Hey, I'm back! Miss me? Haha. So, here we go with the sixteenth chapter. I hope all of my readers enjoy their read. I know I sure had fun writing this chapter, I don't know why...But, it was fun. Lol. I'll update with Chapter Seventeen as soon as possible, okay?!
Enjoy.
Chapter Sixteen: Where Are We Going?
The Autobot Base
Medbay
Ratchet had begun to doubt Bumblebee's chance of survival as he analyzed the monitor before him, noting the machine's readings of the mechling's vital signs. The little one's spark was intact, his ventilations were normal, but his Energon levels were nearly at critical levels, due to the extent of his deep wound. The Medic turned on his heel and approached the little Autobot lying on a berth, lifting his servos. He situated two stylus-like instruments in either one, and then aimed the nozzles for the gash running down Bumblebee's tender chassis.
A light-blue ray emitted from one of the instruments, slowly began mending the frayed circuitry and wiring, sealing the gash. Ratchet's optics lifted to Bumblebee's faceplate as he heard a tiny groan. The Medic shook his head and continued trailing the ray along Bumblebee's wound.
"Quiet, quiet," he sighed. "You're all right."
He wondered if Bumblebee had heard him.
The second stylus emitted a similar beam across the Bumblebee's chestplate to ensure the wound's sealing. Ratchet set the instruments down and watched his skillful fingers carefully open Bumblebee's tiny chestplate. A spark - a pale, blue light in the chamber – thrummed, weary from Energon deprivation.
Reviving the little one would take more than regular Energon. A thought crossed the Medibot's mind. A direct energy transfer. Bumblebee's lifesource would most definitely be restored, no doubt…The only problem, who would be the energy donor. Ratchet knew Mirage would be more than willing to sacrifice his lifesource…
And there was Bumblebee's creator, Jaryn. Surely, he would help his own creation.
Ratchet perceived another quiet noise from the berth, and he looked downward. The little one's features cringed softly, then returned to blankness – sedate - that ghostly serenity. Ratchet absently brushed his fingers against Bumblebee's leg, sighing.
"You'll be online in a matter of time, little 'bot," he said softly. "…Hang on for us."
Mirage's Quarters
Alone in his personal quarters, Mirage subconsciously brought his hand across the wound on his thigh. His processor kept him fixed in a daydream of worry. He kept mulling over the extent of tender Bumblebee's horrible injuries. One minute, he would be convincing himself that the youngling would return to a healthy status in a matter of time. But, doubts and harsh reality would get the best of him, and he was forced to realize that Bumblebee's lifesource was on a 50/50 decision – all in the hands of fate.
The hands of time controlled it all.
There was a knock at his door.
Breaking from his thoughts, Mirage shifted himself to his feet and moved to enter the proper keycode beside the portal. The doors unhinged and slid apart. Ratchet stood before the threshold, with Bumblebee's Creator standing a little ways behind him.
Mirage blinked his optics. "…Something wrong?"
The Medibot waved a servo, beckoning.
Mirage stepped back, his blue optics never killing their glint of perplexity, and slight fear. Before he could open his mouth, the Medic addressed him with worry ghosting his faceplate.
"Mirage," he started with a small sigh. "I have news about Bumblebee. It seems his lifesource will not make enough progress quickly enough for him to survive. The Energon I'm supplying him just won't do." He paused to gaze steadily into Mirage's faceplate. "It'll take another spark's energy to save him."
Mirage blinked again. He stammered. "Of course… I'll -"
"No, let me." Jaryn interjected and stepped forth with a servo outstretched between him and the other Autobot, as if waiting to accept a handshake, or pleading Mirage to accept his decision. His own blue optics lifted to meet those of the mech before him, and he looked firmly into Mirage's faceplate, his complexion somber.
"Bumblebee is my son. I'm his Creator. The least I can do to help him is donate my own lifesource for his survival. And given your situation," he lowered his servo and sized the other mech in his sights. "...You're in no place to sacrifice your spark. You're wounded."
Ratchet slowly agreed, nodding. "He's right, you know. I should've known better than to ask you." He sighed gently as his optics glanced over the Autobot's dented alloy and scraped plating, noting the frayed tips of wiring slipping through the openings in his armor. "The extent of your injuries...Your spark wouldn't be able to handle a direct energy transfer. Your system needs every ounce of Energon it can maintain."
