Transformers: Eradication

Part 47: Starscream's Tragic Past

Fear: "I can't believe it. We're going to find out why he hates them."

Terra: "I'm curious to see what it is."

Fear: "I bet he'll be lying."

Terra: "No, whatever this is will be completely honest. Now hush for I wish to discover the truth."

Megatron: "Well? We're killing daylight here."

Scream: "I'll open with a question for Optimus. How many Seekers are there?"

Prime: "Three. Six if you include the Coneheads."

Scream: "Those three are poor excuses. I'll ask you again. How many are there?"

Prime: "Three."

Scream: "No! There were four."

Prime: "Four? I never knew."

Scream: "You never got the chance to."

Prime: "What was his name?"

Scream: "It wasn't a he. It was a she."

Megatron's expression turns to a more attentive one. It seems that he is slowly understanding part of the story.

Megatron. "Of course! How could I forget?"

Scream: "Oh good you're starting to remember."

Prime: "What was her name, Starscream?"

Scream: "Her name? It was.....it was.... (turning away) ....Slipstream."

Prime: "I've never heard of her."

Scream: "It's your fault you didn't."

Prime: "What happened to her?"

Scream: "You happened, but first there was Megatron."

Fear: "It's story time."

Scream: "Long ago before the war there were four Seekers. They were myself, Skywarp, Thundercracker, and Slipstream. Skywarp would work behind the scenes while myself and the others would fetch materials from mines and Skywarp would process them in the lab. We would hires our services to companies who wanted us. And there she was,."

Prime: "She must have been a dear friend."

Scream: "No, she was far more than that. She was the love of my life. She completed me, and I her. We were like two beams of starlight, everlasting and pure. Before the war we were engaged. But then that's when it happened."

Prime: "What happened?"

Scream: "Megatron arrived at our doorstep. He barged in with Soundwave, Splicer, and Knockout at his side Megatron proclaimed that we would be working under his command from now on. I of course declined, and Megatron said that we would all die for our defiance. A battle erupted, and even though we fought so hard we just weren't strong enough. Thundercracker got the worst of it. He was beaten within an inch of his life. Splicer and Knockout had to give him medical attention afterward. Megatron was so impressed by how hard we fought back that he spared us, but we were forced to serve him for the time being. I could not stand being under the control of a bloodthirsty tyrant, so that began my animosity towards Megatron. When Thundercracker recovered he too shared my resentment. We were much closer back then. Over time Megatron grew tired of our open defiance and set up a plan to eliminate us. What he didn't realize is that the plan wouldn't work in the way he wanted."

Prime: "What was the plan?"

Scream: "There was an abandoned building 1000 kilometers to the north of Crystal City. It was suspected of being used as a munitions factory for the Autobots. Megatron tasked Thundercracker and I to infiltrate the building and destroy the weapons. Skywarp stayed behind because he struck up a friendship with Megatron despite my disapproval. Megatron didn't want his new friend to be harmed. What he didn't expect was that Slipstream volunteered to go with us. Our plan is that after the mission was carried out we would leave together never to be seen again, and we would help Thundercracker find his own place to disappear to. When we got to the building we knew that something was amiss. It seemed like this place could go any minute, and that's when my whole life was turned upside down."

Prime: "I still don't understand how I play into this."

Scream: "From this moment on you played a part. The building was going to be blown up under the orders of a certain Autobot leader. And here's the kicker. Megatron knew that this very building was going to be destroyed. He wanted Thundercracker and I to die. As we explored further we overheard two Autobots communicating with you Optimus. Apparently we were detected. They couldn't identify us, so you didn't know if we were friend or foe. You said that it didn't matter who we were. There had to be sacrifices in order to win. So with that your men ignited the ammunition, and then we were spotted. They shot at us and chased us throughout the complex. Thundercracker managed to escape early on, but Slipstream and I were not so fortunate. While the fire in the building began to gain traction we found ourselves getting closed in. I managed to kill one of the Autobots with a stray missile. The other dodged and shot me in the leg. At this time the explosive ammunition caught ablaze. The whole building started exploding, and Slipstream managed to push me out of the door. She came out, but it was too late. She got caught in part of the explosion. She survived the initial blast, but her body was far too heavily burned. I held her in my arms as the life slowly drained from her eyes. The last words she said to me was to not let anger consume my life, and I should take care of myself. That was a promise that I just could not make."

