Sky Dancer

By: PhantasmBabeIvory

Chapter Nineteen

Author's Notes: I should warn you all that there is a tiny bit of slash occurring in this chapter. This is a first for me, as I have never written about slash pairings before. I am not trying to weird anyone out, and I can assure you all that the relationship in question is going to be played strictly for laughs and some minor drama. It will not develop into anything physical.

If you're still bothered by this, then I have only one piece of advice. Don't like it; don't read it.

In addition, some people have commented or asked questions on why Alexis is still being referred to by her human name. My answer to this is simple -- many of the Autobots in this story are the ones who have known her only as Alexis for over a decade, and they wouldn't abandon calling her that within a three-month period. The changeover to her new name, Sky Dancer, was meant to be a gradual process.

For what it's worth, I will say that she will be referred to more often by Sky Dancer in the third (Cybertron-based) story.

"I wish that you would have told me… Or, do you still not trust me enough after all this time?"

Optimus sighed upon hearing those words, tilting his head downwards a notch. He'd expected as much when Starscream had requested that the two of them talk in private. But, at least it was better than dwelling on what had become of Alexis, which both of them were doing their best to distract themselves from.

"This decision had nothing to do with trust," Optimus said quietly. Crossing his arms in a casual manner, he went on with, "Part of being a commander is that you're sometimes required to make difficult choices… If you knew what was going on, Starscream, it could have inadvertently put your friend in danger. You needed to believe that Demolisher had turned against us, because Megatron needed to believe it."

Starscream would have protested this, but then he recalled his actions from that day and how panicked and distraught he had been. Perhaps Optimus was right; Megatron would surely have known something was up if Starscream hadn't been acting appropriately to the situation.

Optimus sighed, continuing when Starscream remained silent. "For what it's worth, no one other than Demolisher and I knew about this until several days ago," he said, going on to tell his reasons for cluing Scavenger in. After another period of silence, Optimus said, "When you see him next, tell Demolisher I'm sorry I ever doubted him. Even if our primary goal wasn't achieved, what he tried to do for you and Alexis proves just how noble he is."

Starscream nodded, feeling an ache at the mention of his beloved. Absently, he responded with, "We'll find some other way to deal with the whole Unicron situation." Following this, he hesitated, then asked to be excused, saying he'd like to visit with his friend.

Demolisher was much more alert when Starscream arrived at his bedside in the med-bay, and there was something heartening in the fact that he raised one hand to knock fists with his friend. Starscream was soon seating himself next to the berth, unconsciously petting the still-sleeping youngling in his hand. "How are you feeling?" Starscream asked.

A slight grimace crossed Demolisher's face. "Starting to know how you felt, getting on Megatron's bad side so often. I wasn't back with the Decepticons for that long and suffered more abuse than anyone should have a right to…" The hard-edged bot hesitated, shifting his gaze to stare blankly at the ceiling. "Well, maybe that's a bad choice of words. The way things are going, I think you'd be very hard-pressed to even find a good side… I'd be quite surprised if Cyclonus doesn't defect back to our side in a matter of days," Demolisher said, going on to clarify what had become of their eccentric comrade.

After a period of silence, Demolisher abruptly began chuckling, causing Starscream to regard him dubiously. With a note of humor, the former said, "I miss the days when all we had to worry about was the human extremists who didn't want the Transformers here on Earth."

Starscream had to laugh at that, saying simply, though not without a hint of melancholy, "I'll take a low-tech bomb-diffusing any day…"

"You'd better be careful, or you'll get me believing that we're starting to become friends."

Though Rodimus' expression remained blank, he responded, in a cordial tone, "Would that necessarily be a bad thing? Given what you've told me, Scorpinok, it sounds as though you and Alpha Q could use someone reliable on your side." Rodimus paused, gazing towards the planet where his companion had sent the Terrorcons; he and Scorpinok were currently standing on the hull of his ship. "Ever since our mines were established in this sector, my girls and I have, on countless occasions, had to fight off rogue Transformers who were looking to steal from us… Before you came along, I thought I'd heard every excuse imaginable."

