Welcome back! Let's head straight into the story.

This is just a cute wholesome chapter before everything starts getting wayyy more complex.

Just to clarify: I want this series to be a little different to the original. Like original ideas, new characters, and whole new plot points. One of those plot points is the addition of a certain bully that I always felt got way too little character development.

Enioy!

Chapter Six: New Perspective

Vince's POV . . .

If you'd have told me earlier that day that I'd be sitting in the headquarters of an alien species, the most difficult part to believe woulda been that Miko, Darby, and Raf tolerated me long enough to not kick me out.

They had this small area up a few flights of stairs where they'd all hang out. Decked out with a TV, couches and a few posters that I guessed were Miko and Jack's. Raf didn't seem like the type to listen to death metal or My Chemical Romance.

My shoulders were hunched as I sat opposite them, foot tapping on the floor restlessly. Nervous habit, I guess.

"So...do I have to live here now?" I mumbled.

Miko scoffed. "You wish."

"They're just talking about what to do." Jack stated, one earphone in as he scrolled through his phone. "I guess they're deciding on who's gonna be your guardian."

"Guardian?" I repeated, glancing over at the giant robots talking to each other on the opposite side of the room. "Like...follow me around and protect me and stuff?"

"And hang out with you." Raf explained. "Bumblebee and me go to this old drive-in movie place a lot. He likes western sci-fi films."

"My money's on Ratchet being the guardian." Miko chimed in. "He doesn't have a human yet. He's probably just cranky cus he feels left out."

I'd spotted the doctor-looking 'bot when they drove me back here. He certainly seemed cranky.

The only robot that wasn't in the group was the silver and pink one that saved me earlier. She was sitting in the medical bay, tapping her foot too. Nervous robot habit, I guessed.

Standing up, I made my way over to the side of the hangout that overlooked the makeshift hospital. She was staring at the floor.

"Hey." I began, trying to sound more chill than my normal tone. She looked up. "What's your name?"

She seemed surprised, but lightly smiled. "Silver Sun. I'm already aware that you're Vince."

"Right...Sorry about stealing you by the way." I shrugged. "Or...is it 'kidnapped'? Bot-napped?"

Silver chuckled. "Apology accepted. I'm sorry for allowing you to get caught up in all this."

I shrugged, eyes drifting as I took in my surroundings. "Not the worst after-party I've ever been to." I turned back to her. "You're okay, right? Earlier, it looked like you got...hurt."

I didn't even know that robots could get hurt.

"Oh, of course. You saw all of that..." She looked a little embarrassed. "I-I'm fine. But if your concern is that we can't protect you, just know that I'm the only one here who can't fight. The others are more than capable of being your guardians."

I was just concerned for her. My dad used to be a boxer, on track to becoming a pro. I could face off anyone any day of the week. But she couldn't. And based on what I saw earlier, she really needed to.

"Vince." A sonorous voice echoed in my direction.

Turning back, I saw the tallest of them walking towards me. His main colours were red on his torso, with blue donning his legs and head. He walked with the stride of a leader.

He leaned down to my level, causing me to step back a little.

"I am Optimus Prime. Like Jack, Rafael and Miko, we must explain to you who we are and what we are doing upon your planet." He began. "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, running from a war that has plagued our people for eons. The two you encountered earlier were our enemies: Decepticons. Had we not found you when we did, there is no telling where in the world you could be now."

My eyes were wide as my brain tried to wrap itself around what the heck had just been explained to me.

The leader tilted his helm, turning to the one they'd referred to as Ratchet. "I have been workshopping that shortened version, but I am afraid it might have been too much all at once."

To my surprise, Darby put a hand on my shoulder. Looking up at Optimus, he shrugged.

"He's a little freaked out. Maybe let him rest up for a bit and come back to the lore later." Jack explained.

Optimus nodded. "Understandable. The one thing we must decide on is who your guardian will be-"

"I am not sharing Bulkhead!" Miko piped up. "He's my 'ride or die'!"

Optimus turned to the big green robot beside him, who quickly put his hands up.

"Just an expression, Op." He quickly clarified. "No one's dying."

