beeverse. Fortress Maximus. Homecoming

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here



Ratchet: *explaining about Lady Commander and what transpired to result in the Autobots relocating*

Chromia: *sitting on the edge of the comfortably carpet-lined depression that serves as the bed in her family's new apartment* You're sure Earth's safe?

Nova: *watching Ratchet as she protects Poppa*

Ratchet: *nods* There weren't any surviving Decepticons.

Chromia: *uncertainly* Optimus wouldn't have left if there were any left.

Ratchet: *quietly* It wasn't Optimus' choice.

Chromia: *looks up sharply* Did the humans ship you again?

Ratchet: *headshake* *quieter* We weren't wanted, and one of our key allies was attacked in her home.

Chromia: *concerned scowl* So who's deciding things instead'a Optimus?

Ratchet: Diehard made the call, but only after President Pratt, her mate, and her bodyguard were assaulted.

Chromia: ... *blankly, as she thinks of the little bitty guy that Nova used to sometimes gnaw on* Diehard?

Ratchet: *nods* He is a capable leader.

Chromia: *surprised* How old is he?

Ratchet: Old enough to be a father of five.

Chromia: *gasps* Five?

Ratchet: *nods* And some of them are nearing adulthood.

Chromia: *quiet notcuss of gobsmack*

Ratchet: *soft chuckle* Cygnia, Sirius, Orion, Cassiopeia, and Polaris... For a while, they were on a planet called Haven, with Showtime and Sharpshot.

Chromia: *frowns and thinks where she's heard those names, then looks up again* The singer?

Ratchet: *nods* She survived the attack at the nightclub.

Chromia: Huh. Where's Haven? *quiet sound as she pats her husband's arm in response to dream twitch*

Ratchet: That... I'm not entirely sure of. Diehard would know for certain...

Chromia: *frowns at him* How's Optimus?

Ratchet: He wasn't happy about some of the things that occurred and that resulted in our leaving... But he's had his hands full as of late.

Chromia: I mean how is he? He was gettin' stronger before 'Hide and I left, but Elita dying hit him pretty hard.

Ratchet: He's gotten stronger.

Chromia: *quietly* Good. *looks down at sleeping husband, who has one hand closed around the blanket that he asked for before settling down to sleep* 'Hide wasn't sure, and you know how he worries.

Ratchet: *small nod* A lot has changed since you left...

Chromia: *eyes go up to meet his again* More than the war ending and us leavin' Earth?

Ratchet: *small nod* We've had friends who were thought to be missing return to us... and some of our friends were brought back.

Chromia: *soft snort and a pointed look* You think I think you're important enough t've been the only one sent back?

Ratchet: *quietly* Sunstreaker was amongst those brought back... Along with Sideswipe and Red Alert.

Chromia: *shock makes her eyes go white* When did they die?

Ratchet: *quieter* After I was killed... There was a human organization hunting Cybertronians down...

Chromia: More of those idiots that made that fake Allspark?

Ratchet: *headshake* This was a different group.

Chromia: *eyes snap, but then close as she gets hold of her temper before it knocks her over and/or distresses Ironhide*

Nova: *STINK EYE for the stupid uncle*

Ratchet: They can't harm anyone else now.

Chromia: *softly and bitterly* After all we did for them.

Ratchet: *quieter* President Pratt was, and continues to be, an ally. Even after she was attacked for standing up for us.

Chromia: I don't even know who that is. It was a Mister President when... *looks up* Wait. We got her too?

Ratchet: She was elected after the last President... *pause* Too?

Chromia: *looks at Nova* President Den.

Nova: *chuckles! Yes, she does!*

Ratchet: ... If she's anything like the one here...

Chromia: *shows a holo: President Pratt being interviewed by Seymour Simmons while Bumblebee puts his hands to his head and shakes his booty in the background*

Ratchet: *facepalming now. He can tell that the President in the holo is struggling not to burst out laughing*

Chromia: That answer your question?

Ratchet: *shows a holo of the local President Pratt using Dutch as a pillow*

Chromia: Hmm. Looks tamer.

Ratchet: She has a tattoo of a blond man, similar in appearance to Dutch, on her leg. And that holo was taken after this. *shows the video of the sugar rush-induced hyperactivity*

Chromia: I was wrong. *snort*

Nova: *snort*

Ratchet: *quietly* I'm starting to miss her rambunctious ways... The attack did a lot of damage to her state of mind.

Chromia: *frowns* What'd they do?

Ratchet: One of the Secret Service was a double agent for Cemetery Wind... He threw an explosive into her bedroom... Her personal bodyguard and mate were injured protecting her.

Chromia: *this time the growl's not from Nova*

Nova: *turns that watching look onto Momma, ready to beat up whoever needs it*

Ironhide: *snore of disturbed sleep*

Ratchet: They're safe now... But it will be some time before President Pratt ceases to react negatively to unexpected noises.

Chromia: *shakes her head, and then returns to a subject nearer her heart* Optimus said he was leaving, to find some yahoos that sent a seed to Earth.

Ratchet: I don't know the full details of what happened while he was away... But he returned to us a few months after departing.

