Chapter Text
“Megatron's greatest mistake was ever allowing you to live, Prime!”
Without hesitation, Starscream fires a missile at the Prime, and a large explosion follows.
The force of the explosion sends Starscream back, but he quickly maneuvers himself away from the blast, and lands on the ice with a delicate thud.
As the smoke rises, a smirk spreads across Starscream’s face. I did it. I did what the mighty Megatron couldn't. He thinks gleefully.
Through the smoke, a blue light begins to shine. Curious, Starscream creeps closer. It's then that he lays eyes on the Matrix of Leadership, which shines brilliantly.
The light draws the seeker in as he reaches out towards it, his claws brushing against the Matrix just before blinding white light fills his vision.
He stands in a chamber. He stands on what appears to be a floor made of clouds colored a pale blue, and above him are thousands of tiny, twinkling stars.
Fourteen pillars surround the seeker, each displaying a holographic figure. Starscream looks around the space, his wings pressing together tightly. “What is this? Some Autobot trick?!” He demands angrily.
“Welcome, Starscream, to the Chamber of Primes.” A voice from above booms. It's a deep, yet calm voice that strikes fear into his spark, a feeling he was all too familiar with.
“What?!”
———————
“Rise and shine, Screamer.” An annoying voice says cheerfully. The seeker slowly opens his eyes, hissing as yet another light shines into his eyes.
He swats his hand blindly. “Quit shining that in my eye, you fool!” Starscream hisses angrily. The light fades, and Knockout grins at him. “Good to know that you're still your usual grumpy self.” Knockout says.
Starscream sits up. “What happened?” He demands, rubbing his head. “I have an awful headache.” He groans. Knockout crosses his arms. “That should clear up within the next day. As for what happened… you should go see for yourself.”
Knockout points at a mirror, raising a brow. Unable to ignore his curiosity, Starscream stands, giving Knockout a bemused look.
As he approaches the mirror, his wings twitch nervously. The last thing he remembered was touching the Matrix, and a blinding light filling his vision.
Stepping up to the mirror, Starscream lets out a shriek. The sound is ear-piercing, causing Knockout to flinch. “Okay, calm down.” He says, daring to get close to Starscream, who turns on him, grabbing his face forcefully.
“What did you do to me?!” Starscream demands, his face livid. “Did you take it upon yourself to give me a makeover?!” He shouts angrily.
The seeker turns to face his reflection once more, letting go of Knockout for the time being. Starscream nervously prodded at his face, examining it, and the rest of his body closely.
His once silver frame was now colored a pure white, accented with silver stripes on the underside of each wing. Even his frame was shaped differently. Broad shoulders and slightly thicker arms and legs replaced his spindly limbs.
Starscream runs a claw along one of the thin points on the left side of his head. “Oh, Primus.” He says, drawing in a sharp breath. “I look like…”
“A prime.”
He turns towards Knockout, trembling, his horror growing. “What?” Starscream asks, his voice barely a whisper. He thinks for a moment, recalling an old passage he had once read.
“...When a Prime passes, the Matrix will present itself to someone it deems worthy. Once the new Prime is created, the Matrix is bound to them…”
Starscream looks at his reflection, his chest plates shifting open. A blue light fills the room, and two squint.
There in his chest cavity resides the Matrix, shining brilliantly. “I guess this makes you Star Prime.” Knockout says with a grin. “This isn't funny!” Starscream cries, his chest plates closing. “I have to address my troops! How can I do that, when I look like this!”
Knockout puts up his hands. “Calm down, Screamer. Just say I gave you a much needed makeover.” Knockout grins at him, looking him up and down.
Starscream crosses his arms. “Really? You don't let up, do you?” He snarls. “It's a good excuse, but I don't appreciate your comments, Knockout. I liked how I looked before.”
The cherry red mech shrugs. “Whatever you say, Screamer.” Knockout says, walking over to his desk, and begins to straighten it up.
Letting out a tired sigh, Starscream leans against the wall, his wings drooping. He looks around the room, now noticing how empty the room looked.
“Wait.” Starscream says, his voice panicked. “Where’s Megatron?” He draws in a sharp breath. Had his master awoken? Was he lying in wait to punish him?
Knockout turns and faces Starscream, “He's dead.” The cherry red mech says. “The autobot medic got in and pulled the plug on big M.” Knockout says with a grin. “Ratchet?” Starscream exclaims, shaking his head. “You're joking.”
The cherry red mech strolls over, grinning still. “I'm not. He took down Megatron. Too bad he got captured, though.” Knockout then raises a brow. “And you know what that means?” He asks.
