Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The Autobots are the enemy.

They always were the enemy.

That was what ran through the horned Decepticon’s processor. He had awoken within the Ark, on a foreign organic planet. The resurrection of the dark-cyan and orange bot was thanks to Starscream, the powerful Seeker who recently claimed leadership of the Decepticons.

And Jumpace's romantic partner.

He was quick to explain the status of their mission to Jumpace, speaking in words of violence and victory. And to the small grounder, it was like as if it was never shut down, reborn to continue endless fighting.

But upon seeing the horrific state of its fellow Decepticon, the purple Seeker Skywarp, Jumpace screamed in terror. Its dear friend was strapped to Teletraan-1’s systems, limbless and unwilling. His optics were covered by a glowing transmitter, unable to witness anything. He looked utterly lifeless, yet he was giving life to those around him, as Jumpace soon noticed the revival of other fellow Decepticons.

Starscream grinned, as if he didn’t care about his fellow trinemate’s fate.

And Jumpace was scared, quick to cower in fear.

To the Decepticon Leader, he had no time to reassure his sparkmate, commanding everyone else to assist him in their violent eruption, to destroy and take what was rightfully theirs. Jumpace couldn’t process all of Starscream’s words, still stuck on the fact that no one except Thundercracker seemed to have cared about Skywarp’s fate.

When exactly did Starscream grow to be like this? Why was everyone rushing to fight, soon after reactivation?

Endless war. Lost lives. Strained camaraderie.

It didn't want to focus on the now. It wanted to go back to when there was peace.

