s demented! This is exactly what I’ve been telling you.”

“But Father-”

“This is why you never should’ve left!” Sentinel cut off Orion again as he walked away. The younger mech lets out a defeated vent as Sentinel rants on. “Son, this ‘romance’ that you’ve invented only proves how naive you are to be here." The older mech starts circling like a predator stalking its prey. “Why would he like you? Come on now, really? Look at you! You think that he’s impressed?” Sentinel moves to the edge of the treelines, beckoning Orion to come to him. “Please, my son. Don’t be a dummy. Come to Daddy. Father kn-”

“NO!” Orion’s answer cuts through like a knife as sharp as the fangs he bears.

“No…?” Sentinel tilts his helm with a confused expression on his faceplates. A vicious smirk suddenly crepts across his mouth. “Oh~. I see how it is.”

The defiance Orion had felt was then replaced with uncertainty as Sentinel started walking towards him.

“Orion knows best. Orion's so mature now. Such a clever grown-up mech.” Sentinel lightly patted the top of Orion’s helm, making the other mech cringe. He then grabs onto Orion’s faceplate, forcing him to make direct optic contact. “Little Orion knows best.” He yanks his servo away, turning away from Orion. “Fiinnee! If you’re so sure now, go ahead, then give him THIS!” With a manic grin, Sentinel pulls out Megatron’s satchel directly into Orion’s clear visual view. 

“How did you-?!”

“THIS IS WHY HE’S HERE! Don’t fall for his deception!” Sentinel pulls out the crown, tossing it to Orion’s servos. “Give it to him! Watch, you’ll see!”

“I will!” Orion answered confidently, gripping the crown tightly.

“Trust me, my boy!” Sentinel snapped his digits across his faceplate. “That’s how fast he’ll drop you! But, fine! Go ahead and run off with him to be tricked! I won’t say I told you so!”

Placing the satchel over Orion’s frame, Sentinel used to pull his fake son close. “NO! Orion knows best. So if he’s such a ‘Dream Boat,’ go and put him to the test!”

Sentinel pushes Orion away, marching back into the trees.

“Father, wait!” Orion reaches out.

Sentinel stopped at the edge, lifting a pointed index digit. “If he’s lying, then don’t come crying. Let this be my final warning, Orion.” He glanced over his shoulder, glaring at the red & blue mech. “Father. Knows. Best!"

With that, he disappeared into the darkness of the surrounding forest, leaving a stunned Orion. 

Orion wasn’t sure how long he had stood there with the satchel on his frame and the crown in his servos until he heard D-16’s pedesteps. Hastily, Orion put the crown back into the satchel, then hid the satchel in the large subspace on his back with his frying pan. He sat back down in the same spot from earlier as the silver mech strolled back into their camp.

“Hey sorry I took a while. Had trouble looking for the right wood…” D-16 walked with a bundle of wood for their fire. He notices that distant look on Orion. “You okay?”

“Uh, yeah! Just…lost in thought.” Orion answered with a convincing smile. “Did you get the energon?”

“Uh yeah. You want some?”

“Yes, please!” 

D-16 set down the wood before giving Orion one of the newly filled energon cubes. 

Whatever D-16 was saying, Orion didn’t pay much attention to as he was thinking about the conversation he had with his father. It was obscure of him to think that D-16 was only deceiving him and would backstab the first chance he got. Sentinel didn’t know D-16 as well as Orion did. And did he expect Orion to listen to him after learning that he knew about the rod pin all along and not sharing that? If he was wrong about that, then he could be wrong about D-16.

Then again…The silver mech was only here to just for the crown. D-16 only agreed to go along with Orion’s deal just to get it back, not because he wanted to help him out. Father was right about that. If Orion gave it back to the other mech, would he leave him?

Frankly, Orion didn’t know. But maybe, just maybe, he dared to hope that maybe Sentinel was wrong.

From where he was, Sentinel can still see the two mechs. Far enough out of their sight but close enough for him to watch. All he could do was scowl at the sight, mainly towards the warframe. Because of him, Orion was breaking away from Sentinel’s grip. Never once had Orion had ever shown this much defiance. And even when he tried to, Sentinel would need to say the right words. Within a sentence, Orion would be spewing apologies and go back to being his loyal, obedient, devoted son. This time was not the case. Orion stood up for himself and persisted. It was clear that it wasn’t just Orion’s frame that had changed.

And it was all Megatron’s fault.

The Primes were always the number one bots that Sentinel hated the most. Until today, he thought no one else would ever take that spot. Megatron this damn close to taking their place. Orion’s defiance. Allowing his T-Cog to activate fully. This whole outing. It was all Megatron’s fault. Now, because of him, Sentinel is at risk of losing everything.

To make matters worse, Orion had grown infatuated with Megatron, convinced that the dirty thief had a deep liking for him. That makes Sentinel feel nothing but disgust. Not only had this mech started to sway Orion’s mind, but also his spark.

What made Sentinel more pissed off and fan his hatred for the silver mech further was Orion’s T-Cog. Because of him, Orion can now easily transform into his alt-mode, making him see through the cracks of the lies Sentinel had worked so hard to craft. That’s going to make Orion more challenging to control, and that’s if he can get him back to the tower. Oh, how Sentinel wishes that the T-Cog debacle could have been avoided.

“If only I were able to get rid of that damn cog…”

Many cycles ago…

Sentinel peered over the little cot that Optimus Prime, or Orion Pax as he renamed him, laid in, staring back at him. It had only been several megacycles since he had successfully kidnapped the sparkling from the custody of The Thirteen Primes. Searches were ongoing, but that was the least of Sentinel’s concerns right now.

The sparkling’s cog port lies open, exposing the small but strong Transformation Cog that would one day activate once Orion reaches the age of teenhood. Too bad that time would never come for him.

Black digits trace over the cog. The sparkling flinched, making whines to indicate discomfort. Another set of black digits gently caresses the infant's cheek plates.

“Don’t fret, my Little Spark. I promise I’ll be quick.” Sentinel cooed to Orion.

It was merely simple. Remove & destroy the cog so that Orion won’t have any chance of transforming. And it will keep him contained in this tower easily once he gets older. A transformer born without a cog is unheard of, so Sentinel can make up a plethora of lies.

“This will be for your good.”

Digits clasp over the tiny cog. The cries from the primeling gradually grew louder the harder Sentinel tugged. Nano-klicks later, Sentinel yanked the cog out, gazing at it like a revered object. Then he crushes it like it was a mere nano-bug, unclenching his servo to let the pieces of the cog drop to the floor. Watching the pieces land with a victorious, sadistic grin, not caring about the crying Orion in the background. 

Little did he know what was in store for him.

The next morning, Sentinel waltzed into the sparkling’s room with low-grade energon to feed as per the routine he had done since bringing home the bitlet. The downside of keeping a sparkling captive is taking care of the little brat, but if it meant making the Primes suffer, then it's a price Sentinel will pay.

When he looked into Orion's cot, Sentinel raised an optical ridge. The bitlet’s cog port was closed. It was odd because Sentinel swore that it was still open. There is no possible way it can close without the cog. Unless…He manually opens Orion’s cog port. He let the cube of low-grade fall out of his servo as he gaped in shock at what he saw.

There was a perfectly intact cog back in Orion’s port.

How could that be? Was last night a dream? No, it was real. Sentinel remembered removing that cog. But if he did, how was there a new one in Orion? Whatever the reason was, Sentinel was not going to allow it.

Again, he removed it in front of the sparkling’s chassis, ignoring Orion's cries, took it out of the room to destroy it, and then disposed of the debris outside of the tower. That should be the end of it now.

Except it appeared again the next day. Like before, Sentinel removed the cog. Again, it appeared the next day. And again, he removed the cog only for it to be back. A process that repeated throughout many solar cycles. 

Various methods Sentinel had used to eliminate the cog. Including crushing it until it was dust. Tossing it into the fire. Throwing it outside of the tower. Dropping it into a lake. Or taking the cog far enough away to a remote location to destroy it. Pits, Sentinel even tried just simply hiding it somewhere within the tower. Yet each resulted in Orion regaining his cog.

Eighteen solar cycles of this later Sentinel decided to get to the bottom of it. That particular day, he kept Orion close after destroying his cog, not losing sight of him once. Even when the time came for the little one to recharge, Sentinel remained in his room watching the cot. Nothing had yet to happen, but he was not going to give up. So he waited until he felt himself dozing off into recharge.

Unbeknownst to him, back in Iacon, a small glowing orb emerged for the Energon Fountain. It flew through the empty streets and the gapping holes above the city, racing through the forests straight to the hidden tower.

Laughter woke Sentinel up from his slumber. He let out a tired groan as he rubbed his faceplates. When his optics glued upon Orion’s cot, he had to rub them to make sure he was not being delirious about what he was seeing.

An orb was floating above Orion, who was giggling, trying to reach for it. On the other end of the room, Sentinel gaped at what he saw—the outline of a transformation cog within the orb. In an instant, Sentinel was on his pedes, darting to the orb to grab it. The object dodged right before the mech could grab it. A small chase pursued with Sentinel running around the room trying to catch the orb, with the it dodging flawlessly. The pursuit ended when Sentinel tripped facefirst on the floor. Lifting himself, he saw the orb hovering over Orion’s cot. It remained there like it was directly looking back at Sentinel, mocking him. Then it went straight into Orion’s cot.

Rushing to the cot’s side just in time, Sentinel sees the cog settle into Orion’s cog port. The bitlet fell back into recharge as his chassis closed up.

All Sentinel could do at that moment was punch an object off a shelf in frustration.

Sentinel’s nasal ridge scrunches in an angry sneer as he recalls that memory. So angry that a hint of red briefly flickered in his blue optics. 

“Damn you, Primus.”

Because what other explanation is there? Who else was powerful enough to create a new transformation cog? Until that day, Sentinel had only thought of it to be a myth.

Sounds of many pedesteps entered his audials. “How’d it go?” Airachnid’s voice spoke.

Sentinel regained his composure. “They suspect nothing.”

The black femme turns to the camp. “Their guard is down. We can easily ambush them.”

“Patience, my dear.” The blue mech lifted his arm. “If we’re going to make this revenge sweet, we savor the taste, not gobble it down.”

She let out a disappointed but agreeable hum. “I've been meaning to ask this: What did Megatron do to get on your slag list?” Airachnid scans over the scars & dents on Sentinel. “He did all that to you?”

“Oh, these were from a different time. No. Megatron took something from me.” Sentinel locks onto Orion, lowly growling. “Something I worked very hard to keep hidden...”

“Sounds likes it was pretty special if you hate him that much.”

“Oh, you don’t know the half of it…”

Airachind’s optics also landed on Orion. “Is that mech worth that much?”

“My line of work, bots will pay in the thousands for a gorgeous mech such as him.”

“He is handsome, there’s no denying that…”

“Not just handsome.” Sentinel’s lipplates twist with a playful smirk. “You could say that Primus himself forged him.”

“That is the corniest tagline I’ve ever heard,” Airachnid responded in an unamused tone.

“Ahh, but that's the charm! That's how it attracts potential buyers. Once they get a look at him, you’ll make more than what that simple crown would’ve made. And as a bonus…He’s sealed, making him more valuable.”

“You’re certain of that?”

“Trust me, he is,” Sentinel responded with utmost confidence. “You go a rest up, my friend. I’ll take the first watch.”

The femme whisks back into the darkness of the forest.

It was fortunate that Sentinel had gained her as an ally. Airachnid seemed like a competent bot. He almost felt bad deceiving her. Sentinel convinced the femme that he was the head of an illegal shareware business, with Orion being his newest product. The promise of the riches that would come, disregarding the unethical nature, and revenge on Megatron, was enough to sway Airachnid. 

Sentinel maintains his glare on the camp. He watches the two mechs conversing with one another. As much as he hoped he would be right about Megatron ditching Orion when he got the crown, Sentinel could see the softness in his optics whenever he looked in the red & blue mech’s direction. And Orion did the same.

It only made Sentinel more infuriated than he already was. He took a deep vent. “Calm yourself down, Sentinel. Everything will work out.”

If Megatron won't ditch Orion, Sentinel will find another way. If all this works out in his favor, Orion will never want to leave the tower ever again. And Megatron will help out with that, whether the thief wants to or not.

Not too far away, Airachnid lingered close to Sentinel’s spot. Just close enough to hear him talk to himself.

“Sentinel, huh? So that's his name…”

When asking for his name earlier, Senintel insisted that Airachnid didn't need to know. When asked why, he said it was safer that she didn't. Why the need for secrecy? Airachnid had no clue, but frankly, she didn't care. 

She doubts this Sentinel is anyone of significance anyway.

Chapter Text

Chapter 15: Guard’s Interlude 

Starscream let out a deep ex-vent at the towering door before him. Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Slipstream are currently in the infirmary. The trine offered to come with him, but Starscream insisted that he could handle this himself and that they should get checked out.

Balling his servo, he knocked on the door. 

“Come in.” 

The High Guard Captain entered. There was a long, gold table where The Thirteen Primes would gather to discuss various matters regarding politics, current events, or anything affecting Cybertron, both good and bad. At the end of the long table with chairs for each prime, Zeta sat at the head of it, with Alpha Trion & Megatronus across from each other. 

Starscream knelt before the three Primes, arm over his bent knee and balled fist touching the floor. “My Primes.” The captain greeted them with the utmost respect, feeling the gazes of the three pairs of azure optics. 

“Welcome back, Starscream,” Megatronus greeted his soldier in a firm but soft tone.

“Rise, Captain,” Zeta gently instructed him. His optics narrow upon eyeing Starscream’s helm. “Is that a dent on your helm?”

