Sorry it took about a week to update this story. I had to do a whole bunch of editing and changes of this chapter due to this chapter having too many flashbacks. So here is the next chapter of this story.

Please note that the italics are Starscream's memories of what happened in the past.


Chapter 7: Patch

Atop the Decepticon Warship, Megatron stares down at Starscream. It greatly confuses him as to why Starscream would be foolish enough to surrender the Omega Keys. He must have a trick up his sleeves.

"A few things of value come without a price." Megatron looked down at the three Omega Keys, four if you count Sam who's laying besides the rest of the Keys. "So tell me Starscream, what is it that you wish in return?"

Starscream kneeled before Megatron with his head down. "Only to be a Decepticon once again."

"Dreadwing is my First Lieutenant now."

"And I accept that much has changed during my absents. I only wish to serve you, my one true master. In any way you deem fit."

Megatron felt suspicious at Starscream's request. After everything Starscream pulled in the past, he still wants to serve by his side. He would have to get to the bottom of this if he want to find out what's Starscream is planning to. And he knows one thing that would allow him to. "I am deeply impress by your accomplishment, Starscream. And know that I would put your offerings to good use, whatever the outcome."

Starscream felt nervous for some reason. "Outcome?" He laughed nervously. "Of what?"

Megatron ignored Starscream and turned to Dreadwing. "See to it that Knock Out is extracted from the wall."

Knock Out began stretching his tired and cramp limb. Metals began to creak due to him being immobilized. "Ah, it's good to be back." The three are now in Knock Out's Sick-Bay with Starscream and Megatron laying on the slab. Knock Out went behind Megatron's slab and plugged in a cord. "Now, what will we be fishing for today, My Liege?"

Megatron opened his optics and glared at Starscream. "Starscream's true motive."

Starscream began to panic as Knock Out went behind the slab Starscream was laying on and used another cord and connected it right in.


The SpaceBridge began to explode and Megatron was caught in the explosion.

"Decepticons! It is with deep sorrow that I note for the log. Megatron's spark has been extinguished." Starscream may have sounded so mournful, but in truth, he was grinning evilly. With Megatron gone, he can now rule the Decepticons. "All. Hail. Starscream!"

"All hail Starscream!" Shouted the Vehicons.

"Well, well." said a familiar voice. Starscream began to search for the source of the voice. The voice spoke again but this time, it's right behind him. "You certainly didn't waste any time."

Starscream gasped in shock and surprised. "Wh-what!? I just watched you perish!"

Megatron let out a amused sigh. "I did not perish then. And I'm very much with you now. The present you, as well as the past."

"All hail Starscream!" Shouted the Vehicons.

"I can't hear you!" Starscream sing-song, as he lifted his hand over his audio receptors.

"All hail Starscream!"

"One more time!"

"All hail Starscream! All hail Starscream!"

Outside of Starscream's mind, Knock Out watches in humor as he witness Starscream's little celebration through the monitor. "This is going to be juicy." he said in glee.

The memory ended with the past Starscream doing a victory dance, embarrassing the present Starscream. He gave a embarrass smile as he realized what was happening. "A-heh... you're inside my head, aren't you?"

"The Cortical Psychic Patch." He told Starscream. "You see there are no secrets in here, only your memories." The whole scenery vanished, leaving only a darkened area and a small light surrounding the two. "You cannot manipulate their content, or modify their outcome. What we see, is how it happen.

A different memory is played and this one shows Optimus and Starscream.

"If you want to be a true leader, Starscream, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decepticons toward peace."

"I would be willing to consider a truce, if you would be willing to bow before me, Optimus Prime."

Another memory is being played after the first one. This time, Starscream is with Breakdown and Knock Out at the ship's bridge.

"You have defied my orders yet again!" yelled Starscream.

"My mistake, Commander Starscream." apologized Knock Out.

Starscream walked up to Knock Out's face and yelled. "It is LORD!"

The next memory shows Starscream and Soundwave with a captured Wheeljack.

"Haven't you heard? I lead the Decepticons now!"

A memory is being played while Megatron and Starscream began their conversation. The memory shows Starscream giving a speech to the Decepticons.

