Ichigo groans in boredom, the meeting that he had been forced to attend was dragging. Once word reached the elite of Iacon of a Prime. The Council mechs, the Nobles, the Guard, and the Priest all came running. The old mech Alpha Trion had disappeared along with Arial and Dion. Ratchet had stayed and growled at the gathered crowd. Thankfully, Ichigo had been able to convince the twins to go home with Wheeljack. He hadn't wanted them to be even more traumatized. He on the other hand couldn't escape and once this power-hungry group found out about the bond. Ichigo became an unwilling pawn piece that they will and have tried to use against Optimus. Ichigo had been quick to shut some of those attempts down.

But not all of them. Like now, where he was being held as a hostage in this boring-ass meeting about something that means nothing with the current problem. Honestly, he was not surprised that they were ignoring Megatron's declaration of war. Instead, they were trying to pull funds into their own pockets. Optimus wasn't at this meeting which if Ichigo was naive enough would have been a trap. That's where they failed, Ichigo was everything but naïve. These Elites had been trying for the past three hours to entrap him. Ichigo had turned every issue and counter issue back on them. The flyer allowed a small smirk, they were getting frustrated. It seems there were still parts of Zangetsu that still existed, Ichigo wished his zanpakuto was around it would make these meetings so much livelier.

Thinking of the two other beings that use to share his soul sent a wave of sadness through him. while he knew that his other half was still sharing some part of him. He still found it unsettling that he could not hear or feel them. Zangetsu had told him once that the old man had disappeared at the beginning to save him. Now the mirror image version had disappeared saving him again. It had left an almost bittersweet taste in his mouth. He knew that during those moments his family worried and he hated that he made them worried.

"I see that we are getting nowhere," a rose gold femme sighs snapping Ichigo out of his thoughts. "I believe a break is in order."

"Hmm yes let us rest our processors and come back with fresh ideas," a small blue mech agrees.

Ichigo hadn't bothered to remember their names. He gets up to leave. being inside for so long that his wings had an inch that needed to be scratched.

"Ah Ichigo, might I have a word with you?" a sleazy voice called behind Ichigo.

Ichigo groans, he knew the owner of that voice. The mech was every inch of a politician and a sleazy salesman. But Ichigo could act out, despite this mech being a pain in the ass, he was powerful. He could easily have the tables turn on Optimus. Optimus was still new in his reign as Prime and had very few allies. This mech could easily…

Ichigo grits his denta he would not cause his friend in danger. With a fake smile, Ichigo greeted the politician, "Senator Proteus, I was about to fuel." The mech was the only one that Ichigo had trouble with. So far, he had been outclassed by the mech.

"Then let us chat over a nice cube of energon," the mech smiles. It's just as fake as Ichigo's.

Senator Proteus was in total opposition to Optimus's rise to Power. The mech loath anyone going beyond their assigned function. A grand manipulator the whole senate was his playground. He was old and wise enough not to get caught in any wrongdoing. And with the past Primes being under his thumb he has gotten away with more than any mech alive should have. The mech cares more for his lifestyle than the people he was supposed to be serving.

"Proteus."

"Senator Decimus; Senator Sherma cares to join us. I was about to have a chat with the Primes Bonded over the outcome of the meeting so far."

"Ah yes! Energon sounds lovely," Sherma purrs. The dark green mech with a dome shape helm rumors abounds that he was inching closer to Megatron's side. Not a top player…yet. What made him dangerous was that he wasn't that dumb. As part of the intellectual class, he couldn't be. but he lacked street smarts which left him unable to understand those who survive on things learned outside a classroom.

"But why settle for regular energon," Decimus laughs, "Come I have some old Bronze Age Crystal Praxian." Ichigo hadn't liked this mech on more than one account. But the number one reason was that the mech believe everyone should never rise above their rank. Though not as bad as Proteus, Decimus hated Optimus more than most since he had risen above a mere dock worker. He oversaw the commerce guild and was one of Proteus's lead yes men.

Ichigo twitched, anything for the Bronze age was hard stuff. He found that out the hard way and hadn't like the aftereffects. But the one being described as a rare crystal ultra-grade. Ratchet had warned him never to drink any Ultra grade. It never mixes well for flight frames. They were trying to get him drunk and Ichigo couldn't find a way out of it.

Double shit.

"Apologies Senators but I require Young Ichigo for now."

Ichigo could breathe a sigh of relief, while not his favorite, Senator Shockwave was one of the more tolerable senators.