“A dent?” Megatronus expressed worriedly upon seeing the dent. “Are you alright?”

“What happened to you?” Alpha Trion inquired with concern.

“I…Prefer not to talk about it,” the seeker tried not to flush in embarrassment. No way he was telling them that he had been knocked down by a frying pan.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Zeta pressed. “You can see Knockout and report to us later if need to.” 

“I appreciate the concern, Zeta Prime, but I'm fine. I must share my report,” Starscream strongly urged.

Reluctantly, Zeta relented. “In that case: Any news of The Lost Prime’s Crown?”

“Not good ones, I’m afraid,” Starscream responded grimly. “I regret to inform you that I've returned empty servoed.”

“You were unable to retrieve the crown?” Alpha Trion said to the seeker.

“Yes, my Primes,” Starscream replied, trying to hide his shame. “We tracked Megatron to a gorge that had fault lines. A misfire happened under my watch, hitting one of the lines and triggering extreme tremors. We lost sight of Megatron amid the chaos.”

“What of his crime partner, Airachnid?” Megatronus pressed on.

“We had captured her briefly, but she had also managed to escape our custody when we tried to capture Megatron,” Starscream explained further.

“This is troubling news. Especially since the festival is tomorrow,” Alpha Trion expressed disappointingly.

Megatronus pinches the nasal ridge of his mask, quietly muttering, “Solus is not going to be happy about this…”

Starscream stepped closer. “I offer you my grandest apologies, My Primes. I take full responsibility for this failure.” 

“What’s done is done. Now is not the time for despair, but to move forward on what to do next,” Zeta spoke with the authority he is known for. “Megatron can only get so far with the crown.”

Starscream thought over what to say next. “Megatron did have help...There was another mech that aided him in evading my group. Unfortunately, we were unable to identify him.”

“What can you tell us about this accomplice, Captain?” Alpha Trion looks at him curiously.

“He has a red & blue frame, and blue optics.”

“That only narrows it down to at least thousands of other mechs,” Megatron remarked.

“He was…pretty small. Half of Megatron’s size, if that helps.” Starscream shared. “That's the best I could remember.”

Megatronus vents out. “Still doesn’t narrow it down by a large margin, but it's something. Finding the crown is not going to be an easy task.”

“When has anything ever been easy for us?” Zeta quipped back, earning a low chuckle from the masked purple prime.

“There’s a high chance Megatron may try to sell off the crown in the surface settlements.” Alpha Trion noted. “I have contacts in several of these that know of those willing to buy the crown. I will alert them to keep their optics out.”

“I will also be putting out alerts throughout the planet. Anyone with any information about the crown’s whereabouts is to come forward. If the crown is found in someone's possession without informing the proper authorities, they will be arrested,” Zeta added, with Alpha Trion & Megatron nodding in agreement.

“What about me? What can I do to make up for my failure?” Starscream voiced up.

“You and the rest of the High Guard continue staying vigilant. Look into any leads.” Megatronus commanded firmly to the seeker.

“I will do what I must, My Primes. I swear by it.” 

“I know you will, Starscream. And we are also entrusting you to carry out Megatron’s sentence.”

“Me?” The seeker glances at the three primes in confusion.

“You have made plenty of the right calls since becoming captain. We believe you are capable of deciding Megatron’s fate.” Zeta explained.

“And, correct me if I'm wrong, you and this thief have some history together.” Alpha Trion prodded.

The seeker rubs his throat cables. 

Back when Starscream had first encountered him, Megatron was only stealing for a few orbital cycles at that point. He had made a big enough fuss that caught The High Guard’s attention quickly. They set up a sting operation meant to trap Megatron. The thief slipped away, but Starscream did grab hold of him. Then Megatron punched the captain in the throat, severely damaging his voice box, and that required Megacycles to get fixed. Not before facing ridicule for his hilariously bad voice.

Since that incident, Starscream has held a grudge against Megatron for the humiliation. “We do…”

“Then we trust you to make the right call.” Alpha Trion declared.

“I shall not fail you again, My Primes,” The High Guard Captain vowed, placing his fist over his chassis.

“We know you will," Zeta acknowledged. "You are dismissed, Captain."

Starscream bowed and made his way to the exit.

“And don’t forget to have Knockout check over your helm!” Megatronus called out the seeker. “I will know if you’re skipping out.”

“I’ll go straight to him, my Prime. No need to worry over me,” Starscream responded back amusingly, exiting the room. He had always appreciated how much Megatronus looked out for him and the rest of The High Guards. It makes sense since the warrior prime founded the group. Starscream had always admired him, but since becoming a High Guard, he had grown a more profound respect for Megatronus.

Which adds more fuel to Starscream’s dislike of Megatron.

It's clear where the thief got his alias from. A fan of the Warrior Prime. Starscream had encountered his share of extreme admirers for each of the primes. While Megatron is nowhere close as the worst, Starscream still finds him highly disrespectful for committing crimes in Megatronus' name. The fact that Megatron stole the crown of Optimus Prime made it even worse. What kind of mech does that?!

Another ex-vent came out of The High Guard Captain as he pinched the bridge of his nasal ridge. 

The lunar cycle of Optimus Prime’s kidnapping was the worst of Starscream’s career. Probably his whole life. He can remember every vivid detail of that night. Like any other, the solar cycle leading up to that moment was routinely normal. Starscream was nearing the end of his shift when he received that frantic comm from Megatronus urging him to get to Optimus Prime’s nursery. 

The seeker would forget the sight of Prima sobbing frantically by the empty, knocked-down cradle next to a wide-open window as the rest of the primes searched frantically or bellowing out urgent orders.

Within half a breem, Starscream organized search parties to help find the kidnapped sparkling. The captain searched everywhere he could think of for solar cycles. He searched to the point his frame forced him to get some rest. He couldn’t even rest peacefully, knowing that Optimus was out there.

Solar cycles turned into orbital cycles, and nothing ever turned up. 

Like many, Starscream mourned the loss of Optimus. The seeker was there when the little one was born. Close enough to hear Optimus’ first cries of life. He was one of the first bots outside The Primes to meet the newly online primeling. That was a moment Starscream could never forget. He didn’t see the sparkling often, but it was special whenever he did. Megatronus would sometimes bring the little one to training whenever it was his day to watch Optimus. Training barely got done because everyone else was constantly distracted by the sparkling. As much as he hated admitting it, Starscream was guilty of it too.

Losing Optimus not only deeply wounded the Primes but also The High Guard. The ones who were supposed to protect their primes when they couldn’t. Being captain, that pain hurt Starscream more. It only worsened when he and his conjux, Skyfire, had their first sparkling a few cycles later because the pain was now more understandable. Starscream didn’t even want to entertain the idea of any of his children going missing in the same manner as Optimus did because he didn't know what he would do. He does not know how Primes can keep everything together even after all these cycles. Not being able to find Optimus is Starscream’s greatest failure.

That is why he must find that crown. Starscream cannot fail his Primes again.

Elita sat in the infirmary with B-127 by her side. Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Slipstream joined them, all being looked over by Knockout, with Breakdown assisting him. Also in the room was Shockwave rubbing his optic. Next to him was Soundwave, and his cassettes Rumble, Frenzy, and Thundercracker, comforting a dejected Ravage.

“I’m sorry, Master. I have failed you,” Ravage said sorrowfully to Soundwave. “I let my temper get the best of me.”

“Soundwave: Is not upset. Happy to see Ravage, okay.” The blue & white mech said softly.

“I am still gravely sorry for letting Airachnid escape…” Ravage lowered his helm in shame.

“Hey, we all have our bad days, Ravage.” Rumble affectionately patted him. “This one time, I took a nap, then was awoken to a metal bird cozying up in my mouth. I was spitting out feathers for a megacycle!”

“I did warn you not to sleep with your mouth open!” Frenzy retorted in a know-it-all tone.

“Heh heh heh, go scare a servant,” Rumble sarcastically uttered as he rolled his optics.

The cyber panther cassette could only look at them unamused until Lazerbeak comfortingly nuzzled his helm against Ravage’s.

“Ugh, my optic.” Shockwave groaned. “I can’t believe Megatron hit that air grate onto my optic. If I ever get my servos on him-”

“Quick yapping about your optic already!” Skywarp barked. “You’re making my helmache hurt more.”

“Don’t forget us too, moron…” Thundercrack hissed at him, while Slipstream flinched from Skywarp’s voice, who then passed an apologetic look at both.

“Take it easy, everyone. These should help.” Knockout gave each of the trio of seekers a cooling pack. 

“Those are some deep dents.” Breakdown tilted his helm. "What exactly did Megatron hit you guys with?”

All three seekers exchange awkward glances with each other. “We, um, prefer not to share that part…” Slipstream answered.

“Take these,” Knockout said, handing the three a medical energon cube. "They should quell the pain.” 

“How much longer do I need to be here?” Elita called out. 

“Until either Breakdown or I give you a clean bill of health,” Knockout affirmed. 

“I’m fine. I don’t need to be here.”

“All part of protocol. I would’ve thought someone like you would know that.”

Elita crossed her arms, hating that the High Guard doctor was right. Knockout noticed the impatience. “Breakdown, dear, can you be a sweetspark and check over the little lady before she tears our helms off?”

“Yes, sir!” Breakdown cheerfully replied, then left the room to retrieve what he needed.

The medic turns back to the seekers. “Now let's work on those dents, and then you can be all your beautiful selves again.”

“This is ridiculous. I’m fine,” The pink femme grumbled.

“They’re just doing their job, Elita.” Bee gently reminded her. “After what you've gone through today, you might as well check.”

Breakdown returned with the necessary equipment. “Alright. Let’s do a quick systems check.” He plugs some cords into Elita’s medical port as he scans her system. “So far, everything looks good.”

“Can I go?”

“Not yet. I need to ask you questions, and you answer as truthfully as possible.”

Breakdown then proceeded to ask Elita if she was feeling pain in any part of her body, if there were changes in her routine affecting her health, or if anything was going on that had cause for concern. Elita answered with a ‘no’ to them, gradually becoming more impatient.

“Now, did anything happen out there that might be a cause for concern?” Breakdown then asked her.

“Nothing did-” Elita started.

“She fell from a cliff.” Bee cut in.

“Bee!” She almost snarled.

“Did she, really?” Breakdown looked at her skeptically.

Elita was about to argue, but she knew it would be pointless. “Not a very big one," She vents out.

“Hmm, that explains the minor scratches & dents.” Breakdown closely examines them. “Doesn’t look serious. Nothing that can’t be treated at home.”

“Nothing’s wrong then?”

“Er, Yes-”

“Okay, good.” Breakdown barely got his answer as Elita yanked out the plugs, marching out of the infirmary with B-127 scrambling behind. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have a crown thief to catch.”

“You won’t be doing that.” Everyone in the infirmary turns to the new voice. Starscream stood with his arms crossed. Everyone remained quiet as he strolled in. “Elita One, you’re on mandatory time off starting now.”

“What?! Now?! What about the crown retrieval? Captain, please, I need to help out here. This could be my chance!” Elita implored.

“And you will get your chance. Not when you’re recklessly throwing yourself into danger. Like what happened back at the gorge during that chaos.” Starscream narrows his optics to Bee briefly. “And something about falling off a cliff?” 

“The cliff wasn’t that big…” She muttered.

“That’s not the point. Elita One, I acknowledge how hard of a worker you are, but blatantly disregarding your safety will not help you. You know what that tells me? That you jump helmfirst without thinking about whether or not it's the right move.” Starscream laid it out firmly to her. “You have the potential to be a part of The High Guard, Elita One. But if you can’t help yourself, how do you expect to help others?”

The pink femme couldn’t formulate a response to that. Whatever Elita wanted to say, those words never reached the tip of her tongue. 

Starscream vents out. “Go home. And relax.”

Bee stepped next to her. “I’ll, um, walk her out.” The yellow mech guides the pink femme out of the infirmary.

Starscream let out a ex-vent as he sat on one of the infirmary berths, rubbing his temple with his digits. “I swear, that femme is too ambitious for her own good.”

Soundwave strolls to him. “An admirable trait for Elita One to have. Soundwave: Agrees that she would be a capable High Guard member. The problem is that she lacks self-restraint.”

“And everyone said I had no restraint,” Shockwave snipped.

“I would much rather deal with her than that annoying yapper. At least she shuts up when she needs to,” Skywarp commented.

“Dude, really?” Thundercracker scolded.

“What?! It's the truth. B-127 never keeps his mouth shut,” Skywarp protested. 

“You’re one to talk,” Slipstream muttered loud enough for him to hear.

“Excuse me?!” 

“Enough squabbling, all of you! B-127 may have his flaws, but who doesn’t? He is your colleague who is good at his job despite his low rank. Same goes for Elita One.” Starscream reprimanded, eyeing Skywarp. “Need I remind you, Skywarp, that B-127 tried to warn you about the fault lines before you opened fire and caused the tremors?”

The seeker lowered his helm, trying to hide his embarrassed flush.

Nonetheless, Starscream continued. “As for Elita One, her flaw is that she is too ambitious to the point that she would put herself in harm's way without thinking. But at the very least, she doesn’t let her ambition get bad enough to willingly put others in harm's way.” Starscream glances at everyone in the room. “Do I need to remind you all about Sentinel?”

Murmurs of agreement echoed around the infirmary.

“Who’s Sentinel?” Rumble asked out loud. Frenzy turns to him with bafflement.

“What do you mean ‘Who’s Sentinel?’ You've seen him before!”

