Chapter Text
Chapter 20: City Dance
Orion watches Iacon pass by from withing one the city's public train system. There was only one word that Orion could use to describe the past several breems:
Wonderful.
Every new experience for Orion with his newfound friends was terrific. Especially with D-16, whose presence made it even more magical.
The time for the lanterns to float up was still a long way off. Leaving plenty of time for Orion to explore more of Iacon. Bee & Elita had become more open with him after leaving the restaurant. More eager to help him & show him around the many fun things. Even Dee & Elita started getting along a little better!
After they finished up at the museum, they stumbled upon another marketplace. One that caters more towards today’s festival. There were even more things for Orion to look at. New things to discover. Not aware of D-16’s sweet gazes lingering on him, admitting how the flame paint shines off, or how well fitted the silk piece around his torso & the bead crown fits him well.
The group was passing by a stand where Orion noticed a youngling selling more products with the primes. Unlike the other stands that had items depicting the primes individually, these ones seemed grouped together. And they all looked to be servomade.
Dee noticed Orion eyeing the products. “Something that caught your optics?”
“Just looking at that stuff over there.”
“You like them?”
"They're pretty cool. First time I saw something with all the Primes together.”
The gears start turning him D-16’s helm. “Which one do you like most?”
It took Orion almost a klick to answer before pointing over to a stack of large clothes that had each symbol of the Thirteen Primes. “That cloth right there looks nice.”
Dee let out a low hum. “Wait here.”
The silver mech heads over to the table. Dee grabs one of the cloths and hands the shanix to the youngling, who lets out a 'Thank you.' Dee hands Orion the cloth.
"For you."
“Dee, you didn’t have to.” Orion gazed at the cloth, touched by Dee's gesture.
“Yeah, well, I want to,” Dee responds with a playful grin.
Orion carefully takes the cloth from Dee’s servo. He lifts it up to get a better look at the fabric with all the Prime’s symbols. A smile crept across his lips. “Thanks, Dee.”
Not too long after, everyone stumbled upon a flat courtyard. A group of bots, mostly younglings, were drawing on it with chalk. There were many drawings in an assortment of beautiful colors.
“This is a popular place for everyone to draw with chalk. More so on holidays & festivals,” Bee said to Orion, who was still looking at the drawings.
The artist within Orion couldn’t help but ask. “Can…Can I draw?”
“Whatever you want to do, Pax,” Dee encourages.
“What do you have in mind?” Elita asks.
Orion holds his chinplate to think. So many ideas on what to draw with the simple chalk. Inspiration struck him upon remembering the cloth that D-16 had purchased. “Hold this!” Orion gives Dee the fabric. The warframe and other bots looked at each other in confusion. Everything became clear almost a breem later, once Orion, servos covered with chalk dust, gave one last stroke, stood up, and wiped coolant from his forehelm.
On the ground lay an almost perfected replica of the Thirteen Prime’s symbols.
“This is amazing, Orion!” Bee exclaimed.
“Wow. You weren’t kidding when you said you like art,” Elita remarked, equally impressed.
“You really think so?” Orion questioned. “I just do it for fun. I don’t think it's anything extraordinary.”
“I think it's wonderful,” Dee chimed in. That compliment made Orion feel warm in his chassis.
It wasn’t just his companions who admired his chalkwork. Other bots had even gathered to admire Orion’s art. Some even took pictures as well. Safe to say, that made Orion feel great.
There were a few close calls, however, with some High Guards. One in particular had left Orion & D-16 no choice but to hide in a cramp spot in an alley, while Bee & Elita distracted the guards. Right after they had gotten some engex cupcakes too.
Dee glances over his shoulder to see the yellow mech & pink femme still talking to those High Guards. “Cramped hiding spot, but I don’t think they saw us.”
“At least the cupcakes are sweet.” Orion took a bite out of his.
“Not as sweet as you are,” Dee blurted.
“What?” Orion was surprised to hear.
Dee flustered, realizing what he had just said. “Sorry! I don’t know why I blurted that out.”
“You’re sweet too.” Orion declared with a smile. The blue blush crept on Dee's cheekplates, along with a smile.
A content sigh escapes Orion’s mouth as he thinks back to all those moments. Resting his helm on his arms on the window ledge of the train car. Dee is really such a good friend.
“You doing good, Pax?” Dee strolls by Orion’s side.
“Just admiring the view.” Orion keeps facing the window. “Iacon really is beautiful. It's everything beyond what I thought the world was like.”
