CHAPTER 76
First, he saw nothing.
Only black, darkness around him.
Then, flashes ... no, stars appeared in front of his optics. Wing felt himself dive forward as stars speeded through space to make way for memories that had long been stolen from him.
The first time he met her ... It was in Kaon. Kaon, when the City had been still standing.
The news had flared. Even though the war continued to wreak havoc, the City had been liberated from the Decepticon grip. The faction had deserted after another clash between Megatron and Optimus Prime forces. This resulted in the latter's victory, in particular thanks to the subsequent reinforcements of his second, Ultra Magnus.
It was a respite, a short truce ... before the war started in another city.
Wing remembered. Even if the Circle of Light was concerned with war, like the rest of the universe, Dai Atlas had warned that they would only intervene if the conflict spread to the Crystal Cities, no matter which side would attack them . And only on this assumption, they would contribute, but as a third party. Not as an ally.
That didn't stop them from going to Cybertron on their own. It was never in favor of one side or the other, even if each faction had used all the arguments to rally them to their cause. The last time, it had been the DJD that had intervened in the Crystal Cities in search of a traitor. Dai Atlas had talked for a long time with the leader of the DJD, Tarn. And in the end, they left without a name crossed out on their List. However, Dai Atlas remained suspicious. Even if the DJD didn't go after the neutrals, as the Decepticons could still recruit them as soldiers for Lord Megatron, it would only be a matter of time before they changed their minds.
But Wing didn't come to Cybertron for political reasons. As usual, since Gasket had been exiled, he had come to see him regularly in secret. He took advantage of these visits to offer him a roof, through a temporary shelter which he paid for. Gasket hated it because the Circle of Light wasn't as rich as everyone claimed ... but every time, Wing managed to convince him to take shelter from the Acid Rain and feed himself without robbing a passerby.
But that day Wing did not find Gasket in the usual location. It was the northern slum of the City. However Wing searched, Gasket did not appear anywhere. He understood that he had changed his place again. Probably to avoid the authorities.
Wing sighed and wandered around the slum, looking for a clue ... a sign of his mentor ...
Then, he saw her.
Sitting on the ground in the sand, he discerned a small Insecticon, barely larger than a Minicon, digging with her bare servos. Wing frowned before approaching her silently. She was covered with soil and seemed to be looking for something.
Probably she was searching for energon. Wing stopped by her side and watched her. The small Insecticon did not react. He didn't know if she had noticed her presence or not. But that didn't stop her in her gesture. She persevered until she pulled out an energon extract, which she grabbed with both servos before getting up.
"… Do you do this every day?" Asked Wing softly.
His tone was bitter. He, who stayed most of the time in the Crystal Cities, where he was protected along with his comrades, he had not yet realized the extent of the war that reached them day by day.
Again, begging was very present. And it didn't get better day by day ... To the point that children came to dig, even to steal…
The little Cybertronian turned to him. Despite her armor getting entirely covered by dust, he discerned a blue armour as well as a white face and shining golden optics staring at him with a curious air.
These same optics crumpled in amazement. She had been created not long ago. No more than five years.
She just shrugged in response.
"I have to in this world," said the little girl.
She spoke clearly and distinctly for her age. Many children, at her age, and due to the lack of education due to the death or frequent abandonment of their parents, still found it difficult to articulate two words together. This was not his case here. And she seemed to know what she was talking about. She walked over to a low wall to sit on the ledge.
Wing was about to follow her when the little girl called out to him.
"I didn't ask you to keep me company, you standard."
"Standard?" repeated Wing, a little taken aback by the use of such a term in her language.
She was so young ...
"You call us vermin, we insects. So, I'm calling you standard, standard" said the girl in an almost haughty tone.
Wing couldn't hide an amused smile. She was distributed.
"That is true. Unfortunately ... but you know, it was not my intention to call you "vermin"."
"Standard," retorted the little girl.
"I see."
Wing crossed his arms. As he thought about how to find Gasket, he noticed that the little girl was dusting herself as if nothing had happened, even if she was still covered with soil, before standing up straight to carry the cube in a servo to direct it to her lips and drink it, as if it were a cup. There was a rather precious side to this.