The cassette bot looked like he had no clue what Frenzy was talking about. Soundwave stepped in before the other cassette bot could say anything. “Sentinel was the Prime’s Principal Aid, intending to betray them by making a deal with the Quintessons.”

Rumble's faceplate twisted with thinking.

“He was also that arrogant blue mech with the obnoxious gold wings on his back,” Soundwave added more casually.

That seemed to help click it for Rumble. “Oh yeah! That prick! Honestly, I always tuned him out because he always had that annoying ‘I’m better than all you’ kind voice.”

“Oh yeah, he was the worst even before betraying our Primes,” Shockwave voiced.

“Soundwave: Agrees with Shockwave & Rumble.”

A snicker came out of Skywarp. “You know, I always thought Sentinel was compensating for something with those wings of his.”

“And what do you mean by that?” Slipstream & Thundercracker both looked at him. All Skywarp responded with a lewd smirk. The two seekers let out disgusted groans, rolling their optics.

“I never liked that Sentinel. Something about him never sat right with me,” Ravage voiced. Lazerbeak crooning as if he were agreeing. 

“Your intuitions ended up correct,” Soundwave praised, gently petting Ravage’s helm, earning a purr.

“Even without the part of betraying the Primes, that guy always had a way to say the most hurtful things while sounding nice.” Breakdown stated. “You know he once told me straight to my face that Knockout could do better.”

“He was only jealous because he never had a Conjux. You know I would never listen to him, love,” Knockout said kindly, making Breakdown smile sweetly. “And he wasn’t sweet to me either. Always telling me that I was a good medic, but making a backhanded insult that I should’ve chosen a career that fitted my ‘Low Caste background’ better. I never forgot how much you wanted to kill him for that.”

“I still want to.” Breakdown grumbled. “You worked hard to get where you are. Sentinel needed to get through that thick helm that not everyone was born into the High Caste and having everything fed to him on a silver spoon since becoming online.”

Knockout calmly waved his servo. “I never cared what he said. And even if I did, he’s a two-faced traitor that's dead, so it doesn’t matter.”

Starscream vents out through his mouth. “I never liked Sentinel from the start. Every word of sweetness was just poison laced with honey to hide it. But I tolerated him because he was good at his job, and the Primes needed him. I knew he was an ambitious bastard, but I never figured he would be a traitor. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder what would’ve happened if the Primes never found out his plans…”

“Then it's a good thing we never have to find out,” Soundwave gently stated.

“And good riddance to that traitor.” Shockwave proclaimed. “May he continue to rot in The Pits and not be here causing us problems.”

There was silence for a few klicks when she and Bee exited the infirmary. When they were far enough, Elita finally said, “I feel like I’m being punished.”

“You’re not being punished. Captain Starscream may be a bit of a hardass, but it's his way of looking after others.” Bee said comfortingly. “And maybe he is right.”

“What do you mean by that?” 

“Elita, you almost died today! Twice! I get you want to be a High Guard, but is it really worth dying over?”

“I only want to be part of the best. Don’t you?”

“I’m just happy to be with my best friend regardless of our jobs!” Bee exclaimed. “And I don’t want my Amica to get herself killed!”

Bee’s words echoed throughout Elita’s processor. She didn’t realize how much this was hurting him. “I-I’m sorry, Bee. I didn’t mean to make you worry. How can I make it up to you?”

“Maybe by relaxing." He gives a hopeful smile. "And hang out with me during the festival tomorrow?”

Elita chuckled. “I haven’t forgotten.”

Sometimes the femme forgets how grateful she is to have Bee in her life. Before meeting him, Elita had never had the desire for friends. Not because she was socially awkward or nobody liked her or anything. She just never found it necessary to have in her life. All she wanted in her life was to be the best-skilled bot to give herself a good life and help out Iacon. Becoming a member of the High Guard would be her way of achieving both.

The solar cycle she joined the Iacon Guard was the same as when she first met Bee. As fate would have it, it was also his first day on the job. The first impression she got of the yellow mech was that he was full of energy and a chatterbox. Other bots found him annoying, but somehow he charmed his way into Elita’s life. Yes, sometimes Bee does have annoying moments, but that doesn’t stop Elita from liking him any less. If anything, she's grown to see him like a little brother.

And maybe sometimes Elita takes their friendship for granted. Perhaps she does need to relax, as Starscream suggested. Being a High Guard was important, but she would never trade away Bee’s friendship for that. The yellow mech was that important to her. She's proud to call him her Amica.

“You want me to escort you to your home?” Bee offered when they stepped outside.

“No. I can handle it. Thank you, Bee.”

“Okay! Still meeting up at the same place we agreed to tomorrow?”

“Still at the same spot.”

They both said their goodbyes for the day. Elita transformed into her alt-mode and rode off. Long after she arrived back to her apartment complex, she went into her residence and tried to take her mind off her work and focus on what to do with her mandatory time off. There was the festival tomorrow, so that was one thing she was looking forward to. Maybe this time off won’t be so bad.

One thing has been sticking with her since her return to Iacon. The red & blue mech that was accompanying Megatron, who also saved her back at the gorge. She tried to search him in any databases she had access to, but no one matched his description. Just who was that mech? A secret player behind the crown theft? One of Megatron’s flings that got caught up in his schemes? Or someone else entirely that Elita hadn’t figured out? Why did he save her despite chasing both him & Megatron? That feeling that radiated from him when he pulled her up. What the Pits was that about? It almost felt divine. The only transformers that gave off the aura were the Primes. How does any ordinary small mech have the feeling, albeit briefly?

That thought pondered Elita’s processor as she lay on the berth in her habsuite. She turned to look at the clock. It was late, and she needed to recharge. Tonight, she was not going to get any answers. All she could hope was that if that red & blue was unfortunately caught up in Megatron’s mess, he would be smart enough to get out. 

Though Elita would’ve liked to see that mech again if only to properly thank him for saving her life.

Chapter Text

Chapter 16: Welcome to Iacon

Sunlight gently shined down on the campsite. The fire pit had dimmed throughout the night, leaving only a faint smoke. D-16 recharged soundly, leaning against a rock, arms crossed, and gently snoring away. Nearby, Orion was curled up on the grass on his side, helm resting on his arms, with a relaxed smile as he recharged. Several nano-butterflies of various bright colors flew around, some resting on him.

The gentle chirping of a metal bird stirred Orion out of his slumber, slowly blinking his optics open. A yawn escaped as he rolled onto his back, unaware of the nano-butterflies flying away. Sprawled across the grass, he took a deep breath through his nasal ridge, letting out a soft hum, and basked in the morning air. The chirping caught his attention again. An amusing grin grew upon seeing a familiar red and blue fledgling. 

“Fancy seeing you here, old friend.” Orion sits up, sticking his palm out for the fledgling to hop on, lifting it to his optic level. “Bet you weren’t expecting to see me out here, huh?” The metal bird tweeted, nuzzling around his servo. Orion chuckled, petting the metal bird’s helm. “A lot has happened since we last saw each other. For one thing, I activated my cog.” Happy tweets came out as Orion showed his frame. “And I made a new friend.”

Orion glanced over to D-16’s sleeping form. The fledgling gave a curious chirp. “That’s D-16. He’s the reason why I’m out here. I had to…convince him to be my guide. But everything is working out. Dee isn’t all that bad. He's helped me activate my transformation cog! I’m no longer small, and finally have an alt-mode…” The red & blue mech paused, then let out a weary breath, remembering the items in his subspace. “Father thinks Dee only cares for himself and would abandon me, but I don’t believe that. There’s more to Dee than him being a thief. Deep down, I know he’s lonely and needs a friend.”

The metal bird could respond with a tweet, almost like he agreed with Orion.

“Father is wrong about Dee. I can feel it. Dee is a good friend. He’s kind and sweet. He makes me feel…so many good things.”

Orion’s helm turns to where Dee is recharging. Admiring how the sunlight shines off his beautiful smooth silver & black plates. How peaceful he looked. And how cute his snoring was. It made Orion feel all warm & fuzzy deep inside.

The bird let out another loud chirp to get Orion’s attention. “What was that? You have something to show me?”

The fledging pointed its beak in a different direction. The mech glanced up to be surprised by the sight of other animals gathered around. Petro rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons. Metal quails, cardinals, jays, and some songbirds. One lone razorturtle. And a trio of a cyberdeer: A buck, a doe, and a fawn. All gaped at Orion with a mix of caution & curiosity. 

“Oh wow! Looks like you also made some new friends.” The fledging tweeted almost as if he was confirming Orion’s statement.

Some animals slowly crawled over to Orion, such as several petrochipmunks, a pair of petrosquirrels, and a petrorabbit. Orion reached out to pet them, flinching away at first then soon allowed him to do so. When Orion was finished petting them, he turned his helm to come face to face with the cyberfawn as its parents stood nearby, not looking cautious like they knew Orion wouldn’t bring harm to their offspring. Orion and the cyberfawn’s nasal ridges both gently touched briefly. Then he gently patted its helm. The cyberfawn snuggled under the crook of Orion’s arm, making the mech giggle.

Several of the metal birds landed around where D-16 was recharging. Some landed on him, either on his shoulders or his helm. The sounds of their chirping lulled him awake. The silver mech was surprised to see birds on him, who let out casual tweets before flying off. D-16 was more surprised to see Orion surrounded by many woodland creatures either resting around him or on his lap, and a cyberfawn curled up next to him as Orion tried to pet them all.

That sight of Orion surrounded by mechanimals, bathed in a lone gentle ray of the morning sunlight. D-16 thought it looked like something straight out of a painting. The kind of painting that was beautiful enough to be placed in an art gallery for all to admire. If this had been a few solar cycles ago, this would’ve been really strange to D-16. But somehow, this seemed normal for Orion Pax. 

Something nudged against one side of D-16’s helm, then another on the other, making him yelp. The cyberbuck & cyberdoe each stood on his side sniffing him curiously.

“Good morning, Dee!” Orion greeted with that sweet smile, petting the cyberfawn’s belly, with a petrochipmunk on his shoulder and a petrosquirrel on the top of his helm, and the fledgling metal songbird resting on his index digit. “Had a nice recharge?”

“Uh, yeah.” Dee laid his optics to the mechanimals. “I see you made some new friends.”

“They really seemed to like me.” The cyberfawn affectionately licked Orion’s cheekplate. “See?” He let out a cute giggle.

“This is cute, but we need to get going if you want to see those lanterns.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Orion faces his mechanimal companions. “Sorry, guys, but I have to get going. My friend is taking me to Iacon to see the lanterns tonight. And it's also my birthday, which makes it more special. Unless you all have a faster way.”

The metal fledgling songbird excitedly tweeted at Orion. Then it turned to the rest of the mechanimals. The whole bunch of them dashed over in the same direction. The cyberfawn stood up, giving a gentle nudge to Orion like it was trying to push him on that path before following its parents in that direction. Dee offered his servo to Orion, helping him up, both watching in perplexment at the mechanimals sudden strange new behavior. 

“Oookkkayyy, I have no idea what they’re doing,” D-16 stated.

Orion looks to his fledgling friend, who then uses their helm to point down in that direction. “I think…they want us to follow them.”

“Follow the mechanimals?” Orion responded with a sheepish nod. Dee could only shrug. “Yeah, why not..”

Orion eagerly followed where the critters went while Dee stayed close. The silver mech was still unsure what to make of this, but he had seen stranger stuff these days. Even if what was going on looked like something straight out of those holomovies the orphanage would play for the younglings and the teens. The ones with fairytales & singing princesses. Or that one holoshow about the candy-colored cyberhorses learning about magic, friendship and whatnot-a show that Dee still likes today and will never admit out loud.

Finally, they all reached the end of the treelines. Orion noticed how cautious the mechanimals were acting.

“I think they want to show us something.” Orion declared to D-16.

“It's just the energon river.” Dee moved to part the bushes apart. “What else could be out-” Near the banks of the river of Energon lies a huge train with a dozen carts connecting resting. “-here…” 

“Woah."Orion quickly moved close to get a better look at the train with an excite glint in his optics. "What is that, Dee?"

“It's a train. A transport car connected by carts that can carry things.”

“Like what?”

“Depending on the train, cargo. Supplies. Or bots.”

Something then caught Orion’s attention right when Dee listed that last one. “Like that bot over there?” Orion pointed to a massive grey mech with purple metal on his back styled like wings hunched over by the banks.

At the bank, the mech took another sip from the river. A pleased vent of relief escaped as he swallowed it down. “Oh yeah. That hits the spot.” He uttered out happily.” His moment of happiness was interrupted by his commlink pinging, groaning when he recognized the name. “Yeah, what?”

“Where the pits are you, Astrotrain?!”

“Relax, Boss. Just taking a quick break. I had to work overnight, remember?”

“So help me if you’re not here on time and my supervisor denies my promotion because of you being late-”

“You’re not getting denied anything. I’ll get to Iacon on time.”

“You better, or so help me, I’m going to kill you.”

“Loud and clear," He rolled his optics, ending the comm, quietly muttering to himself. “...Paranoid nut.”

“He’s going to Iacon.” D-16 shared to Orion in their spot in the treelines.

“Isn’t that where we’re going?” Orion clarified.

“Yeah…” He turns to the train. “And I think we found ourselves a free ride.”

“You think we should ask that mech if we can ride along?”

Right at that moment, the giant mech moved to the front of the train, transforming himself into what resembles the front car engine of any train and connecting himself to the rest of the carts. A loud horn let out as the train slowly started moving.

“I think asking for permission had passed." Dee starts running. "Come on!” 

