Chapter Text
Pain. Pain was all he felt when waking up, onlining his optic and seeing he was back in his prison cell. Bumblebee didn't even realize he had passed out, he must've at some point when Shockwave was using his frame to experiment with, or Shockwave may have been merciful enough to knock him out. Bee doubted that though. He slowly sat up, his whole body was in pain, some parts numbing, some parts trying to heal themselves, and some just aching. Bee carefully laid back against the wall, hissing as the jagged wall poked into his still-fresh wounds from the needles, making the Minibot just groan in annoyance.
Bumblebee just tried clearing his mind, trying to remember and look back on all that happened, replaying everything in his processor, that's when he remembered what Shockwave said. Suddenly, Bee felt a new kind of pain, an ache in his spark. He didn't want to believe it, but at this point why should he argue against it? Did....did they really give up on looking for him? I mean, yes, Bumblebee was actually on New Kaon, quite some time had passed, but....this wasn't fair. He was still here, he was online, why was he labeled as M.I.A? Bumblebee thought back on the memories of his team, the team he called family, even Sari and Professor Sumdac were family to him, and they...gave up on him like that?
Bee could feel the tears begin to swell up on his optics, but he tried not to cry. Shockwave's words were getting to him, how they were better off without the scout, how it was for the best. Bumblebee knows he isn't the best, he gloats and lets his ego get the better of him a little too much at times, but that doesn't mean they're better off without him.....right? He thought back on how he used to annoy the slag out of them, how he always tried to outshine them, how he never listened, never learned, always talked and thought it out later, every little thing. Especially when he said he hated Optimus.
"He...he knows I don't....hate him, right? But...is that why...they...." Bee quickly shook his head, ignoring the quick dizzy and aching feeling from the movement. No, no he couldn't think like that. He knows Optimus, he knows his Bossbot. He knows Ratchet, Bulkhead, Prowl, and Sari. They wouldn't give up on him and Bee knows he can't give up on them. It was probably The Elite Guard. Yeah. They do this all the time, it was probably their call, not Prime or the others. Bee can just already imagine Sentinel being a fragger and saying stupid stuff, thinking he's better than every other bot in the room.
Blinking back his tears, Bumblebee swallowed down his worries and the feeling of hopelessness. He was getting out of here, he just needed to continue his plan. Be a good little Autobot, be let out to work, then make a bolt for it. Simple.
"I'll be home soon guys....Primus, give me some strength and luck here..." Bumblebee muttered, feeling himself grow tired again. As uncomfortable as he was, he managed to sleep into recharge, letting his body and joints try to relax as much as he could.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Time passed, Bee wasn't sure how long, but he learned to wait. He didn't try anything, didn't say much other than a few words, just appeared to have given up. Bumblebee barely spoke to Blitzwing too, who did try starting conversations with the scout, but Bee couldn't drop his act for not even a klik.
Blitzwing did wonder why the little Autobot was being so quiet, why he just seemed so limp most of the time now when coming to bring him his refuel. He was waiting for the Minibot to just make a run for it, though, it did seem like he's finally given up. This was good. It can benefit the little bug and he won't be in this cell as much now. Maybe never again if he just behaved. He can also get Starscream and the others off his aft over it. He certainly wasn't happy when Shockwave came to visit and tested on Bumblebee like a science project, thank Primus that one-eyed smart aft had to go back to Cybertron to keep up his disguise.
Bumblebee could feel like Blitzwing was onto him, but he kept up the act. It'll play out in his favor, one way or another.
The 2 were in the cell together, the usual refuel and rations brought for Bumblebee to eat, making little talk, though Blitzwing was doing most of the talking.
"So, I wanted to ask you a question, kleiner Käfer. I would like an honest answer from you." Blitzwing spoke, eyeing the door and hearing the sounds of Bee quietly eating.
"What is it?" Bee asked with his mouth somewhat full, swallowing and about to take another bite.
"...Have you finally accepted the truth?" Blitzwing asked, now looking down at the scout. Bumblebee stopped himself before he bit into the remaining rations, lowering them and looking at the jagged floor. He was going to answer, though had to appear hesitant. Honestly, if his team saw him right now, they probably be impressed that he's been quiet this long and been fooling these Cons pretty decently.
