Checkered Board AU.
The terms and names to do with Seeker types belong to Morrigayn DeWyvern, explained in the fanfic "Primal", used with permission. Go check it out, it's fascinating! However, Shu and the Seeker history belong to me, as does the terms "Sound lord" and "Air lord".
And for those who are interested; Shu ( meaning "emptiness" and "he who rises up") was one of the primordial gods in Egyptian mythology, a personification of air, one of the Ennead of Heliopolis.
As the air, Shu was considered to be cooling, and thus calming, influence, and pacifier. Due to the association with air, calm, and thus Ma'at (truth, justice and order), Shu was portrayed in art as wearing an ostrich feather. Shu was seen with between one and four feathers.
In a much later myth, representing the terrible weather disaster at the end of the Old Kingdom, it was said that Tefnut and Shu once argued, and Tefnut left Egypt for Nubia (which was always more temperate). It was said that Shu quickly decided that he missed her, but she changed into a cat that destroyed any man or god that approached. Thoth, disguised, eventually succeeded in convincing her to return.
He carries an ankh, the symbol of life.
Breakdown stared hard at the floor, not making optic contact with anyone around him. His nervous demeanour was extremely out of place on such a large mech, though Wildrider's petting of the bond helped immensely. As he internally nuzzled into his brother's caress, he externally flinched as Motormaster shoved him forward.
"For once, you insufferable coward," the taller mech snarled through gritted dentals as they marched to the front of the hall. "Do not screw up."
"I... I'll do my best, sir." he replied quickly, trying to keep up. For every single step his eldest brother took, Breakdown had to take five. It was rather amusing to watch, Wildrider and Drag Strip even called it 'cute'. Breakdown hated being the shortest.
Megatron turned to greet Motormaster with a single nod, the lilac and ebony mech doing the same. The Decepticon 'king' didn't address Breakdown other than give him a quick once over. "Your brother, Motormaster?"
"Yes, your Lordship," he nodded. It was strange seeing his brother being so polite, even if he feared Lord Megatron as much as any of his siblings. "His name is Breakdown." Motormaster added in a brief moment of what the Stunticons considered 'affection'.
"He understands his role here?" Megatron asked. From behind the dark tyrant, a slim, beautiful mech appeared. He was midnight blue with silver trimmings, a visor filling his entire face.
/Must be Soundwave,/ Dead End stated over the bond. /He's Lord Megatron's "queen"./
/Damn, he's fine!/ Wildrider laughed. Breakdown suppressed an amused chuckle, though sent a wave of appreciation in response.
"He does, my lord," Motormaster replied. "And he is honoured to serve you directly, aren't you Breakdown?" The smaller mech flinched at the sound of his own name, though Dead End gave him a reassuring "push".
"Y-yes! Of course. I-it's a privilege, sir!" he stuttered, bowing quickly. Megatron stared at him blankly, which made him even more nervous. Soundwave leaned closer, patting Breakdown's shoulder assuringly.
"Good; do not disappoint me, Breakdown." The youngest Stunticon gulped as Megatron turned away, looping an arm around his bonded's waist. Rumours had spread that Megatron beheaded the Sound Lord, Blaster, as well as his own coder, Galvatron, at Soundwave's command. Dead End had always told him not to believe everything he heard, but Motormaster told him never to doubt their master's strength. Breakdown settled for simply being weary; it seemed staying on Soundwave's good side would most likely keep him alive.
At the front of the grand hall of Shu, the Seeker homeland and capital, stood three tall, ominous thrones; the two smaller thrones were more jagged, one made of tarnished silver and Lightning steel, the other made of scratched volcanic glass, silver patterns engraved into the arms and back. The largest throne in the middle was made purely out of some form of gem – amethyst, Dead End supplied – carved into tall, swirling cloud-like shapes above the head rest.
From the large doors the Stunticons had arrived through, two large mechs stepped in. They were clearly twins; one forest green with silver trimmings, the other navy blue with gold. They were impressive in themselves, clearly powerful Drakes of guard status. They pressed their backs against the doors, holding them open as three smaller Seekers paraded in. They were all slender and pretty, obviously Trine; the one in front was obviously the Air lord, Starscream. Silver and charcoal grey, a crimson crest adorning his helm, he truly was as beautiful as the legends said. Behind him followed a taller, broader Seeker, sky blue and chrome edges. Breakdown guessed he was Thundercracker, from the stern gaze in his amber optics everyone told him to avoid. The last Seeker, smaller and curvier, practically skipped after his Trine, grinning and whistling to himself and making the green Drake guard smile. Skywarp; the youngest of the Seeker lords, known for his hyperactive, almost insane personality. Breakdown wondered how the violet and black mech would get along with Wildrider.
