CHAPTER ONE

XXX

Jack could not focus.

Even as his pencil tapped against his notebook, it was difficult to look at the equations on the board and make any sense of them. He did not get even a day of school off after the possible "end of the world" (aka, Unicron waking up), which he thought was absolutely ridiculous.

The entire Autobot team was coping with the fact they had lost Optimus, the Prime having reverted back to his Orion Pax persona and disappearing with Megatron. According to Ratchet, the key which was now in Jack's pocket was the Key to Vector Sigma, their only hope of re-obtaining the Wisdom of the Primes and restoring Optimus' memories. But the biggest issue was their lack of a Spacebridge - and the fact they had no idea where Vector Sigma was.

Ratchet was currently coming up with various methods for developing such a giant piece of machinery. He had the basics, a Groundbridge, but Spacebridge technology was still relatively new; because of that, building one from scratch was far from an easy task.

Just thinking of how easily Megatron had abducted Optimus made Jack's blood boil. He had taken advantage of a previous friendship for his own gains, and nothing seemed less fair to Jack. Primus only knew what lies were being fed to Orion, and if he believed them . . .

What would happen then?

Would Orion Pax be on the battlefield? Would be fight his own friends?

Ratchet was confident Optimus' spark was truly an Autobot's, but that did not stop Jack from worrying.

The final bell violently jolted him from his thoughts, realizing he had totally missed what homework was assigned for the night. He decided he could ask one of his classmates, packing up and heading to his locker to put things away and take home what homework he had.

Before he could exit the doors a hand reached out and gripped his wrist, yanking him towards the wall. With a yelp he tightened his grip on his books, half afraid they would be knocked out of his hands.

"Miko!" He hissed as soon as he spotted the pigtails. "What are you doing?!"

"Dude, did you not look?" She thrust a pointed finger out the door. "There's a 'con out there!"

A 'con? He followed her finger in alarm, and sure enough, parked next to Arcee was a screaming red Aston Martin. Several students were stopping to admire it, peering into its tinted windows to try and get a look at the driver. One even dared to touch it, Jack cringing as he recognized the egocentric medic, who if he had it his way would cut off the greasy hands feeling him up.

"Oh scrap," his blood ran cold. "How did he get here?!"

"I don't know. You think Optimus squealed on the base's location?" Miko wondered.

"He lost his memories. How would he be able to do that?" Jack shot back, on edge and not really caring that they were having this conversation in public. It was so bizzare, and it made him wonder just how the Decepticons found them. There was no way, unless -

He paused. Did Megatron actually know his name? Probably not, but -

"Raf," he smacked his forehead. "I said his name right in front of Megatron! Soundwave could have easily matched his face then found out everything about him."

"The Raf-man is still at home," Miko pointed out. "Why didn't the 'cons just go to his house if they know everything?"

She brought up a good point, Jack staring at the car in terror.

Descendant.

Descendant of what? He had asked Ratchet what that meant, but the medic claimed he had no clue and sounded genuine about it. He knew he should have just forgotten about it after Optimus made a compelling case that Megatron was trying to get in his head, but it was nearly impossible. Something about it just resonated in a way that convinced him the Decepticon was telling the truth. It was becoming increasingly frustrating how he was in the dark, and nobody had any answers. Now, a Decepticon was likely after him.

"We can't just sit here forever," he said, looking at Miko. "You find Bulkhead, and I'll go to Arcee. Whoever the doc follows has to keep him busy while the other calls Ratchet and gets a Groundbridge ready. We can't lead him to base."

"Deal," she looked towards the door. "Okay, one-two-three!"

"Miko-!" He watched her sprint out the doors in a dead sprint, quickly following her and running towards Arcee. There were looks of confusion to be had among the other students as the pair ran to their guardians.

"Jack-?"

He barely registered Sierra calling his name in utter confusion, the boy looked back to see her standing there with her friend.

"Um, gotta go! Going to be late for work!" He lied, practically throwing himself on Arcee's saddle, quietly urging her to just go, go, go.

The femmebot did not have to be told twice, peeling back before Knock Out had time to also throw it in reverse, the motorcycle zipping out of the school's small lot and down the main road.

