Transformers: Children of Cybertron

by sureshot9593

In an attempt to preserve their race, Alpha Trion has taken six protoforms to a distant planet in the hopes that they will grow up peacefully. But fate is against him, and these six shall be caught in an epic struggle between good and evil. Witness the awe-inspiring tale through the eyes of the next generation. The children of Cybertron.

1. Chapter 1

Transformers Children of Cybertron
Introduction
Cybertron was dead, it was an undeniable truth. These past several millennia of grueling and, at times, pointless war have ravaged the once marvelous empire that had been the home of the most phenomenal creatures in the universe: the transformers. Sentient machines of titanic stature, these monolithic beings possessed the ability to alter their forms to better suit the situation whether for travel or for warfare. However, no amount of adaptive capabilities can surpass the tragedy that had overtaken the transformers' home world.
In the never-ending battle between the peaceful autobots, led by Zeta Prime, and the evil decepticons, spearheaded by the ferocious Megatron, the precious lifeforce of cybertron, energon, has been depleted wholly and completely. Without this vital resource, cybertron has become a lifeless husk on which no life, not even the non-organic transformers, can survive. Yet still, the mindless warfare continues. Several neutral to the conflict have fled for the sake of survival, though not all escape the decpticons' warp cannons. Should things continue as they are, the transformers as a race will exist no longer.
However, fortune will come in the form of one autobot, whom, after witnessing the countless battles for so long, will risk all to ensure the survival of his race. This brave transformer's name…is Alpha Trion, the sage of Iacon.

Chapter 1
Devastation. By definition in any culture, such a word translates to mean great destruction and overwhelming grief. This was the case with that of the planet Cybertron. As far as the eye could see, the once beautiful and shining city of Iacon had been reduced to smoldering ruins. This was the sight beheld by Alpha Trion, perhaps the oldest cybertronian in existence. He was one of the few of his race to possess a beard; nothing spectacular, but it spoke volumes of his age. He also wore a heavy cloak to hide his withered body. When the war began, the elder had taken refuge in his library so that he would remain neutral, though he still flew autobot colors. During his isolation, his body had begun to wither and rust, and it had only gotten worse when the energon reserve towers had been destroyed.
Megatron, that gluttonous tyrant! Alpha Trion thinks to himself.
What purpose did it serve him to destroy the last fleeting amounts of energon the planet had? Surely he did not think that the planet would survive long enough to build his new decepticon empire.
He sighed. It was too late now, either way. Cybertron was doomed, and there was nothing that could be done to undo the damage. Evacuation was the only option now, though there still remained some obstacles.
First was the aforementioned Megatron. At one time a gladiatorial champion, the brute of a bot had gone against the caste system and sought to "return Cybertron to its golden age" through brute force and placing sole dominion upon himself. It was a ludicrous claim that brought him thousands of followers, as well as bolstered his already horrendous ego and pride. Megatron had already established that no one would leave the planet, and he had backed up this declaration by shooting down all ships fleeing the planet with warp cannons, powerful weapons that fired negatively charged ions at Mach 6 speeds. It was barbaric, but unquestionably effective.
The next obstacle was actually unexpected; it was the autbot leader, Zeta Prime. As in accordance to the book of Primus, the basic structure from which all of cybertron's laws were founded, a prime was to be erected to act as the governing force for Cybertron. The last prime had been Solas Prime, sometimes referred to as the thirteenth prime. He had been a kind and benevolent ruler, and he had used the wisdom of his ancestors well. However, when he had passed, the matrix of leadership, the artifact through which all primes were chosen, had gone dark and silent. In a panic, a council of elders had been scrambled, and a new Prime was selected. Zeta was the selected prime, but it had been proven to be a poor choice. He had been the one to form a caste system as opposed to the republic that had been in place for countless eons. It was this very caste system that had spawned this war in the first place, and how did Zeta respond? He formed a draft and built an army of autobots to combat the, as he had put it, "traitorous scum that dares to oppose the will of the primes". Even now, Trion had to roll his optics at how ridiculous the statement was. It was the reason he had gone into his self-imposed exile in the first place. Zeta possessed a pride that rivaled, if not surpassed, that of Megatron's, which was saying something. Zeta refused to back down from Megatron's assault, and he would rather die than allow the decpticons victory even if it costed all life on cybertron. However, he was perhaps the best bet at Alpha Trion's plans actually working. All he needed was a ship. One small, solitary cargo vessel.
