Disclaimer: We do not own Transformers Prime or its canon characters; Hasbro and the Hub do. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns the lovely Skye Shelsher, Plasmarift and Silverblaze, and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Emusa, Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Blackout, Air Raid, Caliber, Speedway, and Jetfire.
Theme Song: Crownless by Nightwish
Darkstorm touched down on the metallic earth and steeled herself for what she was afraid to be a violent encounter. Still, she knew she could not turn back now. She was no coward. And she knew that he no longer had any power over her.
She did not know herself why she suddenly gained the courage to see him. Perhaps, it was to thank him for aiding Optimus and the others in ending the DJD's cruel reign. Perhaps, it was to assure him that despite what he had done, he was not lost. She did not know.
Cautiously, she made her way over to the dismal cave. She made sure her steps were loud enough to inform him of her presence but quiet enough to reassure him that she would present no danger to him. She tightly clenched the energon cube in her hand as if it were a lifeline before she hesitantly called into the darkness.
"Megatron? Are you online?"
Her optics could vaguely detect movement as a large silver mass turned to look at her. Crimson optics pierced the darkness as his gaze met hers.
"Darkstorm, what a pleasant surprise. How. . . courteous of you to visit." His voice no longer held the same edge that Darkstorm was so accustomed to. Instead, it sounded weary. The kind of weariness that came with realization.
She saw him when he refused to continue the battle. Unicron's control had shaken him to his very core. He then knew how it must felt to be victim to his tyranny. . . To be enslaved to a dark master that took twisted delight in torturing others. It was then that Darkstorm truly knew. He had seen the truth and it caused him to feel ashamed.
After all, he caused the civil war. Because of him, thousands. . . millions, perhaps, of good mechs, femmes, and even sparklings were offline. It would cause anyone to feel weary.
"I brought you some energon. . . Optimus thought it best. We could tell from the Nemesis' computers that your life signal was growing faint." Darkstorm slowly held out the cube to him. Still, the Decepticon warlord made no move to retrieve it. He studied it as if questioning whether or not it was poisoned. Seeing this, Darkstorm gently placed it on the ground beside him.
Megatron vented softly. "Why have you come?"
"Do you not believe-?"
"If Optimus wished for me to have energon, he would have brought it himself. I know Orion. He would never risk me casually offlining a member of his team," Megatron smirked wryly and chuckled mockingly to himself. "I am a dangerous criminal, after all. I am surprised he has kept me online this long."
Darkstorm's brow furrowed. "He keeps you online because he believes, just as I do, that anyone is capable of change."
"And do you? Do you honestly believe that I am capable of change?"
"Yes," Darkstorm answered softly.
Rare emotions flashed across Megatron's facial plating. Humility. . . and shock. He quickly regained his composure however and chuckled once more. "What made you so forgiving?"
"I know it seems hard to believe. You. . . You started the war. You took away my innocence, my childhood. You even harmed my beloved scout," she vented and offlined her optics. She prayed for strength before her optics onlined and she turned to Megatron with a soft smile. "But I can see that you have changed. . . Besides, I know that God would not approve of me holding grudges."
Megatron turned away from Darkstorm slightly, stewing in his own thoughts. This God… the voice? A part of him hated Him for allowing him to suffer at Unicron's servos a second time. But another… thanked Him. Thanked Him for helping him to see just what his life had turned into.
When had he allowed his grand vision for a free and equal Cybertron to turn into tyrannical dictatorship? How could he have ever began such a bloody war, and all because of his wounded pride?
He vented, offlining his optics. He oftentimes wished he was still offline. Everyone would rejoice, that much he knew. Who was he to disappoint them?
Or was he condemned to live life alone, constantly made painfully aware of his mistakes? Even know the echoed screams of the dying echoed through his now clear processor. If he dared to step outside, to try to live as if nothing ever happened, he would be a fool. He was no longer Megatronus…
He was Megatron. A dictator. A murderer. A sadist. An evil, despicable thing.
"Megatron?" a tentative, feminine voice whispered.
Megatron onlined his optics and was pulled out of his thoughts. Was she still here? Did she not fear for her life?
