Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Suddenly, the world froze.

every bot on the battlefield turned their heads when the sickening sound of metal on metal echoed throughout the arena.

But it wasn't just the clang of metal, no…it was much more than that.

It was the choking that followed.

The sheer amount of Energon that spilled from the small bot.

the scraping and screaming as the blade was slowly pulled from the other's abdomen.

A Decepticon bystander, backing away from the previous battle now coming to an unnerving silence, widened his optics as he witnessed the bot gag and fall to his knees.

The Decepticon’s mouth fell slack and within seconds, he was beside the fallen soldier.

The battle resumed around them, and the shouts from the Autobots went unnoticed.

“No…No no no-” He wrapped one arm around the bot’s side and his other cupped the back of his helm. “Hey-” He said, pulling the fallen one closer to him. “Bee? Hey look at me you-” He panned to the gaping hole in the other’s center. Energon pooled beneath the two, it soaked his knees.

His vision snapped back into focus when he felt cool digits graze his faceplates.

“Break…Down—” The lower bot's voice was cracking and raspy. His Optics were wide and filled with shock.

“It’s me, Bee, I’m- I’m here hey-” Breakdown Stuttered. “You- You’re–”

“Yeah…” The yellow bot underneath him coughed lightly, Energon bubbling up from his chest and out his intake.

His Optics flickered, his spark threatening to give in.

“I Know.” Bee’s hand laid flat against Breakdown's face. “This- This is it...” He sucked in a breath as his engine slowed.

Breakdown's teeth were pressed together so tightly he was sure they would crack. His eyes darted from the gaping hole in his best friend's chest and back to his face.

He knew he was right but-

He didn’t want to believe it.

Eons of war, and they always seemed to find their way back to each other.

After so long, the thought that something could happen to either of them like this became distant.

It was like Bee was invincible, sometimes.

Too good at what he does to get hurt so fatally.

Scrapes and dents sure, but this…

Bee fought to display a pained smile, although it quickly faltered. The look on Breakdown's face, the pain and sorrow…It sent a surge of pain through his spark. At least, he thinks that’s what it was.

He wasn’t ready to die.

There were so many things he’d allowed to go unsaid.

To the auto bots- His friends. To the Maltos, his family.

To Breakdown, His… His Best Friend.

His world.

Breakdown listened closely to the humming in Bee’s chest as it began to fade.

“You have to- just hold on, just hold on a little longer I- I can find help!” Breakdown began to panic. He could feel the vibrations as the moving parts within Bee slowed to a stop.

A small sound exited the scout's mouth, almost as if saying no.

Bee’s sevro began to slide from Breakdown's face.

“No…” Breakdown took hold of his arm. “No- Bee?” Yellow paint flaked off onto his hand as the other’s arm fell slack by his side.

He watched the blue light in Bumblebee’s eyes flicker and go dark.

His breathing quickened and hitched, he paused for a moment, then lowered his lax body onto the ground.
His hands hovered helplessly over Bee’s body before locking into tight fists.

The pain and grief-stricken look on his face began to twist, his eyes narrowing and pooling with anger.

His helm slowly lifted, optics tearing themselves away from the smaller bot’s body below him.

Shockwave.

He had moved so quickly, locked into battle with Bumblebee. He had forced his weaponized arm through Bee’s abdomen. And he had been so quick to move on to the next opponent.

He hadn’t even noticed the pain he had caused.

Breakdown slowly came to his feet. Legs shaking for a moment, almost struggling to find balance.

Shockwave now stood among the others, shooting at the enemy.

Their enemy.

He watched the Autobots try to push forward, and he watched them fail.

“BUMBLEBEE!” Their fearless leader shouted with an attempt at running toward his son, only to be stopped by a hand dragging him back by his arm.

Megatron.

“PRIME!” He struggled to keep hold of his partner. “OPTIMUS HE’S GONE”

“NO!” Optimus retaliated. Optics torn wide open, teeth bared as he shouted.

“WE NEED TO GO!” Megatron insisted, Pain sewn into his own face.

