A/N: In my last 'Next Chapter' I told you this was to be called 'Decepticon Seeker Medley'. I had a plan that involved using song lyrics for this chapter. However, my plan was a complete flop and I decided to not do it. This is still the same chapter, but the title is changed. Sorry for the confusion. Again I must apologize for the wait. I wanted to get this out in October since it was the story's anniversary, but sadly I allowed myself to fall into a small writers block on this chapter.
I would like to thank Northwest Sage for once again lending me his eyes and editing skills.
Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: Twilight Zone belongs to Rod Serling and CBS. Transformers to Hasbro. Any Original Characters belong to me...
Chapter 10
"Trick 'R Treat"
Leisurely strolling the streets and sneering at awkward and angered passing glances was nothing new to the three Decepticon Seekers. It was routine in every neighborhood, every sector, and every planet the Decepticon Empire had conquered successfully. The residents, as every being is when a questionable and dramatic act occurs, were apprehensive to the switch from peaceful neutral planet to Decepticon colony in which the soldiers could spend a solar cycle or two for relaxation. Even though Megatron was a strict dictator, even he in the rarest of times was practical; morale and a 'recharge of the batteries' are needed to maintain a sane army—if the Decepticons could call themselves sane that is.
Skywarp flashed a grin to the yellow-optic neutral femme that stood inside the doorway of her home. Disgusted, she curtly closed the door and hid herself away. Skywarp frowned and continued to walk with his wing mates back to where Astrotrain, Blitzwing, Rumble, Frenzy and the Coneheads were patiently waiting for them. The sooner the better in Starscream's opinion; there were sparklings galore inhabiting the pitiful colony. Sparklings annoyed the Seeker to no end... but not as much as the mech under discussion.
"Once again, Megatron lacks the mental capacity to see when things are a waste of time!"
Skywarp and Thundercracker mentally groaned, similar phrases crossing their processors. Here we go again...
"If I was leader..."
Skywarp interrupted him. "Yes, we know, 'you would make a better leader if you were in charge'. The Autobots would tremble in your very presence and would refer to you only as"—Skywarp rose his vocals to their highest pitch—"LORD Starscrem."
"Do not mock me Skywarp," Starscream warned. "Someday my time will come and my very first decree after annilating and enslaving every Autobot soul in the universe will be to lock you in a detention center for so long you lose that disgusting tone AND the count of how many solar cycles you have been imprisoned for!"
Being accustomed to Starscream's empty promises and threats was an understatement for the purple and black teleporter; he was so comfortable that he welcomed them.
"Words Screamer... words," Skywarp smiled while wiping his shoulder plating before replying back in a jokingly insightful manner. "Your words are as pathetic as the fleshies."
After many countless millennia of being a member of the trine, and knowing when Skywarp's words went too far in damaging the egotiscal Seeker's pride and Thundercracker knew when it was his cue to step in and resolve the conflict before things progressed into a bloody brawl.
"Quit it you two—not tonight," Thundercracker intervened, stepping in the middle of the two. "We're supposed to be enjoying ourselves, remember?"
"I am enjoying myself," quipped Skywarp, loving every deadly look his Air Commander was flashing him with.
"How can I enjoy myself when I am paired with insobordant and disrespectful comrades!?" Starscream returned, huffing the question in Skywarp's direction.
"Ohh... quit crying Screamer," Skywarp said, his smile dipping into a thin line. "If it wasn't for me and TC backing you up, Megatron would have turned you into a data pad weight by now. All you do is complain. I'm surprised he hasn't already."
"Megatron recognizes my importance, unlike I who cannot recognize yours Skywarp!" Starscream pushed by Thundercracker and with lightning speed grasped Skywarp's throat. Natural reaction caused Skywarp's black hands to clamp over Starscream's arm, but he showed no discomfort in his face.
"And if you ever call me that derogatory name again," Starscream hissed in a voice he reserved for only his enemies. "I will smelt you alive."
Skywarp slyly smirked and in an instant disappeared. Starscream's hand clenched when Skywarp teleported out of his grasp. Skywarp reappeared on top of the roof where the femme lived, his optics narrowed in a humored stare.
"You gotta catch me first... SCREAMER!"
Thundercracker grimaced when Starscream let out a loud audio-splitting and furious cry, reminding the whole planet the reason he was called 'Starscream'. Transforming, he took off after Skywarp. The teleporter following suit and transforming, teleport-hopping in the night sky as his Air Commander gave chase. Thundercracker let out exhausted sigh. Primus, why couldn't the two aftheads just get along long enough for him to have a peaceful exertion?
He heard someone make a deep rumbliling sound, similar to the sound when humans cleared their throats. He turned to his left to meet the green optics of the mech who was leaning in the doorway of an establishment. He was the same height as Thundercracker and possessed no insignia anywhere on his green and black painting. Wings and a cockpit indicated he was a flyer. His wings swept down instead of out to the sides. Thin green lines ran down the sides of his legs as he thoughtfully tapped his feet. His helm design reminded him of Menasor's own but that was where the similarities between the combiner and mech ended; his optics gleamed, perfectly accompaning a coy smile upon his faceplates.
"I think it is safe to assume that you need a drink."
For a moment Thundercracker considered declining the mech's offer when his audio receptors picked up Starscream's distant yelling. He knew that the two would eventually tire and they would return to where they had left their blue friend, so, with a shrug and nothing better to do he took the mech up on the request.
"Umm... sure," Thundercracker mumbled.
The mech's optics gleamed. He stepped aside and raised his hand towards the door, welcoming him silently with his gesture. Thundercracker stepped inside, his optics brightening with surprise at what he saw.
Energon stacked the shelves in many different shapes and colors that he had never witnessed before. Against one side of the store, inside clear display cases, were different assortments of energon. Twisted and dyed into a preferred shape, they sat perfectly organized. Behind the display cases were cases of the strange energon, labeled and decorated that would catch the optic of any sparkling. Against the other side of the store was a bar, its selves held alcoholic and other brands of energon. It looked like a Cybertronian candy shop.
The mech walked behind the bar and motioned his hand to the stools. Thundercracker took a seat while the mech turned the latch and poured a bright blue High Grade.
"My name is Lockhead," the green and black mech introduced, extending his hand.
"Thundercracker," he said, shaking his hand quickly.
"Yes, I know who you are," Lockhead said, passing him a drink. "You're a Decepticon, come to enslave the universe and all of its inhabitants... blah de blah de blah... at least that's what's rumored and what I have heard from the other gents that come in here."
Thundercracker's optic bridges lifted indifferently, not caring too much of the rumor. He raised his glass and took a sip of the drink given to him. His cheek plates inflated like a puffer fish, the liquid burning in his mouth like volcanic lava. He swallowed it, the substance aching through his circuitry and down to his fuel tanks. He let out a static cough, banging a fist against his cockpit and over his spark as if it would help.
"My own special blend," Lockhead told him.
