He wondered just how many megacycles he had been flying. It felt as though it had been many. FAR too many to keep track of. And yet Orion, despite this extensive search, did not relent. With the threat Doomsayer presented, he had no choice but to follow through on what other Autobots considered a crazy idea. But it was agreed on, in the end, because of the immensity of their danger.

And here he was, searching for the one being in all the universe Doomsayer, or any other Decepticons, either feared, respected or both: and the one who initially kept the former at bay with his mere existence. But since they had disappeared, and the Decepticons had initially died out, that fear induced by their mere presence began to die out. And it was around later, stellar cycles later, that Doomsayer became an active threat. One who made this search necessary. Though given how long he'd been at it, it seemed as though the scanner given to him by Ratchet to search for the subject's key energy signature would never find him. Orion sighed in defeat as he thought aloud, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea, after all. If he actually wanted to be found, then surely there would be news. Or he'd come out of exile to-"

*BLEEP. BLEEP. BLEEP*

The sensor for Cybertronian life signals and the Cybertronian HE was after, suddenly sprung to life. Where there was an absence of hope, now Orion Eclipse let that very same feeling shine in his optics. "Finally! Thank Primus!", he joyously exclaimed as he followed the signal to its source. "I knew he was still alive, somewhere. Now we have a real chance." Another half-hour later, and he followed the signal to a destination he had never expected to see in his lifetime. There, before him, was a massive craft that, to the untrained eye, appeared to merely be shaped like an arrowhead symbol.

But Orion Eclipse had learned of these and knew what it was based on the fact that the whole thing, thanks to his ship's sensor readings displaying its image...was a massive Decepticon sigil floating in space. Despite the potentially egotistical nature of its existence, this vessel was meant to be one of many that would strike fear in the hearts of both their Autobot enemies - and the native lifeforms of the planets these ships invaded for the potential "Phase Sixer" protocol for Decepticon invasion, and cyberforming of other worlds. These D-class ships, P-6 models known as "symbol ships", would be part of an armada of destructive ships that would literally sweep away any remaining pockets of resistance, or simply any other forms of life on the world below. During his time with the Autobots, the rumored power of these ships as their production was in the planning stages made it to Orion's attention. Eventually, this led to him looking through their archives to gain all the knowledge he now has on this craft. That's how he knew the name of these massive, imposing, and devastating warships.

"A World-Sweeper." He said in a hushed tone, finding himself intimidated by the sheer scale, and size of the ship.

Truthfully, he considered the notion that the World Sweepers had never been completed due to The Exodus of Cybertron 4 million stellar cycles ago. That was naivete' at work. He at least should have considered the possibility that remnant Decepticons may have completed a few of them in the wake of the continuing war: or their leaders commissioned the completion of a few in the event Optimus Prime and his Autobots forces finally fell. After all, if the opposition lost its greatest leadership, then even a few of these ships would be enough to begin the expansion of the Decepticon Empire. Not that it mattered, anyway, considering the cons had been disbanded stellar cycles ago...at least until Doomsayer returned. So Orion pegged this as either one of the possible reasons for it existing since there was no definitive answer because he wasn't exactly in the know about projects like these.

With that out of his mind, Orion began another check over the lifeform scanner. And to his surprise, he was registering only one life sign. "This isn't right: there should be hundreds, if not thousands, of cons on that ship." he thought aloud. But then, when he gave it some thought, he mentally shuddered at the only other conclusion. "Guess they didn't get the memo about the war's end and weren't happy to get it straight from the cyber-fox's mouth. Though given who I'm looking for, maybe I shouldn't be surprised if he wiped them all out, and only a few got out." He sighed with a feeling of tribulation. "I only hope things don't end up like they probably did for the cons aboard that sweeper." Now fully registering this was a derelict ship, Orion sent his craft towards where the hanger bay most likely was. And was again surprised by any lack of defense, or resistance from automated systems, and shielding. "Is the whole ship dead?" he asked himself in bewilderment before heavily sighing, "Scrap", before going ahead, and entering the hanger bay.