Elita and Arcee provided cover fire, but the Decepticons pushed forward relentlessly. They gained confidence as one of the Autobots had fallen, it had been so long since the Autobots lost one of their own. It put manic smiles to some of their faceplates.

“Optimus!” Elita shouted from across the field, taking cover behind a boulder.
His optics darted to her.

She closed her mouth into a tight line and shook her head.

Megatron was right.

Bee was gone.

Optimus’s frame went slack. The second he stopped resisting, Megatron took him by the waist and transformed, leaving Optimus in his holding bay as he and the other Autobots fled the scene.

Chapter Text

Breakdown overheard the others celebrating, but he was focused solely on Shockwave. His mouth closed into a tight line, eyes wide and unforgiving in his stare. Breakdown watched as Shockwave kneeled down to pick up the relic they had fought so hard for. Lost so much for…

As he stood he held the relic up in the air, like a fist after a victory. The cons cheered, Breakdown watched. The glow of the relic was so bright he could barely make out its shape.

it was lowered and tucked away somewhere safe for transport. Suddenly Shockwave turned his head to face the stunticon, and Breakdown turned his gaze back to the fallen below him. He was still standing over Bee, though on his feet, he was no doubt pathetic looking the way he was hunched over Bee’s limp body.

Gritting his teeth, he did his best to remain steady, calm, even. The battle was over, the Decepticons won. The Relic was theirs. He had to stay focused if he wanted any chance at saving Bee.

Breakdown let out a breath, and with a whir from his fans he kneeled down and picked up the scout's body. A solid flow of energon poured from Bee as he stood. It pooled at his feet.

“What are you doing?” Shockwave questioned, could he possibly care for this auto bot?

“You think I’m going to give that scum a chance of seeing him again?” The words exited his mouth before he could think. He couldn’t let Shockwave know the truth, so he spoke. “No…They don’t get to give him a proper send off.” Breakdown looked up from the bleeding scout in his arms and locked Optics with Shockwave. “I’ll take care of it.”

“You sick slag, what’re you going to do with him?” Swindle laughed.

Breakdown smirked “Think Swindle, what did we used to do with our scrap back on Cybertron?”

A twisted realization crossed the con's face, but his smile did not falter.
Breakdown looked back at Shockwave.

“Do what you must. But do not fail to return to us soon, Breakdown.”

“Relax, this shouldn't take long.” Breakdown turned his back to the group and made his way through the forest. Distantly, he could hear the sound of transformation followed by engines traveling away from him.

The moment he could no longer hear them, his smile dropped. “I’m sorry Bee, I know you wouldn't want this but-” He looked down to the yellow bot cradled in his arms. “I’m gonna take care of you. I promise…And once you’re all better, Shockwave is going to pay for what he’s done.”

—

“Optimus…He’s not here”

Ranger Malto, better known as Dot, or Dotty, was sent in alongside Megatron to “canvas the area” That was the nicer way of saying “Recover Bumblebees body.” Both Dot and Megarton insisted the others, especially Optimus, stay behind for this. They thought themselves to be best fit for the job. But when they arrived on scene, Bee was nowhere to be found. It was clear where he had been, the sheer amount of energon almost made Dot sick. However, it was no new sight for Megatron. Though, it hurt his spark knowing who the energon had belonged to…

“...They took him?” Optimus’s voice came through their comms, strained, like he was holding something back.

“There’s a trail, though I am not sure how far it will lead us.” Megatron observed the trail leading into the forest, away from the pool of energon they stood in front of. “He-” Megatron hesitated, trying to be mindful of who he was speaking to, about who he was speaking of. “With the amount of energon already here…” He trailed.

“It’s worth a shot, right?” Dotty set a hand to the side of Megatron's helm, she stood tall on his shoulder. “It’s the only lead we got.”

Megatron turned to look at Dorothy, optics not lingering long before he looked back at the trail leading into the woods.

“Go.” Optimus commanded, giving Megatron the go ahead. “And if you don’t find him, we know where to look next.”

Megatron began to make his way around the pool seeping into the dirt below, carefully as to not come in contact with it. They began toward the trees.

Anger.

Anger had laced the Primes voice as he spoke. And with his words, they could guess his next move if they didn’t find Bumblebee this way.