Chromia: *quietly* He gone back to hiding when he's not workin'?

Ratchet: *quietly* Bumblebee and Baraka don't let him hide for too long.

Chromia: Who's Baraka?

Ratchet: Diehard's younger brother.

Chromia: *surprised* Just how many kids did the Allspark give Optimus and Elita?

Ratchet: Baraka isn't from the Allspark.

Chromia: *quizzical frown* So he's just Diehard's bond brother.

Ratchet: He has coding from Optimus in his spark... As does Hope.

Chromia: Hope belongs to the Optimuses back on Earth. *frown is deepening with confusion*

Ratchet: *quieter* She came from this reality, originally.

Chromia: *and now she's surprised and confused* I don't feel Elita...

Ratchet: Hope and Baraka's mother isn't Elita. *looking down at his hands now, is trying to think of how best to explain what has happened*

Chromia: *impatient and a little frightened* Stop beatin' around the bush, you old crankshaft.

Ratchet: *quietly* Hope and Baraka are also Bumblebee's children.

Chromia: *thinks of Hope's big eyes. Mouth falls open*

Ratchet: *quietly* From what I understand, Hope was sent with Flashpoint to keep her safe.

Chromia: *mouth opens and closes*

Ratchet: *quieter* Hopefully, she and Baraka will have the chance to meet someday soon.

Chromia: *finds voice* 'Bee??? What the *beep word* was Optimus thinkin'? Did Elita dyin' crack 'im that bad??

Ratchet: *quietly* All I have been told is that it was Bumblebee's idea. *softly* If not for that bond, we would be without Optimus today.

Chromia: *intakes hitch, and then she's lifting up a knee and lowering her face to it* *shoulders bow and then shake as Ironhide sits up with a groggy growl and gathers her close*

Ironhide: *gives Ratchet a bleary stink eye, too*

Nova: *her stink eye is more focused*

Ratchet: Settle down, Ironhide.

Ironhide: *growls again, and then drops his head to nuzzle Chromia's helm as he rumbles softly*

Chromia: *quiet murmur of reassurance for her husband*

Ratchet: *quieter* Get some rest. I'll give you a tour later.

Ironhide: *quiet and gruff* Wait.

Ratchet: *blink* Yes, Ironhide?

Ironhide: *shifts Chromia to one arm, and then does something he's never done before. He holds out the empty arm toward Ratchet*

Ratchet: *intakes hitch softly. Then he's moving to hug Ironhide*

Ironhide: *hug is warm and reassuring, and accompanied by a snuggle from Chromia*

Ratchet: *hugging carefully, but it's clear he wants to hug tightly*

Ironhide: *quiet grumble* I'm not going to break, old woman. *lets Chromia go and seems to be trying to creak Ratchet's armour*

Chromia: *laughing now as she wipes her eyes*

Ratchet: *intakes hitch again*

Ironhide: *now Ratchet really IS creaking*

Ratchet: *and he's trying not to cry right now* *hugging you as tightly as he dares, Ironhide*

Ironhide: *one last good squish, and then he lets go and lays back with a quiet rumble*

Nova: *climbs up on Poppa and puts her elbows on him as she studies Ratchet*

Ratchet: *quiet sigh* I'll let you get some rest, then. *very glad to have you back, Ironhide*

Ironhide: *twinkles at Ratchet mischievously as he reaches to tug Chromia into cuddle range* Take Nova with you.

Nova: *looks at Poppa, and then gives Ratchet a considering look of surprise*

Ratchet: *surprised, will move to offer his arms to Nova*

Nova: *cuts him a very familiar grin as she climbs fully onto Ironhide so that she can be picked up*

Chromia: *as she leans against Ironhide* Be good for Uncle Ratch.

Ratchet: *will lift Nova and hold her close to his chest*

Nova: *snuggles as she waves to her parents*

Ironhide: See you later, bitlet. *shutters his optics and rumbles*

Ratchet: *soft rumble. Will move to bring Nova to meet Mistfire*

Optimus: *pauses and looks over his shoulder as Ratchet comes into the corridor* Ratchet, what were you doing? Going to our sister reality and fighting? That isn't like you.

Ratchet: *stops, sighs* It was not my intention... But it occurred.

Optimus: *frowns at the medibot, the expression stern and full of concern*

Ratchet: *cradling Nova close to his chest* *quietly* My counterpart was attempting to prevent me from bringing Ironhide, Chromia, and Nova home.

Optimus: Why didn't you go to my alternates?

Ratchet: Because my counterpart was the first being I encountered upon arrival.

Optimus: *frown deepens* This isn't like you, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *quieter* I know... *shutters his optics and just circulates for a few moments*

Optimus: *quiet and firm* You're off duty till further notice.

Ratchet: *small nod* *quiet* Understood, Optimus.

Optimus: *turns to face him, revealing the pale blue sparklet who is cuddling a pillowcase full of possessions*

Ratchet: *intakes hitch softly as he sees the little sparklet*

Nova: *clicks a greeting to her friend*

Hope: *looks up from listening to Dad and waves one little four fingered hand*

Ratchet: *softly* Is that...

Optimus: *slight smile* *voice gruff and trembling slightly* Hope has come home.