Scorpinok remained silent for a moment, his mind briefly turning to the whole fiasco with Sideways. Though Alpha Q had very much wanted Scorpinok to not go back to the Decepticons, the latter had argued that it wouldn't be in their best interest to leave Unicron's body solely in Megatron's hands. Ultimately, Alpha Q would need both halves of the dark god's remains if he and Scorpinok were to achieve their overall goal.

Scorpinok took a moment to say as much to Rodimus, then added, after a brief pause, "I'm curious as to why you would want to help me."

A small wry smile came to Rodimus' face. Though his initial statement came off as a little vague, Scorpinok gained more and more of an understanding as the speech wore on. "I've lived a simple life ever since I abandoned Cybertron, and the war," Rodimus said. "For forty thousand earth years, ever since I saved them from a bombing run instigated by some Decepticon aerial troops, Elita and Chromia have become my whole life. Given that this was during a period where anyone who grew up on the planet would sooner or later be drafted, I felt that I would rather be known as the soldier who went AWOL than one who let these two innocents be forced into a war with no foreseeable end."

Rodimus sighed, briefly looking skyward. "Then, during my early travels, I saved a group of Omnicons who were under attack from some roving marauders -- not Transformers, just some greedy aliens who had their own use for Energon… As a sign of gratitude, the Omnicons offered me a way to make my way as a merchant. Using the specialized equipment they gave me, I was able to locate and safely mine from Energon deposits… I've been trading to remote Transformer colonies ever since in exchange for whatever goods or technologies they could offer me." He looked down at the ship on which they were standing. "That's what, over time, created this very shuttle."

Scorpinok nodded thoughtfully, beginning to see where Rodimus was going with this. Still, he said, with a hint of uncertainty, "Helping Alpha Q and I achieve our goal would ultimately benefit you…?"

Rodimus nodded. "If your sovereign can pull off what he says he can, then I imagine that even the Autobots on Earth would be able to forgive you for past misdeeds."

Scorpinok remained silent for a moment, mulling this over before saying, "Perhaps you're right… But maybe I could get started on setting things right sooner rather than later." He looked up at Rodimus, tentatively saying, "I don't know what all technologies you have access to, but perhaps you could do me a favor…"

Tensions were running even higher amongst the Decepticons the next morning when Megatron told his remaining troops of Demolisher's betrayal. After a short time, Storm Bringer decided that the mood aboard the battleship was getting too stifling, and she asked Megatron if they might step outside to get some fresh air, in a manner of speaking.

She spent a few moments watching the stars in peace before turning to regard the Decepticon leader at her side. Casually, she said, "I don't remember there ever being such turmoil amongst the team." Storm Bringer paused, then asked, "Was there some sort of falling out that I don't know about, or haven't recalled yet?"

Megatron looked back at her, a trace of concern in his optics, and softly said, "I'd forgotten you hadn't been with us for very long, before Unicron made himself known. But dissent has always been a common theme among the Decepticons." He gave a short, ironic laugh. "If anything, I know that Cyclonus is still pretty sore about having his flight abilities taken away. As for Demolisher… I can't say that I know what happened."

Megatron remained silent for a beat, then said wistfully, "Ten years is a long time, even for a Transformer. I suppose I shouldn't have expected to get back my old soldiers exactly as I left them."

Storm Bringer lightly bit her lip, hesitating for a long moment. She had never before seen this (vulnerable?) side of him, at least not that she recalled. Timidly, she asked, "And what of me? Am I how you remember?" In the next instant, she was ironically thinking, When in Primus' name did I get to be this shy?

Megatron sighed, his expression becoming unreadable. "I'd like to think so… One of the first things that struck me about you, Storm Bringer, is your ability to face even the most difficult challenge head on and come out on top. I don't know if you remember or not, but you were quite instrumental in carrying us all through Unicron's attempt at annihilation… I don't know very many beings with such spirit and resourcefulness as you possess."

After a moment, Storm Bringer turned towards him, an unfamiliar feeling welling up inside her. As with many of her memories, this one was also vague, but she did remember challenging Megatron on the battlefield and convincing the Decepticon commander that not allying his forces with the Autobots would mean certain death for everyone.

