Twilight gasped after hearing that name. If she remembered very well, Alpha Trion was the one who teached Optimus during the time of peace in Cybertron. She thought he was taller too, but that didn’t matter. Many questions were crushing her brain. She couldn’t believe it, but the teacher of the greatest Autobot leader of all time was right in front of her.
“Alpha...Trion?” asked Twilight “As Optimus Prime’s mentor? But how are you here?”
“I assure you, Twilight Sparkle,” said Alpha Trion “that I’m not online for a long time. I’m, if you would like to call, a ghost.”
Twilight blinked many times after hearing those words. A Transformer ghost? It couldn’t be possible. Slowly, the purple Alicorn walked towards Alpha and, when she was very close to him, she pressed her hoof against his belly, creating a hole in the robot. She gasped. A real alien robot ghost. Removing her hoof from his belly, Twilight stared Alpha Trion for a moment, reflecting about the situation.
“So you know Princess Celestia…” said Twilight “How?”
“With the most strange event that I ever saw in my life: the psychological bond, between you and Optimus Prime, created by Matrix of Leadership.” said the old Autobot.
“A psychological bond?” asked Twilight “And what is this called ‘Matrix of Leadership’?”
“Everything will be answered for you, young Princess,” said Alpha Trion “but first you need to learn better about true story behind the Great War."
With those words, Alpha Trion made a necklace of a green gem appear in his hand. Slowly, he placed the object around Twilight's neck. Suddenly, the gem started to glow with a green light, consuming her body with the same color. Unknown memories started to fill Twilight's mind like a flash, making her eyes to grew larger second after second. To avoid get blinded, she immediately closed her eyes, causing darkness to appear. Suddenly, from nowhere, many voices were heard. After opening her eyes very slowly, Twilight gasped when she saw that the castle was turned into a gigantic room where many Transformers, including Alpha Trion, were reunited as they heard the speech of a familiar young silver robot who was standing in front of them. The purple Alicorn rose her eyebrow. She did recognized the evil Megatron, but he was different: no Fusion Cannon, no red optics and no Decepticon insignia. In few seconds, she understood everything. It was a vision from the past like Zecora's potion.
"The planet is slowly falling apart, each day after another." said Megatron "It's time for a new order, High Council. The time for a new Prime to rise and rule Cybertron with an iron fist." he said as he laid his hand on his chest "With your permission, Zeta Prime, I would like to be that Prime."
The High Council's members started to whisper to each other about the situation. The only who didn't believed in Megatron's idea was Alpha Trion and Twilight Sparkle. Ruling by force and violence wasn't the best way to rule a planet.
"May I have a word about this, High Council?" asked another young voice.
Turning around, both Megatron and Twilight saw a young red and blue Autobot with small straight horns in his head. Somehow, that robot was familiar to Twilight too, but she didn't know why. Behind him was two other Transformers. One she recognized as Soundwave, Megatron’s loyal Decepticon, and the other was a pink female robot with a metallic ponytail.
"And who would you be, young bot?" asked Zeta.
"Orion Pax, sir." he answered "I'm Alpha Trion's student."
Twilight blinked many times after she heard that. If her memory was right, the true student of Alpha Trion was Optimus. In fact, if the vision was about him, where was he?
"The clerk from Iacon's Library?" he said while looking to Alpha "Now that's something...unexpected. Please, Orion Pax, proceed."
After nodding his head, Orion walked towards Megatron, standing right next to him. The younger Megatron growled. Like the rest of the Council, he was very surprised about this moment.
"What are you doing, brother?" whispered Megatron "This wasn't part of the plan."
"I'm sorry, Megatronus," said Orion "but I couldn't stand there any longer. The truth must be spoken."
Growling even more, Megatronus walked towards Soundwave and Ariel, where both looked to the young Autobot as started his speech. He talked about his work and, with that, he discovered the long forgotten history of Cybertron. The Chaos Bringer, the Thirteen, the Fallen, the Aliens and many more events that occurred in the past were mentioned in his speech. Twilight looked to each member of the Council. His words have touched their sparks, even her heart too.
"...and now you consider this 'Decepticons' a threat to Cybertron just because they are different than us?" asked Orion "They are our brothers and sisters, you know? After all, we are not simple machines. We are autonomous robotic lifeforms. We...We are ‘Autobots’.”
With his speech over, the High Council of Cybertron started to whisper to each other again, talking about the young Autobot and his inspiring words about the future, present and past about their home planet. After nodding to each other, Zeta Prime and the others stood up while their optics were still fixed in Orion Pax. Twilight, and Orion, gulped after seeing this action. Both didn’t know what was going to happen next. To finish the silence, the Prime decided to speak.
