Kneeling to the Sword

by Gatekat

Knights of Light. Dai Atlas/Axe. When General Dai Atlas and his SIC decide to retire from Nova Prime's army, they know it could cost them dearly and plan accordingly.

15. Sheerwing

Fandom: Transformers G1
Author: gatekat, ultrarodimus on LJ
Pairing: Axe/Dai Atlas
Rating:
Codes: Slash, Historical Setting, Knights of Light, Mechpreg, Birth, Sparkling
Summary:
Disclaimer: The authors are only playing with their own twisted muses. Transformers belong to Hasbro. Fandom-side, check the inspirations page (gatekat-fics .livejournal 290 .html). We draw from a ton of amazing stories and authors you should read.

Kneeling to the Sword 15: Sheerwing
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Six orns had passed since Dai Atlas had learned that he was with spark, and two orns since his old friend Titanium had left the Citadel to return to Iacon. The news that Dai Atlas was carrying a newspark had spread rapidly though the Citadel's population. Mecha were still dropping by to offer their congratulations and offer assistance with anything the couple might want.

Axe and his mate were holed up in their own quarters, on the couch in the main living area. The black mech was leaning against Dai Atlas' side, helm resting on his shoulder, while Wing was sprawled across their laps, purring contentedly as his wings were petted. The white jet shifted ever so slightly, leaning his helm against Dai Atlas' torso.

All three were startled by a discreet tap on the door of their quarters. Making a face, Axe got up, walking over to the door. "Who is it?"

"Titanus," a familiar voice replied.

"Come in," Dai Atlas called as he pinged the door to open and turned such as he could to look at the messenger. "How are you doing?"

Titanus smiled at the blue Knight as he stepped inside. "I'm doing well, thank you." Nodding a greeting to Wing, the teleporter walked over. "Titan sent me with a couple of packages, one for Wing, one for you and Axe. He had the one for you labeled as important." Two fair-sized packing crates appeared out of his subspace, one with Wing's designation on it, the other bearing Dai Atlas'.

Wing perked up, blinking at the packages. "He sent something for me?"

"I'm not surprised," Dai Atlas smiled as he accepted the package for him and Axe set Wing's on the floor in front of them. "He does enjoy spoiling those he cares about, and at his rank and time in service, he makes more than he could ever spend on leave."

Wing climbed off Dai Atlas' lap, walking over to open the package. He peered inside, then chirred and reached in to lift out a carved mask made from some kind of silvery material, crystal, and feathers. "Oh wow." Setting the mask carefully aside, he reached in again and lifted out a small, intricate sculpture.

"Those look like they came from some of the worlds he's visited during his lifetime." Axe peered in, then sat beside Dai Atlas, looking curiously at the package Titanium had sent for him.

Dai Atlas glanced at the messenger. "Did he want a report?"

"Not that I'm aware of." The teleporter shook his helm. "He just said that he had something important for you, and I could get it here the fastest." Blue optics brightened as Wing let out a trill, unfolding a woven wall hanging depicting a sunrise over an alien ocean. The jet's optics were wide and bright as he took in the detail and the vivid colors.

Axe nudged his mate gently, curiosity seeping through the bond as he looked at the box in Dai Atlas' lap that was being studiously ignored by the mech it was for.

The courier ruffled his wings slightly. "I'll be on my way now."

"Have a good orn," Axe smiled at him. A moment later, he vanished in the by-now-familiar blue flash and pop of displaced air.

With him gone Dai Atlas relaxed slightly and focused on the ornaments that Wing had been given. "I bet there's a datapad in there somewhere telling you about each of those," he smiled at Wing's stunned trill as a thin, flexible material came out. "And the care of them. That's organic. Though what kind I'm not sure, beyond animal fiber."

"I'll be careful," Wing chirred, spreading out the hanging to admire it. "This is beautiful." One hand stroked carefully over the shades of blues and greens used for the water, then Wing carefully refolded it and dove back into the crate. Only his fluttering wingtips and lower half stuck out as he eagerly reached for the next item.

Axe chuckled softly. "That made his orn," he murmured. He nudged Dai Atlas again. "Are you going to open ours? Curiosity is eating me alive."

Dai Atlas chuckled and surrendered the box to the floor between them before clicking the ID lock open, more than content to let Axe explore at first.

The black and gold mech leaned over, opening the lid. Reaching in, Axe pulled out a soft plush toy of unusually high quality. Smiling, Axe showed it to his mate. "Titan has good taste."

"He always has," he smiled and took the large and very unrealistic petrorabbit. "Just wait until the sparkling is old enough for serious gifts. I have no doubt he's going to try to give it its first blades."

Axe returned to the crate, this time coming up with a datapad. "This is addressed to you, Dai."

That raised an optic ridge and perked the carrier's interest. "Not to us?" he asked as he reached for it and realized it was ID locked to him. A sharp spike of curiosity-concern flickered over the bond as he unlocked it and skimmed the contents. "His business in Iacon was record diving," he murmured, stunned and deeply touched. This meant more to him than any gift credits could buy, and he had no doubt that his mentor knew it.

The datapad opened with a note from Titanium, explaining that he had been digging into the ancient records and had uncovered extensive files left by the General who had ordered Dai Atlas' abduction and reformatting. Everything he'd been able to find he'd copied onto that datapad. It included Dai Atlas' city of origin, the temple where he had been training, lists of the priests he'd been training with, even images of what Dai Atlas had looked like when he had been Dei Kanal.

Axe leaned over to look at the datapad, taking his mate's hand. "Just like him... Give him a mystery and he will chase down every lead he can find," the black Knight murmured. "He knew how much it would mean to you."

"I'm sure he did," Dai Atlas leaned in to kiss Axe in a long, slow passion that was more expression of how deeply Dai Atlas felt about the news than intention to arouse the black mech. "I intend to visit the temple. The priests may no longer function, but they might have something more about Dei Kanal. Personal stories or something."

