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While the Autobots took care of the battle on the ground, a battle waged on in the sky. Plasma bolts streaked through the air and Supernova twisted and banked through the chaos in her Alt jet form. She easily out sped jet Vehicons, shooting them down and speeding past them at lightning speed. Despite being the newest soldier to the Autobots her combative prowess was nothing to scoff at, as her mother, Daybreaker, had taught her well.
Her mother was in a different section, handling the battle in that area. Meanwhile, her father, Starscream, stayed at the base. Ever since Starscream had joined the Autobot side, he preferred to stay hidden and safe. It was much better than having to face any Decepticon again after his desertion. Even years after it happened it still made him feel afraid. Because of this fear, he had been against Supernova becoming a soldier for Autobots in the first place.
"I'll be fine!" She'd say. A hint of annoyance in her voice as she'd turn her back to Starscream. "Haven't I proved myself enough? You always think I'm so weak."
It's not that he thought she was weak, or incapable but he knew she was reckless. Just like her mother. This and the fact he knew Decepticons were merciless. He begged Optimus not to let her go out there, but Supernova begged him to go, Leaving the Autobot leader with the tough decision to let Supernova take on small missions first with supervision.
That's what this mission was supposed to be. A small mission. But it turned out the attack was deceptively small. Autobots were spread out making them easily outnumbered yet still holding on. Starscream watched from the base with Ratchet, nervously keeping an eye and audio on Supernovas Comms.
Back to the battle, Supernova was able to make quick work of enemies she went through, earning her praise from her Autobot allies below. She felt a rush of energy and pride, but this was quickly replaced by confusion. Her radar blinked, showing a much bigger force rushing towards her.
"Anyone seeing what's chasing me right now??" She called out in comms.
Optimus turned his head up and squinted. He saw the clouds part and a streak of silver and purple rush between them towards Nova. That wasn't good.
"Supernova come down here now," Optimus ordered into comms firmly.
Nova knew to follow his direction, but her curiosity got the better of her. She turned upwards and looped around so she'd be able to see what was behind her as she flew past it. A thunderous roar crackled her audios as something flew past too close for comfort. A Cybertronian jet, one that quickly followed her movements and tracked her without falter. It was Megatron.
Nova felt the heat of stray shots fired directly towards her, only missing by an inch as she narrowly avoided them.
"Oh scrap!" Nova turned, spiraling downwards as she picked up her engine speed, trying desperately to break from Megatron’s sights. But the warlord had millions of years of practice ahead of her, hunting her down like an apex predator as he stayed right on her tail.
Another blast grazed her thruster which caused her frame to shake from the force.
"I can't shake him off!" She shrieked out, panic seeping into her usual tone.
Starscream stood straight hearing Nova's calls. He practically pushed past Ratchet to look at his screens and see her feed. He heard the sound, the roaring engine of the Decepticon he had come to know too well.
"Nova!" He yelled out in comms "Get out of there!!"
Nova winced hearing her father's shrill voice. The panic in it didn't make her fear any better.
"You think I'm not trying?!" She avoided another shot, her heart pounding as she felt exertion catching up to her.
Starscream connected to Optimus's comms feeling fear rack up inside of him "Prime! Do something!!"
Optimus furrowed his brows. Why would Megatron be hunting Supernova like this and so adamantly? He wasn't just trying to drive her away, he was trying to eliminate her.
"Autobots! Cover her retreat!" Optimus Commanded, already moving to keep Supernova in his sights.
"Supernova you need to Dive into the nearby ruins. Think you can do that?"
Nova grunted feeling exhausted but steeling herself "I can try!"
"Nova keep going please He's getting closer!!" Starscream was practically shaking now. His optics teared up as he couldn't hold himself still.
"Starscream stay calm-" Optimus spoke before he was cut off.
"CALM?! My daughter is about to be shot out of the sky!!" Starscream snapped, his wings twitching from anxiety he barely noticed the firm grip Ratchet held on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Supernova banked a hard right dipping into the ruined city the Decepticons had trashed earlier. She tried using the buildings for cover, swiping between them with multiple close calls on the corners. Yet no matter how hard she tried Megatron didn't falter.
"Slag! He's still on me!!" Supernova yelled, feeling like she was slowing down as the air felt heavier on her. Her movements were getting sloppy, her body was struggling to keep up.
Starscream was done waiting. He ripped out from Ratchet's grip and escaped to the outside, transforming and launching with as much speed as he could toward Nova's location.
Nova couldn't keep up. Megatron had her right in his sights. With a deafening shot a flash of white appeared in her sight, then a searing pain that traveled up her side making her let out an agonizing yell. Her comms cut off, she began to lose balance in the air. Spinning out of control towards the ground. She transformed mid-air trying to brace for impact as she hit the terrain below.
For a few seconds, all that followed her senses were darkness and static. Then she started hearing her comms blaring at her with worried voices. Her body felt in pain, heavy, and she tried to sit up to no avail. Looking to her side where the burning pain came from she could barely process what she saw. All that was left of her left arm and wing was a bloody mess. Both were completely gone, replaced by wires and Energon, making her throat close up with shock and fear.
"Supernova! Come in! Report!" Called out Optimus. She blinked and struggled to get her voice to answer.
"I'm- here." She spoke quietly before she heard the thunderous roars of Megatron jet mode above her.
"Damnit-" She choked out, Feeling her spark pound as she gained enough adrenaline to sit up and drag herself backward, hiding inside one of the broken buildings. She collapsed inside, feeling the hot dripping energon go down her servo and body.
