Chapter 41

A/N: alright, next part of Unicron Rising! Once again: I just own the story and sorry about the wait, college is crazy.

/comm/

Telepathy/Sparkbond

'Bee/Soundwave's speech

Earth's Core, December 20

Walking through what seemed to be a tunnel, Megatron grabbed his head and groaned in pain as another vison hit; this one much clearer than the rest, still showing the destruction of the Earth.

"Unicron grows ever stronger," he said standing straight up and continuing.

"And how do we know Unicron isn't using him to lead us into a trap," Arcee questioned.

"I don't think he is," 'Bee replied. "I don't know why I know, but it's a feeling that I can't shake…But we should be cautious just in case."

-.-

Autobot Base

"More than sixty volcanoes are erupting worldwide and downtown Honolulu is under six inches of snow," Cat Grant reported as various weather shots were displayed from around the world. "The Justice League is doing everything they can to protect cities in crisis because of these anomalies," the screen switched to Superman and the Hawks rescuing people trapped on roofs of flooded areas, Flash running reverse of a tornado to stop it, and other heroes around the world. "Meanwhile scientists continue to devise theories that connect these unprecedented natural disasters with the current plentary alignment—"

The tv cut off, leaving the technical difficulties bars in its wake. "Well, so much for knowing what's going on," Wally muttered.

"AhhhhHHHHHH!"

Turning they all saw a green blur fly in and slam into the wall. Coming out of the dust, Emerald brushed her braid back and tried to smooth down her frazzled red hair. "Have to say, flying in a lightning storm then through a tornado, not the worst of all the ideas I've ever had, but still a bad idea. So! Anyone care to explain why the world suddenly went psycho while I was gone?"

"Well, this being called something like Unicorn—" Roy began and the Lantern girl was hovering over him in a heatbeat.

"Unicron?!"

"Yea that, well turns out his physical form makes up the core of our planet and is waking up causing the crazy weather," Artemis explained.

"The Autobots also made an alliance with Megatron for the time being and are now inside of him," M'gann added before coughing.

"What happened to you?" she asked.

"Megatron hit me and 'Bee with a dark energon blast, I seemed to have taken the worst of it till 'Bee suddenly collapsed in pain when he heard the sparkbeat," she replied.

"Wait, 'Bee was hit by dark energon?" Erica asked with wide eyes.

"Yea, though if you ask me, I say he handled it pretty well, the only time he looked to be in pain was that moment with the sparkbeat," Conner grumbled.

"But you guys still let him go?!"

"He was fine," Roy shrugged, "besides, I doubt we could've talked him out of it, when Prime gave them the option to back out he was the first to say he was staying in the mission."

"I'm done!" Fowler exclaimed, making the teens hault their conversation to hear what he had to say. "I'm getting out there to find a way to bury this thing for good!"

"In the event Optimus can't?" Batman questioned making the agent freeze as he felt a cold glare hit him.

"Don't you mean Optimus and Megatron?" Fowler replied.

"Look, no one is happy about this arrangement, but with Optimus and Megatron together again—" Ratchet began.

"Wait? Again?" Zatanna asked.

"Megatron was an Autobot?" Kid Flash asked.

"Optimus was a 'Con?" Robin rephrased.

"No, on either count. But, there was a time, back on Cybertron, during the twilight hours of the Golden Age, when Optimus and Megatron were not sworn enemies," Ratchet answered. "Do you recall when I said Optimus wasn't always a Prime? Well, he wasn't always Optimus either; he was a clerk in the Iacon Hall of Records named Orion Pax. As he learned about Cybertron's past, he became increasingly concerned with the present corruption in positions of power, including that of his own father, Sentinel Prime, and the growing inequality among the masses. Orion became inspired by the words and ideas of a gladiator team. One of whom named himself after one of the Thirteen original Primes: Megatronus. Megatronus and Solarflare vowed to challenge Cybertron's leadership, and demand all Cybertonians be treated as equals. These gladiators-turned-revoluntionaries quickly gathered a loyal fallowing, Soundwave and Moonrider chief among them. Orion began corresponding with Megatronus and Solarflare, showing them the ins and outs of the political world, as they devised cunning plans to turn the tides in their favor. As they left the gladiatorial arena for the political one, Solarflare demanded that Megatronus shorten his name. Before long, Megatron appeared before the High Counsel, to propose to propose their vision of a just society. And it was here his true colors began to show, deviating from the original plan he proclaimed that the old guard should be overthrown by force, and arrogantly demanding that Sentinel name him the next Prime. But Orion stepped in, speaking on behalf of their initial plan, which did not involve the use of violence to achieve justice. The sparks and minds of the Counsel were moved by his words, here since Cybertron's Golden Age, stood someone worthy of being a Prime. But that honor could only truly be achieved by receiving a Matrix of Leadership. His ambitions thwarted, Megatron spitefully severed all ties with Orion, Solarflare, and the Counsel; and came to wage war on all who opposed him, through his growing army of fallowers, which he named Decepticons. He vowed to claim the Matrix wherever it might lie. In time, Cybertron was consumed in all-out Civil War, poisoning the planet to its very core. Orion journeyed there, hoping to reverse the ill affects and found himself before the very spark of our Life Giver, Primus Himself. Primus' ailing physical form, sensed the inate nobility within Orion and bestowed upon him the Matrix of Leadership. It was then, a surpised and humbled Orion Pax became Optimus, the Last of the Primes."

