“May your loyalty never waver again. You know what you must do.”
Deep in the heart of Cybertron was the entity known as Vector Sigma. He gave life to many transformers among the ages and also restore the life of a dead one – If their spark survived. In his cave deep in Cybertron, he slept. Only those of pure intentions could wake him from his slumber and grant the waker one wish.
For Starscream, it was to be alive again.
“I wont.”
He now had his body back, but it was only because of the sacrifice he made to try and save the planet that awoke the illustrious Vector Sigma. All other reasons were fake – a ploy of the truth. But Starscream had learnt a valuable lesson that day. He could be good. He was good.
But his chances to show his human friends this had been denied of him. From what he knew of human life, they would be long gone now. Over the five hundred years of being a ghost, he had learnt that peace was the ultimate way to live. And the fact that he himself had triggered it brought him great comfort in his days of being a shadow of his former self. He had wished and wished he could be real again – to be able to touch things and be able to see his brothers again. Finally, his wish had been fulfilled, as he stood there in Vector Sigma’s cave, proud and aloof, looking over himself. He was just like he was before. Ahh, it felt good to be real again.
“Before you go, I would like to give you something.”
Starscream waited, and then gasped as his form glowed yellow. He felt himself get another energy put inside of him, and then saw a patch of yellow appear on his shoulder.
“What was that?!” He exclaimed as the glow ceased.
“Something from planet Elementus. They gave me that one power to give to you. They know everything that goes on, and they knew that you were going to be resurrected. Go now, I need to recharge.” The monitor in the wall said, and the light from it faded to darkness.
Starscream turned and started flying up the shaft that led to the cave in the first place. He thought about his new power, but then the happiness of being back overrided such thoughts.
“New Ones, your day has come. For I am back!”
Laughing in a burst of joy that finally hit at that moment, he transformed into his jet mode and flew. Just flew; savouring the freedom he had longed for for so long …

***

Clutching his head in pain, Optimus fell to his knees. Not only had Magnus’s dream hurt him, but also the assault on his mind was more than he could take. Magnus had mastered his element perfectly, he could see that. He was strong without the element before, but now he was like a demigod.
“A demigod?” Magnus mused, reading his thoughts. “Flattery will get you nowhere.”
Optimus regained his composure as he heard Magnus walk up to him. He felt so terrible for what he must’ve done to him, but what could he do?
“Nothing.” Magnus spat.
“Stop reading my mind, Magnus.” Optimus said and stood up.
“Oh? And what are you going to do about it?” Magnus mocked. “You can’t even use your element, let alone control it.”
Optimus glared at him, and knew Magnus had won.
Magnus turned and started walking away, saying as he did, “We need to keep moving.”
They transformed and headed to the next city: Technico

***

“Yaaaa!”
Clash!
“Grrrrrrr!”
Bang!
“Haaaayiiiaaaaaaaa!”
BOOM!

Medivo was flung backwards by Razorblast’s wind sword. The two bots were a bit rusty on the fighting aspect and decided to train a bit in the meantime. No one knew when the next attack would be, so it was a wise move to train up.
Electrica watched the two boys spar. She wasn’t efficient in combat with guns, but she had a little bit of skill with a sword. The trouble was, she had never found a teacher to teach her the finer points of sword fighting. Optimus had once told her that if he were to ever come back as someone good, he would be able to teach her.
But she doubted that Starscream would ever come back, much less as someone good.
Oh what she didn’t know …

***

“What the?!”
Red Alert turned around to see the source of the outburst. Soundwave was staring at one of the monitors with a look of complete shock on his face.
“What is the problem?” Scavenger said as he walked over, along with Jetfire, Hotshot, Sideswipe and Hoist.
Soundwave pointed to the screen. It was a shot of the sky outside with a very familiar jet soaring towards them.
“I cant be …” Scavenger whispered.
“Starscream?!”

***

Using the map that Vector Sigma had given him, Starscream made his way to the Rebel base. He didn’t know why he was obeying Vector Sigma, but he knew that it was right somehow. Besides, he didn’t want to be used and abused by the New Ones anyway. So what was the harm in helping out a few old friends? Heh. This should be interesting …
He started to descend towards the topside. The hatch of what looked like an entrance started to open for him to go in. So, he entered.

