AMPHIBIA-BOTS
a fan-fiction by Slogokonnor99
Chapter 7: The frogs and the bees
After another two and a half days, the Autobots made it back with the Plantars to Wartwood, and as they disembarked, the townsfolk showed mixed feelings. -I honestly thought that human was lying- a one-eyed frog stated -of all the stories I've heard of, I've never actually expected someone to bring proof-, -They're probably some paid actors- the mayor stated -we shall see if that Anne is showing the truth-, -How are they not real to you?!- an old, purple frog stated -they're the most magnificent creatures I've ever seen! Don't you dare being disrespectful-, -I would rather say otherwise- said a red-haired yellow frog -I wouldn't even dare my daughter to get close to those… things-. As the residents argued with each other, Anne and the Plantars disembarked of Optimus and finally caught some proper rest from the long journey. -So, what's the game here, Prime?- asked Ironhide as the Plantars closed the door of their house, -We must to gather supplies from the dead drone- Optimus stated -And then we gather the ones back at our old base before they rust-, -We can't leave the Plantars unattended- Bumblebee stated, -We won't- Prime reassured him -that's why you will guard Wartwood while we get the resources from the drone-, -With all due respect Optimus, I believe Bee would only make a mess- Sideswipe intervened -Remember that one time he was assigned to watch over a small fishing community?-, -Gee, thanks for that reminder- Bumblebee replied; -No matter that, Bee is our best scout and therefore the best candidate for this task- Prime reaffirmed -I know you Sideswipe would just end up easily distracted, Ratchet would just argue a lot and…-, -We're right here Optimus- Ironhide stated as he knew he was going to be next in description queue. -I get the point Prime- Bumblebee stated -I won't fail… again-, -Good luck soldier- Prime replied as he signaled the other Autobots to roll out and follow him; -Where are they going?- Sprig asked as he heard the noise of their engines, -They're going to check the Drone for parts- Bumblebee replied -and they left me in charge of watching over you-, -Well, that's good- Sprig noted -I was going to go to the plaza to shop for some groceries, want to come?-, -If that helps me to know the town better, I can go-, Bee replied. Bumblebee transformed into a vehicle and opened its side door for Sprig to get in, -Oh Bee, the town is only a few steps away- Sprig stated -we can just walk there-, -What about the townsfolk then?- Bee asked, -Oh don't mind them- Sprig reassured him -they've seen Optimus already, I doubt they will fear you-, -Famous last words- Bumblebee said to himself.
Sprig then started his way towards the town, with Bumblebee on toe; -So… do you have any friends?- Sprig asked, -I… do- Bee replied, not knowing what Sprigs intentions were, -Did they… um…- Sprig tried to ask, but he question he was trying to formulate was a bit of a deep one, -Died in Cybertron?- Bumblebee finished his question -I'm not sure if they survived, we were among the first to flee from the war-, -Did… any of them… die here?- Sprig asked, and this question hit Bee harder than the last one, -Why are you asking this, Sprig?- Bee asked back -you usually don't get this personal-, -Well… I feel like you're the kind of charismatic person who'd make friends with everyone- Sprig replied, -And you don't feel like one, right?- Bumblebee assumed. Just as Sprig was about to answer, both of them heard a noise in a nearby bush; Sprig went to check it out, but Bee decided for him to stand behind while he checked the bush. -There's a stick in there- Bee stated -a weirdly shaped stick, if I'm being honest-, Bee didn't understand why a lifeless stick would be left on a bush, but Sprig soon got the message. -Oh no- Sprig stated -It's an…-, -AMBUSH!- a yellow frog yelled out loud and pounced off another bush; Bumblebee quickly reacted and pulled Sprig out of the way before he deployed his blaster and pointed at the yellow frog. -Bee, hold your fire!- Sprig yelled at him -that's my friend!-, -My apologies- Bee apologized as he retrieved his blaster -why did this frog try to kill you? Does it have a dagger?! A GUN?!-, -Woah, hold it big guy- the yellow frog replied -that's just how I usually meet up with Sprig-, -And you're…?- Bee asked as he nervously let Sprig go from his back, -Name's Ivy- she replied -Ivy Sundew-, -She's my best friend in town- Sprig added. -What is she basically doing outside of town?- Bumblebee asked him, -I was just going to ask him if we could go catch some bugs- Ivy claimed -you want to come too big guy?-, -His name is Bumblebee, Ivy- Sprig stated -and… I fear I can't right now, Hop Pop wanted me to grab some groceries. Traveling a lot had deployed us from our reserves-, -I can come too then- Ivy replied -my mom may give you some biscuits if that's what HP is probably asking you for-, -Why do I have a feeling that this isn't going to end well- Bumblebee said to himself.