"I appreciate the sentiment but I need neither your help nor your pity. You may leave now, before I change my mind about letting you go unscathed," Megatron hissed, but not with the same gravity his voice had previously had. His threat sounded half-sparked and weak, even to his own audial receptors.
Still, even that produced an involuntary shudder of fear from the femme. "V-Very well. I shall leave you if you so wish."
Megatron could vaguely hear the tremor in her voice as she backed out of the cave and transformed, taking to the skies. He vented once more.
He used to revel in how his soldiers feared him, how they did everything he said without question. Now, he was so tired of it all. He was tired of the looks of horror and terror that he still was met with.
A monster. That's what they saw him as. And… maybe, they were right.
He gazed out at the dark Cybertronian sky before grabbing the cube of energon with an outstretched servo. He studied it for a few moments before taking a drink. Even if it was poisoned, he no longer cared.
Death or solitude. Neither seemed to appeal to him.
But here in this cave, he would not be met with fear and hatred. Only self-loathing. And, he supposed he would have to learn to be content with that.
When Darkstorm returned, everyone in the main room of the Autobot base was gathered as they received two new visitors. The slim and curvy femme Seeker was painted in purple, black, and cyan blue. She surveyed the room much like a panther ready to strike through narrowed optics, as if in her mind the war wasn't over. When no one in the base made a move to activate their weapons, the tension in her frame eased if only slightly.
"Well, hello there," Skybreak grinned. Darkstorm watched in dismay as her brother approached the Seeker. "Name's Skybreak. What's yours, gorgeous?"
Darkstorm's optics widened as she observed her brother. What? Was he…? No!
The femme looked at Skybreak, raising one optic ridge in an expression that screamed 'I'd be more interested in a scraplet.' "Absolutely no business of yours."
"Well then I guess just calling you gorgeous will have to do for now," Skybreak smirked. "And I'd say the name fits."
She seemed taken a-back. "Try it and I'll rip your wings off like an insect."
Instead of the mech becoming angry or hurt like she was expecting, Skybreak simply laughed. "I was one of Megatron's top officers back in the day." He smirked. "I think I can handle you. Besides, I admire a strong spark in a femme."
She rolled her optics. "Oh great, it admires me."
"And that's not all I admire, gorgeous-" The sound of clearing throat cables interrupted Skybreak as he turned around to see both his sister and Dreadwing standing behind, arms crossed over their chassis. "What?"
"Skri'brak, show this femme due respect," Dreadwing said.
"I thought I was," Skybreak smirked and replied innocently.
Darkstorm pinched the upper bridge of her facial plating and vented before turning to the femme. "Forgive him. He… oftentimes lacks tact." She smiled. "I'm Darkstorm, by the way."
"Charmed, I'm sure." The femme glared at Skybreak before continuing. "I am Slipstream of the ruling family of Vos."
Dreadwing paused, recognition flashing across his features. "Yes… I remember now. Your sire was the Queen's brother. You and your brother, Sunstorm, were next in line to the throne after Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp."
She vented. "Before the pit-spawn destroyed the planet with their grievances toward their betters, yes."
Darkstorm frowned slightly. "I'd say the grievances were merited, but…" She half smiled. "It is a genuine pleasure to meet you, Slipstream. Very few Seekers come here."
She turned however as the other Seeker, a mech, approached. His facial plating was well-sculpted and handsome, she supposed. He also had a strong, almost noble bearing, like Dreadwing but he was painted in a bright orange. However, the look in his optics unsettled Darkstorm. It was like… a rabid animal's.
Her optics widened as the mech knelt and took her servo, kissing it. "And I must say it is a genuine pleasure to see a beautiful femme Seeker such as yourself. Your wings are exquisite, my dear." He smirked. "My designation is Sunstorm."
Skybreak glared down at him as did Bumblebee, doorwings raising in alarm. "I'm going to give you three nano-klicks to let go of her, pal," Skybreak warned.
Sunstorm's smirk widened but he complied. Bumblebee crossed his arms over his chassis. "Didn't know if you noticed the ring or not, but she's taken. I'm her sparkmate, Bumblebee."
"Ring? What an odd token. I meant nothing by it, Praxian. But please, my dear, tell me you aren't bonded to a grounder. That's… blasphemous."