Jumpace tried to think back on the past, to place pieces together that created the present. Where did it all go wrong...?

~~~

Jumpace was a simple grounder bot, living in the lower levels of Iacon. It was happy with its accommodation though, as it lived with its brother, a red horned minibot named Cliffjumper, as well as their clan together. And even though Cliffjumper was slightly overprotective of his younger sibling, the two bonded well, almost inseparable. Jumpace was susceptible to being bullied, but the red demon was always ready to show bullybots who was boss.

Jumpace was too softsparked for conflict, so it appreciated its brother’s protection.

But what was the bot’s hobby back during this peaceful time? Well, it admired flying bots who soared the skies and stars above, as it ventured what its two pedes could take it, picking up any sort of stone the horned bot could find to add to its collection.

It was a bit of an odd hobby, to admire above while scavenging below. But Jumpace didn’t have a career, after being deemed too ‘useless’ for a simple mining job. Cybertron’s energon flow had soon become a problem, with the planets canal’s slowly drying up. It wasn’t a disaster at this point of time, but enough to warrant mining jobs. And while Jumpace was eager to work, it was soon made redundant, after being too distracted by what others called ‘useless’ minerals rather than raw energon to harvest. So, without a career, the small Cybertronian was simply a collector.

One day, something caught Jumpace’s optics as it drove down the streets of Iacon. Stopping in its tracks to transform, it stepped towards what seemed to be damage on the sidewalk that created a hole to below. It bent down to try and reach what seemed to be a shiny object but was unable to grasp it. So, stepping back, the bot decided to jump and dive into the hole!

…And got stuck. With legs sticking out upright.

Jumpace tried to remove itself by wriggling out but to no avail. It had to get out of there fast, before a bullybot came by and made fun of it, or worse! But upon hearing the ground shake with loud pedes approaching, Jumpace began to panic and wriggle even more. Whoever was approaching, it was a big bot, one that could easily bash Jumpace if they wanted to! Right?

Right?

“Do you need assistance?”

Jumpace’s wriggles ceased as he heard the voice from above. They sounded warm, soft… as if they had a strong sense of kindness in their emotion module. It wasn’t sure what to do, and didn’t want to be stuck forever, so it responded with hesitation.

“…Yes, please.”

“Alright,” the voice replied. “Apologies if I hurt you.”

With a firm yet gentle grip felt on its legs, Jumpace was pulled out of the hole, and placed onto its pedes. With a vent of relief, it was ready to thank the helper before it, only to marvel at their massive size.

He was at least two, no, three times the size of Jumpace. Painted white with blue and red, large wings sticking out of what seemed to be large, red kibble with thrusters at the bottom. He had bulky pedes, rounded shoulders and a helm that covered a gentle faceplate.

“You don’t seem to be damaged,” smiled the large flyer. “That’s a relief.” He then saw the smaller bot’s shocked expression and realised it would be best to kneel. “Are… you alright?”

Jumpace reset its optics at the flyer’s question and nodded in response. “I’m fine. Thank you for helping me out, err…”

“Jetfire,” the large Cybertronian responded. “That is my designation.”

“Mine is Jumpace,” the smaller bot replied with a smile, feeling comfortable with its new acquaintance. “…You turn into a jet?”

“Of sorts, yes. Does your designation define your alt-mode?”

“Oh, no…,” Jumpace chuckled. “I renamed myself to Jumpace because I’m darn good at jumping, heh!”

Jetfire reset his optics in surprise, amused by his acquaintance’s statement. “Fascinating, may I see this jumping ability of yours?”

“Uhh,” Jumpace hesitated. “Actually, jumping is what got me into the hole earlier, so I better steer clear of my namesake for now.”

“Oh.” Jetfire was frowned. He didn’t want to pry and make Jumpace uncomfortable, but he was also curious of what caused the other bot’s scenario earlier. “Forgive me for asking, but did you intentionally jump into the sidewalk gap?” He soon approached the hole, curious of what could’ve caused the damage. “This area is usually kept in top condition, so I wonder what would’ve caused this…”

“Ahahaha!” Jumpace chuckled nervously as it rubbed the back of its helm. “Well, I saw something shiny down there and tried to grab hold of it.”

“I believe I see what you’re referring to,” Jetfire then lowered his frame to insert his arm into the hole. Before long, he retracted his arm to reveal the item in question. “Is this what you were after, Jumpace?”

In Jetfire’s servo was a peculiar-shaped rock with a green shine to it, similar to Cybertonium in colour, with an excited Jumpace quick to approach it.

“Yes, yes!” It exclaimed. “That’s it! I was hoping it’d be a shiny rock for my collection!”

“You collect stones?” Jetfire asked as he raised himself to stand, analysing the item still in servo with surprise. “My, this is a meteorite, Jumpace.”

“Eh? A whatsit?”

“A meteorite. A rock that has fallen from space, formed by heat and friction, to put it in simpler terms.” Jetfire then smiled brighter as noticed the shiny green specks inside, admiring its beauty. “Have you ever seen a shooting star?”

“Mm!” Jumpace nodded. “Only once, but I managed to make a wish on time with it!”

“A wish...?” Jetfire seemed curious, he had never heard of wishing on shooting stars before. before. It didn’t sound very scientific, and they didn’t possess any magical properties either. “Are you aware that a shooting star is what becomes a meteorite?”

Jumpace tilted its helm, confused. “I wasn’t. You’re telling me that stone was a star?” It pointed to the rock Jetfire held, only for the larger bot to shake his own helm.

“Shooting stars are an alternate name for a meteor. But instead of being a ball of gas, they are rocks that, as the descend from the sky, engulf in flames. They seem like the stars to those who watch from far away, hence the misnomer, ‘shooting star’.”

“I never knew that...,” Jumpace took the new fascinating fact into its processor, though frowned at the reality of it. “So, I wished on this rock then? And shooting star wishes... don’t exist?”

Jetfire seemed worried. He had just met this small, curious bot, and might have already accidentally upset it. He looked at the meteorite, and then offered it to Jumpace.

“Well, Jumpace...,” Jetfire formed a smile, hoping his next words would improve the situation. “May I ask what you wished for?”

Jumpace looked down in shame. “You’ll probably make fun of me for it...”

“I will not,” Jetfire replied with a confident firmness in his voice, promising himself to not judge what may come from Jumpace’s vocaliser. He then reached out his servo, once again offering the other bot to take the glowing stone. “Trust me.”

The smaller bot looked up at the offer given to him and took the rock into his own servos, holding it tightly. “I wished... for friends. To meet other bots I could trust, outside of my clan.”

Jetfire was surprised at Jumpace’s wish, but he didn’t question it. His optics were filled with concern for the other bot, only for him to smile at an admirable desire.

“Jumpace, what a wonderful wish you have.”

“Eh? You don’t think it’s stupid?”

“It’s a pure-sparked wish with strong curiosity and desire for companionship. So no, I do not find your wish to be ‘stupid’.”

“Th-Thank you, Jetfire...,” Jumpace smiled, before frowning again. “But still, I wished on a space rock. So, it won’t come true.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” replied Jetfire with a warm smile. “You see, that meteorite has some unusual properties that I’d love to study further on. Would you be interested in joining me in my lab today to conduct some research? Only if you’re okay with the idea, of course.”

“You... want me to accompany you to your lab?” Jumpace asked, only to immediately jump to another question. “Wait, you’re a scientist?!”

“I am. An explorer of the stars, you might say, but I also delve into other types of research.”

“So, you go on expeditions and stuff?”

“Precisely.” Jetfire made a tiny vent of relief on Jumpace’s improved mood, keeping a smile on his faceplate. “But today, I am more interested in your meteorite’s composition, if you don’t mind. I wouldn’t mind having an assistant with me, Jumpace.” He placed a servo onto the smaller bot’s shoulder, who grinned with glee.

“That’d be great, Jetfire!”

Jetfire nodded before pointing ahead. “The lab is not too far from here, so we can walk at our own pace.”

...

It wasn’t too long before the two Cybertronians reached The Academy of Science and Technology, a grandiose institution heralded for its teachings and endeavours. As an outstanding alumnus of the Academy, Jetfire had free access to the institution’s laboratories and resources to further his studies.

Upon entering the building, Jumpace’s optics gleamed at the impressive large building inside, walking by other bots who went on with their day.

“So, this is where all the smart bots are!”

Jetfire chuckled. “It’s moreso for those who wish to expand their processor’s knowledge with their passions in the fields of science and technology. It doesn’t mean those outside of the Academy are not smart.”

“What do you mean?” asked Jumpace, tilting its helm at the larger bot’s statement.

“Hmm,” Jetfire raised a digit to his chin-plating, thinking on how to word this properly. “Everyone has their own field they’re passionate about. Say it be, studying the archives of Cybertron’s creation, or creating music. They may not attend any classes for those passions, but they’re still knowledgeable in what they love. Ah, but they can also be intelligent in ways hidden to the common Cybertronian.”

“Hidden to the common Cybertronian...?’

“Let’s say there’s a bot who isn’t regarded as ‘smart’ due to not knowing how to count, for example. It sounds like a task almost anyone can do, but everyone’s processor functions differently. It does not mean they are ‘slow’ or ‘stupid’ by any means, it just means they have a specific learning curve. And everyone I know, even those who refuse to admit it, has something they struggle with that others can progress with ease. This hypothetical bot who cannot count easily, may excel in co-ordination for sporting activities, or can cite entire encyclopaedias without looking at the source.”

“So, what you’re saying is, every bot is smart in their own way, whether or not they attend schooling.”

Jetfire smiled, glad to have his words communicated successfully without offense. “Exactly.”

The two stopped in their tracks before a large door, presented with a sign in Cybertronian text that read “LAB ROOM 1-A”.

“Ah, here we are,” stated Jetfire before logging into the access systems with a passcode on the wall. “I had booked this room prior to our meet, so no one else should be in here.”

As the doors opened, the two entered the large laboratory. It was filled with gizmos, gadgets and desks galore. Despite the number of tools at hand, the room was spacious, with little to no mess.

Before Jumpace could comment on the wonders of the lab, he heard sounds of another bot approaching. Not to it though, but towards Jetfire.

He was a silver winged Cybertronian, a Seeker painted with red on his wings and torso. His arms, servos and pedes blue, with shiny glass centred on his build. His helm was sturdy and square, with optics that glowed blue.

“Jetfire!” exclaimed the flyer in excitement as he wrapped his arms around the bigger bot’s neck. “Excellent timing, I’ve been SO bored and-...”

He then looked over at Jumpace below, confused.

“Oh, you have company.”

From the blunt response, Jetfire frowned at the other bot’s disappointment. “I apologise, Ulchtar. I wasn’t aware you’d be here today. What happened to you spending time with your fellow Seekers?”

The other flyer detached himself from Jetfire, setting his pedes on the ground. “Warp had to see Doctor Ratchet for..., well... a malfunction in his ability.”

“You didn’t accompany him?”

“I did, I did! But then he said he was embarrassed and didn’t want either me or TC to stay. So much for brotherly love.” Ulchtar crossed his arms, huffing about the scenario. “I told him countless times to be careful with his teleportation, but now his servo is stuck on his pede through a warphole. It was best I left him in medical care before he caused an extreme ruckus.”

“Perhaps Professor Perceptor might know something about Skywarp’s unique ability.”

“Don’t worry, he’s also with Doctor Ratchet.”

Amid their conversation, both flyers looked down at Jumpace, who felt a bit awkward due to feeling foreign.

“Ulchtar,” Jetfire gestured to Jumpace for introduction. “This is Jumpace, my new friend who has come across a peculiar meteorite we wish to analyse.”

Being called a new friend caused the smaller bot’s optics to glow with glee, as he watched the Seeker take in the new information.

“Ah, a meteorite?” Ulchtar approached Jumpace, bending down to reach its height, his optics taking in the sight of the grounder. “Why not ask the help of an astronomer or meteoriticist?”

“Cosmos would rather not be disturbed for matters like these,” replied Jetfire. Truth be told, the large jet didn’t contact other bots who may have assisted, wanting to spend time with his new friend. “And I do not know any bot who studies meteorites.”

“Alright then,” Ulchtar opened his servo, wanting the meteorite. “Hand it over, Jumpace.”

The small bot however, hesitated as it held the rock behind its back.

“What is the matter?” asked the Seeker, with expecting servo still open.

“You won’t damage it, will you?” asked Jumpace, as it noticed some of the large tools nearby. It assumed the more pointy, scary-looking devices were to be used onto his newest addition to his collection.

“Do not fret,” replied Ulchtar. “No harm will come to your specimen. Trust me.”

Jumpace looked down at its special stone, only to give a firm nod as the bot placed it into the scientist’s servo. Ulchtar stood up and smiled, taking the meteorite to a nearby work bench.

“Thank you.”

Jetfire and Jumpace were quick to follow, with the large jet assisting his partner with analysis. It was placed onto a mechanical stage, where the flyers analysed the specimen under a large microscope. Ulchtar began to take notes on his datapad, while Jetfire grabbed another to compare information about the material found in the meteorite, all while Jumpace watched.

“My apologies,” Jetfire spoke to Jumpace with concern. “Are we boring you, Jumpace?”

“No...” Jumpace wasn’t entirely honest, though, and the large jet could tell by the smaller bot’s twiddled digits.

“I’m sorry, friend,” Jetfire frowned. “I did say you could assist us, but I was unaware Ulchtar would be here, and didn’t think twice about it.” He then though, knelt to the horned bot with an easing smile. “But I do believe your assistance is still required.”

“Really?” Jumpace clapped excitedly, only for them to cease upon Ulchtar’s confusion.

“But we are doing fine as a two-bot job, Jetfire.”

“Ulchtar, this is Jumpace’s specimen, so Jumpace has a right to work with us.”

“Ah, fine. Who am I to refuse a curious mind?” Ulchtar stepped away from the bench to look towards the small bot.

“There is a small task you can do for us,” he smiled, going through nearby drawers to take out some pliers to give to Jumpace. “In order for us to study further on your meteorite’s properties, we must remove a tiny piece of the green crystalline element inside. Will that be alright with you?”

“Hmm...,” Jumpace looked at the pliers given to him, then to both flyers before it. The horned bot couldn’t deny their curiosity, nor its own. So, with a nod, it agreed. “Sure, I wanted to help anyway!”

It hopped onto a stool nearby to access the workspace, plier and meteorite in hand.

“I’m pulling out a green bit, right?”

“That is correct,” replied Jetfire. “It’s an unusual material, and while we may have found the results in our data, we’d like to confirm it with further testing.”

“Well, I’ll do my best!”

Jumpace turned the meteorite around to find a way to pull out part of the green matter. It wasn’t before long though that it found a bit protruding out of the rock and began to grab it with the pliers. Slowly and gently, it twisted out the green material while making sure no harm was done to the specimen. Once pulled out, Jumpace grinned at its success.

“I did it!”

“Well done,” Jetfire responded, moving closer with a test tube in his grasp. “Please place the small fragment in here.”

Jumpace obliged, and the green material was placed inside the test tube, ready to be experimented with. Ulchtar stepped closer to look at the tube in Jetfire’s servo.

“If our hypothesis is correct,” Ulchtar hummed. “Adding H₂O to the mix should cause the matter to form a thick substance meant for organics.”

“Huh?”

“Basically, water, something Cybertron rarely has, should affect the green specimen to turn into a new liquid the benefit beings unlike us. Ones that rely on nature to survive.”

“We have deposits of water in the lab,” Jetfire nodded to Jumpace. “So, would you like to see what will happen?”

“I sure do!”

Ulchtar chuckled at the response. “Eager little grounder, aren’t you?” With a smirk, he went to the lab’s wall, which held cabinets of multiple elements and materials. But what he needed was a small sample of water, and once found, he opened the drawer. He took some water by dipping in a pipette, making sure to just take a small amount, before closing the cabinet.

“H₂O is ready, Jetfire,” states the Seeker scientist. “Place the tube into the holder, so we can all see the experiment take place.”

Jetfire obliged, placing the tube holding the unknown green material inside. Once everyone had a good view of the tube, Starscream lowered himself to not miss a single droplet touching the specimen. With a few squeezes, water splashed onto the sample, and just as the scientists predicted , the form began to change.

“It’s happening!”

The green material melted with the water, bubbling and forming with it to create a green liquid thicker than water. Once the transformation settled down, Ulchtar carefully lifted the test tube into his digits for a closer look.

“This is the material the Archive of Athenia mentions,” the seeker stated, his blue optics shined with fascination. “Green fragments from stone that, once mixed with water, becomes a healing agent for organic life.”

“Ooohhh...,” Jumpace was curious, yet excited of his finding’s ability to heal. “Wait, so it would only heal organic matter? Not Cybertronian like us?”

“Afraid not Jumpace,” Ulchtar replied. “Unless we decided to play God and figure out a way to convert it to ail us, but we Cybertronians have a top-notch healthcare system. Well, at least in Iacon, anyway.”

“Oh, but that’s still cool! Chip can heal those who can use it!”

“I’m sorry,” Ulchtar gave a pensive look in his optics, raising a ridge. “Chip?”

“That’s what I named the meteorite, since it looks like a memory chip we have in our databanks.” Jumpace tapped onto its helm, signifying it’s meaning behind ‘Chip’s’ name.

“That’s smart,” chimed in Jetfire as he recorded the data of the healing substance, taking images with the datapad’s features. “If we were to keep the meteorite in our records, we’d have to name it for easier recognition. Well done thinking ahead, Jumpace.”

“Wait, if?” questioned Ulchtar as he returned the tube into the holder. “Are we not going to keep the meteorite ourselves for further research?”

“Remember what I said, Ulchtar? It is Jumpace’s finding, so it is not up to you what we do to it. It is up to our little friend here.”

“I suppose that’s...fair,” Ulchtar folded his arms. He was quite eager to keep such a fascinating specimen for himself, but didn’t wish to take something that wasn’t his. “We’re keeping the organic healing agent though.” He then looked to Jumpace, as if asking for approval.

“I don’t mind if you keep the liquid you made,” smiled Jumpace. “But I really do wish to keep Chip. As a memento for today.”

“A memento?” Ulchtar tilted his helm. “For what, exactly?”

“To remember that today, I made two new friends I could trust. Just as I wished for.”

The two flyers looked down at Jumpace, with both having faint traces of energon warming their cheeks. While Jetfire had planned Jumpace’s visit to be a welcome friendship, Ulchtar was surprised that he was included. He had fewer friends than Jetfire, but having a new one wouldn’t hurt.

“Huh, well then,” Ulchtar cleared his vocaliser of any static, then stood up proudly. “You should be honoured to be my friend, Jumpace. I, Ulchtar, am quite the superior scientist, if I do say so myself, so I can be quite resourceful when need be.”

Jetfire was quick to raise a first to his mouth, clearing his own vocaliser to garner Ulchtar’s attention.

“Ah, but Jetfire is my equal, of course. Sometimes, his efforts exceed mine. My partner can do so much more on expeditions, after all.” He proceeded to Jetfire’s arm, who smiled at the compliment.

“Wait, when you say partner...,” Jumpace raised an optic ridge with a look of intense thought. “...You mean lab partner, or work partner, or roma-“

“Third option, yes.”

“Oh!!” Jumpace hit a fist in his palm, making the connection with the confirmation. “You’re both in love with each other!”

“Indeed, we are,” Jetfire replied with a bashful tone. “I hope that doesn’t make our friendship uncomfortable in any way.”

“Nahhh,” replied Jumpace, who wasn’t bothered at all by the fact. “If anything, if it feels like I’m intruding, just let me know.”

“Curious and considerate,” Ulchtar scoffed with amusement. “No wonder Jetfire found you suitable for good company.”

Jetfire chuckled at his partner’s comment, but then turned to his new friend. “Jumpace, shall we schedule a time to spend more time with each other?”

“Time?” Something bothered Jumpace. Time, time... Oh. Oh no. “Scrap, I’m late!”

“For what?”

“To get home! My big brother worries if I’m out too late. Which is really annoying because I’m a full-grown bot that can take care of itself! Also, I was supposed to get energon goodies for the whole clan, aha...”

Before Jumpace could dash off in a rush, Jetfire dangled a bag of chewy energon snacks in front of the small bot. “Conveniently, I always keep a stash of energon goodies on me, since Ulchtar here is a sweetsparked sweet tooth.”

“JETFIRE!!” Ulchtar’s faceplate burned bright with energon as he pouted at Jetfire, embarrassed by his partner’s words. “Seriously?!”

“Ahaha,” Jetfire scratched his faceplate with an awkward smile. “I’ll try to keep my love for you at a minimum then, Ulchtar.”

“That’s not what I--!” The Seeker looked worried, before venting at Jetfire’s ‘joke’. “You’re lucky you’re cute, you know.”

“Ah, I suppose I am lucky,” Jetfire muttered softly, he was always grateful for his dear partner’s affection. “But, back to the matter at servo.” He then placed the bag of energon goodies into Jumpace’s now open palms, alongside the meteorite.

“Would you like to meet back here tomorrow, Jumpace? If that’s okay with Ulchtar.”

“Should be fine with me” Ulchtar placed a servo on his hip, looking down at the smaller bot. “But the Academy can only be so lenient with letting others in for long periods of time.”

“Then we’ll work our way around it!” nodded Jumpace. “I know some good places to chill out that aren’t labs or schools. But I’ll meet you here around tomorrow the same time as today?”

“Sounds great,” Jetfire replied, before temporarily leaving the lab to show Jumpace the exit.

With a quick goodbye, Jumpace converted to it’s alt-mode, placing Chip and the energon goodies inside, and drove off.

Chapter Text

Starscream’s army hadn’t returned yet, and Jumpace was feeling more at unease at the sudden call to battle. Back in the early days of fighting, the Seeker would encourage Jumpace to battle, to fend for itself.

To fight.

To survive.

And that’s what the grounder did, becoming a fully-fledged Decepticon in the eyes of the High Command, even gaining the approval of Megatron. The Decepticon Leader was gone now, as Jumpace’s processor repeated Starscream’s explanation earlier, claiming himself the ‘supreme, eternal Leader of the Decepticons’.

Megatron, gone?

This was all happening too fast.

Jumpace took a glance at Skywarp, or what was left of him, only to quickly cringe away at the horrific sight. It didn’t want to abandon its comrade, but staring wasn’t going to do any good. So, it decided to take a deep vent, and look outside of the Ark, seeing mostly mountain and sky. And ahead was... nature? Jumpace had never been to a planet outside Cybertron before, so all of this was new.

At least the sky was a beautiful distraction, easing Jumpace’s processor to access deep into his memory core, to relive peace of the past.