"What is he doing here?" Jack shouted over the wind, not having even bothered to throw a helmet on - surely being chased by a Decepticon took precedence over basic roadside safety.

"Not sure, but if he knows you and Miko go here, then the base location might be compromised," Arcee answered, quickly accessing her comm's. "Ratchet, do you read?"

"Loud and clear, Arcee. Bulkhead already informed me of your predicament. Who is being pursued?"

As if on cue the thrumm of an engine revved behind them, Jack glancing over his shoulder as his hands tightened on her handlebars.

"Looks like we're the lucky winners," he said, though a part of him wondered if it was really luck.

"I am Groundbridging Bulkhead and Miko to base as we speak. Arcee, if he gets too close I can't bridge you without risking also bringing him into base."

"Well, they have one of ours, why don't we take one of theirs?" She argued.

The logic was sound, but Ratchet was not exactly enticed.

"We don't have the resources to keep a prisoner. Try to lose him. If you can't, take him somewhere isolated, and I will send back-up."

"Are they trying to pick us off or something?" Miko could be heard over the comlink, Arcee huffing.

"Not helping, Miko," she snapped, turning sharply without warning. Jack yelped, hearing Knock Out skid behind them, increasing his pursuit.

"Because your communications aren't scrambled, we can assume that Soundwave is also not on the scene," Ratchet posited.

"Well, isn't that a good sign," Arcee replied sarcastically, heading towards the heart of Jasper. "I'm almost to an alleyway that's too small for Knock Out to fit. Get a bridge ready. Partner, squeeze those legs in."

"Wait-" Jack yelped as she turned, and he saw the exact alleyway she was referring to. His kneecaps were going to be destroyed if he did not bring them in, the young man drawing them towards the motorcycle just in time for the walls to scrape his pants.

The Decepticon snarled in rage as his prey got away, Arcee disappearing into the Groundbridge moments later.

Jack dismounted as soon as his partner slowed to a stop, Arcee transforming to her full height. "What was that?"

"Yeah, what gives?!" Miko huffed, hopping out of Bulkhead's passenger seat. "Why couldn't he just destroy the whole school?"

"Civilians, Miko," Ratchet was typing away at his computer, watching as Knock Out's life signal disappeared abruptly, the blip gone as he entered a bridge of his own.

"If the Decepticons know where the kids go to school, what's to say they don't also know where our base is?" Arcee placed her hands on her hips, but Jack was quick to deposit his theory.

"I think I know what happened," he cringed, telling them his theory. If Megatron had managed to garner all of this information from a name, then there was no telling what kind of danger the kids could be in. He had no idea if Knock Out actually knew what he was looking for, but he certainly recognized Jack from their few encounters. That would explain why he pursued the boy, and not, perhaps, Miko. But . . .

"It is troubling that Megatron is showing this much interest in our human compatriots," Ratchet's optics narrowed as he thought, his chin resting in between two digits. "And it makes me wonder what it is exactly that he is pursuing."

"Could it be . . .?" Jack produced the Key to Vector Sigma from his pocket.

"I doubt it," Ratchet shook his helm. "To the average Cybertronian - including Megatron - Vector Sigma is a myth. A legend. There must be another explanation, but until then, I need to inform Agent Fowler of this new development."

"Does that mean we don't have to go to school?" Miko asked, ever eager for an excuse.

"Or worse, can we even go home?" Jack asked.

"I don't think even Soundwave could reasonably deduce the location of your homes from Rafael," Ratchet grew concerned. "But he might have Rafael's location. Bumblebee is already posted there, I will update him on the situation and keep a lookout."

Jack took a breath, suddenly worried for his friend. But he was also confident in Bumblebee and the Autobot's ability to protect their friends. Additionally, he doubted the Decepticons were desperate enough to reveal their existence in exchange for capturing or destroying the Autobot's human companions. It was a waste of resources, if anything.

His fingers played with the key, finding an odd comfort in its presence.

Perhaps things were better than he thought they were supposed to be.

