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Chapter Text

Starscreams plods into the room and stops with a bow. “Lord Megatron.”

He looks away from what Soundwave and he were looking at. “Starscream. What is it?”

He straightens. “I have an outside friend arriving within the next forty klicks. I’m requesting permission to meet with him.”

Soundwave stiffens and turns slightly to Starscream. 

Megatron notices this. “Who is this friend? Who is he to you? Why is he an outsider?”

“S-Skyfire is a close friend of mine. Nothing more.” He was gritting his dental plates with the half-truth. “He is an outsider… for the simple purpose of being free .” 

“I see. Allow me to accompany you on your reunion.” 

Starscream’s optics widened, but he forced them to narrow as he gave a polite smile. “Of course, my Lord.”

Megatron turns. “Soundwave, you and Shockwave are to watch over the Decepticons while Starscream and I go on our journey.” 

Soundwave nods and a blip pops up on his facial screen, already forwarding the message to Shockwave.

“Lead the way, Starscream.”

He nods and turns to plod back down the hallway. They exit through a double-door entryway that opened up to the desolate land of Kaon. Other Seekers and former members of the High Guard were flying through the landscape, others having in-fights down below. 

Starscream turns to Megatron as they plod down the side of a cliff. “My Lord, the journey is easier with flight. If you pardon my question, have you perfected your jet mode?”

The daggers in Megatron’s optics answers the question for him.

Starscream bows slightly, servo to his chest plating. “My apologies, my Lord.”

Starscream’s and Skyfire’s meeting point was a secluded clearing, sheltered by a towering rock and tall foliage around. It was uphill as well, so they could see anyone coming up well before they saw who was there. It wasn’t that their affair was secret, it's just nice to have the privacy.

They arrived slightly late to their destination, but Skyfire was a little late himself. Megatron stood behind as Starscream plodded into the clearing. His optics scanned the sky until he spotted a large, white jet cutting through the skies. It circled around the hill, decreasing in speed, before finally coming in. It transformed into a very large mech, much taller than even Megatron, with a mostly white body with small accents of red and navy on the wings and chest plating.

Skyfire’s optics locked onto Starscream’s, and he kneeled with his arms out. Starscream met him in an awkward embrace, being much smaller than him. 

“My Star,” Skyfire’s gentle voice cooed. “So good to see you again.”

“Skyfire. I would say the same.” Starscream grins.

His optics widened. “Star—your voice. What happened to it?” His servo landed on his shoulder armor. “You worked so hard finding a new one you liked…”

Starscream frowned. “A lot happened in the past few cycles. I… no longer lead what remains of the High Guard.” 

Skyfire’s optics scanned Starscream, seeing the Decepticon branding on him. His digits caressed the edges of it. “Who…”

Megatron steps out from the foliage. Starscream turns slightly towards the approaching mech. Skyfire kept cautious optics on him.

“This is the one that ruined your vocalizer?” Skyfire asks.

“Yes. We had a one-on-one, and he won.” His vocalizer glitched as he said the next words. “By the High Guard law, he’s our new leader.” 

Megatron was beside Starscream now. “I am Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. You are Skyfire, correct?”

“I am. What are the Decepticons ?”

“The new order for Cybertron. An uprising against the Primes, a promise we’ll never be deceived or enslaved by another false leader.”

Skyfire glances at Starscream. He kept his composure, but he knew Starscream long enough to know when he’s in disapproval.

“Where did you come from?” Skyfire asks, as politely as he could. “I don’t recall… you being among the High Guard.”

“I was an energon miner under Sentinel. That’s all that matters.” Megatron’s voice was cold, hatred fuming in his optics.

Skyfire wasn’t deterred by the tone, but was curious of the underworlder’s background. “What has become of Sentinel?” He became a deserter well before Sentinel’s betrayal, but hated him no less than any bot.

“He’s taken care of.” There was a cold, sinister grin curving Megatron’s face. “Our new enemy is Optimus Prime. His replacement .”

“I was never one for leaders or creating factions. But, you’ve gained my respect for removing Sentinel Prime.”

“And you’ve gained my support with our shared distaste in leaders.” Megatron holds his servo out. “I invite you to join our cause. A bot with your size, and surely firepower, would make an excellent contribution to the Decepticons.”

“Megatron, with all due respect, I do not desire to join any faction. I merely wish to assist as an outsider, no more than that.”

Megatron closes his servo. “Of course. May I perhaps invite you to a tour of Kaon, our Decepticon base, instead?”

Skyfire glances to Starscream, who was unusually quiet in this interaction. He could see the unease Starscream kept to himself, his disapproval of their rare arrangement being used as a campaign for Megatron. 

“Yes, that would be good. I would be honored, Megatron.”

Perhaps a tour of the new Decepticon location would update him on the current events of Cybertron, and extend Starscream’s and his intended meeting.

Skyfire stood to his full height. Megatron was a tall mech himself, but only came up to his waist. Megatron grins and turns, beckoning them to follow him as he transforms into his tank alt-mode. Starscream leaps into the air and transforms into his jet mode, Skyfire following suit. 

The two had to use minimal amount of thrust as to not fly overhead Megatron. Skyfire, the larger jet needing more power to stay in the sky, struggled the most finding a balance.

Your new leader cannot fly? Skyfire sends the private comm to Starscream.

Lord Megatron is working to become a triple-changer, Starscream explains. Grounders struggle to create enough thrust, however he is adamant he will be able to.

I see. I really missed you, Star. I want to know how you’re doing. I hope this extends our meeting for a little longer. 

Perhaps it will.

Starscream’s fritzed voice brought a deep sadness to Skyfire. He knew how long he searched for the perfect vocalizer that matched him, who he realized he was meant to be. Now, to hear it damaged and glitching, he wondered the pain Starscream kept to himself about it. 

How do you feel? Skyfire asks.

Better now that you’re here. I’m still getting used to my new position. 

I can imagine. How are you faring?

I’m doing… fine. Megatron is a pain in the aft, though. Took my throne but doesn’t know a single thing about leadership, so I have to assist in mentoring him. Shockwave barely acknowledges me, and Soundwave has gone mute.

You still have your Seeker armada, though, don’t you?

Yes, but Megatron is the higher authority. They still answer to me, but my order must be approved by him. Starscream sways slightly in the sky. What about you? How was your latest adventure?

I found a beautiful planet. It’s mostly water, but the land is never consistent. Sandy deserts, humid forests with trees larger than I, polar ice caps. The animals vary just as much. Some are smaller than my digit, others reach my hip joints.

Sounds wonderful.

I’m thinking of returning there once my stay here is done. If you need me, or decide this Decepticon cause isn’t working for you, I’ll likely be there. 

Staying in one place, Starscream laughs, it's almost unlike you.

Well, I’ll still be exploring. The planet might just become a new home, or someplace else to return to. If I do, you’ll always be welcome.

Thank you, Skyfire. I will keep that in mind.

They land and transform out of their alt-modes when they reached the edge of Kaon. Megatron guided Skyfire through the city, Starscream following close behind. There were a few Decepticons that recognized Skyfire, giving him a warm return. Skyfire several times had to awkwardly explain he wasn’t joining the Decepticons. Every time, there was a stare in Megatron’s faceplate.

At the end of their tour, Megatron dismissed Starscream and Skyfire. Starscream led them to his private quarters, bringing a small stash of energon cubes with him. Skyfire had to duck through the opening, and sat himself on a slab in the room. Starscream set the stash on the slab as well, taking a couple cubes and giving one to his guest. 

“Thank you,” Skyfire said. 

Starscream leaned against one of the walls. “So, what do you think of the place?” His arms splayed out.

“It’s a very interesting new place to call a base. But it seems to serve Megatron and everyone else well. I didn’t expect so many members to… recognize me.”

“You’re very hard to forget.”

“I guess I am,” Skyfire says with a smile. His optics perked up at Starscream, seeing his forced expression. “Are you sure you’re faring well?” 

His shoulders droop, and his faceplate relaxes. “It’s been a very, very long time since I wasn’t a leader. My voice is a humble, constant reminder of my defeat. I do not mind keeping it to honor the High Guard law, it’s more what I’ve lost as a result.” 

“I remember how happy you were when you were finally assigned leader.” 

“It was not long after you left. The Primes were still alive.” Starscream crossed his arms. “Lord Megatron is making good work uprooting everything I’ve built and changing it into something else. I just hope it ends with what he promises.”

“I caught wind of that. What exactly is going on?”

Starscream waved a servo. “Megatron and some smart-mouthed red-and-blue bot had a falling out over what to do about Sentinel. Megatron killed Sentinel, red-and-blue bot got caught in the crossfire, he came back as a Prime, and now we’re likely to start a war over control of Cybertron. Once the Quintessons are taken care of.”