"....I have. Shockwave....told me I've been...labeled as M.I.A...they're not coming are they?" Bee answered and asked quietly, slowly looking up at Blitzwing, who still kept his same Icy persona and expression as always.
"...I am afraid not. *Switch* Such a shame, I was hoping for some more fun~." Random giggled, though Bee remained the same, paying no mind to the Triple Changer's teasing. It was back to silence, a breem or 2 passing, Blitzwing switched back to his Icy persona again, and Bumblebee just finished his rations. With not much else to discuss, Blitzwing just took the tray and began to leave as normal, opening the cell door, but turning back to Bee.
"It's not so bad you know? Just...behave yourself, alright?" Blitzwing soon left, Bee knew what he meant too. He's gotten his pass. Now to wait to be let outside.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Time passed again, but not as long this time. Bumblebee was stretching, trying to move his joints, despite the aches and the sounds of rust screeching quietly, just something to do. While stretching his servos up in the air, his cell door opened, this time guards entered. Bumblebee knew why they were here, but they were as rough as all the other previous times. They tied energon leashes around his neck and servos again, pulling and pushing him out of his cell.
"About time you do something useful around here, but I wouldn't have a problem leaving you to rust in there." One guard beside him commented, Bee just ignored them and kept walking. They once again reached the entrance and were outside, once again, greeted by the red and orange sky, seeing prisoners and worker bots working on the stuff tasked around them. They walked for a bit, Bumblebee glaring and frowning, he didn't want to look around him too much, not wanting to see suspicious, but he felt as if other mechs were looking at him. Not like he cared, Bumblebee just had to find a path to escape, or at least hide somewhere long enough before making a run for it.
"Alright, we're here. Don't make us have to do extra work by babysitting you." The guard in front of him turned around and removed the energon leash on Bumblebee, roughly handing him a pickaxe. They were in some Mining Areas, with mechs and bots around them mining the rocks, minerals, and other resources. Bumblebee wondered what were they mining for though, not like they could come across riches unless you wanna count more rock and dust.
"Just mine and fill the cart up. Now get to work." With that said, the guards left to go back to their posts and duties. Bumblebee looked at the pickaxe, it was rusty, dusty, a little chipped, crooked, and definitely looked like it was gonna break after a few hits. Bumblebee looked around a bit, seeing some of the prisoners or working bots looking at him a bit, before going back to what they were doing, paying no mind to the Minibot.
This was perfect, but Bee couldn't run yet. For now, Bumblebee turned his attention to the rocks and began mining, slamming the pickaxe down and grunting, keeping up the act. Until he can find an opening, he just has to act and obey.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Days passed, Bumblebee was being let out every day after refueling to go out and mine. It was getting agonizing though, having to deal with all those rocks and dust, leaving his joints aching more than before. Primus, he was dirty too, he couldn't tell what was dust and rust. It would all be worth it though. He found his opening.
Along the Mining Area, there was an upper hill where the carts were being taken elsewhere, what mostly caught his attention was the fact that he overheard some of the guards and workers talking about what was past it. Apparently, it led to less crowded areas, more spacious places, with a few small ships coming by at certain times to pick up the loads of what was collected and have it sent elsewhere. That was it. Bumblebee just had to be quicker than all of them. After all, he was dying to just dash for it. Hopefully, his tires weren't too worn out just yet, he hadn't used them since the last time he tried escaping, they hadn't popped, but had lost a bit of air and movement in them.
Now, what could Bee do exactly? The only thing given to him was that rusty pickaxe....then again, this might be all he needs other than his speed and tires.
Bumblebee grunted as he slammed his pickaxe down into the rocks once more, filling his mining cart and minding his own business, doing what he was told, but kept looking in the distance to the path when possible. Waiting and watching the guards, seeing some of them have left the spot. Now was the time. Bumblebee stopped working, just standing there, venting a bit, feeling his spark race in his chassis with anticipation and courage, but also fear. This time. This time he's getting out of here. One of the guards nearby notices Bee not doing any of his work, approaching him with a snarl.
"Hey! What are you standing around for!? Get back to work!" The guard ordered with a thick accent, Bumblebee did not turn around yet, gripping the pickaxe tightly.
"Hey! I'm talking to you little Autobot!" The guard stepped closer and closer, their shouting catching some of the other mechs' attention, making them watch. Bee's servos were shaking, just a bit closer...
