Epilogue: Aftermath
One week later...
Starscream was sitting in front of the large bay in the medbay, looking out to the stars with a blank expression. In his spark, there was now a constant, deep ache that he knew would never leave him. A deep scar carved in the center of his being by the loss of his other half, something that could never be healed...
He felt so alone. He had never felt so alone since he bonded with Megatron so many vorns ago. He felt empty, like a shell, devoid of anything but the pain, and a sorrow so deep it felt like it was eating his spark up. Stroking his chest idly, playing with the idea of just clawing his spark out and join his bondmate in the matrix, the only thing stopping him the sparkling that was growing inside him, he barely felt the hand landing on his back and stroking softly.
The comforting gesture held no meaning. He didn't reacted, didn't turn to see who was there, didn't acknowledged the presence of another. ratchet frowned, and shook his head sadly, turning to face Optimus.
"He'd been like this ever since... Well, since Megatron's death. Its a form of catatonic state due to the sudden, rough way the bond was broken." He explaine, keeping his voice low despite klnowing the seker probably didn,t even heard or understand them.
"Can you help him ratchet?" Optimus asked softly, feeling guilt eat up his insides like everytime he lay optics on either Starscream or Savage.
"I'm afraid no... there isn't something that can be healed in a usual way. He will have to come t term with it first, and then the healing process could begin. he's still in the deep, complete denial stage." Ratchet replied, sounding sour and helpless. He hated nothing more then not be able to help a patient.
"And the sparklings?" It was discovered that Starscream was carrying twins soon after they returned from battle.
"They are growing at a normal pace. However... If Starscream decide to give up, and let his spark extinguish, there is nothing I could do to save either of them." Saying this made it even more painful, more real. he was completely helpless in this situation.
"I see... Thank you for telling me Ratchet. Do... do your best to help him..." What else could he say? It wasn't like he could bring a mech back from the dead. he was no Primus.
He left the medbay and its occupant to go see the other mech that much needed comforting and company right now. Savage was as much a wreck as Starscream, but in a different way.
Savage was curled up on the berth staring at nothing in particular, tears running down his cheeks. He had failed to protect his brother, it was his fault he was dead, he had been the one to strike the death blow. He could still hear himself screaming in denial while holding Megatron's body close, not an easy task as his dead weight was staggering.
'It should have been me!' He had wailed into Megatron's chest. 'I should have died not you!'
He had freaked out when Optimus had gently but firmly pulled him away from Megatron and into his chest. He was freed from his deal with Unicron but is should have been him that died not Megatron.
Being the one who had killed Megatron tormented him the most, the pain of it was too much for him, he wanted it to stop.
Sniffling, he rolled onto his left side and saw a large knife on the counter. He knew that stabbing himself in the spark would end his pain and free him from his guilt.
Sitting up, he slid off the berth and walked over to the counter and grasped the hilt of the knife.
Optimus had walked to Savage room, and knocked at the door softly. Hearing no response, he knocked again, harder, and then frowned when no answers came this time again. Seeing thw mental state Savage was in, this was most worrying, and he used his hacking skills to ovverride the lock's mechanism and open the door.
He took a few steps in the room, dark and most empty, beofre heading to the back room, where he could hear some mumbling, and sobbing.
"Savage?" he called, looking inside the berthroom. He saw nothing at first, but could heard the faintest of sobbing and hear a barely audible scraping sound. He turned around the berth, and froze, shock and horror stricking him. "Savage! No! Not you too!"
There, at the foot of the berth near the counter, laid Savage in a pool of his own energon blood, growing larger and larger as seconds passed, he knelt beside him, seeing the hilt of the knife he used sticking out of his chest, and called Ratchet, not daring to move anything.
"Ratchet! I have a medical emergency in Savage's room! he... he stabbed himself with a energon knife in the chest!"
There was a pause, and then ratchet answered immediately. "I'm already on my way with Knockout! Try not to move him! Make sure he's still alive!"
"N-no... don't try to save... me, I'm not worth it..."
Opimus jumped at the sound of Savage's voice, he looked down at the flyer who was lying on his side, looking up at him his optics dim and filled with sorrow.
"Shh, shh. Don't say that Savage." Optimus cooed softly, placing a comforting hand on the side of his face.
"I killed him, I killed my own brother. I only wanted to protect him and I failed." Savage sobbed.
Optimus gently rubbed Savage's cheek, wiping away the tears, smiling at him with a comforting smile. It was hard though... he didn't wanted the young seeker to join his brother just yet. he had sparkling, a family to think about...