~I have no intention of stopping you, love,~ Axe murmured, returning the kiss. ~I know it's something you have to do.~

A delighted squeal from Wing made the black and gold mech jump slightly, having forgotten the little jet was there. Several other ornamental masks, crystal and wood and feathers, lay in a neat row, and Wing was currently half buried in a plush, synth-fiber coverlet or blanket bearing intricate patterns of white and gold. Bright gold optics sparkled up at the two older mechs. "It's so warm, and so soft!"

"He learned you well," Dai Atlas smiled indulgently. "That's one of his talents, it made him an exceptional mentor and instructor. He could look at a mecha and know how to motivate them, then actually do it. I'm sure the sparkling will enjoy snuggling with you with that on your berth."

Wing's wings fluttered happily under the soft material, and his grin was nearly blinding. "I look forward to it." He carefully packed the masks, the hanging, and the sculptures back into the crate, keeping only the soft blanket. A moment later, he climbed into Axe's lap, still half hidden under gold-and-white softness.

Axe chuckled at the ecstatic little jet. "You're adorable when you're happy." He rubbed Wing's helm affectionately, touching the blanket and recognizing the finest, softest material available. Titanium certainly spared no expense when he wanted to pamper someone.

"What else did you get?" Wing prompted as he snuggled in, purring and trilling as he quivered in sheer happiness.

~You're getting good vid captures?~ Dai Atlas asked his mate with a grin.

~Oh yes,~ Axe replied with a chuckle. Carefully leaning over his lapful of jet, he reached into the crate and fished out another soft toy, this one a fluffy turbofox. Next came a package of building blocks and several soft blankets for sparklings. All of it was very high-quality. Another datapad contained stories meant to be read to newsparks and sparklings.

"He is going to spoil us all rotten," Dai Atlas chuckled as he examined the growing pile of fluffy things. "Beautiful things to look at and soft things to snuggle with," he rumbled with deepening affection for the mech who had mentored him in the only existence he'd known, and done so very well. "I hope he gets back in time to see the sparkling as a youngling."

"I think that might be the intention," Axe chuckled, lifting the last item, a simple puzzle, out of the crate. "Spoiling us and our sparkling. And I hope so, too."

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The approach to Tyger Pax was one of extreme practicality and almost military control. For a single city to produce sixty percent of the planet's manufacturing it had to be. It also had to be almost entirely working class mecha; those who did hard labor for limited pay. Yet even here in a city known for having little use for decoration, the central Temple to Primus was a beautiful thing. More angular and heavy looking than most, it was still of the best crafting the city could produce.

Wing and Axe flanked Dai Atlas as the trio approached the city. They made a slightly odd sight, two large airframes flying in formation with a much smaller, compact stunt frame. The little white jet had played around the larger two for a couple of joors after leaving the Citadel, then had settled into formation with them, flying off Dai Atlas' left wing.

When the white jet found out what had been on the datapad Titanium had sent his creator, he had insisted on coming. The older pair had accepted his presence, allowing him to come with them. He peered ahead, taking in the cityscape of Tyger Pax and their destination. This hadn't been one of the cities he had visited while on walkabout, and he was curious. The stories the older pair told him of their travels only heightened his curiosity.

::You're welcomed to explore, Wing,:: Dai Atlas commed him as they received their clearance and flight path to the temple. ::You know where we'll be.::

::I'll explore later,:: Wing replied, sidling a little closer and brushing his field against Dai Atlas'. ::Right now I'd rather be with you.::

The giant gave a flicker of warmth across their fields and angled in for a landing at the temple. He'd commed ahead, they knew who was coming, but he still didn't know what kind of welcome he'd receive.

Wing returned the warmth, settling back into formation. Axe hummed through the bond from Dai Atlas' other side. Both followed Dai Atlas down, transforming for a neat landing.

A group of mecha waited on the temple steps, white optics watching the new arrivals calmly. From the markings on their red armor, they were junior priests or acolytes. Once the three fliers had set down and the echoes of their engines faded away, the group approached.

"Welcome to the Primary Temple of Primus for Tyger Pax," the one in front greeted them smoothly.

"Thank you," Dai Atlas bowed his wings and dipped his helm in respect to the priests and the one they represented. "I come seeking my past. I have been told that part of it was here."

"We will help you as much as we can, to find what you seek." The speaker nodded to all three fliers. Axe and Wing returned the gesture with polite respect. "Please, come inside."

Dai Atlas quietly followed the much smaller mecha, though they were tall and slender by normal standards, into the temple's great entry hall.

Axe and Wing trailed Dai Atlas, the little white jet on his best behavior. He walked quietly to Dai Atlas' left, on his own two pedes rather than climbing up onto the larger mech's shoulder.

The entry hall of the temple was intricately decorated and inlaid with precious minerals. Mosaics and carved reliefs adorned the walls. Other residents of the temple moved about, their armor displaying patterns of varying complexity to denote their rank in the temple hierarchy. Multiple pairs of white optics turned to regard the trio of fliers curiously.

The three junior priests led the way across the main hall deeper into the temple, toward the smaller chambers where mecha could sit down and talk, either with the senior priests or the High Priest himself. The room to which Dai Atlas, Axe, and Wing were led was occupied by a single mech, his red armor showing the intricate glyphs and patterns that stated he was the leader of this temple.

Without hesitation Dai Atlas dipped his wings and helm in respect for the old mech, though the High Priest was but a youngling compared to the Knight. "Thank you for agreeing to speak with me."

"You are most welcome." The High Priest waved the trio to seats, watching as they settled themselves. "I will endeavor to help you find what it is you are seeking any way I can." He leaned forward slightly. "Skysong tells me you are here seeking answers about your past."

"Yes," Dai Atlas inclined his wings, meeting the High Priest's white optics steadily. "It came to my attention recently that I was kindled and reformatted as a young mech, rather than sparked for the military as I had long believed. My military mentor found records indicating that my designation was Dei Kanal late in the rule of Alpha Prime, and I was being trained as a priest in this temple."

Red armor flared in surprise. "That designation is known to me. A youngling with a great gift, a very long time ago. His disappearance caused the temple community much sorrow. No one ever found out what had happened to him." The High Priest leaned forward. "You are certain that you are, or were, Dei Kanal?"

