Mixed-Up 2: Alternate Reality
Chapter 2: Dinobot Island
An hour later Optimus wasn't entirely sure where they were. All he knew for sure was that they were still in what remained of Motor City but other than that he didn't know.
"This isn't the way to the base," Prowl said as he stopped in the middle of the street and crossed his arms.
"Well I never said that we were going to the base. I just said that we were going somewhere else; I never specified where," Bumblebee replied.
"Well then where are we going?" Optimus asked.
"None of your business," the minibot said.
"On the contrary it is our business," Prowl countered. "You're taking us somewhere so I believe that we do have the right to know."
Bumblebee stopped and turned to face the ninja. "Just like I had the right to know that you weren't coming back?" he hissed.
"I already told you," Optimus began but was interrupted by Bumblebee who held up a servo.
"Never mind," he said. "Just…let's go."
They continued in silence; each one feeling the anger that was rolling off Bumblebee in waves. They walked for another hour before they reached the docks. Waiting for them was an old boat with so many boarded-up holes that Optimus had to wonder how it was even still afloat. Bumblebee climbed into the boat then turned and looked at them. "Get in" he called.
The four Autobots very, very reluctantly stepped into the boat as well, keeping close to the rail. Optimus saw Bumblebee smirk when Bulkhead nervously asked "Is this thing safe?"
"It might be and it might not be," Bumblebee said mysteriously.
Bulkhead scooted closer to the rail and eyed the dock longingly. "Can't I just stay here?" he pleaded.
"No," Bumblebee said calmly as he walked over to where the steering wheel used to be. In its place resided a control panel which Bumblebee used to enter in a series of commands. The panel beeped then suddenly the ship jerked, sending the Autobots sprawling on the deck. "Sorry about that," Bumblebee said unrepentantly.
"I bet," Prowl muttered as he scowled at the minibot's back.
"And stop scowling at me," Bumblebee added.
Prowl's jaw dropped and he turned to Optimus. "How did he do that?"
"I have no idea," Optimus said.
It took half-an-hour for them to cross the body of water before they finally caught sight of a small, rather inconspicuous looking island.
"What's that island called?" Ratchet grunted.
"Dinobot Island," Bumblebee answered.
"Why is it called that?" Prowl wanted to know.
"Shut up and stop asking questions," was the reply.
Prowl wisely muted his vocalizer and remained silent until the boat reached the island. Once they had stopped moving Bumblebee jumped out of the boat, pedes sinking into the sand. The Autobots follow him, albeit much more cautiously. They stood in a circle on the sandy beach, gazing at their surroundings. Trees lined the beach, separating it from the rest of the island. It didn't look as if the Decepticons had made it here yet. It looked virtually untouched, like one of the paradises that the humans were always talking about.
"Come on," Bumblebee gestured as he disappeared into the woods.
Once again Optimus found himself following the black-and-yellow minibot to…well wherever they happened to be going this time. After they had been walking through the woods for less than a mile Optimus found himself forced to change his original assessment of this place. There were some trees but they mainly seemed to serve as a cover, deceiving whoever was on the island into thinking that it was a paradise. But, in reality, was instead a graveyard. Skeletons, both human and animal, littered the ground making it almost impossible to walk without stepping on one. Bumblebee, however, navigated through the remains with ease, avoiding stepping on the bones. Hesitantly they followed, trying to ignore the little voice in their processors that said they were desecrating a burial ground. Optimus tried to tell himself that he was merely hallucinating but couldn't quite convince himself of that.
Bumblebee led them through several more miles of bones before they suddenly found themselves surrounded by trees once more. There was no path indicating which way they should go but that did not deter Bumblebee. He veered to the left rather unexpectedly and they were forced to speed up in order to catch him. They went past more trees; just barely voided some gigantic holes in the ground big enough to swallow Optimus whole and finally slowed down once they reached a rather ominous looking hole. It was filled with a strange looking black organic substance that was bubbling ever so slightly.
"Stay away from that," Bumblebee warned.
"Why?" Bulkhead asked. There was a sudden splash as he fell in due to his lack of attention. "I'm sinking!" he shrieked as his large, green fame slowly began disappearing.
Bumblebee let out an aggravated sigh and said, "That's why. Optimus, use your grappling hook to pull him out," he ordered.
Optimus threw his grappling hook to bulkhead who grabbed hold of it quickly. Then came the difficult part; pulling him out. In the end it took the combined efforts of Optimus, Prowl, Ratchet and Bumblebee to pull the large mech out of the hole. When he did come out he accidently let go of the grappling hook and fell to the ground in a twisted heap of arms and legs.
"Wow," Bulkhead said; optics wide. "That looks kinda painful."
"Trust me, it is," Optimus's voice was rather muffled as he was lying at the bottom of the pile.
There was a sudden exclamation from Bumblebee then he said, "Prowl, move your servo or I swear to Primus I will offline you."
After a few seconds of metal scraping metal Prowl said, "Sorry," sounding slightly embarrassed.
"Do I want to know?" Optimus asked.
"No you don't," Bumblebee informed him.
It took a while but they finally managed to un-tangle themselves. Once they were free Bumblebee disappeared into the woods, calling for them to hurry up. They followed him, Bulkhead keeping a wary optic out for anymore holes. It didn't take long before Bumblebee suddenly stopped.
"Where are we?" Optimus asked, looking up at the moss covered rock wall in front of them.
"Home sweet home," Bumblebee said simply as he pulled aside some of the ivy and disappeared into an opening in the wall.
A/N: 5 reviews please. Oh, the next chapter will be late.
A/N/N: If you want to read good Transformers stories check out either 'Betrayal' by Stitchar or 'Promise Not to Tell' by P.A.W.0.7 or 'New Divide' by Karategal. Actually anything by them should be pretty good and worth reading. I promise that you won't be disappointed!
A/N/N: Hey I have a favor to ask: does anyone mind doing an illustration of this chapter? Particularly the scene where the Autobots are walking through the graveyard? You know, draw a few skeletons; show the Autobots' reactions that sort of thing. If you do draw it please send me the link in a private message and be forewarned that the link WILL be posted on my fan fiction profile (giving you the credit of course).