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Harmony Ridge! Chap.1

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///ATTENTION!!!!///
Harmony Ridge is a continuation of my previous fanfic Rest for the weary. If you haven't read it then please find the link posted in the description.
It is advisable that you read it first or else some things may be unclear in this fanfic, but that's entirely up to you the reader.
And if you've already read it then just sit back and enjoy my newest masterpiece.

* * *

A New Environment

Megatron rolled over in berth as the tinny sound of a whining sparkling filled his audios and echoed through his helm. It was followed shortly by the sound of his bondmate's soothing voice. He painstakingly opened his optics and saw the bleary image of Starscream cuddling their sparkling, Ironfist, close to his chassis with one servo, while the other opened the latch on the right side of his chassis to expose one of his two nursing cables. It had been a month now since their sparkling had been born and he was healthy and growing well. Between the time before and after Ironfist's birth, so much had happened between the pair. Things had been rocky, but they had managed to smooth out the rough edges and settle down so that they could concentrate on raising their son. Things had been going well so far, but Megatron was having a bit of trouble adjusting to the new changes. There was an extra person in their berthroom now which meant that they had to be very careful with their "marital activities". Apart from that, he was constantly being awakened at multiple times of the night by Ironfist's nocturnal wailing. He watched as the sparkling eagerly pulled the feeding cable into its mouth and began sucking at it vigorously.
 
"Don't you think he's too old to be nursing still?" Megatron asked.

"What kind of a question is that?" Starscream asked turning to glare at his mate.

"You know if you keep babying him like that he's going to turn out to be a weakling." Megatron remarked. "If he's old enough to direct the cable to his mouth, then I think he's too old for nursing."

"Well I disagree." Starscream huffed. "I don't believe you should force a sparkling to stop nursing. I believe that when the time is right, a sparkling will stop nursing on their own. Do you know the significance of nursing? It's more than just feeding, it's a way for the sparkling to bond with its carrier. If you stop them before their ready, then you're basically inhibiting a normal bonding process."

"You lost me at "disagree"." Megatron yawned. "The way I see it, nursing is just an unnecessary way for the sparkling to exercise their mouths. I mean, I don't think it's really essential. I was never nursed and look how good I turned out to be."

"I rest my case." Starscream hissed.

"Well, whatever." Megatron chuckled. He sighed as he drew himself into a sitting position. He had awoken so many times the previous night and the morning that recharging felt useless now. Heaving a sigh, he willed himself to stand up and staggered slowly toward the berthroom door, his joints creaking as he walked.

As Megatron sauntered through the halls of the Nemesis, he felt a striking difference in the atmosphere in contrast to only a few months ago. Things were quiet and mellow. There had not been any recent Autobot activity, no raiding of mines, no spontaneous battles. Everything seemed to just quiet down in a sudden and unresolved way. As he looked around, he saw Eradicons walking around in pairs or groups of three instead of assembling for attacks or sentry duty as they usually did. A peep in the med-bay showed him Knockout and Breakdown atop one of the examination tables in a compromising position. No surprise there, Megatron thought. He then made his way into the Control Room, hoping to find even an ounce of action there, but all he saw were the blank monitors and Shockwave sitting atop his throne, lost in his own thoughts. At the sight of his master, the scientist quickly drew himself out of the seat and stood at attention.

"My Liege!" He greeted his lord nervously. "I apologize for my insolence. Please be merciful unto me." Megatron waved a servo at him dismissively and the scientist relaxed. "You seem troubled, My Liege." He said to Megatron who was staring longingly at the screens.

"What happened, Shockwave?" Megatron asked turning to look at the scientist. "How did everything suddenly die down like this?"

"I wish I knew, My Lord." Shockwave replied. "But I am just as baffled as you are."

"So...is this really it then?" Megatron asked, a quaver almost ringing in his voice. "Has the war really come to an end?"

"I'm afraid so." Shockwave replied.

"This is hardly the way I envisioned it." Megatron continued. "I imagined things would go down with a gruesome battle, both sides experiencing innumerable loss and the death of Optimus Prime...or even myself. Then...well I'm not sure what would happen after that honestly. Cybertron is no more, so I suppose we would colonize earth after exterminating all of its indigenous life."

"All of its indigenous life?" Shockwave asked. "Wouldn't you have at least like to keep a few for...scientific study, perhaps?"

"Well, whatever you want to do with them." Megatron sighed. "I don't know. I just feel restless. You know, like I just need some action. I miss diving into the front lines of battle and lighting up Autobot soldiers with this cannon of mine. I miss that adrenaline rush. Honestly, Shockwave, I'm bored out of my processor. I mean look at this! All we do now is hook up, interface and act like we're all on vacation or something." Shockwave nodded silently, not quite sure of what he could add to his master's words. "And speaking of which," Megatron continued, "I haven't seen Dreadwing for the longest while."

"Oh, I apologize." Shockwave quickly said. "Dreadwing left about a week ago with Soundwave. I don't know where they went, thought. Honestly, I thought you had been informed."

