Chapter 29

"What does the Alpha command of his Seekers?"

I blankly stared at him, confused why he would say something like that to me. It didn't make sense. Then… It hit me.

"I-I-I-I-I-I-" I dumbly stuttered, intaking sharply as I was trying to talk, but also wailing pathetically.

"He needs medical attention." Thundercracker ordered quickly.

"As you command." The guard quickly left, other guards were gathered around now, shielding us from the other Seekers.

"We need to get him to a doctor!"

"Medic inbound." A guard informed my trinemate.

I kept crying, burying what remained of my face into my mate's chassis, all of this feeling unreal, like I wasn't even physically there. It just felt so… Like a dream I knew to be a dream, and yet… More real than that. I don't know exactly how to explain it other than it just did not feel like I was actually there, but yet I was.

I was pried off my mate and felt myself placed on my back, my optics having difficulty focusing from the coolant, lack of energon, and how damaged they were from the fight. I felt servos touching me, but couldn't discern where or what they were doing. I saw a face before me, red optics never looking away from mine, but I couldn't make out who it was, even when the person spoke and sounded like Thundercracker. My HUD was flashing something at me, red words filling my vision, I know they were telling me how damaged I was, but at that moment I couldn't even read. I didn't know what it said, or what people were saying.

I don't think I was on the ground for long, but it certainly felt like an eternity before I didn't feel the ground at all. I was being carried, not sure who, but I was moving. A sound like a roaring river filled my audio receptors, only for me to learn later it was the crowd of Seekers shouting in shock, horror, and anger. The guards had to keep everyone at bay as I was carried off to the palace.

I think it was when I was in the palace that I noticed my carrier by me, looking at me, saying something to me, but I registered nothing. I am not sure this happened or not, but I remember being brought into a bright room, hearing lots of shouting, like frantic shouting, then I don't remember anything else.


I onlined with a start, my systems powering quickly as I sat up, feeling the need to fight, to run, to move, but seeing only a small room with some medical supplies in it. I felt weak, and sore all over. I looked down, noticing wires connected to me, one monitoring my spark pulses, and another an energon drip. My right servo was a skeletal structure, still being constructed, the old arm probably too damaged to bother with salvaging. My HUD informed me it had only been a few joors since I had fallen into stasis lock, and I was still in the process of filling my energon reserves and systems going through manual reboots.

I looked around, noticing a royal guard standing at attention by the door, and by my medberth was Skywarp, recharging on a chair. I wasn't sure why I was here, why I was so damaged, but then the memories returned, my optics widened, and my spark raced.

I started to hyperventilate, gasping heavily as coolant filled my optics, my entire being began to quake, and I lost control of myself.

Skywarp startled online to my loud sobs, quickly hugging me and holding me close. "Shhh, it's okay, Scree. You're fine. The medic fixed you up and a doctor is finishing up everything else. You'll be able to leave soon. The CR chamber helped ya a lot."

"H-h-h-he's dead! Th-they're dead!" I shrieked, seeing my uncles commit suicide before me, seeing my sire's death ridden face once more. "I-I-I-I killed them!" I started to go into shock all over again, unable to stop shaking, to stop hyperventilating until I couldn't even talk or sob. I was bawling, wailing out my horror, grief, all my raw emotions, never having felt like this before.

"Scree! Calm down!" Skywarp grabbed at me, but I was too distressed.

I shoved at him as I leaped off the medberth, tore the wires out of me, and bolted for the door. The guard blocked the exit, and I had to push and fight him to get out. But I did. I ran out of the med room, and down the familiar hallways. Guards were shoved out of my way as I fled, hearing my trinemates shouting at me as they gave chase.

I ran out onto a balcony, transformed painfully, and took off. It hurt, my altmode missing some important details, but I somehow managed to fly out of the city and towards the remaining mountains of Vos. To where Seekers originated. I had been to the area a few times with my siblings when we were young adults, and with teachers who taught us about Vos' history. Only fliers could access the steep, jagged cliffs and high mountain peaks. A sanctuary where Seekers lived for vorns hiding from those who would otherwise had wiped us out.

I flew deeper into the mountain range until the pain was too much to bear any longer. I transformed and landed inside a cave, a cave that most likely was the home to my ancestors. Where they lived, raised their young, and hid from outsiders. And now, it was my place of solitude from the world I never wanted to go back to.

I found myself on the ground, curling into myself as I cried, and wailed, and screamed, and bawled, and punched the ground, and let everything out. I hurt myself from punching the rock structure, tearing at my own plates, and at one point slamming my helm down to cry into my folded arms.

I don't know how long it took for me to finally calm down, to finally just get all those emotions out of me, and just exhaust myself from crying. I lied there, starring blankly at the wall across from me, seeing ancient carvings left behind by my ancestors, but not curious of what they were of. My processor was occupied with what had just transpired some joors ago. When I became something I never intended, never wanted to be.

Alpha. I was the Alpha. Whether by some happy accident, if murdering your own sire could be called an "accident," or some gracious miracle, or a horrible punishment from Primus… I still do not know which. I was terrified. I was fearful of my future, of what I would do to lead the Seekers. I knew a lot about politics and all, but it's one thing to be familiar with it, it's another to actually be heavily involved. And there would be challengers, and I couldn't lose to them because despite not wanting this, they would kill me and my trinemates. I would have to fight and win, or flee Cybertron to stay alive.

But how would I win? How could I fight and prove myself capable of leading when I knew I couldn't lead? I wouldn't be able to do this. I would fail the Seekers. And the Senate and the Prime wouldn't listen to some tiny, weak Seeker who had carried multiple sparklings. They barely listened to Skycutter who was a behemoth of a Seeker, had created hundreds of sparklings, and was absolutely terrifying beyond words.

A Seeker that somehow little, weak, pathetic me managed to defeat all on my lonesome.

I wanted to renew my crying with how scared I was of my future, but I was out of coolant and exhausted.

"Located him." I heard a guard say outside of the cave a couple of joors later.

It didn't take long for my trinemates to rush into the cave and be beside me.

"Oh, sweetspark." Thundercracker cooed as he quickly got on the ground and pulled me onto his lap. "We're here. You're safe."

"We're not leaving ya, Scree." Skywarp hugged me, trying his best to also be on Thundercracker's lap with me.

I didn't speak, didn't look at them, just curled into my blue mate's chassis needing them. They were patient with me, kissing me gently, holding me, and telling me how much they loved me and would protect me. It took a few breems before I finally spoke.

"I killed him." My vocalizer was quieter and weaker than I thought it would be.

Thundercracker pressed his brow against mine, his exhales caressing my faceplates. "Yeah… You did what you had to. He was going to kill you."

"I killed uncle Turbine and uncle Flare…"

"They went out on their own terms. Anyone else would had slaughtered them brutally. You let them decide."

"I have so many little and unborn siblings. They need their sire."

"They need a sire figure, yes. But I don't think Skycutter was the most fit for that anymore…"

"I'm scared…"

"I know you are, love. I'm scared, too. We're all scared. Being in charge of people is a lot of work. Especially an entire subspecies… An entire city-state…"

I clung a little tighter to him, feeling like crying. "I-I can't believe they're dead."

"Times are changing. Maybe it's… best that leadership also changes."

"Why me?"

"I don't know…" He vented a sigh, his arms wrapping around both Skywarp and I, holding his mates close to his chassis. "I don't know why anything happens anymore… Maybe… You just are meant to achieve so much more than you thought you were. Maybe this is the only way of stopping traditionalism. Maybe this was the best way for Skycutter to go. If a traditional had defeated him, the trinemates of the Alpha always are killed, and it's never pretty. Flare and Turbine were able to go quickly and have a moment with Skycutter before the end. And a traditional would kill all of Skycutter's young sparklings and tear out the unborn ones, and then rape or kill or do both to the breeding mates. Three losses are better than a hundred… Any loss is a tragedy, but at least your youngest siblings and the unborn will have a chance to grow up and live their lives. Your carrier will no longer be hurt, nor killed."

"But what if I'm challenged and killed? You and Warp would be next."

"If that does come to pass, so long as I stay with you to whatever end we face, I will face it. I can't live without you."

"Yeah, I'll shoot myself to be with you and TC if you guys kick the bucket before me." Skywarp added.

