A sudden jolt brings Thunderhoof back to consciousness. The last thing he distinctly remembers was being rescued by some mechs he didn't recognize, and he couldn't pick out any details other than their size and coloration.

There is a commotion in the background. Thunderhoof can't make out any words, but based on tone alone, the speaker doesn't sound pleased. The whole thing is making his helm ache even worse, souring his already foul mood. He forces his optics open, and the moment his vision clears, what he sees does not surprise him in the least.

"Autobots. Of course it's fragging Autobots."

He catches flashes of movement from around the Autobots' legs.

"And humans. Great. You do know I'm a Decepticon, right?"

The Autobots and humans are quiet by now, and the looks in their eyes speak volumes.

"Why'd you help me?"

"We're a rescue team. It's part of the job description," one of the Autobots – a red mech with amber optics – responds, taking a step forward.

"Rescue…" Thunderhoof gave his helm a little shake. "I's thought you were extinct."

"You wouldn't be the only one to think that, believe me. Now, why is a Decepticon all the way out here?"

Thunderhoof kept quiet.

"Whatever. Guess we'll call Cybertron and have someone come grab you."

"If yous gonna call anyone, make it Bumblebee," Thunderhoof vented.

"Bumblebee?" An orange and white mech exclaimed. He immediately covered his mouth when all gazes turned to him.

"Uh, I mean, why Bumblebee? That seems awfully specific."

"'Cause we have history," Thunderhoof rumbled. "I's expect him to hear me out."

The Autobots formed a huddle and discussed what to do. The humans jumped in to add their collective two cents. Although, the smallest human seemed more interested in Thunderhoof than anything else. Just at a glance, Thunderhoof can tell that this kid is different, at least compared to the one he was used to seeing back in Crown City. The face, the eyes; this human appears more open-minded and curious, wanting to know who he is, not just taking him at face value.

"Then it's settled," a law enforcement bot said. "The humans and I will return to the firehouse and get in contact with Bumblebee."

"And the rest of us will stay here to keep an eye on him," a green mech added, politely gesturing to Thunderhoof.

The kid was still staring at Thunderhoof when the sound of transformation broke him out of his trance. He shook his head and looked over at the Autobot the other humans were entering.

"Wait!" The kid cried out, dashing over to the driver's side window. "Dad, I want to stay here!"

There was an instant uproar of protests from both the Autobots and the other humans.

"Cody, having any one of you around a Decepticon, albeit a tired and injured one, is a terrible idea!" The red mech reprimanded.

"I know, but…" Cody hesitated. "I think he might need some company, and I know you won't hold a very friendly conversation. No offense."

That came as much of a surprise to Thunderhoof as it did the other mechs, rendering them speechless.

"Are you sure, son?" The white-haired man in the driver's seat asked.

"Don't worry, dad, I'll be careful," Cody reassured.

More words were exchanged, but Thunderhoof didn't hear any of it. What that older human just said triggered a reminder.

Ah scrap!

Thunderhoof sat up and focused on trying to open his subspace. It took a hot minute before the windshield moved out of the way, giving him just enough room to stick a servo in. He didn't have to rifle around blindly for long. Once he felt a little snout touch his palm, he grabbed the owner and pulled them out.

Steeljaw's daughter looked around, yellow optics taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. Her paws curled against her chassis and tail dangled in the air as Thunderhoof held her by the scruff of her neck. He gave her a quick look, determining that she's fine, and placed her in his lap.

Good, she's still intact. If Steeljaw thought I didn't keep a good enough optic on his bitlit, then he'd send me to the scrapheap.

Thunderhoof suppressed a shiver.

I don't even want to think about what Ramulus would do.

"Hello!"

Thunderhoof startled, not expecting to be addressed so casually. So friendly. Then he saw who it was. The human boy.

"I understand if you don't want to talk, but I hope you don't mind the company," Cody said. He looked at Steeljaw's daughter, taking in the sights from the safety of Thunderhoof's being.

"I've seen minicons before, but none like them, and I don't remember any of them coming out of another bot."

Cody cringed and averted his gaze.

