CHAPTER 16, DIVULGENCE
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Vulnerable. The thing about one's vulnerability was that it was up to that particular person to allow themselves to be that, in such a way where they feel safe and confident enough.
I had felt it across many times in my life, for many things. Any time I lost a treasured friend at Iacon, my recovery post poisoning in a Decepticon prison, whenever I even spoke about the traumas I dealt with to people I trust and care about.
It had never occurred to me in the past that one can also expose it in such a harmful way… like Megatron had done.
Vulnerable, exposed… violated. Lied to… Primus, the list could go on.
"Everything's back to normal."
My optics opened; I don't know why I had closed them, maybe because my body and systems felt exhausted. I was barely able to remain standing on both pedes when the arms of the medical chamber moved away and the doors opened.
"Windswept and normal in the same sentence?"
I just had to finish up with these evaluations, then I could go get some rest. Hopefully there was nothing concerning in the scans.
"Well, normal for Windswept. Whatever that is."
"Nothing about her is normal, that's why we like her so much."
As I've recently discovered, I was more than just abnormal, Sunburst.
"Yeah! Who wants to be normal, anyway?! Right Jack?"
"W-Well..."
It was easy to figure out why Jack started stuttering; because of a previous conversation he and Carly had when he temporarily left us. Whatever she had exactly said to him that night had obviously left some kind of lasting impression, along with revealing to Miko what they'd talked about.
"Are you feeling okay, 'Swept?"
I locked optics with Starlight, and mirrored her smile, "Just exhausted, physically and mentally."
"A bout of rest and perhaps recharge should fix that," Ratchet suggested softly.
I looked around the room; everyone was here… making sure that I was okay. Even Optimus, my leader… and a relation to me.
How do I even begin to try and confront this? The knowledge of everything was so heavy on me, I just didn't know how I could ease my way into revealing this without dropping everything in one go.
Having the same Energonline of someone who was a Prime… it wasn't a blessing of some sort at all. It would be just another heavy weight on someone who didn't need it when they already have to lead a team in a fierce war against someone who was once a brother to him… named Megatron…
I mean, it would explain a lot; how some 'Bots treated me differently back at Iacon was because they knew I was something different. Do they even know the whole truth? Or only half of it?
"Hey Windy." Aquastrike brought me back into reality. "What'd we always tell ya 'bout you an' ya helm?"
"You are aware that by we, you mean me, Aquastrike."
"Yeah, wharever." She waved a servo. "Wanna make sure ain't nobody in that helm who shouldn't be."
"I'm fine, Aqua." I took a step to the side so I could look at Optimus behind her - his arms were folded and his mouth guard was still intact. "I just have some questions." My leader raised an optical-ridge - clearly, he suspected something. "I found out some things from Megatron, things he used to help in his control over me." My internal systems were shaking so much I had to intake and exhale to get them to stop - they did, a little. "Is there anything you wish to tell me, Optimus?"
Silence… like the calm before a storm…
"What're you talking about, 'Swept?"
I was too focused on my optic staring contest with Optimus to answer Bulkhead.
"You know, don't you?"
I don't think I could've whipped my helm around fast enough. What did Ratchet mean by that? "What do I know, Ratchet?"
No way he'd know about this, right? There's no way both he and Optimus would know and not tell me… right?
"Does anyone wanna fill us in here?" The tension in the air was so thick, no way could Arcee's voice be sharp enough to cut it. "It's not just you three in the room."
Silence reigned once more.
"Perhaps this is not the place for this conversation."
…Optimus couldn't be serious…
"For Primus sake, Optimus. " Ratchet was moving beside me. "You said it yourself she needed to know. It's a little too late now for you to be saying that!"
"What did 'Swept need to know?!" Carly's voice sounded just as frustrated as I was feeling.
Why did no one want to come out and just say it already?!
…Fine. "That I'm the youngling of Solarflare and Silverflame."
I tried to gauge the facial expressions of the rest of the team through the corners of my optics, but it was hard too from my position. There were some gasps, and a few around me did look a little surprised, but it wasn't them I was worried to be honest…
"…Wait, Solarflare? As in, 'split-spark of Optimus' Solarflare?" Yes, Bulkhead… "And Buckethead's split-spark Silverflame?"
I could see Miko jumping at the corner of my optics, "Who's Solarflare and Silverflame?"
"And what's a split-spark?"
"It's the Cybertronian term for siblings."
I felt meek turning my helm to Arcee; she was my closest Cybertronian friend on this planet, next to Sunburst. It made me feel bad that I knew so much about her and vice versa, but meanwhile I still had this part of me she didn't know… even though I didn't know.
She was looking at me, but I couldn't decipher what was on her faceplates: disappointment, confusion… or pity.