A single tear streaks down Starscream's face.

Scream: (dark) "The surviving Autobot crawled out of the building with both of his legs badly burned. The moment I saw him I just lost control. I remember stabbing him in the back with all of my fingers, and then I finished him off by stabbing him in the head with my heel. The rest is history. Megatron attempted to use our deaths as a means to sway the people to his side. You on the other hand tossed away the lives of innocent people without a second thought. That is when my hatred of you both was brewed. I pretended to blame only Optimus for her death when we reported back to Megatron. Megatron being the idiot he was bought the whole thing. From there I hatched a plan to have my vengeance upon you both. In my rage I worked myself through the Decepticon ranks until Megatron became so impressed with my accomplishments that he gave me the title of the second-in-command of the Decepticons and the leader of of the air force. Megatron believed that he had a perfectly exploitable puppet, but there were no no strings on me. From then on it was one failed attempt on Megatron's life after the next. Then one day I finally killed him.

Megatron: "What?"

Scream: "Remember when you were killed after the battle of San Francisco? That was no human jet that took your life. It was me using a hologram to disguise myself."

Megatron: "I'm actually impressed, Starscream. You did half of what you wanted to do. Unfortunately for you it did not last long."

Scream: "Fine with me. I can just do it again."

Prime: "Starscream, I want to know I sincerely apologize for your loss. I had no idea it was you that night."

Scream: (snapping) "Save it! You let innocent people die because you were too focused on ending the war quickly. And because of both your actions you created two monsters you couldn't control. I will kill you both, and then when I regain leadership of the Decepticons I will wipe out any Autobot opposition and end this war once and for all."

Megatron: "How ambitious, but you don't have what it takes to pull it off. I do feel sorry for Slipstream, but you are responsible for your own actions."

Prime: "And while I feel sorry for what happened I would have done it again. War is not a place for the innocent. There are some things that just can't be helped."

Scream: 'You're both going to die and pay for everything you've done. This is for everyone whose lives you've destroyed because of your war."

Prime: "I'm not going to kill you, Starscream, but I won't let you get away with this."

Megatron: (mocking) "Oh how noble of Optimus. He wants to spare the weak. I'll just kill you both because this is pathetic."

Scream: "I never wanted any of this, but you leave me no choice. You're both dead men."

Megatron: "You should have been the one that died that night."

Scream: "I did die that night. What you see now is a ghost."

Fear: "Wait a minute. We're the ghosts!"

Now a three way battle begins Between Megatron, Starscream, and Optimus. While they are fighting Terradive seems to have his mood completely changed.

Fear: "Something wrong?"

Terra: 'I finally understand Starscream."

Fear: "Yeah what happened to him was pretty messed up."

Terra: "I take back everything I ever said about him. I thought he was just an arrogant fool, but instead he was a poor soul broken by tragedy. He didn't deserve any of this."

Fear: "Yeah, but does this mean you're rooting for him now?"

Terra: "No, but now I understand why he fights. He has become the very monster he sought to destroy. Optimus and Megatron may have their flaws, but I will always believe in Megatron's vision. Let's see how this turns out. I feel the real fight has only just begun."