"I see." The leader nodded. "Still, we have discussed it. Either myself or Ratchet are willing to be your guardian."

The doc-bot next to him didn't look all that happy about it. He grumbled something about "more humans".

I stepped forward. "Uhhh...with all due respect, Mr...Captain...Prime..." I gestured to Silver. "Can she be my guardian?"

Silver Sun seemed to jolt a little in surprise. Her bright bluish-green eyes seemed to dart between myself and Optimus, waiting on his reaction before weighing in. But he wasn't the first to answer.

"What?!" The blue robot beside Bulkhead finally spoke up. "No, that's way too dangerous!"

"Arcee-" The leader tried to interject.

"Optimus. Everytime she has left the base, she's almost died." Arcee wouldn't let him finish his argument. "Do you really want to add a human into that mix?"

Well, that sounded harsh. Sure, Silver Sun seemed a little awkward, but to say she couldn't be trusted to protect me was pretty rude.

"Again, no offence," I began cautiously. "But Silver saved me tonight. She coulda just run. I probably would've if I knew I was outnumbered. But she didn't. If the point of a guardian is to trust them, then I trust her."

"She can't fight." Arcee folded her arms. "What happens if you're in the same situation as you were in tonight, and she still can't defend you two?"

"I can learn." She shakily stood up. "If it's just self-defence for myself and Vince, I can do it."

I glanced at Jack, who just lightly shrugged. He didn't know what to expect anymore than I did.

Optimus glanced between me and Silver. His expression didn't really give anything away. Or maybe it did? I hadn't learned how to read giant aliens yet.

Finally, he said something.

"While our young medical officer is not an experienced fighter..." He admitted. "Her spark has never been called into question." He turned to the blue robot. "Arcee. Though you are the obvious choice to begin teaching Silver how to defend herself, I believe that Bumblebee might be more suited for her current skill level."

Oh right, him. I remembered the black and yellow car that I'd raced Jack against a few months ago. Didn't take a genius to know that he was Bumblebee.

He'd already gone to his room to rest, but Silver perked up a little when his name was mentioned.

"Fine." With a lot of reluctance, Arcee backed down.

Optimus nodded. "Then it is settled. Vince's guardian will be our newest recruit."

I smiled and looked over to Silver Sun, who gave an awkward smile back.

Right, I took a deep breath. Alien robots.

Silver's POV. . .

I tried to stay calm as Optimus continued instructing me on what being a guardian entailed, but I was far too excited. I already found Earth's cultures and life forms fascinating, and now I could ask Vince about it first-hand.

He'd already gone home for the day. Bulkhead agreed to take him, Miko and Rafael back to Jasper since Ratchet still had myself and Bee under observation.

"I gather that your sister's main concern is how you'll defend yourself and Vince in the field." Optimus raised an optic ridge. "Have you truly never fought?"I shrugged awkwardly. "Um...not exactly, sir. At least not successfully."

"This is a personal choice?" He guessed.

"More or less." I tried to be vague. "I...haven't had great experiences in the field."

The Prime allowed that last sentence to linger a little. I could tell that he was debating on whether or not to push further. I was thankful that he chose not to.

"I gather that your sister's main concern is how you'll defend yourself and Vince in the field." Optimus raised an optic ridge. "Have you truly never fought?"I shrugged awkwardly. "Um...not exactly, sir. At least not successfully."

"Very well." Optimus nodded. "On that note, I believe Bumblebee should be back to his regular health now, if you would like to see him."

My face flushed blue. "L-Like to see him? Why me specifically? I'm not particularly attached to him or anything. Why would I 'like' to-"

Optimus placed a servo on my shoulder, thankfully cutting me off. "I was referring to asking him to train you." A small smile appeared on the stern leader's face. "Though, I am happy to see that you have found a new friendship with our scout."

At this point, I'm sure my entire face was blue.

I shakily smiled. "Welp. I think that's enough embarrassment for one night." I paused. "Wait, what about the race? Am I in trouble for that?"

"While it is true that racing among humans is strictly against the rules of our base, I believe you made the best choice in the situation." He retracted his servo and turned towards the computer. "A reprimand is not necessary. Though I advise being wary of straying away from your Vehile Form in the future."

