Fanfic / Riding a Sunset

"You've got me," Charlie whispered. Her hands were placed firmly on both sides of the yellow 'bot's helm. Her brown eyes locked onto his blue optics. "And I'm not going anywhere."

Riding A Sunset by QAtheAuthoress74 is a Transformers fanfiction set in the Bumblebee universe. Ten months after the movie, Bumblebee returns to Brighton Falls to see Charlie and bring her to meet the other Autobots. However, word of Bumblebee's fights against Blitzwing, Shatter and Dropkick have filtered back to Cybertron as rumors of a "Triple-Changer Terminator" among the Decepticons, leading to first Starscream, then Megatron issuing missions to destroy them. The Autobots ally with Sector 7 and the United States government to combat the threat.

Currently an on-going fic with over 90 chapters, organized into several multi-chapter arcs and "seasons". An excellent blend of drama and humor, abounding with references to the 80s and other Transformers continuities.

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Contains examples of:

• The '80s: 1988 to be specific, 10 months after the events of Bumblebee. The author put a bit of effort into making the pop culture, slang, and music all sound authentic.
• Abandonment-Induced Animosity: Hot Rod, upon seeing Charlie and Bumblebee interact, believes that she's replaced him as 'Bee's best friend, causing him to act very cold towards both Bumblebee and her (calling her a "fleshie" when he complains about the situation to Bulkhead). After Ironhide and Optimus explain to Charlie why Hot Rod's acting the way he is, she confronts him.
• Absurd Phobia: Ultra Magnus, who is almost as tall and powerful as Prime and has shown little to no fear throughout his time as second-in-command... is afraid of spiders. Made absurd because spiders are almost too small for him to see, and spider venom (since he's a giant robot) can't hurt him. Agent Burns lampshades this.
• Adaptational Explanation:
  • The original cartoon often had the Autobots and Decepticons pulling items out of thin air (guns, tools, Prime's trailer, etc), without there being any explanation as to how the items they needed simply appeared. Other cartoons avoided this by having the Cybertronians transform their hands or shoulders into weapons (something that stayed in the movies and games). Here, while the Transformers do still transform their hands or shoulders into weapons (like with Bee's blade/stinger), they can pull items or tools (like Prime's trailer) out of a special device called a subspace, which converts the matter in an object into energy, and stores it until it's needed (explaining how certain items simply disappear and reappear when the Cybertronians need them).
  • In many cartoons, the Autobots are shown capable of buying/paying for various items despite none of them seeming to have jobs or a means of getting money (best shown in Transformers: Animated). Here, it's shown that the Autobots have been receiving money from the government in exchange for them sharing some of their technology (though not weapons) with them. At any given time, every Autobot is carrying around roughly three hundred dollars in cash in case of an emergency (or if one of their human friends needs a snack).
• Adaptational Friendship: Because of how many characters in the fic are Canon Foreigners, there are several characters that become friends here despite never meeting/being close in their respective canons (i.e. Charlie and the rest of the Autobots, Chip and Memo, etc).
• Adaptational Name Change: Autobots in this universe have serial numbers that they use until they find a name that suits them.
  • As in the movie, Bumblebee used to be B-127 before Charlie gave him his name.
  • J-722 goes through Meister, Shaft and Blaster before finally settling on Jazz after Charlie introduces him to the music.
  • Hot Rod's designation was H-406.
• Affectionate Nickname: Jazz is good at these: Bumblebee is "Lil Bee", Charlie is "Lil Lady", Prowl is "Prowler", the list goes on. 'Bots have been trying to give Ratchet one for years, and he refuses every time (sometimes by throwing a wrench).
• Alien Arts Are Appreciated: Many Autobots develop a liking for Earth music, arts, and film (Bumblebee is said to watch movies in the Watsons' garage in his spare time (his favorite being The Breakfast Club), and Jazz picked his new designation after developing a love of Duke Ellington music.
