It's a new school term for me, new challenges, new friends and...new problems. My schedule is tight! I have to help the president of the choir club almost everyday and help her train the others every friday, I have to make sure I finish TONS of homework if I don't want to get caught in the assembly and probably make a fool out of myself, finish the folios in time, do school projects, send off some of my artwork to the magazine, do chores if I want extra cash and update.

I even have co-curiculums I have to worry about which would take until evening! I'm telling you, life can be tough here. But we're not here to talk about my high school life are we? No, we're here to talk about the twins and their days with Sides still stuck as a sparkling.

So please, do read and enjoy yourselves.

After recovering from the terrible virus that attcked him a couple of days ago, Ratchet had deemed Sunstreaker to be fit enough to be out of the medbay with an extra note 'if you ever do anything so stupid again I'll just throw you into the ocean and let those cleaning shrimps clear you up!' Yea..Sunstreaker had to access the Internet for said cleaning shrimps.

Sideswipe is on the other hand seems to be ecstatic now that his brother constantly stayed by his side. Their bond flared powerfully between them and the sparkling now learns how to project his care for Sunstreaker. Before he could do that, the bond is like a one-way trip that only allows the yellow mech to access Sideswipe's emotions and feelings.

"Sunny?" the sparkling's voice snaps Sunstreaker's thoughts away to bring him back to reality. Apparently he could feel the empty void that have now disappeared from Sunstreaker's spark.

"What is it Sides?" he ask his brother, trying to sound as soothing as possible. Sideswipe reach out his arms, an indication that he wants to be picked to which Sunstreaker complied and hug him close, even planting a kiss on the tiny sparkling's cheeks.

"Sunny sad... Wrong?" came the squeaky reply. Sunstreaker couldn't meet those innocent optics. Sideswipe just wants to know if there's anything wrong and nothing else, he's only worried for the mech he trusted most.

"Nothing, I'm just missing someone, a bot close to me," Sunstreaker assured the mechling. Sideswipe pouts cutely, not believing what he had heard. Sunstreaker saw his look and flick the tiny nasal playfully.

"Don't look at me that way, I know what I'm saying. And in fact, I think you know him,"

Sideswipe's face turned confused and tilts his head to the side. His memroy bank searching through files and list out the Autobots' names one by one, but there's too many to ask whom.

"Who?"

A smile made its way to Sunstreaker face and he gently poke a finger at Sideswipe's chest where his spark is located. "A bot who's got the same spark as you, and also the half of mine,"

Sideswipe continues to blink confusedly at him, nothing came up in his memory files. Sunstreaker chuckled lightly and placed his brother on his lap and a hand on his back making sure Sideswipe doesn't fall down.

"He's a bit crazy, always pranking, begging for my help and use force when I refused. His pranks are harmless, but at times it can be dangerous when something goes wrong. I don't know why he does all those silly things but now I do. He's just trying to lift our spirit in this dark war and putting a smile on our face,"

Sideswipe seems interested in this particular bot. He seems fun to be with though he still prefers to be with Sunstreaker. The sparkling urge said yellow mech to continue by patting his thigh. Sunstreaker pats Sideswipe's helm with a bitter smile. His optics even start to turn glassy as coolant pump behind the glass.

"I don't really show affection for him as a sibling, I barely do. But apparently he looks up to me as one and I don't acknowledge it..."

Sighing and closing his optics, Sunstreaker finally realize his mistakes. What kind of a brother is he. Sure he cares for his brother, but to what degree? He only protects the red hellion while they're in the Gladiator Pits and running away from enforcers, fighting and killing just to get a cube of energon.

Flashes of memory start to appear behind his optics.

"Say uncle or I'll shove your nose in your afterburners!"

"Don't worry, no one will notice it if you just make left turns.."

"Hey, check out this move, YEEHAAWW!"

"Listen, I got search instinct like a proton-powered pathfinder.."

The final memory made Sunstreaker chuckle. Sideswipe can really convince others about something he didn't even plan out. Digging through rocks? Good thing Prime burst it through so they both could get those 'Cons. Once again, a couple of soft pats brought him back to reality. Sideswipe's worried face staring at him.

