City: IACON
"D, where are we going?" Orion asked, noticing that his friend was wearing a cloak to hide his identity.
"Let's go to City Hall, for a new beginning, nothing better than giving up my original name." D-16 explained, eager to create a new milestone in his life. He walked with determination, wearing a simple robe so as not to attract the attention of his admirers.
"You want to change your name, but why? Your name is great." Orion asked, not understanding his friend's request.
"D-16 was a weak bot who was trapped and enslaved for years; today I am a completely different bot, and I want my new name to reflect that. I can't borrow Megatronus' name; now I want an imposing name that will represent my new beginning, a name that will never be forgotten." D-16 said, now wanting his name to be as imposing as Megatronus Prime, but to represent all that he currently is. "I want to erase D-16 from history and be reborn as my new self, a warrior who will fight for Cybertron, a name that the cowards in the government will fear to mention."
"I understand, but isn't this decision a bit sudden? Many Cybertronians keep their names; no matter if they are good or bad, our received names are practically sacred." Orion commented, just expressing his opinion, wanting to make sure D-16 was really ready to do this.
"I know that, but my honor as D-16 was tarnished, but my self as Megatronus shook Cybertron with my deeds." D-16 stopped walking and looked down to see his friend. "This is my new legacy."
Orion sighed and nodded, supporting his friend. It was easy to understand this desire to forget the past, but the past can never be forgotten, because with it we learn to be better in the future.
Orion, feeling how tense his best friend was, decided to cheer him up, even if only a little. "So... what name are you going to use?"
"I haven't decided yet; I have a lot of ideas in my head." D-16 confessed, revealing that his desire to change his name was something that had been inside him since he dreamed of breaking free, but he never knew how to decide what would be a good name for himself. "I'm torn between Gladiatron and Invictron, what do you think?"
"No offense, but you're terrible at this." Orion tried not to laugh, because it was funny to see his friend with the looks he had choosing a name that didn't suit him. "Why do you want to keep the 'tron' in your name? There are other options besides that detail."
"To be honest, I feel like I need a name that ends with a big bang but is still easy to pronounce." D-16 admitted, looking quite pensive as he liked the sound of the word "Tron" in a name. "Do you have any suggestions?"
"Since you want an impressive name, why not try Badassatron?" Orion didn't hide his sarcasm as he spoke, causing D-16 to chuckle for a moment.
"Hahaha... funny, but stupid." D-16 said, Orion agreeing with his opinion, the two of them in complete agreement. "If one day someone uses Badassatron as their real name, I promise to throw myself into a nest of insecticons."
"Hahahaha... there won't be much left of you." Orion noticed that D-16 was less tense, luckily he knew how to improve his brother's mood with some silly taunts.
"It would at least make more sense than using a name like that." D-16 calmed his laughter, realizing that he was finally reaching his desired destination, enjoying the company of his friend, who was like a little younger brother.
Some young Cybertronians noticed the unusual duo when they saw a ten-meter hooded bot and a six-meter bot laughing together like old friends, drawing attention to themselves even though it was not their intention. It was common knowledge that the taller a robot was, the stronger it was physically and the greater its endurance, was known to have the potential to be part of the Royal Guard, so it was unusual to see such a casual interaction.
D-16 noticed that he was being watched by a few curious looks, but that did not worry him, as they carried no weight of threat or challenge, so he did not need to be tense, even in public, where normally in Kaon's arena he would feel the weight of everyone's eyes on his shoulders as he fought for his life. Unlike Professor Orion, they all had a weak and expressionless aura, as if they were just insects to be crushed by his power, it was even pathetic in his opinion that some dared to think that they had some superiority over him because of their status, because of their financial wealth.
Before the sibling duo entered the building, D-16 quickly noticed the presence of his other ally, Soundwave, who silently awaited his arrival. His silent companion, upon noticing his presence, simply gave a quick nod and approached, glancing at Orion Pax for a moment before ignoring him to focus on him.
"Soundwave, I'm glad you're going to help us with the more democratic part." D-16 said with a polite attitude he used in some situations; besides, it was a good opportunity to introduce him to Orion. Not to mention, if the two of them combined their intelligence, they could both be a strategic basis for creating plans for a new Cybertron under his rule.
[Soundwave... so this is the bot that helped D free himself.] Orion thought, surprised by his appearance. "How long have you two known each other?"
"Soundwave and I have been in contact for a few years." D-16 whispered to Orion, not wanting their conversation to attract more attention than he would have liked. "He's a bit quiet, so don't expect much communication from him."
Orion Pax looked at Soundwave and just waved his hand, laughing nervously as he noticed the purple robot's lack of a face, making him seem very calculating and expressionless, but still grateful for helping his brother gain his freedom.
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you." Orion greeted Soundwave and was ignored in record time with a silence that made it easy to know what the silent robot was thinking. "I enjoyed the conversation." He said, failing miserably to break the ice.
D-16, Orion Pax, and Soundwave entered a booth where a holographic record floated under glass in front of the three, a document officializing a new name, a process that would normally take a long time, but was anticipated by Soundwave himself, who prepared everything in a few hours.
"Now is your moment." Orion whispered to D-16, watching his brother pick up the glass file that glowed expectantly.
D-16 studied the file and closed his eyes. He knew that his next words would define his new name, a new beginning; he wanted to destroy his D-16 self, but still retain the recognition he had earned in the arena, without being trapped in the shadow of the Prime he had been inspired to use as a pseudonym.
[A name... Gladiatron perhaps? No, Orion is right; that name doesn't suit me. A simple and easy to pronounce name, imposing like a warrior.] D-16 thought, remembering how his fans chanted his alias before and when he left the arena like a god. [Megatronus... a name I used to give myself confidence, a symbolic figure, but now it is a redundant nickname of who I am, a legacy I decided to carry on my back, creating my own history... I need a name as imposing as the legend that inspired me.]
D-16's eyes opened, his resolve rekindled, and he uttered a single word, simple yet powerful, as if he could resound the heavens with his name.
"Megatron..."