D-16 transformed into his tank mode. Orion followed after him, shifting into his truck mode. The train slowly picked up speed by the klick as the mechs raced to it. D-16 found a ledge to climb on. The silver mech transformed back to his robot form to climb on. He turns to Orion, slowly falling behind as the train increases its speed.

“C’mon Pax. Just jump!” Dee reached his servo out.

Taking that moment, Orion leaped towards as he transformed back, grabbing tightly onto Dee’s servo. The red & blue mech climbed onto the ledge as he was pulled up. He clung onto Dee when he finally made it, panting as they pulls themselves together.

“Still need to get used to that.”

“You good?”

“Fantastic!” Orion responded excitedly. Turning to his side, he sees his fledging metal songbird friend flying nearby. He let out a smile to the bird. “Thank you!”

With a tweet, the bird flew away.

The mechs stepped into one of the train cars. Several boxes were scattered around, securely stacked on top of one another. They found themselves in a spot with a window, much to Orion’s delight. For the time being, they sat where they were soaking in the peace. D-16 figures this would be perfect for conserving the energy they need to pass the time until the lanterns float up and evade the authorities. Orion simply watched the landscape passing with a sense of wonder & innocence in his optics. A tiny, amused smile crept across D-16’s lips, only for them to fade away until he was reminded of Orion’s circumstances. He tried not to dwell on it and focus more on resting.

“What’s Iacon like?” Orion inquired from D-16 after a short while.

“Different from what you’re used to, I bet.”

“How different?”

“For one thing, it's an underground city with many buildings.”

“Are they as big as my tower?”

“Some, yes. Most are way bigger.”

Orion hummed interestingly. “What about the bots that live there? Are they as nice as the others from the pub?”

“Most of them are usually.”

“What about…bad bots?” 

“They…could live there too,” Dee answered truthfully.

“How can you tell they’re good or bad?”

“You just have to be careful. But for the most part, bots are at least decent. And you seem to attract the good ones anyways, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.”

“I guess you’re right.” Orion felt a sense of comfort and a warmer feeling in his chassis. He looks out the window. “How much closer are we to Iacon?”

The silver mech moves his optics to the window, taking a few nano-klicks to scan. He quickly turned his helm back to his companion. “Grab onto something. Tightly.”

Orion, while confused, complied. “Why?”

“It may get a bit steep.”

The inside of the train cart suddenly dipped at an almost ninety-degree angle—steep enough that Orion would’ve slid to the front had he not held onto his spot. All he could do was laugh with a mix of excitement and terror. After a few klicks, the train stabilized back to normal, but Orion was still holding on for dear life.

“You good?” Dee went to Orion’s side. “Probably should’ve warned you.”

“I’m fine.” Orion slowly let go of his death grip on the piece of metal, leaving behind a notable dent. All the discomfort washed away instantly when Orion’s optics glued to the window. He ran over, his finials flickering with excitement, pressing his faceplate & servos flat against the glass. “Woah…” 

Hundreds of various buildings passed by them. Some small, many ginormous. There were even many towers in multiple shapes & sizes. Most of which are big enough to dwarf Orion’s tower home. There were even some towers hanging upside down from the cavern ceilings! Below the streets were dozens of bots walking around or transforming into their alt-modes, like grounders going to the streets, with a road transforming in front of them as they drove or flyers joining the commute lines in the air. Not to mention the various rivers of energon running through the whole place.

Passing by overhead was a lake filled of energon. Bots were relaxing near the bank or on a pier. Some even were on small boats rowing across the lake.

Not too far from the lake was a golden tower that basked in a warm light shining through the giant holes bigger than the rest of the skyscrapers littered throughout the city. The tower exceeds every skyscraper. It was so tall that it almost reached the cavern ceiling. Orion couldn’t take his optics off of it. This tower was the complete opposite of the one he and his Father lived in. Not only in size, but the exterior was cleaner and covered in gold, making it look brand new. Something about that tower seemed… familiar, but Orion couldn’t put his digit on it as the giant tower left this visual field.

“This is all one city?” 

“One city, a million bots.” Dee patted Orion’s shoulder. “Welcome to Iacon, Pax.”

“It's so…big.” Orion utters in pure wonder.

Dee gives a gentle tug. “C’mon, let's get off this train before we get caught.” 

Jumping off the train was easier than getting off for Orion, fortunately. All done without him & Dee getting caught or spotted by anyone. They landed safely on a nearby sidewalk. On stable ground now, Orion soaked in all the sights as Dee guided him through the city. How could he not look away? Everything about this place was so different from the walls of the tower he had been accustomed to his whole life. Everything was new, colorful, and exciting! And just like The Auto House Pub, there were different types of Bots here. Mechs, Femmes, and even some younglings this time! The streets were also littered with decorations for the Lantern Festival today and posters showing pictures of the lanterns floating into the dark sky and when it would occur. The time was so far away, but with how big this city is, Orion figured there would be many ways for him and Dee to pass the time.

“Stay close to me, Pax. This place is easy to get lost in.” Dee gently cautioned him as they walked down a fairly busy sidewalk.

“Sorry, Dee,” Orion jogged up to him. “I just…this place…wow.”

“Big city, I know. A lot to take in. Fun if you know where you’re going, but intimidating if you’re clueless.”

They approached a crosswalk where a small group of other bots stood, watching the grounder alt-modes driving up and down the road. A pole with a red light changed to green, and the driving bots stopped, making it clear for the standing bots, including Orion and Dee, to start walking.

“If you’re not careful, the city can be dangerous.”

“How bad can it be?”

Right after Orion said that a car zipped past them, narrowly missing Dee by centimeters, driving so fast it conjured up a small draft.

“LOOK WHERE YOU’RE GOING, SLAGHELMS!” The transformer bellowed out.

Dee didn’t take that kindly. “HEY, WE’RE WALKING HERE, ASSHOLE!” D-16 stuck out a middle digit in the direction of the bot. Only calming down when he saw a confused Orion in the corners of his optics. He straightened himself up, hiding his embarrassed flushes. “Erm, you get what I mean…”

They resume their walk, avoiding a few odd stares from the other bots. Orion resumed his sightseeing with Dee checking over that doesn’t unintentionally wander off.

“There’s so much stuff here. We can do so much until the lights float up!” Orion excitedly exclaimed.

Out of an audial shot, a pair of High Guards strolled down in the distance. Dee quickly dragged Orion to a quiet corner, thankfully not catching the guard’s attention.

“Take it easy, Pax. We can’t draw any attention to ourselves, remember?”

“Right, sorry. What should we do?”

“Just wait here. I’m gonna…make sure there’s no guards around.”

“Try not to get caught again.” Orion attempted to joke.

“That’s not gonna happen.” D-16 scoffed. “I’ll be back soon.”

The silver mech walks back out in the open. There were very few bots around on this part of the street. Thankfully, there are no high guards or any enforcers around. But Dee wasn’t taking any chances, so he scouted around. Cycles of thieving had taught him that things are not always what they may be at first glance. 
 
Pedesteps scurrying away into a nearby alley caught his audials. Instincts told him he should run, but given this delicate situation, he would much rather not deal with another High Guard or someone trying to turn him in for the bounty on his helm. He approached the alleyway and looked down. Digging into one of the trash cans was a lone stray cybercat. The creature perked its helm up in his direction, giving a meow, resuming its digging around. An ex-vent came out of D-16's mouth as he gently rubbed his servo over his helm. 

“Primus, I’m too paranoid.”

Deep in thought, D-16 walks down the sidewalk away from the alley, in front of a small engex coffee shop. Not noticing the door opening. Or the pink femme stepping out, oblivious to him. They slammed into each other, making D-16 land on his aft.

“Ouch!”

“Hey, what's the big idea-YOU?!”

D-16 remembers that voice. A voice that sounds suspiciously like a particular persistent pink femme from yesterday. And standing over him was an angry Elita- One, spilled engex coffee next to her pedes. 

Frag...

There was one way he could respond to this.

“Well I hope you’re here to apologize…” The silver mech uttered with a smirk.

B-127 walked down the street, taking in the warmth of the morning. The spot he was meeting Elita at shouldn’t be too far now. It was a simple place in a part of this district that doesn’t get crowded. Elita commed him earlier and said she was on the way but was stopping to get some engex coffee. No big deal. There was a shop that sold the kind she liked to get, so he would have a few extra klicks to himself. He was so excited about today. Finally, some time off to spend with his Amica, who desperately needs it after the chaos from yesterday.

Turning the corner, Bee arrived at the meeting spot and halted. A tall red & blue mech stood there deep in thought, oblivious to his presence. Strange, Bee thought to himself. The mech looked familiar, but Bee couldn’t pinpoint where. But he seemed friendly, so it wouldn’t hurt to greet him.

“Hello!” 

The red & blue mech let out a surprised jump, pointing a frying pan towards him. Bee raised his arms in a surrender gesture. “Woah, woah! Easy now!” Okay, that's not what he expected, but he was sure that the mech was doing it out of defense rather than to harm.

“What do you want?”

“Just saying hello to a friendly face. How about we put down the…frying pan and introduce each other. I’ll start. I’m B-127.”

Lowering his pan, Orion studied the yellow mech carefully. He doesn’t seem like someone who can do him harm- though even if he did, Orion was confident he could take him down with his new size anyway. “Orion Pax.”

“Nice to meet you! You can call me Bee. That's what my Amica does. Or you can call me by my other nickname, Badassatron, which is actually pronounced.” Bee deepens his vocalizer. “BADASSATRON.”

Yeah, this mech doesn’t seem like bad news. Orion already likes the cheerful energy Bee is giving off. “Nice to meet you, Bee. Sorry for freaking out on you like that.”

“Eh, it's no biggie. My friend Elita tells me I have a habit of scaring people.” Bee waved it off. “I’m supposed to meet her here for a day of hanging out and having fun at the festival.”

“I’m…waiting for a friend too. I’ve never been to Iacon before, so he’s my guide to help me get around.”

“It’s your first time here? You’ll love Iacon! And you’ll love the festival too! That is what you’re here for, right?”

“I wanted to see the floating lanterns they let up.” Orion shared. “I’ve spent my whole life watching them from a distance. Seeing them up close is my big dream, and I’ll finally get to do it this cycle.”

“Aw, that sounds so sweet. Take it from a local who gets to see the lanterns every cycle: You won’t be disappointed. Watching them never gets old.” Bee shared enthusiastically. “And there’s plenty of things for you and your friend to do until you see the lanterns.”

“You sound like you know your way around.”

“Totally do! This festival is one of my favorite days every cycle.” Bee’s optics then lit up with an idea. “Hey! Why don't you and your friend hang out with me and mine?”

Meeting more bots does sound like a fun idea to Orion. “I would need to make sure it's alright with my friend. He's um...not willing to meet strangers right now.”

“Oh yeah, I totally get it. I'm just a guy you just met, after all. I should ask my friend if it's cool with her too. She should be here soon. When do you think your friend will get back?”

A terrified scream of a mech pierced the air. Orion’s faceplate twisted with panic when he recognized who it came from. “Dee!”

Orion bolts away from Bee. Loud noises of a struggle came from a nearby alleyway. A loud bang rang out, followed by a screeching cybercat darting out, which was enough to catch Orion’s attention. In the alley, he sees Dee, wrists bound by status cuffs, being pulled by his legs by an irate Elita One as he desperately tries to grab onto stuff or clutch onto the ground to anchor himself.

“NONONO! PUT ME DOWN! STOP IT! LET GO! LET ME GO!”

“Stop squirming and let me turn you in…” Elita grunted as he tugged on his leg.

“DEE!” Orion ran over to grab D-16’s wrists, pulling him away from Elita. “Give me…him.” Orion gritted his denta as he held onto his friend while the femme refused to let go. He does have to commend the femme for her incredible strength despite her petite frame.

The pink femme and red & blue mech engage in their tug of war with the poor silver mech in the middle, letting out the occasional grunt of pain with each hard tug. The war ended with a subsequent POP, sending both parties barreling backward onto the ground. Orion's arms were around Dee and Elita with the whole of the silver mech’s right leg.

Bee finally arrived at the scene, running over to Amica’s side. “Elita! Are you okay?”

Not acknowledging Bee, Elita glanced at the silver & black leg on her lap, then at the pair of mechs, with the red & blue one tending to Megatron. Her faceplate burned hot with anger, tightening her grip on the leg. Lifting the severed leg skyward like a weapon, Elita runs over the pair of mechs with a yell. D-16 flinches back in pure fear on the ground as he watches Elita charge at him, ready to beat him down with his own leg. 

“Wait! Stop!” Orion jumped in between Dee and the pink femme arms spread across. “Don’t hurt him!”

To Orion’s relief, Elita stopped, but the fierceness was still in her optics. They widened with recognition. “Wait…It's you! You’re the same mech that was with him in the gorge!”

“I knew you looked familiar!” Bee snapped his digits with an excited grin on his lips. It then twists with confusion as he tilts his helm to the side. “Weird, I thought you were my height…”

“Bee!” Elita chided, making him focus, and turned back to Orion. “Look, sir. It's touching that you want to help him, but that mech is a wanted thief. So I’m asking you kindly to please move so I can place him into custody.” 

“I can’t let you take him!”

Elita gave a warning glare. “I could have you arrested for one count of aiding a criminal and another for interfering with law enforcement. So give me a good reason why I shouldn’t arrest him?”

“Because…Because…” Orion’s processor swarms with a potential good reason, picking out the best one. “...Because you owe me a debt!”

All four parties stood silent as Orion’s words rang off.

After gaping at him whilst blinking for several nano-klicks, Elita broke the silence. “I’m sorry, what?”

