Chapter 27: Starscream's Revenge
At the Devastator, Starscream was growing rather impatient as he still intends on finding and destroying Megatron for revenge. When his master, Doomsayer, noticed his behavior he checked on his Air Commander and he got the seeker's attention. "Starscream. I take it that you're growing rather impatient this evening?" He asked. "Yes, Lord Doomsayer. We've searched everywhere for Unicorn and his Anti-Spark, we've got Shockwave and Soundwave on our side, we're on our way to recruit more Decepticons as well as those Predacons, and even Airachnid and her Insecticon slave army, and yet, we still haven't found our former master, Megatron yet!" Starscream whined towards his master. Doomsayer glared at the seeker as he groveled before him.
"Be patient, Starscream. We will have our vengeance on that false prophet soon enough and if you really want to exact your revenge on Megatron, then allow me to meditate so that I can speak to our lord and master, Unicron so that he will give us the answers we seek if we must know where to find the target." Doomsayer told his Air-Commander Starscream, "Once the Chaos Bringer has revealed the location of Megatron since his spark is connected to his Anti-Spark after all, then perhaps I will have you lure him out of hiding and deal with him so that you can finally get your revenge on him. You will use the Dark Star Saber to destroy Megatron and once you have succeeded in killing Orion Eclipse's father." Doomsayer stopped himself before he had an idea, "Which reminds me, I want you to find Megatron's son and bring him to me so that we could interrogate him to reveal where the Autobots have kept Unicron for stellar cycles. If Orion doesn't tell us where our god is, then we will add his head to our trophy room as well along with his father and Megatron's Energon bloodline will be silenced forever."
Starscream clenched his fist and made a mischievous grin as he laughed evilly in agreement. "Yes, Lord Doomsayer. Heheheheh." the seeker said. "And when you destroy Megatron, we will have the other Decepticons accept me as their true leader and you, Starscream will be their commander once more. Until one day, you will be my successor." Doomsayer promised before he ordered the seeker, "Now, inform our troops that I will be communicating with Unicron to find out where Megatron has been hiding all these years until we can work on our scheme so you can finally kill our former master once and for all. After all, Megatron is not the strongest Cybertronian that he used to be, for he has become old, weak, foolish, and cowardly. Just like Optimus was in his "Prime" before he made his sacrifice to restore our homeworld." Doomsayer told Starscream.
"Indeed! Wait, did you just make a pun?" Starscream asked when he noticed the pun Doomsayer made to mock the late Optimus Prime. Doomsayer smiled wickedly as he nodded. "Of course, I did. I'll see you within a few cycles, Commander Starscream," he said before he left to meditate in his chambers. Starscream bowed to say goodbye to his master before he walked over to the bridge to let the New Decepticons know of their next scheme.
Meanwhile, back on Cybertron, Megatron was still feeling angry and sad with his fight with Orion Eclipse because he didn't want his son to be together with Altair Comet, not because she's the long-lost orphan daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita-One, not because she's apparently the adopted sister of Bumblebee—the same Autobot who had once killed Megatron with the Star Saber to save Optimus Prime and the Earth, and he is now friends with Orion Eclipse despite being his father's killer, and not because she's a young female Autobot related to a Prime who is one year younger than Orion, but because Megatron was afraid of letting go of his son.
He didn't want to lose Orion Eclipse again, not for another millennium, especially since after their family reunion at the World Sweeper where Megatron had slaughtered Sixshot and his crew. Yet, Megatron came to realize that his son was right; He was being a hypocrite for forbidding Orion to be in a happy, romantic relationship with Altair since he is, well was, a Decepticon before he became an Ex-Decepticon and an Autobot warrior and she is, of course, an Autobot, when the Autobots wouldn't allow Firestar to be married to Megatron who was a Decepticon and she was a Neutral who was about to become a femme Autobot along with Arcee, Chromia, Elita-One, Moonracer, and the other female Autobots before she chose to become a Decepticon mistress because of how much she loved Megatron long before she perished.
It was then that Ratchet came to check up on Megatron after coming back from spending time with Wheeljack and Bulkhead. "Megatron, is everything alright?" the medic asked the former warlord. Megatron sighed, "No, not really. It's my son, Orion Eclipse. I'm sure you heard of our argument last night." he asked. "Well, no. All I know is that Orion seemed to be upset about something, but it seems he doesn't wanna talk about it much. Bumblebee has been trying to console Altair Comet for the loss of her parents, especially since...she is what's left of Optimus Prime and...Elita." Ratchet said somberly at that last part. "What were you two arguing about?" he asked.
"Well...My son wants to be together with Altair, to rekindle his love with his old flame, but...I told him that I would not allow him to be in a relationship with Prime's daughter and we fought before Orion left in frustration." Megatron explained. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that." Ratchet said. "If I could be honest...I didn't want my son to be in love with Altair Comet is because...it's because I'm afraid of losing him again. I don't want to let go of my sparkling." Megatron told the medic. "Megatron, I wish I could give you some advice, but I'm no parent. However, I think June would know what it's like to be a single parent in having to raise a child before having them grow up, leave the house, find a significant other and maybe start a family of their own. Although, I have not seen June Darby or even her son, Jack, in years.