"So wait, Optimus got the Matrix from Cybertron's core and now he's going to give it to Earth's?" Robin asked.

"What will stop Megatron from taking it for himself?" Aqualad inquired.

"Only his desire to save this world so he may conquer it, so he compellingly argued," Ratchet huffed. "Provided the Lord of the Decepticons can ever fully be trusted."

-.-

Unicron

The group stood cautiously at the edge of the vast tunnel they were just in, looking out at the open expanse before them. "Unicron's spark is near," Megatron said pointing acorss the chasm.

"Ladies first," Arcee said putting a hand on her hip guesturing for him to go ahead.

Snorting, Megatron took the lead, walking out onto the vein bridge first. Fallowing him, Bulkhead groaned and grabbed his head. "You alright man?" 'Bee asked putting a hand on his arm as he stumbled.

"Fine kid, just woozy."

"It's the dark energon, it's starting to affect him," Arcee said taking his other arm and the pair began to carefully lead their teammate across.

Feeling a pulse in his spark, Megatron stopped. "He's preparing to expel us."

An eerie cry began to fill the dark tunnels and they saw a swarm of flying creatures approaching. "What are those things?!" Bulkhead asked as they all pulled out their weapons.

"Since we are in Unicron's body, it stands to reason that they're some sort of antibody," Optimus stated.

They began firing at the incoming drones, ducked down as they began firing back. One flew straight at Arcee, jumping up, she flipped and shot it, landing on another she shot them one before landing on the next vein and rolling to her feet, continuing to fire her blasters.

Bulkhead used his wrecking ball to slam one as it got close into another one, sending both flying into one of the walls. Turning, he stumbled back as a sudden dizzy spell hit him, his vision becoming hazy and blurred. One drone shot at him, the blasts knocking him off the ledge where he quickly grabbed onto the side.

Bumblebee put his blasters away and raced over, grabbing his arm as the Wrecker's grip failed. Grunting, he began to drag him up slowly before he felt his friend's grip slipping again. Opting to risk injury rather than let his friend die, he yanked him up full force, causing the buff man to give a cry of surprise before groaning as he landed painfully on his back. Sitting up, he nearly fell off again as 'Bee jumped over him using a blade to cut through one of the drones that was about to get him.

Optimus stabbed through another antibody, before standing up and shooting another, before twisting as Megatron kicked out his leg, taking out another drone as he stabbed through another with his blade. Twisting around each other, they fired at two incoming drones, before Optimus shot one going at Megatron's back and the warlord fired at another coming down the side of the vein. Rolling under Megatron's sword as he swung it at another drone, Optimus pulled out his sword and sliced through another, as he used his gun to slam the second aside. Megatron backed up and the pair stood back-to-back, relying on each other to cover their weak spots. Nodding to each other, they turned and charged for the sparkchamber.

"Arcee!" Optimus called.

Looking up, she nodded and ran before jumping onto an antibody, yanking on its front she forced it to take her up to where the others were before she stabbed it and lept off as it crashed joining the others.

-.-

Nemesis

"Fellow Decepticons, while our loyalty to Megatron's command has always been steadfast, our leader's recent behavior has been questionable at best. And it would seem as though Earth has become nothing more than a failed experiment," Arachnid declared twiating a piece of her hair between he fingers.

