#fantasyformers

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Sparks flew to the cold, rocky ground with each collision - the sound resonating throughout the cavern. Megatron, his servos grasped tightly around Starscream’s helm, slammed the seeker repeatedly into near-unconsciousness. Starscream scowled as he looked to his supposed ‘team’, quietly watching as energon pooled beneath his helm. Megatron’s voice boomed, berating the red wyvern in front of everyone. He gave up fighting back long ago, and resigned to… this.

Starscream drowned out Megatron’s voice as he waited to be thrown to the ground one more time, unable to move. He waited. Everyone watched him. He looked to Skywarp and Thundercracker, who winced with each clash. Thundercracker couldn’t even look at the scene, while Skywarp crossed his arms, his wings tense behind him. Starscream understood their hesitance, he would be doing the same - but the lack of action constricted in his chassis like a twisting dagger.

“Do you understand, Starscream?” Megatron snarled, dragging Starscream’s helm up to his own. “You cannot best me in our realm, this realm, or any other realm. Understood?”

Starscream snarled once more before Megatron threw him to the ground, turning his back as he walked further into the cave.

“Don’t bother with fixing him, Knockout. I’ll have him scar.”

While the other Decepticons walked past Starscream, who convulsed and quivered on the ground, Skywarp and Thundercracker stopped.

“I’m sorry, Starscream.” Thundercracker knelt down, holding his servo to his trinemate.

Starscream’s optics shook as he glanced at Thundercracker’s servo, then to his face.

“I don’t… need your… pity…” he spat, curling his knees to his chassis.

The blue seeker turned to Skywarp, who was uncharacteristically quiet. He simply looked down at Starscream, his arms still crossed.

“Screamer, you… you have to learn your place,” Skywarp chuckled half-heartedly. “Your desire to rule is washed up. Give it up already.”

Starscream rose slowly, gripping his arm tightly as he stared up at his trinemates.

“You both know well that I… I will be a better leader than him.” he hissed, limping towards the cave entrance. “I am the true ruler of the Decepticons.”

Skywarp and Thundercracker traded tired looks, but when they went to look at Starscream again, he was gone. They rushed to the cave entrance, watching as Starscream’s wyvern form flew erratically through the sky. Thundercracker began running forward, but Skywarp caught him by the wing.

“Ow! Hey!”

“He’ll come back, he always does. He just needs time to throw a tantrum.” Skywarp laughed as he released Thundercracker’s wing, causing him to stumble backwards.

“I just…”

“You worry too much.” Skywarp threw his arm over Thundercracker’s shoulder, leading him back into the cave.

With the arrival of the other Autobots, the construction of the fortress was finished within days. The elderly women of the village even dedicated their time to make blankets and tapestries to decorate the fortress interior, providing a warm, familial touch within the oversized building.

“What will you do now?” you asked Optimus, who was sitting uncomfortably at a crudely-made, oversized table - still severely undersized for one such as him.

“We will search for energon,” the titan shifted in his chair, “I will have Jazz and Prowl go out to scope any deposits or other sources.”

“What does energon look like?”

“It naturally forms as pink crystals.”

“Pink crystals?” your brows raised, then you quickly rummaged through your satchel. You pulled out a small, pink crystal that was bound in to a silver necklace. “Like this?”

Optimus leaned over, carefully taking the pendant from you. He lifted it to his eye, inspecting it closely. “How intriguing, it seems… you already have found energon deposits. Impressive.”

“There’s a mining village nearby, you might be able to explain your situation to them.”

“It is worth a try. Thank you.” Optimus smiled as he handed the pendant back to you.

“You could even try your luck with some mages, too. There are plenty of mages and warlocks who use crystals like this for their crafts.”

“I’ll set out with Elita tomorrow, but I’ll still send Jazz and Prowl out regardless. We don’t want to take all the resources for ourselves, after all.”

“Of course.” You smiled.

Upon arriving at Ingrid's farm late in the afternoon, you realised you weren’t as tense about turning up anymore. She seemed more relaxed, more cheerful. She greeted you into her farmhouse, offering a cup of tea.

“Oh, wow,” you gasped, taking the tea from the tray as you took a sip. “Thank you!”

“Don’t get used to it,” Ingrid snapped. “This is simply a treat for bringing those giant knights into our village.”