***

“Was it really wise to admit him?” Flare said to Scavenger. They watched as the red and silver jet soared inside the base and down the entrance shaft.
“Maybe not, but how would he know where our base is?” Scavenger replied. “No one’s seen Starscream for over the 500 year peace period. It seems odd that he would just appear so and then come straight to us.”
“You don’t think – not Vector Sigma?” Jetfire said from below.
“It’s possible that that is indeed the case.”
“Here he comes!” Red Alert said as they heard the growing roar of a jet engine coming though the shaft entrance.
They waited in adhesive silence. Slowly, they heard the jet engines turn off, and the door opened. Inside was Starscream, still in jet mode, waiting just a little nervous about what they would do.
“Transform solider.” Scavenger commanded.
The jet seemed to pause, then transform to his robot mode. The room gasped. It was Starscream!
He looked just the same as ever. His red and silver colour scheme shining like always, red optics and a wing for a sword. The only thing different about his former appearance was a yellow patch on his shoulder.
“S – Starscream?!” Jetfire stuttered.
“That’s right.” He replied in a smug tone. His voice was still the same also. “I’m back!”
“And with an extra power too.” Flare said, looking over at the jet.
Starscream looked up at her, shocked. “How did you know that?”
“You have an elemental mark, that’s why.” She said and pointed at his shoulder.
The occupants in the room all glanced at his shoulder. Standing out clearly was a bright yellow mark. It had no shape, like a blot of paint splashed there with no want for a shape by the painter.
“You …” Scavenger said slowly.
“I guess the power suited me - according to Vector Sigma.” Starscream stated.
“So you did get resurrected by Vector!” Jetfire cried triumphantly.
“Mmhmm.” Starscream nodded. “And for some reason he had this power for me.”
Just then, the door to the left of the room opened. In came Medivo, Razorblast and Electrica. They stopped dead in their tracks when they spotted Starscream.
“S … Starscream?!” Electrica gasped. She thought that he was dead! Although she had only seen a picture of him and video’s of his combat abilities Optimus had shown her, she was still openly shocked to see the once second in command of the Decepticons standing there – in the metal.
Starscream turned to them, and noticed the look of shock on the femme’s face. What was so shocking about him?!
Oh wait Starscream thought dolefully. Dead bot come alive again with a strange power he has no idea what it is. Yeah, I can see how that would be shocking.
But … she seemed familiar somehow … like he had met her before …
“Enough standing around.” Scavenger’s voice broke the ice that had frosted over the area. “Starscream, welcome to the Rebel base. I’ll have someone lead you to a spare room. I’m guessing you know what’s been going on?”
“Right.” Was all he said.
“Hotshot, you can lead him there.” Scavenger ordered. “Everyone, resume your work.”
The workplace returned to order. Hotshot, who had been standing there the whole time with Jetfire and the others, was now snapped out of his daze at seeing his rival again.

***

“So Starscream,” Hotshot started as he led the former decepticon to a spare room. At the moment, they were walking along a corridor to the mechs rooms. “What have you been doin’ all of these years?”
The question was friendly enough, but Starscream still had awkwardness in answering personal questions. Especially to mechs that were once targets.
“Thinking mostly …” Starscream answered slowly, then smirked. “Not much I can do as a ghost is there?”
The intended joke was successful as Hotshot laughed. Maybe 500 years of learning to communicate in a friendly manner had proven useful.
“Yeah that’s true.” Hotshot said as he looked over at the seeker. “But how in the world did you manage to get resurrected. I mean, …” He broke off. Starscream knew he was about to point out how he had been evil in the past. He silently thanked him for not doing so.
“Vector Sigma saw something in me I guess.” Starscream said thoughtfully. “After all, if I didn’t fight Galvatron he would’ve never formed the alliance.”
“I guess.” Hotshot replied, eager to keep talking, as Starscream seemed more willing to answer his questions. “So, do you know what element you got?”
“Element?” Starscream turned to him in puzzlement.
Hotshot laughed and motioned to the yellow spot on the seeker’s left shoulder. “Don’t you know what that mark means?”
“Not a clue.” Starscream said and they stopped walking. “Vector Sigma gave it to me, that’s all I know.”
“Hmm …” Hotshot seemed to be thinking about how to help the confused bot. He only had limited knowledge of the cloak’s and their powers, but he tried anyway. “Why don’t you just focus on it? See what that does.”
Starscream considered it, then nodded and stepped backwards. After all, if anything happened, he didn’t want to hurt him by accident. Closing his optics, he focused on the foreign power. He willed it to show itself, to do something …
Hotshot gasped as the seeker started glowing! Sparks shot off his body before a bright yellow cloak suddenly covered his form. It had holes for his wings, but otherwise completely engulfed his form.
“Starscream! Look at yourself!” Hotshot said excitedly.
The bot opened his optics and gasped. He felt something happen to him, but he couldn’t guess what. He looked at the yellow cloak covering his body, and waved it a bit to see if it was real. He then gave it a scowl and said, more to himself than anything, “I don’t think yellow suits me.”
Hotshot fell over backwards, laughing his head off at the vain comment. Starscream blinked in confusion, not knowing what had been so funny. If he had mastered the Lightning Cloak of Power, he probably would’ve zapped him.

***

Technico was a wreck. Optimus was shocked at the amount of pointless destruction that the New Ones had caused. He sat on the edge of the cliff facing the once great city, with Magnus standing next to him with his arms folded across his chest. He had made no sign that this had fazed him at all, but Optimus could tell he too was shocked to say the least. Technico was where he had gone to War Academy with Optimus; so many years back in the distant past. Technico was a mere town then, but still big enough to host the greatest school on Cybertron.
Optimus stood up and stayed silent. Ever since Magnus had showed him his dream – or memory – he didn’t want to say anything to him. He knew that nothing could repair their relationship now. Nether the less, he still had hope.

