Author's Note: Well, this is the last chapter of A Spark Divided! I'm pretty happy with how this chapter turned out, and I just want to say thank you to everyone who read this story. It's not as long as my novel, but it's still the longest fan fiction I've ever done. I've got a couple ideas for the next story. It'll still be Transformers G1, but it won't have main character OCs in it this time. Not saying I'll never use them again, but I don't use OCs unless the story is good enough to warrant it. Anyway, enough with the long author's note, on with the story :)

Chapter 16

Till Death Do Us Spark

"Hey you, Autobots! Stop!" Frenzy yelled from behind the 3 Autobot spies and their human passenger.

They turned around to see Frenzy had an energy weapon trained on Mirage. The group looked at each other in silent confirmation, and then all nodded as one. With that Mirage disappeared!

Frenzy tried to shoot despite not being able to see a target, but of course he missed every shot, and was too focused on Mirage to think of shooting one of the other two Autobots that were clearly this distraction, Smokescreen was able to tackle Frenzy to the ground while Leodox ran off with Spike in tow!

The other two Autobots caught up to Leodox, and Frenzy sent out an alert to all Decepticons that there were Autobots in their midst!

Megatron watched the monitors as the three Autobots made their escape through the flooded area of the ship. He grew angrier by the second, and finally could take no more! He sent his elite Seeker trine after them. Starscream, Thundercracker, and Skywarp were ordered to destroy the Autobots and take no prisoners!

When they made it above the ocean Leodox transformed into a helicopter and the others climbed into him to fly up to Skyfire! It was a difficult strain on Leodox to carry two mid-size Autobots, but somehow he made it! Skyfire was relieved they were okay and took off as soon as they were inside, but soon he realized that the Seekers were following them!

The Decepticons started shooting, and the Autobots wondered if they could get away this time! The worst part of it though, was that Bumblebee was still missing, and they began to wonder if they would ever see him again…

"Have you ever noticed that Megatron looks dead?" Ophidelle asked Bumblebee.

"What are you talking about, Mother?" Bumblebee asked obliviously.

"Well, I mean when a mech dies their shell turns grey due to the nanites inside them dying, but Megatron is already grey, so he looks like he's already dead," Ophidelle explained, "This might explain why Starscream can never tell if Megatron is really dead or merely injured. It would also explain why he looks scarier than most mechs. Humans are afraid of dead bodies too, if I remember that stupid Dracula movie correctly."

Ophidelle and Bumblebee had been puttering along in the sky for a couple hours at this point, and most of their conversations had been pointless and pleasant. The ocean was vast, and Ophidelle was slower with a passenger, so she decided to not tire herself out more than necessary and simply fly at a languid pace.

Bumblebee had never felt so at peace. He and his mother were flying slowly and he was able to look up at the stars without wondering if something would come down from there to hurt him. With his mother around he felt like nothing could hurt him. Then again, he also remembered feeling that way under the theatre in Kalis all those vorns ago...

"Bumblebee, did you hear that?" Ophidelle suddenly asked.

"Hear what?" Bumblebee asked; his trepidation growing.

"It sounds like...The null ray! That is Starscream's weapon!" Ophidelle exclaimed in a panic, "What is he shooting at out here?"

Out of instinct more than curiosity Ophidelle turned to where she heard the shooting and flew upward to get closer. Bumblebee pulled his blaster out of subspace to make sure he was ready for whatever was happening above him.

When they got there, they could see the Seekers shooting at Skyfire while two mechs were shooting at the Decepticons. Bumblebee could see that it was Smokescreen and his father!

"We've got to help them!" Bumblebee yelled over the noise of the chopper.

"This is not our fight!" Ophidelle contested, "Besides, you are not at full power! I need to get you back to base!"

"No! We need to help Father!" Bumblebee insisted, "Please! Turn around! We can't let those Decepticreeps hurt Father and Smokescreen!"

"I would say Skyfire is the one most at risk!" Ophidelle stalled.

"Mother!" Bumblebee snapped impatiently.

He couldn't understand why his own mother wouldn't want to rescue his father and their teammates. She seemed nervous and clearly did not want to be caught up in the fighting. It wasn't like her. Finally though, she succumbed to Bumblebee's wishes and turned to get closer to the Seekers.

Leodox, meanwhile, had transformed into helicopter mode and had started shooting at Starscream in an effort to take out the biggest threat to his comrades. His weapons weren't very effective in helicopter mode, but at least he was faster this way. Leodox missed his first few shots on Starscream, but inadvertently hit Thundercracker in the wing and sent him back into root mode!