"Have you gone deaf!? Turn around you little fragger!" The guard was now standing right behind Bumblebee, so Bumblebee did what was ordered. He yelled and quickly spun around, stabbing the pickaxe into the guard's side as hard as possible, breaking through the armor and frame. The guard shouted in pain as Bee shoved it in further before yanking it out hard, Bee didn't pay mind to anything else, he started to run for it. The other prisoners and workers were jaw dropped at the sight of what had happened, stopped what they were doing, and watched as the Minibot ran to the upper hill path. Some were curious to see how far he could get, not bothering to help.
The guard called for backup and his shouts of pain had gotten other guards' attention, they all ran in to catch the fleeing Autobot. Bumblebee was completely focused, holding the pickaxe tightly as he dodged past guards, outrunning them, making them trip over their own peds, and started making his way uphill. One giant Decepticon guard jumped in front of Bumblebee, ready to snatch him up, and swung his servo down to stop him. Bumblebee quickly dodged, running past them, and using the pickaxe to stab the giant Con's stabilizer. Bumblebee had no time to try yanking it back, leaving it behind in the guard's stabilizer and kept running for his life.
"WHAT THE PIT YOU ALL STANDING AROUND FOR!? CATCH THAT AUTOBOT!!!" One guard shouted at the spectating prisoners and working mechs, some obeyed and some kept watching. Bee now had extra mechs trying to catch him, dodging past more of the guards, speeding past prisoners and the workers. A few were close to catching him, but Bee had been quick enough to make them bump into each other. Bumblebee just kept running up the path, he was almost there. Up ahead, he noticed a few filled-up carts in front of him, being held up in place with just more rocks, guards and workers rushing down to trap the Minibot from running any further.
The scout ran over to the side and jumped onto the carts, the weight and movement caused by him were enough to push the carts down, those chasing him had to stop or turn back as the heavy carts came rolling down fast, crashing into them or making them fall over one another. Those in front still couldn't catch Bumblebee, he even jumped off the last cart, on a Con's head in front of him, to jump past 2 or 3 of them, rolling on the ground and quickly getting up to keep going. He was right there, so close, just a bit further, Bee was not about to give up.
Bumblebee then used his worn-out tires to dash a little further, it was a bit difficult going uphill and not being able to use them for a while, but it made him faster. He left the other Decepticons in the dust, reaching the top at last, now he just needed to get further, hide somewhere, or at least take a ship to escape. That was all he needed, not stopping nor slowing down, forcing his stabilizer into overdrive, venting quickly, and trying to not fry his circuits. He was so focused on what was in front of him, that he failed to see the incoming energon whip from his left side, tightly wrapping around his stabilizer, making a gashing wound and making him fall down. Bumblebee shouted in pain, feeling the energon flowing out of him and the painful sting, yet he kept trying to move and get back up, but was being pulled back.
"I GOT HIM! I GOT HIM!" The Con pulling on the whip shouted, a worker bot, pulling as hard as he could, the other guards nearby quickly taking action with the other Cons chasing the Autobot now caught up. Bumblebee panicked, moving his servos down and tugging against the tightly wrapped whipped on his stabilizer, trying to set himself free, but was quickly pounced on by the guards.
"GETOFFGETOFFGETOFF!!! AAAAAUUUGGGGHHHH!!!! GET OFF ME!!!" Bumblebee struggled harshly, kicking and screaming, but soon received a harsh blow to the face. The guards began beating him hard, throwing punch after punch, a few kicks here and there, giving this troubling Minibot a harsh punishment, not letting up till he was limp and unresponsive, and then taking him back to his cell. One of the guards turned to a worker bot, giving him an order.
"Write a report that we had an issue today. This uncooperative Autobot has done enough as it is." With that said, they all went back to work and went to clean up the mess that was made. This was one annoying Minibot.
~~~~~~~~~~~
New Kaon was slowly growing with each Solar Cycle, with Decepticons coming together under the leadership and word of Lord Megatron. Taking over the Colony was fairly easy, there were a few rebellious mechs, but were quickly put in their place...or sent to the stockades. The ones shown the most mercy were now a part of The Well Of Sparks. Lord Megatron and his Lieutenants quickly ruled over, now planning for their next step of action, living within a Citedal that had been made and still being constructed, just for them, in the center of the Colony. Speaking of his Lieutenants though...
