Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Animated or any of the characters and I did draw some inspiration from the TMNT episode "Same As It Never Was" and other post-apocalyptic episodes, so you'll probably spot some similarities.
Warning: Violence. It will build up as the story goes on.
Same As It Never Was
Chapter Three
Bumblebee never thought that Prowl was capable of displaying sheer acts of lethality. Could this assumption have been a mistake on his behalf? Sure, he pressed the ninja to more than his fair share on more than one occasion, but how was he supposed to know that, twenty stellar cycles into the future, he would be at the mercy of the very same 'bot? Even so, Bumblebee never once saw true rage or wrath on his teammate's face plate, unlike what this Prowl wore. He saw nothing of tranquility or calmness; only violence and virulence. He knew that Prowl was very angry—though it seemed like everyone was currently—as his glaring obviously expressed that.
"Why?! Why have you returned?!" Prowl spat in an enraged question. Cracks in his voice made it sound as if he was almost overwhelmed and barely keeping himself together.
"Prowl...Just listen..." Bumblebee pleaded quietly, his optics straying away deadly glare focused on him.
"Listen?! What could you possibly have to say for yourself?" Prowl his as his servo only tightened with greater force instead of loosening as Bumblebee hoped.
With a growing sense of a guilt, Bumblebee gazed weakly upwards. Bulkhead had said that Prowl was the one who changed the least of them, but Bumblebee specifically remembered that Prowl was nothing like this...callous machine. Why wasn't Bulkhead helping the yellow 'bot anyway? Quickly glancing to the larger and bulky mech, Bumblebee came to the realization that Bulkhead was watching with a rather unsure and hesitant tone on his faceplate, but did nothing to assist him.
This future-- no... nightmare. It just wasn't right. Bulkhead may have been just a big, unsightly klutz, but he always stood up for his friends even if the consequences would mean a chewing out from Prime or Ratchet. Bumblebee couldn't comprehend exactly every single ordeal that his old friend had been put through, excluding his change of chassis, to change him so drastically, but it must have been horrible. It didn't seem like anyone else had it easy either though. No one was spared. Sari and Ratchet were gone, Prime was nowhere to be seen, and Bulkhead wasn't even "Bulkhead" anymore. Not to mention that Prowl tossed his restrain away.
Suddenly, Bumblebee found himself broken from his sad reminiscing and forced to stand up by a powerful tug from Prowl. He was suspiciously strong for a ninja 'bot; a lot stronger than Bumblebee had remembered him to be. Then again, the twenty stellar cycles could have allowed Prowl the chance to train himself more vigorously. Though that didn't particularly help Bumblebee's situation, at the moment.
"Get out! Go back!" Prowl hissed at Bumblebee as he pushed him forward. Bumblebee turned with a questioning glance, but found himself face to face with Prowl's laser before being shoved forward again.
"Go back?! Prowl please--"
"You've shown where your loyalties lie. Now leave!"
Prowl couldn't be serious! If Bumblebee went back outside, then chances were that the scouting machines would find him and the outcome would not be good.
"Enough!" The sudden boom from Bulkhead's voice caused both Prowl and Bumblebee to cease movement and both quickly turned to face the larger mech. Prowl's faceplate wore an angered glare that demanded an explanation, while Bumblebee was grateful that Bulkhead decided to intervene; better late than never.
Perhaps things only became worse because of Bulkhead defending Bumblebee, seeing that the two had entered a standoff of glaring that only added tension to the gloomy area. The only one who seemed to be unaffected by this was Starscream. From a glance at the "scientist" standing behind Bulkhead, Bumblebee realized that he was obviously enjoying this. He didn't say anything, but it wasn't like he had to. The flier was leaning back on the support of a rubble wall with crossed servos. An amused grin was all but hidden on the seeker's faceplate. It even looked like he was chuckling at the sight of Prowl and Bulkhead, inaudibly that is. Once a Decepticon, always a Decepticon. No matter how much this particular Decepticon claimed to be a "simple scientist."
"Let him be Prowl..." Bulkhead quietly warned as he watched Prowl with a narrowing optic as Bumblebee turned back towards the two. Prowl only seemed to become angrier and angrier with every word Bulkhead murmured, but remained silent. Venting a frustrated growl, Prowl slowly turned his focus away from larger mech.
He turned back to face Bumblebee, dim blue optics darting accusingly to the yellow 'bot. Bumblebee almost expected to be pushed or yelled at once more, but after fearfully glancing up towards the taller black and gold mech, he found himself at a loss of words. For a split moment, Bumblebee could have sworn Prowl's malicious expression had subtly changed to an anguished one written with regret. Unfortunately, any trace of such a face had quickly disappeared when Prowl hastily turned away and marched up to Starscream.
"Why are you still here?! Take these to Lockdown! NOW!" Prowl barked at the seeker as he withdrew small, gray disks from the storage area of his golden throwing stars and thrust-ed them into Starmscream's servo.
"Of course! But, only since you asked so nicely," Starscream replied with his ever so annoying and screechy sarcasm as his digits enclosed the disks in a fist.
Prowl retorted with a vexed glare locked on Starscream, as if sending off a silent warning not to push it, but did nothing more and walked away in a slow pace after a few moments of staring at the Decepticon angrily.
"Geeze Bulkhead," Bumblebee began warily and stared questiongly at his larger friend after being sure that the ninja 'bot was out of hearing distance, "I thought you said Prowl changed the least!"
"Well, he never acted that way before." It was the only response Bulkhead gave while shrugging dubiously.
"It doesn't take that much to figure it out," came Starscream's voice in a deducting manner. He pointed his index digit at Bumblebee and chuckled wryly. "He blames you."
"Blames me? For what?" Bumblebee responded and glanced towards Starscream.
"Everything I suppose." Starscream moved his arms nearly around him in a circle in an emphasizing manner.
"Everything? What do you mean?" Bumblebee slowly asked with a gaping expression.
"Must I explain such a simple thing to you? It feels like I'm communicating to a mere protoform! Yes, everything! Your allies' deaths! Megatron seizing the AllSpark! But above all, I believe he thinks of you as nothing more than a coward who hid himself away for twenty stellar cycles."
Bumblebee could feel Starscream watching his every move as he spoke with his snobbish tone. Despite how much he wanted to deny it, Bumblebee knew that he was right. Starscream's words had made an impact and Starscream most likely knew that. Why else would he add, "Then again what would I know about grudges?" innocently at the end, with a coy smile?
A/N: Of course when I said weekly or bi-weekly, I really meant accidentally put if off for like four weeks. Anyway, as an apology, I've produced a list as to why this took so long:
1. My cat had kittens that are now three weeks old.
2. Job searching. No luck yet.
3. High school. I seriously can't wait until I graduate and have more time in the day to do things.
4. Taking College classes every Monday and Thursday nights starting this week.
5. I like spending some time with friends.
Djgnfghjsfgbjhrgbsfber...Unfortunately, this means I will be busier than ever. So, you guys know the drill. Review with typos or mistakes or opinions. I appreciate it greatly. Until next time everybody. :]