Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.

Summery: Life on Cybertron before and during the Cybertronian war. A newly built Optimus Prime and his friend Ironhide, went on a journey and when they arrive at an old town part of old Cybertron, they meet the first bots that will provide useful when Optimus Prime's nemesis, Megatron, starts planning his army...The Decepticons.

AN: This is a side fic to Once a Lawman, Always a Lawman. Names of Cybertronian towns I use are either names I created or names from other Sci-Fi moves/TV shows.

blah – thinking
'blah' – Comm. Specking

Stories of Cybertron
by Yami-Yugi

Chapter 7

They soon arrived at the med bay. Jazz used a free hand to gently knock on the door. "Who is it?"

"It's me Jazz, Bluestreak, and Bumblebee." Jazz said "Can we come in Ratch?"

"Of course. Family only." Jazz keyed in the code to open the door. Red Alert continued to work while Ratchet stopped to greet them. "Oh, seems ALL of the family is here," he smiled at Bumblebee. Bumblebee looked confused at first. Ratchet came over and rubbed Bumblebee's head. "You were worried about your adoptive brother too, huh?"

"What's wrong with Prowl, Ratchet?" Bluestreak asked still worried about his twin.

"Well, I can say that the damage is from a Decepticon. Do you remember when Starscream shot him in the face?"

"That was the scariest day in our lifestream." Jazz said.

"Well, it's caused some damage to his circuitry and relays. That's why he's been having the twitching fits."

"Can you fix them?" Bluestreak asked.

"That's what we're trying to do. Right now I can temporarily repair most of the circuitry."

"Temporarily?" Jazz asked worriedly.

"There's only so much we can do. His internal repair systems will help over time," said Red Alert.

"I'm doing the best I can. Please just trust me on this," said Ratchet.

"He'll be okay, won't he?" Bumblebee whimpered.

Ratchet turned and smiled at him. "He'll be alright, Bee." Jazz put a comforting hand on his shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. Prowl slowly came back online.

"...What...happened...?"

"Prowl!" Bumblebee exclaimed excitedly as he raced over to him.

Prowl blinks in confusion. "Bee?"

He hugged him. "We were all so worried."

"You started twitching and having some sort of reaction during battle," Red Alert said.

"It came from when Starscream shot you in the face. Some of your circuitry and relays were damaged."

"I thought... I thought you fixed it the first time."

"So did I," admitted Ratchet. "The damage went deeper than I initially observed. It shouldn't get any worse. However, until your internal repair helps, it won't go away so easily. I wish I could tell you better news."

"I see..." Prowl said as he slowly sat up.

"You're lucky there was no serious damage. A shot to the face could kill," said Red Alert.

Ratchet cleared his throat. "It can only get better from here. You may have the occassional twitch, but for the most part it is starting to heal properly." Jazz, Bluestreak, and Bumblebee sighed in relief. "You're free to go now, Prowl. Let me know if you have any problems," Ratchet said kindly. Prowl nodded his thanks while he got off the berth.

Bluestreak and Jazz helped guide him out. Bumblebee followed happily. "Let's go have fun and get some energon," he spoke happily. Prowl's processors went back to what he saw with his best friends. Bumblebee noticed he looked distant so he hopped in front of him with a smile. "Whatsa matter, Prowl?"

"Huh? ...Oh it's nothing Bee."

He frowned. "You sure? You seem like something's bothering you." Prowl tried to smile at him.

"You sure yer alright?" Jazz asked.

Prowl nods. "...Yeah..."

"Okay," said Bluestreak. "Some fun and some energon will do you good."

"Yeah!" smiled Bumblebee. Prowl smiled a bit. Bumblebee smiled back at him and took his hand, pratically dragging him along. "C'mon!" Prowl almost laughed at Bumblebee's antics. He would worry about his friends later. Right now, he had his three brothers.

After the four had relaxed and enjoyed themselves for a little while, they headed back to Prowl's room so he could rest. Prowl smiled again, happy at least that his brothers were near. Bumblebee yawned cutely as Bluestreak held him. "Looks like someone else needs ta recharge too," smiled Jazz.

"Bluestreak, why don't you take Bumblebee back to his room." Prowl suggested.

"...D-don't want to go... Want to stay..."

Prowl smiled. "Bee...you're tired..."

"-yawns- But I want to stay with you, Prowl."

