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Damnit Sentinel! Why must you be such a block head? Dumbaft. "I am sorry that you are so remarkably clueless as to how the real world operates" LOL You tell him Prowl

A/N: The end is near. I predict about 3 more chapters.

Still more obnoxious Sentinel, but only in the first scene and he gets knocked down a notch (or five).

Much love to Carriemus Prime and Hellkitty for the beta reads and big big hugs to my readers and reviewers.

ELITE GUARD HEADQUARTERS - OFFICE OF THE MAGNUS

Chromia sits in the hot seat, legs-crossed, hands cuffed and wings clamped. She has certainly seen better days but isn’t about to convey her disdain at the situation to the pompous bot returning her glare.

Sentinel hadn't said anything when the guards brought her in, simply looked her over with a variety of reactions from amusement to disgust. He'd then excused the guards after she sat down, but still didn’t say anything after they left. He'd taken his seat, leaning back in his chair, strumming his fingers on the desk.

This has gone on for a good, annoyingly long minute.

Who is this joker kidding? He’s trying to play the processor-fragging interrogator role and failing miserably at it. It’s not like she has anymore top secret information to give him. She wishes she did because that means she would have most likely talked to Megatron, but no. She’s as much in the dark to the Decepticon’s current status as Sentinel is, and he knows it. The only thing he’s proving with this current display is his unmatchable level of incompetence.

CHROMIA
(at her sassiest)
I see you’re still on your intelligence training wheels.

Sentinel drops the charade but bites back a retorting insult, attempting to maintain his cool.

SENTINEL
You watch your mouth, my dear, or—

CHROMIA
Or what!? You’ll arrest me? Send me to the stockades?

SENTINEL
(threatening)
Or the deactivation chamber.

CHROMIA
(narrowing her optics)
Anything’s an improvement to your company.

SENTINEL
(slamming his palm to the desk)
Enough! Can we get on task please?

CHROMIA
(leaning back in her chair and crossing her legs)
Fine.

SENTINEL
I know you were communicating privately with Optimus Prime and the Decepticons while we were in the Intel room.

CHROMIA
(admiring the wax job on her fingertips)
What gave it away? The fact that we made progress on our mission?

SENTINEL
Progress!? You call blowing your cover to the Quints progress?

CHROMIA
That had nothing to do with my private comm messages.

SENTINEL
Oh really? You don’t think your little session of passing love notes to Megatron distracted you from your task?

CHROMIA
(that comment pulled a glance from her)
No I don’t. My little session helped get Optimus and Megatron on the ship.

SENTINEL
(skeptical)
And what exactly did Megatron do on the ship that the Autobots could’ve have done themselves?

CHROMIA
Spark if I know, ask him!

SENTINEL
(with another slam to the desk)
Well what DO you know?

CHROMIA
(quick to retort)
A considerable amount more than you!

The magnus sweeps his arm across the desk, sending info pads and other various office supplies scattering to the floor. He springs up from his chair and points threatening finger to the femme.

SENTINEL
You’re walking a fine line, traitor.

She holds up her cuffed hands, unaffected by his attempt at intimidation.

CHROMIA
What have I got to lose?!

He scowls, his chin twitching in anger. She expects him to explode with pointless responses but instead he vents a heated gush of air and drops his gaze to the floor. A few moments of awkward silence hang in the room before he speaks up again, but this time his is voice soft; almost sorrowful.

SENTINEL
Why did you do it? …You had everything as an Autobot.

She looks at him with a puzzled expression.

CHROMIA
Everything? What’s your definition of everything?

Meeting her gaze with sincerity.

SENTINEL
Well…me?

CHROMIA
(rolling her optics)
Oh wow…you are unbelievable.

He steps around the desk and approaches her, squatting at her side.

SENTINEL
(attempting his best smile)
C’mon ‘Mia, I know you enjoyed it. (nudges her arm) We had fun together, you can’t deny that.

She glances at him with a cringe of insult.

CHROMIA
I’m a really good faker.

He stands up, planting his hands on his hips with a huff.

SENTINEL
You couldn’t have faked…everything?!

CHROMIA
I could and I did.

SENTINEL
I don’t believe you.

CHROMIA
(throwing her hands up)
Then why am I here?

SENTINEL
I mean I don’t beli—You know what I mean…(shoos her off) dauughh.

He returns to his desk, flopping into his chair with a bitter sneer.

CHROMIA
What else do you want to know?

He looks her over, contorting his frown into a pout.

SENTINEL
What made the smallest squid attack Swindle?

CHROMIA
His name is Sevax, and he remembered Swindle playing that trick on him.

SENTINEL
What trick?

CHROMIA
Does is matter now?

SENTINEL
(kicking a leg of his desk)
Cut the sass and tell me what happened!

CHROMIA
(gesticulating abruptly)
Primus, you were there in the Intel room, you heard what happened. Sevax realized Swindle tricked him then went after him! I wasn’t on the fraggin’ ship, I don’t know any more than you do to what EXACTLY happened. Swindle stopped comming me when Sevax left the bridge.

SENTINEL
Then tell me more about your plotting with Megatron.

The femme eases back in her chair and quirks a tiny smile at hearing the hallowed name spoken.

CHROMIA
He came into the Intel Room after you left. (her smile widens) He said he needed me…wanted me to get him access to the space bridge.

SENTINEL
(with more bitterness)
Which you did, obviously.

CHROMIA
Actually I didn’t. Optimus Prime did. Once we all…well, all of us but you, realized the ninjas couldn’t overpower the bridge defenses, Optimus insisted he and Megatron be warped onto the ship. I…knowing too well the overwhelming power of the Quint weapons, suggested they rally together the ‘cons in Kaon as well.

SENTINEL
How in the All Spark did they all get on the ship?

CHROMIA
(spoken like a true brat)
Same way the ninjas did, genius…transwarping.

SENTINEL
(slamming both fists on the desk)
Why did all this happen behind my back!?

CHROMIA
(matching his volume)
Because we had to act fast! If we stopped to get your permission first, your slow-aft deliberating would’ve sentenced us all to an apocalyptic fate.

SENTINEL
(rising up with a snap)
You don’t know that!

Chromia jerks out of her chair and advances on the desk, slamming her cuffed hand upon it. Sentinel’s taken back the by her expression; a rare, heated seriousness, screaming with bitter truth.

CHROMIA
On the contrary, I do. I know exactly how you operate…with failure! You bumble through everything and you would’ve bumbled through that mission and gotten us all scrapped. Optimus Prime knows this too, which is why we chose to cut you out of the loop.

SENTINEL
(in denial)
I’ve heard enough of your lies.

CHROMIA
But you haven’t heard enough of the truth…The truth about how you would still be Sentinel Minor the lowly drill sergeant if it weren’t for me, how every speech you barked to Ultra Magnus and the Council was influenced by (she flitters her clamped wings) my diplomatic power.

SENTINEL
(his expression darkening)
You didn’t.

CHROMIA
(her voice low and threatening)
I did. The populace would’ve elected Optimus as magnus if you didn’t have me as your puppeteer.

Sentinel stands silent, festering in disbelief as the femme’s stinging truths sink in.

SENTINEL
(shouting into his comm.)
Guards! Get back in here.

The femme steps back from the desk, her intent stare still locked threateningly on him.

CHROMIA
Lock me away in the deepest, darkest corner of the stockades if you like. Deny these truths till you’re bluer in the face. Continue on with your fanciful delusions…it won’t change the inevitable.

The pair of guards burst into the room, catching the flustered magnus’s attention.

SENTINEL
(attempting to sound commanding)
T-take her away.

They approach the femme on either side, one of them nodding stiffly to her to. She glances at each of them then looks back to Sentinel, cracking a wicked grin.

CHROMIA
It’s only a matter of time before everyone sees right through you…sees the incompetent coward you really are.

SENTINEL
(raising his voice)
Get her outta here, now! And see to it her insignia is removed at once!

The guards escort her to the door but she looks back over her shoulder, still haunting the rattled magnus with her grin.

CHROMIA
You’re NOTHING without me.

FLASHBACK - QUINTESSON SHIP - LABORATORY

Starscream repeatedly throws himself into the door, screeching sharp, panicked shouts that escalate in volume with each impact. Through the ship’s PA, a monotone androgynous voice counts down the cycles to the fate most feared by every living Cybertronian. Blackarachnia watches, stricken with worry as her hero’s futile efforts produce nothing more than scuffs of red paint on the door and dents in his shoulder plating.

STARSCREAM
(shouting between impacts)
Where…the spark…is Swindle?!

BLACKARACHNIA
Starscream, stop!

She grabs his forearm preventing his next lunge.

BLACKARACHNIA
He said he’d come back for us.

He yanks his arm from her claws and plows into the door again, yelping in frustrated pain as his shoulder armor cracks. He bangs his fist into the impenetrable door.

STARSCREAM
What is happening out there!? Why won’t he answer his comm!

The spider approaches him apprehensively, placing her hand on his split shoulder. His ventilation rate is dramatic, causing a steep rise and fall to his chest with each pass of air. She tries to calm him with her touch, gliding her other hand over the base of his wing and resting her chin on his shoulder.

BLACKARACHNIA
You need to calm down. I’m sure the Autobots have it under control. Optimus Prime said—

STARSCREAM
(interrupting)
Triggering the missile launch sequence is NOT under control…the reckless fools.

The seeker leans his forehead into the door, venting a gust of air that hints to hopelessness.

STARSCREAM
I knew it would come to this.

BLACKARACHNIA
(speaking softly into his audio)
Come to what? What are you talking about?

STARSCREAM
(with another slam to the door)
How could they be so careless!? Did they even stop and consider the possibility that oh, I don’t know…(his voice raises abruptly) The Quintessons weren’t bluffing about the missile!!

BLACKARACHNIA
They had a solid plan…something obviously went wrong.

He pushes off the door, yanking himself from her hold and throwing his arms out in a wide shrug.

STARSCREAM
Obviously!

He crosses the room, violently kicking an empty energon cube out of his path. Blackarachnia stays still at the door, watching him with concern as he paces nervously and continually runs his talons across his helmet.

STARSCREAM
One of those ninjas BETTER be capable of flight.

BLACKARACHNIA
And if they’re not?

Starscream freezes, dropping his hands to his sides and clenching is fists. The PA system announces the passing of another valuable cycle.

BLACKARACHNIA
Once the missile launches, how long before it detonates?

STARSCREAM
(with a hopeless shrug)
Spark if I know!

He turns toward the converter and starts powering it on, his movements abrupt. She watches questionably as he transfers the All Spark fragment to the specimen slide.

BLACKARACHNIA
What are you doing?

STARSCREAM
If you want to be cured (he cranks a couple knobs to the maximum setting and slams a few switches on) then you’d better do it now.

She stands puzzled, her mouth gaping and head shaking slightly.

BLACKARACHNIA
Now is hardly the appropriate time…(she pauses as her spark pulls heavily in her chest) and I thought we…

Starscream keeps his back turned to her as he looks over the readings on the gauges.

