CHAPTER 10
A Battle and a Decision

Bumblebee felt tension build up as he set Trevor back on the ground. He didn't know what to do at the moment, given they were caught in a war-zone. He immediately regretted letting Trevor get in the middle of this. Considering the fact that Blackout and Starscream were here, he knew that meant one thing: Megatron had thawed, and he was not far behind. "Alright, we got this," Lennox muttered. "That's the same freak that attacked and destroyed our base," He then added. "And if it's anything like the scorpion, sabot rounds should do the trick."

"Yeah, and what do you suggest we do about the Raptor?" Epps asked from beside him. "And unless that tank is on our side, this crap is only going to get worse."

Bumblebee stared up, getting into a battle stance quickly. He knew this tactic of the Decepticons, it was simple, to surround and blast everyone in sight. Trevor looked over the Allspark, then looked up at Bumblebee. "We need to get this thing hidden," Trevor muttered, and the mech looked at him. "They're creating a distraction, but that's going to mean nothing if one of us doesn't take the cube."

"I'm going with you," Bumblebee replied firmly. "If you're going anywhere, I'm going with you. Start together, finish together, just like you said," Trevor nodded, not even arguing, as Bumblebee turned to Ironhide, who was rushing to his side. "'Hide, I know what you're going to say, but the kid's right. You all have to drive them off until they can get ahold of this air force of theirs."

"That is not happening! We are supposed to protect him, under Prime's orders," Trevor frowned at the way Ironhide shouted. "If we give him the Allspark he won't stand a chance! What happens when you're attacked, Bee? What happens if we can't get to either one of you in time?" He shouted, getting frustrated. "Slaggit, I am not sending the two youngest members among us out into a suicide mission!"

Ironhide shook his head, looking between the two of them. But it was Lennox who looked over, between shots and the hail of gunfire. Quickly, he rushed to their side, his eyes looking between them. "Ironhide, right?" Lennox asked, and the burly mech nodded in response. "They're right, someone has to take that cube out of here. Once the Air Force arrives, they can help get it out of the city." He looked down upon Trevor calmly. "Alright, kid, you see that building up there?"

As Lennox pointed towards a large building several city blocks away, Trevor nodded slowly. Lennox took a deep breath, as if thinking twice about all of this. Yet, after a few seconds, he nodded his head. "You take this flare," Lennox went into his belt, and shoved a flare into Trevor's hand. "And you run like hell to that building. Get to the top, set the flare, and get that thing out of there."

Ironhide shook his head, looking at Bumblebee as if to argue. And yet, he could also see that the tank, Brawl, was already taking on the soldiers with relative ease. Even he knew that this wasn't up for discussion, either they took the cube, or far too many people were going to die. Especially with Blackout having disappeared into the city. "Frag it all, you come back, you hear me?" Ironhide snapped, pointing to Bumblebee. "If ye die out there, I'll offline you!"

Trevor watched as Bumblebee gave somewhat of a salute, then looked down at Trevor. The mech's battle mask went down, and his cannons came out. "Trevor," Trevor turned his head to look at Lennox. "If something goes wrong out there, don't play hero. You both keep running and don't even think of looking back." He nodded his head slowly.

Before anything else could be said, Trevor was running down the streets of Mission City with Bumblebee hot on his tail. The sounds of battle flew overhead, loud and terrifying. Trevor mused that he now knew what thousands of sci-fi heroes felt like, after all, despite the fear it was like an adrenaline rush. Above him, Bumblebee barely stayed more than a few inches behind Trevor, keeping his cannon aimed around. For a moment, it seemed as though the run to the building would go smoothly.

And then the ground in front of him exploded. Trevor screamed as he hit the ground, his prosthetic leg hitting a large piece of debris with a loud crack. Trevor cursed under his breath, he knew that his false leg was damaged, and that was not good. Behind him, Bumblebee had turned, and looked on in wide-opticed horror. Trevor could see the jet, and the helicopter coming for them at full force. Both transforming in mid-flight, Trevor soon noticed that they were looking to gang up on them both. "Bee, they're too big for us to take," Trevor breathed out. "What do we do now?"

"How badly is your leg injured?"

Trevor had some trouble pulling himself to his feet. The leg was clearly damaged, and there was no beating around the bush there. But he could still stand, he could still move it. Though he knew with the crack he now felt in it, he'd have to take it slower than he'd wanted to. "I can still move," Trevor told him, standing to his feet. "But that's not gonna matter if-."

"Need a hand?"

