Author's Note: I find it astounding at how many of you guys just get it to click. Yes, I had intended to leave the audience in the dark as much as the characters in my story. Don't worry; things will increasingly start to make sense as we go along…including the climax of the story will round it up. :) Enjoy!! Starscreamisasexybeast.:)
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers besides the DVD, the towel, my Prime and Bee plushies, my three posters, the video game, fanart, and all these plots. :)
Chapter 12: Primus
Skywarp giggled as he comfortably snuggled against Thundercracker, Rubix cube in hand, while his cousin Starscream was curled up like a small cat, deep in recharge. It appeared that the eldest of the family was still in a bit of a fog, especially after surgery, but he looked content nonetheless as he cradled his two closest relatives to his healing body. Prime was seated next to him, reading over the damage reports provided by his colleagues as he tried to think about what he should do next. After all, it wasn't particularly easy in his situation, one side of the Autobot faction never wanting another note to come out of Starscream's vocal box again, and then other wanting to delve deeper into the mystery of the youngling's singing abilities. Safety or science? Unfortunately being a leader, he was stuck right in the middle.
"Nobody was seriously injured, were they?" asked Thundercracker weakly.
Optimus turned to him with a gentle expression, setting down the data pad to look at him directly. He looked sleepy, exhausted even, but whenever the Peterbilt attempt to coax him into recharge, he refused. "Nobody as serious as you. A few scraps and gashes, yes, but nothing life-threatening," replied the other.
"That's good," he responded simply before looking down at the two younglings in his lap. Skywarp clicked happily as he saw that each of the colors had been replaced to their designated sides and thus tossed it over his shoulder, searching for something else to destroy, solve or simply bug. Large, cerulean optics lay rest upon Starscream, contemplating, before the ebony seeker's hungry gaze scored along the rest of the room. He was interrupted, however, when a digit began running smooth circles along the new and sensitive shell of his body, persuading him into sleep. A large yawn was rewarded before the youngest nestled against his cousins and, clicking softly, closed his optics.
Prime watched the spectacle with a warm smile, feeling Starscream's contentment in his brother's arms from the spark connection they shared. It was endearing, to say the least, and now Optimus understood why Thundercracker went to such lengths for their safety, their happiness. No doubt the leader himself would do the same.
"You keep a connection with Starscream as well…considering you're his uncle, yes?" Thundercracker then asked, glazed optics turning to the other.
"Yes," replied Prime.
"Then you felt it, too," whispered the seeker, reaching over and taking Optimus's wrist. The action surprised the leader, but he didn't pull away. "You felt…it."
"I did," he replied honestly, clasping his hand over Thundercracker's to give him as much reassurance as he was giving himself.
"What're we supposed to do, Optimus?" the mercury seeker asked, his gaze boring into the leader's as he leaned over to him. "How are we supposed to fight an enemy that comes from within?" he seemed to begin to panic at this point and Prime was going to have him stop before he began again, "I tried protecting Starscream when he was singing…I felt it coming, going straight for my little brother, and it…I couldn't…not even mentally, I wasn't strong enough!"
"Sh-sh…calm down, Thundercracker," crooned the elder, rising to his feet and, despite its awkwardness, took the other's broad shoulders and hugged his form. "It's going to be okay…just calm down…"
"What're we supposed to do? What're we supposed to do?" growled the seeker, his frame trembling. "A presence that could surround them from all sides…only you and me to protect him."
"We'll protect, them, Thundercracker. Nothing will come in between us as a family," Optimus responded in a gentle tone, becoming aware that Starscream was whimpering, "It's time that we tell the rest of the Autobots about our connection…maybe then something good might happen," Optimus continued, though the words were hard to be forced out. Of course, there was always one more mech…but he was unreliable. The Autobot leader knew in his mind that he could never hand over neither Starscream nor Skywarp over to Megatron, no matter how dire the situation seemed to be. His younger brother could never be trusted—and, despite how tragic it was, Prime knew that Megatron would always choose himself above all those around him.
No matter what.
