Chapter 4: Earth

It had been 5 Stellar cycles since the loss and departure of their old friend Magmaslide but for other places like planets for instant it would possibly mean way longer than a couple of years. Since then Aquarius has gotten way stricter on who goes where especially on unidentified planets as they have now entered into the Milky Way and unseen planets Aquarius was forbidden to see during her stay on Cybertron. Sunburst was bugging the poor leader as she was doing some decoding on her holographic computer within her office as she sat there silently working not wanting to be disturbed by anyone unless it's something important.

"What do you want Sunburst?" Aquarius asked not even looking up at the mech as we came into her office seeing how busy she was and glued she was on completing the first set but that was done under a Nano-klik.

"I just wanted to know if you wanted any help with anything your greatness?" He asked as she raised an eyebrow in confusion but still listened to him either way as it was her many jobs as their leader and future ruler of Cybertron. He looked confident to actually help her with anything no matter what it was even if it meant getting his coat ruined he didn't care because it was her orders.

"How long do we have left until we need to restore our energon supply?" She asked him a simple question despite already knowing the answer but making sure that everyone is up to date with everything is something she liked to do than back tracking every 10 minutes whenever someone gets confused on what they're doing.

"Um, about 2 Orbitalcycles but do you want me to search for any potential energon within our diameter?" He asked as she sighed already done that a minicon ago. She stood up from her office hair turning off her computer before bringing Sunburst with her to the control room for a quick chat with the others.

"Who will your partner be Sunburst?" Aquarius asked as she knew that sending them alone on the dwarf planet would be tricky as he looked at everyone not seeing potential in them before back at her. "You, I want you to join me" he calmly asked surprising everyone especially Oracle who grew worried about the leader's safety in the hands of an potential imposter within their ranks.

"Me? I guess if that's what your decision has come up to, i have no other option but to accept" Aquarius replied rather socked on his decision making the mech happy but he wasn't actually expecting her to actual go with him on this ice-rocky like planet together for the search for energon.

"But isn't it a bit dangerous for you to go out there?" Oracle added worried for the week-being of Aquarius' life as anything could happen during their search for energon. Sunburst didn't look happy as he glanced over at his competition knowing how much of a menace she was for ruining plans especially when he had just struct gold.

"Are you amplifying that or fearless, kind leader is too heavy for the task?" Sunburst argued back making Oracle the one in the wrong here but Aquarius knew that wasn't what she was amplifying, it was the risk of bumping into any Deceptacons on their way to obtain it.

"It's going to be alright Oracle, he's in good hands" Aquarius said with a gentle smile which was very rare to see from here these days due to how lonely it was travelling throughout space without any intermissions coming through to give her any hope of knowing if anymore Autobots were still out there fighting to survive. But she knew how troublesome he can get and would keep a close eye on him during their little adventure on the dead, rocky-ice planet. As the main ship touched the surface of the dwarf planet Aquarius took one more look at the surface temperature she was surprised to see how cold it was being a whopping -350 degrees Fahrenheit making it absolutely impossible for any life to be living on here let alone Cybertronian. "We have to be quick Sunburst, our bodies in temperature can only last up to 6 Groons before if begins to take effect on our mobility" Aquarius instructed making it obviously that she doesn't want to lose another ally especially on a planet like this.

"Lucky for us i have fire so whenever you need warming up just come to me your highness" Sunburst replied not realising the risks on using his flames on a planet like this especially in the presence of Aquarius peace putting her in danger. Athena rolled her eyes in disgust seeing the mech and how much high over heels he was for her before taking her and Cascade into another room out of sight for motherly reasons.

Aquarius' Pov:

As we left the ship i could feel the cold freezing temperatures touching my metallic skin the further we walked away from the others who will cautiously wait for our return as Sunburst full of glee walked beside me not realising the danger we are putting ourselves in for even walking on this frosty surface.

"Sooo..how's life? Ya know being the captain an all, is it really as tough as they say it is?" Sunburst asked me but truly being a leader is a lot work as it is mainly based on trust not skill alone as i have no experience at all on leading a team or possibly an empire like my mother so all of this is new to me.

"From my perspective Sunburst it's mainly based on trust than just skill, i rather have trust on my side than skill as power alone doesn't make you a great leader it is also based on determination, bravery and sacrifice, but I'll let you figure out the rest on your own as time itself has rather interesting things in store for you, why do you ask?" I replied not telling him everything I know as secrets must be kept hidden than spoken. He looked up at me not getting it completely but i rather that he finds the answers out himself than just relying on me to give him the answers he's so expertly trying to find.

