Author's note. Sorry for the really long wait, I got a bit caught up with things. Here's a nice long chapter to make up.
Suggestions are welcome.
Enjoy and please review.
While the kids were fuming about their situation, Megatron sat staring at the console, idly going through human television channels. Once again, he was searching to see if there were any clues to Minicon locations. It had worked before and he hoped with a bit of luck, it would work again. Of course, most of it was ridiculous human drivel; did they really consider this entertainment? He sneered at several programmes before moving onto others.
He wondered how his children were doing and if they'd noticed their silver markings yet. They would no doubt be furious when they discovered them and realised what they meant but he was prepared to deal with that. After all, what could they really do but sulk at him for a bit and possibly act up. He would deal with it as it came even if he had to apply a little punishment.
Hopefully though, that wouldn't be necessary, it certainly wouldn't make a good start to their relationship.
He had just finished watching something called 'Traffic Cops' when he flicked to a new programme. This one appeared to be a special news broadcast and Megatron was mildly curious to see what it was about. He soon got his answer as the title suddenly showed its self.
"The Portland Kidnappings!"
His brow furrowed, this was about the kids. Was it just another plea for information on them? He wasn't sure but decided to keep watching to see what they'd come up with.
"On June 2nd, three Middle school children from Portland were snatched as they went camping."
A picture of the kids popped up on the screen, they were laughing and grinning at the camera.
"Their names are Rad, Carlos and Alexis," the voice continued as another picture popped up on the screen.
"Since they disappeared, their captors have only been in contact once. And while the kids were allowed to briefly speak with their parents, police still have no idea why they were taken in the first place."
The report then went on to describe when and where the children were last seen. There was footage and Megatron watched, knowing they had absolutely nothing to go on. They didn't even have any suspicious individuals hanging about that day and after. Megatron was starting to get disinterested when the show suddenly switched to a different location; it appeared to be of a different town.
"Until recently we had no other information to go on but that all changed when a witness came forward."
Megatron narrowed his optics and leaned forward, he wanted to hear more now. The show had now moved to the inside of some sort of shop where a human female was standing behind a counter. The narrator explained that this was Amanda Polluck and she worked at this shop.
"It was just another normal day," she began and Megatron rolled his optics. Get to the point, you foolish Femme. Sadly, it took her a couple of breems to get to the point.
"And then this young girl came in. The first thing I noticed was their weird jumpsuit she was wearing, a really funny purple colour. She looked a bit dishevelled, like she'd been wearing that outfit for several days. At the time, I thought maybe she was part of some camping exhibition; we've got a really large forest here."
A growl came from Megatron's throat; he did not like the sound of this at all.
"She just did a bit of browsing, we get that a lot," the human Femme said with a smile. "But looking back, I remember she looked quite stressed and a bit worried. Like she could be caught at any minute or something like that.
"The description of this young girl matches that of Alexis," the narrator now said. "And when investigated, it was discovered that this day coincided with the day Alexis managed to contact her mother. She told her that one of their captors had felt sorry for them and had allowed them a brief time in town but with dire consequences if they tried to run."
Megatron's optics widened, one of his men had let those kids go? Oh and didn't he just have a good idea who that Mech was...
Other witnesses where shown, all describing how the kids had been wandering about in their strange outfits, looking jumpy and stressed. One even reported Rad had a phone box calling his creators. There was then some grainy footage of what appeared to be an eating establishment and Megatron's keen optics soon found a certain trio sitting on their own.
"This footage was discovered and while the kids are obviously by themselves, their interactions during their meal indicated nervousness. Their captors were close by and possibly watching. Eyewitnesses have confirmed this."
An even grimier picture appeared of the kids walking past a building.
"This is the last confirmed sighting of Rad, Carlos and Alexis. Judging by the direction they were going, they headed into Tall Oaks Forest. We assume they were then picked up by their captors and taken away again. We have no idea why they might have been in the area but it is safe to assume they are on the move."
Megatron rolled his optics, how wrong they were.
Another picture of the smiling kids was plastered across the screen.
"Clearly, the kids were kept under surveillance, and we urge anyone who might have seen something that day to come forward. Or if you have since spotted any of the children in a different location, please contact us on this number."
