Transformers Prime: A Sparkling Issue

Chapter 2 - A Little History, Color, and Water

"This says," Rafael continued to summarize, "that after activating it with his own power, Vector Prime took the relic to a safe hiding spot until it would someday be needed. I guess that spot was earth."

"But if that is the device, why didn't it do what it was designed to do? Why did it de-age Arcee and the others instead of creating a space-time portal?"

"The record does state," Optimus began thoughtfully, "that the relic was created to be used with a space bridge mechanism. It is possible that without it, its power is unfocused and unreliable. It must be controlled in order to function properly."

Rafael adjusted his glasses. "When it was dropped it activated but, not being controlled, instead of creating a time warp, it somehow pushed time through the bots. Which is what caused them to become sparklings again." He looked somewhat apologetically at the red and blue mech. "I've studied the relic, but that seems to be about all I can learn or really do. I know electronics but this is way too advanced. I've tried to learn some about Cybertronian technology, but I just don't understand it all yet."

Optimus gave the young boy a gentle reassuring smile. "Do not concern yourself, my young friend. As it originates from my home world, I will greater understand that area better. You have done well and I am impressed with how much you have been able to gather. It will be of great help as I continue to study the mechanics of the device."

Rafael's face brightened. Anyone would admit it was nice to receive praise from the Autobot leader. He closed his laptop, setting it aside as he hopped off his chair.

Jack stepped up a bit. "Do you think you'll be able to figure out how to return our friends to normal?"

The mech's optic brows tightened slightly. "I cannot say for certain, Jack. Only that I will do everything that I possibly can to restore them."

"That's good enough for me," the raven haired boy smiled up.

Optimus's reply was only a soft one of his own in return. The outlook was dim. He didn't know how or even if he would be able to fix this, but the faith and trust in the children's faces helped feed new hope.

Miko tapped a finger on her chin. "Maybe Wheeljack could help us out."

Jack gave her a strange look. "Are you trying to make this situation worse?"

"True."

"Maybe we could get some help from the Rescue Bots?" he suggested. "I mean Cody told us about when they helped watch over that robo-baby."

The girl's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Are you kidding? Have you heard Chase sing? The last thing we need is a bunch of sparklings traumatized by off-key lullabies."

Rafael nearly snickered as he came down the stairs. "Yeah. From what I heard, that didn't quite turn out the greatest."

"So I guess we're on our own with this," Jack said uneasily. A hand gestured to the closest of the large blue treads beside them. "Of course we do have one of their own kind still here so at least we're not totally in the dark."

High above, the Prime quirked a brow with a strange expression. "Umm..."

"But how are we going to–" Rafael started but was interrupted.

"Guys! Guys! C'mon, stop worrying so much," Miko interjected with a confident grin. "Trust me, this'll be easy. How hard can it be to watch over a few sparklings?" Jack just smirked. Like Miko knew even the slightest thing about all this.

Rafael looked around. "Umm... speaking of. Where are they?"

"Huh?" the black and pink pigtails whipped right and left. But there wasn't a sparkling in sight.