And we're up to chapter 10! And we get to see my favourite Decepticon too!
It's a bit of a longer one, I thought about splitting off the latter scene into a new chapter, or being really mean and leaving the last scene in a cliffhanger by stopping it halfway but I couldn't do it. So you all get to read more this time!
Also, I have finished writing the story and next chapter will mean we're halfway through! Exciting stuff! I'll still be releasing one chapter a week, mostly because although I've finished writing there's still some editing to be done.
Chapter 10
A week went by and Violetwind kept up her training with every day that passed. Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee and Smokescreen had worked with her in both close physical combat and the use of her blasters. Along with the training, she had been working with the voice during the sparring. Though she still was unsure about the voice itself, it was in her best interest to listen to it, something that was becoming more natural to do during the fights.
At that moment Violetwind was alone in the training room. She had not had much of a chance to train with her swords. Those who had been training her did not have anything quite like them. Arcee was the closest, having blades down her arms but they used a rather different way to fight so she was not able to help as much as the femme would have liked. She knew Optimus and Ratchet both had swords but both always seemed so busy with something and she did not wish to intrude upon their work.
Drawing out her blades she looked down at were her hands once were. Carefully she tested their weight, seeing how they felt as she moved them through the air. Getting used to this she took up her usual fighting stance. Imaging an opponent in front of her she made a few experimental slashes at its head. It was certainly different to throwing punches, something she realised and tried to adjust for the next swing she took at it.
After a few minutes she paused, lowering her arms. She opened her mouth to mutter about her voice not being helpful with learning to use her swords when someone else spoke instead.
A deep voice came from the doorway. "You are not using those to their full potential."
Startled she whirled around pointing her blades in the direction of the intruder. Seeing who it was her optics widened and she quickly lowered her arms. "O-Optimus... Y-you gave me a fright..."
"I apologise for doing so. I was merely passing by and saw you. I paused to watch for a moment," the leader spoke humbly.
A few seconds of silence passed before Optimus spoke again. "Perhaps you would like some assistance?"
The purple femme's optics widened with surprise at the offer. "Um, but I, I wouldn't want to keep you from anything important..."
"While there are things that must be done, helping out other Autobots is important as well."
Violetwind smiled, her spark warming at his words. "I will gladly accept some assistance then."
Walking into the room he stood opposite her. Suddenly she found herself hoping that his assistance did not actually involve sparring. He was so big! She felt like she would not stand a chance against him, even in a mock battle. Then when out came his own swords she had to withhold a squeak, they were about the size of her whole arm. Her own seems so small and useless in comparison.
As if he could read her mind Optimus spoke softly, "It is not the size of one's weapon but the size of the wielder's spark that matters, along with the way they employ that weapon."
Slowly she nodded, but still did not look convinced.
A tiny smile played briefly on his face before he went on to explain about the weapons. "Now blades are not like fists, as I am sure you have realised. They are able to deal more damage from a weaker hit than fists. Not only are they good weapons they are also useful for defence in protecting against hits from your enemy by using them to block your opponents attack. Making use of them would be preferable over your arm."
Nodding her understanding, she smiled, "I wouldn't have thought to use it block."
"Now, shall we test out what you know?" Optimus took a battle stance, dropping his face mask into place.
Her face fell. "You, erm, you mean right now?"
The Prime nodded, "Indeed."
Fearfully she took her own fighting stance, not ready for this. Not only was he so much taller than her but he was also her leader. How was she supposed to attack him? What if she did and he got hurt?
Not willing to make the first move she kept her distance as they slowly circled one another. Knowing that she was unwilling, Optimus made the first attack. Swinging his sword he aimed for the side of her head, moving much slower than he normally would have. Seeing the attack, she dodged.
Side roll, commanded her voice and so using the momentum from the dodge she fell into a roll and jumped up halfway around Optimus' other side.
Now slice, instructed the voice.
