Bumblebee was in awe. His old leader and two friends stood in front of him again, two out of three currently dead. At least where he came from.
There was a small, mostly blue with pink Cybertronian. Her hair, short and blue save for the pink around the sharp edges. Her vehicle plating was light but recognizably a motorcycle. It gave her a gymnastic look which matched her figure. Arcee.
The other was another redhead, but her hair was longer than Ironhides, plating that formed horns on her head. A little buff, slightly taller than Bumblebee, certainly more bottom heavy compared the others he saw. Judging from the horns and mustang car plating… Cliffjumper.
The last one was the tallest of all Cybertronians he saw here. Well built, toned on the "skin" plating, her red, blue, and steel colored truck plating akin to a battle dress with her legs exposed for mobility. Atop her head was long blue hair, a gray headband with white antenna at the sides and the top. This was Optimus Prime. Different, but still Optimus Prime.
But there was one he didn't recognize. Another Cybertronian wearing plating that mimicked the local law enforcement, the plating certainly stylized to be like that of an officer with vehicular parts. Her white hair was cut short, militaristic, and a pair of red shades rested atop of her head. She was no doubt stern given the way she was looking at Bumblebee.
Ratchet had just finished briefing the group on Bumblebee and Optimus was the first to speak up, "Bumblebee, is it?" he nodded and she continued, "where exactly did you come from?"
Bumblebee answered with, "From Cybertron. That's where I came from. At least, another one."
The unknown Autobot walked forward and said, "we're going to need better elaboration than that."
"Maybe give him the chance to speak, officer?" Ironhide grunted, stepping up towards Prowl.
Optimus immediately sternly told them, "Enough, both of you," then she turned back to Bumblebee, gently asking, "Bumblebee, where exactly did you come from?"
Bumblebee sighed out and said, "It's… a long story, so please, all of you, bear with me…" He Kept it short and sweet on what happened, briefly explaining where he came from and why.
He got the reaction he expected.
The Autobots all stared at Bumblebee in disbelief, Cliffjumper being the first to say, "You… you sure you didn't get a concussion or anything like that. You did get a massive blow to the helm."
"You guys said there were no mechs right?" Bumblebee asked rhetorically, "Well, here's one slice of evidence."
"You could've modified your inner frame for all we know," Prowl interjected, "That still doesn't mean you jumped realities."
"Okay, fair point,'' conceded Bumblebee with a shrug before looking Prowl seriously in the eyes, "Then tell me, where could I have come from? I came from a Spacebridge on Cybertron over to Earth, but around this time, no Spacebridges could reach here. At least not for Autobots."
Prowl narrowed her eyes, "Indeed, not for Autobots."
"Oh, put some coolant on it, Prowl!" Ironhide barked, "Whether this kid's got a few screws loose has yet to be verified-"
"He seemed fine when I scanned him," Added Ratchet.
Ironhide continued on, "But a Decepticon? Kid was about to be skewered by ol' three face and if it weren't for me and Ratchet, he'd probably be on Shockwave's dissection table."
"That doesn't mean we can't rule out any possibilities. We're not in positions to take risks, especially with our missing scout," Prowl apathetically stated, not backing down. Bumblebee was a little worried to see Arcee nonverbally backing her up. Prowl turned to Prime and said, "I think it would be best if we kept him in a holding cell until we can be certain."
"Hey, that's a bit much," Spoke up Cliffjumper only to back up when Prowl and Arcee set her sights on her. Another worrying sight for Bumblebee to see. Still, she continued on, looking at Prime, "look, the… mech here is clearly one of us. The insignia, the demeanor, the fact that he is a mech? No way he's a con. Besides, Ironhide has always been a good judge in character."
"Optimus, the decision falls to you," Ratchet said as she turned towards their leader.
Optimus studied Bumblebee for a brief moment, studying him, then said, "We'll keep you under surveillance, but we won't imprison you. Your origins are a mystery, but for now, we'll have to take your word for it."
Beside Prime, Ironhide wore a smug smirk while Prowl and Arcee made no visible signs of disagreement though internally, they didn't like this decision at all. Cliffjumper gave Bee a thumbs up while Ratchet stoically nodded.
