(Authors note:: By the Allspark Vontage has updated \(O0O)/ you should be afraid XD. As you all know I don't own Transformers Prime or the Orion Pax story arc Hasbro does. As always please point out ocish tendencies and any other errors so that I may fix them. Special thanks to SaigeLakeman, Patchwork Angel, BumblebeeIronhide, Victoria Tooley, Pumpkincat, Murds9 and my RP buddy DragonNinja you guys are the best. The credit for Knockout prank and the talk with Nightraider was SaigeLakeman's along with her Oc Nightraider and Amsel is DragonNinja's as well. Now that that's taken care of. It is now time for the "insert fan fare here" der da da der!!! XD

The Quote of the Day: "Friends can be found in the most unlikely of places you just have to be open and look around you."- ????. And now for the 8th installment of Transformers Prime: Memory is the Key. Speed typing powers activate)

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As Knockout Drove through the Green Vortex I thought on how exactly I was going to get my hands on those camera feeds. I was an amateur hacker at best but even I knew a few tricks that could uplink my HUD to a live feed of all that transpired upon the Nemesis for a time at least. That is I highly doubt I can fool Soundwave for long. Wait a minute.... Cybertronians are literally living machines it would be possible for me to install a virus. A virus that would no cerebral damage, but could still give me access to all that Soundwave knows and more. Perhaps even discover who this Optimus Prime really is! That at least would put Orion's mind at ease. Upon arriving on the Nemesis it has become clear that there are many secrets on this ship each one shrouded in deception after deception. Orion may not want to believe it, but deep down he knows something's not right. I don't know what we'll find but I am going to help Orion discover who Optimus Prime is. No matter what may follow, I am going to help my friend. He's the only one I have and the closest thing to family I've had in a long time. 

I had forgotten what it felt like honestly. I've been living alone for far too long. Looking back on it, until recently I couldn't have imagined having it any other way. Moving from place to place, running, hiding, never staying in one place for more than a night, sleeping in trees and caves, or if I was lucky find a place where no one knew there was a price on my head and actually have a home cooked meal, a warm place to sleep and God willing a hot bath. I was rarely fortunate enough to come across such a place and even then I was cautious when I did. It wouldn't have been the first time a seemingly nice couple or family would feign innocents just so they could collect the bounty on my head. Of course for 10,000 Gold pieces I can't say I wouldn't be tempted myself. Money is one of those things that can make someone desperate and desperate people are extremely dangerous. They act on impulse and it is hard to determine just how far they will go. But in some cases the fact that they acted on impulse is the only reason I made it out alive. If they actually planed it out I can't say I would be standing here today. The ones who planed it out step by step were the ones I had to watch for. It made me expect the worst from people. It makes me sad to think I had become so used to lies, and being alone. It had become normal to wake up in the middle of a forest not knowing where I was. Just moving to stay alive not trusting anyone. 

It still surprises me I was so quick to trust Orion there was just something about him. Something that made me trust him without question. What it is I can't begin to wrap my head around, but I know without a doubt I can trust him. The other decepticons however are a completely different story. Everything they say must be questioned and examined. I've seen enough to know when someone's lying. Anyone adept in Fabrication focuses on a sliver of truth then builds deception around it and Megatron seems to very adept in the art. Unfortunately for him as am I.

"Hellooooo! Kid you alright?" asked Knockout bringing me out of my thoughts.

:: Hmm?:: I asked. Looking around realizing we were back on the Nemesis and Knockout becoming impatient waiting for me to get out

"I've been trying to get your attention for the past ten minutes!" stated Knockout irritably. I let my head droop as I realized I had gotten so caught up in my thoughts I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings and made a complete and utter fool of myself in front of Knockout of all mechs. I face-palmed in embarrassment at the mere thought.

"Do you plan on getting out any time today?" asked Knockout clearly annoyed.

:: Apologies Knockout. I .... spaced out:: I replied opening the door and stepping out of his vehicle form with my bag on my shoulder.

"Swear not to laugh and I won't tell a soul." he said.