Without even hesitating she leaped forward, blade extended to nick the larger bot's side.
It all happened rather quickly, something the Prime had not been expecting. She was far more well versed than she gave herself credit for. Turning to face her he held his blades up in a defensive manner in case she struck again. He would have to be more careful next time.
Violetwind was pleased and yet not pleased by her hit on her opponent. Pleased that she had been able to get a hit on the much larger bot but did not like that she had attacked the Optimus Prime.
She did not have time to dwell on it though as he attacked again, this one going for her stomach plates. This time she did not get out of the way quick enough, the blade catching the edge of her waist. She grunted in slight pain but she had been through much worse.
Optimus also took the moment to bring his other sword down towards her head. Not in the position to dodge effectively her voice prompted the next move.
Blade up.
Quickly she lifted the arm on that side up. The clang of the blades striking, echoed the room as she blocked his attack.
"You are a fast learner."
The femme grinned slightly. "I like to think I had some good trainers."
Throwing up her arm that had been blocking his sword she pushed it away and jumped back.
Briefly glancing down, her thoughts wandered into a few things she had wondering about herself, about her past. "Optimus..." she spoke softly, "What was I like before?"
The pair circled one another. "You were... different," he told her. He saw her face fall, the mech realising just how different she was now compared to then. He went on, "More outspoken, sterner, stubborn. Very bold."
"I guess I'm not much like that now..."
Smiling behind his mask, the mech comforted her, "Do not dwell on such, Violetwind. You are who you are and we all shall appreciate you for it. For now focus on the task at hand."
Nodding she paced just outside of the mech's range. She silently questioned how she was to effectively attack him anyway, his reach being so much longer than her own.
Her voice spoke up to help out. You'll need to dart in quickly before he has the chance to react. Just wait for the right moment.
A few moments went by as she danced outside his radius. Optimus quickly thrust his blade forward, weight leaning heavily on his front ped.
Now.
Twisting out of the way she swung one blade at the back of his knee joint, while with the other she landed a small slice to the Prime's waist plates. The mech grunted but quickly brought his blade around to strike her helm with the flat side of the weapon.
Dazed from the surprising retaliation, she stumbled back a few steps. Shaking her head to try and clear it but it did not clear fast enough. Taking advantage of her dazed state, Optimus has closed in on her, pointing his blade at her chest in front of her spark chamber, the tip a few centimetres away.
Regaining her head, Violetwind stared down at the sword. "I think I just lost... badly..."
Letting the blade drop, and transforming his weapons back into hands, the mech removed his mouth plate. "You are quite skilled for having started a week ago. Is it because memories are returning?" he asked hopefully.
Retracting her swords, she shook her head. "My memories are still missing. I have to credit my abilities to my inner voice. It's what coaches me through battles. It's kinda like we're working as a sort of, well, a team," she confessed, not sure of what he would think.
"Although this voice of yours is a mysterious entity I am pleased that it is helpful and not harmful to you," he replied.
"Me too," she smiled as they left the room. Glancing down she checked the cut to her amour plating. A small amount of energon was leaking out but it was nothing serious.
Seeing the energon, Optimus looked down at where she had struck him, those places also needing a small amount of repair. "We ought go visit our medic," he suggested.
Nodding, Violetwind followed as he led the way to the medical bay where Ratchet was working. The white and orange mech whirled around in surprise upon hearing them enter, quickly scrubbing what was on the screens as he did so.
"Optimus, Violetwind," he greeted in a guarded manner. His demeanour immediately changed as he saw their leaking energon. Approaching them he scolded, "What have you two been up to? Neither of you has even left the base!"
"Um, well..." The femme started.
"We have engaged in a small battle. I required knowledge of our latest additions fighting capabilities. The only way to truly determine such, is through a battle. I have deemed her ready to accompany her fellow Autobots on assignments," the Prime explained while Ratchet sat him down to weld up the nick to his side.
The medic glanced over at the purple bot, "So I see she. She got hits on you."
