Upside-Lefty

Ideas are fun, writing scenes is hard. Ao3 Fanfiction No Glue No Borax. In any case, enjoy the draft I will never elaborate on (or may at some point). ~6000 word WIP. Please feel free to write something based on it as well!! I'd love if this inspires anyone!

First bit with Bumblebee (and more of the spacebrige crew) talking about some Cybertronian romantic legend (of a forbidden romance between a high-class Autobot and lower-class Decepticon) and Bumblebee asks Optimus about it, there’s a bit of an argument about the real story (gladiator and archivist, two political radicalists working together, etc.). Officially, it’s not recorded amongst any databases, but surely such a widespread story (different areas having similar versions) must be true? Bumblebee makes a wisecrack about Optimus being old enough that he was probably there…

And then we launch into the story with Orion and Megatronus - work in some anti-'lower class' elements of the story, talk about how Orion was the prince of Iacon, younger brother of the current ruler, Sentinel Prime - who basically has Orion living under his power and Orion has just been taught to be very obediant but secretly is interesting in the writings of this anti-functionalist poet, "the voice of tarn" and gets a job as an archivist to be able to secretly access (and pass on) his writings. (Functionalism, what a bot is 'built for' (by 'the will of Primus (cybertronian god)') is what they are meant to do). Megatronus is a lower-class large build for 'mining' but actually rebels and becomes a gladiator.)

Anyway, while the prince of Iacon is secretly passing on these writings, in the meantime, Soundwave (Megatronus's second in command for the secret revolution) tells Megatronus of his new popularity with the middle class, and even some upper-class bots, which is very rare, as most of the movement is lower-class rebelling against poor treatment. Megatronus is a gladiator in the pits, rebelling against being a miner of energon, and instead fights for a living. These fights are technically illegal, but many (corrupt) senators of Cybertron actually pay very large sums for the event. When Megatronus hears of the rising popularity of his political works in the upper classes, he decides to investigate.

Switch back to Orion pov - Senital is very bossy, and not a particularly good leader. He prefers to make the Senators of Iacon happy before putting the needs of his people first; he is especially ignorant of the lower class. Orion comes to him and tries to start a discussion on the topic of rights for lower-class mechs, but Sentinel shuts him down, and becomes wary of Orion attempting to undermine him (he's egotistical and spoilt) and decides to do so himself (once Orion has left) that he needs to get rid of his nagging somehow. Sentinel reflects on the investigations into anti-functionalist writings gaining popularity amongst more influential bots, and asks for it to be focused on by the guard network…

Back to Megatronus, who has been hitting dead ends on the origin of this new sweep in popularity, even with Soundwave's assistance. The movement has been bubbling for a while, and more and more tension rises from the underside of society. He finds the anonymous distributor's analysis of his poems on the intranet, and they're brilliantly written and understand his point very well - exactly the kind of mech megatronus is looking for to join his revolution! Soundwave manages to trace those to a certain archive office, which Megatronus plans to investigate...

Meanwhile, Orion works on an analysis of one of Megatornus' poems to publish secretly under a pseudonym, he thinks about how unjustly lower-class mechs are treated, the nature of functionalism etc. (we get a bit of lore building here). He notes that a lot of older records and debates by philosophers seem to have files corrupted or gone altogether - odd… the one he cited the other week has been wiped completely -he may have to be more careful. He hurries to the archives and to a data desk to publish his work, when out from the shadows comes.... MEGATRONUS. (defo a chapter (maybe up to 3 or 4?) break here)

Orion is cornered by the significantly larger bot (easily taller by a head and a half) and is very intimidated by Megatronus - it’s no easy feat to break into the archives (Orion knows, he’s had a few close calls sneaking in himself!). Megatronus is very charming, if scary, and manages to talk to orion about how he appreciates an ally within the upper-class, and the analyses have been more than illuminating and works of a clearly intelligent mech.  A higher-class bot for 'the cause' or the revolution is a great strength. Orion makes it clear that he's not part of a revolution, he just believes that functionalism is wrong and the lower class need to be treated better. Megatronus basically says 'it's the same thing' and leaves dramatically, leaving Orion stunned and somewhat conflicted - this chapter ends very dramatically.