Skyfire shook his helm. “This is why I don’t like leaders. So much fighting , so much death . It would be so much easier to just live as our own independent leaders, do whatever we want as long as it causes no harm.” 

Starscream let a smile creep to his lip components. “I’m beginning to understand your view of things.”

“My suggestion we talked about earlier is still open.”

“My Seeker armada needs me. Megatron needs my assistance. I want to keep an open mind about his rule for now.”

Skyfire strugged. “Of course. I don’t mean you should leave now , just reminding the door will always be open for whenever you decide.” 

“And I appreciate it.” 

Starscream and Skyfire continued talking, wrapping up when the skies were dark with auroras and galaxies painting the skies. They plodded together to the edges of Kaon, finding a covered area for a private departure. There was a tall rock fixture they were behind, Skyfire kneeling beside Starscream. His servo was out, Starscream’s own servo holding a digit due to the difference in their sizes. 

“Shall we meet again in our usual place, or here?” Skyfire asks.

“Perhaps here,” Starscream answers. “But keep our usual place as a plan-B if something happens.”

“Alright. I will.” Skyfire’s thumb digit rubbed at Starscream’s servo. “I will see you next jour, my Star.” 

Starscream flustered with a smile. “I will see you then, Skyfire.” 

Skyfire pulled him into an embrace before finally standing. Starscream watched as the beautiful mech transformed and blasted into the night sky.

Starscream was bad at farewells. He always felt like more should’ve been said, and perhaps there could be, but he struggled to comprehend his feelings, nevermind putting words to them. 

He began to walk out of the stone’s protection, met with a lurker on the other side.

“Soundwave! Were you stalking us?” Starscream hollered. 

Soundwave tilted his helm, a line appearing on his facial screen. An audio sample played. Starscream’s words. “ ‘I’m beginning to understand your view of things.’ ”

Starscream jumped. “H-how did you hear that?”

Soundwave tapped the side of his helm. 

“I’m not Megatron. I don’t understand your weird… gestures.” 

He dropped his servo. In a monotone, robotic voice, he says, “You forget I’m in charge of surveillance for a reason .”

“I have not,” Starscream huffed. “Why were you eavesdropping?”

“Lord Megatron’s orders,” Soundwave starts. “Your loyalty is questionable.”

“Well, if you heard that then you would know I have no interest in leaving. How dare you hold so much distrust against your former leader!”

Soundwave dips his helm. “You should be mindful of who you confide with.” He turns and heads back towards Kaon.

Starscream starts after him. “Hey, wait—You won’t be telling Lord Megatron about this, are you?” 

“Give me one reason why I shouldn’t.” He didn’t even turn his helm.

“I-I can make Skyfire a valuable contribution to the Decepticon cause. I cannot guarantee his true allegiance, but I can make sure he helps us and not Optimus Prime.” 

“If he shows significant sympathy for the others, Lord Megatron will be informed.”

“I… understand, Soundwave,” Starscream grunts. 

As they complete their walk back in silence, Starscream reflects on what he agreed to. To encourage his dearest friend to turn on his morals, to assist a cause he doesn’t fully agree with. If Skyfire were to find out, Starscream could only imagine the betrayal he would feel. 

All he could do was hope he would be successful in converting Skyfire into a Decepticon.

Chapter Text

Skyfire flew through the skies of Cybertron, piercing through fiery clouds. The sunrise in the distance illuminated the landscape beautifully, accenting the rock formations and nature growth. It made the newly flowing energon rivers shine like crystals. Moments like these remind him why he loves exploring new worlds; to find even more beautiful moments. His home will always have a special place in his spark, though. 

He cut through the air as he approached Kaon. It changed since he was last here; border walls have been built, buildings look more established. It was beginning to look like a city. He eased himself to the ground, in front of what looked like a main entrance to the city, gracefully transforming and landing on his pedes. 

“Halt!”

Skyfire’s optics glance around.

An armada of Decepticons lined the border walls and the ground below, all pointing blasters and rockets at him. 

Skyfire raised his servos. 

“Hold your fire!” 

The soldiers lowered their weapons and those on the ground cleared a path to the main entrance. Starscream, who gave the order, made his way down with grace. His head was up, shoulders back, the swing of his legs complimenting his intentional steps. His strut as he approached was a reminder of his former military background in the High Guard. Despite that, he peered up at Skyfire with a warm expression. 

“Skyfire. I apologize for the hostile welcome.” He waves a servo to the armada, dismissing them to return to their posts.

“Star… what’s going on?”

“We’re preparing for an impending war,” Starscream explains. “Come in.”

Skyfire follows. “What war?”

“The Quintessons. They will be arriving anytime soon expecting their energon from Sentinel, only to find he’s unable to. They will want to retaliate. We have to prepare for when they attack.”

Skyfire observed Kaon as they walked through. The development the Decepticon base took on was even more apparent from the inside. 

“We’ve also caught wind of the Autobots as they call themselves,” Starscream continues. “Led by Optimus Prime.”

“Is Megatron really going to start a civil war?”

Starscream shrugs. “If Optimus stayed dead, there wouldn’t be another Prime for Lord Megatron to take down.”

Skyfire shook his helm. 

Starscream peers at his friend. With a deep sigh, he forces himself to speak. “We could use your assistance.”

“You know what my answer is.”

“You don’t have to fight.” The words felt like sandpaper on his vocalizer. It glitched as he continued. “Even just moving supplies would be enough. You could help put a quicker end to the Quintesson’s attack, and… reduce the possibility of a Cybertronian civil war.” 

Skyfire sighs. “Please don’t bring this up with me again.”

A heavy weight hits Starscream. He places a servo to his chest plating. “I only intended it as a suggestion, for you to consider.”

“I value your concern, Starscream, but you know how I feel about things.” He sounded more heartbroken than upset.

Starscream nods. “My apologies, Skyfire. I won’t.”

With a rocky start to their meeting, they spent the next moments in silence as they made their way to somewhere more private. The silence ate at Starscream; he worried about his promise to Soundwave. 

“It was impressive to see you command the armada back there,” Skyfire said.

Starscream glanced at him, his wings perking up. “Oh—It was?”

He smiled. “It reminded me of why the Primes appointed you. Your demeanor. The sense of control you had. I may disagree with leadership, but you do make a great commander.”

Starscream grinned. “Well, I am taking my role as second-in-command seriously.” 

“How is that going for you?”

“Megatron is still a pain in the aft, but… it’s working out.” 

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Starscream’s dental plates grit. “No.”

A jet flew above them. It transformed into Megatron, who landed in front of them with a hard thud. He turned and faced them with a grin. “Skyfire! Good to see you again.”

“Megatron.” Skyfire acknowledged with a nod. “You can fly now.” 

“Yes, Shockwave is an excellent scientist.” 

There was a twitch in Skyfire’s optic. 

“We’re all grateful for his contributions,” Megatron continues. “Starscream. How are things?”

Starscreamm stood straight. “All is functioning well, Lord Megatron. Thundercracker will be overseeing my duties during my leave with Skyfire.”

“Excellent. You two enjoy each other’s company. Skyfire, I hope your visit is enjoyable.” 

Megatron stepped aside to let the two pass. They do so, but Starscream’s optics briefly caught Megatron’s. He glared into his, the politeness he just had was gone. Cold, hard, threatening.

Starscream gave a quick nod before catching up with Skyfire.

Skyfire had departed a few breems ago. Starscream wandered through a hall, his heel struts clinking against the flooring. Soundwave awaited him at a doorway. As Starscream approached, the two entered the room.

When the door closed, Starscream started. “I need more time with him.”

Soundwave’s blank faceplate revealed nothing.

“He’s very difficult to persuade. But—I got him to consider.”

His helm angled just slightly.

“Okay—I suggested it to him. And he told me to shut up. But, look, I’m making progress. He will come around.”

Soundwave nodded. “Keep it up, Commander Starscream.”

An alarm sounded. Starscream and Soundwave became alert.

The Quintessons were arriving.

Chapter Text

Kaon was barren when Skyfire flew in for their next meeting. The buildings were intact, but there was no sign of life; no one coming in or flying out. Skyfire flew in the sky for some time, scanning for Starscream, but ultimately decided there was no one. 

Skyfire thrusted himself high in the sky and flew to his and Starscream’s old meeting place. The closer he approached, however, he saw glimpses of smoke and blasterfire in the distance. Worry prickled him as he began his descent.

Someone was at their meeting place. Skyfire flew down, transforming and landing with a slide. “Starscream!”

He was leaned against the towering rock, barely holding himself up. He was coated in sprayed energon and another liquid, magenta in color. His servos were pressing into a spot at his side.

