CHAPTER 7: THE MASTER VS. THE STUDENT
NORMAL P.O.V
Megatron overlooked the incoming army.
Suddenly, the Spacebridge exploded in a ball of bright blue light. An explosion that sent waves and waves of blue electric mist throughout the solar system.
The Decepticon Spacebridge was destroyed, the Terracon soldiers along with it...
The screen suddenly paused.
"Such a shame." The footage of the moments before Megatron's demise had been playing on the window screens before Starscream. "But I applaud you, Megatron. You certainly made a grand exit."
The footage played for a bit longer, the shockwaves of Energon continuing deep into the galaxy.
Slipstream thinned her lips at the smugness her twin was carrying. There was no denying that this was what he had wanted all along; proper command of their Decepticon legion. He didn't care how he got it, he just did. So when the opportunity arose, he took it, and let their true Warlord die without mercy.
The female Seeker hadn't been initially convinced that Megatron was truly gone. But it had been more than a few days; with no life signal in sight that made them question his death, there was nothing more that she could do.
For now, she and Starscream were co-leaders of the Decepticons.
"Ahh, Soundwave." Starscream peeked over his proud wings at the silent Decepticon. "Cue the audio-visual. Slipstream and I wish to address the troops."
Soundwave barely gave a nod but did as he was requested.
Inside a workroom full of Vehicons working vigorously for a new Energon vein or signal to investigate, the screens full of their work were taken over by a video feed of their new leader.
"The loss of Megatron, leader of a great Decepticon uprising is certainly a blow to our cause."
"We must not despair over his tragic demise." Slipstream couldn't help but give a knowing side glance at her twin. "We shall embrace his ultimate sacrifice and build upon the foundation he laid-"
"With an even mightier hand," Starscream smoothly interrupted to finish off their announcement, gripping his workstation with determination
"With all due… respect Commander Star-ahem Lord Starscream and Lady Slipstream." At her name, Slipstream glanced down at their newest arrival glaring up with a challenging smirk.
"Yes, yes, what is it, Moonlight?" Starscream questioned with a bored tone.
"Earth is still heavily guarded by the Autobots, correct?" The twins gave a tentative nod. "If Megatron couldn't defeat them with you two by his side, then how can we be so sure you two will be able to defeat them as our leaders?"
Slipstream narrowed her eyes at the questioning tone Moonlight held, but what made her even more frustrated was the knowing smirk and glinting eyes being returned to her.
Moonlight was challenging their position, and due to her time spent under Megatron's tutelage, she had every right to do so.
Starscream made his own frustration known with a loud sigh, "Allow me to be crystal clear. Slipstream and I studied for millennia under our former master. Thus we are equipped to lead you. We are Megatron's true heirs: Lord Starscream and Lady Slipstream; Emperor and Empress of Destruction!"
Murmurs of uncertainty were heard through the audience of Vehicons, confirming that Starscream's proclamation was being very negatively received. They didn't believe in him.
…Had Slipstream been the one to make the declaration, Starscream was certain she would've been more well-received. She was always the most respected one out of the two of them.
The audio-visual link was cut by Soundwave when Starscream began storming down the bridge in annoyance, "What use are troops who can't rise to the task of inflicting unspeakable destruction in our names?"
"That depends on who's giving the orders." Starscream paused in his tantrum when Rebecca floated into view.
"Who asked you?" He snarled.
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out nobody has faith in you," Rebecca overlooked her long black nails with a shrug, "We all know you're both just placeholders until Megatron gets back."
"If in case you suddenly have memory loss, Rebecca, I shall refresh you." Slipstream passed Starscream to stand directly in line with the teenager's glare. "Megatron is no longer here, and it appears someone must rise to the occasion. As Starscream has made clear, we are both capable of taking the stand." She glanced briefly at her twin. "For now."
"You two know where to begin now with Megatron gone? I'd bet neither of you know what to do next."
Slipstream felt a steady frustration flow in her veins at the obnoxious voice behind her and Starscream. She turned around to face the black and pink figure in front of Soundwave, "I do not believe anyone requested your opinion, Moonlight."
Said Decepticon chuckled, "If you both really want the respect you oh so desperately seek, then perhaps you should be looking to Earth for someone who could definitely... bow down to your levels."
The tone of voice didn't convince Slipstream. She was aware that Moonlight had a habit of deceiving her way toward a higher rank, even if it meant leading an innocent soldier standing in her way to death.
Starscream meanwhile, gave the suggestion Moonlight presented a thought, "Legend tells of one capable warrior. On who exists here upon this very planet." He turned to his uncertain twin. "One who can be student to our master."
Slipstream remembered the same information Starscream had, but with a teasing wink sent her way from the Decepticon's new arrival, it was suddenly obvious that it would be a challenge to convince this particular warrior…
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
"If I let go without tightening the screws, this whole thing will collapse… Ay, could you please pass the screwdriver over? It's by your Energon crate."
I nodded at Carly's request and stood up to grab the screwdriver. I was helping her with her science project that was due sometime in the future, though she and the others didn't specify a date. It was for some big science fair their education center held… I think Carly called it a shool, but I'm not too certain. On Cybertron, younglings were taught at a place we called educational centers.
…That was if you were lucky enough to attend one, which the majority of the last wave of Cybertronians born didn't.
"Optimus, why so glum?" I looked up at Ratchet's voice. "This planet - all planets - are free from Megatron's tyranny." He was approaching Optimus on the other side of the base near the Groundbridge tunnel.
"I do not disagree, Ratchet. It's just… a small part of me hoped to change Megatron's mind. Not extinguish his spark."
It was no secret amongst us that Optimus didn't want things with Megatron to play out the way they did. We had all discussed it at some point before his eventual return over what our leader would do if he had the choice, and while a lot of us knew what we wanted, we knew he would do the opposite to us.
"Optimus, his vileness was not slain by your hand, but by his own twisted arrogance!"
There was a low hum that sounded like an unpleasant growl from Optimus in response.
I rolled my optics. Nice one, Ratchet…
"I'm sorry. I know the two of you had quite a history."
History that we knew of, but not truly and fully about…
I found the screwdriver tool Carly was looking for near the Energon crates and picked it up. I couldn't help looking at Ratchet and Optimus again. I wanted to add my thoughts, but it just wasn't worth having that conversation right now.
Besides, Carly had a project to work on…
"But the Megatron whom I once fought beside perished eons ago. The day he chose to become a Decepticon." I could hear Optimus continue the conversation behind me. "The Decepticons may be in disarray, but they are not without leadership. And while Starscream and Slipstream are no Megatron, they are far from predictable..."