"Savage... Your life's not over... You have to think of those who still need you here. Those who you're going to abandon if you die." His words may be a little harsh, but they were needed to open the mech's optics.
"Who...?" Savage whispered, his voice weaker and weaker.
"Your sparklings, Savage. they need you. You need to live, for them if anything else." he replied firmly, relieved to hear the door open and footsteps coming in a run.
Ratchet busted in with Knockout on his tail and both medic went to kneel by the seeker's side. They were quick assess the wounds and what had to be done, they quickly stopped the flow of energon, and strapped the mech to an hovering platform. Savage's optics, during those procedure, had been thoughtful and tears were running down his cheeks.
"B-but... Starscream..." he breathed while taken to the medbay, Optimus following.
"Is in no condition to care for them. Maybe never will be." Optimus countered him with this same firm, confident tune.
Later, medbay...
"He's lost alot of blood but other than that he missed his spark." Ratchet informed Prime once Savage was stable.
"Savage has never had very good aim when it came to knives." Knockout put in.
"Thank Primus for that," Prime said. "Maelstrom and Sagaris need him."
"Speaking of sparklings, you need a check up on your little one." Knockout said to Ratchet.
Rachet huffed a little before getting on a berth and crossed his arms and waited while Knockout scanned him.
"Dreadwing is proving to be a capable leader." Optimus observed.
"Yeah." Ratchet said relaxing at the mention of his mate.
Dreadwing had proved to be capable leader and asserted his authorty over the Insecticons after Savage in his grief ridden state beat the shit out of Hardshell when the large bug challenged the blue and yellow seeker when he announced the war between the Autobots and Decepicons was over.
"The sparkling is healthy. We shall be able to see weither the little one is a mech or a femme in a couple of weeks." Knockout told him.
it was only a few hours later then Savage first came out of his recharge, and he felt dazed and heavy, like a weight rested on his chest. he groaned, and turned his head to the side, his optics landing on the tank were his sparklings were floating. Starscream was there, a hand on the glass, and humming a lullaby for the little ones. Savage froze at the sight. it was totally heartbreaking, Starscream posture was so full of sorrow and pain, his wings slumped, and the light of his optics dim and dull.
It made Savage feel a little like an asshole for thinking he was the only one suffering here, and having been so damn selfish by trying to commit suicide. In that single moment he understood. He had been completely stupid, and he was NOT the only one in pain. Starscrem was in a lot more suffering, his pain probably ten times worst if the rumors about broken sparkbonds were true.
The seeker didn't seem to realize he was being watched, and kept watching over the sparklings, hand on the glass, humming softly in that spark-wrenching hollow yet beautiful tune. The little ones were reacting, and had shifted closer to the glass, huddled under Starscream's hand. He didn't wanted to disturb this moment...
Savage slowly sat up and bit back a groan of discomfort, panting quietly he slid off the berth to join the seeker beside the artificial womb.
If Starscream heard him the other flyer didn't acknowledge him until the younger one was standing beside the seeker.
"What you tried to do was foolish as well as selfish," Starscream scolded, keeping his tone calm so not to upset the sparklings. "I do not hold you accountable for killing him, but trying to take your own life after he sacrificed himself to save you is the worst thing you could do to honor the memory of someone you love."
Starscream glared at him out of the corner of his optic but his spark wasn't is it.
"He knows that you just wanted to protect him, while you were gone all he thought about was rescuing you from him. He wanted save you so you could watch them grow, he died achieving that goal."
"I realize it now..." Savage replied, his tune soft and subdued, holding an edge of sorrow. He shot the seeker a sideway glace, and Starscream had a curt nod, accepting his words.
"make sure you never forget this, Savage. Don't you ever again throw back Megatron's sacrifice in his face like that again." he said finally, and while still holding some anger, his voice was quiet and held an edge of weakness again.
"I... am glad to see that you are better, Starscream..." Savage said after a moment, and the humorless, dry bark of laugher Starscream gave him in return made him shiver. It was so filled with pain and sorrow...
"Better? I could never be /better/, Savage. My spark ache for my bondmate. It wants to go to him, and I'm still not sure I don't want to follow..." he rested a hand over his spark and stroke softly. "However... I am not completely alone. I will survive... if only for them..."
"Your carrying?"
Starscream nodded with a small smile. "Megatron's last gift to me. For the longest time I believed that I was sterile, I'm happy that I was proven wrong."
Savage smiled before putting an arm around the slimmer flier's waist. "You'll be a wonderful mother and now that the war is over you can raise them without worrying about the war."
Starscream chuckled. "Megatron always told me that if I ever got pregnant he would lock me in the medbay just to keep me safe."
