An alternate timeline of Transformers Prime. Part of the "Darker Timelines" series I am currently writing. Later when Starscream's form is described as being different, the form he is using is his WFC form.
Psychosis
Takes place after the last episode of Transformers Prime. Starscream and Shockwave are speaking Cybertronian in this fic. After Starscream and Shockwave escape, they thought their biggest problem was going to be survival. However, a new player in their game makes their survival the smallest-and also biggest-problem.
"We're gonna crash, Shockwave! Do something!" Starscream yelled, wings flaring in fear. Shockwave tapped commands into the small escape pod's controls, fruitless attempts in all. He snarled annoyedly as Starscream's huge wings almost stabbed him in his giant red optic. The pod had almost run out of fuel, the fuel being used up so quickly as a result of both Shockwave and Starscream sharing the pod which had been designed only for one. Starscream screeched frantically as the pod neared the ground. "Aaauugh!"
"Starscream, it is logical that you stay calm!" Shockwave managed to spit out just as the pod crashed into the ground, the impact sending him forward into Starscream's wings, which bent and buckled under his immense weight.
"AARRGH! MY WINGS, SHOCKWAVE! GET OFF THEM!"
As the pod continued to skid across the ground, the hierarchy inside it shifted as Starscream was thrown up onto Shockwave, his claws almost digging into the other mech's optic.
"STARSCREAM! REFRAIN FROM CLAWING MY OPTIC!" Shockwave moved his head, barely missing the sharp claws which came together with a clink. He managed to look outside the pod through the window, and raised the alarm as he saw something in front of them. A wall... "Starscream, brace yourself for impact!"
Starscream didn't have time to respond as the pod tossed the pair up once again, this time causing Shockwave to narrowly miss Starscream's already-damaged wing as he fell. Starscream clutched Shockwave in a last ditch effort to steady himself and prevent his wings from hitting the ground as the pod hurtled towards the old metal wall, coming to a stop as it plowed into it. Shockwave and Starscream smashed into the side of the pod as the space vehicle finally stopped, crunching Starscream's wings against the pod, delivering the final blow to the already battered sheets of metal.
"OH PRIMUS!" Starscream yelled, Energon starting to drip from his damaged wings. As he groaned in pain, Shockwave picked himself up, removing the Seeker from his huge arm cannon which the grey ex-'Con had left long, deep claw marks in. Shockwave dropped Starscream on the ground, the Seeker hissing at the impact which went straight to his wings. "SHOCKWAVE!" Starscream sat up, yelling at Shockwave.
"Control your screaming! There may be enemies around! Remember the ransom on our head!" Shockwave hushed Starscream, pushing his helm down. "Hush quickly! I hear beeping!" Shockwave cocked his gun, quickly hiding behind the wall, looking out tentatively. His Energon supply for the weapon was running extremely low; he might only have one shot. Starscream shrunk back into the damaged pod, his wings a delicate asset, being badly torn and broken. He had also noticed his heel strut was broken. Starscream noticed the beeping had gotten louder as he re-entered the pod. Glaring behind him cautiously, Starscream yelled at Shockwave as he realised what exactly was causing the beeping noise.
The self-destruct system of the pod had been activated!
"Shockwave! The self-destruct! We have to escape!"
"Very logical." Shockwave picked up Starscream, carefully supporting his wings. Starscream almost squeaked as Shockwave swept his frame up, surprised he would save him from the explosion.
"Why are you taking me from here?! I thought you..."
"Having someone to cover your back in survival is logical." Shockwave retorted.
"Oh, so this is for YOU?!" Starscream yelled, clearly offended, folding his arms, a very Earthen trait he had picked up looking through the Internet. Shockwave continued his hurried sprint away as the timer of the pod ticked down to zero, the space vehicle exploding loudly with a flare of bright orange fire. Shockwave tripped and fell at the force of the explosion, Starscream yelling in horror as the purple mech once again fell on him, this time luckily missing his wings. However, the impact of crashing still going right up to his damaged wings, Starscream screaming loudly, living up to his name. Shockwave twitched at the noise, rolling off Starscream. Starscream fluffed his already broken wings and winced in pain, Energon gushing from the injury site. Shockwave slowly got up and went over to Starscream, letting the Seeker use his cannon to heave himself up. In the heat of the moment, Starscream accepted Shockwave's help.
