#26 - Possession

Part 4: Just Like You

Starfeather barely listened as Dinobot roared after her. She didn't care what he threatened to do to her tail feathers if he ever got ahold of her at the next battle. She just had to go after Optimus and somehow stop everyone from killing each other. Sure, Starscream was a pain in her neck, but she felt that she had to do something to help. Besides, she didn't want to see Terrorsaur or Waspinator hurt.

-x-

Starscream studied the red and green Predacon fliers for several moments to build up suspense within them and the Maximals that stood in the background. Things weren't going quite as he had planned, but perhaps this little alteration would work in his favor. If he could win over Terrorsaur and Waspinator and use them to drag Starfeather into joining him and steal the Golden Disc that Megatron had taken, he could finally achieve his life's dream of ruling Cybertron. He cleared his throat for drama and to maintain their attention.

"Terrorsaur, has it not been your goal for some time to destroy Megatron and lead the Predacons?"

"Yeah, but-" The pterodactyl shrugged awkwardly.

"And not only do you want to lead the Predacons, but do you also desire no competition for your potential mate, Starfeather?"

"Whoa, whoa, wait a cycle, we're not-" he began to protest indignantly as he did not want to openly talk about such personal matters, especially with the Maximals listening, but he was cut off again. They failed to hear a muffled growling and hissing from a certain Maximal cat.

"And Waspinator," the ex-Seeker continued, ignoring the red mech for now and turned to the wasp. "Do you long for some respect and peace of mind on a day-to-day basis?"

"Umm..." He fidgeted.

"If you will join me in our similar quests to bring down Megatron, then united, we can accomplish our single striving marks." Starscream clasped his hands together to make his point. "Do you agree?" Before either of the fliers could answer, Rattrap decided to speak up.

"Um, pardon me but, how exactly do we fit in this little plan of yours?"

"You and the other Maximals will do as I tell you." Starscream eyed him with annoyance.

"Yeah?" the rat cocked an optic ridge. "And what about Optimus?"

"You had better weld your yap shut, vermin, or your next words will be your last." The eagle's patience was wearing thin.

"This is all a little uncalled for," Terrorsaur cut in. Optics snapped to look at him. He didn't notice. "And anyway, what makes you think that me or Waspinator would want to work with you?"

"Oh, I'm sorry," Starscream recoiled mockingly, talking in a low, even more gravelly voice than normal. "I merely thought that my descendants would have been honored to fight and rule alongside the most famed Decepticon in history."

"Well, you thought wrong- ..." Terrorsaur then paused to turn Starscream's words over more carefully. "Wait... I know how I'm descended from you, but... did you include Waspinator when you said "descendants"?"

Rhinox, who had been silently observing this whole thing, was also putting pieces together in his mind. His optics slightly widened at the prospect revealed to him. He had suspected that Terrorsaur was related to Starscream from the moment he had seen him (before records and such had been banned by the Maximal Elders, he had seen some pictures of the Decepticon Seeker). How could Waspinator be connected?

"Of course I did. Why would I lie about something like that?" Starscream replied truthfully. Now, Waspinator looked down and wrung his hands, looking quite guilty all of a sudden. Terrorsaur stared at Starscream then noticed the wasp.

"What's your malfunction?"

The green flier hesitated and when he did reply, he still didn't look up.

"Wazzpinator knowz what Zzcreamer-bot iz talking about."

"Well then, spit it out," Terrorsaur demanded. The ex-Seeker smirked as a heavy, uncomfortable silence fell on the group. Waspinator didn't say anything as the Maximals seemed to hold their breath, waiting almost as impatiently as Terrorsaur. After what seemed like hours, he spoke again.

"W-Wazpinator never tell anybody thizz because Wazpinator not really sure, but now that Wazpinator lizten to Starzzcream..."

"Oh for crying out loud, just say it!" the red mech shouted. The wasp flinched but continued.

"Doezz Terrorsaur remember when he left home and never heard from again?"

"Yes," he said through clenched teeth. He didn't like the mention of his past in front of an audience, especially if that audience was Maximals.

"Well... Terrorsaur never call home so mom-bot couldn't tell Terrorsaur about Wazzpinator."

"What?" Now he was just confused. Starscream grumbled, his patience finally drained.

"Stop dragging it out and just tell him!" he snapped. Waspinator flinched again and nodded rapidly.

"Terrorsaur iz Wazpinator'z brother."

