Chapter 2-Into the Fire

The Proudstar Memorial was a large park near the Stellar Galleries. It was a truly lavish place full of intricately detailed metal flowers crafted by Harmonexian artisans, each flower patch representing the birthplace of the crew members who served aboard the Proudstar, the ship that Nova Prime himself commanded. At the heart of the memorial was a water fountain that held a gold statue of the Proudstar, with a plaque showing the names of the crew that was lost with it after the ship vanished in the Benzuli Expanse.

Orion sat on one of the benches reading the last passage of his volume of Towards Peace. The night was quiet as usual and he got let off his shift early, giving him some free time to himself. It was easy to get lost in these treaties, as Megatron often painted a very descriptive picture of a Cybertron without castes and labels that define individuals. A Cybertron that actually progressed instead of staying in place with no movement forward or backward. So focused was he, that he didn't notice that someone was trying to get his attention.

"Orion!" Someone yelled at him.

"Huh?" He jumped a bit and looked up to see Elita-1 looking down at him. "Hey Elita. When did you get here?"

"I was here for five minutes, Orion. You were too busy reading to notice." She answered. Orion scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

"Sorry."

Elita looked at the data pad he was reading. "What are you reading that's got you so entranced?"

"Nothing." He said a bit too quickly. She narrowed her eyes.

"Orion, what are you reading?" She asked sternly, holding her hand out. "Show me."

"It's nothing, honest." Orion tried to put the data pad away, but suddenly found it wrenched out of his hands and into Elita's grip. Which was strange as he didn't even see her move.

She read a few lines of the passage before her face scrunched up and she frowned at him. Orion noted how disconcerting it was to have someone like Elita look not angry, but disappointed at you. It wasn't a good feeling.

"Don't tell me you're reading this slag to." Elita said in a tone that could only be described as scolding.

"What I read is none of your business." Orion said, snatching the pad from her. "And it's not trash, just some writings form one of those revolutionaries."

Elita sat down next to him with a huff. "Don't try to cover it up. I know that was from Megatron. I come across his writings and speeches all over the DataNet."

That was no surprise, seeing as the mech was practically preaching the choir all over the badlands. But still, he had no idea why she was so hostile towards Megatron.

"What's with you?" Orion asked. "You never get so angry about these things. He's just a mech who is writing to get things to change. He's harmless."

"There's nothing harmless about a gladiator, Orion. Whether he is a poet or not." Elita replied. Then she sighed. "It's just…you know about those bombings that have been happening in Praxus and Nova Cromun?"

"Yes, they're all over the Net." He said.

"Half of those bombings were caused by people quoting your precious Megatron. They were radicals killing upper caste bots because they were following the example Megatron set for them." She said. "Rebel against all forms of order and rebel against the seante. You form does not dictate your function in society. They practically rip it right off the pages for Primus' sake."

"Is that what you're worried about? That I might turn into some gun toting maniac if I read his essays?" Orion asked. Elita didn't say anything. "Elita…"

"I'm sorry, but people like him are just bad news. They think what they're doing is good, but all they're doing is killing people and making things harder for all of us." She sighed. "I had a Net Pal who died in one of those bombings caused by the Triple M, and the last thing I need in my life is worrying whether the shop next to me if going to explode."

Orion didn't say anything. It was best to let her vent. Elita-1 was a kind femme, but she hated radical movements that served no purpose and only caused chaos and death. Triple M (Militant Monoform Movement), the Malware Brigade, the Combatrons, all organizations that did nothing but hurt the people they were supposedly trying to help.

"Elita," Orion said. "What do you think of the caste system?"

"Huh?" She looked at him puzzled.

"The caste system," He continued. "Do you like it? Hate it?"

Elita took her time before answering. "I don't know, Orion. I think it's a good way to manage the large populace Cybertron has. Despite it being a little crass in some places, I think it's efficient enough."

"Yes, but on a personal note, do you think it's morally right? To label someone based on what they turn to?" He pressed on.

"Orion, morals and politics don't mix well together. That much is obvious." She replied.

'But religion and politics do?' Orion thought.

He could see that he was making her a bit uncomfortable with these questions, which he couldn't blame her for. Though Iacon was a relatively lax city in terms of enforcing functionist laws, there were other places in Cybertron's western hemisphere that were stricter in their rules in their rules. The town of Petrex was one such settlement, where you could get jail time just for talking bad about the functionist policy.

