A/N: Here it is, readers. The chapter where Orion Pax meets Megatronus. I also want to point out a few things about the story:
1. the time this story takes place is when Orion Pax is 23 years (or vorns?) old, Ariel 21, Chromia 22, Ironhide and Megatronus 25, and Ratchet is 30.
2. that the faceless mech mentioned at the end of this chapter is Soundwave.
3. Hodge is an OC of mine who is Ariel's supervisor.
4. I do not know what Transformers use as currency so to I just decided to call them credits.
Hope you guys enjoy. I pray that you all have a great day and God bless!
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in Adonai with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.
Chapter Three: The Beginning of the End of an Era
Six months have passed by since Orion Pax and Ariel decided to see each other in secret, in order to keep their relationship hidden from Alpha Trion. If they were in the same room as him they would just act as if it was business as usual. The more time the two spent together and learned about each other, the closer the couple grew.
And as predicted, Chromia "persuaded" them to go on numerous double dates with her and Ironhide. When the mech and femme found out that their friends were dating each other their reactions were similar yet different. Chromia was ecstatic, she hugged Ariel and shouted with glee; while Ironhide, on the other hand, just stood there like a statue in shock before chuckling and patting Orion on the back, congratulating them on their relationship. The four of them would hang out together from time to time, mainly at Maccadams' which sort of became like their hang out place.
Currently, Orion Pax was at his station at the Iacon Hall of Records continuing his studies into Cybertron's history and, sadly, the more he read the more his distress festered. As he continued to learn more about the planet's past he has gained a better understanding on what bots' lives were like back then, especially from a political point of view. He has begun to understand how present day's corruption and treatment of Cybertronians of the lower castes are effecting everyone, causing a rift between the Cybertronian people. It was beginning to worry Orion on what might happen if the corruption of Cybertron's government continued.
He had just began to read about the reign of Sentinel Prime when he felt a pair of hands cover his optics. "Guess who," the bot behind him said jokingly.
Orion chuckled and smiled. "Certainly not Ariel; she's still out on a dig in Kaon."
This caused the femme to giggle in response as she pulled her hands away from his face. "Very funny."
Still smiling, Orion turned around in his seat and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"To see you, silly. Hodge gave me the week off, so I figured I'd come and surprise you," she replied, putting her left hand on her hip. "I also came to return the data pads that I checked out," she added indicating to said items on his desk with her other hand. "Thanks again, by the way. The information proved to be quite helpful over at the dig; it even impressed my boss a bit."
"I'm glad they were able to help you," he told her as he pulled the data pads over to his monitor to scan them back into the system. "Alpha Trion isn't here by the way. He just left for a meeting with the High Council."
"I know, I exchanged greetings with him as he was leaving the building," Ariel said, walking around him to lean against the left side of his desk. "Don't worry, he doesn't suspect us; he thinks that I am only here to just return the data pads."
"How very reassuring. So, how is the excavation at the colosseum going?", Orion asked turning to face her.
"So far, so good," the young archeologist answered. "We've managed to uncover some weapons, shields, and even some Cybertronian remains. From the looks of how the tunnels were designed they were meant to be used as holding cells to hold the gladiators when they weren't fighting; back when gladiators were either criminals or slaves."
"Really?", Orion asked dejectedly, turning his gaze to stare at his feet.
"Yeah. They even look like they were built long before the Golden Age." Ariel then looked to see Orion's disheartened appearance and begun to grow concerned. "Orion, what's wrong?"
Upon hearing her say his name the clerk looked up at Ariel and could see the worry in her optics. "I'm sorry, it is just hard for me when I hear about bots being mistreated."
"Orion, slavery was ended a long time ago. The gladiators that fight now choose to do so, of their own free will," she tried to soothe him.
"But that's just it! With the way the caste system is now, the bots in Kaon don't really have a choice; they may as well be slaves as well. They are forced to either have to work a job that barely pays them to get by, fight as gladiators in hopes of making a few extra credits, and that is if they survive first, or become criminals." The clerk released a sigh of frustration as he rested his head in his right hand, all the while realizing that he just blew up in front of the femme that he cared about. "I'm sorry, Ariel, it is just that I have a lot on my mind right now."