Leodox swooped back around to once again engage Starscream, but that was a big mistake! Starscream shot him with a concussion bomb and sent the helicopter diving down into the water!

"LEODOX!" Ophidelle screamed at the top of her vocal processor.

She swiftly threw Bumblebee inside Skyfire and dove down to retrieve her fallen ex spark mate! Leodox had managed to transform back into robot mode, but he was sinking fast! Ophidelle transformed into robot mode as well and swam under the water to grab him and pull him back! She wasn't as good a swimmer as Leodox normally was, but she managed to pump her legs until they were up above the water! She could see Starscream was still shooting at Skyfire and getting in a few good hits on the overwhelmed shuttle! Thundercracker had retreated, but she still couldn't find Skywarp. At this point she didn't think she wanted to.

It was difficult with so much water in her system, but Ophidelle managed to turn into her helicopter mode with Leodox inside. She was barely strong enough to pull him up to Skyfire. Her spark was screaming in pain now, and her energy was draining fast! At this point she knew what that meant for her, but she didn't care! All that mattered was making sure Leodox and Bumblebee were safe, and may the Decepticons go to the Pit if they tried to stop her!

Bumblebee and Smokescreen continued to fire from the doorway of Skyfire, while Skyfire fired his weak energy weapons at Starscream! It didn't seem to make much of a difference. The red and silver Seeker was just too fast and too powerful for them! They hadn't even noticed that the other two Seekers weren't there anymore. The SIC of the Decepticons was a one-mech army when he was in the sky!

Soon they heard a helicopter engine, and Smokescreen said "Get out of the way! It's Leodox!"

"No, it's Mother!" Bumblebee corrected him as he pointed to the shiny pink copter.

Ophidelle flung herself inside when the others stepped away from the door! She quickly transformed to root mode and knelt beside her prone ex spark mate; both soaking wet and looking like something the turbo cat dragged in.

Leodox's optics flickered like fluorescent light bulbs. He was barely conscious, but he could still make out the silhouette of his beloved Ophidelle. She fussed over him with concern written all over her faceplate. They both seemed oblivious to the fighting going on outside as they stared at each other.

"O-Ophidelle?" Leodox choked out despite the water in his vents.

"Yes, my love?" Ophidelle asked as she cleaned some seaweed off his chassis.

"Do you remember when we first met...And you said your face would be the last thing I ever saw?" Leodox asked weakly.

"How could I forget?" Ophidelle replied fondly, "It was the day I met the bravest and most wonderful mech in the world."

"Well...You were right," Leodox said with a tired smile, "Your face...Will be the last thing I ever see...And I couldn't be happier with that."

"Oh, do not talk nonsense!" Ophidelle scolded him; trying to sound nonchalant, "You will be taken to Ratchet and repaired in short order. He might be a grouch, but he is also Optimus Prime's personal physician, so he must be the best."

Leodox didn't answer. His optics were already offline, but he was still conscious. He lifted a clawed left hand, and Ophidelle took it in hers. The ship rattled with the impact of another hit, but Ophidelle didn't notice it. She was focused on looking at the mech she had promised to spend the rest of her life with 7 million years ago.

He gave a muffled coughing noise. It was his body's effort to dislodge the water from his vents. That wouldn't matter though. He had been shot in the spark chamber, and though his death was slow there would be no recovery from this.

Ophidelle watched in horror as his steel blue frame slowly started going grey and stiff. Even his Autobot sigil; the only spot of color left on him, had gone grey. Leodox was gone.

Ophidelle could feel cleaning fluid building up in her optics. She was crying, and it was not only spark-wrenching but strange. She hadn't cried since she was a youngling. Even when she thought her only son had been killed in Kalis she didn't cry. At that time she had felt numb, followed by an intense anger. Bumblebee's death had hurt more than anything else in the world to her, but even then she couldn't cry. This, however, was different. This was the mech that had taught her what love felt like. This was a part of her that she could never get back. This was Leodox!

Once again, the breaking of her spark turned to anger. The mech that would claim her as a toy and a prize had killed the only mech she had ever loved! Starscream did this, and he would pay! Ophidelle knew this was irrational, but her grief overtook any sense of honor or reason she had left!

She pulled a cluster bomb out of her subspace. She knew what she had to do…

Skyfire was being overtaken by Starscream, and the other Autobots didn't know what to do. Mirage and Spike were busy trying to repair Skyfire's systems, and Bumblebee and Smokescreen were trying with all their might to land a hit on Starscream! The flyer was evading their every move, so Smokescreen decided to wait for the Seeker to fly close to the door and then shoot a blast of black smoke right in his face!