All those years of war, all the deaths of loved ones, friends, family…And the Matrix had always kept him neutral, or rather, kept his emotions in check.

But this? For Optimus to lose his beloved scout, one of few who stayed loyal and by his side throughout the entirety of the war, one who he at times considered his son.

For the Decepticons to not only kill him, but to also steal away his remains? To do primus knows what with…

The Matrix’s control over said emotions is slipping, to say the least.

Megatron kept his optics glued to the bright pink droplets as he followed their path.

“Megs” Dotty's voice broke the silence that had fallen between them. “I’m no mind reader, but I can tell when there’s something you’re not telling me.”

He maintained his pace but let out a sigh. “...On cybertron, during the war…” He began, unsteady with his words. This was Dorothy, and he had changed since that time, yet he still felt hesitant in sharing. Especially such horrific things as this. Such things he was the founder of.

“When we- the Decepticons, would win a battle there was something…we did with the remains of the Autobots left on the battlefield.” His steps slowed. “Something I had hoped ended with the war. I fear…they took Bumblebee for the tradition.”

“Megatron.”

The firmness in Dotty’s voice brought Megatron to an abrupt stop. His brows furrowed, and mouth closed in a thin line.

He was ashamed that such a horrible thing he invented could be done to someone he had begun to consider a friend.

“What would you do with them?” She questioned, tone softening ever so slightly. If they wanted any chance of locating him, they needed all the information they could get.

“Incineration.” He admitted, eyes still locked on the energon path before them. He avoided her gaze, knowing what expression awaited him.

There was silence for a moment.

“How long?”

“What?” Megatron turned his head to face her.

“How long do you think we have?”

“I..I do not know, I’m sorry Dorothy.”

The ranger took a breath in, “Don’t apologize. You didn’t do this to Bee, they did. Just keep moving…We need to work quickly if we want to find him in time.”

Except he did, in a way. They both knew this. But despite this, despite everything, Dorothy always seemed to forgive him.

The two approached a break in the forest, a road. The spots on the ground grew smaller, and smaller. Until all that remained was the bare earth.

“Scrap.” Dotty swore, her hands balled into light fists. There was no telling which way they went, the trail ran dry.

“With this, Dorothy…” Megatron’s expression changed, something that almost looked like fear, laced his faceplate. “I am concerned that Optimus may do something that he cannot come back from.” His head faced forward but optics strained to look at Dotty at his side.

She had never seen him like this, she had never seen him this afraid before. A fear that Optimus may do something similar to Megatron, that he may seek revenge as he once did.

Megatron knew better than anyone what that does to a bot.

“We won’t let him cross that line.” Her shock turned to determination. “Megs.” She urged him to face her fully, he turned his head to her. “We won’t let him.”

It was dark by the time they reached their destination.

Breakdown pushed open the metal door to the old aircraft warehouse, it made an unnerving screech as it slid, stopping with a shutter and a thud as it opened as far as it could go.

He took a few steps back before turning around and kneeling beside Bee. As gently as he had set him down moments ago, he picked him back up, holding him close to his chest.

Breakdown entered the warehouse, the room lit up as he walked.

The lighting revealed a very makeshift base. It used to belong to Bee, during his many years of hiding.

Its contents consisted of an old Autobot computer, a small med bay, and a stash of energon in one of the corners of the room.

It had been years since either of them set foot here, he was relieved to find it still standing.

Carefully, he made his way over to the med bay. His eyes searched over the nearby examination table, next to it was a standing scanner, meant for bots to reboot in, or get a thorough systems scan through. Breakdown stepped into the circle it was centered on, he grit his teeth as he had to position Bee’s arms over the stand, his feet settled flat with the ground and his head lulled forward.

Hands outstretched before him, as if to catch Bee if he fell. He let out a sigh of relief, and his arms fell slack at his sides. “There..”

Breakdown watched Bee, as if waiting for him to wake up. For him to be okay again.

In the background, he could hear the computer linked to the scanner signaling warnings, attempting to remind him of the lack of life within the bot’s shell.

