The mech's words resonated around the area. Screams, both triumphant and defiant filled the air as the speech came to an end. The tall, imposing silver mech observed everything around him with satisfaction, his optics surveying everything. His words, a message of change, were also backed up by action.
All either loved him and willingly followed him and the promise of change he offered, while some hated him with a passion and sought to kill him.
Barricade, at the moment, was someone who would willingly follow the gladiator who was fighting relentlessly for change. It was a tantalizing promise that offered much for those who had little to nothing. But at the moment, no gladiator or silver gleaming hero would be able to help him at the moment.
He ran in fast sprints, his arms full with the precious cargo he carried, as well as his processor full with the speech he had just heard from the gladiator.
"Take up arms, and fight for the change you strive for. Take the life that has been robbed from you!"
The speech held promise, and it was something Barricade hoped for. But now, he needed to make it out alive and stay ahead of his pursuers. Even now, he could hear the enraged shouts of the mechs pursuing him. The promise of blood was clear in their threats, but the energon he had stolen was too precious for him to lose. Already, he had been deprived of it for so long. He could not go another day without the precious fluids.
With one last, sharp move, Barricade ducked into a small alleyway before leaping through a small doorway that concealed him from the those on the streets. Panting, he leaned against the wall as his legs trembled from the sudden effort it took to stand. He had honestly never run so fast in his life.
The shouts of his enraged pursuers came close before fading away as they tore down the street and past the little hut he had hidden in. Barricade breathed out a sigh of relief, closing his optics for a moment, before the soft scurrying sounds of small pedes caught his attention.
His optics snapped open and he turned sharply to regard the small Cybertronian who was standing before him. The minicon's optics were narrowed, and in his servos was a small dagger. Barricade stared at him, still and unmoving. The minicons optics flickered at the sounds of the pursuers fading away.
The silver minicon scowled as he stared at the young, dark mech before him. The youngling did not break his gaze from the small, fierce minicon who was doing his best to stare him down.
Finally, the minicon sighed. With one swift move, he tossed the dagger to Barricade who fumbled with the weapon as he caught it.
"You owe me big time kid," the minicon grunted.
Barricade nodded, the only sign of gratefulness slipping through his rough facade. "Thank you, Frenzy," he said before scampering off and out of the hut.
The slums of the city were thick with waste, matching the thick, grim atmosphere that hung over the city. No high born Cybertronian would ever dare set a dainty pede in the section of the low mining class. Riff raff, they sniffed, of those who resided there. Riff raff was just a word of many that described the slaves, gladiators and thugs that called the slums their home. It was not a comforting home by any means, but it was the only home that would take them.
The law was not on their side, but when the law caught up to them, it was not merciful. Barricade always kept that in mind whenever he considered committing a crime. At times, he would plot and plan his course of action and take the least riskiest route. But most of the time, as life demanded, he had to act within the moment, seize his chance.
The seller of the energon cube had stopped chasing him hours ago, but Barricade still ran. Even when Frenzy had agreed to keep him hidden did not mean Barricade was out of danger yet. Just because the original owner did not try to take Barricade's spoils back did not mean that there weren't others out there looking for a chance to steal what had already been stolen.
His breath came out in shot gasps when he ducked into an alleyway before sliding down a ditch. Wedged in between the ditch was a small, rusty drain pipe. It was too small for grown mechs to wiggle into, but a drone or minicon could easily fit inside.
It was also the perfect hiding spot for younglings on the wrong side of the law. Or, maybe they were on the wrong side of life, as everything about them, from their tiny frames to the stink hole they called home, was discarded away.
Barricade did not allow himself to sigh with relief until he was safely hidden in the drain pipe. He looked around with caution, his servos gripping the energon cubes tightly to his chassis as if it were the most precious thing in the world.
He approached the huddled form that was safely wedged into the corner, just as he had left it. He reached out to remove the metal covering, only for his spark to skip with fear when he realized that there was nothing but dirt and grim under the hiding space.
"Bumblebee!" he exclaimed, panic sharp in his tone as he looked around frantically. In his haste to locate the youngling, he dropped an energon cube. Cursing, he ignored it and looked around as his spark began to beat with uncontrollable worry.