Optimus was right about Slipstream, that was for sure…
I settled back into my spot next to Carly working on her project and passed over the tool she needed.
A loud explosion suddenly rumbled throughout the base. Smoke billowed around us…
…The explosion had come from nearby us…
I remembered why I didn't need to worry.
"DECEPTICONS! We're under attack!"
But Ratchet and Optimus didn't know that, especially based on the smoke still forming around us. I could hear their thundering footsteps coming toward us.
"It's no attack, Ratchet." I could hear Rafael coughing from the clearing smoke, "It's my volcano." The smoke cleared enough for us to see the project he and Bumblebee were working together on slowly collapse. "Was."
"Decepticons?" My helm shot up at Starlight's voice. She was standing in the hallway, holding out one of her knife weapons in preparation for an attack...
…Oh I remember that look on her face.
Raf's volcano must have reminded her of back at Iacon; it was where the constant bombing occurred often. Starlight, myself and many others were the last defense of the Hall, and the 'Cons were always trying desperately to get in and steal any of our intelligence… or worse, get to Alpha Trion. They weren't successful, but they didn't always leave without leaving a reminder that they had been there.
"Star, it's okay." I slowly stood back up and walked over to her. "Hey, it's okay. It's just us. This isn't Cybertron." The tension on her face was slightly disappearing as I got closer. "This isn't Iacon."
She heaved out an exhale, and finally lowered her weapon, "I'm sorry." There was a strained smile on her face while she half shrugged. "Old habits."
I gave a sad and knowing smile back at her. I knew what that was like. It no longer affected me as badly as before, but now and then, I still felt those feelings of what if it was them.
But apart from that, her transition into becoming a permanent member of the team had gone pretty well. She was fitting in nicely, and even though Agent Fowler hadn't been pleased with the mess of her pod in the forest, she managed to make him leave with a smile on his face.
Even if it did only last for a klik.
"Hold still, Bulkhead!" I looked behind me at Miko and Bulkhead, who were working on her project. Bulk was sitting down holding up strings of different-sized circle orbs. There were buckets of different coloured paints beside him. Miko dipped a brush into the red paint bucket, "Jupiter needs its red spot!" She went to paint the orb just as some of the paint dripped down probably onto the ground, "Whoopsie!"
"What in the All Spark is going on around here?!" Ratchet demanded.
"Our projects are due tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?" I widened my optics and looked down at Carly, "You told me they weren't due for a few weeks?"
Carly was working on a project involving solar energy and was creating a solar panel that would not only take in heat from the sun, but also from within the air if the sun wasn't out. She was going to use these to help learn how powerful solar energy can be in comparison to the regular way energy was collected.
She looked up with a dry look as I returned to my seat beside her work table, "We've been a little distracted with, you know, discovering you guys?"
…Fair.
"Maybe it needs one of these doo-hickies?" I looked over at Arcee and Jack working on his motorcycle project. She was holding up some kind of pipe toward him.
"You're a motorcycle, Arcee. Shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?"
"You're a human, Jack. Can you build me a small intestine?"
"Well, you can't work on these projects in here. You're… making a mess!" Ratchet began telling us off.
But why? They weren't doing any harm to us…
"But the science fair is a big part of our grade!" Rafael objected.
"Yeah! If Bulkhead doesn't help me finish this model of our solar system…"
"Ohhhh?!" Ratchet interrupted Miko with a scoff, "And what does Bulkhead know of your solar system? Or Bumblebee of your volcanoes?" Ratchet scoffed, "Or…"
"Or Arcee of our motorcycles?" Jack continued.
Carly folded her arms, "Or Windswept of our technology?"
"Precisely! We're not Earthlings! And they're not scientists!" Ratchet smugly had his servos on his hip plates like he had made his point pretty clear to Optimus.
Ugh, it was always no way or his way...
"But the Autobots are their guardians, Ratchet." Suddenly, the smug look disappeared. "Would it hurt to learn more about this planet by helping our young friends with their schoolwork?"
"Yeah, Ratchet," I grinned cheekily at him.
Our dear medic looked from Optimus to me and back to our leader again, "Well, maybe our young friends should try learning of Cybertron!"
The smug look on my face disappeared this time…
NORMAL P.O.V
"During the great war, so much Energon was hidden on this forsaken rock."
The location of the student Starscream believed would serve him and Slipstream well was a familiar location for Soundwave and his mini-con Laserbeak, as it had been where they had taken Agent Fowler only a week and a half prior. It was a canyon in the desert.
"But our departed master sent some of Cybertron's greatest to guard it," Starscream's explanation continued as he overlooked the canyon, "True warriors now lying in stasis waiting to be reawakened."
"What a pity Megatron forgot he could search this planet for warriors instead of his resting place."
Slipstream huffed and rolled her eyes at the taunting Rebecca, "Do remind me why we allowed you to join us?"
"I wanted to come because Moonlight came," Rebecca replied happily nearby, "She's quite fascinating, ya know."
"I imagine so," The Seeker muttered irritably.
The twin seekers didn't have much choice in whether Moonlight came with them or not, as she was the one who knew the coordinates to the warrior they were looking for.
Much to Slipstream's dismay.
Behind them, Soundwave continued to search for the location of the warrior, using a sensor just behind his head to secure the search. The continuous beeping of the sensor, however, was not identifying any signal.
"What do you mean you can't pinpoint his signal?" Moonlight narrowed her frustrated eyes at the silent Decepticon.
"We're so close!" Rebecca whined.
"Boost the power to your sensors!" Soundwave followed through with Starscream's instruction, his sensors soon whirring at a pick up of a signal.
Moonlight hummed at Soundwave's screen positively, and pointed at something on him, "There."
On Soundwave's screen was an in-depth map of the location. Once the Decepticon zoomed in further, his tracker beeped in the detection of an orange Decepticon symbol nearby.
The Seekers and Soundwave transformed into their fighter jet forms, flying into the canyon. Moonlight soon transformed into her newly acquired jet form after them, her hot pink cockpit remaining open for Rebecca to take her place inside. Once secure, they too followed after the Decepticons to locate the soldier they were eager to seek.
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
"I might only be a scout, but I'm gonna be in warrior class one day!"
"Uh huh... uh huh..."
There was a familiar sound of weapon activation nearby where Rafael and Bumblebee were talking. It was probably 'Bee messing around with his blaster weapons.
