Mixed-Up 2: Alternate Reality
Chapter 8: Liar!
Bumblebee had been about to fall into recharge when he heard it; the sound of someone trying to quietly enter his cave. Not bothering to sit up he called, "Don't forget to seal the entrance when you come in."
There was silence then, "How did you know it was us?" Optimus Prime asked; his voice filled with curiosity.
Bumblebee smiled ever so slightly and said, "I'm blind, you know; not deaf. Besides you bots are the only ones brave enough or foolish enough to come here. I assume you came for your weapons," it was a statement; not a question.
"Yes," Optimus said, moving a couple of steps forward while Bulkhead could be heard sealing the entrance.
"Well, go ahead. You don't see me standing in your way," Bumblebee inclined his head towards the shelves.
There was a slight hesitation then Optimus walked across the floor and retrieve the weapons. As he walked back to his friends the footsteps sounded heavier, telling Bumblebee everything that he needed to know.
"Aren't you going to leave now?" Bumblebee asked a few minutes later when it became obvious that they weren't planning on leaving.
"We don't know how to re-attach these," Prowl answered.
"You don't know," Ratchet grumbled. "I do but does anyone ask me? No they don't."
Bumblebee sniggered and rose to his pedes. "Come here," he ordered. Optimus came over first and held out his arm. It only took Bumblebee a few minutes to return the axe and grappling hooks to their formers places. Once he was done with Optimus Bumblebee replaced the others' weapons as well. After he was finished with all of them he said, "All done," then stepped back. When they still hadn't moved he said, "I'm done. Your weapons have all been re-attached. You can go now."
Bumblebee," Optimus sounded rather nervous, as if he wasn't quiet sure whether or not what he said next would be dangerous. "There's we need to tell you."
Bumblebee's senses immediately went on alert. "What?" he asked warily.
"We're not your friends," Bulkhead blurted out when it became obvious that Optimus wasn't going to answer.
There was no way to describe the feeling of hurt that rose up in Bumblebee's chassis at those words. The one thing that had kept him going all these years (besides his desire for revenge of course) had been the knowledge that they were his friends. Had they still been online, his optics would now have been a fiery red.
Fortunately Optimus recognized the look of absolute hurt and fury on Bumblebee's gray faceplate and hastily said, "He didn't mean it like that, Bumblebee. What he meant was that we aren't the Autobots disappeared ten thousand years ago." Seeing the look of utter confusion that Bumblebee was now sporting he sighed and attempted to explain further. "We are not from here. We came from another dimension when a portal sucked us up then dropped us off here."
Bumblebee stared at him for a second then burst out laughing. "You can't honestly expect me to believe you," he managed to gasp in between laughs. "Well if that's the case, then where are my friends?"
"The Decepticons captured them and held them prisoner. Starscream lied to you and to them. He convinced all five of you that you had betrayed each other. Your friends are Decepticons now, wanting to get revenge on you for turning them in," Optimus said gently.
Bumblebee's faceplate was sickly white. "You're lying," he whispered, stumbling backwards. "You're lying."
"Bumblebee," Optimus stepped forward and attempted to lay a servo on one of Bumblebee's shoulder struts.
"No!" Bumblebee yelled, shoving Optimus away from him. "You're lying! I was this close to help you take down the Decepticons," he held two digits so close together that you couldn't see them. "But then you had to go and lie to me so now I don't think that I will."
"Bumblebee," Optimus tried a second time.
"No! I want you out of here right now!"
After deciding that it would probably be for the best to do as he had said the four Autobots headed back towards the stone door, glancing behind them hesitantly. While Bulkhead re-opened the cave entrance Optimus turned to look at Bumblebee who was leaning against the wall. As if he could feel the red-and-blue bot's optics on him Bumblebee gave Optimus the most venomous glare that he possibly could and said in a low voice, "Get out."
Taking one last look at the black-and-yellow minibot Optimus walked through the room and into the cave. He stopped long enough to close the secret door then they began the long trek back to the boat.
Inside Bumblebee slid down the wall and, wrapping his arms around his knee joints, buried his faceplate in the cavity formed by his arms. His entire frame shook as, for the first time ever since his friends disappeared, began to cry.
Megatron knew something was wrong the minute Starscream walked in, glancing longingly at the door behind him. "Lord Megatron," the Seeker bowed respectfully which immediately set off internal alarm bells.
"What is it, Starscream?" Megatron asked wearily, already feeling the beginnings of a processor ache.
"The Autobots have escaped, my lord."
"What?" Megatron growled as he sat straight up. "How?" he demanded.
Starscream back up and stammered, "I don't know how. B-but we are working on it."
"Working on it?" Megatron roared. "That's not good enough, Starscream! I want results! All you ever give me are more problems and empty brigs!"
It was right about then that Starscream lost it. "Oh yeah?" he yelled. "I captured those four Autobots ten thousand years ago. I was the one who managed to convince them to defect and join the Decepticons! I was the one who got Bumblebee to believe that they had run off and abandoned him! I'm the one who did all that, not you!"
While Starscream had been ranting and raving Megatron's jaw had steadily been dropping until it looked like it was going to fall off completely. "You did what?" his voice was flat, devoid of emotion, not to mention rather icy.
Realizing what he had just let slip Starscream raised his weapons and fired repeatedly at Megatron. The Decepticon leader's frame jerked as the weapons fire hit it. Lowering his weapons Starscream was delighted to discover that Megatron was off-line; permanently. "Oops," he smiled.
"Vhat happened?" Blitzwing demanded as he ran into the room, coming to a dead stop when he saw Megatron.
"Prepare for battle," Starscream ordered. "It's time to destroy the Autobots once and for all."
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A/N/N: The next chapter WILL have more action and, hopefully, the final showdown. Yay!