"You're not alone, Starscream." Thundercracker continued gently. "Skywarp and I are with you a trillion percent. Whatever you say, we will do without hesitation. Where you go, we will follow you. We won't ever leave you, even if the world is ending." He kissed me. "We're going to help you with this. Promise."

I slowly nodded, not looking at them. "I don't know what to do."

"Well… What would be the first order of business?" Thundercracker paused. "I think a funeral for the Elite Trine would be paramount. Then, we go down the list from there. A proper funeral and burial… Then deciding on what to do with Skycutters breeding mates and his creations still living in the palace… And then making your new laws?"

"The funeral and breeding mates first, definitely. Let me think about our course of action after that." I finally looked up at him.

"Well, before we get to the funeral, you need to finish with repairs. Look at you… You're still damaged and weak from the fight." He cupped my cheekplates, studying me for a moment before kissing me on the lip plates.

"I feel like slag…"

"You look like it."

"I'm tired…"

"I imagine." He squeezed me in a loving hug. "Let's get you home. You need to rest, refuel, and get your last repairs completed. Look at this." He held up my skeletal servo. "I can't kiss this. Need this all fixed up."

I faintly smiled. "I don't know… Might be easier to force these up your valve."

"Yeah, no." He kissed me. "Okay, Warp, you're gonna need to scoot. Can't get up with both of my beautiful femmes on me."

Skywarp giggled. "But our mech needs to carry both his femmes!"

"I wish I could." He kissed Skywarp before giving his aft a few gentle pats. "Move this sexy thing."

Skywarp got up, and Thundercracker stood up, holding me in his arms bridal style as he did so. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he carried me to the mouth of the cave, several guards standing by.

"He's fine. Return to the palace. We're going our own way." Thundercracker ordered before Skywarp teleported us.

I honestly expected to be teleported into our apartment, but instead was into the medical ward of the palace. I was made to lie back on my medberth, wires connected to me, and forced to relax. My trinemates sat on either side of me, holding my servos, telling me how much they loved me.

The doctor, a flier who was not a Seeker, eventually returned and finished construction on my servo, opened me up to repair the interior of my abdomen that had been stabbed, and replaced more plates on me. Most of my injuries would have to self repair, and some medical slabs were put over some of the damage on my limbs, back, torso, and face. I hated wearing those things on my face because it made it hurt to talk, but, it kept it clean during the repair process.

I was released a few joors later with additives and energon cubes to snack on. I chose to eat a slab of metal than take those additives. I just can't stand the feel of them in my energon…

It was late into the night now, and I was still beyond exhausted. I just wanted to recharge and die, not that my trinemates would allow that... I realized too late where we were headed, my wings drooping, not wanting to venture to that familiar, and now upsetting room.

"What's wrong?" Thundercracker asked of me, his wings perking.

"I-I can't recharge in sire's room…" I swallowed, apprehensive about going back to that room.

"Why? It's yours now."

"I just… I-it's sire's."

"It's the Alpha's." Thundercracker reminded me.

I bit my lower lip plate, not having a chance to mull things over before my trinemates made me continue walking. The guards opened the door to the Alpha's berthroom, and I stopped. Everything left behind, untouched since the Elite Trine had left earlier in the orbital cycle. Pictures still on the walls and shelves, all their property where it should be, sire's royal garb and crown where he always had kept it on a mannequin.

My spark felt like someone was crushing it in their servos. It hurt seeing this, being reminded that they were no longer here. And even if I never had gotten along with uncle Turbine, and sire had become aggressive towards me near the end of his life, I always had loved and got along with uncle Flare. It just wasn't right that he was gone. That any of them were gone.

"It's the size of our apartment when you really look at it." Skywarp commented, his servos on his hips as he surveyed the room.

I stopped by the berth, scrutinizing it, my wings flicking. "I can't recharge here."

"Why not?"

"Because he probably conceived five hundred of my siblings here, and had many more frags. And those couches probably are where the other four hundred were conceived."

"And the rest conceived in the washroom like you?" Skywarp giggled.

I rolled my optics. "I'm a product of rape. Doesn't matter where I was conceived."

"We replacing everything?" Thundercracker raised an optical ridge.

"Get some UV light in here and this entire place will glow." I grunted. "At least replace the berth, chairs, couches, and cushions. Everything else a deep clean should suffice."

"So, if you don't want to recharge on the berth for fear of your sire's sparkling juices…?"

I was silent a moment before turning to my blue mate. "Can we please recharge in our apartment? I'm not ready for this, yet. We don't need to tell the guards. Just teleport over."

"I think we should have some guards with us. There will be some pretty pissed off traditionals all wanting to murder you. But I am alright with recharging at the apartment. Anything for my beloved."

"Thanks. I guess we can tell a few guards…"

"The ones outside the door will be enough." Thundercracker palmed the door open and gestured the guards inside.

I forced my wings up, feeling awkward about asking this, and how they were now treating me.

"Um, I… Y-your Alpha is not prepared to recharge in the used berth of my predecessor. I require a new berth and furnishings, as well as a impeccable and intensive cleaning of all the floors, walls, everything."

"It shall be done, my lord." One of the guards replied.

"Yes, well, it can wait until the morning. In the meantime… I will spend the night in my old apartment with my trine."

"No disrespect, sir, but that may not be the safest location for you."

"That's why you'll be there to guard us." I paused. "Remove the masks, please."

The guards were confused by the order, but did as commanded. My wings perked, recognizing the red faceplated Seeker I had kissed on the lip plates.

"Your designations?"

"Nacelle." The red faced one said.

"I'm Elevon, sir."

"I apologize for kissing you the other orbital cycle, Nacelle." I sheepishly replied.

"No, you're fine, sir."

"Starscream. Just call me Starscream. And my trinemates, Thundercracker and Skywarp." I gestured to them. "No need to be so formal. I'm not as strict as my sire was."

"The Captain of the Guard requires us be-"

I gave a dismissive wave. "I know how he is. He has a rod up his virgin aft he needs to get out. I'll have a talk with him. But, please, no need to be stiff around me." My wings perked as I took Skywarp's servo. "Skywarp will teleport us all to the apartment. No one will see us go there."

"Want me to do it now?" Skywarp inquired.

"Yes, please."

"And, done!" He announced before teleporting all of us to the apartment.

The guards were a bit dizzy from it, as usual for the first time teleporting. I took my trinemates to Thundercracker's room, wings fluttering, thrilled to be back where I felt safe and normal.

Thundercracker locked the door, then covered the window with curtains. He then pushed his desk in front of the door. My wings lowered, anxious of his behavior, beginning to comprehend just how different my life would be for now on. My mate scooped me in his arms before gently lying me down on his berth. I was soon squeezed in the middle of my trinemates, Thundercracker on the side of the berth facing the rest of the room. My trinemates held me tightly in their arms, protectively hugging me from any and all threats.

I swallowed, the thought of challengers or just hateful traditionals coming after me to kill me very real. I didn't want this. I never asked for any of this. I didn't want to kill my sire. Why was this happening?

"Shhh, we're here. We're going to get through this." Thundercracker cooed, holding my helm against his chestplates as I began to softly sob, coolant leaking down my optics. "I know it's scary. But, you can do this. We can do this. I promise."


I bit my digit tips as I stood in my new room, watching guards ad servants replace the furniture and deep clean the place. All of the former Elite Trine's property was being removed as well, to be placed in a storage room in the palace until I decide what to do with it.

"You wanted to speak to me, my liege?" A very massive Seeker addressed me.

I ceased my nervous gnawing to look up at him, my wings instinctively lowering. "Ahem, yes, Asperitas, I-I need to discuss with you the handling of the Elite Trine's bodies and funeral preparations." I swallowed. "There will be a funeral in two orbital cycles. I want everyone to have a chance to make it."

"Where there be a viewing?"

"Yes, and the bodies to be heavily guarded during it. The funeral will be held in the plaza, Eulogies shall be given by family and friends, and I will have the last one. Pall bearers will then carry the caskets to place them in the catacombs."

"With Skycutter's family?"

"No. A new plot. Sire has many creations so… Room for the future will be needed. And statues erected of them over their grave." I paused. "As for their remaining property, they left wills and those will be followed. Anything remaining will be given to family or buried with them."

"It shall be done, my lord."

"And, Captain."