They were talking about fighter class ranks in our war. Prime was the highest rank of all, obviously, with Second in Command, or Commander in other terms, following suit - which in our case was mine and Arcee's shared rank depending on the situation. But back on Cybertron, there would only be one main 2IC,. The rank situation would then be dependent on squadrons such as scout, warrior, spy, etc and divided by Alpha, Beta, Delta squads.
And then you had the subgroups such as Wreckers, the Aerialbots, and the Female Autobot squad just to name a few; all led by separate lieutenants and their own 2ICs. The lieutenants all followed after the main 2IC depending on position.
The Iacon group that Star and I were a part of was mixed with soldiers from the Elite Guard that didn't get to properly graduate into an Autobot squadron or subgroup. It also included 'Bots that were meant for other subgroups or factions but couldn't be placed in for certain reasons.
"You know I'm already a very good shooter and fighter! I'm not quite at warrior status yet."
"Really, Bumblebee? Then how do you make warrior class?"
"It takes time. You can't just go straight from scout to warrior like that 'cause you're a good fighter."
"But I've seen you in action! You're awesome!" Rafael objected. He and Bee were putting newspaper back onto their model volcano after it collapsed.
"Yeah, yeah, bu-"
"I second your opinion, Raf." I looked up at Optimus placing his servo on Bee's shoulder. "But Autobot life-cycles are longer than those of humans. And though it may be hard to believe, our young scout still has much to experience."
When Optimus put it like that, it made me realise that, in realistic terms, I was meant to be in a scout class with Bumblebee and Starlight. But because I was considered the de facto leader of the Iacon group, I was, on some technicality, a commander - which made sense for me to hold the position as his 2IC.
Arcee had been a lieutenant of her squadron, which was one of the highest-ranking squadrons in the whole Autobot faction. It made sense for her to be 2IC when I couldn't be.
"How long is an Autobot life-cycle?" I turned down to Carly curiously staring back at me. She was nearly finished with her solar panel project.
"How long does an average human live for?" I asked.
"Humans can live for one hundred years, sometimes a little longer," Rafael began answering, "On average though, it's about seventy to eighty years since natural causes can occur earlier for some people."
"Seventy human years," I hummed, "An Autobot life-cycle is usually five times that, depending on the natural causes."
"Woahhh."
The sudden but familiar beeping from Ratchet's workstation interrupted the gasps of wonder from Carly and Rafael. I stood up with the rest of the team to go see what was causing the alert to go off.
"Exposed Energon! And it's on the move!"
Bulkhead walked up beside Ratchet, "And since we're not moving it, guess who must be."
I joined him, "The one and only..."
"Decepticons." Arcee appeared beside me.
"Without Megatron?" Miko wondered.
As if the 'Cons would just stop to mourn him…
"Unfortunately, Megatron's legacy will live on as others rise to take his place." Optimus looked like he took a moment to think about something. "Autobots, you have projects to complete. Ratchet, I may require aid."
I turned to Ratchet, who was looking over his shoulder at Rafael still working on his project. "The science fair is a big part of their grade..." Uh oh… I know that tone… "Perhaps I'm better suited to remain behind and advise."
Advise…? Oh boy.
"Very well. Bumblebee, Starlight, Windswept, let us see about this Energon in transit."
I turned to Bee and Star standing proudly and looking ready to join Optimus and I on this scouting mission. Even though it was just that, a scouting mission, moving Energon did mean Decepticons. It was likely we were going to have more than just words with them. A solid team was needed, along with backup remaining here just in case.
I looked back at Carly, "Put those panels somewhere safe, and somewhere out of Ratchet's servos."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I could hear Carly ask curiously in one audio, and Ratchet's accusing tone in the other.
I turned towards our medic, "Well, Carly's nearly finished hers, and I think she should put it away for safe-keeping."
"I said I was going to supervise, not walk all over their projects literally, Windswept."
That... wasn't what I was referring to.
NORMAL P.O.V
The signal the four Decepticons were tracking had led them to a Cybertronian storage container deeply embedded into the rock walls of the canyon. With ease, Starscream and Soundwave pulled the container out enough to where they could properly activate it.
"Excellent Soundwave," Starscream complimented.
Moonlight held out her hand in front of Soundwave with a smirk, "The cube, please Soundwave."
The silent Decepticon pulled out a small storage box and opened it, revealing a bright blue Energon cube glowing from inside of it. Moonlight delicately pulled the cube out from the box, and placed it into a little cube-sized gap in the container, which the latter sucked in. It immediately infused into the container, awakening the systems of whatever was inside.
"The Energon infusion is working," Slipstream mused with a small smile, glancing to the side to ensure Moonlight wasn't overlooking her features.
The container began to open, a bright blue light shining blindingly toward the four Decepticons. It forced them to look away just as the transfusion appeared nearly complete.
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Starlight and I walked out of the Groundbridge portal first, and it sounded like Bumblebee and Optimus were close behind us. It appeared we had arrived in a canyon in the desert as if we weren't far off from Jasper - we probably were, I just didn't bother to check the coordinates.
I immediately heard the sounds of machinery nearby despite the noise of the portal closing behind us. I turned towards the sound, which felt like it was only a few kliks away.
"That doesn't sound good." Obviously, I wasn't the only one who had heard.
"No, Bumblebee, it does not," Optimus agreed, holding out his servo towards him and Starlight, "Hold yours and Starlight's position and await my command. Windswept?"
I nodded at his tone - it meant to go with him.
Let's go see what the 'Cons were up to.
NORMAL P.O.V
The container began to open, signaling the completion of the Energon transfusion.
"Awaken, warrior. Rise and serve your new masters!"
The container opened to reveal an olive green Cybertronian warrior, his red piercing eyes confirming he was of the Decepticon faction. He stepped out of the container, revealing extra tints of white and red highlights. He punched his fists together high above his form, and immediately returned his gaze down at who had awakened him.
"Skyquake serves only one master."
Slipstream widened her eyes at the Decepticon, glancing at Moonlight in concerned frustration - this particular warrior was known for being fiercely loyal to one Decepticon alone.
"Excellent. Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake. You may bow."
"You fail to grasp my meaning," Skyquake warned Starscream, "I am here on a mission, assigned to me by my one master: Megatron."
"This'll be interesting," Rebecca muttered with intrigue from Moonlight's shoulder.
Slipstream didn't allow the thought of Moonlight knowing exactly who they were awakening slip her mind.
"Yes, him. Sadly Megatron is no longer with us," Starscream revealed.
"Impossible."
