thoughts/Bumblebee talk/dreams/flashbacks

Main Pairings:

OptimusxRatchet

Child(s): Solarwind, Hot Rod, Bumblebee (adopted), Turnfire

Knock OutxBreakdown

Child(s): Blockout

MegatronxSoundwave

Child(s): Sonicbeat, cassetticons

CliffjumperxArcee

Child(s): Gatejumper, Miracle

BulkheadxWheeljack

Child(s):

JazzxProwl

Child(s):

IronhidexChromia

Child(s): Sundance

StarscreamxSkyfire

Child(s):

ex RatchetxLightwave

Child(s): Prowl, Barricade, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Bluestreak, Smokescreen

forced SoundwavexBarge

Child(s): cassetticons

Warnings: kissing, mentions of interfacing, violence, slash, fluff, possibly sadness in future chapters, death, birth, and mpreg. And anything else I forgot to add.

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. Only Hasbro. I only own my characters. XxXSkylarxRatchet96XxX owns Sonicbeat. Optimus' girl owns Turnfire and made Blockout, Gatejumper, and Miracle.

Barricade never left his carrier's side. He would often stay up late and take Optimus' place on berthside duty. He caught up with his family. It was strange knowing that Optimus was his step-sire and that he has step-siblings. He didn't call Optimus sire, or at least not yet. Each day was practically the same routine with caring for the ailing medic. It began with helping him drink energon and watching the monitors all day and night.

"How you doing today carrier?" Solarwind asked that night.

"I've seen better days. The sparkling is taking a lot out of me," Ratchet mumbled, rubbing his chest tiredly. "Not even you gave me this much trouble."

"I'm sure it'll be over before you know it. I hear it's an interesting experience. You feel life grow within and become bonded to it the instant it was conceived," Solarwind hummed. "I'll let you get some rest. Night carrier."

"Good night Solar," Ratchet returned, shifting around to get comfortable.

~~~000

"Is he awake again?" Megatron asked, turning to see his mate sitting up.

"Sonicbeat keeps me up until late," Soundwave answered. "Nothing can get him settled down."

"Must take after his siblings. I remember when you carried Rumble and Frenzy. It was as if they never recharged," Megatron chuckled. "I believe that Ratbat was the calmest last time you were carrying after the twins."

"Shame that their sire never wanted or loved them. Without you, they wouldn't be here now. Luckily Barge never knew when I was sparked," Soundwave said, lightly touching his face. Memories of his abusive, former abusive, boss surfaced. "His violence would of killed them."

"Barge is not here anymore. I made sure he wouldn't touch you ever again. He may of been our owner in the Pits, but that did not mean he owned us. We were free the moment I killed him and he was replaced."

"That's why I love you. Even when we weren't bonded at the time, you cared deeply for me and them. They truly think of you as their sire."

"Try to get some rest," Megatron murmured softly.

Megatron pulled Soundwave close to him. Barge was a brutal mech, always taking what he wanted. But he was destroyed and that added to the fuel that began the war. The once silent mech rested his helm on silver chestplates, placing a servo over his chest. He knew that their son would be strong, just like his sire.

"Little one it is time to recharge now. Your carrier needs his rest and so do you," Megatron tried, helm near the gestational chamber. He placed on servo over the bump.

The sparkling kicked once before going still. The comforting sparkbeat of the warlord sent the sparkling into recharge, allowing Soundwave to recharge peacefully through the night. Soundwave sighed in relief as the sparkling stopped moving. The slim mech laid back down, going into recharge immediately. Energy was spent quickly for the growth of the new life. Soundwave's body was more fragile when it came to carrying.

Sunlight entered through the window, bathing the berth in its light. The couple upon said berth shifted, onlining for the day. Joints popped as they stretched, leaving the berth. Soundwave made his way into the washracks to clean up. Once he was finished, he left to the medibay to get checked on.

The silver warlord headed to the bridge, sending out a message to Solarwind. He wanted to visit and discuss with his brother about matters. The reply came in, a set of coordinates next to them. Soundwave walked in with a cube of energon in servo.

"Soundwave get ready. I have decided to talk with Orion. I do not wish for Sonicbeat to see war," Megatron said.

"Do you believe that we will be safe? All of us have done things that will lead to our deaths as punishment," Soundwave pointed out. "Sonicbeat will be raised in an orphanage."

"I will figure it out. I promise I will find a way to ensure we survive," Megatron promised. "Dreadwing will be in charge for now."

