Chapter 6 The Warrior's awakening

Several days had passed since Megatron's death in the Space Bridge explosion. Nemesis was somewhere farther than the Jasper area moving to another stopping point in the air.

Starscream watched a video showing the explosion of the Space Bridge. He was happy knowing that Megatron's end had finally come. He also counted on more support from other soldiers during his speech, but all that could be heard was silence and strange looks between the Vehicons on the bridge and on the ship in general.

Even calling himself the 'Emperor of Destruction' didn't elicit the enthusiastic reaction, he could have hoped for. Angry, he wanted to leave for a while, but then a thought occurred to him. He had heard the legend of a warrior lying dormant somewhere on the Earth, and this thought made him smile derisively and begin to carry out his plan to awaken this warrior to become his servant. In this way, he wanted to show that, like Megatron, he can also be a great ruler or better than him.

Meanwhile, Darkscream was in the training room. Ever since Megatron was not among them, she had more time to herself. Admittedly, the room has long been completely closed, but for her it wasn't a problem getting inside. Especially since she was the one who created this room and knew how to get around the security (there were no cameras inside and the walls were so well made to minimize any sound.)

The room was mainly divided into four zones : shooting, hand-to-hand combat, obstacle course and the so-called flyer zone.

The shooting zone was on the left side. It involves shooting at extendable targets at set distances and shooting at moving dummies. This sector has three rounds that are increasingly difficult. The difficulty in this part is that you have to get from one point to another (levels 2 and 3) to complete this sector in its entirety, and some mannequins may start shooting at certain moments (this applies to level 3).

The flyer zone is made for flying vehicles. This zone is on the upper part of the room. It involves flying through various highlighted points that cannot be touched (otherwise you lose points ) as quickly as possible and reaching the next one. The difficulty in this part is that traps activate at certain moments (unless one does not set such a function). Such obstacles did not bother the two seekers we know. They always outperformed the others because they both had the best time in terms of speed. Admittedly, there were times when Darkscream had a few more seconds than Starscream, but it didn't bother them. The situation has changed since they landed on the Earth, and there they were much better off flying in the open. Although the room was quite wide, they as seekers needed a lot more space to fly.

The hand-to-hand combat is a high platform in the middle divided into two parts, in which two pairs could fight each other. Here there is a function for activating crates, which contain training mannequins that allow each on individual to train.

As for the obstacle course. This is a quite demanding zone. Most Vehicons were left battered by this or even lost limbs. (Darkscream initially created a fairly simple route until Megatron interfered). The most important thing was to show cleverness and agility to get to the other side as best as possible. The first time Starscream did pretty well, but Darkscream was a little worse because sometimes she couldn't feel the moments when the blocks came out of the walls. In time they both managed, but even that didn't impress Megatron. It bothered him that Darkscream used force fields (especially in the shooting zone) but Darkscream assured Megatron that it was necessary because of the possibility of unexpected explosions and damage to the panel controlling the room. Soundwave also supported the idea, which surprised others.

The distant past (before Megatron set off on his journey)

Megatron had many comments about the equipment that it supposedly looks too simple after the operation of each was shown. He ordered Darkscream to adjust individual sectors even more dangerously, an idea that Darkscream immediately disliked. However, she couldn't go against his order, because she knew very well how it would end later.

For weeks Darkscream was forced to refine the room. From time to time, her work was watched by Soundwave and sometimes by Megatron, who wanted to make sure Darkscream wasn't up to anything. Just fixing all the machinery was tiring for Darkscream. She created it to provide everyone with a good workout before a fight and not torture. And now, unfortunately, it was different.

Starscream felt sorry for his sister, especially since she had to work so hard and fixing everything herself, while he was assigned other duties. In addition, she also had to spend nights doing this, and when Megatron threatened her in some way she felt it was unnecessary. Over time she had to get used to this type of treatment , even when Starscream first introduced her to Megatron. It was unfortunately not a friendly meeting at first.

After a few days, Megatron decided to accept Darkscream despite the fact that she was the only femme on the ship (not counting Airachnid, who escaped and has not been seen since when the war on Cybertron broke out). Particularly valued were her repair skills, which came in very handy when one of the machines was damaged by defective vehicon. In time, it was also noted that like Starscream , she had good command skills. Megatron in order to know which commander he is talking to, mark one of them. That person was, of course, Darkscream, who until now had scars on her right hand that she was not allowed to remove.