"Now, where did we leave off?" asked Megatron mockingly. "Oh yes, All Hail Starscream. A rather obvious motif, Starscream. You deem yourself more able to lead the Decepticons than myself!?"

"No!" denied Starscream. "Not any more! I have learned from my many failures, Master."

"Esteem members of my Armada." Starscream announced to his clones. "You now stand upon the very prefaces of glory. To meet the destiny which I have so tenaciously work toward."

"Dynamic leadership of the Decepticons!" said one of the Starscream clones.

"That clone said it, not me!" yelled Starscream.

"It seems you would stop at nothing to disrupt my rule, including assassination!" To emphasize his point, a memory is played that shows the Starscream clones have surrounded Megatron with their rockets ready to fire.

"It was their idea, not mine!" He once again accuse his clones for planning the termination of Megatron, but the next memory decided to turn against him by playing another of his plan. This one show him, an Insecticon, and Airachnid planning to use the Insecticon against Megatron.

"With this creature under your control, and at our disposal, we might employ to terminate Megatron, allowing us to rule the Decepticons." said Starscream.

"I see no clones here! Was this their idea too?" asked Megatron.

Starscream began to panic as he was caught red-handed at that memory. "I don't remember any of this." he laughed nervously. "I must have been half-crazed at that time. A pit of Energon deficiency."

Megatron moved dangerously close to Starscream. "Tell me why I should welcome back someone, whose every waking impulse, has been to THWART ME, UNDERCUT ME, OVERTHROW ME!?"

"Not true." denied Starscream. "I have always put your well-being before my own."

Though, Starscream's next memory says a different story.

In this memory, Starscream approaches the unconscious, floating Megatron in space due to being caught in the explosion of the SpaceBridge. He reaches over to Megatron's chest that has a huge hole over it and yanks out the Dark Energon.

"How does this revolting chapter constitute attending to my well-being?" demanded Megatron.

"I was simply trying to help, by ridding you of the dark matter polluting your body." Starscream responded.

The next scene of memory shows the unconscious Megatron, hooked up a cable over his open chest while Starscream began to mock him.

"Seems I possess the only thing that will allow you rise off that slab and walk again, my dearest Megatron."

"I even risk being buried alive for you."

The next scene shows Starscream trying to prevent a cave-in by holding a huge boulder over his head.

Starscream spotted Megatron watching him squirm by the weight of the boulder. "I-I did not abandon you, Master! I've returned. To save you!" The boulder continues to push down on Starscream while his strength weakens. "Look into my spark, Lord Megatron. My intention were true!"

"Were they, Starscream!?" Megatron advances towards Starscream who's started backing away from Megatron in fear. "Were they ever!?"

"For now who has hit rock bottom?" Starscream lifted his hand over to his audio receptors in a mocking way. "What's that? I'm sorry. I can't hear you beneath all that rumble! Farewell, Lord Megatron. May you rust in peace!"

He began to walk away from the cave-in but stopped when he became fully aware if he were to leave Megatron under the rumble. "But you have survived far worse. If you have manage to free yourself, you would blame me for your setback. And there is nowhere that I could possibly escape from your wrath. Or worst yet, your mindless followers will come looking for you and take credit for your rescue. Credit, that could be rightfully be mine!" He growled and yelled out in anger which echoed throughout the forest, "MEGATRON!"

Starscream sighed and cringed when Megatron began to talk. "A word of advice? Stop thinking aloud."

Starscream began to frantic. "I don't want to play this game anymore. Take the keys and the boy, whom somehow came back from the dead! We'll pretend I was never here."

But Megatron will not allow that. "No, Starscream! There are only two possible outcomes, based upon what I find here in your twisted little mind." He spoke his next words more threatening as Starscream began to hyperventilate in fear. "If I do not deem that you are worthy of rejoining the Decepticons, you will perish on this very day."

Starscream forced out a laugh. "Isn't termination rather extreme? I mean, the usual trouncing usually straightens me out, doesn't it?"

Many memories are flashing by and each and every one of those memories shows Megatron beating up Starscream for his defiance.