"I see..." Megatron mused. As he thought about Dreadwing, he remembered the short affair they had had. He still felt a pang of guilt whenever it came to mind. He had lassoed the Seeker between him and Starscream, and after Starscream had been sparked, he left him high and dry. He hadn't really meant for things to turn out that way. Honestly, he wasn't sure how things were supposed to turn out. But being so caught up in family life, he had not even looked back to see how the Seeker had been coping with the sudden separation. But now that he thought about it, according to what Shockwave had just told him, and the way things were going on the warship, he had no need to worry about Dreadwing anymore.

As he continued to think, his optics traveled across the room and he caught sight of something very strange. Hung over one of the small windows was a thin piece of cloth. Megatron had never seen anything like it. Very slowly he walked over to the window and carefully took the cloth in his hand. He examined it and saw that it was faded and patterned with pale-colored shapes resembling earth's fauna.

"What is this?" He asked turning to Shockwave.

"I believe it is called a curtain." Shockwave replied. "Humans use it not only to adorn their domiciles but also to keep prying eyes of outsiders from seeing what goes on in their private quarters."

"Well...what is it doing here?" Megatron wanted to know.

"I believe I might have seen Starscream hanging them up." Shockwave replied. "There are more of these adornments around the warship."

Megatron didn't wait for Shockwave to finish his sentence. He began scouting around the warship at once and was horrified to find more of the thin cloths hung around the windows. Apart from that he found other strange adornments across the warship; tiny porcelain ornaments filled with indigenous flora sat clustered in corners. Little, colorful pieces of patched together cloth were spread across the floor, and empty frames bordered the walls. Megatron was flabbergasted. He gathered up as much of the little ornaments that he could manage to carry and stumbled back to the berthroom. He barged through the doors just as Starscream was laying a recharging Ironfist back into his crib.

"Starscream!" Megatron cried. "What in Primus' name-!"

"Shhh!" Starscream hissed. "I just got him to recharge. If you wake him up again, you'll be the one to nurse him."

"Would you forget about Ironfist for one moment and just listen to me?" Megatron growled. Starscream drew back, highly insulted by Megatron's request, but he allowed Megatron to speak.

"What the scrap is all of this?" Megatron cried tossing the adornments on the floor between them. Porcelain shattered and water spilled as the little structures hit the floor.

"Oh, Megatron!" Starscream hissed, bending down to pick up the pieces. "Don't get your turbines in a twist. I was only trying to make the warship feel a bit more...homely."

"Homely?" Megatron cried. "Homely? Starscream, this isn't your mansion back in Vos. This is a warship and I don't want you turning it into a pansy palace!"

"Well, I can't help it!" Starscream retorted. "This warship is just so gloomy and dreary. In my opinion, it's no place to raise a sparkling. And anyway, there's nothing pansy about a little interior decorating."

Megatron made a facepalm and sighed. 

"Look, this warship is all I have left to remind me of the glory days of war." He said. "The least you could do is to respect the severity that comes with it."

"Well, I'm sorry but I can't." Starscream pouted. "And what good is it reminding yourself that of war when there is no war? Look around you, Megatron. You're the only person still concerned about war. Everyone has come to terms with the fact that things have blown over and their moving on with their lives. Heck, the Autobots don't even seem interested in us anymore." Megatron sighed. "War isn't everything, sweet spark." Starscream said. "There is more to life than the battlefield."

"Well, I've been living like this for so long it's just so hard to believe that now." Megatron sighed and sat down on the berth.

"I know." Starscream said. Taking a seat beside him, he held one of his large servos in his own that were smaller and more delicate. "But things won't be the same forever. I mean look at us for example. A couple months ago, who'd ever thought that we'd be bonded and raising a sparkling? I sure didn't."

"I guess you're right." Megatron replied with a shrug. "But...what are we going to do with ourselves now?"

"Well, we have a sparkling to raise." Starscream pointed out.

"Right." Megatron replied.

"But I just don't like the aura this warship is giving off." Starscream went on.

"Aura?" Megatron looked bewildered at his mate.

"There's just so much darkness and deception hanging around in the air, here." Starscream explained.

"That's the glory of the Decepticons." Megatron replied indignantly. "This is Ironfist's heritage."

"I know." Starscream replied. "I just don't want to raise my sparkling here." In truth, it wasn't so much the aura that the warship was giving off that bothered Starscream as much as the bad memories that lingered there. Yes, Starscream loved and forgave Megatron, but years of abuse and spark-break were hard to forget and sometimes he still had nightmares. 

"Well, it's not like we have anywhere else to go." Megatron said.

"Well, that's not entirely true." Starscream said, turning to his mate, a bright spark in his optics. Megatron thought he could see that old scheming look on his mate's faceplate and it made him a bit uneasy.

"Well, what do you have in mind, great schemer?" He asked.

"Don't call me that." Starscream snapped. "And I'll tell you just what I have in mind." He cleared his throat and sat up a bit straighter on the berth. "You remember Ironhide, right?"

"Neutral Autobot who tried to take you from me. Shot him in the right shoulder." Megatron replied rather tensely. He didn't quite like Ironhide and it only irked him whenever Starscream brought him up in their converstations. Starscream would go to visit him often and took Ironfist with him. He tried to invite Megatron on several occasions but he always refused. Megatron would never admit it, but he disliked Ironhide more for the reason that he had once been Starscream's lover rather than the fact that he was an Autobot. "How could I ever forget him?"

"If you would come along with me when I go to visit him that wouldn't be the only thing you remember about him." Starscream griped.

