Servant

by MissCHSparkles

AU. Megatron has successfully conquered Cybertron and now he demands tributes. Unfortunately for a young Prime, he is that tribute and now must become the consort to the emperor and becomes Sparked. By chance, he manages to smuggle his offspring out so that he might experience the freedom his carrier has been denied. But what will happen when Valour's path crosses that of his Sire?

13. Chapter 13

Author's note. Written by me and the-writing-mew.

Enjoy and please review.

…

"This never gets old," Starscream chuckled as they watched Hook and Ratchet arguing over the best way to treat microbe related rust and infection.

"Indeed," Megatron said, now that things were going well with his mate and son, he and Starscream were taking a break from their duties to spy on the two grumpy Medics. "They're never going to agree."

Both of them laughed softly at this, if either of the Medics caught them, they'd be chased out. But just as Megatron was chuckling, he suddenly received a comm.

"Mmm," he said with a slight frown. "Ultra Magnus wishes to speak with me, it's urgent."

"You think it's something to do with Optimus?" Starscream asked worriedly as Megatron looked extremely concerned.

"I hope not," he whispered, if anything had happened to his beloved, he would never forgive himself. "Come on."

Starscream followed and they soon found a console which happened to overlook a garden. Megatron paused as he saw his son carefully tending to a plant, he desperately hoped what he was about to hear wouldn't hurt his son. The little one had had too much spark ache already.

"Magnus," he greeted, shocked at how tense the Autobot leader looked. "What's happening?"

"Some of Optimus's friends have gone missing while off-world," Ultra Magnus said grimly. "The only one to return claims they have perished but we are not sure about anything that's happened."

"Is Optimus alright?" Megatron couldn't help but ask first.

"He blacked out," Magnus said with a grimace. "But not before asking for you."

"For me?" Megatron exclaimed, unable to stop himself feeling light at this. His mate wanted him there when he was upset.

"And...," here Magnus paused, looking a little unsure. "He also asked for a bot called...Soundwave?"

"Soundwave?" Megatron and Starscream echoed.

"Do you know why he'd do that?" Magnus demanded. "Ask for this Mech?"

"Soundwave is...one of my officers," Megatron said slowly. "Magnus, is there something wrong with the survivor?"

"Well, I'm not sure if he's telling the whole truth," Magnus admitted and understanding bloomed on Megatron's face.

"Then I think I know why he wants him," Megatron said grimly. "I will be there as soon as possible, we will find out what happened."

When the connection was over Megatron and Starscream looked at each other in worry. "You think that mech did something to his partners?" The seeker tried and Megatron shook his head.

"I don't know," he said. "But if Optimus wants Soundwave and this mech is his friend...then I believe that there's something he cannot say to speak ill about his friend. I know my mate and he can be too good for some."

Starscream nodded and said: "I will contact and bring Soundwave here, if I remember correctly, you were meant to have dinner with your son today, you must have to cancel and take Soundwave to Iacon as soon as possible."

Megatron's optics widened; Valour!
He nodded and contacted his mother.
...

Later...
Iacon...
Magnus' estate...

Megatron and a blue masked mech walked towards the gardens before coming to a stop when the Magnus' figure was devised...

...along with Alpha Trion' and Optimus'.

Megatron's spark gave a jump at the sight of his beautiful and beloved mate...it was actually so strong that made Soundwave flinch.

"Ultra Magnus, Councilmech Alpha Trion...Optimus Prime...my consort..," The Emperor addressed them and all of them nodded. "This is Soundwave."

Once again the others nodded. Optimus knew very well what kind of mech this was, however his creators didn't.

"And may I ask why he's here?" Alpha Trion inquired and Magnus only nodded thinking the same.

However it was Optimus who answered for his mate. "Soundwave is a telepath...he can tell us what is in Sentinel's processor since he...can't remember some things."

Both old Autobots looked at the blue mech with wide optics. "He can read minds?!" Alpha Trion exclaimed almost horrified.

"And spark signatures." Megatron added making the elders to look at him carefully...to his stoic presence and now that they were told what he was, they wondered if he was reading their thoughts right now...

...and to test it Magnus thought about last night...with Alpha Trion...so passionate...so hot...so...erotic!

However it was not his thoughts what made the telepath flinch but his energy directed at the now tense ancient mech.

"To read minds, Soundwave must touch the head, however he can deduce things by himself by our spark energy," Megatron added.

"So what can you sense about me?" Ultra Magnus questioned of the masked Mech who seemed to stir.

"Autobot leader Ultra Magnus: Strongly desires high Autobot Councilmech Alpha Trion."

Megatron grimaced, he would have preferred not to know that. As Alpha Trion looked embarrassed, Ultra Magnus looked very impressed.

"So you could sense that?" he asked.

"Affirmative," Soundwave intoned, he was a Mech of few words.

"Soundwave will be able to tell us all Sentinel knows," Optimus said quietly. "Even if Sentinel can't consciously remember it, those memories will still be there."

"Ah," Ultra Magnus said in understanding. "Very well, we will all go there now."

"Will it damage him?" Alpha Trion couldn't help but ask.

"Negative," Soundwave stated as they started to move off.

"Optimus?" Megatron said softly, moving over to his mate. "Are you alright?"

Optimus swallowed before shaking his head.

"My friends might be dead," Optimus whispered. "And if they're not, then they're trapped on a world full of monster, probably injured. I..."

Megatron took his hand and squeezed it, Optimus didn't need to say anything else.

"I promise I will do everything I can to discover what happened," he told his mate firmly. "We will find that planet and if they still function, we will bring them back home."

His mate nodded, swallowing hard. The thought that two of his best friends could be dead plus a new recruit made his very spark ache with fear and worry. He knew if it was discovered they really were dead, then he would experience a lot of suffering but right now, it was the unknown that was tormenting him. His mate's presence was comforting, he knew Megatron would do everything he could to help. One thing you could say about the Emperor, he didn't dither when it came to acting and Optimus needed him to do that right now.

Later

When they reached the Academy's medbay Sentinel was sitting on his berth and flirting with the nurse...who obviously was trying hard to ignore him and not break his energon's cube on his head.

"Sentinel?" Optimus started and immediately the blue chinned mech changed his behaviour. From a flirting mech to a poor victim.

"Optimus!" He cried faking illness. "You're here...thanks Primus!"

If it was possible for Megatron to feel the love at first sight for his Optimus, it was also possible for him to feel something just as strong for this mech... Hate at first sight. And he grimaced.

His mate and friend hugged each other as if Optimus believed him of the tragedy not being his fault at all, so he looked at Soundwave with a lifted optic ridge.

The telepath only nodded at his emperor whose frown now deepened.

"Sentinel Prime," The Magnus walked forwards and the younger looked up at him with pleading optics. "How are you feeling today?"

"I feel horrible because I can't remember... Elita... Hot Rod...my friends...what have I done? Could you find anything in the ship that can be useful? Please tell me yes, I want them back... I myself will go for them...," Sentinel declared holding Optimus' hand tightly.

"Sentinel...what happened?" The red and blue mech tried and his friend looked at him with pleading optics before telling him exactly the same story he told everyone...as if he had practiced it or as if it was true.

Alpha Trion and Megatron looked at each other as if they were in the same frequency and thought the same when he blamed Elita One for her idea of going to that planet.

Soundwave's visor flashed for a second and Megatron addressed his mate. "Optimus...is time..."

The Prime nodded and looked at his friend with a sad smile...who now looked to Megatron, the blue masked mech and back to Optimus. "What is going on?" He suddenly demanded.

"Sentinel...everything will be alright...you will see...you have nothing to hide... Soundwave will only check on you," Optimus tried gently but the blue Prime could only look agape.

"What...what...?! What s going on, who's this? Why is he here and why is the Emperor too?!" He demanded and Megatron let go his smirk; he loved to see when mechs discovered themselves that they were lying. "Optimus, what are you doing?! Ultra Magnus sir?!"

They all stepped back, even Optimus who had an almost sad face as Soundwave stepped forwards...

...and then Sentinel panicked and tried to run.

Only to be caught by Megatron and this one hold him still by the neck against the wall to everyone's horror.

"You know what? If you have nothing to hide then you will let Soundwave do his job...you know what too? I. Hate. Liars," Megatron finished while ordering Soundwave forwards.

"No! I've told you everything I know...please, don't let him torture me!" Sentinel cried desperately as the Emperor's grasp was too powerful to release himself...and that creepy faceless mech was now extending his hand to his head!

"No, NO!" He screamed loudly just before his blue optics turned white when Soundwave's hand touched his head and he quietened.

Megatron released him and now Soundwave was guiding the now totally cooperative mech back to his berth.

"What is happening?!" Alpha Trion demanded no less scared by the new, never seen show.

"It's okay, sire...he will just scan him and we can ask him questions and he will answer them honestly...even the things he blocked," Optimus assured fully knowing now that his mate already had an answer to what Sentinel did...and said blue mech will confess now.

That caused him spark ache.

Alpha Trion didn't look happy but he raised no objection as Ultra Magnus came forward, wrapping an arm around his son's shoulders for comfort as he asked.

"Are you Sentinel Prime?"

"Yes," the Mech acknowledged in a blank voice.

"Do you know where you are?" Ultra Magnus continued, he wanted to make sure that Sentinel really was speaking the truth and not just babbling nonsense because he was under the control of this Decepticon.

"Iacon's Academy's Medbay, on Cybertron," was the reply.

Ultra Magnus nodded, now he could start the serious questions.

"Sentinel Prime, do you remember your last mission?" he asked and received a nod.

"The last planet you arrived at was an unknown one," he began carefully. "Can you tell me whose idea was it to explore and who objected?"

"It was my idea to explore," Sentinel answered making Optimus sigh unhappily. "Hot Rod was up for it, that Wasp fellow didn't seem bothered and Elita was against it. She thought there were too many unknown factors about this planet and we'd be better off surveying it from the air. But I detected a large energy source and thought it was worth any potential risk."

"And then what happened?" Magnus asked.

"We all decided that we would go down after all, Elita came because she thought our chances were better as a group if there was anything bad down there. It was an organic planet but it didn't seem to be bursting with horrible creatures. It was actually quite barren but there was this weird substance strung across rock formation, a sort of solid but very flexible purple goo," Sentinel continued in the same dull tone. "The energy source we'd detected was within a large cave and we all went in, we couldn't detect anything wrong."

"What did you find?" the Autobot leader questioned.

"A huge mountain of Energon cubes within the cave," Sentinel said and if he'd been talking in his normal voice, there would have been some awe in it. "We simply could not believe it, the entire amount was just stacked up, not doing anything. I wanted to take it all back to Cybertron, what a haul it would have been. Hot Rod and Wasp were excited but Elita was worried. She questioned why no one else had ever taken this stash, she thought she could see signs of previous bots being here. I ignored her concerns, I just wanted to start gathering it all up."