"As certain as I can be of such a thing," he nodded. "My current medic told me without question that I was kindled, which means what I was told my entire remembered existence was a lie. For who I was..." he unsubspaced the datapad that Titanium had sent him and offered it. "The gift Dei Kanal and I share, when combined with when he disappeared and when I awoke with these records, make it very likely that he became me."

Stormwing leaned forward, accepting the datapad. Leaning back in his seat, he scrolled slowly through the data it contained, white optics taking in everything. It was more than a breem before he finally lowered the datapad again, lifting his gaze to meet Dai Atlas'. "The gift Dei Kanal bore was completely unique; the military could never have copied such an ability. If you bear that same gift, then without a doubt, you are our lost brother."

"I simply call it the Song," Dai Atlas said quietly. "I can lift guilt and pain from a spark, or unleash everything I have taken in on all those close enough to feel the full resonance. It is not a gift I have dared use often since the middle of Vector Prime's reign. The price on my spark is far too high."

"That, indeed, was Dei Kanal's gift." Stormwing returned the datapad to Dai Atlas, who subspaced it, and leaned back slightly. "Because of it, he was being trained as a spark-healer. He would have been the High Priest of Tyger Pax in time."

Dai Atlas gave himself a moment, his optics dimmed, to take that in. "Instead I became a General," he said with a faint twitch of his wings. "Are there any left who remember Dei Kanal?"

The High Priest shook his helm. "I am sorry, but no. The last who might have known him returned to Primus millennia ago. What is remembered of Dei Kanal was passed down from our predecessors and the temple records."

Dai Atlas sighed, but canted his wings in understanding. "I can not say I am surprised. I doubt there are a score of mecha as old as I am in the entire empire. While I would welcome anything you would share about him, two things I wish to know more than most. What was he like as a mecha, and if he had learned to temper the price on his spark for experiencing the grief and pain using his gift inflicts."

"According to the records, Dei Kanal was an open, outgoing young mech, and one who liked to help others. He was very well regarded in the temple community despite his young age. His disappearance spawned many searches, lasting for many vorns." Stormwing watched as the black and gold mech next to Dai Atlas wrapped his hand around the larger blue triple changer's, and the much smaller white mech unobtrusively sidled closer. "And yes, he did so learn. His training was well recorded, and could work for you as well."

Wide wings sagged in relief as he leaned lightly against Axe and put his other arm around Wing. "I would be most grateful for that. It has been a difficult existence the way I was trained to use it."

"I can only imagine what the military would want with such a gift, and I don't imagine that they would be too concerned with the effects it would have on you as long as they got the results they wanted." Intricately-marked red armor flared, clearly expressing the High Priest's opinion of turning such a gift, a gift from the hand of Primus, into a weapon. Settling his armor, Stormwing inclined his helm. "I will bring the relevant records out of the archives."

"Thank you," Dai Atlas tucked Axe's helm under his chin and held on tightly. Though Stormwing was too far away to feel the relief-gratitude-giddiness in Dai Atlas' field, his frame and wing language expressed it clearly.

The High Priest smiled at the black mech's smile and the small white mech's soft chirr. The black and gold mech could only be Dai Atlas' mate; the little white one was most likely their creation. After a moment, Stormwing rose to his pedes, inclining his helm to the trio. "It might take me a short time to locate the records in question. I will have energon brought for you."

"Thank you," Axe replied, blue optics meeting white, leaning closer to his mate. All three watched as the High Priest left.

"Better than I dared hope for," Dai Atlas murmured.

"Better than any of us dared hope for, considering how long it's been," Axe replied, letting his optics dim and leaning closer.

Wing snuggled closer to Dai Atlas' side, though he refrained from crawling into the larger mech's lap, as he would have at the Citadel. "I hope the training does help relieve at least some of the effects your gift has on you." He curled one arm around the larger arm wrapped around his shoulders, smiling up at his creator.

"So do I," Dai Atlas allowed the shiver to pass through his frame. "Even if it is not enough to fully ease my spark, any help would be welcome. It would be rewarding to use my gift to help people, and not just to further destruction."

The white jet purred softly, humming his agreement. "A much better use of your gift than what the military wanted of it."

Axe sent reassurance through the bond. "Anything that might help is better than nothing at all."

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Firefly chirped cheerfully to himself as he bounced into the Citadel's rec lounge with his creators, green optics brightening as he saw that Dai Atlas and Axe were already there, a white shape perched on Axe's other side. It was well known along the Knights that Dai Atlas was only orns from his sparkling's separation, and Firefly was very eager to meet his future playmate. Fearlessly, he bounded over to the pair, reaching out to lightly brush his hand against the blue giant's abdomen, bulging and squared off from the sparkling inside.

A snarl exploded above him, then a cry from his carrier as the storm-gray Praxian became a blur, tackling his creation to get the youngling out of the way of the powerful hand coming down on him.

A blur of red caught the descending hand. Shogun's optics flashed fiery orange as he twisted, setting his pedes. Within a few nanokliks he had Dai Atlas down, one arm twisted in a rather uncomfortable position, the former cop's knee planted right between Dai Atlas' wings.

Wing yelped, staring, while Axe was on his pedes but not sure what to do. Dai Atlas' temper had been volatile for metacycles, but the majority of the Citadel's population had learned to avoid him.

"Don't you dare hurt my sparkling," Shogun growled, keeping Dai Atlas pinned but taking care not to actually damage him or the unseparated sparkling he carried. Centuries of training as a cop came to the fore in that moment, guiding him on how to immobilize without injuring the most vulnerable of their kind.

Every other mecha in the room, Knight or not, focused on the scene as Dai Atlas twisted and growled. Military training against police training didn't normally give much chance to the cop, but these weren't normal circumstances.

Suddenly Dai Atlas froze, a strangled sound of pain escaping him that had nothing to do with the mech on top of him. His field lashed out, desperate for the one holding him down to understand he had to move.

