Revelations

by Phantom

Chapter Five

Megatron shook his head in disbelief. He had always thought Prime to be level-headed, even dispassionate at times. Most of his troops saw the Autobot leader as a goody-two-shoes do-gooder whose self-righteousness made him obnoxious. Megatron had seen past their short-sightedness, for Optimus Prime was a dangerous foe to their plans for conquest. It seemed that, once again, Prime had managed to surprise him.

He wasn't sure what motivated him to step outside the small chamber in search of his companion. Certainly Optimus Prime would want his privacy right now, and Megatron had no reason to be concerned for his well-being. Although he argued to himself that it wasn't his problem, some force within forced him forward.

He rounded a bend and stopped short. Prime was seated on the floor of the narrow tunnel, arms clasped around his bent knees. His head was bent, his optics closed, trying to rein in his turbulent emotions. Megatron felt a pang of -- what? Guilt? No, that was impossible. Absolutely intolerable! He should take advantage of the situation, find a way to hurt the enemy that he had struggled against for so long. And yet, there was a small voice that spoke within. //This is your doing, Megatron// it whispered to him. //You cannot turn away from it//.

Prime lifted up his head and opened his optics as he heard Megatron approach. "Let me be, Megatron," he said quietly. "I want to be alone."

Megatron shook his head, sliding down to a sitting position beside Prime. "I think the last thing you need right now is to be alone."

"Huh," Prime said dispiritedly, running his fingertips over the surface of the floor. "That's something new. You've never shown compassion for me before. Why start now?"

Megatron grimaced as he pondered the question. "I -- don't know. I guess I feel responsible somehow. I -- I think I feel guilty." Megatron was unused to feeling guilt. He had never stopped to think about what had become of the countless hundreds he had crushed under his heel in the name of peace. The words of accusation that Prime had shouted in a fit of anger had caused him to reconsider his actions. He had known, of course, that it would not be easy to obtain his goals, that people would suffer before they would rejoice under his rule. And yet, the realization that Optimus Prime was one of the victims of his raids somehow troubled him. He had struggled against Prime for nine million years, trying desperately to get the upper hand, yet in some perverse way he felt very close to him and regretted the harm that he had caused.

Prime laughed humorlessly. "Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago. I barely remember it now."

Megatron felt an intense curiosity creep over him. "How did you become Optimus Prime anyway?"

Prime stared at the far wall, letting his thoughts drift backward through the years. "It was the Aerialbots that saved me. They took my broken body to Alpha Trion, who rebuilt me entirely as the first of many new defenders who were to stop your rampage across Cybertron."

Megatron peered at Prime closely, trying to recall the events of long ago. "Yes," he said slowly. "I believe I do remember. You were that young robot, Orion Pax. Incredible. I had dismissed you as young and foolish. It seems that I was very wrong. And to think, by sending the Aerialbots back in time, I helped create my greatest foe."

Prime looked rather amused. "I never thought of it that way. Don't think that this excuses your actions, though. I was far more happier as Orion Pax than Optimus Prime. Some days I wish with all my heart that I was back in the golden age, sitting on the docks with Ariel and Dion, chatting about nothing. Other days the only thing I can remember is the constant battles I've fought."

Megatron mentally brushed away another twinge of guilt. "Whatever became of your two friends?"

Prime's expression turned somber. "Alpha was able to rebuild Ariel into Alita One, but Dion was beyond repair. Primus, it still hurts to think about him. Back then, he was my best friend." He closed his optics at the painful memory.

//See where your mad quest for power has gotten you?// the voice hissed inside Megatron's head. With a shock of surprise, Megatron realized that it was his conscience. The little voice, buried for many millions of years under steely resolve and determination, was finally speaking out. With the feeling of guilt becoming stronger by the minute, Megatron reached out hesitantly, placing his hand on Prime's shoulder.

Prime opened his optics and looked at him in open surprise. The two robots regarded each other silently for a moment. "I'm sorry," Megatron whispered. He couldn't tell who was more surprised, Prime or himself. After what seemed like an eternity, Megatron removed his hand and looked away.

"What about you?"

Megatron turned back to his companion. "What about me?"

Prime's slight smile showed in his optics. "What made you into Megatron?"

Megatron closed his optics, as if in pain. "It's not something I like to talk about. I was like a puppet for the early years of my life, without a will of my own. Suffice it to say that when I found my own identity, I swore that I would never be controlled again. In fact, I would be the one in control. I would conquer the galaxy, create an empire. I never realized that such a task would prove to be so difficult. You are a worthy foe, Optimus Prime."

Prime regarded Megatron thoughtfully. At this moment, they were equals, speaking their minds freely, holding back nothing. Finally, Prime spoke. "Could we please return to the small chamber we occupied before? It's getting a little cramped in here."

"I agree," Megatron stated, rising to his feet. After a pause, he extended his hand.

Prime gazed at the proffered hand, then up at Megatron. Slowly he reached out and clasped the hand, allowing Megatron to help him to his feet. To his surprise, his legs buckled beneath him, and began to fall.

"Prime!" Megatron cried out in surprise. He reached out and caught Prime before he hit the ground. "Are you all right?"

"I -- I'm fine," he murmured, leaning against Megatron for support for a moment, then withdrawing to stand on his own. "I'm running low on energy. I didn't recharge before I left headquarters. Of course, I never expected to become lost down here either."

Megatron looked worried. "This could become a serious problem. It's been a while since I recharged soon. If we don't find a way to get more energy, we're as good as dead."

Prime nodded grimly. "Unfortunately, you are right. We must come up with a plan. Let's return to the chamber and think about our next move." Slowly, with Prime occasionally leaning against Megatron for support, they made their way back to the small chamber in the maze of tunnels beneath Cybertron.

end of Chapter Five

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