Wow...really...really long chapter here...
If it makes it any better, I split it into two parts for you guys-
Sorry 0~o
But, I just couldn't wait any longer! I had to get all of this in or it would eat at me!
I'll probably just have to post them a day apart since I need more time...
I hope you enjoy :)
Of The Spark And Heart
Part 1
Chapter 35
Never before had she'd been so happy, yet so frightened, to see that mech in her life. Not when he came back from fighting off that Decepticon on the highway, not when he violently refused to leave her alone with Ratchet after her seizures, and not when he'd come back to the world of the living. Her heart fluttered with anxiety and Hope roared in her ears. A feeling of weightlessness overcame her, sending her into a restless squirm in Optimus' palm. Her thoughts trained on one thing and one thing only, stubbornly sticking on a single path though she tried moving on. The Prime holding her didn't seem to notice, nor anyone else. Somehow, some way, she knew he was coming before the others apparently did.
It was an odd knowing- one she'd never experienced before. The feeling was almost a sixth-sense deal, a growing essence in her heart that prodded at her constantly while it steadily got stronger. And when she finally paid attention, she immediately knew, by some outer power of the universe, that it had something to do with Solas. Her stomach filled with butterflies and her mind sped in all the possibilities. What would he do when he saw her again?
Fera blinked at the distant way, waiting patiently to greet the incoming party. Her ankle hurt like hell and every muscle complained nonstop of her wounds. A throbbing echo continued just underneath the layer of her skin, pulsing hotly within each scab like a thousand tiny bugs wishing to crawl free. The entirety of her body was amazingly stiff, and caused her great discomfort when she twisted wrong. Her mind was elsewhere than the spacious expanse of meadow, caught up in the knowing that in mere minutes -no make that seconds- she was going to reunite with her true Guardian. The breeze flowed with the words of the ones who continued their conversation above her, but she paid them no heed, too concentrated and too devoted to her target to care.
The warmth of Optimus' hands melded into her body, willing her to rest despite the relentless defiance she used to stay away. When she had slipped from Titanios' leather seat, she nearly fell to her knees in total disbelief. The luscious grasses against her naked feet was like heaven, soft and dewy from the night before. A fresh, early summer wind flushed around her, encasing her in a pleasant welcome. Rays of the sun sunk into her skin deliciously as she rested her head against Titanios' doorframe to take it all in. The cold frigidness she'd known for who-knows-how-long was so different from this natural liveliness. It was wonderful to be back...to be alive. Her eyes had opened and she let it all come to grips that she hadn't died and her spirit hadn't lifted into the clouds. She was back. She, was home.
But, there was too much here to leave for a rest at the moment; too many loose ends she needed to tie; too much left unsaid. Hope wouldn't let her fade again, she knew that. And this...what had Rodimus called it again? Stone of Primus? Well it wasn't going to let her quit anytime soon either. It carried her beyond the greedy dark and led her back into the light of life. There was no way she could have been more thankful for it, allowing her to live just that small length of time longer, until she could rejoin her friends in Washington D.C. Giving a sentimental smirk, Fera swung her legs slowly through the air. Her father was right: it was her good luck charm.
The moment the black and red Mustang peeked over the crest of the hills, Fera had sat straighter. Her heart skipped a beat and her stomach flipped, her mind running ramped as she excitedly followed the 'Bots' forms coming increasingly closer. Optimus continued his conversation with Titanios, oblivious to the approaching mech and unfamiliar hot-pink motorcycle. Fera shifted in place, grabbing the edge of Optimus' fingers as she leaned forward. The sun's piercing blaze darted off the surface of Solas' sleek hood, almost blinding her as her eyes caught a bright flash. His tires were fresh and new, carrying him swiftly over the ground separating them in a matter of seconds.
Abruptly, Fera spotted the missing mass that was his door, and the way his driving pattern wasn't as smooth as it usually was. A concern entered her heart and she craned her neck to get a better look at him. Was he hurt again? When did he get his armor back? When he reached the edge of the grass, the Mustang hissed, the front hood splitting. Slowly, Fera swayed back, her eyebrows burrowed. Something was wrong here. He was coming in too fast.