"Oh Elita," Optimus murmured, she'd always looked out for others.

"But before we could do anything...they appeared," Sentinel stated, his optics flickering slightly as though the memory was so powerful he almost broke out of Soundwave's hold.

"They?" Megatron said with a frown, had there been bots guarding that haul? Perhaps it was in fact a storehouse and those stocking it did not appreciate thieves.

"Yes...they... Huge, immense and horrible organic spiders," Sentinel continued. "We tried to fight them off but they were just so many...and it was dark."

The present mechs just looked at him in shock, but let him continue.

"There were indeed dead mech's bodies around as we looked better when trying to escape...Decepticons," The blue Prime continued and that statement made Megatron lift an optic ridge. "We found some old weapons...they were useless, so Hot Rod took an energon cube and threw it to the pile of cubes and it exploded... The cave started collapsing and the spiders ran, we tried to run too but... Elita...she... She tried to escape as well only that the rope she was using broke and fell in a dark hole as we escaped.

The cave collapsed completely in a hole that was quickly filled with rocks, we tried to detect her spark signature but she was gone..." There he stopped and to keep him going Soundwave now addressed him. "Continue."

Sentinel nodded. "Elita was gone...but that guy Wasp refused to believe it and went almost nuts while trying to search for her by removing the rocks from the entrance...it was driving me crazy that he was disobeying me so I beat him..."

Optimus gasped in shock; he couldn't believe his friend was capable to do such thing to his friends. "I told him she was gone and that there was nothing he could do, nor us... then he threatened me with a court martial, that it was my fault, that I should have helped her to escape as our superior, not being the first in running like the coward I am...so I beat him until he quietened... Until he couldn't move or blink anymore."

Ultra Magnus nodded while trying hard to hide his horror from this mech or his actions. "What about Hot Rod?"

"He...he was scared, he called me crazy, I told him we could live and do like this never happened, that we could blame Elita and this Wasp and so we could walk without even a warning...but he refused, tried to run to the ship without me obviously to go for help and blame me on what happened...so I caught him...we fight... I won and left him in the same state Wasp was; I was so scared... I didn't know what to do so I left them there knowing full well they would never survive in that organic planet, so in turn never blame me.

When I left the planet I landed in an asteroid and hit some dents to the ship to make my story more believable, also deleted and destroyed the memory card and black box of the ship that contained the coordinates and location of the planet and returned home waiting for this this be over and my career was not damaged by their fault."

When Sentinel ended his confession the ambient felt tense. Optimus felt horrible and in the brink of another blackout or tears.

Megatron for his part felt rage growing; how could he do that to his own friends?! In his culture he will be considered a murderer and will be condemned to death, not to be forced to work in the Autobot's stockades. He was responsible for the possible death of three bots!

And...did he said Wasp? Why was that name familiar for the Emperor?

"Do you remember the location of that planet?" Ultra Magnus tried to keep his voice steady and not show how angered or disappointed he was.

"Yes," Sentinel answered and his superior continued.

"It is really unknown or it has a name?"

"It have a name and it is considered dangerous, level seven. Its name is Archna Seven," Sentinel confessed however Soundwave's visor glowed forcing him to speak more. "I am responsible for going there, I am the one who physically damaged and abandoned Wasp and Hot Rod into that dangerous ground hoping for them to die and never accuse me, I've never really wanted to find Elita and was glad she died because the bitch dared to deny my feelings for her. I hoped you all believed my story and maybe someday return there to get their empty shells back as a hero."

Hearing that, Optimus couldn't take it anymore and collapsed. Megatron caught him before he could hit the ground and felt his beloved's sorrow and broken spark.

The Emperor was furious with this traitor. "Let him go, Soundwave." He ordered in a snarl. "He said what he needed to say."

The masked mech nodded and obeyed. Ultra Magnus and Alpha Trion were shell shocked at the revelations.

Sentinel remained blank for a few seconds after Soundwave let him go then asked. "What happened...?"

Soundwave then reaches for the Magnus and handled him a disk. "Here, the proof you need, details on the ship he hid are there, codes and films."

The blue Prime looked around and saw Optimus unconscious in Megatron's arms. Something definitely happened.

"Um, did he faint?" he asked, looking very confused.

"Yes," Alpha Trion stated, seeing that Ultra Magnus couldn't speak and Megatron was focused on his mate. "Thank you for all your help Sentinel Prime, it was most appreciated."

"Uh, you're welcome," Sentinel said dumbly, scratching his head a she tried to work out what had happened.

However, Alpha Trion was already leading the Magnus, the Decepticon emperor carrying Optimus, a strange looking masked Mech out of the room. Sentinel Prime was left sitting alone and extremely bemused.

"Why did you take us all out?" demanded Megatron once they were walking out of the Med Bay.

"To give us all a chance to process the information," Alpha Trion stated. "If you'd stayed, you'd have probably murdered that Mech and that wouldn't do at all."

"He deserves to die for what he's done," declared Megatron fiercely, clutching his mate tight to his chest. "He left his own friends to die, deliberately beat them and left them helpless upon that planet."

"Yes but he should be tried for his crimes, not killed in a fit of rage," Alpha Trion retorted. "Guilty or not, how do you think people would react if they heard you'd slaughtered a Mech who isn't even under arrest? And that goes for you too, Magnus."

Ultra Magnus blinked and stared at him. Alpha Trion looked right back at him and said.

"I saw that look in your optic but it won't do anyone any good if you act like one of those monstrous spiders instead of at least giving the Mech a trial.

The other Mech opened his mouth to say something and then closed it. He nodded at the older Mech before saying.

"You are right, it wouldn't be right to kill him just like that. Besides, we have much more pressing things to attend to."

He looked at Megatron and said. "From what he said, it seems you've lost some of your people on Archna Seven and there's a good chance I have as well. I think we should prepare to go there as soon as possible and set warning markers around that planet to stop others going there. And...if see any of them are still alive."

"You think they might be?" Alpha Trion questioned as Megatron nodded.

"He left Wasp and Hot Rod alive," Magnus pointed out. "As for Elita...he said they couldn't detect her spark signature but since she was buried behind that rubble it's possible the reading was false. If there's any chance she's alive, then we have to act now."

"Agreed," Megatron stated, turning to Soundwave and said. "Soundwave, alert Starscream and tell him of what's transpired, have my warship readied and all necessary preparations. I just need to get my mate sorted and I will join you."

"As you command, Megatron," the masked Mech intoned before leaving.

"My poor son," Magnus murmured, stroking Optimus's head. "To have Sentinel betray his friends like that...and possibly losing Elita..."

"They were close?" Megatron said sharply, feeling a tiny prick of jealousy in his Spark.

Magnus looked at him, saying. "They were very close, best friends I believe. They both worked incredibly hard in training, determined to become Elites and explore the galaxy, Optimus's bonding was...hard on them as it meant they could no longer work together as comrades."

Megatron glanced down at his mate, had he been in love with this Femme.

"Megatron," Magnus began. "I have no idea if their relationship would have grown into something more if you hadn't have come but I do know Optimus loves you now. Elita is and will always be special to him but they weren't going out. Both were focused on their careers and were happy as friends. He will be desperate to save her but don't let jealousy poison your relationship with him. There are different kinds of love after all."

The emperor hesitated before accepting what the other had said. His sweet Optimus was so loving, it wasn't hard to believe that he could love many on different levels. No doubt that was why Sentinel's betrayal had hit him so hard, he had cared about the unpleasant Mech. But it was still Optimus who had suggested Soundwave, his love was strong enough to do the right thing and find out the truth rather than hiding behind the comfort of lies.

"I'll take him back to your Estate, if you excuse us..." Megatron started and Magnus nodded, after all he also had things to attend before depart.

When Megatron reached the Magnus' Estate, he went to Optimus' quarters and laid him on his berth gently before admiring his beauty.

His Optimus was so beautiful inside and outside...who wouldn't fall in love with him?

That thought took him to others, to many 'what if's' for his like...

What if he never had claimed him and asked him out...and Optimus had refused?

What if he hadn't bonded with him immediately and Optimus had run from him?

What if Optimus only wanted him as a friend instead of as a mate and chose this Elita in his place?

And what if he hadn't forced him to bond, hadn't raped him...have put the points in order and told him that he really never wanted to hurt his people...would he have rejected him in the end?

Or...what if another mech claimed him first...?

Optimus suddenly came back to this world and found himself in his quarters, on his berth and Megatron looking like haunted.

"Megatron?" He tried softly and the Emperor looked at him. "What happened? Did I just...again?"

"Its ok, love, don't worry...we will find them." The larger mech assured, however Optimus felt something else was there.

"Is something the matter?" Tried Optimus this time touching the other's face softly. "Please tell me... I am your mate... Please my lord."

Those words seemed to have reached the Emperor...his mate calling him 'Master' again...his Optimus still feared him to a level.

"Do you love me?" He tried while thinking if he ever loved anyone before knowing fully well how he took him from his environment and friends...and even raped him.

Guilt washed over his spark as he waited for Optimus' answer.

"Love you?" Optimus repeated, surprised by the question and wondering what put his mate in such a pensive mood. "Well I..."

Megatron looked away, his expression utterly miserable. Optimus gently touched his face again and said.

"My lord...Megatron, I care about you very much and I feel my affection growing for you as we get to know each other. I don't think I can say I am in love with you yet but..." he added with a small smile. "I am getting there, lover."

Megatron smiled slightly before asking. "Optimus where you...in love with anyone before...I came along?"

"In love? No," Optimus replied honestly but Megatron wasn't convinced.

"You weren't in love with that Elita One?" he asked bluntly making Optimus stare at him.

"Is this what this is all about?" he questioned. "You think I'm in love with Elita?"

"No...maybe, I don't know," Megatron said miserably. "Your carrier said the two of you were very close."

"Yes, we were," Optimus agreed with a nod. "She's my best friend next to Red Alert, she stood by me when we...mated and supported me. Sentinel was a bit of a jerk about it actually..."

"What did he say?" Megatron demanded, suddenly angry. If that wretch had said anything horrible to his vulnerable mate...

"Basically, the three of them had seen footage of Seekers...expressing their love for each other in public," Optimus said wryly. "He asked if you'd taken me in front of all of your people!"

"How dare he!" Megatron exclaimed but Optimus smiled.

"You did say you wouldn't have minded doing that, remember?" he pointed out.

"Yes but you said you did not want that," Megatron exclaimed. "I may have been a love sick fool back then but I did at least listen to your wishes in that regard."

"Yes you did and it make things a lot easier," Optimus said, giving him a kiss. "Besides, Elita told Sentinel it was none of their business and that they should respect my privacy."

"I'm glad," Megatron said before saying. "Optimus, if things had been different, do you think...you might have ended up with her?"