The former policemech went from growl to stare in an instant, then let go and helped Axe pull the bigger mech upright. He was aware that something was going on, and it probably had to do with the sparkling.

Once Dai Atlas was upright, Shogun let go, stepping back. He tapped Axe on the shoulder before the black mech could get out of reach, catching Axe's attention briefly. "He stays away from Firefly until his temper settles," Shogun told the black and gold Knight firmly.

Axe nodded, then herded his stumbling mate out of the rec room, Wing right behind him.

~Hardwing,~ was all Dai Atlas could get out, pain tearing at his frame as the sounds of small transformations reached his mate.

::Hardwing, separation is beginning,:: Axe informed the CMO as he helped Dai Atlas through the corridors, keeping him from falling. Wing trailed them anxiously. ::We're on our way up now.::

::We're ready,:: the reply came immediately. did the first warning pop up?::

::Not even a breem ago. The little one is apparently anxious to get out, from the sounds I can hear.:: Axe caught his mate, keeping him from falling. ::We're almost there.::

::Takes after his carrier,:: Hardwing commented before closing the line.

Dai Atlas leaned heavily on his mate, his entire frame twitching erratically as the sparkling tried to claw and force his way out.

Axe all but dragged his mate into the medical bay, armor flaring and bristling worriedly. Wing was a mess of nerves as he trailed the pair, clearly unwilling to venture too far away. "Hardwing!"

"Calm down, flutter-mech," the CMO yelled back before focusing on Axe as he scanned Dai Atlas. "Get him on that berth and get by his helm. I need you to keep his hands out of my way. I do not stick carriers in stasis if I can help it."

Axe herded his mate to the berth and up onto it, taking hold of one of Dai Atlas' hands and holding it tightly. Wing wrapped both arms around the blue mech's other forearm, wings fluttering as he watched, optics wide. He could see abdominal plates beginning to part and the much louder sounds of movement beyond them.

In addition to transformation and movement, there were the sharp clicks and growls of a very unhappy mech inside, and the occasional sound of damage being done that went along with Dai Atlas' pain and twitching.

Axe rumbled, looking into the parting abdominal cavity, trying to tell the sparkling to calm down. He had no creator bond with the little mech, so he could only communicate vocally. Stroking his mate's helm, he sent soothing feelings along the bond. All he could feel from his mate was pain, distress and the conflicting protocols that gave him a better appreciation for why military mecha shouldn't carry. Even as toned down as Dai Atlas' military protocols were, they were still screaming at him to tear the damage-causing thing from his body.

"That's good. Distract him if you can, but keep those hands away," Hardwing said as he began to work frantically to assist the sparkling and avoid another rebuild of Dai Atlas' abdominal region.

Axe gripped Dai Atlas' hand tightly, running his fingers over the lines and planes of his mate's heavy helm, stroking the sensitive edges of the golden crests. Wing leaned his full weight on Dai Atlas' other arm, though he knew the big mech could send him flying right across the room with one sharp movement. The little jet chirred and trilled, wings fluttering, kneading the heavy armor of his creator's forearm.

There was a sudden squawk from inside Dai Atlas' frame, then the sound of tearing and movement stopped, leaving only transformation sounds. Hardwing gave a sound of triumph as Dai Atlas sagged in relief.

"Little glitch-hawk is going to be a handful to raise, as if you didn't already know," Hardline commented as he assisted Dai Atlas' frame in opening itself up.

"That we figured out not long after he started talking to Dai," Axe replied, leaning over slightly to peer into his mate's abdomen. "He's a fiery little mech." He couldn't see much, but the glow of large, bright red optics, a few shades lighter than his carrier's, was clear in the darkness.

"Very," he agreed, relaxing slightly now that the impatient sparkling wasn't tearing up his carrier's guts. "Relax little one," he cooed to the creature he was working to free safely. "You'll be out soon."

Axe rumbled again, this time a soothing sound, continuing to stroke his mate's helm. Wing craned his neck, peeking at the parted armor with a curious chirrup, relaxing ever so slightly. He didn't let go of Dai Atlas' arm, just in case.

A chirp replied, a sound of curiosity mixed with annoyance and demand for attention.

"Demanding too," Hardwing chuckled. "I overrode his fine motor controls. It'll only last a breem, but he'll come out easier for it."

White audial fins twitched. Wing shifted, almost sitting on Dai Atlas' forearm, peering toward bright optics. He chirped again, trilling and clicking.

"That would explain why he settled down." Axe leaned over for a better look, sending what he was seeing to his mate.

Baleful red optics glared back as the sparkling began to chitter, click and growl his displeasure at the larger creatures holding him back. As the larger inner armor plates moved more fully out of the way they could all see a face with the nubs of a three-point crown much like his carrier and the inner protoform that would one orn support long, wide wings. His face, though, had much of Axe's look, including the nubs that would become a chevron over large optics.

~He's going to be a handsome little mech,~ Axe told Dai Atlas, showing his mate what he was seeing. ~He's going to have your crest.~

~And your chevron,~ Dai Atlas murmured, the bulk of his attention on getting his frame to open up faster.

Wing trilled, wings wiggling, then settled back to wait until the new sparkling was out.

They all knew the moment the breem was up because Dai Atlas keened and tensed while Sheerwing began clawing and straining forward once more.

Axe's armor rippled, his grip tightening on the larger mech's hand. "Settle down, little one! You're almost out!"

"Stop holding me!" Sheerwing snarled back, straining to free his left wing. He suddenly stilled again, sort of, when Hardwing's strong, sure hands gripped him firmly to untangle the wing from a cable that had been feeding energon into the sparkling's systems.

"Dagger, get your hands up here and help out," Hardwing ordered.

"Yes sir." The lithe Praxian immediately hopped up on the berth and went to work, his hands delving into Dai Atlas' frame without hesitation, moving cables and tubing and deftly avoiding sharp little denta that tried to bite him.

~Definitely going to be a handful.~ Axe shifted. "Fighting and clawing is not going to get you out any faster, and will only cause your carrier more pain. Calm down!"

