The roar of the crowd shook the arena, chanting Megatronus’ name. He stood tall, armor dented and gleaming, victorious once again. His crimson gaze swept the stands until it landed on the one he had demanded to be present—Orion Pax, sitting stiffly among the masses, utterly out of place.

With deliberate strides, Megatronus crossed the arena floor, silence slowly falling as the crowd sensed something unusual. He lifted a hand, gesturing sharply. “Orion,” his voice carried, deep and commanding, “come here.”

The archivist hesitated but obeyed, climbing down onto the stage. Megatronus turned to face him fully, then—shockingly—dropped to one knee. In his hand, he offered a gleaming fragment of crystallized energon, shaped like a bloom.

Before the entire audience, his tone softened. “I have conquered countless foes… but you are the only one who has conquered me. Orion Pax—will you be mine?”

The crowd erupted.