~~~

“Here’s a good spot!” Jumpace announced as it hopped on its pedes, excitedly guiding its new flyer friends. It had been a few halves an orbital cycle since the three were made friends at this point of time, and the smaller bot couldn’t be happier. Life was shining brilliantly ever since it had discovered the shiny meteorite, dubbed ‘Chip’, which it left with its clan for safekeeping.

Jumpace could trust Cliffjumper and the others with its precious memento, even if its brother questioned ‘Chip’s’ origins. The dark cyan bot was so focused on spending time with its new friends, that it barely had the time to explain its absences from home, causing Cliffjumper’s concerns to heighten. But Jumpace promised himself that after the day’s outing, it’d explain everything.

With Jetfire and Ulchtar following, Jumpace led them to a peculiar looking bar. The front of the establishment had a big bright sign that read “MACCADAM’S OLD OIL HOUSE”, which caused the fliers to reset their optics in surprise.

“Here?” Ulchtar rubbed his chin in thought. “I haven’t entered Maccadam’s in quite some time...”

“Ulchtar,” Jetfire spoke up. “We were here not too long ago to celebrate our most recent expedition. You were quite intoxicated, remember? Or perhaps you couldn't. I do not blame you.”

“Thanks a lot, Jetfire,” the seeker huffed, now with arms folded. “Now Jumpace here is going think I’m an engex-nut.”

Jumpace couldn’t help but chuckle at the assumption. “That’s not true! Everyone deserves a good celebration every now and then, yeah?” It then led itself into the bar, as the others exchanged glances before following in.

Maccadam’s Old Oil House was an establishment for all, if you didn’t cause any fights within the bar, that is. Many would go here for celebration, some to wallow in sadness, but mostly for great drinks and good times. And as it was still early on Cybertron, the bar was quiet, which suited Jumpace’s needs.

The bot in question jumped and landed perfectly on a stool by the bar counter, grinning in delight. The fliers were quick to join their friend, though took in the surroundings, used to the noisiness of the establishment.

“I’ve never seen this place so quiet,” Jetfire commented. “Did something here happen lately?”

“Nahh,” Jumpace looked over to Jetfire with a smile. “This is just the downtime here. Which is perfect for me, as I need it to be, uh, not loud.”

“Not a fan of noise, eh?” Ulchtar asked as he rested his elbow onto the countertop. “Does that include musical events and the like?”

“Unfortunately, I was created with sound sensitivity...,” Jumpace frowned. “If I found the environment I’m in to be too loud for my audials, I get... overwhelmed and can even malfunction. So, loud concerts aren’t for me.”

“Malfunction?” Ulchtar asked in surprise. “Well, surely that can get fixed, no? If it’s a mistake in your system, it should be able to be repaired by any medic-bot.”

“Are you... suggesting I am broken?”

“Uh!” Ulchtar gritted his teeth before mentally cursing at himself for not being more sensitive with his words. “That’s not what I, what I meant to say was---"

Jetfire was quick to speak, hoping to fix the uncomfortable situation the three were put in. “What I believe he meant, Jumpace, is that if you have a condition like that disadvantages you from everyday life, it might be remedied through medical professionals.”

“But I’ve tried that already.”

Jetfire and Ulchtar looked to each other and then back at Jumpace, their optics filled with concern.

“And...,” spoke the Seeker. “Nothing happened?”

“No matter what kind of treatment I got, or fix, or anything...,” Jumpace let out a small vent, staring at its open servos, only to clench them into fists. “I still remain the same. A jumpy malfunction, useless and weak like a turbosect...”

“Wait, hold on there a klik,” Ulchtar slightly raised his voice, leaning closer towards his smaller friend. “Who designated you such foolish terms?”

“Uh, just some bots who don’t like me, haha...”

“Do not listen to such drivel, Jumpace,” Ulchtar narrowed his blue optics, staring down at the bot before him. “You should never accept such unimaginative verbal abuse to get yourself down. You are not a malfunction, nor are you useless.” He huffed and then sat up straight. “Besides, turbosects may have weak defensive systems, but they’re not useless.”

“Huh...?”

“They’re quite important for Cybertron’s ecosystem,” replied Jetfire as he placed a reassuring servo on Jumpace’s back. “They clean our moons’ gears with their miniscule mouths, eating away at debris.”

Ulchtar nodded. “So, not only calling such wonderful creatures useless is a lie, but there shouldn’t be any negative aspects in being compared to something so beautiful.”

“B-Beautiful...?” It didn’t know why, but upon hearing Ulchtar compliment the small, green critters, Jumpace felt a skip in its spark, as its faceplate warmed up. It knew it was talking of the mechanical bugs, but... Somehow, the horned bot felt it was towards it.

“Mhm,” replied the seeker with a smile. “They have purpose, as does everything in the world, Jumpace. Perhaps Jetfire and I could show you them up close one day, though we’d need an excuse to venture to either Moon Base---”

“AND SINCE WHEN DO YOU NEED PERMISSION FOR ANYTHING, ‘TARRY?”

A sudden voice boomed from behind the three, with two bots approaching that looked like Ulchtar in design. One donned blue paint, the other purple, with their presence causing the other three to quickly turn around in unison, as they all recognised the voice of...

“Thundercracker??” Ulchtar was surprised to see his fellow brothers-in-arms approach. “And Skywarp? I thought you were at the pictures!”

Skywarp scoffed. “Disagreements arose. I wanted to witness some exciting action flick! But nooooo! TC here wanted to see this weird soft romantic-”

“Be quiet, ‘Warp!” Thundercracker growled, he didn’t want others to know of his secret softness for heartful films. “We’re here now, and...” The blue bot then moved his attention to Jumpace before him, who seemed to be frozen in fear.

“Ohhh, well if it isn’t the little groundpounder!” said Thundercracker as he knocked onto Jumpace’s horned helm, causing smaller bot to whine. “Still trying to reach the heavens with your dumb jumps?”

Ulchtar and Jetfire were quickly surprised at the Seeker’s actions, only for Jetfire to carefully pry him away, with Ulchtar checking on Jumpace's status with worry.

“Hey, what are you-?”

“Jumpace is clearly uncomfortable with your actions, Thundercracker,” replied Jetfire, as he held the bot in question. He pointed towards Jumpace, seeing the smaller bot rub its helm. “Why did you approach our friend like that?”

“Ugh, ‘cuz the bugger is a dirtkisser, duh! Now, release me!”

Jetfire obliged and freed Thundercracker from his hold, though frowned at the Seeker’s attitude and name-calling.  

Ulchtar stood from his stool as he put 2-and-2 together and realised the situation. Thundercracker was one of the bullybots Jumpace had vaguely mentioned! It made sense to him, knowing how his fellow Seeker looked down at ground-bounded Cybertronians, an unfair judgement in Ulchtar’s optics. Skywarp most likely had a servo in the mockery, as well, knowing how much he’d love to pull pranks. As he approached his fellow fliers with folded arms, he spoke.

“Thundercracker. Skywarp. Have you two been the ones constantly harassing Jumpace here?”

“Noooooo.”

“Yes.”

“Skywarp!”

