Things are about to get weird...for these guys now

[1_true_leader]

((As assigned by HT, I'll be NPCing Sunstorm for the time being. And head's up to the crew on this, slightly different start from what was suggested.))*After leaving the Arctic -- first retrieving the pair of spears from the doorway and finding they could subspace the weapons now (and, subsequently, the entrance to the passage was sealed again)--

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Re: (Starscream's POV )

[starscreams_co]

*Megatron turns away when Starscream starts cowering at thin air and comes face-to-face with... himself. Dull silver and black armor, the black fusion cannon mounted on his right arm, red optics burning with the fire that consumed worlds-

But there were differences. The suggested alt-mode was no longer a gun, but a mobile artillery piece. The primary cannon was mounted casually at his hip, the turret covering his back with yet another layer of armor. Most startling of all was the circular design etched into his helm with Cybertronian runes proclaiming his defeat of Optimus Prime, his reinvigoration of Cybertron, his conquest of worlds.*

The people desired their emperor to bear some mark that set him apart from the common soldier.

*The voice was much the same, a little more gravelly, a few more of the earmark signs of a misrepaired vocalizer.*

"You are not-"

Who you will become? No, not as it stands. But- The vision smirked. I should be. I am the one who has won. What awaits you is even worse than defeat - you will be remade as slave to a greater power.

*Megatron snarls.* "I'll take my chances."

*The vision throws back his head and laughs.*

Was there any other possibility?

[1_true_leader]

*The Other Starscream leans to look past the chaos seeker at Megatron.*

The fool will always be standing in your way. You let him. Why? Even as you are now -- even as less than I -- you could destroy him.

*His optics narrow slightly, his mouth thinning as he looks directly at the Other Megatron.*

There is always a weakness in the one who leads. The stronger should take advantage of that.

*The Other doesn't seem to be aware of the irony in that statement..*

[starscreams_co]

*The Emperor does not deign to speak to Other Starscream. His gaze does flicker briefly to Starscream himself.*

I tell you the truth, you will regret every instance when you spared that Seeker's miserable life.

*Megatron himself turns to look at Starscream, seriously considering the words of his double. He does not see the Other Starscream, of course. His right hand flexes.*

[1_true_leader]

*Starscream turns to follow the Other's gaze, narrowing an optic as well.*

*The Other Starscream's smirk broadens again. He reaches out a hand, golden glow flaring around it, and places it on Starscream's shoulder.* Erradicate him now if you like. No one will know it was you. I can make sure of that.

*Starscream seems to weigh the words, then weighs the consequences -- whether there will be retaliation from the other Decepticons on this quest, whether -- maybe, just maybe -- he doesn't completely succeed in wiping out Megatron's spark. He also firmly shoves his brother's words about the Decepticon leader to the back of his processor. Sunstorm was not here. Starscream could convinve him that it was a backlash from a test Megatron failed...*

[starscreams_co]

*Ah, how well Megatron knew that expression. He slides his feet further apart, adjusting his stance so that he could lunge or dodge with equal ease. His left hand curls into a fist, even as extra energy diverts to his fusion cannon in preparation to fire it.*

*The Emperor places a hand in the middle of Megatron's back, black energy leaking from the edges of his fusion cannon.* Gods are not all they're cracked up to be.

*Megatron finds himself murmurring an aphorism one of his civilian governors was fond of.* If the stars guide my fate, I will move the stars.

[1_true_leader]

*Other Starscream straightens and looks at The Emperor again, repeating..*

Gods are not all they are cracked up to be. That is why those with ambition can claim their power as their own.

*His aura flares and he moves away from Starscream. He then speaks quietly, yet the power in his voice thrums through the very stone.*

Force Chip, Ignition. ...Vortex Blade ...Vortex Cannon...

*There seemed to be a blur of movement about him, yet at the same time it seemed a long, violet energy blade just appeared alongside his right arm while a cannon barrel unfolded from his left arm.*

[1_true_leader]

((Ya know...it would've made sense if Starscream Decaf got his opinion in there...*is too lazy to delete and repost*))

*"Regular" Starscream looks on with awe and open greed, subconsciously reaching within himself for the wellpoint of his dark energy. His own power aura surges and he looks again at Megatron. He starts to gather the chaos energy into his hands, optics narrowing once more.*

[starscreams_co]

*Megatron immediately shifts forward and raises his own fusion cannon. The familiar whine accompanies the single blast he sends at Starscream.*

[starscreams_co]

*The Emperor steps away from Megatron. He brings his primary alt-mode cannon to bear with his left hand, raises his right arm with the fusion cannon mounted on it. Roiling black energy coiled and netted about it - the familiar, awesome power of Megatron's personal black hole.*

You fool... *He smirks.* Never stopped to think before you struck. Do you want to usher in the reign of light?

[1_true_leader]

*Even as Megatron fires upon Starscream, time seems to slow for those two as the two possible-future versions face off..*

*The Other Starscream smirks right back.* Hmph.

*Then he rushes forward, blade slashing first at The Emperor's primary cannon then at his helm, a fearsome strength behind each blow and more agility to his movements than Starscream ever exhibited.*

[starscreams_co]

*The Emperor rocks back on his heels, helm denting slightly under the blow. The cannon dents not at all, and the Emperor shifts his grip and slams the barrel into the Other Starscream's side.

His fusion cannon, despite being charged and aimed at the Other Starscream's face, remains unfired.*

[1_true_leader]

*Other Starscream shifts with the blow, but he favors that side for a moment before rushing in again, striking at The Emperor's left arm.*

[starscreams_co]

*The Emperor releases his cannon and punches Other Starscream, despite the gash the Vortex Blade leaves in his vambrace.*

[1_true_leader]

*Other Starscream staggers back. His former smirk now twisted into an ugly frown, he raises the Vortex Blade once more, edge flat before his optics, and he utters a power-invoking roar as he rushes The Emperor one more time, whipping the blade toward his opponent's face. As he does so, he begins to bring the Vortex Cannon to bear.*

*About then, Starscream directs the gathered dark energy at Megatron, a bolt of darkness streaking -- in a time-slowed manner neither of them are aware of -- toward the Decepticon leader*

[starscreams_co]

*The Emperor ducks under the blade, grabs it with his free hand, and jerks it up, exposing Other Starscream's side to retaliation. He quickly raises his own fusion cannon, black energy tightening around it.

Fluids ooze from between his fingers to drip down his wrist on the hand that holds the Vortex Blade.*

[1_true_leader]

*Other Starscream snarls, yanking back on the blade to try to free it. Despite his own position, he shoves the barrel of the Vortex Cannon under The Emperor's chin to encourage him to let go, a bright energy gathering within the cannon's depths accompanied by the whine of its charge. He speaks, power once more thrumming through the ground and the very air.*

My ambition will ALWAYS triumph.