Silence reigned after those words were spoken. The pterodactyl stared disbelievingly at the wasp while the Maximals muttered amongst themselves. Now that it was mentioned, there were a lot of suspicious similarities between the fliers. they both had transformed into the same type of jet before taking on their current organic forms. They both had higher-pitched voices. Terrorsaur continued to gape at Waspinator.

"Wha...? That can't be, my creators were always fighting about something when I left. Why would they have another sparkling after me and Bluesprite?"

Before anyone could say anything, the sound of jets was heard in the distance and was rapidly coming nearer. Starscream turned once again to his two descendants.

"Your time has run out. Choose now or suffer."

Narrowed crimson and violet optics locked their gazes. The pale faces the respective optics belonged to mirrored each other right down to the last detail. The younger snarled in defiance at his elder. He could see right through his ancestor's plot to supposed victory. In the end, just like when he was a Decepticon, he couldn't be trusted by anyone, not even by his own siblings. Terrorsaur gritted his teeth. Starscream smirked mirthlessly. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, he was cut off by another voice.

"I have to tell you Starscream, you're giving space debris a very bad name." All optics snapped toward Optimus Primal. Starscream growled.

"Primal, you begin to irritate me!" he shouted back.

"Big Bot!" Cheetor exclaimed. "Alright!"

"I'd say it's trampling time," Rhinox said, reactivating his weapons. The other Maximals followed suit and took aim at the three fliers. Optimus surprised them by ordering them to stand down.

"Leave them to me," he stated and took aim. Starscream leaped off the ground to meet his opponent on equal grounds. After all, he was the master of the skies.

"No!" Terrorsaur shouted and all looked to him once again. He narrowed his optics to slits and pulled out his blaster. "He's mine."

I could be mean

Optimus regarded the red mech for a moment. He knew that he was descended from Starscream and strived to be like him so why would he want to be the one to take him on? To prove he was better than his ancestor? No, he knew the reason. Starscream had threatened Starfeather and, if he knew her well enough, she probably told him that already. Optimus guessed Terrorsaur was only wanting to protect his wingmate.

I could be angry

The Maximal leader considered this for a second. Perhaps it would be best if he let Terrorsaur handle this. He nodded to the flier.

"Alright Terrorsaur," he agreed and backed off. Rattrap and Cheetor gaped at their leader.

"Optimus, what are you thinking?" the cheetah protested. Optimus landed before his men and glanced over them all, ending with his red optics on the golden mech.

"Just watch," was all he offered. Then all the Maximals and Waspinator turned to watch the confrontation. Starscream growled.

"Come back, you coward!" he snarled.

"Sorry Starscream," the pterodactyl taunted as he rose to meet him. "It's just me and you."

You know I could be just like you

The fliers stared each other down, circling like two wolves about to battle for dominance of the pack. The circle became tighter with each revolution. They became close enough that they could lock hands if they chose to fight that way. The Maximals and Waspinator watched with bated breath.

Starscream was the first to strike. He lunged, twin blades formed from the wings on his upper arms. Terrorsaur leaped back and tried a right hook. He hit but Starscream didn't give and slashed again, this time leaving a long shallow splice across the red flier's midsection. Terrorsaur screeched in rage, ignoring the pain for the most part, and aimed a kick. The eagle dodged and managed to knock his opponent to the ground.

I could be fake

Terrorsaur hit the ground on his back, still sore from his interaction with Cheetor, dirt flying as he skidded into a tree trunk. He grunted with the effort of standing back up. Starscream was there to greet him.

I could be stupid

"Change your mind yet?" he asked silkily, pulling out his blaster from its holster. Terrorsaur met his gaze and fingered his own gun.

"Not on your life."

You know I could be just like you

"This isn't how I expected you to react to my offer. Why?" he demanded, narrowing his violet optics. The pterodactyl straightened, almost proudly.

"You know what, Starscream? For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be just like you." He then took aim. "But now I see the misconceptions of my model." He fired and Starscream was blown backwards, sliding across the ground though still on his feet. He hissed with the pain, but ignored it, maintaining optic contact. Terrorsaur went on.

You thought you were standing beside me

You were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

"I thought I wanted to be scheming and back-stabbing, just like you. I thought I wanted to make everyone fear and respect me, just like you... I thought I wanted to be exactly like you."

While he was speaking, Starscream was subtly feeling his way to his preferred weapon, his sword hilt. When Terrorsaur stopped, he drew it out and pointed it towards his opponent.