Primus, the last damn thing I wanted from anyone was pity.
"So, split-sparks are siblings, right?" I moved my helm down to Jack trying to make sense of our words. "And Solarflare is Optimus', Silverflame is Megatron's so…" Realisation was dawning upon his features. "That makes you a niece of both of them, right?"
I hung my helm low; it didn't feel any better hearing out loud like that.
"In your mind, Megatron told you." I flickered my optics to Carly briefly. "Is that how he controlled you?"
"Said he wanted to weaken me enough so I could be controlled." I could tell my voice sounded bitter. "Dumping a whole bunch of information that was from a time I don't remember seemed like the best option for him."
"You didn't deserve to find out this way."
I wanted to glare at Ratchet - he knew too. He should've told me if Optimus wasn't going to. "I deserved to know, so why didn't you tell me if Optimus wouldn't?"
"Because it wasn't my place, Windswept, it never was."
Was he serious?! "It doesn't matter if it 'wasn't your place'! I had a right to know!"
"It isn't going to change anything, 'Swept." I looked at Starlight. "No one will hate you for not knowing."
Would I have kept this secret from everyone else if I knew? I was pretty sure I would've been honest from the very start. I mean, how hard could it be to say 'hey, by the way, you're the niece of a Warlord and a Prime'?!
…It was only Optimus and Ratchet who knew, right? Surely… "Did anyone else know?" The words left my mouth plates before I realised.
Silence…
I glanced at my friends from Iacon, because if anyone would've known, they may've… but I don't know how I'd feel if they kept this from me the whole time and didn't say anything to me.
Sunburst wasn't looking in my direction like Aquastrike and Starlight were…
Why was I beginning to feel sick in my internal systems?
"I knew." I whipped my helm to Starlight. "Only very recently… I… overheard Optimus say something when he was sick and I pressed Ratchet to tell me."
"So you'd happily tell her over telling me?!" I was practically glueing my pedes to the ground to not storm over to Ratchet…
Starlight was moving slowly in front of him like she knew I was holding myself back from my anger.
"'Swept?" My optics moved to the person that spoke. "I'm sorry." Sorry for what? Withholding information? …Please don't say what I think you're going to say. "I know too."
I could feel everything inside of me run cold; systems, spinal struts, Energon… my vision was becoming blurry. Of all 'Bots who knew and should've told me… Maybe he didn't know long, like Star? Please, please be the case…
"How long?" My voice was cracking and quivering.
"Since… since the first day you came to Iacon."
…Since... My first day at Iacon? But I met Sunburst in that exact solar cycle…
No… no, no, no…
My body was moving on its own, taking steps further and further away from everyone. I couldn't be in the same room as him. Not someone who I've known for so long and… had every chance to tell me.
"'Swept, I said I was sorry."
"Stay away from me!"
Sunburst froze.
It felt like the entire room was trying to suffocate me, the walls closing in… wanting to keep in this negative atmosphere full of lies and deceit.
"'Swept, it's okay." Something light and gentle grabbed my wrists, making my optics refocus onto Arcee in front of me. "Just relax…"
…Walls closing in…
"No." I pulled my servos away. "I…I…"
I transformed into my vehicle form and sped out of the base.
Air… I needed air.
NORMAL P.O.V
"Ahhh, good one, Sourshine."
Sunburst narrowed his optics to his southern-speaking teammate, "Me?"
"All ya hadda do was tell 'er," Aquastrike sneered with a shrug, "Yain't never been too good at bein' truthful and all, ya know."
The sunburst yellow-armoured Autobot crossed his arms, and took a threatening step forward, "What's that supposed to mean, Aquastrike?"
"Steady Sunshine." Bulkhead stood in between the squabbling duo, back facing his former Wrecker teammate.
Starlight gently gripped her friend's arm, "Aqua…"
"Ol' Alpha Trion gave ya that mission 'bout Whirlwind, but'cha chose not ta tell Windy."
Surprise overcame the features of Sunburst, the words from his teammate making his stoic stance fade away, "I was under direct orders no-"
"Ahh, don'tcha be sayin' that!" Had Bulkhead not moved at the same time as Aquastrike, Sunburst was certain his Iacon teammate would've been in his face. "You leavin' Twinkle, Windy, and maself at Iacon had us all thinkin' you were dead. Now 'ere ya're tellin' us you'se been keepin' another tale from Windy. How could'cha do that ta her, Sourshine?" The male Autobot held his helm low. "Yaself, Prime, and Ol' Ratchet… y'all let yaselves down."
The argument Sunburst had against Aquastrike disappeared. He hated it with all his spark, however she was indeed correct; he had let down one of the Autobots he never intended to let down.