“After a short discussion,” he said “the High Council has made a decision. We want you, Orion Pax, to be the future Prime of Cybertron. If you accept this honor, you shall need to find the Matrix of Leadership and then Cybertron will be yours.”
“WHAT?!” shouted Orion and Megatron.
“I--I’m honored f--for that, Zeta Prime,” burble the young Autobot “but the entire cybertronian civilization in my hands...I think that’s too much responsibility to my program.” said Orion “Sorry, High Council, but I must decline your offer. The planet’s fate is better under your leadership.”
“We all understand your decision,” said Alpha Trion “but remember this, Orion Pax: no matter how long you try, you can’t escape from destiny.”
Orion nodded his head in replied and, as the Council walked away, he prepared himself to hear his brother’s anger, but when he, including Twilight, turned around, they saw both Megatron and Soundwave walked away from the building. Orion looked to the Ariel and received a sad look from her. He understood immediately what was going on as well Twilight Sparkle. The reason for the start of the Great War between Autobots and Decepticons. In fact, that wasn’t a war.
“It makes sense…” she said to herself “It’s all about revenge, but I don't understand why Megatron hates Optimus if Orion Pax was the one who betrayed him. "
As an answer to her doubt, the scenario shattered into many pieces, making the Alicorn to close her eyes. Slowly, she opened them and, like always, the place has changed, but this time was darker and scary. When she looked up, she gasped when she saw the huge sphere connected by many cables. By the look of it, the sphere reminded her the core of a planet. Looking forward, Twilight saw Orion Pax, this time with the Autobot insignia, walking towards the giant core as stairs were building itself from nowhere. Once he was close to the core, a blue light emerged from the its center.
“I’ve been waiting you, my child.” said the core.
“It can't be…” said Orion “Are you really Primus, God of Creation?”
“Primus?” asked Twilight.
“I understand your confusion, Orion,” said Primus “but I’m afraid time is short as well the fate of Cybertron.”
“What do you mean?” asked Orion.
“Your Great War has been damaging my spark for eons." said Primus "I can't survive unless I shutdown my systems, but the process will take millions of years, during which Cybertron will be left cold and barren."
"I understand...Then we must leave our home if we are to survive," said Orion "but, without Zeta Prime, the Autobots are doomed. We are nothing without a Prime to lead us."
"Hope hasn't die for the Autobots, young bot." said Primus "I'll offer you a portion of my spark to take with you to the stars. For long as it survives, so shall I. Will you accept this responsibility, Orion Pax?"
Orion looked to the ground with a sad sigh. He didn't want to accept such responsibility, but the fate of the Autobots was at the verge of destruction and he doesn't want that kind of end to his friends, specialy to Ariel. Remembering Alpha Trion's words, he knew that his destiny has found him and he could no longer roll away from it.
"I will." he answered.
"Then behold the Matrix of Leadership!" said Primus.
From the center of Primus, a strange object flew towards the Autobot. After hearing the name of the relic that was so important to everypony, Twilight started to record in her mind the look of the Matrix. It was an orange sphere with a grey handle in each side as a blue and peaceful light was shining in the center of the object.
As the Matrix of Leadership continues to flew towards Orion, his chest opened itself, allowing the relic to connect itself with his spark chamber. The power of Primus started to consume his circuits as the intense light of hope covered Orion Pax's body and blinded Twilight's eyes. Once the light died, she gasped. A taller, robust and familiar Bot was standing in front of the core of Cybertron as his new faceplate covered his mouth forever. She couldn't believe in her eyes. Could the Matrix of Leadership do such thing?
"Rise, Optimus Prime!" said Primus "For you are the Keeper of the Matrix, leader of the free Autobots. You are the last Prime..."
With those words from Primus, the scenario disappeared, bringing her back to the present and Canterlot, where Alpha Trion was standing in front of her all this time. Twilight rubbed her head, trying to understand the forgotten past that was being hidden from her all this time by her closest friend.
"Optimus Prime is...Orion Pax?" said Twilight.
“Indeed he is, Twilight Sparkle.” said Alpha Trion “Only the Autobots know his secret and, although he won many battles, he still blames himself for the death of our planet.”
“That’s horrible…” said Twilight “There’s something I could do?”
“Protect Optimus Prime and help him to lead the Autobots to a new age of peace." he said as he pointed to her neck "Keep the necklace, my dear. You will need it for the rising storm that is coming..."
Slowly, the elder Autobot started to disappear. The purple Alicorn wanted him to stay more time and tell her everything she needed to know, including the mentioned 'rising storm', but she was too late to speak when only small sparkles were the only thing remaining in his place.
"I will not disappoint you, Alpha Trion..." she said.
