Miko sat on the doctor's table, her hands were shaking as they undid the bandages. She didn't dare look anywhere but the ground. The Doctor's were talking, but she couldn't listen. Her mind barely translated the language for her, she looked away. At her good arm, the one with just the shoulder popped out. She hadn't even noticed that he was still talking, the Doctor frowned. He stood in front of her, clearing his throat, "Ms Nakadai?"

She jumped, almost off the table. Her head shot up, she looked at him wide-eyed. He sighed and shook his head, "I'm going to give you some antibiotics, but for now just make sure your scars stay clean and to not let your skin dry out." Miko silently nodded, mouthing a yessir. He frowned, neither realising she said it in her native tongue by accident.

"You may go now." He took a step back, opening the door for her. Miko grabbed her bags and nodded to herself or him, she wasn't sure. She walked out, into a hallway, down into the waiting room and out to the car park.

The big blue jeep was waiting for her. He was technically in the loading bay for ambulances, but he reasoned he counted because he was, A. Delivering a patient and B. Medical staff. While he was a medic, he failed to make the realisation he was a Cybertronian medic and not a human one. The door opened for her, and she just slid in.

There was a minute of silence as his door closed. Breakdown was different by a lot to Bulkhead. Bulkhead was a commercial jeep, he had cupholders and bluetooth radio. The seats were leather and comfy. Breakdown was more of a military jeep. His radio only had an aux cable, no cup holders and his seats were like a smooth plastic and leather mix. Miko wasn't sure what to call it. She also had to actively climb up to get into her seat, luckily his alt mode had a stair for her.

Miko finally spoke, "Are they bad?" His engines revved and he took off, driving down the road.

"... What are bad?" He asked, Miko snorted and shook her head. Shaking her head, she closed her eyes to avoid accidentally seeing them.

"The scars, I haven't looked at them yet." She shrugged. The mech paused, he grunted as he started to drive into the desert.

"Their scars. They're not huge scars, there's quite a few of them, but they're not huge." He kept pausing in between his words.

Miko shifted and nodded, she sighed.

"Are they a bad colour?" She asked. He grunted as he drove over a hole in the ground.

Miko yelped as she was bounced for a moment.

"Er… Not sure. They are pinkish." He muttered. She whined, holding her head in her hands as the groundbridge swirled to life.

She was ready to curl up and cry. Wincing, the light consumed them.

"But they're not bad or ugly or anything." He continued. She paused for a moment, looking at the radio.

"Then why do I feel ugly with them?" She choked out. The groundbridge released them from its vortex, the dark colours of the Nemesis were welcoming. Breakdown came to a halt and Miko didn't wait for him to open the door. She undid her seatbelt and pushed it open herself, jumping down and turning away. Breakdown transformed, kneeling, he looked down at her. He sighed, "Come on kid, it isn't that bad…" He tried to reason. Miko turned away, she just walked to the door.

"Come on…" He began, but just shook his head, "Let's just head back to Lord Megatron." He opened the doors for her. He meant what he said. The scars weren't ugly, he didn't think they were too obvious either. Well, in his opinion. Maybe scars meant something different to humans, maybe they were a bigger deal. He frowned as they walked in silence.

"Have… You seen Bulkhead lately?" She blurted it out. Vehicons marched past, they waved to Breakdown who nodded back to them.

He shrugged and cocked his head as he tried to remember.

"Er, the Wrecker? No. He's not been fighting with those other Bots in a while, must be stuck on cleaning duty or something." Breakdown laughed at the idea. Miko did not.

She just nodded. The halls got quieter and quieter as they walked, until there was no noise anymore. Just the repetitive clanks of Breakdown's feet. After a few more steps, Breakdown stopped walking.

"The door down the hall is Lord Megatron's. I need to head back to Knockout." He took steps back, watching her walk forward.

"See ya Breakdown, I'll be around." She half-joked. He nodded and left. She walked to the door, staring up at the keypad and the massive door. She frowned and pounded her fists against it. The corner of eye caught three of the scars near her wrist and hand. She stopped and stared at them. They looked so large, they were so obvious and looked like they were a glowing bright pink. She moved her arm down, and shook her head.

They were ugly, the scars. She held herself as she stared at the ground. The weight of it felt too much, she closed her eyes. Memories of the cliff filled her head, it filled her with a grief that she couldn't describe or escape.

The memories of trying to take your own life, it would fill any person with emotions that were not too pleasant. A regret and grief of every trying to do it, it made Miko's brain hurt at the possibility that she reached that low. How could she? She was supposed to be this proud and in charge person, a wrecker. Yet she found herself succumbing to those feelings. Emotions that had chased her since her youth. She never felt like herself, like everything she did was a deception to herself. Maybe she was how her parents wanted it to be, maybe she was what she was trying to be… Maybe she was something else entirely. But she was just to dumb and to blind to realize. She always felt off, she was never good with work or studying, and she was never good with those things. She would always be breaking rules, being told she was bad and could never do what people wanted her to do. She was just a disappointment, she always felt like she was a failure. It always felt like that was the only thing she could be, that she would run, and then trip and fall. And when she fell, she would somehow hurt everyone around her. She tried so hard to stand out, and not to drown in the crowds. She had forgotten to make sure she didn't drown in her own thoughts. She did drown… She was still barely swimming. She would run, and then trip and fall… Fall into the sea, and would drown. It felt like whatever and whenever she did, she'd sink lower and lower. She drowned in silence, and no one ever reached out to her. Until someone did.

