Wow, okay I'm the worst at updating. So I've decided to switch it from Wednesday to Thursday because I feel like it gives me more time to plan and write it out. It just feels like I'm always rushing on Wednesday, and then there are these other problems that prevent me from updating sometimes as well. Hope you guys don't mind it too much, I just feel like this would be more convenient!

The Silvernote: More specifically, Soundwave is keeping something.

PenArt: Actually no, because Soundwave didn't go that far into her memories. He was only searching for that specific one.

WhiteDiamondNinja8484: Yeah, it's the second one. Haha, he sure is!

Guest: I will, here it is!

Remember that comment Mirage made about hearing Nightblade's name before? Well, that ties into this chapter.

Thirteen: A Piece of the Past

After the Paradox's patrol round had finished, she had transformed on the ramp, stretching her doorwings. She grumbled to herself when they had gotten stuck again, and had to fix them. Sometimes, she really hated being a Praxian. Her appendages may be a good tool for spying, and convenient for advanced sensors, but the numerous amount of times she had to reset them were starting to drive her crazy. She vaguely wondered if Seekers had this same problem as she picked up her cubes from the lounge, and made her way to the Med Bay.

Once she arrived, she found the blue medic at her normal post near the back of the Med Bay.

"Hey Nightblade," She smiled as she greeted her, "I got you a cube."

The blue medic's optics seemed to light up with relief, "Oh thank Primus!" The medic exclaimed, wrapping her arms around a slightly startled Paradox.

The violet femme quirked an optic ridge, "I mean it's not like they're premium grade or anything-"

"No," Nightblade interrupted, shaking her helm with a small, breathless chuckle, "I don't mean the cube, I mean you. I heard what happened with the prisoner, and you were called for interrogation. I'm just glad you're safe, are you okay?"

It was still hard to think about what exactly happened. Every time she tried, it became a blurry mess that only really served to confuse her. So instead, she gave the answer Soundwave had told her, "Yeah, I'm fine. I was interrogated, but Lord Megatron found the traitor, so I was dismissed."

Nightblade looked confused for a moment, as she slowly pulled out of her embrace. "That...was all?" She asked, seeming way about something.

Paradox nodded, "Yes. At least, I think that's all that happened."

"What do you mean you think?"

"I don't remember much from it. But that's what I was told." The femme replied, but the more she tried to explain it, the less convinced she sound.

"Hmm." Nightblade murmured, still in that wary, guarded tone. She took the cube from Paradox's servo and placed it on the counter next to her medical tools.

The violet femme wondered what had caused the medic's mood to shift, but she didn't voice it. The sudden ache that pulsed from her spinal strut had distracted her, and her lip-plates parted with a soft gasp.

Nightblade turned around, a look of concern crossed her features. "What's wrong?"

"My doorwings," She grunted, trying to flex them, but another surge of pain was the only response. She let out a string of curses.

"Stop doing that, you'll only make it worse." The blue medic chastised, leading her over to the medberth, "Here, sit down. Let me take a look at it."

"It does this all the time." Paradox tried to explain, but Nightblade wasn't listening.

She was studying the armor around her doorwings intently, touching it with a careful medic's touch as she examined them. After a few more kliks of gentle prodding, Nightblade leaned away.

"Your doorwings aren't symmetrical, and the armor you have on was made for symmetrical ones. How could I have not noticed this before?" The medic said, and then sighed, "Well, there are two ways to fix this. You can either line up your left wing so that they are equal, which will take surgery and leave you in the Med Bay for a few cycles, or you can get new armor for your spinal strut that matches the way your wings are."

Paradox frowned, "Well, the second option sounds less painful."

Nightblade nodded, "It is, but it will take a while for the armor to come in, since it will needed to be made with specific adjustments. I estimate that you will have to stay in this armor for a few cycles."

The violet femme sighed, "Either way, I'll be waiting, huh?"

Nightblade smirked, "Patience is a good virtue."

Paradox rolled her ruby optics, "Whatever you say."

The blue medic chuckled softly, walking back over to her counter to look for something. A thought had came to mind, but Paradox wasn't sure how to express it. She didn't want to seem so nosy, but she also couldn't help but be curious. It was in her nature.

"Nightblade, I have a question."

"Oh Primus," The medic muttered sarcastically, "You and curiosity are a dangerous combination."