+++

The tow young mechs awed at the school in front of them. They were only 1600 years old (equivalent to 20 in human years) and they had made it to an all-star academy. Where they would learn to fight for the planet.
“This is going to be fun!”
Optimus looked over at his excited brother. Magnus had been even more excited about coming here than he was. His optics were wide with a mix of youthful awe and excitement.
“Yeah it will be!” Optimus replied, smiling under his faceplate at his brother’s excitement.
Magnus grabbed his arm and said, “C’mon Oppie! I wanna go and explore this place!”
And so, Optimus let his brother drag him to the front door and run inside, his excitement infectious as the two ran.

+++

Optimus turned to his brother. His optics were closed and his face held masked sorrow. Optimus knew that he held memories of this place too, both good and bad.
He turned and walked off without a word. Optimus followed and they transformed. The New One’s base would be their next stop.

***

Electrica was nervous.
Jetfire had come to tell her an hour ago that Starscream would train her in sword combat. She didn’t know if this was a good thing or a bad one. She had wanted to be trained by him or someone similar like his brother Thundercracker, but to see him in the metal after 500 years of being dead … it was mind-boggling.
Hotshot had told her not to ask him too many questions, as he didn’t like it much. But it was very hard. She had never had more questions for someone in her life. What was it like to be dead? Being the main one, but she held herself back as he entered the room.
They were in the abruptly named ‘training room’. It was long and rectangular, with various bits of training equipment scattered about. It was nighttime outside, and there was an approaching storm. She didn’t know how this was going to go …
“Um … hi Starscream.” Electrica greeted her teacher nervously.
“Electrica, isn’t it?” He replied, in a way of greeting.
“Yeah.” She said softly.
Starscream walked further into the room, the lights making his new body shine a bit. “Well, Scavenger asked me to train you, so we may as well get started.” He said and stopped a few metres away. “So, do you have any experience in sword fighting?”
“O-only a little.” The femme said nervously.
He sighed. “Well, the first thing you need to do is calm down. I’m not going to hurt you … on purpose.”
She flushed and he smirked. He shot him a slight glare but took his words in, and calmed down.
“Good, now. Where is your sword?” He asked.
She started, and reached back to withdraw it from her back. It was slim and very strong looking, flexible but durable.
Starscream moved forwards and she handed it to him. He looked over it and swung it a couple of times to test it. He told her that they were set.
“W-wait! We can’t fight yet!” She protested.
“You want to learn don’t you?” He smirked at her, and formed his glowing blade. “Now its time to show you some moves.”

***

Electrica was on the floor for the millionth time. Starscream swished his sword down and sighed. The femme had improved quite a bit over the past four hours, but he could still take her down with a well-placed strike to her side. He didn’t know if he should give up and tell Scavenger to forget it, or to keep going with it. There was something about this femme that made him very unnerved; from the things she said to the way she acted, at all seemed so familiar.
“Can’t you go a bit easier?” She muttered when she stood up and held her sword ready. One of her legs was damaged, although he hadn’t meant to do it.
“I am going easy.” Starscream said, folding his arms.
“You are arrogant!” She growled, “I’m not as good as you are you know!” and she immediately wished she hadn’t said it, because Starscream’s optics darkened slightly in anger.
“What?” He said lowly, and she immediately backed away, straight into a wall. She flattened herself against it as he strode over to her, looking slightly sinister.
She closed her optics and turned her head away, waiting for the blow to fall.
But it didn’t come. She looked up.
If anything could’ve surprised her more, it was that Starscream looked completely unnerved by something.
“What?” She whispered.
He shook his head from side to side slowly and said, “Your just … so familiar, somehow.”
She gazed at him, at a loss of what to say. She stood up straight to face him though, now she was sure he wasn’t going to hurt her.
He shook his head again, “I just don’t know why.”
She couldn’t know why she was familiar to him. After all, she was activated during the peace period and he was dead then, so how?
He sighed and said, “forget it, lets continue.”
“Right.” She said, still slightly nervous.
“And,” He grinned at her in a smirk, “I’m going to go even harder on you for that remark!”
“Wha?!” she cried but had no chance to add to it as her ‘teacher’ attacked.

***

“My lord, the fuel has been delivered.”
The leader was sitting in his chair again, not facing his underling.
“Good. We can proceed with making the shells.”
“Yes sir!”
The leader then told his underling to leave. He needed to contact someone important …

***

“Star – scream – I – can’t – keep – up!” Electrica blocked and blocked the red seeker’s moves. They had been training for another 2 hours, and it was approaching midnight. Scavenger had come in to tell them to get some recharge soon, or they would get wasted in the next battle.
Electrica collapsed and said, “I’m way too tired to keep this up …”
“Funny,” Her teacher said as he replaced his sword as his wing. “I never saw you as a quitter.”
“I’m not a quitter, I’m a realist.” Electrica replied. “I’m gonna collapse soon if I don’t get any recharge.”
Starscream hmed and crossed his arms. “Fine. We’ll continue in the morning.”
Electrica sighed in relief and went straight offline. Starscream stared at her, then chuckled and picked her up, knowing somehow that this is what she wanted him to do.
As if agreeing to his thoughts, Electrica grinned in her sleep.