"Let's get some air, I don't like staying inside too much lately," smile Sunstreaker warmly. No thanks to the Hatchet... Came the frustrated thought. Medics can be scary, no matter what species they are. Standing up, he gathers Sideswipe into his arms and walk over to the entrance and went out before anyone could walk in.

The yellow mech went over to a clearing not far from the Ark where a large tree is situated. It's the same place he'd go when he needs some time alone. Lately it's been with Sideswipe and the sparkling loves the tree and the insects and frogs he could find by the grass. He'd try to capture them but he kept squishing it accidently.

"I want Sideswipe back..." whisper the yellow mech silently so that the sparkling won't hear him. The laziness of the day start to blow over his and Sideswipe's frame and their recharge cycle starts to activate. A few more minutes, both brothers are recharging under the tree, Sideswipe being held firmly in Sunstreaker's arms and his head pressed to the yellow chassis so he could hear the hypnotizing spark rhythm.

888

Hours later, Sunstreaker wakes up with a sudden jolt through his frame and found Sideswipe crying in pain, curled up into a ball on his chest. He shook away the ringing in his audios to coo at the sobbing mechling. Checking his system, he notice everything is working in perfect order, even Sideswipe's systems aren't malfunctioning.

"What the frag was that just now..?" he mutter confusedly. Taking Sideswipe with him back to the Ark, he decide to have Ratchet check on both of them, just in case a glitch is running through.

"Sunny..?" chirp the little mech. Sunstreaker smile down at him and stroke the little helm affectionately. Sideswipe curl up more into a ball in his brother's arms and went into a light recharge when the older mech starts to massage his sensitive receptors.

Looking around as he make sure that no one is present, Sunstreaker made a beeline towards the medbay and later on maybe the lab so he could see how far the decoding has gone. But before he could do any of that, he needs to put Sideswipe away first, the sparkling has a tendecy to wake up at the most inappropriate time.

Once he reached his room, Sunstreaker wasted no time in tucking his brother and went out just as silently towards the medbay.

888

"Are you sure that's what you felt?' ask the CMO once he finshed scanning the frontliner. Sunstreaker closed his sparkchamber and nods sharply. Ratchet cycle a long breath of air and start to go through medical files in his processor. "And nothing else?"

"I think Sideswipe could feel it as well. Like I said, I was just recharging when the pain came and disappeared just as fast. When I came to, Sideswipe was crying, nothing more,"

Ratchet continue to look at the frontliner intensely and placed the scanner on a tray. "From what I can tell, you got no glitch or any other system failure. But I have to check with Sideswipe just in case the pain was from him but you felt it,"

"He's recharging, I'm not going to wake him,"

"Do as I told unless you really don't care about your brother's health and ignoring any minute symptom that you can't detect but I can.."

Sunstreaker went completely silent. A minute symptom that he couldn't detect..? There's no such way, they're both connected and knows each other inside out, no glitch would escape him if Sideswipe were to have it.. But he wouldn't want to wake up his brother, that'll make him worry more.

"You know it's useless to hide him from me. I can break through your door using the medic's code or have Red Alert bypass it. And whatever I say goes, got that?" Ratchet grins ferally. Sunstreaker twitched slightly and hung his head in defeat.

"Fine...whatever.."

Sparing a final glance at the boasting medic, Sunstreaker went out to retrieve his brother. As much as he hates medical checkup, scheduled or not, Ratchet always have it his way so that everyone would follow his orders. After a while, he reached his room and went in. Sunstreaker carefully scoops Sideswipe into his arms and took him to Ratchet where the medic is already prepared with the scanner.

"Not a minute too soon. Put him there and I'll just do a couple of swipes, if I find something I'll tell you,"

Sunstreaker did as he was told and stand back, letting Ratchet does his work. After the scan, Ratchet uploads the data into his computer so it'll be easier for him to know if there's anything wrong. Moments later, he turn his attention to the anxiously waiting Sunstreaker.

