Wow I want to thank you all for all the incredible feedback I got so many new ideas I don't know what to do with them all.
Serenity Prime
Chapter 1
It was a clear quiet Nevada night Optimus and his team had just finished setting up their new base. After the noise and the commotion of the day Optimus decided to take a drive and clear his head. When he found a secluded place and he was certain he was alone he transformed into robot mode.
He gazed up at the moon, it was the anniversary of the fall of the Silver Millennium. Every year Optimus would go off by himself and stare at the moon all night and wonder how much longer he would have to wait.
"Selenity," he spoke out loud, "it's been centuries. A thousand years has gone by and still Serenity has come." He stood there silently for hours as if he were waiting for a reply. When none came Optimus sadly transformed back into vehicle mode and drove back to base.
Ratchet was waiting for him when he returned. Ratchet knew full well what today was and every year on the anniversary he respectfully gave Optimus his space to process his grief.
"Optimus, are you alright?" Ratchet asked.
"Fine old friend," he said sadly.
"Optimus don't you think you've tormented yourself enough. If Serenity was going to reappear surely she would have done so by now." Ratchet reasoned.
"Ratchet, Selenity gave her word; I have to believe that when the time is right Serenity will come."
"Optimus Prime!" came an unfamiliar voice. The room was filled with light and when it faded and green haired woman was standing in front of them. She was holding a key shaped staff in one hand and a small infant in the other. "The day you've been waiting for is now."
"You are a Sailor Guardian," Optimus observed the style uniform she wore.
"Yes, I am Sailor Pluto sailor guardian of time and space. May I introduce to you Princess Serenity of the white moon kingdom."
"You mean to tell me that this human sparkling you're holding is the moon princess?" Ratchet asked.
"Yes, the others have already been reborn here on Earth to human families. It was the queen's dieing wish that Serenity be sent to Optimus." Pluto explained.
Ratchet looked at the child in Pluto's arm, she was so small and fragile he didn't know if an Autobot could care for her without damaging her. "Optimus are you sure we capable of caring for her properly?"
"We will simply have to figure something out. I gave Selenity my word and I have no intentions of letting Serenity go anywhere." Optimus said.
Suddenly they heard metal feet thundering to the room. Bumblebee had been walking by when the light show caught his optics. When he over heard the conversation he could no longer contain his enthusiasm.
"Bumblebee! Slow Down!," Optimus warned.
Bee slowed to a stop and knelt down in front of Pluto and the baby. He studied her features intensely and even though they were small and delicate through her eyes Bee could see the beloved friend and sister he had lost so very long ago. Gently he put out his hand clicking and chirping at Pluto. Pluto looked to Optimus not being able to understand Bee.
"He wants to know if he can hold her," Optimus interpreted.
Pluto smiled with understanding. Allowing her staff to fade she took the young Serenity in both arms and gently placed her in Bee's hand. "Be careful, just like holding a baby bird."
Bee carefully cupped his hand around her, Serenity stared at Bee as he clicked and chirped at her. Finally She smiled at him and let out a cheerful squeal.
Bee slowly walked over to Optimus and Ratchet to show them the precious cargo he carried in his hand.
"Yes Bumblebee; we can see her and even though it does my spark good to see her again we mustn't forget the great responsibility we face now. Her life and well being is our to care for now."
"Optimus," Pluto spoke up, "you must also remember that Serenity has retained no memories from her life on the moon. It's very important that her true identity remain a secret until the proper time."
"And when exactly would the proper time be?" Ratchet asked.
"You know it when you see it," Pluto explained. "Now if you bots will excuse me I must return to the time gate. Please take good care of her the future of this planet may depend on her."
Once Pluto had left the three Autobots continued to stare at their tiny new charge. Finally Bee began chirping at Ratchet. "How should I know what to do with her?" Ratchet exclaimed. "This wasn't even my idea."
"First things first, we need to do research on how best care for her. Ratchet find as much information as you can find. The Earth's government has assigned us a new agent, Agent Fowler perhaps he can help us." Optimus suggested.
So Optimus and Ratchet researched while they waited for Agent Fowler. Bumblebee seemed content to hold her and watch over her. Bumblebee was still focused on his beautiful little gift when Bulkhead, Arcee, and Cliffjumper walked in. "Hey Bee what you got there?" Bulkhead asked. Bee held out his hand so the Autobots could see.
