The Monster of Kaon (Volume 2): Chapter 12

Megatronus flew in his alt-mode alongside this world’s version of Alpha Trion, who was running in his own beast mode as they descended towards the core of the Planet.

Something that was probably desired by Primus himself, given that the tunnels were opening up on their own, guiding us down.

“Can you at least tell me why you are guiding me down here? I already got that Primus asked for me, from what you said. But why are you coming as well?”

“I take it you are not a fan of me?”

At Alpha Trion’s amused tone, Megatronus replied in a neutral one.

“As a matter of fact, yes. Our people had a very bad experience because of our world’s Alpha Trion. A memory that haunts us to this day, even after so many millions of cycles. So i am rather wary of you.”

The way Alpha Trion’s tone became softer and amusement left him was an indication enough that those words had probably hurt a little bit.

“...What did he do to be so hated?”

Megatronus wanted to be silent, leave the explaining to his sire since he knew that his view on the acconts would be extremely biased (not like Maximus’s words won’t be biased, but given how Maximus always sticks to the facts that he knows and never indulges in speculation most of hte time, it would be much better to hear the story from him).

But something told the former Decepticon leader to speak, so speak he did.

He spoke of exactly how different the Thirteen Primes of his world were, the artifacts they wielded, and the absurd powers they had.

He spoke of how Alpha Trion abused his powers in the name of “Cybertron’s future”.

How he exiled Maximus to the stars while making everyone believe that he had killed one of the few bots who ever cared about Cybertron’s people.

How his actions directly led to a civil war that lasted for millions of cycles until Maximus came back from his exile and forcefully put a stop to it.

Megatronus did not hide anything. He spoke of every single fact, even the ones that would paint him as a fool, that nearly brought his Primus to death.

And throughout the story, Alpha Trion remained quiet. Simply listening, until he finally asked a single question that shocked Megatronus.

“Do you regret it? Your actions?”

“....Yes. Some of those actions, I don’t regret. Like killing Sentinel and what I subjected our Alpha Trion to by throwing him at Shockwave. But other actions that I took during the war? And even my first decision that started the war in the first place? Yes. I regret those.”

“Hm.”

Alpha Trion remained silent after that, probably thinking about what Megatronus had told him as they soon arrived at the core of the planet.

Megatronus had already stood before Primus multiple times before, yet he could help the sense of wonder the swelled from within his spark all the same.

No matter the faction, no matter their cause, the one constant that every Cybertronian had throughout their life was that their creator was just beneath their feet, always watching and wishing to help his children. It was a fact that most of the bots knew and took to their heart.

So it was no wonder that Megatronus nearly lost his breath when the sphere of energy in front of him changed, taking a humanoid form. Even more shocking was another form that appeared beside Primus, sharing the same characteristics, if a bit stronger, given how Megatronus felt a stronger presence from the second figure compared to the first.

It was another Primus. Or rather, his Primus.

“Alpha Trion. It is good to see you, my child.”

Alpha Trion simply bowed at the words of this world’s Primus before moving out of the way, making Megatronus step back a little in trepidation and caution while glaring at Alpha Trion.

“What is this? What are you planning-“

“Calm down, Megatronus of Kaon, child of Fortress Maximus. Nothing bad is going to happen.”

“Indeed. My other self speaks the truth.”

At the words of both the gods, Megatronus could do nothing but forcefully supress his instincts and stand tall, despite the fear now consuming his spark.

He did not particularly care about the Primus of this universe since he had nothing to answer to this Primus. However, Megatronus did not dare look his Primus in the face for the moment he did, he would feel guilt flood his mind.

He still remembered it as if it were yesterday, when he poisoned his Primus with artificial Dark Energon while he was lost to his madness and despair. An act of blasphemy so vile that he would not be surprised if his spark was rejected from ever becoming one with Primus after his death.

Worse still was how he could sense the warmth in the tone of his Primus, showing that he did not care about what happened in the past.

‘Shockwave was right. We don’t deserve this forgiveness. Neither from Primus, nor from Maximus-“

“I am going to stop you right there. Megatronus.”

Those words instantly brought Megatronus back to reality as his Primus gave him a benevolent gaze, something that he should not have known, as the humanoid forms did not have a face to deduce emotions from, yet he knew anyway, since he could somehow feel what Primus was trying to convey.

The Primus from his home gave Megatronus a gentle smile as he spoke.

“What you did in the past was indeed inexcusable. The terrible acts you committed in your grief and despair are too far beyond forgiveness. And yet, here we are. With you acknowledging your mistakes, making you feel guilty, which in and of itself is proof that you are capable of change. That takes courage.”

The Primus of this world spoke right after his counterpart.

“You have made genuine attempts at trying to redeem yourself, and even trying to stop your younger self from this world from following in your footsteps, which shows that you realize where exactly you went astray from the proper path. That takes Wisdom.”

Then, his own Primus spoke again.

“After the Titans caught Sentinel under Maximus’s orders while he was busy committing xenocide, you had the chance to take your vengeance. Or better yet, hand him over to your younger self. Allowing him to carry out the vengeance that he deserved to have. Yet, you did not do so. Instead, he handed him over to the people of Cybertron, giving them the chance to judge the traitor. That level of self-restraint requires a lot of inner Strength.”

Humbled and grateful. That is all that Megatronus felt at the moment as he heard the two gods speak.

Finally, he asked his question softly, unable to bring himself to say anything harsh.

“Why did you two ask for me? When you know what my past is like, you should also know that I am not worthy of the words that you speak.”

“But you are worthy. Megatronus of Kaon. The bot known as Megatron, the tyrant that succumbed to his grief and destroyed his people, has long since died.”

“Standing in front of us is not that lost child. No. It is a bot that is worthy of bearing the name of one of our first children. A worth that Maximus had seen in you from the moment you were born, even if it took so long for that worth to make its way to the surface.”

Megatronus did not even have the time to react as he was enveloped in a beautiful, soft, and warm light, as a familiar artifact emerged from the Primus of this world while his own Primus’s words echoed in his head.

“That is why, after a long discussion that we have had, we have judged you worthy.”

“You displayed your courage by facing your past and acknowledging your wrongdoings. You have shown your wisdom by recognizing the wrong path and trying to guide others away from it. And finally, you have shown your inner strength by not indulging in your most powerful desire, one that nearly ruled you for so long.”

“These are the traits that truly belong to a leader.”

Megatronus heard his Primus chuckle at his counterpart’s words before speaking softly. Words that made Megatronus’s spark swell with pride.

“Like Sire, Like Sparkling.”

“You speak the truth, my other. That is why I find you worthy, Megatronus of Kaon. No. That is no longer a worthy name.”

“Arise. Megatronus Prime. Inherit the courage and strength of my original child, and carry on his love for his fellow people.”

With those words, Megatronus Prime lost consciousness as the Matrix of Leadership finally merged into his spark chamber.