Since I've made it this far I think it should be obvious that I don't own anything aside of the plot of this story.

So...Its been a while and yeah I know. I should have updated this sooner but I have to admit that this year has just been the absolute worst. And even though thinngs have been stressful I am sorry for leaving you guys like this.

Things have changed in my life and to me honest. I am not okay.

I am very tired. and sadly this story, my vision is suffering because of it. there is just so many things that have mentally and physically exhausted me this year.

The loss of many lives not only through cancer, age, overdose and hate. The whole Harambe thing (It is sad but seriously blown out of proportion). The country turning against itself with the whole prolife vs pro choice. Black lives matter vs cops vs society vs all lives matter. the presidency campaigns. The Racism and Homophobia. The ignorance of people and their hate for eachother. The world dying due to pollution. People dying in arabia, the corruption and violence in that rgion and in africa and russia. The persecution of my people in korea and in russia. The world turning a blind eye to people. PEOPLE who feel and think and have families and are dying. The homeless, the refugees the immigrants who struggle to live in this unfair system. my generation who is accused constantly but is guided and ruled by a generation of people who grew up in times of old where everything listed before this sensence was okay. My job which I lost. The debt I am in because of my education. My creativity suffering because of the responsibilities i now hold. My lack of inspiration. My fear. My anxiety. My country. My people. My family.

EVERYTHING.

I have never been so uncertain and afraid for my country or my people in my life.

My earth.

I never new hate could be so strong especially now.

but it is.

And I am so sorry.

I am not okay but it's alright. with every horrible thing that is here on this earth you can also find something beautiful and good.

And i think it will be a while before i can be inspired and write to all of you again.

I miss you all dearly and yes that includes you LoveAngel5952. Thank you so much for motivating me.

I know that this chapter is unedited and imperfect and my style and directing has changed a ton but. have it anyways.

Thank you all for your support and bearing with me this long.

I love you all and may your year be filled with love hope and new happiness. Especially those of you who are tired like me. who are suffering. my brothers and sisters in Korea Arabia Russia and Africa.

Let tomorrow be better.

Thank you all so much.

"Holding a grudge doesn't make you strong; It makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn't make you weak; It sets you free."

"Autobots Roll Out!"

…

…

…

As the Prime and his team disappeared through the ground bridge, Arcee lost the grip on her emotions. It was all too much...To much to process.

Everyone was turning on her.

All at once.

And...

"Arcee."

How was any of this fair to her? Even after everything.

"Arcee."

"Huh?"

The two-wheeler blinked in surprise when she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder.

"Are you alright?"

Arcee tensed and looked up at the worried face of Dreadwing.

Why was he worried? He turned against her too! Dogging on her like she was some worthless piece of slag.

"Are you alright?" repeated Dreadwing his digits gently rubbing the cables on the two-wheeler's neck.

"I…" Arcee shook her helm and sighed,"No…I'm not."

Dreadwing nodded sadly, "Children, stay here until the others return. Arcee, follow me."

"Wait. What about Star-"

"Let Dreadwing do his thing, Miko," Jack sighed whilst turning towards the couch,"He knows what he's doing."

-Holding cells

Starscream whimpered and hiccuped as Dreadwing led Arcee into his cell.

'why Drewan doing this?' thought Starscream with a whimper, didn't his uncle know that this femme hated them both?

Star was not stupid, he remembers all those that hurt him. He can feel the hate in their gaze, in their speech, in the way they falsely smiled and crooned.

Yes...He remembers.

Those mecha were the least likely to change.

The ones who would abandon you...And take others too.

Does that mean that Drewan would leave now? Would Sempu and Sa'nok follow too?

No...No...That...That can't happen.

Not again.

Not again.

Starscream squared and sobbed in agony at the thought, "~Noooo... Please no. Don't l-leave Star~"

"Tam-Tam my child it's alright," crooned Dreadwing, caressing Starscream's wings and wiping away the sparkling's tears, "It'll be alright," he cooed, "I'm here."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"Hmm?"

"I said, why did you bring me here?"

"For the same reason you followed."

"And that is?"

"Comfort."

Arcee flinched at the word.

"Arcee, I may not like you. I may not agree with what you have done or with what you believe, but I cannot deny that in this exact moment you need comfort,"hummed Dreadwing, extending his servo towards Arcee in invitation, "Sit with me youngling."

"I'm not a youngling," scoffed Arcee, crossing her servos over her chassis.

"To me you are, now come. Sit with me-"

"I'm not-"

"You are in pain,"sighed the seeker, sitting down on the Silo's floor and placing Starscream on his lap,"You will either eventually sit with me and discuss what just happened. Or you will stand there and glare at me until you sit down and listen to me either way."

"Ugh, you cant..." Arcee scoffed,"That is not going to happen."

Dreadwing only hummed and continued to comfort the sparkling on his lap.

After a few minutes Arcee eventually sighed and sat next to the Seeker, her shoulder strut touching the seekers elbow joint.

"No one is to ever know about this."

Dreadwing only chuckled and continued to pet Starscream's wings, "I will honor your request to keep this private."

