Chapter 9
A/N: hey everyone! Welcome back! Hope y'all're enjoying the story so far. Remember, I'm just the writer, Emerald belongs to my friend, and YJ and TFP aren't mine.
/comms/
"Bee talking"
Telepathy
Earth's Orbit, July 8, 08:24PDT
"Has anyone found the spacebridge controls? Because I don't know if we can beat a whole planet of the undead," Bulkhead grimaced as the group of Leaguers stood staring at the glowing vortex.
"Inspiring, Bulkhead," Arcee deadpanned, "truly."
/Optimus/ Ratchet called, /our scanners are registering a rapidly expanding mass in their spacebridge vortex, one with a peculiar energy signature/
"Dark Energon."
/Energon's flammable right?/ Kid Flash chimed in. /If the bridge's on, can't you just blow it up?/
"There is enough energon coursing through it to achieve a detonation," Optimus responded after a moment. "But we lack the necessary firepower to achieve it."
"But we could if we found the control panel?"
/Yes/ Ratchet replied. /Provided Robin can pull up the schematics again, I can find a way of accomplishing that feat. But Optimus, I must say, the spacebridge is our sole hope of ever returning to Cybertron from this planet. Are you certain its destruction is our only option?/
The others went quiet looking to the Prime. "I am afraid so."
/Then by all means, let us light our darkest hour!/
"I found the controls!" All heads turned as a green blur shot towards them, coming to a sudden stop, Emerald's hair floated past her for a moment. "The controls, they're under the bridge."
"Bumblebee, Arcee go with Emerald. Take position at the controls and follow Ratchet's directive," Optimus ordered. "The rest of you, keep anything from exiting that bridge."
Noticing her left himself out, Superman's brows furrowed. "What about you, Prime?"
Glowing blue eyes glanced towards him, as Prime's sword erupted from the arm of his transformer, the alien metal seeming to smolder along the sharp edges. "I will keep Megatron occupied."
Before he could ask what he meant, the heroes turned as they felt the ground shake underfoot. Turning around, blue light reflected off silver armor as its seams glowed with a sinister violet energy. "It seems like the younger generation is wiser than you Optimus: they know when to retreat."
"We hold no illusions about engaging your army Megatron," Prime answered. "But I might derail its objective, by removing its head."
The warlord's cackle gave the Leaguers chills. "That, might be harder than you think Optimus, even with your weak human pets. I am infused with the very might of my army!"
"One shall stand. One shall fall."
Growling, Megatron bared his fangs and his sword slid from its sheath as he charged Optimus. Sparks flew as the two adversaries collided. Each leader trading blows as they attempted to find an opening. Ducking under Megatron's blade, Optimus grabbed his arm, hurling him over his shoulder.
The warmonger grunted as he slammed onto the ground before zero-gravity of space launched him back into the air. Flipping, Megatron gravitized himself back onto the bridges, his talons carving claw marks into the metal as he slowly slid to a stop. Ground shaking as footsteps thundered towards him and the warlord raised his blade as Optimus' collided with it.
Forcing himself back on his feet, Megatron pushed Prime back, and spun around his enemy. Optimus swung a blade towards him and the Decepticon leader parried, using his free hand to deck the Prime's faceplate. Stumbling back from the blow, Megatron grinned lunging at the opening as his sword carved a mark into the torso of the mech before he swung his blade again.
The violet-glowing blade carved through the Prime's right sword, sending the end flying across the bridge where it planted itself into the metal. Grinning, Megatron spun around, throwing another powerful blow that knocked his enemy off his feet. As he went flying in the air, Megatron grabbed his pede, hurling him away from the bridge, watching with glee as his old foe sent sparks with the rough landing.
He'd been so preoccupied with fighting Prime, he forgot about the human pets.
A reminder that came in the form of a yellow blast, two green beams, and red lasers hitting him in the chest. The resulting explosion, knocked the warmonger off his feet, sending him sliding across the bridge once again.