A light giggle filled his audio receptors, and a small form crashed into his legs, nearly sending him stumbling forward. It was only because he felt the familiar spark signature that bonded him to his brother did he not panic at the sudden contact. However, he scowled as Bumblebee wrapped his small arms around Barricade's legs.
"I'm right here brother!" Bumblebee chirped with wide, blue optics that gazed up at him with such openness.
It was that openness that Bumblebee alone contained. He contained such innocence because of the safety he was confined to, because Barricade did all that he could to keep the youngling from venturing out. It was a pointless task when one was saddled with a eager youngling, and Bumblebee's constant curiosity frustrated Barricade to no end.
"Where were you?" Barricade demanded.
Bumblebee grinned. "Hiding. You couldn't find me."
"Where were you hiding?" Barricade asked gruffly, moving toward a stack of metal crates. His movements were rough and jerky as Bumblebee refused to let go of his pedes. With a frustrated huff, Barricade looked down at Bumblebee. "Let go," he said.
Automatically, Bumblebee released his hold on Barricade and fell to the ground. He observed the older youngling with a cocked helm, optics inquisitive as Barricade set the spoiled energon cubes on the crate.
"Where were you hiding?" Barricade repeated.
Bumblebee beamed. "It's a secret," he said.
"Did anyone see you?" Barricade demanded, snapping his gaze to Bumblebee.
Bumblebee shook his helm. "Nuh uh. That's the point of hiding!"
"Did you leave this place?" Barricade inquired, gaze still staring daggers into Bumblebee's innocent gaze.
"I'm hungry," Bumblebee said simply, starting toward the crate. "It's been a while since we ate." He reached for an energon cube, only for Barricade to roughly grasp his servo.
"Primus Bee!" Barricade hissed. "Do you know what would happen if anyone saw you? Or worse, caught you? You'd be sold to a miner to die, or fight in the gladiatorial arenas." He paused, optics narrowed. "But with your scrawny frame, they'd probably use you as bait for the beasts."
Bumblebee wrenched his servo away with a small frown. "No one saw me," he defended silently. "I didn't leave, just like you said." He looked back at his brother who was no longer glaring at him with intense displeasure, but staring at him with tense fear. "I promise," he said finally.
Barricade huffed, staring down at the crate. Bumblebee did not move from his spot, shifting uncomfortably, the glow of the energon cubes giving off a light blue hue to the dark space.
"Consume your energon," Barricade said with a sigh. "Don't put my hard work to waste."
Bumblebee grinned as he snatched at an energon cube hungrily, his savage and quick actions evident as he consumed the precious fuels he had been deprived of. "You didn't work hard at all for this," Bumblebee stated finally when he could get a word in.
Barricade scoffed, making sure the small, yellow youngling had enough fuel before reaching for his own cube. "Stealing is hard work, and an honest enough living as it is," he said as he fiddled with the dagger Frenzy had given him.
"Nothing honest about it," Bumblebee quipped.
"Your no longer hungry, right?" Barricade challenged. At that, Bumblebee fell silent.
The silence stretched on, and for a bit, Barricade began to worry at how long it took for Bumblebee to chatter on. Out of the two brothers, Bumblebee was the one who spoke the most. It wa a not so subtle effort to banish the silence with his chatter. At times, Barricade had to restrain himself from getting into a verbal spar with Bumblebee on how much his chattering was a nuisance, but the truth was, the sounds of the one sided conversation helped distract him. The words of the gladiator, though distant, still resonated with a purpose that caused him to frown.
He nodded to the empty energon cubes. "You done?" he asked.
Bumblebee nodded and quickly sat back, though he focused his gaze on his lap as he fiddled with his servos. Barricade narrowed his optics as he observed Bumblebee, who was now trying and failing to hide his nervousness.
"What?" Barricade demanded with a tired sigh.
Bumblebee slowly looked up, optics wide and worried. "Cade…" he started slowly.
Uh oh. The nickname. Never a good sign. Usually, such a nickname was used when Bumblebee either wanted to butter him up for something, or he was too lazy to say his full name when in fact it was easier to say his real name instead of half of it.
"I was wondering…" Bumblebee continued.
Warning bells started going off. The second sign of trouble. Anyone with sparklings, or little siblings would know that they were in for a question that would turn into begging, then to pouting as the older mech of the group refused to allow the younger Cybertronian to do what they wanted. Already, Barricade was coming up with counter arguments that would turn this into his favor.
