Author's Note: So I tried to fit in everyone's requests while still sticking with the storyline. Major thanks to all the reviews and for the suggestions from Cometflare16, Steelcode, omygiddyaunt, BIackrose13, and all the guest reviews. Thank You!


Jack tried not to breath too fast as he felt the panic set in. He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes, but he squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to be caught crying. His mother. He missed his mother and he was not ashamed to admit it. Would they let her know what happened to him? Or would they leave her wondering what had happened to her son? The worst thought was the she would think he had run away. Such an action would break her heart. But, she knew him and therefore knew he would not just run away, especially since he had no reason to.

No, she would go to the police. He would become a missing person. His face on posters would stay up for years because they would never find him. His mother would be alone, consumed with worry over what could have happened to her son.

Anger and fear clenched Jack's heart. He watched as various people came in and out of the room. Some of them ran tests on him, while the men in sharp suits would sit across from him and ask him questions. They had started out with asking about Jack's life; where he was born and what he did and how it all led up to this moment. At first, he had ignored them. But then, he began to talk, mostly about him and his mom. He didn't say much about his father; that was a bitter wound that was just being pried open. What made him lash out at the agents who were questioning him was when they had asked if he would like to know what his father was up to.

No, he had told them. He already had a father who was there for him.

That had gotten them to grow quiet and it was then Jack had realized what he had said.

"The NBEs are not your friends," they had said. "You are here so we can protect you and understand what they have done to you."

"Get scraped," was all he said, his blue eyes blazing, hands balling into fists.

They hadn't kept him handcuffed to the chair. He would be escorted to go to the bathroom and to a small room with a bed when it was time to sleep. But he was never left unwatched.

Reaching out to his siblings was always a comfort. They were scared, Raf more so than Miko. They had taken Raf's glasses away, and Raf was prevented from seeing clearly. That had set in a feeling of helplessness that Miko and Jack shared with him. They had tried to offer him comfort, but it would only go so far.

They had taken Jack's dog tags and Miko's earrings. If the kidnappers were examining them, then they would most certainly find alien technology on those gifts. The thought of those agents touching the gifts that the bots had made just for them made Jack stew with anger.

"T'o't," he would whisper at night, tears falling to his pillow. "Please help."


The needle plunged into his skin, never the same spot but always the same result. The feeling of violation was strong as was the fear and helplessness. It was swift as faceless figures came into view, their expressions neither kind nor angry. It was the lack of emotion that startled him. Did they not feel remorse at what they were doing? Were they not aware that what they were doing was wrong?

A plea, a silent cry. That was what he heard. It came in as one voice, only to combine into three. Three voices that he knew and cherished were filled with pain and sorrow. They pleaded for help, they were reaching out. They did not know what was happening and they sought comfort in him.

Pain shot up in his spark. Pain that was not his own. Three beings were trying to reach out to him, to receive comfort.

Orion Pax looked up sharply, his servo still hovering over his chassis where his spark was. The images were gone, but the pain was still there.

He rose to his pedes, breaking out into a run as he raced down the streets, screaming for his mate and brother, their cries of anger and demand for retribution answering his.

Being a Prime would have to wait. Someone was harming his sparklings. Someone had waited for them to leave so they could take what was his. Someone had made his sparklings cry.


June sat down at the kitchen table, alone and worried. She held her head in her hands as thoughts swarmed her. She had finished crying hours ago. The police did not know what to tell her as they chalked it all up to a runaway teen.

But Jack would never do that. Runaway teens were troubled kids who led a hard life. Jack seemed happy and content with his life, if a bit worried about his job and the upcoming tests. But that wasn't enough reason for him to run away!

Something had happened to her son and she didn't know what.

She looked up when she heard a knock on her door. She sprang to her feet, heart leaping in her chest. She ran towards the door, ready to fling it open and hug her son who was most certainly standing outside, ready to come in.

Only when she opened the door, she was met with a different sight. A tall man stood in the shadows, his bright blue eyes staring at her. "Miss Darby?" he asked, his voice soft, yet there was a trembled edge to it, like buried emotions that were waiting to be unleashed.

It took her several moments to respond as the hope and image of her son faded away and the worry set in once more. "Yes?" she asked, her voice hoarse. She cleared her throat. "What can I do for you?"

The man hesitated for a brief moment. "You can listen to what I have to say." June blinked in confusion at that statement.

"Your son did not run away," the man started. "He was not like that and loves you too much to put you through such pain."

June let out a gasp. "You know my Jack? How? Is he alright? Where is he?"