Another roar of the engine struck the air, finally taking the attentions of the Prime and Decepticon. Titanios turned towards Solas while Optimus simply stepped aside, completely revealing the space beyond. Fera no longer had to stretch herself to see Solas' body twisting and reshaping, letting loose those series of metallic clangs and strikes that she'd now looked so forward to.
Sol's hood fanned out, his front grill following suit. His roof broke into multiple puzzle-like pieces, disappearing in the blink of an eye amongst the thick of his transformation. His sides snapped outward, swinging around and snaking into the flurry of plates and parts. Clicks and slams wafted on the wind, reaching Fera's ears from an impossible distance. Pipes suddenly appeared and then left sight as quickly; wheels wrapped around to his back; windows folded away. Two appendages broke from the rest, armor pressing into place as they took shape. A hatch between the high rises of his shoulders opened, allowing the crown of his head to show.
Bowed strips of black curled out of hiding, lifting from inside his chest like the sun's morning rise. Silver slips that were far smaller than anything else on his body rolled around his shoulders when he stretched his neck. A set of crimson details clipped to place on the front and center of Sol's helmet, planting itself firmly to him by the pointed tips on the sides of his head. More red poked to view behind the black of his chest and spread gracefully over his shoulders. His hips and legs built themselves, finishing their reformation as he took his first bipedal steps. His 'toes' splayed across the grass, crushing whatever lay beneath with his massive weight.
The small pendant on the upper forehead of Solas' skull snapped into its spot and softly let off a florescent glow. All in only a few short beats of her heart. But it was amazing just how much longer it felt than those short pumps.
For the first time in a long time, his eyes revealed that teal-blue brightness that simply took her breath away. The pure magnificence of seeing a friendly face almost made her break into a beaming smile. She noted the newer shine in his armor, the way his steps seemed energized and healthier than before. His gaze trained solidly on them, refusing to move anywhere else. They coursed with liveliness, bursting with focus, determination, and...anger?
Fera's heart sank and her smile dipped down. Sol's hands were clenched to fists and his strides remained short and hurried. The hand she prepared to wave in greeting stayed still in her lap, digging into her leg as she watched the Autobot stalk across the grass. She felt the stiffen of Optimus' body, only detectable by the sudden jerk of his hands and the freeze of his fingers around her. She saw the squareness of Sol's shoulders, and the way his arms swung back and forth far too jerkily. His face tilted down, shadowing his immediate features and making him seem far more intimidating.
However through all this, the only thing she truly noticed, was Solas' eyes. One blue, and one an all-too-familiar, stark, ruby-red.
Fera's body fell into a numb weakness, her arms sinking lower and her lungs seizing. Her wounds seemed like nothing anymore; as if they were but paper cuts across her flesh. Terror gripped her very core, sending her into a frightened haze. Her mind no longer registered the protective, stubborn friend she called her Guardian. Instead, he was but another one who wished to harm her.
Shaking and full of an unbridled fear, Fera pushed away from the near end of Optimus' fingers, wrapped her arms around her knees and hugged them closely to her. Wide, fuzzy-blue eyes stared into the distant figure as her mind began to fall into its path of the past. The fiery touches ripping her slowly to shreds; the delighted laughter cackling between her screams; the nonstop questions that went unresolved and ended up in more torture. The times when she felt she was swallowing the desert were the worst, only because when she couldn't talk and couldn't scream, that made her personal Lucifer angry, leading to more suffering. Physical scores marred her skin, while the mental scars settled into what she knew would be the worst to deal with in later life. She had already begun having nightmares in captivity.
He wasn't one of them...he wasn't. Was he? He couldn't be. It wasn't possible. She refused to believe it so. Solas Kaon was her protector, one who'd sworn to guard her with his own life. So many times had she kept herself assured because she knew he was nearby. For some reason, he just made her feel safe. Ever since his coma, she'd tried believing he was invincible, even though she knew deep, deep down, that he was not. He'd grown into more than her Guardian now. He was her friend; her partner...her family.