The rest of the report was nothing special, a few so called experts giving their opinion on how the gang operated and what their motives might be. Megatron watched it but only in case a few more surprised were sent his way. However, nothing more of interest was revealed, just more pleas and speculation.
"Thank you for watching."
Megatron stood up, his optics flashing. So, those little darlings of his had paid a little trip to Earth had they? And as for the 'nice' captor who'd allowed this, well he was about find out just how his leader felt about that little act of kindness. With a growl, he went headed out of the control room and marched along the corridor to where those kids were residing. They were in for the lecture of their lives and if they were insolent, a good spanking as well.
When he finally stamped into the Throne Room, he found the three dears standing on a table, arms folded and glaring at him. He stopped in front of them, sternly looking down at them as they stared right back up. Yes, it would appear they did know about the silver which gleamed all over their body now.
The girl was the first to speak.
"How could you?" she hissed in disgust.
"How could I what?" he asked in an extremely unconcerned tone which seemed to enrage the kids.
"You know perfectly well what!" she snapped back in response as Rad growled.
"You deliberately messed with our bodies and didn't even bother to tell us."
"Yeah man, we don't appreciate you doing this," Carlos added hotly.
"Don't you?" he said evenly.
"No...because you never tell us why," Rad stated furiously. "You turned us into Minicons without bothering to tell us you were going to. Do you know how that felt when we woke up and found we weren't even organic anymore?"
"I thought it would be a nice surprise for you," Megatron said with a slight smirk.
"No, taking us out on the moon is a nice surprise," Alexis now said. "Changing our bodies without warning or permission is abuse!"
"It was only temporary," Megatron informed them. "And you enjoyed it once you got used to it."
"Well, what about this?" Carlos demanded, waving his hands as he gestured at the sliver streaks. "Is this just temporary?"
"In a manner of speaking," Megatron said as he suddenly grabbed hold of them and lifted them up.
They clung to his hands but still glaring up at him. He simply marched over to his Throne and deposited them on the arm of it. As soon as he'd released them, they scooted away from him, still giving him thoroughly dirty looks.
"Those marks will disappear," Megatron began slowly. "But the change they are imitating will be permanent."
They stared at him, a touch of fear in their bright eyes.
"What change?" whispered Alexis.
"When it is finished, my dears," Megatron said softly. "You will be able to transform from humans to Minicons. In time, I'm hoping that you'll be able to transform into larger robots, perhaps as you get used to the experience."
Their jaws dropped at this pronouncement and he hid a smirk at just how shocked they looked. For a few moments, they couldn't speak, just tried to gather their wits. And once they had, there was an outcry.
"WHAT!? Aww, dude, you are kidding me!"
"What do you mean, we be able to transform into Minicons!?"
"You're out of your mind!"
"That is enough," he barked as their voices got higher and more indignant.
They stopped talking but continued glaring at him. He regarded them sternly before saying.
"You will still be able to remain human except you will have the ability to become one of us. You won't be vulnerable children anymore and you'll be able to do so much more than any ordinary human could ever hope to do."
They stared at him again before Rad said.
"Megatron, have you any idea what it feels like when you do those things to us? How terrified we feel and how helpless? The situation we're in is bad enough without you making it worse."
"And why would you make us more powerful anyway?" Carlos added his tone slightly suspicious.
"I'm sorry you felt helpless," Megatron began, lightly stroking their backs. "But I knew you would be against the idea and I had to do it while you were still Minicons. The result will be worth it, my dears."
"But why did you do it?" Alexis now said.
"Hmm," Megatron murmured, leaning back in his Throne. "Now that is the big question. Do you really want to know?"
"Of course we do," she said indignantly.
"If you insist," he said softly before saying. "Did you children know I once had a mate?"
Judging by the way they shifted awkwardly, they did know. He sighed and muttered.
"Of course you did. Well, after she died it was discovered that she was expecting."
"Oh no," exclaimed Alexis as she and the boys stared at him in shock and horror. "That's horrible."
"Yes," Megatron acknowledged tightly. "Only I and the Medic who examined Sliverblaze's body ever knew this. I never even knew she was Carrying."