"Bumblebee, as of now, consider yourself the newest of team Prime."
Bumblebee smiled at her words and said, "Can't imagine being anywhere else."
With that, Prime spoke to the group, "Autobots, Decepticons have made it to the planet and now know of our existence. Worse yet, We have yet to see the full extent of their numbers. For all we know, those may have been mere scouts for a full force."
"Considering it was Bliztwing and Barricade… far worse is definitely coming," Ratchet bitterly said.
Optimus nodded and continued, "Despite their arrival, we must proceed with our patrols. We cannot allow them to take the Energon and whatever else lies on this planet for their vile purposes. And if nothing else, we must defend the lifeforms that inhabit this planet."
Bumblebee noticed the slight hardening in both Prowl's and Arcee's faces upon hearing that. The more hardened Autobots didn't exactly jump for joy hearing that order, but they weren't so… resentful looking about it. He wasn't liking Prowl so far, but he really wasn't liking the difference in the Arcee here.
"And just as important, find our lost comrade, Bumblebee," Optimus finished, "Our clue led us to the outskirts of Jasper, Nevada."
"So, business as usual, plus one?" Cliffjumper asked, pointing her thumb at the male Bumblebee.
"Indeed. Though, Bumblebee will remain here for further observation," Ratchet answered, Optimus nodding.
Bumblebee went wide eyed and said, "No, I'm alright! I was dinged up, sure, but I can help!"
"Bumblebee, you sustained a powerful blow to your helm. You should take it easy," Ratchet told him.
He shook his head though, "No, trust me I've been through worse. Besides, I'm a scout. I can help you guys cover more ground," In truth, Bumblebee didn't necessarily need to go out, but he wanted to see first what was going on, find the other version of himself and… maybe Raf while he was at it.
Optimus said, "Ratchet, what are his readings?"
Ratchet took a minute to check him out, look at his vitals, and scannings. She turned back to Optimus and said, "He's in capable condition, though I'd advise against extensive work."
Optimus turned back to a hopeful looking Bumblebee and said, "If you feel up to the task, then you will accompany Ratchet and Cliffjumper on finding Bumblebee's whereabouts. Given that the humans have seen you, you will need to quickly take on an alternate mode to blend in."
"Yes, s-ma'am," Bumblebee quickly corrected himself. He briefly glanced towards Prowl and Arcee, neither showing their visible disapproval, though they no doubt wanted to voice it.
Optimus nodded then said, "Ratchet, you received traces on our original Bumblebee's Energon signature out on the field, correct?"
"I'm loading it into Teletraan-1 now. I can find us a good position to start securing this Bee a disguised alternate mode then start our search," Ratchet answered.
After a few seconds, a groundbridge opened up and Cliffjumper was the first to head towards it, Bumblebee following behind her after looking at Ratchet, who gestured for him to head in before turning to Optimus, "Are you sure this is wise."
"This particular Cybertronian is not our enemy and if anything were to happen, I know you and Cliffjumper could handle it," Optimus told her, "This will also be good for us to observe him on the field."
Ratchet was briefly contemplative, but nodded and followed the two younger Autobots in before Ironhide closed the bridge.
On the other side, the Autobots landed in some sort of old car yard just as the sun began to set. Cliffjumper immediately turned to Bumblebee and said, "Alright Mech, take your pick. Ratchet got us a fine assortment," for emphasis, she tapped on one of the car hoods.
"Do make haste. We're on the outskirts of a metropolis," Ratchet told him, making Cliffjumper roll her eyes.
Bumblebee nodded and immediately looked around before spotting the care of his choice. A stylish one, sleek and fast, as a scout should be. Most importantly the same sports car he chose before, "Nice," he muttered before scanning it.
His vehicular frame plates were shifted and modified. Both the plates and body suit took on an outfit akin to one of Earth's fashions, becoming like that of a mostly black and yellow thin jacket with cargo pants below, car parts integrated into the fashion like the others. He let put a small, "woah."
