The Ties That Bind Us (Part 1 of 5)
Title: The Ties That Bind Us (Part 1 of 5)
Verse: TFA, Future AU
Rating: PG
Series: Part 2, Part 3
Characters/Pairings:Megatron, Blitzwing, Lugnut, Shockwave, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Jazz, Bulkhead, Jetfire, Jetstorm; ??x?? Future Pairing
Word Count: 1,957
Warnings: None
Summary: Always connected, but never together. What is it that binds them? When Megatron captures a ship of familiar Autobots, connections are revealed and choices are made.
Notes: For odd_stick. This was supposed to be a drabble, but it became a 5 chapter monster. Part 2 is on its way!
The Nemesis was quiet, an almost echoing lack of sound that was only disturbed by the soft, hopeless marching of pedes. The dim lights flickered, an addition that was purposely installed to add to the despairing ambiance of the hallway.
“Optimus Prime, you knew I had escaped yet you seem so surprised to see me,” Megatron drawled, taking a step out of the darkness to loom over the Autobot, bent over him for effect. “Why? Did you not think I would seek you out?”
The Prime’s optics darkened, narrowing to slits in a burning glare. He gave no vocal response.
Megatron smiled, long and slow. “I have long dreamt of having you in my grasp again. You and your teammates,” he said, glancing along the line behind the Prime. “Finally, you can suffer as I did in the Autobot Stockades.”
Optimus straightened, the action somehow managing to make him look strong and proud, despite the vocal inhibitor wrapped around his face and the stasis cuffs keeping his arms locked in place behind him. He almost looked in control of the situation. Almost.
Megatron chuckled lowly, standing up to his full height once more. His optics radiated a devilish aura. “How noble,” he mused. “Take them to their cells. Make sure that they are made comfortable.”
Both Lugnut and Shockwave bowed forward at the same time.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Yes, my liege.”
For a brief moment, their optics locked, and then each looked away with a huff. Their petty rivalry had yet to fade.
Dutifully bowing to his master, Shockwave turned and took his place at the lead of the line of prisoners. He gave the Prime a rough shove, forcing his toward the brig.
Looking put off by being second, Lugnut bowed as well before taking up the rear, forcing a restrained Bulkhead, the last in the group, to move forward.
Blitzwing stood, face impassive and looking rather like a guard, beside the door as the Autobots were led past in succession. Optimus, firm and unyielding, went first, followed by Ratchet, looking no more or less irritable than usual. Bumblebee followed him, looking lost between fear and determination. Although, it was only the next three in line that caught the triple-changer’s interest. The ninja-bot, Jazz, walked in front of him. The white mech gave no outward sign of emotion, but his optics locked hard on Blitzwing’s as he passed. He was followed by Jetfire and Jetstorm. The flying Autobots slumped in their walks, optics darting between the floor and Blitzwing. It was rather unsettling. Of course, when Bulkhead, the last in line, lumbered forward he paid little attention to him.
When Lugnut moved past after the prisoners, Megatron followed and Blitzwing hurriedly took up the place beside his leader, remaining in a contemplative silence. It only seemed to add to the horribly depressing atmosphere that surrounded the hallway. But of course, beneath this outward quiet, his other selves raged.
“-Ohhh! How exciting!-”
“-Finally, those Autobots will pay for what they did to us!-”
“-Indeed, it seems all of them will pay.-”
The comment, though seemingly harmless, implied consequences so devastating, it had the two lesser selves quieting. Neither had thought of the consequences of this situation in that light. It was… Horrifying almost.
Then, almost hesitantly, Hothead spoke again. “-Then we should take the situation into our own hands.-”
“-That would be fun!-” Random cackled, though there seemed to be an almost desperate edge in his voice.
“-We may be able to.-” Icy noted.
“Blitzwing.”
The triple-changer raised his head at the sound of his name, looking up at his leader. “My lord?”
“You are thinking,” Megatron rumbled, looking down on him with an almost disturbing interest. “Your face was shifting.”
“It’s a rare thing!” Blitzwing cackled, his face twisting from his calm demeanor.
“Quite,” Megatron replied, hardly looking pleased by the input of the mech’s less agreeable time. “Dare I ask what is on that sectioned processor of yours?”
“I am wondering about the handling of the Autobot scum!” This time, his voice turned harsh, his face plating red in coloring.
