Chapter 26
Disclaimer: If you can't tell that I don't own these guys after twenty five chapters, then you've got issues. I only own Nightshade. :D No suing, please, because I'm dirt poor.
And another thank you goes to LittleMewLugia for allowing me to borrow the term "sub-adult". If you want to use it, go ask her. Not me.
AND I've decided that there are different levels of society on Cybertron. They are kind of like castes, but they are divided based on skill and ability. Since I am uncreative, I will be using: alpha, beta, delta, gamma, and epsilon. Alpha is the one that requires the most dedication and responsibility – Prime and his advisors, along with some medical professions. Epsilon is the one that doesn't require nearly as much, like waste management. They are all equal in the eyes of law and society…they just have different pay.
And just so you know, Nightshade is not a brave femme. She's a right coward, that's what she is.
Bold is Cybertronian.
00000
Optimus felt his chest swell proudly as he looked over the gleaming metal city. Granted, they'd only finished four housing units and several storage units, but they had a massive city planned. The shuttles full of colonists and younglings were due in less than two months. Optimus sighed happily. An arm snaked around his waist and he looked down. Elita was standing beside him, leaning her head against his chest plates.
"It's beautiful, isn't it," he asked quietly, his optics roving over the freshly painted buildings. There was the beginning of a plaza a few hundred yards, along with a small park. Not only had they built homes for the autobots, but they had managed to build a few human sized homes.
Ratchet and Wheeljack had finished the nursery a few months ago. Sirius's twin charges, Ember and Evergreen, had both been upgraded into sub-adults. The poor mech now had to keep both femmes out of trouble, which was quite difficult. They were just as rambunctious and mischievous as the older set of twins. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had taken the femmes under their wings, promising to teach them everything they knew about pranks and how to cause mayhem. Ember and Evergreen were naturals at causing Red Alert's CPU to crash and not get caught doing it. As a result, Jazz had innocently offered to teach them the tricks of the spying business, and now no mech or femme in the base was safe from the twin femmes. Prime was beginning to think that Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were right little angels compared to those two. He shook his head slightly, a small smile gracing his faceplates.
Then Optimus's computing center moved on. Sirius had raised the twins by himself and he had come to care for them as if they were his own. Optimus wondered what it would be like to interact with a little one. Sure, he and Elita had kept an optic on Ember and Evergreen while Ratchet and Nightshade were out of commission, but it was only for a few days, and Elita had done most of the work. What would it be like to have a little one of his own? A little mech that he could teach how to fight, and to shoot, and to transform, and to-
"Optimus," Elita prompted, patting her mate gently. He had been staring off into the sky with a dazed smile on his face.
"What-oh. Yes?"
"You were day dreaming again," she said, smiling up at him. He shrugged slightly and embraced her tenderly, nuzzling the side of her neck.
"I was just thinking…"
"About what? You were gone for a few breems," Elita said, placing her hands on her hips.
"I was…never mind. You'll tell me that I'm silly," he said, a teasing smirk crossing his face. Elita only rolled her optics.
"I always think you're a silly mech, darling. Now tell me, or do I have to do this?" She slipped her fingers underneath the armor on his sides, tugging on the wires gently. Optimus gasped and managed to hold the laughter down. Elita jerked on the wires again, earning soft laughter from Optimus.
"Stop! I give! You crazy femme," he growled playfully, digging his own digits into her sides. She collapsed in silent laughter, batting his hands away. They eventually settled down underneath a large oak tree, basking in the setting sun. Elita rested her head against his chest plates. The soft droning hum of his systems and the steady beat of his fuel pump almost lulled her into recharge.
"Optimus…tell me," she said, craning her head to look up to him. He paused and pretended to think about it, stroking his chin plates gently.
"I don't know, Elita, you've been rather naughty…"
"Optimus!" Elita was scandalized. She had done nothing to merit being called naughty…yet.