"Eh, cool enough I guess," Said Cliffjumper.
"You have something better in mind?" Bumblebee snarked.
"Always/almost never," Said Cliffjumper and Ratchet respectively. The former waved the latter off as the group transformed and rolled out on the faint trail.
In the distance was a sprawling metropolis that made Bumblebee's eyes widen and he muttered, "Things really are different."
"I hear ya, mech. So small," Muttered Cliffjumper. The trail was leading them to a more… secluded spot.
XXXXX
Starscream's fists clenched at the footage. Numerous Autobots were here and notable ones too, not just run of the mill nobodies, including ones that made a fool out of her during the height of the war.
Worst of all, she managed to catch a glimpse of Optimus Prime. One of the few Cybertronians Starscream could safely say she genuinely feared to face head on.
She immediately turned to the Cybertronian next to her. Dark blue vehicle plating, the chassis clearly a sound system, the white limb plating akin to knee socks and long gloves. Her face was covered by a red glass visor and dark grey mouth guard while short dark blue to white hair framed her head.
"Excellent work Soundwave," Starscream said to her, "Now that we know that they're here, we can start working on their eradication. Keep monitoring them… we'll strike once we get a few nice and secluded," just as she said that, Soundwave pulled out a monitor that displayed three energon signatures in the outskirts of Jasper. Starscream smiled, "Oh I do love coincidences. Keep up your work, I'll have them taken care of. Prepare a groundbridge."
Soundwave nodded and watched as Starscream exited the room, a small smiling emoji appearing on her faceplate for a split second before she turned around to look toward space.
Starscream, meanwhile, went to get her vehicon drones. If any were qualified to hunt down those of the Autobot resistance in a more subtle fashion, it was them. But for that many Autobots, she'd need a capable team to lead those idiotic drones.
She supposed Breakdown, Knockout, and Barricade would do. She came to them just as they put the finishing touches on the enforcers, so -, "Raaargh!"
"Oh, oh, is Breakdown having a breakdown, mwahahaha!" Came the demented laugh of Blitzwing, dodging a punch from the shorter Decepticon.
"No, no fighting in my medical bay!" Shouted Knockout, ducking under a kick from Blitzwing, "I'll remember this next repair, keep that in mind!"
"That's right, work it out, femmes!" Laughed Barricade.
Starscream growled and immediately fired her blaster at the ceiling to silence them all, "Ignorant sparklings all of you… all three of you mere wheelers, prepare yourselves. You're all going hunting."
"With Breakdown? Subtly ain't her strong suit," Barricade said, paying the growling Cybertronian little mind, "And Knockout will bail first scratch she gets."
"Well, dirty work is more so meant for a dirty cop such as you," Knockout coolly retorted as she fixed up some tools.
"As long as you clean up, don't worry about it. The humans are of little consequence. Soundwave will figure something out," Starscream said, "Don't make commotion in a more infested area. Now, get your fat afts to the bridge. Your Vehicons will join you shortly."
"Always a treat to work with them," Barricade drawled sarcastically. Starscream chose to ignore that comment.
She could beat her later.
XXXXX
Jack screamed while Sari laughed as they rode a mechanical bull, one that required no attachment and instead, relied on magnetism to hover and sped around the arena, thrashing around like a real bull.
"You said this was completely safe!" Jack shouted as held onto Sari tightly, concerned more for her safety than his.
Sari laughed, "It is! I practiced with this before when I get the chance!"
"What!?" Jack shouted again. Suddenly, the bull raged and flailed around twice as hard before coming to a stop.
Jack let out a sigh of relief as he flopped to the floor while Sari shouted, "Whooo! Fun or what!?"
"The latter…" Jack muttered before suggesting, "Sari, maybe we can "cut loose" in a way that doesn't make me nearly lose my breakfast?"
"Huh?" Sari went wide eyed as she looked at him then looked down as she mumbled, "Oh, sorry."
"Hey, don't sweat it," Jack put a hand on her shoulder as he stood back back up, "How about we go out for a walk?"
"Really!?" Sari said excitedly, "I was hoping you'd say so! I know for a fact Jasper is huge!"