"A-are you sure you want to tell them?" Thundercracker suddenly asked, turning to look directly at the other. "You're not exactly the material to be king…"
"Leader, king, it's got the same application requirements. Lucius taught me well," Prime said with a shrug, smiling under his mask, "besides, the Matrix of Leadership will help me out on this one. Trust me, it won't be as bad as you think."
The silver seeker regarded Optimus for a moment, then gave him a stout nod. "I almost fear what they would think of me, of Starscream. The prince of Iacon being a Decepticon for so long."
Optimus then blinked; not because of the irony itself, but something small that Thundercracker had said: The prince of Iacon being a Decepticon for so long. "Thundercracker," murmured the leader, his face scrunched in confusion, "Why didn't Starscream claim his right to the throne while he was a Decepticon?"
The other blinked.
--
'Why am I surrounded by imprudent fools?'
Soundwave cocked his head, watching the scene play before him on the communications screen.
'You yourself wouldn't be as imprudent if you knew how much you were the fool!'
He wasn't honestly sure how he had found these records—however, despite the fact that he was meant to be listening for Autobot signatures in the area (which he knew there were absolutely none), he found himself too swathed in temptation to resist such an opportunity. From what he could tell just by looking at the files, which were locked deep in the Decepticon Archives under the name "Data Labels for New Recruits", he could tell that there was more than just what the name suggested. So, hacking his way through each firewall, he finally received something he hadn't quite expected: an electronic journal that Starscream had composed in his adult life since joining the Decepticons.
'I'm not the one who blew up a scientific project that was three vorns old, filled with effort and passion! Of course, you've never cherished anything in your life…you could never understand what it took to make that booster! Now go away, Skywarp!'
It surprised Soundwave how much Starscream had sheltered inside of him—though he was a cold Decepticon himself, he would never expect such a rebellious and hyperactive seeker to have such deep, thoughtful emotions. Many times enough, he had seen Starscream weep in front of the screen, practically crying his spark out, even as he tried to explain the situation out again, his voice was usually too drowned out in sobs he couldn't make legible sentences. During this certain circumstance, Skywarp had just blown up one of Starscream's projects that Megatron had assigned him to; obviously it wasn't his fault in the end, and (as Soundwave recalled) hadn't been punished for it, but though Starscream seemed to have taken it pretty well back then, it was proven now that his spark had been broken in two by the incident. Now he was simply waiting for Skywarp to remove himself from the doorway (which wasn't his original room, the communications specialist knew that for sure) before he released his emotions.
'You can always start over, it isn't like it's going to be the end of your life, Starscream.'
'I do not want to hear it! It took three damn vorns to make that booster almost complete! And what did it take for you to destroy it? Two breems and a snickering joke between you and Thundercracker?!'
'Don't lay this on Thundercracker, Starscream. He had nothing to do with it—you know how he is, he doesn't want us to get angry at each other, but he doesn't want to favor one over the other, either. He's the eldest. That's what he does.'
'This isn't about Thundercracker, you slagger! This is something that I put time and effort into to complete—and something you had no respect for! I don't want to talk to you for the next two hundred megacycles!'
'That's going a bit over the edge, Starscream! Now, I get your passion for science, but—'
'The next TWO HUNDRED MEGACYCLES!!'
'You know what, Starscream!? FINE! See if I care! I don't want to talk to you either, you slagging COUSIN of mine!'
With that, there was reflecting stomps down the hall of the base before they eventually faded away, and when they finally did, Soundwave watched Starscream carefully. The young jet simply sat there in silence for a moment, his arms crossed over on the desk with his nose resting on the top of one arm. He glared at his desk for a long time—then, as expected, emotion took him over as the seeker's expression scrunched and his optics closed, as if trying to keep up a dam that was overflowing with water. That dam at last broke as Starscream opened his optics once more and a clear substance poured out of them, his shoulders and wings trembling as he drew in a sharp breath of air. When he released it, the air came out in a line of sobs before Starscream finally ducked his head under and let it go.
