Author's note. The Saprklings throw their first proper tantrum in this chapter, how does that go? Read on to find out.
Enjoy and please review.
"No, no, no," the little white sparkling bawled, hitting his little fists on the floor while kicking his legs.
Thundercacker winced as he held a struggling Ironhide in his arms, this was not going well.
When the Aubotot Sparklings had woken up earlier, they'd immediately noticed that one of them was missing and of course wanted to know where he was. Since Skywarp hadn't been back from the Med Bay yet, it had been left to Thundercracker to explain that the little Shuttle was ill.
They'd accepted that, though they'd been worried and settled down to watch a cartoon as Thudnercracker collapsed back on the berth. Being woken up by four Sparklings yelling was not the best start to the day.
Finally, Skywarp had returned and he was instantly set upon by the four miniature Autobots demanding to know what was wrong with Skyfire. The purple Seeker had explained that Skyfire was very ill with a virus and wouldn't be able to come back while he was still infectious. They'd accepted this, though they hadn't been very happy about it.
The fallout didn't happen until they learned that the only way for Skyfire to get better was to go and live with Starscream while the white Seeker tried to find a cure.
The two Femmes had started wailing that Starscream, far from curing their friend, was going to torture him in all sorts of mean and nasty ways. The two Mechs had decided to voice their displeasure in the loudest most violent way possible.
Skywarp and Thundercracker were trying to calm them all down, unfortunately there was only two of them and four Sparklings. Skywarp had his arms around the Femmes and was trying to shush them, but it wasn't working.
Meanwhile, Ratchet was screaming his vocal cords out as he flailed on the floor and Thundercracker couldn't reach him as he was too busy trying to keep Ironhide under control And failing by the breem.
"You can't do this," Ratchet yelled. "Starscweam's gonna hurt Skyfire, he hates him."
"Let me go, let me go," Ironhide yelled at the same time, squirming madly. "Ah'm gonna punch that damn Seeker if he tried anything funny with Skyfire."
"Daddy, why are you doing this?" Chromia tearfully wailed, as Elita nodded rapidly. "We can take care of Skyfire, not that mean ole Seeker."
"I'm sorry babies," Skywarp said sorrowfully. "But there's no other option, Starscream's the only one with the knowledge to help Skyfire. I promise Skyfire won't be hurt."
"You pwomise but what about Starscweam?" asked Ratchet in a screech that would have done the white Seeker proud. "He's the most backstabbing Mech this side of the Galaxy, he's going to get out of it and be mean to Skyfire."
"No he's not," Skywarp insisted. "I spoke to Megatron earlier, he's going to make sure Starscream doesn't try anything, trust me, Megatron knows how to get Starscream to toe the line."
The two Femmes by now were a bit worn after all their crying and now just slumped in Skywarp's arms, sniffling. Ironhide, though still had some rage to burn, so Thundercracker tried a trick that he had once seen a Mech with his son use on Cybertron. Grabbing the little red Mech's ankles, he hung him upside down and waited.
Ironhide yelled even louder, demanding to be let down so that he could pound some Con, and then preferably blow something up. And he wasn't picky what he blew up as long as it was something.
Seeing that Ratchet was also going strong, Skywarp sighed and picked up Chromia and Elita to deposit them on the berth, wrapping a blanket round them. He then went over to the angry Medic, and taking him by his ankles, lifted him up.
Both Seekers waited as the two Mechlings thrashed and screamed as they were held in the unorthodox position. But finally, they wore themselves out and just hung limply, tears streaming from their optics and splashing onto the ground below.
Seeing that they were down, the two Seekers turned them the right way up and hugged them, rubbing the little Mechs back. Ratchet and Ironhide hiccupped, as they wrapped their arms around the Seekers necks and held on tightly, they felt very drained. Eventually, Skywarp said.
"There now, that's better. Everything's going to be alright," he said nuzzling Ratchet. "Let's get you some Energon and then we're going for a little walk."
The Sparklings didn't make nay ore fuss, after having their faces wiped, they obediently drank their morning Energon and in no time at all, were being led down the corridor. They held tightly to Skywarp and Thundercracker's hands as they passed various Decepticons who bestowed amused sneers on them but said nothing.
"Where are we going?" Elita finally asked as they past Bombshell who hissed in Chromia's direction. The little blue Femme just stuck her glossia out and smugly continued walking.
"To the Rec Room, me and TC have work to do today," Skywarp answered with a smile.
"What are you going to be doing?" asked Ratchet on Skywarp's other side.
"Just boring duties," Skywarp laughed. "I don't think any of us is going out today, we've got enough Energon for the moment."
The Sparklings frowned slightly at this, going out meant a raid on a human power plant which the Autobots would have to defend. They didn't like to think what would happen when the Decepticons did go out, it wouldn't be pleasant.
As they were finally led into the Rec Room the first thing they saw was what looked like some sort of pen set in one corner. In the next instant, they had worked out what it was for.
"Aw hell no," Ironhide groaned. "Not a play pen."
"Language," came a stern voice and they saw Soundwave giving them a serve look as he fed Ravage and Laserbeak.
Ironhide winced, remembering how he had been spanked by Soundwave but he couldn't help but pout a little as he and the other Saprklings were led to the play pen. One by one, they were lifted into it and the four of them grumpily sat down, looking very disgruntled.
"Be good," Skywarp said, leaning in to pat them on the head. "I've left some toys and data pads for you, so you should be okay till we get back."
"You're to stay in there, understand?" Thundercracker said sternly. "If we find you out of it, there'll be no treats tonight and that includes TV, alright."
"Yes," the Saprklings mumbled, they couldn't try anything with Soundwave in the room any way.
Skywarp beamed.
"That's my babies, see you later."
And with that, he and Thundercacker left the room, leaving the Sparklings gloomily contemplating their fate.
Author's note. In the next chapter, the Sparklings try to escape and we find out what's happening with Skyfire and Starscream. Till then.