STARSCREAM
We may just die today but that shouldn’t stop you from attaining your goal. At least ONE of us will die with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

BLACKARACHNIA
(inching toward him)
What does that mean?

She slides her arms around his chest and presses her fleshy cheek against his back.

BLACKARACHNIA
(near whisper)
I already have a sense of fulfillment.

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHTCLUB – PRESENT TIME

Blackarachnia sips her energon cocktail, her four optics shrinking to slits as painful memories ping her spark. She has never felt more like a black widow then she does now. She thinks back to how his chassis felt against her cheek; how his hands felt on her body and how his lip tasted. All of these things happening only one solar cycle ago yet somehow it feels like a fleeting dream from her adolescent cycles.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her voice soft with sorrow)
That’s when you and Swindle got there.

Prowl sits across from her, his hands folded across the table. The pair of sleek black figures nearly disappears into the dark, plush fabric of their high-backed booth. The flickering light from the candle centered between them highlights their gold detailing and reflects off the ninja’s blue visor. He gazes sympathetically to the femme then unclasps his hands so he can rest one upon her blue-tipped claws.

PROWL
May I ask…what were you discussing when we arrived?

She looks appreciatively at the light-colored hand upon hers.

BLACKARACHNIA
He suggested I…(her shoulders sink and her optics dim) cure myself.

He responds with a furrowed brow and curious tilt to his head, pausing a moment before speaking.

PROWL
Why didn’t you?

The ninja’s blunt question almost makes her smile. If it were any other bot digging so brazenly at her psyche, they’d be properly introduced to her stingers, but not this bot. He’s the exception, one of the select few bots she’s willing to trust. He could have her arrested and tried for crimes against the human race and for treason to his faction, but he’s not going to do that and she knows it. He’s here for the truth; the same truth only a few participants in yesterday’s events know of. He deserves, at the very minimum, her sincerity; for the sake of his pure spark that recognized the same selfless purity in Starscream.

BLACKARACHNIA
Because…I was already cured.

After a long moment of silence, she looks to Prowl, her optics widening in expectation of a response, but he simply gazes at her with a genuine admiration. She slides her hand over his and squeezes it, her lips curling into a tiny smile.

BLACKARACHNIA
You have a good spark, Prowl. (her head shakes slightly in disbelief) How is it I keep finding myself in the company such noble bots.

PROWL
Are you referring to Starscream as well?

BLACKARACHNIA
(with a nod)
And Optimus Prime…It amazes me how your sparks find their way to each other and light our darkest hours.

PROWL
I…don’t understand.

BLACKARACHNIA
Optimus told me…about how you saved him.

Prowl keeps his stare fixed on her but his thoughts drift introspectively.

BLACKARACHNIA
Back on Earth…he said your spirit pulled him from the blast…and that he’s never felt closer to the All Spark than he did in that moment. (her gaze drops to the table) What I wouldn’t give to restore my spark to even a flicker of that purity.

She feels a tension prickle through his fingers and responds to it by squeezing his hand tighter.

PROWL
He spoke of that to me as well, but I have no recollection of it.

She meets his unreadable stare with revering gaze, allowing another tiny smile.

BLACKARACHNIA
There’s no need to be modest around me, hun. (she leans in closer, her curiosity fully piqued) I must know…what was it like?

PROWL
(growing uncomfortable)
What was what like?

BLACKARACHNIA
The Well. (her optics widened as she spoke the hallowed word) Who else was there? Do you think it’s possible that…Starscream is there?

Prowl drops his gaze and shifts uncomfortably in the booth.

PROWL
I…I can’t…(quickly avoiding the subject) You underestimate yourself.

The femme’s taken back by his unexpected answer.

PROWL
(continuing)
Your spark is pure. I witnessed more than a flicker of that yesterday in your actions toward Swindle.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSON SHIP – LABORATORY

The door whishes open, catching the surprised glances from Starscream and Blackarachnia. Prowl stands in the doorway with Swindle draped over his shoulder.

Just before they enter the lab, they’re bombarded by streams of tentacles from the hallway’s ceiling. Prowl reactively pulls Swindle back and slices through the threat with his throwing stars, but one tentacle slips by and stabs directly into Swindle’s cracked spark chamber. The dealer hollers in fearful agony, doubling over and landing on his hands and knees on the lab floor. Prowl unsheathes his energon blade and cuts through the seemingly endless assault, hacking through one tentacle after the other with skillful determination. Despite his quick reactions and elegant moves, the tentacles are too numerous and they begin engulfing him. Starscream doesn’t miss a beat of this and rushes to the door, pounding his fist on the close button and sparing the ninja of a fateful constriction.

Prowl staggers back, his heated stare fixed on the wriggling tentacles crushed in the door. In his periphery he sees Blackarachnia fall to Swindle’s side but isn’t jolted from his defensive trance until Starscream grips him by the shoulders.

STARSCREAM
Autobot! I need your help!

The seeker’s ardent red optics blaze into Prowl’s visor then shift their focus to his shoulders, his expression dropping to worry as he studies the ninja’s armor.

STARSCREAM
Where are your rocket boosters?!

PROWL
(refreshing his optics in questioning)
Somewhere along the highway between Iacon and Kaon. Why?

STARSCREAM
(lightly shaking the ninja)
What the spark are they doing there?!

Prowl opens his mouth to answer but is interrupted by a desperate cry for help from Blackarachnia. They both snap their attention to witness her cradling Swindle, her hand pressed against his fading and fully exposed spark.

BLACKARACHNIA
Look at me Swindle! Come on, stay with me!

The dealer can only groan weakly, his beady purple optics flickering erratically.

BLACKARACHNIA
Starscream! Bring me that All Spark fragment.

The seeker releases his grip on Prowl but remains still, staring at the scene in disbelief.

BLACKARACHNIA
Hurry, before it’s too late!

With urgency he crosses the room and retrieves shard then drops into a crouch next to the desperate pair.

STARSCREAM
You do realize you can’t cure yourself without this shard.

She lifts her hand off the quickly dimming chamber and meets the seeker’s concerned stare.

BLACKARACHNIA
(with a little frustration)
For once, Starscream, you’re the one who’s wrong, now put the shard in him.

Prowl approaches the scene, having heard every word of their brief conversation. He watches as Starscream places the shard in Swindle’s spark chamber and his own spark fills with a genuine admiration. The dealer’s chest cavity begins filling with a healing glow.

BLACKARACHNIA
(daring a smirk)
If you have any extra human influence to share with him, now’s the time.

STARSCREAM
(his expression strangely serious)
I need every last drop of my nobility for what needs to happen next.

Her smirk drops instantly but before she can question him, they’re engulfed by a blinding glow beaming from the injured dealer.

Prowl shields his optic visor as the glow reaches its pinnacle then lowers his hand the second he sees the light begin its retreat. Emerging from the floor, between the pair of stunned Decepticons is a shiny, restored, green and purple chassis.

Swindle springs to his feet, his hands splayed over his repaired chest, his optics wide and brighter than ever.

SWINDLE
(triumphantly)
Wow, I feel fantastic!

Half a dozen weapon mods suddenly pop from his back and shoulders, much to his surprise.

SWINDLE
(looking over his shoulders)
My oh my! I forgot about some of these babies.

Prowl can’t hold back a chuckle but his mirth is interrupted by an urgent message in his comm.

OPTIMUS PRIME
[Prowl! We need your help on the bridge.]

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHTCLUB – PRESENT TIME

PROWL
(his petite mouth quirked in a smile)
You should have seen Swindle fight those tentacles. While I’m not an advocate of vengeance or flashy modifications, I will not deny how impressed I was by his use of both. He was a valuable asset to our battle, possibly the final force that tipped the scale in our favor…and we have you to thank for that.

The spider smiles sincerely as she stares into her cocktail. She sees the reflection of her four optics in the pink liquid but for the first time since her accident, this visage doesn’t bother her. In fact, it fills her with pride as she thinks back to the conversations that paved the way for her new self-image. She replays Starscream’s blunt but honest words in her processor: foolish, bigoted, blind…beautiful.

It doesn’t take long before her pride is washed away by pain, but not a pain she’s used to. She wonders if this is pain is comparable to what Optimus felt when he thought Elita One went offline. Is it possible that he cared so deeply? That he loved her? She knows she loved him once but he has no place in her life now. He doesn’t see her for who she is…not the way Starscream did. His is the only spark hers longs for; the one spark she hopes continues his pattern of immortality. It’s only a matter of time before he resurfaces and when he does, she’ll be waiting. But how long does she have to wait?

PROWL
Blackarachnia?

The smooth voice snaps her back into the conversation. Prowl tilts his head curiously, trying to read her.

PROWL
Are you able to tell me what happened after Swindle and I left the lab?

Her shoulders slump and her gaze drops to the table. She wraps both hands around her drink, her claws tracing the smooth curve of the glass. Prowl places a reassuring hand upon her arm.

PROWL
If it is too difficult then—

BLACKARACHNIA
(interrupting)
No…I can tell you. You need to know…everyone needs to know…(she fights back the lump in her throat) He was so brave.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSON SHIP – LABORATORY

Blackarachnia and Starscream are still seated on the floor where Swindle had been. They watch in awe through the open door of the lab and into the hall as Prowl and Swindle tear through the tentacles with ease. Swindle chuckles pompously as his mods do most of the work, blasting, chopping and shredding. Prowl is almost frustrated that every tentacle he slices through is a lifeless remnant of the dealer’s carnage.

STARSCREAM
(genuinely impressed)
I never knew he had it in him.

The spider shifts her attention to Starscream, rising to her knees and scooting closer to him. With a light tug to his cheek, she turns his head to look at her, her optics beaming in paranoia.

BLACKARACHNIA
What happens now?

She watches regrettably as his smile fades and his optics narrow when they meet hers. He vents deeply as her hand lingers on his cheek, her thumb inching toward his lips.

STARSCREAM
(his tone dark)
Do I really need to tell you?

He brings her other hand up to the side of his head then presses her hands against helmet.

STARSCREAM
Use you power on me.

BLACKARACHNIA
What? Why?

STARSCREAM
(with urgency)
You’ll need my null ray to blast through any remaining tentacles on your way to the bridge. Now, use your power, quickly. I need to…get to the missile.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her optics widen in fear)
You don’t have to do this! Didn’t you hear Prowl’s conversation with Optimus? The other ‘cons are here, on the bridge. Lugnut, Blitzwing…Megatron even…all of them can fly and they’re not (she glances at his wing restraints)…encumbered.

STARSCREAM
(lecturing somewhat tactlessly)
Blackarachnia, I know you are not deaf and you can hear the countdown just as clearly as I can. I also know you are not stupid. You know damn well Megatron and the others won’t listen to me, especially if I try to convince them to put their sparks on the line. Now, please…use your power on me.

She opens her mouth to protest but can’t formulate any words. Her ventilation rate increases as her spark sinks heavily. She stares at him desperately, memorizing every detail of his face.