"I'm just kidding…"
At her glare, he relented. A small smile crossed his face plates. Elita squeaked when he suddenly swept her into his arms, settling her across his lap. Damn being so much smaller than him, she thought, crossing her arms. She was a good six or seven feet shorter than him, and much more slender. This being said, he could easily pick her up with one hand. He used to tease her quite a bit about her size, comparing her to something called a firecracker. That was before she really showed him her temper. After staring down the business end of her weapon, he left her alone.
"Now, tell me."
"Elita…I was thinking…what would you say to starting a family unit?"
At his words, Elita felt her fuel pump freeze. Was he actually ready to have a sparkling of his own? Optimus felt Elita stiffen in his arms. He knew that she had wanted a little one of her own for the longest time.
"Don't frag with me, Optimus," she said quietly.
"I'm not…It's just that things are starting to slow down. I just wanted to know if you wanted to try-"
He was silenced by her lips on his.
"Yes."
00000
Chromia was accosted by Elita in the hallway. Elita grabbed Chromia's arm and dragged her into one of the nearby offices, ignoring the femme's protests. Chromia spluttered and yanked her arm from Elita's hand once they'd entered the office.
"Elita, I was talking to someone! What's with the smile on your face…does it have anything to do with that visit to the city? Oh, Primus, don't tell me you've already baptized one of the living quarters-"
"No, you dirty minded femme! Optimus just told me that he wanted to try for a sparkling!"
Chromia squealed, throwing her arms around her friend. Elita and Optimus's creation would be cute! Elita only giggled, only half-listening to her friend's babbling. Her computing center was whirling with errant thoughts – what would it look like? Would it be a mech or a femme? What colors were they going to pick?
"-you're so lucky, Ironhide just wants to interface. I should just give him an ultimatum: either we try for a little one or he doesn't get any more interfacing for the rest of his life…Are you listening to me?"
"No, I'm sorry. I kind of tuned you out after you said Ironhide only wants interfacing."
"Fragger – but seriously. I'm so happy for you, Elita! Have you decided on names? Or if you're going to have more than one? Or-"
"Chromia, slow down! We just decided to try for one yesterday! Calm your processes!"
"I can't help it. Sparklings…" she sighed heavily, remembering her duties as an attendant at one of the nurseries in Iacon. She had practically raised Bumblebee since he was a little spark. His femme creator did not survive long after the birth. She had been weakened by clashes in her firewall and energon converters. Consequently, her systems crashed shortly afterwards, sending her into a stasis lock that no one could rouse her from.
"I know, Chromia. But the shuttle's due in two or so months. Maybe you could convince Ironhide to help you create one," Elita said, shuttering one optic in a wink. Chromia giggled quietly, her computing center conjuring up methods of torture.
00000
The weeks went by far too quickly for Ratchet's liking. If he thought things were bad with just Sunstreaker and Sideswipe… He had gathered up all of the capable femmes on the base to discuss nursery duties with them. Six femmes had instantly volunteered themselves to be attendants for the little ones, including Nightshade. Ratchet felt his spark twist sadly at that. His mate had been longing for a sparkling since their first bond, but since her files were corrupted, they had both agreed not to try for one. It would save them, mostly Nightshade, from the spark-wrenching grief of false hope and disappointment.
Nightshade was currently going over the roster with Epsilon. Epsilon was much younger than Nightshade. In fact, she was barely out of her sub-adult stages. The tiny green and white femme was bright and eager, a breath of fresh air in the dreary stuffiness of being surrounded by mechs. Epsilon's good cheer was absolutely contagious and Nightshade soon found herself giggling along with the femme.
While Elita and Chromia both wanted to work in the nursery, they both realized that they could not simply drop their duties as commander and second in command. They had sent Moon Racer and Firestar in their stead. Why anyone would send Firestar into a nursery was beyond Nightshade. The crazy femme was just as good as Wheeljack at blowing things and herself up. Nightshade smirked at this thought – did Wheeljack have a mate? If not, she could probably set him up with Firestar…or not. Their offspring would have a penchant of blowing itself up at random opportunities. Nightshade had to stifle a giggle at the sudden image of a miniature Wheeljack building explosives from a tin can, batteries, and a spare bit of wire.
