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.
Special Disclaimer: This is sort of a Songchapter towards the end. The song for Astrotrain's writing, is Linkin Park's "Faint", it's one of my favorite songs and I thought it would fit perfectly for the young Decepticons. Also, the inspiration for Astrotrain being a writer came from a fanfic called "Soliloquy" on www.lexicon.tf . It's definitely worth a look.
When We Where YoungChapter 12 – Guns and Songs
For the rest of the day Soundwave reflected on the song Astrotrain had written and a melody he had composed a couple of days ago. He also wondered whether Thundercracker would show up after school. He hoped so. Thundercracker's voice, would be perfect for the new song.
"Soundwave are you paying attention?" His instructor Spyglass raised an optic at him.
"Affirmative. Simulated security system has been decoded and hacked."
"Oh well good. Go ahead and start on the next assignment."
*******************************************************
"Hey Megatron!"
"Megs!"
Megatron and Starscream turned to see Thundercracker and Skywarp running toward them.
"What's Up? Oh and Skywarp don't ever call me "Megs" again." Megatron cheerfully greeted the two seekers.
"Well, the Blitzwing situation is unclear. However our caretaker, Death's Head, may know something more, but if he doesn't, then the whole team needs to be there to decide on a replacement." Thundercracker said gravely.
"Of course." Megatron followed Thundercracker and Skywarp followed after them.
Starscream felt a twinge of anger rise. His friends had not invited him along.
*******************************************************
"So who exactly is this 'Death's Head' fellow?" Megatron asked and turned to Skywarp since Thundercracker looked a little down in the junkyard.
"Well, he used to be a bounty hunter or something, but apparently the Headmaster saw fit to hire him to look after us. Beyond that all I know it that he got a lot of really cool weapons and an equally cool story behind each one of them." Skywarp answered cheerfully.
"Hm. A freelance bounty hunter seems an odd choice for a House caretaker." Megatron raised a questioning optic.
"Actually it makes perfect sense." Megatron and Skywarp looked at Thundercracker. "Well, think about it. You've got Blitzwing, Octane, Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge running around. Personally I think the Headmaster made the right choice. Oh and um let's not forget he also has to deal with my hyperactive brother over there."
Thundercracker smiled slightly.
"Hey TC! That's the first time I've seen ya' crack smile since Astrotrain left!" Skywarp's returning smile was bright and genuine. Though he'd never admit it, Thundercracker's lack of spark had really concerned Skywarp.
"Meh. Wounds heal." Thundercracker's smile faded slightly.
"Hey Megatron! Got any strategy ideas for the Metal War Ball Championship Tournament?" Skywarp hoped a change of subject would brighten Thundercracker's smile up or a at least keep it from fading more.
"Have I been voted to be team captain?" Megatron was barely able to suppress a feeling of victory.
"Well, with Astrotrain gone, Thundercracker having enough to concentrate on, and Blitzwing….primus knows what happened to him, you're the only one left with the brains to run this operation."
"Thanks." Megatron said in a half sarcastic tone. 'Hey whatever works."
The three continued their walk back to the Arial House.
"hmm. I wonder who they are." Said Thundercracker looking across the street. Megatron and Skywarp followed his gaze.
They saw the Headmaster, followed by six transformers they didn't know. One of them was talking to the Headmaster, while the five others hung back and talked amongst themselves.
Megatron, Thundercracker and Skywarp turned up they're audio receptors so that they could hear the new bot's conversations. Suddenly two of the new guys began to shout at each other.
"I'll take your perfectionist slag and shove it right up your tailpipe!"
"I'd like to see you try! I could take you down in a micro second!"
"You and what army ya' overscrewed twit!"
The two arguing ones proceed to try and strangle each other, while two others make bets on who will win and a third looks on in excitement.
"Hey Longhaul! Two energon goodies says Hook takes Bonecrusher."
"I'll take that one Scavenger!"
"Wow! Hook vs. Bonecrusher again! Whatta fight! Whatta fight! Whatta fight!"
"Whoa, ease down there Mixmaster." The one named Longhaul spoke.
Unfortunately for the spectators, the fight never reached completion due to the fact the transformer who had been talking to the Headmaster only moments before, rushed to stop the two combatants.
"Stop it! Both of you!"
The ones named Bonecrusher and Hook immediately froze. Hook was on his back on the ground, but he had Bonecrusher in a headlock. Meanwhile, Bonecrusher was taking a big bite out of Hook's arm. The other transformer, whose name was not known yet, continued to speak.