Jaryn made a sound of agreement. "Besides, you kept my creation out of the Decepticon hands through that entire, horrible event..." He paused as recollections washed over his processor. He resumed a couple seconds later. "Even if you could provide life to Bumblebee, I wouldn't let you, Mirage. After all you've done."
The other mech let a faint smile tug at a corner of his mouth. "I had to, and I wanted to," he spoke to both Jaryn and Ratchet. "Bumblebee is a precious Cybertronian. There was no way I was letting his spark extinguish."
"And neither will I," Jaryn promised. "This energy transfer will be successful."
He threw a glance aside to the Medibot, who gave a reassuring nod before adverting his optics to the wounded mech before them both. Ratchet shook his head at the various inflictions wreaking the Autobot's form, weighing down on his spark's effort to continue, weakening him little by little - gradually, but surely.
Ratchet stepped forward. "I want you in the Medbay in no longer than two megacycles. If you're not treated sooner or later, you'll grow too weak to function properly."
Mirage held a steady, firm gaze at the Medibot. He shook his head. "Ratchet, I'm fine. I'll hold until this evening."
"This evening?" the Medic echoed him disbelievingly. "Ridiculous. You better - "
"I told you I'll be fine," Mirage repeated while he turned to face his berth, resettling himself atop its edge. "Please. Believe me." He paused, then resumed. "I want your attention, all of it, on Bumblebee. One hundred percent. Undivided. Everything."
Jaryn smiled a little at Mirage's passion for his mechling. He looked to the Medic.
Ratchet made a face at such insistence in Mirage's tone of voice, quirking an optic ridge, before he turned away. Perplexity became replaced with somberness. He sighed deeply. "As long as you're positive."
"More than," Mirage replied quickly. "Now, hurry...Bumblebee's waiting. He needs you."
Jaryn was the first to make his departure from the Autobot's personal quarters, passing the threshold with a small glance over his shoulder panel. His optics met Mirage's for a mere moment, flashing faint gratitude in his direction. Ratchet followed with nothing more to add, and the portal hissed and clicked secure automatically, and all was silent once again.
Mirage, alone to the peace and quiet of his quarters, extended his form across the cool berth, cringing his facets softly as an ache snaked up his side. He rested his head and gazed up at the ceiling.
All at once, an emotion attacked his mainframe. Daze washed over his processor, blurring his vision, and puzzling his visual receptors. He didn't know if he was in the midst of a delusion, or if his systems were faulting. It was most likely the latter. His spark skipped a thrum or two, palpating in its chamber. His systems struggled and his circuitry sent awkward sensations along every inch of his form. It was an inevitable evidence that he was, indeed, fading. Slowly, very slowly, but nonetheless...His systems moaned faintly.
The mech took the moment to lower his optic-lids. He concentrated on his ventilations, concentrated on remaining calm. Nevertheless, his efforts were deemed futile as haunting reminiscences reappeared in his mind - as vivid as any time before. He saw everything, and heard everything from the battle -, the Decepticon threats and raging warfare
...And then there was Bumblebee.
Mirage forced his optics open, but the images did not vanish. His fingers shifted, sensing the young Cybertronian's miniature form shifting against his palm, and his chestplate felt the mechling huddling deep into his spark chamber for protection from the warmth that resonated from the metal. Mirage remembered listening to the bot's voice, the pleas for reassurance, whimpers, cries, and sobs. He could see a wide, pair of blue optics looking up to him, searching his faceplate for faith and comfort, only to droop when none was seen. And such innocent features gazing up at him tugged at his spark, wrenched it beyond words.
Bumblebee would not leave his mind.
The little one's image haunted his processor, and he could only imagine the suffering the young mech endured right now...
He imagined how Bumblebee felt at the moment…Lying in a cold, unfamiliar Medbay, hoping someone would sacrifice their own lifesource for the sake of yours.
Putting your life in other 'Bot's servos.
Evening
All was quiet in the headquarters, too quiet.
An eerie quietude weighted down on the atmosphere and seemed to burn Mirage's audio receptors as he walked down the corridor, heading for the Medbay. It was like no 'Bot was home. Such silence made him uncomfortable - it was like something had completely gone wrong. Like someone had just died, and this was the aftermath, the mourning part.
No, no. No one died, he told himself. Don't think like this...
