Chapter Title: 'Simple'

Rating: PG

'verse: Major AU, like whoa *smackedoverbackofhead*

Warnings: none

Summary: One-shot. The New Council meets and muses over the problems regarding Bumblebee's original home city.

Disclaimer: You know the drill by now, I'm sure. Plot's mine, though.

Notes: Based off something I once spent a good majority of my time on (not so long ago actually) and thought, why waist? With some (major) editing, and swopping around I came up with this/these dabbles. Originally it had nothing to do with the Transformers fandom. Something on the side for me to do while I'm not working on other stuff. As of now just one-shots/dabbles, not really chapters and titleless 'verse. No OC's. Swear. The only thing's I may put in myself are names of places.

Feedback is welcomed. No flames, constructive crit. only please.

oOoOo

The large room was dimmed only lit by small incandescent lamps and large scentless candles, which provided comfort, so it was easy on the optics and processor. For the past several rotations the authorities and royals talked about the land in the south on the other side of the Canyon. Though it was not particularly what they had gathered for with all these highers whose lives centered around keeping the peace, as they say, for simplicity it would happen eventually that the controversy in the south-east would come up.

Most of the higher powers within the stunning large room were guests from other sub-kingdom's. Though a small hand full were from the Iaconian palace the majority were from these sub-kingdom's/countries underneath Iacon. All were prestige guests regardless and naturally held in high honor.

Bumblebee laid in his father's lap content in just getting his small stubby wings massaged. He was curled up comfortable like a relaxed feline in its master's lap. Although he was far from a pet. It would be good living nonetheless setting in the lap of the Supreme, of The Prime, getting a free massage how ever small. His awkward shaped wings (compared the the large brilliant wing spans of the few Seeker's and flyers present) moved with his father's large hands. It felt good and was relaxing.

"Nothing good is going to come from this."

The one who spoke was Broadside, a mighty mechanoid both in size and strength from the Western Lands near the Rust Sea. His pale yet dark gray disposition shaded him in with the dimmed light around him but his brilliant red accents glowed like amber as the candles stood tall near his left flank. Though he was a fliers he didn't car much for flying preferring to stay near the shore assisting his people in harvesting energon corrupted stones from the shore. Despite what it sounded like, the blocks were good building material for those whom knew their secrets on harvesting and refining them.

His crimson visor glowed slightly fierce with on the current topic.

"If this is not put to an end soon this will end worse than what Shiredinn did!"

Heated murmurs filled the room at the sea goers words. Bumblebee chirped in distress when his father let his hand slip pinching the base of one of his wings nipping wires. His father had large, powerful digits but they were gentle too but Bumblebee had seen his father train before, though he wasn't suppose too. He'd seen how his father used his mighty hands. They could hurt and destroy just as easily as sooth.

Optimus whispered an apology, running the back of his digits backwards over the offended spot. Bumblebee settled back down pain gone at his father's gentle touches.

"I request you to re-frame from speaking of that in his presence, Broadside," the Prime rumbled evenly. He didn't need to raise his voice to get his point across.

The sea goer leaned back. "My apologies," he murmured bowing his head slightly in an a submissive, apologetic gesture.

"I do not believe it will end terribly. That is if it is ended quickly, Broadside," Stated one of the few females in the room, Clipper. From the direct south of Iacon. She'd come in place of her mate, Holi, who had business south of his own city. "We must act quickly before this all becomes worse."

"It is a lot easier said than done, Clipper," The Prime replied. "You know well that there we can't go at this anyway we like, there are procedures to follow."

"Luckily we already have proof that its taking place," stated Prime's body guard and partial adviser, Ironhide, in his old gruff voice.

"How long will it take before intervention?"

Grimlock was from across the western sea near the the Ash Lands that alone was obvious from his pale gray and black frame and bits of yellow. His red visor, like Broadside's, glowed a piercing red of utter seriousness. Despite his menacing feature and utter bulk he was actually a kind creature though you'd never know it. That didn't mean he'd wouldn't draw his large sword if ever tempted or his short temper became aroused.

Bumblebee felt his father's chest vibrate in a hum in his mid-section but didn't stir.

"It's hard to say. Within a few months to a year possibly." Grimlock rumbled not liking the reply but remained silent.

"I don't mean to be a pessimist, Prime, but it could possibly be to late by then."

The Prime turned his gaze over at the mech sitting at his right who'd finally spoken after a long length of silence. Megatron. The highest ranking Cybertronian seating at the same equivalent rank as Bumblebee's father making it, obviously, a very prestige position. Optimus Prime's father and Megatron's father had created a alliance to help calm the tension between Decepticon's and Autobot's. It had been hard at first but it was the relationship between the two current times rulers that helped the most. The two had been heirs at the time. They'd grown up together sharing the same games and scampering grounds as young mechlings despite how much of opposites they were.

Bumblebee liked him.

He was intimidating at first, anyone would admit that, if not frightening but he'd grown on Bumblebee. He could be nice and sometimes silly like his father could privately be. Megatron and Optimus were good friends and trusted the other's words always taking the other into huge regard and consideration.

Slowly his massaging stopped on his wings, Bumblebee didn't really notice. He had drifted off but could still hear his surroundings though didn't pay them much mind. If there was any noise that is.