Thundercracker shook his helm, trying to clear his head. "Strong..."
"Thought you could use some," Lockhead commented, referring to the spat between his two friends.
"They're not as bad as they look," Thundercracker said, pushing the brew aside for the moment. Lockhead gazed over at him with a doubtful look. "Sometimes..."
Lockhead's mouth plates tugged slightly as his optics drifted off to the side. His optics fixed back on Thundercracker who was peering around at the contents of his candy section.
"Ah yes... you're probably wondering about my strange business," Lockhead mused. "Well, you see, it's not merely about financial profit with me—it's all self profit. I enjoy making these energon treats. And I find self satisfaction that others enjoy the things I make. I'm a candy mech, and I make the world just a little bit sweeter."
"Hmm," Thundercracker shrugged. "I've heard about these candy shops, but never seen one until now." The truth was that Thundercracker actually hadn't but he felt a lie was better than not commenting at all.
Like a magician, Lockhead pulled and energon treat out of thin air and held it out to Thundercracker. Thundercracker hesitantly smirked at the edible purple Decepticon shaped insignia.
"Here, judge me," Lockhead said.
Thundercracker took it from him and sunk his dental plates into it. He finished it in another bite.
"Not bad," he said.
Lockhead let out a hearty chuckle.
Thundercracker took another sip of his High Grade. "Sparklings must be magnetized to your shop."
"You have no idea..."
An Hour Later...
"If you allow me... do you mind if I be frank with you?"
Thundercracker slid the blue brew back over to him, took an intoxicating sip and sat it down on the glossy bar. "I can take it."
"You seem to be someone who tends to care about others-- but don't get me wrong, you still reserve time for yourself," Lockhead said. "But you seem not to fully enjoy the treasures of being alive. You think that the only way you can enjoy it... is if others around you enjoy it. Now, I'm sure I'm probably missing my target, especially when we are talking about you—a Decepticon of all things—however, you are an oddity to me. The way you tried to prevent the fight rather than instigating it further like I have seen in other Decepticons, well... it just doesn't seem befitting."
Thundercracker frowned slightly, but didn't comment.
Lockhead tapped his fingers against his chin. His optics gleaming. "If you could wish for anything Thundercracker, tell me... what would it be? What does your heart desire?"
Thundercracker narrowed his optics in confusion. "Did you just say 'heart'? Isn't that a human--"
"I said spark," Lockhead interrupted defensively, his face stony. "You heard wrong."
Thundercracker went silent, unsure what to say. He was dead positive that he had heard 'heart' instead 'spark'. Pushing it aside, he returned back to the question that was asked of him.
"Honestly," Thundercracker said, starting to feel the inebriating powers of the High Grade start to take hold of his logic. "If I could make Starscream and Skywarp's dreams come true, they'd be happy, they wouldn't fight and then I would be happy. That's my wish, for them to get whatever the slag they want so they can stop bickering."
The most mischievous of smiles graced the candy mech's face, an unnatural twinkle lit in his optics that Thundercracker failed to notice as he took another sip. "For humor's sake Thundercracker, why don't we... make it official?"
"What do you mean official?"
Lockhead bit his bottom lip component, pondering. "You know what just forget it... we both know that you mean it anyway."
Thundercracker was about to ask him what exactly he meant by the statement, when his communicator beeped.
:Hey Thunderbutt, where the frag are you?: called the ever impatient Blitzwing. :You're delaying us.:
:I'm waiting for Starscream and Skywarp.: Thundercracker returned.
:We're ALL here waiting for you.: Blitzwing informed him. :Get your aft over here or you can stay here and play tea party with the brats for the next three vorns.:
:I'm on my way.: Thundercracker told him before he turned off the comm-link. Thundercracker lifted himself from the stool and turned to Lockhead.
"No charge," Lockhead answered before Thundercracker could even ask. Thundercracker nodded a 'thank you'and began heading for the door before Lockhead called out to him. Thundercracker caught another Decepticon shaped energon treat, only this one contained a protruding stick at the end of it.
"Something for the road," Lockhead told him.
Thundercracker nodded again and left.
Alone in the candy shop, Lockhead grinned wolfishly. "There goes another sucker," he chuckled to himself, his emerald optics brightening with mischief.
As Thundercracker walked he continued to re-run the dialogue between him and Lockhead. In the blue Seeker's opinion, he was by far the strangest mech he had ever met. Especially at the part where he asked him what he wished for. There was something odd, but Thundercracker knew that there were always weird ones in the universe, just a matter of time before you ran into them.
Thundercracker tossed the stick away as he approached Astrotrain's bulky shuttle mode.
"Finally!" exclaimed Blitzwing as he whipped his arms in the air. "What the slag took you so long?"
"Yeah... now Astrotrain's going to be late and Megatron's not going to be happy," Dirge's melancholy voice added.
"Silence Dirge! I've never been late!" Astrotrain said.
"I'm here aren't I?" Thundercracker spat, annoyed.
"You get us in trouble with Megatron-- you're taking the blame," Ramjet added, leaning his head in the Seeker's direction as he boarded. Thundercracker ignored him and took a seat while Astrotrain shut his doors and took off, returning to Earth and back to the Nemesis.
What you are about to witness is a consequence. A consequence that only comes when you wish for things and not completely grasp what it is you ask for. In a moment, three out of the ten Decepticons travelling back to Earth will find their desires brought to life. However despite the unfair number of gifts that are to be passed around, they will all find themselves sharing in the same joy as one another. A joy made possible by one character who is nothing but sugar-coated misery...
Skywarp sat away from the group, disgruntled and clearing wanting to be left alone. Thundercracker respected his silent wishes as well as Starscream's who also appeared not to be in a good mood. He sat alone, staring out of Astrotrain's front windows and at the approaching blue and green ball. It seemed that their fight had taken a rough turn. They only gave each other the silent treatment when it ended in a really bad one, other times they would continue to verbally fight one another.
"Approaching Decepticon Headquarters," Astrotrain rang through the speaker systems to the mechs onboard.
"Everyone put your tray tables in their upright and locked positions!" Rumble joked in a feminine voice, mocking the 'pilot' of the shuttle.
Astrotrain ignored the Cassette twins as they laughed and high-fived each other. Skywarp rolled his optics, continuingly playing with his fingers in a bored manner.
:Astrotrain calling Decepticon Headquarters.: the shuttle radioed. : Raise the Docking Tower.:
:Of course!: called a sprightly voice.
The attention of every Decepticon was immediately caught. Confused looks graced the face of every mech as they exchanged glances with each other.
"Dead End sure sounds like he is in a good mood today," Dirge said, scratching the side of his cone.
"That's new," Ramjet commented, somewhat uneasily.
"Maybe Motormaster is in a good mood, and that's why he is in a good mood—no beating today," Dirge suggested.
"Motormaster is never in a good mood," Thrust debated. "Even after he pummels his own teammates."