It was Darkstorm's turn to glare. "What, because I am a Seeker? He treats me kindly and we are very much in love. I do not see why it matters."
"I meant no offense, my dear Darkstorm," Sunstorm said suavely. "I simply meant that it must be difficult, not having your sparkmate beside you in flight. And think of your future sparklings. They may be doomed to be deprived of the joys of flying."
Darkstorm's glare deepened so even Bumblebee became a bit concerned for the mech. She fought to withhold herself from placing a protective servo over her abdomen. The signs of her being sparked were still far too faint to tell just by sight alone and she didn't want him knowing anything. Her unborn daughter was perfect in her optics, whether she was a grounder or no. "I know you are of ruling class so I shall be understanding. I however am not. I was raised on the streets of Kaon, not Vos. So pardon me if I committed a Seeker social faux pas but I love Bumblebee and he loves me. And I have no regrets whatsoever."
"I can see why. Such a fiery and beautiful Seeker such as yourself must have had dozens of suitors in Kaon." Sunstorm leaned closer to her and whispered in Seeker cant, "Is'e mo aife'ala ach nach sikuwa nie een hulle." My only regret is that I was not one of them.
Darkstorm attempted to comfort Bumblebee through their bond before she turned to Slipstream again, leaning away from Sunstorm while doing so. "May I ask as to why you both are here?"
She rolled her optics again. "We seem to have run across some unsavory characters who wish to steal our throne and, much as it pains us to have to resort to this, we knew about a quaint little outpost on the homeworld with benevolent 'Bots rebuilding Cybertron. So, as part of restoring our home, we thought you could deal with this little issue."
"So, does that mean I can see more of you around here, gorgeous?" Skybreak grinned.
Darkstorm glared at her brother before venting. "It is uncertain whether Vos' monarchy will be restored, but-"
"But," Optimus interrupted as he approached them. "We shall grant your request. If there is a serious danger to your lives, then I will grant you asylum here."
Sunstorm bowed. "Oh, thank you, Optimus. You truly are as wise and benevolent as the stories proclaim."
Optimus seemed taken aback by the outburst but nodded. "Thank you, but please… There is no need to bow. That privilege is reserved for God alone."
Sunstorm froze, his smirk turning grim and somewhat animalistic as he rose. Infidel, he thought.
Meanwhile, in the back of the room, Flareup turned her helm towards Emusa. "Any idea what this mech is on?"
"Maybe he was dropped on his helm as a sparkling?" she smirked. "Your guess is as good as mine. Let's just hope he doesn't try anything else with 'Storm or there could be an energon bath."
"Hmm… but that would be entertaining."
"Slag, yes," Emusa snorted back a laugh.
"Well, that is settled," Darkstorm said. "Slipstream, do you mind if I show you to your quarters?"
Slipstream eyed the walls, as though she were checking it for grime and vermin. "As long as I walk away with my joints and paintjob intact."
"Of course."
"And what of my quarters, my dear Darkstorm?" Sunstorm asked.
Darkstorm tried to look at him pleasantly but found it hard. "Since you are a mech, would it not be proper for Dreadwing and Skybreak to escort you to your quarters? Dre'wan is of the upper castes too and there will be no grounders near you. Do you not feel fortunate?" she asked coldly before gesturing for Slipstream to follow her down the hallway.
When the two femmes left, Sunstorm purred, "You truly are lucky to have found her, Praxian."
Skybreak glared. "That's my sister you're talking about. Not some palace pleasure bot. While you're here, if I ever catch you touching her again, I'll tear off your wings with my bare servos. And Dreadwing will help me." Dreadwing did not deny it. The way Sunstorm stared at his little storm made him uncomfortable. Darkstorm was still a treasured friend and his only wish was to protect her.
"Very well," Sunstorm chuckled though it sounded more like a growl. "Now, to my quarters?"
"Right…. this way," Dreadwing said coolly before they too departed.
Darkstorm vented. "Your brother must be quite… difficult to deal with."
"In my family I learned to take what I could get. I was actually fortunate to end up with him. Better than my jokester of a cousin."