"I think you've made your point, Aqua…"
The female Wrecker shook her arm out of Starlight's hold, "Ya should be mad too, Twinkle."
"No one has any right to be as frustrated as 'Swept is right now," Carly piped up, standing determinedly towards the exit tunnel of the Autobot base, "Can someone please take me to her? She needs me."
"I'll take y-"
"You've done enough, Sunburst." Arcee transformed into her motorcycle form and gently pulled up alongside the human. "I'll take you. Need to make sure my friend's okay too." As soon as her teammate's human companion had settled onto her form, Arcee flashed her headlights and twitched her side mirror towards her own charge. "You coming with?"
Jack shook his head, "'Swept doesn't need me as much as she needs you guys."
Carly pulled on her motorcycle helmet, flickering her visor down before gripping the handlebars of Arcee. The latter reared up on her sole back wheel to perform a wheelie before revving to life, and racing into the tunnel, her engine echoing through the silent base.
"Cool down, Aquastrike." The scout pulled at the female Autobots' shoulders.
Sunburst returned his narrowing optics on his Iaconian teammate. The mission he had been tasked was one only he and his mission-giver had known about, one the latter made sure to make him swear to never tell another soul. Not even his teammates at the time.
"I never told anyone about that mission, Aquastrike."
How did she know?
The aqua blue Autobot stopped in her tracks, immediately spinning to face Sunburst, "Y'all left the damn door open. Ain'tcha lucky I'm loyal enough ta say nothin'."
A step forward, "You and I were on Wheeljack's ship that whole time." A shake of the helm. "You still said nothing."
"Wouldn't've thought Ol' Jacky-bot woulda liked me rippin' ya fraggin' helm off-"
"Language, Aqua." Starlight rubbed her friend's arm armour in a comforting way.
"Don'tcha go be d'fendin' him now!" Aquastrike pointed at the Autobot she was talking about harshly. "He don't d'serve it!"
Facing Sunburst, Starlight's soft expression turned hard upon seeing him, "I'm not."
Sneering at him one more time, Aquastrike turned away from the group to begin walking down the hallway. She was soon flanked by Bumblebee and Bulkhead, the pair also showing looks of disapproval as they departed the room.
"Was it really that hard to tell 'Swept?" Sunburst's eyes moved to the human who spoke. "Because if Optimus wasn't going to tell her, you really should've." The Autobot looked away from Jack, feeling the disappointment creeping into himself once more.
As the trio of humans also followed their Cybertronian friends into the hall, all that remained was an eerie silence alongside the four Autobots. The group turned into three as the smallest soldier quietly stepped away into another area of the room.
Black servos crashed onto Sunburst's face like a wave as he rubbed his faceplates, moving to a familiar seat nearby the Groundbridge controls, "Primus, please forgive me."
The Autobot medic was thinking the exact same, sparing a glance at his leader. The latter's battle mask remained across his features, but the medical officer only needed to look into his eyes to know that his thought process was likely something similar…
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Earth was so peaceful at this time. Quiet, blissful, just everything about the nighttime was wonderful. I wanted to enjoy it so badly, but there was a storm brewing inside my helm. My thought process was moving at a rapid pace, I couldn't keep a single thought together.
Optimus knew I was his and Megatron's niece… so did Ratchet… and Sunburst.
Ratchet was never going to tell me as long as Optimus never mentioned it, but why did he tell Starlight first? Why did he feel the need to tell her? She didn't need to know before me… I deserved to know first…
I couldn't feel anger at her. She was just caught up in the situation. …I wanted to be angry at her for knowing before me but I just couldn't… It was hard enough as it was to ever get mad at her for something anyway. Starlight always failed to get anyone annoyed at her.
Sunburst really fragged me off though… of all Autobots, why did it have to be him to keep a secret like this from me?!
…And Optimus… my own leader…
How could I forgive any of them for this… this betrayal?
A familiar tooting made me turn my helm to a familiar motorcycle form and familiar human approaching me. Arcee pulled up to a stop just off the road at the same time Carly was taking her helmet off.
"I'd ask if you were okay, though I think we know that answer."
I looked away, "You know me so well, maybe better than I know myself."
"Hope you know I'd never keep something like this from you." Transformation sounds confirmed to me my friend had returned to her Cybertronian form. "Especially if I was someone as close to you as Sunburst is."
His name sounded like poison.
"It's not just him I'm mad at-" Something small and light on my digits had me stopping my words to look down at small human servos on my own. "Carly…"
"I don't think of you any differently, 'Swept, so I hope you haven't been thinking of that," she interrupted me before I could say anything else, "And no one will; it's not your fault you didn't know."
I curled my other servo into a fist, I could feel the tips of my digits catching the dirt on the ground, "I should've known. That's what I don't get… Why was I never told?"