"This meeting has caused an unnecessary distraction from his studies," the Senator grins at the young flyer.

"Eh?"

The purple senator sighs, "It would be best to remedy this during this break."

"EH?"

Proteus sighs though it was fake, and he gives an overly polite smile, "ah yes, our young friend here is new to his position. Wouldn't want him to fumble around like a dymetal duck without ahead." He laughed, "such naivete would be taken advantage of here, and with our new young Prime it would be disastrous for both parties to be inept at their position."

Ichigo felt his hackles rise, somehow, he knew that he had just been insulted. Judging by the tense frame behind him Shockwave agreed. He bit his tongue to keep from speaking, these old mechs would take any words he said and turned them into weapons.

"I rather doubt that the Prime and his brother could be taken advantage of so easily Senator." Shockwave turns Ichigo around and leads him out of the Hall, "But then again we all were fumbling at our beginnings. Some more than others."

That last bit was pointed towards the scowling Senator. Ichigo hides his grin at the hit then scowls at being trapped in another lesson. Senator Shockwave and Ratchet had taken to giving Ichigo lessons on how to survive in the Senator. Ratchet was more about not getting railroaded while Shockwave was more cloak and dagger. The Senator had even snagged a Noble to help. Ichigo wasn't sure what he made of Mirage. Sure, the mech was stuck up but that Ichigo hadn't learned anything from the mech was unstated. He now knew when the Elites insulted him or Optimus and had just as much dirt on them.

"I think we shall forgo our normal lesson plan for today," Shockwave says once they were closed behind his office door. "I fear that I have grown weary of listening to them bagger on about nonsense for now. Let us talk about more pleasant things."

Ichigo huffs, "Agreed; how is Tarn now that the riots have calmed?" then winched; how was that pleasant conversation?

The Riots started not long after Optimus took power. Ichigo hadn't known at the time what the reason was, but he knew that it worried his friend greatly. Optimus had been fighting the Senate in sending Tarn relief supplies so the city could focus on rebuilding. So far, he barely made anyway in getting Tarn's citizens that relief.

"Unfortunately, they are still ongoing. More stores are being robbed and the citizens feel unsafe to open again. I have doubt Enforcer patrols but that has done little in persuading them to stop. They are angry and I am the only one on the ruling council who sees that pretty words will do nothing but anger them more." He sighs, "unlike what the Elites think these mechs are not fools. I fear that someone is puppeteering them from outside of Tarn." He huffs, "but enough about politics how are your brothers? I believe that they are due for their final upgrades; yes?"

Ichigo smiles, "Yeah, Ratchet and Wheeljack are bringing them here for the procedure. Something about them being better protected here than at home."

"Ah, I believe it's better to keep them, and you calm until they settle." He explained, "flyers, in general, get more agitated when their young ones go through a growth spurt. It's to do with being trapped in a tube. Sky hunger and all."

"Ah, so they think that I'll react while Sunny and Sides are going through their upgrade?"

Shockwave hums, "How did you act with the last few?"

"Well..." Ichigo pauses; how did he react? "I…paced a lot. I didn't leave the twins alone even an orn after they were done."

"And that type of behavior will cost you here. They will use that against you." Shockwave poured them a cup of solar energon. "Have you noticed how almost every Senator dislikes anyone with seeker coding? And you, my young friend, had plenty of seeker coding."

Ichigo sighs, he was aware of the hatred towards his frame type. It was no different than what he faced for his hair, his attitude, or his actions. He remembers the uproar once everyone knew of the bond he shared with Optimus. Hell, he was getting glares even before he met Ironhide. It was only due to him working at the docks that those glares hadn't led to anything more.

"So how does one keep such a weakness from being seen?"

Shockwave chuckles, "Is it a weakness?"

Ichigo jerks, "Ha? You just said-

"I believe I said that it will cost you not that it was a weakness. Only a fool will try anything against you and your family in this state. But many are fools who are being used by a master. Most likely they will use the throwaway pawns to sway you or Prime."

"But why; why go through all of this; why use me to do it. I know of our connection, but Optimus isn't going to do something on my say so." Ichigo was getting a helm ache from all this politicking.

"Oh, I'm sure the Prime wouldn't be a good one if he was so easily gullible. Look at what we had with the last two Primes. Utter chaos and a new tyrant." Shockwave shakes his helm, "No, Optimus Prime is not as gullible as our esteem Senators believe. I say it's thanks to years of working on the docks but who knows."

"So, Optimus is a threat to them?"