Jasper blurted, "You sound like you've never seen it first hand."
"You have no idea," Sari muttered, rolling her eyes, "You have a key card?"
"Key card?" Jack asked.
The little girl waved him off and told him, "Don't worry about it then. Let's go!" Sari took his hand and managed to drag him for a bit until he started walking on his own, close behind her. Mr. Sumdac didn't say he couldn't take her out… a short distance around the area.
But hey, Jasper is huge, plenty to see in a small area, nor was it too late. And besides, she clearly needed to get out more. And they weren't exactly in the heart of it all.
They made it outside with little slowing them thanks to Sari and her key card, but suddenly she stopped as they made it out the door. Jack stopped too.
Sari said, "Hey, I thought you came here in one of dad's personal ubers."
"I did," Said Jack as he narrowed his eyes on the vehicle. It was a strange one, a small yellow car that was completely unrecognizable as any model, "Is that not one of your dad's?"
"Probably is. Probably a prototype. Come on, let's see," Said Sari excitedly running towards it, getting a head start and Jack had to catch up.
Sari immediately pressed against it and said, "Woah, look at the lights and shifting gears."
"Sari, maybe we shouldn't get too close," He cautiously told, though he wanted to check it out too. Looked cool.
"Nah, don't worry. Dad doesn't work on anything that can be used destructively… for the most part," Sari put her hand on what she thought was the handle, which was correct, and pulled, "Hey, door's unlocked… what's that?"
Something sat inside the vehicle's back seat and glowed eerily. Without warning, a blue flash hit and something struck Sari's keycard.
XXXXX
The trio came upon the sight of a relatively tall building, the signal getting stronger. Much stronger, "Bumblebee is definitely here," said Ratchet.
"And with the strength of the ping, we might not be the only ones noticing," Said Bumblebee.
"Then let's pickup the pace!" Cliffjumper shouted as she was the first to speed up, followed by Bumblebee and Ratchet.
They came upon the sight of a Cybertronian standing over a freaked human child and… Jack. This Cybertronian, this Bumblebee, had his old colors, mostly yellow really, and had the same outfit he previously did, a body suit for her with the yellow plating. Her hair was short, curly, and all yellow.
Despite her being freaking out the humans, she was clearly freaking out herself. And apparently, the arriving Autobots didn't help.
"Ah, frag! Humans saw her!" Cliffjumper complained, "Now what?"
"We have to go over there, talk this out" Bumblebee told them.
"They don't exactly look like they're in a talking mood - what is wrong with her?" Cliffjumper asked as they watched this universe's Bumblebee try to hide from the humans. The youngest of the two was now more curious than afraid now, making the older one have to drag her back.
Ratchet noticed two more things, the glowing card around the child's neck and the cube on the ground. She gasped, "It can't be… she has -"
"Hey, ladies, we have a bigger problem!" Bumblebee suddenly shouted. Cars were arriving. Five purple ones led by three others. All three very familiar.
The female Bumblebee noticed them incoming and immediately grabbed Sari, Jack, and the cube before transforming and driving off from both groups into the distance, away from the city.
"Why the frag isn't she coming to us?" Cliffjumper asked, about to drive after her.
Bumblebee shouted, "We'll ask her after we deal with them!" With that, he immediately drove in to intercept the Decepticons, firing his guns straight at them, taking down a Vehicon with a blast to her engine.
"This mech has the right idea!" Cliffjumper shouted, following and opening fire on the cons alongside Ratchet, who was calling the others to let them know of the situation.
Once Optimus was notified, Ratchet said, "Focus on the cons! Our confused scout will have help arrive shortly!"
Barricade growled as she went to the back of the convoy by shifting her gears, yelling, "The rest of you vehicons keep after that scout! Take her down and investigate the remains! Breakdown, Knockout, help me slag these three!"
"Been waitin' for this!" Shouted Breakdown, now driving straight towards the Autobots, aiming to ram Cliffjumper, brushing off the glass cannon shots as she transformed and tried to slam her hammer into the Autobot. Cliffjumper slid out of the way as she transformed from her alternate mode and continued to fire at Breakdown.