"Maybe there's a reason why." What kind of reason could there possibly be for Sunburst, Ratchet and Optimus to all not tell me something as big as this, Arcee?! "Look, I know you're angry now, but you need to trust them."
"Is this coming from one 'Bot who doesn't trust easily?"
…Scrap, did I say that out loud?
Arcee sighed, "I'm going to put that down to your frustrations." I couldn't bear to look at her as she sat down on my other side. "Optimus is our leader, 'Swept; if there's anyone's judgement we should trust, it's his. And Ratchet would've respected his choice, which is probably why he didn't say anything to you first."
I glared at Arcee, "It doesn't really explain why he chose to involve Starlight by telling her, does it?"
"They are… close." I looked at Carly; she was now gripping the armour on my knee plating, pulling herself up to stand on my leg. "Like a mentor to his student. Have you ever had someone be able to trust you enough to let you in on a secret too?"
…Yeah, I have… "It still doesn't explain much." I've shared secrets with Sunburst in the past too, but why was this one he couldn't tell me? "I don't get why Sunburst didn't tell me. Do I really not mean that much to him?"
"We've gone from snapping to becoming delusional." My glare was really directed at Arcee this time. "Sunburst cares a lot for you, 'Swept. What if he was worried about how you'd react when you found out?"
"He's more loyal to his code of loyalty than to ever worry about me," I scoffed.
"Whatever the reasons are, 'Swept, Arcee's right." I glanced down at Carly again. "Optimus, Ratchet and Sunburst chose to not tell you. You need to have trust in them for not and why.
I felt like sulking like a youngling; to be honest, I was probably coming off that way to my two closest friends. In a sense, they were right. There had to be some good reasons why three important figures in my life kept my heritage away from me. But why did it have to take this long for me to find out?
"You ready to head back?" I spared a look at Arcee. "The others were pretty worried too."
"Not yet." The words left me before I could even think about stopping them. "I just… need a moment."
I didn't want to look like I was running away from my own problems… I just wasn't ready to face them… I hope Arcee and Carly could somehow see or know that.
"Do you want us to leave?"
It felt relieving to know that I had people, 'Bots or humans, that cared about me enough to even come and make sure that I was okay. Though, I couldn't really speak on behalf of the others… since I didn't know how they were thinking or feeling.
They all should be disgusted with me for being a relation of a Decepticon Warlord.
"Not yet."
I guess I should be thankful that Arcee and Carly care enough about me to not even care.
NORMAL P.O.V
"Hello?! Any mindless drones out there?! Someone let us out already!"
"Would it hurt if you perhaps stopped your whining and screaming?"
"It hurts to be in the same cell block as you right now, Slipstream."
"I suggest, Rebecca Rose, that you be thankful we were only planted in this holding cell instead of being fired out of the first airlock my traitorous twin saw." The female Seeker clutched her clawed hands into fists. "Starscream should hope he is smart enough to not be the one opening these doors-"
Sudden footsteps halted the squabbling between the Seeker and the powered human. The pair remained silent as they attempted to identify the footsteps on sound alone; large and menacing, unlike the gentle tapping of the male Seeker.
The footsteps stopped in front of the cell, moments before the doors slid open to reveal a familiar face. One that shocked both of the cell's occupants.
"Megatron?"
"So this is where my loyal lieutenant placed my soldiers."
Slipstream's gaze remained strong on Megatron in disbelief, "My lord, you are… you have awakened."
"All thanks to our Lord's Energonline." At the glare forming on his old acquaintance's face and being directed to him, Knock Out sputtered out a cough. "Commander Slipstream."
"Oh, now Slipstream's your Commander, huh Knock Out?" Rebecca folded her arms.
Slipstream's glare moved back to Megatron, "Where is my traitorous twin?"
"If you must waste your time, he is in the laboratory." The Warlord turned, walking away from his Decepticons. "I suggest you make your visit quick, Slipstream, as I need you in the command center to… re-familiarise myself with the Warship."
"Yes, Lord Megatron." Sarcastic puzzlement appeared on the female Seeker's face, not needing to wonder why her twin would be in the laboratory that doubled as a medical room. Unwillingly, she faced Knock Out. "What is he doing in there?"
"Let's just say Starscream learned his lesson on making an attempt on Megatron's life."
A look of understanding was shared between the Seeker and powered human before the former moved out of the room and into the corridor her leader had just walked down.
"You know, Knock Out." The Decepticon medical officer looked at the human sitting on an air vent above him. "I was beginning to actually like you… but then you had to side with Starscream, of all 'Cons."
"I won't deny that I regret my decision."