But Elita, she was more afraid of retribution from the Functionist council, known as the Legislators. They were the ones in charge of managing the logistics of the Grand Cybertronian Taxonomy, which enforced the Form and Function policy. They decided where would a bot go based on their alt modes, and how unique a certain alt mode is to place a bot higher up the system. It was no secret that they treated functionism as if it was a religion, and everyone knew how religion made people take drastic action against what they considered to be an insult to them and everything they stood for.

"What's with all the questions. Orion? I don't like getting interrogated by my friend."

"Sorry, I just wanted your opinion on how I society ran. Reading Megatron's treatise made me think about some things. And I wanted to know how you felt." He said. "You're one of the only people I trust to ask, aside from Jazz and Alpha Trion."

Elita looked at him hard for a moment before smiling and patting his face. "Orion, I understand that you want to know more about Megatron. But please, don't let your curiosity get the better of you. Just this once, let it go."

"But there's nothing wrong with looking into him for now. It's not like I'm talking to the mech." Orion said. Elita shook her head.

"No, Orion. These things can escalate into something that not even you can come from unscathed." Elita told him. She was so earnest about this that Orion felt himself unable to look away from her bright blue eye. "Please. Just let this go. It will only end badly for you."

XXXXXXXX

Later that evening, Orion stood in Alpha Trion's office, waiting for the Archivist to finish writing in his large book. If Alpha Trion noticed the barely hidden scowl on Orion's face, then he didn't show it. Or maybe he knew not to pry into his personal life, Primus knows it was hectic enough. Setting down his stylus, Alpha Trion looked at the younger mech.

"Megatron didn't start out planning a revolution. Not on a planet-wide scale in any case." He began. "He was a member of the manual labor caste, a miner in section D-16 of Tarn's energon mines. He was cast out of work when the mines were automated by Tarn's provisional government."

Orion knew all about that. Miners and workers were losing their jobs to the senate automating the mines and factories for faster operations-and less complaining-so they won't have to rely on the so-called unreliable nature of the workers themselves. A lot of people were losing their jobs, and when you were put out of work, then you weren't useful any more.

"He made a name for himself in the gladiator arena in Tarn's underground." Alpha Trion continued. "Megatron was a capable warrior, and the fact that he was a victim of the negligence of the senate made him even more popular."

The sight of two or more cybertronians tearing each other apart is something few would admit enjoying. Yet the Pits in the lower levels of Kaon and Tarn were one of Cybertron's most popular tourist destinations, and the Grid was alive with transmissions and broadcasts of the various tournaments going on. Arena combat was illegal across Cybertron, but the senate in all its wisdom understood that a population confined by caste needed certain outlets. So they looked the other way while the Pits became entrenched as a diversion for the workers of the lower caste.

Alpha Trion switched on a holodisplay on is desk that showed images and video feeds of the Pits. Images of broken bots and hellish arenas flitted across Orion's view, he recognized them as gladiators who had succumbed to Kaon's arena matches. Kaon was famous for its brutality.

Then he looked at one video, which showed Megatron-this was the first time Orion had seen him-standing in one of the crowded streets o Tarn. His form was large and powerful, the physique of a warrior who had been through hell and is still trying to climb out. But as his silver form stood out over the assembled listeners, he was preaching the ideals of free will and individualism.

"As his reputation grew, Megatron began releasing a series of essays. Towards Peace titled it. In them he began listing the flaws of the caste system and arguing the morals of utility against indivisualism. Openly calling both the senate and Legislators tyrants who ruled through lies and governed by fear." Alpha Trion focused the image of Megatron. "As you already know, his words have touched the hearts and minds of many lower caste bots. He is a kindred spirit speaking for the masses."

"So, he is leading a revolution."

"Not leading, exactly. Megatron hasn't shown an interest in leading a revolt against the senate, rather he spends most of his efforts in trying to encourage others to rise up for themselves. He believes that without a leader to hold their hand, the enlightened populace will become more self sufficient."

"That's not how the senate will see this." Orion muttered. That is, if they can find it in themselves to care.

"We live in a certain world, Orion." Alpha Trion said. "Few of us imagine what it might be like to live in another. But some of us…some of us remember what other worlds were like once. And some of us are foolish enough to wish that we might live in such a world again."

Alpha Trion looked down at his tome and tapped his stylus on his desk. It was a few more minutes before he spoke again.

"Go home, Orion. Think on what I have said."

