Transformers Regenerated: Unicron Saga VI, Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

-1,600 Years Ago-

   The first thing he remembered was darkness.

   He knew he was alive and awake, but he could not see, hear, speak, or even feel. The only thing he knew was that he was alive.

   He did not- or rather, could not- feel the passage of time, but eventually he was finally given sight. The first thing he saw with his newly-activated optics was a warm, comforting face staring down at him.

   "Good morning, young one," it said. "I am glad to see that you are awake."

   He opened his mouth to speak, just like the other being had just done, but no words came out. The other being laughed softly, but he did not understand the gesture. 

   "Do not worry," it said soothingly. "You will be able to speak in time. I will teach you all there is to know about you, me, and the Cybertronian race." It stretched out a hand and he instinctively took it. "By the way, my name is Magnum."

-Now-

   Optimus Prime winced as Megatron's flail struck his shoulder. Staggering back, he took time to regather his strength before charging with his axe. He swung the bladed weapon at Megatron's head, but missed as the Decepticon leader dodged and tripped Optimus, sending him falling to the ground. Optimus struggled to get back to his feet only to be kicked back down.

   "Pathetic," Megatron hissed. "Why would the Matrix choose you if you can't even fight back?"

   As Megatron prepared to kick him again, Optimus rolled and jumped to his feet, readying his axe again.

   "It chose me," Optimus Prime said, "because I have something worth fighting for."

*  *  *

   "What is my name?"

   As he followed Magnum through the beautiful, iridescent Helix Gardens of Praxus, the latter smiled at him. "What name would you fancy?"

   "I don't know," he said quietly. "I don't know anything about myself."

   Bringing their trek to a stop, Magnum turned and place a hand on his shoulder. "You are a member of the peaceful House of Pax, like myself. Forged under the sign of Shokaract in orbital cycle Inrituneon, you are born to be a hunter of what only you can decide."

   "But... what is my name?"

   "Look deeply into yourself and find the answer."

   He did so, keeping everything Magnum had said in mind. Peaceful... hunter... of peace.

   "Orion," he finally said. "I am Orion Pax."

*  *  *

   Trypticon roared as Metroplex slammed his fist into his chest. As the great beast staggered back, he opened his great maw and unleashed a pair of rockets, both of which hit Metroplex square in the chest.

   His red optics flaring, the ancient Titan lowered his two shoulder cannons and fired them at Trypticon. The beast shrugged off the attack and flipped over a pair of cannons of his own.

   For a time, the rest of their clash consisted of merely exchanging firepower, with neither inflicting damage on the other. Trypticon quickly grew bored with this and charged towards Metroplex, ramming his head into the Titan's mid-section. This attack sent Metroplex screeching back several feet, but failed to fell him, instead giving the Titan the chance to grab Trypticon by the shoulders and push him down to the ground.

   As he stood over the fallen beast, Metroplex said, "Now it is time to end your rampage, you spawn of Mortilus."

   Trypticon's maw curved into a savage grin. "A pawn of Primus to the very end."

   Then, opening his mouth wide, the Decepticon beast unleashed a blast of energy which tore apart at Metroplex's chest. The Titan struggled to fight back but was instead toppled over by the blast. Landing on his back, he crushed several buildings along the way, and even a few combatants on the battlefield.

   With the tide turned, Trypticon stood over Metroplex and chuckled. "And so it ends."

*  *  *

   For the next several days, Magnum led Orion Pax all around Cybertron, visiting historical places such as the abandoned fortress of Darkmount and the valued Tagan Heights, while detailing the exploits of Delta Magnus and the Primal Vanguard.

   They eventually arrived at the Ark-1 Memorial Grounds, where Magnum meant to explain the feats of Nova Prime and his crew but was interrupted by the sudden yet pleasant arrival of an old accomplice of his.

   "Orion, I would like you to meet Hydra," Magnum said, gesturing to the red and black Cybertronian, noticeably slimmer than him. "She is my bonded partner for life and, like myself, is also a caretaker.'"

   At this, Magnum and Hydra stepped aside to reveal another red and black being, though bulkier and with the same body-type as Orion.

   "This is Optronix," Hydra said to Orion. "You and he are going to be brothers and he will watch over you when Magnum and I cannot."

   Optronix slowly stepped forward and, smiling, offered Orion his hand. Hesitating only slightly, Orion took and shook it.

   And from that day forward, their brotherhood was sealed.

*  *  *

  Grabbing him by the arm, Megatron pulled Optimus Prime towards him and struck his face with his fist. As Optimus recoiled, Megatron raised his flail and lashed it at his former brother. Suddenly, Oprimus grabbed the flail by its chain and pulled it, tearing it out of Megatron's arm.

   The Decepticon leader howled in agony as he dropped to his knees. Mustering the rest of his strength, he raised his fusion cannon arm and fired, but Optimus dodged the blast and charged towards Megatron, swinging his axe to severe the weapon in half.

   It was over. The Decepticon leader was on his knees, at the mercy of his once and former brother. Megatron glared at Optimus Prime, whose axe gleamed in the magnificent sunrise now occurring behind him.

   "Go on," Megatron growled. "Finish it."

   Optimus Prime returned the glare and for a brief moment, Megatron thought his brother was going to comply. But instead, the person once known as Orion Pax sighed.

   "That would be the easy way out, brother. You don't deserve it."

   Megatron's face contorted into rage. "How is it, after all I've done, that you can still see me as your brother? How can I be anything more than a demonic spawn of the Chaos Bringer himself to you? How can you not have the bearings... to end a war?"

   Optimus Prime was silent for a long time.