"What?" growled the little girl, noticing that he was watching her.
"Nothing. I find it funny."
"You do it well, you grown-ups. And you don't find it funny" grumbled the little Cybertronian.
"Not all of us do."
"I believe that such a dark world does not prevent us from ignoring good manners."
Hey. What a way of thinking on her part. Wing just smiled, approving. It was a fairly mature way of thinking and some should actually follow her example.
"You are right."
"Of course I'm right."
"My name is Wing."
The little girl narrowed her optics, before taking another sip.
"Standard."
"Hey, whatever you want. I'm looking for a friend. Gasket. Would you know him?"
The little girl seemed thoughtful, placing her digit on her mouth.
"You're not going to help me with such a name."
"But would you know him? Or at least someone named Gasket?"
"This is my territory here. Of course I don't know everyone. But no. I don't know any Gasket."
"I see."
Wing sighed lightly before opening his chassis and taking out some money. He put the Shanix on the low wall, near her.
"Enough for you to spend the night warm with a good meal," Wing told him.
Obviously, her interest quickly grew up at the sight of money. When the white bot was about to apologize for having disturbed her and was about to leave, the little girl put her cube down and jumped on the ground with both pedes, before following him, an emotionless expression on her face.
Her behaviour did not fail to surprise Wing. But the little girl specified, her arms crossed, her glance fleeing.
"... If you have Shanix, I think I know Gasket."
She was not lacking in cheek.
"I thought you didn't know him," said Wing softly.
"I changed my mind. I can help you find it if ... you give me a little more."
Wing hesitated.
"What about your parents?"
At the ensuing expression, Wing blamed himself for asking such an indiscreet question.
Of course ... it was so common. And it saddened Wing that she would follow the first person who gave her some Shanix. The white bot immediately apologized.
But the little girl didn't seem to hold it against him for long. She crossed her arms, pouting.
"... So, is it yes or no?"
"... Only if you tell me your name."
The little girl hesitated. Finally, she shrugged.
"… Heavenlight."
Heavenlight… Wing bowed, giving her an admiring smile.
"…It sounds beautiful."
"Of course, it's beautiful. Come on, it's time to find your friend."
"I think with your help, we will find him quickly" smiled Wing, delighted before the two hit the road.
"We are looking for ... a person named Gasket ..."
Wing asked the umpteenth passer-by whom they encountered in the northern district. The passer-by shook his helm as an apology before continuing on his way. Wing suppressed a light sigh before approaching another.
He watched out of the corner of his optic Heavenlight who imitated him a few meters away, showing a Gasket hologram that Wing had downloaded into her processor so that she could show it to passersby and ask for information. Wing noticed in the distance a blue and white bot, displaying the Autobot badge on his chassis. He was watching the alleyway from the corner of the optic and didn't hide a grimace when his gaze fell on Heavenlight, busy chatting with another passerby.
Wing frowned at this attitude yet chose to ignore it and approached the individual, the hologram floating from his wrist.
Sentinel… Wing recognized him.
Sentinel. He had met him before.
"Hello. My apologies for disturbing you. We're looking for my friend ... that bot" Wing started.
"Move!" yelled Sentinel. "I have no time for you."
"But ... I'm just asking you to look at this individual's hologram ... and see if you recognize him."
"I told you to move!" spat Sentinel.
Wing noticed his fists clench. He straightened up. He didn't really want to fight. Even less when the time was to look for Gasket ...
He ended up sighing.
"It is not with your attitude that war will be settled."
"Get involved in your business! You don't wear any badges!"
Suddenly Sentinel's optics went wide. The realization crossed his face. Wing didn't understand until Sentinel cried out.
"You ... Wing. One of the members of the Circle of Light."
Wing remained silent, letting him continue.
Fury quickly appeared on his features.
"When are you going to intervene in this damn war?"
"... I'm sorry, Sir. I'm not here for that."
"Get scrapped! The Circle of Light could finally reverse the trends! But you ... you! You stay in your corner doing nothing!"
