Sky Dancer

By: PhantasmBabeIvory

Author's Notes: Had a wonderful time in Arizona. Didn't get as much writing in as I hoped, but did put together both this chapter and part of the next one (which should be ready within the week). Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Ten

Everything seemed to happen at once after Megatron spoke.

Ironhide seemed to realize his close proximity to the Decepticon leader and made an effort to move himself and Hot Shot away to a safer spot. Seeing this, Scavenger soon stepped forward to help the rookie with this task.

On the other hand, Starscream repositioned himself, and it seemed to Alexis that he was trying to protect her by consciously moving to stand between her and Megatron. Starxis, too, soon relocated so he was hidden from sight, clinging to Alexis' back and growing silent. She guessed the youngling was responding to either her thoughts or Starscream's.

Optimus was well aware of the devastation that Megatron had wrought, and while both acts would have been sufficient to get a rise out of him, there still remained the fact that it was impossible that the Decepticon leader should even be alive. Yet, the remains of Plains City and the brutality visited upon Hot Shot definitely bore Megatron's signature; there was no doubt in Optimus' mind that his greatest rival (Unicron aside) was indeed standing before him.

Taking a step forward in a non-threatening manner and feeling relieved that Tidal Wave and Cyclonus were content to stay put unless otherwise ordered, Optimus voiced a single word. "How?"

Megatron's lips curled up into a sneer. "You have Unicron to thank for that. Seems he would have done just about anything to avoid losing… And seeing as I held the angry energy he'd been collecting for millions of years and was using as a power source, he couldn't resist bringing me back in a failed attempt to reclaim it..." Megatron paused, his gaze turning towards Starscream before melting into a slightly hateful expression. "Ten years, I'd been imprisoned within Unicron, constantly weak and unable to move… That's the last time I do you a favor, Starscream. It wasn't worth me getting the raw end of the deal."

Starscream's optics flared with anger at this. In a strained tone, he said, "I didn't exactly put a gun to your head and force you to make that sacrifice. Don't you dare pin the last ten years on me."

"No need to get argumentative, soldier," Megatron responded, much to Starscream's surprise. "I wasn't exactly assigning blame just now." He paused, looking past Starscream to Alexis as if seeing her for the first time. "Funny, Cyclonus didn't tell me about any new additions to the Autobot team." He quickly perused Alexis from head to toe, looking quite amused, before stating, "Think you have what it takes to join the big leagues?"

Alexis bit back her fright, raising her head in defiance; she had learned long ago that showing fear around Megatron was never a good thing. Before she could say a word, however, Optimus beat her to it.

"Enough, Megatron!" the Autobot leader barked out. "I'll not have you pestering my soldiers." He hesitated, looking towards the crater in the ground when a flicker of movement caught his attention. Much to his disbelief, there were a number of Alpha Q's predatory bots climbing out of the hole with a substantial amount of stolen Energon. The metallic falcons and jaguars quickly fell in line behind Megatron and readied their weapons to fire.

At this, Starscream shifted his laser cannons into position, anticipating an attack. Seeing Cyclonus respond to the jet's action by drawing his own weapons told Optimus he needed to do something before anyone actually opened fire. Looking to his left, the Autobot commander ordered Starscream to stand down, breathing a sigh of relief when the jet did as requested.

Shifting his gaze back towards Megatron, however, Optimus narrowed his optics, doing his best to keep a lid on his own anger. It didn't take a genius to see that Megatron must have stolen Alpha Q's army out from under him, especially taking Scorpinok's condition into account. If that was the case, then the Decepticon leader was definitely up to his old tricks.

With a trace of bitterness, Optimus said, "Have you learned nothing from the outcome of our last war, Megatron? Why provide Unicron with another opportunity to grow in power by feeding on the anger between our two armies?"

Megatron smirked. "Unicron is no longer an issue or a threat, Prime," he responded. "Our good friends, Alpha Q and Scorpinok, saw to that… And, frankly, I see no problem in taking back what's mine."

At the mention of Scorpinok, Alexis looked towards the damaged bot in question, and was startled to see him gazing back at her. Once he realized she was looking at him, Scorpinok's expression melted into a somewhat pleading one. She would guess later on that this was his way of asking for help, to do something that would ensure he wouldn't have to leave in Megatron's company. In either case, however, she doubted that there was anything she, or her companions, could do.

Even as Optimus and Starscream began to wonder what Megatron meant with that comment about Unicron, Ironhide surprised his companions by getting to his feet with an angry cry, issuing a challenge to the Decepticon leader as he advanced.