It didn't look that long for the three of them to reach the town, as Sprig claimed earlier, and once there the townsfolk focused on the big, yellow robot that was accompanying the two frogs. -Isn't that the yellow robot that was going along with that optimum thing?- a frog asked as Bee left Sprig and Ivy to reach the shop on their own -I thought he'd be as big as whatever he is-, -I don't mind the size to be honest- Loggle stated as he came into the scene -I must say though: he's got a very bug like face-. -I feel like he may be one of those hyena bees that were on the woods last month- a newt stated -although, if I recall correctly, those were much hairier-, -But he does have wings- said the old purple frog as she came down from her ladybird -there's two on his back-, -I don't think they're wings- Loggle stated -wings of hyena bees are transparent-, -but they do look like that- the newt stated -there's some transparent stuff on the upper part-, -what about the rest?- Loggle asked as Sprig and Ivy left the store and rejoined with Bumblebee -they look purely yellow-, -probably feathers- the newt replied as Bumblebee showed his back. As the residents kept on chatting, Bumblebee approached them with caution, -It's a bit rude to jump in on conversations, don't you think?- Loggle stated as he saw Bee approaching, -S..Sorry, I just heard that you guys were calling me a… hyena bee?- Bumblebee excused himself -I just wanted to state that I'm not a forest animal-, -Oh, you don't need to apologize- the old purple frog stated -also, where's that Optimal creature-, -You… refer to Optimus, right?- Bee tried to clear it up, -Oh, that's how he was called- she replied, almost giggling -silly me-, -And why did he leave you behind?- Loggle asked -too weak for a mission-. That sentence hurt him, but after his explosive reaction to Ivy, Bee tried his best to hold himself from shouting or even shooting that blue axolotl. -He was left to watch over the town- Sprig suddenly intervened as Bee was mere seconds from losing his cool -Prime left him as a guard-, -From what? That giant that nearly destroyed the town?- a frog questioned Sprig's statement -that thing was killed by that "Optimus" thing, and we used some beetles to carry it outside the town-, -How far?- Sprig asked, -I'd say like a couple of kilometers- the frog replied -maybe further, I can't really remember-. -Prime said he needed it to scavenge for parts for a base- Bee noted -once we get enough parts…-, -You'll leave Wartwood alone?- the mayor stated as he came into the scene to see the commotion -because that encounter between that Optimus guy and the giant has demolished some houses that were close to town-, -Does it matter?- the old purple frog argued -You haven't rebuilt the town school that was demolished by that massive centipede like you promised two years ago-. As the mayor and the townsfolk began a different argument, Sprig, Bee and Ivy decided to leave for the Plantars' house, -I think you got to know the townsfolk very well- Ivy stated, -Yeah- Bee replied -I feel like our presence is going to cause some division-, -Don't say that Bee- Sprig cheered him up -I feel like you will end up being accepted like Anne, after all: you're both not from this place-.