Wing stiffened. He understood his attitude. He understood why he reacted like this, by meeting a member of the Circle of Light on Cybertron. They were warriors in intensive training, and Dai Atlas was recognized as one of the most powerful Cybertron has ever known.
Who ... however, did not intervene.
"I would really like, Sir ..." said Wing sadly. "I really wish we could do otherwise but ..."
"Nonsense! You're just damn cowards!"
Wing was about to answer when suddenly a small voice came from behind him.
"He just asked you to look at his friend's photo. What are you yelling at him for, standard?"
Heavenlight, despite her small size, stood straight, like a monarch, and looked at Sentinel with a contemptuous air. The latter's face warped and Wing immediately recognized the emotion he was using.
Disgust.
"Go play somewhere else, you dirty kid! The older ones talk."
"You talk? I'm talking to you calmly. You just shout."
"Don't get involved in this, vermin!"
"Come, Heavenlight," Wing sighed, preferring not to keep on.
But Heavenlight did not move.
"We know you, in the city, standard. You are mean to pests like us, but you are afraid to come to our neighborhoods because you will be in pain."
"What are you—" choked Sentinel," By which right do you dare call me "standard" ?"
"Well, that's what you are, right?"
"And by what right ?" Sentinel yelled, stepping closer to the little one.
Wing immediately stood between them.
"I advise you not to take it out on her" he warned coldly.
"It's your daughter?"
"No. But I am Heavenlight and I am the queen of these slums" whispered Heavenlight, mocking.
Sentinel began to chuckle, before bursting into sardonic laughter.
"I don't believe it! I just don't believe that joke!"
"Exact. I am the Queen, this is my territory and unlike you, the grown-ups, I am looking for my subjects. You prefer to do nothing for eight hours."
Sentinel immediately stopped laughing. Wing was somewhat surprised by the split. He feared it would escalate.
Heavenlight smirked.
"... Tell us where Gasket is and they will intervene in war ... standard."
"But what a dirty little arrogant—"
"Answer" added Wing in turn, getting caught up in the game.
He had to admit that the situation amused him. Sentinel groaned but eventually pointed them in the direction, leading to the slums of the western quarter.
"He must be there. I saw a bot that looked like this."
"Thank you," Wing said with false politeness.
"Thank you" added Heavenlight, offering him a short bow.
Where had she learned all this? At this age? Wing gently pushed Heavenlight forward to lead the way. Heavenlight returned to her upright position and walked slowly.
"We haven't finished talking!" spat Sentinel behind them. "You said that you will intervene on Cybertron! For our side!"
"I didn't hear anything, standard" sneered Heavenlight. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a humble slum queen."
Wing couldn't help but chuckle.
"Come on, come on, your Highness."
"Wing! Come back here!"
Wing would normally have reacted. But instead, he eventually followed the little Cybertronian and left Sentinel alone, screaming into the void.
However, their insistence had paid off. At nightfall, Wing and Heavenlight found Gasket in the center of the slums, reunited with several other homeless people around a fire. When the white bot approached, he heard them sing Golden Age tunes, which brought gentle warmth to Wing's spark.
Passed their surprise, Wing and Gasket threw themselves into each other's arms. They hadn't seen each other for a year. He had missed his former mentor. And he did not fail to let him know. After some exchange of anecdotes, Wing offered to come and spend the night at the inn. "Unless, of course, you prefer to stay with your friends," added Wing, smiling at the group.
There seemed to be a good atmosphere. Gasket was good at creating groups of friends and making them forget their daily common pain. The green bot crossed his arms, hesitating.
"Maybe I'll stay a little ... but you know, Wing, you don't have to do this. I already told you."
"I know ... but I do it anyway. And you could have answered my calls."
"My audio is still damaged… again."
Wing realized that Heavenlight was no longer standing next to him. Immediately, he looked for her. He saw her move away from the campfire, towards the dark alleys. He noticed that her wings gently lit up her figure, as if to guide her through the night.
Gasket met his gaze, astonished.
"…You know her?" Wing questioned him. "She helped me find you."
"... Yes, Heavenlight."
Wing and Gasket sat on the ground, not far from the heat of the fire.
"What happened to her?" asked Wing, in a careful voice.