"Well, what does he have to do with any of this?" Megatron asked irritably.

"He's been working on a little project lately." Starscream continued. "He's been building a little community for Cybertronians here on earth. Sort of like a housing development. It's deep in the desert and well concealed from the prying optics of those squishy humans. I was thinking maybe we could..."

"No." Megatron said bluntly.

"What?" Starscream gasped. "You didn't even let me finish."

"I already know what you're going to say and the answer is no. We're not going to move in."

"Why not?" Starscream cried.

"Because," Megatron replied, "it's going to be full of Autobots and we'll be like an odd part in an engine that doesn't quite fit. This Ironhide of yours is the only one who's processor is full of these delusions of grandeur that he can bring peace between Autobots and Decepticons with some building material and a band of Constructicons. Those other Autobots don't think like him even though they claim to be the "good-guys". I'm not about to lose my dignity and raise my son in shame and hatred."

"It's open to both Autobots and Decepticons." Starscream pointed out.

"And so what?" Megatron snapped. He stood up from the berth and began making his way toward the door. "You think anyone in here is going to want to go down there and mingle with the Autobots?"

"They might if you do." Starscream remarked. "I mean, the war may be over but they still see you as their leader."

"I said no and that's final." Megatron growled. Starscream leaped off the berth and caught up to him before he could slip out the doors.

"Aww come on, Megatron." He purred gently running his servos down the tyrant's back. "Pleeeeaaaassseee??? Can we at least go and have a look? We don't have to get a domicile if you don't want to." Starscream continued to feel around his mate's back until he felt Megatron quiver slightly. Yes, he had found that special spot on his back and he played on it until Megatron suddenly pulled away from him. The Kaonite sighed and turned to look at his mate.

"Fine." He sighed. "We'll go and have a look. But that's all, we're only looking just to humor you."

"Oh thank you, Megatron!" Starscream cried and hugged his mate. He didn't mind Megatron's words. Once he got him to go, that was all he needed. He would just work on him until he agreed to move out of the horrid warship.

* * *

"Must you lag behind?" Starscream hissed turning to glare at his mate who was lagging several metres behind as they soared toward the flea market. The Seeker had made arrangements with Ironhide already and they were to meet him on that very day. They set out early that afternoon; Starscream had left Ironfist with Knockout.

"Forgive me," Megatron sighed, "I'm just feeling a little jet lagged."

"Ha, ha." Starscream replied dryly. 

"Well, if I'm going to go with you to look at boring houses I might as well entertain myself." Megatron retorted.

"I don't know why you're being so pissy about this." Starscream remarked. "We're only going to look at some houses. It's not like I'm going to use my charms to incite you to move out and buy one."

"Sure..." Megatron sarcastically agreed.

They landed near the flea market's entrance and Jazz greeted them as they walked in. 

"It's always good to see you guys." Jazz replied, though he was referring more to Starscream than Megatron. "And where's the little one?"

"Left him at home." Starscream replied with a smile.

"Alright, you just wait here and I'll go get 'Hide." Jazz disappeared but returned shortly, trailing behind the massive, silver mech.

"Starscream!" Ironhide greeted the Seeker with a hug, keeping it short so as not to anger his mate. After the pleasantries, Ironhide led them out of the flea market. Once outside, he transformed into vehicular mode and instructed Megatron and Starscream to follow suit so that he could lead them toward the new community. About twenty minutes into their journey, they came toward a dense wall of stone that stretched on for as long as they could see.

"I hope this isn't it." Megatron muttered under his breath. Ironhide transformed back to robot mode and walked over to the stone, placing is servo atop its surface. Megatron and Starscream watched in curiousity as little dots of light began to illuminate the stone. These lights grew longer until they were little beams extending across the rock and coming together in a network. The stone began to slide away slowly.

"This is how we intend to keep ourselves hidden from the humans. It can only be activated by a being that possesses Cybernetic coding. Neat, right?" Ironhide explained.

"Indeed." Starscream nodded.

"And you came up with this idea?" Megatron asked.

"Oh no. This was Ratchet's idea." Ironhide replied.

"I see." Megatron replied. When Ironhide turned around, Starscream served him a sharp stab in the side with his elbow.

"Well, come along!" Ironhide chimed and led the couple through the stone gate.

Once inside, Megatron and Starscream took a good look at the community around them. Several buildings lined the asphalt pathway that led them through the lawn. Within the architecture there could be found the familiar features of domiciles on Cybertron. Some of the houses were finished and others were being worked on by groups of Constructicons.

"So, what do you think?" Ironhide asked eagerly.

"It almost feels like home." Starscream beamed.

"Yeah, that's what I was aiming for." Ironhide replied. "But although were a little behind on construction, I figured that there are enough houses for the number of Autobots and Decepticons here already so I decided to go ahead and open it. This is kind of a big project for such a small amount of Constructicons as you can see."

"Well, that's alright, I suppose." Starscream shrugged. "What are your thoughts, Megatron."

"It's...alright, I suppose." Megatron said impassively.

"Alright, well let's talk about your house." Ironhide then said. "What kind of house are you looking to buy?"

"Well, we're a small family," Starscream said, "so nothing too big would be fine."

"Are you sure?" Ironhide asked. "I mean Ironfist is only your first sparkling. Do you intend of having anymore?"

