Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Soft Introductions ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter 4: Soft Introductions

 

The crumpled door was of no use anymore. There was no way he could straighten it and fasten it back on. The windows were shattered and he was seriously dented. The camaro form looked horrible, and could barley drive. Bumblebee sat this way for a moment though, debating what to do. They were so far away from base, and stuck in a copse of trees. The dense forest provided adequate cover though, as it continued along most of the wild country state. The girl was curled next to a tree, where he had gently placed her. Thank Primus he had come all this way to see her. Wait till Prime knew the Decepticons were back. Bumblebee hadn't even recognized that transformer who had taken Aria. Starscream must have gone to the Decepticon base and brought reinforcements. And now they knew who she was. Damnit! If only he had found her sooner!

 

The hazy blackness lifted and she could see again. She blinked once or twice to clear her vision and found she was staring at the car that was a robot. Her head ached and she cautiously felt, surprised to find an overlarge bandage carefully but clumsily taped over the wound. Arianna looked at her knee, and saw most of a roll of bandages had been used on it. Something tugged at her memory and she realized that she had heard of these giant “saviors of Earth” on television. The campus was abuzz with the prospect of these aliens, but Arianna passed it off as yet another super-advanced warring machine produced by the government. There was no such thing as bio-technical robots. Artificial intelligence was proved improbable years ago. She proper herself on her elbows and leaned against the tree, her legs splayed out before her. The car's engine fired up and suddenly it transformed back into the giant robot. Much to her dismay, it walked softly over to her. It crouched down, one hand on the ground, and peered at her- eyes wide.

 

“You are Aria Witwicky, and you are loved.” Bumblebee decided that this direct route was the way to go. He wasn't very suave with words, anyway. Arianna's eyes bugged and she gave a little gasp.

“How did you know…?” she couldn't finish.

“Long ago your father's last request of me was to protect you. My name is Bumblebee, and I am your guardian.”

Bumblebee. B-B-… Arianna certainly didn't think the author of her note was a giant robot, but it appeared it was.

“I… My name is Arianna… but my name was once Aria Witwicky.” She shivered despite herself. “You saved me from that motorcycle thing, and you hurt yourself… I am so sorry.”

Whatever Bumblebee had expected in response, it certainly wasn't an apology. He tilted his head slightly.

“My life before yours, Arianna.” He said simply. “We are in danger now. I've sustained too much damage to travel in my car form, and the Decepticons know who you are now. Let me ask you one thing. Do you still carry the charm left with you when I…When you were found?”

“No one knows about that necklace! Not even my brother!” she exclaimed. “Yes I have it, I always wear it…” she pulled on a delicate silver chain around her neck and from beneath her shirt came the glittering shard of Allspark.

“Good. Put it back, and let no one see it.” Bumblebee said nervously. Now that he had found her again, nothing was going to harm her again. That cursed fragment put a heavy price on her head. Her life's power must be enormous by now.

“…what is a Decepticon?” she interjected gently. Bumblebee looked at her in surprise.

“Don't you remember? The house, the Xbox bot? When I-“ There was no escaping it, might as well say it “When I left you for the humans?”

“I was only a few months old, how could I remember?” Arianna said a bit defensively. “Though…I think I know your eyes.” His large blue oculars looked to her. “Yes I see your eyes all the time in my dreams, saving me.” She said softly.

Bumblebee swallowed hard. This was no time for his emotions to get the better of him. It appeared as if she didn't remember after all, and her insistence indicated that perhaps Earth's children had faulty memories. He himself could remember from the very day of his creation. She shivered again and Bumblebee realized that night was beginning to wash over the landscape. He looked to her again, trying to think of something to say and finally it came to him.

“Get inside,” he said as he transformed. “Stay warm in here and I will tell you everything.”

 

Arianna was stretched out in the backseat, her thoughts troubled. Her parents were killed by these Decepticons to get to her, and this necklace. She fingered the chain around her neck. They actually wanted her to become a giant robot? Transformer, she corrected herself. She trailed her finger along the roof as she thought, and was startled when Bumblebee let out a chuckle.

“Sorry, can you feel that?” Arianna asked, poking warily at the back of the driver's seat.

“Yes.” Said Bumblebee softly.

“Does it hurt, me lying here?” she wondered.

“No.” the transformer rumbled.

“How come you don't have your friends here with you?” she asked suddenly.

Primus, this girl asked a lot of questions. Bumblebee didn't mind though, he answered just to keep her talking. Hearing her voice was soothing.

“This was my mission. None of them would have understood. Plus I- I wanted to be the one to introduce you to us again. I missed you.” He said, floundering for an answer that wouldn't make him look like an idiot. Arianna smiled and drew her finger down the roof again, pleased as Bumblebee shook a little.

“Thank you for saving me.” She said, drifting to sleep. They would start traveling through the forest until he could come to a spot where his communicator was in range to call his comrades. Arianna was going with him to his home. She didn't want the people she loved, her brother, to get hurt because of her. She felt lonely, and was glad for the Autobot's comforting presence. Bumblebee was nervously enduring her questions and tickling movements, but he almost jerked as Arianna leaned up and kissed the roof.

“Goodnight, my guardian.” She said softly, turning over and falling asleep. Bumblebee strangled out a noncommittal noise.

 

His thoughts raced as he tried to push the soft presence of his precious Aria from his mind. He had to get away from this place, his communicator was way out of range and the Decepticons were no doubt crawling all over by now, knowing he was injured. He needed to get her back to the base safely. Their combined power could protect her, but he needed to warn Prime! The Decepticons were showing themselves again, after all these long years of peace. They needed to take Starscream down once and for all, along with his Decepticon scum. Bumblebee had only just found her, and he would lay his life down for hers if it came to that. She was intelligent, taking in every word he said with small nods. He hoped it wouldn't come to his death, because he desperately wanted to know more about her. There was a certain amount of loss now that he had her with him again. Now what? He supposed he would think of something later. Bumblebee drifted into a stasis-like sleep.