Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime or any of its characters. They all belong to their respective owners.
Hey everyone...
So, I know I disappeared, for a LONG time, but I'm back now
Long story short, I've spent the past year dealing with finishing school and starting college and just figuring out what I'm doing with myself. But now my life has got some order back into it, I'll do my best to carry this on.
For everyone who found and commented in my absence, I'm glad you like it!
Now let's get into it
Chapter 7: Brothers in Arms
The Bridge, the Nemesis
The amount of tension in the air was extreme. It was a situation Optimus had been in many times before. Facing off the leader of the Decepticons, and someone whom he once called brother. His optics were locked on the blue optics that were glaring back at him.
The room remained in a deafening silence for what felt like an eternity. Throughout it, Optimus kept all eyes on Megatron, waiting for the mech to make his move. Until Starscream finally broke the silence, that was.
'Not to step out of line, Megatron' he said nervously 'But I explained to you that this particular Optimus Prime was on our side'
'While you theory was impressive, I have yet to see fact to back it up' Megatron replied, his optics never leaving Optimus.
'What about the obvious fact on his back?' The seeker returned. 'The Autobots have spent nearly a year attempting to figure out the Star Saber, and here, for the first time in eons, is someone using it'
Megatron still didn't look convinced. He spent the next few seconds glancing between Optimus and his SIC, until he raised his right arm and deployed his blade
'While that may be true, the mech in question is still Optimus Prime' the gladiator stated 'Someone who has proved many times he cannot be trusted'
Megatron then charged forward, raising his sword. In response, Optimus activated his battle mask, and extended his own blade from his left servo before adopting a defensive stance. Optimus met Megatrons blade with his own, forcing it down so he had an opening at his foes chest. However, Megatron took this opportunity to pull back his other arm and deliver a jab to Optimus's side, knocking the Prime off balance. Using his chance, Megatron forced Optimus's blade out of the way, then delivered a round house kick to the Primes head. Optimus staggered momentarily, and saw Megatron charging again. This time, Optimus ducked under Megatrons sword, and grabbed the gladiators waist, and used his opponents weight to throw him.
'I'm not here to fight with you' The Prime called out.
'Bold word from someone who drove our planet to a barren waste land!' Megatron replied, his voice filled with fury.
The gladiator charged again, only for Optimus to evade his attack and the last second, causing Megatron to crash into the wall. A Vehicon attempted to help him up, but the gladiator refused.
'I can take him, be ready to evacuate if I fail' Megatron ordered. The bot looked unsure, but nodded. Megatron charged back in, sword raised once more.
As he continued to doge and parry the following attacks, Optimus was playing back what he just saw. The Megatron he knew would have have forced his troops into battle, and if they refused, kill them where they stood. But Megatron stopping a Vehicon? That was something Optimus had not seen for eons. This was someone who cared about there soldiers, someone who put himself before others.
Someone like the gladiator Megatronas.
Someone who would much rather use words the violence.
As Megatron lunged once again, Optimus caught the blade, and used it to force Megatron's arm into a lock.
'Megatron, I will ask you once more to stand down' he requested 'and we can end this with words, not violence'
Megatron the flexed his head back sharply, hitting the Prime in the face, causing him to release his hold, allowing the gladiator to break free. The two once again faced each other.
'As much as I want to believe that, Prime, I have soon you much prefer using your fists to prove a point, not your words. Megatron returned.
This was getting him nowhere. Optimus had been playing defensive all this time, hoping he could convince Megatron without using violence. But unless there was a way he could prove he really was not here to fight, he was going to have to start fighting back sooner or later.
'It is clear that I can't get you to listen to reason' Optimus said to his opponent 'so I will say this one last time Megatron: Stand. Down.'
He then reached his arm the the Star Saber, still holstered on his back. He didn't draw the blade, put kept his servo on the hilt, at the ready.
'Or I will have to use more extreme methods or subduing you.'
The levels of tension rocketed. Starscream and the surrounding Vehicon troops knew that if he so wanted, Optimus could wipe them all out with a single swing if the blade.
Megatron on the other hand, merely observed. He had two choices: take Optimus on his word and stand down, avoiding endangering the lives of his troops, or continue fighting but risk going up against the power of the Star Saber.
At that moment, the door to the bridge opened, directing everyone's attention. Optimus has to do a double take, but his optics weren't playing tricks on him.
Standing in the doorway was a human girl
She was wearing a back long sleeved top, grey jeans, clack and white Converse and had a hat covering her head, shoulder length black hair dropping from underneath it. The thing that caught the Autobot leaders attention the most was her eyes. They were a brilliant blue, similar in colour to energon.
'I though I heard something, hope I'm not interru...' she trailed off upon seeing Optimus
'Chloe, leave now.' Megatron said in a calm but stern manner.
The girl simply stared. Optimus wasn't sure if it was fear or confusion on her face, but he suddenly saw a chance to finally get through the Megatron
He then drew the Start Saber, causing everyone on the room the flinch. Megatron then moved in front of the girl, standing over her protectively.
Optimus, blade in hand, slowly approached the gladiator.
'Prime stay back' Megatron said, more of a plea then a threat. 'You said you wanted to settle with words, here is your chance'
Optimus, now standing in front of Megatron, dropped the Star Saber at the gladiators feet.
'If we which to fight me Megatron, I will, but I will not do so if it endangers a human life.'
He then disengaged his battle mask, revealing his face.