"... I heard her mother died at birth. By giving her life. It's what they say."
Dying while giving life… in the past, it had been rare. In the past, it was mainly linked to a malformation of the spark which could be transmitted to future sparklings. But since the war, this cause of death had become more and more common, in particular because of the lack of energon which prevented the carriers from eating properly.
"She is very young," said Wing.
"Too young to live on the street ... unfortunately, many children are already homeless. Without parents to protect them."
Gasket smiled slightly.
"She calls herself the Queen of the slums. Though, she says that but she is difficult to reach. Many times I offer her to join our groups but ... I think she doesn't like people."
"Mostly standards, I think."
Wing stood up. Heavenlight kept moving forward in dark.
He couldn't leave her. Not like that, after she helped him. She hadn't even come to claim her additional Shanix.
Immediately, Gasket on his heels, Wing caught up with her. Heavenlight stiffened. She turned around.
"I helped you find your friend, standard. Do you still have something to ask me?"
"Indeed, your Highness" Wing smiled.
He lowered himself to find himself at her height.
"…I have a favour to ask you."
"What?"
"Gasket and I are going to spend time during my stay. I wish you had a roof over your head for all the times I'm there."
Suddenly, the little girl's optics lit up.
"…Really?"
"As long as I'm here, I won't see you without a roof over your head."
"... Is it because I helped you, standard?"
"I don't need any reason to help you. But ...yes, there is a little bit of that."
Heavenlight crossed her arms. Although she seemed thoughtful, she was obviously tempted by his proposal.
"... It's even better than Shanix!"
"Do we have an agreement?" Wing held out his servo.
Heavenlight stared at it before taking it gently.
"... I follow you, standard."
Throughout Wing's stay on Cybertron, Heavenlight did not leave them. She stayed at the inn with them. When they went out, she accompanied them. She ate when they ate. She recharged when they recharged, as if she adapted to their lifestyle.
However, Wing noticed that she didn't speak much. And that she rarely smiled. Or when she did it was because she had an idea in her head. Like the time, without warning, during a meal at the inn, she placed a ruler behind Gasket's back when he stood awkwardly.
"Hey!"
"Your manners are not correct," reprimanded Heavenlight severely, holding the ruler straight.
"But I usually stand like that."
"That's right, Gasket, Wing approved. Remember when you taught me good manners in the Crystal Cities"
At least, if Heavenlight chose to stay with Gasket, he would remember good manners. Wing smiled sadly at the thought. Gasket pouted before standing up, saying he was going to bed.
Wing sneered, before patting him on the shoulderplate, and Gasket allowed himself to smile slightly.
Then, Wing was left alone with Heavenlight, who was finishing his cube.
"… Heavenlight"
"Hm?"
"I'll meditate before I recharge. Would you like to join me?"
"Meditate?" repeated Heavenlight, without understanding.
She was still a child. She did not know everything, even if she claimed the opposite. Wing stood up and invited her to finish her cube, before taking her outside.
"I'll show you" he said softly.
Heavenlight looked up at him, not hiding her curiosity. Wing checked that there was no Acid Rain on the horizon, and stopped to sit in the cool sand.
Heavenlight remained motionless. But Wing offered to imitate him. Heavenlight hesitated, but eventually joined him to sit across from him.
Wing smiled back before closing the optics.
"What's the point?"
"To calm your mind ... the days when you are angry, when you are sad, when you are afraid..."
"I am neither angry nor sad and I am not afraid," Heavenlight replied.
"Maybe not now" Wing smiled. "But one day ... it may happen. It's a way to channel your emotions, to slow down your passing thoughts."
Heavenlight did not seem convinced. However, she did not get up to leave.
"Close the optics… and start to create a void."
"The void…"
"I can play some music to relax you."
The little one did not answer. Wing took this as acceptance and, without a word, the optics still closed, he pressed a button on his chassis.
Soft music rose, enclosing them in a small soothing bubble.
"Clear your mind ... Think of something beautiful."
"Beautiful?"
"A landscape…"
"I don't see what landscape there could be" said Heavenlight. "In Kaon. Apart from slums. It's ugly."