Back in his habsuit (house), Megatronus realises that in his dramatics he actually forgot to ask for any name or way of contacting the mech he met in the archives, (Soundwave teases him for this), and he thinks back to how so intelligent a mech couldn't see that a revolution is the only option? Then he starts thinking back to how striking the mech was...and how he could probably grip his waist with one servo (hand)...??? Megatronus shakes himself out of some frivolous daydreaming and thinks back to the revolution - but Orion lingers on his mind...

Back in Orion's POV, his head is swimming at meeting the Voice of Tarn in person, and how good looking he was...WAIT WHAT?? He snapped out of his delusions by remembering he is literally the prince and can't go daydreaming about mechs because it'll never happen. As a second son, his job is mainly low-level bureaucratic work or socialising - in many cases, this includes a political match, but with his sire (the father/previous king of Iacon) gone, that'll never happen (right?). A knock at the door startles him, as a messenger bot reminds orion of gala he is attending that night, so he dresses up for a gala he has to attend with a cape and a diadem (as much as the mechs there are boring, he does find a lot of enjoyment in dancing and is quite skilled) and leaves with two soldiers escorting him to a carriage to the gala.

Back in Megatronus's POV, Megatronus is in a gladiator battle and keeps getting momentarily distracted by thoughts of the mysterious archivist - could he be in the thundering crowd? Well, there’s certainly no shortage of high-class bots sipping high-grade and looking down their noses… Despite the distractions, he still wins fairly easily. After all, he is an incredibly strong and dexterous bot. The crowds cheer etc. After a shower and cleaning up the energon (blood) off of himself, Soundwave delivers him a message from a rich benefactor - one of the senators. It is to go to a gala of some kind (what is Megatornus? A slagging toy to show off??) - Megatronus doesn't want to go, but Soundwave urges him to do it for the chance to spread the revolution and seek like-minded bots. Megatronus goes to retort that what chance do they have of finding a revolutionary amongst the highest class of cybertronians, but then remembers the bot in the archives, and goes anyway (maybe for the chance to see him?).

Flashback to Orion, who is milling around the party and is dragged in by Sentinel, hissing at him, wondering why Orion is late. Orion seems confused as his presence is treated with general unnoticedness by Sentinel most of the time, and he uses these galas to mostly dance with a few older friendly bots to maintain appearances and then leave early on the appearance of being too fatigued. Sentinel drags Orion over to greet Ultra Magnus, head of the army of Iacon and an incredibly powerful mech. Ultra Magnus appears to be friendly, if a bit stiff, and makes polite inquiries into how Orion is doing/his hobbies etc. Orion tells him of how he works as an archivist sometimes, and Ultra tells him that the preservation of knowledge is an important thing and that he has a noble profession... as well as beautiful optics. Orion, taken aback by the older mechs' flirtations, blushes as Ultra Megnus asks him to dance - they do, and it’s clear Ultra is a very good dancer. After the dance is finished, the Magnus is notified by another mech to talk to some other city generals. Ultra Magnus expresses his upset at having to leave the company of such a stunning young prince, but tells Orion that he'll talk to him another time. Orion is still flushed and a bit disoriented at the flirtations of Ultra Magnus...where did this come from?

The party suddenly feels very stifling, and he goes out to the balcony for some fresh air. The balcony is blessedly empty, and so he leans on the railing and looks out to the sky. He fiddles with a ring marked with royal insignia on his finger, the jewellery matches his outfit - until Someone behind him startles him, and Orion jumps, dropping the ring to the floor underneath an ornament on the base of the railing, wide eyed looking back at the person who has come to join him. He recognises the large mech as the Voice of Tarn! It's the mech he met in the archives that day (he doesn't know megatronus outside of his poetry, megatronus does not recognise the somewhat reclusive second born prince)

Megatronus (who escaped from the senator who brought him as the senator got very drunk) recognises first how beautiful this mech is, but also then how it is the archivist he met that fateful day in the archives! He kisses the mechs hand, (after all, Megatronus is a gentlemech) and apologises for his swift exit back then. Both Orion and Megatronus are taken aback by how gorgeous the other looks, with Megatronus noticing how Orion is clearly very wealthy, and Orion noticing how many scars Megatronus has. Orion accept the apology, but then tells Megatronus how he started researching the revolution after he made that comment about it, and what he thinks needs to be adapted etc. and a bunch of ideas to progress the revolution - they keep noticing how lovely the other one looks and they are talking for like, hours and end up quite close to each other (after all, the night is cold and orion sidles up to the warmer, larger mech) until Orion hears sentiels irrate voice outside the balcony door and snaps back to reality, realising that he has to get back to the party, turns back to megatronus asking him to find him at the archives again,and basically runs off.

