(( I usually don't do Transformers Animated fanfiction, but the idea hit me today and I haven't been able to get it off my head. Please note that it's been a while since I've watched TF:A, and therefore a few details may be a little sketchy, but I'm trying to stay as close to canon as I can...

This is set ... kind of in the episode Endgame, Part 2, although it's in the space of time between the final battle on Earth and the return to Cybertron. I figure that they wouldn't just up and leave without a few preparations and such. Anyhow, please enjoy and leave a review or message if you liked it. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own TF: Animated ))

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"You still owe me a new media player."

Bumblebee swung his legs out over the edge of the cliff, leaning back on his elbows.

The last time he had been here, everything had been different. That day, the world had been covered in frozen water molecules - snow, the humans called it - and had felt dormant, devoid of life, empty. Even now, he still couldn't figure out how Prowl had managed to find such happiness in something so... boring.

He glanced to his left automatically, almost expecting to see the quiet ninja-bot sitting cross-legged beside him.

There was no one.

It didn't come as a surprise. He knew all too well why Prowl was not with him to enjoy the Autobots' last few days on Earth before returning to Cybertron.

He simply did not want to admit it.

Prowl never did repay me for that media player, Bumblebee thought suddenly, some of his cheerfulness seeping through the strange sense of calm that had settled over him.

Come to think about it, though, he didn't really need a new one.

The sun was sinking behind the mountains, flares of bright red and orange bursting through the clouds in all their dying defiance. He could see a nearby body of water glowing as if it was made out of shimmering fire. Leaves and foliage rustled quietly, and he caught several snatches of birdsong and cricket chirps over the rushing stream in the background. Even though nothing spectacular was happening, the scenery around him was oddly captivating.

It was the only video that did not need artificial effects, stage acting, or digital effects to catch one's optics or eyes.

It was the only perfectly blended harmony that didn't fill him with the urge to sing and dance along.

It spoke infinitely more than any music video that humans could ever create.

And Bumblebee finally began to realize how Prowl found happiness in something so boring.

:Bumblebee, report back to base. It's almost time to leave.:

Yesterday, he'd have transformed and sped all the way back to civilization.

Today, things were different for him.

:You got it, Prime.:

Several minutes later, he was back on the rocky dirt road and on his way to rejoin the other Autobots. He took in the sights and sounds around him, knowing that it could very well be the last time he would ever see them.

You never really realized how important something... or someone... was, until they were lost to you forever.

If Bumblebee's alt-mode could show expression, he would be smiling as he went over the images and clips he had captured during his short trek into the mountains.

Thanks for the media player, Prowl.

As his wheels touched down on pavement, he could have sworn that he saw a black and gold motorcycle pass by him, heading up the trail to the cliffs.