They were one of our close human friends on Earth before we had to leave. It still made me feel sad to this day, having to watch Bumblebee, Arcee, and Bulkhead say goodbye to Jack, Miko, and Rafael one last time before returning home to Cybertron." Ratchet told Megatron. "However, it was nice to visit some of our old and new human friends again. It made me feel glad to hear that Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and the others got to reunite with some of their closest human friends."
"You know the Autobots weren't the only ones who got to reunite with the children who are now grown up along with some of your old and new human friends. My son, Orion, got to reunite with his human friend, Anthony and got to meet his parents again, and unfortunately...your human allies were shocked and horrified to see me again, especially since I'm back from the dead." Megatron reminded Ratchet.
"Yes, I guess they weren't happy to see you again too since you were the Decepticon tyrant that tried to conquer their planet and ours long before your son found you and you agreed to be on our side. For now." Ratchet remarked. Megatron sighed deeply. "Look Megatron, let me tell you something as someone who may not be a parent yet but who knows only a few parental tips from those who have kids, I get that you're worried about your son dating Altair Comet but you got to let your son do his own love life because it's his, not yours." the white and orange Autobot medic advised the grey mech. "B-but what if things end up badly?" Megatron asked worriedly. "What if they don't? Future is not ours to tell, like I said I know you're worried because most of us have been there with our sparklings. We give them life, we raise them, they grow up, they move on and they find the love of their own, but it's their choice to make, not us." Ratchet replied.
"I guess you're right. I think I should give my son some more time and space until we could make amends and perhaps we can get down to business to find out more about Doomsayer and what his next plan is. Because I don't want my former general to spill more Energon than he already has. And since the Earth is my son's home and always will be, I will not allow that monster and Starscream to destroy it just as I once tried doing as a warlord." Megatron declared.
"We don't have to worry too much about Doomsayer. I'm sure that terrorist and his New Decepticons are probably having a hard time trying to locate our base and where we've hidden Unicron inside the Reliquary of the Allspark because we've perfected our technology in the past five years and hopefully, our new energy shields will keep our old and new enemies at bay. Besides, worrying will only make any of us unfit for combat." Ratchet told Megatron. "Ratchet?" Megatron asked. "I would like to be permitted to go and visit my son's human friend, Anthony Carter, and his family on Planet Earth. Just so I can try to befriend them too and maybe, even take a break from being on Cybertron for a while." he requested.
Ratchet looked suspicious. "Are you sure about that? Because Ultra Magnus made the order specifically that you can't go anywhere alone outside of Cybertron. Otherwise, we would think you would be up to something." he told Megatron. "If you don't want me to travel to Earth alone, then I could invite you or maybe some other Autobots to accompany me on my visit," Megatron suggested. "How do I know if you can be trusted? And how are we to know if this isn't some kind of trick to backstab one of us outside of Cybertron?" Ratchet asked skeptically.
"You don't have to trust me. You can just make sure that I'm not actually up to no good, but that I have good intentions of making new human friends. Besides, any friend of my son should be a friend of mine." Megatron stated. "Says the Ex-Decepticon warlord who wouldn't allow, even his metal and Energon, to hang out with an Autobot, especially since you were our enemy." Ratchet pointed out. Megatron frowned while admitting his hypocrisy.
Meanwhile, Bumblebee was in his room when he was thinking about Optimus Prime and how much he and the other Autobots have missed him since the Great War ended. The yellow Autobot lieutenant was having flashbacks and memories about him. Optimus was not only the Last Prime and not only was he the leader of the Autobots, but he was also a friend and a father figure. He was like a father to bots like Smokescreen, he was a surrogate father of Bumblebee, and he was the biological father of Altair Comet. But now, with Optimus Prime being one with the Allspark and the Herald of Unicron planning on finishing what Megatron started, Bumblebee couldn't help but feel hopeless and lonely without Optimus as he began to tear up as he was getting flashbacks and memories of his beloved father figure and leader. One whom he and the Autobots fought aside with and served before he made his final sacrifice to restore Cybertron and the Well of Allsparks.
As the flashbacks came to an end, Bumblebee began to break down as he fell onto his knees and began to mourn for Optimus. Until his adopted sister came to check on him. "Bumble? Are you alright?" Bumblebee turned around and gasped and he saw that it was Altair Comet. She can already tell that her adopted brother was feeling sad and filled with grief. Without a word, Altair Comet went closer to Bumblebee and she gave him a comforting hug. Bumblebee cried onto his adopted sister's shoulder and he let it all out as Altair cried along with him.
"I miss him, little sister. I miss Optimus!" Bumblebee said, tearing up. "I know, Bee. I miss our father too. I can't believe he's actually gone." Altair said. "Gone, but never forgotten." Bumblebee replied. Altair Comet spent more than an hour comforting Bumblebee while mourning the loss of Optimus Prime was the last of the Primes and now every Autobot is hoping and praying that the Sword of Primus would choose a bot worthy and pure of spark to become the next Prime and became the successor of Optimus.