Seeing that this was really bothering him, she got up from where she was leaning on the desk and placed a comforting hand on Orion's shoulder. "It's ok, take your time," she told him encouragingly.
Orion Pax breathed out another deep sigh before speaking. "It is just that, that the more I read the more it becomes clear to me just how unjust the caste system really is. Depending on the circumstances of their birth, bots hardly have a choice on how they can they live their lives. They either have barely enough to survive on and are treated as poorly or they think they are better than everybody else and can do whatever they want. Along with all this, it has become clear to me just how corrupt our government system has become. While I am aware that they are not all like that, most Cybertronians of the upper class feel like they are entitled and will do anything to keep the power and influence they have all the while trying to gain more, no matter who is in their way. All of this is causing a rift among our people, and I fear it is only getting worse," he finished shaking is head in sorrow.
Neither of them said anything for a while before Ariel decided to say something. "You are right, it is getting worse; especially since Sentinel Prime's passing. The Prime's duty is not only to lead our people but also to preside over the High Council and make sure that any and all decisions are made in best interest for all Cybertronians. But now because we do not have a Prime, there is no one to keep them in check."
"But what about Alpha Trion? He is a Prime; one of the original thirteen."
"Yes, he is," Ariel told him, knowing where his train of thought is headed. "But the council won't let him because of the position he already holds; besides, grandfather doesn't want to. He says that a bot can only become Prime if they are found worthy, but so far none has been found. Of course, it's not like all of the High Council is eager to search for a new leader."
"Didn't Sentinel Prime have an heir, or a successor chosen in case of his untimely demise?", Orion asked.
Ariel thought about it for a moment before answering. "Well, Sentinel Prime did have a sparkling mech around the time he was assassinated, but it was never confirmed if he was terminated as well or not, he just vanished. The only other bots that were confirmed dead were some guards, Sentinel Prime's sparkmate, Queen Seraphina, the Captain of the Royal Guard, and an intelligence officer. But there are rumors that the heir of Sentinel Prime is still out there somewhere, waiting for the right time to retake his rightful place on the throne; however, there are also rumors that he is already dead."
Orion Pax was shocked; his optics were wide and his mouth was slightly ajar. "How do you know all that?"
"You seem to have forgotten that I grew up around Cybertron's elite," she replied with a slight smile. "Besides," she continued giving her shoulders a small shrug, "bots talk."
"Right," Orion said quietly, turning his gaze down to his desk.
When he didn't say anything else, Ariel hesitated before walking around him and wrapping her arms comfortingly around his shoulders from behind, gently resting her head on his right shoulder. "Orion," she spoke softly, "I promise, not all bots from the upper class are like the the ones that are causing all this strife."
He sighed leaning into her embrace and clutching onto one of her arms, accepting her comfort. "I know, but I just feel like I have to do something about all this."
"If that is what the Lord leading you to do." Ariel paused for a second before continuing to speak. "But. for now, maybe you just need to take your mind off of this stuff for a while. Tell you what, what do you say about us doing something; just the two of us?"
Knowing the archeologist as well as he did, Orion could tell when when Ariel had an ulterior motive. "What did you have in mind?", he asked suspiciously, turning to face her with a raised optic ridge.
Realizing that she was caught, Ariel groaned in defeat as she sagged her head forward. "Ok. Ok. You got me." She released her grip on Orion as he turned around in his seat to face her properly. "Before I left to take my vacation time, the mech who runs colosseum approached me to tell me how grateful he was that we came all the way from Iacon to help him find out what was down in the tunnels. And he gave me two tickets to a gladiator fight that is taking place in a few days to show his 'appreciation," she explained using air quotes for the word appreciation.
"You mean he was flirting with you," Orion Pax deduced.
Ariel sighed and bowed her head before answering, "Yeah."
"Should I be jealous?", the clerk asked leaning forward in his seat.
That caused the young archeologist to look at him in momentary shock before she chuckled and shook her head. "No," she told him grabbing his hand and pulling him towards her, causing him to get out of his chair. "I only have optics for you. When mechs flirt with me, they usually just see me as another pretty face. But you, you see me for who I am. So no, Orion, there is no need to be jealous; you are the only mech I want to be with."
