So new chapter, I appreciate the reviews so thanks

I don't own transformers, only the plot and my OCs

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"Well Starscream? What is it?" Megatron asked his second in command walked onto the bridge the next looking at him with a look saying 'aren't you forgetting something?'.

Searching his memory banks, Megatron internally groaned at the thought of telling his mate about his past, not only was painful, and shameful, it was embarrassing. It was not something he wanted to be the ship's new gossip; he didn't want any of his troops to think that they could use this information against him. Sighing in surrender the warlord turned to his mate, wanting to have a vote of confidence before he started.

"This stays between us and no one else, understand?" Megatron asked.

"Fully, now let's move a more comfortable environment," said Starscream leading his commanding officer to his office.

Once seated Megatron started his tale "I guess it all started with our promoters arranging our meeting, if you can call it that." Megatron said.

~Several million years ago~

"Megatronus there is somebot I'd like you to meet this evening." The nasally voice off his owner/promoter Redclaw the greedy, self-absorbed pit spawn that ruled over what Megatronus called his life. The femme was a conniving piece of work, using her frame to her advantage, making her competition underestimate her abilities, and then when they weren't looking she'd take them out with out batting an optic shutter.

With that she wasn't completely cruel to him, sure she was strict but she never starved him and never left him in ill-repair. Whether it was out of concern for his well being or not wanting to have a gladiator who can't even lift a sword, he had it better than some other gladiators at the Kaon arena. He's lucky enough that he has a small bit a freedom, Megatronus managed to convince Redclaw to let him out of the ring after several stellar cycles of asking, begging, and pestering.

Being the young gladiator he is, Redclaw was reluctant to let him go out to clubs when he didn't have a battle very day, which was far fewer than he would have liked. Thinking that he would find someone and run off into the distance, like a sappy romance data-book, as if. What bot in their right mind would run off with a gladiator, they had no credits, and no where they could go without being found and dragged back to the arena.

Now his oh so kind 'sparklingsitter' as Redclaw had put it even though they were only 5 vorns apart in age, had arranged with another promoter for him to 'meet' another gladiator from the Tarn arena. It was probably another 'plan' of hers to continue his legacy, she was always trying to breed more gladiators from him, the only down fall to this plan was that he was very against putting a sparkling into the pits, just for some sick entertainment.

"I expect you to be there, Megatronus." Redclaw said giving him a pointed look.

"Fine, but could you at least tell me their name and where we're meeting?" He replied in his usual tone.

"HER name is Aphrodite, and you'll be meeting her in the lobby of the gladiator complex, now go get cleaned and polished." Redclaw said handing him a credit chip with enough on it for a good clean and polish "your finish sure had the number done on it in that last battle." Looking him over and walking to the train transport to pick up Megatronus' somewhat date. Surprised to see how much was on the chip, Redclaw was never one to fuss over his finish so the femme must be important.

Shrugging his shoulders, Megatronus started walking towards one of his favorite finish shops as per Redclaw's instructions sighing and resining to his fate, Megatronus told the attendant what he needed.

.* * ^ * * .

After several explanations, and warnings Megatronus was making his way into his somewhat run down complex. Deciding to wait in the far corner of the lobby to get a wide view, a habit that developed after being hit over the head by one or more desperate mechs thinking he had anything on him. Several minutes had passed and he had yet to see a femme in sight, heaving a heavy ex-vent Megatronus thought sourly that he had better things to do then wait around a for a femme who was now a no show.

Then just as he was about to leave a heavily armoured completely gold femme with emerald green and black accents entered the complex, she was obviously a gladiator build, but she had the grace only a an experienced warrior could have with the layered armour on. But the biggest thing that set her apart was emerald green visor and two slightly ragged scars going down her face, green optics were rare on Cybertron and the small back water towns that were known to have them, only 1 in every 200 sparklings were blessed with green optics.