"Commander Arachnid, you're not suggesting that we abandon Lord Megatron?" Knockout questioned.

"Despite Soundwave's best efforts, we have been unable to detect our Master's signal," she replied. "Megatron is either permanently offline or in the thrall of Unicron; neither of which are in the best interests of the Decepticons. So, I am deeming an exodus to be the most prudent course of action. Unless anyone has a problem with that?"

The soldiers looked amongst themselves whispering quietly, but none were brave enough to face the spider's wrath.

Arachnid smirked at her success. "Set course for Regulon 4," she ordered and Soundwave turned. "You have something to say Soundwave?" The man remained quiet, but he didn't move towards the controls. Arachnid's spider legs spread out and lifted her off the ground. "I am in command here, you will resume your post." The silent man didn't twitch, but he stood firmly between her and the controls. "Step aside!"

He continued to hold his ground and she lunged, using her legs she tried to stab him, but the ex-gladiator lazily blocked her attacks, before he grabbed her neck and lifted her off the ground.

"Oh," Knockout winced, voicing the thoughts of the rest of the crew.

Hurling her back, Arachnid landed in a heap before she rose to her legs again. "I'll tear out your spark for that!" she snarled. A screech sounded and the woman screamed as a black hawk sliced at her face with its claws, before perching itself on Soundwave's shoulders. Soundwave used the distraction to grab her by her hair and hurl her to the ground. Arachnid attempted to get up, but a foot landed on her chest and she glared up to see that the TIC was gazing down at her. Remembering that he was a feared gladiator that fought on the same level as Megatron she sighed in defeat. "I yield."

Releasing her, Soundwave walked back to his post where he saw an incoming call, answering it he wasn't surprised to find the Light waiting. /Soundwave, where is Megatron?/ Savage asked.

"Megatron: in battle. Foe: Unicron."

/Unicorn?/ Queen Bee asked.

Klarion screamed. /NO! DON'T CALL HIM THAT! I GARUNTEE HE WILL DO HORRIBLE THINGS IF YOU CALL HIM THAT! Un-i-cron is the first incarnate of Chaos! A being of pure destruction, nothing escapes his wrath should you bring it down upon yourself! HE makes ME look like a Lord of Order! No WAIT! A SAINT! COMPARED TO HIM I LOOK LIKE A SAINT!"

/…Ok…and how long before Lord Megatron will return?/

"Answer: as soon as Unicron is defeated."

/Do we need to halt our plans?/

"Lord Megatron's orders: No. Proceed to next phase."

-.-

Unicron

Running into the chamber adjacent to the spark chamber, the group fired at the antibodies attempting to enter. Some got past, flying above before shooting down, making some of them shoot up to deal with them growing number.

Megatron grabbed one and slammed it to the ground, before shooting another, stepping back he dodged as another flew past where he swung his sword through it.

"Megatron, do as I command. Destroy the Primes!"

Megatron cried out and grabbed his head, collapsing to his knees. "Megatron!" Optimus called as his temporary ally slowly forced himself to his feet.

"Unicron's spark, lies just beyond," he groaned pointing at the back wall.

Running over, Optimus provided cover fire. "And how do we get inside?"

"By tricking Unicron's defenses into thinking we're not a threat," Megatron replied placing his chest near one of the sensors. Recognizing the blood in him, the doors retracted opening the way to the spark chamber.

"Autobots, I will need you to keep our attackers at bay for as long as you can," Optimus said before he ran inside.

"We have to hold out! For Optimus," Bulkhead exclaimed as they continued their battle.

Prime raced through the tunnel, fallowing the trail of light till he stopped next to Megatron, whom was staring at the massive spark glowing before them.

"Optimus, swiftly!" Megatron ordered.

Stepping forwards, Prime prepared to release the Matrix when the spark flared up, sending an arc of energy out. As the arcs hit them, both collapsed to their knees in pain.

"Megatron! Do as I command! Destroy the Prime!"

Megatron grunted in pain as his eyes glew with violet fire, and his sword was brought out against his command. Going over to Optimus, he raised his blade and swung down, before stopping his arm with his own hand. Battling with himself, he forced the dark power out of his mind. "MEGATRON IS COMMANDED BY NO ONE!" he screamed at the glowing orb.

The spark's light grew brighter and both screamed in agony.

Outside, the antibodies retreated, and the three Autobots cried out as waves of pain slammed into them like a truck.

