Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Siren and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.
Transformers One: Siren Chapter 13
Who knew that the death of Orion at D-16's hands would carry serious lasting repercussions for Cybertron for eons to come?
D-16 is gone, erased from existence, and replaced by something else unthinkable and terrifying.
"No," mouthed Siren, lunging forward to try and catch Orion.
D-16 blocked Siren by flinging an arm in front and catching her in the stomach to prevent her from doing so, a blank, impassive, and dispassionate frown on his lips and optics.
D-16 does not regret his decision.
Siren watches in anguish as Orion plummets farther and farther into the darkness until he disappears.
Siren is distraught.
Orion had been alive right there in front of her and now he'd been killed, spark snuffed out, by D-16's own hand.
Various memories roll through Siren's mind in flashes. Whenever came to her defense, joked, laughed, and smiled.
Siren's spark shattered.
Turning on D-16, filled with betrayal, sorrow, and sadness Siren sobbed her heart out. She beat D-16's chest with her fists, furious with what he's done.
D-16 catches Siren's wrists in his hands, stopping and waiting for her body to lose strength. That doesn't take long. The loss of Orion takes its toll, relinquishing what little strength Siren has left out of her and she collapses onto her knees, hands pressed to her face as the heartbroken tears flow in earnest in her grief for Orion.
With no one to stop him now, D-16 turns his full wrath onto Sentinel.
Sentinel had attempted to crawl away while they'd been distracted but didn't get far because the damage on his body was too extensive.
Surviving members of Sentinel's bodyguards form a barrier around him to act as his defense.
D-16 combs right through them, his rage, fury, and need for vengeance empowering his movements.
While D-16 was taking care of Sentinel's bodyguards, Elita-1 and B-127 had climbed up the dome to reach Siren.
"Siren," said Elita-1, sadly, placing her hands on Siren's shoulders.
Inconsolable, Siren leans into Elita-1's chest as the latter wraps her arms around the younger broken-hearted femme.
B-127 places hands on Siren's back, equally as crushed as they are. He may have only known Orion for a couple of days but had admired him greatly and considered him a dear friend. His very first.
Where before he previously had difficulty with them, now D-16 takes them all out easily one by one.
Sentinel no longer stands a chance.
D-16 catches up to Sentinel, grips him at the back, and lifts the struggling false Prime over his head.
"You took Siren's voice. You stole our lives. You will never rob anyone of anything ever again," snarled D-16.
Using all of his strength, not holding back, D-16 tears Sentinel in half to the approval of the High Guard and the horror of Siren, Elita-1, B-127, and all others surveying these happenings closely.
Sentinel was dead before his wrecked body hit the dome.
Tearing the prized cog of Megatronus out of Sentinel's chest and holding it aloft for all to see in victory, D-16 proclaimed "The age of Primes has ended! No more false prophets! Follow me and you will never again be deceived! Rise up!"
Repeatedly, the High Guard chanted "Rise up!"
"I will lead us all into the future," said D-16, extracting the t-cog Alpha Trion bestowed upon him, discarding and replacing it with the one possessed by Megatronus. The proceeding transformation was instantaneous, enhancing his body tenfold. "I am Megatron!" He then turns his modified fusion cannon on an erected statue of Sentinel. "Burn it down! All of it!"
Megatron fired his weapon at the statue with abandon and when it was destroyed on any structure he could see. The High Guard follows his lead, hailing Megatron.
Regular citizens that had been in the vicinity scattered, running for cover and places to hide.
Drunk with power, allowing it to corrupt his soul, Megatron refuses to discern who is an enemy and one who is innocent.
Before, Siren had been afraid for D-16 and now…now she was afraid of him.
Ascertaining that Megatron was going to kill everyone, B-127 and Elta-1 decide to intervene. They tell Siren to stay back. No way is she in any condition to face Megatron nor in the right state of mind.
B-127 and Elita-1 bravely take Megatron on, but he's too strong. Powered by rage and fury, he's not going to stop until every single one of Sentinel's followers is lying dead before him.
