Chapter 1

A/N: hey guys, welcome back! Glad to see y'all here again for the rewrite of one of my favorite stories. And just FYI, I don't own Transformers Prime or Young Justice.

/comms/

Telepathy/flashbacks

Bumblebee's modulator

4yrs Later, Gotham City, July 4, 12:00EDT

Laughter filled the air as children ran around chasing various toys as their parents stood watching. Other adults others stood at grills, cooking various meals.

A cool breeze brushed through the air, causing a few to shiver at the sudden cold in the middle of summer. Many expected it to just brush by, but the temperature continued to drop, and people began to stop what they were doing, looking around as their breath became visible in the summer air. Frost developed along the grass and on chairs, causing many people to start taking hesitant steps back.

"Enjoying family time?" a echoey voice asked, sending chills up their spines as the looming figure of one of Gotham's most infamous supervillains approached, holding a glowing cannon in hand. The cannon began to whir, a glowing blue light emanating from it before it fired. Ice spread out from its impact, trapping various people inside. "My family has other plans."

Screams broke the tense silence as people began to run for their lives, trying to dodge icy blasts fired at them. Through the terror, Mr. Freeze stopped firing as he heard a faint but familiar cackle. Movement came from the corner of his eye, and the villain turned as his helmet thudded as something slammed against it, a flash of red and yellow leaping away and landing in the grass a few yards away as two objects slammed into his helmet, cracks spreading along the surface from the impact.

"Oh, Boy Wonder," Freeze greeted coldly, "the Bat sent you to drag me off to prison. Frankly I'm underwhelmed."

"Great, but I'm kind in a hurry here!" Robin replied, putting his hands on his hips as if being here was an inconvenience.

"Kids, always in such a rush."

Even though he couldn't see his eyes, Mr. Freeze felt the boy's gaze flicker to him in a deadpan expression. "Not talking to you."

At those words, the supervillain felt his stomach drop. Whirling on his heel, he turned just in time to see a bat-shaped shadow falling towards him and shattering his helmet.

-.-

Starr City, 9:01PDT

Brakes screeched as a figure leapt into the road. Hands slammed into the asphalt, sending a wave of ice up into the air. The sound of metal crumpling filled the air as cars slammed into the new icy barrier, cracks spreading it as the vehicles flew into the air. Landing on the ground, sparks flew into the air as glass shattered, causing the figure to laugh as icy claws grew on his fingers.

However, he didn't get a chance to do anything else before an arrow planted itself in the ice coating his shoulder. He didn't even hear the beeping before a blast went off, sending the icy villain flying off his feet and through his wall. Landing on the ground, he rolled to his feet ice regrowing on his hands; looking up a wide grin split his face as he saw red and green forms up above notching new arrows. "Finally," he smirked, massive clubs of ice forming over his fists, "was wondering what it took to get some attention around here!" Lurching his arm forwards, he fired the first volley of icy spears.

"Junior's doing this for attention?!" the red clad hero grumbled as he chased after his mentor. Icy shards bounced off his clothes, as the weapons exploded against the gates of the bridge. Leaping onto the support beams, he ran down firing an arrow that hit a forming ice wall, causing it to shatter. "I'm telling you this whole thing better not interfere!"

More ice spears flew at him, and the archer leapt in the air. Grabbing an arrow from his quiver, he loaded it and fired.

The supervillain swung his arm in an attempt to create a barrier to block the incoming projectile. However, he was too slow as it skimmed by, slamming him in the jaw. He fell to the ground unconscious as the green clad archer ran up to him, a grin on his face as he looked to his protégé, "Kid had a glass jaw."

"Hilarious, can we go? Today's the day!"

-.-

Jasper

People screamed as windows shattered, ducking for cover as ice shards reigned around them. Sharp ice spikes erupted from the ground, skewering cars parked alongside the road. A man in the middle of the road grinned as he fired icy blasts, hitting several people, coating them in ice as they attempted to make an escape.

The roar of an engine caught his attention and he turned, watching as a yellow and black muscle car sped towards him. Gritting his teeth, he fired ice shards at it, watching as they shattered against the metal of the vehicle. Smoke came from the tires as the driver hit the brakes, spinning the car to the side as the door opened, allowing a teenager with shaggy black and gold hair and in yellow and black armor leapt out, kicking him in the gut.

The ice villain skipped along the ground, getting to his feet as he looked to the angry teen. "The sidekick? Is that all I get?" he sneered. "Are the real heroes too busy to deal with me?"

