a/n: Been too long...the whole last half of this chapter was literally the first chapter I wrote for this whole story and I've had it for years now. Finally I've sewn it into the story main story. I must apologize for waiting for so long to birth my words.

Chapter 12: Transformed Forever

Raf's birthday party resumed as he opened his presents and there was much talk about the items he received. Starscream sullenly kept to himself off to the side away from the Autobots and the humans. No part of him really wanted to be amid this gathering but it seemed he didn't have much of a choice in the matter. However, he had noticed Optimus and Agent Fowler leave once he arrived and he was undoubtedly curious about what they were saying about him. With a subtle command he sent the cleaning drone into the tunnel they had retreated into. It wasn't long before he could hear Optimus Prime's rumbling voice and Fowler's loud but outraged voice.

"Prime, you must be off your rocker if you think allowing that Con into this facility is a 'gesture of good faith'!" the dark skinned agent didn't hide his outrage before the Autobot leader, "He's a psychotic egomaniac and you can't trust him! Do you even know how much red tape I'm going to have to wade through with this?"

Starscream's wings bristled softly. "Bet you wouldn't say that to my face plates would you insect?"

He smiled darkly to himself recalling his little torture session with the human agent. Granted, it didn't go as he'd hoped and he'd severely underestimated the human's resilience but it still made him smirk thinking about it.

"I understand your misgivings Agent Fowler and it was not my intent to bring you any undue stress, but we are handling the matter." Optimus replied evenly.

Starscream had no idea why a bot as powerful as Optimus Prime would ally himself with such weak beings. Was he actually allowing this mere human to dictate his actions? Megatron would've ended that insolence with a simple hard step.

"Handling the matter? I've read your file on this guy. You actually think you can rehabilitate a Con with his rap sheet?"

…

Cybertron in the past…

Starscream and Soundwave were led by guards down the tunnel that led to the Senate Chambers. It was a place of power and opulence where the voices of Cybertron would come together to debate, discuss, and ultimately decide what direction Cybertron would be taken. But debating and discussing seemed to be all they did. Useful action was never taken.

Today that would change.

Starscream's spark seemed to be scurrying about like an anxious beast waiting to be released. Megatron had given him a mission; a personal mission that would see Cybertron freed. And his reward would be power; Megatron's second in command. It excited him…it thrilled him. But he was also afraid. What if this didn't work? What if they suspected something? What if all of this was aborted before it could be born? What if he failed and was mortally wounded or killed?

He glanced over at the faceless Soundwave, who of course showed no such emotion or weakness. Starscream almost felt envy for him. Of course, Soundwave had it easy, he didn't have to speak to the Senate as he would have to. So, kept his wings high and spread with confidence, lest they betray his fears. If Soundwave could hold it in then so would he.

Finally, they entered the huge glowing chambers of the Senate. Dozens of Cybertronian representatives and Senators from all corners of the planet and its territories were gathered in a tiered semi-circle. Starscream was counting them, taking note of how many were present but Soundwave sent him a private communique: all forty-two dignitaries in the room-twelve security guards in the chamber-twenty guards outside-sixteen serving class mechs.

Soundwave was indeed perceptive and thorough. They were outnumbered inside the chamber, but the guards were the only ones they needed to worry about. Outside they had backup.

A voice, clean and commanding, called out through the chamber, "We will now hear from Starscream, member of the Seeker Elite."

Starscream cleared his vents, splayed his wings dramatically, and bowed elegantly to the gathering, "Members of the Cybertronian Senate, I am Starscream, Top Wing of the Seeker Elite and I come bearing vital information against the dissident Megatron and his rising rebel force, the Decepticons."

Murmurs could be heard all around until the Senate leader Senator Proteus called them back to order, "Please, proceed."

Starscream genuflected again, resuming his talk, "The former Gladiator of Kaon is plotting, as we speak, to overthrow the Senate for its crimes against Cybertron."

"Crimes? That is Decepticon propaganda!" someone shouted with outrage.

Starscream felt his mouth curve into a knowing smile, "I am merely reporting what I know."

Senator Proteus raised his hand for silence, "Tell us of this plot."

"Very soon, Megatron is planning a coup. One that would see members of this room, ousted in…deadly fashion."