"O-oh. Its just that one day i hope to maybe become an amazing leader like you, you're so awesome and cool a utter delight to work with!" His response surprised me as i never really liked how i was working as a leader for this team I was sent off with but i feel like it was a mission than just to keep the last pieces we have left of our kind that isn't a future i ain't looking forward to see. I looked back at the energon tracker seeing where our resources were on level ground making this easier as i refuse to go into a cave that could possibly be filled with Scraplings hungry for some fresh living metal skin.

"I'm honoured Sunburst, but you need find yourself first before you truly know what you're searching for, you can't just rely on the first thing you see to be your future as it will always result in failure and i don't think you would want that" i lastly said as we had not long to walk giving us enough time to get there and back before the cold could potentially kick in. Sunburst went silent knowing that i laid it quite hard on him but truly it was the only way to make him understand the truth than just jumping to conclusions as i too learned from my mistakes. When we arrived seeing the energon crystals ready to be collected, harvested and taken back to the ship

"So how much am i carrying?" He asked as i brought out the energon retractor beginning the process since Sunburst did bring the canisters for where the energon will be stored. I felt something crack underneath me as Sunburst carried the third canister away from the energon as we are resting on a potential cave or deep hole due to how open it was on the radar. Something bad began to grow in my gut making me quickly but calmly out the last amount of energon before picking up the last 3 canisters slowly making my way up to Sunburst hearing something hit the ground and suddenly began to crack vigorously making me freeze in place unsure of what to do. "Run! The ice is cracking!" He yelled as i looked back into the icy fog seeing that the ice was intact cracking and heading over to me as i began to run or try due to the canisters in my arms limiting how fast i could run which wasn't enough but luck was on my side that day as i managed to make it across without falling or dropping anything.

"Reminders. Never ever go on a icy planet no matter what or you're scrap" i thought definitely putting this in my diary as i always put my thoughts on paper and keep on a stick so no one can ever read it especially the ones about Prime. But every experience, encounter or anything i think is worth documenting goes down on my computer and this most definitely.

"That was close, are you hurt?" He asked but i just waved my hand before beginning to make my way to the ship that sat there patiently waiting for us with 6 canisters filled with energon as this mission was a success without anyone dying or being lost so everything was going according to plan. I told you I would make a great captain father, and i will find you and get the answers i truly deserve! And why you and brother murdered mother in cold blood right in my face.

While boarding on the ship I was met by a tiny little Cascade before picking her up in my left arm as she was smaller than me still being a toddler so she has a lot of growing to do if she wants to out grow me but i doubt that's possible. "Welcome back Auntie Aqua! I missed you" she said even though i was only out for 3 Groons as Sunburst walked past heading to his room to probably clean himself from the frost building up on his metal coat.

"I missed you too little one" i said booping her as she giggled a absolute joy to have around especially when things get rough, i bet Rachet would've love to see her if he ever got the chance.

"While you were gone we were able to find a safe planet for our home, its a dirt planet called Earth very docile and filled with energon that can last us for a Millennia or possibly longer" Oracle said with Athena as i walked up to the two happy with the teamwork that was beginning to form itself here but for how long.

"Well..not a high percentage but we found a few Autobot signals while looking at the raidar but they keep disappearing and reappearing making it hard to track them" Athena truthfully spoke but i wasn't going to let this stop us from out lasting the war and a risk is better to take sometimes than just running away like a bunch of cowards.

"Set a course to Earth, i need to know if we aren't the only Autobots left in the galaxy" i knew the risks of what could happen if we step foot on Earth that seems to be filled with life as well as energon that we most definitely need. "This might be our only chance to survive this war" i lastly said as we began to auto track the ship allowing it to take us to where we need it to go while we all shut down into our stasis pods until we arrive.

"Does that mean we have to go into the stasis pods now?" Oracle asked as i simply nodded as it was the only way to prevent any of us from over using what's left of our energon supply incase something does go wrong during the trip to earth. As everyone got into their pods i waited until last to ensure that everything was working properly and in order before i get into my stasis pod.the trip was going to be long but would take us years before eventually getting to the planet and seeing these so called autobots if we get the chance to if they're still alive that is,

No one's Pov:

The ship crash landed in a wooden forest a few miles away from civilisation but it didn't stop it from being seen or tracked putting them at risk of being found by the Deceptacons if they don't get the right help they needed and wake up before being captured by the wrong beings that live on this planet. Two flying mechs were seen transforming mid air and landing on both feet before identifying themselves as Deceptacons scouting the crash sight for important intel to tell their master lord Megatron.