"The Headmaster is standing right there! Please don't embarrass us all!"
The to fighters immediately pulled apart and stood to attention.
"We sorry Scrapper." The one named actually Hook looked sincere.
" W-We just got a little carried away, that's all." The one named Bonecrusher looked sincere too.
The one named Scrapper turned back to the Headmaster.
"I apologize Headmaster they don't usually act like this, they---"
"I'm sure it's just the excitement of being in a new place that has them all riled up." The Headmaster spoke in a calm almost amused voce, but then it changed to serious. "But for their own sakes they best keep things under control."
"Of course Headmaster." Scrapper saluted.
"We shall be the perfection of behavior." Hook announced.
" You won't see a bit of trouble from us." Bonecrusher smirked.
"Not a speck." Scavenger added.
"We'll follow the rules." Longhaul chimed in.
"We will! We will! We will!" Finished Mixmaster.
With that the Headmaster and the rest of the crew continued on down the street.
"Well it looks like we have some new classmates." A mischievous smile spread across Skywarp's face.
"Oh Primus no Skywarp, at the very least not until after the Championship Tournament." Thundercracker groans.
"awwww. Relax TC I won't try nothin'. For now anyway."
They arrive at the Arial House and walk inside. In the entertainment room Octane, Thrust, Ramjet and Dirge are sitting on the couches and have their optics glued to the giant television screen.
"Hey, Megatron, Cracker, Warp. Sit down and watch." Thrust waved to them.
"What are we watchin'?" Skywarp landed on the couch next to Octane.
"A War Ball game on Nebula." Dirge answered.
"Aw, I can't wait to start busting some Nebulan butt!" Shouted Ramjet.
"Neither can I, this tournament should be an interesting experience." Megatron smiled.
"Does Death's Head know anything about Blitzwing?"
"We don't know he wasn't here when we got back." Thrust answered not taking his optics away from the TV screen.
"I wish I was going to the tournament." Octane stated in an over exaggerated whiny voice. "Why'd you all have to go and kick me off the team."
"Well I can list several reasons." Skywarp pointed at him. "You're a jerk and my bother is smarter, faster and better looking than you!"
"Watch it!" Octane grabbed Skywarp by the throat.
"Hey! Hey! Hey! If you want to have a fight you will take it outside, yes?"
The entertainment room's occupants turned to see Death's Head standing in the doorway. But what surprised them was that Blitzwing was standing right behind him.
The Triple-Changer opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again, and made quickly for the hallway adjacent to the entertainment room. The one that led to the student's rooms. When the others occupying the entertainment room recovered from the shock of seeing Blitzwing again they gathered around the caretaker to gently enquire what happened.
"What happened to Blitzwing?!"
"Well, he---"
"What did the Headmaster say?!"
"The Headmaster----"
"Is he gonna play in the tournament?!"
"I don't---
"Has he been punished yet?!"
"No, but---"
"Is Blitzwing going to get smelted?!"
"No, he---"
"Reprogrammed?!"
"Why is he back?!"
"Will he stay?!"
"Is there going to be a trial?!"
"What are the charges?!"
"Is Airstrike dead?!"
"Do you think so?!"
"Why don't you answer us?!"
"What time is it?!"
Death's Head could see that with all of the current questions and rambling, he was gonna get nowhere with these kids if he kept up the current state of trying to answer them. So, decided to try something different. He took out his Shott Blaster Rifle, aimed it at the wall and proceeded to pull the trigger.
BOOM!
"SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!!!!"
The students glanced at the now huge hole in the wall then quickly complied with Death's Head's order.
In fact Skywarp plopped down the spot on the floor where he had been standing. Megatron took seat on the arm of the couch next to Thundercracker. Even he had been a little startled with Death's Head's sudden outburst.
"Now I will answer your questions as long as you listen, yes?"
"Yes." All of the students replied.
"Anyone would listen to a nutcase with a gun in his hand," whispered Thrust to Dirge and Ramjet.
"I heard that." Death's Head's voice was low and dangerous.
Thrust could see the big trouble he was in and quickly tried to gain some mercy. "Forgive me! In didn't mean it! I'm sorry!"
"Good. You will be forgiven, if you do one favor for me, yes?"
"Yeah, what?"
"Repair the hole in the wall."
"Yes sir." Thrust whined dejectedly.
