Author's note. This chapter takes a dark turn for the little group having fun.
Warning for brief gore, corporal punishment and Sparkling abuse.
Enjoy and please review.
In the woods.
Starscream hummed happily as he wondered through the large patch of flowers. Nearby, Optimus, Bumblebee and the human were watching him with fond smiles as he explored. After playing with Bumblebee nearly all morning, his daddy had insisted on a nap. So he'd happily snuggled into his armour as Earth's sun gently warmed him.
After running about the place, Bumblebee had been happy to sit down and chat to his friend, Spike. Optimus had simply held the little Seeker Sparkling against his chest, smiling behind his mask every time Starscream chirped. They were all having a good time.
Eventually, Starscream woke up and declared that he wanted to go exploring.
"Alright Starscream, but don't go far," Optimus said as he placed him on the ground.
"Stay within sight."
"Okay daddy," Starscream had chirped before running over to a little stream.
He peered into it, trying to spot little organic creatures. There were some but they were too quick and wouldn't allow themselves to be grabbed by Sparkling hands. The watchers chuckled as he decided to wade in a little, splashing with delight at the feel of the cool water.
It was actually rather a warm day so it felt nice to in some water. Of course, if he went in too deep, his systems would react and he'd soon start shivering. Sparklings systems were much more delicate than fully grown bots were, so he needed to be careful. But it was okay, he only wanted a little paddle.
But then he got bored with that and decided to wonder a little around the field they were in which bordered a forest. That was when his daddy called out another gentle warning. He turned and smiled, waving to show that he had heard and understood.
He didn't mind doing what his daddy said, unlike his step-father. That Mech had been so mean and liked to order Starscream to do stuff he knew he could never do on time or at all. And then had come punishment or discipline as Sharpshooter liked to call it.
The thought made him shiver but he soon shoved the thought of that horrible Mech to the back of his mind. Now was the time for play.
"Aw, look at him," Spike said with a laugh as Starscream sat down amongst the flowers and started examining them.
"He looks so cute, doesn't he?"
"Indeed he does," Optimus said with a chuckle as he watched.
"And full of energy," Bumblebee added ruefully. "Primus, I thought I could run rings around the likes of Ironhide but he really showed me today."
"Aww, feeling your age, Bee?" Spike teased causing the yellow Mech to flop back onto the grass with a dramatic sigh.
They watched Starscream for a bit more, the little Sparkling somehow managing to move further away from them. Optimus wasn't worried, if Starscream got too far, he'd call for him to come back. And if that didn't work, he could always get up and bring Starscream back.
At the moment, Starscream had flopped down among the leave, making little piles and then throwing them up. But suddenly there was a loud burst of sound as birds flew into the air in alarm.
They all turned their heads as the previously noisy forest suddenly went deadly still. Spike sat up warily, glancing at his two friends.
"Guys," he said softly.
"There's something out there," Optimus muttered, getting to his feet.
"Bumblebee, get Starscream," he added, optics darted about.
"Right away...," Bumblebee started to say but a low growl interrupted him.
From around a group of trees, came two large mixed breed dogs. Spike wasn't an expert, but he could have sworn those two had some wolf and Great Dane in them. Their eyes had a wild look to them and they were both growling in a low but deep growl. Their teeth looked huge and strong, and they looked like they'd use them.
But it was the sight of foamy salvia that almost made Spike's heart stop.
"Optimus," he said in a whisper so as not to excite the dogs.
"You have to destroy them, I think they've got Rabies."
"What's rabies?" Bumblebee asked curiously as the two edged closer.
"A disease," Spike answered, backing away from them.
"It kills dogs. And if they manage to bite you, you can die a very horrible death if not treated."
"So we must kill them?" Optimus asked grimly as the dogs got even closer.
"I'm afraid you have to," Spike said, sweat running down his face.
"They look to far gone, I don't think there's any hope for them. Putting them out of their misery if the kindest thing."
"Very well," Optimus said, sub spacing his gun and aiming it at them.
But just as he started to pull the trigger the dogs charged. His shot missed and the dogs now leapt apart. The smaller went straight for Spike, barking madly.
"Ahh," Spike cried but Bumblebee grabbed him and lifted him out of harm's way.
But this didn't stop the dog from sinking it's teeth into Bumblebee's arm.
"Yahhhhh!" Bumblebee yelled, trying to shake the mad dog off but it clung on.
The second dog was circling Optimus who had his gun carefully trained on it. Globs on salvia seemed to be flying everywhere as the vicious dog snarled and snapped. It was oddly more cautious of attacking but Optimus knew this only made it more dangerous.
Bumblebee was still trying to get rid of his dog while trying to protect Spike at the same time. A lucky swing and the dog suddenly let go, flying through the air but somehow landing on its feet. It didn't waste a moment, and charged right at Bumblebee again.
Who shot it in the face.
