I don't own Transformers Prime but this story is all mine!

Chapter 7

For the next week or two Starscream was forced to stay put in the base until he was fully healed, boredom and anxiety from not being able to fly was getting to him. The Decepticons disappeared off the radar, the whole time not once they tried anything and all the recon missions all came up with no results. This fact didn't go unnoticed by the Autobots and everyone was seriously on edge.

One day to pass the time Starscream decided to see what the humans were doing, he came across them playing a game about racing cars. Raf appeared to be winning while Miko was in second and Jack dead last. After observing he asked what the point of playing this ridiculous game was and Raf suggested for him to see for himself while holding up the controller. Starscream felt a little akward holding the small device in his large claws, this and the fact that he didn't know how to play caused Starscream to get frustrated and lose multiple times. After getting a new controller cause Starscream out of anger crushed the last one he finally got the hang of it. The next day he found the kids playing with remote controlled cars, Starscream was about to question this as well since they could always just play the video game but decided not to. He asked if he could join them and they were a little hesitant after the last incident but complied, Starscream had a tough time figuring this out as well but was more careful with the small device. Starscream had fun but stated that he could do better with plains, this did not land on deaf ears and the next day the kids brought in newly purchased remote controlled plains. Starscream was now in his element, after learning the controls in a shockingly short amount of time he beat everyone in an aerial race. Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and even Arcee challenged Starscream to a race seeing his cocky attitude but were all defeated, no one could defeat Starscream in his element.

After spending time with the kids Starscream realized that he should really start spending more time with the other Autobots, from the very beginning he could tell that some of them were giving him the cold shoulder. After his moment with Arcee she seemed more willing to be around the seeker, he decided to have a nice chat with the two-wheeler who was adamant about it at first. After chatting a little about this and that Arcee became more willing talk about her past, they surprisingly connected more and talked about their days before the war. After their bonding session ended and Arcee suggested they do this again sometime, Starscream stuttered out an agreement. Next morning Starscream found Bulkhead using a piece of metal hanging from the ceiling as a punching bag, Starscream asked him if he wanted to hang out but Bulkhead merely scoffed at the idea. Starscream thought quickly and suggested that they play a game of lobbing knowing that a large mech like Bulkhead would agree. Bulkhead did as Starscream expected but the game didn't last long, an indent the size of the seeker was made on the wall. Starscream was okay and only had a few scrapes and dents, nothing serious enough to reopen his previous wounds but Ratchet was still not happy. After getting his wounds smoothed over Starscream and Bulkhead began chatting, most of it was about Bulkhead's days as a wrecker which Starscream was happy to hear. Later Starscream tried spending time with Bumblebee, he caught the scout holding a rope attached to a bucket full of oil above the walkway so Ratchet couldn't see it. After the prank worked and Bumblebee had to deal with the steaming oil covered medic Starscream proposed to Bumblebee that he could find much better ways to cause mischief. All day chaos ensued across the Autobot base with random paint grenades being thrown at the bots, holograms of creatures that could scare even the sturdiest of mechs, and even the hand buzzer trick that released large volts of electricity. Throughout the experience Bumblebee reminded Starscream so much of Skywarp, Starscream was having the time of his life. Next Starscream acted as Ratchet's lab assistant and helped reconstruct broken equipment most of which from Bulkhead's doing. Science always gave Starscream enjoyment and he even gave his insight on the Synthetic Energon formula. Starscream even got to hear some of Optimus' war stories, the leader of the Autobots was ever insightful and Starscream had a lot of respect for him.

Starscream was lazing around watching the kids play video games with their partners cheering on, obvious boredom strewn across his face. Optimus entered the base and began talking to Ratchet, they occasionally brought their gazes over to Starscream's direction then turned away talking again. Starscream's curiosity got the better of him and he tried to listen in, just when he began to make out what they were saying their conversation ended and they walked over to the seeker.

"Starscream, have you been feeling any better these past few solar cycles?" Optimus questioned.

"I've been doing fine, being cooped up in here gave me time to learn more about this planet and make friends along the way," Starscream said with a smile. "I think I'm healed enough to take a nice fly around the dessert."

"I'll be the judge of that," Ratchet said not wanting the seeker to get ahead of himself.

"Oh come now Ratchet, give him a break he has been stuck on the ground for a while and you've heard how seekers get when they're denied flight," Optimus gave a knowing smile to the medic. "Besides he is going to need his energy."

Strscream had a questioning look as Optimus walked over to the rest of his crew to get their attention "Ever since are last encounter with our life long foes it has come to my attention that Starscream isn't ready to face the Decepticons."

Starscream had look of shame written across his face-plate "However," instantly Starscream had a look of hope replacing it. "I have quickly come to a solution Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Arcee."

The mentioned bots stood at attention "It is your duty to train him in combat."

This earned a collected groan from the Autobots "This is non negotiable, the Decepticons haven't made a move in a long time and there is no telling what they are planning as of this moment. We will need everyone to be ready when that moment comes."

With that last said Optimus exited the room to leave his crew to figure this out on their own, after a long silence Bulkhead managed to break it.

"So who's first?"

Later...

Bulkhead stood outside a couple yards away from the Autobot base grumbling angrily to himself for getting the short end of the stick. Starscream stood across from shaking nervously wondering what the first thing the ex-wrecker had in store for him. After a few seconds of agonizing silence Bulkhead finally spoke.

"We will start a few rounds of transform-ups."

'That doesn't sound too bad,' Starscream sighed.

"Drop and give me a hundred," Bulkhead yelled pointing at the dirt ground.

"What? Don't you think that's a little unreasonable?" Starscream demanded.