"HA! HA! HA!" Octane, Ramjet and Dirge nearly fell over laughing at Thrust's predicament.
"In fact," Death's Head watched the laughing trio, " the work would go faster if you helped him."
"What?! But---" Death's Head gave them an angry glare.
"Yes, sir." The four condemned walked off to get the necessary supplies.
"Would anyone else like to "help" them, yes?"
"No." Skywarp squeaked out, Megatron and Thundercracker remained perfectly silent.
"Now the Blitzwing situation goes as follows. The Headmaster didn't say much to me just that Blitzwing had two days to decide on his punishment. As far playing on the team… Well, I think you'd better plan on finding a replacement."
"Damn! Why does this have to happen now, so close to the championship, we can't lose this year! We just can't!" Skywarp stomped out of the room and headed for his own.
"Well," Megatron sighed, "So much for the team meeting. I guess I'll just head home."
"Could I join you?" Thundercracker asked tiredly. "There's too much going on right here that I feel ready to deal with."
"Yeah, sure." Megatron and Thundercracker headed for the door.
"See you boys later." Death's Head watched them go. But they were not the only ones outside that held his attention. Directly across the street talking to six new students was the Headmaster.
Perhaps Blitzwing's fate was not sealed just yet.
**********************************************************
Starscream swung the sword and attacked the air again.
'Why am I so angry?'
He spun and stabbed.
'I'm sure there was a reason why they didn't invite me.'
They hate me.
Starscream hit the ground with the sword.
'No. No that's right. They're my friends.'
They think I'm weak.
'No they don't, do they?'
They shun me.
'No! It's not true. Why am I thinking this way?! These are my friends! Not my enemies'
Starscream dropped the sword completely.
'Then again, maybe ---'
"What's the matter with you now Starscream?"
Starscream spun to see Shockwave standing in the entranceway to the training courtyard behind Maxima's House.
"None of your business Shockwave!" Starscream shouted, surprised by the anger in his voice.
"Fine! Wallow in your characteristic self-pity! " Shockwave shouted back, then stomped away, not taking any notice that Megatron and Thundercracker had entered the building, muttering, "this is why I stick to cold logic."
Megatron, slightly confused, turned to Starscream. "What's a matter with Shockwave?"
"Oh nothing,'" Starscream answered in a tired voice. "Hey, Thundercracker."
Thundercracker smiled back. "Hey, how ya doin'?"
"Meh. I'm all right." Starscream said in the same voice.
"Is Soundwave around?" Thundercracker asked. "He wanted to record my voice, so I thought since I'm here. Why not?"
"Good. Composition completed." The three turned to see Soundwave with Ravage standing next to him.
The blue cassette deck motioned for Thundercracker to follow, but before the seeker could take a step they heard the doorbell ring. Maxima opened the door.
"Oh, greetings Headmaster." She said.
"Greetings, I'm afraid I have one more student for you to care for." The Headmaster motioned to the youth standing next to him. "This is Scrapper. He is the chosen leader of his combiner team, the Constructicons. However, we want to see how leader and crew cope with not being together 24/7. Don't worry Scrapper, I told you it's only temporary. And I'll add, that every combiner team has had to do this."
"Ah, the old "separation" time." Maxima smiled. "Come on in Scrapper, I'll introduce you to the rest of your housemates."
The Headmaster departed, and Maxima lead Scrapper to the courtyard where she'd seen the boys gather earlier.
"Oh down that hallway, the fourth door on the left is the room you'll be in." She pointed out.
"Yes, ma'm." Scrapper answered quickly.
"Boys," said Maxima as she walked out into the courtyard. "This is our new housemate, Scrapper. He'll be staying with us for only a short time, but he is still our housemate non the less."
"Scrapper this Megatron."
"Hello Scrapper." Megatron greeted him.
"Starscream."
"Hi." Starscream smiled.
"Soundwave."
Soundwave calmly nodded in Scrapper's direction.
Just then Shockwave walked into the courtyard.
"That is Shockwave."
"Greetings." Shockwave's voice was emotionless.
"And this is Thundercracker, he's a guest from the Arial House."
"Nice to meet you Scrapper."
"Thank you all." Scrapper was clearly terrified. "Um, with all due respect, I…I would like to retire to my room, and…um…build something."
With that Scrapper scurried off as fast a he could.
Soundwave turned to Thundercracker. "Shall we proceed?"