Lugnut was still the same slagging hardwire processing one-track idiot, obeying Lord Megatron and doing all he could to please him, be loyal to him, he would even act like a Cybertronian Hound if Lord Megatron asked him to. The Tyrant Warlord just groans in annoyance every time.
Shockwave was still fulfilling his duties by being a Decepticon Spy, while not physically here most of the time, the highly intelligent mech was still of great use and has never failed his Lord once, never being wrong. Honestly, Shockwave was the only one Megatron could put up with.
Starscream, while he may have been given a second chance, The Seeker was on VERY thin ice. After he begged like a sparkling for his body back, he was now being watched and reported 24/7, in case he tried any slag again. Megatron only chose to be merciful, since he did need the use of the Seeker, and the Starscream clones weren't fully Decepticon material. The only ones of any use were Slipstream, Sunstorm, and even Ramjet surprisingly. The other ones...have been of use for minor things.
Blitzwing, his prized Triple Changing Warframe soilder. While at times it can be hard to deal with the 3 faced Decepticon, whenever he speaks or does too much due to his splintered personality, but has proven to be loyal without question. However, as of recently, ever since taking over New Kaon, the Triple Changer has been covering up and making excuses for one pathetic little thing.
That pesky, loud motormouth, terrible paint job, annoying Primus damn Autobot he brought along.
Blitzwing has been treating that Minibot like some domestic pet, an untrained one at that. Oh, he's seen the reports and heard the complaints, how the Autobot was constantly trying to escape and failed every time, how he annoyed the guards, how he just wouldn't shut up nor give up already. Even during today's cycle, he caused trouble, injuring his guards and wasting much-needed time. Blitzwing made an excuse each time, how he could convince the Minibot to join them, how he just wanted a plaything, how the bright-colored mech was his personal trophy and souvenir, how he was just bored and needed something to entertain himself on his breaks.
After what had happened at the Mining Area today though, Megatron was not going to give in to any more excuses or reasons the Triple Changer spoke of nor offered. Even if he has to put Blitzwing back into his place after 'fixing' him.
Lord Megatron and The Lieutenants were all in Megatron's Throne room, it had just been completed. A stone and metal throne in the center of the room, surrounding it was a round stone desk to do his work with monitors and datapads sitting on top, the walls painted Tryrian Purple, and covered in Decepticon banners. This was the room Megatron spent most of his cycles in, working and handling New Kaon, being the cold, iron-fisted Tyrant he's always been. Blitzwing was making excuses again, Starscream and Lugnut arguing with him, Shockwave wasn't present on a Teletron Call, but that didn't matter.
"Blitzwing....how many more excuses are you going to make for that Autobot?" Megatron growled, his patience growing thinner as his Triple Changer pleaded. He felt tempted to go down to the Stockades himself and finish off the Autobot if needed to, just to get his Lieutenant to be silent already.
"I am...sure he can bring use to us at least, my Liege." Blitzwing suggested, making another excuse to cover the scout, but also made Starscream snicker.
"Him? Useful!? The only thing that glitch was ever useful for was just to be bait or run that Primus damn motor mouth of his! He should be offline at this point for even existing!" Starscream yelled, being as loud as ever and trying to look good in front of Megatron. Lugnut stepped forward to speak up.
"I do not agree with you traitor, but I must agree. He's been a thorn in Lord Megatron's hardworking servers that know their place! Even Autobots that are in the same position as the Minibot know their place and have joined our cause! If not then they must go offline! Any mech who does not serve our Great and Glorious Megatron is a fool better off rusting away!" Lugnut spoke, praising Megatron as usual, but stating the facts.
It was true and Blitzwing knew it. He couldn't keep risking his aft for the Minibot, he knew what would happen to him and the Autobot both if he kept this up, and he rather not deal with the fury of his Lord. Yet Blitzwing wanted him around still, he never thought it would be this fun to keep an Autobot around, one that could just match his humor, understand him despite their constant bickering, or at least relax in peace being next to him. Ugh, why did he have to be so fixated on that damn scout when seeing him on that accursed Organic Planet!? Blitzwing started thinking of his reasons again, at least one more chance to get Lord Megatron to see the use of the scout. That's when today's incident and reports came to mind, suddenly, he had his reason.
