Title: A Promise
Genre: Action/Drama, Friendship/Romance
Rating: T for mild transformer swearing, some violence, and crude language
Short Summary:
Some people don't understand the promises they're making when they make them. But you keep the promise anyway. That's what love is. Love is keeping the promise anyway.
Prologue: Sire, Where's Carrier?
It was a peaceful day at Cybertron. Everybot was going on about their daily lives, enjoying the peace around them. But at the Elite Guard Academy, it was barely peaceful due to the Elites and Elites-in-training's jobs. There were always constant assignments, important missions to be taken, endless training sessions and so much pressure of being a perfect Elite Guard. It wasn't an ideal place for a youngling to be. Well, except for one youngling named Canary.
Canary is a blue and grey femmling with hot rod flames on her side legs. She has these unique sensory horns that resemble a wolf's or cat's ears and small doorwings that fluttered, depending on her mood. Canary is a quiet little one but can be quite hyper once the Autobots get to know her. Her beauty is a mixture of her Creators combined, but Canary mostly gets it from her Sire.
Canary was waiting at the lounge for her Creators to return home from their sessions, but it was always so boring for her. Despite coloring pretty holo pictures and solving puzzles, Canary had nothing to do but to only sit and wait…and wait…and wait.
"Hmph," Canary pouted as she taps her stylus on the datapad that she was scribbling on. "Miss Red Alert, are they coming yet?"
Sitting on one of the lounge chair was Red Alert. She is a medical officer for Rodmius Prime and her teammates. The medic was also a sparkling sitter for Canary whenever her Creators had their duties to attend to. Looking from her datapad, Red Alert smiled warmly and patted Canary's horns while replying, "They'll be here soon, Sweetspark. You just need to wait a little longer."
"But I can't wait anymore! I wanna see them now~!" Canary whined.
Red Alert chuckled softly and gently pulled Canary on her lap. The young femmling still pouted with her arms crossed.
"Now Canary," Red Alert started as she taps gently on Canary's nose. "Remember what I've told you about patience…"
"…Patience is a virtue to those who wait," mumbled Canary, her faceplates soften slightly.
"Right," nodded Red Alert, encouragement filled her vocalizer. Then, she spotted a mech and a femme then smiled widely at Canary. "And I believe you've waited long enough. They're here."
Once Red Alert said 'They're here', Canary turned sharply at their direction. Squealing with joy, Canary bounced off of the medic's lap and ran towards her Creators.
"Carrier! Sire!" Canary called out and jumped into her Carrier's already opened arms. "I missed you so so much!"
Turns out, her Creators were none other than Optimus and Elita-One. They had Canary by accident when they…well, you know. But neither of them regretted since the cycle she was born. They both love Canary and were proud to be her Creators, despite both of the Autobots that are still unsure of how they're registering their feelings towards other as friends. Although, they had to keep a low profile, fearing that this act would jeopardize their chances of being one of Ultra Magnus' Elite Guards. Of course he and Sentinel knew the youngling, but believed that she is a young pupil of Optimus. Only Red Alert knew their secret and vowed to remain discreet of it.
"We've missed you too, Sweety," Elita-One said, hugging Canary back warmly.
"How was your day with Red Alert?" Optimus asked as Canary leaped into his arms also.
"Eh, same old same old," Canary replied, cuddling her Sire's chassis. Then the youngling looked up at Optimus with glittering sky-blue optics. "Did you beat Senti-Meanie's tin can?"
"Canary," Elita-One warned with a stern tone.
Both Optimus and Red Alert chuckled at Canary's hopeful question. From what Optimus could tell, Canary very much dislikes Sentinel whenever he was around.
"It was a tie again," Optimus answered, Elita-One relaxed to his answer. "Almost got him, though."
"Next time!" Canary said, giving her Sire a small kiss on his cheekplates. "Next time you will, right?"
"Maybe."
Setting the youngling down, a comm. message beeped in Optimus' comm. link. It was from (speaking of which) Sentinel.
