Author's Note: I think it's so dumb that has gone and made the .docx files only 'preserved' files and made their own openoffice junk keep all the italics, bold and underlined and such. It's a free site, anyways. Why would they need to do that? (huffs) Anyways, sorry for the long update! Hope all you guys had a fantastic spring break and enjoy this chapter!!

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, nor Nightwind.

Chapter 10: Seek and Surface

"At last," Megatron whispered, stepping back. "At last it is done."

"Well done, my lord," Barricade thrummed, taking a step beside him to look at the creation.

"It's perfection…but tell, Lord Megatron, what is its…purpose?" asked Hook, who helped with the entire 'project' though, along with the rest of the Decepticon crew, had no idea what its true value to the faction was.

The silver mech remained silent for a moment, no doubt rivaling himself at the masses of wires and plugs and satellites and other such things that were connected with it, before shifting his attention to the medic and replying quietly, "Its purpose is that of bringing me one step closer to retrieving Starscream again. It is not necessarily, my cohorts, a matter of just taking him physically as it mentally…and this machine will help achieve this. Now leave me here and go to the control room to begin the sequence. Whatever you do, do not come into this room during that time. If you have something to say to me, do so through the computers. It is of utmost importance that you fulfill the order; am I clear?"

"Of course, Lord Megatron," the squadron replied, bowing in respect.

"Good, now lock the steel gate door and I shall do the rest," Megatron murmured, shooing them out.

His inferiors bowed once more before exiting silently, the enormous barrier of the door slamming and clicking shut as Hook locked it behind him. Megatron impatiently waited for them to be completely empty of the room and perhaps a few steps away from the door before turning back to the silver metal throne that sat proudly in the center of the room. Hundreds of energy jacks, USB links, power chords and every other human nerd would squeal over was scattered about the space, beautiful and prepared for work. A glistening gray-silver helm was presented on the chair, perfect to fit Megatron's head shape. Everything was ready.

The grand leader strode up to the throne with his usual pace and grace, taking the helmet into his grasp before seating himself comfortably. He would be there for most of the night, and he didn't find it too idealistic to wake up with his body tight and sore. After making the final adjustments and tinkering a bit with the machinery, he placed the helm upon his head.

"I am ready, Hook," Megatron said quietly. "Begin the sequence."

--

Starscream dreamed.

It wasn't a dream that he ever thought would be brought unto him—let alone be it a good one.

However, what he dreamt was something spectacular indeed.

Opening his optics, he found himself in a room—a big room. It was white and beautiful, its expanse filled with simple things: berths, toys, curtains, little cups of energon placed delicately on little tables, puzzles and other sparkling games. In its circular shape, the soft, large beds lined the outer edge, a skylight bringing in a flourish of warm sunbeams from the outside. The entire placed appeared to be made out of an ivory rock that was carved along the high walls, elegant decorations that reminded Starscream of someplace, but of someplace he couldn't particularly put his finger on. He rose from where he had fallen into recharge, stretching his limbs from resting in one place before he inspected the rest of the room, sky-blue optics searching the vicinity.

"Optimus," he said happily before jumping down from where he was seated. Walking slowly, he smiled upon seeing the enormous form of the crimson and sapphire guardian, who was in a deep, undisturbed recharge. Pushing away the thin fabric that hung down from the ceiling to keep the berth protected, the tiny seeker strode up to the other and placed gentle fingers on his faceplate, happy to see Optimus so peaceful. The commander murmured something in his sleep, no doubt something inconsistent, but it made Starscream's smile become deeper nonetheless.

"Starscream?" a different voice said, making the other turn around.

"Brother," Starscream replied as he returned to the center of the room, walking down the steps that lined it before going to where the sapphire seeker was laid out languidly on a separate bed.

"What are you doing up?" he asked gently, smiling like a tired cat.

"I'm not sleepy," the other replied, pushing the curtain out of the way and going up to Thundercracker. "You are, though."

"I am. I feel very tired," the larger seeker observed as if noticing it for the first time.

Starscream giggled. "Then you should go to recharge, silly!"

"I will," Thundercracker murmured before pulling his smaller brother into a hug. "Don't stay up too late."