-END OF TRANSMISSION-
Soundwave blinked; that had been a particularly interesting one. It was the most fascinating to him to see what truly lay underneath the surface of the once-second to Megatron. There were times when he was cocky, usually before he went into battle, and then other times when he was brutally enraged (usually after he came back from battle) or even when he was truly happy. There had only been one log when he had been like that, just after he had flown with his seeker relatives in his spare time, and all he talked about was his experience in the sky. This had caught Soundwave's attention beyond anything else simply because he was the ground type—sure, he could glide above in the air, but he couldn't sear across the sky like Starscream could in his alternative form, ripping apart the heavens and scouring the clouds and stars. Just the way Starscream described it in the crispest dialect, vibrant, colorful words and similes helped Soundwave see the sky as it truly was. And then the communications officer realized just how happy Starscream was at that point.
Attaining the next log, Soundwave brought it the front screen and he saw the title of it, and thought it was a strange one: "Royal Pain in the Aft."
He played it.
-BEGINNING TRANSMISSION-
'—if I were Lord of the Decepticons, Soundwave wouldn't have gotten injured like that! But certainly not, "it was a sacrifice required", he says. Well, I wonder what Soundwave has to say to that. He probably wouldn't say anything at all, considering how much he kisses Megatron's sweet, black aft the way he does. Well, never mind that. If he wants to get killed for a stupid cause such as Megatron, then that's his choice. I just don't understand why he wouldn't want to defend himself. Why any of the Decepticons wouldn't want to defend themselves—it's not like he's an army of ten thousand drones, he's just a single, last-year's model mech! But, oh, of course, Starscream could never match up to the mighty Megatron, never in his lifetime! Why, Megatron can turn into a blasted pistol while Starscream can turn into a F-15 fighter jet, capable of achieving Mach 3, while he can shoot tiny bullets at people and Autobrats—!'
Soundwave found himself bored. It was the last of the transmission, and it was simply another one of Starscream's brutal rants about their leader, Megatron, and was about to turn the transmission off when he felt his spark cease to beat for a moment.
'Even if I did take the throne of Iacon, nobody would like me. At least with the Decepticons, we all hate one another anyways, so it wouldn't make a difference. Worst thing of all, though…' his voice considerably slowed at this, his expression turning from hard and testy to almost…afraid… 'I'm scared of Optimus. I really am. Sentimental fool, maybe, but he's a fragging powerful one at that. And determined. Not to mention he's my uncle anyways, and I'm too scared to admit it. I'm really scared of having to face him—to face his judgment of the past several thousand vorns of me choosing Decepticon over Autobot and him making a deal out of it. I do not want to take the throne and be scoured for that…they'd all think of me as cheating, anyways, taking royalty in such a fashion. I'm already seen as a cheater and a thief, and that would no doubt ice the cake.
'Sure, I could smother it in Megatron's bitchy face, but…Optimus…oh, Primus, I couldn't deal with him. I couldn't bring myself to apologize for all of the things I've done in the past…even after I learnt of my link with him. I remember the first time I felt it, it was just after I had been accepted as a Decepticon and Optimus had one, last peaceful face out between himself and Megatron. I was brought along and I had already known of my connection to Megatron, even though I highly doubt he did or does, and I remember the first time I saw him…it's still crystal clear in my mainframe…I still can't believe how much detail remains in that picture. He came over the hill and we made contact with our optics, and felt like I should've been on his side for some reason. In my logic sensors, I knew it was the most idealistic thing to be on the Decepticon's side at the time, but when I saw Optimus, I'll tell you…my spark seemed to just…reach to his.'
Soundwave bolted to his feet, realizing what he had to do. He had to tell Megatron about this.
'It felt so cold from where I was, like being in ice-cold water from a golden beach, and all I wanted to do was bask in the warmth that was radiating off of him.'
Suddenly, a spark of electricity arched from the keyboards of the monitors, like clawed hands reaching to grip him. Soundwave stumbled back in shock; unbelieving the sight that was playing before him. The screen continued to roll, but he wasn't paying much attention anymore; he concentrated more at the deep, ominous presence that floated from below and stood above him.
'After everything that had happened, and we got back to the base…I couldn't help but be furious at Megatron for the way he spoke to Optimus, just the reason why the war had begun…and then I realized something else…'
With a cry of agony, the electricity captured the sapphire body of the general and bound him as if chains would, constricting his form in a painful seize.