"This does NOT change anything!" Starscream hissed through clenched fangs.
"I believe it should be me saying something akin to that. I was abandoned by you intentionally, and our history together means it is logical..."
"It is logical you shut...We need to find shelter!" Starscream suddenly as he felt raindrops come down. Acidic rain. On Cybertron, rain was comprised not of water, but rather of a viciously strong acid which could slowly corrode away a Cybertronian's armor, amongst other things. Starscream desperately looked around, pain searing through his wings as the acidic rain landed its sadistic bite into them. Starscream spotted a small, tattered piece of metal and flipped it over his wings, shielding them from the rain temporarily until it would eventually be eaten by the acid. "Shelter! Now!" Starscream yelled, pointing towards an old building he had just spotted near the horizon amongst all the other flattened buildings in the desolate corner of the planet. The building in question was obviously past living quarters, covered in dust, almost hidden from sight. Living quarters for no more than one Minibot, it would seem. It was indeed tiny...
"Go!" Shockwave transformed and sped toward the small building, Starscream following suit with much pain as his wings caught on other parts of his armor. The pair, Shockwave having recalled an old alt. form he had used many eons ago, flew over to the building keeping a low profile as to hopefully avoid bringing attention to themselves, knowing the Autobots probably had a bounty over their heads. Starscream had trouble keeping up with Shockwave due to his broken wings.
"Wait for me! I can't fly that well!" Starscream yelled at Shockwave while doing a barrel roll into the ground, skidding along the ground as he screamed out about his wings. He tumbled forward, heading straight for the building, which Shockwave was standing in front of. He seemed to have trouble opening the door, which stuck due to the effects of its neglect during the War. "Move, Shockwave!" Starscream flew, unable to stop, straight into Shockwave, and then the door of the building, breaking it down and tumbling inside, where many Scraplets hidden among the debris of the greying, ruined interior scuttling away. This time, Starscream ended up on top of the pile, transformed, sprawled out exactly over Shockwave, his faceplate in contact with Shockwave's. As the spray of debris and dust cleared, Shockwave noticed where the Seeker had landed.
"Starscream, logic points towards one notion; Get off my frame now!"
"Wha...Aaarggh!" Starscream pulled his faceplate off Shockwave's quickly, knowing he was invading Shockwave's personal space. The purple mech seemed to really hate people looming near his face, after a certain accident involving his giant optic. Starscream, in a moment of amnesia, tried to stand up, only falling once again, again on his front, remembering his heel strut was broken. Shockwave picked himself up, helping Starscream up again. Since this time Starscream had the choice to refuse Shockwave's assistance, he pushed him away.
"I don't need your pity!" Starscream yelled. He dragged himself over to a wall, and lifted himself up, leaning on the wall on his side for support. His claws dug into the metal of the wall, leaving long claw marks.
"Must you leave claw marks on all you touch?!" Shockwave commented. Starscream paid no attention, instead turning his attention to a small door he could see in the dim light projected through the front doorway. A small door could be a storage room, hiding supplies which could be beneficial to the two. Starscream limped over to the door slowly, his clawed servos crawling over the metal sheet, hoping to find the switch which opened the door. Fiding the switch, Starscream activated the door. However, nothing happened. Starscream instantly guessed the door was jammed from the many years of neglect it had faced. Starscream growled, sunk his claws into the door and pulled hard. He knew Shockwave would be more than willing to help, especialy at the prospects of gaining weapons, but being the defiant creature he was, he decided against requesting for his help. Starscream yanked the door hard once more, trying to make as little noise as possible. A slow creak could be heard, along with a tremendous screeching of metal on metal as Starscream managed to open the reluctant door an inch. Shockwave turned around, hearing this sound. He had been exploring the opposite side of the building, managing only to find one small, empty room. Starscream peeked inside the recently opened room, his red optic shining light on the long forgotten items in the room. Scraplets could be heard clearing the room.
"Starscream, what have you found?" Shockwave asked, walking closer to the door.
"I can't see ye...Hey!" Shockwave easily pushed the door open, the horrific screeching noise ringing loudly causing Starscream to hiss angrily. "I was going to do that!"
