Chapter 2: The Ruins of Cybertron
The wind howled across the broken landscape, a haunting melody that carried the echoes of a once-great civilization. The dim glow of Cybertron's dying core flickered in the distance, illuminating the twisted remains of a world ravaged by war.
Nitron stood amidst the wreckage, his optics scanning the ruined cityscape. Towers that once touched the heavens now lay in ruins, their foundations cracked and broken. The roads, once smooth and alive with energy, were littered with debris and the remains of fallen Cybertronians.
The weight of his existence settled on him. He wasn't just on Cybertron—he was part of it now. A fusion of Primus and Unicron, yet neither fully one nor the other. His power pulsed beneath his metallic skin, untapped and waiting to be awakened.
But first, he needed to survive.
His optics flickered toward the unconscious Cybertronian he had found—a battered, nearly deactivated mech. If there was anyone who could answer his questions, it was this bot.
Nitron knelt beside him, carefully placing his hand over the bot's chest plate. Energy surged through his fingertips, a deep, ancient power responding to his intent. A golden glow spread from his palm, running through the bot's circuits like a revitalizing force. The wounded Cybertronian gasped as his optics flickered back to life.
"Y-You… Who are you?" the bot rasped.
"I told you," Nitron said, standing up. "I am Nitron. But I need answers. What happened here?"
The bot struggled to sit up, sparks flying from his damaged frame. "Cybertron… fell. The war destroyed everything. Autobots, Decepticons—it didn't matter in the end. The battle for control turned into annihilation."
Nitron's optics narrowed. He had expected as much. The war between the Autobots and Decepticons had raged for millions of years, and now, it seemed, it had led to the end of their world.
But something didn't sit right.
"Who won?" he asked.
The bot let out a bitter, distorted laugh. "No one. The war stopped when there was nothing left to fight for. The great Primes are gone. Megatron is gone. Even Optimus… lost."
Nitron felt a strange pang in his core. If even the legendary Optimus Prime had fallen, then Cybertron truly was in ruins.
Before he could ask more, a sudden noise split the silence—a deep, mechanical growl that sent a shiver through the ground.
Nitron turned sharply.
In the distance, through the broken streets, something moved. A hulking silhouette emerged from the darkness, its optics burning red like molten steel.
A Predacon.
The massive Cybertronian beast snarled, its dragon-like form sleek yet armored, built for predatory destruction. It crouched low, its razor-sharp claws scraping against the ground as it eyed its next prey.
Nitron tensed, his instincts screaming danger.
The injured bot beside him groaned. "Damn… scavengers. The war is over, but some of them still hunt."
The Predacon let out a deafening roar, then lunged.
First Battle: Nitron vs. Predacon
Nitron dodged, his body reacting faster than he expected. The beast's claws tore through the air, barely missing him as he rolled across the ground. His enhanced sensors picked up the heat radiating from the creature's metal-plated hide.
It was hungry, running on pure instinct.
The Predacon swung its tail, a massive, bladed weapon designed to slice through armor. Nitron ducked just in time, feeling the air vibrate from the sheer force of the attack.
"You're fast," he muttered. "But so am I."
He rushed forward, closing the distance before the beast could react. His fists clenched, and for the first time, his internal power responded. Energy surged through his arms as he struck, landing a devastating punch to the Predacon's jaw.
The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air.
The beast stumbled back, its head snapping to the side. Its red optics flickered, momentarily dazed.
Nitron's mind raced. His strength was far beyond human, but he wasn't sure how much power he could unleash yet. The Predacon was recovering fast, its rage boiling over.
It charged again.
This time, it opened its mouth—a blast of plasma fire erupted, scorching the air.
Nitron instinctively raised his arms, and to his surprise, a shimmering energy shield formed in front of him. The flames struck the barrier, dispersing harmlessly.
So I can generate defenses too… he realized.
His lips curled into a smirk. "My turn."
The shield vanished, and in its place, his arm transformed.
His forearm split apart, shifting into a sleek plasma cannon. Energy built up inside the weapon, glowing with an intense golden light.
Nitron fired.
The blast tore through the air, slamming into the Predacon's chest. The force sent the beast flying back, crashing through a ruined building. A cloud of smoke and debris filled the area.
Silence followed.
Nitron took a step forward, his optics locked onto the wreckage. Was it dead?
Then, from beneath the rubble, the Predacon stirred.
Its frame was damaged, smoke pouring from melted circuits, but it wasn't down yet. The beast let out a feral snarl, its optics burning even brighter.
It was angry now.
Nitron clenched his fists. He had landed a solid hit, but it wasn't enough. He needed more firepower.
A sudden pulse ran through his core. A whisper, ancient yet familiar.
"Draw from your strength. Become what you are meant to be."
Nitron's body reacted on its own.
His back shifted, metal plates reconfiguring. A pair of wing-like thrusters emerged, crackling with stored energy. His legs adjusted, his frame adapting to combat speed.
A new instinct took over.
He launched forward, moving at incredible speed. Before the Predacon could react, he leaped high into the air, spinning mid-flight. His body adjusted, his arm shifting into a massive blade of pure energy.
With a single, devastating slash, Nitron struck down.
The blade cut through the Predacon's armored hide, slicing deep into its core. The beast let out a final, agonized roar before collapsing, sparks flying from its severed circuits.
For a moment, Nitron simply stood there, his breathing steady despite not needing air. He looked down at his weaponized arm, watching as it seamlessly shifted back into his original form.
His power was awakening.
And this was just the beginning.
Next Chapter: The First Prime's Legacy