Astrotrain dipped and touched down on the extended panel that served as the loading dock. Astrotrain transformed, walking inside the elevator with the rest of the group. The doors slid close and the elevator plummeted down into the base.
Crowded together in the elevator, Blitzwing huffed. "We're late... thanks afthead." Thundercracker ignored the Triple-Changer. "What were you doing anyway, you never answered us that," Blitzwing persisted.
"What do you care, it's my fault and I'll deal with Megatron," Thundercracker tiredly replied.
The elevator came to a slow and stopped. The doors slid open and the Decepticons filed out. Astrotrain, Thundercracker and Starscream all made their way to the Decepticon Control Room where they were sure their leader was. The others took off into the Nemesis with their own agendas.
Skywarp stopped at his doors and punched in his codes. His head hung towards the ground and at his feet, his optics dimmed, begging to be shut offline. Grudgingly he entered his quarters...
And found himself staring at another pair of feet. Slowly his head rose and followed up the body of the intruder. Red stripes extended up silver legs and over the curves of feminine hips, Skywarp's optics brightened as he got higher. His optics paused for a few moments at a protruding blue chassis before finally making their way all the way up and looking into the red optics of the femme in his quarters.
She turned to him, noticing him standing in the doorway gawking at her.
"You're back," she said, her expression monotone.
Mouth agape, he did the only thing that seemed logical at the moment. He swiftly turned around and closed the door behind him. Shocked, he leaned against the door. Trying to collect himself. He shook his head. Primus it seemed he needed to recharge more than he thought...
He opened the door again and stopped in his tracks. The femme was still there, staring angrily at him. "Now, what was that all about—"
He didn't let her finish her sentence and instead repeated his previous actions. He shut the door again as his hand shot up to his forehead.
"Ughh..." he groaned. Get a hold of yourself 'Warp. There is no way—not even in your slagging dreams.
He door opened again and he found himself staring wide-optic at the femme for a moment. She rose a scrutinizing optic bridge and he responded by teleporting out of sight.
The Coneheads sat themselves at their table in the Common Room, none of them exactly in the mood to hit the berth just yet. For several minutes, nothing appeared out of the ordinary, until a familiar and unwelcomed face swaggered over to them.
"Hello Ramjet, Dirge and Thrust. How was your exertion?"
The three jets stared dumbfounded at the overly enthusiastic Dead End. Unsure of how exactly to respond—or what to think. Either Dead End was in a really, REALLY good mood or one of the other Stunticons had forcibly poured massive amounts of High Brew down his throat and they were experiencing the disturbing side effects.
Dirge decided to make the effort to reply back. "Fine...?"
"Simply splendid!" Dead End smiled before he trotted off, leaving the three bewildered mechs behind with nothing but an awkward silence.
As Dirge and Ramjet continued to process the bizarre encounter, Thrust panned his optics around the room and quickly discovered that Dead End wasn't the only one with a defective and altered personality.
Swindle sat alone, his chin rested in his hand and a saddened look replacing his usually positive features; looking as if someone had run off with all of his money. An always ill-tempered Ravage glided around the room, purring at Soundwave's heels. And to put the carbon cherry on top was Soundwave walking out the door without his face mask.
Thrust turned back to his wing mates, meeting their baffled faces.
Astrotrain, Thundercracker and Starscream found themselves alone in the Control Room. A first for the three; Megatron had always met them in here when they debriefed. They turned as the doors of the Control Room opened, revealing Ravage and Soundwave.
"Your early," Soundwave's voice without his face mask was nothing more than unsettling; it was the first time everthey had heard Soundwave address them without his distinguished computerized vocals. Despite it being removed his ominous voice was still spoken in monotone. The two Seekers and the Triple-Changer eyed each other, analyzing their reactions to Soundwave's missing facial ornament.
Soundwave materialized a data pad from subspace and held it out to Starscream.
Starscream snatched the data pad away from Soundwave with a quick swipe of his blue hand. His optics panned down to it and read over the contents. He quirked an optic bridge and scoffed. They were updated security reports and analysis on production (a monthly evaluation on productivity for Megatron). Astrotrain and Thundercracker peered over Starscream's wings and shoulders, but before they could read over what Starscream was holding he handed the audit back to Soundwave. "Why are you showing these to me?" he scrutinized. "Show them to Megatron."
"Who?"
The always verbal and dangerously outspoken Seeker found himself at a loss for words. At first he thought he was hallucinating or simply heard wrong, but when he turned to Thundercracker and Astrotrain to gauze their reaction—to see if they had heard Soundwave's implausible word in reaction to Megatron's name—he found himself not the only one witnessing Soundwave's unusual personality; their expressions were evidence enough.
Starscream returned back to the Communications Officer, his optics narrowed. "What do you mean who you dolt?" he questioned, suspicious and alert for treachery or a game that the master of minds was playing. "Surely you must know who our Decepticon leader is—you of all mechs, Soundwave."
"Of course," was Soundwave's expected reply.
"So take this status report to your leader and don't bother me with them again," Starscream ordered. "These are for wasting Megatron's time—not mine!"
"You are my leader," Soundwave corrected, thrusting the status report back to him. Starscream refused to take them still.
The three flyers jaws dropped simatanesouly in shock at the blue mech's words, words that they never thought that Soundwave would ever utter; it was a phrase only real in Starscream's wildest dreams, and every other Decepticon's nightmares. Starscream recovered first from the shock, thinking nothing more of it than a mocking statement.
"Are you trying to be funny Soundwave?!" Starscream demanded. "In the future, yes, I will be your leader but for now I order you to remove these from my presence and take them to Megatron!"
"Correction: You are my leader NOW and there is no one named Megatron."
Soundwave handed the data pad into Starscream's arms and left, returning to his other obligations with Ravage following behind him. The three mechs stood in the Control Room in silence, as still as the equipment that hummed into their audio receptors. Thundercracker and Astrotrain exchanged troubled expressions.
"Is there a slagging human holiday going on?" Astrotrain questioned aggressively. "Cause if there is I'm not laughing."
Thundercracker shook his head. "Even if there was Soundwave would never to participate in it."
Astrotrain's communicater bleeped. :What Blitzwing?:
:Grab Thundercracker and Starscream and get down to Storage Room 6.:
Blitzwing's cut the link before Astrotrain could ask Blitzwing's reason.
"Come on, we are wanted," Astrotrain said as he pushed by the Seekers and headed for the Simulation Room. Curious, the Seekers followed, wondering 'why' their presence was needed.
"There is something very odd happening," Dirge said, pacing around the rusty storage facility. "Everyone is acting like their personality components have been switched."
"You all should have seen Dead End," Thrust piped. "I never have seen him so slagging happy."
"It's creepy actually," added Ramjet.
"That's nothing—you should have heard what Soundwave said," Astrotrain said with a frown. "He thinks Starscream is leader."
"You're fraggin' lying Astrotrain!" Frenzy called from atop a nearby rectangular box.
