A/N: This story follows down the path of the Transformers games War on Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. It eventually spins off into one the books I've read but this story has my own twist to it as Bumblebee is younger. Much younger. Considering this story is based on Bumblebee's childhood from my own personal thoughts, it is definitely not correct. Unless I owned Transformers and knew that. Which I sadly don't. Also, no stealing this storyline or plot. Optimus would be disappointed if you did.

I also used my max limit for the story's summary so I'm putting a thank you note to Hollaugh. Thank you, your cover making is just fantastic and really well done! I know I didn't have to use it but I really wanted to. Keep being great!

Now, onward with the story! :)

...

The Autobots have been searching day and night for any lucky survivors. It'd be a miracle if any did survive, according to Ratchet. They dug and dug through the rubble. A recent explosion had taken place and the Autobots sadly found the Decepticons had implanted a bomb in the city of Iacon. The home place of Autobots. It struck a nerve for many. Mainly Optimus Prime. His sad optics looked over the dark, smoke filled sky. His frame was tense as he watched another building collapse in the horizon. His comm gave him an alert and his servo lifted so he could answer.

::Prime. There's no sign of anything. I think we need to call it quits.:: The firm baritone voice of Ironhide filled his audios. Optimus sighed and shook his helm although the mech could not see. He pressed his digit against the comm to reply.

"No. We must keep searching. There's bound to be someone, I can feel it." Optimus protested. Ironhide's tired sigh didn't go unnoticed. Optimus knew how tired his crew was, even how tired he himself was. They all needed a break. Or better yet, Optimus needed to move on. He knew it too. But he couldn't find the strength to. Not when the Decepticons decided to plan an attack so close to the youth sectors. Optimus could remember Jazz running in and telling him the news. Optimus narrowed his optics in anger as he recalled the memory like it was yesterday.

"Sir, we can't just let Ultra Magnus leave with this much happening on Cybertron. Does he even know that Trypticon was just offlined by our men a week ago? We lost many Autobots to him!"

"I'm very aware Prowl and I understand your concerns but in order to even get in contact with Ultra Magnus, we need to get aboard the Ark and we know it is not finished yet," Optimus spoke firmly. Prowl looked around with clenched fists. The two were speaking harsh whispers in the hall. Loud and quick pede steps caught their attention. They faced the black and white mech racing down the hall.

"Optimus! We just received some news!" Jazz exclaimed. His visor was a darkened blue and Optimus noticed his accent was lost. Optimus narrowed his optics and Prowls doorwings straightened. This was not good.

"Report," Optimus spoke firmly. Jazz caught up and panted.

"Optimus...there was an attack. Iacon is falling. The youth sectors..." He trailed off. Optimus's engine rumbled.

"What about them!? What happened!!"

"We have no intel. It could be collapsed already...so far, there are no survivors." Jazz spoke sadly. Optimus growled.

"Find me Jetfire! We're heading to Iacon right now! Prowl, I want you to get Ratchet and Ironhide, anyone!" Optimus turned and began stomping down the hall. His optics glaring at everything in pure anger. Prowl narrowed his optics.

"Of course, sir," Prowl responded immediately. "Jazz, get me the Aerialbots. I need to speak to SlingShot." Prowl spoke firmly. Jazz nodded.

"You got it." He said and began running down the hall. "Those fraggers are gonna pay!" Jazz shouted. Prowl looked down the hall at Optimus, hearing his small mumble of,

"Yes, they will."

"Optimus!" A voice tried to snap him out of his slack-jawed gaze. Optimus was too tense. He didn't want to move. A servo was set on his shoulder and it seemed to break the spell upon the tired leader. "Optimus, everyone can't stand another minute out here...No one has found anyone. I think we need to pack up and just head back," The exhausted tone of Ratchet spoke, his servo sliding off the tall bot. Optimus slowly looked down at the medical officer that was staring at him with concerned optics. Optimus clenched his fists.

"I can't. It doesn't feel right. Ratchet, I feel something. Someone is out here and they deserved to be found," Optimus almost straining in a small plea. Ratchet studied him for a moment. Optimus clearly did not want to leave. No one wanted to, but they needed to. They needed to move past the horrific crime committed and focus on future attacks as such as this one. Optimus released a vent and massaged his forehelm.

"You're right. We need...we need to leave. Everyone's wore out, its just getting to my head," Optimus admitted with a heavy defeat. Ratchet wasn't satisfied being correct this time but he nodded.

"Let's go we have lots of-,"

"Wait," Optimus whispered before his pede could even turn him around. Ratchet frowned.

"Optimus, really, we need to go." Ratchet spoke seriously. His servos went to his hips as if he was an adult telling his child to leave a candy store. Optimus held up a finger.

"I said wait. I hear something." Optimus hushed and began moving forward toward the darkness filled with dead souls. A crunching sound formed under his pedes and he looked down for a moment. His spark almost broke in two as he stared down at a young mech. His body was covered in rust and his face was frozen in a silent scream. Optimus shook it off and kept moving forward. His audios following an unknown trail the demolished rubble set for him. Ratchet sighed from behind.

"Optimus...there's no one out there," Optimus merely ignored him and rounded the cylinder like building. A metal slab was pressed against it and Optimus furrowed his optic ridges as it made little shakes. Metal slabs weren't supposed to do that. Were they? No. Optimus quickly jogged over and gripped the slab with a sliver hope. He pulled back the slab and it fell with a large bang. Dust flew into the air around him and he waved his servo, waving away the dust. Once it cleared his optics laid on a little mechling covered in a dirty yellow. Tears were streaming down the child and he huddled into himself upon seeing him. Optimus gently knelt down as slow as possible to not frighten the child. The mechling whimpered and tried pressing himself against the wall behind him. Optimus gently cooed at him and the mechling quieted.

"My name is Optimus Prime. I'm here to help you," He spoke with a cheery tone as his battle mask retracted. A smile was shown to the child and the child reached forward with a servo. Optimus took it with the up most care. His other servo lifted to his audio and the comm came online. ::Ratchet, rendezvous to my position immediately.:: He ordered softly as his optics stared into the young ones. The child's baby blue optics whirled in curiosity toward to the large Autobot. "What is your name young one?" He asked quietly. The child tilted its helm and their antennas flickered around.

"Bumble...Bumblebee..." The young bot struggled to answer. Optimus smiled brightly.