Smokescreen thought that he could be a great warrior, but he knew that becoming a Prime would take a lot of responsibility which was why when Optimus was dying after Megatron and his Decepticons destroyed the Autobots' first hidden base back in Jasper, Nevada, he offered Smokescreen to take the Matrix of Leadership to become the next Prime to which the young adult mech declined after realizing that becoming a hero and a leader takes a whole lot of responsibility.
Now that Smokescreen is once again the adopted son of Megatron and the adopted brother of Orion Eclipse, who found out that he is unworthy to wield the legendary Sword of Primus, he—a young Autobot warrior is determined to support Megatron in helping the Autobots put a stop to Doomsayer's threat. Later that day, Orion Eclipse went to find Altair Comet to tell her how much he loved and missed her, especially when he was starting to regain his memories of her and their relationship back during the Great War when they were teenagers. Orion Eclipse was starting to solve his amnesia problem as he was slowly regaining his lost memories within the past few megacycles.
But then, he came across Hot Rod who came to tell Orion Eclipse about Altair and Bumblebee. "Huh? Oh, hey Hot Rod. How's it going?" Orion asked the red, yellow, and orange Autobot. "It's going okay. Except, I need to tell you something: you remember how Optimus Prime became one with the Allspark?" Orion nodded at Hot Rod. "Well, I came to tell you that Bumblebee and his foster sister, Altair Comet, are mourning the loss of their father and they need some time alone." Hot Rod informed Orion. "How did you find out about them mourning, Hot Rod?" Eclipse asked. "Well, I was on my way to meet up with Springer, Arcee, and Ultra Magnus when I came across their room and I heard them crying." Hot Rod replied. "I checked to see what was going on and they told me that they miss Optimus Prime and need some time alone so they can mourn him. I wanted to console them about Prime's death and sacrifice, to which I did, and they asked me to tell you that they need some time and space until they are done mourning the loss of their father." He told Orion.
"Ohhh...Well...I want to give them my sympathies and I also wanted to tell Altair Comet how much I missed her over the last millennium since the day I disappeared and since the day she and her mother left Cybertron during the Exodus." Orion Eclipse said to Hot Rod. "You'll have to wait until it's the right time to tell them. Oh, and Orion? We have some bad news." He said.
"What kind of bad news?" Orion asked, concerned. "Do you remember back when we rescued the humans from being forced into slave labor by Doomsayer and his New 'Cons at the Energon Mines? Well...turns out that the humans reported us to the government and their President says that we are a threat to humanity!" Hot Rod said. This made Orion Eclipse upset. He knew that the humans on Earth would see giant robots as a threat, especially after the fact that the Autobots saved them after Doomsayer captured these random humans to use as bait for the Autobots so that he would demand them where to find Unicorn and his Anti-Spark or else they'll die. "Ungrateful people!" Orion Eclipse said. "What else is new?!" He asked Hot Rod. "Well...The President of the United States, Gabriel J. Henderson, has corresponded with a dead terrorist group-turned-rebooted military force for Cybertronian extermination called, M.E.C.H. Led by a racist mad general by the name of Adam Bowen." Hot Rod replied.
"M.E.C.H? Wasn't that a human terrorist organization founded by an ex-military madman named Silas?" Orion Eclipse asked. Hot Rod nodded. "Yes. But Adam Bowen has rebooted it into a military force meant to exterminate our kind from the face of the Earth. If anything, Bowen is just as bad as Silas, except Silas was a madman who wanted to steal Cybertronain technology and biology so that M.E.C.H would have their Cybertronian army for whatever evil scheme they had." Hot Rod explained. "Apparently, Knock Out told me that Silas was an evil human who stole T-Cogs from Bumblebee and even Starscream before they would have em' back, and he dissected KO's former and late partner, Breakdown, and even made a duplicate of Optimus Prime with the help of Starscream before he died. Silas died when he was crushed by his own duplicate of Optimus Prime until he eventually massacred and destroyed his own terrorist organization after the people of M.E.C.H had foolishly revived their founder and dead leader inside the broken body of Breakdown after Airachnid snuffed out his spark."
"So, Silas became a zombie inside of a robot zombie?" Orion Eclipse asked. "Yes, I guess you could say that." Hot Rod said before he continued. "While he was inside of Breakdown's dead body while controlling it, he fought against Bulkhead and the other members of Team Prime until Silas eventually joined Megatron who gave him a seat at the table...Knock Out's dissection table. Knock Out got his revenge on Silas as he got what he deserved as he and M.E.C.H were considered to be the human equivalent of the Decepticons, and KO made Silas into a lab rat for what he did to Breakdown when he dissected him and removed his optic." Orion Eclipse was afraid of the idea of being dissected by humans and having his Cybertronian organs and body parts be removed and then used as weapons or as Cybertronian machinery for the humans. He was very lucky to have stayed hidden during his time being stuck on Earth.