~~~000

"What is your reason for being here?" Optimus asked, blocking the medibay entrance.

"Orion I only wish to speak. I'm sure Solarwind has told you much. And... I wish to see how Ratchet is. I offer up my assistance when the time comes for him to spark," Megatron said, taking a step towards his brother. "I do not wish for young ones to be in war. I wish to end it and talk about what we want for ending it."

"Aren't you worried about Cybertron's restoration and what will happen when it goes back to normal?" Solarwind asked, remembering his dream.

"We will find a way to restore our planet and have equality. There shall be no hatred towards those who are different. The caste system will be eradicated forever. All will be free to be what they wish to be," Megatron preached. "Families will not be torn apart and ruined. It's just like what we want brother. It was wrong of me to begin this war. It was the way I was raised with violence to solve issues. I never meant to have it come this far. If I can go back in time, I would stop this.

"I cannot change time. If I did then Solarwind and so many will not be here today. Please Orion, I'm begging you to consider my offer. End this war and help revive our race. Give the upcoming generations a future."

Optimus thought over his options. It could be trick, but he could tell he was being sincere. He finally nodded, extending his servo as agreement. Megatron shook it, a smile on his face. Solarwind cheered, hugging Megatron tightly.

"Carrier will love to hear this. He got his wish for the war to end," Solarwind said, running off to the medibay. Ratchet was sitting up, talking quietly with Barricade. "Carrier guess what?! Uncle Megatron just ended the war. Sire agreed to his terms and it ended. There won't be anymore fighting!"

"That is wonderful Solarwind," Ratchet sighed. "Peace at last. Now we must find the remaining relics on this planet and find a way to restore our own planet."

