Several weeks from the incident that nearly lost his one and only daughter, Optimus Prime now carries within him the very sparkling who he once thought was lost a long time ago. A procedure that is meant to save her life, though he is learning to endure what many mechs and femmes go through while carrying. However, he has zero regrets. After all, his love for his daughter runs deep, and he will protect her at all costs.
However, Megatron has not forgotten her either. Knowing now who she is related to, a part of him wants her among the decepticons because of her power. But also a part of him wants to get to know her. A decision he made years ago, believing he would never care for any of the new sparks he had created at the time, now has come to realize that he wants to know her. But that does not stop his war against the autobots. Which Optimus, unfortunately, would come to learn.
But it is not just Megatron who seeks out this sparkling. Eyes linger on the autobot leader after his assistance with aiding a decepticon, and their keen interest in the sparkling leads to danger to both Optimus and his sparkling. To the point where her life literally hangs by a thread again. And, someone beneath the surface of the planet, plans vengeance against those who banished him. Including against a young dragon who is only related by energon.
Hi readers! Welcome to the second book for the When All Lights Go Out series. If you haven't already, please read the first book before proceeding with this one. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this story, creating a different lore to the story of Transformers Prime, and will continue to enjoy writing it with chapters to come. This is not a romantic story, but it is mature for reasons.
Warnings for this chapter: Mech pregnancy, violence, blood, medical violence, blackmail, torture, mind control and minor gory details in this story.
Hunching over the bowl of the sink in the private shower of his berth room, a large mech heaved the contents of his tank into the bowl. Partially digested energon stained the inside of the bowl, and the large mech groaned from weariness and pain that he has quickly learned he has had to endure for the past four weeks. Optimus Prime took deep intakes as he stared into the bowl, waiting to see if his body would force more energon from his tank, after he had ingested three cubes of energon just several hours prior to this point. But he might be lucky, as his tank began to settle, and he was able to relax.
Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Optimus turned on the water to rinse the sink and wash away any remnant of the energon and placed a single hand on the swell of his abdomen. He smiled a little as he caressed gently. Four weeks ago, Optimus was not heavy carrying a sparkling within him. In fact, four weeks ago, he almost lost his one and only sparkling to a stupid stunt by Starscream. He came so close to losing her, but if it were not for Ratchet's quick thinking and informing him that this was the only thing he could do to save her, Optimus agreed. And he had zero regrets.
Prior to incident of Starscream throwing a dark energon shard into the chassis of his daughter, this procedure had been discussed extensively. Ratchet told both Optimus and his daughter that she lacked necessary systems within her body to survive properly. He had even believed that her growth had been stunted partly to that. While also the other part, being, that Optimus was forced to save his daughter's life when she was just a new spark many years ago. By placing the spark into a pod, and sending the pod into space, with no way of knowing if she would survive.
Optimus had regretted that decision for a long time. But when he came to Earth, it seemed Primus had intended for him and his daughter to meet again. And he didn't even know it was her at first. Cliffjumper only notified him after seeing a human girl with a Cybertronian crystal. A special crystal that was often gifted to other Cybertonians. But this crystal was different. It was a crystal that was infused with some power of the Matrix of Leadership, and Optimus had made sure that he gave the crystal to her. And Cliffjumper had spotted it with a human.
Optimus had been confused at first, as this human child should have had the crystal. But it turned out, that the girl was indeed his daughter. It just some happened that she appeared human. She could ingest the food, and the food would sustain her, she had a thin, metal membrane around her protoform that looked and felt like skin, and even her hair looked like normal human hair. But her hair was metal as well. Something that Optimus liked, because when her membrane was removed after the scraplet incident, her hair remained. And Optimus enjoyed brushing her hair.
And the only reason she had hair, was because his daughter was not just Cybertronian. A part of the Matrix, and a part of a creature who assisted the thirteen Primes many years ago to banish Unicron is woven into the CNA of his daughter. Thus, giving his daughter the ability to eat human food for sustainance, and not die, and she also has the systems for needing to use the bathroom. Something that Optimus had gotten used to. And he knew he would have to get used to after his daughter would be reborn, though he did not know when, as Ratchet has predicted she would need to wear diapers for a short time again. And he has been making a heap, so Optimus would be prepared.