"But after injecting him with some Synthetic Energon, Starscream foolishly dared to have to Knock Out inject Silas with some Dark Energon while he was still inside of Breakdown's dead body like a parasite while infused with Synthetic Energon. Let's just say that combining Dark Energon with Synthen wasn't a good idea as it resulted in turning Silas into a Terrorcon while inside of Breakdown. Starscream and Knock Out managed to escape from their lab rat and Silas turned half of the Vehicons inside of the Nemesis into Energon-sucking Terrorcons before Silas met his demise when he accidentally freed Airachnid, Arcee's arch-nemesis." Hot Rod explained.
"I've heard of Airachnid. She sounds like a sadistic predatory spider who likes to inflict pain and loss onto others. So then what happened?" Orion asked. "Your father ordered his Decepticons to clean up Starscream and Knock Out's mess inside the Nemesis as the Vehicons and Insecticons took out those who were turned into Terrorcons by Silas. But then Airachnid took control over the Insecticons and Soundwave had to space bridge the Insecticons and their "Queen" to parts unknown." Hot Rod replied before he continued, "I think it's safe to say...that Silas deserved to stay dead and Breakdown's death was rather sad although he was a Decepticon and he was archenemies with Bulkhead. I do believe that he could've had the potential to renounce the Decepticons and join the winning team with Knock Out since he used to be a Wrecker." The red, orange, and yellow Autobot mentioned.
"Wait, what? But I thought that Breakdown was always a Decepticon." Orion Eclipse said. "He was, but Bulkhead said that his late archenemy used to be a Wrecker and a friend until he joined the Decepticons as he helped them destroy the Wreckers as he accused them, including Bulkhead to have abandoned him during a Decepticon attack." Hot Rod replied. "Wow...and what about Knock Out? Was he always a Decepticon medic before he switched sides before Unicron's defeat and imprisonment?" Orion asked. "You'll have to ask KO because I don't know the answer." Hot Rod said.
Hot Rod cleared his throat before he went back to the subject regarding M.E.C.H and what it has become, "Although Silas may have died along with his terrorist organization. But now it seems that many years later, M.E.C.H has now been rebooted into an Anti-Cybertronian military force by a racist man who says that he doesn't wanna repeat Silas' deadly mistake when the latter wanted to steal and use Cybertronian technology and biology to make his robotic army for world domination which I could only assume was Silas' intention. So now the humans hate us, except for the ones who are on our side according to what our leader, Ultra Magnus had told us with the unfortunate news."
"So now it seems that Doomsayer and his cronies might've succeeded in having the humans we have previously rescued blame and hate us for their abduction by the New Decepticons! Even after we saved them!" Orion Eclipse said angrily. "Woah, woah! Calm down, Orion." Hot Rod told Orion. "Forgive me, Hot Rod. It's just that...things couldn't possibly get any worse than they already have! Now would they? I mean it's bad enough that Doomsayer is out there on the loose somewhere searching for Unicron and trying to figure out where we're keeping him, but now there are hundreds if not thousands of humans on Earth who fear and hate us. Some of them don't even realize that not all Cybertronians are evil alien invaders as I believe they put it. But I'm just glad that there are still at least a few good humans who are on our side, like Anthony Carter and his family, Jack, Miko, Rafael, Agent Fowler, and June."
Meanwhile, on Earth, Megatron traveled to Jasper, Nevada with the Autobots, Smokescreen, and Ratchet via space bridge where they went to the Autobots' new Earth base where they meet up with Agent Fowler who's on the phone with his wife. (Yes, he's married in this story, but he's not married to June.) When Agent Fowler saw Megatron enter the base with Ratchet and Smokescreen, he almost choked on his cup of coffee and spit it out since he didn't expect to see the Ex-Decepticon warlord come over to Earth for another visit especially after Megatron had been gone for several years.
"Megatron!?" Agent Fowler said as he was shocked to see the silver mech while coughing out a bit of coffee. "Easy, Agent Fowler. Megatron is on our side." Ratchet told the middle-aged man before he glared a little bit at Megatron who despite being a reformed villain and the fact that he is no longer a Decepticon warlord, the medic still had his doubts and suspicion of Megatron being a good guy now. "But only until after he helps us defeat Doomsayer before he and his mad cult of Unicron Heralds, terrorists, and anarchists would spark a second Great War. If he can keep his word." Ratchet said.
"I can assure you, doctor, that I have changed." Megatron firmly told Ratchet. "Believe me; You have my word that I will not betray or backstab you, the Autobots and their current leader, Ultra Magnus...and I'm sure as slag that I would not even backstab or abandon my dear beloved son, Orion Eclipse, and his surrogate brother whom I have previously adopted, Smokescreen," Megatron said.
"Calm down, Mega—I mean, dad." Smokescreen said to his adopted father. "Now I know that Ratchet and even some of us might still have trust issues with you, but we need to focus more on our mission, and worrying about Doomsayer and his New 'Cons right now is not an option since it'll only distract us." The young bot said.