Before the purple and blue coated Seekers could bicker, Ulchtar cleared his vocaliser loudly to gain their attention. “Shame on the both of you, honestly.” Ulchtar tapped his digits on his folded arms, giving a stern look with his optics. “I know you two like to pick on others, but perhaps leave it as a friendly gesture towards ones you have befriended, not those you consider lesser than you.”

“But it’s all in good fun!” Skywarp raised his arms in defence, knowing the fun never applied to the victim of his tomfoolery, despite directing his optics at Jumpace in hopes of peer-pressured clarification. “Right?”

“Um...,” Jumpace frowned, now stuck between a rock and a hard place. If it spoke the truth, the bullies were bound to come back in secret to mock it more. But if it lied, it’d be seen as weak in front of its new flyer friends. “I don’t know.”

“In other words,” Jetfire frowned, placing a considerate servo on Jumpace’s shoulder again. “You don’t find it fun that Skywarp and Thundercracker bully you, I can hear it in your vocaliser.”

“Mmm.” Jumpace nodded, shameful of its feelings. “Sorry.”

“No need to apologise, Jumpace. Let us see how Ulchtar will address this with his friends.”

“So,” Ulchtar continued. “You two better cease your behaviour towards Jumpace. It is now a friend of mine and Jetfire’s, and we won’t tolerate any attacks on it. Understood?”

Thundercracker and Skywarp exchanged glances and nodded, knowing it was for the best to cease their torment towards the grounder. If their fellow brother wished for it, they would oblige. They didn’t desire any bad energon between each other and agreed on the terms.

“Yeah,” Skywarp pouted. “Okay Ulchtar.”

“Fine,” Thundercracker rolled his optics. “But really, ‘Tar? You befriended a grounder?”

“How is that a problem?” the seeker in question asked with a raised optic ridge.

Fortunately for everyone present, Thundercracker couldn’t respond with a valid answer. He didn’t hate bots who couldn’t fly, per se, he just found himself superior to them because he could fly. With the blue Seeker’s lack of response, Ulchtar gave a warm smile and approached his friends with a welcome hug.

“Let us not fight any further, my brothers.”

While the Seekers agreed on a resolution, Jetfire kept Jumpace company as they watched.

“Would you look at that,” the larger shuttle smiled. “They reconciled quickly. It seems you won’t be bothered by those two anymore.”

“It seems so.” Jumpace tilted its helm. It wondered to itself, how could something like this be solved so quickly? Ulchtar’s bond with Skywarp and Thundercracker must’ve been so strong to change Jumpace’s treatment rather quickly. And he clearly cared about Jumpace, a well.

Ulchtar was a really nice guy.

“Oi, grounder,” Thundercracker was quick to distract Jumpace with a sudden approach. “Erm, ‘Tar says I oughta apologise to you, so, uh...” he hissed between his dentae, having not used to owning up to mistakes. “So, sorry for teasing you for like, existing.”

“Me too,” said Skywarp, though his demeanour was more friendly than Thundercracker’s. “Sometimes things just get so boring around here, and it’s in a Seeker’s circuitry to have a sense of pride over our wings.” He then gestured to his metallic wings, shaped the same as his brothers. “So, sorry about all...that.”

Jumpace looked between the two. It could tell they were apologetic, in their own unique way, and wanted bygones to be bygones. “Okay, I forgive you both!”

“Oh,” Thundercracker reset his optics in surprise. “That was quick.”

“I try not to hold grudges,” Jumpace waved its arm. “And if you keep your words, I’m sure we can be great friends!”

“F-Friends?” Thundercracker almost choked on static upon hearing Jumpace’s words.  “With a grounder?!”

“Give it a chance,” Jetfire suggested. “Jumpace may not be able to fly like us, but it has a keen sense of sight and can leap high enough in the sky that one may mistake it for flight.”

“Hmm, but you can’t soar into the sky with mere jumping.” Thundercracker made his way to stand between Jetfire and Jumpace, leaning down towards the grounder.

“See, with flying, you gotta---”

“Wait an astrosecond,” Skywarp gasped at the countertop, noticing the lack of glasses present. “No one ordered any drinks?! Come on, I’m paying! Hey, barkeep!”

It wasn’t before long that all five bots were enjoying their share of engex, laughing and smiling in conversation. Thundercracker expanded Jumpace’s mind with the technicalities of soaring as a Seeker, as Skywarp begged Ulchtar to allow him to put on the jukebox on, but Ulchtar did not want “It’s Raining Mechs” blasting through his audials, suggesting Skywarp find a different song for once.

As for Jetfire, he was just happy to listen to the conversation as he sipped his engex, keeping an optic on his friends. But for some reason, Jumpace felt he was being focused on quite a lot by Jetfire, with warm smiles exchanged.

This was enough to make the horned bot’s face burn and spark feel lighter, but it didn’t know why.

It was probably the engex.

At least, that’s what Jumpace initially thought at the time.

~~~

“What was that?!” Jumpace’s daydreams were disrupted upon seeing an explosion in the distance. It was bright out, but smoke began to fill the sky. Oh, how it hated loud sounds, but the war forced it to get accustomed to the noise, as it trained himself to treat gunfire and blasts like background noise to survive. It didn’t mean it was ‘cured’ of its sensitivity though, as the noise still bothered him from time to time, and could cause panic at random.

It looked ahead, noticing large smoke erupting from a distant area.

“Must be fighting the Autobots...”

Autobots. Autobots...

Wait.

"...I hope he survived."

Chapter Text

“Where have you been, Jumpo??” the nickname was shouted by a familiar voice, as a flash of blue flew towards Jumpace. With difficult-to-ignore engines booming like a storm, presenting himself to Jumpace was Thundercracker, who descended to hover at his comrade’s height. “You didn’t follow us to the fight?”

Jumpace snapped out of its reflections and looked up, standing up straight to its fellow Decepticon. “Oh, uh, Starscream told me to stay behind.” That was a lie. Their ‘new leader’ was just rushing to battle, having no time to check on Jumpace’s progress of sorrow.

Thundercracker made a doubtful face at that, before focusing his optics on Skywarp’s state. A hiss through his dentae, there no time to grieve his closes companion’s condition, as urgency was afoot.

“Starscream got the Constructicons up and rolling,” he spoke, still looking at Skywarp. “Y’know what that means, right?”

Jumpace’s optics followed Thundercracker’s, then to the floor, narrowed. Oh, it knew what that meant, alright. Starscream plus a combiner equalled devastation.

“What am I supposed to do with that information?” it asked, curious about the lack of command. Did Thundercracker return just to deliver information without instruction?

“I’m just warning you, Jumpo,” Thundercracker landed on his pedes with an ex-vent of frustration, turning away from Skywarp to focus on Jumpace. “I for one, don’t wish you to get squashed like a bug, so you better hide.”

“You doubt my abilities as a soldier, Thundercracker?” Jumpace folded its arms with a glare up at the other Decepticon, offended by the suggestion to hide rather than fight. While bickering amongst each other was normal for the Decepticons, being around them for so long programmed cockiness to one’s personality up to eleven, which guaranteed quick assumptions and in-faction fights. “I know you tend to mock us ground-bound types, but I can fight alongside Devastator easily! I’m fast enough to dodge his rage and can give the Autobots a hard time!”

But it seemed that the Seeker before it was not up for squabbles.

“Look, I don’t have time to argue with you,” Thundercracker frowned, knowing Jumpace was capable. But the state of Skywarp was affecting him, as concern grew for the grounder before him. They were unusual feelings to say the least, but Thundercracker cared for it, nonetheless. “I’m not sure how much you and I missed while offline, but Starscream seems to be taking things to extremes here. At this point, I doubt he’ll notice you disappear amidst all this destruction!”

“How DARE you!!” Jumpace was pissed at the implication that Starscream didn’t care about its wellbeing. It swerved its pede back, channelling its energy to its leg, ready to strike with a super-charged kick. However, he powered down his attack upon seeing a hesitant Thundercracker.

His weapons were raised, but actions were hesitant. This wasn’t what they were fighting for.

Thundercracker believed it was best to change topic.

“...Look,” he lowered his arms, refusing to make optics meet. “That brother of yours. The red one. I saw him earlier.”

Jumpace’s body stiffened, having just thought of him earlier. “Cliffjumper...?”

“Yeah, that one,” Thundercracker mumbled. “I know he’s on the wrong side, but I thought I’d let you know. You were always trying to convince him to join the Decepticons, right?”

The Seeker’s words were interrupted by nearby noises of battle as they grew closer, as he and Jumpace turned towards the source. Both Autobot and Decepticon, root and alt-mode alike, fighting for victory.

“They’re gonna want this place.”

Thundercracker referred to both factions, looking at his surroundings within the Ark. A sad look to Skywarp once more, he took a moment to think on the state of everything.

“I don’t want to abandon ‘Warp here,” Servos were clenched as Thundercracker continued to talk. “But I’ll try to not be too far if I can help it.” With a deep ex-vent, he began to ascend, hovering near the exit. “Look, do whatever you want, Jumpace. Just... promise me you won’t surrender at the servos of an Autobot!”

As it took in Thundercracker’s caring comments, Jumpace had smiled for the first time since reactivation. Although the Seeker was still vain over his ability to fly and mocked those who couldn’t, he became a good friend of Jumpace’s over the years. The grounder knew its friend was sincere with his whole spark.

“Of course, Thundercracker. Only if you do the same.”

Thundercracker returned the smile with a nod and sped in the skies as he returned to the fray, leaving Jumpace to choose a fate; Fight or flee.

Back in its early days as a Decepticon recruit, all Jumpace wanted to do was flee, spark heavy with anxiety. However, support from the Seekers and heavy speech from Megatron boosted the grounder’s determination to fend for itself, turning its joyful hope into violent success. It would laugh into the faceplates of its enemies, utilising its incredible jumping abilities and super-charged kicks, ready to send an Autobot into orbit. And with its heavy yet nifty weapon, the ‘Drill Missile 3000’ stolen from Wheeljack’s workshop, it was a worthy warrior.

However, its descent to violence was often halted whenever Cliffjumper was on the scene. Cliffjumper; Jumpace’s once brother. A traitor to their ideals. A traitor to their clan. How could he...

“ZOW ZOW ZOW!”

“Dammit!” Jumpace stalled for too long and jumped at the cries of war. The battles were getting closer to the Ark! And Devastator was already formed, rampaging the landscape! Was it time for action, or to consider Thundercracker’s words and seek refuge?

Jumpace quickly manoeuvred its way via alt-mode, a sandrail as given by Teletraan-One during reconstruction, and drove out of the Ark. Engines revved as it sped up, driving into the nature. It would wait and hide, trying to process a plan. It didn’t want to be seen, especially by not Starscream. Wait, it wasn’t scared of him, was he?

...There was no reason to be.

Starscream being a brute wasn’t new. As the war progressed, so did Starscream’s violent tendencies. Jumpace accepted this, for it was no saint, sharing bloodshed with its sparkmate. But with Megatron out of the picture, the silver Seeker seemed so... sparkless. While Jumpace appreciated being online again, Starscream displayed no concern for its panicked state prior. And not even for Skywarp, a close brother-in-arms.

And at this rate, there’d be no cooldown, just rush! Punch! Blast! Kick! Shoot! Fight! Kill!! Not even time to speak to Starscream properly. He was going to use his time, as quickly as he can, to lead the Decepticons to victory and erase every Autobot from existence. Jumpace knew that. He spent over two hundred years with Starscream, and how his own determination overrode sensibility. At least Megatron had some patience in plans.

...So, why was Jumpace scared again? As a supporter of Starscream’s usurping, shouldn’t it be by his side?

‘SCREEEEEEEECH.’

‘DONK!’

‘VREE CHKT KHAKT.’

The dark of night and green bush provided worthy camouflage for the sandrail, as it remained still in hiding. Its spark spun as it heard a nearby Cybertronian transform, not wanting to reveal itself.

“But my friends--”

Wait, that voice.

“Cliff, listen. You and I? We’re small....”

And an unfamiliar, un-Cybertronian voice. It sounded... weird. One of the planet’s natives...? Have the Autobots begun to brainwash other species too?!

Peering through the greenery, Jumpace confirmed suspicions that it was in fact, Cliffjumper, with a flesh-like creature smaller than him, covered in ...soft material? Hm. The Decepticon knew it would be advantageous to attack immediately, seeing how an Autobot was without his comrades. Jumpace could protect the flesh creature from their evil ideals, after all! However, despite the desperate need to attack its once-brother, to yell at him for turning to the dark side... Jumpace couldn’t. It was bigger than the Autobot, not wanting to hurt the small being next to him.

Plus, it figured the best option was to use its scout abilities to intake information instead. See how these Earthlings work. Absolutely not because Jumpace was hesitating to hurt Cliffjumper. Again.

So, it listened. It took in information from the duo, seeing they planned to enter the Ark via mid-way entry point. What were they doing, hiding? No, it had to be a plot to infiltrate the Ark for greater weapons. Scrap, what if they were going to access Teletraan-One? What of Skywarp’s fate then?

Despite the panic of possibilities, Jumpace took no immediate action. Instead, it waited. Waited for the right time, for Cliffjumper and this fleshling. To make way into the Ark. To scout and see what they were up to.

Of course, if it was anything worthy of reporting, Jumpace would rush to Starscream. Or well, should rush to Starscream. They trusted each other to always provide beneficial information to each other, even if it seemed small. That way, Starscream would receive less “punishments” from Megatron for any supposed “hidden” information, knowing how honest the two were with each other...

As it waited, Jumpace began let its processor think back on the past once more.