Nova and Hope: *discussing things*

Ratchet: *quietly* Everyone is home... *looks like he's going to cry*

Optimus: *shakes his head* Not yet. *adjusts an elbow to hold Hope's luggage as she reaches to hold hands with Nova and converse intently*

Ratchet: Not yet? *trying to understand what you mean, even as he moves closer to make it easier for the sparklets to converse*

Optimus: *gravely* There are still sparks at KSI. *looks down the corridor* And Showtime says that other Autobots will be coming here from the worlds where they have been staying.

Ratchet: *boggling now*

Optimus: *perks as he sees what he had sensed*

Bumblebee: *trucking down the corridor with an excitedly clicking Baraka nomming his blanket in her arms*

Hope and Nova: *turn toward that clickstorm and reply, the one matching the newer baby click for click, and the other more demure*

Ratchet: *quiet as he watches Baraka meet Hope for the first time*

Hope: *let me kissy you, good sounding baby!*

Baraka: *let me kissy you, good sounding baby!*

Bumblebee: *laughs as she winds up with no baby in her arms*

Optimus: *is that deep echo as he finds himself with both of his younger children*

Nova: *leans back against Ratchet and watches approvingly*

Ratchet: *very soft chuckle*

Optimus: *clicks to his bitties, and then yelps softly as he becomes the object of kissy*

Bumblebee: *laughing so hard that she can barely catch Hope's luggage as it drops*

Nova: *tiny tiny and so unbabylike snerk*

Ratchet: *amused headshake*

Nova: *looks up at him, brows lifted quizzically* *did you say something, Unca?*

Ratchet: *another headshake* I should be going...

Bumblebee: *glances over and waves, eyes dancing* Bye, Ratch.

Optimus: *garbled as he's kissymonstered*

Ratchet: *nods* See you later, Bumblebee. *will ping Mistfire*

Mistfire: *insouciantly* //Yer credit.//

Ratchet: //Where are you?//

Mistfire: //Quarters. Gotta book.//

Ratchet: //I've got my niece...// *will stop in front of his and Mistfire's door* //I also got into a fight.//

Mistfire: *snorts over the line* //Fight? Sheeya right.//

Ratchet: //I'm telling the truth.// *will enter his and Mistfire's quarters* Optimus removed me from active duty as a result of my actions.

Mistfire: *looks over from where she's sprawled on the seat in the holowindow, then sits up as she sees the dents*

Nova: *very deep frown as she studies the pastel coloured stranger*

Ratchet: *quietly* My counterpart and I had a disagreement.

Mistfire: *shuts off the reading stick she was perusing, then sets it aside and gets up to walk over and meet him. One hand goes up to grasp his grill basket as the other gently closes around the small one that is offered to her*

Nova: *quiet click. Has taken an instant liking to this new friend*

Ratchet: Nova, this is my wordmate, Mistfire. Mistfire, this is Ironhide's youngest, Nova.

Nova: *frowns up at him* *clearly* Simpler words, dummy.

Mistfire: *grin*

Ratchet: *blink. Blink!* Er...

Nova: *frown deepens* Unca?

Ratchet: Mistfire is my wife. Your aunt.

Nova: *perks, and then turns and wriggles for Mistfire to take her*

Mistfire: *does so, and then leans against Ratchet* Yer jes' full of bolts 'n nitrous, ain'tcha?

Nova: *shrugs and snuggles both bigs*

Ratchet: She is Ironhide's daughter. *yeah, like that really explains stuff*

Mistfire: *snerks softly, then looks up at him sideways as she shifts her weight off him* Take a load off, old man.

Ratchet: *small nod, will move to sit down in one of the chairs*

Mistfire: *throat clearing sound* Whadda you think yer doin'?

Ratchet: Sitting where there's enough room for all three of us.

Mistfire: *snort* Yer aimed at a chair. I ain't sittin' on yer knee.

Ratchet: *small frown. Looks around*

Mistfire: *amusement fades to a frown of concern* *taps his chest through the grill* Bed.

Ratchet: *squeaks before he can stop himself, then sighs* Yes, dear.

Mistfire: *takes hold of the grill and leads him to the bedroom as Nova looks back and forth between their faces and frowns*

Ratchet: *more quiet sigh as he's lead to the bedroom, then he's moving to lay down on the bed* *grumbles softly as he feels the padding give slightly beneath him*

Mistfire: *turns on the warmer, and then settles beside him with Nova between them* 'Hide sleepin'?

Ratchet: *small nod* Yes... And he's sharing the sensations.

Mistfire: *soft snerk as she lays her head on his shoulder* So return the favour.

Ratchet: *soft rumble of a chuckle* I think that's a good idea.

Mistfire: *eyes shuttered* Less talk.

Nova: Nini. *yawns and snuggles, enjoying the warms*

Ratchet: *circulates slowly and lets it out in a long sigh as he shutters his optics* *starts to make another comment, but his systems switch off before he can focus the thought*

Mistfire: *cuddles and smiles as she hears a party go past in the hall. Is just going to lay here and protect loved ones as she enjoys the warmth and peace*

((Written with random_xtras))