"I’m hurt-" She spoke in comms again. "Badly. I need help-"
Before she could finish the sentence she heard the shriller cry of soaring above her. She knew that sound well, it was much more high-pitched than Megatron’s.
Starscream transformed midair landing on his pedes where Nova had landed. He breathed heavily calling out "Nova!! NOVA!!"
Nova looked over and croaked out as loud as she could. "Dad-"
Starscream’s optics lock onto her. He ran over in panic, kneeling at her side and wrapping his arms around her. He took in the state of her wounds, his spark sank and he could barely breathe. "Oh Primus I’m sorry-" he choked out, holding her close "Nova I'm so sorry I couldn't stop it-"
Nova's optics were cloudy with tears as she felt her father hold her close. It almost felt comforting if it weren't for the shooting pain that racked her body. She hissed out grabbing what was left of her arm, her frame shivering heavily as she bit back tears "Agh-!! Frag- it hurts!!" She squirmed a bit, unable to stay still as she writhed in pain.
“It's okay, It's going to be okay I'll get you back to base just hold on!” Starscream held her tight, preparing to stand when he heard the sound of a transformation and landing outside. Footsteps approached and entered the building.
"Such a shame." Megatron sneered, enjoying the sight of the Seeker he despised the most and his spawn in pain and anguish. "You seekers are so easy to destroy."
Starscream rose his head meeting his former leader's gaze. He grits his denta feeling a searing bubbling hate grow inside him. “You…” his grip on Nova tightened protectively. “Why… even after all these years.. you're still hellbent on destroying everything I have!!”
Megatron smirked, stepping closer with his fusion cannon humming to life. “Did you truly believe you'd be gone from me so easily? You do not deserve any lineage to go on from. Your cowardice, your treachery, it's a stain to Cybertron itself… and I will eradicate it.”
Starscream's vents heaved. What would usually be fear was now blinded by hatred and fury. He gently moved Nova against the wall, standing between her and Megatron.
“What's this..? No running? No cowering? No pleading for forgiveness?” Megatron couldn't help but chuckle as the Starscream's wings flared defensively.
“You will not touch her.” Starscream Spat.
“How amusing,” Megatron said “and you think you can stop me?”
Starscream didn't think. He acted. With a shriek of fury, he lunged, claws outstretched as his pede blasters activated, aiming to rip out Megatron's throat. Megatron barely flinched, backhanding Starscream in the face causing him to be punched back onto the ground. But Starscream did not stay down this time. He got up fast, charging at him again fueled by anger, fueled by his need to protect what was most important to him.
But Megatron was stronger. He caught Starscream mid-lunge, gripping his wrist and twisting it painfully making Starscream cry out in pain as he clawed Megatron's arm with the other servo.
Megatron swung Starscream hard, throwing him out one of the large windows causing it to shatter, and Starscream to land outside. Starscream shivered in pain but he fought to get up, he had to get up. Even if it killed him he couldn't let Megatron have his way this time.
“You never learn do you?” Megatron stepped out towards him, pressing a pede hard against his chest causing Starscream to feel pain as his chassis bent inward slightly from the pressure. Starscream clawed at his pede desperately, but it was hopeless.
“Pathetic.” Megatron's cannon whirred to life, charging up as he aimed it straight toward Starscream's head. “Die knowing your failure doomed her.”
Nova watched helplessly, unable to move from the pain as she cried out.
“ DAD !!” Tears shed down her face screaming for Starscream, screaming for her dad.
Starscream winced preparing for the shot, but it never came. Instead, a deafening explosion sounded overhead. The clouds parted into a fiery storm as a streak of red and teal crashed into Megatron faster than anyone could see it.
Megatron was thrown back by the sheer force, his faceplate dented and burnt from the impact. He stared, glaring at the figure as she crouched in front of Starscream.
“Lay a hand on him or my daughter again.. and I'll tear you apart.” Daybreaker hissed out. Her body overflowed with flames, her claws sharp as she dug them into the ground from her landing.
Megatron's optics narrowed “Ah.. Daybreaker. I should've known you'd come.”
Daybreaker didn't hesitate. She lunged, fire spewing out of her mouth as she unleashed a torrent of flames towards him. Megatron barely had time to dodge as her claws met his armor, forcing him to step back step by step. Megatron growled out pointing his canon towards her, but Daybreaker quickly dodged back and aimed her missile towards his arm. Causing it to explode knocking him back more.
Starscream groaned, pushing himself up just as Daybreaker turned her helm to him. “Optimus called me! Get Nova and get out of here!!” she yelled out leaving no room for argument as she turned back to Megatron. “Leave him to me.”
Starscream watched as Daybreaker lunged back at Megatron, giving him the chance to scramble up and run toward Nova. Nova breathed heavily and reached out her servo to him, feeling relief he was okay. She sobbed out as Starscream wrapped his arms around her shivering frame.
“I've got you... I've got you..” Starscream whispered as he gathered Nova in his arms, pressing his helm to hers. He felt the guilt wash over him. His pride, his sparkling, how could he let this happen? He stifled a sob before he ran out, knowing he had to get out of there fast. Using his thrusters, he launches out of the battlefield with Nova in his arms.
Daybreaker turned her helm, watching them go for a fraction of a second before turning back to Megatron, a vicious grin appearing on her face as she opened her battle mask.
“You're not leaving here in one piece.”