Chapter 22
A/N: I just own this story.
/comm/
Telepathy
'Bee's speech
September 17, Autobot Base
"Fallow the light," Ratchet said shining a light in Optimus' eye. Getting the reaction he wanted, the medic nodded. "I wouldn't advise anything strenuous Optimus, but it appears your systems are fully recovered from the plague, you're all clear to go on missions again."
"Thanks to your medical expertise old friend," Optimus said.
"It was your son who braved unknown territory to locate the cure," Ratchet said and both adults looked at 'Bee who looked up from his history homework. The piles of completed Earth-doctorate-level work sitting next to him.
"What? No! I just did what anyone would've done in my position!" he said blushing furiously.
"Luckily for us Megatron was still alive," Arcee said walking past.
"Did you actually just say that?"
"Yes."
"What matters is that you are on the mend, while Megatron…"
"Arcee shot him as we left."
"He's right, I did my best to end his story," she sighed. "Just couldn't stick around to see how it ended."
Bumblebee got up as another headache came. Going to one of the more secluded halls in the base he sat down against the wall, holding his hands against his head. "Seems she failed to get rid of me after all scout, I'm still here aren't I?"
"Leave me alone," he whispered; his real voice so quiet not even Superman would've been able to hear it.
"Now why would I do that? You made a deal with me, and I'm going to see it through one way or another. If you won't willingly fulfill your end of the bargain, then to reclaim my body, I'll take over yours. It is only a matter of time before Optimus realizes not all is quite right with you. So I recommend making up your mind quickly."
-.-
Mt. Justice
The team watched as Emerald and Bumblebee started one of their infamous sparring matches. Luckily for the bystanders it was one where they couldn't use weapons, so that saved them from accidently behind hit by a stun-round, a giant hammer, another teammate that was not one of the dueling pair (yes they've used teammates as weapons), a hockey puck, or a live octopus.
Emerald tried sweeping his feet out from under him, but 'Bee just flipped over, grabbed her shoulders and tossed her into Wally. "Thanks for the save!" she called as she charged him again. "DIE!" He ducked under her fist, but she jumped into a kick as he ducked. Her kick hit him in the chest, knocking him back. almost instantly he was back on his feet, grabbing her arm as she tried to punch him again. She kicked his shin, only to yelp as she forgot he had a metal bones, and converses were not good protection against that. Flipping her over his shoulder, she landed on her back, only to back-handspring up, kicking him in the face.
At that moment, 'Bee felt ajolt run through his body as Megatron took control, something that had been occurring more and more frequently for the past few days, succeeding in grabbing her legs. Emerald saw the dark smirk cross his face, she was tossed up into the air, and he punched her as she fell, sending her slamming into Wally again.
"Wow cuz," she said sitting up, "you make a great landing pad." She glared at her friend who looked slightly flustered, he'd never hit her that hard before in training. "Not holding back today are we?"
"I'm sorry…I don't know what came over me," he stuttered as another headache began to form.
"Bumblebee?" Aqualad questioned seeing a look of pain on his teammate's face as he rubbed his forehead. "Are you alright my friend?"
"I just got a migraine," he lied.
"Perhaps you should take a break?" he suggested.
"Yea…good idea,"'Bee agreed trying to deal with the fifth headache of the day. Aqualad looked after him as he took a seat, concerned about his friend.
"You ok?" Emerald asked sitting next to him. "Aqualad said you had a migraine. That's the second one today."
He would've responded, if it wasn't for the fact Megatron chose that moment to try talking with him. "First thing we need to do is to restore my body's functionality…so how did I escape annihilation?" The image of Starscream holding a dark energon shard appeared. "Of course, dark energon…Starscream! The moment I am back to normal I'm going to kill you!"
"Frankly I'm surprised you haven't already," he grumbled back.
"Don't think I haven't tried."
"'Bee?"
"Well then maybe you aren't as good at fighting as you thought!"
"Why you little…"
"Bumblebee?"
