First of all, let me warn you of the descriptions of Cybertronian war carnage in this chapter and a more OOC than ever Megatron. It really depends on how you see him in fanfiction, which in my case I see him as a inexperienced young commander in charge of a struggling army as opposed to how he is portrayed in the show (considering this fic is sort of a prequel). Plus, it serves to further the plot and to pave the way for more M/SS interactions.
So if you consider portraying Megatron as anything but a badass, cold and merciless tyrant as a serious offense, then please, there are many other fics that do him great justice. I seek to write a character as IC as possible, but I also love to explore how a character became the way he is.
Thanks to fan girl 666, BlitzwingTheCon, and Jax for reviewing! Jax especially had some great ideas to offer, so thank you so much! I will explore more of Starscream's past in the future chapters.
The Autobots were having a rather peaceful solar cycle, for there had been no Decepticon attacks for quite awhile. Civilians tried to put the ongoing war aside as they went about their daily businesses in various city-states like Tarn, Praxus and Iacon. Autobot defense troops patrolled the boundaries, keeping a keen optic on any Decepticon invasion that might happen. They didn't, because the enemy chose not to engage directly.
Suddenly a group of fliers came slicing through the air over the Autobot city-states, their engines loud and harsh in the tense atmosphere. But the Decepticons were not concerned about stealth, for their targets were the city-states themselves.
Each aircraft released a combination of missiles and bombs to fall upon the city-states. The impact was ground-shattering, with buildings reduced to rubble in a matter of cycles and the sound of explosions filling the once uneasy peace. There were screams as the civilians scattered to find underground shelter while most stood frozen in utter shock. Already there were fires starting to spread among the structures weren't already destroyed in the first wave of bombs. Some Autobots defenders hurried to put them out while others went to man the cannons to fire at the flying Decepticons. However by the time they had them ready, the attackers were gone, only leaving a devastated and ruined city-state behind.
Megatron studied the smoking ruins of Tarn grimly as he flew over it in his alt-mode. The fires that consumed most of the buildings had died down to an orange glow that bathed alight the entire city. The air was utterly still, so that the gray plumes of smoke from the burnt out husks of demolished structures arose vertically towards the skies.
The bombing raid had been extremely successful although Iacon remained largely unharmed. The warlord had to pull a few officers from their current stations, Starscream included, to muster enough Decepticons to carry it out, leaving the two most valuable city-states vulnerable. But it didn't matter. He wouldn't need them if the Autobots agreed to his terms.
He suddenly felt the impulse to transform and land among the remains of a building, rubble and blackened supporting beams cracking sharply under his weight. Inhaling deeply as he took in the full extent of the destruction, Megatron could literally taste the panic and alarm that had once filled this now abandoned area along with the sharp metallic scent of burnt metal. For a while he simply made his way through the ruins, often seeing the charred offlined frames of civilians who had failed to find shelter in time.
When had Megatron first called the Decepticons to arms? That event seemed so long ago, the decision he had made to begin a war because of the Decepticon Registration Act forcing all Decepticons to give up their property and live under Autobot jurisdiction. It had been the peak of the corruption that had eroded at Cybertron for far too long. Megatron would have rather offlined himself than to allow his faction to be ruled over by their unscrupulous government. He had vowed that he would put an end to their injustice and establish a new better system in replacement. He will strike down all those who stood in his way, namely the Autobots.
These civilians were merely victims.
As were the Decepticons under his leadership. It was only because of hisintervention that they were able to be freed from under his cruel leadership.
The desolated ruins suddenly faded away, and in a nanoklick the warlord's vision changed to see something entirely different.
He stood before a heavily-armed mech at least a helm taller than he. His armor was colored the same slate gray and dark crimson as his own, although it was accented with a few shades of purple in some areas. It was strange if he really thought about it, for few Cybertronians were sparked with the same color of an offlined mech. Perhaps it symbolized his reputation as a death bringer in battle
The mech's visage cannot be seen; a muzzle-like battle mask covered his faceplates. But even with the concealment his blood-red optics seemed to bore through him in their intense look of hate.