She remained silent and lost in thought for so long that she wasn't immediately aware that Megatron had approached her until his hands came to rest on her shoulders. Startled, Storm Bringer looked up until her optics met his; her breath caught in her throat when she saw the raw desire those blazing red orbs held for her. "You are quite the remarkable creature, my dear," Megatron said softly, in a tone that warmed her. "In the decade I was imprisoned and thought dead, I can't tell you just how often I had you coming to mind… You were one of the things I could never forget, Storm Bringer."

Her throat constricted nervously at these words, and she could only gaze up at him with her lips slightly parted. Megatron took a moment to lightly stroke her face with the back of his hand before his head lowered towards hers.

Storm Bringer dimmed her optics, a shiver coursing through her when his lips very gently brushed hers. She was disappointed when he pulled away after a few seconds; for a first kiss, it was far too brief.

She lit her optics back up so she could focus on him, then she took the initiative. Raising herself up slightly, Storm Bringer put one hand to the back of Megatron's neck, pulling him towards her until their lips met once more in a slightly deeper, longer kiss…

From a distance, Sideways watched this display, unseen, with narrowed optics. While he was angered by the notion that Megatron, to some degree, had used him, it was countered by the certainty that Optimus would still likely be burned by this development. Perhaps then, Sideways would allow Megatron to have his fun; the fallout would more than make up for the small deception.

With that in mind, Sideways turned his gaze from Megatron and Storm Bringer, intending to phase back through the hull to re-enter the ship. Yet, he drew up short when he saw a flicker of movement at the nearby window, and Sideways was even more startled when he identified Tidal Wave.

It was fortunate that the colossal Decepticon was unaware that Sideways was watching him; there was probably no other way that the latter would have seen the seething look on Tidal Wave's face. Even as he idly mused that it wasn't characteristic for the big guy to appear so angry, Sideways followed Tidal Wave's gaze back to the pair standing on the hull.

Sideways blinked, trying to work this out for a moment before coming to an almost outlandish conclusion. But, the more he thought about it, the less farfetched it seemed. Looking back at the big guy, he wryly thought, Is Tidal Wave actually jealous?! After a couple seconds, Sideways chuckled lightly and mused, I think I just found a new way to have fun…

"It may work to our advantage that Megatron wouldn't expect me, and perhaps Starscream, to still be alive."

This latest meeting amongst the Autobots, as well as Misha and a certain human family, had been in session for roughly fifteen minutes. While many had expressed great sorrow upon learning about Storm Bringer, they had been discussing possible tactics to utilize in preparation for the next raid. This lone statement from Demolisher caused all those gathered to feel some degree of hope.

Hot Shot shifted his weight, answering with, "You were aboard this battleship for several days. Was it at least stationary the whole time?"

Demolisher shook his head. "We wouldn't be able to use the Warp Gate to travel there. I'm sorry… I suppose we could send one of our satellites to the general location."

Optimus was quick to shoot down this idea. "Megatron would destroy it on sight, before we could get it close enough to get some workable coordinates."

After a short silence, Misha spoke up from her spot on the balcony, her blue eyes wide with the excitement that usually accompanied one of her ideas. "What about a homing beacon?" When this caused everyone's attention to shift to her, she shrank slightly, her shyness taking hold. Nevertheless, she went on to say, in a gentle tone, "I mean, it worked for Demolisher."

Optimus bowed his head. "Only because Megatron didn't know to be looking for such a thing… He could anticipate whatever move we make when it comes to getting Alexis back, and he'd do whatever he could to counteract it." Optimus paused, looking towards Starscream to see how the jet was taking this. "There's no guarantee that even tagging one of the Terrorcons, which would be the most logical choice, would do us any good."

"Then what if we were to tag several of them?" Kicker threw in. "It would increase our chances of success."

Optimus bowed his head. "We could try, but don't be disappointed if Megatron, or even Scorpinok, discovers the beacon at a later point and disposes of it. Or beacons, if that be the case."

