Between Heaven and Hell

Author's Note: Yeah, here it is again. Since watching Prime and writing "Nevermore", my brain has been nagging away at me to write this. I felt that I had more ideas in a Prime world that weren't in my previous fic involving these two, so I wanted to try a fic that led up to Nevermore. I also felt that I didn't display Jhiaxus' ferocity enough up unto his change. An AU fic since the events of War and Fall of Cybertron took place before Prime. There may be a mild change to when Jhiaxus wrote the journal entries, but just a bit since this is a take I wanted to write. There may also be connections to my fanfic "Gravity" as well, but just simple ones.

"Prodigious birth of love it is to me,

That I must love a loathed enemy."

- William Shakespeare

"In war, truth is the first casualty."

- Aeschylus

By: VampireQueenAkasha

~O~

The Fool

In war, time had a way of slowing down.

Eros lost track of how long she'd been looking for her commander of her unit in the ruins of an oil bath house. Commander Peloton had failed to report back to her after he pursued Decepticons inside. The Blue Strike Unit consisted of a few warriors who had been chosen from the academy to follow Ultra Magnus' commands.

Her father.

Eros recalled the days of her sparklinghood when her father smiled. The Autobot High Council was probably a mere part to blame given the strain they placed on him, but she knew that it had a lot to do with the death of her mother at the hands of Decepticons. He never spoke of it and the only thing that seemed to keep him going was taking charge, keeping his mind away from what had happened.

The Autobot returned her attention to the task at hand, noticing several containers of Energon stored here. It was strange to see such a sight; perhaps there was a bot who had attempted to use this place as a safe-house of some kind, but it looked to have been abandoned. She really had no chance of taking them with her right now.

"Commander Peloton, do you read me?" she whispered, attempting to reach him through her com-link. "Commander, come in!"

Static was all that answered her, but when she wandered down a corridor, she found a trail of blue Energon streaked across the floors. She followed the path and it led her into a storage room where she watched turbo wolves gnawing away at something in the corner.

It was twitching.

Eros' hand transformed into a gun. Her features contorted in fury. "Get off of him, you ugly fraggers!" she spat.

One of the wolves lifted its head and snarled at her. She took aim and shot it in the head, sending its CPU shattering to pieces. Two more wolves attempted to leap at her, but she took aim and ended their existence in the same manner. Once they were disposed of, Eros bent down to the tattered, laser-riddled body of her unit commander.

His maroon-colored body was broken by lasers, turbo wolf bites and he was missing his left leg, which ended in a shredded stump that exposed his internal components. He seemed delirious from the pain, his optics occasionally flickering in and out.

"W-What are you doing here...soldier?" Peloton groaned, his vocals spitting static.

"I'm here to save your aft, that's what!" Eros snapped, reaching down to take his arm, placing it over her shoulders.

Peloton uttered a weak chuckle in response.

Eros carried her wounded commander on her shoulder and slowly made her way back toward the exit. "This is First Officer Eros of Blue Strike requesting backup!" she said, into her com-link. "Backup. I repeat, backup." She growled in frustration. "I could use some help here!"

Finally, Ananke's voice filled her com. "I have a lock on your signal! I'm on my way!"

"Thank Primus!" Eros sighed, "Hurry up and bring medical with you."

Peloton mumbled and shook his head. "That...won't be necessary."

Eros frowned at him. "What?"

"I don't think I can make it..."

"Don't talk like that! You will!"

As the two continued forward into the main entryway, there was a low groaning sound, like the buckling of metal. Peloton's optics widened and he looked at Eros with unease on his features. She caught the gaze and stopped, scanning the area around them.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's him. He's found us."

"Who?"

"Jhiaxus."

Eros had only ever heard of the Decepticon, but never met him in person. The stories that centered around him were terrifying at best, but she also felt that most tall tales could be greatly exaggerated. She was never one to fear anything based on mere stories, but there was a slight quiver of uncertainty within her that she couldn't help. That was mainly because of her concern for her commander than anything else. Eros had been trained to be fearless in the face of battle.