"How'd she get here?" Arcee asked.
"Autobots this young human sparkling has come to us in need of love, sustenance, shelter, and protection. We will do our very best to provide them for her."
"Optimus you can't be serious." Arcee objected, "the base is no place for a child; especially one this small."
Suddenly Bee exploded into a long line of angry clicks and chirps as he cupped his hands protectively around Serenity.
"Easy Bee," Arcee tried to calm him down, "All I meant was that the base could be very dangerous for her, not to mention we already have a mission here on Earth when would we have time to raise a orphan child."
"You may not know it Arcee but Serenity isn't the first orphan Team Prime has raised." Optimus informed her. "Back during the worst days of the war I returned to base to find a youngling stealing energon from the mess in order to feed himself. Our team fed him, cared for him, we were his playmates and yes even his disciplinarians. It wasn't easy to find time for him but if we had decided not to try we wouldn't have Bumblebee today."
Arcee looked at Bee in a whole new light. She knew Bee and Optimus were close but she didn't realize the prime had taken the time to raise Bee himself.
"Lighten up Cee," Cliffjumper teased her, "She's just a kid. With the cons laying low she might be just the thing to keep things exciting around here."
"If you say so," she waved them off as she left the room, "you bots have fun," she said as she headed for her quarters.
When Agent Fowler arrived and saw their pleasant surprise he hit the roof expressing his concerns about a child living on the base. "It's not just her safety which is still m biggest concern. Food, diapers, clothes these are only her immediate needs, she's also going to need dentists and doctors, and their going want to see things like birth certificates and social security numbers." Fowler instructed. "I still think it would be in the child's best interest if she came with me."
Bumblebee glared at Fowler and let out another line of angry squawks.
"Bumblebee," Optimus said sternly, "that is no way to talk to the man. Agent Fowler as you can see my Autobots have already grown protective of the child. I'm afraid allowing her to leave is out of the question."
Fowler simply pinched the bridge of his nose, "Talking the higher up into letting her stay here isn't going to be easy Prime but I'll see what I can do. In the mean time you are going to need some supplies ASAP."
Fowler came through but under the strictest circumstances. A social worker was assigned to monitor the situation to make sure the child was safe and cared for properly. Fowler also arranged for a nurse to come in and instruct the Autobots on basic physical needs and hygiene. The problem was with her small size it was going to take someone with a surgical hand to feed and change her. It didn't take Ratchet long to figure out that was going to be him.
They filled out all the necessary paper work, her birth certificate called for a first and last name, so Optimus gave her the only name he could think of Serenity Prime. Ratchet objected slightly stating that the title of Prime was meant to be earned not given away. Optimus defended his decision saying he had no doubt in his processors that she would live up to the title one day.
9 months old
Ratchet was groggy when he was awakened by familiar sound. He grumbled and griped as he made way to where Serenity was sitting up in her crib. As he scooped her out of her crib she let out a giggle as she looked at him with his big blue eyes.
"Oh you think it's funny do you. I haven't had a decent recharge in months and you think it's funny," he lightly scolded.
Serenity just giggled louder in response.
He changed her and made her a bottle. As he fed her, her eyes remained on him; he'd never seen such peaceful eyes in his life. It was the one thing he envied most about her, and yet he hoped that peace would remain in her eyes forever.
2 years old
"MORE! BULK! MORE!" Serenity squealed. She was in his back seat buckled tightly into her car seat.
"Hang on Sere!" Bulkhead laughed as he went cruising through another large mud puddle, sending water and mud flying everywhere. When the mud splattered on his windows Serenity cheered and laughed even harder.
Later that night Bulkhead crept into the base cupping Serenity protectively in his hands. When Bulkhead came to the main room he looked around and when didn't see anyone he let out a sigh of relief. However he hadn't taken three steps when he heard the sound he feared the most.
"BULKHEAD!" Ratchet snapped.
"Shh!" Bulkhead said as he put a hand over Serenity shielding her from view. "You'll wake her up."
"Bulkhead you and Serenity were suppose to be back hours ago." Optimus said calmly.
"My apologies Optimus we just lost track of time." Bulkhead still shielding Serenity from sight.