Demolisher brightened just a little. "That's right. I almost forgot about him," he said aloud. The hard-edged bot glanced around quickly at his fellow soldiers before adding, "I got the impression that relations between Megatron and Scorpinok were very strained. Yet, for some reason, our mysterious 'friend' never did attempt to make a run for it, even though Megatron offered him more than one opportunity." Demolisher paused, then added, "I'd say that Scorpinok is about as difficult to figure out as Sideways once was, maybe even more so."

"And what can you tell us about Sideways?" Jetfire asked.

Demolisher shrugged. "You'd probably know more than I do. I didn't even know he was a factor in all this until I saw him for myself. And by then, he and Megatron were in league." A pause, and then, "I don't know how they came to be so."

"What about Unicron?" Optimus said. "Did you learn anything of him?"

"Going by a conversation between Megatron and Scorpinok, I got the impression that Unicron is in a very weakened state. It even seemed to be implied that he's not the one who's running this show; Megatron seems to have found a way to control and use Unicron for his own ends."

Optimus bowed his head, blinking furiously. This had been the last thing that he'd expected to hear. Still, he was able to formulate an answer after a short silence. "This could work to our advantage. If Unicron is really that weak, then we have a great chance of taking him down. It's just a matter of finding him."

Demolisher shifted his weight. "There is something else that we might want to be concerned about. There's still a great number of Decepticon troops on Cybertron, and I'm sure that many of them would be keen to fall back under Megatron's lead. If he were to lose even one more member of the team -- say, Storm Bringer -- Megatron may be compelled to seek reinforcements."

Optimus sighed. "Then we may have to make sure he'd not be able to," the Autobot commander said with a note of weariness. He turned to look towards Dr. Jones. "Perhaps we could see about establishing a force field around Cybertron, utilizing your towers, to keep Megatron off the planet."

Dr. Jones nodded. "Anything I can do to help," he said by way of agreement.

Ironhide took a step towards Demolisher, catching his attention. "I understand why you were there the other day, with Scorpinok and the others. But did you…?"

Demolisher shook his head, cutting Ironhide off mid-sentence. "I had no idea what Megatron was planning. I was told that our attack would be a diversionary tactic, but I thought…" He paused, then gave a deep sigh and turned to look regretfully towards Starscream. "As long as I've known him, Megatron's always been a master at lies and manipulation."

Starscream remained silent to allow that to sink in, then looked over at the youngling perched on his shoulder. When Starxis answered his father's questioning thoughts with a single chirp and barely perceptible nod, Starscream turned to face the group with a surprising level of determination in his orange optics. "Then I say it's time to stop playing games, and show him just what we're all capable of…"

After the conclusion of the meeting, Kicker and Ironhide overheard Starscream saying that he'd be heading down to the simulation rooms to get in some practice time with his sword. Though both the teenager and Autobot rookie wanted to offer their sympathies over the situation, the jet was taking off before they could even say a word to him.

Kicker had to admit to being surprised when Ironhide offered to walk with him out in the hallway. Though they'd been assigned to work together, they hadn't spent much time socializing with each other up until now.

Letting out a deep breath, Ironhide initiated a conversation by saying, "It doesn't feel the same without Sky Dancer here. I don't think I realized just how much of a friendly atmosphere she contributed to the group."

Kicker nodded solemnly. "I know what you mean."

A short silence ensued, broken when Ironhide said, "It was a good idea you had, about placing tracking devices on several of the Terrorcons. It's too bad it might not help us."

Kicker stopped in his tracks so suddenly that it made Ironhide turn to look at him with wide optics. The teenager was soon looking up at his partner with a new level of excitement. "Who's to say it won't?" Kicker said fervently. "How do we know unless we try?"

Ironhide tried to offer a protest, but Kicker wouldn't have it. "Look, the three of us made a promise that we would look out for each other. Given the choice, Alexis or Sky Dancer or whatever you want to call her would do the same for us, especially if Starscream's plan doesn't work." Kicker paused, then added, "What do you say, big guy? Ready to do whatever it takes to help our missing partner?"

