On The Brink of War

Rumors of war kept the entire city of Iacon on edge for weeks. The violence had steadily grown worse. It was getting to the point that even the Elite Guard couldn't maintain peace. Megatron, as he now called himself, would send his followers to perform random acts of violence. The death toll from those attacks alone was nearing 100.

Orion had heard about most of the Council's deliberations through Alpha Trion. If things got any worse, Megatron would be able to take over the entire city. Sentinel Prime had already been murdered by the bloodthirsty gladiator-turned-warlord, who's to say the Council wasn't next?

The city was eerily quiet. Orion Pax traveled on his usual path to the Archives, noting how empty the area was. It was like everyone had gone into hiding. No one dared to come out, not when there was a good chance they'd be the victim of another attack. But Orion had to go out. Alpha Trion himself had summoned him, saying it was urgent. That was something he just couldn't ignore.

Orion walked at a brisk pace, the spines on his neck bristling anxiously. He felt like he was being watched. He would catch glimpses of dark figures with prying red eyes just before they ducked back into the shadows. Megatron was tracking his every move despite not being present.

He knew why they weren't attacking him while they had the chance. Megatron wanted to face him one-on-one, just like the gladiatorial games he watched him fight in. While he may be a lot of things, he definitely wasn't a coward.

Finally, after multiple detours and near-misses with Megatron's foot soldiers, Orion was safe inside the walls of the Archives. The small dragon hurried down the hall, his blue and red scales glimmering in the candlelight. He paused just before crossing under a massive archway and peered inside the room. "Alpha Trion?"

"Ah, young Orion Pax! Just the dragon I was looking for! Come in, come in, we haven't much time." The elderly councilman appeared in front of Orion for a moment before swiveling around and padding off towards another room. "I am glad you made it here safely."

Orion quickly caught up to Alpha Trion, his steps echoing throughout the massive room. "The streets were abandoned. Not a soul in sight. They're all too afraid to leave their dens. I don't blame them." He said, worry lacing his tone.

"And what of Megatron's followers?" Alpha Trion inquired, craning his neck to peer down at his apprentice.

Orion shuddered. "I didn't see any out in the open. They were hiding in the shadows, watching my every move from a distance."

Alpha Trion hummed softly. "Hm.. this news is most troubling. It is a good thing you came right away. Megatron may be preparing to make his grand appearance."

"But what are we going to do? Sentinel's dead and the Elite Guard can only do so much! Dragons are going to die!"

"Dragons will die regardless of how we choose to act. You must look at the bigger picture, which is why I brought you here." Alpha Trion led Orion into a smaller, more private room that was hidden from prying eyes. Once inside, he turned to face the young dragon with a stern look in his ancient milky-blue gaze. "As you know, the next Prime must be chosen by the Council after the old one has perished."

Orion narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I'm familiar with the process. Where are you going with this?"

"In dire moments such at these there is no time to sit and deliberate on who shall lead us, so I have made a decision." Alpha Trion then paused, as if considering the words he would say next. "Last night, I had a vision which told me who was destined to be the next Prime. That dragon is you, Orion. You are to become the next Prime."

Orion hastily stepped back, his eyes wide with shock. "Me? B-But... I'm just an archivist! How could I possibly be worthy of such an honor? I have no qualities of a Prime!" He sputtered in disbelief.

"The choice was made by Primus himself. Sentinel has brought shame upon the legacy of the Primes by bringing us down this path." Alpha Trion explained, lashing his long tail. "You will lead us out of the chaos. We were never meant to be ruled by a tyrant, like Megatron has turned out to be."

"Alpha Trion..." Orion spoke slowly, carefully, as if he were afraid to continue. He searched his mentor's gaze for any sort of guidance, but found none. "I have done nothing to deserve this. M-Maybe Primus was wrong... there has to be someone else!"

Alpha Trion parted his jaws to speak, but was abruptly interrupted by someone rushing into the room. He turned to face the new arrival with a narrowed gaze. "Slow down, young one. What has happened?" He questioned them.

Once the young dragon caught his breath, he spoke in a rushed tone. "Megatron... he's in the city! His followers are holding dragons hostage! You must do something!" The words fumbled out of his mouth like a waterfall.

Alpha Trion frowned. "I shall go confront him—" He started to say, but the new arrival swiftly cut him off.