"Well just give her here and I'll put her to bed." Ratchet said.
"No I'll do it?" Bulkhead offered.
"You've never offered to put her to bed before." Ratchet said suspiciously.
"Well I'm the one that kept her out late right. So I should be the one to get her ready for bed right; right!" Bulkhead said nervously.
"Bulkhead," Optimus said in a warning tone, "Please hand Serenity over to Ratchet."
Sighing in defeat Bulkhead reluctantly opened his hands and held out Serenity for Ratchet to take. When Optimus and Ratchet looked at Serenity she was sound asleep in the palm of Bulkheads hand. However from the top of her head to the tip of her smallest toe she was covered in thick layers of black mud.
"Bulkhead!" Ratchet scolded. "How'd she get like that?"
"Well were only doing a little mudding and I let her out just to stretch her legs." Bulkhead began to tell the story.
Flash Back
"ME LIKE BULK!" Serenity laughed. Then as she was making engine noises she ran through the biggest mud puddle she could find; jumping and splashing and kicking mud up way above her head.
Ratchet just stared at him with aggravation. Optimus just looked at him with the same neutral expression her always had.
"What," Bulkhead defended himself, "she had fun!"
Ratchet let out an aggravated huff as he took Serenity. As he left to start the process of cleaning her up and putting her to bed you could here him grumble about how every time someone decided to have a little fun it just ended up being more work for him.
4 years old
Optimus woke from his berth to hear the sound of thunder rumbling above the base. He let out a small sigh because it would always lead to the same result.
"Papa Bot," Serenity cried as she entered his quarters.
Optimus looked down to see the most spark breaking sight. Serenity stood by his berth in her little pink night dress and bare feet. She had her favorite stuffed rabbit in one hand and her blanket in the other.
"The thunder scares me," She sobbed with tears streaming down her cheeks, "can I stay here?"
With the look of compassion in his optics Optimus let down his hand so she could crawl in. Having become accustom to this procedure he lifted her up to his chest. He laid out a small bed role her learned to keep for her and placed it just above his spark. Using her rabbit for a pillow Serenity laid down while Optimus cover her with the blanket then he placed a gently yet protective hand over her.
Optimus could still hear her crying so he spoke in soft soothing tones. "Hush now my small one. No harm shall fall on you as long as I'm here." Serenity listened to the sound of his spark and began to calm herself. Soon Optimus could hear her breathing even out telling him she had fallen asleep.
5 years old
"I don't want to go Bee," Serenity insisted.
Bumblebee sat parked just outside Serenity's new school. He clicked and chirped trying to encourage her to give it a try. Because of Serenity's unique home situation the government arranged for her to attend a private school reserved for military families. The school staff was told only what was necessary, that Serenity was a member of a high profile military family. Everyday a staff member was to pick Serenity up at the car and escort her to her classroom, then escort her back to the car at the end of the day.
Serenity pulled nervously at her new uniform as she watched a young woman approach her and Bee. Bee made sure to use her halo form and promised Serenity that he would stay parked outside her classroom window all day if she needed him to.
The woman opened the door and smiled warmly at her. "Are you Serenity?" she asked. Serenity nodded, "well my name is Ms. Tsukino. I'm your kindergarten teacher."
Ms. Tsukino helped Serenity out of Bee's back seat. Serenity shyly took her hand and allowed herself to be lead inside the school.
Once Serenity was out of sight Bee quickly drove around to her classroom window
And parked himself anxiously waiting to catch a glimpse of her. He wasn't real comfortable with someone he never met walking off with his baby sister even if they were just going inside the school. He waited and waited, convinced it was taking to long he radioed base.
"Bumblebee it's only been a couple of minutes, she'll be fine." Ratchet assured him. Again Bee waited, again he radioed, "No; the situation does not require you to drop your vehicle cover to go in after her. I'm monitoring her tracking devise as we speak she's perfectly well." Ratchet insisted. Suddenly Ratchet felt like he was being watched. He looked to see the rest of Team Prime staring at him. "What?"
"You put a tracking devise on her?" Arcee almost laughed. "Don't you think that's a bit over kill for someone who's only going to school for a few hours."
"Agh!" Ratchet just waved them off.
Finally after what seemed like forever but really only about ten minutes tops, Bee saw Serenity come to the window and wave at him.