Megatronus reaches for him, but pulls back when he remembers the caste difference between them, and how it would disgrace the young mech if he were seen consorting with him outside of betting on his fights in the arena. Megatronus turns back to the railing and notices the ring that Orion dropped when he first startled him! He holds it up to the light, then kisses it and puts it in his subspace.

Back in Orion’s pov, he is ushered by Sentinel Prime towards Ultra Magnus, who kisses his hand once more (Orion notices how formal and distant it feels in comparison to Megatronus' kiss only an hour earlier). He drifts off a bit, thinking about Megatron, the conversation droning in the background, when Sentinel clears his throat and pinches Orion sharply on the servo and he snaps back to attention. Sentinel looks at him, glaring, and then Orion realises everyone in the convo is looking at him expectantly. Orion glances over to Sentinel, who just grits his teeth and puts on a fake air of sweetness, "Orion, what do you think of the proposal?" Orion dumbly answers, "Proposal of what?”, "Ahem, Ultra Magnus' proposal of marriage, to YOU, Orion.". Orions world blurs, his head swims, his temperature rises, he feels faint - Ultra magnus reaches out a steadying hand, "are you alright my prince?" "I ah- apologise General Magnus, I am afraid I have fallen unwell" Sentinel glares at orion - then ultra magnus says "allow me to escort you then" - ultra magnus escorts orion to his carriage, and then gives a little sweet speech on how he would take care off and provide anything orion should ask for and that he would be appreciated more than anything if he should accept his proposal - Orion is taken aback by the strength of this statement, his heart fluttering at the devotion offered and goes to respond, but Ultra Magnus interrupts, saying that he need not respond today and that he would await orion's response once he returns to good health.

Flash to Megatronus, who is examining the ring the mysterious mech dropped in his hands, he can tell it was inscribed with the insignia of the wealthy family the mech he talked to on the balcony belongs to, as it matched the rest of his ensemble, the necklace, the cape he had on, the strings of blue gems along his side...Megatronus drifts out of his more lurid thoughts by remembering the request from the mech that he visit the archives. He scorns himself that he still did not find any kind of comm or even a Primus-forsaken name for the beguiling mech he met in the archives and then spent part of the evening deeply discussing with on the balcony. He looks at the ring one more time and decides to try to charm the mech he can't seem to keep his mind off.  He hands it over to Soundwave for an analysis, only to receive - “This object originates from… lineage records restricted.”

Cut to Sentinel -also looking for the hidden revolutionary amongst the high-class populace. Really, it’s unbelievable they thought they could slink around behind his back to what - take over his place? Try and undermine his authority? Change what doesn’t need to be fixed? This mech is a traitor and a dirty usurper - once found, WILL be made an example of. Sentinel has really let these pathetic mechs go to far this time. The list is narrowing down it’s only so long before the mech is singled out…

Meanwhile - Orion is hurrying to the archives in a cloak to disguise him - he couldn't sleep last night, due to over-thinking about how Ultra magnus asked for his hand in marriage (how could sentinel arrange something like that and not tell him!?? Well…maybe it’s not too much of a shock) and also how he needs to tell the handsome, intelligent, and well-built mech who is the Voice of Tarn that he is actually royalty. Surely, he must know already, it’s not like many go strutting around wearing regalia such as his, but it still gnaws away at him. Now all he wants are some menial tasks to distract his mind, so he left to go to the archives.

On his way, he is grabbed into an alley, and panics, managing to grab his crystal axe from his sub-space and turning to pin his attacker, but miscalculates the swing as it is a much larger opponent than usual. His wrist is caught in time for him to not slice Megatronus in the stomach, but it is close. He apologises profusely when he realised who it is, but Megatronus is actually very impressed to see his skills, and compliments the axe and asks whether Orion would like to join him for a spar one day. Orion, still a bit flustered from being grabbed so tightly by a….very strong… good-looking mech (ahem), says they should go straight away.

Megatronus is a bit confused, as doesn’t Orion have to work at the archives? But then Orion just says being an archivist is just a hobby to prevent himself from getting too bored with the monotony of… upper-class life (he doesn’t say royal…). Megatronus is taken aback as becoming bored to the extent of seeking work was…not an issue of lower-class mechs to say the least, but he keeps this to himself. No need to emphasise how much lower caste he is compared to the mech beside him, not that it matters (lingering doubts/insecurity, there is only so much one can break free of millennia of propaganda).