"Of course, the young Prime isn't one to be used as a mindless puppet. That's not to say that he can't be corralled to do their whims."

Ichigo growls, "Why do I have a feeling that this is going to get bad real fast?"

"Ha, alas we cannot stay and discuss this more. I fear that our time is up, and we must return to have our minds dulled by useless chatter."

Ichigo groans, "can't we get someone to say that there is a drill of some sort?"

Shockwave hums, "perhaps you should bring it up with your brother. It is his responsibility to hire new loyal staff after all."

After more hours of pointless talking and overtalking and dumb things that Ichigo was sure to forget as soon as he left. He was free. Before any of the Senators could speak Ichigo bolted out of the room and ducked into another. It was an empty room that was meant for petitioners to wait until they were called. Sadly, there hadn't been any in a long time. The room was covered in dust and smelled of disuse.

Ichigo's wings twitched, he was ready to stretch them and fly. Yet his human mind knew how to be patient, he hadn't survived this long on being reckless. As the last mech filed out Ichigo made his move. Finding the one window that opened to the sky Ichigo quickly and silently popped out and took off. He free-fell until the last minute flaring his wings before turning on his thrusters. He stayed air-born for at least a few more hours before going to see Optimus. The freshly turned Prime had been in his boring pointless meetings all day too. He was planning on smuggling the mech out and they would meet up with Ratchet and the twins for fuel.

It was the plan at least.

What Ichigo hadn't considered was that the Senators had bogged down Optimus with mountains of paperwork. And since the intention behind those same mechs couldn't be trusted Optimus had taken it upon himself to read every single line.

He has to veto nearly all of them.

And there were still over a hundred towers of files and petitions to go.

"Ya know, I believe that I'm supposed to help with this," he says as he crawls through the balcony doors. "You should keep this lock. The last thing we need is a cock-sure assassin taking a chance."

Optimus gives him a weary chuckle. "I doubt that they would choose a common route of killing. I'm very sure that they'll be more subtle. Such as this, killing me with paperwork and boredom."

Ichigo didn't truly find that funny. He wouldn't put it past those elites to try it. Maybe Shockwave had a point in hiring new people.

"Yeah whatever, come on time blow this stand."

Optimus chuckles again, "I don't think I'll ever understand those words. Where did you even learn such phrases?" he groans as joints creak when standing. "I feel ancient."

Ichigo rolled his shoulders, "oh here and there. You're not that old, why don't you have that medic, uh…what's his face, look you over?"

"You mean Pharma?"

Ichigo snorts, "No that jigsaw hack Flatline. Though come to think it they both work together."

"Ah-ha ah, yes, perhaps Ratchet wouldn't mind?" Optimus gives an uneasy rumble.

"Yeah, sure just don't whine if he hits you with his wrench." Ichigo leads Optimus out the glass crystal doors. "Remember to hold on. I'll slowly lower us to the ground."

Despite Optimus being larger and heavier than Ichigo. He was able to get them safely to the ground and as Optimus transformed gave the stun guards a smug two-finger salute. As Optimus drove away Ichigo snorted at the slow response it took for the rest of the Guard to be notified that their Prime has left the building.

"that's going to have to change," he mutters.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, I'll talk to ya about it later." He leans back against the Primes cab. "Let's not talk about work, this is relaxing time."

Optimus snorts, "Haven't you heard; Primes are too dignified to run off and relax. We must work and be silent pawns for the Elites."

"I pity the ones who think you'll be silent and a pawn," Ichigo laughs, "Now if they happen to spike your energon with that dock jock you use to drink. Then maybe they'll have a chance."

"Dock Jock?"

"Ah, it's some homemade spike energon that the dockworkers favored. Not for lightweights that for sure."

Optimus hums, "and you think that I would not be able to handle it?"

"Maybe," Ichigo says truthfully, "But back before you were Prime, you were able to out drink a majority of mechs. I could only handle a half cube. Now Arial, she was the champ."

"Oh?"

"Yep, while all of us was under the table she be sipping on her fifth cube smiling," Ichigo said fondly. "I wonder how they are, haven't heard a peep since the fire."

"I am sorry."

Ichigo blinks tilting his helm back, "Why are you apologizing; it wasn't your fault, you were a victim too ya know. If anyone should be blamed it is Megatron for starting this mess."

