Author's note. Well, I've finally updated, sorry for taking so long. Nice long chapter for you all to make up.
Now, there's a scene where Celeste tries out some flying and seems very nervous. This may seem strange to everyone as she has done flying before. The reason she's nervous now if that she's always shot into the air, never slowing ascended. So that's why she's unsure.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
The day after the Battle.
Optimus smiled softly as he watched the kids chat with their Minicons. Before, they'd been an equal height but with the Minicons being much stronger. Now, the kids towered over them and could easily pick them up if they wanted to.
"At least we can now help protect you guys," Wildracer was now saying with a big grin to his Minicon Grindor.
"You won't have to save us all the time."
"We didn't mind saving you," Grindor replied with a smile.
"I know, it just felt we couldn't pay you back," Wildracer continued. "I mean, obviously friends' help each other but it's always nice to return the favour, if you know what I mean."
"Hey, will we be able to combine?" Radical suddenly asked excitedly.
Celeste and Wildracer looked eagerly at Optimus who chuckled.
"I'm not sure, that's something we'll have to find out," he said gently.
The kids looked very eager about this and even the Minicons seemed excited. It would make protecting their charges so much easier if they were able to combine. Optimus vaguely wondered what powers his kids would have with a combined Minicon. Undoubtedly, that would make for an interesting scene.
"Optimus,"
Optimus turned to see Hotshot standing there.
"Sir, you've got an incoming call."
"Alright Hotshot, I'll take it," Optimus said, hoping it was from Cybertron.
He knew it must be a secure line, if Hotshot wasn't telling him who it was from. So he quickly made his way to the Communication room and typed in a few commands. He then stood back and waited to see who was calling him.
The screen grew fuzzy with static before forming into an image, showing him who was calling.
He mentally groaned as he was greeted with Megatron's smirking face.
"Hello, Prime," Megatron said once the connection was secure.
"Megatron," Optimus greeted back. "What do you want?"
Megatron's smirk widened.
"Why, to extend an offer to you Prime, one I think you'll be very interested in."
With an uneasy feeling, Optimus replied with narrowed optics.
"What kind of offer?"
Megatron grinned before getting to the point.
"My Second Starscream wishes to offer his hand to your lovely daughter."
"Megatron," Optimus growled. "I thought I made it clear she's a child and I don't want your men chasing her."
"Actually Prime, you only mentioned you didn't want Thrust near her," Megatron replied smoothly.
"Besides, what we offer is a betrothal, for when your Femling's of age."
"Megatron, girls like her don't get betrothed, at least not in her culture," Optimus said with an afterthought.
"Ah, but she's part of our culture now, isn't she?" Megatron pointed out. "She, and those two boys, are now Transformers and must abide by our laws and customs."
"Yes, but...," Optimus began but Megatron overrode him.
"Is there a particular reason you wish to reject Starscream's suit?"
"He's a Decepticon," Optimus said, though he knew it was a poor argument and Megatron's next words proved it.
"Oh come now, Prime, wasn't it you who said that our factions shouldn't get in the way of two Sparks that wish to be one?"
The Decepticon leader chuckled.
"Nice try Prime. Now, can you think of a good reason, apart from faction, as too why Starscream shouldn't be allowed to court her?"
Prime grumbled under his breath, but unfortunately, he couldn't. Celeste, was too young for Bonding, but that wasn't what Megatron was asking. And the Seeker was very honourable, on paper, he was a good candidate. But his daughter wasn't an ordinary Femme.
"Megatron," he began with a sigh.
"You do realise that Celeste may not be a Transformer forever? In fact, I will do everything in my power to help her become human again, if that's what she wants."
"If Prime?" Megatron said with a raised brow. "You mean there's a chance she may wish to remain a transformer?"
"I don't rule that out," Optimus admitted. "However, at the moment, she does want to be human again."
Megatron shrugged.
"It doesn't matter to me Prime, whether she remains a Femme or not. All I know is, Starscream is not to be dissuaded, and his programming won't let him."
