Ariel followed the feeling in her spark. It was urging her on, almost like an unseen guide. She could feel Nelchie reaching out for her, the pain and fear the sparkling was feeling causing Ariel's spark to fill with dread. She latched onto that small, fading light that was Nelchie's as a dark, unwanted force tried to pull at her. This unwanted darkness was trying to unravel the helpless sparkling, and Ariel would not stand for it. A surge of protectiveness overcame her.
Turning a corner, she could see Megatronus in the distance, speaking quickly to a mech who was underneath a desk. "Megatronus!" she shouted in relief, rushing forward.
The silver mech looked up in surprise. "Ariel!" he exclaimed. "Soundwave believes he has found a sparkling underneath the desk." He frowned. "It's not-?"
She nodded. "Yes, I know. I can feel her."
Megatronus raised an optic ridge. "Feel her?" He let out a startled yelp when she quickly passed the other two sparklings off to him. Tapping Soundwave, she impatiently waited for the masked mech to crawl out from under the desk. She felt a flicker of fear coming from the two sparklings in Megatronus's arms, but she pushed it aside. Right now, Nelchie needed her. She dropped to her knees, crawling under the desk. She reached under, spotting the poor femme curled up in a corner, her face scrunched up in pain. She let out a whimper, reaching for Ariel who quickly scooped her up. "I'm here," she crooned to the sparkling, sending waves of comfort to the small being in her arms. She could feel the unwanted darkness being pushed away, and she could sense Nelchie's strength returning, yet she did not lessen her grip. Nelchie clung to her, her small breaths coming out in short, quick gasps.
She carefully crawled up, looking down at Nelchie with a soft smile.
"Is she alright?" Megatronus asked, a touch of concern in his voice.
Before she could answer, Nelchie let out a shriek, pointing at Soundwave who had approached to observe the tiny beings. She glared at the masked mech, her little brow narrowed.
"The organic life-form is unharmed?" he asked, ignoring the tiny squeaks Nelchie was shooting at him.
Ariel nodded, a little confused as to what was causing Nelchie to be so chatty. "Yes, I believe she is." She grinned. "But I think she likes you, Soundwave." The minute she said that, she knew it was wrong. She could not place it, but she could feel how uneasy the children were all of the sudden.
"Here," Megatronus grumbled, passing Melchnie and Lechnie off to Ariel. "You take care of them."
Ariel grinned. "Afraid they'll damage you?"
He frowned. "Damage me?"
"Ruin your tough appearance and turn you into a sap," she clarified.
"Ariel?" a familiar voice called out in confusion. She turned, smiling at Orion as he approached. "What is going on?"
She looked pointedly down at Nelchie. "Ah, someone thought it would be a good idea to explore the world without alerting her elders."
Orion frowned in concern, blue optics scanning Nelchie. "Is she alright?"
"Oh, she's fine for now. Soundwave found her," Ariel said as Orion took the sparklings from her. She fully intended to speak to Orion about the strange...darkness that had tried to harm Nelchie.
Nelchie started screaming, as if to disapprove what Ariel had just said. Soundwave reached out to pat the female sparkling on the head. "Powerful vocalizar," he stated. He pulled back when Nelchie batted at his servo.
"I think they take after you, Ariel," Megatronus said with a small smirk.
She gaped at him. "Certainly not! If anything, she picked up this loud behavior from the amount of time she's spent with you." She narrowed her optics playfully. "You, Megatronus, are a bad influence."
Megatronus nudged Orion. "It appears you two are already failing at parenting."
Orion rolled his optics. "Considering that it is our first time, I'd say we are doing pretty well." But the mirth in his optics vanished when he jerked back suddenly with a pained cry, clutching at his helm with his free servo.
"Orion!" Ariel exclaimed, rushing forward. Megatronus clutched his brother's arm, taking Melchnie from him. "Orion?" he questioned urgently. Out of the corner of her optic, Ariel could see Soundwave get into a defensive stance, as if he was expecting an attack. Sudden dread filled her spark. Was the Council harming Orion? Could they even perform such an unseen attack?
"I'm fine," he said, his voice low. "It was just a migraine."
Megatronus frowned as he held Melchnie. "Are you sure? I do not think that-"
"Brother, I am fine," Orion said as he straightened up. Soundwave picked up Nelchie so as to free up Orion's servos. The sparkling let out a squeak as she found herself suddenly transferred.
"Her helm is soft," Soundwave commented after a moment as he pet her helm, the sparklings optics wide. Ariel noted with amusement how the tough and grim mech was now cradling a fragile being with such care.