:: Why would I laugh?:: I asked as I remembered he was covered in graffiti:: Oh yeah... I'll do my best not to laugh. I promise:: At least not to your face I thought to myself smugly. He transformed and I all most died when I saw his face. I bit my bottom lip to keep from smiling as I looked up at his face. His entire face was decorated to look like a clown with the words loser written across his forehead. He grimaced at my expression I can only guess what I looked like trying to keep my laughter at bay. I snapped a few pics of his face with camera in my HUD and saved them to a file labeled "Knockout the Clown". I saved all the pictures of the colorful Knockout in the file to show to Orion later.

"How bad is it really?" He asked.

:: Not horrible gonna be a pain to get off though and until you do I would watch who saw you like that: I replied as I started to walk back to Orion's room.

"Why?" He asked.

:: Oh no reason but it might stand for you to look up this little thing us humans call blackmail. Which has a very bad habit of using embarrassing photos or knowledge to make others do as the blackmailer wishes:: I replied walking back into the main Corridor of the Nemesis. As I walked down the halls I noticed bright blue boot prints on the floor it was strange. I knew they weren't mine but whose were they? They were definitely of human make but where would?...Perhaps I am not the only human aboard the Nemesis. I walked back to Orion's room deep in thought. As I walked into the room I saw Orion by the terminal struggling to decode another entry. As I got closer though I saw he was taking his time I knew he already knew what the correct code was he was just doing as I had advised. He turned as he heard the door close to see who had come in.

"Annabeth it is good to see you again. I hope you had a pleasant first day?" asked Orion.

:: It was decent though not very eventful I did have a few experiences I shall not be forgetting anytime soon though:: I replied thinking about all that had transpired today. Between a clown Knockout and getting a name I doubt there will be anything that could possibly surprise me.

"I am pleased to hear it young one" replied Orion. I nodded smiling up at my friend as he knelt down and held out his hand and I climbed on. He set me down on the terminal and I placed my glasses atop my head sat down and told him all about what happened.  

:: And apparently potassium is K. Who ever came up with that system was either a total wack job or a mad genius:: I said with a smile thinking back to science class.

"I see" he said smiling "I was not aware you enjoyed such things"

:: I love to learn new things any and everything is valuable information. After all knowledge is power:: I replied.

"Indeed it is youngling" he replied with a smile. "What else did you discover?"

:: Apparently even if you read all the time it doesn't mean you're good at grammar. I swear if I hear the words comma or semi-colon again I may explode:: I replied. He smirked a little at this and was about to open his mouth:: Orion don't do it no don't nah uh::

"I simply going to ask what a Comma and Semi-colon were" he replied playfully a legitimate smile playing across his face-plates. I glared at him for a second trying not to smile with him because I knew he was messing with me, but I can't stay mad at him I mean look at him. I smiled despite myself and looked up at him.

:: I'll get you for that:: I said smiling.

"What do you speak of young one?" he asked his smile getting even bigger if that was possible.

:: Oh ha-ha very funny:: I replied my smile getting wider as the terminal pinged. We both turned to see what had come up on the screen and saw it was a message from Lord Megatron he was requesting our presence for a report on our most recent findings. Orion's concerning Project Iocon and mine regarding my findings after observing the Autobot's human allies. :: you know he just has a knack for ruining a good time but I suppose we better go see what Shark Tooth wants :: I stated standing up.

"Shark tooth?" Orion asked Optic ridge raised smirking slightly.

:: Yeah Shark tooth because his teeth are so sharp and he kind of looks like one. I suppose he could be Jaws.:: I replied the music playing in my head.

"Jaws?" he asked.

:: Ooo I got it Bucket head it's perfect:: I replied smiling.

"Young one I am not sure those are names you would wish Lord Megatron to hear" Orion stated smirking slightly probably thinking about the gasket Megsy would blow if he heard any one of those names.

:: Whoever said he had to hear them?:: I asked smugly.

"I suppose you have a point there youngling" he replied smirking as he offered his hand which I jumped onto. He lifted me up to his shoulder and I stepped off and sat down.