All of them touched his hand, the anger gone from their eyes. He smiled at the gestures and said.
"It's alright my dears, it was a long time ago."
He paused before saying something he never thought he'd say.
"Would you like to see a holo of her?"
Now they really looked surprised.
"Are...are you sure?" Alexis asked delicately. "We know it must be hard for you."
"I want you to," he replied gently, bringing out a holo from sub space and pressing a button on the edge of the thick black disc.
A shimmering image of a beautiful sliver Femme appeared, lovely electric blue highlights woven into her body. All three children gasped but Megatron was surprised to hear it was one of recognition.
"It's her," Alexis breathed as the boys stared. "Anya."
"What did you say?" Megatron demanded, very startled by this.
"Anya," Rad said softly. "We've uh...met her before."
The Decepticon stared at them, how could they have met their mother already? And did they realise the significance of the word anya?
"Just where did you meet her?" Megatron said in a very soft tone.
"In a dream...just before we woke up as humans again," Carlos piped up. "She told us not to worry, that everything would be okay."
Megatron gazed at them for a long moment before suddenly smiling widely. His Blaze had found a way to communicate with their children, he couldn't believe it. After all if she could appear to him in the physical realm why not the dream realm? Chuckling, he patted the kid's heads before saying.
"That was Sliverblaze you saw, my dears."
"Why would she appear to us?" Rad said slowly, a frown on his brow. "And why did she call herself Anya?"
"Do you know what anya means?" Megatron asked, knowing they didn't.
"No," the all chorused, giving him very expectant looks.
"It means mother," he told them gently.
"Mother?" Carlos repeated in confusion. "Why the heck would she tell us to call her mother?"
"Why wouldn't she ask her own children to call her mother?" Megatron said as though it were perfectly obvious.
All three kids glanced at each other as though Megatron was insane before Alexis said slowly.
"Megatron...I think you're confused, she's not our mother."
"No my dear," he said with a gentle smile. "Those orbs I placed within your Sparks were the only remains of my Sparklings. A daughter and two sons and when I placed the orbs next to your Sparks, they reacted. They would not have done so if you were not in fact, my children."
"Megatron," Rad said with a very clear frown. "What are you talking about?"
"I am your Sire," Megatron stated, a feeling of deep pride in his Spark as he said those words.
They shook their heads, not taking this in at all.
"Megatron, we have parents, back on Earth...," Alexis began.
"They are your human Creators," Megatron interrupted. "Through them, Primus reincarnated you and placed you firmly in my path. You are the ones who discovered the Minicons and brought me and Prime to Earth. You may inhabit human bodies but you are my children."
Rad was the first to speak.
"No...we're not...you're wrong..."
"I know it's a lot to take in," Megatron said generously. "But I hope it won't take you long to accept the facts."
"What facts man?" Carlos demanded. "You're talking crazy talk. You ain't our dad."
"You may deny it now but soon the facts will present themselves," Megatron said, leaning back again in his Throne. "I'm not sure what any of you will look like when the transformation is complete but perhaps when you start to resemble me and Sliverblaze."
"No, that's not going to happen," Alexis suddenly yelped, tears forming in her eyes. "We're not turning into robots...we're not...we'll...we'll find a way to stop you."
"How?" he said simply. "I placed those orbs within your Minicon bodies and now you are human. If I was to open you up, I would only find human biological systems, those orbs are now a part of you."
Alexis didn't reply, just started crying. Carlos put his arm around her, his face contorted with anger and confusion. As Rad stood there with clenched fists, Megatron remembered that he'd been going to scold them about sneaking off to Earth. However, this wasn't the time, the children were clearly too emotional to handle it right now. Instead he said softly.
"I will give you time to process this, we will talk later."
As they looked at him with rather haunted eyes, he said.
"I'm going to call for the Minicons, you may play with them for a little while."
They didn't say anything, just slowly slumped on the arm rest. He picked them up and carefully set them on the floor while comming for the Minicons. Stroking their bowed heads, he said.
"We'll share some Energon treats later my dears. Your bodies should be able to handle a small amount but we can take things slowly."