"No!" Starscream replied without a thought, but at the same time, Megatron gave a doubtless, "Yes!"

The two froze, then glared at each other.

"Alright...seems like the two of you have some discussing to do." Ironhide remarked. "I'll give you a minute." When Ironhide had left, Starscream turned to his mate.

"What do you mean "yes"?" He hissed.

"What do you mean "no"?" Megatron shot back.

"No means no." Starscream firmly replied.

"Okay, Starscream." Megatron chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?" Starscream hissed. "You think I'm not serious? Gestation is not enjoyable! I swear you're never sparking me again!"

"You know, this is just the result of your sleezy actions." Megatron retorted. "After all, you were the one who sparked yourself. Have you forgotten?"

"No, and I don't need to be reminded." Starscream grumbled. 

"Great. Now, you dragged me out here and although I'm not exactly thrilled, I'd rather spend the afternoon house hunting than arguing with you." Megatron said and began walking off.

"This argument isn't over!" Starscream hissed as he padded behind him. Ironhide turned around at that moment and smiled when he saw the couple walking toward him.

"Made up your minds?" He asked.

"Yes." Megatron began speaking before Starscream could utter a word. "We want a nice house that we can raise a growing family in."

"Well, I think I have just what you need." Ironhide replied. "Follow me this way please. Right now, where we are is the commerce area. I'm planning to put stuff like a bank and a health center in this area. And that building over there will be the new flea market." The asphalt road stopped and continued as a cobblestone pathway. "And this is the housing area." Ironhide announced. "We have three different housing models here and they're all grouped together. Those small houses over there are the Singles. They contain one berthroom and one washrack, you know for a single mech living alone. Or a couple with no sparklings. But those models are of no interest to you, of course." They walked on a little further. All of the houses had a front porch and were separated by a barricade of iron that resembled a picket fence There was an empty gap and then the next set of houses were a little bigger. "These are the Duos." Ironhide continued. "Two berthrooms, two washracks, for you and your roomie. But, those models are of no interest to you either." A little further on, they met another empty gap, and then they came upon houses that were even larger than the Duos. "And these," Ironhide said, turning to grin at his customers, "These are the Family Size. Four or five berthrooms and washracks depending on the model. Perfect for a large or potentially large family. Would you like to look inside?"

With a key card, Ironhide deactivated the locks on the houses and the couple was permitted to go inside and see each one. Starscream went into a frantic fit of euphoria over the house linens and other decorative items. He constantly peppered Ironhide with questions about prices, furniture, appliances and child safety. Megatron was mostly quiet, but as he silently observed each house, there was a look of satisfaction on his faceplate. By the time they had seen all the eligible houses the sun was long gone.

"Well, it's been a most wonderful evening." Ironhide said as he led the couple back through the stone gate.

"Indeed it has." Starscream agreed.

"Well, go on home now and rest up. You two have a lot to think about." Ironhide said. "And when you've come to a decision, give me a call or stop by the flea market, whichever's more convenient for you."

"We will." Starscream nodded. "Thank you for showing us around."

"And thank you for stopping by." Ironhide replied. "Well, have a good night now." He stood and watched as the two Decepticons transformed and disappeared into the night sky.

"Well, that wasn't so bad now, was it?" Starscream asked, edging closer to his mate.

"Well, I suppose it doesn't quite compare to criminal torture in Kaon." Megatron replied and nudged the Seeker playfully. "I suppose you are right, though."

"Of course I'm right." Starscream huffed. "What am I right about this time?"

"About raising Ironfist in the Nemesis." Megatron replied. "Being in that place has seriously messed us all up and we're already full grown. How much more damage will it do to a young, impressionable sparkling?"

"So...what are you saying?" Starscream asked.

"I'm not saying anything." Megatron snarled. "I'm just saying that you're right."

"And so what, I'm right and you're just going to ignore me?" Starscream hissed. Megatron laughed hysterically.

"Take it easy you stiff-afted Seeker." He chuckled. "I'll need to think about it some more, but maybe we will move out of the Nemesis."

"Megatron...I'm so glad. I can't wait!" Starscream beamed.

"Yes, but everyone else is going to move there as well." Megatron added. "Because when the Autobots decide to turn against us I want to make sure that there are people around me who will have my back."

"Well, I'm glad that you've finally come to that decision." Starscream said. He was quite surprised at how easily Megatron had given in. It was almost too easy. A sudden idea struck the Seeker at that moment. "Megatron, don't think you're going to use this to butter me up and coax me into carrying anymore of your sparklings!"

"They're not only my sparklings." Megatron retorted. "And besides, isn't that what you always do? Butter me up into doing whatever you want? It's either that or you'll put me to sleep and inseminate yourself."

"Stop!" Starscream screeched. "Just stop bringing that up!" Megatron laughed again. "I swear," Starscream griped, "the next time we have a sparkling, you'll be the carrier."

* * *

The sound of Ironhide's horn echoed through the entrance tunnel of Autobot base, announcing his presence. 

"Finally," Ratchet sighed as the silver mech transformed into robot mode and immediately went to embrace him.

"Well, looks like someone's happy to see me." Ironhide laughed as he wrapped his arms around his sparkmate. "You'll never guess who came to look at houses today."

"Well...we've all got houses already," Bulkhead said, "so it can't be any of us."