The little glitch would be perfect for Firestar and her eccentric behavior. As Nightshade mused, she walked around the nursery. It was a quaint little room, set off by cream colored walls and faux wood beneath her feet. Optimus had originally planned for the room to be white and grey, but Elita had wrestled the data pad from his hands and taken over decorating. The look on Prime's face was absolutely entertaining as Elita scrapped his well thought out plans. He had spluttered quietly but Elita had shot him a nasty glare. Once Optimus had relented, she began to rework the design to be a beautiful little room for younglings and sparklings alike to play in.
Epsilon started chattering once more, breaking the silence that had descended into the room. Nightshade felt a smile break out over her face plates. This little femme could brighten anyone's day.
00000
Optimus stood on the hillside with Elita by his side. He picked at his armor, crinkling his nasal plates in strong disapproval of the current situation. His armor was highly polished. In fact, it was so polished that Sam had commented on seeing his reflection in Optimus's aft. That had been before Optimus threatened to "accidentally" step in his flower beds. Sam had come to thought of his lawn and backyard almost like his father did, but that was an entirely different story. A loud noise startled him from his musings. The shuttle – more like ship – came into view over the horizon, easily distinguishable from the nighttime clouds by the vast array of twinkling lights on its belly. The lights on the landing strip flashed into life, a beacon to guide the colonists into their new home. The deafening roar of the engines did not deter any of the mechs or femmes in the welcoming party; in fact, it served to heighten the apprehension and excitement in the air. The vessel landed gently, a slight creaking noise coming from the landing gear. After what seemed to be an eternity, the ship's belly distended and a ramp silently extended to the ground. Optimus and Red Alert, along with Barricade, Ratchet, Jazz, and Prowl approached the ship. The human-and-femme half of the reception was kept a few hundred yards away. The ship had not made contact with them. As a result, there was no way of knowing if the mechs aboard the ship were as peaceful as they said they were.
Two tall figures appeared in the opening, set off by a blinding white square of light. They walked down the ramp, heads held high. They were another group of Neutrals. Curious amber optics roved over the surroundings before settling on the imposing figure of Optimus Prime. The first mech, the captain of the ship, bowed his head to Optimus, waiting for him to speak.
"Welcome home," Optimus finally managed to say, laying his hand on the mech's shoulder, a friendly gesture of camaraderie. The mech nodded, trying to speak.
"Thank you, sir, for extending your home to us," the captain said. He had been in outer space for so long, he had almost forgotten how sweet it was to feel solid land beneath his feet. He had almost forgotten how wonderful it was to have a light breeze caressing his armor. He had almost forgotten what his own kind looked like. Optimus squeezed the mech's shoulder gently, startling him out of his musing.
"Captain, I do believe introductions are in order. I am Optimus Prime, commander of our base. Prowl and Jazz are my second in command officers. This is Red Alert, my chief of security. This is Barricade, our covert-tactics specialist and his partner, Frenzy. Finally, this is Ratchet, our chief medical officer."
The mech nodded, absorbing the information. Then Optimus waved the femmes and humans over. Sam clutched at Mikaela's hand, tugging her closer to their newest group of arrivals. Will and Fig followed at a more sedate speed, hanging back so that Keller would not have to walk alone. There were several other humans associated with various other governmental positions who followed rather hesitantly. Not a single one of these humans were quite ready to accept that there were, in fact, aliens living among them. Artie, the president's assistant (now official liaison), followed eagerly, babbling nervously to one of the shortest femmes.
Elita and Chromia led the femme half of the group,
"This is my life mate and commander of the femmes, Elita One."
"I am Sigma," the mech said quietly, bowing to the femmes.
"I am pleased to meet you, Captain," Elita said, giving him a kind smile.
"Please, Commander. Call me Sigma."
"Then you shall have to call me Elita."