"Why wouldn't you wish to harness my talents for the Decepticon cause. You and I have so much deviousness to offer."

Two Vehicons appeared with the corpse of the dead Cliffjumper.

"Consider it a welcome home present." said Starscream.

"See how generous I can be, My Liege?"

"When its suits you." retorted Megatron.

Cliffjumper snarled and to attack Vehicons mercilessly.

Starscream watched in fear. "Master! That's your plan!? Bring Autobots back from the dead to attack us!?"

"At other times, you can be quite insolent."

"Apologies." apologized Starscream. "It's just that, I've gone to so much trouble to terminate the Autobot in the first place."

"Trouble would have been facing him as a gladiator."

"I've always considered my wits to be my sharpest weapon." Starscream said in a deadpan humor.

"Wait!" Starscream said from inside the Apex Armor. He looked at Optimus and back at Dreadwing as he became suspicious of their battle formation. "You two are up to something."

Dreadwing pressed his remote button as the ice floor below Starscream began to glow bright red around him. It was revealed to be bombs set up by Dreadwing and exploded, causing Starscream to fall deep to the cold water of the Arctic.

"You never learn, Starscream. Your arrogance will trump your wits every time."

"You cannot harm me while Dark Energon flows through my veins!" said the ever boasting Starscream. He took aim at the Autobots that are taking cover behind boulders. "I am invisab-Ahh!" Starscream cried out in pain as Optimus shot off Starscream's right arm.

Next memory shows Bulkhead as he is being drained of Energon by the Energon Harvester, that is now wielded by Starscream.

"You're a big one. This could take a while." said Starscream. Bulkhead walked slowly, due to feeling weak, to Starscream and grabbed the Energon Harvester and punched Starscream right in the face.

The next slideshow shows Arcee staring down at Starscream who is now handcuffed and wing-cuffed.

"What!?" yelled Starscream. "She's taking credit for scraping him now, too? That was my doing!" He should've kept his mouth shut as Arcee now took aim at Starscream in anger for killing Cliffjumper. "No! No! Please! No!" cried out Starscream franticly.

Another memory is showed.

"Any last words, Smokescreen?" smirked Starscream.

Smokescreen ran straight towards Starscream who is wearing the Apex Armor. And with the help of the Phase Shifter, he phased right through the Apex Armor, kicking Starscream right off it.

Next memory shows Starscream landing in front of Silas.

"My T-Cog." demanded Silas.

"Temporarily setback." said Starscream. "The Autobots have the T-Cogs. We shall find a replacement soon enough."

But Silas isn't going to have to wait that long. "Not soon enough, Now!" M.E.C.H soldiers have surrounded Starscream and shot him with their stun guns.

When Starscream regained conscious, he got up and found that M.E.C.H have left already. Starscream heard a GroundBridge open and sees that the Autobots have arrived. "Autobots!" He tries to transform in order to flee, found that he couldn't. He tries it again but failed. He gasped and place his hands on his right hip. "My T-Cog!" He found out the Silas took his T-Cog and ran in panic.

"You no longer possess the ability to take flight!?" Megatron said with half amusement and half irritated. Amusement for having Starscream's T-Cog removed but irritated for Starscream having been defeated by Silas and his team.

"Ah, yes. I-I was going to bring that up." he splutter. "And as you might imagine, my predicament pains me to no end."

"Fortunately, the Harbinger's tracking systems have remained synched with Megatron's warship. Of course, we should require a means of reaching there." The Starscream clones transformed into their jet mode in which surprises Starscream. "You can all transform?" He quickly regain his composure. "Of course you can. How else would you fly to the ship. That was a test, in which you all, uh, pass!"

"I hope that you might see fit to express your gratitude for the Omega Keys and the boy by restoring my Jet Mode." pleaded Starscream. "After all, would I not be more valuable to you with wings? Ooh, I do transform with exceptional sense of style." Flashbacks of Starscream are showing where he transforms into his Jet Mode in a sense of style as he self proclaims. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"

Starscream is wrapped in web while he is confronted by Autobots. "Megatron tried to extinguish my spark in cold blood, then all that replaced me is that traitorous wretch, Airachnid, she abandoned me! Left me for scrap! So why not rat them out?" he offered to the Autobots.