Trevor turned at the sight of Jazz, who had rushed to Bumblebee's aid, firing several shots at Starscream. To his surprise, despite his small stature, the small Autobot managed to cause serious damage, nearly knocking Starscream out of the sky. "I told Ironhide that I had this!" Bumblebee groaned. "You need to stop treating me like a sparkling-."

"Don't be that way!" Jazz shouted. "You can't hold them back yourself!" He then turned and looked at Trevor. "Don't just stand there, kid, get the Allspark out of here!"

Bumblebee panicked, looking at Trevor. If he continued on, then that meant that Trevor would not be with him. The idea made his spark race, and panic settle in. He'd sworn to Trevor's father that he would protect him, that he'd be safe. But now, he felt as though he was betraying his trust, or would be if the boy ran into the throng of the battle alone. "Bee?" The scout looked down. "I've got this, okay? I don't have much farther to run, and you guys have to take them down." Bumblebee's optics softened. "I'll be okay, just like you... I can't just sit here while you guys fight back. I have to do something, I have to get the Allspark out of here."

Bumblebee wanted to say "no", especially after how much he'd grown to care about the boy. Yet as he looked at him now, he saw the look in his eyes, that look of certainty. And quietly, he knew that the boy's mind could not be changed. "I'll be right behind you, okay?" Bumblebee assured him. "I swear to Primus, if you don't come back okay..."

"Bee," Trevor shook his head. "I... Thank you," He breathed. "If I don't get back, then thanks for everything you did."

Bumblebee looked at him for a long moment before he was rushing off back towards the building. Then, turning around, he began an assault on Blackout, launching forward and firing off multiple rounds into the body of the Decepticon. He knew this was his moment of truth, his moment to show the others that he was not just the youngling that they had helped Optimus raise. And so, Bumblebee launched himself on top of the Decepticon, blasting away at him with deadly precision. It was clear that Blackout did not see it coming, as the Decepticon balked back, and groaned in pain.

It was only now that he turned his attention from Trevor and the cube. Bumblebee grinned underneath his battle mask, preparing for the mech to attack. "What's the matter, big and ugly?" Bumblebee asked, beckoning him. "That's it, keep your eyes off the kid. Unless you want to get your aft handed to you."

"Pathetic scout," Blackout spat. "Don't make me laugh."

The Decepticon's missiles missed Bumblebee by inches. The action made his doorwings twitch slightly in anger, rolling forward. He shot forward several more blasts from his cannon. "Come on! Is that the best you've got!?" Bumblebee asked, sliding under his legs, spinning around, and kicking him in the back. "I thought I was the pathetic-."

Bumblebee was silenced as the large mech backhanded him violently. Bumblebee groaned, hitting the ground, and noticing Jazz was not fairing much better. The saboteur was fighting a good fight, but his seeker enemy was getting the upper hand. Bumblebee growled quietly, why did it have to be two of Megatron's best ariel fighters? Before Bumblebee could ask, however, he felt Blackout gripping his throat, and thrusting him against the wall of one of the buildings. Bumblebee blasted forward multiple times, causing Blackout to let go in enough time for him to punch him across the jaw.

However, it barely seemed to effect the titan of a Decepticon. Blackout merely wiped Energon from his lip plates, and looked won at the scout. "You just don't go down, do you?" Bumblebee groaned. "Come on, Blackout. If you're this tough you can hit harder than that." He spat some Energon out on the ground. "Hit me with your best shot."

The massive Decepticon slammed his fist down, but Bumblebee quickly caught it. It took both hands, but he was finally able to push it away, leaving his leg open for attack. The blast took off part of his left leg, just as Bumblebee had hoped. A move which knocked Blackout onto one knee, shocking the Decepticon. "You fragger!" Blackout hollered, loudly and pained. "I'll kill you!"

Bumblebee didn't give him the chance, simply bringing his head close to his cannon. Before Blackout could make good of his thread, Bumblebee had blown the Decepticon's head apart. A moment which defined Bumblebee, and surprised him. He'd actually won a fight against a Decepticon bigger than him, taken him down one-on-one. Even after defeating Barricade multiple times, he considered it a personal victory. One which lasted no more than fifty seconds when his eyes shot up to Jazz.

The mech was on the ground, clearly damaged, but alive. As he rushed over, Bumblebee crouched down, looking at him. "Jazz! Slag! He got you good," Bumblebee grumbled, noticing a good chunk of Jazz's armor was missing. "Jazz, are you alright? Is everything-."