And that person was Megatron. She had jumped and he had caught her, he stayed with her. Flying her back home, comforting her, getting her blankets and pillows so she could rest in peace. He made her at peace, and it made Miko feel sick. She had been told by the Autobots that he was a horrible person. He was the enemy, a big bad Warlord who destroyed millions. So, anything he cared about, would be the same. Evil and terrible… So did he care about her? Was she as evil as him?

All of these thoughts, all of this piled up on top of her. The emotions, the thoughts, the rumours and accusations. Now the scars too… These ugly scars, just a momentum to how stupid she was. She felt even more useless, she gripped her head.

Why was it always her? Everything happened to her, at this point… She had to believe it was her fault, that she deserved it.

The memories of the cliff made her feel sick, made her full of regret. She couldn't decide what she regretted, doing it or… Failing to go through with it. It would have never gotten this bad, she wouldn't have hurt as many as she did now. She gripped her arms, nails digging into it. She was just an idiot. She choked out a sob, she felt like was drowning again. She should have never followed Arcee, should have never gone to that energon mine.

Miko sobbed and gripped her arms tighter, nails digging in deep. She yelled in shock as the door slid open, she looked up at Megatron. He frowned as he examined her, tutting her knelt down. She moved back, staring at him wide eyed. He cupped his claws around her, scooping her up. She cried out, as he lifted her up. Her head felt so light. His palm laid flat as she sat on it. Why did he bother with her? Why did he care? Did he care?

"M-Megatron?" She choked. He walked into his room, locking the door behind it. He sat down at his desk, but didn't set her down. Instead he held his hand and her against his chest, beside the Decepticon insignia.

"What happened?" He grunted, His voice stern and quiet. Miko looked up, a little alarmed as she held her arms.

"I- I… Megatron... Er... It's hard to explain... I just..." She looked down, she didn't want to look into his eyes. She knew she may unravel again. She just stayed silent, the Warlord grunted and nudged her with his other hand's index.

"Speak to me." He ordered. She looked up, her eye's wide. He could see they were bloodshot from crying. He frowned, he examined her closely. She shook her head and sighed, "I don't know… I don't want to talk about it. I just don't feel good." She shrugged and held her arms. Megatron with his free hand, gently nudged the arms away from each other. Blood came out, it had stained her nails. She looked down, and now saw her scars on the forearm. There were so many, on her forearm alone there were about twenty. She just stared at them. His order rang through her ears. Should she speak to him about her thoughts? About her drowning?

He had already seen her at her worst, literally saving her from killing herself. She was in his private quarters, she was in his warship. It wasn't like she could just leave! He had been nice to her, and understanding so far. Miko took a deep breath and stepped out of her comfort zone.

"... I feel so ugly…" She admitted. She turned her face up. His optics had widened, his mouth slightly open as he shook his head.

"And where has this idea come from?" He snapped. Miko flinched.

"I- I don't know. Back home… The beauty standards were so high… And it's hard… And even now I… It weighs down on you… I want to be me," She took a deep breath, "But now I just feel like some kind of ugly, traitorous bitch." She spat it out. It made her heart shatter as she admitted what she had been hiding from herself for so long. Megatron snarled, she became stiff. His growl was of pure anger, she had seen him do it once or twice. Usually when Starscream was involved or when the Autobots would take an energon mine. She didn't know what it meant now. Was he mad at her? Did he see her stupid?

"Miko…" He lifted her up, she stared into his bright red eyes, "I shall not have you speak of yourself in that way, am I understood?" He snarled. Miko nodded, her words were stolen from her. His voice shook into her bones and held her captive. The volume alone would have gotten her attention, but now he had her captive.

"Good." He snapped. She was moved away, she frowned at him.

"Miko. You are not ugly, never mistake that. Your scars do not decide your beauty, and you are a beautiful young girl." His voice rumbled. Miko froze. That was the last thing… The words hit her like a truck. Well, maybe 'like a Cybertronian jet', was a more appropriate analogy for him. Humans… Weren't they disgusting to Cybertronians? She couldn't help but smile as she wiped her face. Megatron hummed as she watched.

"Do not be disheartened at the idea that you are a 'traitor', those Autobot's were fools who did not appreciate you. Your choice was for your health, and your health comes first." He hummed. Miko nodded, "Got it." That was one way of looking at it.

That the Autobots were harmful to her, that her leaving was good for her. Was it? Well, she did get to meet the 'Cons. She got to meet Megatron, she looked back at her sleeping quarters. She smiled. Her own space, the first time she really had one. She looked at him.

