Nexus and HSV. The Black Dog and Fort Lennox. Second Chances and New Family Part 1

[dens_extra_pups]

Mal: *down in the living room of the apartment that she shares with her husband, busily using hair gel on one of his little chibi dolls and giving it Liberty spikes* *doesn't look up as he comes in and starts poking around*

DivaShot: *searching for something*

Mal: *frowns at him severely as he picks her up and looks under her butt* What are you doing, you dork?

DivaShot: Where did we put that jar of wishes?

Mal: *more frown* What do you want wishes for? After that last dumbaft mess Rhinox told me to keep 'em away from you.

DivaShot: I want to help the human Lumen who looks like a lion, and his girl.

Mal: *pushes her bonnet back and gets glittery hair gel on it* What's wrong with them?

DivaShot: Lumen's got a tooth that's giving him trouble, and Legacy's not feeling good either.

Mal: Oh scrap. *wriggles, and then offers him the little lolita doll with the new hairdo* Here, hold this and I'll go get one.

DivaShot: *blinks and dots at the new hairstyle and the glitter*

Mal: *looks up from her expectant gaze at the floor* 'Shot, I can't get 'em while you've got me. Take Sadie and lemme go.

DivaShot: *will proceed to do so, trying to figure out what is in Sadie's hair*

Mal: *scoots for the spiral staircase in a flounce of rumpled skirts*

DivaShot: *will try and fix Sadie's hair into ringlets while Mal's away* *very slight frown as he thinks again of how dark the circles under Legacy's eyes looked as she explained why she and Lumen hadn't been by the Black Dog lately*

Mal: *tumbles down the stairs and winds up looking like some kind of mutant hibiscus flower with her skirts for the petals and her upraised feet as the stamen* *muffled complaints!*

DivaShot: *looks up* You okay, Mal?

Mal: *gets turned over and frowns at him* Did you grease the handrail?

DivaShot: No... *frown* That'd be mean.

Mal: Well sniff it. There's something on it! *checks her butt and the butt of her skirt, frowning more deeply as she sees no stains*

DivaShot: *moves to investigate* ... Ewww. *has been distracted from fussing over Sadie and trying to fix her hair* I think that's PAM or something like it...

Mal: *looks up from her bum* Pam? Who's been in here? Oh yeah. *offers a sparkly little blue light*

DivaShot: *as he reaches for the light* It could've been Vi... Or maybe Eclipse... *shrug*

Mal: *hands on hips* What the scrap did you let those bimbos in for?

DivaShot: I didn't! I made sure I locked the door behind me!

Mal: While you're wishing, I'll fix the lock. *has that LOOK in her optic band*

DivaShot: *small nod* I wish that Lumen and his girl could be the way they're supposed to be.

Mal: *freezes as she clearly hears a screech from the bar* Oh scrap.

DivaShot: ... 0_0

Mal: *darts over and grabs the doll, the doll's box, and the doll's bonnet* Quick. Under the bed. *up the stairs and GONE*

DivaShot: *books it after her!*


meanwhile, in the bar


hsvLumen: *very upset from where he's sitting at one of the big bot tables* *one moment, he was sitting and laughing with Sunhalo about something they'd seen at a theater in Tranquility, the next, everything was way too big and scary*

hsvSunhalo: *is another strident shriek from where she's clinging to the now giant chair. All she can think is that she's changed size again, and she's going to be in so much trouble!*

hsvLumen: *much upset, such fuss, what noise, wow*

Showtime: *hurrying over to try and calm the pair down so she can find out what happened*

hsvSunhalo: *will cling to you, Show! And click and screek frantically before screeching again. Only now the screech is a frantic call for Lumen. She can hear him, but she can't see him and she's too scared to think straight*

hsvLumen: *frightened squeal*

Showtime: *soothing clicks, will situate hsvSunhalo on one hip before moving to pick hsvLumen up so she can situate him on her other hip*

hsvSunhalo: *eyes snap to their widest as she sees her boy and realizes that whatever's happened to her has happened to him too* Little! Lu, you...

hsvLumen: *reaching for you, 'Halo* You too! *wibble*

hsvSunhalo: *reaches back, her eyes glistening as they well up with tears* *so much frantic clicking and screeking* *and then a flinch and a cower as Rhinox roars from the bar*

hsvLumen: *also flinches at the Rhinox roar, little doorwings twitching*

Showtime: *gonna try and bring the littles over to the bar area now, her own doorwings in high-alert positioning*

Rhinox: YOU DIDN'T SPECIFY WHO YOU WERE WISHING FOR???? DO YOU KNOW HOW STUPID THAT IS? NO, I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WORKED. *pauses and looks at his communicator, then growls* Don't be a smartaft, Scattershot. I know as well as you do that wishes don't work on people who don't want them to.