Darkstorm recalled what Dreadwing told her of Starscream's family. "Skywarp? He seemed pleasant enough from the holograms. Far better than Starscream anyhow." She smiled slightly.
"Hmm." Slipstream didn't sound convinced, or even interested, in the least. "What one sees in a hologram means nothing."
"I… do suppose you're right. But, as I said before, your other cousins seemed agreeable compared to Starscream. Take it from a femme who has served most of her life on the Nemesis where he was stationed."
The femme scoffed. "Vos should consider itself lucky Sunstorm and I are taking over rather than that snivelling fool."
"I cannot help but agree. Until the cycle he was terminated, he still had a blackened spark…" Darkstorm's gaze darkened, the night where she terminated Starscream in defense of Knock Out coming back to her.
Slipstream turned to Darkstorm as they continued walking, acting engaged for the first time since she arrived. "He's offline, is he?"
"Yes," Darkstorm replied softly. "I was the one who terminated him."
"Hm, it's about time someone removed that tarnish upon the royal family from the galaxy. I'm just surprised it was by someone . . . like you."
Darkstorm half smiled. "Like me? I suppose you're right. But he attempted to terminate not only myself and my beloved scout but Knock Out, a dear friend of mine…" She vented. "As much as it pained me to do it, it was for those dear to me."
The other femme seemed to consider her words. "In the royal family we're taught how to defend ourselves. That and the fact that the mech was a Seeker commander and a high ranking officer in that war and I find it odd that he was done in by someone so young."
"My… difficult upbringing on the streets of Kaon taught me well as did Dre'wan and Skri'quei… and the various missions I underwent on Earth. Do not misunderstand me. I loathe taking life, but I am quite capable of caring for myself and others. When entering war, one has to be."
Slipstream seemed oblivious to Darkstorm speaking except two words. "You knew Dreadwing and Skyquake before the war?"
Darkstorm turned to the femme, nodding slowly. "Yes. They were quite close with my brother and I. Did you… know them?"
"Not well, but their family was of the court. Both their sire and carrier were terminated in an attempted coup and no one heard from them again. Many assumed they were offlined as well. I didn't realize they ended up in Kaon . . . makes you wonder which fate is worse."
"I admit, life in the gladiatorial pits was hard for them both, but they… changed mine and my brother's lives." She smiled softly at the memory. "They took us into their home and rescued us from the Enforcers. They taught us how to fly, how to fight," she grinned, "agus conas kuongea iarrth'air kan." And how to speak Seeker cant. "Among other academic subjects. At least for me. My brother never did enjoy studying and datapads as much as I did."
The other femme turned her attention back to the corridor. "If only all the hooligans of the world were so educated, the war may have never taken place."
"I do not believe it was education so much as… abuse of power. I saw first hand how the lower castes suffered at the servos of those who were higher." Darkstorm shook her helm before smiling. "But the War is over and you and your brother are online, is that not something to rejoice in?"
"One mech's abuse is another mech's discipline. Things would have been just fine if that gladiator hadn't gotten the attention of the Council. Things like the war are what happens when everyone thinks they should be entitled to the same power as those born into it."
Darkstorm understood that the femme was born into a royal family but, truly? "I'd… like to think that all were created equal by God. I am no different than anyone else, whether they be Vehicon, grounder, or Seeker." She shook her helm. "And Megatron… saw the poor and helpless. Innocents offlined in the streets by the corrupt. For all his faults, he had a noble cause." She half smiled. "But I know you would tire of my company if all we did was debate about the past, politics, and the like."
"Mm yes, I suppose so. Though I do not believe we have much else to talk about, between a Vos heir and a young, battle-scarred femme from Kaon. Really, you should have those taken care of. Such marrs to a Seeker's frame are unfitting."
Darkstorm blinked her optics, brow furrowing as she scanned her frame. Sure, her frame was not as flashy as Emusa's, Knock Out's, or Slipstream's own but, she- Oh… She self-consciously placed a servo in between her wings. "Yes…" Her gaze darkened again. "Unfitting. I… concur. If I could… I would rid myself of them."
"You don't know anyone who can remove them without just making them worse?" Slipstream's tone was cold and steady, not showing any concern.