"It's morning, though," Starscream objected, but the other seemed not to hear.

Thundercracker laid down completely, getting comfortable in the softness of the berth before he sighed and his optics shuttered close. Starscream smoothed his hand down his big brother's face, warmth of love overflowing in his spark from their connection. His brother. A brother that he had thought he'd lost. A smile sweeping across his small features, Starscream then stood back, allowing his relative rest.

A sudden rasping on the door, however, made Starscream jump as he turned about, noticing the huge, standing entrance at the end of the corridor threshold to the room. Curious, he bopped down from where the berths were and skipped down the hall, wondering who in the world it could be. It could be neither Sideswipe nor Sunstreaker, for they were not allowed in this place, as the rest of the Autobots weren't, either. Very select few could ever be allowed to be in the place, the Big Mech said so, after all.

"This room is for you and your spark-relatives alone, my young child," he had said, "however, in order for you to keep this place of peace and contentment, you must never leave. It is important that you understand this, Starscream, because there are many, many bad things outside this place. The worst, yet, is very frightening monster…"

Starscream was also told that the monster could not open or come within the room, therefore he was safe opening the door, so long as he did not step outside of it. Then he would be in trouble. Of course, due to the fact that the door was being knocked upon, that meant that someone else had to be there. Not the monster.

Reaching up, the little one caught the long stem of the door handle and brought it down, unlatching it and allowing it to swing open. A gasp and optics widened at the sight—a huge, black void was just beyond the sight of the door, huge and engulfing. It seemed to eat everything up, leaving nothing in its wake besides utter darkness. A small breeze escaped into the room, but nothing more, even as the door was completely open.

"Hello?" Starscream asked, his voice echoing through the empty landscape. "Is there someone there?"

The howl of the wind only responded to his answer, chilling him to the core and forcing a shiver down his spine. Hugging himself, his features became worried and confused as he wondered who could've been there in the first place. He waited, but the concern did not last long.

Deciding that he did not like what he saw, he moved to close the door again when he heard a rather desperate cry. Jumping at the sound, he backed up, afraid that the impending blackness might try to attack him. When nothing originated, however, the little's one trembling frame calmed down, but knew that the noise hadn't been a part of his imagination. Considering for a moment, he then chose to keep the door open, but recognized that wouldn't help if the person was in trouble. He needed to reach that person instead of the other way around. Scratching his head, Starscream whirled about in attempt to find what he was looking for. And, as if done by magic, he found it.

Just to his left appeared a slim, ivory rope and thick steel hook that was next to it. Not taking a moment to pause, the miniature seeker went to work hooking the rope and then throwing it out into the space of nothingness. Gravity was lost in this place, thus the long extension easily floated out into the frightening depths. It even seemed to disappear—like a white bird being consumed by an ebony cloud. Its slackened nature did not tighten as Starscream had hoped after a few moments, even after once more telling whoever was out there to grab a hold of it.

But then it did.

With a gasp and a smile, the youngling watched as the rope was yanked by the one at the opposite end, a figure appearing from the murky masses of the creature beyond. There was soft grunting as he continued on down the line, obviously desperate to be out of the situation he was stuck in.

"Hi!!" Starscream exclaimed, waving his arms with pure excitement as he watched the stranger come.

"I'll be there in just a second," spoke the responding voice, one that Starscream recognized, but did not at the same time.

"M…Megatron…?" he whispered in shock, his expression dropping before it turned to a happy shock. "No way!!"

It took but a few more moments for Megatron to arrive at the ledge, and when he did, Starscream welcomed him happily. They brought back the rope and closed the door to ensure their safety, locking it furthermore so the nasty monster could not get in. As soon as they were done, however, the ivory seeker noticed something that was off.

"Your leg has a big scratch on it," he noted, pointing towards where there was three huge gashes jutting through the thick armor of the elder, "And your shoulder…and your stomach. What happened?"

"You were always very observant," Megatron replied, glancing down at him. "It's scary out there. You don't want to leave this place."

Starscream nodded. "I know."

