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Day after day, night after night.
Week after week, month after month.
And he was done.
It hadn’t always been so bad. He actually used to look up to Megatron, who wanted to change Cybertron. He wasn’t some bot looking for attention and fame. He actually kept his promises.
But now it was war.
Battle after battle.
He endured battles every day.
Struggling to keep his position, to stay worthy in his master's eyes.
His master screamed in his face, lecturing him on whatever thing he did wrong that day.
His master used him as a literal punching bag.
He endured it all.
It’s not like he could do anything about it.
But one day, he finally had enough.
Every bot has a limit, you know.
The day started out as usual. He woke up, his back aching from his uncomfortable cement-like mattress. He strolled down to the bridge, trying not to keep his master waiting. In one hand, he carried a tray with a few cubes of Dark Energon. His master always demanded them, and he could never be satisfied with just one. He had tried Dark Energon once. It had felt so wrong, especially the chill it sent through his circuitry. He felt dirty using it, using the blood of Unicron, the Lord of the Undead, and the bringer of chaos. Megatron on the other hand had no problem using it. He knew his master had become addicted to it. He was a fool for it, and he hoped Megatron would perish from it. One could only hope.
“About time, Starscream.” Megatron sneered as he walked into the room. “Apologies my Liege.” He said. “Next time, don’t dawdle.” His master snatched one of the cubes, chugging it down. He placed the tray down, about to go to his post when Megatron stopped him. “Where do you think you're going?” He asked, a dangerous tone to his voice. “To my post.” He responded warily. “Did I tell you that you could?” Megatron hissed. “Might as well, you yell at me when I don’t.” He muttered under his breath. “What did you say to me?!”
It always started like this.
Every. Single. Day.
Rage filled his spark.
“You don’t talk to your master that way,” Megatron said angrily. “And I don’t appreciate your tone.”
Normally, he would have backed down and stayed silent.
But something inside him just… snapped.
How did it come to this? He used to be Starscream, the most powerful jet in Vos. He never listened to anyone- they always listened to him. Megatron was yelling now, but he couldn’t hear anything. “Shut up.” He said his voice like steel. Megatron stopped, his eyes narrowing. “What did you just say?” “I said shut up!” He yelled. “You aren’t my master! And I’m not your servant either!” He said. “I’m done letting you push me around! You aren’t a warlord. You are a lowly miner, and that’s all you’ll ever be! And it’s certainly no excuse for making my life miserable!” Stunned silence all around. Vehicons stared at him, and even Soundwave appeared startled. “You have no power over me anymore.”
For a moment, Megatron just stared at him, his mouth partly agape. His face hardened, and he forcefully grabbed him by the neck. “You really think you're being empowering and brave, don’t you?” Megatron hissed. “I don’t give a shit about what you think. I own you. You are forever destined to a life of servitude. You’ll be lucky if you’ll survive what I have planned.”
He had always been submissive, someone who rolled over at even the smallest demand or order.
He was sick of it. He was going to show his ‘master’ that he meant what he said.
Grabbing the Energon cube that was just barely within his reach, he held it tightly and stared Megatron in the eyes. “I’m not going to let you keep treating me like this. I’m done being controlled.” He said and smashed the cube right in Megatron’s face.
As expected, Megatron dropped him, howling in pain. He swung behind him, delivering two sharp kicks to the back of Megatron’s knees. He leaped up, using Megatron’s back as a launching pad. “See you around, Mighty Megatron!” He cackled, transforming and flying off.
He flew through the air, navigating the narrow tunnels. Vehicons fired at him, but he avoided their fire with ease. He aimed one of his missiles at the landing bay doors, and he flew through the crater, making it out on the ship's main deck. Something heavy landed on him, and he slammed into the ship. “Traitorous scum!” Megatron bellowed. He thought fast. His hand went to the Decepticon insignia on his chest. Even if he got away, Megatron could still track him. “You will not escape, Starscream!” His claws dug underneath the insignia, and he hissed in pain. “Yes, I will!” He yelled above the roar of the wind. He ripped the insignia off, taking the wiring and tracking system with it. He crushed it with his claws. “I’m not as useless as you think.” He stood tall, his shoulders no longer scrunched up. “I never should have returned. I won’t make the same mistake again.” He spat on the deck. “I hate you.” He said. “And I always will.” He said with a smirk. He leaped up into the sky, flying off before Megatron could ever hope to catch him.
He was finally free.
Free of Megatron.
Free of everything.
He was Starscream, loyal only to himself.
He was Starscream, strong and brave.
He was Starscream, independent and assertive.
He flew through the early morning air, breathing in the new day, filled with promise and hope.