Megatronus asks Orion to put his trust in him, and then leads Orion to a place far away from the skyscrapers and blue glass of central Iacon, and they board a holo-shuttle to Kaon, talking the whole time– a lower-class area about half an hour away via shuttle that stands out as very different to what Orion is used to, to say the least. Megatronus shows Orion to a practice area, like the one the gladiators fight in, but about a fifth of the size. Orion is amazed by all the sights and new things around him.

Back in Megatronus’ perspective, he realises that he has not told Orion that he is a gladiator, and is now very concerned that Orion will look down on him for such a…barbaric profession. Sure, he does this only to supplement the revolution against functionalism and rights for the lower castes, but it is still surely unappealing to such a refined and well-mannered mech. Surely by bringing him to the practice pits, along with his scarred appearance - (of which he is usually proud of, as being an accomplished fighter is something of a beauty trait and a proud accomplishment, but is now insecure about being seen with so many scars to one of the few mechs who truly values his intellectual accomplishments) – Orion will realise that he is a gladiator?? But he doesn’t! Orion is too busy enjoying the experience of such a different place, then they spar (and it gets a bit sexually charged??) and Orion and Megatronus end up panting. They finally exchange names – “it’s Orion, by the way” “Megatronus” “what, like the old Prime Megatronus?” yadayada somehow Orion gives Megatronus the name Megatron, and it he likes it and it sticks. (Orion is not a particularly known name, as most addresses call him by formal titles, and Megatronus isn’t too interested in the first names of the high and mighty). They spend ages talking etc.

Orion puts on his concealing cloak on again. The shuttle back, they sit in a comfortable silence, when Orion falls asleep on Megatron’s shoulder, as a combination of exhaustion from not resting after he spent the whole night overthinking, but also from working hard in the sparring session with Megatron. Megatron lets him and is filled with joy - another sign of trust between them. Once they get back, Orion is very gently woken up by strokes on his upper arm by Megatron, who murmurs that it’s time for the two to hop off the shuttle. Both exit together, with Orion still a little blurry as he has just woken up. Orion coyly asks if Megatron would walk him back to the archives, but Megatron reminds him how lower caste mechs aren’t permitted to wander the streets of Central Iacon without certain permissions (he doesn’t say out loud how it would damage Orion’s reputation, but it is silently understood by both parties).

Orion and Megatron say their goodbyes, and promise to see each other again (meet me at the station in 3 days' time, in the morning, etc. or something like that) – Orion makes a decision in his mind, looks around and pulls Megatron to a hidden-ish spot, and walks determinedly up to Megatron, resting a servo on his chest and leaning up for a kiss. Megatron meets Orion in the middle, and holds the back of his helm, holding onto his love. After what feels like eons, they part holding servos, and Orion leaves a final kiss on the hand before leaving back to the Iacon palace. Before Orion leaves, Megatron expresses his desire to have Orion come watch him present a speech at an upcoming revolutionist rally in two days' time, and Orion agrees, saying how he loves to hear such a wonderful mech speak so movingly. Megatron flirts a bit back, and then Orion leaves (at this point, Orion has still not revealed he is a prince, and Megatron has still not revealed he is the top gladiator in the Pits.)

Back in the palace, Orion sneaks in to avoid suspicion and takes a servant quarter’s path back to the closest kitchen near his rooms. From there it’s just down the hall to his rooms, in which he enters, casts off his cloak and flops down on his large bed. Orion daydreams a bit about Megatron, blab la bla – enter Sentinel Prime. Sentinel comes in storming, clearly annoyed with Orion. Orion is initially struck with anxiety that Sentinel somehow figured out that he is spending time in lower caste areas, but Sentinel expresses how Orion needs to get his act together and accept Ultra Magnus. Orion, obviously taken aback at how much Sentinel is urging them to be together, is caught unawares – as the prince of Iacon and not on the throne, it isn’t essential for him to do much besides uphold appearances and maintain certain relationships for the monarchy. While yes, his marriage to Ultra Magnus would certainly be a strategic one, it wouldn’t be entirely necessary. Orion asks Sentinel this, questioning why now, and somewhat objecting to Sentinel’s authority over him, but Sentinel goes into a fury,

“LISTEN TO ME. SHUT YOUR SLAGGING MOUTH AND LISTEN.”

