At Retoris, near the Autobot base, Orion Eclipse had been praised by Hot Rod and Smokescreen for his bravery when he attacked Doomsayer with his Cybernetic Energy Shield but he was also criticized by the other Autobots for not listening to Bumblebee when Ultra Magnus gave the order of retreat from the Devastator. Ironhide received more wounds and scars than he did before from when he was violently attacked by Starscream back in the Energon Mines on Earth when Doomsayer and his New Decepticons captured and enslaved the humans, including Anthony Carter and his family, just to use them as bait to destroy the Autobots, and once again he had to be healed and taken care of at the med bay. While Knock Out was tasked with taking care of Ratchet, who got scorch marks on his chest after he had been hit by Doomsayer's Dark Energon powers, Orion Eclipse took off from the main room to be all by himself. He was feeling frustrated with what had happened today, despite his hope to have mortally injured the insane Herald of Unicron for what he did to insult our main protagonist and his family, and the way Doomsayer insulted Optimus Prime's sacrifice was like salt to an open wound for the Autobots who saw their late leader as a good friend and he was the Autobot equivalent of Abraham Lincoln.
Later that day, Orion Eclipse calmed himself down after cycles of being angry before he decided to take a break in his room. The young new Autobot recruit was exhausted from the battle that happened in the Devastator before he decided to recharge. A few hours later, Orion Eclipse's mind drifted into another strange dream and this time instead of a nightmare, it was a flashback to his past in which Orion had forgotten all those stellar cycles ago when he suffered from amnesia the day he nearly died in the explosion and was separated from his Decepticon family.
~Flashback~
In the fortress of Kolkular, before it collapsed, the Vehicons were on guard duty when they heard bright laughter coming from the halls and it was coming from an adolescent sparkling boy who looked exactly like Orion Eclipse. In fact, that was him as a child and he was playing a game with his mother and father. Megatron, the very leader of the Decepticons, was running around the place with his son as they played with each other in cheerful laughter.
"I'm gonna get you~!" Megatron said. Young Orion Eclipse squealed and giggled as he continued to run around the place. "You can't catch me!" The young one said. "Oh, yes I can!" Megatron replied.
The mech scooped up the young sparkling with his hand servos and he lifted his son to have a good look at him as they laughed happily. "Got you!" said Megatron. "No fair! Unhand me, foul beast!" Orion Eclipse said to his father, pretending that he's a dragon. "Hahahaha! None shall escape my grasp! Prepare to meet your doom!" Megatron said as he played with his son. "Here comes the tickle bug~!" He wiggles his finger and Orion pleaded with his father not to tickle him. "Aah! No, no! Don't tickle me!" the sparkling mech said. But Megatron tickles his son anyway as he wiggles his finger at his neck
Firestar crossed her arms and nodded at her conjunx-endura tickling their son and being a happy father before she tells Megatron to stop being the tickle torturer. "Alright, that's enough roughhousing for today," she said to her family. Megatron gently puts down Young Orion Eclipse as he looks at his sparkmate lovingly while chuckling happily. "As you wish, my beloved," he said. Megatron and Firestar hold each other's hand servos and gave each other a smooch. "I love you," Megatron said to his conjunx-endura. "I love you, too," Firestar replied.
Orion Eclipse found his parents kissing disgusting, but then he asked his father if he can go outside of Kolkular with him for a father-son outing. "Daddy? Can I go outside the fortress with you?" he requested. "Why? Is there any place, in particular, that you would want us to go to, Orion?" Megatron asked before Firestar told her husband their son's motive for wanting to go outside. "Darling, Orion Eclipse told me that he wants to explore outside of Kolkular. He was hoping to be spending some time with you out in Kaon. I will be left in charge of ruling the Decepticons while you and our boy have a father-son outing together until you return." Firestar explained to Megatron. "Alright, Firestar. I will take our son out for a stroll outside of our fortress. I promise that we'll be back before dinner tonight." he told her. "Thank you, my love." Firestar kissed Megatron's lips again.