Then the taller mech drew a huge double-bladed sword sheathed behind his back and lunged at Megatron. In turn he whipped out his twin blades to intercept the other's attack, causing their weapons to clash together in a cacophony of rasping metal and a small shower of sparks…
He shook himself out of the memory with considerable effort, finding himself gripping the handle of his sheathed blade tightly and gritting his dentas in exertion. It had been stellar cycles since he last crossed swords with his predecessor, and for some reason seeing the remains of Tarn reminded him of their duel to the death for the Decepticon leadership. Megatron had barely survived the ordeal, but had never regretted his decision to take up the challenge. If he hadn't, the faction would have fallen apart as that accursed mech continued to indulge in his insane cruelty.
They were all victims in some way, whether they were at war or not. The civilians, the Decepticons and even the Autobots to some degree, although they still refused to admit it.
Megatron sighed as he came to a small clearing where the remains of a housing unit once stood. There lying among the wreckage were the barely-recognizable forms of a mech and a small sparkling under his outstretched arm. It seemed like the mech had tried to shield his smaller charge when a bomb hit.
The warlord hadn't willingly put Starscream's plan into action when he realized it involved civilians and the unspoken code of honor that they were not to be touched during the war, especially after his second had pleaded to him to make sure that Vos was spared in the ensuing firestorm. It wasn't just because the bombing raid might completely destroy Starscream's home and offline the family he left behind.
These mostly-neutral Cybertronians only sought to live a normal life in the middle of war and were content to be left alone. To kill them like this while demanding for a ransom was one of the most desperate measures. It seemed ironic that the life-giving AllSpark was bought by the lives of millions of civilians, which would also in turn used to end the lives of more.
He had hoped to leave the civilians out of this. When Megatron studied the sparkling's lifeless offline optics, he began to wonder how many others had their lives taken away so suddenly in the bombing assaults. Perhaps there was a mech returning eagerly home from work to his family, a group of friends on a gladly anticipated day-out, or this mech and his sparkling enjoying a quiet evening when the world ended for them by a slew of missiles…
Megatron gritted his dentas and turned away for a brief cycle. He was beginning to understand how much of a toll the war was taking on everyone. Now that even the civilians suffered from the conflict, it was evident that it had to end soon in the favor of the Decepticons. It had to end soon, before the war destroyed Cybertron itself. Civilians would continue to die until the AllSpark was handed over to them, although there was not much Megatron could do at the moment to hurry up the Autobots.
But he could so something now. Seized with a sudden epiphany, Megatron bent and gently maneuvered the sparkling's frame until it rested against its sire's chassis. Then he moved the mech's arms to cover the little one in a snug embrace.
"I'm sorry," The warlord said quietly, "Your sacrifices will be remembered and honored when the war is won."
He transformed and took to the skies, unwilling to tread among the carnages of war any longer. Instead Megatron tried to take his mind off the matter by recalling how the Autobots had unexpectedly taken the initiative. He was sure that the Autobots would agree to a ransom, since so far they could do little to stop the fire-bombing Decepticons by force. When Ultra Magnus finally sent a message asking for the cessation of hostilities against civilians, he had sounded more distressed than he had ever been during the war. Megatron was all too glad to make another speech through a broadcasted audio file.
"Greetings, Autobots. This is the supreme leader of the Decepticons, Megatron, speaking here. I bring to you a grim message this solar cycle, which I advise you to consider carefully.
"The Great War has been going on for millions of stellar cycles with neither side triumphing over the other. As of today, the situation remains the same. However I must tell you that victory will eventually belong to the Decepticons. We will tear down each and every of your defenses and destroy your last will to fight. How much longer must you resist us and remain blind to your government's many corruptions?
"We will start to assault the city-states with civilian targets in mind. Will you continue to resist as the loss of lives continue to rise? Think carefully, for your next major decision will decide the course of the war.