"Are there new Autobots here on earth?" Bumblebee asked excitedly.

"Nope, not Autobots." Ironhide shook his helm.

"Decepticons?" Ratchet asked.

"Megatron and Starscream." Ironhide replied.

Ratchet sighed and walked away to help the rest of the Autobots. They were all moving out of the base and into the new community and had spent the day trying to pack and sort what little belongings and equipment they had in the base.

"I don't understand why this community had to be opened to Decepticons too." The medic griped.

"As I've told you, Ratchet, and the rest of you, a thousand times, that this is part of my peace drive and by inviting the Decepticons to join us in our community, it will encourage both sides to get along."

"Or just encourage the war the restart between us." Ratchet muttered.

"I can't believe it though." Smokescreen remarked. "That the war is finally over."

"I know." Bumblebee agreed. "I mean it's felt like forever since we've been fighting."

"Somehow I always knew that our generation would be the one to see the end of the war." Arcee said. "I just never imagined it would just blow over like this."

"Yeah, well I think things ended just a bit too easily." Bulkhead countered. "It just doesn't seem natural."

"Well, I'm not complaining." Bumblebee remarked. "I mean we all wanted the war to be over, right?"

"Well, what do you think, Optimus?" Ironhide said turning to the Prime. Optimus had been quiet all the while but he had been listening to their conversation.

"I must say that I do agree with Bulkhead somewhat." Optimus replied. "The war did end rather quickly and without any proper resolve. I fear that it may only recur as quickly as it ended. On the other hand however, we should be grateful for the turn of events. We have spent a good fraction of our lives fighting for survival and it is rather pleasant to think that we'll finally get a chance to settle down now."

"Well, I suppose we should try and find a name for this place." Ultra Magnus said. "I mean if it's going to become an official Cybertronian community, we can't keep calling it "the community.""

"What kind of name should we give it?" Bumblebee asked.

"Something that encompasses what the community's all about." Ironhide replied. "Something with unity...or harmony."

"How about New Cybertron?" Ratchet suggested.

"Nah," Ironhide shook his helm, "that kind of encourages one to dwell on the past and that's not really what I'm aiming for. This community is all about a new beginning."

"What about...The No Affiliation Zone?" Arcee tried.

"No way!" Ironhide cried. "Sounds like a military camp and we definitely don't want that!"

"Peaceville? Amity City?" Bulkhead tried.

"I like the word "harmony"." Ironhide mused.

"Harmony City. Harmony town. Harmony...." Bulkhead went on.

"Harmony Ridge!" Ironhide cried.

"Sounds...good!" Ratchet agreed.

"It's workable." Ultra Magnus consented.

"It's settled then. The new community will be called Harmony Ridge, the first Cybertronian community of earth."

* * *
"Easy...easy..." Megatron directed as Shockwave tried his best to land the warship carefully into the empty lot behind the house that would soon be Megatron and Starscream's.

"I don't understand why you insist on keeping this giant scrap pile." Starscream muttered behind him.

"For the same reason you decided to have your son branded with a Decepticon insignia." Megatron shot back.

"That's not the same thing!" Starscream sputtered.

"What else am I going to do with it anyway?" Megatron added.

"You could sell it." Starscream suggested.

"To who?" Megatron inquired. "Who in this age is going to need a warship?"

"I mean sell it for parts!" Starscream hissed.

"Most certainly not!" Megatron retorted. "This warship is all I have to remind me of the glory days."

"Oh, grow up!" Starscream hissed.

The Nemesis came to a bumpy halt and after receiving quite the tongue-lashing from Megatron, Shockwave opened the exit so that the passengers could get out. Just as Megatron had said and Starscream predicted, the other Decepticons followed suit and joined their leader in the new community. Knockout and Breakdown were the second Decepticons to buy a house and would be living not far from Starscream's. The two of them had not been officially bonded but had a daughter, Scarlett, which Knockout had carried shortly after Ironfist had been born.

The Decepticons piled out, some of them seeing Harmony Ridge for the first time. Megatron and Starscream with Ironfist, walked up to the house which was only a signature away from being theirs. Despite that, Ironhide had still given them the key card for the door. Bringing their few belongings with them, they stood on the porch and waited as Megatron swiped the card through its slot. The door drew open and the small family walked in. Starscream vented a deep breath and smiled as he exhaled.

"Ahhh," he sighed, "this is what a home should smell like. Like new furniture and air fresheners. Not like metal and rust and energon."

"Those are the scents of victory and battle." Megatron retorted.

"My point exactly." Starscream muttered. 

After putting down their belongings in the living room, the couple got around to setting up the house. Starscream was arranging some cubes of energon in the kitchen when he came to a sudden realization. Megatron walked in with Ironfist toddling behind as the Seeker took a count of the amount of cubes.

"What's wrong?" Megatron wanted to know. "Afraid that we won't have enough to satisfy your extended appetite?" Starscream turned and gave Megatron a dirty glare. Starscream's appetite had somewhat extended due to his gestation and nursing period, as well as his frame, it seemed as though Megatron would never let him live it down. 

"Well, since you care about my extended appetite so much, why don't you just run down to the flea market and get some more energon?" The Seeker screeched. Megatron shrugged and replied,

"Sure you won't eat down the house before I get back?" 