“Sounds like you’re having a good day.”
Orion turns back to the other mech. “What about you?”
“Me?”
“Are you enjoying today?”
That question did make D-16 think a bit. Yesterday, all he was focused on was getting that crown back and breaking his deal with Orion as quickly as possible. But now, Dee didn’t feel the need to rush. It surprised him how much he liked Orion’s company.
“I…I am. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. Much less with anybody.”
To that, Orion let out a little giggle. His servos twiddled, like he was hiding something and too hesitant to share. “I have something for you.”
“For me? On your birthday?” Dee said teasingly. “Pretty sure it's meant to be the other way around.”
“It's just a little something for me to say thank you.”
“That's sweet of you, but you didn’t have to.”
“I mean, if you say so.” Orion decided to get a little playful. “Even though it's an awesome Megatronus Prime thing I have. It's fine, I’ll give it to Bee or Elita.”
“What Megatronus Prime thing?” Dee slowly turns his helm to Orion.
“Oh, just this cool-looking sticker I have here.”
Orion pulls out a small but shiny sticker with the symbol of Megatronus Prime. In mint condition! Dee let out a little gasp.
“A first edition Megatronus Prime Decal sticker?” The silver mech almost squeaked with excitement. Logic overrides his excitement. “Where did you even get that?”
“I might’ve taken a page out of your book and nabbed it from a stall when no one was looking,” Orion confessed with a mischievous glint in his optics.
D-16 stood gape, blinking several times. “Okay, uh, that's nice of you, but don’t tell Bee & Elita that.”
Orion chuckles. "I remember how much you admired him. Thought you would like it. But if you don’t want it, I can just throw it away-”
“Wait, no! That’s not funny!” Dee tried grabbing it. “Let me see!”
Orion lifted a 'Hold on a Klick’ digit. “Don’t grab. You’re gonna crease it. Let me.” Orion leaned close, gently placing the sticker on the front of Dee’s left shoulder pauldron. Smoothing the sticker over the surface to make sure it's in place perfectly, giving a gentle pat on Dee’s shoulder when he was done.
Dee took a moment to admire the decal. “No one’s ever gotten me a gift in…I can’t even remember how long.”
Orion crossed his arms, leaning against the train wall, watching Dee admire his little gift with his optics lit up like a youngling. “Looks good on you, buddy.”
Dee strokes the sticker, crossing his arms as well. “It's really cool.” His marigold optics met Orion’s azure ones. “Thanks.”
“Always got your back.” Orion lifts a fist.
Dee reciprocates the gesture.“...No matter what.” His fist meets Orion's with a gentle clank.
A gentle hum came from Orion as his attention was brought back to the window. His optics widen in wonder as he softly gasps out a “Wow.”
Out the train's window lay an enormous fountain, pouring out trails of bright, clean energon that streamed in almost every direction in the city. Behind was a large metal mural.
“What’s that place?”
“The city plaza. That right there is the Energon Well. The source of all the energon that flows throughout the planet.” Dee explained
“It looks so cool,” Orion pressed against the window like a curious youngling looking into an engex candy store. “Can we go there?”
“Next Stop Approaching: Iacon City Central Plaza,” The train's intercom announced.
“I don’t see why not.”
Dee signals over to where Elita & Bee were sitting. One look at a beaming Orion was enough for them to get the message. The four gradually exited the train once it finally reached its stop. Up ahead was the Energon Well. Behind the fountain, the Prime Tower stood firm and tall.
“Is that a first edition Megatronus Prime Decal sticker on your shoulder, D-16?” Bee exclaimed excitedly. “It looks so cool! Where’d you get it?”
“Orion gave it to me,” Dee answered with a smile.
“Where & when exactly,” Elita asked with a hint of suspicion.
“He, umm…Found it,” Dee staggered with his answer.
“Found it?” The pink femme responded, unsure if she believed his claim.
Orion stepped in. “Yep! Found it lying in the middle of the sidewalk. Someone probably dropped it.”
“That's dumb on their part. Those stickers are not cheap. Anyone careless enough to lose them doesn’t deserve it," Bee stated.
Elita let out a hum, still with a suspicious look in her optics. “It suits you.” She responded politely.
“I, uh, thanks, Elita,” Dee said back.
Everyone arrived at the plaza where the Energon Well lies. There were many bots gathered here. No different than all the other hub spots in the city. Except everyone was interacting with the energon in their own ways. Some took several drinks from it, and others were simply admiring the well. There was even a designated area for younglings to play around in, their cheerful laughter echoing around.