Optimus nodded in understanding. Starscream's instincts would be telling him to act fast, before another Mech got in there. Even the knowledge that she'd be turning back into a human wasn't going to put him off.
"Very well, Megatron. What do you propose?"
Megatron sneered as he said.
"Why, we must allow them to meet, under more tranquil circumstances than the last time."
He chuckled at this statement as Optimus rolled his optics.
"Indeed," Optimus finally said in a dry voice, once Megatron had stopped chuckling.
"And as Celeste's guardian, I get to choose where we meet."
"Very well Prime," Megatron said with another half shrug, indicating he wasn't bothered.
"How about...this location?" Optimus suggested, sending Megatron the coordinates.
"That seems fine," Megatron said before adding.
"So, just us two and two Seekers?"
"Alright," Optimus said with a sigh before adding.
"And we all get to leave, don't we?"
"Why Optimus, I have no idea what you mean," Megatron said with a fanged grin as he cut the connection.
"Sure you don't," Optimus muttered as he switched the computer off as well.
Optimus slumped in his seat, sighing heavily. Megatron had to do this to him. He knew Celeste was unlikely to like the idea of meeting Starscream but what could he do? He had to follow protocol.
After rubbing his forehead with one had, he finally found the will to sit up. And then with another sigh, stand up and head out of the room and along the corridor to where the kids were.
"Hi Optimus," Radical greeted as he entered but then he frowned as he saw how downcast he looked.
"Uh, what's wrong?"
Celeste wasn't in the room, which made telling the two boys what had happened slightly easier. Scavenger opened his optics as he sensed something was up.
"That was Megatron calling," Optimus explained gravelly. "He wanted to tell me that Starscream's offering his hand to Celeste."
"What!" the two boys yelped, jumping to their feet at this.
Scavenger just shook his head.
"I thought something like this would happen. So, what did you say?"
"What could I say?" Optimus said with a heavy sigh before adding.
"He wants me to take Celeste and meet him and Starscream. At a beach some distance from here."
"Ho boy, Celeste's not going to be happy about this," Wildracer said, shaking his head.
"I know," Optimus said softly. "Unfortunately, she still has to meet her suitor, even if her final answer is no."
"You don't think she'll say yes, do you?" Radical said in disbelief.
Chuckling, Optimus shook his head.
"No I don't. But we still have to observe the niceties."
"Hey, I'm just glad I'm not the one telling her," Wildracer said with a laugh, just as Celeste walked back into the room.
"Tell me what?" she asked curiously as Wildrcaer gulped and tried to smile.
"Eh, heh," he said, rubbing the back of his head.
"I, er, um, Optimus has something to tell you," he finally said with a sheepish grin.
Celeste gave him an odd look before turning to Optimus.
"What is it you need to tell me Optimus?"
Later that day.
Celeste sighed as she stood next to Optimus, his hand resting on her shoulder.
"I've really got to do this, don't I?"
"I'm afraid so," Optimus said heavily. "It is decreed that Femmes at least hear out potential suitors, even if it's unlikely she's accept. I could only refuse if I had reason to believe you would be harmed. And I don't think Starscream means you any harm."
"But what about Megatron?" she asked softly.
Optimus chuckled.
"Starscream wouldn't let him try anything, not when he's trying to win your Spark. It doesn't make a good impression."
She smiled weakly at this before going back to staring over the water. She was trying not to let her apprehension get the better of her as she knew Megatron would just sneer over it. Not that she cared much about what Megatron thought but she didn't want to show up Optimus, not while he was her adoptive father.
So despite the fact she really wanted to cling to Optimus's arm, she resisted the urge.
The spot they had come to was actually a really nice one. It was a lonely sandy beach surrounded by rocky, crumbly cliffs and a clear blue ocean. A few gulls screeched over ahead but apart from that, there wasn't a soul to be seen.
Suddenly, the air a slight distance from then seemed to shiver and she felt Optimus stiffen.