As they all headed outdoors, Ariel approached Soundwave. "Do you want me to take her?" she asked.
He shook his helm. "Negative. I have got her. Attend to your mech."
Despite herself, Ariel smiled as she made her way back to Orion. "Are you alright?" she asked.
"I am fine," he repeated.
"You never get migraines," she pointed out.
"It happens sometimes," he protested quietly.
"But never like this?" she persisted.
"Ariel," he started. "I am alright. There was a sudden, loud noise in my audio receptors. I cannot explain how, or who was trying to contact me, but it was not harmful. Just bothersome."
Ariel opened her mouth for more questions, but Orion cut in. "What happened with Nelchie?"
She grimaced. "She...got out. I did not notice until I was getting ready to leave. Truth be told, I am not sure for how long she was gone." She was embarrassed that she had even managed to lose the sparkling in the first place.
"I must not have been long, as she was not in much distress," he said.
Ariel sighed. "Actually, there is something you must know." She told him about the feelings of pain Nelchie had sent her, and the dark, unwanted feeling. She explained how it had tried to pull at Nelchie, dragging her away. There were many things Ariel was grateful for when it came to the bond between them and the sparklings. She enjoyed feeling their excitement and wonder. It alerted her when they needed her, or when they were in pain.
"Is there some unseen force attacking them?" she asked when she was done with her explanation. "Are they in danger?"
Orion was silent. "I am not sure. I will have to mention that to Alpha Trion when we meet up again."
Ariel nodded before striding forward to steal back Nelchie from Soundwave. "You, young femme, are in big trouble," she scolded. She stopped for a moment as Nelchie cuddled up to her, her optics gazing up at her. "No," Ariel said firmly. "You are not out of this yet." Though her resolve was cracking when Nelchie let out another pitiful whine.
"Give it up Ariel," Megatronus said, taking Lechnie from Orion. "She's got you wrapped around her tiny servos."
Ariel glared. "Don't deny that you are any better."
"I find them...interesting," he said, smiling at Lechnie. The taller sparkling only cocked his helm, staring at Megatronus with knowing optics. "He has your look," he commented to Orion.
Orion frowned. "My look?"
"He is observant when it comes to the safety of his siblings," Megatronus said. "He seems to be a thinker, watching everything with clear optics."
Orion grinned. "Sentimental, much?"
"Oh, hush," he said.
They approached a building on the far side of the town. It happened to be the same one that Orion and Ariel had gone to with Jazz when they had tried to avoid the attackers. Orion could not help but look around cautiously as they made their way indoors. Ariel slid into the back booth with Orion, while Megatronus and Soundwave were on the other side. But the fact that Soundwave still remained watchful did little to ease Orion's worries. Over the years, he had gotten to know Soundwave. He could tell when Soundwave was expecting an attack. This time, however, he seemed to simply remain silent, his presence a warning to unwelcome outsiders.
"And what is the reason for you dropping by?" Ariel asked, leaning in as she kept a watchful optic on the sparklings. So even she could tell there was more to Megatronus's visit.
He said nothing as their drinks were served, his movements calm, yet his gaze intense. "The Council has agreed to see us."
Orion's spark gave a jolt. "Really?" he demanded. Beside him, Ariel blinked in shock.
Megatronus nodded. "Our movement has caught their attention, as has the many outspoken cries on Cybertron."
Even though he had played a major part in Megatronus's movement for Cybertron, Orion still could not believe that many others were rallying up behind them. All their planning, speeches and movements meant something. "When?" was all he could ask.
"In a deca-cycle," Megatronus replied.
Ariel frowned. "So soon?"
"They want to catch us off guard," he said. "This is how they work in politics. The same with those riots. You know, the ones we are 'responsible' for?"
Orion nodded, feeling a spark of anger at the corruption in their Council. They had attempted to brand Megatronus as a terrorist by staging riots all across the city. So far, they had been harmless; such as broken windows, small fires and raided stores. Soundwave had traced the background checks of the troublemakers and had revealed that they were nothing more then payed off Cybertronians. But, that was not what the Council told anyone these days. "What are you going to do?" he asked.
Megatronus pointed at him. "You are coming as well. You have influenced me as much as I have influenced you. Not to mention, the Council requested your presence as well."
Ariel's frown deepened. "Why would they request Orion?"
"The Council has kept a sharp optic on me and who I deal with," Megatronus said. Mainly, they were watching. There were certain things Orion never told Ariel; such as the attempts on Megatronus's life. He did not need to worry her. But, he wondered just how long it would take for her to figure out about the threats.