"So tell me, my foolish counterpart, what could have possibly changed your mind?" the eagle spat. Terrorsaur took a step back at the sight of the sword, especially when it started glowing scarlet. He knew how well a swordsmech the ex-Seeker had been. However, quite suddenly, he took out his own sword which shown bright orange. This surprised everyone, even Starscream slightly. The pterodactyl crossed blades with his ancestor and narrowed his crimson optics.

"I have something that you could never dream of having... and I'm going to stick with my choice. You're nothing but a pain in my afterburners!"

You thought you were there to guide me

You were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

"So tell me, what do you plan to do?" he rasped, narrowing his optics to slits of reddening fury. Terrorsaur smirked.

"I plan to do you a favor and finally end your miserable life."

"We shall see about that. Rragh!"

The fight began. Blows were exchanged, insults were tossed, dodges were dodged, slashes were slashed. After several minutes, both fliers were cut, dented, and bleeding. They were well matched. The Maximals and Waspinator were growing anxious. They all knew it wouldn't be long until they had to revert to their beast modes. Then what would happen?

I could be cold

At last, Terrorsaur managed to throw Starscream back onto the ground. They held their weapons at one another, neither daring to cross the line. Starscream knew Terrorsaur had the advantage. He crawled backwards along the ground, keeping away from the sharp point of the red mech's blade. In an attempt to save himself, he started talking.

I could be ruthless

"Terrorsaur, my friend," he began, his voice wavering slightly. "We've been impetuous. Surely we could work something out?"

You know I could be just like you

I could be weak

I could be senseless

You know I could be just like you

Terrorsaur was almost inclined to agree. I mean, he was his ancestor. However, he immediately knew his answer when the eagled spotted Blackarachnia accompanied with Starfeather (when did she get here?) up on a tall rock formation.

"Blackarachnia, Starfeather! Disable him and we may still triumph!" the ex-Seeker called and quickly added, "Together!"

"Are all your dreams in technicolor?" the she-spider retorted sweetly and aimed her gun. Starfeather did likewise. Starscream looked behind him to see a small formation of energon crystals. He was then overwhelmed with sporadic surges.

"You've betrayed me!" he cried. The raven shrugged innocently.

You thought you were standing beside me

You were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

"We did learn from the master," she said matter-of-factly. The femmes then shot in unison. Terrorsaur turned to the eagle.

You thought you were there to guide me

You were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

"Bye-bye Screamer," he said before transforming and flapping up and out of range of the blast. The Maximals and Waspinator did the same. Starscream lived up to his name right up until the missiles impacted. Then, another scream could be heard, but it soon faded with the dust and debris.

As the Maximals were leaving the area, Optimus turned to look at Terrorsaur. If the pterodactyl hadn't glanced back to see if the Maximals were indeed leaving, he would not have noticed the ape. Their gazes locked and Optimus nodded in approval. Terrorsaur was confused, but found himself nodding back. When the Maximals were out of sight, he shook his head at himself.

On my own

'Cause I can't take living with you

I'm alone

So I won't turn out like you want me to

Starfeather, however, was examining the remains of Starscream's- ...the protoform's body. She found the head and the face looked nothing like it did when the ex-Seeker had been possessing it. It was someone else's face now. Agony and confusion were written all over his features, optics dark and lifeless. The raven caressed his stiff cheek with her wingtip and moved to close the optic shutters and mouth so he merely appeared to be sleeping. She didn't even know this mech or anything at all. She felt terrible for agreeing with Blackarachnia to fire.

"She lied to me. She said you would survive..." Hot tears of anger threatened to fall, but Starfeather blinked them back gazed down upon the face. "I'm sorry," she whispered and raised her head to face the sky. "Forgive me..."

You thought you were standing beside me

You were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

You thought you were there to guide me

You were only in my way

You're wrong if you think that I'll be just like you

The sound of a sympathetic razzing noise and the feeling of a claw on her shoulder pulled her away from her mourning. Terrorsaur and Waspinator were waiting for her.

"Let's go back to base," Terrorsaur said. Starfeather nodded and slowly followed them inside.

I could be mean

I could be angry

You know I could be just like you

-x-

He would come back. Even if it took another cycle of countless eons, he would come back and be avenged on them all! Especially Blackarachnia, Terrorsaur and Starfeather.

AN: You'll find out more about this Bluesprite later. Song: Just Like You by Three Days Grace