• All for Nothing: Dr. Arkeville abused the Autobots' show of trust in Sector 7 to steal Wheeljack's inventions for a shady organization, and incriminated himself by injuring Wheeljack, damaging part of their base, and admitting to stealing the Autobot's projects before escaping with a cloaking device and several mystery items believed to be weapons... only they aren't weapons. They're the fireworks Wheeljack made for the 4th of July picnic.
• Amicable Exes: Hot Rod and Arcee, who officially bury the hatchet of their not-so-amicable breakup when Hot Rod arrives on Earth.
• Annoying Younger Sibling: Otis is much better in the fic than in Bumblebee, but he still qualifies as this trope.
• Answer Cut: Happens a few times throughout the fic.
• Badass Boast: Anything said by Optimus Prime when he's mad will likely double as this. This line from when he and the Autobots saved Charlie from the Beastformers, however, counts as the first of the fic, and is delivered in such a way that all three Eukarians start shaking:
  Optimus Prime: Taking the young lady was a bad move.
• Bad Boss: Megatron. Starscream's complaints aside, he rips out Vos of the DJD's vocalizer because he kept speaking in Primal Vernacular.
• Bait-and-Switch: A Villain Chapter opens with Megatron and Shockwave going to see/interrogate a prisoner who's being tortured for information. The reader believes that a poor Autobot is being interrogated before they're killed (much like poor Cliffjumper in at least two continuities). But the chapter soon reveals that the prisoner is a Decepticon; specifically, Skywarp. Turns out Starscream's attempts at coups aren't as clever/unnoticeable as he thinks they are.
• Beach Episode: Charlie, her family, Memo, and Chip spend the afternoon of the 4th of July on the beach with most of the Autobots.
• Be Careful What You Wish For: Charlie had hoped that she could spend more time with Bumblebee and the Autobots. She gets her wish... because it turns out that the En-Radiation from Cybertronians can be absorbed by humans, and Charlie has enough on her that she registers as Cybertronian on Decepticon scanners. Meaning that the Autobots will stay to protect the Earth, but she'll serve as a homing beacon for nearby Decepticons for the rest of her life.
• Because You Were Nice To Him: This is the main reason why all of the Autobots (including Ratchet and Ironhide) instantly trust/like Charlie, as she put her own safety at risk to help Bumblebee and save his life. Throughout the fic, she's the human they trust and open up to the most.
• Big Brother Instinct: The older Autobots are visibly protective of the younger members of their unit, often taking time to talk to them if they're having problems or willingly covering them in fights. Jazz is noticeably protective of/close with 'Bee (and quickly becomes as close with Charlie).
• Big Damn Heroes: Pulled several times by different characters.
• The Big Damn Kiss: Jazz gives one to Prowl when the latter arrives at base, to the shock (and minor embarrasment) of all the humans present.
• Big Damn Reunion: Jazz hasn't seen his Conjunx (husband), Prowl, in a long time. When he hears that Prowl is alive, on Earth and coming to see him, he's overjoyed. When Prowl finally shows up, Jazz glomps him. Prowl is much more reserved, but it's clear that he's equally happy to see his Conjunx.
• Big Good: Optimus Prime.
• Big "NO!": The Autobots when Ratchet, after teaching them all about the human digestive system, asks if they'd like an additional lecture on human reproduction.
• Bizarre Alien Biology:
  • Charlie, when she first helps Ratchet with an Autobot operation/repair, quickly realizes that Cybertronian techno-biology is nothing like working on a car, as there are multiple alien components. She's also taught about Energon and Sparks.
  • Ratchet had to adjust his scanners and acquire information on human biology so he could treat humans should the need arise. He even has the Autobots undergo an impromptu lecture about human biology when they meet Charlie. The Autobots are all left embarrassed and uncomfortable.
• Blatant Lies: Steeljaw, when Optimus Prime and the Autobots capture him and his pack, lies and says that they are very important officers in the Decepticon army. Prime, who's met/fought most of the higher-ups in the Decepticon army, doesn't buy it for a second.