Gratitude filled Orion's spark upon hearing that, causing him to smile and plant a quick kiss on the top of her helm. "Thank you. It is good to hear that nobot is going to able to steal my girlfriend away from me," he slightly joked.
"Oh, so, I'm your girlfriend now?", she asked joining in on the fun.
But then Orion Pax said with all seriousness, "Who else would you be?"
This caused her to stare at him in surprise for a moment before her face morphed into a look of affection. She then pulled Orion into a sweet, loving kiss as a way to show him just how much he means to her.
After they parted from the kiss the couple still held one another in each other's arm, gazing lovingly into each other optics.
They didn't say a word until Orion cleared his voice box; trying to get the conversation back on topic. "So, if you aren't interested in this mech, then why do you want to use the tickets?"
"Well," Ariel answered while still holding onto his shoulders, "I figured seeing an actual gladiator fight might help me better understand how the gladiators wielded their weapons and how they fought with them. And as bonus, if I were to bring you along with me then it would show that manager that I am not available."
Impressed with her way of thinking Orion raised an optic ridge and asked, "You're a sneaky femme. You know that, right?"
Ariel laughed. "Well, considering that I am trying to keep the fact that I am dating my grandfather's apprentice a secret from him; yeah, I would say so."
This caused Orion Pax to laugh alongside her.
"Does this mean that you will come with me?", she asked, recovering from her laughing fit.
Orion Pax chuckled. "Yes, I will go with you. Who knows," he shrugged, "it might be an interesting experience."
And, so, on the day of the of the fight Orion Pax went with Ariel to the Kaon Colosseum as promised. The stadium was crowded with bots who were eager to take their seats before the spectacle began, causing the couple to shuffle through the crowd to get where they needed to go.
"So, how did you convince my grandfather to let you take the day off today?", Ariel asked as she politely sidestepped around a mech.
"Well," he answered, "I told him that there was this femme whom I really liked that wanted me to go with her to see the gladiator fight, and that I already promised her that I would go. Knowing how I like to keep my promises he agreed to let me come today, but in return I will have to start doing more around the Hall and after this he wants me to catalogue everything in the Hall."
"Everything?", she questioned, knowing about the Hall's secret vaults.
"Everything," he replied gravely.
"Yeesh," the archeologist cringed. "I'm sorry, I did not mean to cause you any trouble with him."
"It's alright, Ariel," he reassured his girlfriend. "It is like what Ironhide tells me sometimes, 'you can't live life without taking a few risks."
"Ironhide said that?", Ariel questioned in mild disbelief.
Orion Pax nodded and chuckled in response as they began to climb to stairs to get to their assigned seating.
"Well, I guess it would make sense for him to say that if he's able to keep up with Chromia."
This caused Orion to laugh and Ariel to smile as they made it to their seats.
"Whew, just in time, it looks like they are about to start," the femme observed.
"Ladies and gentle-mechs of Kaon," the announcer began, "welcome to today's match; a fight that is sure to be remembered for vorns to come. A classic struggle between mech and beast." He paused as the crowd cheered. "The first to enter the arena is your reigning champion, the one and only, Megatronus!" This caused the audience to roar as loud as thunder as a large, silver mech walked into the battlefield and raised his sword, which only caused the crowd to roar even louder.
"Megatronus?", Orion asked as if only saying the name would get his question across.
"That's what he calls himself; named himself after one of the thirteen Primes," Ariel answered.
This surprised Orion, but didn't say anything as he turned his attention back to the arena, missing what the announcer said as he introduced the ginormous metal creature that had just burst through a pair of large, barricaded doors.
And, so, the fight commenced. It was unlike anything Orion had ever experienced before. He could feel his energon pumping through his veins as he listened to the crowd cheer Megatronus on. He could see the sparks fly off the two opponents as they battled each other with all their might to survive.
However, as the battle reached its climax Ariel placed a finger onto her audio receptors as she received a transmission via comm. link. After speaking to the other bot on the other end, she groaned and placed a hand on Orion's shoulder to get his attention. "I have to go down to the dig site," she told him regretfully after he turned to face her. "One of the diggers found another piece of weaponry and Hodge isn't there at the moment. Apparently, one of the workers saw me and asked if I could take a look at it. I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be able to watch the rest of the fight."
"That's alright," he responded. "Uh, would you like me to go down with you?"