I chuckled a little as I headed towards the hallway. "Not going to be a problem."

As soon as I was sure I was out of sight, I made a quick break for Bee's room. I hesitated a little at reaching the hallway. The memory of the night I met Bumblebee still lingered there.

I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the bad feelings I got from walking there. Walking along the hall, I brushed my servo over the wall Megatron had cornered me into.

"Silver?"

I jumped a little as I swiftly turned around. Of course, there was Bee. Trying to smile, I waved at him.

"Oh, h-hi, Bumblebee!" I struggled to get my words out. "How are you after...earlier?"

My effort to distract him evidently didn't work. His optic ridges furrowed a little as he realised what I'd been looking at.

"You were thinking about that night again, weren't you?" He guessed, sadness lacing his tone.

I tensed a little. "I-I'm sorry, I just...haven't been to this area of base since then." I paused. "Do you ever wonder if...No, nevermind."

"What is it?" He asked with genuine concern, trying to meet my gaze again.

I didn't know if I wanted to ask this.

"It's just...when I saw your memories," I shrugged. "You weren't the only one in your mind. I know how difficult it is to forget the things you really, desperately want to. Do you need to talk about-"

"No." He adamantly shook his helm. "Megatron takes up too much of our lives already."

I tried to force a smile. "O-Okay, Bee. Just know that you can talk to me. If you want to, that is."

He nodded in thanks before his optics quickly widened in realisation. "Wait, I thought you weren't supposed to leave the medical bay yet. Are you alright? Arcee said that Knock Out hurt you."

Bumblebee gently placed a servo on my shoulder, optics staring intently into mine. My own optics were wide as the blue blush returned with a vengeance. I looked between his servo and his optics.

"I'm fine, Bee." I smiled. "It was just a light shock."

His optic ridges furrowed with concern. "Y'know you're way too nice about getting injured."

I shrugged. "I learned how to take a punch a looooong time ago. Not optionally."

I laughed at that last bit. Bee didn't laugh. Maybe that piece of information had been more sad than funny...

"Anyway." I cleared my throat to change the subject. "I've been made Vince's guardian - which is great! Buuuut, Optimus said I need to learn how to fight first." Shrugging a little, I glanced up at him. "Feel like teaching a medic how to throw a punch?"

Bumblebee's optics widened in excitement. "Sure! It'll be a nice change from being the newest fighter around here!" He paused. "Wait, why isn't Arcee teaching you?"

I shrugged. "Optimus thought your style would be less...intense than Arcee's."

"Makes sense." He nodded. "Arcee's a great warrior, but she's also..."

He cut himself off. I could tell he was scrambling for another word.

"Scary?" I completed his sentence.

"Well...yeah. No offence to your sister." He put his servos up.

I chuckled a little. "Bee, it's exactly because she's my sister that I know firsthand how scary she is."

"Ahem."

Both of our frames froze.

Sure enough, we turned to the other end of the hallway to see Arcee standing a few feet away from us. Her arms were folded as she glared directly at me.

"Against what you both think, I'm more than capable of teaching my own sister how to fight." She snapped at us. "And it's not as simple as learning how to throw a punch." She raised an optic ridge at me. "I'll walk you back to your room.""Oh, but I was still talking to-"

Her stern glare was all I needed to cut off my sentence.

I glanced at Bee and forced a half-smile. "See you tomorrow?"

The yellow mech seemed a little concerned as his gaze darted between me and my sister. He could tell as well as I did that whatever conversation awaited me wasn't going to be a nice one.

"Bright and early. It's your first training session." He responded softly.

Giving one last nod to wish him a goodnight, I followed my sister back down the winding hallways of the base.

I trailed behind her in a stone-cold silence.

There were two ways of telling the kind of anger my sister had in the moment. If she was yelling, it was actually a good sign, Sure, it'd be a little terrifying in the moment, but at least she told me what was going on.

But if she was silent? It was already too late...

We continued on through the hallway until reaching the main room again. Confused, I glanced around to see that only Ratchet and Optimus were there.

