I drove off the ramp of the highway. This Jasper Nevada was a desolate dustbowl. I drove into town. I had calmed down from yesterday. No matter how hard I tried I could not get two things unstuck from my head: The first was the cruelty of Starscream; the second was the praise of the human children. I realize that I'm easy to manipulate. But, what if I'm correct? I drove to the Jasper high school and parked by the main entrance. The high school children fled after their final bell. I saw Arcee park close by, she still looked hurt from the other day. Jack and Miko walked out with a large group of teenagers. As they walked closer, I could hear them talk.

Jack saw Arcee and turned to Miko, "I see Arcee. Do you want a ride?"

Miko answered, "No thanks Jack. Bulkhead will be here later. He probably thought I had detention or something."

Jack waved to his friend, and said; "I'll see you back at the base then."

I had the urge to follow Arcee and Jack back to their base. But, if I did, I'd have to report to Starscream. Well, I wouldn't have to. If I were a loyal Con, then sure, by all means. But, I don't know, I thought, the Cons just don't seem as alluring without Megatron at their helm. Besides, If I gave the base location to Starscream, he'd probably claim that I found it under his orders, and further/secure his troops' loyalty. I remained parked.

The wave of teenagers dispersed. Miko sat on the steps and took out her sketchpad. I couldn't see what she was drawing.

In my boredom, I didn't care much for subtly. I asked her, "Miko? What are you drawing?"

The girl jumped. She walked up to me and asked, "Shadow? Is that you?"

"Yes?" I responded.

Miko screamed, "That is so cool!" She jumped up and down. Her speech sped up and she spazzed out, "I can't believe it! It is so cool! I mean you are so cool!"

She calmed down and looked at me. She questioned, "What are you doing here?" Miko gasped, "Are you on a secret Decepticon mission?"

I quickly dashed that thought, "No! Scrap no! I'm here by my own free will. I'm currently taking a break from the Decepticons."

Frag. That is probably classified.

"Why?" She asked, "Did something happen?"

I laughed, "Miko, you know exactly what happened. Starscream took command. I cannot stand that coward. I did not want to serve him, so I left."

"Are you ever going to go back?"

"I don't know." I sighed, "I think I will if I can avoid Scream's command."

"If you want, you can join the Autobots. We definitely have room for an awesome bot like you. Even if you are a Con."

"Thanks Miko. To be honest," I paused, "You cannot repeat to anyone what I'm about to say."

Miko promised, "Shadow, I won't repeat it to anyone."

I continued, "Recently I've been having doubts about the Decepticons and thoughts about switching sides."

"Woo!" Miko cheered, "You go Shadow! Who needs those Cons anyway? You can join Bulkhead and me, and we can be one awesome family!"

"Hold on there. You're getting ahead of yourself, Miko. The Decepticons are my family. They've been there for me. It isn't easy to betray them. But..."

Betrayal is easy. It's the guilt that's deadly.

Miko squealed, "But what?!"

"I've been off lately. At our last battle, I had many chances to kill both Arcee and Bulkhead. But, I didn't. If it weren't for me, Megatron would still be leading and Starscream wouldn't be."

Miko patted my hood, "There, there Shadow. It's not your fault. But, can you promise me something?"

"What?"

Miko hugged my side mirror and begged, "Don't kill the Autobots!"

I sighed. She was just like Raf. A tiny puppy. "Fine," I said, "This might be my hatred for Starscream talking, so I won't. Can you promise me that if I wanted, you could get me a spot on the Autobots?"

Miko fist pumped the air, "Scrap yeah!"

Bulkhead drove up to the school and honked.

Miko waved, and greeted her friend with a scream, "Hey Bulkhead!"

Bulkhead called back to her, "Miko, keep it down and come over here. Do you want me to get in trouble?"

Miko patted my door, and apologized to her friend, "I'm sorry Bulk. Before I go, could I say goodbye to this car? It's so awesome!"

Good.

Bulkhead sighed, "Fine. I'll wait."

Miko turned to me and whispered into my window, "Bye Shadow, I'll see you here tomorrow. Say nothing if you promise to be here."

Crafty human. Not pet material: Too self-seeking like Starscream.

I of course said nothing in front of Bulkhead. Miko went over to the bot and the two drove off.

I waited there and listened to music until Bumblebee drove up. The bell rung and Raf ran outside with another group of kids. He noticed me, but said nothing. Raf greeted Bumblebee and the two left. I didn't follow. Instead I drove around town and listened to music. Good music. Once I grew bored, I went to a drive in movie and watched.

I drove to the desert, transformed, and rested next to a rock formation. I received a transmission from Soundwave.

He relayed information; "Skyquake was killed in battle by Optimus, Bumblebee, and Agent Fowler."

I sighed. Skyquake and Dreadwing were friends of mine. I thanked Soundwave, "I am sorry to hear that. Thank you for informing me. Skyquake was a valiant warrior."

Soundwave continued, "Lord Megatron's body was recovered. He is weak, but still alive."

My spark stopped. "Really?" I responded quickly, "That's wonderful news!"

Soundwave repeated himself, "Megatron is weak. We had to put him into stasis."

It's bad...

"Did you get Knockout?"

Soundwave did not answer.

I called out to him, "Hello? Soundwave? You there?"

Soundwave stated, "You are near Jasper Nevada." Silence. "Are you with the Autobots?"