"You are too weak to open the door in your current state." Shockwave stated, a thin blue bean scanning Starscream as he made the statement.
" I was making sure the Scraplets would not...Are you scanning me?!" Starscream snarled. " I didn't give you permission for that!" The Seeker hissed, swiping at Shockwave. Shockwave avoided the attack, walking into the open room. His optics lit up the room, illuminating it. Starscream followed suit, entering the room.
The room was an old storeroom, consisting of old, empty Energon cubes and weapons, many too far damaged by Scraplets to even salvage. "This is useless...There's nothing here..."
Shockwave moved towards the pile of Energon cubes, and scanned them, hoping to find even a drop of the life-sustaining fluid. Detecting Energon, Shockwave swept empty cubes out of the way frantically, some of them almost hitting Starscream. The purple mech finally revealed an Energon cube which was about 1/8th full. Starscream reached out for the cube, only to receive a slap on the appendage.
"We need to conserve this. Currently this is the only cube we have."
"I'm injured! I need that more than you!" Starscream argued.
Shockwave sighed. He put the cube back into the pile, and went to scan the damaged weapons. He picked up what could be salvaged the useable parts of the Scraplet-ravaged guns, and slowly contemplated what he could do with them. "I believe using these items, I can create a crude weapon of sorts."
Starscream had a thought about it as well. "I do know how to construct an Energon extractor of sorts. Based on the Relic and research of which I had been involved in many years ago, of course."
"...A logical choice." Shockwave announced, thinking about Starscream's statement. An Energon extractor would help them save up Energon. If they were just to snare others and drink Energon directly from them, they could waste much of the precious fuel and even contract any virus planted in them. An Energon extractor would help them purify the fuel, and help to not waste any. "However, where will we find a suitable 'host' for the extractor?"
Starscream sighed. "Obviously, we capture someone! We may also acquire parts we need!" Starscream yelled, pointing to his wings. He snatched one of the broken weapons up from the pile, taking it apart. He pulled a component out, studying it.
"Starscream...We have very little resources. If we are to hunt for a 'host', we need to be careful else we might..."
"I know!' Starscream yelled. "And that's why YOU will hunt! I will develop the weapon here, while you find me someone I can use it on! The rain's stopped. Go!"
"...That would be the logical choice. However..." Shockwave disliked the idea, however it did have some sense of logic in it. It would make sense Starscream stayed off the line of combat due to his injuries, where he could indeed create the weapon. Shockwave's good sense, however, nagged at him. He knew Starscream would always have that betrayal complex, so he had to be wary. He needed confirmation of Starscream's actions. "I need to see the blueprints of the weapon. If you are truly making one, that is..."
"I may be traitorous, but hear this, Shockwave..." Starscream leaned in closer to Shockwave, his head crest almost in contact with Shockwave's. "Do you think I will be able to make an escape and betrayal in my current state?"
Shockwave winced in his head. He did raise a good point. Starscream couldn't even walk without hobbling awkwardly, much less fly. He contemplated for a minute, then made a final decision. "Very well...I still need to see the blueprint."
Starscream snarled. "I only know of the plans in my mind. You will need a Cortical Psychic Patch to get any intel from me..."
"Starscream...draw the plans for me.." Shockwave knew Starscream was being evasive about it. However, the reasons were unknown.
"What?!" Starscream snarled. "...very well..." He went over to a wall, still limping. He scratched the plans into the wall, allowing Shockwave to see them after a while of scrawling and scratching. Shockwave studied the plans, slowly seeing the problems in it. Shockwave knew the weapon would be unstable, and he believed Starscream did as well. Perhaps that was why he preferred not to reveal the plan?
"The weapon is very unstable, Starscream. It could..."
"Do you think I am not aware of the consequences? If you're so damn smart, YOU make the weapon!" Starscream spat "It's the only version I can make with these meager supplies!"
"Perhaps that is true..." Shockwave only growled. "...I will go now...Make sure the weapon is COMPLETE before I get back..."
"There's nothing else I can do in my current state..." Starscream reminded Shockwave. The purple scientist exited the building not saying another word, only cocking his gun, which did enough of the talking.
