Transformers Prime: A Sparkling Issue

Chapter 2 - A Little History, Color, and Water

But pulling four happy sparklings away from their fun proved to be more difficult than expected.

"C'mon Bulk," Miko tried to entice from the edge of the colorful puddle. "Don't you want to get all nice and clean?" She yelped in disgust as drops of orange and pinks splattered her face. The little bot just giggled in delight at the reaction. Miko wiped her cheek. "Uck! They're never coming out. And I am not stepping in that!"

"Bee," Rafael tried. "C'mon, Bee. Come and – Ugh!" He quickly covered his face with an arm, trying to shield his glasses as lavender and red splatted his shirt.

"We're going to need baths by the time we get them out of there," Jack groaned. With no other way to get there, he tiptoed through the slippery mess, coming up to the crate Arcee sat on. She was busy trying to stick her helm in the much smaller diameter paint can. "Time to come down now." He reached his arms up, hoping it might entice her from her perch.

The femme took one look and, before Jack had a chance to even react, thrust the paint can over his head. Jack sputtered in surprise and nearly fell. Outside the thin tin he could hear Miko laughing hysterically. He spit as he quickly removed his unwanted hat with a gasp. His raven black hair was nearly solid yellow.

Miko hooted another laugh, holding her stomach. "Maybe she's trying to tell you she'd like you better as a blond!"

"Ha ha," Jack blandly threw back. He shivered as wet slimy paint dripped from the back of his hair and down his back. He wondered what his mother would say when he got home. He wasn't even going to think about how he was explain his whole day yet.

"Allow me to assist." The Prime's large servo reached down and scooped the little femme off the crate, then picked up Bulkhead who came without any complaint.

"Couldn't he've done that before I got my face painted?" Miko grumbled to Rafael.

Optimus's other digits picked up the lavender and yellow sparkling, who bleeped sadly at having to leave the fascinating substance. Ratchet was having a tussle with Jack who was trying to get the paint can away from him. With a whine, Ratchet wrenched it away, causing the boy's feet to slip on the paint and he went down to his hands and knees.

"Oh great," he grumbled. "Why don't I just save myself the trouble and just roll in it?"

Gently transferring Bumblebee to his other servo with Arcee and Bulkhead, Optimus picked up the sparkling, paint can and all. Ratchet tried to get down but the grip was firm. Realizing he wasn't going to be allowed back to his fun, the little mech suddenly gave a howling wail and threw the can with all his stubby arm's might. It hit Optimus square in the chest plates, and, even though mostly empty, little speckles of leftover blue shot up across the large windshields and he grimaced, feeling some even reach his face plate. Optimus just blinked, not sure what to do.

Both of Miko's hands covered her mouth. It was hard to tell whether it was out of shock or trying to hold back laughter.

"Well, this outta be fun," Jack mumbled taking off his shoes that looked as though they had been tie-dyed so he didn't track it everywhere and also his socks. He set them aside and went barefoot to where Miko and Rafael waited with sponges in hand. "Okay, bring them over."

Gently, Optimus placed a sparkling in each of the homemade washtubs. Jack noticed the Prime glance at the multicolored residue left on his servos and the blue splattered up his front.

"I'll help you wash that off later," he offered and the Prime gave a nod of thanks.

Rolling up their sleeves (the kids that is), they began to vigorously work at removing the sparklings' new paint jobs. At first the little bots weren't sure what to make of the water, but quickly realized how fun water and soap could be. Since there were four and four, each member took a sparkling to work on. Rafael took Bumblebee, Jack – Arcee, Miko – Bulkhead, and Optimus – Ratchet.