The two guards closed the doors, trailing behind the smaller Drakas. They marched right passed their guests, Starscream elegantly floating down into the larger throne, Thundercracker into the Lightning steel throne, and Skywarp plonking down into the amethyst seat, slinging a leg over the arm rest as if he were on a couch. The blue Drakes stood beside Thundercracker and the green beside Skywarp, who immediately started chirping and twittering at him in Seeker tongue. A quick hiss from Starscream shut him up, and the Air lord finally made optic contact with Megatron while crossing his legs.
He sang a strange sort of verse, then looked expectantly at his guests. To Breakdown's surprise, Soundwave responded in a familiar way, making the silver Seeker smile in approval.
"Welcome, Grounders," Starscream purred. "I trust your journey was a safe one?"
"Indeed," Megatron nodded. "And I trust no misdeeds or trouble has arisen in your land since our last visit?" He asked. Shu had previously been ruled by Quintesson dictators, selling the Seekers as mere slaves or pleasure drones. Upon meeting Starscream during his time as a gladiator, Megatron made a promise to return the Seekers to glory. After he literally annihilated the entire Quintesson government ruling over Shu, it was discovered Starscream was in fact the heir to the throne of Seeker society.
Dead End had already let his doubts about Megatron, or rather Soundwave's ignorance to that fact known.
"Aside from Skywarp causing friction among the cultural classes, as usual, no," Starscream replied, shooting his Trine mate a glare. Skywarp didn't seem to notice, too busy whistling and tapping the dangling chains on the green guards' decorative armour with his pede. "So, our deal is to be made?"
"It is," Megatron gestured for Breakdown to step forward, the blue mech obeying. "This bot meets the requirements you requested." He stated.
To Breakdown's discomfort, Starscream beckoned him closer. He stood upon the first of the four steps leading up to the thrones, golden optics dancing around nervously as he was scrutinised.
Once again, his three brothers caressed the bond comfortingly, Dead End even sending a pulse of affection to his little brother.
The three Seekers chirped among themselves, observing him with calculating optics. Thundercracker stared hard at him, stroking his chin thoughtfully as he watched the young mech. Then, he spoke up, addressing Motormaster in broken Cybertronian, not as fluent as Starscream. "You are brother, yes?" He asked in a deep, rumbling voice. It suddenly became clear to Breakdown how he received his name.
"I am," Motormaster replied with a low bow, making Megatron smile slightly in approval at the formal response.
"You is understanding position of small one, yes? You get it?" Thundercracker inquired, staring at him seriously.
Motormaster nodded. "I do; we all do." He gestured to his brothers, all of them nodding as well.
"You is gestalt, yes?"
"That is correct," Again, the Seekers twittered to each other deeply, when suddenly Skywarp leapt to his pedes and darted at Breakdown, latching around the startled mech's neck and singing joyously as he rubbed his cheek against the Stunticon's. Both his Trine mates made an irritable sound, but Starscream spoke up.
"I am ever so sorry; he says he likes you," Breakdown swallowed hard, then muttered his thanks. Skywarp shone him a pleased smile, the giggled and skipped back to his throne. "Your name is Breakaway, correct?"
"Breakdown, sir..." he corrected as humbly as possible.
"Breakdown, my apologies," Starscream smiled slightly. "How much of this arrangement are you aware of my dear?"
"The general gist of it."
"Tell me your mission," Starscream requested rather than ordered, offering him a polite smile and a friendly tone. It settled his nerves quite a bit.
"I am here to offer the Sparkling of the lord of Shu protection; I am to be his bodyguard," He recited his mission dutifully, the way Motormaster had ordered him to, were he asked this question. Starscream nodded.
"That you are," he said. They made optic contact and for a moment, Breakdown felt completely relaxed. Starscream was a good mech; his smile said it all. "And as our Nestling will be protected, we shall aid you in your war."
Breakdown felt rather taken aback by the fact Starscream was addressing him about this matter, rather than Megatron.
"Yes sir, that is correct," he nodded. Starscream trilled briefly, and Breakdown got the feeling the silver Seeker was amused by something. He then raised his sharp servo and snapped his fingers rather dramatically.
The two guards hurried out of the grand doors again for a few clicks, then returned, grasping a wriggling, kicking red thing. Upon closer inspection, in other words the red thing's pedes nearly squaring him in the forehead, Breakdown realised it was a small Seeker. The guards carefully stood the Nestling Draka in front of Starscream's throne; he was petite with delicate wings, like Starscream. He had a curvy figure, like Skywarp. And he had a fiery, piercing gaze, like Thundercracker. Oh yes; this was definitely the Seeker lords' offspring.
