Chapter 80:

Day Fourteen: Wee hours of Sunday Morning Iacon, Cybertron Time 3:05 A.M.:

Unable to fall asleep naturally, Megatron took yet another sedative. He dreamt of Starscream: Nothing he could remember, only visions of happier times with the young Seeker. Times that would never be again. The Decepticon Leader, known throughout the galaxy as a warrior, curled into a ball and sobbed.

The others slept, but he was awake for the next three hours despite the sleep aid.

Day Fourteen: Early hours of Sunday Morning Iacon, Cybertron Time 5:03 A.M.:

The morning of Starscream's Funeral began with Shockwave's neighbor, Termagax, banging on the Tower's door.

The purple President made his way from the living room and opened the door.

"Oh, Termagax," Shockwave groaned, "how lovely to see you again…"

Thundercracker awoke slowly to hear a fight. From what he was able to make out, the femme wanted her petrorabbit back, and Shockwave was arguing with her.

When he heard her threatening lawyers, he made the decision for the family.

"Skywarp, the petrorabbit's gotta go home," he whispered as he pulled the bunny from his little brother's arms.

"W-Wait, what?" Skywarp was still groggy and hung on to his petrorabbit protectively.

TC: "She's gotta go."

"WHAT?! NO!" the darker Seeker screamed, simultaneously waking up Soundwave, all his Cassettes, and Esmeralda; Megatron was in a half-awake, half-sleeping state.

"Warp, be quiet!" Thundercracker told him as he took the petrorabbit away.

Skywarp: "TEECEE! NO! THAT'S MY PET! SHE'S MINE! MINE!"

He didn't care. He promptly returned the bunny to Termagax, who was still arguing with Shockwave. She huffed and stormed off with her animal.

"The least you could do is say thank you!" Shockwave yelled at her, "The next time I find one of your animals on my property, I'm calling the Health Department! Primus knows you have three hundred animals in that slum you live in!" and slammed the door.

Thundercracker went back to the living room. Skywarp was curled in a ball, sobbing, but his older brother had finally had enough.

"Skywarp, will you PLEASE just SHUT UP!" he bellowed, "You hadn't let anyone have a moment's peace since we got here! You woke everybody up in the middle of the night, and now you're waking everyone up AGAIN with your crying! Just, just SHUT UP ALREADY! Nobody cares about your problems!"

Skywarp was stunned by the outburst. He looked at TC, and his own optics filled up with coolant tears.

"Thundercracker, go back to sleep," Soundwave told him, "just relax; we have another hour."

The blue Seeker curled into another corner of the sofa and got under a blanket.

Skywarp bit his lip components to stifle his sobs. Now TC hated him. He didn't have the petrorabbit, and now TC hated him. Okay, he KNEW he freaked out in the middle of the night, but that dream, no, that NIGHTMARE felt so real! He couldn't help how he felt. So now, he assessed his problems: His eldest brother hated him; he was responsible for the death of his second eldest brother; probably the rest of the Decepticons hated him by now, and the petrorabbit was taken away. Oh, and his chassis felt like slag, and he could barely walk. Feeling like he had no reason to carry on, he cried himself back to sleep, vowing never to bother anyone ever again.

Day Fourteen: Early hours of Sunday Morning Iacon, Cybertron Time 6:00 A.M.:

None of the Decepticons wanted to attend Starscream's Funeral proceedings; why would they want to admit to themselves that their beloved Comrade and Brother was deactivated? But now, they had to.

Shockwave spent the morning conferring with his Chief of Security George, and the Vehicon staff, instructing members of his household staff when to receive the deliveries of Energon-food and desserts, and confirming road closures with the Roads' Commissioner in Vos.

Soundwave maintained order with his Cassettes and touched base with the Reflectors back on Earth, and Megatron was…well, Megatron.

"I can't go through with this!" he sobbed, curled up on the lounger, "I don't want to say goodbye."

"Megatron, we've been over this," his Mother tried gently, "you have to get ready. We don't have any time to waste today."

Meanwhile, Skywarp was awake but kept his optical shutters closed tightly, waiting for Thundercracker to go away.

