Thank you for all the reviews and favorites. I was surprised at the reactions everyone had for last chapter so I decided to update again quickly. Also since I seem to reference it a lot that lullaby tune I "use" is actually a Godzilla song. It's called The Death of Junior from the Godzilla vs. Destroyah soundtrack. If you guys want to hear it, look under the title: The Death of Junior (Godzilla vs. Destroyah OST) on youtube. It's really a beautiful melody so that's why I keep mentioning it. I guess I should have done this a lot sooner so sorry about that.

I don't own Transformers Prime as the show is owned by Hasbro.

Ch. 10: Starscream's Temporary Reign

By the time the two dragons got back to the bridge it was empty with only Starscream. He turned around and faced them and they both knew. Elisa fell to her knees and started to cry, while Phoenix bowed her head and silent tears fell down her face as her body racked with silent sobs. When Starscream took a step towards them Phoenix growled and bared her teeth making him stop. After a few moments Phoenix slowly turned and walked away.

"Phoenix…" Elisa called out, but she was ignored as she walked out the door. Elisa fell to the floor and let out bitter sobs that racked through her body. Her spark felt cold and alone and she didn't know where to go for help. She heard Starscream walk towards her and he must have kneeled down next to her because he started to rub her shoulder for comfort. She continued to sob as the door opened again and Soundwave emerged. He stopped in front of Elisa for a moment before she looked up at him with teary eyes. He held out his thin fingers and Elisa gladly took them as he lifted her to her feet.

Nobody said a word as he helped Elisa out of the bridge. She continued to cry as he took her to her room and opened the door for her. Elisa laid down on the bed and bitterly cried again as she remembered just hours before her Carrier was in here playing with her. She felt a little flutter and she looked up to see Laserbeak by her side. She had to smile before she gave the bird a little lick on his wing. He soon retreated back onto Soundwave's chest. Elisa continued to quietly cry as Soundwave played the lullaby Carrier used to hum for her as a sparkling. The music gave her comfort and she slowly started to fall asleep.

"Thank you Soundwave."

Xxxxxx

"The loss of Megatron, leader of the great decepticon uprising is certainly a blow to our cause. Yet, we mustn't despair of his tragic demise, but instead embrace his ultimate sacrifice and build upon the foundation he laid with an even mightier hand."

"With all due respect Commander…uuh Lord Starscream?" A lone drone called out.

"Yes yes, what is it?" Starscream huffed.

"If we failed to conquer earth under Lord Megatron's command, what hope do we have now while the autobots still defend it?" He asked. Starscream let out a frustrated growl before answering.

"Allow me to be crystal clear, I studied for millennia under our former master, thus I am equipped to lead you. I, Megatron's true heir, Lord Starscream, emperor of destruction." When no one rose to the title Starscream left in huff. He should have been glad as he didn't see that Phoenix was watching a hallway monitor the whole time and in her fury she used her red fire to destroy the monitor. Elisa was still sleeping and she didn't even see the speech even though she flinched with empty dreams. Phoneix paid Starscream's activities no mind and went to be in solitude in a busy mine as she silently watched the workers.

Xxxxxxxxxx

"During the Great war so much energon was hidden on the forsaken rock that our departed master sent some of Cybertron's greatest to guard it, true warriors, now lying in stasis, waiting to be reawakened. Such folly that late in life Megatron searched distance space for warriors rather than here beneath his feet." Starscream said looking over an empty rocky terrain when Soundwave let out beeped of a failed signal. "What do you mean you can't pinpoint his signal!?" Starscream said aggravated. "I know we're close. Boost the power to your sensors." He ordered. It took a moment, but Soundwave finally found the signal Starscream was looking for. "Yes there." Starscream said with a grin. They transformed quickly to locate the warrior.