"As you wish, Elita."
"Ah, yes. This is my second in command, Chromia." Chromia shook the mech's hand heartily, greeting him politely.
"This is Firestar. She specializes in weapons, explosives, and destroying things." The black and orange femme waved cheerily, winking and blowing Sigma a subtle kiss. Sigma blushed a tiny bit, surprised at the femme's boldness. Elita rolled her optics and quietly chastised her before moving on.
"This is Beta, my third in command, navigations and communications specialist. The one hiding behind Beta is Moon Racer, medical officer and repairs specialist." Moon Racer and Beta both waved shyly, embarrassed by Elita's emphasis on their titles. Moon Racer sheepishly came out from behind Beta. The purple femme growled quietly at Moon Racer.
"Finally, this is Nightshade. She is also a medical officer and officer in the nursery." Nightshade blushed slightly and fidgeted, giving Sigma a bashful smile.
"I am honored to meet you all," he said, bowing low to the gathering of femmes, "Please let me introduce my second in command, Crosswise."
Nightshade froze and stared, her optics wide with shock and hope. The mech that had been hanging back in the shadows stepped forward, a pleasant smile on his face. He was a tall black and silver mech with glowing yellow optics. He greeted Optimus warmly before looking over the congregation of humans and femmes. His optics alighted on Nightshade and he froze, his optics wide in disbelief. Nightshade edged closer, reaching out to touch the mech's arm. Once she realized that he wasn't a cruel illusion, her face broke into a radiant grin. Then she flung her arms around him, sobbing quietly. She couldn't believe it, she honestly couldn't. After so many years apart, after centuries of not seeing his kind smile, she had thought him to be dead. Nightshade felt her spark sing at the fact that it wasn't a lie, that it wasn't an imposter, and she started laughing quietly.
"Nightshade, is that really you," the mech asked, stroking her back. Ratchet growled quietly, his hands clenching into fists. Jazz put a hand on Ratchet's shoulder, pulling him back gently. Harming a Neutral was a big no-no.
"I can't believe it's really you! After all these y-years," Nightshade said, managing to speak around her gentle sobbing. Her arms tightened around the mech's waist. Nightshade continued alternating between laughing and crying, spouting off exclamations of joy.
"Oh, my little sparkling…my little girl…How I've missed you," the mech mumbled quietly, holding his daughter close. Nightshade then began laughing quietly, kissing her father's cheek plate. She hugged him again, as though to reassure herself that he wasn't a hallucination.
"Don't call me that, daddy!"
Ratchet relaxed once he heard her exclaim that this strange mech was her father. Jazz grinned at him, knowing exactly what was going through the mech's processing unit.
"Oh, I have someone I'd like you to meet," Crosswise said, a mischievous look in his optic. Nightshade peered up at him, curiously. When he didn't move or speak, she grew impatient.
"Who is it? Who? Tell me!"
"Calm your processes, little one!"
There was a white blur and before Nightshade knew what was happening she was wrapped tightly in a pair of arms. Attached to these arms was a blubbering femme.
"Mother!"
"Oh, my little sparkling, you've grown so much! What are you doing here? I thought we sent you to Varxelm! And where is your dancer's emblem? Did you lose it? I knew I shouldn't have given it to you before you graduated – and you're absolutely filthy! What on Cybertron have you been doing? Is that a weld mark? Why are your optics blue? What's going on? Why are we out in the open like this?"
Nightshade blushed at her femme-creator's antics.
"Mother! One subject at a time! As for why I'm here, you should ask Optimus," she said, smirking over at the leader. Day Lily sent him a caustic glare. Optimus shrugged. It wasn't his fault that Nightshade had posed as a male. Then again, now he had something that he could use in his defense.
"He didn't recruit you, did he? Oh, Primus…you haven't been fighting, have you? Is that where that weld mark came from? Are you alright, darling? Do you hurt anywhere? Prime, where's your medic!"