"I will."

With that said, Orion left the room, leaving the Archivist alone once more. He looked down at his tome-the Oracle-then at the still image of Megatron.

He would be lying if he said that he wasn't interested in Megatron himself. A revolutionary, preaching the unspoken words of the people, who seeks to make Cybertron into the world it was meant to be. To bring back the Cybertron of the Golden Age before it was divided by castes and mode functions. To return their race to its former glory.

Alpha Trion took his stylus and began writing in the Oracle once more. He would wait and record the events that transpire. Things have been set in motion and it all revolves around the mech named Megatron-he who shares his name with the Prime known as the Fallen.

XXXXXXXXX

Orion Pax walked down the street towards Nominus square. The large community area was full of people just getting out of work for the evening and had a large statue of Nominus Prime in the center. He walked with no real destination in mind. He was still thinking about Aplha Trion's words.

'Some of us are foolish enough to wish that we might live in such a world again…'

Did Alpha Trion think what Megatron was doing a foolish endeavor? Or did he condemn Megatron for trying to return to an age that has been long since lost to modern cybertronians? Orion did not understand…or he tried not to understand. The only way to really understand the Archivist's words would be to think-if it was even safe to do-beyond caste.

To imagine a time when Cybertron was not so rigidly divided.

To think back to a time when Cybertron was at the very top of its own universe.

To think of a future where Cybertron was restored to its former greatness.

Was Megatron's goal? To encourage a regression back to when Cybertron was a world where one's actions determined their place in life?

Orion pondered that idea, but was taken back to the present when he heard a small ticking sound coming from Nominus Prime's statue. He thought nothing of it, but then stopped in his tracks.

"Wait…"

He turned towards the statue, and increased the volume on his audio sensors. There was a ticking coming from the statue! And the first thing that came to his mind was a-

BOOM!

Orion was sent flying back through the air when the large gold statue exploded, destroying it and anyone unfortunate enough to be standing close to it. He crashed into a lamp post and knocked it over as he crumpled to the ground. All around him, people were screaming and crying. The explosion rattled his circuits and damn near deafened his audio receptors.

He gathered his wits and switched on his comm. "This is Orion Pax! I need all units to get to Nominus Square now!" He shuted. "Someone just bombed the place, and we need a medical team here ASAP!"

He stood up and was about to help the injured pedestrians when he noticed a bot standing near the blast zone. She was short, probably standing around his waist, with grey armor and feline components on her body. A beast former. But what caught his attention was the remote she was clutching in her hand. Orion wasn't one to go on assumptions on the fly, but when you see a bot holding a remote at the scene of a bombing, you get that feeling in your spark that just won't go away.

XXXXXXX

Shadowkat looked around at the chaos she had caused. She stared emotionlessly at the deep crater the explosion had left in the ground, and then turned to the wounded bots screaming and crying around her. Some were still conscious but missing limbs and leaking energon, others were still-there was no doubt that they were dead.

'It's all for the cause.' She thought over and over again. The mantra was the only thing that was keeping her from breaking down from what she had done. This was her first time doing such a thing! There was no way she could wuss out now!

"Hey! You over there!"

Shadowkat froze and looked to her left to see a red and blue mech marching towards her. Aside from the scorched armor, he was in one piece and was not happy at all. When she saw the holo-badge in his palm, she knew that she'd been had.

"I need to ask you some quest-"

She ran before he could finish the sentence. Shadowkat could hear him yelling for her to stop, but she didn't listen. All she did was pump her powerful legs to go as fast as possible and prayed that she did not get caught.

Orion cursed and transformed, driving after her. Swerving to avoid hitting any bots in is path, he chased her into an alleyway that was in between two office buildings. Orion transformed and jumped forward, slamming his shoulder into her back and sent her crashing to the ground. He stood over her, blaster pointed at her.

"You're under arrest for suspicion of terrorism." He said. "If you come quietly, then nothing bad will happen to you. I promise."

"Go to hell!" Shadowkat hissed and lunged at Orion.

She came at him with such speed that he was unprepared for her attack. She kicked the gun out of his hand and landed another blow to his head. He stumbled to the side, but then he pulled one of the smokestacks off his back and it shifted into a large energon battle axe.

"The hard way it is then." He muttered.

Orion spun the axe around his body and hit her in the abdomen before following up with a kick to her chest. He swung his axe to land a shallow cut on her-not enough to kill, but seriously impair her movement. But to his surprise, his axe blade did not hit metal. Instead it passed through her body like she was some kind of hologram.