• Brain Bleach: Ratchet, after realizing that none of the Autobots (minus Ultra Magnus, who did his homework) know anything about human bodily functions, gives them all an impromptu lecture on the functions of the human body (including what Charlie meant by "going to the restroom"). When it's over, all of the Autobots have thousand-yard stares. Even Prime.
• Brooklyn Rage: Subverted; it's noted that Wheeljack speaks in a Brooklyn accent, yet he's fairly patient and doesn't snap very easily (which, due to his being a scientist, makes sense). Ratchet, Ironhide, and even Bumblebee usually lose their tempers before he does. Played straight with Thunderhoof, who has what Charlie calls a stereotypical mob boss accent. He's as aggressive and cruel as any of the Beastformers.
• Butt-Monkey:
  • If any 'bot is going to suffer from Wheeljack's experiments, it's Brawn.
  • Poor Sheriff Lock can't catch a break.
• Calling the Old Man Out: Charlie has expressed interest in going to trade school to become a mechanic (a desire that grows stronger after she starts regularly helping Ratchet). However, Sally shuts her down every time and insists that she go to college. Ratchet, when Sally visits the base, absolutely lets her have it about putting her own wants over Charlie's, stating that Charlie is a gifted mechanic (claiming that she's a prodigy by Cybertronian standards) who shouldn't waste her talents, and that while Sally has good intentions, her efforts are hurting Charlie far more than they're helping. To Sally's credit, she takes these words to heart and starts easing up on Charlie (allowing her to take up the apprenticeship Ratchet offers her).
• Camping Episode: The Watson family has a tradition of camping in Yosemite each year. This year, Brawn Got Volunteered to accompany them.
• Canon Immigrant / Continuity Cameo: Enough it might as well warrant its own page. Justified, given the movie's small cast and the author's statement about not wanting to create human OCs when a character from another series could fill the role.
• Celebrity Paradox: The Hardwork Montage of chapter 11 is set to "Back to Life (80s Remix)" by Hailee Steinfeld, and Bumblebee is stated to be a big fan of her music. Hailee was Charlie's actress in the movie.
• Chekhov's Gun: When Charlie leaves with 'Bee to meet the Autobots, her mother makes her several sandwiches to eat while she's gone (leading to Charlie explaining to her friend what sandwiches (and food) are). Later, it's the sandwiches (specifically Ultra Magnus stepping on one) that lead the Autobots to Steeljaw's gang.
• Declaration of Protection: The Autobots (namely Prime) does this for the Watson family, and Bumblebee does it for Charlie in particular. Optimus claims during their first meeting with the Army that, as long as the Autobots remain on Earth, they will protect it from the Decepticons.
• Defiant Captive: Shortly after meeting the Autobots, Charlie is kidnapped by Steeljaw, Thunderhoof, and Underbite. They try to interrogate her and find out where the Triple-Changer-Terminator is. She gives them nothing, and leads the Autobots to her by crushing up the sandwiches her mother gave her and leaving a trail (while berating herself for using Hansel and Gretel as an example).
• Disappointed in You: After Jazz catches Charlie and 'Bee street racing, he takes them back to the base and makes them explain to the other 'bots what happened. Optimus says he isn't mad at them, just disappointed. The two react how you'd expect.
• Establishing Character Moment: When Bee takes Charlie to the Autobot camp to meet the Autobots, Jazz acts as an escort and thus is the second Autobot Charlie officially meets. He loudly introduces himself, playfully chides Bumblebee for not telling her that the other Autobots could talk, promises that he's got the duo's backs, and then spends the rest of the ride listening to Duke Ellington.
• Even Evil Has Loved Ones:
  • Soundwave is among Megatron's most dangerous and loyal soldiers... and he will do anything for his Cassettes, who he treats less like servants and more like his pets/children. Shockwave implying that a sick Ravage could simply be replaced earns Soundwave's rage.