~~~

A hoodless Cybertronian car carrying various supplies drove at an increasing speed, urgent to rush to its damaged home. While unsure if the damage was caused by Autobot or Decepticon, it seemed to be accidental, having the home an unplanned obstacle in the battle. No one from either faction had checked on the residents, but they had survived the blast. A few were missing at the time but were bound to return soon. Jumpace offered to grab what they needed to fix up, but didn’t ask permission. Despite its family’s plea to stay put, the neutral-aligned bot went out of its way to get what was needed.

Jumpace wanted to do whatever it could to help. While it had grown to believe it was worth something thanks to its relationships with Jetfire and Ulchtar, it grew to become a disappointment in its own optics. What kind of sparkmate misses its partner’s departure, not knowing when he’d return?

Not only had Jetfire still hadn’t returned from his expedition, it also hadn’t seen Ulchtar in what felt like forever.

The grounder cursed itself daily for missing Jetfire’s journey to the stars, held back by destructive traffic. It didn’t have all the details, but Jumpace knew the war was getting worse, and wanted nothing to do with it. Its partners took no sides, as far as it knew. Jetfire’s cause to find a way to save Cybertron by venturing to space was admirable, and it wanted to join him. The large jet would’ve denied a passenger, but Jumpace’s determination was strong.

Too bad that determination was interrupted by being trapped for what felt like eternity.

Jumpace was ashamed that it missed its sparkmate’s leave. It should’ve found shortcuts (it tried) or beat those in its way (with what weapons?) or leaped into the skies (at the risk of Jetfire’s gifts damaged by airborne attack?) Well, the gifts were already ruined from its escape, having dropped the goods accidentally as it narrowly escaped large falling debris.

But that was back when the war wasn’t widespread. Now, Jumpace couldn’t even face Ulchtar, disgusted that its cowardice overrode its determination, instead focusing on keeping safe with its clan. But it was enough of worrying about the past, Jumpace had to focus on the now and... By the spark, what was...?

With a quick skid, Jumpace transformed to its root mode, catching supplies in servos. There was no way...

Did it make a wrong turn? No, the route was coded in its memory banks... This was its home. Surrounded in smoke and dying flames. Did more battles occur around? What of its family? Jumpace had no time to stand around, rushing into its broken home.

“Hey guys?” Jumpace called out, taking wary steps around the rubble inside. “It’s me, Jumpace! Anyone still here??”

There wasn’t a single response. Not a single greeting or happy smile.

‘CHKT!’

Jumpace stepped on what it thought was rubble, finding the sound of its step unusual. Upon looking down however, the grounder dropped everything.

Below was a lifeless body, one that was almost unrecognisable. Metal scorched from flame, dents displayed an obvious struggle... And optic nerves teared out, hanging from their sockets.

Despite the intense damage, Jumpace knew. This was one of its kin.

Not wanting to believe the sight, it quickly looked away. But the turn away only showed Jumpace horrors unending, its weak knees dropping to the ground.

There was no warm greeting in Jumpace’s home.

Only a floor filled with bloody carnage.

All that could be heard in the world after was an audial-piercing scream, loud enough to reach galaxies above. Such a cry of terror had become the norm on Cybertron, with no one scurrying to check upon the source of screams.

Soon after however, slow steps approached the grieving bot from behind. A single servo, blue and bloodied by energon, planted on its shoulder.

“Oh, my dear Jumpace...,” spoke the eery, familiar voice. “I had hoped you would not find out this way.”

Jumpace did not flinch to the servo touch, but the voice was enough to make it turn its head, responding weakly.

“U-Ulchtar...?”

“Hush. That is no longer my designation,” the seeker walked to stand in front of Jumpace. He softly held its chin, lifting it up to make optics meet. “My, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes...”

“Huh?” Jumpace’s vocaliser was strained, and its processor was hazy from the scene of slaughtered bodies before it, but one thing was for certain;

Its very own sparkmate was in front of it. Online, yet strangely calm.

“What do y-you mean...?”

“Come, I will explain everything.”

...

The two moved outside, away from the gruesome sight from inside Jumpace’s home. After some discussion, Jumpace’s horror on its faceplate only got worse.

“It was the Autobots?”

“Yes, I saw it myself from the skies,” who was once known as Ulchtar was careful to pick his words, using a false tone of honesty. “But alas, I arrived too late, and the murderers were quick to evade my capture. I am ashamed I could not have protected your loved-ones, Jumpace. Trust me that my actions were of justice, and the state of your clan halted my ability to catch the offenders.”

He took a pause, second-guessing his next choice of words. However, they had to be said. For the good of Jumpace. For the good of their relationship. And the Decepticons.

“One did survive however, but I don’t think you’ll be pleased with what he has done.”

Surprise and relief hit Jumpace as it grabbed onto Starscream’s arms, rapidly shaking them with urgency. It tried to recall the bodies it saw, no, no... some were utterly unrecognisable. This meant Jumpace didn’t know all that survived, only the few that it could barely recognise.  

The horrified grounder grabbed onto its sparkmate’s shoulders, shaking them with urgency. It couldn’t think about the massacre, it didn’t want to. Instead of trying to figure out the survivor from fallen bodies, it screamed at the seeker.

“Who?! Who’s alive?! I need to know, Ulchtar! Tell me!!”

Jumpace was given a harsh grip and glare, shoulders squeezed as optics were stared into. The shaking stopped, as the grounder stiffened in fear, whincing. It hurt, so much. Why was Ulchtar acting so... unlike himself?

Was it because of...?

“...I-I mean, Starscream.”

He eased his hold, expression calming to a more neutral look. The deadname was a mistake out of Jumpace’s vocaliser, one it wasn’t going to make again.

“The one called Cliffjumper is online,” the seeker answered, having removed his servos to fold arms. “However, he has unfortunately joined the Autobots. The very faction that murdered your clan. It’s a shame, but you won’t fall for their evil propaganda, will you?”

That’s when Jumpace finally registered what was so different about the one he knew once as Ulchtar. Not only had his optics changed... He was a Decepticon, displayed by the insignias on each silver wing. In addition, his frame was battle-damaged with scratches, dents and bloody energon.

“You joined the Decepticons?”

“Indeed.”

“Why? I-I thought we were going to stay out of the war.”

“We? WE?!” Starscream roughly shoved Jumpace away in rage, separating their touches. “That was before you fragged off to Primus knows where! You weren’t there for Jetfire’s departure! Genvo was killed before my very optics, and you weren’t there to witness it! If you were there from the start, you would have known all this already! You weren’t there to be by my side, Jumpace!!”

The grounder cowered from the shouting, not expecting this from Ulchtar of all bots. No, no this isn’t Ulchtar anymore. That’s right. This is Starscream.

“I-I can explain! I already hate myself enough for m-missing Jetfire, and-...” A pause, scared. “Genvo died...?”

Starscream huffed and folded his arms, turning away with hatred. “By the evil that is infesting our planet.”

“Autobots...” Jumpace frowned, its body slowly readjusted itself to stand up straight. It knew Genvo was a dear friend of Starscream and Jetfire’s. He was rough around the edges, and a bit immature, but Jumpace liked him all the same. “I am, so sorry.”

Starscream acknowledged the apology with a huff and a nod but was still frustrated with Jumpace’s absence.

“I still have my brothers around, but with everyone else important leaving my life, I had begun to think the Autobots KILLED you!” His anger were quick to return, now a few steps closer to Jumpace to tower over. “Why did you not bother to seek me out? Not a single attempt at contact??”

That was a good question. However...

 “...Why didn’t you?”

