Author's notes: an orn is the equivalent to an earth year

We once again journey to the past. I think the title of the chapter speaks for itself.

The journey was long and hard as I had to travel alone in search of the one mech still on Cybertron who could help me. I dared not trust another with the secret I carried within me. I just hope that he's still alive. Otherwise the fifty journs it took to get to the southern polar region was all a waste of time.

It wouldn't have taken so long if we weren't at war. But I was on foot and had to avoid Decepticon patrols in light and in darkness. I did run into a few underground rebel Autobots who fought for the cause against the Decepticons. I had stayed to assist them as best as I could, always giving them a false designation. I was lucky enough that they didn't recognize me. And when their suspicions grew I discreetly left to continue on my journey.

However, I fear I may have taken too long to get here. My energy levels are dangerously low as I descend into the dark caverns that maze through the underground of the Badlands. I am beyond desperate as the spark I carry has matured enough to be moved into its own spark chamber.

I suddenly collapse as the burning pain spreads from my core throughout the rest of my body, the spark of my daughter complaining, begging to be free.

"Elita?"

I wept in relief as I recognized the voice.

"Alpha Trion…please…I need your help," I managed to say before blacking out.

When I wake, the burning sensation is still there but some how dampened. I bring my optics on line to see I'm in small room.

"Shh…be still, Elita," Trion says suddenly appearing beside me. "I gave an energy boost to your coolant system. I need a little more time to put the finishing touches on this new program. It must be complete before I transfer the spark from your womb chamber to the spark chamber."

"I'm sorry, I had no where else to go," I wept uncontrollably.

"You did right by coming to me. If the daughter of Optimus Prime fell into enemy hands, it could turn the tide of this war for the worse. We cannot allow that."

"I won't allow it!"

"I understand," he smiled, resting a hand on my forehead. "Now try to relax. It won't be much longer."

I did as he instructed. I reached out to my little spark, trying to calm her furious pulsing down. I feel as if my own spark will burst from my chest if it does not slow down. I feel her respond, her pulse slowing. But she is anxious and doesn't remain calm for long. After what seemed like journs but was probably on a few astroseconds Alpha Trion returned.

"All is ready," he said, reaching for my hand. "We must move to the sterile chamber for the safety of the little spark."

Alpha Trion helps me to my feet and I rely heavily on him as he takes me out of the room and down the hallway. We pass through the outer door of the sterile chamber.

"It will just take a few astroseconds for the decontamination procedure," he smiled and reached for the panel on the wall.

Once done, we proceed through the inner door.

My optics instantly filled with tears. The moment of my daughter's birth is finally upon me. How much I miss Optimus right now. How I would give anything for my bonded sparkmate to be with me during this most sacred moment between a bonded pair. I could only imagine the pure pride and joy that would be on his face as he bears witness to the miracle of the life we created with our love.

Only he's not here. He left some sixty journs ago on a journey that was going to take him and his team many orns to arrive at their intended destination. Then it would take orns for him to return, if he does return. His daughter would at least still be a youngling, I am grateful for that.

Alpha Trion escorts me to the tiny, lifeless protoform on the table. My hand gently touches the small frame. But I quickly pull my hand back as it is cold and not yet energized by a spark.

"This was to be the first of many in a long line of new warriors to battle the Decepticons," he started to explain. "But they attacked my base. I barely made it out alive with the prototype. You see how the skeletal frame is darker than ours…I discovered a new alloy. One that is much, much stronger and more durable than our polarized mango-dipped tungsten casing. I call it enriched polymerized adamantite."

"You mentioned you were working on a new program…"

"Yes, it is for the sparkling. You know we do not allow younglings to transform until an orn or so before they've matured into a full grown mechs or femmes. Younglings are too unpredictable and could end up hurting themselves or others with their transformations."

He led me over to a reclined chair when I grabbed my midsection. The heat was growing more intense by the astrosecond.

"But because of whom this sparkling is and because I decided that we need to resort to more drastic measures, she will be able to transform at a much younger age."

"How much younger?" I ask, feeling my coolant system getting ready to reach maximum limit.

"That will depend on her," he smiled. "With the right training, your daughter will be able to defend herself against the Decepticons or any other threat."

"Alpha Trion…I'd love to go into further details but…"

"My apologies. I have been alone here far too long," he smiled reaching for an polarized rod and pulls the chair close to the table where the tiny protoform body lies. "Once you open the womb chamber, I will remove the spark. Then, if you like since Optimus isn't here to finish the procedure you may place the spark in its new body, or if you cannot…"

"I want what's best for my daughter," I interrupted and groaned.

"Very well…you may proceed."

It took a great deal of effort to open the chamber as I have been overly protective of my little spark since I felt its first pulse of life. But as the chamber opened I found my self staring at the glowing soft blue spark with awe and wonder.

"Please, keep your hands away as a spark will tend to give off a static discharge if you get a finger to close to it," he warns as my hand was reaching for the opening in the midsection of my abdomen.

I comply and watch carefully as he removes the spark with the rod. It is still so small but will grow as the body it gives life to will grow. My systems sigh in relief. My core instantly cools as I close the chamber.

The spark pulses with life and I am overcome by a sudden urge to finish what my love cannot be here to finish.

"Please," I whisper as if my voice might injure the spark in anyway.

Alpha Trion nods with a smile and hands me the rod.

I say a quick prayer to Primus as this is the second most dangerous part of a new spark's life. Will my daughter have the strength to give this body life?

I take a deep breath then slowly place the spark inside its new chamber. I gasp as its own static energy holds it in place making it appear as if it hovers within the chamber.

"We must close the chamber now and wait," he urged, his hand hitting the button enclosing the spark in safety.

One astrosecond….

Two astroseconds….

Three astroseconds…

It was agonizing.

Four astroseconds…

'I failed you, Optimus,' I thought to myself.

Six astroseconds…

My spark started to sink into despair, tears streamed down my face plates.

Seven astroseconds...

"There!" Alpha Trion exclaimed.

I saw it too. The tiny fingers were twitching. I reached out to feel their warmth. My tears of despair turned to tears of joy. And as the tiny hand enclosed my finger, my Optimus' beautiful star came to life.