Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

-“Hey Fixit, do you know where Leutenient Bumblebee is?” 

Strongarm asked. Fixit peered up from his tinkering. 

-”Leutenient Bumblebee should be in the back of the rap-trap-SCRAP yard! He's preparing for a long dive-I’ve-DRIVE! To Jasper Nevada.” 

-”Jasper Nevada? But that’s like a 10-hour drive?” 

Said Sideswipe as he walked up to the control center. 

-”What’s so important to need Bee to head all the way up there? He could just use the ground bridge.” 

Sideswipe said, leaning on Strongarm. She pushed him off, causing him to fall to the ground— before turning her attention to Fxit again. 

-”I’m not quite kur-fur-SURE myself. Though it must be important to him.” 

Fixit finished with a gentle tone. Strongarm began walking to the back of the scrapyard. Sideswipe followed quickly behind her. Strongarm ignored him. 

When they got to the back of the scrapyard, they found Bee talking with Drift as he picked up an energon cube. 

-”Leutenient!” 

Yelled Strongarm as she ran up to him. Sideswipe just nonchalantly walked over. 

-”Strongarm? Sideswipe? What’s going on?” 

Bee asked very calmly, with some slight confusion and concern. 

-”Sir, we heard you were going to Jasper, Nevada. Is that true?”

-”And if it is, why the in the allspark are you going on wheels? It’s like a 10-hour drive, Bee.” 

Strongarmed side-eyed Sideswipe for cutting in with his annoying voice. Sideswipe returned the sentiment. Bee sighed heavily. 

-”Yes, Strongarm, I am going to Jasper, Nevada, and I’m well aware of the length of the drive, Sideswipe. Thank you very much.” 

He said with a tired tone. Russel and Grimlock now showed up, asking the same questions. Bee gave a long, deep sigh and grunt as he pinched the bridge of his nose. 

-”By the allspark, is it too hard to leave for a day or two without everyone on my aft…” 

Bee said in a rhetorical question to everyone, except for Drift. Drift smiled for once as he patted Bee’s back. 

-”You’re now the leader, Bumblebee. Your team members wish to know where their leader is to protect him. They look up to you. Though, don’t take that to heart.” 

Drift said. The others made some sounds of embarrassment or denial before Strongarm and Sideswipe got into another fight, this time over whether Bumblebee was a good role model or not. Sideswipe was just too much of a rebellious teen to ever admit it. 

Russel gave a look to Bee. A silent plea for hep, Bee returned the action before walking up to the teens. Bumblebee separated the two, making them just barely stop their fighting. Just barely. 

-”Okay, okay. Enough.” 

Bee sighed. 

-”The reason I’m going to Jasper, Nevada, is because that is where a large portion of my time was spent during the war. We, as in Team Prime, were given an old Military missle silo that had been unused as our base of opporations. Today marks the day I first met my best friend from Jasper, Nevada, and it also marks the day I lost an old friend. I’m paying respects to both them and my team.” 

Bee finished. Everyone was silent before Grimlock raised his hand. 

-”Yes, Grim?” 

-”Are we allowed to, like, come with you and things like that?” 

Grim asked. It surprises both Drift and Bee. 

-” It’s just that, it seems so important it would be nice to go as a team, right?” 

Grim said, trying to defend his question. The others lit up, and all looked at Bee. Drift shook his head. 

-”I was there last year with Bumblebee. I will stay at the base this time and will keep you all updated on the Decepticon captures and activity.” 

Bee looked almost offended at Drift for taking Bee’s escape route at this point. Bumblebee sighed and gave in to the pleas and puppy dog eyes. 

-”Fine… Just know, this was a warzone and a very, VERY personal place for me and my old team.” 

Said Bumblebee. Everyone nodded. 

-”And Russel, you’ll have to talk to your father about this–” 

-”Already heard you, Bee!” 

Bee almost jumped at the voice. Danny walked up from behind him and over to Russel, who was gleaming. 

-”Can I go, Dad!?” 

Russel asked excitedly. 

-”Sure! It’s summer, after all. As long as you don’t cause any trouble, you can go. You should be safe with Three AutoBots and a DinoBot! I’ll handle business here, and when you’re back, you can tell me all about it!” 

Russel hugged his father before running off to pack a bag. The other grabbed some energon and placed it in their chest compartments while Grim went and got the trailer and stacked some energon cubes on it. 

-”Just so you know, Russel, it’s gonna be a lot of driving around.” 

Bee said. Russel opened the door to the passenger seat and threw his bag in the back before sitting down. He grabbed the seat belt and clicked it into place as quickly as possible. 

-”I’m aware, and I’m still going.” 

