VI

"You remember how they look?"

"Yes."

"You better write then."

Ratchet got out of the seat, allowing Orion command of the computer. They both were a little on edge, scrapped up from the sleepwalking scare. Ratchet had timed it though, marking it down and sent word to his scientist friend to see if it coordinated with anything else on the planet. Now, they were in the Library of Iacon, searching for the mysterious bot that was part of Orion's vision.

"Seeing as they weren't standing before you and you hadn't met them before, its interesting," commented Ratchet. "I'm curious to see who this mystery bot is."

"I only got a good look at her for a second," sighed Orion, clicking send. "What if it doesn't match anyone?"

"We keep looking into the Matrix then," shrugged Ratchet. "To be honest, that's about as much fun as searching for a bot."

"We've got a match…" whispered Orion.

"Who?" perked Ratchet, leaning over Orion's shoulder.

"Arcee," mumbled Orion. "Deceased."

"How?" gasped Ratchet. "When? Recently?"

"According to the file, Arcee had lost a close friend. She was unable to find a stable relationship following it and suffered depression, low self esteem, etc. She…"

"Gave her own spark," finished Ratchet, stepping back. "She lived…in this other world. She was alive in the destruction. What was the difference?"

"I don't know," gulped Orion. "Ratchet, I don't like this…It was bad enough not knowing what these visions were…now I know the people are real and their lives are different."

"Some say that a single point in time can change countless lives," recited Ratchet. "Perhaps, an action you did or didn't do…"

Orion quickly stood up, startling Ratchet.

"I'm going home."

"But…" mumbled Ratchet.

"I need…I need time to think, Ratchet. All of this…it's too much…" whimpered Orion, rushing passed Ratchet.

Orion rushed home, slamming the door shut and collapsing onto his berth. So much to think about. All that was happening, was all this just some alternate timeline because he didn't speak up for Megatronus? Orion groaned, sitting up. No…it couldn't be his fault. The image of the cheerful Arcee running toward him flashed across his mind. Was he the reason she was dead now.

"No!" shouted Orion, pounding a fist against the berth. "It wasn't my fault! She took her own spark! I didn't even know her!"

The image flashed across his memory again. Her smile. He whimpered, pounding the berth again.

"Why me…why am I so important? I'm just some…some bot…nothing special…the world doesn't fall apart because I didn't…because I didn't say something…" sobbed Orion. "How many others die…that shouldn't have…"

A knock at the door was heard for a brief moment then stopped.

"It's not my fault," choked Orion, "I'm not a Prime! I'm not Optimus! I'm not special! I'm…I'm just crazy! This is crazy! I can't…"

Another knock. His head began to ache.

"Not again," whimpered Orion, pulling his knees to his chest. "I don't want to go back there…please! Primus, no! Make it stop…I don't want to see her…I don't want to see the destruction…I can't…

The knocks were growing louder. A muffled voice was barely heard.

"I can't!" shouted Orion.

The door was kicked in, allowing several armored bots to march in, guns raised. They tore Orion off the berth, throwing him to the ground. Orion opened his optics, feeling them grab him by the arms, but couldn't see the world. All he saw was the destroyed world, covered in fire and smoke. He could smell rotting corpses. He choked on the stench. He felt his body moving without direction, being led by the guards.

"Help!" cried Orion. "Please! Just make it stop!"

"Optimus!"

Orion whimpered, looking around the false world. A young bot came running toward him, painted yellow and black. Orion perked. So young. The faintest feeling in the back of his mind made him anxious. He began struggling. He could see other bots clamber over the hill of rubble, firing shots at the young bot. Orion snarled, pulling against the arms grasp.

"Run, kid!" called Orion, watching the yellow bot glance back. "Don't look back, just run!"

"Optimus, this is Bumblebee. Do you copy?"

The bot held a finger to his audio receptor, glancing behind at the approaching bots. Orion was almost free, reaching out toward the young bot. Just run thought Orion, don't die…please. The young bot - Bumblebee - turned slowly toward Orion, almost directly into his optics.

"I'm going to find you," promised Orion. "And keep you safe!"

Suddenly there a swift jab to the side of his head. Everything turned to black.