"What a delight, a Autobot ship what wonders will await for me inside" Starscream said to himself being selfish as always while a normal guard followed after him onto the main ship not ready to see what was held in store them. Walking down the corridor of the ship looking in very good condition showing that there was life living on this ship or was so they thought. Starscream separated ways with the guard in search of finding his own goods and possibly keeping them to himself if hid lord doesn't like them of course. He went into a dark room that wasn't filled with lights but the pods inside were all in perfectly good condition and undamaged from the crash giving him time to inspect them one by one. "How lucky, more Autobots to slay, which one shall i chose?" He said to himself looking at every single pod before coming up to a rather big one thinking that it was a usefully buff mech they could brainwash like the others but when looked he dramatically gasped in surprise seeing the one and only Aquarius Peace in stasis mode and alive. "I must tell lord Megatron immediately! He will surely be proud for sure" he said getting back in touch with his lord who too was surprised but didn't want to believe his second in command as he was known for speaking lies so was this another one.

"You better not be lying Starscream!" Megatron yelled making him quiver in fear but he wasn't lying it was all true.

"Just come and see you'll be surprised to see how much she had changed my lord, it's rather erotic if you ask me" Starscream replied noticing the feminine features she had that attracted all of the mechs with a single glance never having a trouble with getting anyone but she wasn't into the attention was being given as he already had a mech in mind she waned to share all eternity with.

"You better not disappoint me" he lastly said before ending communication with his second in command on his way too see what he had found was in fact the truth. Starscream quickly made his way back to the entrance of the ship while the guard he was assigned with kept an eye on the pods and eliminate anyone who comes out from their pods other than Aquarius of course or they'll both be in quite a pickle with Lord Megatron.

When Lord Megatron arrived at the scene he seemed quite eager to see this remarkable discovery his second in command had just uncovered. "My lord just this way" Starscream said guiding his master through the ship and how great the condition it is still in from the crash. "She's just as majestic as the last time you saw her Lord Megatron" he said again before finally getting into the stasis pod room as they made their way towards the big stasis pod where the selfish mech found the Queen-in-waiting peacefully resting not aware of the danger she is in right now.

"Ah. There you are my love, oh how i have missed" Megatron said as he placed his hand on the glass of the pod looking in at the sleeping clueless mech with such lust. "Starscream, i want the finest men to take my beautiful bride back to the ship, and carefully i don't want her to get damaged during the transfer" he demanded as the second in demand did what he was told and quickly have orders to the bay troops suitable for the job and take her through the space bridge before waking her up on the ship. "However, for the rest of you have grew incredibly lucky as I'm going to spare your sparks so you may rust in peace" Megatron said knowing that they can't hear him but sparing them would probably be one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

When Aquarius was safely dropped off on the Deceptacon ship just escaping just in time as another space bridge opened just as the other closed not allowing the new arrivals to know about the great thing that had just been given into the wrong hands. "You sure that this is the right ship?" Arcee asked looking up at Rachet who knew by the fact that this was the exact ship his beloved pregnant sparkmate was sent onto with Aquarius Peace and some other mechs as well as Snowdrift Aquarius' personal scout the possible last Predacon to ever exist of her kind.

"I'm pretty sure that this is the one, i just hope that we aren't too late" he replied not seeing the big disadvantage the Autobots now have resting on their shoulders until thy reach where they all are being held unharmed and still alive fully functional for duty. "I just hope that my baby is okay?" He mumbled surprising Arcee as she didn't know about this sudden child he so abruptly has but with who?

"Wait you have a kid!? Since when?" She asked as they entered the ship carefully walking down the corridors checking every room for anything valuable ignoring her question entirely but nothing was found until they came across the stasis pod room seeing how dark it as but only the pods brightened the room up with their distinctive blue glow showing that they're still active.

"It's better if you find out for yourself" Rachet suddenly spoke up as he began to open up every pod awaking those who have been in stasis for who knows how long before realising something. "One's missing?" He did looking at the distinctive marks that were left behind showing proof that someone had most definitely been here before them.

"What? Who else could possibly be missing, it's not like there was a big leader on board right" Arcee brought up as something clicked within Rachet as Athen woke up first from her pod as the others followed on after. He knew that there was on mech missing but had no idea on who it was due to fixated he as on the war and the return of his sparkmate finally returning to him after all of these years of being apart.

"We're still alive?" Sunburst said looking at himself and them his surroundings seeing Arcee and Rachet scanning the room for clues but he however knew exactly what was missing. "Where is her stasis pod?" He asked getting Rachet's attention as he saw the panic slowly build up on the mech's face knowing that he must have the answers they're looking for.

"Do you know who's pod is missing?" He asked as Sunburst's expression change in an instant glaring at the mech with disgust cannot believe what he as hearing right now as he stomped over to him making Athena instantly get in his way stopping a potential fight from breaking loose.