"Well," Optimus said carefully. "I'd be lying if I didn't say that sometimes when I imagined being with a bot sometime in the future, more often than not I saw her as that future bot. But we never dated or anything, we were just good friends. I have no idea how things might have turned out, I might have met someone and fallen in love with them, same with her. Don't dwell on what might have been Megatron, you're my mate and I want to give our relationship a serious chance with the hope that we will become a true family."

"Really?" Megatron asked and Optimus smiled and said. "Really."

Megatron sighed and hugged his mate.

"When I saw you," he began slowly. "I was so sure you must be with someone and was amazed when I found out you were not. I believed that once my people saw you, many would want you for yourselves and that you would end up accepting one of them before I had a chance to court you. I wasn't just mad in love with you, I was terrified that another would win you. I was selfish and cruel and it's only because you're such a good, kind being that you still allow me to come near you."

"You were an idiot but I suppose I should be flattered that you honestly thought so many would want me," Optimus laughed

Megatron lowered his head and smiled sadly, but Optimus will not let him go of it so easily. "But you are my idiot, you know, and I like you enough to give my spark a chance on loving you..." He said this watching the Emperor's optics sparkle in hope at his words just before the younger kissed him.

The Emperor moaned in the kiss and laid down on the berth pulling his smaller mate with him before spreading his legs to the other; Optimus, knowing his mate, went between them and released his spike, Megatron opened his valve cover and sighed as a cold current of air caressed his sensitive place...which was now being teased by the fat, rounded head of his Optimus' spike.

"Optimuuuus..." He moaned wantonly feeling his greedy valve drip out shamelessly sweet lubricants as it invited the other in.

The red and blue Autobot smirked and with a gentle, teasing thrust, was inside the Emperor who groaned as the thick and ridged spike stimulated him so mercilessly.

"Ooooh...yesss...That's soo good, Optimus...," Megatron groaned helplessly making the other grin before start moving slowly, making sure to ignite fire in each pulsing and sensitive node within Megatron's valve.

Minutes later after they reached their peaks, they lay there slumped and spent but completely sated. "Ohh...I love to feel you in me, my love..." Megatron mewled in post blissful haze as his hungry valve continued embracing tightly his beloved. "You're the best, better than any toy that ever existed...ooohh..."

The Autobot chuckled and kissed his nose softly. "Better than any toy, huh? Have you ever tried it with another real spike?"

"Hmmm...yes...I did...but it was not half as good as yours is...or your sweet inviting valve..." Megatron confessed.

"May I ask who?" Optimus tried, maybe now that Megatron was distracted he will confess some other things as well.

"My best friend...Starscream..." Megatron purred kissing his mate's audio. "But it meant nothing, we were just trying to satisfy our thirst...we've known each other since sparklings and many thought we would bond," Optimus was interested in this, he never knew how close the Emperor and the Winglord were as friends...with benefits. "But it didn't work...I don't know why really, I guess it was because we couldn't see each other as more than friends and we couldn't cross that line."

"Did he take your seal?"

"No...before that I brought a dildo...and before asking him to spike me I've already experimented with my own fingers but couldn't reach my seal...so, I used a dildo to break it...sometime passed after that and before we started interfacing...but we never fell in love. The funny thing is that he did exactly the same I did before we started," The Emperor confessed and cuddled with his lover for another while before checking his chrono. "Frag!" Then on-lined his comm link and found he had lots of messages from Soundwave and said seeker. "We took too long!"

"What, what's happening?" Optimus said still pinning his mate and refusing to let go of him without an answer and moving his spike mercilessly into that oversensitive valve making the other groan and lose his strength, "Tell me, Megatron!"

"Uhhh..." He just moaned as his insides pulsed around the invading soft spike of the mech he loved. "Have things to do...go to that planet to find those bots...ooohhh... Optimus...stop tempting me...I have to go...uhh...!"

"What? ...and when did you planned on telling me this?!"

"Uhhh...perhaps before we started...ohhh I don't know...Optimus..." The Emperor seemed completely lost as he was each time the red and blue mech took his valve...completely and utterly defenceless.

Minutes later Alpha Trion went to see what was taking Megatron so long in Optimus' quarters and when he opened the door...he gasped in shock.

There they were, Optimus with this back against the wall and Megatron riding his spike vigorously.

Yelping "Primus!" he quickly exited the room and stood with a horrified expression.

After a few breems of gathering his dignity and trying to forget what he'd seen his firstborn doing, he knocked smartly on the door and called. "Optimus, Emperor Megatron, the others are waiting for you."

He patiently waited and finally a voice called from behind the door. "We'll be there momentarily Sire, you don't need to wait for us."

"Don't be long," Alpha Trion chided, not able to think of anything else. After all, his son had caught him and Ultra Magnus interfacing so he couldn't lecture his offspring who had least had done it in his own room rather than out in the open. The old Mech shivered, why did that thought make him feel tight? If Ultra Magnus got wing of how he thought, he would no doubt start trying to catch him in open places and force him to interface.

"Now that wouldn't do at all," the old Mech murmured to himself as he started to walk away to where the others were.

...

"Optimus, are you alright?" Magnus asked his son anxiously as the young blue and red Mech walked into the room with his mate who looked a little sheepish.

"I'm fine," Optimus assured his carrier, accepting a hug. "It was just a big shock but I feel much better now."

Glancing over at Starscream who had several Decepticon soldiers behind him, he said "Are we ready to leave?"

"We?" Ultra Magnus asked with a frown.

"Yes, I'm coming along," his son said matter-of-factly, gesturing at his mate and saying. "Megatron thinks I should go and help my friends."

"Oh does he?" Magnus said suspiciously, the grey Mech was avoiding his gaze. "Do you really feel up to this Optimus?"

"Yes," Optimus said firmly. "I know I'm rusty but I can help comfort my friends if their still alive, Sentinel's betrayal will have hurt them. Elita and Hotrod always supported me and this Wasp risked a lot to save Elita, he deserves to be supported as well."

"Optimus," Magnus said gently, taking his hands. "You know that there is a chance none of them have survived, this could simply be a recover mission so they can be given decent burials."

The red and blue Mech swallowed but said firmly. "I need to know what happened. If they are offline, then at least I can help bring them home, they don't deserve to rust on that planet. Neither do those Decepticons who perished there."

Several Decepticons in the room shifted and murmured, they were going to a place where their comrades had died and been forgotten. Megatron was determined to bring them back as well but he was heartened to hear that his soldiers were impressed by his mate's words. Truly, he shouldn't hide his beloved away anymore, he needed to get out and show himself to the Decepticon and Autobot peoples.

Ultra Magnus grimaced, that can be a dangerous planet and his son can found things that may dislike him...or depress him more.

As if reading his thoughts, Megatron stepped for his mate. "I will look after him, you have nothing to worry about, Magnus."

Said mech lifted an optic ridge wondering how did Optimus convinced Megatron to go since he was very much convinced that Optimus must stay behind for his general health.

Megatron continued evading his gaze and looked at everyone but him, then Alpha Trion came and cleared his throat after devising his creation and the Emperor. At that Magnus' optic ridge lifted up and knew the elder knew something...

'I'll ask him later.' The leader thought for a moment before they started preparing to depart.

Later when everybody was boarding the ships, Magnus, Optimus, Megatron, Starscream and Alpha Trion separated for a while to talk. "I'll take Valour and Slipstream for some etiquette classes, I hope you don't mind."

The seeker nodded. "Very well, just remember that-"

"Of course, Skyfire is not invited, I don't want her distracted while learning," The eldest interrupted and everyone nodded.

But then...

Ultra Magnus took the councilmech by the waist roughly and kissed him passionately in front of his creation, the emperor and the winglord...

...all of them grimaced and looked away nod daring to speak.

"Remember Trion, be nice to the sparklings..." The Magnus ordered a flushed old mech whose spark gave a jump at the action and those lustful optics.

"I- I will..." He promised thanking Primus not a single member of the council was there to witness that.

"Good," Magnus said before whispering. "If you behave well, you'll get a reward from me when we return, we might even go away together once things are settled."

Alpha Trion gulped, Magnus's tone full implied what they would be doing if they were able to get away somewhere.

"Think our son will ever be embarrassed by us?" Optimus questioned his mate who grimaced.

"Right now, he's far too interested," Megatron mumbled, thinking of his son's wide optic stare as they'd tried to hide what they'd been up to.

"That is true," Optimus admitted ruefully as his creators broke apart. "Oh well."

Red Alert was looking after Valour and Starscream's sparklings along with Hook who would keep an optic on things. However, the Medic that was meant to be going with them hadn't arrived yet...

"I'm here, I'm here," Ratchet called hurriedly as he drove into the room and transformed. "Are we going or what?"

"We're just leaving," Ultra Magnus assured him as another Medic appeared behind Ratchet. Now that everyone was assembled, they could board Megatron's warship and set off for Archna Seven.

"This is First Aid," Ratchet grunted, gesturing to the bot behind him who smiled nervously at the others. "He's been studying organic medicine, he should be some help if those spiders managed to injure any of those on the planet."

"Thank you for coming," Optimus said gratefully as they all went on board, everything was already loaded on.

"No problem," First Aid replied before clearing his throat. "Uh, I'm not a fighter so I'll be probably be useless if we get into trouble, sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Optimus told him. "No one's expecting you to fight, it's your medical expertise that we need."

"I'll do everything I can," promised the young Mech as Ratchet said loudly. "You'll do fine, I wouldn't have taken you if I thought you were useless."

"That's very comforting," First Aid said wryly, making Optimus laugh.

As First Aid followed his boss, Megatron leaned towards him and said. "Old friend?"

"No but he's one of Red's," Optimus told him. "They worked together when she was in Iacon, I think she said he got on well with Valour."

"Ohhhh..." Megatron now understood, the light bulb turned on him. "I see...'friend' of your sister." He smirked wondering how Hook will take it.

Optimus rolled his optics as his mate went hurriedly towards Starscream and gave him the news of his new discovering; the seeker grinned devilishly causing the Prime to let out a sigh and shake his head.

Indeed, sometimes Megatron was just a big sparkling.

...

Later...

Magnus' estate...

Alpha Trion walked elegantly towards the gardens as the servants told him that his new two apprentices of etiquette will be eating for him there.

Honestly he expected for Skyfire to join them and teach some manners to his daughter...besides bonding the families together; after all, the shuttle belonged to one of the highest, most powerful and ancient families of all Cybertron and the Autobots...sadly their numbers were decreasing due to their strict rules towards their families' members...

...and not just that, but the shuttle managed to produce only seekers with the Decepticon Winglord which was odd...as if Starscream had made them all by himself.

Maybe he should consult if that was possible with Vector Sigma.

As the elder considered that and neared the garden a loud and annoying sound was heard. He frowned and hurried his steps only to find...

He gasped and his optics widened...

