Author's Note: Update! Hooray! Thanks for all the awesome reviews last chapter, I hope this one is to your expectations.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers.
Chapter 16: Lost
"Primus, you're gettin' big," Sunstreaker muttered while settling Skywarp next to Starscream, who was silent as he watched Optimus get their feed of energon for the day.
"Time goes by fast," the Autobot leader added while place a cube in front of the two, earning twitters of appreciation while they attacked the nutrients. "Soon enough, we'll be putting on their final body armors and they'll be on their way to becoming adults."
Sunstreaker snorted, wiping some excess energon Skywarp had missed that was now displaced on his face plates. "Don't remind me of how old I'm gettin'. It seems like yesterday we were the ones just putting on our final body armors and become adults. Most of all, becoming warriors."
Prime gave a single nod, leaning back against the wall and staring at the younglings that were engulfing their energon on the table before him. Starscream, though he usually took his time, was a tad messier from trying to consume it as fast as possible. Although he did have an energon feed while he was recharging after healing Sideswipe, it clearly wasn't enough to sustain the youngling from his needs. Skywarp was simply hungry all the time, and it showed that he would become a very vibrant and strong male of their race when he grew up. No doubt he would be even larger and bulkier than Starscream himself from the huge amounts of exercise he did.
"What do you think they'll be like when they grow up?" the golden Lamborghini asked quietly, a question and tone that surprised Prime and made him give the other a shocked expression. Sunstreaker took notice of this and composed himself, giving a single cough before he added, "I mean, since they're not going to be all evil and stuff, they're going to be different, right?"
"I suppose," Optimus said, finally bringing himself to turn away from the other and glanced at Starscream. Of course he had mulled it over on many occasions—Starscream was going to be a far different mech than he was in his previous life, but who that was going to be was what sent jolts through Prime's systems. It was a miracle, to be honest, that so much could happen from just a simple explosion. Well, it was a big explosion, but compared to the previous actions that had happened in the Transformers' war, this was nothing. And it has made so much of a difference. The Autobot leader smiled, then, sighing contently while Sunstreaker gave his commander a funny look.
"I have a feeling that something good happen in your processor," the golden warrior muttered, leaning back against the table and lifting his optic bridges. "Or am I wrong?"
"Just thinking," Optimus returned, lifting his hand to nuzzle the youngling while he finished cleaning off the cube, who leaned into the touch unconsciously.
Sunstreaker stared the elder for a moment before his expression dropped flat and he stated, "You think too much."
--
"Sideswipe!" Starscream exclaimed, leaning from Optimus and reaching out his small arms to his crimson guardian.
The red Lamborghini smiled wide, sweeping the tiny F-22 into his arms and throwing him into the air while saying, "Little guy! How's it hangin'?"
"Good!" the smaller returned with a nod as he wrapped his small arms around Sideswipe's face, squeezing tight before releasing him and staring at him in the optics. "I just had the yummiest energon! Did you have energon?"
"I'm being fed through a tube," the twin said with the crinkle of his faceplates, motioning towards the IV that was streaming in nutrients to his exhausted body. The jokester leaned in, making his way to pass something secretive as he murmured into the younger's audio receptor, "Ratchet's weird like that. I think he likes poking people with needles and tubes and stuff. If you see him with a needle—"
Sideswipe was abruptly cut off the blabbermouth with a painful 'clunk' to the head from a wrench, making him yelp and nearly drop the youngling. Prime caught the youngster with the flick of his wrist, allowing Ratchet to take the hoist. The C.M.O settled a heated glare upon the twin, steam practically rolling off his form while he growled, "Don't scare Starscream, you scrapheap."
"I'm not scared!" Starscream called defiantly, squirming in Optimus' hands as though to prove his worth. "I'm not scared of anything!"
The three Autobots were surprised by the outburst of the flier; especially considering not but a few weeks ago he'd been afraid of staying alone in a room or with strangers. It was an improvement, in the least, but what brought upon the sudden courage was what made them all buzz with curiosity. "And what makes you say that, Starscream?" asked Optimus, voicing everyone's thoughts.
"Being afraid is stupid," he replied, albeit bluntly, and made the adults around him perk with interest and confusion.
"Then I must be dumb as a rock," Sideswipe muttered, bending over in defeat.
Ratchet smirked at him, wide and mocking while the red Lamborghini returned it with a glare of his own. "Funny how the two—"
"No," interjected the other, crossing his arms with a huff. The doctor's smile only pulled further.
