Chapter 8
A/N: I own nothing.
Telepathy
Bumblebee's speech
/comm or text/
July 14 Nemesis
"Such a shame, but I applaud you Lord Megatron. You certainly made a grand exit," Starscream snickered as he watched the clip. Soundwave walked up behind the new leader and looked at him. "Ah Soundwave, que the audio-visual. I wish to address the troops." A few beeps sounded and his face appeared on every screen in the ship. "The loss of Lord Megatron, leader of the Great Decepticon Uprising, is certainly a blow to our cause. Yet, we mustn't despair over his tragic demise, but instead embrace his ultimate sacrifice and build upon the foundation he laid. With an even mightier hand!"
"With all due respect Commander—Lord Starscream," a trooper corrected. "If we failed to conquer Earth under Lord Megatron's command. What hope do we have now while the Autobots and Justice League still defend it?"
"Let me be crystal clear: I studied for millennia under our former master. Thus I am equipped to lead you! I! MEGATRON'S TRUE HEIR! LORD STARSCREAM! EMEROUR OF DESTRUCTION!" he heard some whispers going around and growled as Soundwave deactivated the feed. "What use are troops who cannot rise to the task of doing unspeakable destruction in my name?! But wait…legend tells of one warrior, one who exists here, on this very planet, one who can be student to my master!"
-.-
Autobot Base
"Optimus why so glum?" Ratchet asked looking at the brooding Prime. "This planet—all planets are finally free from Megatron's tyranny."
"I do not disagree Ratchet, it's just…a small part of me hoped Solarflare was right, and that I could change Megatron's mind. Not extinguish his spark," he replied.
"Optimus, even she retracted that statement years ago," Ratchet scoffed. "Besides, he wasn't slain by your hand, but by his own arrogance!" Optimus released a low sound and the medic calmed down. "I'm sorry, I know you two had quite a history."
"But the Megatron that Solarflare and I once fought beside perished eons ago; the day he chose to become a Decepticon," he said. "The Decepticons may be in disarray, but they are not without leadership. And while Starscream is no Megatron; he is far from predictable."
An explosion sounded and both raced towards the source. "DECEPTICONS! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" Ratchet hollered making Bulkhead and Arcee chase after. Getting to the training room they found all the kids sprawled out on the floor and one unfortunate training drone scattered throughout the room.
"It's no attack, just training," Bumblebee groaned sitting up; his hair smoking slightly.
"Speaking of training," Optimus said raising an eyebrow at the smoking hair. "I heard about the incident at Happy Harbor the other day." They all looked at each other sheepishly at them statement. "Suit up, I'm taking you all out for a training exercise. This way we can…avoid another situation like that."
"Really?!" Robin said with a wide smile.
"Does it sound like I'm joking?" the Prime asked seriously.
"Ignore that comment. Primes don't party, or joke, or have any form of fun what so ever," Bumblebee stated as Robin started to apologize.
"Remind me of that next time you insist to have another America's Funniest Home Videos marathon," Optimus smiled slightly as 'Bee's eyes went wide. "Meet me by the groundbridge in ten."
"Wow! This is awesome!" Wally said as they all got changed.
"You're telling me, I've managed to look at a few of the datafiles of Cybertronian martial arts when I was last on Oa, but it's really complicated," Emerald said landing next to them.
"Hey 'Bee, you know any?" KF asked.
"More than most, but I'm not a master like Prowl, Jazz, or my mom," he answered.
"So you are a ninja?" Wally inquired. Erica smacked her cousin for that comment.
"No, just a Scout. My goal right now is to reach Warrior Class."
"What Class of Scout?" Emerald asked. "I know that most planets base their scout ranks on that of Cybertron, mainly because they're so hard to place in."
"I've been Class A ever since I was nine."
Emerald just floated there as he walked past. "WHAT?!" she exclaimed making the others jump as she hovered over him. "ARE YOU FRICKIN KIDDING ME?! DO YOU KNOW HOW HARD OF A LEVEL THAT IS TO REACH?! THERE'S ONLY A HANDFUL THAT'VE EVER REACHED THAT RANK! EVEN THE GREATEST WARRIORS HAVE TROUBLE GETTING TO CLASS D!"
"Then why are you still a scout if you are better than most warriors?" Aqualad asked. "I've seen you in action, you're worthy of the title."
"I second your opinion Aqualad," Optimus said making a few of the teens jump. "But our lifecycles are much longer than humans. And while it may be hard to believe our young scout still has a lot to learn. Is everyone ready?"