"Mother! Calm down! Yes, I've been fighting. Yes, that's where I got the weld mark from. And yes, I'm fine! I don't hurt…oh. That reminds me-"
"Oh, that's good. I think. I don't approve of you fighting, young lady! You need to find yourself a good strong mech and settle down…hm…who was that mech that was pursuing you? I think his name was-"
"Lily! Nightshade does not need to be involved with a mech right now! She's too young," Crosswise interrupted gently, giving his bond-mate a stern glare. Then he noticed the look on Nightshade's face, one that spoke volumes of what she felt inside. She looked extremely nervous, a look of "oh, shit" plastered on her face.
"You're not involved with anyone, are you?"
"Uhm…kind of?"
"How involved is 'kind of', Nightshade? Don't tell me that you're already being courted by someone! This is splendid! Where is he? I want to meet him! What does he look like? What's his background? Does he have good breeding?"
Nightshade turned to Ratchet and waved him over, sending him a sheepish wave of apology through their bond. Ratchet approached, placing a hand on Nightshade's waist. He towered over the extremely petite Day Lily. Cross Wise looked down at the mech, his optics narrowed.
"He's very handsome, Nightshade, you picked well. He seems like he will be an excellent sire. He's quite tall. A bit too broad in the shoulders, but that can be forgiven…and red? Nightshade, I thought you liked blue mechs. Or did you give up on, oh…what is his name. Mirage, I think. I'm not sure. Oh, well. I suppose this one will do."
"He can hear you, mother. And Mirage is my best friend. I thought we already went over this."
Day Lily shrugged delicately, ignoring the look of mortification on her daughter's face and the shock on Ratchet's face plates. Bumblebee was sitting off to one side, quietly translating everything that was said for Sam and Mikaela. The two humans were convulsing in silent laughter at the thorough examination.
"He came from a very nice family. And quite wealthy, too. What does this one do? Don't tell me he's just a soldier, I don't approve of fighting. You know that very well."
"He's the chief medical officer-"
"A medic? I suppose that will do. Have you been looking at anyone else? I'm not too sure about this one, Nightshade darling. How about Leo? I know he's here-"
"Mother, please. Let me finish speaking," Nightshade asked quietly.
"Fine, go ahead. Just ignore me. I'm trying to help you find a nice mech to settle down with, and this is how I'm repaid? You are far too cheeky and impudent, Nightshade. What kind of mech are you going to attract? Some rude and callous one, I bet!"
Nightshade almost winced at just how correct her mother was. Ratchet was, indeed, rude and callous. Did her mother happen to know how to read logic centers? It seemed like it.
"Mother, father. May I introduce my bonded, Ratchet."
Day Lily broke off in the middle of her rambling muttering to stare at Nightshade. Crosswise choked quietly before turning furious optics to the femme. Then he glared at Ratchet. The frigid glare of absolute loathing sent a shiver down Ratchet's relay. He was so fragged.
"Bonded? As in, you've committed yourself to him?"
"Y-yes, daddy, and-"
"For the love of Primus, Nightshade, tell me that he's at least a beta. Please don't tell me he's an epsilon. Don't break your poor mother's spark."
"Actually, I was created from an alpha house, so you needn't worry, madam," Ratchet responded, bowing to the femme. Day Lily looked shocked but nodded, a happy smile crossing her face. Crosswise glared a bit more before speaking, his tone cold and angry.
"What was your purpose before the war?"
"I…I was a politician," Ratchet said, cursing his mild stutter. Crosswise was quite a large and powerful mech, probably twice what Ratchet was and could probably break him in half with his smallest finger. Crosswise snorted, a sharp noise of gears grinding.
"Let me guess…you managed the waste sector?"
"No, sir, I did not manage that. I was appointed as the main liaison between the High Council of Ancients and Prime before I was injured," Ratchet said, his optics narrowing slightly in defiance. Crosswise shook his head.
"Nightshade…a politician? I thought I raised you better than that."
