Author's Note: I hate writer's block. I had to restart this chapter because I didn't like the start of my other, and so now that one is chapter 9. So difficult. (sighs) Please enjoy, however! There is going to be a LOT of new stuff coming in here...which I'm sure you'll all be interested in!
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. I do not own Nightwind.
Chapter 8: Past and Present
"You called me, Skyfire?"
The broad white mech turned from his attention on the flat, if not aggravating, computer screen to face his leader. "Welcome, Optimus. Yes, I called for you," he stated, motioning him over, "I have some very…disturbing results from my research."
"About Starscream's and Skywarp's change," Prime murmured, his expression turning from professional to aggrieved. "I feared this; please, explain."
"Of course," Skyfire said, sitting down in a chair, pointing at the screen as soon as he knew he had Optimus's attention, "These readings were taken from our security systems that surround our ship. They go about for a hundred miles…which, luckily for us, were in our range during the time that Starscream was transformed. As you can see, this is our normal range of energy readings…given light, heat, electricity, and all the other types of energy are taken into consideration. For us, that's about two-hundred and fifty blocks of energon per joor. When you and Starscream were having that…-tug-of-war between the energon cube…" he murmured, casting a nervous glance between the screen and Prime before pointing out a skinny, yet very tall parabola on the graph, "…this is what the energy readings were."
The leader was shocked. "And what are the conversions?"
Skyfire pursed his lips, drawing a large breath in before he said, exhaling, "About two-hundred and fifty blocks per astrosecond."
Optimus gasped, absolutely stunned that the sheer amount of energy was able to be balanced! "This was before the energon block was dropped?"
"For about a breem, yes, and then it completely depletes after the explosion takes place. It's strange, though…you only stood there for about fifteen astroseconds, but the energy level was there before that. As if…it was anticipating you," the scientist murmured, staring at the screen. "It's frightening…"
"What kind of energy is it?" Prime asked, wanting to proceed further. He could think about the toll of the stalking energy later, for now he had to learn everything about it.
"It's like an energy sample that I took once for exploration on a…black hole," Skyfire muttered, his optic ridges creasing together in frustrated thought. "Like something coming from another dimension."
"You do realize this sounds pretty far-fetched," Optimus murmured, turning to look at him.
"Yeah, so did the whole grant-your-wish bit, but this actually has supported evidence," the white mech grumbled, returning with a funny expression.
Prime nodded. "So we still don't really 'know' what it is, but that there is something there and it might've not been just a freak accident after all."
"Exactly. What it is, however, is something I fear. Not being in this universe has the power to anticipate your moves, and then turn back time on a single individual. And then erase all their memories. And then specifically choose a different subject to do the same upon."
"Sounds like one of our ancients," Optimus said softly, think of Alpha Trion…Sentinel Prime. It was almost overwhelming.
"Well, I would rather have it be that than something that we don't know. Or even something like…Unicron," Skyfire muttered, shivering.
Prime twitched, glancing at the white mech with apprehension, just from the vice god's name. "But…how…?"
"That's what I intend to find out…" Skyfire stated.
"I just hope that it isn't the case."
--
"You're such a cute wittle baby," Thundercracker crooned, nestling Skywarp with his nose, "Such an adorable wittle lovey-dovey!"
The violet mini-Seeker giggled cheerfully, wiggling around on his back as the blue mech continued to tickle him gently and speak inconsistent things. The two other Autobots in the room, Prowl and Wheeljack, were every so often distracted from their in-depth conversation to give funny stares at the once-Decepticon. They had known Thundercracker for many things, being that he was the most level-headed of the three Seeker's from Megatron's batch, he tended to also be the most ruthless. He no doubt had killed many of the Autobot's faction for pleasing Megatron's ego, and did well at that. Cuddling and cooing was not part of the routine he usually displayed.
The door suddenly cracked open, a red and blue mech entering with a pleased expression and a content ivory Seeker flopped over his sapphire helm, saying, "Thundercracker, may I speak to you? Bring Skywarp along; I'd like to know a bit about their past."
"Of course, Optimus," the ex-Decepticon murmured, rising from his position and taking the smaller with him.