A few hours later, Megatron walked around Kaon with his son and Orion Eclipse was happy to see the city and the sunset. The young sparkling stayed by his father's side as the two mechs walked together with a few Decepticons and Vehicons bowing to them as they went past them.
"Hail, Lord Megatron! Hail, young prince!" a Vehicon said.
"Hello!" Orion Eclipse waved at the Decepticons who greeted him and his father. Megatron encouraged his son to keep walking with him and let the 'Cons mind their own business as they walked even further away from home. It was during the war, and yet Orion had never seen the war before in his life. He was staying close to his father, Megatron as he felt a bit scared of things that made him feel uneasy.
"Do not be frightened my son, no one shall ever attack us as long as your daddy is here. And for that, once we head back, I'll be sure to see if Breakdown will play with you since I heard that your mother will be back tonight with supplies and a special surprise for you." Megatron promised his son.
Young Orion Eclipse soon looks up to Megatron staying close to the big mech as he replied, "Are you sure daddy? I don't like the war as mommy said that...that you did this for something you wanted." he told his father.
Megatron stops and slowly kneels to place a hand servo gently on Orion's head as he replied, "Yes, don't be scared my son...everything of the war will be over soon and we will have peace on Cybertron again soon. Daddy promises you that." He gives Orion Eclipse a kiss on the child Cybertronian's forehead before giving a gentle smile.
As the two soon went back on their stroll after two minutes, they soon saw another mech come their way, he not only was a bit smaller than Megatron but with a good build of his appearance in red, blue, light silver, and black, but he was also with someone...a little Cybertronian girl that was around Orion's age and she looked beautiful. Orion hides behind Megatron's right leg, shyly peeking from behind as he watched the other mech come over in keeping the little femme close to him. The two mechs looked at each other at the moment before looking at each other's sparkling child.
Both leaders glare at each other angrily, looking as though they are ready to once again see who shall stand, and who shall fall. But then, they both see Orion and Altair, looking at each other with optics filled with sparkling-like wonder, and perhaps something there...that wasn't there before. With that in mind, and because the Decepticon and Autobot leaders love their children unconditionally, they decide the only course of action available to them.
They have to play nice for today.
"Optimus!" Megatron said in a tone of false enthusiasm, while he was glaring hatefully at his enemy. Optimus simply gave him a lesser glare, and with a curt nod, simply said, "Megatron."
"It's so nice to see you out and about, my old friend." Megatron said, continuing his false enthusiasm, before grinding his teeth as he said, "It's such a nice day for meeting old friends, isn't it?!"
Optimus didn't fully share in the hostility, nor did he intend to play fully into Megatron's antagonistic game. Looking down on the sparklings who were still looking into each other's optics in that special way that indicates a bond forming between them, he turned the situation around and said with a mildly smug look in a calm tone, "Indeed it is, Megatron: and a perfect day for meeting NEW friends, wouldn't you agree?" he indicated towards the sparklings. And because he was good at picking up hints, he noted what Optimus was pointing to, and his scowling glare practically disappeared. His son, Orion, looked so happy as he and Altair seemed to have a sort of quiet conversation before she suddenly giggled and tapped onto his shoulder, exclaiming 'tag, you're it!', before running around the place. Orion looked to his father with a silent request for permission...to which Megatron gave with a small smile, and a nod (hiding his begrudging feelings about the whole thing). And with a wide, happy smile, and bright laughter, Orion engaged Altair in a simple game of tag. Noting how Megatron was looking to his son without hostility, but of fatherly concern mixed with happiness for his happiness, Optimus couldn't help but say, "I see that Orion has been doing well these past few solar cycles."
Megatron heard Optimus speak, and though his glare returned, it wasn't as heated as before. Especially as he sighed, and finally said, "Indeed he has. I only wish that he had more of an opportunity to truly live out as a child, instead of-" he hesitated, but the indication was clear enough, as Optimus solemnly nodded in agreement. The warlord then changed the subject as he saw Altair suddenly flip Orion over her and push him into the ground with an admittedly good pin maneuver. "And the young one's name: it's Altair, isn't it? Even though she is YOUR sparkling...I would be remiss if I said I did not appreciate how fine she has been developing," he then smiled, "and how she seems to make my little Orion happy."