"I have only but one term which you must follow if the assaults are to cease. If you hope to save your civilians, you must offer adequate ransom that both sides will agree on. You have one solar cycle to decide."
It hadn't been one of Megatron's best speeches, for he thought he sounded way more threatening than he intended. But he was very careful on not letting desperation leak into his words. The fact that the Decepticons had resorted to attacking the civilians for ransom ran the risk of informing the Autobots of their faltering chance in winning the war. Straight out demanding the AllSpark would be a surefire way of doing so.
Ultra Magnus replied a while later, "We offer supplies and energon for your army."
"That is hardly enough to convince me alone, let alone the Decepticons."
And so Ultra Magnus proceeded to offer a stellar cycle long ceasefire, several city-states, credits, prisoners of war and even the schematics of an advanced electrical systems disruption cannon. Several of these options sounded tempting, though he and his advisors eventually decided that they were useless in the long run. Their ultimate goal was still the AllSpark, and that was the only ransom they would accept bought by the lives of many.
"I am beginning to think that you already have a ransom in mind, Megatron," Ultra Magnus sounded tired and exasperated after his offers were rejected numerous times, "I have listed all of the prices we are able to pay. By all means, please list your terms and I shall see if we are able to meet them."
This was it. Megatron steeled himself to demand the object that would turn the tides of war for sure.
"The life-giving artifact known as the AllSpark will be acceptable. Do not attempt to question our intentions for it, for they are none of your concern."
There was a long silence on Ultra Magnus' side, but eventually he replied, "The AllSpark is an artifact of Cybertron, not of the Autobots. It is not ours to give as we see fit."
"Which do you choose then? The loss of a million more innocent lives or the simple action of handing over the AllSpark?" Megatron was prepared for a negative answer, "I tell you the truth; we will continue the bombing assaults until you give us an answer. The longer you take to decide, the more Cybertronians will offline. Make your decision wisely, for the lives of millions are at stake. Good day to you, and may you decide what is best for Cybertron and its citizens."
"Very well. I will deliberate this matter with my council and give you my answer as soon as possible." The Autobot commander said heavily.
True to his word, Ultra Magnus sprang into action immediately. From the amount of communications flying back and forth from Iacon and Protihex, the Autobots were definitely frantic as the bombing continued.
Megatron was so close to succeeding, so close that he was already picturing the things he would do right after the war ended. First he would call all the Decepticons back to Cybertron for a massive celebration. Then after the festivities had ended, he would graciously allow the Autobots to keep their places, and even appoint Ultra Magnus as one of the officials in the new government. Apart from the other's decision to enact the Decepticon Registration Act, the Autobot commander was a respectable leader who remained unaffected by the corrupt council.
The warlord allowed his mind to drift over the many other actions he had to take. He must set a system of guards to prevent any violent attempts of protest… probably sent out a message to all scattered Cybertronians that the war was over and asking for them to return… definitely build a memorial to all the civilians who died… finally put the Three Point Plan, his still ongoing draft of the extensive system that will form the new government, into action… and… starting a proper courtship with his second-in-command, unhindered by the dangers of battle or by his own issues.
That indefinite sense of longing welled up in him more strongly than ever, nearly overwhelming the joy of seeing a new Golden Age for Cybertron. For once, Megatron allowed a cycle of honesty with himself. He would give almost anything to have an orbital cycle free of his heavy responsibilities. There would be no more pretending, no more lying to himself, no more trying his best to put on a brave front for his followers, and no more of this crippling fear to open himself to another mech.
That was quite a lot to look forward to. In fact it was so much that he almost placed his misgivings over the loss of civilian life at the back of his mind.
Megatron increased his efforts in the bombings, often leading them himself as they devastated city-state after city-state. Surely the Autobots would yield anytime, with the deactivated frames of civilians piling up each solar cycle. He waited almost desperately for their replying message.