Wing half-opened an optic.
"I could show you ... if you want"
Heavenlight frowned.
"…Really?"
"I'll take you there. The three of us will go ... Gasket, I and you, Heavenlight ..."
Heavenlight remained silent. She seemed short of arguments. Wing closed the optics.
"… Clear your mind… focus on the music… your breath…"
The music didn't stop. Their thoughts could focus on it. For a few minutes, no one spoke.
Wing half-opened an optic ... and nodded when he realized that Heavenlight had imitated him by closing hers, following his advices.
The meditation went on ... and soon the music came to an end. Wing caught his breath, feeling completely relaxed.
He called Heavenlight who didn't react. He smiled before patting her on the shoulderplate to wake her up.
"Hm?"
"It happens. It means you're ready to recharge."
"... What are the Crystal Cities?" Heavenlight asked in a mushy voice.
Wing smiled tenderly before helping her up.
"I'm telling you ... But in your berth, okay?"
"... Okay ... standard."
"Here is ... Kaon's panorama," Wing presented to her.
Gasket by her side, Heavenlight slowly stepped forward to contemplate, wonder drowning her optics.
"... This is the first real landscape that I admire."
"Glad to show you" Wing smiled.
Heavenlight bit her lip. They were located high up. She stood still, admiring the sight of Kaon, in silence, as if she lacked the words to describe how she felt.
"That ... has nothing to do with my quarters."
"Indeed. But that's what makes it charming" Gasket agreed.
Heavenlight nodded.
"... I want to draw it" she said after a while.
Wing looked down at her, interested.
"You like drawing?"
"Yes… Standard. But I don't have the equipment for it."
"Well… does that mean I'm going to buy some for you? We could come back here after."
"We could?"
"Of course."
Heavenlight hesitated. But finally, she agreed and the trio began to descend the steps to reach the city center.
"... Hey" Wing called.
"Hm?"
"... would you teach me"?
Her optics met those of the white bot.
This time, Wing swore to have discerned a delighted emotion.
"... Yes ... only if you listen to me, standard. And that you obey me."
"Of course, Heavenlight."
" What are you doing?"
They were a few days before Wing left. The white bot didn't believe it would pass that quickly. He hadn't seen the time go by, too busy enjoying the moment on Kaon with Gasket and Heavenlight.
He was surprised to see the little Insecticon trying to take off from the ground, using her wings. He stopped to watch her do it.
Heavenlight could leave the ground a few inches, the wings flapping behind her ... until she fell.
" …Some help?" Suggested Wing.
"… Why doing it, standard?" growled Heavenlight. "I'm doing it alone ... and you're not an Insecticon."
"But I'm an air mode" Wing smiled.
He approached her and gently helped her to stand up.
"The main thing is to gain momentum ..."
"I try."
"But you don't have to put yourself under pressure, Heavenlight. Look…"
With a simple movement, having done it over and over again, Wing transformed before flying away. He went around a skyscraper in a circle, before going back down to join Heavenlight.
"You see ? It's easy. You just have to gain momentum."
"Hmm …"
"You are scared?" Wing asked her with curiosity, without any mockery in his tone.
Heavenlight shook her head.
"A queen is never scared."
"We still have a few days ahead of us ..." Wing smiled.
"I can start teaching you."
Heavenlight looked at him.
Then she nodded, indicating that she agreed.
Unfortunately, Heavenlight had failed to transform, let alone take off completely from the ground. Yet Wing was proud that she had tried. During those days with Gasket at the shelter, the two trained while Heavenlight learned to fly. And even if the result had been unsuccessful, it had been a good moment that reminded Wing how flying was pure happiness.
And when he approached the ship to go back to the Crystal Cities, Heavenlight grabbed his servo.
" …You will come back ?"
Wing looked at her. Then he lowered himself to her level, placing his servo on her helm.
"As long as you are with Gasket, nothing will happen to you. He will watch over you. Stay close to him, okay?"
"... But ... you're going to come back, huh?"
Wing nodded, a smile more determined than ever to return to Cybertron, even behind the back of Dai Atlas.
"I have to teach you how to fly, Heavenlight."
