Author's Note: I really hope you enjoy this chapter, I'm still getting a feel for this particular Megatron. I think he will develop more of a sense of himself in the next chapter of this. Though I'm quite tempted to make sure that Megatron meets Optimus Prime. Now that would be quite something!

Disclaimer: own nothing.

Kaon, Cybertron [Pre-War]

Stinging raindrops streaked down over Skywarp's sensitive wings and frame, searing his armour with acid, it was definitely one thing he had never missed about Kaon. The stench was unbearable, filling his senses with its sickening foulness, soaking into him and leaving him chilled to the spark. He didn't want to risk teleporting, the last time he had had again dumped him further back through time, it had been insanity, being forced to teleport again and again to prevent himself from ending up literally fried by battling bots.

Moving through the streets, people quickly avoided the black and purple seeker, considering the fact that he was clean and well armed made sure no one decided to waylay him for long. His head tipped back and gazed around him at his surroundings, taking in the decay and rusting buildings, mentally cataloguing the differences from the very first time he had walked these streets, the first time he had been introduced to Megatron by Starscream. Recruited into something he had far more knowledge about than they could imagine. There had been so many secrets... so much deception in those first days.

The question remained, how early was he? How far back had his teleports taken him? Either way, he had one target in mind, one that would hopeful ease the burning guilt that scorched upwards through him. In all honesty he hadn't even thought this would work, he hadn't really been considering all the ramifications his acts would cause. "Stupidity." Skywarp really knew that word could be related to him this time.

His fingers rubbed absently at his chassis, attempting to ease the throbbing pain that had curled itself in his spark, actually drawing him along through the streets. He jolted to a stop where the street branched off, optics glancing along the two paths, his lips pressed down into a frown, his fingers rubbing harder against his own chassis. One path would lead him towards the gladiatorial rings that ran along the outer edge of the Western District of Kaon, the other would head down to the slave markets. For all the civilisation that the Cybertronian people claimed during this period, slavery was one thing that still remained as a thriving industry unchecked by the government who profited from the sale of new Cybertronians, prisoners and those who were captured by the roaming gangs of Kaon.

Most ended up in the Gladiatorial Arenas, most ended up offlined before their first fight was finished, reduced to nothing more than lifeless trash thrown into the smelting pits to extract the raw materials from their frames.

Though he almost attempted to force himself to turn towards the Gladiatorial Arenas, something within him had him turning towards the Slave Markets, the black Seeker soon melting into the shadows at the edge of the massive crowd that was already gathered.

"Friends!" A scarred mech came onto the raised platform that stood before the slave pens where Cybertronians of all descriptions were chained up like creatures being readied for the slaughter. Many were wailing, their voices cutting right to Skywarp's spark as he gazed upon something that could only be considered a travesty. "Lords of Kaon." He praised the impatient throng of Cybertronians that were crammed into the space. "I give you our newest batch of slaves."

Every sense he had burned, his large frame was weighted down by heavy restraints and modified stasis cuffs, he knew one wrong move and he would end up with his whole sensor net overloaded with pain at the press of a button. An electro-prod was jammed hard into his shoulder, his body jerking with the heat that seared through his circuitry, his muscle cables seizing with the voltage as he was propelled forwards.

"Move it, worthless scum." One of the guards above on the top of the cages, his prod coming down again, almost clipping D-16 again with the sparking prongs.

Staggering forwards with the force of the crush, he was attempting to hunch himself in as much as possible knowing his size would draw far more attention than any new slave wanted. The last thing he wanted was to be sent to the Arenas, it was more than likely he would be and then he knew death would be no more than an orn away.

"Keep moving!"

Another sharp jolt cut through him, burning him right to the spark as he heard the laughter of the guards while they preyed upon the helpless slaves that were slowly being led out onto the floor for inspection. He bit down hard on his glossa to prevent him from saying something, anything as several slaves around him stumbled and almost dropped to their knees, only being dragged along by their interlinked bonds.

