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The sky above was busy with the flight of many Cybertronians of all kinds, the jubilance as bright as the stars beyond, and the land below was teeming with the hustle and bustle of activity of millions, ready to start anew. An equal understanding was impressed to all that everyone had their moments they wish not to look back upon, be it of actions done upon them, or actions they had committed, with some having more on their records than others. Naturally, there was some uproar to this and many made appeals for their individual cases, and there were scuffles over rivalries that seem irreparable, but overall, everyone had to try to hold their judgement and hope for the best amongst their fellow Cybertronian.
For sure, the days following the treaty were quite bumpy. Former mechs who had been locked into millions of years of hatred and spite now found themselves forced to be assigned partners or committee members. For sure, the likes of Prowl and Ultra Magnus were not exactly having the time of their lives when they had to sit at the same table with the likes such as Starscream and Soundwave, be it bold to assume they cooperated with another of their faction during the war. Together, along with the considerations and advice of many other citizens of various specialities, they created a rough system which would help speed track the developments of the planet. It was a schedule that seemed to work at a snail’s pace, as it turned away from various immoral breaks of conduct that would’ve been acceptable in the past, but it was a system many begrudgingly were willing to try.
Everything ran on a schedule. Some bots, such as those in charge of figuring out sustainable systems to create energon and building materials, were busy at work with another. Some bots were granted a few weeks of rest and peace to settle down and set up social structures such as neighborhoods and places to socialise with another. One such mech was a large, white, humble mech, who had shed the sleek, hardened vessel of battle and his namesake as a warrior, to return to his former bulky frame and pacifistic, studious reputation. He had even decided to go by his old name, Skyfire.
Many questioned why he transitioned back into his old frame at the end of the war. It was rather large and bulky, terribly unagile and clearly outdated. But his old vessel and his hold name, they felt like Him, that they were Home for his spark, in a way. Plus, he liked the way his jet parts folded in the back, for it was his secret alone to know he could easily detach them as he needed and store as many supplies or snacks that he wanted.
As for his reputation, he was more renowned and looked up to as a level headed fighter for the bots, of both brains and brawns, but all Skyfire could do is smile. Even if it was a peacetime that called for understanding, he didn’t expect everyone to understand what it meant to find joy in something so unexpected for someone of his alt type. He was sure many shuttles, had they stuck around for the war, would have relished in their old war time victories. Sky Lynx, for example, lived for attention. But for himself, he loved how it felt to just have some quiet time for himself with a group of like minded scientists trying to make discoveries about the world they lived in, even if it was of microscopic importance in the scheme of everything.
And so he walked along the newly renovated streets of Iacon. It was interesting to walk upon the streets he had once been so accustomed to. Even to see the old academy, which still at the moment stood as a large burnt structure. It was one of the first targets in the eve of the war, the siege led by none other than former student Starscream himself. Skyfire shook his head. Even now, there were questions he still had unanswered, perhaps forever leaving him to be confused due to his large absence in the fall of Cybertron.
Not too long ago, the plot of land was merely just blackened ruins. Now, it was lined with large, empty buildings just brimming with potential. He wasn’t the first, nor the last of the bots to move into these spaces. Sounds of shuffling, bumping, arguing, and laughter all filled the air. It was nice to hear the sounds of everyday life without the sounds of war. It was even more sweet to hear with the conscience of knowing that things were in fact not the same as before—not at all! No worry behind the joy and peace that there were muffled cries for help, of horrible secrets being held in the dark. The only darkness he had to worry about was that of his assigned living quarters.
It was a nice, large, plain rectangular building in the center of Iacon. He smiled as he was able to walk through the door frame and didn't need to lean his neck down. Skyfire was a grateful mech and was thankful for the Autobots for taking him in during what was a confusing and rough time in his life to say the least, but he did not miss the tiny corridors he had to sometimes crawl through, or the sense of caution he had when walking amongst his much smaller comrades. With a flicker the lights turned on, revealing a nice empty, spacious room. It was the simple things, really, that he grew so accustomed to not having that gave him the most joy.
And with that, he set down his red backpack and began to set up his space. Mass displacement technology was really a wonder, as his unpacking revealed a cacophony of various items, from souvenirs from Earth such as pretty rocks and tiny photographs, to large calculating computers he needed for his work. And even old things from a time gone by that struck a chord. When all was settled and done, he wiped the dust and beamed at his setup. An absolute geek pad, as someone like Huffer would say. But it was his geek pad, his home.
And all his, alone. And he sat on the floor and smiled, making a list in his head for all the places he needed to go to for the day, relaxing for one sweet moment.
Or at least, he was until an all too familiar loud, raspy screech filled the air.
It couldn't be, Jetfire thought. He tried to shake the thought away until the voice got louder and didn’t shut up.
Oh, but it was. He knew that voice. And all be it from his sense of peace that told him not to get up, some innate thing inside of him made him get up and see the commotion.
***
Starscream was livid. Once AGAIN another crate of his stuff went missing, and once AGAIN he knew the culprit. His annoying trinemate Skywarp, that’s who, who was once AGAIN denying anything. He balled his hands into fists as the twerp stuck out his tongue, his eyes glowing in amusement. And as Starscream raised his null rays at the perfect angle, the son of a glitch disappeared!
He was already reprimanded several times by the committee of the neighborhood (ew), and if it wasn't for his shanix and ~absolute charm, brains, and good looks (of course)~ he would've been chased off a long time ago. Perhaps that was one thing he missed about the war, the fact that one could solve problems and nip it in the bud right then and there. But surely population control would not be a suitable excuse for a home full of holes.
