Congratulations, TsukiyomiNeko!
Past
It had been five orns since the unholy upgrade, but Megatron still felt like a fragged piece of slag. He was still working by Impactor's side, and he was surprised how the snobbish Autobot seemed to give him some credit since he rescued both of them after the cave-in. And they've been careful not to drill without stanchioning the tunnel behind their backs again.
„You look like scrap" the Autobot was kind to inform Megatron. „Whatever Primon has done to you, I never expected him to slag you like that."
The silvery mech was hammering the rock with his bare hands, the stone evaporating under the rythmic strikes of his fists. It was not the first time he heard Impactor say the real name of their master, but he had never asked back before. Now he did.
„What do you know about him?"
Before he could continue, a white shadow jumped playfully behind them, waving a paw.
„Hello, miners. Could you please tell me where I can find First? I just want to say hi like I do every orn."
Megatron turned to the newcomer.
„He has some business to do in Iacon, but I'm sure he would be back soon."
The white robot looked Megatron straight in the eye, then came forward and pushed his head against the miner's shin. „Thanks for the news" he purred before disappearing in a fracture that would have been far too narrow for any miners.
„Empties" Impactor remarked. „Good-for-nothing parasites gathering here. I'd prefer dwellers for them."
„One Empty" Megatron corrected him. „And I gave up counting how many you'd prefer dwellers to."
„Just to cool you down, your beloved owner is not one of them."
The silvery mech looked at Impactor, thoroughly looking for a sign of sarcasm, but he found none. He decided he'd better not pry.
Train arrived just a few cycles later, carrying a weakened First and two young Empties he must have rescued on this journey. Megatron could only hope his thought transmitter wasn't airing You look like a scraped batch of raw circuits. He hurried to support First as he almost fell out of Train, weakly muttering „You will need to do it on your own, my friend."
Megatron looked at the hesitating Train, watching him transform. He had still found this drastic change in a Cybertronian's form amazing. It was still an Autobot privilege and a relatively new achievement of technology, and mass shifting was an experimental developement Train was still trying to aquire. He was comfortable with performing a mass shift with the mine owner's help, but this was the first time he managed it on his own.
„See? I told you! You can do it" the Master smiled before muttering to Megatron „Please, help me to the nearest berth. A little recharge will surely get me better."
They had stumbled to the berth in a miner's refuge, Megatron setting the equipment to the Master's parameters. The old mech seemed to be out of energon, as if he's been starving for vorns. It wouldn't have made sense in any other robot's case, but First was obviously operating differently then the rest of Cybertron's population. Megatron looked up, hoping to find Train and ask him what happened, only to find everybot disappeared from the usually beehive mineshaft. That was some way of giving privacy!
The silvery mech stayed with his Master, watching his offline frame tremble from time to time. Megatron couldn't help but sit beside him, wondering about the irony of fate: mere five orns ago it was First sitting by Megatron in a similarly uncomfortable situation.
Then, at the end of the recharge cycle, First sat up as if he had suddenly remembered he had some indispensable business.
What is it, my Master?
„Shattered mirror... fractured glass" First muttered weakly. „Horrible things are happening on the surface, my friend" he explained a few kliks later, when his systems completely loaded. „These Autobots are raving mad, of the worst kind. We have found a small colony of free Decepticons hiding in Vos. I can only hope they are still alive. And what's worse, these dark Autobots are now aware of my weaknesses." First looked around, checking there were no other robots eavesdropping. „Megatron, listen to me. You will be the leader. You're the most talented mech I have ever seen. Now go back to work. Tell the others I will be along in a few joors. Don't worry, this will truly be nothing but a recharge."
Megatron tried to obey, but his native slave programming was severely weakened by the last upgrade. He failed at not worrying for First. The light gray and blue mech had been so vulnerable, and if what he told was true, then his enemy knew his weak point. Autobots, he remembered. Those Autobots on the surface are his enemies now.