The sound of metal groaning grew louder and the pair looked up, only to see a massive form move swiftly from the metal beams above. It looked like the turbo wolves, but far more monstrous in appearance; with jagged, segmented edges, a black and gray body and fiery optics, it grasped the banisters with its claws and leaned down, roaring at the two Autobots.

Eros cringed back somewhat before her hand transformed into a gun and she aimed it at the creature.

The beast jumped from the banisters and landed onto the floor, looming over the Autobots, regarding them with those red optics, flames dancing within them. Sick, rattling growls emerged from its vocals as its optics turned to the wounded Autobot Eros held up. Peloton shuddered and Eros felt it. She glanced from him to the beast - including the Decepticon insignia on its chest - before regarding him furiously.

"No! You're not going to take him!" she shouted, "You'll have to go through me!"

The creature regarded her for a long time, doing nothing. It was a tense standoff between the Autobots and this monstrous thing. Eros continued staring at him, raising her gun, but an attack never came. Instead, the beast roared at her and transformed, folding into the robotic form of Jhiaxus.

He was tall, highly decorated, wearing a cloak around his broad shoulders. He had facial features that bore an eerie resemblance to the ancient artworks of Unicron's visage. He was intimidating to an extent, but Eros wasn't afraid. She couldn't afford fear on her salary.

Jhiaxus hadn't done a thing since transforming. All he did was stare at her, his optic brows slowly wrinkling, as if he couldn't fathom the depths of her insanity. But Eros hadn't done a thing either. She merely stared back, waiting for him to do something.

Why the slag were they both waiting?

She could have shot him there, but it didn't happen. She couldn't fire. Her mind wanted to do it. There was no reason at all not to, but she...just didn't. It was as much of a surprise to her that he hadn't attacked yet. He seemed to simply...watch. His features were almost unreadable save for the mild scrutiny in his gaze.

It was only the sound of Autobots in the distance that made him glance upwards, beyond the two. He caught Eros' gaze, gave her an unnamed expression that sent a shiver up her back before transforming into his beast mode and rushing in the opposite direction. There hadn't been fear in his gaze; no, not of the Autobots from Eros' team. Not from the sight of the weapon she had leveled at his spark. But there had been a change in the air from the Decepticon warlord.

"Eros!" It was Ananke, the Sharpshooter of Eros' unit. She was a white Autobot with blue glow lining in her body. She was moving to her side, gathering Peloton while the others followed to help. "Commander, we're going to get you some help! Hold on!"

Eros had barely heard her. She was watching the direction that Jhiaxus had gone, perplexed by the sight of him.

She was an intelligent bot. She had been educated to the finest degree that her father could get. She observed things and was capable of reaching logical conclusions, but this was something that had baffled her. Something entirely new that she couldn't fathom.

"Eros!" Ananke took her hand. "We need to go, now!"

Eros snapped out of her daze and followed her unit out of the building.

O

Most of the Autobots had chosen to use Iacon as their base of operations. They had been able to withstand Decepticon forces for a long time, but the remaining Council believed that the destruction of the walls was imminent. It would only hold for so long. Eros believed this to be fact as well, but she was willing to stand strong for her people.

Peloton was rushed into the medical ward within the makeshift fortress. Eros and her unit followed the doctors and eventually, she stopped, spotting Ultra Magnus standing down the corridors, speaking to a golden mech. It was Pontus, a mech who had once been Council Member to public affairs before the war began. He was now reduced to giving commands to smaller units and - fortunately - hers wasn't one of them. He was a very shady fellow who her father claimed desired to be named a Prime.

Hah. Pontus Prime. While it DID flow rather well, Eros would sooner die before she called him that.

"Eros!" Ultra Magnus called to her and it snapped her from her haze. He approached and placed his hands on her shoulders. "You're back. I've received word on what happened to Peloton. Our medics are going to do the best that they can."

Eros nodded her head. "Yes. I understand, sir."

Ultra Magnus guided her to follow him down the corridors. "Come. We need to talk."

Eros followed him and he led her into an empty mess hall that had once been a library. Ultra Magnus turned to face her and his features - normally so stoic and hard - softened an infinitesimal amount. "I understand you are still refusing to speak to me."