Bulkhead thought it over and grew a smile "You're right one thousand transform-ups it is."

Starscream gained a look of horror but complied and got into a regular push-up position and transformed into his alt-mode and then back into robot mode in the same position. This process was repeated until one thousand transform-ups were done.

"Done," Starscream said stretching his aching limbs.

"Good, next I want fifty laps around this," Bulkhead said pointing to a large plateau.

"What!" Starscream demanded.

"Oh I'm sorry, I don't want to sound unreasonable." Bulkead smirked.

Starscream glared at the large mech and began a jog around around the plateau, after he was done he was sprawled on the ground with his vents working over time to cool Starscream off. Bulkhead told Starscream to do another set of transform-ups, but this time a large boulder was placed on Starscream's back. After the next set Starscream felt like he had no more energy left to even stand, Bulkhead told him to do fifty more laps around the plateau carrying the boulder.

"This is absurd! I am a seeker, we spend most of our time in the sky slag it!" Starscream yelled.

"You know what you're right, I want five thousand laps around this mountain range." Bulkhead said.

Starscream smirked, five thousand laps is child's play compared to him.

"Oh and one last thing, you have to do them with this boulder on you back. If it falls off you will have to start over," with that being said Starscream's confidence diminished.

Starscream activated his thrusters but the sudden thrust caused the boulder to fall off and he had to start again, with a new boulder Starscream started at a slower pace. When he was done Starscream almost crashed into the ground he was so exhausted. More transform-ups and laps ensued for the rest of the training session leaving Starscream in an exhausted heap.

"Alright one last exorcize and we're done for the day," Bulkhead said with amusemnet.

"And *pant* what would *gasp* that be?" Starscream asked.

Bulkhead activated his mace "Run."

Later...

Starscream ran into the Autobot base right past a few confused humans and bots, he crashed into Rathet's work station causing all of his equipment to fall to the ground.

Bulkhead came rushing in "Okay who's next?"

Bumblebee raised his hand beeping excitedly, grabbing Starscream's foot he began leading the seeker outside. The whole time Starscream was dragging his claws across the ground making an unpleasant screeching sound.

"No! Let me go! You bots are insane!" Starscream screamed in hysteria.

Back outside...

The whole point of Bulkhead's exorcizes was to simply toughen Starscream up, Bumblebee's was to help Starscream use his marksmanship.

"Okay Starscream, I've set up several targets. All you have to do is show me what you've got," Bumblebee beeped.

"Seems easy enough," Starscream said unsure.

Starscream took aim and shot his missiles at each of the targets missing everyone.

"That was good for your first start, now you need to focus on your target."

Starscream did as Bumblebee said and took aim.

"Calm your intakes and pull the trigger."

Starscream calmed his breathing and breathed in activating the missile. It headed for the target and made its mark.

"I did it!" Starscream said not being able to hold in his excitement.

"Nice work, now lets see you do it again." Bumblebee challenged.

Starscream did as Bumblebee advised and shot each target dead center.

"Impressive, soon you will be mowing down 'cons no problem," Bumblebee complimented.

Starscream and Bumblebee walked back to base finished with today's target practice, when they returned they found Arcee waiting patiently.

"Your up," Bumblebee beeped.

Starscream followed Arcee back outside and found a nice open area for whatever they were going to. Arcee got into a combat position and activated her blades.

"Get into ready position, we will be working on your combat skills." Arcee said.

Starsceam did as she ordered and hesitantly got into a fighting stance. Arcee did a swift kick and knocked Starscream onto his back.

"I know you don't know how to fight but it's common sense to block or dodge," Arcee mocked.

Starscream got back up and got into another fighting pose, Arcee struck with another kick and Starscream blocked it with his arms but was unprepared for Arcee's next attack. She used her momentum to do another kick midair.

"Oh come on, I haven't even used my blades yet," Arcee gloated.

With new determination Starscream got back up and assumed the usual fighting position, seeing this burst of confidence Arcee prepared herself. Starting with usual kicks Starscream managed to block the first one and dodged the next, she started throwing some punches which were either blocked or dodged. Arcee began using her blades which Starscream was obviously unprepared for, Starscream began countering with his claws but was easily over powered. He soon found himself on his back yet again with a blade against his neck. Arcee retracted her blades and held out her hand which Sarscream gladly took.

"You started off alright but when we got to the heavy part of the combat you shut down on me," Arcee stated.

"It's not fair! My claws aren't used for this sorta combat, they are not good for blocking enemy blades." Starscream said angrily.

"That may be true but a good warrior learns to improvise," Arcee stated unfazed.

Starscream stood unmoving contimplating this until he finally stood up and got into another fighting stance, Arcee mimicking him. Arcee began flurries of punches and kicks with added flair to make it harder to avoid, Starscream to her surprise didn't have too many issues blocking them. Midair she activated her blades and struck down a little more forcefully than she intended, Starscream countered with his claws making a large clang sound from the connecting blades. Arcee continued to parry more strikes which were all blocked by Starscream's claws, Starscream quit using defense and went into offense. Arcee found herself blocking his swift yet devastating blows, Arcee lost her footing and ended up in the position that Starscream was in last. Starscream lifted his claws into the air, Arcee closed her eyes waiting for the finishing blow which never came. Instead when she opened her eyes she saw Starscream holding out his hand for her, Arcee took it and stood back up.

Starscream chuckled "Impressed?"

"Laugh now Screamer but wait until you hear what I have in store for you next," Arcee smirked.

"And what would that be?" Starscream said smirking as well.

Arcee activated her blasters "Dodge."

'Scrap!'