"I'm more of a driver than a fighter - hey!" Knockout shouted as Bumblebee shot at her tire, "How dare you! I had that custom made!" She aimed her guns at Bumblebee but was knocked over and forced to transform after Ratchet kicked her into the air. Once she landed, she looked at her shoulder and growled, "And I'll have to buff that!"
Ratchet brought out her scalpels and said, "That will be the least of your concerns, kid."
Barricade and Bumblebee transformed to clash, Bumblebee getting the upper hand and landing a kick to the side of her face midair. She skid on the ground and back flipped to get up. She let out a taunting remark, "You want seconds, anomaly?"
"Tough talk since the fight is even now," With that, Bumblebee ran towards her, ducking under a flail swing to deliver a low roundhouse kick to her legs, knocking her off balance before upper cutting her in the chin that knocked her further away.
Barricade snarled and threw her blade mace towards Bumblebee's head. He dodged and kept his eye on it, only to be left confused as Barricade seemed to flicker from reality, "What the frag?"
"Right here!" Barricade's voice came from his side before the mace nailed Bumblebee in the chest, sending him tumbling toward Cliffjumper, forcing them back to back. From the mark on her cheek, she was probably doing about as well as he was.
"Tough time?" She asked him.
"No." He replied quickly. "Just new."
Barricade and Breakdown were approaching, brandishing their weapons, "Wanna switch?"
Bumblebee thought for a split second and answered with a shrug of his shoulders, "Sure."
With that, they rotated and Bumblebee ran towards Breakdown, ducking under her hammer swing to nail her right knee, making her buckle before Bumblebee backflips to kick her face. He began firing right at her chest until she blocked the shots with her arm.
"Annoying pest!" Breakdown roared, slamming her hammer into the ground. Bumblebee staggered, but managed to catch himself, jumping out of the way of a missile shot at him from her shoulder cannon.
The dust cloud momentarily blinded him until his optics filtered the dust and he duck under a swing from Knockout's stun staff. She sneered at him as she swung for a second time, "I must say your design is interesting."
Something about the way Knockout said that made Bumblebee shiver. He immediately shot her chest after dodging another swing, driving her back before Ratchet kicked her away, "That kid, all flash, no substance."
Ratchet's wrists immediately popped out prongs instead of blades and she deployed a purple force field as a stray shot from Cliffjumper's cannon almost hit her, "Friendly fire!"
"Not my fault, cop's slippery!" Cliffjumper replied, ducking under her flail before trying to right hook her opponent, only for Barricade to hook her arm to grab her by the chin and slam her down head first. She was probably better off with Breakdown.
Both her and Bumblebee had to jump back when Breakdown jumped towards them, nearly smashing them as she landed. Her partner was immediately at her side.
This was something that wouldn't change for Bumblebee.
XXXXX
Jack and Sari held onto their seats for dear life, though they didn't need to thanks to the straps holding them down. Sari said, "Uh, big scary robot lady, where exactly are we heading!?"
Her response came in the form of boops and beeps. Sari immediately said, "That does not answer my question!"
"Don't worry, I'm gonna figure out a way of this!" Jack told her, trying to reassure himself and here, "Somehow!"
"Uh, don't stress yourself!" Sari told him, trying to reassure him. Both Jack and Sari screamed as they heard the sound of what was basic blaster fire.
Bumblebee swerved around rocks and crags as the vehicons gave chase, firing at her with their blasters. She beeped as one kicked her tires and she began to swerve uncontrollably until she partially transformed, using as arm rebalance herself, said limb looking metallic in this partially transformed state.
Still, the Vehicons were gaining on her and one Vehicon was lining the shot with her bumper, and laughed to herself, "Say goodnight."
Ahead of them, however, appeared a green portal that made everyone freeze. What came through was Optimus Prime herself, hands morphed into great revolvers that opened fire on the vehicons, immediately piecing the lead one and causing her to explode. The other three took cover and began firing at Optimus, who jumped in front of Bumblebee. She grabbed the smaller bot and went into cover before asking, "Are you alright, Bumblebee? How are the humans?"