“I-I knew you’ld come here,” Starscream wavered with a smile.

Skyfire kneeled by him. “What happened? Who did this?”

He grunted. “Quintessons.”

His optics peered at the distance. He could see jets flying above the smoke, Cybertronian and Quintesson, shooting down and around.

“Oh, Primus.”

“W-we had to align with the Autobots. Can you believe that?” He chuckled.

“No, Starscream, save your energon. Is there a medic?”

“Shockwave is doing his best.”

Skyfire hissed. “Where is he?”

Starscream’s optics widened. “There’s an old ship wreckage down there. They’re using it as a medic station.”

Skyfire stood and stepped back. Transforming into his jet form, he opened a hatch. Get in, he comms.

Starscream stands with a wobble, energon eeping from his wound at his side. He made his way inside, laying himself on the floor of the space. Sorry about getting Quintesson fluids all over your internals.

Skyfire soared into the sky. Don’t worry about it, Star. Scrap, hang tight.

He just nearly missed a blaster shot, swerving suddenly to the side. A Quintesson jet was firing at them. Skyfire summoned his rockets on his wings, taking aim for the ship. Rockets fired at the jet engine, destabilizing it. It spiralled in the sky before finally hitting the ground in an explosion.

Did… you just… Starscream asks. Skyfire could only imagine the sheer shock on his face.

Yes. I did. As much as I despise it.

I was… just about to warn that they’re tough.

I know. They managed to injure you. That’s all the warning I need.

Skyfire swayed again to dodge more gunfire. He fired his armory on them, grimacing as they spiraled out of control to the ground. He saw the abandoned ship Starscream talked about, not too far away. He descended to the ground, engaging his landing gears. He bumped on impact and wheels skid on the ground as he forced on the brakes. He pulled up to a large opening, Shockwave approaching from inside.

We’re here. Skyfire opened his hatch, a ramp lowering to the ground.

Starscream forced himself to stand and plodded down the ramp, Shockwave meeting him at the bottom and supporting his weight. He turned to Skyfire. “Are you going to help?”

…Yes. Cybertron is my home, too. This fight affects all of us.

Starscream nods. “Find Nacelle. He will assist you.”

Skyfire activated his boosters and flew back into the sky. He attempted to fly low, scanning for any injured Decepticon, but a few Quintessons on the ground began firing at him. He fired his rockets at them, missing some but hitting one. He blasted higher in the sky, dodging more Quintesson ships and even a few Cybertronian jets flying past, none of them wearing the Decepticon emblem. If he tuned his communications, he realized there was an open channel.

“Ironhide has been hit. I need back-up.”

“Ratchet, three more are coming in.”

“They got my booster. I’m gonna crash hard—AH!”

He turned off his communications just before he heard the impact.

“Bee, assist Ironhide. I’m sending Jazz to stun them.” 

“On it, Optimus!” 

“Elita, can you confirm ————’s status?”

Skyfire blasted another Quintesson jet, missing its rotors. He spun around and fired for its engine, exploding on impact.

Nacelle flew past him and rained gunfire on another ship, merely scratching its shell.

Nacelle! Aim for the rotors! Skyfire comm’ed.

He turned back around and did so, damaging it enough to destabilize it. Skyfire sent another rocket, blowing up the other rotor. 

Thanks, Skyfire. I’ve never seen you so armed—sorry, Commander Starscream sent me to help you. What is my task?

Cover me while I move our injured. Help if they’re unable to carry themselves.

Got it.

Skyfire descended, scanning the ground. There was so much energon and Quintesson blood spilled, both Cybertronian and Quintesson bodies littering the ground. He transformed, coming to a rolling land. Blasters replaced his servos, and his rockets remained on his wings, peeking above his shoulders. He blasted approaching Quintessons, sprinting to dodge oncoming gunfire, Nacelle firing at them from above.

There was a Seeker defending another Decepticon, who was losing a lot of energon. Skyfire blasted the oncoming Quintessons before transforming. The Seeker lifted the Decepticon into Skyfire. 

“Thank you, Skyfire,” the Seeker quickly said before flying off. 

Skyfire launched into the sky, dodging more gunfire. He spotted a group of downed Decepticons, and dove down again to pick them up. Nacelle had to help some get on board. Skyfire then flew straight back to Shockwave for drop-off.

Nacelle and another Decepticon assisted the wounded off Skyfire. In the time Skyfire was gone, Starscream was already patched up.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Skyfire asks.

“Yes, it was just a circuit cut. Just needed a patch. Let’s fly!” Starscream blasted into the air. Skyfire and Nacelle followed suit.

Starscream was a better shot than Nacelle, and took down a lot more Quintessons a lot faster, but the two covered Skyfire as he retrieved more wounded. 

A few laps later, Nacelle having taken his leave, Skyfire transformed and rolled into the middle of a fight. With blasters replacing his servos, he and Starscream blasted some Quintessons that had overwhelmed a couple Decepticons. Skyfire had the Autobots’ communications channel open, and just heard a distress call. 

“Skyfire! Where are you going?” Starscream cried.

He caught sight of the Autobot. It was being torn apart by a Quintesson. Skyfire shot for its limbs, Starscream firing the killing shot.

Skyfire kneeled by the Autobot. His arm and legs were disconnected, but he was still online.

“What is your name?” Skyfire asks.

“S-Sideswipe…”

“Leave him. He’s an Autobot,” Starscream orders.

“They’re helping us with the Quintessons. Why can’t I help them?” 

“Sky—”

Skyfire turned back to Sideswipe. “Where should I take you?” 

“R-Ratchet. By the… augh, ruins.”

“Star, load him into me.”

Starscream hissed, but obliged. “I won’t be able to follow you.”

With Sideswipe moved into Skyfire’s alt-mode, he takes off looking for the ruins he spoke of. He opens the Autobot channel.

This is Skyfire. I got Sideswipe. Where is Rachet located?

“Skyfire, this is Elita. Look for the rusted archway. Our medic station is on the other side.”

Thank you, Elita.

“Who are you, again?”

He managed to spot the arch she spoke of. 

“Skyfire?” an excited voice chimed. “ He’s the biggest Cybertronian in Cybertron history! Even taller than the Primes. He left the High Guard—”

“Bee. Emergency only.”

“Sorry!”

Skyfire landed near the archway. Autobots approached as he opened his hatch; they reached in and took Sideswipe and his dismembered parts. As soon as he was taken, Skyfire closed his hatch and launched back into the air. 

Quintesson warship spotted. Starscream going in. Redwing, cover me.

Thundercracker to Starscream. I’m sending my team to assist.

Starscream dived towards it, transforming and having a rolling landing on the deck. He aimed his arms at approaching Quintessons, firing his blasters at them. He spun to dodge a rocket, letting it blast behind him, and fired on the one that shot it. Seekers roared above, firing down as well. Starscream sprinted along the deck, Redwing landing beside him.

“Commander! Grenades!” he called.

“Light it up!”

The explosion blew off a good portion of the ship and its armor, revealing the internals. Its engine was exposed, but smaller Quintesson jets were flying in to attack. Thundercracker’s team fired back. Redwing covered Starscream as he struggled to aim into the blast; the engine was just out of sight.

Skyfire roared above, flying around and fired his rockets into the exposed engine. The first explosion rocked the ship, sending Starscream and Redwing into the sky. They transformed and blasted away before a second explosion blew up half the ship, sending it to the ground for a third explosion.

YEAH! Starscream hooted over the comm-channel. 

Starscream flew to Skyfire. They flew away together as Thundercracker’s team departed to another part of the battlefield. 

Skyfire comms to Starscream, I’m going back to help the injured. 

You do that. I’m going to find Megatron.

Skyfire swayed to turn around and descended to the ground. Starscream blasted on, firing at incoming jets. He was nearing a larger Quintesson warship that had been grounded, but didn’t explode on impact. Megatron, as well as Optimus Prime, were fighting nearby.

Starscream flew by to fire at the Quintessons shooting them. Optimus waved a stream of fire as Megatron covered his back, single-shooting with his arm cannon whichever Quintesson dared approach him. Optimus, with an axe for his other servo, lunged forward and landed a quick killing blow on a Quintesson, leaping foward to do the same to another. Megatron, on the other hand, landed blasts that either blew the Quintessons’ faces off, or immobilized them just enough to still be alive, only able to writhe in pain. 

“The High Commander is mine,” Megatron roared as he ran to the ship. Optimus’ response was deafened by the sound of a blast. 

Starscream landed, out of his alt-mode, on the edge of the ship. He fired at the Quintessons on the ground as Optimus ran after Megatron. A yellow Autobot vehicle drove into the battle, transforming into Bee with his battle mask and “knife hands” out. He made quick work of the Quintessons in his way.

