A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all the favs, follows and reviews! You guys rock! This chapter isn't my longest, because it's a shorter episode. Enjoy, and please R+R! I do not own Transformers.
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"Why so glum, Optimus?" Ratchet hesitantly queried, striding forward with his arms swinging at his sides, optics bright. "This planet – all planets – are free from Megatron's tyranny!" he gleefully exclaimed, optics flashing a joyful, relieved sky blue before settling to their normal cerulean.
"I do not disagree, Ratchet," the Prime spoke, those his optics were heavy with sorrow as his helm shook slightly. "It is just... A small part of me had hoped to change Megatron's mind. Not extinguish his spark." He sorrowfully revealed, optics latched onto the rocky terrain yet to be smoothed by concrete a few feet away. Ratchet froze, a disbelieving look crossing his features, a small scowl settling on his face.
"Optimus!" he scolded. "His vileness was not slain by your hand, but by his own arrogance!" he insisted, voice shaking with something akin to shock as he braced a pede in front of himself, throwing his arms backward. The leader hummed, his tone revealing no emotions, but neutral as he turned fully from the medic. Ratchet paused, venting heavily before lowering his gaze in slight shame. "I'm sorry." He relented. "I know you two had quite a history."
"But," Optimus began, hydraulics hissing, "The Megatron whom I once fought beside perished eons ago, the day he chose to become a Decepticon." He gravely finished, optics suddenly freezing over, an icy glaze to them. He turned, facing a new topic. "The Decepticons may be in disarray but they are not without leadership." He solemnly informed, though a new hope burned in his spark. "And while Starscream is no Megatron, he is far from predictable." He relayed, turning fully to face his oldest friend. He was cut off, attention immediately diverted, as a monstrous explosion rattled the room to its core, debris scattering throughout the base and clinging against their armor.
"Decepticons!" Ratchet screeched out, optics widening in panic. "We are under attack!" They both swiveled to face the thick cloud of billowing gray smoke, the acidic scent assaulting their senses. Lunging forward with their battle protocols already activating, they stopped at the perimeter of the disaster, right as the fog-like substance cleared, revealing the familiar form of the yellow and black scout, along with his small human charge.
"It's no attack, Ratchet," Raf dully informed, coughing violently, a hand batting the air in a futile attempt to allow fresh air to reach him. "It's my volcano!" Bumblebee chirruped slightly, optics spinning outward in guilt, doorwings lowering. Raf sorrowfully watched as the mass of colorful clay melted, seeping off of the small table and splattering onto the ground, hissing slightly like hot wax. "Was,"
"Hold still, Bulkhead!" Miko's voice shouted out, causing the irate medic to turn his head, watching as the teen advanced with a dripping paintbrush, various cans of different colors scattered around her feet, a model of the solar system in her guardian's hand. "Jupiter needs its red spot!" The wrecker nodded, arm freezing as he retained a motionless stance. She recoiled as a drop plummeted to the ground, splattering. "Whoopsie!"
He released an aggravated sigh, rolling his optics. "What… In the all-spark…. Is going on here?" he demanded, fists clenching as he frantically grasped what little patience remained.
"Our projects are due tomorrow," Jack piped in, a large, half-way constructed motorcycle placed in front of him, Arcee looming overhead with Kate leaning against her leg, wrench in hand as she clutched a gap in the femme's armor. Arcee suddenly bent forward, reaching ahead and lifting a muffler from the ground.
"Maybe it needs one of these do-hickeys?" she questioned, holding it out for the teen's inspection.
"You're a motorcycle, Arcee," Jack spoke, a hand on his hip. "Shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?" The blue femme scowled slightly, dropping the part. Katie shrieked as it landed a few millimeters in front of her, clanging loudly.
"Hey!" she indignantly squawked, blue eyes darkening. Arcee rolled her optics, gently reaching out and giving the child a gentle pat on the head with a finger. She turned her attention back to her own charge.
"You're a human, Jack. Can you build me a small intestine?" she challenged.
"Well, you can't work on these 'projects' in here!" the medic groaned out. "You're… Making a mess!"
"Messes are fun!" Kate protested, blue eyes gleaming. Miko shook her head, a humorous smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"You," she corrected, "Are the mess here!" Katie seemed to think a moment, before she glared playfully in the teen's general direction.
"But the science fair is a big part of our grade!" Raf relayed, eyes pleading.
"Ya!" Miko protested. "If Bulkhead doesn't help me finish this model of our solar system-"
"Oh?" Ratchet insists. "and what does Bulkhead know of your solar system? Or Bumblebee of your volcanoes? Or-" he cut himself off as his optics fell on the largest of the three groups, unsure.
"Arcee of our motorcycles?" Jack stuttered. His sister turned to him slightly.
"She is one," she blandly answered the rhetorical question, eyes narrowed and eyebrows furrowed as she attempted to analyze his expression. Jack glanced to her.
