Summery; Cursed... Condemned... Sentenced... Poor Starscream, doomed to watch over Nightbird as she slowly adjusts to her new upgrades!
And he's really had just about enough of it! At the time, he has no time to think about some of the things that are appearing in his life, or at least will... Danger is always present but Romance? No... No. Nope. Natta~ He is not that kind of mech! And will not let himself fall victim to love...again.
It's too bad, though. Because little does he know that he's about to get more then just that...
"Welcome! To the Kingdom of Mebella!"
Starscream and Nightbird are rushed into another world. A world filled to the brim with magic, and the place were Fairy Tales are no longer the stuff of legend, but reality! The land is ruled by an evil witch, that claims to be the rightful ruler of Mebella- She poisoned the worlds core, The Jade Stone with the Emerald Rose, and oppressed the peoples of this great land who's true name has long since been forgotten.
Starscream and Nightbird can do nothing- or can they? Well, first thing is first- they must fight to return home! For surely the dangerous twists at every turn are not for them! Are they? And how will they deal with it? And I'm not just speaking about the physical danger, but the inner danger as well.. The danger of the heart falling for one you thought you hated with everything in you.
How will they do it? And how will you, dear reader, get past the awful summery?
Yeah... I suck at summariesXD lol, but, okay, let's get right to the point, shall we?
Well then, welcome to my story, The Midnight Dawns. This AN has been re-written for many reasons- one being that I talk too much... Heh heh... Anyway so, this is a fantasy story, complete with evil witches, ice giants, magic, and maybe even some dragons, all mixed into a whole other world stuffed with colour and what hitherto was but the imaginary to our protagonists. Thrown into this new world, how will they survive a terrible twist of fate, a prophesy too directed at them, and a past that could mean everything in the future? Well, just get ready and buckle your seat belts-
It's going to be a long ride!
~Please enjoy, for I shall let the story speak for itself.
The
Midnight Dawns
Part 1
~Respect~
Chapter List (For Part 1)
1. Transformation
2. The Blue Gate
3. Hopeless Travels
4. Take To The Sky!
5. The Emerald Rose and Ruby Jade
6. Mebella
7. Moonlight Roads
8. Capernum
9. Death's Banquet
10. Uninvited Guests
11. Off With Her Head!
12. The Crystal Dragon
13. A New Dawn
14. The Witch Of All Seasons
15. Through The Skies Of The Night
16. The Songless Bird
17. Nightshade's Magic
The
Midnight Dawns
Chapter 1
~Transformation~
~Nightbird~
The stillness of the small room is peaceful. I know it is still night. The dawn hasn't quite broken yet as the moon is just settling down for her brake from the midnight, and the sun will rise and bring the light to the shadows…
All this will happen- and I shall remain awake through all of it.
I let out a sigh, and turn over in the small berth. It seems that I'm so exhausted, that I'm too tired to recharge! I hate this reversed logic- I hate allot of things, though.
The Autobots, for example…actually, that's probably the best example of hatred I have. But I'm not exactly sure why…it is confusing, and I don't like how angry I am at them for no apparent reason- but I know better than to question this.
As the Decepticon I now am, I can not question the word or the orders of my leader. Megatron. Anything he wishes of me, I will fallow out until my dying breath. That is what I am now sworn to do. Once, I was pledged to help and serve the pathetic human race- but I have been freed from that burden by my Lord Megatron, and now I serve him. And willingly, too. My word is golden and true- even if I am unable to talk much…
I groan, and roll my optics at no one. My voice box still doesn't work very well, and- despite the kind encouragements from my comrades- I don't believe it ever really will.
I let out a scratchy sigh. Oh well.
I'll probably have to get up soon. I think sluggishly, my thoughts turning to a more subtle subject. Starscream is going to barge in here, and if he doesn't drag me there, he'll at least demand- 'get off your lazy aft and get the slag down to the lab'. You've got plenty of work to do you worthless drone!' I mimic his voice in my head, and I both groan and chuckle.
He never ceases to amuse me.