Essentially, “YOU WILL DO AS I SAY WHEN I SAY IT ORION, I AM THE PRIME”

“YOU’RE A PRINCE OF IACON AND YOU WILL FRAGGING ACT LIKE IT” etc. etc.

Sentinel punches something (like idk a wall or slams down on his desk, leaving damage. Orion sits wide eyed, with a good bit of fear (sentinel is no weak bot)). Sentinel clutches his temples and says softly, “Orion, I try my hardest for everyone, I work so hard for every mech, and when I offer you the best happiness you will get, you refuse me. To be a royal mech is to live for the people, and you need to stop being so naive and ignorant of the world etc. You’ve been spoiled for too long” (Sentinel - the guilt-tripping tactician). Sentinel shuts the door behind him, but before leaving, says, “Ultra Magnus is visiting in two days' time, you will accept his generous offer” and leaves. Orion sits down on his bed and falls asleep, cold and quiet.

ADD SOME MORE PLOT HERE – the morning two days later, Orion is walking to the archives when Soundwave comes and surprises him. As much as Orion is taken aback, Soundwave lets him know that he is an escort to the speech Megatronus is making mid-day that day. Orion curses himself silently - how could he forget? And goes with Soundwave, secretly getting to Kaon - maybe hints that Soundwave suspects who he is. When they arrive, Soundwave goes to take his place as second in command to Megatron, who is already on a makeshift podium speaking in front of 100s of mechs (lower caste ones – miners, heavy labourers, etc.), about the revolution, how functionalism is flawed and unjust, etc. How they are oppressed (it’s a really eloquent, but moving speech that is very well thought through).

Orion is all super impressed with the speaking capability of Megatron, and admires him a lot when suddenly Megatron brings up the monarchy, something something “too long have we been lying down with the foot of the Prime at our throats” etc. Basically, saying that the monarchy needs to be taken down to bring about revolution. Orion is obviously startled by this, as while he also understands how there are flaws in the system, he still cares for Sentinel and is also a royal himself. There are hints in Megatron’s speech of an uprising against the senate and the royals (not said outright, but the hint of it is there).

And Orion gets fearful, and actually runs away from the speech as the crowd erupts into applause and agreements – Megatron notices him running off and subtly leaves the podium to go follow him. Orion, in a panic, runs and finds himself in the same arena that Megatron took him to the first time and is panting out of breath and overthinking when Megatron comes up behind him and startles him. Megatron goes to make a joke about how Orion can't be so jumpy all the time, but then stops when he sees how panicked Orion is. He makes Orion sit down with him and holds his hand, rubbing it gently. They sit in silence for a bit, and then Megatron starts to talk about how he is sorry if his speech scared him, but it is what needs to be done. This revolution isn’t an idea or a leaflet in an archive - it’s a future reality for so many mechs to gain their freedoms. Orion has stopped panicking as much and is watching intently as Megatron speaks. Megatron says that with the revolution, mechs would be free to pursue what they choose, get better education, and even inter-caste relationships would be allowed. At this, he holds Orion's hand up to his lips and kisses his palm gently while Orion leans into him.

Orion returns with saying, in better words, that “the senators, the royals, Sentinel, they’re (he almost says we’re) still mechs with families, love and sparks. You can’t excuse those losses of life on the pursuit of your ‘glorious revolution’.”

“It is those mechs who have been the cause of thousands, millions of deaths here, Orion. You preach the preservation of upper-class lives, but did they ever consider that for the lower castes? As they sent us to slave for energon in mines in bad conditions (in the deep caverns, no food etc.)? (Insert something another thing that happened)? As our sparklings were offlined, caught in their border wars?”

Orion looks taken aback.

Megatron huffs, “Primus, you’re naive - you can’t possibly be so ignorant of our sufferings?”

Blah blah blah - Orion responds, “Which is why you can’t do this megatronus (note the drop of the nickname…), you’ll become just like them”

Megatonus is very angry, so is Orion at this point.

Megatronus – “DO NOT COMPARE ME TO THOSE UPPER-CLASS BEASTS ORION, YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT IT IS LIKE FOR US LOWER CLASS MECHS. You preach of what - a revolution of words? It’s been done before, Orion and LOOK WHAT THAT GOT US. The existence of the uncaring and inhumane upper-class must be destroyed before they destroy us”

Orion – “How can you be so callous to the sparks of whole FELLOW BEINGS? This isn’t the ending to a speech or some idea you’ve stewed up in some vengeance-fueled nightmare you live in - LIVES Megatronus. They don’t know any different! They have been as blinded by Sentinel as the lower-class are!”

