Chapter 39

A/N: alright! Onto the next part! Once again, I own nothing besides the changes I make to the orgininal stuff.

/comm/

Telepathy

"'Bee/Soundwave"

December 18, Volcano

"Why is the Blood of Unicron erupting from the Earth?" Optimus muttered tiredly as he started to feel the effects.

"A question Optimus you shall take you your grave," Megatron smiled.

A bridge opened and Bumblebee drove through, slamming into Megatron, transforming he pulled out his blade as he and Megatron circled warily. Bulkhead and Arcee ran through the bridge only to freeze at the sight of the erupting volcano.

"Help 'Bee!" Arcee said looking at Bulkhead.

"Sure he needs it?" Bulkhead asked and she looked to see Bumblebee slide under Megatron's sword, using his own to rip up his side, before jumping over and vaulting off his head.

Ratchet ran out and motioned to the two of them. "Quickly, we must pull him through!" Ratchet ordered.

Megatron punched 'Bee sending him flying back, flipping in the air, he landed on his feet and glared at him, his blue eyes blazing in anger. "BUMBLEBEE! NOW! NOW! NOW!" Arcee screamed.

Reluctantly, he turned and transformed speeding towards the bridge and Megatron stabbed his flaming violet sword into the ground where he was before. Chasing after, he stopped at the scout and the bridge vanished. Transforming he stepped out and wiped the dark blood from his lip before looking at it and laughing.

"This is merely the beginning! I now have enough dark energon TO REANIMATE UNICRON HIMSELF! YES!" he exclaimed laughing madly.

-.-

Autobot Base

Batman closed the bridge as the Autobots drove back in. Opening the door, Optimus stumbled out, falling to his hands and knees. Superman flew over and helped him to his feet as the others got out of their vehicles.

Ratchet rushed over and motioned Clark to set Prime down on the other available medical table. "Easy Optimus, from the looks of things you've been exposed to a massive amount of dark energon," he warned as Optimus started to sit up.

Resting his head on his knees for a moment, he sat up and looked at M'gann. "I am not the only one," he said.

"Hey Optimus," M'gann greeted with a weak wave, getting a nod in return from the Prime.

"Megatron find more of the dark stuff?" Green Lantern asked.

"A volcano full," Arcee said.

"The question is how?" Bulkhead said.

"No, the question is what? As in what is the Blood of Unicron doing here on Earth?" Ratchet said.

"The Cons killed a Unicorn?" Zatanna asked and they all looked at her in confusion. "White horse with a horn on it's head, prances around all sparkly."

"Unicron," Fate corrected. "An ancient being of chaos, far older than Klarion and myself."

"His fossilized blood comprises that matter we call dark energon, the fuel and life source for the Dark Primes, beings he created to destroy the Primes…as legend says anyways," Ratchet explained.

"So Unicron is some kind of boogey man?" Conner scoffed.

"Boogey man?"

"Make-believe creepy guy that hides in the closet," Artemis said.

"Hardly," Fate replied. "Unicron is very real. The first being of chaos incarnate, betraying the oldest forces of order."

"So you're saying he's basically the Devil?" Wally scoffed.

"Indeed," Fate replied.

"…oh."

"Prime," Fowler called only to blink, "and Justice League, been watching the news? Mother Nature is not in a good mood today."

"We know about the volcano," Batman said.

"And the quakes?"

Robin began typing pulling up a map of the globe. "He's right. Seven major ones of the same magnitude on the rhictor scale occurred at the exact same time as each other and that volcanic eruption. They were all around the world on separate tetonic plates."

"In theory, unrelated if they hadn't happened at the exact same time," Fowler said.

"More good news," Roy said turning on th tv.

"Freak storms unlike any the region has seen, tsumanis threaten the Canadian coast while lighting storms pummel the Gobi Desert. Meanwhile electromagnetic anamoloies plague urban power grids, these abnormal global phenomina are leaving most to wonder why now and what next?" the reporter said.

"Don't tell me one of your enemies have built a weather machine," Fowler grumbled.

"One that powerful?" Flash said shaking his head. "There's no possible way."

"And the appearance of the dark energon at the same time," Batman added. "This isn't a coincidence…"

"World Leaders are classifying these events as a global emergency, and scientists believe it has something to do with the current planetary alignment about to take place."