Violetwind stared at the ground and felt her faceplates flush. "I think he was going easy on me..." Though she was both thrilled and terrified that Optimus had just allowed her to go on missions. Sparring with other Autobots was one thing, fighting Decepticons was something else entirely.
Turning back to his work, the medic made a noise in agreement.
Soon enough Optimus was repaired and he left the medical bay to continue his decoding. It was Violetwind's turn to be patched up and she was sitting on the berth.
"So am I really ready to go out there?" she aired her fears to the medic.
While working, Ratchet replied gruffly, "Physically you're healthy and if Optimus says your fighting skills are good enough, then they are."
Her optics glanced over at the mech. He had not really answered like she had been hoping he would, instead almost ducking the question. She wondered if she should try again but did not bother. Most likely he would only avoid it again. It made her wonder what he was hiding though.
"You're all done," Ratchet grumbled, backing off and letting her stand.
"Thanks, Ratchet," hopping off the berth, she headed off to leave. Pausing before she did, Violetwind looked back at the medic asking hesitantly, "You would tell me if there was something wrong, wouldn't you?"
"Of course," he replied quickly, though it did nothing to sedate the worry niggling at her insides.
With a silent nod she left but was unconvinced by his words.
Travelling to the main hub she walked in hearing Smokescreen as he looked over at their leader in admiration. "I'm gonna be a great warrior some day, like Optimus."
"Well train hard and gain some wisdom along the way and I'm sure it'll happen," encouraged Bulkhead.
"Oh it will, it's my destiny," the rookie replied confidently.
"I think I'd settle for a life without worry," Violetwind said quietly as she settled in to stand amongst the group, evidently no one having heard her comment.
The yellow scout beeped at Smokescreen, while Arcee asked, "How so?"
The young mech was only too happy to explain. "Well, one minute I'm on security detail at Iacon, the next, I wake upon the other side of the galaxy to find myself under Optimus' command. I mean what are the chances, right? Things happen for a reason!"
The blue femme rolled her optics, "We get it, Smokescreen," she raised her arm, waving her hand at him dismissively, her voice laced with sarcasm, "You're special, we're lucky to have you."
"All I'm really saying is, I've come a long way and this is one opportunity I don't plan one messing up," he replied earnestly, doing his best to get them to see things his way.
Before they could continue, and possibly turn the conversation into an argument, Optimus interrupted, "Autobots. The next Iacon coordinates have been decoded. Ratchet, ready the ground bridge."
The medic, who had just walked in, went straight over to the ground bridge controls and input the desired location.
Smokescreen stepped forward excitedly, "Last one to the Omega Key has to scrub the energon tanks for a week!"
With another roll of her eyes, Arcee muttered, "Didn't know we were keeping score."
Violetwind just shared a look with the blue femme and a shrug of her shoulders. She was not that eager to get out there anyway.
Optimus promptly dashed the rookie's excitement when he called out those going. "Arcee, Bumblebee. Prepare to roll out."
The scout beeped happily, performing a small fist pump before he and Arcee headed for the ground bridge.
"Wait, what about me?" Smokescreen questioned, clearly disappointed at being left out.
Bulkhead huffed his displeasure. The rookie was not the only one being left behind.
"I mean, me and Bulkhead," he corrected.
"And me," Violetwind broke in, informing the mech, "I can go on missions now too."
He turned to face her, grinning, "Hey, that's great news! Another bot to help kick the 'Con's skidplates."
"The three of you will remain here, in the event I am able to decode a subsequent database entry before the others return," their leader explained.
Ratchet added his own feelings in the matter, "Optimus is right. Considering the very fate of Cybertron is at stake, response time is critical." He glanced briefly at their leader with slight disapproval, knowing that his little sparring session with the femme may have cost them some time. Turning away from the bots he pulled down the ground bridge lever, the swirling vortex appearing immediately.