The ancients used to say that those blessed with green optics brought fertility, prosperity and joy everywhere they went.

Said femme walked to the side of the lobby, and turned her comm. on. The continued to have a rather heated conversation with whoever was on the other end of the commlink, Megatron tried to mind his own business, but it was rather difficult when the femme was making quite the show of herself, hearing bits an piece of the conversation, Megatronus started to have an idea of who the femme was.

"I said he wasn't here Ironbomb, yes I've checked outside, you know it would have helped if you had given me some info on I don't know….maybe what he looks like, and grey and big don't count, you've seen Koan correct, that's about half of all the mechs here." The femme said.

"Well fine maybe I will go check the front desk! And make myself look like some kind of two-bit pleasure drone, looking for a willing customer? No thank you, why did you make me go in the first place, this is a waste of time. I do have better things to do you know." There was a long pause, and then an ex-vent of resigned fate as the femme walked up to the front desk.

Putting on a friendlier smile then Megatronus thought the femme was capable of she asked, "Excuse me I'm looking for a gladiator by the name of Megatronus? I heard he lived in this complex."

The clerk gave a chuckle and asked "You aren't from around here are you?" With a nod of agreement the clerk pointed to his corner "He's the big pointy, silver, one most people would be surprised that you missed him on your way in, he's not a bot easily ignored." Nodding her thanks she walked over the surprisingly young mech.

He was different then what Aphrodite was expecting, when Ironbomb said he was big and grey it was a vast understatement. He was a slim wasted, broad chested, heavily armoured, piece of eye candy. The collar, caves, and hips a deep red, surprisingly striking against the tones of grey and silver. His sharply curved helm framed a lightly scarred face plate with cerulean optics, which held conviction for change and at the same time demanded respect from those around him.

"You must be Megatronus." She said with all the politeness he could muster after a two vorn run around.

"And you are?..." The lager gladiator asked.

"I'm Aphrodite; I do believe we had been pushed to meet each other and get to know one another, for a hope of strong gladiators in the future. If you know what I mean." Aphrodite said.

Megatronus had to smirk at the femme's dry wit, it was obvious that she was as displeased as he was when it came to this situation, and to not have complete and utter strangers swoon and paw over, trying to lure him to their berth was quite a refreshing change.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who's put off by this whole thing." Megatronus said.

Aphrodite nodded in agreement, "so what is there to do in Koan now a cycle?" She asked

"I was told to give you a tour of the place, you know show you all the good and bad parts." He said.

"Alright big guy show me the way" And with that the duo left the complex behind them and into the refreshing mid-evening air.

.* * ^ * * .

"-so how did you even know where to go?" Megatronus asked.

"Your manager Red something-"

"Redclaw?"

"Yes that red stick, honestly I've heard about limited armour and monotone colour, but don't you think she's taking it a bit far by making even her dentae red?" Aphrodite asked "I know the femme must be able to hold her own by making it this far but still."

"I have a feeling this just isn't about her appearance?" Megatronus asked.

"How perceptive of you" Aphrodite remarked dryly "First she as the audacity to tell me to remove my visor-" Megatronus winced at that maybe it slipped Redclaw's mind but everyone knew it was highly disrespectful in Tarn to tell someone to remove an article of armour of the asker's choice before giving up something first in an act of trust.

"Then she goes on saying that she wanted a fresh batch of strong sparklings so that she could continue your legacy, What do I look like some cheap breeder picked off the streets?" Aphrodite vented "And then she leaves me with vague directions the first chance she gets, saying something about sparkling care. Honestly I don't see how you can put up with that femme."

"Orns and orns of practicing to look like I'm paying attention." Megatronus said not missing the smirk that played across the femme's lips.

"Do you guys have any good bars around here that are half decent and let in gladiators?"

"We have a few good ones, come I'll show you"

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As they walked up to the more notorious gladiator bars, they were shot some shocked looks at the sight of Megatronus, with a gold plated femme. The exact one that said he didn't want to bond because it would just the bondmate in danger due to his "profession".

