Chapter 4

A Sky Return

In a quiet place, the sound of his feet shifting was his only noise that bothered him. As he reached far from the moon base he opened a dark brown chest that played a musical tune. It was memory that brought him here, this sound kept him focus on a single Decepticon he had first had crush on. But now that the flyer is an Autobot, he wasn't quite sure what to do especially when he heard the rumors about his cousin was found with the flyer all the time. It was like stealing a spark from his main and crushing it into million crystals fragments.

Then a noise from a distance, Starscream took a glance. His uncle in mid-air transformed robot mode and landed softly towards the ground because of the gravity that the moon carries.

"I have news for you, care to hear it?"

"As long it isn't about Skywarp getting in trouble." Starscream announced. Thrust pledged a smile even though it wasn't noticeable.

"Of course not, Starscream…" Thrust begins to say. "This is about our destiny."

"Oh, and that would be?"

Surprised, Thrust swipe the music box from Starscream's hands.

"You'll figure it out." He recalled amused.

Earth, outside…

Staring at the running water fall from a rocky cliff, Jetfire sat nearby upon a flat rock to watch it. He thought of Skywarp, his reason of why he trusts him. It seems hopeless to even think about it. With his senses twitched of a sound, he focused his eyes upon the water making sure he wasn't noticing anything. Till finally strike!

Skywarp was yet again surprised that his attack was blocked by Jetfire's defense. With the blaster between their ways, Skywarp removed his blade.

"Not bad but need more practice. You're way too noisy." Jetfire recalled honestly that made Skywarp a little displeased. "But that was better then last time." The flyer had said with encouragement, Skywarp then begun to smile more gratefully but as he did he swore Jetfire was looking at him as if he was in a trance. With those sparking eyes, Skywarp quickly looked aside ignoring the fact that he was feeling this way.

"Yeah, sure…" He responded feeling uneasy so did Jetfire who looked away.

After few moments, Skywarp realized Jetfire's respond, nothing. This was unusual to the seeker since he has been hanging around with the Autobots for the last few days especially with Jetfire. Regularly Jetfire would be the first one to spark up a conversation so being quiet is meaning Jetfire's was bothered by something. Feeling the urge to cheer him up and scare away his depression, Skywarp placed his right hand just above Jetfire's helm. In surprise, Jetfire looked up at the seeker that stared upon the daylight that shined over the waterfall scenery. Having him touch his helm, it felt a little too comfortable as he begun to stroke it.

"You been awfully quiet lately…is something wrong?" Skywarp begin to ask as Jetfire dazedly dazed his eyes at him.

"Nothing…" He responded in the calmest tone, Skywarp's spark begin to leap.

He swore if he wasn't afraid, he would have kissed the flyer's golden eyes. But if he had, would Jetfire accept it? If not, surely the Decepticons or possibly the Autobots would break their bond of friendship. Except Skywarp wants more then that…Oh god…or more likely oh primus…

"Jetfire," He called, the flyer looked. "There something I should tell you…" He begins to quiver under his tone as Jetfire waited patiently. "I…"

"FOUND YEA!!!!"

Caught in surprise the intense scene was ruined for Skywarp's chance to confess. The one who basically spoiled the chance was Hotshot with an amused expression. To find them both closer then he expected. Jumping out of the bushes behind them, he landed in front of them and faced them with a concern look. Skywarp was right about the Autobots, this one just ruined his moment with Jetfire, and soon it'll be the Decepticons' turn.

"What are you guys doing out here?" He sounded pissed. "Alone…?" The last word had it for Skywarp. "Well?"

Hotshot exchanged looks to each of them with arms cross; he didn't trust the seeker at all. But with the quietness, Hotshot became aware of Jetfire's silence that he didn't seem like him at all.

"Hey, Skywarp…" He called out unexpected.

"What…?" The seeker announced angry, Hotshot gleam his displeased state.

"If anything happened between you and Jetfire, I'll know who to beat whose metal butt."

Skywarp's temper arises as he was accused. Knowing the silence from Jetfire wasn't a good sign but still it was not right to accuse someone who was with him the whole time and had done nothing wrong. By the look of Jetfire's face, he was depressed, he knew why. His spark was hurting.

"Please guys enough…" He said barely in a whisper…

The two had never heard him as Hotshot continued to accuse the seeker for a while, Jetfire felt worst.

