"Little Flower—A Transformers Prime Fan Fiction"

Summary: The end of the past is nigh as the Autobots prepare for another battle against the Decepticons, but the situation darkens when Megatron reveals a secret Optimus hoped he'd never discover.

~~This chapter is rated T for mild material and mention of violence.~~

TFP © Hasbro

Amira © Me

~PART TWO~

Chapter Nine: Sire Prime~

Optimus Prime sat awake in his quarters that night, a soft, warm smile etched on his face plate. He leaned back slightly in his berth as his optics fell on his lap, where the tiny femmling rested her head and slept soundly. No longer just any tiny femmling—but his tiny femmling. It was still a bit surprising that just a few cycles ago he became a sire to this child, but he knew he would adjust over time. Like Bumblebee told him before: he had a niche in multi-tasking.

Optimus listened to Amira's soft, rhythmic breathing, feeling her chassis rise and fall with each breath under his hand. He gently caressed her back, holding her close to his lap. He realized how adorable she appeared when sleeping, her expression calm and relaxed, hands curled into loose fists, tiny mouth slightly ajar. He never thought, nor noticed, these things earlier that day; but now that he was a sire, he saw the preciousness in having a youngling of his own.

He then remembered the awful tragedy that occurred and sighed as his smile fell, closing his optics and hanging his helm. He could still hear the last conversation he had with Silverknight. He regretted cutting her off, regretted not doing what she had hoped him to do; but now he wanted to make it right. He slowly opened his optics again and looked to Amira. "Silverknight," he whispered, "I promise...I will protect Amira however I can. I will be the best sire you hoped I would be. I may need to balance my responsibilities as a leader and a sire, but I will make it work somehow. I promise you..."

A knock made him look up to the door. "You may enter as long as you are quiet," he said.

The door opened to reveal Ironhide. The weapons specialist smiled and silently entered, heading to Optimus's side of the berth and leaning against the wall. "So, how does it feel? Being an official sire?" he asked.

Optimus looked to Amira and replied, "Like any other mission, but this one will never be complete until I keep my promise to Silverknight to be Amira's sire. To be honest, Ironhide, I expected it to be a little more challenging to accept, but it was not. In fact, it was fairly easy. I may have a new responsibility, but I will manage however I can. It is my duty as a Prime, after all..." He looked up when Ironhide started to laugh. "What is so funny?"

"That is just adorable!" Ironhide chortled softly, wiping a tear from his optics.

"What is?"

"Oh, never mind."

They both looked down to the little femmling when tiny whimpers were heard. She had now a distraught look on her face plate, and she stirred in her sleep.

"I'll leave you two alone," Ironhide said and left the room.

Optimus watched him leave and then focused his entire attention on Amira. He gently shook her to try and wake her up. "Amira? Wake up, little one. You are having a nightmare." After a moment, Amira's optics opened up. "Are you alright?" he asked her.

She blinked, then cringed as tears flooded her optics. Amira sat up, hid her face in her hands and started to cry. This worried Optimus dearly, and he did his best to comfort her. "It's alright," he told her. "It was just a nightmare."

Amira hiccupped and wiped her optics with the backs of her hands. "S-Sire," she whimpered, "I s-saw Miss S-Silverknight...and t-the fire..."

"You did?" he said. He then understood why she was so upset; she must've dreamt of the awful incident with Silverknight and the other younglings. "It's alright, Amira," he assured her. "It was only a dream."

Amira sniffled and looked up to him. "S-Sire?...When I think of her...I feel very sad. Why?"

"It probably means you miss her."

"Miss her...?"

"Yes. Missing someone is when you long to see, be with, or have someone around. It is okay to feel sad when you miss someone," he said, stroking the tears from her cheeks. "But I do not think Silverknight would want you to feel sad. She would want you to feel happy."

Amira lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked back up to Optimus. "Sire? Do you miss someone?"

Optimus's smile faltered. He did not really like to speak of such things, but he also could not ignore Amira's question. "I suppose so."

"Who?"

"Friends I have made...They are gone now, either left Cybertron or perished in the war."

"Does it make you sad when you think about them?"

"Sometimes."

Amira blinked, then hugged his chest and nuzzled. "Don't be sad, Sire. Your friends wouldn't want you to be sad."

Optimus smiled. "Yes, that is right," he said and rubbed her helm. "Would you like to try and go back to sleep? You need plenty of rest for your training."

"Will you still lay with me?" she asked.