His optics stung in the foul air of Kaon, his head lifting just a little to be able to get a better glimpse at the large city around him, struck by its sheer size and complexity, he had never seen anything like it before. Helm dipped, he felt a strange tickle in his spark, the brush of something that made him dare to look up just once and his vocals caught at the sight of a striking black Seeker on the edge of the crowd. The mech was striking in appearance, clearly built for battle, yet there was something about him... something that spoke of an intelligence that lurked beneath the surface.

"Head down, filthy piece of slag." Something struck him hard across the back of his helm with enough force that it made his head ring with the impact. "Get in line."

D-16 stood shoulder to shoulder with a hundred others in the cramped Slave Market of Kaon's Western Quarter, when the first buyers strode amongst the lines of bound captives, regarding each in turn as if they were nothing more than pieces of lifeless equipment. His head twisted slightly, just enough to allow his optics to scan the crowd searching and actually managing to glimpse that dark coloured Seeker, his spark fluttering the moment he did spy the mech. Though it was only a moment later when the mech appeared to vanish, fading back into the crowd that was slowly swarming forwards around the prisoners.

Disbelief was the first thing that registered, his crimson optics widening for a moment as his gazed focused on one of the chained slaves. Even though he was significantly different in appearance from the Megatron who had attempted to slaughter Soundwave, he would recognise the large mech anywhere, his intense gaze penetrating when it met his own for one brief moment. He had found him. It was unbelievable.

Slowly Skywarp moved through the crowds, his fingers slipping into a subspace pocket and closing around an item that he had kept with him through the entire war. It felt warm against his palm, tingling with heat as he curled his grip even more tightly around it. A small price to pay for justice.

"What can I interest you in?" A raspy voice asked from one side of Skywarp, the Seeker's optics narrowing sharply and his free hand dropped towards the throwing blade that he carried. One sharp look and the Slaver was bowing his head and pressing both hands together in a gesture of subservience that was clearly an attempt at placating Skywarp. "What is your desire, pleasure, protection or sport?"

Skywarp would have snickered at that one, his jaw clenching ever so slightly, expression turning into a sharp mask of distain. Chin lifting, his back straightened and he rose to his full height, wings lifting themselves upwards and making himself look a little more imposing. Those around him clearly knew not to risk getting too close to the black hued Seeker. "Pleasure." Thundercracker would have laughed his aft off at that one, Megatron being used as a Pleasurebot instead of a Gladiator. It actually did get a slight smirk from him.

"Ah yes..." Gesturing in the direction of the more easy on the optic bots, the slaver had already shuffled several steps forwards before Skywarp's voice stopped him.

"I prefer mine with a little fight in them." His lips twitched upwards, a devilish glint filling his optics, convincing the other of his intensions or at least what he was trying to project. "You understand, a battle once one is something to savour."

"Yes, Gracious One, yes I see." The small mech was practically vibrating with the thought of a well placed sale. "What pleases you most?"

"That one." A finger casually gestured towards Megatron.

Though another buyer was examining the former miner, the slaver was soon actually steering the Arena Master away towards others of Megatron's size, coaxing and wheedling for several moments before instantly returning to Skywarp. Bowing his head low, before guiding him forwards through the throng to Megatron.

Skywarp's entire body almost vibrated on the spot, a storm of chaotic emotions raging through him at the sight of the mighty Decepticon Leader reduced to such a state. Stepping up to the towering mech, he reached out a hand, slipping his fingers beneath the miner's jaw and lifting the mech's head just enough for their optics to meet. What Skywarp saw stunned him to the core of his spark. Confusion and desperate hope, both directed at him. Had anyone ever looked at him like that?

"Your name, slave?" Snapping out the three words, he released the mech's face as if burnt by it, even though the mech's helm actually ducked, trying to press his servo back against chilled armour.

"Answer him." The slaver hissed, reaching for the electro-prod on his belt.

Skywarp's hand flashed out and caught the slaver's wrist in a painful grip flinging it back and away from Megatron sharply, baring his denta in a warning snarl that his patience would not last long if his prize was carelessly damaged. "Touch him again and you will lose a limb for your trouble." Turning his head back towards Megatron, he lifted one optical ridge in silent demand to be answered.

"D-16, Master." The mech whispered softly.