Showtime: ... I'd facepalm, but I've got the kids.

hsvLumen: ... *bitty frown of much concentration*

hsvSunhalo: *still hiding. And now shivering*

Rhinox: *sighs and hangs up, then gets his reality to reality phone and dials the Autobot main office in Sunhalo and Lumen's reality*

hsvUltra Magnus: //This is the Autobot Base at Fort Lennox. Ultra Magnus speaking.//

Rhinox: *deep, grumbling sigh* We've got two of yours here. They need pickup.

hsvUltra Magnus: //...Who needs pickup and why?// *worried and ready to notify the medics*

Rhinox: *evenly* Someone mis-aimed a wish, and it seems Lumen and Sunhalo agreed with it. They're sparklets again.

hsvUltra Magnus: //...// *and then he's facepalming* //I've let their parents know.//

Rhinox: Is Optimus there? Are you busy?

hsvUltra Magnus: //Both of them are working, and I have to finish my logs before I can do anything else.//

Rhinox: *frowns* Logs? *hand out toward the little blue wibble that he sees, fingers moving reassuringly*

hsvUltra Magnus: //I earn money by working trucking routes.//

Rhinox: Racing doesn't cut it anymore, huh? *lowers the phone and calls* Tarantulus!

hsvUltra Magnus: //It keeps me busy between races.//

Tarantulus: *coming back to the bar*

hsvLumen: *quiet clicks and much pout*

hsvSunhalo: *has Lumen. With all four. Will not be budged*

hsvLumen: *snuggles his 'Halo, clicks softly*

Rhinox: Tarantulus, can you make a delivery Earth-side?

Tarantulus: ...What reality?

hsvDesinex: //Rhinox. Can an Oppy bring them?// *terse and upset*

Rhinox: *to Tarantulus as he nods to the rekids* Theirs. *back to the phone* Just a click, Desinex.

Tarantulus: *small nod, scans the bitties for coordinates and reaches for them, clicking softly*

hsvLumen: *much wibble, much cling to 'Halo*

Rhinox: *to Desinex* How about Tarantulus?

Desinex: //He needs to help Eclipse when he gets here.//

Rhinox: *grim humour* Don't worry. His hug-fu is strong.

Showtime: *ducks her head and tries not to snicker*

Tarantulus: *rolls his optics and moves to get both rekids from his mate*

hsvSunhalo: *loud screek of protest at being moved*

hsvDesinex: //Bring them home.// *very tense and worried mama*

hsvLumen: *CLINGS to 'Halo*

Tarantulus: *soothing sounds, holds both rekids close so they can cling to each other and hide beneath his cape*

hsvSunhalo: *comforted by the darkness under the cape, but doesn't loosen her grip on Lumen one bit*

Rhinox: He's on his way. He'll be arriving outside the main office.

hsvDesinex: //Alright.//

Tarantulus: *more soft clicks, can feel how hsvLumen and hsvSunhalo are trembling*

Rhinox: *nods to the scarred mech to go ahead* *attention back to the phone, his voice going gentle* You know this couldn't have happened unless it was supposed to.

hsvDesinex: //I still worry though.//

Tarantulus: *nods and brings the rekids to their home reality*

Rhinox: I know. *watches the departure* Now I better go stop someone from having spark failure. Call me if you need anything. *eyes go toward the sound of small growls and happy clicks as he makes sure his baby sons are alright before going to settle divaShot down*

hsvDesinex: *quietly* //We'll see.// *hangs up*


hsv, outside the Primes' office


hsvSunhalo: *stifles a screech at the feel of teleporting. Forgot how much she hated that when she was tiny*

hsvLumen: *CLING*

Tarantulus: *soothing clicks*

Hound: *quick glance to WakeJumper as he steps toward the new arrivals. He's not sure that he knows which Optimus this is*

WakeJumper: Tarantulus. *holds hands out*

Tarantulus: *nods and carefully extracts rekids from under his cape* They're both pretty spooked.

