Author's note. Bit of a wait for this chapter once again but I hope you all like it. Thanks for being so patient.
With thanks to Espionata for her character Aurora and for her suggestion.
With thanks to nightwing 132 for her character Sunfire.
With thanks to Himeno24 for her character of Frost Burner and Moonslash.
Enjoy and please review.
Thundercracker's POV.
"Come on, Starscream, let's all have a nice wash."
Starscream smiled and nodded eagerly as Thundercracker said this. He was clinging to Skywarp's arm and seemed to need to constantly touch them. As though he was afraid they'd disappear at any moment.
They were in the Med Bay's small but well ordered Wash Room, getting ready for a good bathe. Seekers, being flyers, loved to be clean and couldn't tolerate being in any other condition. Ground bound bots, of course, had to put up with all sorts of conditions from a bit dirt splattered to outright filthy.
But not Seekers.
"We'll clean you up first Starscream and then you can help clean us," Thundercracker suggested gently to which Starscream nodded.
"Warp, you hose him down while I rub these oils in."
Skywarp nodded and went over to the wall where there was a hose nozzle. He took hold of it and pulled, revealing a nice long hose.
While he did this, Thundercracker was choosing a suitable bath oil from a wide selection. He eventually chose a blue one and quickly grabbed a cloth. Turning back to Starscream, he said.
"You just relax Starscream and we'll soon have you sparkling,"
"Thank you," Starscream said as both his Trine mates came over.
"Heh, Skyfire won't be able to take his optics off of you," Skywarp said with a wink, causing Starscream to smile.
"I hope so," he said seriously as Thundercracker started pouring oil onto his frame and then rubbing it in.
As Skywarp started to lightly hose Starscream, turning the oil to foam, Thundercracker mulled over things.
Despite his memory loss, Starscream still had feelings for Skyfire. This could only mean he'd always had feelings fro the large but gently Shuttle. It made the blue Seeker shudder at the pain his Trine leader must have gone through when he first lost Skyfire.
At least now, they had a chance to be together but would it work? Starscream was so full of pain, so vulnerable. Skyfire could end up being his carer rather than lover.
And in the long term, that wouldn't do either of them any good.
Suddenly, Starscream leaned forward and hugged Skywarp's chest tightly as Thundercracker did his wings.
"I'm so please your both here," he said softly.
"I'd be lost without you,"
"Aw, Screamer," Skywarp cooed softly, hugging Starscream back.
Starscream was so different in this child like state. In fact, Thundercracker could only remember Starscream being like this less than a handful of times. And on was when they first bonded.
Flashback.
"What do you want Thundercracker, I'm rather busy at the moment."
Thundercraker ignored his Trine leader's rather brusque greeting. As the War had progressed, Starscream had been steadily giving more responsibility, there were rumours that he'd soon be promoted. This meant he was often stressed and a bit snappish.
"I've come to invite you to mine and Skywarp's Bonding ceremony," he said with a wide smile.
Starscream stopped what he was doing and stared. Of course, they all knew this had been coming. But it still took him slightly by surprise.
"Oh….well, um, congratulations," Starscream said, trying to smile.
"You must be very happy."
"We are," Thundercracker assured him.
His smile was so big that Starscream couldn't help but smile for real.
"I'm surprised Warp didn't come to yell at me the good news."
Thundercracker chuckled as he said.
"That's because he'd getting everything ready and making sure we got plenty of High Grade."
"You should have a good time of it," Starscream chuckled.
Thundercracker nodded but suddenly turned serious.
"Starscream, you know it's traditional to have a final fling before Bonding."
Starscream nodded. Seekers, with their vivacious sexual appetites, often selpt with one last bot before they Bonded. It was meant to mark an end to their roving ways and also the beginning of their new life with their partner.
"Well, we were thinking," Thundercracker began, slightly nervous.
"You know, it would make it really special if…..you slept with us tonight."
The smile fell from Starscream's face as he stared in shock at his Trine mate. Though Thundercracker and Skywarp had slept with several of their comrades, they had never slept with Starscream. He had never responded to any signals they sent him and they had never pushed the issue. But on this special night, they wanted to be with their Trine leader.
"It would really mean a lot to us if you did," Thundercracker continued.
Starscream swallowed.
"I-I'm not sure," he stuttered, his optics showing mild worry,
"You don't have to if you truly don't want to," Thundercracker said softly.
"But we would really love to do it with you."
He paused and then asked.
"Starscream, have you ever interfaced with two before?"
"Ah, no, I haven't," Starscream said softly.
"I've heard it's good."
"It is," Thundercracker said with a huge grin before sobering.
"Though it is best to do it with those you trust, otherwise it can….."
He broke off, not needing to say any more. A shadow briefly appeared in Starscream's optics but it was gone so quickly, Thundercracker thought he had imagined it.
"I….will think about it," Starscream finally said.
"I will let you know before the celebration."
"You'll attend that at least?" Thundercracker asked.
Starscream smiled.
"I wouldn't miss it for all this planet's Energon."
Sometime later, Starscream called to say that he would sleep with them. This made the celebration even better for the two Seekers as it really meant something to them that he was willing.
