Sorry about the long wait, and this chapter being so long! Before you start, I do have some quick facts to go over. I don't know what happens in TF5 and I'll mostly ignore the movie when it comes out- I'll add tidbits and all that, but I don't want to change the plans I have for this fanfic too much. Anyway, some facts you need to know (Which will help explain some things in this chapter):
1. Optimus and Megatron are brothers
2. Bumblebee is Optimus' adopted son, and Megatron's nephew
3. Optimus is tainted by Primus and Unicron. Megatron is tainted by Unicron
4. Optimus and Megatron are Knights. Bumblebee is a Knight-in-training (well, was- he's a youngling now)
5. Optimus, since he is tainted by Unicron, will sometimes have Unicron talking in his mind, or get chest pain because of Unicron trying to mentally take over Optimus. Optimus can't go near the TFP Matrix because of the Dark Energon that used to be in him, and also from having Unicron in his processor; when ever he goes near his counterpart, the Matrix in his chest will activate briefly, causing him massive chest pain- the closer he gets to TFP Optimus, the more the pain intensifies (the Matrix in his chest is offlined as a result of Unicron). TFP Optimus will end up with a dull throb in his spark chamber, though it is very easy to ignore. Megatron, since he did used to have Dark Energon in him, will also end up with a dull throb in his spark chamber (though not as bad- it is barely noticeable).
I hope that helps! If you have any questions and/or ideas, don't be afraid to drop them by! With that out of the way, onto the story!~
Azure optics blinked, assessing the setting around him. The area around him was pitch black, but the glow of his optics revealed they were in a cave. Slowly, Optimus stood up, noticing Megatron beside him, holding a youngling Bumblebee.
Megatron looked up at Optimus. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine," Optimus replied automatically, earning a raised optic-ridge. Ignoring the look coming from his brother, he asked, "How is Bumblebee?"
"Recharging," Megatron answered, keeping his voice low. "I have already sent out a message to your counterpart and his autobots two clicks ago- they shouldn't be too long now."
Nodding absentmindedly, Optimus leaned against the rocky wall, crossing his arms and shifting so the rocks didn't dig into any cables. Everything still felt so surreal, and he wondered if this was real, or just one of Unicron's sadistic games. It wouldn't be the first time, and the thought made his tainted spark twist, leaving his tanks churning and for a moment he felt like he would purge.
"Would you like to hold Bumblebee?" Megatron asked softly, breaking the silence.
His blade plunged into Bumblebee's spark chamber, his optics – once so full of innocence and mischief – offlining within a click. But before they did, he could see clearly the betrayal in his scout's optics. Unicron's cruel laughter echoing in his processor…
"I…" Optimus reset his static-filled vocaliser a few times, finally managing to utter, "You can hold him."
Megatron's optics softened with sympathy, unconsciously tightening his hold slightly on Bumblebee, swaying gently. Bumblebee shifted slightly in response, a low mechanical purr escaping him. Optimus watched with a twisted spark as Megatron smiled softly at Bumblebee, and the pain left a hollow feeling inside Optimus, allowing the chance for dark, shadowed thoughts to creep into his processor.
You killed him, a familiar voice whispered, sadistic pleasure clear in each word. An innocent youngling, one who has barely lived a long life. Offlined, because you weren't strong enough. A loyal, brave scout, who wanted nothing more than to follow in his Sire's pedes… Betrayed by the mech he looked up to, murdered by his own kin.
Shut up! Optimus snarled back mentally.
Dark, echoing laughter was the only response.
"Optimus, are you sure you're alright?" Megatron asked, optics narrowing in concern.
"I will be fine." It wasn't an exact lie- with time, Optimus was sure, he would be better.
Before Megatron could say anything further, a swirling green, yellow and blue light appeared. Optimus' sword was in his servos before he could register, body moving to a defensive position. Megatron took a step towards his brother, one arm holding Bumblebee protectively while the other transformed into a cannon, pointing at the light.
Four figures appeared, all of them raising their own weapons when they saw the two Knights. Optimus could feel the Matrix, which had been violently offlined by Unicron, stir, causing pain through his chassis. He suppressed his wince as best as he could, and was thankful when no bot noticed.
Upon noticing the autobot symbols, Megatron and Optimus lowered their weapons. Transforming his cannon back to an arm, he held it up in surrender. "My apologies, I thought you may have been somebot else. We had a rough time when coming here."
The blue and red bot, who must have been Optimus' counterpart, lowered his weapon. "It is alright. I am Optimus Prime, leader of the autobots. This is Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee." He gestured to each one as he said their names.
Megatron smiled, revealing some of his sharp denta. "A pleasure to meet you. Before we tell you our designations, I must tell you that we are not from this dimension."
"Not from this dimension?" Arcee parroted, frowning as her optics narrowed in suspicion.
"We were sent here from another dimension by Primus," Megatron explained. "My designation is Megatron, and the bot next to me is Optimus Prime. The youngling I am holding is Bumblebee."