Seekerlets! Everywhere!

Flying everywhere and making noise, annoying noise!

He couldn't get it for another second and roared: "Silence!"

For a second everyone froze, then continued with all the noise and flied towards the old mech as if went to hug him! "Don't you dare!" He threatened as they flew closer by the second and he considered shooting them just before a loud whistle stopped them all and the seekerlets turned around and flied towards another seekerlet...a femmling.

"Behave!" She ordered and all of them lowered their wings and heads. "We don't want to break councilmech Alpha Trion, right?"

"Of course not, mighty sister!" A yellow with orange seekerlet answered and the others nodded before she said:

"I apologize, sometimes my brothers need to burn some energy."

Alpha Trion could not believe what he was seeing...besides the femmling and the little red and blue mechling he had to educate, there were other nine sparklings! Where did they come from?!

"He's old..." A blue seekerlet said too loud and the old councilmech frowned at him.

"Yes, but is him or sire!" Sllipstream barked back and her brothers flinched. "So, you better behave if you don't want him coming!" That was enough to make them nod eagerly.

With them was little Bumblebee who looked at Valour in worry at Slipstream's words. The little red and blue mechling looked at him sadly and shook his head as if telling him that that was a conversation for another day.

"So I'm supposed to teach all of you?" Alpha Trion questioned, suddenly feeling old. It had been so long since he'd had to teach any sparkling, he'd almost forgotten how to.

"Uh huh," Slipstream said with a nod. "Dad says that if you're teaching me, my brothers should learn as well."

"And is this one of your brothers?" Alpha Trion asked delicately, indicating Bumblebee.

"No, he's my best friend Bee," Valour exclaimed. "His Sire is Shockwave."

"The Decepticon Ambassador?" his grandfather said with interest, examining the yellow Sparkling critically. "Well, well, you want to learn etiquette?"

"Um, yeah?" Bumblebee said, a little unsure. The little bot wanted to hang out with his friends but this ancient Mech was a little off putting. But he was Valour's grandsire so maybe he wasn't so bad.

"I suppose since there are a few more things we can do now that your numbers have increased," Alpha Trion said slowly, finger on chin.

"Like what?" Valour asked curiously as his grandsire smiled slightly.

"Like how to conduct yourselves at balls," he stated as all of the Sparklings stared at him.

"Balls?" Slipstream repeated in shock.

"Why yes," the old Mech stated. "Ultra Magnus holds them fairly regularly, I believe he plans to introduce Optimus as our son. And of course, young Valour as our grandson."

"Really?" Valour said in surprise, he didn't know he was going to be introduce to other Autobots.

"Of course," Alpha Trion said as though the very idea of not doing so was ridiculous. "You might be the son of the Decepticon Emperor but you are also the grandson of the Autobot Magnus and myself. That means you must be inducted into Autobot high society."

"Is daddy going to be inducted too?" Valour asked.

"I think I just stated that he will be." The elder said before directing his gaze towards the yellow minibot again as curiosity filled his spark once again. "Your sire is a decepticon, yet you're an autobot minibot...may I ask who is your carrier?"

Bumblebee nodded and answered. "Blurr...his name is Blurr..."

Alpha Trion's optic ridge lifted and said. "I didn't know he was bonded with the decepticon ambasador...and...your carrier belongs to a good family, not as ancient as..." He trailed off looking at Slipstream as if telling her who's family then continued. "...but he knows a lot of etiquette... Why has he not taught you yet? I even know that your sire himself knows how to walk properly but they have yet not even told you about it...are they too busy for you?"

The yellow minibot looked at the older in shock. It was true indeed that he barely saw his creators and spent more time working or with a caretaker or his friends...but it was true that they barely had time for him. In the end he just nodded.

However Alpha Trion continued. "I wonder how a couple of such busy mechs managed to create you but yet have no time to teach you basics or in the case of your carrier to introduce you to society?" Bee only lowered his head. "Perhaps is because you Decepticons believe that we Autobots and our culture is useless and pampered, but that is about to change...today you will all learn to walk properly, speak properly, REFUEL properly...leave the lack of educations to the lower classes that are more busy working; up here everything can be interpreted with a gesture, a simple look! Etiquette is NOT useless, it shows power among anything, you will learn to control your subjects with a simple look, to tell an uneducated brute to shut up with your optics and your mouth shut! No more negligence from your families, not with me here...and I will turn you all even if I have to tie sticks on your backs!"

"Is he always like this?" Bumblebee whispered to Valour.

"Sometimes," Valour whispered back. "He's not that bad but he's very strict."

Bumblebee grimaced just as Alpha Trion was saying.

"Now, perhaps Valour and Slipstream could demonstrate the proper way to walk."

He watched them critically as they tried to walk exactly how he'd been teaching them. After a few breems, he walked over and started correcting their postures while saying.

"It is an improvement on how you used to walk," he told him which made them sigh in relief.

"I want to see all of you following them," he suddenly declared to the watching brothers and Bumblebee.

They tried to do as told but the young seekerlets couldn't manage as well as their sister and kept either slouching or falling over. Alpha Trion's tight mouth twitched but he didn't start yelling at them and instead used his stick to start correcting them. Bumblebee walked slowly, trying to think of how he'd seen his creators walk, both of them looked so casual yet graceful. Before today, he'd never realised there was anything special in the way they held themselves but now he knew better.

He wondered, if he did well at this, would his creators want to spend more time of them. They were never mean or anything to him but he sometimes wishes he could get more praise from them, like Valour did from his mother. No matter what she was doing, she always seemed to have a moment to listen to what her son had to say before complimenting or encouraging them. The little yellow bot was starting to really wish he could have that.

"Back straight," Alpha Trion told Thundercracker and Skywarp sharply as they started slouching again. "If you keep that up, you'll both develop hunchbacks, do you want that?"

"No," they echoed. "But it's hard."

"That's why you must practice so it becomes easy," Alpha Trion said smoothly. "Slipstream, you help your brother and Valour, you assist Bumblebee."

"Okay grandsire," Valour said, moving over to his friend.

"You okay?" he asked with concern, seeing the pensive look on the little sparkling's face.

"Do you think my creators will be proud if I learn this?" the yellow Mechling asked.

"I think so," Valour said encouragingly. "It can be a surprise for them."

Bumblebee smiled, yes that was a good idea. He could surprise his creators and they'd tell him how great he walked and how much they were. They might even take him for a day out, that would be wonderful.

Sometime later the mechlings were resting while Alpha Trion instructed Slipstream particularly.

"Not so high, lower them a bit, good, now walk with one pede in front of the other, delicately as if you were on a tight rope...no, get down your arms, you have your wings to stabilize you..." The elder continued and the femmling wasn't complaining; she took this as a challenge to make it perfect.

...however it hurt but she knew her technique was more complicated than her brothers or even Valour's... pit! Bee had it easy!

"Now lift up your head, arms and hands natural, like the wind, free but elegant."

Bee and Valour stated as she was instructed and both mechlings almost felt sorry for her...that indeed looked hard.

The rest of the mechlings were all asleep and that made. Slipstream happy since they will not be watching her like this.

"Float, no, not literally! Set your weight, all of it on your pedes and their struts, do not lower yourself when you walk, you have to look as if you were floating but you're not, got it?"

Once again the elder instructed her and she nodded. "You must even be able to do so with obstacles or when going down the stairs!"

Slipstream looked at him shocked; he just stated another difficult level...stairs.

"Head up, let me see you..." And the femmling tried but she was still tense and it can be noted. "Do not tense up, relax, float...like the wind...but on the ground..."

After that was finally over Slipstream was absolutely exhausted and practically fainted on the couch in the gazebo.

But Alpha Trion was not done and continued with her onlining brothers and Valour and Bee.

"Like this, oh mighty elder?" A yellow and orange seekerlet showed him how he walked and for the first time in the day Alpha Trion nodded truly impressed.

"Good...very good..." He stated and looked at the others. "If he could learn that fast, then you can!" He declared.

"Oh, that is because I have the best teacher ever, only you with your mighty presence and unquenchable pose can ever be deign of teaching such useful manners..." The seekerlet continued making the elder lift an optic ridge at him.

"He likes to praise," Thundercracker pointed out helpfully.

"Hmm," Alpha Trion mused. "Being eloquent with words is not a bad skill to have. However you must ensure that you do not overdo it or your words will not have the desired effect."

"Please teach me mighty elder," the yellow Sparkling instantly gushed, looking very eager.

"Perhaps later," Alpha Trion told him. "Some lessons on speaking would not hurt at all."

"Oh great," Slipstream muttered, even more lessons. She briefly wondered if it would have been like this with her Sire but pushed the thought from her processor. She did not want to think about him.

"Grandpa?" Valour asked as the old Mech started indicating for them to start walking again. "Can we go play soon?"

All of the Sparklings looked right at the high councilmech with wide, hopeful optics. He sighed before saying.

"If you can all complete this exercise then you may have some time to play."

As they all cheered, he added. "But when you're back home, I want you to practise what you have learned."

This made them groan but he wasn't to be dissuaded. All his teaching would be for nothing if they did not practise what they'd learned, if they did it would soon become natural.

"This is hard," Bumblebee told Valour as they went through the exercise once more. "I didn't know anything of this."

"Neither did I," Valour said earnestly. "But I think it does get easier."

When his friend nodded, Valour asked. "Do you want to come and sleep over? We can watch a movie and stay up late, mama's working."

Bumblebee's tired expression broke out into a grin, that sounded great.

"Then is done!" Valour exclaimed watching his grandsire walk towards the lying Slipstream.

"You heard your brother?"

"Yes sir..." She barely whispered but continued nonetheless. "Lemme guess...flying femmes speak different?"

Alpha Trion looked down at her with a frown. "Correct...their words are as soft as the caress of a breeze but held the same power of a twister."

The femmling groaned in annoyance and buried her head in the pillows before mumbling something about why she was not created a mech.

"I've heard that the Decepticons set to work their creations since at young age... I believe you and your brothers will have to leave that in order to become-"

"Pampered?" Slipstream tried making the elder frown and her brothers snicker.

"Educated!" He exclaimed, "Now... I believe you were taught the wrong and even speak like a brute...you especially." Slipstream grunted something about the Decepticon way but that hadn't interrupted Alpha Trion. "I think you need special lessons apart from your brothers or fiancée."

Her optics widened in shock. Just what is this relic stating?!

Hours later after finding out what the councilmech meant, Slipstream was trying to drink from a warm cup of tea to soothe her sore throat and vocals while she coughed from time to time.

Valour and Bee stayed with her and the latter petted her back encouragingly, after all Alpha Trion got his revenge from her for threatening to break his temple and being disappointed when Magnus hadn't dominated him in front of her... The elder took her to a massive hall where a piano was and ordered her to vocalize and sing as he played the song and forced her to do it well and loud.