Yet, now that Thundercracker had joined the Autobots for the sake of the children (or at least as a neutralist; he even removed his Decepticon symbol along with the children's), he seemed nothing but pleased to carry out Prime's orders, requests, anything that the leader might throw at him. It made no sense to most of the Autobots, but Prowl knew better. He could see through the blue mech—that's why, compared to every else excluding Optimus, he treated Thundercracker with a decent amount of respect. The ivory cop car couldn't help but take into consideration that since the Seeker was so strongly tied to his family, he would anything for them, be it that they should kill, so would he. And by the way Thundercracker had mumbled every so often about how terrible Starscream's and Skywarp's pasts were, it wouldn't be much of surprise if that were the case.
"There's always another choice," Wheeljack stated in a stoic manner, "We could always see through the optics of Starscream himself."
"Go into his CPU and fish out the memories?" Prowl asked, moving another chess piece. He found the human concept of the game interesting, but simply too easy. However, when the inventor had created a separate, more Transformer-prone game consisting of almost fifty pieces to each side, Prowl couldn't hide his interest. "That's a serious invasion of privacy. I'm not sure if neither Prime nor Thundercracker particularly enjoy seeing a child being turned inside out."
Wheeljack glanced up at the deputy, not very pleased at, once again, hearing Prowl defend the ex-Decepticon. "I understand your reasoning, however, Thundercracker and certainly not Optimus were with him his entire life. If we could find his creators, even…that would be a great step towards possibly finding out why the two had been changed."
Prowl thought for a moment, shifting his glance towards the door as he watched the pair leave with their charges. Then he turned back to Wheeljack as the door finally clicked shut, the inventor staring at him with a look that seemed to wait for his response, but also wondered if he had upset the general. It wasn't often that Prowl got mad at all at anyone, especially with his attitude, which was nothing of a short-aft. However lately, his true colors really began to show when Starscream had gotten upset that some of the Autobots had cornered Thundercracker and had made threats, scrutinized him, etc. Prowl had turned from a different hall from hearing the quiet sobs of the ivory Seeker and had, by human saying, completely flipped a slag when he saw what was going on. He had gotten furious beyond measures and had even stroke fear into Sunstreaker's spark from his intensity.
The Autobots had realized, then, it hadn't necessarily been the fact that cornering Thundercracker was what set the police car off, as much as the fact that Starscream was upset by it. Now the twins, Hound, Ironhide and Jazz were cleaning the ship from top to bottom, and then Chip Chase's laboratory in the same, then back at the ship again. They also had monitor duty for next year. Such harshness was not expected from the second, and Optimus had leveled it a bit from what it originally was, but the same rage still stood. Prowl was not happy at seeing the youngling upset, and now it was known to everyone.
"We've never considered the possibility that neither Starscream nor Skywarp truly have any place in this equation…" Prowl said slowly, watching the game board, "they could, as a matter of fact, be caught up in the crossfire. You've heard about Skyfire's finds, haven't you?"
"Yes," Wheeljack murmured, knowing the other was right. "It's…frightening."
"Indeed. However, most consider Unicron a myth. I'm more of the see-to-believe-it myself, but I'm not saying that the theory isn't truly thought-provoking. If it is the case, then we're dealing with more than just ourselves. We're dealing with the gods," murmured Prowl, shifting another piece. "For some reason, I don't find this entirely far-fetched, though…evidence is still required. Far more than just energy readings and fictional datapads."
Wheeljack said nothing for a brief moment, assessing, before he stated, "Yes, but I can't help but still wonder…we've been searching as to who or what had changed the children, but necessarily for their purpose…"
"Like I said," Prowl intervened, "They might have nothing to do with it."
The inventor remained silent for a moment before sighing and, leaning back, muttered, "I indeed hope so."
--
"I don't know how much I can really offer," Thundercracker said quietly, sitting down on the other side of Prime's desk, "but I'll do my best to reply to whatever questions you might ask."
Optimus nodded as he sat as well, Starscream happily sipping on a flask of energon while snuggling into the elder's chassis. "You've been saying for a few days now that Starscream past particularly wasn't the best…what made it so terrifying for them as children?"
"His step-opiluk, or as he claimed to be," Thundercracker replied instantly.
"His…step-opiluk?" Optimus echoed.
