Disclaimer: We do not own Transformers Prime or its canon characters; Hasbro and the Hub do. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns the lovely Skye Shelsher, Plasmarift and Silverblaze, and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Emusa, Starlight, Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Blackout, Air Raid, Caliber, Speedway, and Jetfire.

Theme Song: Wasteland by Earlyrise

Megatron walked alongside his companion as they scrounged for energon in the ruins of Altihex. The former warlord was grateful that she no more enjoyed civilization than he did. And, he supposed her company was not entirely unpleasant.

"No One? I think I found something over here." A familiar soft voice beckoned him. "But, allow me to go first. The support beams aren't what they used to be."

"Very well," Megatron conceded. "Lead on."

Starlight smiled softly as she inched forward, the sonic equipment attached to her frame scanning the landscape for anomalies. She tilted her helm as she placed a servo on the entrance way. "Here, there seems to be a doorway. Let's hope there's-"

Her voice was cut off as the ground beneath her crumbled. With a yell, she plummeted into the darkness below.

An unpleasant, rare emotion gripped Megatron's spark. Fear…

He transformed and sped down the cavern, occasionally bumping into walls as he called out to his companion all the while. "Starlight! Starlight, can you hear me?"

This searching continued for several painful minutes until at last a groan reached his audial receptors.

He found the femme lying on the ground below, her optics wide with fright. She made no movements as Megatron rushed towards her. His spark dropped when he saw energon staining the ground where she lay.

He feared that she was offline.

No, he thought. No… This cannot be. Was he to receive some escape from his torment only to have it taken away?

"Starlight… are you online?" he asked, his voice thick with emotion.

Still, the femme made no movements. Megatron offlined his optics and clenched his servos into fists. "No…" he whispered.

"N-No One?"

Megatron immediately onlined his optics and knelt down beside her. "Yes… It is I. Are you well?"

"I-I… I-I can't see!" The femme's facial plating contorted in fear.

It was then that Megatron saw that including the beam that pierced her shoulder, her sonic equipment was broken. She was truly blind for the first time since she was injured by a corrupt Enforcer. And it scared her.

Coolant streamed down her buccal plating. "No One, why can't I see?"

"Shh, it is alright," Megatron soothed as he gathered him in his arms. Starlight cried out as her wounds were irritated and Megatron's spark clenched out of concern.

She needed a medic, that much was certain. And he knew a femme that was just that and one who would not report what she found if she was asked not to. Darkstorm was a bleeding spark, so much so that Megatron trusted her to do anything if it was for someone's greater good.

"Darkstorm, can you read me? There is… someone who requires your help." Nothing but static met Megatron's audial receptors. He growled out of sheer frustration and tried again. "Darkstorm, this is important. Can you hear me?" Still, nothing.

He hissed a few curses in the Kaonian dialect under his breath. His shaky trip down the cavern in the dark must have damaged his comm link.

He truly hated to do this but… if it was for her good….

"Starlight, I am going to take you to a place where you can receive help. Hang on to me and stay online," Megatron activated his thrusters as he slowly began to climb upwards, being careful not to damage the femme further.

He felt the femme weakly nod. "J-Just, please… Stay with me."

The three medics looked up as they heard heavy approaching footfall. They expected it to be Optimus but were shocked as they saw Megatron himself with an injured femme in his arms.

"By the Allspark," Ratchet breathed before he regained his composure, glaring up at the mech. "Is this your doing?"

Megatron glared down at the Autobot's senior medical officer. "I may have done many things, but this is not one of them."

Darkstorm raised a servo and stepped between them, trying to end a potentially tense situation. "Megatron-"

The femme stepped backwards, startled and somewhat frightened, as Megatron bared his sharpened denta in a snarl. "Do not say that name! I have long since forsaken that title! I am no one!" The warlord softened however as he felt the femme shift in his arms, her grip tightening. She was muttering incoherently and Megatron feared that if she did not get help and soon, she would offline.

If only to save her, he would put aside his past differences with them.

"I did not come here to fight, but to save her life. Please, can you help her?"

"It looks… like she has taken quite a beating, but… we shall try," Ratchet replied guardedly before immediately taking action. "Knock Out, help me carry her onto the berth. Darkstorm prepare the medical instruments and some pain inhibitors. The metal beam will need to be surgically removed from her shoulder plating."

The femme weakly struggled as Knock Out and Ratchet supported her. "N-No One," she weakly held out a servo.

Megatron firmly grasped it. "Do not attempt to struggle. You must regain your strength… I will be right here."