The silver one inspected the seeker for a moment before kneeling down, getting a better look at him. Starscream remained where he was, though he was certainly curious as to why Megatron was looking at him like so. The little one, of course, was just as curious. The white helmet, the ebony appendage that was leveled with his right forearm, his massive figure, it was all a new experience for Starscream because he had never truly seen Megatron. To any others, no doubt the enormous figure would be intimidating, if not downright scary to the optics of a youngling, but Starscream was not afraid.

"You're so small…" Megatron murmured, taking the tiny form into his arms as he stood upon, continuing his examination, "Those tiny fingers…you're so cute, Starscream."

"Everyone says that," sighed the little 'bot, rolling his optics at the comment he heard for the millionth time.

"Well, they're right," cooed the larger before he began walking deeper into the room. "What is this place, youngling?"

"My room! The Big Mech gave it to me as a present!" Starscream replied happily, if not a bit proudly, while bouncing in Megatron's arms.

"'The Big Mech'?" echoed the silver one, his head cocking in confusion. "Whoever is that?"

"I dunno his real name…I just called him that and he said it was okay. I like him a lot. He's very warm and very nice to me and protects me against the monster," Starscream replied simply, not realizing how much meaning his words contained.

"And who is the monster?" continued the other.

"He's this ugly creature that's right outside that door…he's scary and the Big Mech always tells me not to go outside so that he can protect me within here. He says that the monster wants to take me away from the Big Mech and the Big Mech is nice, so I don't want to leave him," Starscream answered, easy in his replies.

For the next few joors, Megatron stayed with the little one, playing with him joined by the masses of toys and game chips that were scattered randomly across the floor. It was all of his favorite things—the Big Mech certainly knew him so well that his warm presence even arrived in Starscream's nightmares, soothing away his fears, protecting him against the darkness of the night. Only once had the Big Mech spoken directly to the miniature seeker, and even then it was only for a short period. Though Starscream remembered the words, if asked upon, the little one could not recount his appearance…

Throughout the time in the room, the larger silver mech resumed in asking questions and receiving the responses with deep consideration. Of course the youngling thought nothing of it, simply enjoying his time with the uncle he had never seen before. It was an opportunity that Starscream took to his greatest advantage—his tiny form consistently remained on his lap, playing with whatever toys were given to him, but never once parting from the larger. Megatron brought no opposition, cupping his small frame in his hand, giving him whatever he asked for.

Optimus and Thundercracker remained under recharge—obviously they had been far more exhausted than expected to even themselves.

"I'm tired…" Starscream said with a yawn as the room began to obtain a faint ginger color, the cream-colored walls becoming warm and comforting.

"It is late, then," Megatron added quietly as he stood, taking the little one with him. "It is time you go to bed."

"You're staying, right?" the seeker murmured into his warm chassis, snuggling tighter within its depths. "You can stay if you want."

"…I have to return from where I came," the other countered, seeming to reluctantly place the tiny figure into Optimus's own body. "It's best that I go."

"But you should stay…" Starscream whimpered, clasping a single finger digit of Megatron's in both of his tiny hands. "It's fun when you're here…"

Megatron pondered for a brief moment, simply staring at him with gentle crimson optics that Starscream supposed he should be afraid of, but wasn't. In their hollow depths held a faint trace of a kind of compassion that he once saw in his own opi's optics once. Though his opi was strong and frightening, no matter what happened, his opi was always nice to him. Always. Just like Optimus.

"I have a big job," Megatron then said, "I'll be back for you, though. You can count on that. I want to see you soon, so I will. Okay?"

"Okay," Starscream agreed as the final wave of impending recharge flowed over him. "Good-bye, Meggy…"

Megatron nodded.

--

"I can't find it," Skyfire sighed, throwing down his writing utensil and shoving the data pads aside. "There's nothing, Wheeljack, I can't find slag to explain the kids' conditions."

The inventor paused a moment to glance over the ivory mech's discoveries, shuffling through the data, collecting patterns. Skyfire sat there, sulking in his chair as he patiently, if not in a stubborn manner, waited for the other to finish. Once done, Wheeljack glanced back up and, with a sigh, said, "You at least have one lead."

"One. That's it. ONE. One measly lead isn't going to find who did this, and how to change them back!" the seeker exclaimed as he sat straight up again. "I mean, this is so highly advanced stuff…we might be made of tough stuff, Wheeljack, but none of us can turn back time. It's just not possible!"