:: I hope Knockouts there:: I said smiling.

"After this morning I thought you and Knockout were not on speaking terms." He stated optic raised.

:: That's why I hope he's there:: I replied.

"Why?" he asked curiously.

:: You shall see:: I replied a smug expression on my face.

"What did you do?" he asked.

:: I promise you it was none of my doings though I wish I could take credit for it:: I replied

"Why?" he asked

:: You'll see when we get there:: I replied

"Why can you not just tell me?" he asked.

:: Because it will ruin the surprise:: I replied as he opened the door to the corridor. He was about to reply when I heard someone say.

"Optimus?" I looked down from Orion's shoulder to see a... human girl with gold swirly markings on her tan skin and white hair. Even from Orion's shoulder I could make out gold eyes with silver flecks as she stared up at Orion with wide eyes. She was rather tall only a few inches shorter than I. She looked absolutely dumbfounded as to why Orion was here. But if she were with the Decpticons wouldn't she know?

"What are you doing here? Where are the Autobots?" she asked confused. I looked between Orion's blank and confused stare and her confused face. Autobots? Who is this? She wasn't in the file I was given.

"What do you speak of small one?" asked Orion. The girl looked at him for a moment with shock.

"You don't remember me? What about Jack? Or Miko? Or Raf? You don't remember all the stuff we've done to stop the Decepticons?" asked the girl. Orion was absolutely bewildered his optics was wide and his mouth was agape as if he were searching for something to say but could find nothing to say.

:: Are you alright?:: I asked him over his private comm.

:: Yes I am simply confused. Why would she say such things?:: replied Orion.

:: Jack, Miko, and Raf are the Autobot's human allies perhaps this girl is one of them as well:: I replied. I noticed the girl looking at me and I realized my glasses weren't covering my eyes. I mentally face-palmed as we looked at each other curiously. She looked human but there was something different about her. She gave off a different aura than a normal human not to mention no human I ever met had markings like that perhaps she could hear me. :: So you're an Autobot? :: I asked her. I watched her waiting for a reaction. Perhaps not it was worth a try though I thought to myself as she nodded her eyes widened in shock. Orion and I traded glances and Orion picked her up off the ground and she sat Indian style in his hand.

"Do you not remember anything" she asked Orion.

:: Do you have any idea what she is talking about?:: I asked him

:: No, but I intend to find out:: he replied as he started toward the room Megatron had told us to meet him in.

"Optimus?" she asked.

:: And how exactly do you intend to discover this?:: I asked him

:: I do not yet know young one:: he replied

:: Perhaps she could give some insight:: I said looking at the girl sitting in his hand.

"Do you not trust me?" the girl asked him a slight sound of hurt in her voice completely unaware that I was speaking to him.

:: It couldn't hurt to at least ask:: I stated.

:: If you think it is worth a try:: he replied looking down at the girl in his hand.

"What have they done to you Optimus?" she murmured looking up at Orion.

"Child.... Why do you refer to me as Optimus?" asked Orion.

"That's your name.... Optimus Prime. You are the last remaining Prime! Leader of the Autobots!" she stated proudly. Orion and I looked at each other.

:: I thought Ratchet was lead of the Autobots.:: I stated brows furrowed

:: As did I:: Orion replied.

:: Someone is not telling the truth:: I stated as we looked back to the girl.

:: The question is who? :: replied Orion "What do you speak of" he asked the girl in a confused manor.

"Well.... You lead me and the rest of the Autobots to defend earth from the Decepticons, who came here for the stores of energon hidden here on earth during the Great War for Cybertron. We work with earth's government! Remember Agent Fowler?" she asked. Orion shook his head no and she sighed and leaned against his hand. She looked at me smiling kindly and asked  

"Who are you?" I softened my gaze as Orion introduced me smiling.

"Her name is Annabeth, she talks through our comlink. What is your name child?" asked Orion kindly.

"My names Nightraider" she replied.