With Starscream blind in the air, he and Bumblebee started shooting in the smoke in the hopes of landing a hit! They didn't know if it was working, but they didn't have the luxury of waiting for a better chance! While they were firing, Ophidelle suddenly took Bumblebee by the shoulders and turned him around to face her!

"Mother! I could've shot you! What are you-?" Bumblebee started, but was cut off when Ophidelle placed a dactyl on his mouth.

"Shh...Bumblebee. I just want you to know that I am so proud of everything that you are," Ophidelle said softly as her sad green optics met his blue confused ones, "You are so much like your father. Forgive me…"

With that Ophidelle jabbed a nail-turret into Bumblebee's back! He screamed more in shock than in pain, and then began to realize what those nail turrets were for...They caused temporary paralysis!

As Bumblebee lay on the floor wondering why his mother would literally stab him in the back he caught sight of his father's dead body about 20 feet away! He screamed in horror, and out of the corner of his optics saw his mother jump out of Skyfire! He screamed "Noooo!" As he realized what she was about to do.

Starscream had been caught in the smoke for two or three minutes, but so far the Autobots hadn't been able to land a single hit on him. He was feeling proud of himself as gracefully dodged every beam of light that came to claim his spark. He knew the smoke would clear soon, and then he would finish off those cursed Autobots!

The smoke was almost clear. It was nothing more than a fine mist, and soon he would be ready to strike! Just as Starscream was about ready to attack, however, he saw someone jump out of Skyfire and land right on top of him!

He transformed into robot mode in an effort to shake them off, but all to no avail! Now the robot, that Femme Ophidelle, was clinging onto his chest as she stared him in the face with fierce determined optics!

"Get off me, you crazy Femme!" Starscream hollered, "We're supposed to be attacking the Autobots!"

"I see you had your shoulder vent repaired," Ophidelle replied icily, "Let us see if you can repair more...extensive damages."

Starscream then noticed there was a small black bulge between her chest and his. He looked down, and saw the cluster bomb ticking down!

4, 3, 2, 1, 0…

Both Decepticons went up in a fiery explosion! Smokescreen looked down at the scene in shock, and was grateful that Bumblebee couldn't get up to see this! Skywarp then appeared over the wreckage in an effort to rescue his comrades. He looked around, and could only see Starscream lying face down in the water and ready to sink! Skywarp grabbed him, and looked around for Ophidelle. All he could find of her was her mother of pearl cobra staff and a few random pieces of her internals. Unable to rescue his sister, Skywarp teleported away with his fallen air commander.

3 Days Later…

The Autobots were all gathered outside the Ark for a solemn occasion. The Autobots and their humans friends sat on foldable chairs outside at sunset in front of a makeshift podium and a picture of Leodox, Ophidelle, and Bumblebee flying kites on earth. It was the only picture Bumblebee had of them.

At first, they were only going to hold a funeral service for Leodox since he was the only Autobot that had died in the battle. Bumblebee had learned from Jazz what his mother was, but after everything that had happened between them it just didn't matter to him. He insisted that both of his parents died heroes and both deserved to be honored equally. Optimus Prime agreed and allowed the service for both of them. It was a bittersweet victory for Bumblebee.

Before the funeral he had sat on his berth looking at the picture. He could see the grocery bag kite his mother had made. He remembered how irritated Sunstreaker had been, but his mother never told him why. He could see the easy smile on his father's face. He remembered those times long ago when he and his father would play outside. He remembered his mother's soft singing as she cleaned the house. He knew now that they had never stopped loving each other. They severed to protect each other from Megatron's wrath. They always did everything together...Even die.

When it was time to decide what to do with Leodox's body, most had assumed he would be sent off into space like any Autobot hero would be. Bumblebee had said he wanted to follow the human custom, however, and bury Leodox on the other side of the volcano so he could visit him.

It was time for the funeral to begin. Optimus Prime was the first to speak, and after him it would be Bumblebee. The crowd hushed as Optimus began to speak.

"Autobots, we are here this evening to mourn the loss of one of our own," Optimus began soberly, "I know that we have lost many good friends over the thousands of vorns that we've been at war, but this one especially pains me for two reasons. One, Leodox and his spark mate were the first two casualties since arriving on earth four years ago, and two, these were the creators of one of our own troops; Bumblebee. Leodox had all of the qualities of a good Autobot: tolerance, bravery, and love. He died a hero. More unexpectedly, however, was his spark mate Ophidelle. Despite the fact that she was a Decepticon, she too displayed qualities that would have made her an excellent Autobot, and she too died a hero; protecting her family. We will not forget them, and someday this war will end and we will all live in peace. Until all are one."

