Yo! I'm back with the next chapter!
Shadescribe - Yeah; Maria did deal with that, but it was two entirely different worlds rather than two of the same world. And yeah, worlds merging together are definitely not a good thing. There's going to be more hints coming as to what is causing that coming in future chapters, but you'll have to wait and see what could possibly be causing it.
Anyway, here's the next chapter!
Chapter 45 – Transformers/JLA, part 4
"Whelp, Megatron knows I'm here," Matthew announced grimly as he plopped down on the couch in the Autobots' new base.
"He what?" Ratchet looked over sharply, turning his attention away from the monitor that he had been staring at a moment ago. "Why would you reveal yourself to him?!"
"He noticed that I was in Metropolis before I could do anything; his gladiator sense must've picked up on me or something." Matthew shrugged helplessly.
"As far as I know, no gladiator has any sense that would allow them to know when a World Jumper is in their presence or not." Ratchet scowled, then looked around at the other Autobots, who nodded in agreement.
"It is more likely that a Decepticon was watching from a distance and noticed your arrival there," Optimus said in a rather grim tone. "If he is aware of your presence, then it is far more likely that the end of the war will take far longer to arrive in this dimension than it did in yours."
"Is that your costume?" Miko bounded over and looked Matthew up and down, taking in the blue-and-black outfit that he happened to be wearing. "It looks a lot like Nightwing's."
"The colors, yeah." Matthew looked down at his costume, frowning a little. "They work, though; Aura only comes in blue."
"Oh. Well, I hope you don't get called the second Nightwing or something." Miko plopped down on the couch next to Matthew, eyeing his gloves with a curious expression before looking back up at him with wide, curious eyes. "So, what did Megatron do?"
"Considering that you came back in one piece, it doesn't look like he thought to go on the attack," Arcee commented from where she was leaning against the wall.
Matthew rubbed the back of his head. "Well, uh…we talked. About the war. I told him not to trust Grog; he said he'd take it into consideration. He also figured out I'm a World Jumper on his own, so…yeah, there's that." He frowned a little and looked up, taking note of the shocked expression Ratchet had on his face. "Where's everyone else, anyway?"
Ratchet made a spluttering noise. "You – Megatron knows?! And you're not acting concerned?!"
"Ultra Magnus and the others are presently attempting to scout out a number of locations in which there could be possible Predacon activity," Optimus replied evenly. "Nurse Darby, Jack, Joshua, and Raphael are upstairs. I do agree with Ratchet, Matthew; there is much to be concerned about with this news. If Megatron is aware of your presence and aware that you are not of this dimension, he may attempt to find you and kidnap you."
"I know; he did that to Maria right near the end." Matthew sighed and slumped back against the couch, frowning. "Shockwave is on Earth, right?"
Arcee shifted slightly as Ratchet gained a glowering glare.
"Yes, he is," Ratchet growled. "Why? Are you planning on seeking him out?"
"I'd be insane to do something like that," Matthew replied. "What about the other Decepticons – they don't have Dreadwing, Breakdown, or Arachnid anymore, do that?"
Ratchet jolted at that while Arcee's optics widened sharply.
"Arachnid is dead?" Arcee asked. "How?"
"Breakdown has offlined here, yes," Ratchet continued, frowning, "and Dreadwing has, as well, but Arachnid is still a part of the active Decepticons as far as we are aware. Why?"
Matthew frowned. "In our dimension she got turned into an Energon vampire and was put up on one of Cybertron's moons by Soundwave to keep her from sucking them all dry. She's got all the Insecticons up there, too."
The three Autobots present exchanged alarmed looks at that while Miko's eyes widened.
"Whoa. Cybertronians can turn into vampires?" She grinned widely. "That's so cool!"
"It is not," Ratchet responded pointedly. "If you are implying what I think you are implying, then she is simply a dead husk now that is driven only by food and uses whatever vestigial energies her Spark left behind in her core processor in order to emulate how she used to act. It would be far better to have sent her to a slag pit than to a moon – and one of our moons, no less!"