“You will find out tomorrow,” the Decepticon leader said. “I want to let them stew in their own terror tonight.”
“They will remain in their cells then?”
“Yes.”
In front of them, Shockwave had reached the brig. A code was tapped into the keypad and the cell door opened. The Decepticon spy picked Optimus Prime up by one arm, tossing him unceremoniously into the unpadded, undecorated, highly armored cell. In turn, the same happened to each Autobot, the doors slamming shut with an echoing clang after them.
Megatron stepped through the brig, crimson optics peering in on each prisoner as he passed by. “Enjoy your time in these cells,” he said, pausing to watch Optimus, who despite the awkward position he’d fallen into, held onto that proud look. “Tomorrow, you will be missing them.” With that, he gave a final nod and began to move from the room.
Blitzwing started forward, intent on following him, but before he’d barely taken two steps, he heard a soft thud next to him and he paused.
“Ohhh~!” That looks comfortable!” he said gleefully.
Jazz, laying in his cell and twisted onto his side, had kicked the glass wall of his cell. The movement appeared to have only contorted the position to make it all the more awkward. His visored optics bore into Blitzwing’s, projecting a fierce look despite the covering.
“What do you want?! I don’t have the time for this slag!” Blitzwing snapped down at the Autobot. By sheer force of will, he clamped down on the curiosity surging through his systems at the summons.
Jazz was unable to give a vocal response thanks to the inhibitor across his mouth and for a moment, he looked almost as if he wouldn’t respond at all. Then, the faintest of movements, Jazz’s optics darted to the left behind his visor, towards the wall. Hardly anything, but it the intent was clear.
Blitzwing’s face shifted back into his icy persona. The message was understood. He nodded, and then followed after Megatron.
“My lord,” he called, jogging to catch up, his heavy footfalls echoing in the hallway. “I have a request.”
Megatron turned slightly, optics darting back, not slowling in his walk. “Speak.”
“Would you allow me to take a prisoner or two?” Blitzwing asked. His face shifted then. “Two! Definitely two! Can’t have one without the other!” he cackled. Another shift, this time his voice was angry, a facade. “I will crush them! They can’t keep secrets for long!”
Now, Megatron stopped, turning to face his subordinate fully. “I want our prisoners whole for the time being,” he reminded him. “But if you can pry something out of them without cracking their plating, I will allow it.” A pause and a grim smile spread across his lips. “You mean to take the twins, I assume?”
“Of course! Twins are so cute and are the most fun of any!”
Megatron waved a hand before the crazy side of his soldier got out of hand. “Do what you will to break their spirits then, but mind their weak little bodies.”
Another shift and Blitzwing replied, “Of course, my lord.”
“Also… Take special care to make sure that the Autobot leader sees his youngest being taken from him.” Megatron said. His optics gave a brief, eerie flash as he turned again and began his walk down the hall.
Blitzwing watched his leader for several moments, beating down the elated feeling that came from his words. As soon as Megatron disappeared through a doorway leaping to the control room and was out of sight, the triple changer moved back toward the area of occupied cells in the brig.
Of course, Lugnut approached him at the same time. “What is it you want with those Autobots?” he demanded.
“Get out of my way you oversparked fragger!” Blitzwing snapped at him, forcing the larger mech out of his way. “I have permission from Megatron; I don’t need to answer to you!”
Lugnut growled and raised one clumsy fist. His hulking jaw opened to protest, but before he could provide a retort, a clawed hand was suddenly thrust in his face, forcing the words to die in his vocalizer.
“Do not question Lord Megatron’s orders,” Shockwave told him coolly, removing his hand after a moment to key in the code to the two cells containing Jetfire and Jetstorm.
“I would never question Lord Megatron’s orders!” Lugnut shot back.
Shockwave only scoffed and moved back from the cells as both of the containing walls were raised.
Blitzwing stepped into the nearest one, giving Shockwave an almost sympathetic look as he passed.
Beneath him, the orange one, Jetfire, peered at him with wide optics. His surprise was hardly unusual. It wasn’t exactly normal, or calming, to have a triple-changer suddenly taking up the remaning space in your cell. Thankfully though, he made no move of resistance when he was picked up and slung across Blitzwing's shoulder.
In the neighboring cell, the scene was nearly the same. Jetstorm allowed himself to be collected from the floor and then be tucked loosely under one arm.