"Yes. Opi, or opiluk, is the term used as a creator from a child. Nobody knows how this term came about, but is nevertheless the globally-accepted term; it's like a father in human words. Likewise for mothers, daniluk, or mommy, dani. If either creator should fall, one would take over the job, however…if both were to be offlined permanently, it is the child whom decides who their next guardian should be. I've already noticed that Skywarp has called you opi," the blue mech replied, a ghost of a grin flashing across his features before disappearing.
"I always thought that was the way he was able to say Optimus, rather than…'father'," Prime said quietly, astonished optics transferring to the violet Seeker who was quietly recharging on Thundercracker's lap.
"I understand," the other murmured, "but, for both them…they never had that chance." Optimus remained quiet, allowing Thundercracker to continue: "For them, they had to face serious hardships in trying to get another guardian. Often, when both creators fall, the next-closest family member is taken into consideration. If the environment and love is sufficient enough, then the child will claim that mech as their guardian. For Skywarp, he had taken almost ten guardians under to watch over him, and then all wound up deactivated. It was none of their faults, but suspicion turned into prejudice and before long, he was shipped off to an orphanage because no one could take him in. At the same time, I was completing my education at the Academy, but once I heard about him, I dropped out…thus, I became his 'opi'."
"But he doesn't call you that now?" Optimus asked, somewhat puzzled. "I mean, even before he was changed back into a child."
"I'll talk about that later," Thundercracker stated, shifting in his seat, "But for him, it seemed pretty promising…he wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the box, but he was dedicated, and that's all that mattered. He had good skills in the sky, had a loyal and even, at the calmest of times, gentle attitude towards others. Despite this, he was always forced to weigh the barren of thinking it was his fault that he had killed so many of our own kind. He never seemed to be able to get over it…"
"The poor thing…but he still seems to be open for attention, I mean…he really wants it," Prime added, arching one of his optic ridges.
"Well…since his creators abandoned him…yeah, I imagine I would be, too," the blue mech replied in a sad tone, optics turning to the floor. "Damn Brokebacker and Trist for their incompetence…I never liked them, even as my aunt and uncle. Even to this day I do not understand why they had simply…left him."
Silence hung over the room for a moment, Optimus nearly bringing himself closer to Thundercracker in attempts to comfort him. His own fierce loyalty to his family was so powerful that he grieved twice as much as the victim themselves. It was no doubt a personality trait that did much to his own spark; the poor mech. He seemed to dwell more than he should've. Thundercracker suddenly perked, saying, "Well, anyways…that's basically how Skywarp's story went. His vicious personality never left him, even after I had picked him up at the orphanage, and I don't think he really accepted me as his opi, just because he feared if he got too attached, I would wind up just as the others. That's why he was also so connected to Starscream because he didn't have to fear of losing him, but could continue to grow his relationship because Starscream had just as a bad experience with creators, if not worse…
"Starscream's story is a bit more complicated, however…beginning with his creators, of course. Even by then, Megatron had begun to build his armies from the inside, taking in lost younglings and fueling the hatred of the betrayed mechs felt towards the Council members, and towards everyone else. With this, his brother, Lucius, supported him through this act and, as a Seeker himself—"
"Wait a minute, Lucius is involved in this?" Optimus asked, looking absolutely stunned.
Thundercracker halted, puzzled. "Well, yes…of course he was. Why? What connections do you have with him?"
Prime stopped for a minute, studying the blue mech across from him before glancing down at Starscream, and then he seemed to make a decision from within himself. Glancing back at the other, he then murmured, "Forgive me. Please continue, I'd rather hear your story first and then confirm my own theories."
Thundercracker still appeared to be confused, but then shrugged (more to himself than anything) before saying, "Uh…all right. But anyways, Lucius acted as Megatron's right-handed 'bot for awhile, and he didn't mind one bit. Lucius, as far as I was concerned, always had a difficult past himself…the Council of Ancients had acted against Megatron in a sense of conspiracy, and it had, in turn, affected Lucius as well. He had also lost his late bond-mate to a fatal virus, and on top of that, everyone seemed to be acting against both he and Megatron. Nothing was going well for either of them, and they finally decided to turn the tables and act against the Council, especially when Megatron had made the wild accusation that the Ancients were simply pawns of the Quintessons. Lucius, of course, believed him.