There were murmurs throughout the room.

"And how do you know of this plot?"

Starscream's spark stirred wildly, preparing himself for the seconds ahead. Subtly he slid the plates of his arms open just enough to ready them.

He lifted his chin, optics lowering, "I have been in correspondence with him. He has tried to recruit me and my fellow Seekers to join his faction against you." When his optics opened they flashed the Decepticon crimson as his wings flared, "And…I accepted."

Suddenly, his arm's transformed, throwing open to reveal deadly null rays and bringing forth the hidden rocket launchers on his upper arms he had concealed. As planned, the guard bots tasked with the weapon's search were of the Decepticon cause so no one suspected either he or Soundwave to be armed.

With a crackling he unleashed a barrage straight into the gathered dignitaries. Screams and shrapnel pierced the air accompanied by smoke. Guards began activating their weapons but Soundwave reacted according to plan. All the lights in the hall went dark, the doors locked, all communications were cut to the outside, and Laserbeak was unleashed. The deadly drone detached from Soundwave's chest and began circling the room with deadly purpose. Laser fire erupted from all angles. But with his new enhanced optics Starscream could see much better in the dark. Shooting all around him the Seeker dropped anyone he could get in his targeting scopes. The panic was a cacophony of screams and metallic clamoring to flee the room. But all were trapped, awaiting the sentence dealt to them.

He and Soundwave took out the guards first since they were the only ones with combat weaponry and experience. There were only a dozen or so and it wasn't long before Soundwave electrocuted the final brave fighter into submission before punching his drill-like tentacle tips straight into his spark chamber. That only left the remaining dignitaries and any serving class mechs left in the room who hadn't been shot in the first few seconds.

When all the immediate threats had been ended, Starscream flew up, landing atop the tall bench where Senator Proteus had sat. The Senator had been hit first but he wasn't offline. He was groaning static and moving slowly as he lay leaking Energon all over his chair. Starscream placed a sharp foot in his broke chest and leaned over to stare into his optics. Senator Proteus groaned painfully as the red optics met his.

Starscream's voice was low and full of malice, "You know you have brought this upon yourselves, don't you? You thought you could bring Cybertron to ruin without a response? That your baseless corruption would go unchallenged?"

The Senator's mouth plates moved but no words issued forth.

Starscream leaned in, "I'm sorry…I can't hear your last words."

"Y-you…won't…win." The crackling voice broke apart.

An urge struck him. Something horrible and satisfying. His talons slid together, forming a spearing point. "All hail Megatron."

With a forceful thrust he slammed his claws deep into the Senator's chest. The mech arched reflexively before the light in his optics went out. Hot Energon filled the spaces between the Seeker's claws until he pulled it out. The blue glowing substance coated his metal. Starscream's own Spark was screaming inside of him. Not a scream of horror or disbelief…but one of triumph and excitement. He'd felt this feeling before…when he crashed Contrail and rubbed his insults back in his face. Even receiving Top Wing seemed to pale in comparison to this dark thrill lighting his Spark aflame.

He looked up from the Senator's shell and shouted before he went after the other frightened dignitaries, "ALL HAIL MEGATRON!"

…

Days later…

"Cybertronian Senate Murdered!" was the headline on every news projection and every voice on Cybertron. Kaon had been overtaken by the Decepticons and now their forces were growing, swallowing up other districts in the ensuing chaos. It had become dangerous to travel anywhere. In fact, many areas had been evacuated, including the infirmary where Contrail had been located. Rapida had tried to figure out where he had been taken but was having no luck in getting information from anywhere.

Rapida had remained in the Academy to continue her Energon work and also to discover where Contrail had been taken.

Rapida was quite possibly one of five bots still on the Academy grounds so there was little worry of being bothered in her work. Finding Contrail's new location had been priority for her. She began pouring over all the paperwork and visuals she could get her hands on but it wasn't yielding many results. Somewhere in the database she found a video file documenting the Top Wing competition that Contrail had been injured in.