“They better be back before morning,” Lugnut snapped as the triple changer emerged.
“Or when Megatron commands it,” Shockwave replied absently, pinning the massive flier with a glowering red optic.
“Stay out of this, spy!” Lugnut shot back.
“Bahahaha… I’ll just be leaving while you two lovers fight~!” Blitzwing cackled before beating a hasty retreat out of the brig with his cargo.
Thankfully, neither of the two pursued him down the hallway immediately and while there was a possibility they might still trail after him, that wasn’t why he increased his pace. His three personalities, usually warring, remained quiet.
Just as well, the twins were motionless. Neither tried to move or speak. He supposed that they were probably seized by the same apprehension as he was.
Luckily, it took only a short time for Blitzwing to reach his private room. The door slid open without much only a short code and he stepped inside.
The room, though well lived-in and organized, held an air of confusion to it. Judging by the orientation of everything, its owner was well acquainted with data pads, weapons, and piles of random junk. It seemed each part of him had different thoughts on home decorating.
Jetstorm shifted slightly in his arm, peering up at the larger flier as the door was shut and locked behind them.
“It has been too long since we last met,” Blitzwing noted, moving toward the back of the room. He set each of the bound twins on the large berth, grinning down at them.
The twins exchanged a look.
“I’ve missed you so much~!” Blitzing cackled then, dropping forward to suddenly crush the confused jets to his chest.
Jetfire squirmed and tried to speak, but just as it should, the sound came out low and muffled against the plate covering his face.
Blitzwing dropped the two back on the berth, head tilting slightly. “Ohhhh~! Those aren’t any fun!” he exclaimed, grinning as he leaned back over the two. One by one, stasis cuffs and vocal inhibitors were dropped to the floor as the Decepticon’s eager fingers removed them.
Silently then, Blitzwing stepped back again, watching the two with steady crimson optics.
The twins looked at each other briefly, rubbing their wrists. Then they turned back to the triple changer, a steady, but unsure look in their optics.
Suddenly, they shot up from the berth, simultaneously wrapping their arms around the Decepticon’s waist.
With no hesitation nor surprise, Blitzwing’s arms circled around them as well, silently drawing them closer to him.
It really had been too long…
Verse: TFA, Future AU
Rating: PG
Series: Part 2, Part 3
Characters/Pairings:Megatron, Blitzwing, Lugnut, Shockwave, Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Jazz, Bulkhead, Jetfire, Jetstorm; ??x?? Future Pairing
Word Count: 1,957
Warnings: None
Summary: Always connected, but never together. What is it that binds them? When Megatron captures a ship of familiar Autobots, connections are revealed and choices are made.
Notes: For odd_stick. This was supposed to be a drabble, but it became a 5 chapter monster. Part 2 is on its way!
The Nemesis was quiet, an almost echoing lack of sound that was only disturbed by the soft, hopeless marching of pedes. The dim lights flickered, an addition that was purposely installed to add to the despairing ambiance of the hallway.
“Optimus Prime, you knew I had escaped yet you seem so surprised to see me,” Megatron drawled, taking a step out of the darkness to loom over the Autobot, bent over him for effect. “Why? Did you not think I would seek you out?”
The Prime’s optics darkened, narrowing to slits in a burning glare. He gave no vocal response.
Megatron smiled, long and slow. “I have long dreamt of having you in my grasp again. You and your teammates,” he said, glancing along the line behind the Prime. “Finally, you can suffer as I did in the Autobot Stockades.”
Optimus straightened, the action somehow managing to make him look strong and proud, despite the vocal inhibitor wrapped around his face and the stasis cuffs keeping his arms locked in place behind him. He almost looked in control of the situation. Almost.
Megatron chuckled lowly, standing up to his full height once more. His optics radiated a devilish aura. “How noble,” he mused. “Take them to their cells. Make sure that they are made comfortable.”
Both Lugnut and Shockwave bowed forward at the same time.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Yes, my liege.”
For a brief moment, their optics locked, and then each looked away with a huff. Their petty rivalry had yet to fade.
Dutifully bowing to his master, Shockwave turned and took his place at the lead of the line of prisoners. He gave the Prime a rough shove, forcing his toward the brig.
Looking put off by being second, Lugnut bowed as well before taking up the rear, forcing a restrained Bulkhead, the last in the group, to move forward.
