Author's note. Well done to everyone who guessed correct about the mysterious shadow, although it probably wasn't that hard.
And yes, you will notice he likes to talk to himself. I figure he would do this as he basically only has his own company most of the time, not counting Unicron. And he wouldn't really be moaning to Unicron all the time.
Sorry for the short chapter, next will be longer.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
The watching shadow eyed the pair speaking in the Throne room for another few minutes before departing. He'd seen enough to know that he had to intervene and now. He still couldn't believe the turn of events, it was utterly unprecedented.
He shoved these thoughts away as he drifted outside of the base and away from it. Although he was certain they couldn't detect him, he wasn't going to take a chance. Because who knew when the day might come that there was a being powerful enough to do just that. So he continued until he had sunk below into a crater, out of sight of the Decepticon base.
With a small sigh, he made himself a bit more solid before sitting down on a bit of rubble. Judging by the scorch marks, this crater was often used as target practice. Meaning he needed to have his sensors on high alert, just so he wasn't surprised if one of the big lugs decided to come here.
"Things have taken an unexpected turn," he muttered to himself.
"And not for the better."
He'd been expecting the Autobots and the Decepticons to perhaps be at a bit of a stalemate and needed a little push to get things going. What he hadn't been expecting was things to have ground to a complete and utter halt.
"And it's all thanks to those worthless human brats," he growled softly, his optics suddenly burning with hated.
He didn't know how it had happened, but somehow, having those human children had enabled Megatron to capture Optimus Prime meaning the Autobots couldn't fight anymore. Not unless they wanted their leader beaten and tortured, which they'd never risk. So things had become very unsatisfactory.
"Now I must reveal myself earlier than I had planned," he said softly, his voice not so angry anymore.
He'd been planning to wait until one side had one of Minicon Weapons before he made himself known. But that was the worst thing he could do at this point, this war might be over before that point.
So what was he going to do?
"The Autobots are the ones in most need of my help. But first they must regain their leader."
The problem was how to go about this. Optimus Prime would be suspicious if a stranger turned up out of nowhere and offered to help get him out. And how would he explain knowing about where Optimus was in the first place?
"No doubt I will need to encounter his men first, convince them I'm on their side and can help them," he said thoughtfully.
He'd have to do that carefully, it would be a mistake to assume they were utterly gullible. On the other hand they were probably so desperate to get their leader back, they'd likely be more inclined to trust him. Or at least give him a chance to prove himself which wouldn't be hard to do.
And once Optimus was back among them, the Autobots could carry on searching for Minicons. And the war could continue, maybe even escalate. Because Megatron would be angry his most hated rival had escaped from his clutches and thus would fight even more viciously. And no doubt Optimus would hate his nemesis even more, which would make this whole thing just a bit sweeter.
But there were still those...little factors that he needed to take into account. What were their names again.
"Rad, Carlos and Alexis," he said, hissing the names out like a serpent.
Creatures the Autobots cared a great deal about. And creatures a couple of the Decepticons were starting to care about. They were little more than pets for the far superior race of Transformers and yet they seemed to have an incredible amount of influence.
Primus, Megatron had actually kissed the female. Granted, it was because he was humiliating her but still. He had still kissed an organic and willingly so. He couldn't allow feelings, no matter how small to develop inside the Decepticon leader. Not those kind of feelings anyway, hate and rage were fine.
Should he destroy those little annoyances? No, someone he felt this wouldn't be a good idea. Sure, it would likely cause the Autobots to go into a complete and utter rage but the problem with that was they might actually slaughter the Decepticons. And he definitely didn't want that.
But should he free them along with Optimus Prime? Things would probably revert to how he saw them working out in the first place. No doubt those mascots would help boost Autobots morale, which would be needed when he turned on them.
But somehow, that idea didn't appeal to him. Megatron enjoyed having these useless brats as his pets and may waste valuable time trying to get them back. No, far better to leave them to their fate here, where the Decepticons could look after them.
He smiled underneath his mask, yes that sounded like the perfect solution to his problem. He chuckled nastily, he was going to enjoy himself over the next few cycles.
"Beware, Earth, Sideways is here," he said quietly as he dissolved away.
Alexis's POV.
Alexis was in a really good mood a start contrast to how she felt just a little while ago. She hadn't liked watching Optimus and Megatron fighting, even though it was just sport. Because despite this, they had gone at it like their lives depended on it and it reminded her of how easily they got hurt.