But Megatron received reports on the solar cycle when the Autobots were to make their decision from Blackout and Straxus about a skirmish at Praxus, in which they successfully defeated a battalion of Autobots who had unexpectedly turned up to defend the city-state fiercely. The defense had been a ruse; the two reported that a strange orange casket with handles was carried by another group of Autobots and snuck off to a nearby space bridge. Immediately realizing the enemy's true intentions, the iconic container of the AllSpark and the powerful energy signature of the artifact, they directed their attentions towards this group quickly. Though these Autobots were offlined, one sole mech had managed to activate the bridge with random coordinates and toss the casket through before activating a bomb that destroyed both him and the space bridge.
At this Megatron felt the first signs of doubt grip his spark. He desperately prayed that it wasn't true, that it had been a decoy planned to fool the Decepticons into giving up. But everything was made clear when Ultra Magnus sent his long-awaited reply. His message was broadcasted during an S Team meeting, and every Decepticon immediately fell silent as the Autobot commander spoke,
"The AllSpark is the source of life from which we come from. We do not know what you plan to do with it, Megatron, but one can presume it does not bode well for us. Continue your bombing then, for the AllSpark is now beyond your grasp, tossed through a space bridge set with random coordinates. It is lost in space, and we deem this the best action to carry out. No artifact of Cybertron must be brought into the war, so let it be hidden from both sides so we may have equal grounds."
It was like the world around Megatron had gone silent, the clamoring of the officers around him faded to nothing. His processor refused to work for a few cycles, refusing to believe that this was true, refusing to know that his last hope had been dashed to the ground, that they now had little chance of victory.
The Autobots... the AllSpark... space bridge... gone...
These terms kept coursing through Megatron's mind. It can't be true. Not even the Autobots would dare to toss the fount of all Cybertronian life into uncharted space. They were going to doom the entire race by doing so, for only through the AllSpark was new life created.
Beyond your grasp... tossed through a space bridge set with random coordinates... lost in space...
Was it only a bluff? But the Autobots' declaration matched with Megatron's officers' description on what they had seen. Cycles later a scout team returned from their mission of infiltrating the Protihex underground facilities to report that the Well was empty.
Then the bombing was truly in vain. The enemy will continue to have advantages over the Decepticons and prolong the Great War. The chance of victory was low. Megatron would have to continue to lead his faction in battles. He would have to continue to distance himself from his second...
Then suddenly crystal clear realization of the impact of the situation hit the warlord. He had already lost the war and led the Decepticons to nothing. All of his desires and wishes he had of post-war Cybertron vanished. Starscream's plan hadn't worked. Millions of innocent civilians had died for nothing.
For a brief cycle Megatron saw that offlined mech and the sparkling he died trying to protect. He, and so many others, would only be remembered as the victims of the Decepticons' desperate attempt to win the war. Lives were lost, and now they would not be replaced. The Decepticons will always be known as the sparkless murderers who were willing to sacrifice any life for their own gains.
The AllSpark was gone.
Millions died in vain.
The Decepticons had little hope of victory.
There was nothing else that would work.
Megatron suddenly found it difficult to think straight as the full impact of the situation registered to his mind. He couldn't allow the war to be lost now. He had to do something… to find the AllSpark… to make sure that he hadn't made the grave mistake in allowing so many to perish… he must… he must…
As his thoughts unraveled, Megatron suddenly found himself staring once again at a scene from out of his flashbacks like he had done back in Tarn, thrust abruptly into his own recollections. The outside world became nothing more than a fleeting memory as he was forced to watch and listen.
"Kill him."
Two simple words that so disastrously ended a reasonably tolerable solar cycle, that changed him in ways he never fully understood.
"Jhiaxus is but another officer who has outlived his worth. Offline him discreetly and dispose his frame in the smelting pool. Let this be a warning to the others that my authority is absolute… and you are the blade that silences at my command."
That paralyzing shock he experienced long ago became entangled with the present, so much that Megatron no longer knew which was which. But he could do nothing to stop it; even shuttering his optics did not shut out the voices and images that coursed through his mind.
