Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers or any of the characters mentioned in the story. They are trademarks of Hasbro and the other companies responsible for their creation. So pleeez don't sue me.

When We Were Young

Chapter6 – Cratered and Drafted

"So Megatron, um that is your name isn't it?" The one named Bombshell asked with a sly hiss to his voice. Megatron nodded. "Are you in the enterprise of kidnapping the Metal War Ball teams goalkeeper?"

"Uh…no…" Said Megatron dryly. "Thundercracker got a little cratered and we're merely taking him home."

"Excellent, the Arial House is on the way back to our place." Smirked Kickback.

"Yes we would be happy to drop off the seeker for you, for you." A smirk spread across Shrapnel's face as he reached for the unconscious Thundercracker, who was being carried piggyback style by Soundwave.

Soundwave did not like the hungry look he saw in Shrapnel's optics. He quickly backed away to keep Thundercracker out of the other Decepticon's reach. Shrapnel's smirk quickly faded. "Are you implying something about us Soundwave, wave?"

"Negative, Thundercracker is in need of a recharge immediately, to relieve his condition." Answered Soundwave uncharacteristically quickly. "Maxima's house is closer and that is our destination."

"I see, see." Shrapnel's frown slowly turned back into a smirk. "Be on your way then. Perhaps we shall have the opportunity to assist Thundercracker some other time, time. "

With that Shrapnel, Bombshell, and Kickback headed off in the opposite of Megatron and Soundwave.

"What was all of that about?" Megatron looked at Soundwave widening one optic and narrowing the other.

"They are bad company. They bear ill will toward the members of the Metal War Ball team."

"What for?"

"The Metal War Ball team rejected their proposal for joining the team. Extensive injury would be assured if Thundercracker were to be placed into their hands."

"Hmmm."

"They also looked at you as if they wanted to rip you apart."

"Really? Hmm. I guess it's because they admitted me on to the team."

"Affirmative."

"I guess I didn't notice."

"' Heavy Energon' temporarily breaks down the logic and visual circuits."

"Heh. I'll drink to that. Hey! We're home." Megatron smiled as he opened the door.

The micro second Soundwave and Megatron walked through the doorway, something, small and black, launched itself at Soundwave. The force of impact the black thing had with Soundwave's chest plate was enough to knock him over, taking Thundercracker with him. Megatron was about to help, but all he ended up doing was watch in amazement as the black thing's mouth opened and metal tongue slithered out, and then proceeded to lick Soundwave across the side of his faceplate. Meanwhile, Thundercracker was beginning to regain consciousness, fortunately he was still too cratered to notice the awkward position he and Soundwave were in. However, Soundwave did.

"RAVAGE! OFF!"

The black thing, now referred to as Ravage, jumped off of Soundwave's chest and sat on the floor looking absolutely crushed at being yelled at. Soundwave quickly jumped to his feet and stepped back just as Thundercracker sat up rubbing his head.

"Where am I? Why am I on this floor?"

Soundwave walked over to ravage and picked him up. He held Ravage out in front of him for moments, and stared into the black creature's optics. As he did so, Ravage's sadness seemed to melt away, as some kind of reprimand then forgiveness passed between them that no else, but those two could see.

Megatron was about to ask about what had just taken place when they heard a high-pitched voice say. "Hey guys, Shockwave has something he wants to say to you."

Soundwave turned his head to see Starscream and Shockwave standing there. Shockwave spoke, his words saturated with irritation. "All of you would do well to hear this. Yes even you Mr. Decepticon-who-is-down-on-the-floor."

"Huh? What?" Thundercracker looked very confused.

"Listen up. Now I am usually a very tolerant robot. I do not explode in a tirade very often, so when I do, I have good reason." Shockwave's voice started out calm, but that quickly changed.

"Now whether it's practicing your new fighting techniques Megatron, your exploding science experiments Starscream, or your pet projects scratching on the door Soundwave, and whatever loud noises you make!" Shockwave shouted, pointing at Thundercracker, who still looked very dazed and confused. "I tell you now that if you wake me up, if I do not get enough recharge time! I SWEAR! I WILL GO INSANE! AND I WILL TAKE YOU WITH ME!"