“A life debt.” Orion vents out. “Yesterday, at the gorge, I saved your life, right? So…So now you have to help me.” Orion gestures to D-16. “And I need your help to not turn Dee in.”

“You cannot be serious!”

“I am serious.” Orion stood his ground, not breaking optic contact with Elita. “And by honor, you must uphold your end until I either call off the debt or you save my life.”

Elita could only gape in silence.

Orion lets out a vent. “Look, today is kinda the biggest day of my whole life. And I need you to not get him arrested.” The femme scoffed. “Just for twenty-four breems! And after that, you and Dee can chase each other to your spark's content. Okay?”

There was conflict on Elita’s face. On one servo, upholding a life debt is vital to Cybertronians. To not follow with the debt would be seen as a great dishonor. On the other servo, this debt involves not turning in Megatron. The mech that would be the key to her promotion to the High Guard. Even without that, if Starscream or anyone found out she & Bee intentionally withheld arresting Megatron, they both could get in serious legal trouble.

Almost like he could read her conflict, Bee stepped forward. “Could you give us a few klicks to talk it over?”

Orion nodded and let the pink femme & yellow mech move several steps away.

“No! No, no, no! I’m not going to risk my job for this! If someone who knows us sees us hanging out with Megatron, we could land in a tremendous amount of trouble. Losing our jobs wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen to us. We could get imprisoned.” Elita grasps her neck cables, her frame letting out a shudder. “Or executed.”

“I get your dilemma, but Orion did save your life. You do owe it to him.” Bee gently laid out. 

“Oh yeah, I can imagine that going well with Captain Starscream. If he, or any of the High Guards sees us with Megatron-”

“The High Guard spread out throughout the city, more worried about the festival than finding Megatron. And plus, don’t you have almost all High Guard hotspots memorized?”

“...Yes.” Elita tried to hide the blue flush on her cheek plates.

“There you go! We can just avoid those spots for good measure. Problem solved.”

“Even without those…You expect me to spend the whole solar cycle with that thieving pain in the silver afthole?!”

“Hey, uh, I can still hear you!” D-16 bellowed out to them. “Can I have my leg back now?”

“I’ll decide that, thank you very much!” Elita pointed his leg toward him in a warning gesture, shutting him up, then returned her attention back to Bee. “You see what I mean? Wasn’t the whole point of me getting time off so I could relax? How can I do that with him? With that jerkhole and that -” Elita stopped midsentence upon realizing how loud she was speaking and that Orion was staring back at him with those large, and very beautiful, optics. “-Rrreeeaaallyy cool guy.”

“Oh, thank you!” Orion responded back with a chipper smile.

“Okay, I can’t speak for Megatron…But I think I can for his friend. Orion Pax. I talked to him for a few klicks, and he seems like a nice bot.” Bee turns over to the pair. “He really cares for Megatron a lot. If Megatron was that sleazy, I don’t think he would go out of his way to help him. And I don’t know why, but…I get a good feeling from Orion.”

Elita feels it, too. It was the same one that radiated off of the red & blue mech. What was the name again? Oreon Pix? No! Orion Pax. She looks over to see how attentive Orion is to Megatron, with the thief having a soft look in his optics. This Orion doesn't appear to have a bad metal on him. For Primus sake, he went out of his way to save her from fallin in the gorge even when she was trying to catch Megatron. Maybe she does owe him. But is she really willing to risk her and Bee's career for this?

“I forget to mention that today is also my birthday!" Orion spoke up for her to hear. "Just to let you know..."

Elita let out a soft groan. Of course it was. “Ugh, I’m gonna regret this, aren't I?” She marches over to the mech. Both looked up with apprehensive looks. She drops Megatron’s leg to them. After several klicks, Megatron’s leg was securely back on, and Orion helped him back to his feet. Elita then removed the stasis cuffs. “Twenty four breems.”

“Thank you!” Orion wrapped her in a cyberbear hug. “This means so much!"

“Alright, alright, let go before you crush me!” Elita bellowed out. “But two rules. First: Anything you want to do has to be approved by me first. Second: If you two need to split up for some reason, Bee or I will go with you.” She points to Megatron. “And you!”

“Me?” he parrots back.

“Yes, you! Listen to me, Mr. Zero Nano-Klicks Since My Last Helmache. I’ll indulge your friend’s request but don’t think you’re getting away scot-free. I’m only doing this because my honor demands it. I pretty much don't have a choice! Do as I say and you & your friend do what you need to do. And once you’re done and the twenty-four breems are up, I’m dragging you to my superiors at which point, I will explain everything that’s happened, and you will back them up using words that reflect on me and my friend B-127 in a very positive light! Got it?!”

“Yeah, okay, deal, great, alright,” Dee responded nervously.

“So that's it. We’re all together on this?” Orion inquired.

“Yeah. Sure.” Elita responded.

“We’re together on this,” Dee said glumly.

“Looks like I’m taking up your offer after all, Bee!” Orion chirped.

“Wonderful! Like I said, I know all the great things to do while you wait for the lanterns. And I know where we can start off.” Bee starts to walk with Orion by his side. 

Dee only got one step in before Elita blocked him with her arm. “What is it now?”

“Just one more thing I need to do.” Without warning, Elita punched him square in the chassis. “That’s for all the slag you put me through yesterday.”

“Okay. I get it. We’re even now.” Dee lightly groaned, clutching his chassis. “Please stop punching me.”

“I didn’t hit you that hard.” She helped straighten Dee up. “C’mon, let's catch up before we lose them.”

Up ahead, Orion & Bee happily chatted like they were old friends getting reacquainted.

“Is the festival this way, Bee?”

“One part of it. The event that marks the star of it with the lanterns concluding it. A race!”

“A race? I’ve never seen a race before. Only read about them.”

“Read? You’ve never seen a single race?” Bee gawked in disbelief.

“My father never let me go out a lot,” Orion answered meekly.

“Oh. That stinks,” Bee responded, unsure what to make of that. “In that case, you’ll love this one! The best race that you can see in all of Cybertron!”

“What kind of race are we talking about?”

With an excited smile, Bee happily answers. “The Iacon 5000.” 

Chapter Text

Chapter 17: The Iacon 5000 Part 1

Crowds of various transformers strolled to the stadium's entrance, where the Iacon 5000 will take place. Excited chatter was in the air as hundreds of bots walked to the stadium. Some ran towards to the crowd, flying bots transformed to join the moving crowd, and some younglings attempted to run ahead only to be stopped by their creators. Among the sea of transformers were four certain unique bots.

“All these bots came here for a race?” Orion inquired as he walked beside B-127, mesmerized by the large crowd.

“Not just any race! The Iacon 5000 is the most intense race on the planet! The bravest, strongest, and swiftest transformers from all over the planet come here to put their skills to the test to evade all the twists & turns this race has. Dozens compete, but only one wins.”

“If it's as good as you say, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Trust me, you’ll love it!”

Trailing a few feet away from Orion & B-127, D-16 watched their exchange with amusement. Finding it fascinating that the red & blue and yellow mech had met only a breem ago yet were chatting up like they’ve been friends for cycles. Wonders of the Orion Pax charm, as Dee had decided to call it. It's sweet that Orion connected to others without issues, despite being isolated his whole life. It's good for him.

Something then caught in the corner of Dee’s optics. A wanted poster of himself on a pole that he then hastily yanked off, crumbling into a ball, darting his optics to see if no one was watching. Except for the stern glare of Elita One with her servos on her hips.

“What? Do you want me to get caught?” Dee disputed.

“You wouldn’t have that problem if you hadn't become a thief in the first place.” Elita rebuked. 

“Yeah, well… Maybe you should-” he shoved the crumpled paper ball into her mouth. “Put your shanix where your mouth is!”

Elita stood dumbfounded with the poster in her mouth, glancing at the smirking Megatron. She pulled it out and threw the poster to cover his faceplates. “Heh. Not a bad look for you," Elita teasingly complimented.

D-16 flings the poster off, shoves Elita, who pushes him back. They erupted into an all-out shoving war, accompanied by shouts, yells, and maybe some punches. 

“Ahem!”

The silver mech and pink femme stopped mid-shoving to see Bee sternly glaring at them, pointing to Orion, oblivious to what was occurring behind him, silently reminding them why they were all here. D-16 and Elita separated, pouting like two younglings after being told to behave after their creators caught them misbehaving. Then gave each other one hard elbow nudge before resuming walking. 

The quartet soon arrived right at the stadium entrance. The crowd split into two lines: those purchasing the last tickets and those entering the stadium. Several small groups of bots were also present, more likely waiting for those to buy their tickets or for loved ones to join them.

“Here we are, guys!” Bee announced. “Stay put. I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Dee questioned.

Bee glanced around quickly to ensure no one was listening, leaning close like he was revealing classified information. “My friend Steve is a stadium worker and got some tickets.”

“Steve? Never heard that kind of name before.” Orion commented.

“Foreign. It's more of a nickname he has for himself. He said it was either that or FemmesMech217,” Bee explained. "I think that one was ridiculous. For one thing, I already have those numbers, thank you very much."

D-16 stood in a gap, blinking several times before snapping back. “Right, uh…Is he legit?”

“I do this almost every cycle with Bee, and I can say that the tickets are legit." Elita elaborated. "Steve’s character, on the other hand, is questionable."

"He's not that bad, Eita. He means well. You just don't want to admit you're wrong about something," B-127 protested.

“Why do we need tickets? Can’t we just walk in?” Orion asks with genuine confusion.

Bee & Elita looked at him like he had just grown a second head. “You’re kidding, right?” Elita narrowed her optics in suspicion of the confused Orion.

“Why would I be joking about that?” 

“Orion doesn’t go out much,” D-16 answered swiftly, preventing the can of nanoworms that would come. This was not the time to explain Orion’s background, nor did Dee want to bring his mood down. Elita was uncertain if she could accept that answer, but she didn’t press it further. Bee, though weirded out, turns his attention back to Orion.

“Right! Um, tickets are used to control attendance. If everyone had just walked there, all the seats would have been full, which would not have been great. So everyone has to buy a ticket to watch.”

“What if there’s no tickets left?”

“Then you can’t get in. Simple as that,” Elita responded in a 'This is basic common sense’ tone.

“But we don’t have to worry about that, thankfully. I'd better go find Steve. I’ll be back in a bit, guys!” B-127 scurried away out of sight. The rest of the group sat down on a bench.

“I like Bee. He’s really friendly.” Orion commented after several klicks. “What do you think of him, Dee?”

“He’s…alright, I guess.” Immediately after answering, in the corner of his optic, Dee could see Elita staring him down like a Metal Hawk watching potential prey, waiting for the right moment to strike. “You don’t have to keep staring me down. I can feel your optics.”

“Just because I’m off duty doesn’t mean I’m not vigilant.”

“Oh, you think I’m gonna be stupid enough to steal from these bots? The last thing I want to do is draw attention.”

“Can you blame me? Everywhere you go, trouble is that far behind. I read files about you, Megatron. How you’ve spent the past few cycles stealing, not caring what impact your crimes have.”

“You think I steal for enjoyment? I do it to survive. Not everyone has the luxury to get through life easily like you.”

“I worked hard to get where I am today. I didn’t need to steal from hardworking bots, especially a cherished prized item from The Primes. The way I see it, you're just another selfish criminal.”

“You don’t know me or what my life is like, so you have no right to judge!”

The silver mech and pink femme continued their tennis match of bickering, unintentionally ignoring Orion on the sidelines. Their voices had risen to high volumes at some points, loud enough to make Orion’s frame flinch.

"ENOUGH WITH THE LIGHTS, ORION! YOU ARE NOT SEEING THEM! AND YOU ARE NOT LEAVING THIS TOWER! EVER!!!”

Orion didn’t remember when he got off the bench to walk away. Something deep within told him to distance himself from the loud voices. He snapped out of it after several klicks, surprised to realize what had happened. Why did Dee & Elita’s childish bickering trigger that response in him? It's not like they were yelling at him. 

Their tones may sound similar to when Father occasionally yelled at Orion for doing something to upset him, like what happened yesterday. Or the other times before that. Only because Orion did something wrong. Well, Orion always assumed he had done something wrong since he always apologized to Father. If there was no immediate apology, the worst-case scenario is that Sentinel would give Orion the silent treatment that lasts for days. Sometimes his attention is so distant that Orion often ends up curled up on himself, crying alone in his room. And even when they inevitably make up and go back to normal, the memories of that anger from Sentinel stick to Orion like two slabs of metal hastily welded together. There were times when Orion even had nightmares about it.

A deep vent escaped Orion when he was fully snapped back to reality. One good look at his surroundings made him realize he was far from his companions' presence.

“Scrap, I should get back to them before they realize-” Orion slammed into something that knocked him when he turned around.

“HEY! Watch it!” A deep voice roared at him. Orion looks up to see a dark blue mech slightly taller than him, with a dark gray helm & finials, faceplace covered by a mouth mask, and a magenta visor.

“Sorry, sir!” Orion raised his servos in a surrendering gesture to show he didn’t want any trouble.

The magenta visor mech’s demeanor quickly changed upon looking at him. His helm moves up and down like he is checking out Orion. A low hum from his engine almost sounded like a…purr. “Hello there…”

“Uh, hi?” Orion responded, unsure if he liked the way this mech was learning at him. 

“And what’s a gorgeous thing like you doing here?”

“I-I’m with some f-friends.” Orion tries to slowly back away from the mech. “I-I should be getting back to them."

The magenta visor mech slowly stalks Orion until he is backed into a wall, not caring about the obvious uncomfortable expression on his face. “What's your hurry?” He sticks his arm on Orion’s side, resting his servo on the wall blocking his escape route. “I have some time before the race.”

