Title: Indistinguishable Sides
Author: Xaniss
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, only my character Vullana and this story.
Genre: Romance/Drama/Horror
Rating: MA
Warnings: Profanity, Violence, Sexual Content (non- consensual and consensual)
Pairings: BumblebeexOC, BarricadexOC and StarscreamxOC
Chapter Notes: This chapter begins strangely, but it was written to represent a foreign/alien/dream-type world – it does tie into the plot and characters met will be better explained later. Chapter does contain graphic violence! Starscream goes a little crazy while being 'entertained'. NOT FOR MINORS PLEASE – read at your own digression. Thanks!
::: insert text ::: The triple colons outside of text are speech in Cybertronian.
Chapter Four: Bitter Revival
It was picture perfect. Gorgeous lush, thick grass tinged aqua spread out as far as the horizon; gentle sloping fields set the landscape with a beautifully pink hued sky draped across the heavens. Above, the three moons hung in various orbits, shimmering like silver Christmas ornaments against an exotic portrait. The air was warm and sweet as it lightly whispered past her face to tousle her hair and brush around her summer dress; everything was serene and she was at complete peace with the world. She stood in the field bare-footed; the soft grass tickling between her toes as she gazed towards the two men and instinctively knew they were waiting for her.
She gingerly walked over the soft blades, memorising what each step felt like as her eyes glistened with the breeze's touch as she took in every detail, every hue, every aroma, not wanting to ever forget how this place evokes her sensors.
'Welcome once again dear friend.' The smaller of the men extended his hand in greeting and bowed slightly when she took hold of it.
'Endor, it is wonderful to see you again.' She returned the bow and dreamily turned to the larger of the men, bowing her acknowledgment to him also 'Flete, you are looking very well.' He nodded at her greeting.
'Am I dreaming?' She wondered aloud, it felt like she was.
'Maybe you are.' Came Endor's simple response, she had missed hearing his soft, comforting voice; it sounded like warm honey to her ears.
'If I am, then why am I here?' She wasn't concerned of her displacement in body or place; rather she would prefer to remain in this beautiful, peaceful world.
'Why were you here last time?' Endor still continued to speak in enigmas she noticed, one thing that hadn't changed.
'...To change.' She whispered, remembering this was the place where it all happened.
'That's correct.' Endor smiled at her as he turned to sit on a large, plush love seat. She did a double take as to where it had appeared from and as her vision scouted the scene, so did the landscape morph to become a luxury room with exquisite furnishings.
'Please sit. Would you like some tea?' She turned to face Endor indicating to a matching seat; a small table bridging the space between fixtures with an assortment of fine silverware and china, the steaming brew the centrepiece.
'Thankyou, yes.' She took the strange occurrences in her stride, as she elegantly poised herself upon the cushion and Flete served them tea before dissolving into the background.
'I had hoped to speak to you one last time.' Endor began as she slowly sipped on the hot tea, savouring the aroma from the brew.
'About what?' Her eyes slid to the small table to discover a delicious array of petite cookies on a silver platter had appeared.
'Foremost, I'm sorry but I cannot transform you back to the being you once where. I can see that is what you think you are here for, but that isn't my purpose.' Endor sat distinguished on his chair, but looked awkward at the insight he gained of reading her thoughts.
'And you won't do it?' Came the curious inquiry.
'Not that I won't, I simply cannot do it. The decision has been taken out of my hands.'
'Oh? By who?' Dainty eyebrows arched behind the sandy blonde fringe in a look of surprise.
'By you.' Endor continued, 'When you made the choice to morph yourself, it was done with your own consent. By choosing that path I cannot reverse the procedure, the only way I could have reversed your alteration was if it was done without your willingness. But I understand why you chose that path.'
'And why did I do that?' Forgetting about her tea and the tempting cookies, she listened intently to Endor.
'Does the needs of one outweigh the needs of many?' Endor was smiling, self-assured in his knowledge of her.
'I would like to think it doesn't, but how does that apply here?'
'When you where given that option, you chose to be selfless in your decision, putting other's needs before your own and that is why you have changed species. I realise you do not remember your experience, but you soon will.' Endor turned attention to his own brew.
'Will you return my memories – is that why I'm here?'
