Jasper, Jack's POV

My back arched as I grasped my head, a sharp pain piercing my spine. The minute I'd returned home, I'd ran to my room, locking the door and closing the shades. Then the pain had started. But it quickly dissapeared, and with a sigh, I sat up. I moved to sit on the edge of my bed, looking down. I nearlyt choked on my own tongue.

I stared at my hands in horror. My nails had become pure metal.

"Shadowdusk...Wh-what...?"

"It is alright, Moonsoul. It's meerly the change starting to take a physical effect."

"Wh-what! How am I going to hide this from everyone?" I hissed, glancing at my door to see if mom had hear me.

"It isn't perminent, for now, at least. Now hush, I shall meet you in your dreams."

I scowled. Another downside to having Shadowdusk around, while I slept, my physical body would stay, but my spiritual and mental being would join Shadowdusk on Cybertron.

I sighed before going and changing into a pair of sweat pants, leaving my shirt off. I then crawled under my covers, curling up and praying that there was a chance to escape from seeing Shadowdusk in my dreams.

3rd POV

Shadowdusk turned eagerly as the presense of 'her sparkling' appeared behind her. The blood red and white femme smiled brightly, reaching down and gently picking up the raven haired teen.

"Hello, my little sweet spark." She greeted happily as she walked over to stand before a dormant Vector Sigma. Jack muttered a grudging 'hello' in return.

Sitting, Shadowdusk cradled Jack close to her chasis, the warmth from her spark washing over the human. Jack shifted slightly, uncomfortable in the femme's hold, but Shadowdusk didn't notice.

She smiled, lifting the onyx haired boy and nuzzling him tenderly.

"If only you could truely be here, Moonsoul."

"Glad I'm not." Jack whispered, but the femme heard this and growled.

"Don't speak in such a way, Moonsoul. You would be happy here, on Cybertron. One with such a pure soul shouldn't be on Earth."

Jack peered curiously up at Shadowdusk, earning a chuckle from her.

"As I've told you before, I was granted many gifts as the guardian of Vector Sigma. Your soul, so pure, so INNOCENT, it warms my spark." She explained, once again holding the teen to her chasis endearingly.

"Shadowdusk...What are you forcing me to become? I deserve to know, since you won't even give me a choice." Jack finally asked.

"...You are becoming a being that long ago vanished from existence. Half organic, half Cybertronian, today known as techno organics. Though you will be three-quarters Cybertronian, while only one-quarter of your organic essence remains intact."

Jack felt his heart twist in fear and sadness.

Shadowdusk smiled as she stared at the dormant Vector Sigma.

"Soon, my sparkling. Soon we shall re-unite, and you shall be what you should always have been."

The raven haired human began to speak, but the femme, laying him in one hand, used a slender finger to silence Jack.

"Shh, my little one, rest."

After a moment of silence, in which Jack situated himself (knowing the femme wouldn't release him), Shadowdusk began to sing softly.

(Based on the song 'Mordred's Lullaby'.)

"Hush, child, the darkness will rise from the deep

and carry it out into sleep, child

The darkness will rise from the deep

and carry it out into sleep

My only son

I'll shape your belief

and you'll always know

that your father's a thief

And you won't understand

the cause of your grief

but you'll always follow

the voices beneath..."

Jack's POV

I awoke with a start, sitting stark straight as I panted.

I was drenched in sweat, as I always was when I woke up when Shadowdusk sang one of her beautiful yet demented lullabies.

I quickly got out of bed, searching for my usual outfit. I cursed when I found the clothes weren't there, and grabbed a different outfit, then went into my bathroom. I turned on the shower, setting my clothes on the counter sink and removing the clothes I wore.

Stepping under the scalding hot spray, I felt my muscles relax. Steam rose around me as I scrubbed every inch of skin and my hair.

When I stepped out, I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my waist. While water dripped from my hair, I went to inspect myself in the mirror.

I could now see some of the slight physical changes. While my nails had returned to normal, my eyes were slowly becoming a brighter shade of blue. My hair was a bit longer, though no one would notice unless they looked hard enough.

With a deep sigh, I changed into the clean clothes.

I wore ripped, darkwashed jeans, and a black t-shirt with a pattern over one shoulder that represented something like silver claw marks. Though the shirt would now and then ride up slightly, just barely showing my abbs now and then. Thank lord I was pretty well built for my age.

"Take the key with you."

I glared at my own reflection as Shadowdusk spoke.

"Why? I'm supposed to be protecting it, not taking it everywhere I go."

Shadowdusk laughed.

"Please, to set my mind at ease."

"Will you be quiet and not give me a headache when my mom comes around?"

She growled a bit.

"Very well, but please keep the key close."

I smiled slightly, releaved that I wouldn't have to face a headache.

"Alright then." I murmured as I left the bathroom.

I went to a small case, made of cold metal and locked tightly. I then unlocked it, opening it and smiling when I saw the key of Vector Sigma. Optimus had granted me the honor of keeping it safe. I gently lifted it and grabbed the silver chain coiled beneath it.

Threading the key onto the chain, I clasped it to my belt, letting the key sit in my pocket.

I smiled, rubbing my thumb over it one last time before leaving the house.