Author's note. Readers should note that any affection Megatron feels for the kids as his pets, he will hide from Optimus because he wants Optimus to go mad with worry.
I now have a beta for this story, Prowlsgirl who will be checking my chapters to make sure they are up for publication.
With thanks to akirisan and Mrs Bumblebee for suggestions.
Enjoy and please review.
On Earth: North Africa.
Megatron stood tall and proud as he gazed around the seemly deserted landscape. Demolisher and Cyclonus flanked him, each tense and eager for battle. As they scanned the surrounding area, Megatron heard Starscream Warp just behind them. He didn't bother to look around as he asked Demolisher.
"Have you got a fixed location on the Minicon's signal, yet?"
"No sir, but it's definitely around here somewhere," replied Demolisher.
"Right, Starscream see if those Autobots are about. When you find them, stay with them and get back to me," Megatron commanded with a grin. He couldn't wait to see Prime with his men to have a really good gloat.
"Remember, they will likely try to either capture you or attempt to follow you back to base, this cannot be allowed to happen. If they get hold of you and you are unable to break their grip, Warp to another location until you are rid of them. Understand?" Megatron said, still not looking around and they all answered that they did.
As Starscream flew off, Megatron ordered his men to spread out to find the Minicon. They all transformed and headed off in different directions. Megatron was thankful the Minicon wasn't buried in a sea of sand like last time, which made fighting quite difficult. Still, the landscape was seemed quite endless with rocky, scrub covered ground, the horizon only broken up with the occasional tree.
Organic animals galloped away as he drove along, his scanners searching for the Minicon signal. He fairly tingled with anticipation for the fight to come. He wondered how angry Optimus was going to be over those kids? But when Megatron thought about it, he'd actually done everyone a favour. Leaving them at his base meant they were safe from the up-coming battle. So in actual fact, that made him the responsible one, not Optimus. Yes, he was really going to enjoy meeting Optimus.
Finally, after what second an age, Starscream comm'd.
"Sir, I have the Autobots Hotshot and Red Alert and Red Alert in sight, they are near the base hill."
"Good, Starscream. Do not engage unless they find the Minicon, wait for Demolisher and Cyclonus," Megatron instructed and Starscream acknowledged.
As he set off in the direction Starscream had indicated, Megatron called his men and told them to join Starscream. He wondered where Optimus was, perhaps he was inside this hill while his men guarded it. Or maybe he was...
"Megatron."
....Lying in wait.
Megatron jolted to a halt and in one swift movement, had transformed into robot mode. Turning, he bestowed a tight smirk on the Autobot leader standing posed.
"Well, fancy running into you, Prime," he said by way of a greeting.
"Cut the pleasantries, Megatron," Optimus snapped back as the two started circling one another.
"Yes, your right, we shouldn't waste time," Megatron said, grinning in anticipation. "After all I do have some adorable little pets waiting for me back at base and I mustn't leave them too long on their own."
As he'd hoped, this spurred Optimus into action, and the two huge robots clashed. Locking hands, they strained to un-foot the other and for a few minutes just snarled at each other. Megatron managed to shove Optimus back an aimed a punch at him but Optimus dodged.
"If you've hurt those kids, Megatron," Optimus said as they started circling each other again.
"Oh they're perfectly fine, Prime," Megatron growled softly. "For now."
"What is that suppose to mean?" Optimus said with narrowed optics. Megatron bared his fangs in a grin.
"Merely that they are disobedient brats who require a very firm hand. But as I said, they are fine. At least they can sit down again."
The next second, Megatron was sprawled on the ground, Optimus's fist having put him there. The Autobot leader stood over him with his fists clenched as Megatron smirked, wiping a smear of blood away.
"My, my Optimus, you're very touchy where those children are concerned."
"They are my friends, Megatron," Optimus said as Megatron propped himself on an elbow, smirking. "How can you not have noticed how special they are?"
"All I've noticed," Megatron sneered. "Is that the light skinned boy inspires the other to disobedience, the dark skinned boy is loud mouthed and the girl is smart mouthed. Traits they need curing of" he finished with a yell as he kicked Optimus's feet out from under him.
