A Change of Spark (Starscream X Reader)

Chapter Twenty-One: The aftermath

I managed to catch up with the Autobots the next morning. I had the bear, whose name I learned was Bernardo, and Isabella there with me. I was introduced to the team as we didn't get much of an introduction last night and Optimus explained what happened after I left. Starscream did capture the final Mini-Con and got the power he wanted but he never achieved his goal of killing Megatron or taking over the galaxy as the Autobots had defeated him. Good. A few years ago, I wouldn't be saying that but the Starscream I saw yesterday isn't the one I got to know six years ago. But it was Time for Optimus to leave with Starscream and the Bounty Hunters.

"The Dark Star Saber and the Bounty Hunters have been secured aboard my ship. And Starscream remains catatonic," Optimus said

"Good. I don't want to see Starscream again after last night. I can't trust him anymore," I said

Optimus nodded

"So you're ready to go back to Cybertron?" Bumblebee asked Optimus, "Well, things must be better for you there if they gave you access to a ship."

"I was not on Cybertron when I received your call, Bumblebee. Nor have I been since the Primes restored me to this realm," Optimus said

"I don't understand."

"The situation on Cybertron is fluid. I am working with some old friends to resolve it. That is all I can say for now. I know that answer is not satisfactory for you, but I promise to call you if we need any help.

"Okay."

"Thank you for your assistance. Thank you, all of you," Aerobolt said to the bots

"I would transport you, but-"

"That's okay," Buzzstrike interrupted Optimus, "We don't want to be anywhere near Starscream."

"As I suspected. I hope you find the peace you deserve. Farewell."

Isabella squeaked something to me.

"Before you go, Isabella asks if maybe something happened to Starscream when he found the Mini-Cons. Like, when he set them free or while he was looking for them," I said

"I do not know. But should we learn anything from Starscream when he is able to speak again, I will let you know," Optimus said

I gave a nod and Optimus left. I don't really believe that Starscream was affected by anything for his personality to change. I think it was just his thirst for power. The Mini-Cons then left too so they can find somewhere peaceful to live. The bots asked if I wanted to stay with them just in case I did hear anything from Optimus about Starscream but I said no. I have a home and it's away from wherever I am now. That's when I remembered that I had to be at Warner Bros.! I almost forgot.

I was supposed to be there hours ago! I would call them but my phone is back where Starscream picked me up before this whole ordeal. They had a Groundbridge so I asked if I could use it to go home and explain what happened. They did that for me and I looked for my phone. When I found it, I saw that I had multiple missed calls from the studio. How am I supposed to explain where I've been this whole time? I called them back and just simply explained I was kidnapped but I escaped. But I still missed my flight.

They believed my lie and said they'd re-book my tickets to get the next flight there. When I did eventually get there, I learned that I had to help with big animals like a lion and a bear. The filmmakers seemed surprised that I was able to get dangerous animals to act like your common household pet. The bear seemed to love giving me bear hugs. I didn't mind them. And the film went great. I didn't go to the premiere because sensitive hearing and loud cinemas don't go together. I'd have to wear earmuffs if I went to one.

I did end up spending time with the Autobots after a few months. It didn't take long for Optimus to report about Starscream. I started to feel bad for him when I heard of his condition. like Optimus mentioned before he left, Starscream has Catatonia. Essentially, that makes him unable to move, talk, he won't let anyone move his body and, even when he does, he's like a wax figure. He will remain in the position you put him in. He can be cured but it will take time. I asked Optimus to let me see him and it broke my heart when I saw him.

He was laying on a medical table not moving, not reacting, just staring into nothing. When he left, I didn't want anything to do with Starscream but now, seeing him like this, made me change my mind. Even Starscream doesn't deserve this. I tried saying his name but he didn't give any form of a reaction. He used to almost flinch when people said anything to him when he didn't know they were there and now he doesn't react at all. As time passed, I would watch Starscream's recovery through a small Cybertronion datapad given to me by Fix-It.

I'd sometimes talk to him to see how his reaction and talking was but it wasn't doing too well. I had hopes he would be listening at least. As his treatment went on, he was slowly progressing. What made me a little happier was that he was starting to speak again though they weren't his words. He would repeat anything Ratchet and I would say. But it was usually the last few words end of our sentances or small ones like 'I'm Starscream' as an example. He could say that perfectly but he was like an echo or a parrot.

Movement still wasn't an option for him. He would move if someone else did it for him but he couldn't do it himself. But it sort of felt like this whole process was him trying to learn how to do everything on his own again. How to talk, how to move, and just how to be Starscream. Slow and steady wins the race, I suppose. I'll keep watching over his progression and hope we can at least talk to each other like we used to. That would be nice.

(A/N: I did quick research on Catatonia so don't expect any of this to he right. Sorry in advance if it isn't. See you next chapter)