"...Think about my lord. That little Autobot managed to not only injure and hurt some of our guards, workers, and prisoners, but he also outran a whole crowd of them. He may have failed to escape, but he was smart and quick. Fooled me and fooled them, slowing them down and managing to rush past them. *Switch* Almost like a nice game of tag~! He's REALLY good at that! HAHAHAHAHA~!" Random cackled, but he gave his reason. Lord Megatron's expression remained the same, Blitzwing could not tell what his leader was thinking.
"He got LUCKY was all! The next time I go to the Stockades I will rip out his spark myself and leave his body to rust! It's about time we get rid of that stupid persistent mech!" Starscream argued, Blitzwing's faceplates had switched over to Hothead.
"YOU'RE ONE TO TALK! In case you've forgotten, YOU do not get to talk! You're a traitor that needs to be in the Stockades as well! Or would you prefer to go offline!? I CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN HERE AND NOW!!!" Blitzwing roared at Starscream, watching that pathetic excuse of a once SIC shiver a bit and back up a little, but held up a deadly glare on his faceplate.
"Do not waste you're time and strength Blitzwing! You must save it for when Lord Megatron needs it! Not on this weakling of a traitor!" Lugnut reasoned and stepped up to Blitzwing, who now turned his anger to Lugnut.
"WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU ON YOU OVERGROWN GLITCH-EATING FRAGGER!? Do not disagree and then turn around to defend me like I am some damn weakling in need!" Blitzwing then turned back to Megatron, knowing he needed to cool down and not yell at his Lord, and switched his faceplate back to Icy.
"But my Lord, think about it, if we can...convince him to join, we can put that kind of skill to our advantage. He just needs the proper training and to learn. I mean, if he is capable of doing these types of advantages and tricks, why hasn't he done them before?" Blitzwing explained and pointed out his reasoning, Lord Megatron's facial expression still remaining the same.
"Him!? Training and learning!? Oh now you really have gone mad you slag eater! What makes you think the Autobot would even do such a thing!?" Starscream argued again, but no longer had the ball bearings as Blitzwing switched back to Hothead. The 3 Lieutenants were about to argue again, but Megatron held up his servo, gesturing them to stop.
"Leave me. Now." Megatron growled darkly, a few nanoseconds went by, and the 3 Decepticons obeyed. They all left, though Blitzwing only hoped Megatron showed interest or at least let him keep the scout a bit longer.
Once they were all gone, Megatron vented heavily and slumped against his throne. Training? Learning? Why should he waste his time teaching a mere Autobot the true cause of The Decepticon Legion? After all, the only thing good that Minibot was useful for was just for a good laugh by making a fool of himself. Then again, the more Megatron thought about it, the more he realized Blitzwing had a point. The tiny Autobot did manage to fool his guards and his Lieutenant just by 'playing nice', outrunning them and making them look like idiots trying to catch a runaway Cyberkitten.
As far as Megatron knew from Shockwave, the scout is nothing more than a waste of scrap, better off left to rust, how a mech like him would never learn since he was 'coddled' too much. It had the Warlord pondering a bit, he then decided to give Shockwave a call. He reached over to his desk and dialed the call on one of the monitors, waiting for a few klicks before the TeleTran went through, 'Longarm' picking up the call.
"Ah, my Lord, I wasn't expecting you to call me today. If there anything you may need?" The Double Agent transformed into his original form, presenting as himself and not the little Autobot he was pretending to be.
"I wanted to inform you about a report that had happened this cycle and for your input on this matter." Megatron explained, Shockwave hummed a bit. Megatron only calls or asks for his opinion on certain things if Megatron is thinking it through, undecided, or just needs a second opinion.
"What is it that you would like my judgment on, my Liege?" Shockwave asked, happy to offer his word of advice.
"That little Autobot Blitzwing brought along, he attempted to escape yet again today, but failed to do so."
"Ah, typical, he just doesn't know when to surrender, unfortunately."
"Yes, however, he took a more.... tactical approach. Unlike his previous attempts, he fooled Blitzwing and the guards into thinking he had given up at last. Only to surprise them with a sudden attack on 2 of them and outran numbers of them. Even some of the Workers and Prisoners tried to catch him, but they all failed until one had caught the Autobot using an Energon whip." Megatron explained and even though Shockwave didn't have a faceplate, the Tyrant could tell his Intelligent Liuetentant was surprised by this.