"As in Megatron's daughter?" asked Orion. She nodded in response and Orion adopted a thoughtful look for a few moments. Hold da phone Megsy has a kid?!!! Who on earth could stay in the same room long enough with him to have a kid?!!! I mean the guy doesn't exactly seem like a family mech. Of course maybe behind the all the scars, the teeth, and the defy me and die attitude he's just a big cuddly teddy bear. I also have to wonder why she looks human if she is in fact a Cybertronian. I looked back at the girl as Orion began to question her once more. "So child, if you are with the Autobots why are you here?"

"My dad basically kidnapped me. He doesn't want me around the bots or for me to get taken away again" she mumbled looking at the ground.

"Taken? by who?" asked Orion as Nightraider shuddered.

"A really bad human, or Starscream, or another con with a grudge" she replied shrugging. Orion looked at me and I at him.

:: What do you think?:: I asked him.

:: I am unsure what to think young one:: replied Orion

:: She sounds sincere Orion what if she's telling the truth?:: I asked him

:: I do not know but I fear we will learn soon enough:: He replied as we walked into the designated room. Upon entering the room I was greeted by the sound of Nightraider squeaking and the sight of Megatron sitting on a throne with a small girl with thick black hair with purple highlights by his side. The girl was pale enough that you could see what seemed to be a purple substance pulsing underneath her skin. Her skin had a metallic sheen to it and from her elbows and shins down she looked Cybertronian. She had big black wolfish ears atop her head ,three tails with purple tips, four jet wings with Koi fish on them protruding from her back, purple optics and an upside down triangle spark in her chest. And on the other side was the very colorful Knockout. I looked up at Orion to see that he was biting his bottom lip trying to keep from smiling and more importantly laughing. Nightraider on the other hand couldn't control herself. Upon looking at Knockout she busted out laugh causing them all to look our way but she soon grew silent as the tension in the air thickened.

"Orion?! Where did you find her?!!" demanded Megatron.

"Orion?" asked Nightraider confused. "Don't listen to them! Your a Prime now, you've been brainwashed" yelled Nightraider frantically. Megatron shot up and grabbed her saying.

"I am truly sorry Orion, my daughter.... She not right in the processor" I saw her cross her arms and glare angrily at her father for saying such a thing.

"I'm not crazy! It's the truth! You're the leader of-" she was cut off by Megatron before she could finish.

"Knockout!!! Watch her and make sure she doesn't escape again" boomed Megatron passing Nightraider to Knockout and glaring evil at her as Knockout walked to the exit. She squirmed in Knockout's grip so that she was facing Orion.

"It's the truth!!! Their lying to you!" she yelled as Knockout left the room. Orion and I watched as they left and Nightraider's protests fell silent.

(Op pov)

I watched as Knockout took Nightraider away. All that the child had said had left me unnerved. Lord Megatron said that she was not right in the processor. My head says that this true but my spark knows that something is wrong. That one of them is not telling the truth. I looked at my young charge and saw the puzzled look upon her face and her multi-colored eyes swirling with yellow and green. It appeared my young charge was fairing no better than I. I returned my gaze to the door Nightraider had been taken through lost in thought. What was the child talking about? Was she truly an Autobot? Is Megatron my oldest friend truly lying to me? And if so why? I fear I have more questions that I can ever hope to answer.

"Orion?" asked Lord Megatron drawing me from my thoughts.

"Yes?" I asked turning to face him, as he returned to his throne. As he sat down I noticed the young girl that had been there previously had disappeared. She must have gone along with Knockout.

"Orion, I apologize for my daughter. I hope she did not say anything troubling to you." Replied Lord Megatron after he was seated.

"No, she did not Lord Megatron" I replied doing my best to keep optic contact. I truly was a horrible liar, but I had no choice. I do not know how he would react if I voiced my doubts. Megatron is not the same as he once was. Perhaps it was the war that caused this change in my friend. My brother.

"Good" replied Megatron. "Now pet has there been any progress with the Autobot's human pets?" I looked at Annabeth and saw her eyes glow as a slight bit of red spiral into them and her brow furrow. The youngling truly despised the name not that I could blame her. I looked back at Lord Megatron and realized he saw it too.