None of them said a word, just held each other. At least the three of them were still close; it would not be too difficult to accept they were siblings. Giving them one last pat on the head, he strode out of the room and away.
"He...he can't mean it," Alexis whispered.
"I think he does," Rad said softly, holding her close.
"But how can he believe something like that?" Carlos exclaimed angrily. "All that rubbish about us being his kids...and robots. He really thinks we're about to turn into transformers?"
"He's Megatron, of course he does," Rad said grimly and with some exasperation. "And once he's got an idea in his head, he goes through with it."
"I...I want to go home," Alexis whimpered, her voice hitching slightly. "To mom and...and my real dad!"
"We will," Rad murmured soothingly. "We've got a plan remember, we get away from here and go to the Autobots."
"Think they can cure us?" Carlos said rather desperately. "Rad?"
"They're our only chance," he said softly. "At the very least, I think they can advise us best on what we can do. If anything."
"You think we can't?" Alexis asked, looking at him with wide eyes.
"I don't know," Rad said quietly. "Those orb things...when Megatron placed one near Carlos, it didn't react. But it reacted to me, so...I really don't know what it all means. But we definitely need to talk to Optimus, if anyone can help us, it's him."
"Yeah," Alexis said softly, and Rad knew she was holding onto the hope that Optimus could fix this.
Frankly, he was as well.
Outside the moon base
"How have things been?" Scavenger asked as Starscream slowly moved his wing blade up and down.
"Fine," the Seeker replied as he completely a slow but graceful manoeuvre. "You heard about Prime?"
"I did," the old Mech acknowledged. "But Megatron seems to be taking it pretty well. I guess he misses fighting him."
This actually made Starscream chuckle dryly although he didn't comment. Before Scavenger could say another word, he became aware of Megatron striding out towards them. The old Mech was immediately aware of the Decepticon leader's posture and stride; it was full of purpose and anger. Something was up but Scavenger had no idea what.
"Starscream," he murmured quietly, the Seeker wasn't yet conscious of the Seeker's approach.
"Huh?" the Seeker mumbled, turning around and spotting his leader. "Megatron?"
"Starscream," Megatron growled in response. "Do you know what I just saw on the human news?"
"No...no sir?" Starscream said, confusion written all over his face.
"It was about the children," Megatron said, a deep growl in his tone, coming to a stop right in front of Starscream. "Would you like to know what it was about?"
Starscream didn't answer, although his optics widened. He knew he was in trouble but had no idea why.
"It was about the children...on Earth," Megatron stated coldly, taking a step towards Starscream. "About how they'd been spotted...when one of their kind captors allowed them a day out."
"I can explain...ack," Starscream choked as Megatron seized him by the throat.
"You better start explain why you went behind my back and authority," Megatron snarled, bringing the Seeker closer to his face.
"It...it was just to help them recover," Starscream gasped out, clutching at the hand holding him. "It was after you'd captured Prime...they were miserable...and...it never happened again."
"Is that so?" Megatron growled, shaking his SIC hard while tightening his grip. "Well, why don't I demonstrate just how I feel about that little day trip?"
"Sir, please," Starscream begged, scrabbling even harder. "I never meant to betray you; I only did it to make them happy again."
Megatron raised a fist, with every intention of bringing it down on Starscream's face. Scavenger knew he had to act and carefully placed a hand on Megatron's shoulder. The Mech shot him a deadly glare and Scavenger knew he had to tread carefully.
"He's young," Scavenger said softly. "He feels empathy with other young ones, has any harm been done?"
"He went behind my back," Megatron growled. "Who is to say he won't do it again?"
"Then discipline him but don't beat him," Scavenger advised gently. "If only so it doesn't cause problems with your pets, you don't want them blowing a circuit over this."
Something strange passed over the Decepticon leader's face but it was gone the next instant. He looked back down at Starscream who was still choking and looking frightened. He growled and then flung the Seeker away from him, who crashed to the ground with a cry of pain.
"Fine," Megatron snapped. "Take him to the brig, I'll deal with him later."
And without another word, he turned on his heel and marched straight back to the base.
Author's note. The kids plot to leave but how does it go? Find out next time, until then.