Despite himself, Ironhide grinned in response, caught up in the rush of the teenager's enthusiasm. "You bet…"

Prior to leading his troops into battle, Megatron gathered them all together to give something of a pep talk. Even Cyclonus was starting to get jazzed, at least until his leader made a comment that perhaps his name didn't fit with the new form he had been given and suggested it be changed as well.

If Megatron did notice the derisive look that Cyclonus gave him, he did a good job of ignoring it. Turning to the femme at his side, the Decepticon leader said, "Storm Bringer, I want you near me at all times. Aside from not wanting to see you hurt again, it would deter any of the Autobots from trying anything funny… You should especially watch out for our old friend, Starscream, in the case that he's present."

Storm Bringer nodded, a warm feeling washing over her at the thought of Megatron being so concerned for her welfare. Who knew that deep down, he was such a softy? she mused, a very faint smile playing at her lips. "I will," she said aloud.

Megatron smiled in response, then turned to look at each of his soldiers, giving some last minute instructions on what or what not to do once they were out there. With that accomplished, he fervently gave the order to move out…

Once the report came in from the Omnicons at Jungle City that they were under siege, Optimus would later swear that his team had never been assembled faster. As their commander thought, it was a sure sign of how much each and every one of them cared for Alexis and just how determined they were for an opportunity to get her away from Megatron.

As he suspected that Megatron had chosen this colony specifically because it was surrounded on all sides by a dense jungle, Optimus was quick to lay down some ground rules, both to instruct Ironhide and Kicker as well as to remind his more seasoned troops to stay on alert and not get carried away. After informing Hot Shot, Jetfire, and Scavenger as to who they should each be focusing on and telling Kicker to keep them informed at all times on Sideways' whereabouts, Optimus turned his attention towards Starscream and Demolisher.

"As you said, Demolisher," Optimus stated in a semi-rushed tone, acutely aware that the soldiers behind him were beginning to warp out to Jungle City. "Odds are great that Megatron expects you to be dead. You can use both that and the environment to your advantage to catch him off guard, especially if we get him down to ground level."

Optimus shifted his weight, gazing towards the jet with a deadly serious look in his optics. "I hope you're ready for this."

Starscream's face hardened with an equally serious look, and he nodded towards the youngling perched on his shoulder. "We both are…"

Seconds after he'd been transported, Starscream mentally ordered Starxis to get down onto the ground and use the foliage as much as possible to stay hidden. The youngling had been lucky up until now that Megatron hadn't seen him. Given his unpredictable behavior these days, there was no telling what the Decepticon leader might do if he spotted the creature that had, once upon a time, blinded him.

Holding his wing sword at the ready, Starscream began moving cautiously through the jungle, paying scant attention to the heavy droplets of water from a recent tropical storm that was soaking his armor. Intently, he watched the skies as he moved, using his free hand to feel his way around, searching for any sign of Megatron and/or his beloved.

In any case, Starscream was not fully prepared to see Megatron and Storm Bringer (he couldn't think of her as Alexis, or he'd never get through this) hovering in mid-air near the colony, side by side. After a couple seconds, Starscream looked towards the ground, unsure of just where Starxis was though he was sure that the youngling had been keeping pace with him. "She's right above us," the jet said in low, hushed tones. "Can you reach her, Starxis?"

The primary reason that Starscream had wanted the youngling present on this mission had been due to Starxis' telepathic abilities. He had been unsure just how much power the little guy possessed or even if he'd be able to help revive his mother's true memories, but Starxis had wanted to at least try.

There was a short silence before a dejected chirpy voice sounded from beneath the shrubbery. "Can't unblock neural pathways. Need technology to fix."

Starscream sighed, looking over at Demolisher, who been keeping close behind him. "That's okay, Starxis," he answered. "At least you tried." To his friend, Starscream added, "Ready for Plan B?"

Demolisher nodded, turning his gaze skyward even as he drew a handheld launcher from one of his compartments. "Let's do it…"

If not for the fact that Jetfire had radioed him to say that he needed some help against Tidal Wave, Optimus would have been right at Starscream's side when he and Demolisher launched their own attack against Megatron. But, it was imperative that each of Megatron's soldiers be kept busy, or Starscream would not have a chance to pull off what he hoped to do.