"No one asked you to leave the Decepticon force."

"I wasn't exactly made to feel welcome at that time." Starscream retorted.

Megatron warmed up his Fusion Cannon and aimed it dangerously close to Starscream.

"Master, please! Give me one more chance! I beg of you!" Starscream got down to his knees and begged.

"Despite the fact that I'd seen the error of my ways, and dedicated my spark to you?"

"I have gain a clear understanding of my place in this universe. Of who I am. Of who I was always meant to be." He told Soundwave. "Starscream, Second-in-Command, humble servant to Lord Megatron."

"Until the next opportunity arrives to subvert me." said Megatron.

"And how is the patient doing, today?" Starscream asked Knock Out.

Knock Out let out a sigh and replied. "Same old." He said very bored.

"An inglorious fate, that he should remain in this vegetated state." Starscream said with a small smirk on his faceplate.

"On the contrary," he began to inform Starscream, "Megatron's body may be scrap metal, but his mind is still percolating."

"Keep that to yourself." He quickly shushed Knock Out. He spoke quietly to Knock Out. "That blasted Soundwave sees and hears everything."

"The eyes and ears of the Decepticons."

"Well, as long as their master remains in limbo, so does their cause. The Decepticons deserve a strong, alert leader."

"One who would require a loyal Second-in-Command." Knock Out said dropping down a hint behind his words.

Starscream chuckled as he caught on what Knock Out was trying to say. "A candidate would need to earn that post, by making a strong case to said eyes and ears."

"A case for showing mercy, Lord Starscream?" smirked Knock Out.

In the real world outside of Starscream's head, Knock Out starts to panic as he realized that Starscream's memories will incriminate him as well. "Uh-oh! Does this thing has a fast-forward button? Or better yet, erase!?" Knock Out began to randomly press any button furiously trying to change the memory of his conversation with Starscream. He regret of ever saying that this would be 'juicy'. But it only made things worst for him.

"Knock Out, if you would be so kind as to provide your expert medical opinion to Soundwave, before the historical record?" Starscream and Knock Out came back to the Sick-Bay with Soundwave behind for Megatron's condition.

"Simply put," Knock Out started, "unaided, Megatron could remain in this deathless slumber, forever."

"Our master would not have wanted to be seen this way, to stand idly by while he remains captive in his own body. It's not just." Starscream spoke sounding so sincere, trying to convince Soundwave that Megatron will forever be in a coma, no matter what.

Soundwave walked up and pointed at the monitor which reads brainwave activity.

Knock Out followed to where Soundwave pointed and spoke to clarify the meaning. "Brainwave activity. Not evidence of consciousness, but merely of an endless dream from which Megatron may never wake."

"Soundwave, we must face reality. Megatron is lost to us."

"The only honorable option, would be to show him mercy." Knock Out said with his head down.

"A simple throw of the switch."

"When Megatron comes out of it, he'll do more than just stick me back into the wall. He'll have Starscream's head and mine." His gaze landed at Megatron's unconscious body when he panicked. "But," he thought deviously, "if I disconnect without a proper power down, the link is severed and..." He walked to the back of the slab where Megatron is occupying and stared at the cord that is connected to the slab. "The big guy will never emerge from Starscream's head." He grabbed the Patch cable and was about to yank it out but was stopped by a hand.

Dreadwing stares at Knock Out in suspicion. "Everything... okay here?" He said deeply, letting go of Knock Out's hand.

"Just checking the cable integrity." Knock Out replied. Both of their attention were caught when Megatron began to speak.

"Is it any wonder that I come to value loyalty above all else?"

Starscream chuckled a little. "Well you know, we are Decepticons. I'm sure that even your beloved Dreadwing isn't perfect."

"No one is perfect, Starscream." said Megatron. "But like his departed twin, Dreadwing understands honor."

"Awaken, warrior. Rise and serve your new master!"

The huge metal square pod opened and a tall, green Decepticon, that resembles exactly like Dreadwing but his armor blue while the Decepticon's armor is green, walks out from its pod and crouch down to Starscream's level. "Skyquake serves only one master."

