TFE

Chapter 13 Bedtime Stories

Copyright 2007, masterfwiffo. All rights reserved.

Starscream stared glumly at his tiny cell wall. He had already plotted out 15 different ways of escape, but all of those plans ended with him a smoldering crater at Megatron's feet- a prospect he was not looking forward too. Unfortunately, the scenario for staying here wasn't that much better.

Heavy footsteps signaled someone's arrival. Starscream glanced up to see Shockwave glaring down at him.

"Oh lookie." Starscream growled. "Come to taunt me?"

A small slit opened up in the wall, and Shockwave shoved several small energon rations through. "Shut up, Starscream." Shockwave muttered.

Starscream ignored the rations. "Surprised Megatron hasn't stopped by the visit me yet." He said casually. "Occupied with the Earthbots?"

"You could say that."

That gave Starscream a pause. There was a tone in Shockwaves voice that he didn't recognize, one the piqued his curiosity. "Which means?"

Shockwave glanced at him, then leaned down toward the cell door, speaking in a hushed voice, "His optics have been burned out. It appears to have done something to his system. All he does now is ramble about "the light of a thousand sparks." It concerns me. I have no great love for Megatron, but seeing his effectiveness destroyed makes me wary."

"Really..." Starscream said thoughtfully. "Tell me more..."

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Megatron sat, staring into nothing. His blind eyes searched the room, but saw nothing. Grimly, he sat back into his thrown.

"You summoned me?"

Megatron turned his head toward Skywarp's voice. He could envision his loyal lieutenant standing there, ready and attentive, willing to do any and everything he asked, no matter the risk. Megatron sighed. "Yes. I have something I need you to do."

"At once sir. Merely name it."

"Go to my quarters. Head to the third locker, and enter the code 7-L-M-9-4-T. Bring the contents here."

He could hear Skywarp shift uncomfortably, but then he heard the pleasant response. "At once sir."

Megatron was alone for a few moments more, and then he heard Skywarp return.

"What did you find?" Megatron queried, knowing full well what Skywarp now held in his hands.

"I'm not sure." Skywarp answered. A rustling confirmed to Megatrons audios that he was examining it. "It's a bundle, wrapped in some sort of fabric I do not recognize."

"That is it." Megatron nodded. "We are alone?"

"Yes."

"Then open it."

Skywarp did as he was told, and a moment later Megatron heard a sharp intake of breath as Skywarp saw what the bundle held. "Impossible. It can't be-"

"I assure you my friend, it is."

"A copy of the Covenant of Primus? I had heard they were all destroyed!"

Megatron nodded, envisioning the book he had held so many times before. An actual, ancient binding, written on a thin, proto-plastic substance. Not a data-reader or a scroll, by an actual book from Cybertron's distant past. "Very few remain." Megatron said grimly. "I know of only three others. One is held by the ruling Prime of Cybertron. A second, on display in Iacons highest gallery. The third is in the hands of my comrade Obsidian - he and I found these pair of copies together. What you hold in your hands is my most treasured possession."

Megatron smiled faintly; he could hear Skywarp quaking with awe. "Go on my friend." He said softly. "Read aloud the first few passages. I wish to hear them again."

"Ye- yes sir." Skywarp answered, clearly nervous to have such an honor bestowed upon him. Sounds of gentle movement indicated that the ancient pages were opening, and then Skywarp spoke aloud. "When the Universe began, there was Light and there was Dark. The Dark shunned the Light, and the Light gained precedence. Light filled the universe, and with it came Life. And so it came to past that 13 were created. And when the the 13 came forth, the Dark writhed with jealousy, and started to call them to his own. Five answered the call to Darkness, 7 remained with the Light, and one was lost forever. And this is how it came about..."

Megatron leaned back, and let himself be enveloped by the darkness, and Skywarp's gentle voice reciting the story, and the now clearer meaning becoming all too important to him...

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