Despite the fact that it's been two human months since I've been cleared and I'm now more or less fully functional- he never stops ranting about how I was built by humans and I'm no more than a drone, and I'm no use to their- ur, our, cause, and that Megatron should have never bothered with me, and that I'm completely worthless, and that Soundwave shouldn't have even bothered to see to these new upgrades, and that I could never amount to anything, and again that I'm worthless, and that Megatron is no more than a fool for keeping me around, and that- I groan. Seriously. The list, goes on, forever. It's rather annoying, really, but at the same time, it is pretty easy to laugh at him, so I guess his constant glitching at everyone is both pointless, and funny. I mean, let's just say it- he's a total drama queen. And who knows why in the pit he can't get over it all.
So what if I was built on Earth? Aren't we on Earth right now anyway? We've been here for a little while, too. Me not so much, but the others…meh! You'd think they'd be used to it by now, huh? Well, I think Thundercracker is, at the very least- but Primus bless us Starscream ever stop complaining about the organic atmosphere!
I wonder if he'll ever stop overreacting to everything. I twist over in my small berth again, newly installed wings shuffling. It's, kind of…actually, really, annoying. Why can't he just get over it like Thundercraker or Skywarp? He just has to make a huge deal out of it… I really wonder then what goes on through that strange possessor of his. He's weird. I think, and-
Light strangles through the door as it's burst open!
Well speak of the devil.
An unhappy voice clutches the air I breathe and I slump down on the berth.
"Nightbird! Get up, and get the frag off your lazy little aft and get the slag down to the lab'! You've got plenty of work to do you worthless drone! So get to it!"
My face buried in the sheets, I give a smirk. He's that easy to predict. Dragging on the action, I lift my head tiredly- my smirk concealed behind my mask- and peer at him through a half onlined gaze. Starscream frowns, crimson/silverish wings snapping back in annoyance. His body language really isn't that hard to read, and I can tell just by a glance- that he is pissed. More than usual, it seems.
Not wanting to cause trouble, I sit up, and surprisingly, he sticks around long enough to step inside the immensely tinny room- that makes almost anyone feel Closter-phobic- and select a few texts off the shelves and carelessly toss them on the berth. He orders then with a disappointed scowl. "Bring those and the others you need- it's Tuesday, if you didn't know." Then he storms out and slams the door. (Like a boss)
I groan. Wonderful. Nothing like an overly-irritated Starscream!
Sliding off the low berth, pedes drag across the small room to the door, and I switch on the only light.
As I glance around, I wonder how long I actually recharged last night. I know it did come at some point- just to figure out when and how long would be nice.
I sigh and shake my helm. It doesn't matter. Today will be like any other. Sulking back to the berth, I reach beside it and scoop up the pads that are stacked on the cold floor. I place them carefully on the berth, before checking around for the last book I know I'll need. It takes a minute, but finally I spot it wedged between the berth and the wall. Gingerly shifting the narrow frame of the berth, I reach with a steady servo and grasp the book. Digits clasping it tightly, I yank it free with a huff, and brush off the collecting dust on its cover.
Scooping up the others, I hug them close to my chest as I switch off the light and step out into the hallway. Glancing around the stack of books, I turn right and scurry down the hallway to a flight of stairs that leads up to the lab'.
As always, I find the trip up the stairs agonizing, and it makes it even more of a drag that I can barley see in front of me! When I breach the top of the long steps, I take a moment to catch my breath. Stairs. What would we do without them? Elevators. I think grimly. Seriously. You'd think with all our 'almighty technology' and whatnot, we'd be a little more futuristic then this! But no! Instead, even though we're one of the most technically advanced races out there- we still use stairs. Stairs! Climbing is so much easier. Not to mention way more fun!
I grumble a few unintelligible words and lazily trot down the hallways. Ah scrap! I think tiresomely. I'm going to be way late!
Not paying attention to my surroundings, I break out into a run.
And I'm just spinning around the corner when- BAM!
Tumbling back, I drop my texts, and wince as my helm slams ageist the ground. Pain caresses my head annoyingly, and I let out a light groan. After a moment, I prop myself up on my elbows, and with a fluttering gaze glance around.
My audio censers picking up a moan, I squint my yellowish optics into a focus, and stare as Thundercraker slowly sits up.
I flush, embarrassed as hell as he sluggishly brushes away a text that landed on his head and stands.
He looks at me, and beneath my mask, I bite my lip. He pauses, as if stoned and not really getting it, and then- he laughs.
My optics widen, and I watch as he again tumbles back and lands on his aft. He clutches his tank and shakes his head wildly. I squint, confused. But after a moment, his laughter dies out and he's left just chuckling.