"The two do indeed seem to get on very well," Optimus said proudly before his tone turned sour. "I only wish that the war between us would not tarnish what could be more than simply a future friendship for these two." Megatron rebutted while looking at his old friend sternly in the optics. "You know full well that this war will not end until either my ambitions are complete...or until one of us destroys the other, as fate no doubt intends to be the case someday."
"An outcome I pray does not come to pass, despite what you may believe...brother." Optimus voiced sympathetically, before Megatron growled lowly, and threatened, "Don't. Call. Me. That." Optimus sighed, "Apologies, Megatron. I understand where our standing is regarding our history." The Prime admitted, before looking over to the sparklings, and in a hopeful tone saying, "But I pray to Primus that you will not let our animosity corrupt Orion's heart, and make him into the same Decepticons who serve you. As I intend not to let the bitter hatreds of our people taint the mind and spark of my daughter. If there is to be any hope towards peace...a part of me somewhere tells me that Orion and Altair may one day be the key to that peace."
Megatron listened to Optimus as he watched the sparklings playing. Both of them laugh and chase each other while trying to pin one another (with Orion, Primus bless him) ending up being the one pinned. The warmonger couldn't fault him, however. He was still young, and there was still time to learn, making him realize there was merit to Prime's words. "On that front, we may agree, Optimus Prime. Though I fully intend to win this war and restore Cybertron to its true, former glory, I am not naive enough to think I will live forever to rule that future. That...is what my son should be for. He has this...this light in his heart that shines out among the dark waters of the Decepticons. And it makes me believe that if my time does indeed come...that HE will lead the Decepticons and all of Cybertron towards peace." He then gave a smug look. "Perhaps with a little help from his new 'girlfriend'~"
This finally got Optimus a bit flustered at the thought of what he knew Megatron was suggesting. Not because he hated the idea: but because having the idea of his young one being in a relationship was startling, for some reason. "Megatron!" He almost growled, with the latter laughing as he said, "Oh, don't give me that, Prime! Just look at those two. Try to tell me that they aren't already close with one another." Optimus indeed looked - and indeed he could not deny that notion with how happy the younglings were. This reignited the spark of hope in his heart that perhaps Orion and Altair together could indeed end this war in their parent's stead. And the cycle of hatred between Autobots and Decepticons, and bring back peace to Cybertron. But that only depends on their upbringing, and whatever plans for the future were made. "Does this mean you would not be against letting our young meet again - but under our proper supervision?"
This question surprised Megatron, to say the least. "That's quite the suggestion, Prime. But," he sighed "I shouldn't be surprised you would make it. After all, you always were more the bleeding heart than I was."
"Yet you are not ignorant to your son's happiness, Megatron." Optimus pointed out. "I can tell he means more to you than even your ambitions for domination. Yet...I cannot control how you will raise him. But I do hope you at least consider the benefits of our children growing closer together. And perhaps, they can be taught from our failure, and learn to surpass us as future leaders: perhaps even reunite our peoples one day, and truly end this war for all of us." He then sighed as he said, "But even I acknowledge nothing is certain. All any can do...is hope for the future."
"...the future." Megatron mused, watching his son before a gentle smile crossed his features. "Yes, indeed. Perhaps there can be hope for the future." He looked to Optimus with a stern glare. "Let me make this clear, however: you and I will NEVER mend our broken bonds, and will forever remain enemies - and I WILL crush you beneath my heel when the time comes." His former brother just gave him an expressionless look that didn't show whether he believed him, took him seriously, or simply didn't care, but he went on. "But...that does not mean my son, and your daughter needs to share our hatred. Whether we destroy one another, or one of us defeats the other, one thing is certain: those two will bring peace to Cybertron somehow. How, I cannot say, but I will say I love Orion too much to let my hatred for you corrupt his spark." A forlorn expression briefly crossed Megatron before it went away, and he said, "He is the very aspect of light from my beloved—his mother—from which I will not enact to be tarnished by hatred and bitter rivalries. If he-...WHEN he does fight, it will not be for the sadistic pleasure of crushing Autobots: but to uphold the ideal the Decepticons stand for that will have him bring true equality and peace to the people of Cybertron. A soldier, and warrior for Justice, Freedom, and Peace." He then pointed a finger and poked Primes chest as he got up close to him. "And for his, and your own sake, you had better raise that little femme with the same ideals so that they can have them carried out, and fulfilled. They are the last pure light in this world, and I will not see them extinguished before they can ignite into something...truly amazing."
