"He sounded like Megatron?" Optimus repeated what his youngling said to him.

"Well bucket head's genetic line flows through the facless creep, so it is pretty much bound to happen." Ironhide snorted.

(But Soundwave's not like that!) Mirage angrily glared at the weapon specialist.

"Look youngling your brother grew up on the wrong side, he has been taught Megatron's evil ways, and is one of the, if not the best soldiers in the Decepticon army. You need to buck up, stop seeing him as a brother, and start seeing him as a threat!" Ironhide argued with the youngling. "He's completely lost anything for you, and has fallen to the dark ways."

"Ironhide enough!" Optimus stopped the older mech from continuing the argument.

To the two mechs surprise the youngling made an attempt attack on the weapons specialist, but Mirage's movements were suddenly halted by his conscious regaining. He quickly vanished out of the two mechs site, activating his cloak, as fast as he could he escaped the base once again. *Soundwave where are you, what did you do to me, and what did Megatron do to you!?*

Mirage waited for a reply, getting no answer, he felt like screaming. Thinking for a moment, he tried to think of where one of Shockwave's laboratories might be hiding. *The sea of rust!* Mirage was about to transform when he suddenly got a message.

"Mirage don't go to the sea of rust, you will find nothing there but death and forgotten memories. I did nothing to Soundwave, on the other hand I did give him a little something to inject you with, to boost your true colours." Megatron's sinister gruff voice infuriated the youngling. "Soon you will be cast out once more, only to be nothing but an outside hired assasin for the Autobots dirty work. As that is all you were created for."

(What did you inject me with!?) Mirage balled up his servo into a tight fist, so tight it began to draw energon as his claws pierced his servo.

"A tiny amount of Unicron's blood. It will slowly corrupt you over the course of time, due to your unique genetics it will take longer, for you the side effects are unknown."Megatron ended his transmission with the enraged youngling.

*Why Soundwave, why do you treat me like I'm no longer kin in your optics!? I tried so hard to find you, and even avoided battling you, even when I was with the Autobots! You're my brother!* Mirage voiced to his older brother, he knew that Soundwave would have been right with the warlord during that message.

*You denied me the moment you realized your heritage, and reaplaced me with a yellow weakling. Don't pretend that you care, Mirage you are just another threat to society and the Decepticon cause. If you were truely my kin you would have stuck by my side during this war, and not betray and abandon me, You are not my brother!* Soundwave no longer sounded like the warlord, but had the voice of a cold bitter mech that wanted nothing but revenge. *You may think you're going to be great at protecting the sparkling, but soon enough you'll find that sparkling to grow up to betray your trust, just as you did to me.*

*Soundwave I didn't betray you, or abandon you, I am fighting for what's right. You chose the wrong side, you were old enough to pull the plug from Shockwave and Megatron, and choose your own path. But you made the decision to stick to your brainwashing, and fight to enslave and destroy any who object. You think you're so intelligent, but realize the stupidity you are doing to yourself and everyone who cared about you. I am done trying to believe I can change you, I kept my combat training, but slowly changed my ways over time. I may not be completely trusted by every Autobot, but I made a difference in the faction and my life.* Mirage sighed ending his talk with his brother. Spinning around Mirage ran straight into a large stabalizing servo. Looking up into his fathers optics Mirage drooped his doorwings, waiting for the long winded lecture about almost attacking Ironhide, and how he should stay in the base because he is not well.

"You gave a speech that replicated my own, when I was frustrated with Megatron's choices. I told him the exact same thing you did to Soundwave." Optimus escorted his youngling back into the base.

*Clearly he didn't let it go to his head.* Mirage scoffed, keeping his gaze fixed on the floor as they entered the rec room.

"Unfortunetly Megatron has always carried a selfish side, that tends to weed out others opinions and advice." Optimus handed some energon to his tiny youngling.

*No thank you, I'm not hungry...* Mirage refused the energon being handed to him.

"Mirage I'm not giving you a choice, take it, and drink it" Optimus practically sounded like Ratchet, putting the cube in his sons energon covered servos. "Mirage, what happened to your servos!?" Optimus gasped taking the cube away.

*Oh nothing, it was me...* Mirage simply replied showing the dried energon on the tips of his claws.

"Why would you do that to yourself?" the Prime qurried in a concerned tone.

*I was angry, I didn't realize I was squeazing my fists to tight.* Mirage shrugged, looking at the holes in his servo. *It will disappear soon enough.*

"Ok, but I still want you to have energon, weather you have differen't biomech or not, you still need nourishment at some point." Optimus placed the cube in the tiny scarred servos.