'Now what?' Optimus sighed mentally and answered. ::Yes, Sentinel?::
::Optimus,:: Sentinel said, his vocalizer boastful as usual. ::there's been some rumor going on that an abandoned Decepticon warship was founded on an organic planet a breem ago.::
::A warship?::
::Uh, I just cleared that, didn't I? Anyways, radar indicates that there might be some Energon cubes in that ship. Elita-One, myself and you are going to get 'em.::
::Has Ultra Magnus permitted it?:: Optimus had a feeling that Sentinel didn't said anything to their leader about it yet.
::That'll waste too much time for him and us. Trust me, it'll be a piece of oil cake.::
::Sentinel, I'm not sure that's-::
::Oh come on, Optimus! It'll be fun to explore to an organic planet! What do you say?::
Optimus was silent and looked at the three femmes (or rather two since Red Alert was saying good-bye to Elita-One and Canary and left) sitting on the recliners. Canary had barely seen them today and if they went it will upset her. But then…travelling to another planet sounded interesting, plus he and Elita-One had Red Alert to sparkling-sit her. After a minute of silent, Optimus answered, ::Alright, I'll tell Elita-One as soon as I can.::
::Atta bot! See you two bots in five joors.::
After cutting off the comm. link, Optimus walked next to Elita-One with Canary on her lap. Then creating a private message to Elita-One, Optimus spoke, ::That was Sentinel.::
::I figured,:: Elita-One replied with a hint of humor. ::What did he want?::
::Apparently, he wants you and me to go to an organic planet to find some Energon in an isolated Decepticon warship.::
::Really? Sounds fun…oh, but Canary had just seen us.::
::I know, but it'll be a one cycle trip and we'll come back in no time. Besides, Red Alert will watch her while we're gone.::
::Does Ultra Magnus know?::
::Sentinel figured it'll waste Ultra Magnus' time.::
Elita-One deliberated the thought. Canary wouldn't be too happy about it, but going to another planet had Elita-One curious. What's the harm to it?
::Sure, why not?:: agreed the yellow and green-blue femme. ::But you're going to tell her.::
::Okay okay, I will.:: sighed Optimus.
"Come on," Elita-One said as she stood up, holding her daughter in her arms. "Let's go home."
"Yay~!" cheered Canary happily.
Soon, all three of the bots started walking from the Academy to their apartment.
"Am I going to stay at Sire's room this time?" Canary asked, her sensory horns and doorwings started twitching in excitement.
"You bet, kiddo," Elita-One grinned. While Canary giggled and chirped, the femme turned to Optimus, giving him an apologetic look.
Optimus felt guilty. He prayed to Primus that Canary won't throw a tantrum like last time when they left.
Later that Evening…
After having Energon, and washing her frame, Canary was ready to recharge. But she won't until after her Sire reads a story. She loves it when he tells the history of how Cybertron was made by Primus himself and the All Spark, especially when he tells the Civil War of Cybertron. When he ended, he tucked her in her berth and intakes and extakes heavily. Now was the time to tell her.
"Canary," Optimus started as he sat on the edge of the berth. "I need to tell you something really important."
"What is it, Sire?" Canary's sensory horns flickered.
"Well…your Carrier, myself and Sentinel are going on a cycle trip to another planet in a few joors."
Suddenly, Canary abruptly sat up, her doorwings in a high 'V' position.
"But you just got back!" Canary exclaimed angrily.
"I know, Sweetspark," Optimus said as he reached for his daughter's small clenched servo. "But it's important for your Carrier and I to go. Red Alert will take care of you as she always does."
"Can you get somebot else to do it?"
"No, I'm afraid not."
Canary was silent for an astrosecond, and then she asked softly, "Just for one cycle?"
"Only one and we'll be back before you know it," Optimus smiled softly.
"You promise?"
"I promise."