Starscream blinks, still processing what Knockout had said. “What?” He asks, to which the cherry red mech responds by pointing a claw at him. “It means nobody can question your leadership anymore.” Knockout says with a smirk.
“Oh.” He says, not quite believing what he's hearing. A wide smirk then spreads across Starscream’s face. “Oh.” He says gleefully. “Where are you keeping the medic? I'd like to thank him for his kindness.”
Knockout crosses his arms. “In one of our holding cells. I can bring you down later, Screamer.” The cherry red mech tells him with a proud grin.
“Of course. Once I address my troops, You'll meet me down there.” Starscream says. “Sure thing, Screamer.” Knockout replies. Starscream narrows his eyes. “It is lord, to you, Knockout.” He hisses.
Starscream looks at his reflection, his wings going back. His brushes a hand against his cheek, which was smooth and warm. As if he were reading his thoughts, Knockout speaks up. “Like I said before. If they question it, just say I gave you a makeover.”
Knockout looks at Starscream, his face smug. “After all, it would be in my capabilities to do something as wonderful as that.” Starscream huffs, crossing his arms. “It's not very… Deception-like.”
The cherry red mech waves a hand dismissively. “Vehicons are idiots. They won't notice.” Knockout tells him. Starscream glares at him for a moment longer.
“...Fine.” He huffs reluctantly. “But don't you dare say a word about the Matrix.” He hisses, jabbing a claw into Knockout's chest sharply.
His claw remains where it is. Starscream lowers his voice, leaning close. “Or I'll scratch up your precious paint job so bad you won't be able to fix it.” Knockout smirks. “Whatever you say, Screamer.”
———————
Starscream looks out at the waiting crowd of Vehicon soldiers, his spark pounding in his chest. He glances to his left, where Soundwave stands, silent as ever.
Being center stage had always been a delight to him. All eyes on him, every bot listening to him, judging him…
He shakes his head. Get it together! You're in charge here. They don't matter. Starscream spreads his arms, his face mournful. “My fellow Decpticons. I have grave news to share with you all.”
Starscream sighs, drawing it out for the crowd. “It is with great sorrow that I tell you the great Megatron has been… terminated.” He says, his wings drooping.
The Vehicons look at each other, a few whispers rising in the crowd. But the whispers faded as the troopers bowed their heads, and a deafening silence filled the room.
Starscream’s eyes narrow. Fools. How could you be loyal towards someone so awful? His wings press together tightly in anger, but he quickly composes himself, his wings spreading out in a confident position.
“However, while this may be a tragic day, I also Come bearing great news. For I have slain the one they called Optimus Prime.” The seeker gloats, smirking proudly.
At once, all eyes settle on him once more. His wings rise, pressing together slightly as he resists the urge to tremble under their gazes.
At the same time, he feels a frantic desperation. You respect me now, don't you? I terminated Prime! This has to mean something to you!
The troopers remain silent. Then, a slow clapping begins. The other troopers join in, and the clapping grows louder and faster.
Starscream’s wings go up, and indescribable joy fills him. They were proud of him! They respected him! As the clapping quieted, Starscream gestured at the crowd.
“Our leader was slain by none other than the Autobot medic, Ratchet. You'll be happy to know that we're holding him prisoner, where he will be punished for his actions.”
Starscream’s expression shifts to sadness as he lowers his wings in a dramatic sort of way. “While he will be… missed, we are not without a leader. I will end this war, once and for all. I won't let anyone else get hurt.”
He stops. “Erm… I meant to say I'll end the Autobots once and for all.” The seeker stammers nervously. “And we'll… take over the Universe.” He says.
The Vehicons look at one another. In an act of desperation, Starscream raises his fist. “All hail Starscream!” He shouts. The troopers are quick to repeat the cry, the sound filling the room.
And just like that, everything is as it should be. He was Starscream. Their fearless and brave leader. He was Lord Starscream, Emperor of Destruction.
It's then that Starscream looks back at Soundwave, who stares at him, and just like that, everything is stripped away, and he's once more thrown into the unknown.
The seeker stares at his face, which is reflected in Soundwave's visor. He draws in a shuddering breath. You can handle this. Nobody ever has to know. He tells himself.
The longer Starscream stares at his reflection, the more his anxiety grows. A blue light then flashes across his eyes, causing the seeker to turn away from Soundwave.
The troopers continue to chant his name. Starscream felt as if he were falling as he listened to their cheers. He stretches his lips into a thin smile, straining to keep the smile on his face.
Everything is fine. You're Starscream. The quickest and strongest seeker to ever come out of Vos. Not a… Prime.
Right?