XXX

That evening he was home alone, June working from six to six overnight. This was typical for his mother, and he had long ago gotten used to being left to his own devices. Having a job had made the hours go by productively, though he was not against occasionally playing a video game or working ahead on homework.

He took the time to have a more luxurious shower, trying to unwind his tense shoulders with the heat of the water and letting his mind wander. He was still spooked by the events of today, yet it made him feel better to be Groundbridged directly home instead of taking Arcee, scared they would accidentally reveal the location of his home or the base to spying Decepticons.

Stepping out he performed his evening routine without pause, leaving the bathroom in a pair of pants, his dirty clothes balled up in his hands. The key to Vector Sigma was still in the pocket of his jeans, its glow smothered by the thick fabric. He would wear these clothes tomorrow.

His room seemed exceptionally dark, realizing his nightlight had turned off. When he entered the threshold there was a sudden feeling of apprehension, his hair standing on end as the shadows moved out of the corner of his vision.

"Did you think you could evade me forever?"

Jack screamed, launching himself backwards and into a wall, catching his leg on his dresser and collapsing into an ungraceful heap. His clothes dropped from his hand, and he scrambled to get back up - but a servo pressed against his chest.

Megatron gazed at him with burning red optics, his face impossibly close as he stared straight into Jack's soul. His mind stalled, barely able to comprehend what he was seeing, and he felt strength leaving his hands and feet.

"Oh scrap . . ." there was a moment of lightheadedness, then he passed out.

When Jack woke up he thought he had just experienced a very vivid, intense dream, his eyes staring up at the ceiling of his room, his hands curling around the sheets beneath him. But as he became increasingly aware, he realized he was on top of the sheets, and certainly did not remember ever getting into bed.

He sat up, his heart stuttering in his chest again when he realized the sharp demon was sitting at the end of his bed, watching him.

"H-how?" He squeaked, much less masculine than he intended to sound.

"How am I in your living quarters?" Megatron gestured with a clawed servo, almost far too casual than his baseline. "Soundwave is incredibly resourceful, Jack Darby."

When he all he received was a stunned stare from the human he tilted his helm, Jack unsure if he was amused, or annoyed by his lack of an answer. Had the situation been any less weird, Jack was sure he would have come up with some snarky comeback, but he was still trying to comprehend what he was looking at.

"You're small," again, he sounded pathetic.

"Yes, getting to your diminutive size burns much more energon than I care to expend," Megatron replied, irked. "However, it was necessary if this meeting was meant to take place."

"This meeting? Why are you here?" As his shock and confusion faded, Jack felt more protective of himself and his home. His mom lived here for Allspark's sake; if Megatron hurt her -

"For you," Megatron shifted, Jack instinctively moving back as the tyrant moved forward. He kept coming, Jack pressed against the backboard and having nowhere to go, panicked as he got closer and closer.

The human held his breath as their faces were merely a few inches apart, intense cerise gazing at terrified blue. Jack swore he could smell the metallic scent of the being, even more squirmy when he realized his skin tingled at the proximity. Megatron had pulled his EM field in tight, but they were so close Jack could feel it.

"Optimus thought he could protect you from me," Megatron chuckled, thoroughly amused by something. "As if I was not destined to find you."

"What are you talking about?" Jack was bewildered by the statements, trying to keep Optimus' warning in mind.

He will do anything to make you feel off-put.

Jack wondered, suddenly, if Megatron was attempting to manipulate him because he knew. He knew where the Key was.

"You," Megatron paused as if it was for some kind of dramatic effect, but Jack was not quite convinced, "are someone I have been attempting to track down for a long, long time."
"A descendant," the human replied, not quite putting the pieces together, but aware that it played a part. "Of what?"

"Of whom," the tyrant corrected, "of Amicus."

There was a long pause, Jack absolutely lost. Amicus? Is he some historical figure I should have learned about in school?

Reading his lost expression, Megatron caressed the side of his cheek. The touch sent immediate shivers down Jack's body, the sensation far from pleasant. He thought he was going to pass out again.

Pass out, in front of Megatron. How embarrassing.