"But Bee."

"...Please...?" he said sleepily. Jazz and Bluestreak laughed a bit. Prowl sighed.

"...Alright...since we both need rest, you can bunk with me. BUT...only this once." Bumblebee smiled sleepily. Prowl couldn't help but smile at the small youngling. He carefully took him from Bluestreak as they reached his door. Bumblebee nuzzled into him.

"Awww..." Bluestreak said. Jazz could only smile. Jazz opened Prowl's door for him.

"Goodnight guys," Prowl smiled as he went inside.

"Night Bro." Jazz said.

"Goodnight." Prowl just smiled at the two before closing his door. He smiled to see Bumblebee fast asleep. He carried him over to his berth and carefully laid down with him. Once he was in a position best for the both of them he smiled once again at the sleeping youngling. Bumblebee nuzzled into him at that moment. Prowl smiled again. "Such an innocent little mech... I pray to Primus that nothing happens to you in this war..." It wasn't long until he feel asleep himself.

The next morning, Prowl awoke first. He smiled and waited for his sparkling brother to wake up as well. Bumblebee nuzzled into Prowl. "C'mon, Bee. It's morning now," he smiled. Bumblebee just nuzzled into him some more. "...Bumblebee..." he said a bit more sternly. Bumblebee sleepily opens his optics. "Morning," Prowl smiled. Bumblebee smiled back and hugs him. "You act like you'll never see me again. I'm not going anywhere."

"I was scared."

"Scared?" Prowl asked a bit worried.

"Uh huh... S-scared of being alone...of losing you...and the others..."

"You're not going to be alone." Bumblebee stared at him, still a little worried. "I promise, all of us will protect you. We're not going anywhere. You're safe with us." Prowl picked Bumblebee up and held him close.

Bumblebee nuzzled against him, holding on tightly. "You triple promise...?" was the muffled question.

"Yes. I promise." Bumblebee smiled and slowly let go. Prowl smiled back. "How about we go get some morning energon and see if the others are awake?" Prowl asked.

"Okay." Prowl got off the berth and extended his hand. Bumblebee reached out and grips his hand. Prowl smiled and led the youngling out of his room.

Once in the Rec Room, Jazz and Bluestreak came over to them. "Hey guys. Ya sleep alright, Bee?" Jazz asked happily.

"Yes, we did," Prowl answered, getting two cubes for him and Bumblebee.

"That's awesome. Bee seemed a little clingly last night," Bluestreak smiled. "You feel better today, bro?" Bumblebee nodded.

"Great," smiled Jazz. Prowl offered Bumblebee one of the cubes in his hand.

"Here, little one."

Optimus saw the four of them and walked over. "Just the mech I was looking for, Prowl."

Prowl looked over at him. "Yes sir?"

"I have a mission for you. I'm gathering a team together. Stop by my office as soon as you can."

Prowl nods. "Of course sir."

"At ease," he smiled as he walked away.

"Wonder what that was about?" Bluestreak asked as he sipped some of his energon.

"I'm not sure." Prowl said.

"You'll find out, I guess," said Jazz. Prowl sighed and started to drink his own energon. Bumblebee shrugged his shoulders and smiled at what Prowl had mentioned earlier. He happily drank his cube with the other three. He really would never be alone. Not with three big brothers to look after him.

Prowl finished his energon and stood up. "Where you going, Prowl?" Bumblebee asked curiously as he still drank his cube.

"Prime wants to see me. Don't worry Jazz and Bluestreak will keep you company."

"Okay..." he said with a small smile. Prowl smiled back and headed out of the Recreation Room. Bumblebee watched for a while before going back to his energon.

Once at Prime's office, Prowl knocked on the door. "Come in."

Prowl slowly came into the room. "You wanted to see me sir?"

"Yes. I have a mission for you. I want you to lead a small team and go to one of the new cities of Cybertron. Megatron is recruiting there and I want you and your team to try and stop him."

"But sir, what about finding the All Spark?"

"I'll send a different team for that."

"Are you sure sir?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Your tactics are powerful enough to at least delay Megatron's plans."

"Very well sir."

"They've been told of their orders. Good luck." Prowl saluted and headed out the door.

While Prowl assembled his team and left Iacon, Optimus went looking for Bluestreak, Jazz, and Bumblebee. Bluestreak and Jazz were playing a game with Bumblebee. "Awww..." Bumblebee whined as his knight got captured.