  • Knock Out and Breakdown may be Decepticons, but there's no denying the love they have for one another (as they playfully flirt with one another while picking alt modes after crashing on Earth).
• Even Evil Has Standards:
  • For most of the fic, Starscream is... well, Starscream. However, when Thundercracker and Skywarp joke about how run-down the once beautiful Vos is (calling it a dump), he tells them to show some respect, as many of their fellow Seekers perished in battle there.
  • Even when being interrogated and threatened with some of the worst punishments the Decepticons can think of (which is really saying something), Skywarp doesn't rat out Starscream or Thundercracker. Though he didn't really have to, given how Shockwave just busted into his memory files anyway. It says a lot about his character when he likely knows that 'Scream wouldn't do the same for him.
• Fantastic Racism:
  • Megatron is stated to hate Eukarians (beastformers) and intends to wipe them out once he has defeated the Autobots. Starscream, while not as extreme, openly expresses distaste for any Cybertronian who is not a flier or Seeker.
  • Ironhide eventually explains to Bumblebee that some 'bots, while not caring if two mechs or two fems love each other, think it's unseemly for two different types of Cybertronian to be in a relationship (citing a Seeker and a Grounder as an example). Unit Prime holds no such stigma, but Ironhide implies that such attitudes aren't limited to the Decepticons.
  • Hot Rod doesn't seem too fond of humans at first, referring to them as "squishies". However, this isn't so much out of a hatred for humans as it is jealousy over his belief that Charlie has replaced him as 'Bee's best friend. He abandons this attitude once he and Charlie make up.
• A Father to His Men: How Charlie describes Optimus Prime. We all know she's right.
• Foil: Prowl/Ultra Magnus to Starscream. The two Autobots (first Magnus, then Prowl) are loyal to Optimus Prime, kind to their fellow soldiers, and don't let their emotions interfere with their jobs. Starscream is... well Starscream. He constantly plots behind Megatron's back, talks down to and mistreats his soldiers constantly, and is very emotional (often letting petty grudges drive his decision-making).
• Forgiveness: Agent Burns was pretty terrible to Bumblebee for most of the movie, and at the beginning of the story knows that neither the Autobot nor Charlie has any good reason to trust him. However, he makes it clear that he wants to make up for his actions, and throughout the story stands up for the Autobots. After the first meeting with the heads of the Army, Charlie finally, officially forgives him.
• Friendship Bribe: Much like in a deleted scene from the movie, it's shown that two of the members of Tina's Girl Gang used to be Charlie's best friends and worked at the same hot dog stand as her. When Charlie's father passed and she started becoming more distant, they bought Tina's friendship by giving her free hot dogs whenever she wanted. When they lost their jobs due to the stand closing down, Tina cruelly cast them out of her friend group.
• Friendship Moment: Bumblebee, once the Autobots realize that they need to protect Charlie and her family, becomes the Watsons' official guardian. He's with them as often as he can be, often recharging in their garage and going everywhere that Charlie goes (usually because he's the one who has to drive her there).
• Gentle Giant: Bulkhead is The Big Guy in every meaning of the word, with Prime being the only 'bot bigger than him. He's also one of the nicest, gentlest 'bots who wants nothing more than to protect his friends, and remains optimistic even when his friends are going through something. He's constantly expressing his fear of hurting/killing a human by accidentally stepping on them.
• Good Cop, Bad Cop, Neutral Cop: When the Eukarians are captured after kidnapping Charlie, the Autobots interrogate them. Ironhide (the bad cop) wants to treat them the way they treated Charlie... which is why he isn't allowed to interrogate them. Jazz (the neutral cop) isn't nice, but he recognizes that their prisoners are simply punks who were won over by the Decepticons and got in over their heads. Optimus Prime (the good cop) is actually nice, and is able to get information out of Steeljaw.
