"And I've faced a few gladiators in my time. So far, I'm still standing. Consider that."
Originally posted to FFN around the 2nd of January, 2017
Simply archiving a writing challenge I did back in 2016 up to 2017 and featuring my favourite writing pieces from each week of the challenge here on Tumblr :]
← Week 20 (KO) – Week 22 (BB) →
Cartoon: Transformers Prime / Robots in Disguise 2015
Characters: Smokescreen, Knock Out, and Bumblebee, with appearances from numerous other characters (even ones not featured in the cartoons)
Synopsis: An Autobot Elite Guard rookie, a Decepticon medic turned Autobot, and an Autobot scout turned warrior turned street cop - three very different bots with a wide range of stories to tell. And we are going to spend the next year exploring said stories through daily-written drabbles, be they angsty, humorous, gut-punching, or just plain odd! Who doesn’t love a challenge? (2016 to 2017)
Note: Here is where some Bumblebee drabbles may get a tad confusing, as some of them are set during the war on Cybertron and thus feature the WFC version of Sideswipe. Just know that in my headcanon, more than one bot can have the same name. Thus WFC Sideswipe and RiD2015 Sideswipe exist in the same universe, but are just two different bots with the same name.
Bumblebee had been feeling uneasy all week, and sleep hadn't been coming easy. Frustrated and tired, he decided to go for a short drive. He didn't get far; the uneasiness that had been plaguing him all week attacked in full force, and he transformed, reaching slowly for his Hunter.
Then, he stopped himself. 'Ugh, don't be so paranoid. Nothing's out there.'
"Hello, Bumblebee," said a familiar voice.
"I told you this wasn't over."
Bumblebee spun around, just in time to see a pair of yellow eyes glaring at him from the darkness before they leapt at him.
"Slag." Bluestreak lowered his rifle. "Sunstreaker's watching the flag."
"We need a diversion," Sideswipe muttered. "'Bee, make yourself a target."
"What?" the youngest Autobot exclaimed. "Why me?"
"You're loud, you're noticeable, and you 'killed' Jazz. If we could stand to lose anyone, it would be you."
"I'm sorry, I'm just not that great a shot!"
"Add that to the list of reasons we could stand to lose you."
"I'm not gonna give myself up to Suntreaker!" Bumblebee hissed. "He takes the game way too seriously!"
"Who died and made you leader, anyway?"
"Jazz. After you 'killed' him. Now get out there!"
"A fight. Hand to hand combat, just you and me. If you win, then I'll let your friends go." The warrior indicated towards Grimlock and Strongarm's unconscious forms. "If I win, well..." He shrugged, chuckling. "I'm sure you've read my rap sheet. Use your imagination."
Bumblebee lowered his weapon. "Deal."
"So eager! I admire that." His opponent loosened his joints confidently. "I should warn you though, I was a gladiator - a survivor of the Pits of Kaon. Consider that."
"And I've faced a few gladiators in my time. So far, I'm still standing." Bumblebee raised his fists readily. "Consider that."
"You're old enough. Remember the War?"
Bumblebee's optics flickered to the bot's armed blaster as he replied. "Yes, I remember."
"Then you know how brutal the 'Cons are. How much those slaggers just love bringing destruction and misery wherever they go." The bot approached Bumblebee, optics pleading for him to understand. "You know why I'm doing what I'm doing!"
Bumblebee vented deeply. "I of all bots know how... brutal the Decepticons can be. But the War is over. And Primus, I know that doesn't make anything that happened better, but we can't go around killing other bots because of it. Not anymore."