Primus, he really hated those pests.
/Lord Megatron/
Ancients this was not the time. "What is it Starscream?!" he snarled, cutting through more of the green bolts of energy. Charging forwards, his fist collided with their shield, cracks forming in the emerald barrier at the impact.
Seeing movement from his left, Megatron ducked down as Superman flew over him. Grabbing the Kryptonian's cape, he swung the man down like a flail onto the shield.
/I do not mean to question your all-seeing wisdom/ the Vosian drawled, /but I believe the Autobots are up to something again, underneath your spacebridge/
Despite the circumstances, Megatron couldn't help but chuckle as he one again slammed the Kryptonian against the barrier. "Ah, misdirection, Optimus. You would've made a fine Decepticon."
Tossing the Leaguer aside, Megatron turned as his sword collided with the hilt of Prime's broken blade. "I chose my side."
The blaster bolts had hit his chest before Megatron knew the cannon had been powered up. Catching himself before he could slam into the ground again, Megatron snarled flying further up the surface of the spinning vortex, avoiding shots as the League tried to hit him. Not that it mattered.
"Starscream, my army approaches, rendezvous at the spacebridge for pickup."
-.-
"Ratchet, we're in position," Arcee relayed as she knelt beside the controls.
/Alright, pay close attention. Do you see the flow regulator?/
"I'm assuming that's the one with the flashing numbers I can't read, right?" Emerald said.
/Correct. Now follow the line from the flow regulator to the energon pump, there should be a valve there/
"What is he—"
"I see it," Arcee interrupted pressing a button. A soft hiss came from the object, and a large cylinder with handles emerged from the mess of pumps and wires.
/Good. Now to turn all that power against itself, all you need to do is reverse the current/
Gripping the handles, Arcee began pulling, blue energy beginning to spark off the pump. With a clank, she yanked the control around as a slow barrier of energy began to encircle it. "Current reversed."
"Cool, now let's get outta here before this thing goes supernova!" Emerald exclaimed.
/Ratchet to Justice League, Team B has achieved objective, groundbridge on its way. You have two minutes/
Spotting movement above, Emerald's ring flashed as a familiar craft shot overhead. By her side, Arcee and Bumblebee began firing their guns, trying to hit the 'Con. As the ship turned back towards them, Emerald raised her shields, doing her best to give opening for her allies to fire through as Megatron released his own barrage.
Unfortunately, even with her shield, he still got a lucky shot.
Arcee gave a shout as the blaster slammed into her chest, the impact slamming her to the ground before zero-gravity took over. To her relief, Megatron flew away as the spacebridge began to shake violently, massive cracks forming in its frame with tendrils of bright blue fire curling out. Seeing her chance, Emerald flew over, catching Arcee in a bubble.
Below them the groundbridge opened, and no one wasted any time before leaping towards it as the bridge collapsed behind them.
-.-
Autobot Base, 08:45PDT
Those who remained at base were quiet as they watched the glowing bridge. It was no secret that the bridge had been a close call as the spacebridge was deteriorating faster than anticipated.
To their relief, the familiar forms of Captain Atom and Superman flew in, both looking a bit more roughed up than they had earlier, a blood trickling from the Kryptonian's nose as a result of being Megatron's temporary weapon of choice. Hal and John flew in right behind him, the light of their rings flickering before their suits just left them, sending the two lanterns falling to the floor.
"We're fine," Hal panted as Captain Marvel helped him up. "Rings just ran out of juice, forgot to charge them before the mission."
"At least they lasted you both long enough," Captain Atom sighed.
The ground shook as Optimus landed. The group grimaced at the scorch marks and cuts along his armor, and the transformation sequence sounded grating. Stepping out, Prime looked a little better, though a small trail of energon could be seen trickling down his leg.
Nearby, Bulkhead sighed, hopping out of his truck with a tired grin as Superboy and Kid Flash came over. "Glad you made it back," Superboy said.
