A.N.: Okay, so this is just a two-part thing I wanted to do for Transformers Animated Starscream and Megatron. I just like their personalities and I recently got into the show because I'm trying to broaden my horizons past just Gen 1 and the Bay-movies. So, yeah, do your thing if you want to let me know what you think—reviews and such (I would very much like to know if you liked it or not!). Much thanks for reading.
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This time was sure to work; he was almost 100% certain of his success. It was about time Starscream took care of that pig-headed Megatron; especially because of all those times that stupid so-called leader tried to offline him. The All-Spark fragment, embedded in his forehead, was almost completely invisible to anyone but himself—it was the only thing that kept Megatron from ensuring little old Starscream stayed offline for good. Of course, his treachery preceded him and Starscream didn't doubt that his 'leader' expected another attempt at his life, but he had thought it out so well that he was sure there was absolutely no possible margin for error. Megatron wouldn't be online much longer; he would see to that.

Starscream landed on his back with a thud, the scraping of metal deafening as he was sent sliding several feet backwards. Great. Another failed attempt. He began to help himself back up, but paused when he heard an annoyed growl. Megatron approached with a sinisterly cold face, cannon aimed directly at his assailant's spark chamber although they both knew that trick didn't work. Starscream was stubbornly immortal and Megatron just got a kick out of being able to kill him time and time again. Primus, what a pain in the servos. As invincible as he was, a sound ass-kicking by Megatron still left Starscream miserably sore to deal with the frustration of another failure. Starscream was on his knees, working his way back onto his feet despite the constant cries of agony from his joints and pistons. He looked like a beggar, pleading for mercy (but everyone was aware that mercy was something Megatron was incapable of). The barrel rose to Starscream's jaw, lifting his head upwards with a jerk so that their gazes met.

"You and I both know that you'll never admit when you're beaten, Starscream." His voice was like icy daggers, running through Starscream's systems with such accuracy that a sudden chill spliced down his spinal apparatus.

"I won't admit anything until you're offline once and for all, you scrapheap!" The Harrier Jet spat back, a look of defiance planted firmly on his face. Megatron's frown deepened and his crimson eyes narrowed ferociously as the cannon began to resonate and glow with a hum, "You're a fool."

Starscream outstretched his arm and yanked it upwards, the small null ray having a much shorter charge time than Megatron's cannon. Before Megatron could shoot, Starscream fired a laser blindly at the overlord's face and he faltered for a second, giving Starscream the opportunity to get up on his feet. Megatron grew exasperated as he regained his composure, deep crimson eyes sparking in his traitor's direction. Starscream always had some dirty tricks up his sleeves, saved just for him. Blitzing and Lugnut were standing nearby like spectators; Starscream had been foolish enough to try and 'surprise' Megatron with an attack during a monologue. Random Blitzwing was cackling maniacally, going on about how he hoped Starscream got creamed. Lugnut grunted in response but otherwise could care less.

"You're a relentless nuisance, Starscream." Megatron hissed, his tone dark and menacing. "Why don't you just stay offline and save me the trouble of wasting my time doing this to you again and again?"

Starscream swung a leg at Megatron's face, only to have a large hand catch it centimeters from its target and flipped him over so that he face planted the floor. Megatron shot at Starscream's back, the blasts leaving gruesome dents in the plate metal of his wings. Starscream stood and charged his superior, who seemed to be growing tired of these incidents. A fist flew towards him as Starscream closed the distance between them; he wasn't sure when Megatron had gotten the opportunity to get his swords, perhaps Lugnut or Blitzwing was helping him (he didn't rule it out), but Starscream's punch collided with the firm steel of his blade. He pulled back, the sudden jolts of agony through his knuckles sent horrible signals to his logistics systems. Megatron sliced at his traitorous henchman and managed to get a nice gash at his cockpit as he struggled to get out of the way.

"Go, Megatron! Let's just see how Starscream can dance now!" Blitzwing cackled, his jagged red mouth opening and closing as he continued to laugh and holler. Starscream was wishing more and more that he hadn't tried anything with each passing second. He dodged and rolled away from Megatron's blades, firing back only when he got the chance. He was well aware of the fact that he was a good warrior; cowardice was not frowned upon when the situation called for it; but Megatron was obviously much larger, stronger, and more skilled than he was. Even with all his skills, a one on one with Megatron was difficult.

Starscream chucked a palm-sized bomb in Megatron's way, hoping that it would slow him down if only for a second so that he could get a firm footing again. His leader continued to approach and, as the bomb came rushing towards him, cut it in half before it could detonate and filled the room with smoke. Damn, now he couldn't see anything. Not the best idea. He scanned his surroundings blindly in hope that Megatron wouldn't pop up out of nowhere and surprise him. He couldn't pick up a signal--he suddenly recalled how Megatron had Professor Sumdac create a cloaking device for any Cybertronian signatures.