Darkstorm shook her helm, wincing slightly at her tone. "No. They were made by a high-powered ion cannon. There… is not much anyone can do."
"That's a shame." Again, the femme didn't sound apologetic, but more like she was simply saying what was usually said in such irrelevant speech. Well, irrelevant for a royal speaking to an orphan from Kaon. Throw in a dosed-up Praxian and Iaconian janitor and the joke would be complete.
"The shame was the memory behind it, not the scar itself. Besides… I never thought it to be blatantly noticeable." She gestured to a door on her right. "These are your quarters and, if you need to refuel, the energon storage room and the rec room are down two hallways, you make a left at each intersection and you should reach them…" Darkstorm was at a loss of what else to say to the cold femme. "Good day, Slipstream," she finally decided. "As I said before, it was a genuine pleasure to meet you."
She looked to the door. "Mm yes." She entered it, though didn't seem too enthusiastic, like it was degrading for a royal of Vos to sleep with mere commoners.
Once Slipstream entered her quarters, Darkstorm took the advantage to shakily speed walk back to the others. She paused midway through the trip, wincing as she felt the deep scorch marks in between her wings. She felt no ill will towards her brother, having forgiven him for giving her those scars long ago but… were they truly that noticeable?
She shakily vented and shook her helm as if ridding herself of such thoughts. She wasn't about to let a cold Vos royal get under her armor…. even if her words cut her to the spark.
Unlike Darkstorm, Skybreak and Dreadwing did not speak to their royal escort and Sunstorm in turn offered no conversation except a sly "Give your sister my regards" before entering his quarters.
Skybreak was shaking with rage once the door closed. "If he touches her, I swear I'll-"
"I know, Skri'brak," Dreadwing placed a servo on his shoulder plating. "I know. But do not let anger cloud your judgment. We have only to protect them for a set amount of time before they leave us."
"If you ask me," Skybreak grumbled. "That cycle can't come soon enough, for Sunstorm anyway."
"And it would also be wise to not pursue Slipstream. I was raised in the court and I know nothing good can come of it." Dreadwing turned his helm as they continued on their way. "Besides, it is forbidden for a royal to bond with someone outside their own caste."
"Pfft, can ya hear yourself, Dreads? The War's over. I have just as much a chance as anyone."
Dreadwing shook his helm. He knew better than to reason with Skybreak, for he was naturally a stubborn mech. Still, he saw what pain the royal family and loyalty to it brought upon his own family. He did not want the same fate for Skri'brak.
D/N: We do hope the feels were sufficient for you all! Megatron angst (which I love writing by the way) and then the appearance of Sunstorm and Slipstream. Oh, teh drama and feels that will ensue.
Also, due to Emusa's increasing popularity on Tumblr, I made her her own blog. The url is: emusa- the- rebellious- daughter. tumblr. com. Just remove the spaces if you want to check it out.
(From P.S. God Loves You! by Connie Witter)
My love for you is unconditional. No power in heaven or earth can come between us. And nothing you have done in the past, or would ever do in the future could cause Me to withdraw My love from you.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38-39
Like this new series? Hate it? Please review! And may God bless you and your day, my dear friends!
Until next time, Dream'sRealm
B/N: I gotta tell you guys, writing for bratty royals is really fun xD I had to go to a very creative place to write for this, and despite my efforts to not like Slipstream I find her just too fun. Hope you guys are excited to see the upcoming shenanigans as we are to show 'em off~
And . . . I don't usually ask for prayer requests, but yesterday I got triple-whammied. My sister blacked out in the kitchen, and we still don't know why, then an hour later I found out my grampa's in the hospital for the second time in as many months, then work's been way stressing me out on top of those things, especially last night. So if y'all could just send a quick prayer our way I would be very grateful
Savvy Orion: Aha oh contraire my friend, work very much interferes with my spare time xP if it isn't my physically being at work, it's the stress that's totally killing my muse. As for Skye . . . guess we'll just have to wait and see~
Windcharger (TIAFD): Two-headed Shockwave? Guess I never noticed that . . . aha Bee xD I think I'd get a little fired up too in that situation :'D and ohh yeah, maman loves Ratchet. I guess I do in a way, but I can't pick favorites, where he's definitely my mum's