Silence.

"Agreed?"

All nodded.

"Good. So how was your evening?" Shockwave's voice immediately returned to it's normal calm.

Starscream was about to say, 'Shockwave, you've got more screws loose than a junk yard,' when Maxima came through the door. Everyone froze in terror. Starscream's optics grew as wide as a War Ball. Soundwave stood cold, clutching Ravage who looked as equally petrified. Shockwave took a step back putting arms up to shield himself from an oncoming tirade.

"AH! Maxima we can explain! We were just---" Megatron began.

"Take Thundercracker into the spare room and go recharge yourselves," said Maxima in a weary voice as she walked past the group.

Everyone watched as Maxima made her way down the hallway. Finally Starscream took the initiative, ran over to Thundercracker and began to pull him to his feet. "Quick guys! Let's just do as she says now, before she changes her mind and really nails us with one her 'Follow the Rules or Else' lectures!"

All agreed and began to rush off to their rooms. When Starscream finally had Thundercracker standing, the blue Seeker narrowed his optics at the silver and red one. "Who are you?"

Starscream answered in a flat, tired voice. "Starscream. You know, one of your best friends."

"Oh, yeah. Starscream……………………………………………………………………………………………………what's your name again?"

"Where the hell am I!"

With that conscious thought, a terrible pain throbbed in Thundercracker's head. He slowly began to unplug himself from the recharge bed as the rest of his body continued to awaken. After a few seconds, he decided to try walking. Each foot felt like it weighed a hundred tons, but he managed to keep his balance. He opened the door and walked out into the hallway.

"Hmmm…No loud noises, no cracks in the floor, no graffiti on the walls and no skid marks on the ceiling. Yep this is definitely not the Arial House. So where am I?" Thundercracker sighed to himself.

"Greetings Thundercracker."

"AHH!" Thundercracker jumped, whirled around, and reflexively positioned himself into a fighting stance. When he finally got a lock on who had greeted him, he relaxed a little. "Soundwave? I…you were so quite I didn't…Please don't do that again. My head's pounding enough already from the 'Heavy Energon' overload, I don't need my alarm systems kicking in as well."

"My apologies. Follow." Soundwave motioned for Thundercracker to follow. He did.

"So, where am I?"

"You are in the house of Maxima," said Soundwave as he stopped at one of the many doors that lined the hallway. Soundwave saw a look of surprise cross Thundercracker's face as he opened the door. Four heads swiveled around to see who was entering the study room. The room's occupants consisted of Maxima, Starscream, Megatron and Shockwave.

"Hey there Thundercracker, you recognize my now?" Starscream voice was bright and happy.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?"

"Well, you didn't last night?"

"Wha?"

"I think before we can fill you in on what happened, we need to know to know where you left off," Shockwave logically pointed out.

"I remember yelling at Blitzwing, then falling on the floor. Did he punch me! Is that why I have this dent in my for head!"

"No," answered Megatron taking another sip from another small energon cube.

"After Soundwave and I escorted you out of the Clubhouse. You attempted to walk by yourself, and in your cratered condition you walked into a light pole………………three times."

"I see," said Thundercracker wearily rubbing his head. "By the way, did you guys call the team and tell them I spent the night here."

Silence. All of the young Decepticons looked at each other.

"Oh hell." Thundercracker put a hand to his dented forehead to try and stop the pounding. "Do you have any idea what my teammates will do if they wake up and find me gone? Think about it. Three weeks before the War Ball Championship Tournament. And their prime goalkeeper is missing after being totally cratered last night."

Everybody got up and ran to the communications computer.

Meanwhile at the Arial House…

"THUNDERCRACKER! WHERE ARE YOU!" Skywarp screamed while running down the hallways of the Arial House. Astrotrain came out and caught Skywarp in mid yell.

"Skywarp, calm down! What's the matter with you?" Astrotrain said, half in irritation and half in genuine concern.