Optimus felt his smile grow wider across his face plate and let out a soft chuckle. "Of course, I will." He laid down on the berth and Amira rested her head on his chest. "Are you comfortable?"

"Yes. Sire?"

"Hmm?"

"Could you hum to me?"

"Hum?" Optimus repeated.

"Yes," Amira nodded. "Miss Silverknight sometimes hummed to us so we would fall asleep. It always worked on me, but no one ever knew."

Optimus laid his head back and thought a moment. He could see the scenario vividly: Silverknight softly humming to the sparklings and youngling so they would sleep; she'd do it to Amira and receive no reply but silence. He imagined Silverknight's soft, motherly voice soothing the young ones to rest. How could he compare with his own baritone?

"I do not know what songs Silverknight hummed to you," Optimus said, "but I do remember a melody I once heard from a mentor of mine."

"Really?"

Optimus nodded. "I remember it vaguely, but are you interested in hearing it?"

"Yes, sire."

"Very well. Get comfortable." Amira shifted a little to settle into a more cozy position against Optimus's chest. He drew a quiet breath, thinking back to when he heard the lullaby, then softly began:

"O' Child of Primus

Say not a word

Just close your eyes

And go to sleep

Peacefully drift

Away to your dreams

From danger, your spark

Is mine to keep

Rest, rest,

Your troubles away

Just sleep through the night

'Till light of day

Hush, hush

You'll be same from harm

I'll protect you,

Sweet Child of Primus..."

Optimus picked up the faint, rhythmical breathing of the tiny femmling and slowly glanced down to see she was once again fast asleep. He exhaled lightly with a smile, gingerly stroking Amira's helm to soothe her further into slumber. Then he laid down on his berth, keeping a guarding arm around the little one to keep her close and warm. He looked up to the ceiling of his quarters, his optics slowly going offline and shuttering closed until he, too, had drifted off to sleep, protecting his youngling.

~Three Weeks Later...~

"Ready? And, begin!"

Amira began her training with Ironhide that morning, continuing with target practice. The task was still the same: hit the targets until the course ended. Optimus stood nearby, observing the training course and preparing for any moment Amira would need assistance. They had to postpone her target training because she did not possess a blaster of her own like the other Autobots did; luckily it was solved when Ratchet constructed a blaster for younglings, one light enough for Amira to carry around with half the power of the original weapon. It did not shoot actual blaster fires, but instead metallic spheres. It was agreed among all Autobots, including Optimus, that Amira would use a real blaster until she was of age.

Amira locked her blaster and aimed at the first target. She fired and kept firing until she hit the target dead center, locked and loaded, then fired at the next target.

"That's it," Ironhide said, "keep it up, kid."

Amira did keep it up—until she decided to try and do a little forward tumble, which only resulted in her landing on her front and missing the target completely. "Ouch!" she yelped. At this, Optimus perked up and made a b-line to where she laid, helped her to her feet and made sure she was alright. Some spectators chuckled at the sight, but Optimus focused more on his youngling.

"What was that for?" Ironhide asked. "It was going so well until you did that."

Amira hung her helm, now feeling a little embarrassed, her pigtail appendages beginning to droop. "I saw you do it once," she answered. "I thought I could do it like you..."

Ironhide blinked, then let out a chuckle and folded his arms over his chest. "Ah, I see. You want to be like ol' Ironhide, do you?"

Amira shook her head. "No. I want to be like sire," she said and nuzzled Optimus's neck. Nearby Autobots reacted with "Aww" and laughed.

Ironhide breathed a laugh himself. "Well, you'll be a sharpshooter like me yet," he said. "I am going to get a cube for refueling. We will resume when I return."

Optimus and Amira both watched him leave, then the Prime resumed checking her for any possible injuries. She giggled often, complaining he was tickling her and making her laugh, and he smiled and actually began wriggling his fingers into her side just to play. She wiggled a little in his grasp then rested against his chest.

"Are you sure you are unharmed?" Optimus asked.

"Yes, sire."

"Alright."

Amira played with her servos for a while, then looked up to him and asked, "Sire? When I grow up and become a soldier, will I have to kill anyone?"

Optimus's smile vanished instantly. His face became serious as he looked to her. "I surely hope it never comes to that," he said. "The last thing I want is for you to take another's life. By some miracle, the war may end before you even reach adulthood."

"But it's okay to kill if the person is bad, right? That's what Ironhide once told me."

"Ironhide told you that?"

"Yes."