Eros exhaled. "I don't want to do this right now. I want to make sure Peloton's going to be okay."

"You know why the information is classified."

Eros' optics narrowed. "No, I really don't...father." She watched him tense at the borderline disrespect she had in her vocals. "My mother's death shouldn't be kept secret from me."

"There are reasons for it, Eros." Ultra Magnus warned her. "I've mentioned this before."

Eros rolled her optics with a snort and started to go, but Ultra Magnus took her wrist, stopping her. "You know she's gone. Nothing will bring her back."

Eros glared back at him and spoke with a biting edge. "Of course I know she's gone. You remind me every day."

"You can't allow yourself distractions on the battlefield." Ultra Magnus reminded her, in a gentler tone. He loosened his grip on her wrist and sighed. "I know it is always possible, but I won't see my remaining family perish out there. Not for her own need for vengeance."

Eros simply scoffed. "I will find who killed her, father. One way or another. That's not something that stays in the dark forever."

"I know you will."

Eros managed a small smile and left the room.

Meanwhile, the vast, frightening form of the Decepticon warship, the Twilight drifted at a distance from Cybertron. It moved silently, drifting through space like a jagged leviathan. Jhiaxus moved down the corridors until he reached the bridge where his drones and soldiers waited. An old, blind Decepticon was sitting at a console and smiled when he heard Jhiaxus enter.

"My Lord, you've returned safely." he said.

"I have." Jhiaxus answered. "Did you doubt me, Specter?"

Specter chuckled softly. "Not at all, old friend."

The chemistry between the two was still rather perplexing to some on board the Twilight. Jhiaxus was never known for his kindness to anyone, not even his own Decepticons. But it was believed that Specter and Jhiaxus had a history that went back long before hostilities even blossomed on Cybertron.

Jhiaxus snapped his fingers and drones immediately rushed over with Energon for him to drink. The warlord nodded to the drones once he received the drink and turned attention to a large set of screens before him. Digital blueprints of Cybertron's largest cities were brought up.

"Kaon belongs to us. Simfur will soon follow. Iacon is simply waiting to be claimed..." A drone said.

Jhiaxus hadn't been listening. There was something else on his mind at the moment.

"You are thinking, Jhiaxus." Specter's voice interrupted him.

Jhiaxus glanced at the older bot. "I've witnessed an unusual change to my war days, old friend." he replied. "I've faced an Autobot and did not strike."

Specter's tattered optic ridges seemed to quirk up. "Really?"

"Indeed. I'm as surprised as you are, really." Jhiaxus murmured. "Yet I too was not alone. The Autobot had not attacked either. We simply exchanged looks, shared a mutual understanding, I'm certain. She didn't seem afraid of me as most are; fear is always obvious in the optics. But she did not have this fear."

Specter seemed intrigued. "What did she have?" he asked quietly.

Jhiaxus stared down at his drink, silent for a while. He was perplexed by this...curious thing. He had never met her before, but surely she had known of him. Most of his enemies were insipid, fearful things who boasted their lack of it. Petty liars who died brutal deaths by his hand. But he hadn't attacked her. Never had he hesitated in battle to slay an Autobot, never paused in his search to fill his appetite with shed protoflesh. It was unusual, confusing and mildly alarming to him.

"Curiosity." he finally answered.

Specter smiled somewhat. "Autobots are like the curious animals of Cybertron, my Lord. Surely she was young and reckless to hesitate."

"But I hesitated all the same. Does that make me reckless?"

Specter's smile fell.

"I must resume my research." Jhiaxus said, turning to leave the bridge. He gave no further thought to such an assumption. "I will return to Cybertron to continue my conquest later."

Specter nodded his head.

Jhiaxus left the bridge, wandered the corridors and entered his laboratory; a disorganized lair of tools, files and collections of specimens. On a table there was an Autobot who was bound with his mouth covered. A red, simple thing without name or purpose but to die.

Jhiaxus ignored the bot who whimpered at the sight of him and sat down in a chair beside him, turning to a computer. He started to research Autobot units, but paused and looked back at the imprisoned Autobot. A small smile lit his lips and he straightened, reaching out and removing the gag from the soldier's mouth.