"Father, he's a medic now," Nightshade said quietly and gently, rubbing behind her audio. The grip on her waist tightened a bit more as the two mechs glared at one another.
"At least he's an alpha," Day Lily piped up, feeling ignored.
"Day Lily! Our daughter has run off with some strange mech that we've never met! That's all you can say?!" Crosswise snapped, glaring at his bond-mate.
"Don't you dare talk to me like that, Crosswise! You will sleep out in the hallway if you keep that tone with me. He's a decent looking mech, he can obviously provide for her, and he seems reasonably intelligent. Besides, he's an alpha, just like you. If he's chief medical officer, he's obviously competent. Besides, he is Nightshade's spark-mate," Day Lily said delicately, giving her mate a scathing glare that made him back down.
"And you. How dare you touch my daughter! You didn't even bother to wait and see if she had any family left! Don't give me that look! Where do you think you're going, Nightshade?! I thought I raised you better! Where is Mirage? I'm going to kill that boy! He was your appointed guardian for a reason!" she growled, her optics glowing white. Day Lily's usually soft and melodic voice rose to a dull roar, punctuated with a few jabs to the chest for Ratchet and a solid wallop to the back of the head for Nightshade, who had been trying to duck behind her bonded. Day Lily looked around, noting how their family 'discussion' had attracted quite a bit of attention. She calmed instantly, clearing her throat softly.
"We will continue our discussion later. Nightshade, you will be coming with me. We need to have a talk. You may return to your mate once we are finished," Day Lily waved the mech away, ignoring the fact that he had opened his mouth to speak, "Come along, Nightshade."
"Mother…at least let me excuse myself," she protested weakly, cringing at the glare her mother sent her way.
"Fine, if you must," Day Lily said, giving a delicate sigh.
Nightshade wrapped her arms around Ratchet's waist, silently begging him for forgiveness.
"I'll see you later, Nightshade. I love you," he whispered quietly, kissing the top of her head. He ignored the angry noise from Crosswise and held Nightshade close to his chest. Her spark sang at the close contact, wanting much more than brushing up against him. He gave her an amused smile as he felt exactly what she wanted from him through their bond. Crosswise noticed their silent interaction and his optics narrowed just a hair further.
"Right…I love you too," she mumbled quietly, resting her cheek plates on his chest plates. Crosswise made a loud noise, fed up with the fact that Ratchet's paws were all over his precious little daughter.
"I'm terribly sorry to interrupt, but my mate and my daughter, and I must have a talk," Crosswise said frostily. Nightshade reluctantly let go of her mate, giving him a sad look. Day Lily grabbed Nightshade's arm and tugged her along, alternating between scolding her and scolding Crosswise for causing such a scene.
Ratchet heaved a great sigh before turning to the group standing a few dozen meters away.
"What?"
"Well…that was…uhm…interesting," Sigma said, his optics glittering with mirth. He had known that Crosswise and Daylily had had a child, but he hadn't known any specifics. Crosswise was an extremely protective mech…and his only child was a rare femme, which gave him all the more reason to be murderous to any male that looked at her.
"So…are we going to retrieve the little ones," Optimus said, hurriedly changing the topic to save Ratchet the embarrassment. The mech's optics brightened further, a smile crossing his face.
"Of course. They are all still in recharge. It's been a long trip. How many mechs and femmes are out here? We have twenty two younglings…I warn you now, they are a handful, so don't wake them up," Sigma said, hurrying into the ship. Optimus and the robotic half of the congregation followed, ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the very spacious and obviously very expensive ship. Sigma reached a door panel and typed in the code quickly. The door hissed back.
Okay, so maybe the younglings weren't in recharge. They were currently streaking around the room, screaming and laughing and throwing toys and holo-cubes, making a giant mess of the once pristine nursery. Two sparklings were settled on top of a toy storage unit, throwing their building blocks down at any sparkling stupid enough to come within throwing range. A group of twelve or so little ones were running around, screaming and playing a game similar to tag. There was one femme climbing a book case, trying to get to the energon sweet jar. Sigma's jaw dropped and his optics widened. They were never this badly behaved. Sigma cleared his throat and planted his fists on his hips. The younglings froze in their tracks, sheepish at having been caught in their actions.