Optimus sighed, shaking his head; he would have a word with Ironhide on what he should and should not say around Amira. "It would be wise not to heed everything Ironhide tells you, Amira. It is never truly alright to kill."

"Have you ever had to kill anyone?"

Optimus glowered further. "Not willingly, little one. I never wish to take another life. I have always tried to convince the Decepticons that fighting this war will not give them the power to control Cybertron—but that it will destroy it. However, they turn down my offer and resume laying waste. That is their choice. So I have to make one based on their actions."

"But, if they keep refusing your offer," Amira asked, "then why do you keep trying?"

Optimus looked to her with a tired smile and answered, "Because I still believe there is one Decepticon out there who might listen."

"Is it Megatron?"

Optimus lowered his helm and his gaze, then nodded briefly. "I suppose it is..." He looked to his hands, lost in thought. For countless times, he pleaded with his old friend to stop the madness and chaos he was causing, to end the war before their planet would be lost forever. Despite his efforts, Megatron always replied by ordering his followers to slaughter everything in their path. Optimus clenched his fists and sighed. "Even by trying to save lives, I have life-blood on my hands, Amira," he spoke softly, then turned to the femmling. "I never want you to have blood on yours. You're too young. Taking a life is always the very last resort that you hope to never come to. Do you understand?"

Amira nodded, "Yes, sire." Then she stood up. "I'm hungry." Optimus blinked, then laughed. "What's funny?"

Optimus chuckled and petted Amira's helm. "You have become a typical child," he said, "hearing an old bot babble and get lost in the words."

Amira frowned then shook her head. "No, I listened," she told him. "I did."

Optimus smiled, then scooped her up and headed for the refueling lounge. "You will need to hurry so you can complete today's training with Ironhide."

"Yes, sire."

They left the training hall and walked past the closed door of the main hangar. "What's that beeping?" Amira asked.

"Beeping?"

"From behind that door."

Optimus turned to the door to the main hanger; was Amira hearing something he could not? "Are you sure?" he asked. "I hear nothing."

"Get closer to the door," Amira said.

He did so, standing directly against the door, and listened. From the other side came a soft, repetitive ping. Optimus recognized that ping. He had the door open, and his audio receptors met with a loud ring and a bright light on Teletraan-1. Amira flinched and covered her audio receptors, huddling against him. Optimus looked to see some Autobots scurry from one computer to another, while others stared bewildered at the flashing screen. He even saw Ironhide and Ultra Magnus among them. It was as Optimus thought. The proximity alarm had gone off.

"Autobots, what is happening?" he asked over the loud alarm system.

The Autobots turned to him, frightened looks on their faces. "Optimus..." said Hound. "They're coming..."

Optimus looked to the monitor and saw a massive hoard of Decepticon signals, charging towards their location. His optics widened and he had that sinking feeling in his fuel tank. It came clear to him in a spark beat as he flared his optics. "Megatron has discovered our location and is leading his entire army here."

"What do we do?!" cried one Autobot. "We can't take all of them!"

"We will die for sure!" exclaimed another.

"Get a hold of yourselves," Ultra Magnus barked. "If it a battle they want, then a battle they shall get. Autobots, com with me to the weapons vault!" The Autobots manage to gather back their courage and followed Ultra Magnus out, Optimus right behind them.

Amira watched the Autobots arm themselves with heavy artillery and carry out massive cannons from the vault. She could see from the looks on their face plates, some were scared out of their wits while others were prepared to lay down their lives for this moment. Yet, they all fight together. She looked to Optimus. "Sire? Are you going to fight, too?" He did not answer her.

"Autobots," he ordered, "meet in the training hall!" Once they were armed, they stormed to the training hall and gathered together.

"So it's really happening?" asked one.

"Oh, yes! The big showdown!" said another.

"I am so pumped! I've been training for this!"

"Don't get cocky, kid."

Everyone hushed when Optimus entered, Amira at his heels, and Ultra Magnus following him. Amira could see the looks of respect, determination and ferocity in their eyes. That was the look of courage. They all respected Optimus no matter what decision he made, and they would lay down their lives for him. Optimus would do the same. Some of their expressions made Amira feel a little scared, and she hurried to catch up to her sire.

Optimus stood tall before the Autobots and looked out to them. He, too, could see their hardened expressions; all of them wondering if they would walk away from this fight, wondering if today was their day to join the All-Spark. But Optimus could not think of that right now. He had to think positive.