"Nevertheless, they were silently plotting and boiling underneath the Forbidden Zone, safe from all optics. However, a lot of that changed when the femme Desari arrived. To Megatron, she was useful for computers and hacking into the main processor of the Council. She even helped with creating the first Decepticon base, Fort Scyk. However, to Lucius, she was the most beautiful thing to ever cross his optics. Obviously the Council's so-called 'conspiracy' hadn't hit him as hard and he eventually recovered from the loss, and found his identity and, through it, to love again. Desari immediately responded and they even ran away with one another: the result of their love was him," Thundercracker murmured, pointing discretely at Starscream.
"Interesting; continue," Optimus replied with a stout nod.
"Well, when Megatron found out about this, as you can assume, he freaked out and sent one of his most elite generals at the time, Blackbird. As you know of him from past experience and rumors and such, he was the most ruthless of all—if not completely insane. When he had found the couple, Lucius had tried, of course, to protect his sparkling and bond-mate and…failed. Yet, even after Blackbird had killed the creators, for some reason, he didn't do it to Starscream. Something just…stumped him about the youngling, and in the end, he even turned on Megatron for Primus-know's-why before taking Starscream with him. And that's when I came into the picture.
"Desari was my late daniluk, even though I had a different opiluk, and, after hearing her death, did everything I could to find Starscream. What I found was that Blackbird had gone into the Acid Wastes within Stanix, into the city of Yuss. When Megatron went there to flush out the neutralists, he then escaped to Crystal City. There I finally found him, but by then…it was honestly too late. He had not only nearly beaten Starscream to death, but had also ripped out his vocal processor and his psychological status to an almost impossible recovery condition. That's why as an adult, Starscream's voice never recovered because, well, it had basically been destroyed. We were able to get him medical attention just in time to save his life, but even then he trusted no one. He never took a guardian under his name again, no matter what I or anyone else did to try and persuade him. When he finally was able to get back on his feet and get an education, he ended up getting expelled more than six times because he nearly deactivated his classmates. Skywarp and Skyfire were the only ones whom he truly seemed to befriend, and even then he wasn't inclined to truly become more."
"What…what a terrible life," Optimus whispered, smoothing a thick finger over Starscream's helm, "and to think…here he…"
"That's why I'm so dedicated to them…to see them go through it a second time would be something I couldn't bear," he murmured, holding Skywarp to him. "They deserve better than this. They deserve a good life, just like everyone else…"
"Forgive me, you must've been devastated…but they'll have good lives. I promise I would never—"
"I know you would never beat a youngling, Prime. None of the Autobots would. However, from Megatron's point of view, it's just…especially with Lucius being his brother and all," the blue mech muttered, leaning back against the chair, "Oh, didn't you have something to say about your connection with Lucius?"
Optimus nodded, then said, "Can you keep a promise, a secret, Thundercracker?"
The Seeker seemed surprised by the inquiry, then, judging his options, nodded.
"Well, how do I explain this…" Prime sighed, glancing at the floor, then back at Thundercracker, "Lucius was my brother."
--
Megatron pondered.
He could've thought about many things at that point, most of which were more important than the next, but he couldn't resist from keeping his dwelling mind off such things. Such things as Starscream.
Megatron more often than not was an observant being; one that was bestowed with the great gift once patience, willing to watch and think and conclude. He was able to do this easier when he was younger, when he pulled his forces together named the 'Decepticons' and began his conquer quest, but over the years it began to dwindle. It especially came into place when Starscream was chosen for his ranks—it began slow at first, the remarks, the forever-rebellious personality of the Seeker paying its toll on Megatron's patience. Eventually, the tyrant wasn't able to do much more than to simply do things on the account of his second, no matter how hard he tried to deny the temptation.
But now that he was gone…now that they were both gone…
More than that, now that they were younglings and with the Autobots…it was almost hard to function without the ivory's snippy comebacks and consistent bad attitude. His crew noticed it; and with the loss of Skywarp, it was even more difficult. Megatron chose them for a reason: besides the fact that they could fly (which was something that he could never achieve), it was a gaping loss of three strong-willed Seekers that could do far more than just fire a gun. They could plan, scheme, escape from enemy hands and bring down even their own kind if it was orders. Their resilience with killing was simply amazing, and that's what Megatron needed most.