"On two, to add to it," the other murmured, then regretted his comment when he noticed Skyfire's face fall.

"Exactly. And Skywarp's case is nothing but completely out of the blue, considering he's just…one. Starscream's touched practically all others and hasn't offered any of the same effects as Skywarp has received. I don't even want to talk about that. To make it simple, Wheeljack, there's just no answer. I can't find any, and I've made everything to their precise calculations, looked at the general speculations, scanned over every detail, and then their body types are beginning to change and that's making absolutely no sense, and then their abilities for singing and dancing just make all sorts of tied ends become loose all over again! I've been researching a month into this and there's just…nothing!" he growled, throwing papers and data pads and the like off the table in a spurt of frustration.

Wheeljack sighed as he glanced away, unsure of what to say. Skyfire slumped back and ran a hand over his face, the poor 'bot suddenly looking as old as his age beheld it. The inventor paused a moment, and then leaned down and began picking up the mess on the floor, a move or a comment going unprovoked by the white mech. Once things were in a messy collection, Wheeljack replaced what was missing on the table and took Skyfire under his calm but concerned gaze before he said quietly, "Perhaps we'll receive some answers through my research tomorrow. Their bodies changing are probably more through the fact that they are suiting to their environment, a way for their bodies to react with Megatron's presence. Skywarp is getting it too, y'know."

"Then why aren't the rest of us?" Skyfire asked, attempting to hit a direct blow.

Wheeljack hovered for a moment, scratching his faceplate before he murmured, "Actually…we are."

For once, depression and disappointment was exchanged for shock as the scientist glanced over at the other with wide optics. "Really? Who?"

"Sideswipe," Wheeljack replied easily, unsure if he should say anything, but deciding that with Skyfire's position, it would be necessary, "as well as his brother. And Prime, and Ratchet…even Ironhide and Bumblebee are getting some change as well."

"How? How is this possible?" Skyfire whispered.

"Simply becoming accustomed—"

"But we're not battling anyone!" the science officer snarled, slamming his fists on the table and producing two dents. "How long has it been since we last took on the Decepticons? Two weeks, three? There's no explanation and there's no evidence and I'm really starting to lose my mainframe because no matter what angle or perspective you look at it, there is just no answers!!"

Wheeljack jumped from Skyfire's intensity, seriously reconsidering if he should even be in the same room as the other while he was so frustrated. It was not normal for the white mech to get so angry so easily, especially not when it came to something so serious. For Wheeljack, it wasa bad omen besides the fact that Skyfire appeared to be giving up already—and true to his word, no matter how he put it, there were simply no answers for his unending questions and hypothesis's. He was frustrated beyond imagination and appeared ready to throw something across the room. Wheeljack's only hope at this point was that it wouldn't be him. However, he was also worried about the fact that what the ivory mech said was true—there were just no answers. But there had to be. There had to be something.

"I've actually started to think," Skyfire suddenly mentioned, catching the other's attention again, "that maybe…this isn't happening. What if this could be a part of a Decepticon trap? Maybe we all got captured…and we're lost in an endless waltz, a never ending maze of pointless coincidences and phenomena, only in the end to be—"

"Don't say that," Wheeljack interrupted before he could go any further.

"Yeah, well, it's a possibility, or even more of a probability compared to else I've gotten from the kids themselves," muttered the science officer, glancing away. "We all just might be all in a stasis lock in caplets, all on the same dream frequency, lost in space, you know."

"No," Wheeljack stated, clenching his fists, "I don't want to know."

--

Optimus walked.

Jazz, who was standing against the wall down in the corridor behind several other mechs, waited to put his name on the list for duty today. Prime walked casually down there, Starscream snuggled tightly against the crook of his elbow. His features brightened at the sight of second, a smile warming his sky blue optics as he noticed one of his favorite guardians. Prime's own smile deepened when he noticed this—his pace quickened involuntarily, wanting to gain the attention of the smaller mech before he could place his name on the boards today.

"Jazz," Optimus stated stoically, but his spark with buzzing; it radiated from Starscream's own, which doubled the effect on the elder one.