"Do you have interesting experiences on the battlefield?" he asked.

The Autobot shook his head rapidly, fear lighting his optics.

"I have." Jhiaxus continued. "I've met a face without fear. Truly without fear. I'm certain you know of this face. She was young, a blue creature possibly with the Energon of a mech in higher authority. Surely you know of such a femme, yes?"

The Autobot grunted sharply, wincing against his restraints. "Y-You must be talking about Eros. She's a First Officer in the Blue Strike Unit."

Jhiaxus stared at him before smiling. "It's nice to have such a talkative Autobot." he sneered.

He turned attention to his computer and began to research the name. He came up with a detailed list of the Autobots of the unit in question as well as their professions.

Peloton - Commander * DECEASED *

Eros - First officer / Intelligence

Ananke - 2nd lieutenant/ Sharpshooter

Swift Streak - Medical

Aether - Reconnaissance

Geras - Demolitions

Aww, Peloton was now labeled as deceased? That was a shame. Jhiaxus had spent a long time tracking the fool down after cutting off his leg. He had been quite impressed that an Autobot had gotten as far as he did without his other limb. He then noticed Eros' name. She was indeed the First Officer of her unit, which carried the possibility that she would become its commander with the death of her leader.

How facinating.

Then, the Autobot began to beg him. "Please let me go..." he pleaded. "I won't tell anyone about your ship's secrets, I promise. Please, I won't."

Jhiaxus stared down at him while he pleaded, emptiness in his gaze. Then, his optic brows arched. "Yes you would."

The Autobot stared back at him helplessly.

"Now then, let's begin." Jhiaxus said, standing. He walked to another table, gathering tools. "Did you know that it was I who started the Combiner technology? Oh yes. It was quite something. Though it wasn't without its sacrifices, as science often proves. I believe the Autobots had developed their own Conbiners as well. Yes. I crossed paths with...oh, what was its name again? Oh yes...Superion. How precious."

The Autobot groaned and turned his head away when Jhiaxus placed a tray of tools beside him on a table.

"They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," Jhiaxus murmured. "But I find it somewhat...distasteful. To be given credit for work that's not mine. Especially inferior work. It's nothing short of a blatant insult. But you understand, don't you?"

The Autobot glared up at him and attempted bravado. "You'll rust in the Pit!"

Jhiaxus grinned now, leaning over him and tapping his helm rather roughly with one long claw. "Rust? You don't have much of an imagination, do you? Hm. Maybe I should open up your central processor and find out. Everyone knows I love a good experiment."

He turned and picked up something from the table. "Oh yes. This will do nicely."

The Autobot's optics widened when Jhiaxus held up a sharp scalpel.

While this was happening, Iacon mourned the loss of Peloton, who's body was being delivered to the smelting pool for a proper burial. Witnessing the process was Pontus and various remaining council members as well as soldiers who were close to the commander. Pontus merely flashed Eros a smirk, to which she ignored with a disgusted scowl.

"Eros..." It was Tau who spoke, another council member whom Eros disliked a little less than Pontus. "You are given command of your unit. Lead them wisely."

Ananke stood beside Eros and smiled, patting her shoulder. "We will follow you, Eros."

Eros nodded her head and looked at each expectant face, particularly to her father. Her mind was only half to the task in front of her, but she would lead her unit. And she would do so against Decepticons and all the evil they brought to the planet.

But her mind wandered away. Not intentionally, of course. It was to the Decepticon who had let her live.

How strange...

O

Note - In Tarot, the Fool is the spirit in search of experience. He represents the mystical cleverness bereft of reason within ourselves, the childlike ability to tune into the inner workings of the world. The sun shining behind him represents the divine nature of the Fool's wisdom and exuberance, holy madness or 'crazy wisdom'. In his hand there may be a flower, showing his appreciation for beauty. He is frequently accompanied by a dog, sometimes seen as his animal desires, sometimes as the call of the "real world", nipping at his heels and distracting him. He is seemingly oblivious that he is walking toward a precipice, apparently about to step off. The Fool can represent Jhiaxus or Eros, however you wish to interpret it.