I shook my head, "No. No, I'm not. I was considering looking for their base, but..."

His first assumption was that I went back? Does he not really have an ounce of trust in me? Well, how much do I trust that damned fool in command? Soundwave follows him.

Soundwave repeated my answer, "But?"

"It's not important," I answered. "What is important is that Lord Megatron still lives," I paused and thought for a moment, then said, "Tell Commander Starscream that I'll return tomorrow. I pledged my loyalty to Megatron, not Starscream. As long as our Lord lives, I have a place by his side."

Soundwave agreed to relay the message. Before he signed off, he told me, "Skyquake said the same thing."

I looked around. It was getting dark. I thought I heard something. I got a running start and transformed into my jet form. As I flew, I saw the three Autobot guardians driving into town. I changed directions and headed towards the rock formations. I found a safe-ish, ledge and landed. I slept there in jet form.

When I woke up, the sun was high in the sky. It was bright, hot, and unpleasant. I flew down and transformed into my car form. I drove through the rocky formations until I hit a road. I drove into Jasper and parked by the school. I stayed there listening to music for a long time. While parked, I heard screams and saw a laser shoot through the roof of the school.

On this day, everyone got out at the same time. As soon as the bell rung, Miko rushed out to greet me. A little after, Raf walked casually to me. Jack didn't come out until later.

Miko put her backpack down and opened it up. She took out a crudely drawn picture. I lowered my window for her to put the picture in. That's what I assumed her intent was. Their guardians would be arriving soon and I didn't want to cause a scene.

Raf walked up. Miko showed my holographic driver the picture.

The girl pointed to the representation of herself in the picture. She stated, "This is me, this is Raf, this is Jack, and this is you." Miko had drawn the picture of herself, Raf and Jack standing by my feet. I was holding one of my swords and the other was put away. My black armor did look as she said 'cool', but personally looked more badass than anything else. I liked that.

Raf commented on his appearance, "Hey Miko! My hair doesn't look like that!"

I complemented the picture, "Miko, I think it looks lovely."

I'll put it right on the fridge. Ha! That movie.

Miko put it on my dashboard. She said, "Now you have something to remember us by when you're fighting Starscream."

"Thanks Miko." If any of the Cons found out, I'd be so fragged. "Thanks."

Raf said, "If you ever need any help, we're here for you."

"Thank you. This means a lot. Just to make sure though..."

Raf and Miko said in unison, "We won't tell the Autobots or Decepticons."

"Wonderful. Thanks again."

Jack walked out and joined his friends as the Autobots arrived. I rolled up my window. Raf and Miko said "bye." I backed up and drove away.

I passed Arcee and Bulkhead as I drove. I remembered I had a Decepticon symbol instead of a Lamborghini symbol. Not the most covert move. But, neither was being a luxurious black car with crimson trim. Bulkhead noticed this. The Decepticon symbol this. He made an illegal U-turn and followed me. I sped up and he did the same. I couldn't lose him. Not without making a scene. As soon as we got to a clear longer strip of road, I accelerated and transformed into my jet form. I flew off.

I called the Nemesis for coordinates; a vehicon gave them to me. I soared through the clouds. I hoped that I didn't get Miko or Raf in trouble. I hope the Cons wouldn't find me out. Suspicion is deadly you know, and Deception is a rotting currency. The Nemesis came into sight. I landed in the hanger. I transformed and walked to my room. I hid the picture in one of my drawers. Next, I walked to the med bay and found Megatron's room. Soundwave was right: Megatron was weak. It almost hurt me to see him sprawled on the examining berth, connected to all sorts of wires. I sat by his side for a while. I knew he was in stasis, so nothing I did mattered. I just felt bad, like I had betrayed him. Somehow...

I left his side to find Soundwave. Him and Starscream were in the command center. I timidly crept up to the communications officer. He noticed my presence. So did Starscream.

The commander strode up to us. He smugly asked, "Did you see the poor state our dear former leader is in?"

Go to the pit, frag-herder.

I turned my head away; I did not want to see Starscream. I countered, "Megatron has been through worse. He will recover."

Starscream jested, "Oh my dear Shadow, you're as hard headed as ever."

I glared at Starscream and disputed, "Hard headed? You don't know me. You don't know a single thing about me. If anything I'm optimistic, not hard headed!"

"Don't know you?" Starscream smiled devilishly, "My, my, Shadow, I know you better than you think."

No, you don't.

"You are a pacifistic swordsman, who loves human media and—"

I'm going to extinguish your spark.

Soundwave cut off Starscream with Megatron's voice, "That's enough Starscream!"

I missed the sound of his voice.

Soundwave knew me well. Not as well as I did, though. I was just about ready to go in an all out war against the commander, but Soundwave saved me. Treason is treason. Unless I won, and took over. But, then I'd be stuck leading the Cons. Soundwave gestured for me to follow him. He led me back to Lord Megatron's body. I didn't like seeing the state my Lord was in.

Soundwave played a mix of others speech, "Megatron entrusted me with your safety. He cared deeply for you. Far more than you know."

Thanks, it's meaningless though. Empty words. Probably untrue.

I looked at Soundwave, then back to Megatron. "I don't like seeing him in this state," I said, "It almost causes me pain."

Soundwave nodded. He and Megatron were the best of friends. He told me, "I concur."

We left the room. I returned to my own, changed and slept. I wasn't hungry.