Chapter 4: Descent into the Core
The ruins of Cybertron stretched endlessly before Nitron, a once-great civilization now reduced to rusted metal and forgotten memories. But deep beneath the surface, hidden within the planet's core, lay the Well of Sparks—the ancient heart of Cybertron, where life was once forged.
And if the Decepticon warlord's words were true, it might still contain the key to Nitron's true potential.
Nitron stood at the entrance of a collapsed structure, scanning for a way down. His Cybertronian instincts told him that the Well existed beneath the planet's surface, but centuries of war had buried it beneath layers of destruction.
> "Time to start digging," he muttered.
He activated his transformation sequence, shifting his right arm into an energy drill, and began tunneling through the wreckage. Chunks of metal and rock flew into the air as he carved a path downward, the vibrations shaking loose debris from the unstable ruins above.
After what felt like hours, Nitron's sensors picked up a change in the terrain—an empty space beneath him. He retracted his drill, stepping forward cautiously until the floor beneath collapsed, sending him plummeting into the darkness below.
The Well of Sparks
Nitron landed in a vast underground chamber, his optics adjusting to the dim glow of ancient Cybertronian runes etched into the walls. The air crackled with energy, and at the center of the cavern, a massive structure stood—a monolithic construct pulsing with blue and gold light.
> "The Well…" Nitron whispered, taking a step closer.
The moment he did, his spark pulsed violently, as if reacting to the presence of the Well itself. He felt a surge of memories not his own, echoes of long-forgotten warriors, of Primes who once walked this world.
And then—he heard the voices.
> "You are not ready."
Nitron spun around, his optics scanning the chamber. The air shimmered, and from the shadows emerged three towering figures—ghostly projections of the past.
The first, regal and wise, was Vector Prime, his golden armor gleaming with temporal energy.
The second, a warrior of darkness and rage, was Megatronus, the fallen Prime, his crimson optics burning with challenge.
The third, an ethereal presence of light and creation, was Solus Prime, her hands pulsing with the energy of a Forge lost to time.
Nitron tensed.
> "You are remnants of the past," he said. "I don't need ghosts to tell me what I am."
Vector Prime's expression remained neutral.
> "You wield the essence of both Primus and Unicron, yet you are neither. That makes you a danger—to yourself and to the universe."
Megatronus stepped forward, his tone sharp.
> "Power without discipline is destruction. If you seek strength from the Well, you must prove yourself worthy."
Nitron clenched his fists. He had expected knowledge, guidance—not a test.
> "Then let's get this over with."
Trial of the Primes
The chamber shifted. The walls vanished, replaced by a vast battlefield—a memory of an ancient war. The sky above was filled with burning Cybertronian ships, the ground littered with the remains of Autobots and Decepticons alike.
Nitron stood in the center, facing three shadowy figures, each as large as himself—Prime-level warriors from a forgotten age.
The first wielded twin energy blades, moving with deadly precision.
The second carried a massive war hammer, his strikes shaking the battlefield.
The third was fast—too fast—striking from the shadows with lightning-quick blasts.
Nitron activated his battle mode. His arms transformed, one into a plasma cannon, the other into a bladed gauntlet. His optics narrowed, focusing.
> "Let's see what you've got."
The first warrior attacked, blades slicing through the air. Nitron dodged, barely avoiding the strike, countering with a plasma blast to the attacker's chest. But before he could follow up, the second warrior's hammer came crashing down, forcing him to dodge-roll to the side.
The third warrior fired energy blasts, each shot hitting with incredible force. Nitron gritted his teeth, his armor barely holding up against the onslaught.
They were strong. Stronger than he expected.
But Nitron wasn't just Cybertronian—he was more.
His optics flashed with golden light, his connection to Primus and Unicron awakening. He absorbed the energy of the blasts, redirecting it into his gauntlet.
With a roar, he lunged forward, grappling the second warrior's hammer mid-swing, twisting it out of his hands before slamming it into the first attacker, sending him flying.
The third warrior tried to retreat, but Nitron moved at lightning speed, catching him mid-dash. His bladed gauntlet pierced through the warrior's chest, shattering his spark.
The last warrior—unarmed and cornered—tried to stand, but Nitron raised his plasma cannon and fired.
A final blast of energy erupted—and the battlefield vanished.
Nitron gasped, finding himself back in the Well. The ghosts of the Primes stood before him, watching in silence.
A New Path
Solus Prime stepped forward, her gaze soft.
> "You have proven your strength. But strength alone will not be enough for the path ahead."
Vector Prime nodded.
> "You must seek the lost artifacts of Cybertron. The Matrix of Leadership. The Star Saber. The Enigma of Combination. Only then will you unlock your true potential."
Megatronus smirked.
> "And when that power consumes you—if you fall to the darkness—know that none in this universe will be able to stop you."
The projections faded, and Nitron felt a surge of energy within him. His spark pulsed with newfound strength, his connection to Primus and Unicron deepening.
The Well of Sparks had acknowledged him.
He was no longer just another Cybertronian.
He was something new.
Something greater.
And the universe was about to find out exactly what that meant.