Lumen: *big optics are a go*

Sunhalo: *shaking so hard that she's rattling Lumen now. Is sternly holding in her sounds of fright and distress*

WakeJumper: *gentle clicks, will reach for the bitties* It's okay, 'Halo. You and Lumen aren't in trouble. *heard the story from Desinex*

Sunhalo: But. *shakes self and Lumen!*

Tarantulus: *scarred face shows his concern* Trouble?

Hound: They're not in trouble, no. *soothing clicks as he reaches to touch his little girl's back*

WakeJumper: *is going to gently sway and babydance. To Tarantulus* When Sunhalo first went from a sparklet shell to an adult shell, she snuck off to the Nexus without an adult.

Tarantulus: *slight frown. Looks down at the rekids, and then back to WakeJumper and Hound* Better let them hear that from someone in charge.

Kup: *huffing slightly as he comes in* Nah. Think I'll do.

Sunhalo: *that screech of terror just got away!*

Lumen: *startled squeal as that screech goes off right by his ear*

Hound: Oh wow! C'mon, Lady. You're not in trouble. You're fine. Shhh, Lady. *gentle hand on the nearly hysterical Seeklet*

Lumen: *crying now because Sunhalo's scared, and he's upset*

WakeJumper: *soothing rumbles, will try reaching Optimus or Optimus2*

Kup: Just give 'em here. *babygank!*

Hound: Whoa... *startled blinking as he looks from where the babies were to where they are*

WakeJumper: *startled blurt*

Lumen: *squeal!*

Sunhalo: 0_0 *and then a squeak*

Kup: *kisses each sparklet on the helmet and then croons to them softly in his gruff old voice*

Sunhalo: 0_0 *squared*

Kup: Shhhh. Hey. What's all the fuss? *rocks a little, and then offers two little figures made of crystal energon* Lookit that. You know anybody who'd want one of those?

Lumen: 0_0 *clickstorm!* *distracted and surprised*

Kup: *as he moves to walk into the enclosed courtyard that forms the centre of the administrative building* Wake, you better go get 'Clipsie before she busts somethin'.

Sunhalo: *no more sounds from the little Seeker. Just two big surprised eyes as one little foot shifts to cling to Kup*

WakeJumper: *nods and moves to go get his mate* Desinex is probably holed up in your quarters, right, Hound?

Hound: *relived grin* She's on her way. She wants to sit with you, Kup.

Kup: Can't say no to a pretty femme. *gently waving the candies at the sparklets in his arms as he settles on the nearest bench*

Lumen: *looks to his dad*

WakeJumper: *soft chuckle* Go ahead, Lumen.

Lumen: *chirps and reaches for the candy*

Sunhalo: *shakes her head and turns her face away from the goodies. Just wants to snuggle her boy and her drill sergeant*

Kup: D'awww. *soft clicks and croons for the sad little girl as he gives Lumen one of the treats*

Lumen: *gonna try and feed you the goodie, 'Halo* *clicks and chirps*

Sunhalo: Mrrph! 0_0 *shutters optics and obligingly taste-tastes the nom*

Lumen: :3

Hound: *from by the door of the courtyard* Hey, Desi. Want me to take one of the boys?

Desinex: *headshake* I'm fine, Hound. *still a bit tense-sounding. Has Windshard in a wrap on her front, and a Ridgeback backpack*

Ridgeback: *cutting a grin for Daddy*

Hound: *gives her a gentle peck* Alright. *turns his head toward the bench and grins as one hand goes back to gently touch Ridgeback's little shoulder. Softly* Look at that.