"Prove it," Bulkhead said.
Deciding to take over, the flamed Prime stepped forward, wincing again as the pain went from a dull throb to feeling like it was slightly piercing his spark chamber. "We are telling the truth. I am Optimus Prime, leader of the autobots. As you can tell, my counterpart and I are very similar, though he doesn't have the flame design. We also have the same voice."
Bulkhead faltered, and looked to his leader helplessly. Looking to his flamed counterpart, the other Optimus asked, "Why did Primus send you here?"
"For a second chance, and to stop yet another war," Megatron answered. "Our task is to destroy Unicron, bring peace upon the autobots and deceptions, and restore Cybertron. Please, we mean you no harm- we simply need somewhere to stay, and keep Bumblebee healthy."
The non-flamed Prime was quiet for a moment, finally saying, "You can come with us. Let us go."
"Thank you," Megatron replied, following the four autobots into the ground bridge, Optimus not far behind. He was relieved when the pain started to fade back to a dull throb, leaving him wondering what caused it. As they entered the base, a small disgusted sneer graced Megatron's dermas when he spotted the three human children.
Optimus took one glance at the children, but otherwise ignored them. Putting his sword away, he leaned against one of the walls with his arms crossed, Megatron doing the same next to him. The flamed Prime made sure to keep a good distance from his counterpart, thinking the pain from before might be a result from the Matrix of this dimension.
"Who are you guys?" The human female asked, all but jumping with excitement as she looked at them. "Is that a baby bot? Is it yours? What's his name? Are y-"
"We are from another dimension, yes, though it is called a youngling, who is my adopted son and he's named Bumblebee," Optimus answered shortly, ignoring the surprised looks.
"Another dimension?" The girl exclaimed, eyes lighting up. "What are your names?"
"I am Optimus Prime, and this is Megatron," he answered, annoyance tinging his voice.
"Wow! I'm Miko, and this is Raf and Jack." The girl, Miko, gestured to the two other males.
"Pleasure," Optimus replied, the annoyance now very clear in his voice. He wasn't sure what annoyed him more- the bombardment of questions, the human girl's voice, or the dull throb coming from his spark chamber. It was a close tie to the first two, to be honest.
Feeling his brother's annoyance through the sibling bound, Megatron looked to the medic, wanting to make sure he was right in his assumptions. "You must be Autobot Medical Officer Ratchet, yes?"
The white and orange mech looked surprised for a moment, finally answering with, "I am."
Humming, Megatron looked to his brother's counterpart. "What is the history of this dimension?"
As the non-flamed Prime, who Optimus decided to call Orion, explained everything that had happened in their universe, the two Knights listened with rapt attention.
When he finished, Megatron commented, "This dimension is much different from ours."
"How so?" Orion asked, helm tilting slightly.
"Back before the war, I was the leader of the science division, which studied the Allspark, and we were protected by Lord High Protector Megatron's military," Optimus explained. "We were both students of Sentinel Prime, and brother-in-arms."
"Until I overheard Sentinel and Optimus, which is when I found out Optimus was a descendant of a Prime," Megatron added. "I grew jealous, which gave The Fallen the perfect chance to manipulate me. I ignored him, but then I had gone out to investigate an old mine and I met Unicron, who drove me to insanity. I was corrupted by Dark Energon, left to serve Megatronous Prime and revive the Decepticons."
It was quiet, until a whimper broke the brooding silence. Megatron gently rocked the whimpering Bumblebee, looking to the autobots. "Have you any Energon I can borrow?"
"I'll get it," Arcee said, moving quickly.
Megatron looked to his younger brother, noticing he was slouching slightly. "You should go and get healed, brother."
Optimus couldn't find it in himself to argue, but he did anyway. "I am fine."
"You do realise that you have a gaping wound on your torso, yes?"
"It is only the mid-section plating," Optimus argued, placing a servo over it, as if he could hide it.
"It needs to be fixed," Megatron argued back, and looked to Ratchet. "Could you fix him, please?"
"I am fine," Optimus insisted, and winced when Megatron poked his torso. "Ow."
"It needs to be fixed- go sit on the medical berth," Megatron ordered, nudging his brother gently.
Scowling, Optimus glared up at his older brother, refusing to listen. He didn't care at the moment how childish he was acting- his spark chamber hurt, he was tired and faintly feeling Unicron in his processor was starting to anger him. "The only reason it hurt was because you poked it."
"I don't care- as your brother, it is my duty to make sure you are well-"
"I can see from the past few vorns that worked," Optimus cut in sarcastically, ignoring the glare he received, as well as the shocked looks.
"- and that you don't make stupid decisions," Megatron finished. "And considering that you are not fine, I have elected to ignore you and leave you in the servos of Ratchet. But before that is done, Optimus and I would like to have a private word with you, Ratchet."
Ratchet looked surprised, but finally nodded. "Of course. Follow me to the main medical room; we can speak there privately."