"What have you learned Prime and you better now be blowing smoke up my…" Agent Fowler trailed off as he saw the group of proteges all looking at him.

"We've learned this, along with the so-called magma from the volcano, these earthquakes originated deep from within the Earth's surface, from the very center of the Earth's core in fact," Hal said.

"Quakes don't start there…do they?"

"Tiny tremors, rising and falling in a consistent pattern," Ratchet stated, "almost like a…" He stopped and looked at the current data being collected.

"Like a what?" Green Arrow asked as Ratchet quickly began typing.

"If I convery these data points into audio files," he said. "Listen."

Everyone in the room froze in horror as they heard a heartbeat. Bumblebee bit his lip in pain, thankful that his lack of a voice made so he couldn't scream as a sudden agony consistent with the beats ripped through his body. Gribbing his sides, he slid down the wall.

"Turn it off!" M'gann said seeing her friend's predicament.

Realizing what she meant, Ratchet shut it down and examined the scout. "What happened?" Robin asked.

"Odds are Bumblebee is still feeling some residual effects from the dark energon blast," Ratchet stated. "The sudden exposure combined with the active sparkbeat must've jarred him, escpecially since he's still building up his immunity."

"It's alright Ratch, I'll be fine," he said as the pain subsided.

Ratchet looked at the teen doubtfully, before helping him up and going back next to Optimus. "When are you going to tell him? He's going to figure it out on his own at any point now," he whispered low enough so no one with super hearing could listen in.

Optimus sighed. "As soon as the crisis is averted," he answered.

-.-

Volcano

Megatron stood on the bridge of the Nemesis watching the volcano release more of the dark substance he desired. "Rivers of your very lifeblood, rising from the depths to become one with me," he smiled before shaking in pain as another vision hit him. Cracks spread across the earth, the violet eyes glew broighter, and the world was turned to dust. Soundwave walked over and waited silently. As the moment passed, Megatron ran a hand through his hair and looked at his most trusted ally. "What is it?"

"I have found a pattern to the eruption, by converting the data to audio. Do you wish to see My Lord?"

"Yes, play it," he said and instantly grabbed his head as pain ripped through him as the heartbeat played. "Stop! I can feel it pounding in my brain!"

-.-

Autobot Base

"Was that…a Cybertronian heartbeat?" Wally asked. "How is that even possible? The heart pumps blood, there's nothing inside the Earth to pump except…"

"The Blood of Unicron," M'gann whispered.

"So wait a minute! You're saying something is living there inside our planet?" Roy said.

"I fear that the Earth's very core is not comprised of magma, as Earth science has lead you to believe," Optimus said. "But rather, it is comprised of dark energon."

"And if we're hearing a spark, then Unicron is the rising darkness the prophecy fortold," Ratchet said.

"So how do we stop him from rising?" Superman asked.

"That I'm afraid was not foretold," Optimus said.

"How can something be in our planet's core, and be alive?" Artemis asked.

"Such a thing is not unprecedented," Optimus said. "Before the beginning, there was Primus. Primus created our Universe, but Unicron, one of the arcguards of Primus' realm—the All-Spark—believed Primus to be unworthy, and betrayed him, becoming the incarnation of evil and destruction. For eons, Primus and Unicron battled on the physical plain after Unicron was cast out of the All-Spark, until Primus created the Thirteen, the original Primes that preceded me, Primus finally banished Unicron and his fallowers. Primus' physical form merged with our planet's core, creating life though the Well of Allsparks. While Unicron was never heard from again in the physical realm, until now."

"Well then let's find the hole this thing crawled into and get him out!" Captain Marvel said.

"I agree!" Fowler said.

Optimus and Ratchet looked at each other. "I do not mean that Earth became Unicron's home, but rather with time and gravitationaly force, debris collected around his dormant physical form," Optimus said.

"Forming your Earth, itself," Ratchet said.

"And he's only awakening now due to the magnetic pull caused by the planetary alignment," Hawkwoman said.

"So wait, what happened whan Unicron wakes up?" Aqualad asked.

"Does he stretch and poof, no more Earth?" Artemis said.

The Autobots and the rest of the League remained silent. "You don't know do you?" Fowler asked.

"No, but nonetheless, we must find a way ensure that he never fully awakens," Prime answered.