He raised his right hand and pressed it gently to the emblem on Bee’s chest, ignoring the computer's frantic beeping.

Breakdown thought back on the relic, the briefing they had been given before the fight. The mention of its immense power…He remembered how brightly it was glowing, how it radiated pure energy.

He broke his stare on Bee’s chest and looked to his eyes the best he could. “I will save you.” He backed away slowly, his hand curled into a fist. “No matter what it takes.” He swore, promising once again. “No matter what.” He repeated.

Breakdown slid the door shut once again, with the same screeching thud, it latched shut.

“Sit tight, Bee. I’ll be back in no time.”

Releasing the door, Breakdown took a few steps and transformed. He drove slowly, at first. This location needed to remain a secret, he had to be quiet.

It was located within an old abandoned military base, just outside of Witwicky. No one knew about it but the two of them, not even Optimus himself. During his time in hiding, Bee was told to keep his location secret, even from Optimus. If he knew where he was holding up, the humans could just as easily obtain the knowledge. So it was kept a secret, from most.

It had taken him hours to walk there, but now on wheels Breakdown will return to the Decepticons shortly.

He’ll put on his best act yet, and he will obtain the relic.

What will he do with it once he has it? He’s unsure. The one thing he does know is that it’s the only thing on earth that has enough power, that has the potential, to bring Bee back to him.

Chapter Text

Breakdown rolled slowly through the entrance of the Decepticon base. He could feel Optics on him, glaring from the shadows as he entered and transformed.

He stood, centered. His eyes darted left, then right, then down at himself.

It was no wonder they were staring, his frame was caked in bright pink energon, dry and cracking. From his chestplate down to his feet. Breakdown raised his hands, examining them front and back before turning them to fists. Flakes of energon chipped off as he did so. He hadn’t even thought of cleaning up.

“Shockwave really did a number on that Autobot huh.” Breakdown heard Frenzy say, still lurking in between shipping containers. Mutters from the other cassette bots followed after her words.

“I overheard what you told Swindle.”

Heavy footsteps approached Breakdown where he stood.

“Tell me, how did you manage to find something powerful enough to incinerate a Cybertronian on this feeble planet?” Soundwave emerged from the darkness.

Breakdown lowered his arms back to his sides, turning his head to look at the other bot approaching from his left.

“Why should I?” He challenged, once again putting on a brave face.

Soundwave made a low, growling sound in annoyance.

Breakdown chuckled. “You are too easy to bug, you know that?” Smiling, he turned back away from him. “There’s one reason, that information could come in handy for me later, if I ever end up on your bad side.” He played the ‘Logical’ Card and continued on his path, leaving Soundwave to wonder.

Having been made overly aware of the blood of his..friend coating his plating, he changed direction and walked around the outside of the base till he came across the spigot he faintly recalled being there. He hadn’t used this method yet, even after so many years on earth. Breakdown would always opt for a car wash, or even a river or lake, if he was desperate, over trying to operate a hose if he ever needed to get clean.

He knelt down, turning the handle and taking hold of the hose. It wasn't of ordinary human-size, more like a fire hose. He hoped it would quicken the process, but unfortunately for him it wouldn't make much a difference.

As the water began to flow, he pointed the nozzle to his pedes. He watched as some of the energon washed off, mixing with the water and trailing to and down the large drain embedded into the concrete below. What was left had dried to his frame, melding with the paint on his body. He began to pick and scratch, growing frustrated as he moved further up, from his legs to his waist, to his mid section and arms.

Breakdown grumbled, whispering swears under his breath. He had forgotten how stubborn Energon could be, how it almost acted like cement when dry. He hadn’t dealt with so much of it since Cybertron.
“Scrap.” Breakdown spoke within a sigh, defeated as he ran the water over himself one last time. He couldn’t help but think of the scratches that will shine in the sunlight tomorrow morning.

He knelt down once again and twisted the spigot off, catching a glimpse of his chestplate, his brows furrowed.

His emblem, he hadn't noticed through his struggle to remove the energon, he had left three gnarly scratches through it.

Unsteady at the sight, he released the hose and brought his hand to it. Hovering above his chest before pressing his servo to be flush with it.