Prime's thoughts were on his son and how'd he'd came to be his son. The small mini-bot was from the southern lands across the Canyon. Those small kingdom's Optimus didn't control nor pose any power over. Bumblebee's home had been a lucky draw even if useless military position. The only thing important about Shiredinn was that Bumblebee was from there and now they had allies in its citizens and few authorities who were mostly guards and keepers. The noble Cybertronian who'd gotten Bumblebee out of Shiredinn now resided as a temporary steward since the previous Lord was in stockades. His second mate was dead and his first also who happened to be Bumblebee's real mother. From Optimus Prime's understanding the 'Lord's' fist wife had not passed within a full revolution before he'd courted again. He was a disgraceful thing for Cybertronian to do. Even if he was from a foreign kingdom across the Canyon. It didn't matter.

"Perhaps if things were different," Prime began. "If my father was still Lord, the southern lands would be dealt with already."

"Optimus."

The Iaconian ruler held his hand up for silence stopping Megatron words.

"It's time's like this my father's power and boldness would be needed I'd admit from the recesses of my spark and probably a few of yours. But I am not him and I will not break my own laws thus abusing my powers of authorities. I am trying my best to get this taken care of. I do not wish Shiredinn to happen again." The Prime's words fell on deaf audio's were Bumblebee was concerned. He was asleep now. "Procedures must be kept accordingly. That is final."

For a long silent moment the lords highers and authorities remained quiet letting their Supreme words sink in. It was Megatron's who spoke first breaking the silence.

"Your father was a good leader Optimus, though his ways, we'll admit, especially those that knew him longer and you and I, weren't right. Cybertron was a monarchy. You made Cybertron a democracy once again."

It was Shockwave, Megatron's adviser, who spoke next. "Any leader who can take his own power away and give it to other's is truly a leader worthy of title as Supreme. As Prime."

There were collective 'Aye's' and nods around the room from the ones present. Slowly a small, grateful, smile lifted up on Optimus Prime's face. His spark warmed at such words both spoken and unsaid. Shockwave was a silent mech. While he didn't speak often, when he did they were spoken with bitter coldness but were almost always utterly true. He was a logical thinker. He was also not known for being a protagonist or upfront optimist. Such words from the older mech were truly special. Optimus soaked it up like a little mechling soaking up praise after doing something good or right.

"Thank you, Shockwave. Your words mean a deal to me even though I still feel I am not worthy of such praise."

"We're our own worst critics, Optimus." Chuckled Megatron attempting to lighten the dark mood in the room. It seemed to work because his friend smiled. "Thank you, too, Megatron."

And from there the good mood crept into the room and swept over them occupants. There doors on the other side of the room slide open letting in another femme. She was a pale red frame without being pink and gun-metal gray. Her aqua blue optics shown like gems in the dimmed room. She was the perfect image of royalty. That she was. She was Optimus Prime's sparkmate. Some of the guests greeted her as she walked pass them and she kindly returned the gestures. Optimus watched his mate walk up to him before stopping beside him giving him a peck on the his cheek in greeting smiling faintly.

"I'm surprised he's asleep with all of you talking with high-grade on your breath." She stated first keeping her voice low as she cupped her small pale gray hand around the mechling's helm that laid curled up in her mates lap.

"I've only had half a glass if it makes you feel better, love." he whispered back smiling a little.

Elita smiled despite herself. Her mate often had that effect on her. He knew she didn't like anyone drinking around youths. Around her or anyone else's epically. Seeing as that Optimus didn't drink very often, Elita didn't have much to worry about. He didn't like it either, yet he was more lenient of it. The Cybertronian Supreme was a good father and Elita thought their children were blessed to have him as one. Especially Bumblebee. The South-Eastern lander's across the Canyon were medium size and often small compared to the tall and built statures of Canyon Cybertronians. There offspring were delicate and vulnerable mechlings that needed constant care and attention both for their physical and mental health.

Bumblebee lacked all of those along with a weak immune system against viruses and other foreign contaminates. If it wasn't for the royal knight guard looking after Bumblebee back in Shiredinn the little mechling might have not been with the Prime and Elita today. Optimus loved him and was glad Hot Rod, their only legitimate child, had a playmate now. Hot Rod was older by a few revolutions but still, Bumblebee was growing fast.

"I'll take him for now, Optimus."

Carefully as not to disturb him to much Elita slide Bumblebee into her arms with the help of her mate. She briefly realized the other's in the room had hushed slightly.

"Is Hot Rod already in bed?"

"He is."

". . .Alright."

Giving her mate one last kiss, Elita left the room, Optimus watching her all the way.

"How is Hot Rod handling Bumblebee's presence?"

Optimus glanced over at Megatron for a moment before picking up his glass but not putting it to his lips though his mask was retracted back. He's expression remained impassive to his thoughts.

"Surprisingly well. He's taken to him better than I originally thought he would. I don't believe he understands the circumstances of Bumblebee being here or what happened to him, but understands he is...delicate." He seemed to have trouble finding the right word to use to describe Bumblebee.

Megatron nodded looking down at his own glass of high-grade he held in a black fist. "That's good."

"While we're on the subject of children---"

"Don't even go there Optimus!" The two just laughed.

Megatron was still childless not mentioning he'd yet to find mate. Personally Optimus believed it was about time the old mech had a femme at his side and some 'lets even if it would be hard to imagine it, Prime thought.

oOoOo