The blue Seeker was overheard in the kitchen, asking Shockwave if the neighbor would be willing to sell him the petrorabbit. And Shockwave answering, "Oh, Thundercracker, the Battle-Ax is totally unreasonable. I tried offering as well," and adding, "they are probably all inbred anyway. You'd be better served adopting a petrorabbit from a pet shelter. At least you'd know she's had her shots."

Sometime after that, Skywarp wasn't sure; he may have fallen back to recharge; he felt Thundercracker beside him, rubbing his wings. He didn't WANT his brother near him; he was ANGRY at him! Did he forget?!

Thundercracker ran his thumb over the dried coolant tears shrieking down his little sibling's faceplates. He hated being the cause of those tears.

Skywarp could hear Soundwave approach and talk to his brother.

"You were tired," Soundwave insisted, "you've been on duty almost twenty-four hours a day. Plus, the stress of losing Starscream."

"I just…blew up," Thundercracker sighed, "I'm so sorry. I think I didn't…I wasn't fully online, y'know?"

"It happens," Soundwave admitted, "look and Megatron and I. We've been at each other's jugulars."

TC bit his lip components; his thoughts went back to when he believed he heard scratching at the upstairs window. In retrospect, it was probably the petrorabbit or another bunny from the same family. And yet he could have sworn he had heard Starscream's vocals.

"Soundwave?" Thundercracker asked, "Do you know how old that petrorabbit was?"

Soundwave: "About seven weeks."

The blue Seeker nodded, "I see." Too old to be Starscream reincarnated.

"No, I know what you're thinking, but it wasn't him," the Tapedeck whispered, "petrorabbits are born blind and don't even open their optics before two weeks old, let alone climb into windows. I know she looked like him, but she wasn't him."

At that moment, Skywarp decided to un-shutter his optics and sit up. He was still raw with hurt and pain from his brother's words; they hurt more than anything having Tox-En poisoning had brought him. There was a bitterness present now that he had never possessed before.

Soundwave stood, wanting to give the Seekers some space.

Thundercracker pulled his baby brother into a hug, "I'm sorry I yelled at you this morning. And I'm sorry about the petrorabbit."

The black and purple Seeker refused to hug back.

Thundercracker sighed, "You're the last one I want to hurt."

Skywarp WANTED to hug back; he loved it when his oldest brother hugged him and protected him from the cruelties of the universe. He was just too upset right now over everything…

Thundercracker: "Love you…"

Skywarp hugged back, "But I'm still mad," he pouted. TC thought he was adorable.

Day Fourteen: Sunday Morning Iacon, Cybertron Time 8:20 A.M.:

Shockwave was determined to stay on his proposed schedule on this day, even if it meant dragging Megatron around by his pedes to do it, which was what he almost had to resort to doing.

The Decepticon Leader was STILL fighting his Mother and his friend at every turn that morning, whether it was eating breakfast, showering, putting on his traditional Cybertronian mourning attire, everything, "I can't do this! I don't want to go to Vos!" he keened.

"We've been over this bloody mess," the President insisted, "you have to keep it together in public!"

The others were at least able to go through the motions quietly, including Skywarp. He was still pouting, even when he let TC help him get his cape to fit his wings. He was still shaken by his nightmare about having them ripped off. He could walk a little more stable with the leg braces back on, but then again, his walking was always better in the morning lately. Soundwave scanned him again and noted that his vitals were much improved. He gave the young Seeker a shot of painkillers but held off on the sedatives since they were in for a long day.

And while Shockwave was still attempting to coax Megatron out of the wash racks, Soundwave answered the door: It was George the Vehicon with a welcome surprise.

"I traded in that torture device for a REAL wheelchair," the President's Chief of Security presented a proper, black wheelchair as he smoked his cigarette, "the boss wanted to surprise you. That, and he was afraid we couldn't get one."

"Thank you, that was very nice of you," Thundercracker told him, grateful they wouldn't have to deal with the same problems as before.

Skywarp was a bit reluctant to sit in it, fearing panels would open up and grab his limbs, but once he got into the chair and put his pedes up on the pede-rests, he found it to be quite comfortable.

