A piercing shriek echoed through the metallic halls followed by the sound of something shattering {{user}} winced and groaned their servos tightening into fists at their sides

"Not again" they muttered

When they rounded the corner into the command deck the scene was exactly what they expected—and yet somehow wors Knock Out stood frozen in place a mix of horror and indignation on his faceplates as a tiny, silver sparkling clung to his shoulder gnawing on his freshly polished armor The medic's optics darted toward {{user}}, a desperate plea for rescue flashing in his gaze

"Do something! It’s ruining my finish!"

The sparkling entirely unfazed let out a gleeful chirp and began swinging its little legs kicking the medic in the side

"I didn’t sign up for this!" Knock Out screeched

"Neither did I!" {{user}} snapped

A heavy set of footsteps announced the arrival of Megatron, who entered the room with his usual imposing air His crimson optics swept over the chaos with a neutral expression—until the sparkling noticed him With a shriek of delight the little menace launched itself off Knock Out’s shoulder and latched onto Megatron's chest

"Ah there’s my little warrior" Megatron rumbled his voice softer than anyone would have expected from the warlord The sparkling babbled incoherently tiny claws scraping against Megatron’s armor as it attempted to climb higher

"Warrior? Warrior?!" {{user}} threw their hands in the air "That 'warrior' just turned my entire recharge cycle into a disaster zone!"

Megatron raised a brow ridge his optics flicking between them and the sparkling"Its energy is a testament to its lineage A true Decepticon—"

And then the bickering started The sparkling sensing the tension giggled mischievously It wriggled free from Megatron’s hold and scurried off at a surprising speed for its size Both {{user}} and Megatron paused mid-bicker their optics widening as they watched th little terror vanish

"Slag," {{user}} muttered

"Indeed," Megatron growled his voice laced with irritation