"Yes, sir?"

"I know my sire allowed you to beat and flog your mechs, but no more. The guards will no longer be harmed if they make any mistakes. If you have problems with one and don't know how to resolve it, send them to me. Understood?"

Asperitas gave me a puzzle look, but inclined his helm in obedience. "As you command, my lord."

"One more thing: Summon Skycutter's breeding mates to mess hall in one joor."

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed, Asperitas. Thank you."

I watched the Captain of the Guard walk off before resuming my nervous, digit chewing. Thundercracker approached and hugged me from behind, kissing my neck cables tenderly. I didn't react, letting him touch me as I scraped paint off my digit tips.

"You shouldn't be that. You may hurt yourself."

"What else do I do?"

"Everything is going to be fine. I promise."

"Says you." I curtly grunted.

"What's next on our to-do list?"

"Addressing the breeding mates."

"And?"

"Then I apparently need to speak to the Seekers, as advised to me by Noctilucent."

"Who?"

"Super old Seeker who sticks around to advise Alphas. I'm apparently his eleventh Alpha. He doesn't get out much due to his age. I've met him a few times when I used to live here, but he's not the biggest fan of sparklings."

"I would say this is the worst place to be if you don't like sparklings."

I shrugged. "I also have been told that I require tailoring…"

"Tailoring?"

"Royal garb."

"Sounds fun."

"Sounds unnecessary."

Thundercracker kissed me on the cheekplates. "All the preparation slag will be over before you know it."

"Says you."

"You'll be fine."

I vented a sigh. "We need to go. I have breeding mates to speak to."

"Let me grab Skywarp."


I stood in the mess hall, my trinemates in formation behind me. All of Skycutter's breeding mates were seated around the large table, awaiting what I would say. Some looked scared, some hopeful, some just broken.

"Ahem," I reset my vocalizer. "Hello, aunts, uncles, carrier." I greeted them anxiously, trying to be warm. "I asked you all here to apprise you of, well, of your future." I paused, looking over them all, many placing servos over their abdominal plates, terrified that they may be losing the little ones growing inside of them. And some of them were quite far into their carrying. "I am not traditional. I will not be committing atrocities as a traditional Seeker would. I will not kill any of you, I will not kill your sparklings, my siblings, I will not breed any of you. I know some of you wanted to be breeding mates of Skycutter, and the rest were abducted by him. I know some of you had trines before he took you, and you all have family you were not allowed to speak to. You all deserve to be treated as the individuals you are. And I am not a slave owner." I paused. "You are all free. You don't have to stay here ever again. You may return to your trines, to your families, to whatever life you had before. Not all of you may be able to, and for those who can't go or have no where else to live, you are welcome to stay living here for as long as need be. Have your creations here, receive the same medical care, everything. And due to my sire no longer being here to support you, I will pay sparkling support for the remaining Seekerlets you have and soon will have. I will buy all the energon, additives, everything they will require. And ensure they receive proper education, healthcare, and training." I couldn't help but smile when I saw their faces. Joy, exuberance, and even coolant tears as they all had broad smiles etched on their faceplates. Carrier was also crying with her glee.

"Let me know if there is anything you require. Stay as long as you want, invite your family and trine over. Do whatever." I paused. "I love you all, and I hope no matter what you choose to do we can still have a relationship."

"Oh, come here." My uncle Windraider said before hugging me.

Before I knew it I was being hugged, kissed, and told how amazing I was by 38 Seekers. It wasn't until I was walking away from mess hall that it finally hit me of what I had just done. I had freed 38 slaves after stellar cycles and vorns of being held here, raped, sparked against their will, and forced to cut all ties with their family and trinemates. They finally could live their lives how they wanted to, be with who they loved, and never be forced to have a sparkling ever again.

If only I knew at that time how many more chains I would be breaking throughout my future.


I bit my lip plate, watching myself in the mirror as a grounder was taking measurements of my arms, waist, and my height. My trinemates sat on chairs nearby, curiously watching.

"How long will it take to get him fitted?" Thundercracker asked.

"Tomorrow he'll have his garb." The tailor replied.

"I want purple." I stated. "I look good in purple.

"Any requirements for the crown?" The grounder began to measure my helm.

"I don't really care..? Never concerned me before."

"Why can't he wear Skycutter's crown?" Skywarp inquired, his helm cocking to the side.

"Because," Thundercracker got up, picked up sire's crown from the mannequin it still sat on, and placed it on my helm. The crown covered my optics, and still had room to wobble some. "That."

I sheepishly smirked, lifting the crown up with two digits so I could see. "You don't like this look?"

"Only if I'm using it to blindfold you and there's a gag in your mouth." My trinemate smiled sexily before kissing me on the lip plates.

I giggled, my wings fluttering, almost hitting the tailor.

"Don't move!" The grounder snapped, causing me to freeze.

"Sorry." I said in almost a whisper, letting the crown go accidentally, making it cover my optics again. I lifted it back up so I could see.

"You're so adorable." Thundercracker chuckled.

"I am." I smirked, my servos touching my chestplates, only for that crown to once more cover my optics.

Skywarp giggled. "You're cute, Scree. All widdle with a big, golden crown on yer helm. You look like a sparkling."

"This just makes me feel so small." I lifted the crown up.

"You are small, beautiful." Thundercracker kissed me.

I purred my engine, sheepishly smiling as I turned away from him. He grabbed my chin and forced another loving kiss to my lip plates.


I was sitting in my new room, watching as guards brought in boxes of my property being moved from my apartment. I vented a sigh, finally lifting the communicator to my audio receptor after dialing the number.

::Oh, thank Primus.:: I heard my lover's vocalizer. ::Where are you? What's happening? I-I saw the news but they wouldn't let me into the palace, a-and you weren't at your apartment, and-::

"I know… I should of called you sooner, Skyfire, but I just needed more time to process what happened yesterday. I informed the guards that it's now alright to let me see certain visitors. I'm going to let Gearshift know after I'm done talking to you."

::I saw the video. He tore you apart a-and-::

"And I won…" I vented a sigh. "I killed my own sire and then watched two of my uncles commit suicide." I swallowed as coolant pooled in my optics. "They're dead…" I said it barely louder than a whisper.

::I'm sorry, Star… What do you need from me?::

I exhaled heavily. "Please come over and hold me."

::I'll be right over.::

"Love you."

::Love you more.::


The Next Orbital Cycle:

Thundercracker adjusted the garment around my waist, making sure it was just so. I looked up as he heard my soft sobs, his wings drooping as he stood. I was wearing my royal garb, purple and gold now covering much of me. My paintjob had just been redone, I was waxed and polished, and even my optics were made to be brighter. All the healing slabs had been removed, and the scars hidden with paint. Thundercracker vented a sigh before kissing my lip plates.

"You can do this." He said quietly.

I was trembling, biting my lip plate, not looking at him. He kissed me again.

"I will be right there. So will Skywarp." He paused, looking me over before fainting smiling. "You're stunning. Absolutely gorgeous. And this getup looks beautiful on you. I am so damn lucky to have trined the most beautiful and sexy Seeker ever to exist."

I sheepishly smiled, only to have him kiss my lip plates again.

"Ready for the finishing touch?" He smiled.

I nodded. Thundercracker picked up my crown, gold with red jewels, and eight high tines with a pointed jewel tipping them off each. Assiduously, he placed it on my helm, adjusted it, then carefully removed his servos. He stepped back, his servos clasped before his mouth, smiling at what he saw.

"Wow… You are so damn beautiful." He stepped aside so I could see myself in the large mirror.

My wings perked, this Seeker before me a stranger. I was so… perfect. No scratches on my paint, nothing crooked, everything meticulously painted over, waxed, buffed, placed, and done to absolute, flawless perfection. I was so shiny, so smooth that I could see myself in my plates. I almost gasped from how truly marvelous I looked, but instead just stupidly hung my jaw.

Thundercracker pushed it close before kissing me. "I know. You are so incredibly beautiful. You ready?"

I looked up at him, not use to hearing chains and jewels jingling on my frame when I moved. "I'll never be ready."

"That's why I'm going to be there for you. And no one will hurt you. That's what the guards are for."

I slowly nodded. "Alright… I-I can do this." I glanced back at myself in the mirror, hesitated, then unsubspaced my camera. "I want a picture."