"Well, D-16 you're coming with me." The corondus diamond was being offered out to the slaver as his other hand was outstretched for the slavery codes and controller.

The slaver's optics almost bugged out of his helm at the sight of the precious jewel that would have brought a dozen slaves their freedom. The requested objects were immediately being pressed into Skywarp's outstretched hand and the miner was being released from the main chain line that bound him to the others on the Market Square. "All yours, Sir, all yours. Enjoy... yes... enjoy!" Before Megatron was being practically shoved towards Skywarp as the slaver examined the jewel with interest.

"This way." Skywarp moved swiftly through the crowd, the miner practically towering over him, hands still bound tightly before him and the crowd parted even more quickly to keep out of the way of the massive mech.

Silence filled the space between them as they were heading through Kaon, Skywarp needing to find somewhere private enough that he could do what he planned to do. Megatron was right behind him. A monster chained and for once brought to heel. Skywarp could end it before it could even start. Anything had to be better than Megatron leading the Decepticons, anything had to be better than the slaughter this single mech was going to cause.

Suddenly Skywarp jolted as two familiar figures appeared around a street corner, his spark jumping right up into his throat, choking off any sound that would have escaped his vocals. How could it be? Why here? Why now? They were still hidden within the darkness of one of the many alley ways that crisscrossed the city, invisible to most that passed only a few yards from them.

Thunderwing stood with his long arms encircling a laughing Cyclonus, the two mechs engrossed in their own little world. They were as Skywarp remembered them, happy in their love together, a love that made his entire spark ache and feel the bite of envy and bitterness swell, also the wash of guilt over the very same emotions. He could hear them over the mumbling street venders and shuffling crowds of workers that milled around between the filth filled bars that lined every inch of the city. The sweet words. They were the reason he had fought so hard for so long. Yet, here they were... oblivious to his presence, oblivious to the fact he wanted desperately to feel that same love... hear someone say the same words to him. No one had ever loved him like that. Some people in his life had cared like Thundercracker did... but it was not the same.

"Why don't you see me?" The words were sobbed out, the Seeker for once helpless in the face of his overwhelming emotions, grief mixed with guilt and jealousy... so many conflicting things flowed through him. "Why... why do you never see me?"

He turned on Megatron, or D-16, the bound miner standing there watching him with those same golden optics, concern flaring in them as they watched the first tears roll down Skywarp's cheekplates. They continued to watch him even when he drew out a weapon, lifting it to actually press just over the mech's spark.

"I came here to kill you." Skywarp's anger and hatred showed for a few moments for all the things this mech would do in the future. "There has never been such a monster as you... one so twisted... so dark. I thought your death would be enough, enough to ease the ache in my spark, to know I saved another life. Just one more... in the endless death that surrounds us." The weapon was trembling, forcing him to lift his other hand to try and hold it steady. Yet, there was no condemnation in those golden optics, no plea for his life. "Your death would probably save Cybertron from the fate you designed for it."

"Do you know how long I loved him? How many vorns... I grieved his passing? I protected his bondmate. I fragging guarded him... for what? For what?" Cyclonus was dead, just like Thunderwing was. "All love does is cause us pain... why do I still want it? Why... do I still..."

One shot was all it would take to change the world.

One shot.

The weapon clattered to the ground, the tools of slavery ownership being dropped down beside them and Skywarp's pede came down hard on top of them, smashing the controller into fragments. He drove his heel down again, hearing every component within in snap and hiss as tiny wisps of smoke curled upwards from it. The miner's shackles unlocked and thumped to the ground at the mech's pedes, useless.

"Go." Skywarp whispered, both hands lifting to desperately rub at the tears that were sliding down his cheekplates. "Get out of here."

"No."

The Seeker almost let out a cry of shock when a pair of massive arms abruptly curled around his waist and tugged him forwards against a broad chassis, his face tucked against the miner's neck. He was being held, warmth seeping back into his frame as he felt a hand brushed against the back of his helm and draw it in closer, refusing to allow Skywarp to squirm away from the hold.

