Optimusprimus001: UPDATE FRENZY!

Shiori: Somebody's hyper... Am I the only one creeped out about this?

Optimusprimus001: WHOO! Unplanned creepiness!

Shiori: ... Anywho... >>; I Think our author is too hyper to introduce the newest chapter.

Optimusprimus001: No I'm not! HasbroandTakaraownTFandLucasArtsownsHK-47Enjoythenewestchapter!

Shiori: I'll be suprised if they understood a word you said...

Optimusprimus001: Whatever. By the way, the 2nd section is G1 Starscream and the 3rd/4th section is Cybertron Starscream. Enjoy!


10. Revealations

"They aren't in the base anymore," a soft, intimidating voice said quietly. Sixshot turned to face the bot who'd spoken. "They aren't?" he asked. The cloaked transformer shook his head slowly. "Gone..." he whispered, and with that, he straightened, and turned to leave. "And so am I."

Sixshot froze, staring after him. Leaving?What reason could he have to leave already?

"Silvershadow! Wait!" He cried, running after him, all the while wondering at himself why he wanted to go with the mercenary...


"Where could they be...?"

"You're asking me?"

"Shut UP, both of you!"

"Jeez, 'Screamer. You don't have to... hehehe... Scream..."

"I SAID SHUT UP!"

"Owww... What was that for?" Thundercracker whined.

"T.C., just be quiet... Before 'Screamer decides to kill you," Skywarp warned as he continued to look for the escapees.

"..." Starscream looked about ready to kill both of them then and there anyways.

"I didn' do nothin'! I's just havin' som fun..." Thundercracker protested.

"Hey! There they are!" Skywarp shouted, catching sight of the 'future' Starscream he'd seen on the battlefield a few cycles earlier. His brother frowned. "You sure, Skywarp?"

"Positive. That guy was on the battlefield where we got our afts seriously kicked."

"That makes us feel tons better, Sky... Ow!" Thundercracker cried.

"JUST SHUT UP and CATCH him!"

Skywarp and Thundercracker nodded, and rushed forwards, with their Starscream right behind them, toward the ex-Decepticon ahead. Skywarp watched the bot tense, turn towards them, and suddenly found himself looking into those purple-red optics once again. Fire! something in his head yelled at him, filling his senses. Raising his rifle, he targeted the 'future' Starscream and pulled the trigger...

"IDIOT!" the future-Starscream howled at Skywarp, and whirling around, pulled Shiori to the ground, shielding her with his own body. The resulting explosion blinded all of them, and sending the attacking trio staggering. Skywarp sheilded his optics with his hand, and barely managed to make out the figure of the mech they were chasing stand, gather the other bot into his arms, and run down the street away from them...


Reaching the docking bay with Shiori half-conscious in his arms, Starscream ran towards the Klihari just as it started to launch. Suddenly filled with overwhelming emotions, he pushed off the ground, using his jets to try to get them to the shuttle, letting out a cry as he chased after it. The Klihari's ascent slowed slightly in response to his call. With a sudden hope, he put on a burst of speed and reached the now open boarding ramp where Optimus and Hot Shot were. Optimus reached out towards them, and with a quick decision based off of the feeling he had earlier, Starscream pushed Shiori into her brother's arms before attempting to grasp the doorframe himself.

"You aren't going anywhere, Starscream! Even if you ARE from the future!" Skywarp howled behind him, seizing his ankle and pulling with all of his strength. Seconds behind Skywarp, Thundercracker quickly established a similar grip on his other ankle, pulling just as hard. Starscream felt himself beginning to slip, even as Optimus turned back from placing Shiori into Hot Shot's care.

"Starscream! No!" Optimus shouted upon finding that Skywarp and Thundercracker had a grip on Starscream, and tried to catch the seeker's hand with his own. Starscream looked at Shiori. My love, I must go... Not just for everyone here, but for our future as well, he thought, and with one final look at Optimus- he let go.

"NO!" Optimus cried out, and made one last desperate attempt to catch him- but it was too late. Starscream turned towards Skywarp and Thundercracker, snapping out his swords and slashed at Skywarp, cutting into the seeker's chest as all three of them fell away from the Klihari.

"THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR TRYING TO STOP ME!" Starscream roared, spinning around to slash at Thundercracker...


He can't come back with us- he'll be waiting for us when we get back home, Optimus realized as he watched Starscream as he began fighting Skywarp and Thundercracker in the sky below them. Hopefully... He reached out and tapped in the command to close and lock the door-ramp.

"Starscream..." Shiori whispered softly, before throwing herself into Optimus's arms again. Suprised, he was knocked backwards with his back connecting roughly with the wall. Pain seared through his mind, ripping outwards from his scar, making him gasp. Shiori didn't notice- knowing that Starscream was sacrificing himself for her safety was enough to make her cry. And so she cried, because it was all her spark would let her do. Hot Shot shrugged apologetically at Optimus before leaving the room. After the searing pain had subsided, Optimus became aware that she was crying, and gently slid his arms around her to comfort her.

It didn't take very long for him to realize that something different inside Shiori. Instantly he knew what it was, and exactly why Starscream had pushed her into Optimus's arms before trying to get on himself. How could you, Starscream? How could you leave her like this? She loves you... and you left her with this to remember you by? Starscream... I can't believe you would do this to her. It's no wonder she hurts so much by him leaving like this, he thought fiercly, and hugged his sister closer. After a moment, he gazed down at her, relaxing his grip, and tried to decide how he could tell her without causeing her additional grief.

He shouldn't have worried. Shiori looked up at him seconds later with a slightly embarrassed look and saw his undecided expression.

"What's wrong, Optimus?" she asked softly, making an attempt to dry her face.

"Shiori... Why did he do this to you? How could he just... leave you like this?"

"What do you mean?" she said, pulling back slightly with a frown. He placed his hands on her shoulders before answering.

"Shiori," he began, reaching up and brushing away a stray tear from her cheek, "you're with spark."

He watched as her eyes went wide and filled with tears again, realizing she hadn't even known. Optimus knew immediately that the knowledge hadn't taken away the reason to live- it had given her one to keep living. She pushed past his arms and put her head on his chest, crying silently. Again, he slid his arms around her shoulders and hugged her gently. He mentally cursed Starscream, then thanked him for the chance the seeker had given Shiori and the child. Rocking her gently back and forth, he said quietly, "It'll be alright, Shiori. We'll always be there to support you and give you the strength to hold on, with a child or not. It's the least we can do for all of the things you've done for us. For all that you've done, we can never thank you enough."

He gently pulled away and looked down at her questioningly. Shiori nodded, and gathering her composure, she headed towards the main hold where most of the other passengers were. Optimus walked after her, through the hold, and into the bridge of the shuttle, taking his place at the control console to plot their course to the Mrrisst...


Shiori: ... He left me? What in the universe was he THINKING!

Optimusprimus001: Uhm... that he was saving you?

Shiori: Shut up! (breaks down crying) Why did he have to leave me like this...?

Optimusprimus001: (comforts her) It'll get better, don't get too depressed... I promise to update tomorrow so you'll be happy again, Alright?...