He knew he was the reason why Skywarp was still here today with the Autobots. But lately the others haven't been accepting Skywarp at all.

'Watch him carefully then…' He remembered what Scavenger once said.

Surely what Scavenger had said was true, not everyone was trustworthy and so they can easily change their sides. Blurr was another victim… ever since Jetfire explained that the seeker was staying, Blurr didn't seem too happy but simply walked away from him with an emotionless expression. That leaves Jetfire to wonder why Blurr would even care.

'It's your choice then…'

Already he had thought he lost Blurr as a friend. Maybe he chose the wrong decision, he wasn't sure but he was afraid. Possibly in the end if this keeps up, he'll be left alone. Then he thought again, why did he take Skywarp in?

"You're the one to talk!" An argument occurs and already Jetfire felt ill.

Luckily a young blue and white mech scout appeared to stop the fight. Jetfire was grateful.

"Cool your engines, Hotshot. Skywarp hasn't done anything." Sideswipe explained honestly and still Hotshot decline it.

"I'm seriously not leaving him with Jetfire. I don't trust him one bit!" Hotshot recalled.

Sideswipe slightly agreed but he respected Jetfire's decision of taking care of Skywarp. So thus, he decided to defend Skywarp then help Hotshot raid the seeker out.

"I know you don't, but give him a chance, Hotshot. You're just making it worst for him." Sideswipe said with serious tone.

Hotshot was impressed just a little. Being a Decepticon wasn't his reason, why he distrusted him, it's just that Skywarp is related to Starscream, one of the most betraying bastards alive and the moment when they were friends once, he had betrayed him. Hotshot will never forget that Starscream was born as a traitor. Loyalty was rare to that seeker's spark so he didn't want to take the risk with Skywarp, alone with Jetfire. Same with his other encounter: Sideways. The one that cause him to believe he was a friend until he betrayed him for a greater power then there was Wheeljack. Because of these reasons, Hotshot could barely trust anyone anymore just maybe himself.

"Then I'll leave the team." Skywarp had spoken.

The others' sensors had just tingled. Jetfire immediately stood up unbelieving his sensors had heard such words.

"No, you can't!" Jetfire exclaim loudly unbelieving what he was saying.

Skywarp was indeed surprised of his outburst. It was like a determined child that would just say anything for someone to stay with them. But the sparkling moment was forbidden for Skywarp as he thought about the other two beside them. Hotshot was displeased.

"If that what you want then leave and never come back." Hotshot recalled that made Skywarp uneasy of his choices.

The sound of silence had taken minutes for Skywarp's respond until finally Jetfire spoken up.

"It's…your choice…" He responded hurtfully as he tinted his head down. He realized his spark was hurt because of him. "I won't tell you what to do anymore…" Jetfire looked away with a depression view. Jetfire liked him that why, he gotten himself hurt because he chosen to bring him in. Skywarp then tugged on his wrist.

Quickly Jetfire glanced over. Skywarp couldn't help watch him look defeated. Bringing him back with his touch, Jetfire glazed his golden eyes to Skywarp's soft red eyes. His processor felt a surge throughout his system. A connection, the flyer wouldn't believe he'll have.

"I want to stay…" He claimed that made Jetfire realize, he was smiling.

Such feelings and his reaction, Skywarp always wished there was more then that even if it means he should keep it inside of him from all costs. Making no further problems for everyone since Hotshot already expected it.

"I thought you were leaving." Hotshot exclaimed loudly enough for both of them to hear.

Remembering they were still here, Skywarp carefully watched Hotshot's angered eyes burn.

"Not anymore." Skywarp proudly announced sensing the smile that was marked upon Jetfire's face and the touch that Jetfire put his hand to his. He left pulling Jetfire along but before they disappeared to the forestry. Jetfire stare back to the other two Autobots and slightly gave a soft eye contact to Hotshot.

Leaving the others lost in thought. The yellow mech heavenly sighed as he took his leave as well, Sideswipe followed to make sure his older adoptive brother was alright. 'Just don't end up like me…'

Elsewhere…

"You listen to much rubbish from them anyway." Starscream recalled so annoyed. Thrust chuckled.

"Believe me, Screamer if you don't do anything soon. Megatron just might take the chance of taking the flyer to Alpha Q for a more suitable reward." Thrust mentioned their creator.