But...but those eyes.
Fera gasped and clutched herself closer, pressing her legs further into her chest as a bellowing battle cry shattered her moment of daze. "You've a death wish, you good for nothing, murderous Decepticon!" she flinched at the words, bringing her head into her shoulders as she did so. A small scab on her left arm cracked and popped off when her muscles flexed. The one who held her now, Optimus she knew, began to move, causing her body to sway as he shifted.
The sound of flustered revs and flaring breaths came closer, adding to Fera's cowardice, yet supplying to her curiosity at the same time. Unable to help herself any longer, Fera got to her feet and fell forward, her ankle giving out on her the moment she set her toe to Optimus' hand. She was now on her hands and knees, willing herself beyond her pain and weakness to push herself up. Her neck strained to pick up her head, and her arms refused to lift her body very far. When she decided to rest on her elbows, she nearly missed the sight of Solas' charge. Now up and alert of the situation, Fera watched in growing horror as Sol started into a full-out sprint.
Looking between him and his direction, Fera realized he was headed straight for Titanios, never stalling for a second in his advance. Titanios must have thought this too, for he took an uncertain step back when Solas' statement reached the air. Fera's fingers tightened into her palms, biting into the soft skin with a merciless pinch. She drew in a breath to scream something to Solas, to maybe stop him in his attack, but she knew she was too late.
Within only a few long strides, Solas was near enough. He released an infuriated and primal snarl before launching himself through the space separating them. Titanios hadn't even the time to run as he was speared to the ground with a sickening crunch of Cybertronian parts. Solas was smaller than Titanios, that was immediately apparent. Nonetheless, he took the Decepticon down with ease, the two rolling as a bundle of black, red, and green before stopping on what looked like a long airplane runway. A small rotary plane swerved out of the way, the blade on its nose already spinning. Sol proceeded to bring himself up to straddle Titanios beneath him, locking the mech in place as a solid purchase.
With one last call, the mech rose his hand and curled it to a fist, flashing his snarling face as he pulled back. Titanios was too shocked to react quickly enough, unable to get his arms up in time to deflect Sol's attack as he threw down his fist and caught the former 'Con in the jaw. Sparks flew and a loud ring struck out as Titanios' head snapped to the side. Fera gasped and clapped both hands over her mouth, wincing as Sol hit Titanios again.
She could hear the collective shifts of the people below, and she could feel the lurch of Optimus' body as he started forward. Sol continued to attack Titanios, but not without rebuke from the victim. Titanios was able to get his arms up, blocking his face and head against Sol. Optimus took a step towards them, suddenly releasing a bellowing set of strange whirrs, clicks, and whistles. The sheer volume of his voice nearly deafened Fera, and she struggled to stay in one place with his constant movement. Solas paused for a second, his gaze flicking from Titanios to Optimus, his head never turning. His shoulders moved up and down, his breathing heavy. His fist stay hovering in the air, awaiting the time to strike again.
Optimus took another step, causing Sol to jerk threateningly. "Solas Kaon, he is one of us- an ally." the Prime tried reasoning in English, making the warrior stall again. "Stand. Down." they both looked to one another, blue gazes locked for merely a heartbeat before Sol's eyes flicked down. He saw her.
Instantaneously he dropped his fist and crazed demeanor. His face relaxed into shock and he stood from Titanios, whom he suddenly lost interest in. Fera's hands slipped from her face, falling on her knees as she sat back on her one good heel. Her breathing stopped completely as her heart skipped a beat. None of her past worries seemed to mean near as much anymore, not even the arch on her chest. She could sense Hope growing stronger, getting excited as it clutched at her. It seemed almost confused, like it refused to believe its access to her. The necklace around her throat buzzed when he looked at her, warm to the touch as it pulsed along with her heart.
"Fera." he murmured.