Blitzwing stood, face impassive and looking rather like a guard, beside the door as the Autobots were led past in succession. Optimus, firm and unyielding, went first, followed by Ratchet, looking no more or less irritable than usual. Bumblebee followed him, looking lost between fear and determination. Although, it was only the next three in line that caught the triple-changer’s interest. The ninja-bot, Jazz, walked in front of him. The white mech gave no outward sign of emotion, but his optics locked hard on Blitzwing’s as he passed. He was followed by Jetfire and Jetstorm. The flying Autobots slumped in their walks, optics darting between the floor and Blitzwing. It was rather unsettling. Of course, when Bulkhead, the last in line, lumbered forward he paid little attention to him.
When Lugnut moved past after the prisoners, Megatron followed and Blitzwing hurriedly took up the place beside his leader, remaining in a contemplative silence. It only seemed to add to the horribly depressing atmosphere that surrounded the hallway. But of course, beneath this outward quiet, his other selves raged.
“-Ohhh! How exciting!-”
“-Finally, those Autobots will pay for what they did to us!-”
“-Indeed, it seems all of them will pay.-”
The comment, though seemingly harmless, implied consequences so devastating, it had the two lesser selves quieting. Neither had thought of the consequences of this situation in that light. It was… Horrifying almost.
Then, almost hesitantly, Hothead spoke again. “-Then we should take the situation into our own hands.-”
“-That would be fun!-” Random cackled, though there seemed to be an almost desperate edge in his voice.
“-We may be able to.-” Icy noted.
“Blitzwing.”
The triple-changer raised his head at the sound of his name, looking up at his leader. “My lord?”
“You are thinking,” Megatron rumbled, looking down on him with an almost disturbing interest. “Your face was shifting.”
“It’s a rare thing!” Blitzwing cackled, his face twisting from his calm demeanor.
“Quite,” Megatron replied, hardly looking pleased by the input of the mech’s less agreeable time. “Dare I ask what is on that sectioned processor of yours?”
“I am wondering about the handling of the Autobot scum!” This time, his voice turned harsh, his face plating red in coloring.
“You will find out tomorrow,” the Decepticon leader said. “I want to let them stew in their own terror tonight.”
“They will remain in their cells then?”
“Yes.”
In front of them, Shockwave had reached the brig. A code was tapped into the keypad and the cell door opened. The Decepticon spy picked Optimus Prime up by one arm, tossing him unceremoniously into the unpadded, undecorated, highly armored cell. In turn, the same happened to each Autobot, the doors slamming shut with an echoing clang after them.
Megatron stepped through the brig, crimson optics peering in on each prisoner as he passed by. “Enjoy your time in these cells,” he said, pausing to watch Optimus, who despite the awkward position he’d fallen into, held onto that proud look. “Tomorrow, you will be missing them.” With that, he gave a final nod and began to move from the room.
Blitzwing started forward, intent on following him, but before he’d barely taken two steps, he heard a soft thud next to him and he paused.
“Ohhh~!” That looks comfortable!” he said gleefully.
Jazz, laying in his cell and twisted onto his side, had kicked the glass wall of his cell. The movement appeared to have only contorted the position to make it all the more awkward. His visored optics bore into Blitzwing’s, projecting a fierce look despite the covering.
“What do you want?! I don’t have the time for this slag!” Blitzwing snapped down at the Autobot. By sheer force of will, he clamped down on the curiosity surging through his systems at the summons.
Jazz was unable to give a vocal response thanks to the inhibitor across his mouth and for a moment, he looked almost as if he wouldn’t respond at all. Then, the faintest of movements, Jazz’s optics darted to the left behind his visor, towards the wall. Hardly anything, but it the intent was clear.
Blitzwing’s face shifted back into his icy persona. The message was understood. He nodded, and then followed after Megatron.
“My lord,” he called, jogging to catch up, his heavy footfalls echoing in the hallway. “I have a request.”
Megatron turned slightly, optics darting back, not slowling in his walk. “Speak.”
“Would you allow me to take a prisoner or two?” Blitzwing asked. His face shifted then. “Two! Definitely two! Can’t have one without the other!” he cackled. Another shift, this time his voice was angry, a facade. “I will crush them! They can’t keep secrets for long!”