"Why is it so difficult for everyone to accept?" Starscream muttered in annoyance before returning his attention to the reawakened Decepticon, "Skyquake, we located you. we awakened you. Thus, we, Lord Starscream and Lady Slipstream, are now your masters!"
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Who was that growling at Starscream?
I looked around at who else was with Starscream and the 'Con trying to scare him off. Slipstream, Soundwave… Starlight's sister Moonlight?!
She had made it to Earth after all… Did she know Star was here?
"It has been a while, Skyquake." Optimus knew this 'Con?
The unfamiliar Cybertronian stood up and shoved Starscream away, which sent him into the rest of the 'Cons, "Optimus Prime. I haven't seen you since the Battle of Technahar. Megatron ordered me to annihilate you."
Ooooooh, so it was that kind of 'I know this person'...
"That was a long time ago."
"That may be, Prime." Optimus started moving toward the 'Con as he spoke. "But my orders still stand."
"Is this ancient war still worth fighting? When so many comrades have been lost? And worlds destroyed? If you want to be true leaders, Starscream and Slipstream, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decepticons towards peace."
I appreciated Optimus' plea, but there was no Primus-damned world where Slipstream would throw in the towel so easily. She was Megatron's number one, and always would be whether he was alive or not. If it wasn't for Starscream, she would happily lead the Decepticons on her own... and probably would do a better job than him too. Their reign may've barely started, but I just knew.
"I would be willing to consider a truce… if you would be willing to bow before us, Optimus Prime and Windswept."
"Again!?" Skyquake suddenly boomed, "Bow to this!" He suddenly threw a punch at Starscream, sending him into Moonlight and them both into the rock wall behind Skyquake.
Starscream groaned before he transformed and flew away with Soundwave in tow.
"It is usually a pleasure to see you, Windswept." I gritted my denta at Slipstream's slick voice. "I would never miss an opportunity for a fight." She looked at Moonlight struggling to return onto both her pedes. "However, you are not the one I wish to scrap with today." She smirked her usual smirk at me and transformed, following in Starscream's vapour trail…
…What was that about?
"Skyquake, this is a new era, on another world." Optimus was continuing with his peace talks. "Side with the Autobots and help me end this conflict forever."
"I will never side with a Prime!"
Skyquake roared and charged toward us. Optimus seemed prepared to handle him first, so I leapt out of the way in preparation to retaliate on his other side. I looked up just as Optimus was slamming the rock face behind him. The 'Con suddenly grabbed him by his shoulders and threw him my way...
...Leaving me no time to react.
NORMAL P.O.V
Starscream and Slipstream's fighter jet forms flew onto the edge of the cliff-face and transformed into their Cybertronian selves, arriving on either side next to Soundwave.
The silver Decepticon grumbled and patted at his backside where he had been hit the hardest from Skyquake, "What need have we for peace when we have Skyquake?" He folded his hands under his wings as he overwatched the battle below. "With some discipline, he will learn to respect his new master. And once it becomes known that Skyquake destroyed Optimus Prime under my-AHH!" He grabbed the back of his head in sudden pain.
"Our command, Starscream," Slipstream growled in a low tone, rubbing the hand that had hit her twin brother over the head.
If Megatron was well and truly gone, then it was up to Slipstream to ensure that his death would not be in vain. The Decepticons needed to remain strong to pose a genuine threat to the Autobots. The female Seeker knew very well there was not much hope with Starscream posing as their new leader.
Starscream narrowed his eyes at his twin, but eventually decided against retaliating to her, "Once Skyquake destroys Optimus Prime under our command, all Decepticons will gratefully bow to us."
A silence began enveloping the trio, much to Slipstream's confusion, as there would usually be a snarky response from a third party. The female Decepticon narrowed her own eyes, "Where are Rebecca Rose and Moonlight?"
"Should we go and help them?"
"Optimus told us to stay here, right?" Starlight's uncertain tone responded to Bumblebee's eager bleeps. "He or 'Swept will tell us when we're needed."
"Why wait? Your friends might need you without saying so."
A wave of familiar anger overtook Starlight as she and Bumblebee turned to the voice. "Moonlight."
"Been well, little sister?" Moonlight tauntingly asked, throwing a signature black and hot pink knife up and down.
"I was before you came," Starlight responded in a similar tone.
"You'll do even better once I bring you home."
Starlight narrowed her optics, "Home is not where you are, and it's not for you either. We both know you're only with the Decepticons because of Megatron's influence." The petite Autobot stood up and placed her mouth guard on. "He's dead now, Moon. Stop doing this."
"I'll never stop until we are on the same side." The Decepticon gripped the weapon in her hand. "Since you're not going to come willingly, it looks like I'm going to have to use force." Her eyes shifted to the Autobot scout behind her sister as she followed her sister's moves and also put on her mouth guard. "I'll force him too, if he wishes."
Bumblebee activated his weapons, "Believe me, I don't."
Moonlight snarled, and threw the sharp weapon in their direction.
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Optimus and I managed to recover from Skyquake's initial attack of throwing my leader like a ragdoll into me and knocking us down. We were standing on either side of him, but he was facing Optimus. I watched my leader activate his blaster weapon and fire at him, but the shots were bouncing off the 'Con like they couldn't even hurt a bug.
His armour was obviously thick enough that it was likely going to withstand a lot of our usual attacks.
He pulled something out of his back, it looked like a huge blaster weapon. Firepower suddenly erupted from it at rapid speeds toward Optimus, sending him away from us. I narrowed my optics at the 'Con's back, and activated my blaster weapons. I began firing rapidly towards Skyquake, charging towards him.
"Windswept, no!"
Skyquake whipped around to face me and began firing his blaster cannon weapon at me. I moved left and right as fast as I could to dodge his firepower, all while heading toward him.
Attacks from a distance weren't likely gonna take this 'Con down. I needed to get up close and test this theory so I launched myself off a nearby cliff face and continued my firepower on Skyquake. He suddenly reached out with one servo and grabbed both my blaster weapons. I struggled to free myself, but his grip was too strong. He was starting to swing me around as if he was going to throw me away.
Suddenly, I was flung across the plain and into a rock face.
...Scrap… that's gonna hurt later…
I rolled onto my side and re-opened my optics at Optimus stopping Skyquake from firing at me, pointing his cannon weapon at the sky.
I needed to get up. This was an opportunity to attack while he was distracted, but my form was feeling sluggish from slamming into the wall. It was probably because I was smaller and more prone to harder attacks like that. I relaunched myself again to strike at Skyquake again. He somehow managed to fight Optimus off of him and shoved me away before I could properly land. I managed to flip over while in mid-air, albeit with a struggle, to reposition my landing, crashing down to the ground on my pedes... just.