It got dark over Starscream. He looked up to see another large Quintesson warship descending next to the downed ship.

“Scrap!” he cursed as he leaped, turning into his jet mode and blasting off.

Inside the Quintesson warship was spacious, but moist. The floor felt like it was squishy as Megatron hauled his way through. The High Commander was somewhere in here…

Blaster fire in his direction answered that question. He dodged the blasts as he lunged into the misty darkness. The freak’s face was made clear just before Megatron’s cannon collided into it, knocking the High Commander down. He threw his punches hard, cracking its protective shell and its magenta blood seeping through. The Quintesson managed to wrap its tentacles around his wrist, throwing him across the room.

Megatron’s arm hit something as he hit a wall. He roared, but struggling to get to his feet on the soft floor gave the Quintesson enough time to retrain him. His limbs began to pull at the joints.

Optimus, from a distance, waved his axe, a slice flying off it and colliding with the High Commander. It howled as its back shell was decimated, its blood pouring between the cracks. Its hold on Megatron was gone.

Megatron punches the Quintesson again. It landed on the floor, and Megatron slammed his pede into its chest shell, hard enough to crack it. He ripped out some of its tentacle limbs. It howled but struggled under Megatron’s heel. Magenta blood splattered over Megatron’s arms and legs, but he relived the joy he had when he tore Sentinel in half.

This monster was responsible for the death of the Primes.

It was responsible for his enslavement to Sentinel.

Satisfied with the pain inflicted, he aimed his cannon at its face.

Optimus was approaching. “No, wait!”

The blast ricocheted through the room. 

Optimus slowed, taking sight of the scene.

Megatron was covered in Quintesson blood and pieces. The High Commander’s face was disintegrated. A mangled corpse was left.

He stood, slowly turning to Optimus. His optics glared hard, full of hatred.

“Get out, Pax. Before I change my mind.”

Starscream had just shot down another Quintesson ship. He and a few other of his Seekers were advancing on more, however Starscream noticed something off. They weren’t firing back anymore. They instead deflected, and were retreating to the warship. Starscream scanned the ground, seeing the Quintesson soldiers cowering to the Autobots’ attack. 

Something had happened. 

He descended to the ground, landing on his heel struts. His Seekers followed suit behind him.

“Commander Starscream?”

“They ceased fire,” Starscream said.

His optics turned to the downed warship. He saw Optimus walking down the deck, approaching the edge. His servo splayed in the air. 

“Quintessons!” his voice boomed. “I request to discuss diplomacy with the next High Commander. Your rule over Cybertron is over.”

There was only a small chitter from the Quintessons. Looking for Megatron, Starscream found out why they had stopped.

He marched down the deck, dragging a body by a limb. He approached the edge by Optimus, and tossed the mangled corpse to the gathering Quintessons below. Magenta blood scattered through the air, and Starscream caught sight of what remained of its blown head. 

Starscream pumped his fist in the air. “ALL HAIL MEGATRON!” he cried. The Seekers beside him did the same. Their chants echoed through the battlefield as Megatron raised his cannon.

“Your so-called High Commander has been slain! Heed this as a promise to all Quintessons: if you dare return, I, Lord Megatron of the Decepticons, will extend the treatment to you!”

The Quintessons’ chittering was quiet. A few retrieved their commander’s corpse while others began to retreat to their warship.

Megatron turns to Optimus, aiming his arm cannon. “And you, Prime , shall be a martyr.”

Optimus dodged the blast but Megatron hooked a punch with his other arm. Optimus stumbled and fell off the ship. He landed with a hard thud.  

“Optimus!” Bee was running in.

Starscream blasted into the scene, crashing into Bee. They grunt on impact to the ground, rolling when Starscream lost his grip. Bee got back up first, but Starscream fired at him. He dodged the shots as Starscream got back on his heels and made a sprint for him. Bee extended one of his blades and swung at Starscream’s arm blaster, slicing through the narrow shaft and taking the tip off. Starscream roared and nailed a punch to his helm. Bee fell to the ground, but transformed and drove off. 

He held the tip of his severed arm blaster as he scanned for Megatron and Optimus. He leaped towards their fight, but another Autobot crashed into him.

Skyfire waited as the Decepticon was lifted out of him before he transformed. Standing on his pedes, he turned to face the battlefield. As he was flying in to drop off, the Quintesson jet that was pursuing him had suddenly stopped firing. As he scanned, he watched as the Quintesson soldiers were retreating. 

Was the war over?

Star? he attempts to comm.

Hold on. Coming in.

The Cybertronian jet was flying in, swaying slightly. It descended and transformed into Starscream, who was clutching his severed blaster.

Skyfire approached and kneeled by him, welcoming with an embrace. “Oh, my Star.”

Starscream grins despite the injury.

Skyfire glances at the blaster. “Your arm…” his voice croaked. “What happened?”

“Some glitch of an Autobot sliced it. Then another kicked my aft.” He grunts. 

Skyfire looked away. “Weren’t they just helping us against the Quintessons?”

“Traitors,” Starscream huffs. “Lord Megatron slays one of the Quintesson commanders, and they start attacking him .”

Skyfire shook his helm. “I… don’t understand.”

Starscream shrugs. “It’s war. We only had a temporary alliance. Now that our common enemy is defeated, the alliance is over.”

Skyfire’s helm falls. 

“Look—the sooner we fight back—”

“I just want to take you back to Kaon,” Skyfire cuts in. “To get you fixed up. I’m done fighting today.”

Starscream’s optics widened, his shoulders relaxing. “Okay.”

Chapter Text

Back in Kaon, the Decepticons were recuperating from the war. The injured were properly being treated, now having access to better equipment. Starscream’s injuries were not critical, so he had to wait, but eventually Shockwave tended to him.

Skyfire approached the operation room when he heard the repair surgery had finished. Ducking through the doorway, and giving Shockwave merely an acknowledgement as he left, Skyfire kneeled beside Starscream who was admiring his new blaster. 

“Look, Skyfire. Good as new. Nothing to worry about.” 

He just peered at Starscream with a sad expression. 

“Hm. I think it looks too new on me. Not enough grime.”

“You look fine, Star.” Skyfire’s voice was flat. 

Starscream blinked, then slouched. “Unfortunate our meeting took a turn like this. I assume you are leaving soon?”

Skyfire shook his helm. “No. I think I’m going to stay. Help with transporting supplies, like you suggested.”

“Y-you are?”

“I couldn’t stand seeing my old friends, or you —” Skyfire’s optics shut “—look so injured. If my involvement will truly put a quicker end to this war, and keep you safe, then… I’ll help.”

“Ah—that’s…” Starscream hesitates. 

Skyfire took his servo. “When I saw what the Quintessons, and those Autobots, did to you… I couldn’t stand it, Star.” 

Starscream closed his digits in his servo. “I… apologize, for worrying you.”

“I know. And I know you can’t promise it won’t happen again.” Skyfire leans into Starscream. “But… at least I’m able to help lessen the impact.”

Starscream, with a smile, leans into him. “It would be nice having you around more.” Remembering his deal with Soundwave, that smile turned more half-hearted.

The Cybertron war between the Autobots and Decepticons was beginning to take hold. Skyfire seemed to keep to his word, and assisted in transporting supplies and anyone who was injured. 

Starscream and Skyfire were walking together down the hall. Starscream was venting about his adventures Megatron had been sending him on, complaining that Soundwave should be perfectly capable to hack the Iacon broadcast systems on his own and shouldn’t need Starscream’s assistance. Skyfire didn’t have the heart to remind that Soundwave needed direct access to Iacon’s servers, hence why Starscream was requested.

The two retired to Starscream’s quarters. Skyfire sat on the slab while Starscream just stood with his arms crossed.

“You’re tense,” Skyfire notes.

“I’m just annoyed about the state of things. There’s a lot more going on.”

“Do you wish to talk about anything else?”

He shook his helm. “Even if I wanted to, I can’t.”

“I see.” 

With a sigh, Starscream leans against the wall, his optics scanning over Skyfire. The two never allowed each other to get too close due to their conflict of duties, but the longer they had been able to spend together in the last few cycles were beginning to bring those walls down. Right now, he just wanted to forget everything, just for a moment. But he wasn’t used to being… sentimental like that. 

“Something’s on your mind,” Skyfire says. 

He wasn’t sure what to say. He just kept his optics locked on his.

“Come here.” 

Starscream startles as Skyfire extended a servo. His own arms lowered as he stepped towards the large mech, placing his own servo in his. Skyfire rubbed his digit over Starscream’s servo. 

“We’re alone,” Skyfire starts. “If you want to do anything, my Star, you can.”

“I don’t want to mess up.”

“Mess up what?”

