A large Cybertronian, standing eight meters tall and adorned with golden ornaments on his armor, waited for Megatron. He held an equally imposing spear. "The High Council awaits you, Megatron." His words acted like the epicenter of an earthquake, triggering the crowd around them to erupt in cheers.
"Hmph, finally," Megatron muttered, clenching his fists to contain his emotions. Victory was within his grasp, and he could hardly restrain himself.
The temple guardian struck the ground with his spear, the force silencing the entire crowd. He pointed his sharp weapon at the Decepticon leader in a threatening gesture meant to intimidate. "You must choose only one representative to enter the temple with you."
Megatron raised an eyebrow in surprise. He hadn't expected this decision to come so suddenly. He immediately theorized that the High Council feared he might attack them with his Decepticons. That only strengthened his confidence in toppling the Council, but for now, he was curious to see what pitiful moves they would make.
Maintaining his composure as Decepticon leader and representative of the people, Megatron showed no sign of intimidation at the spear pointed at him, and simply accepted this theater. "Very well, if that's how it must be, I choose Orion Pax." His words rang out for all to hear, surprising the Decepticons, especially that Soundwave had not been chosen.
Megatron's words shook Orion a little; when the guardian announced the requirement, he had immediately assumed D would choose Soundwave, not him. "D, are you sure?" he whispered, just loud enough for Megatron to hear.
"The High Council are cowards. Someone like you, who doesn't radiate any threat, will make it easier for them not to feel cornered." Megatron whispered back, his optics locked on the guardian, analyzing him, mentally creating scenarios for battle and strategies to win a duel.
"You didn't have to say it like that," Orion thought, feeling slightly offended, but he wisely refrained from starting an argument. This was neither the place nor the time.
They took a few steps forward, standing before the guardian, who now seemed smaller and far less intimidating compared to Megatron's towering presence.
The guardian tried to meet Megatron's gaze, attempting to assert authority through his stature and title, but to his misfortune, the attempt at menace felt hollow to Megatron, a warrior who had faced challenges that would make even seasoned soldiers hesitate.
Megatron smiled, flashing his sharp teeth. "Careful, keep looking at me like that, and I'll think you're asking for my autograph." His words nearly made the guardian snap, his grip tightening so hard around his spear that the metal shaft twisted slightly, warping under the strain.
"Follow me, both of you." The guardian turned, leading the way as the temple doors opened, revealing only darkness at first, making it hard for outsiders to see within.
Megatron entered after the guardian, with Orion close behind, scanning his surroundings, nervous at the thought of soon standing before the planet's leaders.
"Orion, say only what's necessary. I trust you, but this battle is mine to fight, I am their target. For now, just be a spectator."
Orion couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened by D's words. He had hoped they would challenge the Council together. "D, I want to help. You know I can back them into a corner with my words."
"I know that. But this meeting, its importance goes beyond a private council. My voice will be heard across all of Cybertron. I must show that, to the very last moment, I Megatron am enough to bear our people's burden." His tone was serious, his optics glowing an intense crimson.
The guardian halted before a golden metal door, its surface marred with faint traces of rust. He struck the ground three times with his spear, unlocking the heavy door, and a powerful light flooded the trio.
Megatron and Orion raised their arms to shield their optics from the blinding, almost divine light. As their vision adjusted, they took in the sight: a vast, imposing chamber that radiated an aura of authority practically oppressive.
They stepped forward, seeing at the center a small platform, clearly meant for anyone who wished to speak before the High Council. But what drew their gaze most were the statues of the Thirteen Primes encircling the chamber, their identical swords raised. For someone like Orion, well-versed in history, it was easy to recognize these as the weapons of the Cybertronian Knights.
Megatron looked at the platform where he would face the High Council, noticing the image of the Matrix of Leadership represented there as if it were a clear sign that he already possessed it without even trying. For only he was worthy of carrying the power of the Primes.
"So, this is the famous Megatron." said one elder, clearly a type of Cybertronian somewhat unusual in appearance strangely thin, with aged features on his metallic face.
"To usurp the name and fame of Megatronus Prime should be a high-level crime," added another elder, his body clad in blue and gold armor, though his thin form strayed into the uncanny valley even for Orion.
"Using the name isn't the problem. The problem is what he seeks to become," declared a third elder, his voice booming through the chamber. "Nothing is more dangerous than the birth of an idea — a symbol."
The presence of the High Council was indeed imposing, for the entire hall had been built to leave a powerful impression on any who looked up at them, a subtle yet efficient way of demonstrating power over others.
This display of authority did not affect Megatron in the slightest. On the contrary, he analyzed each of them, memorizing their faces and even their smallest movements as they settled into their seats.
"D-16… or shall I say, Megatron," pronounced the leader of the High Council, Dreadnought an old bot adorned with so much gold on his armor it could be considered excessive, or perhaps an obsession with the color. "You have surpassed every expectation of a gladiator condemned to death. I acknowledge your deeds, but I must say, your fairy tale ends today."
Megatron stared directly at Dreadnought, forcing the elder to momentarily avert his gaze, unaccustomed to being challenged so openly. Yet, Dreadnought quickly masked any sign of weakness or fear, feigning composure.
"Our meeting will be broadcast to all of Cybertron. And of course, guards will ensure that no harm befalls anyone." At his words, a dozen guards, nearly identical in appearance, clad in standard-patterned armor, took strategic positions, each armed with sharp spears capable of piercing any known plating. "I hope you are prepared, Megatron. In the battlefield of words, you are no match for us, the High Council."
"Your twisted words will no longer sway the minds of Cybertronians, least of all, mine." Megatron accepted the challenge, watching as a small drone carrying a high-quality camera hovered into position above the platform where he would have to stand and face Cybertron's greatest enemies.
"Be careful… they probably have some plan to defeat you in this debate," Orion couldn't help but warn him, feeling a heavy, anxious weight in his spark.
Megatron did not respond. He stepped forward onto the center of the platform, his optics briefly drifting to the statues of the Primes and the image of the Matrix of Leadership engraved there, as if the Primes themselves were watching and waiting.
"Very well, let the meeting begin." Dreadnought raised his arms, his voice echoing even more imposingly through the grand chamber.