“Ghk!!” Starscream gritted his dentae, he HAD perfect reasons! He raised a servo, ready to strike Jumpace in rage at the question. “I’ve been too occupied in this damned war, unlike you! And with Megatron always in control, I--...!!”

“My audials burn, Starscream.”

“M-Megatron!”

Starscream spun around to see the leader of the Decepticons, his leader.

Megatron. A name that seemed to bring fear to many, word of mouth spreading far and wide of his intense terror. Jumpace stiffened up, noticing there was even fear on Starscream’s faceplate.

“My leader!” Starscream greeted Megatron, trying to cease any fear crackle in his vocaliser. “My apologies, I was only telling Jumpace here of our cause!”

“Were you, now?” Megatron questioned, stepping forward towards Jumpace, curious. The bot looked scared, but sturdy. The more soldiers, the better. “Well, horned one. Are you willing to join our cause, and save Cybertron from the Autobot’s unjust ideals?”

Jumpace looked to Starscream, as if to seek an answer. What it saw was him nodding, but with optics that seemed... scared? As if saying “No” was an answer it would regret.

And if Jumpace refused, destruction by Starscream’s unwilling hand would be at play.

He couldn’t lose anymore loved ones.

And neither could Jumpace.

~~~

Now fully alone and snapping back to reality, Jumpace transformed as it watched Cliffjumper and his friend reach the mid-way entrance to the Ark. Dammit, it planned to slowly follow the two at a steady pace, but it had to take a risk and make a leap to catch up undetected...

“Ah, frag.”

Looking up, it seemed an unexpected Seeker had a similar idea. When did Starscream get there? Now it’s going to be difficult, knowing how annoyed Starscream got when Jumpace couldn’t battle his brother in the past! But it had to keep going.

With a few steps back, it traversed energy to its legs and pedes as it began to pace forward. It ran as fast as it could, until...

One, two... three!

It delivered a final step into the ground, gathering all its energy to push itself off and leap into the air. It reached the outside of the Ark with a “BWAMP!” latching on for dear life. Fortunately, the sound was mixed with the conflict outside, which made Jumpace’s presence undetected.

After calming its systems down, it almost peered its head into the entrance, but then quickly ducked down upon hearing Cliffjumper and Starscream talk.

“Get behind me, Carly!”

“All right, then! Kill dad. Kill red boy here. Then I kill you.”

Jumpace wasn’t sure what a ‘Dad’ was, but ‘red boy’ was clearly addressing Cliffjumper. Was Starscream talking to the Earthling...?

“Not on my watch!”

ZAPZAPZAPZAPZAP!!

While Jumpace truly believed Cliffjumper was a traitor that should be taught a lesson, execution was something it could never fully go through. It had tried, many, many times. Only to result in failure.

Would it let Starscream do the honours?

“I remember your kind! I remember your clan!”

...Huh?

“It was a pleasure as I ripped each optic nerve from their weeping faces!”

...

No.

No, no, nononononononono.

Jumpace moved a servo to cover its mouth in horror, muffling its own shock. This was a cruel lie, right? Starscream was just bluffing! To scare Cliffjumper, that’s it! The claim never made any sense to Jumpace; Starscream said the Autobots slaughtered them.

Only Jumpace and Cliffjumper avoided the murderous attack, and they chose opposite sides. And the right thing to do, as told by Starscream, was simply to take revenge on the traitor.

With insides churning and circuitry overheating, it felt like its spark was going to launch out of its mouth, said chamber twisting and turning. Optics strained; unstoppable, harsh burning feeling of coolant leaked out of the sockets. Despite the sickening feeling, Jumpace managed to hold onto the Ark’s formation outside, latching onto the belief that this wasn’t real.

“I could never kill Jumpace though. Its wayyyy too good for me~”

What?!

Jumpace wanted to drop to the ground and drive away, as far as possible. To never face this godforsaken war again, to be alone and scream until its vocaliser emitted nothing but static.

“Now, Carly!”

But as it heard a loud blast and agony from Starscream, Jumpace had to do something. Anything but run.

Its initial rage harboured towards the Autobots resurfaced, circulating energy through its wiring. However, the rage was now calling for Starscream in its processor. If what he said was true... He did the unthinkable. But, why would he do such a thing...?

Determination rose as it managed to move up, resting its arms onto the Ark’s entrance.

But upon witnessing the scene before him, Jumpace again hesitated, frozen by fear. Witnessed was a fallen Starscream, towered over by a bitter Cliffjumper, gun in hand. Was he going to end it all?

All it could do was watch.

“I remember that day like it happened minutes ago. I’ve always wondered what this moment would feel like.”

“Please--!”

“And you took Jumpace. Twisted it into a murdering machine. Into someone I can’t recognise anymore.”

A murdering machine? Was that all Cliffjumper saw it as now? An instrument of destruction? Ignoring its benevolence from its urgent pleas to cease fire and convince Cliffjumper to join Jumpace? No! Jumpace was still Jumpace! He was in a war, but it was still itself! Collected rocks! Jumped around!!!

“Ghk, why...?” it muttered to itself, cringing in pain. Both Cliffjumper and Starscream’s words began to stir its processor even more, helm and spark hurt from being overwhelmed.

And one was about to kill the other.

In the past, Jumpace would’ve rushed to the rescue if its love was under threat, but now it was frozen by fear, processor confused from information overload. A weird, twisted side of Jumpace wanted Cliffjumper to execute Starscream, but another side wanted the opposite.

But then it saw the Autobot hesitate, and the... girl? Shocked.

“Cliff?”

“I-I--...”

Reconfiguring its thoughts to address the moment, Jumpace wanted to call out to Cliffjumper. But to didn’t know what to say. To stop them? To tell the two to show no mercy? To spare Starscream?

“Can’t do it.”

The girl seemed confused by Cliffjumper’s comments and hesitancy. As was Jumpace. If Starscream really did do the unthinkable, why not take revenge?! Why not do what Jumpace had been blindly trying to do towards the wrong person?

Oh. Oh Primus.

In all these years, had Jumpace chosen its sparkmate over its own family?

Based on a lie?

Chapter Text

“He KILLED your entire--”

“I know, Carly.

“My DAD!”

“I’m just—I’m tired of it. All of it, I--”

Jumpace continued to watch the exchange between Cliffjumper and the girl, before suddenly letting out a shriek, accidentally alerting itself at the sight of the human suddenly stolen away in Starscream’s servo, right at the Ark’s exit point, placed onto the ship’s thrusters.

“Don’t worry,” he grinned, looking at the Autobot before him, but what’s this? His most trusted ally was just ahead! Perfect. He saw an opportunity and didn’t mind the assistance from his sparkmate. “You’ll both be put to rest soon.” He then nodded to Jumpace, initiating it to go for the kill.

Cliffjumper was distracted by Carly stolen from safety, screams from her squeezed self stinging panic into the Autobot’s spark. He yelled, rushing forward towards his enemy, in hopes of rescue. He had no desire to be affected by any distractions of the war outside, but just one single sentence from Starscream caused his spark to stutter.

“Be a dear, ‘Ace, and finally finish your brother for me.”

No, no...

Cliffjumper bit his bottom lip as he witnessed Starscream’s sadistic smirk, internally begging for the brute’s words to be a ploy.

Don’t turn around, don’t turn around, don’t turn around.

It was no ploy however, as Jumpace was now within the Ark, standing with weapon at the ready. Still at the sight of its former friend. But why raise a weapon, on his sparkmate’s demand? Starscream had declared, proudly, that he was responsible for murders. The murders of Cliffjumper and Jumpace’s clan. After all these years, these centuries, the dreadful truth... Was it really what happened?

“What are you waiting for, Jumpace?!” Starscream snarled, tauntingly shaking around Carly in his servo. “He won’t strike me with a stupid squishy in the way, now’s your chance!!”

As if on auto-pilot, Jumpace retracted the Drill from its back, holding onto the oversized weapon that pointed to its ex-brother. The Decepticon was so used to obeying orders from the High Command, especially Starscream, that being told to attack was second nature. The only thing stalling it, was the fact the enemy was Cliffjumper. This was all too common an issue, and in the enemy’s luck, the stagger was all too familiar.

“Jumpace...” Bold with refusal, Cliffjumper did not turn around. By hearing the pedes of the smaller Decepticon approach, he could recognise the struggle to strike. And by muttering the name, he detected a pause in movement. Avoiding Jumpace was required to rescue Carly, and his goal was homed in once again as blood-curdling screams reached his audials once more.

There was no time for family reunion.

“LET HER GO.”

With a pensive look, Starscream falsely pondered on the demand. Jumpace’s hesitation annoyed him, but the Seeker was amused by the red one’s demand, stalling with a hum. “Hmm,” Then he noticed Jumpace was began to take a few steps, aiming. About time. “No.”

Another squeeze, enjoying how squishy humans could be, Starscream reveled in the horrific shrieks, the flesh making such a unique sound delightful to the Seeker.

“AGHHHH!!!”

Jumpace cringed, halting its instruction. The Earth creature was unbelievably loud... Why would such a stranger’s scream affect it so badly? The cries of war were not new to it; Cybertronians groaned, cried and screeched in agony all the time. Jumpace grew to love the battlefield, so why was this so different? Its inner circuits then jolted through its frame, like lightning, processor rewired to see not a human squished, but a clan mate tortured. Starscream surrounded by the slaughtered, their sights eviscerated.

Were these the sounds that Jumpace’s clan made when they were killed?
The same bots who Starscream proclaimed were his victims.
Piercing shrieks of dread? Pain? As the Seeker took his time to torture?

“Star...scream...” it raised its weapon, helm down to refuse eye contact. The weapon wasn’t aimed at Cliffjumper however, it was raised at a higher level, confusing the Seeker.

“Wh---"

But before any shots could be fired however, incoming was an intense collision of Constructicon. Devastator descended towards the Ark’s edge, gravity taking control of his weight, crashing into both the ship and current Decepticon commander.

‘C R U S H !’

Carly was set free from Starscream’s grasp as the giant Combiner-turned-Constructicons scraped down in damage. This caused her to go flying downwards, urging Cliffjumper to rush to the rescue.

“Got you!!!” he rushed to hold his friend, saving her from a grisly fall. With his strength, he quickly but carefully pulled Carly up onto the Ark’s thrusters, checking for any damage. But Carly instead shoved Cliffjumper, focused on the plummeting Starscream, who unable to fly his way out of the fall.

Cliffjumper also noticed, relieved the threat was away from his friend. Thank Primus for the scum of Cybertron to be out of reach, but the shove by his human comrade confused him.

“Carly...?”

“You had him,” she hissed, taking a few breaths to recover. Starscream was away, but alive. That wasn't good enough. “You could have ended it...You could have ended all of it.”

CLUNK CLANK!

Jumpace stood there, frozen by its own dejection. “I-I couldn’t... do it.”

Cliffjumper and Carly quickly turned their heads at the unexpected voice, with the Autobot instantly guarding his friend.

“What are you doing just standing there?” he questioned, lifting himself up in an attempt to look tall, servo at the ready to protect Carly behind from Jumpace. Despite the inner turmoil of broken family, the red demon’s rage ignited with a shout. “Not gonna go after your precious partner, huh?!”

“Cliff, who is...?”

“Don’t worry about it, Carly. Just stay down! I’ll take care of this.”

“Don’t worry?! There’s a Decepticon! What, you’re gonna spare that one too?!”

Carly’s words disturbed Cliffjumper, as he glanced down at her with a quick look of sadness from the accusation. However, before they knew it, Jumpace had transformed and driven out of sight, looking ahead at the sound of engines fading away.

“Jumpace, wait!” Cliffjumper’s cry went unheard, as the sandrail drove at full speed, escaping the Autobot once called brother.

It didn’t want to abandon Skywarp stuck within the Ark. It didn’t want to say goodbye to Thundercracker. It didn’t want to leave the faction that truly made it believe they were the right choice. It just kept driving, confusion and fear enveloping its spark. There was no fight, just flee, emotions overtaking its processor.

It and the Decepticons were supposed to be the heroes, the saviours of Cybertron. Wasn’t that what this whole war was to save their planet? Primus, it truly did believe Megatron’s words.

Those same words and ideals passed to Starscream.
Which in turn, were given to Jumpace.
But if its closest partner, its sparkmate, was truthful about his murders, what was Jumpace supposed to do? To believe? To live, if its life was led by lies?
Was it really that naïve?