Her forearms and blue fingertips light up causing a crackling energy field to grow between her hands and his helmet. Starscream tilts his head back and clenches his teeth, riding out the static shock with a strained groan. She gasps at the unexpected mass of information that floods her processor, her optics widening in surprise.

BLACKARACHNIA
What was that?

He doesn’t respond but relaxes in relief as the energy dies down and the information transfer finishes. He regains his characteristic smirk and meets her optics again.

STARSCREAM
Was it good for you too?

She doesn’t acknowledge his joke and instead presses into an intense kiss, throwing her arms around his neck and squeezing tightly. Her spark hitches in the few moments when she feels him tense in her embrace but she chases her doubts away when his hands brush across her arms, over her shoulders then down her back. He wraps his talons around her waist then rises from the floor, bringing her with him so their kiss doesn’t break. He pulls her body tightly against his and moans softly into her mouth.

She could have melted in passion, relishing every detail of him; his warmth, his strength, his intensity… and his fear. She breaks the kiss with a gasp as she feels his spark cry out to hers. She stares into him, ready to split wide open at the desperation and uncertainty beaming from his optics. She had seen him frightened before, usually right before he was blasted by Megatron’s fusion-cannon, but the fear staring at her in this moment was an entirely different creature.

Since his resurrection he’s been strong and confident, surprising her at every turn with his reassuring logic and valuable advice. She owes him everything and wishes more than anything that she had the ability to fly so she could spare him of this inevitable danger, but she knows that’s not possible. She can borrow many powers but flight is not one of them. All she can think to offer him in this moment is optimism; a tactic she filed away long ago as useless but decides this is the appropriate moment to pull it from the dusty catacombs of her Autobot programming.

BLACKARACHNIA
(leaning her forehead against his)
You’ll be fine.

Her words dance across his lips and hearing them out loud fills her with a hope that they’re true. She kisses him again, moaning lightly as her next urge of reassurance presses to be spoken.

BLACKARACHNIA
(whispering)
Nothing can extinguish your spark… (she pauses her thought to sneak a quick kiss) Especially not some stupid Quintesson weapon.

They steal a few more kisses, tilting their heads to a new angle between each kiss. Starscream’s mouth quivers into a smile and Blackarachnia bites back a sob. He nuzzles his nose into her cheek, holding fast to his smile.

STARSCREAM
I don’t intend to stick around for the detonation.

BLACKARACHNIA
(slipping a quick chuckle between sobs)
You better not.

Her smile fades quickly as she pushes into a final, passionate and spark wrenching kiss. His hands drop from her helmet onto her shoulders then press lightly in an attempt to separate them. The unbearable and inevitable moment forces a whimper from her but she relents to pull away.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her voice wavering)
How are you going to transform with those restraints on?

He releases her and heads for the exit, stopping in the doorway to look back with a crooked, nervous smile.

STARSCREAM
(his voice small and unsure)
Don’t need to transform. (he glances down to his feet) Thrusters work fine.

He activates the hologram mod and disappears just before entering the hallway.

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHTCLUB – PRESENT TIME

Blackarachnia stares at what remains of her cocktail, swirling it around in the bottom of her glass.

BLACKARACHNIA
That was the last time I saw him.

Prowl doesn’t respond. He’s silenced by the final image painted in is head; the image of a smile one gives when embarking into the frightening realm of the unknown.

Vibes strolls up to their booth, serving tray tilting precariously on her fingertips. Everything about her is slowed down as her Independence Day hangover drags heavily on her chassis. Her droopy optics manage a glance between the spider’s face and her near-empty glass, offering only a nod as a means to suggest a refill. Blackarachnia responds with a grateful nod then drops her sorrowful gaze back down. Vibes doesn’t have the energy to play therapist tonight and instead averts her attention to the familiar ninja; the one who enjoys bringing disruptive customers to her club. A single raised brow is the only communication she offers him.

PROWL
(casting her a quick glance)
I am fine, thank you.

She continues to look him over skeptically, planting her hand on her jutted hip.

VIBES
Yar friends comin’ by tonight?

The ninja replies with another glance and a quick, stiff shake of his head. The femme relaxes and turns away, muttering as she ambles off.

VIBES
Good ting…I have not da strenght ta deal wit der reeff rawff tonight.

Prowl starts fidgeting with a napkin, his processor spinning as he mulls over a pinging question. He wasn’t sure how much he should keep pressing the femme, what with only a solar cycle passing since the painful event, but his curiosity is tough to suppress. He knows now, without a doubt, Starscream was ready to sacrifice himself but whether he actually went through with it is still up for debate.

PROWL
I’m…confused about a portion of your story.

Blackarachnia lifts two of her four droopy optics to him.

PROWL
How did you fend off the tentacles in the hallway without his null ray?

She furrows her uppermost brow, refreshing her optics with confusion.

PROWL
I assume the effects had already worn off by the time you left the laboratory.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her voice hinting to pride)
My webs were more than adequate to handle a few pathetic tentacles. Starscream was just being overly cautious.

PROWL
Are you sure? You said you felt a rush of information. Is that typical when you upload a borrowed ability?

The spider refreshes her optics some more, her processor rebooting out of her energon haze as she ponders over the ninja’s question. Suddenly, her optics pop wide with wonder. She purposely tips her glass over, spilling the remaining energon then dragging a single a claw through the pink liquid. She scribbles some numbers and math symbols on the table.

Her actions have captured Prowl’s undivided attention and he quickly makes out her scribbling to be an equation.

PROWL
What is that?...A formula?

Blackarachnia raises her dumbfounded stare to the blue optic visor which beams curiosity back to her. She lingers in the stare a bewildered moment then drops her jaw in a slapping realization.

BLACKARACHNIA
That clever son-of-glitch.

Oh wow, no matter how many times I read it I still tear up at that Starscream scene.

I really, really like this chapter. We get to see a side to Blackarachnia that nobody else has shown before. This is a chapter with all the right amounts of angst, action, sorrow and humour.

Loved it!! ^___^

Holy Slag...

Starscream....

The only thing that can truly describe that is clever son-of-a-glitch. A fine addition to a fine story. I'll be sad once this all ends.

A/N: HUGE update this week, too huge to contain in one chapter.

xoxo to antepathy and Optimus Bob, my faithful beta readers. ^_^

Armorock, since you made it through all the fangirly scenes without complaint, here's some action for you, packed full of 'con goodness.

Quickfire, thx for the !

Tidbits:
-Corrodia Gravis is extremely obscure TF comics canon, but it's canon nonetheless. Although I made up the bit about Starscream's history with it.
-Poor Prowl has been taken through yet another angsty rollercoaster. I didn't plan that, it just happened and I honestly don't know what the point of it was other than some juicy drama.
-Lastly, I am clearly not an expert on the workings of missile guidance systems. =P


BLASTER & VIBES NIGHT CLUB – PRESENT TIME

Optimus is lucky to find a table. The place is packed for a week night, much to his surprise. Cybertron’s population, outside of the Elite Guard and the small band of Decepticons, had been completely unaware of the Quintesson threat but apparently a large number of them have the urge to continue their Independence Day revelries.

Optimus hadn’t been here before but he figures it’s the best place to meet with his old academy mate for the inevitable interrogation. He hopes the club’s neutral standing and location will pull Sentinel out of his magnus role just long enough to recall that he and Optimus were once close friends and therefore be more apt to listen with an open processor. He hadn’t expected Sentinel to agree to meet him here, but oddly enough the mech did. Their comm call to arrange the meeting had left Optimus curious, given the strangely sedated tone of Sentinel’s voice. He had sounded distant, almost disturbed.

Optimus nods appreciatively to Vibes as she serves him a cube of high grade. He typically doesn’t drink but considering the mech he’s about to meet with, he figures it couldn’t hurt. He glances up after a sip just as said mech approaches the table, looking the club over skeptically before taking his seat.

SENTINEL
Why the spark did you want to meet here? (takes another sweeping view of the club) There’s plenty of places like this in Iacon. Why’d you make me drive all the way out—

OPTIMUS PRIME
(interrupting)
Because it’s blind to faction. (he stares intently at the royal blue bot) Just as we all were yesterday.

The doubting magnus leans back in his chair, holding the prime’s stare a moment before catching Vibes’s attention with a brash wave. He points to Optimus’s cube and signals her to bring two more.

SENTINEL
(focusing back on Optimus)
Seems to me this neutral trend has carried over from yesterday.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Yes…and let’s hope it stays that way.

Sentinel smiles and nods with what only could be described as bitterness. His gaze drops to the table and he leans his forehead into his palm, venting a gust of air.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(with genuine concern)
Something wrong?

The large blue chin bobs up and down with more nodding.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(his voice deep but soft)
Is it…Chromia?

Another gust of air vents from the uncharacteristically distressed magnus followed by more nodding.

Optimus opens his mouth to speak but can’t find the words before Vibes appears with a pair of full cubes. She looks over Sentinel with an acute curiosity, setting the cubes down gently then placing her hand on his shoulder.

VIBES
You have no reason to be blue.

Optimus quirks a questioning glance to her which she counters with a wink.

VIBES
Unless, of course, ya brought it on yarself.

She turns away with a proud smile and disappears into the social hum drum. Sentinel can only respond with a grumble as he tilts the entire contents of a cube down his throat. He slams the empty cube down and wipes his arm across his frown.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Do you want to talk about it?

SENTINEL
About what?

OPTIMUS PRIME
You know…you…her…a broken spark.

SENTINEL
(lacking sincerity)
A broken spark…sure…that’s what’s eating me…(his voice drifts introspectively) a broken spark.

He shakes his head and grabs his second cube, downing it as quickly as the first.

SENTINEL
(slamming his cube down)
But enough about me. (he clears his throat and attempts to regain his composure) I need you to tell me what happened with that missile. Is it true you put your spark on the line to redirect its course?

Optimus sighs at his comrade’s typically dismissive behavior. Here he thought, just for a moment, the mech might actually show his fabled genuine side. Letting it go, the prime stares into his untouched cube, his thoughts drifting back. The side of his mouth curls into a disbelieving smile.

OPTIMUS PRIME
I wasn’t the only one.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSON SHIP – TRANSPORT ROOM

Two commanding silhouettes phase onto the warp platform, both of similar shape with their narrow waists and broad chassis but one considerably larger than the other and carrying a large cannon attached to one arm.

MEGATRON
(speaking loudly over the shrill alarms)
How long must we wait for my Decepticons to be transported?

The anxious tyrant steps down off the platform, his silver chassis reflecting the emergency red lighting, making him appear all the more menacing. The prime follows his lead, relieved to have this formidable figure on his side.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Bulkhead said they’d be right behind us.

As Optimus spoke these words, the transwarp platform hums to life again, its area filling with the materializing image of three familiar and intimidating forms. Lugnut, Blitzwing and Shockwave emerge from the glow, all three of them locking threatening glares to the red and blue Autobot standing next to their leader.