*Primus, you don't even know how long I can go without energon, do you? I am not going to die if I don't...* Mirage groaned staring down at the blue liquid.

"Mirage just have this one and I won't bug you about it again." Optimus knew his son could go years without having any sort of energon or nourishment, but knew with Bumblebee coming into the copy everyone stage, Mirage would not give his little brother a good example. Also Elita being very protective and caring about her young, she would have Optimus's head if his youngling wasn't eating.

*Fine, but I don't have to like it...* Mirage grumbled taking a big gulp of the liquid, he wanted to finish it quickly, and not waste time.

"See you are hungry." Optimus chuckled at his youngling.

Suddenly Sideswipe slipped in from behind the Prime. "Aw you are going to be so much fun to drink high grade with when you're older!" the silver twin excitedly exclaimed.

Raising an optic ridge, Optimus glared at the twin in disapproval, earning a sheepish smile from the silver twin.

(What's high gra) *Ah!* Mirage doubled over almost dropping his energon, as a sharp surge pulsed from his spark and through his frame.

"Hey you ok little buddy?" Sideswipe took the energon from the younglings shaking servos, placing it on a nerby counter. While Optimus did the same with his, grabing his youngling's shoulders to stabilize the young spy.

(I am fine.) Mirage placed a servo on his helm, as the sharp pain transmitted to there.

"You don't look fine, you look like you're in pain." Sideswipe replied before the Prime could. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"

(I don't know what happened, I was talking to you, when I got like a wave of pain through my frame.) Mirage replied to his adopted older brother.

Optimus looked almost upset that his youngling answered the twin's question so quickly without argument. Buthe didn't let go to his head as he remembered Ratchet and Ironhide going through the stubborn stage with the twins.

"Optimus Mirage is infected with dark energon, that's what is causing his memory banks to malfunction." Ratchet came over the Prime's speaker.

"Ratch I think the memory loss is the least of the symptoms, it's getting worse, pain is now staring to pulse through him." Sideswipe replied.

"Is Mirage having energon right now?" Ratchet questioned.

"Yes." Optimus replied to the CMO's question.

"It's being rejected and attacked by the dark energon, that's why he is getting the pain!" Ratchet exclaimed.

"But shouldn't the regular energon be fighting back and healing the dark energon?" Sideswipe questioned, confused at the situation.

"You are correct Sideswipe, but the way he is reacting to the injection worries me" the CMO mused.

(I'm fine, really...) Mirage trembled as chills went through his frame.

Optimus knelt down in front of his youngling. "You certainly don't show it, I think we should get you to the med bay."

"No it's fine, I am here." Ratchet rushed over with a bunch of medical equipment.

(Really I am ok, this is unnecessary.) Mirage backed away from the Prime and medical help.

Ratchet sighed placing his instruments down, looking the youngling straight in the optics. "Mirage, I need you to listen to me, this is serious. You are infected with dark energon, and with dark energon those who have somehow gained control and power over it, can and will control those who are infected."

"Ratchet come on, it's Mirage, not Megatron's puppet." Sideswipe scoffed giving a nervous chuckle.

"Unfortunately Megatron will gain control of Mirage, if we cannot stop the infection from spreading further." Ratchet sadly replied to the silver mech.

(No, Megatron told me due to my genetics, the dark energon will take a longer course to infection. I am not some loose killer monster you have to cage up!) Mirage was tired of being treated like some sort of feral killer beast.

Ratchet exhaled closing his optics briefly. "No you aren't a monster, but even if it takes longer you will need to understand the dangers and risks of loosing your psyche."

(Ratchet, how do you know my body won't become immune to the dark energon over the course of time. I mean it didn't sound like Shockwave had anything to do with this attack, seemed it was all Megatron's idea.)

"Megatron or Shockwave, it dosen't matter who did it, you are still infected." Optimus finally spoke.

(No you misunderstand, it does matter, I know Shockwave better than any of you. And if I know Megatron well enough, he would have not gone over this with Shockwave, as the crazy cyclopes is busy with other projects. And Megatron being the impatient warlord he is, would not want to wait for a solution or an answer to how the dark energon would react, so he guessed himself. By saying it would take a longer for the energon to take it's course, he is basing that theory on Soundwave, because he also has dark energon coursing through his veins.) Mirage continued to school the three mechs to his knowledge.

Optimus looked at the medic for an answer to the youngling. But the medic looked as astonished as him and Sideswipe.

"Mirage I won't argue with you any longer, but if you want to seek help and advice for this situation, I will be standing by." Ratchet argued with the youngling no more, casually gathering his equipment.