Megatron took a deep breath and sighed. "Perhaps you're right, Smokescreen." he said before he looked to Agent Fowler, "Agent Fowler? Do you happen to know where Jack's carrier is?" he asked. "You mean Mrs. Darby? Well, June is at work right now. Why do you ask?" Agent Fowler asked. "Because I want her to give me some parental advice since my son, Orion, and I got into a fight last night, and I thought that she might give me tips since she and I are both single parents," Megatron explained. "Well, I'm a parent. I got a wife and son back at home. So maybe I'll give you some parenting tips." Agent Fowler offered. "I appreciate the offer, but no thank you. I only wish to speak to a single parent." Megatron declined. "June will be back from working in Jasper's hospital, but if you're having issues with your son, then perhaps I'll give Jonathan Dave Carter a call and ask him if he will lend you in on some parental advice." Agent Fowler replied.
"Thank you, Fowler," said Megatron.
Later that day, Jonathan Dave Carter was in his machine shop near a beach in Idaho, feeling unhappy with the fight he had with his stepson the other night while thinking about whether he should give Anthony Carter a new laptop for his birthday or not since he still needs to apologize for the conflict and the bad conversation that happened between stepfather and stepson. Jonathan's phone started to ring and he flipped open his phone and he recognized the phone number from his old boss, Agent Fowler. He answered the phone.
"Yeah?" he answered. "Jonathan. It's me, William. Listen, I have a job for you. Megatron wants to visit you." he said.
"What for?" Jonathan asked. "He says he got into a fight with his son back on Cybertron and is looking for someone to give him parental advice on mending his relationship with Orion Eclipse. Also, Optimus Prime has a daughter named, Altair Comet, and apparently, Megatron is afraid of letting go of his son since Prime's daughter is Orion's childhood sweetheart." Agent Fowler explained.
"Are you serious?" Jonathan asked. "Yes, I am serious." William Fowler replied. Jonathan paused for a moment before he told his old boss, "Tell Megatron to come here so that I could give him some advice. But make sure that he has Autobots to keep an eye on him since he's the Decepticon warlord who tried to cyberform our planet years ago."
"Understood, Mr. Carter. Be careful." William Fowler told Jonathan Dave Carter. "Oh, I will. Goodbye." Jonathan ended his phone call before looking at his self-defense tools: pepper spray, crowbar, chainsaw, handgun, and rifle. Jonathan hears the space bridge portal open, he looks out the window and sees the ex-warlord step out into the beach with Ratchet and Smokescreen closely behind him. Jonathan D. Carter had heard stories about Megatron and he remembered the day he destroyed Jasper and wiped out the helicopters and the military, led by General Bryce and William Fowler years ago with a big Decepticon weapon at Darkmount, and Jonathan was in one of those helicopters when he wanted to save his planet from Megatron and his Decepticons five years ago.
But now that apparently, Megatron is back from the dead thanks to Unicron and is now a reformed Cybertronian and ex-Decepticon and ex-warlord, Jonathan only hoped that the old grey mech wouldn't betray his old enemies, the Autobots and the humans that he tried to conquer, kill, and enslave years ago. Jonathan walked outside of his machine shop to greet Megatron while having his arms crossed and looking at the ex-warlord with a skeptical look on his face while remaining cautious. Megatron walked forward until he stopped at like seven feet away from Jonathan.
"Well! Look who's here for parenting advice: Mega-fucking-tron!" Jonathan Carter said with an unsurprised look on his face.
"Woah, language dude!" Smokescreen told Jonathan. "I can swear as much as I want, thank you very much. So tell me, Megatron. Have you come to make amends with us and prove that you're a good guy now?" Jonathan asked. "Yes, but that's not why I'm here on Earth with Ratchet and Smokescreen, Jonathan," Megatron replied. "Okay, but here's my question if you don't mind me asking: if Orion Eclipse is your son, then who is the mother?" Jonathan asked.
"It's Firestar. She died during an Autobot attack when my son was an adolescent sparkling. I'm a widower and...I thought I was a villoma when my son disappeared, got lost in space, crash-landed on your planet and suffered from amnesia, and my army and I thought that Orion Eclipse died in the explosion in space during the Great War and the War for Cybertron before the Exodus was done...until the universe brought my son back to me when he found me in a World Sweeper floating in space where I slaughtered an entire Decepticon crew aboard that ship including its commander Sixshot who ordered all personnel to kill me because they thought I was an imposter posing as myself since I no longer bear the symbol of my former Decepticon army." Megatron explained.
Jonathan Dave Carter paused before he spoke, "I see. So, is there a valid reason as to why you've come back to Earth to ask a human parent to give you parental advice?" he asked curiously. Megatron sighed before he told Jonathan, "I got into a fight with my son last night. You see, Orion Eclipse is in love with this young fembot named, Altair Comet. She's the long-lost daughter of my old friend, Optimus Prime and his long-lost conjunx-endura, Elita-One. I tried to make amends with Altair for all the evil things I've done because you see, I hired Overload, Barricade, and even one of my Decepticons to hunt down and assassinate Prime's wife and daughter. But she would not forgive me, especially since she got seperated from her mother and her father is no longer with us. Altair made me feel very upset that I disallowed Orion to be with her and that was when we argued until he left me to be with his childhood sweetspark."