"Why are we back here?" I asked, slightly scared.

She didn't say anything, stopping on the lift to the roof and turning back to me. She just waited.

Not needing to be asked once, I just sighed and stood on the lift with her. As it took us up to the rooftop, I noticed Optimus and Ratchet exchange a knowing look. They were already aware of what she needed to show me.

I felt my spark beating louder and faster as the anticipation began getting to me. Before I knew it, I was already speaking.

"I-I'm sorry, Arcee." I nervously stuttered. "I shouldn't have tried to fight when I didn't know how, and I know it scared you."

We reached the top of the lift, to the rocky rooftop that overlooked the moon brightening the Nevada desert. My optics widened with curiosity. I hadn't familiarised myself with Earth yet, but every change to the landscape fascinated me.

"Silver." My sister's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

Glancing over to where she stood, I noted the pile of rocks beside her, no higher than my waist. It was arranged like some kind of memorial. Arcee looked at it with an expression I'd only seen in her a few times: longing.

I didn't need my powers to understand what this was and what it represented.

Walking up until I was beside her, I placed a servo on her shoulder.

I asked one simple question. "Who?"

"Cliffjumper." She responded solemnly. "He rescued me a while back. Same mission that Tailgate got...you know."

"I'm sorry, Arcee."

She turned, staring at me with much less aggression than before. "Silver. This is the reality of the war we're in. This is how easy it is to lose someone you care about."

I blinked in shock. "Why do you think you need to tell me that?"

"Sil, it's not a secret that you've spent most of your time in the war behind a computer." Her words stung. "If you're taking on Vince as a partner, you need to know how serious this is."

"Arcee, I'm not naive." I folded my arms, feeling slight ire. "You have no idea what happened while..."

I cut myself off.

My sister furrowed her optic ridges. "While what?"

"While...I was at the Academy." I scrambled for a cover. "Forget it, it was just more of Firestar and Lunar."

She seemed to buy it, sighing. "Silver, that's not the same as battle."

"I know, 'Cee." I tried to force a smile. "I'll be careful. Promise."

Once again, she shook her helm as she stared out at the landscape. "You'd better. Because if you die, I'm gonna kill you."

I saw a small hint of a joking smirk as she nudged my arm. I offered a smile in return.

After all of the chaos that had been plaguing our base, I was relieved that some sense of normality was returning.

Maybe I was naive.

The Nemesis (No One's POV) . . .

"Can you believe what that fleshly human did to me?!" Knock Out vented as he tried to retrieve the crowbar from his ankle. "I mean, the audacity of it! I could crush him easily!"

He glanced over to his partner as the bigger mech continued to stare at the computer.

"Breakdown? Are you even listening to me?" The red mech's irritation only increased.

The blue mech snapped out of his daze. "Huh? What?"

Knock Out finally managed to free the crowbar from his leg. "What is going on with you?! You've been acting strange since we've returned from the mission!"

Breakdown simply shrugged. "Just tired."

The red Decepticon stood up, placing a servo on his hip as he tilted his helm. "Are you sure that's it?"

"'Course." Breakdown raised an optic ridge. "What else would it be?"

"Ohhhhh, I don't know, maybe it could be..." Knock Out leaned over tilting his helm. "The femme from earlier?"

The blue 'con rolled his optics. "That crowbar cut off energy flow to your processor."

His friend laughed in amusement. "Breakdown, I've known you for orns. Don't you think I know my partner well enough to sense when he has a crush?" The medic turned to leave before pausing. "Oh, and one bit of advice."

"What?"

"Don't be as obvious about your soft spot for the Autobot around the others." His expression grew deadly-serious. "I might laugh at such a thing, but Megatron would kill you. Without hesitation."

With that the red medic left.

Breakdown knew Knock Out was right. Next time he saw the femme in battle, he needed to be ruthless. He couldn't afford "accidentally" letting her go a second time.

End of Chapter Six!

Like I said, this was just a chapter to show the aftermath of the last chapter. Plus, any excuse to write Bee and Silver Sun being cute together.

See you all in the next chapter!

'Til All Are One,

GreyroseLegacy