"I know, Kate," he finally sighed out, eyes closing as he shook his head tiredly." Ratchet chose to ignore the small epiphany, continuing.
"Precisely!" he continued, a hand raising to heighten his point. "We're not Earthlings! And they're not scientists!" he finished his tirade, hands on his hips, optics closed as his head shook. Optimus interrupted his speech, stepping forward with a smooth grace that should have been impossible for a mech his size as he approached the balcony, a hand lowering to the platform. His own charge bounded forward, dropping to her hands and knees in order to crawl into his palm. He straightened.
"But the Autobots are their guardians, Ratchet." He contradicted, bringing his hand to rest securely against his chest. "Would it hurt to learn more of Earth to help our young friends with their schoolwork?" Kate giggled quietly as she watched the ambulance's expression morph to one of angered disbelief.
"Well, maybe our 'young friends' should try learning more of Cybertron!" he recommended.
XXX
Kate squeaked in surprise as the paper mache seeped through a crack in the damp newspapers, squishing through her hands, leaving them with a white tinge. Giggling, she reached in once more the press the paper the rest of the way against the frame, Raf doing the same while listening intently to his guardian.
"Uh-huh?" he urged, glasses askew as he battled the glue-like substance. "Uh-huh?" he suddenly stopped what he was doing, allowing the sheet of newspaper to fall limp as he diverted his attention to the yellow scout. Katie watched in fascination as he allowed his blasters to take the place of his hand, the ends remaining dull, though, no charge bringing them to life. He rapidly waved them around, optics narrowing in his display.
"Really, Bumblebee?" Raf questioned, amazement clear on his features. "Then how do you make warrior class?" The Urbana buzzed slightly, doorwings flicking upward as he chirped. "But I've seen you in action! You're awesome!" Kate nodded enthusiastically, wiping her sticky hands on the damp towel laid by the display. She jumped as a familiar hand reached out, falling onto Bumblebee's shoulder. The toddler leapt to her feet, bounding over to her guardian and quickly attaching to his pede. He glanced down briefly, before answering the boy's question.
"I second your opinion, Raf. But Autobot lifecycles are much longer than those of humans. And though it may be hard to believe, our young scout still has much to learn." He explained before removing his hand from the doorwinger's frame, instead reaching down to scoop his charge into his hand. Gently lifting her to his shoulder, he allowed her to gently clamor off, nervously curling in a dent next to his neck.
"Exposed energon!" Ratchet suddenly called out as the monitor beeped frantically. "And it's on the move." Optimus rose completely, and his charge yelped in alarm.
"I will not allow you to fall, small one," he calmly noted, immediately picking up on her tense, frantic behavior as she clamored for a grip.
"Know," she spoke, though her voice cracked severely. Bulkhead approached, optics narrowed.
"And if we aren't moving, guess who must be!" he chanted, fist closing around air, optics glinting.
"Decepticons," Arcee answered, hands on her hips as Miko dashed to the railings.
"Without Megatron?"
"Unfortunately Megatron's legacy will live on, as others take his place." Optimus stated, gently lifting Kate from his shoulder to cup her in his hands. He gently turned, tenderly dropping her into his SiC's waiting hands. "Autobots, you have projects to complete. Ratchet, I may require aid."
Turning to the femme as the pair disappeared through the bridge, Katie glanced to her. "Where he goin'?" Arcee vented.
"To figure something out," was her vague response as she lowered the small child to the ground. Not feeling like arguing further, the toddler simply wandered away, arms swinging limply by her side. She energetically hopped down the steps one a time, clumsily skipping over to her guardian, gripping his pede with one hand, the other automatically traveling to her mouth. Ratchet hummed slightly, looking to Raf as he scurried around the re-formed volcano.
"The Science fair is a big part of their grade," he reluctantly hinted, "Perhaps I am better suited to remain behind and," he paused, "Advise." He looked to the leader, glancing only briefly to the child latched to his foot. Optimus seemed to sigh.
"Very well," he reluctantly gave in, "Bumblebee, let us see about this energon in transit." The scout nodded slightly, hands curling into fists as his doorwings flickered.
XXX
"Whatcha doin'?" Kate asked, wincing as one of the sparks flew by, nearly singing her arm. Ratchet barely spared her a glance as he welded the metal volcano frame.
"Let's see, where is it?" he muttered under his breath, searching for a certain panel.
"Um," Raf nervously began. "What is it?" He stepped forward between the medic's feet, looking up.
"You'll find out," Ratchet drawled, reaching out a hand to gently push the curious toddler back, her hand reaching for 'Raf's' project. She yelped slightly.
"Mean!" she accused, eyes squeezing close as she stuck out her tongue. The medic rolled his optics, returning to his welding.
"But, Ratchet, shouldn't I be doing the work?" he queried, stepping forward to inspect the metal.
"His project," Katie dutifully pointed out, frowning as she stepped over to the older boy's side. Ratchet angrily stuttered.
"Don't touch, just watch and learn!" he snapped, shaking his head and glowering at the pair.