Jazz just smiled. "The object of holo chess is to capture my king, Bee. Not let me get close to yours."

"I...I thought I had my knight in a good place..." he whined.

"It's alright, Bee. This is only your first game," soothed Bluestreak. "You're still learning. That's why I'm helping." Bumblebee smiled a bit.

Jazz smiled too. Bumblebee moved his remaining knight a few spaces. "Check, Jazz."

"Good move Bee." He smiled happily.

Optimus smiled at them. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he said.

"We're just showing Bee how to play Holo Chess, boss bot." Jazz said with a smile.

Optimus smiled. "I have a mission for you back towards Lowtown." Bumblebee looked upset.

"What's wrong, Bee?" Bluestreak asked.

"Was it something I said?" Optimus asked worriedly.

"Prowl said I won't be alone..."

Optimus only smiled and put a hand on his shoulder. "You're going too, youngling."

"Really?"

"Yes, I think you are ready to help out now." Optimus smiled.

"I can? Blue, Jazz, can I go?" he asked excitedly.

"If Prime thinks ya ready it's alright with us." Jazz said with a smile.

He hugged them both. "Thank you!"

"I take it you're ready to go."

"Actually, permission to stay behind, Boss Bot," said Jazz. "I'd like to stay behind so that everyone's got someone waitin for them to come back."

"Permission granted."

"Thanks Boss bot. I want to be here so everyone will have a reason to come back." Optimus Prime smiled.

"I've got a team ready to go," Optimus said, turning to leave.

"Bye Jazz. We'll come back alive with dead Decepticons in our wake," Bumblebee smiled.

"Yeah. I'll keep an eye on the little guy too," smiled Bluestreak.

"Be careful out there you two." Jazz said with a smile as he waves.

"We will," smiled Bumblebee. Jazz smiled as Optimus led them away.

Prowl and his team had soon reached the area where Megatron was. "Smokescreen, RedAlert, you come with me." He turned to Inferno and Jetfire. "You two take to the skies and try to surprise the Decepticons."

"Alright. Hop in, Inferno, let's go!" They headed into the skies as Prowl and the others transformed and raced towards the Decepticons. As they neared the Decepticons, Prowl spotted someone familiar in the crowd. Barricade... Why do you still insist on being with them...?

Smokescreen put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, you alright?"

"Huh? Oh yes, I'm okay Smokescreen." Prowl said.

He patted his shoulder. "Alright. Let's go kick some aft," he said as they crept up towards the group of 'Cons. Jetfire and Inferno had started firing on them.

"Decepticons! In the air!" called Megatron.

"Quickly!" cried Prowl. "While they're distracted!" His team raced forward and started to shoot at the Decepticons. Prowl shot at a small group of three Decepticons coming towards him. He suceeded in knocking them offline. Jetfire and Inferno were effectively disabling the seekers. Starscream sported several wing injuries as he tried to keep his trine fighting. While Prowl's team made a dent in the Decepticon forces, Optimus and his team were helping civilians evacuate. He fought directly with Megatron while Bumblebee and Bluestreak searched for the AllSpark.

"C'mon Bee, let's check over here," said Bluestreak as they crept through the Decepticon stronghold. Optimus was keeping Megatron busy for the moment.

Bumblebee nodded and followed Bluestreak. "Are you sure we can find the AllSpark?" he asked.

"Yeah. C'mon. It's gotta be close by." They walked through the town, searching for it. Bluestreak looked under rocks and in abandoned buildings. Bumblebee looked in alleyways and under rubble from the battle. His blue optics lit up as he saw a shimmer of metal. He threw the concrete and debris out of his way. "I found it. I found the gift of Primus himself..." he said with a gasp. "Blue! Bluestreak! I found the AllSpark!"

Bluestreak rushed over to him. "Alright, Bumblebee! C'mon! Let's get it and hide it until the battle's over. After the battle we'll give it to Prime."

"...Yeah... It's so...big..."

"Maybe there's a way to make it smaller... Careful now..." Bluestreak said as both went to carefully touch it. Both touched it slowly. It zapped them a bit before shrinking down into a handheld size.

"Where should we take it?" Bumblebee asked.

Bluestreak looked around for a good place to hide with it. "There! I see an abandoned building we can hide in. C'mon!"