"No, you stay; finish watching the match," she offered. "I'll meet you down at the main entrance to the underground tunnels." She then went on to give him directions on how to get to said place.
Afterwards, Orion nodded and told her, "Ok, I'll see you in a little bit."
She smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek before leaving her seat and heading down the stairs.
It was only after he lost sight of her within the sea of bots did Orion turn his attention back onto the fight that was taking place before him.
The beast lifted one of its many legs in an attempt to crush Megatronus, but the warrior mech managed to duck out of the way before the leg hit the ground. The gladiator then began his own barrage of attacks, and it looked like he was gaining the upper hand. And it was not long after that, that Megatronus was found standing on top of the slain beast with his sword raised in triumph has he was pronounced the victor.
The crowd let out their loudest cheer yet. Along with them, Orion sat in his seat and clapped while a look of astonishment took over his face; for although he does not condone the taking of life unless absolutely necessary, never had he seen such a feat like the one he had just saw. Sure, he had seen Ironhide demonstrate his cannons at a target range before and had learned from Alpha Trion how the original thirteen Primes defeated Unicron, but somehow it just wasn't the same.
Thinking that it was over due to the quieting of the audience's cheers, Orion began to stand up to rendezvous with Ariel when Megatronus began to speak. "Thank you. Thank you all for your continuous support. But, sadly, just like how I had brought down this beast, this planet's government continues to bring us done as well. The elite believe that they are better than us simply because of their status. And, that's not the worst of it; while God created each and every one of us with free will, the government wants to take away that freedom. But I am here to tell you that it is only through equality that this injustice will come to end. I vow, on this very day, that I will fight just as hard as I did today until we are all given equal rights and the freedom to choose how we live our own lives!"
This caused the spectators to cry out in excitement and joy just as something clicked within Orion Pax as he stared in awe at the gladiator.
There, there was a mech who was willing to put it all on the line, to fight, for the betterment of all Cybertronians. There was a mech who could be a leader.
After the fight was officially over, Orion Pax headed over to where he was supposed to meet Ariel.
He was currently leaning against the wall waiting right by the doorway where Ariel told him to meet her. As he was waiting though, he began to hear heavy footsteps heading in his direction. But when he turned to see who it was, he was surprised to see it was none other than Megatronus himself; along with a black and purple mech whose face was completely covered.
Having the need to thank him for his inspiring words, Orion pushed himself off the wall to speak to him properly. "Megatronus, congratulations on your victory today."
"Thank you, that's very kind of you," the gladiator said as if he was used to that kind of praise.
"I also wanted to say thank you for your words, they were quite inspiring."
"Oh?", Megatronus questioned with a raised optic ridge.
"Cybertron's government is filled with politicians who are corrupt and have a desire for more power. While there are some bots in the system who do not agree with what is happening, most just don't care that their greed is causing others to suffer. Now that we do not have a Prime, there is hardly anyone on the High Council to keep them in check. You, however, are willing to challenge their authority, to make them see that they are no different from us." He paused before continuing. "I wish I could do something similar, but I am afraid I do not have what it takes."
"Hm," Megatronus nodded. "You would be surprised at what you are able to do when the need arises. But I do appreciate your support." The gladiator pondered on something before continuing to speak. "You seem to be knowledgeable on these kinds of things. Tell me, what is your name?"
"Orion Pax, sir."
"And what is it that you do, Orion Pax?"
"I am a clerk at the Iacon Hall of Records."
"Hm," Megatronus nodded again. "Perhaps we can be of help to each other, Orion Pax. I must be on my way, but I will be sure to send you a transmission on how to contact me. If that is alright with, of course."
Orion Pax stuttered for a moment before saying, "Of course."
"Very good, then. It was nice meeting you, Orion Pax," Megatronus told the young archivist as he and the other mech walked passed him and through the entrance into the tunnels.
A moment or two afterwards, Ariel came through the door to see her boyfriend standing there in shock. "Orion, everything ok?", she asked slightly concerned, gently placing her hand on his upper arm and shaking it lightly.
This action caused him to shake out of his stupor and look down at her with a small smile. "Everything is fine; but you won't believe what just happened," he told her as he began to lead her away while she clutched onto his arm and held his hand.