I do not own Transformers Prime but this story is all mine!
Chapter 12
"H-how did you track my location?" Starscream asked bewildered.
"You never deleted the ground bridge's history," Ratchet informed.
"Scrap!" Starscream said aside.
"We've come here to stop you. Starscream you are making a horrible mistake trusting the Decepticons," Optimus said.
"A mistake? This may be my only chance at getting my memories back and don't you dare use the word 'trust' with me! I trusted all of you but from the very beginning you all have been keeping secrets. There was only so much waiting I could muster before I would start demanding some answers. This was all inevitable." Starscream said with fury.
"How do I work this thing!" Starscream said now facing Megatron.
"All you have to do is insert the hard drive into the back of the device and point it to the side of your head," Megatron said smiling maliciously.
"Starscream please don't do this!" Arcee begged.
"Why! I thought you all wanted to help me! What are you hiding from me!" Starscream demanded.
Arcee had a regretful expression then looked away in shame.
"You know, I thought you cared Arcee. But I guess not." Starscream said disappointed.
Starscream did as Megatron instructed and pulled the trigger. Starscream felt the device opening various panels in his head then inserting what he believed to be his memories. The panels all closed and Starscream stood there waiting for something to happen, anything to let him know it worked. His eyes widened as he dropped the device onto the ground, he stared at his hands as they began to shake uncontrollably.
"Gaaah!" Starscream let out a high pitched scream while grasping and clawing at his head in pain.
"What's happening?" Arcee yelled in horror.
"What? This? He's just going through the side effects of using the 'Processor Destabilizer'," Megatron said nonchalantly.
"No! It can't be!" Optimus said in horror.
"Yes! The very device that was created by the most sinister yet intelligent graduate of the prestigious academies of Iacon: Mindwipe! The same device that was said to be destroyed but was really 'moved' by said scientist and his assistant Scalpel. And the very device that will be the downfall of the Autobots!" Megatron said in glee.
"Autobots retrieve Starscream and the Destabilizer!" Optimus commanded.
"Breakdown now!" Megatron yelled.
Breakdown and an army of Vehicons came rushing through the forest and transformed, Breakdown picked up the seeker who was writhing on the ground in pain and the Destabilizer. But before he could make his escape he was tackled by his arch rival and the device went flying. Breakdown panicked but calmed down when he saw Knockout caught it, Breakdown threw the seeker at a random Vehicon then focused his single optic on Bulkhead.
Knockout transformed and tried to make a run for it but was quickly rammed by a familiar ambulance. Knockout quickly transformed and did a clumsy landing.
"Well well well, we meet again doctor," Knockout smirked.
"Hopefully for the last doctor," Ratchet said throwing a fierce punch to Knockout's jaw.
Arcee watched the Destabilizer flying through the air after Ratchet decked Knockout.
"I got it!" Arcee said.
She sprinted towards it and jumped to make a grab for it, her fingertips were mere inches away. The device was caught by webbing and was pulled out of Arcee's grasp.
"No I got it," Airachnid said smugly.
Arcee quickly composed herself and adjusted her midair velocity, a well aimed kick came into contact with Airachnid's face causing her to loose the device. Bumblebee watched it fly through the air as he sped towards it in vehicle mode. Just as he was closing in a purple Cybertronian jet appeared and snatched it. Shockwave transformed and landed in front of Megatron, knelt, and held up the device to his leader.
"My lord I have retrieved the Destabilizer," Shockwave said.
Before Shockwave could hand it to his leader it was blasted out of his hands and laid on the ground a broken heap. Shockwave stood and brought his cold gaze to the smoking barrel of Optimus Prime's blaster.
"My lord I have failed you. Let me redeem myself by bringing you the head of the Prime," Shockwave said attempting what looked like a glare at the leader of the Autobots.
"No need, it was only the prototype. I still have the finished version and if everything goes according to plan I won't even have to use it. Besides the real prize is in our grasp." Megatron reassured. "Everyone enough of your petty squabble, head to the rendezvous!" Megatron commanded.
The Decepticons who were previously brawling complied and transformed heading deep into the woods. There previous opponents transformed as well and began pursuit.
"We must hurry or Starscream will be forever lost!" Optimus said leading the rest of the Autobots.
Meanwhile...
A lone Vehicon was running through the forest heading towards the rendezvous point at a slow pace due to being forced to carry Starscream. Starscream long ago stopped screaming in pain and was only muttering about things that the Vehicon didn't care to know.
"Great, I'm a walking target carrying this traitorous scum. Stupid Breakdown," the Vehicon grumbled.
"Skyfire!" Starscream muttered beginning to shake.
"What is he going on about know!" the Vehicon said annoyed.