-”Okay then. But I don’t want to hear complaining if that's the case. I will be hearing it from Sideswipe soon enough…” 

Bee groaned, and Russel chuckled at his misery. Not before long, they were off. 

Chapter Text

After hours of driving —sleeping on Russel's part, singing on Grim’s, complaining from Sideswipe, and fighting in between Strongarm and Sideswipe— finally, they made it to Jasper, Nevada. 

Everyone was shocked at what they saw. 

-”It looks like a nuke went off here!” 

Said Russel in shock and amazement as he stepped out of Bumblebee's doors. Bee transformed with a grimace yet peaceful face. 

Bee was sorry for what happened, what was lost, but at the same time, he was so happy to be back home it felt unreal. He felt at peace to be back here. Both good and bad, no, great and horrible memories were littered across this battleground.

-”This is what happened in the war!?” 

Asked Strongarm. She wasn’t expecting this to be what was left after the war. Sure, she knew it was bad, but not this bad. 

-”The explosion was our fault.” 

Bumlebee said calmly. Everyone looked at him, shocked. 

-”The Decepticons found our base.” 

He continued, pointing at a mountain-like hill that had been absolutely decimated. 

-”They almost offlined Optimus with that attack. The next thing you know, Dark Mount, a Decepticon castle of sorts, showed up due to reasons far too complex to understand. Synthetic energon.” 

Everyone listened as they walked. Russel on Bee’s shoulder as he spoke. If it wasn’t already clear, he was a veteran of war is sure as Hell was now. It was as if everything about took a 180. 

-”When we tried to take Dark Mount down, we ended up destroying the core. Causing the explosion.” 

He said solemnly. He walked, memorizing the exact steps and turns he had taken when he was here. He then saw a familiar-looking sign lying on the ground, broken, forgotten but still clear. He bent down and picked it up, giving a small chuckle. 

-”’Welcome to K.O Burger, where ever Patty’s a knockout…’” 

He seemed to repeat it as if it were some sacred text he had memorized. 

They walked around more and more a Bumblebee explained every detail about this place, all the memories he had there —good and bad—, and his meetings with the humans known as Jake —the reliable one, Miko —the trouble maker, and his best friend, Rapheal —a kid with fantastic hacking skills. Bee even spoke about Agent Fowler and how much trouble he caused for them as well. 

They walked past the remains of a school, Bee explained that all the kids used to go there and how he would pick up Raph every day from school. 

They went by the remains of houses, and Bee explained whose they were. Some old neighbours he would listen too as they’d rant, the kid's houses, one of the kids' bullies' houses and told them about the story where he egged their house with Miko and ran over their mailbox once or twice. 

They then left the city, and Bee explained the races he used to be a part of. The one where he had a Decepticon encounter with Knockout. 

-”You mean the famous Racer who, during the war, was a Decepticon turned Autobot Spy? You fought with him!?” 

Sideswipe exclaimed out of shock. Bee shrugged. 

-”Well, yeah. He wasn’t always an Autobot Spy. We were kinda rivals too.” 

Sideswipe would have nearly fainted if it weren’t for Grim catching him. Strongarm rolled her eyes as she sighed and began shaking her head. Russel just seemed amazed at Bee’s memories. 

-”Wow, Bee! You can really remember all of this stuff despite the destruction?” 

Bee nodded. 

-”Yup. Feels like yesterday I saw just picking up the kids from school after all. It always does when I’m here.” 

Russel snorted as he held in a laugh. 

-”You sound like an old dad!” 

Bee spluttered as he tried to rebut, but he knew he couldn’t. He did sound like one. 

Once they made it to Bee’s old base, though, something in his demeanor changed as they looked at the charred remains of the old military base. Bee then placed Russel on the ground. 

-”Leutenenit? What are you doing?” 

Strongarm said. 

-”Ya, you’re kinda freaking me out Bee.” 

Sideswipe chipped in. Bee knelt down as if he was before a being of great importance and power. Everyone was sightly shocked but after hearing all they heard it made sense. 

Grim then walked up and joined Bee in his kneeling. Russel, seeing this, joined as well. Strongarm speed-walked over and knelt down as well. Sideswipe groaned as he slumped over and knelt down as well. They stayed like this for a while in silence until Bee spoke. 

-”’Till death do us part.’ Dear Cliffjumper, wherever you are, if you can hear me, you’re my brother-in-arms, my brother through and through despite our origins being different, and that will never change. I hope you’re proud of me, and I promise to bring justice to the world of Decepticons. B-127.” 

Bee spoke in a steady and emotionless voice. Though, his feelings were still felt. Grief stayed heavy in the air as Bee went silent for a while as everyone took in what those words had meant. A friend and family member of Bee had died, and whether it was here or not, this mountain that had been destroyed was his final resting place. 