Once they got to the location, both flyers pulled on the stasis pod until it emerged from the rock. "Excellent Soundwave." Starscream commented. "The cube." He ordered and Soundwave gave him a single energon cube that Starscream put right into the square opening at the front of the pod. "The energon infusion…it's working!" Starscream said happily. Both mechs looked away from the bright light as the large doors opened. "Awaken warrior! Rise and serve your new master!" Starscream said happily. The large bulky green flier stumbled out of his stasis and into the light, slamming his fists together high in air.

"Skyquake serves only one master." The flier said in a deep voice.

"Excellent, your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid Skyquake you may bow." Starscream said in a much too elegant voice.

"You fail to grasp my meaning. I am here on a mission assigned by my one master Megatron." Skyquake said proudly.

"Yes…him. Sadly, Lord Megatron is no longer with us." Starscream said with fake sympathy.

"Immpossible."

"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?" Starscream said annoyed. "Skyquake I located you. I awakened you. Thus I, Lord Starscream am now your master." Starscream said loudly. Skyquake stepped forward and let out a deep growl directed to the much smaller seeker.

"It has been a while Skyquake." Optimus Prime's voice called out.

Xxxxxxxx

E…l….i…sa…

Elisa stirred from her sleep and slowly woke to an empty room. The events of the last few days rushing back to her made her head spin. She rubbed her head to quell the ache, but she could do nothing for her spark.

E…l…i…sa…

A haunting voice called for her again and it made her leap out of the berth.

"Carrier!?" She called out into the room, but of course no one answered. She hurried out into the hallway as she kept looking, but obviously finding nothing. Finally she ran out into the open deck and fell to her knees, nearly ready to cry all over again.

Li…ttle….o…n..e

Elisa looked up to the sky and her eyes went wide when she realized where she needed to go.

"Carrier!"

Xxxxxxxx

"Soundwave, why aren't you tracking them?" Starscream said annoyed. Soundwave only beeped again in response. "What? What is it?" Starscream said curiously. He looked at Soundwave's visor and it showed another signal. "A second decepticon life signal, but Skyquake is the only sleeper buried in this area." He said confused. The picture on the visor kept moving into one location. "The sight of our destroyed space bridge." He said cautiously. "You're not telling me that life signal belongs to Megatron." Starscream said horrified. "But, but he was microns from the detionation point, no one could have survived that blast. Your sensors must be faulty, ignore the contact delete the coordinates!" He said angrily.

"Carrier." Elisa's voice rang out loud and clear, making the seeker shiver slightly. It made him remember things of the past.

"Uuhh what am I saying?" He said nervously. "Of course this must be investigated. If Lord Megatron is up there I shall bring him home." He said proudly. "Remain here and monitor the outcome. When Skyquake snuffs Prime's spark I must bear witness." He said before he transformed into the air. "Must bear witness." Starscream's voice rang out as Soundwave deployed Laserbeak.

Elisa hurried as fast as she could into deep space, but since she didn't have engines she didn't arrive first. "No one could have survived this." Starscream said as he looked through the rubble. "As I suspected faulty sensors, the last thing I need now is rumors that Megatron is still…" A painful moan interrupted him and Starscream hesitantly found the source. Megatron's burnt body was present and still in one piece. Every bit of him was charred and black and he had scratches everywhere from his body. There was a large whole in the center of his chest, right where his spark should be. "Megatron.." Starscream said amazed. At the slightest touch Megatron reacted.

"AAARRGGHH!" He roared as he grabbed at Starscream, who's optics went wide with fright. He wasn't sure if Megatron recognized him or not, but just as quickly as the attack started it ended with Megatron going limp again.

"But how?" The seeker said puzzled, until he saw a familiar purple glow. "Dark energon." Starscream leaned into Megatron's unconscious form. "Everyone believes you are deceased, who am I to disappoint them…master." He slowly pulled out the shard and Megatron groaned in pain before collapsing again. "And this time stay dead." Starscream snapped before pushing off his body.