"I see. Sounds like you're having some family issues with your son. Well, let me tell you, Megatron...you're not the only one who's having a family conflict with your son." Jonathan told Megatron. "You see, I'm married to a widow, and I have a step-son named Anthony Carter, who's friends with your son. I bought Anthony a new laptop and I was gonna give it to him on his birthday, but he and I got into a fight last night. My stepson thinks that I intend to replace his late father, but I just want to be there for him and his mother. You think you've got problems with your son? Well, I've got problems with my own stepson!" Jonathan raised his voice before he took a moment to calm down after taking a deep breath.
Megatron paused as he then told the Autobots who were accompanying him to let him speak to the man alone so that he can give him some parental advice of his own in the hopes that maybe Jonathan could lend in a few tips on how to be a better father. "Smokescreen? Ratchet? Can I speak to this man alone?" Megatron asked. Smokescreen and Ratchet nodded, 'sure' before the old gray and purple mech with red optics and sharp teeth walked over as he followed Jonathan to his garage as the middle-aged man puts the laptob (or was it a desktop) inside a carboard box after filling it with wrapping paper and Megatron could already tell that the man was unhappy before he decided to give him some advice as he peeked through the open window to speak to Jonathan.
"I may not understand how human parenting works on Earth, but I can offer you some parenting advice." Megatron offered. Jonathan raised his eyebrow at the mech and asked, "Really? Well, if you're so smart in lending some parenting tips then why'd you even bothered to ask a human parent or stepparent for parenting advice anyway?" Jonathan asked rudely. "I know it doesn't make sense right now, but I was going to get the advice from June Darby since she's a single parent like I am. Jonathan? I know it's hard being a stepfather. Especially when you have a stepson who has a hard time getting along with you because he cannot accept you for who you are yet. But listen to what I have to say, Jonathan...It's not always easy being a parent or a stepparent. You will get into fights and arguments with your children until eventually...they may not want to see you again. Unless you learn to forgive, admit your wrongdoings and try to make amends with your family when the time is just right. I had to learn that the hard way with my son the other night." Megatron told Jonathan.
Meanwhile, at the neighborhood in Jasper, June Darby, the nurse and mother of Jackson "Jack" Darby, was getting ready to go buy some groceries when she suddenly heard a large jet flying by. But it was no ordinary jet. It was the vengeful Starscream. Jackson Darby went back to his house to spend some time with his mother when he's shocked to find that his house has been ransacked, damaged, and scorched by fire. What's even worse is that his mom had been kidnapped.
"Mom?! MOM! Mom, where are you?!" Jack called, worriedly. He tried to find his mother, but then he sees some large handwriting on the concrete where it reads:
"Send for Megatron if you want to see your mother alive and saved, Jack!"
The handwriting was crooked, and it was signed by Seeker Air Commander Starscream! Megatron's former right-hand bot and a Decepticon usurper. "Oh, no!" Jack yelled.
It was later in the evening and things were starting to get better as Jonathan Dave Carter gave Megatron the parental advice he needed with the latter giving him parental advice as well. Soon, Jonathan would make amends with his stepson, Anthony Carter and he would accept his gift on his 18th birthday. Eventually, Megatron travelled back to Cybertron where he apologized to his son for not allowing him to be with Altair Comet and Hot Rod, Ratchet, Smokescreen, Bumblebee, and Altair Comet as well as the other Autobots were there to witness Orion Eclipse reconciling with his father.
"Dad? I forgive you." Orion told his father. "Thank you, Orion. It's just that...it's so hard for me to let you go." Megatron told his son. "Dad. You won't lose me again. I promise that things will start to get better from now on. Even if things don't go the way we hope for." Orion replied before he let his father know, "Oh, and dad? You don't need to apologize to Bee and Altair. I believe that they still need time to heal from their loss until they can learn to forgive, plus I think Bumblebee has already forgiven you. But now I want you to forgive yourself." Megatron smiled proudly at his son. "You sound just like your mother, Orion. Alright, I will..." he was about to say but then he and the rest of the Autobots got an incoming call.
"Ultra Magnus!" Agent William Fowler called. "We have a situation!" he said urgently. "What is it, Agent Fowler?" Ultra Magnus asked. "It's Jackson Darby. He says his mom has been captured by Starscream!" Fowler replied. The Autobots, including Arcee who was close friends with Jack and his mother were shocked and both Team Prime, Orion Eclipse and Megatron knew that it was going to get personal. It was earlier that day when Jack Darby went to the Autobots' new Earth base where he reported to Agent Fowler and his agents that his mother had been kidnapped by Starscream and that the seeker wants to use Mrs. June Darby as bait to get lure Megatron into his location so that Starscream can try to get revenge on Megatron for his crimes against him and for all the torment and abuse he suffered from him.
"Oh, no...!" Arcee gasped softly in shock. "Starscream!?" Knock Out exclaimed. "What does he want this time?!" Bulkhead asked. "He wants me." Megatron answered. The Autobots, Team Prime, Agent William Fowler, Altair Comet and Orion Eclipse looked to Megatron in confusion. "How do you know?" Orion Eclipse asked his father. "Because I can feel it. I sense that Starscream wants to settle old scores with me." Megatron replied. "You mean Starscream wants to kill you for revenge?" Prowl asked. "Yes." Megatron answered. "Is that why he kidnapped Jack's carrier?! Just so Starscream can use her as bait to get back at you?!" Arcee asked. "Yes." Megatron replied.