~So was I, right after I woke,~ Dai Atlas groaned. ~I was given to Titanium for good reason.~

Something in Axe's tone registered with the aggressive sparkling, for Sheerwing settled somewhat. He still strained upwards, pulling at cables that hadn't let go yet, but he stopped trying to attack anything that got close.

~He raised you well, and we will raise Sheerwing well,~ Axe replied. ~And we can still draw on Titan's knowledge, when we can reach him.~

~Yes,~ Dai Atlas shivered as the final cable connecting him to his sparkling popped off, freeing the large, strong protoform to pull himself the rest of the way out of his carrier.

Sheerwing stilled, somewhat, once he was free and kneeling on Dai Atlas' lower chest. At nearly two thirds the size of Wing, he would never be small, but compared to his carrier and his likely eventual size, he seemed tiny now.

Wing chirped a greeting, audial fins flaring out and gold optics bright. Slowly, he unwrapped himself from Dai Atlas' forearm, shifting onto the edge of the berth. "Hello, Sheerwing."

"Wing," the sparkling focused on the white mech only a bit larger than he was.

Axe smiled as he looked over the sparkling's frame. ~Your crest and your wings, love.~

~Your chevron, face and build,~ Dai Atlas purred in reply, entirely too enamored of the mixed features and bright, alert nature visible in the newly separated sparkling. ~He looks like he's fully ours.~

~He does indeed.~ Axe looked over at Hardwing, wanting to reach out and touch the sparkling his mate had nurtured for almost a vorn.

Wing purred. "I'm happy to finally meet you." Slender wings fluttered as he moved closer, field reaching out, bright and welcoming.

Bright red optics regarded him warily for a lingering moment before he accepted the greeting and relaxed his field to brush against Wing's only to pull back in surprise as he looked between Wing and Dai Atlas.

"Not yours?" Sheerwing asked his carrier.

"Not that way no," Dai Atlas acknowledged. "You are the first to come from my frame. We chose to claim Wing."

"I'm their adopted creation," Wing explained. "My own creators discarded me. Dai and Axe adopted me. I do call them my creators, but I did not come from their frames." He smiled brightly at the slightly smaller sparkling.

Axe reached over to rub Wing's crest before running his fingertips lightly over Sheerwing's helm, smiling at the way the normally aggressive sparkling cooed and sank down on the spot, half way into recharge. "He's ours, but in a different way than you are."

Sheerwing hummed acceptance, though all of his attention was on how good the physical contact was as his optics dimmed in pleasure.

Wing chirred, sidling closer. He reached out to lightly touch Sheerwing's arm. "The whole Citadel is waiting eagerly to meet you."

"And I think only the fear of Hardwing is keeping them out." Axe glanced toward the door.

"And likely fear of me," Dai Atlas chuckled as he reached down to shift his recharging creation up to his chest, directly over his spark. "And fortunately he seems to have an off switch as effective as Wing's."

Wing chuckled at that, curling into Dai Atlas' side, between his arm and his torso, watching his newly separated brother recharging. Axe hummed, picking up a rag and gently beginning to clean the drying fluids off Sheerwing's frame.

"That, too." The black Knight tilted his helm at his mate, gently shifting a small wing panel. He felt his mate begin to sink into recharge and smiled. It was good that Dai Atlas finally felt safe enough to do so.

There was a tap on the door, then Vanguard stepped into the room. White optics took in the large blue triple changer on the berth and the medic up to his elbows in Dai Atlas' abdominal cavity, repairing the damage caused by small claws. Stepping closer, Vanguard looked down at the recharging sparkling, smiling, before looking up at Axe. "What is his designation?"

"Sheerwing," Axe smiled back, blue optics glittering with emotion as he tended to the sparkling on his mate's chest. "He's going to be even more of a handful than we anticipated."

"He is definitely going to keep you on your toes." The Sovereign's smile widened, and he brushed his fingers lightly over Sheerwing's helm. "Welcome, Sheerwing. Welcome."

The sparkling, nearly as large as an adult mech of moderate size, stirred slightly but settled at the former priest's field.

"He'll keep everyone on their toes, especially once he starts to fly," Axe chuckled. "Though I do hope he'll mellow slightly once he has the sky to entertain himself in."

"And every flier in the Citadel willing to fly with him," Vanguard agreed. "Speaking of everyone else in the Citadel, they are all very eager for news. They're just very wary of your mate, especially after what happened with Firefly." He tilted his helm toward the door, where several other mecha were peeking in around the doorframe.

"If they are quiet," Axe nodded. "Dai is out cold, but if they rouse Sheerwing it will likely rouse him."

"And stay out of my way," Hardwing added. "That little one is a pit demon. Tore his carrier up something fierce."

Vanguard padded over to the door, speaking softly to the other waiting mecha. They began easing into the room in ones and twos, taking great pains to be quiet and keeping their distance, murmuring softly at the newly separated sparkling. More than a few were amazed at Sheerwing's size, having never seen the sparkling of such a large mecha before. They all gave Axe warm looks and promises of help as they left.

The Sovereign leaned over to peer around Hardwing at the damage, careful not to get in the way. "How bad is it?"

"Nothing that a couple joors work and few orns recovery won't fix," Hardwing said as he repaired a small energon line. "He took a lot more damage than Stormcloud did, but he's also better designed to take and recover from it."

Shogun was one of the last to come in, maintaining a careful distance even though Dai Atlas was clearly deep in recharge. Firefly hid behind his sire, wings folded tight to his back, hands tight on Shogun's arm. The mechling peered over at Sheerwing, one wing twitching. He hadn't been quite that large when he had separated, but then, his creators were smaller than Dai Atlas was.

"He will be sane the next time you meet him," Axe assured the youngling. "Sheerwing will be able to play with you in a metacycle or so, when he has some armor."

Firefly smiled cautiously at Axe, but didn't come out from behind his sire. "I didn't mean to set him off..."

"It wasn't your fault," Wing chimed in from where he curled into Dai Atlas' side. "Dai's temper had been highly volatile for the last couple metacycles. Anything could have set him off. Even I was hiding from his temper."