Bee stood up, a tell-tale sign that the rest should stand. Sideswipe was first, then Grim, then Strongarm, but Russel didn’t stand; he stayed there. Bee waited patiently as the others stood there quietly. They didn’t know why Russel was still kneeling but all anonymously decided Bee would be the one to communicate whether it was fine. 

Russel then stood slowly, bowed before the mess of a mountain and walked over to Bee. Bee let out his hand, and Russel stepped onto it. 

-”Cliffjumper was his name?” 

Russel asked through the silence. Bee nodded. 

-”Yes. His name was Cliffjumper, but we called him Cliff— he was Arcee’s ‘partner in crime’, of sorts. He was like an older brother for me, especially since I was so young compared to the rest of the Team. That is until Smokescreen came.” 

Bee said. Everyone was slightly concerned. 

-”How old were ou Leutenint? The records never said.” 

Strongarm said. Bee thought for a moment. 

-”In earth years, I would be around 15-18, give or take. It's hard to tell. I think it was closer to 15-17, actually…” 

Everyone looked traumatized. Bee was a little unsettled by it, but he chose to ignore it and continue speaking about Cliff instead.

-”He was out energon scouting when the Decepticons showed up and took him aboard their ship. He was offlined before we could do anything, we found and buried his horn —the only thing we had left of him— on top of this mountain. A couple days later, he was then found with his signature online. We rushed to find and try and save him, but the cons… They had turned him into something unfathomable using Dark Energon… We had to leave him as the Energon tunnels exploded, resulting in his body never being able to be recovered or even found.” 

Everyone was shocked and silent. Bee wiped a singular tear from his eye, and they continued walking. Bee walked over to a strange plot of land and looked around. He chuckled lightly. 

-”This was where I kicked Shockwave in the face.” 

He had a sad yet smug look on his face. Sideswipe and Strongarm gave a quick snort before regaining their composure. They then heard a ground bridge noise from behind them. 

Bee turned quicker than usual, almost making Russel fall. Luckily, Bee caught him. 

-”Sorry! Force of habit…” 

Bee gave a slight chuckle. Russel wasn’t impressed but gave a slight smile. He understood being in such a place could bring back unwanted memories that made Bee on edge. Especially looking at the state this place was in. 

Everyone turned their attention back to the ground bridge. Then, an adult human ran out. It wasn’t Danny.

Chapter Text

-”Scout B-127, or should I say Leutenient BumbleBee? It’s been awhile, old friend.”

Bee stood like he was in the military. Back straight as he looked down in shock at the human in front of him. There, in front of him, with grey hair, a long scruffy yet well-kept beard, and glasses, was a man he knew all too well. 

-”Agent Fowler. It’s been quite a while indeed.” 

Bee spoke in a clear and blunt voice yet still soft, he gave a slight chuckle after. He began to lower himself, giving Russel to Grimlock. 

-”How long has it been?” 

Agent Fowler walked forward towards Bee as he placed a hand on his chin and fixed his glasses. 

-”Ten years almost exactly. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have been able to answer, but Jack and his crew have been talking about their little ‘The Day We Met The Autobots’ anniversary.” 

Bee chuckled again. 

-”They’re still doing that?” 

He said, trying to hold back both tears and laughter. 

-”Yup. Started getting me in on it too, despite the fact I met you all before that. Miko been meaning to change the name.” 

Agent Fowler smiled as he looked at Team Bee. 

-”I see you have a new crew, though. Mind introducing me?” 

Bee smiled as he stood. 

-”Of course not.” 

He looked at his confused team. 

-”This here is Agent Fowler. He was our —Team Primes— liaison when we first came to Earth 26 cyber cycles ago, ten years ago in Earth time.” 

Strongarm immediately bowed her head. Sideswipe showed little to no interest, and Grimlock just smiled as he waved. Russel seemed a little uncomfortable but waved too from Grimlock's shoulder. 

-”Due to you bots, I was able to get premoted to deal with ay and all Alien related things. Thanks for that, by the way.” 

Fowler said as he lightly elbowed Bee. Bee just smirked as he looked down. 

-”I don’t remember you being so relaxed and nice before. Where the grumpy Fowler I know?” 

Bee said teasingly. Agent Fowler scowled at Bee. 

-”I wasn’t and ain’t grumpy! Plus, I haven’t seen you bots in ten years and last time I did, you caused so much chaos that I almost got fired! On. Multiple. Occasions. Especially by you.” 

He said, glaring at Bee. Bee defensively raised both his hands as he smiled. A small beep escaped him. 

