Author's note. Apologies for the wait, life's been very busy.
I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas.
Enjoy and please review.
Valour gasped and paled as the call was cut so suddenly, not another word was said by his sire and he knew the other knew by then that the slagger knew that Starscream was there... Of course, if his sons were, their carrier will not be far either.
Taking up Skywarp he walked towards Prowl's meditating place, he was sure the cyberninja will listen and understand that the entire base was in danger because Megatron just discovered that Starscream was there.
"Skywarp... You get us all into deep slag..." He couldn't help but muster as he walked with his little brother in arms.
"Slag!" The sparkling said eagerly making an obfuscated Valour to facepalm himself.
How was possible that he only learned bad words...and so fast?!
Finding Prowl he sat next him on the soft grass with the little seeker still in arms.
"Fraaaag!" Said the newspark before Valour could even open his mouth and ask for the cyberninja's advice making said mech online his optics fully before looking at them in mild shock.
"Warp!" Scolded Valour before directing himself back to Prowl. "Umm... Can I talk to you? I think we're in for some problems..."
"Of course," Prowl said, gently picking up a squirming Skywarp and settling him against his shoulder. "Now what is the problem?"
Valour quickly explained how Skywarp had accidentally called their Sire and that Megatron had deduced that Starscream was here. He didn't mention how he'd taught his little brother two new naughty words.
"And then he cut me off," Valour said hurriedly. "So I'm scared he's going to do something."
"I believe you could be right," Prowl said grimly. "Starscream's presence and that of his numerous offspring probably calmed him to a certain degree but now that they are all gone..."
"He's really mad," Valour concluded gloomily. "Prowl...is he going to attack us?"
"I'm afraid so," Prowl said gently. "But don't worry, we won't allow him to harm your father or anyone else."
"Promise?"
"I promise," the cyber ninja replied, getting to his feet in one move movement. "Come along now, we must warn the others."
"Right," Valour agreed and they did indeed hurry off.
...
"Are we really attacking, mien leader?" Blitzwing asked excitedly as they prepared to head straight for the Autobot base.
"We are," growled Megatron, "This has gone on long enough, I am going to take back what is mine once and for all."
"Whatever your orders are, we will follow them," Lugnut declared loudly.
"I want my children taken back," Megatron stated. "All of them and unharmed...as well as that Prime. I don't care about the others."
"Vot about Starscream?" Icy asked calmly.
There was a slight pause before Megatron said. "I will deal with him personally."
"Very good," Blitzwing said with a nod.
Megatron grimly gave the word to move out, he was determined that he would recover what was his and invoke his revenge on all who had betrayed or challenged him. He transformed and shot up into the air, making a beeline straight for the Autobot base.
...
"Looks like this is it," Ultra Magnus said, standing with the others as they waited for the Decepticons to arrive. "Is everything ready?"
"Yes sir," Sentinel declared, saluting him. "Those sparklings are with Perceptor and Red Alert deep in the base."
"I can't believe it," Bulkhead muttered to Bumblebee. "We're really going to be fighting Megatron."
"Well I'm ready," Bumblebee said hotly, punching the air. "It's about time that slagging jerk was taught a lesson. Look what he's done to the boss and to our little buddy."
"That's true," agreed Bulkhead, glancing over at Optimus who was talking quietly with Starscream.
"Are you alright?" the Prime was saying to the Seeker.
"I don't know," Starscream said unhappily. "I love him but I should have known he'd react this way. I should never have run out."
"He was treating you badly, he thoroughly deserved it," Elita reminded him.
"I know but...I don't want things to end like this," he stated miserably. "Maybe I can talk him out of this, remind him of what we've got."
"You can try but stay out of his reach," advised Optimus as Ratchet hollered. "They're coming."
"We is ready Magnus sir," the twins exclaimed, saluting.
"Remember," he warned them. "You two hang back and make sure no Con gets past our defences and into the base. You must protect the sparklings."
"We will," they promised and shot off into the air to do just that.
"You sure you want to reveal yourself?" Optimus asked Elita and she nodded.
"It's long past time," she said. "And you'll need all the help you can get."
"If you're sure," he said, knowing she was right.
She kissed him before transforming into a large spider, she was more than ready to deliver some well-deserved justice to Megatron. Oh, how she was going to enjoy this.
Optimus wore a new jetpack, courtesy of Professor Sumdac; it will be very helpful when fighting Megatron.
The Dinobots were also there along with Prowl, ready to rip off some Decepticons' limbs.
However the worried one was Starscream. The elite of the elite of the Autobots was here, plus Optimus' team who will fight until their last breath to protect their leader, that in itself made them heroes and more dangerous than before; they will not allow Optimus to be taken again.
Prowl seemed calmed, he was wearing a different armour and now looked like a samurai instead of a cyberninja; on his head was his master's, Yoketron's helmet. He found it in Lockdown's ship along with many other things, just as the others.
This little group now looked like an elite squad of warriors instead of a repairing team. The seeker was indeed worried for his leader...
...particularly because of Blackarachnia, she was the most dangerous of them all and she will have no problems with killing Megatron after what he did.
The seeker vented. The Decepticons were wandering around the universe looking for the Allspark, Megatron particularly wanted it in order to regain some of his past glory and pride; after the Autobots banished them from Cybertron, Megatron lost many soldiers and officers, many tried to take command from him, not just Starscream, and there were few who remained loyal to his cause.
Most of the Decepticons wander lose around the galaxy, others with their own leaders. However, if Megatron finds the Allspark, it will give him something his rivals lack and that may make him gain affiliates again.
But luck was not on his side, the Allspark remained lost and one day found a little group of repairing bridges mechs... And the little washout Prime.
Something happened with Megatron when he saw him, no one could explain what kind of witchcraft it was; he focused on tormenting his victim instead of finding the Allspark, and when the mech escaped he focused only in finding him again.
So far the Decepticon leader is so obsessed with this Prime that he may even surrender if he was given the mech of his dreams. He doesn't cares about the Allspark and was sure that Cybertron was nothing for him anymore... Optimus Prime... He somehow compelled Megatron... And have no idea of the power of that... Or how to use it.
Whatever was the case, Starscream was sure that Optimus doesn't wants said power and is very much capable of tossing it away if possible.
"Decepticons!" Sentinel advised when little flying objects were devised and the Magnus stepped forwards, hammer in hand before this one lightened up and the skies darkened, thunder roared and lightings striked some of the flying objects.
"Incoming!" Roared Ratchet as they were shot and they dispersed.
Elita attached herself onto Optimus' back and made sure he was protected.