"I thought you lot were supposed to be in recharge," he mock-growled, grinning down at the younglings.
"We was, but we want to pway," one bold little femme said, from her perch atop the shelving unit. Her hands and face plates were covered in the sweetened energon, the evidence of her successful climb. Sigma stared up at her. So that was where all the treats had gone.
"Get down from there, little one. We've arrived at the base and you've made a bad impression. I might just leave you locked in here until you learn to behave," he said teasingly and gently, his face impassive and serious. He turned from the door, pretending to shut it.
"NO nononono!" The screams of protest from the little ones were deafening. They immediately began to cry, begging not to be locked in the room any longer, they'd behave, they promised. Sigma shook his head – he was getting too old for this.
"I was only playing. Now get in line, follow me, and behave. Optimus has a dark and scary jail cell and I'll lock the naughty ones in there," Sigma said, pointing at the ground by his feet. Optimus snickered quietly, watching as the younglings fell into line immediately. The last youngling was probably the most adorable one in the room. She had her tiny hand in her mouth and her golden optics were wide in excitement and apprehension. Behind her she dragged a stuffed creature, something they had probably seen on their travels.
The little one paused as she passed by Optimus, craning her head up to look at the towering mech. She took her hand out of her mouth, dropping it to her side.
"Are you Op-miss Pwime?" At the youngling's words, Optimus felt his spark melt in its casing. This little creation was simply too adorable. He knelt beside the little one.
"Why, yes I am. And you are?"
"I'm Starlight," the little femme said. Optimus chuckled quietly before standing up. Starlight put her hands in the air, her optics wide. Optimus felt his fuel pump falter at the sight of the tiny grey-and-ice blue femme standing there, almost begging for attention.
"Alright, I'll carry you, little one," Optimus said, gently hefting the youngling into his arm and against his chest. She squealed happily and cuddled her stuffed toy close. Optimus began walking and Starlight began to chirp and click in earnest, taking in all the wonderful things outside of the ship.
"What that?" The youngling's optics were wide in astonishment and apprehension, and perhaps even fright.
"That, my dear, is called a human," Optimus explained. The little femme nodded, sticking her hand back into her mouth. She shyly buried her face into his neck when the other mechs and femmes noticed Optimus carrying a sparkling. Elita almost melted at the sight of her mate, elation radiating from her spark. Chromia squealed happily, giving Ironhide a pointed look. Ironhide pretended not to notice and instead chatted with Sigma.
00000
"Mother! Where are we going! Let go of me," Nightshade hissed, yanking her arm from her femme-creator's death grip. Day Lily whirled around, her optics narrowed. Nightshade then gulped quietly. She had almost forgotten just how short of a temper her femme-creator had. Perhaps it would be best if she kept quiet.
"You, young lady, are in trouble. Crosswise, go back to the ship while I have a chat with your daughter," Day Lily said sweetly, smiling up at her mate. Crosswise frowned slightly.
"My daughter? She inherited your temper and compulsiveness – I…I'll just shut up now," Crosswise then scurried away from the seething femme. He loved his mate dearly but sometimes she was a bit too much for him to handle. This was one of those moments when he knew to keep his vocalizers off. Day Lily waited until her mate was well out of hearing range before she turned to Nightshade. Nightshade cringed slightly. These were her last few moments as a happily bonded femme, she knew it. Why hadn't she told Ratchet about the fact that she thought-
"Nightshade, I just want you to know that I approve of him. I used to know his creators. They are…were wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I-I…I miss them dearly," Day Lily said quietly, folding her hands in front of her. Nightshade peered from between her fingers. In a futile attempt to lengthen her time alive, she had covered her optics…not that it would have done much good against the femme, but it was still worth the effort.