Because of this, Optimus's daughter could not transform into vehicles. Her t-cog does not have the ability to scan vehicles, but that is because she already can transform. And that is into a dragon. When Optimus learned, she was related to the dragon who helped the Primes, it made sense as to how his daughter had such a unique connection with nature. She is capable of influencing the weather and nature around her, and she was able to create elements in her own hand, and before the incident, her system gave her the ability to breath out different elements when necessary. And, unfortunately, after being infected with dark energon, those abilities were what she had used to attack the autobots and Megatron at the time.
And it was a surprise that Megatron had even been concerned about his daughter at the time. Seeing how the sparkling responded to the dark energon was actually quite frightening to see. And it was a good thing she was not an adult, as she would certainly bring a lot of destruction to Earth. But that would not be the case, and she was now residing within Optimus. One month has already passed, and Ratchet has assumed at least two more months will pass before he would birth her, and Optimus was certainly going to take the time to enjoy it, as he never had the chance to carry her a long time ago.
Though he, admittedly, wished she would not grow at this time. Ever since she was placed within him, with Ratchet watching intently and ensuring that his system would connect to the sparkling to deliver the necessary parts she needed within her body, she has been growing. And growing rather quickly too, which was making space quite tight inside Optimus, and he had to deal with a growing abdomen due to that.
"Are you okay, daddy?" The sweet, gentle voice of his daughter asked, knowing she could hear him heaving. "I'm sorry you are sick. I wish I wasn't the cause of it. I hope it will stop soon, because you been for weeks."
Optimus caressed his abdomen gently with a smile. "I will be fine, Azura. Thank you for your concern, but it is part carrying. It is a lot like how humans go through a cycle of illness. I have never carried a sparkling, and I do not possess a natural gestational chamber, meaning this is a bit harder than it would normally be. But you are getting stronger, and Ratchet said you had developed two new systems last week, which should be completed this week."
He felt a shift within him as he felt the stretch of small legs. He remembered when she finally woke up a week within the carrying, and she kicked pretty hard. He was actually awoken from recharge in the middle of the night, and he was quick to soothe her. This mental link they now had was due to the maternal bond they have finally developed. Optimus felt it a few days into the carrying, and he was happy to finally be properly bonded with her. It allowed proper communication, as the bond allows Optimus to hear her words through the link, and feel her emotions and even any pain. And she could also hear Optimus's words through the link, along with his emotions and pain. Though the pain part was something Azura didn't necessarily like. Especially if Optimus is in a fight, and she feels the sudden pain of that fight.
"I feel stronger…I…I barely remember what happened a few weeks ago. I just remember being at the beachside forest, and…I had run into the trees…then Megatron showed up with Starscream. After that…" Optimus's smile widened as he heard a whimper through the link and it was amused by her. "But I guess it is best I forget it. How long until I can leave?"
"At least another two months."
"Right…okay. Well, at least we are bonded, daddy. Will Jack be here today?"
"He will be here tonight, Azura. It is a school day." Optimus grimaced as he placed his hand over his mouth for a moment, feeling another unsettled feeling in his tank, before his tank relaxing and sighed in relief. "You have been enjoying the stories he has been reading to you, haven't you?"
"Yeah…I am still surprised I can hear him over the pulse of your spark, daddy." Azura shifted again within him and she relaxed after a moment. "You stopped him from sitting on your stomach. I remember that so well."
Optimus was a bit embarrassed by that. But ever since he began to carry Azura, he's found the surface of his abdomen to be extra sensitive to touch. So anyone else, aside from himself, touching him caused irritation. Ratchet said this was normal, given that Optimus's body hasn't carried before, and this was due to the fact that Azura was growing within him as well. So his body was needing to provide additional protection for the sparkling, whilst also causing slightly irritation over the surface of his frame.
So two weeks ago, Jack had decided to try and interact with Azura by reading to her. When Optimus confirmed she could hear him just fine, Jack had tried to sit on Optimus's abdomen while the mech was seated by the platform. And Optimus had unintentionally snapped at the boy for it, which he apologized for profusely right after. He was not used to sudden changes in his mood, but he knew it was expected. And from that point forward, no one, but Ratchet, has been allowed to touch him.
But Optimus has enjoyed listening to Jack read stories to Azura. The boy has been a very good friend to Azura for years, and he could really see how much he cared. And the fact he took the time to read to her, even though he could not see her right now, was very sweet of him. Jack has even played the harmonica for her. Optimus had recorded the music to play for Azura from time to time so she could fall into recharge. Especially when it was night, and he needed to rest. So it has been really good that Jack's been attentive, even though Optimus never asked him to be.