After school Bee waited for her out front when he saw her running excitingly towards him.
"Bee!" she cheered as she opened the door and climbed in, she waved to her teacher as she closed the door behind her. "That was the best day ever, my teacher Ms. Tsukino is really nice. There's lots of fun kids in my class and everything in the room is just my size. Look I made this today," Serenity held a new drawing up for Bee to see. "It's a picture of our family. Teacher says I have a great imagination."
Bee congratulated her on having a great first day and said he never had a doubt that she would be just fine.
8 years old
Serenity loved her entire family very much, however there was Autobot that she couldn't seem to get close to no matter how much she tried. "Arcee!" Serenity cheered. "Come play with me, I just got a new game."
"Sorry Sere but I still have work to do." Arcee said.
"But you just got back from patrol can't you play for a little bit?" Serenity persisted.
"Sere, I said no. I still have training to do." Arcee said as she headed for the training room.
"You really need to learn to relax a little Cee." Cliff said as they passed each other.
"You really need to learn to mind your own business Cliff." Arcee said.
Cliffjumper walked over to a disappointed Serenity, "Hey Sere, I'll play with you a little while."
Serenity instantly cheered, "Kay!"
Serenity set up the game board and they carefully read the instructions. Serenity really wanted a video game but Ratchet insisted that board games were more educational.
"Cliff; how come Arcee doesn't seem to like me much?" Serenity asked.
"Sere; Arcee cares for you a great deal, but she has a hard time getting close to individuals." he said as he picked her up.
"How come?" she asked.
"You remember how we told you about the war on Cybertron?" she simply nodded, "Well during that war Arcee was captured and interrogated by a con named Arachnid. Cee was tortured but when she refused to give information Arachnid killed Arcee's partner Tailgate. Cee and Tailgate were very close and his loss devastated her. So to protect herself from feeling that kind of pain again she refused to get close to anyone." Cliff explained.
"How'd you get so close to her?" Serenity asked with tears forming in her eyes.
Cliff smiled a cocky smile, " I irritated the scrap out of her till she gave in. Really though I just refused to go anywhere, I was there when she needed me and even then it took a long time for her to let her guard down around me.
For the next several weeks every time Arcee turned around she could see Serenity watching her intensely, but every time Arcee ask her what she was doing she would just smile and run off.
One day Arcee was working in the training room doing some shadow boxing when she heard something behind her. When she looked she saw Serenity standing on the platform behind her kicking and punching the air.
"Sere what are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm learning to be a tough girl just like you Cee." she said with a crooked smile. She went back to punching and kicking but she lost her balance and fell on her butt.
Arcee couldn't help but smile, "Your footing is wrong," she corrected. She helped Serenity pose her feet correctly. "There like that; that way it's easier to keep your balance. Now keep your shoulders square, that's it good girl." Arcee continued to coach her.
For the next few hours Arcee and Serenity trained together. Every once in a while Arcee would stop when she saw Serenity was struggling with something. Finally Arcee could tell Serenity was starting to get tired. "Okay Sere, I think that's enough for tonight."
"Aww! Please Cee! Just a little bit longer," Serenity begged.
"Serenity," Optimus called as her came looking for her, "Serenity, you are late in going to bed."
"Aww Papa Bot, do I have to? Cee and I are having so much fun, I promise I'll go to bed just as soon as I feel tired," she tried to negotiate.
Optimus looked at her, her eyes were red and her lids were drooping he could tell she was about to fall asleep any moment. "While I'm glad to hear that you and Arcee are getting along so well there comes a time when we all must get our rest. That time as come for you Small One."
"Oh, okay," Serenity gave in, "can Cee tuck me in at least?"
"Of course if she wants to." Optimus said.
"Sere; I don't know," Arcee tried to talk her way out of it.
"Please Cee! I promise if you don't like it I'll never ask you again." Serenity said.
"Fine," she gave in, "just this once."
"Yeah!" Serenity cheered as she lead Arcee towards her quarters.
"Small One make sure to attend to all your personal hygiene before recharging for the night," Optimus instructed.
"Yes Papa," she answered.
Serenity combed her hair and brushed her teeth and washed her face. She put her night dress on and climbed into bed.
Arcee covered her with a blanket and sat down next to the bed for a moment. "There is that what you wanted?" she asked.