And then Megatron had taunted her, making her kiss him before kissing her himself. She hadn't liked how he'd laughed at her, he'd made her feel so worthless. If Starscream hadn't come in when he did, she probably would have cried.
At the thought of Starscream, she smiled and fingered the emerald like rock she was currently holding. Starscream had found this rock and made it into a beautiful necklace for her and she was so grateful. She was a little surprised at his thoughtfulness but naturally she wasn't about to complain.
She was humming slightly as Starscream carried her to the Med Bay where Rad and Carlos should be. She hadn't done much with Starscream, mostly just enjoyed his company. He'd told her a little about Cybertron which she'd found fascinating.
How she'd loved to visit the Transformers planet but it wasn't very likely. On the other hand, a couple of weeks ago, she'd have said she'd never end up on the moon. And yet here she was, running around on a moon base and interacting with alien robots.
"Here you go," Starscream said softly, lowering her to the table so she could jump off.
She could see Rad and Carlos chatting over by the bed, they had given her grins when she'd first entered. She'd smiled back before looking back up at the red coloured Seeker.
"Thank you Starscream," she said softly, fingering her necklace.
"For everything."
"My pleasure," he said just as softly before straightening to his full height.
"I'll see you later, don't let Megatron get to you Alexis. If you do, he wins."
"I won't, thanks," Alexis said with a grin.
He nodded and then turned and strode away.
Alexis watched him go before sighing happily and going over to her friends.
"Hey Alexis everything okay?" Rad said with a smile before he spotted her necklace.
"Wow, where'd you get that?" he asked as Carlos gaped.
"Dude, that's one big rock."
"Starscream gave it to me," she said softly. "Megatron was being kind of a jerk and he gave it to me to cheer me up."
"What did Megatron do?" Rad asked quietly.
Alexis blushed slightly but her voice didn't waver as she said.
"Made me kiss him."
"Dude, what's that guy's problem?" Carlos demanded.
"I don't know, but I wish it wouldn't do it," Alexis said angrily. "And if he does it again, I'll...I'll..."
"We know," Carlos said softly, slinging an arm around her.
"But hey, least you got Starscream to protect you."
"Yeah," she said softly, gazing down at the necklace resting on her chest.
The boys didn't mind that she had a gift, it was really cool. Carlos shuddered to think what kind of gift Cyclonus would give him, it would almost certainly blow him up. Since Rad wasn't close to Demolisher, he wasn't bothered either. And it was nice to see their friend so happy.
"You might what to hide that when Megatron's about," Rad now advised and Alexis looked up at him with a frown.
"Why?" she asked.
"He strikes me as the jealous type," Rad said which made Alexis shriek.
"What!"
"Not that that kind of jealous," Rad said quickly.
"But you know how he sees us, as his property. If he sees one of his soldiers given us gifts and especially if we really like them, he'll do something about it. Maybe take that present away and punish both us and the Mech in question."
Alexis looked utterly appalled.
"That slagger, he really is just that full of himself."
"Pretty much," Rad laughed.
"But I'd still hide it when he's about, just tuck it into your jacket."
She nodded, knowing it was good advice. As they chilled, Carlos said slowly.
"You think we can visit Optimus sometime? I really want to see him and I mean see him."
"Me too," Alexis said wistfully. "I hate to think of his all alone in that horrid cell."
"I doubt Megatron will let us, not unless he's in the mood for some gloating," Rad said regretfully.
"We could still ask, he might be in a good enough mood to let us," Carlos pointed out.
"Maybe," Rad said softly, touching his face which was still bruised.
"How's it looking?"
"Not too bad," Alexis said gently. "You're healing up really well."
He smiled, though he still suffered from flashbacks from when Megatron smacked him right across the face. That was an experience he never wanted to repeat ever again. It was just as well his parents hadn't seen him like this, they'd go crazy.
He sighed as Carlos and Alexis made plans to convince Megatron to let them see Optimus. He was feeling tired again, a sign that he still needed to heal. He settled back onto the blanket covered bed, feeling the need for a nap. He knew his two friends would likely have a plan by the time he woke up.
For now, he just wanted some sleep.
Author's note. The kids talk with Megatron and Sideways puts his plan into action. Find out how that goes in the next chapter, until then.