Rebecca rolled her eyes and waved her hand at the Cybertronian, "Whatever. I'm not the one you should be grovelling to." Glancing down at the large gap between herself on the vent and ground level, she sighed. "Now, do moi a favour and get moi out of this cell. Starscream took my hoverboard and I'm well overdue to be causing trouble elsewhere."
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Anxiety tore me apart inside my spark, making my internal systems sore from the feeling. I wasn't ready to face this helm-on like I was about to do, but the last thing this team needed was to have rifts forming within us because of this.
The sooner the air is all cleared, the better.
The base was hopefully going to be pretty quiet; the humans should've gone by now with the others and there were patrols scheduled.
I drove slowly into the main room of our base, where Starlight was at the 'Bridge controls. She looked over at me pulling in.
"Optimus and Sunburst left a little while ago."
Scrap.
I transformed, "I was hoping to get the dreaded conversation out of the way."
Star nodded, optics flickering away from me, "Are you angry at me for knowing before you?"
"Starlight…" I walked up to her. "I could never be mad at you." My servo gripped her lower arm. "Of course I'm annoyed that I wasn't told before you, but that's all directed at the others, not you."
She lifted her helm to face me, "It doesn't change how we all feel about you. It certainly doesn't change you or anything else."
"Thanks Star," I sighed, "But unfortunately it does change certain things around here." Something orange appeared behind my friend. "Such as who I can trust."
Ratchet stopped in his place and turned to me as if he had heard me. To be fair, it wasn't like I was speaking about this in a 'hush-hush' kind of manner, but there was no doubt that he knew who I was implying.
"Like I told you, it wasn't my place."
"And yet, you still thought it was a good idea to tell someone that wasn't me?" I hope he heard the bitterness in my voice.
Starlight's small servos grabbed my wrist playing, "I asked him to tell me because it was something about you and I was worried. You should be mad at me before him."
Was I really angry at Ratchet? Or just misdirected? …He really did trust Starlight a lot that he could tell her things the rest of us didn't know. I couldn't really be mad at that because I knew things too that my former mentor informed me in confidence with.
As much as I wanted to glare at Ratchet, I really couldn't. It was nice that he found - next to Optimus - another one of us likable.
"That's the only secret about me you've kept?"
"Have I not informed you of my incredible dislike for you?" His tone was teasing.
I hope he could see the sarcasm on my face, "That's a pretty big open secret already, Ratchet." He was walking up to me. "But you can say it right to my faceplates if you'd like?"
"I would be lying if I ever said anything of the sort." His servo on my shoulder plating was comforting. "I am sorry for not informing you, but, I would like to think you understand my reasoning for not doing so."
I nodded, "I get it now."
No one could ever respect Optimus as much as Ratchet does.
"Good. Then I would imagine you know what to do next."
The idea of having to have the conversations I was going to have with Optimus and Sunburst… no longer scared me as much as they had. I just don't know if I could forgive Sunburst for keeping something from me for so long. He's like my brother for Primus' sake.
…He kept his mission to find Whirlwind to himself for so long…
Ugh, a recharge could do me some good right about now.
NORMAL P.O.V
Small, angry and red eyes filled the small window of the laboratory doors, glaring straight at what was lying in the medical bay. A large sigh was released from the pair of eyes, as the doors slid open to reveal the purple and blue Decepticon Seeker known as Slipstream.
Hands curled at her sides, she took small and menacing steps, stalking towards who she had been searching for. At the foot of the medical berth, she stopped at the same time the doors slid closed.
"Starscream… you truly are full of surprises sometimes." She shook her head. "I would have never predicated you to betray your own split-spark, however - a fault of my own that I will ensure to never make in future." Her glare turned into a smirk as she overlooked the injured form. "You are fortunate our one and only Lord arrived to you before I did."
Her twin Seeker's body was littered with scars and wounds to show off the punishment he had endured from Megatron.
Transformation sounds echoed in the room as her melee weapon of choice activated, the owner lifting her blade over the chest of the patient, "It would be a pleasure to destroy you, if it were to not cause myself great pain." The sharp blade gently grazed over the Decepticon logo. "I would also much rather have my own weapons stained with the Energon of my lifelong enemy before any others, especially yours."
A noise outside the laboratory made Slipstream deactivate her weapon, immediately glancing a look at the sliding doors that remained shut. She zoomed her eyes onto the small window, quickly zooming them out when she found nothing through it, and returned them onto her recovering twin.
"Despite our shared spark, I will no longer risk being fooled by you anymore. If you believe you have the power to not only terminate my Lord's life, but to no longer spare a thought for your own split-spark, I simply… cannot trust you."
"Hmph, makes two of us."
The female Seeker was in no hurry to face the owner of the voice, "Your agreement will not deter me from how I feel towards you at this present moment, Knock Out."