Currently, Optimus was making his way to the top of the man-made ruins near the city. It wasn't much in the way of elevation, but at least it was still sturdy and would allow him a clear shot at the colossal Decepticon.

In the midst of this fight, Optimus activated his comlink and asked Kicker for an update on Sideways' location.

"He's inside the city, with Scorpinok and the Terrorcons," came Kicker's reply. "They're working together to fight their way down into the mines."

Optimus hesitated, then answered, "Tell the Omnicons that they need to back off. Sideways would likely kill them all without so much as a scratch in return."

"But, the Energon…" Kicker started to protest.

"Is not as important as the lives that could otherwise be lost," Optimus cut in heatedly. "Just do what I'm asking you to, Kicker."

Hidden within an alcove just opposite the colony's main entrance, Kicker sighed and gave a verbal acknowledgment of Optimus' terms, exchanging a look with Ironhide. Quickly, the teenager relayed the message to the Omnicons, then turned to gaze at his partner. "Are you ready?"

Ironhide held the tranquilizer-style gun, pre-loaded with at least five tracking beacon darts, he'd brought with him up against his chest as an indication. The gun was high-powered enough that it was likely that the beacons would wind up planted underneath the chassis of whichever Terrorcons they marked. With any luck, the jaguar bots would not think much of the "stinging" pain, and Megatron would not locate the devices until it was too late.

"Okay," Kicker said, taking a deep calming breath. "Then just stay sharp, big guy. When the time's right, we need to be quick…"

Until they'd reached the mines and Scorpinok ordered the Terrorcons to fan out and begin collecting their bounty, the former hadn't been given any cause to worry. Scorpinok was relatively sure that none of the predatory bots had been taken out on the way down here, but he did a very quick head count of the metallic jaguars as they began to race by him.

At first, Scorpinok couldn't comprehend just why he was counting five extra than had been brought along, but it took him mere seconds to work out a possible answer. The jungle outside was so dense that no one would have readily noticed if a certain spindly bot had sent his own small group to blend in with Megatron's forces.

Scorpinok threw a glance towards Sideways, then bowed his head, speaking tersely underneath his breath. "Slag it, Alpha Q! I didn't give you a fraction of the Terrorcons so that you could send them here! What in the world were you thinking?!"

The communication screen in Scorpinok's visor showed signs that it was being activated, causing him to bow his head further and angrily hiss, "Don't answer that!"

For the most part, Megatron was pleased to see that he and Storm Bringer would apparently not have to play an active role in this battle/raid. Each of his soldiers was effectively holding their own. Even Cyclonus seemed to be in top form; as incensed as the eccentric bot may be given what he'd been put through, nothing got him in good spirits more than being on the battlefield.

However, all of Megatron's beliefs towards his non-participation went out the window when he caught sight of something soaring out from underneath the canopy. It was soon accompanied by a familiar, slightly grating voice yelling out the name of the Decepticon leader in a fury.

The fact that Megatron didn't draw his sword, as he slowly rotated in Starscream's direction, demonstrated just how bold he was. "I see your luck held out after all," Megatron stated in an infuriately conservational tone.

Starscream sneered, briefly looking past Megatron to Storm Bringer. Even that short glance almost undid him; he really had to fight to stay strong when he saw no hint of recognition in her optics. "Don't waste my time with your asinine pleasantries, Megatron!" Starscream growled, maneuvering so that his sword was held upright, with both fists, in front of him. "You know that only one of us is going to walk away from this fight."

Megatron's lips twisted up into a wry grin. "And what makes you think that I'm the one you'll be fighting, Starscream?"

Though she hesitated for a couple seconds, Storm Bringer took that as her cue, reaching up to grasp her winged weapon and trusting that Megatron would not have said what he did if he wasn't planning to back her up, should she get in trouble. An instant later, she was moving towards Starscream, her weapon raised, though she did stop a few feet away from him.