"This is Matthew's dimension that we are speaking of, not our own," Optimus responded evenly. "If Arachnid has been brought into this state in this dimension and is presently on one of Cybertron's moons, we will solve that issue as quickly as possible. For now, let us concentrate on more serious matters."
"Like the fact that Megatron knows he's here?" Arcee nodded in Matthew's direction.
"Batman told me that I shouldn't be out in the open for a couple of days." Matthew shrugged. "So he sent me here – whether that means you're keeping an eye on me or the other way around, I'm not entirely sure."
"More than likely, we are keeping an eye on you," Ratchet muttered. "Especially since Maria managed to get herself into trouble with that…that machine while she was here." He shuddered a bit.
Matthew's expression shifted to a more dark expression at that; he sank down into the couch a little. "At least the guy's not able to get into anyone's heads anymore; I think we're all thankful for that."
"That is an understatement," Ratchet replied crisply.
The comm system in the computers crackled suddenly, getting the others' attention. ::Ratchet, we require a Ground Bridge::
Matthew blinked. There was an urgentness in Ultra Magnus' voice that he hadn't heard before.
::Are there any humans in the base presently?::
"Just Miko and Matthew." Ratchet frowned, one hand resting on the Ground Bridge controls. "Why?"
::We are bringing back…guests::
Magnus' hesitation made Matthew's eyebrows shoot up.
"What sort of guests?" Ratchet asked, suspicious.
::The kind that don't like being kept waitin':: came Wheeljack's response. ::So open the scrapping Ground Bridge already!::
Ratchet's optics narrowed at that, but he grasped the lever and pulled it down, activating the Ground Bridge.
Optimus stepped forward as the first of the figures started coming through: a tall mech with an almost regal bearing about him and large metal spikes going around his head like a crown.
Ratchet made a noise of shock as he stepped back and away from the Ground Bridge. "What—"
Matthew leapt to his feet as two others followed him through, followed closely by the Autobots who had been absent from the base a moment ago. "Predaking?!"
"How do you know what Shockwave calls his lead pet?!" Ratchet demanded, turning sharply to look at Matthew with an angry, but also uneasy expression on his face.
"Whoa!" Miko looked up with wide eyes at the three humanoid, Cybertronian figures with their beast-like features. "I didn't think Predacons could transform! That's so cool!"
"They aren't supposed to," Ratchet snapped in reply. "At least according to the legends."
Predaking let out a low growl, causing Ratchet to stop short and stiffen, arms held up as though he was about to bring out his swords at any moment if he needed to defend himself. He turned his head and looked down at Matthew with glowing yellow optics that almost seemed to pierce through him. "You are the World Jumper of whom Megatron spoke?"
"How did he learn about that so fast?" Matthew muttered under his breath, frowning. He raised his voice. "That depends. If you're looking for Flare-Up, my sister isn't here."
"Hm." Predaking frowned.
One of the Predacons next to him started snickering. "Maybe she's hiding somewhere – I'd like to see what she would do if this one was in danger of having his limbs torn off!"
"Oh, yes, I'd love to see what a little human could do in response to that threat," the other Predacon agreed, nodding.
"Skylynx, Dark Steel, we are not here for threats," Predaking growled shortly. "We are guests, not invaders. Do not overstay your welcome."
Ratchet blinked at that, looking a little surprised before he exchanged looks with Arcee, who seemed just as hesitant to trust that the Predacons were not here for some dark reason.
"What is your reason for your arrival then, Predaking?" Optimus asked, getting the Predacon's attention.
Predaking inclined his head, eyeing the Prime with an expression that made it seem like he was looking down on the leader of the Optimus. "Megatron's recent actions have me…concerned for the state of the war. He has said that we will reclaim our homeland of Cybertron and once gain become the dominant race, but we have yet to successfully restore Cybertron, and we are being used for nothing more than mere scouts and cannon fodder." He spat out the last two words with an expression of disgust.