Shadowkat let the axe pass through her before coming at Orion with another series of kicks that were like strong punches to the mech. Orion endured the assault, then ducked down under a spin kick and tried to knock her legs from under her. Just like before, his leg phased through her body without resistance. She responded with a kick to his face that sent him into the wall.

"You're not taking me!" Shadowkat shouted. "No one is taking me in again! Do you hear me?"

"You don't have to shout." Orion grunted.

Shadowkat hissed with bared teeth and ran at him to beat him senseless, but Orion kicked a pipe at her face. Not expecting it, Shadowkat was knocked off balance as the pipe hit her in the face. He used this moment to rush forward and land a punch at her face. She doubled over and he slammed his elbow into the back of her head, bringing her to the ground. Acting fast, he took out an energo-baton and jammed it into her back. Shadowkat screamed as she was jolted before she went still. She was still online, but not coherent enough to pull another phasing trick.

"Now are you going to behave now?" Orion asked. She said nothing. "I'll take that as a yes."

"You slaghead!"

Orion looked up just in time to see a huge black fist slam into his face. Pain exploded in his head as he crashed into a dumpster, denting the metal. Standing over Shadowkat was another femme. She was mostly black, with pulse cannons on her forearms and a metal plate covering one of her yellow eyes. She was tall and bulky with broad shoulders and insectoid wings on her back.

Blackbeetle glared down at the mech that hurt her lover and stomped forward till she was standing over him. "What's the matter, mech? Don't you have anything witty to say?"

"Nothing that I can say in front of the little lady over there." Orion replied. He needed to keep his mouth shut.

Blackbeetle growled and reached down. She effortlessly picked him up and threw him with such force that he flew the entire distance of the alley and out into the street, crashing into a cargo trailer. She transformed into a giant black beetle with large pincer claws, and picked up the still recovering Shadowkat. She flew out of the alley and hovered over Orion's broken body.

"Let this be a message to the tyrannical Prime and his slaves!" She shouted for all those present to hear. "The senate's days are numbered. A new world will be born from the wishes of MEGATRON! Down with the Prime! Down with the senate! And down with functionism!"

Blackbeetle flew off into the sky at speeds that the hoverbikes would not be able to catch. Not that they could since the two femmes will be long gone before the police arrive.

Orion pushed his body out of the trailer before falling to the ground. He felt like he took a punch from Ultra Magnus hopped up in Engex. When he felt his vision going dark, his last thoughts were that things were going to get really noisy around Iacon. Then he went into stasis.

This was only the beginning.

XXXXXXXXX

Miles outside of Iacon's city limits, Blackbeetle and Shadowkat phased through the ground to the surface. They had traveled through the city's sewer system to reach the edge of the city before ShadowKat used her powers to phase them through solid metal underground until they were far enough from Iacon. Both femmes were tired, but still in one piece.

"We've made it." Blackbeetle smiled and looked up at the sun. "Free at last. Are you okay, Kat?"

"Yes. I'm fine." Shadowkat said softly.

Blackbeetle looked at her conjux puzzled. "What's wrong? You've done it! You've proven yourself!"

"All those people." Shadowkat muttered. She looked at Blackbeetle with clear optics. "I knew that people were going to die, but…actually seeing them on the ground…screaming…"

Blackbeetle hugged Shadowkat. "I know it's hard, sweetspark, but you've got to stay strong. Remember that we are doing this for our brothers and sisters back home."

"I know, but…" Shadowkat trailed off as she looked up at the sky. Blackbeetle pulled away and followed her gaze into the darkening sky.

A barely visible back shape flew towards them. when it got closer, they saw that it was a large black bird-a raven-with ruby red eyes and armor as black as night. It flew in close to them, then it transformed into a slender femme. She looked down at the two femmes with a stern expression and them her purple pained lips turned up in a smile.

"Well done my friends. You two made it out without even fighting the police force." She said in a cool tone. "Impressive." She looked at Shadowkat. "How are you doing, Shadowkat? That cop certainly was more than a match for you."

"I am fine, my lady." Shadowkat said. The femme before her was very intimidating. Even her usually abrasive lover was silent in her presence.

"Please, call me Nightshade. We are all equal in our fight against the tyrants of our society." Nightshade flared her black wings out and looked into the distance. "Come. We have a world to save."