"Just leave!" Starscream sighed. "And get that datawork done with Ironhide while your at it." He added. Then he also added, "And take Ironfist with you!"

Megatron left shortly and after propping Ironfist upon his shoulders, began footing it toward the flea market. On his way there, he saw several Cybertronians disguised as moving vans passing him by. Upon arriving at the market, he saw several more vans at the entrance, being loaded up with furniture and other items.

"What's going on here?" Megatron asked as he approached Jazz.

"Oh, 'Hide's moving everything out of here and into the new flea market." Jazz replied. "You need something?"

"Yes, I need to see Ironhide about finalizing our ownership on the house." Megatron replied. Jazz led him into the flea market and into Ironhide's office. While the two mechs got down to business, Megatron placed Ironfist in a nearby chair.
"Stay put." Megatron said to him and then turned to Ironhide. While Megatron was lost in his own business, he didn't notice Ironfist slipping out of the chair and he didn't see him as he toddled out of the office.

Meanwhile, Optimus entered the flea market after carefully picking his way through the Constricticons pulling and pushing goods out through the door. He stopped for a while to observe the emptying aisles when something suddenly grabbed onto his leg. He looked down and was quite surprised to see what appeared to be a very sized-down version of the Cybertronians he was used to seeing every day. Ironfist stared up at him with his bright, blue optics.

"Well...hello there little one," Optimus said, bending down to pick him up. He couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the youngling. It had been quite a while since he had seen a sparkling. "Where did you come from? Are you here with your creators?" Ironfist only laughed and wrapped his arms around the Prime's thick neck.

"Ironfist! Ironfist! Where are you? What am I going to tell your carrier if I go home without you?" A voice rang out. Optimus looked up and saw Megatron looking frantically around the flea market. When his optics rested upon the Prime, he began moving toward him. "There you are!" He cried, arms akimbo.

"Is this...your sparkling?" Optimus asked handing Ironfist over to his sire.

"Yes he is." Megatron replied proudly. "It's quite easy to see where he gets his good looks from, isn't it?"

"Well..." Optimus started and took a good look at the sparkling. His features were similar to that of a Seeker, more distinctly of a Seeker he knew all too well.

"So, the war between Autobots and Decepticons really is over, eh?" Megatron said.

"It would appear that way." Optimus replied. "Is that remorse I am detecting in your voice?"

"Not quite remorse...no." Megatron said thoughtfully. "I mean even I get tired of battle and bloodshed."

"Well, as leader of the Autobots, I'd like to officially bring the peace between us." Optimus held out his servo and Megatron accepted it without hesitation.

"So...what do you think will happen now?" Megatron asked.

"Hopefully we all learn to get along." Optimus replied. "I mean, I admire Ironhide's effort, but I honestly don't think it's a good idea putting both sides in such an enclosed space."

"Hmm, I see what you mean." Megatron agreed. "Well, the way I see it, you and I are the leaders, battle or no battle, and whatever we do, they do, so you know what that means?"

"We've got to set an example." Optimus replied. "I must say, Megatron," he then added, "I'm impressed at the effort your making to change. I was afraid that the Decepticons would be stubborn and all of Ironhide's hard work would be for nothing."

"Well..." Megatron began, "it probably won't be easy to make such a transition. Probably not even for you Autobots. I mean we've been living this way for so long...I don't even think I remember what it was like to live a normal life."

Just as Optimus was about to answer, Ironhide stepped up to the pair. 

"Oh! You found Ironfist? Great! Let's get back to the office and finish things up. Oh, hey Optimus." 

"Alright, I'll be right there." Megatron said. He watched Ironhide return to his office and then turned back to Optimus.

"Well, Optimus Prime," he said, "I must say, it was nice to see you again. I don't know when last you and I have been in such close proximity like this without having our guns pointed at one another."

"Same here." Optimus replied.

"I'm sure we'll be seeing each other much more often." Megatron added and Optimus nodded in reply. The warlord made to turn off, but he hesitated for a bit, before turning back to the Prime. "You know," he began looking Optimus square in the optics, "I can't help thinking that if things had gone differently, this," he pointed to Ironfist, "would have been mine and yours."

Before Optimus could think of a response, Megatron turned and left. He was glad that Megatron had gone before he could speak. He could not think of a suitable to such a statement.

* * *

Optimus sat down on the front porch of his new house with a cube of cold energon and looked out over the new community. Most of the houses in his area were unoccupied, but on his way back from the flea market he spotted Knockout, Breakdown and a sparkling of their own going into one of the Family Size homes. He tried to steady the shaking cube of energon in his servos and realized that it was his servos shaking and not the cube. He was still shaken up by Megatron's words. If things had gone differently, this would have been mine and yours. Why did those words have such an effect on him? Because their true. Optimus answered his own question. That sparkling could have been his and Megatron's if only...if only what? If only he had not spoken his views to the Council of Iacon? Even if he had stood quietly and not said a word, there would have still been battle and bloodshed. And even if he had fought alongside Megatron, his better nature would have kicked in and he would have ended up fighting against him. There was nothing he could have done. Their fates were inevitable. Perhaps...perhaps they just were not meant to be. Just then, he heard a familiar voice and when he looked to his right, he saw Megatron standing on the porch of the house next door. He looked up at that moment and met optics with the Prime.