“Y-you’re here for The Iacon 5000 too?” Orion was trying to keep himself together and not freak out.

“You don’t know who I am?” The mech sounded genuinely surprised.

“Should I?”

The mech stared in silence for nano-klicks. “Ah, well. Maybe once we’re done, you’ll know me much better.”

“What’s makes you so certain?”

He leaned closer to Orion, placing an index digit under his chin. “Oh, I think you know, gorgeous.”

Orion didn’t remember it happening or when it did. All he could recall about the following nano-klicks was his fist hitting the magenta visor mech’s faceplate hard enough to make him tumble back. The mech let out a groan as he clutched the impact area. A low, angry snarl came out of him.

“Why you little-!” The magenta-visor mech balls his servo into a fist. Orion closes his optics, anticipating the punch. The impact from the fist doesn't come. Opening his optics, Orion sees Dee blocking the mech’s fist with his servo and a not-so-happy expression.

“Don’t you lay a servo on him…Darkwing.” Dee gently snarled.

An amusing chuckle came from the other mech as he removed his fist. “Well, well, well. Long time no see, D-16. How’s your chassis? Still sore? Hehe.” Dee didn’t dignify him with a response and only glared. Darkwing set his gaze back to Orion. “This mech with you? Another berth-partner to entertain you?”

“He’s my friend, and I prefer that you don’t disrespect him like that.” 

“Dee, do you know him?” Orion asked.

Dee vents out. “…Darkwing & I used to be a part of the same fighting pits.”

“Oh, yeah. He and I frequently exchanged hits until I gave him one hard punch on your chassis, and then you left in shame,” Darkwing expressed, as if it were a fond memory.

That revelation made Orion’s optics grow wider as the gears in his processor turned. “You…! You were the one who almost killed Dee?!” He pointed his digit accusingly at the mech.

“Pax, it's fine…” Dee tried to calm him, but Orion brushed him off.

“It isn’t fine! You could’ve died because of him!”

Darkwing eyed Dee. “Is that what you told him? Please. I didn’t hit you that hard.” Darkwing scoffed like he didn’t care. “And if you did, only shows how much of a weakling you were.”

Orion let out a growl and stepped forward, reaching for his frying pan in his subspace, only for Dee to hold him back. “Pax. Please.” With a huff, Orion settled down.

“Feisty friend you have there,” Darkwing commented amusingly.

Dee pretended to not hear the lewd implications in that tone. “Look, Darkwing. We don’t want any trouble.”

“As much as I want to relive the good old days of smacking you around, I don’t either. I’ve gone legit and made a name for myself. Don’t want to tarnish my reputation now. Though it makes me wonder what you've done for yourself, D-16.”

The silver mech lowered his helm, trying to hide his shame. That failure was evident when Darkwing let out a dark laugh. “Figures. I expected nothing more.” He leans close to Dee’s faceplate. “You're the same now as you were in the fighting pits. An orphan with limited options. You were born with nothing, and you’ll die with nothing. You’re nothing but insignificant.”

One of Dee’s servos balled into a twitching fist, keeping his restraint on a tight leash threatening to break loose. Marigold optics briefly flickered to a hint of orange.

“Is there a problem here?” All helms turned to a crossed-armed Elita, with B-127 by her side. The orange in Dee's optics switches back to marigold.

“What's it to ya?” Darkwing barked out.

“How about two off-duty Iacon guards?” Elita subtly showed off her badge on her hip. Darkwing’s demeanor changed.

“Just chatting with an old friend. I was on my way.” Darkwing turns to Dee. “It was good to see you again, D-16. And as for you, gorgeous.” Orion flinched. “If you ever tire of him, my berth is open to you.” 

“Go. Now.” Dee's engine revved like a growl, stepping before Orion to block Darkwing’s view of him.

"I hope you enjoy the race, Little Orphan.” Darkwing spits it out mockingly.

With that said and done, Darkwing left. Dee immediately turned to Orion. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

“I’m fine. I’m sorry for wandering off. I just needed to-”

“Hey, it’s fine, Pax. I shouldn't have ignored you like that.” Dee then gently patted Orion’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

From the sidelines, Elita watches the two mechs. A quiet, ‘Ahem’ from Bee prompted her to step forward. “And…I share some responsibility since I started the argument, so I’m sorry too.”

“It's okay, guys. Thanks.” Orion smiled, unsure how to feel about being the receiving end of apologies, but that's something he'll work out later.

“Well, now that that's settled, I've got the tickets!” Bee held them up to show them. “Now we can get in.”

Everyone followed Bee to the stadium's entrance. They all got in with no issues, and no officials questioned the legitimacy of the tickets, much to D-16’s surprise.

“What did I say? Steve has questionable character, but always pulls through with the tickets.” Elita commented to the silver mech with a playful smirk at one point.

Orion looked over to Dee. “Dee? You okay?”

“I’ll be fine.”

“He's wrong. What Darkwing said to you.” 

“I can handle a few mean comments from that brute. It's the same tactics he used to do whenever he & I fought back in the pits. He LOVED to remind me that I’m an orphan. All to bait me to fight him."

“That doesn’t make it okay for him to say those things. I don’t care what he says about you. You’re so much better than that jerk! And I know I already said this, but I'll tell you again: You’re not insignificant." 

“I…I appreciate that, Pax." 

"Like I promised: I got your back if you got mine. And I never break any promises." 

Dee replicated the sweet smile Orion gave him. "Thanks, Pax."

Elita glances behind at the two mechs as they interact. The softness in their optics, the caring way they spoke, and how sweet their smiles were were something she could not ignore. And how Megatron stepped in between Darkwing and Orion to keep the former from getting closer, and how ready he was to rip Darkwing apart after he said that degrading offer to Orion burned into her memory banks. 

As much as she didn’t want to believe it, maybe there was more to Megatron than being a pain in the aft thief, but that was yet to be seen.

“So…” Bee trailed off once the group was in. “What was that whole thing between you and Darkwing?”

“I…knew him a long time ago.”

“Did you, now?” Elita prodded.

“I'd rather not talk about that…” Dee held one of his arms with a grim expression. “Unpleasant memories.”

“How did you know his name?” Orion asked the pair.

“He’s a racer. A ruthless one at that.” Elita answered. “Darkwing participated in many races. He's won the last four Iacon 5000 and is aiming to win again.”

“Five is the highest win streak and greatest achievement any Iacon 5000 racer can achieve,” Bee explained.

Orion thought back to Darkwing. The arrogance in his posture, his quick reaction to violence, and how he didn’t even seem to care that he almost killed Dee and happily taunted him about being an orphan gave Orion a distasteful feeling. A deep anger for the dark blue mech.

“I hope the slaghelm loses.”

“Welcome to The Iacon 5000!”

Thousands of cheering voices echoed through the enormous stadium. Excitement was radiating everywhere. Spotlights flung around, fueling the spectators even more with joy. 

“Put your servos together as today's competitors are taking the field.”

The crowd erupts into full-out cheering as the participating racers arrive at the starting line. The announcer named out all the contestants as mechs & femmes in various frames & colors marched on out, most stretching themselves to get ready, and with some waving to the audience.

In the stands, Orion watched the whole thing in absolute awe. This was so different from his quiet life at the tower. Who knew something like a race could get this many bots together and make them happy. And there was so much to learn. Bee was especially happy to answer any questions Orion had, as he is also a big fan of the Iacon 5000. He even shared facts about his favorite racers, with some examples like bots called Thunder Glide and Behemoth. 

Sitting next to him, Dee looked at Orion, watching his enthralled friend be invested in this event with a warm smile. It was nice to see Orion genuinely enjoy himself without worrying about his father. Remembering Orion's breakdown right after leaving the tower struck D-16 differently, knowing what he knew now. Has Orion ever been this excited about something? 

Dee pulled away from those sad thoughts. “These are pretty good seats, Bee.” He stated. “How did your friend get them?”

“Like I said. Steve works wonders.” Bee points a digit gun at D-16. “And good thing I asked him to get some extra tickets. I was going to ask some coworkers if they wanted to come, but I never got around to it. Funny how fate works out.”

“Everything about this looks so cool!” Orion exclaimed with pure joy. “I never knew something like this was even real.”

“You…never watched or even heard of the Iacon 5000?” Elita questioned.

“Like Dee said, I don’t go out much…” Orion sheepishly smiled back. Dee tried not to look uncomfortable. “How long has this race been around?”

“A cycle after the Quintesson War,” Bee responded. “The Primes created it to celebrate their victory, and to honor the lives lost in the war. All five thousand of them.”

“Hence why it's called the Iacon 5000?” 

“Pretty much. It was meant to be a one-time thing, but the race was such a big hit that The Primes made it a tradition held once every cycle. At first, it was to commemorate the end of the Quintesson War. Then it became part of the Festival of The Lost Prime.”

“The lost who now?” Orion grew puzzled.

“Optimus Prime. The Lost Fourteenth Prime.” Bee stated like it was common knowledge.

Orion turns to Dee. “I thought you said there were thirteen primes.”

“Oh right, um…I kinda forgot about that.” Dee responded sheepishly.

“Wait, you didn’t know about Optimus?” Bee's question caught Elita’s attention as well. Orion responded by shaking his helm.

“Were you living under a rock? That's what this whole festival is for. Everyone and their creator knows the story,” Elita scoffed in disbelief. 

“Actually, I was raised in a tower…” Orion answered.

“I don’t think that's what she meant by that, Pax.” Dee looks directly at the pair, sticking up an accusing digit. “Give us a klick.” He places his full attention on Orion.

“You never said anything about a fourteenth prime."

“That was my mistake.” An annoyed groan was emitted from behind the servo that Dee used to facepalm, slowly rubbing it down. “Yesterday was so crazy it slip past me. But, yes. There is, or WAS, a fourteenth prime born several cycles after The Quintesson War ended.”

“Was? What do you mean?”

“When Optimus was only a sparkling, someone somehow scaled The Prime Tower in the dead of night…” D-16 then points to the giant tower, which is seen not too far from the racing platform. “...Broke in, kidnapped him, and escaped undetected. That was cycles ago and no one had seen Optimus since.”

“They never found him?” Dee nodded his helm. That made Orion feel sick to his tanks, especially as a victim of an almost kidnapping. Even though it cost him his carrier, his sire saved him. He couldn’t imagine what would’ve happened if Father had failed to do so. For all the mech’s faults, Orion doesn’t want to subject Sentinel to that fate. Not knowing where his son was. “Surely they have to have some clue.”

“No one knows where he is, or who even took him. There have been theories, but none that were ever confirmed. The Primes created this festival to honor him and merged The Iacon 5000 since it usually took place around the same time. The lanterns you want to see are meant to be a guide in hopes of showing Optimus the way home. Assuming he’s alive, that is.”

“Do you think Optimus Prime is out there?” 

Dee shrugs. "I have no clue. There's no trace of the poor kid. Like he vanished off the face of the universe. He’s probably not online anymore.”

“Maybe he isn’t. Maybe he’s still out there. Maybe he’s among us and we don’t even know it.”

“Ever the optimist you are.”

“My optimism got us here, didn’t it?” Orion said with a cheeky grin.

“True.” Dee didn’t say anything for nano-klicks. “You know, I just remembered something.”

“What?” 

“Optimus’ birthday is also today.”

“Really now?” Orion paused briefly. "Huh. I share a birthday with a Prime. Neat."

Orion silently processes all the information Dee had shared about the fourteenth prime. Optimus Prime. The Lost Prime. The name nagged his helm like a familiar itch.

“I’ve never heard of Optimus Prime, not once in my life. So why do I feel like…Like I know it?”

“...And returning for his fifth cycle, four-time Iacon 5000 champion: Darkwing!" The race caller snapped Orion out of his thoughts as his voice boomed through the stadium.

“Oh goody,” Orion thought sarcastically, watching Darkwing reveling in the cheers the spectators let out as his name was announced. He used both servos to wave in every direction, earning more cheers as the race caller spoke. 

“Will he win his fifth Iacon 5000? A feat few manage to achieve, or will someone else dethrone him? There will only be one way to find out!”

Unlike most cheering spectators, a certain four did not share the sentiment. Dee groaned, rolling his optics as Darkwing basked in adoration. Orion stared at the dark blue, magenta visor mech with a glare.

“He really does like all of this attention.”

“And I thought he was bad during our time as underground gladiators. Darkwing always loved the attention.”

“He shouldn’t have done what he did to you.”

“I know, Pax. But there’s nothing I can do about it now.”

“Expect hope that he loses this race.”

Dee lets out a laugh. “Would love to see that. Maybe that’ll teach him.”

The other mech glances around the stadium with his curious azure optics. “Have you ever come here before, Dee?”

“A few times. They allowed the kids from my orphanage to come here for free. After I left, I mostly stuck to watching the race on the holonetwork.”

“What was it like coming here?”

“It was pretty fun. One of the few times in my childhood when I could have fun like an actual youngling. Kinda miss it. No fun watching a race alone.”

“But you’re not alone now.” Orion holds Dee’s servo, thumb caressing the knuckles. “You have me with you.”

“Ah, yeah. I suppose.” He tries to suppress his blush, hoping Orion doesn't release his grip.

"Don't forget us, too!" Bee pipped in, waving to himself and Elita. 

"Only because of my honor," Elita reminded.

"I'm so flattered," Dee responded dryly.

“And finally, we have a late entry, folks.” The race caller announced with intrigue. “A first-time racer, or FTR as we call them. Let's give a warm welcome to this newbie: Chromia!”