Pushing out a sigh as the Medbay door opened, he passed the threshold, letting his optics skim the room. Immediately, a chill washed over his frame as he met a new atmosphere. Busy machines and devices chirred and droned away in their work. Ratchet was nowhere in sight, but there...Someone else certainly was.
Jaryn.
Mirage approached near-silently, keeping his gaze fixed on the other mech's broad form. Jaryn had his head angled downward, his optics locked on his creation who lay motionless atop his little berth. Jaryn brushed his fingers delicately against the top of the tender mechling's head and shoulder panels, sensing Bumblebee's cold form. Tubes connected the creator to his creation, thick tubes from Jaryn's open chestplate to Bumblebee's. Both of their sparks were exposed, washing faint, blue light over each of their frames.
Mirage remained cautious as he stood next to Jaryn. The sight of Bumblebee sunk his lifesource to the pit of his tanks.
He didn't speak until his words finally unhitched from his throat. "...Is the energy transfer working?"
Jaryn threw a glance aside to Mirage, then back down at Bumblebee. "Slowly…If there isn't enough progress made in the next megacycle or so, I'll have to try a direct energy transfer." He looked to Mirage. "Merging my spark with his."
Mirage nodded. "He'll recover," he assured.
Jaryn didn't answer, instead turning a worried glance down at his creation. His thick fingers continued to brush against the little mech's form, caressing every contour, stroking and tracing every outline. Mirage watched with sorrow, wishing he could do anything to aid, feeling guilty he could only sympathize and watch.
"Has he responded to you at all?"
Jaryn shook his head. "He's only moved - barely."
At this moment, the portal slid open with a lengthy hiss cutting into the quietness in the atmosphere, and both mechs looked in the sound's direction. Ratchet appeared, passing the threshold with a datapad held skillfully in one of his servos. He approached an empty berth, saying nothing to either one of them for at least a cycle.
"Your berth's set to go, Mirage." He turned, absently glancing down at Bumblebee. "…I know it's hard to break away from him…But, he'll be fine."
Mirage spared a final, mournful gaze to the motionless bot. One part of him wanted to stay at Bumblebee's berthside – the part of his processor that would not believe the Medibot's words or reassurance. Yet, another part – his anguish-ridden systems – begged him to lie down on his berth and obey Ratchet's orders.
The latter ended up overpowering his mainframe, and he slowly strode away from Jaryn's side to approach Ratchet.
The Medic's careful servos aided the wounded Autobot onto his berth. Mirage laid flat on his back panels with a deep sigh, as if he were expelling all feelings of concern, worry, anxiety, fear, and all the like from his system.
His optic lids fell for a moment. "Ratchet, are you sure 'Bee'll be okay?"
Ratchet reached for Mirage's chestplate to open its compartment, revealing a complex array of wires and circuitry, and a struggling, although thrumming lifesource. As he assembled a few tubes into his patient's chestplate, he nodded his head slowly.
"I assure you, Mirage." There was a brief pause. "Don't worry. Just rest."
Mirage said nothing more.
Turning his optics in Jaryn's direction, he watched the lonesome mech stroke the area of his mechling's spark chamber. Such sorrow ghosted complete mourning in Jaryn's faceplate, so much that his blue optics appeared clouded. Mirage was uncertain if whether or not Energon tears were welling in the mech's optics or if he was just transfixed on Bumblebee's image.
"Go into standby, soldier," were the Medibot's orders.
Mirage gave a truly last look to Bumblebee as he offlined his optics and lowered his lids. The precious image of a smiling mechling was shown vividly in his mind. He cringed at the wrenching picture of Bumblebee, wishing to witness the bot's smiles again, hoping the bot's precious lifesource would remain online for centuries to follow.
He shifted into standby, a prayer running through his processor.
One Megacycle Later
A larger berth had been placed beside Bumblebee's smaller one, for Jaryn. The Medbay was nearly silent. Mirage had slipped into recharge and Ratchet had left the room not long before. Bumblebee still hadn't shown outward signs of recognition towards his creator, but his spark kept a steady rhythm as Jaryn's own lifesource continued to feed it.
Turning his gaze aside to his mechling, Jaryn's optics flared with an awkward enthusiasm. He quickly glanced around the Medbay before lifting his form onto the floor, reaching his servos out for the bot's tender frame. Bumblebee's motionless form simply hung limp in the mech's wary clutches, his small head becoming supported with a couple thick fingers.