Shockwave scanned the terrain near the explosion site of the pod. There was no life to be seen, only Scraplets making the most of their snack before being chased off by Shockwave. Shockwave quickly scanned the area, hoping to find life.
"Nothing...only Scraplets..." Shockwave reported to no-one in particular. He knew he would have to venture out further, but knowing the Autobots would probably have a bounty on his head, he had to be careful. He transformed, flying low to the terrain to avoid being seen ad sped off to a remote part of Kaon, hoping to find a test subject while avoiding any unwanted attention. Cybertron was still mostly desolated place, but Insecticons and Junkions still ran amok, congregating on places where previous Autobots, Decepticons and other factions used to live, where most remains of past victims and warriors were strewn, feeding the wild pests. Almost immediately, Shockwave spotted a subject. A normal, run-of-the-mill Insecticon, thankfully not too large. Hopefully, it wouldn't be too hard to catch and subdue. Shockwave transformed into his bipedal form quite a distance away from the creature, trying not to alarm it. He hoped to catch it unaware, averting the possibility of a long chase which would drain his Energon. Shockwave made a beeline to a large piece of debris, hiding behind it. He planned to slowly make his way behind the insect, and stun it with a blast from his gun, which would paralyse it if shot in the right place, but not kill it or create any large holes which would bleed it before he could even haul it back to Starscream. Shockwave kept his noises to a minimum, and just hoped that the Insecticon would not be able to pick up any other traces, such as his heat signature or scent. Shockwave, seeing the giant creature had turned its back on him, snuck up behind another broken building, managing to get just out of the line of vision of the monster as it turned, noticing a sound. Staring for a minute at the decimated building Shockwave had made his hiding place, the Insecticon turned, on its way as it dismissed the noises as that of a Scraplet, continuing on its journey. Shockwave slowly uncovered himself, sneaking up carefully on the unaware insect. He knew he could transform and take it out by plowing into him, but he did not take the chance. Transformation would be too noisy, and the blast may not hit the area it needed to. Shockwave carefully planned his steps, as not to crush any debris under his leg. He often checked the ground, but made sure not to take his eyes of the Insecticon for more than a few kliks. The Insecticon, his prey, continued its journey, unaware of its stalker. Shockwave winced as he heard a loud crack which came from the ground. Looking down, he saw he had crushed a piece of what had previously been armour belonging to somebody. In a split second, the giant bug had turned around. It made a few loud 'kree's, before turning around once more. Shockwave, in the heat of the moment, had buried himself under a pile of rubble just as the behemoth turned around once again in this game of Giant's Treasure. Shockwave had considerably closed the distance, now mere bodylengths away from the Insecticon. Shockwave knew the creature's alertness had been raised; any wrong move now and it would surely bolt, or worse, attack. Finally, the insect had stopped for a moment. Shockwave mentally sighed in relief; this stalking alone had drained 10% of his reserves. The Insecticon buried it head into the ground, detecting something of use. Shockwave was now close enough to shoot Aiming his gun directly at the base of the creature's wings, he fired a shot. His last shot.
Bingo. The Insecticon screamed as its back was lit up in a purplish light by the energy bullet, turning around and lashing out at Shockwave before it fell, crashing on the debris-covered ground, sending clouds of dust and shards of rubble to go flying, some even hitting Shockwave himself. The creature's deadly jaws landed a mere few metres away from Shockwave. Success.
"Starscream, I am returning with our test subject. However, this might take a while, almost a solar cycle." Shockwave comm'ed Starscream.
"Understood." The Seeker responded. All the purple mech had to do now was to bring the massive creature back to Starscream. However, that wasn't going to be in any measure and easy task...
Starscream huffed as Shockwave left the building to go hunt for the required test subject. The thin and injured Seeker slowly hobbled to the pile of weapons, and slowly squatted down on his remaining heel, scanning the weapons himself as to recheck what supplies he had to make the weapon. He slowly analyzed each weapon, taking mental notes of what parts were available to him.