HOTHEAD BLITZWING
Ve are here, Lord Megatron. (he approaches Optimus with balled fists) You no longer need ze help of zis...pezky Autobot.

Optimus stands his ground, staring deep into the red optic visor and gap-toothed scowl, refusing to convey the uneasiness building in his spark. He was at the mercy of Megatron’s orders now, a fact that made every circuit shrink under his plating.

MEGATRON
Stand down, Blitzwing. Now is not the time to feed our grudges.

Lugnut forcefully tugs his three-face comrade back and narrows his most prominent optic at him.

LUGNUT
We attack when our glorious leader commands us to attack.

The prime vents a hint of relief allowing himself the slightest of grateful nods to his unlikely ally. He then shifts his attention to the screaming alarms and computerized voice counting down the launch.

OPTIMUS PRIME
We need to get to the bridge.

He pulls the ship’s map onto his HUD then signals for the four towering mechs to follow him.

They move as a group into the hallway, the Decepticons dutifully in step with their leader. Megatron slows his stride, signaling his soldiers as they pass by him questioningly, to keep following the prime. Optimus stops and turns around upon hearing the commotion, catching Megatron’s optic.

MEGATRON
You go on ahead. I have my own matters to attend to.

Optimus pushes past the ‘cons and approaches Megatron with concern.

OPTIMUS PRIME
We should stick together as a team.

MEGATRON
(unwavering)
I have a cowardly traitor to track down.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Forget him, Megatron. We need you on the bridge.

MEGATRON
If my soldiers do not prove adequate in your battle then contact me via commlink. (he turns and walks away) But I highly doubt you’ll need to. They are quite powerful allies.

The ‘cons puff up in pride but Optimus vents a frustrated sigh.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Alright, Autob-- …Decepticons, let’s move.

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHT CLUB – PRESENT TIME

SENTINEL
You were leading them?

OPTIMUS PRIME
Yeah…hard to believe right?

SENTINEL
They didn’t put up any resistance?

OPTIMUS PRIME
No. Megatron ordered them to follow me…so they followed.

SENTINEL
What about Megatron? Did he find Starscream?

OPTIMUS PRIME
I’m not certain what happened to Starscream.

SENTINEL
Your ninjabot seems to think he was on our side.

OPTIMUS PRIME
What? Prowl said…?

SENTINEL
Yeah, he said he’d been communicating with that weasel even before we knew about the Quint threat. He said Starscream was the (he pauses to chuckle in disbelief)…big hero in all this. Starscream! (his chuckles erupt into a guffaw then die down into snickers) Poor Prowl really needs to recharge.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(doubtful)
He never told me that. Are you sure?

SENTINEL
Positively. (waves it off) Bah! Whatever, unimportant. Get back to your story. What happened on the bridge?

Optimus takes a sip of his energon, his processor still chewing on the new, unsettling information.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(speaking somewhat distantly)
We got there just in time. Jazz’s team was looking pretty bad and Lockdown and Sari were backed into a corner.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSON SHIP – BRIDGE

Optimus Prime and the three Decepticons burst onto the scene, weapons readied. They immediately catch the attention of Jazz and the ninja team, as well as the Quintessons whose faces shift from War to Death.

JAZZ
Now that’s what I call back up.

Hothead Blitzwing steps into the fray, punching away any tentacle in his path and looking over the scene with a wild reflection dancing across his optic visor. He locks focus onto the pair of egg-shaped antagonists hiding behind the glass barrier.

HOTHEAD BLITZWING
Ze enemy has been spotted!

His shoulder guns cock forward as he pushes through the wriggling chaos and approaches the center platform. He meets the glare of a pair of falsely confident Death faces then lightly raps on the transparent shield. His face switches to Random and a deranged grin spreads across it.

DELIBERATA
Psychotic imbecile! You have not the power to breech our defenses.

RANDOM BLIZTWING
Vhat vas zhat you say? You vant ze deep fried calamari? (switching to Hothead) Coming right up!

He blasts the barrier with a rush of firepower, causing the two aliens to flinch fearfully.

Optimus Prime plows his axe through the wriggling bombardment streaming from the walls and ceiling. His movements are strong and deliberate. He glances at Jazz between swings and it stings his spark to see the elite ninja’s chassis lacerated and the headlights cracked. Jazz twirls his nunchucks with elegance and precision but he’s unable to mask his exhaustion. Optimus fights his way to him and they position themselves in a back-to-back fighting stance.

OPTIMUS PRIME
How are you holding up?

Jazz tears through a couple tentacles, his grunts strained and almost painful.

JAZZ
Still on my pedes.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(surveying the room)
Where’s Prowl?

JAZZ
Took off with Swindle. I didn’t catch the low down as to why but I figure they went for the missile.

OPTIMUS PRIME
The missile!? (chops through another tentacle with a grunt) He better not try anything risky.

JAZZ
Man…don’t say that.

The ship’s voice announces the passing of another cycle, catching the prime’s attention.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Is that countdown what I think it is?

JAZZ
Word. (he kicks his leg free of a tentacle threatening to wrap around it) But it’s not as bad as all that, I mean…we have a plan right?

OPTIMUS PRIME
According to Blackarachnia, any flyer can redirect its trajectory after it’s launched. It worries me that Prowl and Swindle are the only ones who have gone after it, though. Can Swindle fly?

JAZZ
Don’t think so, but neither can Prowl. He ain’ got his boosters on.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Thank Primus…(he chops another tentacle) but that still doesn’t solve our root problem of stopping that missile.

A half-dozen tentacles suddenly converge onto the prime and the ninja, taking them by surprise. They struggle against the constricting threat, quickly losing ground. Their plight is short-lived, however, as a large green claw sweeps over them, yanking the tentacles clean out of the ceiling.

LUGNUT
You Autobots talk too much!

The lumbering bomber fires his missiles into the ceiling, taking out an entire quadrant of tentacle-spawning panels. He clears a path to Lockdown and Sari.

LUGNUT
Go help your precious organic and that wretched undecided.

The Autobot pair complies gratefully, slinking past the giant Decepticon. Lugnut switches his attention to Blitzwing and narrows his largest optic in annoyance as he watches the heated triple changer futilely blow-torching the shield.

LUGNUT
Blitzwing! Stop being useless!

He moves toward his comrade, ripping away any tentacle that dares cross his path.

BLITZWING
(switching to Icy and rubbing his chin quizzically)
Perhaps I need a new approach.

Shockwave approaches Blitzwing from the side, blasting away stray tentacles with his arm cannon.

SHOCKWAVE
You need to alternate your attacks. Extreme temperature changes will weaken the integrity of the shield’s molecular bonding.

The lead Quintesson fills with a raging fear upon hearing this. He frantically taps some commands into the small control console hovering next to his captain’s chair.

A bombardment of tentacles come streaming from the adjacent walls and instantly engulf the three Decepticons, wrapping tight around their arms and necks. They fight to pull free, growling and tugging fiercely, but to no avail.

The Quintessons laugh sinisterly at the sight of this, switching faces a couple times just so they can cackle with multiple voices.

DELIBERATA
You fools do not have the strength nor the energon to take on ALL of our defenses.

Optimus kept his optic on the center stage the entire time, not missing a beat of the Decepticons’ predicament. He and Jazz meet up with Warpath and Firestar who are also working their way over to the corner that Lockdown and Sari are trapped in.

OPTIMUS PRIME
We need to get Deliberata away from the control console and the only way we’re going to do that is to break through that shield.

WARPATH
If you cover me, I’ll head over there. (he fiercely slices his katanas through a couple tentacles) Then I’ll give that shield and those aliens a KAPOW, BA—

OPTIMUS PRIME
No, you’re needed here. We need to keep these tentacles off of Sari and Lockdown. Jazz and Firestar are losing energon fast and won’t be able to keep it up on their own.

FIRESTAR
(leaning into Warpath’s back and speaking weakly)
We’ll be fine…I just need a…need a breather.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(casting a femme a doubting look then speaking into his comm)
Prowl, we need you on the bridge.

FIRESTAR
Do you really think Prowl alone can tip the scales in our favor?

JAZZ
You’d be surprised, sista.

PROWL
(from Optimus’s comm)
[Are you on the ship?]

OPTIMUS PRIME
Yes, and so are Megatron and the ‘cons.

PROWL
[Then why do you need me? I believe my assistance is needed with the missile.]

OPTIMUS PRIME
No! (switches to silent comm speak) [Please Prowl…no. Don’t make me give you a direct order.]

PROWL
[Prime, the deactivation of that missile is more important than…]

Optimus hears some voices the background.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Who’s there with you? Is that Swindle?

PROWL
[Yes, we’re here with Blackarachnia and Sta—]

OPTIMUS PRIME
(interrupting)
Blackarachnia? Is she okay?

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHTCLUB – PRESENT TIME

BLACKARACHNIA
Seen better cycles, but thanks for asking.

Optimus and Sentinel snap their attention to the pair of sleek black figures standing over the table.

PROWL
Mind if we join you?

Optimus rises, pulling a chair out for the femme and giving her a valiant smile. She takes a seat returning his kindness with a sweet smile and a squeeze to his arm.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(glancing to Prowl)
What are you two doing here?

PROWL
Same as you I’m guessing.

Sentinel glances skeptically between the ninja and the spider and she returns his glance with a repulsed sneer.

SENTINEL
(sneering back at the femme but speaking to Prowl)
There some information you’re withholding from me, Prowl?

Optimus offers his seat to Prowl then borrows a chair for himself from the next table over.

PROWL
(taking a seat with a grateful nod to his prime)
I withheld nothing, Sentinel Magnus. You simply refused to trust me.

BLACKARACHNIA
(a raised brow stretching her disgusted expression)
Why does that not surprise me.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(pausing with concern before taking his seat)
What do you mean, Prowl? (looking to Sentinel) Is this about Starscream?

PROWL
Yes. Our magnus won’t accept the truth that Starscream is the unsung hero.

BLACKARACHNIA
(snapping at Sentinel)
Why you filthy piece of—

OPTIMUS PRIME
Blackarachnia please.

He places a calming hand on her shoulder.

SENTINEL
(glaring at the spider but addressing everyone)
How do expect me to believe that flying snake would be capable of anything besides wreaking havoc? (focusing on Optimus) You remember your Great War history don’t you? (pointing a finger to the femme) I know you do because you did my homework for me in that class.

BLACKARACHIA
That doesn’t matter now. That was a long time ago and Starscream is different now.

PROWL
(raising his hand apprehensively)
I didn’t do my academy homework but even if I did, I don’t see how past events from a useless conflict could possibly alter what we experienced firsthand with Starscream.

BLACKARACHNIA
They don’t, Prowl. As usual, Sentinel has no slaggin’ clue what he’s talking about.