'I realized that Optimus was supposed to be my guardian. After everything that had happened with Blackbird, he was supposed to be the one to take me under his wing, not Megatron and…and I just hated him for that!'
Shouts from the door beyond rang the room besides Soundwave's electronic cries, a particular one yelling out his name as Megatron tried to break through the barrier between the communications center and the hallway.
'All I could think about for so many vorns after that was how much I just wished I could turn back time…I wished I would've stayed at the Academy, rather than going into the army and becoming a thug, because I knew he would've recognized me there. He would've known me for who I was and would've…been my guardian.'
Dents and knicks formed in the door as the blue mech continued to convulse from the assault on his body—he could feel the dark presence surrounding him on all sides, a body of smoke compressing his form like deep water to a tin can.
'I just wished that Optimus could've been my opiluk…that I could've done something with all these smarts I have for a good cause for once…'
"Help me!!" Soundwave begged, feeling all his children inside his body begin to die, their sparks screaming in pain. "Save them! Please!"
'Most of all…I wanted to get that same feeling I got the first day I saw him. But I knew it was too late.'
Not anymore it isn't.
--
"So, er, your 'Majesty'," Jazz began with a cough, using air quotes to add to the effect, "you being king and Megatron and Lucius being your brothers while Starscream is Lucius's son would make, to sum it up, Starscream a prince?"
"In human terms, yes," Optimus replied smoothly, "he essentially would bring Autobot and Decepticon together…but, being a child, I don't think it would be fair to him."
"Wouldn't the Council just give the kingship to you?" Prowl asked in turn, "After all, you are next in line."
Prime sighed, nodding as he rubbed his neck in a tired notion, "Yes, but then if I were somehow unable to lead, Megatron would then take the throne. The Council did not, and does not, want that."
"That's understandable," Ironhide grumbled, "I wouldn't want Megatron having so much power, either."
"That's why Starscream is so valuable in this state—if the Council were to find him like this, they would try to take Starscream and raise him to be a king. But, I can tell just from his personality that he's not like that as much as he's more willing to be…someone to work the docks or do construction. A simple life. He just doesn't find reason to lead; besides, he's very shy."
Collective nods formulated from the throng that surrounded the king, some expressions sad, but most of all worried and anxious for what was to come. Many of the grim faces that Optimus saw now were covered with bandages, trying to hold their frames together as the energy that Starscream produced extinguished from the environment around them. Injuries from crumbling base had also affected many—so, rather the room looking organized with soldiers, it looked more like a hospital wing for now many were injured. Bumblebee was the worst off—he had been found, unconscious, outside the base some fifty meters away. Starscream had missing thus.
"Starscream also holds a lot of fear, you must realize," the commander spoke softly as attention was drawn back to him, "and he fears what you think of him, to the point of trauma."
"What?"
"I don't understand why…"
"He always seems so unemotional, though."
"That's because he doesn't want us to worry about him. You must think of his past, now, in consideration to his present. He was taught, or more like beaten, to never show weakness, to live only for the sake of one's self, and his own result is to constantly worry about us as adults. He fears that we'll turn on him, treat him the way he was treated by Blackbird. You have to understand this—and you have to accept that he also never had the chance to understand the outside world like us. Our creators were good mechs and femmes—they showed us the world and taught us how to accept it and care for it and protect it. Starscream doesn't even realize his own potential, and that's what makes him so afraid for us, rather than of us. That's why he also constantly asks questions; he wants to fill in every gap before proceeding forward," murmured Optimus, realizing he was telling himself this as much as he was telling his comrades.
"Basically a perfectionist," Ratchet murmured, his new armor glistening in the plain lights of the room, "the adult Starscream we knew must've accepted long ago that he would never be perfect, so made it as difficult as possible for others not to achieve perfection. Much like a dictatorship; which is also a good explanation why he was constantly against Megatron. All of the Decepticons think Megatron is excellently suitable for the task he is given, but we continuously heard Starscream say, 'If I were leader…'."
"But then why does he accept people being above him now?" Sideswipe asked as he gnawed on his hand, which still had bits of his old shell connected to it.
