Okay this time actually did have writer block cough and I was on vaca cough. I got Fall of Cybertron on Tuesday and I already beat it yesterday, so you bet your ass I'm gonna incorporate it into this fic. So there will be spoilers.
Chapter 17
The Autobots and their human partners ventured through the ground bridge, the mission ended in complete failure but at least they have their health. Everyone was silent mulling over what occurred that day. They knew they would have to face Starscream eventually but seeing him readjust to his previous evil ways was disheartening, if it was so easy for him revert back to his old ways then did he even care? Everyone had a special bond with Starscream whether they want to admit it or not and seeing the seeker act as if their friendship meant nothing to him proved that assumption.
Bulkhead's temper hit breaking point, "Slag!"
Bulkhead looked around angrily for something to smash and saw an arbitrary tool laying in Ratchet's station. Bulkhead ran for it but before he could crush it Ratchet skidded in front of him arms forward trying to stop the behemoth.
"Bulkhead you are not breaking another one of my tools! I need that you know!" Ratchet scolded.
"Well I need to vent!" Bulkhead yelled.
"Then can you do it without destroying my things?" Ratchet asked.
Bulkhead roared and punched a large dent in the wall.
"Bulkhead that's not any better," Ratchet said in exasperation.
"Well I'm sorry but in case you haven't noticed we just got our afts kicked by someone we actually once called friend," Bulkhead yelled. "To think I knew this would happen and I still didn't see it coming, stupid!"
"Bulkhead that is enough, Starscream's betrayal has effected all of us in different ways but we must move on. We're still at war," Optimus said grimly.
"Yeah well I can't just ignore the fact that barely five kliks ago he just used the kids as a bargaining chip. What were you guys doing out there?" Bulkhead demanded.
"We were trying to get Starscream back, make him see the light." Miko answered.
"'See the light'? Yeah that'll be the day, he could have killed you!" Bulkhead yelled.
"But he didn't," Raf said as if just realizing it.
"The children risked their lives for a friend and maybe their efforts weren't all in vain," Optimus said.
"Whatever," Bulkhead stormed out heading for his quarters.
"Optimus, Starscream knows our base's location, what if he tells Megatron?" Bumblebee asked.
"Something tells me that if that is his intention then he would of told Megatron already," Optimus said.
Arcee was silent throughout the argument, she noticed that ever since Starscream defected she's been very quiet and she knows Jack notices too. Everyone may be losing hope but she still believes and she doesn't know why. A month ago she wouldn't be caught dead interacting with the seeker, she would gladly kick him to the curb. Even end him and wouldn't think twice. She would be glad to never see that mocking smirk and hear that maniacal laugh, but now. Maybe there is some truth to what Jack said, could Arcee really be falling for the same mech who ended the life of a close friend and probably countless more? Up until now she has been denying it completely but now she's not sure.
What she is sure of is that there was something off with how Starscream was acting, he has been known to be a good speaker. His silver tongue has gotten him out of many jams, he only uses it to save his own skid plate. He was guarded by a false bravado, everyone else may have been fooled but she wasn't. Starscream was going through the same pain as herself and her team, whether he was aware of this himself. The whole time Starscream was 'toying' with us was merely an act, more for proving to himself that he is Decepticon then to the Autobots. What Bulkhead said was true, Starscream could've killed the kids. But he didn't.
"Arcee may I speak with you?" Optimus asked dispelling Arcee from her thoughts.
"Uhm sure," Arcee said.
"Alone," Optimus said gesturing down the hall.
"Okay," Arcee started walking, Optimus a few steps behind.
"So what do you want to talk about?" Arcee asked still facing forward.
"It's about you and Starscream."
Arcee gulped, "What about him?" she asked nervously.
"I just wanted to know how you've been taking his departure, you've been very quiet lately," Optimus said concerned.
'Scrap he sees it too,' Arcee thought.
"I'm fine sir, why do you ask?" Arcee said.
"Well you and Starscream seem to have gotten very close over the coarse of his stay, the day he left you seemed to have taken it pretty hard," Optimus noted.
"Optimus really I'm fine, you don't have to worry," Arcee said.
"But I think I do, I've observed how you two interacted with each other. Arcee, if there is anything you wish to tell me remember I'm always here for you," Optimus said.
Arcee realized it would be best to let it out, "I just don't know Optimus, I feel like I should hate him for all that he did but I don't. Am I insulting Cliffjumper's memory?"
"Forgiveness is always the hardest thing to do, in the end you become better from it. As for Cliffjumper I'm positive that that he would be happy as long as you're happy," Optimus said.
"Thanks Optimus but I'm still not sure what to do, what if Starscream doesn't come around?" Arcee asked.
"This is quite the predicament, the trust between us and Starscream has been severely strained but I'm sure he will make the right decision in the end. And that's all that matters," Optimus answered.
"Thanks Optimus, I really needed that," Arcee smiled.
"Anytime, if you ever need to get something off your chest you know where to find me," Optimus said heading for his own quarters.
Arcee watched the Prime leave and headed for the exit of the base, she had some business to take care of.
Later...
Arcee stood at a cliff side staring up at the night, looking at all the stars. A rock structure with a horn sitting at the top was right behind her.