Fera's jaw opened and closed soundlessly, unable to emit a single word. Her Guardian rose over Titanios, coming to face his leader and charge. The aura he now produced was almost inspiring if not for the actions he'd committed moments before. Fera caught herself staring, unable to look away at the new side she was seeing of this mech. Behind him, a smaller white and sky-blue fembot kneeled low beside Titanios and spoke softly to him, her face covered in concern
His eyes were no longer two separate colors, but one, permitting that great teal-blue that she'd grown accustomed to. She could feel her tears returning, about to spill over across her cheeks. The horrid feel of her torturers and just what they could have taken from her seemed to abruptly overtake her from out of nowhere. They could have ended her life there, on that table; in those chains. Arachnid had her in her fingertips, stabbing the sharp edges into her soft skin teasingly. Platon could have split her body into parts just by a simple yank of limbs and rope, breaking her down physically and spilling all she had across the floor.
And she would have taken it.
It was until they brought in Rodimus that she would have gladly died to keep whatever secrets her father held safe. They wanted her for what she held mentally, trying to use pain and suffering to their advantage. But then they brought a new game to the table: a hostage. Rodimus wasn't apart of her problems, even if he was an Autobot. He obviously knew nothing of what she held, yet the Decepticons cared not for that. He'd suffered unnecessarily for her sake.
Sol started for Optimus and Fera, and the teen leaned forward, his name on her lips. She was so happy to see him alive and armored again, able to walk without limp and transform without pain. They were all ok, whole and ok.
But then, before Sol could reach them, two figures intercepted him. They took his arms and pulled him back, forcing him further away. Sol struggled against them, giving a growl as Bumblebee and Mirage placed themselves between him and their leader. Fera shook her head, pushing herself forward until she was on all fours once again. Sol tried pushing Mirage away, making sure to not shove Bee. She guessed that even in his anger, Sol never wished to lay a hand on the cyberling that tried protecting her. That didn't mean he wouldn't fight.
The pink fembot that had come along with Solas now ran up to Bumblebee, pulling him back from the two. The young mech turned to her, carefully urging her away as Solas launched forward again. Mirage grabbed for the mech, trying to hold him off himself since his yellow comrade was busy. All this time, Titanios was getting helped off the ground by the blue fembot, whom tried keeping Titanios away from Sol and the others as the Guardian continued to get past them. Mirage was yelling in that same weird way Optimus had, and the high-pitched noises and sounds put a ringing in Fera's ear. She shook her head, all of a sudden dizzy. Her heart beat faster at the sound of these words, almost as if it was joyed to hear them.
"Wait, wait, wait!" Fera suddenly cried, almost falling off the edge of Optimus' fingers as she balanced on one hand and placed the other over her chest.
Everyone looked to her, including Titanios as he made sure to stand far back. She swallowed back the lump in her throat, keeping her grip on Optimus despite the discomfort in her arms. Her legs stayed limp and her arms remained stiff. Under each gaze and held in the hesitant breaths of her friends, Fera looked between each Cybertronian until she settled on Sol, who watched her with every ounce of anxiety she knew he had. Always the nervous one. Giving a wince as her chest cramped and her began to sting in an oncoming headache, Fera lowered her raised arm and released a shaky sigh.
"Let him go. It's ok... Really." she nodded in conformation and the mechs glanced at one another uncertainly. Bumblebee moved away easily enough, but it was Mirage who stayed by Sol, holding back his shoulders as he fought with himself. Fera waited patiently for the red mech to make up his mind, but she still kept a constant eyecontact up with Sol as he did so. Silently, Mirage looked to his peers for answers, getting a confident nod from Bee and an irritated jerk of the head from Sol. Finally, he moved away, allowing Sol the freedom he wanted. Without waiting a second longer, the Cybertronian rushed forward.
Surprisingly, Optimus allowed him to take Fera into his arms, even going so far as to hand her over to him as he came nearer himself. Fera let Sol take her close in a large hug, fitting her perfectly into his chest armor as he did. She latched onto him, holding with whatever pitiful strength she had. She never wanted to be take away from the 'Bots again. She never wanted to see another fight or be taken from the arms of her friends. Her tears began to fall, but she stayed quiet as she pressed her cheek to his warm plates. It had recently become a natural thing for her to be able to cry so soundlessly. If a Decepticon were to hear her sobbing while she was captive, she would be laughed at, poked, prodded, or struck until she fell silent.