"Hmph. Not many useable parts...damn Scraplets...yet..." Starscream picked up some of the weapons, throwing them on the nearby table, crushing some dead Scraplets, all while talking to himself in his familiar soliloquy-style reminders to himself. Starscream walked over and slowly took apart the various weapons, laying the parts out on the table. "Hmm...If I combine the particle analyzer with the EMP pulse generator...then I can avoid using the currently unavailable yet preferred atom extractor..." Starscream picked up the two parts. Striking his claw on the table repeatedly, he managed to create a crude soldering tool with it. Starscream began carefully welding the two parts together, careful as not to damage them with his other claws. A spike of pain surged up Starscream's wings and back. Starscream shuddered, but pushed away the pain, returning to his work. The Seeker, once done with sealing the items together, put them aside and went to his blueprints. Looking back at the dissected weapons, he crossed out something in the blueprints. "An improvement could be made here if..."
Dragging the stunned creature, Shockwave sighed, noticing his Energon levels had dratically dropped, bordering dangerously low levels. He had moved about 20 Earth kilometres with the Insecticon, and using his previously calculated prediction, he came to the conclusion that it would take him just under a solar cycle to get the creature back to their 'base'. The variables of the trip were what spooked him, though. If he was seen by others, things could take a turn for the worse. The even scarier variable was that of his constantly dropping Energon levels. He would not have enough to make it back. Shockwave had thought about just ripping the Insecticon apart to get at it's lifeblood, but he knew some Energon would be spilt, and therefore wasted. Shockwave snarled, knowing he was stuck in a bad situation. The purple mech checked his Energon levels again. Very low...He had to get to the base. Quickly. He contemplated calling for Starscream to come assist him by bringing the half-cube still at the base, but knowing of his condition, he would be more of a bother than a help. Shockwave put the Insecticon down for a moment, scanning the rubble under him. Shockwave stopped as he scanned a small crystal, leaning down to find it. A lucky find indeed. Energon very rarely was just left lying around like this. The floor was covered in rubble from the past, however, so shards like these were probably more common now. He picked the small crystal up, feeling a small sense of relief. Shockwave pushed aside some plates on his upper body, and inserted the crystal into himself, instantly feeling the boost of energy it gave him. He revived slowly, picked up the Insecticon, and continued the trek back to the base.
"Come on..." Starscream yelled to himself, trying to start up the machine he had made. It was of an archaic design, resembling a gun with a large, mechanical midsection, a design he knew well when he himself had worked on a prototype of an artificial extractor many years ago in the Great War as a substitute to the Relic which did the same action, only much faster. Starscream predicted from previous experiences that the Energon extractor he had just finished would operate much slower than the Relic, taking about tenfold longer to extract the same amount of Energon as the Relic. Starscream was currently aiming the weapon at an unsuspecting Scraplet, which was engrossed in one of the more unrecoverable weapons. The Seeker once again attempted to start up the weapon, softly tapping it. A soft whirr was heard, and the second later, a tendril of energy was drawn out from the surprised Scraplet, the pest trying to pull itself away from the suction of the device. Starscream laughed, feeling the power of playing with the lives of others, something he often did in the War. He felt empowered, yet...he could feel as if something else fueled his mania. Starscream laughed it off, thinking it was mainly the fact he hadn't got the opportunity to truly slag anyone in a long time. A few minutes later, Starscream flared his wings in victory as the tiny pest started evidently losing the battle with the machine, its small claws leaving a trail as it slowly slid to the ground. The Seeker had fixed his wings slightly using some old metal which he had found. It did the job albeit being a weaker material, welds holding them in place yet with a considerate amount of looseness. Starscream made sure to be careful as he made his way back to the table, knowing of the fragility of the weapon and his limp due to the missing heel strut. The Seeker, setting the weapon down, heard the ping of his internal comm. It was a message from Shockwave.
"Starscream, I am returning with our test subject. However, this might take a while, almost a solar cycle."