"Here they come," he whispered softly and a moment later, Megatron and Starscream appeared.
Megatron had his usual sneer but Starscream's expression was harder to read. He looked both happy and scared at the same time. The two large Mechs started walking towards them and Celeste did her best not to tense.
After all, this was only a meeting, Megatron wasn't going to try and hurt her. And Optimus was here to look after her.
"Hello Optimus," Megatron greeted when he and Starscream were fairly close.
"Megatron," Optimus said evenly before turning to the red Seeker.
"Starscream."
"Prime," Starscream replied before turning his gaze on Celeste.
"Celestial."
"Hi Starscream," she said shyly. "Um, it's CelestialSun actually."
"It suits you," Starscream said which made Megatron's grin widen.
"Why don't you two get to know each other a little better?" the Decepticon leader suggested.
Optimus rolled his optics slightly, Megatron was enjoying this far too much. Starscream meanwhile was looking at Celeste expectantly and she nodded. The two leaders watched as they walked a short distance away.
"Don't they make a lovely couple?" Megatron now said as Optimus looked at him.
"I suppose," Optimus said noncommittally before saying.
"I still don't understand what you're interest in all this is, Megatron?"
Optimus's optics narrowed.
"Or are you just hoping you'll get hold of one of my kids and use them against me?"
Megatron's lips twitched, as though he'd been about to grin wider but thought better of it. Optimus felt his temper rise.
"That's all this is, isn't it? You just want my kids so that you force Minicons out of me."
"Now where ever did you get such an idea," Megatron said airily, confirming Optimus's suspicions.
"This isn't fair on Starscream," Optimus now muttered quietly to Megatron, to ensure the red Seeker didn't hear.
Megatron snorted
"Do you think Starscream cares if I blackmail you or not. All he wants is a mate to fly by his side, and if that comes at a certain expense, then so be it."
As Optimus growled, Megatron leaned slightly closer, doubly making sure the Seekers couldn't hear.
"But who's to say what I'll do Prime. Perhaps I'll allow Starscream to win your daughter fairly. Or maybe not."
While Optimus was talking with Megatron, Celeste was standing awkwardly with Starscream. His optics were looking out to sea but then they focused on her. For a moment, he didn't say anything, and then he said.
"How are you?"
She gave a small start but answered.
"Okay, thanks. How are you?"
"Good," he said with a small smile. "I never thought I'd come across a Femme all the way out here, and with no competition."
"You have a lot of competition back on Cybertron?" she asked curiously, wondering how their society worked.
He nodded, frowning slightly as he said.
"Of course. As soon as a Femme reaches her fourth form, she is the object of much desire. And depending on what kind she is, there will be many out to win her."
Celeste didn't say anything to that but Starscream seemed to know what she was thinking.
"You think the way our culture works is strange?"
"A little," she admitted softly. "It's just so different from mine, because theres an equal number of girls to boys, we don't have your sense of...urgency."
"That's a good way to describe it," he said with a chuckle before sighing.
"Both my brothers have found mates, lucky fragger."
"You have brothers?" Celeste asked curiously, it was slightly odd to think of Decepticons having family. But they obviously did.
"Of course, I'm a Seeker, we come in Trine,s" Starscream said, looking shocked that she didn't know this.
She thought about this and then said.
"So all Seekers are part of Trine?"
Starscream nodded, and she smiled.
"Well, I do have a Trine of thoughts. Rad and Racer."
Starscream raised a brow, he appeared to be considering this. He looked away suddenly, frowning.
"I'm sure it's not your usual kind of Trine," Celeste said, trying to lighten his mood.
Starscream now glanced at her.
"Your trine is unorthodox, but then so are you," he said to her.
"You were once human, and now, you're one of us."
"Yeah," she said softly, now the one to look away.
"And apparently I've got to pick myself a husband."
Starscream could tell she was unhappy with this. He gently laid a hand on her shoulder and she looked back at him.
