Transformers: Animated: Shadows of Redemption

Chapter 16: A Total Eclipse of the Spark

Optimus Prime returned to the Autobots' Earth base in Detroit while Sentinel Prime focused on taking Optimus' daughter, Altair Comet, and her friend, Smokescreen, back home to Cybertron where they would be safe.

"So...how do you know anything about Megatron's son?" Smokescreen asked, curiosity piqued. "Have you met him before? I didn't even know that Megatron has a son. How, where, and when did you meet this Orion Eclipse guy?"

Altair Comet sighed, her optics distant as memories surfaced. "I met him four million stellar cycles ago when we were sparklings. We were just kids when we first met on Cybertron, became best friends, and eventually fell in love. Orion and I were very close. But we were forbidden from ever seeing each other because there's a law that forbids Autobots and Decepticons from having any kind of relationship. When we slowly reached our teenage years, we fell in love in secrecy because Megatron would never allow his son to date me since I'm the daughter of Optimus Prime, his nemesis."

Smokescreen shook his head. "That must've been hard for you. When was the last time you saw Orion Eclipse?"

"During the Great War," Altair replied, a sad smile on her face. "We had to say goodbye because our fathers found out we were secretly dating. I never saw him again...until now, when we found him on Earth in the city."

"So, Megatron's son is your secret boyfriend?" Smokescreen asked incredulously.

"Yes," Altair said firmly. "And I don't want to return to Cybertron. I want to join my father and his team on Earth so that I can rescue Orion Eclipse from his evil father."

"But we're just about to depart from Earth with that jerk with the big chin," Smokescreen said, glancing warily at Sentinel Prime.

Sentinel Prime's sharp hearing caught the comment. "You got a comment, young bot?!"

"Uh, no sir," Smokescreen stammered.

Sentinel Prime eyed them suspiciously. "Just what exactly are you two sparklings mumbling to each other about? Is there something I should know?"

"Not really," Smokescreen replied quickly. "We were just discussing what to do next."

"Sentinel Prime?" Altair Comet interjected, her tone resolute. "Smokescreen and I don't want to return to Cybertron."

"What?!" Smokescreen exclaimed.

"WHAT?!!" Sentinel Prime bellowed. "Altair, are you crazy? Organic planets are dangerous! You're not seriously suggesting we stay on Earth when Cybertron is much safer."

"I don't care," Altair insisted. "My boyfriend is on Earth with Megatron and we're going to rescue him."

Sentinel Prime's expression darkened. "Hate to break it to you, young fembot, but I will not let you die on this organic planet just like I let your mother die on Arachna 7."

"What are you talking about?!" Altair demanded, her optics blazing.

Sentinel Prime hesitated, then the words spilled out. "It was my idea to take Optimus Prime and Elita-One to that miserable organic planet to find a stash of Energon from a Decepticon ship. We were attacked by giant spiders, and when the Energon exploded in that underground cave, Elita-One fell to her death. I blamed Optimus Prime for your mother's demise and lied to Ultra Magnus, saying it was your father's idea to take us there—" Sentinel stopped himself with a loud gasp, covering his mouth in shock as he realized what he had just admitted.

"You did WHAT?!!" Altair screamed.

Smokescreen's face twisted in horror. "You...You lied to everyone?! You blamed Altair's father for something you caused, which led to her mother's death!"