Thundercracker took my camera from me. "I'll take it for you."

"Thanks."

"Smile!" He held it up.

I did so, and before long we had a quick photoshoot of me in different poses and making faces. I still have all those images to this orbital cycle.


I nervously walked to the stage, my trinemates in formation behind me, and guards all around, protecting me from every angle. I heard the crowd talking, I knew they were watching me, and I did my best to hid my trepidation of this all going horribly wrong.

The funeral for the former Elite Trine was tomorrow, and this orbital cycle I would address the Seekers, my Seekers, about the upcoming funeral, what to expect from me as Alpha, and hopefully try to convince them that I am not a weak, pathetic loser who got lucky in killing Skycutter.

Of course, convincing traditional trineleaders is not simple nor easy…

I stood upon the stage, my trinemates in formation behind me, the guards taking their positions all around. I surveyed the crowd, catching glimpses of half siblings, nieces and nephews, and a few of my aunts and uncles. I spotted Skyfire, seeing my precious creations and Skywarp's creations by him, all my grandcreations with them. I felt a little better knowing they and my carrier were all present.

Two camera drones flew close to me, extending their microphones out to catch every word I was about to utter. I glanced at them, not use to those things hovering above my helm.

I intook a sharp intake, letting it out slowly. I was beginning to tremble, biting my lip plate to calm down. I offlined my optics for a brief moment before speaking.

"My Seekers," I paused, the echoing of my vocalizer sounding almost thunderously for all to hear from surrounding speakers. "I come before you as your new Alpha, Seeker Starscream of Vos, son of my predecessor, Alpha Seeker Skycutter of Vos. I defeated Skycutter honorably two orbital cycles ago, before this very stage. Tomorrow, a funeral shall be held for the previous Elite Trine in this plaza beginning at 12:00. Mourners may view the open caskets and leave gifts. Eulogies shall commence at 18:00, after giving everyone an opportunity to say their farewells to the deceased. Family and friends shall speak, and I shall give the final eulogy. The Elite Trine will be laid to rest in their own burial ground within the catacombs and promptly have memorial statues erected above their graves." I paused. "It is with a heavy spark that I must speak of my own sire's funeral. I did not wish to fight him, nor kill him. But, fates that be, I find myself now your new Alpha.

"I will not shirk my duties, I will not fail you as your leader. It is my honor, and my privilege, to now lead you. To bring about a new age for Vos and her people. I will do my utmost to ensure Vos stays in the control of Seekers and not the Senate nor the Prime. And especially not the Functionists. I shall ensure Vos' economy blooms, that every Seeker and non-Seeker will have jobs, affordable housing, healthcare, and proper education.

"I will do more with regards of better education for not just our young, but those who wish to seek a higher education. To be doctors, attorneys, scholars, scientists, engineers, writers, artists, whatever your sparks desire. We may be a warrior culture, we may be bred and built for combat, but that doesn't mean we can't achieve other goals. That we cannot fulfill roles otherwise taken by grounders. And I shall ensure Vos builds proper academies for higher education in all fields. Not just for her people, but those in other cities who wish to come here and learn."

I paused, knowing this next part would be when vitriol would begin. "I shall also begin to implement new laws to remove the cruel and unnecessary attributes of traditionalsm. Mainly, the ideas that trineleaders may subjugate their submissives to rape, forced impregnation, excessive physical discipline, killing sparklings, chaining submissives, denying submissives access to birth control, and killing submissives." I could hear whispers, the growing anger in murmurs from the traditional trineleaders. But I saw hope in the optics of the submissives. "Starting this moment, no trineleader shall be allowed to tear a growing sparkling out of their submissive, regardless if the sparkling is a Seeker, unwanted, sired by someone outside the trine, or is disabled. If the Seekerlet is unwanted they are to be adopted. If they are disabled they are to see a doctor to repair imperfections. If they are not a Seeker, they are still a sparkling and will still receive the same treatment as any other sparkling.

"From this moment forth no trineleader is to use an energon whip on their submissives, unless for consensual foreplay. If a trineleader must use physical punishment for a severe crime, punishments must not pass forty lashes with a paddle, switch, or servo. Cables, tawses, and canes are only to be implemented for consensual foreplay.

"From this moment on no trineleader can kill their submissive. If they do not wish to be with them any longer they must come to be for a proper trine divorce. While Vos may recognize trining as legal bonding, the rest of Cybertron does not. I will end the legal paperwork of your trining, and the trine may split.

"From this moment forth no submissive is to be chained or locked away against their will. Denying them communication or free access to the outside is illegal and will result in severe consequences.

"From this moment forth, submissives are not slaves. Submissives may see their families, their friends, and communicate with them without having to first seek the trineleader's permission. A submissive may deny interface to one or both trinemates, and may have access to birth control and refuse to be sparked.

"From this moment forth submissives and trineleaders will be able to seek professional counseling and therapy from professionals for free for the first stellar cycle, paid for by their Alpha.

"From this moment forth, anyone who breaks these laws will be punishable to the highest degree of the law. Consequences range from hefty fines, loss of freedom in the form of imprisonment, forbidden to be near your victim, and possibly public humiliation." I said this last part darker, my optics narrowing.

"From this moment forth, open court will be held every other orbital cycle in the throne room between 10:00 and 120:00, longer if necessary. If you must speak to me immediately, you need only ask a guard at the palace."

I paused, surprise, disbelief, anger, hope, joy, and delight covered the faces of the crowd before me. I wished to make more laws and even stricter, but I had to go slow. Too many at once may cause a worse riot than what I was about to experience.

"The Vosian police have been informed of these new laws and will henceforth arrest and prosecute those who break the laws. Submissives may report any abuse they witness or receive to law enforcement and have justice. I shall account all my Seekers and check in as needed to ensure these laws are being followed. Those who-"

"You have no right nor power to make such ridiculous laws!" A familiar vocalizer barked from the crowd.

My wings perked, turning in time to see the heckler shoving his way through the crowd and stopping before the stage. "I am the Alpha and have every right." I replied nonchalantly, knowing he couldn't get to me. The guards were right there.

"This is a submissive who got lucky! It's not worthy of leading anything!" Steelwing shouted bitterly, gesturing towards me as he addressed the crowd. "It cheated and fragged a shuttle!"

"Allegations. I have-"

"He's an adulterer!"

I flicked my wings, expecting something like this to happen. "And you beat submissives who are not yours. Guards, remove him from my presence. I can smell his stench from here."

Two guards broke formation to grab Steelwing by either arm and began to lead him off.

"You miserable, spike sucking whore!" Steelwing bellowed furiously as he was dragged off.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." I smirked, feeling so empowered.

But, this would not last.

"He's right! You have no right to tell us what we can do!" Another traditional trineleader roared at me.

"Traditionalism is what saved our kind!"

"You're a submissive who's pissy because you got an aft beating!"

"You need a proper aft beating! Get over here and let me give it to you!"

"You're not my Alpha!"

"You're weak!"

"I'll tear you apart!"

"Kill him!"

"Tear off his limbs!"

"Crush him!"

"Skycutter was a real Alpha!"

"You cheated! You didn't win fairly!"

"Non-traditional hippie!"

"Go back to your Syk!"

"You need to be raped and beaten!"

"Where's your trineleader?! You need a flogging!"

"Flog him!"

"Filthy submissive whore!"

Other vile words and threats were screamed at me, not all I can write down, most just wanting me dead, beaten, and raped. The crowd was more than just jeering, they started to lunge at the stage, the guards the only line of defense from me being ripped apart.

Asperitas grasped my arm and roughly led me away, my trinemates flanking me as guards tightly shielded me from all angles. My spark was pounding, paralyzed with fear. I heard my carrier, Skyfire, and daughters yelling something, obviously following as well. I was so scared, I couldn't even think. I saw guards having to fight back the murderous mob, shields were deployed, spears lowered, and I even heard gunshots.

It felt like an eternity before I was led into the palace and the doors closed behind us. Asperitas only then released me, having held onto my wrist so tightly he dented it.

"Secure all perimeters, bring everyone back in. We're locking this place down. No one goes in or out." Asperitas gruffly ordered the guards. "My liege, it's best you retire to your quarters."

I dumbly looked up at him, not sure if he had spoken to me. Thundercracker grabbed my upper arm and pulled me along.