Reluctantly, Bumblebee beeped and opened the car door. Sari and Jack screamed. Optimus said, "Do not be alarmed, I will explain," then Optimus' faceplate activated, "after I handle them. Please remain here, all of you."
With that, she sent Bumblebee down and her right hand unleashed her energon blades before immediately turning around and stabbing a Vehicon right in the face as she rounded the corner.
Using the drone cadaver as a shield, she ran forward and used her other blaster to fire at the drones, nailing one in the arm and disabling her blaster while hitting the other in the chest, blowing it out in a mixture of sparks, metal, and some leaped into the air as she discarded the cadaver and sliced the injured Vehicon in half vertically.
With that, the Decepticon grunts were gone and she turned back to Bumblebee, now in her Cybertronian mode and holding the kids. Bumblebee let out a long beep just as Sari said, "Cooool!"
Poor Jack was just gawking, his mouth agape.
"Bumblebee, children, you'll need to head into the portal. There, you'll meet the others. I'll be with you shortly," Optimus told them. Bumblebee nodded, ignoring Sari's questions and Jack's protests.
Despite not knowing much, she definitely trusted the fellow robot who saved her from being turned into a fine swiss cheese.
As for Optimus…
XXXXX
Breakdown grabbed Bumblebee by his face and threw him, but he transformed, landing on his wheels, and went into full throttle towards her. He transformed, leaping at her only for Barricade to intercept, sending them both tumbling, punching at each other's heads.
Cliffjumper came in, full throttle from behind Breakdown, landing a powerful dropkick on the back Breakdown's head, sending her face first into the ground. Her right hand turned into her glass cannon and before she could fire, a stun staff was stabbed into her side just as she turned, courtesy of a smug Knockout, and she fell over.
However, Ratchet immediately came in, cutting her staff in half before nearly cutting off her arm. Just as Knockout deployed another, a powerful shot to her shoulder blew her away, "Aaaargh!"
Optimus Prime had arrived.
"She's here!" Barricade snarled, just as Bumblebee grabbed her mace and threw it back in her face, bashing her against a cliffside. Rather than retaliate, Barricade drove off, a slowed Breakdown and a very distraught Knockout following close behind.
The Autobots turned to their leader, Ratchet helping up Cliffjumper and Bumblebee saying, "Optimus! Where's Bumblebee? Man, that feels weird to say."
"Back at base. Along with the children," Optimus answered, "where we should be. You all did a fine job."
"Thanks, Prime," Muttered Cliffjumper as a portal opened up, "Wish I could've turned at least one of them into scrap though."
"I have no doubts you'll get your chance again," Muttered Ratchet.
XXXXX
Sari and Jack were in stunned silence as Optimus Prime and the others came through the portal, the other giant robot beside them was also looking nervous, even more skittish. Bumblebee kept looking around and tapping her heel on the ground while clutching the small cube to her side.
Optimus came towards the children as Ratchet took Bumblebee and Cliffjumper to the med bay, saying, "let me start off by saying I apologize for you both being brought into this conflict. I have no doubts you two have many questions."
Sati immediately asked, "What are you, where did you come from, who built you, and can I please keep that one!?" she pointed towards the female Bumblebee.
Optimus blinked and Jack just kept looking around, making sure that all of this was Indeed real.
XXXXX
AN: Woohoo! Another chapter!
One of the things I'm keeping that was more so present in earlier parts of the shows is Cybertronians having powers/abilities augmented to their classes/modes. You can imagine, for those who know of IDW, how special certain "Outliers" are gonna be.
Now Jack and Sari are officially in the fold!
Fushes: Yes and no. It was inspired by my friend who had an idea to do this for a future comic and the artists I listed fueled me further. This is why I encourage artists/writers to talk to others. Brainstorm. Never know when an idea may hit or not, and it may come from a peer.
Guest: Hey, from now on, do English reviews if you can. Sadly, I only speak English and it makes it easier. Anywho, rushing me won't make it come out faster. But you get a little pass since you did say something about this.
See ya next time!