"Besides," Megatronus said, leaning back. "I would not have it anyother way." He looked at Orion. "We are going to spark a great change, my brother. One way, or another."
Sudden squeaking caught their attention, and all optics were drawn to Nelchie who was jumping up and down excitedly. Orion briefly wondered if she could understand what was being said. Soundwave poked at the sparkling. "Is she in distress?"
Ariel frowned, shaking her helm. "No, I do not think so."
Soundwave scooped up the little sparkling, cradling Nelchie. The sight of the silent gladiator holding such a fragile being caught Orion by surprise, causing him to blink. His amusement grew when Nelchie started batting at Soundwave's servos, almost as if she were playing with him. "You gladiators are all the same," Ariel said with a grin.
Megatronus snorted. "That may be."
They did not say much else. The news had been given, and Orion's spark thrummed with the very idea of making a change. As he and Ariel walked, he found himself lost in thought.
"You will be careful, right?"
Orion looked down at Ariel, who had stayed close at his side. "Of course I will," he answered.
She nodded, though her gaze was still troubled. "This...what you are doing. It is important, Orion. It is inspiring hope and exposing corruption."
Orion would have also pointed out that Ariel had played a major role in Megatronus's movement as well. She was not one to sit idly by while others did the heavy lifting. She was not raised that way. "But, I feel as if it will not be easy," she said, struggling to find the right words. "I just…" She sighed in defeat. "Just stay safe."
Orion smiled at her. "I will. Megatronus is with me. Nothing will happen to the two of us." At this moment, staring into her bright optics that seemed to possess a different color that he could get lost in, he found himself wanting to say more. She was important to him as well, and he thanked Primus everyday for allowing them to meet.
But the sparklings were impatiently tapping him, wanting to go inside, and Ariel had already kissed their little helms goodbye. She looked at him with a smile, taking a step back. The sparklings squeaked, reaching for Ariel, causing the femme to raise an optic ridge.
"I suppose they are not ready for you to leave," he said. Neither am I, he thought.
Ariel glanced back at the sparklings, before grinning. "Oh, you needy little scraplets," she scolded.
Yes, he thought. Needy indeed.
He had not been expecting for Ariel to stay longer, though he was not complaining. But, the sparklings were demanding their complete attention. It made Orion wonder if there was something wrong with them if they wanted to be held so much. But those thoughts were soon dashed when the sparklings decided to play with his computer.
"Just when I think I am starting to understand them, they throw me for a loop," he commented, watching as the sparklings hopped on the keys of his computer.
Ariel hummed as she leaned into him. "Well, they do seem like curious beings."
He nodded in agreement, but said nothing else. He was content with the special femme at his side, watching as the sparklings played around. Ariel stirred a bit. "Orion?" she started, leaning towards the sparklings. "What are they doing?"
Orion frowned, glancing at the screen as symbols began to form. No, not just symbols. Words.
"Hello Orion Pax."
Awe and wonder filled his spark as he gazed at the simple greeting the sparklings had spelled out. They were now looking up at him with earnest expressions. "Lechnie?" he said softly, looking at the older sparkling.
The sparkling stared up at him, pleadingly. "T'o't," he said.
"Can you understand us?" he asked rapidly, excited. "Primus! You can understand us!"
"Orion," Ariel said gently. "I do not think they can understand us to that extent."
And like that, a wave of disappointment came over him. He looked back at the sparklings, who were staring up at him with hope. He straightened up, looking at the screen with the simple words, filled with determination.
"What am I to do?" he asked finally.
Alpha Trion just hummed as he sorted through an odd assortment of gadgets. "First," he said simply. "We are to introduce ourselves." He glanced over at the sleepy sparklings in Orion's arms. "Have they been any more pain?"
He glanced at the sparklings, all three huddling near his spark chamber. There had been a close call with Melchnie, who had awoken in pain. Since then, Orion just carried them around, not wanting to take any risks.
"What is that?" he asked, gesturing to the odd machine.
Alpha Trion huffed. "Right now," he grumbled. "It is not working." He whacked the machine. "Piece of scrap," he muttered. He grinned when the machine gurgled to life with a loud 'ding.' "Aha!" he exclaimed.
Orion frowned. "And what does it do?"
"This will allow you to communicate with the sparklings," Alpha Trion said simply. "I am curious about those drawings the little femme has done. It does not bode well for us." He paused. "There are questions that need to be answered, and while this machine will not allow you to understand them, it is a start."
