Title: The Prime
Genre: Action/Drama, Friendship/Romance
Rating: T for mild transformer swearing, some violence, and crude language
Short Summary:
When a young mech destined to be the next Prime is exiled by his evil uncle, he must learn what it means to become a great leader.
Chapter Nine
Orion felt even worse than he had that morning. He had lost his new friend. He knew he would never see him again once he left Iacon and that hurt. It was enough to make him feel completely shut down.
Ariel had tried to say something to him earlier but he felt so down that he lost a friend that he barely even heard her. He couldn't believe this had happened. He just didn't understand what happened or how it happened. He didn't believe that Prowl had anything to do with destruction of Vos.
"Orion."
Orion stopped from walking towards his room and turned to see his uncle coming towards him. He tried to smile and wave but it was only half hearted. "Hi, Uncle Megatron." He said not able to hide the misery.
Megatron walked straight up to him and lift him up into his arms. "Hey, don't look so down. Knowing your old mech, he will sort this all out. You will see your friend again." He told him.
Orion sighed as he placed a hand onto his shoulder. "I know. But don't get it. How could Prowl have anything to do with Vos' destruction? It doesn't make sense." He told him.
Megatron shook his head with sympathy. "Life never does make sense, Orion. There is just too many confusing angles to it. The only thing you can do is make the most of it." He then smiled almost fondly at the youngling. "Now, I have a surprise for you. I got your father's permission for it too." He told him already starting to walk.
Like any youngling, Orion perked up at the sound of a surprise. "A surprise? What kind of surprise?" He asked in intterest.
Grinning down at Orion, Megatron shook his head as he carried him out of the palace into a secluded area where an unguarded gate was. "You will just have to wait and see it, my youngling." He told him.
"Will I like this surprise?" Orion asked optics bright with excitement.
Again Megatron grinned as he took Orion right out the gate and into the city. "Orion Pax, my dearest nephew, it is to die for." He told him.
For a short while, Megatron just carried his young nephew through the streets of Iacon not answering any questions that he had. He just told him to wait amd see. But he seemed amused on how excited Orion was.
Finally, the pair came to the substation and Orion looked surprised.
"Uncle Megatron, what are we doing here?" The young prince asked, sounding excited indeed. He had a feeling he knew what his surprise was now. Especially when he saw Prowl and Streamline just down the railway plateform.
Megatron smiled as he set Orion in front of him. "Your creator said it was all right for you to see Prowl off. So that is your surprise." He told him before nodding. "Send Streamline over here once you get over there. I need a word with him."
Orion nodded brightly before turning and hurrying over towards Prowl and Streamline. He never even noticed the wicked smirk on his uncle's face plates as he backed away around the corner.
Prowl was waiting for permission to board the railway cart. He was not happy at all. He couldn't believe this was happening to him. He just didn't understand it. How did he get into this position? How could he be blamed for what happened to Vos? It was true that Praxians didn't like Seekers all that much. And there had been empty threats by some about killing the winged race but they were not stupid to anniliate a whole race.
Still, he had had nothing to do with Vos' destruction. So how could he be blamed?
"Hey, Prowl!"
The youngling nearly jumped out of his gaskets when he heard that voice. He even saw Streamline jump and spin around right with him. They turned with a jerk to see Orion waving at them with a big grin.
Gaping, Streamline stepped forward to greet him, though stunned. "Orion Pax, what are you doing here?" He asked with concern. "Did something happen?"
Orion shook his head as he stopped next to him, still smiling. "No. Uncle Megatron brought me. I just wanted to see Prowl off and all. He said he wanted to talk to you too." He said pointing back to where he came from.
Frowning with suspicion, Streamline looked and saw no one. He didn't like this. There was a warning flashing in his processor. "Did he now? Then I better go find out what is going on." He said seriously before walking towards the area Orion had pointed out.
Prowl was still gaping at Orion stunned to see him there. "Orion, you really came to see me off?" He asked in bewilderment.