Matthew's eyebrows shot up as Miko's eyes widened; she looked at him as a wide grin crossed her face before she looked back at the three Predacons.
Matthew had a feeling that she was hoping for something that wasn't going to happen.
"You are saying that you no longer wish to side with the Decepticons," Optimus surmised.
"I am saying there is something wrong with the creatures he has decided to side with in that their petty squabbles are doing nothing for us and either he has refused to see that or he does not notice them at all!"
Well, this was certainly news to Matthew. "Uh…."
Predaking's gaze moved sharply from Optimus to Matthew, causing him to jump a little when he felt the predator's gaze on him. "This organic dresses like them. What do you call yourself?"
Matthew straightened under Predaking's gaze. "Aura Seeker. My sister is Flare-Up."
Predaking inclined his head. "The same Flare-Up who Megatron speaks of with great distaste?"
"There aren't any others that I'm aware of," Matthew replied.
"There shouldn't be." Miko folded her arms across her chest and huffed. "Someone got it copyrighted."
Matthew looked at Miko with a wide-eyed expression. "You're serious."
"Yup." Miko shrugged. "No idea why they did that, but nobody except for Maria can be Flare-Up now."
"That is irrelevant to the present situation," Predaking said shortly. "Where is Flare-Up? I must speak with her."
"She's in another dimension." Matthew shrugged a little. "I came in her—"
"What's going on – oh."
Matthew turned upon hearing Joshua's voice and caught sight of him pausing on the stairs, blinking a couple times as soon as he caught sight of Predaking.
When Joshua next opened his mouth, what came out was a deep, mechanical growl.
Matthew jumped. "What the—"
Predaking stiffened suddenly at the sound, straightening up as he raised his head. "What is this?" he asked in a confused snarl.
"Ah. You recognize it, but don't speak it. I see." Joshua bowed. "My name is Joshua. I am Flare-Up's cousin. What I was attempting to say was a traditional Predacon greeting from our dimension; forgive me for not knowing that you would not recognize it, your majesty."
Matthew blinked blankly a couple times at Joshua's statement as the Autobots and Predacons present stared at Joshua with blank expressions.
"That is so cool." Miko grinned widely. "You know how to speak Predacon?!"
"And Maximal and Cybertronian, although they are simply different dialects of the same language." Joshua came down the stairs the rest of the way and stepped onto the floor of the base. "As someone who works regularly with them in our dimension, it's mandatory that I know how to utilize the language for those who do not see much of a reason in learning English and its many dialects."
"Since when?" Ratchet responded.
"Since Cybertron was returned to life and I was considered a foreigner; it wouldn't make sense for me to demand that Cybertronians learn my language in order to make me more comfortable." Joshua stopped next to Matthew and Miko, looking up at the Predacons.
"I think I like this one," Dark Steel commented, giving Skylynx a sly grin. His companion chuckled in agreement.
"Predaking said that he didn't like what Megatron was doing with Grod and the others," Matthew explained to Joshua. "I…don't think he's planning on allying with us."
"You would be correct in that assumption," Predaking replied shortly.
"Then why have us bring you into our base at gunpoint, huh?" Wheeljack spoke up sourly. "Do you want to be hostages?"
"Don't even think about suggesting that," Joshua spoke up as Predaking whirled to snarl at Wheeljack. "Kings go where they wish, do they not, your majesty?"
Predaking turned to look back at Joshua with an expression of surprise before his expression shifted from a snarl to something far more regal; he gave a nod in response. "That is so."
"What is your reason for being here, then, if you dislike the allies the Decepticons have made? I assume that you are aware that this base is shielded so as to prevent Decepticon detection." Joshua moved forward a few steps, hands spread wide so as to show that he didn't have any visible weapons on him.
"I am aware of that," Predaking replied shortly. "I am also aware that Flare-Up was aware of the treachery Megatron faced from his previously so-called 'allies'." He sneered through his teeth. "If Flare-Up is not here, then my visit here is absolutely useless."