This assurance calmed her slightly as she was placed on a medical berth. Megatron looked on as she was injected with various forms of anesthesia and pain inhibitors. She eventually slumped backwards onto the berth, lifeless, as the medics began to remove the beam from her shoulder and do whatever other repairs were needed.

"Harm her in any way and I shall see that you all are terminated," Megatron hissed before he left the room, giving the medics space to work.

Darkstorm frowned slightly as she finally had the time to study the femme's optics. Her optics were badly damaged, causing blindness. No surprise, considering the damaged sonar equipment they found attached to her frame.

"What is a blind femme doing under Megatron's care?" she mused aloud.

Everyone in the medbay jumped as something slammed into the door with a concussive sound, rattling loose canisters and instruments. They ran to the door and found Plasmarift in the corridor, her sniper rifle active. Megatron stood just outside the medbay door, the wall black and smoking behind him. He must have side-stepped a sniper round, to the detriment of everyone's nerves in the med bay.

"Plasmarift!" Ratchet yelled. "We are trying to do a delicate procedure in here."

The sniper shook her head. "W-what is he doing here?!"

Darkstorm held a servo out peacefully. "He is here because he brought an injured femme to us. He… simply wishes to make sure that she is safe."

"S-safe?!" She took a couple steps forward but soon resumed a strong stance, her scope never leaving the former warlord. "Did you forget I watched him rip your sparkmate's voice out? O-or that because of him I lost my family?"

Darkstorm winced, memories of her own scout's fear mingling with her own. "Yes, I am well aware of what he has done. Not only to my sparkmate but to myself and to every other unfortunate soul who was involved in this war," she replied softly before meeting the sniper's gaze. "But God teaches forgiveness and he has not done any harm to any of us since he has arrived. It is not the Autobot way to fire unless fired upon, Plasma."

The sniper's harsh gaze softened, if only barely, as her optics darted between Darkstorm and Megatron. "Too bad it was never the Decepticon way." She slowly lowered her rifle, but still didn't deactivate it.

In a flash of bitterness, Megatron seized the sniper's arm and placed the rifle against his forehelm. "If your wish is to kill me, then get it over with. If I wanted to be reminded of my atrocities, I would have remained in that cave! And if I wanted to be offlined, I would have seen Optimus himself. My only wish is that Starlight is repaired. Then, I will be out of your life forever. Does that not comfort you?"

Fear flashed in her optics when he grabbed her, but the fire soon returned as she fought against him. In two hard pulls she wrenched herself free. "Keep your slagging claws off me!" She looked him in the optic, trying with all her being to hold all the rage she felt against him in her face alone. "I want nothing more than to rid this galaxy of you once and for all, but I won't do it per your demands. Just . . . finish your business here and be gone." She stormed into the med bay, her sniper rifle disengaging only once she was several steps inside.

Darkstorm motioned for the two medics to return to their work. "Knock Out, Ratchet, make sure that Starlight is still stable. I shall join you shortly."

Plasma took a seat on an unoccupied berth, optics trained on her shaking servos. "What the slag is he doing here?"

Ratchet vented. "It is as Darkstorm said. He brought her," he gestured to Starlight. "for repairs."

The sniper looked at the unconscious femme for a moment before her optics shifted to the floor in front of her own peddes. She thought of making some snide comment about the poor femme ending up in Megatron's company but just wanted the topic done and forgotten. "I'll try not to take too much of your time."

Ratchet turned to Knock Out. "Make sure that section of metal is saudered. We don't want her bleeding out." He walked towards Plasmarift, Knock Out's mumbles that he knew what he was doing following him. "Is there something wrong?"

Plasma activated her visor, and almost immediately it started fizzling and going in and out of focus. "My visor's been acting up for a few cycles. Probably the only thing that kept Buckethead from buying it out there."

Ratchet nodded solemnly and immediately began to repair the femme's visor, silently praying to this God he had heard of that Darkstorm was safe and unharmed. Her trusting nature could be her fatal flaw in this case.

"What could have possessed you to do that?" Darkstorm asked softly. "The few bots you have already come into contact with are already frightened out of their processors."

Megatron chuckled bitterly. "Fear… Yes, I am well aware. And tell me, Darkstorm, do you not fear me? I must commend you for your bravery, staying alone with me without your precious scout or anyone else to protect you." He tilted his helm with a wry smile. "Do you not fear that I will attempt to offline you again?"

Darkstorm offlined her optics, trying to quelch her quickly rising spark rate, as she shook her helm. "No… As I said before, God teaches to forgive." She onlined her optics and met his gaze. "Besides, I know a mech in pain when I see one."

Darkstorm, are you alright?