He blinked to see Erica looking at him, before putting a hand on his forehead, frowning when she noticed he was warmer than usual. "You have a slight fever; need anything? Water? Motrin? Ratchet?" she said looking at him. He looked more ragged than normal, he was turning a sickly pale color, his normally vibrant eyes were a little duller, and there were the beginnings of bags under his eyes like he hadn't been sleeping well. He could technically stay up for a month and a half due to the length of Cybertronian days, but even then…this wasn't right.
"I'm fine."
"Yea right."
Erica instantly stood up and put her hands on her hips. "No you are not," she declared. "I'll be right back with a water and Motrin. If you move an inch you are dead!"
"She reminds me of my sister. She always threatened to kill me too, if it wasn't for for our youngest sister she would've."
"Pity she never succeeded."
"You're sounding more and more like a Decepticon the more we talk."
"SHUT UP!"
"No."
-.-
Nemesis
"Knock, knock, is anyone in there?" Starscream asked tapping Megatron's forehead. "No? Oh well. Seems I possess the only thing that would allow you to rise up off that slab and walk again, my dearest Megatron…" He pulled out the shard and tossed it up in the air. "…the only scrap left on this planet! Plucked from your very spark chamber! But it cannot restore your mind. The Decepticons need a leader, not a decorative centerpiece! And I will convince them that I am the true heir to your throne, with a plan so epic—!"
"That not even the mighty Megatron could've conceived it," Knockout said, making the SIC jump and turned around.
"He, he, that was the idea Knockout…how long have you been there?"
"Long enough, and it's Commander Knockout to you once and future Lord Starscream."
-.-
September 18, Autobot Base
Bumblebee rushed through the base as he got ready for school. He slept through his alarm for practice, which normally didn't happen, but the tyrant didn't appear to agree with his schedule.
"I can't believe you! You're making me late!"
"This is what you get for waking me at such an un-Primusly hour! Who the pit wakes up at this time anyways?!"
"I do! And if I have to put up with you for the rest of my life, I'll make sure to get up at this time every day!"
"Who said I was staying in this body?!"
"I did, because I'm not letting you go back to yours!"
"Who said I was giving you a choice?!" 'Bee hissed in pain as his body suddenly disobeyed him, and he cut his hand with the knife he was using to cut up the breakfast sausage. "You're going to do exactly as I tell you or I will force you to kill your friends! Starting with that Lantern! After all, you can't fight me forever."
"Bumblebee! Why are you still here?!" Ratchet gaped as he saw the teen just now eating.
"Why aren't you at work?!" he snapped.
"I have the graveyard shift," Ratchet said taken back by his attitude. "What's gotten into you recently?
'Bee looked down debating on telling him or not, before sighing in defeat. "I…uh…Ratch, I've been getting these migraines ever since the patch," he confessed, "and when they happen I see things, images of Megatron mostly."
Ratchet's eyebrows shot up, and he took the teen's arm. "Come with me."
-.-
Wayne Labs Testing Site
Orion Pax stood next to Ben Hughes (aka Bulkhead) watching the test of a new type of grenade. Wayne Enterprises was hired to develop the new weapon based on Pax's designs. And while he really hated weapon development, it was part of his job description. Hughes was there because his team constructed the test field, and Wayne wanted his report on the event as well.
Something in his pocket vibrated, pulling out his phone he frowned when he saw it was his "father" Richard Pax (Ratchet). "What happened?"
/You need to get back here now, something's wrong with Brandon/
"I'm on my way."
-.-
Base
Optimus walked into the med-bay, he heard Ratchet talking in the other room, signaling he was probably calling work say he couldn't come in. Looking over to one of the berths he saw his son laying down on one of them sound asleep. Going over he sat down on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through the think black and gold hair, he stopped and felt his forehead, noticing a slight fever.
Nuzzling into the cool feeling on his burning forehead, Bumblebee stirred, looking up at him through bleary eyes. "Dad?"
Optimus smiled lightly as he felt the slightly dazed question through the bond. "Shh. It's alright, go back to sleep little one," he said rubbing his head. Giving a small nod, he closed his eyes and drifted off into a restless slumber not long after.
"Sorry about that," Ratchet grumbled walking in. "The hospital needed to find someone to cover my shift."
"So, what's going on?"