Of course for a little sparkling who never did that, that was intense and too much and left her exhausted vocalizers practically offline and only static left them. He assured her however that she will be ok in the morning and expected her to do it better by then.

"Drink your tea, Slips, it will make you feel better." Valour tried as she coughed and only deaf static left her mouth.

Bumblebee smiled sadly at her fully well knowing that the elder did this to her on purpose. He also saw how easy was for him to learn this when you looked at her.

Looking at the playing seeker brothers they could all see how Sunstorm corrected his brothers' poses. Who would have known he would have learned so fast?

Near them was Alpha Trion nodding approvingly as they all seemed to be doing better; now he needed to take care of the femmling from who he just extracted his revenge. That made him smirk slightly while hearing her cough again.

"If you want," Valour suggested. "I can ask mama if we can have ices after we've eaten, that'll probably help your throat."

She shrugged, right now it felt like her throat would never be the same again. Bumblebee now said.

"At least we don't have any more lessons for the day."

They were waiting for Red Alert to come and pick them up.

"I still expect you to practise," Alpha Trion reminded them. "Although Slipstream will need to wait until her vocals are back in order."

He had such a smug look on his face that Slipstream glared at him. She swore she'd find someway to get revenge although she'd have to be much more subtle about it. Maybe she could find a way to put some ideas in Ultra Magnus's processor, Alpha Trion would never know. She smiled to herself, something like that sounded perfect. At least that damn Councilmech hadn't tried to bring in her Sire, that would be pure awful. Bad enough trying to sing and talk in a ridiculous fashion, imagine doing it in front of her judgemental Sire and his awful family.

"Can she do it a bit more...gentler next time?" Valour now asked his grandsire, he didn't think the intense session she'd gone through would be good to do on a regular basis.

"We shall see," was the reply as Red Alert drove up along with an attendant.

"Mama!" Valour cried delightedly, running over to hug her.

"How are you, been a good boy?" she asked, stroking his head as he nodded.

"Yeah but Slipstream's got a sore throat," he stated making her frown slightly. "Oh, what caused that?"

"Grandsire's been teaching her to sing," he explained and she looked over at the little Sparkling.

"Mmm," she said, going over and asking Slipstream to open her mouth so she could examine her throat.

"It's all swollen," she declared, looking up at Alpha Trion with a deeper frown. "Whatever you were doing, you had her overdo it."

"It usual when they first start out," he said smoothly. "She'll be fine."

"Yes but she's not doing any more until her throat's better," Red Alert told him sternly. "And next time, make sure she stops before her throat gets to this state."

"Very well," he said as the playing Seekerlets noticed the new arrival and rushed over.

"Are we going home?" Skywarp asked, clinging to her leg.

"Yes, you're all going home," she said as Valour asked. "Mama, can Bee stay at our place? Please..."

"Sure Sweetspark, if his creators are fine with that," She answered and Bee looked excited and bounced around.

"They will be ok with that."

The yellow mechling's words made Alpha Trion lift an optic ridge, however he decided to drop it in order to not upset the sparkling...or tell him the hurtful truth that his creators practically abandoned him.

"Cool! Sleepover!" Valour exclaimed excitedly...

...but then again Alpha Trion broke the mood. "I believe is time for them to be introduced in society, Optimus will soon," He told Red Alert who's gaze remained stoic while looking at him. "I also believe that next time perhaps you can leave them here until their creators return so they will learn enough before I can organize the ball for that," He continued and Red Alert fought her incredulous face. "And... I think they should stop working, they are high ranking sparklings and as such they must study to become what their positions demands on them."

The femme nodded and looked at the still quiet Slipstream; she seemed to be the one who got the worst part of all...especially Alpha Trion's wrath. "I'll think about it...and see what they want...also Slipstream needs rest and something warm for her throat, something cold will only worsen it."

The stern tone the medic used with him was not to the elder's taste but he nodded before suddenly turning and called a servant to bring him something. Once the servant returned with a pot and a spoon he went to the seeker femme, took some of the thing inside the pot in the spoon and told her, "Open,"

Slipstream looked at the mech in shock and sniffed at the thing in the spoon. "Its sweet and it will help your vocalisers, come on...open..," He said and she looked at how everyone looked at her before deciding to take the risk and took it, but once her mouth closed around the spoon Alpha Trion tilted her head backwards forcing her to swallow it all...

...and all the sparklings gasped in shock.

Once she swallowed it all, the elder then took a thermal scarf and put it around her neck before nodding at her. "Good, that will do; keep it warm and don't try to speak for a day, you will recover your voice by then."

The femmling looked at him with wide optics before silently nodding her thanks; that caused the elder to nod at her once approvingly...for once! That made her happy...however she still wanted revenge on him.

Sometime passed and the etiquette lessons became harder, Alpha Trion teach them how to dance and make gestures and how not to; the one who learned fast was always Sunstorm and he was the one who corrected his brothers and even Valour or Bee...however he was still unsure if he wanted to correct his sister...

...especially since she was stressed out because the harder lessons always fell on her; the elder was even more strict with her than with his own grandson as if he wanted something from her, something that only she can give him. No, it was a bad idea to correct her or she might punch him not caring that that was not ladylike.

By Alpha Trion's orders they all left their jobs in the palace and so they focused exclusively in learning...that even he had them with him all day since he convinced Red Alert to let him look after the sparklings.

They were behaving well and learning fast, even his grandson, but he especially focused on Slipstream because once she's presented in society as his grandson's fiancée she will reflect all his teaching, that it was him the one who was capable of bringing another lady flier to their circle, he will get all the credit...something no one managed since there were no more shuttle femmes and seeker femmes were not interested in learning...however if she wanted his grandson she will have to stick up by his rules.

All the mechlings were allowed out to play and rest as the elder was left alone with her in that huge crystal hall; he played the piano and she tried to sing as he ordered her.

However she was unaware of the big, white mech hiding behind one of the doors, one that was invited by Alpha Trion to see her progress...his progress on her...

...and Skyfire cried in silence while hearing his firstborn, even if she still made some mistakes with the notes she still have so much potential that his family was unable to see.

He clenched his fist and covered his mouth, he wanted to enter there and tell her so many things...not just correct her...and that is what he did...walked towards her while she continued singing and gave him her back without noticing his presence.

It was rather amazing how softly he could walk but it came with years of practice. He was not a Mech that liked to stomp about, scaring or intimidating others. Although it was true that bots often got a fright when they turned and saw him standing right behind them. When he was behind Slipstream, he listened to her singing before carefully kneeling so that he was not looming so terribly over her.

Alpha Trion finished playing the tune that accompanied his student's song, aware that Skyfire was in the room but had skilfully ignored him so that Slipstream would not stop. The young Femme's voice carried the last few notes before she finally finished, rubbing at her throat which would still feel delicate after such singing but thankfully not so painful.

"That was beautiful," came a choked voice from right behind, a voice she recognised with a gasp of horror. But as she spun around, she found her Sire kneeling before her with tears streaming down his face. This was enough to shock her into not fleeing from him, she couldn't understand why he would be crying.

"S-Sire," she squeaked, all thoughts of acting lady-like completely escaping her processor.

"Daughter," he said softly in his calm voice while tears continued to fall. "You are a wonderful singer and you already look like a proper lady Femme."

"I...I do?" she exclaimed in surprised, shrinking back as one massive hand gently laid it's self on her tiny shoulder.

"You do," he assured her. "I'm so proud of you, you've made remarkable progress in such a short amount of time. Wait until Starscream sees you, you're magnificent."

She flushed and looked away, hardly able to believe those words were coming out of her Sire's mouth. Surely he couldn't mean that.

"You're going to blow them all away at the ball, my daughter," Skyfire now stated warmly. "You and your brothers from what I've heard."

She shot Alpha Trion a dark look, it couldn't be a coincidence that her Sire had come while her and the old Mech practiced alone.

The elder however had a satisfied look and nodded at himself; the shuttle praised his work and now he cleared his voice obviously wanting some reward too.

Skyfire understood the unsaid gesture and looked up at the elder. "Thank you so much, Councilmech...only you could have done all this progress with her or her brothers," He spoke softly before directing his gaze towards his daughter again as if wanting to say something else but it failed him seeing her terrified look...

...she is afraid of him.

So he smiled at her sadly resisting the urges of taking a hug from her...no, that will only make things worse. In the end he stood, nodded at them and just walked away.

As he left, in the distance he could hear his daughter yelling the old mech in utter rage: "Why the frag did you invite him?! Because he wouldn't have entered alone without permission!"

"Ah, ah..." He could hear the elder. "What have I been told you...that is not the way of demanding an answer from someone for a lady flier...you can do better with better results," His voice answered calmly obviously not offended by her outburst or uneducated tone or rage.

However she roared back at him. "The frag I care! What was he doing here?!"

He was now in the farther distance could hear but not decipher how the elder tried to correct her again calmly as if enjoying her outbursts, and Skyfire chuckled sadly as she growled loudly and stomped her pedes on the ground. She reminds him so much of Starscream...so wild yet so loving...

The shuttle sighed sadly before reaching for the exit, transformed and then flew away...it was too soon to face his other sons now, besides, Starscream told him to win Slipstream first before going at them.

...

Archna Seven...

The Decepticon warship, the Nemesis landed on the planet's surface according Sentinel Prime's coordinates and the mechs waited for authorization to go down.

Optimus meanwhile looked worried at the organic world as if trying to guess or hope that his friends were right next to them. He sighed while watching a group of green and big flying insects flying away from the ship...

...however he noticed... 'can it be...?' He asked himself as one of the massive green bugs hovered close. '...is that creature looking at us?'

"Optimus," Megatron exclaimed, as Optimus watched the bug with satisfaction. "What is that?"

"I'm not sure," Optimus said slowly. "It appears to be one of the planet's natives but it seems very intelligent."

"It's probably curious," his mate stated with a shrug. "Unless it's threatening, we can probably ignore it."

"Mm," Optimus mumbled as the green bug continued to hover close. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about that bug, something about the way it was looking at them...

"We're disembarking," Ultra Magnus's voice ran out. "There does not appear to be any hostiles but keep a sharp look out for those spiders."

"Yes sir," the soldiers all echoed as the ramp was lowered and most of them trooped out, Optimus sticking close to his mate.

It wasn't a bad looking world but somehow, knowing what had happened here gave everything a sinister look to it. He swallowed, would they find the ravaged remains of his friends here? Was there even anything left to find?

"Move out," Megatron ordered. "Look for those purple goo spider webs, report as soon as you spot them."

His soldiers obeyed, heading out in various directions. Ultra Magnus stepped forward and placed a hand on Optimus's shoulder.

"Are you alright son?"

"Yes," Optimus murmured, glancing to one side and seeing the green insect still hovering nearby. It wasn't offering any aggression towards them, it simply appeared to be watching them. He shivered, it gave him a bad feeling.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ultra Magnus asked quietly and Optimus nodded firmly, steeling himself for what was to come.