You smiled into your cup, saving your tongue from repeating itself again.

“Once you’re done, can you make a quick trip to the forest?” Ingrid asked across the room, rummaging in one of her cabinets. “I ran out of berries for my chickens.”

“Why don't you grow any?” Your tone came off more as a criticism than a question, earning an irritated scowl from the elderly woman.

“Watch your tongue,” she snapped before continuing with a sigh. “I’ve tried cultivating them here, but something about the soil makes it impossible to grow them. I never used to have trouble heading to the woods, but my age is getting to me.”

“I would be glad.”

The golden beams dispersed through the trees in the setting sun, casting the forest in an enchanting glow. Spider webs woven between leaves were ignited like small fissures of pure light, revealing their usually hidden homes. When you focused your hearing on one birdsong, you noticed a plethora more accompanying it. As an elf - a child of the forest - you felt the closest to home than you had in over a century. You took in a deep breath, savouring the moss-perfumed air.

Deeper into the forest, just as the sun sunk below the horizon, you realised that the birds stopped singing, and what remaining daylight had been choked out by the thick foliage of the ancient woods. The trees grew taller, thicker, larger than anything you had seen even in your birthplace. Hiding in the corner of your eyes were shadows that shrunk away when you turned to meet them. Your hand absentmindedly wandered to the handle of your dagger, ready for any unsuspecting attacks from long-forgotten spirits.

Within the darkness, you swore you saw something unmoving in the shrubs and ferns. You squinted, attempting to get a better view, but froze when you saw the flicker of luminescent eyes, similar to the Autobots. However, these eyes were of a deep, bloody red.

Your grip on your dagger loosened as you approached the beast, with no reason other than curiosity. You knew it was an idiotic move, but your ancient teachings of compassion overthrew your instinct to run.

The beast shifted, rolling to its side as its eyes rolled to your position.

“Be…gone…” its voice crackled. “I’ll destroy… you…”

Your walking slowed, moving towards the giant as you would a wolf.

“Are… are you alright?” Your voice was equally as weak.

“Are you stupid?” it huffed, clutching its arm tightly.

“No…”

“Then… there’s your… answer.”

You arched your brows as the giant hissed in pain, shifting its position again, but the pain wouldn’t subside. Your eyes trailed to the forest floor, where pink fluid pooled beneath the beast. The realisation then hit you - it was the red wyvern, the same one you saw when you found Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Starscream.

“I can… I can help.” you said quietly, clenching your fists in cautious determination.

“I highly doubt that.” He laughed weakly as he propped himself onto his elbows, slipping on the energon-drenched dirt.

You swallowed your fear, and approached. Starscream scurried backwards like a frightened feline, baring his fanged teeth as he snarled. You hesitantly met his gaze, an act that you struggled with, even with those close to you. His wings lowered behind him, and his gaze softened. He stopped moving, watching you like a hawk as you approached his arm. He tensed as you hovered your hand over his gash, the sudden warmth of your magic startling him.

“What are you doing?” he hissed, his wings flaring behind him.

You focused on his energy. While Optimus’ had been docile, and Jazz’s had been energetic, this one’s was… aggressive. It seemed to flare at you, but as you tried to hone in on it, it fled. Your brow furrowed as you focused everything on catching his energy, allowing the sealing of his wound. His frame loosened, the act similar to that of a caress. He couldn’t back away, not when the warmth of the feeling was almost intoxicating.

After the gash was sealed, you stumbled back, the light from your palms still dimming.

“I suppose you… weren’t lying.” Starscream tensed up, avoiding any show of vulnerability despite what transpired. “What are you playing at?”

“Nothing… I’m not… I’m not playing at anything,” you urged, grasping your head as you grew dizzy. “I… I swear.”

Starscream’s eyes narrowed as you stumbled to the ground, curling over yourself as you tried to quell the vertigo.

Starscream’s wings tensed behind him as he looked around, trying to avoid the sight of a small, clearly overwhelmed organic convulsing before him. He then remembered why he was injured in the first place. He turned his attention to you, poking you as if to see if you were dead. His claw was sharp, but he seemed to have enough restraint to stop from piercing your skin.

“Can I…” he grumbled before continuing, “Do anything… to stop this… strange display?”