"Hardly," a deep voice rumbled from behind him. Whirling on his heel, the man paled as he saw a tall man in red and blue armor. A hand grabbed the front of his shirt and the man lifted him up, his feet trying to reach the ground as he looked up at glowing blue eyes looking down at him. "Now, Icicle Sr. either surrender quietly."

-.-

Pearl Harbor, 06:02HST

Ice covered the surface of a ship as it bobbed in the waves, ropes and chains keeping the large ship tied to the dock. A woman stood across the deck firing ice from her hands as a dark-skinned teen and a man in an orange and green suit charged towards her.

The older man got encased in the ice, struggling to get out as the younger formed a weapon made of water formed in his hand. The Morningstar swung down towards her head, causing the villain to leap back and throw ice. Her toss grazed his shoulder, a thin layer of ice spreading over his skin, quickly melting under the heat of his glowing tattoos.

Nearby, his mentor shattered the ice encasing him. "Don't tell me you're not excited?" he asked, throwing a punch to the woman, before she leapt back, kicking him in the gut.

"Right now My King, I'm more focused on the matter at hand," he answered, using his maces to deflect another ice blast, turning the watery weapons into solid ice. Seizing his chance, the teen ran forwards, swinging up and hitting the woman upside the head. She flew into the air, slamming onto the metal deck unconscious.

"Well?" his mentor asked.

"Yes I'm excited. Today's the day."

-.-

Central City, 11:03CDT

Sirens wailed as cop cars sat parked yards away from where two blurs circled a man dressed in winter gear. Every now and then, a blast would shoot from the trapped man, missing the red and yellow blurs, but hitting something else nearby, ice spreading from the impact.

"Stealing ice? Seriously? Isn't that a bit cliche even for Captain Cold?" the red blur spoke.

"C'mon! We don't have time for this!" the yellow one growled. Breaking from the pattern, Captain Cold fired, but appeared to miss as the yellow blur ran at him. He didn't have the chance to take another shot as the gun vanished from his hands. Though, he didn't have much time to figure out what happened before a fist hit him in the face.

Captain Cold fell to the ground as a red-clad man shook out his fist, before looking to the ginger boy wearing yellow and red by his side. "What?"

"Geez, impatient much KF?" a new voice asked and both looked up to see a redheaded girl hovering above them alongside a man in a similar looking green suit with a lantern on the front.

"Oh please," the girl scoffed, rolling her eyes under her mask. "You two will chat it up with cops, bystanders, or even Cold. Today is not the day for you guys to get distracted."

"Today's the day!"

-.-

Washington DC, 14:00EDT

"Today's the day," Batman said resting his hand on his protégé's shoulder.

"Welcome to the Hall of Justice, headquarters to the Justice League."

They all heard a pop in the air before a glowing blue vortex opened up beside them, through it they could see two shadows approaching. A man in red and blue armor stepped out first, face hidden mostly by the battle mask of his helmet. He was following by a teen in yellow and black armor, a mask covering the lower half of his face. "We late to the party?"

"Nope, just in time," Robin grinned.

"Aw man!"

At the exclamation they all turned to see their fellow proteges arriving with their mentors. Kid Flash removed his goggles, resting them on his head before he crossed his arms. "I knew we'd be the last ones here!"

"Well that's what happened when we stop to chit-chat," Emerald stated landing beside him.

"Hey! That wasn't my fault!"

"I know," she said, putting her hands on her hips. "I was talking to them," she pointed to their respective mentors.

"Hey!" the pair protested.

The rest elected to ignore the elder speedster's and Lantern's protests as they approached the Hall of Justice. Two lines of ropes were set up, making a path for the heroes to walk down as civilians clamored around, talking and taking pictures.

"Is that Batman?"

"Whoa, Lanterns really do glow."

"There's Optimus and Bumblebee!"

"I see Flash and Flash Jr."

"His name's Speedy, duh."

"No, Speedy's Green Arrow's sidekick."

"Well that makes no sense."

As they walked, Green Arrow leaned forwards, tapping his protégé on the shoulder, "Ready to see the inner sanctum?"

"Born ready."

"Have all six sidekicks ever been in the same place at once?" Kid Flash asked, a wide smirk on his face.

"Don't call us sidekicks," Speedy scolded. "Not after today."

"Sorry, I'm just a little overwhelmed."