"Yes, if they are alive, I want to be there," he told his carrier. "They're strong, I know that if they lived, then they can survive."

"Very good," Ultra Magnus said as Megatron came over and together, they began their own search. All the while, a bright green insect shadowed them.

Optimus turned from time to time to watch the bug near; from another time to time it set itself on a branch on a tree and then hovered near them again while making an odd buzzing sound with its wings.

The creature was indeed intriguing but he was not allowed to explore as Megatron and Ultra Magnus continued flanking him, forbidding him to go far from them...as if he was a sparkling that wanted to run from his creators and might get lost.

But Primus! That creature was something, he can feel it!

As his mate continued turning around to watch the bug always near them now Megatron too turned around to look at it and frowned. "What a curious creature indeed... and is alone...where are it's friends?"

Now Magnus turned and saw it too and shrugged it off. "Ignore it...is not going to sting at us."

Megatron and Optimus grimaced at that and continued walking, all the time the bug followed them in silence...until...

"Ah!" Optimus cried as the floor under his pedes collapsed and he only had time to push away his carrier to save himself while the hole swallowed him.

"Optimus!" Megatron and Magnus screamed in horror as the young mech they were so possessively protecting just slipped from their hands so easily...and the hole was too small for Megatron or any other of his soldiers to follow him...

...but then in an instant, fast as a lightning, the green, massive, but slender bug launched itself towards the hole after Optimus before this one suddenly closed up with the rocks around leaving everyone shocked not really believing what just happened...and now the Consort was trapped.

"Optimus!" Megatron roared in agony.

...

Optimus screamed as he went downwards and then suddenly was pulled away from a high mountain? ...how did he get there?!

"Gah!" He screamed louder as now his body fell freefall towards the hard rocks under him and near another forest; but just as his body was about to crash and possibly be turned into scraps, something stopped his fall...

...and when he onlined his optics he could see he was merely inches from the ground and a particular buzzing sound was heard.

He was lowered gently on the ground and turned around to see his saviour...the huge green bug! ...who was now looking at him curiously...and sniffing at him?

"Uhh...ah...thank you...?" He tried before the insect lowered itself to the ground and...transformed!

"Wasp..." He answered and Optimus could only look at him with wide optics unable to speak. "You Autobot...you rescue mission?" He asked and Optimus nodded dumbly. "Good...we need help...Elita needs help, me can't find her...him Hot Rod needs help...you follow, me show you where him go."

"Uhh...ok...Wasp...Was-!" He almost shouted but the mech covered his mouth before ordering to remain in silence.

"Shh...here creatures like silence...you come with me," Optimus nodded and walked along with the...umm...bug-mech and tried to find an answer as to why he was like this now since he was part of the team.

"Me not know...me changed, Hot Rod changed...me bitten by green creature and transformed...it hurt...me hates Sentinel Prime..." The last part was said with so much venom that Optimus believed them. "Him arrested? How you find us?"

"I...suspected of him...he blamed Elita," Optimus started and the bug snorted but let him continue. "I requested the help of the Emperor and an officer of his that can take the truth from a mech...a telepath...that is how we knew of this place and what he did...he's under the care of the Elites and cannot abandon the facilities...but please don't worry, we came here to rescue you...and you can testify against him."

Wasp grunted and continued walking before comming to a stop and hid behind some bushes before dragging Optimus with him. "What?" Hissed Optimus in silence and the bug-mech parted some leaves to show him a massive tree...and hanging from its branches were several, thousands and possibly millions of silky white cocoons!

Wasp spoke again lowly. "Him Hot Rod there...me unable to take him...him in a cocoon..."

Optimus looked around and couldn't see the danger before the other mech decided to show him by grabbing a rock and threw it to the tree's territory...and immediately several thousands of orange with black and yellow bugs with massive but colourful wings flied out of nowhere and some even spit acid at the intruding rock shocking the Prime...

...ok, getting Hot Rod will be difficult, not to mention they had no idea which one of the cocoons he was...or maybe Wasp did know?

"Primus," he gasped. "They don't want anyone getting near them."

"No," Wasp agreed, watching closely. "They defend against anything that go there."

"And Hot Rod is a cocoon," Optimus said thoughtfully. "Does he look like those bugs?"

"Not yet," Wasp said. "But...him will."

The young Autobot nodded his understanding. He thought about the problem before them, his friend was in one of those cocoon, he didn't know which one and those bugs would attack anyone who tried to approach with great force. Somehow, Optimus doubted that showing force in return would do any good, not only was there's a great risk on their part but Hot Rod could easily be hurt or lost in an attack.

"We have to be clever about this," Optimus said slowly. "Wasp, do you know if there's anything they don't attack?"

The other Mech considered this thoughtfully.

"No attack other red bugs," he said at last. "Wasp no know if other thing they no attack."

Optimus nodded, it was something to go on. Another question occurred to him and he asked.

"Have you seen Elita?"

"Only found him Hot Rod," Wasp replied and Optimus sighed in disappointment. However, he was still hopeful that she was alive since Wasp and Hot Rod had survived.

"Okay," he said to Wasp. "I don't think the two of us can rescue Hotrod just yet, we need to regroup with the others and explain the situation. Together, we'll work out a plan to save them both."

"You take back to Cybertron?" Wasp asked and Optimus nodded. "Of course we will, we're going to bring you all home."

Wasp looked down at himself before saying quietly. "Wasp no cute Minibot...Wasp...different. Lost child...may never...have another..."

"Don't say that," Optimus told him, laying a hand on his arm. "Yes you've changed but that doesn't mean you can't have a family. Let's get back to the ship if you know how to get there, we can talk more there."

"Okay," Wasp said slowly before leading Optimus away from the red bug's territory. Once they were far enough away, he transformed and gathering Optimus up, lifted off with him.

Optimus had to admit it was a very strange feeling to be flying like this but he trusted the other to look after him. But he could only guess at how the others would react once they saw his friend.

"So...a green flying bug bit you?" Optimus tried to make conversation. "How were you transformed?"

"Wasp bitten and stung by green bug...Wasp hurt... Wasp had fever...felt horrible... Thought Wasp will die...but when pain over Wasp was no more minibot," The green mech answered sadly and Optimus tried to cheer him up.

"Look at the positive side, you're bigger and stronger than before...you may not be a minibot anymore but that doesn't means you're not cute...you're not ugly, different, yes, but honestly suits you perfectly."

Wasp seemed to be crying and sniffed a little. "Tri colour mech thinks so of Wasp?"

"Yes...and I'm sure you will find a good mech who will love you very much; please, don't take it wrong but...the mech who cheated on you didn't deserv you...he...he is promiscuous and would have done no good to you or the sparkling you were expecting of him...he may have never truly given him love while he jumped other mechs and left you with all the job of raising and loving it... I believe it was better for YOU like this so YOU may start again and this time when you carry...you will be sure the sire really loves you and wants to bond with you...and are more than words this time.

I'm not saying that losing your beautiful sparkling was good, but I mean that he would have come into a world where he was not fully accepted."

"Maybe that reason why Wasp's sparkling left Wasp... Because sire mean...sire is interface mad...but it left Wasp alone and sad." Hoarsely the bug answered. "Wasp no longer wants Longarm... Wasp wants to forget Longarm and be happy with a mate to show Longarm that Wasp can be happy, Wasp no need Longarm... Wasp will have mate and sparklings again if Wasp cute as Autobot says."

Optimus smiled at him and answered. "Optimus...my name is Optimus..."

Hearing that name almost caused the flying bug to almost drop him making his charge yelp in scare. "You Optimus? THE Optimus?"

"Y- yes...?" Stuttered the autobot.

"You friend of Elita... Elita friend of Wasp...you friend of Wasp," He declared and Optimus looked up at him from his position below the insect. "Elita says a lot about Optimus... Elita worried because Optimus unhappy with mate... Optimus' mate: jerk."

The red and blue mech snorted and contained his laugh. "Him stupid for daring to take Optimus from friends and life and force bond on Optimus making Optimus sad forever."

That made Optimus smile sadly and sighed. "That's the Decepticon Emperor you're talking about," He chuckled but the other hadn't even stirred and muttered something that 'being an emperor doesn't makes him smart'. "But things were getting better with us..."

And so he told his story to the other, how he was forced to bond and why, his son given away, his depression...and even Megatron's anger. But thanks to that he was able to meet his creators and his mate understood his mistake.

"Megatron still jerk...him no court Optimus...him jerk of all jerks." Wasp declared making Optimus chuckle before devising something in the horizon...

...flying at top speed towards them.

"And speaking about the Emperor..." Optimus mussed. "Just don't call him jerk in front of him or anyone...he already knows...just as everyone, please Wasp?"

The bug just grunted as Optimus waved a hand at his mate.

"Optimus!" Megatron cried as he transformed and landed heavily, staring as his mate waved at him, looking completely at ease despite the fact he was being carried through the air by a giant flying green bug.

"I'm fine," Optimus called down, the hovering insect seemed reluctant to come to close to Megatron. "And I've got good news."

"Good news?" Megatron repeated with a frown, almost lunging upwards so he could wrap his mate up in his arms.

"Yes, I found Wasp and Hot Rod...well, I've got Hot Rod's location," Optimus corrected himself.

"You do, that's wonderful," Megatron said, almost dancing on the spot. "But where is Wasp?"

Optimus paused before saying calmly. "He's holding me?"

Megatron's optics instantly bugged out and he gaped in astonishment as Optimus smiled.

"He was stung by a flying green insect," Optimus quickly explained to his mate. "It transformed him but within, he is still the same bot. He saved me from the cave in."

The Emperor somehow managed to close his mouth as Optimus politely asked the flying green bug to lower him. Said bug did so and Megatron was able to take Optimus into his arms and hug him.

"I was so worried my love," he whispered as the bug transformed into a large green Mech who did bare resemblance to the bot Shockwave had knocked up.

"Jerk," Wasp muttered to himself making Megatron frown, what was this...strange Mech talking about.

"I'm fine," Optimus assured him, gently taking Megatron's face and kissing him. "Is everyone else alright?"

"Yes but we haven't found anyone yet," Megatron said as Optimus said. "Megatron, you have to make sure no one is stung or bitten by the creatures here, they seem to have the ability to transform bots to resemble them. Wasp was taken by some green flying ones and Hot Rod has been taken by some orange ones. As for Elita..."

He broke off as he remembered what Sentinel said had attacked them.

"Oh crap..." The Prime muttered and Wasp's antennas lowered in understanding.

...

Megatron, Optimus and Wasp returned to give the news and warnings to the others who surprised and horrified at the same time when watched Wasp's new shape.

The looks he received from the mechs depressed the green bug who turned his now winged back to them all and decided to guard for them instead...