"Carrier!" Elisa shouted as she saw his limp body in the air, making Starscream jump in surprise. He also heard the familiar glide of Laserbeak not too far behind her.

"Elisa…Soundwave." He said gesturing them closer and carefully hiding the shard behing his back. "If you're listening I have found Lord Megatron and he is…unwell. We must transport him to sick bay immediately."

Xxxxxx

"The troops will be pleased to hear of our success in rushing Lord Megatron into stasis. Let us hope that our master pulls through."

Elisa and Phoneix knew all too well that Starscream was none too pleased by the turn of events, but neither sister cared at the moment. They just laid down at their Carrier's pedes and listen to the instruments work as they kept him alive.

Xxxxxx

Phoenix kept moving around every so often, while Elisa just stayed put. Phoenix caught wind of Makeshift being put on a mission as an autobot called Wheeljack. She wasn't very interested in the mission and did her best to keep busy herself. She had to laugh when she heard the mission failed and the real Wheeljack escaped the ship. She heard that Starscream sent out some troops when the autobots were dealing with another enemy. She wasn't surprise when nothing came of that either, but she did hear the mentioning of humans. No troops came back from that mission either.

Then finally there was a doctor in the house.

"I take it Lord Megatron requires a laboratory assist." Knockout's voice sounded from the other side of the door.

"You might say that." Starscream answered back. The door opened and Knockout took one look at Megatron.

"Whoah." He said amazed.

"Sadly our inevitably former Lord Megatron has been like this for some time, but the crew took a vote and it was decided that an expert might put him on the road to recovery." Starscream said, paying no mind to Elisa, who glared at his back. She hated the words he used. Just the fact that he was still in the room was making her angry and she let out a deep, but quiet growl. She didn't fail to see the seeker's wing twitch nervously.

"I've done plenty of body work Starscream, but I'm better at breaking them then fixing them." Knockout said showing a drill to emphasize his point. "It would help if I had my assistant."

"I summoned both of you. Where is he?" Starscream asked and Elisa knew that they meant Breakdown.

"We were hot on a fresh energon trail when you called. Breakdown will show when he's through scouting it." Knockout finished before he pushed Starscream out of the way. "Hey there pretty girl." Knockout said to Elisa.

"Hello Knockout." She said quietly.

"Where's your sister?" He asked.

"Keeping busy." She said sadly.

"Knockout." Starscream called out.

"Sorry pretty girl. Get something to eat. It will help a little." Knockout said before he rubbed her shoulder and left the room.

Xxxxxxx

"So how did that harvest go?" Phoneix teased, making Starscream growl quietly.

"No crops this year." Knockout said casually hanging on to the joke and he, Breakdown and Phoenix left the bridge. "You should look out for Elisa." Knockout said urgently, but Phoenix only rolled her eyes.

"She can wallow in self-pity all she wants. I need to keep moving to take my mind off things." Phoenix said before she walked away.

"Looks like someone grew up." Breakdown huffed when she was out of sight.

"I was always worried that Phoenix never got close to Elisa." Knockout said quietly as they walked slowly to sick bay. "She seems to be taking this pretty rough." He added.

"Three years away from your Carrier might do something's to you Knockout." Breakdown explained.

"Very true, but there isn't much I can do. Megatron just seems to be stuck in stasis. The plug might have to be pulled sooner or later and Elisa won't like it." Knockout said sadly.

"You really think you'll have to do that?" Breakdown asked shocked.

"Maybe, maybe not, but quite honestly I don't think there is any hope of Megatron waking up. I'm going to have to pull the plug eventually." Knockout said.

"Ouch." Breakdown shrugged.

"Oh well…I'm going for a drive. Care to join me?" Knockout said with a dirty smile.

"I've got to cover for you." Breakdown winked.

Xxxxxxxx

Starscream checked to see that neither dragon was in the med bay when he stopped by. Thankfully no one but Breakdown was inside with a buffer on Megatron.