Solarwind grinned and nodded. This was truly a wonderful day for all Cybertronians.

~~~months later

The Autobots rested for the day, bringing in the last of the relics found. Currently, Starscream and Optimus were trying to figure out how the Omega Keys worked. Knock Out and Breakdown tended to their little mech, Blockout. Soundwave and Ratchet were due soon, each a week apart. They stayed upon the warship until it was time.

"The Sea of Rust," Starscream gasped once they activated the keys.

"That is where we will find the Omega Lock and restore Cybertron," Optimus said. "We depart in three days."

"Then we must make preparations to Cybertron," said Megatron, looking at the coordinates. "Our planet will be perfect. With our combined powers, it will become a true Golden Age, just like we imagined."

For the next three days, both bases have been busy with getting ready for their departure for Cybertron. Knock Out administered a gel-like coating that will protect them against any harmful substances found in the Sea of Rust. The two leaders swiftly said farewell to their mates and family before leaving through the spacebridge. Solarwind whined when his sire said to stay behind until they were ready to be brought there after the restoration.

"I will stay behind as well. Carrier is going to need us to help him," Barricade said, a servo on his youngest brother's shoulder. Solarwind sighed as he watched them leave. "They will return young one. Your sire will bring all to Cybertron to see its glory once more."

"You're right," Solarwind said, cheering up a bit. "I'm going to go see carrier."

Barricade nodded and followed his brother to where their carrier rested. A monitor sat next to the berth, showing a live feed of the Sea of Rust. A large structure rose up out of the planet, creating a large portal shaped object. Each of the Cyber Keys went into a side of the podium underneath it, activating the Omega Lock. Solarwind stared in amazement as the planet he was sparked on came back to its rightful glory. Ratchet softly cried in happiness and longing. He wanted his son to be sparked on Earth and brought to Cybertron as one of the new generation that will be thriving there.

"It's so beautiful," Solarwind gasped in awe.

"I remember it all before the war," said Barricade. "Iacon, Kaon, Polyhex, Praxus. Crystal City, Tyger Pax, and so many more."

"Where were you sparked at 'Cade?" Solarwind asked.

"I was sparked in Praxus with my twin Prowl. Our younger brother Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were sparked in Polyhex, and Smokescreen and Bluestreak were sparked in Iacon," Barricade answered. "My sire, Lightwave, is from Kaon and carrier is from Iacon."

"Where was I sparked carrier?" Solarwind questioned.

"You were sparked in Iacon and we stayed there until you were 5 in human terms and we left during the Exodus," Ratchet explained. "It was shortly before we left that when I bonded to your sire."

"Optimus is a good mech. I trust he has taken care of you well?" Barricade inquired.

"He has indeed. It is as if Lightwave is Optimus, but not at the same time."

"I miss sire. When I saw that he was going to be killed, I tried my best to stop him. I got the Autobots to get him to a medic and brought forth the one responsible. His name was Ultra Magnus. He told me that it was wrong for an Autobot to be mated to a mech from Kaon and supporting the Decepticons. Sire would never betray the Autobots, even if his life was in danger," Barricade explained, sitting down as a buried memory surfaced.

Barricade ran through Tyger Pax, looking for any Autobots and reporting it to Megatron. What he saw was a mech with a sniper marking on him aim right at a pair of Autobots. When he got closer, he could see that it was aimed at his sire, who was helping a young yellow mech to the rest.

"SIRE! Look out!" Barricade shouted, racing to the mech to stop him, but it was too late.

BANG!

Barricade heard a pained scream rip through the air. His sire fell next to the scout he was helping, a hole in his chest. He snarled and tackled the mech who dared to attempt to kill his sire. The sniper struggled, but it was useless. The shock trooper had him pinned.

"Why did you do it?! Why would you shoot your own?!" Barricade demanded.

"He is a traitor to the Autobots. He supports the Decepticons and is from Kaon. He lost too many troops because of him!" the other snarled.

"You fool! My sire would never betray his side, even if he was threatened! And you killed him for stupid reasons! I should kill you right now, but I will leave that up to the ones you hurt," Barricade growled, knocking him out. He dragged him to where his sire laid, the scout trying and failing to protect him. "Sire? Sire can you hear me?"

"Hey Barricade," Lightwave greeted with a small laugh. "Been a while my son."

"I'm so sorry sire. I tried to stop this piece of slag. He called you a traitor because you are from Kaon and support my side. I know you won't do that," Barricade explained, leaning his sire up against his chest. "If only I had been faster, you might have lived. I can feel you dying."

"Never expected... Ultra Magnus to do this," Lightwave gasped out, a small trail of energon leaking from his mouth. "I know you joined the Decepticons... to protect us. You care deeply for... your family. Keep it up... for me, will ya?"

"I promise to protect my brothers and carrier with my very life. Lord Megatron understands and supports me fully," Barricade whispered, the words getting caught up in his throat. "Sire... I don't want you to die. Please keep fighting. Carrier and my brothers need you still. I love you."

"I love you too my son," Lightwave murmured, falling unconscious.

"I'll be back Scout. I'm going to go find help," Barricade said, carefully laying down his sire and racing off. He found the other Autobots. Prowl was there and knew that his brother was telling the truth. "Prowl, thank Primus. It's sire. He's been shot by a mech named Ultra Magnus. He's dying. And there's a scout injured too."

"Where is he? Someone get a transport quickly!" Prowl ordered. He grabbed his twin's shoulders and held on tightly. "Barricade bring me to sire now."

The shock trooper nodded and lead the small band to where he left the two wounded soldiers. Jazz put Magnus in cuffs and dragged him away in a different transport while two field medics jumped out of the medical vehicle and raced over to their patients.

"We're losing this one! He won't last long if we wait to get him to base!" one said to the other.

"Bumblebee has also taken heavy damage. Let's load them up and bring them to Ratchet," the other ordered.

Prowl helped the medics before turning to his brother. Barricade looked down, shoulders shaking slightly as he struggled not to cry. The second-in-command brought his twin along with him, both sitting by their sire. When they arrived at base, Barricade refused to enter the medibay, only watching from a window with Prowl at his side. They both witnessed as their creators spent what little time they had together. Tears streaked down the oldest's cheeks, small cries leaving his voicebox.

"This is all my fault Prowl. I wasn't fast enough to stop that mech from shooting him. I was to protect my family and I failed at that. Sire isn't a traitor. He would never do something like that. He was murdered by his own because he is from Kaon and supposedly supports my side," Barriacde ranted. "I'm so sorry brother. I failed and now sire is dead! I couldn't save him!"

"It's not your fault 'Cade. You tried your best and you got us. He spent his last moments with carrier before he died. If anything you made his suffering ease. Sire wouldn't want you to blame yourself for this outcome. If anything Ultra Magnus is to blame," Prowl reassured, hugging his twin close as they both cried. "Megatron will understand why you came here. You know that he cares about us through you because he cares about you. Stay for a bit and be here for our younger brothers. It will do them good to have all of us there for his burial."

Barricade blinked away the memory. It was still painful to think about his sire, even if he had moved on. Lightwave had meant everything to the black and white mech and his family. Ratchet rested a servo on his son's, giving it a slight squeeze and a smile.

"Lightwave would be very proud of you if he can see you today," Ratchet said softly. "He has always been proud of you, even if your mistakes because you learn from them. He'll be so happy to see you when your time comes to join the Allspark."

A sharp pain hit him. He gasped and clutched his abdomen, knowing that it was time. Knock Out immediately rushed over, scanning the elder medic.

"Knock Out get him out now! Don't worry about me just cut him out now before my spark fails!" Ratchet gritted out.

"Right," Knock Out said, getting out a scalpel and cutting into the soft metal. "Barricade get Solarwind out. He shouldn't see this."

Knock Out didn't wait for any reply. Ratchet screamed and arched slightly. He felt his spark start to fail him and hoped that the younger mech could save his son. Twin cries echoed in the medibay, the red medic handing them to Soundwave and Breakdown to care for while he patched his patient up. The monitor beeped rapidly as the elder began to die. He attached a transportable life support, stabilizing the weakening spark. Barricade walked back in with his brother after a few minutes.

"He doesn't have long," Knock Out said. "I wager that he won't make it through the night. Best to say your goodbyes while you can."

"Thank you for trying Knock Out," Barricade whispered. He grabbed his carrier's servo, bringing it close to his spark. "I'm here carrier. The others will return soon."

"Where... is he?" Ratchet asked, voice full of pain.

"Right here. A mech and femme," Breakdown said, bringing the crying sparklings to him.

The femme was red, white, and orange with baby blue optics. Her twin was red, orange, and yellow with tiny flames on him. His cyan blue optics shined with tears as he saw his new family. Ratchet reached out and touched them before growing limp, optics dimming.

"So beautiful," Ratchet whispered. "Help raise them well my sons."

