Chapter 2: Rivals

Ironhide and Bombshell watched as Bumblebee began to train in the ring. He was put against 3 drones to start. Bumblebee didn't look scared and motioned the drones to come at him at once. Ironhide was surprised at this but Bombshell's grill-plated mouth bended up knowing Bumblebee just made a mistake. But he didn't, as the drones advanced, Bumblebee grabbed one of them and swung him around at the others. He took the grabbed drone and slammed it on the floor. One drone tackled Bee but luckily he had them spun over so Bee was on top. Bumblebee punched the drone in the face twice before kicking him out of the ring. The last drone tried to get Bee from behind but Bee swung around and delivered a hard uppercut knocking the drone to the ground.

"Whoa, that was amazing!" Ironhide said switching off the drones.

Bombshell was in disbelief. Now his grill was bent down in anger. No way Bee could have done it so easily. Bumblebee was acting like it was nothing and walked out of the ring seemingly impressed with himself. Bombshell's anger was rising higher and higher and he shook. He could've sworn steam was coming out of the gun attached to his head.

"Thanks, that was fun! When can I do it again?" Bee asked Ironhide as they walked over to where Bombshell was swearing to himself.

"Mabye later...I'll teach ya a few moves that will really help." Ironhide said before Bombshell cut in.

"No, next time, I want to fight you!" Bombshell snarled going over to Bee.

"You and me? Uh...do I have to?" Bee asked nervously.

"What are ya scared?" Bombshell teased trying to get Bee pissed off.

"NO I'M NOT! TAKE IT BACK!" Bee suddenly yelled.

"MAKE ME!" Bombshell snarled back.

Ironhide got in between them before they could fight. This was going to be a problem...but Ironhide could handle anything.

"Okay you two, ya'll need to seperate for awhile. Save it for the ring." Ironhide sneered as the two did go their seperate ways but Ironhide pulled Bombshell back. "What is wrong with you?"

"Ironhide that kid is getting on my nerves!" Bombshell snarled. "I can't take it!"

"How is he getting on your nerves? You barely talked to him!" Ironhide said looking very confused.

"I know...but...look I'm sorry, I guess I'm not used to him yet." Bombshell sighed crossing his arms.

"Ugh, you need to get your anger under control. Stay calm!" Ironhide said softly.

Insecticons were known to have anger issues as they grow up and Ironhide had at some points learned that the hard way. The whole deal with Shrapnel and Kickback missing has been messing up Bombshell's mind. Mabye it was about time to let Bombshell handle some things on his own. He was nearly an adult now needed to do some things for himself. It was strange that even after 7 years Shockwave hadn't been caught. Ironhide has checked the news, sightings, other mechs, anything that could get them a location of Shockwave. Some hints were found but it was never enough.

"I'm trying alright?" Bombshell said now suddenly annoyed.

"Look if you want to fight him in the ring, you'll need to at least go easy on him. Besides, I don't know if you noticed but...the kid's been abused a lot." Ironhide said quietly.

"Abused? By who?" Bombshell asked.

"Uh...I don't know...some seeker back where he used to live. I feel sorry for him. And that's part of the reason why I took him in. To give him strength so he could be better ready whenever there is trouble." Ironhide explained.

Bombshell was surprised. Later on after the two had cooled down, Bumblebee and Bombshell got into seperate corners. Ironhide, this time, stayed in the ring with them and went over to talk to Bee.

"You ready Bee?" Ironhide asked.

"Yeah, this might be fun." Bee said.

"You want him to go easy on ya, he said he would if you want!" Ironhide offered.

"Nah, I like challenges!" Bee chuckled doing his own version of a smirk.

Now it Bombshell's turn to be talked to.

"He said he likes challenges!" Ironhide shrugged.

"Well then...no mercy!" Bombshell snarled flexing his claws.

Ironhide got the two close to each other as they were about to start.

"Alright you two, this is just a clean sparring match for 30 minutes alright. No energon splatter, no cheating, no insulting...and Bombshell, no claws!" Ironhide smirked making Bombshell look embarrased. "Ready...fight!"

Once Ironhide backed off, the two began. Bumblebee threw a few punches while trying to keep his guard up. Bombshell started off by dodging most Bee's blows. He had to admit, he was fast. Bee got him once in the chest, then caught Bombshell in an uppercut. Bombshell kept his slight anger far in the back of his head and felt slightly better when he got three punches to Bee's face before getting another punch in the chest. Ironhide watched as they kept sparring, neither one of them getting tired. He thought this was helpful as a way for them to gain respect for each other. At one point Bumblebee pinned Bombshell in a corner and Bombshell had to keep his face covered. Bee kept trying to punch the insecticon in the face. Finally Bombshell caught one of Bee's fists and punched the mech in the face hard enough to send Bee halfway across the ring.

"Keep it clean guys!" Ironhide reminded them.

After 15 minutes the mechs had both given each other at least one swollen optic and a few dents. Bombshell charged Bumblebee who was debating where Bombshell was going to strike. When bombshell aimed for his face, Bee duck down and send a hard uppercut to Bombshell again. Bombshell smashed his fist directly where Bee's nose would have been if he had one and Bee skidded into a corner where Bombshell attemped to knock him out. Bumblebee found himself about to be pinned against the corner and decided that wasn't going to happen. He charged Bombshell who charged back and both ended up punching each other right in the face at the same time. Ironhide had to wince as both mechs were propelled back.