His hand lingered there longer than he liked to admit.

Breakdown was a Decepticon, a Stunticon through and through…

But how could he continue to work with them, to align himself with them when they killed the only true friend he had on this rock?

He shook his head, hand tensing in a fist before releasing it and resuming his position standing.

He could think about the gory details later, if…

when he gets Bee back.

Right now he needed to focus.

Focus…

Breakdown repeated in his mind as he made his way inside the base doors.

Making his way through the halls he paused, briefly. Head angled to his right, he set his gaze down a long hallway with a single door at the end of it.

The “Treasure Room” as Starscream had dubbed it. Breakdown would bet on everything that he had that the relic he was after would be found there. The sound of another door sliding open took him from his thoughts, he continued forward. Crossing paths with the previously mentioned, Breakdown eyed Starscream as they passed each other, yet he had no words for him. It seemed he was upset, not uncommon for Starscream, but the fact he had just left the main quarters where shockwave and him normally reside, Breakdown could only assume they had gotten into a disagreement of sorts. Maybe about the relic, he wondered.

Or maybe it was about Shockwave's decision to kill Bumblebee. It is true that in doing that, he has put a huge target on their backs. Even if they hadn't seen anything from the Autobots yet, It was common knowledge not to mess with Optimus’s scout, unless you wanted to face his axe. Optimus is usually opposed to killing, but faced with losing his scout? It was unpredictable how far he would go now.

So occupied with his thoughts, he hadn’t realized he had already settled into his space. A small room within the base that he had dubbed his own, a spot to rest with a small energon stash within it. Nothing permanent, nothing homey.

Primus, the energon.

There was a makeshift berth in the corner of the room, where he now sat. Directly across from him, laid the stash.

His levels were low, he should probably refuel.

Breakdowns expression crinkled into disgust at the thought. The idea of that right now, after everything, made him sick.

He’d ignore the warning signs appearing on his HUD and wait to fuel up till the morning. Laying back onto the metal, he remained tense. His optics wide and glued to the ceiling above. Breakdown stayed this way until the sun came up.

Megatron returned to the retired GHOST base, now laid claim by the Autobots. He had swiftly dropped Dorothy off back at the farm, insisting that she should be with her family, it was late and they had a long night. He could handle Optimus, he had told her. Though as his conversation with Optimus progressed, he was beginning to think he was wrong.

“I understand what he meant to you, Optimus, but going after Shockwave out of anger, for revenge it will not get you anywhere!” Megatron argued, what had started as Megatron trying to de-escalate the situation had begun to turn into an argument. His voice was rising at the prime.

“They took his BODY, Megatron!” Optimus, usually the voice of reason, snapped back at the Decepticon. “The war is over! They slaughtered him for amusement, not out of necessity!” He stepped closer to Megatron. “And they took him from us, to keep us from putting him to rest…” His tone softened with sorrow in the last sentence.

Optimus’s vents whirring as he took a breath in, straightening his posture and turning away from the taller mech. “If this were Dorothy, or any of the Terrans, you would feel the exact same.”

“The thought alone makes my spark ache.” Megatron too, had calmed down Slightly. “But Optimus, attacking them will not bring you comfort, it will not bring your scout back.”

As the words left his mouth, he thought how he'd never seen himself being in this position. Taking on the role of the ‘calm and collected voice of reason.’ It had always been Optimus doing this for him, not the other way around. He may not be doing the best, but primus was he going to try. If it meant keeping Optimus from becoming like him, he wouldn't give up.

A few, heavy steps and Megatron came up next to Optimus. He reached to take one of his servos in his, un-curling the tight fist that had no doubt left scratches within Opimus palm, though they wouldn't make a difference among the others scattered along his hands. After eons of war, they all begin to blend together.

With a gentle squeeze, he took another step forward facing Optimus once again.

Pain and anger laced his expression, he struggled to keep his composure, though the comfort of Megatron's touch seemed to help, even if slightly.

“One night, Optimus. We will find him, first thing tomorrow we will continue our search.” Megatron guided Optimus’s hand to his chestplate and clasped his free hand around it, “I promise, we will find him.”