The room hasn't been used recently since Megatron came up with another more brutal way to be sure which soldier was stronger than the other. It was a gladiator fight taking place in a volcano on the Earth. Of course, it wasn't an easy task because not only did you have to defeat your opponent, but you also had to get the key that opens the bracelet on your hand, which was placed in your opponent's spark. It was really a very cruel way and even the seekers were forced to go through this kind of survival test. Fortunately, both Starscream and Darkscream went through it, but it was really hard.

Current time

Darkscream was alone, taking turns hitting the training mannequins. From time to time, she would come to train if no one was around or sometimes with Starscream if he wanted to practice too.

She had been there for almost forty minutes when suddenly Starscream called out to her through the communicator

''Darkscream, are you there?''

''Ehh''- she sighed a little angry that her training was interrupted. She touched a finger to her communicator on the right side of her head ''What do you want there Starscream?''

''Come to the bridge. I need to talk with you''

''Okay, I'll be right there'' After these words she hung up ''I wonder what he came up with there?''

She had also listened to Starscream's speech earlier in room. She didn't understand much of his speech either, especially calling himself an emperor, but she guessed that he probably wanted to prove to others this way that he was more superior to Megatron in a given degree. However, judging by the silence in the corridors, it was unlikely to produce the positive result, her brother was probably hoping for.

It took a few minutes to reach the command bridge. While Starscream and Darkscream were talking to each other, on the Earth in another part of the location (in the Autobot base), the kids were busy with their science projects for school. Jack created a prototype motorcycle, Miko a model of the solar system, and Rafael a model of a volcano. The first time, both Ratchet and Optimus thought they were being attacked by Decepticons until it turned out that it was a Raf's volcano model which exploded while the test was being conducted, and that caused these attack-like effects. Of course, Ratchet was angry at first, but after a while he gave up and even decided to help them with these projects himself when Optimus along with Bumblebee were on a mission after intercepting the energon signals of two Decepticons.

Less than an hour earlier

Darkscream was in the midst of a conversation with Starscream after reaching the command bridge.

''Wait, so this is your plan ?'' - she asked surprised

''Yes, but don't talk so loud. ''You know that even though Soundwave came out, he can hear everything around.''

''Yes, yes, I know,'' - she said, waving her hand, ''Do you need support for this mission ?''

''It won't be necessary. Soundwave will accompany me while you take care of things here.''' - he said when Soundwave returned.

''All right. Good luck,'' - she said before turning toward the windows with her hands behind her back as Starscream and Soundwave set off on their mission. ''And so all I will be doing is standing around,'' - she muttered disgruntled to herself.

Starscream and Soundwave flew for almost thirty minutes until they came across a canyon area located somewhere in the desert (resembled the Negev desert area) and transformed on a rock shelf. Soundwave slid out his antenna and used it to look for decepticon signal. While he was searching, Starscream relayed information to him regarding the decepticons in dormancy and also made no secret that he thought it was foolish and unwise of Megatron that instead of looking for soldiers hidden on the Earth, he spent those years searching aimlessly in space.

After a few minutes Starscream turned to Soundwave and saw that on his visor there was only a map and no signal tracked. Starscream persistently asked him to try harder because he knows they are close. After a while, Soundwave finally located the signal and they both transformed into their plane modes. They flew several miles further until they reached their destination. The huge capsule was on the left and it was still wedged into the stone wall. It took some time to remove unnecessary soil and to move the capsule outside. Fortunately, with Soundwave's help, Starscream managed to pull out the capsule despite the fact that it was quite heavy and three times their height.

Using a tiny energon cube as a sort of key to activate the capsule, Starscream placed this in the hole in the middle, then watched it open. Soundwave, unlike Starscream, sensed that they were being watched by the Autobots, but somehow didn't want to fight them, so he disappeared on one of the rock shelves while the strong blue light from the infusion capsule was still shining.

After Skyquake left the capsule, a conversation began between him and Starscream. Of course Starscream had to be disappointed again, because as it turns out Skyquake was loyal only to Megatron as before the war on the Cybertron. Starscream started shouting at him to make him understand that he now rule the Decepticons that he is to obey him which enraged him so much that he almost hit him until Optimus showed up. Skyquake, seeing him, was pleased because he had an unsettled accounts with him. On Megatron's orders, Skyquake was tasked with annihilating Optimus. Regardless of whether this order was from the war on the Cybertron, Skyquake had no intention of changing it. Unable to convince Skyquake, he tried the same with Starscream to end the war and make peace. Starscream partly considered making peace but put a condition in which Optimus had to submit to his rule.