"Keep your engines idling, kid," Arcee told the overly eager mech. "Come on, Bee, 'destiny awaits.'" The femme threw her head back in mockery before she transformed down into her alt-mode to travel through the ground bridge, quickly followed by Bumblebee as he did the same.
The vortex closed behind them and Bulkhead moved over to stand by Smokescreen. "We call it a pit-stop." The green mech, hit his younger companion on the back, knocking the smaller bot forward, "We'll get back in the race."
The rookie rolled his shoulder from the discomfort caused by the strong slap to the back.
Violetwind grinned, "It's not that bad, Smokescreen. There are worse things to do than wait."
"Exactly," agreed Bulkhead.
Slumping his shoulders, the rookie did not protest any further.
"How about we find a good movie on the telly," the purple femme suggested.
"Yeah, alright," he replied but was not very enthusiastic about it.
Going over to the humans' TV, Violetwind turned it on and started flipping through the channels searching for a good movie that they could watch. She sighed as she flipped through things like The Notebook, 2012, Titanic, and a few others. For a moment she considered staying and watching The Help but decided that Smokescreen probably would not enjoy it as much as she might. Instead she settled on a Star Wars movie: A New Hope.
"This one's good, Smoke. Lot's of action for ya,"
He turned his attention to the screen, having wandered over after her but otherwise not paid it any mind. The mech soon found himself engrossed in the story, especially liking the action scenes.
Unfortunately for him, the young mech would not be able to finish the movie this time. The monitors were flashing, beeps alerting them to something happening.
"Another key?" asked Smokescreen, his optics locked on the TV.
"No," grunted Ratchet. "It's energon."
Violetwind looked over at the medic. "Well that's good then. We're always in need of more."
Their leader silently weighed his options before letting them know of his decision, "Smokescreen, Violetwind, you will scout out the possible energon source. Be on the look out for Decepticons. Where there is energon they are usually not far away."
A nervous excitement grew within the femme's spark. It would be her first official mission and she hoped she would not mess it up. "I'm ready, Optimus."
Her companion on the other hand was still a little wrapped up in the movie. Rolling her optics, the femme knocked on his helm. "Earth to Smokescreen. We're leaving."
Glancing at her, then back at the TV, then back to her, he groaned. "I'd better be able to see the end of that later."
Violetwind shook her head grinning. "I'll ask one of the humans to bring over a DVD for you. Now come on." Pressing her hands against his shoulder, the femme started to try and push him towards the ground bridge.
"You know today would be nice," grumbled Ratchet, optics narrowed.
"Hey, ok ok," chuckled the white and blue mech. "I'm going." Transforming down into his alt-mode he drove off for the ground bridge. "Now look who's being left behind."
Stumbling a little from the sudden loss of the force she was pushing against, the purple femme caught herself, before glaring good naturedly after him. Quickly she grabbed a scanner from Ratchet before transforming and rolling after him.
"I'm not sure you should have teamed them up..." muttered the medic. "They're both so inexperienced."
Optimus stared at the now closed ground bridge. "Perhaps... We shall see."
...
The pair found themselves in the dusty, rocky desert, surrounded by sparse shrub-land.
"It's this way," the purple femme pointed towards the canyon looking up from the scanner.
Walking over Smokescreen asked, "So they have more movies like that one?"
She nodded. "Yep. There are six of them actually. I'm sure you'll enjoy the rest as well."
"Have you seen them?"
The question actually made her pause, mentally and physically. Something was odd. She remembered things about those movies but could not recall having actually watched them. "I... I might have..." she replied still trying to process it. "Maybe... Do you think this might not be my first time on Earth?"
The mech was taken back by her sudden question. "Why? You remembering something?"
"Yeah, or at least I might b-" she was cut off by an explosion from down in the canyon.
Sharing looks of surprise the pair dropped their conversation and sprinted to the edge. Looking down they saw vehicon troopers scattered around the bottom: dead. The only living thing down there was a certain ex-Decepticon who was just lowering his arm which no longer contained its usual missile.