Optimus smiled as he said, "I couldn't have said it better myself, Megatron." The latter nodded and looked back to his son, and Altair, before a devious smile formed and he said, "Yes...perhaps these little comets will finally eclipse the hateful influences of this war." Optimus nodded in agreement, but then caught himself when he realized what Megatron had done, as he gave him the same smug look after giving out that dad joke. Prime gave him a jovial look as he said, "You did that on purpose, Megatron."
"You're Primus da-...darn right I did - almost slipped there for a minute."
Megatron knew that it was a swell idea to never swear in front of his son or to Optimus Prime's daughter while they were playing together, Megatron had to keep the language under his breath as he also promised Firestar that, so his son wouldn't learn to swear like him. But in looking at Optimus, Megatron couldn't help but smile a little smile as the two almost began to give a soft chuckle for the first time since their time together in the past. The two were in then to seeing young sparklings playing together, it made Megatron also think of the same wish Optimus wanted for the future as the children might be the key to the war's end...but he didn't know of when it'll come as it would be a goal for both sides to reach someday. In noticing the time had passed almost through the morning, Megatron then turns to look at Optimus Prime in nodding it was time for them both to go. "I believe it is time for us to head home. However...I will remember to keep my promise to my son, allowing him to come back here to play with your daughter again." Said Megatron, then walking to let his son know it was time to go home. "Orion Eclipse, I'm sorry to bother you and your friend. But it is time for us to go home, but I promise we will come back again and let you play with Optimus Prime's daughter tomorrow." Spoke Megatron once in kneeling to his son, while hiding his feelings from earlier about Altair Comet or of Optimus Prime.
"Ahh, okay daddy," Young Orion Eclipse said in feeling a bit sad to say goodbye to Altair Comet. "I'm afraid we must go as well, but we will see you again another time." Optimus Prime soon said in walking to his daughter. As he picks her up in his arms. Orion Eclipse soon spoke to Optimus for the moment before bidding goodbye to Altair Comet. "Mr. Optimus, I hope my daddy and I can see you and Altair again, you are a very nice bot like my daddy, it must be also wonderful to be good friends with my daddy, is it?" Orion's question left both Megatron and Optimus Prime to blink in surprise, however as Megatron hid that with a false smile, Optimus however didn't and sighs in a soft smile. "Of course, and for that...I can tell you a very good bot to even my daughter as I can see the good potential of you. Still, will you promise to keep your family safe as I know the war is a cruel thing for even us grownups?" Optimus spoke to Orion in also asking a question to the little Decepticon prince. Young Orion smiles and nods to Optimus to keep the promise. So with that, the children waved goodbye to each other as Megatron and Optimus Prime went back to their home, Altair then looks up to her father as she looked curious about something. "Papa? Will the war be really done so I can play with Orion again? He is so very nice, just like you, and has a very good father too." Altair said in looking up to Optimus. The Autobot leader knew that his little daughter was right, and in seeing Megatron walking back to Kaon with his son, he knew that in truth...he wished to become brothers with Megatron again like before and in turn, to keep what Megatron told him earlier, in their sparks as they hoped the war will end with both Orion and Altair to be the sparks of hope for the future and maybe...the next rulers for both Autobots and Decepticons to have peace and to live as one together.