And, though he would never admit it, even if he captured (or rather returned) them, he wouldn't be able to bring himself to make them truly evil.
Time had done that task, and there was no way the tyrant would be able to do such a feat again. Perhaps I'm getting soft in my old age, he muttered, sinking in his throne. Perhaps because Starscream is my nephew and Skywarp is his cousin. Damn the family ties! If only Prime realized, I…
It suddenly dawned upon him, Megatron's optics widening in an epiphany. "That's it!" he then exclaimed, surprising Thrust who stood in a corner. "That's precisely it! Why didn't I think of that earlier?"
"Wh-what is it, sir?" the final crimson Decepticon asked.
"Getting those kids back!" Megatron exclaimed and jumped up on his two feet, bolting down from the podium in which he sat and down through the hall. "Let's go! I've got a plan!"
--
Thundercracker couldn't recharge that night.
Skywarp clicked softly beside his audio receptors as they slept in the same berth, finally after given 'permission' from Sunstreaker, and while the little one was blissfully unaware, Thundercracker also couldn't be more grateful.
'We were all destined for the throne.'
And more scared.
'Lucius, the oldest, was the keeper of the skies, myself, the middle, watched over the ground, and Megatron, the youngest, acted as the grey space in between. But no matter what we did for him, Megatron could not digress his hate for us enough. He felt as though he was receiving nothing—being the youngest, having no territory, having no true transformation were several of the many claims he made against us.'
Had he known that this was not only a war for rebelliousness, but for a throne, he would've never sided with Megatron. And for all the reasons…Megatron acted bold and proud, but it appeared he was truly a very insecure mech. He acted like a king among his men, depicting several guards for himself, making a hierarchy amongst his ranks. It all made sense now—and, seeing as it was, if all three of them had royalty imprinted on their CPUs, Starscream had royalty in him. However, since Desari was not part of the royal heritage, Thundercracker did not.
'Lucius, of course, was going to take the throne first. However, since he and I had a built relationship on good ground, he promised me that we would act as equals, sharing Cybertron and keeping a reign of peace behind us. We were unsure of Megatron's actions, and we did not know what to do for his case. We feared that if we gave him the land, he would abuse it, hurt the mechs that lived there. If we did not, we also feared that he would turn against us, trying to rule us out as unfair as he had always done. In the end, we decided to give him the land out as a peace offering, but were unable to do so because the Council did not allow us to fulfill our plan. They stated that Lucius would remain as the only leader. I did not mind, but Megatron could not get over it. That's what you stated as the "conspiracy"'
But with Lucius gone, it continues on down the line, doesn't it…? Then what is it, Starscream's reign, or Prime's?
'The Council also wanted Megatron to never have the land because of the same fears we had, and in order to that, had to make sure that it would never reach him, even at the cost of myself. Thus…'
Thundercracker swallowed. It was honestly more overwhelming than he could ever imagine—royalty. He had never once thought of himself nor any ties to him to be such, but now that it was there, he saw it, knew it, feared it. He was afraid because he knew upon returning to Cybertron, in attempts to settle things between the Autobots and the Decepticons, Starscream would have to take the throne. Except…he was only a child. By the blue mech's own calculations, he was only six-thousand years old. Barely out of his guardian's sight, and certainly not mature or level-headed enough to support an entire global system. He would no doubt end up running away or attempt to decline as well—he was also too humble to take such power. He would probably give it away before he took it for himself in this state.
'With this information, and with it in the Council, they will now try to have Starscream reign. It's ironic, isn't it?'
But Thundercracker didn't want that for him, either.
'That as an adult, he wanted all, but as a child, he wants nothing?'
None of them wanted that…so then what could they possibly do?
'I have a plausible solution, but it requires femmes. I'm going to call Elita One and Arcee tomorrow and she'll probably be here within a week's time,' Optimus murmured.
Thundercracker perked up, his spark clenching somewhat as an idea popped in his head. 'What about…a Decepticon femme?'
'Who?'Prime asked, genuinely interested.
