Transformers: Prime: Web of Shadows

Chapter 1: A Shocking Revelation

The quiet hum of the refrigerator was the only sound that filled June Darby's kitchen that evening. Outside, Jasper's desert horizon glowed orange under a setting sun, the heat slowly fading into dusk. Jack sat at the table, laptop open, half-reading a mission report for Unit:E, though his mind was elsewhere. The moment his mother asked him to "sit down for a talk," a sense of unease began to grow in his gut — one he couldn't quite shake.

June stood by the counter, her hands wrapped tightly around a mug of untouched tea. She looked pale, uncertain. That alone was enough to make Jack close his laptop and give her his full attention.

"Mom?" he said softly. "You're scaring me a little. What's going on?"

June took a long breath. Her voice trembled when she spoke. "Jack... there's something I need to tell you. Something important. And I need you to promise you'll listen before you say anything."

That tone — the careful, almost fragile one — made Jack's pulse pick up. "Okay," he said. "I'm listening."

June's fingers tightened around her mug. "I found out a few days ago. I went to see Dr. Martinez for a routine checkup, but she ran some tests because I hadn't been feeling right lately. I thought it was stress, or maybe I caught something from the hospital..."

She paused, her eyes darting toward the floor.

Jack frowned. "Mom, you're making me nervous. What did the doctor say?"

June swallowed hard, then looked him in the eye. "Jack... I'm pregnant."

The words hung in the air like static — cold and unreal. Jack blinked, sure he'd misheard her.

"...What?"

"I'm pregnant," she repeated quietly, voice breaking just slightly. "It's early, but they confirmed it."

Jack stared at her for a long, stunned moment. Then realization hit him — slow, inevitable, and terrifying. His stomach dropped. "Wait... you mean— you and—" He stopped, his throat tightening. "Megatron?"

June nodded once.

Jack pushed back from the table, standing abruptly. "Mom, you— you're pregnant with Megatron's child?! He's— he's Cybertronian! How— I mean—" He ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "I thought you two were being careful! He's a reformed warlord, not— not someone who can just—!"

"Jack!" June said quickly, her voice firm but pleading. "I didn't plan this. Neither of us did. We were careful— we thought we were—but something went wrong. I don't even know how this is scientifically possible, but it happened."

Jack paced, raking both hands through his hair. "Oh, great. Fantastic. My stepfather— the guy who used to terrorize half the galaxy — didn't use protection! You've got to be kidding me."

"Jack," June said softly, her eyes glistening. "Please don't—"

He stopped pacing and looked at her, seeing the tears she was trying to hold back. His anger began to falter, replaced by confusion and worry. "Mom... does he even know?"

June shook her head, lowering her gaze. "No. Not yet. I haven't told him."

Jack blinked again. "You haven't told him? Why not?"

Her voice quivered. "Because I don't know how, Jack. I don't know how to look him in the optics and tell him that he's going to be a father — again — and that this time it's not a Cybertronian spark but a human life growing inside me. I'm scared. I don't even know what this means for either of us. What if it's dangerous? What if the baby—" She broke off, pressing a trembling hand over her stomach. "What if something goes wrong?"