~~~000

Optimus walked through the spacebridge, having already informed those left behind to prepare for departure. Barricade walked along side his carrier, aiding him in walking. Once they stepped onto the metal surface of Iacon, Ratchet let out a small laugh. He was finally home. Solarwind brought his new siblings, showing his sire the wonderful bundles of joy.

"Prime... I'm sorry. I tried my best but he doesn't have long," Knock Out informed. "It would be best if you spent as much time as you could with him. He needs his family with him. And he leaves the sparkling names up to you."

"Thank you Knock Out. We knew that this was a high possibility," Optimus said, optics saddening.

The Prime walked over to his mate, helping in supporting him. It was a sad but joyous time for all. Megatron observed his brother as he struggled with this hard time. He knew of something that could help before it was too late. He blasted off to go gather what was needed. Ratchet summoned his sons to his side, knowing that this would be the last that he would see them.

"You have all grown strong. You know that I don't have much longer so I say this now. I love you all. Your new siblings will need you to be there for them," Ratchet said with a small smile. He gasped and fell, Optimus going down with him and supporting him against his own frame.

"You're not really going to die on us Doc Bot, are you?" Miko asked from her spot next to the weakened medic.

"I'm afraid so Miko. I am glad to have you as part of our family. All of you," Ratchet said, looking down at the small humans. He reached down and wiped away her tears before moving onto Raf and finally Jack. The children grabbed onto his servo, crying into the cool metal. "I'm sure you can teach them about Earth."

"You were the best Ratch. Thanks for everything you've done for us," Raf choked out.

"Carrier, we haven't told anyone yet, but Jazz is sparked. I wanted you to be the first," Prowl said, his harden attitude fading away as he fought back tears. "I will make sure they know of you."

"Tell sire that we miss him," Barricade added in.

"It pains me to say this, but I must. Ratchet, I can feel how much pain you're in. You may go to the Allspark and rest. You deserve it," Optimus said quietly, reaching for the life support to shut it off. Ratchet stopped him and kissed him once last time.

"I love you Orion," Ratchet muttered tiredly, his servo gripping the black one.

"I love you too." Optimus took a breath and shut the machine off. Ratchet closed his optics, a hint of a smile on his faceplates. This was how he always wanted to die; surrounded by family and on his home world once more. Optimus finally allowed the built up liquid pour down his face and drip onto his love. That was it. Ratchet wasn't suffering anymore and was reunited with his first mate. He didn't notice when the machine was taken away and the rest leave.

"Hot Rod and Turnfire will have a wonderful future. I promise," Optimus whispered to the cooling frame brokenly. "I promise."