The two leader wrestled each other on the ground, doing as much damage as possible. As Megatron tried to pin his opponent, Optimus yelled.
"Don't pretend you don't know their names."
"What does it matter, Prime?" Megatron growled mockingly. "You will not get Rad, Carlos or Alexis until I say so."
Meanwhile.
"Hey, Autoboobs, come and get it," Cyclonus cackled as he and Starscream heckled Hotshot and Red Alert.
Demolisher, meanwhile, was calmly forcing his way into a small cave in the mountain side. They had succeeded in driving off the two Autobots and now it was a simple matter of digging the Minicon out. The Minicon signal was becoming stronger, the deeper Demolisher went.
Finally, with a cry of triumph, he spotted it lying on the ground just up ahead.
"I got it," he yelled into the comm. "Keep those punks busy until I can Warp away with it."
But as he eagerly stretched out a hand to grab it, two Minicons came out of nowhere and got there before him. As they touched the jade coloured panel, it activated and now three Minicons stood before Demolisher. As his jaw dropped, they combined and took up a defensive stance. And he knew precisely who this upgraded Minicon was.
"Hey," he said, comprehension dawning on him. "Wait a minute, there is no Minicon."
Back at the battle between Optimus and Megatron.
"It's a set up" was the message Megatron received over his comm.
"What," Megatron roared as he punched Optimus off of him.
"Why you..." he snarled furiously as he leapt to his feet, Optimus doing the same.
"So," he said, optics flashing as he bared his fangs at Optimus.
"This was all a pathetic trick by you, Prime. Well, you're not getting to MY base today and certainly not those kids."
Stepping back, he said maliciously. "Those kids are going to feel my hand for this."
"Wait, Megatron," Optimus cried lunging forward and seizing the Decepticons wrist. Before Megatron could retaliate, Optimus held up his other hand.
"This wasn't a plot Megatron, I just want to talk."
"About what?" MEgatron snarled.
Optimus couldn't help but roll his optics a little, his opponent could be so dense sometimes. But still he calmly but urgently said.
"We have to discuss the children, Megatron."
Megatron wrenched his wrist out of Optimus's grasp to stand back and fold his arms. Both leaders stood there, seizing the other up before Megatron spoke.
"I do not see that there is anything to discuss Optimus. They belong to me and that is an end to it."
Optimus just shook his head.
"Megatron, what do you hope to gain by this, more Minicons? We could be here a very long time before we find the rest, do you honestly plan on keeping the kids till then?"
"Perhaps," Megatron coolly replied.
"Be reasonable Megatron, those kids have a life outside of us, they have school and other commitments. Not to mention their parents will worry," Optimus said, trying not to get impatient.
Megatron simply sneered.
"So why do these kids always seem to appear on missions with you if you're so concerned? At least they are safe at my base."
"The only thing they're in danger from is you," Optimus pointed out.
"That's right," Megatron smirked, baring his fangs. "But don't worry Optimus, they're far too entertaining for me to... permanently damage."
"Hmm, did they enjoy their meal?" Optimus asked, the question catching Megatron off guard so that he automatically answered.
"Why yes, they did."
Optimus smiled behind his mask, Megatron glaring as he saw his adversary was amused. Suddenly, Optimus drew something from sub-space and offered it to Megatron.
"What is this?" Megatron asked suspiciously as he took it.
"A comm. frequency for you to contact me," Optimus explained. "So I don't have to resort to this. Just in case you change your mind or what to talk about the kids."
"Hmm, well I suppose I'll take it," Megatron said, eyeing the chip in his hand before looking up at Optimus. "So that my valuable time is not wasted again."
"Primus forbid your time be wasted, Megatron" Optimus said dryly as he took a step back and opened a link to his men.
"Hotshot, Red Alert, we're going back to base."
"Hang on, aren't you going to offer me Minicons in exchange for those kids," Megatron asked. "I thought you were desperate to get them back."
"I am, but you're clearly not about to give them to me even if I gave up all the Minicons," Optimus said calmly though his optics were sad. "You're not getting anything till I know the kids are free."
Megatron scowled and turned his back, ordering his men back to base before warping away. Optimus stood there for a moment before opening a comm. link.
"Perceptor, were you successful?"