Many things. What they had for the last hundred or so cycles, or just Starscream embarrassing himself. 

“You know I don’t mind if you ‘mess up.’ My favorite part of you is when you’re imperfect. It means you’re letting yourself open up.”

Starscream held his optics for a moment, then finally gave a sigh. He turned around, pulling himself up to sit himself on Skyfire’s lap. His faceplate was threatening to overheat as he cursed to himself, how shameful he was…

Skyfire’s arms hugged around Starscream, under his wings. “There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?”

His voice was gentle on his audio processor. Under his large arms, Starscream finally allowed himself to relax. 

“Just take it easy, my Star.”

Starscream sighs. “I’m really glad you’re here.” He leans back against Skyfire’s chest plating, feeling the gentle purr of his engine vibrating through his. 

“I’m glad to be with you.” His thumb digit rubbed at Starscream’s mid-section plating. “It almost feels like we have all the time in the universe.”

Starscream closed his optics.

“I want to explore the universe with you. Like we used to do instead of patrol. Show you there’s more out there, so many beautiful things.”

He sighed. “I want to. I miss appreciating the smaller things. I miss… being with you.”

“Star?”

He turned his helm so he could see Skyfire’s.

“You have a choice now.”

Starscream sighs, raising a servo to the side of Skyfire’s helm. “You’re too good for me.” 

Skyfire leans into the touch. “Will you think about it?” 

He closed his optics. Gritting his dental plates, he nodded. 

He turns around on Skyfire’s lap, swinging one leg over. He stood on his knees as he straddled Skyfire’s lap, peering up into his optics. Starscream’s servos climbed to his shoulder guards, Skyfire’s resting on his hip plating. 

Actually seeing his face this close now, and letting their memories come to, maybe he could. 

Starscream raised his chin as his servo wrapped around Skyfire’s neck cabling. His helm lowered as Starscream pulled himself up, letting their lip components meet into a kiss. Starscream pushed into him, tugging on the back of his neck. Their cooling fans kicked on.

Skyfire pulled back ever so slightly. “Do you hear something?”

Starscream adjusted his audio processor’s sensitivity. He heard a familiar scream followed with the clanging of metal.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” 

He returned to the kiss, Skyfire leaning back into him. They pulled each other closer together, chest plating colliding. Their engines, cooling fans, were rumbling. Starscream knew he was getting warm. He could feel Skyfire himself getting hot; one of his servos inched up Starscream’s back strut, tapping each segment as it climbed as a tease.

“Sky—” Starscream squeaked.

He laid his servo flat on Starscream’s back struts. “Too much?” he whispered.

Starscream stood as tall as he could on his knee plating, squeezing them against Skyfire’s legs. “Not…” he huffed, “enough.”

“What do you want then, my Star?”

Starscream bit his lip component, forcing himself to grin. “Your… spike.”

Their plates were close enough. Skyfire could open his modesty panel, Starscream his interface, and easily slip the spike into him. But Skyfire only tapped his aft.

“You never learned from last time.”

“I’m still in one piece, aren’t I? At least we know it can fit.”

Skyfire chuckled. “You love finding trouble, don’t you?”

Starscream grinned wildly. “You know it.”

He felt Skyfire’s servo pull him closer, and soon he was pulled up off his knees. Skyfire pulled himself up and whirled around, plopping the seeker on the berth. Starscream beamed as his arms landed above his helm. Skyfire leaned over him, one servo carefully caressing up his chassis. He hugged his legs around Skyfire’s hip plating as his servo passed over Starscream’s neck cabling, touched his cheek, and wrapped around the back of his helm. The two pulled closer together for another kiss, this one more open and messy than the tender ones before. Vapors escaped Starscream’s intake as he whined. 

Skyfire’s servo travelled down to the back of his neck cabling, gently supporting it in his large palm as his thumb digit rubbed the front side just under his chin. 

“Oh Primus—” Starscream whined, arching his spine. 

Skyfire raised himself. “Star?” 

“That—My neck—” Starscream huffed. “Do it again.”

Skyfire smirked as he obliged. He turned his servo slightly and pressed down with a gentle force. “Like this?”

“Oh yes—!” Starscream wailed. His legs squeezed around Skyfire’s waist as he arched back. 

Skyfire chuckled. “I forgot how prone you were to picking up new kinks.”

Starscream’s fans whirred. “S-shut up,” he gasped, not at all meaning it in the slightest.

Skyfire adjusted the position of his servo on Starscream’s neck, putting more pressure on it. His other servo met Starscream’s chassis, digits teasing one of his inlets and brushing the fan inside. He squirmed with the touch, whining through his huffs.

“What a responsive little jet,” Skyfire teased.

Oh sweet Solus Prime.

Starscream’s interface panel shiick ed open without his conscious intent. His cooling fans whirred. 

Skyfire, the tortuous bastard Starscream was pinned under, crept his servo down Starscream’s frame, pressing at the seams between his mid-section and cockpit, moving at a tortuous pace. Starscream squirmed, knowing what was soon to happen, but was impatient as Skyfire kept edging him. His own elbows braced into the berth as he gripped Skyfire’s arm.

“Skyfire! Primus—ah! Quit teasing and frag me already! ” 

“So eager,” his sultry voice purred into his audials. “So impatient.” 

Starscream squirmed as Skyfire’s servo finally reached his pelvic plates, but it travelled up his leg. Skyfire pried his legs off his hips and forced them to spread around him. His servo closed over Starscream’s valve, his digits petting the already dripping folds and using a feather’s touch on his node. Starscream howled with the tease, clawing into Skyfire’s arm as his helm threw back. 

“Sky— please ,” he whined, his vocalizer straining. 

Skyfire lowered his helm and their lip components met into a kiss again, messy and sloppy and glossas turning over each other with warm vents. Skyfire finally pressed in a digit, then two, into Starscream’s valve. He moaned into Skyfire’s mouth, moving one of his servos to the back of Skyfire’s neck to pull him in closer. 

Skyfire’s digits pressed deliciously into the seeker’s valve, tenderly stretching it as he inserted a third, rubbing against calipers and nodes that made Starscream’s circuits flare. Starscream melted into the berth with a scream as his circuits fried and his processor gave, the overload washing over him with red-hot pleasure. Skyfire’s digits still worked, encouraging the lubricants and transfluid to dribble out.

“Still just as loud,” Skyfire whispered. He pulled himself up, easing his grip on Starscream’s neck and letting it glide down his chassis. His optics looked over the mech below him, Starscream’s fans still whirring and faceplate scrunched from the overload. “Still just as beautiful.”

A short series of clicks sounded, music to Starscream’s audials. He forced his helm up to peer at Skyfire’s array.

It was just as big as he remembered.

Starscream whined as his processor finished its reboot. Grinning deliriously, he pressed his elbows on the berth. “If you don’t shove your fat spike into me—” 

Starscream’s helm was thrown back onto the berth as Skyfire held his throat again, using just enough force to be aggressive but not harm anything. Starscream reached for him, but a flick in his valve made him convulse and fall limp on the berth again with high-pitched moans. 

Skyfire pulled his digits from Starscream’s valve, giving the folds a final rub. He forced Starscream up, only to whip him around and slam him back on the berth on his front-side. He pressed one servo on the back of Starscream’s helm, forcing it down. His other servo caressed his backside, petting his wings and kibble. Starscream squirmed under him with the touches. Skyfire straightened as his servo travelled down Starscream’s back, closer to his array, encouraging him to raise his aft.

Finally, Starscream felt the spike’s tip rubbing his sensitive folds. He moaned, then screamed when nearly half of it plunged into him. Skyfire climbed onto the berth and stood on his knee plating and pressed his chassis into Starscream’s back struts. His elbows landed on either side of the seeker’s helm, one servo still pressing down on his helm while the other crawled under and held the collar of his neck. Skyfire’s hips worked through this, thrusting hard and deep into the smaller bot, leaving Starscream moaning and crying in bliss. 

Something Starscream loved about Skyfire is that even when he tried being aggressive, there was always a gentleness to it. He couldn’t put words to how it made him feel. 

But by the Primes, Skyfire was huge . His spike spread Starscream’s valve to its limits, and his hard and fast pace was murdering him. Being pinned under such a large mech, half of his full weight on his back, his lower neck cabling tickled by Skyfire’s digits, Starscream was relishing in the sensations around him. The sense of danger he should have with his throat touched like this, the strength he could feel under Skyfire’s embrace, the way his aft was being pounded into the berth. 

Skyfire was venting heavily into his audio processor, which he barely heard over his own cries. Their fans whirred, Skyfire’s thrusting intensified, deepening, and something gave inside Starscream. He lived up to his namesake for a second time, his screams echoing through the room as he convulsed and melted into the berth. Skyfire’s own roars soon filled the room, hot transfluid pouring into Starscream as he convulsed under him. Starscream reduced into whimpers as Skyfire’s thrusts subsided into slow pumps.