"Sometimes carriers have their processors scrambled by what's happening inside them," Hardwing added without looking up. "Dai Atlas is a classic example of the kind of carrier that does better in isolation. The state doesn't suit him."

"Something to keep in mind should he ever feel the need to try again." Vanguard nodded. "Though that might be a long time in the future." He touched Sheerwing's arm gently. "Congratulations, to you and Dai Atlas."

"Honestly, I hope it won't be anytime soon," Axe admitted, his optics on the sparkling but his fingers stroking his mate's crown. "When he's carrying it's not easy on any of us."

"It may take a thousand vorns for Sheerwing to become a full adult. If Dai Atlas decides to try again sooner than that, I would be most surprised. This little one will keep both of you on your toes." Vanguard smiled, huffing softly. "And his carrying is not easy on anyone living within the Citadel walls."

"At least it's over now. Once his frame gets back to normal, I hope his protocols settle too," Axe glanced at Shogun.

"Not completely, he'll still be protective, but nothing like the temper we've been subjected to," Hardwing answered.

"We're all hoping, because for the last couple of metacycles being around Dai Atlas has been like living with a time bomb," Shogun replied. "Protective we can live with."

There was a murmured chorus of agreement from outside.

"When he's fighting fit again his military protocols will stop telling him that every tiny thing is a major threat," Axe assured them quietly. "I'm not sure if I can explain to anyone who wasn't military for a long time what it's like, but 'kill it to protect self' protocols rate above energon and recharge in the priority tree. It's just that when he's that sparkling-heavy and crippled, everything seems like a major threat."

"Then we're in for another decaorn or so," Hardwing commented. "His frame should have finished putting itself back to normal by then."

Shogun nodded his understanding. "I'll keep that in mind, and I doubt anyone is likely to forget anytime soon." The red former policemech nodded to Axe, then made his way out, Firefly still keeping his sire's bulk between himself and Dai Atlas.

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Over five centuries had passed since Sheerwing had separated from Dai Atlas' frame, and Sheerwing was now in his youngling frame. He was still a handful, aggressive and volatile with an intense need for speed, but had settled down at least a bit. He understood that hurting another without serious provocation was wrong, even if he was sometimes hazy on the correct definition of 'serious provocation.'

Yelps, squawks, and other sounds of surprise echoed through the Citadel's main courtyard, drawing other residents out of various buildings to see what was going on. There was some muttered cursing as startled mecha picked themselves up off the ground, glowering at an amused-looking purple and silver giant standing in the middle of the courtyard. That giant was almost immediately hit right in the chest by a white streak. Wing actually managed to hit Titanium right in the chest at an angle that somehow was able to bowl the much bigger mech over backward with a startled squawk, much to the amusement of everyone close enough to see the white jet's enthusiastic greeting.

"You're back!" Wing squealed with joy. "It's been too long. The packages were great but we missed you so much."

"Nice to see you, too, Wing," the larger mech chuckled, picking himself up off the ground with Wing still attached to his chest. He wrapped one arm around the small jet, keeping Wing from falling off as Titanium climbed to his pedes. "I'm glad you liked the packages. I couldn't help being away so long; I can't help where I'm sent. I would've been back sooner if I could." Red optics scanned the courtyard as the normal Citadel activities resumed. "So, where are your creators and little brother?"

"Axe is in a binding, Dai's watching over him," Wing chattered happily. "Sheerwing is with Firefly and Stormcloud while I'm doing chores."

"Any indication how much longer that binding might last?" Titanium fished around in his subspace for a moment, pulling something out. "And this is for you." He handed the small white jet a cube of perfectly clear crystal with an insect encased inside. The spread, complex wings were covered in tiny scales and brightly colored, iridescence shimmering across their surfaces. The head was fearsomely jawed, the front four legs clearly meant for catching prey while the other eight legs were for walking. "I brought it back from a planet at the farthest reaches of Cybertronian space."

"WOW!" golden optics light up even brighter as Wing disengaged from Titanium's chest to get a better look at the creature about half the size of his closed fist. "You find the coolest stuff," he chirred even as they began to gather an audience. Titanium was well remembered as a storyteller and great entertainer.

"Oh, and he's been going almost six joors, so they'll probably be sociable by dinner," Wing added, his attention fixated on the giant insect in crystal. "Want to catch a nap, or see Sheerwing? I really have to finish my chores."

"Considering how long I've flown to get here, and what's been happening lately, I think it would be better if I get some rest first," the big mech replied after a moment of contemplation. "Then later I can see Axe, Dai, you and Sheerwing together. And then I'll be able to spend several joors satisfying the demand for stories." Titanium tilted his helm toward their audience and the hopeful optics fixed on him.

"Sure thing," Wing chirped agreeably. "Remember the way to the one you stayed in before? It's been assigned to you again. Probably always will be. We don't have many rooms for giant frames."

"I do remember." Titanium gave the white jet an affectionate nuzzle. "I'll see you and family later, then." He shifted his hold on Wing until the little jet was sitting on one purple forearm, free to either hop off and walk or take flight right off the ancient mech's arm.

"See you in a few joors," Wing grinned at him and jumped into the air to return to his duties.

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Several joors later, rested and feeling better than he had when he arrived, Titanium walked into the rec room, red optics taking in the crowd. Dai Atlas was easy to spot, his height standing out among the smaller mecha. Smiling, Titanium made his way over to the large-frametype tables, returning the greetings he was getting from other Knights. It felt good to be among those who knew discipline and combat, but had been at peace for a very long time.

"Welcome back," Dai Atlas greeted him with a deep rumble. "I think Wing nearly burned out his laser core in his excitement over your arrival and not being able to tell us for two entire joors."

"It's good to be back." Titanium found a seat at the table and settled into it, leaning forward. "And I can't say I'm surprised... He greeted me with a flying pounce that put me down flat on my back. That was definitely one of the more enthusiastic greetings I've ever gotten." He reached over to tweak the tip of one of Wing's audial flares, smiling at the resulting grin. "I don't see Sheer with you... Is he around?"