“Pretty cool, huh?” Dee inquired.
“Yeah,” Orion responded, still in awe. “All the energon comes from here?”
“Yep. This is where Energon is at its purest.”
Bee then pulls out an empty cube, dunks it into a nearby stream, and then presents it to Orion. “Give it a try!”
Orion accepts the cube and takes a big slurp. “This is the best energon I've ever had.”
“That shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, this is where all the Primes were born.” Elita casually shared.
“The Primes were born here?” Orion exclaimed, surprised. He recalled learning that the Primes were born at an Energon well back at the museum, but the information overload was so great that he forgot which kind of well it was.
“This is where all Fourteen Primes were born!” Bee points in a different direction. “Right there, to be exact!”
Azure optics linger towards the mural at the center of the fountain. Orion’s gaze was locked upon the mural. There was a strange feeling. A feeling that told him that he’s been here before. But what was he getting, and why, and why was he getting it?
“Pax?” Dee touched Orion’s shoulder, snapping him out. “You okay?”
“Uh, yeah.” Orion shook his helm. He takes another look at the mural. “Is it okay if I get a closer look over there?”
“Not a problem. Just stay close.”
“I will!”
Orion saunters away, with Dee’s optics lingering on him just for a few extra klicks till he is sure he will be fine. Something catches his attention in the corner of his optics. A makeshift stand where a bot was handing out lanterns. A hum was let out of Dee before he went over to Bee.
Not paying mind to the other bots, Orion kept his sights straight onto the mural all the way until he reached the end, where a pool of pure energon was the only thing blocking his path. Well, that, and a section of the edge blocked off with a rope and a plaque. There were several blue flowers, from bouquets to a single strand, that appeared to have been placed there recently. Something about this place made Orion feel warm, not from overheating. This warmth told him he was welcome here.
Just ahead of Orion were three bots. A femme holding a sparkling, and a femmling holding a blue flower, looking at her infant sibling. “It's for The Lost Prime.”
Orion took another look around the platform’s edge. Some of the flowers had the same picture of Optimus Prime he had seen back in the racing stadium attached. The blue flowers were sparkflowers, Orion realized. They symbolized remembrance. Then Orion took a look at the plaque.
“Here lies the place that served as the birthplace of the Primes. Including The Lost Prime Optimus.
May Primus watches over wherever he is and guides him back home.”
Azure optics move towards the mural towering over the fountain. It had all thirteen primes carved onto it. There was another new object for Orion. A large emblem with two handles. He squints his optics to get a better look.
His vision suddenly changed.
It was blurry and somewhat dark, so he couldn't see what was going on. What Orion could make out was a tiny blue servo and the sounds of sparkling babbling. There was an aqua blue chassis, similar to Zeta Prime's. Before him, but Orion couldn’t make out who the mech was. His chassis parts apart, showing a glowing artifact with the two handles on the side. The sparkling let out an inquisitive coo, reaching out for the glowing artifact. A strong, but gentle familiar chuckle came out from the mech.
“That right here is the Matrix. Perhaps one day you will be able to wield it, little one…”
A gasp let out, turning to heavy vents when Orion’s vision returned to normal. It caught the family's attention ahead of him. “Are you okay, sir?” The femme asks, concern confusion in her faceplate as her children were.
“I'm fine. Sorry.”
Orion hastily walked away, not paying mind to anyone else. What the frag was that? A hallucination? It looked like it, but it didn't feel like one. What caused it? Orion had read plenty of medicine books, and he knew he didn't have anything that could cause him to hallucinate. So what was it? And who was that figure? What the pits is a Matrix anyway, and why does it sound familiar?
Sounds of music pull Orion out of his spiral. A small band of bots playing different types of instruments walked past him. Some music may help Orion calm himself down. He’ll figure it out later and would rather follow that band.
“Got what you need, Dee?” B-127 pipped up, walking alongside the warfame back to where Elita is.
“I think so. Thanks again.”
“I'm sure Orion will like it!” Bee wiggled his optical ridge to Dee. “Maybe he’ll repay you.”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Oh, no reason!”
Dee shook off the sudden weirdness of Bee as he continued walking. They both finally returned to Elita’s side. But Orion is nowhere to be seen. Strange enough, the pink femme had an amused smile. “Where’s Orion?”
All Elita can do is point.
At the center of the fountain, Orion was dancing along near the band, who were enlightened by the mech’s eagerness. The silk piece around his torso is bouncing elegantly, and his bead crown is clinging gently, and the flame paint is shining, almost making him glow.
