Crosshairs paced among the broken forms, the healing light flickering in a soft steady rhythm along Ratchet's diagnostic panel in the back of his mind. Hound, however, moved with purpose, pressing a palm to the spark chamber of each Cybertronian, that warming orange light of the HSR pouring steadily into dented plating and sheared joints until limbs grew firm once again, the gasps for air turning deeper, easier with each passing moment. Barricade, Nitro, even Bumblebee and the chains on the currently subdued Berserker and Tantrum; one by one their frames repairing fully in 1.5 second or 10 seconds.
Brains sat hunched over a console with static whine flickering through his comms as he listened to every frequency he could.
Brains: 0 Absolutely nothing. No signal, no remains signature, no spark reading. It's as if he was deleted from existence.
Ratchet was at his side, exhausted but not going to give up.
Ratchet: So, go on, search for him. He must be out there somewhere.
Galvatron had been leaning against a crumbled wall, and around him, Stinger, Brawl, Blackout, and Bonecrusher looked down at him in silence. Their operation was over.
Earth CISA was nothing as of now its bunker demolished, commander debased, its secrets unfurled before those they'd been hiding from for over three decades.
Stinger: We have no organisation to defend. No orders to obey. What do we know.
Nobody answered him.
The air in the courtyard turned crisp and cold as frost crept silently across the cracked paving stones in slow wending webs. His breath turned to steam. Then he appeared, forced into existence in a vague outline, along with an echo of cold mist by his forms. His optics were calm despite the temperature he radiated.
Wheeljack: Sorry I kept you waiting. There were some things I had to take care of.
Optimus turned immediately, recognizing him at once.
Optimus Prime: Wheeljack. It's been a while.
Wheeljack: Longer than any of you might think. And I've got no good news.
Megatron, which felt somewhat better now that it was lying nearby, brought up an optic ridge.
Megatron: Wonderful. Exactly what this day needed.
Wheeljack: Lockdown is ready to attack. That was only a fraction of his powers, there are others on his ship, all of his powerful pieces, and they are orders of magnitude beyond anything any of you have encountered yet.
Megatron: And you have a solution? Yeah, Okay. You've gone to give me bad news. You're in charge. I'm just the messenger.
Wheeljack nodded once.
Wheeljack: I will show you all.
He lifted one hand and snapped his fingers. A crack appeared in the air with a shattering blast of cold, a speck of a shimmer in the middle of the broken courtyard as the portal pulled back to expose the small tip of land on the other side of the planet, the ocean beating against the black volcanic cliff.
Wheeljack: Barely anybody knows it exists. Even fewer have been allowed to step on it.
Slowly, the Cybertronians, one at a time, made their way through the cold portal, until the last one stepped out.
THE SHRINE OF SWORDSMAN
The shrine rose from the ocean like something carved by gods rather than built by handsa mountain of ice and dark stone stacked in terraced tiers.
EachLevel wrapped in mist and blooming with pink blossoms that should not have survived the cold. Waterfalls poured endlessly down every side, some frozen mid fall into glittering sheets, others still rushing free, crashing into the sea far.
Below where jagged black islets broke the waves. At the peak, a spire of pure ice speared upward into the clouds, a
blinding vertical beam of blue light
erupting from its summit, cutting straight through a sky torn between opposing forces.
To the left, storm clouds churned violently, lightning forking downward in constant flashes. To the right, the horizon burned amber and gold, a full sun hanging low and impossibly close.
Its light warring against a swirling ring of fire in the upper atmospher islands drifted silently in the distance, untouched by gravity.
Crimson banners marked with the swordsman's crossed blade insignia hung from every tier,rippling gently despite the wind.
Somewhere beneath all of it, the earth itself remained still, ancient and unmoving, holding the entire impossible structure steady against the chaos surrounding it on every side.
Inside the shrine's main hall, figures waited.
Windblade stood near the entrance, arms crossed. Sunstreaker leaned against a stone pillar. Slipstream observed the newcomers with a quiet calculation. And in the center of it all, seated on a raised platform, was Bludgeon, his mere presence heavy in the air.
Galvatron, Stinger, Brawl, Blackout, and Bonecrusher fell in behind the others, all of them confused as to their role when they were amongst those more powerful then they could understand.
Bludgeon You stand in a place without war, without corruption, without chaos… A shrine beyond all that you know. And I am the greatest swordsman to walk… Bludgeon The leader of this group.
Drift stood on the back of the crowd, silently, his jaw clenched and a strange look passing behind his optics that he had not shared with anyone, not even Ratchet. Whatever had happened to him was buried beneath the surface.
Bludgeon: Onslaught is coming. These twelve outside forces…. Lockdown's warriors. Do not be fooled by their silence… Until now, you have only seen a fraction of their power.