“Chromia?” Dee was intrigued. “Wasn’t she one of the Auto House Patrons we met yesterday?”

“She is!” Orion’s optics were now laser-focused on the crowd of competing racers. He spots an aqua colored femme happily waving to the crows. “There she is! Oh gosh! She’s actually doing it! She’s competing in a race!”

“You know her?” Bee inquired.

“I think I’m the reason she’s here.” A sudden thought strikes Orion. “You think maybe she could beat Darkwing?”

“Unlikely,” Elita put it bluntly, earning an unimpressed glare from Orion. “I’m not saying it to be a downer. FTRs in The Iacon 5000 have extremely low chances of winning the race in their first go.”
 
“She’s right. The Iacon 5000 is so intense that even the most experienced racers don’t always make it to the finish line.” Bee added on. “There’s a old saying that for someone to win, the lucky bot would have to be blessed by Primus, or at least one of the Primes.” 

“Well, she can have my blessing.” Orion maintained.

With an audial-to-audial grin, Chromia basks in her surroundings. She is so absorbed by the excitement that she accidentally bumps into Darkwing.

“Watch it!” He barked.

“Sorry. First time racing. Just excited.” Chromia’s optics widen with recognition. “Wait, you’re Darkwing! You won the last four Iacon 5000 races. That's impressive.” Darkwing let out a disinterested grunt. “I always wanted to race in them myself. I watched so many that I've memorized the whole thing.” Again, Darkwing doesn’t acknowledge Chromia with any response. "Okay, not much of a talker. I can respect that."

The spotlights then suddenly turned on. All optics watched as the light trailed up the Prime Tower.

“And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…”

“Ooh! This is my favorite part!” Bee clapped to himself excitedly.

Orion was confused. “What’s going on?” He questioned, gazing at the top of the familiar tower.

On the roof at the highest point of The Prime Tower, a large aqua green mech sat crisscross, servos resting on his lap in a meditative position. Lights shone on the edge before him, prompting the mech to open his optics. He slowly stood up as he listened to the race caller's voice.

“The Leader of Leaders. The Protector of Cybertron. Quintessons hate him, but we love him! Ladies and gentlemechs, put your servos together for one of our greatest leaders! The one and only…” 

The aqua green mech dashed for the ledge. At the last possible nano-klick, his thrusters activated, allowing him to make a ginormous leap from the top of the tower. Some gasps were heard from the spectators, Orion being one of them, as they watched the figure gradually fall toward the stadium. A loud thud echoed as the mech landed on the racing archway with all the perfect grace & power… 

“Zeta Prime!”

The crowd went wild at the Prime before them. Orion gaped in shock and awe at the giant of a mech, impressed by how much of a presence Zeta had with just his appearance.

“Is that…one of the primes?” Orion whispered to Dee, not taking his optics off Zeta as he waved to the crowd.

“Zeta Prime.” Dee clarified. “One of the Thirteen Primes.”

“Not just any prime, the main helm of them,” Bee remarked. “They say when Zeta was newly online, he cleaved down a mountain in half with just an axe.”

“Woah…” Orion whispered.

Zeta waved to the crowd with a humble but friendly smile. “Hello, everyone! It's great to be with you all on this beautiful day!” The crowd let out more cheers in response. The prime raised his arms, gesturing to the spectators to quiet down.

“Over fifty cycles ago, Cybertron faced its most brutal conflict when the Quintessons attacked our home. This resulted in a long, brutal war in which we were victorious. But victory is not without sacrifices. Those who gave their lives to protect our home, including those we cared about..." There was a hint of sadness in Zeta's optics. "The Iacon 5000 was created to honor those lost in the war. Then cycles later…Another life was added in remembrance.”

The lights around the stadium dimmed. Giant blue holograms of Zeta and the other twelve primes popped up. Orion was in absolute awe. He could see what all the Primes looked like for the first time. Each one was unique, not one looking similar to the other. Yet despite their differences, Orion could feel the camaraderie and a sense of family with these holograms alone.

The holograms were gathered closely, holding something in the center, drawing Orion’s attention.

“On this day many cycles back, we welcomed a new prime into the world: Optimus Prime.”

The center object that the hologram primes, Orion could see the sparkling they held: Optimus Prime, the Lost Prime himself.

“For a time, there was joy. Then tragically, our dear Optimus was stolen from us shortly after his first birthday. Despite our best efforts over the cycles, we have not found any sign of our lost brother.” Zeta shared in a mournful tone. Many in the stadium shared the same expression of mourning. Some even shed tears.

Orion didn’t pay much attention to what Zeta was saying, for his attention was still drawn to the hologram of the infant Optimus Prime. Orion could see red and blue on the sparkling even through the blue filter. The red torso, blue legs, servos, and helm were similar to his own. Then there were the optics. There was something familiar about Optimus’ optics that Orion couldn’t place.

Then he gazed at the hologram of The Primes. This was the first time Orion saw what they looked like. Up until yesterday, he had no clue about the Prime's existence. Yet as he gazed upon them, there was a feeling of joy in his spark. It felt normal and not alien, almost as if Orion were acquainted with it. The holograms vanished, and the stadium gradually brightened as Zeta finished his speech.

"My fellow Primes & I still urge anyone to come forward with any information. Our hopes of The Lost Prime’s return have not died out. Nor will it ever, as long as there is the possibility of Optimus Prime still being alive. Until proven otherwise, my brothers & sister in arms will never lose our resolve. For we are Cybertronians. Our strength will never be diminished! Not only for my fellow Primes, but also for you, dear citizens! For we are all strong! Together as one!”

Cheers erupted throughout the entire stadium.

“Today's race will show an example of our strength.” Zeta brings his attention to the contenders. “Racers, make ready!”

All those participating move their postures to prepare themselves. 

Chromia looked at Darkwing one more time. “Hey…May the best racer win?” She stuck her servo out to offer a good luck servoshake.

Darkwing turns his helm in her direction. “I plan to.” He then quietly growls to her, “...And you better stay out of MY way.” He turns away from the stunned Chromia.

Though he was a reasonable distance away, Orion caught that interaction. He couldn’t hear the words exchanged, but Chromia’s taken-aback expression was enough for Orion to know that Darkwing didn’t say anything kind to her.

“Don’t let him get to you. Fulfill your dream,” Orion whispered.

All the shock Chromia felt from Darkwing’s cold nature was suddenly washed over her with a sudden surge of confidence, like some force was encouraging her.

“Racers!" Zeta's voice booms. "On your marks!” 

All the racers transformed into their alt modes. The engines of every bot revved up, waiting for the moment to move.

“Get set!” 

The red light on the archway that the Prime was standing above changed to a bright yellow. Sever agonizing nano-klicks passed by until Zeta transformed one of his arms into a cannon, firing a shot into the air.

The yellow changes to green, lowering the gate. The racers zoom off onto the race tracks, and cheers grow distant behind them.

“And they’re off! The Iacon 5000 has begun!”

Chapter Text

Chapter 18: Iacon 5000 Part 2

Roars of tires & jet boosters echoed through wherever the road of the race takes them through parts of the city, along with the cheers of onlookers watching from the streets. Chromia slowly kept up her pace not too far from Darkwing, among the dozens of racers.

Back at the stadium, the race was played on a giant screen so everyone could watch the action on the track. Like them, Orion’s optics were glued onto the screen. Watching as the racers pass through a marker with a large green X, hearing the race caller's voice boom on the speakers.

 “Our racers had just arrived at the first obstacle: Tricky Twists!”

Orion turns to B-127. “Tricky Twists?”

“An obstacle where the road makes unpredictable turns. Left. Right. Sometimes upside down! If a racer isn’t alert, they could get wiped out.”

The race track makes a sudden, harsh turn. Some bots couldn’t slow down in time and got knocked out. At the stadium, the low echoes of 'oohs' and 'oches' came from flinching spectators. This repeated with several more turns, with the final being a loop. 

Darkwing effortlessly evaded every tumbling racer, even knocking a few of them down in the chaos. Chromia had several near misses. Especially when a racer with a large truck alt-mode came barreling towards her, but the femme ducked under them unscathed.

"That all looked painful," Orion flinched as he saw a poor bot slam into an unsuspecting racer. 

"Like we said. This race is pretty intense," Bee remarked.

“Looks like we got our first wipeouts already. That’s why there are always teams of medics on standby.”

A camera panned onto a group of medbots making way to the downed racers. It zoomed in on a evergreen femme medic pushing a orange mech racer on a gurney.

“Do not worry. You’ll be fixed up in no time.”

“Ugh, did I win?”

“You…participated.”

“Yay…”

Chuckles were heard in parts of the stadium.

“I don’t think he’ll be racing anytime soon, folks.” The race caller commented with amusement. “We all wish him and the others a smooth recovery. On the plus side, barely a quarter of the competitors were knocked out. Almost a record low!”

The screen shows the remaining competing racers exiting the course. Including Darkwing, and Chromia.

“Chromia made it!” Orion exclaimed happily.

“Don’t get your hopes up yet, birthday boy. That was only the first obstacle of the race,” Elita maintained. 

“One of four. Each one is more difficult than the last. Tricky Turns is the easiest,” Bee further elaborated on. “Oh! They’re coming up on the next one.”

“Now arriving at the second obstacle: Rain of Electricity!” 

“One hit of those guns and you’re out. A decent chunk of racers usually get taken out at this portion, be it experience or FTRs.”

“Maybe they’ll hit Darkwing,” Orion glances at Dee with a hopeful look.

The silver mech lets out a playful huff. "That would be nice." 

Guns planted on both sides of the tracks shoot out balls of electricity. Many hit racers, paralyzing them, while the lucky ones that didn’t get hit dodge the balls or those that got hit. Darkwing was hovering near a racer when he noticed one of the guns in the corner of his optic pointing in his direction. Right at the last nano-klick as the weapon fired, Darkwing suddenly pulled back, letting the other racer get hit as he let out a cruel laugh.

Chromia narrowly avoids several of the blasts. One had hit close enough that she almost fell off the road. Thankfully, Chromia stabilized herself, driving by a poor bot clinging onto the ledge of the road. The rain of electric balls seems to finally stop. More space was up ahead of the aqua femme, taking the opportunity to speed up.

“I made it! I can’t believe it. I’m only halfway-” The track suddenly ends and Chromia finds herself falling. "-TTTHHHRRROOOUUGGHH!” Returning to her robot form, Chromia spread her limbs out to gradually decrease her falling speed. “Totally forgot about this part!”

Behind her, Darkwing flew straight down at high speed in his flying alt-mode. “Beat it, newbie!” He strikes her side without any remose.

“Darkwing delivers a devastating blow to Chromia!”

Orion lets out a gasp. Chromia straightens herself, lands safety on the tracks below and rides away back in her alt-mode to his relief. That didn't take away his anger at Darkwing's dirty move. “Darkwing can’t do that! He could’ve hurt her!”

“In a normal race, maybe, but not the case here." Bee responded.

"What, why?"

“Racers in the Iacon are allowed to use physical force as long as there’s a racer within their proximity," Elita explained.

"So Darkwing can hit around anyone he wants?" Orion questioned.

"Sadly, yes," Dee answered glumly. "And the bastard will always use any opportunity to smack anyone."

“I want someone to smack him…” Orion muttered to himself, pouting.

“Here comes the Tunnel of Destruction!” The race caller announces.

That name does not settle well with Orion. “Tell me this obstacle is not as bad as the name suggests…”

“If you don’t count small walls unpredictably popping up in a cramped tunnel that leaves little room to move, then sure…” Bee responded sheepishly.

All the contenders enter a dark tunnel. Several sections of walls suddenly appear from the ground, the sides, or even the ceiling at unexpected times. Several of the racing bots crashed into them.

Up ahead, Darkwing was nearly in front of the rest of the racers. Effortlessly avoiding every wall like it was a walk in the park. Glancing back, he could see the metal of Chromia’s metal plates. She was gaining up. Pretty impressive for an FTR, Darkwing has to admit, but he wasn’t concerned about her. No way she, or anyone, could catch up to him.

But better safe than sorry.

“Victory is all mine.” Darkwing made a hard jerk on his side, knocking a jet racer down onto the track below, crashing into the bots below. “Let's see anyone try to get through that.”
 
Within nano-kilocks, small mountains of downed racer formed.

“OOH! Pile up in the Tunnel of Destruction!”

Collective gasps echoed across the stadium as they watched the screen.

Chromia was avoiding getting hit, with each dodge getting narrower. There wasn’t going to be any more room for her to move. She had to improvise and fast. There was a wall that popped up from the ground. Transforming back to her robot form, she hastily climbed up and leaped onto a moving driver. A grounder was tumbling towards her, and she hopped onto the next grounder, who then crashed into another downed racer, flinging Chromia into the air straight towards the bots about to collide. Just as Chromia thought it was over for her, she suddenly finds herself flying over the chaos. Looking up, the aqua femme sees that she was grasping onto a flyer racer. She didn’t know they were coming or remember grabbing on. Like some other force possessed her. Either way, Chromia was happy to avoid the pile-up.

“Impressive dodging from Chromia!"

Chromia looks back at the chaos of the piled-up racers. “At least I’m away from that mess.”

“Hey! GET OFF!” The flying transformer Chromia was clinging on helms popped out, barked at Chromia.

“Sorry!” She quickly released her grip, returning to her alt-mode and speeding off. “Big fan, by the way!”

Ahead came the exit where she and many other bots transformed back to their robot forms to jogged over. It was a wall with pentagon-shaped holes. Every so often, they would be blocked by solid walls. Other bots would crash into them if they do not time their jumps correctly. Chromia has to time her jump just right. Watching other bots either successfully getting through or mistiming & crashing.

