Forgotten Lullaby ~ Pt 1

"Ya see back in the day, when The great war was over and settling down me and Headshot; your father, a fellow soldier in my battalion…and soon became closest friend, where off on our last mission before we were to be dismissed from the army. Nothing to glamorous; we were to inspect all the surrounding moons and planets etc for any survivors equipment ..err, you get the drill. But don't take me lightly! There was always danger in whatever ya did. No matter how small the task may seem. 'Member the War JUST ended, there was still large chances of certain 'things' comin up and bitin' ya when you least expect it.

Anyway, it all started back when he and I were on our last stop on Zeta4; one the smallest and desolate planets in our solar system. Wasn't much to look at but that's what could have made it a good place for any surviving soldiers, friend or enemy to hide.

Me and Headshot took off from our camping post, doing the usual patrol somewhere on the other side of the big rock when we noticed something….

"Huh, what the frag was that?!" Headshot gulped, watching the tail of a comet slowly disperse.

"Urgh," Kup grunted, glancing at the last ammo clip with a cringe, too tired from all of this slag, "this better not be more suicidal idiots!"

"Um," shaking off the initial shock, the Autobot took a deep intake, "we need to be thorough for this mission, whether we like it or not we have to check it out either way."

"Did I ever tell you how much I hate you for making me honest?"

"Plenty."

"I hate you for making me honest."

"D'aw," the car laughed and made sure his gun was fully loaded, "come on, you know you love me!"

"… aft," Kup tiredly chuckled and followed, "so what's the plan? The usual?"

"Yeah," the mech nodded, "the usual."

"Okay," the Wrecker nodded and circled around the area, quickly leaving, "I'll see you in ten!"

"All right," the veteran sighed with relief, seeing as the finishing line of the mission was close, "let's see what they are up to this time!"

This assignment was long, exhausting and dangerous … not that he minded the dangerous part, not like there was anyone waiting for him back home. These missions, they were the only times when he got to meet up with people and actually get something worthwhile done, something! For crying out loud, he never knew what else to do with his function … not that he had a choice to begin with, the Magnus drafted everyone he could into military service. Ever since he was a young cadet; training became the routine, missions were his whole life; apathy was his only companion, his friend, his bondma…

"Aaaah," a whimper suddenly permeated the air, "anah, oh, no, no!"

"… what the," the reflexes kicked in and immediately the soldier jumped behind cover, ready to spring into action, "okay, focus!"

"… aaah," someone tried to climb out of the little crater, a thin figure slowly emerging out of the smoke, struggling, crawling out of the crater.

"Okay," Headshot carefully followed the figure with his scope, "this is not a Decepticon model I've ever seen …"

"… ahn," a … someone … or something … came out, with wings, a million sparkling dots glowing all over its skin, gorgeous golden patterns over the body, majestic wings fluttered as they swung the fumes away, beautiful white hair, slim arms and legs charred, two antennae nervously twitching as two blue glowing orbs desperately searched the near-by area, "Ahh," it rubbed its head, turning back to the crater "No! No, this shouldn't have ha…"

"Arms up in the air," Headshot quickly stepped out, pointing his gun at her, "this doesn't have to get ugly who..er….whatever you are!"

Gasping in surprise and fright, the alien jumped, raising her arms. "Please, don't kill me! I-I lost control of my ship and I'm lost!"

"So I see," he stepped forward cautiously, gun still raised, never letting his optics leave the stranger. "What's your name?"

"Eclipse." She carefully took a step back with slight fright on her face.

"And just what kind of alien are you?"

"I-I am from a race called Eternal beings."

"A….wait…I've heard of your kind, ya, you're supposed to be some kinda...mythical alien that sparklings are told in stories."

"Do I look mythical to you?" she lightly chuckled, nervously smiling.

"Errr…well no but hey! Don't even try the play nice routine."

"Please," she took a step forward "I just need to fix my ship and I'll be on my way. I swear I mean no harm."

"Well….seeing how you have no weapons; I suppose I can believe you on that one. What's wrong with your ship?"

"Possibly a malfunction somewhere I'll need to check." Her hair flowed gracefully, turning back to the crater.

"Hold it!" Headshot ordered "Not without me."

The glowing alien nodded, "Very well." She carefully slid down the curved inner wall of the crater with the mech closed behind. The smoke was still too thick to see through, eventually losing sight of Eclipse.