"And for the last part of your statement… 'Bitch' was it? A human term?" He set her down, Miko nodded.

"Yeah- It's erm… I don't know where it comes from." She admitted. She had heard it being used a lot in pop culture and her host father screamed it alot. Megatron nodded.

"Use it again to describe yourself and I will throw you off the Nemesis." He looked back at his computer screen. Miko turned and stared. She realised he was dead serious.

"Yessir." She looked at her arms, they were still bleeding. She went over to her small corner. Grabbing a box Soundwave had given her. She flipped it open, bandages, ice packs, band aids, disinfectants and some hygiene products for that time of the month. She frowned at those, she was here for only two weeks yet he had packed enough for a year's worth.

She grabbed the disinfectant wipes. Gritting her teeth as she started to clean the wounds.

"Ow… Ow… Owie." She grunted. She processed what the mech said, smiling a little. His words of encouragement and the way he waved away her thoughts in concern. Her leap of faith in confiding in him had paid off. She nodded, confirming to herself he was someone she could confide in then.

Once she was done cleaning the wounds, she grabbed some of the band aids. The small, little circle ones should do. She placed them each on the four, small cuts on each arm.

She shook her arms, trying to get all the pain out. She walked back to the desk edge, rubbing her hands together. She took the chance and looked at her arm. There were so many scars, up and down, at uneven angles and different lengths. She frowned as she looked up at him.

"Hey, Megs?" She called. He glanced down at her, "So! Ya know how Soundwave can hack into anything and put a Groundbridge anywhere?" She gestured to the corner. Megatron nodded.

"I realise, I also realise your scheming." He turned to look at her. Miko snickered as she crossed her legs, hands holding each other behind her back as she tilted her head. She rubbed the toe of her shoe.

"So…If I gave him a list… Could he… Hack into a clothing shop and get me some near gear!?" She smiled. The Warlord sat back, frowning.

"I am not wasting his time with changing your wardrobe." He growled. She frowned and crossed her arms, sitting down.

"Come on! Shouldn't I get a brand-spanking-new Decepticon outfit!" She frowned, "And I don't think my current stuff is going to be good for wear and tear." She looked at her shirt, an old Slash Monkey shirt. Megatron paused, he sat back.

"You intend to be in the field?'' He remembered their previous conversations, "Mh… Very well, I will send for Soundwave in the morning and you can go over it with him, personally." He added. She froze.

"Personally? Wait, you're going to leave me alone with him!?" She shouted. The freaky silent mech, with her, alone!?

"Soundwave is my most trustworthy commander, you will be safe with him." He tutted. She frowned. Unsure of the mech's words, she grabbed her guitar and sat beside him. She sighed as she strummed. He looked at her.

"That is the opening to brother's virtue, is it not?" He smirked as he watched her reaction to what he said. First the strumming slowed and then stopped. The guitar's head fell a little away from its original resting place. Her hand fell and her head turned. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him.

"You…. Have you actually listened to their album? You've been listening to Slash Monkey?" She blurted. She knelt up a little. He chortled as he sat back.

"Correction, brother's virtue is not on that album." He gestured to the vinyl. Miko then shot up. A double surprise, one that he had bothered to remember which song went with what album and second that he had corrected her of all people.

"Aah! You're right!" He held her head in her hands, "It's on Fallen Angel's covenant!" She laughed as she leaned back.

"Holy shit… Lord Megatron is actually listening to human music… Wait, I never gave you the FAC album, how did..?" She stared at him like she had just uncovered his greatest secret.

"I have access to the same information that you do, as well as music storage sites." He gestured to his computer. Miko nodded.

"So what? Itunes or Spotify?"

"We Decepticon's do not need to use you humans pathetic websites, we have our own digital libraries!"

"... Dude. There's nothing wrong with listening to music on a… Site made for music." She grabbed her phone, a small crack laid on the top corner of the screen.

"This piece of junk can't run it, but my computer can." She smiled as she went to the download app and showed him the array of music it contained.

"Spotify is supposed to be good, it's a newer app." She groaned, "But my parents would never get me a new phone. I have to prove I can take care of this one…" She set it down, closing the flip phone.

"Which has kinda flopped seeing how you guys have put cracks in the screen."

Megatron scoffed at the last remark. Miko shifted the way she sat, no matter how much she talked and tried to joke. The feeling would not leave her chest, that sadness and horrid feeling. It was like an infection, an illness. She frowned as she held the chest of her shirt, the fabric scrunched up and her knuckles turned pale. She looked back down at the guitar, but she had no interest in playing. She just sat there, she felt weighted down. Her limbs were heavy and so was her torso. She closed her eyes and tried not to think or hurt. Why did she feel so bad? Why couldn't she just be happy?

"I suppose you'd like to go on a flight?" Megatron's voice hummed. Miko paused as she opened her eyes, she shook her head, "No thanks." The Megatron grunted and leaned over to look at her.