Shockwave and Esmeralda were finally able to drag Megatron out of the berthroom, but then he grabbed onto the staircase railing and refused to come down the stairs.

"Megatron! Don't make us drag you down the stairs!" Esmeralda was now losing her patience, "You're not a sparkling!"

As Laserbeak recorded, Soundwave bellowed, "MEGATRON! QUIT ACTING LIKE A KNOCK-OFF DRONE!"

Megatron: "AH SHUT YOUR ENERGON HOLE, YA DIPSTICK TAPEDECK!"

Laserbeak quipped, "Well, that was almost comical."

Ravage grumbled, "You're not helping."

The Cannon-Former nearly tumbled down his own staircase, trying to budge the Decepticon Leader, "Megatron, are you trying to kill me?!"

Skywarp couldn't help but find the image hilarious.

"George!" Shockwave groaned, "A bit of help?!"

Mad that he had to shuck his freshly lit cigarette, the black Vehicon forcibly pulled Megatron down the stairs.

Megatron: "I am the Leader of the Decepticons! Who the pit do you think you are?!"

George: "President Shockwave's chassis guard."

Day Fourteen: Sunday Morning Iacon, Cybertron Time 8:30 A.M.:

"Thank Primus, we're on time," Shockwave sighed happily.

Today, the group traveled in a black Hovercraft limo for the three-hour drive to Starscream's creation city of Vos.

From left to right, Megatron, Esmeralda, Thundercracker, and Skywarp sat in the seats facing forward, while right to the left, Frenzy, Rumble, Ravage, and Soundwave sat on the opposite side. Which meant Megs and Soundwave were facing each other and scowling. Laserbeak kept his camera trained on the road ahead, and Shockwave sat in the front passenger seat with George driving.

"We now continue with Part Two on our Road to Goodbye," Laserbeak narrated in his processor.

It was a long drive, but at least there was minimal traffic since it was Sunday morning, and the Funeral was a planet-wide event, and all other government-sponsored scheduled events were postponed. It was freezing cold, though, even for the early hours. And the temperatures were dropping the closer they got to the City of Seekers.

Megatron's thoughts drifted back to that day in Russia and Submarine Captain Uri Chirikov. The cruelty that was written on that human's face, Megatron could still see it with crystal clarity, and knowing…knowing that this human's face was probably the last thing his lover saw…the pain and sparkache made his Energon lines want to sink. The others hadn't seen the Captain's face. They didn't know what he saw…what Starscream must have seen in his last moments. That knowledge was agony for the former Gladiator to bear. The memory files and continued struggles with the upcoming scenarios of how to achieve justice for his young Second-in-Command felt like a huge metal boulder on his backstruct.

And he couldn't stop crying. He felt like he was crying every minute and couldn't stop. And he KNEW he was embarrassing himself and the Decepticons by having public breakdowns, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. As they reached Vos, Megatron looked out the window and up at the skies. It suddenly occurred to him that he would never see Starscream flying in those skies, or any skies for that matter, ever again. And it made fresh coolant tears begin to flow.

Day Fourteen: Sunday Afternoon Vos, Cybertron Time 11:44 A.M.:

And just like Starscream's Rite of Reception in Arizona, the line to attend the young Air Commander's Funeral stretched on for miles.

The Sunday morning congregation had already been filed out, and the caretakers prepared the Altar at the Christian Church of Vos for the noontime Rite of Reception before the actual Funeral Services were scheduled to take place.

Crowds were held back by temporary metal gates usually reserved for concerts. The Decepticons of Earth were amongst them; the Coneheaded Seekers had gotten there late, but the Vehicons that worked for Shockwave had made sure they were moved up towards the front of the line.

Megatron whispered, "I'm not going in there," he was not ready to come into the building. Even though he wanted his Chief Mourner status, he refused to exit the limo just yet.

Soundwave elected to be the adult this time, "The rest of us will go in. You can come when you're ready."