Just when it seems like Megatron is about to kill Elita-1 and B-127 a miracle occurs, fate intervening.
Out from the depths of Cybertron emerges a powerful beam of light that crashes into the side of the plaza, a blinding light surging all around it.
All four are thrown backward on the dome. B-127 and Elita-1 slid off back onto the plaza and Siren barely managed to keep her grip. Megatron dug his feet in to keep anchored.
Whatever it was landed on top of the dome and as the smoke built from its arrival cleared everyone, even those standing as spectators, discovered exactly what it was.
It can't be.
Orion.
Not believing her eyes, awed, Siren mouthed "Orion."
Smiling gently at Siren, Orion said "I am no longer Orion. I am Optimus Prime."
Slowly, Siren runs her hands over Orion's chest, arms, head, and shoulders, trying to make sure he's real and not an illusion.
Tenderly catching Siren's hands in his, Optimus said "I'm right here, Siren. It's truly me."
That's all it takes for Siren.
Siren leaps into Optimus's arms, wrapping hers tightly around his neck. Optimus holds Siren to him embracing her tightly. Siren pulls back and Optimus stares intently into her optics.
Down below, Elita-1 and B-127 high-fived each other seeing this finally happen.
There are even some cheers from miners in the crowd who had always suspected these two loved each other.
"I'm sorry. I should've done that cycles ago," said Optimus, regretfully, eyes and voice brimming with loving warmth and affection for no one but her.
Siren tearfully laughed, embracing him again.
Groaning, Megatron shook himself off and saw Optimus standing there in his new form and the Matrix of Leadership in his chest.
"Impossible," breathed Megatron, rising to his pedes, clenching tight fists. "Primus gave you the Matrix."
"We could've built the future together," said Orion, disappointedly, shifting in front of Siren carefully.
Stonily, Megatron said "I'll build it myself. After I tear down everyone in my way!"
Optimus gently moves Siren to a safe distance and meets Megatron head-on.
For the first time, combat is joined between these two brothers.
The battle is fierce, taking them all over the plaza, the two of them evenly matched with the weapons granted them through Megatronus's cog and the Matrix of Leadership.
With each blow they land on each other it is tearing Siren even more apart inside.
Megatron and Optimus charge at each other. Megatron unleashed a barrage of shots at Optimus and the Prime holding his energon battle axe to strike.
Siren can't just stand by anymore.
Invisible to them until now, Siren rushes in between them and activates the sonic amplifiers on her wrists. The two warring mechs are brought to a halt and pushed back.
Switching her sonic amplifiers off, Siren throws an arm up, palm out to each of them.
The distressed and heartbroken expression on her face begged them to stop.
Siren can't take much more of watching them go at each other throats. She's far too upset. If they keep battling it out in this senseless quarrel and conflict like this in front of her alongside everything else, she's been subjected to today it'll kill her for sure and they know it.
Despite their new hostile animosity toward each other neither of Optimus nor Megatron have any desire to be the one to bring about that. So, the two lower their weapons in begrudging reluctance.
Optimus then makes a decision for the good of Iacon that is going to cause all three of them inexplicable and unimaginable pain.
Brokenheartedly, the words alone bringing about unspeakable agony for him, Optimus said "We were given the power to change our world and you chose to destroy it. Just like Sentinel, you have betrayed Cybertron and its citizens. And you betrayed me."
Megatron looks Optimus dead in the eye, no remorse in his gaze.
"Go, take the High Guard and leave. You are banished from Iacon," said Optimus, thinking about what's best for Iacon over his own spark.
Megatron's stunned optics widen and then harden.
"It didn't have to end this way," said Optimus, soberly.
Standing tall, walking passed Optimus, snatching Siren's arm, Megatron said "Let's go, Siren."
"What," exclaimed Optimus, grabbing Siren's other arm and tugging her out of Megatron's grip. "She doesn't have to go anywhere with you. I said you and the High Guard are banished, not her."
Chuckling darkly, Megatron said, "That's not quite true."