Thundercraker stands and extends a servo to me with a pleasant smile on his face. I take his hand, and he helps me up.
I brush off, and bend down to pick up my things, but to my surprise, I find him also helping. My optics show sign of a smile. There not so bad, you know. The jets. Sure, Skywarp can be a little overbearing and reckless, and Dirge slightly paranoid at times, and Thrust a bit insensitive, and Thundercraker somewhat of a workaholic- always worried about whatever- and Ramjet might get a little cocky and be as reckless as Skywarp- but in the end, there not all bad!.. Well, in considerate thinking, really…
And then, there's Starscream…heh heh heh. I think with a smirk. I don't have much to say about that one.
We gather up the rest of my books- and unexpectedly, Thundercraker, well, cracks up!
I stare at him, for a moment. Although he's loud and not really giving a damn on what anyone could think, I smile and after a nano-klick he regains himself.
I cock my helm to one side. What's so funny?
He waves it off, "oh…uh…nothing! Hey, you better get going! Starscream's a little- oh, ur, let's just say he isn't in the best of moods today!"
With that, he hands me the books he retrieved and scurries away.
I watch him for a moment, wondering what in Primus' name got into him, then turn and continue on my way. But this time, I just walk. I don't need any run-ins with anybody else. Keeping my gaze fixed on the door just a few steps away, I make careful note to remind myself that the second I'm in there, there can be no fooling around. Normally, I'd just love to mess with him, at least once within the day, but I've got a bad feeling something is off.
Twisting the door handle, I glance behind me one last time, and then step inside.
As always, the light is blinding as if stepping into the sun, but then it quickly dims as my optics adjust. Looking around, I spot Starscream sitting on a chair opposite the room, his face plate buried in his servos tiredly.
I frown, but then merely walk to the center of the room and drop my books on the table. Announcing my arrival.
His head jerks up, and he frowns. Standing, he walks over, and checks what I've got. He gives an affirmative nod after seemingly concluding that I've got everything. Prick.
"Alright, get to work on math." Starscream says with a yawn.
I pull out a chair and sit, opening up the text, I get to work immediately.
As I study the questions, and do my best to answer them, my mind darts back to past events…
Day 1...
Name; Nightbird.
Creator; Doctor Fujiyama
Objective; Not Programmed
History; In The Making
Orders; Obey Master Fujiyama
I opened my optics for the first time that day, and saw the laboratory in which I was created. Doctor Fujiyama was my master. And as he looked into my gaze he cried out with exceedingly great joy. "She works, she works! Maka! Maka, come see this!
People flooded the room, but I paid them no mind. My programming told me to only listen to the orders of Doctor Fujiyama…
Day 109...
Many adjustments were made, and bugs wired out and destroyed. I was ready to be shown off to the world, finally, and Doctor Fujiyama was speaking to a man on the telephone. Normally I would pay it no mind, as it was impolite to eavesdrop, but I heard my name said, and decided that I would be best if I knew what the good Doctor was up too…
But when I turned my audio censers to the conversation, I found out about the Autobots and the show of me to the world… I wasn't sure how I felt about all that…
Day 145...
There I was, on stage and on camera! Even though I had been turned off for most of my time, I had kept careful count of the days while constantly checking... One hundred and forty-five. It had been one hundred and forty five days since I first onlined! And to tell you truthfully, I felt much better as many of the bugs and glitches in my system had been removed, and I could run my programming more smoothly than ever.
As my optics came to life, I first saw the white sheet at my feet. I relized then that people from around the world were watching me- I felt a little nervous, but I kept my helm held high and did what I was programmed to do.
Doctor Fujiyama said to the people that I was no threat. And if I were able to, I would have smirked. Oh, I could be a threat alright…
And it appears that Megatron seemed to recognize this, for the ground shook, and the roof lifted off. People screamed in terror, and I was switched off manually by my creator just as I cot the eye of Optimus Prime. He looked as worried as I felt. And I think, perhaps, there was some kind of silent connection between us, if not for just that one moment… Something, which made me feel like I was more than just a drone built by humans…
But then it was over, and I fell into total unconsciousness.
Day 146…
When I onlined, I felt different…very, different! My thoughts were both faster and slower.
Name; Nightbird.