It took them an hour to find the remains of the Drone Optimus butchered, and once there, the Autobots began dividing tasks. -Ratchet, cut open the underside- Prime ordered him -Sideswipe, slice off the legs, and Ironhide, blast open the head-. While everyone was dividing the body, Optimus took his time on breaking up the back of the Drone; his mind was still thinking on why did it suddenly target Anne when he knew those things were Cybertronian destroyers. Ratchet suddenly noticed how Optimus was making slow progress and decided to cheer him up. -Optimus, I found some components to build a thruster- he stated, but Optimus only gave him a neutral look and kept "grinding", -Is everything alright, Prime?- Ratchet attempted to start a conversation, -There's the same question circling around my head since I killed this drone- Prime replied -I still don't get why would it target her-, -I may not be an expert at technology like Que was- Ratchet painfully stated -but it could be a program malfunction or flaw-. At this point, everyone else was paying attention to the conversation and wanted to join in, but the topic at hand didn't seem to be of their knowledge; -What are you two looking at?!- Ratchet yelled at them -Keep striping the Drone for parts!-, -Gee, Ratchet, you don't need to yell at us for trying to see what's with Optimus- Sideswipe mumbled. -You don't need to get personal with them, old friend- Optimus stated -I know their suggestions regarding my question may be of no use, but at least let them talk-, -Sorry, Prime- Ratchet apologized -tension between us have been constant since your disappearance; it's at least relieving that you're here to put some order-. -Well, if Bumblebee wasn't the one who was leading us during our pleasant "house" in the desert, we would've at least tried to find you earlier- Ironhide argued -He's too much of a child! Always naïve and clumsy when he tries to command us to do something, I don't get why you left him at charge and not Ratchet or Sideswipe-, -I left Bumblebee in charge of all of you because I know he's tolerant, persistent and brave- Optimus replied -he's a brave soldier that wouldn't let himself down if something fails-, -Are you only trying to make it up for him because he's still a scout?- Ironhide interrupted him -because if you describe these merits of his it should be because he is more than that-, that last sentence was enough to taunt Prime, but before he could get angry at him, a small cracking noise alerted everyone
-Uh… Ratchet?- Sideswipe alerted him -is this pod safe?-; both Ironhide and Optimus placed eyes on Ratchet as he went to him to give the metallic piece a closer look, and he noticed that what he was holding was worse than what he thought, -Sideswipe, on what part did you find this?- he nervously asked, -On one of the back legs- Sideswipe replied -the left one, I think, why?-, -Please tell me you didn't crack it- Ratchet stated in panic, -Nooo…?- Sideswipe nervously stated, now terrified of what Ratchet would say; but before Ratchet could say something, a bullet was heard and all the Autobots stood on defense. There was a gap of silence before another bullet could be heard, and soon all the Autobots were pointing guns at their left. -Another Drone?- Sideswipe asked nervously, -Doubt it- Ironhide cleared it up -gun shot seems to be from a small blaster-, -That's a Drone anyway- Ratchet stated -Scouts exist-. As the three Autobots started to argue, Optimus tried to approach the gunfire spot, and out of the bushes came something… unexpected. -Agh, I told you not to make me fire unless there's something dangerous above us!- a robot stated as he smacked the other one in the face, -You told me he was back- the other one tried to clear it up -hence why I shot-, -Did you try and kill him?- the first bot stated -because that seems like it!-, -Can you just accept the fact that he hasn't been seen in like weeks?!- the other one stated, completely derailing the conversation, and it was then that both noticed Optimus standing there, menacingly. -Uhhh… Hi?- one of the small bots nervously saluted before the other Autobots noticed them too, -Minicons!- Ratchet stated in amusement -How did they get here?-, -I wouldn't say that's the important thing to ask now- Sideswipe stated -more like why are they here-, -If these Minicons are here…- Ironhide assumed, -Then the Decepticons know of our location- Optimus stated, and they all soon stared down menacingly at the Minicons. -Hey now, I… I'm sure we can just talk this out… right?- one of them stated, only to be quickly answered by Ironhide slamming one of his cannons next to him, -STATE YOUR BUSINESS NOW, PUNKS!- Ironhide yelled at them, his cannon ready to blast them, -Woah, there's… no need to shoot us!- one of them tried to reason, only to get Ironhide even more pissed off, -Easy, Ironhide- Optimus intervened before he could shoot them, but his tone was still loud enough to keep the Minicon duo frightened -Why were you following us?-, -We weren't- one of them replied -we're only waiting for our leader to come back-, -You mean Megatron?- Ratchet asked, -What? No!- the other bot replied -that guy doesn't even know we're here-. -Stowaways then- Sideswipe concluded, -Well yes but actually no- one of them replied -Soundwave sent us here for no reason-, -Yeah sure- Ironhide -and who else is here as well? Frenzy? Ravage? Laserbeak?-.