"Sorry, I could have worded that better."

Thunderhoof tilted his helm. He may not want to talk to the Autobots, but this human of theirs is actively trying to talk to him, and be nice about it. The least he could do, for now, is give the kid a chance. After all, he doesn't have as much of a problem with humans as far as Decepticons go.

Heck, he probably tolerates the squishies more than most Autobots!

"S'alright," Thunderhoof shrugged. "And she ain't a minicon. I'm just watchin' her for a close associate of mine."

"Wow, that's certainly nice of you!" Cody remarked, his smile growing.

"Is this associate of yours here on Earth? Is he a threat?" The red mech questioned, taking what would be considered an intimidating step closer by some.

Thing is, Thunderhoof doesn't get intimidated easily. Still, he might as well cooperate. Humor them a bit until Bumblebee shows up.

"No, and only if yous get on 'is bad side," Thunderhoof answered.

The red mech cocked an optic ridge, suspicious of the Ex-Con's sudden want to talk. Cody took note of the tension and decided to break it.

"You know, you might feel a little more comfortable if we introduced ourselves, so you know who we are!"

Cody pointed to everyone and introduced them to Thunderhoof.

"I'm Cody, and this is Heatwave! That's Blades, Boulder, and High Tide! The bot who left earlier is Chase, and the people who went with him are my dad, who everybody calls Chief Burns, my brothers Kade and Graham, and my sister Dani!"

Having run a huge organization with hundreds upon thousands of members spread out all over the galaxy, remembering names is one of Thunderhoof's specialties.

"I'll remember that," Thunderhoof said.

"And what about you?" Cody asked.

"Hm?"

"What's your name? And hers, too?"

Cody pointed to Steeljaw's daughter, who was spread out on Thunderhoof's leg, enjoying the bright, warm rays of the sun on her frame.

"Eh, yous will find out my name eventually, so no point in sayin' it now. As for the bitlit…"

Thunderhoof trailed off, remembering that Steeljaw and Ramulus wanted to wait a while before naming her.

"She doesn't have one yet."

"How come?" Cody asked, his long-held smile turning into a confused frown.

"Hasn't been around that long. My associate wants to see what she's like before naming her."

Cody hums, pondering the information.

"Since we're talking, something's been bugging me once we realized that you're a Decepticon," Heatwave said.

Thunderhoof didn't particularly want to indulge the Autobots, but the red mech's wording and hostile yet genuinely curious tone of voice dragged him in.

"Which would be?"

"Your insignia…" Heatwave pointed to Thunderhoof's chassis. "Why is it slashed?"

Thunderhoof chuckled, remembering the night he first met Steeljaw.

"Long story."

"Care to give us the short version, or are we going to have to wait till later for that as well?"

"Come on, Heatwave, give him a break," Cody pleaded. "He's clearly had a hard day. I'm sure this isn't any easier on him than it is you."

". . . Fine, but if he tries anything, don't expect me to hold back."

"Not like you'd be able to do much to begin with," Thunderhoof mused.

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Heatwave questioned.

"Your kind was made for rescuing, not fighting. I'm guessing that's why you still exist. Must have been kept secret, 'cause yous wouldn't have lasted long if you were involved in the War."

"Just because we didn't fight doesn't mean we don't know how to defend ourselves!"

"I ain't sayin' that yous don't. I's just merely implyin' that yous wouldn't stand a chance against me, even in my current state."

"You wanna test that theory?"

"Heatwave!" Blades exclaimed, rushing forward to stop his team-mate from doing something stupid. "Calm down! We're supposed to wait for Bumblebee, remember?"

"I'd say let Grumpy Gills go," High Tide commented, smirking as he crossed his arms. "Should be quite the show."

"High Tide, not helping!" Boulder grunted out as both him and Blades struggled to hold Heatwave back.

Thunderhoof will give these Autobots one thing, they are certainly entertaining.

"I'm sorry about Heatwave," Cody apologized to Thunderhoof. "He means well, but sometimes his temper gets the better of him."