"Eh," Bulkhead waved, "I've been on worse missions than that."
"Oh! Are you talking about your Wrecker missions?!" Kid Flash interjected. "Cause wasn't there one where you were behind enemy lines and—"
"Wally," Black Canary interrupted. "Now's not the best time."
If the speedster was going to protest, it was cut off as Bumblebee and Emerald arrived. Leaping out of his car, 'Bee ran over to Emerald as she set Arcee's form down. Leaping onto her Transformer, 'Bee pressed his hands against it, seeming to access the controls as his eyes flashed before the cockpit creaked open.
Able to get inside, Emerald made a makeshift gurney under the unconscious woman, lifting her out and towards Ratchet.
"We lost one this week, by the Allspark don't let it be two," Ratchet's quiet prayer could be heard as he rushed towards the injured Autobot. She had a burn on her chest, but the medic was relieved to discover though bruised, the armor and the vehicle had done their jobs. "She'll be fine, go put her on one of the berths, I can keep a closer eye on her there." As the two teens ran into the medical bay, Ratchet sighed, turning to face Optimus, "And Megatron?"
"Not even he could have survived ground-zero," Prime replied. "But, I will double check with her to make sure his spark has been extinguished."
Ratchet grimaced in sympathy. "She won't be happy you killed him before she could shove that spear of hers up…" he trailed off glancing at the kids, "nevermind."
"Prime!" Heads turned and they all watched as Fowler, now looking a bit more put together looked at them as he rebuttoned his suit, "I didn't get to thank you 'Bots, the League, and the kids for the save. I owe you one. We all do."
-.-
Mt. Justice, 18:33EDT
"This cave was the original secret sanctum of the Justice League. We care calling it into service once again," Batman said as the group of teens stood before him in their civies. "We're calling it into service once again since you six are determined to stay together and fight the good fight."
"What's the catch?"
"You do it on League terms," Batman answered. "Red Tornado volunteered to live here and be your supervisor, Black Canary will oversee training, Optimus or I will deploy you on missions."
Robin crossed his arms, raising a brow to her mentor, "Real missions?"
"Yes, but covert."
"The League will still handle the obvious stuff," Flash chimed in, "there's a reason we have these big targets painted on our chests."
"But Cadmus and the events of today proves the bad guys are getting smarter," Aquaman added. "The League will need a team who can operate on the sly."
"The seven of you will be that team."
"Cool."
"Seven?" Emerald muttered.
Batman gave a nod, and the group turned around to see Manhunter approaching with a green-skinned redhead in a suit similar to his own. "This is Martian Manhunter's niece: Miss Martian."
"Hi."
"Liking this gig more every minute," Wally smirked. "Welcome aboard," he grinned stepped up to the alien girl, "I'm Kid Flash, that's Robin, Aqualad; it's cool if you forget their names."
Strolling up, Emerald jammed her elbow into her cousin's side. "Sorry about my cousin. Anyways, I'm Emerald, and the other two he forgot to introduce are Bumblebee and Superboy."
"I'm honored to be included."
"Good," Emerald smirked, patting her shoulder. "It'll be nice to have another girl on the team."
"Oh like hanging out with us is so terrible?" 'Bee snickered. "You barely do girly things as it is."
"Gender roles are stupid and you know it!"
Rolling his eyes, Emerald stuck her tongue out at him and the Cybertronian patted Superboy's shoulder. "Ok, stop sulking, come meet Miss M."
Before their eyes, Miss Martian's white shirt and cape morphed into a black one similar to Superboy's. "I like your shirt," she smiled shyly.
On the sidelines, Emerald scowled as she handed 'Bee five bucks. "Ten bucks that they're dating before the end of the school year."
"Eh, I give it before winter break,"'Bee grinned.
"You're on," she said fist-bumping him. Smirking to herself, Emerald put her hands in her pocket. "Man, we've barely been a team for a week and we've already stopped a zombie apocalypse. I have a feeling this team thing's gonna be interesting."