Orion smiled warmly at him and nodded. "Yeah. You're my friend, Prowl. Of course I did. I didn't even get to say goodbye either. It isn't going to be forever either. My father is going to fix this. He doesn't believe that you had anything to do with Vos. When he finds out did, you'll get to come back." He told him.
Feeling some hint of gratitude, Prowl smiled. "That will be great, Orion. I really did not have anything to do Vos. Yes, it is true my creator is a criminal and Praxians do not like Seekers very much. But I do not have anything against them." He swore.
"I know. I believe you." Orion told him. "And I swear, father does too. Otherwise he wouldn't be trying to fix it..."
"ARGH!"
Both Orion and Prowl jumped when they heard a shout of pain. They turned to look down the plateform, in the direction that Orion had come from and where Streamline had gone. The sound they had heard had rocked their sparks into uneasiness. It had sounded as if he had been hurt.
"What was that?" Orion asked, worry growing in his spark.
Prowl shook his head as he was already walking towards the area, only to stop abruptly when there came another shout of pain, this time it had been Megatron's. Orion's spark nearly stopped when he heard his uncle's pained cry. He couldn't even stop himself as he started hurrying towards the sound. He ignored Prowl's call for him as he ran down the plateform, wanting to see what happened to his uncle.
"Orion, stop!" Prowl called running after him. He didn't know what was going on but he didn't like it. He felt danger in the air.
Orion, however, just kept going as fast as he could, his spark spiking with worry for his uncle. He had to know what happened.
Turning the corner, however, Orion felt his entire being freeze as horror gripped him when he saw Streamline lying on the ground in a pool of energon, looking very still. Megatron was lying not far away, holding his shoulder where energon was spilling down his side.
Standing around him were three familiar mechs that made the two younglings freeze in terror.
Barricade whirled around when he heard Orion gasp, sneering when he saw him. He was holding a blade with energon dripping down to the hilt. So it was obvious he had used it on Megatron and probably Streamline, who still hadn't moved.
Moments before, Streamline made his way towards Megatron, intending to give the Prime's older brother an audio full. He could not believe that the Lord would go so far to bringing Orion Pax to the substation! He knew fairly well that that the young prince was not suppose to be there. There was no way Sentinel had given Orion permission after what happened the day before.
Oh, ws Megatron going to...
Streamline suddenly slowed down his pace when he heard Megatron's voice. He frowned as he approached the building, wondering who the Lord was speaking to.
"...get there and finish the deed. We have a dead line to meet and too much to do." Megatron was talking. "I want the plan moved forward. it has to be done today. Kill the old mech or you will face my wrath, Sideways!"
Streamline frowned as he stopped at the corner, listening hard. He didn't like this at all. Something wasn't right. Megatron was talking about killing someone. But who?
"I do not care for your pitiful excuses! Kill Alpha Trion before Sentinel Prime gets there! If he beats you there and requires the information on Vos, everything I planned will be ruined!" Megatron growled into his communications line.
Streamline stiffened, alarms flooding into his processor. He couldn't believe it! Megatron was talking of killing the wise mech of Iacon!
"Do it now!" Megatron growled before cutting off his communications. "I swear, Soundwave! I am surrounded by incompetent fools! And I don't mean you! Is your subunits in position?"
"Affirmative." Came the voice of that gladiator from the day before.
"Good. Make sure they understand what they are to do. We have to make it look like an accident, after all. If we just out right kill Orion Pax and the other, Sentinel will be suspicious." Megatron said rather smugly.
Again, Streamline stiffened, horror griping his spark. He couldn't believe those words came right out of Megarton's vocoder. He was plotting to kill Orion Pax?! That was...that was...! He couldn't even find the words.
"Inquery: What of the guard?" Soundwave asked, tearing Streamline's thoughts out in surprise.
"Streamline? Well, it would likely he will get in the way. Kill him." Megatron said with dark glee.
before slowly backing away. He needed to get Orion and Prowl out of there immediately. They were in danger. And it was more than likely that so was his Prime. He needed to get the younglings to safety and then warn Sentinel as soon as...