"Optimus? Don't tell me we're neighbours!" Megatron laughed.

"I'm afraid so." Optimus replied.

"Well, well. Will our paths never cease to cross?" Megatron said walking up to the fence. "May I come over?"

"Of course." Optimus consented. Megatron leaped over the fence and walked up the stairs to Optimus' porch. Optimus scooted over on the bench so that Megatron could have a seat.

"Would you like some energon?" He offered, but Megatron refused politely.

"You know the war's been over for much longer than we realized." Megatron remarked and Optimus nodded in agreement. "There came a time when there really was nothing left to fight for. And there is nothing left to fight for, you know. Cybertron is dead and gone."

"Yes, it is." The Prime agreed. "So, what have you been doing with yourself all this time?"

"Well," Megatron began, looking out over the houses toward the endless canyon. "I've been trying to reconnect with some thing that I had lost during the war. You know...making amends and righting my wrongs."

"And did you succeed?" Optimus asked.

"Yes, I did." Megatron smiled.

"That sparkling," Optimus began, "is yours and Starsceam's, correct?"

"Yes," Megatron replied. "You see the resemblance, don't you? He does look more like Starscream than me."

"And you two are bonded?" Optimus continued.

"Yes, we are." Megatron sighed contentedly, unknowing of the pain underlying in the Prime's questions.

"I see." Optimus muttered.

"And what about you?" Megatron asked. "What have you been up to."

"Well, nothing honestly." Optimus shrugged.

"Oh come on!" Megatron laughed. "Don't tell me that you got this big house just so you could live in it all by yourself?"

"Well, no." Optimus replied

"Well," Megatron prompted, "are you bonded? Do you have a sparkmate?"

"I just live here with Bulkhead and Smokescreen." Optimus said.

"Oh." Megatron replied. "I'm guessing you're not connected to either of them in any of the afore mentioned relationships."

"No." Optimus said.

"Oh. Well, that's okay." Megatron shrugged. An awkward silence reigned between the two of them for some time until Bulkhead and Smokescreen came bolting up the steps. They froze where they were at the sight of Megatron.

"Oh, are we interrupting something?" Smokescreen asked tensely.

"No, no. I was just leaving." Megatron said getting up from his seat. "I suppose I'll see you later at the meeting then, Optimus?"

"What meeting?" Optimus asked.

"Oh, Ironhide's holding a town hall meeting later tonight in front of the new flea market." Megatron replied. "I thought he'd said something to you about it."

"Well, yes. I suppose I'll be there." Optimus replied.

"Well, see you then." Megatron replied. He passed through Bulkhead and Smokescreen and continued down the steps and out the gate.

"What did he want?" Bulkhead asked when Megatron was out of earshot.

"Was he bothering you, Big guy?" Smokescreen wanted to know.

"No, we were just conversing." Optimus replied.

"Hey, OP, you okay?" Bulkhead asked. "You don't look so good."

"Yes, Bulkhead, all is well." Optimus replied and got up from where he sat.

"Where are you going?" Smokescreen wanted to know.

"I'm just going to rest up for the meeting tonight." Optimus replied and disappeared into the house.

* * *
Megatron and Starscream joined the flow of Cybertronians milling toward the new location of Ironhide's Flea Market and joined the crowd that had already formed there. Starscream hissed as Ironfist tired to wiggle out of his arms.

"Curse me for leaving that papoose at home." He muttered. "I don't know why you dragged me out here, Megatron. It's past Ironfist's berthtime and he's getting cranky. You could have just gone to the meeting and told me what happened. Are you even listening to me?" Starscream looked up at his mate who was looking around at the crowd.

"Yes, yes." Megatron mumbled. "If you want to go back home then you can go ahead."

"You already made me walk so far from home, it wouldn't make any sense to walk all the way back there now." Starscream griped.

Megatron peered around the large crowd, most of its numbers made up by the Vehicons and Constructicons. He spotted Knockout and Breakdown with their little one. He saw Shockwave, he saw Ratchet, and Arcee and Bumblebee standing servo in servo. He saw Bulkhead and Smokescreen, but he didn't see Optimus. But Optimus saw him and he was looking at him too from the back of the crowd. He knew that Megatron was also looking for him, but he thought it best to stay hidden. It was too awkward to be around the Kaonite and having Starscream there would have only made things worse. Just then, Ironhide appeared in front of the crowd.

"Alright everyone, settle down!" Ironhide bellowed. "Well, goodnight and welcome to the first official town hall meeting of our new community, which will be known as Harmony Ridge. I'd like to thank you all for making the change to live together, not as Autobots and Decepticons, but as Cybertronians. The main goal of creating this community is to bring peace to the two sides so I hope everyone will make an effort to get along and not cause any trouble. But I couldn't have done it without the help of my sparkmate, Ratchet and my friends Optimus, Bumblebee, Jazz, Smokescreen, Arcee and Ultra Magnus. Come on, give it up for these guys!"

A weak applaud echoed from the crowd and it didn't take Ironhide long to realize that the only people clapping were the Autobots. He cleared his throat loudly and went on with his speech.