Seconds later the Decepticons arrived, and without even asking, the battle begun.
"Starscream! Traitor!" Roared Megatron once devised the shocked seeker who dodged shots from Lugnut and another soldier.
"Megatron, its not what you think, we must talk!" The seeker tried only to be shot and dodge Megatron's attack.
"Traitor!" The Decepticon leader roared again charging after him who evaded his attacks and flied away from him from time to time.
"Stay put, coward! Fight like a mech!" Furiously demanded the leader but Starscream refused to attack him.
"No, we need to talk!" Tried once again his once lover only to receive a slash on his chest with the sword of the mech he loved.
"I don't speak with traitors, I KILL traitors!"
"I am not a traitor!" This time the seeker roared stopping the blow from one sword. "I love you, I always did! But you prefer a mech who hates you!"
"Shut up! Traitor!" Howled Megatron while failing another blow.
They were too focused into the battle to realise that the Autobots were winning, Elita even poisoned Blitzwing after he called her: "Treacherous whore."
This Autobots acted like a team, with the same goal in mind: protect and keep, and that is what made them victors.
"Megatron... Please!" Tried the seeker while dodging another blow from his former lover. "I am not even attacking you, please listen!"
"I'll kill you, bastard!" This time the bigger mech grabbed the seeker's neck, but for his surprise he was not struggling, but looking at him in shock.
"Meghhhh-!" Tried the flier before...
"Gaaaaaahhhhh...!" Howled in pain Megatron as something bit him hard on the back of his neck, when he turned he could see a huge spider with its fangs buried in his proto-skin, piercing his main veins.
He felt as his body paralysed by the second along with a burning pain in his veins that had him let go of his seeker and fell on his knees. The action also caused him a horrible pain that made him cry out.
The spider let go of his neck before hissing dangerously:
"Today, with your life, you pay for daring to take what is mine...!"
Lifting up her spider abdomen, Blackarachnia revealed a sharp and pointed stinger which dripped with venom.
Megatron wished to hiss her 'traitor' but no words came out from his vocalizer in his last seconds of life... But he could feel or see his life passing through his optics as the point reached closer...
"NOOO! STOP!" Screamed the seeker stopping her final assault by grabbing her abdomen just in time, but she was attached to Megatron's back.
"Why would I stop?! He deserves to die for his crimes! That is the only way he will leave us all in peace!" She shouted and now all the standing mechs, Autobots only, were watching the final show.
"Because...he's..." Tried Starscream while looking at the love of his life in haunted shock, then at the others. "He's carrying!"
Megatron's optics widened in complete surprise, he had not known that. But he could not even voice his shock thanks to that damned spider but plenty of others were.
"WHAT!?" roared Ultra Magnus, marching over, his hammer resting against his shoulder. "What did you say?"
"He's carrying," Starscream whispered, dropping to his knees regardless of his injuries and tenderly cradling his lover's head in his lap. "And...and...oh Primus, I don't know who the Sire is."
This caused another wave of shock and realisation to shoot through them all. Megatron had been spiked by two different Mechs in the same cycle, either one of them could be Sire to his Sparkling. Still shaking in shock, Starscream looked up at the previously angry femme and begged.
"Please...for the sparkling's sake if nothing else...don't kill him."
She sighed in frustration but he was right, she couldn't kill any innocent Sparkling no matter what crimes their carrier might have committed.
"Fine," she grumbled, getting off the large Decepticon. "For the sparkling's sake."
"Carrying," whispered Optimus, his optics wide. "I...I don't believe this."
"It's slagging typical," Sentinel raged, throwing up his hands up in frustration. "We've got him at our mercy and you won't execute him."
"We can't execute a carrying bot," Ultra Magnus reminded him heavily. "It goes against everything we stand for. But we are not letting him go."
"Thank you," Starscream said in relief, maybe Megatron could calm down and listen to him. "I know I probably don't have the right but he can't be in too stressful an environment."
"We'll think of something," grumbled Ratchet as he scanned the still paralysed Decepticon leader, confirming the diagnosis. "Yeah, he's carrying."
Optimus did not know what to think, his worst enemy, the Mech who had raped him...could be carrying their child. Sometimes, he thought the universe hated him.
...
"Daddy," exclaimed Valour as he rushed over to his dad as he entered, unhurt but looking a little shell shocked. "You okay?"
"I'm fine and so is everyone else," he assured him before looking over at the two adults who were watching over the other sleeping sparklings. "There's a bit of a situation."
"What happened?" Red Alert asked urgently, she could tell no one had died because of his demeanour.
The blue and red Prime sighed heavily before lifting his son up to look him in the optic. "Son, you know how your Sire and I...shared a moment?"
"Uh huh," Valour said nervously.
"Well, he and Starscream also...did the same thing and we've just discovered...," Optimus explained, before taking a deep intake and finishing. "That he is carrying. And I don't know if it's mine or Starscream's."
"He's pregnant?" Valour gasped as the others stared.
"Are you serious?" Red Alert demanded and he nodded.
"I must go and check," she declared. "That poor sparkling..."
"Hmm," Optimus said gloomily before giving Valour a smile. "Looks like another sibling for you, it's Megatron's no matter what."
Valour glanced at his sleeping siblings before declaring. "That's a lot of siblings."
...
"Where is he?" Red Alert demanded as she entered the brig. The Decepticons they'd captured where being placed in cells, those who were awake where glancing nervously at a rocking Lockdown who kept flinching and crying.
"In another room," Jazz replied. "Don't think he should be here, could overexcite everyone.
"Are the sparklings safe?" a young Con suddenly asked, he'd been one of the caretakers.
"They're fine," she assured him before saying. "I want to make sure his sparkling is safe."
"That's what we're aiming for," he said with a smile, gesturing. "Go ahead but watch it, I reckon once he can talk, not gonna be pleasant."
She nodded gratefully before heading for the room where they were installing the large Decepticon. She walked in to find them restraining him to a berth, he was still limp but from the way his optics glared, was very much awake.
"I know you're angry," Starscream was saying to him. "But I promise I'll look after you. If you want, I could bring our daughter and sons over, they've missed you."
Ultra Magnus didn't look terribly happy at this but said nothing, there was no point in arguing at this precise moment. Starscream bent down and murmured. "I'll even pleasure you if it'll make you feel more comfortable."
"Ssss...ttt...aarrrrr," Megatron managed, but it looked like an effort.
Ultra Magnus grimaced; "Please, don't Starscream; we, the Autobots do not appreciate those... Shows."
"Its not a show, is a proof that we, the best have more action than some other losers," Said Starscream matter-of-factly and nodded afterwards.