Impactor had disappeared from the mines. Megatron never liked him, but his leavetaking left him confused. Did he go because First wasn't the sturdy mech to protect them all from the dangers of the surface? Did he really want to go and stay up there? He hoped it was the later. First got his strength back in no time, he was checking on the mines like before, making sure all his workers were safe and sound. And he asked Megatron not to worry about Impactor. It was his decision to leave. So be it!
He shouldn't have left like that.
„He is a free mech, afterall" First muttered. He was holding a fragile knife-shaped tool, pressing its peak into the rock, staring into what looked like the knife's handle. „This looks amazing!"
„What is that, Master?"
You're changing the subject.
„This? It's called a nanoscope. It magnifies the sight for studying the crystal structures in situ. I have never seen drops of electrum frozen into cyberium like this before. Do you want to see it? It's wonderful."
Megatron leant over the nanoscope, watching the cyberium-rich stone and the tiny drops of golden mass trapped inside them.
„I knew there must be electrum in this layer, but I couldn't find it on my own. Isn't it enthralling?"
„It looks... alive" Megatron noted.
„Of course it does! Meet Primus, my ignorant sparkling. Do you want to see how your inside looks like?"
Pardon me?
First grabbed Megatron's arm and slipped the peak of the tool into the wrist right under the armguard panels. „There it is" he smiled. „Ah, you're as curious as you have always been."
Megatron could see his own functional structures for the first time in his life. He never had an idea how complicated structures he had.
„And what are those flicking little lights?" he stared.
„Those are your thoughts. You're sending them towards the nanoscope, that's why there are so many around here."
„They look like dwellers. Is there a reason my thoughts look like dwellers?"
„Yes. That's because you are a member of the Cybertronian race, created by and in the image of Primus. Of course your thoughts look like his."
Dwellers... being Primus's thoughts?
„You still have much to learn, Megs."
The silvery robot nodded in respect. Of course, he would learn. But please, not as rapidly as in the medical room of the Hastak ramp.
„What happened to your friend you named me after? What was he like before?" he asked as he pulled his arm back and continued loading a bogie. First was standing on the other side of the rails, examining their surroundings with the nanoscope.
„What do you want to hear? Megatronus Prime was the toughest and most intrepid of us. He was daring and nimble-witted. If he was up to something there was no was stopping him. And these very traits lead to his downfall. Each of us, all Thirteen, have been tasked with an aspect of the multiverse, to keep it running while Primus healed and Unicron was trapped. Twelve of us represent aspects of Primus, to keep watch while he is asleep. Megatronus Prime, to keep the balance, was assigned to be the guardian of entropy and chaos. He carried it too far."
„Did he bring chaos to you?"
„Worse" First answered. „He brought the Chaos-bringer."
„Unicron...?" Megatron frowned.
„Well, he's the only multiversal Chaos-bringer I know about. Looking back, his downfall was unavoidable. We fought the Fallen, but not as we should have... not as a unit. We were divided by the diversification. He was trapped, just like his self-chosen new master was. But not before he finished me. I should be the Guide of all Matrix-bearers, yet I ended up here in a universe that's complete opposite of anything I know. I don't even have contact to the other Originals. And the Matrix... the Matrix has forgotten about me!" First admitted bitterly. „I'm useless here, I'm out of place. This world on the surface is the Fallen's realm. Those Autobots seek destruction rather than peace, their pointless cruelty stands against anything I would fight for. And when I tried to explain this to Sentinel, tried to make him behave like a Prime..." First hadn't finished the sentence.
Megatron looked at the gray and blue mech with fury. „So was it Sentinel Prime who tried to slag you?"
Oops, not a polite choice of words.
„If only it had been slag. But I survived, and that's what matters. I may have been brushed aside from the Matrix, but Primus is with me, he is our home in all universes known. I'm safe with him. And, as long as you're here, so are you."