"Amicus was a human I met many millennia ago, on Cybertron," he explained, running a claw down Jack's jawline. "He and I shared a . . . special attachment, however his already short life was cut prematurely by the Autobots after they destroyed the atmospheric containment unit which he lived in. The Cybertronian air killed him instantly. But before he had been stolen from his home on Earth, he sired at least one child. And from them, his lineage lived on."

"And you think I, in the middle of nowhere, USA, am a part of that?" Jack asked, bewildered. "How do you know he doesn't have more relatives? Or that kids died before he could have grand-kids?"

"My memory is incorruptible, Jack," the way Megatron said his name terrified him. "You and he share more traits alike than you might care to believe. Your eyes, for instance, are the same vivid blue. And it was fated we would meet. You were the one to discover the Autobots, earning Optimus Prime's protection. You found me in the collapsed mine, and though I was helpless, you did not end my life."

"But that still doesn't make me related to him," Jack insisted.

"Soundwave has already confirmed for me that you are, in fact, a part of his lineage," the claw stopped at his chin, forcefully tilting his head up. "Scouring hundreds upon thousands of documents has lead to fully conclusive evidence."

The human was still, not wanting to believe him yet almost having no choice. Megatron had nothing to gain from this, so he had to be telling the truth - right?

It took a second, but Jack realized what the tyrant was alluding to. No one, especially him, would go so far and search so wide just to track down the current living relative of a human he knew so long ago. Megatron despised organics, for one thing, yet he had this "special attachment" to one human that was on Cybertron - and why he was there only lead to more questions Jack did not want the answers to.

One thing was clear: Megatron had loved Amicus. There was no other explanation for why he was so desperate to find him.

So what did that mean for Jack?

"What do you want from me?" He asked softly.

"I want you," if the Decepticon was one thing, he was straightforward. No beating around the bush, no dropping hints. This was something he was serious about, and he would not play games over it. "You retain what remnants are left of Amicus, and I wish to possess what I had once lost."

Jack shivered as the claw left his face, settling on the bed and keeping the warlord balanced. He was being watched, carefully analyzed for his answer, shaking his head when he realized how crazy the whole thing was.

"No, no way," Jack tried to press himself further into the wall. "I'm not Amicus, and I'm not interested in . . . anything about you. You are trying to conquer my planet!"

"As Unicron is at the core of this planet, it stands to reason that it and Cybertron's fate are inexplicably intertwined," the tyrant reasoned. "I cannot rule one without the other. As for your interest, I am sure I can change your mind."

"Not in the least bit," Jack was not going to mention his interest in Sierra as a defense, as he was certain the titan would kill or hurt her in retaliation. "First of all, you're evil-"

"Debatable."

"Secondly, you're thousands of years old. I'm barely seventeen at most! I'm not even a legal adult," settling on this as a good point, Jack shot Megatron a glare. "And I won't be for almost an entire year."

"Perhaps, but you are past the legal age of consent in your region."

Jack recoiled a bit, the tyrant having said it as if it was a casual fact. "Yeah, so I can consent with other sixteen and seventeen year-olds. Did you miss the gargantuan age gap?"

Megatron looked amused. "You humans age much faster than a Cybertronian, so if you adjust, you truly are not much younger than myself. Are you technologically inferior and unbearably naive about your universe? Yes. But that does not make you, individually, immature."

"The answer is still no," as Jack said it, though, a small part of him feared that Megatron did not care whether he agreed to anything, or not. "I'm not . . . doing anything with you. I'm not replacing Amicus, whoever in the Allspark he might have been to you!"

There was a pause of silence, and it made Jack wonder if he had said something incredibly wrong. However, Megatron appeared far from angry, instead contemplating. He was planning, and that scared Jack even more.

What if he just up and kidnaps me? What if he . . .?

He did not finish that thought.

"I believe we got off on the wrong foot," Megatron broke the silence, shifting his weight and pulling back just the slightest. "Had we met under different circumstances, perhaps you and I could have gotten along. You did, after all, refuse to end my life."

"Because you were defenseless, not because I cared," Jack retorted, a little relieved at this slight change in dynamic. "I doubt you would have done the same for me."