Elita-One came in the berthroom, smiling tenderly at Canary. Sitting down next to Optimus, she said, "I'm sorry Sweetspark. I know we just came back, but this trip won't take long."
"Okay," Canary sighed sadly, receiving kiss on her forehelm and a hug by her Carrier. "Promise you'll come back?"
"Cross my spark," assured Elita-One as she released her daughter.
Canary jumped to hug her Sire tightly, never wanting to let go.
"You two be careful, okay Sire?" Canary ordered cutely at Optimus, causing him to smile.
"We will," Optimus vowed and kissed her cheekplates. "Now, go to recharge. Red Alert will be here in an astrosecond."
Canary nodded, laying back on her berth.
"Night Creators," Canary said as Elita-One tucked her in, yawning in the process.
"Good-night, Sweety," Elita-One replied softly and both she and Optimus quietly left the berthroom. Optimus dimmed the lights and closed the door softly.
Red Alert was at the living room, waiting for Optimus and Elita-One. When they arrived, the femme medic spoke, "You two have a safe trip, I'll keep watch of Canary."
"Thank you, Red Alert," Optimus acknowledged politely.
"Yes, thanks," agreed Elita-One.
Soon, the two Elites-in-training left to the meet up with Sentinel and headed off to the organic planet in their Autobot ship. Little did they know that it was a mistake that will change their lives. Forever…
Three Cycles (days) Later…
'…They broke their promise,' Canary thought angrily, she was at the Medbay with Red Alert. She was her assistant for a day, but she wasn't in the mood to help. 'It's been three cycles, and they didn't come back!'
Red Alert noticed the younglings' dark mood and said in a reassuring voice, "I'm sure something came up, Sweetspark."
Canary merely grunted, crisscrossing her legs and arms crossed over her chassis. The femme medic sighed, knowing nothing will brighten her mood. Suddenly, Red Alert received a comm. message. And it was from Optimus!
::Optimus!:: Red Alert answered the comm. link in relief. ::Where are you three? You've been gone for three cycles! Canary was really worried about you and Elita-One.::
Optimus was silent…extremely silent. Red Alert's spark clenched tightly, she knew if he was this quiet, something has happened…
::Optimus?:: Red Alert said slowly. ::What's wrong?::
::…Can you bring Canary to the Academy?:: he asked, his vocalizer was filled with…grief?
::…Yes, right away.::
Cutting off the link, she turned to Canary, still pouting.
"Canary, your Sire wants to see you at the Academy," Red Alert said, causing Canary to perk up happily. Her sensory horns and doorwings flickered and fluttered in excitement.
"Sire and Carrier are here?" she asked, joy filled her vocalizer. "Yay! Let's go! I wanna give Carrier a big hug!"
Red Alert smiled and took Canary's servo and both walk out of the Medbay and to the Academy. The femme medic prayed, hoping that this wasn't something that will change the family's lives…
~/~
Canary practically ran to the Academy, dragging Red Alert pros-haste. They were told by a femme clerk to see in Ultra Magnus in his office. Canary didn't notice, but the clerk gave a sympathetic look to the youngling and to Red Alert she mouthed 'I'm so sorry' before Canary and Red Alert left to the said destination. Now the femme medic was getting worried. Requested to see Ultra Magnus in his office must mean something. But what? Well, they will have to wait and see.
Once they reached to the office, Red Alert knocked the door and grave voice answered, "Enter."
When the medic opened the door, she gasped softly. Ultra Magnus was standing, his back face them as he stared out of the window. Sentinel was leaning against the bookshelves, anger and abhorrence plastered on his faceplates. Optimus was sitting on one of the chairs, his face was full of agony and guilt. But…Elita-One was not here in the office with them.
"Sire~!" Canary chirped as she ran to Optimus and leaped into his arms to cuddle in his chassis.
Sentinel turned to Optimus, shock filled his optics. Ultra Magnus exhaled heavily and turned to see the youngling. Poor femmling, she's so young.
