The Song of Darkness: Essence of Madness ● Transformers Prime {Starscream}

Chapter 13: Raging Bitch

Starscream and I walked through the open ground bridge, and into the eerie quietness of the land base. But we hadn't been bridged into the control room. No, we had been brought right into Megatron's clawed hand.

Megatron sat on his wicked throne, which was somehow less grand then the one on the Nemesis, red eyes bearing into us. Muscle memory took over and I was kneeling before Megatron in seconds, Starscream close behind.

"I should beat both of you where you kneel." I dared not stand. Not when he was starting off this 'meeting' with that kind of statement. "You've made lying a habit. A nasty habit that needs to be rooted out, like a weed." Silence surrounded us. Silence that made my skin crawl. "Face me." I looked up to find Megatron only a foot away. "I'll give you two a chance to redeem yourselves. If I find one of you is lying, the other will be punished for it, understood?" My good wing tightened painfully. Protect, protect, protect.

"Yes, my lord." We responded. He stared at us a moment longer.

"What were you doing in the woods?"

"Shattered, my lord," I spoke before Starscream could even think of it.

"What?" Megatron hissed.

"Two bodies were found by the Nemesis and she was triggered. I believe she knew them." He looked me over, then looked to Starscream, who nodded his head, confirming what I said. "I was able to speak with her for the briefest of moments. Shattered and the others are Ancient Ones--well, the others are undead Ancient Ones."

"This means nothing to me."

"It means nothing to me as well, but now they have a name. Something we can look into and research. And the bodies we have found are an added bonus. They might help us figure out who is controlling these undead." Megatron nodded his head. Gods I wanted to leave before he changed his mind and beat us. I just wanted to sit down.

"And what of the Autobots?" Panic shot through me.

"Safe, my lord. They are nowhere near our base." I prayed he didn't ask where. That he didn't go out there and kill them.

"Starscream. Leave." Starscream and I locked eyes, worry pooled in his eyes. I gave him the tiniest of nods. I watched him stand, bow, and leave. Silence filled the throne room.

"Stand." I did and faced Megatron once more. He tapped a clawed finger on the arm of his throne. "How is it that Shattered isn't standing before me now?"

"I don't know, my lord." He growled. He knew I was lying.

"I think I know what happened. I think you've been spending a little too much time with the commander." My stomach clenched painfully.

"My lord--"

"I have made some changes to the living arrangements. You will now be sharing a room with Aurora and Airachnid, who you will be keeping an eye on. Starscream will be with Blaze and whatever Vehcions had been living with your sins." I nodded my head. Though I didn't like the arrangement, I could live with it. As long as Starscream was safe. "And need I remind you that Starscream is not your second." It was a threat. I placed a fist over my heart and bowed.

"Of course, my lord."

"Leave me." And leave I did. I made my way towards my new room, but stopped halfway there when I found Starscream in one of the lounge rooms, drinking a high grade. He took a sip, looking at me.

"I think this is the best joke Megatron has played yet." I sat down across from him with a sigh. I knew instantly what he was talking about. He couldn't stand Blaze. Whether it be because Blaze is annoying, or because he knew something was up between me and Blaze.