Chapter 36: Far From Over
Orion Eclipse groaned as he regains consciousness before he finds himself lying on a floor on top of a canyon and he woke up with stasis cuffs on his wrists. "Comfortable?" A voice said as Orion immediately recognized it before he sat up and saw the Air Commander right in front of him.
"Starscream!" Orion Eclipse said as he glared at his enemy. "What's going on!? Where am I?!" he asked.
"You're still on your precious little mudball of a planet called, Earth." Starscream replied. "What do you want this time?" Orion Eclipse asked. "I'm glad you asked, young bot. You see, I still have old scores to settle. With the Autobots, with my former master Megatron, and with the humans who have wronged us." Starscream said as he began to explain.
"Leave them out of this, Starscream! My father has already suffered enough and he's deeply sorry for all the things he's done to you. As for the humans and the Autobots, they may have done terrible things to you and to our kind in the past, but..."
"But nothing, you little naive brat!" Starscream interrupted as he threatened Orion Eclipse with the Dark Star Saber. "Now that Doomsayer and his New Decepticons as well as his slave army of mind-controlled Predacons and Insecticons are missing after the Autobots have destroyed their warship, The Devastator, that means that I am my own master now."
"So you've decided to just leave Doomsayer and go solo?!" Orion guessed.
"Yes!" Starscream answered before he continued to monologue, "And with the Dark Star Saber that my partner, Skywarp and I retrieved from the bottom of the Earth's ocean, I can use it to finally kill Megatron and I will use it to destroy my new master, Doomsayer and his mad cult of Unicron worshipping fools who don't even realize that bringing Unicron back to life will only threaten to destroy Cybertron, Earth, and the galaxy."
Orion Eclipse made an annoyed expression on his face as he seemed irritated and annoyed with Starscream's monologuing. "Just get on with it and cut to the chase, Starscream. Why did you kidnap me anyway?! Is there something you want from me?!" Orion asked in boredom and annoyance.
"It's not what I want from you, it's what I want with you, Orion Eclipse. I want you to join my side. To help me and Skywarp terminate Megatron, destroy the Autobots, execute Doomsayer and his New Decepticon armada as well as the Predacons and the Insecticons and bring those who oppose us down on their knees once and for all. Together, we will make things the way they should be. Think of it, Orion. Once we've destroyed ALL of our enemies, I will take my rightful place as the TRUE leader of the Decepticons and you will be my second-in-command."
"Tell me exactly why should I ever deem to join the bot who betrayed and tried to murder and overthrow my father countless times?!" Orion Eclipse asked in an irritated tone and with a bored and an annoyed expression on his faceplate.
"You're missing the point there, boy. You see, your father, Megatron, was the warlord who ordered you to get into the escape pod which brought you to where you nearly died and lost your memories. You see, he's the one to blame for the accident that brought you here on Earth and gave you such a lonely life where the humans feared and hated you for being different." Starscream told Orion Eclipse.
"My father only wanted to protect me! I understand that he wasn't perfect, but nobody is perfect, and Megatron is no exception. But the fact is, I forgive him for all the evil things he's done. Now let me go!" Orion retorted as he struggled to break free from the stasis cuffs.
"No, I won't let you. I want you to join me and be my apprentice so that you will gain more knowledge and experience from me. After all, I was your sparkling-sitter, but now...I get to be more like your uncle and you'll even consider me as a father. A father that you've always wanted. Now join me!...son." Starscream told Orion Eclipse as he extended his hand out for him to join his side.
Orion Eclipse yelled, "Never! I already have a father...and he's not as cowardly as you!" he said angrily.
Starscream laughed hysterically, "Me? A coward? Oh, please, it wasn't the way you realize. By the way, I'll tell you who killed your father." Starscream said as he whispered into Orion's audio receptor, "It was Bumblebee." he told the young bot.
"You think that I don't know that?! Bumblebee told me that he killed my father with the Star Saber to save Optimus Prime. There was no other way for the Autobots to reason with him! Megatron was hell-bent on destroying Earth by cyberforming it and restoring Cybertron so he can conquer both worlds!" Orion Eclipse told Starscream.