"Hey Sweetspark," Optimus said softly, stroking his daughter's helm.
"I've missed you!" Canary said, then smack him softly at her Sire's forehelm. "You broke your promise!"
"I know…I'm sorry."
"Aw, it's okay! I forgive you~!"
Canary looked around to find her Carrier, but she wasn't here.
"So that's what you and Elita-One were hiding," Sentinel growled, the anger was back in his faceplates. "You had a sparkling behind our backs!"
"We didn't know how to tell you," murmured Optimus, clenching tightly to his daughter. "We didn't do this on purpose-"
"DON'T GIVE ME THAT SLAG!" Sentinel roared in rage, causing Canary to flinch away in fear.
"Sentinel, stand down!" Ultra Magnus ordered.
Sentinel turned away, clenching his trembling servos. Ultra Magnus turned to Red Alert, asking sternly, "Red Alert, did you knew about this?"
"Well sir I-" Red Alert started to say but Optimus interrupted, "I've lied to her as well, sir."
The medic looked at Optimus in shock. Was he…taking the blame?
::I rather face the consequences alone,:: Optimus comm. Red Alert. ::I don't want to drag you down.::
::Optimus…:: Red Alert wanted to say something, but no words came from her lips.
Canary looked around confusion. Lied? What did her Sire lie about? And where was her Carrier? She wants to see her, now.
Tapping at her digits on her Sire's chassis, she asked, her vocalizer shaking, "Sire, where's Carrier?"
The room went silent. Canary was getting scared, why did they go quiet all of a sudden? Ultra Magnus looked at Canary, sadness glazed over his optics. Slowly, he spoke softly, "Youngling, I am sorry to say this, but…about two cycles ago, your Carrier has been offlined in a tragic accident."
Red Alert placed her servo over her mouth, shock plastered on her faceplates. Elita-One…offline? Oh no, oh Primus no!
Optimus closed his optics, hanging his head in shame. Canary's doorwings stiffen; her sensory horns drooped down against her helm. Her optic was slowly leaking coolant as she whimpered, "Carrier…is offline…?"
"…Yes," Optimus answered sadly, holding his daughter closer to him. "…Primus called her."
"…no…no, no, no," Canary started to cry softly, then mourned loudly. A hollow gap in her spark throbbed painfully as she curled up into her Sire. "Carrier, no! Not my Carrier! Not my Carrier! Sire no! Nononononono!"
Ultra Magnus' spark clenched with guilt. He hated to do this, especially to a youngling like Canary, but she had to know that Elita-One won't be coming back. Sentinel still remained silent, not even flinching from the youngling's loud wails. Red Alert's optics starting to pool coolant, but it wouldn't come out.
"Canary," Optimus crooned, trying to calm down his distraught daughter. "Shh, shh. It's okay, it's okay…"
Canary continued to wail sorrowfully, her cries were heard throughout the entire Academy. She wanted her Carrier, she wanted her hugs, she wanted her sweet kisses, she wanted to hear her laugh. But most of all, she wanted to see her warm, tender smile. She wanted her Carrier now!
"KYAAAAAH! CARRIER! CARRIER, COME BACK PLEASE!" Canary screeched, sobbing in Optimus' chassis. "DON'T LEAVE ME AND SIRE! WE NEED YOU, I NEED YOU! CARRIER, COME BAAAAACK!"
One Cycle (day) Later…
A cycle past, and Canary was kept in the office of Ultra Magnus. He told her yesterday that her Sire was going away again since he was no longer going to be an Elite Guard anymore. He also told her that he, Sentinel and a few of the Elite Guards members will train her since she was going to be the first femme to become a Prime. Sentinel had become a Prime since yesterday, so now he was in charge to make sure that Canary will be in special training to be an Elite Guard herself when she gets older. For now, a cyber-ninja named Jazz will teach her martial arts and will be living with him and taken care of until that day comes.