"He's obsessive over the things only he does, not like myself or Prime," Wheeljack responded, "and when he does make a mistake, even if it isn't his fault, he's becomes terrified of those around him. Even if it's those he's learn to trust…"
Skyfire watched. They were all so absolutely right—things were starting to balance out, void holes in learning about Starscream were now being filled at this point. Why he did this, why he did that. But no matter how much they learned about Starscream from their own point of view, they would never be able to truly understand if they didn't ask him themselves. Skyfire understood this the moment he had seen the reaction between Optimus and the child when that song was sung. Maybe that's why they had been wasting so much time, and still knew nothing. Well, it was time to become educated.
And Skyfire knew exactly where to go.
--
"Hello, Starscream," came a gentle voice, scaring the little one so bad that the mechanical device flew out of his hands. Tossing it up a few times, he finally managed to catch it before it was destroyed, but landed on his stomach with a yelp as a result. Wheeljack would've probably bitten his head off if he knew how much Starscream fiddled with his stuff; but he couldn't help it, he was practically drawn to all of the inventor's intriguing inventions like a magnet.
"Hi Skyfire," murmured the other as he righted himself, sitting down on the edge of the counter as he watched the massive white mech come in with weary optics. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to see how you were doing," he responded while closing the door and walking over to the youngling, promptly sitting down in a chair next to him. "What is that?"
Starscream evaluated the elder for a moment, wondering why he wasn't angry for his trespassing in Wheeljack's lab. But, considering that he wasn't mad at him, the seeker supposed it wouldn't do much harm in telling what it was… "A bomb."
"A what?" Skyfire gasped, staring in shock at the little one.
Oops. But make this up quick. "Well I was watching Wheeljack today and I noticed that he placed a wire in the wrong section of the bomb and it was too top-heavy so I'm fixing it right now so it won't blow up in his face the next time he fiddles with it. See? I'm doing the better good!"
"But it's a bomb! What if it blows up in your face?" the other exclaimed, not too inclined on having to deal with Optimus after coming back with Starscream in several pieces. Besides the fact that he would have to watch Starscream being blown into several pieces.
The minibot stared at him evenly for a second, contemplating, before he responded, "It won't."
"How do you know?"
"It just won't."
"But…" Skyfire began, then felt his spark practically rock in his chest when a huge wave of déjà vu slammed into him. It felt like a tidal wave—he had seen this before…
'How do you know it simply won't…y'know…collapse?'
Starscream smirked at him, Nightwind standing behind him giggling as they glanced at one another in a silent understanding. Skyfire was confused. Why did they find it funny?
'It just won't,' the blue and ivory scientist replied.
The days at the Academy…that's right…for some odd reason, Skyfire had completely forgotten that Starscream was a genius—albeit that he lost his common sense to said genius at times, but still. Be it warfare technology or simply fixing his old girlfriend's oven…there was nothing that kid couldn't do. And he knew it, too.
"I see," Skyfire finally finished with a small smile, nodding as he leaned forward and closer to the youngling. "You seem to know a lot of stuff."
At this, Starscream humbled as he glanced at the bomb and nervously fiddled with it, a habit that he exorcised when others gave him compliments. "I guess…" he said in turn before large optics turned back to Skyfire, "Are you mad at me?"
"No," replied the other immediately, but not harshly. "I'm not. You know, the others are worried about you. You should get back to them."
"But they don't like me anymore…" whimpered the seeker, finding it strange that he was able to talk to this stranger mech like he'd known him for years. Why, when for the entire month and half he'd been here, was it so easy to talk to someone whom he barely even saw? He knew Skyfire was doing something important for Optimus, and that he was the lead scientist for the Autobots, but that was about it. He really didn't know the mech very well because he was always too busy to take care of him. Yet…
"They love you very much," Skyfire corrected as he brought a hand up to Starscream and ran soothing fingers down his back, "they're afraid for you; they would never turn against you for something you had no idea about."