"Why is being afraid stupid?" continued the guardian, ignoring his cohort's disputes. Starscream glanced up at him, optics alight with a burning defiance the elder all too well recognized. Nevertheless, he found interest in the bond that the flier shared with his uncle, well aware that one was present the second he looked at the two in one room. At this, Optimus' ancient sapphire depths warmed in understanding as he said, "Being afraid is not a weakness. Fear has many forms, and how we act is how much fear we have in our sparks. Even Megatron fears things."
At this, Starscream's features turned to blatant disbelief, though it also showed that he couldn't find it in himself not believe Prime. "But he does not mind getting hurt…and I—"
"You are but a child," Optimus interfered, motioning towards Ratchet and Sideswipe. "You are not quite to the steps that these two or myself or Megatron are. They are far ahead of you on the road of life and they've had training and ten times the experience. They have simply…grown a tolerance to the behavior of war and battle. Megatron has an especially wide tolerance, and can therefore take more. It is not a matter of personality."
The tiny F-22 thought about this briefly, his small, round face pouty with the answer his adoptive father had delivered. It was difficult to deny that matter, as he was still a youngling, but he did not like the reply all the same. He wanted to be able to do that—to be so strong when his body had sustained so many injuries. It was…inspiring. The sight of a mech being able to continue his duty of Megatron's rank while no doubt so fatigued truly made Starscream want to become that. To him, Optimus was untouchable. Nobody could ever defeat his mighty guardian, no matter their power or rank. Yet, Megatron was something tangible. He had gotten hurt, yet he was still able to carry on normally. Starscream yearned for such strength.
"You will grow strong one day, though it will take time. One day you might be like your great brother, Thundercracker. You will have many teachers and guides to make you a powerful warrior," Optimus said, his tone light and full of possibilities. Starscream bathed himself in that voice, the deep baritone accompanied by the bright reassurance of his spark overcoming him. No-one was like Optimus, no-one was able to convince someone so well. Why didn't Megatron listen to that voice? The voice of truth; why wouldn't he want to?
"So I can be like you," the youngling said, wrapping his hand around Prime's few fingers, holding them to him. "So I can be like Megatron."
The energon that Ratchet had brought for Sideswipe was spat out, the purple substance sprayed all over the C.M.O. Thought the doctor would normally be infuriated, he was still shocked by the statement that Starscream had said. The crimson Lamborghini turned wild optics towards the sparkling.
"What did he say?!" the twin exclaimed, his expression diving into furiousness.
"Calm down, Sideswipe," Optimus commanded softly, holding out a hand in a show of dominance. "He met with Megatron on his own; it went well."
It didn't quell the younger's anger, his mouth moving faster than his mind. "Meaning he didn't try to—"
"Excuse me," Ratchet growled, lifting up something that could come close to a torture device. Sideswipe's mouth slammed together, fear reflecting in his eyes at the sight of the contraption.
Starscream felt an abrupt pang of frustration, one that made him wriggle from Optimus' grasp until his small feet landed on the floor. His guardian said his name once, but the flier disregarded it as his tiny footsteps took him outside of the medical bay. Surprise took hold of the three mechs, two pairs of optics turning to question Prime. The leader only stared where Starscream had left, as silent and swift the wind. A heavier debt settled in, making Optimus realize the price the youngling would have to pay with such a compassionate spark. Oh, Starscream…do not let it bring you down.
--
"He is so small."
"He doesn't weight an ounce."
"His wings are minuscule."
Skywarp was going to be in so much trouble. He knew it deep within his innocent spark, full of inquiry and interest, one that had brought him into this position. So many hands surrounded him, giving him gentle pokes and prods while he, in turn, stared up in wonder at the enormous mechs before him. They were magnificent reflections of the warrior he wanted to become, each a different piece of art to behold. Each were unique in their own right, yet as they stood together, all crimson optics trained upon him, they all held a sort of…theme that made them a dark rush in the bright flow of Autobots.
"If Sunstreaker finds him down here, it's going to be hell to get him off our afts," the largest of them all muttered, standing in the corner like a sulking sparkling. "Put him out into the hall."
"But look at him," Bonecrusher (who still had all-too-many bandages and splints on that the Autobots had offered) said with interest, holding Skywarp up by his foot. "He's so tiny."
"Aft!" the ebony flier exclaimed, sprawling out his arms and legs despite being upside-down. "Aft, aft, aft, aft, aft, aft!"
Blackout didn't respond, glancing away as he watched the hangar bay door with slight nervousness. The past twenty-four hours had been a disaster; he was not in the mood to deal with a headstrong Autobot demanding for his offspring back. The others continued to screw with the youngling, every once in awhile giggle springing from the midst of mechs. It was already ten minutes too much when the door suddenly slid open, optics shooting towards the open entrance. Sparks were relieved to see rather than gold, there was silver and Thundercracker stepped through silently, his sapphire optics searching for one specific thing.