Yet, we were back in the same positions we were in nanokliks ago…
Skyquake was going to be harder to beat than we anticipated. We needed backup.
NORMAL P.O.V
"Do not miss a single moment, Soundwave!" Starscream watched the silent Decepticon record the footage of the battle on his face screen to ensure he was following orders. "We shall need visual documentation of Optimus Prime's demise… for the historical record."
Slipstream pursed her lips at her twin's order, and returned her focus to the fight between Skyquake and the Autobots. Soundwave was following Starscream's command despite being more aligned with Megatron. To her, it had been a wonder he was still even working with him.
He was just like her - still heavily aligned to the cause of the Decepticons, not the leader himself.
Quick movement caught the corner of the Seeker's eyes, making her look to her left where there was another battle happening. She was hardly surprised at who it was admist the fight.
Bumblebee fired at the Decepticon before himself and Starlight, despite their enemy's quick reflexes dodging each shot quickly.
Moonlight leapt up and swung her leg at the scout when she was close enough, only narrowly missing him as he jumped out of the way. She switched her attention to Starlight behind her, and immediately found themselves in melee combat. Their strength and skill almost matching the other, neither of the sisters broke out into an upper hand.
Bumblebee reactivated his blasters and began firing at Moonlight in an attempt to distract her, and managed to land a hit on her back below her wings. The Decepticon let out a shout of pain as she fell. With their opponent distracted, Starlight and Bumblebee shared a knowing nod, before the latter began heading towards the battle with Skyquake.
A sudden hand grabbed the younger Autobot before she could move, the touch circling around her ankle.
"You're not quite as rusty as I expected you to be, sister. Convincing you will not be as easy as I had hoped."
Starlight shrugged off the loose grip, and bent down as the latter groaned even more.
"If it wasn't for my team needing me right now, I'd stay and try to convince you.That's easier said than done when all you can think about is Megatron's rule." The Autobot made her leave before Moonlight could say anything in retaliation, leaving her to struggle on her up to her pedes.
"That was amazing, huh Moonlight?! You sure told them!"
Moonlight turned to the human Decepticon known as Rebecca floating on her hoverboard into view, and narrowed her optics in annoyment of her sarcasm, "I could've appreciated the little support."
Rebecca cocked her head to the side and shrugged, "Oh, not yet. I'm saving myself up for the next act." A Cheshire grin spread across her face as she looked over at the Autobots preparing to make another stand towards Skyquake.
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Optimus punched Skyquake hard as soon as the 'Con was distracted enough with putting his blaster cannon away. But he was soon retaliating with more punches back. My leader was quick to dodge him and snuck around the back of him like he was planning a sneak attack.
The 'Con suddenly spun around and shoved Optimus away.
For a Decepticon locked in stasis for so long, his fierce combat skills sure made it look like he hadn't been.
"What's the plan?" I looked behind me where Bumblebee and Starlight were coming up to us.
I smirked, "About time you two turned up."
"I think you know who held us up," Starlight pointedly responded.
I didn't need to say who. We all knew.
Optimus suddenly stepped back to us, "Skyquake has not yet acquired a vehicle mode."
…That sounded true. If he had a vehicle form of any kind, he could've transformed by now. Maybe his scanning or transforming systems weren't working yet? Only Primus knows how long he could've been in stasis.
Skyquake suddenly roared again and began charging at us with his blaster cannon again.
"Fall back!"
At his command, we all transformed into our vehicle forms and reversed away from the incoming 'Con. We spun around and continued onwards. I looked into my rearview mirror, where Skyquake was standing in the dust we had kicked up.
"So time has made you a coward, Prime?" More firepower began firing toward us as we continued on.
It was time for a new strategy.
NORMAL P.O.V
At the much quieter Autobot base, Ratchet had wasted no time in fully immersing himself in the projects the humans were charged with, starting off with Raf's volcano. It was more than just two times the size it had been initially, now with a metal exterior he was still lasering pieces on.
"Let's see. Where is it?"
"Um… what is it?" Raf asked, glancing up at the medic.
"You'll find out."
"But Ratchet, shouldn't I be doing the work?" The young boy moved toward his school project.
Ratchet immediately babbled snappily at the human, "Don't touch! Just watch and learn!"
"So…" Bulkhead was standing with Arcee, while the rest of the elder teenagers stood at the balcony, all overwatching the medic's work, "We're just gonna go help Jack, Miko and Carly finish their-"
"Without my supervision?" Ratchet immediately stood up at the pair in disbelief, "You want them to be right, don't you?"
Arcee and Bulkhead shared a look, but neither of them chose to argue against the medic, who waved his arms and laser tool around in excitement.
"Then watch a master at work!"
"Control freak," Miko muttered, looking at Carly and Jack beside her.
Carly nodded, "I'm beginning to understand why 'Swept asked me to put away my solar panels." The girl facepalmed in realisation. "Ay, ay, ay, I should've listened to her."
Jack placed his hand lightly on her shoulder in an attempt to comfort his friend, while they continued to watch Ratchet work excitedly on what should've been their work.
The four Decepticons scanned the canyon for any sign of Skyquake and the Autobots. It was like their enemies and their newly awakened Decepticon had disappeared into thin air with the hasty retreat of the Autobots and chase from Skyquake.
"We've lost sight of them!" Much to Starscream's frustration. "Soundwave, why aren't you tracking them?"
A sudden tracking marker distracted the Seeker, making him, Slipstream and the returned Moonlight look at Soundwave's screen.
"What is it, Soundwave?" Slipstream asked curiously.
The silent Decepticon provided a map of the solar system circling Earth. A location symbol popped up on the other side of the asteroid belt.
"A second Decepticon life signal?" Starscream looked in disbelief. "But Skyquake is the only sleeper buried in this area!"
Soundwave zoomed in on the location, where the symbol was. Slipstream moved closer, and looked at the left side of where the Decepticon life signal was. Beside it were coordinates that certainly weren't for the area they were in now. They were well above them in space, at a place from the recent past.
The Decepticon Seeker hummed at the realisation, "The sight of our destroyed Spacebridge."
"Where Megatron's rusting in peace like you said," Moonlight mused, "Is it possible the signal belongs to our Master?"
Starscream began sputtering at the thought, "He was microns from the destination point! Nothing could have survived that blast! Your sensors must be faulty!" The Seeker looked away in frustration. "Ignore the contact! Delete the coordinates!"