~~~

In a war-torn Cybertron, a select team of Decepticons hid away underground to avoid any Autobot eavesdroppers of their plans. Megatron and Starscream were busy consulting with Shockwave in another area, leaving Soundwave to watch over Skywarp, Thundercracker, Carnivac and Jumpace.

“Hey guys!” Jumpace called out, excitedly jumping to its fellow Decepticons. “Check out my newwww weapon!”

It presented a shiny blaster, one that spoke of flair more than battle efficiency. But to Jumpace, it was an opportunity to stand out. Ever since it joined the Decepticons, the desire to jump out from the crowd grew stronger than ever before. While being partnered with Starscream did help, the reception was mixed. That didn’t deter the grounder’s determination though, its confidence built up since its bonds developed with Starscream and their missing Jetfire so long ago.

“Where did you get that?” growled Carnivac, amused by Jumpace’s new device. “The scrapheap?”

Jumpace huffed, only to grin proudly with its newest weapon. “I bought it from Swindle!”

“Pfft, Swindle huh?” Skywarp tried to contain his laughter. “Does it even work, Leaper?”

Jumpace chuckled, confidence overflowing. “Of course it works! Watch.”

Jumpace stepped back, ready to aim at a fellow Decepticon. It was normal for the faction to have rough housing, whether to vent anger, pass boredom or show off weapons and techniques.

Ready, aim...
Fire?

Or moreso lack of, as the weapon suddenly imploded on itself.

“Wh-Huh??”

The Decepticons, bar Soundwave, busted out in laughter. They knew better to be careful with Swindle, knowing his assortments were hit and miss, depending on the source. This resulted in Jumpace to narrow its optics with a pout.

“Quit laughing.”

“Wow, you believe in anything, Jumpo!” mocked Thundercracker.

“You seriously got swindled by Swindle?” added Skywarp. “Stick with that drill of yours!”

“How are you even a Decepticon?” mockingly howled Carnivac. 

“Hey, shut up, all of you!” Jumpace huffed, embarrassed to its limit. Before it could throw the remains of the defunct weapon at its comrades, it paused at a new entry to the bunker.

“Ah, don’t judge poor little ‘Ace now," commented Starscream as he approached the small group. "It’s just easily charmed by charisma. I should know, after all.”

Upon the presence of its sparkmate, Jumpace leapt for joy to envelop him in a hug. “Starscream!”

But instead of being returned the hold, the grounder received a few pats on the back.

“Off now,” Starscream picked up Jumpace from under its arms, placing it down. He learned down with a harsh whisper in his sparkmate’s audials. “Don’t embarrass me.”

“Uh, right,” Jumpace nodded, stiffened by the order. “Of course.”

Starscream smiled, almost like Ulchtar used to. Almost.

“Now,” he walked with servos behind his back, addressing to the group. “Our leader has told us time and time again that ridiculous in-fighting is a one-way ticket to disaster. We Decepticons should leave our violence for all those who oppose us, not to weaken our strength in numbers!”

“We weren’t really fighting though,” replied Skywarp, smirking in amusement. “Was barely even a scuffle.”

“But if Jumpace’s faulty weapon did strike, fists and lasers would be imminent. Am I wrong?”

“Jumpo is a friend, though,” replied Thundercracker. “’Warp and I wouldn’t do any serious harm.”

“It’s not my friend.”

“Nobody asked you, Carnivac.”

“Silence,” Soundwave spoke up in his monotone voice, respect delivered by most Decepticons. “Starscream is correct. I had already begun to organise a report to Megatron for insubordination.”

“Ah, that won’t be necessary, Soundwave,” the silver Seeker responded, patting his comrade's shoulder. “Besides, I didn’t see you try and stop anything.”

That didn't deter him, and Soundwave didn’t appreciate Starscream’s snark. 

“Starscream. I advise you to discipline Jumpace as it is the instigator.”

“You are not the boss of me, Soundwave.”

"Shall I contact Megatron? He has instructed you multiple times to teach Jumpace a lesson in obedience, but your weak spark delays your actions."

“Tch,” Megatron couldn’t be involved in this, unacceptable. “I am NOT weak. I am a sufficient enforcer of the rules, thank you very much!” Starscream scoffed, muttering something about Soundwave being a hypocritical, soft-sparked Cybertronian for cassettes, as he headed towards Jumpace with slow steps. Once he stopped, he towered over Jumpace, who looked up with unease.

“Am I in trouble?”

“Oh, yes.”

Starscream led Jumpace to a private holding, away from on-looking Decepticons. Unfortunately, Soundwave was correct. He had a duty to maintain, even if Jumpace didn't even start any real troubles. But it was better he do the talking than Megatron.

“Hey, TC,” Skywarp hushed his vocaliser as he leaned over to his fellow Seeker. “You don’t think Screamer is gonna beat up our lil' buddy, do you?”

“These days,” Thundercracker folded his arms, ill at ease. “I wouldn’t be so surprised anymore.”

Once Starscream and Jumpace entered a nearby storage facility, the taller Decepticon was alike a predator, circling its shorter prey. Servos rested behind his back, as optics glared down, never removing his sight from Jumpace.

“As much as I admire your lust for violence,” said Starscream, determined to keep his voice threatening enough to teach Jumpace a lesson. "... we need to make sure our team doesn’t lose any soldiers.”

“You say that yet,” Jumpace watched Starscream, unnerved by his movements.  “...you want to take Megatron’s place.”

“Ha! I didn’t say I’d eliminate him, did I?”

“You have expressed desire for it. Many times, in fact, to me.”

Starscream was quick to analyse his surroundings, movements paused, just in case their leader was listening. Realising he was in the clear, the Seeker vented in relief.

“Jumpace, listen. I cannot have you messing up within the Decepticons. You should be grateful that Megatron has given you a place here. He can send you to the Allspark at moment’s notice! And I cannot have that, can I?”

“Don’t you mean, I can’t have that?” Jumpace recalled the recruitment, the same moment it reunited with Starscream after a long-time separation.

Starscream sneered, vocaliser unresponsive with a daunting stare. If it wasn’t for returning to his own crime scene many years ago, Starscream wouldn’t have taken in Jumpace to his new life. And he simply could not lose it again.

“...I mean,” Jumpace rubbed its arm, uncomfortable. “I joined the Decepticons anyway, so... I’ll do whatever it takes to stay. Not only for my sake, but also for yours.”

Starscream smirked, placing a few pats on Jumpace’s helm. “Good answer.”

A vent of relief. “Starscream, am I still in trouble?”

“I have no reason to believe so anymore. Why, are you wishing me away already?”

“Quite the opposite, actually,” Jumpace tapped its index digits together, nervous. “I miss our time together. Alone. I’m aware you’re rather busy these cycles, but---”

The smaller Decepticon made a minor jump, as Starscream’s helm was suddenly right by its own, audial greeted with curious whispers. “Is that so? Our Close. Intimate. Times. Together?”

“Mhmm...,” Jumpace felt a shudder down its backstrut, guard let down by nostalgic feeling. “That or, just spending time just like we did back when you were Ulchtar---!”

SLAP!

With a sudden THUD! to the floor, Jumpace yelped in unexpected pain. It was struck swiftly against the opposite audial, painful ringing traveling through. The grounder gasped, shaking servo reaching the pain in hopes of calming down the noise. But Starscream’s raised voice made it worse.

“Do NOT bring up that name,” commanded Starscream, servo still raised with threat. “I am NOT him!”

“I-I...,” Jumpace rubbed his helm, unsuccessful in easing the pain. “I-I just meant how we were in the past, back when Jetfire was with us!”

“Jetfire?!" he snarled, further offended with Jumpace's obsession of what once was. "An irrelevant past! Now silence yourself before I rip out your voicebox!”

Jumpace flinched in fear as Starscream snarled. He was right, it was best to leave the past behind.

“I-I am sorry.”

Starscream hissed at his partner’s response, was he too harsh on Jumpace? No, it should’ve known by now to not bring up the past. Jetfire was gone. And Ulchtar was never coming back.

“It’s just US now, Jumpace. You and me. And if you question that once more, then I don’t see any hope in this relationship.”

“Come on, I said I was sorry...” Jumpace stood up slowly, desperate for forgiveness from its love. “It was a mistake, slip of the glossa!”

A mistake. Hm.

“Very well. You’re forgiven.”

With relief, Jumpace relaxed its arm before abruptly letting out a squeak from its chin grabbed tightly. Rushing energon brightened its cheeks as Starscream leaned down to whisper once more.

“I know a place much more private than this, you know,” the Seeker chuckled, back to his earlier flirtations. “I do require a lovely outlet for my frustrations, if you still have intimacy on your mind.”