He pulled himself up, pressing a servo to Starscream’s back, and gave a few final pushes. His spike pulled out with a squelch and fluids eeped out of Starscream’s valve. He twitched weakly, struggling to keep his aft in the air as liquid trickled down his legs.

Skyfire crawled off the berth and kneeled on the floor, supporting Starscream’s hips as he sank his lip components to the dripping valve. His glossa licked over the folds, pushing into the valve, and he drank up the fluids.

Starscream whined as he clawed into the berth, wanting to squeeze his legs around Skyfire’s helm. “O-oh, Sky—Your fragging glossa —”

Skyfire only moaned in response as he rubbed Starscream’s hip. His other servo was on his own spike, pumping it as he cleaned up his partner’s valve. He worked meticulously and pressed gentle kisses until he came a second time, moaning into Starscream’s valve.

Skyfire pulled back as he straightened, letting Starscream relax. He shakily pushed himself up only to turn over on his back, shakily releasing heavy vents. His optics only met Skyfire’s due to his height, and he grinned at the large mech.

“Primus,” he huffed. “Fragging valve destroyer.”

Skyfire chuckled. “Am I really that aggressive?”

Starscream shakily forced himself up, reaching for Skyfire’s shoulders. “No,” he said, latching onto him. “You’re perfect .” He leaned back and encouraged Skyfire down on the berth with him. He climbed onto the berth, closing his panels, and laid beside Starscream, his handsome face staring endearingly at the seeker. His arm laid across Starscream’s chassis, and he patted his side. 

“It’s been cycles since we last did anything like that,” Skyfire murmured. 

“And you still got it.” Starscream smirked, rolling over to face him once he resealed his own panels. 

“Or you’ve gotten more sensitive. You weren’t lonely while I was gone, were you?” 

Starscream’s fans kicked on with embarrassment.

Skyfire laughed. “I don’t mind, you know.” 

Starscream hesitated as he thought. “No one has treated me as well as you do,” he finally said. “With everything, not just this.”

Skyfire was quiet, but his optics were wide as he listened.

“I-I don’t—know what to do, but… I don’t want anyone else. No one else but you.”

“Star…” His servo travelled up his frame, and cupped the side of Starscream’s helm, his thumb digit on his chin plating. “Do you know what you’re asking?”

“I do.”

He smiled. “My feelings for you have never changed. Not in the slightest.”

Starscream perked up. “I— I could never forget you.” 

“I know. I saw it every time we had our meetings.” He laughed. “We spent so much time trying to keep ourselves distant over some silly politics.”

“Frag the politics,” Starscream blurted. “At this point, hardly anything else matters.” 

“What are you saying, Star?” Skyfire asked.

Starscream’s servo traveled up to Skyfire’s own helm, wrapping around the back of his neck cabling as best as he could. “I want to make something work. I still have a duty to my Seekers, and to Megatron—but… if you’ll be willing to wait, at least until my job is done and I have a successor to my role lined up… then…” His optics locked onto Skyfire’s, and his vocalizer tightened.

“I will wait for you, my Star,” Skyfire whispered with a smile. “And I’ll help you as needed. I’ll be by your side through it all. Until you’re ready, and then forever after.”

With a grin, Starscream pulled himself closer. “You make it so easy to love you.” 

Their lip components met again. Skyfire pulled Starscream into him, and they embraced each other, melting into the kiss and in the other’s arms. They showered each other with loving affection. Finally, they could be together.

They were together.

Skyfire had powered down on the berth. Starscream was dozing off himself, curled under his arm. As he was powering down, he reminisced. 

He recalled the old days when Skyfire was still in the High Guard, how often the two managed to sneak away or abandoned their posts. The conversations and laughs they exchanged when they weren’t on duty. When Skyfire finally left the High Guard but they had their private meetings to be together. When Starscream was climbing the ranks and Skyfire still celebrated his achievements despite their disagreements. 

Starscream was incredibly grateful to have Skyfire back. But his processor, now coming down from the highs, worried. He was still unsure about what to do, how to handle Soundwave, but at least for now he could enjoy these moments with Skyfire while they lasted.

Starscream finally closed his optics, ignoring the coolant trickling down his faceplate, and pressed into Skyfire with a grin.

Chapter Text

“Your cargo is just over there. You’ll be taking it over to Sector 6,” Starscream commanded, pointing behind him to the dock. “There should be condensed energon ready to be brought here for your return.”

Skyfire nodded. “Okay, got it.”

Starscream let his shoulders relax as his commander persona slipped for the moment. “Have a safe flight, Skyfire.”

He kneeled. “I’ll see you soon, my Star.” His servo slipped behind Starscream’s helm, and their lip components met into a kiss. Starscream’s engine had begun to purr when Skyfire pulled away to stand, making his way to the dock to begin his transport.

Starscream watched his partner’s stride with admiration, then turned away. Soundwave caught his optic though, watching from a distance. Starscream raised his helm in acknowledgment. The screen-faced mech stood still, but eventually returned a nod.

Starscream repressed a sigh of relief. He was in the clear. Skyfire was no longer a concern to Soundwave. Their sparks were safe.

Sector 6 was a good distance away. It was less an actual extension of Kaon and more a war camp, situated just off an energon river. When it wasn’t being used to shelter Decepticons, it was refining and concentrating the flowing energon into something more useful and practical for transport. As Skyfire swayed in the sky, he caught sight of a few Cybertronians by a ravene. Two were on the edge, hunched over and struggling to pull up a third that had gone over.

Skyfire dived into the ravine, forcing his speed to reduce as he flew under the struggling mech. The blue-and-silver mech slipped out of another mech’s grasp, falling but colliding with Skyfire’s wing. He swayed with the sudden weight, but kept level as the mech found his grip on his wing. He flew out of the ravine, circling back and landed by the other two Cybertronians. 

A red-and-white mech ran to the two. “Jazz! Are you okay?” 

“Woo!” the blue-and-silver mech hollered. “That was fun. I am never doing this again.”

A gray-and-white mech with red accents followed behind them. “Jazz, you have to be careful driving on the surface.”

“Sorry, sorry, my bad. I’m still getting used to having a cog.” He slipped off Skyfire’s frame, giving him some space. Skyfire transformed, being mindful of his cargo he still had to transport. Jazz startled as Skyfire towered over him. “Woah. Big bot.”

Skyfire returned with a bashful smile, kneeling beside them. “Are you okay?”

“Psh, I’m fine. Just a few scuffs. I’ve been in worse shape.” He brushed some rocks off his frame. 

The gray-and-white glances at Skyfire. “I’ve never seen you before. Who are you?”

He placed a servo to his chest. “Name’s Skyfire.”

“Oh yeah! Bee talked a lot about you. I’m Jazz.” 

“Ironhide,” the red-and-white mech chimed in. “And this is Prowl.” He waved to the gray-and-white mech, who returned with a nod.

Skyfire’s smile faded as he turned to Jazz. “You… said you’re still getting used to having a cog?”

“Oh, yeah. We used to be miners.”

Skyfire squinted with confusion.

“Sentinel took our transformation cogs before we came online,” Ironhide explained. “That’s how he kept us in line to mine energon for him. We only recently got them back thanks to Optimus Prime.”

Skyfire shook his helm. “Every time I hear something about that traitor… he somehow gets worse.”

“Hey, man.” Jazz waved a servo. “Megatron took care of him. We don’t gotta worry about him now. Just gotta worry about the guy that ripped him in half.”

Skyfire grimaced at the imagery. 

“What’s the cargo?” Prowl asked, nodding toward the crates behind Skyfire. 

He glances back, suddenly reminded of his transport he was meant to do. Looking back at Jazz, Prowl, and Ironhide in front of him, he noticed all three of them bore symbols like the Decepticons… only, it was the Autobot emblem. 

“I shouldn’t be here,” he announces as he stands.

“That’s alright, we gotta go anyway,” Ironhide says. 

“We’ll meet again, right?” Jazz asks. Prowl slapped a servo to his faceplate.

Skyfire was picking up the cargo. “I… I’m sorry.”

“No worries. It’s been good meeting you.” Jazz held his fist out, then realized Skyfire had his servos full and awkwardly put his arm down. 

“Take care, Skyfire. Thanks for saving this idiot,” Prowl said as he tapped Jazz’s shoulder plating. Ironhide waved a farewell and the three turned away, transforming into their alt-modes and driving off. Jazz had a slippery start. 