Slipstream didn't like how she understood her twin's frustration. After all, the pair had just sworn themselves in as the new Decepticon leaders. But there was another feeling deep inside of her; disbelief that her leader's life signal was out in space, waiting for rescue.
"Do you have any idea of whom you're talking about?" Moonlight smacked Starscream hard in his chest plating. "Of course, it needs to be investigated! That is our Master calling for our help up there!"
There was a fleeting thought of not going to rescue Megatron in Slipstream's mind. She didn't want to watch Moonlight try and overcome her place as his right-hand Decepticon. She had fought too hard once for her coveted spot.
The thought disappeared as quickly as it had entered her mind. "Allow Starscream and myself to bring him home then, should he be alive and in need of immediate assistance." The Seeker turned to her twin, who nodded eagerly at the suggestion as if he had not screamed for the location to be deleted out of Soundwave's tracking system moments beforehand.
His facial expression returned to his serious appearance as he looked at Moonlight and Soundwave, "Remain here and monitor the outcome. When Skyquake snuffs Prime's spark, I must bear witness."
The Seekers leapt over the canyon's ledge, transforming into their jet forms in synchronised tandem before either of them could hit the ground. At the same time, the pair kicked on their afterburners and headed away towards the location of their once active Spacebridge.
Moonlight huffed disappointedly, "And there goes my plan of Skyquake upsetting the new status quo." She looked at Soundwave. "Do whatever you need to do, I guess." She jumped down into the canyon and transformed in similar fashion as the twin Seekers prior, this time following the canyon's path like she was heading after Skyquake.
Now on his own, Soundwave glanced back at the sky. "Must bear witness." He activated part of his chest plating, which flew off his form and immediately tracked after the vapour trail of Starscream and Slipstream.
"Tango Six Alpha to Station Command. We're picking up transmissions originating from unidentified technology, possibly hostile. We are moving to investigate."
"Negative, Tango Six Alpha. This is Special Agent William Fowler intercepting. Strike your report from the record and abide origin coordinates. I'll take it from here."
The Agent flew his specially equipped fighter jet towards the coordinates of the initial transmission, knowing very well who exactly the unidentified technology was.
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
To try and switch up our plan of attack on Skyquake, our team had split up. Bumblebee and I picked up the task of luring the 'Con away from the others in the hopes we could try and work him out enough that we'd gain an upper hand. Optimus and Starlight were hopefully tailing behind him. The only problem was that Skyquake was not going to give up easily.
And this was a Cybertronian that had been locked up in stasis for possible vorns!
The path we were on was splitting up at the end, one to the left and one to the right.
"Which way?" Bumblebee bleeped questioningly.
I don't think it mattered; either way, we were luring the 'Con into a trap… hopefully, "Both!"
I skidded down the left path while Bumblebee took the right, seeing as he was closer to that side. There was only one Skyquake, so he was going to have to make a choice.
He went right after Bumblebee.
I skidded around to head down the path they went down. 'Bee suddenly transformed and then stopped running. I would've been widening my optics if I was in my Cybertronian form. We had run into a dead end.
Perfect.
"It will be a shame to crush you, bug. But it is my duty-"
A familiar horn sounded off behind me. Optimus drove past me and transformed, smacking down Skyquake into the rock formation with ease. It was a better idea to let our leader take on the 'Con servo-to-servo, considering they were at similar strength levels. Mine, 'Bee's and Star's together would likely almost equal their separate strengths.
"Excellent strategy, Bumblebee and Windswept." I smiled softly at the compliment.
Skyquake groaned in what was pretty obvious pain before face planting onto the ground. Suddenly his optics snapped open and swiped at Optimus harshly.
You did not just disrespect my leader like that?!
"Skyquake, stay down." Optimus punched him back down again.
Starlight and I walked up closer to him. He seemed to be out of it for good now. I glanced up at Optimus; he had scars across the window screen of his chest plating now from that 'Con.
Hmph. Skyquake deserved that smack to the faceplates.
"What do we do now?" Star asked.
"Wouldn't you know? You are the good guys after all!"
We spun around quickly at the voice. Moonlight was standing in front of us, but it wasn't her that spoke. It was a floating human dressed in black and red beside her…
…Floating?
"Rebecca."
Rebecca Rose? The human we failed to save years ago? The same one the humans and the others had seen a week ago?
She really wasn't dead after all… but how? What was she doing siding with those who took everything from her?!
"Moonlight and Rebecca, I request you leave peacefully-"
"Or what?" Moonlight rebuffed Optimus' obvious attempt for peace talks. "We're gonna look like Skyquake?" There was so much disrespect in her voice, I wanted to be the one to take Starlight's place and fight her off.
"If you guys don't mind, we just wanna take our Decepticon back and fire him up again for another fight!"
What had the Decepticons done to this girl?! She sounded like Miko! Only more evil and worse...
"Fowler?"
I looked up to where Optimus was looking at and zoomed in my optics. High up above us was that silver jet Agent Fowler likes to fly around in. Ratchet had done a lot of work on it to help him help us whenever we needed it.
I heard a whirr behind me so I looked back at Skyquake's optics scanning the sky…
Scrap! He was probably scanning Agent Fowler's jet!
"Agent Fowler, fall back!" Optimus ordered.
Skyquake suddenly leapt up and transformed into a jet form that definitely looked like Agent Fowler's one. He took off high into the sky… he was probably heading to our Agent.
"Well, I'll be a bald eagle!" …That confirmed it, kind of?
He says weird stuff.
"Air superiority achieved." Skyquake's jet form reappeared into our view, and this time, he was firing fast blaster shots towards us.
"Oh, well, that'll make our job much easier." I looked back down at Moonlight transforming into her own jet form with Rebecca on board.
"No!" Starlight suddenly ran towards her sister.
"Star, wait!" I yelled and tried to grab her servo.
She leapt onto Moonlight just as she was lifting off, immediately zooming away with her on board.
Scrap!
"Come on! We'll come back for her!"
Bumblebee was right. Star could handle herself… hopefully.
I followed 'Bee and Optimus in running for cover away from Skyquake and transformed into my vehicle mode again. I flicked my mirrors up while I dodged the countless blaster fire coming my way, trying to look up at where Skyquake and Agent Fowler were, as well as Star.
She could handle herself fine… hopefully.
Agent Fowler's jet flew up behind Skyquakes, "Stealing plans for classified military aircraft will NOT be tolerated on my watch."
NORMAL P.O.V
The Agent's silver jet flew in front of Skyquake, but with caution as he found the Decepticon had slowly purposely. Behind him, the Decepticon activated missiles and sent them straight towards the jet ahead of him.