"You're still feeling unwell?" It was a rhetorical question, "You hardly expect you sitting there and stewing over it will help." She shrugged, he picked her up and stood. Miko yelped as she held onto his middle claw. He put her on his shoulder. She frowned, "Where are you taking me?" She curled up. He, as gently as he could, picked up the guitar and handed it to her.

"You wished to see me in combat, did you not?" He started his walk, coming out of the room and down the hall in a different direction.

She jumped up, holding her guitar.

"Yeah! Wait- Where are we going!?" She looked around, Megatron nodded and turned down the hall.

"To the training hall, I have not used it in a while." He pressed his claw to his ear, "Soundwave! Meet me at the training hall, west wing of the ship." He smirked as Soundwave seemed to answer. He looked at Miko, her eyes were so wide and bright… He could have mistaken it for starlight.

Her cheeks were going pink from the strain of her smiling and she was bouncing from foot to foot.

"So! Like… Is Soundwave a good fighter too?" She tilted her head. She paused as she noticed Megatron seemed to be walking quicker now.

Miko held onto the spikes as she bounced.

"He was ranked second, I was number one. The best Gladiator of the Pits of Kaon." He pressed his hand against his chest, grinning with pride.

Miko laughed as she looked at him.

"Wait, seriously!? You were a gladiator!?" She slid down to look at him. He smirked and turned to face her, nodding. He had this almost childish pride and joy about him. Miko paused as she saw Soundwave walking to them. She yelled as Megatron sped up, he was in a fast march towards the silent mech. Miko was bounced up and down in quite the violent manner. She giggled as she waved to Soundwave. The mech just watched them, neither slowing down or speeding up. He just walked calmly and steady.

"Heya dude!" She yelped as Megatron came to a sudden halt. The third in command stopped walking, the two meeting just at the entrance.

Soundwave was just a little shorter than his master, but he had a presence about him that made even the titan's plating shudder.

Megatron smirked, "It has been a while since our last match Soundwave, I hope you have not gone rusty in your time at your terminals." The doors hissed open, Miko stared as she saw a massive metal room. There were six metal dummies, hanging off of the wall. There were three others propped up on their stands, down the room.

There were closets and cases full of weapons. There was an off room, with a console inside of it. Miko smiled as Megatron scooped her up, "So I'm basically watching the biggest match-up of all time!" She was set on top of the wall cases. A safe distance from the two battling. Soundwave grabbed what looked like a massive chalk stick and drew a perfect circle in the middle of the room.

"Me and Soundwave would make your human fighters squeal and run if they saw us fight." Megatron walked to one end of the circle. He started to stretch, bending his arm behind his head and placing his other hand on the elbow. He did this and then did it with the other arm.

She smiled as she watched, he was huge, his armour was jagged and didn't hide his body much. It was shaped to his form, and so Miko could fully marvel at his body. He would be muscular if he was a human, a huge man of muscles and strength. Soundwave just flexed his hands and knuckles as he waited for Megatron. She had to wonder, what did Soundwave fight like? He wasn't stretching so maybe he wasn't as physical as Megatron. She paused, sitting forward as she examined him.

He had bowed legs, his legs were like that of a centaur or something like that. His thighs stuck forward, then his calves slowly bent back towards the body. His arms were just two long panels with his palms barely stuck out. Like sleeves too long for his arms. They were both impressive physically. Megatron was this large goliath, plain metal titan. He was tall, very tall, taller than Optimus. Yet he wasn't something eye-catching, yes his height and his armour was imposing, but colours? He held blank armour with just subtle purple additions. While Soundwave was much more striking in that sense. His dark, matte black armour was carefully painted. It didn't reflect much light. Along his arms, legs, chest there were bright, glowing purple lines. It had a real Cyberpunk vibe, Miko thought. He was smaller than Megatron, probably by two metres. He was thin, almost like a toothpick, yet at certain parts of his body, his body almost expanded and rounded out. His visor was almost v-shaped, with two large blocks on his cheeks. Miko guessed they were vents. On the top, he had two large horns on his face, they were flat and sat on top of his forehead, they were a dark purple with the glowing purple lining them. There were two smaller silver tongues in between them.

Megatron's helm was even different. His helm was flat on top, and it curved down beside his cheeks and chins into a tusk like structure. It wasn't fancy, perhaps it was for a more practical use. Then again, if they were placed on their heads… What did Megatron have underneath? Did he have anything underneath? She doubted it.

She jumped as his blade slid out, Soundwave changed positions. They were ready, Miko laughed, "Go get him Megatron!" She shouted, Megatron smirked and charged. His arm raised high, he was quick to slam the blade down. Soundwave spun on his heel, spinning himself behind Megatron. The warlord turned, but was struck in the side. He grunted as he fell back. Soundwave uncurled his fist and went back to his neutral state. Megatron caught himself, sliding on his knees. He dug his claws into the ground. He came to a halt just before his foot touched the chalk line. He growled and charged again, he swung down to Soundwave's neck. Miko gasped as Soundwave just caught his arm, blocking him with the back of his palm. He did it again when Megatron tried to punch him with the other arm. The Warlord grunted and headbutted him, she watched sparks go flying from the friction. Miko laughed, screaming and cheering on Megatron.