But now she could cry as loudly as she wanted to, and all they would do was comfort her. True, pure, comfort. It was so nice to finally be back among those with the ability of empathy, no longer wishing to cause her pain and mental torture. His chest vibrated under her, creating soft trembles that were strangely soothing. They matched with that of her necklace, making one solid series of relaxing waves. Fera let Hope engulf her, allowing it to add to Sol's embrace and grow it into twice that of what it was. "I'm so sorry..." she whispered hoarsely, pulling herself close as she continued her grip on him, "I'm so sorry for trying to push you away...for...for be-"
"Shush Fera, don't start with that. You're here now, that's all that matters." Sol hushed her, shifting her into a cradled position. Fera's ankle moved and a sharp pain shot up her leg, causing her to suck in a loud rasp of air as she reached for the limb. She felt Sol move and he moved a hand to gently touch under her leg, lifting it to see for himself. "Fera, you're hurt." he noted softly, beginning to move before she could respond.
Shaking her head, Fera took her foot away and she held herself closer to him. Here, she felt safe and secure, like nothing would be able to harm her ever again. "I'm fine...how's...how's my mom?" she felt herself falling back, her energy fading and her adrenalin running low. Her lids felt increasingly heavy while her body refused to do anything else than hold on. They were traveling somewhere, she could tell by the steady rise and fall they took when Sol walked. The light went from a sunny warmth to a shady cool, the fresh air becoming closed and compacted. Fera didn't try looking up, for she didn't think she could. Her head bounced slightly with each step he took, and Fera stubbornly tried to keep it still for as long as she was able.
"Your female creator has been greatly worried for you, however, I haven't had the opportunity to speak with her yet." he repositioned her ever so slightly and Fera sighed, nodding as a sign that she'd heard. Her heart fluttered with the knowing that her mother was in the same building now, that she could actually see and touch the woman who gave birth to, and raised her. "You shall see her soon enough...as for now..."
Fera couldn't help it anymore. She could feel her muscles untying and her mind unwinding, sending her into a deep spin. The darkness was closing over her, forcing her into a sleep she tried keeping away for so long. The lights and shadows curved above, glinting off Sol one by one, over and over in a mesmerizing pattern. It didn't help her to stay awake, but it did give her something to focus on than just staring off aimlessly into the onyx black of Solas' armor. She had no idea where they were going, or why, but all she did know was that as long as she was with one of the 'Bots, she was safe. Voices chattered confusedly all around her, growing louder and closer as her body began to float. Float?
She reached for something past her empty hold, for the mech she'd clung to moments before. Where was he? Where was the careful hands of Sol, shielding her from the pain and agony? Where was Stratis and Bumblebee? Or Optimus and Rethalia? She wished to hug her mother, or just see her father one last time. She was sick of being separated from the good; from those who have a lick of consideration in their hearts -sparks, whatever-.
There was a sense of her floating downward, and then she was pressed against a flat surface. Immediately, she gasped and jumped up, grabbing for whatever she could. Her whimpers escaped her throat and she felt her body convulse in a series of shakes. Not the table, she begged silently. Oh God, not again! A heightened fear gripped her heart, shoving aside Hope and causing her to frantically search for rescue. Her eyes misted over, with the light dousing out any and all sharpness in her vision. Everything moved as a blur or shadow, never recognizable, never reassuring.
She was left to lay on her back now, her limbs thrashing against whatever held them. She felt restraining weights on her wrists and ankles, shackling her to the cold steel. Absolute terror controlled her now, sending claws of electricity up her legs and arms in place of her missing strength. Her ankle screamed with affliction, nearly forcing her legs to seize up. Her heart pounded in her chest, her ears roaring with blood. Both mentally and physically, she yelled, screaming at the top of her lungs in the same way she had in the chains.