Spike couldn't help but cry out as blood and gore went everywhere as the dog's lifeless body crashed to the ground. Its friend let out a mad howl and charge for Optimus who shot it's front legs. But it still kept coming and he was forced to shoot it again and this time it went down in a bloody mess.
The three of them breathed heavily as the first dog continued to twitch even though it must surely be dead.
Optimus stepped forward and without a word, charge his gun up to its highest setting. An blasted both corpses until they were nothing more than charred remains. It was horrible but necessary work, they couldn't risk this disease spreading.
Optimus sighed as he put his gun away before turning back to the others. But suddenly, his face froze in horror as he realised something.
"Where's Starscream?"
At the time that Optimus and the others had first become aware of danger, Starscream had decided to do some more exploring. He's just gotten to his feet when a butterfly flew past his face. Squealing with delight, he followed it, trying to catch it as he danced around in the air.
He run, trying to catch it.
"Come on, little fellow, I want to see you," he laughed.
But the butterfly just danced further out of his grasp before finally flying up and away. Disappointed, Starscream waved goodbye and turned back to wave to his daddy. Except his daddy wasn't there. Nor was Bumblebee or Spike.
His Spark gave a painful thud as he realised he'd run to far and was now out of sight. But it would be okay, he surely hadn't gone that far. So he started to walk back the way he came. But just as he was climbing a mossy mound to get a better view, a shot suddenly rang out.
He yelped and fell off the mound. But he didn't hit the ground, instead, he crashed through some dead material and down into deep darkness.
He landed heavily on a pile of old leaves, leaving him stunned. As he lay there, debris continued to rain down at him as the light seemed to be extinguished. His Spark hammering against his chest, Starscream slowly sat up.
"Uh," he gasped, his leg and back felt sore from the big fall.
Whimpering, he gazed up at the speck of light high above him. It looked so high, there was no way he could climb up it. And his flight systems weren't advanced enough to fly him up either.
"D-daddy?" he called softly into the gloom but there was no answer.
His daddy didn't know where he was. But he'd surely be looking soon, they'd been checking on him every other breem. But what had that shot he'd heard been about? Had his daddy come under attack? If so, they he wouldn't be able to come after Starscream.
Starscream started to tremble, he was at the bottom of a deep dark pit, completely helpless.
"Help," he whispered softly as the darkness seemed to close in on him.
"H-help me," he said again, his voice starting to rise.
"HELP ME!"
Flashback.
"Brat!" a voice roared through the previously still air.
Starscream flinched at the sound and then started trembling. Oh no, Sharpshooter didn't sound happy but what had he done? He'd done everything the large Mech had wanted to, he'd even done some chores he hadn't been asked to do.
He quickly hurried into the next room where Sharpshooter was, his step-father hated delays. Said Mech was currently lounging on the couch and Starscream wasn't sure if this was a good sign or not. His step-father generally remained standing if he planned to discipline the little Seeker.
"I-I'm here, sir," he said respectively as Sharpshooter's blood red optics fixed on his.
"I can see that," the Mech growled and Starscream did his best not to quiver.
"Come here," Sharpshooter now ordered, beckoning Starscream with a hand.
Trembling, Starscream came forward though he stopped just out of Sharpshooter's reach. The Mech narrowed his optics at the little Seeker staring up at him.
"Do you remember what I told you earlier?"
Starscream nodded.
"Do you remember how I said I wanted several things done, and for them to be done by the time I got back?"
Again Starscream nodded. Sharpshooter's lip curled.
"Then why?" he questioned, leaning forward. "Did you not do as I asked?"
"But I did," Starscream burst out, unable to stay silent.
"Everything, I swear sir."
"Really?" Sharpshooter sneered. "Did you tidy my room?"
"Yes," Starscream replied firmly, he'd put real effort into that.
"Clean the floors?"
"Yes."
"Make sure there's no vermin around?"
"Yes."
"Polish my weapons?"
"Yes," Starscream replied again, though this time with a slight shiver. He hated touching the collection of knives and guns Sharpshooter had.
Sharpshooter's optics glinted.
"Did you dust the ceiling corners of my room?"
"Ye...What?" Starscream said in surprise.
He didn't remember Sharpshooter telling him to do that, and he'd listened very carefully. But Sharpshooter was grinning maliciously now as he said.
"So, you didn't do everything I asked."
"No, I...," Starscream began but Sharpshooter was getting to his feet.
"You know what happens when you don't obey me."
"No, please," Starscream stuttered, backing away.
"You get punished," Sharpshooter growled before suddenly lunging for Starscream.
Starscream yelled and tried to run for it. However, Sharpshooter was surprisingly quick and had soon caught the little Seeker by his wing. Yelping, the Sparkling was lifted into the air and turned around to face the smirking Mech.
"Little Fragger, you know what happens when you try to run."
"No," Starscream whispered desperately. "Please no, not that, I'm sorry."