"Hey! He called blindly. "Where'd you go?" The loud clang of something metallic put him more on edge, holding the gun in both servos.

"Cough! I'm over here." A voice called through the rising fog.

He turned around; Eclipse was sitting on the nose of the ship, waving the smoke the last of the smoke away from her face, coughing. The lid was lifted exposing a strange looking engine, still smoking upward. "Oh…..ok then. So what seems to be the problem?"

"Well from what I can see…." She leaned in, her top half disappearing behind machinery. "Oh…oh dear.."

"What is it?" the mech asked, slightly distracted and staring at the strange femme's bent over frame…her smooth and…glowing- he shook his head. Focus!

"Looks like this might take a little longer then I thought."

"Oh? How so?"

"The engine is a little more damaged then I anticipated." She came into full view again. "I suppose it would be out of line if I asked if you not tell anyone I was here wouldn't it?" She turned to him with a sorrowful face. He looked back into her deep into her glowing blue eyes.

"Well," he sighed "Proper protocol WOULD be for me to bring you in." Her reaction was as he suspected; exhaling sadly, sliding down the nose of the ship. "But," he smirked as she stopped in surprise. "I…..don't see why I should since you're only fixing your ship to leave."

A small smile crossed her face. "Thank you."

"Ya well," he didn't know why his faceplates were burning up so much; it was only a small favour. Nothing to be court marshalled for anyway….he thought. "It's nothing. Just make sure you're well hidden."

"I will." She nodded, climbing her way back to the engine. "By the way I never caught your name."

"Headshot."

"Then, thank you Headshot." She smiled.

"Your uh….your welcome." A servo rubbed the back of his helm, avoiding her gaze, unable to see her growing smile towards him. Swallowing, he looked back, the smoke had finally vanishing. Well at least now no one would see that. He watched Eclipse work silently, paying no attention to the showdown that crept along the crater's ring. "So, look um," he mumbled. "H-how long do you think-"

"LOOK OUT!"

Next thing; Eclipse had slammed herself into his chest, collapsing into the ground. What was that about? A shadow flew over the pair; slamming hard enough into the crater's wall; a cloud of dust formed and shielded it from site. "The frag?"

"Are you ok?"

He looked down surprised; looking up into his where Eclipse's eyes. He didn't realise how bright she was….how TRULY bright her body glowed. Like a milky way up close. "I-uh ya I'm fine. Thanks for that." He quickly wiggled from under her and rose to his pedes, gun at the ready. "Get behind me." Eclipse did as she was told, watching worryingly.

"What-what is that?" she asked, seeing the creature crawling from the cloud of dirt.

"An insecticon." He growled, holding his weapon straight out ahead of him in both servos.

The con took a few steps before stopping and staring at the couple. Its wings twitching and buzzing.

"You better have a good reason for being here con." He grunted between his denta.

"Insecticon see sparkly fly lady crash crash." It buzzed, its sight eerily turning to Eclipse, with hunger in its optics. "Insecticon want to know what they taste like like."

Eclipse slightly backed away.

Headshot clicked his gun, "Wrong answer." BANG! Before the shot hit the ground the bug had jumped into the air, vanishing. Thinking quickly, he backed up into Eclipse, backing her into the ship's side as he searched for the con. "Think you can reach the cockpit?" he asked, sight never looking back.

"I-I think so." She stammered nervously.

"Alright….I want you to climb quickly and lock it tight got it?"

"Yes."

"Ok…..go!" through he did not look back he could hear the Eternal Being climbing up. He did not move from his past until he heard a satisfying 'CLUNK'. Good. At least she was safe. Now….to call for back-up? or not to call for back-up? It was bad enough that that thing could eat almost anything but one alone was hard enough for a group of autobots to take down. "Ah, what the pit." He shrugged, carefully crawling up the crater side.

Eclipse watched the mech worryingly through the cracked window. Could he take on this creature by himself? What if he can't? Her mind whirled with ideas of what she could possibly do but nothing stood out that seemed remotely helpful. "There has to be something that I can do." She gazed over the ship's controls. Very few lights were on and the dials either seemed to be cracked or missing complete. "Maybe the weapons system is still intact." She flicked a switch. Nothing happened. "Sigh…great." Suddenly shots were heard from outside, making the alien jump, looking out the window once more.