Creator; Doctor Fujiyama
Objective; …Attack…Stealer…
History; Awaiting…Approval…
Orders; In…Waiting….
That was the day I met them all… Megatron, Soundwave, the jets, the Stunticons, Constructicons, the whole lot! Though I must say, I was pretty sure from day one as a Decepticon, that Starscream didn't like me much. Perhaps, it was because the first thing I did when I onlined was attack him- that turned out to be a laugh!
Soundwave then gave me my orders- which I was meant to obey without question-. "Infiltrate Autobot headquarters and steal the World Energy Chip from Teletraan 1."
I wondered what they did to me…
Day 148…
The mission was a success… I acquired the chip, and Megatron was pleased with my work… But Starscream seamed angry… So, intern, I was right... And wrong, too. He didn't just not like me. He hated me…
Day 150…
After that, the Autobots again attempted to bring me back to my creator by reasoning with me. I did not go- as at that time I saw no point in it! He was a weak fleshling. I was better than that.
But I was worried. Megatron was continuously bothering Stasrscream as that I would make a good replacement for him. He was not too thrilled with that. And every time our gaze would meet, he held a sort of disgusted and angry look in his optics. I didn't care what I was doing, as long as I could serve my leader, Megatron… But it appeared that he did.
Day 151...
Too my distaste, the Autobots did it.
They had me caught in an Electro Mesh Prison, and Optimus Prime retrieved the chip.
But thankfully, the Decepticons came to my rescue, and I was freed. The battle went on, me doing my best in the fighting- but at one point, I was unfortunately shot by a stray bullet and I tumbled down into a pass. There, I saw him.
He looked so angry. So full of hate…and, I wondered why. I know that Megatron must have insulted him gravely, but it bothered him this much?
We just starred at each other. Total silence echoing around the cavern. Me, laying there, immobilized by pain. Him, walking…but my optics spotted a few not-so-deep gashes along his right arm and servo… But the cuts were oozing all the same.
Starscream looked…almost...hurt…I felt…bad…for him… Why? I'm not so sure…it was just that look in his optics. The betrayal. The distrust. The pain. But even more worse, was the appearance of familiarity. Like this sort of situation or these feelings were no stranger to him at all.
And I wondered who he really was…
But that was not of the question that day. As I stared at him, the hurting feeling in his optics dimmed and he took on an almost blank expression. There was pain there as well, but it was a different kind of a pain. It was the kind of pain that said. "I hate you enough that I'm going to murder you right here and now." And truly, that's what I thought he was going to do.
He raised his arm, missal aiming for my helm. I cringed. Fear thrashing like spears through me. Sucking in a breath, I looked down and braced myself for the end…and as I listened to the firing of the rocket and the heat rushing towards me, I thought it was over, and I regretted something…something I was never able to place.
But that last breath didn't come. No. I kept on breathing. I went on, and did not die… No, I didn't even feel a thing.
I looked up. Confused. Unsure. Had someone saved me? I had most certainly not been deactivated! But what had happened?
And then I saw.
No. No one had saved me. No one had come to my rescue miraculously. Quite the opposite. It was still just the two of us. In the dead silence, I realized- he had fired over me.
"That's a warning, Nightbird." He said, his voice heavy as if suppressing something. "I don't care what you do. But-" he stopped, as if realizing he hadn't thought the sentence through. He bit his lip, his scarlet optics glinting with hated and weak emotions. In one movement then, he spun on a heel so that he wouldn't have to face me. "Just leave me alone, okay? And don't make me actually have to kill you someday." The words were bitter and cold and I didn't quite understand them. And as he walked away, if I could have, I think I would have called out for him to wait. I didn't want to be left alone, after all. So why did he have to leave? What emotion ran so deep that he took Megatron's ranting about me replacing him and what not so personally? I didn't know. But I wished I did. I wished I knew him allot better, too.
Day 153…
I awoke on a berth, feeling lousy. Glancing around, I discovered I was again in the Decepticon base. I remember feeling happy.
Soundwave was in the room with me, and as I stared at him, it came back to me.
After Starscream had left me alone in the cavern, I tried to get up- but failed miserably. And I soon lost consciousness. I remembered just slightly about being lifted from where I lay by two steady servo's and being carried away. But that was all…
Soundwave noticed my restlessness, and discovered I was awake. He paused, as if unsure, and then putting down his files, he said. "Nightbird; has recovered from savere battle damage, correct?" I nodded, as I did feel a bit better, and he nodded as well. Then he left the room, and- as I not-so-very-later discovered- went to go fetch Megatron.