Orion's optics widened. "Fascinating," he said. "Where did you get it?"
Alpha Trion shrugged. "My brother was very talented in this department." He said no more as he pushed the machine forward. Orion stepped forward, staring at the odd device. He gently placed the sparklings down, making sure they were comfortable before typing into the machine. A series of beeping and blurs came out, to which Orion could understand was being translated as, "Hello?"
He stopped, noticing the stunned look on Melchnie's face. "Can you understand me?" he typed in.
Melchnie's exciting squeaks were a very positive response. But just to be sure, he typed in, "You can understand me?"
Melchnie nodded slowly, and Orion sighed. If this was the only way to communicate with the sparklings, then so be it. "Let me try something," Alpha Trion said, stepping forward. "Your artistic designs, are you trying to tell us something?"
Orion frowned. He wouldn't have thought about asking something like that. But his mentor did have a point. Those paintings were odd, and the sparklings were persistent about showing them the drawings. They had to be careful to ask only questions that could be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no.' At times, he could sense the growing frustration and the feeling of helplessness the sparklings were feeling. He sent soothing, calm waves of comfort to them, easing their worries. But he could tell they were trying to get a message across, a message that could not be told in a simple wording.
"I am worried about their health," Orion said after a while. "They seem to be growing weaker every day."
Alpha Trion nodded. "I share your concerns. Have you thought that there might be something in the air that could be harming them? They are, after all, from a different planet."
The unspoken comment was, if they were from a different planet, then they must be sent back. The thought was depressing to Orion. But if it meant the sparklings would live, then he would gladly see them off. But that did not ease the pain of the sudden void he was feeling. A void that the sparklings were currently filling.
He was so lost in thought, that he had missed the message Alpha Trion was asking the sparklings through the machine. "Alright," Alpha Trion said, getting up. "Gather the little ones, Orion. We are going on a trip."
Orion blinked, startled. "What?"
He gestured to Nelchie. "Our little guide is going to show us where they came from."
Orion frowned as he gently picked up the sparklings. "Where they came from? You mean their planet?" He stared at Nelchie, wondering just what Alpha Trion meant by 'guide.'
Alpha Trion snorted as they left the rooms. "Of course not. I do not think they would even be able to show us what system they came from in the vastness of space. But, I have a theory."
Orion's frown deepened. He was well aware that Alpha Trion's 'theories' turned out right...most of the time. But what shocked him the most was that his mentor just up and left his work for a simple stroll. The sparklings were just as confused as him, chattering amongst themselves. But Nelchie watched everything with wide optics.
Once outside, Nelchie started pointing in the direction of a building not too far from the Iacon Hall of Records. "Ah, the science laboratory," Alpha Trion said. "I had a feeling."
Orion adjusted his hold on the sparklings. "I feeling?"
"Yes, a feeling." That was the only answer he got out of his mentor as they made their way to the building.
Wheeljack did not stop laughing, despite the glare Shockwave was sending him. "So these were the little bugs that attacked you," the mech chortled, clapping Shockwave on the arm. "Ha! They look adorable!"
"They wielded a strange chemical substance that left me momentarily blind," Shockwave said stiffly. He glared at the sparklings, or, Orion assumed he was glaring. One could never tell with Shockwave.
Alpha Trion coughed. "Yes, well. Moving on from that. Do you think you would be able to do it?"
Wheeljack frowned. "You want us to build some sorta space bridge, right?"
"Right," Alpha Trion nodded.
"And you want us to keep it from the Council?" Wheeljack continued.
Alpha Trion raised an optic ridge. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"Not at all!" Wheeljack chirped with a grin. "Shockwave and I will get started on it right away."
"The construction of a space bridge is not going to go unnoticed," Shockwave pointed out. "From what you have described, it will take time that the sparklings do not have."
Alpha Trion grinned. "Then it will be a ground bridge. I already know for a fact that Megatronus has one already constructed, right?"
That caught Orion's attention, as he stared at his mentor. Megatronus didn't mention anything like that. Why would he need a ground bridge? How had he even managed to obtain one?
"I think that should cover it," he heard Alpha Trion say. "We will come here to check on your progress." He stared at the two mechs, his gaze growing hard. "Secrecy is needed, my good friends. Am I clear?"
Wheeljack nodded. "Totally. By the way, what are with these designs?" he asked, gesturing to the datapad Alpha Trion had given him. "You don't exactly see this type of stuff in a ground bridge."