"Bumblebee came to me this morning complaining to me of having severe migraines accompanied by intermittent visions," Ratchet explained. "Waking nightmares to be more accurate."
"Didn't you say he was alright after you checked him over?"
"Physically, yes, but it seems the Patch had residual effects on his psyche. I gave him a pretty strong sedative to force him to rest and recover. Judging by the way he looks he hasn't been getting a full-Earth-night's rest since the incident," he stated.
"What kind of visions has he been having?"
"He didn't go into depth other than the fact most seem to involve Megatron. What most likely happened is some of his memories might've gotten transferred back when he left and now his mind is fighting to purge the foreign matter," he sighed.
"I'll call the school, tell them he'll be out for a few days," he sighed grabbing his phone.
"Not like it matters anyways," Ratchet scoffed. "The homework we saw him doing the other day is next semester's, he's already done with first. He's also finished with all the homework for those college courses he's taking. What's he on now? His eighth doctorate?"
"And the fever?"
"His mind is treating the memories the same way the body would a virus, so it appears that his immune system is acting up as well. It might also be the result of the lack of sleep he's gotten," the medic responded. "I've already administered the cure for Cybonic Plague if you're concerned."
Optimus sighed, both relieved and concerned. One because if somehow he did catch the plague it was already being dealt with; two because it made him wonder if he caught something else; and three in the fact that he didn't tell him, he just suffered in silence the past few days. Looking away from Ratchet he noticed a bandage wrapped around his hand. "What happened here?"
"He accidentally cut his hand making his breakfast this morning," Ratchet said. "Though I'm not sure how he pulled it off in that spot. But then again, he's your kid, he probably inherited your uncanny ability to pulling off some of the most bizarre injuries I've ever seen."
"I am not that bad."
"This coming from the man who made the toaster explode?"
"I told you that was one of the kids' pranks."
"I'll believe it when they take credit for it."
-.-
"Where's 'Bee?" Erica asked as they arrived at the base.
"In the med-bay, he wasn't feeling well this morning," Bulkhead said. "Optimus had to leave work early because of it."
"Does he have the plague?!" Wally asked grabbing the front of the taller man's armor.
"No."
"Oh, that's good," the speedster sighed. "So who wants to play some video games?!"
Artemis smacked the back of his head. "One of our teammates is sick and you want to play games with his stuff? So not cool," she said crossing her arms. "I vote we check on him."
"You can, I'm going to play some games," Wally said walking off.
"Geek," both archer and cousin sighed.
Going into the med-bay they saw Ratchet working. "I think I'm going to join KF," Robin said slowly backing away as Superboy joined him. Both had come to fear the man and his horrible bedside manner. Before any of the others could protest they were gone.
"Ratchet, how is Bumblebee doing?" Aqualad asked.
"Unfortunately, not better than this morning, but I'm not really that surprised," he sighed.
"Does it have to do with the migraines he's been having!?" Erica demanded.
"Ever hear of doctor-patient confidentiality?"
"It does doesn't it!"
"Erica, leave the poor man alone," Artemis said.
"I knew there was something up with him!"
"Erica, I may've given him a sedative, but if you keep shouting like that even that won't keep him asleep," Ratchet scolded, giving her a pointed look. As if to prove his point, 'Bee shifted with what sounded like a groan.
"Fine, fine," she sighed, reluctantly starting to leave. "Just let me know if anything changes."
Getting to the rec-room, they saw Superboy, Robin, and Wally all playing Mario Kart in which Erica's cousin was screaming at Robin because his car started going backwards at the finish line, allowing the other two boys to pass.
"So how's 'Bee?" Robin asked as he made the speedster's kart start to drive in a constant circle in the middle of the track.
"Currently passed out on one of the cots in there," Artemis stated flopping down onto the couch.
In the main room Optimus looked at the monitor as it started going off. Ever since Megatron got back, things seemed to be getting busier than usual. Was it too hard to ask that the bad guys take one day off?
/Prime/ Fowler said. /You spot any Decepticons wearing hula skirts lately?/
"No Agent Fowler…why?"