Soundwave skidded back, never falling back, just sliding. He placed a hand on his screen, Megatron took the chance and charged once again, he hit Soundwave in the stomach, the mech flew up and fell on to his back. Megatron smirked.

"And that is why I am the Champion of the Pits of Kaon-" Two tendrils shot out of Soundwave's back and wrapped around Megatron's ankles. Tying them together, he fell forward. Megatron grunted and looked up at Soundwave who was now kneeling.

"You little…" He yelled as he was lifted up by his ankles. He dangled there for a moment, he tried to do a handstand to balance himself. Instead he was slammed into the ground back first, once twice… Three times, after the second one he started to cry out in pain. Miko winced as he laid there for a moment. Soundwave walked over, releasing Megatron's ankles. Who roared and grabbed him by the leg and slammed him down beside him. Megatron quickly knelt back up and punched Soundwave in the stomach. Miko paused… His chest was bare, Megatron looked up as side was pelted by laser bullets. Soundwave's drone circled the fight, shooting Megatron.

He roared as he held up his arm to block the bullets from his faceplate. Soundwave took this chance and swung himself upwards and away from Megatron. He retracted the tendrils. He looked at Miko and titled his head. Megatron growled as he rolled, going behind Soundwave. The mech turned, but was body slammed by the other. They both fell to the floor. Miko winced as she watched them roll around for what felt like an hour.

Finally they broke away, Megatron panted as he knelt there for a moment. Soundwave stood back up, his drone reconnected to his chest. They charged at each other and started to punch and block. Soundwave was so swift, graceful even. He would duck and twirl around Megatron, taking pot shots at his back and sides. Megatron turned, and started to fire his cannon. Soundwave moved away, giving him space. Megatron swung his leg out, catching Soundwave.

"Go! Meagtron! Go!" Miko screamed and shouted. She was jumping up and down, making the platform she was on rattle.

Soundwave skidded to the ground, Megatron charged at him. He brought his sword down, tendrils wrapped around it and it became a tug of war. He snarled, and his cannon shot twice. The tentacles withered and retracted, Megatron punched him once again and Soundwave seemed to go limp. He took deep breaths and stood, he smirked and walked over to Miko.

"And that is why! I, Megatron! Was, and still am! The champion! Of the Pits! Of Kaon!" He roared with triumph. Miko laughed, clapping and applauding.

Then the silent mech rose.

Megatron turned, but was punched in the face by his fist and six tentacles at once. He went flying into the wall beside Miko. She yelped as she almost fell forward. She held onto the edge of the case. She paused as a tendril moved to stand under her. She fell on to it, she looked back at Soundwave.

"And that is why I- I -I am the Pits- The champion of the- Pits- P-Pits of K-K-K-K Kaon." Megatron's voice came out of Soundwave, warped and glitched out.

"Woah! Megatron the remix!" She laughed. She was set down beside Megatron who sat there, slumped. She paused as she walked over. He looked down at her and groaned.

"You okay dude?" She climbed onto his leg, he looked at her. He frowned as he reached down, his index claw petting the top of her head.

"My body will recover… My pride on the other hand…" He chuckled as he kept petting her. Miko giggled, she pulled her hair band out. The pets made her hair go all messy, roughing it up. She giggled and took a step back, she tied up her hair again.

Soundwave approached, he set an energon cube down for Megatron. The warlord nodded, "Thank you Soundwave." He refuelled greedily, "I shall guess you're not going to refuel with me today?" The question made Miko look at them both confused. Soundwave looked at her, and then shook his head. He left them, the training room was now just the two of them. Miko laid back against Megatron's armour.

"So! That was awesome! Like! So awesome, watching you fight was awesome!" She laughed, fist bumping the air. Megatron chuckled as he set the half-finished energon cube down.

"I am glad it has raised your spirits. It reminds me of my youthful days…" He smirked as he remembered.

Miko turned to look at him.

"What were they like!?" She jumped up and down, "You must have been pretty epic! I mean your epic now that you're old… But like, when you were younger…" She laughed. He paused and looked at her, "I am not that old for a Cybertronian." He poked her back, she smiled as she fell forward.

"Wait… How old are you?" Megatron sat back, scratching his chin as he pondered the question, "I have almost stopped counting…"

He tapped his claws against his helmet as he did the maths, "Well, this war has been fought over about ten millennium…. Which means I was 26,000 years old when it started… We Cybertronians age every 1,000 years." He muttered as he calculated, Miko gave a shout. She stared at him, "You're only… 36!" She shouted. Her voice filled the empty room, he winced as he nodded.

"If I was a human, yes." Miko looked like she was ready to faint. She had pictured him being like… 54 in human years. Not 36… Shit, he was only what? 21 years her senior then if she was a Cybertronian.