"I would prefer that to not be brought up again, Azura. I feel horrible for snapping so suddenly. I know I scared you as well." Optimus intakes heavily and rubbed his back a little before he backed away from the sink and made his way towards the door to leave the room. "At least you and I can both be assured that this is not going to last very long."
"I think it will feel longer for me than you, daddy. I see nothing but wires around me. I dream sometimes, but I am bored."
"I am afraid I am unable to assist you with that, Azura. Entertainment within a gestational chamber is…really limited." Optimus watched the doors open and he stepped into the hallway to make his way towards the lobby. "But you should try to daydream a bit, Azura. That will help pass the time."
"I have been doing that. But I guess I get distracted when you talk to one of the autobots or kids, as it is one of the only other things that give me something to listen to. Though it is not all the time, I guess. I've been kind of hoping my dreams would take me to the dream world I had a while ago. Maybe I could stay in recharge the whole time."
"Unfortunately, it would not be possible. Recharging the full three months would be nearly impossible, even for a sparkling, Azura. I understand your feeling regarding this, but we both just have to be patient, and endure this carrying." He caressed his abdomen gently as he walked towards the lobby. "I have enjoyed carrying you these last four weeks, Azura. It has given me a lot of joy and satisfaction."
"Yeah, I know." Azura chuckled softly, making Optimus hum softly as he heard her laughter through the link. "I am curious, though, it has been four weeks. And nothing has happened on the decepticon's end. Why would that be?"
Optimus grimaced a little at her question. It has been true that the last four weeks, the decepticons have been quiet. As far as they know. He knew it could be Megatron's doing. Megatron would have seen how weak Azura was when the autobots returned to base, and he knew that Starscream was in deep trouble when they had left. He did not know if Starscream was still alive after that incident, because when Megatron did try to help, it showed to Optimus that a part of Megatron cared for Azura. And he was not entirely surprised, given maternal bonds and instincts were hard to ignore. But he had first thought that Megatron would never have cared for Azura. But he showed that he did. But Megatron still would likely continue to fight the autobots.
"I am afraid I have no answer for you, Azura. Aside from you. I think Megatron is giving us this time for you." Optimus doubted Azura would believe that, given she doesn't really remember what happened that day, but it was the only answer he really had. "He did try to help that day. But I am afraid I am not sure if that is correct. They could easily be doing something that we have not detected."
"I am still shocked about you telling me that Megatron tried to help. And he was angry at Starscream for throwing that dark energon shard at my crystal. I know he is my sire, but…I am still not sure if I believe he cares for me because of me."
"I feel the same, Azura. However, only time will tell." Optimus frowned as his tank alerted him that he needed to ingest energon again. Now that it was settled from purging, he was hungry again. He sighed, knowing he would need to raid the energon stocks again. "But I doubt that Megatron will stop the war because of you, Azura. Even if he cares for you genuinely, he will still likely fight me. I wish that was not the case, because that puts you in between. And I know that will mean, you will pick me over him."
"You are my carrier, daddy. I mean, technically, I should be referring to you as mom." Optimus rolled his optics in amusement, even though Azura was right on that. "But of course, I will pick you over Megatron all the time. Because…because you put the effort in. I am not sure if he will put in the effort to get to know me. I kind of hope he will, but I am expecting it won't happen anyway. I don't need a sire, as I have you, daddy."
Optimus's spark felt warm as she said that to him. It made him feel a little emotional too, because knowing she would pick him all the time, and that she felt she didn't need a sire was just sweet. Though he did wish things were different, and that there was no war. Unfortunately, life just did not happen that way. "It makes me happy to know you are happy with just me as your parent. I am not sure how long it has taken for you to feel that way, Azura, given your early years. However, I promise that I will do my best to not let you down."
"I know you will, daddy. You might have let me down before, but you have made the effort to fix it. I love you."
"I love you too, Azura." He caressed his abdomen gently, feeling extremely happy at this time. "And I believe Ratchet will want another check up today."
"Seems he has been doing them once a week. But that is okay. I know he just wants to keep an eye on me. I have felt that I am getting stronger. Though I will say, when parts get delivered to me, it feels weird. I didn't think I would feel it, but…I don't like the feeling at all, daddy. It feels like tiny, little, insects crawling within me and it freaks me each time. I don't feel the new systems forming though…just…the feeling of the parts being delivered."