As Skyfire situated himself, his optic caught a glimpse of movement. He glanced over to see… a Cybertronian bird emerge from the foliage. It landed on a nearby stone, peering up at Skyfire.

He smiled at the bird. “Hello there, friend.”

It opened its beak, letting out a brief caw. Its head dipped as it spread its wings, and Skyfire noticed the Decepticon emblem on its forehelm. It flapped its wings and launched itself into the air. Skyfire watched with mild concern as it flew towards Kaon.

Perhaps it would be a good idea if he finished the transport.

Skyfire’s return to Kaon was without any further disruption. Once his energon delivery was taken care of, Starscream met up with him. Skyfire kneeled and pulled him into an embrace. “My Star.”

“Skyfire,” Starscream warmed, tapping his plating. “I assume your flight went well?”

“Yes, I…” Skyfire glanced up to see the Cybertronian bird he’d seen earlier circle above him. “That bird has been following me around lately. Do you know it?” 

Starscream followed his optics. “Ah—that’s Laserbeak. One of… Soundwave’s minicons.” He tensed up. “You haven’t been doing anything, are you?”

“Nothing wrong.”

“Skyfire…”

He blinked. “I’m not a Decepticon. Why should I act like one?”

“Because our—” Starscream hissed, cutting himself off. He clenched his servo and released an exhaust. “I need you to not help the Autobots.” 

Skyfire frowned. “You know that goes against what I believe.” 

Starscream shut his optics, placing his clenched fist on Skyfire’s chassis. “You’re right. I shouldn’t… expect you to change like that.” There was a weight to his voice. 

“I’m not upset at you, Star. Just, please, don’t persuade me like this.” Skyfire touched his helm. “Is there something going on that I don’t know about? That’s causing you to act like this?”

Starscream parted his optics, refusing to look up. His faceplate crinkled with disdain. “I… have to attend a meeting with my other Seeker lieutenants. I have no other tasks after that. We can meet in our private quarters…” He grimaced. “I will explain everything there.” 

“I see.” Skyfire caressed a digit over the Seeker’s helm. “I will wait for you there. Take care, my Star.” 

He nodded as they pulled apart. His optics refused to look up as he turned away, barely glancing back before disappearing behind a turn. Skyfire peered up, seeing that Laserbeak was gone as well. With nothing else to do, he stood to his pedes and headed towards their private quarters.

In the same building as Starscream’s private quarters was a doorway that never failed to concern Skyfire’s curiosity. He’d seen Megatron and Shockwave pass through the doorway even in his short time among the Decepticons, and he’d overheard their hearty interest regarding what was happening behind the doors. Perhaps a “perk” of being Megatron’s second-in-command was having your private quarters situated among other authorized-only areas.

Shockwave’s involvement was concerning enough on its own however, but it was the sounds that came out of the room that particularly concerned Skyfire. He’d tried to ignore them, but the room wasn’t far from Starscream’s quarters. They sounded so horrific, so circuit-churning, that a part of him wanted to investigate just to make sure they weren’t what he thought they were. Well, he had some time before Starscream got back.

He approached the doors, which surprisingly opened for him without a passcode needed. He ducked through the doorway, and made his way through the dimly lit room. Tables were lined with tools and instruments. Some were medical, some were outright weapons. At the center of the room, a spotlight was shining on a Cybertronian corpse.

It was only his upper body that remained, strung up by what remained of its arms. His armor was completely stripped, revealing the fragile protoform and its circuitry underneath. It was splattered in energon spills and other fluids. Only his faceplate was left; the rest of his helm, including his chin plating, was stripped. His optics slowly blinked to life, hesitantly looking up at Skyfire. 

Oh Primus. 

He was still alive . 

Skyfire leapt toward the mech. He stumbled on his words, not knowing what to say. The mech just stared at him silently, weakly, sadly.

Skyfire finally pulled his circuits together to notice the missing parts in his protoform. His transformation cog was missing, as well as his vocalizer. 

“Your voice… Hold on, I… will see…” He scanned the room, finding a pile of discarded parts. He shuffled through the pile for a vocalizer, eventually finding it at the bottom. But then he realizes what he was shifting through.

There were armor plates in the pile. Not just anyone’s, because that combination of navy and gold was unmistakable. 

Skyfire stood and turned to the strung up body. “You’re Sentinel.”

His optics remained on Skyfire, smothered in guilt and shame. They slowly blinked and peered to the ground.

Skyfire looked at the vocalizer in his large digits. It was slightly damaged, but should still function. 

He makes his way back in front of Sentinel. “I’m not a doctor. This might hurt.”

Sentinel gave a half-hearted smile. 

Skyfire held him still as he shoved the vocalizer into the base of his neck cabling. Sentinel gave a low, pained grunt as the connections were made.

He gave a few exhausts as Skyfire stepped back. “H-hey, stranger.”

His voice was glitched, like Starscream’s, but it was unmistakably Sentinel. 

As much as Skyfire hated Sentinel, it was horrific to see him like this. Torn in half, stripped to his basic form, components removed for what reason?  

“I’m getting the feeling this isn’t what you expected to find.”

“Who…” Skyfire started, “did this…”

“I think you already know.”

“No… Megatron wouldn’t—”

Shockwave would, though.

There’s a reason why they never got along before Skyfire became a deserter.

“He was the one who personally made me into two.” Sentinel huffed. “Megatron would .”

Skyfire stepped back. 

“Why… What… How…”

Sentinel closed his optics. “I never thought I would meet an end like this. Revived and tortured, revived only to be tortured again .”

“You were tortured ?”

He raised his chin. “The weapon array didn’t give that away?”

Skyfire turned back to the table, optics immediately catching sight of a sort of staff. It had sharp points at one end, and turning back to Sentinel he could see scuffs and cuts on his protoform. Energon eeped out of a cut.

Skyfire placed a servo to his helm. “Oh… Primus…” 

Sentinel dipped his helm. “I wish they would just let my spark go out. Do you think I deserve that mercy?”

Skyfire glanced at his decrepit remains. He tried replacing the image with remembering what Sentinel had done. He murdered the Primes. He bargained with the Quintessons. He enslaved half his people to mine. He took their cogs, their freedom to transform.

But he couldn’t ignore what he was seeing. 

No one deserves this.

Skyfire approached the table, grabbing a hold of a blaster. He didn’t want to use his own weaponry for what he was about to do. 

Sentinel’s optics widened as Skyfire approached him. He aimed the blaster straight for his spark.

“I hope you pay for your crimes in the Allspark.” Skyfire’s voice was heavy. “But no one, not even someone like you, deserves what you have endured in here.”

Sentinel smiled. An honest, grateful smile. “Thank you.”

Skyfire closed his optics, turning off his audio receptors, as he pulled the trigger.

Starscream groaned with a servo to his helm as he left the building. The meeting with his leutenents was fine—with Skywarp pissing him off as usual, and Thundercracker needing to get involved—but it was the inevitable of having to explain what was going on to Skyfire that weighed on him. He knew Skyfire would feel betrayed, being used as a bargaining chip, but then he might want to urge Starscream to leave that much more. And he can’t do that yet. Not without…

A blast sounded.

Starscream shot up and darted towards the source, which ended up being in the same building as his quarters. He spotted Skyfire running out of Shockwave’s lab.

“Skyfire, I heard a blast, are you—”

Skyfire heaved. “I-I can’t stay here any longer, the Decepticons—they’re—”

“Woah, easy, hold on,” Starscream begged, putting his servo on Skyfire’s waist. “What’s going on?”

“Star…” His servos held Starscream’s shoulders. “Do you know what they did to Sentinel?”

He was quiet, pressing his lip components together. His optics only glanced up to see Skyfire’s crinkled faceplate.

“You… knew ?”

“Skyfire, you don’t know the full extent of what he’s done—”

“I hate him no less than anyone here, but no one deserves to be brought back to life just to be tortured over and over , not even Sentinel!” He straightened himself. “You… kept quiet about this. You kept this from me. You knew what Megatron was doing, and still insisted on…”

“I-I can still explain, I had no choice—”

“You always have a choice!” He forced himself to pause and forced his optics to close. “I don’t want to be any more upset at you than I already am. Starscream, you still have a choice. You know where to find me.”

“Sky—”

But Skyfire had already turned away, and left through the doors. Starscream leapt to follow him, however was stopped by a comm through his communications channel… from Megatron.

Starscream kept his posture straight but his helm low as he entered the throne room. Megatron was seated on the throne, Soundwave only a small distance away with Laserbeak perched on his arm. Megatron stood as Starscream approached, and he kneeled as smoothly as he could in front of the throne’s steps. 

“Lord Megatron.” His voice came out flat. “How may I be of assistance?”

“Stand,” he ordered.

He held wide optics on Megatron’s as he did so.