"Oh yeah." Thundercracker followed Soundwave, and Shockwave departed for his room.
"So how are the moves I showed you coming along, Starscream." Megatron asked the Seeker.
"Oh great!" Starscream answered quickly.
Megatron smirked and walked over the weapons case and pulled out his favorite sword.
"Show me…"
*****************************************************
Thundercracker couldn't stop marveling at Soundwave's room. The prevailing color scheme was dark blue and deep green lighting from an indistinct source, combined with the dark gray metal walls, the whole room gave off a nice calm feeling. But what amazed Thundercracker most, were the three keyboards and a disc spinner all hooked up to computers, and the enormous sound system that covered one whole wall of the room. Yet even with all of this packed in, the room still had a sense of order and cleanliness.
"Wow." Was all that Thundercracker could manage to say.
Soundwave meanwhile was setting up a microphone to about Thundercracker's height. After he had finished he took a seat behind the three massive keyboards and disc spinner.
"So, just how many sounds do you have recorded on there?"
"Thousands. Some have been refined, some have not."
"So uh. What do you want me to do?"
"Do the voices into the microphone."
"Um, could I hear the music first?" Thundercracker walked over the microphone.
"Of course, I have already recorded Starscream's voice for the chorus."
"What!? When?!"
"Before you arrived. A higher pitch voice was required for the chorus. Starscream's mood fit the words."
"Are you sure? Starscream?"
"Positive. Listen."
Soundwave played the music. Thundercracker was once again amazed, Starscream's voice was belting out and screaming, but it fit. It fit the words and the music perfectly. And the music itself was wonderful.
"Are you ready?" Soundwave startle Thundercracker out of his music daze.
"Yeah, I think so…"
*************************************
Starscream landed hard on the ground. Megatron stood victoriously over him.
"I really suck at this." Starscream groaned, not even bothering to get up.
"Oh, quit griping, you're getting much better. Remember you couldn't even hold a sword properly a week ago."
"That's true." With that little ego boost, Starscream found the will to stand up.
"Do you hear music?" Megatron raised an optic brow at Starscream.
"Yeah, it sounds like the song Soundwave recorded my voice for a while ago. He must be adding Thundercracker for the verses."
"A Song?" Megatron looked even more confused.
"Yeah, it's one of the few things Soundwave does that's cool. And I sound great!"
Thundercracker: Watching you turn your back like you always do.
That's how I felt today. Thought Starscream.
Thundercracker: Face away and pretend that I'm not, but I'll be here 'cause you're all that I got
They are all I've got.
Starscream's Voice: I can't feel. The way I did before. Don't turn your back on me.
That is my voice, how I felt.
Starscream's Voice: I won't be ignored!
No. I will not be ignored!
"Hey Starscream are you ok?" Megatron's voice broke Starscream's train of thought.
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. I just got absorbed in the music, that's all." Starscream said nervously.
"Right…. Ok, shall we continue?" Megatron said.
"Sure." Starscream smirked.
******************************************
A few hours later…
Soundwave was showing Thundercracker to the door.
"I shall send the music to Astrotrain tomorrow."
"Great! It might cheer him up a little bit at the frontlines."
Soundwave stared apprehensively at the empty streets. It was late, nearly curfew time. However, it wasn't that thought that caused Soundwave's apprehension, there was just a bad feeling in the air, a feeling of foreboding.
"Thundercracker!"
"Hmmm?" Thundercracker was beginning to walk away
"Maybe you should not go alone."
"What? What are you talking about?" Thundercracker chuckled.
"There is danger. Megatron and Starscream should accompany you."
"Soundwave, I am a warrior and I have some pride. Come on everything's going to be fine." Thundercracker walked down the street toward the Arial House.
Soundwave watched Thundercracker go for a moment then pressed the eject button. Ravage came out.
"Follow him…"
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I really must apologize to you all. I know I said I would have this by Saturday, but a family crisis came up and I couldn't. So here I typed up a nice long chapter for you to enjoy. I hope you don't hate me for using Linkin Park, but the song just fit so perfectly. Anyway, about the Constructicons being here, even though I hated the episode "The Secret of Omega Supreme," I liked the premise of the Constructicons being built on Cybertron rather than earth. However, I have an idea in this story for it to work both ways. Oh and for those of you who believe Scrapper was acting a little OOC and wimpy. That'll get explained later. And as always keep those reviews and opinions coming.
Till next time.
-Vega Sailor