"Yeah! There ain't no slaggin' way Soundwave would eva' say that!" Rumble said, pushing down on Frenzy's shoulder plating and calling to the Triple-Changer over him.
"Well he did," Astrotrain fired back. "Deal with it."
As the continued to bicker, offering conspiracy theories and irrational explanations, Thundercracker glanced over at Skywarp who was oddly mute. He walked over to his wing mate, paused when he saw that Skywarp didn't even seem to notice his approach and tapped him slightly on the shoulder plates. Skywarp looked up to see Thundercracker nod his chin upwards; a silent 'what's up with you'.
"TC..." Skywarp began, whispering. "How many... umm... Decepticon femmes are there?"
Thundercracker furrowed his metallic brows at the bizarre question. "Not alot..." he answered."Why?"
Skywarp's optic bridges rose as an awkward and apprehensive grin pulled the corners of his mouth upwards.
"What is it 'Warp?" Thundercracker urged, seeing Skywarp's reluctance.
"There's umm... there is a femme in the base," Skywarp finally told him. "She's in my quarters."
Skywarp watched as Thundercracker's expressions changed rapidly. At first he threw him a doubtful look then as the astro-seconds ticked by and Skywarp's claim started to register in his processor, his optics widened, as if he was having a horrifying epiphany.
He was. Thundercracker planted himself on a nearby barrel, replaying the encounter with Lockhead. The wish he had told him...
"If I could make Starscream and Skywarp's dreams come true, they'd be happy, they wouldn't fight and then I would be happy. That's my wish, for them to get whatever the slag they want so they can stop bickering."
It wasn't his fault, it was illogical to think it was; it was not as if Lockhead had gone through and miraculously discovered a way to make Thundercracker's wish become reality, but at the same time he couldn't deny the disturbing coincidence. Skywarp's dream was always to have a femme, envious of the Autobots who had their own bond mates. It was a desire he had told him about on countless patrols. Starscream's was obvious; everyone slagging knew he wanted Megatron's position.
"Silence all of you!" Starscream suddenly shouted. Thundercracker didn't even notice the fight that was spurring from their disagreements. Blitzwing, who had Ramjet in a headlock, realsed him with a slight shove as Starscream presented his own explanation.
"You ignorant dolts! Can you not see that THIS is an Autobot trick!" Starscream cried. "Open your optics you micro-brained sparklings! Now... until we DO get this situation organized I, Starscream, will be in command from this moment on."
"Oh yeah?" Blitzwing piped.
"Yes Blitzwing," Starscream hissed approaching the Triple-Changer. "Now do you..."
The Decepticons looked at the pair in confusion, noticing their still and statue-like poses. Blitzwing with his arms crossed over his chest plate, and Starscream stopped in mid-step pointing a finger at Blitzwing. Completely frozen.
Frenzy jumped from his spot on the box...
And found himself suspended in mid-air, his actions frozen in time as well. Rumble made a step towards the edge of the box and soon also fell into the same trap. The Coneheads exchanged glances... and froze.
"What the slag..." suddenly Astrotrian accompanied them. Skywarp headed for the door, Thundercracker following behind him. Thundercracker found himself hitting Skywarp's back. His wing mate was frozen too.
Thundercracker whirled around, grueling astro-seconds ticking by as he waited for his fate. It never came. Instead his optics fixed on a wall as he saw something pass through it like a ghost.
It was Lockhead. The green and black mech laughed at Thundercracker's amusing expression of shock. He approached Thundercracker, his arms outstretched and a smile on his faceplates. "So... how did I do?" he asked.
"What?" was Thundercracker's reply.
"You know what," Lockhead teased. "Did everyone get their wish? Are you happy?"
Thundercracker's optics widened in alarm. No... he couldn't have. He couldn't possibly have! It's impossible!
Lockhead bit his bottom lip component as he stared at Thundercracker's reaction. "I see... you don't want to believe but at the same time you do because it makes sense; don't feel bad it's an honest reaction. Well let me put your mind at ease."
Lockhead walked over and rested an elbow on Astrotrain's shoulders. "You see... it was your good friend here that opened my eyes to your existence. Ever since he and a few others of your kind found themselves lost in the world of human giants. I go down there from time to time as sort of a... retreat. I am a Jötunn myself you see and a shape-shifter. So... transforming my body into a metallic being like you was no difficulty."
Lockhead noticed Thundercracker's gaze flickering from him to Astrotrain and to the other statues nearby. "Don't worry, they're fine. I just placed them in suspended animation. They are complety aware of our conversation."
Thundercracker found the knowledge that his comrades were fine comforting; however he wasn't sure how he felt about them being able to hear and see him speaking to Lockhead.
"You're not a Transformer then?"
"Yes," Lockhead said, removing his elbow from Astrotrain. "I unfortunately am not—I wish though! Your culture and its beings are fascinating I must say. There is so little of your kind... it's as if... you are Gods on Earth."
Thundercracker snorted.
"Oh don't be modest," Lockhead said. "You truly are and believe me..." Lockhead's green optics brightened. "I tell you the truth when I say accusations such as that."
Thundercracker shook his head disbelievingly, flustered and annoyed by him. "What do you want?"
Lockhead's optics widened as he flew a hand over his spark chamber. "Why Thundercracker I am appalled! I never wanted anything from you I only wanted to give. You are so serious I thought granting your wish would at least put a smile on your face."
"I didn't ask you to do anything for me!"
"No..." Lockhead's head bobbed as he stared at Thundercracker with a smug know-it-all look. "But you wouldn't know how to ask would you? I bet you never have had anything you ever wanted."
"That's none of your slagging concern," Thundercracker snapped.
He sighed. "Why is that always their reply to that statement?" he shook his head. "It's my job, therefore... my concern."
Thundercracker lashed out for the mech, raising a fist and hitting nothing but air. Thundercracker fell forward, skidding across the floor. His head rose, confused.
"No need to become a short fuse, now," Lockhead said somewhere above his head. Thundercracker glanced up to find the mech suspended in midair above his head, his feet magnetized to the ceiling and an upside down grin tugging at Thundercracker below. "And I know if you were just blowing smoke--" Lockhead walked across the ceiling-- "I wouldn't have made your wish come true. I'm incredibly simple that way."
Thundercracker rose to his feet and glaring at the metallic Fred Astaire above. "What if I don't want it now?"
"Then don't take candy from strangers," Lockhead jumped down, a mischievous gleam in his optics.
A livid Thundercracker could only find himself narrowing his optic at the mech. Lockhead frowned. "Oh don't be that way." Suddenly Lockhead sighed, the smallest pang of guilt coursing through him. "Tell you what my friend. I'll give you one chance to remove it—wishes are as hard to remove as they are to fulfill; so many protocols you have to go through. If you can guess what my name—my real name— is I'll return things back to normal."
"Exactly the way they were?"
"Of course," Lockhead smirked.
"How do I know that you are telling the truth?" Thundercracker asked, optics narrowed in suspicion.