"Get me the Apex Armor. I'm going to find her, save her from Starscream and bring her back safely." Megatron told Smokescreen. "This may be a trap, Megatron. You'll need backup." Ratchet told the ex-warlord. "No. I know that Starscream wants payback for all that I've done to him and I must go alone and face him if I am to save Jackson's carrier." Megatron deflected. But Orion Eclipse didn't want his father to go on this rescue mission alone as he knew of Starscream's history and how he tried many times to extinguish his father's spark to usurp him. "Father, no! Please don't go, I don't wanna lose you." Orion told his father as he ran up to him. Megatron gave his son a reassuring look. "Do not worry, my son. I'll be fine. You just worry about yourself." he told his son. Orion was still worried though as Smokescreen gave Megatron the Apex Armor. "But what if you get hurt? What if Starscream has you ambushed by Doomsayer or his New Decepticons?!" Eclipse asked worriedly.
"I know Starscream and I know how to handle him. I must go now." Megatron said firmly. Once "Be safe, Father." Orion Eclipse told his father. Once Smokescreen hands his adopted father the Apex Armor, Ratchet opens the ground bridge to Starscream's coordinates and Megatron enters the portal where he gets transported over to a remote island where he finds the vengeful Starscream waiting for his former master while holding June Darby hostage inside a glass container like a bug and using her as bait. By the time Starscream saw Megatron, he was surprised to see his former master reverted back to his original appearance before being resurrectted and possessed by Unicron the Chaos Bringer.
"Megatron! How good it is to see you again...for the last time!" Starscream greeted Megatron with false enthusiasm. "Starscream, I've come here, and you have my full attention! Now let go of Jackson's mother." Megatron told his former second-in-command. Starscream gets up from his seat and he holds June Darby inside the glass container around his left arm while aiming one of his Null Ray guns on his right arm at Megatron, warning him to stay where he is or else, he'll shoot. "I'm afraid not, my dearest Megatron. I can't allow you to go back into hiding again. After all, I have waited too long for this moment for my revenge!" Starscream said. "Starscream, listen to me! I know that I hurt you and I know that you've suffered because of my cruelty...but you need to understand that what you're doing is wrong. Doomsayer is using you and as soon as he gets what he wants, he'll destroy you. Please, Starscream. For once in your lifetime. Let go of your hatred and your grudge against me and let us make amends with each other!" Megatron pleaded with Starscream who scoffed at his former master with feeling of disbelief and disgust before he continued to glare at the ex-warlord while aiming his Null Ray weapon at him. "So, you're admitting that you're sorry for all the things that you've made me suffer for all the times I have tried to overthrow you?! No, Megatron. Doomsayer has promised me revenge and power. After all, it's too late for anyone to forgive you for all the war crimes you've committed...and I will never forgive you! So why even bother trying to make amends with your own enemies?!" Starscream asked.
"Because I've CHANGED!" Megatron raised his voice at Starscream, "I'm not the same warlord that I once was before...and I didn't realize that using Dark Energon was what cost us Cybertron and infusing it into my own body was what turned me into Unicron's own slave and vessel! I am truly sorry for all that I have wronged you, Starscream. I know that you'll never forgive me after all this time, but I don't want to hurt you anymore...I want to help you and save you from yourself and from Doomsayer's path towards chaos and destruction." He said as he tried reasoning with Starscream.
But the seeker wouldn't listen, "ENOUGH! You are going to pay for your many crimes and no matter what you say or do, no matter how many times you claim yourself to be reformed, you will always be an utter and complete fool and a vile traitor waiting to be made into scrap!" Starscream said to Megatron in a cruel, vengeful, angry tone of voice.
Megatron once again tried to make peace with Starscream, "Starscream, please! Just listen to reason and hand me back June." he begged. "It's too late now, Megatron. Far too late! You were once great and powerful but now you've become weak and pathetically predictable. You've hit rock bottom!" The vengeful seeker said unforgivingly as he continuously aimed his Null Ray at Megatron. That last sentence pierced Megatron's spark like a sword and it made him feel remorseful, sad, and hurt as he was getting flashbacks of when he was about to kill Starscream at the Energon Mines from many years ago.
"But you have become tiresome. Predictable. You've hit rock bottom." Megatron's voice echoed as the latter remembers that day. "Please! Give me one more chance! I beg of you!" Starscream pleaded as his voice also echoed in a flashback.
Megatron didn't know what to say. All he could feel right now was sad, hurt, and regretful that he was so cruel and merciless and even abusive towards Starscream. But there was no point in trying to explain or reason with him now. As Starscream aims his Null Ray with his other hand holding June Darby in the glass container nearly injuring Megatron right in the chest. The old mech shouts out in pain while June Darby screams behind the glass. "MEGATRON!" Starscream puts June down while he whips out the Dark Star Saber and prepares to slice Megatron in half with it. Megatron draws out his blade and gets into a sword fight with Starscream as they grunt and yell at each other. Megatron tries to get Starscream to drop his creation that was fashioned from the Blood of Unicron, but the seeker was too strong, even stronger than he was before. Starscream strikes his head against Megatron, nearly giving him a concussion.