:: Young one your eyes:: I warned. Her eyes widened slightly the red disappearing completely.

:: Thanks:: she replied as her eyes readjusted and changed to a hazel and light blue.

:: You are welcome young one:: I replied as she returned her attention to Lord Megatron

:: No, Sir:: she replied.

"I see" he replied "When can we expect to start seeing results?"

:: As of now my plan is working to perfection. I am currently working on gaining the trust of the Autobot's human element. Thus far everything has gone on without a hitch. However I can not give you an estimated time:

"And why is that?" asked Lord Megatron.

:: Because trust is earned not given Lord Megatron. It is far easier to break than it is to earn and twice as hard to rebuild once broken. I can not give you an estimated because it is still a bit too early to say and there is too much that can go wrong. But if things continue as they are now I would say within a month or two.:: She replied.

"I see" replied Lord Megatron "And what of you Orion how goes Project Iocon?

"I am making progress" I replied.

"Good" he replied "You are dismissed return to your projects I will be by to check on you two later"

"As you wish my Lord" I replied as we began to head back to my station.

:: Well, that was informative!:: stated Annabeth once we had exited the room. I smirked at her outburst.

"I am pleased to hear at least one of us followed that conversation" I replied jokingly.

:: Yes well not that it would help:: she replied :: So far we have two individuals whom have referred to you as Optimus Prime. One who is labeled a traitor to our cause and the other accused of being clinically insane. And then the one who has told us not trust these two individuals is a Compulsive liar. I am unsure which one is better to believe:: She sighed shaking her head:: I knew it was going to be one of those days::

"Do you often have days like this?" I asked curiously

:: More than I would care to recount:: she replied.

"I see" I replied thinking back to all that had transpired today as we walked down the corridor. "By the way have you any indication what happened to Knockout?" I asked as I remembered the medic's red and white face.

:: I have not the slightest clue as to what turned our dear medic into a clown, but I must say it was rather amusing:: she replied with a smirk. I smirked in response as we made our way down the hall the young girl sat on my shoulder as I walked fiddling with her glasses. As we made it to my station I held up my hand so that she could climb on and set her down on the terminal. She went straight to her bag and started rummaging through it.

"What are you looking for young one?" I asked her.

:: My book: she replied.

"Book?" I asked.

:: Yeah it is kind of like a journal. I write in it everyday that way I won't forget anything:: she replied as she pulled out a black book and a pen.

"I see" I replied as she flipped to the middle of the book. How long had the child gone not knowing who she was? "How long have you been writing in that book?" I asked a twinge of sadness in my voice.

:: I don't honestly know:: she replied as she continued to write. How did it not affect her in the slightest? She never seemed to be bothered by anything the only time I had seen the youngling truly bothered was when she had that dream and when one of the others called her pet.

"And this does not concern you?" I asked curiously.

:: No:: she replied. I looked at the girl with concern. I could not begin to imagine what it was like for the youngling. To know nothing of who she was. I could not wrap my processor around how she did not find it the slightest bit troubling. :: Orion?::

"Yes?" I asked

:: Is something wrong?:: she asked looking at me.

"No, young one I was merely lost in thought" I replied.

:: Over why I act as if I do not care about my memory loss?:: she asked. I gapped at her for a moment before regaining my composer. How had she known what I was thinking? :: Your silence suggests I hit the nail on the head. Orion it doesn't bother me because I don't let it. I have faith that I will remember someday. And until then I'm not going to let it control me. Bad things happen and there is rarely anything that can be done to change them. So, I choose to learn from the past and create new memories and just incase I forget again I have this book::

"I see" I replied as I looked at the terminal lost in thought. For one so young the girl was wise beyond her years. I had to wonder if her life experiences caused the child to act this way or if this was just who she was. There was a lot I did not know about my young friend and more still that she did not know about herself. How had the child lost her voice and memories? Perhaps Knockout could shed some light on the topic he is a medic after all. I mulled over this as I opened the file containing the files concerning Project Iocon. As the file opened the picture of a small red sparkling appeared on screen it bore a striking resemblance to Knockout. A techno sounding beat began to play and the picture moved to have the sparkling's arms in the air and it swaying from side to side. I raised my optic ridge in confusion. Annabeth had returned her book to her bag by now and was now looking up at the screen trying to figure out what the strange music and picture could mean.