But the Decepticon Leader's emotions were swinging like a pendulum as usual, "WHO TOLD YOU THAT YOU WERE THE LEADER OF THE DECEPTICONS HERE?!"

The Tapedeck didn't react, trying to rise above the fray. Even Esmeralda needed a break from her son's emotional roller coaster.

The group—all wearing their traditional Cybertronian mourning attire—exited the limo and began walking inside the old Church. Skywarp was pushed in the wheelchair by George, with Thundercracker looking around at all the Seekers in the crowd. Soundwave held his twin sons' hands on either side of himself as they walked up the steps. Esmeralda held Shockwave's arm. Ravage walked alongside his family, and Laserbeak panned his camera over the crowds.

Ratbat approached Soundwave before they hit the front doors, "Glad you made it, Soundwave," the millionaire smirked. Before the big blue mech could respond (he wanted to punch the Metal Rat out of frustration), Shockwave came over and greeted him, "Thank you for getting here so early, Senator. We're honored by your presence."

Ratbat nodded, "I wouldn't miss it." And he walked into the Church with the family. It was all Soundwave could do to keep his composure. Like the first red-breasted robin of springtime, he had to deal with Ratbat first thing in the morning of an exceptionally long day.

The Christian Church of Vos was one of the oldest churches on Cybertron. Over one hundred and twenty years old, with Tiffany windows recently restored, marble flooring, oak-wood pews, vast iconography from front to back, and one of the nicest Altars any Transformer had ever seen. Had Starscream lived and Bonded with Megatron, he would no doubt have insisted on the ceremony taking place in the beautiful, Byzantine building. Unfortunately, on this fateful day, the Decepticons were gathered there to bid him goodbye.

Thinking about how his friend Whirl being unable to join them due to his scheduling conflict, Shockwave muses, "I don't understand WHY the churches allow these youth sporting tournaments to take place on Sunday mornings."

Laserbeak perched on a high-back side pew to record everything.

Frenzy was assigned to watch the guestbooks now, "It's only fair, Frenz!" Rumble retorted.

Skywarp was ready to fall into recharge, even without sedatives in his systems. He hadn't had the best night and just wanted to go home. Now he was just going through the motions. Thundercracker helped him sit at the first-row pew and put the wheelchair off to the side.

"This Church is always so beautiful," the blue Seeker whispered as he looked around before taking a seat next to his little brother's left, "I think they fixed the windows."

Skywarp's optics were half-lidded, and he grumbled, "I'm still mad at you."

"Okay," was TC's only answer; what could he say anyway. He sighed, "I don't wanna be here either…wish we weren't doing this," he looked down at his hands.

The sentiment made the darker Seeker tear up behind his black visor. He was still upset, but he huddled against the other for warmth.

Soundwave sat with Rumble and Ravage in the second row. Ratbat sat directly behind him, to the Tapedeck's extreme annoyance.

Shockwave stood in the middle of the aisle to receive condolences. And Esmeralda sat on the first row, with a few empty seats between herself and the Seekers, for a while until the others sat down. George discreetly off to the right side watching the scene. The Church's smoking ban making him edgier than usual.

The mourners began filing in: Their Creators, Dirge, Thrust, and Ramjet, greeted the group and sat behind the two Seeker brothers. Astrotrain, his sister Firefox, Blitzwing, and Octane coming in early. The Constructicons preferred to stay in the back of the Church; the Combaticons made their entrance with Vortex waving the others to preferred pews he had found for them to sit, and the Stunticons brought up the rear and sat towards the middle of the old Church.

"Wonder when Megatron's gonna come in?" Breakdown asked.

Knockout answered, "From what I understand, he's not taking it well."

Wildrider wore a black visor, not particularly because he was emotional but because he had been out drinking High-Grade Energon the night before.

Thundercracker let his optics wander to the Church's ceiling architecture: A beautiful painting of Jesus Christ covered the Dome on the inside, and the blue Seeker stared up at Him for comfort. Then he looked at the Altar and mentally counted how many Saints he could name from his Sunday School days, "These always fascinated me as a sparkling," he remarked quietly.