“And…” Chromia slowly counts to herself. The wall closed, lingering for several long nano-klicks before opening. “NOW!”

Chromia jumped through the hole, making it outside before the wall reappeared. “Yes, YES! I made it!” She pumps her fists in the air, only to turn to see a yellow & green mech dive out of the tunnel, slamming right into her. The impact sends Chromia tumbling onto the ground and rolling off the track’s edge.

In the stadium, Orion nearly jumps out of his seat. “No!” 

Right at the last nano-klick, Chromia firmly grabbed onto a ledge, her frame dangling over the streets of Iacon many feet below. Then she carefully climbed back onto the race track. By the time she safely back on track, the other racers were a good distance ahead.

“And Chromia has fallen wwaaaayyy behind. A good run for an FTR. But now let's focus on the rest of the racers.”

“Looks like your friend is not gonna win this one.” Elita told Orion grimly.

“Don’t give up on her now. She might have a chance!” 

“And how exactly do you expect her to keep up? She’ll need to be launched to recover that much ground.”

On the track, Chromia had her servos on her knees, panting heavily as she tried to think of her next move. Without any reasoning, she got the urge for her helm to turn on her side. Red glow caught her visual field. 

“It seems that Chromia is up to something.” The race caller’s voice was filled with confusion. The screen pans back to Chromia moving close to some thrusters glowing red before blowing some air.

“What are those?” Orion pointed to the thrusters on the screen.

“Red thrusters." Dee answered. "Get caught in one of those and you’ll launch halfway across the city.” 

“How do you know that?”

“I use them to escape authorities a few times.”

The red glow of the thrusters dimmed down. Chromia then leaped over to the port.

“I think your friend might have the same idea,” Bee pointed to the screen.

The other three’s optics were glued to the large screen. “There’s no way-”

Like she was on autopilot, Chromia slid into the thruster. Nano-klicks later, it suddenly glowed a bright red as the same aqua femme flew out.

"Oh Primus, she did," Elita uttered with shock.

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing!”

As she feels herself flying most of the track, Chromia lets out a scream that's a mixture of excitement and terror.

“Never had I ever seen any racer pull a stunt like that? Is that even legal? Hold on…And it is! Clever move by the newbie!”
 
Zeta Prime grew an amused grin on his lipplates as the cheers erupted behind him. “Clever.” 

Strangely, he could feel a surge positive energy coming off from this femme. Perhaps today’s victor will not be who everyone expects.

A few of the racers had already strayed ahead of the remaining ones. Darkwing was not too far from the leading racers. All he had to do was gain his speed and be vigilant in the final obstacle, and victory would be all his. Unaware of the aqua femme flying down from above, landing just a few feet ahead, starling him that he almost lose control.

“What the-YOU?!”

“Great effort, Darkwing!” 

Chromia speeds up to catch up with the leaders. The stadium came into her view. The race was almost over.

“There she is! She might win this!” Orion proclaimed, almost bouncing in his seat.

“If she can get through the fourth and final obstacle,” Elita affirmed.

“What’s that one?”

“The Wildcard,” Bee announced with almost a shudder.

“Wildcard?” Orion tilted his helm. “Why is it called that?”

“It means they don’t know,” Dee answered. “The final obstacle changes every cycle and is never announced. The racers go in it blind. Adds to the thrill.”

Chromia and three lead racers just ahead were on the final stretch of road leading into the stadium. She wanted to speed up ahead, but something kept her restrained, telling her to wait. The racers ahead increased their speed to try to win. 

That’s when a tunnel with three separate rotating sections moving either clockwise or counterclockwise appeared from below the track. The first two racers were forcibly transformed back to their robot forms and got stuck on the glowing red walls. The third one desperately tried grasping on the ground before they also got stuck to the tunnel wall.  

Chromia entered the tunnel before she could stop. Panic set in her processor as she floated, trying to tell her that she needed to escape. But then something else washed over her. A feeling of calmness, telling her to take it slow and gentle. Instead of flailing around like the other racers, she kept still as her frame practically gracefully floated through until she landed on the gap between the first and second sections. 

When Chromia landed in the gap, the second section of the tunnel was glowing a gentle green. One might expect her to jump in, believing she could make it through, but that same force was telling Chromia to wait. The tunnel section behind her turned green, showing a promising opportunity for two other racers to pass through the second. Only for it to turn red the mere nano-klick they entered.

Something finally clicked in Chromia’s processor. She waited for the tunnel to turn green to run through, straight into the final tunnel section. The aqua femme watches the lights start flickering to red. When it gets closer, she leaps to the end. Chromia tries to get up when she feels a strong tug on her pede, like someone trying to pull her in. 

“You’re not stealing my victory, newbie!” Darkwing roared as his frame floated in the red tunnel, keeping a tight grip on her.

“We got ourselves a tug of war between our champion and the newbie at the magnetic tunnel! How this goes could determine the winner this race!”

The stadium is silent as they anxiously watch the scuffle between the two competitors. Zeta watches with a curious expression. Orion was most anxious for Chromia, fearing for what Darkwing might do.

"Don't pull her in. Don't pull her in," The red & blue mech chanted to himself.

“Let go of me!” Chromia tries to shake Darkwing's grip off her pede.

“This race is mine to win! Not yours!” Darkwing attempts to climb out while trying to pull Chroma in. “You don’t belong on this track! I’m a better racer than everyone here!”

Chromia stares at Darkwing, dead in his visor-covered optics. Something screams in her 'Now or Never.'

“You’re a good racer, Darkwing. Too bad I can’t say the same for your personality!”

Darkwing tumbled into the tunnel with one hard kick to the faceplate, sticking to the red walls. All that came out of him were angrily shouting not so nice words, which resulted in the audials of younglings being covered by their parents, as he watched Chromia drive away straight to the finish line.

“WE HAVE A WINNER!”

Confetti pops into the air as Chromia slides through the finish line on her knees. She grabs a camera in a celebration dance, listening to the cheering throughout the stadium, and those watching the race throughout the city.

“Chromia makes history by being the first FTR to win! Knocking down Darkwing’s winning streak! Talk about an Iacon 5000 for the ages!”

“She did it! She did it!” Orion screamed excitedly, loud enough to earn stares from some spectators. Orion didn’t care, continuing to jump in pure joy, clinging onto D-16. “She won, Dee! Chromia won! She beat Darkwing!”

“She did, Pax. She did.” Dee took extra pleasure in watching Darkwing get stuck in the magnetic tunnel, and now seeing race attendants trying to pry him off on one of the screens. The brute of a mech was still yelling curses. Dee's lipplates curve into a smug smirk. 

“Well, I’ll be. She actually won,” Elita crossed her arms as she commented with genuine surprise.

“This is unbelievable! We just witnessed history!” Bee exclaimed.

All the cheers & chatter quickly simmered down when Zeta made his way over to Chromia. The aqua femme lowered her helm in a bow, a gesture of respect to the Prime. Zeta gestured for her to look at him. Zeta presents a gold shiny beautiful trophy to Chromia, who holds it like precious treasure.

“Congratulations, Chromia. You have made history by being the first racer to win the Iacon 5000 on their first run. All while beating a reigning champion. You must be proud.”

“I am, my Prime. Thank you.”

“Do you wish to share some words?” Zeta gestures to the stadium.

Taking a klick to straighten herself up, Chromia starts speaking. “Gosh, I…I don’t know what to say. This has been a big dream of mine. I never thought I would make it. No one believed that I could. I didn’t initially want to sign up because I thought they were right.” She paused. “Until yesterday when I met someone.”

Orion leaned forward to better listen, knowing who Chromia was talking about.

“This mech just strolls in and shares a dream he wanted to achieve. Someone shared their dream with him, and he told them they could do it and not listen to anyone who tells them otherwise. I then told him mine, and he told me the same. With genuine passion. He believed in me. And he was right.” Chromia looks straight at the camera. From Orion's point of view, it looked as if she was staring at him. “I can only hope he can fulfill his dream like I did today.”

“I’m certain he will. And if he’s watching, I know he’s happy for you.” Chromia smiles at Zeta. The Prime turns tothe stadium again. “Let's give Chromia another round of applause!"

Sounds of clapping bounced throughout the stadium. Cameras flashed at Chromia, who waved proudly, showed off her trophy, and then shook servos with Zeta. 

Orion continues to be the loudest cheerer for Chromia, again earning some odd stares. None of his companions seemed to care. Dee gave a threatening glare to some bot who appeared annoyed and wanted to say something, but backed off once they saw the silver mech. The he would give a warm smile to Orion.  Bee & Elita at this point came to terms with Orion's enthusiasm.

Unbeknownst to any of them, Zeta was drawn out from the scene around him. There was a sudden rise of an aura that felt distant but familiar. Before he could pinpoint it, some race attendees called his attention.

After that, he couldn’t pinpoint it again.

All Auto House Pub's patrons watched the race on the only holoscreen. The moment Chromia crossed the finish line brought them immense joy.

"She did it! I knew she could!" Ironhide exclaimed as he let out a victory dance. Others joined in as everyone else cheered on.

Jazz smiled at that sight as he continued playing more music. Aside from Orion's arrival yesterday, this was perhaps the happiest he had ever seen his friends since he met them. His friends were delighted over Chromia's victory, and he saw something else spark within them all.

Hope. 

Hope that they can accomplish all of their dreams one day. 

And Jazz hopes Orion can do the same.

In another bar in Iacon, the race was being played on all of its screens. The bar wasn’t high-quality. If anything, it was worse than the Auto House pub, but Sentinel would have to settle with this place for now.

Out in the city, Airachnid was tracking down Orion and that deplorable thief Megatron. He has her commlink to keep in close communication for whenever she tracks them (with an exit plan to immediately block & cut the link off once he’s finished so that she doesn’t track him down). If her reputation was true to how skilled she was, Sentinel has nothing to worry about.

In the meantime, Sentinel is occupying his time, spending what is considered the ‘shadier’ parts of Iacon. Places where the High Guard or general enforcers don’t patrol often, making it the perfect place for one to do activities that may be considered illegal, such as gambling or selling items that have been banned.

Or in Sentinel’s case, a traitor to his planet to hide out in.

Sentinel watches The Iacon 5000 on screens like those in the bar. He saw that racer Darkwing got beaten by some newcomer named Chrome or whatever the Pits her name is. Sentinel has to admit it was sad to see Darkwing lose after winning the past four races. Darkwing seemed like a bot he could respect. Another potential follower for the reign that never was.

A scowl formed on the betrayer’s lipplates when Zeta showed up on screen. Jumping from his dumb tower to the stadium, then giving one of his dumb speeches, and presenting the winner. Sentinel couldn't help but roll his optics in annoyance. Zeta and the rest of the damn primes always had to suck up to the populace. All that power, and yet they think themselves the same level as other bots.

It was pathetic.

And yet Sentinel couldn’t help but feel envy when he saw how other bots revere with Zeta’s presence, including the bots in the bar watching on the holoscreen. Hearing comments about how much they admire him and the other primes, listing their favorite achievements the primes had accomplished, and so many more positive things about them. It almost made Sentinel crush his glass of high-grade.

“That should’ve been me in Zeta’s place. In ANY of the Prime's places.”

But none of that matters now. 

A notification in his HUD pops up. A request to open a commlink. 

“Have you tracked them, Airachind?”

“They went inside the racing stadium. What do you want me to do?”

“For now, just keep your optics on them. We have to wait for the right time to strike.”

“And what time would that be?”

“Trust me. I know.”

That time was right around the time the lanterns went up. Yes, Sentinel will let Orion have his little fun, even if it means running around with Megatron. Again, a scowl crept across his lips as he remembered how they interacted at their camp last night. 

Orion revered that brutish warframe, who gradually deconstructed the lies Sentinel had carefully crafted for all of Orion’s life. Not to mention how sweet they were acting, which made Sentinel purge his tanks. Watching that brought back memories of being the unfortunate witness to Prima & Megatronus’ being all lovey-dovey like cringy teenagers back during his days as an Aid to the Primes.

Whatever was growing between his son & the thief, Sentinel will kill before it could bloom.

“You’re certain?” Airachnid spoke in his comms again.

“I know that mech’s habits. I know the perfect time we can catch him. The longer we wait, the more of his guard will be let down. It will be easier to obtain the mech. Until then, keep your optics on him and don't get spotted.”

"He'd better be as worth as the trouble you're putting me through."

"Patience, my friend. All good things to those who wait."

Sentinel closed the commlink happily, doing personal venting exercises to calm himself. He spent cycles sucking up to The Primes until his botched betrayal. He can handle one whole solar cycle to playing pretend to a lowly criminal. He glances at a pretty-looking femme sitting at another table that he had been eyeing almost his whole stay. The femme took notice and appeared to instead enjoy his attention. Fluttering her optics when he subtly looks in his direction with a lewd grin. Sentinel should take this moment to blow off steam.

Who knows how long the next time will be after all this? He certainly not going to leave Orion alone in their tower for a good few orbital cycles that's for sure. He'll have his fake son work extra hard to earn back trust. Sentinel will happily remind Orion every moment of this betrayal until he's certain he'll never do it again. Prehaps he'll even lock the young mech in his bedroom whenever Sentinel leaves just to show how serious he is. Oh the ideas Sentinel has to make Orion submissive again just makes him feel so giddy.

Yeah, Sentinel can blow off some steam in the meantime. He needs it after all the trouble his son had been causing him. All the while letting Orion have his birthday fun. 

It will make the sparkbreak all the more devastating.