Starscream stood up, making a fierce squawk at the shrieking and wailing child. The little Draka suddenly went quiet, clutching his upper left arm with the opposing servo. The silver Seeker then gently turned the little mech to face Breakdown, though the youngling still refused to look at anything other than the blue guard's pedes.
"Breakdown, this is Knock Out," Starscream said softly. "What do you say, butterfly?"
Knock Out's dainty wings twitched at the affectionate pet name, optics dancing around like Breakdown's had. Eventually, he looked up at the blue Stunticon and muttered, "Hello." then looked down again.
Breakdown nodded in reply, still staring at the pretty Nestling. He was supposed to protect him? Considering hoe beautiful Knock Out was, he guessed he'd have a Pit of a time keeping unwanted suitors away! On top of that, Knock Out could fly, so he wouldn't be able to protect him in the air. As all these thoughts ran through his CPU, Breakdown failed to realise Starscream was talking to him until the Seeker waved a servo in front of his optics.
"Breakdown?" he called, sounding concerned. A sharp jab from Drag Strip's end of the bond kick started his concentration.
"I-I'm sorry! I just-!"
"It's alright," Starscream giggled. He then gave Knock Out an encouraging pat on the back, making the suddenly nervous Nestling gasp. The tiny red Seeker only just came up to Breakdown's hip; Motormaster hadn't told him the Air lord's child was so young, but he looked to be about twelve vorns.
Red on black optics widened as on of his creators sang at him, and began fiddling with his index finger. "U-um..." he gulped, stepping forward. He then bowed at the hip, servos on his thighs, wings twitching in what Breakdown perceived as nervousness. "Nice to meet you, p-please take care of me." Knock Out mumbled in a sensual, sweet voice. Breakdown was dumbstruck for a moment, needing another poke, this time from all his brothers to come back to reality.
"S-sure!" he blurted out, forgetting his manners in a moment of panic. Knock Out straightened up, giving him a surprised expression, and he was pretty sure he could hear Dead End facepalming behind him.
Skywarp giggled, coming around Starscream and looping an arm around Knock Out's shoulders, tweeting at him playfully. Knock Out blinked once, then nodded and folded his hands at his waist.
Starscream hissed something at Skywarp, making the younger Draka jump away from their child and shriek in protest. A full blown argument in Seeker tongue broke out, leaving Thundercracker to groan and Knock Out to shuffle around on the spot, optics wide with embarrassment.
"Butterfly," Thundercracker addressed the child. Knock Out chirped in reply, turning to see him. Thundercracker was clearly the favourite creator. "Why you do not take Breakdown for see grounds?" the blue Seeker proposed. "I will cease squabbling. Get to know your guardian."
With a shaky sigh, Knock Out nodded, then turned to Breakdown again. "Would you like to see the gardens?" he asked quietly.
"Um... alright." Was his reply. The blue Drake guard spoke up, trilling something to Thundercracker, but was apparently turned down.
"This way," The Nestling practically whispered. Knock Out guided him through the hallways, until they reached a garden full of crystallised flowers. Breakdown stared in awe, though since Dead End would appreciate their beauty more, he pushed the images through the bond, receiving waves of approval and gratitude in return.
"My brother thinks it's lovely," He decided to mention, the two having been silent through their journey to the garden.
"Starscream had them grown here. He likes alien life forms," Knock Out explained quietly, cupping a rose made of ruby in his slim servos.
"Do you?" The Nestling snapped his helm up in surprise, then nodded.
"I like pretty things in general."
"You're very pretty," Breakdown immediately began stuttering and blurting out apologies to the shocked looking Seeker. Knock Out stared at the Stunticon with wide optics, and Breakdown thought he would run back to his creators and beg them not to leave him in his care.
But instead, Knock Out just let out a bouncy little giggle.
"Skywarp was right; you are the shy type!" He laughed.
"Is that what he was saying?"
"You don't sing Seeker?" Breakdown shook his helm apologetically. He'd heard Dead End listening to Seeker song in their off hours, and he admitted it was a nice sound. He just had no clue what it meant.
"You speak Cybertronian pretty well!" He stated. Knock Out frowned.
"Grounder. We're all Cybertronian, but your language is know as Grounder cant," he informed him firmly, clearly something he felt strongly about. Breakdown took note of that.
"I... didn't know that," he admitted, hanging his helm. A thought then occurred to him. "Can you teach me Seeker song?" Knock Out, once again, looked surprised.
"Why do you want to learn?" He asked. Breakdown looked away bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well... if I'm going to protect you... maybe I should take Thundercracker's advice and... get to know you...?" Despite himself, Knock Out let another bright smile touch his lips, nodding in agreement. "You should do that more often."
"What?"
"Smile. You're really cute when you smile."