"Starscream," the mech muttered distastefully.
"Not a friend then?"
Smokescreen shook his head. "He used to be a Decepticon but went rouge. Looks like he cleared out the 'Cons for us though."
Soaking up this information she stared down at the thin silver figure in the valley as he collected the enegon cubes.
Something seemed off about the scene but she could not tell what. Then it clicked. There was no mine entrance around here and so no reason for energon to be there. "Smokescreen, the Decepticons tried to set a trap!"
He snickered at the news, "Good thing Screamer took care of it for us then. All we gotta do it take care of him. C'mon let's get down there."
Before she had a chance to reply, the mech had already thrown himself over the edge, getting down with a combination of sliding and jumping.
Violetwind groaned, watching him go. She was not sure she pull off a decent like that but she had to get down somehow. Getting herself over the edge, the purple femme started making her way down, albeit at a much slower pace than her companion.
Smokescreen had quickly found himself at the bottom of the canyon and prepared his blasters for battle. "Hey Screamy, mind handing over those energon cubes," he asked, weapons pointed at the seeker.
Starscream whirled around to face the mech, a scowl framing his face. "Go to the pit, Autobot." he grumbled, not about to give up the energon he needed and had just fought hard to win.
"After you. I could just blow you and it up with one shot," he narrowed his eyes at the silver mech.
The flier glared at him, "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me," Smokescreen challenged.
Violetwind had finally made her way to the bottom and came up from behind her fellow Autobot, her own blasters at the ready.
A look of surprise crossed Starscream's face, "You?"
The femme's face took on her confusion. Did she know him? "Yes?" she answered not sure what to say.
Smokescreen turned to look back at her, not sure what was going on either. Unfortunately, the ex-Decepticon took advantage of his distraction to quickly fire off his missile above the Autobot. It exploded on the cliff side, rocks coming tumbling down onto the mech; hitting him on the head. He crashed to the ground unconscious under the rubble.
"Smokescreen!" Violetwind yelled rushing over, having managed to escape the main fall of the rocks. Forgetting about Starscream, she started to frantically dig him out.
When she managed to unearth his body she breathed a sigh of relief, he was dented but still alive.
The rouge walked over staring down at the mech tutting, "Such a shame."
"You could have killed him!"
"Well that was the point," he replied in a bored tone. "What happened to you anyway? Still hanging out with the Autobots, I see. Don't suppose you brought a certain femme with you to Earth?"
Violetwind stood up, glancing at the silver mech curiously. From her inner voice she felt like she once knew the seeker. "No. I came alone." Letting a few moments of silence pass, she asked, "Why'd you go rouge, Starscream?"
The mech scoffed, his tone bitter. "What was there to stay for? Megatron tried to scrap me anyway."
She looked over at him sympathetically. "Bit harsh."
Her inner voice chuckled, He probably deserved it. Starscream was never the most loyal.
"I know," he grumbled, "Megatron just can't appreciate all that I've done for the Decepticon cause. Well no longer, I only serve one now: me!"
He still hasn't lost his arrogance I see.
How do we know him? she silently questioned her voice.
We used to know him back before the war and a few times during. Got know him a bit. Even then he wasn't exactly the nicest of guys so you couldn't go about calling him any kind of friend. Perhaps 'acquaintance you have too keep your optic on lest he back-stab you' would best describe him.
Turning her conversion back to the mech, she asked gently, "Doesn't that get a bit lonely?"
The mech spluttered. "Lonely? Being alone is better than being unappreciated and beat to scrap."
"You could, perhaps just choose a better leader..." The femme tried to subtly suggest changing sides.
He grunted. "Join the Autobots you mean? I'm not ready to be with those bunch of bots too good for their own pedes."
Shrugging she replied, "Well it was just a suggestion." Though she thought it was a little bit of shame he could not be convinced to change sides.