The three fight with such a level of animosity that has never been seen before. Starscream fires missiles at both opponents and they get out of the way. Optimus fires back and knocks Starscream down. Megatron takes advantage of the distraction and jump-kicks Optimus in the face. He keeps kicking him while he's down, and Starscream fires a missile straight into his back. While Megatron is yelling out in pain Optimus gets up and punches Megatron so hard part of his cheek is dented. He swats Megatron away so he can deal with Starscream. Starscream fires Null Rays that miss, and Optimus jumps up to get closer. He does a right hook that Starscream steps back from. He slashes back but Optimus catches his hand and throws him across the street. Optimus jumps planning to do a falling punch, but Starscream raises his leg, and the thruster around his ankles blasts the prime back. As the Seeker gets up he is tackled by Megatron. He punches Starscream hard in the back, and Starscream activates his thrusters to make them go for a ride on the ground. It shakes Megatron loose. Starscream pulls Megatron's cloak over his face to blind him, and he slashes him in the stomach. Despite being temporarily blinded Megatron kicks him down. He tears off the cloak completely just in time to see Optimus shoot him down. Megatron pulls out his shotgun. The two clash with their guns, and they shoot all over the place. One of the shots hits Starscream to put him out of the fight for a moment.Optimus gains the advantage and kicks Megatron in the knee. While he's down Optimus gets behind him and knees him in the spine repeatedly. Starscream has returned firing Null Rays, and one grazes Megatron's shoulder. Only the minimal effects are in place, so he has enough focus to kicks Starscream away. Then he bashes Optimus in the face twice with his elbow, and then hits him in the stomach. Megatron throws him over his shoulder and into Starscream. Optimus tries to hit Starscream while he's down. but Starscream boosts away and fires three Null Rays into Optimus. Megatron shoots Optimus directly in the chest with his shotgun. Luckily the armor helps reduce the damage. Megatron realizes he doesn't see Starscream. It's a little too late as he feels a sharp, searing pain in his back. Starscream has stabbed Megatron will all of his claws. He starts dragging them down his back, and it is excruciatingly painful. Megatron rears his head into Starscream's face, and he throws him down. Optimus grabs him and tries to make him pass out via light strangulation. Screams slashes the side of his face, and then he flies him into a wall. Megatron fires at him, but Starscream shoots the shotgun of his hands. When Megatron gets his tanker gun Starscream shoots it, and it starts to burst into flames. Megatron throws it at Starscream, but he fires a missile at it and the gun explodes. Some of the flames reach Megatron's face. While he puts the fire out Starscream gets in front of him and does several quick stabs of his fingers into Megatron's chest. In a surprising upset Starscream does what he never could before: beat Megatron in a fight. He finishes him off with an uppercut and observes his defeated opponent.

Scream: (sneering) "That was far too easy."

Megatron: "You may have defeated me, but there are still others who oppose you like Optimus."

Scream:" "Then I will finish him too. Wait right there."

Optimus is ready for round two.

Prime: "I've been holding back against you, but that doesn't seem to be an option anymore."

Scream: "You're going to die a most painful death."

Prime: "I will not die on this day."

Megatron: "Just kill each other so I can laugh about it later."

Starscream fires a missile into the downed Megatron. It doesn't kill him but it definitely is putting him out of the fight for quite a while. Optimus and Starscream face each other. Optimus fires at him but Starscream transforms and flies into him. When Optimus lands he picks up a car and throws it at Starscream, who destroys it with a missile. Through the smoke Optimus jumps through with both swords out and swings at Starscream. Starscream only barely dodges each attack before one finally grazes his chest. He swings both down but Starscream catches them in his hands that are now bleeding. Optimus is far stronger and starts forcing him down. Starscream with what little strength he has falls back and forces Optimus to roll over him. They clash sword with claws until Optimus kicks Starscream back. He fires a missile that is deflected by Optimus's sword. Optimus shoots him down and Starscream lands on his stomach. Optimus attempts to step on his back but Starscream pout his thrusters in reverse and zooms into Optimus's legs. It makes him fall on his stomach, and before he can get up Starscream gets high in the air and does a falling punch into the back of Optimus's' head. it makes his face hit the pavement. Optimus gets up and attacks, but Starscream swivels around and slashes the right side of his stomach. The bleeding Optimus weakly attacks, and Starscream punches him twice in the face to get him on one knee. it seems he is going to win this fight as well.

Scream: "I'll make this quick. Goodbye Optimus Prime!"

Optimus isn't through yet and punches Starscream in the face, and then he throws him into a building. Starscream gets up and tries to drop kick him, but Optimus grabs him by the leg and slams him on the ground. He defeats him by punting him into a car. Starscream angrily yells at him.

Prime: "I said I wouldn't kill you, but I will kill Megatron once and for all. Before he can even think about that someone shoots right where he is standing. A bird and a flying saucer are seen overhead. It's Laserbeak and Rumble coming to save Megatron.

Rumble: "We're here to save you and stuff, Megatron."

Megatron: "For once I appreciate your help."