"Starscream, please! Listen to me!" Megatron pleaded. "NO! You listen to me! You ruined my life! You abandoned your own kind! Because of you, I had to be tortured mercilessly by those Predacon beasts for over five years!" Starscream yelled furiously at Megatron. June Darby tries to break herself free when she suddenly causes the glass container to roll over and it hit a bolder that caused the lid to pop right open, giving the woman the opportunity to get out of it. She hid behind the holder and watched in fear as Megatron fought against Starscream with their sword. Megatron tried to cut off Starscream's hand to make him drop the Dark Star Saber, but then the vengeful Seeker Air Commander of the New Decepticons used the Dark Star Saber to chop off Megatron's sword from his arm as the blade fell and landed on the earth's ground. Megatron was now feeling scared and defeated as Starscream swings the Dark Star Saber at his former master, but the ex-warlord jumped out of the way before the purple dark energy wave would hit him. Megatron yelled at the top of his lungs as he tried to break Starscream's helmet to give his former second-in-command a concussion, but Starscream blocks his blow with the Dark Star Saber before he gets the upper hand and pushes Megatron out of the way until he lands on his rear at the ground. "OOF!" Megatron grunted.
Starscream cornered his former master for the kill as he carried the evil sword in his grip. Then he raises the Dark Star Saber to deliver the final blow. "Prepare to meet Optimus Prime...in the Allspark!" But just before Starscram would kill Megatron with the Dark Star Saber, June Darby found the Apex Armor that Megatron dropped from his person and she immediately jumped onto it with the help of her adrenaline before the Apex Armor activates and she caught Starscream's attention as he hears the transformation of June putting on the Apex Armor as it gave her strength and gave her a large robot body big enough to attack Starscream and defend Megatron. "WHAT?!" Starscream exclaimed as he's shocked to see June Darby putting on the Apex Armor, giving him flashbacks to when Miko Nakadai put on the Apex Armor and beating the scrap out of him.
"Why don't you pick on someone your own size!?" June Darby said as she made a pose, preparing to combat Starscream. "Not again!" Starscream said to no one.
"June! What are you doing?! Get out of here!" Megatron yelled. "No!" June Darby replied. "I'm gonna teach this 'Con a lesson!" She said. "HA! Stupid female human! You think you can beat me!? That Apex Armor is no match for the Dark Star Saber, made specifically by my former master!" Starscream retorted. Megatron aims his fusion cannon at Starscream and threatened. "Don't talk to Jack's mother that way! It's me you want! Not her!" He told him. "You're right!" Starscream said before he was about to stab Megatron through the spark with the Dark Star Saber before June Darby immediately tackled Starscream, causing him to drop the evil sword. Megatron got up and he helped June Darby in the Apex Armor as they fought Starscream together. "I never thought that the Apex Armor would work on a human!" Megatron thought. "NO!" Starscream yelled before he ran and grabbed the Dark Star Saber and commlinked Crossfire for ground bridge. "Crossfire! Bridge me out of here! NOW!" The Air Commander yelled before Crossfire locked onto Starscream's coordinates and opened ground bridge for him to escape from his enemies. "Quick! Seize him before he gets away!" Megatron told June. "I've got him!" June agreed. Starscream quickly grabbed the Dark Star Saber and he swings the sword at June Darby, causing her to fall backwards and yell in pain. "NO! JUNE!" Megatron yelled before he angrily attacked Starscream after he laughed maniacally at the fallen human. "You're gonna pay for hurting her, Starscream!" Megatron grabbed the Dark Star Saber by the blade to try to pull it away from Starscream, but the blade cut him by the hand servo, causing him to leak blue Energon before the ground bridge opened in time for Starscream to make his escape.
"You haven't seen the last of me, Megatron! You'll see! I WILL HAVE MY REVENGE!" Starscream laughed maniacally before he entered the portal, Megatron tried to chase the seeker, but then it closed.
"RRRRAAAAAAAAGHH!" Megatron roared in rage. He panted to calm himself down before he heard June Darby groaned in pain. Megatron looked to Jack's mother worriedly and he ran up to her. "No, no, no, no, no! June! Please, don't die!" Megatron said as he begged Mrs. Darby to not die. "I'm fine. I'm just injured." June reassured the grey mech. "We need to get you to the med bay at once!" Megatron said. "No. Just...call Agent Fowler. Tell em' to take me to the hospital. At once. Please." June Darby told him.
Megatron began to tear up. "I promise." He said. June Darby was surprised to see the former Decepticon warlord cry for the first time. She had never seen him this worried, scared, and even saddened to see a human in pain, especially inside of the Apex Armor. Megatron turned off the Apex Armor so that June could breathe and he carried her with one arm because his hand was still bleeding and he knew how harmful Energon is to humans. "Ratchet. I got Mrs. Darby. I need a ground bridge immediately! She needs medical help! She's hurt!" Megatron commlinked the Autobot medic. "Hang on, Megatron! We'll help her. Don't worry, we'll be on our way to help you both." Ratchet promised.