The signs of struggle with destroyed ships, and equipment, including scorch marks from blaster fire, told him all he needed to confirm his suspicions were accurate. "This is where the fun begins." He said with some sarcasm, before exiting his ship, turning on his HUD systems, and priming his weapons for self-defense. Even if it seemed unlikely, a few Decepticons could still function - cloaking their life signals to hide in the ship when they realized they were doomed. Either way, he was set to head off into the unknown to find the one he'd been seeking.

Privately praying to Primus that his only hope wouldn't end up being his last hope by mistake on the subject's part.

A feeling of unease fell upon him as he went further, and further into the World Sweeper. Sparks flew from surges caused by the damage he seemed to find at every corner. In addition, there were bodies of Vehicons, and higher-ranking Decepticons, in every hallway he came to. Some blasted apart - others ripped in half. The sight of such carnage was...unsettling, to say the least. Even to a warrior like Orion. "Was he always this ruthless and brutal?" he thought to himself, as a sad thought came to him. "Or did he end up like this because of the circumstances thrown at him, and it just made him worse?" That thought remained with him as he continued his search. Following his sensors until he had found himself in the heart of the planet-killing warship. "If I remember the reports right, this should be where the main bridge for the Symbol Ship." Orion thought as he came upon a pair of doors marred by laser fire and physical dentures. He was intimidated by the visual display of brutality that no doubt took place on this ship. But he had to find...him. Everything depended on his cooperation, and willingness to help. So with that, he took a deep breath, and opened the doors by hand - since there was no power in this derelict ship, that meant the doors themselves had no power, this could be easily pried open by the strongest of bots. He did just that, and his Spark jumped a bit as a wire sparked at the doorway. And the next sight that greeted him was one that shocked him to his core.

The entire bridge had been the sight of a massacre, with Decepticon forces very much as slagged as the rest aboard the massive vessel he had come across: either blown to bits or ripped in half. In fact, more than anywhere else, the bridge, in particular, seemed to have been the biggest scene of the conflict with the heavy amounts of damage that saw the room reduced to ground zero of a warzone. A struggle that exceeded a mere firefight took place here, and those who weren't directly slain ended up caught in the crossfire. In fact, his light shone upon an especially mangled body that dwarfed himself by at least several kilometers more than any other bot he'd met. And they were missing their heads. Orion had the feeling he knew who the winner of that fight was. Yet he still wondered something as his optics searched around the devastated bridge. "This doesn't make any sense: the scans said he was here, but I don't see him anywhere. Where is he?" he asked himself.

"Looking for someone?"

The sound of a weapon being charged was followed by that voice. That deep, graveled, aged voice that held an animosity, as well as a hidden sense of anger, bitterness, and Orion dared to think...loneliness. Yet there was no denying that the voice commanded respect and authority just by hearing it. And he had a feeling the universe was being cheeky with him, because he may have just found who he'd been looking for. He didn't move, but he didn't raise his arms, either. Instead, keeping his voice steady, despite his anxiety increase he replied, "That probably depends on you, stranger. Do you know what happened to the Cybertronians aboard this ship? If so, can you explain what happened?"

The voice remained quiet for a few moments, before the owner coldly replied, "The first answer is simple: I happened to them - all of them."

Orion felt his body shiver from how detached the reply was. It was as if the stranger had no concern for these Decepticons in the slightest: yet he also bore no audible sign of dishonesty. It was clear, and precise, without any hesitation. And the idea that the stranger he now knew was his target killed the entire crew by himself made Orion really afraid. But he refused to let it show, and instead insisted, "Care to elaborate?" The figure merely grunted in irritation before answering, "In case you didn't know by some random stroke of misfortune or stupidity, these were Decepticons. One of many stationed in orbit around inhabited worlds to survey and determine if they were either useful for resources - or if they housed our enemies, and needed to be cleansed. This one was under the command of a Phase Sixer by the name of Sixshot. He was meant to spearhead the eventual invasion once the war had been won."

"And...I'm guessing the headless wreck over there used to be him?" Orion asked, trying to confirm all his suspicions as discreetly as he could. He got his answer when the "stranger" seemed to grab something in the dark, before tossing it a few inches from his feet. Having adjusted to the dark, and with his searchlights, he saw what he hoped he wouldn't have to see.