"Yes sir."
"Ratchet."
"Optimus if you let one of them hurt you I'm going to let you handle it yourself for being so stupid," the medic warned as he activated the bridge.
"Understood."
-.-
Unkonwn location
Starscream and Soundwave stood on a cliff in their vehicle armor as the TIC scanned the surrounding area.
"During the Great War so much energon was hidden on this forsaken rock! That our beloved master sent some of our greatest warriors to guard it! Warriors that now lie in stasis, waiting to be awakened. Such folly that late in life, Megatron searched space for warriors, rather than here beneath his feet," Starscream rambled.
Soundwave stood behind him, the sound of a scanner going off as he tried to pinpoint the signal.
"What do you mean you can't pinpoint it?! I know we're close! Boost the power to your sensors!"
Doing as asked, Soundwave increased the amount of power he was sending and managed to triangulate the position a few clicks north of them. Jumping up they transformed and flew off. Landing they slowly pulled the stasis pod out of the canyon wall.
"The cube?" Starscream asked and the telepath rolled his eyes behind his mask and handed it to him. Placing it into the cube-shaped hole the energon started to infuse with the one trapped inside.
Further down the canyon a groundbridge opened and they all hopped out. "So what are we doing?" Superboy asked.
"Since it seems you need a lesson in trust, we're going to be performing trust exercises," Optimus said crossing his arms. "The first one is a basic training trust exercise we used on new recruits back on Cybertron. Each of you will be paired off, then you have to catch either Bumblebee or I without using your powers."
"Seems easy enough," Wally grinned.
Optimus reached into his armor subspace and pulled out several blindfolds and earplugs. "One of you will also be blindfolded and the other will have earplugs that not even super hearing can go through. The blind partner will have to trust their partner to be the visual guide, the deaf partner will need theirs to be their ears," Optimus continued explaining. "And if another team manages to catch you you're done. Any questions?"
"Why isn't he doing this?" Robin asked pointing at 'Bee.
"Because he went through it so many times in training he already has every strategy memorized," Optimus stated flatly and they all nodded.
"Alright! I've already figured out partners! Team Alpha is Robin and Emerald Lantern! Team Beta is Superboy and Kid Flash! And Team Chance is Miss Martian and Aqualad! Tagging other teams isn't allowed until ten minutes from now! Decide who will be blindfolded and who will be deaf, and then start! May the odds be ever in your favor!" 'Bee explained before both Prime and the scout vanished.
Spreading out throughout their part of the canyon, they made their decisions. Robin decided to be the blind one, while Emerald was the one without her hearing. Superboy was blindfolded and KF put in the earplugs. And M'gann decided to be deaf as Aqualad put the blindfold on.
As 'Bee ran down the canyon he skid to a stop and peered around a corner. "Dad, we have a situation"
/What is it Bumblebee?/
"Cons. Starscream and Soundwave; they're opening a stasis pod. Should I engage?"
/Negatory, keep back and observe until I arrive/
"What about the team?"
/I will alert them as I find them/
"Alright sir, Bumblebee out" Hanging up he watched as the pod began to open.
"Awaken warrior. Rise to serve your new master!" Starscream declared.
"Skyquake has only one master," the Cybertronian in his vehicle armor said stepping out.
"Excellent, your loyalty will set a fine example for the troops," the new leader said. "No need to be timid Skyquake, you may bow."
"You fail to grasp my meaning. I am here on a mission assigned to me by my one master: Megatron," he restated.
"Yes, him…sadly Megatron is no longer with us."
"Impossible."
"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?!" Starscream fumed. "Skyquake. I found you, I woke you! Thus, I am your new master!"
Optimus crept up next to Bumblebee, peering over the smaller boy's shoulders. "I have managed to alert Kid Flash and Superboy about the situation, they are now telling the others. What have you managed to find out?"
"That Starscream has an ego the size of Cybertron and that 'Skyquake' has some serious issues. Seriously? Who refers to themselves in third person?"
"Skyquake you say?" 'Bee nodded and he stood up. "Go warn the team to stay clear of the fight, then await my command."
"Bumblebee to team" he said activating his comm.
/Dude, what's going on?!/ KF asked.
"Cons. We need you guys to stay clear of the upcoming fight, Prime's orders. 'Bee out" abruptly hanging up he hid against the cliff as his father went out to confront the two.
"Skyquake, it has been some time," Optimus said.