• Green-Eyed Monster:
  • Downplayed with Ron during the camping chapter. He wanted to go on the camping trip with Charlie and Otis because he wanted to bond with them, and feels like he's being overshadowed by Brawn, who came as their bodyguard/transport. He admits though that he doesn't blame the kids for wanting to spend time with Brawn, nor does he blame Brawn for getting the attention (as he admits that the Autobots are really cool and he likes spending time with them).
  • Sally eventually admits that part of the reason why she doesn't like to spend much time with the Autobots is because, despite Sally trying to help Charlie when she was grieving (and making no progress), Bumblebee was the one to get Charlie to open up about her pain and move on, and she's now spending every day with the Autobots. She eventually admits to 'Bee that she's jealous that the Autobots (specifically Bumblebee) make Charlie happy in a way Sally never could.
  • Bumblebee becomes this briefly when he thinks Bulkhead and Charlie want to spend time with Hot Rod over him, oddly right after Hod Rod was this trope due to believing that 'Bee replaced him and Bulkhead with Charlie.
• Happily Married: Jazz and Prowl, along with Knockout and Breakdown (although the latter couple has to keep their marriage secret). Ron and Sally, despite having less screen time in the fic, clearly have this, too.
• Hard-Work Montage: Chapter 9 is effectively one set to "Back to Life (80s Version)" by Hailee Steinfeld, as the Autobots, Charlie and some Sector Seven agents work on building up the Autobot base.
• Hidden Depths: As shown during the Hard-Work Montage, one of the Autobots is shown to be a surprisingly capable dancer. It's Optimus Prime.
• Hold Your Hippogriffs: Discussed. Charlie, Bee, Memo, Hot Rod, Chip, and Bulkhead have a conversation about Cybertronian and English swears ^note  Such as how "slag" basically means whatever curse you want it to, "pit" means hell, etc
• I Have Your Wife: The Beastformers try to lure out the Triple-Changer Terminator (aka Bumblebee) by kidnapping Charlie. It works... they just didn't expect him to have backup.
• Innocent Innuendo: After meeting Prowl, Charlie and her family are asked numerous questions about Earth by the police officer. At one point, he asks why humans, despite being organic, don't live in "organically based erections". Ron and Otis react exactly how you'd expect. The Autobots, of course, don't understand what Prowl accidentally said.
• Instantly Proven Wrong:
  • The moment Charlie learns why most 'bots fear Wheeljack's experiments:
  "That’s practically in the bag," Wheeljack waved off 'Bee's apprehensions. "I mean what could we possibly do ta make the humans not like us?" Immediately after he said that the solar panels caught on fire and were ablaze. "HOLY PRIMUS! Somebot call the Rescue Bots!"
  • When Bulkhead and Hot Rod have to have a medical exam from Ratchet, 'Bee and Charlie are trying to convince Bulk that Ratchet will be gentle and that there's nothing to worry about. Cue Brawn running out of the clinic at top speed with Ratchet throwing a wrench at his head and yelling at him.
• Internal Reveal:
  • Any long-time fan of the Transformers franchise (or even anyone who watched Bumblebee) knows that the Autobots are basically refugees who are trying to regroup so they can take back Cybertron. The human characters, however, don't know this, and it has to be explained a few times.
  • Prowl, Bulkhead, and Hot Rod have to break the news to the Autobots that Cliffjumper is dead (as he was killed on Saturn in the first half of Bumblebee's movie).
• Ironic Echo: When Bumblebee is telling Steeljaw to let Charlie go, he tells the 'bot that he's in no position to make demands. Seconds later, when he's captured by Optimus and trying to bluff his way out, Prime tells him the exact same thing. The Autobots know he's using this trope, and they all laugh.
• Jekyll & Hyde: Prowl, who was captured by Shockwave and implanted with a personality chip that turns them into the ruthless Barricade.
• Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Ratchet isn't so much a jerk as he is a Grumpy Old Man. Still, he obviously cares about the health and safety of his fellow Autobots, learned about human biology simply so he could treat any injured humans they encountered, and quickly becomes fond of Charlie (though it takes a lot of effort to get him to admit it).