Darkstorm attempted to comfort her scout through their bond. She did not want him to come into the med bay to discover the former Decepticon warlord, especially given her sparked state. He might be placated but his wounds from Tyger Pax, even though God had restored his voice, were still fresh. She did not want to cause him more pain. It has been a stressful day at the medical bay, that's all. I am fine, truly. I'll see you soon.

But, are you sure-?

Yes! Darkstorm softened her tone when she felt her scout's hurt. Yes… I am well. Forgive me.

Just… tell me if anything goes wrong, okay?

I will, Darkstorm smiled softly. I love you, my beloved scout.

I… love you too.

"If you are not afraid, then why does the scout feel your fear as his own?" Before Darkstorm could question how he knew, Megatron simply chuckled again. "I am neither blind nor am I a fool. I know a bond when I see one and a femme who unsuccessfully tries to hide her true feelings and intentions." He met her gaze. "I do not need your help nor your pity. I simply need Starlight repaired. You are wasting precious breath on me."

"And does Starlight not give you help nor pity?" Darkstorm softly countered. "I am not a fool. I see that you are in pain and that you cherish this blind femme's company because she does not know who you are. That is also why you reacted violently when I called you by your designation in front of her. You are weary of pain, hatred, and fear. I could tell that much back on the battlefield when you forsook the Decepticon cause and later came to our aide when the DJD threatened to terminate us all. I may be young but I know more than you think, Megatron."

Instead of him becoming angry like she was afraid he would, he smiled wryly again. "I had forgotten how tenacious you were. But, as selfish as it sounds, could you blame me? She sees me as a friend, a guardian…" His voice softened. "I have not had a friend in so very long…"

Darkstorm's spark nearly broke as she saw his melancholy state. But, just as quickly as it came, it vanished. "I am weary of this talk. You should be doing your job, not sitting out here with me. I told you you were wasting your breath. Now go!" His gaze lowered again. "Leave me in peace…"

Darkstorm vented and nodded before reentering the medical bay. "How does she fare?" she whispered.

Knock Out paused in his work and looked up at Darkstorm. He took a few steps back as the Seeker approached the berth. "Life has not been kind. The immediate problem aside, it looks like she had a rather nasty run-in with Enforcers. They're the only ones I've seen inflict such trauma to the optics, and it's too deliberate and precise to have been an accident or war injury."

Darkstorm bit her bottom lip component. Her and her brother had never been victim to such atrocities but she had heard and seen them. "Are her optics… fixable?"

The mech tilted his helm, considering the femme before them. "If we caught it right after it happened, maybe. At this point I'm just not sure. She has sonic equipment that appears to have been damaged. We can leave the decision up to her but that tech is going to be a much easier fix."

Darkstorm vented as she placed a servo on one of the femme's. "Well, I suppose seeing that she recovers from this is first." She gazed up at the crimson doctor. "Are you alright? With all that's been happening, I mean."

"My finish is in good shape and everyone's unharmed." He looked at Darkstorm. "Oh, you mean about ol' Buckethead just showing up out of the blue? As long as he leaves as quickly as he came it should be fine."

Darkstorm smiled softly as she turned back to their patient. "I suppose that is for the best."

Knock Out snuck a glance at Plasma. "I guess I'm just glad we don't have to fix Megatron up too. Faulty visor actually helped in this case."

Darkstorm nodded. "I suppose…" She vented to herself before glancing back at Starlight. Even with the anesthesia and pain inhibitors, the femme seemed frightened, her facial plating furrowing in a permanent mask of fear.

God, allow her to be alright…. Megatron, as well. I… I fear for them both.

When the femme awakened after the debris was removed and her wounds welded shut, her dull optics darted around the room frantically. "N-No One?! Where are you?"

Hearing the nickname that had been bestowed upon him by the femme, Megatron rushed into the room. The femme seemed to calm when his familiar servo wrapped around her own. "It is alright, Starlight. I am here, just as I said I would be."

"Why can't I see? I still don't know where anything is… I-I-"

Megatron gently shh'd her. "Your equipment was badly damaged in the fall. The medics are still repairing it. There is no need to fear… You are safe, but you need your rest so you can properly recover." All tension left the femme's body as Megatron gently pushed her back onto the berth, though she still maintained a tight grip on his servo.

"Y-You'll stay here, with me?"

"Yes… I will."

"T-Thank you," she whispered in relief. A companionable silence passed between them before she spoke again. "No One… I remember hearing a voice calling you… Megatron. I-Is that your real designation?"