"Can you stay until I go to sleep?" Serenity asked.
Arcee agreed, she watched over her while Serenity let out a big yawn and snuggled into the blankets. Five minutes later Arcee could hear Serenity snoring softly.
10 years old
Ratchet was trying very hard to concentrate on his work in his laboratory but it was becoming difficult with that nonstop bouncing. "Serenity, how many times have I told you not to bounce that ball in here?" he scolded.
"I know Grumpy Bot, but I'm bored and there's nothing better to do." Serenity said as she continued to the ball against the wall and catching with her hands.
"If you take your ball in the into the training room or the rec room you can bounce it all you like." he instructed.
"There's nobody in there, everyone out scouting for energon which means I get to spend my day hanging out with you?" Serenity argued. Again continued to bounce her ball.
"Oh what joy," he said sarcastically, "Serenity, get that ball out of here." he ordered.
As if on queue Serenity bounced the ball a little to hard and it went flying off in an unintended direction. Serenity chased after it, "I'll get it!" it bounced and ricocheted until it hit a piece of diagnostic equipment that was being secured in place by chains. When the ball hit it caused one of the chains to pop loose which allowed this tool the size of a building to roll forward. Serenity was so focused on retrieving her ball that she failed to realize that she ran right into it's path. She barely had the ball in her hands when she felt herself being yanked off the floor just in time to avoid being run over.
Before Serenity fully realized what had happened she found herself being held protectively to Ratchet's chest. She looked up and could see the fear in his optics and could hear his spark racing. "Ratchet, are you okay?"
"Do you know how much you just scared me?" Ratchet held her while he tried to calm himself down. When he did he looked at her sternly, "Give it to me."
Serenity handed him the ball and he walked over to his desk and put it in the top drawer. "I plan keeping that for a while." Ratchet then walked down to Serenity's quarters and deposited her on the bed. "Please wait here, I'll be back to talk to you when I have had a chance to clam down.
"I'm sorry Ratchet." Serenity cried.
Ratchet's spark twisted in sadness, he hated to see her cry. He hated it even worse when he was the one that made her cry. "Please wait here."
Serenity waited and waited for what seemed like forever until finally she heard metallic feet approaching. When Ratchet entered the room she drew her knees up to her chest and buried her face in her arms so she didn't have to look at him. She looked up when she felt herself being lifted off the bed.
Ratchet once again held her to his chest but this time the embrace was much gentler and more affectionate. Serenity looked ant his face and his optics were also much softer.
Serenity hugged him as she cried into his armor, "I'm so sorry Ratchet."
Ratchet cradled her in one hand and wiped away her tears with the other. "You already apologized Sere, but you must promise to be much more careful. You have no idea how important you are."
Serenity was taken a bit by surprise Ratchet never called her Sere. With him she always Serenity. "Ratchet are you sure you are okay?"
"I'm fine, I just need you to remember how much you are loved around here, and how devastated everyone here would be if something happened to you." Ratchet said.
"Do you love me Ratchet?" she asked.
Ratchet was hurt that she had to ask but then he remembered that he was never good at expressing his affections for anyone. "Very much."
12 years old
Serenity was riding with Optimus on a scouting mission through the rainforests of South America.
"Not much farther Small One, the energon reading is just a mile up a head.." he said.
"Oh Papa Bot you know I'd ride just about anywhere with you," Serenity said cheerfully.
"Oh yeah, what about when you have to go to the dentist?" Optimus teased.
"I said just about," Serenity shuddered. "Besides you and Ratchet make me go anyway."
Optimus gave a small chuckle, "You want to keep your teeth don't you?"
Optimus pulled up to the site when saw what looked to be an entrance to a cave. Optimus slammed on his breaks and tightened Serenity's seatbelt. "Ratchet, activate the ground bridge," but all he got was static.
"What's wrong?" Serenity asked.
"Climb out," Optimus ordered.
Serenity quickly obeyed.
Optimus transformed and picked her up. He hid her among the thick brush, "Stay here and stay out of sight. This site has been mind and not by Autobots."
"Decepticons?" she asked. Serenity had never seen Decepticons before. Optimus worked tirelessly to keep her very existence a secret from them.
"Wait here for me and do not leave this spot until I return," he instructed.