"Thank you, Captain." My mate replied firmly. "Have energon brought to our quarters."

"As you command, my lord."

My trinemates led me through the palace, my creations, Skyfire, carrier, and grandcreations all following. I don't remember the trip to my room, but I remember how I felt once I arrived. I collapsed on my berth, quaking, hyperventilating, horrified at what had just transpired. Skywarp, Skyfire, and my creations were all around me, hugging me and trying to comfort me. Thundercracker saw to ensuring the balcony was secures, and saying something to the extra guards posted out there.

"Carrier?" Zephyr spoke softly, holding my servos.

I swallowed, coolant leaking from my optics, still seeing and hearing those angry trineleaders coming after me. Skyfire pulled me onto his lap, and Tempest handed me her youngest. I hugged my grandson, the little one chewing his miniscule fist, puzzled why everyone was acting so odd. Skyfire stroked my backplates as he held me close.

"Well, that was wild." Storm grunted, crossing his arms.

"It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be." Dawn commented.

"How long are they going to be pissed?" Luna perked her wings as she turned to her sire.

"Probably for vorns." Thundercracker gruffly replied.

"Yes, because making laws to not be afts is 'oh so awful.'" Skywarp flicked his wings. "TC, you should beat them so they know how much punishment sucks."

"Fetch me a cable and I'll gladly do so."

"Beating them will only piss them off more." Carrier put in, sitting beside Skyfire as she stroked my leg to soothe me.

"Yeah, but it's tempting."

"Will this affect the funeral?" Zephyr asked as she kept her servo on my shoulder.

I shook my helm. "We're still having the funeral… Anyone who acts up will be kicked out."

"I doubt anyone will act up too much during the funeral." Thundercracker said as he leaned his aft against the back of the couch, his arms crossed. "They all loved and respected Skycutter. They will show him respect during his funeral. Once the service is over… Then there may be some issues." He paused. "I apologize for my sire's behavior. I knew he would be the most bitter about all of this."

"It's not your fault." Moonlight assured him gently.

"No, but I know he won't apologize so I better do it."

Asperitas knocked on the door before entering. "Apologies for the interruption, my liege."

"You're not interrupting. Please, come in." I quietly said.

Asperitas walked over. "No casualties. The mob has been dispersed, but my guards will be doubled for tonight. I will not risk it. I shall also prepare for more present at the funeral tomorrow."

"Sounds good." Thundercracker nodded. "I think a few bottles of engex are in order."

"I concur. I shall have some brought up immediately." Asperitas turned to me. "Any commands, my liege?"

I shook my helm. "I just need… A moment after that. The engex will help."

"It shall be done, my lord." Asperitas inclined his help before departing.

There was silence after he had left, finally broken by Skyblast.

"So… If I move in, do I get servants, too?"


That night, after my creations and grandcreations returned to their apartments, and my carrier to her room, I stood before the large mirror in my quarters. I bit my lower lip plate, studying the Seeker I saw. A king, not a prince, scared, small, and trying to be something I knew I could never be.

Skywarp hugged me from behind, his servos grabbing my chest plates and squeezing. "Squoosh squoosh! Your breastplates are mine." He giggled with that lopsided smile of his. "How about I take your majesty to the washroom and undress ya." He giggled again, his wings fluttering. "Get ya all covered in suds, and hosed down, and then… Smack your sexy, pert aft as water runs down it. Mmmmnnnnrrrrrggghhh!" He sexually grunted, humping my aft now. "I'm HOOOOOOORRRRRNNNNNNYYYYYYYY!"

"I don't know if I feel like interface…" I replied softly, still looking at the mirror, watching us both in it.

"Will a paddle help?"

"I'm not in the mood, love. Go interface with Thundercracker."

His wings lowered. "Please? One frag! Just one. I'll be gentle…"

I vented a tired sigh. "No, Warp. I just don't feel like it. But, when I do, I'll let you frag me extra to make up for tonight. Sound good?"

He nodded. "Yeah. Love ya, Scree." He kissed me before running to the berth to tackle Thundercracker and demand to be interfaced.

I stood there, looking at myself, not pleased with what I saw. I briskly walked away and onto the balcony, the cool night air greeting me. I ignored the guards and sat on a bench near the farthest edge of the balcony. I folded my arms on the banister and rested my chin upon them, gazing over Vos, my city, my home. She was quiet now that darkness had covered her, only the lights from windows, street signs, and street lamps revealing her existence. The mountains were visible in the distance simply because that was where no stars were visible. Luna 2 was beaming a dull light, Luna 1 not in sight, probably on the other side of the planet given how their orbits were different. Sometimes both could be seen above Vos.

I sat up, my wings low, processing everything that was going on in my life now. I unsubspaced my communicator, studying it for a klik before dialing the number and holding it to my audio receptor.

::Mmm, Star..? Vector Sigma… Do you realize what time it is?::

I bit my lip plate. "Hey, Gears… I just… Need to talk to you."

::What about? Are you alright?::

Coolant started to pool in my optics. "No… I-I should of called you yesterday. I don't know why I didn't."

::What's wrong? Did Thundercracker hurt you?::

"No… I…" I swallowed. "Gears… I-I killed my sire the other orbital cycle… I'm Alpha now. A-and I was attack by the Seekers earlier because th-they don't want me. Th-they hate me a-and want m-me dead." I began to softly sob.

::Holy bolts… Y-you serious?::

"I am."

::Wow… Um… Wow…::

"I need you. C-can you come to Vos? Y-you can stay in the palace. I-I can't do this alone."

::I'll call my work in the morning. I'll see what I can do to be there as soon as possible. This is just… I-I can't… By the Primes…::

"Just get over here. I-I can pay for expenses. I have more than enough Shanix now."

::No, I have the Shanix. I'll be there as soon as I can. I promise.::

"Thanks, Gears…" I was silent a moment. "I better return to my trine. I love you."

::Love you, too, Silly Seeker.::

I faintly smiled. "Love you bunches, mud eater."

He chuckled. ::I'll give you an update when I figure out how soon I will be there. Get some recharge. You sound exhausted.::

"I am. And overwhelmingly stressed."

::Go recharge. I'll talk to you tomorrow. All my love and hugs!::

"All my love and hugs back to you. Bye, Gears."

::Bye, Silly Seeker.::

I hung up, feeling alone once more. My wings perked as I overlooked the city. The city I now owned. All the people I was now in charge of. And most already hated me.


My trinemates helped me dress and prepare for the funeral. I was trembling uncontrollably, anxious and scared of what might happen. Asperitas upped security and made sure to never leave my side. Strange how the guard I hated when a sparkling would become someone I was terrified of leaving me because I needed him to protect me.

I was taken back to the plaza, seeing the crowd beginning to line up to view the Elite Trine's bodies. The caskets were on the stage beside each other, golden and lavished. The Seekers would be allowed up one side of the stage, see the Elite Trine in the center long enough to have final words and leave gifts, then walk off the other side.

"I want to see them." I quietly said to Thundercracker.

"You sure?"

"Please." I nodded.

Thundercracker held my servo as we walked onto the stage and approached the caskets, the first to do so. Guards lined the path to them, ensuring the bodies would be protected and no one could misbehave.

My wings dropped as we neared. I bit my lip plate, coolant beginning to fill my optics when we were before them.

Sire was in the middle, wearing his royal garb and crown, Turbine to his right and Flare to his left, just as they had been in life. Sire's wounds had been carefully repaired, but they still looked rough without his systems having self repair. Their optics offline, faces reset to look peaceful, as if they were simply recharging. Their servos were draped over each other on their cockpits. The inside of the caskets were lined with jewels and violet cloth, and between the casket walls and the bodies were crystal flowers, filling much of the space. Sire's flowers were blue and orange, like his paintjob and optics. Turbine's flowers were green and red, to match his paintjob and optics, and Flare had red and yellow flowers for the same purpose.

And gently places in their servos were pictures of their creations, creators, friends, family, and fond memories. There were so many pictures they were also placed over and around the bodies. Sire had the most because of all his creations and breeding mates. But, the most powerful image was one they each shared: A picture of them together as a young trine, before sire became Alpha. And the picture was placed in the middle of each of their resting servos.