Then it clicked for him. Why not stop the young bot in his tracks before any damage could be done?
"No," he said firmly.
Bumblebee's optics widened. "You didn't even hear what I was going to say!"
"Don't need to," he huffed a she sipped his energon. "I already know I won't like it."
Bumblebee frowned, a flicker of hurt flashing over his face. "Even if I promise to be good?"
Barricade frowned. "Good for what?"
"When I go with you to the city!" Bumblebee chirped.
Barricade's optics widened. He knew he wouldn't like this. "No," he said with a low growl. "End of discussion."
Bumblebee rose up from his seat, optics narrowed as his expression became feirce. "Why not? Because I'm too young? I'm barely as old as you!"
"Because you're my brother, that's why!" Barricade snapped.
"And you're my brother too!" Bumblebee retorted. "I cannot stay down here forever! This place won't even last us another cycle. I'll outgrow it, literally. We both will. And I need to learn to fend for myself, just as you do, and I won't learn that stuck here."
"The slums are an unforgiving place," Barricade said.
Bumblebee scowled. "We live in the slums. Venturing out there, with you to protect me," it was obvious the last part was forced out with great distaste, but Barricade ignored it. "Won't be as bad leaving me here, alone with nothing but my tiny, untrained fists to defend myself."
Barricade's frown deepened. No, this was not the first time Bumblebee had appealed to Barricade for him to go out. Of course, Barricade did let Bumblebee out with him at times, but never for long. Many eager slave drivers were always looking for younglings like Bumblebee, who still could not defend himself. But, Barricade had to admit that Bumblebee was the fastest out of the two, but speed was not everything, and there were some slavers who were eager to snatch up a helpless youngling.
Not that Bumblebee was helpless, mind you. Barricade had made sure to knock some sense into him about trust. Bumblebee just wasn't the best judge of character. Throw a smile his way, and he will befriend you for life. One harsh word, and you were the enemy. Unless you apologized at least once, then maybe Bumblebee would forgive you and gladly turn his back to you so one could stab him in the back.
It was these very thoughts that caused Barricade to clench his fists, worry swarming his thoughts.
"Stop thinking so negatively about me!" Bumblebee demanded, stomping his pede.
Barricade frowned. "I am not thinking about you negatively."
"Yes you are," Bumblebee stated, pointing at his own chassis. "I can feel it." He narrowed his optics. "Would you rather I experience the slums at your side, on your own terms, rather then force me out to learn the hard way with uncertainty?"
Barricade blinked, and the unease crept once more into his spark. He glanced down, relaxing his servos. He sighed tiredly, not looking back up to meet his brother's hopeful gaze. "Let me think about it," he said finally.
Bumblebee nodded, though the hope was there and displayed on his face so plainly. "Alright. You think on it."
Barricade had no doubt that Bumblebee would serve to remind him about his promise, but the time he had bought would allow him to come up with a good counter argument. Plus, what Bumblebee said was true. The drain pipe was not going to hold them for long, and they were both growing mechs. Barricade needed time to find a new home, if the slums could even be called a home.
Bumblebee shuffled around, grumbling as he moved about the small space. Finally, he slumped down against the slimy walls, sinking to the floor. He drew his knees up to his chassis, resting his helm on his folded arms. Unsurprisingly, Barricade had left before Bumblebee had awoken, leaving the youngling to scout out the drain pipe once more.
Nothing was new. He knew this drain pipe like the back of his servos. He had explored and memorized every single inch of the stinkhole, and he knew well enough that it would not be a suitable home for two growing mechs anytime soon.
He scoffed. Barricade was the one who was growing, despite the fact that he left the largest proportions of energon to Bumblebee. Yet, Bumblebee still seemed to be developing at a much slower rate.
Maybe it was one of the reasons he was abandoned, but that did not explain why Barricade was abandoned as well. Maybe they had both been born from different caste systems, and their carrier had been forced to give them up.
Bumblebee often wondered why they had been given up, or how he knew Barricade was in fact his brother. Yet he never truly dwelled on that last part for long. He always had a bond, a connection with Barricade as early as he could remember. He just knew. Barricade, if he even knew anything about their sire and carrier, did not say anything about it.