And thought Starscream had a good time, he barely touched his High Grade. He mostly drank when there was a toast. But it at the time, it didn't matter, he was smiling and clearly enjoying himself.
Eventually, Skywarp stood up and with one last toast, got rid of the other guests. They left in good spirits, a Bonding ceremony was always a good occasion and an excure to drink.
Because Megatron knew his troops enjoyed them so much, he had allowed this and had even let the two Seekers s few cycles leave. The grey Mech himself hadn't gone, he was too busy with a shipment of supplies.
His absence was one of the reasons Starscream had been so willing to go.
The Seekers was now led to Skywarp and Thundercracker's quarters, his nerves growing by the breem.
"It's been a good evening," he said as they settled on the wide berth.
But as they started to strip, he grew nervous and his hands shook slightly. They wondered about this but didn't dwell on it. Both were determined that he would have as good a time as they were going to have.
So they started soothing him, stroking his wings and kissing him gently. They also whispered comforting words and slowly, he relaxed. They let him chose who he wanted to start with and this seemed to greatly surprise him.
But it also gave him confidence and soon he was enjoying it just as much as they were.
End of Flashback.
Thundercracker sighed as he remembered that wonderful night. It had been the first of many, with Starscream becoming more relaxed with them. Of course, he now knew why Starscream had been so scared in the first place.
And he swore, as he hugged his Trine leader, that Starscream would never have to fear another interface partner, ever again.
Megatron's POV.
Megatron strode calmly through the wrecked city of Kaon, with it's mostly deserted streets and dim lighting. He had no fear of it's inhabitants, this was not a place for Autobots. And the Decepticons would never dare attack him, they knew what would happen if they tried. He wasn't a former gladiator for nothing.
As for Neutrals, well. If any were foolish enough to try anything, he'd soon show them the error of their ways. And depending on his mood, he might even let them live.
He'd left his room some time ago, leaving Shockwave sleeping there. The purple
Mech really was something, he was easily clever enough to try and take over as leader and yet he didn't. Not only that, he was actually capable and always performed to Megatron's full satisfaction.
Megatron smirked, oh yes, that Mech certainly performed.
Megatron normally only went for berth partners he could utter dominate, with him inside them nearly the whole time. However, if he got a decent Mech, he'd have a go at letting them ride him, as long as they were led. Before the incident, it had been a very long time since he'd been with another Mech like that.
But he wasn't sorry he'd done it with Shockwave, and not just because he'd needed it. Though Shockwave had no visible face, he made the most delicious moans, almost as good as Starscream's. The thought of Starscream made him smirk, that Mech was really something.
And though he still rankled over his toy's loss, at least he was unlikely to be in a better position than Megaton himself. He was probably a nervous weeping wreck by now. And knowing his little Seeker like he did, he knew it would be a long time before he recovered.
With any luck, he'd have Starscram back before that happened.
But it didn't matter even if he didn't. No matter how much time it took, Starscream would be his once more.
Suddenly, a whooshing sound overhead made him look up.
It was a Seeker, a Seeker Femme by the looks of things. He watched as she swooped and dived, seemingly unaware he was there. She had a light blue body with black wings that also had red lines on them. Judging by the way she was flying, she was very feisty. If you'd been around Seekers for any amount of time, you soon learned to read their personality based on the way they flew. Flying after all, was how they truly expressed themselves.
Megatron licked his lips as he watched her, pure lust in his optics. What he wouldn't give to be able to capture and tame that lovely creature. But alas, he had neither the time nor the necessary equipment for that. Ah well.
He continued on his way, the Femme was heading away, so he no longer paid her any attention.
He soon came to an old alleyway and proceeded down it. But as he did so, he became aware of someone following him. He didn't react, didn't even twitch an optic but simply carried on walking at the same steady pace. But inside, he smiled.
After a few breems of walking he turned a corner, disappearing from sight.
A moment later, a small figure approached the same corner he had gone around. This figure knew perfectly well who they were trailing but wanted to find out what he was up to. They hadn't gone out specifically trail Decepticons but having seen an opportunity, had taken it.
They briefly glanced over their own shoulder, just to make sure they themselves weren't being followed. Having seen that there was defiantly no one around, they confidently turned the corner.
And ran right bang smack into Megatron.
"Well, well, well," Megatron sneered as the figure fell on their aft with a little squeak.
"What ever do we have here?"
"Uh," the young Femling stuttered, staring up at him with wide purple optics.
Her small hands gripped the ground beneath her, a clear sign she was about to try and flee. But before she had a chance, Megatron swooped down and seized her by a wrist, dragging her to her feet. He easily held her small frame off the ground so that she dangled helplessly in his grasp.
She had given a cry of pain at being yank but otherwise did not yet speak.
She was quite small and was clearly only a Youngling, perhaps she was even the same age as that brat Bumblebee. She was coloured a brilliant combination of red and purple, not to mention she had the Autobot symbol stamped across her shoulders. Her purple optics were a very light shade, no doubt because of the deep purple on her body.
"Now, my dear," he said with a smile as she tugged vainly at the hand which was currently gripping hers.