As she watched the different videos she suddenly noticed something. She squinted at the fast motion, barely perceptible to even her acute optics. Her fingers flicked lightly over the command module to replay the footage of the crash but slower. Something wasn't right. One second Contrail was flying fine, straight through the tunnel; not ever close to the edges; and suddenly there was a disruption and he was crashed in milliseconds. As the projection slowed speed Rapida's optics widened in horror at what she saw. Just before the crash a shadow from just in the monitor's range had passed beneath Contrail. And when Rapida paused the image she recognized the silhouette.

Suddenly the door to the archive room burst open and a pair of security mechs entered. Before Rapida could even react they grabbed her arms and hauled her out of the room.

"What are you doing? What's going on?" she protested loudly.

The guards didn't respond and continued to haul her away. No amount of fight Rapida put up would break their hold of her. But as she was being taken away she noticed the striking purple emblem on their chests. They weren't security guards; they were part of the rebel faction…Decepticons. But why were they here at the Academy? As far as the telecasts had stated they were still concentrated at Polyhex and hadn't come this far.

Very soon the two mechs entered the glass-domed social area where mechs and femmes went to meet and socialize. There they threw her down onto the floor. She slid but came to a stop next to the large central oil fountain.

She winced but suddenly looked up when she heard a familiar voice from above, "Hello, Rapida."

There perched atop the highest point of the sculptural fountain was Starscream. He looked much different than the last time she saw him. His body, while still slender and sleek, seemed sharper and more menacing. But what really stood out was the intense bright red optics that were staring down at her. Though he was smiling he did not appear friendly.

He activated his thrusters, leaped off the fountain top, and slowly descended before her. "I must apologize for this treatment of you my dear Rapida…"

He touched down and extended his new long talons toward her. She shied away from him, putting her head down. But in an instant she felt fine edges slide under her chin, forcing her face up to him.

His voice was low and silky but with a hidden hardness, "I understand you have been opening "doors" that were best left closed."

She shuddered in her vents, not wanting to say what was on her processor but the vengeful voice in her head would not be silenced, "You…were the one who crashed Contrail."

Starscream's expression was neutral for a moment as he removed his hand, "That's a very harsh accusation Rapida."

Rapida's optics went to static as her voice rose, "I saw you on the tape! Why? Why would you DO such a horrible thing?"

Starscream hissed with venom in his voice, "All my life I've wanted to be a Seeker; all my life I've practiced and sacrificed to get to where I am. And Contrail…he was doing everything he could to stop me from reaching that goal."

"So, you crashed him?!" Rapida cried.

Starscream turned sharply, his optics shadowed by his fancy brow plates, "Yes. But…had he and his ruffian friends not humiliated and threatened me the day before our contest, I might've let him fly another day."

"Threatened you?"

"Yes, Rapida. Surely you realized how fond I am of you…Contrail certainly did." He looked to her to see her expression.

"You were my friend Starscream."

The mech frowned, his wings flicked, "Yes…your friend. Nothing more?"

Rapida didn't know what to say. She looked at him, "Starscream…what happened to Contrail? The whole infirmary was evacuated and I can't find him. Please…where is he?"

The Seeker was silent, looking away from her. She didn't see the malignant glow entering his optics. He knew precisely what had happened. In fact, he had ordered the evacuation. When Contrail was removed he made sure to be with him alone in the transfer. And a claw through the back of his spinal core had dimmed his Spark forever. He had hoped it would end Rapida's little connection with him…but now she'd seen the footage and figured out what had happened. Still, he tried to maintain the air of the concerned friend.

"I ordered the evacuation Rapida." His voice sounded sincere, "However…I was also not privy to the relocation destination. I have been occupied with other duties."

"Duties?"

Rapida suddenly noticed the Decepticon emblem on his chest, "You…you're one of them?"

He smiled, his voice preening, "Not just one of them…I am Second in Command to Megatron himself."

"But…why? Why would you join them?"

His optics narrowed with harshness, "Because I have seen the truth Rapida; the truth of the unfairness and shortsightedness of the Senate. They were killing Cybertron, Rapida! If things were left to them the Energon crisis would have worsened beyond measure. Millions more would've shut down because they wouldn't do what needed to be done! But Megatron, he is the future. He will restore Cybertron to her former glory and not stand by whilst injustice reigns." He gestured grandly, "And I, his Second in Command, will be his right hand to see it done." He extended his hand slowly, "And you, dear Rapida, could join me at my side. You will want for nothing and I can keep you safe from the fighting ahead."