"Ahhh Breakdown…has there been any change in Megatron's condition?" He asked curtly.

"Mmmm only cosmetic." He answered.

"Well, I am sure that you and the good doctor have been doing everything in your power…where is Knockout?" Starscream asked not seen him in the room.

"Can you believe what some skin job did to me? Uuugh?!" Knockout said in disgust pointing to a tiny scratch.

"You have been street racing among the humans again haven't you?" Starscream demanded.

"I'm not only an automobile, I'm an automobile enthusiast." Knockout said happily.

"I do strive to run a tight ship here Knockout." Starscream snapped. "I would strongly advise to seek my permission the next time you disappear on one of your little jaunts."

"No worries Her Commandant." Knockout teased.

"It is Lord to you."

"Only if Megatron takes a nosedive." Starscream growled as he got closer to the doctor.

"The day our master emerges from stasis I will gracious relinquish the title, but I believe that outcome is unlikely, something to do with the quality of medical care around here." He stated. "So continue buffing we do want Megatron looking his best for the memorial."

"Buff this!"

Xxxxxxx

"Nooooooo!"

Elisa jumped from the berth when she heard the scream of protest. She slowly got out of her room and walked out into the hallway. She looked out and saw Knockout clutching at his finish with Breakdown behind him.

"Stupid car got caught racing." Phoenix stated before she retreated to her room. Elisa snickered as she realized Starscream must have caused the scratches. She retreated back to her room as well. Ever since Carrier had been hurt she hadn't been feeling well at all. Her spark was just hurting in ways she didn't understand. She tried to reach out to Phoenix, but she refused and kept working. She didn't understand things at all right now. She just wanted someone to talk too.

Xxxxxxx

"Brainwave activity not evidence of consciousness, but merely of an endless dream from Megatron may never wake." Knockout explained.

"Soundwave we must face reality. Megatron is lost to us." Starscream said with fake sympathy.

"The only honorable thing would be to show him mercy." Knockout added.

"A simple throw of the switch."

"Quick, painless, compassionate."

"Soundwave, do I take your silence that you concur with Knockout's medical expterises?" He grabbed one of the life lines and turned back to the TIC. "Speak now or forever hold you peace. Going, going…" Soundwave pointed to a different cable and Starscream followed the cable to two autobots. "What in?! Intruders!" He shouted.

"Allow me." Arcee said before she fired off a single shot at Megatron's main cable. Soundwave didn't need to see the seeker's smirk before he tried to play nice.

"Ahh it was the inevitable outcome." He said before Soundwave pointed to Megatron again.

"Elisa…Phoenix." Megatron's voice repeated his daughters names before Starscream let out a frustrated sigh.

"Of course it would be wrong to allow Megatron to perish by an autobot's hand. Knockout!" The cable was reattached and Soundwave left without another word.

Xxxxxx

"What happened?" Elisa nearly shrieked when she saw her Carrier had no brainwave activity.

"I don't know Elisa." Knockout lied.

"Don't you lie to me!" She snarled and nearly swiped her claws at him making him jump.

"Aaahhh…well-uuuhh Elisa…some autobots…" Knockout started.

"What?! How did autobot get in here?" She shouted.

"We don't know, but maybe they did something to Megatron." Knockout said quickly. Elisa snarled in anger before she ran out of the room and quickly found her sister.

"Carrier is dying." Elisa cried.

"He has been for a while now." Phoenix stated.

"Carrier has no brainwave activity." Elisa sobbed.

"He had it coming." Phoenix said without care.

"How can you say that?" Elisa gasped.

"Because during our travels I learned that our…"Carrier" only cares about himself and his right to rule. He always has and he always will." Phoenix spat before she left the room. Elisa fell to the ground and started to cry. She nearly jumped when she heard footsteps before she scrambled to her Carrier's berth and cried once more.

Don't worry things will be explained in due time, particularly the relationship between Elisa and Starscream. Hope you enjoyed!