"Too late for that," Sharpshooter sneered as bent a knee and draped Starscream over it.
And ignoring the Sparkling's protest, proceeded to harshly spank him. He soon had Starscream in tears as he continued to smack the unprotected little bottom. By the end of it, Starscream was bawling.
"Shut up, you worthless piece of scrap," Sharpshooter snarled, lifting Starscream up and into his arms.
"I-I'm sorry," Starscream wailed, he just couldn't stop himself from crying.
"You know what happens to little brats who don't do as their told," Sharpshooter said in a merciless voice as he carried Starscream to a backroom.
In a corner was a large box with the top open. And it was where Sharpshooter carried Starscream over to. The little Seeker tried to struggle, tried to get away. But as Sharpshooter reached i, he tried instead to cling to the large Mech, all the while pleading.
"Please, please, I'm so sorry, I'll be good, I won't disobey you again."
But Sharpshooter ignored him and dumped him into the box before slamming the lid shut. He then locked it tight before giving it a good kick.
"This is where you sleep tonight," he said loudly to the box, knowing Starscream could hear.
"It'll teach you a good lesson."
And with that he walked out the door.
Starscream screamed inside his tiny prison, beating his fists against the metal, trying to get out. But nothing worked, he was trapped. Utterly trapped.
End of Flashback.
Starscream lay curled in a ball, his optics squeezed shut as he tried to prevent the walls from closing in. He wasn't on Earth, he was back on Cybertron and in that hated box. Oh, Sharpshooter had loved to put him in there, knowing the Seeker was always a wreck by the time he let him out.
It was hopeless, it was so hopeless. No one was going to come for him, he was going to die in this awful box like some sort of bug.
"Starscream?"
"Starscream"?
The little Seeker didn't even register the calls for him. Nor did he notice the shout Bumblebee gave when he found the entrance to the pit. He barely reacted when something reached down and grasping him firmly, lifted him from the pit.
"Starscream," Optimus said gently, releasing all the pent up worry he'd had for the last few minutes.
But as the sunlight hit the little Seeker, he started screaming and clawing at Optimus. As the leader fought not to drop the thrashing Sparkling, he suddenly realised what he was saying.
"Please, don't put me back in the box, please, I'll be good, I will."
"Box?" Spike said in confusion. "What's he talking about...?"
"I'm sorry, I'll do everything you say next time, please sir, please don't smack me again, please."
Starscream was sobbing and begging, seemingly stuck in the past, an awful sounding past by the sounds of it.
"Starscream, I'm not angry, you're safe, and I'm not going to put you in the box."
This continued for a while as Optimus and the others started to walk back. Starscream pleaded while Optimue reassured. Little by little, Starscream's sobs died down and he simply huddled in Optimus's arms.
"No box?" he whispered hoarsely.
"No box," Optimus agreed. "And no smacking either. We're going to go home, get you a nice little bath, then some Energon and then off to bed."
"Promise no hurt me?" Starscream said, huge moist optics staring up at Optimus as he clung to the wide chest.
"I promise, my Spark," Optimus said, raising Starscream and kissing his little cheek.
Starscream shuddered and closed his optics and he burrowed deeper into Optimus's arms.
"Daddy," he whispered once more before falling into recharge.
"Oh man," Spike said softly, staring sadly at the sleeping Sparkling. "Poor little guy."
"Bumblebee, please take Spike home," Optimus said softly but firmly as he continued to rub Starscream's back.
"Okay Optimus," Bumblebee said, clearly shaken.
He transformed and opened his door for Spike. The boy went over but paused at the open door.
"Take care of him, Optimus," he said softly before getting in and closing the door.
"You can count on that," Optimus said quietly as Bumblebee drove off.
As he walked, he opened a channel to First Aid.
"First Aid, I've got a sick Sparkling on my hands, I need you to come out an meet me at these coordinates,"
He sent them to the Medic who received them before asking.
"Any idea what's wrong with him."
"I think he's suffered a massive panic attack but that's the least of it," Optimus said grimly.
"'Aid, I think Starscream was abused when he was younger."
There was a shocked silence on the other end of the comm.
"Primus," First Aid muttered.
"Indeed," Optimus said grimly, optics flashing. "And if I ever find out how hurt him..."
"My sentiments exactly," First Aid replied dryly. "Okay, hang, tight, I'm coming over to you and I'm bringing a harness that's been made for Starscream. First Aid out."
Optimus continued walking at an easy pace, the poor Sparkling held tightly in his arms. He would find out what happened to Starscream, whatever it took.
"And I think I know where to get more information," he said softly to himself.
"From his Trine."
To be continued.
Author's note. In the next chapter, Optimus contacts the Seekers to learn more about Starscream's past. Also, Megatron has to deal with Chromia when she finds out he didn't like his picture. Find out how all of this goes down, until then.