Several Autobots were already leaking cleaning fluid, and Carly cried on Spike's shoulder. Optimus gave a heartfelt eulogy, but many wondered if Bumblebee would even be able to say anything without breaking down. They would soon find out, as it was his turn at the podium.

Bumblebee cleared his throat and looked out at the crowd. It somehow gave him strength to see so many of his friends out there supporting him in his time of need. Still, this was not an easy time, and he knew it would be a while before he was okay. He didn't write notes for his eulogy. He knew what he wanted to say.

"Hello, everyone. I just wanted to say a few words about my creators and what they meant to me. I didn't get to spend as much time with them as a youngling should be allowed to. The war separated us a long time ago, but I carried their memories with me and found comfort in the fact that they loved me. I guess I'll have to do that again. What I remember most is what they taught me over the vorns. They taught me what loves means, they taught me about honesty and integrity, and they taught me about the importance of family. They also taught me that even when times are tough there is always time to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life. They showed me that there is always time to tell stories, to sing a song...and to fly a kite…"

Bumblebee's voice cracked at that last statement, and he had to wait a few seconds before he could finish.

"In conclusion, I just want to say that I will miss them. As I lay my father to rest, I only wish that my mother could join them. My mother didn't believe in life after death. She said they were opposites for a reason. That darkness could not have life...That's what makes it darkness. I don't know. If there is something more for Cybertronians, then I hope they are together. If there is nothing, then I at least know they're not suffering anymore. Goodbye, Father. Goodbye, Mother. I'll be okay, and I'll always love you."

Bumblebee felt his legs go weak as he left the podium. He could still walk, but barely. When he went back to the front row Optimus, Ironhide, and his human friends were waiting for him. Ironhide stood up first and in an uncharacteristically sentimental moment hugged Bumblebee!

"Kid, I just want ya ta know we're here for ya," Ironhide said gruffly as he hugged Bumblebee.

"Thank you, Ironhide," Bumblebee said sincerely, "I'm glad you're here. All of you."

Bumblebee was grieving, but he also knew he had a lot to be grateful for. Ironhide had raised him after he lost his parents the first time, and he knew the weapons specialist would be there for him now. He also had Optimus; his leader and mentor. As long as they were both alive and well he knew he would be okay. He only hoped he never had to lose them, too.

/Sending Long Range Text Message/

/From: Jazz/

/To: Ultra Magnus/

/Subject: Decepticon Spy/

/Jazz: Hey, Ultra Magnus! What's up, mech? I'm sending this to let you know that there was a Decepticon agent on earth a while back. Her name was Silver Tongue. You've probably got an extensive file on her back at HQ on Cybertron. Well, first of all, she died here on earth, so you can call off any agents you had searching for her. She blew up after a bomb went off over the Pacific Ocean. Also, you're gonna need to run a few of her aliases to determine the full extent of her activity in Iacon and Polyhex. The names are: Rose Water, Silver Tongue, Acid Tongue, Denial, Candy Pop, Viper Wing, and Tailgate. Her real name was Ophidelle. You might want to check that out first. Reply with any progress you make. Jazz out./

/Ultra Magnus: Hello Jazz. I've got a team working on the SIlver Tongue case now. She has been posthumously charged with 73 different war crimes now that we have the full report. Also, on a personal note, did you know that Ophidelle is the Femme version of the archaic name Ophidel? It hasn't been used in hundreds of thousands of vorns since it was an insult usually directed at one's enemies. The name's modern equivalent is sometimes used for Decepticons. The new version of the name is Snake Traitor. I thought you would find that interesting. Blurry says to tell you "hi". Well, he said "HihowareyouJazzwhenareyoucomingbacktoCybertron?" but I thought that was too confusing. Hope everyone is doing well on earth. Until all are one. Ultra Magnus out./

Skywarp sat alone in his room drinking a cube of high grade. He twirled the scepter in his servo just as he had been doing for the past 20 minutes. If he focused real hard, then he could pretend he still felt the warmth of its power in his hand. He couldn't believe that she had died. Again! She was the first Decepticon to die on earth since they got there four years ago.

He didn't even hear it when Thundercracker came into the room. The blue and grey Seeker looked at the drunken mess staring at a luminescent scepter and wondered if he should even bother him.

"Warp?" Thundercracker called softly out to him, "Skywarp. It's almost time for your shift."

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure. I'll be there in a breem," Skywarp said distractedly.

"Skywarp? Are you going to be alright?" Thundercracker asked; concerned.