"Okay."

"Megatron!" cried Starscream as he saw them running of with a glint of golden steel. "Two Autobot weaklings have the AllSpark!"

Megatron grinned evilly. "It's mine!" he said as he stopped fighting Optimus and ran after it.

"NO!" Optimus tried to run after him, but Megatron transformed and raced off. Starscream shot at Bumblebee and Bluestreak.

Optimus kept running after Megatron. 'Optimus! This is Prowl! We need your help here!'

'How urgent is it?'

'Very! We're losing ground and people! Innocent cybertronians are getting caught in this mess!'

Optimus watched Bumblebee and Bluestreak get away for the time being. He also saw a few other Autobots shooting down Starscream. Please Primus, protect them both... 'All-...Alright, Prowl. I'm on my way!' Optimus regretted it, but he turned around and went to where Prowl was.

"Trying to call for help?" smirked Barricade as he glared at Prowl's back. Prowl's optics widen as he heard Barricade's voice.

"N-no help!" squeaked Frenzy as he stood by his partner.

"Well, maybe WE can have some fun while you wait for them to arrive."

"Barricade..." Prowl said softly to himself as he was about to turn around to face his old friends.

There was a shot fired by Smokescreen. "Lookout!"

Prowl duck and rolled out of the way so he won't get hit. "Smokescreen!" He shouted pissed off.

"Those two 'Cons were going to kill you!"

"Stupid Autobot!" Barricade cursed as he lunged at Smokescreen. Frenzy lunged too. The three started fighting. Prowl sighed and went to find some more Decepticons.

I guess I'll never get to tell them...

"Prowl, what's the situation?" Optimus asked as he came up.

"...Prime... Innocent Civlians are getting involved. The Decepticons are destroying homes and those inside them. They're even going after neutrals."

"That is not good at all."

"That's why I called you. I need your help with the matter."

"Lead the way." Prowl nodded. They walked past battles and fighting, following the decimated streets. Optimus sighed at the destruction and loss of innocent lives.

"What should we do Prime?" Prowl asked.

"Incapacitate the 'Cons and save the civilians."

"Of course." Prowl said with a nod.

"...H-help..." cried a femme with a crying sparkling.

"Prime, did you hear that?"

"Yes, it came from ahead." Prowl went ahead to check it out.

Optimus followed. He shot into the air at the seekers, disabling them enough to send them packing. He checked the area around them, disabling a few Decepticon stragglers. The crying got louder as they reached a destroyed home. "...They must be inside." Optimus nodded.

"Let me go ahead, cover me."

"Yes sir." Prowl said. Optimus went inside the crumbling building, carefully making a path. Prowl followed him up a suprisingly still in tact staircase. Optimus scanned the area as he went inside a bedroom where the walls and ceiling threatened to collapse. There sat a wounded and bleeding femme. She held a distraught bundle in her arms. "Primus..." Prowl said.

Optimus came up to the women and knelt down. "I'm Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots. This is my second in command, Prowl. We do not wish to do you any harm."

"...Aut-...Autobots... Please...please help... T-take...my daughter..." Prowl could see the poor femme was in a dire state. She probably wouldn't last much longer, especially if they didn't get her out.

"We will but we need to take you to one of our medics." Prowl said.

"...N-no...-cough- too late...for me..." She shushed the crying sparkling and placed her into Optimus Prime's arms. He hesitantly took the sparkling and looked at the femme with worry. "...Pl-please...t-take...Arcee... Take...Arcee..." she said weakly.

"Please let use take you to our medics." Prowl pleaded.

"...I-I...It's...too...late. Take care...of Arcee..." She smiled at the now sleeping sparkling being cradled in Optimus's big hand. She closed her optics and was gone.

"Prime...?"

He stared at Arcee for a moment before looking at the femme. "C'mon. We're done here," he said solemnly. "Take the body, she deserves a proper resting place."

"Yes sir." Prowl said as he came over and gently lifted up the offline femme in his arms "I wonder what her name was."

"We may never know, but she's with Primus now. We can at least give Arcee a chance at life." He smiled a bit as the sparkling took comfort from his big spark. Prowl nods. They left and continued on their way. "We need to get back now. We can't fight with our precious cargo."

"Yes sir." Prowl said "I just hope Blue and Bee are okay."

"Me too..."