"We do not know yet, but we have a lead," the man said quickly. "And yes, I am acquainted with your son and am working with a professional team in getting him back." His eyes sparked with such fierceness that June took a small step back.

"I can promise you this," he continued. "We will get your son back."

June made up her mind right then and there. This was her son they were talking about and he needed help. "I'm coming," she said firmly, turning her back on the man and rushing in her home. Turning her back on a strange man was probably not the best move anyone could do. But June's thoughts were focused on her son, not on her own safety at the moment.

"Miss Darby, no," the man said, quickly following after her. "I strongly advise against it."

June grabbed her coat. "This is my son," she said firmly. "I'm going."

The man shook his head, his dark hair catching the light. "No. My team and I are trained for situations like this. But we cannot work at our best when we have to worry about a civilian."

June curled her hands into fists to keep them from trembling. "I can't...I can't stay here knowing he's out there," she said, tears pricking in the corners of her eyes.

"I understand," he said. "I really do. But I came here in the hopes of offering you some comfort. We will do everything in our power to return Jack. Failure is not an option." He looked up suddenly, as if listening to something. "I need to go," he said quickly, looking down at June once more before rushing out the door. He stopped for a moment, glancing back. "The next time I return, it will be with your son."

June frowned, racing after him to see him enter a red and blue semi truck. "Wait!" she shouted, grabbing the door handle. "Sir, this is my son you are talking about. I am not staying behind."

His blue eyes flickered, as if conflicted. He frowned thoughtfully and June could almost see the gears turning in his head as he thought.

"I can allow you to come with us until we reach the place your son is being held," he said finally, his voice heavy with regret. "But that is it. The rest you need to leave to us."

June nodded as she climbed into the passenger seat with him, her heart pounding. The fact that she was in a car with a stranger escaped her for the moment and by the time she realized it, they were already racing down the road.


"I told you she would want to come," Megatron said as they raced down the road.

"Jack is her son," Orion answered curtly. "Of course she would."

"But now we've got to deal with a civilian," he argued. "An emotional one at that."

"She is emotional for a reason and she will wait for us at the coordinates we agreed to meet at," Orion said. "Arcee and Bumblebee will stay with her."

Ariel inwardly grinned at that statement. Arcee had been beyond furious when she found out what had happened to Jack. "I like that boy," she had said once to Ariel and the pink femme had to agree. Jack and Arcee had gotten along well and hung out most of the time. It pleased Ariel to see her sister getting along with her Lechnie.

But now, both femmes were angry and sought to bring back what had been stolen from them.


The drive down the rode was silent and empty, save for three cars racing down, their engines roaring. A semi truck took the lead, driving faster than any normal truck should have been able to. Keeping up with the semi was a pink corvette, its engine roaring like that of an enraged beast. Keeping pace just as easily was a large, silver Ford truck.

The three vehicles had no driver, no human being inside. But they drove on as if the devil himself was after them.

"Soundwave is ready?" Orion asked.

"Ready and angry," came Megatron's reply.

"Good," Orion said as a metal gate could be seen in the distance. "And the reinforcements?"

"Itchy trigger fingers, all of them. They really like their kids."

"Good."


"Please stop," Raf said, his voice soft. His eyes were slowly closing. He just wanted to curl up and go to sleep. If he remembered correctly, he only had one blood test before they escorted him back to his room.

"We're almost done," the woman said, her voice just as soft. Raf found that she was nice, in a way. She was the only one who would actually speak to him and offer him a smile. Just like that one bodyguard, who slipped Raf a candy bar once. It reminded Raf that he was not as alone as he had thought.

"I want to go home," he whimpered.

The woman glanced at him, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I know," she said softly. "Soon," she promised.

Raf leaned his head against the headrest of the seat, his eyes flickering closed. He took in a deep breath, his fears calming at the feeling of his siblings reaching out for him.

"There," the woman said with a tight smile. She pulled the needle away and placed it in a small holder. "All done."

"Not quite," a voice said as a man entered the room. "We want to run a few more tests."

The woman frowned, her gaze flickering to Raf with concern. "But he's-"

"Needed for a psychic test," the man interrupted firmly, stepping forward. "You, however, are done."

The woman glanced once more at Raf before gathering her things and leaving the room with one more glance at Raf. His heart started to pump wildly as he thought back to the man's words. A psychic test. Did they know?

He did not have long to wonder as he was escorted into a room with three metal chairs. Jack and Miko were already there, both strapped to the chairs. The two teens looked at Raf with worry in their eyes. Raf blinked as he was pushed forward, his eyes never leaving his bonded siblings.