"He's fine. Systems at 100% capability,"

The air that Sunstreaker didn't even realize he's ben holding in was let out in a grateful sigh. As he step closer to retrieve his brother's sleeping form, another jolt coursed through his systems, this time it's longer and a faint blue glow pulse around his frame and Sideswipe's. Ratchet stares in horror when the reading on his computer blared to life, indicating a sudden spark surge between the two brothers.

"R-Ratch..et..! What's-..?" A scream erupted from Sunstreaker's shuddering frame and he collapse to the floor. Ratchet went for him and scan for any casualties but once again, the result shows that neither of them are malfunctioning, but their sparks are getting weaker.

"Primus...this can't be true.." mutter Ratchet in absolute horror now he finally knew what's going on between them.

888

"But Ratchet, we can't put Sideswipe in yet, the virus is still there! If Sideswipe wouldn't survive in the aging process, Sunstreaker would perish along with him!"

Perceptor tried his very best to not let Ratchet go on with the aging process too soon but the CMO is determined to get Sideswipe back to normal as quickly as he could. He had gathered his medical staff and the Ark's scientist to a sudden meeting regarding the twins' health. So far the persuading and begging isn't working. Instead, his expression just turn darker.

"Perceptor, LISTEN. Those two are in trouble and turning Sideswipe back to normal is the only way for them to survive!" growls the CMO. "I've detected an oddness in their spark pulse and believe me when I say, it's getting irregular,"

There was a few gasps from his medical team, alerting Ratchet that they know what he's talking about and the result for the irregular patterns can be deadly.

"What are you talking about Ratchet? What is going on?" Perceptor now is getting worried when the air starts to get electric and he's got no clue what they're talking about. "If it's a glitch, I'm sure you'll be able to-.."

"This isn't a glitch. It's the result of a bond being strained beyond limit, bonded and twins always have it when they're too far for too long,"

"Sideswipe's been with Sunstreaker most of the time, how can they have the Bond Break symptom?" Skyfire adds in. He's heard about this while he's on Cybertron, although it's quite rare and the datas of it are too little to make research.

"That's what escaped me at first, but when I saw their sparks surge and the blue glow around them, I knew it at once. Bond Break happens only when a bond is being strained not to see or feel it's other half for a length of time, whether it be distance or time, in the twins' case, their bond is being strained because Sunstreaker couldn't feel his brother's true end,"

"Ratchet..I don't understand, twins share a connection to each other straight to the spark, so how can there be a true end and a false end?" Perceptor questioned out.

"You see, from what I've heard from Sunstreaker himself, their bond change from one form of the other. Their bond follows their life and personality. When young, their attitude are almost equal and each side would have nearly accurate pulse. But as they grow, Sunstreaker's end will be quieter and the sensitivity will be sharper than Sideswipe's own loud and energetic end,"

"I think I got it, when Sideswipe suddenly turned into a sparkling, his end is nothing but new and soft. After a while, Sunstreaker's spark demands Sideswipe's true age for it not to extinguish!" Wheeljack cried out in horror.

Everyone went silent when the realization dawns upon them.

"We need to get that thing done, stat! Alright, bypass the code and put in the strongest anti-virus we could find, attack that piece of slag with everything we got! Sunstreaker doesn't have much time nor is Sideswipe, we're walking on a time bomb here so work fast, let's go!" Ratchet ordered everyone and they quickly went off to find the anti-virus and the starter.

888

Sunstreaker had stayed in the medbay after his systems went crazy along with Sideswipe. The sparkling is currently on an energon supply directly to his body, the previous pain had knocked him out of commission and Ratchet isn't taking any risk for the young life.

A soft hiss made the frontliner turn to see Ratchet walking in. "Glad you're awake, anything happened?"

"No, can we go now? I need to get myself some energon," reply the Lamborghini casually. Ratchet stare at him pointedly and nods sharply. He disconnects the detector from Sunstreaker's frame and push him out.

