Disclaimer: I do not own transformers

~Zex

Epilogue - Time After Time

The light cast from the explosion touched every corner of Detroit as human citizens shielded sleepy eyes against the midnight sun. Police sirens wailed down the street, but no one looked to see what accident had possibly occurred. Those who watched the light felt a profound sadness they couldn't explain to themselves, or anyone who would ask what was wrong.
The Autobots stood on the planet surface, all watching the blinding light in the sky. Bulkhead held Bumblebee's motionless, stasis-locked body in his giant hands. He turned to look at Optimus, but the group's leader was just as speechless.
The light dissipated slowly, leaving no trace of the two bots who had been battling in the sky - though who could see black against the night sky? Siren stood under the Elite Guard flag ship, arms folded across her chest. Her wounds had already started to heal themselves as she stared not at the sky, but at the grouping of Autobots on the street. If she walked out to them, she would only start it again. It would be nice for a while, perhaps she would stay on Earth with Optimus and the others, but it was only a matter of time before something else happened. Her yellow gaze turned to Bumblebee. He wouldn't survive if anything else happened. Though nowhere near offline, it was too much for Siren to bear to see the bots she cared about hurt because she was too powerful.
Heavy footfalls approached Siren from behind. The black femme turned, and looked at Ultra Magnus.
"It was all a mistake, wasn't it?" Siren stated rather than asked. She knew it had been a mistake - all of it - from the very beginning. It was not a question of whether or not she had wasted her time wanting to save Bumblebee, but it was a matter of whether her freedom was worth his life.
Ultra Magnus placed a hand on Siren's shoulder. "You could leave now, let them mourn you, and know you were willing to sacrifice yourself, or you can show them you still live, and that you have the strength and will to protect them even from yourself."
Siren turned back to the group who looked like they had begun to organize themselves. Bumblebee had survived this time, but what about the next time, and the time after that? How long would Siren's luck hold out? How long until her past lives consumed her in love, rage, and destruction?
"You were right the first time." Siren turned, and looked at Ultra Magnus. "I should never had left Cybertron."

Bumblebee woke up in his quarters, blinked, and shook his head. He dreamed of her again. He supposed the nightmares wouldn't stop as long a he didn't stop missing her. He walked out of his quarters, and into the rec room. Bulkhead sat watching TV, and sipping oil.
The green mech turned. "Hey, little buddy." He said cautiously.
Bumblebee flopped down onto a large tire, and sighed. "I had that dream again."
"About Si-" He stopped as Bumblebee cast him a disheartened glare. "I mean, about her, again? It'll be okay, buddy. I'm sure she's in a better place now."
Bumblebee nodded. "Yeah."
With his back to Bumblebee and Bulkhead on the opposite side of the room, Optimus turned back to the screens, and Ultra Magnus's face.
"Things are pretty quiet here, sir. No sign of Angel, or the Decepticons." He reported solemnly.
Ultra Magnus nodded. "That's a relief to hear. I'm sorry I can't talk longer, Optimus, but I have a new school teacher coming in today."
One side of Optimus's mouth turned up slightly, but fell quickly. "I understand, sir. Best of luck to her."
"I'll be sure to pass on your sentiment. She's anxious, and will appreciate the support." Ultra Magnus nodded. "Magnus out." The screen changed to the Elite Guard symbol.
"Was that Ultra Magnus?" Prowl asked as he passed through. "I've been meaning to contact Jazz."
Optimus turned. "You still can."
Prowl waved a hand. "No, I'll do it later. I'm sure he's with his new student now."

-Cybertron, ninja school-
Jazz threw the white mech over his shoulder in a calculated training strike. The foe mech hit the padded floor with a thud. Jazz turned over, and made to strike again, but his foe kicked out with a leg, grabbed Jazz's arm, and flipped him first. Without releasing Jazz's arm, he twisted it behind Jazz's back, and propped a foot on the back of his neck.
"Good!" Jazz exclaimed.
"Really?" The student beamed. "I was slow on the return kick there. You could've dodged me."
Jazz did a little flip that got him back on his feet. "Yeah, I prob'ly could've." He laughed. "But I'm here to help you, not defend myself. Besides," he reached out, and patted the student mech's back. "You're better than you think, Skyfire."
The student nodded. "Thanks, Jazz. Coming from you, that's a real compliment."
"Let's take a break, get some coolant." Jazz offered.
"Good deal." Skyfire agreed.

-Cybertron, Autobot Academy-
Ultra Magnus stood at the front of the class of Academy Freshmen. He raised a hand, and all conversations ceased.
"Welcome to the Autobot Academy. I'm proud to see each and every one of your faces here today. I am also proud to introduce your new instructor."
A pink and white femme walked up from one side of the room, and stood before the class. "Good morning. My name is Arcee, and I'll be your intel instructor for the term." She smiled at the class.
Ultra Magnus excused himself, and Arcee turned. She tapped the air, and glowing blue screen appeared out of thin air. She wrote with her finger then turned to the class.
"Now, can anyone tell me what the first law of intel is?"
One bot raised her hand.
"Yes." Arcee pointed to the bot.
"Um...gather it?" She shrugged.
Arcee wrote something down on the board then backed off, and read it aloud. "Always protect your memories." she tapped her head. "After all, it is, and always will be, the most important assets you have.

END