Chapter 9

Father or Not

"I'm impressed, Skywarp. I thought Starscream means nothing to you." Megatron explained at on the one side of the field with his Decepticons behind him. Besides him was Starscream scraped, beaten, on his knees and cuffed behind his back. He was secured for involving in such a dangerous situation. As Skywarp appeared with the Autobots at the other end, he glared his reddish optics at Megatron. Sideswipe felt his rage. Skywarp begin to walk forward hoping at least halfway of a distance, Megatron would let Starscream go.

Optimus watched carefully and realized laser-beck perched up in a tree. If Jetfire was watching this, it must be hurting him.

Skywarp managed to reach half-way and stopped. "Let him go, Megatron. I'm here to accept your deal." Skywarp announced and Megatron didn't look pleased. He seemed like he wanted something more. For Starscream, he couldn't believe it. His cousin experienced a rough pounding from him and yet he still agreed to exchange his life for his.

'What an idiot…' Starscream thought as he reviewed last night incident…

Hotshot tied to a tree, helplessly weak. Starscream felt the urge to tell him something concerning his cousin's sake. In his audio, he told him something, hoping he got the message. But he defeated Skywarp…if he didn't what would Megatron think. He had no choice…Megatron would survive that shot anyway if Skywarp had his shooting perfect. Skywarp didn't deserve it after all Skywarp is the only family for Starscream can consider having…

"Is that all the Autobots you brought today?" Megatron asked deviously. Skywarp caught the attention of suspicious.

"And your point is? I thought you only wanted me." Skywarp announced that made Sideswipe slightly swift his hand to his gun.

"I don't want to argue nor fight today. I just want the trade quick and done as possible." Megatron explained that made Skywarp give a grin that was hidden under his mask.

"Hotshot…?" Jetfire cried as the yellow mech finally reached into the briefing room. Fallen to the ground, Blurr and Red Alert quickly aided him.

"What are you doing? Walking around with all those injuries!?" Red Alert begins to exclaim angrily. Hotshot gasped as he saw a glimpse of the monitor of Skywarp's situation. He quickly got up and pointed out.

"Skywarp, Megatron and Starscream the whole thing is a trap…" He announced hurtfully that startled everybody's systems.

"A trap…?" Jetfire recalled. He quickly looked back to the monitor to see Skywarp taking more steps towards Megatron. With a sudden thought and decision, Jetfire ran out.

"Jetfire…!" Red Alert cried but Jetfire did not obey. Blurr quickly went after him. With an unstable yellow mech, Red Alert laid him down onto a chair and quickly contacted the Autobots. With the sound of the warp-gate activate, he knew Jetfire just left.

Optimus's optics widen as he heard the sudden news from Red Alert. All the Autobots had obtain the news through their com-link even Skywarp as he stopped again only quarter away from Megatron.

"You seem nervous, Skywarp." Megatron begin to tease as Skywarp hissed.

Could it be true, that Starscream is just playing hostage to his own cousin? Skywarp gave in with a breeze. Sideswipe couldn't take it. It was his time for revenge on Megatron of what he did to Hotshot. Sideswipe acted.

"Sideswipe, no!" Scavenger cried but it was too late.

The Decepticons open fire and Skywarp reacted surprise as Sideswipe ran towards his way. Wheeljack fired out his harpoon where the wire reached towards Skywarp. Quickly Skywarp vanished to dodge the wiring which begins to produce electric and begin heading toward Sideswipe. Sideswipe pull up his arms into a defend position and realized his rash action. If the wiring reached him, he would be fried. Suddenly Skywarp had appeared in front of him with his hands clutched to his blade, hoping the blade would stop it. As he slashed it, the wire split into many that which it wrapped his body and he receives a terrible shocking experience.

Jetfire swiftly cross the land in his vehicle mode with Blurr following his trail.

"Jetfire…!" Blurr called rolling his quickest to catch up the flyer. Jetfire didn't listen and Blurr was fuming. Rushing himself, with a broken side door; Blurr quickly transformed and jumped to catch the flying shuttle. Jetfire spooked as Blurr landed on his back.

"Back off Blurr…!" Jetfire exclaimed and flowed closer to the ground. Dropping Blurr aside except Blurr pursued to stop him. Grabbing his hind, Jetfire had no choice but to transform and have Blurr hold his ankles down. "Damn it Blurr, let go of me!"

Blurr crawled over him, holding his head down, Jetfire growled. "You idiot, Hotshot said it was trap! Not a rescue call!"

"I just wanted to help!" Jetfire exclaimed as he struggled with Blurr holding his arm behind his back.

"You're a stubborn mech, you know that?" Blurr said.

"I love him, okay!" Jetfire shouted as Blurr stuttered. They stopped struggling and Blurr watched him hold his tears.

"Him, you mean…"

"Yeah…" Jetfire respond as Blurr let go of his head, he sat aside behind Jetfire's body. "Remember that I was careless that I could believe. I could take on an entire team of Megatron's troops?"

"You always do that actually."