"There you are," he murmured when his trained orbs caught the sight of black, one claw sweeping through the gathered Decepticons to take hold of the youngling. "Does Sunstreaker know you're down here?"
Skywarp curled up into a fetal position, chewing on an index finger as he giggled, "No…"
The larger F-22 sighed, though his smile betrayed him as he glanced back at the temporary babysitters. "Do you know who these mechs are, Skywarp?"
"No…"
"You should know better than to—"
"Be with strangers, I know…" the youngling all but moaned, rolling his optics in exasperation. He had heard the lecture only ten thousand times, but his curiosity always overcame his fear of authority. There was nothing like the thrill of the unexpected and unknown to quench his thirst of fuel. Of course, the tiny F-22 would always grow parched again whenever a new number was added to the equation. The Decepticons, in his adolescent processor, was an entirely new math book.
Thundercracker glanced back at the Decepticons, their gazes scrutinizing him as always. Never again would he and his old friends get along—not after what he had done for his younger brother. Starscream was in the hands of the Autobots and Thundercracker took no heed into following Optimus Prime wherever he went, so long as the beige and black younglings stayed safe. To the Decepticons, betrayal was never taken lightly, and Thundercracker did not treat it as so. Rather, he simply took he leave, a dangling Skywarp in his hand as the ebony flier futilely attempted to gain his freedom.
While they were walking down the hall, far enough from prying ears, Skywarp glanced up at his uncle with slight confusion as he asked, his voice filled with the innocence of a child: "Why is everybody mad?"
Sapphire optics glanced down at the youngling, Thundercracker delicately placing the other on his broad shoulder as he replied, "What do you mean?"
"Everyone is always mad…" he murmured, trying to find the appropriate words to address the situation, "Every time I see us together…we're always mad. Why?"
"Mechs like different things, Skywarp," the elder began, knowing full well that this was to come sooner or later, "and when some mechs don't like the same as others, they get mad at each other."
Skywarp paused briefly, a thoughtful expression plastered on his features as his thoughts ran deep with a child's wisdom. "That's dumb," he finally stated. "Mechs are mechs."
"I know, but like you said, some mechs are dumb," Thundercracker replied, giving his relative a light smile. "Don't worry; things will get better. One day, mechs won't be dumb anymore."
The ebony flier stared at the other for a moment, optics wide with thought before he muttered, "I hope so."
--
"I know why you're upset!"
The out-of-the-blue, obnoxiously loud comment took Megatron by extreme surprise as he whipped around, staring down at the source where the tiny voice had originated. Starscream had a huge smile on his face, looking as though he had found the secret of the cosmos. Megatron's shocked expression recovered, the Decepticon folding his arms as he muttered, "Oh really?"
"Yes," the youngling said with a proud nod, practically beaming out a quasar before his expression settled some humility, and he took two steps to the side before he said, his voice quiet, "It's 'cause you don't have the new bodies."
The silver elder scowled and faced the window, pretending to watch space pass him by as he wondered to himself, Do I look that pathetic to everybody? Because, however, Megatron did not exclaim the same enthusiasm of discovery that Starscream expected him to, the seeker looked down at the smudged, silver tiles before replacing his solemn gaze upon the Decepticon. The other's calm watch remained glued to the window, unyielding and aloof in its own right. Starscream saw the honesty in this action, remembering what Optimus had said about fear.
'Megatron has an especially wide tolerance, and can therefore take more.'
At the realization, the youngling's smile was replaced as he said, his voice soft, "I know a way to give you one."
The simple statement gathered Megatron's attention like nothing else could—and his crimson, burning optics stared upon the flier as the silver mech settled onto his knees before the child. "Do you…?" he inquired, his audio sensors acute, knowing that to underestimate Starscream was the stupidest things he could do. "And how would I get one?"
"By my song," the flier replied on the dot, tapping the corner of his mouth with a sharp claw. "It's easy! Just stand in front of me, and I'll do the rest."
Either that or I could go flying out into the middle of space without the sole hope of returning to the ship in my condition, Megatron muttered to himself, his scowl growing deeper so it was like a thick line across his face. If I survive that sort of blast at all. The elder settled his gaze upon the youngling, and he found himself doubting his own words by the sincerity in those sky-blue optics, and the whisper of a smile that was strewn across his tiny face plates. Of course, not like I could bargain my chances with anyone else.
"Very well," sighed Megatron, reaching out his hand while Starscream practically threw himself into the other's keep. If it doesn't work, I'll be branded a fool forever. Or dead. Hopefully the latter compared to the former.