He chuckled as he sat back, he took more some energon.

"And you are…?" He tilted his head.

"15, 16 in April." She tilted her head, "Fifteenth of April." She remembered She frowned, she hadn't realised her birthday was that close.

"It'll be the first time since I arrived in America I will be celebrating it." She sat back, it was a daunting idea actually.

She had celebrated Christmas alone and now she was going to spend her sweet sixteen alone.

"Birthdays are quite large celebrations for you humans, yes?" He stood, a little shaky, but he helped her up onto his shoulder. He sighed and held the wall, he frowned as his legs were shaking.

"Ye-Yeah. Are they not for you guys?" She stuttered as she wobbled with him.

Megatron pushed himself up, he stood on his own and now walked to the exit.

"Depends, in Kaon, not so much… We had no time for celebrations, for Seekers in Vos it was a massive celebration. We only celebrate our creation days once every thousand years, so it is considered a very big deal." They walked out of the training room, but did not travel back to his room.

"Huh, yeah. I guess celebrating it each year is stupid to you guys. But yeah, sixteen is considered a big deal. It's kinda like when you finally become an adult." She strummed her guitar, she smiled as she played. Megatron watched her with a soft smirk, Miko hummed as she played.

"Is that any particular song?" He didn't recognize it. She stopped playing for a moment, she frowned and shook her head.

"No, I… I try to write my own stuff sometimes." She replayed it, "I haven't figured out the lyrics yet." She replayed the same part, over and over again.

Megatron nodded, she hummed as she played. Her voice was light, melodic, that of a lullaby. He listened to her, letting the sound fill the halls.

"I should assume you feel better now?" He looked over at her, Miko nodded.

"Yeah, thanks dude." She patted the side of his helm.

.

.

.

Raf laughed as the car zoomed past Bumblebee's foot, the Bot beeped in delight as the human chased after it. Ratchet glanced behind him as he watched. Rafael zoomed past his feet as he ran after his remote control car.

"Careful Bulkhead!" He shouted, the wrecker paused and stopped walking to watch. Raf ran in between his legs and finally came to a stop just in front of the Groundbridge. He laughed as he scooped up the toy car.

"What was my time!?"

"4 seconds less than last time!" Bee cheered, Raf smiled as he ran up the stairs.

"Nice! Soon I'll be able to get around the base in half a minute!" He leaned over, the railing. They both paused as a sensor went off, Ratchet grunted, "Jack… Your mother is here again." Ratchet turned off the alarm and opened the door for her, the boy's watched the old car coming in. She parked very suddenly and shut the engine off. Raf smiled as June walked in, "Hi kids!" She smiled as she climbed the stairs.

"Hey mom…" Jack sighed, he looked down at his feet as his mother scruffed up his hair. She turned to Raf, "Hello Rafael."

"Hi Mrs Darby!" He bowed his head to her. She smiled as she looked around, greeting the Autobots. She sat down on the couch, and Raf joined her.

"So!? What are we doing today?" She clapped her hands, Optimus walked forward, he seemed to have a soft spot for the nurse. Bulkhead transformed and drove off, Arcee was already gone. June frowned as she watched, so did Raf. Bulkhead had stopped saying goodbye.

"Arcee and Bulkhead are on scouting missions. But for now, the day shall be quiet." He tilted his head with a soft smile. Jack tutted, he knew what they were scouting for. June nodded, "I'm sure it'll be pleasant as long as you're here." She gestured to the Prime. He seemed to be taken aback by the compliment. Jack looked at his phone, sighing, he looked at Optimus.

"Are they seriously still looking for Miko?" He looked back at Optimus, June paused and looked at Rafael with a quirked eyebrow. He just shook his head quietly and looked at the ground. Optimus stood a little straighter.

"They are. Miko is in danger as long as she is with the Decepticons!" Optimus stood his ground, Jack held his head in his hands, "But what's the point if she doesn't want to be found!?"

Ratchet and Optimus both seem to freeze at this idea, Optimus was the less obvious of the two.

"Jack, what are you all going on about?" June crossed her arms, standing as she eyed her son. Jack moved back, he frowned as he crossed his own arms.

Apparently an inherited expression.

"When M.E.C.H took… Us… We er… Talked. Me, Silas and Airachnid talked." He choked the last part out, it sounded wrong. So, very wrong. Optimus's optics widened every so slightly, his smile was lost and was now the usual displeased frown.

"And what did Airachnid and Silas tell you?" He had come to realise his mistake after the fact Miko was a captive of the Decepticon's when they rescued Breakdown.

Jack bit his lip, chewing it as he recounted that night.

"Airachnid said… Well, apparently the Decepticon… 'Chat rooms or whatever', are all talking about her, and calling her Megatron's pet," He stopped talking for a moment to take a deep breath, "Apparently she was the reason the 'Cons were even there, she called Megatron." He looked at Optimus. Who nodded, "And what does that mean to you?"