"I'm well aware, Slipstream, that you don't forgive those who break your loyalty," Knock Out stated matter-of-factly, "Which is why I have no intentions of choosing sides between yourself and Star-"
"There is no 'choosing sides' between myself and my traitorous twin, Knock Out," The Seeker interrupted, "You are either on the side of him-" Her eyes glared at the unconscious form as if she was attempting to destroy her twin with them. "-or the side of our true Lord. Now that he has returned to his rightful place, I recommend you make your decision immediately."
Knock Out stood as straight as a soldier, "Of course, Commander Slipstream. I will always be on the side of our Lord."
The purple and blue Decepticon Seeker took a moment to oversee the features on the medical officer's face, ensuring that he was being truthful in his words to remain. Her lips pursed, she moved away from the fellow soldier to the sliding doors.
"As our one and only Lord requested, I need to be in his presence to welcome his return." Slipstream overlooked her shoulder at Knock Out. "Will you be attending?"
The red and vain Decepticon hummed thoughtfully, "Well, I suppose. I heard he was planning on laying into Moonlight for being more eager to side with 'Screamer." He paused, gulping nervously. "You'll… ask him to go easy on me, right old acquaintance?"
The doors slid open while Slipstream released a sigh, unwillingly, "I will consider it."
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
My body was yearning for a break, my mind was not.
I was not as tired as I had thought myself to be. The familiar urge to burn energy had seeped underneath me as soon as I tried to shut off my optics for the night. So after a while of tossing and turning, I went straight for the training room down the hallway and got stuck into a bunch of training dummies that had been set up.
I needed to thank whoever did, because it allowed me to get straight into kicking and punching them and saved me the time of setting them up. Those training dummies were heavy to move around, probably would've exhausted me doing so than my training routine.
If I had anyone around to help train with me, I would've gone in search of them, but Ratchet and Starlight had informed me that everyone had either left for guardian duties, scoutings or patrols. Had Arcee come back with me, I would've happily trained with her, but she thought I needed some time on my own to process everything so she took Carly home on my behalf.
…The information of being both a relation of Optimus and Megatron was still sinking in. It didn't feel real; truthfully, I didn't want it to be real. Maybe if Megatron hadn't been diving into my memories and unlocking those that he had locked away, then I'd probably be in more denial about it now. It was hard to deny those memories now that they had come unsealed.
But what if none of this had ever happened? How long were Sunburst and Optimus and Ratchet going to keep all of this away from me for? Forever?!
"Windswept?"
My leader's voice came at such a surprise, my fist missed the helm on the training dummy. I felt my body go stiff, like a guard was coming up - I shouldn't have to feel like I needed to protect myself from my leader of all people!
…But the overdue conversation was coming. This was it… whether I liked it or not, now was the time.
I stood up to look at the doorway, "Yes Optimus?"
"I… sincerely hope you can…" I don't think I've ever seen my leader look so nervous before, let alone even nearly stutter in his words. "…Forgive my actions for not informing you of the factors involved in your creation."
"Were you ever going to inform me?" My voice came out in a disrespectful way, I didn't know if I wanted to cringe at myself visibly for it.
He was stepping further into the room towards me, "It was always my intention Windswept, especially when you first arrived to our team." He bent down to my level. "I initially attempted to gauge whether you were aware upon your arrival to us, however once I realised you were not, I chose to inform you once you had settled into our fold and onto Earth."
…I could understand why he didn't want to 'bombarde' me with something like that when I got here. Processing Earth and everything that came with it, as well as becoming part of Team Prime and adhering to new protocols was challenging - adding onto it the intel of being a creation that was going to be used for Megatron's purpose probably wouldn't have done much good for me.
But that was so long ago now. "What stopped you from eventually telling me after I got settled?"
Optimus looked away briefly, "A small, perhaps selfish part of me believed you… shouldn't know."
Was I better off not knowing? …I mean, I had gotten pretty far in life without thinking twice about it, really. 'Bots and 'Cons gave me - Whirlwind too - funny looks, but I thought that was just because of how we came to be; dragged in from Neutral creators to become Decepticon warriors only to end up as Autobot refugees.
"What made you think I shouldn't know?" …The silence was deafening. If there was anything going on in the main room, we probably would've heard it from here, and the training room was quite deep into the base… "Did you suspect that maybe I was better off not knowing, for my own sake?"