I let myself go, sobbing before bawling out my optics, it hurting so much more knowing that this was because of me. Because I had been so stupid as to dare challenge sire. I fell to my knees, my arms folded over on the edge of sire's casket, my face buried in them. Thundercracker and Skywarp kept their servos on my shoulders, reminding me that they were there. Skywarp had coolant leaking from his optics, not because he cared about the former Elite Trine, but sparkbroken that I was so hurt.

I cried and screamed into my arms, blabbering how sorry I was to them, that I didn't want this to happen, and that I still loved them. And I meant all of that. It wasn't just emotions, I truly did not want that to happen. And I still do love them.

I don't know how long I cried before I calmed down enough to stand. I wiped my optics, swallowing before I unsubspaced three letters, one for each of them. Just… Letters I wrote saying how much I loved them, how they influenced my life, how sorry I was, and… Personal notes I want to keep between me and them. I placed the letters by their servos, as well as a picture of me as a sparkling with each of them. Sire got the picture of sparkling me with him and carrier.

"Fly free and true, Skycutter, Turbine, Flare… Join the warriors who fell before you. Be safe and happy in the new skies…" My sobs renewed as I tried to fight them back. "Have no more fear for your enemies have been vanquished there. And forever fly as one, as a trine. You fulfilled your vows till the bitter end."

It was so hard to walk away, but I had to for it was time to let the other mourners come by. My trinemates led me away, and Asperitas had me taken to a location behind the stage and away from the public optic. I hugged my trinemates as I cried, needing to get it all out of my system. Thundercracker got me to drink a glass of engex to calm down, and it did help some. Skyfire eventually was brought back and I focused on talking to him and my trinemates about anything and everything, needing to take a break from this depressive situation. I could hear wailing occasionally from the stage, not sure if they were my siblings, or non-family. The funeral was being broadcasted live for the rest of Vos to see, so the guards were also ensuring that no camera drones or reporters came to where I was.

"This is really hard." Carrier gently said as she approached, using a cloth to dab at her optics. "I honestly thought I would be overjoyed at his demise, but… Guess there's some things I loved about that brute." She sat beside me, stroking my helm, faintly smiling. "He did give me you and my other beautiful creations."

I couldn't help but sheepishly grin, not looking at her. "That all?"

"No. He did some other things." She vented a sigh. "Tomorrow I will get in contact with my old trine."

"Why you waiting so long?"

"Because you need me more right now than they do. I need to make sure you're alright before I go off somewhere. And getting this funeral out of the way is a big step towards you reaching that point. Once they are laid to rest, you can forget about worrying over them, and move on. The memorial is already in capable servos. You don't have to oversee that."

"I think getting everyone to like and obey me is the biggest step." I grunted.

"Removing Skycutter to his final burial site is huge because it will get him removed from the public optic, and then everyone will focus on just you. And thinking a little less about Skycutter will help them, hopefully, better realize why you'll be great as Alpha."

"Hmph! The dead are never silent when there's videos and writings of what they've said. He will never be forgotten."

"Of course not. None of the Alphas ever all. All their pictures are hanging in the throne room and their statues are in the courtyard. But, they're part of history now. You are here, now, and you're going to be great."

"When was the last time a prince became a king in Seeker society?"

"It has happened before, believe it or not. During the Cybertronian Civil War a prince killed his sire to become Alpha. Of course, it was all intentional and he had been planning it for some time. He would be killed by a femme two vorns later."

"Why add the detail about the femme?"

"Because you might be killed by one."

"Carrier, please." Skywarp gave a dismissive wave. "Scree is a femme!"

I rolled my optics.

"How you feeling, carrier?" Thundercracker asked as his wings perked, sitting by Skyfire.

"A little queasy. The little one makes me a bit off." She rested a servo over her abdominal plates. "Not as bad as this sparkling of mine did to me." She leaned against me. "It gets easier the more you have."

"It does." I slowly nodded. "Starlight wasn't an issue at all. Not that any of my carryings were too bad in comparison to a normal carrying."

"I got super sick with my twins." Skywarp put in. "But that whole carrying was just bad…"

"Yeah, it was awful…"

"Are you guys planning on having anymore now since you're Alpha?" Carrier inquired.

I glanced at both my trinemates before speaking. "I'm not in a hurry. Maybe some vorns from now, but I think I would like to just enjoy being a grandcarrier for a time."

"Yeah, I think a long break is best for us." Thundercracker added. "Everything has been stressful and all over the place… We need time to focus on ourselves and the trine before we bring anyone else in."

"I want more sparkles!" Skywarp proclaimed, kicking his legs. "I want to have twins that actually both make it. Ooh! Triplets!" His wings fluttered madly as he excitedly kicked his peds in the air.

"You want them right away or..?" I perked my wings.

"I'm fine with waiting a little more. But I do want to try again to have more. But, until then, lets get more puppies!" He giggled, smiling broadly as his wings keep fluttering.

"I will buy the whole damn shelter for you. I technically own it anyway…"

"PUPPIES!"

"I think we will need to discuss pets before bringing the entire pound home." Thundercracker grunted with such a killjoy attitude.

"I want kitties." Skywarp crossed his arms.

I faintly grinned, needing their silliness to lighten the heavy weight pressing down on me. I was growing more and more anxious as it neared for me to go out there and announce the beginning of the eulogies. It wasn't easy choosing who would speak and who wouldn't. Sire had sired a lot of sparklings, and most wanted to speak. Even some of his breeding mates. I had to have some volunteer to not speak, and the rest cut their eulogies to be short. But, I gave them the option that they could read longer eulogies on video, and those who didn't get to read could do the same. And the recorded eulogies would be able to be played online, watched on TV, and put in the data files of the catacombs as well as the palace records. No one's final words would be unheard.

"Sir, it's time." Asperitas apprised me curtly.

I slowly nodded before standing, my trinemates holding my servos. I was walked out from behind the stage, and ascended the steps. I stood in front of the caskets, my back to them as I faced the crowd. They were lighting the candles they had been handed each when walking off the stage after viewing.

My trinemates stood in formation behind me, Asperitas nearby, more intimidating than even Thundercracker. I cleared my vocalizer before speaking, the camera drones buzzing nearby.

"My Seekers… We gather here this orbital cycle to mourn and remember the three great Seekers who once led us and all of Vos into the prosperous era we now live in. Speaking words of their remembrance will be several of their creations, Skycutter's breeding mates, siblings, creators, and grandcreators. Unfortunately, not all family and friends will be able to speak, for that number is far too great. The remaining eulogies will be viewable online or on the news whenever they will be available. I shall let them begin."

I turned and walked off the stage before one of sire's brothers reached me. I returned back behind the stage, knowing if I listened I would become a bawling mess all over again. I would just hear them on another date when I didn't need to keep my composure. I should be able to cry and wail, but the traditional trineleaders had me scared. I needed to show them how strong I was to avoid challengers.

I sat on Skyfire's lap, needing his comfort. not caring what anyone thought of us. Skyfire hugged me, being careful of my pointy crown. I wanted him to kiss me and tell me he loved me, but, alas, secrets.

It took about 3 joors before the speakers were finished and it was my time. I intook deeply before exhaling slowly. My trinemates and I returned to the stage, and I took my position before the podium, onlining my datapad.

"My Seekers…" I paused, needing a moment. "This is not an easy time for any of us. Especially not for me who's servos were the ones that dealt the finishing blow. That caused two loyal, obedient trinemates to follow their trineleader into the unknown skies of the afterlife.

"My sire, Seeker Skycutter, was an Alpha who achieved many great things. He sired the most Seekerlets of any Alpha before him, and was Alpha longer than all his predecessors. For thirteen and a half vorns he led us, protected us, and helped Vos become the city she now is. He expanded trade with other city-states, as well as grew the space port to increase imports and exports, growing Vos' economy and giving jobs to thousands. He established better communication and independency from the Senate in regards of Vos' economy, education system, and healthcare, as well as crack down on Functionists establishing power in Vos.

"He expanded Vos' infrastructure, had affordable housing given to thousands with the construction of several new towers, and helped grounders have better streets to drive on. He gave loans to growing Seeker businesses, giving us more independency from having to only work for and receive services from non-Seekers.