"It means Miko somehow had the King Cons number.. And apparently she just rides around on his shoulder all around the Nemesis." He choked the last part out, it sounded absurd to him. Optimus took a deep breath.

He closed his optics, Ratchet was staring open-mouthed. He looked between the two, June was trying to grasp what any of this meant. Raf held his breath. He looked at Bee, who was staring back at him. The two had not mentioned that they already knew Miko had Megatron's number, they knew the team would freak out. The two just decided to back away and keep their heads down. June glanced at Raf as he did this, but her concentration was on Jack.

"I'm sorry, but who are these people? Megatron and Miko?" She sadly knew who Silas and Airachnid were, but the other two? She thought Miko was her son's friend, I mean, she had been at their house quite a few times.

"Jack. If you brought someone dangerous into our home." June frowned. Jack turned, a look of offence crossed his face, "No! She is't… But, eh, it's hard to explain."

Optimus cleared his throat, the others turned. Jack's expression fell, Optimus… He actually looked upset? Did he upset Optimus? The Prime clenched and unclenched his fists. He did this a few times, perhaps calming himself before speaking? Jack felt a fear in himself, that he had not felt in the presence of the prime before. It was such a strange feeling, being afraid of him.

"Jack… Stop." He snapped, well. Snapped as much as his soft tone could snap. Jack straightened up, he nodded.

"June… Miko was," Optimus took a deep breath and June walked to the platform near him, "Miko is a companion of ours, she is Bulkhead's charge, he was her protector. But, before you arrived. There was a falling out."

June nodded, "And why was that? If you don't mind me asking." She looked at Jack. If one of the other humans left, she wanted to know she didn't have to take Jack away.

"Miko overheard a conversation that the others had, which compared her to Megatron and she got upset… Megatron himself somehow learned of this and is using this to his advantage, trying to lure Miko to join the Decepticons." June paused, she had only met Miko a handful of she was at the house. She didn't see anything obviously wrong with Miko.

"And who is this Megatron?"

"The leader of the Decepticons. I will admit myself, Miko does share some qualities. Mostly his brashness and eagerness for battle." Optimus closed his optics. June nodded as she sighed, "Okay then. If I see her around town, I'll tell you." June offered, Optimus's smile returned.

"Thank Nurse Darby, that would mean a lot." He turned back to Jack, "And for what the Decepticon's claim, their word is the last to be trusted here. Especially the likes of Airachnid. I expect you to realise that, but if any part of their claims are true, then it is just a sign of how far Miko has been manipulated." Jack looked down and nodded. Maybe he was being mean, Miko was just being manipulated by the 'Cons. He rubbed his arm and nodded.

"I understand, I'm sorry Optimus." He sat back on the couch, Optimus nodded. Without another word, he went over to Ratchet. The medic glanced over his shoulder at his old friend.

"Do you really believe what you say?" The doctor asked in a quiet, hushed tone. Optimus nodded.

"I believe we can bring Miko back to our side, I have faith in her senses."

.

.

.

He groaned, he had slept funny on his arm again. He scratched the underside of his helm, where it connected with his neck. He shuddered, his sharp claws against his soft neck cables sent shivers down his spine. He had to remember to be careful, he could slit his own throat after all.

It was an odd enlightening feeling, a reminder of how fragile he was no matter how many died trying to slaughter him. Oooh, how weak they were all. He opened his optics, the dark red light softly touched his nearest surroundings. He rolled onto his side, rubbing the pads of his claws against his cheeks. He moved the other arm, making the energon flow through it once again. His armour stood on its stand as he threw himself to sit up. He groaned as his wires and joints creaked and his fans whirred. His systems were waking up a few moments after each other. He was getting slower and slower each day waking up, it was almost scary, but he pushed it to the back of his processor. He stood, his pedes creaked and he went to the armour stand. He ran his claws against the chest plate. He looked at the door, where his office waited.

He quickly changed into his armour, sliding his cannon and blade on to connect them to his arm. Sliding his hands around his helmet, adjusting his helm. He nodded to himself and walked outwards. His office was dark, and empty. Bar this one little corner. It was full of clutter. Musical items, guitar, disks and clothes. He bowed his head, tilting it to the side as he walked to her, his arms crossed behind his back. He hummed softly as she slept. Her mattress was pressed to the corner of her small platform. She was in a vest and some of the saggiest cloth he had seen, for trousers and had the blanket only half covering her body, one leg and arm were stuck out like a star. He walked over to the refrigerated energon storage unit. Some called it a Resu, but he never bothered with that nickname. He grabbed an energon cube from it. He stuck a claw into it, digging some of the jelly-like substance out. He stuck it into his maw, his ventilation seemed to go softer.

Fresh, cold, jelly energon, a luxury he never had when he was younger. He set the cube down beside the desk. He glanced at the clock.

6:38 pm, he was thirty eight minutes later than he normally was. Well, he now had forty eight earth hours until his next recharge. Humans, tsk, so weak. They had to sleep after what? Only twelve hours of activity, how stupid.