"True, but that still doesn't change the fact that your so-called friend MURDERED your father long before Unicron restored him back to life while possessing his body when the Decepticons were leaderless! Besides, if Megatron was dead for good and Unicron chose not to revive him and just leave his corpse to rot beneath the Earth's ocean, would you still care about Bumblebee for killing your own father?!" Starscream asked. "It would be very simple for you to see your father's death for yourself."
Starscream shows Orion Eclipse a holographic image of Bumblebee stabbing Megatron through the chest with the Star Saber. Orion Eclipse made a horrified expression and he almost screamed at the sight of Bumblebee killing his father, Megatron. But the young bot knew that that footage was taken a few years ago.
"Now do you see, Orion Eclipse?! Bumblebee is your father's killer and I actually mourned Megatron when he was destroyed by that Autobot. I may be a "coward" and a "traitor" who tried to overthrow my former master, but I do indeed love and care for him...even if I wanted to destroy him myself. But as I said before, if Unicron hadn't revived your father...then you would've known better than to befriend the one who murdered him. To forgive Bumblebee and to deny my offer to join me would truly be foolish." Starscream explained.
"Starscream has a point there, Orion." said Skywarp, "Either you join him and that you get your revenge on Bumblebee...or you can stay here and forever be alone. It's your choice." Skywarp told Orion Eclipse.
Orion Eclipse hesitated before he answered, "The answer is no. I refuse to turn against my father and my friends. Even if my father dies again for the last time and he never comes back from the grave, then I refuse to join you, to serve you, and to live under your shadow, Starscream!" Orion said bitterly as he sneered at Starscream.
"Such a pity. And here I thought you would choose wisely. Too bad the Autobots see you like you're some kind of hero sent by Optimus Prime's ghost to light their darkest hour. But to me, you have, had, and always will be...a loser. You are nothing, Orion Eclipse. You may be Megatron's son, but you are a failure, a false hero, and a disgrace just like your father before you." Starscream taunted Orion.
"You're the loser, Starscream!" Orion Eclipse snapped at Starscream.
"Should we kill him now, Starscream?" Skywarp asked Starscream. "No. Not yet, Skywarp. Let's just leave him here on this pathetic planet where he belongs and find a better way for me to take my rightful place as leader." Starscream replied before he smirked, "And to think that Megatron's long-lost son would do anything to protect the Earth and its humans by helping the Autobots destroy their enemies. But look at him! He's weak, naive, and foolish...just like his late mother." Starscream told Skywarp while insulting Orion's late mother.
"YOU SHUT UP ABOUT MY MOM!" Orion Eclipse yelled as he struggled to break free from the stasis cuffs on his wrists.
Starscream laughed maniacally, "Your mom?! Hahahahaha!" he said mockingly as he and Skywarp began laughing before a mysterious figure came out of nowhere and knocked Skywarp unconscious.
"WHAT?!" Starscream yelled before being punched in the faceplate by the unknown figure and he also fell unconscious.
The mysterious figure was a pink fembot with cyan blue optics and she looked at Orion Eclipse before she removed the stasis cuffs.
"Are you alright, young bot?" the fembot asked.
"I'm fine. Thanks, I owe you one. Whoever you are." Orion Eclipse said.
"My name is Elita-One." The pink fembot introduced.
"Elita-One?" Orion Eclipse said softly as he recognized the name. "Wait, you're Elita-One?!" Orion exclaimed. Elita-One nodded. "Yes, I am. Do I know you?" she asked.
"I'm not sure if we've met before. Are you Optimus Prime's conjunx-endura and Altair Comet's long-lost mother?" Orion Eclipse asked.
"Yes...I am. You know my daughter?" Elita-One asked in surprised. Orion nodded, "Yes. I've known her since I was a sparkling." he answered.
Elita-One's cyan optics widened. "Wait. I remember you now! You're my daughter's best friend. I thought I recognized you." she exclaimed.
"Y-You know me?" Orion Eclipse asked. "Of course I know you. But how are you still here? I thought you died during the Great War." Elita-One said.
"It's a very long story, ma'am." Orion replied. "Where is my daughter? Can you take me to her?" Elita-One asked. "Yes. She's with Bumblebee and the other Autobots. I'll take you to her, as soon as I contact my friends." Orion Eclipse told the fembot. "Then let's move out and find them before these two Decepticons wake up." Elita-One said.