"Jazz!" Starscream exclaimed.

The special OPS agent glanced at the pair with calm optics, his expression quiet, not himself. It appeared he was struggling to keep himself from smiling. "Prime, Starscream. Good morning."

"Good morning," the leader murmured, attempting not to laugh when Jazz turned away, pretending to not notice the others as they invaded his person space. The bearer of the Matrix leaned into his cohort, not quite touching him, but close enough to make him uncomfortable. It took a few breems, but eventually the white and ebony mech finally turned back to the other, an annoyed expression across his face. "I'm relieving you of all your duties for the morning," Prime said politely, cheerfully.

"Why?" grumbled Jazz, obviously not getting the cue.

"Because," Optimus replied as he parted his body from Starscream's smaller one and put the tiny form in the confines of Jazz's surprised arms, "You're taking care of Starscream."

"Yay! I get to be with Jazz!" the ivory Seeker said gleefully, throwing his arms around the other's thick neck.

"Wh…what? I thought Sideswipe—" began the agent, who had completely lost his 'cool' appeal (which really didn't mean anything; Jazz never attempted to be 'cool' unless he wasn't attempting at all) and looked as frantic as ever.

"Sideswipe is on duty," Prime cut in, feeling through Starscream's connection with him that the little one was just as excited as Jazz probably was. "And besides, I've noticed that you haven't spent nearly the time you need to with the younglings. As a start, you will with Starscream. I'm also taking a few of the Autobots out on a Decepticon sensory run, thus you'll have him then. Wheeljack is going to run some tests on his and Skywarp's abilities right now, therefore you'll be with him all day. And tonight, too. I have monitor duty so you'll have him in your sleeping chambers. Is that clear?"

"Y-yessir! Will do, boss!" the other exclaimed with a salute.

"Good. Now take care," Prime stated as he leaned over and swiftly pecked Starscream on the forehead before walking off, "and I'll see you during feeding time."

"Right Prime!" Jazz replied before waiting until the other had completely left before glancing down at his charge with a wide grin. "Oh, the things we are going to do today!"

"Dump water on Wheeljack's head!" Starscream whispered in excitement, being sure that the good doctor not ten feet away could hear.

"Naw, I got somethin' better," the saboteur snickered before striding off, giving a haughty smirk to the unfortunate sparks who had duty today. They gave him longing looks—any time spent with the children was, to say the very least, relaxing. "Involvin' us, 'Warp and Sunny."

"What're we going to do?" the seeker asked.

"Oh, you'll see lil' buddy."

--

"So what did you discover, Lord Megatron?"

"Things I did not quite expect."

"What does this mean, Lord Megatron?"

"Something I cannot foresee."

"Will the sparkling come soon, Lord Megatron?"

"He will come when he does."

Among all the vague answers in the world, none of the subordinate's of Megatron did not quite expect that of which their lord gave them. It no. 1, wasn't in his likeness and no. 2, brought no reassurance to ease their tension about the situation. All of the Decepticons—no matter their position or personality—had all otherwise become nervous the very moment news of Starscream's transformation had come into the base. It had upturned like a virus; swathed in shocked, but most of all an unknown apprehension had captured each of their sparks, some even unsure if they should truly remain by Megatron's side. What had such two tiny bundles of wires done to them?!

"What is your plan, sir?"

Megatron shifted his optic sight to meet the stern, demanding gaze of Blackout, one of his co-commanders in the Anti-Aircraft Base, called upon for some heavy lifting, along with Barricade, whom was leader of the Race Track Patrol. Both were heavily skilled in sincerely ripping apart their enemies, and were prepared for battle. However, both of them seemed more than just agitated at Megatron's keen interest in a youngling—they were for-sure fragged off.

"We did not come here to ponder," Barricade thrummed, and despite his small size, his appeared to be lethally impatient to get in some Autobot-bashing. "We came here to fight."

"Oh, you will get in your fight soon enough," Megatron stated while rising from his sitting position upon his throne. "Very soon. And trust me, my fellow Decepticons, do not think of taking the youngling just as a blow to Prime and those filthy Autobots—with Starscream alone…we will control Cybertron."