As soon as they mentioned his name, the two Minicons stood quiet, fearfully holding their words against their mouths. -They're here, aren't they?- Ironhide tried to make them speak, but in trying to threaten them, he accidentally knocked Sideswipe backwards and straight into the pod, opening it. -Oh… no- said Sideswipe as he stood up from the fall; the pod had split in two, and out of it came a sort of silvery fluid. -Looks like mercury- said Ratchet as he tried to identify it, but as he got closer, the fluid began to mix itself and disperse through the air like flakes. -Uh… what was that?- one of the Minicons asked as he looked at the flakes form a band, as if they were a flock of birds; the Autobots took a defensive stance yet again and the Minicons took their chance to escape. The giant bait ball soon plunged into the ground and transformed into nine medium-sized robots, and after doing so they took off and fled into the forest. -Scout Drones?- Sideswipe asked, -Yup- Ironhide replied; he then noticed that the Minicons were gone. -Where did those hooligans go?!- he asked as he tried to spot them on the foliage, -It's of no use, Ironhide- Optimus stated -If those Drones left for the forest…-, -They must be heading for Wartwood!- Ratchet fearfully finished his sentence -We've got to move, NOW!-, -But… the parts!- Sideswipe tried to regain the focus on the mission, -We'll come back for them later- Prime replied -Autobots! Roll out!-. All four of them transformed into vehicles and drove off towards Wartwood, once they left the scene, however, the Minicons popped back up. -Eesh, what's with the hurry for those guys?- one of them stated, -Relax Brains, they probably left some energon stew on or something- the other bot jokingly replied, his laughing mood soon changed with the arrival of their leader. -WHERE IN THIS DAMNED LAND WERE YOU TWO DAMMIT?!- He yelled at them, -Relax, Laserbeak- Brains tried to chill him -we've kept a low profile like you ordered us to do-, Laserbeak ignored that sentence and immediately grabbed Brains by his throat, -Did I or did I not tell you to wait for me on OUR SPOT!- he yelled at Brains -WHY can't you TWO LISTEN?!-, -Hey, if anything, we should be mad at you!- the other bot stated, only to cause Laserbeak to look at him with a death stare, -We waited on that spot for almost a week- he continued -we thought something happened! You know if one of us gets badly injured the "mission" is over, right?-. Laserbeak simply flew over him and pinned him down, -Listen here, Wheelie- he stated -if I become absent for a period of time, it's because I am on pursuit or in a pickle. And even so, you and your friend have to be reminded that I. AM. FINE. ON. MY. OWN!-, -But… We're a team!- Wheelie tried to argue, -Oh, you innocent buffoon- Laserbeak stated -I am my own team; you two are just stowaways-, -That's literally what that Sideswipe guy called us- Brains muttered, but that caught Laserbeak's attention yet again. -You saw him?- he asked, -Oh, now you're interested in a team member, huh?- Brains replied -if anything, you must know we've seen four of the Autobots so far-, -And… Where are they now?- Laserbeak asked with a grin, -Well, they said they must head to some Weedwort place- Brains stated, and that was enough for Laserbeak to take flight again and head towards his objective.