So that's why he was making his way through the Iacon ruins at this time, his sights set on the autobot headquarters. It was his good fortune that the war had moved from this particular part of the city, so he had little to worry about as far as a stray decepticon soldier wishing to add another kill to his belt. Therefore, he made it to the autobot base without difficulty. As he approached the main gates, he found them guarded by a trio of flyers, the head of which was a white and red mech by the name of Jetfire. Beside him was his sister Jetstorm, a blue femme with yellow highlights, and his best friend, also the largest of the aerialbots sqaudron, Silverbolt. They stiffened at his approach, but then quickly relaxed when they saw who it was.
"Greetings, elder." Jetfire said as he placed a fist to his chest.
"Till all are one!"
Alpha Trion did a similar salute.
"Till all are one! Forgive my intrusion, brave warriors, but I must speak with Zeta Prime. It is of the utmost urgency."
The three fliers exchanged glances, and Jetfire looked back to Alpha Trion.
"I mean you no insult, Elder Alpha Trion, but I am not sure that we can let you do that. I mean, you haven't really been active during the war, and Zeta Prime is busy enough as it is with the war effort."
"My choices are my own, young mech." Alpha Trion said resolutely.
"And I do not have to explain them to anyone, not even to a prime. Also, if our race is to survive this madness, then Zeta must listen to what I have to say. Now step aside."
Jetfire frowned, but he decided not to argue. After all the trouble he must have went through to get here, Alpha Trion at least deserved refuge within the base. He stepped to one side and ordered his colleagues to do likewise. Alpha Trion walked briskly past and into the structure. Where there was once silence, sound immediately stormed its way into Alpha Trion's auditory sensors. As far as the eye could see, autobots of every make, model, and gender were busily at work with their respective jobs and duties. Amongst them was, to Alpha Trion, a familiar face. It was a red and blue mech working tirelessly with a holographic notepad. Even though he had undergone modifications to ensure his survival in the war, Alpha Trion could still easily pick out the former Iacon clerk and his best student.
"Orion Pax!" he called out, waving his hand to gain the bot's attention. The mech looked up and locked eyes with the elder. His optics widened, and a large smile etched its way across his faceplate. He immediately dropped the notepad and rushed over to him, grasping Alpha Trion's hand in a firm handshake.
"Master! It is good to see you again. It has been far too long."
"Undoubtedly." Alpha Trion said, his own smile larger than Orion's.
"I see you have been busy since your days as a clerk. Hopefully, you haven't been neglecting your studies for the sake of violence.
"Never." Orion said with a shake of his head.
"My place will always be on the side of peace and prosperity. I'm hardly a warrior anyway. I mostly act as a supervising analyst around the base, though I have seen my share of combat."
He frowned.
"It…isn't something I'm proud of."
Alpha Trion nodded in understanding, and he placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You are a good bot, Orion Pax. A rarity amongst the common. Never doubt what you are capable of, for your destiny will be far greater than all that stand in this building. You can rest easy on that."
Orion Pax grinned.
"I highly doubt that, but it is still good to see you again, old friend. Why have you come?"
"I have business with Zeta Prime." Apha Trion replied.
"You wouldn't happen to know where he is, would you?"
Orion nodded and pointed towards a flight of stairs leading to a door.
"That leads to the war room." he explained.
"He's in a meeting with Perceptor and Ironhide."