"Blitzwing is out of pathetic reasons and excuses, however...he did point out that the Minibot just needs to be taught a proper lesson is all, that the bot can be of use. Tell me, do you think it can be possible?" Megatron asked, looking at the one-eyed Con, waiting for his input. Shockwave couldn't lie, if that really was the pestering glitch Bumblebee he had gotten to know, then he might as well let Primus slay him and let Unicron drag him to the pit now.
Bumblebee? Outsmarting Decepticons? Outrunning them? Causing actual physical harm? Is this really the same annoying slagger from Bootcamp? Shockwave shook his helm a bit, coming back to focus to answer his leader.
"I must say, if you were trying to tell me a joke, you would make an excellent comedian, my Lord. Are you certain this is the same mech? Bumblebee has never taken anything seriously, never has done anything correctly other than to use up his vocalizer to brag till it burned out. He's lazy, whiney, incompetent, he's...he's like Starscream, but on the other side of the electric fence. Although, I rather tolerate that Minibot than Starscream any Solar Cycle." Shockwave vented in annoyance, remembering the 'grim' times of being around Bee in Bootcamp.
"Now no need to make such an insult...the Minibot has proven to be more tolerable than Starscream at least. More to the point, has any mech ever bothered to teach him his place though?" Megatron asked again, Shockwave tapped at his chin, thinking more about it.
"Despite not following basic instructions and commands, I would have to say no. Learning under the Autobots here is different, they expect one to understand and learn from it. It would seem the same way for the scout. Bootcamp was one example, but not learning even when under an Autobots that showed worth of such skills? That is an alternative. Minibots are considered to be seen as lower despite some having proven that they can be of great use, but are overshadowed as usual. Regardless, now thinking back on it, it truly seems no mech had bothered to teach him more, keeping him in some sort of delusional land that's sweetly coated like Oil Cake." Shockwave explained, giving his opinion. Of course, there were still things wrong with the Autobot Council, though that was a topic for another cycle. Megatron had gotten his answer.
"It would seem Blitzwing made his point. This Autobot clearly doesn't understand anything...perhaps he does need to be taught the truth." Megatron spoke, mostly to himself, thinking more on the matter.
"How will you handle it? He barely believed a word Blitzwing and I said when informed of his recent status here on Cybertron, let alone not believing he was on New Kaon." Shockwave stated, once more reminding the Tyrant of how stubborn the Autobot is.
Well, if he wasn't going to believe either of them, perhaps a mech like himself should do the trick, and he figured it wouldn't hurt going down to the Stoackades to do so.
~~~~~~~~~~~
If onlining was gonna keep hurting even more than the last, then Bee would rather stay in recharge forever at this point. He was lying in the prison cell, bruised, dented, cut open, beaten, and just couldn't move. Everything was hurting again, even worse than before as he rusted away. Bumblebee felt too exhausted to even care though, laying on the jagged floor felt like a comfort now.
He failed. He failed again. He was so close and got caught. Bee really thought he would make it. He didn't even try to stop the tears as they came up, choking on a silent sob, he wanted to get out of here so bad. He was desperate. He wanted to go home. Bumblebee didn't want to offline here, not yet, even if part of him wished he didn't online again to be greeted with the pain. He wanted his team. His family.
"Please....I'll do anything....anything...I wanna go home...." Bumblebee muttered to himself, trying to ease his venting and quiet sobs, praying that Primus would show some mercy on him. Bee did think, that if he went offline here...he hoped it would be quick and painless. Bumblebee then heard footsteps approach his cell door, trying to stop crying as the steel door slid open. More guards, Bee thinking Primus just really has it out for him or something. They forced Bumblebee onto his peds, making the Minibot grunt in pain as he was forced to move, it hurt so much being forced to stand up, as Bee now noticed his left stabilizer was seriously damaged. His tires were now flat and torn too, so he wasn't going to run anywhere for a while.
The guards didn't speak, making Bumblebee limp as they forced him to walk with them, this time having a grip on him to make sure he didn't run. Better than an energon leash again. They escorted the Minibot to another part of the prison, one Bee clearly didn't recognize, but he couldn't pay much mind to the scenery around him. The scout thought they were gonna offline him, maybe torturing him even more, or leaving him to rust away slowly for good. Whatever they were doing, Bee didn't like it.