-And that kids is how I managed to make those carrots grow- Hop Pop stated as he finished his story, it had been a good 2 hours since Sprig left for the town to buy stuff and Anne felt like it was an eternity; suddenly, she spotted Bumblebee approaching and alerted Hop Pop and Polly about it. -Hey guys!- she yelled -the boys are back!-, Bumblebee parked on the door as Anne and the other Plantars got out of the house too meet up with Sprig, -Hooray boy!- Hop Pop cheered him as he saw Sprig with the bag of groceries -now… did you get everything I put on the list?-, -Sure I did!- Sprig replied as he pulled the bags of Bee, -We'll see about that- said Hop Pop with a smirk. Bumblebee transformed and accidentally dropped Ivy in the process, catching everyone off guard. -Bumblebee, you're not supposed to take people- Hop Pop told him, -She… actually came with me- Sprig cleared it up, -Awww… Sprig found a gf!- Anne joked, but that put both Sprig and Ivy in an uncomfortable mood, -Hey, they're just friends, OK?- Bee defended them, but Anne couldn't take him so seriously; after all, it's not like she was in these situations back home. Suddenly, Bee began to hear buzzing, and Anne also heard the noise; -Uh… why are you two spacing out?- Polly asked, -Get inside the house- Bee stated, but everyone was confused, -Get inside! NOW!- Bumblebee yelled at them in a hurry as he heard the buzzing get louder. The source of the buzzing was soon visible: nine robots dropped from the sky and transformed into oddly shaped frog-bots, -Drones- Bee said to himself as he took out his blaster and stood in defensive stance; the robots began to scan him and took aim, but instead of firing rockets, they launched small cameras. The small, hovering cameras soon flew over the house and tried to locate something… or someone, -Get lost you small pests!- Bee stated and fired at the Drones, but they dodged the blast and charged at him; Bee tried to take them off him, but every time he took one off his back, another two pounced on him. Meanwhile, Anne, Ivy and the Plantars tried to barricade the door as they heard Bee shoot at the Drones; Sprig, however, noticed that he was struggling to hold his own. -We have to help him!- Sprig cried -those Drones are overwhelming him!-, -They're probably after Anne!- Hop Pop deduced -or worse…-, -After Optimus- Anne finished his sentence. One of the cameras spotted Anne through a window, and it signaled the Scouts to seize fire and move in. -Anne! Plantars! GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!- Bee yelled at them; the group tried to flee, but having made a massive barricade, they couldn't open the door.
The Drones soon busted through the walls and targeted Anne, breaking everything in their direct path; -Get away from her!- Sprig yelled at them as he slung some cups at the Drones' heads with his slingshot, but having seen his attempts, they soon counterattacked by shooting saw disks at him. -Sprig! WATCH OUT- Ivy yelled at him before she was forced to pull him out of the way, Anne then took her chance and tried to hit them with a racket, but seeing her attack was all they needed; as Anne swinged her racket, a Drone dodged and leapt onto her back. Polly jumped on it and tried to take it off her; but two more Drones dragged her off by her tail and slammed her towards a bucket, -Oh NO YOU DON'T!- said Hop Pop before charging at the Drones, but the remaining ones tackled him and pinned him down. Anne then smacked her back to a wall and knocked the Drone off, stunning it; and then she stepped on its face, destroying him. -Well, that's one out of the way- she said as she also tried to find a way out; Sprig and Ivy took down another three before they got cornered by another two, -Bee, help us!- Sprig tried to yell at him, but a Drone kicked his face with force, knocking him out. -SPRIG!