"Sure, of course I'll be alright," Skywarp said unconvincingly, "I already lost her once. These past few days with her were just a bonus. Maybe she'll even show up again in another 7 million years to get her staff back. Heh-heh. So, how's 'Screamer?"

"Badly damaged, but he will eventually recover according to Hook," Thundercracker reported, "Don't worry, 'Warp. We will get revenge on the Autobots that did this to them. They will never know peace so long as we live!"

Skywarp just nodded and left for his duty shift. He knew Thundercracker was just trying to make him feel better, but he didn't see what Skywarp saw. Skywarp was there when Ophidelle pounced on Starscream with a bomb strapped to her chest. He saw the hatred in her optics, and realized what must have happened. When he found out the Autobots had lost Leodox, that just added fuel to his personal vendetta theory. He knew then...She didn't want to be saved.

One thing he wondered about was whether or not he'd be able to kill Bumblebee in a fight now that he knew who the Minibot was. Oh, who was he kidding? That thing was Leodox's son, and Leodox was the reason Ophidelle was dead! Of course he'd be able to kill Bumblebee! He'd do whatever it took to keep the Decepticons on top! That was why he was one of Megatron's elite! He only hoped Ophidelle was right and she couldn't see him now that she was dead.

Kloryll Neutral Colony

The shuttle docked and allowed the new residents to step foot onto the beautiful new planet with the green skies overhead and shimmering silver rockbed below. There weren't many neutral Cybertronians left that could afford to leave Cybertron, but every now and then they would get an Autobot or Decepticon defector. There were many reasons for mechs to defect from their units. The most common reason for Decepticons was fear or second thoughts. The most common reason for Autobots was starvation or fear of Decepticons.

Grind Shift, the liaison for the new residents, stood in front of the shuttle and held out a residency card for each new member. They were ID cards that gave each member a new name and told them which house they would live in. Today there were only 3; two mechs and a femme.

The first mech was a rusty brown slender model that transformed into a motorcycle of some kind. His blue optics bespoke of his Autobot origin. He looked around the compound nervously. Grind shift felt for the poor guy.

"Alright then, your new name is Slipshot. You live at #4473-53. Enjoy your new life here on Kloryll," Grind Shift said quickly as he handed the brown mech his ID card.

The second one was a big green mech with a gun protruding from his back and tank treads on his legs. Red optics...Yep, former Decepticon.

"Your new name is Roadbuster, and your new residence is #85436-64. Enjoy your new life here on Kloryll."

The green Tank Former gratefully took his new ID card and stomped away, ready to start a new life away from the tyranny of his former faction.

Grind Shift looked up at the Femme that was standing in front of him and noticed that she looked like scrap! Several parts of her were covered in soot and she had loose wires hanging out haphazardly. Her hooded vents looked ready to collapse in on themselves and one of her fangs was chipped and leaking corrosive acid! She would need to see a medic immediately!

"Alright miss, your new name is Vanish and your new domicile is #9862-11. Also, you need to see our medic right away," Grind Shift told her, "Don't worry, miss. Clear Shell is a fine medic and will be able to fix you up right away."

"Thank you, kind sir," 'Vanish' said with a strange accent, "Also, I will need extra energon if it can be spared. I am carrying."

"Oh. Congratulations," Grind Shift said uneasily, "So, do you know what frame type the new-spark will be?"

"No, I do not," Vanish replied.

"Well we can figure that out for you so you start building the protoform right away," Grind Shift said a bit more excitedly, "So, what happened to the sire? Do you know where he is?"

"Honestly, I don't even know who he is…" Vanish replied solemnly.

"Well, I'm not due back at the office for another few breems," Grind Shift said jovially, "I'll walk to over to the medic to make sure you're alright."

"Thank you," Vanish said quietly.

Ophidelle knew everything would be better this way. Bumblebee thought she was dead, and that was for the best. If she lived then he would have to deal with the shame of having a Decepticon mother. This way she died defending Autobots and no one would question Bumblebee's loyalty to their cause. She only hoped she took that monster Starscream out for good. With her lousy luck this new-spark was probably his!

That was something else she worried about. She didn't know if she could raise a sparkling without Leodox. She had never truly been alone before. As a youngling she had Skywarp, as a soldier she had her commander, and as a married Femme she had Leodox. For the first time in her life she had no one. She couldn't even contact Shockwave because everyone thought she was dead!

Scrap...No one should have to fake their own death twice in one lifetime… Ophidelle thought as she walked further into the colony and into her new life. She only hoped Vanish would be able to raise a child as kind and brave as her first creation had been. At least she did one thing right in her life...She made Bumblebee.

The End