The nano-kliks that passed seemed like forever, as if he were frozen in time inside that dense cloud of brown smog. His head swiveled around cautiously as his eyes desperately searched for a sign of Megatron; a movement in the smoke, a noise, but he couldn't hear anything over Blitzwing's demonic laughter echoing in his audios.

"You still haven't learned to mind your surroundings." That cold voice responded from behind Starscream, just past his shoulder. He spun around and was met with an explosive shot of energy to the face and fell on his back again, only to have Megatron's foot against his chest armor. Megatron swung an arm and the smoke began to dissipate as if obeying his command, and he glared down on his traitorous lackey. Starscream's vision was a vibrant flicker of static as he tried to get a hold of himself. His systems were overwhelmed with pain; he supposed it was time to call it quits. Pleading wouldn't do anything for him at this point though. Megatron lifted his right arm--cannon attached--preparing to shoot at Starscream's empty spark chamber.

"Lord Megatron, don't vaste anymore energon. He's done for now and ve all know he keeps coming back." Blitzwing's face jerked to the cold intelligent personality, no longer cackling and enjoying his role as spectator of the fight. Lugnut grunted again, obviously uninterested, and muttered something to Blitzwing like 'I hope you like getting your spark ripped out'. Starscream was silent, unmoving, as Megatron pondered Blitzwing's recommendation. The pressure on his chest lessened and, just as Starscream began to think he was pardoned for his transgressions, Megatron kicked him hard in his middle and sent him rolling across the room.

"Get out of my sight before I change my mind." Megatron growled, a horrible grating noise that even made Lugnut and Blitzwing flinch. He returned to his favorite chair and his face was swallowed by shadows, making him look even more sinister as he waited for Starscream to get out. Finally, after a few seconds it took for Starscream to realize he wasn't unconscious or permanently screwed up for the day, he hopped up and stormed off without any hesitation. Once Starscream was out of earshot, Megatron shifted slightly in his seat and cleared his vocalizers. "Lugnut, go report to Blackarachnia." Lugnut dipped his head low and murmured an overly complimenting farewell before he left the dimly lit chamber, his hulking body tumbling from side to side as he walked. "Blitzwing, come here."

His loyal servant did as he was told and approached the throne. "Yesss, lord Megatron?" His cold demeanor was suiting; had any other personality switched over, Megatron probably would've reconsidered whatever he was going to tell him. His blue face was flat, emotionless, except for the impatient pursing of his lips. He didn't like being addressed directly by the supreme overlord of the Decepticons; it made his servos hitch.

"Go follow Starscream. I need you to see what he's planning next and return to me with a full report, is that clear? Whatever that scrap metal is planning, I want to know, and you must be discreet. Although with Starscream, I doubt you'll need to be too subtle to follow a moron."

He switched to his Hothead personality and spoke with a thick German accent, "I understand! I'll take care of that traitorous hunk of scrap metal Starscream, sir."

Megatron growled and pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. Blitzwing was the last Decepticon he wanted to depend on, especially an unstable Triple Changer like him, but Lugnut and the others had more important things to do. As incapable as Blitzwing was, Megatron had a feeling even an idiot like he was could handle something this menial. "Just go, will you?"

"Who does that little brat think he is? Making me look like a fool in front of the other Decepticons! ME—the great and powerful Starscream!" Starscream pounded the wall he leaned against with a fist, causing the rock walling to crumble down to his feet. He had wandered down an empty corridor in the mine shaft, where light hardly reached, so he was left to vent his rage in the dark. The only light source he had was coming from his optics, reflecting off the jaggedly rough surfaces of the rock tunnel around him. He stopped and cupped his chin with his index finger and thumb inquisitively, "Although I must admit, that wasn't one of my better ambush plans. Nevertheless, I'll make him pay for the embarrassment he's caused me!" He sat down with his back against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.

Icy Blitzwing stood pressed against the wall further down, trying to make as little sound as possible. His optics were dully lit, so as to not to draw attention to him, as he listened to the heated words echoing down the earthen tunnel. He was cautious to keep himself from scraping against the boulders, and stepped as lightly as his servos would allow. How arrogant could Starscream be that he couldn't detect his presence? He must be as much of a fool as Megatron assumed...

Starscream didn't seem to be too damaged and his auto repair system was functioning properly; he could be ready for another attack in a mere few megacycles. Starscream paused again, a scheming grin lifting up the corners of his mouth into a mischievous smile. "Perhaps he'll be in for a surprise later tonight…I'll catch him while he's recharging; that little stunt I pulled earlier must've tired him out at least a little. Yes, that's it. I'll catch him off guard! Starscream, you're brilliant, and soon to be the greatest leader of the Decepticons Cybertron's ever seen!" He groaned as he stretched his legs out across the dirt floor. "I'll just sit here and wait to recover though..."

Blitzwing tightened his lips shut, so as to not accidentally speak out, and glowered at the darkness. Starscream sounded serious, although Blitzwing already found doubt in Starscream's newfound so-called "plan". It sounded like a death wish. Megatron wasn't one to be surprised by anything, much less an expected traitor attempting to take his life again. He needed to get back and report.