"Prime," the man growled shoving Starscream aside. "I haven't seen you since the Battle of Technar. Megatron ordered me to annihilate you."
"That was a long time ago."
"That may be Prime, but my orders still stand!"
"Is this ancient war still worth fighting? When so many comrades have been lost? And worlds destroyed? If you want to be a true leader Starscream, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decpeticons towards peace," Optimus spoke.
"I would be willing to consider a truce, if you would be willing to bow before me Optimus Prime," Starscream said stunning them.
"Did Prime really just end a several million-year-old war with a few simple words?" Emerald asked as they spied from above.
"Again?! Bow to this!" Skyquake snapped punching the Vosian into the wall.
Starscream transformed and took off. "What need do I have for peace when I have Skyquake?" he asked landing next to Soundwave on another cliff. "With some discipline, he will learn to respect his new master. And once it is known that he destroyed Optimus Prime under my command, all Decepticons will gratefully bow to me."
"Nope," Robin answered Emerald's question as the fight began.
"Skyquake, this is a new era, on another world. Side with the Autobots and help me end this conflict forever!" Optimus implored.
"I WILL NEVER SIDE WITH A PRIME!" the man said getting out of his vehicle armor and charging him with a battle cry.
The Prime rolled out of the way, exchanging the servo of his armor for a gun. He shot the other man several times. Skyquake pulled out a machine gun, fining, he managed to knock the Prime back a few paces. Around the corner, Bumblebee's patience had just run out. Bolting out, his wrist guns came online, and he shot at several weak points in the back armor.
"Bumblebee!" Optimus warned once he saw the other man aiming his gun towards the teen. Climbing up he jumped between either cliff wall, dodging the fire. Leaping down, he meant to punch him, but was instead slammed brutally into the wall. As Skyquake was about to open fire, Optimus came hit him from the side. 'Bee scrambled to his feet, and climbed up the wall, leapt off, jumped off of Skyquake's head and landed a few paces in front of him. Skyquake then stood between both Autobots not sure of which to attack first.
"Don't miss a single moment Soundwave! We shall need visual documentation of Prime's demise: for the historical record!"
Optimus was the first to move, Bumblebee circled around them as they fought waiting for the opening he needed. Unfortunately, it didn't come as Optimus was pushed back towards him. Behind them a groundbridge opened and their vehicles came out. "Skyquake's vehicle has not yet been adapted to Earth, his natural jet will not be able to fly through the canyon," Optimus explained. Nodding they swung into their vehicles and drove back.
"Are they running?" Wally asked.
"I think they have a plan," Robin said as he began chasing after.
"What do you mean you lost sight of them?! Why weren't you keeping track?!" Starscream growled at Soundwave.
Soundwave pulled up an image of the space outside of Earth and the Decepticon life signal floating around in the old spacebridge debris.
"But Skyquake's the only sleeper in this sector…the sight of out destroyed spacebridge. You're not telling me, that life signal belongs to Megatron?!" he gasped. "B-But he was microns from the detonation point! Nothing could've survived! Your sensors must be faulty! Ignore the contact! Delete the coordinates!"
Starscream gripped his head as he felt a warning push against his mind. Turning towards the telepath he saw multiple little arrows on the screen pointing at it.
"O-of course this must be investigated. If Lord Megatron is truly up there, I shall bring him home! Reman here and monitor the outcome. When Skyquake snuffs Prime's spark, I must bear witness," Starscream said jumping off the ledge, transforming he flew up into space.
"Must bear witness," Soundwave repeated detaching Lazerbeak from his chest, making the cassette fly after.
-.-
/Tango 6 Alpha to central command. We're picking up transmissions from unidentified tech; possibly hostile. We are moving to investigate/
/Negative Tango 6 Alpha/ Fowler said intercepting the transmission. /This is Special Agent William Fowler intercepting. Strike your report from the record and provide origin coordinates. I'll take it from here/
-.-
Bumblebee drove like a madman as Skyquake chased after him in his vehicle armor. Swerving around a bend, he slammed on the brakes as he hit a dead end; emphasis on thedead part. "It will be a shame to crush you bug, but it is my duty." Hearing something, the Decepticon turned to see Optimus transform and punch him through a large boulder.
"Excellent strategy Bumblebee," the Prime praised. Skyquake attempted to get up, but he was punched down again. "Skyquake, stay down."
"What's that?" Superboy said hearing something. Looking up they all saw Fowler flying above them in a jet. Below them the Con grinned and scanned the schematics of the craft.