"Hm."
"Have confidence. I will be back soon. And then ... I keep in touch with Gasket. I speak with him everyday."
He tilted his head to the side.
"… We will talk every day, Heavenlight?"
"… if I wish."
"Of course, your Highness."
He was hoping. And he would keep his promise.
The two did not hug. But the spark was there. Wing hugged Gasket and after a last caress on the little girl's head, Wing turned on his heel to head for the ship.
"Goodbye, Heavenlight" addressed the white bot to her.
"... Goodbye, Wing."
"Wing!" Wing is back!"
She had grown a little during the second year. The second time he saw her, she was with Gasket, in the same place as the last time, ready to welcome him.
And this time, Heavenlight did not hide its enchantment to see him.
"Are we going to spend the night at the inn?" asked the little girl, barely hiding her excitement.
Wing laughed. Really, she only thought of that ...
"Of course. Like the last time."
"And don't forget that Wing promised to teach you how to fly" smiled Gasket.
"That's clear!"
This time it was she who took his servo.
She seemed genuinely delighted to see him in person ... it was the first time in a year that he had met her again in person ...
But during the whole year after their meeting, Wing had kept calling her every evening to find out how she and Gasket were doing.
And ... it was like a warmth in his spark to see her, to feel her palm in his.
"Look, Wing ..."
They enjoyed a lull for a short night tour of the panorama of Kaon. As Wing, Heavenlight and Gasket walked around, Heavenlight stopped when they saw lights rising from the ground and surrounding her, all glowing in the dark.
Wing turned his attention to the little one. She seemed overwhelmed by such a view. She stretched out her arms as if to protect herself when one of the lights passed near her.
"... Aurora borealis" Wing smiled, coming closer to her.
She was really impressed with the view. Heavenlight stepped back and her head touched Wing's chassis, whom was standing behind her.
Tenderly, the white bot wrapped his arms around her shoulderplates, watching the lights spin around them.
"One of Cybertron's magic ..." said Wing. "One of the reasons we protect this planet so much."
Heavenlight tentatively reached out. She touched one of the lights, which flew away as quickly as it had appeared.
Wing caught sight of her pout and leaned towards her, deepening his embrace.
"It'll come back. It likes you."
"You think?"
"Yes."
He paused, an idea coming to his mind.
"… Little Light."
"What?" Heavenlight wondered.
"It's your nickname ... I think it suits you."
Heavenlight turned her attention away from the lights to look up at him.
"... You don't like it?" asked Wing.
"…Yes."
And she smiled at him.
Cybertron's departure was more heartbreaking the second time.
But like the first time, the reunion was only warmer. This time, Wing and Heavenlight hugged each other.
"Hello, my little Light."
"Hello, Wing…"
All year long, they had talked to each other every day by video-hologram, by communication, by any means ...
Like for Gasket, he missed Heavenlight terribly. And her absences became more and more unbearable. Even more knowing that Heavenlight and Gasket had no shelter.
No real shelter… Hence the reason why, after putting Heavenlight to berth in the evening, Wing had taken Gasket outside to tell him about his plan.
"I'm going to save some money ..."
"Why?"
"To rent you an apartment in Kaon. To you and Heavenlight."
" Wing…"
Wing shook his helm. It was not negotiable.
"I refuse that you both recharge like that, outside ... while the conflict started again. Acid Rain... you're never safe."
"But you can't, Wing! Where would you get the money?"
"…I will work alongside."
"No, I refuse… I do not want to be privileged, and I refuse that you kill yourself with work while you have responsibilities at the Crystal Cities."
Wing said nothing. He had only looked at him sadly, before asking him this question:
"…And you ? Are you not part of my responsibilities?"
Even more so when, after this conversation with Gasket which had ended in an argument where everyone was camping on his positions, Wing had joined Heavenlight in her room.
He had caressed her cheek. Heavenlight had flinched without opening the optics.
Little Light… Yes. Whether Gasket said it or not, he and Heavenlight were part of his responsibilities.
"This bird is pretty, Little Light," complimented Wing.
The two had enjoyed a break to draw together. Wing taught her to fly. She was now able to reach the building, at least the first floor.