"This will be quick," someone said, though Raf could not tell who said it. Men and women were milling around in white hazmat suits, their faces covered and making them almost look like anything but a human being. As time had went on in Raf's life, he had found that he was more comfortable around non humans than any other human that was not his family. But at the moment, what he was feeling right now was anything but comfort and safety.


Images that he was not seeing through his optics flashed through his mind, along with feelings of fear that he did not feel at the moment.

Megatron growled, his new car form picking up speed and crashing through the now non threatening gates that led into the facility. Soundwave had been quite busy with hacking into the systems and allowing everyone to simply walk in. The plan was to be in and out as fast as possible. There was no need to stay any longer.

Orion had estimated that they had five, maybe six minutes before the alarms went off once the humans noticed that their systems had been breached.

Or less, Megatron mused as loud blaring sirens went off.

He transformed quickly, the sounds of his brother and Ariel doing the same reaching his audio receptors. But he blocked them out as he charged forward, shooting at tanks and army trucks that were coming his way.

Something latched onto his wrists, jerking him back and causing him to almost lose his footing. But he recovered quickly, his sword out and cutting at the wire that had wrapped around him. He growled, looking up at the helicopter that had tried to trap him. He took aim, ready to shoot when an image flashed through his mind. Someone was tampering with the bond. Someone was invading his sparklings.

He stopped just as quickly, turning and racing into the building, his long strides carrying him far.

He ripped at the metal doors before him, his strength only taking him so far. Letting out a growl, he aimed and shot at the doors. Transforming, he raced down the halls, tires screeching. Everything was a blur and he may or may not have hit some humans who dared to get in his way. But he did not stop, not for anything.

He felt the sparklings reach out to him, their joy evident through the bond as they heard the noise outside. That only served to make him drive faster as he followed the bond.

Bursting into the room, he did not hesitate to transform inside, his optics narrowed and his mouth curled into a snarl as he took in the sight of the three sparklings strapped to the metal tables.


Raf could only stare at the giant, silver robot who towered over them, his blue optics narrowed in anger. His frame was large and built for combat, his servos curling into claws. There were a few dents and scars all around his body, mostly in his servos. His optics were wild and firm, yet they held a softness whenever they landed on the children.

Even though he did not speak, Raf knew who he was as if it was common knowledge.

"Megatron," he said, his voice soft and filled with awe as he stared at the Cybertronian.

"I think I died from the awesomeness of it all," he heard Miko say, her tone light yet shaking with excitement. "It took us getting kidnapped for you to show us your real form! You look so rad!"

"Mac! Iníon!" Ariel's voice shouted just as a pink car raced into the room, barely avoiding crashing into Megatron. The car transformed to reveal a tall, pink femme with sparkling blue optics. Her slim, silver servos reached out, ripping the restraints away from Raf and Miko and gathering them into her arms.

"Máthair," Raf murmured, resting his head near the sudden warmth that was coming from her chest. A soft, blue light pulsed beneath, the source of the bond that connected them all and thrived with life.

"We need to go," Megatron said suddenly, holding Jack who clung to the Cybertronian.

"Where's Orion?" Miko asked.

Ariel's expression grew dark. "Taking care of business."

They soon found out what that meant when they left the building behind and into the open, night sky. A large mech stood in the middle of smoke and ruin, his back to them. Raf leaned forward, eager to see the face of the Cybertronian they called, 'T'o't.' It did not take even a second for the mech to turn quickly, his glowing blue optics landing on the two beings in Ariel's arms. He rushed over, his large servos reaching out to touch them.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice bringing a rush of familiar safety. His form and body may have changed, but Raf was relieved to find that his voice had not.

Orion looked up, his gaze falling on Megatron's. A silent message may have been said between them, because Megatron nodded. "You three will ride with me," Megatron said, still holding Jack as he transformed. Raf blinked, taking in the silver truck that now stood in Megatron's place.

"Ariel will accompany you," Orion said swiftly.

"Wait!" Miko exclaimed. "You're not coming?"

Orion shook his helm. "I have to insure that this will never happen again, to you, or to anyone else. The agents here have overstepped when they threatened you. They must understand the consequences."

Raf swallowed. "You're not going to...kill them, are you?" He thought about that one nice security guard, and the woman who had never told him her name because of the fear of her superiors.

Orion sent a wave of comfort to him. "No, Melchnie, I will not. I have other ways to get them to listen."

"But what if they kill you?" Raf asked desperately.

"Yeah," Miko nodded. "What if they take you to do what they did to us? Or worse?"