Desinex: *looks, intakes hitch softly*

Kup: *that million dollar grin is soft as he talks to the babies he's holding and tries to interest them in the second candy figure*

Sunhalo: *is nearly asleep after her big stress. Would be all the way asleep, but her boy is feeding her candy*

Lumen: *soft clicks as he "talks" to Sunhalo*

Desinex: *moves to sit down next to Kup*

Kup: *turns that grin toward her, and then chuckles as Ridgeback scoots out from between mama and the bench back and lands in his lap* And what're you lookin' for?

Ridgeback: *grins at Kup*

Desinex: *slight nod, wants to hold all her babies*

Sunhalo: *eyes fly open as Kup tries to move her, and she skreeks her dismay as she looks around quickly*

Kup: *softly* Dontcha want your mom? Huh?

Desinex: *soft clicks*

Lumen: *clickstorm!*

Sunhalo: Momma! *lets go of Kup and Lumen and LEAPS... to wind up in the wrap with the now excitedly clicking Windshard*

Desinex: *leans back against the bench, will hold Sunhalo and Windshard close*

Lumen: *gonna snuggaKup*

Ridgeback: *will drape himself so he's kinda in Mama's lap and kinda in Unca Kup's*

Kup: *sudden sharp look toward the door as Eclipse's approaching hysteria in the hall abruptly cuts off and becomes happily excited rambling*

Lumen: *muffled chirp as he tastes the energon candy*

Desinex: *looks that way, tensing up*

Eclipse: *happily chatting with a dark blue femme even tinier than herself as WakeJumper and a golden and orange mech bring up the rear. She's also holding a dark blue sparklet with green optics who is chirping and contributing to the conversation*

Kup: *zeros in on the gold and orange mech, his faded old eyes knowing*

WakeJumper: *laughs at something the gold and orange mech says, giving the smaller bot a careful slap on the back*

gold and orange mech: *pleased his joke went over so well. Grins as his attention goes to Kup, Desinex, and Lumen*

Kup: *slight smirk* Wondered when ya were gettin' yer sorry can back here, Solar Flare. *then frowns at WakeJumper* Are you taller?

WakeJumper: *blinks and looks at himself* Maybe?

Solar Flare: *doorwings up with surprise* You remember me, Kup. *wasn't expecting that*

Kup: *evenly* Yeah, I remember ya. Yer old man does too. *perks as the bitty in Eclipse's arms chirps at him gregariously* Don't remember him, though. Do I wanna know what you've ben up to?

Solar Flare: *slow grin that's all Wheeljack* Yeah. I got married 'n had a kid.

dark blue femme: *coming from behind her husband* Our son's name is Ceres.

Kup: *brows lift with surprise* Kriti. *frowns* Where'd the idiot find you?

Kriti: He joined me on a mission. *small smile* And then I saved his skid.

Kup: *takes out his PINpoint and scans her. Surprise* Yer native...

Hound: Huh? *looks up from his family*

Desinex: *surprised growl*

Eclipse: *blink blink* Oh. Okay. *wasn't expecting that*

Kriti: *nods* *quietly* Ask Shockwave about some of his earlier experiments.

Hound: *quick look at his wife*

Kup: *frown more* You know he's an ally now? *waves to the newcomers to sit on the other bench that's kater corner to the one he's sitting on*

Kriti: *nods* That doesn't mean my creation's a good topic to discuss with kids around.

Solar Flare: *arm around wife's shoulders, will bring her over to the bench*

WakeJumper: *scoops Eclipse up, earning a surprised squeak and a laugh from the orange and black femme*

Kup: *frown deepens as he studies the Aquabot and his wife, then he sits forward slightly and offers an excitedly yapping and candy waving Lumen* You both look different somehow.

Sweep: *comes racing into the courtyard then, his eyes bright* Dad! Dad!

Solar Flare: *looks, and then he's grinning and moving to meet Sweep halfway* Look at you!

Sweep: Me Sweep forgot you Daddy! But remember now! Where you... *breaks off and squeals with delighted surprise as he's scooped up and hugged*

Ceres: *so much yap, and descriptive arm waving* :D

Solar Flare: I had to Travel for a bit, Sweep. But I'm home now, and I'm not leaving unless I have to.

Sweep: *curious and excited* You happy to see me Sweep? You not going to run away or chase away?