Even though it had just been hit by the very one it loved, how could Jumpace say no to such an offer?

...

“Answer me, Jumpace! Why do you refuse to terminate that red pest?!”

“I-I...”

“He is the enemy! He betrayed you by joining the Autobots, the very evil that murdered your clan! So why do you struggle?!”

“H-How do you NOT struggle, Starscream?!”

Their shouting match halted, the two alone amongst rubble in an empty warfield, surrounded by nothing but destruction; a common sight on Cybertron. There was the perfect time to strike, to end Cliffjumper’s life, but Jumpace instead hesitated.

“Whatever do you mean, my dear ‘Ace?” Starscream scoffed, gesturing to himself with pride. “I am exceptional in the art of destruction. It takes no thought processing to end the life cycles of my enemies. An Autobot is simply a target, a tally to my endless count of kills.”

“But Starscream, think! Think about your past, before all..." Jumpace gestured to the carnage surrounded them. "...this! Killing was never your style! You were Ulchtar, the show-off scienti---Ghhkk!!”

Pinned to against the surface of a broken building, Jumpace gasped in shock from the sudden movement. It looked up to Starscream, who’s optics full of rage burned into Jumpace’s own. Before any pain of shouts or punches were made, a sound from below distracted them.

‘Clink Clink!’

A familiar small meteorite dropped from the threatened Decepticon’s frame, causing Starscream to curiously murmur.

“Oh, why if it isn’t Chip,” remarked Starscream as he bent down, releasing Jumpace to take the fallen rock. “Or should I say, a bargaining chip...”

“What?” Jumpace asked, moving from the wall. Though shaken from force, it couldn’t let pain distract itself from the importance of its treasure. "What are you doing?"

“Your precious specimen, the very thing that had you meet my glorious self. It’s honestly impressive that you’ve kept it all these years, however...” He threw the rock up to catch, up and down, up and down. “I could easily shatter it, along with our relationship.”

“Y-You wouldn’t!” Jumpace panicked, rushing towards Starscream to retrieve Chip, only to be stopped by Starscream’s spare, assertive servo on its helm.

“It wouldn’t be my fault, Jumpace,” he continued to play with the meteorite, taunting. “If you left the Decepticons, you’d be leaving me. Sure, I could have some ounce of pity within my spark, and let you go, but then you’d be a target. Megatron’s orders.”

No, no! Jumpace didn’t want to end things with Starscream! There was no Jetfire in sight, and its only remaining family member was dead to it, right? So, it had to stay! It loved Starscream too much!

“I wouldn’t ever leave you, Starscream!” Jumpace cried out. “I just miss the way things were!”

“Oh, please! That’s Autobot talk! I can’t have you sharing their evil ideals!”

“No way! I’d never become an Autobot! Not after what they did!”

“Then quit spouting nonsense and swear your allegiance to me!”

Jumpace backed off, confused by Starscream's command. “We’re sparkmates, an allegiance is...”

“Oh, come ON!" Starscream huffed in disbelief. Wasn't Jumpace supposed to be his life-long partner? "It’s not hard! Think of it as a lover’s vow, but deeper.”

“Deeper than a lover’s vow?” Jumpace was a bit flustered, but also oddly flattered at the idea.

“Mhm, isn’t that romantic?” Starscream smirked. While its partner became violent as a Decepticon, it still had softness in its spark. This was the perfect opportunity to make use of it. “It’s what you want, isn’t it? To forever be by Starscream’s side, future leader of the Decepticons?”

He had a point. Starscream always had a point. He was smart, cunning, and he loved Jumpace. And as he evolved into a killing machine, so too, in part, did Jumpace. Just with more room for doubt, something Jumpace wish it didn’t have. Perhaps, this was the answer to fix it.

“Okay, Starscream. I...” it hesitated, looking up at its towering sparkmate. It then knelt, determined to prove how much the grounder did love and respect his partner. “I pledge my allegiance to you with all my spark, Starscream.”

It pauses. Right, a lover’s vow...

“My love is your love, if your love is mine. My spark represents us both, united, even when apart. Forever.”

Starscream grinned. “And I shall return that love to you, dear ‘Ace.”

He was pleased. Two undying vows from the one he truly loved, even if their relationship had changed to suit the battlefield over centuries. He’d see to it that Jumpace stayed by his side and survived.

“Very good. Here,” he passed Chip to Jumpace, who caught it with one servo. “See that you keep your promise to me, dear ‘Ace.” He then approached his partner, holding the side of his face to plant a kiss to his helm.

“You should be lucky I love you.”

As Starscream left with a final pat on his partner’s side, Jumpace was left alone with its beloved treasure.
To think, the one it trusted the most threatened to destroy the very thing that united them.
Their very own connection, and memories of Jetfire almost lost.

~~~

It had been less than 24 of Earth’s hours as Jumpace internally panicked at its decision to return to the Ark. Like some sort of morbid intuition, its spark demanded a revisit. But, why? Why?! There’s no way Starscream would still be there! Was it to make amends with Cliffjumper?! And what of the Autobots, if they reclaimed their ship, how would Jumpace sneak in?

“...Huh?”

Transforming to root mode, Jumpace curiously steadied its pace at the lack of security measures as it entered the Ark, as if it was being... welcomed. No alarms, no defensive mechanisms... was the passage’s computer malfunctioning? Then it remembered what it first witnessed upon coming online not too long ago. It couldn't see him, but it knew.

“Skywarp,” Jumpace smiled for the first time in what felt like forever, patting the inner walls in hopes its friend received gratitude. “Thank you.”

As it sneakily creeped further into the Autobot’s ship, Jumpace found itself in a room with...

No, it couldn’t be.

“Who goes there?” The voice came from a gigantic jet, stationary white and red standing out from the Ark’s rusted yellow. “Optimus, is that you?”

Jumpace froze in its tracks, there was zero doubt on who this was. But why ask if it was the Autobot’s Commander? Was it not in clear view?

“Je-Jet,” Jumpace reset its optics in surprise, mouth agape. “Jet, Jet, J-Jetfi-...re...”

For a moment, there was silence. It was as if the large Cybertronian was trying to revisit his memory banks, trying to detect why the voice was so familiar. Oh... Oh!!

“...Jumpace?” a voice filled with hope and relief. “Oh, thank the stars! You’re safe.”

Oh, hearing Jetfire’s voice filled Jumpace’s spark with warmth, yet it was scared. Why was Jetfire here? With the Autobots? And...

“Do you not recognise me...?” it asked weakly, examining Jetfire's alt-mode. It took as much as it could within its optics, never wanting to forget a single aspect of him again.

“I apologise for not doing so earlier,” the jet remained still, only his inner circuitry traversed within. “I afraid I cannot move or transform. There was an incident...,” He didn’t want to say with whom. “Nor can I... see the love I have so terribly missed for centuries.”

“What happened?” Jumpace sensed dread, stepping forth slowly to accompany its beloved.  “What did those horrible Autobots do to you?”

“My friends,” Jetfire corrected, though softly. “...they needed means to traverse the skies. My damaged spark has left me paralysed in this form."

Jumpace took a few steps back to quickly leap into the air, continuing its observation. That's when it noticed the Auto-brand above Jetfire's cockpit. It descended roughly into the ground, disappointed. Whether at Jetfire or itself, Jumpace couldn't figure out.

"Did you just jump now?"

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Just me. Wanted to confirm something, is all."

Jetfire then remembered something from when first arriving in the Ark. He too required confirmation, though fearful of the information he may receive.

"Jumpace, forgive me if I am wrong but... Do you bear the mark of the Decepticons?”

Jumpace went silent. Jetfire had theorised as much.

“I don’t believe I have to ask why," he spoke of sorrow, believing Starscream to be the cause. Speaking of... "I saw your frame as I was re-activating Teletraan-1, but was overcome with a... struggle and was unable to bring you back sooner. I apologise.”

Jumpace remained silent, oh bless Jetfire's warm spark. It couldn’t lose both of its loves, after all. With a vent, it gained courage to continue their conversation.

“You... were responsible for re-activating Teletraan-1?”

“Affirmative.”

Jumpace frowned, at least Jetfire couldn’t see that. “I’d say thank you but, you shouldn’t have.”

“Why do you say that?”

A fist formed in Jumpace’s server, thinking about the unfortunate truth of its clan. It gently rested reached up to hold Jetfire’s alt-mode’s nose, horns resting against him.

“...Death would have been more painless than living.”

“Jumpace...” Jetfire didn’t want to reveal that he too, shared the same sentiment about himself. He responded to the touch with a hum, spark suffering from the lack of mobility. Being unable to comfort Jumpace in return truly was torture.

“I’m in enemy territory,” Jumpace’s vocaliser crackled from the emotional reunion. “But I don’t want to leave you. Please don’t hate me for being absent for your departure centuries ago. I’m a horrible excuse for a partner!”

“You... did what you had to survive, correct?" Jetfire didn’t know Jumpace’s personal history as a Decepticon, but the giant mech couldn’t result in disdain over his beloved. "I have no real grudge against you for missing my departure, we theorised you were caught up in one of the riots or worse. I’m glad it wasn’t the latter. Trust me when I say, I never stopped thinking about you.”

Jumpace looked up to the held nose. “Really...?”

“If I could, I’d give you a smile to show how sincere I am. And hold you in my arms...”

"But, I don't deserve it. Deserve you," Jumpace smiled, sadly. "I'm a Decepticon, your enemy." 

Their reunion was quickly interrupted as an organic voice then cried out.

“Which means you deserve to die."

Jumpace twisted around to be faced by the loud girl from earlier. Not only that, there seemed to be a group of Autobots, including Optimus Prime, as well as...

“Cliffjumper!”

“What are you---”

Before Cliffjumper could finish his sentence, Carly began to yelled at Optimus, Arcee, anyone to assist in destroying the Decepticon before them. She wasn't going to let Optimus steal her firepower again, taking aim at Jumpace. 

But before he could even await an order from Optimus Prime, Cliffjumper took action without thought and ran to defend Jumpace. It was like as if his circuits controlled him without will, spreading his arms in front of his former clan member.

“Cliffjumper?!” Carly yelled in anguish, pissed at him. “What the HELL are you doing?! That’s one of Starscream’s! And if you’re gonna do an Optimus and claim that one is helpful, I swear to GOD!!"

“I...,” Cliffjumper looked to Jumpace, then to Carly. He had already lost his organic friend’s trust over not ending the sparkdamned war in his prior encounter with Starscream, but he had to say something.

“Carly, I’m afraid I haven’t been entirely honest with you.”