My Star

Chapter 6

No Deception in the Truth

Starscream's POV.

For 4 million years, I had always dreaded recharge. I hated the feeling of being vulnerable under any circumstances and had a perfectly good reason too. For the past 4 million years, I had had the same dream over and over again. It always started normally. I would just be minding my own business, doing something ordinary, when suddenly, the place where the dream started would always darken. It was then that I would hear the same voice say the same thing every single night.

"Starscream," he would say in a growl. "Your time in this universe is over, and your existence is even more worthless than the time you have spent here. YOU ARE NOT WORTHY!"

I would never see the pace. I wouldn't even see the red optics. I would just suddenly be faced with the barrel of his fusion cannon firing at me: ending my worthless existence. This would always leave me awake in the middle of the night, in a ball, soaking myself in my own tears. However, in the last month, the nightmare had changed significantly.

It started with me standing on the hull of the ship, gazing at the stars. It took a moment to realize that I was not on my own like normal. Instead, my servo was being held by a warm, kind, servo? No, not a servo. I human hand. It was that softest thing I felt. It was so warm and tender that I felt undeserving of it.

"Star," The sweetest lilt of a voice I had ever heard would call my name. "Star, are you already?"

I would turn to be met with the kindest most gentle optics I had ever looked at. They reminded me of Earth emeralds, and though they did not look directly at me, I knew they could see me. The wind blew back the curled tendrils of the fluff that sat atop her head, falling so gracefully over her face.

"Yes, my endura," I would always say before leaning into kiss those impossibly soft human lips. However, I never got to reach them.

"Look at the happy couple," the same voice that had been taunting me for years spoke. I opened my optics then to see that instead of kind warm emeralds, her optics were now crimson rubies of hatred. "I intend to finish you forever," the voice would speak, not from a darkness, but from the lips I wished I could kiss so badly, but now only spoke malice of my name.

Everything around me would begin to fade again until all that was left was just her and I in total darkness. The eyes would switch back to the kind emeralds and one last desperate call of "Star!", from her voice was heard before the kind, loving, tender, gentle, desperate, hurting emeralds would change back to the angered, hateful rubies. It would be then that I would hear an energon curdling scream by the voice of my endura, before she would fade away, until all that was the same barrel of the fusion cannon. However, as it fired, I did not die in silence. I screamed her name loud to the stars, hoping she could somehow hear me.

When I awoke, I expected to just cry on my own: to be completely on totally alone as I always had been. What it took me a while to realize was that I was not on my own now. Instead Of the cold sorrow I always felt after one of these nightmares, I felt the softest of hands petting my wing ever so tenderly. I could hear her voice calling me: telling me it would be already, and that she was here. When I got my senses about me, I tried to tell her I was fine, but she saw right through that, so I had no choice but to tell her everything. I was expecting her to ridicule me and tell me I was too weak, but no. She just listened and offered comfort, which I took gratefully. That's how it was every morning for the past month until the worst thing happened.

My original nightmare came true. It may not have been as dramatic, but there I was, in an abandoned energon mine, at the firing end of the fusion cannon that had haunted me so many times in my recharge. Primus was on my side however, as when an Autobot just happened to walk by, Megatron was so foolish as to cause a cave in of the mine, and the only escape was myself. I flew back to the nemesis straight away, and enjoyed a... "Private night.," with my sweet little human endura. It was our first actually, and it was in celebration of the fact that I: Starscream, finally ruled the Decepticons. Even better, that night, for the first time in 4 million years, I did not have a single nightmare. I woke with such a relief the next morning, that well... My little human and I felt the need to celebrate again.

It had been about a month since then, and try as he might, Soundwave couldn't find Megatron's spark signature anywhere. I tried to play the sympathetic card as I always did, but then I would go back to my quarters and Rowan and I would laugh our heads off. It took people a while before they addressed me as Lord Starscream, but Rowan would always make sure that those who still referred to me as Commander were swiftly corrected. However, there were still challengers to my command.

There were several who tried to challenge my authority. The biggest one though was Airachnid. She was always trying to either off me, or try in some snide way to take my position from me. Surprisingly enough, Soundwave was my biggest defender. There was one day that I was headed back to my quarters when Airachnid attacked me from above. If it wasn't for Soundwave sending her through a spacebridge to Luna one, one of Cybertron's moons, I would have been scrap. I was grateful. However, I was foolish to ask what he wanted in return because his answer made my spark sink.