Alpha Trion nodded to him in thanks, and he made his way up the stairs. The door slid open to reveal a large circular room. In its center was a table projecting a holographic image of the city of Kaon, the decepticon capital. Standing over the table were three bots. The first was completely red with a long cylinder-shaped telescope mounted on his right shoulder: the autobot scientist and chief advisor to the primes, Perceptor. Standing on the other side was another red bot that was older and had clearly seen much battle. His chassis was covered in several scratches, holes, and other sorts of war wounds. However, he still stood fresh as a cadet, and he wielded a humble sort of pride befitting a proud warrior such as him: the autobot lieutenant and war advisor, Ironhide. The last and tallest of them was a blue and bronze mech of considerable strength, and his helmet was fashioned like that of a crown: the autobot leader, Zeta Prime.
Alpha Trion's entrance distracted them from their current conversation, and it was clear that there would be tension the instant the elder and the prime locked eyes. Perceptor looked between them and gulped. In an attempt to diffuse possible hostilities, he stepped and greeted the elder.
"Salutations, Alpha Trion. I am glad to see that you still function. How have you been?"
Alpha Trion shook his hand, but he did not reply. Instead, he stepped past him and made his way over to Zeta Prime. The autobot leader glared at him fiercely, but said nothing. Perceptor shifted uncomfortably and looked to Ironhide for some sort of support. The warrior bot merely gave his head a shake, a sign that they should allow things to pass as they would. Alpha Trion stood before the Prime, his gaze piercing and cold which Zeta matched. The two said nothing for a long, painstaking moment as Ironhide and Perceptor trembled in the uncertainty. At last, Zeta Prime spoke.
"I hope you have come to apologize." he stated coldly.
"For one who carries our colors and claims to believe in our cause, you certainly have been lax in lending us support in the war."
Alpha Trion didn't even flicker an optic, though deep inside he withheld a terrible urge to strike the autobot leader.
"You know my position on fighting, Zeta." he said firmly.
"I am not a warrior, and I never intend to change this fact for any reason. As for lending support to your cause, I do not recall ever sealing off my library so that its records could never be used. You've had full access to that, Zeta. You have just refused to utilize this commodity."
He folded his arms across his chest.
"So, no, I did not come to apologize; I am by no means remorseful of my actions. My one and only purpose for coming to see you is so that I may propose a means to ensure the survival of our people as a species. Nothing more, nothing less."
Zeta was visibly shaking with outrage, his optics shining bright. However, given the circumstances, the idea of a plan for survival could be useful as well as beneficial to his own purposes. Morale had been relatively low, lately, ever since the destruction of the energon reserves. The table sunk into the floor as the room shifted. There were now four chairs, where each autobot took a seat. Sitting in the chair parallel to Alpha Trion, Zeta Prime fixed him with a skeptical look.
"Now then, Elder, what manner of plan is this? Some ancient strategy our ancestors had used?"
Alpha Trion shook his head.
"Hardly. My plan is much less barbaric."
He produced a small disk with a clear, glass-like center. He held it flat in his palm and then pressed a button with his thumb. The device lit up to reveal a hologram revealing six capsules, inside of each were strange, formless, silver figures. Ironhide's optics brightened in shock, and he had to wipe on them just to be sure he wasn't seeing things.
"Perceptor. Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?"
The autobot scientist slowly nodded.
"Protoforms. The basic building blocks of all cybertronian life. I had believed that they had all been exterminated when Zeta Prime had been forced to shut Vector Sigma down. It had certainly been one of the darker days in our history."
Zeta Prime huffed, but he said nothing.
"Indeed," Alpha Trion continued.
"What you are looking at could quite possibly be the last cybertronians ever born from Vector Sigma. I had discovered them by mistake when I was searching for Energon one day. You can imagine my own shock when I discovered just one of them, let alone all six. I straightway brought them to my library to care for them, but I lacked the necessary amount of energy to form their bodies and personalities."
"Then that is why you have come?" Zeta Prime asked, his tone carrying the same chill as his stare.
"You wish for us to grant you what little energon we have so that you may give them life?"
"Correct, or, at least, that is part of my plan." Alpha Trion said. He laced his fingers together, and he took a deep breathe.
"The remainder, however, you may not be so fond of."
He rose to his feet and looked Zeta Prime squarely in the optics.
