Forsaken

★Chapter 4 ★

 Starscream's pov

I don't think I have been this scared since that one-time Knockout put a live scraplet in my room and Soundwave "accidentally" locked me in. Emphasis on the accidentally... whoever it was was definitely either Optimus, Megatron or even perhaps someone as big. That green Autobot Bulkhead perhaps? No no... the body was not as bulky, they didn't call him Bulkhead for nothing. There was simply no way I could flee. If I was to run, they would definitely catch me or worse shoot at me and hurt Asteria in the process. I couldn't transform. I couldn't shoot back. Hiding her wasn't an option either, there was nowhere to protect. I was absolutely paralyzed by fear, and for the first time in a long time, I wasn't thinking about myself. I was such a brilliant strategist, and yet there was nothing I could do. My plating felt like tiny little bugs crawling underneath it nipping and tickling me. My wings lowered down to my back as my body went stone cold. The footsteps of the approaching enemy matched my sparkbeat, making me feel like the seconds leading to my death seem like an eternity. Finally, a pair of blue optics shined through the falling dust. It was Optimus Prime. Never before in my life had an ever been so happy to see the mighty Prime stomp his way over to him. I knew that Optimus would not kill Asteria. With seconds to spare before I was captured by the Autobots, I made one of the hardest decisions of my life...I truthfully absolutely did not want to do this, but I knew that it would be the best chance of her survival. Hesitantly, I gave Asteria one little last kiss on her sweet, warm helm desperately not wanting to let her go. Finally, I felt my spark shatter as I placed her on the cold, dirty floor and backed away, leaving her to the Autobots.

" D-daddy?"

I inwardly swore. The very second that I had put Asteria down, the little femme realized that I was no longer holding her and instantaneously she began to panic desperately reaching out to me to embrace her.

" I am so sorry my little one... daddy has to go now..."

" DADDY! DADDY! DADDY!"

I felt my spark tear in two as she screamed for me. Seeing the Prime get closer, I Swiftly bolted hearing the plasma blast next to my Audio along with the rushing wind. I ran and ran desperately trying to get away as quickly as possible. Every second I felt myself caring less and less if I got shot and died. I had lost the most important thing I have ever cared about. I didn't get that far before I didn't hear anyone shouting at me anymore. I figured they stopped to have a look at my lit-... Asteria. Fighting against my instinct to keep fleeing, I couldn't help myself and turned my head to watch as Optimus picked up the screaming little femme. No no! She didn't like being held like that! Seeing the others approaching and beginning to search the area, I knew that it was time for me to leave.

" Goodluck... Asteria... Daddy... Loves you"

Suddenly. I felt something strange down my face. I had never felt that before, reached up with my claw and moved my hand under my optic to feel a warm wet fluid.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(( Characters labelled to prevent confusion. ))

Most sparklings hushed once they were picked up, but Asteria did not. Looking into the distance, she reached out, desperately trying to get her beloved sire back. But no matter how much screaming she did, he did not return. Gently, Optimus stroked her helm in an attempt to soothe the youngling.

Optimus Prime:" shhh, it is alright young one."

Exhausted and hungry Asteria could no longer fight the sleep her body desperately needed. She closed her optics and went off into a slumber.

Bulkhead:" no sign of screamer, he must have bailed."

Bulkhead reported as everyone began to gather around the rather unusual finding. All of them stared blankly in awe and aww at the adorable little femme Optimus was holding.

Arcee:" I-is that a sparkling. No one has seen one for centuries!"

Bulkhead:" sure is a cutie. I would hate to think what screamer was doing with him! Or um... Her"

Optimus Prime:" We must return to base immediately. I sense its energy level are low...Ratchet, bridge us back."

As careful as a cat, Optimus began to walk back with the tiny new member of the family in his arms. What Arcee had stated was indeed true. It was unusual to ever see a sparkling mostly because of the war. The Autobots had decided it was cruel to raise one in an environment, and the Decepticons rendered them useless for the war. Regardless both sides agreed it would be inappropriate to have them around in the time of the war.

Ratchet: " What happens-..... oh my... is that a Sparkling? Did you... find the carriers?"

There was something that was seriously bugging Optimus. The youngling in his arms had been crying out for Starscream. Was it even possible that the sparkling was indeed Starscream's? Even more puzzling was that it appeared that he cared about it or it would not have been so attached to him.

Bulkhead:" Optimus, are you alright?"

Optimus Prime:"... I believe that the sire of this sparkling. Is Starscream"

Arcee:" Optimus, you can't be serious! STARSCREAM a father? Who would eve want to be with him? ( millions of fangirls hehe)

Optimus Prime: " I do not know. But I have reason to believe that he is indeed the father due to the bond the sparkling was having with him."

Before the sparkling puzzle could be solved. There was suddenly the whine of a little femme desperate for her sire and Optimus had a feeling she wouldn't honestly calm down until she was reunited with Whoever that was.