Mazuiko: For those of you who are wondering, Bumblebee is a youngling in this fic (this is an IMPORTANT detail). He was created during the war, so he doesn't know what Cybertron was like during peacetime. He's the equivalent of a human 15 or 16 year old. The reason this is important is because, unlike Bumblebee, Barricade was around before the war, when there was peace. He's the equivalent of a human 29 or 30 year old. So, because of their separation in years, it will be like a 'scandal' to the other robots. It's like a 30 year old man picking up a 15 year old from school to go 'do something'. (I apologize for any terrible visualization that comes up).

With Interest

"Optimus, he's gone."

Prime knew he had to change course, knew he had to find the glasses before the Decepticons did. Bumblebee left him with one last transmission before his private link had been interrupted.

"You must get to the residence of Sam Witwicky and get the glasses. Barricade is already on his way…if he gets to him first—"

That was the last they heard from him. Ironhide and Ratchet had set out looking for him, but Prime suspected that Starscream had flown him away, his signal getting weaker with the distance until it had faded into nothing. They had set out towards Tranquility afterwards, unable to keep up with Bumblebee's signal and yet still aware that the Allspark took priority…which did not sit well with Jazz.

"Chief, I gotta—"

"No, Jazz. We don't know how many Decepticons are headed towards the residence, and we must secure the Allspark at all costs."

"He's a younglin', Chief, he ain't ready! Ain't once enough? He got it done to 'im by Megatron, of all the slaggin' 'Cons! Now 'Cade's got 'im—"

"Barricade is headed towards the residence as well, so he won't be torturing Bumblebee—"

"Not yet, he won't. I hope 'Hide gets to 'im first."

Ironhide had already declared Barricade dead (which meant he was on the hit list), but Prime feared the worst. Barricade had already left to get the glasses when Bumblebee sent his last signal, and if the Decepticon got to the human first, then they were in trouble.

"Oh, I'll get to 'im alright. Pain in the aft 'Con won't know what…oh, Primus. Optimus…"

Prime didn't need to look to know what shocked Ironhide. The human's home was a wreck, which gave him the news he dreaded.

They were too late.

The Autobots, after tracing the Witwicky discovery of Megatron, learned of the Allspark's location and left immediately. He could only hope Megatron didn't get a hold of it first.

Bumblebee was in a foul mood, if it could be called that. His cannon had been taken offline, his signals were being blocked or intercepted, and he was locked up in a holding cell that made him wonder exactly what the Decepticons had been doing with their time. He was being repaired, though not all at once, and Bumblebee couldn't remember a time when a Decepticon had ever wanted an Autobot to be functioning properly. His musings were interrupted when Barricade, who should've been blown up by Ironhide, walked into his holding cell. Bumblebee could feel his stare, feel the thoughts running through his processor, and he could even feel Barricade's seemingly victorious mood as it filled the room.

"Your comrades have failed. We have located Megatron and the Allspark."

"They'll get to it before you do…they won't let you take it."

Starscream entered his cell, his laugh a telling witness to his name.

"They're on their way, but they won't make it in time. Frenzy is freeing Megatron as we speak. Barricade, he has no use to us now. It doesn't matter that he wouldn't tell us where the glasses were…we found them anyway. It's time to terminate him."

"No. He is still of some use to us, just like the other Autobots."

Both Starscream and Bumblebee stared at Barricade in wonder as he communicated his reasoning through a private link. Bumblebee was curious as to what else they could possibly want besides the Allspark, but he could only watch Starscream sneer at him as the Decepticon left the cell. Barricade, however, walked even closer to him, the red optics gleaming with something Bumblebee could not place.

"This war will soon be over, Autobot."

Bumblebee looked down at his torn right arm, where his cannon would normally have formed, and decided it couldn't hurt to question.

"So, how did you convince him to let me live this time?"

He shivered as Barricade laughed again, and the thought of ripping out the 'Con's voice capacitor briefly crossed his processor.

"To punish and enslave…that is why we're here."

He may have been too young to truly understand all the ways of war, but Bumblebee was a soldier…and all wars had a cost.

Prime felt Megatron long before he saw him. The rage, greed, hatred, and ambition all radiating from the tyrant's spark, sucking him in like a fierce depression he could not shake off. The Allspark was located very close to Megatron, even in the same facility. More suspicions crept their way into his processor, and Prime hoped against everything that they were wrong. However, considering how many of his recent suspicions had come true, he still felt the gnawing of doubt.

"Optimus Prime!"

The familiarity of that voice shook him to his core. His own spark urged him on to victory, to peace at last, with the hope of new life…or at least the assurance that both Earth and Cybertron would be free of Megatron's cruelty.

"Megatron, we meet again at last."

"It is time we did, old friend. I present to you…the Allspark!"

Every robot, Autobot or Decepticon, froze and became metallic statues. Depending on the individual, shock became delight…or horror.

"This war is over, Prime. Serve me or die!"

Prime looked over at Ironhide whose expression was still twisted in surprise.

"Optimus, you know we'd rather die. I'm ready if you are."

Jazz and Ratchet nodded, but Prime had to be sure.

"If we die, the human race will be extinguished, but we must fight. Ironhide, Jazz, Ratchet…it was an honor to fight alongside you. Autobots, ROLLOUT!"

Megatron laughed, his voice shaking Prime's systems as he charged towards the cruel, merciless tyrant.

"Decepticons, you have your orders…do not fail me!"

Mazuiko: Sorry this one is so short guys, but I cut it off there for a reason. Chapter 3 is already on its way, so don't fret. Reviews are welcome!