"No!" Not the mentor who had done nothing but offer the only semblance of kindness he knew in his life, who had tended to his wounds after his brutal training sessions, who fondly instructed him in computer science in his spare time and taught him everything there is besides combat skills. This must be a mistake!
"None of your reluctance and of your uncalled sentiments, Megatron. Complete your assignment within the megacycle." The promise of a consequence of failure was hinted at. For the first time, he no longer cared.
No… no… what had he done wrong this time? Why? Why Jhiaxus? WHY?!
Megatron flinched at the sudden piercing despair that cut through him like a cold sharpened blade. He tried to stop, to force back the unwelcome voice that never spoke a truthful word. What was left of his reasonable side fiercely argued that losing the AllSpark hardly merited such a reaction. But to his utter horror, he had lost control over even his own emotions.
Upon realizing this, the warlord threw himself into the strenuous attempt to regain himself, for he now recognized the symptoms of a long-forgotten affliction that hadn't bothered him for stellar cycles. The confusion of the past with the present and the out-of-control emotions all warned him clearly of the disastrous results last time it happened.
By now the officers around him had broken into disorganized discussions; few of them noticed the Megatron had stiffened in his seat with an agonized expression on his faceplates. Those who did merely assumed that this was their leader's customary way of reacting to ill news, and that he would soon recover.
All except Hook. He shot Oil Slick a panicked look and exchanged a few hurried words with the chemist beside him. Then the other mech quickly produced a medium-sized steel syringe from his subspace.
Megatron saw none of this. He had managed to quell his turmoiled mind for now, so that he stopped seeing what he should have forgotten. Just as he was about to heave a sigh of relief, Straxus addressed him directly out of the murmuring voices,
"So what course of action should we take, Lord Megatron? With the AllSpark gone, we have no means of gaining a quick victory over the Autobots. Are you prepared to make long-term plans now that the war may go on longer?"
It was a wisely asked inquiry that addressed the immediate problem directly. Megatron should have started thinking as soon as he received the news that the AllSpark was lost. However, he had been struggling to contain his composure instead. Why did he suddenly lose control previously at some bad news? It was no different when his officers reported the loss of a city-state or an entire regiment.
Except… it was.
With a rushing sound in his audios, Megatron was plunged helmfirst inside another renewed wave of emotions that seemly did not belong to him along with more disembodied voices.
"Run, Jhiaxus. You know I can't obey Megazarak this time. I can never lift my sword against you."
"No… I would not have his wrath fall upon you because you have defied his orders…"
He once again tried to fight it off. But he can no longer pretend that he did not understand what the voices were saying, his own desperate urgings to the doomed mech to flee and the heavy sorrow that weighed his spark down when he realized that it wasn't possible, that his mentor's hopes of escaping to Praxus with him to start a new life was crushed to powder. It made no difference, for Megazarak would have tracked any mechs who have fled his faction and offline them himself in the most painful way possible.
"Do it. Don't hesitate."
Because he knew Jhiaxus would suffer a thousand times worse under Megazarak. He should have planned better, made better preparations. Then his mentor wouldn't have been caught.
"I will continue to watch over you throughout your life, little protector. Till all are one."
Absolute grief seized him and held him immobile, though it shouldn't have been the reaction to such a loss. The AllSpark… the AllSpark had nothing to do… with Jhiaxus' eventual death… under his own hands… in the end he had wielded his sword, which had never felt so heavy as it did back then, to deliver the quick final blow. It shouldn't have been so easy, to particularly feel a mech's armor part under the razor edge. His mentor shouldn't have offlined so easily just like any other nameless mech he killed…
A choked sound left Megatron's vocalizer as he was overwhelmed by another renewed wave of anguish. However, since he now knew what happened next, something else seemed to simmer into existence, growing in potency as he saw himself gripping his now energon-stained sword and looking down onto a grayed-out frame slumped onto the ground.