There was silence for a minute, but then the silver mech stepped into the room, passing me a searching glance.
"I trust you are feeling better?"
I dipped my helm in a sincere nod.
"Ah, good. Now, Nightbird. We've lost the chip-" I felt my chest tighten- "but there is another…project we are working on. It involves you."
I both relaxed and tightened. What did he mean? Did I screw up so badly that they were going to use me for some kind of experimentation!? Were they going to sell me for scrap!? Or were they going to-
Megatron seemed to sense my unease, and quickly shook his head. "No, nothing like that…quite the opposite, really." He glanced at Soundwave, and he had a smug look about him. I was confused.
Turning back to me, he said. "You'll be taking a little trip to Cybertron."
My optics widened and I passed out.
Day 154…
I awoke to the slow sound of tiered pedes dragging across the floor.
I opened my optics, looked around, and sat up, all of it being as silent as the midnight.
I froze. There he was, on the other side of the room, typing something in on a console.
Confusion passed through me in a storm. Why was he-?
He turned suddenly, and both our optics widened.
He looked horrible! Bruises, dents, scratches, he looked as if he had been to the scrappy.
Starscream? I thought, giving a beep, and he twitched. Silence dugout the room. I just stared at him. What had happened? Did someone-? I quickly shook the thought. No. No one would do that.
"You should get some rest-'' he said finally, turning away from me. "You have a couple of long days ahead of you." And then he left. Leaving me to wonder what in Primus' name happened to him. And for a reason I could not explain, I think I felt a bit guilty, like I had done something wrong and he was paying for it…
Day 162…
I lay down on the berth, completely unafraid as the medic stepped up and injected me with a few strange serums, and I began to lose consciousness.
This was going to be a complicated procedure- but I wasn't afraid. I knew I should have been- but I just, wasn't. I knew that if this transformation was a success, then it would eventually lead to becoming one of them… And then maybe I could be accepted by 'him'… probably not, but hey, a girl could hope, right? And besides, I could get along better with the others for sure! Yeah, it was worth it…
Day 187…
Time had passed all too slowly. Operation after operation. The deathly surgeries could have cost me my life, any one of them! But still I steeled through all of them. It was hard, and every part of me ached- hell! They might as well have been completely rebuilding me!
In a sense that was what they did, after all. But of course I had to remind myself that they were more or less 'rewiring' me…well, if rewiring meant to basically take me apart and put me back together in the imagine a Arial Femme, then yes, I suppose that is correct.
Yes, they rebuilt me, as one of them. A transformer. Me! I don't have the slightest clue how, but they did. And I'm beyond thankful…I'm-I'm, 'overwhelmed' by gratitude. For surely it would have been easier to build a new mech inertly!.. But they didn't…nope…they kept me. Me!
"They want me…" I remember whispering in the berth before again passing out into recharge, not bothering in dreaming up fantasies of how there could be more to it then met the eye...
Day 201…
I remember the utterly stunned expressions of my comrades as I walked through that door. Their jaws went slack and their optics grew wide. The sounds of breathing stopped entirely, and all optics were on me. And you know what? I kind of liked all the attention! It was nice to show off, and it was even more spectacular how even Starscream was gaping when he saw me.
Not so hot now eh? I thought with a cat-ate-the-cream grin, remembering what Skywarp had told me when they found me. It had been- what? Two months since then? And sooooo much had already happened in that short time! And I couldn't wait to see what was in store for me!
Megatron smiled, a look of accomplishment on his face. I smiled, too. But I had not retracted my mask, so I was unsure if he got it.
The others then murmured things to each other, hardly whispering, and I could tell at the very least they were happy… Except for him. Starscream. He didn't say a word. Only did he stared at me for a moment, catching my gaze with a look of defeat on his faceplate, and then looking away.
Megatron walked up and said in a clear voice. "Nightbird isn't quite ready to take to the skies just yet-" there were a few sighs and "awws" but Megs' held up a servo and said. "But she will be eventually… But, in the mean time…" He paused, and turning to me, said. "There are a few things you need to learn, so the time we need to wait will be better spent with an…education, of sorts." He couldn't keep back the smug look as he said. "And, I think it'd be best if Starscream were the one to teach you, Nightbird."