Just as Streamline was turning to hurry and Prowl, he suddenly stopped as he ran right into someone with a loud clang of their armor. The first thing he noticed was gleaming red optics twinkling in drk amusement.
The scond was the sudden sharp pain streaming through him from his chassis.
Streamline held his vents for a moment before he looked down to see a blade stabbed deep into his chest. He felt the tip inside of his spark chamber as well. It burned like fire as energon began spilling down his chest and dripping onto the steel platform around his feet.
Just then, there was a screech of metal and another stabbing pain came from behind, striking deep and hitting the other side of his spark chamber. The honor Guard could not stop himself from crying out in pain this time before he fell to the ground with a loud clatter.
"Well, that ends that." Barricade sneered as he pulled his blade out from Streamline's chassis. He looked up to see Soundwave doing the same with his own blade and wipingnthe energon from it.
"What was that?" They suddenly heard Orion Pax's distant voice.
Megatron growled, knowing they would need to alter the plan now. He knew that the two younglings would come looking. And it wouldn't take too much time. He looked sharply at Barricade, stepping closer to him. "Stab me." He ordered.
Barricade looked surprised at his words. He could only stare, flabbergasted. "Wh-what?" He stammered.
"Stab me!" Megatron growled. "They will come looking! Once they see us, get them on that fragging railway cart. I will need to get Sentinel out here as soon as I can."
Barricade grimaced but was quick to follow the given order. He jabbed the blade hard into Megatron's shoulder, earning a loud roar of pain from the massive being.
Immediately, they heard the sound of running feet. It was obvious the younglings were coming.
Barricade ripped the blade out, earning a pained growl from Megatron but was not reprimended for it. He just watched as the large Cybertronian stumble backwards and fall back hard on his aft, clutching his new wound.
When he heard the gasps from behind him, only then did the Praxian criminal spin to face the two horrified younglings. He sneered to see the fear in their optics as they took in the scene. "Well, well, well. If it isn't the brats." He remarked.
Orion stared with horror at his fallen uncle, who was bleeding energon badly. He took a quick look and saw that he was in worse shape. His best friend's creator looked dead. "N-no..." he murmured.
"O-Orion!" Megatron yelped in pain, catchingnhis nephew's attention. He put on a good show of fear and anxiety, glancing worriedly at Barricade as the black and white mech now started towards his nephew and his friend. "Ru-run, Orion! They're here to kill you!" He cried painfully.
Shrinking back in fear, Orion did step back but obviously not quick enough formhis uncle.
"Orion! RUN!" Megatron roared again.
Prowl was the first one to react. He quickly grabbed Orion's arm and pulled him into a dead run away from their attackers, who started running after them. He kept a good grip on his friend, running for the substation exit. He knew it was his duty now to protect the prince now that the Captain of the Honor Guard was probably dead. He knew the first thing they needed to do was run back to the palace. It was safer there.
Suddenly, before Prowl and Orion could make it to the exit, their escape was cut off by a familiar one optic mech. The two younglings yelped as they came to a screeching halt.
"Ah, the young future Prime. Forgive me, little mechling but I believe it's time to die." Shockwave said too pleasant and swiped at the two with an energon blade.
Prowl, once again, reacted faster, grabbing Orion and forcing him to duck under the blade. He then yanked his young friend into a bolt back towards the railway cart, pulling his friend behind him. "We're trapped!" He hissed in fear.
Shockwave, Soundwave and Barricade were slowly inching towards them, brandishing blades. The black and white mech was sneering as he flashed his blade in the light, looking completely vile. "No where to run but a railway cart at your backs. This is going to be fun carving my name into your weak little bodies." He leered.
Orion heard a click behind them and he turned to see that the rail cart was starting to move. He knew that was the only way for escape.