A wave of complete surprise enveloped the dark room—from small to large, strong to weak, Decepticons alike began to whisper in shock at the stunning (and rather unexpected) piece of news. Either their leader had completely lost it, or it was actually the time when they would get what they had deserved for so long…

"Starscream is the Prince of Iacon."

--

"You want to teach them how to fight, and they're not even past their tenth vorn yet," Sunstreaker muttered, taking Jazz under his piercing sapphire gaze.

"In times like these, it's best to be prepared," the silver mech retorted, cocking his head, "would you have that Megatron—"

"Yeah, yeah, I get why, it's just 'cause they're so young and damn fragile. You might be able to handle Starscream 'cause you're so small, but I can't. Not with Skywarp," stated the twin evenly, glancing down at his charge with weary optics. Long ago they might've been stern, watching, but in the past week or so there was just no way that Skywarp could do wrong to Sunstreaker, and vice versa. It had shocked many an Autobot to hear that the so-called sadistic Lamborghini twin had fallen prey to a five-foot ebony and violet bundle of wires that could run off any other with his temper tantrums and malevolent attitude. It was like a calling from the Matrix to Prime, whom had feared that Skywarp would never find an appropriate male guardian, and with the addition of Nightwind…Skywarp was turning out to be quite the happy little sparkling.

"Have you tried it once before?" Jazz asked as he hid his amused expression at the care that Sunstreaker showed for the mini-Seeker.

"Have you tried it with Starscream?" shot back the other.

"I have not. As you recall," the special OPS agent stated with a flash over his visor, "I haven't been able to spend much time with him."

"…Right, but nonetheless. I think we should tell Prime and see what he thinks before we do anything stupid."

The saboteur sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Fine. Where's that blasted inventor?" he asked, whirling around, attempting to catch sight of Wheeljack. "He should be here by now."

"I heard he was last discussing some stuff with Skyfire. They're having trouble continuing their search with what happen to the kids," Sunstreaker supplied, picking up Skywarp from where he was playing with Starscream on the floor with a single hand. The miniature seeker clicked angrily at his interruption with his game of 'Say-this-word' with Starscream, but did not scream and rant as he would with any other mech. So far thus, Sunny was pretty much immune to the pouty cheeks and watery optics that Skywarp had thrown his way, and eventually the little 'bot just gave up. "It seems like they just can't come up with an answer. I'm not surprised. But then again, I'm not really complainin' either."

Jazz smirked, regarding the golden twin evenly before he stated, "I'm not either. Of course, this whole thing with your bodies changin' ain't really helpin' either." There was silence, then, before the special OPS glanced up at the other with a look of 'I-just-got-an-idea!' sprung to his features. "What if it's got somethin' to do with the kids, y'know?"

"Our bodies changing?" Sunstreaker asked. "Well…yeah…I couldn't imagine it as anything else."

"But I mean, what if the same thing that changed the kids is changin' us? I mean, it makes sense, doesn't it?" Jazz exclaimed, his excitement bursting from the seams and affecting both the children. Skywarp clicked and whirred happily, clapping his hands together as he tried to reach the silver mech. Starscream smiled as he glanced up at the larger one, an otherwise knowing expression on his face.

"…Yeah, but it sure as hell doesn't make me feel any better," Sunstreaker muttered, glancing down at the splintered armor across his thighs where fresh, new golden paint was beginning to poke through. And like his ego wasn't big enough as it was.

"There you two are," a sudden voice called across the enormous hall of the cleared rec room, deemed Wheeljack who stood at the door with Bumblebee trailing behind him. "It's good to see you all here on time."

"We're actually not the ones late this time!" Jazz jested, a haughty smile across his features.

"Cute," the inventor muttered, emerging in front of them with all sorts of ridiculous machines, "Bumblebee's is going help us out and Skyfire and Ratchet is going to come in a bit later. Skyfire is briefly speaking to Optimus and Preceptor is having a bit of trouble getting his scope online."

"Among other things," Jazz muttered, earning snorted laughter amongst the four others.

"Jazz!" Wheeljack barked.

"What? Who said that?" asked the smaller mech, glancing around.

