Nobody has spoken to Megatron like this for centuries. Oh, of course Optimus Prime would try to talk him down every now and then, but thousands of years of war has a way of taking the edge of that kind of thing – Optimus, by now, had – rightly - run out of real hope that he might change Megatron's mind. And none of the indignant Autobots who from time to time confront him expect him to be anything more than a monster. But Orion still burns with disbelief and betrayal, far beyond what Megatron remembers of his reaction the first time their paths had split. After all, their opinions were not really so different then. Both of them have changed.

For a moment Megatron wonders, if he were shorn of his memories as his old enemy has been, what would his own past self think of the choices he has made? But he cuts that thought short: it does not matter, he tells himself, what he would have thought of this when he was younger; he was a fool, then, as Orion is – he would not have understood.

The hesitation only shows on his face for a moment, but he knows it has shown. He lets go of Orion, almost throwing the other bot away from him in rage and disgust, snarling, "Do not lecture me on the morality of war, Orion Pax! You know nothing of conflict! You know nothing of this war!" His optics narrow, and he pulls himself, a little, back together. "I did not come here to argue with you, Orion," he says; he still seems somehow unsteady, and there's a harsh bite to his words. He is no less angry. "I will not allow your chosen comrades to take what is rightfully mine."

With that he begins to back away, his eyes on fire with anger and hate. Then he transforms, launching himself into the air with a roar of engines, leaving behind only warm air and a slightly cracked road.