Something in his silence really did suggest that maybe I was right… I don't know how I would've reacted to it back then… Probably a lot better than now to be honest, because Sunburst wasn't here then. I wouldn't be as angry towards him now if I knew earlier. But maybe it may have done more mental damage to me? Maybe I could've been questioning my whole existence more… because all Megatron wanted me and Whirlwind for was to be his soldiers. Creations for destruction…
Approaching him, everything since his return surely would've gone differently had I known…
…I don't know how or what kind of toll it would've taken on me, or how the others would've reacted. 'Bee and Bulk probably would've been more cautious or wary around me, since I was the new addition at the time. And Arcee didn't arrive until much, much later after me; even if I found out around the time she arrived, she still was wary of us for a little while.
Our friendship wouldn't be what it is now.
All this thinking over this… it still couldn't deter me from the fact that I deserved to know eventually… of course, it was happening here and now. Ugh… trying to remain open to understanding why I was kept in the dark for so long was becoming more difficult because I was continuing to cycle back to the same thing.
"I deserved to know at some point."
"I now see that my choice to withhold that information was a terrible mistake, one that I may regret the most. Megatron should not have been the one to inform you." You got that right… "For that, I sincerely apologise and hope you find it within yourself to forgive those who have lied to you, including myself."
I've already forgiven Ratchet and Starlight for knowing… Being offside with Optimus in any sort of way regardless won't do wonders for the team.
"You're forgiven, Optimus, but please tell me there isn't anything else being kept from me?"
"Megatron would have informed you should there have been anything left to reveal."
There was a feeling in my spark that he was being truthful.
I nodded at my leader.
His servo engulfed the upper side of my arm, "You and I are a lot more alike than perhaps we've realised. Alpha Trion would be proud of who you've become."
An ache within my spark formed. He was a great mentor and friend, and someone who was so worthy towards the Autobot cause. He was a large beneficiary towards helping Optimus become who he was now… But he knew things that he kept away from us too, like the knowledge of my creation which he shared with Sunburst…
There was still one more dreaded conversation I needed to have…
"You still worry about confronting Sunburst."
I guess my faceplates gave it away, "It was recommended that I trust why he didn't tell me."
"Perhaps you should listen to those who gave you that suggestion, Windswept, as sometimes, they are the ones who know best when in doubt."
…Maybe so.
Confronting Sunburst, someone who I have trusted for so long, known for… probably longer than I first thought, was going to be a challenge.
Was I up to it? …Absolutely.
NORMAL P.O.V
"It doesn't surprise me that you returned to your treacherous ways as soon as you boarded the Warship, Moonlight. Had I been in my rightful place this entire time, I would've almost been expecting it."
"Lord Megatron, we wanted to ensure the Decepticons could continue while you rested!"
"RESTED?! I was on my deathbed waiting for the blood of darkness to return to my veins!" The platform in the control centre of the Nemesis shuddered with every footstep the Warlord of the Decepticons took. "Instead of being awakened by the very shard Starscream stole from me, I had to wait for my time to strike in order to reawaken!"
"Let it be known, Lord Megatron, that I gave my twin every opportunity to assert his new era of command," Slipstream stepped forward, "Once his plan to terminate you became clear, I attempted to fight in your honour."
"Ahh, Slipstream, my ever loyal soldier." Megatron's smirk towards the blue and purple Cybertronian disappeared when he returned to facing the black and pink Decepticon. "As for you, Moonlight, I'd suggest you pay Starscream a visit in the laboratory… and be grateful I am sparing you from the injuries I inflicted upon him."
Moonlight's nodding was rushed and fearful, "Of course, Lord Megatron, I'm so gratefu-"
"So get out, before I change my mind."
The Decepticon spun on her heel to immediately take her leave.
Upon the doors of the control centre slamming shut, Megatron faced the trio of Decepticons looking back at him, eyes narrowing on the red Decepticon in between Slipstream and Soundwave, "I am sure you have also learnt a valuable lesson, today."
"Absolutely, my liege." Knock Out bowed. "You have my undivided, and unwavering loyalty from now on."
"I should've always had your undivided loyalty, Knock Out!" The Warlord paused to watch his medical officer stand to full height. "Like Moonlight, do pay Starscream a visit the next time you feel your loyalty… waver."
"Of course, my liege."
Feeling he had his point made, Megatron stepped towards the control panel and folded his arms behind his back, staring into the darkness through the window before him. An eerie chuckle escaped through bared teeth.
"Whatever is amusing you, my Lord?" Slipstream questioned.
"It was always as I had suspected, Slipstream," The Warlord began, "The one half of the creation I pushed my 'madly-in-love' split-spark to make had never suspected a single thing, almost as if not one Autobot were interested in revealing her and her twin's original purpose of being my creations of destruction."
Knock Out leaned towards Slipstream, "The Energonline I had referred to-"
"Do you take me for a fool, Knock Out?" The vain Decepticon leaned away immediately at the female Decepticon's tone. "I am aware of her relation to our Lord, much of the Decepticon army should be, along with the Autobots."