"Very funny. Anyways, let's get these things online. I think we're going to evaluate the power of the kid's singing and dancing abilities first before anything else," the ivory inventor said, placing down the large artillery before beginning to plug various wires and other sorts into the outlets. The whole set up was rather small for the size of space the rec room was, as Wheeljack had intended so that Skywarp and Starscream could have the space to move around. The Dinobots had been given the assignment to clean it up (much to their disliking, of course) and had done so efficiently and without killing anything or anybody. Mission accomplished. Finally, Wheeljack turned to Starscream and gestured him to come forward so he could begin. The passive little one looked less than encouraged; all those needles and wires and other things were scary, to say the least, and Starscream didn't feel an iota inclined to come near.

The perfected act to warming up to the larger 'bots of the Ark was mastered down to every square inch of persuasion that Starscream could use in a single astrosecond and, from that single expression alone, get away with anything. Glancing up at Jazz with large, sky-blue optics and a pleading expression was all it took for the saboteur's spark to flip before the white mech bent down and picked the smaller one up. "It's all right, little guy," cooed the OPS agent, nuzzling Starscream with a finger, "Wheeljack ain't gonna hurt you. He wants to hear you sing…don't you wanna sing?"

"Sing what?" Starscream whispered in response, leaning against his guardian while holding him around the neck.

"Anything you want. It can be happy or sad or angry, anything you like at all. How does that sound?" Jazz murmured, opening the smaller's optic view of the doctor once more. "C'mon, his inventions won't blow up on ya. I've seen these things work perfectly."

"…Okay…" the mini-seeker replied wearily before being placed upon the ground where he walked, if not a bit reluctantly, away from Jazz and towards the frightening machines that towered over him.

"I haven't been able to hear you voice yet," Bumblebee then added, catching the smaller one's attention, "I would love to experience it."

At this, Starscream smiled and nodded, a touch of embarrassment taking over his features and he realized that, indeed, his good friend Bumblebee had yet to hear his voice. All those whom had heard it were baffled, as they had been the first time, and there was only few and spare moments when Starscream would be open enough again to sing. Jazz also had not heard. Well, he supposed that answered the question. Reaching Wheeljack finally, the inventor placed a pair of headphones over his tiny audio receptors, designed to specially fit his miniature helm, before several patches of metal were placed across his body.

"What do these do?" Starscream asked, poking at them with annoyance in his tone.

"When you sing, little one," Wheeljack explained, putting the final touches upon the tiny frame, "you attract energy. This energy can become a lot, and I want to see how much you can draw in."

"It depends," the mini-seeker whined while itching at his suffering surface panels from the strange effect the metal pads were giving him. A large microphone was placed in front of him and probably would've looked less intimidating if it was covered in the human color spectrum. All the silver and grey reminded Starscream of a rather particular mech…

"Depends?" the inventor asked stupidly.

Starscream glanced up at him like it was obvious and the elder Autobot was dumb as a rock but, with an accompanying sigh, said, "Yeah. From how…um…strong the song is."

The white mech stared blankly at the smaller before exchanging glances between the two older 'bots in the room with perplexity. Starscream was confused, too, wondering why this came as so surprising to Wheeljack. If they would just ask once in awhile…Starscream would tell them anything, he just didn't like being the one to bring it up…he was afraid he would be telling them the wrong thing, especially if it was something the Big Mech did not want them to hear.

"Why don't you show us?" Jazz suddenly requested, catching his attention. "Sing the strongest song you know."

The ivory seeker twitched, optics going wide at the thought. The strongest song…that was a really powerful one! "Are you sure?" he asked, wondering if he should go through with it. The power, without being controlled by Skywarp, would probably destroy—

"Yeah, go through with it," Sunny said with an accompanying nod. "We'll stand back here, all right?"

The little 'bot thought for a brief moment, considering his options to pick and choose the right one for the job. Usually, he was able to attract more energy with more passionate songs…like anger or pain or a great need for a higher power. Like Primus. Of course, songs like those also caused a lot of damage…well, if they wanted it. Starscream shrugged, finally finding an appropriate calling. "…Okay…here it goes…"

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A/N: Haha! That will just have to wait 'till next chapter. Sorry for the extremely long update! I love all of your guys' reviews…you make my world go around!!

Read and review, please.