Grabbing Prowl, the young prince jumped up onto the cart and slammed the door behind them. He jumped when there came loud bangs as the their attackers tried to break down the door to get them. But it was the cart speeding up that eased his frazzled wires. "I think we're safe." He said hyperventelating.
Just then there was a loud bang and the cart shook. An emergency warning started flashing on the screens as an electronic voice began to bellow: WARNING! WARNING! BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE! BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE!
Prowl looked skeptically at Orion, his spark jolting in fear amd panic. "You were saying?!" He yelped.
Orion winced, his own spark jolting from fear. He knew that this was not good at all. "Oops." Was all he could mitter shakily.
Sentinel Prime was almost near the High Archives Library, where he knew he would find Alpha Trion when his communications system began pinging rapidly. He merely frowned before opening up the channel. "This is Prime." He merely said as he continued to walk.
"Sentinel! Thank Primus above! You need to come...erk...!" He heard Megatron exlaimed, sounding as if in pain.
Immediately Sentinel stopped in his tracks, feeling dread in his spark. He couldn't help but feel something was wrong. His brother was in pain. "Megatron? Are you all right?" He asked in concern.
"No! I am not fragging all right! I have been stabbed!" Megatron growled in pain and The Prime's spark jolted in worry and shock. "Forget about me, though! You need to come as fast as you can! I am near the Iacon Subspace station in pursuit of Decepticons! They have killed Streamline and have taken Prowl and Orion Pax! They are going to kill them!"
Sentinel's spark nearly exploded in shock and fear, widening. He immediately spun away from the library and began running as fast as he could. "WHAT?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN DECEPTICONS HAVE MY SON?! WHAT WAS HE DOING THERE AT THE SUBSPACE STATION?!" He exclaimed as he ran.
"It's my fault, Sentinel! I am so sorry! He was so sad when he was losing Prowl! I thought you wouldn't mind if I took him to see the Praxian youngling off! But then we were attacked by the Decepticons! There are ten of them! They took us all by surprise! Streamline is dead! And I fear Orion and Prowl soon will be! You must come quick!" Megatron yelled as he was obviously running hard to catch the Decepticons that had Orion amd Prowl.
Growling furiously, Sentinel burst outside of the High Archives building and made a swift transformation into his Cybertronian truck form. His tires squealed loudly as he peeled out on the metal streets. "Megatron,.when this is over, you and I will have a long talk about endangering my son!" He snapped, speeding as fast as he could.
"I know! And I will take any punishment you give me! But hurry fast! I am injured and they are getting away with Orion!" Megatron yelled before cutting the communications.
Sentinel fully intended to hurry. He needed to find his son as fast as he could. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen. He surely hoped it wasn't going to be his son who it was going to happen to.
"What are we going to do?! Are we going to die?!" Orion yelped in panic.
Prowl was currently ripping the panel off the controls system, looking frantically for the emergency brakes system. He was panicking as well, knowing if they didn't stop the cart, they would stray too far from Iacon and safety or the cart would derail. He recalled there being a bridge on the way to Praxus which was a few orns away. He knew it would be safe there, due to the Praxus Government having a peace act with The Prime. But there was still the bridge to worry about. And it felt like the cart was picking up speed.
Orion watched helplessly as Prowl was yanking out wires from the control panel, frantically searching for the brakes. He couldn't believe this was happening. His best friend's father amd his father's best friend was dead. He had to be. And who knew what happened to his uncle.
Seeing movement from the window, Orion turned to look at what it was and yelped loudly as he ducked down just as something came crashing through the glass. He saw Prowl whirl around to look but paid no attention. He just looked to see a smoke bomb emitting vent choking smoke. It made his optics leak energon as he began coughing violently from the foul smelling smoke.
Scrambling for it first, Prowl grabbed it and threw it right back out of the cart. He looked out and nearly had a spark rupture when he saw a black and white Cybertonian security cruiser racing along the cart. There was a large dark satillite probe flying high above them along with a Cybertronian jet.