"Jetfire is no guardian; he's just pile of trash that Optimus found."

"Then explain why do you show interest of him?" Thrust quickly blurted out knowing what the seeker's ambitious mind had held, Starscream felt uneasy. "We already planned your future when you were a sparkling. You were assigned to be his bodyguard." Starscream heard everything now. "But apparently the flyer's father was a foolish mech since he believed he can protect his son, himself…"

"Let me guess he died didn't he?" Starscream had said.

"Yes…Scorponok…if you remember…" Starscream choked.

With his immediate respond of shock, Starscream slightly back away to a step. Unable to stare forward at his uncle, who knew this would hurt him. "The same mech that killed Soundwave…"

By the name of Soundwave, Starscream had known him as his mentor. The one that actually had taken the seekers like his children but life wasn't that simple as war was involved. 'Thank you…' Starscream flinched of the memory and that musical tune played in his head. It was the Lilium song wasn't it? He had known that time on the cross-fire. Alpha Q was seeking his special transformers returned to him. So far that what Starscream has known and Alpha Q was still missing one. "Jetfire…" Starscream murmured under his voice.

Starscream memory files…searching…founded…processing…completed.

"Get that damn kid out of here!" screamed Thrust as his metallic lungs almost had it.

Hearing those rebellious calls, Starscream had awaked to find his mentor standing beside his strayed lying body.

"Come on Jetfire!" The shout had startled Starscream's memory as he remembered his white flyer friend.

Focusing his senses even with all the chaos around him, he spotted the white sparkling taking away from his father. At a far distance, he could hear him cry his name. Golden eyes was the last thing he seen before he had disappeared with his old mech.

"Starscream…!" The sparkling seeker looked up. "Get your cousin and run!" cried Soundwave angrily.

Starscream couldn't believe this was happening, he had found his cousin lie limp on the ground with scars. Blood was leaving his cousin to die…

"Skywarp…!" He cried as his voice trembled.

Quickly with heavy wounds upon his back and wings, he came to lift his cousin's head. Luckily he was able to hear him said his name whispery. With hands clutching around him, Starscream held tight to his cousin's dying spark. As if it hasn't been worst a shadow beacon upon them with colors of determination. A huge figure that had reddish optics glared down to the sparklings like nothing. Reaching his hand towards the seekers, Starscream frightfully pulled himself with Skywarp away from the monstrous mech until Soundwave realized their position status…

He believed it was going to be a quick rescue but he wasn't excepting to fall easily to the enemy's attack. At the end of the huge transformer's tail, the sting not only stunned Soundwave in surprise but completely had ruined his dark blue armor pierced to his chest thoroughly to his back and the sparkling wasn't excepting at all to watch his mentor spit blood inside his mask then thrown across the ground, lying dead.

"The flyer's child…where is he…?" Cried the looming voice of the stranger and all the sparkling could do is gasp in fear.

Suddenly a sound of a bird cried had grabbed his attention, Terrorcons.

Without those birds crying for their master, Starscream would have been a victim of that large transformer scorpion that left them with mercy. Soon Thrust had regained back to their sides and protection.

"Let's go!" He answered swiftly as he grabbed Starscream's hand.

Carrying the unconscious Skywarp in one arm, he dragged Starscream to fly.

"Father, stop!" cried the white flyer as he dropped himself to the ground dragging his old mech to stop.

As the mech looked back to his sparkling, he slightly gave a sigh.

"We can't stay." He recommended.

"I won't leave them." The sparkling recalled as he pull himself out of his father's grip.

"I'm sorry Jetfire. We can't go back for them."

"What? And let them die!" The youngling outburst that frightened his old mech. Jetfire waited for a least an answer but there was nothing from his father. "Mother would have done it." Young Jetfire turn around and begun to pace only in a nick of time, his father pull him back as a huge needle had stabbed it way of the child's path.

"The child…" Spoke the invader frightfully.

"Not when I'm still here!" Cried the Decepticon mech as he pull his son aside, revealing his blaster.

"Father…!" The sparkling cried as he realized, it was too late. "Father…" He whispered as his anger increased. "FATHER…!"

