Chapter 2: Megatron

"Soundwave, what's the matter? You better have a valid reason that is worth my time for coming here." Starscream announced his arrival as he entered the control room, pretending to be annoyed as he smirked, "You do know that my time is precious, especially since I have an entire army to run with Lord Megtron absent ."

Starscream knew what was coming next. It was definitely Megatron related things, for he knew from his previous experience that his Master would be returning with a chunk of poisonous toxic crystal, known as dark energon. And this very crystal — also known as the blood of Unicron — that started the beginning of all his nightmares.

"Soundwave: Requested Starscream in the control room—" Soundwave started off, but was cut off.

"Yes, yes! I know that already! Stop saying all this useless stuff and get straight to the point!" Starscream interrupted as he pointed a claw at Soundwave. He tapped his pedes impatiently as he continued, "I had mentioned just now that my time was precious. If you're concerned about the Autobot that we just captured, well, there's no need to. That autobot's dead and I just sent another troop of Vehicon soldiers to track down and go after his partner Arcee."

"Soundwave: Located a new set of coordinates from deep space. Conclusion: Sent by Lord Megatron. Request: Activate space bridge." Soundwave spoke in his normal monotone voice and pointed to a set of coordinates shown on the screen of the control centre.

"Well, we haven't received any signals from Lord Megatron in the past three years. What if this mission turns out to be a failure? You should know that I don't like to take risks. " Starscream cursed internally as he pointed out all the possibilities, then crossed his arms, "Are you sure that your conclusion is accurate? I would hate to use the energon unless you are absolutely certain."

"Affirmative."

Of course. Soundwave knew what he was doing. So did Starcream. But Starscream was not planning to let his Master back so soon. Starscream took a deep, measured breath. His mind raced, flashing back to all the dark energon he had seen in his life. He'd felt its corruptive pull. He'd seen what it did to his comrades, to Megatron himself. And he'd survived it. But he was not sure if he could go through all of this again.

But he did know that Megatron would come back eventually. He always did, coming back from the dead for uncountable times as if he was immune to death. This was one of the reasons why he would never succeed in leading the Decepticons.

" Starscream, you are such a coward. Your plans will never succeed" , He could hear his Master visibly sneering at him. Starscream tried his best not to visibly flinch.

"Very well. Give me some time to … consider this plan." Starscream scoffed. He turned and walked out of the control room without another word, thoughts swirling in his mind. Megatron's return was inevitable—but how would he return? And what would he himself do now?

Starscream paced in the corners of his private chambers aboard the Nemesis. His mind was full of conflicting thoughts. Every memory of the past, moments of his treacherous deeds, his pursuit of power, his endless attempts to outwit Megatron, had haunted him like ghosts of his own making. But now, he was somehow back in time, going through events that were anything but a familiaring nightmare.

He could not help but feel a strange mix of dread and anticipation. This was not the first time he had seen Megatron rise from the dead, but this time it felt different. Was it because he had already lived through Megatron's return? Or perhaps it was the nagging sense that the future could change if only he could stop repeating his old mistakes?

"You cannot escape your fate, Starscream, " the voice of Megatron echoed in his mind, as if mocking his every hesitation.

Starscream felt his servos tighten, his claws digging into his palms. The events of Cliffjumper's death replayed in his mind like a loop, as a reminder of the destructive path he had once walked.

"Why did this even have to happen…," he muttered under his breath, looking down at his hands. He felt hopeless. "What do I do now?"

Starscream knew that he needed to do something. He could not just simply accept his fate and do nothing. He had already lived through this very same fate once. He did not need to go through all of this again.

"Maybe I should just defect…" Starscream thought to himself as he sat on his berth.

He did not care about ruling the Decepticons anymore anyways. Power had not been as satisfying as he thought it would be. No, what he wanted now was freedom. The freedom to choose a path that would not end with his spark extinguished by a certain cannon or his wings crushed beneath Megatron's heel.