Rapida shook her head.

"Please Rapida. I've become more than I ever thought possible and I would be utterly complete with you beside me." he extended his hand further, with earnest.

It was then that Rapida realized something, "It was you."

Starscream tipped his head, "What?"

"You…you were part of the Senate's destruction…weren't you?"

The Seeker flinched, though he didn't want to show it. However, his reaction was too obvious.

Optic fluid forced itself from the edges of her optics as she cried, "I don't even know you anymore!"

"Rapida…" Starscream tried gently.

She slapped his hand aggressively, "Get AWAY from me!"

Rapida turned and ran around the fountain toward the door. The two Decepticon guards raised their weapons after her, but Starscream raised his arm across them forcefully.

"No! Hold your fire." He jaw was set and his optics were hot, "I will deal with this myself."

With a loud roar of his thrusters, Starscream leaped from the floor, transformed, and shot upward. He blasted through the glass roof and soared up into the Cybertronian sky. Below he could see Rapida transform and flee in her two-wheeled vehicle form. But he knew very well that a ground-based vehicle could never outrun him. With a harsh piercing scream of his engines he descended like a hawk on a rabbit. He shot a short burst of energy from his guns and struck the ground just in front of her. She swerved and transformed to keep herself from crashing. In an instant, Starscream transformed as well, seized Rapida under her arms, and carried her aloft.

Rapida shrieked with panic as the metal ground of Cybertron shrunk beneath her, "NO! Starscream! Take me back down! What are you doing?"

Starscream gained more altitude before he acknowledged her cries. He peaked his ascent and hovered in an upright position, placing Rapida's back against his chest and her feet on his feet. She froze, seemingly teetering on the edge of oblivion.

He placed his mouth next to her audio, "Do you see Rapida? Do you see how I see the world?"

"Please Starscream!" she cried, "Take me back down!"

He placed a hand across her chest and delicately stroked her neck with a claw, "Shh. Shh. Just look at it Rapida. Have you ever seen Cybertron from this altitude?"

Rapida seemed to go rigid and shook her head with fear.

"I can give this to you Rapida. All of it. Once we have conquered Cybertron it can all be for us." He gripped her neck slightly, "All you have to say is yes…yes to my proposal…yes… to me."

Rapida shook her head vehemently, "No! You're a murderer! I could never love you!"

The teal femme didn't see the flash that went across Starscream's red optics upon hearing her words. They were a blow more painful than any physical blow he'd ever received. His lips plates quivered briefly but the movement as subsequently killed by the hot rustling within his Spark, fervently clawing to be set free once again.

"Even in death…Contrail still possesses you." He whispered with a sadness in her audio.

Rapida's optics widened.

With a maneuvered twist, Starscream turned Rapida to face him. She slipped briefly on his feet and clung to his arms; seemingly hovering over oblivion. He said nothing; his red optics narrow and piercing her own.

"Starscream, please. Please take me down." She pleaded, venting with fear.

His optics softened just a moment, that sadness flickering slightly, "I've wanted many things in my life Rapida…you were one of them. I always wanted you to look at me…want me…the way you did for him."

His mouth plates lifted slightly in a smile. He pulled her to him and shocked her mouth passionately. Rapida whimpered and tried to pull away. The tiny arcs of blue electricity he emitted danced on her lip plates momentarily as he drew back.

Rapida was shaking, "Please…take me down."

"Of course, my dear," he replied smoothly.

Starscream watched Rapida's blue eyes widen in horror as he let go of her, arms flailing in open air. Though he physically heard her scream, it all seemed muffled next to the ferocious beating in his spark. Time seemed to slow as she plummeted toward the metal surface of Cybertron. Starscream hovered in the sky, watching as an unmoved deity upon the doomed mortal. She transformed into her vehicle mode instinctually to protect herself but the height of her fall was too great. Teal and silver shrapnel exploded along the metal ground of Cybertron upon her impact. Starscream could see the brief flash of her spark as the casing around it was broken to bits. Then all was dark.

A shudder passed through Starscream. He wasn't sure if it was a shudder of regret or pleasure…perhaps both.