"You don't have to believe, but if you don't you will find yourself in this predicament for quite an eternity," Lockhead shrugged.
"How am I possibly supposed to know what your name is?" Thundercracker demanded.
Lockhead rolled his optics. "You'll figure it out. My name is not the hard part, it's finding me that will prove rather challenging—and I won't be at my candy shop so don't bother... I wouldn't make it that easy."
Thundercracker narrowed his optics, his fists balled in rage. Not only did he have to find out his name but he had deliver it to him? Who did he think he was!? But his voice rang again through his processor...
"You will find yourself in this predicament for quite an eternity. Eternity. Eternity. Eternity."
Thundercracker didn't enjoy the idea of having to trust the mech that was responsible for his current situation, but he was leaving him with no other choice. Grudgingly he nodded. "Fine. Deal."
Lockhead flashed him a charlatan smile before raising his fists and snapping his fingers. He disappeared in a flash, a hair faster than Blitzwing who latched onto Thundercracker's throat and gripped him violently, crushing his back against the wall.
"You... stupid... IDIOT!" Blitzwing seethed, too enraged to shout or to think of something better to say.
Angered Coneheads, Cassettes and Triple Changers advanced and circled around Thundercracker, all of them were not amused. Skywarp and Starscream lay back thinking on conversation and how it affected them.
"So Thundercracker," Blitzwing said, shaking the Seeker slightly and earning a soft sound of discomfort from him. "THAT's what you were doing." Blitzwing flashed him with an unamused smirk. "Making all of our dreams come true." he mockingly concluded.
Blitzwing whipped the arm that was holding Thundercracker, swung him and released him, sending Thundercracker crashing on top of several oil drums. Thundercracker knocked into them before hitting the floor. Red optics flashing at the Triple Changer before a fist came crashing into the side of his face. "Thanks to you—" Blitzwing raised his arm to deliver another punch when suddenly a null ray was fired into the ceiling.
"Enough!" cried Starscream, momentarily and oddly reminding them of Megatron more than the Starscream they knew.
Blitzwing seemed to calm until he looked down at Thundercracker and resumed his previous action and punched Thundercracker before standing up and marching to Astrotrain, the Cassettes and the Conehead's side of the room.
"Decepticons," Starscream began, running a blue hand over his helm, a smirk on his faceplate; clearly the news had sunk all the way down to his pride. "As your newly appointed leader I—"
"I don't care what universe we're in now thanks to your wing mate," Blitzwing interrupted, pointing a finger at the blue mech. "But there's no slaggin way I'm following you!" The others on his side of the room nodded in agreement.
"Well, with Megatron not existing in this reality," Starscream smirked. "There is no one to defy me."
"How about us Starscream," Astrotrain answered, "Do you think we are going to let you live out your fantasy out at our expense?"
"Not willingly," Starscream said. Starscream opened his comm-link. :Starscream calling the Stunticons, come in.:
It didn't register at first until...
:I am under mutiny, I request immediate assistance:
:On our way: Motormaster obediently replied.
Starscream's face brightened with the most egotistical of looks, a dark smile curving his lips, his luck severly angering the mechs. "What will it be, then? Hmm Astrotrain? Blitzwing?"
The Triple-Changers shot the red Seeker with intense, murderous looks before they curtly walked out of the Storage Room, Blitzwing irritably knocking over an oil drum with a violent swing of his fist.
Starscream raised his optic bridges towards the others. "Anyone else care to challenge me?"
They said nothing; the remaining five Transformers on the opposing side followed behind the Triple-Changers and exited. Starscream smiled triumphantly before opening his comm-link. :Stunticons belay my previous order... false alarm.:
An indescribable feeling of satisfaction entered Starscream's spark. He had always dreamed of this magnitude of power, but now that he was finally experiencing it, he found it to be was nothing short of intoxicating. He wordlessly thanked Thundercracker by throwing him a smirk before exiting the Storage Room.
Soon after TC felt Skywarp tap a finger on his shoulder plates. He turned to his wingmate.
"So... that femme in my quarters... she's really mine?"
Drowning in a sea of his own guilt and shame for falling victim to Lockhead's devious game (whatever it may be), all Thundercracker could do was grudgingly nod his reply.
As the answer sunk into Skywarp, astro-second by astro-second the mech's face began to brighten. Skywarp clasped an enthusiastic arm around his wing mate, a smile upon his faceplates. "TC! You just made me a happy mech! Thank you!"
In a flash, the teleporter vanished, leaving Thundercracker alone in the solemn Storage Room. "You're welcome," he muttered, a saddened and anxious feeling in his spark knowing, just knowing, that this situation was going to be taking an icy descent into oblivion...
Astrotrain found himself sitting at his computer desk in his quarters, tapping a finger against his chin unconsciously while in a deep ponder. Blitzwing paced the floor, fists balled at his sides as he continued to mutter obscenities. There was something that the mech, Lockhead if he remembered correctly, had said to Thundercracker that was eating away at his very spark, more specifically a word.
Jötunn...Jötunn...Jötunn. It played annoyingly through his processor like a scratched CD. Where had he heard that word before...?
"If Starscream thinks I am going to sit by and not do anything, then that fragger has got another thing coming to him!" Blitzwing said.
"How many times are you going to repeat that until you understand that I understand that?" Astrotrain finally said, glancing over his wings. He turned in his chair and toward his fellow Triple-Changer. "And I agree with you."
Blitzwing smirked. "What are ya thinking? Should we kill him?"
"It's defiantly a good excuse to, but no we would never get close enough to him now," Astrotrain frowned. "However, do you remember what that mech said about himself?"
Blitzwing bit his lip. "Like what?"
"His origins," Astrotrain said. "It's odd... but I think I know where he dwells." Jötunn.. Jötunn... Jötunn... world of human giants... Bingo!
Astrotrain rose from his chair. "And I know where to find it."
Thundercracker began his way to the Docking Tower, as 'Lockhead' had told him, finding his name was easy. All he needed was a little help from the humans and their internet search engines. He ran a hand over his face. He could not believe he was even considering this far-fetched possible identity for the mech that was ruining his day. It was like humans believing in their religious beliefs—it was too ludicrous.
Astrotrain and Blitzwing appeared out of nowhere and Thundercracker unintentionally bumped into them. Thundercracker backed away as so did the Triple-Changers, giving each other space.
"Well, well, well..." Blitzwing began, his tone laced with hatred. "If it isn't the Blue Fairy himself. Having fun ruining other's lives Thundercracker?"
Thundercracker's optics hardened. "I understand why you're angry and believe it or not I feel the same way. He tricked me, I didn't want this to happen."
"Really?" questioned a doubtful Astrotrain. "Then were you just gullible, stupid or drunk when you made those wishes for your comrades."
Thudercracker grimaced, "Drunk..." he answered.
The Triple-Changers scoffed angrily; a pitiful answer.