• Kidnapped by the Call: While Charlie had already been involved in an Autobot adventure, the story's plot really kicks off (and allows Ratchet to discover the En-Radiation) when the Beastformers kidnap her.
• Killed Off for Real: Poor Cliffjumper...
• Laser-Guided Karma: Tina Lark has not given up her bullying ways since Bee first left Brighton Falls, and takes any opportunity she can to make Charlie's life miserable. So it's more than a little cathartic to see her get repeatedly put down by Charlie, her followers, and Tripp (who dumps her after he hears her and her friends making homophobic jokes).
• The Lost Lenore: Arcee with Cliffjumper, and Optimus with Elita-1. Cliffjumper was killed by Shatter and Dropkick, while Elita-1 disappeared shortly before the war.
• Mad Scientist:
  • Dr Arkeville, a (former) Sector Seven scientist of their Research, Experimentation and Development Department who replaces Dr Powell as S7's lead scientist. Becomes "former" after stealing Autobot tech and escaping with several gadgets (which turn out to be the fireworks Wheeljack made for the Watson/Autobot beach party).
  • Wheeljack is considered this among the Autobots. While some of his inventions are incredibly helpful or useful (such as the Energon-making machines and Charlie's Angry Bee taser-charm), the rest of them result in a minor/major explosion. At one point, his attempt to make Synthetic Energon results in creating radioactive waste (and no one knows how).
• Make Some Noise: During his conversation with Prowl, it's revealed that Jazz has this ability (much like he did in the G1 cartoon). He once used it to get away from Shockwave.
• Names to Run Away from Really Fast: Rumors of Bumblebee's defeats of Blitzwing, Dropkick, and Shatter have spread back to Cybertron, calling him the "Triple-Changer Terminator". The Seekers are on the edge of mutiny out of fear of him.
• Noodle Incident:
  • Wheeljack has involved poor Brawn in a lot of experiments in the past. While we never learn what 'Jack was trying to do, Brawn suffered every time, having been set on fire, gone blind in one optic for a week, had half of his chassis melted, etc.
  • The story of how Hot Rod got his name. Apparently, it involved him shooting himself out of a cannon like a circus stuntman. The story was so funny that Charlie and 'Bee had tears of laughter by the time it was done.
  • Jazz once made Soundwave laugh.
• Not So Above It All: While the 'bots, Charlie, and the soldiers are working to "Back To Life" by Hailee Steinfeld, Ratchet (thinking he's alone) starts dancing and singing along to the music. He is caught in the act by Brawn and Wheeljack, who think it's hilarious. They get chased out with a wrench.
• Oh, Crap!: The Eukarians when they realize that they just ticked off Optimus Prime.
• The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: In his first appearance in the fic, Megatron makes it very clear that he wants the Decepticons to wipe out every Autobot in existence... except Optimus Prime. He wants to kill the Autobot leader himself, and any Decepticon who tries to do it instead while be faced with a VERY ticked off Megatron.
• Parents as People: While Sally and Charlie's relationship is in a better place now than it was in the movie, they still have plenty of disagreements, especially when it comes to the Autobots. While Charlie is right that the Autobots would never hurt her and are trying to protect Earth, Sally is justified in her fears, as her daughter is spending time with a group of transforming space robots who are at war with another group of much more malicious transforming space robots. When the story is told from her point of view, her fears of losing her daughter like she lost her first husband are revealed, as well as her jealousy that the Autobots (specifically Bumblebee) were able to do more to help Charlie through her grief than she could.
• Papa Wolf:
  • The older Autobots (most notably Ironhide, Ratchet, and Optimus) are very protective of the younger Autobots. Charlie quickly learns that this extends to her, too, with Prime and Ratchet becoming fond of her.
  • Ron isn't a giant, transforming robot, but he's willing and ready to defend his step-kids from anything that may hurt them, even if it means facing a Beastformer.