'No, that has been destined for another to do.' He quickly glanced at her, almost sympathetically.
'Then why am I here?' She knew she should feel disappointed and confused but negative emotions eluded her being in this place.
'You are here because I wish to warn you. I see a myriad of events from my position in the universe and I must confess that I sought to forewarn you what fate awaits.' Endor grew tense, a sight she had never witnessed before, even when facing insurmountable odds. 'There is a war approaching your race with an enemy that does not see the distinction between your species' alliances. When you return be wary of the ones you meet, they hold a pivotal role with how this war could result.'
She tried to summon her memories of where she was before she came here but her mind was hazy, she only could recall flashes of faces and memories of emotion, but names, places and events she couldn't grasp.
'There is a chance to avoid this war but every moment that passes your enemy grows stronger and I regret that it may already be too late to avoid the destruction I have foreseen.'
'Is there anything I can do to stop this?' She felt detached as if her words weren't her own, she didn't believe war could be possible.
'There will be only one who will believe you; he alone can help you as he understands the potential downfall your kind faces.'
'And who is 'he'? How will I know him?' Driven by curious intention to discover the mysterious identity, knowing Endor has never been wrong with his advice.
Endor placed his cup on the table, looking at her with resolved finality. 'It was wonderful to see you again my dear, I do wish you all the best – I will be watching intently of the outcome.'
'How will I know him?' She persisted, her mind beginning to feel heavy.
'I'm glad you enjoyed the tea, please remember what we've spoken about.' Endor was still smiling at her; she glanced down to her cup. The tea was gone, but why was the tea gone? She barely touched it; confusion crept into her thoughts as she glanced to Endor for answers.
'You will know him when the time is right. Take care.' Endor's voice seemed distant as her mind continued to recede in a wave of heaviness. Her surrounds began to slowly drift away from her, ebbing into a blurry swirl of colour and she felt herself falling as she screamed out to him.
---
Barricade growled his frustration with his supposed 'leader'; retractable wheels pounded the walls as he vented his anger, systems burning with rage as Starscream's image superimposed the wall in front of his optics. The idiot didn't know a gift when he was given one! The weakling femme was the proof they needed, proof he had been so gracious to hand over on a silver platter and all Starscream did was dismiss him saying how much fun he was going to have with her. The fool was blinded by his own stupid desires and only concerned with how Trellix was going to 'aid the Decepticon cause' – the pitiful slagger didn't even realise he was being conned himself! Barricade roared with aggression, thumping the wall again as it buckled from the punishment. 'Starscream will be the death of us all.' He bitterly predicted, optics whipping round when registering a presence from the entrance alarm monitor that buzzed from his door.
In fitful rage he released the door mechanism and glared up at Thundercracker's presence.
'Sir... she is awake.'
Barricade nodded curtly, rage immediately subsiding. It was time.
---
Shackles bound her wrists and connected to a long chain suspended from the roof tight enough to restrict her movement to a slight lean, but she had awoken to find injuries healed and thankful for that small mercy. She had grown weary from attempting to force the chain free, quiet rage subsiding that reduced her to estimate her surrounds and run a system diagnostic.
External Shell Integrity: 99.01
Internal Shell Integrity: 100.00
Inner Core Stability: Normal
Energy Reserves: 83.26
Emergency Energy Reserves: 98.02
Primary Weapon: Disengaged
Secondary Weapon: Disengaged
Internal Comm: Disengaged
Global Positioning Radar: Disengaged
Tracking Beacon: Detached
Chronometer: 0326
Time Lapsed Since Online: 162 hours
Her diagnostics results brought no comfort – she was screwed. She weighed her options, Barricade must want her for something but where he had taken her was unrecognisable and with her sensors deactivated, she had no hope of locating her position or sending a comm. Scanning the surrounds, her cell resembled a long-forgotten relic, rusting, dark and cold. A single dirty light shone above the entrance of the room, highlighting the slime trails and reflecting the trickle of liquid that was assumed water while a musty, salty odour hung thick in the air.
The play of alternate scenarios at the wharf returned to plague her mind, mulling over what happened, playing out the scene to result in different endings, the 'what if' scenarios haunting her. Racked with shame, it was her own fault that saw her captured and it was easy to identify her tactical mistakes in hindsight. Barricade remembering her was a surprise, the few times her and Bumblebee had encountered him it was always savage and violent; nervousness welled inside her as she envisaged her fate... wait, what was that?