Later in the day, Orion Eclipse was playing with his playmate Wildbreak, the son of both Knock Out and Breakdown and a best friend to Orion Eclipse just like Altair Comet was best friends with him. As the boys were playing together in the Nemesis' playroom, Soundwave was watching over the little mechs in babysitting them, however...he knew that Megatron was going to be busy having a talk with one of his followers about something that happened earlier, and that follower was Doomsayer, a Decepticon who once was sparkmate's with Knock Out until something happened, and Megatron became furious about it. On the flight deck, while the Vheicons were at the controls of the ship in the bridge, Megatron was talking with Doomsayer, but he was very angry with the Decepticon general about something Doomsayer tried to do. "Doomsayer! I am very displeased with what you have tried to do yesterday while I was with my son! And with that, you have no excuse to claim your innocents about it, especially when you were about to kill Optimus Prime while my back was turned!" Megatron yelled while hitting Doomsayer to the ground with one punch. Doomsayer was in shaking off the pain but in looking up to Megatron while holding his spear. "But my lord, it would've been easier for me to end Optimus Prime for you, as I know you have a strong hate for him. Why can't you even allow me to have my time to put an end to the leader of the Autobots?" Doomsayer asked, before getting another punch by Megatron and being pinned by Megatron's foot as Doomsayer was groaning in pain. "You missable and irresponsible Decepticon! No one rids me of Optimus Prime, except me! Do you understand?!" Megatron yelled while pressing his foot down on Doomsayer, trying to crush his chest as Doomsayer grunts in pain and gagging in pain. "G-Gaugh! Yes my liege, please forgive me!" Pleaded Doomsayer as he felt Megatron's foot crushing his chest. The Decepticon leader soon stops and lifts his foot to back away from Doomsayer, but in keeping his red optics on his follower who was now coughing a bit and rubbing his chest. "Now listen to me, Doomsayer. If I ever dare see you trying to kill Optimus Prime behind my back during on or off the battle, then I will have no choice but to intimidate and determinate you forever if you even dare to have your stunt pulled again. Do you understand?" Megatron once again asked in also giving Doomsayer a "fair warning" by grabbing Doomsayer's neck tight. Doomsayer started to gag once again and tried to have Megatron's hand off his neck. "Y-Yes, my lord! I won't try it again, I swear by my spark!" Gagged Doomsayer as his vocal processor was sounding a bit raspy by the leader's grasp. Soon, Megatron lets go of Doomsayer and he returns to the bridge to be with his sparkmate, leaving Doomsayer to choke and cough while rubbing his neck and knowing he didn't like Megatron so much.
~Flashback ends for now~
Orion Eclipse slowly awakes and in rubbing his optics because of the memories surfacing in his mind, the young bot shakes his head and sits up realizing more of his memories had come. "Those memories...they seem to be telling me of something, it not only involved me with a femme bot, a little mech I was playing with, but it also involved Megatron, Optimus Prime, and...Doomsayer. My god and by the Allspark, I think I have an idea of how to make Doomsayer and Starscream pay for what they did and to make them pay for their crimes, horrible deeds and to give them a whole heap of fear to never forget in their Energon blood. It might be crazy to say of it...but I think we are going to need Megatron's help and the only way to do that is to search for him first. I should inform the others about this, but I hope that they will be alright with this crazy idea of mine." Orion soon spoke, in getting out of his berth/bed and then hurry to the Autobots to tell of his plan. At the same time at the Autobot's med bay, Knock Out had finished repairs and completely healing both Ratchet and Ironhide from what happened during the battle and rescue of the humans from Doomsayer and the new Decepticons. "Phew, it was a little longer than I had thought, but the good news is that you both made a full recovery from the injuries and other sufferings you both faced." Knock Out said after wiping his forehead with a cloth he saved in times. "Thank you Knock Out, but something still bothered me during our mission. It was what Doomsayer has spoken about you. How is it that he knows about you?" Asked Ratchet, in having a bother look upon his face. Knock Out cleans up his station but his smile fades as he soon became sadden with what he remembered.