(Thanks Ratch I will let you know.) Mirage nodded with a smile, quickly exiting the rec room. Mirage quickly snuck out of the base again, transforming he sped off towards Kaon.

The sound of a jets engine coming from behind did not surprise the youngling, but the sudden bevy of missiles did. Mirage sped up, swerving and slidding out of the missiles path. Unfortunately a singular missile got a lucky shot, forcing Mirage into his robot form. Mirage tumbled across the ground, but was not a helpless, as he slid across the ruff terrain he aimed his dart rifle up at the bogey, firing a singular shot directly into one of the jets engines.

Starscream hissed in pain as he was forced to transform, landing in front of the small red youngling. "You're a long way from home sparkling."

(And you would be wise to leave me be, if you do not want to be embarrassed by getting beaten by a youngling.) Mirage codly stared into the blood red optics of the seeker.

"Grown a new cocky attitude have we? Last time I saw you, you were a puny crying wimp, not much has changed I see." Starscream chuckled, threateningly walking towards Mirage. "And did you really think you could just drive into Kaon unnoticed?" Starscream swung his claws at the youngling.

(No of course not, I don't have a processor like yours.) Mirage blocked the sharp claws with his wrist blade. Swiftly in a blur of motion, Mirage twisted Starscream's arm in his blade.

When Starscream went to yank his arm out of the vice, his sensitive neck wiring was threatened by the tip of the younglings blade. "Now now Mirage let's not get hasty now..." Starscream nervously spoke trying to make eye contact, as he readied his free arm for an attack.

(You take me for a fool Starscream!) Mirage blocked the attacking arm with his free blade.

"Primus you little brat!" Starscream hissed in pain as his free arm now gushing energon, hung by a few wires. "Decepticons attack!" Starscream staggered back as Mirage realesed him.

Mirage watched as 10 Eradicon seekers flew in, landing they quickly surrounded him.

Mirage smirked. *Childs play, ha guess I fit the part.* he chuckled as a couple seekers went for the attack, Mirage ducked and allowed them to attack eachother. Transforming Mirage began to do donuts, kicking up dust and debris. The cons were getting impatient with the games, and began firing at will into the dust cooud, shooting comrades as Mirage transformed cloaking himself he ran through the dust, swiftly and silently murdering the Eradicons with ease.

Starscream growled, transforming he did his usual cowardly retreat, as the last Eradicon fell.

*Running away as usual...* Mirage rolled his optics as he watched Starscream vanish into the distance.

Suddenly Soundwave flew over, transforming a few feet away, he stood on a large piece of a fallen structure.

*Just the freak I was looking for.* Mirage smirked cleaning the energon off his blades.

"Likewise brother, why are you so far from home?" Soundwave questioned his murderous little brother.

*I am seeking out Shockwave, I have questions, and I want answers.* Mirage growled approaching his brother.

Soundwave cocked his helm to the side in confusion. "Why?"

*Idiot, I am tired of being the root of every question, and not having the answers, I want to learn, I want to be the answer for once!* Mirage hissed walking off.

Soundwave took a moment before following his brother.

Mirage was not alarmed, nor did he react with hostility, by the action of his older brother.

After awhile the ended up at the sea of rust. The wind was howling, throwing sand and rust at the two brothers.

"So why do you want to find Shockwave, what are you going to question?" Soundwave was curious to his brothers mission.

*We were placed in that sick science project of his, and we excelled past the others in it. And became the most deadly Cybertronians on Cybertron.* Mirage spun around to face the mech. *Do you not wonder why we're not used to our full potential, we're practically treated below the Eradicons! You are used as a desk jockey and an occasional spy, when Megatron knows you have great power, that could be used towards something more.* Mirage pointed out to his listening brother.

Soundwave mused over his little brothers words. Mirage was right, Megatron was holding him back, but why? Following the red youngling, they eventually found an unnoticeable trap door.

Mirage turned and gazed up at his older brother. *Hack it, I know you can.*

Soundwave hesitated but did as his little brother asked, the door hissed open.

Mirage didn't think twice, jumping in the secret lab, with Soundwave in tow. Walking past the creepy protoforms, and chemicals in test tubes and cryo chambers, eventually finding the large one opticed mech. (Shockwave, how nice to see your creepiness hasn't worn off.) Mirage alarmed the scientist.

"How did you get... how did you find me... Soundwave did you?!"

(I lead him here, I found you on my own.) Shockwave wasn't panicked but was more astonished by the youngling.