Starscream sent only a single word. "Understood." Finally, thought the Seeker. But a while! Did Shockwave fly off somewhere?! Starscream sighed with a hint of snark, looking at the weapon. To pass the time and take his mind off the niggling pain from his wings and heel strut, he picked up the extractor and went back to the storeroom where he had 'disabled' the previous Scraplet. Aiming the weapon at another one of the unfortunate bugs, Stascream fired up the weapon, feeling the charge of the weapon as it decided the fate of the selected Scraplet. Draining the insect dead, Starscream found the cube of Energon they had found earlier and emptied the Energon he had extracted with the weapon into it, almost filling it to the half-full mark. Reminding the Seeker of his own condition, he ran a systems check. Alarmed he only had 20% Energon left, Starscream quickly downed the cube he had in his hand. His Energon levels rose to only 50%. Starscream thought of his options. At all costs, he needed to save any fuel he had. He could go into recharge to conserve his fuel. He knew he would use his reserves faster as he was injured, and since Shockwave was still quite a distance away, he could do nothing but wait, especially in his condition. Deciding on succumbing to stassis, the Seeker hid himself in the storage room and not wasting even the time to set himself down on the floor, he fell to the ground, unconscious.
Shockwave, still dragging the unconscious creature across the ground, saw the base in the horizon, only a mere spot amongst the rubble. The daylight had faded, leaving Shockwave in darkness. The whole task of dragging the creature back to base had been an arduous one, a small shower of acid rain causing Shockwave to have to stop and find shelter for a while. Shockwave continued to drag the giant creature in the murkiness of night, never resting. He was getting close. It had almost totaled the time of a solar cycle, and Shockwave just hoped that Starscream had finished the weapon.
As Shockwave reached the broken-down door of the base, he stared inside the building. He saw a long silver heel sticking out from the storage room. No! Had Starscream been attacked? Shockwave dragged the Insecticon into the main room, dropping it. He ran into the storage room. He knew he had no weapons such as guns, so he had to be even more careful. Shockwave instantly dropped his guard as he realised what Starscream was actually doing.
"Starscream! Get up!" Shockwave prodded the Seeker with his foot, receiving a slap on his foot by a clawed hand.
"I'm up. Just resting my optics...and my whole system..." Starscream shook himself of the fog of waking, walking over to the table, almost screaming as he saw the Insecticon Shockwave had captured. Starscream picked up his weapon, and aimed it at the pest. The familiar whirr rung out from the weapon, and Energon began being drained from the Insecticon, the monster rousing. Starscream stepped back slightly, the Insecticon letting out a yowl as its lifeblood was forcefully taken. It finally got to its feet, trying to drag itself away from the clutches of the weapon, only to trip and fall. "This might take a while..." Starscream reported to Shockwave, feeling a hint of deja vu. Shockwave raised a suggestion, thinking of something.
"Perhaps you should set the weapon down on the table." Shockwave told Starscream. The Seeker, seeing the logic of the idea, set the extractor down on the table. It was quite a heavy object...Starscream watched carefully as the monster grew weaker and weaker, weakened by its efforts and the extractor. Starscream felt a sick kind of glee watching all of this, aided by his unexpected bloodlust. Shockwave had gone into the storage room, looking for the spare cube they had. Failing to find it, Shockwave asked Starscream of its location. "Do you know where the cube is?"
The Seeker, knowing he had already consumed the contents, shrunk down a little, his wings sinking down. "I...drank it."
Shockwave sighed. He guessed Starscream would do something like this. The purple scientist checked his Energon levels, realising he only had 40% left. He would hopefully just have enough to hold out until the Insecticon was totally drained. "Next time, tell me if you have done so..." Shockwave coldly told Starscream, who only scoffed. "If we are to survive, we must work as a team..."
Starscream scoffed. "As if you'd know..." The Seeker went out a bit, looking around, leaving Shockwave to watch after the Insecticon. Not many buildings covered the desolate area, and what buildings did had long ago faded into the rubble of the ground, merging with the victims of the War. This area, even in the Golden Age, had been rather quiet despite being near Kaon. Or perhaps being near Kaon, the roughest, deadliest area was the reason. The wreckage of the pod they arrived in sat at the far left of the building, the destroyed vehicle having stopped smoldering. Scraplets swarmed it, gnawing away at it. Suddenly, a shrill whirr was heard from inside the building. Starscream turned, and saw the Insecticon had stopped being drained of Energon. The process was finished. Starscream picked up the extractor, then yelled at Shockwave. "Shockwave, get me an Energon cube!"
Shockwave, still in the storage room went over to the pile of empty cubes and picked up three. He piled them on the table and patiently waited by Starscream's side. Starscream unloaded the Energon he had collected into the cubes, where it perfectly filled all three. He handed a cube to Shockwave, obviously feeling good with himself and the weapon he had made.