The little one turned to ivory mech once more before carefully placing the bomb next to him and, despite his better judgment, curled up against the larger's hand. This obviously surprised the scientist, but then he seemed happy as he brought Starscream from the counter to his chassis, holding him close. He recalled doing something like this a long time ago…one of the first nights that he had met Starscream, where the student had been accused of destroying a project that, initially, he hadn't. It had made the poor seeker furious, but Skyfire had been curious of the other since he first met him. While Skyfire tended to draw people to him through his good personality, Starscream drove people away. It made the ivory one confused; thus, he had gone to his dorm room, got barked at by the smaller one (which made him even more inquisitive) before noticing that his room had been ripped apart.
'Did you do this?' he had asked.
'What's it to you? Just leave me alone, now! I don't want to speak to any of you!' Starscream had snarled in response, physically shoving the other one.
'I'm sorry…say, if you need—'
'I don't need anything! Now leave me alone!'
Skyfire had noticed at that very moment that no amount of persuading would bring Starscream to calm down—therefore, and without any restraint, the larger had proceeded to take action. He had brought Starscream to him in an embrace, and the smaller had been so surprised that he hadn't even said nor done anything in response. Then he went completely off the wall; what had been a quiet corridor beforehand was now filled to the brim with curses and threats alike, Starscream taking no hesitation to physically harm the larger into releasing him. Skyfire didn't mind, even when his armor began to burn from all the scratches he had received, he just kept holding him until eventually, the other quieted down.
That was when they first became friends.
"Hey, Starscream," whispered Skyfire as he turned to look down at the other, "why don't you tell me about yourself?"
The minibot glanced up at him and, with a small smile, said, "Okay."
--
Welcome, Ratchet.
Huh? What is this place?
This is where I am going to talk to you. Sit down, my child. You need rest.
But I need to check on Thundercracker…I have to help the others—
Always burdening yourself with others. That's what makes you a perfect medical officer of the Autobots; I understand your need to watch over them, but they are in good care. Please, sit down.
A-alright…I am sitting. Or at least I think I am. Where am I?
You are in my presence. Be warm, my child. It is cold in this void of nothingness…this is deep cyberspace, where I have drawn you.
Who are you…?
I am someone you've always known, but never met until now. But who I am does not matter—what matters now is life. I am going to give you instructions, Ratchet, that are going to make a difference in the near future. With these instructions, you must fulfill them to the precise degree or things may turn out to be disastrous. Will you do accept this, Ratchet?
I…will accept this.
--
"HA! That was so much fun!" Barricade snickered, dashing up to Hook and much of the rest of the Decepticons whom were simply gaping at him in shock. Megatron looked like he was contemplating something.
"How fast were you going?" the constructicon gasped, wide optics unable to tear themselves from the Saleen (as Barricade had deemed himself).
He shrugged. "I dunno," was the reply as he stretched his limbs, stiff from being in his alt mode for such a lengthy period of time. It had been such a thrill, however, feeling the absolute power that he had been given; whatever turned him into this newer, grander creation was one that Barricade had to meet. The first time he had transformed, he had been skeptical of such a small car, its tiny frame making him feel bunched and compressed. What good could such a small, sporty car accomplish? Nothing, no doubt.
Oh, how wrong he had been.
When he had gunned it and felt those turbines pumping, fire burning like a sweet drug across his systems, the fans throttling to cool his engines…he had gotten to sixty in three astroseconds, ninety by ten, and beyond. It had felt like nothing he had ever experienced—the taste of speed, the overwhelming feeling of power as fuel circulated throughout and made him reach speeds he had only dreamed of before. And the wind, ah, the wind. It wrapped around his small, sleek form like a fitted glove, the sun burning high above in the sky smoldering down upon his ebony paint and, for a split instant, Barricade felt like his entire world was on fire.
This body…Barricade had feared it at first, afraid that it might be useless, that he might become a laughing stock amongst his colleagues. But alas for them, they now envied him like rats looking at cheese. Only a chosen other few had been given the likeness of Barricade—and were greatly looking forward to their own changes.
"Get some rest, Barricade," Megatron then instructed him, gesturing him back to the base, "you've done well."
"Thank you, my lord," replied the other with a smirk, glancing at the others as they glared at him in spite. "I shall."
--
Hello, Barricade.