"What do you want then traitor?" Shockwave hissed placing down a beaker full of yellow liquid.

(I want answers from you, you created us to be monsters, why did you make us like this?) Mirage cut straight to the chase.

Shockwave scoffed rolling his optic. "Megatron needed super soldiers for his new army. And I delivered them."

(Yes but Soundwave and I excelled past the other younglings with great ease, and became the ultimate super soldiers.)

"Survival of the fittest, being the strongest, you two were excellent students that became machines of war." Shockwave almost made an attempt to go back go his work. "But unfortunately for you youngling, you strode towards the weakness of the Autobots and lost all hope of your training."

Mirage jumped forward threatening the cyclops with his blade. (You think I lost that torturous training you put me through? I can show you how much of my training I haven't lost if you would like a refresher?!)

"Please this is sensitive equipment." Shockwave slowly lowered the chemical filled beaker he held.

(I don't give a crap, why do you hold us back, are you afraid you created something so powerful, we can take you and Megatron down?)

Before Shockwave could reply, Mirage gave a quick jolt lowering his weapon, as a sharp pain shot through him.

"Wounded?" Shockwave cocked his helm.

(No, this snitch got orders from Megaton, to inject me with dark energon.) Mirage gestured to his observing brother.

"Primus, with what intentions, to gain control over your mind?" Shockwave scoffed. "Your genome will rid of the foreign substance within a few days, and will grow an immunity to it." Shockwave exhaled turning to Soundwave. "Sometimes I wish our lordship would consult me first, before tampering with my enhanced experiments."

Shockwave gasped as he was suddenly slammed against his wall of chemicals by a tentacle. "Is that all we are in everyones optics, enhanced mutant experiments!?" to Shockwave's surprise, Soundwave snapped finally using his voice.

Mirage was amazed Soundwave was on the same page as him, he felt like his real brother was back.

"Curious, he no longer has a voice to speak with, and yet you finally speak up." Shockwave ignored the question, focusing on Soundwave's new behaviour.

Mirage scowled wanting to slice out the cyclopses beating spark.

Soundwave wrapped another tentacle around the sick mech. "Answer the damn question!"

"What are you then, just more footsoldiers blindly following orders?" Shockwave snarled as the tentacle wrapped around him tighter. "I created you to destroy armies, armadas, titans even!" he spat struggling in the death grip that was crushing him slowly. "And yet you two wallow in trying to find who you are, like a normale cybertronian. The youngling especially." Shockwave exhaled in pain. "You weren't created to carry emotions, and a personality, you were bred for war!" The sound of Shockwaves circuts popping could be heard by the two brothers. "Soundwave, you are a perfect emotionless, uncharismatic, super soldier I had intended to create."

Soundwave dropped the mad mech onto the ground, spinning around to the exit, no more words came from him as he exited the secret lab. Leaving his little brother with the crazed cyclops.

Mirage was lost at what to do, all the information and Soundwave's actions, threw his mind into a frenzy. After getting glared at one last time by the blood red optic, Mirage hurried out to his brother standing in the rust storm.

*Soundwa...*

"Go home Mirage, you got your answers." Soundwave coldly interrupted his brother, transforming flying out of the storm and out of sight.

Shockwave emerged from the trap door seconds later, charging his canon as he aproached the unsuspecting youngling. "You mock me, and question my ways of creation. You escaped the program, never completing the psyche training, your stupidity grows with your curiousity, now you've learned what you don't need to know. But I will end your inquries." Shockwave muttered to himself as he approached the younglings back.

Shooting Mirage in the back to Shockwave's surprise the youngling disintigrated into the rust storm.

"Ah!" Shockwave yelped in pain as he was shot in the optic and stabbed in the back.

(Holograms work great don't they?) Mirage stayed on the mechs back as he collapsed.

"I...Didn't... give you... that... upgrade..." Shockwave choked out weakly.

(No I did, I made it myself, but yet again how could I, I was the stupid brother?!) Mirage dug in his blade deeper just on the brink of the mechs beating spark.

"You... you... have evolved! None.. of my... experiments have... ever evolved...with out... furthur training..." Shockwave was bearly able to leave his helm.

(That's because I'm not an experiment, I'm an Autobot!) Mirage leaned down to Shockwave's helm. (You know, I finally figured it out. You were the sick freak all along, not me. I'm not going to kill you, but if you ever cross my path again, I will make sure to kill you in front of Megatron myself, show him how good your mutant experiment really is!) Mirage yanked his sword out violently, causing Shockwave to scream in angony.

Transforming Mirage drove off, away from the laboratory, and away fron the mad scientist.