Prime: "Move aside, Rumble."

Rumble: "No way! I'm taking Megatron and we're going to leave."

Prime: "If you do this I will stop you."

Rumble: "You don't exactly look like you're in the best position to fight us. And if you're still sure there is two of us and only one of you."

Some driving is heard, and Mirage, Sideswipe, Jolt, Ironhide, and their three human companions have arrived.

Ironhide: "We hope we're not too late."

Prime: "Just in time."

Rumble: "Me and my big mouth."

Laser: -caw- (You're like our equivalent of Wheeljack)

Side: "Come on Rumble, let's go a few rounds."

Rumble: "Ehhhhhh."

The Aerialbots now show up as well."

Rumble: (backing away) "Nah, you got this Megatron."

Megatron: (angry) "You will fight you coward!"

Rumble: "We have no help."

Some other jets are heard, and the Coneheads fly down.

Dirge: 'We're here, Megatron!"

Ramjet: "We had no choice."

Dirge: "Shut up."

Rumble: "I guess small help is better than none."

Thrust: "Look who's calling who small."

Laser: -caw- (Bite me you red Breakaway!)

Thrust: (annoyed) "Really? You too!?"

The remaining Skywarp clone now enters the battle.

Rumble: "Guess this will have to do."

Prime: "Aerialbots, combine into Superion."

The Aerialbots combine to make a one armed Superion. Before he can strike something shoots him the face.

?: "You thought you could forget us did you?"

?: "Hey bub, move that camera over here!"

The camera moves around in response to see the Constructicons on the rooftops.

Mix: "You can't have a party without us!"

Scrapper: "They could if they wanted to."

Mix: "Hush they can't know that."

They combine into a smaller Devastator due to the loss of Overload. And during the chaos Splicer and Waspinator arrive as well.

Terra: "There are way too many cooks in this kitchen."

Fear: "Is anyone else going to show up?"

Insecticon drones led by Shrapnel are now at the scene as well.

Shrapnel: "I have come to destroy you all all!"

Swoop flies in to Optimus's aid.

Swoop: "Grimlock is coming, Optimus! he told me to fly ahead and help you."

Prime: "We're glad you're here."

Jolt: "Can we just fight now?"

Ramjet: "Yeah let's do this!"

Now a full fledged battle is happening. Some Vehicons in a ground bridge are now coming to add more chaos in the mix. Swoop attacks the Coneheads and knocks them all away in a battle. Thrust sees his opportunity and flees inside the ground bridge and manages to survive this story. Laserbeak attacks Jolt by slashing him in the back, Jolt manages to slash his wing, and he retreats into the ground bridge as well. While Superion and Devastor get into an armlock Splicer and Mirage are going at it again. Waspinator takes on Ironhide and fires his scales into his chest. Ironhide simply looks down and plucks a scale out before nonchalantly flicking it aside. Ironhide blows Waspinator up for good measure. Sideswipe, Rumble, and Shrapnel all fight. Rumble shoots Shrapnel up and opens a chasm in the street for him to fall in. Sideswipe fires a bunch of mines at Rumble. He destroys all but one that hits his shoulder. Sideswipe hits him twice, and on the third Rumble blocks and knocks Sideswipe away. Sideswipe recovers and shoots Rumble up until he falls down. Optimus sees Starscream crawling away and stops him.

Prime: "Where do you think you're going?"

Starscream looks behind Optimus and starts laughing.

Scream: "Nowhere, but you're going somewhere."

Some cars approach the battle, and they jump up and collide into Optimus in slow motion. It's Dead-end and Dragstrip. The knock Optimus down and transform.

Swoop: "Optimus!"

Something shoots Swoop down with a concentrated beam of purple energy. It was Swindle who shot him down. Vortex and Brawl arrive on the scene as well.

Drag: 'You doing alright?"

Dead: "You looked like you were about to die."

Scream: "I'm fine now."

Prime: "Who are these people?"

Scream: "Meet the Eradicons. These guy s are irrelevant because the one that is missing has been dying to meet you."

Off in the distance a black and purple truck with spike on the sides transforms into Motormaster. He grabs his sword ready for battle. The time to slay his foe has finally arrived.