He crossed his arms with a look of disdain. Megatron giving the monologue.
Megatron: I apologize if I am unable to immediately abase myself. I was forced here even before I was asked to be here. And I have yet to see what precisely makes this clan of blades more dangerous than those who razed a city, absorbed a Titan, or fought a god face to face.
Bludgeon's optics settled on him, unreadable.
Bludgeon: Power without discipline is merely noise, Megatron. You have spent your life throwing your weight around. We have spent ours learning exactly where to strike.
Megatron: Poetic. Still unconvinced, it's Crazy how things have changed so drastically that I who was once the voice all Decepticons Is now merely a Ordinary Being among Self proclaimed Deities.
Sunstreaker smirked standing taller than everyone in the room
Sunstreaker: It's a Werid day to be honest and straight forward I never knew i would see this day that Megatron is Merely Just a Cybertronian Without abilities What a sad day.
Windblade then continues to talk to everyone together.
Wheeljack: How is that Nobody here seems to be intrested in the fact That there are 2 Megatrons Standing.
Slipstream: We do not care, We already know a lot of Anomalies are walking on our timeline.
Windblade: Leave your slights and guilt at the door. Whatever fighting you're planning for today will be meaningless when what's coming arrives. And it will arrive without regard for past struggles or fortresses.
Slipstream said nothing, merely eyeing the assembled combatants with a look that plainly said she'd known in advance who was to live through the ordeal ahead and who was to perish.
As the group made their way down through the winding tiers of the shrine, each warrior found themselves pausing without meaning todrawn toward some different corner of the impossible landscape.
Barricade: The winds and the storms are on the left.
Nitro Zeus: I honestly do not get what is happening here. We literally have a sun, which technically should not exist this close, and yet it is right there.
Drift walked slightly apart from the others, his optics lowered.
Drift: Pardon me. I was told not to disclose anything about the Holy Shrine of the Swordsman. The Glacier Shrine. It is far too complicated to explain properly.
Megatron: And here we have a forked thunder pulsing along the right side, entirely separate from the storm on the left. As though the sky itself cannot decide what it wants to be.
Hound knelt briefly, pressing a palm to the stone path beneath them.
Hound: There is earth here as well. Beneath everything else. It holds a strange kind of tranquility, considering how loud the rest of this place is.
Bumblebee stared out at a frozen waterfall beside a rushing one, both existing side by side without contradiction.
Bumblebee: I have never seen water and ice coexist so perfectly before. Like neither one ever decided to finish becoming the other.
They reached the final gate at the base of the shrine, where Wheeljack stood waiting, his frame still trailing faint cold mist into the warm sea air.
Wheeljack: I am sorry that you all have to go now.
He drew his sword and slashed once through the empty air in front of him, the blade tearing a clean portal into existence, frost curling along its edges.
One by one,the group stepped through,the portal collapsing shut behind the last of them.
They emerged back at the Autobot base,and stopped.
The courtyard stood exactly as it had before Tarn's arrival, walls rebuilt, pavement smooth and unbroken, every trace of the battle erased entirely, as though none of it had ever
happened.
Barricade turned slowly, taking it all in.
Barricade: How.
A message was left behind carved out of icy glaciers.
Ratchet: It says,no need to thank me.
Stinger: Wow The Ice guy is Full of surprises isn't he.
Drift: He is like that, playful.
Brawl: now do we join forces for the threats that are coming ?
Galvatron: We no choice at the given moment we got lucky when tarn came.
Bonecrusher: I guess we need a rest after all.
Blackout: Indeed let's Slow things down we don't have enough time, but we have sometime rest or work in alternate blocks.
Megatron Prime: Yes.
After Everyone finally takes a seat in the HQ on Earth, taking a heavy sigh. The room felt incredibly dense with anticipation.
Crosshairs: We have lost communications to Mirage he is no where to be found.
Brains: Help me work on a better tracker.
Hot Rod: How did he even Get that strong he boasted about killing twelve primes nearly killed you killed Unicron and what not. This is utter nonsense.
Optimus Prime: We all have views but let us hear the story from his side.
Megatron Prime: That is my biggest trauma, I lost every life they all slipped right from my hands. I did not elaborate earlier I just said he gained his powers from prime.
Megatron: I suggest you pour your sad Story rather his sad story, he is dead and that is good, no need to remember him, lets hear your little sad story.
Hound: Megatron how insensitive, can you not sugarcoat your words.
Megatron Prime: The world is not rainbows sunshine his truth bitter words hit right offensive but only because they are true.
Megatron: Because there is barely any hero without a sad little silent suffering right Optimus? So speak up Megatron Prime.