"Good, but not in an Autobot base, not under our rules; that goes against our customs," Answered the leader of the Autobots to the seeker who then looked down at his glaring lover before kissing his forehead making the Magnus groan lowly as if the simple act for him was disgusting.
The Magnus had not decided yet what to do with all these Decepticons; he knew that Megatron was in a hard situation and now that he was defeated, many little inner wars will be unchained in the Decepticons, they may chose another leader or kill each other in their struggle for power.
However there were others who were still loyal to the cause and their prime leader and once they find out he was taken prisoner, will not waste a second in try to release him. So, he better keep this a secret, considering still what was Longarm's position within the Autobots... He was a mech who must be unmasked as soon as possible and chained as well.
They will need to make a gathering with every capable Autobot here to decide what will be their next step, because defeating Megatron doesn't means they've won the war, it was yet another battle, another before the next.
Thinking about this, he decided to leave Starscream and the others and prepare for the gathering.
...
That night Blackarachnia made sure every Decepticon was cocooned and in stasis; she insisted in this since she didn't wanted any risk.
The information and weapons that were 'kindly' provided by Lockdown were very useful for their victory, but now the halls were all empty as all of them reunited to decide what to do next.
She was very tempted to poison Sentinel; the guy was being a jerk, he just wanted to shoot and make public their victory. A stupid act that may only bring them problems, but in the end they decided that Starscream will 'take control' of the Decepticons as Megatron was... In a delicate position to be disturbed, so the seeker will make sure to keep all other Decepticons in check in case of a power struggle as they find a way to take off all the spies on Cybertron or within the Autobots.
The seeker motioned also that he will do his best and convince Megatron of a ceasefire; he is carrying, yes, but they must also think about their family and once for all finish this stupid war. He was tired of travailing everywhere and just wished to find a place where he can rise his creations in peace...
...however he must convince the slag maker to leave Optimus Prime live in peace and away from him too.
That may be the hardest.
As the gathering dissolved, the seeker went to the brig to check his lover who was hatefully looking at him, without knowing that Blackarachnia was spying on them just in case.
"Don't look at me like that," Tried Starscream.
If only looks can kill...
"I love you Megatron, but... I want peace too... This may be the only way... We're warriors, but that doesn't means we must live in war all our lives."
The other just continued glaring.
"I just wish... You can forget Optimus... He's... He doesn't wants you near... And who would after your 'Decepticon tradition dominance show'? Not everyone likes to be 'dominated' even less 'raped'... Or even less taken by force away from the ones he loves to be used as a pleasurebot!"
Megatron just glared.
"I wonder if you even understand what you did to that mech... What your actions caused in him... What you did was horrible and disgusting, disgraceful and shameful! Not just for you but for him as well!"
This time however the warlord grunted in annoyance.
Reading his thoughts, Starscream said: "No, they haven't put anything in me, no stupid Autobot nonsense, its the truth, what you did was wrong! And is too late to change it!
Optimus will never love you, even less want you near... If... If I had passed though the same situation... I would have kept quiet and let my abuser to continue... I wouldn't have had the strength he had to run away from you or anyone, and not because is the 'Decepticon way' or that I would have been 'successfully dominated' but because..." The seeker trailed off before looking at him again. Before he had his gaze cast down.
"Why am I even telling you this? Would you even understand if I tell you that I..." He trailed off again venting and shaking his head.
Megatron just looked at him with a deep frown.
"How you feel? I remember I was always horny when carrying...I wonder if you need some-"
"Go away, traitor," Suddenly the leader spoke darkly. "At least Prime never betrayed me... If I want someone giving me pleasure, its him, not you, you don't deserve me."
Behind them, Blackarachnia gasped at those words, she could even feel how he stabbed a rusted sword into the seeker's spark and could practically hear how his beating soul broke.
The seeker then got up onto his heels and gave his leader one last look, optics filled with tears that may explode soon.
"And you don't deserve me... And our sparklings... Even less Optimus," He stated while trying to keep his voice from breaking. "The only good thing you ever produced was the sparklings... And not even that because it was OUR decision to bring them into this universe."
The tears finally escaped his red optics as he looked at his leader with a broken spark. "Goodbye... Megatron. I only wanted to be with you... To be loved by you, but it seems you were only made to hate."
And with that he turned and walked away as fast as he could... To be able to break alone and in peace.
Megatron watched him go, still glaring as hard as he could but not saying anything. Feeling extremely angry and also vexed that it was limited what she could actually do to him, she jumped out at him, startling the large Decepticon.
"What is wrong with you?" she demanded furiously. "That Mech saved your life, he has offered you his unconditional support and yet you reject him?"
"He betrayed me," he snapped at the treacherous spider. "I want nothing more to do with that damned Seeker. That's all he's ever done, betray me."
"And you never even thought to question why he might do so?" she said in disgust, how could this Mech be so thick.
"How the devil should I know?" he responded in annoyance. "I am not discussing this with a freak like you."
"Oh how original," she said scathingly. "Well, I thought it might interest you to know something about me."
"And what would that be?" he sneered with contempt.
"Oh, just that you and I are currently in the same...delicate state of being," she said casually as his optics widened.
"You are...carrying?" he exclaimed in shock and disgust. "What Mech in their right mind would frag you?"
"You'd need to ask Optimus that," she said sweetly as he stared again, only this time was even more shocked.
"He slept with you!?" he roared in outrage. "What the slag did you do to him?"
She frowned, he obviously assumed she'd seduced Optimus or poisoned him, something of that nature.
"Nothing that he didn't do to me," she told him quietly. "We are in love Megatron, a no doubt foreign state of being for you but it's true. I am going to be his mate, Valour already refers to me as his mother and soon, we will have our own children."
"This cannot be...," he muttered. "You are lying, you witch, lying!"
"Believe what you want but soon enough, I'll have the proof in my arms," she said, looking him up and down with disgust. "But think about this...Optimus is going to be my mate and will look after our children. If you're carrying his child, then he will probably make the effort to be in it's life but he will never be with you. Ever. So you should probably think about what's best for that child you're carrying and giving your mate the respect he deserves."
"Never," he spat at her and she sighed.
"You know Megatron, sometimes I wonder if perhaps a cruel Mech got hold of you when you were little and removed love from your systems. That would be the only decent explanation to excuse your deplorable actions," she said softly before adding. "Someone will be along to feed you later, we must keep the little one strong."
He only growled at her, annoyed at the implication that someone could have ever messed around with him. Unlike that stupid Seeker, no one had ever dominated him. There was nothing wrong with him at all, it was all this weak, spineless morons who just whined all the time. If he could only free himself, he would happily give them something to whine about.