"Ah'm fine!" Jazz groaned. "But Starscream... He went after the kid... Gonna kill the transport."

Bumblebee's optics widened, and his head shot up towards the building that Trevor had been headed towards. They hit their target just in time to see the missile that hit what looked to be a transport. A military transport. "TREVOR!" Was all Bumblebee could shout.

Unable to comprehend the fact that his young friend may have been on it.

...

The second time that Trevor was thrown, his prosthetic leg broke. Trevor groaned quietly, feeling the break and the way the leg was now refusing to move. It was no surprise though, the second time had been more violent, sending shrapnel and body parts flying. He looked down over the side of the building with horror, the transport Lennox had promised was gone, he realized. And now he was alone. "Why so surprised?" Trevor turned his head at the new, gravely voice. "This was inevitable."

Trevor stared up at the newfound, silver mech in terror. It was, without a doubt, Megatron. But this time, unlike in the hangar, the looming form of the Decepticon leader was more terrifying. The red optics loomed over him, his talons clicked together, and he grinned madly, revealing hideous fangs. "You're not getting the Allspark," Trevor muttered, feverishly removing his now useless leg from his body, and dragging himself back. "If you want it, you'll have to go through me!"

Megatron gave a deep chuckle, amusement in his features. "As if that will be a challenge. With only one leg, and such a small, fragile body," Megatron made a "tsk, tsk" sound. "Is it fear or courage that compels you to defy me, fleshing? Surely you know the consequences of such actions." He told him rather cooly. "If you hand the cube over now, perhaps I might have use for you. The one-legged wonder of the Decepticon's new world. We'll put you in a nice zoo for all the Decepticon sparklings to enjoy."

Trevor dragged himself to the edge of the building, hugging the Allspark close. Behind him, he could hear as Bumblebee shouted from some distance for him. He closed his eyes, and held it even more tightly. He had done so much for him, and now he could only do one thing in return. Protect their last hope, even if it meant his life. "You're nuts if you think I'll agree to that," Trevor spat. "Go on, blow me to bits. Take your precious Allspark with you!" He added roughly.

Megatron's optics narrowed, clearly not pleased at his continued defiance. As he brought his fusion cannon out, Trevor closed his eyes. He wondered what the afterlife would be like. Would his parents be there? His grandparents? Everyone he'd lost over the years? He thought about how sorry he was to Bumblebee, he wouldn't be able to keep his promise. He wouldn't be able to see Barricade get his comeuppance either, if he hadn't already. "Such a waste of bravery," Megatron snorted. "Pity. I was beginning to think you might make an amusing pet."

And then, the ground below Trevor exploded, sending him plummeting through the air. His life flashed before his eyes, memories good and bad. He prepared for the end, the cube still clutched tightly to his stomach. But before he could hit the bottom, he hit something else, something metal. "I've got you, Trevor," Trevor's eyes shot up as Optimus Prime loomed over him, one hand holding him, and the other gripping onto one building. "Are you alright?" Trevor simply nodded, surprise in his eyes as he looked up into the optics of his savior. "Then hold on!"

This time, when Optimus let go, and fell from a great height, Trevor knew he was safe. The massive Autobot leader landed on his feet, setting Trevor on the ground a few feet away from the building. "You've lost your leg," Optimus observed immediately. "What were you thinking? Going up there? Without back-up? With a damaged appendage?"

Trevor shook his head, looking up at Optimus slowly. "I've got nothing left to lose," Trevor breathed out. "But you guys have everything left to lose." The look on Optimus's face softened, even as they noticed Megatron had jumped to street level as well. "I bought Bee for a reason, whether it was God or fate that gave me that reason... I know this is what I was meant to do."

Optimus was silent, then turned as the Decepticon Leader began the steady approach. He clenched his fist slightly, and then looked down upon the young human. "None-the-less, this is more proof that this war must end," Optimus told him, his voice low and nervous. "Already many will die here, and I know Megatron will never stop at one city." He then added. "If I cannot hold off Megatron, I will open my spark chamber, and you must plunge the Allspark into it. I will sacrifice myself so that this madness may end."

"Prime-."

"This is not up for discussion!"

"If that'll kill you, why not just give it to him?"

Optimus looked at Trevor, confused beyond words. Was he seriously suggesting they give Megatron what he wanted? Had the boy, in the throng of the conflict completely lost his marbles? "I do not understand..." Optimus questioned.

"Give that big freak what he wants."