In several distorted voices, soundwave said, "What was the last location you saw Lord Megatron?"

The question took me completely off guard, and when I realized what happened, I was furious. He knew that if he could back me into a corner so that I would have no choice but to give up his last known location.

"The fact is Soundwave," I said after divulging the information, it has been a full Earth month since we were at least able to track his spark signature. I know the mineral composition affects location abilities, but for an entire month?"

Soundwave made no response, just opened a bridge to the abandoned mine, and what we saw when we came out made no sense at all.

Arcee's POV.

I was full of angered anxiety. I was hoping we would just be able to get this energon mine recon done and get back to base, but no. I blame Miko. If it wasn't for her, we would not have had to go back in the mine at all. To make matters worse, while Jack and I were attempting to get a signal, we just had to run into Megatron and Starscream. Megatron just had to shoot at us and cause a cave in, which resulted in Jack and I getting separated. I was trying to dig my way out of my hole in the mine, when I heard mining equipment running. A mining trill poked through, and I was so relieved to see that it was Jack that was operating it. After that, it was only a little bit before we found Miko and Bulkhead. However, when we exited the mine, we were very surprised to see Optimus and Bumblebee, apparently searching for us. After explaining our story to Optimus, we went back through the ground bridge back to base.

It had been about a month since then, and Optimus was on edge. Luckily for us, it was ratchet who asked the first question. "Optimus, is everything already?"

"My mind and my spark have been troubled old friend," Optimus said, the slightest hint of sadness in his voice.

"What is on your conscience?" Ratchet asked, a very rare concern clear in his voice.

"It has been a month since we found Arcee and the others at the mine," Optimus said. "They spoke about Megatron being trapped in the mine with them."

"You're not seriously considering searching for him, are you?" Ratchet asked, irritated.

"Ratchet," Optimus said. "Do you not believe that it is a slight bit odd that we have not seen any activity from the Decepticons since then?"

"Wait," Bulkhead chimed in. "You sayin' bucket-head might still be down there?"

"It would stand to reason," Optimus began. "That if the cave in was as devastating as you and Arcee indicated, that even Megatron himself was unable to escape without any assistance."

"You didn't run into him did you jack?" I asked.

"Nope," Jack said. "As soon as I found that drill, I kinda just turned left and found you."

"I believe an investigation is in order," Optimus spoke in his usual calm commanding voice. "Arcee, Bulkhead, ratchet, you are with me."

It was thus that Bumblebee activated the ground bridge, and Optimus gave the command, "Autobots, Roll out!"

When we arrived at the energon mine, we were not expecting what we saw. Laying just at the entrance with the mine, flat on his face was Megatron himself. Needless to say, we were all surprised to say the least.

"Ratchet," Optimus said, almost in a whisper. "Investigate with extreme caution."

we all moved ever so slowly. Optimus was at the head, followed by Ratchet, Bulkhead, and myself. When we got close, we were expecting Megatron to raise his head or something, but no. Nothing. He didn't even twitch.

"Ratchet?" Optimus asked, still in a whisper.

Ratchet scanned him and uttered a gasp, "Optimus, according to my scan... He's gone; A product of energon deficiency."

"Kinda ironic, considering where he was," Bulkhead said.

to all of our surprise, Optimus kneeled at Megatron's side. Then, ever so carefully, he turned him over, so there was Megatron, dead, and laying on Optimus's lap. However, that wasn't that most surprising thing. I might have laughed if I didn't notice something else that shocked all of us. From the corner of his optics, were tears. Optimus was silently crying for the loss of someone who he once considered a friend.

Optimus closed his optics, placed his hand over Megatron's spark plating and said, "Oh Primus hear my plea. Though this fallen mech has done much wrong, I ask you to please send him where he will not suffer. instead, bring him your peace. In the names of yourself and the 13 primes who proceeded me, I ask most humbly that you answer my plea."

After which, he bowed his head. All of us were silent. If we would have had something to say, we all knew it would not have been appropriate, so we all just stood there, and let Optimus greave in his own way. However, our mourning was interrupted by the opening of a ground bridge, and when we turned to see who it was, we all sighed.

Starscream's Pov.

When Soundwave and I exited the ground ridge we were surprised at what we saw to say least. Right in front of us, Lord Megatron lay on his back, but that was not what was shocking. At was most shocking to us was the fact that his helm was resting on the head of be prime. It wasn't till we stepped closer, that we realized the truth. Megatron was laying in Prime's lap, dead as Cliffjumper.