Unfortunately, the restraints were good ones so he'd have to wait for an opportune moment.
"I don't know what Star sees in him," muttered Blackarachnia muttered as she stormed along the corridor. She honestly couldn't fathom it but it didn't matter. After all, she'd already found her perfect Mech. She smiled before wondering where Star had gone. He had looked utterly spark broken after that encounter, he would need comfort.
"Perceptor," she asked over the comm. "Have you seen Starscream?"
"I have not," he replied. "Perhaps he has gone to check on his creations?"
"Perhaps," she mused, not sure if Starscream would see them when he was in such an upset state. "If you see him, let me know."
He agreed and she quickly hurried on, wanting to locate the Seeker as soon as possible. He should not dwell on Megatron's foul attitude, it wouldn't be good for his mental state. Starscream needed to focus on the positives, he had nine beautiful sparkligns and would soon have another, possibly two.
"Where could he be?" she asked herself, for some reason starting to feel very concerned about him.
"Weeee!" She suddenly heard before entering the living room.
There was the Magnus himself with many sparklings attached to his back, torso and arms. They climbed and crawled happily all over his body... And he didn't seemed to care.
For a second Elita wasn't completely sure of what she'd seen, but she have eight optics... So it was true.
Stepping back carefully and quietly she left to find that seeker. She didn't wanted to upset his creations by stating that she was looking for him because reasons...
"Just where is he?!" She hissed in frustration thinking about walking out of the base just in case.
...
Starscream walked aimlessly around the gardens and near the forest of the island. He was like a missing drone; his spark hurt so much that he was sure he was ill since all his body hurt.
He wished he can purge, but had not refuelled yet...
Megatron...
...he just doesn't loves him but hated him... Had the stupid idea in his processor that the mech he raped was the most perfect creature for him, creating that way a false idea and image about Optimus.
But here he was, with his spark open and willing to love, to protect him and their creations...
...but no... Even if Optimus hates him and never wishes to think about him again, the slagger still desired him and hurt the poor seeker.
Walking towards the lake, he hadn't stopped until half of his torso was engulfed by the liquid as his optics continued cascading with tears.
It just hurt so much!
...it was everything he can think...
...and he was not willing to feel like this again and forever.
Turning around on his heels he walked out and away from the lake as he dripped its sweet but cold drops. There was one thing he can make to make the pain go...
Entering the base he went straight to Perceptor's quarters. His haunted red optics found blue cold ones.
"Starscream, Elita One is been looking for you and told me to tell her once I've seen you, so-"
In an instant, the seeker stopped his hand from going to his commlink surprising the scientist.
"I need your help," He started hoarsely for a moment surprising the red Autobot.
"On what matter I can be useful for you? You can ask anything you want from me, after all, I owe you for this sparkling."
A knot formed itself in the seeker's throat before lowering his hand towards Perceptor's middle just to feel his future son once more.
Silence followed as the scientist waited for the seeker to speak again unsurprised and unmoved to see tears running and staining his beautiful face.
"I want..." He started. "I want to... To let go of my emotions... I don't want to feel this pain anymore."
Perceptor nodded. "It will make you think better without doubt, but you must know that is permanent."
"I just want to stop hurting!" Cried Starscream grabbing his chest in pain and this time to fall on his knees. Wings rattled in sorrow and now his tears reached the floor.
The other just nodded. "Good, follow me," He started towards the door and Starscream followed him quickly not thinking about anything else. Nothing else mattered.
...
When the sun had risen again for the next day, every mech was looking for the Decepticon air commander and so far had not found him.
"Where could have he gone? He's not even in the Nemesis!" Exclaimed Elita in frustration in the gardens along with Optimus and Ultra Magnus.
Ratchet, Red Alert and Sentinel just returned from looking in the woods. The seeker was hard to find when he didn't wanted to be found.
The spider femme was about to growl in frustration as three young Dinobots appeared walking towards them yawning.
"What all that noise? Grimlock needs nap!" Tried to roar the tired Dinobot leader. He and his brothers were tired after the battle and spend the remaining day and the next one sleeping and pretended to continue. If his brothers rubbing his optics to calibrate them better was proof enough.
"Grimlock!" Exclaimed the spider making the big younger flinch as he tried to sleep on his pedes.
"What!?" He roared back.
"You can help us, help us find Starscream... You know... Big, flying mech?" She tried.
"Hmmm...!" He just grunted before pushing Swoop to the front. "You go..." And with that he and Snarl transformed back and collapsed on the soft grass completely and soundly asleep.
"Why Swoop? Swoop wants to sleep too," The pterodactyl tried but his brothers were already snoring
"Swoop... We need to find him!" Tried Elita to the sleepy mech who just nodded in defeat. Maybe then he will be able to sleep in peace.
He then started sniffing around and directed his head towards the base. "This way," He pointed and walked. The others followed.
Once in the base, the younger guided them towards the medbay... And opened the door.
"Him, there." Swoop pointed towards the operations room... A closed room Ratchet never had the chance of using yet since it was for delicate operations only... However now was in use.
"Who's in there?!" Roared Ratchet in anger seeing that someone was using without permission what was his. But when he opened the door, everyone froze.
There was Starscream, on the operations table, unconscious, with Perceptor closing back his chest and returned the tools to the table next him.
The red scientist turned around and looked at the spectators without even flinching.
"I've just finished, he will awake soon, I will clean at once," Said the red, unemotional mech with that drone like voice.
"Perceptor... What have you done?" Red Alert tried hurrying towards the still unconscious seeker to check his vitals. He was okay.
"He came to me last night asking for help in matters of spark, so, I indulged," Answered matter-of-factly the red mech continuing cleaning his tools.
Everyone froze. "Perceptor...?" Tried the Magnus while using every ounce of patience he had. He and everyone present knew now how Megatron treated the only mech who protected him and how sparkbroken he was, however he feared his friend once again had done something stupid... It was enough with getting with spark.
Then, before Perceptor can answer, the seeker's red optics onlined, his face was devoid of any emotion before he sat on the edge and looked at the newcomers.
"Good morning," He said almost drone like freezing the ones in the room with the exception of Perceptor who walked towards him and asked:
"How do you feel?"
"Much better," Answered the seeker. His voice lacking any emotion. "You were right, I can think logically now without my spark interfering with my thoughts."
Optimus, Elita and Red Alert gasped as Ultra Magnus groaned and Ratchet facepalmed himself.
