Prologue
Optimus had just rescued Elita one on Arche 7 they ran up and saw Sentinel. "Sentinel let's get out of here!" Optimus shouted.
"On it," Sentinel said.
"Yes let's jump on it the faster the better," Elita said.
They all got the ship and got out of there as fast as they could. "Optimus thanks so much for saving me back there," Elita said.
"No problem I'm just glad your safe," Optimus said hugging her. "AH!" he groaned.
"Optimus?" Elita asked. She saw Optimus was hurt.
"Sentinel get us back to Cybertron fast, Optimus is wounded," Elita said.
"Got I am putting in overdrive hang one," Sentinel said.
They rushed to Cybertron. Elita placed held Optimus' hand. "Hang in there Optimus we are almost there," Elita said. "Just keep the pressure on it okay?" she said.
"It really hurts," Optimus said.
"I know just hang in there," Elita said.
"I see the landing bay," Sentinel said.
They landed and Ultra Magnus was there. "Where have you been Cadet Sentinel?" Ultra Magnus said. "Where are Cadet Optimus and Cadet Elita-1 you were due to check in from Arche-7 more than three hours ago," he said.
"It's hard to explain but Optimus he's wounded!" Sentinel said.
"Understood," Ultra Magnus said. "I need a team of medics to the landing bay now," he said.
The medics came and whisked Optimus into surgery seeing he had several injuries that were internal and the large wound on his side. Sentinel and Elita were waiting to hear the news on Optimus' condition.
"Did you all of you manage to find out anything about that planet?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"Yes it seems to be full of giant spiders, and they seemed to be highly aggressive," Sentinel said.
"Yes and I managed to get a sample of their venom," Elita-1 said showing a vile.
Perceptor took it to study it. "How did you get that?" Wheeljack asked.
"You are better off not knowing," Elita said. "Optimus and I found proof the the Decepticons were there once and there was a load of energon on the crashed ship," she said.
"But unfortunately it all exploded." Sentinel said.
"Optimus managed to rescue me, we didn't realize he was hurt until we left the planet," Elita said.
One of the medics came out. "How is cadet Optimus?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"He's stable, there are some parts we have to replace, if the ones that are for his model are not available there is chance Optimus will be fit enough to be part of the elite guard," the medic said.
"He won't be able too?" Ultra Magnus said.
"It's a chance a slight chance," the medic said. "I know First aid well and he is great at making custom models for bots who have parts that are not available only time will tell if they do well for his system and allow him to do what he is able too," he said.
"I understand," Ultra Magnus said.
"Also his recovery time that will help see what he can do is need with lots of manual labor if he does get custom made repair parts, it will help them strengthen and see if he is ready for major work like being on the elite guard," the medic explained. "But before that he needs to allow his systems to accept the new parts and that can take many months," he said.
"Understood do what you can," Ultra Magnus said.
"This all my fault if I hadn't almost fall and webbed he wouldn't have been so hurt by the spiders," Elita said.
"Elita this isn't your fault no one is blaming you," Ultra Magnus said.
"It's Optimus' own fault he always gets his skidplate handed to him on a plate even when it wasn't real combat," Sentinel said.
"Sentinel that was an uncalled for comment," Ultra Magnus said.
"Yes sir," Sentinel said.
"Now both of you go get some rest okay?" Ultra Magnus said.
"Yes sir," they said.
Elita a bit later was sitting by Optimus' bedside keeping an eye on him.
They couldn't find the parts they needed so First aid made the custom replacement parts. Elita was helping Optimus with his recovery time. The council was concerned for Optimus while he was doing well in getting the new parts integrated into his systems, they worried he would never be part of the elite guard because of this condition. But he needed a job with Manual labor as part of his recovery. So they chose him to be part of space bridge repair crew because they do a lot of hard manual labor.
Elita-1 his new mate was to go with him to make sure he was going to be okay.
Optimus was now a Prime and doing well at his work. He felt himself getting his strength back and getting stronger to through all the work he was doing. He was also very excited because he was going to become a proud father soon.
Elita was expecting a sparkling and it was due very soon. Ultra Magnus heard all about it and was happy for them and had sparkling supplies sent to them all gifts from the high council. Even a story pad from Sentinel to read to the child every night. It was Sentinel's favorite book from when he was a sparkling so they didn't mind.
Optimus was so looking forward to the birth of his child.
Ratchet was making sure Elita and the sparkling were healthy.
Then one day on the ship while heading to the next space bridge Elita went into labor. The sparkling was going to be born very soon indeed. Optimus was holding her hand.
"Can we help?" Bumblebee asked.
"Yes we want to help," Bulkhead said.
"Tell us what to do," Prowl said.
"Okay Bumblebee we need warm solvent," Ratchet said.