Megatron understood his sad smile, nodded, and went back to scanning his surroundings with the electrosonic sensor. First was examining the rock, watching it through the nanoscope, mapping the area. He sometimes asked his companion for a strike with a fist here and there, collecting samples of the surpassingly hard material, analising but not taking it away from the shaft.
„Just as I thought" he muttered, with the usual sad tone in his voice.
„Did you find anything, Master? I have not."
Have I missed anything?
„Nothing, other than the electrum in the wall, and its unusual hardness. But this is what I was looking for."
Before he could continue, two Empties appeared. They must have been those whom First brought home recently, for they were still mistrustful and timid. They were both painted red and blue, their optics shining with dim red light as an obvious sign of recent starving. But they seemed to be doing much better than when they arrived.
„Hi, tinies" First greeted them before they could have escaped back to the tunnel they came from. „Hi. It's me, remember? Do you want some goodies? Energon goodies for the little good robots?"
They looked at each other for encouragement. They finally decided to near the old mech, hoping he would protect them, would the large silvery miner attack. Megatron gave a quick smile. Did he look that menacing?
„Come, tinies, don't be afraid, Megatron is a good friend of mine. Megs, meet Frenzy and Rumble. In theory, they can be told from each other by their paint patterns, but I get it wrong whenever I try."
„It's nice to meet you, newcomers" the miner said, careful not to come closer or do anything that would scare the Empties away. First seemed to be glad they were around, distracting him from the not-so-happy memories. Megatron went back to scanning, keeping an optic on his owner.
He did not depend on First like Train did, he did not require his attention. He was, simply, a miner who valued his master's company over anything else.
He spent the next few orns digging a tunnel in this firm material. First asked him to do it as fast as reasonably possible, so he stayed here even for recharge. When he didn't show up in the main shaft for a whole cycle, Primon asked the two young Empties to deliver some energon for him. They did, Megatron thanked them, and continued drilling the hardest rock he'd ever found in the mines.
He had been working for almost three cycles, and there was still nothing to be found. There were no valueable stones, nor much ore to mention. There were large energon deposits deep under the tunnel he was drilling, but First forbid him to divert from the original direction.
„We have to save that energon for later" he explained. Megatron did not quarrel his owner, although he would have gladly done so. He was disappointed to see the null result of his hard work.
First rarely came to visit him here, almost sneaking in his own territory to see what Megatron was doing. He seemed to be satisfied with his work, giving the miner some compensation for the seemingly pointless efforts.
„You will understand sometime. You've been doing it well, and you've been doing it for yourself and all those who reside in my mines and maybe many more Cybertronians as well. Do you wish to understand me now?" He pulled out a data transfer device. „This is what was left from last time, I didn't want to overburden your processors even more. But you need to take it once, and it won't get any better if we delay it more."
After an astrosecond of hesitation, Megatron nodded.
I cannot parry.
First sat down to the makeshift berth the miner was using for recharge.
„It won't be as bad as last time" he promised.
True, it wasn't that bad, but it was still far from good. It was fast, at least. In less than half a cycle, Megatron was already regaining consciousness, and when First asked if he understood, he nodded with a sad bow in response. He was sure that one orn he would be thankful for this, but it was not the time.
„I'm stuck in this upside-down universe, hiding deep down here" First whispered. „I thought the best that could happen to me was mere survival. Yet, in my solitude, Vector Sigma gave me a wonderful gift I'm trying to live up to." A light gray hand patted a silvery shoulder. „I only hope to give you help throughout the rest of your life. I'm thankful for the gift that is you, and I would never ever intend to break you, not in any way, in any sense. I'm just glad that you exist."
„Thanks, First."
„Come." Primon helped the younger mech up, which looked slightly comical since Megatron was larger and thougher than his owner. „Let's check if that new consignment I ordered has arrived yet."