/Because I was hoping you had a lead on the Cons that busted into the Hawaii Naval Observatory. Place looked like it was hit by an army of wrecking balls/
"Why would Cons break into an observatory?" Arcee asked.
/As of last night the space telescope there was missing its primary lens/
"It's difficult to guess Starscream's intent without know where the lens has been taken," Optimus said.
/Good thing it has a tracking device/ Fowler said and the signal appeared on their map.
"The arctic?" Arcee groaned. "Great, another chance to freeze our sparkplugs off."
They zoomed in and Bulkhead whistled. "That's an AN-D7 Class, biggest unmineable energon deposit there it."
"Unmineable, till Starscream melts his way down to it," Prime stated.
"With the help of the lens," Arcee added.
/Melting a glacier that size will allow sea levels to rise and demolish coastal cities/
"Optimus Prime to Justice League, Starscream is attempting to melt through a glacier in the artic that would demolish coastal cites, requesting full League response. Transmitting coordinates."
/Acknowledged/ Batman said. /All available League members rendezvous at Optimus' coordinates. Batman out/
-.-
Arctic
"Let the reign of Lord Starscream begin," he smiled as they got into position.
Knockout raised his hand and the cannon with the lens attached at the end took aim down at the icy landscape below. It took a second to charge before a fiery column shot down towards it.
The Autobots, along with Black Canary, Superman, Batman, Flash, both GLs, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman carefully made their way through the icy environment heading for the roar of flames.
"Lot different than our last polar visit," Arcee commented. "Feels like summer."
They peered around a glacier and frowned at the sight. "Here, that's a bad thing," Hal growled.
"You two, make a shield to block the flames from hitting the ice and a path to divert the flames," Batman told the Lanterns. "Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, try to attack the lens directly. Everyone else protect the Lanterns and try to distract the Cons as Optimus sneaks around back to attack from there."
-.-
Base
Ratchet sighed as he still heard the group of teens playing games in the rec-room. He swore ever since that little team was formed he couldn't get away from them. Shouldn't they have gone home by now?
Going over he checked to see that Bumblebee's fever had gone down. Noticing the positive turn, he glanced back before going into the other room to find parts to repair a machine Bulkhead broke while he was roughhousing with Superboy.
Bumblebee's eyes opened once the doctor had left. Megatron was getting impatient, that man hadn't left him alone long enough to get anything done all day. Getting up, 'Bee quickly slid into his armor, before going to the groundbridge where Megatron typed in the coordinates, opening the bridge.
-.-
Badlands
"Where is it?!" Megatron growled as he looked around the field. Thinking back on where he'd thrown it, he smiled as he spotted the glowing shard in the ground, and picked it up.
-.-
Base
Ratchet walked back in only to drop his stuff once he saw the berth empty. Racing towards the rec-room he saw the team, but no scout.
"What's wrong?" Superboy asked noticing the medic first.
"Where's Bumblebee?!"
"You lost him!?" Erica exclaimed getting to her feet. They hurried into the main room, where they noticed that the groundbridge had been used.
"These are the coordinates for the site of the battle with Megatron's undead," Ratchet frowned.
"Maybe we should call Optimus?" Aqualad suggested.
"Optimus and the League are busy keeping a polar icecap from melting," the medic huffed, "we need to figure this out on our own." Opening the bridge, they noticed that he was walking back through. "Bumblebee? Where've you been doing?" Grabbing his arm, Ratchet froze at the sight of the dark energon shard in his hand. "Dark Energon?!"
The team backed up as 'Bee punched Ratchet back into a wall. Suberboy was the first to react, leaping at his friend, his arm got caught as he went for a punch; Bumblebee spun around hurling him into Aqualad and Miss Martian. Erica was pulling out her ring, when he raced over and knocked her feet out from under her. Landing on her back, her ring fell out of her grip.
"Bumblebee! C'mon man!" Wally called. "We don't want to hurt you!"
He was answered by his cousin's body slamming into him.
Robin pulled out a disk and hurled it at him. Leaping over it, 'Bee caught it and hurled it back into the wall between Artemis and the Boy Wonder, forcing both to duck as it exploded behind them.
He whipped away, typing something else in the bridge before charging through as it closed behind him.
