Author's note. A shorter chapter but I hope you all like it nonetheless.
Enjoy and please review.
Starscream shrieked with joy as he clung to Bumblebee's neck as the yellow bot ran about the place, leaping into the air and also spinning. He was having the time of his life as he rode piggyback style on the older bot's back. For a grounder, Bumblebee was very energetic.
"He sure looks like he's having a good time," Spike observed with a laugh.
Optimus chuckled at the boy's statement, the little Sparkling certainly did. And it warmed the Prime's Spark to see it, he wanted to put as much distance between the weeping Sparkling and this happy Sparkling as possible.
He knew he'd have to talk to Starscream about it but for now, he was content to watch.
After feeding Starscream and himself earlier, he had arranged with Bumblebee to have a day out with the Sparkling. Since this was Bumblebee's day off, he'd readily agreed with the condition that he bring Spike. As Starscream didn't mind the human's presence, this had been fine by Optimus. And so Bumblebee and Optimus had gone to collect him.
The young boy had been very shocked at the sight of Starscream as chirping figure in Optimus's arms but soon recovered. He had of course, already known about the Autobot Sparklings but since Starscream had only been with them since the previous day, he hadn't heard about the newest edition to the Sparklings.
But he'd been very excited about being actually able to see a Sparkling and hoped he could get to spend some proper time with him.
As Bumblebee suddenly scooped Starscream off his back and started tickling his tummy, Spike remarked.
"He's so different as a Sparkling."
"He is indeed," Optimus said as Starscream howled with laughter.
Spike looked at him, his eyes alive with curiosity.
"What are the others like, now that their Sparklings?"
"Much livelier," Optimus said with another chuckle as he remembered the previous day when Chromia and Ironhide had buried the twins in the sand.
"But also much more carefree, seemingly with no burdens," Optimus continued, trying to find the exact words to describe them.
"So much more..."
"Innocent?" Spike suggested.
"Yes," Optimus said softly. "So much more innocent."
He sighed.
"I miss them so much Spike, we all do. Ratchet's attitude, Skyfire's gentleness, Ironhide's loudness, Elita's..."
He couldn't finish that sentence but Spike just nodded knowingly.
"But at the same time, I am happy that their like this. They don't have to worry about anything, they have a loving Carer. It seems almost cruel to want to take that away from them and thrust them once more into a world of worry and responsibility."
"I think I get it," Spike said softly as Bumblebee started to carefully climb a log with Starscream firmly clinging on.
"You don't want to destroy this chance for them to be content."
He paused and then said.
"And something tells me you don't want to devastate Skywarp either by taking his kids away."
Optimus softly groaned at this.
"I dread that reaction more than anything. He truly cares for them and has been taking exceptional care of them. It would be a poor way to repay his kindness especially as all he wants are some Sparklings of his very own."
Spike chuckled at this.
"You'll think of something," Spike said with a confidence the Autobot leader didn't feel.
As he watched Bumblebee lift Starscream high into the air, he could only pray that Spike was right. And that he would find a solution to it all.
Meanwhile at the Nemesis.
"What do you think Starscream's up to at the moment?"
It was Skyfire who asked this question and his fellow Sparklings considered it.
They were in their playpen within the Rec Room while Skywarp and Thundercracker attended to their duties. They'd bemoaned being left like this but the two Seekers had been firm. They'd also sternly told the Sparklings that there was to be no wondering off or exploring. Not if they didn't want their little bottoms to be spanked.
They knew Skywarp really didn't want to carry out this threat so they resolved not to give him a reason to. Besides, they couldn't bear the thought of Megatron gloating over any punishment they received. So they were being good Sparklings and remaining in their playpen.
It wasn't all bad, they had plenty of toys to play with as well as drawing material. Chromia was currently trying to do a not very complementary portrait of Megatron. His helmet was much exaggerated and he had a huge scowl on his face but Chromia was very proud of it.
Ratchet was trying to build the world's biggest tower using the provided building blocks. So far, he's gotten it up to nearly his height but was now attempting to stabilise it. He was having mixed results, his tower kept wobbling so he had to keep grabbing it to make sure it didn't fall.
Ironhide was meanwhile playing with some action figures, mostly making them bash into each other while at the same time yelling. The yelling was meant to be the figures 'talking' but Ironhide never did anything by halves and was therefore doing everyone's 'talking' at once.
Elita was also playing with some action figures but instead of having them fight, was making them explore. They had so far tried to climb the high cliffs of their playpen, then helped Ratchet build before crossing the desert that was the floor.