"HE'S NOT THERE! I DON'T KNOW WHY HE'S NOT THERE! HE'S JUST NOT THERE! WHEN I WOKE UP HE WASN'T THERE! I DON'T LIKE WHEN HE'S NOT THERE, BECAUSE HE'S NOT THERE! WE GOTTA FIND HIM!"

"SKYWARP!"

"Yes."

"Calm down."

"What's goin' on." Thrust, followed by Dirge and Ramjet, wearily walked towards the two.

"We---"

"Would you guys keep it down? I've got enough of a headache with ya'll yellin' and screamin'!" Blitzwing stormed toward them.

"Blitzwing we can't find Thundercracker," said Astrotrain calmly.

"Well ain't that nice for you. We can jus…………WHAT!"

"DAMN! WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO!" Shouted Dirge.

"I SAY WE PERFORM ARIAL SEARCH AND INTERIGATE THOSE WHO KNOW HIS WHEREABOUTS!"

Everybody paused and stared at Ramjet.

"But he's right! We have to go and search for Thundercracker!" Yelled Skywarp, as he ran for the door.

"Whoa! Hold on there, Skywarp," Astrotrain grabbed the purple and black Seeker's wings. "Look there's gotta be a logical way to find Thundercracker."

Everyone looked at Astrotrain and gasped.

"BLASPHEMY!" shouted Ramjet directly into Astrotrain's face.

"Don't you dare pull a Shockwave on us Astrotrain!" Blitzwing yelled angrily.

Astrotrain rolled his optics. "Fine. But let's start here. Does anyone remember what happened to Thundercracker last night."

Silence.

"I guess we all had one too many 'Heavy Energons.'" Said Dirge dejectedly.

They stood there pondering what they should do next when the Arial House Caretaker entered the room.

"Hey boys I just got a call from Maxima. She said that Thundercracker spent the night at their house after the party, and except for a monstrous headache, brought about by ingesting too much 'Heavy Energon', he's A-okay."

The Caretaker walked out of the room while the team stood there.

"Ya' know, if Thundercracker wasn't our goalkeeper, I'd kill him for not calling us sooner." Blitzwing snarled.

"Blitzwing, if Thundercracker wasn't our goalkeeper, you wouldn't give a damn."

"Damn you and your logic Astrotrain!" Shouted Thrust.

Knock. Knock.

Astrotrain opened the door to find the Headmaster standing there. Astrotrain had to tilt his head up slightly to look into the Headmaster's optics.

"Can I help you Sir?"

"Yes, Astrotrain I must talk to you." The Headmaster voice was about as emotionless as Soundwave's. "Alone."

"Sir!" Blitzwing came forward. "If this about the prank I pulled the other day. I swear! Astrotrain had nothing to do with it!"

"This is not about that. Come Astrotrain."

Astrotrain obediently followed the Headmaster outside. Meanwhile the others, with exception of Skywarp, sat by the window and watched the Headmaster and Astrotrain talk.

"Hey guys, I gonna go out the back door and head over to Maxima's house to check on my brother. See ya later." Skywarp took of.

"Uh oh, it looks like Astro's in trouble." Thrust commented after they saw Astrotrain's jaw drop in shock. The Headmaster's lips moved again and Astrotrain's head slowly drooped. The Headmaster put a hand on Astrotrain's shoulder, and talked a little more. Astrotrain nodded his head. The Headmaster began to walk away, while Astrotrain stayed put, with his head hung down for a few seconds. He then headed back for the house, no less dejected.

"Hey Astro, what'd he say! What happened!"

Astrotrain was silent for a few seconds. It was odd, his optics seemed to be filled with sorrow.

"I---I've---I've been drafted."

"What! You can't mean that yo---!"

"I am to immediately pack up my things and then head to the frontlines…"

Poor Astrotrain. I'm so mean to him. I know I'm evil to leave the chapter off like this. Don't worry I'll update soon. Thanks again for all of the reviews you guys sent me. Please keep them coming! Tell me how I'm doing on character portrayals and things you would like to see. Oh one more thing! Tell me who you think should be the Arial House Caretaker, (he can't be one of the students). Contact me at Till next time!