"Is everyone alright?" Ratchet grunted as he got up.
"Been better," Wally groaned as Erica pulled him up.
"What about 'Bee?" M'gann asked. "Is he ok?"
"I fear the time spent in Megatron's mindscape is causing him to think like a Decepticon."
"Bumblebee isn't a Con!" Emerald snapped putting her ring on, and her Red Lantern uniform appeared.
"Agreed, but we need to figure out what he intends to do with that shard," Aqualad pointed out.
Ratchet's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "The only one who knew of the dark energon there, was Megatron…"
"'Bee has Buckethead's memories?" Artemis asked.
"Worse, Megatron is occupying Bumblebee's mind."
"WHAT?!" the team exclaimed in a mix of shock and horror.
"How could I have been such a fool! The Cortical Psychic Patch acted as a two-way conduit; when Bumblebee returned to his own mind, Megatron fallowed," Ratchet explained as he went to the groundbridge. "And now Bumblebee—Megatron, has bridged to almost the exact same coordinates Optimus used." Activating the bridge he looked back at the group. "Stay here."
"No way!" Emerald growled. "He's our teammate, we're helping!"
The medic sighed. "Of course," he agreed. "Artemis, Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Miss Martian, stay here."
"What?! Why?! We can help!"
"One: two of you are practically unarmed. Two: Kaldur's and Wally's powers are not helpful in this situation. Three: Soundwave would attack M'gann the second he sensed her using telepathy in his telepathic range. And four: a smaller group will travel faster," he stated.
"Oh…"
-.-
Artic
"I love it when a plan comes together," Starscream smiled, when suddenly the flames were being diverted by green barriers. "The Justice League."
"Please Lord Starscream, allow your second in command the honor," Knockout said turning to the troops. "Total them!"
A few dozen Vehicons took to the air as they saw Superman, Manhunter, and Wonder Woman approaching, as Breakdown and the others leapt towards the ground.
-.-
"The Deceticon Warship," Ratchet whispered as they arrived. Running down the halls they balked at the sight of numerous soldiers strewn throughout the hall leading for the lab.
"Did 'Bee do this?" Superboy asked.
"I fear Megatron's mind is dominant, and it seems he came here for one purpose: to use the dark energon to resurrect his own body."
"'Bee won't let him! Just like he didn't let him hurt us too badly back at base," Emerald said.
"I hope you're right," the medic sighed as they slipped into the lab.
Peering in they saw Bumblebee attaching the patch to himself, the other end already attached to Megatron's body.
Ratchet charged forwards, as the other two looked at him in shock. "Don't hurt 'Bee!" Emerald called.
"That thing's not Bumblebee!" the medic snapped swinging a punch down at him. The younger ducked, and moved out of the way as he tried again. Bumblebee's fist impacted harshly with the medic's side, sending him flying across the room.
"Bumblebee! Stop!" Emerald called as she and Superboy charged out. "It's me! your best friend! Your teammate! I know you always listen to me! No matter what! Don't let him win!"
He stumbled a bit grabbing his head, before looking at them, confusion clear on his face. "Guys…what's going on?"
"UNBELIEVEABLE!" Megatron roared as Bumblebee cried out as his head exploded in agony.
The two teens rushed over as he collapsed, clearly fighting for control. "'Bee?" Emerald asked.
He looked up at her, but she didn't recognize the dark look in his eyes, the same look he had back at base, back during their sparring match. Megatron was in charge again.
A fist shot out, socking her in the jaw, sending her into the wall, a split second later, Superboy crashed next to her.
"Farewell Megatron," Ratchet snarled as he detached the life-support. Megatron charged him and hurled him over his shoulders right into Emerald and Superboy as they got up.
"Bumblebee!" Emerald called.
"I'm afraid he's unavailable at the moment," Megatron growled grabbing the shard and slamming it into the gaping hole in his body's chest.
Emerald caught her friend as he collapsed, pulling out the Patch. "Ugh, my head…feels like Bulkhead hit me with his wrecking ball," 'Bee grumbled holding his head as she and Superboy pulled him up.