Straining audio receptors, a small, muffled sound was detected over the persistent dripping in the corridor. It sounded like a hum of chatter, an undiscerned voice that was definitely organic... yes, definitely human in origin and Vullana wondered if it belonged to a prisoner too. There was no room for pondering as a sharp grating appeared, metal sliding against metal and the heavy clop of multiple footsteps alerted Vullana company was approaching.
---
He hated what this place had been dwindled to. Hated the dank, cramped quarters, the fact his cohorts were annoyingly fickle, reduced to hide in this manner and the mounting pressures and resource allocation Starscream demanded of everyone. The only redeeming aspect was the mildly amusing entertainment he received of watching his partner interact with the prisoner... correction, his self-proclaimed 'toy'. The spasmodic pet would dote around it until it would pass into hibernation; his time spent attempting to procure alternate responses from the squishy blob. Barricade didn't understand nor mirror Frenzy's attraction to the creature but it was interesting to observe it's reactions to the flitter of assaults Frenzy dished out.
Optics slid over the most recently acquired prisoner, one he would adore to unleash his talons and venomous rage on. His contempt for the Autobots ran deeper than before, as they proved the demise of Megatron and caused upheaval throughout his faction. But he was forbidden to touch her, Starscream selfishly deemed ownership over her and now with her reactivated from stasis, he wanted to play. His circuits ran deep with rage that Starscream continuously fuelled but for now he had the disguise that appeared to obey and be a loyal servant, until other options were presented. He always relished in the horrific look of betrayal from his victims, he would treat Starscream no different. In fact if his memory serves he still needed to repay Starscream the favour he generously gave at Ky-Alexa.
:::Well are you just going to stand there all day and stare at her?::: Thundercracker broke the silence as Barricade became annoyed that his words rang with some resemblance.
:::Don't interrupt!::: He snapped at Thundercracker but moved to cast an ominous shadow across her, gaining a wary frown.
'Finally woke from hibernation.' He sneered at her while flicking a long claw on armour, exposing dangerous teeth in the motion. He hated speaking this putrid human language too, another thing to put on his 'hate' list. She said nothing, but optics flickered between him and Thundercracker surmising the pair.
'Time to go play.' Barricade grumbled while activating a touch pad near the entrance that lowered the chain and released suspended limbs, while he snatched up and unlocked the tail of chain before winding it around claws.
Satisfied with testing the chain's weight in his hand, Barricade moved back to Thundercracker and with a swift yank, pulled her wretched hide from the room, a smirk appearing as she stumbled in her gait.
---
Quiet banter of wrath occurred between Barricade and the other Decepticon in Cybertronian as the trio made their journey, Vullana scouting her captor's base in the process. Once outside of the holding cells, the base was in better repair – still dank, with darkened metal walls that were rusting in patches, but no persistent water dripping and the temperature warmer. She noticed there were no portals to show the exterior and doorways proved near invisible, as they fitted seamlessly into the frames.
Nervousness racked through Vullana's body, systems began to work harder and faster as the journey continued. Barricade intermittently yanked the chain forward forcing to either cause her to stumble or fight against his hold, either scenario produced a chuckle from both. Nearing an intersection, the larger one mumbled incomprehensibly for Barricade to give a tight nod to as he left.
He was out of range when Barricade lurched the chain forward to drive her into a wall; she whipping around to face him, glaring equally into his burning optics. His free hand smashing into the wall next to her head as he leered in growling while hand holding chain clenched fiercely. She glowered at him as claws moved to encircle her neck, tips peeking between armour seams that she moved closer to have them curl deeper into her armour, pricking her sensors like knives.
'Do it.' She rumbled at him, daring him to make his move. Optics unwavering held his as she closed towards him causing claws to dig deeper into armour. A sharp rip from an experienced mauler would probably be more merciful than what awaited her.
Seething, Barricade throatily cursed incoherently to release his grip and turn his back on her, a firm yank on chain his response.
---
:::'And when do you expect them to return?'::: Starscream grew tired of hearing various excuses why he couldn't procure a report from either Thrust or Skywarp on their mission status.