"So," Bulkhead nervously began, Arcee kneeling as a frustrated, angered three-year-old uncoordinatedly sprinted to her pede. "We're just gonna go help Jack and Miko finish theirs-" he was cut off as Ratchet's head snapped up.
"Without my supervision?" he scoffed, climbing to his pedes as Arcee rose, child in hand. "You want them to be right don't you?" The two Autobots shared a calculating, apprehensive glance, Kate looking frantically between all three. They turned back to him right as he shifted his hand into a sparking welder, the glow casting a wild look in his already disheveled optics.
"Then watch," he paused, the hot tool casting an eerie glow on his features, an evil, mad grin creeping onto his face. "A master," he seemed to swell in pride. "At work!" Both recoiled, the medic seeming to have flown off the hinge, and Kate squeaked.
"He's sca'y," she whimpered, sinking further against the femme's armor as she looked on with wide eyes.
"Control freak!" Miko drawled from the balcony, Jack shrugging, though not denying the statement.
XXX
Arcee leaned against the wall, unable to aid her charge in his project, and Jack unable to move from the balcony without being stopped by Ratchet, who had seemingly gone over the top. She started slightly as two tiny hands grabbed on to her armor, and she looked down to find the youngest of the four staring up at her. Venting, for some reason unable to deny the child, she dropped to the ground, folding her legs beside her. She looked on, bewildered, as the small girl reached behind her and seemed to grab something, turning to reveal a stuffed dog clutched in her hands. She held it out for the Autobot.
The femme shuttered her optics, before slowly reaching out, allowing the girl to drop the toy into her hand. "Uh, thanks?" she unsurely accepted, looking at the item with a blank face. Katie giggled, turning to scamper across the room, pigtsils swinging with each bound. Arcee looked at the object once more, puzzled. She had been given this why?
She found out as the human dashed back over, arms full of miniature, fluffy stuffed animals. Wordlessly, she glanced to her own charge, the teenager, watching in concern as his motorcycle was constructed by the medic. "Jack?" she hesitantly called out. The teenager glanced to her.
"Yeah, 'Cee?" he returned, loping over to the side closest to them.
"What is she…?" she motioned to the many toys littered around her, the child studiously arranging them into an organized line, squeaking whenever one was knocked out of order. Jack smirked, emerald eyes glinting.
"Just go along with it," he laughed, scarcely containing his chuckles, having to bite his lip to keep from laughing as he walked away. Arcee growled slightly. She had not signed up to sparkling sit.
XXX
"I'm pretty sure that is not a butterfly, Katie." She tiredly corrected, humorously staring at the stuffed bumblebee clutched tightly in the toddler's hand. How she had been forced into this, she still didn't know. Kate frowned, scowling down at the soft plaything. The tot looked up, tilting her head.
"Not?" she questioned, seeming to prefer sticking to short, easy answers. Arcee shook her helm, optics bright as a small smile made its way onto her face.
"No. I am pretty sure that this," she leant over, lifting a small, purple butterfly from the floor, gingerly holding it for the human's inspection. "Is a butterfly." She held it out, letting the three-year-old grab it from her palm.
"No stripes," she exclaimed as if surprised, narrowing her cerulean eyes while bringing the toy closer to her face, narrowed eyes nearly crossing. Arcee vented, shaking her head, though she was thoroughly amused.
"No, kiddo, bumblebees have stripes." She smirked, voice laced with amusement.
"'Bee don't have stripes," Kate commented, cocking her head and frowning. Arcee chuckled, optics flashing slightly.
"No, he doesn't, does he?" She watched as the child fell silent, seemingly concentrating. Finally, she snapped back to awareness, slowly shaking her head, as if unsure.
"Uh-uh," she finally concluded, giggling. Sobering, though her eyes remained bright, a smile on her face, she knelt, scanning the pile of toys, blonde hair falling over her shoulders. Reaching down, she lifted a preying mantis from the floor, holding it up as high as possible for the femme to view. "Dinosaur?" The Autobot rested her forehead against her hand, barely restraining her laughter.
"No, sparkling, I don't think that is a dinosaur," she finally responded once she was able to control herself. She watched, optics brightening in bewilderment, arms bracing herself against the floor as Kate seemed to glower at her, though the glare failed.
"I don' sparkle!" she angrily exclaimed, holding her arms out, the toy bug falling to the floor as she looked herself over, pigtails flopping to the side. "No sparkles!" she reiterated after assuring that she was, indeed, free of sparkles, eyes clouded with confusion.
"No," Arcee interrupted, off-lining her optics for a moment as she fought her mirth, determined to keep up her façade. "That isn't what…" she trailed off as she on-lined her optics once more, only to be greeted by the toddler's confounded, perplexed expression, eyes narrowed, arms limp by her side, head tilted. "Of course you don't, kiddo." She gave in, simply reaching out to soothingly brush the child's arm. "Of course you don't…"
This was going to be a long afternoon.