SENTINEL
(slamming his fist down)
You will address me as Magnus and I know exactly what I’m talking about. You’ve all heard of Corrodia Gravis right? The nanovirus that wiped out countless soldiers on both sides of the battlefront? Who do you think invented that nasty little bug? It wasn’t Megatron. He didn’t even approve of it.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Please Sentinel, we don’t need a history lesson now. Blackarachnia’s right, it’s beside the point.

Blackarachnia folds her arms across her chest, tossing the magnus a snooty ‘so there’ nod.

OPTIMUS PRIME
However, I know for a fact that Starscream was nowhere to be found after the missile launched.

BLACKARACHNIA
That’s because he was WITH the missile, flying it out of Cybertronian air space.

OPTIMUS PRIME
No, he wasn’t. I’m sorry…but it was Megatron and I that took care of the missile and we saw no trace of Starscream.

BLACKARACHNIA
(gaping in heartbroken disbelief)
How can that be?

PROWL
I…I don’t understand.

Sentinel leans back in his chair, crossing his arms pompously.

SENTINEL
Finally, someone’s coming clean with the truth. Shoulda known it’d be you Optimus…can’t get enough of the hero spotlight can ya? (nudges a couple fingers into Prowl’s arm and grins stupidly) Watch out, ninjabot. You might have some competition for that spot in the Hall of Heroes.

PROWL
(scowling at the Magnus is disgust)
You are insufferable.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(dropping his face into his palm and venting a long sigh)
He’s had a couple cubes.

BLACKARACHNIA
(snapping at Optimus)
Don’t make excuses for him!

OPTIMUS PRIME
(popping his head up and gesticulating desperately)
I’m not! I’m just trying to… (another sigh) Do you all want to hear what happened or what?

SENTINEL
You just said what happened. You and Megatron took care of the missile. (applauds condescendingly) Bravo, excellent work. You saved the planet and made one of its most feared tyrants martyr himself. That’s quite the multi-tasking and certainly one for the history books.

The three just stare slack-jawed at the overcharged magnus.

SENTINEL
(continuing obliviously)
The real question is, how did the head Quint escape? What was there like, ALL of you on the ship’s bridge and you still let one (he stops to count with his fingers) one THIRD of the enemy escape!?

BLACKARACHNIA
(springing from her chair)
I can’t handle any more of this!

She stomps off into the crowd, clipping a couple shoulders as she goes then storming out the exit.

PROWL
(looking upon Sentinel in pity)
Are you naturally gifted with such superb social skills or is it a learned ability?

SENTINEL
(with a careless shrug)
Little a’both.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Look Sentinel, I don’t know how Deliberata escaped. I had already left the bridge by then to help Megatron with the missile, and he didn’t martyr himself, by the way…(his voice shifts into slight mourning) My jetpack did.

PROWL
(speaking up regretfully)
I know how Deliberata escaped…(he instantly captures the curious attention of the other two Autobots) It was my fault.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSON SHIP – BRIDGE

Prowl and Swindle burst through the bridge doors, expecting a welcoming assault of tentacles and not having their expectations shot down. With a wide grin, the dealer unleashes his collection of buffed mods onto the flailing force, clearing a path toward the center of the room. Prowl darts his glance around, shocked to see the state of defeat the ‘cons and the ninjas are in. Blitzwing, Shockwave and Lugnut writhe fearfully in the grip of the tentacles. The ninja team is backed into a corner, Warpath and Lockdown taking the brunt of the assault while Jazz, Firestar and Sari struggle against their own exhaustion.

Optimus Prime chops his way over to Prowl and Swindle, his chassis severely lacerated and his windshield cracked but his strength not faltering in the slightest.

OPTIMUS PRIME
I need you two to help the ‘cons. I believe they know of a way to break through that shield.

PROWL
What are you going to do?

Optimus turns toward the door but squeezes Prowl’s shoulder confidently before walking away.

PROWL
(reaching out to him)
Optimus!

The ninja cuts himself off, silenced by the irony of the situation. He forces himself to let his leader go, knowing well the prime is doing exactly what his spark is telling him to do.

Swindles pushes to the center platform, making short work of the tentacles with his shoulder blasters and arm cannon. Prowl quickly closes the gap between them, taking refuge once again in the wake of the one bot wrecking crew.

DELIBERATA
Swindle! How dare you continue to defy us?! You owe us your very existence.

SWINDLE
(unbothered)
Yeah, about that. (he blasts Blitzwing free of the tentacles) I decided it’s high time I traded my creators in for a newer model. One that comes will a full money-back guarantee and doesn’t suck afterburner on in cosmic proportions.

Icy Blitzwing immediately unleashes a torrent of cold onto the Quintesson’s shield.

BLITZWING
I am happy to see you finally allied yourself vis us, Svindle.

He switches to Hothead then blasts the layer of ice with a massive flame.

HOTHEAD BLITZWING
But don’t expect me to like you yet!

Swindle frees Lugnut of the wriggling constraints while Prowl cuts Shockwave loose.

Blitzwing switches back to Icy and covers the heated shield with another sheet of ice.

ICY BLITZWING
You vould no doubt be plotting against us again if ze planet’s livelihood vere not at stake.

LUGNUT
(rearing back his balled fist)
Is this discussion really necessary, Blitzwing?

The massive ‘con plows his punch into the ice, shattering it into hundreds of shards and creating a small crack in the shield. Panic washes over the Quintessons’ death faces and they cower back to the opposite side of the cylindrical shield.

RANDOM BLITZWING
Ooohhh, Lugnut. You vere always good at breaking ze ice!

The triple-changer blasts a mix of hot and cold directly onto the crack in the shield.

RANDOM BLITZWING
Sorry Qvintezzons, but haven’t you heard ze old saying? Two faces’s company, three’s a thrill, four’s too many and five is overkill.

He unleashes another blast of fire and ice, which causes the Quintessons to cower even more. The sound of cracking glass fills the room and Swindle’s smile spreads like the crack up the shield.

SWINDLE
Shockwave! Blitzwing! Lemme see those sexy tank models of yours.

The two ‘cons look at each other with wide, realizing optics then transform excitedly into their requested mode.

SWINDLE
Lugnut, you still have that fine quality mace I sold you eons ago?

Lugnut proudly removes the weapon from his back and equips it into both claws.

SWINDLE
Excellent!

The hopped-up dealer blasts a few tentacles that threaten to spoil his high.

DELIBERATA
(panicked)
Swindle, you will pay dearly for this!

SWINDLE
Pay?! (he chuckles heartily) You should know by now Del, I don’t pay dearly for anything. (he looks back over his shoulder to Prowl) You might wanna step back to a safe distance.

The ninja complies, his optics wide with anticipation behind the visor. He glances to the pack of ninjas catching Lockdown’s attention. The hunter tosses him a ‘what’s the story’ gesture and Prowl replies with an ‘everything will be fine’ nod. He sees a pair of beady blue optics pop out from behind Lockdown’s foot and a small brown hand point with warning in his direction.

SARI
Prowl, behind you!

Before the ninja can react, a pair of tentacles wrap tightly around his arms. He strains to free himself but the grip is too tight. He catches an intent glare from the head Quintesson moments before the deafening combined blast from the tanks’ cannons roars into the shield, turning the one crack into hundreds of branching splits. Through the chaos, Prowl keeps his focus on Deliberata and sees him pull a large blaster from a compartment in the captain’s chair.

Lugnut swings his mighty mace back over his shoulder, causing Swindle, Bliztwing and Shockwave to back up in fearful anticipation. They know their hulking comrade is the final force needed to break the barrier and Lugnut doesn’t disappoint them. When the mace strikes the shield, a shattering explosion ensues, sending thousands of splintered shards flying in every direction.

Shockwave immediately blasts the defense control panel, causing all the tentacles in the room to go limp.

Prowl drops to his knees, relieved to free of the restraints but winces painfully at the crushed metal on his arms.

Blitzwing pops into robot mode then covers Brinn in a sheet of cold, imprisoning him in a block of ice. He switches to Hothead then darts his glance around searching for Deliberata and growling through his gapped teeth when he doesn’t see him.

Prowl feels a presence approach him and looks up, expecting to see Jazz or Lockdown but instead finds himself staring into the barrel of a menacing alien blaster.

The ninja team gasps in unison upon seeing this then emerge from their corner shoving and kicking limp tentacles out of their path. Jazz pushes past Warpath to the front of the pack, his spark shrinking in horror when he sees Deliberata’s tentacle twitching unsteadily on the blaster’s trigger.

The Decepticons stand in silence as well, cursing themselves for letting the head Quintesson slip through their grasp during the chaos.

DELIBERATA
Let me escape and I might spare this pathetic bot a painful offlining. Now, everyone, throw your weapons down.

Prowl looks regretfully over the many sets of optics staring back at him, his spark stinging from the mix of exhaustion, rage and fear beaming from them. His focus stops on Jazz’s desperate gaze.

PROWL
Don’t do it.

Jazz shakes his head then throws his nun chucks down. Sari follows suit and retracts her energon blades and Lockdown reluctantly lowers his chainsaw.

PROWL
(with a defeated whisper)
No.

Warpath and Firestar throw down their weapons a moment later then look to the Decepticon with expectation.

Swindle scowls at this, his optics widening in paranoia.

HOTHEAD BLITZWING
(looking to the ninjas with frustration)
Vhat are you doing? Ve have two zem and he only has von of ours. Ve are in a much better position for bargaining.

SWINDLE
(retracting all his weapon mods)
No we’re not.

Deliberata snickers pompously, positioning himself behind Prowl. He inches toward the door but keeps the blaster pointed at the ninja’s back.

DELIBERATA
You know me too well, Swindle.

SHOCKWAVE
(transforming into robot mode)
What does he mean by that?

SWINDLE
(speaking to everyone)
We have no leverage. Deliberata doesn’t care about the other Quints. He would sooner kill his own kind then allow himself to be captured by—

DELIBERATA
(interrupting)
By the joke of the universe! You Cybertronians are pathetic and hardly deserving of this planet. You are completely clueless of the true potential of your precious energon crystals, your processers too limited to grasp their power. (he inches closer the door) I would love to stay and chat more about your incompetence but instead, I’ll leave you with parting gift.

SWINDLE
Nooo!

Prowl hears the sliding of the Quintesson’s tentacle across the trigger moments before Swindle’s cry. Soon his audio receptors fill with same cries from ninjas and then he feels a penetration of heat into his back, bursting through his tanks then into his spark chamber. Everything shifts into slow motion as a flaring pain ignites through his chest. He hears the scraping of the Quintesson’s tentacles behind him for only a short time before they fade behind the closing of the bridge door. He feels the vibration on the floor as the ninja team rushes to him. The hazy image of Jazz and Sari falling to his side is the last thing he sees before his broken chassis crumples to the floor. His vision goes dark and he drifts into unconsciousness to the desperate sounds of his closest friends calling his name.

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHT CLUB – PRESENT TIME

Optimus Prime desperately grabs Prowl by the arm and turns the sleek body to face him. His other hand presses to the black chest as he studies the ninja’s chassis carefully, his face stricken with a mix of horror and regret.