"Zeta, it is time that we all faced the facts. Cybertron is dead, and, without energon, there is no possible hope to restore it to its original state. Therefore, with that being said, our chief concern must be to the survival of our race, or all that have died, be they autobots or decepticons, will have thrown away their lives for nothing. Which brings me to the final part of my plan. Not only do I need energon, but I require a shuttle as well. I am taking these protoforms off world so that maybe, just maybe, our people may live on in these six protoforms. That is why I have come to you. Thus, I conclude with this one question. Will you grant me what I need, or not?"
The room immediately became uncomfortably silent. Ironhide and Perceptor were both sharing concerned looks, and each held their own opinion on the elder's proposal. For Perceptor, it was the most logical action to take. Even a cybertronian with a malfunctioning processor could tell you that Cybertron wouldn't last long with Vector Sigma disabled and the energon reserves destroyed. If it was possible to find another planet with energon, then colonization was the only possible chance for survival, and, with six new protoforms, that was a splendid way to start. With Ironhide, whom had been a warrior and a soldier for far longer than he dared to recall, the last thing he wanted to do was call it quits. Even when the energon reserves had been destroyed, he had entertained the tiniest hope that, maybe, the autobots could turn things around. But even he knew that such thoughts were wishful thinking. No, this was probably the best way for their kind to survive, even if Cybertron did not. However, the final vote rested on Zeta Prime himself. All optics turned to the blue mech, and they all waited quietly for his answer. Zeta continued to glare at Alpha Trion, and it was becoming pointedly clear that he did not like, nor approved of, Alpha Trion's counsel. He slammed his palms against the armrests of his chair and bolted to his feet.
"Never in all my years have I ever heard such belligerent nonsense! What's more, I never pegged you as a traitor, Alpha Trion!"
"Traitor?!" the elder bellowed, also rising to his feet.
"I have committed no form of treason. My only intentions are set upon the preservation of our race, and you call that treachery?"
Zeta Prime glared at him.
"You would dare abandon Cybertron in our darkest hour? What's more, you would dare to keep six possible soldiers from my sight? Your Prime?"
That did it. Alpha Trion shoved the autobot leader back into his seat.
"You have never been a proper prime! You place your pride before the lives of the very people that you were placed over! It was you that destroyed our republic and formed that blasted caste system that started this war in the first place! Yet you dare call me the traitor to Cybertron after all the "belligerent nonsense" you have released upon us? If you want my personal opinion…"
Suddenly, Zeta Prime erupted to his feet and stuck Alpha Trion, sending him to the floor.
"I do not!"
He looked to Ironhide.
"Take him to the detention cells. I shall deal with him personally at a later date."
Ironhide frowned and looked to Perceptor for support. The autobot scientist was equally at a loss, as was proven by his uncertain shrug. By this time, Zeta Prime's patience had worn away.
"I gave you an order, soldier! Carry it out, not!"
Ironhide quickly obeyed. He grabbed Alpha Trion and propped him onto his shoulder and made his way out of the war room.
"As for you!" Zeta continued as he jabbed his finger at Perceptor.
"You are to scour all of Iacon until you find those protoforms! I want them online and programed before the next solar cycle. Am I understood?"
Perceptor nodded vigorously and then fled. By the time he skidded to a stop, he found himself in the safety of the autobot surveillance wing. He released a sigh he hadn't realized he was holding, and he then leaned against a support beam as he allowed himself to recover. Zeta Prime was indeed an intimidating bot, for friend and foe alike. Assaulting his pride was worse than assaulting his body, and his vengeance was worse than cosmic rust.
"I wonder if the decepticons have the same problem with their leader." he queried to himself.
He flinched with the door slid open again, expecting to the see his near psychotic leader walk in, but he let his gears slow down when he saw that it was only a surprised and somewhat shocked Orion Pax.
"Perceptor, what is happening?" the former clerk queried.
"We all could hear Zeta Prime's shouting from all the way in the barracks. Also, where was Ironhide taking Alpha Trion?"
Perceptor took a deep breathe, and he straightened.
"I am sorry to tell you this, my friend, but I am afraid that Alpha Trion has been branded as a traitor."
