A/N: So my transformers muse is back! But Earthspark and this story have been calling me for a while now. So let's start back here for now. This is partly based on a storyline in my current Transformers RP - and will take place after Season 1. It's also liable to be long, so be prepared!

DISCLAIMER: I own absolutely nothing but my OCs.

PAIRINGS: OptimusxElita, probably eventual BeexBreakdown still deciding there, OCxOC eventually

PROLOGUE

"Stop it, Cheetor! We're gonna get in trouble!"

"Aw, don't be such a scaredy cat, Optimus! It's just an attic!"

Optimus Primal's optic ridges twitched as his older brother, Bumblebee II, nicknamed Cheetor for his alt mode, made the comment. While their father, Beetle, had never expressly forbid them from looking in the attic. He did know that he mentioned having personal items he'd tell them about later - multiple times.

So as the small cat Cybertronian, only about ten vorns old to Optimus' own six vorns, climbed the steps Primal couldn't help but feel a bit cautious. But he digressed, while Cheetor was the older brother - he got most of his personality from their grandfather, Bumblebee. Which meant he was usually the one that had to go along and make sure his brother didn't get into trouble.

By the time he reached the top step of their home, Cheetor was already in a heap of boxes. "I bet this is where dad keeps the Christmas presents! That's why he doesn't want us snooping," He explained with an impish grin. "Come on, Optimus, help me look!"

Optimus perked up, the thought of finding their gifts early, as Earth-raised Autobots was a fun prospect. Now eager, he toddled after his brother, peering at the box curiously, he read the side: "Nick's stuff" it read. "Uh, I don't think so, Cheetor," Primal explained. "This stuff belongs to someone named Nick. Do we know a Nick?"

Cheetor looked up as he pulled himself out with a picture frame. "Nah, but I guess grandpa must have," Cheetor waved the picture. "Take a look! Grandpa when he was dad's age!"

Optimus was sure to make his way over curiously, peering over the yellow bot's shoulder. Sure enough, there was Bumblebee. Much younger, with that cool racer look he liked to brag about so much. But who they didn't recognize was the boy on his shoulder.

He looked like he couldn't be much older than fourteen, with scraggly blond hair and auburn eyes. He had a cheeky grin on his face, and wore an Optimus Prime t-shirt. In his hands, he held up a certificate of adoption... Optimus was very confused. "Wait, did daddy have a brother?" Optimus asked.

"A human uncle? That's so cool!" Cheetor explained. "Maybe we have more cousins! Or like... Super removed cousins. He has to be long gone."

The sound of heavy footsteps made the two stiffen. "There you two are! Your father and I were looking for you," The familiar, gentle baritone of Bumblebee Sr. called out. "What are you looking at?"

Bumblebee was much older in his years now, about as old as Ratchet had been. His yellow paint was a little more faded, his muscle a little smaller. But despite the cane he walked with, he was as spry as older Bots got.

"Look what we found grandpa!" Optimus announced, holding up the picture now. "We didn't know daddy had another brother!"

The smile on Bumblebee's face immediately faded as he saw the picture. Was it something they said? Optimus shrank a little. "I'm sorry... We'll put it back."

"No, no, little one. Don't be sorry," Bumblebee put a hand on his youngest grandson's shoulder. "I just... Don't think your dad is ready to..."

"It's ok, dad. They were gonna find it sometime."

Cheetor and Optimus both turned to the new voice to find Beetle at the door. The Autobot medic was a little taller than his father, but had a matching yellow and black color scheme and bright blue optics. Though he usually had a cheery disposition, the face he now carried was that of someone deep in thought.

He approached his young children calmly, and kneeled down to them. "Are you sure?" Bumblebee asked, as he placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "I know how hard -."

"They've seen it, they're gonna have questions."

Taking the picture carefully from Optimus' hands, he looked over the picture of "Nick" thoughtfully. "Actually, kids, I didn't have a brother before the one you know," He explained. "That picture is of me..."

A pin could have dropped at that moment and broken the silence that followed. Optimus and Cheetor turned to each other, very confused. Maybe startled. "But dad, you're an Autobot!"

"I wasn't always," Beetle explained gently. "That came a long time after your grandpa found me."

"Oh are you gonna tell us a story!?" Optimus asked. "Please!!???"

That part made Beetle shift uncomfortably, nervous. But he was lucky that Bumblebee was there. "I can tell the hard parts, kiddo," He offered. "If you're really ready..."

Taking a deep vent, Beetle sat down and placed Optimus on his knee and watched Cheetor have a seat. "Alright... I think you're ready..." He managed. "It started a very long time ago..."

MANY CENTURIES EARLIER

Nicholas James Weyland was going to be late again.

Having turned fourteen less than a month ago, one would think he shouldn't have to worry about these things. But he was undoubtedly the man of the house these days. Anyone who came over noticed that - even if they said nothing.

The reason was currently fast asleep on the couch, surrounded by empty beer bottles.

He knew his uncle and guardian, David, was doing his best. For the first ten or so years before he'd lost his job, he'd been a good guy. Though he was clearly not exactly equipped to handle his nephew. But ever since an accident in the farm had rendered him incapable of maintaining it, it'd been a steady downward spiral.

Most days, he drank his sorrows away at the bar and came home at all hours. Thankfully, David wasn't an abusive drunk at all. He loved Nick, and the teen knew it. But he wasn't at all capable of taking care of himself these days, let alone Nick.

Some days, Nick considered calling his biological parents. He didn't know much about them, mainly that for some reason, they'd abandoned him when he was close to a year old. David hated talking about them, and hadn't maintained a relationship with them since taking him in... But he knew they had money, his biological father drove for NASCAR after all.

But the other part of Nick didn't want to know why they'd left him. He wanted to believe that they would work it out... Sooner or later.

Trudging down the stairs with his backpack slung over his shoulder, he turned to David. "Uncle Dave? I'm headed to school," There was a light groan from the sleeping form. "There's leftover pizza in the fridge if you're hungry."

He waited a second to see if the man replied. But all he got was a belch as he turned over on his side. With a small frown, Nick stepped out of the farmhouse, making sure to lock the door as he did. He leaned back against the door and let out a sigh of frustration.

Then, he began the long walk to school.

That day, however; fate had something else in store for him. Because he'd only made it a few miles when it almost came plowing down the dirt road - right into him.

Admittedly, he hadn't been paying much attention at the time. His mind was elsewhere when the loud roar of the engine invaded his ears. He had turned just in time to see a yellow sports car hauling ass down the road... Inches from him.

Nick yelped and dove out of the way.

He hit the ground hard, but only let out a minor groan. What the heck!? Sure he was in the middle of the road, but everyone did that in the backroads of Witwicky! Was this guy a maniac? "Hey, what gives!?" He'd shouted in frustration.

The car, however, proceeded to stop... And stand up. Holy crap. Nick had just pissed off a Transformer, hadn't he? He swallowed slightly, nervous as heck. After all, he was an Autobot fanboy - a major one at that, and this was hardly the impression he wanted to make on one.

"I am so sorry! Are you ok!? Frag! I need to pay more attention!" The Autobot began to shout.

Nick's heart stopped a bit as he fully turned around to see... "Holy crap, you're... You're..."

Bumblebee. One of the most infamous, and heroic Autobots of all time stood in front of him.

And he didn't know it yet, but he was about to change his life.

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed this first chapter! I don't know how often I'll update - my life is super busy these days. But let's see if it can't get my Transformes spark going again.