:::'They should arrive here very soon Lord Starscream.'::: Trellix calmly assured his partner.
:::'Trellix, you cannot expect my help if I cannot gain status reports of how well we are fairing.'::: Starscream spoke coolly, knowing the extraordinary benefits gained from his partnership with Trellix but the initial outlay on the Decepticon's side posed a great deal of trust and allocation of resources.
:::'I understand completely Lord Starscream, you have my assurance that you will hear from them.'::: Trellix appeared humble through the monitor to Starscream.
:::'You best pray that I do, we wouldn't want our alliance terminated so soon.'::: Optics narrowed at Trellix, Starscream's tone portraying his irritation. He sideways glanced as Barricade entered with entertainment in tow; time business was concluded.
:::'I have a matter that needs attending to, I expect to hear from you shortly.'::: Starscream flicked off the sight of Trellix's farewell in the monitor, his whole game plan seemed shot to the stars.
Starscream sauntered towards the pair, irritation fading as he scrutinised the femme. She had healed nicely and looked positively appetising donned in shackles awash with fear and loathing. He noticed Barricade still controlled the chain, which he offered to exchange ownership of as Starscream drew closer – he was dismissed with a wave of the hand.
:::'No Barricade, you keep her subdued.'::: A taut pull on features was his response as he retracted his reach and tightened the slack. Jerking wrists produced a savoury diminutive grimace that Starscream curiously wanted more of.
:::'She's only small, probably break in no time.'::: Starscream mused while idly tracing a massive talon across her framework, leaning down for a closer look as she trembled from being near his massive form. The taut chain leaving no freedom for her to shrink away from his touch.
:::'Lord Starscream wishes to be left alone?'::: The look of unease from Barricade stuck Starscream to the core that shone his optics in wicked delight.
:::'No, you must stay.'::: Horrified, Barricade burred up to protest, Starscream cutting him off with a glare:::'That's an order.'::: Features furrowed to watch Barricade shifting his vision towards the femme, he gaining satisfaction from dominating his devious cohort.
'What's going on? What do you want with me?' A small voice from his new toy had Starscream marvelling at the expressive fear that was erupting over her and he assured her fear by running talons along her back, grating exo-armour and smiling at her gasps of alarm.
:::'I want the Autobot base location... and I will have my fun in procuring it too.'::: His smile twisting to a scowl as she appeared unresponsive to him, instead turning to Barricade as she shunned him – Lord Starscream, the insolent wretch!
'I-I' She was turning to Barricade for answers – incredulous! Starscream lowered to situate himself more at optic level with her, vile hatred for her impudence filling him.
:::'She does not speak our language Lord Starscream.'::: Barricade interjected quickly, Starscream's hatred levelling, he dismissed to question why she couldn't as an idea to vex Barricade struck him.
:::'Then you translate for me Barricade.'::: He sneered at the smaller Decepticon, shoving his larger features at him.
:::'Surely not...?'::: His perplexed expression grew Starscream's pleasure, oh he was going to have some much-needed fun.
:::'You heard me.'::: Words grating, not hiding the distain for his most highly ranked interrogator and leading support Commander. Barricade lowly growling to submit to the order, attention focused to the bewildered and stuttering prisoner.
'Starscream wants the location of your base.' The hurried, unimpressed command falling from his vocaliser, a smug, twisted smile played on Starscream's features.
'What? Never!' Features distorting into horror as she glared at both of them, fear slipping as Starscream sensed her systems churned to dispute him – oppose him and stand between what he wanted.
With no indication, Starscream lurched forward fangs bared to clamp down on the sensitive region of her neck and shoulder. Pointed incisors breaking through to shed exo-armour, feeling as they cut through hoses, refined circuitry and claw down to the very Protoform. Jaw flexing to close tore through her like a welder, sparks flew from electrics shorting out, he could feel the lubricant continuously spatter against him and the sizzle in his mouth as he dismembered the chunk; feeding off her bellowing screams through the entire process that warmed him with arousal and power.