The bright glint of crimson optics flashed in a distance. It lasted just long enough for Megatron to see the hint of a satisfied smile behind the muzzled battle mask.
The warlord literally felt the snap, that single frozen nanoklik when all forms of despair vanished and gave way to a dark burning rage that consumed his entire being. He no longer could tell if it was directed at the Autobots for doing such an unthinkable thing, for prolonging the war. Or was it anger at himself for daring to hope that something like this would succeed or how he had given up, allowing his mentor to die so easily? Or was it frustration that the plan his second had devised didn't work after all, even after Megatron had done his best to convince Starscream that this course of action would save them all?
His vision narrowed down until he saw nothing else but the tall mech before him. Then he was rushing forward, his sword raised to cut into the other, wanting for the first time to purposefully hurt and maim and kill…
Megatron howled and lashed out blindly at everything, anything that was within reach in the tormented recesses of his mind. He had to make it stop… make it stop… MAKE IT STOP! This had nothing to do with the present. Nothing to do at all with the loss of the AllSpark. Nothing at all! Just like it had been his fault that got Jhiaxus killed and the lives of anyone who showed kindness to him terminated. It was his fault. It was all his fault. It was all his fault that he lost the war…
That he had hoped too much…
Wanted to be free too soon…
Watched helplessly as mechs died around him…
Expected something more with Starscream, yet knew it will never be…
Caused so many…
Wanted to…
Desired…
Then nothing. The blessed relief of unconsciousness reared up to pull Megatron under, and he remembered nothing more as he succumbed to it.
Starscream was still fuming when he finally flew back to Trypticon. He, like all the other Decepticons, received the Autobots' message and had expressed the same unbelievable shock at it. The Seeker hadn't expected his plan to work, but it still came as a shock that the Autobots actually threw the AllSpark into the unknowns of space. By Primus, it seems like even sacred artifacts could not escape the defilement of war.
He could not help but feel acute disappointment at this. Now the war will continue on to who knows when without a major turning point. Who knows what the Autobots might do next if they even dared to send the AllSpark into uncharted space? Besides, how would Megatron react to the news? He probably had to face his leader and explain the flaws he might have overlooked in his plan.
The Seeker grimaced a little. The warlord's coldness may make this more difficult than it should be. But the cycle when he caught a glimpse of the other's vulnerability came back to him. Now that Starscream thought of it, he realized that Megatron probably put more hope into obtaining the AllSpark than he did.
This won't be good, Starscream decided.
He heard shouting coming down from the command center and paused. What was going on now? Starscream now changed his course to head for the large doors, only to meet a large huddle of all the officers gathered outside staring at it. For some reason all of them bore wounds, some slashes still dripping purple energon and scorch marks. Starscream was even more puzzled. Did he miss a skirmish?
"What is going on here?" He asked loudly.
Most of them jumped, but relaxed somewhat when they saw it was the second-in-command.
"Megatron—" Oil Slick began, but Skystalker cut him off.
"Just don't go in there right now, I'm serious. Just wait for Hook to give the all clear sign… actually I'm not sure what we're all waiting here for. We should be leaving right now. Yes, we all should be leaving…" He said quickly.
Starscream's frown grew deeper. What all clear sign from Hook and about not going in? What was even happening inside the command center, where loud bangs, crashes and furious yelling could be heard?
He headed for the doors, only to be pulled back by a jittery Skystalker. But Starscream had already heard that enraged shouts of an all-too-familiar voice.
"Frag this all to the Pits! Where is that incompetent fool of a Seeker?! I will make him suffer for daring to fail me in such a crucial moment—"
"No no no no no don't go in there. You can't do anything. None of us could do anything when he suddenly just leapt out of his seat and started hacking left and right. He can't tell who's friend or foe anymore and personally I have never seen anyone losing it like this. Just don't go in there. Hook's trying to sedate him." Skystalker gibbered frantically.