"That explains why you get startled every now and then. Unfortunately, I am unable to stop that, Azura. It is the only way for your systems to be whole. And I do believe that your current systems would be reinforced as well." Optimus was certain that Azura's current systems will be stronger when she is reborn. And he also believes she will have an easier time with her abilities as well. "I am sure you will get used to the feeling."
"Maybe. But it has been four weeks, and it still freaks me out. It is because the parts don't get delivered all the time. Though I know it is more uncomfortable for you than me. Doesn't it hurt you because parts get taken from you to be delivered to me?"
"Yes, it does hurt. A lot of the parts have been taken from within systems in my chassis, and it has been uncomfortable. However, my body heals and replenishes quickly, so it is just an unfortunate effect while carrying." Optimus didn't want her to feel bad for it, as he knew Azura would likely feel bad for it. But it was an inevitable part of carrying. "Once I refill my tank, I am going to go check on your fish. They have been thriving quite well."
"I though Jack, Miko and Raf were looking after them. Or are they doing a bad job?"
"They have been doing a good job of taking care of your tanks, Azura. But I do still enjoy looking after them. It is harder to bend down at the moment, so I have left most of the caretaking of the tanks to the children…but they are my responsibility as well." Sure, it was hard for Optimus to look after her fish tanks now, but he was happy to make sure they were still thriving. Though at the moment, Optimus has been renovating Azura's nursery a little. Mostly swapping out the old berth she had been using for a larger berth, knowing she was likely going to be too big for the old one. And he has been taking time to upgrade it, since he still had time to finish it. And in that time, he would check on the fish. "I do believe that Jack is bringing some new filters and stuff for the tanks. You were low on that before."
"Aww, that is good. Well, at least they are thriving. I can't wait to see them when I get out. Speaking of, will I need to relearn how to speak and walk again?"
"Uhh, that is a Ratchet question."
Azura giggled a little. "Can you ask him for me? Since we are probably going to get a check up anyway, we might as well ask."
"I can. Though I am expecting a vague answer, given he won't know until you are out of the gestational chamber. But it will be nice to have some idea. And I am sure you will want to know how long you will be wearing a diaper as well."
"Oh…yeah. I had not considered that." Azura chuckled a little bit, though that was not something she was concerned about. "I guess that part of my system is not going to go away anyway. Well, at least I can know when I can talk and walk again. Talking to you won't be a problem though."
Optimus fully understood why Azura was asking. She was used to being independent, so not being able to walk would mean she would have to rely on the autobots to be moved around. Not talking might not be as much of a problem, but Optimus knew her vocal processor would need time before she would be able to speak. Though it won't take long. As for walking, he was sure that she will be able to walk again very quickly.
At that moment, Optimus walked into the lobby to find Ratchet rubbing his chin while looking at the screen as he had been doing some scans. Bulkhead and Bumblebee were in the Arctic harvesting some energon at this time, and Arcee was in her berth room at this time. Ratchet turned his head and saw Optimus walking in, and he smiled as he saw that Optimus had one hand on his abdomen, and the other on his right side. "How are you feeling, Optimus? I suspect you were purging before."
Optimus nodded slowly. "Yeah. I had hoped to not purge, because I had already ingested threw cubes. Now I am heading towards the energon room to get some more." He caressed his abdomen gently, knowing he had to keeping ingesting energon to feed his daughter. "I don't suppose you know when the purging may stop."
Ratchet chuckled lightly at his commander, knowing that Optimus was feeling discomfort at the moment. But there was little he could do. "I am afraid not. Purging is an unfortunate side effect of carrying, Optimus. And your body has never carried before, nor was it meant to, in the sense you had no natural gestational chamber. Which is why you are experiencing the symptoms to somewhat of an extreme point. But you have been handling it very well."
"I am know. I have enjoyed carrying Azura, but it would be nice to not deal with purging at random times of the day." Optimus glanced at the screen curiously to see if anything had been picked up. "Have you detected any decepticon activity?"