It was also then that the Autobots chose to aim their blasters: all except Prime, who simply raised his head and said, "No!" It was a powerful command that caught all of us off guard. He then rose to his feet, holding Megatron in his arms, and continued. "This ancient conflict is no longer worth fighting for: especially now that Megatron is no more. Starscream, stray from the path of deceit and evil, and help me end this conflict."

All were silent. The Autobots were silent before they were all stunned about Prim's requests. Soundwave and Prime were silent before they waited with baited breath to hear what I would say. I, however, was silent for a different reason.

I was silent because this all seemed so familiar to me. I can remember it so well. I had just released Skyquake, when Megatron was thought to be dead after the space bridge explosion. I had immediately told the prime that I was willing to consider a trust, if he would have been willing to bow before me. So much of me wanted that again. I wanted the glory. I wanted the power, but now, there was something holding me back. Back after the space bridge explosion, I had felt so powerful, yet so disrespected at the same time. I felt like something was missing. This time however, my spark felt different. It was as if something had changed: like something I had wanted for so long, I actually had now. I closed my optics to think what had caused this change, and when I did, I saw my answer.

I could see so clearly the green eyes that barely worked, I could see the curled tendrils of brown fluff draped perfectly over her head. I could see the way one of the black velvet dresses she always wore coming down over her fleshy form. I could feel the ever-soft touches she would give to my wings and my helm, and the way her lips felt against me. Most importantly, I could hear the love in her voice as she either spoke kind words of encouragement and love, and the way she ever so sweetly sang to me.

I opened my optics suddenly as it hit me what I had that made my spark feel so different: the reason I didn't just crave the power: the reason I used to feel so empty inside, but now felt whole. That reason, was love. I had always pictured that I'd find a mate one day. Perhaps we would meet after the war and rebuild Vos together. However, I never imagined finding a flesh covered femme from another world, and having her support flow through me so profusely, that it practically changed who I am. The surprising thing though, was that it did.

I no longer felt the hatred I always carried. I no longer felt the need to cower or deceive just to get my way. With Megatron gone, and a loving mate waiting at the place I called home, I finally felt at peace. It was for the reason, I knew the right decision to make regarding the fate of all Decepticons: not just them, but the fate of all Cybertronian kind.

I walked slowly to the prime and spoke, "Optimus Prime, you are indeed wise and powerful, and you are very much correct. This conflict is over. I know you all believe I wish to stand and claim power for myself, but in the past two months, there has been a new facet of my life that has induced a change in me. Though I will not say what the factor is specifically, I will say this. It has changed my spark. It has caused me to look inside myself, see the darkness within, and purge it swiftly. Where there was once a torturous, cowardly second in command, there is now a mech who realizes he has control of his own destiny: not just his own, but all those who both follow and oppose him. It is for this reason Prime, that I agree to a truce."

The negotiations were short. In the end, the Autobots took the Nemesis back to Cybertron to try and restore it themselves, and took all existing Decepticons as prisoners: all except me, of course.

I did introduce that Autobots to Rowan, and together, we explained our situation. I was granted an interesting imprisonment. In fact, it was actually Rowan's idea.

Instead of being sentenced to imprisonment on Cybertron, Rowan suggested that I just be grounded to Earth, and not be allowed to leave the planet. She suggested the imprisonment should last only as long she was alive, that the she could personally assure that I stay out of trouble. It took a lot of convincing to insure to the Autobots that I would not kill Rowan myself. I told them she was my endura, and Prime saw the loving look in my optics and knew instantly that I could be trusted.

When the autobots asked where we should be sent to, Rowan suggested England. She had always wanted to actually live there, since that was where her grandmother came from many years ago. Better yet, it was an island all on its own, so we could be isolated, and there was an energon mine that still had plenty of stock left for me to survive on my own in the cycle of an entire human life span. Therefore, a ground bridge was opened and I took one last look around the Nemesis: the ship I had called home for so long, before transforming, and letting Rowan hop in, and we flew through to our new life.

...

For the next years, Rowan and I lived comfortably in the small town of Braintree, which is where her grand carrier had lived before leaving England. Rowan worked as a banker in London, and every other weekend, we would take a more portable piano to London, and perform on the busy streets for tourists, who gave us lots of earth's currency to listen to our tunes. I, in holoform, would play the piano, which Rowan taught me, and she would sing. We sang many old seeker tunes mixed in with some Earth tunes of old and new. We became quite famous, and played on the same corner right beside Westminster Abbey, religiously, every other Saturday, from nine to three. This continued for 70 Earth years, and it was on one of our melodic Saturdays, as we called them, that my imprisonment ended.