Axe pointed over by a group of five younger mecha chatting near the door, the tallest a distinctive deep purple with trim of gold and silver. "He's old enough to wander a bit. Nearly five hundred vorns and he's still a youngling," he shook his helm in lingering amazement. "I'd seen a score of worlds conquered and stripped by then."

Titanium turned to look over at the group. "He's looking good. Definitely going to be a very handsome mech when he reaches his final adult upgrade." Turning back, he took a sip of his energon. "Kindled sparklings mature more slowly than sparked ones, and it also depends on the final frame size. A kindled mech of Wing's size can reach adulthood in two or three hundred vorns. Dai here would have taken nearly a thousand vorns from separation to full adult."

"So Hardwing keeps saying," Dai Atlas chuckled. "Doesn't make it any less strange. None of us," he motioned to those at the table, "went through that. Even Wing was sparked."

"I was sparked, too, so I know how strange it is, but I'm used to it." Purple shoulders rose in a shrug. "It can be quite rewarding to watch a youngling growing up, be there every step of the way."

"It is," Dai Atlas agreed with an indulgent smile for his creation. "He's half grown and still no sign that those protocols are going to demand another soon."

"Something everyone is beyond relieved for," Axe teased. "You have no idea how scary he is once he starts showing."

"I heard you were quite a terror in the later stages of carrying." Titanium lifted an optic rim. "Would have been interesting to see... from a distance, at least. I'd already been deployed offworld at the time, though."

"I was," Dai Atlas grimaced. "No one was safe. If I do this again, I'm going on a sabbatical somewhere isolated where I can't hurt anyone."

"If you can find someplace isolated and safe," the older mech pointed out. "The Citadel is one of the safest spots. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of what lurks outside. You've seen the raiders before. There are still fair numbers of them out there." He took a drink from his cube. "But then, you've probably got a millennia to find a good spot."

"I hope so." Dai Atlas fluffed his armor. "It's great raising Sheerwing and all, but I'm not full-time creator material no matter what my protocols might think."

"I think you're doing just fine." Titanium reached over to pat his old friend on the shoulder and got a flicker of gratitude that reminded him just how important he still was to his oldest surviving student.

At that moment the youths that Sheerwing was with began to make their way to the storyteller all but the youngling remembered well. Noticing the approaching group, the ancient mech looked up, smiling at them. "Hello again."

"Welcome back," the oldest of the group, a femme Ankmorian Light Jet of deep green and gold smiled warmly at him. "I hope you're staying longer this time. We all missed your stories."

"I've got a full vorn's leave," Titanium replied. "So I will be here for a while, and I have plenty of stories left to tell. As before, anyone who wishes to test their skills against me in the sparring arena is welcome to."

She smiled but flicked her wings in refusal. "I have quite enough of getting my aft handed to me in the sparring circle by my Daoshi, though I am sure there will be many takers among the Senior Knights."

"So you're Titanium," Sheerwing considered his sire critically as red optics took in the mech.

"Yes, that's me." Titanium's level red optics met Sheerwing's. "It's good to finally meet you in person. I've heard much about you."

"As I have of you," the youngling shifted uncertainly before following Axe's motion and taking a seat and cube of energon. "Am I going to have another sibling then?"

"Not anytime soon," the old mech replied. "I'm here because I'm on leave, and this is one place the military can't find me to drag me back out. I rarely get an opportunity to catch up with Dai. I actually managed to get back three centuries earlier than I was originally supposed to." Red optics dimmed, long wings lowering. "My last mission was... bad. Very bad."

"Sorry," Sheerwing responded, even if he didn't even begin to grasp what it meant.

"At least the Prime gave you a reasonable leave," Dai Atlas murmured, entirely too aware of what those words meant. It hurt to lose most of your unit.

Axe reached over to grasp Titanium's hand, while Wing chirred softly, his hand tightening slightly on the crystal cube with the insect inside. Having been around Dai Atlas and Axe for so many centuries, the little white jet knew more than most non-military.

Titanium snorted softly. "Didn't give him much choice. After reinforcements arrived, I brought what was left of my unit back to Cybertron against orders. Nearly two-thirds of them were lost out there, on some nearly lifeless rock on the fringes of our space." His other hand tightened on his empty cube.

"What was the mission?" Dai Atlas asked gently.

"The original mission was investigating the disappearances of small military patrols and science teams, out along the edge of the empire. The higher-ups were thinking space storms knocking out comlinks and disabling communications, pirates, that sort of thing." Red optics dimmed.

"I take it what you found was worse than space storms or pirates," Axe spoke up after a moment of silence.

"Within Cybertronian space, we're the ones in charge. But outside of our space... There is a thriving black market for Cybertronians. Alive, to be reprogrammed for hard labor or mindless weapons. But we're worth more deactivated, for use as parts." The purple and silver mech closed his optics for a long moment. "And they have weapons built to take us down. We were caught completely by surprise."

"Oh Primus," Dai Atlas whispered, his experience and tactical computers all too willing and able to inform him of the results. As much combat experience as most military mecha in the outer reaches had, it was exceedingly rare for them to cross paths with something that could really challenge them.

"We finally managed to gain some ground, and captured their ship. In the main hold we found a dozen stasis-locked mecha, and at least a score more deactivated and stripped for parts. Two more units arrived to reinforce us, and finally we got the upper hand. Prisoners were taken, the ship's database is being picked over for everything in there about this black market ring, and the weapons were taken by the research teams, in order to design new armor that will be more resistant to them. Many good mecha were lost." Titanium's shoulders and wings drooped.

"You aren't a Knight or Supplicant," the deep green Ankmorian Light Jet said cautiously. "There are no rules against you over indulging as long as you do not hurt anyone."

Wing reappeared, having vanished without being noticed. He took the empty cube from the old mech's hand, replacing it with a full cube of jet high grade.

"That's one thing we won't have to worry about, Pharia," Axe told the young femme. "Titan isn't an active or violent drunk. He's a lazy drunk. Tends to stay in one place until literally dragged elsewhere or he falls into recharge. He's always been like that."