Quickly, Optimus wrapped his arms around Ironhide as the rookie moved past him, holding him back. "Ironhide, no!" he ordered with a hint of concern. "This is not the time or place for a fight! Look around you -- we are way outnumbered!" He paused, briefly wondering if Megatron would even allow them to get away before adding, "We are going to withdraw and regroup."

Standing a few feet to Optimus' left, Kicker looked up at the Autobot commander with a start. A second later, he was protesting, much to the surprise of his giant companions, "Optimus, we have to do something! Look what that monster did to Hot Shot!"

Alexis threw a glance at Kicker, startled to hear the teenager actually expressing concern for one of the Transformers, especially given it was Hot Shot. An instant later, she felt a twinge of regret as she turned to look at their fallen comrade; she'd forgotten that the impetuous bot had been badly injured in light of everything else that was going on.

"Everyone is going back to Ocean City!" Optimus said firmly. "Hot Shot too." After a slight pause, Optimus looked towards Scavenger and Hot Shot, and a nod from the former told him that the latter would be alright for a few minutes yet.

With a sigh, Optimus turned his attention back towards Megatron. Even as he spoke, he wondered if he might be wasting his breath. But he had to try it anyway on the off chance that it might work. "There's no reason to start our old fight up again, Megatron. If it's the Energon you're after, then there's no reason why you can't negotiate for a fair amount…"

Megatron sneered once more. "Nice try, Prime," he scoffed, deliberately throwing Optimus' words back in his face. "But that could never be enough… In either case, I'd not be content living in your world of peace any more than you'd ever devote your entire existence to battle. And somehow, I doubt that any of the former Decepticons under my command are satisfied after being denied a fight for years on end." Megatron hesitated briefly, shifting his attention. "Isn't that right, Starscream?" he purposely baited.

Alexis narrowed her optics, stepping forward and laying one hand protectively on Starscream's arm, while trying to ignore the fact that the thoughts she was getting from him weren't exactly protesting Megatron's claim. "You leave him out of this!" she shouted before anyone could stop her.

Megatron stared right at Alexis, decidedly startled for a moment, before adopting his trademark malicious smile. Gazing thoughtfully at the spot where her hand rested on her fellow jet's arm, he said, "So, I see you've actually found yourself a mate, Starscream… And what an attractive one she is." Megatron paused again, then took a step forward. "Tell me, is she as good on the battlefield as when she's in your arms?"

Starscream bristled, and he maneuvered his left arm as if to shield the girl behind him. However, it was Optimus who answered by simply stating, "I am not going to warn you a third time, Megatron. Do not harass my soldiers!"

The Decepticon leader offered a wry smile in return. "Very well, Prime. But know that it's likely they won't all be yours for much longer." After a slight pause, he said pointedly, "I seem to recall, Starscream, that you would not be alive right now if not for me. Take that into consideration when you decide where your allegiances really lie."

Not liking where this was going, Optimus turned briefly to regard Starscream and was slightly disturbed by the jet's reaction to this. If anything, Starscream looked very uncertain on what his next move should be. But, judging by the expression on Alexis' face, it was obvious she realized it as well, and perhaps there'd be something she could say or do to offset it.

"Autobots," Optimus said firmly, making all conscious members of his team (except Scavenger) turn to regard him in slight surprise. "Let's withdraw…"

As the Autobots began to disappear through the Warp Gate that would take them back to Ocean City, Scorpinok watched them go with a sinking feeling. Though he knew on some level it would have been impossible for Optimus and his men to rescue him from Megatron, Scorpinok would much rather be in their company than that of a ruthless dictator.

Still, there was something encouraging in Megatron's order to Tidal Wave that Scorpinok be fixed. However, this entailed that Scorpinok be thrown into an Energon reservoir somewhere within Unicron. While this was healing the rends in his armor, the process of sealing the gaps in the metal was even more painful than the methods behind the injuries.

The sound of his own agonized yells echoing through the enormous chamber added to Scorpinok's conviction that he needed to find a way out of this mess. Had Tidal Wave not approached him and stupidly questioned him if he was feeling better, Scorpinok might not have realized at that point that the colossal Transformer was keeping him company.

Gritting his metal teeth, Scorpinok looked up and replied, "Does it sound like I am, you dolt?!" A pause, then, "You could have at least made the repairs bearable!"

Tidal Wave's optics narrowed ever so slightly. "You used us, Scorpinok," he said, much to his companion's surprise; perhaps Tidal Wave wasn't so dim-witted that he couldn't see the big picture. "You should be grateful that Megatron chose to repair you at all." When no reply was forthcoming, the giant bot turned and began to walk away, perhaps thinking that the conversation was over.