'If you want to continue this, do it elsewhere'
Megatron looked at him in shock. He didn't what he wanted now. Optimus Prime despises human kind. He would crush them without a second thought. And his fighting style. Optimus hid only countered and dodged, but had not really fought back. And the Star Saber, now sitting at his feet. Optimus could have destroyed the entire ship without any effort, but he didn't. Maybe that theory Starscream had been so desperately trying to convince him with was more of a fact after all...
As Megatron processed all this, the girl stepped out from behind him, approaching Optimus.
'Your not gonna fight him?' She asked, looking up at the Prime.
'If it means putting your life in jeopardy, I am not' Optimus answered.
'You look a lot less creepy then when I last saw you' the girl stated.
Optimus then kneeled down so his head was level with hers.
'I assume you had the questionable pleasure of meeting my counterpart?' He asked her.
The girl didn't answer, but Optimus noticed something on her neck. It was a scar. It looked a few moths old, but was still very visible.
The girl then rubbed her neck. 'Guess I have' she said quietly.
'Did he...?' Optimus began, but she nodded before he finished, looking at the ground.
'I am truly sorry' Optimus said, unable to imagine how scared she was when she first saw him.
'So I guess...' she began, looking at him again 'I guess we haven't actually met. 'I'm Chloe, Chloe Knight'
' It is a pleasure Chloe, my name is Optimus Prime' the mech returned, smiling.
Chloe then looked back at Megatron, smiling
'I dunno big guy, he seems pretty harmless to me' she said, her voice full of cockiness. 'Hear that, Screamer? You were right with that whole mirror world thing.'
Megatron, who had observed this from the start, didn't really know WHAT to do. When Starscream first became fascinated by the idea of parallel worlds, he though very little of it. Then he spoke of a red and blue mech he met in the desert whom he as convinced was a mirrored version of Optimus Prime. The gladiator had brushed it off, but having seen this, he was finally beginning to see what the seeker had meant.
'You are not the same bot I have been fighting for all these centuries, are you Optimus?' The gladiator asked.
Optimus, rising to his feet, looked at him. 'Nor are you to me' the Prime returned
'I am sorry for my outburst. It appears that old habits die hard' Megatron said slowly.
'Do not apologise, I may very well have done the same' Optimus confessed.
'Who...who are you?' Megatron asked.
Optimus remained silent, thinking of what to say. After about a minute, he finally spoke.
'My name is Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots, last of the Primes, and sworn protector of all sentient life'
Optimus then began the story of how he arrived. The fight at the Omega Lock, being in sucked through the strange vortex, meeting Starscream and the Autobots of this world. And how Bumblebee had saved him.
Megatron thoughts pondered over what Optimus had told him. Starscream approached the two leaders and directed his attention to Optimus.
'It sounds as though you have had a long journey from home' the seeker said. 'Rest assured, we will do everything in our power the help you return home. 'This I promise personally'
Optimus nodded in thanks, then noticed Megatron looking at him. It wasn't that same glare he had seen for years, but a look of calmness, one he hadn't seen from Megatron for a very long time.
'Walk with me?' The gladiator requested. Optimus nodded in agreement.
The two mechs walked through the corridors of the Nemesis. They had spent the past hours telling each other of the past. Optimus spoke of the gladiator Megatronas, who's idea of creating a Cybertron where everyone was equal, no matter their class, spoke to him in a way nothing ever had, and how him and Megatronas became like brothers, fighting both politically and physically to make those ideas a reality. Until the day Megatron appeared before the council, and showed his true colours. The day Optimus lost his brother. He had never wanted to be a Prime, a leader or a warrior. He wanted his brother back.
Megatron however spoke of Orion Pax, a historian at Iacon who helped him make his visions if a better Cybertron nearly a reality. He spoke of how Orion showed him that manny matters could be settled with words. And he spoke fondly of the day that the two of them stood before the council, with the intention of making Cybertron a better place. The council was moved by their ideals, but only one of them could be the leader of the New Cybertron. At first, Megatron wanted that to be him, but insisted it was Orion. Because he knew Orion was the only Boy he knew hoe wouldn't be corrupted but all that power. That day, Orion Pax became Optimus Prime, last of the Primes and the two of them began making steps build the Cybertron they dreamed of. Until a mech named Ultra Magnus formed a faction known as the Autobots, with the intent of taking Cybertron for himself. And thus begthe war, with Magnus leading the Autobots, and Megatron and Optimus leadeing their own faction, the Decepticons.
But the day came when an Atutobot ambush captured Optimus. And what they did to him was indescribable. Optimus Prime had become a tyrant, his once brilliant views corrupted. That was the when Megatron lost his brother. He never wanted to be a leader, or a warrior. He wanted his brother.
Optimus pondered over the story. Up until the day that they appeared before the council, they had shared the same past.
Megatron was thinking the same, standing before him was the Optimus he use to know, he could hardly believe his optics.
'I know you didn't ask to be brought to this world, but you may be the edge we need to end this war once and for all' the gladiator spoke, breaking the silence.' This may b sound unfair, but will you help us Optimus?'
'For the sake of both Earth and Cybertron, I will help you end this war, Megatron. This I promise' Optimus answered.
'Thank you' Megatron replied. 'I...I realise this isn't entirely accurate, but...' he paused, before beaming st Optimus
'It so good to see you again Orion'
Optimus smiled back
'I have missed also, Megatronas'
Well, there we have it. That was probably my longest chapter yet!
If anyone is interested, I've created a Discord served where you can chat with me and other about the story
Invite link /dHyZ5P
Anyway, hope you all enjoyed!