"Care to tell me what a young Femme such as yourself is doing in a place like this?"
"I was just walking home," she replied blithely, actually meeting his optics.
"Really," he said, mildly amused at her tone.
"Funny how I didn't see you behind me."
"That's because I didn't want you to see me," she said with a shrug of a shoulder.
"I'm not suppose to talk to strangers and if you'd seen me, you might have wanted to talk to me."
"Hmm, not a bad story," he said, reaching a hand up to touch the Autobot insignia.
"But in actual fact, I think you're a little Autobot spy, trying to tail me."
"Me, a spy?" she said in a good imitation of disbelief.
"I don't think so, I'm too young for that. And I have too much to do anyway, what with learning centres and all."
He could barely believe this Femme's nerve, for a moment, he thought she couldn't know who he was. No one spoke to him like that.
"Be that as it may, you are still in a very dangerous area," he now said as her face twisted in slight pain at being held in such a way.
"Allow me to escort you to a safer place."
And he promptly dumped her back on her feet before taking her hand in a very firm hold. She struggled to free herself as he set off at a smart pace but there was nothing doing. He wasn't about to let this little Autobot Femme go, not by a long shot.
"Let me go," she protested as they left the alley and started down another street.
"I don't need you to escort me, I can look after myself."
"Oh no, my dear," Megatron said offhandedly as he dragged her along.
"You're coming with me."
She was just about to protest again, when he looked right at her and growled.
"And that is an end to it."
She fell silent after that, relishing that she shouldn't push her luck.
He proceeded to take her deeper into Kaon, and with each passing moment, she seemed to draw closer to him. He might be the slag maker himself but he was also a large fighting Mech who could easily repel any attacks. And in this sort of neighbourhood, she needed every bit of protection she could get.
She jumped slightly as a CyberRat appeared suddenly and scuttled close to them. But Megatron completely ignored it and the rodent, seeing that the grey Mech was no easy target, hissed and disappeared with a flick of it's long metal tail. The young Femme stared after it before quickening her step so that Megatron was no longer dragging her.
"Um, how much longer?" she asked softly, not wanting to raise her voice, least it attract attention.
Megatron chuckled, enjoying the fact she was reluctantly looking to him for protection.
"Not long Femling and then we'll be inside."
She made a small noise which he took to be agreement. A few more breems of walking past and then Megatron asked.
"What is your name? You haven't told me yet."
"You haven't told me your name either," she pointed out.
Megatron came to an immediate stop and yanked her around so that she was facing him. He loomed above her and she shrank back slightly.
"Do not get smart with me Femling," he said in a low dangerous voice, his optics glinting.
"I do not tolerate lip from anybody, especially Younglings. You will watch that mouth of yours unless you desire a whipping."
"You can't….," she started to say but he cut across her.
"I assure you I can and will," he said sternly.
"Now, either tell me your name or I will beat it from you."
She trembled slightly, and bit her lip but knew he was absolutely serious.
"Aurora," she said softly. "That's my name."
He checked her face but couldn't discern any falsehood. She'd told him the truth, luckily for her. He smirked coldly and raised a hand to her face causing her to flinch back.
"Aurora, such a pretty name."
His smirk turned into a leer.
"For such a pretty little Femme."
Her face twisted in disgust, making him chuckle darkly. Such a feisty young creature.
"Ah, here we are," he drawled at they finally reached the Decepticon base.
Aurora tensed as he pulled her inside, she had no idea what awaited her.
Megatron touched a pad on the wall and the corridor they were in lit up with a dully glowing yellow. The Femling beside him shivered slightly as the door behind them suddenly shut, trapping them within. Or her at the very least.
She jumped slightly as a voice suddenly called out.
"Lord Megatron, we've been expecting you."
A young looking Mech was making his way towards them, his door wings held high. He wore a scarlet coloured visor and his body was a dark blue with light blue flames. He stopped as he caught sight of Aurora and a grin spread across his face.
"But we weren't expecting you,"
Aurora rolled her optics at his leer. Megatron meanwhile, only smirked.
"I found this little Autobot tailing me Frost Burner, and she will be remaining with us for a while."
As Frost Burner's leer widened, Megatron added with a slight frown.
"Where is your sister, Moonslash?"
"Um, she's with the other Femmes," Frost Burner replied, barely managing to look at Megatron instead of Aurora.
"They had a run in with the Autobot Femmes and are still kind of recovering."
"I see," Megatron said in a bored voice.
He suddenly let go of Aurora's hand and shoved her forward, right at Frost Burner.
"Take her to a cell, I will deal with her later."
As Frost Burner nodded eagerly, Megatron added sternly.
"You are not to mess with her Frost Burner, if I find out you have, you will be one very sorry Youngling."
Frost Burner looked very disappointed but the gleam in Megatron's optic booked no argument.
So the young Mech nodded, showing he wouldn't disobey and led the young Femme away.
Megatron watched them go, admiring the Femme's aft. He would defiantly see her later but for now, recruiting called.
Author's note. In the next chapter, Megatron continues his search for new recruits and meets a little used canon character. Also, find out Skywarp's memory of his Bonding night with Starscream.
Until then.