Solar Flare: I'm sorry I did that, Sweep. *cuddles the little guy close* I won't do it any more. Promise.

Sweep: *wide-eyed amazement* *then* ...That not Rap.

Solar Flare: *chuckles* No. That's your brother, Ceres.

Sweep: *more squeal* Bubby? Me Sweep have own bubby? For realz?

WakeJumper: *snickerfitdie at that last*

Solar Flare: For reals. *grin* Would you like to meet his mama?

Sweep: *shy peek*

Kriti: *smiles and twinkles her fingers in a wave to Sweep*

Lumen: *kissies his mama very much, and then yaps at her*

Eclipse: *fussing over Lumen, but not getting spazzy* *laughing quietly as Lumen also tells her about being little again*

Kup: *to WakeJumper* You wanna explain what in samhill just went down here?

WakeJumper: Eclipse and I were walking here, and we got pulled out of the reality.

Hound: *frowns as he absently shakes a tiny hand that's holding his finger*

Desinex: *frowwwwwn*

Kriti: They wound up where we were.

Kup: *quietly* What kinda place changes the colour of a guy's eyes and ages people? *hasn't missed the signs that he can see on WakeJumper, Eclipse, and her brother*

Kriti: It really doesn't have a set name... But I've heard it referred to as "The River".

Kup: *slight scowl* Never heard'a it.

Hound: *silently shakes his head in agreement*

Solar Flare: *as he moves to bring Sweep over* Most people haven't. It exists outside Time.

Kup: *eyes widen* That stuff.

Hound: You're joking, Flare.

Solar Flare: *headshake* I'm not.

Kriti: It's where I grew up.

Kup: *skeptically* How're ya gonna grow without time?

Kriti: *seriously* Wibbly wobbly, time-y wime-y stuff.

Hound: *softly, as he turns his head to look at his wife* Wow...

Desinex: What about those two? *slight nod toward Eclipse and WakeJumper* They really adults now?

WakeJumper: *nods* We are.

Desinex: *snort* Good. About time you shaped up.

Eclipse: *rolls her optics* Says the femme who stresses more than I do.

Desinex: *low, warning growl*

Eclipse: *cheerful and loving grin instead of her old spazz session. And then a squint and laughter as Lumen goes into kiss mode again*

Kriti: *slight headtilt, wonders if Desinex would benefit from time in The River, too*

WakeJumper: *scanning Lumen now*

Solar Flare: How's my baby brother? *eager grin*

Hound: *sudden mischief* Which one?

Eclipse: *hand up to muffle her giggle*

Solar Flare: *attention going to his twin* What's so funny? *attention back on Hound* And what do you mean?

Hound: Don't worry, he's friendly.

Grimlock: *has been standing and watching all the talking since he came in to see who was screeching. Now he decides to test this new guy for flavour*

Solar Flare: *startled blurt*

Kriti: *surprised! Doorwings up!* Oh!

Kup: *laughing so hard that it's got to hurt*

Hound: *trying NOT to laugh*

Desinex: *smirrrrk*

WakeJumper: Grimlock, let your older brother go.

Ceres: *yap yap yap! Point! Clickstorm!*

Lumen: *chirping!*

Eclipse: *is giggling muchly now*

Grimlock: *cocks an eye at WakeJumper* *muffled question*

Sweep: Is BUBBY! Is Sweep Daddy! *dances and reaches up to push at the big Rex's mouth*

Solar Flare: *trying to get his head free*

Eclipse: *not going to be of any help! But she knows who will be! Pings Wheeljack's comm and sends coordinates*

Wheeljack: //What the heck did you blow up in the courtyard, 'Clipsie?//

Eclipse: //Nothing blew up. Come and see.//

Wheeljack: //Alright. Let me finish wiping this urk off 'n I'll be there.//

Eclipse: *snorting giggles* //Mom shook Silverstreak up and aimed him at you again, huh?//

Wheeljack: *grim but amused* //Yup. Swears it's the best way ta settle his tank. And now he's eatin' some new stuff from the Black Dog.//

Silverstreak: *happy squeal in the background*

Eclipse: *chuckles* //See you soon, Dad.//

Wheeljack: //Yup.//

Grimlock: *just backed off, rumbling a chuckle, after Solar Flare got a hand up and tickled his tongue*

Solar Flare: *amused* Heck of a way to say "Hi".