He laughs softly. The metallic echoes of his amusement fade into the cold walls of the base.
THE GOLDEN HOUR
The memories blur into rusted orange and suffocating black smoke. Back on Cybertron I was just D 16. I was born in the lowest section of Kaon surrounded by Friends whose names I barely had the chance to learn before they were wiped away.
Megatron Prime: They called it Civilization development.
The truth was much darker. Megatronus orchestrated the Extermination of low value life just to claim our land for his towering projects. My friends sacrificed everything so I could survive that slaughter. I crawled my way to Iacon as a beggar clutching to the hope they passed down to me.
I spent solar cycles scraping together enough energon coins just to secure a waiter position.
I thought I had Finally escaped the rot of Kaon. But the moment they noticed my outdated chassis and undeveloped area origins they threw me out to the streets again.
The system was rigged by Megatronus himself to keep Sparks like me entirely crushed.
So I became a Miner. The heavy drills and suffocating dust became my entire world. But I never let them strip away my Compassion.
I shared my meager rations with the young ones and pushed my frame to the breaking point just to help others hit their quotas. I was determined to be the light in that suffocating darkness.
One shift everything shifted. An inspection team arrived from the glittering upper levels. Orion Pax was among them not as a laborer but as an esteemed Engineer checking our material yields.
He did not just glance at the datapads. Orion stayed the entire day watching the laborers. He saw me working overtime during the rest period and giving away my energon. Where others saw a Disposable drone Orion saw a reflection of his own core values. He saw loyalty and relentless hardwork.
Orion Pax walked right past the guards and approached me. It was the first time anyone from his privileged world had ever looked me in the optics with genuine respect. He extended his hand toward mine.
Orion Pax: You are special your hardwork will one day pay no matter the delay no matter the obstacle. You remind me of my days when I used to work for someone. My name is Orion Pax and yours?
D 16: I am D 16.
The entire cavern fell completely silent. The miners were beaming with Joy for me. For the first time in my existence someone made me feel like I actually mattered.
Orion and I quickly became close. He was born with a silver spoon Adopted as a disciple by Alpha Trion himself. I met his friends Bumblebee Arcee and Alita 1.
They treated me like an equal right from the start.
Orion secured me a job managing laborers for a massive statue project on the Outskirts of Iacon. Every evening after his rigorous law studies we would sit by the camp. I would bring materials and he would bring insight.
Orion Pax: D 16 what do you think a friend is what is his duty.
D 16: A friend is a being you can trust till the last of your spark. The being you will never betray the being for which you can fight not just the world but death itself.
He chuckled softly thinking I was just being dramatic. But the universe decided to test those Words that very night.
Starscream and his gang ambushed us in the shadows. They wanted to kidnap Orion for ransom to pressure the senators. I threw myself in front of their weapons. I fought with every ounce of raw strength I possessed while Orion was knocked unconscious. I was nearly destroyed but I made sure they did not take him.
I woke up inside the sterile halls of Alpha Trion. He had repaired me and Upgraded my frame completely. I was no longer a fragile worker. I was a powerhouse.
Alpha Trion saw the purity in my Spark despite my Kaon origins. He appointed me as the Head of Labour management.
Orion took it upon himself to teach me law and in return I found my true calling in combat. I did not need massive weapons. I became a kickboxer relying on raw baseline strength to shatter ten opponents barehanded.
Then came the diplomatic mission to Kaon. We walked into a trap. An anti senator mob Swarmed us driven to violence by cycles of oppression. We were completely cut off.
I saw Orion and our friends surrounded by a hundred enraged bots. Something snapped inside me. Absolute rage took over my systems. I tore through the crowd absorbing lethal blows just to drag Orion and the others to safety. I collapsed only after they were secure.
The Primes arrived to quell the riot. As Arcee frantically stabilized my failing vitals Orion finally understood. My words about friendship were a literal vow.
I recovered but the shadows over Cybertron were Growing longer. One evening Alpha Trion called Orion into his private study. I did not hear this conversation until much later but it shaped everything.
Alpha Trion: Orion my child I have taught you almost everything I know. I may not be the best teacher but I tried my best for you. See how life changes you always worry about things over think and sometimes get sad over small things.
Orion Pax: The times that random overthinking spikes? When I just want to quit? Yeah I know.
Alpha Trion: You always wanted to know the meaning of life. It goes on. Happiness sadness it is all part of a big process. You will be sad the day I will retire and you over think it many times. Why not stop overthinking and enjoy the time. Orion you are gifted by Primus you are the perfect amongst my disciples. But even then you have something that not even the most powerful the most known have.
Orion Pax: What can that be? Let me guess your wise teachings? History of matrix.
