randomplaces | fusion 'verse. Autobot base, Iacon. Seeking what went before.

Bumblebee could see Galvatron sitting on an empty canister as he made his way toward the playing field. Deathscream was in her usual place, an ever present shadow at the young Prime's shoulder. There was a spirited discussion taking place on the field between Cyclonus and a couple of the Seekers from Tetra Squad. Stormsong stood to one side with both hands over her mouth in attempt at containing her mirth.

"What's going on?" he asked as he stopped next to Galvatron and Deathscream.

Galvatron blinked, seeming to come back from a distance as he turned his head to look down at his small friend. "Hmm? Oh. They're playing that game Ratchet suggested. I think Cyclonus bumped Windbreaker's ball."

"What game is that?" Bumblebee looked at the line of wire loops stuck into the ground.

"Croquet." Deathscream's voice was low as she watched the discussion with her usual predatory interest.

"Uh... isn't that that game that human old ladies play?" Bumblebee turned and looked up at Galvatron.

"Is it?" His friend looked back bemusedly. "Ratchet said it would give him a break."

Bumblebee chuckled, then turned back as Stormsong lost control and crumpled to the ground laughing. Cyclonus and the two Seekers he'd been arguing with paused to stare down at her before shrugging and resuming their game. "So, are you feeling better?"

"Yes." Grave humor showed in the Prime's optics. "I've recovered from my trip."

"Good." Bumblebee hugged him, then looked up earnestly. "Did you... you know...."

Galvatron's smile faded as he remembered the main reason he'd risked the trip into the Matrix of leadership. "There was no sign of Optimus."

"I'm sorry." The yellow Minibot hugged him again.

Galvatron shook his head slightly. "She'll never be lost... she's part of me. But if I ever see Unicron again he'll feel the destruction that I deal him in more than one reality."

Bumblebee shrank back at the sudden vengeful gleam in his friend's optics, then started as Deathscream touched him on the helm and looked up to see a rare expression of non-Galvatron directed sympathy on her dark faceplate.

Galvatron sighed and lowered his head, anger and vengeance fading back into contemplation. Deathscream gently rubbed his shoulder as he so often rubbed hers.

Bumblebee watched them, but then started as his name was called from the field. "Huh? Yeah, Cyclonus?"

"Would you come play referee? Windbreaker and his brother keep cheating."

"Hitting you with my mallet isn't cheating! Only hitting your ball!" protested the white and grey Seeker defensively.

Bumblebee shook his head and facepalmed, chuckling despite himself. "Yeah. Sure. Here I come."