Optimus released a heavy sigh, optics moved from the ground below them to match the others.

He nodded.

Optimus accepted the comfort, and that he may wait a few more hours to begin his search, but he never agreed to anything. Shockwave would pay the price for what he'd done.

When the morning came, and Optimus was nowhere to be found, panic ensued.

Megatron had contacted Elita One for backup, in case the situation escalated and they needed assistance. Though, Megatron knew what Optimus was capable of. He had no doubt that if he was as far gone as he thought, he wouldn't struggle fighting multiple enemies. He'd go through everyone in his path to get to his target, using any means necessary.

When they arrived on sight of the Decepticon base, they were quickly made aware of the situation. Optimus was already there, and he wasn't wasting any time.

A seeker came flying out the entrance, in bot form. She hit the ground with a skid, landing in front of the two.

“..Megatron?” Skywarp said, weary from the fight as she lifted her head upwards. “Get a handle on your prime!” She spat, coming quickly to her knees, then her feet. “He's lost his mind!”

As she stood, Megatron got a better look at her. Energon dripped from her mouth, and there were clear slash marks from Optimus’s axe around her frame, only light grazes but slashes none the less.

Megatron grit his teeth, averting his eyes from the sight he looked into the confines of the base. He spotted Optimus already locked into combat with Shockwave, the seeker must have simply gotten in his way. As she was in Megatron's way now, he lightly pushed past her, causing her to take a step to the side as he walked.

Elita followed close behind.

Shockwave had gotten a swing in on Optimus’s helm, his fist clanging against Optimus’s battle mask. It knocked Optimus’s head to the side, but when Shockwave saw Optimus’s eyes snap back to him, he knew that had been a mistake.

Optimus swung his axe in retaliation, with a guttural shout, like a battle cry.

The glowing weapon grazed Shockwave’s chest, then his legs as Optimus swung again causing him to stumble back. Optimus acted quickly, not giving the other a chance to fight back or defend himself. When Shockwave was gathering himself, he looked up just in time to see Optimus’s pede coming straight for his eye.

He was knocked onto his back with a shout, one hand clasped over his optic, the other struggling to lift himself back up from the ground.

His hand slipped out from underneath him, and he fell onto his back once again. As Shockwave removed his servo from his aching optic, Optimus had moved to kneel down, swiftly he took the Decepticon by the neck with his left hand. He lifted Shockwave with one hand like he weighed nothing. With two brief steps Optimus slammed his opponent into the nearest wall, leaving cracks in the concrete.

Shockwave choked, clawing at Optimus’s hand that was wrapped around his neck cables. He stilled as Optimus lifted his axe to Shockwaves helm, afraid if he moved it would mean his death.

“Where is he?” Optimus spoke, voice void of reason and filled with emotion. Filled with anger.

“I- Already told you!” Shockwave coughed out, as he spoke Optimus’s digits gripped tighter, denting the metal they held.

The Prime's eyes narrowed.

That answer wasn't good enough.

His right arm raised back, his other lifting ever so slightly as to avoid hitting it when he swung.

Shockwave's optic darted from Optimus’s face to his axe, “No…Wait!” a plea. “It is- Illogical- I have no use for his body!”

“Exuses.”

A clash of metal echoed throughout the space.

“PRIME NO!”

Megatron. He held back Optimus’s arm with both his hands, almost struggling as the shorter bot pushed against his hold, his blue optics wide and glued to his target.

“You and I know better than anyone that revenge will not make you feel any better, it will not make a difference, It won’t bring him back…Listen to me Optimus, you need to let him go.”

Despite his dear friend's words, Optimus did not let up. He didn’t so much as look at Megatron, if he did he may have to acknowledge that he was right. But in this moment, he wanted nothing more than to sever Shockwave’s head, to feel the relief of his energon on his hands. To know vengeance.

As if it was planned, the tense moment of decision between the three was interrupted, by none other than Starscream.

“THE RELIC!” His voice high and laced with anger as he shouted, bracing himself with arms outstretched, hands placed on both sides of the entryway to the interior of the Decepticon base.