The Decepticon Lord stood upright, keeping Starscream in his hand as he wandered off to a more secluded area. Little was he aware of the blue, brightly curious optics that had just watched the interaction, and once considered far away enough, the shadow followed after with keen interest. Maybe there were things in the universe that could change a spark of evil to one of good. Either way, the Autobot was certainly not going to pass the chance to witness one of the rarest moments to happen in the fate of existence. Not by a long shot.
It was difficult to find a place well-hidden enough where there was few or no soldiers occupying it, but Megatron was able to find it near the patched-up jets that rested on the bow of the ship. The atmosphere was very hot, and the surface surrounding the Decepticon hotter as he decided it would not be wise to place Starscream on the ground. Even the youngling was confused as to why Megatron needed a place so secretive, but did not ask questions. So long as his sensitive feet did not get burned and he didn't go into overdrive from the heat, he would be fine.
"All right, go ahead," Megatron muttered, glancing at Starscream who nodded and stood in the palm of his hand, turning to face him.
"Does it matter what song?" the youngling asked to make sure, not wanting to deliver a song the elder would find pathetic.
Megatron's patience did not waver. He was at the end of his line—what did it even matter? "No, choose whatever you like," he murmured a response.
Starscream gave a single nod, before taking a deep breathing, and lifting his head to the ceiling. Then, he let it loose.
--
Prime lifted his head, optic bridges quirked as he turned to Ratchet, asking, "Did you hear that?"
The medic glanced up at the commander, turning to exchange a questioning looking with Sideswipe before deepening the concentration on his audio censors. A few moments passed before he muttered, "Starscream is singing."
"Uh-oh," the red twin murmured, a scowl lining his features.
"Thought so, time to go," Optimus said, before the floor jumped, surprising the three. The leader took a single glance at his two subordinates, and then he was gone in seconds.
As the door was left open, several other mechs flew by to follow after the Autobot, and soon enough Sideswipe was attempt to do the same. Ratchet sighed as he eased the over-eager fool to his feet and allowed him to limp out of the medical bay with doctor in tow. What had Starscream done this time? Everywhere that youngling went, there was always chaos.
--
"Well, this is certainly awkward," muttered the great Decepticon Lord, body scrunched against all four walls of the hallway, uncomfortable and boiling from the jet engine just on the outside of space. Starscream was in his outreached palm, shocked from the abrupt change that happened with just a few words he'd uttered.
Gleaming silver had exchanged the bland white that had once been Megatron's body, and had now grown almost twice the size. Every contour and angle was sharp, beautiful and strong, the elder's figure so full of power that it overwhelmed the youngling. He was definitely larger than Optimus, and reminded Starscream so much of Lucius, it was like déjà vu. The head shape and the almost elegant form of his body stunned everyone as they poured around the corner and faced the grand Lord, who was slowly prying himself away from the tiny corner of the ship.
"Megatron…" Prime whispered once his ancient blue depths fell upon his younger sibling.
"Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to help me?" growled the other, gently pushing Starscream into Bumblebee's hold.
The surrounding mechs didn't hesitate with a reply, but several walked up to the other and, after a few minutes of tugging, managed to release Megatron's hold from the corner. From there, he kneeled as to not hit his head as he glanced at the shocked faces around him.
"So I'm what now?" Megatron asked the youngling who shrugged his shoulders. "That helps."
"Wow, now you're Mega-head for real!" Sideswipe suddenly exclaimed, making the several Autobots smack their heads from the embarrassing comment.
"My head isn't the only things that's mega anymore," the Decepticon Lord murmured, lifting out his hand to a five-fingered claw that looked as imposing as it probably was.
Sideswipe coughed and didn't speak again while Ratchet thwacked him on the back of the head.
"Opi," Starscream then mentioned, catching Optimus' attention as he glanced warmly at the youngling.
"Hello, little one," he murmured, reaching out a hand as he gently stroked the child's face.
Starscream handled the limb, his face turning contorted and worried faster than what was pleasant. At this, Prime felt a wash of dread as the mini F-22 muttered, "The monster is here."
The wall was abruptly carved and ripped away by claws and digits alike, a web of at least thirty giant metal tentacles and countless numbers of smaller ones as they grappled the yellow scout and his burden, snapping them both away quicker than any of the mechs behind them could blink. Optimus screamed out the younglings' names at once, but none to avail as they were dragged away through space, fading fast. A black flash darted past him and Barricade burst from the inorganic hole of the ship, throwing himself towards the Autobot and child while the many metal chords strangled him in defense. Beyond those was a bloom of light and color that showed a worm hole and Optimus could feel his spark break as he watched Starscream disappear into it.
Unicron just took my child!
--
A/N: Waaaaaugh!
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