"Ohh... Percy, what have you done this time?" Asked Jazz shaking his head.
"How could you?" Optimus whispered in disbelief, staring with wide optics at Perceptor. "You had no right."
"He asked me for a favour and I obliged," Perceptor stated as Starscream nodded. "That's right."
Trying to hold onto his rapidly diminishing patience, Ultra Magnus said in a voice that shook. "You foolish, foolish Mech. If he'd asked you to kill him, would you have indulged him?"
"Of course not," Perceptor said. "I am a scientist, I do not take life."
"You've destroyed him!" Ratchet said furiously. "How can he look after his sparklings in this state?"
"I can easily look after them," Starscream stated as Ratchet scoffed.
"Yeah, make sure their feed and clean and maybe educated," he said contemptuously. "But you can't give them emotional support or love which is something Seekerlets need especially."
"They will be fine," Starscream said unconcernedly. "Perceptor's twins have done fine."
"Because I have provided that emotional support," Ultra Magnus cut in harshly. "Those circumstances were different Perceptor, you had already removed your emotions long before you were raped, it was not your fault you couldn't give them that. But Starscream is a creator whose creations are used to him loving them, they will be devastated by this."
Before Perceptor could answer, Elita cut in.
"I asked you to tell me if you saw him, I knew he was low but not this low. Why did you not tell me?"
"He did not want me to," was the answer and everyone bar him and the Seeker groaned.
"Can't this be reversed?" Optimus asked desperately.
"No, that's the whole point," Ratchet explained grimly. "Usually a bot has to think long and hard before agreeing to this, they do not do it on the spur of the moment."
He was looking at the red scientist furiously, didn't he know the proper procedure?
"Perceptor," Ultra Magnus said grimly. "You should have know better than this, you have successfully crippled this Mech and now his children will have to rely on others. You leave me no choice but to suspend your from duty until further notice."
"That does not seem very logical," Perceptor told him.
"Considering your judgement appears to be exceedingly impaired, it is very logical," Ultra Magnus retorted. "You are not allowed to perform any other operation's, I believe it would be best if you simply concentrate on your future son for now."
"Very well," Perceptor said quietly.
"I will go and check on my sparklings," Starscream declared, still in that unemotional tone. "Excuse me."
"I feel for that sparkling," Ratchet muttered. "Born to two drones."
Optimus gave Perceptor a look of disgust before marching off. The Magnus was right about impaired judgement, what bot could do such a thing? Clearly, Starscream had been in a bad emotional state and probably desperate to stop feeling so bad. If he'd been given time to think, he never would have gone through with such a ridiculous procedure.
"Daddy, are you okay?" a voice asked and he turned to see Valour with Slipstream attached to his back.
His spark experienced a bolt of sadness as he realised little Slipstream didn't know what his carrier had done. She was intelligent enough to be devastated by it and he knew this was nothing they could do about it. He dropped to his knees and opened his arms out for a hug. Obediently, Valour ran into them and Optimus hugged him tightly.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Valour asked, worried his Sire had done something stupid and mean again.
"I...you know I love you, right?" Optimus whispered.
"Uh huh," Valour said as Optimus turned to Slipstream. "You know Starscream loves you too."
She nodded, frowning.
"Sometimes...sometimes adults get very strong emotions," Optimus explained. "And sometimes, they get so strong that we cannot handle them and want to find a way to get rid of them. Which occasionally results in that adult doing something extreme."
"What do you mean, daddy?" Valour asked nervously.
"Starscream," Optimus began, feeling his throat close up slightly. "Was in a bad way and unfortunately...he sought help from the wrong bot."
"Sire?" Slipstream asked.
"No," he said regretfully. "Perceptor."
"Why's that bad?" Valour asked as Optimus prepared himself for the hardest part.
"Because Perceptor did not see anything wrong in taking away Starscream's emotions."
"What!?" Valour exclaimed in shock. "But why?"
"Perceptor thinks it's a good thing," Optimus said grimly. "And perhaps it is for him but he was wrong to do this to Starscream, even if Star asked him. He should have told us, we would have helped Star through his bad spell."
"Carrier...not okay?" Slipstream tried, she did not fully understand what Valour's carrier meant by all of this.
"Physically, he is fine but emotionally...," Optimus tried, tears slipping down his face. "I'm so sorry Slipstream."
She started to cry, she still didn't understand but she could tell something bad had happened and she was upset by it.
"Valour you must...be a really good big brother for your siblings," Optimus said thickly. "They...they are going to really need you."
"I promise daddy," he replied, tears also slipping down his little face.
...…
"When am I going to get Energon?" Megatron muttered to himself. "This is ridiculous."
He mulishly thought about how he'd always ensured Prime was well fed, where they not going to offer him the same courtesy? Before he could dwell further on this issue, the door opened and a figure stepped in with a large cube of Energon.
"At last," Megatron began before frowning when he saw who it was. "Oh, it's you, traitor."
"Here is your Energon," Starscream replied in a surprisingly dull voice. "Are you well? Have you experienced any internal discomfort?"
"You mean apart from the fact I'm a damned Autobot prisoner?" Megatron said sarcastically and Starscream nodded.
Blinking, Megatron said. "I am only hungry."
"Here," Starscream said, handing him the Energon, Megatron had enough movement to feed himself and shift so he did not grow stiff.
"What is the matter with you?" Megatron demanded as he snatched the cube. "Are you sulking Seeker?"
"I am not," Starscream said in an exceedingly calm voice.
Megatron eyed him, there was something distinctly wrong.
"Starscream," he said slowly. "I would feel a lot better if you kissed me."
The Seeker regarded him before dutifully stepping forward and giving Megatron a kiss. The other grabbed him and pulled him closely for a harsh, hungry kiss. The Seeker allowed it but when Megatron let go, simply stepped back, not looking upset, flushed or even angry.
"Do you feel better?" he asked, still eerily calm.
"I want to know," Megatron stated. "What is wrong with you? What have you done?"
"I have removed my emotions," Starscream replied.
Megatron just stared for a moment. Did he just heard what he just heard?
"Nothing out of the ordinary," Continued the seeker. "Now, I must check on your spark." He added before unsubspacing a datapad and a device to scan his spark and chamber. Immediately the results came and he wrote it into a datapad.
"Are you finished?" He then asked for the cube.
Megatron just shook his head as he continued looking at his once very emotional seeker act like a drone. It was like this one was another very much different mech!
Then another piece of his processor told him why... "So, you couldn't handle them and took them out? How pathetic, Starscream, you see now why Decepticons don't love?"
The seeker however continued writing in his datapad without even flinching at the harsh words his once lover spit at him.