"Get your energon and come back, wouldn't want that thing to happen in the rec room and scare the slag out of everyone,"

"You know I'm not the type to just roll over and die. I'm sure that was nothing," grin Sunstreaker with pride. Ratchet didn't even turn his way when he said that, instead just stare at the computer screen.

"Just listen to me, just this once. That wasn't a glitch or malfunction, it's way worse than that so I'm telling you, get your energon and come back," order the CMO quietly. His voice isn't pleading or threatning. Sunstreaker pressed his mouth in a thin line, his circuits froze when Ratchet had spoken to him in that volume.

Turning to leave, the Lamborghini had to wonder what is going on that he's not getting any info on..

888

"Hey Sunstreaker, where have you been? You should've seen Smokey here wipe Hound clean," laugh Blaster at the newly arrived mech. Beside him, Hound groan and bashed his helmon the table as Smokescreen grins triumphantly. Sunstreaker didn't even acknowledge any of them in the rec room, he suddenly felt strange..

His optics went wide when he notices that his hands are starting to glow blue and the waves of pain start to ripple over his frame. He clutch his chestplates just as another current shook him and made him fell for his knees. Everyone now turn their attention to the screaming and sparkling frontliner.

"What's going on!" Jazz suddenly came to view and saw Sunstreaker grunting to get up on his feet even with his body still jolting with electricity and a blue glow. "Frag.. Call Rachet NOW!"

Mirage immediately did so just as Sunstreaker let out another agonizing scream and crash to the floor, the blue glow and crackles of electricity now gone and his optics turn dark, an indication that he's in stasis lock. Everyone crowd around the mech to make sure he's still alive when Ratchet elbowed in.

"I knew this is going to happen, I saw it on Sideswipe.. The blue glow, electricity..we can't continue at this anymore. All of you return to your shifts, I'll deal with this," Ratchet then opens a private line to First Aid.

/: Aid, I need you to bring a hover stretcher to the rec room, Sunstreaker's fallen unconscious and I need you to look at him. :/

/: Of course, but how about you? :/

/: I need to make sure this is the last surge. It's getting stronger and one more of this, it could kill Sideswipe.. :/

Turning off the link, he waits for First Aid to arrive with the stretcher as he kicks the rest of the occupants out. A couple of minutes passed and First Aid arrived. The two medics carried Sunstreaker's form onto the stretcher and went off without a word.

888

"How is the machine going?" Ratchet ask as he step into the lab. Perceptor is tweaking a few wires to make sure it's properly installed while Wheeljack is uploading the anti-virus into the computer.

"It's going great, the virus is already losing the battle and I think this might be it. After a while, we'll be able to turn Sideswipe back to normal," chirp the engineer merrily.

"The sooner the better. Those surges are getting stronger after each one and Sideswipe's life is at the line. When you're done, tell me and I'll bring Sideswipe over,"

"Aye sir!"

Ratchet left the scientists to do their work and return to the medbay only to find Sunstreaker cradling his brother who's enveloped in a thermal blanket. The maternal programming seems to be taking over for a moment when he notices Sideswipe's dire condition.

"First Aid..." he called out. His apprentice went to his side quickly like he's trying to stay away from Sunstreaker. Ratchet quirk a metal brow at his junior curiously. "What happened?"

"I have no idea. When you left for the lab he was fine, but when he saw Sideswipe, his expression changed like I was an enemy. I tried taking him back but Sunstreaker wouldn't let me near," replied the terrified medic. Ratchet pats his head and step forward with a wrench ready in hand.

"Sunstreaker? Can you process what I'm saying?"

The yellow mech turn his way and nods his head. Ratchet lowered his tool with a relief sigh. The programme is only inniciated to nurture Sideswipe, not protect him. If both were inniciated then First Aid might not be walking by this moment.

"Your brother is fine. I need you to feed him, make his energy sufficient for the aging process,"

"But you said it's not complete just yet..." Sunstreaker points out stonily. His voice shows no emotion that could be read. Ratchet braced himself to explain the dangerous situation the brothers are in.