Orion's reaction was expected by the autobot scientist. First a look of great shock, followed by obvious outrage.
"Traitor? Alpha Trion? Ridiculous! Utter nonsense, as a matter of fact! There is none more dedicated to the preservation of cybertronian culture, and what's more he is a bot of peace!"
"Orion, calm yourself!" Perceptor scolded as he warily watched the surrounding bots for listeners.
"It is like this, Orion. Apparently, if you can believe it, Alpha Trion has found six protoforms. Only moments ago, he had made a proposition to Zeta Prime to take the six offworld for the sake of preserving cybertronians as a species. Zeta Prime saw this as an act of cowardess and treason, and he has thus declared for Alpha Trion to be locked away and for me to find the protoforms. I am sorry if this upsets you. Truthfully, I somewhat agreed with the idea. Though I am still faithful to the cause, even I know that we need some sort of backup plan, especially with our dwindling supply of energon. Sadly, Zeta Prime does not think so."
Orion's fists were clenched tightly with justified indignation. For a while now, he had questioned Zeta Prime as a leader, but this was the final straw. He turned and began to make his way out, but Perceptor stopped him by taking him by the shoulder.
"Orion, please do not do anything rash. I understand that Alpha Trion means everything to you. He has been a father figure to you, and he has been a wise mentor for you to learn under. But this is the orders of a prime you are seeking to stand against. One false move, and you would likewise be called a traitor."
Orion shrugged off Perceptor's hand, and he shot him a glare that caused the autobot scientist to step back. There were few instances that Perceptor was ever surprised; the fact that a simple clerk with little to no history of violent behavior could give him such an icy, ferocious glare promised to top all other experiences, and Perceptor began to feel he had made a mistake in stopping him. Orion turned back to face him, and his glare only seemed to intensify.
"I am sorry, old friend." Orion said, his voice calm but firm.
"But I can never be led to believe that Alpha Trion is a traitor. He was even the steward of Solas Prime, our current prime's predecessor. There is none that loves this world more than he."
With that said, Orion made his way for the door, and he briskly stepped out. In the place where he had been, there was only silence, and Perceptor could only wonder just what would happen next.

Alpha Trion was slowly starting to rouse, and he could feel himself being dragged. His optics blared to life, and he looked up to see Ironhide holding him right side up with his hands bound. It slowly dawned on him just what was happening, and he began to thrash around in an attempt to escape the larger bot's grip. Ironhide proved, however, to be far too strong.
"Ease off, elder!" he grunted as he tried to hold him still.
"I don't want to have to hurt you!"
"Release me!" Alpha Trion demanded, kicking against Ironhide and doing everything he could to escape.
"You cannot do this, Ironhide! Zeta will not give those protoforms any choice. They deserve a chance to choose for themselves how they live their lives."
Ironhide had to fumble around a bit to keep his grip, but he managed to keep Alpha Trion in place.
"Not that I don't agree," he said.
"But he is the prime. I have no choice but to do what he says. My hands are tied."
"Then allow me to sever your bonds!"
Ironhide whirled around, but he was only met with a powerful blow to his faceplate. He was knocked back into the wall, and he slowly slumped to the ground and fell into a forced power down cycle. Alpha Trion quirked a brow in confusion, and he looked up. There stood none other than Orion Pax, his own student, wielding a photon axe. What had happened, it seemed, was that Orion had snuck up behind Ironhide and stuck him with the blunt end of the axe. It somewhat surprised the elder that the smaller clerk had actually managed to knock him out. Orion lent out his hand and helped his teacher to his feet.
"There is not much time, Alpha Trion." Orion insisted.
"We must make haste to the Iacon library before Perceptor can find the protoforms. Follow me!"
He started down the hall in a sprint, and Alpha Trion reluctantly followed. They raced past several confused transformers, but neither paid them any mind as they made their way into the hangar. Waiting for them was one small freighter, which Orion proceeded to man and warm up the engines. As Alpha Trion ran up the ramp, he looked back to see a squad of autobots led by Zeta Prime burst into the hangar. The two of them looked right at one another, and Alpha Trion could see murder in the Prime's eyes. He ran into the ship just as the autobots opened fired, and Orion pushed forward on the accelerator. The engines blared to life, and the ship rocketed through the hangar doors and into Cybertron's skies. Zeta Prime followed them for a short distance on foot, and he snarled angrily as he came to a stop, unable to do anything but watch as they receded from view.