He knew he heard an all too familiar set of heavy footsteps heading toward his way, but still it made him freeze in his tracks as he saw the absolute stupid cube of white that was Skyfire—or rather, Jetfire, like as if you could call THAT a jet—former friend and supposedly former enemy as well. Instinctively, Starscream raised his rays up at the intruder—rather, the Unexpected Guest. Ah yes, word choice. Starscream rolled his optics. How sensitive!
“Oh its you!” the Seeker sneered, his voice dripping with daggers. He looked up and down at the figure and scoffed. “And what happened to you, didn’t you have a new look?”
Jetfire smirked quite smugly. “Why, you missed it?”
Starscream let out a loud guffaw. “Hah, as if! I could see across the battlefield that you were terrible at maneuvering in it, like a fresh sparkling!”
“So you were looking?”
“Shut up!”
Who has he been hanging out with that thought him such DISRESPECT? He heard the seeker make such remarks to him on the battlefield. But here, spitting it in front of his face? It was disgusting! But also…amusing? No, TOTALLY DISGUSTING. He had changed, and obviously progressively for the worst.
“Anyway, why are YOU here?”, he asked, knowing the answer all too well.
“Why am I here?” Jetfire remarked. “I live there?” he pointed at the quarters across the street. “And what are you doing here?”
“Don’t ask such stupid questions! I live here, and you are interrupting me, Je-”
He paused. The shuttle was using his old frame, so perhaps the old name as well?
“No, its still Jetfire.” the shuttle replied unexpectedly flat.
Starscream saw that face flash from the minute moments of stone cold then resumed its smug amusement, noticing the shuttle ever so slightly scanning him. Ah yes. A body length cape of light purple, with shoulder blades adorned in purple and gold, and a golden crown with 3 prongs, laden with ruby stones. Naturally, the attire of a mech who exudes confidence and power.
“I'm surprised such an esteemed Seeker needed such old age ways of attire.”
“So what? I’m a Senator now, and in a legal way for all you soft mechs, and head of the science committee! Why can’t I dress for the position?” Starscream fiddled with the position of his crown and cape.
Then, all the sudden, a flurry of color filled his vision, and next thing he knew, a Seeker of purple and black stood in front of him. And then above him. And then next to him. And then behind him. And then right back in front of him. And this flurry warped next to Jetfire and did the same.
“Well I’ll be!”, Skywarp exclaimed, popping in front of Starscream. “You really are his new neighbor!” He laughed in his jerkish tone. “Who would’ve thunk it, right Thundercracker? Right??”
The blue and gray seeker was making his way up the street, covered in what humans called confetti, his arms holding Starscream’s missing parcel, his face with a mask of neutrality that valiantly battled against giving the purple and black bug satisfaction.
“Kind of strange how you two ended up butting right next to each other, huh?” the smug Seeker ejected again. “And now even working on the same science committee ooooohhh how juicy~”
Jetfire had a temporary lapse in his composure at the remark. Skywarp disappeared, only to suddenly appear next to Jetfire’s arm, elbowing the shuttle’s shoulders. “We saw you at the neighborhood assignment!” Skyfire’s face went warm.
“I knew Starscream couldn’t keep his grubby claws away for long. He TOTALLY might have rigged this all together, with his big scary Senator powers!”
The bug swayed back and forth, hardly containing his amusement. “In battle, he couldn’t optics off of you! When did you left? OH, You should’ve seen the way he—” Skywarp yelped playfully as Thundercracker cut him off with a light punch to the back of the helm.
“I think it's about time we head on our way, right Skywarp?” the calmer Seeker said tensely behind gritted teeth.
“But why I was—”
“Skywarp!”
Skywarp rolled his optics. “Come on you guys! Don’t you know us fliers have to stick together? Or, in your case, Starscream and Jetfire, stick perhaps even closer—”
“In your dreams!” Starscream scoffed, and grabbed his coat as he sauntered away, his face burning. He transformed, needing to burn some fuel before he really let his temper take control. The last thing he wanted was the bumbling idiot in his life again. It seemed like a cruel joke that he was stationed so close to him. If Primus was real, he surely would be shaking the planet with laughter, but Starscream was sure the mastermind behind this was Skywarp. Jetfire, this mountain of idiocy, a pile of treachery, who gladly discarded his offers of rulership and reunion for the lives of a few Autobot nobodies! And how Skywarp found so much amusement in this!
Oh, he will surely let his treacherous trinemate feel something later!
***
Skywarp looked at Skyfire in amusement, sliding him a line of code. “At 9, at the base of Maccadam’s. I’m sure you won’t need help to spot us. Be there!” And with that, the Seeker disappeared, warping to catch up to his trinemates. To get a beating of a lifetime, Skyfire was sure.
Skyfire stood, stunned in silence. It was at the end of the war that he expected to start his new life, to leave behind the memories of a time that felt like so long ago. And yet it was here again, just within a few footstep away from his own door.
He couldn’t deny how his teeth gritted as Starscream said his name. If he was leaving the past behind, surely allowing Starscream to say his name shouldn’t matter, right? But a part of him did not want to hear his name being uttered by this mech, who at one time was able to make his spark flutter and soar just by mentioning it alone. Now the thought of it filled him with pain as sharp as a blade. But yet…?
And with that, Skyfire retreated back into his space, clearing out his schedule. While Cybertron was different, and did not have a sun or a moon, and no night or day, there was a point during the time that the busy bodies went to recharge, and the young and energetic arose, the lights of the city brightening ever so brightly against the black of space above. And so, even though the years of war chipped away at his youth, he prepared for what promised to be an interesting night and to explore what this new Cybertron had in store for him.