And then the look in his eyes told Optimus exactly what Trevor meant. The mech frowned under his battle mask, the thought had never occurred to him. Yet if he did this, if he killed Megatron with the Allspark, he'd be ending the life of his brother. Could he do it? Could he really bring himself to such a level? A moment later, he had retracted his sword, and turned around. "When I give the signal," Optimus decided. "Throw me the cube."

At that point, Optimus rushed forward, swinging his blade for Megatron. The mechs collided in a barrage of sparks, one which surprised Trevor greatly. The two mechs exchanged their banter, with Megatron getting the upper hand. "You always did take pity on the weakest of lifeforms," Megatron snarled, his optics glaring into Optimus. "Why do you care about this one? Is it because he impresses you? Or does it remind you of yourself, brother?"

Optimus's only reply was a stab to Megatron's right shoulder, his cannon shoulder. The Decepticon Leader roared in pain, staggering back. "That is none of your concern, Megatron," He looked back, noticing as Trevor dragged himself closer to their battle. "I simply do not wish to see another planet fall because of your greed and tyranny!" He then added coldly. "This madness ends now!"

"I couldn't agree more," Megatron snarled, blasting at Optimus, who barely dodged.

"One shall stand, one shall fall."

"You shall fall!"

Trevor watched as Optimus held his hand out, and with all of his might, crawled the rest of the distance. Shoving the cube into Optimus's hand, the mech looked up into Megatron's optics. "You left me no choice, brother," Optimus began, bringing the Allpsark up. "Forgive me."

Before Megatron could reply, Optimus slammed the Allspark into Megatron's chest. The tyrant recoiled back, roaring in pain as Trevor watched, he clawed at the Allspark, his optics dimming as the Allspark began to disintergrate. "This is not happening!" Megatron screamed as Optimus slowly moved his hand underneath Trevor, holding him close. "I cannot die - not like this! I am immortal! I am-!"

The tyrant never finished his sentence before his optics gave out completely and collapsed to the ground. Trevor relaxed quietly as Optimus stood to his feet, looking upon the now unmoving form of his brother. Trevor groaned, and his head fell back, it was all over, it was over and he was alive. Both of which almost surprised him. "Brother, huh?" Optimus nodded. "You guys take sibling rivalry to a new level up there."

Optimus shook his head at his exhausted young friend, watching as Bumblebee came rushing into view. "You risked your life to save the cube, Trevor," Optimus began, his voice low and grateful. "You risked your life for many, these past forty-eight hours," He corrected himself. "We owe you much."

"Trevor!"

Optimus allowed Bumblebee to take Trevor from his hand, his optics filling with fear. The first thing that the mech noticed was his missing prosthetic leg. And the second? All the dirt, soot, and bruises that lined him. Yet, the last thing he noticed was the most important: he was alive. He had kept his promise to his father, he was alive. "I saw that fall," Bumblebee told him. "You are the dumbest, most thick headed human I have ever met."

"Is that a long way of saying you were scared for me?"

Bumblebee shook his head, and held Trevor closely as his only answer. While Optimus went to address and asses the damage. Much to his relief, it seemed as though, outside of a few military men, there were no casualties from their side. Although Jazz was now carried by Ratchet, barely functioning, but still alive. "The government is going to have one heck of a time covering this up," Trevor muttered.

The last thing he remembered before the exhaustion overtook him was Bumblebee's chuckle.

...

Trevor spent the evening with the Autobots at Sector Seven's base of operations: Hoover Dam. After two days of no sleep, he had slept on the bunker provided for him without any argument. Though he was thoroughly disappointed by the fact that Sam was already gone by the time he woke up. He, and his family having been released earlier that morning. He, of course, was told to stay, given his fate was undecided. After all, he was an orphan now, an orphan who knew what was about to become the world's greatest secret.

He examined the new leg they had fitted him with quietly. It was sleek, and rather state-of-the-art, the least that the government could do for him. And yet, it felt weird to be wearing anything but his standard prosthetic he usually wore. After he had eaten, and dressed in some provided clothing, he was lead to Bumblebee, who no doubt wanted to see him. The Autobot, like himself, looked just as beat up as he had the previous day, but still kept his overall perky demeanor and grin. It was clear he was trying not to seem tense, but he definitely was.

"They're talking about a treaty," Bumblebee told him as Trevor entered the hangar they stood in. "Prime, and the man from the government, Keller." He explained, his optics looking at him. "Since I knew you'd ask what was happening, I thought I'd get that out of the way first." Trevor nodded his head weakly. "I see they got you a new leg... You, uh, recharge well?" He asked.

