Prologue

Somethings wrong with Sari! Bumblebee yelled as he busted into Ratchets medibay. Optimus and Bulkhead were behind him with equally terrified expressions. The yellow mech held out his servos and revealed a hyperventilating techno organic female. She was wincing and shrieking in pain.

From instinct and years of battle experience the red bot instantly took the young woman and placed her on the berth.

Everyone leave, and someone get Red Alert!

Im already here, answered a tall femme. As the rest left the two doctors immediately worked on Sari.

I thought she wasnt due for another couple weeks muttered Ratchet. Some months ago Sari confessed to him during a check up that she was having a babyand Prowls sparkling. For whatever reason she wanted it to remain a secret, and the loyal friend kept it so long as he was allowed to do routine exams. From there Sari began to wear long robes and started a new life as a teacher. With Arcee she taught young bots the ways of Cybertronians and often answered questions they had about Earth. Today, however, a class was cut short when her water broke.

And there she was, writhing in pain. Red Alert then injected her with a painkiller though the labor continued.

Control your breathing Sari, Ratchet said calmly, and push on my say. Nowpush!

Sari brought up her head, grunting from the work. As this process of pushing and resting continued, Red Alert attached her to monitor system. The baby was almost out when Ratchet noticed something odd.

The mother was bleeding, and in more pain than a human female usually went through in childbirth.

Red Alert! Attach Sari to a life support system now!

We cant do that without harming the sparkling! the doc cried back.

Ratchet then looked down at the woman he had known since she was a little girl. Theyd get in petty arguments, but Sari would always end up giggling. Although she now appeared to be a short haired femme in pain, her blue eyes showed the medibot the violet eyed pig-tailed girl, frightened and uncertain. He let her grip his finger as she nearly doubled over from exhustion.

Come on Sari, I know you can pull through! All we need is one more push. She turned her tear streaked face to her old friend and weakly shook her head.

I cant Ratchet. I cant!

Yes you can, Ill be right here! Ratchet urged her and finally, Sari gave one last effort. A minute later a babys cry filled the medibay. Red Alert caught the newborn and cleaned the child. She then handed the sparkling to Sari. Though as weak as she was, the new mother smiled down at her daughter. She was also a redhead, except for the matter of the gold tuft next to her forehead. Her eyes were smaller and a bit more slanted than Saris but still held the same bright blue. Sari also noticed the girl was a techno organic like herself. Instead of her metal being orange and beige, it was black, gold and tanlike Prowl. But one feature was shown on her that neither Sari nor Prowl bore: a glowing blue oval was centered on her forehead right between her eyebrows.

Pantherine, she murmured, PantherineRatchet, tell Prowl about her when he returns. The cyber ninja was currently on a mission for the Elite Guard, and left before either knew of Saris pregnancy. Primus knew when he would return.

Sari, dont leave. You have a child now! Ratchet begged. Red Alert took the sparkling and laid a servo on his shoulder.

Im sorry, but she cant make it. Too much blood has been lost and shes the only human like being on Cybertron. The femmes words stung, but they were true. No other human was there to make a safe blood transfusion, and there was no time to make it to Earth.

Ratchet leaned down and gently rubbed the side of Saris face.

Good bye kid. Ill take care of Pantherine, he quietly spoke. Sari gave small grin and held a hand against his finger.

Thanks. I love you Ratchet.

I love you too kiddo Giving one final smile, Saris arm went limp and fell, dangling off the berth. Her head leaned to the side as she exhaled her last breath.

Ratchet could only shake, leaking his optics a bit and holding Saris hand. He was alone as Red Alert had taken the infant to an infirmary, but was grateful for the privacy.

. . .

Soon blurry eyed Ratchet entered the waiting room. He was as gruff as usual, but his optics displayed pure grief. Automatically Bumblebee jumped up and demanded what happened to Sari. Slowly the old veteran brought up his head.

She died giving birth to a sparkling, he replied solemnly.

What?! blurted Bulkhead.

Bulkhead, calm down, said Optimus in a firm tone, Ratchet, what do you mean?

Sari seemed to have been carrying a growing offspring inside of her, and lost too much blood during labor, the medibot explained slowly, honoring the dead womans secret. Imnot sure who the father is, but right now we need to consider the future of our friends daughter.

Bumblebee and Bulkhead merely stood rooted to the floor, still dumbstruck at the tragic news. Sari seemed to be the girl to survive anything: Decepticon attacks, kidnappings, rapid aging over nightbut this? Optimus rubbed his forehead, then proposed an idea.

Ratchet, you know we are all unable to care for a sparkling, Optimus mentioned. He was now second in command to Ultra Magnus and Bulkhead the head of the Space Bridge Technology Sector. Ratchet was granted his own hospital and Bumblebee just opened a new body shop center. None of them had the time or experience to properly raise a child.

So the sparkling-

Pantherine, interrupted Ratchet.

Huh?

Her names Pantherine Sumdac. Thats what Sari named her.

Fine. Pantherine is now technically a warden of the state until we can find her a new home. Any money belonging to Sari will be kept in a savings account for her future. I just dont know how the Council can keep a techno organic

I know how we can help kidbot, interrupted a white mech from the doorway. Jazz, a skilled Elite Guard ninja, had apparently been listening the whole time. He came in for a scan earlier, but dared not intrude on the moment. Jazz walked in and stood in the middle of everyone.

Pantherine can be trained in the art of circiut-su at the Ninja Academy. We need more recruits and wed prefer sparklings. Besides, its better than an orphanage.

Wait, said Bumblebee, what about Professor Sumdac? Cant he take her? Does he even-

Yes, he already knows! snapped Ratchet. Hes upset that he cant provide for Pantherine. Hes old and has too much to worry about in his business. Besides, Sari was a Cybertronian citizen, and so is the kid. He couldnt legally keep her anyway.

Optimus nodded in agreement. Ratchets right. The only good home for Pantherine is at that academy. Jazz, are you sure your up to the task?

Absolutely. With Sari for a mother, shed be cool.

Shed be fantastic, with Prowl for a father, thought Ratchet. He kept the comment to himself.

Is that it then? Bulkhead asked.

Well, started Ratchet, well have Professor Sumdac transwarp here and help us arrange the funeral.

Yes, hell definitely have to come. Optimus then began to leave. Before exiting he said, Be sure to get Pantherines new home ready. Right now I need to settle this matter with the Council.

Dont worry OP, I will. Jazz followed him out. Bulkhead and Bumblebee remained right where they were. Both looked at Ratchet with hurt optics.

Cancan we see her? inquired Bulkhead.

Sari?

No, Pantherine, answered Bumblebee.

The old mech shook his head. Not today. We still need to do some scanning. Dont worry, youll be able to see her tomorrow.

The two buddies gave a meek grin and left the room. Ratchet returned to the infirmary. As long as his old servos were still online, the medibot would do anything to see that Pantherine was healthy.

Anything.