Optimus didn't respond and Ichigo left him to his thoughts. It wasn't solely the ex-gladiator's fault. As much as Ichigo may hate the mech he wasn't blind to how mess up Cybertron's government is. It was almost as bad as the world governments back home. With the same type of the populace ignoring it or just didn't care about it. Ichigo will admit he did the same thing, though he was busy most of the time worrying about power-hungry madmen and all that.

At least he had an excuse.

Problem was that this wasn't going to be an easy fix. The Elites had entrenched themselves and it would take time to yank them out. Same with undoing many of the policies and laws that had been implemented before Optimus was born. All that plus regaining the lost trust of the people and stopping the rapidly growing following of Megaton.

That was another problem.

Megatron had retreated to Kaon and had taken over. He had the backing of Vos and some of the smaller towns and settlements. So far, he had only been doing small-time guerrilla tactics. The Senate wasn't concerned about him and ignored Optimus on the matter. Shockwave while seeing the threat that was Megatron pushed for peaceful coexistence. Optimus agreed, but he did listen to Ichigo too. Ichigo was just frustrated that it felt like he was the only one seeing what was coming.

Optimus, Ratchet, and a few others were patient with him. Yet, he knew that they were thinking that he was blinded by his personal feelings. And maybe he was but he knew, he knew Megatron's type, he battled one before coming here. He didn't know what to do about it.

"Ichigo we're here," Optimus voice brings Ichigo out of his spiral. "I believe Ratchet is waiting."

Ichigo looked over Optimus's cab, and yep there was Ratchet with a hand on each of the twin's shoulders. With a sigh, Ichigo wonders what the troubled duo did to make the medic wear that expression. Most likely pestering him about their final upgrades. He knew that they were chomping at the bit to get an alt-mode of their choice.

Ichigo had wondered about that at first. According to Ratchet, he should've gone through the same thing. The thing is Ichigo has been automatically upgrading since they met. Ratchet and Wheeljack were fascinated and watched Ichigo as his frame grew without any help from outside forces. They had no clue how he was doing it. Ichigo thought he might have an idea, yet he had no way to prove it besides continuing to grow. Though he thinks he'll stop soon as he was only seventeen when he arrived. He had asked once why they hadn't just taken him to one of the hospitals. Both had gotten a dark worried look and Ichigo didn't push.

"About time you two showed up," Ratchet huffed, "I thought that I would have to deal with these pit spawns forever."

"Yeah right!"

"Like we want to stick around you!"

Ratchet rolled his optics, "and yet you two want me to do your final upgrades."

Ichigo swooped in and scooped up Sideswipe before he could say something, "not our fault Ratchet. They tried to keep us, prisoner, by paperwork and endless talk."

Sunstreaker leaned into Ichigo's side. Unlike his twin, the yellow mechling was not that into physical affection. It was almost like looking into a mirror in how the mechling held himself. Ichigo had been keeping an eye on the young mech in case he followed the same pattern he had done. Sideswipe was more affectionate and would accept any hug offered. He used to love hanging from Ichigo's neck between his wings. He hadn't gotten too large for that now, so hugs were his preferred way.

"Ah, yes well let us enjoy the time we have before they noticed your jailbreak." Ratchet led them to one of the back tables. It was one of their favorite spots, it had a nice view of the river, and it was out of view of those outside the restaurant.

Ichigo like it because of the femme that ran it. She reminded him of his mom and treated him like her own creation. Ichigo always felt at home in this little café. The femme, name Starsea, treated the twins kindly and before Ichigo became bonded to the Prime would watch the two until someone pick them up. she knew them so well by now that they hadn't needed to order, and she always threw in an extra treat. It had taken Optimus by surprise when the femme adopted him.

This time, however, Starsea seemed very disturbed. Optimus the ever kind mech had asked her what was wrong. The femme had become worried about her remaining family in Praxis. As with the rest of the planet Praxis had seen to have growing unrest though little rioting. But it was targeted by Vos most.

"I worry, they will not leave and come here. I see nothing good staying there. I feel…I."

Another thing Ichigo noticed, Starsea had a small gift of premonition. It didn't show much but when it does something always happens. Yet from the sound of it, she was getting something that might not happen for a while. That she was getting anything now meant that it was something big.

"I have heard things about Praxis. Yet Shearwall tells me that I am worrying for nothing."

"That bolts for brains is a puppet," Ratchet snorts. "Your better off trusting your underground sources."

"I have tried to get someone to go investigate, but none will go." Optimus clenches his cube, "I am supposed to have a spymaster, a Master investigator, and a Commander yet I know none of them nor have met them. I have been told that reports have come in and everything is peaceful. I know those reports are fake, I haven't read them, and I know Megatron."

