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Starscream covers them with his own body. His Batchmates silent and cold, two of his cousins alive but in danger of diminished sparks if he can’t find aid.
The floor is riddled with dead, but Starscream won’t move, if he moves… If He moves what if he can’t find them again. What if someone else finds them?
He clings tighter to them as he hears the creaking of metal being crushed under heavy frames. His optics grow bright as he steels himself.
Something is coming for them.
He turns when the steps stop behind him. Pulls a sharp sheet from the pilled dead and slashes.
He shouts out in a cry, tearful and enraged. Its halted as the hulking king stands there with long antlers above his head.
Red gleaming optics loom, and that hand that caught the sheet crushing it in his claw.
Starscream stops in his path. Dropping the sheet and opens his arms as if he can stop this king’s progress forward. Optics shut so he does not see the attack coming to end him.
“If I wanted you dead, you’d be so already.” The Kingly figure states and brings his hand over the Seeker’s head. Emphasis on the fact that with a single hard squeeze he could end the frightened new build.
But nothing comes of it, instead its… soft and assuring.
“You did well to survive this long. I am not here to harm you, Child of Iacon”
Starscream lights his optics and stares up at the Goliath King. He makes a strained noise as his wispy tired voice cracks.
“I’m here to save you.” Said so assuringly.
Starscream breaks there and collapses to the floor. “My… my batchmates.. They need help.”
With a snap of a finger its as if others were hidden in darkness and come from the shadows to collect the surviving Children of Iacon.
The Antlered One kneels down beside Starscream. “Shh, hush now. Brave Decepticons do not cry.”
“De..cepticon?” Starscream asks through hiccuping vocals. “I’m not-..”
“Nonsense, a young warrior like you taking out the encroaching enemy. What isn’t Decepticon about that.” The Antlered King states and then adds on. “The Autobot hoards raided your city, Child of Iacon and you proved yourself a True Decepticon this day.”
“Starscream.” He states through broken sobs.
The other smiles placing both hands on either side of Starscream’s face. Wiping those tears.
“Starscream.” He repeats back as if he heard the most beautiful word.
“Lord Megatron,” comes the voice of a husky tank. He pauses and looks awkwardly away. “Sir, the survivors are taken in.”
Megatron turns and stands letting go of Starscream and waves a hand out in thanks. “Dismissed. Now, I’ll be taking this one with me.” He states as he reaches back and lifts Starscream’s hand to emphasis.
The Tank stands there uncertain and then like a good loyal soldier parts from the two to secure the … collection.