And yet there he was with a femme by his side, though everybot suspected that he and Soundwave had a thing going for them as well. With the way the silent mech and champion spent most of their spare time together bot's made assumptions. Knowing that he duo wouldn't spare a passing glance at any of the bystanders the crowd slowly dissipated and went about their business.

"Do you always get this much attention?" Aphrodite asked.

"Time to time I do get crowds of bots who know my name, but I think their more interested in you this time." He replied.

"And what would be the reason for that?"

"Well for one your green optics aren't common, the gold plating is thought to be taboo in Kaonite customs, and three I said myself that any emotional connections to any bot would only put them in harm's way, then again every bot thought Soundwave and I had a thing going." Megatronus explained.

"I see, and who is this Soundwave?" Aphrodite asked with a puzzled expression, she knew the name put couldn't place a name to it.

"You'll probably meet him sometime in the future." He elaborated.

Walking to the front steps of the elevated platform waiting for the transportation tube to come down to pick them up, due to the fact that the bar was several stories up in the air. Looking around Aphrodite was taking in her new environment , knowing that it might be a permanent placement in the future, Ironbomb would do anything to get rid of her, he couldn't stand the fact that she was a champion gladiator, and the fact that either he couldn't force her into submission or persuade the femme to sleep with him.

As the lift came down for more arrivals are sound of violent purging caught her attention, turning her helm she caught a former bar attendant purging his internals out, then just behind him she spotted two flashy painted mechs lead a group of six both mech and femme into an alley.

'Classy'

"I know it's not exactly Iacon but it's good enough" Megatronus said almost reading her mind.

"I'm not saying anything, Tarn isn't any better than this in the seedier areas." Aphrodite explained.

"I know what you mean every place on Cybertron has an under belly, but places like Iacon, Polyhex, and Praxus like to hide it and pretend that the lower class mechs and femmes just scraping by don't exists, something about that it will taint the image of the elite."

Aphrodite made a noise of agreement.

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Walking into the bar they headed straight for a corner table with a view of Koan during its night cycle.

"You know I never realized how big Koan was until now, nor its certain grace it has, you defiantly get a better view from up hear then you ever would from walking through dingy alley ways." Aphrodite commented.

Megatronus turned his helm to look at what his companion was looking at, and indeed it was beautiful he always enjoyed the sky view of Koan.

Several drinks later and trading stories Aphrodite and Megatronus occupied themselves by seeing who could stack a higher pile of high-grade cubes,

"You sure you're alright there big guy?" Aphrodite asked a slightly more than tipsy Megatronus.

Getting up and saying on his pedes Megatronus started walking over to the bar "I'm gettin' me ano..ther cuuuube, I'mmmm gonnna beat chu."

'Oh boy, he better be able to walk back on his own cuz I am not carrying him back'

Looking at his back with a smile, her thoughts were interrupted by a tap on her shoulder covering. Turning her head she came face to face with a local defense force mech, sporting the usual colours of the profession in Koan the red, blue, and white seemed gaudy under the club lights.

"So how much?" The enforcer asked.

Not really hearing the mech she leaned in closer "could you repeat that I'm afraid I didn't catch that"

"I said how much for a night? I bet I could show you a better time then and ex-ore pusher ever could" the mech repeated.

Being confused at what the enforcer was asking, she gave him a an incurious look, but then with the way he was leering at her chest plate and the way he lean in it wasn't hard to tell to see what he was getting at.

She felt the boiling outrage, and shame looking for a way out, like her mentor always said when in doubt use you fists.

.* * ^ * * .

One second it trying to convince the bar tender that he was fine for another cube, then the next a loud wail cutting through the music of the club. Looking over to see what the commotion was about, he mentally groaned at the sight. There was Aphrodite standing at her full height with a familiar enforcer at her pedes and energon on her fist.