"Wait," Scorpinok called out, raising his visor so he could look at Tidal Wave with blazing red optics. When the latter turned back curiously, Scorpinok said, "Surely, Megatron has no further need to keep me here. Why not…?"

Tidal Wave cut in before Scorpinok could finish the thought, sounding as if he was repeating an order he had been given. "You are needed for the army that Alpha Q placed under your command. For now, you are the only one they will follow, Scorpinok… Pray that that never changes, or else we really will have no further use for you."

Scorpinok bowed his head, vaguely aware that Tidal Wave was departing as he reflected on the hopelessness of his situation. He could attempt to escape and was debating his chances of actually getting away when he received an unexpected transmission.

Scorpinok had had his visor almost from the day that his homeworld had been founded, and it had been designed for a purpose. It was outfitted with a private communication screen, that once upon a time had allowed Scorpinok to consistently be at the beck and call of any and all rulers that happened to be in power at the time.

Even more fortunate for Scorpinok was that Megatron likely didn't know that he and Alpha Q would continue to be able to correspond utilizing this method. As far as he was aware, the frequency was known only by the young sovereign.

Scorpinok lowered his visor over his optics, bowing his head even further and making sure to keep his voice as low as he could manage. Still, he made sure not to say something that could be construed as anything other than him talking to himself, just in case he was being watched.

In protest to the mandate that Alpha Q issued to him, Scorpinok said softly, "I can't stay here… If Megatron gets even the slightest hint that I refuse to serve him, he'll…"

Alpha Q interrupted before Scorpinok could finish the thought, sounding downright impatient. "You need not worry, my friend," he said, though his next statement did cause Scorpinok some concern; there couldn't be anything good about the young sovereign referring to his fractured personas as altogether separate entities. "We have already devised a plan to do away with Megatron. If all goes well, it will only be a matter of days."

Scorpinok's inquiries into the matter did nothing to put him at ease. "No!" he said in a sharper tone than he meant to, then followed it with, "He can't be trusted… Allowing him that much freedom is too big a risk!"

"We have no other choice, Scorpinok," Alpha Q responded. "And, there is no doubt that he has much of a grudge against Megatron as we do at this point. We have much leverage to sway him over to our side and ensure that he will carry out our bidding."

Though the points were valid, Scorpinok still felt some misgivings on whether this plan would really work. He could only pray that inviting a loose cannon like Sideways to join the team would produce some positive results… if the rogue bot didn't doublecross them first…

Tensions were running higher than ever upon the return to Ocean City. Whatever Alexis, Starscream, and Optimus had been experiencing when Tidal Wave had turned on them, it no doubt paled in comparison to their encounter with a certain resurrected commander they'd never expected to see again.

Though Alexis very much wanted to speak to Starscream alone, if only to put her mind at ease, she resigned herself to the notion that he wanted to see Demolisher before rumors of the encounter reached him. To keep herself occupied in the interim, she set about helping Scavenger and Ironhide with Hot Shot.

Much to Starscream's surprise, Starxis flew to his side as he was moving away from Alexis and the others. The youngling spent a moment hovering before him as if in expectation, until Starscream gave a sigh and raised one hand for Starxis to settle into.

Looking up at his adopted father with hopeful green eyes, Starxis chirped out, "Stay with us?"

Starscream furrowed his brow, uncertain what the youngling was asking before remembering Starxis had been present for every little bit of Megatron's speech. The jet gave another sigh, stroking Starxis' furry little head in a reassuring manner. "Nothing would make me leave you and Alexis," he answered softly, as he began to move in the direction of the front gate of the city. "Yes, Megatron saved my life, but I shouldn't have to rejoin his team as a way of saying thanks."

Starscream was surprised when the response came from Alexis. He instantly laughed, knowing he should have realized that Starxis would have opened a telepathic channel. You have no idea how glad I am to hear that.

Starscream smiled faintly. Save the celebrating for later… You know that Megatron's not going to be happy when he hears this -- especially if Demolisher denies him as well -- and he has always been the type to retaliate.

After a short pause, Alexis answered, You never told me you felt the way that Megatron said… That you miss the fighting, I mean.

Starscream bowed his head slightly, then put her at ease with, Yes, I do miss it sometimes. But it doesn't rule my life as much as Megatron apparently thinks it does… Hardly seems fair that he should come back now. All that time we spent teaching the members of both factions how to co-exist in peace. If Megatron has his way, it could all soon be undone.