"What are you talking about," demanded Optimus, flinging an arm out in front of Siren protectively.
"You see, Siren doesn't have a choice," said Megatron, opening his chassis to reveal part of his spark chamber.
A shadow over her eyes, knowing what he wants to reveal, Siren does the same.
Inside their duo spark chambers, are their sparks beating strongly a mixture of violet and sapphire.
All at once Optimus immediately realizes what this means.
"No," said Optimus, optics wide. "You've bonded."
Megatron smirks cruelly.
Siren silently cries.
Optimus wonders how this could've happened and then he recalls when they were back at the High Guard base before the raid. Of how he'd seen Megatron walking around smugly and how Siren seemed to be recovering from something.
That must've been when Megatron made his move and bonded his spark to Sirens.
"D, what did you do," breathed Optimus.
Sneering, Megatron said "Made sure she chose me."
Once two sparks have merged into a spark mate bond there's no going back. It's permanent and Megatron knew it when he mated with Siren. Megatron must truly have taken D-16's place if he's resorted to using such underhanded and revolting deceit to get what he wants.
Optimus never should've let either of them out of his sight.
Siren is deep in despair. She had foolishly listened to the promises Megatron had made to her and now she's stuck with no way to take it back now that she knows who her spark truly belonged to.
"Siren," whispered Optimus, downheartedly.
Miserably, Siren mouthed "I'm sorry."
"Come away, Siren," commanded Megatron, firmly.
Siren cringes at the order.
Wrapping a hand around hers, Optimus beseeched "Siren, please, don't leave. You don't have to do this."
But she does.
Perhaps Siren has known all along who her spark has truly loved. She just never realized it until now.
Siren's spark is torn apart, pulled in two different directions. Siren knows where she wants to go, but her spark is pulling her in another direction. To the one her spark has bonded to.
Siren doesn't have any other choice.
Megatron has already proven that he no longer carries any qualms about eliminating a friend in order to acquire what he wants. She will not stand by and watch Megatron kill Optimus just so he can have her all to himself and leave those who count on the latter defenseless without a leader. The only reason why Megatron stopped before is because he didn't want to see her hurt more than she already was.
Siren has no idea if what she did would work a second time and she's not about to take such big of a risk to find out.
Siren closed her eyes, and stood on tiptoe, putting her face against Optimus's cheek. For a long moment neither one of them moved or from Optimus, said a word. Then Siren's lips moved to touch Optimus's lightly in farewell before she drew away. She placed a hand over her spark and then placed it directly over his, signifying that her spark will always be his no matter where they are and vice-versa.
Chuckling in a woebegone manner, Optimus said "I almost forgot. I have something for you."
Siren tilts her head a little to the side, a question in her optics asking what it was.
Opening a panel in his arm, Optimus pulls out the flower he'd given Siren in the mountains.
Siren inhales, bringing an astonished hand to her lips.
"You dropped this," said Orion, softly.
Siren presses clasped hands to her chassis, warmth, and love blossoming in her spark.
Optimus takes one last pleasure in slipping the flower to its proper place behind her audio receptor. He then cups her cheek in his palm, a mixture of crestfallen misery on his face as he watches her slip away.
Siren relishes his touch one final time for as long as she can.
Unable to bear it any longer, Siren turns her back to Optimus and obediently goes over to Megatron's side.
Megatron had observed this entire farewell appearing apathetic and indifferent while inside he was steaming. Megatron's satisfied that he's won possession of Siren, but the affection between her and Optimus is all too transparent.
Glaring contemptibly at Optimus, Megatron spat "This isn't over, Prime."
Optimus returns the glare with a hard stare of his own.
"High Guard, follow me," boomed Megatron, transforming into his tank vehicular mode.
Siren does the same and the two of them speed off up the track toward the surface with the High Guard flying around them.
Watching them depart, Optimus feels a stab of pain in his spark as he recalls the day all three of them met in the miner's barracks.
Orion and D-16 had just arrived at their bunks and were setting up the area around them with their personal belongings.