In his jet, Fowler stared at the craft that appeared beside him. "So that's how they do it," he growled readying his weapons. "Stealing plans for a classified military aircraft will not be tolerated on my watch!"
Diving down the Decepticon started firing at the two, seeing their predicament, Superboy jumped and slammed into the jet, knocking it off course momentarily. "Agent Fowler, please I advise you retreat," Aqualad said. At that moment, the Cybertronian ducked behind his jet and fired several missiles that started fallowing him. Flying up Miss Martian made the missiles slam into each other.
/Fine then/ the agent sighed. /But I'll be on standby should you need me/
-.-
Space
Starscream navigated his way through the debris of the spacebridge before transforming and carefully landing on one of the larger remains. "No one could've survived this," he said looking around. "Probably just faulty sensors; just like I said. The last thing I need are rumors that Megatron is still—"
A pained groan echoed around him, looking around he saw a faint violet glow. Jumping towards it he gaped as he landed near Megatron. Suddenly the man latched onto him before groaning and collapsing again.
"But how…?" Starscream looked at the massive hole in his commander's chest and saw the source of the glow; the dark energon shard he stabbed into his chest a few days prior. "Of course, dark energon." He leaned in and whispered into Megatron's audio receptor. "Everyone believes you are deceased. Who am I to disappoint them, master?" reaching into the hole, he ripped out the shard. Megatron gasped and looked at his SIC before falling back into unconsciousness. "And this time: STAY DEAD!" The seeker grinned only to frown as he saw Lazerbeak weaving through the debris. Hiding the shard, he looked towards the cassette. "Soundwave, if you're listening, I've found Lord Megatron and he is…unwell. We must transport him to sickbay, immediately!"
-.-
Canyon
Optimus swung back and grabbed Superboy once he hit the ground, transforming around the teen, the clone soon found himself sitting next to a very irritated looking Prime. "I thought I told you to stay away from the fight?!"
"You did, we didn't listen," he answered as he saw M'gann and Emerald chasing after. The Martian was levitating boulders behind her as Emerald used a baseball-mitt to hurl them at him. Robin was running along the sidelines with Aqualad and Kid Flash, throwing explosives as they went.
Bumblebee drove up a rather conveniently placed ramp and onto the top of the cliff. Transforming he ran and jumped onto a ledge, before leaping onto Skyquake. The others stopped as they stared at the two flying up into higher altitudes. Letting Superboy out, Optimus transformed and frowned.
"I'll get him!" Emerald said flying after.
Up in the air, Skyquake was desperately trying to shake 'Bee off of him. Managing to retain a firm grip, 'Bee began punching through more vulnerable parts of the armor, ripping out wires as he did so. They fell past Erica as she flew up, quickly changing directions she made a large platform for him to land on.
"C'MON!"
Taking a breath, 'Bee jumped and landed safely on it as Skyquake proceeded to crash into the ground. Getting down to the bottom they all walked up towards the crash site, Skyquake's body lying limply outside the cockpit. "Had Skyquake chosen to stray from his master's path, we might not be burying him today," Optimus said grimly.
"H-He's d-dead, y-you k-killed him," Megan said in shock.
"It's what's done in war," 'Bee responded.
In the back Wally held onto one of the blindfolds. "…Souvenir…"
-.-
Autobot Base
"Bumblebee, putting yourself in harm's way was not the wisest decision," Optimus scolded once Ratchet finished scanning him. "But you performed admirably."
"Thanks Dad…So how do you think they fared in the exercise against Batman?"
-.-
Cave
All three teams were caught in traps trying to get themselves out. Emerald was trapped in goo, separated from her ring, Robin stuck with her without his gloves or utility belt. Superboy and Wally were trapped in a high energy force field that shocked them every time they touched it and only got stronger each time they did something against it. Aqualad was dangling from the roof by ropes, as Megan was lying in the middle of a ring of fire. Meanwhile Batman just smirked slightly as he stood in the middle of all the chaos.
Flash chuckled as he took a picture. "Batman: 12. Team: 0."
-.-
Base
"They failed miserably," Prime chuckled as he saw the photo Flash sent him and showed his son.
"Maybe they should've realized it was a doomed mission from the start?"
"That would've been the wisest decision on their part."
-.-
Nemesis
"The troops will be pleased to hear of our success of rushing Megatron into stasis," Starscream said as he and Soundwave stood before Megatron's catatonic form. "Let us hope our Master pulls through."
A/N: alright, I know, not my best chapter.