-.-

Nemesis, December 19

"Lord Megatron, our cargo hold is nearly full of the dark substance," Arachnid informed. "I recommend a retreat; the troops are growing weak from its effects."

"And yet I grow stronger," he whispered turned to his SIC. "Arachnid, you are in command until I return."

"Return from where Master?" she asked.

"That is none of your concern," he said leaving the bridge and heading for the hangar. Getting into his ship, he took off down towards the volcano. Landing at the edge of the crater, he exited the craft and got to his knees in a bow. "I feel your presence, share your very spark, I call upon you as my Lord and Master oh mighty Unicron!"

The volcano rumbled and the rate of ash and smoke escaping increased, which condensed into a smokey form mostly obsured by the contuning bellows, and a pair of dark violet eyes broke through. "Who dares speak to me?"

"Your servant, most humble. Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, and your very herald. The one who wielded the dark energon which binds us, to awaken you once again! The prophecy has been fulfilled!" he said standing up. "It is only the beginning of what we shall accomplish together, for you shall rule this planet and those who walk upon it through me!"

The violet eyes narrowed. "Prideful fool! How dare you think yourself capable of summoning my life force! I awaken because I deem it time!"

"Master, I didn not mean to overstep," he apologized.

"Silence worm! I have no need of your lowly assistance."

Megatron bowed again. "Please My Lord, I exist only to serve you!"

Unicron was silent for a moment. "What is this I sense? The taint of Primus? Here?!"

"That is Optimus, the last of the Primes, our sworn enemy!"

"You profess loyalty to me, and yet you let allow the deciples of Primus to live?!"

"I will destroy him for you! His screams will be heard!"

"I grow weary of your prattle. Surely if you had the power to destroy these Primes, you would have done so already. I will deal with them myself."

"My Lord please let me prove my worth to you! I have found one of your servants, a descendant of Megatronus!" he said.

"So, that is the weak call I have been sensing…No. I will deal with him myself as well, a call tainted by Primus is not worthy of serving under me! If you wanted to prove your worth, you would've killed them both by now." The smoke dissipated and Unicron was gone.

Wiping away his sweat, Megatron glared in anger down into the pit.

-.-

Unknown Canyon

Optimus walked down the canyon in his vehicle armor. He and the rest of the League had spread out searching the locations sismic activity had been reported.

"Ratchet, this epicenter is consistent with the findings of the others, its terran is rich in ore," he said.

/Alright, but what exactly does that tell us?/ Superman asked.

/It fallows that the natural metals in your Earth would be extensions of Unicron, his limbs, so to speak/ Ratchet replied.

/So he did have his morning stretch/ Wonder Woman sighed.

/We're detecting a swell in Unicron's spark activity/ Robin called.

"Proceed with vigilance," Optimus warned. "Unicron can appear anywhere."

Hearing a rumble he turned to see a pair of violet eyes staring at him from the rock. "Do you know me follower of Primus?"

"Unicron, the Chaos Bringer."

"Good." The rock rumbled and a rocky body emerged from the cliffside. "Now know me as Unicron, your destroyer!"

He swung his mace down, and Optimus used his swords to block it. As the large weapon lifted off, Optimus was forced to duck back as he began swinging his weapons back and forth. Jumping back he put his blades away. "I humbly request your ear Lord Unicron."

The dark being lowered his weapons. "And what would a Prime be so compelled to say to me?"

"I make this appeal not for myself, but for this planet which you constitute, and the beings who inhabit it. Humankind relies upon you for life, sustenance. "Your resurrection will only destroy a species created from the seeds of your greatness," he said.

"So this humankind of which you speak, you consider them my progeny?" Optimus nodded and Unicron scowled. "Parasites! They too shall know my wrath! Once I am finished with you!" Retracting his weapons, he shot lightning from his hands, sending Optimus flying back. "The Line of Primes has grown weak in my absence, and thus you shall perish!"

He raised his hands to firing the lightning again when two red beams cut through him and Superman landed where the rock man stood. "Not today," he said. "Prime? You ok?"

The rocks began crumbling around them and multiple rock men emerged from the ground and cliffside. "Yes, disciple of Primus, on this very day you and your allies shall fall! For Unicron may be one, but we are all Unicron!" they chanted.

Superman reached for his comm. "Everyone! We need back up!"