Their attention was turned away as they saw soldiers rush in only to freeze, looking at what they saw, they understood why.
Megatron stood proudly with a wicked grin flickering across his features. "Decepticons! Your rightful Lord and Master has returned," he said looking at the group with a sneer. "Finish these pests, and take the scout to the brig. I have my own extermination to perform."
The soldiers open fired, Emerald made a shield, deflecting the shots from Ratchet and Superboy. Bumblebee motioned towards the vents, which they all quickly slid into.
-.-
Optimus managed to get onto one of the many spikes coming out of the Nemesis, looking down at the battle below, he saw Superman leading the fliers into range of GA's arrows, where he shot them out of the sky, before Superman whipped back and knocked them out of the air if the shot missed. Wonder Woman was lassoing them towards the collective group Martian Manhunter was throwing towards Black Canary, who used her cry to knock them into the ship. On the ground Arcee was busy fighting three Vehicons, using her skills to dodge their attacks and force them to hit each other, before using her blades to take them out. Flash ran around several, before whistling, an explosive flew over and trapped them in solidifying foam. Meanwhile, Bulkhead and Breakdown were duking it out, their weapons collided, and everyone was tossed back by the aftershock that formed a massive crack in the ice.
"Doesn't the League seem…understaffed?" Knockout asked.
Optimus pulled out the bola he borrowed from Batman and tossed it. The red-headed Decepticon was wrapped up and fell to the ground with a surprised cry. Starscream whipped around to see the Prime charging towards them.
"What good is a SIC who fails to watch the rear?!" he growled. Hopping onto the cannon he knocked the soldier off before turning the weapon towards Prime.
Optimus ducked and rolled under the barrage of flame. Hopping onto the side of the runway he raced over and leapt down with his sword. Jamming it into the lens.
Those below were sent flying back by the explosion, shakily getting to their feet they saw Optimus had made a rather large crater in the ice.
Starscream flew over in his jet, before flying straight up, and turning around, arming a missile. "MEGATRON'S GREATEST MISTAKE WAS EVER ALLOWING YOU TO LIVE PRIME!"
Those who could fly all started to fly to intercept him when a larger jet slammed him out of the air and back onto the ship.
"Megatron," Batman said.
"He's back," Black Canary frowned.
Starscream transformed and landed on his back, looking up he saw his worst nightmare land in front of him. "Lord Megatron…you are…you're healed! Praise the All-Spark! It is a miracle!"
"Oh, it will be a miracle all right Starscream," the Tyrant said rolling his eyes, "if you survive what I have planned for you!"
The seeker transformed and tried to fly away, but Megatron grabbed the tail of his jet and hurled hin across the ship. Starscream groaned as he felt in the impact of his master landing next to him.
"But the League, Optimus, right down there, waiting for you," he tried directing his anger at someone else.
"MY GREATEST MISTAKE?!" Megatron reminded. "I've made a few, but there is one I don't intend to make again!"
"No Master!" Starscream begged as he was forced out of his armor and into the massive hand of the Decepticon leader. "NOOOO!"
"Makes me almost pity him," Wonder Woman said as they heard the scream.
"Almost," Arcee chuckled as they watched the flaming warship leave.
"Ratchet, we need a bridge," Optimus commed.
"I'm afraid you'll have to call Aqaulad," Ratchet said as the other group walked over.
-.-
Base
"Everything's back to normal," Ratchet said. "You are free to go make mayhem."
"Finally!" he cheered rushing out of the room past the doctor and his father. Getting into the rec-room he was tackled into a hug by M'gann.
"I'm so sorry! I should've known he was in there! After all with all the headaches and mood-swings! I should've checked!" she said.
"Easy Miss M, no one blames ya. It's not like you were ordered to do a psyche evaluation on me right?"
"Right…"
Bumblebee put a hand on her shoulder. "So don't blame yourself. I should've gone to Ratchet sooner."
"Yea you should've," Erica said punching his arm. "Don't scare us like that again!"
"Sorry…"
"Hey, we all get controlled by an evil psychopath in this line of work sooner or later," Robin smiled. "So no worries!"
"Thanks guys."
A/N: I wanna hear reviews!