The mangled head of the very same Decepticon, with dented points in his helmet, and an optic missing. "What do you think?" The bot in the shadows asked rhetorically after presenting Sixshot's head to the young Autobot. He then continued, or rather, finished his brief summary by saying, "Like many of the others, he and his crew weren't happy to know the war was over, and we lost. Even less when I "informed" him that the Decepticons are no more. His reaction was as I expected, and we had a...quarrel on the matter. As you can see, I won."

"Yes, I can see that," Orion said despondently. "But did you have to kill the rest? Surely they stood down once they saw you take out their leader." He said in the hopes that, even though they were Decepticons, some of them DID manage to get away alive. The stranger, meanwhile, chuckled in dry humor at that questioning remark. "Clearly you don't know Decepticons that well: or how clear it is that I used to be one. Even after I destroyed him, Sixshot's crew were surprisingly loyal to him to the point they wanted to avenge him. Their bravery was admirable...but wasted. His first lieutenant sounded the alert and ordered all personnel to kill me on sight before I blasted him to slag. If you really did just fly in, then you can see that I was quite thorough in dealing with them: and more so the World Sweeper, itself, by disabling its entire system and leaving it a derelict. In the end, I spared a garrison worth of troops with the order to spread the message: The Decepticons are no more." He paused for a bit as if he were trying to think of something. When he spoke again, he said, "I've remained here since then. Certain that those cowardly fools would obey me, and spread the word. By now, I imagine, word has spread across the cosmos...through past experience taught me never to get my hopes up, since hope is for the weak."

This made Orion upset for the first time since this encounter. "And yet, it's that hope that's helped the Autobots defeat the Decepticons time, and time again, hasn't it? It's what drove them to fight even when things seemed hopeless. And it's what drove me to find the only Cybertronian that Doomsayer truly fears so that we can stop him."

"Doomsayer?" The stranger said, in actual shock. "I know him. A Decepticon usurper who was banished for trying to seize command during the war for Cybertron. Are you saying he's actually returned?"

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't so," Orion answered. "Many other Decepticons have rallied to him since the war ended, and have accepted him as their leader. Even the seeker commander, Starscream, works for him now, despite his own reputation as a traitor, from what I learned about him." That name seemed to infuriate the stranger enough that Orion swore he heard him mutter the name in absolute disdain and animosity. Afterward, Orion finished by saying, "But like I said, after Doomsayer appeared to threaten Cybertron AND Earth, I suggested the idea to search for the only Cybertronian in all the universe Doomsayer himself may still fear, and who could help us defeat him. After searching the spaceways, I finally tracked his signal here, and then I...met you."

The stranger hummed in thought as the two stood in silence. Orion wasn't sure what was going through his host's mind right now. But he was hoping that it wouldn't end in his termination. The stranger's next question was the deal sealer. "And perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me who it is you're looking for, so I can confirm for certain if you found him, or not...Autobot," he said with a sneering tone. Orion felt that tinge of fear again, as the stranger figured out his allegiance, and since he admitted to being Decepticon formerly, there might be a chance he still holds Autobots in low regard. He was willing to take the chance, though, and answered the question. "Though I don't remember him because of amnesia from an incident I was in, I learned that he is my father, as well as the former leader of the Decepticons, themselves." This made the stranger quietly gasp upon hearing Orion say this. Things would take an even greater turn when Orion named his search subject.

"His name is Megatron, and he is the universe's last hope at survival."

To his surprise, the stranger powered down his weapon, as his breath seemed to become shallow. "Can it...be?" He asked in shock to no one in particular. "After all these stellar cycles, can it really...?" he stopped himself before taking a breath, then telling Orion, "If you have a lamp generator, then activate it now. Once you do, turn around so that I can...look on you with my own eyes." Though still confused, Orion coincidentally did have such a device in his pack but wanted to use it sparingly. This occasion, however, would have to be one of those exceptions. He pulled out the small, drone-shaped device, activated it, and then let it split into five components, and illuminated the entire room in bright light. Now that that was done, he could see who he was talking to, just as the stranger himself wished to know in regards to the Autobot. Neither was prepared for the sight that met each other's optics once their gaze fell upon each other.

"Orion?"

"...F-...father?"