"Well, anyway these wings, they were a gift from my mother; she built it on me too. It like he saved me and my mom also. That's why I see Skywarp more differently then the other bots." Jetfire explained as Blurr spread a smile. "Tell me, Blurr, why would he save me?"

"I don't know…but I do realize every time we pick a fight, he chooses you to fight. And also you were the first one to meet him on Earth." Blurr said. "I guess…for him, it was love?"

"Maybe…I just couldn't leave him behind, he my…"

"I get it, Jetfire." Blurr stumbled on his feet to stand. "Just bring him home, safely. I trust you do that right?"

Jetfire glanced up to the shooter and smiled. "Thanks Blurr…"

Finally coming to the battle in sky view, Jetfire spotted his mate. Lying helplessly with Sideswipe defending his unconscious body, Jetfire spotted Starscream free from his cuffs. His mind screamed that Starscream was official a traitor and no longer feel sorry of. As he landed, he quickly came to his mate's side. He got a glimpse of Megatron's pleasing smile. It was a trap after all but Skywarp wasn't the target, it was him…

Suddenly a pair of arms wrapped him from behind. "Scavenger…!" Jetfire cried as the large mech pull him away from attack range. Seeing that they're leaving Skywarp behind, Jetfire begin to cry. "No! Let me go!" As he struggled in Scavenger's grip.

"We have to get you out of here!" Scavenger complained as he released Jetfire near Optimus's side. Jetfire stumbled with raging thoughts. As Optimus turned on him, his eyes looked angry.

"Get back in the base, Jetfire! This whole thing is for you!"

"I know that! But I refuse to leave Skywarp and Sideswipe behind!" Jetfire screamed as Optimus felt sympathy. "Let me fight, Optimus I can do it!" Jetfire continued with his optics fading. Optimus glitch, seeing him crying, he felt horrible; trying to push him away wasn't his idea of amusement. "Please…" Jetfire cried once more but Optimus ignored.

"Please go back to the base, Jetfire." Optimus commanded strongly, Jetfire begin to feel angry.

"You're not my father!" Jetfire yelled straightforward as he ran past Optimus that shocked the commander much.

"Jetfire…" Optimus cried.

Realizing the scene, Megatron smiled greedily. He looked aside to see Wheeljack, shooting aimlessly at the Autobots. "Aim for the prize, Wheeljack." He commanded.

Wheeljack obeyed. "Yes sire." Putting out his harpoon in his attack range, he aimed directly to his objective.

"Wake up, Skywarp! Come on get up!" Jetfire violently shook the purple seeker soon Skywarp turned himself back online.

"Jetfire…?" He questioned confusedly, unnoticing the battling situation. Jetfire was relief as he pulls him up over his shoulder.

"Sideswipe, watch our backs!" cried the 2nd commander as he slowly takes Skywarp to the safe point while the Decepticons moved forward towards their goal.

"Yes sire!" Sideswipe recalled understanding his order.

"You shouldn't have come…Jetfire…" Skywarp answered weakly, Jetfire felt disbelief.

"I'm not letting Megatron get you." Jetfire responded as Skywarp slightly chuckled.

"So that means I'm yours to keep?" Skywarp joked that made Jetfire spread a smile.

"You dummy…of course." He responded.

"Except you're mine Jetfire!" Jetfire spooked as Starscream attempt to attack him. With his foot rampaged down to the ground, Starscream missed. "Don't you ever think of running away this time, loafer!" Starscream insulted. Jetfire growled as he ignored his insults, he put Skywarp down and faced the red seeker.

"Frag it, Screamer." Jetfire dodged an attack. "Even though, all you can do is scream like a little coward you are!" Jetfire recalled that made Starscream burst his temper.

"You're full of trash." Starscream claimed as he used his saber as his attack choice.

"And you're full of up-grades because I swear you're drunk when you attack." Jetfire joked as he dodged every blade swing. Skywarp insist to aid him, throwing his wing saber near his feet. Jetfire pulled up Skywarp's saber.

"Damn you, bastard! I'll show you who better!" Starscream snarled as he harshly slashed his blade against Jetfire's blade. Giving all his strength in his blade, Jetfire grunted unbelieving where Starscream put all his power aside.

Suddenly Sideswipe cried. "Jetfire watch out!"

Jetfire looked and saw Wheeljack fired his harpoon shot. As the wires spread, electrified, Jetfire was held down by Starscream's greedy need of killing. Skywarp quickly pulled himself up to once again experience the electrified wire, this time saving two lives instead of one. Consuming his body, he screamed.

"Skywarp…!" Jetfire looked aside to see Starscream frightfully watched his cousin experienced the electric wire for the second time. "No…!" He cried as Jetfire reacted. He pushed Starscream away.

Pulling up the blade, Jetfire cut the wiring, freeing Skywarp as he stumbled to the ground. Quickly Jetfire came to his side to check his condition. Starscream felt ashamed.

"You idiot what were you thinking! You could have damaged your system drives!" Jetfire complained as Skywarp slightly responded with a smile.