"They are a needed addition," Alpha Trion said simply, escorting Orion out of the building, despite the younger mech's reluctance. "Do not leave anything out."
"Sir," Orion started as he followed after his mentor. "May I inquire what is going on?"
"Nope," Alpha Trion said.
Orion frowned, distinctly hearing Megatronus's voice in his head telling him not to take that as an answer. "With all due respect, I believe I have the right to know as this concerns my sparklings well-being." He did not raise his voice, but he was firm, leaving no room for argument. Already, he was coming up with more ways to get information out of the older mech.
Alpha Trion glanced at him with a knowing expression. "Orion," he said suddenly, and for the first time in forever, Orion felt as if that name was not his own. Alpha Trion's optics were heavy with too many emotions to read. He thought he saw a flicker of hurt and dread, but the look was gone in a flash. "Be ready, and stay watchful." And he was gone, disappearing into the crowd.
"This will allow me to communicate with them?" Ariel asked, excitement in her voice as she observed the machine in front of her. Instead of returning home straight away from her business trip, she had dropped by to see the sparklings.
Orion nodded as he set the machine up. "Yes. But be sure to keep your questions in the 'yes' or 'no' range." He glanced over and saw Ariel wringing her servos nervously. "Are you nervous?" he asked teasingly.
"No!" she exclaimed. "I am just wondering what I should say to them."
"Start by introducing yourself," he said simply, nodding toward the machine. Alpha Trion and he had visited Shockwave and Wheeljack many times, going over the improvements of the ground bridge, over the past few days. Though it was never really revealed to him just what was going on, and it frustrated him to no end.
Ariel took in a deep breath before typing quickly. "Hello? My designation is Ariel and I am a librarian at the Iacon Hall of Records." She glanced at Orion with a frown as the sparklings began chatting amongst themselves excitedly.
He nodded to her. "Now ask them a question," he said.
She frowned before quickly typing. Orion was content to just sit back and watch, noting the determination in how Ariel worked. He could feel the amazement radiating from the sparklings, all three staring up at Ariel. He also noticed how Melchnie seemed to be the one who relayed what he was hearing to his siblings. Orion frowned, finding that bit of information interesting. What prevented Lechnie and Nelchie from understanding the messages?
After a while, Ariel was just content to listen and watch Nelchie yammer on, no doubt explaining something to them. The two Cybertronians, however, were just content watching the sparkling.
"Oh great," Chromia snorted. "You brought the pets."
Ariel swatted at her sister's pedes, pushing them off the seat. "Sparklings, Chromia," she corrected. "Not pets."
Chromia got up to take a closer look at the sparklings, shifting Arcee who was just waking up in her arms. "They're so tiny!" she exclaimed as Ariel set them down on the small table.
She nodded. "I know. Can you keep an optic on them? I'll take care of Arcee."
Chromia looked up. "I can feed her," she protested.
Ariel shook her helm as she gently took her younger sister from the blue femme. "You have had her all day. I believe it is my turn to spend some time with her." She inwardly smiled, knowing that Chromia felt uncomfortable around the smaller sparklings, but her sister would be fine.
"Come on little one," she cooed to Arcee, who gurgled up at Ariel. "You know what time it is. Time for your yucky formula."
Yucky formula was right. It was never Arcee's favorite time of the day. Though the helpful fluids in the formula gave off an awful taste, they were supposed to strengthen her structure. Through the bond, she could feel Chromia's unease in the other room. She chuckled, setting the empty formula bottle down. "Let's go rescue Mia from the scary sparklings, huh?" she said to a sleepy Arcee.
The atmosphere in the room was relaxed as Chromia held Arcee while Ariel held the other three sparklings. They were all content with just sitting in silence. But, there was something off that Ariel could not place. She cocked her helm. The feeling was not coming from the sparklings. She followed the mental thread before touching Chromia's mind.
Chromia glanced at her before picking up a datapad. "You will want to see this," she said, handing it over to Ariel.
Ariel frowned when she glanced at the datapad, images of a burning building and running Cybertronians filling the screen. Speculations were already being thrown out, most revolving around mechs connected to Megatronus. Ariel frowned in disgust as she read the article. While she never really agreed with Megatronus's way of approaching certain situations, she knew he would never stage an attack such as this.
She noted that this was a bit extreme for the Council to perform. Did they really value the lives of their citizens so little that they would be so willing to sacrifice them to frame one mech? She dropped the datapad, intending to look at it later. For now, she just held the sparklings close to her spark, the warmth of her sisters calming her and reminding her what she was helping Megatronus for.