At the sudden beeping, Fowler looked at his screen and discovered the missile type that was heading his way, "Heatseekers!"
With his military training in his mind, the Agent flew around the canyon in an attempt to find a way to lose the missiles. He soon discovered an option when he found a dead end coming into view. He flew the jet straight towards the rock face coming, but he didn't bother bracing for impact. Instead, he pulled up just in time for the heatseeker missiles to smash into the rock wall one by one.
He could only smirk proudly, "I still got it."
Starlight struggled to keep a grip on her sister's jet form, desperately clawing to stay hanging on. She didn't want to let her get away so easily again like she had thought the first time.
"Stop Moonlight!" She yelled, "Let's talk about this!"
"There's nothing I want to talk about with you if you're thinking about trying to talk me out of what I'm doing."
The Decepticon flew upside down, causing her Autobot sister to clutch helplessly onto her wings, hoping her grip wouldn't loosen and cause her to fall. But her sister was a stronger opponent than she had realised.
"Hurry up and shrug her off already! I want my torture toy back!" Rebecca whined from inside the cockpit.
Moonlight chuckled, "You truly are as evil as they say, Rebecca."
"I know," The human beamed proudly, "Now get rid of your sister!"
Deep within the heart of space, the twin Seekers of Starscream and Slipstream arrived at the location of the once active Spacebridge. The area was littered with pieces of shrapnel floating closely together. The pair transformed and landed onto the landing, taking in the debris.
"No one could've survived this," Starscream nearly chuckled in disbelief, turning to Slipstream, "As I suspected, faulty sensors. The last thing I need now are rumours that Megatron is still-"
A loud, but strained gasp of pain sounded behind them. In shock, the Seekers turned to a large floating figure nearby. They floated over to the area of the gasp, where they uncovered the injured and nearly lifeless form of their Warlord and Master. Starscream landed gently onto his chassis.
"Megatron?" Slipstream gasped.
Megatron suddenly reached towards Starscream, gripping his arm with all the strength he had left him in and glaring at him with his famous red piercing eyes. As quickly as he found his strength, the grasp on Starscream weakened and disappeared entirely off the current co-leader of the Decepticons.
Slipstream identified exactly what it was; a silent plea for help.
"But how?" Starscream glanced down at the blown, gaping hole on Megatron's chest, where the familiar purple crystal purring with life stood out. "Dark Energon." He leant closer into Megatron's face gently. "Everyone believes you are deceased. Who are we to disappoint them, Master?"
Starscream reached his clawed hands into Megatron's chest and with ease, pulled out the glowing shard out of the former Decepticon warlord's chest. Megatron returned to life once more, extending his arm out again towards the traitorous Decepticon holding what he desperately needed to survive.
The life within him disappeared again, and this time, his red eyes faded out.
"And this time, stay dead!"
Slipstream watched in horror at her twin's betrayal as he pushed Megatron away and glanced at the Dark Energon shard in sadistic glee. Stories of Starscream's traitorous ways had been made known throughout the Decepticon side during the war, but Slipstream had never seen it for herself… until now.
In rage, the Decepticon pointed her arm at the Seeker, a missile weapon preparing to activate, causing the latter to squeal in surprise at her movements.
"I should slaughter you for this," Her voice was nothing but a whisper, eyes narrowing as she prepared to fire the weapon.
A sudden humming sound paused their movements. Looking around, it took no time for the pair to notice the small Cybertronian drone heading their way. It was Soundwave's mini Decepticon Laserbeak.
"Soundwave!" Starscream gasped, immediately hiding the Decepticon shard behind him.
Slipstream gave a proud smirk - she could always trust Soundwave to be loyal.
"If you are listening, I have found Lord Megatron," Starscream revealed in a loud voice, attempting to not give away what had really happened. He turned towards the body of their leader. "And he is unwell."
The Mini-Drone circled Starscream suspiciously, all while the latter continued to hide the Energon shard around his form.
"We must transport him to the medical bay in the Warship, Soundwave. Provide a Groundbridge immediately." The Seekers locked eyes with one another, one holding gratitude and the other giving a new meaning to the phrase 'if looks could kill'...
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Skyquake was a much more difficult opponent to throw off in his vehicle form than he was in his Cybertronian form. His blaster fire continued to rain upon Optimus, Bumblebee, and I, but we were doing well avoiding all of his shots.
There was a sudden burst of pain in the side of my vehicle form and suddenly I was flying in midair. I transformed and tried to prepare myself for landing, but another blaster shot hit me again. It threw me off course and made me slam onto the ground hard.
Primus that one hurts.
I sat up, albeit with a struggle. My arm was hurting a lot from Skyquake's hit on me. I looked beside me at Optimus, and he looked like he was recovering from a hit himself.
Wait, where's 'Bee?
I looked back into the direction we were initially heading in. I could see his familiar vehicle mode a fair way from us now, but he was driving up a cliff like he was going to take on this 'Con on his own. There was no way Optimus and I were going to get there in time…
…Starlight!
I glanced up at the sky for any sign of her or her sister. There was nothing up there except for Skyquake's aerial form, who was looking like it was heading towards someone up there. Suddenly, Bumblebee leapt over the canyon's edge and onto the 'Cons wing. The added weight must've been felt by Skyquake, and it looked like he used it to his advantage as he scrapped Bumblebee along the rock face.
I cringed. That would've hurt.
Skyquake suddenly flew up into the sky, and was taking Bumblebee with him. 'Bee waited until the aerial form of Skyquake returned towards the canyon to make his move. He charged up towards the gap in the ground where Skyquake was flying up towards him, and leapt down. He was only just able to grab onto his wing.
"Agent Fowler, we require immediate assistance!"
Primus Starlight, we need you... Where are you?
NORMAL P.O.V
Starlight regained her position back on top of Moonlight's aerial form despite the numerous attempts to throw her off. The Decepticon was descending downward, heading toward another ship in the nearby distance. The Autobot soon saw a flash of yellow on top of the ship.
"Bumblebee?"
Moonlight huffed, "The bug never quits!" She activated her weapons to fire at the Autobot.
Bumblebee glanced up at the incoming Moonlight and swung himself onto Skyquake's form quickly. He punched into the Decepticon hard on either side of his cockpit, ripping out much of his wiring and damaging him to the point where he could no longer fly with control, heading downwards quickly straight back into the canyon.
Seeing their newly awakened Decepticon's demise happening before her eyes, Rebecca Rose's blood boiled in frustration, "Fire at him!"