Megatron's sensors were still coming back online, his sight was still blurred, but he had no problem navigating in the mines half-blind and dizzy. In fact, he could have gotten about with his chemical sensors switched off, in complete darkness, and after a whole cube of high-grade. He was in the mines he matured in. He was in the mines he called home.
And now he even understood why he had to dig that blind-end tunnel in the depths of spoil gang.
A long cry of pain shook the mines. It was coming from the surface, but was so loud it could even be heard on the lower levels of the central shaft. It was a scream of unbearable pain, and all miners immediately knew who the voice belonged to. They'd heard this mech cursing for a long while.
Megatron's face darkened as he identified the pitiful sound belonging to the traitor, and he couldn't help but frown as he read First's face and realised his owner decided to go to the surface and see what he could do for Impactor.
He knew not to try to stop his master.
„Let me come with you" he asked. Even though his programming was still settling with the newest changes and his sight still hadn't cleared out completely. Even though his peaceful self refused the violence that was obviously waiting for them above. He feared for First. „Let this be a test flight."
Primon shook his head.
„Someone has to guard the mines, my friend. Besides, Train will be by my side."
Megatron bit back a sad moan. Train was still not ready to transform when he didn't necessarily have to, and he was so vulnerable during the process. If he hadn't been a slave he would have stood in First's way.
„Trust me, Megs. I know what I'm doing."
He hoped. He very much hoped.
Train took off for the surface. Megatron sat down, waiting for his Master's return.
He'd heard the scream once again, and it reflected unbearable torture. It must have been the pain of treason. Impactor deserved it, but he was just as sure that his Master would go and answer the call for help. He was just not the mech to ignore another's need. Megatron walked in a small circle, remembering. When they first met in the store, Impactor called Primon a „soft-sparked do-gooder". It was moments after the dealer talked First into taking Impactor for free.
Somehow, he never asked for how long Impactor was in the brig, or what kind of sin got him there. But he was sure at first look that Impactor deserved it. Maybe he would have deserved worse. But he was not going to queston his Master's deeds.
And then, he heard something, to which the horrible scream sounded almost preferable. This was the sound of laughter. Many of those above had been laughing, scornfully, victoriously. Megatron ordered the miners to prepare a first aid kit if they hadn't done already.
Train was coming in at almost freefall speed, breaking the rock on the other end of the cavern as he could not slow down in the tunnel. By the looks of his frontal plates, he had crashed through other walls already.
First was lying in his cargo bay, his armor bent, his servos trembling, patches of rust covering his body all over. His chestplate was smashed, and pierced right in his spark was a crystal of menacing purple light, a material that was on the must-avoid list of any Cybertronians. It was dark energon.
Megatron hurried there, knowing the crystal had to be removed at all costs.
First looked up at him, whispering his name.
„Go to the M vein, my friend" he said. „You will find a datacard right next to the diagonal fracture in which Ratbat usually resides in. Do you know which I'm talking about?"
Of course he knew.
„Master, you..."
„The datapad is hidden under a large rock of cyberium ore. You must get it. You might as well need to read it to the others..."
Megatron came one step closer.
„No, you moron! Stay away from me!"
Confused and in worry, Megatron backed away.
„I need you to get the datapad. NOW. Hurry!"
The slave programming kicked in. Megatron had to obey.
„Hurry!"
He crossed the Polyhex tunnel at sidereal speed, making shortcuts wherever it was possible, crushing through an attenuated wall of dead ground, sliding down a dropshaft's steep wall, climbing a two-storied mineral store and landing on the other end with a graceless roll, rushing towards the M vein as commanded. His thought transmitter was airing his position as if he was an insignificant dot on the map in their minds. He reached the vein, feeling his master's faint urge despite the transmitter still working only one way. He had to get the datapad, so that's what he would do! He marched in there, ignoring the Empties frightened off his way. He pushed the large ore away. He knelt down, grabbing the datapad in his sturdy hand.
And then, just a few moments later, the last echoes of the recieving signal died away.