Sure as day, there in front of the Autobot was Megatron himself: but somehow, he had returned to his reported original body before his being resurrected, and then possessed by Unicron, the chaos bringer. And as he looked upon the elder Cybertronian, Eclipse felt something in his spark beginning to well up. Even with their crimson glow, something in him knew those eyes. Eyes that shined with familiarity, disbelief, and absolute surprise. But then, it began turning into something no bot has ever truly seen in him before the war, save for Optimus Prime in his younger days...and Orion Eclipse when he was still a young sparkling, and beyond: joy.

His optics, and to Orion's surprise, his own, began filling with tears at the sight of their family. "My son," Megatron said in a hushed voice before it rose in volume. "My boy: alive!" A smile not filled with malice spread across his face as he drew closer to the bot who was his own metal, and Energon. A gentle hand cusped the side of Orion's face, and the Autobot felt his emotions beginning to swell, even though he was without his memories...until he felt his father's touch. Then images and flashes of times before the war, when it was just him and Megatron came to mind, along with a Cybertronian female he figured must have been his mother. This made Orion hold the hand that was holding him as if he were feeling it again for the first time in eons. "How can this be?" Megatron asked Orion directly, before he asked in a shaky voice, "It's true, then? You're really him? You're my father: Megatron?"

Though his spark pained at that, more now that he remembered him mentioning he'd gotten amnesia, he still looked to Orion as if he were the most precious thing in all of creation before pulling him into a warm, comforting hug. "Yes, Orion," Megatron answered, with his own voice laced with quivering emotion that only the purest joy can bring. "I am your father. And I-...I've missed you so much. I thought I'd lost you so long ago because the universe was punishing me. But now...now it brought you back to me when I was at my lowest point. You don't know how much this means to me. But know that I am so happy to see you." This finally got Orion to break down as he embraced his father. "Shh. It's okay. I'm here, Orion. I'm here." Megatron whispered into his son's audio receptors in a tone a parent uses to comfort his or her child, and it made Orion more emotional as a result. The memories that kept flashing in his head, however briefly, playing over and over as he held the only family he had besides the Autobots. And he could feel it inside, too.

He had found his father, and he was even happier to have found him.

Once he let the feelings he had no idea were stored inside him out, and he could at least get a decent word out while holding the embrace, he said, "I think I know how you feel...dad. I might not fully remember, but I can feel it inside. That's why I know I'm happy to see you, too." His embrace tightened as more tears threatened to spill. "I had no idea how much I missed you...until now. I wasn't even sure if what I learned was even true. But now, I can say for sure," he began, before pulling out from his hug to smile proudly at his father, Megatron, "that the universe has indeed brought us back together. Now that we are, maybe I can finally have all the answers I've been looking for."

This made Megatron's smile lessen as he asked, "Do you ... remember anything about me, Orion? Anything at all?" His tone sounded almost desperate. Even so, Orion truthfully answered, "Not fully, but...as soon as I saw you, felt your touch and embrace...and heard your voice speak to me like that, I got flashes of memory come to me. Memories that proved to me that you are my father, and I'm your son. And nothing can ever take that away from us."

Megatron smiled proudly at his son. "That's right. Now that we're together again, I won't ever lose you again. This is our second chance, and to squander it would truly be foolish." He looked over Orion for a moment. "And to think you're still the amazing young warrior I remember, despite the circumstances. I couldn't be more proud of you, Orion Eclipse." He then pulled in Orion for one last embrace, which was returned in kind as he said, "There is much to do, and more to catch up on, my son. And even if not all of it is pleasant, I'm simply happy that you're alright, and here with me. I've never felt more alive, or glad to be so than I am today."

Orion chuckled happily as he said, "Me too, dad. Me too. And you're right: there's a lot of catching up to do. And I'm looking forward to all of it - for good, and I will."

"...Thank you," Megatron whispered with such joy.

Maybe he had been forgiven after all. About an hour later, after embracing each other and shedding tears of joy and sadness, Orion Eclipse sat down with his father and he explained everything. Eclipse told Megatron about how he got stranded on Earth and got out of an escape pod as an amnesiac after he nearly died in the explosion and got separated from his family, how he was forced into hiding from the humans and their weapons, how Orion had stayed hidden for centuries until he eventually met and befriended the young human, Anthony Carter in Idaho.