"It's not as bad as all that," he said softly. "Because of the pressure, it is ultimately the Femmes choice whom she mates with."
He smiled and then whispered.
"Even if Megatron was trying to make you his, you could say no and no one would force you. Mechs are considered weak and desperate if they try that and no one would back them up."
She smiled before asking.
"Um, Megatron isn't really going to try and marry me, is he?"
"Primus, no," Starscream said, looking repulsed at the idea. "He thinks you're too young for him, so no, he's definitely not going to offer his hand. And even if he did, I would fight him for it."
He looked quite fierce at this. She couldn't help but be relieved at this. She never wanted someone like Megatron after her, it was bad enough that he was determined to punish her. She glanced at the large purple and green Mech, he was standing smirking beside Optimus. The Autobot leader didn't look happy so she figured Megatron was gloating or something like that.
She turned her back on him, before Megatron's optics could find hers. She didn't really fancying seeing him sneer at him so she focused again on Starscream.
"He won't let Thrust near me?" she suddenly asked, remembering the oily Mech touching her and how her armour had crawled with disgust.
"I won't let him near you," Starscream said firmly before glancing out over the sea.
Turning back, he smiled at her and asked gently.
"How much flying practice have you had?"
"Not much," she admitted softly. "I've been hiding since I became a transformer, so I haven't had much time out in the open."
He nodded in understanding before taking her hands and leading her into the water. She looked at him but followed. He smiled gently and said.
"Let me show you what we can do."
He led her slightly further until the water reached their knees. She wasn't sure what was going on but then he carefully drew her close to his body. He then bent slightly and whispered.
"Just relax and let me do this."
"O-okay," she said softly, wondering what he was going to do.
She gasped as he suddenly lifted out of the water, he did it so fluently. They were now hovering above the water, she more or less clinging to him. It didn't matter they weren't that high off the ground, he was the one holding her up.
"It's alright," he said softly, getting her to look into his optics.
"Just let go, you can do this. Just keep your optics on me and I'll let you go. Let the air take you and hold you."
She trembled slightly but did as he ask, trying to hover. He smiled and suddenly leaned back, pushing his body away from hers. He smiled again and she looked down to see that she was supporting herself in the air.
Starscream suddenly let go of her hands and she was hovering in the air all by herself. She looked up to grin at him only to find he was moving away from her. She opened her mouth to speak but he spoke first.
"Come to me, Celestial, slowly."
She swallowed but gave it ago. She wasn't used to flying like this and nearly faltered. But he simply spoke again.
"Don't think, just concentrate on me, your body will do the rest."
And she found to her amazement, that when she did as he said, she easily floated over to him. He took her hands again and started to turn. She turned with him until they were slowly spinning in the air, heading further to sea.
She couldn't help it, she let out a small laugh as she found how easy this was. He chuckled at the awe on her face. He rubbed her hands gently as he said.
"It's wonderful, isn't it? Makes you feel alive."
"It does," she said. "I can't believe it."
"Believe it, Celestial," Starscream said softly. "It's the only way you'll be a Seeker."
Back on the beach, the two older Mechs were still watching.
"There now, Optimus, their getting along...swimmingly."
Optimus tried not to groan at the awful pun.
"Yes they are. It would be a shame is someone ruined that."
He looked pointedly at Megatron who laughed.
"Indeed it would Prime. Let's hope that a certain rogue does not take a fancy to her."
Optimus looked sharply at Megatorn.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Think of it as a warning, one leader to another," Megatron said simply before saying sharply.
"Whether you like it or not Prime, you're children have captured Sideway's interest. And there will be consequences for that."
Optimus had nothing to say to that. But a very cold feeling trickled down his back struts, leaving him feeling very uneasy. Because he knew that Megatron was right and that his kids were in danger.
And there was nothing he could do about it.
To be continued.
Author's note. The meeting ends but how does Celeste feel about Starscream. And what about Sideway's threat, can anything be done? Find out next time, until then.