I looked to him. His optics were wide and his mouth hung open, the look betrayed a sense as if Megatron had just sentenced him to death with inaccurate evidence.
But of course, Megatron would win the case, and Starscream knew it. I was excepting the jet to at least stream of a symphony of insults to throw at me- but he said nothing.
His scarlet optics flashed with an anger I've never seen before. The look of absolute hate. And it was directed at me. Me…Nightbird… It made me feel like I 'was' nothing but a drone… It made me feel...lost…because, there wasn't just hate in that gaze…there was more to it than that…but I couldn't figure it out. And so he turned away, and stormed out of the room. Of course, not forgetting to slam the door.
I looked with sad optics after him. Turning to the others, I asked slowly. "Why does he hate me?"
Skywarp was the first to respond. Waving a servo, he said in a casual tone. "Ah don't worry about it! He's a lil' bit of a prick, and he just needs some getting used to. That's all."
"Yeah, don't worry about it, he'll get over it eventually."
They gave a few more encouraging comments, and I felt a little better… But still sick at heart. I still didn't understand…
Day 270…
I didn't sleep, and so when he came to rise me from my slumber, I was already up…
When I managed to gather up the rest of my things, I walked out into the hallway, and as always, met my second greatest enemy. Stairs. Finally though, I got to the top, and when running to get to the lab' on time, I ran straight into Thundercraker!..
Yeah… I felt awkward- but he was having the giggles about something and I wondered what. In the end he warned me about how Starscream was "not in the best of moods," and I took it into deep consideration.
Then I went off to the lab', and started on my math…
And here I am! 270 days after I was made… A Decepticon, and a jet who can't fly!.. Yet…
"Hello? Nightbird?"
"Huh?" I jerk my helm around, and stare at him. "What?" I squeak.
He gives me a flat look. "Have you not been paying attention to anything I just said?"
I shrug. Meh.
Starscream groans, "of course you haven't." He says, rolling his optics.
I frown, and look down at my math. I discover then, only half the questions have been completed, and as I glance at the clock, I discover it's been half an hour already. And I'm only on the first page! Whoops. I think, my yellowish optics narrowing. One of these days I'm going to half to learn to stop daydreaming.
Starscream frowns and shakes his helm. Giving a sigh he says in a bored tone. "Just get back to work."
And I do. Concentrating, I practically hold my breath as I attack my math. My processor works hard, and I forget the time and just focus on getting it finished. What a good little school girl I am. I think dully as I finish the page, at last.
"Uhh," I turn and look to him. He's standing on the other side of the table I sit at, writing in a file. He raises an optic ridge, but besides that has a flat look that says. "You're a failure, you realize that, right?"
I get pissed. What the hell is his problem!? I demand an answer out of my processor in frustration. Perhaps it's the math, but now I feel distant and annoyed.
"What?" He pauses then smirks. "What's up, birdie? Gettin' mad or somethin'?" He applies a strange accent with a touch of mockery.
I don't understand it, but I get even more pissed at that. "I'm not a failure!" Is what I want to scream at him, but I don't, I only stare, my optics narrowing.
"Oh?" He asks in the tone when he's playing some kind of game with me. "Did I touch a nerve?"
I strike. This has all happened to fast to really get a grip on things. I don't understand… Why did I get so angry over nothing? But then again, my servos are faster than my thoughts, and before I know it, I've lashed out to slap him.
To my surprise, he dodges the blow with ease, and I'm left even more angry. Steaming and hot in the face, I draw my hands back, and glue them to my sides.
Starscream stares flatly at me. "Uh-huh?"
I don't know why- but I nod. It seems like it's the only I can do, really.
"Aww, why so pissed?" He asks in a fake sympathetic voice.
I frown. "Prick." I growl.
He baffles and his optics narrow in scowl...
I lean against the table. Here we go again! I think, rolling my optics.
"Well at least I am not an incompetent drone who is incapable of completing even the simplest tasks! And not mention is totally naive and oblivious to what is going on around her half the time. And as well that- "
I slide him the form. All written out and checked. I give a sort of smug look as he quickly reads over it. His scowl darkens, and his gaze darts up and he shoots me a glare. But then all at once, our expressions are exchanged as he leans over the table and shows me my math text.