Headshot just could not hit the blasted thing; it was jumping all over. "Dang blast it, hold still!" he growled, switching his upper body every which way; gun at the ready.

"Autobot lousy shot." Its voice echoed mocked in the distance.

"Your wrong bug." The mech raised his weapon to optic level, arm stiff and steady. His gaze never leaving the pile of boulders ahead where faint buzzing was heard. One step in; and the insecticon jumped into the air straight at him. "They don't call me Headshot for nothing." He pulled the trigger, the shot hitting it square in the helm, spinning the con to the ground where it landed on the ground on its back, unmoving.

"That's more like it."

"Thank the universe your alright!" a voice called from behind.

"Wha-Hey! I told you to wait in the ship!" he turned to the smiling alien, running up from beyond the crater's edge.

"I thought for sure that creature would hurt you!"

"Naw, he was just cranky that I forgot to take him for a walk today."

"Ha ha ha." She looked up to him graciously. "Thank you again."

"I could get used to all this thanking." He smiled.

She cocked an unseen eyebrow. "Enjoy it while I'm still here." The alien cautiously walked up to the unmoving insecticon. Squinting, she inspected it over. What she was looking for he didn't know but he wasn't about to ask; the way he saw her antennas flitter all over its frame.

"So uh…like I was saying before; how long do you think you'll be here?"

"Not sure, but I'll make sure to make quick work of it."

"Alright, as long as-"

"Hey! Shoty! You alright?" a voice crackled loudly through his commlink.

"Uh ya…ya..everythings fine Kup." The mech looked down into the crater. "Nothing but an asteroid."

"Well took you long enogh to report back!"

"Aw I missed you too."

"Can it you. You get your aft back to base a.s.a.p!"

"Yes sir." He mocked before shutting the communication off.

"Everything alright?" Eclipse asked, walking p to him.

"Nothing I could'nt handle, but I doubt they keep away from here for long."

"I understand." She nodded "I'll work through the night, hopefully I'll be gone by tomrr-"

"MOVE!" Headshot threw the being to the side, avoiding the insecticon pouncing onto her back but have its pinchers dig deep into his stomach plating. "Grraahhh!"

"Headshot!" she ran to him looking over the wound. Wires and gears were exposed through the gash, energon dripping down his side.

"I…I'm fine." He sputtered, unable to rise. "Get *cough* get to the ship."

"No! I'm not leaving you this time!"

"Go! *cough*"

"Forget it," she gently lifted his helm. "This time I'm helping you."

"N-n-no."

"Listen to autobot creature creature." The insecticon buzzed from behind them. "It better not to see me make lunch out of him him."

Eclipse stood, facing the con with a piercing glare. "You will leave insecticon!" she jerked a finger in a random direction. "and leave him alone!"

The con buzzed loudly as if it was mockingly laughing at her. "Fly lady think she can tell insecticon what to do? You no give orders to me! I make snack out of both of you!" he lept at her.

A flash of white and blue blinded the bug back a stance. "Nahh!" feeling the warmth of the light it looked back only to find itself facing a ginormous flaming blue bird.

"CCCAAAAAAWWWWWW!" it screeched down to it, spreading it wings, reveiling it's true size, freighting the bug back.

"I-i-i-insecticon not like b-big birds! B-bot not worth this!" as fast as it came; it turned tail and bolted off into the unknown distance.

When she was sure it was gone, she shrunk down to normal shape and size, running to the fading mech's side. "Headshot…Headshot! Please stay with me!"

"That….that was an awesome trick. *cough*."Can all your kind do that?"

"I'll tell you once you've healed." She stroked his helm.

"I-I doubt I'll be sticking around much longer." He heaved. "If anything before I go…*hack*…I believe it's my turn to thank you." A small smile stretched over his face.

She returned the gesture. "Don't say that, you'll be up and moving in just a moment."

"Oh yea, in just one klick I'll be up and hopping around like a petro-rabbit."

"Quiet now and let me help you." She moved over to his gash.

"Twice in a row? You know I'm really starting to like you *cough*."

"That's enough sarcasm from you." Calmly she placed her hands over the fatal wound, the mech's optics slowly fluttering shut and silver colors fading. A faint yellow glow softly radiated from her hands over the mech's still frame. Her eyes shut and hands glowing as the insides of Headshot's wound began to place themselves together again. By the time the outer shell started to seal itself; the tips of Eclipse's antennas began to grey. Optics opening slowly; Headshot slowly rose, rubbing his helm.