In return, she taught him to draw. Heavenlight approached him, staring at Wing's sketch with curiosity.
"... Who is it?"
"It's you" Wing replied.
"... I don't look like that."
"You are ! Even if I admit, I don't have your talent ..."
He was afraid of having failed it ... that he had drawn badly ... that she would judge herself too ugly ...
But Heavenlight just shrugged.
"…Not too bad."
"I'll keep it safe, then."
The third time Wing had left Cybertron, Heavenlight wouldn't let go of him. And this time, Gasket must have grabbed her so that Wing could join the ship and prevent her from leaving with him.
It was unfair. Wing wanted to see Heavenlight for real, every day… as well as Gasket. Not just by video hologram. Why couldn't he take them to the Crystal Cities?
Wing had spoken to Dai Atlas. He refused.
"Why don't you want it?"
"Wing," he said. "Our responsibility, our duty matters more than everything else."
"It's a little girl ! We could take her in, raise her... we could train her, make her a full member..."
"No, Wing! The conflict is already sufficiently unpredictable and the situation in the Crystal Cities is sufficiently unstable. There is no room for a child here."
Wing had raised his voice.
"She's a child. And Gasket fights to keep her alive every day. She only has us!"
"We can't welcome all the misery in the world, Wing."
Yes… He said so.
He had said it before ... but it was getting more and more intolerable every day ...
"You get attached too easily, Wing. Drift already, now this ... And if you hadn't been on Cybertron, you wouldn't have been infatuated with a child who is not related to you."
Wing's optics were fogged up.
But he didn't say anything ... he just cut the conversation short by taking the door to leave Dai Atlas' office.
Perhaps he should have ... insisted more at that time.
The fourth time, Wing came accompanied by Drift.
Heavenlight had been surprised to see him with someone. Perhaps she had believed that Wing and Gasket had been a couple who raised him together. Wing had kindly corrected her on this point. But that didn't stop them from taking advantage of a short fair outside Kaon to hang out with the four of them.
For Wing, it was a family time. These people were his family ... and he hoped Heavenlight would feel the same.
As Drift and Gasket went over to stands, Wing carried Heavenlight on his shoulderplates. The latter patted him on the helmet.
"Foolish. Foolish Wing."
"Why foolish?" asked Wing.
"Because you don't take your chance! With Drift! As you devour him with optics."
Wing had smiled, a little embarrassed by the remark.
"It's not what you think. He's only my student."
"Foolish Wing!"
"Hey!"
"I am your Highness! And I think you are an idiot for not taking your chance."
"Do you understand what you're talking about?"
"…Not really."
Wing had sneered. Heavenlight had reached out.
"I want to travel the world ... see other panoramas ... like Kaon's ... be at the head of a group of pirates."
"Hmm ... I'm not sure I would let you join pirates, my Little Light."
He had straightened up, joining his two friends at the stand.
"But ... I think that when I have the opportunity ... I will take you to explore other planets and galaxies."
"Promise?"
"Promise" Wing swore.
In the end, she had been right.
He and Drift got together during their time at the Crystal Cities. The last year was the last chance.
Wing had spoken to Dai Atlas several times, begging him over and over to let Heavenlight come to the Crystal Cities, to the Circle of Light. It had been a categorical no.
And when Wing returned to Cybertron for the last time, he couldn't help but wonder what would happen next ... if he could still continue to see Gasket ... to see Heavenlight ...
Because it would not be safe to continue like this.
However, he fully enjoyed the stay. As much as he could.
"Well done, Little Light! "
She could finally fly ... She finally went around the skyscraper ... in her Insecticon mode ...
Wing followed her in his airplane mode. When she transformed again, he realized how much she had grown.
In five years ... She will reach her adult size. Wing joined her on landing and transformed, before grabbing her to hug her.
"... Heavenlight ... I'm proud of you."
"…Thank you…"
"You really impressed me."
"I don't think I would have succeeded without you."
Wing smiled and buried his face in her helmet.
"…I have a surprise for you."
"... You will live here now."
It had been hard ... but at least he had raised enough money to rent this small one bedroom, one dining room and one bathroom apartment. It was more than necessary in these times of war.
