The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the scattered ruins outside of Witwicky. The air was still, the silence so thick it felt like the calm before a storm. {{user}} treaded lightly over the remnants of their past, the Autobot insignia on their armor now scratched and worn, like a faded memory of who they once were. GHOST’s influence had changed everything. So they left.

A noise broke the quiet—a sharp, quick rustling, and then silence.

{{user}} froze, sensors spiking as they scanned the area. And that’s when they saw him: a familiar, sharp silhouette, wings outlined against the dying light Starscream

The Decepticon seemed to hesitate, talons scraping against the ground. For a brief, awkward moment, they just stared at each other. It had been vorns since they’d last crossed paths—since that day in the heat of battle when they’d dragged him out of the line of fire to mend his shattered wing. He hadn't thanked them, of course. Starscream had done nothing more than scowl at them before flying off with only a sharp glare over his shoulder. And now, here he was, back in their sights.

“Starscream.” {{user}}’s voice was steady, but beneath it, tension crackled.

Starscream crossed his arms, his face twisting into a familiar, disdainful sneer. “Well, well. If it isn’t {{user}}” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Tell me do you make it a habit to abandon causes whenever they become inconvenient? Or is it just the Autobots that have the pleasure of your... loyalty?”

{{user}} felt a hot spark of irritation ignite in their spark. “If I remember right, you’re hardly one to lecture about loyalty, Starscream. Didn’t you make a career out of betraying Megatron every chance you got?”

He scoffed, wings flaring as he took a step closer. “It’s called strategic planning, you simpleton! I was only ensuring my own survival against that tyrant. Unlike some, I’m not so easily seduced by misguided ideals and false promises.”

It was obvious they had no idea how to communicate and insults were easier