From Teens to Sparklings

Chapter 6 New Mindset

It was dark when Ratchet and Optimus came back. Ratchet was soaking wet, as was Optimus. In his arms Ratchet carried a large egg shaped object, the surface clear like glass. The rest of the Autobots came over, intrigued by the object in Ratchet's grasp.

"What is it?" Bulkhead asked, staring at the object.

"This, Bulkhead, is the vessel of SparkStarter, an ancient Medic who gave the ability of healing and fertility. I thought for sure that it had been destroyed long ago, but somehow it made its way here. I believe this is how the children became the way they are now." Ratchet said. The old medic sighed. "But if that is the case, i fear i haven't the slightest idea of how to go about even attempting to fix this."

Over on the medical berth, Jack twitched. His audio receptors perked up slightly, flicking towards the conversation being held not too far away. However, he could only catch pieces.

"So they will... never... cant send them home... what will their parents thi...  we will have to... like they were our very own... Fowler and June?... Decepticons... unsafe... no other options righ..."

The voices were jumbled together, yet he could make out who was speaking. Were they talking about them?

Jack opened his optics, only to be assaulted with bright light and pain. He cried out, hands flying up towards his now squeezed shut optics. As his body came alive, sharp flashes of pain bounced around inside him, stabbing at his insides. Something was wrong and he wanted it to stop! 

The Autobots attention snapped to the sparklings, surprised by the sudden cry. Miko and Raf jolted awake, only to react similarly. Raf hugged himself tight and curled into himself, while Miko clutched her stomach. Ratchet ran over to the berth, scanning the pained sparklings on the metal surface.

Jack felt something warm and sticky burning his throat, and he coughed, arm flying over his mouth. When he pulled his arm back, he felt himself freeze. Red, warm liquid with swirls of light blue mixed in dripped down his arm and dribbled out of the side of his mouth. He clasped a hand over his mouth in horror.

He turned towards Ratchet, optics blown wide in terror. "Ratchet, are we dying?!" he asked, voice sounding almost like static, blood gurgling in his throat.

The old medic typed furiously at the monitor, optics determined. "Not if i have anything to say about it!" he snarled.

The other Autobots were standing around the berth now, attempting to comfort the distraught sparklings.

"Shh... easy little one, easy" Bulkhead muttered softly as he stroked Miko's back. The small femme was almost sobbing at this point, feeling the blood rising in her throat. 

A small beep alerted Ratchet that the scan was complete. He leaned in, reading through it. His optics widened as he continued reading.

"By the Allspark... how is this possible?" he whispered aloud.

"What is it? Whats wrong with them?!" Arcee barked.

Ratchet turned towards them, sending a pitying glance down at the trio. "It... it appears that some internal organs and other organic material still remains. Once their bodies have completely converted it or removed it, their minds will reset back to basic sparkling instincts, so that they can fully adjust to their new forms." he said.

Miko chuckled, a horrible, choked sound that made the Autobots wince. "That explains why it feels like I'm coughing up a lung!" she joked, smiling weakly.

Before Ratchet or anyone could respond, Jack gave a pained whine, before he went completely limp. His optics dulled, and his breathing stopped. Arcee made a panicked noise as Jack flopped over. Blood dripped out of the corner of his mouth, pooling.

Miko doubled over a moment later, hacking coughs racking her tiny form.  Blood splattered out, as well as an actual lung. Miko stared at it for a minute before grinning weakly.

"See, told ya." she chirped before also going limp.

"MIKO!" Bulkhead yelled, optics widening.

Bumblebee beeped loudly as Raf collapsed, blood covering his chest plates. The smallest sparkling took one last shuddering breath, before he grew still.

The room grew quiet, uncomfortably so. Bulkhead cuddled Miko close, energon tears pricking at the wreckers eyes. Bumblebee swiped a digit across his young charges chest plates, trying to wipe the blood off. Arcee said nothing, but she pulled her partner close, placing his limp form on her chest, near her spark.

Optimus felt his spark clench painfully. Seeing the small sparkling's limp forms brought up painful memories. He closed his optics and looked away, not wanting to see anymore.

Ratchet sighed. He knew the trio would be okay, but it still hurt seeing them like this. He may not show it, but he had a soft spot for sparklings. He grabbed a small cloth and reached for Jack to wipe off the blood.

Arcee stiffened and curled Jack in closer, optics narrowing. She pulled back a bit, although she didn't know why. Ratchet sighed exasperatedly. He gently reached over and picked Jack up. He didn't back away, he just cradled Jack gently in his servo, wiping away the blue and red blood.

Jack twitched suddenly, pressing into Ratchet's servo more. He shifted onto his side and smiled when he found a comfortable spot. Ratchet couldn't help it. A smile made its way onto his face.

Beside him, Miko and Raf began to stir. Bumblebee chirped happily as Raf opened his optics, staring up at the scout. Miko stretched and yawned, opening only one optic. Bulkhead sighed in relief.

Raf stared up at the large thing above him. He didn't know what it was, but he felt a bond to it. The Large Thing beeped softly, and Raf's optics lit up. He knew that voice! That voice promised love and protection, this he somehow knew. Something deep inside told him to trust this Large Thing.

Miko didn't know what exactly she was looking at, but she liked the warmth that it provided. The big thing lifted her up and placed her on its chest. Ohhhh it was really warm up here! She snuggled into its chest, feeling the strong beat of something in its chest. It was soothing, and she knew that she would love this being, now and forever.

Jack snuggled into the cool surface, the soft material soothing the ache that racked his body. He felt cramped in this form, trapped almost. His face scrunched up and he stretched, focusing on shifting into his more natural form. Everything moved, and he felt his lungs expand, feeling much better now that they had room. His new form let him move. Breathe. He knew what he was, he was a Predacon. Being like this felt so much better. That nice feeling went away as he was dropped onto a cold surface.

His optics shot open and he yelped, claws grappling for purchase on the slippery surface. He gripped it with his claws, stabilizing himself. Jack looked up with a disbelieving look on his face. What had happened? Three large beings were staring down at him in what looked like shock, all towering over him. Jack felt a odd mix of fear, curiosity and attachment. He wanted to run, but which way? Away or towards? Something pulled him towards them, especially the tallest one. He peered up at the being. What was it to him?

'Sire. He is your Sire. He protects you.' a small, quiet voice explained.

Jack smiled and trotted towards them, tiny wings flapping in excitement. He didn't quite understand the title, but he understood what it meant. He chirped and jumped up, energy filling his body.

Jack wandered over to the red and white one, who was rather stiff. He reached up and placed a talon on its hand. This was not Sire, but he seemed stressed. The red and white one blinked but didn't move. Jack frowned but turned away, wanting to greet the last being.

He felt that same strong pull to this one that he did to Sire. Who was this?

'This is Carrier. She is strong and stubborn, but she is full of love." The voice said.

Carrier. So that's who this was!

He rubbed his head on her servo, the cool material feeling nice on his face. The servo didn't move for a moment, before slowly petting down his spine, flattening his spikes. He purred and leaned in, tail wagging slightly. He opened his optics and stared up at Carrier, and he saw a gaze full of love staring back at him.