The Decepticon lay alone on the ground in his own blood puddle with a huge wound across his chest, the sparkling gasped of the sight. Shuddering from the disgust, the large scorpion transformer stood forth of the sparkling. Glaring his reddish eyes, he felt pain and his circuits were frying of it.

"Come…my sparkling…" The transformer recalled as he reached out his hand to him.

Jetfire hesitated, he wanted to back up but he knew he wouldn't escape that easy. As the hand came upon the side of his face, the sparkling flinched and shut his eyes tight.

Then there was a loud bang. The Terrorcons flew away and the sparkling finally opened his eyes of gold. Where he realized the large transformer had left, he came quickly to his father's side.

Upon the rooftops of a damaged building, the seekers perched upon it.

"Who that, uncle?" asked the young red seeker as he pointed out the area.

Thrust followed his nephew's point as he looked; he noticed a red and blue mech.

"No way…" He whispered deeply that gave young Starscream some concern.

As Thrust and young Starscream watch, the red and blue mech came across the young white flyer. With a slight approach, Jetfire watched carefully of the red and blue mech move. "You okay little one?" said the calmest voice, Jetfire ever heard.

When he saw his red insignia on his chest, Jetfire's optics glared. "You're…an autobot…" He finally said whispery.

The red and blue mech didn't looked pleased as he stood there watching the white flyer look back at him, thinking if he should bother or not.

"I won't hurt you." He said firmly and truthfully. Jetfire wanted to believe him but how could he? The mech was an Autobot and he is a Decepticon. Different tribes, different symbols, they weren't meant to be together and talking like this. His spark ached anyway for his father's death. "I'm sorry…" said the mech and Jetfire wasn't surprise at all since his father's body is just right there with silent stillness.

"Do you want help?" Jetfire flinched and turn around to see the mech kneed. "I can help you…" He showed his hand carefully.

Jetfire didn't wanted to move, he couldn't trust a stranger. Even though he feared the large transformer would come back and kill this mech too. He stayed.

"Okay then." The mech knew his answer as he stood up strongly. "I won't force you. If you change your mind though, you have to come and find me." The mech walked forward as Jetfire stayed motionless still. The autobot pasted the sparkling in just a few steps then that's where Jetfire realized something.

"No wait!" He cried as he chased the autobot.

The mech looked, actually surprised that the Decepticon sparkling decided to come with him and yet he came to hug him. An embrace of comfort, the mech tighten his arms around the flyer. Making him feel safe…

"Don't leave me…" Jetfire cried, ashamed.

The mech slightly smiled as he laid his forehead on the child's helm. Then a shadow beacons behind the mech.

"Jet…!" Starscream was shut of his screaming call by his uncle's palm.

"Quiet, Starscream. I need to know if he's worthy." Thrust answered.

The autobot let go of the sparkling. "Shall we go then?" The autobot asked. Jetfire nodded until his optics caught attention of something, the autobot felt it well and could see it though the golden eyes. As the attack was made, the autobot made a swiftly dodge that dragged the sparkling out of the way.

"You will not take the child away…autobot." Recall the scorpion mech.

The autobot stood up and faced him with determination. "Not in a lifetime." He responded as the scorpion felt weary.

"Then you shall die, Optimus Prime!" The transformed mech transformed into a scorpion and charged forward to the autobot.

Optimus was already could defend himself and the sparkling. Unexpectedly the scorpion retransformed into a robot with his fist clutched tight ready to punch really hard but with a sight distraction, he accidentally had hit the sparkling at the head that purposely got in the way. Both of them gasped as the white flyer lay limp on the ground with a brutal punch wound at the side of his helm. Optimus was first to react and to run up to him. Feeling the major wound at the sparkling's head, he was relief to catch his life wave though contact. Only not to his knowledge the sparkling memory core was damaged.

"Have I killed him?" asked the Scorpion, Optimus glared his yellow eyes at him.

"What do you think?" He said angrily. The scorpion mech wasn't pleased, he actually believe he had killed the sparkling that his master, Alpha Q wanted. Only Optimus know, he was alive and played a trick on the scorpion.

"What a loss…" The large mech left.

Optimus slightly smiled as he looked down to the sparkling flinch.

"Daddy…?" He spoke weakly, Optimus smiled more.

"I'm here…" He said as he picked him up.

Thrust then stood up and smiled widely. Young Starscream looked up to him. "We got ourselves a rival, Starscream."