Barricade swiftly turned about, wondering where such a voice could've formulated from. It was deep, so full of power that it shook his spark like nothing he felt before. "Who said that?" he asked with a gasp, turning about in the darkness he had fallen into. Only the light from his optics could be seen—the bloody red that dimly drenched his body in the same color.
I did.
"And just who the frag are you?" he snarled, his patience poofed into thin air as he switched on his headlights. Despite their potency in the material world, it appeared that in this world they were deemed useless. It gleamed right back into Barricade's sensitive optics and he immediately switched them off, giving a yelp of pain in response. He had been rewarded with four optics rather than the two he previously owned, making his entire environment become more vibrant, lush with color and a distinct sense with everything he was looking at. Though, they were twice as sensitive now—a little downfall in the whole new body thing.
I am someone you have always known, but have never met until this moment. Welcome to cyberspace, Barricade, and come into my presence. Be warm, my child, and listen to what I have to tell you.
"And why should I if you won't even tell me your name?" the Saleen growled as he attempted to back away, despite his body screaming at him to march forward. For some reason, he was simply dying to be enveloped in the said presence, but he didn't want to do something stupid, no matter how much his body craved it.
You may call me "The Big Mech". This name is used by two others, and will now be used by you. Now, please, come forth.
Unable to resist the absolute drugging need to walk forward, Barricade obeyed the command and immediately felt the effects; warmth consumed his cold shell, like a blanket of comfort. He felt something compress his arms and before he knew it, he was being dragged up into light, a soft light, a comfortable but very lukewarm temperature even making him somewhat sleepy. When he thought he was to be set down on his feet, he ended up being placed in a lap, laying down like a child would be cradled in his mother's lap. For a brief moment he didn't like it; he felt like he was far too vulnerable to this presence and he hated that feeling. Then, when he had considered trying to wake himself up from this wack-job dream, the mech or femme cradling him began smoothing a hand down his panels, a perfect combination to finally make him relaxed.
It's all right, Barricade. You will not be harmed here. I will keep you safe.
"Okay…" he whispered in turn, forcing his tight limbs to settle and his optics to close. Despite it being a dream, it sure as the pit felt real; even his body functioned as it would in the outside world and that didn't happen often in his dreams, if at all.
Now, I'm going to tell you many things. These things may scare you, but do not be afraid. I will protect you always. Just call out my name and I will be there. These things will be hard to believe for a long time, but when you see the signs and they come to pass, you will finally understand. You'll be the most important key to ensuring the safety of Cybertron, the universe. Will you take on this responsibility despite the fact that some may taunt you, cast you down, diminish you with their gazes? Those that surround you may consider you delusional; those whom stand against you may attempt to avert you from your goal. Will you, Barricade, take part in this perilous mission?
"I…will," he murmured, briefly opening his optics and then closing them once more. He didn't really know why he felt obligated to do so—but no matter how much logic he tried to pound into his sensors, they just came back negative. This was just something he needed to do, no matter how much convincing of otherwise he tried to induce.
Thank you, Barricade.
"Yes…"
Now, listen closely…bad things are to come. Many, many bad things. But these bad things will, in turn, bring many good things that will have peace flourish; I know that this does not appeal to you as a Decepticon, but does it not feel good to be in my arms? To be embraced and cherished beyond the lengths of time? To know that you will never once again have to face the terrible onslaught of harsh words or cruel punishment? You will have this feeling if you do as I ask. I will always be there to guide you.
Barricade felt his spark clench; this mech or femme, this provoking presence of kindness, he just couldn't describe the way it made him feel. And he hadn't felt anything in a long, long time…the feeling of being wrapped around by something that completely accepted you and trusted you and believed in you—it was almost too much to bear. But, he didn't want to let it go, either. He wanted this feeling.
"I promise. Thank you."
Always…
--
A/N: A sweeter ending to the bit. Now, I know you've already guessed who "the Big Mech" is, so I feel righteous enough in Barricade's OOCness. I mean, c'mon, he seems like a pretty forgiving dude and would be willing to entrust something to one of his children despite who they are. I'm just leaving you at the ledge of why exactly that is and what he wants Barricade to do. Same with Ratchet. Bwahahaha! So I don't want to hear anything about it. :) Thank you.
Read and review, please.
