“…I’m…sorry…WHAT?!” Megatron’s declaration of hostilities floored Optimus.
“Oh, don’t tell me you expected us to remain partners once Primacron was destroyed, did you?” asked Megatron. “If you did, then you’re more foolish than I gave you credit for. We were created adversaries, Optimus, though not as Primacron intended. The only way our war can truly end is if one of us demonstrates to the other that they have the strength needed to command Cybertron.”
“I see no need to resume our battle, Megatronus!”
“You know you can’t leave this unresolved! Never! If we don’t finish our war, then everything we’ve done in the past, everything we ever fought for, was as pointless as Primacron said! There can only be one vision that rules Cybertron, understand?! And now that Primacron is out of the way, that leaves only you and me! Optimus, you know perfectly well we can never reign as one! Our war shall continue until one of us falls! And I shall be the last one standing after I crush you!” As Megatron spoke, Optimus became increasingly frustrated.
“I can’t believe you want to start this all over again!”
“For your information, Optimus, the only reason I joined you was to crush Primacron after the truth was revealed! And now that he’s gone, it’s time to take care of the other obstacle that stands in my way!”
“No! You’re wrong!” urged Optimus. “Okay, explain why Thundercracker took the word of the ghosts of Ironhide and his family!”
“Because he’s a fool!”
“No, it’s because he’s tired of war like everyone else is!”
“Optimus, I know you’re the youngest out of the three of us Pax brothers, so I’ll explain it in terms you can understand! Yes, I’m tired of war, but there can only be one vision that dominates a civilization! If that involves war, so be it! And, unfortunately for you, Optimus, it’s going to be MY vision that dominates Transformer civilization, right out to the colonies!”
“…Are you saying that taking out Primacron was just a means to an end?!”
“Yes! Now you’re starting to get it! I suppose you could say I used you to further my own lofty career ambitions! But tell me, is it so wrong to set higher standards for oneself? Well, is it?”
“In your case, yes!” Megatron arched an eyebrow at Optimus’ declaration. “You once had lofty career ambitions, but they became mindless and fueled only by your greed! You’ll stop at nothing to get what you want! I should never have become Optronix Prime with you! I’m sick and tired of all this fighting! I thought once Primacron was defeated, things would get back to normal! The normal I once knew! A normal without us at each other’s throats! I know Sonic would say that there’s no good reason for us to fight!” Megatron just smirked.
“This discussion is all very interesting, but you fail to comprehend your own argument. If you remember, didn’t Primacron mention something about our dilemma? It was when he was boasting about his supposed invulnerability, how his old Unicron body was feeding off our hatred? How did he put it? Ah, yes, ‘As long as hatred exists, I shall remain impervious to attack!’ So, if that’s the case, are you telling me that you’re merely suppressing your hatred of me, or do you actually like me again? …ADMIT IT, PRIME!”
“I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots!” Megatron rolled his optics at Optimus’ deflection.
“You never change, do you? Oh, you can deny your hatred for me all you want, brother, but in your Spark, you know the REAL truth! Now, you might want to raise your gun at me, because we have a little, how shall I say, ‘business’ to take care of! Unless you just want to stand there and let me obliterate you.” Optimus simply looked to the ground in shame. There was something in Megatron’s arguments that, sadly, rang true. He DID hate Megatron…but not in the way Megatron thought.
“…Fine.” Optimus then drew his gun and leveled it at Megatron. Megatron grinned.
“Well, it looks like it’s just you and me, Prime!” he chuckled.
“The time for speeches is over, Megatron!” Optimus’ chest then opened. “Let’s end our quarrel right here and right now!” He then took the empty Matrix out of his chest and chucked it over his shoulder. Megatron’s optics flickered in confusion. He then grinned.
“So, you no longer turn back into Orion Pax without the energies of the Matrix, hm? I guess that shot from the Hydra Cannon altered that.”
“Don’t act so surprised OR disappointed! This is exactly what you wanted! I fight you, not as the leader of the Autobots, but as the leader of ALL Transformers!” At that challenge, Megatron adopted his usual scowl!
“If Primacron was inferior to me and I could manipulate the Goddesses’ desires to my own ends, then you don’t have a hope in the Pit of being superior to me, Optimus Prime!” The two bots then fired their respective weapons and engaged in a beam clash! Optimus then sidestepped the beam and rushed at Megatron, driving his knee into his opposite’s face. Megatron fell and Optimus leapt over him before fishing out his Cyber Key. Megatron smirked and retrieved his own. They then flicked the Keys into the air.
“CYBER KEY POWER!” they both invoked. The Keys inserted themselves into their respective slots, then turned. Optimus got his shoulder mounted missile battery from his smokestacks and Megatron activated his twin fusion lancers. There was another beam clash, but it resulted in an explosion that knocked the two warriors off their feet.