The Neo Spark [Transformer's Prime X Neo (OC)]

14 | ꜱᴀᴅ ᴍᴀᴅ

It had been a relatively slow day for Arcee. Her days had been greatly adjusted from her normal routines after Neo came home to base. As much as she adored him, she wouldn't be able to get any work done at this rate. At least, not the most important things on her list.

Cliff's killer was still out there. Until she figured out who it was, and snuffed out their spark, she couldn't rest. She couldn't afford to be a sparkling sitter, even if her caretaker code went on the fritz when Neo was in the picture.

That child, as wonderful as he is, was also a trouble magnet. 'Con activity had spiked drastically since he'd been on base due to those clowns searching for him. On top of that, he was a curious and brilliant little one. Heck, the kid even caught her practicing and copied her blasters!

On top of that, he had a bond with that monster, Megatron. It was a good thing that the bond was relatively new, through Ratchet's guess, and could not give locations. Adding to their safety, the signal jammers they had around the base prevented Megatron from trying to get that information out of him.

The only way he was finding their base was if Neo told him, and that child was a good little mech. When Optimus told him not to tell 'Meggi' where they were to keep everyone safe, Neo adamantly accepted.

"Meggi and Oppi not friends. You fight like before. I don't want to see that again." Plus, he always told Optimus what they spoke about. Neo was completely transparent, so honest the thought of lying would never cross his innocent mind. Compared to every other sparkling she'd had the privilege to see, Neo was a pure delight.

And this is exactly why she needed to get away from him. She was getting way too soft. Sooner rather than later, that kid was going to have her wrapped around his little digits too. Bulkhead and Bumblebee had already fallen victim to the cuteness. A single compliment from the child was all it took.

As perfect as Neo was, she couldn't allow herself to forget everything that happened and be happy. She couldn't let herself get even the slightest bit content. So, venting a breath, she went to the one place she could regain her bearings.

She took the elevator up to the top of the base. The view from here was amazing, the breeze cooled her metal. The setting sun cast a warm hue over her frame, the horizon enveloped by the golden light. When one's gaze lowered, Cliffjumper's gravesite seemed to rest on that golden line.

"Hey, partner. Heck of a view you've got up here." She gazed out at the horizon, standing alone as she spoke. Of course, there wasn't anyone speaking back. None of his usual jokes and banters. Nothing.

Just her, the open air, and a grave she wished they didn't have to make.

"If there's even a small chance you're spark is out there listening... Well... We could really use you, Cliff. It seems like every day another Decepticon arrives on the scene. We're outnumbered and outgunned."

Her glare softened as she reminisced, "Yeah, I know what you'd say: "Sounds like a fair fight!" and that "that's the world we live in"...?" She couldn't keep up her smile, knowing she'd never hear such words again. Not wanting to give in to sorrow, she changed the subject.

"We found a sparkling, Cliff. Can you believe it? His name's Neo. He's got a massive bite and the tanks to match, but he's a great kid. He even mimicked my blasters," She let herself be joyful briefly, "he's got the workings of a sharpshooter."

She vented, staring at the grave longingly, "...You would have loved him, Cliff. You would have absolutely loved him."

If things had been different. If the war never started. Maybe she would have been blessed with a sparkling like Neo? She stopped before those invasive and weak emotions could take over. She let her righteous anger return. She turned from the grave, "I haven't given up. I'm gonna find the 'Con who took you from us."