This is the final "in the past" interlude, and was mostly written because I wanted to write at least a little bit of sparkling Optimus.

So, yeah. This chapter is pretty much pure cuteness.


As Megatron waited for Optimus to wake up, he made sure to let Blitzwing and Lugnut know what the plan for the sparklings was. From the way Lugnut was playing with them, even the human sparkling, he suspected that at least one set of creators had been found. Megatron would have to warn Strika. And, perhaps, dissuade Lugnut from trying to adopt all four of the other sparklings.

He pulled up the message Optimus had left, and viewed it. It started simply enough, Optimus and another sparkling sitting on a mech sized chair together. Megatron thought the colors matched the medic in Optimus' team.

"It's on, Prime," the little red and white sparkling said.

Optimus nodded. He was solemn as he faced the camera. "I'm recording this because it seems we'll need it. I am Optimus Prime, and, as you can see, we've had an incident. All members of my team were in contact with an Allspark shard that changed us into sparklings. Unfortunately, the change only started out physically. Over the past few cycles, two other members of the team have reverted completely to the mindset of sparklings. Our fifth is watching them." Optimus glanced at the other sparkling. "Ratchet?"

Ratchet sifted. "From what I can determine, residual Allspark energy is still making changes. Prowl, Prime and I will revert. Additionally, we will lose- or lose access to- all memories of our adult lives. Based on the way it's already happened to the others, Prowl will lose his memories first, then me, then Optimus. It appears to happen during recharge."

Megatron paused the recording and glanced down at Optimus. The medic- Ratchet, and that name seemed familiar for some reason- was right.

Megatron sighed and restarted the message. He watched it carefully, but there was no sign of the other Autobot he'd known was there. He did get a lot of good information from it, and useful for more than just taking care of the sparklings.

Finally, the recording skipped, and reformed with only Optimus on the seat. "I'm adding this because I think… I think Ratchet didn't want to admit it, but the Commonwealth is not coming for us, despite everything. Even with… well, Magnus at least believes us, about the Decepticons here, but Sentinel Prime does everything he can to make my life harder. And that means that the only ones who would hear the distress signal, and come to us are our enemies. So. If you're viewing this, Megatron, I ask that you treat my teammates like innocents. They are or will be innocents. Ratchet and Prowl still remember, for now, but they won't soon enough."

Optimus glanced away. "Ratchet is red and white, and he was a fully qualified medic. Prowl is the black and gold one, he was a cyber ninja. Bumblebee is yellow, and would have been a scout if he hadn't been unjustly expelled from boot camp- he would have been a phenomenal one. Bulkhead is green, he's an artist and he loves space bridge science. Please, if nothing else, give them lives and let them be sparklings."

Megatron sighed and gently ran a finger down Optimus' helm. The sparkling shifted but didn't wake. "I will, little one," he rumbled. "And you, as well."

On the screen, Optimus smiled sadly. "And if by some chance I'm wrong and Sentinel's idiocy doesn't stop our rescue, then please, Magnus, don't blame my team for my fears. And try not to let Sentinel blame me for his actions and ruin my life again. I'd like to change things up, if I can- I don't think I want to be a soldier this time, if I have a choice. I think I'd like to work with Longarm Prime. I've had enough of direct fighting, especially with no assistance beyond my team. But I'd like to help others who need help."

Optimus nodded once and glanced to the side. "That's everything I can think of. Optimus Prime, out."

The video faded away. Megatron smirked down at Optimus. "'Longarm.'" He couldn't quite keep the amusement out of his voice. "Did the right thing in telling me. Don't worry, you'll like him. I suspect he'll want to take in your scout- scouts and spies have very similar skill sets, after all."

Optimus stirred again, but didn't wake up. He did vent softly, and Megatron gave in to the urge to gently stroke his tiny helm. Optimus was so small- Megatron could curl his fist and he'd be hidden from the world.

Megatron wasn't sure why he was feeling so protective over the sparkling, but he wasn't going to fight it. Optimus was his sparkling now, and no one would harm him.

Megatron stroked his helm again. This time, Optimus stirred and sat up. He onlined and offlined his optics a few times, and then looked up at Megatron. His optics were much less shadowed, much more innocent. "Hi!" he chirped.

"Hello, Optimus," Megatron replied, smiling slightly. "How are you?"

Somehow, Optimus' big optics got even bigger. "You know my name?!" he gasped.

Megatron's smile widened. "Of course I do, little one. I'm going to be taking care of you now." He paused. "My name is Megatron," he said. "But I would be honored if you would call me Creator."

Optimus tilted his head. "Creator?" he asked.

"Yes," Megatron said.

Optimus smiled widely and stood up in Megatron's palm. "You're gonna take care of me?" he asked.

"Of course," Megatron said. "You're mine to protect, care for, and teach, Optimus." He wasn't sure if Optimus understood all the implications, but that didn't matter much. He'd learn if he didn't yet.

"Creator!" Optimus cheered. He grinned up at Megatron and wiggled back and forth, clearly so happy he couldn't keep still.

Megatron couldn't have suppressed the smile if he'd tried. As a sparkling, Optimus was far cheerier than he'd been as an adult, and seemed to have no worries at all.

He also had a much shorter attention span. As Megatron watched, Optimus started exploring, first by poking Megatron's fingers, then by preparing to jump down onto the desk.

Megatron stopped him before he did, and set him down gently. "If you would like, there are some other sparklings nearby, you can play with them," Megatron said as Optimus poked at a stylus in curiosity.

Optimus grinned up at him. "Yeah!"

"Excellent. These sparklings will be good for you, and I am sure you will all be fast friends."

Megatron smiled as he carried his sparkling into the next room. He had plans to make, a planet to conquer, and far too much to do- but right now, he wanted to make sure his new heir had some other sparklings to play with. Even if one of them was a human sparkling.


We edge ever closer to the end, my friends! Once again, unless something happens in real life, I'll see you next week!