Arachnid would be here soon; she was coming here to finish her promise.
So it had all been some kind of sick dream then? All of it? This made her cry even louder; struggle harder. For just a moment, she'd had peace. She was with the 'Bots again, safe within their ranks, but now she was back. Why did the chains feel so soft? They were strong nonetheless, but there was something different about them. Her already sore wrists complained with being handled again, and her back arched off the surface of what she rested on. No, she wouldn't do this. Not again. If she went out, she would go out fighting.
"Let me go!" she shrieked, striking out to fight against the cuffs. Her arm yanked to the side, flying freely as she apparently broke from the chain. She halted for a brief second in surprise before using that limb to go after the others. But, she was unable to release herself before something grabbed her and barred that arm down. Her teeth flashed in frustration, and she fought with both fright and anger. They could take her blood; they could take her sanity; they could take her life.
But they wouldn't have her spirit.
Something horrific bit into her lower leg and she bowed her body towards the ceiling, letting loose a powerful scream that hurt her throat. The familiar darkness began to encircle her again, masking her core from the reaches of Hope. The dark was blocking it without her consent, filling whatever she had with nothing but loneliness and heartbreak. She dug for Hope, trying to find it beneath the sucking depth of the black. She refused to go like this, lost and alone. Stinging tears filled her eyes and trickled down her temples, soaking into her hair.
This couldn't be it, it couldn't. She wouldn't let it. And giving her last tug, she attempted freedom one more time.
Abruptly, she was no longer on the table. She no longer was being held down or restricted. Instead, she was being taken into another grip; another comforting grasp. The warmth hit her right away, seeping into her body until it hit her very bones. It overtook her breathing, allowing her lungs to go lax and give her a better intake of air. She was flushed against something hard, made up of large and small parts that she fit into quite comfortably. Quickly as she could, she attached onto whatever she got her hands on. Whomever it was that held her now began to softly sooth her, brushing her upper back in rhythmic strokes. Above her harsh breath, she could just make out a familiar voice speaking in hushed tones to her.
"Fera, you're ok, we're not going to hurt you...it's alright..." it wasn't more than a whisper, meant for her and her alone. She relaxed into the body of the holder, allowing them to unknot her stress with the quivers resounding throughout them. Pressing her ear to the hard surface, Fera could feel and hear the beating of their heart, pumping with strong waves of life. She let herself shudder against them, slowly drawing in the heat to her own body when she felt her surroundings to be so much colder compared to them. Who was this? Oh, right, she knew.
"Solas...?" she murmured the name, barely hearing herself even say it. Hope launched at her again, stabbing at the darkness as it struggled to get to her. The mech rumbled lowly when Hope failed and retreated. Fera started after Hope, fumbling around in the gunky fluid of the dark after the light of Hope. Where was it? It shot for her abruptly, but the only result it got for its trouble was the indent of the black like a bubble was being blown. Solas jerked with Fera and she produced a long moan as a complaint. How did she get here again?
"You've lost a lot of blood...you'll...transfusion...Primus, it hurts when you do that." at this, Hope attempted contact again. Fera tried to do the same with it, touching the other side of the black between her and Hope. Trapped in the middle of herself and the essence, the black retreated into itself. Almost painfully, Hope exploded back into place, covering her in its presence and diverting the black far, far away. With this beautiful relief, Fera went almost numb. She let herself go completely limp in Solas' hands. She knew she was safe with him. She knew she was home. She was going to live.
"Primus almighty Fera, what did they do to you...?"
The fembot darted back to the darkness, quietly closing the door behind her. The loud shouts and commands behind her had signaled that the assailants had reached her location. They'd gotten here quicker than she had predicted... Her sapphire-blue optics flickered over the door, absolute terror welling inside of her. She wasn't a fighter; not alone anyways. She'd always had someone by her side, protecting her blind spots and offering support. But now, she was just alone. Alone and lost.
And scared.