"That's really going to sting in the morning!" Ironhide nervously said seeing the two looking at each other.

Now they were tired. It was like they used all their energy in those punches. But Bumblebee began to slowly walk forward not wanting to give up. He lazily took a swing but missed completely as he was a few inches away from Bombshell who took this chance to suddenly uppercut Bee to the ground. Bombshell was declared the winner by knock-out. Bumblebee laid dazed on the floor nearly forgetting what he had been doing. Ironhide walked over to Bombshell impressed.

"You okay?" Ironhide asked.

"Yeah, just need to take care of something first." Bombshell sneered walked towards Bee.

Bumblebee lifted his head and rubbed it trying fix his optics on who was in front of him. Bombshell towered over him menacingly making Bee feel unconfortable. Bombshell just stared at Bumblebee for a few more seconds before taking a fist and swinging it down at Bee who winced. But since the blow didn't come, he looked back up to see the fist uncurled into a hand. Bumblebee nervously grabbed it and was helped up. Ironhide smiled...he was right.

"You almost had me!" Bombshell admitted.

"Yeah, I guess I did!" Bee said. "Thank you for not knocking me out!"

"Don't mention it, besides, if Ironhide ever found out...it wouldn't be too pretty!" Bombshell chuckled. You alright?"

"Yeah, my optic should heal later." Bee assured. "What about yours?"

"It should be fine!"

"Hey guys come on, let's you repaired and fill up on some energon." Ironhide suggested as they walked back upstairs.

"We should do this more often!" Bee suggested.

"No mercy?"

"None at all!"

That night, Ironhide allowed Bee and Bombshell to take a walk around outside. But they didn't go the same way. Bombshell was heading back to his old alley where he last saw his brothers. Piles of trash and energon splatter still covered the place. He sighed as he went through a pile of newspapers that were some of the latest ones. He suddenly uncovered a newspaper article that covered info about Shockwave. He looked closely at the details. The article talked about a possible places Shockwave has been in the past 7 years. Mabye this was another clue.

"Shockwave." Bombshell growled and nearly crushed the paper. "You haven't seen the last of me.

His thought are interupted by the sound of a seeker zooming through the sky. Bumblebee was actually down the street from Bombshell and began to run when the seeker was heading straight for him. But Bee didn't get too far when the seeker landed in front of him. Bombshell watched from nearbye.

"Hey Bug! Where have you been?" The seeker snickered walking towards Bumblebee who groaned.

"Oh hey Dreadwing, I was just taking a walk!" Bee nervously said.

"Heh, I see you got your aft kicked by someone other than me!" Dreadwing smirked pointing to Bee's swollen eye.

"Oh that, it's just from...sparring with a friend!" Bee said trying to back away.

"Oh no you don't...what did I tell you about being around here?" Dreadwing snarled picking Bee up by his doorwings.

"OW! LET ME GO!" Bee snarled struggling to break free.

Bombshell couldn't believe this, he had to teach Dreadwing a lesson. A lesson that he probably wouldn't survive. And besides, Dreadwing's territory? This was HIS territory even if he didn't live there anymore.

"DREADWING PUT HIM DOWN!" Bombshell snarled walking over.

"Ugh, Insecticons! You know him?" Dreadwing asked Bee.

"Yeah, he's the one I was sparring with." Bee admitted.

"I never thought you would stoop so low to playing around with gross insecticons." Dreadwing snarled.

That triggered Bombshell's rage. No one, and he meant no one, talked about insecticons like that. Those were fighting words and a ticket to hell!

"Why don't you say that to my face?" Bombshell snarled standing to his full height which made him up to Dreadwing's shoulder height.

"Why would I if it's too disturbing?" Dreadwing snarled.

Bombshell had enough, his spark felt like heating up and his optics flashed violently with fire and rage.

"Bumblebee, close your optics for a moment would ya?" Bombshell asked trying to keep his cool.

Bumblebee shut his optics and felt himself fall to the ground as Bombshell tackled Dreadwing to the ground and beat him to death. Bumblebee kept his optics shut as he heard screams from Dreadwing and energon splattered onto Bee. He decided to take one little peek at the fight to see Bombshell ripping cords out of Dreadwing's neck. Bee jerked his head back wishing he hadn't seen that. After a few more brutal seconds, Bombshell stopped and grabbed Dreadwing's head.

"I shouldn't let you live! I really shouldn't! I'll leave that up to Bumblebee." Bombshell snarled.

Bumblebee walked over and looked at Dreadwing. He was a mess, dents, scratches, torn cords and body parts were everywhere. Dreadwing looked up at Bumblebee who was still deciding.

"I guess that's what you get for messing with...bugs!" Bee scoffed and stomped onto Dreadwing's chest hard enough to go right in killing him. More energon splattered on both of them.

"He's done!" Bumblebee said in a serious tone.

"Yeah...I'm sorry you had to witness that. But insecticons like me kill anyone who talks bad about them. This was an example, he won't be bothering you again." Bombshell said.

"Yeah...hey look thank you! I was worried I might get killed instead!" Bee said.

"Come on kid, let's go before the cops find us. And if anyone asks, we watched as Dreadwing was killed by a gang." Bombshell suggested.

"Agreed!"

To be continued...

I might try to mention more about Shrapnel and Kickback disappearance as the story goes on. But no they are not dead. Anyways, please review!