"I rather see myself die then to see you hurt." Skywarp explained that made Jetfire gritted his teeth.

"You idiot…" He cried as he pulled him into a hug. "We're in this together!"

Starscream flinched to hear such thing. Skywarp spread his smile widener. "Jetfire…" Skywarp answered as he pulled him into a tighter embrace. Suddenly Jetfire tilted his head up as he sensed something. He turned around.

"Tidal Wave…" Jetfire choked as he spotted a fairly large transformer appear in his presents. Skywarp grunted.

Letting go of his mate, Jetfire faced the giant. "Holy Primus…" He cried as the giant roared. Jetfire gained his battle ground as he rammed into the giant. Tidal Wave slightly stumbled backwards but managed to stop the flyer's attack. Grabbing his arm, Tidal Wave pulled him off the ground. Digging his claws into his arm, Jetfire screamed as his arm leaked blood.

"Jetfire…!" Skywarp cried painfully as he watches his mate. Jetfire was thrown across and begin to shred though the ground, he glanced up with his golden eyes beaming. He got up to watched Tidal Wave approached closely to the injured violet seeker. Jetfire growled as he ran towards them picking his mate's saber on the way. Tidal Wave grabbed upon Skywarp's main and held him up. With his recent injures, Skywarp was helpless to make a move, or to his warping skills. Quickly the flyer swings the blade against the giant which only backfired. He gasped as the giant had held the blade bared hand. Without going though it's metallic layer to the blood. Tidal Wave thrown the weapon away causing Jetfire hesitate his next move.

"Tidal Wave," Megatron cried out from the background as Tidal Wave understood.

The giant thrown Skywarp away and quickly reached out to the flyer. Jetfire reacted quickly, he moved before Tidal Wave had a chance to jump him. The giant tumbled towards the ground, flat. As the flyer just begun to run, Jetfire gasped as his leg had got caught in Tidal Wave's reach. Pulling him down to the ground with him, Jetfire begin to cry.

"I'm coming, Jetfire!" Optimus responded in a distance as he transformed and raced across the field towards him except Cyclonus had stood into his way, firing at him. Optimus halted, to transform and to pull out his blaster.

"The boy ours, Prime! And you'll never gonna have him back!" Cyclonus teased that caused Optimus some anger.

As Jetfire turned around to face the large mech, he was pulled under Tidal Wave's main, Jetfire quick kicked upwards. Knocking Tidal Wave into the chin, the giant staggered and so Jetfire made his escape, this time into a more dangerous situation. In his path towards the dizzy violet seeker, Jetfire stopped as Megatron wandered into his way.

"Enough games, it's time to go." Megatron explained calmly as was Jetfire angered.

"Like hell, I would go with you!" Jetfire cried.

"No matter how much you push it away…you'll always be a Decepticon. My Decepticon,"

Jetfire flinched, he hate to be reminded. Tidal Wave appeared behind him. "Tidal Wave…" In the name, Tidal Wave likes to call; Jetfire was caught into the giant's arms soon to be handcuffed in front of him.

"Tomorrow is a new beginning for you, Jetfire. For once you'll become the true you, a decepticon." Megatron finally stated just as Jetfire feared. "But for now…" Megatron turned around and faced the injured Skywarp. "I got other things to deal with." Jetfire gasped as he begins to struggle roughly against Tidal Wave.

Skywarp lay helplessly on the ground as Megatron pick him up by the neck and a gun aimed towards his head-core. "It would be nice to have you back…but I feared you'll interrupt our newest recruit of your love sickening. I'll end your life, quick then just to be nice."

"But Megatron…!" Starscream protested as Skywarp looked surprised.

"Never…!" Jetfire cried as he pulled away from Tidal Wave and tackled Megatron. Jetfire pulled the cuffs over Megatron's neck so using all his strength to choke him.

"How pathetic…" Megatron slightly struggled as he swiftly pulled Jetfire over him making him crash into the ground onto his back. "Don't you ever estimate me again after what I'm gonna do with you." Jetfire flinched as he struggled on the ground. Megatron then glazed his red eyes on Skywarp.

"No Megatron, please spare my cousin! I'll receive his punishment for his life!" Starscream suddenly cried; Megatron shot out his look at the red seeker. "Please, I beg of you…master…" He shuddered. Megatron hissed and looked away.

"Very well, his true punishment would come eventually…" Starscream nodded and obeyed.

Jetfire was slightly grateful that Starscream had managed to spare Skywarp's life only feared what Megatron had said.

"Decepticons…!" Megatron raised his hand, his soldiers listened. "Retreat, we have what we wanted!" He faded into warp. Soon the rest followed.

"Jetfire, Skywarp!" Optimus cried.

As Starscream pull up his cousin, he realized Optimus. He quickly warped holding his cousin. Tidal Wave was the last to leave as he held Jetfire in his arms. "Jetfire…!" Again Optimus cried as he ran towards them. Jetfire realized his own eyes faded as he disappeared with Tidal Wave. Prime gasped as he couldn't do anything else to save them now…