"You were always weak, that was why you wanted me near, right? You always desired my power but couldn't have it even in the berth!" Continued the leader as the seeker finished writing and looked down at him with a calmed and collected expression.
"I will consult with the CMO what is best to feed your sparklings, I believe you will start with the symptoms soon, however, we want to avoid cleaning you or your area."
Megatron scowled at him thinking that even if he didn't wanted to purge, he will do it anyway just to annoy those Autobots or Starscream.
Without another word, Starscream then walked away.
"You're pathethic, Starscream, always were and always will!" Megatron barked at him.
However the seeker wasn't even touched as he checked the cocooned in stasis soldiers; that way they won't even be needed to be fed before entering another room in which was a shivering Lockdown against the corner with Ultra Magnus trying to speak to him. In there were also Blackarachnia and Red Alert.
The medic femme received him.
"Just checked on Megatron, soon he will have symptoms and I believe it will be better for the sparkling for him to consume a more enriched formula." Stated the seeker. The femme looked at him and tried to keep her face stoic.
"Very well, I shall inform my sire," She said.
He nodded before turning to look at Lockdown who kept rocking back and forth.
"Lockdown," Ultra Magnus began again patiently. "I want you to tell us everything you know about Decepticon campaigns."
The bounty hunter just shook his head, muttering. "Gonna eat me from the inside out."
The Autoobt Magnus shot Blackarachnia a slightly exasperated look, she'd traumatised him so thoroughly that it was very hard to interrogate him. She just offered him a shrug.
"Look," Ultra Magnus said soothingly to Lockdown. "If you fully cooperate with us then maybe I can make sure those...ahem, sparklings do not eat you. How does that sound?"
"Gonna eat me," Lockdown muttered again and Ultra Magnus felt like screaming.
"Can't you do something?" he demanded of the spider Femme. "He's bound to have useful information, we need it as soon as possible, before it becomes useless."
"I suppose I could give him something to calm him down," she mused. "He might be in a better state to listen to you."
"Do it," he commanded.
"This should be interesting," Starscream said conversationally and Red Alert tried not to shiver at his almost dead expression. She was used to Perceptor and it helped that she knew he'd made this choice after careful consideration. Poor Starscream had made a rash decision and sadly, that silly Percy had listened to him.
"I'm sure," she said softly. "I will examine Megatron later."
"That's probably a good idea," Starscream acknowledged. "He may be rude to you or stubborn."
"I've dealt with a few of those in my time," she stated ruefully as she watched the other Femme approach the bounty hunter and give him something. She felt somewhat sorry for him, he was really suffering. Of course, he'd brought suffering to plenty of others but still. As a medic, it was in her nature to feel this way.
So she hoped that they didn't destroy this Mech to the point where he'd be better off dead.
...…
Megatron woke with a grunt, his tanks were churning slightly and the uncomfortable sensation had woken him up. But just before he could sit up, he realised that there was something on top of him. Or rather, several somethings.
"I should have know," he mused, opening his optics to find several sleeping sparklings clinging to his armour, their little wing nubs fluttering every now and again.
Acidstorm had the feeding tube in his mouth, meaning the little rascals had probably taken it in turns to feed from him. Perhaps that was why he wasn't feeling great but he pushed that aside.
"Well my dears," he said softly, stroking Thundercracker gently. "I hope you're causing the Autobots a lot of trouble."
It was amusing that they'd managed to sneak in here, hopefully it would give those cursed bots a few spark attacks. He noted that Slipstream wasn't here, only her brothers and wondered where she could be. With her elder brother perhaps?
"Shame you cannot tell me," he sighed, it had been a few days since his capture. He'd seen Starscream several times and on each occasion, the Seeker had been clinical and unemotional. It was rather unnerving, nothing he said made any difference. Even asking the Seeker to give him some release had no effort, the Seeker simply did what was required and then casually walked away.
He wished Prime would visit, at least he knew he'd get a reaction from him but sadly, that had not happened. That femme medic and her Sire had visited, checking him over and adjusting his Energon formula. He'd gotten a little bit of amusement from baiting them but sadly, that had been short lived. He sometimes wondered if boredom would drive him crazy, there was nothing to entertain himself with. Maybe the Autobots thought they could tame him with lack of stimulus. Not a chance.
However, he was glad his sons had decided to pay him a visit.
"So little ones?" he asked the still sleeping sparklings. "Who will discover you here?"
"You're really stupid to think your newsparks were able to sneak in here without someone helping them." Suddenly a feminine voice stated darkly.
Megatron grimaced. "Show yourself you treacherous bitch!"
"Your sons needed to see you since you hurt Starscream irremediably that he practically killed himself," She said not showing herself.
"He was weak! Do not blame me for it!" Barked Megatron startling his creations and making them whimper.
"He was no weak, he dared to love you... To give you his spark only for you to step on it and crush it as if it was a useless lightbulb!" The spider bit back before whistling in a little and light tune.
Immediately the little mechlings looked at the door and started crawling away from their sire without complains.
"What...? What... Where are you going?" He tried as they all left him and he was unable to stop them from leaving.
"Interesting, right?" Started the spider. "Now that Starscream is an emotionless drone he's showing how intelligent he is. He even found a way to make this little dears obey."
The Decepticon leader grunted, but she continued; "He is a really invaluable mech and all this time he tried and did his best effort for you to notice it, however the only thing that made you see him was his valve... You said he was pathetic, Megatron, but you know what? You are the pathetic."
With that last statement the forcefield of his cell reactivated and his sparklings disappeared from his sight. Once again he was alone and in silence... And hungry.
His sons had drained him and that spider had not left any cube for him!
"Fragger!" He hissed while feeling tired to even think on answering her as she talked to him like that.
He should have fell asleep, because when he woke up there was Starscream holding up a cube for him.
"Star..." He tried taking it and looked at the drone like seeker.
"How you feel today?" Asked the flier passing him the cube, however Megatron only grunted.
"I believe your son's presence made you feel better." Stated the seeker making the other glare at him hatefully.
"I wonder, Starscream, what information are you selling those Autobots and their corrupt system?"
The seeker didn't answered.
"You want our people enslaved again, right?!"
Again, Starscream remained quiet for a long while waiting for the other to refuel, then spoke:
"Please, for the sake of your offspring, drink your formula; and be more respectful of it, it is the only thing that is keeping you alive."
"Oh yes? If it wasn't for it you would have allowed that bitch to kill me?!" Suddenly howled Megatron making the seeker take a datapad and write on it some notes.
"Drink." He just stated again after finishing writing.