He cringed slightly… She wasn't stupid. He glanced at her, she was not stupid. Yet, she was fragile. She was a fragile little human.

Yet she was resilient, he looked at her scars. Very resilient, she had survived much. So had he, and that was the connecting force of them. Two found kinship in a hard and rough life, while the hardship came from two different ways. He had Soundwave do some research about her family, he shook his head and pushed it to the back of his processor.

He leaned over to her, and gently pinched the blanket, pulling it over her fully. He nodded and went back to switching his terminal on. He was accustomed to his hardship, he was a Warlord. Anyone else was under him, it was the way he had to be. If he let people close, his facade would fall and he would gain a weakness. He was alone, even though he was surrounded by a thousand mechs.

Knockout had Breakdown… Laserbeak had Soundwave… He had himself. He was happy like that, he would occupy himself. With ordering around others, with training and fighting. With overviewing reports and his army's work. It kept his mind busy and kept away the doubts that would chew away at him.

He abandoned hobbies he once lavished in, it was all for his army, for his cause and the war effort. They were a long way from Cybertron, he was a long way from his quiet apartment where they had drafted the first plans of revolution. His optics closed as the computer started to hum to life.

He was not young anymore, he was 36,000 now. Not 19,000 anymore. He felt his age sometimes, he felt his burnout. But he kept going, he needed to keep going. His burnout was a last thought, his objective is what came to his mind first. If he was to die, his empire, his legacy would be in Starscream's, snivelling little claws. That idea irked him to no end and it was one of the reasons he continued. He did not want all he fought for and all he believed to be in the Seeker's care. Starscream's morals and loyalties were flimsy, unsteady and untrustworthy. He needed a stronger willed heir. He looked at Miko. No, not her. She was only human and too young, while she whined about it. He knew her schooling was important to her growth and he'd not outwardly rip her out of that. It was a chance he had pined for when he was younger. The chance to go to school.

He remembered when he first learnt that the Autobot's had human pets, he had learnt it when he was stuck in the Scouts head.

The small one, the one who held the scout dear, seemed technologically gifted. The older one, Jack he believed, acted mature and was the Prime's favourite. Then there was her, she had been playing loud music and marching around in quite the hyper attitude. He had belittled the Autobots in his head and in the company of Soundwave. For falling so far as to adopt some natives, inferior natives. Very young ones too, like when humans adopted puppies or kittens. They had never done this with any other species on a planet they landed on. It was a strange move. 'Humans pet', that was what the others called them, 'Autobot pets' was the other.

He thought it ridiculous, but then the Autobots started to fight with an extra bite. They were vicious even, and the Decepticons soon realised why. The human factor. They thought for their place on this planet harder, because now they had a personal connection to the planet. Their pets gave them more fight and even helped them a handful of times.

Yet now he had a human, so would he benefit from the factor now? He found he already was, his burnout felt less and less… He now had audio entertainment to hold him down while working, in the form of her music as well as music he found. He chuckled to himself, he now had a human pet. He kept it on his desk and fed it, he looked at her again. She had rolled onto her side, her blanket was thrown away from her body. She brought him good company, he was content with having her. She gave him a reason for ditching his desk midway through the day, for him to stretch his legs and fly. He hummed as he remembered the fight with him and Soundwave, it had been an aeon since they had duelled last. He forgot how much he loved it, and to think. He would have never done it without her pushing him to her, even her cheering brought him back to the old days.

He now had a human pet, and it was an oddly delightful experience. He wondered if this was the real human factor. This revival of self, the push the humans brought, the encouragement and entertainment they brought. The human factor, not a military boost, rather moral.

He looked at Miko, his own human pet. He gently hooked the blanket in his index claw. For a moment, he considered waking her. This was a military setting and so she'd have to wake up on time. Yet, she was not military. She was a human pet, and so perhaps… He should pamper her like one, it only seemed fit. He chortled to himself. With him pampering her, her swaying to their side would be easier for them. The Autobots were already scrambling from losing her, desperately trying to get her back. Their morals would fall, and the Decepticon's morals would rise, and he would gain a little pet. His pet, his own little human.

He tried not to get attached, but he found it hard not too. There was something oddly familiar about her. Her cheers for him during the fight, her dedication to her music and art, he found it all oddly adoring.

He pushed the blanket over her. She nuzzled into her pillow, her hair half covered her face, a full chuckle escaped him as he moved it away from her nose and mouth. His claw lingered, just above her. He knew the humans and Autobots had nicknames for him, buckethead, King Con and even on Miko's phone, he was aware he was a picture of a shark and then a bucket. She had a nickname for Soundwave, for Knockout, for Breakdown, she obviously gave nicknames to anyone she held affections for. Perhaps if he partook in said 'name games', it'd help with her recruitment, to give her a nickname of her own… A pet name, he supposed. Yet his mind drew a blank to any clever one. Best to stick to something simple, then it clicked. He smirked to himself as he purred.

"Pet."