Skyquake, unable to listen to it any longer, out of rage hit Starscream with such force that he hit his back against a stone wall. The impact left him slightly dazed and he felt a slight pain in his wings, but nothing serious happened to dismayed, he quickly transformed and flew away from there after picking himself up off the ground.

A skirmish began between Skyquak and Optimus. Bumblebee also joined the fight even though Optimus told him to stay hidden, and the whole fight was watched by Soundwave with Starscream beside him.

Meanwhile, on the Decepticon ship

Darkscream acted as deputy until Starscream will return with Soundwave. She was partly curious about who Starscream would find on the Earth, but from another she wasn't sure there would be one. Every Decepticon regardless of whether it was dormant centuries ago or even thousands of years ago will still probably say that it serves the one true ruler... Megatron.

This thought made her clench her servos with rage, which did not go unnoticed by several Vehicons on the command bridge. However, they didn't want to ask her about it because she would probably get more upset.

At the Autobot base, Ratchet worked on making designs for Miko, Jack and Rafael. The kids weren't convinced about the designs that Ratchet was making for them, especially since they were made of metal and completely different from them. They urged him to let them finish theirs but he insisted that his would be much better and more interesting.

While the kids decided instead to do their homeworks (which Miko was forced to do as well), Starscream was annoyed because they lost the signals of the others when they only turned around for a moment to discuss their strategies. In fact, only Starscream said something, and Soundwave stood in silence. He was focused on checking the mysterious signal, which he thought was in space. Starscream saw this signal displayed on Soundwave's visor and also wondered what a second Decepticon's signal was especially since at first glance this location was familiar to both Decepticons. When Starscream looked more closely, he was now certain that this was the site of the Space Bridge explosion. But it also meant that this signal belonged to ... Megatron ?!

Just saying the name made Starscream gasp in disbelief.

"But ... He was literally right in the middle of the detonation. It is not possible to...''

Starscream panicked, which did not escape Soundwave's attention. The Seeker didn't understand at all how it was possible that Megatron was still alive even though the force of the explosion was so huge that no being could survive it. He believed Soundwave had faulty sensors but didn't want to tell him out loud so as not to offend him. He couldn't just ignore this signal, especially since, as is well known, Soundwave was loyal to Megatron and would do anything for his master. He ordered Soundwave to continue recording the fight between Skyquak and Optimus so that he would have proof that Optimus had fallen, while he would search for their ruler and bring him back.

After these words he jumped down and transformed himself into a jet before he hitting the ground and flying upwards. The moment he was far enough away, Soundwave, not being able to take the Seeker's word for it, sent Laserbeak after him to make sure he was sure he won't up to anything.

During the time that the Autobots, along with Agent Fowler, were dealing with Skyquake, which was close to being defeated, Starscream was wandering around space looking for the crash site. He managed to get there, and debris of various sizes of the Space Bridge was levitating around.

He transformed himself on one of the large pieces and looked around. He was convinced all along that this signal was simply a misreading and Megatron was dead after all. Satisfied, he wanted to fly away after a few minutes, but suddenly he heard something like a sigh, which surprised him so much that he started looking everywhere.

A few meters away, he noticed the levitating body of none other than Megatron. Starscream flew up to him and when only he touched him, Megatron grabbed him violently by the right shoulder , at which he screamed surprised and terrified, but he calmed down after a moment when his Lord lost consciousness again and let him go. Starscream had his optics wide open unable to really believe that he is alive. He had no idea how this was even possible until he saw the dark energon protruding from his large hole on his chest where the Decepticons symbol used to be.

''(grunt of understanding )…Dark energon,'' he smiled mockingly

He moved closer to Megatron's left receiver and began to whisper taunting words to him ( it is unknown if he can even hear). After these words, he pulled out a shard, and Megatron woke up and tried to take it from him somehow, but without its additional power source, it just shut down.

Satisfied with himself, Starscream wanted to leave the place, but suddenly he heard Laserbeak flying towards him from a distance. He quickly turned on his communicator and began informing Soundwave that he had found Megatron and that his condition was very bad and he needed to be taken to the ship immediately. He also had to hide the shard somehow so Laserbeak wouldn't notice it. He moved it from front to back several times until he decided to quickly hide it in his cockpit until they returned to the Nemesis. Fortunately, the shard didn't react, which was also a plus because otherwise someone would have noticed that something was glowing inside Starscream.