...but something else happened that no one was expecting.

All the femmes were whispering and giggling together while watching the bug-former mech before one of them was pushed from the group towards him making her stumble before resolving on doing it.

"Umm...hi..." The light green femme started before Wasp turned his huge, crying optics towards her making her gasp and flush.

"You here to laugh at Wasp?" He tried hoarsely as her flush deepened.

He was so tall, strong... Those wings suited him and those beautiful huge optics like a couple of mirrors that stared at her deeply were enough to make her lose her voice.

However Wasp didn't took it well.

"Ignore my stupid friend!" Another red one appeared out of nowhere and bit her lower lip once her blue optics caught his very much muscular abs.

Suddenly all femmes were surrounding him, talking and touching him, telling him how strong and good he looked.

Even Wasp seemed surprised... But not as much as the mechs around who looked at him with pangs of envy. That bug only uttered a couple of words and every beautiful femme was fawning around him, completely forgetting they are warriors.

"I wonder what his charms are?" Ultra Magnus mused for himself loudly enough for a confused Megatron to hear.

"What?" he couldn't help but exclaim.

"Never mind," Ultra Magnus murmured, waving a hand and leaving the Decepticon Emperor even more confused.

Meanwhile, Optimus whispered to Wasp. "See, there are those who think you look very handsome."

"Wasp handsome?" Wasp repeated, dumbfounded. As a Minibot, he'd been attractive but more in a cute way due to his small size. But apparently now that he was big, he'd been transformed from cute to handsome. And these Femmes didn't seem to mind that he resemble a giant bug.

"You're very handsome," the first Femme cooed, snuggling up to him. "And so strong."

"Wasp very strong," he acknowledged, managing a small smile as the Femmes continued to exclaim over him while the most of the Mechs looked put out.

"I'm glad we're recovered one," Ultra Magnus now said to Optimus. "And you say Hot Rod is alive too?"

"Wasp is sure he is," Optimus agreed with a nod. "He doesn't know for sure about Elita but it would appear there's a very good chance she is functioning."

"Hmm," his creator said thoughtfully. "Well, with this Wasp at least, the damage isn't quite as bad as it could have been. But I wonder what state the others are in, they might not have been so lucky."

Optimus grimaced as Megatron put an arm around him.

"It's alright my love," he said comfortingly. "We'll do everything we can for them."

"I know," his mate said softly. "I'm just worried, those red bugs won't let us anywhere near Hot Rod and we have no idea what might have happened to Elita with those spiders."

"Perhaps we should investigate that cave," mused Megatron. "Does your friend know where it is?"

"Wasp?" Optimus called, getting the large techno-organic's attention. "Can you take us to the place you last saw Elita?"

"Wasp can," he said slowly. "But spiders hidden in caves, very dangerous."

Optimus sighed. "Ok, when we start moving you will take us there, ok?" Wasp nodded before looking down to the cooing and cuddling femmes on him that made him move his wings rapidly which in turn caused the femmes to giggle.

"Wasp, one more thing," The Prime tried again getting the bug-former's attention. "When you think Hot Rod will come out of his cocoon?"

The now massive mech scratched his head and tilted it to the side as he thought about it causing the femmes to gasp and 'awww' at him.

Near him the other mechs grimaced at the attentions he received.

"Maybe next week if Hot Rod transformation is ready." He answered. "Wasp waited here for an entire season... Alone."

That last word was uttered in purpose so the femmes will react... And they did, by gasping and hugging him tighter.

Optimus chuckled at that and gaped in shock after suddenly Wasp licked the cheek of one femme affectionately...

...however the femme only flushed mad and the other femmes demanded to be licked too.

"Urhh...!" Megatron shivered in disgust at the show and turned from them before facing Starscream who was smirking at the bug.

"It's good to see him this well after everything that happened to him," The seeker mussed, but Megatron refused to turn around again. Starscream then turned to his leader and added in a whisper. "I believe he's able to take on all those femmes by the night... Just look at them."

Megatron's optics widened before a shiver ran by his spine. He had enough for today and decided to continue instead to the spiders' cave.

As they walked, once again the Magnus and Megatron flanked Optimus who just give in into his luck, in front of all of them was Wasp hovering in bug form closely followed by his army of fanfemmes.

"Why do all of them find him so attractive?" Megatron couldn't help but ask. "I'm not saying he's ugly but...all of them?"

"Who knows," Ultra Magnus stated with a shrug. "I do not know a huge amount about Techno-organics."

"Perhaps it's pheromones," a voice piped up behind them and they turned to see First Aid hurrying to walk near them.

"I mean," the young Medic said excitedly. "He is part organic now and we don't know how the insect who stung him operates. It could be that the males try to attract as many females as possible with the purpose of producing as many offspring..."

"Oh Primus, that's the last thing we need," exclaimed Megatron with a groan. "All those Femmes carrying Sparklings with organic components?"

"I agree that all of them would be alarming," the Autobot leader agreed with a slight grimace. "That would only cause problems."

"I'm not sure you'll be able to stop them," Optimus pointed out as several of the femmes laughed over an apparent joke of Wasp's.

"I'd feel better if some sort of contraceptive was used," his carrier said seriously. "It would prevent a lot of spark ache I believe."

"I concur," Megatron said firmly. "Medic, can you recommend anything?"

"Hmm," First Aid said thoughtfully. "Well, it might be better for the Femmes to have the contraceptives as I would need to examine Wasp to determined how his, uh, anatomy works. And that could take time."

"We don't have time," the Emperor said tersely, seeing how the Femmes kept looking adoringly at the flying green Mech. "Sort out those Femmes as soon as possible."

"Yes sir!" the young medic said and hurried towards them.

Later Wasp was climbing the top of the highest tree ever trying to keep himself away from the femmes as possible as the medic injected them the contraceptive...

...the problem was that within the group were seeker femmes who easily followed the bug-former mech wherever he went, so, poor Wasp had to go back down and 'ask nicely' to the seeker femmes to take the medicine.

Soon all of the femmes were controlled but still continued looking and following Wasp as if he was some kind of god.

That now scared a little Wasp. He was informed about what might cause the femmes' behaviour and he was 100% sure that he was unable to be a sire yet...he needed to sort out his feelings yet!

...but the femmes just didn't give up! ...and part of him was enjoying this way too much.

He wondered how will feel that imbecile of Longarm if he can see him now... Surrounded by beautiful femmes?

Wasp smirked. Even if they were induced in some kind of trance by his pheromones, they still wanted him.

They reached the caves in no time and decided to scan it to see if it was a good idea to enter it and explore it directly.

Finally a drone was sent and scanned the inner, deeper areas for them...

...and found many spiders...sleeping.

"Spiders, nocturnal," Wasp answered as they all seemed petrified by them but still awed at their inactivity.

"Fine, if they abandon their lair at night we might be able to see if Elita is with them," Optimus offered and they all agreed. No one was willing to enter that place so close of night.

And speaking about the night...

The moons of the planet were full and glowed like magically... Something happened to the femmes who went after a sleeping Wasp on a tree.

The green mech onlined back only to find himself on the ground, in mech form, surrounded by horny femmes!

He gulped. They all had their dripping valves bared and seemed ready to take him, like him or not!

Well... He better enjoy it, right?

He then searched for his spike cover and once it was out, the femmes gasped and the action started.

"So big...!" one of them moaned as her tight and wet entrance engulfed him whole.

It was going to be a long night...thankfully the other mechs were busy looking for spiders.

"Aahhhh...more...!" The femme above him gasped and he watched the others patiently wait their turn...

Wasp groaned, the sight and smell of all these femmes was making him hard and excited. Gripping the one impaling his spike by her hips, he started to thrust up into her, making her moan and gasp. The others made noises of want but sadly, he only had one spike so they would have to hold back...for now.

But while this was going on, none of them realised that they were being watched. Since First Aid wasn't a fighter, Ratchet had told him to keep an optic on Wasp and the femmes and the young Mech was standing to think that was a good idea. Clearly, someone needed to watch these horny beings to make sure nothing went wrong. However, it wasn't easy to think in a cool, collected, scientific way when watching this strong mech pleasure his own personal harem.

First Aid gulped and tried to take notes, academically, this was fascinating but...

"Quite a sight, isn't it?" came a voice behind him and he almost yelped.

Spinning around, he saw the Decepticon wing commander Starscream standing with a smirk.

"Doing a little research?" the Seeker asked dryly, moving beside First Aid's hidden spot among some bushes.

"Uh...um...yes," First Aid said nervously as the Seeker grinned.

"I believe I'll join you, I'm a scientist myself," he said as First Aid exclaimed. "Oh I know, I've read a few of your papers...one good thing about our people coming together, I can read Decepticon papers."

"Indeed," Starscream agreed. "The same for me, it's good to meet new researchers."

"Oh yes," First Aid said eagerly. "I mean, this trip is a great example isn't it? Autobots and Decepticons on a mission, all with different talents and skills..."

Starscream smiled but before he could say anything, there was a shriek and both Mechs turned to see that the first femme had slumped over. She and Wasp had just come and now a new femme was eagerly taking her place on the still hard spike.

"Primus, do you think this Wasp can handle them all?" Starscream asked curiously.

"Well, it actually wouldn't surprise me," First Aid mused. "From what I've gathered, the species of insect which stung him is designed to find as many mates as possible and impregnate them. That means stamina and a high interface drive. There's still the question of how much this translates to a techno organic but with the pheromones he's releasing, I'll wager he can take them all on."

"This I can't wait to see," chuckled Starscream, although privately, he was beginning to feel rather hot.

With the passing of the hours more and more femmes slumped and others took their places, some even recovered and rode Wasp again and again.

Both hiding mechs were visibly shaking now and Starscream started... Or stuttered; "Wh- what else c- could you find?"

First Aid gulped and looked down at his notes and when he found out he was unable to answer with words, he just passed the other his datapad with his research.

Starscream then removed his wide optics from the scene and looked down at the young medic's datapad for information.

Apparently the bug's species male was responsible of looking after the offspring by warming the eggs until these ones hatched and feeding them once they are out. Once they are strong enough they leave their sire; the females flies in groups and chose a male to mate all together, but abandon him with the offspring once they lay their eggs.

Males don't fight for females or enter heat, females however does and chose only one rouge male to impregnate them all.

Males are lonely and are not territorial, they can usually fly together but not for long.

"Interesting..." Starscream mussed before lifting up his gaze towards the orgy in front of him. "I know femmes will never abandon their sparklings... I wonder how this race will develop with ours?"

The sun rise hours later and the orgy was over by then. Starscream and First Aid were panting and gasping in silence, unable to look at each other just in case the other self serviced...

'Primus... I'm so... Fragging hot!' Starscream told himself in his mind, however still refused to get relief from this aching madness by using the medic next him...