Starscream stood in a... well he didn't really know where he was, it was dark and he couldn't see anything. The whole time he was running around trying to escape this dark prison while being pelted by many voices that were incomprehensible for they were all talking at once. Starscream eventually collapsed from exhaustion and attempted to compose himself, the voices began to quiet down and they sounded more clear.
A blinding light appeared and as his optics adjusted he found himself in the last place he ever expected to be. Large metallic skyscrapers surrounded the landscape, Starscream found himself in the bustling city of Iacon.
'But this is impossible, Optimus said Cybertron is uninhabitable,' Starscream thought is confusion.
"I can't believe those walking rust buckets denied my request!" Starscream's eyes widened after hearing that familiar voice.
Across the street a figure, that looked strangely like him, was walking with a his arms crossed and had a scowl on his face. Two seekers were following him attempting to calm there friend.
"Come on Starscream we'll figure something out," the dark gray seeker with blue highlights said trying to comfort his friend.
"Yeah Screamer don't get all down in the dumps. Hey I got an idea! Why don't we borrow a ship and travel to that planet and look for Skyfire ourselves?" a black seeker with purple highlights asked in excitement.
"It's too late, Skyfire is forever lost. The best we can do now is to avenge him," the past version of Starscream said grimly.
"What do you mean?" Starscream recognized the one speaking to be Thundercracker.
"I mean that we will teach those old fools in the counsel a lesson. We are joining the revolution!"
Thundercracker and the one Starscream was sure to be Skywarp looked at each other in worry.
The vision ended and was replaced by a new one.
"AtteeennnnTION!" a loud gruff voice burst through Starscream's audio receptors.
A hulking black figure with a cobra styled head stood in front of a row of mechs and fems, including himself and his trine.
"I am General Straxus and for some reason Lord Megatron saw it fit for me to teach a bunch of weak defective engine blocks like you!" Straxus yelled.
"Check out Mr. Sunshine here," Skywarp said to no one in particular.
"Do you have something to say soldier?" Straxus asked catching Skywarp off guard.
"H-how did you?" Straxus glared down at the stuttering seeker. Skywarp began a sloppy salute, "Sir no sir!"
"I think you need to learn some respect, fly-boy!" Straxus roared taking out a weapon that looked like a pickaxe raising it, ready to strike.
"Pick on someone your own size!" vision Starscream yelled.
"Aww looks like we got ourselves a courageous hero," Straxus said in amusement.
Straxus swatted vision Starscream, knocking him to the floor.
"I eat heroism for breakfast!" Straxus yelled picking up Starscream by the throat. "I think a few mega-cycles in the pit of shame will do you some good." Straxus smirked. "Oh, and welcome to the Decepticons Ha Ha Ha HA HA HA!"
Vision blurred and began to morph into the next. As it was changing Starscream was filled with denial in the realization that he was a member of the enemy the whole time.
The scene changed into something he hoped he would never of had to see, a complete war zone on his home planet. He watched sides blast at each other attempting to slaughter one another.
"Ha ha ha ha HA perish Autobots!" vision Starscream cackled blowing up crowds of Autobots with his missiles.
"Sta...eam whe... you...we... help!" Thundercracker's garbled voice came over the intercom
"Thundercracker? What's going on?" Starscream asked.
"Starscream! Skywarp and I need assistance! The Autobots there-" the signal was disconnected.
"Thundercracker! Skywarp! What is your position?" Starscream yelled over explosions.
Starscream watched himself in anguish as he pleaded into the comm. Unbeknownst to either seekers an object fell from the sky and landed in the horizon. A huge explosion erupted sweeping Autobot and Decepticon alike, vision Starscream laid on the ground unconscious but otherwise still online.
The vision began changing yet again.
"You imbecile!" Straxus appeared yelling at vision Starscream who had an emotionless expression on his face. "You got your whole battalion killed! What do you have to say for yourself?"
"It was for the good of the Decepticons, sir." Starscream said emotionless.
Straxus out of rage prepared to strike.
"Wait!"
Straxus halted and started to tell off who dared to stop him. He gasped when he saw the large mech that surpassed even Straxus' height.
"Lord Megatron!" Straxus said kneeling. "Kneel before thy master!" Straxus said forcing Starscream to his knees.
"Rise," Megatron commanded.
"My lord what brings you here?" Straxus asked grovelling.
"I'm here to speak to the one who lost his team on the last siege," Megatron said.
"Yes here is the scoundrel who botched the mission" Straxus said shoving Starscream in front of the ex-gladiator.
"Your designation soldier." Megatron commanded.
"Starscream, lord Megatron," Starscream said nervously.
"Thanks to you we lost over one hundred mechs out there but-" Starscream looked up expectant, "but thanks to your efforts Kaon is finally under Decepticon control."
Starscream and Straxus' optics widened, "Whuh?"