Skywarp was looking straight ahead, and in shock at the sensation he was feeling in his spark. He felt Starscream trying to contact him, but then, it was gone in an instant.

Thundercracker mused, "I wonder what the churches look like in Russia?"

Their Mother whispered that they were probably similar to the ones in Vos; His Stepfather wondered what was going on with their youngest son.

"Teecee…" his sibling whispered, "he's here…"

The blue Jet turned around and saw indeed that Ajax, the former science teacher from the Rite of Reception, was in the back of the Church lighting a candle. TC's optics, albeit shielded by the black visor, watched the older Seeker come down the aisle to where his family was seated. Everyone simply assumed Skywarp saw the mech out of the corner of his shaded optics, not knowing he was actually talking about Starscream.

"I'm glad you came," Thundercracker smiled as they shook hands. His Stepfather reluctantly shook hands as well, albeit more on guard. Ajax took a temporary seat next to Thundercracker, and the two spoke warmly to each other. Skywarp didn't say a word to either of them; he kept his legs covered by his cape so that his Creators wouldn't see the braces.

Ajax said his wife opted not to come and was at the Cybertron War Academy currently, planning a press release and possibly a school-wide memorial service for Starscream. But he had wanted to come and show support to their former students during this sad time. No one mentioned it specifically, but the warm demeanor towards one another was a mutual apology for the argument at Starscream's Rite of Reception last Friday evening.

When it was time for Ajax to leave, he said he wanted to take the two young Seekers and their Creators out to lunch in the near future, "I'd like that," Thundercracker smiled. He left soon after. The whole time, Skywarp stayed silent, but then again, he just wanted to watch the calmness, wondering what exactly that was he was feeling in their Trine Bond. Their Creators just shrugged, only telling their sons that, should a memorial at the Academy be scheduled, that they would all attend.

After their former teacher had left, Thundercracker wrapped his arm around Skywarp's shoulders, "That was so nice of him to come back," the younger Seeker was tired and leaned against him. The Church's recorded hymn music lulling him into a recharge…Until he saw the next guest, that is.

"Cascade's here," Skywarp mumbled, "she's gonna start picking on me again."

His Father insisted that if she started in on his son again, "I'll stand up for you."

Indeed, the old femme came over to them, her brashness toned down for the Church, "Skywarp, I just wanted to apologize for Friday evening," she was sincere, albeit grinning, "the whole idea of losing our Screamers had sent me into a dither."

Skywarp didn't look at her. Thundercracker, probably in a forgiven mood now, smiled and told her, "It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong."

Skywarp looked at him.

Cascade: "I just wanted to make sure we were all still friends and let you know I love you guys."

"Aw," Thundercracker smiled, "we love you too, Cascade."

She jabbed the black and purple Seeker's shoulder, "You know you've always been my favorite." She looked around, "I'll talk to you guys later; I gotta go save my seat."

The blue Jet nodded, "No problem…" as she was off. "You see, Skywarp? Things are looking up today."

"You said you were gonna yell at her for me," Skywarp snarled at his Father.

"I said I'd stick up for you if she started in on you again," the black Seeker explained, "but she apologized."

Skywarp just growled and folded his arms in anger.

Thundercracker: "Take it easy, kiddo."

Their Mother didn't say anything, guessing that the fireworks would really begin when Megatron entered the Church.

Throughout the afternoon Rite of Reception, the Dean Emeritus worked behind the doors of the Altar to prepare for the Funeral Services.

Hundreds of Seekers, Jet Vehicons, both local and from surrounding cities, filed in and took their seats in the wooden pews. After a while, it was standing room only. Some shook hands with Shockwave; others were too shy. The massive Church was packed, a testament to the beloved young Seeker whose life had touched so many.

The Jet Vehicons who worked for the Church began lighting the candles and setting up the floral displays the Constructicons had brought from Earth on the Altar.

Once again, a candle burned, symbolizing the Eternal Flame of Cybertron; its glass holder was much taller than the one they had on Earth.

Finally, the Vehicon Sexton, Pete, told Shockwave they were ready to begin the Funeral Services.

Shockwave nodded, "I'll gather everyone."