Transformers re-Prime-d (Season 1)

Master and Student

I drove off the ramp of the highway. This Jasper Nevada was a desolate dustbowl. I drove into town. I had calmed down from yesterday. No matter how hard I tried I could not get two things unstuck from my head: The first was the cruelty of Starscream; the second was the praise of the human children. I realize that I'm easy to manipulate. But, what if I'm correct? I drove to the Jasper high school and parked by the main entrance. The high school children fled after their final bell. I saw Arcee park close by, she still looked hurt from the other day. Jack and Miko walked out with a large group of teenagers. As they walked closer, I could hear them talk.

Jack saw Arcee and turned to Miko, "I see Arcee. Do you want a ride?"

Miko answered, "No thanks Jack. Bulkhead will be here later. He probably thought I had detention or something."

Jack waved to his friend, and said; "I'll see you back at the base then."

I had the urge to follow Arcee and Jack back to their base. But, if I did, I'd have to report to Starscream. Well, I wouldn't have to. If I were a loyal Con, then sure, by all means. But, I don't know, I thought, the Cons just don't seem as alluring without Megatron at their helm. Besides, If I gave the base location to Starscream, he'd probably claim that I found it under his orders, and further/secure his troops' loyalty. I remained parked.

The wave of teenagers dispersed. Miko sat on the steps and took out her sketchpad. I couldn't see what she was drawing.

In my boredom, I didn't care much for subtly. I asked her, "Miko? What are you drawing?"

The girl jumped. She walked up to me and asked, "Shadow? Is that you?"

"Yes?" I responded.

Miko screamed, "That is so cool!" She jumped up and down. Her speech sped up and she spazzed out, "I can't believe it! It is so cool! I mean you are so cool!"

She calmed down and looked at me. She questioned, "What are you doing here?" Miko gasped, "Are you on a secret Decepticon mission?"

I quickly dashed that thought, "No! Scrap no! I'm here by my own free will. I'm currently taking a break from the Decepticons."

Frag. That is probably classified.

"Why?" She asked, "Did something happen?"

I laughed, "Miko, you know exactly what happened. Starscream took command. I cannot stand that coward. I did not want to serve him, so I left."

"Are you ever going to go back?"

"I don't know." I sighed, "I think I will if I can avoid Scream's command."

"If you want, you can join the Autobots. We definitely have room for an awesome bot like you. Even if you are a Con."

"Thanks Miko. To be honest," I paused, "You cannot repeat to anyone what I'm about to say."

Miko promised, "Shadow, I won't repeat it to anyone."

I continued, "Recently I've been having doubts about the Decepticons and thoughts about switching sides."

"Woo!" Miko cheered, "You go Shadow! Who needs those Cons anyway? You can join Bulkhead and me, and we can be one awesome family!"

"Hold on there. You're getting ahead of yourself, Miko. The Decepticons are my family. They've been there for me. It isn't easy to betray them. But..."

Betrayal is easy. It's the guilt that's deadly.

Miko squealed, "But what?!"

"I've been off lately. At our last battle, I had many chances to kill both Arcee and Bulkhead. But, I didn't. If it weren't for me, Megatron would still be leading and Starscream wouldn't be."