"Excellent. Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake, you may bow." Starscream grinned.

"You fail to grasp my meaning." glared Skyquake. "I am here on a mission, assigned to me by my one master, Megatron!"

Starscream growled at the name. "Yes, him. Sadly, Megatron is no longer with us."

"Impossible." Skyquake said in disbelief.

Starscream grew annoyed whenever someone looks surprised or shocked when they found out Megatron had died. "Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept."

Another flashback is played. Skyquake transformed and BumbleBee quickly took action and jumped on top of him. Skyquake began to fall far from the sky at a increasing speed. BumbleBee quickly jumped off of Skyquake and landed on top of Fowler's jet. Skyquake crashed landed and resulted to his death.

Later that day, Starscream appeared with a Dark Energon shard at hand. "Ah, the gravesite of the mighty Skyquake. So quick to reject my authority while you lived. But, as the first of my reanimated warriors, you shall bow to my command."

Starscream broke the shard in two and threw one half of the shard to Skyquake's grave and the other to himself. His optics changed from red to purple. "Ah, yes! Power of Dark Energon, be mine!" His whole body frame burst in purple flames as he laughed in delight. "Symbiosis! I can feel it!"

"I can understand that he perish that day." Megatron said mournfully.

Starscream chuckled nervously. "Well, Skyquake is neither living or dead. And no doubt continues to wonder through some dimensional nether realm in search of his missing limb."

"It would be wise to keep that to yourself around the warship." He warned Starscream as he knows what would happen if Dreadwing finds out about his brother.

But it was too late. Dreadwing had heard and seen everything that had happened to his beloved twin brother. He found out that his brother's grave has been disrespected by bringing him back from the dead as a mindless zombie and nows wonders in a different dimension. To say, he was feeling overcome with rage.

Knock Out noticed the mood around the Sick-Bay and decided to break the tension. "Awkward." He rubbed the back of his head with his hand.

Megatron's words finally sinked in to Starscream's head. "Does this mean...?" he yelled hopefully.

"Yes." He snarled, already regretting his decision. "I will allow you to return to our ranks. If only because... you are more valuable beside me than against me."

"Thank the AllSpark!" Starscream fell to his knees as he thanked Megatron for another chance. He quickly realized what he said and corrected himself. "I meant the actual AllSpark not the AllSpark boy. I mean, why would I be thanking the boy. It's silly." He forced a laugh and a smile.

Megatron ignored Starscream ranting and spoked. "Infighting has nearly destroyed the Decepticons during your absence. We are to operate as a united front if we are to revive and conquer Cybertron. That means each and every one of us... Knock Out!" He glared at Knock Out through the monitor knowing Knock Out is watching.

Knock Out shuddered in fear. "Megatron sure knows how to 'Patch' things up, ay Dreadwing?" He looked around the Bay and saw no Dreadwing. "Dreawing?"

The Second-in-Command is instead on the outer hull of the Nemesis, and aims a scream of rage at the dark and stormy sky.


Megatron and Starscream awoke from their slumber and got off of their slab. Knock Out forced a sheepish chuckle when Megatron looked at him. "Find anything interesting, Lord Megatron?" Wrong choice of words he thought to himself.

Megatron ignored him and walked out of the Sick-Bay, He stopped when he saw Soundwave just outside the Bay. "What is it, Soundwave?"

Soundwave played a recording that is dated just a few minutes ago. 'Tell Lord Megatron that I have arrived.'

Megatron grinned in delight while Knock Out and Starscream shivered in fear as they recognized that cold voice. "Ah, Shockwave! Excellent! Take me to him." Soundwave nodded a little and escorted Megatron to the bridge, followed by Knock Out and Starscream.

Once they arrived, Shockwave kneeled before Megatron. Shockwave is a huge Decepticon, a bit taller than Megatron by an inch or two, with only one optic which makes him even more frightening. His left arm is a laser cannon instead of a hand. His purple armor is so strong, it could almost rival that of the Apex Armor. He is known to be the Decepticon's 'Mad Scientist'.