"Honor is your thing huh? Then what about your belief in Megatron huh? How do i know you wont-"

"I am still loyal to my master. However, somethings are more important than a cause or faction."

"Like what?"

"My family."

Arcee stayed quiet for a moment. It was awkward and Arcee knew that there was no turning back.

"So...How do we..? Uh," struggled Arcee,"I mean, I'm not really used to... This."

Dreadwing only grunted and shrugged a shoulder strut,"Well, we can start with your former partner, Cliffjumper."

Arcee tensed at the mention of her old partner and friend,"That uh-"

"He was your friend and your companion throughout your time on earth. The fact that he was taken from you so suddenly pains you because you have gone through it before,"said Dreadwing quietly as Starscream held on to his servo. The small seeker was sucking his thumb digit while his little wings twitched and fluttered erratically in worry.

"How do you know that I-"

"Arachnid."

Arcee visibly tensed at Dreadwing hissed the name,"That...Creature has no sense of honor, and I despise her. Back when we were on cybertron, before the great exodus; she would brag about her kills and put her trophies on display,"Dreadwing sighed and allowed one of his wings to lightly touch Arcee's shoulder.

"We Decepticons were fighting for a noble cause in the beginning. To bring freedom to all cybertronian kind and end the cast system that divided us and end all the corruption that surrounded our way of life," sighed Dreadwing with a frown,"But the more power Megatron received, the more questionable our members and methods became. Arachnid was one of these. What she did to you and to your friend...I am truly sorry."

"That doesn't change what happened,"growled Arcee. "You-"

"Don't you dare say 'you Decepticons'. My choice in allegiance and belief by no means defines who I am or means that I agree on everything Megatron says,"growled Dreadwing,"Not all of Megatron's followers are like Arachnid. I chose him as my leader because I truly believed that his methods would indeed bring Cybertron back to it's golden age. I realize that some Decepticons are aggressive, some are ignorant and blind. However, Megatron is what I chose and I must now deal with that consequence, but please do not say that I am a certain way because of my choice. The actions of a few does not define a faction as a whole. Even if it is what you see."

"And how is this supposed to comfort me exactly?"asked Arcee with an irritated huff.

"I'm getting there, be patient. What I am saying is, not all Decepticons are the terrible beings that you believe we are. Just as the Autobot faction is not as clean and just as many believe,"said Dreadwing, his optics focusing in on Arcee's.

Looking offended, Arcee opened her mouth to argue-

"Autobot POW camps."

"Okay that-"

"Antilla."

"But-"

"The refugees of Tarn and Vos."

"Okay but-"

"Drones."

"That was your factio-"

"Your faction exploited them as well. Not to mention the countless lives taken by Autobots, hate crimes as well and the science facilities that existed during the war. Not all of them had ethical scientists."

"I- Okay-"

" Pharma, Red Rust, Delphi and Slaughter city."

"AAAAAAAAARGH!"

"Try and deny it, but the Autobots do not have clean servos. Like some Decepticons, some Autobots are aggressive and do not have honor," hummed Dreadwing.

"Alright,"sighed Arcee in frustration,"I get it. Our servos are not clean either. What does this have to do with Arachnid or me? How is this 'comforting' me?"

Dreadwing smiled comfortingly at Arcee and patted her shoulder strut,"What I am trying to say is that Arachnid had no right to do that to you, even if it was for a belief her actions demonstrated that her torture and aggressive behavior towards others is of a selfish nature. She did those things not because she is a Decepticon but because she is a monster who takes pleasure in inflicting pain in others. You didn't deserve that. No one deserves that."

Arcee cycled heavily for a moment before letting her shoulders slump. This was a losing battle. a confusing one, but a loss all the same.

"Thank you for that, but again. What does that have to do with-"

"Comforting you?" interrupted Dreadwing,"Well, that is easy. I am trying to make you understand that your perception of me is incorrect and bigoted. I am here to help you and educate you, and to make you see that Starscream is not the Decepticon you thought he was."

"Is," said Arcee rather harshly, glaring at the now recharging sparkling in Dreadwing's lap,"He's a murderer and a fiend. He snuffed Cliff and he bragged about it. He's just as bad as Arachnid!" she croaked, shoulders trembling,"He's a monster and he doesnt deserve to be here. Not with my family. Starscream will only betray us and hand us over to Megatron, he doesnt deserve this! Why can't anyone see that? Why does everyone have to turn against me when he will?!"

Arcee sobbed and his her face in her servos,"He's a monster," she said in a hoarse whisper.

"Was."

"huh?"

"Was," repeated Dreadwing, wiping a tear from her face with a digit.

Arcee never noticed when Dreadwing's digits had laced with her own or when she had cuddled up to his protective wing.

"You see. Starscream was a monster. Yes he took pleasure in inflicting pain, mostly because he was the one who would recieve pain constantly from our leader. He was Megatron's outlet, others too. Even though that does not excuse his behaviour. It certainly explains it," huffed Dreadwing looking guilty and melancholy,"But yes. He was a monster... But not anymore...Do you believe that avenging your partner would bring you peace?"