"You're overwhelmed, Freeze was underwhelmed why isn't anyone just whelmed?" Robin scoffed as the glass doors to the Hall slid open. Stepping inside, they stared up at the massive golden statues of the founding members of the League. "Oh…guess that's why."

Across from them, a metal door slid open, allowing Martian Manhunter and Red Tornado to step out and approach the group. "Robin, Aqualad, Bumblebee, Kid Flash, Speedy, Emerald Lantern, welcome," the Martian greeted. Motioning with his hand to follow, the teens eagerly scampered after the hero as their mentors trailed behind through the doors. "You now have full access to the gym, our fully-stocked galley, and, of course, our library."

Stepping into the room, they could see multiple shelves, all filled to the brim with books. "Make yourselves at home," Flash said.

Taking his word, Robin, Kid Flash and Aqualad took the available seats by the monitors, leaving the other three to stand. "Quick debrief to discuss the attack of five ice villains on the same day," Batman said. "We shouldn't be long."

Turning away from the confused teens, they watched as a scanner lowered from the ceiling. "Batman—02. Aquaman—06. Flash—04. Green Arrow—08. Optimus Prime—18. Martian Manhunter—07. Red Tornado—16. Green Lantern—05."

"That's it?!" Speedy snarled, causing all heads to turn towards him. "You promised us a real look inside! Not some glorified backstage pass!"

"It's a first step," Aquaman replied. "You've been granted access few others get."

"Really?" he growled, pointing to the windows up above where the forms of tourists could be seen watching. "Who cares what side of the glass we're on!"

"Roy, you just need to be patient," Green Arrow chided gently. Stretching out a hand to his protégé, he flinched back as it was swatted aside.

"No! What I need is respect!" he snapped. Turning back to his fellow proteges, he pointed to their mentors, "They're treating us like kids! Worse, like sidekicks! We deserve better than this!" As they looked between themselves, the redheaded archer scowled in disgust. "You're kidding. You're playing their game?! Why?! Today was supposed to be the day! Step one of becoming full-fledged members of the League!"

Kid Flashed raised a brow, looking confused. "Isn't step one just a tour of the HQ?"

"Except the Hall isn't the League's real HQ!" Roy countered, causing his comrade's eyes to widen and jaw to drop in shock. "It's just a false front for tourists and a pit stop to catch Zeta Beam tubes to an orbiting satellite called the Watchtower."

"And?" Bumblebee asked, putting his hands on his hips.

"And what?!" Roy demanded stepping up to his slightly taller comrade. "They were keeping this a secret from us!"

The Autobot raised a brow. "The Watchtower wasn't that big of a secret."

Emerald nodded, "Yeah, I fly by it every time I leave Earth."

"And doesn't it bother you that we aren't going to see it?!"

"Been there."

"Done that."

Speedy narrowed his eyes, "I hate both of you."

As the teens argued, Batman gave Green Arrow a glare as the archer stared at him sheepishly. "I thought we could make an exception." The Dark Knight's glare narrowed at him. "Or not."

Aquaman sighed, stepping forwards and resting a hand on Speedy's shoulder. "You're not helping your case here son, stand down."

"Or what?" Speedy challenged. "You'll send me to my room? And I'm not your son! I'm not even his." Glaring at his mentor, he grabbed his hat, "I thought we were partners," throwing his hat on the ground, he gave Green Arrow one last hateful glare, "but not anymore." Whirling on his heel, the archer stomped away from them. "Guess they were right about you five; you're not ready."

The door slid shut behind him, leaving the room in relative stunned silence. No one was sure what to say, or how to react after the teen's storm off. Fortunately, they were saved from initiating conversation, as the monitor beeped, and the Man of Steel appeared on the screen. "Superman to Justice League. There's been an explosion at Project Cadmus. It's on fire."

"I've had my suspicions about Cadmus," Batman began, "this may be the perfect time to—"

The monitor flashed again, and Arcee appeared on the other screen. "Arcee to Justice League. Cliffjumper has found the location of the Nemesis. He's currently under Decepticon attack at an energon deposit. Requesting backup."

"Superman?" Batman inquired.

"It's a small fire. Local authorities have it under control."

"Then Cadmus will wait," Optimus said.

"Agreed," Batman nodded, tapping his ear. "All League members, rendezvous at Arcee's coordinates, Batman out."

"Ratchet, we need a groundbridge," Optimus ordered. Turning back to the teens, he gave them a look, "Stay here."

"What? Why?" Robin protested.

"This is a League mission," Aquaman said.