"slag." He mumbled "What….what did you-" he looked around, quickly spotting Eclipse passed out on the ground on her side. "Eclipse!" Come on! Keep with me here!" he stroked her face.

"Mmmm…nngh." She rolled her head to the side, he gasped as the yellow glow returned to the tips of her antennas, eyes opening slowly.

"Welcome back." He smiled, sighing in relif. "Guess I really do owe ya big time."

A small chuckle escaped her lips. "Well I did owe you in the first place."

"Come on," he helped her up carefully. "I better head back. You gotta tell me how you did that fanct trick of yours." He winked.

"Haha perhaps. We'll have to see." She turned away, looking over her shoulder. "Tomorrow?"

He nodded smiling. "Tomorrow."

"… Well," Phoenix lost her patience the longer the silence continued, "what happened next?"

"Now just hang on a klick! I never said I was done!" the old mech grumbled. "So, after that unknown fiasco and me hammer'in down on your father for being the usual tarty mudflap that he was when we got back to camp base; we head back out for another round of scourging. And of course he goes out by himself. Never really brought anything to my mind at first, but by the third day my suspicions got the best of me; after I saw Headshot sneaking out of camp late at night. Usually with food or some sort of part of equipment. So one night I decided to follow him…."

"Eclipse?" Headshot called into the darkness. "You there?"

"Eclipse?" Kup wondered to himself, hiding against a boulder.

"I'm here!" a female's voice called from within the hillside cave. "Did you bring it?"

"Ya I got it."

Kup waited until Headshot vanished into the shadows of the cave, following quickly behind. Avoiding to be seen, he placed a servo along the cold stone wall, following the noises until a small light illuminated the area ahead. "The slag you hiding kid?" Quietly he moved into the light, bolting behind another boulder.

"So is this that all you need?" The sliver and purple mech reached up, passing the small metal gear to a shadow above him.

"Mmmhm. Yup that should be it."

Kup's jaw dropped, looking over the sky. Asteroid his aft. He moved deeper into the opening, peering over the ridge looking onto Eclipse and Headshot peering into the engine of the slightly dented ship.

"Who or what is sweet Cybertron is that!?" he blinked at Eclipse unbelievably.

"Can you pass me that cog please?" she pointed down at the floor where a pile of parts lay.

"Sure can." Headshot handed it to her, his servo gently cupping hers as he dropped it into her palm, and slowly moving it away. He maybe a little aged but Kup knew the look that glazed over the young mech's faceplate.

"So…" Kup stepped out from his hiding place; scaring the other two into panicked gasps. "This outta be a good explination." He rested his fists on his hips, biting down fiercely on his cy-gar, scowling.

"Kup wait," headshot held up his servos "I can explain."

"Ya better."

"This is Eclipse. She's…well she's an Eternal being."

Kup looked at him bluntly, "Ya…and I'm Unicron. You really expect me to believe that?"

"You know what she is then?"

The teal mech looked at the fellow autobot, to the alien sitting on the ship's roof, grunting. "So….when did this little friendship happen? My guess is the day you decided to be late back to base?"

"You could say that." The silver mech shrugged.

"Slaggit Headshot you know the protocol! You practically live by it!"

Headshot did not reply, only lowered his gaze, looking away from his fellow solider. "We need to bring her in." he ignored her gasp.

"No!" Headshot exclaimed "Please Kup you can't tell anyone!"

"And why shouldn't I? Just how long did you think you could keep this under wraps!?"

"It…it wasn't supposed to be this long of a wait…." He looked up to Eclipse. "Things just got..complicated. The engine was a bit more damaged then realized and..well I just couldn't let her starve."

"So you've been going behind out team's and my back; sneaking limited food rations and parts that-"

"I only took the ones I knew we had no use for."

"All the same! You should have told me at least!"

"I…I know Kup but I-"

"What? Couldn't trust me enough?!"

"Excuse me!" both mech's turned there helms, jumping to see Eclipse suddenly standing right in front of them. "Are you sure there is nothing we can do to keep this secret ?"

Kup didn't say anything for the first few moments, only starring, stunned. He wasn't sure if it was fear or just instinct from the war that put his frame so on edge. "I...well, 'fraid there isn't much of anything I can do. Protocol is protocol."