Arcee stiffened, her cycle intake hitching for just the briefest of moments before she answered," I...Yes."

"And why is that?" asked Dreadwing patiently.

"Because he deserves it. He's killed hundreds of us!" hissed Arcee.

"So have you."

Arcee flinched and kept her gaze on the Silos floor. Why was this so difficult?

"Not forgiving. Holding on to hate and seeking revenge will make you no better than Megatron himself. This whole war is based on revenge. It has changed us all and has made many bitter."

Arcee hummed amd smiled bittersweetly. Prime had said something similar before.

"If you truly believe that revenge would have brought you peace," hummed Dreadwing, "Why did you feel guilt when you left Starcream to MECH? Why did you not snuff out his spark while he was vournerable, when he first arrived? Why not when you found out what he did to Cliffjumper?"

"Because I...I..."

Scrap.

"Because you knew it was wrong and although you were angry," Dreadwing says, " Rvenge is not something YOU believe in, or your prime for that matter."

I thought settling scores would allow me to move on.

"That doesn't change anything. He's still a monster. He WILL turn on us,"Arcee says.

"And even if that is a possibility. He is a sparkling now, with no memory of his past life. He's been given a clean slate and a second chance."

"And that is supposed to excuse his previous actions against us?" cried Arcee, baring her denta.

"Yes."

Arcee blanched and leaned away from Dreadwing,"How can you say tha-"

"Because he is dead."

"WHAT?!"

"The Starscream you know is dead. The war, Megatron- Everything that took place during the war he can't remember," explained Dreadwing,"Starcream will grow and eventually remember-"

" Then he is not dead," growls Arcee "How can you even say that?"

"Because of now," Dreadwing croons, lifting Arcee's chin with a digit, "Everything happening now Star will remember. The morals we teach him. the love we show him. all of that will affect him as he grows. Even if he remembers everything anout the war, he will also have us. He will not be the same and because of that the version you knew. The monster that you have come to hate is now long gone and dead. Besides. He has a chance for something all beings should have when they have committed an error."

"And that is?" Asks Arcee.

"One last chance at redemption."

"There are things you cannot redeem, Dreadwing,"Arcee says in a tired tone, her helm leaning against the cells wall.

"But one can try,"he says with a rumble, "I have killed many. I am not innocent. No one is in this war. How many drones and Decepticons have you offed? Or Prime? Don't you say that it is different. This is a war afterall. We foght fo what we believe and all results be they good or bad are either casualties or results of war. Do you still believe that after all of this is over...The remainders of our kind our people will truly see us as heroes? or as soldiers? Will there be people who will see you as you see Starscream now?"

Arcee stayed silent.

"So i ask you again. Starscream has one last chance to redeem himself. To grow again and to have a family. Will avenging Cliffjumper truly be for the best?"

Arcee let out a bitter laugh, "I don't know anymore. I just hate all of this. I want my Cliffjumper back. I want my family bavk. I want Jack. I miss Jack."

"Then take your revenge."

"what?!" Arcee gasped looking wide opticked at Dreadwing.

"Get your revenge by helping us redeem Starcream. By giving Prime the sparkling he so craves."

"And how will that help me Avenge Cliff?"

"You will gain peace in knowing that you helped redeem a mech that was previously a all, what better revenge is there than making sure that Starscream never becomes the mech he was and that no one like Cliffjumper will hever have to suffer death at his hands because of what you taught him?" explained Dreadwing, petting Arcee's servo.

"Gain closure in knowing that you made something good come out of something that was once rotten. Even if you face the consequences of your previous actions know that you are loved and you will be redeemed as well if you do this," crooned Dreadwing taking Arcee'sservo in his own once again, " You never grieved properly before all of this, know that this could be the first step towards peace. But only if you allow yourself to see what Prime sees in this sparkling. See that you can finally have peace with Starscream and truly put Cliffjumper to rest."

Arcee trembled and bit her lower derma, "Dreadwing it hurts so much. I can't-" she whispered looking down at Starscream's still recharging form.

Dreadwing crooned once more and enveloped Arcee in an embrace, "You can, because you know it is the right you know that this is what Cliffjumper would have approved of as well as Tailgate and your friend Jack."

Arcee whimpered and burried her faceplates even further into Dreadwings chassis.

"It hurts so much... I miss him so much."

"I know it does...But for now, peace will have to wait. For now, grieve for your fallen friend and take comfort in knowing that from now on things can get better. You can have peace, you can be redeemed. You must grieve and you must forgive. I am here. Your prime is here. Your family loves you Arcee," purred Dreadwing allowing the femme to cry into his chassis.

"You are loved Arcee. You are loved."

"Will they ever forgive me? Will Cliff-" sobbed Arcee.

"They will," cooed Dreadwing rubbing circles into the small femmes back, "Just as I have youngling."

"I'm sorry...I'm so sorry."

Dreadwing purred pulling Arcee ever closer to himself and adjusting Starscream on his lap.

"You are loved Arcee...You are so loved. Heal now."

...

...

...

"Let us all heal and await the new morning."