"What am I even thinking about…" Strarscream laughed at his own little thought. Megatron would never allow that to happen. And even if he did leave, what would happen to the Decepticons? They would suffer Megatron's warth. Not like he really cared about any of them. But who knows what things Megatron would do with his insane mind with his second in command gone and no one stopping him? Plus, he still could not shake off this feeling, that whatever path he chose would lead to the same tragic end: Megatron's unrelenting power, and Starscream's very own inevitable failure.

Now, you must stop thinking about all this, it'll make you weak . Starscream tried to assure himself, You are commander starscream, second in command of the Decepticons!

Starscream's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the distant hum of machinery. His optics narrowed as the unmistakable sound of the space bridge being activated echoed through the Nemesis.

"No..." he muttered, his wings twitching in irritation. He stood up from his berth, his claws clenching at his sides. "That fool Soundwave wouldn't dare operate the space bridge without my command… would he?"

Without any hesitation, Starscream stormed out of his chambers, with his processor full of panic and fury as he made his way to the control room.

When Starscream arrived, the room was bathed in the familiar green glow of the space bridge, and Soundwave was standing before the console.

"Soundwave! What do you think you're doing?!" Starscream screeched, his optics blazing with fury as he approached the silent communications officer. "I did not authorize the activation of the space bridge!"

"Soundwave: Operation—Megatron," Soundwave replied coolly, ignoring Starscream's protests.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Starscream continued, waving a claw at the active bridge. "Do you realize what you've done? We don't know what condition he's in, or if it's even truly him! For all we know, this could be a trap!"

But before Starscream could finish his speech, the space bridge emitted a low rumble. The portal began to shimmer and distort, and a familiar silhouette started to materialize within the swirling energy.

Starscream froze, his optics widening in disbelief.

"No… It can't be..."

The figure stepped through the portal, with its crimson optics piercing through the green haze.

"Starscream," Megatron rumbled as he stepped through the space bridge. His optics locked onto his second-in-command, who instinctively took a step back. "I have returned!"

Starscream's spark sank into his chassis. The sheer presence of Megatron, was enough to make him feel as if the air itself had grown heavier.

"L-Lord Megatron..." Starscream stammered, dropping to one knee and bowing his head. "I... I was not expecting your return so soon. W-What a… pleasant surprise!"

Megatron's optics narrowed, a cruel smirk forming on his face as he took a step closer to Starscream. "Oh, I am certain my return is a surprise to you, Starscream. Though I doubt the term 'pleasant' is accurate."

"My Lord, I assure you—"

"Silence!" Megatron's voice boomed, and Starscream immediately shut his mouth. "I have been watching, even in my absence. I know of your attempts to claim leadership in my stead." Starscream bit back a retort, knowing that any protest would only make things worse.

Megatron turned his attention to Soundwave, his tone softening slightly. "Soundwave, as always, you have proven your loyalty. You have done well to ensure my return."

"Soundwave: Acknowledged," the communications officer replied in his monotone voice.

Megatron's gaze shifted back to Starscream, glaring. "Now, Starscream," he growled, "we have much to discuss regarding your... leadership in my absence."

Starscream inwardly cursed Soundwave, his processor scrambling for a solution to please his master. "O-Of course, Lord Megatron," he said, forcing a smile. "Anything to serve the Decepticon cause..."

Megatron loomed closer. "Oh, I have no doubt you will serve, Starscream. What I doubt, is whether...you're trustworthy enough to serve."

Starscream's spark pounded as Megatron's words hung in the air. His mind raced, what did Megatron mean by that? As Megatron's smirk widened, Starscream realized one thing: whatever happened next, his future would be determined by the choice he made in this very moment.

What was he supposed to say now?

A/N: Chapter 2 is finally out! I wrote this only some time after chapter 1 and I editied this soo many times!(like wayyy too much) Now that I compare this to chapter 1 I feel that i should have like edited chapter 1 a little more before posting it. Maybe I'll rewrite it someday.

But anyways, I hope that you enjoyed this fic! Again, feedback/comments would be really appreciated! :D