"That's, C2b- X" Starscream says, pointing to the latest question I've completed. I growl and snatch the text out of his servo. My optics quickly scan the sheet for the error, and after a moment, my helm droops in defeat.
I can't find my mistake. As usual.
He rolls his optics, and then moves around the table so he stands next to me. He reaches for a pad, and I watch as he quickly sketches out the question, and fixes in the answer before handing it to me. He takes a minute explaining boringly about the method used to solving such problems, and then explains what I did wrong and my error that caused me to find the incorrect answer. I pay attention- as he gets even more annoyed when he has to explain something twice, and even though it can be hilarious, he seems sort of off today. We're both off today. I think, but I don't voice my thoughts.
I listen to him, of course, but in the end he is hardly encouraging about any of it.
I slump over and I allow my helm to bang on the table. "I hate math." I actually manage to mumble.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. So do I, but I do it anyway."
I turn my head sideways to look at him, curious. It seems like the previous mood in the room has been dropped, and has been replaced by a much lighter one. Isn't math a science?
He only shrugs. "Yeah, I do, well, some parts of it at least. Dexories aren't so bad. But it's all sort of part of my job, so take my advice- hating it to death doesn't get you anywhere." he grumbles out and adds in, turning back to another table and lifting up a pen to mark something, "but just wait 'til you get to do schematics."
I stare at him a moment longer, watching his frame slightly relax, and I just barley catch the ghost of a smile on his lips. But it quickly fades. And I turn back to my work.
Starscream does whatever as I work as best I can on my math. I am determined to get past this road block and get on with it all. Since it's Tuesday, one of the numerous types of science will be studied after math. I give a half smile. He always seems to lighten up with anything to do with that, and the experience can be counted as halfway enjoyable. Sometimes.
Time goes on, and eventually I manage to get my head in the game and finish up the rest of my math. Handing it over to him, he looks over it, and frowns.
"Getting better, but watch your Explentations."
I stare up at him. What?
Pointing to the middle questions, I study them. After a moment, it clicks in. "Oh!" I exclaim, my voice aching. "The Tango ones!"
He stares at me, "uhh… I think Tango is some kind of human da-"
I wave a servo, then gesture to the drawn out question. I make sure to point out how they take forever. And I'm very satisfied with the name.
He stares at me, with one of his- "What is wrong with you?" Looks, but this one is a little more hysterical, and to my surprise I allow myself a very light laugh.
He smiles. Another thing that takes me off guard. He shakes his helm, then drops the text down on the table, and opens up another.
But I can't get the image out of my head. It was just for the moment, just for that one second, but it looked like a real smile. Soft and playful, a look that next to never shows on him. Ever.
Starscream's gaze is fixed on something else, and I allow myself one more second to stare up at his handsome face and slender frame...before I almost have to push myself to look down at the science book he has opened.
I pause as I read over it...
Weather. How lovely.
I turn the first page. It shows writings of- storms? How to predict, how to ovoid, how to spot from miles away… The list goes on, but I don't bother to read it.
I stare at him. Total blank expression. "What?" he asks, looking slightly confused.
I glance over my shoulder at my wings. Silver and sleek as ever. I turn back and raise an optic ridge. I haven't even transformed once yet, and you're worried about if I'll be able to spot a thunderstorm from 100 miles off?
For a reason I can't explain, he always seems to get what I'm trying to say, even without me really saying it. Shrugging, he says. "I didn't choose any of this. Megatron and Soundwave did." He rolls his optics. "Go talk to them about it if it so bothers you."
Oh. I think dully, my expression going blank again. I knew that already, of course, but still.
We begin at the beginning. But it's more of a lecture, really. We start out on various types of storms, and how best to tell it's level. He says it's best to always ovoid a storm if you can, and always, only use it as a last resort to stay hidden in the clouds if you must- but for the most part, it is best to stay out of the situation entirely. (For an inexperienced flier like me, anyway. He doesn't say it, but I pick up the hint. Ugh. Pri ck.) If you've been forced to make a quick assumption of a storms power, then there is a chance you're wrong. And being incorrect could cost you your life in the long run.
He explains then briefly on different patterns for fooling others in on your location, and ways to ovoid cretin flight patterns that- if you've been caught in a thunderstorm or lightning-storm- could lead from detection of enemies to being struck with a 10,000 lightning volt.