The tubes connecting their lifesources were gently eased away and out of their spark chambers, the mechling's chest compartment eased open a little more to further expose his brilliant spark. Jaryn gazed steadily into the little one's sedate faceplate, moving the tiny spark closer to his own. Immediately, their sparks' auras brushed against one another in a protesting greeting, pulsating in uncertainty. Jaryn couldn't help, but utter out a sound of relief. He could sense their Creator-Creation bond for the first time in so long – Had it been eternity?
The invisible barrier that separated their sparks was broken.
Bumblebee's fragile form writhed as his lifesource met the powerful one of his Creator's. The mechling's spark thrummed at his father's very core, so much that Jaryn could sense almost every individual palpation, each thrum stronger than the one before it. Energy surged in a gleaming flash of light, an intense light that washed over the fronts of their forms. Jaryn looked away only for a moment.
Bumblebee began to make noises of refusal, his form squirming for a sort of mercy. He was responsive. Despite the protesting sounds his son made, Jaryn continued the energy transfer for over a cycle more. He made sure their cores bonded – deeply, to ensure that the necessary amount of Energon flowed to the little one's systems.
And finally, their sparks eased away. In unison, their chest compartments folded secure.
Jaryn looked into his young mech's faceplate, wishing to see any acknowledgement in his precious features, squinting his optics in a silent plea. He waited.
"Bumblebee," he murmured. "Look at me."
And, finally, success.
Wide optics flickered themselves online and took on their familiar baby-blue hue, all while a tiny grunt pushed from the young one's waking vocalizer. Bumblebee stared up at Jaryn as if he were a complete stranger, holding a fixed gaze on the mech's faceplate. Jaryn's own optics warmed to an affectionate blue color, and his mouth curved to a tender smile, as he brought his servo against the little one's doorwings. His laughter sung beautifully in Bumblebee's audio receptors.
"Bumblebee…"
The mechling's optic ducts welled with tears. "Dada?"
Jaryn smiled wider and nodded once. "Little one…" He stroked his helm. "You're online."
The bot gave into his father's tender gesture, craning his small head deeper into the warm palm that rubbed him. He knew this mech before him. He recognized his loving vocal patterns, his beautiful laughter, and his unforgettable faceplate.
Tears of disbelief trickled down the bot's cheekplates in thick rivulets, streaking the alloy faintly, as he lifted his servos needingly towards Jaryn's faceplate. The mech did not hesitate to clutch his son against the warmth of his spark chamber, letting the soothing thrums of his lifesource coax the little one to faint cries, then to no more. Bumblebee nuzzled his head into the warmth, closing his optics with a soft whirr.
"Dada," he murmured into his father's chestplate. "It's you." He looked up. "You found me."
"I saved you," the mech responded. "I brought you back online."
Bumblebee blinked. "But...How? I thought you lost me."
"No, no..."
The mechling twisted his features softly. He searched his memory banks. "...What about Megatron?"
At the sound of that name, Jaryn suddenly looked up.
As fast as his affection had came, it was gone. His features became somber.
His mission. He could not ignore it.
The mech turned his shoulder panels in the direction of the portal and quickly started to exit. Perplexity took to the mechling's bright optics, and his little face looked up to his Creator, innocence ever present on his features. His smaller form twisted. He looked past Jaryn's form, noticing that they had already reached the corridor.
Where were they going? What was going on?
"Dada?" Bumblebee questioned softly, clawing at his Creator's alloy. "Dada, where are we going? Why are you leaving?"
"Quiet, Bumblebee." Jaryn gently brought his servo against the little one's face, blocking his view of the corridor. The mechling's wide optics blinked. His Creator seemed to be heading for a very fixed destination, his strides quick, though not panicked or hurried. Jaryn knew where he was going.
"Dada," the bot called again, his spark quickening.
Jaryn eased his son further into his chestplate in attempt to hush him for good. Bumblebee, nevertheless, uttered a soft whimper up at his creator, uncertain, perplexed, and a little frightened. His optics began to glaze over with pale Energon tears.
His Creator's behavior was so…unusual. Bee couldn't help but be afraid.
Where were they going?
A cool, new atmosphere washed over them both.
They stepped outside.
Muahaha.
Review, please.
