Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Allspark ❯ The Most Profound Loss ( Chapter 8 )

Chapter 8: The Most Profound Loss

 

The Pontiac Firebird yanked up its emergency break and spun incredible circles in front of the three transformers. Hot Rod had lucked out by finding the vintage car in the rubble. It was mostly red with orange flames crawling up the hood. They had arrived at the neighborhood that was destroyed by Barricade but Bumblebee was nowhere in sight and Optimus Prime was worried. There was also no Barricade, only the signs that someone had been seriously hurt and leaked all over the pavement. The Witwicky house was a grim sight and they all avoided looking in that direction.

 

Prime was wracked with guilt. He blamed himself for the death of their friends, though one look at Ironhide and Ratchet proved that they felt just as horrible. Hot Rod couldn't be reprimanded for his antics; he didn't know the humans, even though Ratchet had told him the story on the way to the Witwicky's. Plus, he was cocky by nature, a young Autobot filled with an amazing amount of power, almost as much as himself. Optimus Prime realized suddenly with surprise that Hot Rod would most likely be his successor as the leader of the Autobots. Hot Rod transformed and strode over.

“This is horrible guys, but we can't find Bumblebee by standing here.”

He patted Prime on the back, knowing his commander was overcome with grief.

Hot Rod had no chance to ask Prime to roll out, as the earth suddenly collapsed beneath him. A whirring blade was shoved in his face and he skittered back in panic, letting out a wordless shout. Prime grabbed the appendage before it could strike Hot Rod and yanked upward, only to be rewarded with Scorpinok's tail penetrating into his chest.

 

Ironhide and Ratchet sprinted over to help as Optimus Prime yelled in pain. Scorpinok withdrew almost as soon as he stung, a small glittering piece of Allspark clutched to him and quickly deposited into a compartment on his body. Prime fell backwards, and in what seemed like slow motion, watched as Barricade tackled his other two soldiers from behind. By the time Hot Rod gained his footing and started firing on Barricade, the Decepticon had plunged a fist into each of the other two Autobots and withdrew their spark. Scorpinok surfaced once more to take Barricade's two shards and dove again. The remaining Decepticon staggered, giggling maniacally.

“It was so easy!” He choked out, “Just cutting the power to my oculars, that fool of a transformer! He was so wrapped up in his little girl!” Barricade teetered and fell over on half of a house, crumbling it the rest of the way. Ironhide put a stop to his raving with a well aimed barrage of missiles. Perhaps more than was needed, really.

 

Scorpinok was no where to be found and now Hot Rod was faced with three severely damaged comrades. He patched them up as best he could, following the weak directions of Ratchet. They all drove back to the bunker slowly, and in time, were all repaired as soon as Ratchet himself was done fixing himself. They all felt broken inside, however, as Bumblebee and Aria were still missing. Starscream now had all but two shards of the Allspark, and the beautiful sunset did little to still Prime's troubled thoughts.

 

A dark alleyway in the middle of the city provided adequate shelter for Bumblebee to transform. Aria was fast asleep in the driver's seat, and with slow movements, she was transferred to Bumblebee's palm. He didn't want to go back to his comrades just yet. Hell, he didn't even know if they were alive, judging by the blasts that had startled half the city into hiding. The wail of sirens was a constant now, and hurt Bumblebee's sensors. The girl made a small noise and opened her eyes, startling Bumblebee. He didn't want her to cry, it really didn't stop once it started. Much to his surprise, and delight, Aria just stared at him. Her large brown eyes focused on the brilliant blue light emitting from his oculars. She cooed, half her mouth curling up in a grin (Sam's grin, Bumblebee realized.) and she laughed. Her giggle made him smile.

“You're right, Aria. Sitting here doing nothing is funny. Let's go find our friends.”

He transformed again, carefully juggling Aria back into the driver's seat. He wished he could secure her in a car seat, but his fingers were far too large. She mimicked his revving by blowing little raspberries, and soon fell asleep again on the way back to the bunker.

 

His and Aria's fragments were the only ones left; Bumblebee shook his head in shame. He should have been there to help, not hiding. The other three reassured him, their injuries shrugged off to make him feel better. They all knew how close he was with Sam and Mikaela. Hot Rod's presence was a surprise; however, he thought there were no more Autobots left at all. Hot Rod promised to share his story later but now a pressing issue was at hand. Aria had to be taken care of by humans. They were too large, and not even her own species. She needed a mother. Bumblebee pushed Sam and Mikaela's memory to the back of his mind. Their child needed him more right now. Optimus Prime, Ironhide and Ratchet all surrounded him, giving sympathetic looks.

“We need to give her to the humans, Bumblebee.” Prime said.

“I know…”

“We can't even change her dressings.” Ratchet reasoned.

“I get that but-“

“We cant let her near us now, not with Starscream.”

“ALLRIGHT! I know, ok?” Bumblebee blinked slowly. “But…she's my responsibility. She's…Sam's…” His voice cracked. “How can I love something this small?” He finally asked, whispering.

“I understand, old friend.” Prime said, putting an arm around Bumblebee. “Go now, take her to a human hospital, and they will be able to find her a home.”

“But, I don't want her to forget me…” Bumblebee confessed.

“When the time is right, we will find her again, Bumblebee. We will find her again after she has grown, and known the love of humans.”

 

Bumblebee parked outside the small hospital, rain drenching his windshield. He was glad the others had not come. Transforming, he held Aria up to his level. She squirmed in the small basket they had put her in. He tucked a note into it and held her under the overhang so she wouldn't get wet.

“Don't forget me, Aria.” He whispered. “I will come back for you. You are my most important mission. Grow up and be beautiful- and love, with all of your human heart, love someone.”

He placed the basket on the stoop in front of the entrance and backed away, finally tearing his gaze from the baby and disappeared into the stormy night. For the second time in his life, Bumblebee pitied himself. He again wished he was human, so he could cry. Aria watched him go, making small revving raspberries, and only stopped when disturbed by a nurse's scream as she discovered the basket.