- Bee yelled and immediately went berserk, he suddenly turned his blaster into a missile launcher and fired at the house, breaking an entire section off and allowing the group to escape, the Drones followed pursuit as one shot Anne in the leg, and Bee took his chance to smash them one by one; two of them tried to fight back by fusing together and shooting at Bee's arm, but bee dodged and by grabbing it by its legs, Bumblebee skinned the Drone of its parts. -Well- Hop Pop stated as he tried to catch his breath -that was gory-, Bee turned to face the Plantars to check if they were fine, and saw Sprig knocked out. -He's still breathing- said Ivy as she checked his pulse -he's OK, Bee. It's all fine-, -No, it's not OK- Bee replied -I was supposed to protect you all from harm's way and look! Sprig is knocked out and Anne is wounded!-, -It's ok Bee- Anne tried to fake the pain as she spoke -it barely even hurts!-. Bee then heard engine noises and soon spotted the other Autobots driving quickly towards him, -Is everything OK?!- Ironhide asked as he transformed and secured the perimeter, it was then when he saw the house and Anne wounded, -Told you the house would be on fire when we came back- Sideswipe joked. Optimus then transformed and directly looked at Bee. -Optimus, I can explain…- Bee tried to explain himself, -Ratchet, take care of Boonchuy and Sprig- Optimus ordered -Bumblebee, you take Sprig's friend back to her house-; Bumblebee silently obeyed as he transformed and allowed Ivy inside, he then drove off in silence, something that Ivy noticed. -Bee, don't be sad about it- Ivy tried to cheer him up -Sprig is fine and we're all alive thanks to your tactic-, -It's not just that, Ivy- Bee replied -I just wanted to prove Optimus that I can do my work the best I can-, -But… you did good!- Ivy kept on cheering him -I don't see anything bad with the result, apart from two injured people, but it could've been worse-, -I just want to do what I'm told perfectly- Bee admitted -Everyone mocks me because ever since Optimus left a thousand years ago. I lead them to nothing. I guess I am just a scout-.
Ivy soon spotted her house and told Bee to drop her off before they reached it; after all, she didn't have the best of thoughts when she saw the Autobots for the first time; afterwards, Bee drove back to the Plantars' house and saw Optimus awaiting for him. Bee transformed and fearfully moved towards him, but he was then stopped by someone hugging his leg, -Thanks for protecting us, Bee- Sprig stated as he made Bee smile, a smile that faded away as he began to think of what Optimus would say to him. -Optimus, I… I'm sorry- Bee began to apologize as he caught up to Optimus -I tried to help them as much as I could, but those small Drones… I don't know where they came from-, -You don't need to worry, Bumblebee- Optimus interrupted him -in fact, you shouldn't be sorry-, -But… I failed to keep them all unharmed- Bee excused himself, -In any mission does everyone have a chance to result unharmed, old friend- Optimus told him -And… I should be the one apologizing to you-. Bee was now confused: why would Prime ask for forgiveness from him?, -We… may have accidentally activated those scouts- Prime interrupted his doubts, and that left Bee even more confused, -You… WHAT?!- Bumblebee asked in surprise, -Well… technically it was Sideswipe's fault- Ironhide intervened, -Hold on! YOU were the one who made me trip and break that pod!- Sideswipe tried to defend himself -Just because you were "interrogating" those Minicons…-, -Minicons?!- Bee interrupted him -What did I miss!-, -We basically found a pair of Minicons while tearing the Drone's remains apart- Ironhide stated, -Wait, does that mean there's Decepticons now in the mix?!- Bumblebee nervously asked, -We're not sure- Optimus stated -those two 'Cons are the only lead we have, but we do not know if there's any other Decepticons in the mix-. Bee felt like he was being set up for something, so he tried to clear his doubts. -Will I have to try and find it out- Bee asked, -I don't think so- Prime replied -for now, we have to focus on our resources and getting Anne home; but that doesn't mean you'll stay behind for the rest of our trips-, -You're saying…- Bee stated in excitement, -You can now leave the base- Optimus finished his sentence -and I'll replace you with Ratchet-, -WHAT?!- he yelled from afar, causing Bee to laugh. As tensions calmed down, however, they began to be spied on by someone, -So those hooligans were right- Laserbeak stated -the Autobots are still alive. Well then…
Time to strike up a bargain!-.