Storm Bringer sneered when she saw a fleeting panicked look cross his face. "Still afraid to fight me, coward?" she said in low, mocking tone.

Starscream's optics narrowed at her words, but he shifted his weight nonetheless, adopting a fighting stance. "Bring it on!" he growled, a hard note in his voice.

Storm Bringer launched herself towards him, feeling a rush of excitement when their weapons began to clash. As she recalled, Starscream would have been quite the formidable Decepticon warrior, if his one weakness hadn't gotten in the way. How unfortunate it was, that he'd had too much compassion for his own good; such a trait had no place in Megatron's camp.

Storm Bringer did not know if it was because she was in such top form or because her opponent was off his game, but Starscream gradually began to fall under the weight of her blows. Or more specifically, he was being driven, slowly but surely, towards the ground. Storm Bringer eagerly kept up the fight, keeping close to him as she took swing after swing at the guy with her weapon.

She and Starscream were near the treetops when he once more blocked her quarterstaff with his sword, or at least the left side. Thinking quickly and wearing a devious smile, Storm Bringer tilted the right side of her winged weapon towards him, simultaneously drawing the quarterstaff back towards herself. As a result, a gash was opened along her opponent's upper arm, making him yell out in pain.

Starscream backed up quickly, sparing a brief glance towards the wound she'd dealt him. When he looked back at her, Storm Bringer was caught slightly off guard to see an immense level of sadness in his optics. His words, when he spoke a second later, made her hesitate further. "Congratulations. I didn't see that one coming," Starscream said in a weary tone.

Storm Bringer grinned, fully intending to renew the fight. She stopped when a voice sounded, unexpectedly, in her head. It was Starscream's voice, but the fact that she was looking right at him and didn't see his lips moving threw her. Megatron is lying to you.

"What?!" Storm Bringer blurted out loud, shaking her head as though to clear it. Such an action didn't help; she only got more confused when it was repeated.

This identity, this life -- it's not who you are.

Storm Bringer bristled, unconsciously backing away from him. "What is this?!" she said in a raised voice. "What are you doing to me?!"

Positioned above the two sparring jets, Megatron had been watching the fight with an air of smugness. He'd not thought much of Starscream's subtle attempt at retreat, thinking simply that the fool would rather back off than do anything to risk hurting her. Yet, when he heard Storm Bringer's strange declaration, a look of abject puzzlement rose to his face. Concerned, he began to swoop in, racking his processor over what was happening here that he wasn't seeing.

At that instant, a flicker of movement in the forest below caught Megatron's attention, and he glanced downwards. It was fortunate, perhaps, that he'd positioned himself over a break in the canopy. For a couple seconds, the Decepticon leader halted, greatly surprised to see Demolisher alive and well (How did that happen?). Then, he noticed that the traitor had some sort of cannon in his hands; given the angle of this device, it didn't take Megatron very long to assess that it was aimed towards the girl.

When he saw Demolisher begin to pull the trigger, Megatron hurriedly began to soar towards Storm Bringer, simultaneously shouting out a warning. As if in slow motion, she turned to look towards him, her powder blue optics displaying her confusion. Starscream, in turn, looked too bewildered to react.

Megatron found it fortunate that he was able to reach Storm Bringer in time and push her out of the way, even as the report of a launcher being fired echoed around them. Unfortunately, the Decepticon commander didn't have time to likewise avoid the shot, though it surprised Megatron when an energized, glowing red net came to envelop him.

In the next instant, he could feel the net beginning to drain his energy, and Megatron turned his gaze towards the girl, softly speaking her name in a half questioning and half apologetic tone before he began to lose consciousness.

Later on, Storm Bringer would guess that she moved too fast for Starscream to react, let alone stop her. As Megatron began to fall away, she dove after him, simultaneously reattaching her winged weapon to her frame. Miraculously, she managed to catch hold of the net before it fell too far and used all her effort to slow its descent.