(Ab pov and by the way the song is the Caramelldansen song just FYI watch the vid to hear it. links at the bottom and for now it's off to the side on video thing X3)

I looked up at the screen in confusion. What was I looking at? Had Orion stumbled onto Knockout's baby pictures or something? And what was with the music it had a techno like beat I had heard it before but where?

"Do, do doo yeah, yeah, yeah" said a Japanese sounding voice as the music started getting faster and louder. The music continued to get louder and louder until I was certain my eardrums were going to pop as more indiscernible lyrics rang from the speaker. Orion went over to the door and tried to open it, but it was locked! I put my hands over my ears and Orion did the same with his audio receptors and servos as he made his way back over to the terminal. It just kept getting louder and louder and continued to grow. Just as I was about to lose hope the song ended and Orion and I both sighed in relief. We both removed our hands/servos from our ears/audio receptors and smiled in relief that the song was over as was our torment. I began to shake with silent laughter and Orion chucked a bit as well.

:: Thank goodness it's over:: I said rubbing my temples.

"Agreed" replied Orion. We both froze as we heard the same beat start up again. It was back it started singing again getting louder and louder I was soon in a beetle position covering my ears and Orion was holding his audio receptors optics tightly shut.

:: Kill it!!! Kill it with fire!!! By the first egg of Soula make it stop!!!!!!!!!!:: I exclaimed as the music got even louder. I saw the door begin to open. :: Orion the door!:: he scooped me up and sprinted toward and out the door running past Lord Megatron and smack dab into Knockout.

"Hey Amsel I found that purple. Gah!!!!" Exclaimed Knockout as Orion rammed into him and they both fell to the floor. Knockout on his butt, Orion and I on our backs eyes spinning and covered in purple goop.

"Look what you did to my paint job!!" exclaimed Knockout.

(Meg's pov)

I was on my way to check up on Orion as I had said I would Amsel sitting on my shoulder as I walked down the hall until I came to Orion's station. As I opened the door I was met with the sound of a techno like beat and Orion coming barreling out of the room the young human in hand having just barely missed ramming into me.

"Look at em go!!!" exclaimed Amsel laughing mischievously. Something told me she had something to do with this.

"Hey! Amsel I found that purple. Gah!!!" exclaimed Knockout as the sound of the collision sounded through out the hall. "Look what you did to my paintjob!!!" exclaimed Knockout as Amsel busted into a fit of laughter. Somehow I knew she was behind this.

(And done speed typing powers deactivate XD!!!!!!! \(O0O)/ XD. All have to say is Thank you 619 reads I imagined that you are amazing and I'm really sorry for the wait guys I had to go visit my cousins the week before last then I started school the Monday we got back and they assigned 3 projects for us to have done by last Friday and then this week I had 3 papers one project and five quizzes including one in Spanish. So needless to say I've been swamped. I got what I could do done in class I hope it meets the standard really sorry if Op and Megs seem Oc I've been trying to practice using other points of view. So give me some feedback please and if you like leave a comment so I know who to thank XD God bless you guys and be sure to check out these videos one of them is off to the side right now. It made me cry and you'll see why XD enjoy all I can is only in Japan. The prank is obviously DragonNinja's though I added KO and the purple stuff. Neither the videos nor the songs are mine. The videos belong to ssfpool so check him out on youtube and the songs no earthly idea ,but I thought you guys might enjoy them. I will try and get the next one up soon with school back in I am unsure when it'll be up but know it is coming. If any of you have any T shirt design ideas for Ab inbox me. Hope you had or have a great day Von is out!!!! Peace!!!)

Videos:

(this one is off to the side)