Now it remained to think about transporting Megatron to their ship . Starscream knew he couldn't pull it off by himself especially since he can't fly in normal mode. He couldn't count on Soundwave's help, let alone his pet, so he was left with the last option he came up with. He touched his communicator with his finger again .

''Darkscream, can you hear me ?'' Starscream didn't have to wait long because his sister spoke up instantly.

''Very clearly Starscream. Is something wrong?''

''Let me put it this way that unfortunately it happened. You won't believe it but I found him.'' - he said almost in a whisper.

''You mean who? '' Darkscream didn't understand what her brother meant.

''And how do you think?'' – he said in a slightly nervous voice - ''I am currently in the space, at the site of the explosion...''

''Wait, wait a minute'' Darkscream had to gather her thoughts ''Are you telling me that you found...?'' She was afraid to say that particular name.

''Yes, that's right ... unfortunately'' - the last word he muttered. ''Listen I will need your help to move our Lord. Set a course for the ship into space preferably at a greater distance from the crash site and then come here to help me.''

''I understood. I will be soon.''

After less than fifteen minutes, Darkscream reached its destination, and in this time Skyquake was defeated by the Autobots . She left Nemesis about two miles from where Starscream was and began flying using her radar to pick up Starscream's signal. Flying, she had to dodge and watch out for levitating pieces so as not to hit any of them. After a while, she saw Soundwave's drone flying near Starscream in the distance, but Soundwave was nowhere to be seen. Now she understood why Starscream asked her but she didn't understand why his communications companion wasn't with him?

Starscream, seeing Darkscream approaching in their direction, swung his servo to let her know where they were. Darkscream immediately transformed and stood on one of the large pieces . She had her optics wide open when she saw Megatron

''By the Allspark. '' - Darkscream couldn't believe what she was seeing ''But ... Are you sure that he is still alive? He looks like ... ''

''Save your comments for now and help me get him to the ship!''

''Ok, fine, you don't have to get so mad,'' - she replied offended ''Do you even have any idea how to take him?''

''Yes, I have. Take him by the other arm and I'll take this one.''

Darkscream grabbed Megatron's huge left servo without protest and Starscream grabbed the right servo where the fusion cannon was. Taking him away in robot mode was quite difficult for both tried their best, but they couldn't pull him hard enough, especially in space, where gravity was an obstacle. When Starscream tried to summon Soundwave's pet to help them, Laserbeak only flew around and did nothing else, which upset them both. Starscream already wanted to shout malicious comments at him, until Darkscream spoke up.

''Maybe let's do it in airplane mode,'' - she suggested.

''How is that supposed to help ?''

''If we fly sideways, maybe we can pull him with our wings.''

Starscream thought for a moment and decided that they could try. He and his sister transformed and began flying sideways. Darkscream's idea worked and now it was better to pull their Liege. Unfortunately, there was still a problem with avoiding obstacles, because now flying sideways at the same time there was a problem with looking from a different perspective and seeing the perfect moment to avoid the obstacle. Fortunately, Laserbeak finally started doing something (probably Soundwave told him) and chirped for the Seekers to follow him. Flying was difficult but somehow they managed to get back to the ship safely. Soundwave let Starscream know he was on the ship and Starscream told him to send some soldiers to help move Megatron to the medical bay.

Some time had passed considering the time the children returned to the Autobot base the next day after school. Their faces showed that the projects made by Ratchet were very unsuccessful, and two of them were downright dangerous (It is talking about Jack and Rafael's projects), which consequently reflected in their grades and complaints.

At that time, Nemesis was still in the space. Darkscream, Soundwave and Starscream were currently in the medical bay, observing Megatron lying on one of the berth (in front of them), connected to several large cables that kept him alive and supplied energon. Megatron has been put into stasis until he recovers. For now, the situation calmed everyone down a bit, but they also wondered when their master might wake up. Starscream looked at his sister and she looked at him and after a while they decided to leave the medical bay, leaving Soundwave there. Starscream had earlier given him the order that he could return to his quarters for a well-deserved rest and he only nodded, although as we all know, Soundwave wasn't one to rest a lot.