Megatron's spark filled with dread at her words. This was it… The moment he so feared. And he did not have the spark to lie to her. "Yes," he replied softly. He prepared himself for the worst. A look of horror or fear. An outburst of anger at what he had done during the war. Disgust, perhaps? At the fact that she was keeping the company of a mech who caused so much pain and destruction in his wake.

But her reaction startled him. She smiled! Megatron's blinked his optics several times to make sure they weren't malfunctioning. But still, her expression never morphed. She was smiling up at him. "A designation is a designation, nothing more. My dearest sire once told me that the past cannot define us, only our present actions. I offer you my thanks, Megatron, for saving me and keeping an old war-torn and weary femme like me company," the femme answered.

In truth, her own words surprised herself but she had not felt such kindness in so very long… and she did not care, even if it did come from the former tyrannical leader of the Decepticons. If he could treat her with such tenderness and compassion… how bad could he truly be?

Megatron had to fight to keep streams of coolant back as he attempted to answer her. She… was thanking him! He nearly laughed at the thought. Of the cruel twist of fate that a femme like her was brought into his servo and of the torment that came upon his spark. But not of self-loathing… Of joy. To her he was not an evil, despicable thing that even he himself believed himself to be. No… he was No One, a friend, a protector, a companion.

"And I offer the same to you…"

Starlight's smile brightened before she was still, falling back into recharge peacefully whilst knowing that her companion was beside her.

Megatron, meanwhile, simply gazed down at the femme, still in shock. What had he ever done to deserve a companion like her? Was this another cruel trick? Was she to be snatched away from him like any other good thing he had ever possessed?

"Thank you, for seeing to her repairs," he said after another long silence.

"Anything for someone in need," Darkstorm smiled softly before turning to Ratchet and Knock Out. "You two must be tired. Get some recharge. I can finish up the repairs on her equipment."

"But, Darkstorm, you are sparked and need your rest-" Ratchet attempted to protest.

"Please, either one of you can easily take the next shift if need be," Darkstorm replied adamantly. "I will be fine. As I said before, you need to recharge before you collapse and-" Darkstorm turned to Knock Out wryly. "Emusa is probably three klicks away from sending a search party."

Knock Out looked at their visitors then Darkstorm, nodding after a few seconds. "Let us know if anything comes up." He looked at Megatron one last time before heading for the door.

Plasma followed the medic out, bracing herself against the wall with a short gasp but quickly recovering as she made for the exit, anxious to distance herself from Megatron and all memories associated with him.

Ratchet and Darkstorm watched her go with concern before they turned back to each other. "And what am I to tell Bumblebee if he wishes to know where you are?"

Darkstorm's spark ached at the very thought of her scout worrying over her but she knew she had a job to do. Surely, he would understand. Even if they were inadvertently aiding the very same mech who sadistically ripped out his voice box in the process. "Tell him I will join him once I am relieved. Make sure he does not attempt to come here and… tell him that I'm sorry."

Ratchet solemnly nodded but with a soft gaze. "I will." He too left the medical bay.

Darkstorm vented before resuming her work on Starlight's sonar equipment. Megatron interrupted her quiet musing.

"I never did understand why you would work yourself to the bone. You are too young to have such a burden."

"I bear it gladly if it means aiding others," was Darkstorm's soft response. "Now I suggest the same course of action for you as I did Knock Out and Ratchet. Get some recharge. This cycle has been a taxing one for us all."

Such a strange femme, Megatron mused as he offlined his optics where he sat, not wishing to leave Starlight's side. Even when she was under my command, she strove to accomplish that which would benefit others. Even at the cost of herself.

Perhaps faith in this God caused this?

He supposed he had Him to thank for Starlight, as well. And… for his awakening. But he could not help but wonder, what sort of deity would care for a despicable thing such as himself? Megatron could not fathom it.

Well, in any case, I thank You, Megatron silently prayed. As undeserving as I am.

"All are undeserving yet I freely love. I have forgiven you of your past transgressions… Turn to Me and see how your life can change," the Voice he had heard before answered him.

Coolant welled in Megatron's offlined optics. He felt such… love and from just a few words. Why me?

"I unconditionally love all My children and only I can turn a broken life into something beautiful. Trust in Me, My son, and never feel alone again."

Megatron was raised with the idea of a benevolent Primus who watched his children from afar and granted rest in the Well of Allsparks. But this… human Primus, He was loving, forgiving, and interacted with His children. Even those as lowly as he.

Was this… what love felt like?

I… offer You my thanks, he silently prayed. I shall… most certainly try.

Darkstorm felt her spark clench as her scout attempted to reach out to her through their bond again. 'Storm, why are you staying so late? I mean, I know that KO and Ratchet needed their rest but… Why won't anyone tell me what's going on?