This was too much to handle. She was only a youngling, not a warrior yet! Canary cried, wanting her Sire to hug her so badly. She wrapped her arms around her knees, burying her faceplates in her arms. The door suddenly opens, causing Canary to yelp in fear and crawl away to hide. But she stopped when she saw her Sire. Crying out, Canary sprinted towards her beloved Sire and leaped into his arms.
"Sire, don't go!" she wailed as he hugged her tightly. "I don't want you to go! I don't wanna be alone! Please, don't go away!"
Her Sire was quiet for a minute, and then he sank down slowly and placed Canary down to looked at her. Coolant kept streaming down from her optics, her sensory horns were drooped flatly against her helm. Optimus hated this. He didn't want to leave his daughter behind; he wanted her to come with him. But…he and Elita-One had broken the rule to not to mate with your comrades. And since it was his fault that she was gone, Canary has to stay here on Cybertron while he was expelled from the Academy and send off to supervise other Autobots that were casted off.
Wiping the coolant tears from her optics, Optimus said to his daughter, love and determination filled his vocalizer, "Canary, I'm sorry that I've caused you pain…I'm especially, truly sorry of losing your Carrier; the fault is mine…Before I go, can you promise me something?"
Canary whimpered, but nodded feebly.
"I want you to promise me to never let anything get you down like this. Promise me to be brave, listen to Ultra Magnus and look up to him as a Sire," Coolant was slowly forming in Optimus' eyes, he hugged Canary as he continued, "You have greatness in you, Sweetspark, from the astrosecond you were born. You'll be a Prime someday, so never be afraid to do what's right. Help to those who are in need and protect them from any threats that will happen…You be a good femmling. But more importantly, be a strong one. Can you do that for me?"
Canary hugged him tightly, starting to sobbed quietly. Her Sire was counting on her…Counting on her to be a brave and strong femme…she has to make him proud. She will make him proud.
"I…I promise, Sire," Canary whispered. "I'm gonna make you p-proud."
"You already have…" Optimus whispered back, a single coolant tear slowly trailed from his optic.
The door suddenly opened, revealing Ultra Magnus and a white mech with a blue visor over his optics.
"Optimus," Ultra Magnus said as Optimus lamentably let go of his daughter. "It's time to go."
Canary hugged her Sire's leg for one last time, whimpering, "I-I love you Sire…Good-bye…"
Optimus knelt down, lifting her chin up gently. He smiled sadly as he spoke, "I love you too, Canary…And it's not 'Good-bye', Sweetspark…it's 'See you later'."
Canary smiled sadly as well and let go of her Sire's leg. Then, leaving the room with Ultra Magnus, he was finally gone. Canary whimpered mournfully, trying to wipe the coolant away her optics. Just then, the white mech spoke softly as he knelt down next to her, "Hey, don't be sad, 'lil femme. C'mon, lemme see a smile."
Sniffing, Canary looked up at the white mech, then gave a small, sad smile.
"There ya go!" he said, he grinned warmly as he wiped a coolant from her faceplates. "So, you're name's Canary, huh? Neat name ya got there."
"Th…Thank you…" she said softly, her doorwing fluttered upwards. "…Are-Are you Jazz?"
"Sure am, 'lil femme," he answered. "C'mon, Ah'm lookin' forward of takin' care of ya."
Jazz offered Canary if she wanted to be carried. At first, she was hesitant. But then again, she didn't felt like walking (since she was so exhausted from crying so much), so she went into his arms, snuggling close. Jazz smiled and started to their destination from the Academy and to the country side of Cybertron.
Somehow…Canary felt calmer. It was strange, but Canary felt safe around Jazz. He kind of reminds her of her…Creators. Canary shut her optics, refusing to cry. She had made a promise to her Sire, and she's determined to keep it. She replayed what her Sire had said before he left, something that made her hopeful,
'And it's not 'Good-bye', Sweetspark…it's 'See you later''
'…See you later Sire,' she thought. 'See you later real soon…'