"Yeah that sounds like him alright. But I'm sure he would immediately end the war so the little ones didn't grow up the same way I did." Savage replied.
Starscream's optics were so sad, yet he was smiling when he nodded, answering. "Yeah, he would. I'm sure he would. he cared a lot for me, and would've cared just as much for our sparklings."
He let out a small sob, and hugged himself, teary optics locking on the sparkligns floating inside the tank. His spark was aching constantly, as if to remind him of what he lost, and it was weighing heavily on him. "I don't know if I can do that..." He whispered, his voice barely audible. "I don't know... I need him... I don,t want his sparkling to grow never knowing him..."
He let out a keening sound, and pressed his forehead to the tank, hands on either side, taking to take comfort on the new lives he was carrying, and the ones inside the tank. Savage didn,t know what to say, he felt like there wasn't any word that would comfort the grief stricken seeker right at this moment. So he just stayed silent and by his side as a silent anchor.
Savage pulled Starscream into a tender and comforting hug just as Prime had done to him a week ago.
Starscream clung to him and quietly sobbed into his chest. He didn't fight when Savage picked him up and carried him over to the berth where they simply held each other, and soon fell asleep in each others arms.
* * *
Optimus quietly entered the med bay sleeping quarters to check on Savage and the twins. He stopped upon seeing Starscream sleeping in the berth with Savage, they appeared to be holding each other not in a lovers embrace but in a comforting one.
He moved closer and smiled a little before placing a gentle hand on the side of Star's face. He cared a great deal about Starscream but chose not to voice his feelings to the flyer beause of what had happend to his bond mate.
'Do not make the same mistake I did, brother. Tell him how you feel but give him time to grieve and be there for him.' Came Silverus' voice.
Optimus's optics lit up at the foreign yet familiar voice in his head. 'I know you. You were the one to help me when I defeated Unicron. You... are a Prime, aren't you?'
'Yes, I was a Prime, the previous prime before you. I was Silverus Prime. One of the few femme Prime ever chosen.' The soft voice answered, and there was a light chuckle. 'I helped you. You deserved to live. Your time hadn't come yet, Optimus.'
Optimus felt that she had gone then, but he was happy that she had spoken to him if only a little. He looked at the two seekers sleeping together so peacefully in the berth, and stroke Starscream's cheek a little more. the seeker turning his head to softly nuzzle his palm in his sleep. he smiled, he had had feelings in his spark for Starscream for quite some time, but had kept his distance since the seeker was happily bonded...
he would follow Silverus's advices and not push his feelings on the seeker. he would take his time, help him, and show him he cared. Maybe with time, he would win him...
Starscream's dream
Starscream found himself alone in the med bay, even Savage and the artificial womb was missing.
Were they moved while he was asleep? But the entire room was empty save for the berth...
He was about to freak out when a pair familiar arms wrapped around him and he was pulled into a broad silver chest. The seeker smiled and relaxed in his mates powerful yet gentle embrace.
"Hello, my beloved Starscream."
"M-Megatron?..." He whispered, and let out a strangled cry, spinning around to wrap his arms around his bondmate. "Megatron! I thought you were dead! I... I saw..."
A clawed finger pressed gently to his lips to silence him, and Megatron said, softly. "Shhh... I'm here now, it's all that count."
Starscream wailed and buried his faceplates in Megatron's broad chest, holding into him fiercely, possessively. Some part of him knew this was just a dream, but he wanted it to be true... he didn't mind, he just wanted to stay here forever with his mate. He cried and sobbed unable to restrain himself anymore. It hurts so much! He was a wreck, and he knew it...
"I... I need you! I can't do it without you! I... I don't want to be alone! And... and our sparklings... never knowing... their father..." He was sobbing so hard the words had trouble getting through his vocal processor. "Please let me stay with you..."
"You know I'm not real, Starscream." the dream-Megatron said kissing his mate's forehead, and pressing a claw to his midsection. "They are, and they are alive. They are me, as much as you. I know it seems impossible, now, but with time, you'll find it easier, and you'll heal. For them... and for me."
"I just feel so lost without you." Starscream sobbed.
Megatron stroked his back soothingly, he always hated seeing his beloved mate like this, he wished there was something he could do to make him feel better.
"Starscream, look at me." He said gently.
The seeker sniffled before looking up meeting his lovers gaze.
"I will always be with you, in here." He placed his hand where his spark and the little ones were.