He barely acknowledged the scene unfolding before him, injured cons tussling with Elita-1 and…whatever was happening between Shockwave Optimus and Megatron.

Starscream could really care less, Shockwave had it coming for him the moment he squashed the bug Prime holds so close to his spark.

“It’s Gone! And so is Breakdown.” Starscream announced.

This drew the Prime’s eye, but his frame did not move.

“Breakdown. He is the one you want.” Shockwave admits, still in the chokehold. “He took your scout's body.”

“Where?!” Suddenly, Starscream didn’t exist anymore, and all Optimus’s attention was back on Shockwave.

“I do not know.” Shockwave struggled to get out his words.”But it seems-” He gagged. “He has stolen from us as well.”

“Optimus, face me.” Megatron cut through with his words. When Optimus’s arm finally relented, and ceased its pushing against Meg’s grasp, he turned his head toward Megatron, and Megatron spoke. “Shockwave did not take Bumblebee’s body, it isn't of his nature.”

“And I am supposed to blindly trust his word? Your word?” Optimus turned his attention back to shockwave. “...Even if it is the truth, he slaughtered him nonetheless.” His fans whirled loudly in his chest, he was so close…

“I have proof!” Shockwave interrupted both their thoughts, “I can prove that I did not take anything more than his life.”

Optimus growled, pushing Shockwave further into the wall, it gave under the pressure further cracking and crumbling under the weight.

Megatron slid his hand up and over Optimus’s axe, and after a brief struggle, relieved it from his grasp. “Let us see what he has to show us.” his free hand pressed against Optimus’s shoulder, urging him to release the other.

When Optimus finally unfurled his grip, Megatron was immediate to push Optimus a few steps back. Not wanting the other to attack him again, and giving Shockwave space to recoup.

Shockwave hit the ground hard, on his knees one hand supported him on the ground while the other rubbed at his neck.

“Shockwave.” He hadn’t even heard Soundwave approach, yet there he was by his side, hands bracing his shoulders and helping him to his feet.

“Soundwave,” He set one of his own servos over one of Soundwaves, still keeping him steady, a gentle touch to say thank you. “Play the footage.” It sounded demanding, but it was nothing of the sort. With a nod, a projection appeared between the two groups. Showcasing Breakdown lifting Bee’s energon soaked body from the scene.

“What are you doing?”

“You think I’m going to give that scum a chance of seeing him again? No…They don’t get to give him a proper send off. I’ll take care of it.”

“You sick slag, what’re you going to do with him?”

“Think Swindle, what did we used to do with our scrap back on cybertron?”

The media played, and Optimus felt his fingers begin to place new dents in his palms as he watched Breakdown take Bee, His Bee, away from them.

“Do you believe me now?” Shockwave pushed.

Optimus began to lunge forward, but was stopped by a small hand on his arm, tugging him backward.

“Optimus, we're done here.” Elita stated. “We want to find Bee, right? Well now we know exactly who to look for.” She rounded, stepping in front of Optimus. “We can deal with Shockwave later, right now our main priority should be finding him before Breakdown does whatever he has planned for him…” She took his servo in hers, “We take care of our own, first. And see how filled with rage you still are when we return.” Elita tugged him along, guiding him to the exit. When she got serious, Optimus could never argue. No matter how blood hungry he was.

Elita glared at the Waves as they passed, Megatron let out a heavy sigh in relief, before puffing out his chest and following the others.

As they began their descent from the base, Optimus was completely silent.

“What was that back there, Optimus? You scared the crap out of us, losing control like that…Look I know you’re hurting but-”

“Comm Wheeljack, tell him to launch his drones in search of any sight of Breakdown and his last known vehicle mode. I want him to search the entirety of Whitwicky, and its outskirts.” Optimus cut Elita off abruptly, and for a moment silence fell between the two.

“Okay. But we’re not done talking about this, you know.” And with that Elita slowed, falling behind Optimus on the road. Her comm disconnected from his line so she could transfer to Wheeljacks.

“You were reckless today.” Megatron's voice cut in.
“...”

Optimus did not respond, and Megatron did not pry further.