#not sentimental

Today’s question will come with some of the knowledge I have. I know I might sound cryptic and such. But I have many hypothetical questions for you, commander.

What would you do if sparkling just randomly appeared right in front of you? Like poofed into existence right in front of you?

No alt-mode, just a simple and small sparkling with no creators in sight.

I will not be spawning anything in or mysteriously leaving anything by your door, do not worry commander. If I were to trouble anyone with such things, it would be someone outside of a war. I would hate for someone who has never seen the tragedies of war to die or see a corpse. I am not a cruel entity, at least I try not to be.

-A mysterious entity from the void

You again. Of course. The mysterious entity from the void returns with yet another bizarre hypothetical. I suppose I should be flattered you continue to bring these riddles to me rather than wasting them on someone less capable of insight.

As for your… scenario, a sparkling materializing in front of me with no creators in sight? Hmph. Firstly, I would demand an immediate explanation.

It better not me Megatron's spawn, if he got knocked up by the enemy, I will be escaping.

But let us indulge the idea.

A sparkling with no alt-mode, defenseless, and mine to deal? Ridiculous. Absurd. I am Second-in-Command of the Decepticons, heir apparent, future Lord Starscream! I have neither the time nor the inclination to babysit some… tiny, squealing protoform that cannot even transform.

…That being said—of course I would not simply leave it there. I am not that cruel (no matter what Megatron or those Autobots might see me).

Most would expect me to discard such a burden. Most would be wrong. A sparkling is still a Cybertronian—potential, unshaped, malleable. Their future would depend on the guidance given.

To waste potential is the greatest folly. Sparkings, even hypothetical ones, are the foundation of our species.

And who better to shape them into brilliance than I?

If the child were weak, they would be taught strength. If foolish, they would be taught cunning. If obedient… they might survive the war far better than the Vehicons Megatron so carelessly burns through.

But don’t misinterpret me! This is not “compassion.” It is practicality. Strategy. A sparkling raised under my influence would, naturally, grow into a magnificent warrior—sharp of wit, powerful of frame, unmatched in the skies. A reflection of myself.

Would I… keep it?

.…Perhaps I would ensure its safety. Ensure it did not fall into Megatron’s clutches or Optimus’ overbearing moral lectures. Perhaps, if it looked at me with those wide, unformed optics, expecting guidance…No! Absolutely not. Hypothetical nonsense.

…Anyways it also depends on other factors. On its spark. On its capacity for greatness. Perhaps I would raise it as an heir, a Seeker to succeed where my trine cannot stand beside me. Perhaps, in time, I would even—

…Bah. Enough. You will twist this into sentimentality, won’t you?

He flinches back, hurt and confused and says, “Yes I am.”