D-16 wasted no time hanging up a poster of his favorite Prime in a place of honor.
Noticing it, Orion said "Hey, Megatronus Prime, nice."
"Oh yeah, well, he's my hero," said D-16, proudly.
"The greatest Prime to ever live," said D-16 and Orion, simultaneously, having heard it plenty of times before by others.
The two mechs laugh good-naturedly, already off to a really good start.
Extending an inviting hand to shake, D-16 said "I'm D-16."
"Orion Pax," said Orion, shaking hands with him.
"You ever mine Energon before," broached D-16.
Shaking his head, Orion said "No, you?"
"No, I hear it's dangerous," said D-16, warily.
"I'll tell you what, you watch my back, I promise to watch yours," suggested Orion, holding out a fist.
Liking that arrangement, bumping fists with Orion, D-16 said "All right, thanks, Pax."
Suddenly Orion hears a lovely sound from around the corner. Holding a finger up for quiet, he leads D-16 over to where he hears it.
It's in a neighboring aisle where a young femme with blue and silver platting is setting up her own quarters. The sound that caught Orion's attention was her singing a soft melody.
At one point toward the end of her song, the femme turns and spots them around the corner watching and listening keenly to the melody she was singing.
Her reaction is immediate. She ends up dropping the object she was holding and darting in between the wall and her bunk to hide.
Chuckling, Orion said "Hey, now, there's no need to hide. We're not going to hurt you."
The femme peeks around her bunk and conceals her face again.
Approaching her, picking up the possession she'd dropped, and holding it out to her, Orion said "Here. Sorry for startling you."
The femme tentatively steps out from around her bunk and accepts the datapad back.
"Thanks," she said, quietly.
"Why were you trying to hide from us," said Orion.
Running her hands over the datapad, eyes cast down to avoid eye contact, she said "I…I don't usually sing in front of people."
Leaning on the bunk, smiling, Orion said "Well, you should. You sound great."
"Really," she said, raising her eyes to meet his face in surprise.
Nodding earnestly, Orion said "Yes, you're really good."
"Well, I've always wanted to be on the stage, but I have a bit of stage fright. And I doubt I'll ever get the chance down here in the mines," she said.
"Keep your head up. You never know what might be around the corner," said Orion, encouragingly.
The brings a smile to the femme's lovely lips.
Orion then sees that D-16 hasn't followed him over.
D-16 has remained where they'd been standing, staring at her with a mesmerized expression.
Grinning slyly, Orion said, "Hey, D-16, come over here."
Snapping out of it, D-16 approaches, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly.
"This is my bunkmate D-16 and my name is Orion Pax. What's yours," asked Orion.
Quietly, she said "Siren. My name is Siren."
"It suits you," complimented D-16.
Siren blushes.
"So, Siren is this your first day at the mines like us," asked Orion.
Nodding, Siren said "Yes."
"Stick with us then. D-16 and I will have each other's backs and yours too," said Orion. "Count on it."
A real smile curving her lips, optics sparkling beautifully, Siren said "I believe I will."
Back in the present Optimus watches with saddened eyes as Siren drives farther and farther away from him. His love for Siren was stronger than ever yet the distance between them could not have been greater.
Optimus prays to Primus that he and Siren will see each other again and one day embrace as the other spark and soul.
The line between friend and enemy is not as clear as anyone once believed. Once it's crossed, there's no going back, because some transformations are permanent.
The option remaining is to figure out what to do now with the cards that have now been dealt to them. Make the best of what they've got.
They all do now.
Authors Note:
(Hiding in a bomb shelter to wait out the attack I know is coming.)
I told you guys you wouldn't expect what was coming.
The song that would've been here is from Animated Heroes Classics: Florence Nightingale. The title of the song is From My Heart and Through My Hand by Lex de Azevedo. It's so beautiful.
Only the Epilogue left. We are at the end. I swear this is the fastest I've ever written a story before. Not even my Planet of the Ape series were this fast.
I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.
So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.
I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.