Thundercracker attempted to push by them, trying to get the elevator when Blitzwing shoved a rough hand into his cockpit. "Where the frag do you think you're going?"
Thundercracker met Blitzwing's visor. "To fix this," he replied firmly.
Astrotrain raised a metallic eyebrow. Blitzwing looked over at his friend, trying to get an idea of what Astrotrain was thinking
"You will not be able to find him," said Astrotrain. "Not without us."
Thundercracker's optics widened in surprise, and then quickly narrowed in suspicion. "Why?"
"Let's just say... we know something you don't," Astrotrain responded.
A doubtful look cast upon Thundercracker's face.
"And we don't want your fraggin' screechy friend blackmailing us into doing labor," Blitzwing added.
"Fair enough," said Thundercracker; it was a truthful answer. "Let's go then."
Starscream inspected the tips of his blue fingers like a prissy woman after a manicure, a pleased smile upon his face as he sat in his rightful place...
In Megatron's old throne.
He had been leader of the Decepticons for exactly three days, thirteen hours, twenty-three minutes and nine seconds... and he enjoyed every moment of it so far.
Soundwave stepped into the room when the doors parted; again the blue mech greeted him without a face mask. Soundwave passed him without even the most fleeting of glances, his focus on the giant monitor at the end of the room.
"I have looked over your plans and have detected many faults."
Starscream's smile vanished. "Oh?"
Soundwave turned to him with a sterile frown. "Your strategy for a counterattack against the Autobots: weak."
Starscream stood from his throne; displeased. "Really Soundwave? I would love to hear your explanation of why you disagree with your leader's strategy."
"You underestimate the Autobot's numbers; you believe there is less than what there really is," Soundwave said. Starscream paused, unsure of what he had heard.
Was Soundwave telling him that the Autobots outnumbered the Decepticons on Earth? That's impossible!
"Second. Your methods are dependent on speed rather than force," Soundwave continued. "Force, would be the better option to consider since the Autobots dominate in that area; Speed is not enough."
Starscream's optics narrowed, a scowl creeping upon his face. If he remembered correctly... brute force was Megatron's forte.
"Lastly," Soundwave said, retreating for the door. "We have done this exact plan of attacking the Autobots previsouly... leader."
Starscream's jaw dropped; furious. Soundwave disappeared, his word continuing to anger him. Did he just dare to address him the same way that he addressed Megatron—mocking him?!
Cleary, this was a Soundwave that possesd bizarre charateristics he had never thought possible—he didn't like it. It caught him off guard and rendered him unable to defend his honor; he was speechless.
A displeased Skywarp found himself sitting alone at a table in the Common Room. Chin heavily resting in his hands and a tired, painful look on his facial plates. To make matters worse, the Coneheads and the Cassestes were behind him at a table nearby. At this point he didn't care, his thoughts were focused on the femme in his quarters.
The most annoying being he had ever had the misfortune of meeting.
She was obsessive and chatty and she would not leave him alone! It was a nightmare from the moment he teleported into his room. She constantly yearned to be at his side, yes he did like having a femme at his heel-thrusters but Primus he needed personal space! She was also bossy and angry... it was if she was more suited for Starscream than him.
At least they shared one quiet activity together... somewhat.
Skywarp had found pleasure in diving into a human motion picture—they were boredom busters—but her choices were boring, corny and just so fragging horrible. Chick flicks, especially the abominations featuring the human glitch Matthew McConaughey.
When he suggested something to watch, movies from his preferred genre (action/adventure and comedy) she made a face and complained the whole way through—especially when they watched Caddyshack—one of his favorites. It was evidence that they were not a perfect match, even though she insisted they were made for each other.
"Skywarp..."
The group behind howled with laughter when they heard the femme's voice calling out for her hubby.
"SKYWARP! OH Skywarp!" Frenzy called behind him in a mocking feminine voice. "Oh my! Where ever has my Skywarp gone?"
Rumble clutched his sides, doubling over in laughter. The Coneheads snickered, enjoying the teasing that was going on at the Seeker's expense.
Skywarp swiveled in his chair and pointed a finger at them. "Shut up! You're just jealous that I got a girl and you don—"
"Skywarp!"
Skywarp flinched with terror and teleported when he heard how close she was to the Common Room doors. Soon after the femme entered, looking for Skywarp.
"You just missed 'em Doll," Frenzy smirked.
"Well when you see him, tell him I would like to have word with him," she said, her face never showing the slightest evidence that she had feelings. Without uttering another word she turned on her heals and marched out of the Common Room in a high-maintenance saunter.
Rumble and Frenzy exchanged a look, although in this alternate universe they probably have encountered Skywarp's femme before, this was still the twins first meeting with her...
"What'a bitch," Rumble said.
"Yeah, no wonder Skywarp is running away from her," Frenzy nodded.
"I almost feel sorry for the fragger," Ramjet said. The Cassettes and Jets all looked at each other and laughed as they said the predictable word on all of their processors...
"ALMOST!"
They all laughed together. It was rare that the Cassettes and the Cones to find pleasure in each other's company, the current predicament they were was probably the only thing keeping them bonded as drinking buddies, it would have been a perfect cheesy buddy film... if there wasn't one thing deflating it.
"As much as I enjoy humiliating Skywarp," Dirge said. "I don't like that Starscream is in charge."
The mechs nodded in agreement. "You're not the only one," commented Frenzy with the quirk of an optic ridge. "The boss can't even stand the sight of him."
"Soundwave hates him, huh?" said Ramjet. "Well... no shocker there-- everybody hated Starscream before we got here... including Soundwave."
"How the frag would you know? He never talked to you," Thrust said.
"It's a given idiot," Ramjet replied.
"How else is Soundwave diffrent?" asked Dirge.
"He talks alot more—mostly about how bad Screamer is as a leader," Frenzy answered. "In fact... that's all he ever seems ta talk about."
"Speaking of mechs hating Starscream, have any of you seen Astrotrain or Blitzwing?" Ramjet asked.
Astrotrain had planned on an easy and quick trip to the world of the giant organics, but reality had a different plan. Finding the way in was no difficulty—even with the giant tree intact and covered over the door to the bizarre world. It was getting out that was proving rather difficult. He remembered where the exit was... or so he thought.
"I thought you said you been down here before Astrotrain!" Blitzwing roared, time finally succeeding and devouring his patience. "You said we would be able to find the fragger and return—it's been three days!"
"Enough shouting it's bothering me," Astrotrain said.
Thundercracker watched from nearby as the two Triple-Changers bickered about directions, Blitzwing arguing that they were lost and Astrotrain saying the opposite, the shuttle making the argument that he was never lost—especially in a place he has been to before.
Before he had been following Mirage and Hound and his attention was only focused on that, now that he was leading others he finally was able to notice how large this place really was. It was gargantuan-- especially in the cover of darkness. Astrotrain slumped on a nearby mushroom, their current source of both energon and light (especially when they darkened their optics the first day to conserve their energy).