A sound of beeping was heard over the comm., to which Optimus said one word.
"Good."
Back at the Decepticon Base.
Megatron strode into his throne room, grumbling about meddlesome Autobots. Demolisher and Cyclonus followed, Starscream had been sent to retrieve the kids, who should be wearing something by now.
As he sat down with Cyclonus and Demolisher on either side, Megatron decided that now would be very good time for his little pets to perform. After wasting time with Optimus, he needed some entertainment. He hoped they put on a good show, if they did he'd reward them somehow. He was just idly wondering what outfits they were wearing, when Starscream entered, holding the kids in his hands.
As Starscream drew closer, he saw what they were wearing and it caused him to raise an optic brow as Demolisher and Cyclonus gaped.
The first noticeable thing about the kids was the metal bands at their wrists and ankles, each a shiny silver colour. Gauze like material covered their bodies, disappearing into the bands. The second noticeable thing was the material was very see-through and he could see they were wearing new undergarments, though only the girl had something on her chest.
Megatron smiled at them as Starscream put them as on his throne's arm rest. Gently petting them, he said.
"Now, don't you all look nice in your new outfits?"
The kids all grinned somewhat self-consciously, even though they knew the Decepticons were planning on giving them jumpsuits. The Minicon Motors seemed to be quite creative, it was all they could do to stop him going overboard with their outfits. Not that they weren't grateful, they just felt strange enough as it was.
"What happened on Earth?" Carlos asked eagerly, they hadn't been able to get a response out of Starscream.
Megatron frowned and then shook his head, why were children always so full of questions?
"Nothing much," he said lightly, knowing how much that answer would infuriate them when they were bursting with curiously.
"Come on, something must have happened," Alexis finally said. "Who got the Minicon?"
"No one" Megatron said stiffly.
The kids looked very confused for a moment before Rad said.
"What do you mean, no one?"
"There was no Minicon" Megatron replied."It was a trick by the Autobots so Prime could talk to me."
"Oh" was the kids reply. Megatron glowered for a minute, thinking about Prime but then roused himself.
"Now, my little pets I think it's time you showed us what you can do," Megatron said, leaning back in his chair to get a better view of them. Starscream had joined Demolisher on Megatron's right.
The kids looked at each other and nodded. To the Decepticons mild surprise, Alexis moved away from the boys before sitting down, closer to Megatron. The boys were left facing each other at the end of the arm rest, and to the Decepticons bemusement, bowed.
Rad suddenly aimed a kick at Carlos who threw himself backwards onto his hands before hitting the ground. Rad swept his leg over Carlos who waited until it was past then pushed himself back up. As the Decepticons watched, Rad made chopping movements at Carlos who dodged before lightly running backwards.
With enough space between them, Carlos leapt into a handstand, as Rad continued demonstrating martial arts moves. Megatron was now grinning as he watched Carlos walk forwards on his hands towards Rad. When he reached him, it seemed like he was about to fall but Rad grabbed his ankles and shoved so that Carlos leapt back onto his feet.
"How's that?" Carlos said triumphantly as he and Rad turned to face Megatron, he knew it had been a good idea to team up. He and Rad grinned as the Decepticons and Alexis applauded.
"Very good," Megatron said approvingly before looking down at Alexis.
"I believe it's your turn, my dear."
Alexis nodded and moved to the end of the arm rest, the boys whispering encouragement as she passed. She gave small bow before raising her arms and begun her dance. It was a strange dance, at first it looked like ballet but somehow was much more exotic. As she moved her hips in slow circling movements, the boys became aware of just how see-through her clothes were.
Blushing, they glanced to the side and were astonished to see Cyclonus's jaw hanging as he watched the girl's movements. Quickly turning, they saw similar expressions on Starscream's and Demolisher's face Alexis spun, her eyes closed, head back.
She carried on for a good few minutes, by which time the boy's jaws had also dropped, they didn't know Alexis could dance like that. All too soon it seemed she had finished, and she turned to face them, blushing slightly. She saw that nearly all of them were gawking except Megatron, who looked thoughtful. And then he said.
"So that is dancing."
Author's note. Next time, Megatron wants to see how the kids behave when he and the other Decepticons aren't around. How will that work out? Till next time.