Megatron’s servo cracked against Starscream’s helm, throwing him across the room. He crashed into one of the pillars with a yelp and tumbled to the floor. With shaky limbs, he hesitantly pulled himself up, looking back only to see the towering mech approach him.

He scurried back. “M-Megatron! Wait—” 

Megatron grasped his throat and hauled him up and over, throwing Starscream to the center of the room. Starscream landed hard on his back. Before he could get up again, Megatron stomped on his chassis and clasped his left servo over Starscream’s intake. Large optics stared at Megatron as his systems whirred with fear. Because this was not the first time Megatron had lashed out on him like this. 

“Double-crossing glitch,” he sneered with a heavy voice. “You have been conspiring with Skyfire with plans of leaving, all while being complicit in his hindrance to the Decepticon cause.”

Starscream panicked, and dared a glance back at Soundwave. He sold them out.

“S-Soundwave is just as guilty! He’s been complicit with me since the beginning, since Skyfire first—”

“You believe Soundwave hasn’t kept me informed all this time?” Megatron pressed his pede harder into Starscream’s chassis. “What futile attempts to save your spark. You’ld rather drag someone down alongside you than face your consequences alone.”

Starscream knew he was right. It was doing that to Skyfire that started all of this.

The doors to the throne room swish ed open, and Starscream could only see Megatron turn his helm around but keep a firm hold on him still.

“Lord Megatron,” Shockwave’s voice boomed. “Unverified access to Lab-02 was detected forty klicks ago. Sentinel has been unexpectedly terminated.”

“Thank you, Shockwave.” Megatron turns back to Starscream. “I’m sure your traitor of a friend had something to do with that, didn’t he?”

Starscream stumbled with his vocalizer. “I-I tried getting him to join us—he’s just like that. He doesn’t like leaders, he doesn’t like violence—”

Megatron pointed his ion cannon on Starscream’s helm. “Your loyalty is being questioned. Is defending the enemy really within your best interests?”

And Starscream could only plead for mercy.

“Wait! Please, Megatron, I’ll do anything!”

Megatron’s optics relaxed though as he raised his cannon slightly and eased his grip on Starscream’s intake. “I offer you a proposal of my own. You can prove your loyalty to me, in exchange for your life, or perish along with your partner.”

He can’t be doing this. 

“N-no… Please, not Sky—”

His chassis creaked under Megatron’s pede.

Starscream gulped. “H-how do I…”

“I think you know how.”

Skyfire stood in his and Starscream's old meeting place, his optics closed and his audials' sensitivity level hightened. He listened closely to the sounds of Cybertron, hearing the shifting cliffs in the distance, the way gusts of wind rattled the foliage. Other Cybertronian life beyond making their pedesteps as light as they could as they drank up the energon rivers. The peacefulness of it all helped eased Skyfire’s mind, allowing him to try and make sense of everything.

Learning what had become of Sentinel, what Shockwave and Megatron had done with him, was already awful enough. But finding out Starscream had known, intentionally hid the knowledge from him, and still insisted on him helping the Decepticons, to assist Megatron. 

Why? Why would Starscream do this? Why would Starscream outright ignore what he went through in the High Guard, and encourage him back into a similar position?

He wished Starscream would meet him here, if not to leave with Skyfire, then to explain what compelled him to turn on him in such a way. 

He heard the low rumble of a jet in the distance. Opening his optics and adjusting his audio processor, Skyfire glanced over in the sky, catching sight of a familiar jet flying over. He beamed as he watched Starscream fly in, transforming out of his alt-mode and landing elegantly on his heels. 

He kneeled by the Seeker, holding his arms out expecting an embrace. “My Star! I knew you would—” 

Starscream raised his arms, pointing his rockets at him. “Skyfire. For confiding and assisting with the Autobots, you are hereby exiled from the Decepticons.” 

Skyfire jolted, lowering his arms. He peered up and around him, and realized in his excitement he didn’t notice the other Decepticons flying in and gathering around him. Megatron was here, too.

“If you wish to save your spark, I advise you to make your departure soon.” 

“Starscream… you choose them … over me ?” Skyfire pleaded. “What about what we talked about? Leaving the Decepticons, making us work—”

Starscream’s faceplate scrunched, but he held his aim. “I will not repeat myself for a second time.”

Skyfire blinked. “Star, we can—”

All it took was a twitch from Starscream’s digit.

The hollow was consumed by the reverb of the blast, then deafening silence. Processors rang from hearing the scrapnel. Starscream was stiff, realizing what he’d done, as his optics widened.

Skyfire’s servo traveled to his helm, touching his faceplate just under his left optic, where smoke billowed out from instead. 

"I see," Skyfire whispered, his voice so gentle. He stood on wobbling legs, taking a shaky step back. He struggled to stand straight, but his remaining optic locked onto Starscream. Starscream, who stood so still, with just barely a show of emotion in his optics. 

Skyfire pressed his lip components together as his faceplate scrunched. “You’ll always hold a special place in my spark, Starscream.”

He took another shaky step back, holding the left side of his faceplate, as he lept into the air.

Starscream watched as the large jet flew in the sky, out of Cybertron’s atmosphere. With a wave from Megatron, all the other Decepticons around them eased their positions. 

Megatron approached Starscream. “Good work, Commander Starscream.”

Starscream was heaving, his venting systems running rapid. He turned slowly to Megatron as he lowered his arms, but he couldn’t meet his optics. He barely got his vocalizer to work as he spoke.

“Thank you, Lord Megatron.”

Starscream didn’t retire to his quarters. In fact, he didn’t dare go in, or near the building at all. The thought of sleeping on his berth without his partner beside him, remembering their last argument in those halls, brought him too much pain. Caused him to remember what he did.

Starscream spent several days without recharge. Only times he allowed himself to was straight up on the floor or against a wall if he found a quiet place. He knew it was starting to affect his ability to command, he could see the concern on his Seekers’ faceplates and repeated lectures from Megatron, but he didn’t care. He didn’t want to care. He’d rather be numb to everything. Because if he let one thing get to him…

It took a long time before Starscream finally allowed himself to walk past the building his quarters was in. He didn’t let himself acknowledge how much easier it was than he expected. 

But not long after, he finally made his way inside. The plain walls looked like every other building in Kaon, which made ignoring Shockwave’s former lab easier. But the closer he got to his quarters, there was an ache in his spark. He should’ve stopped by the door, but it was so easy to ignore the pain.

Until it wasn’t.

The door swished open and revealed the room that hadn’t been touched in a decacycle. Stray energon cubes were scattered about the room. Used washcloths were still on the edge of their berth. Small trinkets that Skyfire reluctantly began to collect dotted the shelves. 

Everything in the room was a time capsule of their last night. Their wonderful, happy last night. And it stung like salt on a fresh wound knowing another night like that will never come again. 

Starscream buckled with grief, letting out a wail as coolant raced down his faceplate. He stumbled into the room and collapsed onto the floor, convulsing and crying as the loss claimed him.

Skyfire was gone.

And it was his fault.

Under the surface of everything, hatred was brewing.

Hatred to Megatron for ruining his voice.

Hatred to Megatron for stealing the High Guard from him.

Hatred to Megatron for forcing him to shoot his partner.

One day, he will get back at Megatron.

For everything.

Chapter Text

hey everyone, i know it's been a while but an update to say i'll be marking this fic as complete and won't be adding the epilogue chapter as promised.

i fell into a sort of writer's block after publishing the 5th chapter. when i started climbing out of it, i realized my plans for my AU had already changed just enough that i needed to update parts of this fic to comfortably continue.

those changes have been implemented for some time now (reminder to check the ch4 extension and the new ending for ch5!), and i've gotten ch6 underway, but unfortunately because of how long after ch6 takes place (it's a massive time skip), two issues came up: 1) i'm unfamiliar with the actual personality change i want starscream to undergo, so the chapter may feel disconnected from my vision; 2) i have concerns that the emotions i want to convey won't be properly met because of just how much i'll have to skip or summarize to get to the actual chapter.

i feel myself falling into ANOTHER writer's block (the kind where i'm bursting with ideas but i can't get myself to write OR i'm completely unsatisfied with what i wrote) which... doesn't help at all.

i really did want to give you guys a bittersweet but optimistic ending, which is still part of my au don't worry, and maybe at some point i'll go ahead and add the final chapter. but for now, i'm sorry for where i'm ending things.

thank you everyone for the kudos and comments, even if i didn't reply i still read and enjoyed every single one of y'all's comments! <3

as suggested earlier, if you haven't already feel free to check ch4 for a treat, and i'm sorry in advance for the new ending. 

i'll leave y'all with a sketch i did based on ch6, hopefully it'll help ease the angst knowing that things do eventually work out.