"Hey Cliff, sorry we haven't spoken in a while. I've been going through quite a lot lately," Arcee spoke.
Arcee stood there patiently hoping for a reply but not expecting one. She sighed and sat down, "You remember that whole escapade with Starscream, well you probably guessed it. He's back to his old ways. But I can't help but feel sad that he's gone. Please forgive me Cliff, I feel like I'm betraying your trust by becoming friends with him. You must think I'm foolish."
Arcee shuddered, "I haven't felt this weak and helpless since the day you left us. Please Cliff if you can hear me give me a sign that you forgive me!"
Arcee stared up at the night sky and watched a shooting star streak across the sky. Arcee looked on wide eyed, she smiled and silently kept looking up at the sky.
"Arcee are you busy?" Jack commed in.
"No, why?" Arcee asked.
"Well I'm going to miss my curfew and you know how mom can get," Jack said.
"Okay I'll be right down," Arcee said.
Jack said bye and ended the comm, Arcee stood up to go.
"Thanks Cliff, talk to you soon," Arcee said thankful for the new peace of mind.
Later...
Arcee drove Jack home in silence, but unlike the previous incidences it was much more calm than awkward. When they made it home they were met with a very irate June Darby.
"Jackson Darby you're late again, you know how much I worry when you're out this late!" June said furiously.
"I know mom but the Decepticons were causing a lot of trouble today," Jack explained.
"That's no excuse, what were you doing out there anyway? You could have gotten hurt!" June said worried.
"I know mom but I-" Jack stopped nervously, he whispered something into his mom's ear.
Junes eyes widened, "Oh Arcee dear are you alright?!"
"Uhh yeah I'm fine why?" Arcee asked still in her alt-mode.
"Oh I can only sympathize with what you're going through, I've had my heart broken before and it's not pretty. Whenever you need a girl to talk to you know where to find me," June said.
"Okay?" Arcee said awkwardly.
"I hope everything works out. I'll let you off the hook this time but if you're late again you are grounded mister," June said sternly entering the house.
Jack parked Arcee in the garage and closed it.
"Is nothing a secret?" Arcee asked transforming.
"I'm sorry but I had to tell my mom that Starscream was staying at the base and she wouldn't let me near him until I prove to her that he's changed," Jack explained.
"Well did you have to make it sound like we were a thing and I just went through a bad break-up?" Arcee said exasperated,
"Weeeeeell."
"Don't answer that."
"... I'm sorry for making you worry," Jack finally said.
"Jack we've been over this, all is forgiven," Arcee said.
"I know but I really thought we could convince him, show him that our friendship wasn't meaningless."
"I know, thank you for trying." Arcee tried to calm Jack.
"Do you think he'll come back?" Jack asked.
"I know he will Jack, I have faith in him," Arcee said still unsure of her own words.
"I hope you're right, good night," Jack said heading for bead.
"Yeah me too."
Later that night...
Arcee found herself in a dark corridor, it was too dark to see a thing. She walked for who knows how long alone, she became very uneasy down these depressing hollowed halls. She heard skittering in the background.
"Who's there?" Arcee demanded.
She heard the sound of more skittering behind her.
"Come out coward!" Arcee said activating her blasters.
The skittering became louder and appeared in every direction, then it was followed by loud footsteps. Then everything was silent. Arcee aimed her blasters in every direction frantically.
"Show yourself, I'm warning you!" Arcee yelled.
The halls were filled by the sound of cackling, a horrible sound that sent chills through her whole body. The halls were lit up by the crackling of green electricity, the laughter only getting louder. Down the end of the hall where the electricity was forming stood a cackling seeker, his hands behind his back. But there was something different about him, his eyes instead of being the blood red was now a putrid green. He had a look of sadistic insanity to them, they were open wide and twitched occasionally.
"Starscream? What happened to you?" Arcee said fearing this new look.
"Oh what this? Nothing special, you like?" Starscream said stepping closer.
Arcee gawked as he got closer, what ever is wrong with him she didn't like it.
"Why so silent Arcee? It's not as bad as you think, sure you may be giving your very being up but it's not that bad. It only guarantees slight insanity," Starscream chuckled.
"What happened to you?" Arcee repeated in horror.
"I gave in, join me Arcee. Give in," Starscream said holding out his hand.
"N-no, don't worry Starscream I'll figure out a way to stop this," Arcee said.
"You can't stop it Arcee, all you can do is give in," Starscream said, hand still held out.
"No I'll never give in!" Arcee yelled.
"Such a pity, I guess I can't convince you." Starscream said walking over to her until he was directly in front of her.
Starscream hugged her tightly.
"Starscream what are you AAAAGH!" Starscream thrust his claws into Arcee's gut making her leak energon at an alarming rate.
Arcee collapsed to the ground clutching her deep wound, she was in an excruciating amount of pain.
"You know you're very cute when you're in pain," Arcee looked up and saw Starscream raise his energon dripping claw into the air. "Let's make you feel gorgeous!"
He thrust his hand forward, the hall was filled with screams and laughter.
Arcee awoke gasping, she transformed and hugged her knees closely to her chest.
'The worst has yet to come.'