Grimlock: *looks at him with one eye, and then the other, still chuckling* You Bubby same colour as me Grimlock's favourite goodie.

Kup: *wheezes* XD

Solar Flare: *laughs* I get that a lot.

WakeJumper: Hey, there's an idea. Should we order something from SwindleCo?

Wheeljack: *from the door, his face obscured by a crate* Gotcher SwindleCo right here. Who wants those mini meganoodles?

Hound: *just grins and looks at his wife, asking her if they should take their babies and sneak away*

Desinex: *small nod. Needs quiet time with just her immediate family right now, please*

Lumen: *bweeeeee!*

Hound: *grins to the little guy, and then nods to Kup*

Kup: *will just sneak out with the family then, though he thinks what's going to come down here will be hilarious*

Wheeljack: Oh hey, you guys. You don't wanna stay 'n eat?

Hound: That's alright, 'Jack. The kids are kind of tired.

Kup: I got my own slop ta eat.

Wheeljack: Oh. Okay. *cheery earlights*

Desinex: *gets up and moves to go with her family*

Kriti: *bit of a wistful look on her face as she watches Desinex leave*

WakeJumper: *points to Wheeljack and grins at Solar Flare, telling his brother-in-law to go help the older mech with that crate* *and then holds Eclipse upright on the bench so she doesn't giggle herself off of it*

Solar Flare: *slight quirk of a grin, moves to do so* Here, lemme get some of those crates.

Wheeljack: ... What the? *trying to see around the crates*

Solar Flare: *has crate, grins at his dad, green eyes dancing*

Wheeljack: Solar Flare, what the *beep*?!

Solar Flare: *grin gets gentler* I took a walk outta the world, Dad.

Wheeljack: ... That explains a lot, now that I think about it. *earlights a slight frowny color*

Solar Flare: *shifts his grip on the crate* Why don't you come sit down, and we'll explain everything? *looks down as tiny hands pat his leg appealingly* ...Like why he's a runt again.

Lumen: *rapid-fire yapping and pointing. Sees nom box! More nomming, less talking!*

Ceres: *yap yap yap right back!*

Wheeljack: ... Did he get LOL'd?

WakeJumper: Rhinox and Tarantulus said it was a wish that someone made.

Eclipse: Tarantulus knows how to hug someone to calm them down.

Solar Flare: *over his shoulder, affectionately* You were wigging out anyway till you got to the River.

Lumen: *tries bribery. Offers his energon baby*

Eclipse: *thrrrpts twin*

Wheeljack: *more frowny lights* Why the *beep* did someone do that?

Solar Flare: *turns to walk to the benches* *simply* To straighten out a mess.

Lumen: BWEEEE! *POINT*

Ceres: *happy squeal!*

Kriti: *chuckles as her bitty son flails his arms*

WakeJumper: Well it's over here, Lumen. *looks in the crate* Oh, no cans. Nice.

Eclipse: Oh! *just remembered. Pings Keepsake's comms with coordinates, too*

Kriti: *curious look* "Oh" what?

Wheeljack: Wake, that ain't how ya open that... *looks at sauce on the son-in-law* Look, 'Clipsie, it's a lolipop.

Lumen: *blink blink, scoot to climb Daddy! And to lick Daddy*

Eclipse: *snickerfit at mate* *to Kriti* Lumen's other Aunt has to be told, too.

Solar Flare: *face brightens as he looks around from trying to squish Wheeljack before Wheeljack can squish him* Keepsake's still here?

Eclipse: Yeah. And she's married ta Thundercracker.

Solar Flare: *grins instead of his old sarcastic reply* Knew that.

Eclipse: They've got a kid now, too.

Solar Flare: *opens another package of nom and then hunkers down to offer it to his nephew* Knew that too. Dad, I think Wake opened that for 'Clipsie and Lu.

Wheeljack: *fingers in the package WakeJumper's holding* Huh?

Grimlock: You, Daddy, being mean? *looks at Wheeljack and sniffs*

Wheeljack: What? Nahhh. Yipe!



Continued here