Somberly, Alexis said, For your sake, and Demolisher's, I hope that's not the case.

Judging by the fact that Demolisher was calmly watching the clouds (though also looking bored) above the gate he was guarding, it was likely that news of the latest raid had not reached him. When he saw Starscream approaching, his face lit up for an instant, until he noticed that the jet was looking mighty serious. "What is it?" Demolisher asked hesitantly, uncrossing his arms and letting them hang at his sides.

Starscream remained silent for a moment, until he'd worked up the nerve to speak. "The other night, you said I'd win if you had to choose between me and Megatron. And now, I need you to tell me if that's really the truth."

Demolisher looked even more confused. "Of course it's true!" he said without delay. "Why would you even ask?!"

Starscream dimmed his optics for a long moment, then lit them up again and fixed his friend with a blank expression. "He's alive, Demolisher." When the hard-edged bot fixed him with an uncertain look, Starscream clarified it with, "Megatron's still alive."

Inevitably, Demolisher asked how that could be possible, and Starscream quietly laid out all details of the encounter. When the jet was finished, he had trouble discerning just what his friend was thinking. If he had to hazard a guess, he would say that Demolisher looked downright bewildered by this revelation.

But then, who among the Autobot team hadn't been thus far?

Starscream shifted his weight, disturbed by Demolisher's silence. Softly, he said, "One thing that Megatron has never believed in is that there could be a rapport between the two sides. That being the case, I'd hate to lose you as a friend, Demolisher." A slight pause, then, "If Megatron confronts you, I need to know that you could stand your ground."

Demolisher bowed his head, looking so conflicted that it was all Starscream could do not to press him on the issue. At last, he said quietly, "I'm sorry, Starscream. But… I honestly don't know…"

For a long while after Alpha Q had escaped within Unicron's head, Sideways remained leaning against one wall of the enclosure, gazing out into space through the gaping hole. It had been so long since he had been allowed an unobstructed view of anything other than the interior of Unicron's massive frame, and he was relishing every second he spent enjoying the view. It sure beat stewing over the fact that Megatron had disappointed him.

Sideways sighed, resigning himself to the idea that he just might be stuck in his current form forever. And maybe it wouldn't be so bad, being a ghost, provided he could discover a way to escape the confines of his prison.

Sideways was barely aware of a strange pulling sensation in the pit of his stomach before his world was suddenly turned upside down. The next thing he knew, he was standing within an altogether different (fully enclosed) chamber, his view of the galaxy gone. If he didn't know better, he would have said he'd lost consciousness for a few seconds.

Disoriented, Sideways began looking around wildly in an effort to get his bearings, and his optics narrowed when they landed on none other than Alpha Q. Though curious as to why the spindly bot was staring at him with such interest, Sideways gave a derisive snort. "What is this?!" he said gruffly. "You decide you needed someone to torment?"

Speaking through the head that Sideways had dubbed Nonchalant, Alpha Q said, "Far from it… My brothers and I have discussed the matter amongst ourselves, and we have decided we could use your services." After a short silence, in which Sideways was shaking his head over the notion that Alpha Q thought of his multiple personas as being separate individuals, Nonchalant went on with, "You have existed as something of an extension of Unicron for some time, or else we would not have been able to bring you here, Sideways."

Sideways' optics widened at this little tidbit, and he went to perusing the floor, lost in thought. At last, he looked up and said, "Is that why I've been unable to escape these past ten years? Because Unicron and I are connected on a basic level?!" When Nonchalant affirmed this, Sideways' immediate response, in a loud, angry tone, was, "Son of a glitch!" He spent a few moments fuming about this, before recalling what else Alpha Q had said.

Fixing his spindly companion with a derisive stare, Sideways said, "Whatever it is you want, what makes you think I would help you?"

"Perhaps because I'd offer you something in return I know that you've been wanting very much." Nonchalant paused, knowing that Sideways' curiosity had been aroused by the look his companion gave him. "We don't have very much Energon at hand, but there is just enough left that will help partially solidify your physical form, Sideways, and maybe to allow you to escape the confines of Unicron's body. For the most part, you would still be a ghost, but you would also have the ability to interact with the real world once more."

Sideways remained silent for a long while, his mind reeling with what he was being offered; Alpha Q had been the last one he'd expected this to be coming from. At last, he focused on the spindly bot and said, marking his agreement to the proposition, "What is it you would have me do?"

At this point, Laser Happy's face replaced Nonchalant's, and the former replied with, "Assassinate Megatron so that we may regain full control of Unicron…"