"Skycutter's third trinemate, Flare, helped start a private school for fliers, and focused on ensuring no sparklings would be hungry in Vos. Giving out free energon to starving sparklings, and having fundraisers. He also ensured every sparkling had datapads, cleaning supplies, and toys, no matter their built or status. Flare also spread his compassion to animals, building more shelters, donating to rescues, and teaching his creations as well as all of Skycutter's to love, care for, and be respectable to any animal. And he encouraged us all to have our own pets to care for and love. I made sure to pass on what he taught me to my own creations.

"Turbine focused his influence on cleaner energy, recycling, and keeping the city clean. He helped ensure that waste was no longer dumped into rivers or reservoirs, but rather recycled and used to power ships, energy grids, factories, and energon production plants. He pushed for better city waste management by recycling all trash to be reused, and better compensation for those who worked in these fields. He pushed for the use of solar panels, saving Vos millions in Shanix, and giving the space port more energy to power even larger ships.

"Turbine also saw to the construction and use of more space vessel factories, allowing Vos to now build our own cargo ships, military fleet, and freighters. Giving Vos even more independency and creating millions of more jobs."

I paused. "While they completed many wonderful tasks for helping Vos and her people, they also were incredible to their family. Skycutter, my sire, loved each and everyone of his creations and breeding mates. While there are some actions he took that I may not agree with, I cannot deny that he ensured all his creations received a proper education, an active social life, all the energon, toys, entertainment, pets, and adventures growing Seekerlets require, and all the attention and love he could give each of us despite how busy he was, and how many of us there were.

"He ensured his breeding mates were well taken care of, no one could harm or touch them, and they were not bred too often or too much. And he always ensured his creations and breeding mates received the best medical attention for everything, even if we were simply suffering from an upset fuel tank.

"Flare was an amazing carrier to his creations. I will tell you that I have the best carrier in the world, but compared to Flare, there is competition. Flare doted and loved his creations with such passion and so much love. Sometimes, it seemed he would explode from all the love and joy he contained for his creations, grandcreations, and step-creations. He always made sure to pamper all of us with pets and treats, and helped the other carriers when they were not well enough to care for their own creations.

"Turbine was strict, but his love for his own creations is not up for debate. He was so protective of them, we often joked that he was a krystar iron-bear defending his cubs. He was protective, but so gentle and kind to all of us.

"The Elite Trine were a model trine. Their love for each other was so powerful, and I grew up hoping I would have a trine that was that in love with each other. Sire may have had many breeding mates and creations he had to care for, but he always made sure his trinemates were never tossed aside or left unsatisfied. Flare may have been shy around strangers, but with his trinemates he couldn't stop smiling and was so bubbly. Loving life with all his spark. And Turbine, usually reserved and sometimes moody, was a completely different person when with his trine. And sire… He was just so playful, laid back, and gentle. He was intimidating to most, but when with his trinemates or creations, he was a gentle giant. One would believe he was incapable of ever being angry when with his trine or creations."

I paused again. "Sire was raised by only his carrier and sire, Overshoot and Banshee, respectively. He grew up in a dirty apartment, had no Shanix, and often would go orbital cycles without energon. No one expected someone from such poverty to ever become an Alpha, but he proved them all wrong.

"Flare grew up as an only sparkling, his siblings having moved out stellar cycles ago. His creators had decided not to have anymore creations, but Flare surprised them. Due to not having siblings to play and interact with, he grew up with many pets, and hence his love and passion for them was born. He was homeschooled when he suffered panic attacks at school, and became very attached to his carrier. He was best friends with his creators till his last orbital cycle.

"Turbine was a twin, but his twin sister died from a virus when they were only 3 decacycles old. Turbine always said he felt like part of him was missing, and believed he may not of had a fully split spark with his twin, so part of him died when she did. Despite this, Turbine was outgoing at his school, competed in sports, and, surprisingly, loved to swim, even if he was bad at it.

"Skycutter met Flare when he was 19 stellar cycles and Flare was 17 stellar cycles old. They met at a mutual friend's emergence cycle party, and immediately felt a connection. Sire waited for Flare to become of age before immediately courting and trining him. "There was no hesitation between them. Flare accepted the first gift, and they were trined by that evening.

"Turbine met them at the War Academy, and it only took three decacycles of courting before Skycutter and Flare knew Turbine was the one.

"They lived a typical life, Skycutter worked at the space port to provide for his trinemates, and after being a full trine for five stellar cycles they began to create their family. Tarmac and Skymaster were their first creations, and their love soon was given to twelve Seekerlets, three cyberdogs, four cybercats, and a lillith.

"It would be almost five vorns later before sire challenge and killed the current Alpha, Airstrike, and became the new Alpha. A position he proved to be worthy of having for no challenger could even come close to defeating him, and his ability to greatly help Vos and her people."

I exhaled slowly. "Skycutter, Turbine, and Flare will never be forgotten. They will forever be in the history texts, as well as our sparks. They will be deeply missed, and still loved by us all despite no longer being with us.

"Skycutter is outlived by his 924 creations, and 22 creations still inside of their carriers. He is outlived by his 21,252 grandcreations, 488,797 great-grandcreations, and even more great-great-grandcreations. He is outlived by his 38 breeding mates, 18 brothers and sisters, great-grandcreators, and his many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

"Turbine is outlined by his 16 creations, 243 grandcreations, and 2,880 great-grandcreations, as well as his 13 siblings, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

"Flare is outlived by his 18 creations, 257 grandcreations, 3,276 great-grandcreations, as well as his 10 siblings, and his many nieces, nephews, aunts, and uncles.

"Gone from our lives, but not from our sparks, they will forever be with us. Fly free in new skies, united as a trine for the rest of eternity. They now live with those warriors who fell before them. And when our time comes, we shall meet them again, and never be separated."

I paused, coolant filling my optics. "I miss and love you, sire, uncle Flare, and uncle Turbine. I-I'm sorry this happened. If I could go back in time and change it all I would without a moment's hesitation. I pray that you can forgive me and understand that I never wanted to hurt any of you, much less kill. And when my time comes, I look forward to being… Being hugged by my sire and uncles once more." I wiped at my optics. "I love you. Thank you for all you've done for me, my siblings, and Vos. I will do my best to make you three proud and take care of Vos and her people. This I promise you. Rest peacefully, and help guide me through my future as Alpha. I love you."

I swallowed, the coolant pouring from my optics now. I cycled my air hard to keep from breaking down into loud sobs, needing to finish. "W-we now lay to rest Skycutter, Turbine, and Flare, the Elite Trine, in the catacombs. But, before doing so, I have asked a prayer to be said for them." I stepped aside to let Sunstorm approach. I had asked him to do this because he seemed the best candidate with his strong faith and knowledge of the Book of Primus, and all that Guiding Hand slag.

"Let us bow our helms in prayer." He calmly said, his vocalizer so soothing and gentle. He offlined his optics, his servos loosely holding the podium before him. "Dear Primus, we reach up to you to give us strength during this difficult time of losing three invaluable sparks. Sparks blessed by you, and guided through life to become the mechs they were, and touch each and every spark they encountered. We ask that you help us through this loss, to find joy in the memories they left us, to find hope and joy in knowing we got the chance to live and know such wonderful Seekers, and to aid the families with any financial or emotional difficulties their deaths may cause them.

"We ask that you give Skycutter, Turbine, and Flare a wonderful time now since they are with you, and to let them watch over their family and friends still here on Cybertron. And let them know how much they are missed, how loved they still are, and that they will never be forgotten.

"And we pray that you and the rest of the Guiding Hand aid our new Alpha. That Solomus blesses Starscream with the wisdom he needs to help Vos prosper and remain independent, and that Epistemus grants Starscream all the knowledge necessary to make the right decisions for Vos, her people, and any challenges that arise during his reign.

"We thank you for the lives of Skycutter, Turbine, and Flare, and all their creations. And we thank you for a new Alpha who will lead us into a new age of peace and prosperity. We thank you for all you do for us, in this life and the next.

"In the designations of our lords, Primus, Mortilus, Solomus, Epistemus, and Adaptus, we pray. Amen."

A chorus of "amens" was softly repeated by most of the crowd. Sunstorm hopped off the stage and returned to his trine, and I returned to the podium.

"Pallbearers, please come forth to begin the final journey of the Elite Trine."