"You showed initiative and drive, but best of all you know how to keep yourself alive. We need more soldiers who are good at 'self preservation' such as yourself. I believe it is high time for a promotion. How does 'Air Commander Starscream' sound?" Megatron said with a genuine smile.
"Thank you my lord," Starscream said with excitement.
"My lord you can't be serious! Promoting him to Air Commander also means that he is-"
"Second in-command? Yes general, do you have a problem?" Megatron inquired.
"...No my lord."
The vision dissipated.
"Please enough of these visions! I've had enough!" Starscream screamed clutching his head.
"Scream, 's been awhile," Starscream heard someone cough.
As Starscream turned around he found himself in what looked like a ships main deck. A mortally wounded mech was on his knees restrained by two Vehicons.
"So where's your master?" the mech asked.
Starscream optics widened when he realized who this was, the missing horn was all it took.
"Never mind him, I am my own master," vision Starscream reeled back claws extended.
"NOOOOO!" Starscream jumped in front of the mech at a failed attempt to right a wrong.
Starscream's past self fazed right through him striking a whole through the red mech's chest plate earning a grunt of pain.
"Anymore questions?"
Starscream watched in horror as he watched himself tear out his servo, energon leaking from the wound. The mech collapsed onto the floor, lifeless.
"Clean that up!" vision Starscream ordered one of the Vehicons.
The vision faded out.
"W-what have I done?" Starscream collapsed in a heap of anguish. "Pleas stop this."
"You were the one, you extinguished Cliffjumper!" Starscream's optics widened in horror.
"No please, anything but that! Primus save me!"
The Vehicon was still walking through the forest carrying the unconscious muttering seeker.
"Oh shut up you heavy piece of slag! Primus I'm above all this manual labor," the Vehicon grumbled.
Clang!
The Vehicon collapsed on to the ground in pain, he laid on his back and stared up at his attacker.
"I'm sorry, why don't I help you with that dead weight," Starscream said raising his servo in to the air and letting it fall.
Later...
Megatron transformed and landed in a barren dessert right below the Nemesis waiting for the rest of his troops to arrive. As the rest of his team came on the scene, when everyone was present and accounted for he began curiously inspecting his crew.
"Where is Starscream?" Megatron asked twitching an optic.
His main team and the rest of the Vehicons were are looking around avoiding their leaders gaze.
"You idiots!" Megatron roared in frustration.
"Megatron!"
"Oh great." Megatron face palmed.
"Unhand Starscream!" Optimus transformed along with his team aiming their blasters at their foes.
"I'm afraid you're a little late," Megatron said glaring at his own team.
Before Optimus could question Megatron's meaning a missile landed in between the two opposing leaders knocking them for a daze. As the dust cleared a slim figure stood in the middle of the two teams.
"Starscream you're okay!" Arcee said in joy.
As she came closer to the seeker to her surprise he raised his arm and aimed a missile at her.
"Stay back," Starscream said low and threateningly.
"Starscream? What are you-" Arcee began stepping closer.
"I said stay back," Starscream said menacingly. "I knew you were keeping something from me, but this? You were all pretending!"
"Starscream you don't understand." Arcee begged.
"No I understand, I understand completely. The only reason you kept me around was to get info out of me, once I would outlive my usefulness you would finish me!" Starscream yelled ignoring Arcee's pleas.
"I'm so glad that you finally see what these Autobots have been doing to you, it pained me to see you being used like this but we can finally put all this behind us," Megatron said walking up to the seeker.
Starscream lifted his other arm aiming a missile at the Decepticon lord.
"I don't trust you either. I don't trust any of you!" Starscream yelled.
"Come now Starscream, I'm all you got. Why don't we all forgive and forget, come back and your second in-command status will be returned to you," Megatron smirked.
"Why should I?" Starscream inquired.
"Because you have nowhere else to go. You can only live off the energon mines you've failed to previously inform me for so long, judging by the fact that I have their locations now means that won't be long. This is a limited time offer, side with us or with them." Starscream turned around and looked at the Autobots, they all had an expectant look wondering what his decision would be. "At least with us you know what to expect."
Starscream turned around and knelt in front of Megatron.
"I live to serve you, lord Megatron," Starscream said.
'Excellent'
"Soundwave bridge us in!"
The green portal appeared and all the Decepticons headed in leaving only Starscream standing in front of the vortex. He stared at each of the Autobots' expressions. Optimus and Ratchet both had a look of disappointment, Bulkhead and Bumblebee had a look of anger, but Arcee's made Starscream's spark ache the most. She had so much sorrow and regret twisting her beautiful face, she was really spark broken. They didn't bother to stop him as Starscream entered the portal leaving them with a dead silence.
Arcee finally couldn't take it anymore and collapsed onto her hands and knees, a strange liquid falling from her optics.