"Revealing her true parentage was more than enough to assist me in gaining control, and return myself to life." Megatron faced the trio of Decepticons nearby once more. "Although the experience was not as long-lasting as I had expected, no doubt, the seeds of uncertainty on her trust for her Autobot friends have been planted." He watched the silent Decepticon's visor light up, an image of a sunburst-coloured Cybertronian appearing. "I will be surprised if she continues to trust her fellow team members after this betrayal."
Slipstream smirked, "It is a wonder what her friends would think if they knew what measures she took to flee from the Decepticon cause."
"Another time, Slipstream." The female Seeker's smirk was mirrored by her Master's sinister chuckle. "Another time."
WINDSWEPT P.O.V
Cybertron was probably beautiful back when The Golden Age existed; I mean, I wouldn't exactly know since I was created during the war… But the stories that were out there about that time in history really proved that our homeworld was amazing… There was something about Earth though that was also amazing.
The sun on my armour was glorious; warm and bright. I didn't get a chance to enjoy it often, but with Bumblebee handling guardian duties for both Rafael and Carly today, I was getting the chance to bask in it.
To be fair, he was only playing guardian for Carly as I wanted to get things sorted with Optimus and Sunburst. On any regular occasion, I'd usually be doing scouts in between taking and picking up Carly from her educational centre just like the rest of the team, and if I was going to be late, usually any of the others available would have the honour of taking her to base.
Mechanical noises behind made my optics refocus on the view in front of me. The dry Jasper terrain extended for miles and miles, until a populated area was barely visible in the distance. The town looked so small from here, but it was a little bit bigger than I had initially thought upon my first arriving to Earth.
"Nice view up here, isn't it?" I could hear the doors of the roof elevator close at the same time as Sunburst's voice. He would know, he does spend a lot of time up here when he's not on call for scouts or patrolling - just something I had noticed recently since we all were up here talking about past missions only stellar cycles ago. "It's a shame I know we won't be enjoying it."
Witty as ever…
"The sooner we get this conversation over, the quicker we can move on and enjoy it then." I hugged my knee plating tighter to my chassis.
I could see Sunburst's legs dangling over the edge of the base roof in the corner of my optic, "'Swept… I'm so sorry for not telling you about Megatron and Optimus's connection to you. My only reason is my loyalty to Alpha Trion." I had suspected as much… "He told us not to tell you for your own good."
…What? "Us?"
"I don't believe I need to tell you who I'm referring to."
Why was I not surprised that he knew too?
"Trust me, he was eager to tell you more than I was. Alpha Trion was worried you'd leave to take your fight against Megatron alone." That option wasn't in play… but now he suggests it… "You'd only arrived at Iacon after fleeing the Decepticons for lying to you; if you didn't plan on taking on Megatron, you would've left us too, and we needed you rather than have you against us."
"You did the same with Whirlwind; instead of telling us you were going, you disappeared and let us think you were dead."
"I explained it to you, 'Swept, if any Decepticon knew where Whirlwind was, they'd have hunted her down the same way they did to you. Surely, you can understand why it was better that no one else knew."
I did understand; the Cortical Psychic Patch existed… clearly. And Decepticon torture chambers were not fun if you had information you were not willing to trade with; experience and tales from the others made that pretty clear too.
The fact that it wasn't the first time Sunburst had lied to me was hard to accept.
"You've lied to me about my creation, and my sister. How can I trust you, Sunburst?" I hated the quiver in my voice, as it made me sound like I wanted to cry… Honestly I didn't know what I wanted to do.
"Does any of our shared history not prove anything? I am loyal to you and everyone here, no matter what-"
"Until someone tells you to keep a secret about a teammate, then it's loyalty over them." His silence made none of this better. "I respect your devotion to us, we all do, but secrets and lies tear partnerships apart. We're supposed to be trusting each other through everything this war throws at us." I shook my helm. "I don't know if I can trust you right now, Sunburst, or if I can for a long time."
The sun and the view didn't feel as enjoyable as it was before…
Sunburst was sighing, "I understand, 'Swept. I am going to prove to you that you can still trust me, though. I will do whatever it takes, however long it takes." I had to commend him for even being bold enough to speak the idea into existence. "We've been through too much for all this to fall apart."
I know the others may question what makes this so hard, but it was easy to answer. Sunburst and I had been through so much, more than Arcee and Cliffjumper and maybe close enough to Optimus and Ratchet. It really did feel like a betrayal.
But I also knew Sunburst probably as much as he knew his own self, just like him with me. He was going to prove to me he was the friend and partner he was and always will be.
I was just going to have to trust that things could go back to the way things were between us eventually, whenever that was.