"All hail Lord Megatron!" Shockwave said as his greeting. His other subordinates followed as well.

Megatron felt honored to have such a very strong and loyal Decepticon like Shockwave and Soundwave under his command. "Rise up, my loyalists. I am very glad that you have made it, Shockwave. As I have work for you to do." He motioned Shockwave and few others to follow him.

"I live only to serve you, My Master."

As they all walk to their destination, Megatron decided to start up a conversation with Shockwave. "And how are your projects coming along?" he asked.

"Project: Dinobots is a complete failure, My Lord. Grimlock and his teammates have manage to escape from their prison before I can make the finishing touch." He remembered at the one memory where Grimlock bit off Shockwave's left arm in his T-Rex mode and severely wounded him. This resulted his other project being put on hold while he recovers from his wound.

"I see. And how about the other project that I heard rumors about?"

"Project: Predacons." he informed. "It's almost the same thing as Project: Dinobots, but instead of transforming into prehistoric creatures, they transform into savage, machine beasts."

"Excellent, Shockwave. Can't wait to see that project be put in action."

They have reached to a different Sick-Bay, in which lies the body of Breakdown, and Sam.

Shockwave was quite surprised to see Sam again. "The boy's alive. But how? He was terminated by your hands, Lord Megatron."

"We believed that it has something to do with the AllSpark or the Iacon Relic that he possess which saved the boy's life from death." informed Megatron. "It must have teleported him to the sands of Egypt where we found him unconscious."

Shockwave walked up to the two bodies and stares at Sam. "What a fascinating specimen. I must conduct experiment."

Megatron quickly lifted a hand. "I can't let that happen, Shockwave. Like I said before, I have work for you to do."

Shockwave bowed to Megatron as an apology. "What is it that you want be to do?"

"I want you to make the boy into a Cybertronian, with no trace of human flesh anywhere."

This shocked everyone except for Shockwave and Soundwave as they were unaffected by Megatron's words. They heard a small sound coming from Sam. It would have seem he has awoken.

"How are you feeling, boy." asked Megatron.

Sam stared at him with those cold and emotionless eyes in which greatly pleases Megatron to see his words have affected the boy's mind. "Nothing." Sam replied with no emotion as well.

"Have you considered my offering?" In which Sam replied with a nod. "What is your answer?"

Sam spoke with a dark voice. "I want the power to destroy all those whom caused me pain, misery. I want to be set free from this world of pain, betrayal, and lies. I want revenge."

Starscream and Knock Out felt a shiver of fear course through their body. The way Sam spoke was dark, evil, and hate.

Megatron laughed at his own success. "Very well, Sam. You shall have your wish. Shockwave here will help you make that wish come true. By turning you into one of us. For you will no longer be a human anymore, you will be a Cybertronian, a Decepticon. Shockwave will tap into the power of the AllSpark within you and transform you into a machine. For now, we will put you into stasis lock so you won't feel any pain."

Sam nodded and closed his eyes, clearly ready for the procedure.

"I'm sure you know what to do, Shockwave?"

"Yes. I would like to start on the assignment you gave me, if you will."

"Yes, of course." He began to walked out of the Bay until he stopped. "Here, Shockwave." Megatron threw a shard of Dark Energon at him. "Make sure the boy is infused with the power of Dark Energon. It will help him accomplish his goal." With that, he left Shockwave to start on his work.

He ordered Knock Out to start the surgical replacement of Starscream's T-Cog. Once he's finish, he is to start on figuring out how to use the Omega Keys for restoring Cybertron.

As for himself, he decided to fix Sam a very weapon of his own, with the help of The Forge of Solus Prime. Soon, the Autobots will face an enemy that will be their downfall.

"Soon, Optimus! You will be defeated by the hands of your new enemy and there is nothing you can do to stop him! No matter what you say."


I'm so glad that this chapter is finish. Too much work for this one. Hope you like this chapter. And I hope you like on what I planned for Sam in the future.

I will start on writing the next chapter of 'A New Beginning'. I had writer's block on that story but now got an idea for the next chapter. Once I update on 'A New Beginning', I will start writing more chapters of this story.

So until then!