The violet femme found herself flushing.

"Ask away." She said a moment later.

"I was just wondering where you were from originally. I know it's not Kaon."

Nightblade stiffened, something she did often now. This whole mystery behind Nightblade was killing her, she was so curious. And she wanted to help, because she believed the medic deserved it. No matter how happy she tried to act, Paradox knew she wasn't happy here. A long silence passed between them, and after a while, Paradox was sure she wasn't going to answer and was about to apologize for bringing it up when Nightblade let out a long sigh.

"Originally, I am from Iacon."

This surprised Paradox, but she was careful to not show it. How could a bot like her end up with the Decepticons, when Iacon was a dominant Autobot state? It didn't make any sense.

"Before the war broke out, and the Council still reigned over Cybertron. My Sire was a part of that council, and an Elite member of Iacon society. And of course, because we were Elite, we lived in the Towers." Nightblade went on slowly.

Paradox balked, her optics widened with surprise. Nightblade was an Elite? A slow surge of jealousy went through her at the thought, but she forced herself to ignore it. It didn't matter anymore, because the Towers were no more, and with that the Elite status. But...she still couldn't help but be shocked.

"I'm sure you're aware of the rumors about the Elites, being the richest yet stuck-up and ruthless Cybertronians. And I wouldn't blame you if you felt that way, because to a degree, those rumors were right. Some of those mechs in the Towers were monsters, I've witnessed it firsthand, but...not my Sire. He was a kind, generous mech that was passionate about the citizens in Iacon. He wanted to best for everyone, and there wasn't a selfish wire in his frame." Nightblade sighed, "I never really knew my Carrier, because she had offlined giving birth to me. So, naturally, I was close to my Sire. I adored him, and he was the reason that I went into the medical institution, because I wanted to help bots just like he did."

"Something happened to him." Paradox said, suddenly feeling guilty for bringing it up. It was the only reason why the blue medic spoke with such a wistful, longing tone.

Nightblade's pink optics dimmed slightly, "Well...yes. War happened, and after the Decepticons had taken over Kaon, they attacked Iacon. They killed all of the Council members one by one, including my Sire." She looked away, "They invaded the Towers. He had tried to hide me when we found out, but I was young and scared...I was afraid and I didn't want to leave him. I had walked in, just as they had murdered him. And then, they kidnapped me. They put me into slavery, along with a lot of other children from the Towers. For a Stellar Cycle, I was at the hands of the Decepticons. Enduring their abuse, because my Sire was in the Council and I was in the Towers. Until the Lord Protector took a liking to me." The blue medic seemed to shiver at that, "I...I was his personal slave then. But as the war progressed and the Autobots were formed, a lot of his soldiers were getting injured. I took personal delight out of it, but Knock Out couldn't do it all on his own. He knew about my talents as a medic, and demanded that I worked with him."

Nightblade stepped away from the counter, her arms were wrapped around her small, shaky frame. "That is how I ended up being their medic. I'm guessing that answers a lot of questions you had, huh?"

Paradox felt sick. She had a feeling something was keeping her here, but she didn't think it would be something like this. She was a slave here, forced to use her talents and help people that had killed her Sire.

Paradox felt a surge of rage so strong that she felt the energon in her wires boil. The Decepticons...they ruined her life. They took her away from the only person she had. Her spark felt like it was seize up with the amount of anger and grief she had for Nightblade.

"I probably shouldn't have told you that," Nightblade said quickly, a small tear had rolled down her cheek, and she wiped it away with her servo.

Paradox was at a loss for words. So many emotions were consuming her, but she pushed them away so she could stand up and wrap her arms around Nightblade.

"I'm so sorry." Paradox murmured.

"I don't want to overbear you with my grief-"

"No," The violet femme said sharply, "You deserve to have a moment to grieve. None of this was your fault."

The medic sighed, "I know. It just...it still hurts. There's this constant ache in my spark, since the Creator's bond is gone. I just feel so alone sometimes."

"You're not alone." Paradox said, keeping her voice firm, "I'll always be here for you."

And she was going to be. She swore to Primus, that she was going to find a way to get her out of this mess.

She owed it to her.

Well, I hoped that cleared up Nightbalde's past. Thanks for reading, I'd love to hear your reviews!