And he knew that would be enough to host Gasket and Heavenlight. Gasket had not been delighted.
But Wing thought he was doing well.
"Wing ... you didn't have to do this."
"I don't feel like I have to. I would feel reassured to know that you two are safe."
"You think too much of others, Wing."
Wing did not agree.
"…No. Otherwise, I would have thought of hosting your comrades too. I only thought of you two and ... I'm sorry."
"You can't welcome everyone…" sighed Gasket. "The proof."
But he was thinking ... he was thinking of other ways. He was protected in the Crystal Cities. He had a roof. He would live.
Why didn't Gasket and Heavenlight have this same right? Why were they forced to live on the street?
"... Just ... accept, Gasket. You have lived too long on the street."
"If it costs you too much, I don't want it."
"It costs the necessary price."
He couldn't see them as often as he wanted ...
Heavenlight was waiting outside. Wing joined her.
"... Do you like it?" asked the white bot.
Heavenlight turned to him before declaring in a bitter voice.
"... I would be happier if I had you here ... if you came back to Kaon more often."
"I know. But at least you won't live on the street anymore."
He was smiling, trying to hide his twinge of spark.
"You and Gasket… you will have a better life."
"But I want a better life with you ... I would have a better life if I had you with me ..."
Then she used that term that Wing never thought she would ever hear from her.
"... I just want to be with you ... Dad."
Dad…
Wing had hugged her so hard that Heavenlight had to push him away because he was strangling her.
Wing apologized but he felt so ... so happy. Happy to hear the one he'd come to see as his daughter ... call him Dad.
He didn't know when he started considering her as such ... but it didn't matter.
This was surely the reason he had spoken to Drift. Of his questions. Of his doubts ... of his decisions ...
And why he thought this decision was the one to pick.
"... I'm going to talk to Dai Atlas," he told him, when he and Drift were lying in their berth, in each other's arms.
"Wing…"
"Either he accepts us ... me with Heavenlight ... both ... or I say goodbye to him."
"You cannot leave the Circle of Light. Dai Atlas will not accept it."
"... I have a daughter, Drift."
His daughter. The rest didn't matter.
"... It's about time he accepts it. But I can't give up Heavenlight, nor Gasket. You understand me?"
"…I understand. Of course."
Drift had kissed him. Wing had kissed him back with just as much fervor.
"... Whatever happens ... know that I will follow you."
"You have to continue your training."
"You're my mentor ... and I'm not going to force you to choose between your daughter and me. So ... in any case, I will come with you."
And Drift had proposed to him, as if it had been the most natural thing in the world.
"... We will raise her together. In all cases."
Raising Heavenlight ... with Drift ... as a family ...
At that moment, Wing hadn't imagined a brighter future.
He, Gasket, Heavenlight, Drift… together. Living together ...
It had been such a happy project… such a beautiful dream.
"Wing ..."
He contacted him in the middle of the night.
Wing remembered the time. Four hours…
"Wing!" "
He thought he was dreaming. Firstly.
But the communication had been real. He had heard Gasket's deaf voice ...
Gasket's voice screaming, sobbing, begging, apologizing ...
Wing immediately picked up.
"Wing!" I am sorry… "
Sorry...?
"Gasket ... what's going on ? What's wrong ? "
"I'm sorry ... I'm sorry ..."
Drift had turned the light on.
Wing had straightened up on his berth, had invited Gasket to calm down.
But he couldn't.
"... Gasket ...
"... she was in the apartment ..."
Drift had turned on the screen.
The titles ... the images of the fire ... of the spilled energon staining the ground ...
The horror in Kaon ... the panic-stricken media, the bombing that had resumed.
"... she was in the apartment ..."
Wing didn't realize.
He didn't realize until he saw an apartment reduced to a heap of ashes, bathed in flames ...
He didn't realize it.
The DJD had targeted an Autobot traitor ... To prevent him from escaping, they had fired on the apartment.
This apartment he had been visiting with Gasket and Heavenlight ... just a few months ago ...
"... she was in the apartment ..."
Then his Little Light went out.