OPTIMUS PRIME
He shot you!?

He tugs Prowl forward and continues the meticulous study of his body, running his fingers over the golden tanks and baffled to find them perfectly intact.

SENTINEL
(his speech is slurred)
How the spark are you sitting here talking to us then? No one can survive a direct blast to the spark chamber from a Quintessonian blaster. I think you’re imagining—

PROWL
(snapping at the Magnus)
Processor over Matter…I am sorry you don’t see the purpose of the practice but it is indeed what saved me.

Optimus releases his grasp on Prowl but keeps his uncomprehending stare fixed on him.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Did you use it on yourself?

PROWL
(inappropriately stoic)
No, I was unconscious. I awoke to sounds of a harmonic humming and found my spark chamber intact without a hint of damage. Blackarachnia had arrived by then and was kneeling by my side along with Lockdown.

He drops his gaze and rubs his hand across his chest, his thoughts drifting inwardly. His unemotional charade starts breaking down as the shame from the memory grows more vivid.

PROWL
Sari was draped over me in tearful joy…the cyber ninja team seated around me, their hands joined…Apparently it took all their combined focus to heal me.

Optimus leans his forehead into his palms.

OPTIMUS PRIME
No matter how hard I try to protect you…

PROWL
My destiny is not yours to control…I’m not sure who’s in control of it but whoever it is, they are quite sadistic.

Sentinel stretches his arms out and growls through a gaping yawn.

SENTINEL
That’s quite the story, ninjabot…Perhaps I might have overlooked the usefulness of this…Processor over Matter business.

He signals Vibes to bring another cube.

SENTINEL
So…the head squid used you as a diversion so he could escape?

Optimus Prime lifts his head from his hands to cast a reprimanding glare to the magnus, scowling at his tactlessness.

PROWL
(regretfully)
Yes. Unfortunately he made it to an escape pod, despite the attempts the Decepticons made to catch up to him.

Optimus rests a reassuring hand on Prowl’s shoulder.

OPTIMUS PRIME
What’s important is that we’re all alive.

PROWL
(shaking his head)
I wish that were the case.

He looks up to meet the prime’s uncomprehending stare.

PROWL
We still don’t know what became of Starscream.

SENTINEL
(rolling his optics)
Here we go again.

He shakes his head then casts an almost pitying look upon Prowl.

SENTINEL
Isn’t it obvious what happened?...He escaped with the Quint. There’s no two ways about it. (shifts his glance to Optimus) Wouldn’t you agree?

PROWL
(beckoning to Optimus)
No, he would not have done that. I know for certain he was on our side.

The prime return’s his soldier’s pleading stare with a regretful shrug.

OPTIMUS PRIME
I’m sorry Prowl…but I saw no evidence of that.

SENTINEL
Did Megatron track that traitor down like he said he would?

OPTIMUS PRIME
No, not from what I could tell. I met up with him at the missile bay, moments after the launch.

Vibes strolls up to their table and delivers Sentinel’s cube, but her presence isn’t enough to break the pair of curious stares fixed on Optimus. She shrugs indifferently and wanders off.

OPTIMUS PRIME
It was odd…Megatron just stood there, frozen in a state of…I don’t know what: fear, anger, bewilderment? He was damaged too, like he’d taken a couple hits from a blaster.

SENTINEL
The Quintesson’s blaster?

OPTIMUS PRIME
Possibly, but his injuries weren’t that severe.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSONIAN SHIP – MISSILE BAY

Optimus Prime approaches the stunned Decepticon leader, snapping him out of his daze with the sound of his voice.

OPTIMUS PRIME
What happened? Did you find Starscream?

Megatron looks upon him with an unreadable frown then shifts his glance back down to the tiny shapes and hazy colors that make up Kaon below them. His feet are perched at the very edge of the gaping missile bay hatch.

OPTIMUS PRIME
What’s the status of the missile?

MEGATRON
Are you deaf, Autobot. Did you not hear the countdown? (gestures to the empty docking bay) Do you see a missile here?

OPTIMUS PRIME
(soaking in the reality of the scene)
I had hoped you found a way to stop it.

MEGATRON
And how exactly would I have accomplished that? I thought you said the only method to deal with it was to redirect it, post-launch.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(slightly defensive)
A mech can hope can’t he?

Megatron gestures the prime to follow him.

MEGATRON
If he wants to waste precious time, then yes.

The pair simultaneously dives through the opening. Optimus immediately fires up his jetpack once feeling the rush of Cybertronian air and is propelled forward at a speed nearly unfathomable to the average grounder. Megatron follows close behind, his foot thrusters burning at near-maximum level. Both of their attentions immediately lock onto the glow of the missile’s burn ahead of them.

It takes only a short time for them to gain on the slowly but steadily soaring weapon. They align themselves parallel on either sides of it and Megatron grabs hold of it with both hands. He shifts his trajectory and steers the missile up toward the deep blue space. His thrusters ignite hotter, causing a burst of acceleration and sending him further upward.

Optimus follows his lead, pulling his limbs flush to his chassis and slicing through the atmosphere with more efficiency. He watches the unlikely image of his arch nemesis grow in his field of vision, a strange sense of admiration washing over him. He never imagined Cybertron’s biggest threat would ever risk his own functioning to protect her, but then again, what would Megatron do with himself if he didn’t have a planet to conquer? Or at least try to conquer.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(opening a comm call)
[Let it go, quickly. Before you accidentally detonate it.]

MEGATRON
[If I let it go, it will correct itself back on its original course to Iacon. I feel it fighting my grasp. Its guidance system is quite advanced.]

He eases off his thrusters, allowing the prime to catch up to him.

MEGATRON
(shouting over the multiple roaring turbines)
Does your jet pack function if detached from you?

OPTIMUS PRIME
(his optics widening in realization)
Yes!

Megatron keeps one arm firmly wrapped around the missile then extends the other out to grab hold of the prime’s arm. Optimus cuts the power to his jet pack then removes it from his back, his movements clumsy as he’s left to the mercy of gravity and Megatron’s hold.

With a joint effort, the two mechs attach the jet pack to the missile. Optimus adjusts a few setting on the pack then switches a lever from the ‘manual’ position to ‘autopilot.’ He cranks the burn setting to maximum and flinches as it spits out a burst of firepower then rockets upward.

Megatron cuts power to his thrusters, slowing them down to a steady hover. They watch with wide optics as the blue and red object carries their planet’s severest threat into the star-littered void.

The Decepticon commander adjusts his hold on his passenger, attempting to make him more comfortable, but grimacing awkwardly at their close proximity.

MEGATRON
(his optics still fixed on the shrinking glow)
Will it detonate on impact?

OPTIMUS PRIME
I believe so.

MEGATRON
(cracking a tiny smirk)
Then let us hope it finds its way to Deliberata’s escape pod.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(with a chuckle)
If only we are so lucky.

MEGATRON
Surely, Optimus Prime, you know by now that I do not believe in luck.

Megatron reignites his thrusters and begins their descent into Kaon, his smirk long since faded. Optimus can feel a strange uneasiness in the mech, a vibe he could almost swear was regret. He would never suspect an emotion such as this from his formidable rival and can’t help wonder what could possibly cause such a phenomenon.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(apprehensively)
Is…everything alright?

MEGATRON
(unconvincing)
Of course it is…Why wouldn’t it be?

BLASTER & VIBES NIGHT CLUB – PRESENT TIME

SENTINEL
Oh thank Primus! For a moment there I thought we would have to honor Megatron as Cybertron’s sacrificial hero.

This pulls a duet of groans from Sentinel’s company, Prowl dropping his face into his hand and Optimus pinching the bridge of his nose.

SENTINEL
(finishing the last drops of his third cube)
Although, I’m not really sure how the public would take the news of a jetpack outshining the Elite Guard’s finest.

He rubs his chin, mulling over his thoughts with utmost seriousness.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Why do you feel it’s necessary to assign a single bot as yesterday’s sole hero? (glances up to Sentinel earnestly) The reason we’re sitting here now, able to have this conversation is because of each and every bot involved in the mission, regardless of faction and regardless of whether they even saw the missile or stepped foot onto the ship.

Sentinel raises a brow to Optimus but Prowl looks upon his leader with reverence.

OPTIMUS PRIME
Everyone played a key role. (gesturing to the ninja) Prowl and Jazz bravely led the ninja teams. Bulkhead was responsible for transporting us all onto the ship. Chromia suggested we involve the other ‘cons, Blackarachnia and Swindle provided us with valuable information about the missile even before the mission began.

The prime’s words appear to sober the magnus up a bit. He sits up straight, meeting the prime’s stare with comprehending nod.

OPTIMUS PRIME
It all came down to teamwork, Sentinel Magnus…trust and teamwork.

SENTINEL
So, that’s why you allowed Megatron and the ‘cons to stay in Kaon?...Because you trust them now?

OPTIMUS PRIME
I trusted them yesterday…and I only wish I had a valid reason to keep that trust, but we both know that would be foolish.

Sentinel nods in agreement, leaning back to a lazy slouch in his seat.

OPTIMUS PRIME
I did however promise them amnesty.

SENTINEL
(snapping up straight-postured)
You did what!? Under whose authority?

OPTIMUS PRIME
The council…namely Alpha Trion.

SENTINEL
That old coot isn’t the Magnus, how dare he—

PROWL
(interrupting)
What about Starscream?

The magnus freezes, glancing to Prowl with irritation.

SENTINEL
Let it go, already!

OPTIMUS PRIME
(shaking his head questioningly)
What about him, Prowl?

PROWL
You don’t truly believe he fled with Deliberata?

OPTIMUS PRIME
He was nowhere to be found. Not on the ship and not in Kaon.

SENTINEL
Give it a rest, Prowl. He fled with the squid, end of story.

PROWL
But…(his wing panels droop in defeat) He said he was going to take care of the missile, and I know for certain he wasn’t allied with the Quintessons.

OPTIMUS PRIME
(shrugging regrettably to his soldier)
I’m not sure what to tell you, Prowl. Perhaps his intentions were heroic, but when it came down to the moment of truth…he couldn’t go through with it.

PROWL
(shaking his head sorrowfully)
But I…he…perhaps (vents a reluctant sigh)…perhaps you are right.

OPTIMUS PRIME Alright, Autob-- …Decepticons, let’s move.

That was only the beginning of the most epic stuff I've ever read. HOLY SLAG!


Amazing isn't good enough to describe it, but I'm just gonna say it was amazing. Bravo.

A/N: Ok wow, what to say. Here's the final chapter. To call this a journey would be an understatement. I won't bore you with too much sappiness but I will say this project has submerged me into an awesome fandom and allowed me to meet some equally awesome people. Thank you Carriemus Prime and hellkitty for all the betas, support and love. I seriously might not have finished this without your backing. Thanks again to my faithful readers and reviewers. Your love really is crack. ^_^

There's a pic to go along with this chapter on my DevArt which you can link to below.