You shakily looked up at Starscream, the uncertainty in his expression comforting you in the strangest way.

“Rest…” you muttered, gathering your satchel and tucking it under your head. It wasn’t a comfortable pillow, but it was better than the uneven dirt.

“As long as I don’t have to do anything.” Starscream sat up, crossing his arms over his scaled chest.

You let out a weak, barely audible giggle before losing consciousness. Starscream begrudgingly watched over you, watching the rise and fall of your chest throughout the night. He was stuck there, anyway - his wing too damaged to fly back to the cave that the Decepticons had set up base in.

The distant hum of birdsong woke you up the next morning. You sat up slowly, looking around in a moment of confusion. Why were you there?

The shifting of steel sounding behind you startled you - you whipped your head around to see Starscream, looking down at you as he narrowed his eyes.

“Good. You’re not dead.”

You tensed up like a skittish deer, yet relief started to thaw through you.

“I remember now…” you whispered, mostly to yourself. You stood up slowly, patting off the dirt on your robes.

“Hm? Are you organics so forgetful?”

“I had magic fatigue.”

“Sounds like nonsense to me.” Starscream huffed, his wings following his movements.

You peaked over his shoulder, noticing that one of his bladed wings was crooked; broken.

“Your wing…” you pointed.

Starscream glanced back as if he hadn’t known about his injury.

“Oh, look at that,” he shrugged, “Looks like you have more work to do.”

You furrowed your brow at him, planting your hands on your hips, “I am not obligated to help you.”

“Why not?” Starscream mimicked your actions, returning the attitude with more venom.

“Because,” you knelt down, placing your hands over your lap before looking up at him. “You didn’t say please.”

Starscream let out a breathy laugh, “What?”

“I was taught that good manners get you far. I won’t heal you until you use proper manners.”

“Threats work just as well.” Starscream countered, pulling a large sword hidden within his wings.

“You’re in too deep to threaten me.” you smiled.

Starscream gritted his teeth, kneeling down before you, avoiding your gaze.

“Get it over and done with.” He grumbled.

You walked behind him, inspecting the damage. Starscream tensed up, his wings close to his back. He tightened his fists, the fear and uncertainty of what you were doing seeping through him.

“It might be easier if you lay down…”

“What? I will not be laying down before an organic!”

“Do you want to fly again?”

Starscream mumbled something in a tongue unfamiliar to you before slowly laying down on his front.

“I want you to forget all of this…” he hissed, his voice muffled by the dirt beneath him. “Please.”

You let out a small laugh, climbing onto his back. You placed yourself between his shoulder blades, your eyes tracing the line of his injured wing.

His wings were almost overwhelming up close. Like claymores stacked over each other, they appeared almost feather-like, shifting at your touch. You held out your palms, beginning the healing process.

The healing was easier this time, despite the intensity of his injury. Beneath you, you felt a soft rumble. The feeling didn’t distract you, but rather, encouraged your efforts.

“Don’t think of this as some sort of special treatment,” Starscream snarled, stifling his hums. “I just need your… assistance.”

Upon completing the healing, you slid off his back, perking the giant up onto his heels. His wings stretched out, earning a quick flap that displaced the air around him.

“Finally!” his lips curled into a wide, genuine smile.

You felt a warmth spread through your chest at the scene. He looked at you, suddenly aware of your presence. He straightened his posture, puffing his chest out proudly as he folded his wings behind him.

“I suppose you’re expecting something in return.”

“Just a ‘thank you’ would be nice.”

Starscream frowned, “Right. Thanks…”

You laughed softly, “I suppose that will have to do.”

“Yes, yes…” Starscream shifted into his wyvern form, readying for flight. He stopped, however.

“What’s wrong?” you asked, tilting your head as the wyvern’s wings stiffened.

“My thoughts are none of your business,” he snarled, shooing you with one wing. “Begone.”

You sighed before turning your back on him. Something in your chest twisted, and your stomach felt light. Magic fatigue had never affected your chest or stomach before; usually, it was just the head. You were stopped when you felt something sharp press against your back. You turned slowly, meeting with Starscream’s avoidant gaze, crouching before you.

“Take… take it!” he hissed, dropping something by your feet before shifting into a wyvern, tearing through the treetops before you could even react.