They soon reached their destination, standing in front of a giant steel door, painted with Decepticon logos on them. The guards opened the door and roughly pushed the Minibot inside, making Bee yelp and fall onto the rough floor, hissing as he slowly pushed himself up. The guards closed and locked the door, leaving Bumblebee in the barely lit room. After managing to stand up with the little strength he had, Bumblebee was left standing confused, looking around, barely able to see anything.
"Where....where am I?" Bumblebee spoke to himself, taking a few steps deeper into the room, thinking he was alone, failing to see the dark red optics come online from afar.
"I think the room should be the least of your concerns." The lights switched on, Bee squinting and letting his optic adjust, turning to see who spoke, only to quickly cower in fear.
It was Lord Megatron. Sitting high and mighty on the other end of the room, a long table in the center, number of weapons and supplies on the walls. Now Bumblebee really wanted to get out, Megatron just chuckled at his fear.
"Oh you have every reason to fear a Warlord like me, little Autobot. I think you know why I am here too, since you've been causing quite the trouble for my men. Unless you have anything to say about it otherwise?" Megatron smiled, staring down at the tiny scout before him, watching as he gulped and kept his glossia still. Bee loved to talk, but even he knew better than to speak up at the Decepticon that eats protoforms for breakfast.
"Good. Then you understand. I saw the reports made about you, how you made many escape attempts, made trouble for my men and Liuetentants, even recently having injured a few and managing to run them in circles. I must admit....I find it mediocre, but impressive." Megatron spoke, but Bee was a bit shocked. Did Megatron just compliment his failure? What kind of compliment was that? No, no, he wasn't gonna fall for it, this was Megatron he was facing after all. Probably just trying to butter him up before eating him like an Energon Treat.
"Normally I'm not one to handle these things nor take such interest in, so I say you should be thankful that I even gave half a thought about you." Bumblebee just began to glare at Megatron from his choice of words.
"Thankful? You gotta be kidding me? Why should I be thankful to you!? You're probably just gonna offline me! Why do you care!?" Bumblebee spoke up, waving his servos in the air in exaggeration.
"I don't, but if you want me to, I can easily crush you under my ped here and now. I only came to discuss something with you, Autobot. Now i suggest losing that tone with me, or else..." Megatron glared at the Minibot, his dark red optics shooting daggers at him for speaking up in such a manner. Bee quickly quieted down, despite the fear, he was glaring just as hard back at him.
"...talk about what, exactly? I ain't joining the losing side of this war, even if I am M.I.A."
"Ah, yes, you are aware they don't search for bots that are labeled as M.I.A, correct? You're team is not searching and possibly won't be given the supplies needed to continue searching." Megatron explained, now Bumblebee was surprised, to which the Tyrant did take notice of. So the scout really doesn't know anything? How unfortunate for him, sad and pathetic. Just what were they teaching on Cybertron these days?
"I...y-you're lying. Even if I am, they wouldn't d-do that, they-!"
"Believe what you want, but did you forget Shockwave is still there? Head of Intelligence as 'Longarm Prime'? You are trapped here, as stubborn as you may seem, I know you have it through your processor right about now." Megatron stated, making the Minibot go quiet again, so he continued to talk.
"As to what I was saying...none of them are coming, especially to a planet filled with Decepticon warriors that would obey my command and rip out their sparks within mere nanoseconds. That would be suicidal and if I know that they still work the same way, they wouldn't bother looking for a little sparkling like you." Megatron smirked as the Minibot glared at him more.
"Furthermore, the reason I am even bothering to speak with you, is because you have caught my attention....and only a few can do such a thing." Megatron then stood up and slowly walked over to Bumblebee, who cowered more and tensed up, but kept up his glaring hatred filled look.
"You certainly have potential, you just have yet to achieve it. After all, you were apart of that team of mere Repair Bots, being led by a washout Prime. You should've learned something from him, but instead..." Megatron circled around Bumblebee, beginning to lightly kick him as if he was poking at a dead cyber animal.
"You're weak. Undisciplined. Insubordinated. Very immature for your age. Very stubborn. Very small and petite like some helpless Femme. Untrained. Uneducated-!"
"Ok ok! I get it! Just stop kicking me already!" Bumblebee shouted, pushing the giant ped away, scowling with a bit of a pout. Go from talking to insulting. Classic.
