Keeper soon arrived back at the base with Ironhide. Hide had lectured the youngling the whole way home. Keeper had expected and had remained quiet unless Hide had demanded an answer to a question. Keeper had expected the lectures and working at the site gave Keeper a new appreciation for how easy he really had it. He didn't shirk his work, but he now realized just how "light" it was compared with what others had to do. It had humbled Keeper even further.

"Now go straight to your parents" Hide commanded as they entered the base.

"Yes sir" Keeper stated, not even asking about Flasher, as Keeper had felt over the twin bond what had happened to his twin. Keeper just hoped Flasher would make it. Keeper headed for home, knowing at least one if not two more lectures were in store for him.

Optimus had decided that this time, it was his turn to wait up for the wayward younglings and allow Mirage to rest, as Mirage so often did it. Keeper was expecting to encounter his mother first and was shocked when he saw his father up. "You have some explaining to do" Optimus stated in a depp, serious, Prime like tone.

"Yes, Prime, sir" Keeper answered, unaware that Optimus hadn't realized that Mirage had taught their own sparklings to address him as Prime once they were younglings.

And while Optimus was a bit surprised by that, he didn't let it show. "You snuck out of the base on an unauthorized mission and failed to notify anyone of your destination. What say you to that?" Optimus asked, going into full Prime mode.

"I am guilty as charged, Prime, sir. However, my choice to leave was based on the fact that another young soldier had departed on his own and I feared that if I did not leave with said bot, said bot would have been in deep trouble and no one would have been able to find him sir" Keeper stated, explaining the truth and accepting whatever punishment was to come.

"Did this other bot have permission to leave?" Optimus asked, wanting to see how much Keeper would reveal.

"No, sir. He wanted to sneak out on his own. I went with him so that someone would know where he was in case he did get lost or in trouble" Keeper answered, telling nothing but the truth.

Optimus was impressed. "And what type of punishment do you think would be fitting to a bot who disobeys orders?" Optimus asked.

"At least a few days in the brig sir, or a few shifts at a construction site" Keeper answered.

Optimus was intrigued by the second answer. "Why do you answer with that second suggestion, soldier?"

"Because when I was found and returned to the construction site by Silverbolt, he put me to work in a safe but challenging position. I found that this work was mech more difficult than what I had expected or dealt with before. TI certainly taught me a lesson that I should be grateful for what I have and my opportunities" Keeper explained.

Optimus nodded. He wasn't too surprised that Keeper had learned his lesson, as Keeper really was a good youngling with a good head on his shoulders and Keeper had most likely left because of Flasher. "It would seem to me that you at least have learned your lesson" Optimus stated.

"Yes sir" Keeper answered.

Optimus went to embrace his son. "You can drop the 'sir', Keeper, right now I am a very relieved father" Optimus explained as he hugged Keeper.

Keeper hugged back, glad to be home. "I am glad I was able to come back home safely."

"Your brother is not so lucky" Optimus stated.

"I can feel he is hurting, but I don't know why" Keeper stated.

"Keeper, not long after you reached the safety of the construction site, a random rogue seeker took a shot at Flasher. HE is stable but is hurt and Ratchet is transferring him back here to our med bay" Optimus explained.

Keeper was in shock. "No, say it is not so!" Keeper answered.

"I am afraid it is true. Come, they should be arriving back to the med bay soon. You and I will go together, since your mother is resting and so are the other sparklings" Optimus responded. Keeper nodded as words failed him. He felt like a failure. He had gone out there to protect his twin from getting lost or getting hurt and Flasher still ended up both lost and hurt. "Peacekeeper, there is nothing you could have done. Flasher made his own decisions – to leave, to wander off, to evade those sent to help him. He made his choices and now is living with the consequences of those choices." Keeper nodded, he didn't like it, but he was learning that he was only responsible for what he chose to do not what others chose to do.

Meanwhile, Hide went back home to explain to Orion what had happened. Orion was waiting at home while their sparklings, minus Bee were asleep. Bee was elsewhere with another friend. "So did you bring them back safely?" Orion asked after Hide had told the bot what had happened.

"Well, I brought Peacekeeper back, dirty but safe" Hide replied.

"And Flasher?" Orion asked, sensing something was wrong.

"The two bots with me were faster so I sent them to go help Air Raid catch Flasher. Before any of them could reach him, Flasher was attacked by a rogue seeker. I heard Ratchet was sent out to retrieve him from the construction site where I found Peacekeeper" Hide stated.

Orion hugged his mate. "We don't always understand why younglings do what they do, but we must let them learn how to make their own choices and live with the consequences of those choices" Orion stated, hoping that Flasher would be ok.

"I just hope that Flasher's choices this time don't end up killing him" Hide stated.

"You and me both, my love" Orion stated, hugging Hide and saying a prayer for Flasher.