"Moving along," he continued, "since this is the first Cybertronian community of earth, I think it only fitting that we keep a data record of our daily lives here. So, I'm going to give everyone a data logging pad and you're all required to record what happens to you everyday. Be as frank and as honest as you want, or don't want. No one else has to read your personal entries. And at the end of the year, you'll submit them all into a general log where they'll be kept in a time capsule so that the latter generations will know of the early years of Harmony Ridge." As Ironhide spoke, Jazz and Ratchet went around passing out small, slim built data pads to everyone. "Apart from that, I'm opening a bank here in Harmony Ridge. Everyone already has a personal account with a thousand credits to start you off. You just need to come to the bank to get your credit cards and you'll be good to go. Tomorrow, we'll have another meeting right here about what kinds of jobs we can create here to start our economy and to keep our credits flowing and growing. Alright, that's all for now. Go home, rest up, multiply and enjoy this community! And remember, if you need living rooms, bedrooms and...uh, well, no one needs cannons. But whatever! Whatever you need is right here at Ironhide's Flea Market. Okay, goodnight everyone!"

After the meeting, Ironhide and Jazz stayed at the market to rearrange some things and so Optimus followed Ratchet back to his home which was also a Family Size model.

"I know what you're thinking, Optimus." Ratchet said as they settled down at the kitchen table. "Why the two of us bought such a big house? Well, we're not planning on being just the two of us. We're planning on getting some sparklings of our own. I mean I was looking around at the meeting tonight and I already saw two sparklings! Both of which belonged to the Decepticons! We can't let them have all the fun! We gotta make some new generations of our own, you know what I mean?" Ratchet looked at an absent-minded Optimus, waiting for him to respond.

"What?" Optimus cried. "I'm sorry, Ratchet. I guess I was just a little pre-occupied."

"You seemed to be pre-occupied all night." Ratchet remarked. "I'd been observing you at the meeting. Did you even hear a thing Ironhide said?" Optimus only sighed and looked away. "What's on your mind, old friend?" Ratchet prompted. "You know you can tell me anything."

Optimus was hesitant, but he knew that if he could trust anyone, it would be Ratchet.

"Would you..." he began, "would you think any less of me if I told you that I still had feelings for Megatron?" Ratchet sat quietly for a moment and Optimus waited painfully for his answer.

"Well, you know how I've always felt about Megatron." Ratchet finally replied. "But I suppose there's nothing wrong if you still have feelings for him. I mean he was your first love after all."

"But he's already bonded." Optimus added.

"Well," Ratchet sighed, "that's a whole different story. I suppose there's not much you can do to control your feelings, but as long as you don't act upon them then you haven't done anything wrong." Optimus sighed and stared at the table.

"Ever since the war began, I've been neglecting my needs and my feelings." He said. "And when the war came to an end and I heard that Megatron was coming to live in Harmony Ridge, I thought that maybe I would have a chance at making things right and starting over with him. But today I found out that his spark already belongs to someone else. He's bonded with Starscream. And not only that but they have a sparkling."

"I know." Ratchet hissed.

"I just feel a bit foolish." Optimus continued. "As much as I hate to admit it to myself, I had been waiting and hoping for something like this to happen and I had been waiting out for Megatron, but...he wasn't waiting out for me. I honestly don't know why I would think something so foolish anyway."

"It's not foolish, Optimus." Ratchet tried to coax him. "It's natural for you to feel that way. But you know...maybe it just wasn't meant to be." He added as remembered convincing himself of that same conclusion many years ago about a certain mech sitting in front of him.

"I suppose." Optimus shrugged. "Everyone is moving on. It is time I did the same."

"Yeah, that's the spirit." Ratchet beamed. "Besides, Megatron isn't the only mech out there."

"What options do I have left?" Optimus asked. "Everyone I know is paired up."

"Not everyone." Ratchet retorted. "What about....Bulkhead...or Smokescreen?"

"You can't be serious Ratchet." Optimus gave the medic a withering look. "Can you honestly see me with either of them?"

"No." Ratchet admitted. "Ultra Magnus?"

"No." Optimus said firmly, shuddering at the thought.

"Well, don't worry." Ratchet replied. " 'Hide says we should have some new arrivals pretty soon. By tomorrow the earliest. So, you should do your best to get to them before anyone else does."

Optimus nodded and went home that night with a new hope that he might find someone after all. But, letting go of Megatron would not be easy.
 



Link for Rest For the Weary fav.me/d66aoar
Link for Chap.2 fav.me/d7ucim9
Ladies and Gentlemen...this is the creation of two bored sisters and an awesome fandom created by the works of the Mighty Hasbro! Ladies and Gentlemen, from the deviant who brought you Rest For the Weary comes the bigger and badder sequel Harmony Ridge! Clapping . Please sit back and enjoy the works that springeth from mine head. Kudos to my partner in RPing :iconimariposa: for lending her mind and ideas to me. Without her it would not have been possible. Thanks bro!
Well, I think it only fitting to end this with a song:

Living Rooms!
Bedrooms!
Dinettes!
Cannons!
It's just like a mini mall!
It's just like a flea market!
Ironhide's Flea Market!His hips don't lie, baby.  okay buddy that's enough...
© 2014 - 2024 kreatyvkamz17
Comments8
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iMariposa's avatar
Lol Starscream nursing is comedy gold! I love how having a baby aroused all his maternal instincts :D The whole fanfic was good and really funny. Great work!