Megatron? Lost it? It sounded ridiculous and unlikely to the Seeker, except that he could see the truth in the wounds of the officers around him, in Strika's grimmer-than-usual expression and in Skystalker's uncharacteristic panic. But still, it can't be. Megatron was the least likely mech to lose it, not from the way he so resolutely stood firm when the Decepticons were at the edge of defeat during a battle and even when his own life was in danger. It was true that his moods sometimes became unpredictable, but never did they spin out of control.
Throwing off Skystalker's grip, he pressed a key on the access panel and strode in to the collected officials' protest. Starscream had to see this for himself. It was impossible. Megatron always stayed calm even when he was pinned under tons of solid steel and about to lose a battle—
All doubts vanished when Starscream took in the sight before him. The command center was in ruins, with scorch marks littering the walls and consoles smashed in until they were only piles of scrap. However, the Seeker's attention was drawn to Megatron, who had his swords in both hands and a wild uncontrolled look in his optics. His lips had been drawn back in a feral snarl, his faceplates distorted with rage beyond recognition. Before him crouched a determined Hook with a syringe-resembling device in his hand.
Starscream had no time for any thoughts or reactions, for Megatron lunged forward immediately upon seeing the Seeker. Before he knew it, he was slammed so hard into a wall that his vision went white as pain blasted through his frame. Then Megatron's grip was around Starscream's neck, squeezing tight until he gasped for air.
"About time you show up, you worthless second-in-command. Your punishment is overdue, and I will ensure that you will never fail me again. The AllSpark was lost because of you. Your fault that the war now goes on longer than it should. IT WAS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
Starscream couldn't even comprehend the accusing words as he tried futilely to remove his leader's iron grip. He vaguely recalled Hook attempting to jab the sedative in from behind, but Megatron simply backhanded him away.
The grip grew tighter and Starscream started to choke. He kicked at the larger mech which did nothing either. He was faintly aware of Megatron shouting at him some more as he clawed for air. He was going to lose conscious. He was going to off—
"Stop Megatron! That's the second-in-command he's throttling!" A voice cried out. It was followed by a chorus of others.
"No no no no no! I told him not to come in!"
"Do something now, Lugnut! He is not your beloved leader in any way!"
"Lord Megatron, forgive me for my intervention!" A loud bellowing suddenly cut through the haze of a fading consciousness. There was an extremely loud clang, and Starscream was free. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for a few cycles before looking at what had caused the larger mech to lose his grip.
Lugnut had replaced Megatron's place, his large mace held in one pincer. The warlord lay prostrate on the other side of the command center, now unconscious and unmoving.
Hook was upon him immediately, injecting the sedative into a major energon line. The officers had all poured into the room now, speaking hurriedly among themselves. But Starscream was still frozen in shock as he stared at the unmoving form of Megatron, who had just a cycle ago tried to choke him offline. He can't be the same mech who at first tried to court him and remained so patient with him, yet was haunted by a disturbed past that manifested itself whenever he let down his guard…
Megatron's crimson optics suddenly flickered online, causing everyone, even Hook, to back a few steps away. But he only raised an arm weakly.
Towards the Seeker.
Despite himself, he took a few steps forward until he stood only a few feet away from his leader. Up close, he saw that the wild look in his optics were gone, now replaced by utter despair.
"Starscream, I…" He whispered.
The Seeker was struck to the spark on how sad and regretful Megatron looked, a complete opposite of everything he was. His leader now no longer displayed his pride and regal bearing so long ago. Instead, he looked as if he had lost everything he had ever believed in, and had given up fully on ever hoping once again.
Then Megatron's optics blinked out, and the dull thud of his limp frame collapsing on the ground only served to make the situation even more unreal.
Thanks for reading! I am aware that Jhiaxus is written as a scientist without morals (in the IDW universe, that is) and doesn't appear in the Animated universe. But he is one of the oldest Decepticons, at least that's what I'm aware of (Still rather new to Transformers *shot XD). Please drop a review if you can, for the next few chapters should contain a lot of progression between those two.