"This act of treason will not be tolerated." he growled under his breathe before whirling to his soldiers.
"Assemble the aerialbots to track them down! I want them strung up by their energon tubes! Go!"
Autobots scrambled in all directions, and Zeta Prime transformed and took off in pursuit of his quarry. As for the two fleeting transformers, Orion set the ship down just outside of the Iacon library. He and his teacher then proceeded to step out of the freighter and into the library. Orion had to pause as he stepped into the old structure. In a past life, he had acted as the head clerk, spending his days peacefully sifting through the ancient history of cybertron and passing it on to any and all that walked inside. But those days were long since passed, and now there was only the present and the task at hand. To Orion's surprise, the stasis pods containing the protoforms were sitting just behind the front desk.
"You did not hide them?" he asked his teacher as they took up the first pod.
"I was perhaps too hopeful when I had left earlier." Alpha Trion said sheepishly. They quickly loaded the first five pods, and they were finally ready for the final pod.
"I meant to ask before." Orion said as he picked up his side of the pod.
"Once we're airborne again, how will we get past the decepticon warp canons? Megatron has made it well too clear that none are to leave the planet."
"And it is not an empty threat." Alpha Trion said.
"Fortunately, I have formulated a method to get past them. I have designed a special frequency that will make the ship virtually invisible to the canons, as well as any decepticon seekers patrolling the atmosphere. If fortune is with me, then the decepticons will not even know that I have even gone by. Just as soon as we load up this last one, we can…"
"TRION!"
The elder whirled about, and he could see a massive truck bearing down on them. Acting quickly, he shoved the stasis pod forward, and both it and Orion were knocked into the freighter's cargo hold. Unfortunately for Alpha Trion, the truck collided with him head on, and he was sent flying. He crashed with a heavy thud against a pile of rubble, and the truck transformed to reveal Zeta Prime wielding a large broadsword. The angry prime thrust forward, driving the blade through Alpha Trion's chest, pinning him to the ground and causing him to cry out. Zeta pressed the blade down harder, his face mired with crazed anger and malice.
"You've crossed the line this time, old fool." he hissed.
"I was actually considering to just keep you in the detention cells for the rest of your meager existence, but instead I'm just going to extinguish your spark right here and now!"
Alpha Trion struggled vainly from his spot on the ground, but, with the sword driven through him, there was no getting away.
"You act like a spoiled child, Zeta!" he shouted angrily, clawing at the sword.
"When things do not go your way, you lash out at the first bot within range. Freedom is the right of all sentient beings, and that right extends even to protoforms. They deserve to lead their own lives and decide their own fates. Not to be dragged into a war they may want no part of."
"I decide who is to do what!" Zeta Prime snarled.
"I was the one elected prime, not you. I am the most powerful of all the autobots, and by that right I rule!"
Alpha Trion snorted.
"If power were all that mattered, then how is Megatron a criminal? Face it, Zeta. You are no better than the decepticons you seek to destroy, and in the end you will only bring yourself to your own demise."
Zeta withdrew his sword with a quick thrust, this time aiming his blade at Alpha Trion's head.
"The only demise that will be met today will be yours, you old fool. Goodbye!"
He thrust forward for one final blow, but his sword was knocked off course by the swipe of a large axe. Orion had finally recovered from being shoved, and now he stood with Proton axe in hand to defend his teacher. Zeta's outrage had been rekindled, and he glared heatedly at the young mech.
"Well, isn't this a surprise. Stand down, clerk. I would rather that I not spill the energon of a bot that might actually be useful."
Orion said nothing, leveling his axe and narrowing his stoic gaze upon the prime.
"I gave you an order, welp! Obey your prime!"