"Drink up. Hopefully, we can survive this way. For now..." Shockwave took the cube from a smiling Starscream. Shockwave slowly downed the cube, contrasting the Seeker who was chugging the cube at an insane rate. After Starscream had finished, he turned his attention to the Insecticon, scanning it for parts. Starscream grinned as he scanned its wings, realizing they would be compatible with him with a few tweaks. The Seeker began cutting away at the appendage, collecting them. Shockwave looked over at Starscream, contemplating the previous repairs he had done on himself. The repair job was choppy and low quality, obviously from having no-one to help him.
"Maybe I can help you attach your new wings? Your previous attempts are very rough and..."
"No! I need no help!" Starscream snarled. He struck his claw, making his welding tool. Shockwave only sighed, showing the Seeker the drill he had on his hand. Starscream, looking over at the drill thought about it. It would be easier...and less painful. Hopefully. Shockwave continued showing Starscream the drill until he finally gave up. "Very well..." Starscream handed the wings to him, and turned around as so his wings faced Shockwave. "Be careful."
"I will be. Much like Knock Out and Breakdown, I will help you maintain your frame while you..."
"And how will you trust me to take care of you...AAARRGH!" Starscream yelled as Shockwave roughly tugged at a loose part of Starscream's wing.
"Why must you be so stubborn. You cannot survive alone!"
"Yes I can! I did it on Earth, remember?!"
"Yes. By stealing from the Nemesis..." Shockwave added.
"I am a scavenger, much like Airachnid when it comes to this." Starscreasm growled, yelping sharply as he felt another jab of pain. "Do you not have anything to stop the pain?!" Starscream seethed.
"No."
About a few micro-cycles later, Starscream's wings had been completely fixed. Shockwave, meanwhile, had put the remaining cube away and had gone to recharge, using an old piece of metal to keep himself off the rubble and ground. The Seeker himself was still up, however. Outside, it was very dark now. An eerie aura surrounded the area. The sharp clinking of the legs of Scraplets were the only sound that rung out in the depths of the murkiness of outside. Starscream flared his wings, wanting to take off into the night as he did many nights back in the Golden Age. He was truly what the Earthlings referred to as a 'night owl'. However, he had to remember to conserve his fuel supply. Who knew what tomorrow could bring. The Seeker slowly walked outside, his heel strut also having been fixed, this time, by himself. He let the cool bite of the wind carry him into memories of the Golden Age of CYbertron when he had been the Prince of Vos, royalty and leader of the valiant Seekers. He remembered his old Trine, his closest friends Skywarp and Thundercracker, the two who could be anywhere in the Universe knowing Skywarp's warping abilities. He also remembered old experiments he had done, one in particular which for some reason stuck out in his mind.
Clones. The five he had created on Earth weren't the first he had created...
High hopes. That was what he felt for these six. Each clone, sporting a different paintjob and frame differences stood proudly in front of him. Starscream still possessed his tricolour, more bulky form, one of the first forms he had possessed. The scientist laughed as he pulled the switch to activate the sparks in them. The first to wake was one he had designated Slipstream, the Seeker with a purple and turquoise design. She was thin and small, yet she held herself high. She possessed thin, purple optics which gave the expression of pride. Next to come online was Skywarp; a different Skywarp from his old friend. This Seeker had a frame much like Starscream, except for his colours which were black and purple. Next was Nightfire, a larger Seeker with a sharp black and red paintjob. Her helm was very decorative, with long, sharp spikes lined in purple. Her huge purple-tipped claws clashed against their restraints while her large, sharp wings flapped in protest against the wall. She screeched loudly, exposing her long fangs to Starscream, who quickly ducked behind a table. The other Seekers also came online, some also struggling but not quite as much as Nightfire, who was screaming. Starscream got up, slowly walking to the Seekers.
"I am Starscream, your creator and prince of Vos. Bow to me."
All the Seekers, feeling a tug on their Spark, calmed including Nightfire. Starscream then decided it was time. Time to release his army...Pulling the switch to release the Seekers, he then saw a claw tipped with purple swiping over him.
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