"Good. Come with me. I'll explain on the way." Orion Eclipse replied before he and Elita-One left the unconscious Starscream and Skywarp behind as they transformed into their alternate modes and they both skedaddled.
Orion Eclipse and Elita-One had been traveling on Earth for days, searching for any signs of the Autobots. As they drove through the barren landscape, Orion Eclipse couldn't help but wonder about the fate of his former enemies, the Decepticons.
"Do you ever think about what would have happened if we hadn't helped the Autobots prevent a second Great War?" Orion Eclipse asked Elita-One.
"I try not to dwell on the 'what ifs'," Elita-One replied. "We did what we had to do at the time."
Orion Eclipse nodded, but his mind was still racing with thoughts of the past. He wondered if Doomsayer and his Inner Circle had survived the destruction of the Devastator, and if they were still out there, plotting their revenge.
As they drove, they suddenly heard a strange noise. It sounded like the wind, but it was coming from all directions at once. Then, out of nowhere, two ghostly figures appeared before them.
Orion Eclipse recognized them immediately. "Dreadwing? Skyquake?"
"That's right," Skyquake said. "We've been wandering these lands as spirits, ever since our deaths."
Orion Eclipse was saddened by the news. He had always respected the Decepticon twins, even though they had been his enemies.
"How did you die?" Elita-One asked.
"I died in the Shadow Zone," Skyquake said. "I was turned into a zombie by Dark Energon and left to wander endlessly. Dreadwing died at the hands of Megatron, after he tried to kill Starscream for desecrating my death."
Orion Eclipse felt a pang of guilt. He had been a part of the war that had claimed so many lives, including those of Dreadwing and Skyquake.
The two spirits then told them about the Quintessons, and how they had created a pool that could resurrect the dead.
Elita-One was skeptical. "Do you think it's a good idea to bring back the Decepticon twins?"
Orion Eclipse nodded. "They were my former mentors from my youth. I owe it to them to at least try."
Meanwhile, Knock Out was also wandering the Earth as a ghost. He came across the spirit of his former partner, Breakdown.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to save you from Airachnid," Knock Out said, tears streaming down his face.
"It's okay, Knock Out," Breakdown said. "Cyclonus did the right thing when he killed her on Cybertron's moon."
Knock Out smiled, happy to have been forgiven by his former partner. As Breakdown's spirit faded away, Knock Out knew he could finally find peace.
A week had passed since the Autobots had defeated Doomsayer and his New Decepticons, and yet there was still no sign of any stragglers. Ultra Magnus and the Autobots were at peace, but they were still keeping a watchful eye out for any surviving Decepticons. They were all gathered around a computer, scanning the area for any signs of Decepticon activity.
"We have to be prepared. Doomsayer and his New Decepticons may still have followers." Ultra Magnus told his Autobot friends.
"I'm detecting no New Decepticon activity in the area." Ratchet told everyone in the Autobots base.
Arcee replied, "That's good news, but we can't let our guard down."
As they continued to monitor the computer, Megatron was growing impatient.
Megatron growled angrily, "Why hasn't he been found yet? We need to bring him back to base in Retoris safely." He said impatiently.
"We're doing everything we can, Megatron. We'll find him." Ultra Magnus promised to the ex-warlord.
As they continued their search, back on Earth, Starscream had made a decision.
"I've had enough of Doomsayer and his New Decepticons. It's time to start fresh." Starscream vented out his true feelings.
"But what about the Dark Star Saber? You can't just leave it behind." Skywarp said.
Starscream replied, "I won't. I'm taking it with me. It's one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy." He stated.
As they made their way to their ship, Starscream couldn't help but feel relieved.
Starscream sighed in relief, "I'm glad to be leaving this behind. It was only a matter of time before we were defeated anyway."
So, what's our plan now?" Skywarp asked.
Starscream replied, "We'll figure it out. For now, we need to get as far away as possible."
As they flew off into the horizon, leaving Doomsayer and his New Decepticons behind, Starscream knew that he had made the right choice. He would find a new purpose, and who knows, maybe even a new army to lead. But for now, he was free, and that was all that mattered.