“Don’t lecture me on the pity I should have my captors. On the mechs I see in the stands, betting some mech's life for entertainment. I will not cushion the blow if they have merely stood and spectated the wringing of necks and laughed.”

Orion looks away - “If I’m not mistaken, you chose to wring those necks yourself.”

“I see you’ve caught onto my profession”

“I used to think I knew better than all those who called you monsters. I see I was wrong”.

Megatron “I never knew you to be a coward Orion”

Orion spits in return “Better than being to blind to your violence.”

And Orion leaves, running away, feeling sick, while Megatron doesn’t reach out to him, letting him go.

Ending parts (not necessarily in this order) -

A formal address is delivered to Cybertron, the engagement of General Ultra Magnus and the second prince, his highness Orion Pax is announced to the public. A speech of “unity in uncertain times” and the “strength of the state” are made central. Orion is a doll, dressed up in finery, only used as a pawn to cement a political marriage and to shine prettily in the sun. When wishing to discuss with Sentinel, Orion overhears of “full mobilisation to Kaon”. Magnus agrees. Plot twist - Orion was used as the final agreement between the two in order to use the army of Ultra Magnus in order to smother the revolution headed by Megatron. Magnus seeking royal legitimacy and financial backing, and Sentinel seeking mech-power.

Back in Kaon, Soundwave makes Megatron watch the key politcal news - while also making him discover the true nature of Orion (His Highness Orion Pax - Primus…) - Rage, betrayal, confusion pile in, but ultimately something worse - hurt. It’s painful to have lost such a good ally and honest partner in his revolution (well, and maybe life). But maybe this was Orion’s ploy all along. A honeypot to distract him, to make him reveal his weakness. How could he have been so ignorant and naive? So many fond memories are twisted into the sickening feeling of being studied and observed.

More Plot Here. Orion frantically attempts to message Megatronus or Soundwave, but any communication to Kaon has been severed due to the crackdown on the mysterious upper-class revolutionary. Somewhat stupidly but with desperation, Orion flees dangerously into the night towards Kaon, only to be stopped by a wrenching tug on the wrist - Sentinel. A violent collision of words and hands begins, Sentinel jamming Orion and screaming at his failures.

“Given everything, everything he could need to be happy - a good marriage, freedom around Iacon, god even access to the archives when I suspected you could’ve been the traitor. Primus Orion - what more do you want? To steal my throne from me? Heavy is the head that wears the crown, Orion. Primus, you have no idea what I do for you, for EVERYONE. And what thanks do I get? You get greedy and conspire with filth. With murderers and creeps who plot to KILL the only family you have left, as well as everything you hold dear in your prissy little pathetic life of yours.”

He spits on Orion, beating him through his monologue - Orion not fighting back out of general fear, injury, and unwillingness to resort to violence against his brother - he only shelters himself and curls up in a ball. Sentinel gives a final kick before going to lock the door - “coward”. At that Orion lifts his head to meet Sentinel's eye, a gleam of rage flickering within. Sentinel snears and leaves, locking him inside a room to be dealt with later.

Cut to Megatronus - preparing for a revolutionary attack planned in 2 (?) days' time with the morning, rising like the sun at dawn to bring light to Cybertron. Well, he is a poet, you can’t judge him for his flair for the dramatics. While obviously troubled with Orion, he’s not letting one mech get in the way of a revolution that’s been a long time in the making. Soundwave relays the information that troops have been spotted nearing Kaon, only mechs in small groups though. Megatronus waves off such concerns as increased patrols. The marriage to Ultra Magnus wouldn’t happen for the benefit of those involved, obviously, but for the gain of mech power from the Magnus’ infamous army. Soundwave somewhat disagrees, but has faith in the decisions of the leader of the revolution.

Flash to Sentinel and Ultra Magnus - stuff about the scouting groups coming back with the best plans and any final changes to be made to the plans for raiding in the next couple of days. The decision is secured once and for all, and the army starts a quiet move to Kaon.