Starscream lifted a hand to press it over Megatron and squeezed weakly, his hand was shaking. Tears were streaming down his cheeks and dripping from the pointy end of his chin like little crystal beads. "You took away a part of my spark with you when you died, my love. This... there is a aching void to replace this part now... It'll never go away..."
Megatron used his other hand to lift Starscream chin and look him in the optics, smiling sadly but confidently. "Don't be so sure. You never know what the future holds for you, my spark. You may even find love again, someday."
Starscream shook his head furiously at this, tears flying from his chin, and he said with a spark-deep sincerity. "No! No, there would never be anyone else. If I can't be with you... I'll focus all of my love on the sparklings. No one could ever replace you in my spark."
Megatron looked a little sad at that, and stroke Starscream's cheek, wiping away the tears lovingly. He held him in his powerful arms and let him sob into his chest. "You never know. forever's a long time, Starscream."
Megatron continued to hold his mate until he fell back asleep, he then proceeded to place him back on the berth.
"You will find love again, my dearest love. Its closer then you think." Megatron told his sleeping mate.
He secretly wished that he could be with Starscream in not just spirit, he flinched a little when he felt a hand on his shoulder but relaxed when he felt the soothing presence of a Prime.
He knew it was a Prime, because it has been a Prime who had come to him when had died and never had he seen such beauty and power. He had gone to one knee in front of her, she had simply smiled and told him to rise.
'There is no need to bow, Megatron.' She said. 'I am a Prime, not Primus himself.'
"May I stay for a few more minutes?" He asked.
Silverus smiled again. "I came to tell you that can stay with him in more than just spirit. Place your hand on his chest."
"You maybe a Prime but I don't think Primus would let you do this." Megatron said as he placed his head on his mates chest.
"It was Primus himself who is allowing me to do this."
She placed a hand on his helm and stroke it softly. "Close your optics, Megatron. You will stay with your mate... Through one of the sparklings."
Megatron did as told, and soon, a blue glow surrounded his body and it looked like it was slowly shifting into mist, seeping through Starscream's chest and inside his spark chamber, bathing him and the sparklings. Megatron was still aware of what was going on, and understood what was happening.
His essence merged with one of the sparkling, and he /became/ this sparkling. This was how he was going to live on with his mate. He was going to be reborn as one of the sparklings. A new chance at life... That was probably the greatest gift Primus could've given him.
The Prime stood there watching the process, and she smiled softly, placing her hand on Starscream's chest. "There, it is done. You two can still live on together. Primus bless you..."
Dreadwing placed a hand on his sleeping mates chest, their little one was strong; a month had passed since it's conception and aside from a few mood swings everything was fine.
He hoped that he was going to have a femme, for as long as he could remember he always wanted a daughter.
He smiled at the thought of a daughter with Ratchet's personality and his level headedness.
'That would be perfect.' He thought before leaning down and kissing his chest right over his mate's spark chamber.
Since Megatron's death, he took command of the Decepticons, with Optimus as his co-ruler. The mech was wise, knowledgeable, and very good as a leader. He adm,itted that he had little experience in leadership, and needed the assistance Optimus could give him. Besides, the mech had his optics set on Starscream...
Dreadwing smirked, nuzzling his mate's chestplates as he thought of the way Optimus tried his hard not to let it show that he was looking longingly at the slim, handsome seeker. Starscream was still grieving though, so he was keeping his distance. He was gentle, supportive, never pushing. Dreadwing thhought this was nice of him. he wouldn't take advantage of a weakened bot.
ratchet started to stir beside him, and his optics snone dmly as he woke slowly. "Hmmmm... Good morning..." He said, looking at his mate with a smile. "You tickling me..." he added and giggled a bit, bathing his head away from his chestplates.
"Oh, really?" Dreadwing said with a smirk.
"Don't even think about it." Ratchet warned, optics narrowing.
Dreadwing chuckled before tickling his mate, who proceeded to laugh and tried to get away from him.
"Dreadwing, stop it!" Laughed Ratchet.
"Say it frist."
"I love... you... you are the... other part of my soul..." He said between gasps of breath.
Dreadwing stopped his tickle torture to kiss him fiercely and rub his back and sides. "I love you too... You're my everything, Ratchet." The flier replied and resumed kissing his lover.
Soon they were interfacing and lost in each other's like there was no tomorrow.
Months later, Starscream was about ready to deliver his twins, and ratchet had already given birth to his little daughter a couple of weeks ago. She was a precious white and blue with red accents little flier called Destiny, and she was already showing signs of having his carrier's temper. She was giving them a run for their money...