A few bots stopped to watch the red & blue bot dance with interest. Among them, a femmling took delight. Orion notices her and rushes over to pull her into his dance, with her creators encouragement. This caught more bots' interest as the femmling gleefully giggled as she danced with Orion. Another mech catches Orion’s attention, who then proceeds to drag him in with the sound of the mech’s companion laughing. Then Orion pulled three teenagers, two mechs & a femme along, with all three clinging onto each other. After that, Orion hooks an arm around a femme's who was happy to join in.
The plaza erupted in bots clapping as they followed Orion’s lead, dancing around in joy. Nearby bots gradually started joining while most others watched. Bots, younglings, mechs, femmes, couples, friends, families, transformers of all types all joined in.
From the sidelines, D-16, Elita, and B-127 all watch the dance commence with a delighted Orion among them. The red & blue mech caught sight of Dee and waved in encouragement for the warframe to join in. Dee gave a dismissive wave, claiming that he doesn’t dance. Unknown to him, Elita had a mischievous look. Giving into brief desire for petty vengeance, the pink femme gave a hard nudge to Dee, pushing him into the ring with the dancers. The silver mech gave a glare at her as he was yanked away by a dancer. Elita let out a chuckle before she decided to join the dance circle, much to Bee’s excitement.
Despite being against it, Dee found himself enjoying the dancing to the current song playing. It wasn’t long before he and Orion spotted each other among the sea of dancing bots. They gradually made their to each other. Just when they were within arm's reach, they were pulled away by other dancers. Orion’s lipplates curve in an awkward smile while Dee just gives a half grin. The disappointment Orion felt quickly washes away as he gets sucked up in the dancing. Never once did he realize how much fun it was dancing with others. He got only a taste of it yesterday at the Auto House Pub, but he was sure it was the real deal. He felt it as he instinctively leaped up at one point with some other dancers in the song.
Even though they were having fun in their own ways, Orion & Dee both tried to dance together, only to be pulled away by other dancers. Their efforts did catch the attention of Bee & Elita. One slient look, and the Amicas understood what to do next. As the band's song reached its final notes. The yellow mech & pink femme maneuver through the dancing crowd. Bee successfully reached Dee, and Elita reached Orion. The final beats & notes were reaching the finale as the friends danced along. At the last few nano-klicks played, Bee & Elita release their respective dance partners, letting them twirl until both Dee & Orion met at the final note, holding each other close, their servos in the other.
Cheers of the crowd erupted as Orion & Dee still held onto each other, realizing how close their faceplates were, feeling their nervous vents, smiling.
A loud ding from a nearby clock tower rang out, and someone yelled, “Lanterns release in one breem!” It snapped Orion & Dee back to reality, making them realize how close they were, and they gradually backed away, clasping their servos over their midsections.
At the edge of the dancing ring, Elita & Bee had their optics on a pair of red & silver mechs. From where she stood, Elita could see how they looked at each other, trying to suppress a blush. For so long, she's been trying to deny it, knowing that acknowledging it would go against everything she thought she knew about the warframe. But Elita couldn’t deny it anymore.
“You know, Bee, I think you were right?”
“About what?”
“There might be something between Orion and Dee after all.”
The yellow mech then let out a smug-looking grin to the femme. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Elita questioned, crossing her arms.
“Oh, nothing. It's just…you called him Dee instead Megatron this time.” Bee answered with a wiggling in his optical ridge.
The femme lifted her servos up. “Okay, I admit it. Dee…doesn’t seem all that bad.”
“I knew it.”
“Don’t push it now,” Elita lightly punched Bee’s arm.
Even with the crowd dispersed, Orion & Dee remained standing where they were, unsure what to do. There were so many emotions going on within them. Warm emotions that made them feel good.
“That was…Fun,” Orion got the courage to speak up.
“It was…” Dee let out a cough. “You’re…you’re a wonderful dancer.”
Orion’s finals flickered a bit, with some steam coming out of his smokestacks, startling him. “Oh! I didn’t think they could do that…”
Dee let out a giggle, followed by Orion. “So…” Orion twiddled his servos. “What do we do now?”
“We get ready for the lanterns.”
“Right! Where do we go?”
D-16 glanced away to think of a response. He honestly hadn’t thought about it. He wanted to give Orion the best view possible, but where? Then he noticed a trail of energon streaming away from the fountain toward a massive lake of them out in the distance. A smile grew.
“I think I know where.”