"You've grown up too quickly, my dear. I remember when you were nothing but a bundle of wires…" There was a soft sigh from the reminiscing femme. Day Lily shook her head gently to shake the ghosts of the past from her computing center. Nightshade wrapped her arms around her femme-creator, silently thanking her for her approval of Ratchet…now all she had to do was get her father to approve of him and they'd be fine.
"So, Nightshade…when are you going to have a sparkling? Are you two trying?"
Day Lily ignored the fact that Nightshade froze and continued prattling on about nurseries and potential names. Day Lily was broken from her rambling by a soft sound. Nightshade was wordlessly sobbing into her hands, her shoulders rocking gently. Her optics went wide and Day Lily immediately tried to soothe her.
"Darling, what's the matter? Why are you so upset? Sit down – talk to me. What's got you on the fritz, my little Nightshade?"
"I-I can't…"
"You can't what, darling?"
"I-I can't.
"I don't understand, Nightshade. Please, tell me what's the matter."
"I-I can't…conceive...I was injured..." Her voice had faded to nothing more than a whisper, the anguish pouring from her words. Day Lily gasped quietly before hugging her daughter close. Nightshade began pouring her story out to Day Lily, beginning at the very beginning when she'd been delivered to Ratchet as nothing more than an eager rookie (leaving out the fact that she had been disguised as a male). She hadn't even known that she was destined to become Ratchet's mate, she only knew that strange fluttering feeling in her chest. Her mother nodded, understanding the uncertainty that usually accompanied finding one's spark-mate.
"But what happened, Nightshade?"
"Elita, Chromia, and I were kidnapped. There was a mech…his name was Starscream…he…broke our bond…Ratchet arrived in time to keep him from forcing me to bond with him…"
Nightshade shuddered quietly, Day Lily's soft and understanding look encouraging her to continue on with her story.
"I…I managed to initiate a system shut down if he touched my spark…Chromia tried to hack into my systems before my carrying files were deleted but…I don't think she made it in time. We think they've been corrupted. And Ratchet and I have decided not to even try."
Day Lily only held her daughter close to her and cried along with her.
00000
AllSpark watched the reunited family unit with a small smile on his face. He had earned his father's forgiveness. Before he left, he was going to fix some of the things he had broken. Hacking into the computers, he fixed faulty scanners and optimized camera usage. The mech known as Red Alert would now be able to spend more time with his mate. AllSpark continued wandering through the files, contemplating. He was going to miss this lot. Sure, he'd put them through Pit and back, but it was nothing that he couldn't fix. AllSpark then realized that he had broken an important rule: do not get attached to your appointees. He smiled. These few were worth it and he felt a need to make up to them what he had done to them.
He then began to gently scan their minds, interested in what was happening. He paused before giving Mirage a quick boost of courage. The poor mech was in dire need of it. Prime and Elita were trying for a little one? It would have been nice if he could have increased her fertility, but he could not interfere with their natural processes. First, he couldn't. He didn't have that kind of power. Secondly, his father would have his head on a platter. It was not his place to decide whether new life was created. He could only increase the probability that they would mate. With that mischievous thought, he began channeling extra energy to Elita's reproductive files, sending them into a flaring frenzy. Poor Optimus would have his hands full for the next few days. AllSpark began to wander around their group, smiling at the obvious joy that engulfed them. Fixing their broken things was well worth it.
With a heavy (but happy) sigh, AllSpark withdrew quietly. Before he left for good, AllSpark rebuilt the remains of his corporeal body. No one would ever know that he was a sentient being. He smiled as the planet began to recede slowly. He had dutifully completed his tasks…now he could rest…
00000
Yeah, yeah, I know I promised no more sadness, but I couldn't help it. Besides, she gets her family back. What more could she ask for? Just in case you didn't know, we found out that Crosswise and Day Lily were Night's creators in like, chapter one. :O I based Day Lily off of my mother…she's terrifying. She could make Megatron cry like a baby.
(headdesk)
These chapters keep getting longer and longer…