"On it," Bumblebee said going to warm some of the solvent Ratchet gave him.
"Bulkhead we need towels," Ratchet said.
"Okay," Bulkhead said and went to get them.
"Prowl get one of the sparkling blankets," Ratchet said.
Prowl nodded and went to get them.
Ratchet was checking on everything for Elita and the sparkling. "Mother's spark beat, pulse and vitals are normal. Sparkling's spark beat, pulse and vitals all normal and the sparkling isn't under any bad stress." Ratchet said. "Everything is moving along fine." he said.
The solvent was already as was everything else. Ratchet could see Elita was ready. "Elita get ready to push," Ratchet said.
"Okay," Elita said.
"Ready?" Ratchet asked and Elita nodded. "1,2,3, push!" he said.
Optimus whispered encouraging words to Elita and telling her that he loved her and the sparkling very much. Then came the sound they had been waiting to hear. There in Ratchet's hands was a crying sparkling.
Ratchet started to wash the sparkling in the warm solvent after cutting the cord. "It's a healthy little boy," Ratchet said with much joy. Ratchet then dried the sparkling off with the towel. Then sparkling was crying and pitching a fit. Then placed in a diaper plate and wrapped in a blanket the sparkling was given to his mother.
"Look at him Optimus isn't he perfect?" Elita asked.
Optimus saw his son was bright red and orange, with yellow flames on his chest. He was perfect. "He is perfect," Optimus said. "I think we should name him Hotitus Rodimus, or Hot Rod for short," he said.
"That is a perfect name," Elita said. "Welcome to the world Hotitus Rodimus aka Hot Rod." she said. Hot Rod was soon nursing from his mother. "Thank you so much Ratchet for helping bring him into this universe," she said.
"My pleasure, as a medic I live for these moments," Ratchet said.
Optimus was watching as his son fed. Soon his son was finished and was burped and was dozing off. "Optimus do you want to hold him?" Elita asked.
"Yes," Optimus said.
Optimus took Hot Rod into his arm and cradled him. "Hello Hot Rod I'm your daddy," Optimus said. Hot Rod yawned and snuggled against Optimus and fell asleep. "I just remembered Ultra Magnus wanted me to called when the sparkling was born," he said.
"Well go ahead." Elita said.
Optimus patched in the Cybertron HQ. Sentinel appeared on the screen. "Optimus what is it? Don't tell me you are still allowed to command other Autobots?" Sentinel said.
"Not now Sentinel, Ultra Magnus wanted me to called because the sparkling had been born," Optimus said still holding his son.
"I will put you through," Sentinel said.
Ultra Magnus answered. "Ultra Magnus here Optimus Prime, is true the sparkling has been born?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"Yes here he is," Optimus said and opened the blanket up more so the commander can get a better look at the child.
"I can see him, he is a fine child," Ultra Magnus said.
"Alpha Trion here too, I heard the sparkling has been born as did the high council may I get a good look at the child?" Alpha Trion asked.
Optimus unwrapped the blanket of the now awake and curious Hot Rod and held him up for Alpha Trion and Ultra Magnus to get a good look at him.
"He's a fine child indeed, and very handsome too," Ultra Magnus said.
"Yes I have feeling you son is destined for great things Optimus Prime," Alpha Trion said.
"You really think so Alpha Trion?" Optimus asked.
"Yes for it is said one day an Autobot will rise through the ranks and will protect the Cybertronian race from the greatest evil ever known, and beside him will be a small creature that was part organic," Alpha Trion said. "But the rest of what was foretold has been lost to time," he said.
So Optimus was surprised. "What is the Autobot suppose to look like or even his origin?" Optimus asked wrapping his son back up in the blanket.
"Well the child was is suppose to have a crest of flames upon his chest, and that he was born into a couple who was looked down on by many, but the rest is lost, I have seen many bots with flames upon their chest, but almost all of them have them painted on as a fashion choice. He is the only one I have seen born with it upon his chest, so I feel your child is the chosen one, but I fear those who feel like they are the greatest evil will try to harm him and that includes the exiled Decepticons, with your crew moving from place to place he will be protected in that way as he grows, and I know he will be a great bot when grown," Alpha Trion said.
"I understand," Optimus said.
"Optimus we will make sure your son has a good education through this counsel and we will send a bot to give him Autobot training when he gets older." Ultra Magnus said.
"What is his name?" Alpha Trion asked.
"Hotitus Rodimus but we are calling him Hot Rod for short," Optimus said.
"Good strong name indeed," Ultra Magnus said. "I wish you the best of luck raising your son, both you and Elita." he said. "Congratulations Optimus Prime," he said.
"Thank you Commander," Optimus said.
Then Ultra Magnus hung up as did Alpha Trion.