"You did save one more life." The deep rumble vibrated just beneath Skywarp's audio, the grip around the sobbing seeker tightening almost imperceptibly, almost possessively. "Mine."

D-16 cradled the trembling Seeker to his chassis, feeling the body shift in closer, desperate for any kind of comfort the large Cybertronian could provide. Even though he couldn't make much sense of some of the mech's actions or words, what he did know was that he had just been given his freedom and his life. "I will not leave you." Even though he had nowhere to go anyway, something deep within his spark told him that right now this mech desperately needed someone or he just might end up being another shattered frame taken to the Smelting Pits.

"Are you... really Megatron?" Crimson optics flickered upwards to his face and searched it, clearly attempting to find something within it to confirm whatever it was he had assumed. "I know you are... but..." Confusion drifted across the beautiful features, the Seeker's mouth opening for a moment before snapping shut and the mech shook his head. "You're not what I expected."

Now that made the corners of D-16's mouth actually twitch upwards. "What did you expect?"

"Evilness."

Now that stumped the miner, even though energon did stain his servos, the guilt of that death still staining his spark, he did not feel... evil. He had accepted the punishment he had been handed for his part in the riot back on Mining Station C-12. "Now that was definitely not what I was expecting." And a smile tugged at his lips as the slightly irritated look that crossed the seeker's features.

"Stop smiling like that." Skywarp huffed softly, but couldn't draw his optics away from the surprising sight, perfectly flat denta peaked out from between the mech's fine lips, his golden optics twinkling with a hint of amusement.

"What would it take to make you smile, if I cannot?" A thumb swept at the tears that had finally begun to ease, erasing the marks that ran down over the mech's dark cheekplates. "I always did like a challenge."

The Seeker's mouth opened once, then shut again as he realised he was actually being teased, even giving the heaviness of the situation, Megatron had somehow found some levity in it. "You... who are you?" This could not be Megatron. This powerful mech with a smile that reached his optics, whose large servos brushed lightly against his spinal plating keeping him tucked in close. The Chronoton particles had definitely gotten to him.

"I am D-16."

Praxus, Cybertron [Pre-War]

"Beautiful." D-16 stood by the massive windows, his servos resting lightly against the clear surface and gazed out over the Helix Gardens that spread out before the apartment complex that rose to join others surrounding the others in the Praxian skyline. His head twisted slightly to glance at the Seeker who had been watching him since they had arrived there by private transport, those crimson optics were on him again, still searching for something in the miner that he could not see. The word could definitely be applied to the beautiful Seeker stretched out across the couch.

He had never felt so clean before, his fingertips lightly touched against his bare plating across his chassis and felt the carefully made welds that had knitted together several open wounds he had had. Clean, safe and fed. And he had no idea at all what to make of it. "You never told me your name."

"Skywarp." The Seeker sighed, shifting again across the couch, resting on his belly so that the long length of those wings wouldn't be trapped against the back of the couch. "What... am I going to do with you?"

"Keep me?" The large mech flashed Skywarp a grin, golden optics brightening. He couldn't help it, something kept tugging softly at his spark, making his lips twitch and want to just smile at the sight of the Seeker. "You did pay a considerable amount for me." D-16's optics glanced back out the window at Praxus, studying the cityscape with a new kind of hope. He was not one to turn away an opportunity that had suddenly dropped squarely into his grasp. "Skywarp."

"Yeah?"

"What you talked about before... about me being..." Shaking his head slightly, he still couldn't ever think like that. Could he ever give up his spark and sense of what was right to become the nightmare that Skywarp had described? It honestly horrified him to think that ever might be possible. "How can I change that? How can I change that future?" If that was where this mech was from.

Skywarp pushed himself upwards on one elbow joint, stunned by the question. "You..."

"How can I change the horrors that you have witnessed, Skywarp?" The laughter had faded from D-16's optics, his large frame illuminated against the backdrop of the city lights of Praxus. "What can I do to make sure that never happens?"

What do you think? I'm quite tempted to have Skywarp see Thunderwing again and actually admit his feelings to him just once XD and then Megatron can give Thunderwing a good beating for breaking Skywarp's spark. XD