Several of the Elite Trine's creations came forth. The caskets were closed and locked for the last time, sealing away the Elite Trine with all that was to be buried with them. The caskets were hoisted by the pallbearers and carried away, Skycutter's being taken first, followed by Turbine's and then Flares.

I followed with my trine, as well as my abundant family, and some of the crowd not related. We traversed into the catacombs, down the passage ways, past the graves of hundreds of Seekers until we were under the mountains now, no longer under Vos. Here, the catacombs branched off into hundreds of more directions, and those each branched into more hundreds. Thousands of Seekers, young and old, Seekerlets, entire families, were all here. We refused to bury our dead anywhere but these ancient tunnels and cave systems. In some parts were buried the ancient Seekers, but I had never been to those areas.

We reached the chamber designated for the Elite Trine, their graves already dug in the rock. In was a large chamber, which I chose so they could have a massive memorial over them. It was going to be statues of them as a happy trine, with plates reading their designations, emergence cycle and death dates, and a synopsis of their lives. And that the base would also have pictures of them and the eulogies from everyone who wrote one. I also hoped to have the designations of all their creations signed on it, as our final act of love towards our creators.

Sire was lowered into his grave first, then Turbine, and finally Flare. We each tossed a crystal flower onto the caskets, filling them much of the way before they were sealed over with stone, a layer of cement, and finally a metal slab cemented over, to ensure no grave robbers or desecrators could ever get to them. Something we had to do to our dead with how many hated Seekers. The entry way to the catacombs was always guarded and locked away when there were no visitors or a funeral, but, we didn't want to risk it.

Final goodbyes were said before the crowd made their way back out of the catacombs. I was the last to leave, having such a hard time with all of this since it was my fault. My trinemates finally managed to drag me away, and we returned to the palace.

I found myself in my quarters later that night, sitting on Skyfire's lap as he sat on the couch. My trinemates were seated on either side of him, leaning against Skyfire's sides as we snuggled. I had cried for some time upon returning home, and after everything, all my stress, the constant crying, I was exhausted. I just needed my trinemates, my secret lover, and a movie to distract me from my life.

I was nervous about having to go to recharge because I knew that once I onlined it meant I was going to be fully focused on my duties as Alpha, and everyone would be watching me, no longer thinking about the former Elite Trine.

And I was royally screwed.


So, I lied. I will need to write more chapters. Ah well, I think you guys like this anyway. XD There's more I want to put in as Starscream establishes himself as Alpha. Originally I was going to briefly go over, but this is a major change in his life and it needs more explained. Like, this scrawny, scared, little Seeker manages to remain Alpha of a brutish, warrior culture for millions of years, longer than ANY Alpha before him. And there's a reason why he is able to stay Alpha before and during the war.

Skycutter has a LOT of babies. He's been Alpha for over 1,120 years with 40 bitches to breed with. He's going to have a LOT of babies and lots of grandbabies and more great-grandbabies. He didn't start to breed in large sums early in his regime, only a couple of breeding mates and his trinemates. It was later he really began to grab more breeding mates and just start to go crazy. If he had been crazy over babies since the beginning he would have more than triple the amount of babies... But, he focused on Vos and her people before siring a shit ton of babies. He was trying to fix the city before settling down to reap the rewards of being leader.

Now, you're probably wondering how there could be so many babies and grandbabies of Skycutter and still be a DNA variety amongst Seekers and Seekers not all related or mated to one of his creations. Well, the answer to that is simple: There's a LOT of Seekers.

New York City has about, 8,600,000 humans living in it. Because us humans are overpopulated and destroying the planet because of it... Vos is a massive city, and the population of it probably is the same or higher than that of NYC. So, if you do the math (which I did because I want my stories accurate and plausible), if you add up ALL Skycutter's creations, grandcreations,a nd great-grandcreations, that is still only about 5% of Vos' population. And if 70% of Vos is Seekers, then only about 15-20% of the Seeker population is related to Skycutter. But, I imagine Vos has a higher population than NYC, so that would make the percentage of Skycutter's babies even smaller in comparison to the entire Seeker population.

The reason they breed so much is to not only show they are powerful enough to raise and make healthy babies, but also to pass along their coding, their CNA. And given how many babies Skycutter has created, it will only be a few generations before the majority of new Seekers are somehow related to him. Meaning, the future of Seekers is having his coding. So, he kinda lives on physically forever since his coding will always be present in the future generations.

Now, stop and think about this: If Skycutter's creations, grandcreations, and great-grandcreations, which is in the thousands, only make up about 5% of Seekers... There's probably about 8,600,000 Seekers or more at this time in the fic. And by the end of the war there are only probably about 300 Seekers left.

Think about that. And that's JUST the Seeker population. That's not Cybertron as a whole. Starscream went from ruling a massive, flourishing, well doing sub-species, culture, and population, to a handful during his reign. He literally will watch everyone he knows, everyone he's in charge of, die all around him, in his arms, seeing their bodies piling up.

He is the king who loses all his people trying to save them. So, if anyone thinks Starscream is "weak" or a "coward," think about the hell he suffers through trying to keep his people alive in the worst war to ever be fought in any culture, planet, or history.

And Starscream is in shock. Remember, this is a VERY young Starscream. He has NEVER killed before, he has never been in war, he has never needed to fight for his life before. He is NOT the war hardened Seeker in the comics, YET. He is a BABY. He is naive, he's scared, he's never had to do anything difficult minus domestic violence. He has never experienced war or fighting to survive from someone who want his literally brutally, savagely killed. All of this is sudden and shocking. Yes, he's part of a warrior culture that train for battle since birth, yes, he went to a military school and knows he may be drafted, yes, he is prepared for war, but that doesn't mean he has no emotions.

He's still trying to heal from what Thundercracker did to him for years. He is no where near mentally table nor prepared for leading a city, or taking someone's life.

The Elite Trine wasn't entirely "evil." Skycutter did love his babies and helped Vos in many ways, and Flare was a sweetspark who loved babies and animals, and Turbine was very loving to his babies. They were good people, just clouded by a selfish culture that ensnared them. Same with how many carnists are not bad people, but they are still blinded to believe they "have" to eat animals, exploit animals, etc. Once they learn the truth, they will change. But, many are scared of change or of being wrong.

And Flare was the most likely to become non-traditional. He's the most open and loving of his trine.

The fuss over the funeral, why the dead Seekers are only buried in the catacombs, etc. is because they're a warrior culture. Warrior cultures are HUGE on their dead because death is such a major part of their lives. It's an honor to die in combat, it's an honor to die with your trinemates, and if you're a warrior, death is VERY real. So, because of this, death is something they take seriously with their dead, taking care of the bodies, and burying them in basically a sacred place. And for them, under the mountains where their subspecies originated from is sacred. They came from this place and they return to it when they die.

Thundercracker they will never leave Starscream no matter if the world ends. Him and Skywarp kept that promise when the world DOES end. Cybertron falls, everyone they know dies, and Vos is abandoned. FORESHADOWING!

Note how Starscream is getting to know his Seekers by asking Nacelle and Elevon to remove their helmets so he could see them. He's more down the earth and humbling than previous Alphas were. And this makes him special.

All the typical vitriol and threats that activists like me receive when we speak the truth... When laws are made for the better, the abusers always want to fight it.

Starscream biting his digit tips when anxious is canon.

Oh, and some rude asshole attacked me on chapter 9 of Illicitus claiming I shared "insane rants" and that "the best writer is a silent one."

Seriously, dumbass? Literally the entire story is a writing speaking to you. And if you hated the story so much why did you read up till chapter 9 to say something? And go ahead and share my "insane rants" with your alleged "friends." Just spreads the truth to more people! :D

I deleted his comments, but have them screenshot incase he continues. But, seriously, why would you read so much of a story if you don't like the author or what it's about? He claimed my writing was "subpar." If it's so bad to you, why did you read about 300 pages worth of it, dumbass?!

My puppy now weighs 30lbs, has lost 13 baby teeth, is learning quickly in her training, and is getting spayed next month! As for me? I am still suicidal, still having trouble finding a job, and I still hate the universe.

I still need to finish these drawings of Seekers in their royal guard and breeding mate outfits, as well as the palace and throne rooms... Have them sketched out, just need to add some more details and ink... Blech.. Depression sucks.

I am now looking at another 2 chapters to write for this fic. So... Yeah. It's at 902 pages long right now.