I listen through all of it, even taking notes-as they is a chance that, who knows, he might give me a test on this! But I find it all both fascinating and annoying. Believe me, if you were stuck in this situation, you'd feel like a school girl, too. And honestly, compared to what I can already do… Ugh.
But in the end, this all doesn't take as long as I thought it would.
Explaining one of the processes of lethal Storm Flying, however, take's an abundance of time.
It seems like for hours he goes on about what it takes to form them and what they can do. And then recounts a few famous storms in history, and who flew through them- and then he mentions a planet. Way out, practically on the other side of the galaxy, this planet is famous both for its precious ore nicknamed "Lubca" as well as its totally hostile weather that can really spring out in a second. "It was a completely clear day," Starscream begins, crossing his arms and leaning against the table. "I thought it was going to be a breeze, the waters were calm and the skies bright- but I was completely wrong. All at once, bam"- he snaps his fingers- "Thunder cracked and lighting struck. The next thing I knew, there were hundred foot waves crashing everywhere."
I look at him, raising an optic ridge. What'd you do?
He looks off into the distance and frowns. "Panicked and forgot everything." He looks to me and nods at my confused expression. "It was a long time ago…but then again I wasn't exactly the flier I am today…" he gives a smirk.
I roll my optics. Grate.
He's no stranger to bragging, and I'm just about to tune him out when he says simply. "-But of course I suppose the winds weren't as bad as they seamed...Anyway, keep reading on the subject."
He turns back to his work, and for once, I'm shocked with him. I mean, seriously. He usually just goes on and on and on and on and on and on about whatever little impressive things he's done in the past- and never sounds even the slightest bit humble about anything! What's gotten into you today? I wonder, eyeing him. I assume that he's just been having or has had a particularly bad day and isn't really in the mood to chat, but I know inside that that's wrong.
He never misses out on an opportunity to rub something in someone's face. Period.
I hold down a sigh, and turn back to the book, thinking. This is going to be a long day…
I step back into the lab' just as he is exiting. Starscraem pauses then says. "I'll be back in about fifteen minutes, go ahead and start the next subject." He turns back and looks me dead in the eye. "But so help my Primus', do not, touch anything, in this room- you got that?"
I nod and so does he. "K, now be g-" He stops in mid sentence, and I wonder what he was going to say. He shakes his helm, and then walks away down the hall.
Stepping inside, I glance around, wondering what has caused his paranoia of me being in the room alone. Come on, Nightbird, I start to remind myself. He hates leaving anything with you. I sigh, wondering when he'll ever place even just a little faith in me…trust, is out of the question, but a little respect would be nice. You'll never earn his respect. I think doubtfully to myself as I walk back to my table. So give it up, and get over it. But I don't… there's allot of things I don't understand about him, and that may always be like that, but there a few things I am determined to find out! For instance, why in the frag he got-
CRASH!
I freeze. Time stops and my optics widen. I turn slowly, and stare at the shattered vile on the ground. Liquid seeps out and it forms a small blue pool on the ground.
I crouch beside it, panicking. What the frag!? How did it- I mean- What do I do!? What do I do!? Nightbird you moron! What the hell!?
Thoughts stops. I just stare at the glossy water like liquid in utter defeat. Oh scrap…
I stare at it…
The water like stuff starts to ripple…but I didn't touch it...
The glassy surface shimmering like silver, I extend a servo, and brush along the rippling water. There's a pause, and then the rippling starts to get longer and thicker… The pool spreads outwards and waves start to splash at my feet. I jump up and take an exaggerated step backwards.
Panic makes on its way through my system terrifyingly and I jump back. I don't understand! This is all happening too fast! Trippingly trying to get away from the rising water, I spin on a heel, and turn to face a tumbling wave. Extended and long, I don't know what else to do but run. Spinning back towards the pool, my optics widen.
And I wonder, if I actually have time to scream as the wall of clear liquid rises up as if to embrace me, and I'm pulled down, down, down, under the water.
AN/ yeah so, I didn't intend for the chapter to be as long as it is, but I turned out that way anyway XD The next chapter is in the making, and yes I realize that this past chapter needs some more editing, but I'm fed up with it, and just wanted to post!
Please leave a review and have a nice day :)