Orion remained mute. He gave his mentor a quick look, noting the leaking energon and weakened body. Memories of better days flashed through Orion's mind as he recalled a stronger, but every bit as wise Alpha Trion, and all the lessons he had taught him in regards to truth, valor, and honor. He took a deep breathe, and then looked back to Zeta prime. When he spoke, it was swiftly, but firm.
"You are no prime."
Then, like a canon, Orion exploded forward, smashing into Zeta Prime with great force. Zeta went rolling across the ground, but he quickly recovered, swiping his sword across Orion's chest. Orion stepped back and blocked the following blow with his axe, then countered. He swung his axe hard, breaking through Zeta's defense and hooked onto the autobot leader's shoulder. Orion then flipped onto his back, using the momentum to swing Zeta over to the side. He then rolled back to his feet and swung his axe downward. Zeta quickly rolled aside, the blow of the axe cracking the ground where he had been. Having had enough, the prime lashed out, and Orion blocked. The two were now at a stalemate, one pressing against the other as they tried to gain the upper hand against each other.
"Surrender!" Zeta demanded.
"You have no chance against me. You are just a common clerk. You are nothing!"
Orion grunted under the strain, the joints in his knees whining in protest. Just then, he heard the sound of cracking, and he glanced down towards the ground. The spot where Orion's axe had struck had extended, and it slowly dawned on Orion that the old supports of the street were starting to give way. He tossed one last look at Alpha Trion. The elder was back on his feet and clutching his chest, his face betraying a mixture of personal agony and great fear extending to his pupil. Orion looked away and bowed his head. There was only one choice at this point. With a mighty heave, he knocked Zeta Prime back just enough for an opening, and then slammed the edge of his axe into the ground. There was a deafening crunch, and suddenly the ground beneath the two began to give way.
"Orion!" Alpha Trion exclaimed.
He rushed to snatch him away, but it was already too late. The ground had opened its maw, and both Orion and Zeta Prime vanished into the crevice. Alpha Trion stopped short when he reached the edge, and he peered down, hoping for just one final glance. But, alas, there was nothing but darkness. The abyss reached down far beyond what Alpha Trion could see, and there was no telling if Orion had even survived. Sorrow began to overwhelm Alpha Trion, and it was a pain that surpassed even his wounds. However, he had little time to mourn. The sound of jet engines told him that the aerialbots were closing in, and if he didn't take off now there would be no escape. Thus, with a heavy spark, he rushed back to the freighter. After securing the final bod and ensuring that his signal dampener was functional, Alpha Trion pressed forward on the accelerator and was airborne again. He pulled up a monitor that showed him what was behind him, and he could see Silverbolt touching down, unaware that the elder had taken off. Alpha Trion switched off the monitor and checked his instruments. It seemed his signal dampener was working, but he wouldn't be certain until he had gotten past the planet's atmosphere. He took a deep breath and secured himself tightly into his chair. With one last glance down upon Iacon, the once glorious, shining city he had had great pride in calling home, he ignited the afterburner, and he was propelled faster forward. Though the strain of the mounting g-forces, Alpha Trion almost expected a hail of energy blasts from the decepticon warp canons. He was ascending higher and higher, nearly breaking past the last sphere of atmosphere. There was a sudden lurch as the ship broke through, and then it was over. Alpha Trion reengaged the monitor, and his spark nearly gave out with relief. The warp canons had not fired, and it didn't even seem that any decepticon seekers were tailing him. He had done it. He had escaped. A part of him wanted to celebrate in some small way in the wake of this victory, but only bitterness was found in the place of joy. For Alpha Trion and the protoforms to escape, a brave and honorable warrior had given his life. Orion's sacrifice weighed heavily on Alpha Trion's spark, and, in spite of his beliefs, he could only feel regret. However, the time to turn back had well been passed. Now, the only direction he could go was forward.
"Primus, have mercy on my spark." he whispered silently in prayer.
"And Orion…thank you."
The tiny freighter continued on into the inky darkness of space, Cybertron slowly receding from view until it completely vanished from sight. Where they would go, Alpha Trion couldn't be sure, and as for the matter of their fate…that was an even bigger mystery.