Bumblebee did not like the dark presence he could feel surrounding them and causing them pain, and it no doubt was only going to get worse the longer it lasted. "Child, do as I say, and kill them!"

"Over my dead body," he whispered back.

"That can be arranged."

The presence left and the antibodies resumed their attack, forcing the recovering team to quickly get over their pain and continue before they broke through to the sparkchamber.

Optimus ground his teeth as he forced himself to his knees. "Matrix of Leadership, I call upon you," he said.

"You cannot defeat me Disciple of Primus," Unicron said as he possessed Megatron's body. "For I have transcended physical form, by my will alone, this world shall fall into Chaos!"

"Not while I still live Unicron!" he snapped back, getting to his feet and crossing his arms over his chest. "The power of the Matrix will light our darkest hour."

"NO!" Unicron screamed as the blue rings of light began to spin around the Prime. Pulling back his arms, the Matrix energy shot out of his chest, directly into Unicron's spark. The shockwave sent Megatron's body flying back, and Optimus passed out as the energy left.

The antibodies began to fall, and they all sighed in replief, Bulkhead and Arcee falling to their knees. 'Bee turned around, wiping some sweat off his forehead and looked at the wall guarding the sparkchamber. "C'mon guys, we're not done yet."

-.-

Autobot Base, December 21

The team and remaining members of the League slowly crawled out of the places they used to take cover as an earthquake began.

"There may be aftershocks," Canary warned.

The monitors came back to life and they all looked at them waiting for a signal. "Are they…?" Emerald began.

The life signals for all of them appeared and everyone cheered in relief.

-.-

Nemesis

Soundwave typed rapidly on his monitor, smirking behind his visor as he saw Megatron's signal. Going to the groundbridge he began typing the coordinates. "Master, there is a groundbridge on the way."

-.-

Unicron

Megatron groaned as he got up, rubbing his head, he looked around to see that they were surrounded in darkness, the light of the dark spark gone. "Teamwork, hmph," he huffed looking at Optimus who was groaning and slowly getting up.

Pulling out his blade, he walked over to the downed Prime, fully intent on killing him. Optimus looked up with a confused and dazed expression. "Where are we Megatronus?"

The Decepticon balked, before growling as he realized what happened, so much for killing him…however, he could use this to his advantage. Retracting the sword, he held out his hand helping him up. "Don't you remember old friend?"

Optimus retracted his mask, and looked past as the wall broke down and the rest of the Autobots charged in. "Optimus, are you ok?"

"Why did he call me that?" Optimus questioned looking at the three as they skid to a stop, glaring at Megatron.

"What did you do to him?" Arcee snarled raising her wrist-blades in a preparation to strike.

"Who are they?"

/Master, there is a groundbridge on the way/ Soundwave commed. As Megatron heard his TIC, the glowing portal appeared behind them.

"Our mortal enemies!" he exclaimed grabbing his shoulder pushing him towards the bridge. "We're out numbered! Go! I'll cover you!"

Megatron fired his cannon at them, and Bumblebee was the only one who managed to duck out of the way. Rolling to his feet he looked up to see his father turn and look at him with an unreadable expression on his face. "Dad, what are you doing?!"

Optimus narrowed his eyes, the boy looked familiar, excrushiatingly so, but the where was escaping him. Feeling a slight pang in his spark, he shook his head and pushed it off; running through the bridge with Megatron right behind him.

-.-

Autobot Base

Ratchet activated the bridge, and the League stood anxiously waiting, most having rushed over from across the globe to see their friends return. Bulkhead, Arcee, and Bumblebee walked in each looking tired and downtrodden.

"Where's Optimus?" Batman asked immediately.

"Not dead," Arcee sighed sitting down on one of the supply boxes, removing her helmet.

"But he looked right at us and didn't even know who we are," Bulkhead stated, supporting himself on the wall. "Didn't even know his own name."

"We'll find out what exactly happened later, for now all of you, take decontamination baths and get some rest, that amount of exposure will have decimated your energy," Ratchet ordered.

The three nodded and made their way to the showers.

Halfway there 'Bee felt dizzy, and leaned on the wall for support, waving off Arcee when she tossed a worried glance at him. His spark was hurting, a lot.

"'Bee? You alright?" Erica asked flying over to check on her friend now that he was back at base.

"I don't feel good…my spark…" he mumbled as his eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed.