(Please see all previous disclaimers)

Meanwhile, as Optimus worked to finish up for the day, Mirage was resting in their shared quarters with Bumblebee and Cliffjumper closely guarding the bot. Mirage trusted the pair to keep him and his young sons safe. Cliffjumper and Bee knew that Mirage put a lot of faith in them and so they strived their best to protect him as best as possible.

But Cliffjumper was still a bit surprised, as he hadn't been guarding Mirage as long as Bee had. "Bee?" Jumper asked suddenly.

"Yes, Cliffjumper, what is it?" Bee asked, uncertain what question jumper would ask as Jumper never talked much.

"I gotta know. What made Mirage choose us as his guardians?" Jumper asked, still young enough that he didn't realize all the strength and ability he had. Bee, being older, recognized what Jumper was asking.

"When I was young, like you, I was minding my own business in the Kingdom of Kaon. I was sparked small and so many overlooked me. I didn't think much of it, as I was also small, so I taught myself how to fight and such, as well as how to be helpful to others. One day, there was a parade going through the kingdom, as Prince Onyx was to be married to Princess Quartz. As the parade proceeded through the area where I lived, I noticed that some bad bots were planning to attack Prince Onyx to steal Princess Quartz for themselves. They thought they had everything planned right, as I overheard them talking. They only anticipated a bigger bot taking them down."

"You took on bigger bots?" Jumper asked, a bit stunned at hearing that. He couldn't imagine being that strong or that brave, at least not at the moment.

"I felt like it was my obligation to my kingdom and to the King and queen that I step in and try to save the Prince and Princess. I snuck up on the trio as they tried to hide behind something. And when they were fully paying attention to the parade, I struck. I knocked two of the huge buffoons out on the first blow. The third one, still thinking that he could get away with it, tried to go after the Prince. Before The big brute could reach Prince Onyx, I managed to subdue the oaf."

"You subdued him alone?" Jumper asked, amazed at Bee's story.

"Yes, I did. Right in front of the Prince and Princess. All I could think of was keeping them safe. It was after that that Onyx and Quartz asked if I would remain as a guardian to them and whatever offspring they had. I said yes. I stood guard over them until Mirage was sparked and then they assigned me to specifically guard Mirage. I was unable to save King Onyx and Queen Quartz from Megatron, but I was able to save the thing the valued most – their sole surviving son Mirage. "

"Wow, I never realized we Minibots could be so strong" Cliffjumper stated.

"Mirage grew up knowing that Minibots were strong and brave bots, and he learned they fight best when two or more are grouped together to guard someone, hence when he was old enough to do so, he brought you on as a guard" Bee revealed.

"Wow, I never knew all that" Jumper stated.

"Mirage doesn't choose to talk about it because he feels that it is no one's business why he chose the bots he chose. He expects others just to respect his decisions and that he knows what is best for him, at least most of the time."

"I feel honored that he selected me to partner with you to keep him safe" Jumper stated.

"And I am glad that he chose wisely when picking another bot to guard him, as you and I seem to work so well together" Bee stated.

"And now, with Ironhide, Mirage and his sons will be thoroughly protected from all who try to harm them" Jumper stated.

"Do not forget, we also guard our Prime and that is important as well" Bee reminded Jumper.

"Right, I won't forget that" Jumper replied.

And shortly after the conversation, Ironhide and Optimus were coming back to the quarters. "Greetings, Sir, Ironhide" Bee stated and Jumper followed suit.

"I am glad to be home. Please don't let anyone disturb my mate and I unless it is an emergency" Optimus stated to Hide, Bee, and Jumper.

"Yes, sir" all three answered and stayed by the door to guard it as Optimus went in to be with his mate. Optimus just hoped that during this time, Mirage wouldn't suffer like he had when he had previously been sparked, but only time would tell.