Serenity crotched down low as Optimus approached the entrance, he paused for a moment or two then drew his cannon and proceeded. Stealthily he made his way through the tunnels and caverns. He could hear drilling in the distance finally he came upon a drilling crew, but what made it more dangerous was who was with them.
"Production is ahead of schedule Commander Starscream." the foreman said.
"Excellent, our master will be expecting this shipment." Starscream said.
With Starscream on the premises getting Serenity out of here was now urgent. If Starscream discovered her presence on Earth it wouldn't be long before Megatron knew as well. As he approached the exit he heard the sound he dreaded the most. The sound of Serenity's terrified screams.
Optimus transformed and sped out the mine at top speed. As he burst through the opening he saw Serenity being pursued by Laserbeak.
"Get Away!" she screamed. Laserbeak swooped at her and Serenity dove barely dodging. "PAPA BOT!"
"Serenity! Stay down I'm coming!" he instructed. He transformed and fired upon Laserbeak. By now reinforcements had arrived and were firing on Optimus. Again Laserbeak swooped in on Serenity wrapping his tentacles around he started to carry her off.
"Laserbeak!" Starscream ordered as hovered over head in jet mode. "Bring that creature to me."
Suddenly Serenity felt all alone not even her papa could reach her at this point. She felt sheer terror as she was carried higher towards Starscream. All at one Serenity felt a rush of power. Just before Starscream took possession of the small girl a powerful force erupted from her body and a crescent mark appeared on her forehead. Starscream saw the mark and recognized it, "It can not be!" he panicked.
The sudden burst of power caused Laserbeak to drop Serenity causing her to plummet towards the ground. Optimus ran and took a giant leap. He grabbed her in mid air, as he came down her tucked and rolled then transformed with Serenity securely strapped into his passenger seat. He barreled down the road at top speed, trying to put as much distance between them and the Decepticons as possible.
"Decepticons! Destroy the prime and bring that girl back to me!" Starscream ordered.
"Ratchet! Bridge us back NOW!" Optimus ordered. When the green portal appeared Optimus dove in still at full speed. After they made it through Ratchet quickly closed the bride behind them. Optimus slammed on his brakes and transformed, "Ratchet! Prepare medical bay!" he commanded as he carried an unconscious Serenity. When Optimus laid her on the medical berth she still wore her crescent mark.
"I don't understand," Ratchet said, " Has she been activated?"
"No; she merely tapped into her power under extreme duress." came a familiar voice.
Optimus and Ratchet turned to see Sailor Pluto standing at the edge of the giant berth. Pluto walked over and knelt down beside her princess and placed a hand on her forehead. "Serenity isn't injured she's simply exhausted from the sudden burst of power. She'll need to rest and be monitored for the next few days. However I will need to erase her memories from today."
"The Decepticons are now ware of her presence on Earth. We will have to keep a closer eye on her. Optimus said he felt tremendous guilt over today's events. "I should have never taken her with me."
"Optimus what happened to day was not your fault." Ratchet insisted. "It was a routine scouting mission."
"Ratchet is correct," Pluto agreed, "Unfortunately this child was born with powerful enemies, but Queen Selenity did not send her here so you could lock her away in this base her entire life. She wanted Serenity to have a full and happy life.
TFP SM TFP
Starscream stood alone in the command center trying to wrap his processors around today's events. There was no way one of them could still be alive. He had witnessed the fall of the moon kingdom with his own optics. Even if one managed to survive these feeble humans had short life spans most of them die with in the first century it wasn't possible for one to survive a millennia.
Starscream heard footsteps approaching, "Soundwave what is it?" Soundwave showed him the surveillance data from earlier particularly when the crescent mark appeared on the girls forehead. "You know that the Lunarnians were completely wipe from existence it's simply impossible that one be alive." Starscream insisted if Soundwave informed Megatron that there was a living breathing Lunarnian here on Earth Megatron would rip his rocket boosters off. "We must be certain before we inform Lord Megatron, increase global surveillance I want to be the first to know about any further sightings."
Well that's it for this chapter. Thanks to everyone's constructive feedback my is now swimming with new ideas. So I hope you'll be a little patient so I can rework and rewrite a few things so I can give the best story I can give.
Once again I love constructive feedback so please review.