"Hey! Miss us?!" Barricade called out in a sneer before he activated a cannon from his side and aimed.
Prowl gulped before looking at Orion quickly. "Orion! Brace yourself!" He yelped already diving for one seats in the cart and holding on.
Orion did not bother to ask as he dove right on with him and held on for dear life. He figured it was best not to ask questions but to listen to the older youngling, knowing it was better not to know. He shuttered his optics closed tightly and waited for the impact once he heard the explosion of cannon fire.
Suddenly there was a loud roar of anger before loud bangs of metal followed after. The cart shook violently but there came no explosions of fire or screeches of metal ripping the cart.
Orion opened his optics and met Prowl's gaze before he and his friend scrambled to their feet and hurried to the window. They looked out and felt hope returning as they watched a very large red Cybertronian truck strike out and slammed viciously into Barricade sending him swerving across the metal terrain. The jet and the probe were already dashing off, not wanting to meet the wrath of the Prime.
"Dad!" Orion cried out in surprise and he saw his creator.
Sentinel whirled his truck form around and began speeding after the racing cart. He saw the two younglings looking at him and felt only a little relief. He was glad they were all right for...
His spark leapt when he looked ahead and saw the Great Iron Bridge coming up and it didn't look like the cart was slowing down. His hidden optics zeroed in on the cart, taking quick status reports and his spark leapt again in fear to see that the brakes system was out. He knew it would not be slowing down for that first sharp curve.
"Orion! Prowl! Hold on tight! I am coming!" The as he sped up as fast as he could. He knew to stop that cart before it went flying off the tracks into the deep crevice. He had only one idea and that was risky. But he had two younglings to save.
Kicking his booster on, Sentinel sped past the racing cart. He moved as fast as he could to gain ground before slamming on his brakes, skidding several yards. He made a swift transformation and was on the tracks as fast as he could, which was coming at him fast.
Gritting his dentals, Sentinel braced himself as hard as he could, stretching out his hands to catch the cart. He knew it was going to hurt bad when it hit him but if it save his son's life and Prowl's, he would do it.
The impact came hard and fast. The cart slammed into Sentinel's hands, throwing him backwards but he was locking all of his brakes and keeping his feet planted ground as it shoved him back, ripping up the tracks as he went.
Inside the cart, Orion and Prowl felt the cart jolt violently and they were thrown into the walls. They yelped in pain and shock as they held onto one another, hoping this ride of terror would end soon.
Sentinel felt his feet burning against the tracks and felt metal slicing open his armor but he did not relent. He just pushed as hard as he could, using all of the strength he had inside of him to stop the cart. He could feel it starting to slow down finally but it was just getting too close to the bridge.
His optics shuttering tightly closed, Sentinel pushed even harder until he felt himself nearly straining and breaking a few joints in his systems. He hissed in pain but still did not relent.
Finally, the cart came to a slow halt, just as Sentinel's feet touched the edge bridge, feeling it groaning under his feet. He was hurting from the strain but at least he had stopped his son's death. He could feel that he was literately on the edge of the deep crevice. If now, he would fall amd probably be severely injured.
Opening his optics, The Prime felt his vents catch when he sudden heard a loud thud behind the cart. He looked up to see Megatron had landed in a mode he had never seen before. He had taken a Cybertronian jet mode, which The Prime had never seen before.
"Brother..." Sentinel said ventlessly as he slouched on top of the cart, holding onto it. He felt some relief to see...
And then Megatron lashed out, grabbing him by the helm and startlong him. He sneered at the look of surprise in Sentinel's optics. "Long live the Prime. Me!" The rusty silver tyrant sneered before roughly shoving Sentinel back and hard.
The only thing Sentinel could do was cry out in alarm as he fell backwards, crashing into the bridge before toppling over it and falling into the deep crevice. He let out a yell of anguish and fear, but not for his falling to his death.
It was knowing at the last megaclick that his brother had betrayed him and his fear was for his son, who was right there in Megatron's sights, ready to be murdered just like he had been.