"Autobots," he began, "today will probably be the greatest battle we have ever faced. We are vastly outnumbered; we lack the technology the Decepticons possess; and we are losing ground rather than achieving it. But, there is one thing we have the Decepticons do not. Our faith. Our determination. Our sacrifices have far more meaning, for we give our lives to save our planet, while the Decepticons waste theirs trying to take control using destruction."

The Autobots murmured in agreement.

"My brothers," Optimus continued, "while Megatron and the Decepticons achieve their strength with brute force and power, our strength comes from within. The strength to stand together, fight together, and seek victory together. The strength to never cease fighting until we have reached our goal in saving our home planet; to never stop until all are one. But, I will understand if some of you choose not to fight at all. None of us can guarantee who will live and who will die."

"We stand with you to the end, Optimus!" Bumblebee bleeped proudly.

"That's right!" Mirage said. "We're not going anywhere!"

"You can't kick Megatron's tailpipe without me!" Hound exclaimed.

"We fight as one!" Ironhide shouted. "As brothers!"

The Autobots held their weapons high and let out a roar.

Optimus smiled. "Very well. Autobots, prepare to roll out! Ultra Magnus will lead the first frontal attack, and I shall lead the second. Remember, Autobots, the reason we fight: to save our home and protect the innocent lives remaining on Cybertron. I am honored to fight alongside all of you."

"We're the ones who should be honored, sir," beeped Bumblebee. "I do have one question, though."

"Go ahead, Bumblebee," Optimus said.

"What about her?"

Optimus looked to where the scout pointed and his optics widened to see Amira; in those few moments he had forgotten she was there. She looked back up at him, batting her wide optics, awaiting his decision. There was no way Optimus would permit her to fight with them; she was a child, still in training. She was not ready.

He knelt down to her height. "Amira, you will remain here at the base with Ratchet. He will keep you safe," he told her.

"I want to be with you, sire," Amira said and hugged him.

"You are not ready to fight yet, little one. You must stay here where you will be safe."

Amira lowered her head with a sniff. "But, what if you die?" she asked. "You promised me we would always be together..."

Optimus smiled and gently pressed her forehead against his. "And we will," he said. "I will keep that promise. I will come back."

"Please don't die, sire..."

"I will not die."

Optimus had to force those words out and keep the smile he wore; he himself could not guarantee his survival in this fight. He may be a Prime, but he wasn't invulnerable. But he had to give Amira something to hope for.

He hugged her tightly, then told her to go to Ratchet. She gave him one last kiss on his cheek plating, then headed for Ratchet, who stood near the training hall entrance. The two watched Optimus and Ultra Magnus divide the Autobot army into two sectors, taking lead of one sector each, then transform into the vehicle forms. The Autobots followed their lead, revved with anticipation, then sped out of the base.

Ratchet sighed then looked down to Amira, who clung to his leg and sniffled with worry. "Don't you worry," he assured her, "Optimus will be fine. He is a Prime, after all. He will be back." But Amira soon began to softly cry, tears slipping through her tightly shut optics. Ratchet sighed with a sympathetic smile. He understood she was scared, like any femmling would be. He knelt down and held her close in a loose hug. "Don't cry," he said. "Your sire will be alright. I know he will..." He had her look at him. "Would you like to assist me in my lab? You can be my little helper."

Amira nodded, was picked up and held close to his chest, and Ratchet headed for his lab. Amira glanced over his shoulder to where the Autobots all left, imagining her sire returning later with a smile on his face. As they left, she whispered, "I miss him already..."

Optimus and Ultra Magnus drove on ahead, the two sectors following close behind. Guided by Energon detectors, the headed in the direction the Decepticons were coming from, planning to meet them head-on. But while the Autobots' attention was on preparing for their next battle, Optimus's focus wandered away. His mind-processor buzzed with worry; what if Megatron sent a secret armada to attack their base while it was left unguarded? What if they discovered Amira? What if he failed?

No. He couldn't think like that. He had to stay optimistic. He had to focus and strive for what mattered—and that was winning this battle and living to return to Amira.

"Optimus!" Ultra Magnus's voice suddenly came to his audio receptors. "Is your mind with the All-Spark? Answer me!"

"Apologies," Optimus replied, "but I did not catch what you said."

"I said, should my sector—never mind. You have to keep your focus now, sir," Ultra Magnus said.

"I know..."

The first lieutenant sighed. "I know. You are concerned for her safety. But like you said, she is safe with Ratchet at base. Besides, the Decepticons don't even know the exact location of our headquarters."