Bumblebee stiffened up at the sound that seemed to echo around him in the small space. He could have sworn he heard the sound of sharp claws raking against the metal pipe. He frowned as he straightened up. Sound traveled fast in the small space, but if he could hear it so distinctly, it might mean that there was someone already inside with him in the pipe.
His spark picked up speed and despite the small nagging feeling in the back of his helm telling him to control his feelings, panic overtook his spark. He scrambled up, ducking behind a crate. His spark hammered in his chassis, and he trembled slightly from where he hid.
Yet curiosity overtook him, and he peeked his helm over the crate to see a small, round orb slowly rolling through the pipe. Its beady, red light seemed to scan everything in its path, and Bumblebee ducked back down, optics wide with fright.
It was a probe. The only reason a probe would be down here was if someone had sent it in search of something. They wouldn't have come down here if they thought they could gain something of value to benefit them.
He squeezed his optics shut as he rocked back and forth in an effort to calm himself. The stories that Barricade had told him about the slavedrivers was at the forefront of his mind, and it filled him with such strong fear. Very faintly, he reached out for that comforting thread that was his brother's connection. He touched that bond, and he was immediately assaulted with Barricade's annoyance at being disturbed. But the annoyance soon turned to worry when Barricade picked up on the distress his younger sibling was in.
Bumblebee latched onto that familiar connection, reassured and safe at last. His brother was now aware of his distress. Everything would be alright.
"Bumblebee, listen to me," he heard Barricade order.
Barricade would take care of it. He knew Barricade could do anything. Already, Bumblebee could hear the probe coming closer to his hiding spot. But he would be fine. Barricade always knew what to do.
"Bumblebee," Barricade said, his voice now heavy with panic. Bumblebee's spark picked up speed. Barricade was never panicked! "I need you to move, now."
If he moved, he would be found out. And what was the point? Barricade was just as scared as he was. Any second now, he would be found out.
"Bumblebee, get out of there!"
"I...I can't," he whispered fearfully. He could hear the clicked sounds of the creature coming closer to him, wanting to grab at him.
"Bumblebee, run now!" Barricade screamed.
That scream, the scream of his brother, drove him into action. Scrambling to his pedes with fright, Bumblebee tore out of his hiding spot and past the startled drone. With breathless gasps, he ran out of the small space and through a tiny pipe. This time, he barely managed to squirm through, but he could hear the drone giving pursuit.
"I'm coming, I'm coming," Barricade kept repeating. It was more for Barriace's sake then Bumblebee's, but he would take anything to hear the sound of his brother's voice. Bumblebee scrambled through frantically before the ground beneath him gave way. He fell downward into the sewage, the wet muck clogging up his armor.
With a gasp, he clawed to the surface before scrambling for the next opening he knew was in here. The sewers were an endless supply of tunnels, and Bumblebee had explored them all. Yet as his panic clouded his thinking, he found it difficult for him to remember where to go. Should he go to the right, or take the left tunnel? Which way led out?
The sound of the drone approaching helped him make up his mind, and he heaved himself upward with shaky limbs. Not giving himself a moment to breath, he crawled through, only to be met with no flooring.
His optics widened in fright as he realized he had chosen the wrong tunnel, yet he lost his balance and plummeted downward. With barely a squeak, he fell into the raging sewers. He tried to claw his way to the surface, yet the rapid flow carried him on with relentlessness. Gasping and choking, Bumblebee's last subconscious thought was reaching out to his brother for comfort before darkness took him captive.
Barricade scrambled up the path, his servos breaking away at the muck. He had seen the slave drivers hovering at the opening that used to be their home, and his spark had plummeted with dread.
But then his spark had picked up speed as Bumbl;beee's panic grew. Then there was nothing.
Only because of the weak spark signature was Barricade able to find Bumblebee beneath the sewer pipes. The youngling had been spat out, waste and muck covering his every being. The dirt and filth changed his appearance so much that if it had not been for the bond, Barricade would have doubted that it was his brother.
He gathered Bumblebee's small form in his arms, regardless of the muck that clung to him. With barely a sound, he flipped Bumblebee over on his stomach, patting his back firmly. "Wake up," he hissed desperately. "Wake up!"
Bumblebee's blue optics shuttered open before his tiny mouth gaped open to vomit up all the waste he had swallowed. Barricade grimaced, but kept patting his brother firnly on the back until Bumblebee let out a tired sigh, his optics shutting down as his body went limp.