Alpha Trion: You have a real friend. A friend that made me look towards the syllable friend differently. D 16 I always thought of him as your equal. He cares he is hardworking but most importantly he made me feel his loyalty towards whome he calls family. You have found a pure spark Orion never abandon it. No matter the life cycles. I always loved you too and I was really proud of myself as someone who loved taught you with my spark. But his loyalty left me humbled. You find these types of people when destiny wants it.
Alpha Trion revealed he had once asked me what I would change in the world and I simply wished to remove inequalities.
Orion realized the Depth of our bond.
Alpha Trion: Tomorrow is uncertain. We might be away but all are one Orion never let sadness take over. Because the night comes so that the sun can rise the brightest. Many bots will admire you. Many will follow you. But very few will truly ever care whether you live or die. D 16 does.
Orion Pax: Yeah because he is family. More than just a friend to me.
The very next day Alpha Trion was assassinated. A massive wave of mourning hit Cybertron and Orion was completely broken.
I took the investigation into my own hands. The grief fueled my focus. I dug deep into the archives and uncovered a horrifying Truth. Megatronus and Alpha Trion had brutal ideological clashes.
Ifound uncorrupted files proving Megatronus ordered the assassination.
The weapon blueprints matched his armory perfectly. Worse I discovered Megatronus created the entire class divide. He was the reason my Kaon friends were slaughtered. Every ounce of my misery traced back to the prime we all worshipped.
Ishowed the files to Orion. He refused to Believe it at first. But the evidence was undeniable. We decided to expose him to the media. However Sentinel a mere clerk for Megatronus intercepted our data trail and warned him.
Megatronus summoned us under the guise of a council meeting. He intended to silence us permanently. He dominated us effortlessly with his immense power. But then Bumblebee Arcee Alita 1 and the entire high guard stormed the building.
Megatronus tried to escape the ambush. Orion and I tackled him straight through the glass of the hundredth floor.
We plummeted straight into the planet. We landed at the very edge of the Well of Sparks the deep abyss leading to the core of Cybertron. Sentinel was waiting there to aid his master.
The fight was broadcast across the planetary grid. The Citizens watched as Megatronus brutalized us. Orion took a catastrophic blow and was hurled toward the abyss.
I lunged and grabbed Orion's hand. My own chassis was screaming in agony. My grip was slipping but I funneled every ounce of my latent strength into one massive pull throwing Orion back up to the safety of the ledge. I tried to pull myself up next.
Megatronus: You lowly insignificant you dare to threaten my legacy.
His massive foot stomped directly onto my fingers. He lifted my Broken frame into the air and fired his cannon at point blank range. The blast shattered my chest. I felt myself slipping backward into the endless dark of the core.
I fell for what felt like an eternity. The sounds of Megatronus asserting his dominance faded into a strange Absolute silence. Orion was screaming my name but I could no longer answer.
Then a voice boomed in the darkness. It was Primus intertwined with the warm echo of Alpha Trion. They spoke of my purity my suffering and my selfless sacrifice. The Matrix of Leadership materialized illuminating the abyss.
Alpha Trion: Arise Megatron Prime.
The energy repaired my shattered frame and granted me immense divine power.
Iascended from the Well of Sparks like a burning star landing violently on the surface. The entire world fell silent.
Megatronus stepped back in sheer terror.
I did not destroy them. I effortlessly restrained Megatronus and Sentinel stripping them of their weapons. I chose Justice over vengeance sentencing them to captivity for a fair trial.
I walked over to my broken brother. I channeled the power of the Matrix restoring the transformation cogs Megatronus had stolen from the populace. I poured that divine energy into Orion Pax watching him upgrade into Optimus. I had finally removed the inequalities and we stood together as equals.
Optimus prime was smiling, Megatron was smug, everyone else was touched by the backstory.
Optimus prime: You have Been through a lot my Friend.
Megatron: I would honestly rate this story a solid 6 out of 10, too emotional and optimistic.
Megatron Prime: Actually sometime after this Actually Chaos Begun, so would be right to say the Optimism didn't last for very long Yet it beautiful because it happened.
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So here's the author I tried a different approach this chapter no fightings just setting things up for the next chapters, i am kinda surprised that you all are still waiting for more, I am kinda sorry that it went from 1 chapter per week to 1 chapter per month but i will try to do something better, the plans for this novel are constantly changing regarding volumes, chapters or something, due to life instability, but i am trying to deliver the best of the best, enjoy and please forgive for any garbage spacing in this chapter I have tried to correct most of them if someone is left I am sorry for it, by the way This volume ending at chapter 6 or the next chapter.
One last Thing On the other Book The offical fanfic Chapter will be updated Tommorow Thanks for reading and staying.
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