• Pint-Size Powerhouse: Bumblebee is the smallest Autobot on Earth. He's also capable of taking out two Triple-Changers... by himself. The Decepticons' nickname for him is very fitting.
• A Rare Sentence: In-universe; this is Charlie's reaction to when Sally describes their current situation.
  Charlie: Otis, this isn't like a comic book or a cartoon. We're in serious danger.
  Sally: Of course we are! My baby girl was kidnapped by robotic animals and now this dictator from another planet might come after us just because you drove a beetle bug a couple of times.
  Charlie: That sounds ridiculous when you say it like that.
• Reasonable Authority Figure:
  • Applies to most of the government officials in the fic. While a few (namely Colonel Bishop) are suspicious of/aggressive towards the Autobots, most of them (including General Bryce and Agent Fowler) realize that they are telling the truth about their reasons for being on Earth, and (with some precautions) are willing to let them stay.

• Relationship Upgrade: Jazz and Prowl (whenever they appear together) are typically soldiers fighting together. Here, they are Conjunxes (in other words, husbands). The first thing Jazz does when he sees his Conjunx is give him a flying tackle/hug, followed by a huge kiss in front of the Autobots and a battalion of (mildly embarrassed) human soldiers.
• Rule of Three: A recording of Prowl using his sirens and yelling at someone to "Put their servos up!" is used three times: once by 'Bee to scare away some would-be thieves, a second time by Jazz to scare off some criminals who were about to attack 'Bee and Charlie, and a third time to save Ron, Charlie, Otis, Conan, and Brawn from Polar Claw. The final time, it wasn't a recording; Prowl had actually just arrived on Earth with Bulkhead and Hot Rod.
• Running Gag:
  • When he gets annoyed/mad, Ratchet throws wrenches at Autobots (usually Brawn or Wheeljack).
  • Transformers being confused by Earth terms or misusing them.
  • The Autobots get very uncomfortable when discussing human bodily functions.
• Say My Name: Bee does this when he comes to save Charlie from the Eukarians.
• Secret Relationship: Knockout and Breakdown are Conjunx Endurae (husbands), but have to hide it due to the Decepticons' anti-fraternization rules.
• Ship Tease: The author clearly loves the Charlbee ship, and includes a lot of fluff scenes between the two.
• Shock and Awe: The Autobot necklace Charlie is given for protection acts as a Cybertronian-scaled taser. Its drawback is that it has one shot before needing to recharge. And also that, originally, Wheeljack hadn't designed it for human use, meaning that the kickback whenever it was fired was strong enough to send a human flying backwards.
• Shout-Out:
  • While racing, Bumblebee says that he'll be the Mach 5 to Charlie's Street Racer. Charlie says she's not letting him watch cartoons anymore.
  • A notable one in chapter 14, Jazz and Prowl are looking for a suitable alt mode for the latter, and Jazz recounts an incident where he was cornered by Shockwave, who would not stop monologuing.
• The Starscream: You get three guesses who this trope applies to.
• Take That!: When Charlie is trying to show 'Bee the steps to a dance, he accidentally starts "flossing" thirty years early. Charlie tells him to never do it in the presence of a sentient being ever again.
• Tranquil Fury: One of the main reasons Prime brings Ultra Magnus along to the meeting with the U.S. Army is because, out of everyone in Unit Prime, he's the one least likely to lose his temper (at least visibly)
• Toilet Humor: While Ron, Charlie, Otis, and Conan are hitching a ride with Brawn, Ron suggests that they stop for a snack at the next exit. This prompts Otis to say that they need to let Conan go to the bathroom before he has an accident in the car. Brawn, who is the car, is understandably concerned.
• Trauma Button: Hot Rod doesn't like the sound of explosions.
• Vitriolic Best Buds: Agents Burns and Fowler. It's easy to get under Burns' skin, something that Fowler clearly likes to do just to mess with him.