"How dare you! Aquarius Peace deserves to be remembered you selfish bast—" before Sunburst could finish his sentence Athan covered his mouth with her hand as there is a child among them and doesn't need to be presented with such vile words. He pulled her hand off from his mouth getting the point remembering the kid she had on board the ship. "I know I'll watch my words, but tell him he doesn't now who are leader is" he said as Athena sighed pushing him back allowing her to actually talk to Rachet for once in a very long time.

"Sorry about that he can be..difficult at time, but he speaks the truth Aquarius' pod isn't here even though she was last to go inside her stasis pod while on our way to Earth" she said as Sunburst gave her a blackberry while Cascade came rushing over to her mother hugging the leg of the one who raised her from a sparkling. "Oh. And this is Cascade our daughter" she said looking down at her as Rachet crouched down finally being able to see the little creation he had made with his sparkmate. Cascade didn't know who he was as she hid behind Athena being shy but peaked over looking at Rachet unsure of what to make of this.

"Don't be afraid, i not going to hurt you" he said as she still didn't budge not sure but being wise like her mother always thinking before she does anything seeing how much he resembled him.

"Come on, go hug your dad" Athena said nudging Cascade forward who looked at him for a second before running and hugging him thanks to her mother's reassurance Cascade was finally able to see her father and hug him for the first time.

"You don't know how long I've waited to see you" Rachet said as the moment was adored by everyone around them but Oracle and Sunburst kept themselves together knowing that Aquarius must be in trouble and possibly in the hands of the Deceptacons which isn't good putting them at a big disadvantage.

"Should we be heading back to your base now? I don't think you want your little child to see her first Deceptacon do you?" Sunburst said pretending to care about Cascade as he never really cared about anyone else other than Aquarius his so called crush no realising that she was already taken by a very special mech.

"He's right we need to go before anyone arrives" Arcee said before making her away out of the room as the others followed right after her exiting the ship where a space bridge waited for them and escort the back to base where a well know mech as waiting on the other side to greet them. As they went through the space bridge the little crew wasn't expecting to met a prime let alone the Optimus Prime the leader of the Autobots.

"Wait is that Optimus Prime?" Sunburst confusingly asked looking up at the prime who calmly yet seriously glared down at him due to he height difference but he grew confused as he looked at everyone like he was expecting to see someone else.

"Where's Magmaslide and Aquarius?" He asked as she was assigned to stay and guide this group to safety as well as herself no matter what comes their way but he wasn't notified of the adding of their fallen comrade.

"Sadly Magmaslide wasn't able to make it but for Aquarius i think she had been taken by the Deceptacons as soon as we crash landed here" Sunburst spoke being quite brave and Nobel in the presence of a prime but he wasn't be acknowledged by him in anyway as he was more fixated on finding the Queen-in-waiting before it's too late.

"Who's Aquarius?" One of the tiny humans asked not knowing everything as the things between her and Optimus were private and rather kept secret until the time is right to acting come out as a thing.

"A kick ass awesome leader i tell you that..whatever you are" Sunburst said never seeing a human ever in his whole existence as he never left Cybertron due to being busy with the ladies before the war started. Optimus however knew who Aquarius actually was as a mech as he knew way more than anyone else in this room before he even became a prime or the leader of the Autobots.

"She is our new ruler of Cybertron, her spark is pure, kind and she cares about everyone no matter what they're. Her ambition to keep moving forward is outstanding and would make an amazing queen once our home is able to support life again" Optimus spoke sounding truthful but Sunburst was confused as he didn't mention the beauty but that should never be said about a royal from a prime unless they're close equated and for him he was.

"You forgot how beautiful she is, looking just like her mother in every way possible" Sunburst said not saying anything inappropriate but Prime knew what he was on about and glared at him angered by the fact he had the audacity to speak so illy about the Queen like that in his presence.

"That is uncalled for Sunburst, our Queen isn't some painting for you to admire she's your leader and our ruler and must be respected like one, especially under my supervision" Optimus said putting the young mech in his place embarrassing him in front of everyone as Snowdrift didn't like the way Sunburst speaks about her laser she do desirably admires as a mother figure giving her hope and guidance whenever she needed it but now she's in the good hands of Optimus Prime the soul leader of the Autobots.

"It won't happen again sir" Sunburst guilty gave up but he wasn't going to stop there as his feelings were still strong telling him to go out there and rescue the so called love of his life ignoring everything he's been told. "But, how are we going to get her back?" He finally asked seeing the prime turn away from him not interesting on what he has to say anymore angering the fire demon within Sunburst but he kept it to himself for personal reasons and to not get scolded a by a prime again.