"I wouldn't say that, your majesty." Joshua motioned back to Matthew. "Matthew and myself are aware of the people who live on this world and what it is that they are capable of. We can prove to give just as good of a warning that Flare-Up is capable of."
Matthew blinked a couple times when Joshua motioned back to him, then nodded quickly when Predaking's gaze moved to him. "Y-yeah! I actually warned Megatron not too long ago against allying with Grod. I don't know if he's going to take my advice, but I should hope that he considers it."
Joshua raised an eyebrow at that while Predaking and the others Cybertronians in the room inclined their heads at that statement – except for Ratchet, who shook his head in dismay. "Was he expecting Maria to show up?"
"He said that Soundwave had sensed me opening a portal, so…I guess?" Matthew shrugged. "I didn't think that he'd be able to do that."
"He must have tuned his own Ground Bridge abilities to be able to detect it." Joshua inclined his head and tapped his chin. "I suppose that such a thing might not be too far-fetched; it's not like we go above and beyond physics in order to be able to achieve what it is that we are capable of. I shall have to do some research on this later; it might connect with one of my other projects…." He trailed off, then shook his head. "I am getting off track. Our issue right now is with the state of the Decepticons and how much further this could escalate if Megatron continues to ally himself with humans who have less than pure intentions. What say you, your majesty?"
Predaking blinked as the attention of everyone in the room was turned back to him; he seemed somewhat surprised, but then straightened up again in a more regal manner. "I say that something is wrong with Megatron's way of thinking. He does not intend to ally himself with some, but he acts as though that decision does not matter when it comes to allying himself with others. He detests Lex Luthor and yet makes use of his technology freely. He contradicts himself between being in the presence of humans and being solely in the presence of Decepticons. I doubt that he is in his right mind, and thus is incapable of leading the Decepticons. However, none have stepped forward in order to challenge him – I lead the Predacons, not his kind. I simply wish to see the war end, rather than see it continue and wreck havoc on what people I have revived who stand with me."
Skylynx and Dark Steel nodded in agreement.
Matthew blinked a couple times in surprise at that; from what he remembered, Predaking had tried to fight Megatron in the last hour of the war. Now that he thought about it, however, it was more than likely that it was a result of having the other Predacon clones killed that he went against Megatron. With other Predacons with him, he didn't see a need to face Megatron head-on.
So he was strategizing like a king instead.
"The state of things certainly seems dire, if Megatron is portraying these actions," Optimus said finally. "Either the war has begun to take its toll on him, or he has something far graver in mind that none of us are presently capable of expecting." He focused on Predaking. "What does this mean for you, Predaking?"
The Predacon inclined his head. "It means that I do not intend to remain allied with the Decepticons for much longer; however, do not count me among your allies. I still do not see fit to trust you anymore than I have trusted you not to attack me from behind while in your territory. See fit that you leave us be and do no call upon us if you see fit to bring us back into this conflict."
"And if we were to restore Cybertron?"
Everyone in the room looked over at Joshua with varying degrees of disbelief on their faces.
"The Omega Lock has been destroyed!" Ratchet protested. "There is no way to restore Cybertron!"
"The Omega Lock was also destroyed in our dimension, and yet we have managed to restore the planet to life," Joshua replied without missing a beat.
The Cybertronians stared at Joshua and Matthew as Miko whirled to look at them with wide eyes.
"Are you serious?" Miko demanded. "How?!"
"I will only inform you if the Predacons are willing to assist in the endeavor; they play an important role in the planet's restoration." Joshua inclined his head at Predaking, who inclined his head in response. "If you are willing."
"I will consider it," Predaking replied. "You will know if I am inclined to assist you."
Joshua nodded in response.
Predaking turned and looked at Ratchet abruptly. "Send us back."
Ratchet flinched back defensively at the sight of the yellow optics boring into him, and he quickly moved to reactivate the Ground Bridge. Within moments, the three Predacons were gone.