"Bee?" Barricade choked out, his voice trembling as his spark ached. Yet Bumblebee's soft sigh of contentment caused him to also sigh in relief. Lifting him up, Barricade carried his brother away from the land fill.
He took great care to stay in the shadows and away from the large crowds. Not once did he leave his brother's side, not did Bumblebee leave his arms.
Barricade did not say anything as his brother slumbered on, and during that silence, he would set out to try and find another suitable place for them to live. Yet, nothing was up to his standards. It was unsafe, or it was too close to the slavers.
Either way, they were two younglings who were now out in the open. That was what made the pipes so perfect. No one could get to them. Now, it was compromised.
Barricade huffed as he trudged upward. His arms felt heavy, and Bumblebee barely stirred. He glanced down at his brother's pained face, the worry growing inside of him with each passing second.
Pain exploded in his helm, causing him to fall to the ground with a pained cry. He still maintained a tight hold on Bumblebee and curled his body around the smaller form of his brother.
"Look, fresh meat," a voice snarled.
"Fetch us a good price, they will," another agreed, this one closer as he leaned in. "Them higher ups really like their younglings. Especially the submissive ones."
Barricade lashed out with an enraged snarl, swiping pathetically at the mecch's face. The deformed mech pulled back with a pained yelp, clutching at his face that was streaked with energon.
Barricade barely had time to move before a swift kick into his sides sent the air out of him as he flew across the street. He landed on the ground painfully, his sore body protesting from the harsh treatment.
He looked up with wide optics as he saw one mech slinging Bumblebee over his shoulder, and the panic within Barricade spread. "No! Don't take him!" He scrambled to his pedes before collapsing, his pedes failing him as the fatigue finally came in at full force.
Someone was screaming, and it was not him. He could faintly make out the sounds of a youngling, a familiar youngling, calling out his name. He looked up with bleary optics as the mech towered over him, reaching to grab him.
"Cade!" Bumblebee was screaming, his voice still hoarse as he kicked and punched at his captor. "Don't leave me! Please! Don't leave me!"
The mech's clawed servos reached out to grab Barricade's arm, and Bumblebee's pleas echoed all around him.
Frenzy's dagger was out in a flash, slicing through the mech's servo before plunging into the mech's spark. With an enraged, pained cry, he fell to the ground with Barricade on top of him.
"Don't worry," Barricade promised, optics sparking with cold rage as he wielded the bloody dagger and set his sights on his captive brother. "I won't."
He was leaping toward the last mech, flinging the dagger that flew straight and true into the shoulders of its target. The mech let out an enraged scream as he fell, but he was not down yet, and Barricade knew it.
He jumped onto the mech, latching on as he fell to the ground with a scream. The dagger rose and fell, and Barricade did not stop. Not once did it occur to him, even when the mech was laying in a pool of energon, to stop his gruesome attacks.
"Them higher ups really like their younglings. Especially the submissive ones."
They had meant to take Bumblebee, his own brother, away from him, and sell him. Rage consumed him at the very thought, those words mocking, carrying a haunted meaning.
Something slammed into his side, and he turned with a snarl, only to see Bumblebee embracing him as best as he could, his tiny arms wrapped around his waist. He was trembling, they both were, as they stood in silence. The dagger Barricade held slipped through his servo and clattered to the ground. His arms hung limply at his sides, and he brought them up to embrace Bumblebee, only to stop.
How could he even think of embracing him after what he had just done? He was a murderer! His servos were stained with the energon of two mechs.
His optics narrowed as he surveyed the bodies around him. They were hardly innocent mechs. They had attacked them with the intent of selling them into slavery.
"Them higher ups really like their younglings. Especially the submissive ones."
He clenched his servos. No. He did not regret it. They had meant to use his brother for their own personal, selfish gain. Anyone who took a youngling and sold them into slavery for the benefit of credits and pleasure should be dammed to the Pits. There was no honor, no business in such a trade. And anyone who dealt with such cruel methods deserved to die.
Bumblebee's arms tightened around him, as if afraid to let him go. Barricade blinked as he looked at his young brother. Not much separated them in age, yet already he felt much older. Bumblebee did not judge him, and he was safe. That was enough for Barricade.