Ratchet shook his head. "I have been scanning everyday, Optimus. There has been nothing, as far as I can tell, for four weeks. For all we know, Megatron could be flying around by the Moon, and we would not be able to detect them." Optimus nodded as he understood and turned to walk away. "And before you go…" Optimus glanced at Ratchet as the medic continued to speak. "When you finish filling your tank, come to the med bay. It is time for the weekly check up."
Optimus nodded affirmatively. "I will be there. And, just to make you aware, Azura has some questions she would like answered."
Ratchet chuckled a little. "I bet she does. It is good that you both have bonded properly, Optimus. It makes life a little easier for you at this time. No more kicking."
"I do not know about that." Optimus grinned while Ratchet looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Sometimes there is an occasional kick while she is in recharge. But not as hard as it was."
"I told you I don't mean to kick, daddy."
"I know, do not worry, Azura. I was simply correcting Ratchet." Optimus could feel Azura's guilt, and he didn't want her to feel that bad. "I am not mad at you about it."
"If you say so."
Ratchet chuckled lightly at Optimus's comment to him, and he seemed to understand that. "Expect that strength to grow in the coming weeks, Optimus." Optimus grimaced a little, as he was not sure how he felt about Azura potentially doubling her size over the duration of the carrying. She has already grown a lot over the four weeks, and Ratchet's predicted she will grow more. "I know you are not happy about that. And space is already tight in there, but it seems Azura's body has been responding well, too well to the procedure. Which might mean she could actually be taller than Arcee when fully grown."
"I expect that to be the case now. Megatron is taller and broader than myself, so I guess that also makes sense." Optimus shrugged and continued to walk into the hallway. "Though we can discuss this in the med bay, Ratchet. I will meet you there in…I am not sure how long I will be. I feel like I could ingest four cubes right now."
Ratchet was amused at Optimus's comment. He has been ingesting a lot of energon, but that was normal. His body had to keep up with the sparkling's appetite. "And it is a good thing Azura assisted with creating a safe cavern to harvest the energon in the Arctic before the procedure. Otherwise, we would be out all the time searching for energon to keep you and Azura fed."
Optimus nodded in agreement as he rubbed his abdomen with a smile. "Yeah. It is good she achieved that. I do hope I do not ingest all of it."
"I doubt it…but don't challenge yourself on that." Optimus rolled his optics while Ratchet chuckled softly. "Alright, alright, I've had my fun. I will be in the med bay shortly. Bulkhead and Bumblebee will be returning any moment now, so I want to bridge them back and they will process the new crystals."
"Understood."
Optimus placed his hand on his chassis, feeling a light pinch within him, knowing it was another part being taken from him to deliver to Azura. He was feeling very content at the moment. While he has thought about what the decepticons are doing at this time, he has focused on himself to ensure that he is in good condition. Optimus has hardly left the base since he began to carry Azura. He could still transform, and he's been able to ensure Azura was underneath the seats when he is in his vehicle mode. But the drive was often to try and ignore any discomfort in him.
But he has found Azura enjoyed the driving a lot. She had been startled the first time he transformed with her inside him, but once he began to drive, she actually enjoyed it a lot. She fell into recharge but woke up when he returned to base. At least Optimus figured out how to get her to recharge if she was struggling, but she hasn't struggled since he's used the harmonica music to do that. And because he has focused on himself, the past four weeks have been okay, despite the discomfort he was feeling from carrying Azura.
When Optimus entered the storage room filled with cubes, he grabbed the first cube he could see to drink. Optimus hummed softly as he felt relief from ingesting the cube, and sat down to drink the cube. And he took his time drinking it as well. Before finding Azura again, Optimus used to drink one cube a week. But when she began to drink the low-grade energon from him, he would drink one every day. Now his intake of energon has increased. But Optimus knew it was necessary.
Azura could hear Optimus ingesting the energon. She could hear the energon hitting his tank, which was close to the chamber. She did not speak to him, knowing that he should get to enjoy it. Though she knew he enjoyed speaking to her. She was thrilled that the two of them were bonded properly, and it really made her feel properly connected to her carrier. It was like a hole that has finally been filled. She did look forward to being reborn, as she did find it boring at the moment. But she knew she will be better off for it. And she was looking forward to finally get her coverings as well. It has been discussed a few times, but as Azura knew she was growing, based on the conversations she could hear from Optimus and Ratchet, she would have to wait until she was reborn to allow Ratchet to make them for her at the proper measurements. Though she really could not wait to transform into a dragon again. And this time, not because of needing to flee.