Rowan had been through many changes in 70 Earth years. Her curled hair had gone from a medium brown to a silver that matched the coloring of my armor. She had shrunk in size quite a bit as well. However, her voice was not changed at all. Though she was the elder age of 90 Earth years old, her voice was still the soft lilt it always was.

She and I had just come home from our musical day, and I, mass shifted down, was resetting her keyboard in the living room, when she came up behind me and spoke "Star."

"Yes, my little endura?", I asked turning to her.

"Do you think it would be possible if you could go on a flight? I love to look over the city at night," she said pleadingly.

"Who am I to resist the pleas of my mate," I said, taking her hand.

I lead her outside, took off the mass shifter, and transformed. Using my human holoform, I gently helped her into the cockpit, and sat next to her.

"Thank you, My Star," she said before we took off.

Our flight was in silence. We did not need to talk. There were no more words that could express the love we felt for each other. The silence continued for a bit before I felt her rest her head on the shoulder of my human holoform. Taking my hand, she said, "I love you my beautiful, shining Star."

"I love you too, my endura," I said.

It was then that something happened. A coldness enveloped my body, as if a presence came over me, and that was when I knew that my endura was one with the allspark.

...

To tell the Autobots the news was the hardest thing I had ever had to do. The prime was very sympathetic and sent a ground bridge to me immediately. To my surprise, the prime was there, arms open, ready to comfort me. Shamelessly, I fell into them.

Vos was near the Well of Allsparks. It had always been that way, only now, the city had been built around the well, designating seekers as the official caretakers of new sparks, rightfully so. however today, all seekers had gathered not to celebrate the entry of a new spark, but to honor the memory of a fallen one. In this case, said fallen spark was my human endura.

She had been placed in a silver casket lined in red velvet material. She was wearing a long black velvet dress with long sleeves. Her hands were clasped over her chest, holding a set of handcrafted silver seeker wings as a plea to Primus that she might be carried on pure seeker wings to the Allspark. The expression on her face made her look as if she was only in recharge: eyes closed, expression peaceful, expressing her entire character.

I processed all the way up to the bridge at the entrance of the well, and once I approached, I looked at my little beloved endura before placing one final kiss to her soft tiny lips. After that, I closed the lid and sealed it. The inscription on the lid was first in Earth English, and below it, in Cybertronian, and it read:

In Loving Memory of

Rowan by Human Name, Skysong by Seeker Name

Beloved Sparkmate of Starscream

The Lost Light of all Seekers

I looked at the casket before jumping into the well, so that I could command her physical form to the allspark. I got to the bottom, took a last look at the final resting place of my beloved endura before gently placing her in the cybermatter that made up the allspark. Slowly, the casket vaporized. It was then that I closed my optics and finally allowed myself to weep.

I must have been there for a breem when I suddenly felt a warm presence. I opened my optics to see a green orb of light just floating above my servo. It gently lowered itself into my serve, and that was when a felt a powerful rush.

With a force I had never known before, the new spark sent both of us shooting up. Surprisingly, I landed steadily on my peds.

I could only watch as the new spark made its physical form. In the end, it was a smaller slender seeker with purple armor, a black helm, black, delicate, up-swapped wings, black peds, and a pure gold face plate. I was surprised again when the new spark slowly approached me, and even more surprised when it gently took servos.

A single green optic powered on, and in a voice, I knew and loved, the new spark said, "My Star."

AN: Yes. This is the conclusion to My Star. I know it seemed a bit fast, but nevertheless, thank you to all who have read and supported this story. I hope this has been as much of a joy for you to read as it was for me to write. Thank you to my editor, Bluezebra, for helping me with this story. She and I would spend hours talking about this and now it's here. We had so many ideas for how this story could go, but I am glad it was set on this. I think it worked out for the best.

Am I done writing?

ABSOLUTELY NOT! In fact, in 2019, I have a great story coming. Not it is not a sequel to this one. I will only write a sequel only if someone wants it, but I would need plot ideas. Anyway, I will only give one hint about my next story, the title. The title of my next story is, "Daughter of Deception." I think all you fellow Decepticons will really like it.

I believe that is all for now. soooooooooooo...

"If speaking the truth is deception, we are gladly guilty."