Storm Bringer realized once she touched down that this position put her and Megatron in close proximity to Demolisher. Hearing the hard-edged bot rapidly closing on her and the fallen commander, Storm Bringer let go of the net and deftly spun away, once more bringing her weapon into play. When she completed her revolution, the boomerang left her hands, spinning across the clearing with such speed and force that Demolisher didn't see it coming before he was nailed (by the front, blunt edge of the weapon) across the side of the head.

The boomerang was barely back in her hands before she tilted the sharpened edges downwards, and Storm Bringer was given even less time to swipe it across the edge of the net before she was suddenly grabbed from behind.

Furiously, she fought to twist out of Starscream's grip, ignoring his verbal and mental pleas for her to stop. "Let go of me!" she said with an angry growl, following it up with a string of obscenities that would put even Demolisher to shame. After half a minute, she began to feel that it was fruitless. He had too good of a hold on her, and it was only a matter of time before Demolisher recovered and entered the fray himself.

Fortunately for a certain Decepticon commander, Starscream had been so distracted in his attempt to subdue Storm Bringer that he hadn't readily noticed that the energized net used to capture Megatron had dissolved into nothingness after being sliced open. The latter showed no mercy when he seized Starscream by one hand, ruthlessly breaking a few fingers as he violently removed it from the girl's arm.

Starscream yelled out in pain, turning to look at Megatron with wild optics before his expression melted into desperation. "No," Starscream said in a beseeching, whispered tone, mentally willing Starxis, wherever he was, to stay put. "Megatron, please don't…"

The Decepticon leader sneered, maintaining his grip on the jet's damaged hand, and barely noticing as Storm Bringer maneuvered away from him and Starscream. "Don't you dare assume that I hold any sympathy for you just because I once saved your pathetic life!" Megatron spat out, the cruelty in his words and tone tearing Starscream's spark to shreds. "You were a weakling then, and you're a weakling still. And you've long since lost the chance to prove that you could be anything but."

Megatron surely would have gone on but that Sideways' voice suddenly sounded through his comlink, stating that the raid had been a complete success and that he and Scorpinok were making their way back to the surface. After a few tense seconds, Megatron gave a short, cruel laugh, his attention briefly drawn to Demolisher when he saw the hard-edged bot using a tree to haul himself to his feet.

Megatron roughly shoved Starscream away, then turned to Storm Bringer, informing her with a single look that they'd best depart.

Starscream hurriedly climbed to his feet, his optics trained on the sky and Storm Bringer's rapidly retreating form. Without thinking, he went airborne, trying to close the distance between them as quickly as he could. His hopes died when he saw the pair he was chasing suddenly disappear through a portal which rapidly closed behind them.

Following this, it was all Starscream could do to keep from losing it. Bowing his head in sorrow, he whispered a single name. "Alexis…"

Though he was following close behind Scorpinok as they made their way to the rendezvous point to meet up with the remaining Decepticons, Sideways had to stop to gloat when he spotted Starscream and Demolisher in a nearby clearing. Shaking off his surprise that the latter was still among the living, Sideways chuckled lightly, his imagination in overdrive as to why the two looked so miserable.

It was fortunate that this distraction had kept Sideways from vacating the area, as he discovered seconds later when he heard a loud rustling behind him. Curious, the rogue bot tilted his head to look in that direction, and was startled to see that there was a small group of Terrorcons who were actually running away from the rendezvous point.

Shaking his head, Sideways turned to follow them, quite annoyed when he thought, The stupid drones must have gotten turned around…

In any case, Sideways was startled when he saw the jaguars come to a halt in an area not too far away and actually hid themselves underneath the overgrown plant life. For a long moment, the rogue bot could only stop and stare, all the while remaining just as unseen. The Terrorcons aren't smart enough to think about seeking cover, Sideways mused. The only reason they'd do so…

A wry smile slowly began to form beneath Sideways' faceplate, as realization hit him. Somebody ordered them. He resisted the urge to laugh, going on to think, Oh, Scorpinok, you are indeed a sneaky devil… I can't wait to see how Megatron reacts to the news that you're trying to pull a fast one on him…

Next up: Alexis is rescued. See if you can guess by who in my current poll. (hint: there's two correct answers.)