"To think that's only the tip of the iceberg. Now, as I said, you managed to show proper skill and speech to make a good escape attempt, you only failed due to being outnumbered, unfocused, and running out of pure luck. Did that Prime ever bother training you?" Megatron asked, circling around the Minibot slowly still, waiting for an answer.
"Optimus? O-of course he did! Bossbot always promised to train me to better! They all did!"
"But did they ever fulfill it?"
Bumblebee opened his mouth to speak, but then realized he couldn't really answer. Only cause there was no answer. Looking back, did the team ever care or bother to teach him how to be better like they had promised? Something always came up, whether an emergency within Detroit, Decepticons, Elite Guard, having to help repair, or even just doing their simple hobbies they picked up on at Earth.
Not getting an answer, Megatron took the chance to speak.
"It would seem they didn't bother nor cared enough to do so. You may have been their teammate, but they treated you as if you were the weakest link in the chain."
"T-thats not true, they just-!"
"DO NOT...make excuses for them. From what I know, they had all the time in the world to belittle you. To lecture you. Looking down upon you while coddling you all at once. Never had they help you reach to your fullest potential. And why is that?" Megatron asked, to which once again, Bumblebee could not answer. He didn't want to believe it, not at all, but...Megatron may have had a point.
Bee thought hard about it, realizing he was just...no more than bait, the distraction, the annoying one who was just a try hard. When did he ever learn? Why didn't his team do more? Was it all just false promises in order to keep him quiet and make him feel better?
Bumblebee didn't know what to believe now.
"I am only stating the facts...Autobots always leave the weak out to fend for themselves. It's why so many come to join the Decepticons. To learn the truth and to fulfill more than what those Autobots have promised them....something I want to offer you as well." That had caught Bumblebee's attention, now looking up at the Warlord.
"Considering all I have seen and known so far, you have the talent to make a fine Decepticon Soldier. You just need to learn and train. It won't be easy, I can guarantee you, though, if I was in your feeble position, I would suggest taking it...better than going offline." Megatron explained, giving this promising offer to the small battered up mech. Bumblebee felt a wave of emotions going through him, confusion, fear, anger, shock, more confusion that he wasn't sure if he was just discombobulated. He thought he lost his vocalizer, trying to search for the words to speak up.
"...why are you offering me this?" Bee asked with hesitance in his voice, Megatron smirking down at his nervousness.
"I feel that is unfair. You were never taught to behave. Never taught to be, more, than what you are now. I'm sure you are aware of how under-appreciated Minibots like you are. If the Autobots wouldn't teach you, then I surely can be the one to give you that chance." Megatron was playing his cards carefully and just right. He knew he had gotten through to the scout, the question is, would the scout take the offer?
Bumblebee wasn't sure, he knew he wished he would do anything, as his chances of survival were grim at this point, but...but this? Lord Megatron, a Tyrant Warlord, offering him a place with the Decepticons? Bumblebee tried thinking about it, knowing there was some trick behind it, but what could really do about it? Just seems as if he didn't have much of a choice left at all.
"As...involuntary as it may seem, I can assure you that it will be difficult, it will be violent, though you will learn. Earn a place among my ranks, get the respect you truly deserve, and perhaps...just perhaps, earn back your freedom. Of course, you will have to swear an oath and follow under my rule. It is clear you don't want to go offline, I am giving you this opportunity....why don't you take it?" Megatron offered more, playing with the Autobots' hopes, but there was no lie. All the little mech needed to do was obey, he might die during training, but no losses to it for Megatron.
"So, 'Autobot'...do we have a deal?" Megatron asked with interest, waiting to see if the Minibot would take the bite at his offer. Bumblebee still wasn't sure. He couldn't die, couldn't go offline, not yet. He wanted to see his team again. He wanted payback of some sort or at least some sort of closure. No matter the cost. He didn't want to...but he had to. For now, only one thing ran through his fractured and aching processor.
Survive.
"I....I accept." Bumblebee quietly spoke, looking down at the rough floor, unable to face the Warlord...now the one he bitterly has to call his 'leader'. Oh the thought of even saying it was like tasting rancid acid on his glossia, and he rather taste that then call Megatron his leader. Yet, what's done is done. His fate was now sealed.
Lord Megatron was pleased with the answer. Oh yes, he was going to enjoy watching this now former scout break.