Knockout was the only active medic on the ship right now since ratchet was on medical leave, but he was fine with it. He was on duty when Optimus came in carrying Starscream in his arms. "Knockout!" he yelled a little overwhelmed, and the red sports car was at his side in an instant.
"Put him on the medical table. He's in labor, that much's obvious. Has it been a long time?" he asked, all business, and Breakdown prepared the needed equipment.
"Maybe a cycle. I came as soon as I found out!" Optimus replied, while on the table, Starscream groaned, clutching his swollen abdomen.
Gasping in pain and a little scared, Starscream reached out and took hold of the nearest hand which happened to be Prime's.
Optimus smiled and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Its going to be alright, Starscream."
The seeker gave him a pained smile then saw something silver by Prime's foot, then smiled again when he saw who it was.
"You have a follower, Prime."
The larger mech looked down and his optics softened when he saw that it was Maelstrom, Savage's gentle and affectionate daughter.
"Why hello there, little one." he said and smiled down at the tiny femme at his pedes.
She had huge sparkling blue optics and was always smiling and laughing and happy. She held up her hads, wanting to be picked up, and Optimus bent down to comply, wrapping an arm around the little femme and lifting her up. Once there she squirmed to be put on the berth and she put both tiny hands on Starscream's large abdomen. She was such a curious thing, always wanting to explore and understands.
"Why in pain?" She asked, her musical voice tiny and cute. "New babies come soon?"
Starscream smiled despite the pain and placed a hand on her helm, stroking gently. "Yes, very soon, Maelstrom. You'll have new friends to play with."
"Friends!" She exclaimed and cooed softly, petting the round side of the belly with tiny hands. SHe nuzzled her face into it, and then turned to look at Optimus. "Friends." She said seriously and he laughed.
A few minuters later, Savage entered the med bay with Sagaris clinging to his leg.
"Have you seen Mael-" Savag paused then smiled when he saw Optimus holding his daughter. "I figured she'd be with you, Optimus. She really likes you."
"That she does," Prime said. "Where did you find Sagaris?"
"Pestering Hardshell... again."
The twins were as different as night and day, while Maelstrom was even tempered and well behaved, Sagaris was all together different. Although, he was a good boy but he was also a troublemaker and liked to cause mischief.
"Well, boys will be boys." Screamer said then cried out in pain.
The contraction calmed down after only a few moments, and Starscream panted, laying back on his pillow with coolant streaming on his body. "Frag... that hurts..."
From Savage's foot came a tiny voice repeating "Frag!" Happily an Savage barked "Language!" At both his son and the seeker. Starscream rolled his optics and snickered a bit, looking amused despite his pain. "Not like I can help it. I'd like to see /you/ go through it for real."
Knockout, who was settled between Starscream,s legs to watch his progress, said sternly. "Could you all shut up so I can work? This is the medbay, not the rec room!" Then to the seeker he said. "We're almost there. It won't be much longer."
"In that case, I'll take Maelstrom from you, Prime. I'd rather not have my kids become traumatized by seeing Starscream give birth." Savage said as he approached Optimus.
"Wise decision." Prime replied before giving him his daughter.
"But I wanna stay." Maestrom said.
"I know, sweetie. But this is something you shouldn't witness until your alot older then you are now." Savage told her.
Maelstrom was crestfallen but didn't press the matter.
"You can come back later, Maelstrom, after your cusins are born." Optimus said then smiled at the grin on the little femme's face.
Starscream screeched in pain and swore again teaching Sagaris to say "slag" as well as "frag".
Savage left the med bay, cursing sparkling still clinging to his leg.
Twin sparklings cries could soon be heard inside the medbay, and Starscream was cradling to his chest his little ones. One was silver and looked like a perfect copy of his Sire, with the same red optics and tiny claws on his hands. Starscream was in awe. it was like Megatron was reborn through this sparkling to be with him again...
"Galvatron... This is your name..." he whispered and nuzzled the crying spakling's helm. "My little Galvatron..."
Optimus had stayed with him until then and he was smiling, knowing that this was Primus's gift to Starscream. He reached and stroke the little one's head, chuckling lightly. "He's adorable. And what do you call the other one hum?"
he reached and petted the small golden seeker on a tiny winglet making him coo and look at him with bright orange-gold optics. He was all golden with only small black accents and a black helm. He had orange strips on his winglets and arms.
"Sunstorm. His name's Sunstorm." Starscream said, and kissed the other one's helm lovingly too, blessing Primus for this gift he had been given.
Despite all odds, and despite what obstacles fate put in all their ways, it seems that everyone was getting solace and a little bit of happiness.
Primus smiled at this.
All was as it should be, at last.
-END-