Now, on the with dramaz!


KAON – GLADIATORIAL ARENA – VIP ROOM – PRESENT TIME

BLACKARACHNIA
A peace treaty?

The spider stands at a small table stacked high with untouched energon cubes, her back turned to the VIP throne which Megatron is seated in.

MEGATRON
That is correct.

She collects a couple cubes and brings them to her leader, noting the burns still present on his shoulder and chest.

BLACKARACHNIA
What’s the catch?

He stares thoughtfully out the large window overlooking his arena, uninterested in the energon being offered to him.

MEGATRON
We must rebuild Kaon into a self-sufficient and prosperous city.

BLACKARACHNIA
(planting a hand on her hip)
In other words, relieve Iacon of a burden to their economy. (she sets the cubes down and turns toward the window, shaking her head). This city is a wasteland…devoid of any natural resources. How are we supposed to prosper without a steady supply of energon? (gestures to the table) We can’t keep expecting handouts from the Elite Guard.

MEGATRON
I do not expect or require any more charitable donations.

She looks over her shoulder to the distant gladiator, attempting to interpret his false sense of calm.

BLACKARACHINIA
(with a sigh)
There’s something you should know…

MEGATRON
(ignoring her last comment)
We are not limited by our access to natural resources. The Elite Guard does not realize the popularity of this arena and its potential for revenue. They are fools to allow me to control it once again.

BLACKARACHNIA
(turning to face him, paranoia in her optics)
You’re not planning an uprising already are you? The dust from the Quintesson threat hasn’t even settled.

MEGATRON
Of course not, don’t be ridiculous. This stint of peace will allow me the opportunity to…(a tiny smirk budding) earn their trust. Make them believe I am content to abide on this…reservation.

Blackarachnia can only refresh her optics questioningly at the scheming tyrant.

MEGATRON
(raising an optic ridge to her)
What is the matter?

BLACKARACHNIA
Why can’t you just…abide. What’s there to gain from rocking the boat?

MEGATRON
(losing his smirk)
Our dignity.

BLACKARACHNIA
I disagree.

MEGATRON
That is because, Blackarachnia, you have much to learn about what it truly means to be a Decepticon.

He rises up, his shadow temporarily engulfing the spider’s insulted frown as he passes by her and stops at the window. He watches with a raised brow as Waspinator attempts to battle Lugnut, the Kaon Krusher, in the ring below. Boring quickly of the unbalanced match, he then gazes up to where the Quintesson ship used to be hovering.

MEGATRON
What has become of the ship? Has the Elite Guard claimed it as their own?

BLACKARACHNIA
(remains standing by the throne)
They were going to, but Lockdown and Swindle got to it before they could. They have taken it to Quintessa in hopes of collecting a reward from the Quintesson royalty.

MEGATRON
Figures…and the captured Quintessons?

BLACKARACHNIA
Iacon stockades.

MEGATRON
Hmm…pity. Quintessa put a high bounty on their heads…but I suppose that bounty would only be rewarded if all three outlaws were handed over.

BLACKARACHNIA
I still can’t believe Deliberata escaped…

Blackarachnia drops her gaze down, hurt and anger washing over her. She drops a set of balled fists to her sides.

BLACKARACHNIA
I wonder if he’s responsible for Starscream’s disappearance.

From the corners of her optics, she sees the broad silver chassis tense up and hears a hitch in its ventilating.

MEGATRON
(keeping his back to her but raising his voice)
The only one responsible for Starscream’s disappearance is that traitor himself.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her optics brightening in a flash)
What does that mean?

She closes the gap between them and grasps her claws lightly around his arm.

BLACKARACHNIA
(attempting to meet his unreadable optics with her desperate ones)
Did you see him?

Megatron yanks his arm away and turns his back to her once more.

MEGATRON
I watched him flee with the Quintesson. Had I not been saddled with hero duty I would have stopped them, but Optimus Prime insisted we attend to the missile.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her face stricken with horrified disbelief)
No…No! I refuse to believe that. Starscream wouldn’t do that…(shaking her head) and Optimus Prime said you two never encountered him.

MEGATRON
(his irritation rising quickly)
It doesn’t matter what you believe, these are the facts.

Blackarachnia watches the ruffled mech skeptically as he moves further away from her, swatting the cubes off his throne as he passes by it.

MEGATRON
I am not oblivious to the relationship the two of you built up and I can clearly see you have developed inappropriately strong feelings for him. While I do not know what happened aboard that ship I can venture to guess that he took advantage of your feelings and misled you with a false nobility.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her voice darkening)
You have no idea what you’re talking about.

MEGATRON
(continuing brashly)
The fact of the matter, Blackarachnia, is that Starscream is and always will be a mech for himself. He does what he wants, when he wants to and is not mindful of who he has to step on or betray to attain what he wants…or to save his worthless chassis.

The aggravated femme crosses the room in a heated flash, cutting off her leader’s path and staring with wild intent into his surprised optics. She leans into him with fangs bared, unbothered by the sheer height difference and nearly pressing him back with her proximity alone.

He narrows his optics and opens his mouth to protest her behavior but she cuts his words off with a growling rasp.

BLACKARACHNIA
Then why did he give me the energon conversion formula.

Megatron freezes, his spark skipping a pulse behind his chest plate.

MEGATRON
He…gave you the formula?

BLACKARACHNIA
Yes…right before he left to deal with the missile. (she brings her hand into Megatron’s view, her blue-tipped claws splayed wide and lightly trembling) He also found a means to purge my organic half.

Megatron shoves her aside and turns back toward his throne.

MEGATRON
Are you still obsessed with regaining your Autobot form?

She ignores his attempted conversational diversion and pursues him, shoving him in the back with her altered claws.

BLACKARACHNIA
Why would he do all that if he didn’t care about anyone but himself?

MEGATRON
A decoy.

BLACKARACHNIA
(with another shove to his back)
You’re wrong!

Megatron whips around and snatches her hand, squeezing it tightly and bearing down upon her with a glare of warning.

The femme is unaffected by his obvious scare tactics and stands her ground, rage bristling through every hybrid circuit in her body.

BLACKARACHNIA
He gave me the formula, Megatron, knowing full well I intended to keep my allegiance to you and the Decepticons. Why would he do that if he was allied with the Quintessons?

He releases her hand but grips her by the arms, pulling her into his deranged glare. She makes a noise somewhere between a growl and a whimper, refusing to be intimidated by his scare tactics.

MEGATRON
Are you able to comprehend the meaning of the formula and actually make use of it or is it just an untranslatable lump of figures in your processor?

The femme opens her mouth to speak but is unable to find the words.

Megatron soaks in her dumbfounded gape with disappointment then gently lowers her to the floor.

BLACKARACHNIA
I—I would have to dedicate countless hours into the study of organic chemistry, and even then—

MEGATRON
It was a decoy…to make you believe he wouldn’t betray either of us.

Blackarachnia chases away her doubt and snaps a confident glare to the tyrant, her courage bubbling to the surface again.

BLACKARACHNIA
You don’t know that, you weren’t there! You didn’t see the look in his face...

Megatron turns away, feigning disinterest.

BLACKARACHNIA
…or feel the fear in his spark.

MEGATRON
Are you finished?

The femme gasps at his heartlessness, her ventilation rate increasing with the repulsion building in her spark. Her lips pinch tight and her optics blaze as she looks him over, noting his uneasy stance and inability to mask a guilty awkwardness.

BLACKARACHNIA
You’re hiding something.

MEGATRON
(ignoring her accusation)
If you haven’t any more useful information for me then I suggest you—

BLACKARACHNIA
What happened, Megatron?

She steps in front of him again, her facing twitching with too many emotions to contain in a single expression.

BLACKARACHNIA
What did you do?

He looks down upon her, his expression equally twitching but with a different set of emotion and that’s all it takes to clue the femme into the truth. Her chest heaves up and down, whimpers escaping through her gritted teeth. She gives into her crippling rage and throws her fists against his chest.

BLACKARACHNIA
What did you do to him!?

Her stingers cock forward and glow green with venom.

BLACKARACHNIA
(pounding his chest again)
Tell me!

Megatron forces her stingers down with irritation, pinning them to her as his massive hands engulf her upper body.

MEGATRON
Get yourself under control.

She struggles and writhes in his grip, never once removing her blaring optics from his.

BLACKARACHNIA
You monster! You did something to him, I know you did!

He turns her around, maintaining a firm grip but preventing her from witnessing his break of emotional control. He pulls her back flush to his chest as she continues to struggle, her growls giving in more to her whimpers.

She knows her attempts to break free of his hold are futile but that doesn’t stop her from trying. She claws at the broad arms constricting her, delirious with frustration.

BLACKARACHNIA
Just tell me what happened!

He remains silent but his actions speak volumes. She finally lets herself go limp in his hold when she feels the dramatic rise and fall of his chest against her back and the strange resonation of his spark.

BLACKARACHNIA
(her optics dimming in a crushing realization)
Please…I have to know.

Megatron remains silent and walks to the door, pushing her with him. He flings the door open, shoves her through it then slams it before she can get her footing and pursue him.

He drifts back to his throne, straining to block out the femme’s desperate cries and pounding on the door. Her cursing soon gives way to broken words and violent sobs. The pounding stops and he hears only the scraping of her body as she slides down the door. He can clearly see, despite the thick opacity of his door, the image of her body collapsing in a sobbing mess.

The troubled tyrant falls into his throne, splaying his arms over the armrests and wincing at each sob seeping into the room. He leans forward into his legs, dropping his gaze to the floor and pinching the bridge of his nose hard enough to crack it. Unbothered by the sting of his injury, he vents a long, regretful sigh.

***

Blackness. A possible eternity of blackness, finally chased away with purple, magenta, orange and a breeze of warmth.

A solar-rise. The most anticipated solar-rise of my functioning.

But is it real or a dream? Each dent, each torn fuel line. My bleeding energon mixing with the gritty desert dust; my shattered cockpit and cracked sparked chamber. All these things feel real. A chassis doesn’t scream agony from helm to thruster when you’re dreaming.

I try to move, but just as in a dream, I am unable to. I visualize sitting up, my weight pressed into my arms, my feet sliding under my crouched body as I stand. All my concentration is in this action yet I can barely illuminate my optics to see the stars fade into the vivid gradient of morning.

Morning…that equates to a new cycle which means if this truly isn’t a dream then the missile did not detonate on Cybertron.

Was I successful? Did I redirect it and actually live? Perhaps I failed and all of Cybertron’s sentient life has been deactivated…except for my spark. Could that be possible? Could my spark…my mutated, resilient spark withstand the devastating force of a Quintessonian weapon of mass destruction?

Doubtful.

I wouldn’t have a chassis intact enough to be maddening me with pain if that were the case. No…Cybertron is safe. I can feel it…in the crisp morning air, she is unchanged. Her inhabitants awake, unaware to the monotonous routine they almost lost.