888

"WHAT? You're saying that if he doesn't get back to normal soon, our bond would dissipate and we'll die?" Sunstreaker all but shriek at Ratchet. The CMO knew this was coming so he tuned his audios down, sad for First Aid though, poor kid rubbing his abused audios.

"Yes Sunstreaker, that's what would happen. The system strain that has been going on with the both of you lately is because of your sparks no longer in sync with each other. Normally bonded and twins would have equal sparkbeats but since he's like this, it can't keep up anymore,"

"Explanations..please.." said the yellow mech tiredly as he massage his nasal.

"How to make it sound simple so you could understand..?" mused Ratchet while Sunstreaker glare the fiery Pits at him. "Connected sparks have equal beats at the same time, like they're one bot. Your spark is still in it's usual rythm to accomodate your frame which is slower. When Sideswipe turned into a sparkling, his beat increases, so it's out of rythm with yours,"

"When the tempo is knocked out, your bond can't follow the sudden change and it will slowly fall to pieces. The surges are the result of the bond slowly dissipating into nothing," First Aid cheerfully adds in. Ratchet gave a sideways glance at the junior medic that made him stop, stare and turn away without a word.

"Like First Aid said, no tempo, no spark, no life. Can you feel anything at Sideswipe's end?"

Sunstreaker concentrated to push his brother's end, but it doesn't feel right. He felt Sideswipe, but it's as if he's going through a thick fog just to feel him. And getting to the other side isn't easy either, he had to push through a blockage that appeared out of nowhere. Sideswipe's just a kid, he doesn't get a full grip of the bond yet let alone know how to create a mental wall..

"Yea but..it's hard and empty.." reply the mech with uncertainty. He forced through again but each time it gets harder abd the mental fog just gets thicker. His spark ache at the pressure but he kept going. Sideswipe would be nothing if he doesn't get any emotion through their bond.

"Stop, Sunstreaker. Doing that would increase the velocity of your spark strain and I'm NOT loosing the both of you. Sunstreaker look up at the medic with a pained expression and slowly nods his head. Ratchet tried to make a move for Sideswipe but apparently Sunstreaker still won't give him up.

"Fine! Hold him but I will take him from you once the machine is done. If you still won't give him then I'll just have to sedate you to the next century!" growl the medic. Sunstreaker continues to glare at him and hug his brother tighter until the tiny mech squeaks when he felt pressure on his frame.

"Leave us alone.." he whispered tiredly. Ratchet sighs and comply the request, pulling First Aid along with him to leave the two brothers alone. Once they're gone, Sunstreaker rock his brother back and forth with one arm with the other peeks through the blanket to see Sideswipe's serene face. The sparkling is sleeping peacefully despite he had two spark strain a couple of hours ago.

Kissing his brother lightly on the helm so he wouldn't wake up, Sunstreaker hold him close and went into a recharge of his own.

888

Pain..he felt pain.. Creeping up from his sparkchamber, down to his spinal columns and spreading throughout his frame. He knew Sideswipe could feel it as well, he want to get to his brother but the pain is too much he could only scream.

The volume is so loud that footsteps quickly rush to the medbay to check on both mechs.

"Get Sideswipe and put him in the chamber NOW!" one voice shouts.

"But there's a few more tweaks we have to do!" a second voice answered.

"No time! Grab him and go or we'll lose 'em!"

After that, Sunstreaker felt someone picking him as the pain continues to throb through his frame. He wanted to scream but his vocals are stuck, he wanted to twist away but none of his joints are working. Sunstreaker can feel one by one his systems start to shut down. Curses could be heard what seems like from miles away.

He couldn't see, he couldn't hear, he couldn't think..and finally the calm darkness took over, the voices fade away and Sunstreaker felt nothing.

Sorry for the delay but I got physics homework I just can't shake off my shoulders. So...how was it..? I wanted to write more but I wouldn't want you guys to wait too long.

Send in some reviews while I muse over this really tough calculation I'm still twisting with. And here I thought I was a whiz at science, but that's because bio, physics and chems are smushed together, not separated. I'm only a whiz at bio though, medical is my specialty!