Trevor shrugged, crossing his arms a bit. "I slept okay," Trevor told him quietly. "They told me that they're still figuring things out with me." He added, looking up at him. "I don't like the fact that they haven't released me yet, Bee," He added, his voice a little cracked. "What do you think they're gonna do to me? Send me to some boarding school? There's no way they'll send me to a foster home with a secret this big."

Bumblebee didn't know how to respond, all things considered. He'd quietly wondered about Trevor's fate himself. Wherever he went, he wanted to go with him. But would the government let him? Especially before he was the legal driving age of sixteen? As he thought of that, another thought occurred to him once again. The Autobots owed so much to Trevor, something Optimus acknowledged himself. Could they convince the human government to let them take responsibility for Trevor? It was one possibility after all. Soon, they would form a base on Earth, considering with the Allspark gone, returning to Cybertron was out of the question.

Maybe the government COULD be convinced. But what if they couldn't? After all, being of a different species, they knew very little when it came to human kids. But they could learn, perhaps they could even receive human help on the matter. "... I don't know, Trev," Bumblebee replied, uncertainty in his voice. "But it's gonna be okay. You helped save your world, kid. You'll be rewarded, not torn down."

Trevor nodded, avoiding Bumblebee's gaze. Bumblebee could tell he was still scared, and chances were, he couldn't help that. He'd been through a lot in the last few days. And now, he was about to go through more. He was going to be thrust into the real world again, but one without his family, or a home to speak of. "Mr. Ridley?" They both looked up as a man in a suit approached them, carrying a clipboard. "Now that you're awake, and fed, I need to have a few words with you."

Bumblebee tensed, but tried to keep his body calm. His optics looked down upon Trevor before he gently nudged the young human with his foot. "Go on," He encouraged. "I'll be right here when you're done talking."

Trevor took a few, hesitant steps forward as he noticed the badge on the man's coat pocket. Of course, he was the head of the Child Welfare System. Here, most likely, to discuss what was to become of him now. The very thought that this was actually happening nearly brought him to his knees. He wanted to wake up now, to be in his bed and have it all be a dream. And yet, the man put an arm around his shoulder, and he only managed one last look at Bumblebee before he was led down a hallway and out of sight.

For a long moment, Bumblebee stood there, uncertain of what to do or say. In his processor, the thought never left him, only grew stronger. He wouldn't let Trevor go through the cracks of the system, he refused to let that happen to him. :Prime, we need to talk.: He spoke through his comm link.

:Bumblebee, I am in a meeting.:

:They're gonna take Trevor away. A man took him... And I can just tell,: Bumblebee waited for a reply, but received none on the other end. :I can't let that happen, Prime. Just like you couldn't let it happen to me when you found me... He's done too much to help me, to help us.:

Optimus was so silent that for a moment, Bumblebee was unsure that the mech agreed. And yet, he heard a quiet sigh on the other end, low enough that he knew, even before their bond kicked in, that Optimus agreed. :I agree, Bumblebee, but you are too young.: He countered.

:I'm thirty-four vorns! Ten vorns older than you were,: Bumblebee replied, his voice strained. :Please, Prime. Let me do this for him, for his sire... I promised I'd take care of him. And that's not a promise I want to go back on.: He then added. :And I would not be alone, I'd have you, Ironhide, Ratchet, and Jazz. I can do this, Prime.:

There was more silence on the other end as Optimus seemingly considered his words. After what seemed like an eternity, Optimus cleared his metallic throat, and spoke on the other end. :I had already asked Keller to include this in our treaty... That Trevor Ridley would be our responsibility after all that has happened to him. And after all he has sacrificed for us.: Optimus replied. :He believes this will be a difficult condition to talk over with the government. But it is to be discussed...: Optimus began. :Am I to understand you are offering yourself as caretaker if the government agrees to this term?:

For a long moment, Bumblebee stood there, thinking his response over carefully. But slowly, surely, he sucked in a breath, his optics looking at the wall in front of him with a look of certainty.

:Yes, Prime, I am.: It was a sentence that would change his life, FOREVER.

...

A/N: I know, I left out the military and other battles in Mission City. But I felt since we've all seen the movie, it's silly to rewrite every inch of the battle. Instead focusing on Bumblebee's altered involvement and Trevor's involvement. But don't worry, as I'm sure you can tell by the last part of this chapter, Lennox and company will still have a big role in the story, which is far from over yet. ;)