Meanwhile, back to Orion, still very hurt and distraught at being useless, Primus he is a foolish bot. He really is naive. All that time spent sneaking out instead of politics or learning more - hang on, sneaking out. To the archives. He eyes a grate above him - he has gotten in after hours for his jaunts through the cooling vents before and he can do it again. By rearranging his shoulders (ouch) he finally fits through -fighting some pretty intense pain - and crawls at what feels like an agonising pace to get out of his confinement.  He reaches an opening and books it as much as he can towards the nearest transport and high-tails it to Kaon to warn the revolutionaries of the upcoming army…

Flash to Megatronus and Soundwave discussing more plans, and Soundwave brings up the topic of Orion, believing it necessary to get any feelings out of the way when split-second decisions are made in the planned attack. Megatron, while prickly, tries to confide in Soundwave, still very conflicted at the ending they had - the ending of a dear friendship (?)

Yadayada yada - other stuff happens, Orion nervous through the streets of Kaon unescorted at night. Megatron initially acts concerned at the injuries, after tending to a little (maybe?), Orion and Megatron have another confrontational screen where Orion warns of the army approaching.

“You’re a prince.” Not a question.

“I was going to tell you-”

“When?” Megatron cuts in.

“After the war? After you had everything stripped from us?”

“That’s not- ”

“Isn’t it?”

“You stood there - on that screen -and said nothing.”

“I didn’t choose that! You think I wanted - what, some loveless marriage to sit and look pretty? You think I wanted this??”

Megatron takes a step closer.“And yet you wear it well.”

Silence. “I came to warn you. They’re mobilising. Magnus -Sentinel- they’re going to wipe Kaon out.”

Megatron looks past Orion, avoiding his pleading gaze “…I know.”

Orion steps forward, “Then stop it. Hold it off just for now please - I’ll help find-”

“STOP it? You think I can just stop now?”

“You lead everyone you could-”

“And let them crush us?” Megatron shot back. “Let them drag us back into the mines, into the pits-”

“PRIMUS, I’m trying to help you!”

“BY MARRYING THE MECH LEADING THE ARMY?”

The words hit like a blow. Orion faltered. “I didn’t—”

“You didn’t what, Orion?” Megatron demanded. “Didn’t realise? Didn’t think it mattered? Or just didn’t care?”

“THAT’S NOT FAIR AND YOU KNOW IT! Don’t paint me like him, you know I-”

“No, Orion. I don’t know. I’ll believe it, when I see it your highness”

They stood there, breathing hard, the space between them charged with everything they had not said.

Everything words could not fix.

Later on…

Megatron insists Orion stay the night to heal, as he’s clearly quite battered (?? Other scene?). It’s still painful between them Megatron instructs him to stay then go back to where he belongs - he can promise Orion his life, but not to count on the longevity of his world. Later on…

“I don’t care for my life - Primus is that what you think I’m here for? To beg at your feet for mercy? If you think me so pathetic, just say so.”

“Orion I-”

“You can’t honestly believe this is the only way to revolt? Megatronus, they're not just evil figureheads, the upper-class are-”

“It’s not a sustainable future for us, Orion. Can’t you see this? Don’t you look outside? Mechs are dead every day - it’s a life for their lives.”

Orion and Megatron kind of make up, but have irreparable moral differences. Orion is still a firm pacifist and believes if only Megatron could be rational, he could HELP and use his influence on Sentinel - but…he cuts himself off. Knowing he is one bot in a sea of events and turmoil Megatron has experienced to reach his ideals, his morals and the conclusion that Sentinel’s life is the price for a new future. Not for him, but for all around him - it’s not selfish, not in the least but Orion can’t ask him to preserve the life of his brother to Megatron after all he’s seen and suffered. He… just can’t. He is ignorant and naive and knows nothing about the life Megatronus has lead but will never come to the same conclusions - so he turns, rests for the night, and leaves.

In the morning, a final kiss, on the cheek, as a farewell and parting gift.

“Don’t make me your enemy.”

Megatron’s gaze burned.

“You already are.”

The two will never reunite again.

Somehow end with - An almost wedding of Orion and Ultra Magnus - Megatron kills Sentinel - Orion becomes Optimus Prime after dying (being killed by Megatron, a la TF ONE - A sad, gut-wrenching ending to the story) - Back to the frame narrator Optimus Prime still telling the story to the Autobots. The end! Or is it…

At Laneway.

WOOOOOO AO3 WRAAAAAAAPPED!!!!!