Human Universe, Earth, Crown City...
Exploding the wall in front of him, Soundwave walked out of the metal factory after he had stolen the materials that his robotic tentacles were holding for him. He thinks that if he rebuilded the machine that took his team and leader away, there was a chance that he could bring them back to Earth. As he prepared to take off, a white sports car stopped in front of him and transformed into a giant robot. It was Wheeljack, the Wrecker of the Autobots. Next to him was the Rainbooms, the Autobots little female humans, who were looking at him with an angry stare. Soundwave immediately prepared for combat, but he wasn't ready when the Autobot rose up both his hands.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" said Wheeljack "Take it easy, Soundwave! I just want to talk with you."
Soundwave titled his head. Never before a Autobot wanted to talk with him or any Decepticon. He decided to let him talk, but he didn't left his guard down. After all, it could be a trap.
"I know that our factions hate each other for a long time," said Wheeljack "but you and I know that both are nothing without their leaders. And although I hate Megatron---"
"Go straight to the point, Jackie!" growled Rainbow Dash.
"Okay, okay!" he said before he released a sigh "The point is that you need me and I need you to bring our friends back and safe. So what I want to propose is an...alliance." he growled.
The Decepticon communication officer didn't said a word. As he continues to stare at them, more worried the girls started to feel. After a long and silent moment, Soundwave spoke, making the Wrecker and the Rainbooms very happy.
"What is your plan, Autobot?"
Equestria Universe, Unknown Location...
It's a new day in Equestria as Celestia rose up the Sun. With the light waking up the creatures next to the river, some of the sun beam revealed a horrible image: a dead body of a grey Pegasus was lying in the shore with a huge hole in his chest and both eyes open. For the state he was and the flies around him, the Pegasus was there for a day. Suddenly, the necklace around his neck started to glow, covering the pony with its red energy. With a sudden gasp and jump, Starscream stood up and glared to the waterfall.
"PREPARE TO FACE THE WRATH OF..." he shouted before noticing his surrounding "Huh?? What am I doing here?? And why I have a hole in my spark chamber??" gasped Starscream as he looked to his destroyed chest "I'm too young to be offline!!"
Like it was hearing what he said, the necklace started to glow and, to surprise the Decepticon, started to regenerate his fatal wound. His heart, bones, flesh and grey fur reappeared in his chest, like nothing bad has never happened to him. Starscream blinked many times as he looked to the red gem.
"The crystal that equine gave me..." he said as he chuckled "If this thing can bring me back online, then that makes little old Starscream...IMMORTAL!" he laughed "Prepare yourself, Megatron! You shall pay for letting me to the Autobots!"
Applejack’s Farm…
Using her strength, Applejack placed the last bale of straw on top of a barrel as she did before with the other fifteen around the place. In that moment, a yellow blur passed next to her, almost taking off her hat if she didn't catch it in time. Turning around, she saw Bumblebee stopping next to Fluttershy and giving her a beautiful rose, making her to blush. The Autobots, or 'Ponybots' as Pinkie likes to call them, were talking with the others Mane-6 about their powers and how to use them. Although Starscream was gone for good, 'Maretron' and his 'Ponycons' were still out there and Optimus would not allow them to remain free while Wheeljack was working on the Quantum Bridge. Sitting behind them was Spike and Peter Pony Parker, who was eating an apple while doing his mission, which is watch over Celestia's guests from other world, especially Optimus and Twilight, since they were the enemy's target.
“So you are saying that I can use this thing by using my thoughs?” asked Arcee.
"Of course, Arcee. You thought blasting Starscream and then your magic did the rest." answered Twilight "All Unicorns and Alicorns have that ability and use them more to help themselves in their lives. In your case, think as a blaster stuck on your forehead."
"Allow me to show you, darlings." said Rarity.
Stepping between Arcee and Optimus Prime, Rarity charged up her horn and fired a blue beam that took down one of the straw bales. The Autobot started to understand as she aimed her horn to the other bale and started to concentrate in her new 'weapon'. Slowly, a blue energy started to cover her horn and, with a simple thought, she fired a beam that took down her target. Arcee and the others started to smile and chuckle.
"Hey...This is actually very easy." she said.
"You learn very fast, Cee," said Peter as he swallowed another piece of the apple "but you know that those Cons will not stand there and left being blown away, right?"
"He's actually right, you know." said Spike.
Optimus started to rub his chin "Let me try something..." he said as turned his attention to AJ "Applejack, could you throw some of the bales for me?"
"Got it, Prime." said Applejack with a twinkle "Three walkin' targets comin' now!”