"Knock Out, if you don't want to speak of it, we won't force you to tell us about it." Bumblebee then said, seeing Knock Out's sad look on his face. Knock Out soon looks to Ultra Magnus, Arcee, Bumblebee, and his patients as he was silent for a long set of ten minutes. "I didn't wish to tell you about it but, a very long time ago, Doomsayer and I were once sparkemates, but my spark only belongs to Breakdown and only to Breakdown. But in my time with Doomsayer, he was nothing more but a mech who only abuse me and make me his sex slave to his lustful desires. I wasn't very happy about it and became more hurt than ever, that was when one day, Breakdown was very furious at seeing me being hurt by Doomsayer as Breakdown saw Doomsayer manipulating and seducing me while making me into his personal sex slave, so I had no choice but to report this to Megatron and in turn, Megatron demoted Doomsayer for what he did to assault me behind Breakdown's back. I never wanted to go back to that ever again, and for this, I was very fortunate that Breakdown was there to give me the comfort and love for me...and he kept me very much far away from Doomsayer for good." Knock Out explains that he made sure to have his med bay secured and have a private conversation with the Autobots. The Autobots were all shocked by this and at the same time, very angered for what Doomsayer has done to Knock Out in the past. Arcee was most upset about it and yet, she couldn't become angry with Knock Out, she soon holds his hand and has him look at her. "Knock Out, mark my words, we will make Doomsayer pay for not only what he and his followers did to the humans today...but to also make him pay forever hurting you in the past. He will never touch you as long as we are here, you have our word in this." Arcee told Knock Out in her comforting smile to the ex-Decepticon. Knock Out in the first blink in surprise, before his optics fill in tears and with his smile formed into relief and sadden smile. "Thank you guys, I appreciate it, very much in my spark." Said Knock Out in drying some of his tears in seeing the other Autobots smile to agree with Arcee, even Bumblebee walks to give a comforting hug to the medic in knowing what it felt like in feeling the abuse before.
Soon, Ultra Magnus' comlink began to turn on as he heard Orion Eclipse speaking to him. "Ultra Magnus, sir? May I please see everyone in the meeting room? I might have an idea on how we can defeat Doomsayer and stop him for good." Asked Orion. Ultra Magnus at first thought it was a little odd, but in looking to the others, he then softly sighs but smiles a bit. "Of course, give us a few nanoclicks to meet up with you for your idea." Replied Ultra Magnus. "Yes sir, I'll wait for you in the minutes. Orion, out." Orion Eclipse then said to end the comlink. Soon, Ultra Magnus taps on Bumblebee's shoulder to inform him and the others about the idea Orion had, but to what the idea is for them, it'll be a big shock for the Autobots as they were about to find out, within the next nanoclicks/minutes in the Autobots meeting room.
After the minutes passed, everyone now met up with Orion Eclipse in the meeting room to where the Autobots would meet up to discuss their plans and their ideas, and for this, they all each sat at their seats in looking at Orion as he was the only one standing up from the rest. "Orion, do you wish to share your idea with us?" Asked Ultra Magnus in a bit of confusion. Orion nodded and began to explain his idea to the team. "Look, I know that this idea might sound crazy and, I know that most of you won't like it, but here me on what I've got to say. I'd know I'd just had more of my memories surfaced while asleep, but I think that after seeing more of my memories and in thinking about it...my idea is to hope for all Cybertron that we have to seek out the one Cybertronian who can help us to put an end of Doomsayer and his followers. That also includes Starscream." Orion first begins in his speech. "And who would that be kid?" Ironhide asked as he raised a brow in confusion. Orion took a deep breath and gulped a bit before giving his answer. "The only Cybertronian that I am in thinking about to search for is my father, Megatron. We need to ask for his help and I think he might be the answer that we need." Everyone's optics widen in shock and they all were in huge shock at Orion thinking of such an idea. "WHAT?! You want Megatron to help us stop Doomsayer?!" They all, except Bumblebee and Knock Out, shouted in shock. Orion nodded and also in truth, had a fear that he would end up now having to hear what everyone was going to tell him, but was a bit surprised that Bumblebee and Knock Out knew that as well but didn't seem to be shocked or freaked out about it. But to what the Autobots will tell Orion, it would be a long talk for the young flyer to hear and brace the risks and consequences to find and ask for his father to help the Autobots...if he was still alive in truth to what Orion was in hoping.