Now, Megatron stopped, turning to face his subordinate fully. “I want our prisoners whole for the time being,” he reminded him. “But if you can pry something out of them without cracking their plating, I will allow it.” A pause and a grim smile spread across his lips. “You mean to take the twins, I assume?”
“Of course! Twins are so cute and are the most fun of any!”
Megatron waved a hand before the crazy side of his soldier got out of hand. “Do what you will to break their spirits then, but mind their weak little bodies.”
Another shift and Blitzwing replied, “Of course, my lord.”
“Also… Take special care to make sure that the Autobot leader sees his youngest being taken from him.” Megatron said. His optics gave a brief, eerie flash as he turned again and began his walk down the hall.
Blitzwing watched his leader for several moments, beating down the elated feeling that came from his words. As soon as Megatron disappeared through a doorway leaping to the control room and was out of sight, the triple changer moved back toward the area of occupied cells in the brig.
Of course, Lugnut approached him at the same time. “What is it you want with those Autobots?” he demanded.
“Get out of my way you oversparked fragger!” Blitzwing snapped at him, forcing the larger mech out of his way. “I have permission from Megatron; I don’t need to answer to you!”
Lugnut growled and raised one clumsy fist. His hulking jaw opened to protest, but before he could provide a retort, a clawed hand was suddenly thrust in his face, forcing the words to die in his vocalizer.
“Do not question Lord Megatron’s orders,” Shockwave told him coolly, removing his hand after a moment to key in the code to the two cells containing Jetfire and Jetstorm.
“I would never question Lord Megatron’s orders!” Lugnut shot back.
Shockwave only scoffed and moved back from the cells as both of the containing walls were raised.
Blitzwing stepped into the nearest one, giving Shockwave an almost sympathetic look as he passed.
Beneath him, the orange one, Jetfire, peered at him with wide optics. His surprise was hardly unusual. It wasn’t exactly normal, or calming, to have a triple-changer suddenly taking up the remaning space in your cell. Thankfully though, he made no move of resistance when he was picked up and slung across Blitzwing's shoulder.
In the neighboring cell, the scene was nearly the same. Jetstorm allowed himself to be collected from the floor and then be tucked loosely under one arm.
“They better be back before morning,” Lugnut snapped as the triple changer emerged.
“Or when Megatron commands it,” Shockwave replied absently, pinning the massive flier with a glowering red optic.
“Stay out of this, spy!” Lugnut shot back.
“Bahahaha… I’ll just be leaving while you two lovers fight~!” Blitzwing cackled before beating a hasty retreat out of the brig with his cargo.
Thankfully, neither of the two pursued him down the hallway immediately and while there was a possibility they might still trail after him, that wasn’t why he increased his pace. His three personalities, usually warring, remained quiet.
Just as well, the twins were motionless. Neither tried to move or speak. He supposed that they were probably seized by the same apprehension as he was.
Luckily, it took only a short time for Blitzwing to reach his private room. The door slid open without much only a short code and he stepped inside.
The room, though well lived-in and organized, held an air of confusion to it. Judging by the orientation of everything, its owner was well acquainted with data pads, weapons, and piles of random junk. It seemed each part of him had different thoughts on home decorating.
Jetstorm shifted slightly in his arm, peering up at the larger flier as the door was shut and locked behind them.
“It has been too long since we last met,” Blitzwing noted, moving toward the back of the room. He set each of the bound twins on the large berth, grinning down at them.
The twins exchanged a look.
“I’ve missed you so much~!” Blitzing cackled then, dropping forward to suddenly crush the confused jets to his chest.
Jetfire squirmed and tried to speak, but just as it should, the sound came out low and muffled against the plate covering his face.
Blitzwing dropped the two back on the berth, head tilting slightly. “Ohhhh~! Those aren’t any fun!” he exclaimed, grinning as he leaned back over the two. One by one, stasis cuffs and vocal inhibitors were dropped to the floor as the Decepticon’s eager fingers removed them.
Silently then, Blitzwing stepped back again, watching the two with steady crimson optics.
The twins looked at each other briefly, rubbing their wrists. Then they turned back to the triple changer, a steady, but unsure look in their optics.
Suddenly, they shot up from the berth, simultaneously wrapping their arms around the Decepticon’s waist.
With no hesitation nor surprise, Blitzwing’s arms circled around them as well, silently drawing them closer to him.
It really had been too long…