Orion even explained to his father, Megatron about how he and Anthony have visited each other at the mountains without his stepfather knowing since the night Anthony Carter snuck out of the mini hotel unnoticed before they eventually found the legendary Sword of Primus inside of Orion's cave when his Energon crystals disappeared and were possibly stolen by Starscream and Doomsayer's troops while looking for the legendary Sword. Orion Eclipse remembered the last time that he was with his human friend within that one fateful day that would change his life forever;

The day of when he and Anthony had found the Sword in the Stone at almost the exact same time that the Autobots did in the exact location in which Ratchet, Ironhide, and Hot Rod attacked and apprehended Orion Eclipse while accusing him of being an evil Decepticon spy or scout holding a human hostage when he did nothing wrong before having a big misunderstanding between each other after they've been warned by the spirit of Optimus Prime that the Decepticons would rise again with Doomsayer as their new leader. After explaining everything to his father, Orion ended his story as he sat right next to Megatron.

"And that's the story of how I ended up in this situation and how I was finally able to find you." Orion Eclipse finished.

"Ohh, my son. I'm so sorry that I couldn't find you. If I had known you were lost on Earth, then my army and I would've come looking for you." Megatron apologized.

"It's not your fault, father. You were only trying to help me get to safety." Orion Eclipse replied. "We didn't know that there would be an explosion that vanished me out into space and robbed me of my memories during the war for Cybertron," he said.

"I never even thought that you would survive after I had lost you so long ago. But now, now that you've told me everything that had happened to you while you were gone. Allow me to explain where I've been all this time after I've disbanded the Decepticons and went into my exile." Megatron told his son.

"I'm listening." Orion Eclipse said as he looked at his father.

And so, Megatron explained to his son how he got rid of the ugly appearance that Unicron gave him after he brought him back to life and possessed his body by going to Shockwave's old lab where Megatron requested Shockwave to rebuild his master back into his original body. The Decepticon scientist spent two months working on removing the rotten metal and reverting Megatron back to what he originally looked like before Unicron resurrected him and possessed him.

Megatron explained to Orion Eclipse how he chose to live his own life in self-exile and leave the Decepticons without a leader after Shockwave repaired him to his old appearance and during his exile, Megatron traveled across the galaxy to spread the word as a loner that the Decepticons have lost the war and he even requested Shockwave to remove his Decepticon insignia before he departed from Cybertron. Then Megatron explained to his son about how he massacred Sixshot and his entire crew aboard the World Sweeper and we get a flashback to how it happened.

~flashback~

Aboard the World Sweeper he commanded, Sixshot was alerted by his men that something was heading right towards the ship. He began to wonder who or what it could be; an Autobot spacecraft, another deep-space life form, a scavenger looking to bargain? He continued to speculate until it became close enough to analyze. "Unidentified spacecraft!" He announced, "You are in the presence of a Decepticon vessel and are hereby order to identify yourself and state your business or be destroyed." Sixshot ordered as he began waiting for a response.
"It is I, Sixshot." Came a voice that Sixshot has never heard in a very long time; a voice that sent shivers through his circuitry. It was him, his leader, his master; Megatron had arrived.

"OPEN THE HANGER! LET HIM IN!" He ordered his troops; he rushed to the hanger with haste, knocking down any Con that was in his way. When he arrived in the hanger, Sixshot stood firm, his troops doing so as well, anticipating the arrival of their leader. After a moment, a grey jet flew into the hanger, transformed, and the robot landed a few feet in front of Sixshot.

"HAIL LORD MEGATRON!" Sixshot declared and kneeled, the troops doing so as well. "It has b..."

"Please," Megatron interrupted; "Stand up Sixshot," he asked.

Sixshot was taken back by the unusual kindness that his leader showed, but he complied anyway. "Uhhh yes, as you command, Lord Megatron." Sixshot quickly stood up and regained what he was originally saying. "Anyway as I was saying; it has been so long since we've had contact with you or any other Decepticons, and we so far encountered nothing but mostly scavengers, and random lifeforms while out here." Sixshot began to explain to his master. "However, you'll be happy to know there were very rare times where an Autobot shuttle has attempted to pass by, but I made sure that they've been annihilated." The Decepticon said with pride as he continued. "And with that, we await your command with you here at last and..."