Using her rear legs, Applejack kicked three straw bales towards Optimus’ direction. Taking his stand, the Autobot leader fired three blasts from his horn, each one blowing up his target. The girls, the Autobots, Spike and Peter, who dropped his half eating apple, were amazed. Prime’s concentration was surely amazing. Fire three blast in few seconds?? That was madness. Everypony started to cheer up, making Optimus to smile. Twilight smiled too. The Autobots have already discovered how to use their new powers: Bumblebee was super fast, Hound was super strong and Ratchet was...Well...Super invisible.
"Way to go, Optimus Pony!" cheered Pinkie Pie, receiving a glare from everypony around her “I’ve got to say it. Sorry.” she said with a innocent smile.
"So what's the plan now, Optimus?" asked Ratchet "Spy the Decepticons? Hunt them down?"
"Actually, Ratchet," said Optimus "I was thinking about...relaxing."
A small silence fell between the medic and the leader. Suddenly, Ratchet released a huge laugh like he just heard a very funny joke. Pinkie Pie started to laugh too for no reason. Optimus rose up his eyebrow as his old friend continue to laugh, causing a small tear to fall from his eye. When Ratchet looked to him again, his laugh died instantly.
"Wait...You're serious?" asked the medic.
"The Princesses have placed guards all over Equestria looking for the Cons." said Sunset Shimmer "If they find one of them, the guards will warn Celestia and then she send you to catch them.”
" To be honest, " said Hound while spinning a barrel on top of his hoof "I think we should have some little vacations. We've been fighting for many years and this may be the only time we have the chance to relax."
"Then our mission is clear: spend your time with your pony friends and rest until we find the Decepticons and defeated them." said Optimus "Do you accept this task, Autobots?"
"Yes, sir!" said the Autobots before walking away, each one with their pony friends.
Megatron's new HQ...
Helping each other, many Changelings carried a huge throne assembling the Decepticon insignia to the middle of the cave as others placed chairs and a big table with the map of Equestria impressed on it. Although it was very primitive, it was the necessary to help the Decepticons in their problem.
"Impressive job, Chrysalis." said Megatron while walking through the huge cave "This place is perfect as my new headquarters while we're here."
"It's the least I can do for a enemy of my enemy, Megatron." she said before receiving a glare from the Decepticon "I mean 'Lord' Megatron..."
"Looks like Megatron has a new sparkmate..." murmured Barricade to his comrades, chuckling with him.
"I've heard that, Barricade!" growled Megatron "And I must warn you that I'm not famous for my sparkling sense of humor. Now get moving!"
"Ah, If it isn't my old pal, Megatron." said a voice.
Turning around, Megatron stared to the entrance of the cave where a pony looking at him. He knew that voice anywhere in the Universe, but it was impossible. As the others stepped next to Chrysalis, the mysterious pony walked out of the shadows, revealing to none other than Air Commander Starscream. The Decepticons gasped as Megatron furrowed his eyes.
"And by 'old pal' I mean the piece of scum who LEFT ME FOR SCRAP!" shouted Starscream.
"Friend of yours?" asked Chrysalis.
"We can say that..." said Knockout as he shrugged his shoulders.
"Starscream.You're online." said Megatron.
Starscream smiled "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost." he chuckled "Well, maybe you have!"
With those words, Starscream extended his hooves and fired a rain of fireballs towards his leader, who stood in the exact place he was as the fire stroke everything around him. The Decepticons and the Changelings took cover behind the rocks. Deciding to take action, Megatron created a purple claw from his horn and grabbed Starscream. Gritting his teeth, the Alicorn swung the Pegasus against every wall of the cave until he threw him to the ground and smashed him with a punch with all his strength. When the claw disappeared, Megatron saw Starscream's body completely slaughtered. Even some of his broken bones were out of his skin. Chrysalis was shocked. Never she saw so much evil in just one creature except Discord, but Megatron’s power was way beyond the Spirit of Chaos’s might. Suddenly, the dead Pony started to glow red and to regenerate too, causing everypony to gasp. Growling from the pain he have suffered, Starscream stood up as he cracked his neck.
"Now that's hurt a lot..." he growled as he rubbed the back of his head.
Starscream looked to Megatron, who was still glaring at him after he returned from the dead. The Pegasus started to think about the situation. Although he was immortal now, he didn't want to suffer a horrible humiliation by being killed over and over again. And there was the fact that he was stuck in Equestria just like the others. Maybe it was stupid for him, but it was the best way to be free from ultimate humiliation and prison.
"I live to serve you, Lord Megatron..." he growled as he bowed before his master.
“You better serve me, Starscream,” growled Megatron as he walked towards the Equestria's map with the Decepticons “because we’ve a lot to do for my brother…” he chuckled.