"Please," she clasped her hands together under her chin. "I mean no harm to anybody, I only need to fix my ship and I will be on my own way."

"Sigh…"

"So after a while of argument and arrangement, I finally decided to keep Eclipse's cover."

"Wow." Rodimus sat up with a smirk. "I never knew you to be such a rule breaker Kup."

"Yay a I'm a real rebel, now hush up and let me finish." He leaned back in his chair. "as I said; I kept Headshot's secret on the down low just as promised, though one night after scouraging and his daily visit I decided I needed to confirm a certain issue with him. Let's just say this is where the drama comes in…"

Headshot sat silently on the edge of his berth, staring blankly at the ground, servos together between his knees.

"You alright?" Kup poked his helm through the tent flap.

"Huh?..Oh! ya I'm fine. Why ya ask?"

"Nothing. A few of the fellas outside where just starting to question where you've been heading out to late in the night, but I put them to rest."

"Ya did'nt threaten them again did ya?" the sliver mech chuckled.

"Naw, that bit gets old fast. I just told 'em that you go on walks."

He shrugged, "Ah, good simple explanation I guess."

"Siigghh. Look Shoty, I need to ask you something, something that will possibly give us both relief."

"I just went a few klicks ago." The younger mech jerked his thumb to the outside.

"I MEANT SPARK WISE YA AFT!"

"Oh ya? What's that?"

The teal mech pulled up a crate and sat shifting his cy-gar to the other side of his mouth. "How close…would you say you and Eclipse are?"

For once Headshot had nothing to say, only to stare at Kup surprised. "Err…well..I wouldn't say that we were that close but uh…"

"Have you…uh," Kup scratched the back of his helm, cheekarches slightly blushing. "Done anything…you know."

"Oh ya all the time," he waved his servo smugly, "almost every time you turn you're back to us."

"I'm serious."

"Alright alright."

"Well?"

"Once….a couple of weeks ago." His optics avoided Kup's who only nodded, turning to look in the other direction.

"So…you two are-?"

"I…I don't know. I feel something's there but…I don't know if she feels the same way too."

"Have you told her?"

"Ya..but…she said she wasn't sure or if it would even work out." He sighed rubbing his helm between his servos. "I dunno mech, what is there to do?"

"What am I? Cupidbot?" Kup crossed his arms. "Look, in all honesty…I think you should move on. I'm not saying it's the whole different race thing…well…kinda, but as far as I've known ya this is the first time you've ever shown any interest in someone. Perhaps it's just the excitement from a new experience."

"Ya, maybe." Headshot continued to stare at the ground.

Kup patted his shoulder "Better get into stasis, night."

"Night." He didn't bother to look up as the other left the tent.

Later that night; Headshot twisted and turned in his berth, unable to sleep. All he could think about was the night before; when he finally confronted Eclipse sitting by a cliffside.

"Eclipse."

"Hmm?" she looked back to him; her blue eyes and waving white hair glowing in the darkness.

"I..I need to tell you something." He sat beside her, legs dangling over the side, avoiding her gaze. 'I think I love you."

"Uh..oh." she looked at him astonished.

"Sorry to make this sound cheesy but…I-I've been giving a lot of thought after…that night and well; I've pretty much come to the final conclusion that….I've never cared so much about a person before. Eclipse I," he took her hands into his, starring deeply into her face. "I love you and ..I want you to be my bondmate."

"Headshot I…I don't know what to say honestly."

"I…was wondering if you felt the same way too."

"Headshot, you're a very handsome bot but," she sadly looked away, pulling her hands from his grasp and into her lap. "I…just don't know if I do."

"Oh….I see."

"I just….think I need some time to think about it. I mean…will you kind ever be excepting of me? Of us?"

"I suppose not." He looked away when a soft hand cupped his chin; pulling his stare back to her.

"Give me some time to think about it." She smiled.

Placing a servo over her warm hand; he nodded.

Giving up; he stayed staring up into his ceiling. Was he really not tired? Or was he just impatient? His time on Zeta4 was running out yet she still hadn't made up her mind. He needed to know.

To be continued...

Ok, soooooo this chapter was a lot longer then I thought, so looks like I'm breaking it down into following chapters.

How do you like so far? Do you find Phinny's parents intresting? Stay tuned as I reveil the rest of Her past!