"Because they do not wish to bring the wrath of Megatronus and Ariel," Orion said simply, but there was a seriousness in his tone. Raf could feel the strength in those words and how Ariel nodded firmly. Whatever happened, Orion's family would come for him.


"What you did has tarnished what I once thought of your human race," Orion said, his tone harsh.

The agents who stood before him did not even flinch, and Orion felt a wave of anger overcome him. Did they have no remorse?

"I can always drive back and squish them," came Megatron's voice. "I don't think I did enough damage."

"The damage both you and Bulkhead did were enough," Orion sent back. "Now please, I am in the middle of something."

"You can hardly blame us," one agent snapped. "Here you are, invading our planet and living amongst human children with no clear intentions. How were we supposed to react?"

"You did not even bother to inform the families," Orion said, his tone unusually calm, which surprised him. "If it was for their protection, then the families would have been involved as well. Instead, you have caused them nothing but heartbreak and worry over the loss of their children."

"You seem to be only interested in the three human children you kidnapped here," another agent growled.

"We did not kidnap them," Orion said. "As kidnapping is described as being held against your will, which is not what we did." He did not bother to point out that it was what the agents did; it was a well known fact. "But standard protocol would suggest taking in all that we had been involved with. The school teachers, the customers at KO Drive In, the families; all would have been taken in for protective custody." He straightened up. "However, I am willing to overlook this." Primus, how that left a bitter taste. "As I am in need of some allies."

That caused the agents present to fall silent. "What for?" one asked, leaning forward eagerly.

Orion folded his servos behind his back. "My lineage is that of what you would call royalty. And when I ascend, you will be my closest allies and receive my guaranteed protection."

One agent scoffed. "Just like that? And what do you want?"

Orion hid his smile. That was just the opening he needed. "There are a few things," he said simply.


"We should run off," Megatron said, his voice hushed so as not to wake the children. He saw Orion glance over at him with a well known look. Megatron glanced down at the humans he was holding. June had her arms wrapped protectively around her son while Megatron had his own arms wrapped around the mother and son. A double protection.

Orion smiled, glancing down at the two children in his arms. At his side, Ariel rested, though she remained awake and watchful. In her arms was Arcee who was fast asleep. The blue and pink femme had wanted to come and had joyfully reunited with Jack, the boy whom she had grown close with.

The desert night was cold, yet it did not bother anyone. The humans with them were warm thanks to the sparks they slept close to and the Cybertronians did not feel the chill as anything but a small nuisance.

Orion shook his helm. "We cannot," he said. "They have families."

"June is with us," Megatron replied. Though he had been skeptical at first about Jack's mother, there was no denying the love she had for her son, something that Megatron grudgingly admired. Once she got over her shock about the giant robots hanging out with her son, she was a reasonable human being. "And it's just Miko and her parents."

"Raf has a large family and is close with all his uncles, aunts, and cousins as well. A large family like them would be hard to hide." Orion sighed. "Besides, I have a feeling it will work out."

"Your first alliance," Megatron mused bitterly. "One with a bunch of greedy little back stabbers."

"Some of them have honor," Orion replied. "There are a few, but they are still there." He frowned. "I have hope."

"That is all we need," Ariel said, snuggling closer to him. "Besides, they would be foolish to double cross giant, alien robots."

"They've already proven how foolish they can be," Megatron grunted. He stopped when Jack shifted in his sleep before going still. Megatron silently let out a breath. "We are, after all, the only ones capable of protecting them."

Orion frowned, sensing the conflicted emotions in his brother. "You are not alone in this," he reminded him. "Ariel and I are more than capable of taking care of them as well."

"I know that as well as anyone," Megatron snapped.

"Then what is bothering you?"

Megatron hesitated and he could feel Orion tamper down the sudden worry that filled his spark, well aware that such emotions would wake the kids. "I worry," Megatron said finally. "That is all. Protecting you all is what I strive to perform."

Orion slowly nodded, sensing his brother's thoughts through the bond. He reached out, waiting for him to reach out as well. It did not take long for Megatron to connect with him, both sharing each other's hopes and strengths.

"It will be fine," he promised. Megatron could only take his brother's word. He glanced upward at the stars, frowning a bit as the words Primus had spoken to him came back. The words he had made him promise the moment the Matrix of Leadership had been shown. While Orion may have become a Prime, Megatron had been given something else that carried its own duty.

"Protect him, Megatronus," Primus had said. "Promise me that you will protect my son."

Megatron shifted a bit, his spark heavy. "I promise," he whispered softly. "I will protect them all."