"What do you mean, the Predacons play an important role in restoring Cybertron?!" Ratchet demanded, whirling sharply on Joshua and Matthew as the Ground Bridge shut down. "They are allied with the Decepticons – how in the name of Primus can—"
"Their CNA and your perfected Synthetic Energon formula are more important to Cybertron combined than they are separated," Joshua replied without missing a beat. "However, obtaining the CNA is difficult enough now, as Shockwave succeeded in creating more Predacons and did not come to this discovery on his own."
"You are suggesting that he has not already?" Ultra Magnus asked grimly.
"Have you found and blown up a hidden lab of his that had developing Predacons still in it?" Joshua responded.
The base fell silent. Miko's eyes widened at that as her mouth formed a small "o."
"That happened in our dimension – Megatron didn't want Predaking fighting him for control of the Decepticons, so he got the Autobots to blow up the projects for him," Matthew spoke up. "That way Predaking was focused on us rather than focused on Megatron. He got the truth in the end, but he tore Magnus' hand off first."
Magnus looked down at his own hands with an odd expression at that.
"I see," Optimus said. "Then events in your dimension escalated far more quickly than they were capable of here, as a result of Predaking's seeming zeal for power and the resulting trickery that was enacted by the Decepticons."
"That's the idea." Matthew nodded.
"So, then, what are we gonna do now?" Miko asked. "The Predacons just split – they're not gonna go back to Megatron as far as we know – so how are we gonna get Cybertron back to life again here?"
"There's the rub," Joshua muttered, bowing his head a little with a frown.
"Considering your wisdom in speaking with Predaking and what you know already from your dimension," Ultra Magnus spoke up, "what say you now, Joshua?"
Joshua looked up at the Wrecker Commander's question. "The data I have still isn't complete; we need to know what Grod and his humanoid allies are doing in order to hinder or increase Megatron's strength and progress in the war. Only then will I know for sure what we should or should not do in order to bring this war to an end and bring Cybertron back to life."
"Matthew?" Optimus prompted. "What of this 'Grod's' movements?"
"He's been too quiet," Matthew replied, thinking over what had been going on while he had been training with Nightwing and the others. "Everything's been too quiet – it's like the entire east coast is a powder keg waiting to explode. It's only a matter of time before it does and when it does it's going to be chaos out there." He motioned to the walls of the base they were standing in, as though he was motioning to the entire world that was outside it.
Optimus nodded slightly in response. "When you return to them, see that you pay as close attention to any possible movements they could be making. Even the most docile of actions can prove to be part of a larger plan."
"That's my plan." Matthew nodded in response, then looked over at Joshua. "What about you?"
"I think I've got something that Batman might want to hear," Joshua replied casually. "Especially considering that he seems to have been working on something on the side. It's more than likely that he'll be the one to pick you up later; in the meantime, you should probably get some rest in one of the rooms upstairs. You'd be no use to him and his odd hours if you aren't at least partially rested."
"Yes, you should be sleeping!" Ratchet agreed instantly. "And that means you too, Miko! Now shoo!" He motioned for the three smaller figures to head up the stairs. "We have other business to attend to!"
Matthew smirked, then yawned and blinked in surprise before he shook his head and started upstairs towards the house at the top of it. Miko and Joshua followed after him.
"I don't see why we can't be down there when they're talking about stuff," Miko complained, frowning.
"It's for the best," Joshua replied. "No doubt they're trying to figure out a way that everything that just happened makes some form of sense."
"And does it?" Matthew looked back.
"In some ways…no. I'm concerned over the true reasons that the Predacons managed to make their way here in the first place. Predaking showed undying loyalty to Megatron and the Decepticons before he discovered Megatron's treachery involving his kind. I am concerned as to what they are doing now, especially considering that, if Predaking's words are to be believed, there is something wrong with Megatron's mind."
"Megatron's mind?" Miko repeated.
"Yes. Which means that I'm going to have to arrange a talk with someone who knows his mind inside and out."
Matthew gained an odd expression at that. "You don't mean…"
"Yes. I am going to have to talk to Brainiac."
Uh oh. Joshua, be careful...
I'll see you guys later this week with the next chapter!