"DO I LOOK LIKE SOME CHEAP ASS PLEASURE DRONE TO YOU?!" Aphrodite's scream could be heard over the pounding music.

Then out of nowhere the rest of Clipart the mech currently trying to hold back tears of pain, the rest of his squad ran full bore at the gladiator. Holding her own for quite some time until they started bringing out the war build stasis prods, knowing that was his que Megatronus walked up the group to try and sort the mess out somewhat diplomatically. Pushing into the group he kept a firm hold on to Clipart's arm which held the prod aimed at her head.

"Now, now I'm sure that's not really necessary." Megatronus said.

"Of course it is this femme broke his nasal ridge she has to pay the price, the one you know intimately I'm sure ore pusher." The snide voice behind him said.

Tightening his grip and making the enforce cringe in pain, Megatronus tried to hold back his outburst.

"I apologise for my friend's outburst Clipart, I'm sure Redclaw will hook you up with something." Megatronus said in a smooth timber.

"She better." Was the only response before Clipart spat the Energon from his mouth onto the face plates of the gladiators. Then signalling his group to head out.

"So care to tell me why you punched the head enforcer's face plate in?" Megatronus asked.

"He said that he would pay me for my time."

Getting the reference and not blaming the femme for getting so angry.

Come we should get out of here before they change their minds." Megatronus said.

Sighing Aphrodite followed her lager companion out of the club.

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Walking down the quite side street, Aphrodite and Megatronus were confronted, looking at the group was of course Clipart with a the rest of his lackeys the so called enforcers, but in reality just a bunch of thugs who enjoy harassing both mech and femmes for kicks.

"I think we have a score to settle with your little pleasure drone Ore-pusher." Clipart sneered.

"I don't believe we have nothing to settle officer Clipart." Megatronus replied in a clipped tone.

"Don't you dare you use that tone with me, you and the rest of your gladiators are nothing, less than dirt, and it's our job to keep you there and make sure you don't get any ideas." Clipart snapped getting into a fighting stance.

Getting into a stance as well, Megatronus felt Aphrodite come up beside him, "I guess there's no talking him out of this?"

A shake of Megatronus said all Aphrodite needed to know.

"I'll guard your rear buy guy; now let's show them what actual gladiators can do." Aphrodite said with a smirk.

.* * ^ * * .

"I didn't think someone could bend that way" Aphrodite said in slightly shocked voice.

"Me neither, but what are you going to do they attacked us, but that's probably not going to be the last of them that we see." Megatronus said.

"We'll let them come; under all that training slag they would only be able to hold their own for a short time in a real fight." Aphrodite said.

Walking down the street with an assortment of dings, dents, scratches, and burn marks the duo finally came to the lobby of Megatronus's complex.

" Are you staying anywhere?" He asked

"No your promoter thought it was better no to tell any good hotels to crash at so looks like I might be bunking with you, if that's not a problem."

"It shouldn't be." Megatronus replied simply.

"Alright then, up we go I guess."

After several flights of stairs, the duo managed to get to Megatronus's one berth room flat, with a single rusty energon dispenser, and a worn couch with several cracked data pads.

"Nice." Aphrodite commented.

"It's not much but its home."

"Well I'm not sure about you but I could use a long defrag so I headed off to berth, you can join me when you don't feel like purging- Hey don't give me that look you may be able to fool the enforcers but not this femme Megatronus." And with that Aphrodite plopped down on the berth and fell into recharge.

Shaking his head in vague amusement Megatronus plopped down on the berth next to the femme, and pulling a bucket near the berth just in case.

'This whole thing could turn out to be a good thing in the end' Megatronus thought before falling into recharge himself.

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So sorry for the lateness, I've ben supppppeerrrrrrr busy as of recently and my cat which I've had for a decade passed away recently so :````( anyway next chapter will go into Starscream's relationship with Greenblde, and hopefully it will come faster.