...there was only one he wanted so desperately to touch him.

"Its done... M- medic!" He started making the other jump. "You b- better t- ta- take those s- samples of his ph- pherom- mones... And get the ant- antidote... Or... Or when we return to the palace he could get Red Alert's attentions!"

First Aid's optics widened in horror at the idea of the femme he loved to be added into this mech's harem! No, he will not let it happen!

So, getting up he went towards a still awake but sleepy Wasp and asked for some of his fluids for a sample. Wasp was kind enough and let him take whatever he wanted.

It was obvious that the bug species that bit Wasp was too mild, so he supposed if he was bitten it was because they possibly believed him dead when he wasn't... They were possibly were going to eat him.

The seeker and the medic stumbled back to the group to everyone's' surprise. Megatron even lifted an optic ridge at them wondering what was wrong with those two.

"And...?" Ultra Magnus started watching the unusual, stumbling duo. They were as if holding something.

"They are recharging, sir..." The younger answered and the seeker just nodded making the Magnus frown but decided to let it there.

"Good, we have good news, we've found Elita One," He announced before looking towards a massive black with purple spider that was being examined by Ratchet...

...and oddly enough all mechs were looking now at her adoringly, confusing the newcomers...

Until she transformed into a gorgeous and curvy femme. "Wow..." First Aid couldn't help but gasp at her sight.

"Do you know where we can find Wasp and the other femmes?" Magnus tried but as an answer only received the young medic's finger pointing towards a place in the woods.

Starscream shook his head. It seemed they needed to get more samples for more antidote for the pheromones this bugs produced... However he doubted that was the case with the spider.

He watched as Optimus came forward with a smile. "Elita, I'm so glad you're alright."

"Optimus," she responded with a slightly fanged smile. "You're looking much better."

She glanced down at her own body, a look of pain spreading across her face. Optimus took her hands and as she lifted her face up, said.

"You're still beautiful Elita."

"Am I?" she asked sadly as First Aid exclaimed. "You're gorgeous."

Before realising what he'd just said and blushing furiously turning away mumbling about pheromones.

"I wasn't expecting that," Elita said in bemusement as Optimus chuckled.

"I don't think he was either," he whispered before suddenly drawing her into a hug.

"When I heard what happened, I feared the worst," he murmured. "But I didn't give up hope you were all still functioning."

"Thank you for coming," she responded, hugging him back. "If you hadn't..."

She shuddered at the thought of remaining on this planet for a long length of time.

"I never would have left you," Optimus said firmly. "No matter what."

He hesitated, resisting the urge to glance at Megatron.

"Elita, I know I've been a poor friend recently, I made a lot of mistakes but I'm correcting them now."

"Optimus, you know I don't blame you for that," she stated. "I know that 'bonding' affected you, it probably would have affected me if I'd been forced to give up everything to bond to a complete stranger."

He nodded, this was very true.

"The thing is...," he began. "The situation is actually more complicated than you know."

She gave him a curious look as he quickly explained, aware that the others were giving them some peace to talk but this wouldn't last.

"I have a son," he said in a rush. "A Sparkling who was born not long after I'd bonded."

"A son?" she repeated in astonishment. "But...who...?"

She looked over at Megatron who was standing by Ultra Magnus. Optimus hurriedly said.

"Megatron is the Sire. But when I found out I was expecting, I hid it from everyone and...gave birth in secret before...giving my child away. Megatron had no idea until recently that we had a son."

"Primus," she said, letting out a deep intake. "That...he must...I can't believe it."

"The reaction wasn't pretty," he acknowledged. "But we got through it and I now realise I should have given Megatron a chance. What he did to me in the beginning was wrong but I should have made my feelings towards him clear. He wasn't a bad husband, he was just so wrapped up in love and happiness that he couldn't see what everyone else could."

He said this last part ruefully.

"It's far too long a story to tell right now," he told her. "But Megatron and I are now courting and...It's going well so far."

She looked taken aback before smiling.

"As long as he's treating you right and you're happy," she said gently. "Now, tell me your son's name?"

"Valour," Optimus said proudly, feeling very happy. All his friends were alive, now they just had to rescue Hot Rod and they could leave this place.

"Valour?" She repeated. "Like Red's son?"

Optimus nodded. "Is him... She adopted my son after she found him."

The four optics of the spider femme widened before a smile formed in her face...

...and they could hear many of the mechs gasping at her.
...

Later the group went in search of that tree which had Hot Rod's cocoon, however they must be careful to not call the attentions of those red winged bugs.

As they walked Elita and Wasp chatted... Or tried to as the femmes make sure to block her from Wasp all the times even if he insisted to the others to let her in.

"That's odd," First Aid mussed and Optimus looked at him in interest before this one continued. "The normal femmes are not jealous of each other, however they can barely tolerate Elita's presence near Wasp. Why would that be?"

"Perhaps because she's another bug and have better chances with him than any of them... Or... Who knows, Primus, we will find out later!" Ratchet exclaimed as finally the spider femme gave up and told Wasp they will speak later and just walked alone...

...but not for long.

"Those fans of his are really tough, aren't they?" Starscream said silkily while walking next her.

Elita looked up at the tall and proud seeker that joined her and nodded to him. "We believe its his pheromones that drives all other femmes crazy... But not you... Why would that be?" He said and she just shrugged. "It also seems the other femmes refuse to make you part of their group; my theory is because you're a little late,"

She looked up at him in confusion, so he answered; "They already fragged him last night, all of them... You didn't and I believe that is the reason why they push you away, now they won't let you in."

The spider frowned and a face of disgust was plastered on her face without noticing how the seeker eyed her whole body.

Starscream gulped and cleared his voice. He was still hot from what he witnessed and somehow watching her new body made him feel even more edgy. He doubted it had something to do with pheromones with this femme, more like her body was so curvy... Perfect... Symmetric and... Primus, she looked naked!

Starscream's optics widened. That was it! She looked like she have few armour! That is why all mechs are reacting to her! Well... Most mechs.

Even him, who liked a certain mech felt attracted to her perfect body... And maybe that was the main reason why the other femmes wanted her out... Envy perhaps? He scratched his head; how confusing!

"Tree... Empty!" Wasp suddenly exclaimed once they reached their destiny only to find that all the cocoons were open and empty.

"What happened!" Optimus demanded in alarmed worry. "Wasp, you said it will take them a week to hatch!"

Wasp looked just as confused as the Prime was and just shook his head trying hard to not desperate... His fans anyways were trying to soothe him.

Elita stepped forward to see better just to see the empty cocoons before something happened..

...fast as a lightning someone snatched her from the ground successfully kidnapping her.

Or so thought the bug who took her as all the other flying mechs were chasing him.

"What the frag?!" Elita cursed before watching the massive red and orange wings of her kidnapper and contemplated biting him before the bug licked her cheek and hugged her tightly bumping his abdomen against hers insistently.

Elita blushed madly, somehow she knew that that thing was very private and intimate. "What are you doing?!" She demanded before the bug transformed and the mech before her kissed her passionately freezing her right there.

Meanwhile he continued trying to do something with those bug butts they have while the other fliers tried to catch the kidnapper.

"Mpth...stop!" she exclaimed, trying to push the Mech away from her as the others demanded she be released.

"What in Primus's name is going on?" Megatron demanded, trying to stop Optimus from charging after them.

"I have no idea," Ultra Magnus murmured as Elita and the bot holding her struggled. She was clearly trying to get away while he was trying to...he really didn't want to know.

"Wasp...help her," Optimus gasped, unable to squirm out of Megatron's arms.

Gently pushing his admirers aside, Wasp took off into the air. They all squealed in delight seeing him power upwards and towards his fellow techno organics. Hot Rod...it could only be him...saw Wasp approaching and suddenly grasped Elita tighter to him, thankfully stopping his previous bumping.

"Mine," he declared, his beautiful wings fanning out in an aggressive manner although it was impossible not to admire them. They were much bigger than a normal Seeker's wings although he was definitely no shuttle. They were beautifully patterned with a red orange bash with lines of yellow and black. The wing even had pointed tips which were coloured black and there were other black and yellow lines on his body.

"You put down," Wasp ordered, hovering just a short distance away with the other fliers.

"No," Hot Rod retorted, he didn't seem fully aware of who he was and was acting on instinct. "Mine."

Elita thought about transforming but that would send them crashing to the ground and she didn't want to hurt her friend. Even if he was trying to mate with her mid-air. All she could really do was stop him from kissing her again.

'How ironic!' She thought as she moved her face to the side avoiding once again his kiss. 'And here I thought about seekers doing it mid-air and now is my turn!'

"Let Elita go!" Wasp demanded before his optics widened and just had a second before dodging the acid spitting the other mech shot him; the other fliers did the same.

Hot Rod hissed dangerously before roaring loudly trying to persuade his pursuers to let him go, or else...

It wasn't working and now the mechs unsheathed their weapons before Optimus yelled at them to stop.

"Megatron! Please, help them! It is obvious that Hot Rod is not the same and feels threatened, please!" The Prime begged his mate who seemed confused on what to do and looked to his mate before gazing up again.

"Megatron!" Optimus yelled once again trying to get back his attentions just before they heard Elita scream.

They looked up again to see her struggling this time harder as the mech tried to get their butts together again and spread her legs by using force.

Elita was growing desperate and Hot Rod was decided to mate with her now no matter who was looking or that they will shoot him, so, seeing she had no other choice, she stings him with her legs on her back and injected him a venom that suddenly paralyzed him...

...unfortunately that means they were now falling...and quick!

She let go of him and transformed into a spider, Hot Rod was held by Starscream before this one could hit the ground...

...and someone else was holding her.

She frowned, she doesn't needs help, she can land on her eight legs! She's not that defenceless!

Turning around her optics on the back of her head she found Megatron with a grim expression plastered on his face.

The spider wondered why he was so serious, after all, Optimus told her about Megatron being jealous of her and their friendship, but she doubted it was just that... Or maybe it was because of the menace they were as new bug-formers. Hot Rod was way too unstable and Wasp attracted every femme that crossed him; well, she attracted mechs too and they would have shoot Hot Rod if they wouldn't have been so sure they would have hurt her too.

"Hot Rod!" Optimus ran towards his now unconscious friend. "What happened, what did you do?" He asked Elita who walked towards him and started tying him up with something silky that came from her abdomen. Everyone was paralyzed.

"I just stunned him, spiders do that with their prey; he's alright and will regain his consciousness soon, that is why I'm tying him up before that happens and he tries to rape me again!" She exclaimed the last part as she finished with him and transformed back into her femme mode.

Starscream lowered his gaze when he saw her and considered giving her some fabric before they get to Cybertron and then perhaps some more armour so she wouldn't look so... …Provocative.

Author's note. What happens when Hot Rod wakes up? There are tough decisions to be made but what will the results be? Find out next time, until then.