Meanwhile, the silver jet that belonged to Agent Fowler was flying after the out-of-control Decepticon, pulling up alongside the descending jet. Bumblebee whirred in realisation of his predicament.
"What do I do now?!" He glanced over at Agent Fowler pulling up beside him.
"Anytime, fella. Ground floor's coming fast!"
Above them, Starlight could feel Moonlight's form heading straight towards the pair of jets descending downwards, as the firepower she continued to rain upon them increased. The Autobot grabbed the wings of her sister, and with all of her might and a warrior's cry, pulled her direction upwards so that Moonlight was traveling into the sky.
"Let go of your sister!" Moonlight growled.
Rebecca looked into the cockpit she was sitting in, looking for something that may help in their fight. That was when she noticed her boomerangs at her hip, and felt an idea making its way into her head, "Open the cockpit. I'll deal with her."
Moonlight didn't argue and did what she was told. Despite the force pushing her back into her seat, the human chose to fight it, and held up a boomerang. With all of her strength, she slammed the sharp end of it onto Starlight's servo. The Autobot cried at the sudden pain, and in her surprise, had let go, leaving her dangling on by one hand on her sister's jet form. Rebecca wasted no time and stabbed the second hand, making Starlight let go entirely and drop suddenly downwards.
Below them, Bumblebee jumped from Skyquake's out-of-control form onto Agent Fowler's controlled jet and had just made himself comfortable when he heard a loud scream above him. He looked up and saw Starlight falling, so he reached out his arms. With luck, the pink and white Autobot landed roughly in his grip.
Starlight glanced up at a confused Bumblebee, and could only smile thankfully up at him for the timely save.
WINDSWEPT'S P.O.V
Skyquake's jet form was smoking heavily from Bumblebee's attacks on him. He was heading downwards at a fast rate into the canyon. There was no way he was going to survive. He landed hard on the ground, skidding across the area and erupting into more black smoke and flames.
"Happy landings, 'Con." I could hear the smirk in Agent Fowler's voice on the comlink.
I smirked too, because there was no way that was a happy landing.
Optimus and I arrived at where Skyquake had landed. He was now a mangled mess of metal, half still in his vehicle form and half in his Cybertronian form. The red in his optics faded out, confirming he was indeed offline.
I heard someone land beside me, which made me look to my left where Bumblebee and Starlight were… with her still in his arms?
They seemed to recognise the position they were in, because Star was suddenly jumping to her pedes and away from 'Bee quickly.
"Had Skyquake chosen to stray from his master's path, we might not be burying him today."
It felt like a mere coincidence we were burying him almost exactly where Starscream and Slipstream had awakened him from. How tragic.
A loud whooshing sound above us made me glance up at the sky. There was a dark, familiar coloured jet flying past and away from us, and by the looks of it, it didn't look like it was going to be turning back around to fight us anytime soon.
Score one to Team Prime.
"Bumblebee, putting yourself at risk was perhaps not the wisest of strategies. But you performed admirably." Optimus looked at Starlight and I as Ratchet released Bumblebee from the medical chamber. "All three of you."
"Thanks, Optimus," Bumblebee replied.
After yesterday's events and per Ratchet's advice, Optimus let us off from patrol and for 'Bee and I, guardian duties for the day, just to ensure we were well and hadn't sustained any un-noticeable damage during our battle. We were going to be back onto our regular schedules this evening, assuming we passed the final medical checks, which sounded like we all did.
A tooting noise sounded off from the entry exit tunnel. It must've been Bulkhead and Arcee coming back with the humans from school…
Oh yeah, they handed in their science projects today. I wonder how that went. All of us on the Skyquake mission yesterday didn't get to come back in time to see what their projects looked like now after Ratchet's… supervision… though he did seem a little too proud of himself when we got back…
Ratchet made some weird noise in recognition of the tooting sound, and began flaunting over to the tunnel, "Aha-ha-ha, there you are!"
He seemed too happy… I looked at Starlight, who gave me a knowing look as if she knew why he was acting this way… Somehow, I had a feeling she did, as well as the rest of us.
The humans all appeared from out or off Bulkhead and Arcee before Ratchet.
"Well, how were my – uhhh, OUR projects received?"
"Well..." Rafael exchanged looks with the others.
Miko started off by explaining how Ratchet turned her solar system project into a presentation of our planet Cybertron. He had made it purely out of the metal shrapnel we had in storage though, so the string holding it up had snapped nearly instantly and sending the planet onto the teacher's desk.
Carly… unfortunately, had not followed my request in putting her solar panels somewhere safe. They showed off initially as solar panels, but one wrong press of a non visible button had the panel whirring with alarms and claiming there were intruders in the room. It reminded me of some of the security measures we had in Iacon. But the worst bit about these particular panels? There was no way of turning it off.
Jack had brought this motorized machine creation that Ratchet wouldn't get into much detail about when we asked him what it was. When Jack was asked if it was operational, he had switched it on and quoted that 'chaos had broken loose'. The machine had come to life and literally tore the door down on the way to terrorise his poor classmates in the hallway.
And finally, Rafael's volcano was said to have become nearly four times its initial size than I had last seen it, and very more than just active. The teacher had asked him to operate it, and the volcano had sent a large beam straight through the roof of the school, up into the sky…
…So no, they were not well received…
"Well, on our planet, you would have been awarded the highest honour!" Ratchet started walking away in disgrace, "Absolutely no gratitude..." He kept mumbling all the way back into the med bay.
"These guys should've stuck with their original projects!"
"Indeed Bumblebee." Optimus sounded amused by 'Bee's remark. "Our human friends would have been wise to stray from Ratchet's path."
Long story short, if you want something done right, sometimes it was always best to do it yourself… or at least avoid Ratchet when he offers to help…
Cybertron was not Earth, and our learnings were different to theirs. I was looking forward to learning so much about this planet from our new friends.
NORMAL P.O.V
In the darkness of space, the Decepticon Warship floated peacefully. However, what was occurring inside wasn't as such.
"The troops will be pleased to hear of our success in rushing lord Megatron into stasis."
Lying before Starscream, Slipstream, Rebecca, Soundwave and Moonlight was Lord Megatron himself. Unconscious and with multiple cables connecting him to the machines currently keeping him alive, the battered and bruised Decepticon was clinging barely to life without the Dark Energon shard.
Slipstream side-eyed her twin, a look of contemplation spread across her face, "Let us hope that our Lord pulls through."
Only when Megatron recovers will then she decide the fate of Starscream.