"No! They will surely kill you, councilman! They've already killed several others!"

Before Alpha Trion could say anything more, Orion quickly spoke up. "I'll go!"

Both dragons turned to look at him, their gazes filled with mixed emotions.

"You wish to endanger yourself in order to save others?" The aging councilman inquired, raising a brow.

Orion swallowed thickly and nodded, though he still wasn't entirely sure about this. "Megatron used to be my friend... maybe he'll listen. It's me he wants, anyway."

A rare smile tugged on Alpha Trion's lips. "And you say you have no qualities of a Prime." He chuckled softly, his tail swishing behind him. Then, his expression became stoic once more. "Alright then, Orion Pax. This is your chance to prove yourself worthy of being a Prime. Return to me once you have finished."

Orion's heart felt like it was about to punch through his chest, but nodded confidently. If Alpha Trion was entrusting him with this task, he couldn't let him down. Lives were at stake. He turned and followed the other dragon down the hall, his mind racing. Was this the right thing to do?

He supposed he had no choice now.



Orion and the other dragon parted ways once they were close to the area where the hostages were being held. He had sent his guide to safety, knowing he needed to do this alone.

The spines on his neck quivered anxiously as he crept down the narrow pathway. In the distance, he could hear rough voices speaking to one another in conversation. Megatron was not among them, but Orion knew the warlord wasn't far.

Orion paused just before the end of the path opened up into a large courtyard. On the opposite side, a small group of dragons were being guarded by two larger ones. Those must be the hostages. He thought to himself, inching forward to get a better look.

Then, he spotted him.

Sitting atop a large rock like a magnificent statue was none other than Megatron. His appearance had grown even more menacing since their last encounter, with cruel talons and ragged scales. Orion could hardly recognize him anymore. It was hard to believe that tyrant used to be his friend. Megatron really had lost himself.

Anger boiled deep within Orion's heart, eating away at the fear that had rooted him to the ground. He had to do something.

"Megatron!" The young archivist snarled the warlord's name as he marched into the courtyard with all the confidence in the world. That confidence, however, began to diminish once he started receiving death glares. He had failed to realize just how vastly outnumbered he was, even if he hadn't come to fight.

Megatron's sharp gaze was on him in a second. A sly grin twisted his features as he peered down at the archivist he once called a friend. "Ah, if it isn't Orion Pax!" The name had a particularly venomous tone to it when spoken by the warlord. "Good to see you've finally decided to show your face, unlike those cowards you surround yourself with." He sneered, curling his lip to expose his teeth.

Orion stood his ground, refusing to show fear. "Now that you've crossed the border and invaded Iacon, can't you see the terror you've brought upon the innocent? Isn't taking over Kaon enough?"

"Kaon was never enough!" Megatron seethed, digging his claws into the rock beneath him. He sat back once his anger had subsided, his crimson gaze harsh upon Orion. "While you and your spoilt little friends have lived lavish lives, never knowing a day of hardship, we slaved away in the mines. No longer will we slink in the shadows, waiting for scraps. I will take what is rightfully ours by force if I have to!"

Orion shrunk down a little as Megatron's followers cheered. He cast a glance at the hostages. They looked as terrified as he was. He quickly returned his gaze to Megatron, scrambling for a response. "You and I started the campaign to make things better, don't you remember? These people are innocent! The senseless slaughter has got to end! Violence is not the way to achieve peace."

Megatron released a cruel laugh, sparking laughter from the others around him. "You think I am trying to achieve peace? Hah! Peace is a false ideal, a lie fed to you by the Council." He rose to his paws and descended the rock until he reached Orion's level. He then approached the archivist, his tail lashing in anticipation. "What I'm trying to achieve is far greater."

"Primus will never allow a tyranny to form!" Orion exclaimed, watching the warlord warily. This was starting to get out of hand. He was unsure of what to do.

"Primus cannot stop me!" Megatron growled at Orion. "Once I claim the Matrix, everyone will be forced to name me as their Prime."

Orion's eyes widened, then he frowned. "No! I won't let you!" He snarled. Thankfully, Megatron had no idea that Primus had already chosen him as the next Prime. That wouldn't last long, though.

Megatron only laughed again, rolling his shoulders like a tiger preparing to lunge. "I'm afraid you won't live long enough to try, puny archivist." He propelled himself forwards, claws extended and ready to tear through flesh.

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