She nodded, then looked at the giant that had so memorably entertained her on his last visit. "If something would help, please say so."

Dai Atlas considered his mentor for a long moment. "I can help, if you wish."

Titanium shook his helm. "I'll be fine, Dai. Just have to work it through my system. Your gift comes with too high a cost; I know what using it does to you." He reached over to rest a hand lightly on Dai Atlas'.

"Your gift to me before you left lead to the training for how to use it without tormenting myself so badly," he looked at his mentor with serious earnestness. "Dei Kanal was a spark healer. I will never reach his potential, but his training has done a great deal to help me."

Titanium's optics brightened at that, and he smiled slightly. "I'm glad what I found was able to help. But this is something I would rather work through on my own." Purple and silver armor flared, ruffled, and resettled, the gold trim glittering. "Right now, I'm much more interested in what's going on around here, and in Sheerwing."

"As you wish," Dai Atlas smiled in understanding. What mattered was the offer had been made and understood.

"I don't think much has changed," Wing chirped and hopped up on Titanium's shoulder to settle where he could stroke the giant's helm and offer comfort. "A few Initiates have become Knights, new mecha are Initiates, but it's quiet here like it's supposed to be."

"Quiet is always a good thing." Titanium reached up to pet white wings. "It's certainly preferable to some of the alternatives." He looked up at Wing. "How are you and Sheerwing getting along?"

"Good, once he realized that even if he's taller and heavier, I'm faster and a better wrestler." Wing giggled at the youngling's sour look. "He's gotten a lot more reasonable lately."

"Says the mech who can't recharge alone," Sheerwing snorted, his wings betraying his genuine dislike of his older brother, but also that it was based in lack of self-confidence.

"You're a lighter frametype built for speed, while Sheer is built for range and endurance," Titanium pointed out. "Sheer, you're young; Wing is many times your age and has had a lot more time to practice. You will learn, and you will find that you have your own unique strengths. Just give it time." The elder's calm red optics met the youngling's, who looked away almost instantly at the stinging truth. He didn't reject it though, and lowered his wings slightly.

"That's what everyone tells him, but I think being the youngest in the Citadel, the only mecha who isn't in their adult frame or even close, makes it hard," Wing said very quietly. "Did Dai tell you how eager he was to get out?" he asked in a more normal voice.

"Dai's messages were very detailed, though it did occasionally take them a while to reach me. Yes, I did hear about that." Titanium nodded, shifting one of his swords into a more comfortable position on his back. Those blades still got him some odd looks in the Citadel, since everyone was used to seeing Great Swords carried on the back and paired swords on the hips. "Hardwing managed to repair all of the damage, I trust."

"Yes, I was walking the next orn and fighting fit in a decaorn," Dai Atlas nodded. "He said it wasn't excessive for an over-eager sparkling, even if it was more damage than most did. It was decidedly odd, to feel everything, be aware of everything, but unable to really move on my own accord."

"I know there's a pool in your suite, but if you'd care to join us in ours, it's nicer, and you'd be welcome," Axe offered.

"I can imagine how strange that must have felt." Titanium nodded, then inclined his head to Axe. "I do believe I'll take you up on that offer, Axe. Thank you."

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Vanguard walked through the corridors of the Citadel, heading toward where he knew Sheerwing would be. After nearly a thousand vorns, the young triple changer's habits were firmly set, reducing the need to track him all over the complex. Sheerwing had certainly been a handful for his creators to raise, even with the rest of the Citadel pitching in where they could. His temper had settled to a degree as he matured, but he was still aggressive and hot-helmed. It was something every former military mecha in the Citadel had assured him was utterly normal for a front-line warrior. Even if Sheerwing wasn't one, his heritage was. Even now his carrier was still one of the more violent, aggressive mecha among the Knights.

In a private spot in one of the more isolated crystal gardens, a place usually used for meditation, the giggling moans of youthful mechs were audible before they came into view.

Snorting to himself, Vanguard rounded one of the crystal trees, pausing to regard the two young mecha. One, silver with black trim, was pressed up against the other, rotor blades partially fanned out, one finger drawing lazy spirals over Sheerwing's dark purple armor. It was the rotor, Windblade, who first noticed Vanguard's arrival, stiffening and alerting Sheerwing that they were being watched.

The larger triple changer glanced up, identified the intruder, and attempted to go back to kissing his lover as he reached around to stroke the fanned rotor blades.

Windblade squeaked, rotor blades trembling, leaning shyly into the touch. "Sheer..." Gold optics flicked in Vanguard's direction, the rotor attempting to hide behind his lover.

"Sheerwing," Vanguard called, stepping closer, slightly amused by Windblade's shy reaction.

"Yes, Sovereign?" The triple changer looked at him politely without letting go of his lover.

The elder Seeker flared his wings, pretending not to notice the shy helicopter peeking at him around Sheerwing's armor. "Have you given thought to following in your creators' pedesteps and training as a Knight of Light?"

"Yes, Sovereign," Sheerwing dropped all his insolent manners, proving that his creators had managed to teach him how to behave, he simply chose not to most of the time. "I intend to become a Knight."

The Sovereign smiled at the much younger mecha. "I will see to your training personally."

The stunned look that appeared on Sheerwing's face was not unexpected, but the distressed flicker in his wings was. "Sir ... my creators..."

"Dai Atlas and Axe have requested that another Knight take up your training," Vanguard replied calmly. "I accepted their request, and I will see to your training." A burgundy wing flicked. "I would have trained your carrier, but Wing got there first."

The stunned look deepened for a nanoklik, then smoothed as Sheerwing let go of his lover and canted his wings to Vanguard in submissive respect when he stood. "I would be honored to call you my Daoshi."

The Seeker's smile widened slightly. "Then come, and we will get the paperwork out of the way. You may pick up where you left off with Windblade later."

The rotor squeaked at that, shifting slightly. If Cybertronians could blush his face would have turned an interesting color.

"I definitely will," Sheerwing threw his lover a scalding look that promised a very hot night of celebrating before focusing his attention on Vanguard, following the smaller but faster mech out of the garden.