Why can’t I remember the missile? Do I have amnesia? What do I remember? The Quintessons. The converter. Blackarachnia…a kiss. The kiss of a Black Widow. Isn’t that bad luck in some cultures? It’s a good thing I don’t believe in luck.

The formula.

I can’t remember the formula. Did it physically transfer to her instead of just copy over? Did I give her all my organic knowledge? No, I couldn’t have. I can still feel…him. The human professor. I still have all his knowledge, all his…ethics. Why would only the formula transfer over? That doesn’t make any logical sense. Did that ninja interfere with me using his blasted Processor over Matter? Did I come in contact with any of those spiritual saps?

No.

Now I remember…There was only one other I came in contact with after leaving the lab.

FLASHBACK – QUINTESSON SHIP

Starscream slinks down the corridor, his thoughts locked on the missile and the missile alone. He can’t think about anything else, not Blackarachnia, not the formula, not even victory. All these things could hinder him from his purpose, make him seek an alternative. There may just be an alternative to his burdened body taking full responsibility of Cybertron’s future, but he doesn’t have the time to figure it out.

He stops and looks over his wings, wincing at the encumbering restraints. He tries to pull them off but it’s no use. They’re snapped on tight and tearing them off could leave his wings worse off than they are now. He feels confident in his assumption that Sevax can no longer torture him, given the painful cries he heard from the Quintesson echoing in the hallway outside the lab earlier, but that doesn’t erase his grudge against the alien. The cries he heard were only a teaser to the kind of punishment that sadistic being should be subjected to. No one has ever humiliated Starscream to that extreme before, not even Megatron. How dare that filthy creature be so brash?

He curses internally, his bitterness toward the Quintesson threatening to distract his mission with the temptation of seeking vengeance. Reaching the end of the corridor, he rounds the corner but looks behind him down the opposite hall. He has a strange feeling he’s being tracked, like someone’s tracing his energy signature.

He turns to face forward just as his path is obstructed by something: a pair of swords, giant swords, frightfully familiar swords, planted into the floor and forming a large ‘X’. He lifts his glance to view the towering form a mere couple steps behind the swords.

STARSCREAM
Me—Megatron!?

The stunned seeker staggers back a few steps, his mouth still gaping with the gasp that spoke his leader’s name.

Megatron’s mass fills the corridor, blocking Starscream’s view of the missile bay door. But it’s not as though Starscream is trying to see anything beyond the stalwart silver wall, not when it stands unbreakably and wears a deep, glowering frown.

MEGATRON
(with a whispering growl)
Arm yourself.

Starscream glances between the gladiator and the swords, knowing full well what they symbolize.

STARSCREAM
Megatron, listen to me.

MEGATRON
(taking a step forward)
Choose your sword.

STARSCREAM
(taking a step back)
I won’t.

The impatient tyrant yanks his swords from the floor, jerking them upright into the same symbolic X. He shoves Starscream into the wall with the weapons, the blades forming a V just under the tapered chin.

MEGATRON
(leaning in close)
I said…choose…your sword.

STARSCREAM
(his voice sliding into a frightened and frustrated shriek)
This is not the time or place. I need to stop that missile!

MEGATRON
(punching his fist into the small gap of wall between the seeker’s wing and helmet)
What kind of fool do you take me for?

STARSCREAM
A clueless one! Do you not hear the countdown?!

Megatron presses a blade into his former second’s neck and bores his blazing glare into him.

MEGATRON
All I hear is the sniveling of a coward. Now, for the last time…choose your weapon.

STARSCREAM
(anger overriding his fear)
No! It’s pointless! These swords are your weapons and you’re functioning at full power. Perhaps you should recheck your definition of a coward!

The screeching, brash words seem to push Megatron back. He glances over the restraints on Starscream’s wings, appearing to study them. Then, with brutish but precise swings of his sword, he slices each restraint off without even a scratch to the jet’s body.

Starscream presses his back against the wall, flinching, anticipating an assault but is instead forcefully handed a sword. He takes it reluctantly and watches with worried irritation as Megatron assumes a fighting stance.

STARSCREAM
(after a courage-building moment)
What are you trying to prove here!? (he bitterly tosses the sword onto the floor) You know I don’t stand a chance against you like this. I can’t defeat you without—

The gladiator throws his sword down, cutting off the seeker’s words then capturing him in a one-handed choke-hold. He leans in even closer than before; close enough so Starscream can smell the heated air seeping through the gritted teeth.

MEGATRON
Exactly Starscream, you cannot defeat me.

He plows his fist into a wing, nearly wiping out the Decepticon symbol on it. The seeker bites back a scream but can’t prevent his body from shuddering in agony.

MEGATRON
Not with some silly invention…

He repeats the previous action on the same wing, this time pulling a wrenching yelp from his victim.

MEGATRON
Or a pathetic army of clones…

Starscream groans as he’s peeled off the wall then hurled into the opposite one, his cockpit shattering upon the impact. He crumples to the floor, grasping at the stinging pain in his chest.

MEGATRON
And especially not with an alien alliance.

The tyrant plows his foot into the jet’s side, pinning the limp body into the wall for a regretfully satisfying moment then pulling away to survey the damage.

Several burst fuel lines spurt out energon and broken circuits spark and fizzle, but the seeker bites back his agonizing groans. He pulls himself to his hand and knees, trying to ignore spatter of his own fluids below him.

The towering gladiator adjusts a few settings on his arm cannon then points it directly at the bleeding, dented chassis of his air commander.

MEGATRON
You have betrayed me for the last time, Starscream.

Starscream searches around himself in a last ditch effort then locks focus onto a panel on the wall. He flings it open and grabs a small blaster housed inside. He hears the familiar power-up song of a fusion cannon and is about to fire upon his leader but both mechs are distracted by the announcing of the final 10 nanoseconds before the missile launch.

Starscream seizes the moment and blasts the fusion cannon off Megatron’s arm. Another two shots land on the tyrant’s shoulder and chest, causing him to twist and growl with irritation, but they didn’t even break the surface of his chassis. Starscream only managed to anger his attacker even more.

Megatron bears down on the kneeling jet, lifting him by the collar fairing then slamming him into the wall. He plows his knee into the sheered talons still grasping the blaster, crushing both Starscream’s hand and the weapon.

Starscream bites down on another regretful scream, his body too weak to withstand the pain anymore. Who is he kidding? Masking pain has never been a successful tactic in sparing himself from beating before. It only encourages Megatron to keep at it until he gets his desired reaction.

He illuminates his optics and stares into the deranged gaze boring into him, conceding to let his nemesis see him for all he is; see his naked fear and desperation in its entirety.

STARSCREAM
(his voice growing weaker by the moment)
Everything will be destroyed…and Cybertron’s blood will be on your hands…if we don’t do something about that missile, right now.

MEGATRON
(unwavering)
Your attempts at deception are futile.

Starscream hangs his head in defeat as Megatron pulls him off the wall then drags him into missile bay. He beholds the large opening in the floor where the missile used to be, the hatch still open and allowing him a full view of Kaon below. The city’s buildings are tiny and faint but he can still clearly make out the arena; the birthplace of his honored faction and the first place he ever laid optics on the stubborn mech who has just unknowingly assigned himself to missile duty.

STARSCREAM
(hardly able to speak)
You’re wasting…valuable time.

With a firm grip to his neck, Megatron lifts the broken flyer up and dangles his listless body over the open hatch.

MEGATRON
(his stern expression fighting back a hint of sadness)
I regret every moment I wasted deeming you worthy enough to serve at my side.

STARSCREAM
Finish me quickly then…so you can get to that missile. (meeting his optics with a pleading sincerity) It flies slowly so you can still catch it…but you mustn’t waste any more time.

MEGATRON
Enough.

STARSCREAM
(persisting)
Once you reach it, steer it into the upper atmosphere and release it. Your thrusters should be more than powerful enough.

MEGATRON
Will you desist already!? Can you not face your punishment with dignity and die like a warrior?

STARSCREAM
I was fully prepared to until you intervened with your time-old idiocy! Now Cybertron’s fate is left to your bumbling, should you actually realize the responsibility you’ve just brought upon yourself.

Megatron’s optics narrow and his frown deepens as he looks into his former second’s dimming optics.

STARSCREAM
Do what you must, Megatron, just do it quickly…you can still stop that missile. Don’t sacrifice all of Cybertron just so you can satisfy your petty lust for vengeance.

MEGATRON
You…(he’s struck with a stinging realization) You’re serious.

STARSCREAM
Of course I’m serious, you stubborn old fool.

He summons the last of his energy and digs his talons into the sensitive cabling of Megatron’s arm. The tyrant growls at the unexpected assault and reactively releases his grasp on the seeker’s neck.

Starscream falls through the hatch, catching only a quick glimpse of Megatron’s horrified expression and hearing his name shouted from the rapidly shrinking hatch. His leader’s voice rings in his cortex long after the rush of passing air engulfed auditory senses.

CYBERTRONIAN DESERT – JUST OUTSIDE KAON – PRESENT TIME

The morning light silhouettes the distant image of Kaon on the horizon, a similar scene to one back on Earth, specifically Dinobot Island. Starscream thinks back to that memorable morning when he gazed fearfully at his pathetic excuse for a leader, anticipating a punishment that would have left him in a similar state to what he’s in now. But Megatron had not punished him during that encounter. He instead had spoken about teamwork as if the notion had just dawned on him. Stupid old fool never did catch on quickly. He always had to learn the hard way.

The grounded flyer wonders what became of the damnable mech. Did the old bastard actually listen to him and redirect that missile? Did he survive it or is he blown all to pit? The image makes Starscream want to smile, if he could muster the strength to. Unfortunately his instinctive genius contradicts the delectable vision of an obliterated Megatron. He can feel in what’s left of his dwindling spark that the incompetent imbecile still functions and is no doubt moping around the arena trying to justify his typically impulsive aggression that cost him a valuable warrior and superior replacement.

Starscream is uncertain how long he can survive like this; bitter, immobile, leaking precious energon. Even his relentlessly burning (and quite impressive) spark must have its limits. He dims his optics and wipes his processor of all its disturbing thoughts. He needs every ounce of positive focus to keep his spark online. Ignore the anger, the pain. He would call for help but it would have taken a miracle of science for his communicator to survive that beating. All he can do is wait. Focus and wait. Someone will come for him. Hopefully someone other than Megatron. Perhaps Blackarachnia, Swindle or Prowl. The only beings that took a chance and trusted him. One of them will come for him. One of them must know he’s still alive.

I never promised a Happily Ever After! Don't hate me. =P

There will also be a follow-up to this chapter, showing what happens to Starscream. I will post it as a separate story, so stay tuned. ^_^

xoxo
ToyzInTheAttic

OMG! This was the best ever! Too bad it's over though, but it was just amazing. You got me addicted to this. If there was ever a season 4 of TFA, it would have to be this. Yay, Screamer's alive! I can't wait to read what happened to him. Awesome story

Bummer that this is over! Was an awesome series Toyz! One million thumbs up!