"Don't worry 'bout it," Thunderhoof dismissed. "My associate has quite the temper, too, though he loses it for different reasons."

"Sounds like you and your associate are close. Why don't you just call them your friend?"

If he was drinking Energon, Thunderhoof would have spit it out. He burst out laughing, startling both Cody and Steeljaw's daughter, and catching the Autobots' attention.

"By the stars, that is the funniest damn thing I've heard in a long time!" Thunderhoof managed to say. "We aren't friends. More business partners, and even then, that's quite a stretch."

"I'm guessing you two don't get along," Boulder assumed.

"Not really. It's impossible for us to agree on anything without nearly killing each other first."

"If you two hate each other so much, then why are you here, on Earth, with her?" Heatwave questioned, gesturing to the surrounding landscape, then Steeljaw's daughter.

Only three words came to mind.

I had to.

Thunderhoof knew he had a choice, and he decided to follow Steeljaw's orders, something he almost never did in the past, let alone happily or willingly. However, things have changed since then. They like each other now about as much as they did before, which is barely, but they are willing to let bygones be bygones.

Besides, after all that Steeljaw did for them, the Ex-Cons owe him big time.

"He did somethin' good for me, so I'm returning the favor," Thunderhoof answered genuinely, looking down at Steeljaw's daughter as he placed a servo over her.

This moment of peace between Rescue Bots and an Ex-Con didn't last, however, as a yellow and black car sped onto the beach out of nowhere and transformed into a very familiar mech.

"Thunderhoof! What are you doing here? Who authorized you to leave Nova Terra? You know you're not supposed to leave without an Autobot escort! Do you know how much trouble you're in?" Bumblebee reprimanded.

"Spare me the riot act and let me explain before you go about saying that kind of stuff you just spat out," Thunderhoof retorted.

"Bumblebee!" Chase called out, screeching to a stop. "May I ask, why did you drive, as the human saying goes, like a bat out of hell?"

The yellow and black mech didn't answer, too busy glaring at Thunderhoof.

"Bumblebee?" Chase tried again.

"What is going on here?" Heatwave demanded.

Bumblebee vented. He turned away from Thunderhoof to face the Rescue Bots.

"It's a long story."

". . . And since then, we've left the 'Cons alone, so long as they follow a few rules. One of which I hope you have a very good reason for breaking, Thunderhoof."

"Yous have no idea," Thunderhoof muttered in response to Bumblebee. "You see, Phantomjaw returned from a job and accidentally brought along an old friend or somethin'. A mech named Doubledealer. Apparently, he was hired to take Steeljaw and Ramulus to someone. I don't know who, but Steeljaw mentioned it might have somethin' to do with the past or whatever. Anyway, a fight broke out and I was forced to leave with the bitlit, and I ended up back on this mudball."

Bumblebee vented and rubbed his temples to soothe the incoming helm ache.

"This is going to be a nightmare."

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Heatwave offered.

Bumblebee looked around the area, at the Rescue Bots, the humans, Thunderhoof, before his optics settled on Steeljaw's daughter. The small, white pup was curled in a tight, recharging ball, snout tucked under her tail. Looking at her, there was no doubt in what must be done.

"Yes, you can," Bumblebee said. "You can provide Thunderhoof and the pup safety and shelter."

.

.

.

.

.

"You're kidding, right?" Heatwave asked, disbelief clear as day.

"Well, I can't very well bring Thunderhoof back to Cybertron, or return him to his current home until the danger has passed, and since he's already here…"

"And what exactly are we supposed to do with him? Give him free reign of the island?"

"Believe me, he's not going to sit around in one place for long."

"Says you," Thunderhoof retorted, gently grabbing Steeljaw's daughter and moving her onto a flat rock. She awoke from the move and looked up at her guardian with curious yellow optics.

"Steeljaw was the one who always had us moving. I was perfectly content with staying in one place, not that we've ever found one I particularly liked enough."

"You're saying you'll be perfectly fine cooped-up in the Bunker? Staying in the same place for who knows how long, without going outside?" Bumblebee questioned.

"I've done it before. Never had to go far unless I deemed it necessary."