Soulsearcher whipped around and assessed the room before her. Cargo was grouped in stacked mounds of materials towards the back, climbing high enough to skirt the ceiling. She swiftly dived low and shifted some of the boxes so her smaller frame would fit in the tiny space beneath one of the giant piles before her. Once they'd been moved back, the noises outside became muffled and barely audible. Even then however, she could still feel the vibrations of the floor as explosions rocked the building underneath her. The tiny shakes rattled her joints and sensitive wiring, not allowing her to simply ignore what was going on outside.
Tremors shook her body, making her tanks churn and her CPU race. She was in full-fledged flight mode, ready to bolt if someone so much as shuttered an optic at her. The programming she had acquired from her dead sister buzzed in the back of her cranial unit, repeatedly reminding her of the small charge she carried. She let her servo travel downward to absentmindedly rub the spot above her holding capsule. Instantly, she felt more relaxed and calm. You made a promise, she told herself sternly. You told her you would protect that sparkling with your life if needed, so make sure whatever happens- that he gets out with his life.
A shaky servo laid over her abdominal slips and the young one inside reacted to her touch, waking up and demanding he be let free by a few kicks and whiny squirms. To keep him quiet, she allowed him to remove himself and tumble into her grasp. At first, he appeared confused. She could see his large, cyan-blue optics bobbing around to avidly take in his surroundings. There was nothing but darkness, the light of the other's optics, and them. The cargo area was merely a hiding space, barely big enough for even Soulsearcher's small shape to fit. Gently, she hugged Firelight to her and he whirred softly. She could tell he was frightened, receiving the messages and questions through their bond they shared. He understood something was wrong, and he knew that things weren't right.
There was a loud clang from outside and both of them became startled, jumping at the sound. "Shh, shh, shh young one. I am here, don't be afraid." she hushed his scared whimpers by cradling him in her arm, making sure he stayed as close as possible. He set his tiny digits on her chassis, holding on tightly. His helm pressed just above her spark chamber, listening intently to each pump of her spark. The precious little one was held firmly to her as Soulsearcher raised her faceplates to look around. Adjusting her optics, she was able to make out a few dark shapes in the black. From here, she could possibly let Firelight try to sneak out and evade the Decepticons waiting outside.
But that was unlikely to work.
She could also shove him through the air ducts-
If there were any here.
But the floorboards-?
Are solid sheets of concrete.
Maybe she could hide on the ceiling-
But there is nothing to grab and I'm too short to reach anything.
Maybe...
Maybe this was it.
Soulsearcher forced the smile on her face and she tenderly rubbed Firelight's arm. She was his savior, his fembot caretaker, his protector...all he'd ever known and had. And yet, now, all she could do was sit...and hope. Maybe help would come. Maybe all those mechs out there- her comrades weren't deadsparked. They could be up, searching for her. For Primus sake, Ultra Magnus was out there! But she wouldn't dare send out a distress call. Those 'Cons were still beyond that door; that same door that couldn't hide the snarls and roughness of the soldiers and warriors looking for them. Looking for death.
Firelight sniffled and fluid built up in the corners of his bright, round optics, threatening to spill over in fat tears. Soulsearcher just kept grinning at him, lying and lying until her spark felt to break. They wouldn't be here for long. Someone had to come for them. There was a young life at stake.
Firelight's quiet crying didn't end as Soulsearcher slowly rocked him. He was so big now, so grown from what he had been. He had his fembot creator's optics, but with his mech creator's build in his still-developing body. His creators would be so proud to see him, to be able to see what she was willing to do to protect him. Here, right now, everything was ok. Everything was ok, but it wasn't. It was hide and seek now. There was no running for the small sparkling, she realized that.
Her own tears fell down her cheekplates and Firelight's optics widened. They beaded off to plop onto his small plates, splashing across the dusty green of his frame. He clashed with her white and light-pink armoring, but she hadn't cared. She hadn't cared that he looked nothing like her. She hadn't cared that he was her sister's creation and not her own. She hadn't cared that he was the cause of her sibling's death. All she cared for was that he was safe and alive. Alive, here, in her arms.