He brought his arms up and lifted Bumblebee into his arms, carrying him away from the danger and the carnage that now stained their lives.
He hadn't meant to stumble up onto the better parts of the city. He was tired and deprived of energon, and Bumblebee was still too weak to walk. So it was there, as Barricade leaned heavily against the wall of an abandoned building did he see in the distance the gleaming towers of the Elite Cybertronians. There polished towers, so clean and pristine, throwing it all away on needless luxuries.
He let out an enraged yell, lashing out and crashing a scrap of metal, his optics flashing. He panted, his fury and anger growing. He was defenseless! He could do nothing to help himself or his brother. And because of him, Bumblebee would suffer, probably starve to death if the slavers didn't get to him first.
"C-Cade," a raspy voice said. He snapped his sharp gaze to see Bumblebee huddled beneath the scrap metal that Barricade had used to conceal his brother. The younglings wide, blue optics stared up at him with open guilt and worry. "I-I'm sorry."
The fight drained out of Barricade as he slumped down to the ground, defeated. "Not your fault," he muttered. "It's mine."
Bumblebee snuggled forward until he was curled up next to his brother's side. "It's the slave meanies."
Barricade's ioptics snapped back up to those distant buildings, so tall and proud, regardless of the bones they broke or the bodies they buried to obtain such wealth.
"Them higher ups really like their younglings. Especially the submissive ones."
His optics narrowed, and his clenched servos trembled. "Yeah," he agreed. "And others."
They continued to stumble through the streets. Bumblebee seemed to be growing heavier with every step, yet Barricade knew it was just a sign that he was growing tired. He listened intently to his brother's breathing and knew he did not like it. His brother's condition was getting worse, and there was nothing he could do about it.
He grew resolute at the thought. No, there was something he could do.
He changed direction quickly and hurried up the path and past the rundown buildings. He huffed, his body protesting and pleading to rest. But he pushed on. Bumblebee did not have time, it was not something they had.
Finally, he reached the building that he sought. He nearly collapsed with joy as he stumbled through the doorway, and every noise inside went quiet as he leaned against the dark wall.
"Help," he gasped, holding Bumblebee close, the smaller youngling's helm limp. "Please," Barricade pleaded.
"Go home kid," one mch grunted as he turned back to his drink, not caring about the two helpless younglings in the room. Every single sinister mech turned their backs on Barricade, as if he was no more than a piece of scrap metal.
Desperation clawed at Barricade. "My brother," he said hoarsely as the strength all but left him. "Please."
"Kid?" a familiar voice said, filling Barricade with hope. He turned to stare at Frenzy who slinked out of the shadows. "What are you doing here?" the silver minicon demanded.
Barricade stared at him with determination. "I am here to see your boss."
Frenzy raised an optic ridge before chuckling. "For what?"
"My brother needs help," Barricade said. "Your boss can provide."
Frenzy glanced at Bumblebee before looking away, and it was an act that filled Barricade with rage. His brother was not some trinket to be regarded with little value! Yet no one seemed to understand that. No one but him.
"I'll pledge my services to him," Barricade argued. "I'll serve your boss, I swear!"
"The boss might see him without such a declaration," Frenzy commented.
"He's the only one who deserves my loyalty," Barricade growled. "He is trying to put a stop to the scraplets who did this to my brother! I will follow him if he helps me."
"And what can I help you with?" a different voice asked from behind Barricade. All noise ceased in the room as mechs of every shape and color went still to regard the new arrival. Barricade turned to stare up at the imposing silver gladiator who regarded him with narrowed optics.
"Bold words for a youngling such as yourself," the gladiator commented after a moment. He glanced at Bumblebee who had yet to move in Barricade's arms. The gladiator nodded to the faceless mech at his side. "Tend to his brother. No youngling should suffer such a painful fate."
Barricade watched numbly as his brother was gently taken away from him and carried away. He watched Bumblebee's small, fragile form vanish into another room, and his spark finally gave out with relief.
"Now," the gladiator said, pulling Barricade's attention away from his brother and back up to the tall mech. The gladiator folded his arms, optic ridge raised. "About your pledge. Were they truthful words?"
Barricade nodded before falling to his knees, servo placed over his spark. "They were, sir." Certainty filled him with the next declaration that escaped his mouth. "I pledge to serve you, Lord Megatron."