I'm sorry…

"I'm sorry"? 'Storm, I'm your sparkmate. I never kept secrets from you so why are you keeping one from me?

Darkstorm flinched, coolant welling in her optics, as she felt his anger, frustration, and… worry. 'Bee, please-

Sensing her hurt, Bumblebee softened his tone. What are you afraid of me knowing?

Darkstorm hesitated. Please do not despise me if you do not like what you hear.

'Storm, I love you. I'd never despise you, not in a million years. Just… tell me what's going on.

Earlier this cycle, Megatron came into the medical bay with an injured femme. I am currently repairing some of the femme's equipment while the others are resting. I… did not wish to cause you more pain with the fact that he is here, Darkstorm hesitantly answered.

Tears streamed out of her optics as she felt his understanding and love. I understand… But you should have told me. Are you alright? Has he hurt anyone?

No, Darkstorm shook her helm. He… actually seems concerned for the femme, 'Bee. I'm baffled myself.

What was it you and Optimus say, everyone is capable of change?

Yes, something along those lines. Darkstorm smiled weakly. Thank you for understanding, my beloved scout.

Hey, you're a medic, it's your job. Now, once you're relieved, I will have to show you how grateful I am to have a compassionate femme like you in my life.

Darkstorm's cooling fans activated at his playful tone. You're lucky I love you or else I would be telling you to watch your step next time you entered the med bay.

I'd still be looking forward to that. Goodnight, my darling.

Darkstorm chuckled. Goodnight, 'Bee.

When her scout fell silent, Darkstorm gazed up from the now finished sonar equipment to Megatron and the femme by his side.

Perhaps… Everyone was capable of change.

D/N: What a chapter, huh? xD Megatron and Starlight getting closer and Darkstorm unfortunately dealing with more drama. What will happen next? Wait next week to find out! Mwahaha.

And so sorry, Kristen, for not mentioning this earlier but seriously, you guys… Check out KristenKHVerne on Deviantart or our Tumblr, ask-dreamy-and-blondie, to see the lovely pics of Smokes/Skye and Bee/Storm that she made. Seriously. They are legit. And announcement! I gave Dar'sain her own blog :33 Darkest-of-storms. tumblr. com. Check it out and give our favorite Seeker femme some love.

To Windcharger: Aw, I'm lucky to be friends with you, too. As for your brother, I hope what I said helped him. And if y'all need to talk, I am always here. Have a good day and may God bless you, my dear friend!

To Bluefeather4299: Aw, reviews like yours make my day. Thank you, darling! I'm glad this story is continually beloved by you and we shall be sure to bring you another update next Wednesday.

To Sparkcrusher: A Decepticon, huh? xP Think you can put me in touch with KO?

To Mindwipe: Lol, Miss sounds so formal. Meg or Megan should suffice, hon, and I must say, it is an honor to meet Windcharger's brother. And, thank you! All praise be God's for gifting me in such a manner. You draw and make OCs? Awesomes. I'd love to see some of your artwork sometime! As for the drawing being stepped on… I've been bullied myself. True, it isn't a pleasant experience but the Lord guided me through my trials and He will help you, too. I shall be praying that those individuals stop, however. And, good for you! That is such an awesome attitude to have. I'm still trying to master letting go of the past, especially when it comes to my own mistakes. You truly are an incredible individual. Lol, and he said that, really? Aw, well tell the sweetspark I said thank you. He's too kind. And I will try to get some sleep, thank you. And good luck on your freshman year!

To Super Shadic: Aw, don't worry about it. I'm rather busy with college myself. I completely understand. And freshman, huh? Well, I wish you luck! I am so glad you liked the chapter, as well. Me and blondie tried to put as much drama as we could into it xP

"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" Matthew 11:28-29

May God bless you and your day, my dear friends!

Until next time, Dream'sRealm

B/N: Okay so it looks like Plasma still has a bit of her temper but oh well, I love 'er regardless. Plus I have to admit that her little . . . incident here goes on my list of "favorite fanfic moments," admittedly mostly for imagining everyone's reaction to a sniper round hitting the door xD anywho, hope you enjoyed this chap :33 there are still plenty more feels a-comin' I promise~

Windcharger (TIAFD): Well thankfully we saw in Prime that the 'Bots have allies that can help in such scenarios, like in Nemesis Prime when the blasted military was gunning for them but they walked away :'D oh gosh it's been a while since I've watched Revenge of the Fallen, mostly because I hate having to fast forward through flippin half the movie to get to the good parts

God bless, our lovies~