"I am aware," Optimus said, "but if they happen to stumble upon it..."

"You should worry about it when it happens, sir."

Optimus sighed in thought. What was the matter with him? He knew Amira was safe with Ratchet; their base was below ground, so it could not be easily spotted nor detected. He had also forgotten about the artillery alarm that activated if a foreign presences strayed too close to their borders. Why was he so worried? Then he remembered—his reason why was hiding, awaiting his return. Because of her, he feared any possible flaw that could occur. He feared for her safety simply because he was her sire.

The two neared a hill and came to a slow stop. They, along with the Autobots, transformed and trekked up the hill. Optimus Prime and Ultra Magnus stood atop and widened their optics at the sight before them. It was true after all; the entire Decepticon army was marching towards them, the armada flying above. Leading them were three—Soundwave, Starscream, and Megatron.

The Warlord grinned maliciously. "So, you come bringing your entire ranks as well," he said. "It will be a shame that none of them will remain standing when this is over."

"While that outcome may be inevitable," Optimus replied in his deep baritone, "the ones who will fall to your tyranny are your own men and yourself."

"You will rethink that notion," Starscream hissed, "when you hear your soldiers scream in agony, begging to be put out of their misery while the Decepticons trample over them!"

"While you cower away to spare yourself?" Ultra Magnus stated, and the Autobots laughed.

Starscream growled and made a move to attack, but Megatron halted him. The Decepticon leader chuckled. "Oh, but Optimus; it seems I have made a mistake."

"A mistake?" Optimus repeated.

"Yes. You do not have all of your soldiers. You are missing one."

Optimus frowned. "You are indeed mistaken, Megatron. All of my Autobots are present and accounted for."

"That is where you are wrong."

"Explain."

Megatron grinned a grin that made Optimus's fuel tank churn; what was brewing in that sick mind of his. Then the Warlord spoke, "Tell me, Optimus. Are you aware of the incident that took place at the—what was it—Crystal City Refuge for Orphans?"

Optimus clenched his fists. "I am," he answered coldly, the Autobots growling behind him.

"Oh, good. I had hoped you would be. Would you like me to tell you how ravishing the sound of dying younglings and sparklings is? How wonderful the scent is of their boiling Energon and melting bodies? Especially that helpless femme who tried protecting them all on her own. She had a name, didn't she, Starscream?"

"I believe I heard the little brats call her...Silverknight?" the first lieutenant to the Decepticons answered.

"Yes, that was her name. She helplessly guarded the poor, helpless little ones, but she was easily disposed of, and the children perished instantly after."

"What is your play, Megatron?!" Optimus all but shouted. "What are you trying to prove?! That taking away all of those innocent lives proves your strength?!"

"Ah, but I did not take all of them," Megatron corrected. Optimus's silence bid him permission to continue. "Patience is an amazing thing. You use it, and you will in fact get what you seek. Not so long ago, Soundwave's drone picked up some...stunning information."

Soundwave then played part of a recording:

:: She is just a child—Amira believes Optimus is her sire—Optimus is her sire—Optimus is her sire ::

Optimus could literally feel his Energon run cold. His spark skipped many beats. His body tensed and stood there immobilized. His optics widened and flickered. Behind his battle mask his mouth was ajar. Shuddered breaths slipped in and out. This was utter fear. Optimus's absolute main fear had just been brought to reality.

Now Megatron knew.

The expression Optimus bore made Megatron laugh uproariously. "How amusing to see the mighty Optimus Prime scared stiff! And how adorable of you to take a lowly child under your care! I do not know what you saw so special in her, nor do I care. All I do care for is I know your weak spot."

Optimus gritted his teeth and winced, eyeing their base behind them in the distance. "H-How...?"

"I truly must thank two of your loyal subjects for revealing this information to me," Megatron added. "If not for them, I would not have discovered that orphanage, nor knew your little secret. You cannot hide her forever. If you are her sire, and if she is a soldier, she will worry for you, and she will come. And when she does, I will be sure to rip her limb from limb while you helplessly watch!"

Optimus could not help releasing a growl of unyielding anger.

He then noticed the Decepticon armada rising once again, revving their jet engines, and then soaring over the Autobots in a familiar direction. Optimus turned and felt his fuel tank flip and flop. "No..."

Ironhide growled and pointed to the armada, shouting for all Autobots to hear, "They are heading for our base!"