"Right. I nearly forgot, with your former profession, you rarely got your own hands dirty. You had a whole bunch of muscle to go out and do stuff for you."

Thunderhoof flinched at Bumblebee's words. He narrowed his optics and clenched his fists.

"Don't mean I didn't do my fair share!"

"I don't know what you two are talking about, but the rest of us need answers," Heatwave said, glare primarily focused on the yellow and black mech. "Bumblebee, who is he, really?"

Resigned to the inevitable, Bumblebee answered, saying…

"His name is Thunderhoof, and he used to be one of the biggest mob bosses back on Cybertron."

The humans and other Autobots all stare at him, gazes incredulous and disbelieving. They remain quiet as Bumblebee continues.

"When I was reassigned to Earth, he was one of the many Decepticon prisoners from the Alchemor who escaped and went around causing trouble. He was also one of the strongest, more clever 'Cons my team and I had to deal with, as well as one of the most temperamental ones. He was going to be put on trial, but then the whole Decepticon Island thing came up, one thing led to another, and now here we are."

"Not breaking rules on purpose, for once," Thunderhoof mentioned.

"True…"

"But isn't this, like, harboring a fugitive or something?" Kade interrupted, starting to freak out.

"That's certainly unsettling to think about when you put it like that," Graham said.

"You're telling me!" Dani exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her body.

Cody didn't say anything. Yes, he backed away from Thunderhoof when his criminal background was brought to light for them all to know, but he didn't go very far. He stood by Steeljaw's daughter, who appeared quite invested in whatever is going on.

"Bumblebee, I trust you, we all do, but are you certain of this?" Chief Burns asked.

The yellow and black mech lowered himself to one knee to be more at eye-level with the human.

"Honestly, no, but as of right now, Griffin Rock is the safest place for both Thunderhoof and the pup. I wouldn't ask you to do something like this unless I felt like it was the best option of any available. They can't return home, and they certainly can't go to Cybertron. I don't know of any other planets I would trust leaving them on. Earth is my best option, and considering how good you all are at holding secrets, I'm positive you'll have no trouble keeping them safe and hidden from any outside dangers."

Nobody could think of anything to say in response.

Chief Burns was sharing an intense stare with Bumblebee, practically looking through his blue optics and at his spark. Whatever he was looking for he must have found because he turned away and, much to his family's surprise, approached Thunderhoof. He stopped by their injured hoof.

"May I?" Chief Burns asked, gesturing to Thunderhoof's injury. Sensing no ill will or malicious intent, yet remaining suspicious, Thunderhoof tentatively nodded.

Permission granted, Chief Burns placed his hand on the horribly melded, salt and sand-covered blue plating. Despite his care, a sudden flare of pain erupts from the area. Chief Burns just barely gets out of the way in time as Thunderhoof's injured leg jerks forward of its own accord.

Clearly, some control wiring has been damaged.

"DAD!"

"CHIEF!"

The humans ran to their father's side and pulled him away from Thunderhoof. They hid behind the Autobots who had encircled the Ex-Con.

"Told ya you'd want me around," High Tide commented.

"Whatever," Heatwave grumbled, gaze fixated on Thunderhoof. "Were you really just trying to trick us? Lie and get your way?"

Thunderhoof ignored him. He ignored all the Autobots in favor of his spazzing limb, and the feel of something sharp sliding in and out of his protoform. Grimacing in discomfort, Thunderhoof forced his leg to bend, then wrapped his arms around it and held it tightly to his chassis. Such misery, albeit highly unwanted, is something he can handle. What Thunderhoof couldn't handle was his current predicament: weak, injured, and at the mercy of Autobots.

"Thunderhoof, what's wrong? What's happening?" Bumblebee asked, sounding concerned.

Reacting on instinct, Bumblebee closes the distance just in time to catch Thunderhoof as he passes out from whatever is ailing him. Bumblebee wraps an arm around his shoulders and cushions his chassis with the other. Upon impact, he flinches.

"Primus, you're burning up."

He turns to the Rescue Bots.

"We need to get him to med-bay, now!"