"And you're not trained—" Green Lantern started.

"Since when?!" Emerald snapped.

"You're not trained for missions like these," Flash interjected.

"To be fair, neither are you," Bumbelebee said crossing his arms. "I've been fighting 'Cons since…well since before your civilization."

"At ease Bumblebee," Optimus said stepping forwards. "While it is true the Decepticons have been quiet for some time due to Megatron's absence, it is not a reason to assume our comrades are unable to handle them. Perhaps, you could educate your friends while we are on this mission?"

"Wait…I'm not going?!"

"As you said, this is a good learning experience," the Prime answered. A groundbridge popped into existence on the far side of the room, at Batman gave the teens all pointed glares as the adults left.

Once the Vortex closed, Kid Flash threw his hands into the air in frustration, "When we're ready?! How are we supposed to be ready when they treat us like sidekicks!"

"My mentor, my king, I thought he trusted me," Aqualad sighed, crossing his arms.

"Trust?! They don't even trust us with the basics! They've got a secret HQ in space!" the speedster exclaimed. "Just what else aren't they telling us?"

"I have a better question: why didn't you two say anything?" Robin said looking at Bumblebee and Emerald.

"Because we didn't know it was a secret," Emerald answered with a shrug. "I've flown by it hundreds of times on my way to Oa."

"Bulkhead almost crashed into it when we came to Earth."

"Oh."

"So," Emerald smirked, "what exactly is Project Cadmus?" She raised a brow, looking to Bumblebee. "Well?"

"Why are you looking at me?"

"Because you're faster than Robin's hacking," she replied.

Glowing blue eyes rolled, "According to the League's database it's a genetics lab here in DC."

"That's it?"

"Yep."

"Well if Batman's suspicious, maybe we should check it out," Robin grinned.

"Solve their case before they do; it would be poetic justice," Aqualad remarked.

"Hey, they're all about justice," Emerald said.

Aqualad gave a sigh, "But they said stay put."

"For going to beat the slag outta some tinheads, not this," 'Bee countered.

"Wait, are you guys going?" Kid Flash spoke up. "Because if you're going, I'm going!"

"Duh," Emerald said elbowing him.

With grins the four looked to their last friend. "Just like that," Aqualad sighed, "We're a team on a mission."

"We didn't come for a playdate."

-.-

Nemesis, 11:23PCT

A man in scorched red armor grunted as two men in identical violet armor tossed him to the ground. Glowing blue blood trickled from his lip as he pushed himself up, solid blue eyes locking onto a spindly form right in front of him. The petite form turned, and red eyes met his as a wicked grin formed on the Con's face.

Putting on a brave face, Cliffjumper, gave a sneer. "Hey Screamer," he greeted. "Where's you're master?"

The second in command of the Decepticons scowled, backhanding him. Blue liquid trickled from the new gashes on the Autobot's cheek from his claws. "Never mind him! I am my own master!" Heels clicked against the floors of the ship as Starscream got closer, kneeling down and meeting the Autobot's eyes. "Now, tell me where your base is; I might be willing to show you mercy if you do."

Cliffjumper spat energon from his mouth, spattering it across the seeker's face. "Go frag yourself."

Starscream gave an angry growl and swung his hand forwards. There was a sharp pain in Cliffjumper's chest, and he looked down, staring as the sharp claws dug into his chest, practically tearing at his spark. "Anything else you'd like to say, Cliffjumper?" Starscream smirked. "No? Oh well." Wearing a grin, Starscream slowly pulled his talons from the Autobot's sparkchamber, his own spark fluttering in glee as he watched the light of the eyes flicker into black. The body crumpled to the ground, energon pooling around, causing the seeker to step back as it almost touched his boots. "Clean that up!"

-.-

Outside Jasper

"CLIFF!" Arcee called as she and the other heroes searched around what used to be an energon deposit.

They could all tell as soon as they arrived that there had been a fight, a vicious one. Scorch marks were burned into the ground and rocks around them, and the volatile blue flames on energon burned around what appeared to be the remains of fractured crystals.

"Arcee!" Flash called. Speeding over, he stopped beside the woman holding something in his hand.

Arcee's eyes widened as she quickly grabbed the broken silver horn. "It's Cliff's."

Prime frowned at her words, turning to the older man clad in bulky red and white armor. "Ratchet, can you get a lock on Cliffjumper's coordinates."