"One which I shall not take. I'll go back to Megatron first." Changing the subject, the mech asked her, "What're you doing on earth then?"
"Um, well, you know dropping by and all," she avoided answering him directly. It wasn't like she knew what she was doing there herself.
Starscream narrowed his red optics at her. "It's not like you to be so unsure of yourself..."
The femme grinned nervously, "Oh really, Starscream? Well you know it has been a while. Bots change..."
He narrowed his optics at her, dissatisfied with the answer. His fingers made a 'shink' noise as he extended his blade like fingers. "You're not the Violetwind I once knew. Who are you really?"
Holding out her blasters at the mech she took a few wary steps backward. "Don't come any closer, Starscream," she warned him, her voice unfortunately not quite carrying the forceful tone she had been going for.
The silver mech merely laughed, not phased by her apparent threat. "Oh come on. Just tell me. It's not like I have anyone to share it with?"
"I'm- I'm Violetwind. Autobot and on Team Prime," she replied nervously, feeling a slight shake in her knees, door wings twitching.
"Please don't play games with me. I knew her. And she would never be as afraid as you, she was much more strong willed," he rolled his optics.
Scrap, this isn't going well.
Violetwind replied almost shouting, "I- I am her!" She tried to convince him. "I- I just had an accident..." she admitted.
He raised an optic ridge at this, becoming curious.
"My ship, it crashed to Earth and... I don't know what happened..."
Wait-
"You don't remember the crash?" he asked a little confused.
"I don't remember what happened, ever..." she clarified.
Don't-
Starscream's optics widened. "You lost everything?"
The femme nodded.
Slag... What did you go and tell him for?!
What? Bad idea? Her gaze drifted to the ground.
The voice only made a groaning sort of sound. It could have been. Seriously, why...
The mech meanwhile blinked a few times. "You don't remember anything? Not a single thing?"
Looking back up at the ex-Decepticon she shook her head. "Not unless she tells me something..." she replied without thinking.
"She?"
Realising what she had let slip, Violetwind groaned raising a blaster to her helm in a face-palm motion. Figuring that it probably could not hurt to just tell him anyway she told him. "Well, there's this voice that talks to me and I know that sounds like I've got some sort of glitch but it's true and is helpful to me."
"Curious..." was all the mech muttered to himself, stroking his chin staring off into the distance. "Did she... Impossible..." His optics met her confused ones and he smirked. "Well I think I'll take my leave of you. You have proven to be most... Interesting..."
It was then that the forgotten Smokescreen started to stir.
"Ah, and not too soon it seems," walking away Starscream quickly piled his arms with half of the energon cubes. "I bid you farewell, 'Violetwind.'" He smirked again before calling up a ground bridge and walking through.
For a moment the femme could only stare after where she had last seen him. It sounded like he might have known something. "And I just let him get away..." she muttered breathlessly, door wings dropping as she realised her mistake.
"Let who get away?" questioned a voice behind her followed by a groan.
Whirling around she immediately went over to the mech, helping him out of the rocks.
"Oh, nothing..." she replied innocently. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah, just a few dents." Standing up, Smokescreen looked around. "Hey, where's Starscream?"
"He left."
"You chased him off?" he asked in surprise.
"Not exactly. We didn't fight. He just walked off, taking some of the energon with him," the purple femme explained.
"But there's still some there," he pointed out. "Couldn't he carry any more?"
Turning her gaze to the blue energon cubes she smiled. "You know I think he could if he had wanted to. I don't think Starscream is as bad as everyone makes him out..."
I have to admit I quite like the sparring scene with Violet and Optimus. :D
And forgive my movie choice, I had been rewatching Star Wars at the time of writing this and went with it.
Side note: I saw a car that looked like Violet this week! Ok so it was a Ford not a Holden but it was the perfect colour to what I imagined her in the first place, plus rear spoiler (gotta love those things). Rather wish I'd had my phone on me at the time to get a photo :(