Team Bee immediately started bombarding Bee and Fowler with questions. Russel, however, was still nervous. 

-”Is he gonna take the Team away? For some weird government reasons? No! Bee wouldn’t let that happen! Right?” 

Russel shook his head and walked over to Bee, who was watching Fowler with amusement. Fowler looked like he was about to explode. 

-”Okay! Let's calm down here! I can only answer one question at a time! God, have you bots gotten soft and even more obnoxious during the time after the war?” 

Bee rolled his eyes at Fowler's ‘question’. 

-”Hardy har har.” 

Bee said, picking up Russel and placing him on his shoulder. Fowler eyed them both slightly but left it alone and dealt with the questions instead.

-”Agent Fowler, Sir. I just have one more question, Sir.” 

Grimlock said as he stood tall and straight. 

-”What’s your question, soldier?” 

Agent Fowler responded as he looked up at Grimlock. 

-”What was Bee like in the past? You said he caused a lot of problems.” 

Bee seemed to freeze as his fans started, trying to cool himself down. Agent Fowler smirked, and everyone stopped and waited intently. 

-”He was a trouble maker, that’s for sure. He may have been Mute at the time, but he was still the sassiest bot around, right after Arcee, that is.” 

This interested everyone, Bee? Mute? That didn’t make sense. But despite their confusion, they let Fowler continue speaking before they asked questions. Russel got off of Bee due to him getting hotter, and the metal underneath him was starting to get uncomfortably hot. He slid down over into Grimlock's hand and up onto his shoulder instead. Once again, Fowler eyed Russel, however, there didn’t seem to be any ill intent. Russel couldn’t tell that, though. 

-”What's his problem?” 

He thought as he glared daggers at Fowler. Fowler just ignored it. 

-”He went racing, WITHOUT PERMISSON may I remind you, all the time. Even caused a couple of traffic rams a few times. I will never, however, forget the day I got called in because it turns out our little ‘Wasp’ here ended up making two cars crash into eachother, knocking out the power lines so there was no power for a good couple miles, a building was somehow on fire due to the accident and there was traffic for DAYS afterwards.” 

BumbleBees fans were working even faster and louder as he tried to protest. Bee’s team however was shocked, mouths agap. Some happier then others. 

-”No. Fragging. WAY! YOU, OUR FEARLESS LEADER WHO LECTURES US ON SAFETY, CAUSED ALL THAT!?” 

Sideswipe yelled as he began having a laughing fit. Agent Fowler looked proud of himself with a smug smile on his face, while Strongarm looked like she had just witnessed a murder. Grim and Russel joined Sideswipe in laughing. Bee looked deafeated and embarrased beyond imagineable. 

-”I did… But I was new to Earth! And a kid! I didn’t know any better!” 

No one listened, and BumbleBees fans just got louder. Bee then cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention, and the laughing stopped. The snickering, however, didn’t. 

-”Agent Fowler, I do have a question for you if you don’t mind.” 

Bee said as he regained his composure and his fans started dialing down, only a soft humming was heard. 

-”Go for it, Leutnient.”

Bee rolled his eyes at Fowler's smug face. 

-”How were you guys able to achieve SpaceBridge technology?” 

He said, looking at where the ground bridge Fowler had walked out of had previously been. 

-”Ah, that. That was thanks to Rafael. Only our division of ‘Alien-and-Space-related-things’ has access to it, so you ain’t got much to worry about, Bee.”

Bee sighed in relief. 

-“Thank Primus... We don’t want another Silas on our hands.” 

-”Knock Out would be here in a heartbeat to stop them if that was the case.” 

Bee held back his laughter, a loud snicke escaping before he restrained himself. Dark humor always got him when he least expected it, even when he should have. 

-”I should have expected that!” 

He said as he bursted out laughing. It shouldn’t have been that funny. 

-”Careful now, BumbleBee. Don’t hurt yourself, Doc Knock’s gonna want a piece of you if he ever hears about this.” 

Fowler said with a smirk. Bee started dying even more. Everyone else just watched in confusion. 

-”What are they talking about?” 

Sideswipe mouthed to Strongarm. 

-”I don’t know.” 

She mouthed back with a shrug of her shoulders. Fowler got control of his snickering and took out his phone. Calling a number no one knew. 

-”What are you doing…?” 

Russel questioned. 

-”Rafael will want to see Bumblebee. I’m giving them a call to ground bridge us back so Bee can talk to some old friends.” 

Bee seemed to light up as he regained his composure after his laughing fit. Soon, a green light lit up from exactly where the ground bridge was earlier, and Bee hurriedly followed Fowler in, his team close behind.