The medic nodded, opening the scanner on his arm. A blip appeared on the screen for a moment before vanishing from existence. "No…" Ratchet hissed. "Cliffjumper's life signal just went offline."

"Then he's on the 'Con's warship right?" Green Lantern said. "It blocks life signals…right?"

"Then we can only hope we can find him, before it's too late."

-.-

Washington D.C. 14:41EDT

"HELP!"

"GET US DOWN!"

Watching the scientists above, a firefighter grabbed a megaphone. "Stay put! We will get you down!"

Unfortunately, he didn't have the chance to follow through on that promise. Glass reigned down on them as an explosion rocked the building, sending the scientists flying. Gravity soon took over, sending the pair plummeting towards the asphalt below.

A red and yellow blur raced past them, snatching the men from the air as they fell. Kid Flash tossed the pair on the roof as he started to lose traction. His fingers scraped against concrete before he grunted as his arms were almost yanked from his sockets as he managed to get a grip on a windowsill.

"It's what's his name…Flash Boy!" he heard one of the firefighters exclaim.

"IT'S KID FLASH!" he shouted. "Why is that so hard?"

"Smooth," Robin smirked as the others caught up to the speedster.

"Does he always have to run ahead?" Aqualad grumbled. "We need a plan…" looking around he found himself standing on the ground, alone. "Guys?"

Up above, he could see Emerald lowering the civilians trapped on the roof down to the ground. And he could see Robin leaping through the window and grabbing KF. And since Bumblebee was nowhere to be seen, it wasn't hard to assume he was already inside.

Grabbing his water-bearers, he ran up to the firefighters. "I need to borrow that!" he called.

The men gave surprised exclamations as the flow of water followed his command, forming a platform under his feet. Lifting himself to the window, he jumped inside before motioning the torrent to spray down on the remaining flames.

"Well you guys certainly didn't waste time," Aqualad remarked.

"Em had it," Bumblebee answered.

"Besides, we're here to investigate," Robin agreed. "Poetic justice, remember?"

"Yeah, yeah, we know," Emerald waved him off. Stepping out into the dark hall, her brows shot up as she saw something in the closing elevator doors.

Kid Flash heard it too, because he was by her side in a second. "Elevators are supposed to be locked down."

The others peered around the door, and Robin was the first to move. Stepping up to the elevator, a frown crossed the Boy Wonder's face. "This is wrong." Raising his arm, he tapped his glove and a holographic screen popped up over his arm. "Thought so. This is a high-speed express elevator. It doesn't belong in a two-story building."

"Neither does whatever was in it," Emerald commented.

A hand tapped her shoulder, and Emerald stepped aside, allowing Bumblebee to walk past her. Approaching the doors, he tapped on them, seeming to be analyzing something. The sound of metal crunching echoed down the hall as the Cybertronian forced his hand through the doors, forcefully creating an opening for them to go through. Bumblebee gave a whistle as he looked down the shaft, "Well, that explains the need for the express elevator."

The others peered past him, eyes wide as they stared down the dark abyss. "No kidding," Robin said, reaching into his belt. He pulled out a grapple, firing up at the ceiling. With a tug on the rope, the Boy Wonder leapt into the abyss.

"Wait up!" Kid Flash called, leaping onto the line and sliding down.

Emerald sighed, shaking her head, "I could've carried y'all." Floating into the shaft, she formed a small platform so Aqualad and 'Bee could get on before following after their comrades.

"I'm out of rope," Robin said as he came to a stop. Leaping to the side of the elevator, he watched as KF slid down, and swung his legs a few times before jumping over. The speedster's arms flailed for a moment and Robin pulled him from falling further down the shaft.

Pulling out a wire, Robin began hacking into the door as Emerald caught up with the others. The elevator doors slid open, allowing the group to step out. Unlike the levels above, he hall they ended up in seemed to be some sort of red tunnel with dark yellow almost sacks against the walls.

"Welcome to Project Cadmus," Bumblebee said.

"Creepy," Emerald said.

Beside them, Kid Flash lowered his goggles and took off down the hall without warning. Ignoring the echoing protests of his friends. Zipping around a corner, the speedster slid to a stop, and tripped, rolling into the middle of the hallway. Right into the path of multiple, giant, grey, gorilla-looking things with horns stomping towards him.

The speedster yelped as something grabbed his leg, yanking him out of the hall before one of them could potentially crush him. "Nope," Emerald muttered. "Nothing weird going on here."

"What the hell are these things?" Kid said.

"No idea, but we're not going anywhere until we find out."