"Stop," Megatron said as he interrupted again.

Sixshot paused to his leader's word. While doing so, he finally started to notice something different about Megatron. Something very different. "Sir?" He asked; "Is there something wrong?"

"You're all relieved from duty" Megatron finally said, much to the shock of Sixshot.

"W-W-What!? Megatron! I don't understand!?" Sixshot stammered.

"The Decepticons are no more." Megatron declared. "The war is lost. You are hereby to stand down and that is final!" He further stated. He turned around and began to walk away having said his peace. "Goodbye, Sixshot".

"No."

Megatron quickly turned back to Sixshot; who now had his guns drawn and pointing right at him. "Sixshot... don't!" He warned.

Sixshot, however, did not relent, keeping his guns pointed at his former leader. "This! This is an Autobot trick!" he shouted. "Megatron would never say anything like that!" He defiantly declared. "You are not even wearing our insignia! WHO ARE YOU AND WHERE IS MEGATRON!?" Sixshot yelled furiously.

"Sixshot you halfwit, I'M RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!" he yelled. "I have thrown aside my insignia because it's no longer who I am!" Megatron angrily explained. "The war is over and THIS is over! Stand down!" Megatron ordered only for it to fall on deaf ears. Sixshot refused and continued.

"LIES! Megatron would never surrender, nor would he say such preposterous things! I didn't spend cycles in the middle of nowhere to be tricked by some IMPOSTOR!" Sixshot defiantly declared. "TELL US WHERE HE IS!?"

Megatron, now becoming increasingly furious, pointed at Sixshot and shouted; "YOU TRULY ARE A BRAINLESS FOOL IF YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE THAT SIXSHOT!"

"Have it your way imposter! OPEN FIRE!" Sixshot ordered. However, none of the Decepticons did as commanded for they were conflicted with what they heard. "I SAID OPEN FIRE!"

"SIXSHOT DON...!"

Before he could finish, Megatron was bombarded with blaster fire from the entire hanger. It continued till smoke engulfed where he stood. Moments later, Sixshot raised his hand and the firing ceased. He stared at the smoke thinking the "imposter" was destroyed. To his shock, the "imposter" then emerged from the smoke and glared at him.

"I warned you."

In mere seconds, Megatron lunged towards the now frantically shooting Sixshot, sword deployed and bisected the Decepticon. The next hour seemed to go on forever. Screams and gunfire blasted throughout the World Sweeper. And then there was silence. After he finished off the last Vehicon; Megatron, made his way back to the hanger, disappointed that this happened again. As he entered the hanger he noticed something crawling. It was Sixshot, who was barely clinging on to life. He walked over to Sixshot and stopped in front of the crippled Decepticon who then looked up and stared at him. Megatron somberly looked at the dying Decepticon in the left optic while his right optic was missing due to being stabbed by one of Megatron's blades; he saw fear and confusion in his optics.

"Lord... Megatron" he said weakly

"I'm truly sorry, but you should've listened to me, Sixshot. Just as I have declared earlier before this massacre even occurred aboard this ship: The Decepticons are no more"

Those were the very last words Sixshot heard before his head rolled. Megatron, feeling worn out by all the fighting, carnage, and damage that he brought aboard the World Sweeper, decided to heal his wounds using a medical kit before laying down on a dark area at the bridge. Then he ordered the last remaining Decepticons to spread the word that they have lost the Great War and the fact that Megatron is now a deposed warlord and a loner who no longer has any desire for revenge, power, and war. All that Megatron really wanted was to resign and retire peacefully so that Cybertron would heal and everyone would be better off without him.

"It's over..." Megatron sighed as he whispered to himself.

~flashback ends~

Orion Eclipse was surprised, to say the least, when his father ended his story of how he reverted back to his original body, got rid of his Decepticon insignia, and how he disbanded the Decepticons and became a loner because he now knew the true meaning of oppression and thus lost his taste for inflicting it. "I stayed within the World Sweeper for over five weeks, healing my wounds until I recovered. I was about to leave when I heard a ship entering the hanger bay and I stayed in the shadows until...you found me. And here we are now; My son and I, together again." Megatron said as he smiled proudly at Orion Eclipse.