'Her name is Nightwind, and she is a Seeker as well, if not the best of her faction. I know that she would betray Megatron in a minute if it was for the sake of Starscream, since I heard that she…well…' the blue mech muttered, not wanting to proceed further.
'She has pink optics for Starscream, does she?' Optimus asked, his optics dancing with laughter.
Thundercracker nodded with his lips pursed.
'Then so it is.'
They would do anything they could.
--
"Do you plan to tell about your family history to any of your underlings?" Thundercracker asked, arching an optic ridge as he watched and waited for the femmes to arrive together.
Optimus turned to the blue mech, giving him a funny look before saying, "Underlings? You mean the rest of the team?"
"Yes, the rest of the…team."
"Well, there are a few whom already know. Ratchet knows who I am, along with Mirage. Since they were both part of the higher levels of the Cybertron hierarchy, they knew more of the veins of the network more than anyone else. A few of the Decepticons know as well, such as Shockwave and Soundwave. They have taken an oath not to tell about it, however," Prime replied respectively, patting Thundercracker on the shoulder. "I'd prefer to keep it that way until it becomes absolute necessary that everyone knows. Megatron seems to think along the same lines."
"If only he could do that with a few other things…" the Seeker mumbled, glancing down at Skywarp who was doing twirls and spins on the ground with Starscream beside and watching him, thoroughly amused. "But, I'm just happy that Nightwind decided to play nice for once and agree to join the Autobots, or at least be a neutralist like myself. I was afraid she would flip it and dive over to Megatron and delve all our secrets."
"She seems reliable enough, and with her dedication to Starscream, I have a feeling our security systems managed to level-up quite a bit," Optimus concurred, "Along with a few others."
Thundercracker turned with curiosity, asking a bit lowly, "Who did you bring? It better not be anybody too vicious…"
"Ahem, well."
"Who did you get, Prime?"
"They're more the heavy-lifting."
"That doesn't help."
"They're somewhat large…they tend to not have the most bolts in the batch…"
"You brought the Dinobots?!"
The leader flinched at the height of the ex-Decepticon's voice, Starscream and Skywarp being interrupted from their fun and both of them staring up at their relative in fear. Prime rubbed a hand behind his head, shrugging his shoulders as he said, "It's a good idea, Thundercracker. It would provide the two with the protection they need; I cannot always be standing on-guard with the rest of the Autobots in my wake, and besides, it would allow the training the Dinobots went through to be officially completed."
Thundercracker was still giving a murder-like expression over to the other, his optics wide with the impression like he was going to rip out Prime's processor and stick it down his intakes. "No amount of training would make them stop being the loose-bolted mechs they are! Not to mention bloodthirsty! Is that the kind of influence we want for Skywarp and Starscream?"
"What makes you think they're going to be around Grimlock and Sludge and the others twenty-four/seven? And Arcee will keep them under control—she was the head of their training as she completed her own, thus they are very close to one another. Don't underestimate everyone around you so much, Thundercracker. Give them a chance," Optimus said softly, a smile undeniably under that faceplate.
The blue mech grunted, crossing his arms in defiance as he mutter in submission, "Fine. But don't blame me when the two come crying that they saw one of your own be ripped apart to a thousand pieces and thrown like confetti."
Prime sighed.
"Optimus, there's a ship!" Starscream suddenly exclaimed, pointing towards the sky. "Are those the people that you talked about?"
The leader glanced down and, with a smile, nodded. "Yes! The Dinobots and the three femmes! Aren't you excited?"
The two nodded happily, as they had not seen a femme in a while. Especially Starscream; having spent so much time with Blackbird, he had never really gotten a chance to know what it was like to have a dani. It was extremely fortunate that with Starscream's age, it was clear that the little one hadn't spent too much time with the tyrant and thus didn't have too much psychological damage done to him, as it were. Upon seeing the ship arriving, however, Optimus took the two into his arms and began walking over to the colossal thing, noticing that the door was opening already, even though it hadn't even landed.
"Here she comes…" Thundercracker muttered. "This is just going to be wonderful."
--
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter! There were some pretty large concepts that were introduced into this chapter and so I thought a lot more would be…overwhelming. Anyways, I promise to make it up to you next time!
Read and review, please.