"I thought you said there were giant humans down here," Bltizwing said.
"There is," Astrotrain answered tiredly. "How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
"Until I see one," Blitzwing sarcastically replied.
Astrotrain rolled his optics and grumbled. Blitzwing rose and began to pace the floor of the mushroom forest, all the while Astrotrain stared into the darkness overhead, drifting off into his own thoughts. As he pondered, thinking about how wonderful it would be to shove Starscream in a trash compactor something floated overhead. His optics squinted in confusion, his spark filling with a strange feeling... he had a hunch, he wasn't sure why; perhaps it was boredom. Nevertheless he stood and walked in the direction it went. Blitzwing followed behind him.
"Now where the frag are we going?" Blitzwing growled irritably.
"I saw something," Astrotrain said, "And I want to see what it was."
Skywarp's femme climbed the set of stairs to the upper level of the Nemesis, her optics scanning every inch of the empty corridor. She knew he would continue to teleport until he dropped or she managed to latch on to him during his warp; she had done it before with always great success-- there was a secret spot (the flaps of his wings). She huffed in annoyance and anger; she was defiantly tired of playing this game of hide and seek...
The Decepticon Supreme Commander Starscream rounded the corner, stopped and stared at her with surprised optics, as if he had never seen her before. They narrowed as his shocked expression morphed into a frown. "So... you're Skywarp's femme?" he said.
She raised an optic ridge. "And you are just noticing this?"
"Something like that," Starscream replied with an indifferent tug at the corner of his mouth.
"Femme..." Starscream fished for something to say, his optics narrowed disdainfully as he asked her his question. "You're a sex that enjoys the world of rumors; tell your Commander which mechs do not appreciate me as their leader."
She scoffed. "I do like rumors you are correct about that Starscream," she approached him, passed by him until they were back to back. She turned her head over her shoulder with a dark gleam in her optics. "And there is a rumor that you have a list in your quarters, why don't you consort that instead of me... Oh Grand and Glorious Leader."
He back lashed, hitting her with the back of his hand and knocking her to the ground. She recovered and stared up at him with a fiery and defiant expression. He pointed his null ray at her. "Ever address me that way AGAIN and I'll TERMINATE YOU. ON THE SPOT!
"You need me just like you need everybody else Starscream," she said, unphased by his threat. "Without an army, you'd be nothing; everybody knows that."
She collapsed, taking a shot right in the shoulder and shutting down, his null ray knocking her offline. Rage burned brightly in his optics as he stared at the disobedient 'soldier' at his feet. Nobody in his army was noble and most importantly... loyal. Not even the always subordinate Soundwave who should have been groveling at his feet. This was all a nightmare... the Autobots outnumbered him, he had no dependable comrades nor soldiers, they were dysfunctional, they were careless, they were lazy and they angered him to no end!
An uncomfortable feeling hit him and he could sense that he was not alone. He turned behind him, meeting Soundwave's glowing visor that stared at him from the end of the hall. His raised his chin, the slightest hint of a smile betraying his stoic stare. His blue hand lowered down towards his pelvis and pressed a button, then he turned and left, using telepathy to communicate to select Decepticons in the base; everyone... but Starscream.
Starscream turned to see Skywarp's femme slowly starting to sit up; her almond shaped optics narrowing at him like a bad cat bearing a grudge. With a snarl, Starscream planted a blue foot on her chassis and pushed her down, stepping over her and proceeding to his quarters.
Meanwhile below the Earth, Thundercracker and the Triple-Changers stopped when they saw the flickering amber glow softly illuminating the creature in the cave mouth-- the one they pursued. Hidden behind they overgrown mushrooms, the three Decepticons watched the bizarre flying humanoid in awe, his shape transforming into something similar to Lockhead's; an artificial Transformer.
Like Lockhead, his golden wings swept down over his white back, bronze accents highlighted his bizarre helmet design; a round, white helmet with bronze audio fans sweeping parallel to his helmet. Golden curled paint traveled down the length of his legs as elegantly as a classical statue. Very much like his helmet, gold horizontal jet stabilizers swept up from his white feet and legs, unlike the Coneheads' stabilizers that stuck out. He panned his head to the side and the three Decepticons were able to catch a glimpse of yellow optics along with a cool but arrogant smile.
"I bring news," he said to an unseen accomplice.
"That's your job isn't it?" Thundercracker narrowed his optics, recognizing the voice of Lockhead echoing inside the cave.
"Ah, but I bring better news than before!" he claimed, stepping out of view and continuing to talk.
They continued to ramble on, their voices muffled and distorted. Blitzwing turned to the others, "What are you waiting for?" he asked Thundercracker. "Get the frag in there and fix it."
"Sure, why not," Thundercracker grumbled, not particularly liking being ordered by the intolerable mech. Thundercracker walked, not wasting an astro-second. With little hesitation he entered the cave, the faces of Lockhead and his friend greeting him unsurprised.
The gold and white mech turned to Lockhead with a pleased disposition. "See, he's here."
Lockhead sighed harshly at the sight of Thundercracker, clearly he had underestimated him. "You found me. Well done not many have despite how many clues I drop."
Thundercracker shot him an annoyed stare. "Are you going to remove it now? Are you going to put things back to normal... Loki."
The gold and white mech chuckled. "See, what did I say? He's a smart one; I knew he would discover your name."
"Hmm," mused Lockhead indifferently. "Maybe next time we'll use your name."
The white and gold mech snorted, "Please... any simpleton mortal could figure out my name." He stopped and considered for a moment. "Actually, perhaps we should, seeing that you are the pessimist in our little ventures."
Lockhead tugged the corner of his lip components in a peeved manner. "You know where the mead is Messenger Boy."
The white and gold mech let out a childish giggle and walked towards a small covered pile, he pulled back the cloth to reveal two different sets of jars. Thundercracker stared lividly at Lockhead, the green and black mech quirked an optic bridge, his green optics staring at Thundercracker, void of any penitent feelings.
"It was just a simple wager, Thundercracker," Lockhead said. "You'll be smiling about this later."
"Like you said... I never smile," Thundercracker replied venomously.
Lockhead sighed in false sadness, he raised his dark hand. "Fine. Bye." he snapped them and teleported Thundercracker out of Jotunheimer and back to the Nemesis... and not a minute to soon.
Starscream tapped his fingers against his computer table, angrily recalling the encounters in this perverse and unfunny universe. Megatron's raspy and infuriating voice played in his head like an abusive conscious.
"No one will ever follow you..."
"You couldn't lead androids to a picnic..."
"Fool!"
"How do you like it Starscream?"
A rough tap came rapping at his door, causing him to be pulled from his thoughts for the moment. "Who is it?!" cried a tired Starscream; the last thing he wished was to be disturbed. There was no answer...
He rose from his seat and marched to the door, opening and staring confused at the scene outside his room.
Soundwave and all of the altered Decepticons stood at his door, looks of malice and penetrating stares of disapproval greeting him like a shot from Megatron's fusion cannon.
