Transformers Until one

Chapter Two - Part Three

After Optimus became the new Prime of Cybertron, a voice of hope began to rise amid the chaos.
However, the sudden and mysterious death of Sentinel Prime remained a painful wound that sowed distrust among the citizens of the entire planet. Many began to question the circumstances behind the incident. Suspicion spread rapidly, leading to the formal opening of an inquest — its purpose: to uncover the truth behind the assassination of a great leader, and determine who truly deserves the trust of the Cybertronian people.

"Why was no one there to protect Sentinel in time?"
"Why was a new Prime appointed so quickly?"
"Could it have been... a plot?"
Whispers and accusations echoed throughout Iacon. Some questioned Optimus himself, while others believed he was the best choice in such a time of crisis.

"I don't know the whole truth, but I saw with my own eyes — he risked his life to save Sentinel."
"And who'll tell the truth? The high-castes?"
Amid the fog of doubt, the new Prime must stand firm — not just to uphold the dignity of his predecessor, but to restore the faith of all Cybertronians once more.

[Trial for the Assassination of Sentinel Prime — Day One]

"The inquiry into the death of Sentinel Prime will now begin."

A deep voice rang across the courtroom of Cybertron, echoing off the high metal walls. The speaker, a crimson-colored mech, stood beneath a gleaming overhead light. His chestplate bore the symbol of a golden star — the mark of the High Judge of Iacon.

He rose from his elevated seat, casting a cold gaze over the assembled mechs.

"I am Starscream," he said with steely clarity, "Judicator and highest authority presiding over this case. The death of Sentinel Prime is not merely the loss of a leader — it is a turning point in Cybertronian history. And we will not allow the truth to be buried."

Murmurs spread across the chamber. All eyes turned to Optimus, seated silently off to one side. Though he wore no formal regalia of leadership, the blue light of the Matrix, shining faintly through the window in his chest, drew every gaze.

The room was tense. The trial had yet to formally begin, yet already the weight of judgment hung heavy in the air.

Optimus slowly rose to his feet. His face was calm — almost eerily so — but his eyes carried the weight of resolve. Beside him stood his advocate, Saber, a slender mech clad in smooth, dark-silver armor, reflecting both confidence and caution.

At the center of the chamber, Starscream took his place once more atop the judge's podium. His gaze narrowed with a hint of mockery as he spoke, voice cool yet pressing.

"Let us begin with Optimus. Please recount the events in full detail."

Optimus nodded slowly, exchanging a brief glance with Saber before turning to face the tribunal. His voice was low, firm, and unwavering as he began.

"On the day in question, I was attending the police promotion ceremony under the command of Sentinel Prime. As he began his opening remarks, the first shot was fired — grazing his left arm. A second shot followed, striking him in the abdomen.
I was nearest to him at the time and rushed forward to support him, moving him to safety.
As I did, Sentinel Prime began losing large amounts of energon. He ordered me to leave him — and entrusted me with the Matrix of Leadership, instructing me to carry it forward.
Not long after that, an explosion rang out — and Megatron appeared. He charged in, seized Sentinel's body, and... destroyed it before my very eyes."
Gasps echoed through the chamber. The moment Optimus finished, the courtroom erupted into stunned whispers. Some audience members shot to their feet, their expressions a mix of disbelief and horror.

Starscream slammed his gavel with force. The sharp ring of metal on metal cut through the noise.

"Silence! This court will not descend into chaos until all testimony has been heard!"
Once quiet returned, he nodded curtly.

"Proceed, Optimus Prime."
Optimus swallowed hard and continued, his voice solemn.

"...After Megatron tore Sentinel apart, he turned and saw that I now held the Matrix. He lunged toward me, intending to strike.
But then... he stopped. Abruptly.
And without a word — he withdrew.
As if he saw something in me that made him hesitate..."
Even as Optimus's voice faded, murmurs lingered in the courtroom. Starscream's expression soured as he glanced around the chamber before tapping his gavel once more. His voice returned, calm yet cold.

"To ensure fairness in these proceedings, the court will now summon Megatron to testify — as the opposing party."
The side door to the chamber opened slowly. Heavy mechanisms groaned as a towering figure stepped in. All eyes turned to the imposing form of Megatron.

He entered under tight security — his neck locked with specialized restraints, wrists shackled, and body bound in chains that dragged heavily across the floor.

He walked forward with unshaken poise. Every step thundered against the metal beneath him. He took his place at the witness stand, unfazed by the hundreds of eyes fixed on him. His voice, when he spoke, was low and powerful.

"If it's the truth you want... then I shall give it to you.
But be warned — it may not be the truth you wish to hear."
The room went still. It was as if no one dared breathe.

Saber, Optimus's advocate, raised a hand calmly.

"Megatron... why did you kill Sentinel Prime?
What reason could justify such an act?"
All eyes turned to the restrained warlord. He stared at Saber with a piercing gaze, then gave a faint smirk and spoke.

"My reasons... are not something you could understand."
The clatter of his chains echoed as he stepped forward.

"I did what I did... because of a failure in leadership — a failure to see the future.
I didn't seek brutal domination. I sought true change.
A transformation that could free Cybertron from the rot of Sentinel's reign."
He paused, eyes flashing with a mix of pain and scorn.

"Sentinel Prime couldn't see that.
He didn't understand.
Killing him wasn't just removing a leader.
It was tearing down a symbol of stagnation.
A blockade against the change we needed."
Then, turning to face Optimus directly, he spoke with weight.

"You may not understand now, Prime...
But one day, you'll see — what I did had to be done."
The courtroom grew murky with uncertainty. Megatron's words stirred confusion among many, whispers rippling through the crowd.

He turned back to the tribunal, voice now steady, though it still carried a deep chill.

"I was once just a miner. Doing my part. No questions asked.
Until one day, I saw another mech trying to mix something into newly refined energon — something strange.
I followed him.
That's when I discovered a substance... 'Dark Energon.'"
Gasps rippled again. He continued.

"At first, I just wanted answers. Why was this hidden? What was it for?
But the deeper I dug, the darker the truth became.
This wasn't just about energy. It was about experiments. Dangerous ones.
Experiments that could alter the fate of us all."
He exhaled deeply, hesitating for a beat before pressing on.

"When I tried to reveal this, I wasn't thanked.
I was silenced — imprisoned.
That's when I learned: in a world of secrecy and control...
Sometimes, destruction is necessary for rebirth."
His voice was calm, but there was venom beneath it.

Starscream sat silently for a moment, calculating. Then — clang — the gavel rang again.

"This court has reviewed the testimony presented today," he said coldly.
"Due to the complexity of the events and the need for thorough consideration, today's session will be adjourned.
The inquiry will resume tomorrow."
Tension began to ease as quiet returned. Mechs rose slowly from their seats, the weight of the trial still heavy in their minds.

"Further evidence and testimonies may be submitted before the next session," Starscream added.
With one final slam of the gavel, he stood and departed the bench.

The trial was far from over — and the shadows of truth still stretched long over Cybertron.