"So, what are you going to do?" Sideswipe asks.

"We can sneak in and find them for you," Sunstreaker offers.

Optimus smiles at the mechlings, "Thank you but I fear that this is going to take more than a few brave mechlings. And you have your upgrades soon."

"True, and Praxis is very particular on who they let wander around," Ratchet hums, "someone who is not Praxian or Vosian would not be able to leave the Tourist District unsupervised."

"And the Praxian Enforcers rarely are understanding to a lost Tourist," Starsea added, "it was not always this way. At one time Praxis was a kind and safe place to live." She sighs, "Now it hides behind the shine of crystals."

Ichigo had heard about Praxis from the tiny Senator. The impression he got was a parrot repeating what he had been told. No doubt that Shearwall isn't the one running things, more like someone back in Praxis was telling the Senator what to say.

And not having any eyes or ears in the city-state shot any plans that Optimus may have to hell. It seems that Shockwave's advice was becoming more and more sound. Yet finding mechs to be spies for the Prime was another problem that Ichigo had no clue how to solve.

"…only had someone I could send," Optimus says.

Ichigo blinks an idea forming in his helm. It was impulsive and not well thought out and most likely he'll get a lot of push back. But there was urging in the back of the mind. It almost felt like a second being in his helm. He kept silent as the night out went on. Optimus must have felt something due to the looks he sent. Ratchet knew something was amiss from the scowling and glaring he gave to Ichigo. They waited to call him out until the Guard caught up to them and Optimus was the kind mech buying them fuel for their trouble. They waited until the twins were sent to their berth before dragging Ichigo into a safe non-bugged room.

"What is rattling around in that helm of your brat!" Ratchet spoke before Optimus had a chance.

Ichigo huffs, "I was thinking

"that's shocking!"

Ichigo sends the medic a glare, "I was thinking about what Starsea was talking about."

"You mean Praxis?" Optimus says, "A problem yes, yet one I cannot solve now."

"What if you had the right information?"

"Youngling," there was a warning tone in the medic's tone.

"What are you thinking Ichigo?" Optimus calm tone overrode Ratchets.

"Send me to Praxis, make up a reason that can't be argued against." Ichigo knew the moment the words left his mouth there will be pushback.

"And what can you do there youngling; your high profile and you're not that stealthy," Ratchet growls. He knows that they'll go ahead with whatever plan they are thinking but he puts in a token protest.

"He has a point Ichigo, I understand your wish to help but I do not see how you will be able to get what we need." Optimus sighs, this was not what he wanted one of his few friends to do.

Blunt but he was right, Ichigo knew this, yet "I can still get us the information or find the one who can."

"Oh, and who is this mech?"

"…you might not want to know," Ichigo mutters. Plausible deniably, that and he didn't know who he was talking about either. "At least let me get a more accurate view of the city-state. How it is being run, how the Enforcers truly act, how they are trained, and how its citizens are doing. Any one of those could be used to bring your attention."

Ratchet snorts, "While I don't like it he does have a point."

"Yes, yet-

"Optimus, if we don't look now who is to say the Megatron will use Praxis like it's using Vos. We are already losing a war that's hidden in the shadows. Who knows, I might find some mechs who will be loyal to your ideals."

"Just my ideals?"

"Hey, loyalty to a person is harder to earn than an ideal." Ichigo grins, "I know that for a fact. But anyway, while I would leave now it would be better to wait for you to work your magic. And for me to get someone in here to watch your back."

"A good idea," Ratchet pipes in, "and it'll give time for the mechlings upgrade to happen. Though you'll be gone before it is done."

Ah right, Ichigo had almost forgotten about that.

"Who would you suggest?"

Ichigo grins widen, he had that perfect mech or should he say mechs in mind. "Oh don't worry, you already know them."

Ratchet huffs, "Not like it was that big of a stretch. Whatever, I'll get your first aid pack ready. You must explain this to the twins. And you can trust me and Jackie to keep an optic on them."

Ichigo gives the medic a small smile, "Thanks Ratchet."

The medic snorts and tosses two empty glasses. He pulls out a tall carboy full of sparkling blue energon. "Ultra-grade solar courtesy of Praxis finest farmers."

Ichigo eyes geometric stemware with the ultra-grade shimmering in it. He had never had this high of grade before. He eyes Ratchet who once saw that he hadn't taken a sip nod. Ichigo raises his glass.

"Praxis here I come."