She smiled at Skyfire who was just relaxing and hugging a teddy.
"I bet he's having fun with Optimus."
"He's lucky, he'll be able to eat all the Energon treats," Chromia said as she scribbled on her bit of paper.
"What treats?" Ironhide demanded, pausing in his epic battle.
Ratchet snorted.
"Everyone's got tweats, Ironhide, but only cute Sparklings get them."
"Ah am cute," Ironhide protested, waving an action figure in the air.
"Yeah, but you're not there," Ratchet pointed out with a smirk. "Those bots won't be able to wesist him."
"I think he'll be lonely," Skyfire said quietly and sadly.
"I wouldn't want to be there on my own, even though I really like everyone."
They all paused to think about this.
"You're right, I wouldn't like it either," Chromia declared as she finished her drawing with a flourish.
"There'd be no one to play with."
As Skyfire looked even sadder, Elita came over and patted his arm.
"He'll be okay, Optimus and the others will look after him."
"And we'll see him again soon, daddy pwomised," Ratchet added.
This statement cheered Skyfire up and he was soon smiling again.
Presently some Decepticons entered the Rec Room, and headed for the Energon dispenser. As they passed the playpen, Chromia started bouncing up and down to get their attention. They paused and sneered down at the Sparklings.
"What do you want kid?" one asked.
"I want you to look at my picture," Chromia said with a big smile before thrusting the picture at them.
They all blinked and then gaped. Despite its crudeness, it was clear who this was a picture of. A scowling Megatron waving his oversized arm cannon while seemingly to float in the air.
"Well, what do you think?" Chromia queried, still grinning.
"Uh, it's very...nice," one of them finally said, after glancing at his fellows.
"Yeah, nicely drawn," another said, his lips starting to tremble.
"You should definitely show Megatron, I'll bet he'll love it," a third added.
"Really?" Chromia said in delight as the Mechs seemed to struggle with something.
"Y-yes," one stuttered, shaking slightly. "Go for it."
And with that they turned and walked unsteadily away, strange sounds coming from them.
"Did you hear that?" Chromia announced proudly. "They liked my picture, I'm going to show it to Megatron when I next see him."
"It's a good likeness," Ironhide agreed with a snigger.
At that moment, Soundwave walked into the room, apparently making sure they were in their playpen.
"Oh, oh, Soundwave," Chromia said with excitement. "Could you give this to Megatron, please, please, please?"
"Query, what is it?" he rumbled, staring right down at her.
She grinned and held up the paper for him to take.
"It's a picture I drew, can you guess who it is?"
Considering it had the title 'Megatron by Chromia' written in huge red letters at the top, it wasn't hard for Soundwave to guess. His visor seemed to flicker for a moment before nodding.
"Very well, I will ensure Megatron gets this."
"Thanks, I think he'll love it," Chromia said confidently causing Soundwave to make an odd sounding cough.
"I'm sure he will," Soundwave said finally before marching away.
"Ya going ta draw something else now?" Ironhide asked as Chromia grabbed another sheet of paper.
"Yeah, but it's going to be of daddy," she said fondly. She couldn't wait to receive praise for that and hopefully an Energon treat. She did love her treats.
Elsewhere in the Nemesis.
"Ah, Soundwave," Megatron said as his TIC entered the Control Room.
"I've been thinking that it might be a good idea to make use of the environment we currently occupy. Surely we can put to use those powerful waves above us?"
Soundwave nodded in agreement and it was then that Megatron spotted the picture.
"Soundwave, what is that?"
"Answer, a picture for you."
"A picture?" Megatron repeated in confusion as he accepted the sheet from the navy blue Mech.
His jaw dropped as he was confronted by a picture of a large grey figure with ridiculous big red optics, wonky looking arm cannon and a squidgy purple insignia. The title proclaimed that it was him and had been drawn by that little brat Chromia.
"What is this?" he asked, his lip curling in disgust.
"A present from Sparkling Chromia," Soundwave replied before adding.
"It's meant to be you."
"I can see that," he snarled, tossing the paper away.
He glared at the offending object on the floor before stalking out the room. He called over his shoulder for Soundwave to follow. Soundwave did, but not before sending a comment to his Cassettes to retrieve the paper.
It later appeared on the Rec Room wall, in full view for everyone to see.
Author's note. Things continue to go well for Starscream until he suffers a flashback. Can Optimus and the others unlock his past or will it remain shrouded in shadow? Find out next time, until then.