Instead of obeying, Megatron asked while trying to sound nice; "What do you plan to do with our people? Sell them to the Autobots? So far, now you're the Decepticon lord."
For his surprise, the other answered without even flinching at the statement of his rank; "I'll take care of them like you should have, I'll built a world in which we can live in peace, I plan to leave the Autobots Cybertron, is a practically destroyed world and there are much better places around the galaxy. Besides, every Decepticon mech or femme who committed a crime will pay for it, don't ask me how, your slow processor may not understand. And once the debts were paid, we will leave, however I plan to continue in contact with our brothers Autobots for a while, if their state is corrupt, is their problem, not ours, Decepticons are made to obey and fight, if we have corruption is because of your lack of leadership and an old, useless propaganda. We're free now, even without Cybertron, we don't need it, we can survive and live better away from it. Now, drink your formula."
Megatron's left optic twitched. Did Starscream just called him 'idiot'?
It seemed like. He obviously felt superior now somehow.
"Starscream..." He tried in a threatening tone that hadn't even made the seeker flinch the tip of a wing.
Without another word, the seeker then turned around on his heel and walked away, without knowing that the Autobots were fighting and catching every errant Decepticon in the galaxy, and in Cybetron... Shockwave and some senators were jailed as well. Soon, when Bulkhead finishes the space bridge, he, along with Ultra Magnus will pay a visit to them in the stockades and the seeker will make sure he was obeyed.
He planned to take all his people away from the Autobots, to build another world, another empire, and he was sure he will be obeyed now that his attitude was other, cold, calculative and reserved.
He will make what Megatron failed in achieving, he will give their people a home. Yes, Decepticons fly, so they flew away from their nest and will do it once and for all. Let the Autobots rot in their corruption in their destroyed world, the Decepticons will not be part of it any more, but will always be prepared, because even as fliers, they are warriors.
He passed by the now again cocooned Lockdown who peacefully now recharged before looking at the other cocooned and recharging decepticon soldiers. Soon, soon they will have a home to love and look after. That will also keep them ocupied enough to not fight his leadership.
Once away from the brig, the seekerlets saw him and flew towards him while attaching themselves to his armour. He hadn't even greeted them as they snuggled and cuddled against him.
"At least tell them something!" Barked Ratchet while seeing those huge, expecting red optics.
"Good morning sparklings," The seeker obliged with an emotionless tone that made Ratchet flinch. However the seekerlets only chirped and cuddled further. They are just too innocent and maybe believe their carrier is ill.
Slipstream however could see that he had changed and it made her extremely sad. It was like her carrier had been replaced by a totally different Mech, one that was unemotional. Oh, he made sure they had more than enough to eat and ensured that they were well entertained as well as educated but...it just wasn't enough. She missed the way he smiled at them, the way his optics lit up in delight if they did something to please him.
She even missed his scoldings because she knew that he only did it because he cared.
"You okay?" Sari asked her, the little girl was able to visit again since the Decepticons had been captured. She and Valour had been trying to do their best to cheer up the young Femme but it wasn't easy.
Slipstream sniffed before shaking her head.
"Miss carrier," she said sadly. "Want him back."
"So do I," Valour said with a sigh. "Daddy really liked talking to him too."
She sniffed again, her optics were starting to fill with tears.
"Should we take her to see your Sire?" asked Sari, not sure what else to do.
Valour grimaced but it was true that Megatron still had emotion so he could show affection.
"Would you like that?" he asked his little sister. She considered it before nodding, she really wanted to feel something from her creator.
"Okay, we'll go," Valour said firmly, he'd do anything for his little sister. He hadn't seen Megatron face to face since Skywarp had accidentally called him and was a little nervous. But he knew his Sire couldn't hurt him so they would go.
It wasn't too hard to sneak away, even emotionless Starscream was distracted by eight cuddling Sparklings. They managed to get into the brig and carefully crept along it, staring at the cocooned soldiers.
"Creepy," whispered Sari.
"Yeah," whispered Valour back as they made it to the other side.
Valour typed in a code and opened the door to Megatron's room. They entered and instantly saw Megatron lying down on his berth. His head turned at the sound of the door opened and he looked rather surprised to see them.
"Sire," Slipstream called, jumping out of Valour's arms and shooting over to him. The large Decepticon was just sitting up as she leapt onto his chest and clung tightly, burying her face into his armour.
"Slipstream," he murmured, stroking her head before looking at the other two. "What's wrong?"
"She misses Star," Valour explained. "He's like a drone now."
Megatron scowled at this before his expression softened.
"Valour," he said softly. "Won't you come over here?"
"Why?" Valour asked a little nervously.
"I haven't held you since the day you were born," Megatron explained. "I'd like to now."
Valour glanced at Sari, he wasn't sure about that. His Sire had done a lot of bad things, his cruelty towards Star was the reason the Seeker was drone like now. But he knew that Slipstream and his other little brothers loved Megatron a lot so maybe he wasn't a hundred percent bad. Maybe he could teach his Sire something about love, his younger siblings definitely needed more love after what Perceptor had done.
"Please Valour," Megatron said gently. "Come and feel your future sibling."
"Well...," Valour said slowly. "Okay..."
Sari watched as he carefully made his way over to the berth before Megatron bent and picked him up. Slipstream remained attached to his chest as the grey Mech examined his eldest child carefully before smiling and hugging him.
"You're a beautiful sparkling, my brave little Mech," Megatron stated affectionately.
"Thank you," Answered carefully Valour before bitting his lower lip. "Umm... Sire?" He tried.
"Yes?" The mech said still hugging him and enjoying his proximity.
"Why did you hurt Star?"
Megatron's optics onlined fully before he looked down at his eldest creation who awaited for an answer. Actually Slipstream now waited for one too.
"I haven't hurt him... Frag, I'm sick of explaining myself! It is not my fault that he was weak and couldn't bear the truth!" The warlord barked furiously making the sparklings and a watching Sari flinch.
Slipstream actually cried. "Sire hurt carrier, carrier gave sire spark, sire said he hates carrier."
"He betrayed me! He's the reason I'm rotting here in this brig!" Once again he roared.
"He hadn't betrayed you! You betrayed him while still thinking in my dad and then telling him those horrible things; also, if you're here is because you attacked us and we just defended!" Exclaimed Valour not believing how mean a bot can be. Not even Sentinel was this mean.
"He was the one who sold me to the Autobots, he-!"
"He hadn't sold you! He loved you and just tried to vent his sadness on your lack of... Of caring for his love! How would you feel if you gave your spark to someone but find out that not only that mech doesn't loves you, but hates you and thinks on another?" Asked the mechling and Slipstream nodded waiting for the answer as well.