Firelight reached up and whisked his digits over her faceplates, brushing over them and cutting off the path of her tears. She leaned into his touch, grinning in so much pain and sadness that it shouldn't have been a grin at all. He no more bore his own tears. He just held her faceplates and listened to her voice whenever she spoke. He was such a good sparkling- so bright and happy and loveable. What would he be as a mech? Soulsearcher could very well see him as becoming the next Optimus Prime, though none would truly be like that mech. But Firelight was so intelligent and caring that he seemed a much smaller version of the Prime from time to time.
Time was up. The Decepticons could be heard coming closer. They would be here. Soon.
Firelight drew away his servo, holding it to him as his optics became worried again. Soulsearcher ignored his expression, taking back the small limb and holding it to her cheekplate. The tears continued, but suddenly, she added her voice to them. That calming, assuring voice that Firelight melted into when she sang:
"When in Halo's, reach I come to stand;
In hope and light as they pass this land;
When I breath, suns continue their rise;
No more do I take these lies;
But stand tall my son, and earn your wing;
For callings broad they do sing;"
Another crash outside had Soulsearcher wincing. Firelight snuggled closer to her and clung to her chassis, aiming wonderful optics up at her. Again, she began:
"In Matrix hold I lay;
For day upon night, I say;
Beyond the wars they wage;
And the peace in life's cage;
Sit hopeful in my grasp;
And love every clasp;
Love every brush;
And may your life never rush;"
For a few nanoclicks, she stopped, tucking in her lip plates as the fear rose inside of her and threatened to overwhelm. Her spark was splitting in two, shattering like glass as the wisdom surfaced. Her energon buzzed with terror, but her processor fought with a desperate will. There had to be something! Something, somewhere, somehow! Helplessness was like a heavy weight on her shoulderbolts when she bowed her helm to continue with a low, shaky tone:
"Always have wonder;
We'll always have one another;
'Till future's end;
Rest free my friend;
Rest free."
They were here now, upon the room with a fury that broke open the spirit of the young fembot. The sparkling in her grasp tensed and held onto her with every shuddering breath she drew. "Rest free, rest free." she whispered, over and over, leaning forward to hold Firelight's audio receptor near her lip plates. She set on hand on his upper support, the other holding him in place. Pieces of the room around them were torn apart in their search, clattering around and flying where they were not meant to. Memories flushed through her CPU at phenomenal speeds and blinded her with the sentimental value of each laugh; each cry; each whisper; each loving touch. But on she went, murmuring that mantra to the charge she held.
Growling and heavy venting echoed over them both, causing the young one to cower deep into the fembot's neck. He was nearly strangling her, but she didn't care. He was here, in her arms. And she was here for him, no matter what happened to them.
The objects behind them vanished and Soulsearcher peeled Firelight from her neck to hold in her lap and against her elevated kneebolts. Cold dread filled her and she could no longer take in air. It was all no use anymore, all of it had no meaning. Nothing but him.
Firelight's optics sit wide and in wonder, her name bubbling from his lip plates every so often. But he fell completely silent at her smile. Her sad, sad smile. Her optics sit trained on him and him alone. Nothing else mattered. Not anymore. He was watching her too, holding her hands as she kept them around him.
The small clink of metal to metal made her cranial unit tipped forward slightly. She felt the gun, as well as the dark meaning of its presence. Failure in the face of innocence. A broken promise kept by the most unworthy being. If she had chosen someone else, this would have been different. Things wouldn't have been the same. I'm sorry sister, she sobbed silently. I'm so very, very sorry.
And looking back up at the beautiful sparkling in her lap, she gave him that sad, sad grin. "Rest free my friend." then in an explosion of sound, and a last call of grave peril, everything was black.
You remember Soulsearcher from like, chapter...oh I don't really remember Lol
But Solas was thinking about her at one point, and Firelight as well :)
Part two coming up next-
Let's just hope this story gets a little brighter soon :)
*Chapter Inspiration: Letters From The Sky=Civil Twilight*