"What is this?" he demanded, his screechy voice trying hard to hide his discomfort.
"You have violated the rules—no Decepticon will attack another without just cause," Soundwave said. The angry femme by his side raised her chin with a victorious smile.
Starscream gaped, fishing for an excuse; a simple task considering he was well gifted in coming up with conjuring excuses in his past universe. "I am your LEADER! And because of that I shall be excluded from these rules!"
"No one is excluded," was the chilling response from Soundwave, "Especially the leader which you are not anymore."
"And who is?" questioned Starscream.
Soundwave smiled; a smile that Starscream himself would have used for one mech in this same circumstance; Megatron.
"Me."
Hands grabbed for Starscream like ravenous zombies. Starscream kicked, screamed, fired his arm cannon and did everything possible to escape his mutiny. Arms latched on to him as they cornered him, hoisting him into the air and over their helms like an undesirable about to be pitched into a fire. Starscream continued to fight, his screams like nails on a chalkboard. Soundwave, Motormaster and Skywarp's femme staying behind.
Off the side, Skywarp, Rumble, Frenzy and the Coneheads watched. Their motivation to help Starscream zip to none. After all, the fragger deserved it and they were in no hurry to fight off a horde of angry Decepticons for one-- especially when they all disliked him. Skywarp cringed when his angry wife stalked over to him. She glared at him, a violent expression upon her face.
"Hi—"
A sharp slap cut the Seeker off, his head turned to the side as his cheek plate stung. "Consider that a break-up," she stated with a scoff.
She turned her back, leaving him silent and refusing to silence the mechs behind him that were trying to stifle their laughter. To hurt Skywarp's pride more, Motormaster walked beside her while placing an arm around her, she looked over her shoulder plates and flashed Skywarp with a departing heckle look.
It was one thing to be dumped, but to have her move on to a land-roller?! It was just as insulting as losing her to an Autobot!
"Aww..." crooned Ramjet, "Did Skywarp lose his girlfriend?"
"And to a ground ponder too..." Thrust added.
Skywarp scowled, the Coneheads just had to rub it in. It also didn't help that their teasing mirrored his very thoughts.
Simultaneously, the mechs all became dizzy, their equilibrium chips seemingly disrupted as they warbled around the hallways, trying to grasp onto anything to keep them on their feet. Then, it ceased.
"What the frag was that?" said Thrust, feeling the motion sickness starting to vanish.
"I don't know," Dirge said.
A voice around the corner in another corridor alerted them, especially the voice of the mech addressing their former leader.
"Why are you on the floor Starscream? Pick yourself up you fool... and stop staring at me like that!"
Megatron rounded the corner, and found himself pelted with the same stare that Starscream had just given him, as if they were looking at a ghost.
"Enough gawking—back to your posts," he ordered as he passed by them.
"Yes sir," the answered obediently.
The mechs looked at each other, Starscream also joining the group. He eyed them all, his optic ridges lowering into a serious stare. "We are not to mention this—agreed?"
The mechs rolled their optics, departing without a word and leaving the red Seeker without an answer. They went to their posts, content in the fact that Starscream was no longer their leader and they didn't have to do anything he ordered.
Thundercracker fell backwards landing on his berth, his leg flying up as he balanced himself. Raising himself, he noticed that he was back in his quarters, but it wasn't his main concern. He picked himself up and headed for his door; opening it.
He peered outside, a Soundwave passing by with his facemask on flooding him with relief. Things were back to normal. He closed his door, slumping against the wall. A soft purple glow from his computer desk caught his optical scanners and he immediately frowned...
It was a Decepitcon shaped energon goody, a note attached to the stick of the lollipop.
Grudgingly, he approached it, reading over the contents of the note...
Thundercracker,
Maybe next time you'll do the right thing and not take a bite into something that you do not fully comprehend.
~Lockhead
P.S I was always planning on removing the wish, they are not actually as hard as I described to you; they are as easy to make as to erase.
It was a just a friendly bet, nothing more.
Thundercracker crumpled the note into a round ball and tossed it, the bitterness he felt from Loki's mocking letter not fully diminished. He gazed down at the candy that was delivered along with the letter. Oh yes... he would do the right thing this time, and he would defiantly be smiling about it. Grabbing the lollipop, he walked to the door and to the Shooting Range, needing to take his anger out on the target in his hand.
On an unnamed island in Greece, two exhausted and dirty Triple-Changers crawled out of the exit and into the fog that covered the island, happy that they were finally out of that Hell hole, Astrotrain more than Blitzwing—the trip had been giant organic free...
A thundering shudder shook the ground beneath them; cautiously they turned their helms in the direction behind them and panned their optics up...
Back at Lockhead's Candy Emporium, the two disguised mythological tricksters watched the monitor on the wall behind the bar like a football game, enjoying the sight of the Triple-Changers who were being pursued by a giant of Grecian design. As the Triple-Changers transformed the monitor went black; there was nothing more to watch.
"Nice touch with the Cyclops," commented Lockhead.
"Why thank you... I thought so," replied his gold and white acquaintance passively. Lockhead ignored him and walked to the window of his shop, Autobots separated by the glass. "It seems this little planet has been liberated."
"Really?"
"Yes, by the Autobots..."
His white friend rose from his seat, following Lockhead outside. They leaned against the wall of the Candy Shop, watching the passing Autobots. Lockhead smiled, noticing the pair that had ventured down to Jotunheimer and met Ake and the Frost Giant pass by. Lockhead exchanged a glance with his Grecian friend, a smirk stretching upon his face. "You still have that wine?"
He raised an optic bridge at Lockhead, a smile also upon his face. "Can you steal more mead?"
"Of course I can," Lockhead nodded.
"Then we have another bet—same sides as last time then?" he said.
"Deal," agreed Lockhead. "We'll use my name as we did before."
"You two!" Lockhead called to the two Autobots. They stopped when they heard someone calling at them. "Yes you both... how about a drink?"
Submitted here: an example of the human experience or more specifically the human 'race'; the most foolhardy of ambitious acts towards self-progression. A word of the wise to the star gazers, to those you seek fortune from a shady source and anyone who believes that finding a genie in the bottle will automatically make things easier: There is no need to race blindly towards a better future, because sometimes the best future you have is the one you make naturally yourself.
A/N: Well I certainly hoped you enjoyed the chapter. Anyone who can guess who Lockhead/Loki's friend was will receive an energon goodie! :) My inspiration for this came from three separate Twilight Zone episodes...
1. The Man in the Bottle
2. The Chaser
3. To Serve Man
And the last inspiration came from Mr. Sammy Davis Jr.—A song called 'The Candy Man'.
Thanks again for stopping by to read and drop a review if you wish
Next Chapter: In order to save the Decepticons from extinction Soundwave must set aside logic and battle against a most unexpected rival. A rival who will test the very sanity of every Decepticon when they are forced to think nothing but good things... I hope you will join them next time...