"Given that I recognized your heritage the moment I laid eyes on you, I think differently," Megatron watched him intently. "Your alliance with the Autobots, while problematic, is far from an impediment."

Jack wanted to give him so many more reasons why he just was not interested. For one, all he ever cared to pursue were human girls, which pretty much eliminated every aspect of Megatron, aside from his more abhorrent qualities. How Amicus could have ever been in some kind of romantic relationship was beyond him, but he was sure it was incredibly gradual. And to have it all taken away . . . well, no wonder the dictator was desperate.

"Yeah, well, you being the lord of Decepticons definitely is," he replied.

"You would think differently if you were not aligned with them."

"I would not have even met you if I hadn't been with them," Jack pointed out, crossing his arms.

"Perhaps not," Megatron touched his cheek again. "But that will not stop me from seizing the opportunity of courtship."

Jack choked on his own spit. "What?"

The dictator watched him. "You heard me."

"What part of no do you not understand?" Jack was becoming more irritated by the second, refusing to give him any sort of leeway. "I don't care what you want, but there isn't anything you could do that would make me agree to any sort of courtship?"

"Nothing at all?" Megatron arched an optic ridge. "I find that very difficult to believe. As easy as it would be to threaten the lives of your friends, and your maternal unit, perhaps we may instead agree to a deal?"

"A deal?" Stop trying to entertain him. This is insanity. "What kind of deal?"

"I only use you for courtship purposes," Megatron described, sounding quite confident in himself. "I will not ask for the Autobot base, nor will I actively pursue your human friends. This, and the war, will be separate entities."

As much as Jack wanted to reject the idea, there was some appeal, and he realized what this could mean. If he could get Megatron to agree to certain terms, all for something that will lead nowhere, he could give the Autobots the upper hand. Of course, he would have to ensure Megatron did not realize things were going nowhere, which would be difficult, but perhaps . . .

"Three months," he gazed at the tyrant, watching as both surprise and satisfaction flickered across his optics. "Three months, and you can try to convince me. But you can only come visit at night, and you won't ever ask me about the Autobots. I'm not betraying my friends."

"But of course," the tyrant agreed.

"After three months, if my answer is no, then you leave," Jack made no room for argument.

"Then your end of the bargain will be this," Megatron rumbled. "Every night is mine. Expect me to be here, waiting for you. And if you never return, I will find you. You will speak nothing of this to the Autobots, or anyone else - if they know, then I will certainly punish you for it."

Jack stared at him as he finished. He was still so very unsure of all of this; he was confident he would win, there was no way Megatron could convince him otherwise. He was Megatron.

He thought of Sierra, and how he so badly had wanted her to notice him. She had, and he was almost certain she was interested, but this would place everything on hold. If Megatron perceived her as some kind of threat, he'd kill her. Then probably Jack too, for his "betrayal."

The young man refused to put any sort of label on it. It was not even a thing, because even doing that seemed so wrong. This all was so wrong.

But if it protected his friends, he would do it.

With the agreement in place, he realized he had completely forgotten about Optimus. He had wanted to interrogate the mech before him about where the Autobot leader was, and how he was doing, but after getting so caught up in Megatron's insanity, he had completely forgotten to ask.

The dictator stood then, inclining his helm towards the human.

"Rest. And you will see me again tomorrow," he promised.

Jack just nodded, watching as a Groundbridge opened in his room, the dictator walking through and disappearing. It was so odd, as now everything seemed borderline normal, however things were far from that.

Tomorrow.

What would he do then?

XXX

And that is Chapter One! I hope you guys really enjoy it. In this work I'm drawing from the concept that Megatron can shrink his size - this came from Misgel, who has written "Darkness of the Soul" and "Darkness of the Heart," and used this same concept. This in turn came from G1, where he had a rather extreme change in mass, especially when he transformed into his gun alt mode. IDW also touches on this concept, and I like to draw on it for lore when the Aligned continuity has some holes or no real explanation for something. I wanted to give credit where credit is due for this, and I highly recommend you check her out! She's here on as well.