As he released his hold, she fell to all fours trembling and whining, lubricant and slag peppered her shell and spewed onto the dark floor, illuminating the trail of lost vitals. Starscream stood above, savouring her taste and energy residue as he rolled the chunk around his jaw, expelling it when it lost the flavour. Barricade retracting as far as possible from the carnage, he condoned the act but surmised that Starscream had finally gone mad from the power attained by leadership.
:::'The base.'::: Starscream hissed, persistent in his quest as he casually lolled her to the side with a massive foot, she not responding to either verbal or the non-verbal jerks on restraints. Sly optics fell on Barricade; Starscream knew he was good for some things; his tactical array was one of them.
:::'Tell me the vulnerable sections in her frame.'::: Watching as Barricade flickered optics to scan her figure.
:::'Shoulder; opposite side to your affections, feet struts and lower abdomen.'::: Came the indifferent response.
Swooping downwards, Starscream knelt beside her as his large clawed hand made a grab to position her on her back, she reeling in the aftershock to challenge the move. Talons sparking, he drove them through her frame in her lower abdomen as Barricade directed, watching her arch up paralysed with optics on maximum width as vocaliser geared and shunted with electronic spasm. Intense heat wrapped around his talons inside her, he watched the bubbling spew of fluids surround his penetrating hold as they dribbled over her lower section. Spurred on by deep-seated indulgence, Starscream flexed talons viciously erupting her neural receptors to fizz hysterically and electricity sparked across her frame, sending her into convulsions and noises spat out in glitched bellows. The power surge licked across Starscream's body and he ached from the warmth enfolding around him, system malfunction never felt so delicious.
Riding the wave as energy dwindled from the sparking mess, receding Starscream's high, he forcibly retracted claws to pose at his mouth, where fangs scrapped off glimmering melted armour and fluids to dally in her taste again. Burning with increased desire to maim and envelope himself in her tang, Starscream knew from her weakened state for him to gain any pleasure, he would have to be precise with his assault.
In a flurry of claws, he began tearing at her chest armour, feverishly wanting to ignite himself in pure Spark energy. Gouges were dug, armour twisted and mutilated but little ground was made before Starscream felt his fever easing, the pitiful harsh cries emitting from the owner only annoyed him to cease so the noise would.
:::'Tell her to open up.'::: Starscream threatened the stoic observer as he began to caress distorted metal, having her weakly fight against him, systems were askew as she twitched and unco-ordinately swiped at him.
Barricade knelt next to her head; a large hand enclosed her face to pull her vision in his direction and she halted to take notice, optics flickering wildly, threatening to offline.
'Open your chest casing.' The stipulation was met with ambiguous dialogue. 'Just do it.' Barricade hissed, leaning in for emphasis, the scene capturing Starscream's interest as she submitted to his demands, armour jerking to recede aside.
Starscream lay captivated by the burning intensity of her Spark wrapped snugly in it's housing, long claws flexed in hungry anticipation as optics surveyed the scene and Starscream, for once, grew thoughtful. Calmly he reached into her recess to tentatively finger the sensitive area but no response was procured from her body, it had begun to shut down in the aftermath and he knew his time to have fun had passed.
He glanced to Barricade to catch him watching intently, his stoic expression unwavering from the sight but obviously curious enough to catch a peek. Starscream rose to have Barricade's optics follow his, the sparking, oozing pile between their stances separating them as they glared at one another.
:::'Take it away.'::: Starscream's tone was rank with irritation and boredom, having little interest in her now due to the lack of pleasure she offered him.
Barricade turned attention once more to the slag heap to instruct her to close the opening, which gradually she obliged to do so. Effortlessly, Barricade hoisted her dishevelled mass into his arms and began to leave, a churn of babble discharging from her sapped form that Starscream understood as her relief the experience with him had ended. Starscream thought he better set the record straight, just for her.
'Make sure she is properly cared for Barricade, rest assured I am not finished with her.' Starscream smiled to himself as Barricade left with her, painful whines erupting in his audios, assuring him she had heard his message. He was determined to break her, slowly and painfully and when she finally breaks, the Autobot base will fall into flame and ruin.
XoXoXoXoXoXoXo
End Chapter Notes: Thoughts/comments/reviews/CC always welcomed! Next chapter is focused on Autobots, Frenzy (and his 'pet') and intro of aliens – re-writing this as I go, so expect anything next chapter! Possible delays on next update due to study resuming.