"He was well aware that I desired your carrier, he knew what he was getting into, he knew that I wanted no other and still he offered me his aft!"
Slipstream gasped at that. "Was that all carrier was for you? An aft?" She asked brokenly.
Valour now was frowning deeply and Sari covered her mouth to avoid answering to that.
"He always wanted power, always tried to destroy me until one cycle he offered me that... He knew he was never going to be anything worthy, that I am the Decepticon leader and that he's only a backstabbing whore!"
Slipstream hiccuped as tears escaped her optics. Her sire's words were just horrible.
"How can you speak about him like that?!" Demanded Valour in anger. "He might have done bad things in the past but in the end he gave up all of that for you, in the end he loved you and gave you nine beautiful sparklings!"
"Yeah, and he even saved your life!" This time Sari couldn't help it any more and also barked. "Haven't you thought why he did all those things in the past, dude? It was because he was trying to get your attention! You get it?! YOUR attention! He always wanted YOU to see him, to praise him, to love him as much as he admired and loved you! How can you be so stupid?"
Megatron's left optic twitched. "What...did you called me, fleshling?" He asked threateningly.
"You heard me, stupid! And now you even dare to speak about Slipstream's dad like that in front of her not even caring about her feelings!"
"It is the truth! Her carrier whored himself to me!" He roared back at the little girl who frowned deeply at him...
...however...
"S- sire...m- mean..." Tried Slipstream who now openly and brokenly cried.
"That is why my daddy got away from you... He saw this... He knew you were bad... You are mean and selfish and don't look after anyone that is not yourself..." Now Valour was also crying when seeing his little sister suffering and started squirming to get himself free from his grasp.
"I am not weak! Love is a weak feeling for a Decepticon!" Exclaimed the bigger mech while trying to hold in his son.
"No, love makes you stronger, gives you a purpose, to protect and keep safe, you don't deserve my dad, you don't deserve Slipstream's dad... You don't even deserve none of your sparklings! Now, let go of me!"
"No! You stay! And I very well know what I deserve, I am the Decepticon leader, the strongest mech in the universe, I can have whatever I please!"
"You're wrong, dude! Just because you're big it doesn't means you can be mean and... A tyrant!" Exclaimed Sari watching her friend trying to squirm his way away from his sire.
Ignoring the little girl, Megatron tried to calm his son. "Valour... Stay put!"
"No! Let go of me, you're horrible, you killed Star, he gave you everything and you still did what you did; let go of me!" Tried Valour as Megatron refused to obey him...
...until something slashed his face and then quickly at his hand, the one holding Valour successfully allowing him to escape. It took him a moment to notice it was Slipstream who attacked him; her optics exploded with tears as she glared at him for once...hatefully?
"Slipstream...?" He tried but the femmling just stepped away from him on the ground going towards her brother.
"Sire hates carrier, sire mean... Slipstream hates sire!" She howled loudly before crying brokenly on the ground making Valour to hurry up in carrying her up and place her against his chest to try and give her some comfort as she mumbled: "Sire mean, sire killed carrier, Slipstream loves carrier, poor carrier..."
Sari and Valour were also glaring at the bigger mech before they turned and walked away without another word... However Slipstream did spoke one last thing that froze Megatron's spark...
"Slipstream make sure brothers knows sire hates carrier and killed carrier... Brothers must hate sire too, Slipstream make sure brothers hates sire and never see him again...!"
With that, the forcefield reactivated leaving behind the stunned fallen leader.
Only one thing rounded his processor: 'What happened?'
...…
"Damn him," Optimus exclaimed furiously as he comforted his son and adoptive niece. Because of the state of their family, Optimus had gently told all the seeker sparklings that he would be honoured if they called him uncle and let him help look after them. Naturally, this delighted the little sparklings and he and Elita had found themselves sharing a berth with a lot of sparklings.
They didn't mind, it gave poor Ultra Magnus a rest for a night, the sparklings had been sleeping on top of him for several nights straight. Optimus would never have believed the gruff older Mech who'd once spoken so cruelly to Valour was actually a very good care giver. Not only was he still pretty much the Jet twin's adoptive Sire, but he was managing the responsibility to looking after nine Seeker sparklings extremely well.
"I wish I could bite him," Elita said grimly. "But that'll have to wait."
"I thought maybe he wasn't so bad," Valour said tearfully, burying his face against his father. "But he is bad, he's a horrible, nasty fragger."
Optimus almost wished he could say that it wasn't true, Megatron was Valour's Sire after all but the truth was, the words were true.
"I'm sorry, sweetspark," he said with a heavy sigh. "You were a good boy for trying, he doesn't deserve you or any of the others."
Valour sniffed before nodding, he was starting to believe that it really was true, that his Sire would never show the slightest hint of decency. But for his little brothers and sister's sake, he wished that wasn't so.
"You've got us sweetie," Elita said, stroking Slipstream's back. "We'll all look after you."
"Yeah," Sari piped up. "We will."
Slipstream just cried, she'd loved her Sire and felt that she'd lost him as well as her carrier. Why had things gone so badly wrong?
"What's wrong?" Bumblebee asked, coming over.
"It's nothing, just Megatron being his usual self," sighed Optimus. "How is Wasp?"
The former Autobot trainee had been placed in the Med Bay as Ratchet and Red Alert attempted to treat him. Being locked up for so long for a crime he hadn't committed had done a lot of damage to the young bot's mind.
"Not great," Bumblebee sighed. "Still hates my guts."
"He'll come round, he just needs some time to heal," Optimus assured the young Mech, his youngest team mate had been suffering from guilt ever since they'd discovered Long Arm's treachery.
"Yeah," sighed the yellow bot before exclaiming. "Hey, you guys wanna make sweets?"
Valour shrugged as Bumblebee gave him a nudge. "Come on, you know you love doing that, it'll take your mind off things. I bet your little brothers would enjoy doing the testing."
"Would you like to do that?" Optimus asked his son as Sari said. "I would."
Valour considered it before saying. "Okay."
"That's a good boy," Optimus said, giving him a kiss before asking slipstream if she wanted to.
She shrugged, she wanted to remain in a comforting embrace for the time being.
"Why don't you and Sari make a start with Bumblebee and your sister can join in later," suggested Elita.
"Wills he be okay?" Valour asked worriedly.
"With time, yes," his mother assured him. "Time and love."
Author's note. Can Megatron ever change? What does Starscream's lack of emotions mean for this family? Find out next time, until then.