I'm so sorry this took so long guys! Winter Break and then Christmas and then the Crossover...I've been busy. So without further ado...here's Out of His Head
This girl does not own Transformers, (but the OC's are mine bwahaha! The realm of Cybres is mine) but she wishes she did, because, frankly, that'd be awesome! (I also do not own the lyrics to the song in this chapter!)
My Characters-Trans Counterparts Mentioned in this chap.
Karrick- Bumblebee
Silver Greyman (Silverstar Ivorra)- Arcee
Tomosal Ivorra- Optimus Prime
Healer- Ratchet
Nightiron-Bulkhead
Starscreecher-Starscream
Starshooter-Jazz
Isabella Ivorran- Elita One
Moranthi Ivorra-Megatron
(Human Counterparts: Same first, different Last)
Jack Wheeler- Jack Darby
Miko Tanikawa-Miko Nakadai
Rafael Cortez-Rafael Esquivel
Chapter 14
It's Hiding In The Dark
Bumblebee POV
"Follow the light…" Ratchet ordered, shining a light into Dad's optics.
Dad's optics flicked towards the light as Ratchet moved it.
"Good," Ratchet said, turning it off, "I wouldn't advise anything strenuous, Optimus, but it appears that your systems have fully recovered from the Cybonic Plague,"
The restraints released Dad and he lifted his arms free.
"Thanks to your medical expertise, old friend," Dad said warmly.
"It was your scout who braved unknown territory to locate the cure," Ratchet said, both of them turning to me.
"Me? N-no, it was nothing," I dismissed, waving my servos.
"Lucky for us Megatron was still alive," Arcee added.
"Did I hear what I thought I heard?" I asked.
"…Yeah…I actually said that,"
I never thought I would hear her say that…after what he did to our family.
"What matters is that you are on the mend, Optimus," Jolt smiled, "While Megatron…"
"Yeah well Arcee clipped him good with a shot…I don't think he survived that," I interrupted.
"'Bee's right," Arcee nodded, "I tried my best to finish Megatron's story…just couldn't stick around long enough to see how it ended,"
I shrugged and started walking out. It was just about time to pick up Raf from school…
I froze, looking down at my servos and turning them over like I was seeing them for the first time…
"It is but a matter of time before Optimus finds that not all is well with you scout," I heard a voice growl.
I shook, blacking out for a moment.
"I must reclaim my body. Which means taking complete and total control of yours!"
I jolted back online. What was going on? Was this a side effect of the Patch? I stood still for a moment, feeling my cooling fans kick on.
Nothing.
Huh…maybe it was just a glitch…nothing to worry about…right?
I shook it off. I needed to get to the school, Raf was probably worried about me.
Ben POV
Listening to Miko and Amber was ok…
It was when Dusk joined in that it got wild.
And it just so happened that Dusk introduced Miko to Skillet.
"No, no!" Dusk sighed, "Like this!"
I watched as she struck a few chords on her old guitar that she had gotten when we were still with NEST.
"And then you do this," she continued, moving Miko's hand on her own guitar, "When I get to this bar,"
"What are they doing?" Mom asked as she watched the trio go at it.
"Playing the opening bars to Monster," I sighed, "Surprisingly, Miko is failing at it,"
"UGH! Why can't you take the bass line!?" Miko demanded.
"Who knows the song better?" Dusk growled.
"You…"
"Exactly,"
I heard Arcee and Jack come in and I looked at the two as Jack got off and walked towards the kitchen without taking off his helmet.
"What's got into him?" I asked.
"Vince ambushed him after work. Jack tried to talk Vince out of it…but Vince still beat him up," Arcee sighed, "I will hand it to Jack…he knows how to hold his own."
"Based on what June told me, he gets it from his dad," Mom said, "His dad was a soldier but he had the same temperament as Jack does…he'll talk first, fight later…except when family's involved,"
"Yeah, maybe next time I should just run," Jack grumbled as he came into the room, holding an icepack on his eye, "Vince packs a heck of a left hook,"
"Yeah, but you have a Pit of a right hook," Arcee countered, "I didn't know a human could fly,"
"Now that was the adrenaline talking," Jack muttered, wincing as he sat down.
"Let me take a look at it," Mom ordered, gently peeling Jack's hand off his eye, "Ouch…that's quite the shiner, Jack,"
"No kidding," he huffed.
"Why did Vince ambush you anyway?" Amber asked.
"Might be because Jack called him on torturing Raf," Miko called, "Vince took Raf's clothes during gym and put them someplace Raf couldn't reach but Jack found them and managed to get them down,"
"I got a verbal and physical chewing out," Jack finished…right as 'Bee raced in with Raf.
Raf took a look at Jack's face and winced.
"Vince?" he asked.
Jack gave a curt nod.
"I'm sorry, Jack, it's my fault," Raf sighed.
"Wait…that bully pick on you again!?" 'Bee growled as he transformed, kneeling down before his charge and gently putting a fingertip under Raf's chin, "You're not hurt are you? I swear if I didn't have to follow Dad's rule I'd give him what for!"
"'Bee I'm fine," Raf said, "Jack's the one who got hurt,"
The scout cocked his helm and looked up at Jack, who yelped as Mom put a tiny bit of pressure on his eye.
"Owww," 'Bee hissed, "Primus, Jack…I've seen battle scars better than that,"
Jack looked to us for translation.
"Says he's seen battle wounds better than that," Mom said.
"Thanks 'Bee…that makes me feel so much better," Jack growled.
"…That was sarcasm wasn't it?"
"Gee, 'Bee," Dusk snarked, "I would never have guessed,"
"Ugh! Not you too!" he groaned before turning to Raf, "I swear Raf…I won't let anyone harm you, that red-haired bully is going to regret it. He thought the Oreo-ing of his car was bad…just you wait and see what Dusk and I will pull next…"
"I WAS RIGHT!" I yelled, "IT WAS YOU TWO!"
"Who else would you think did it?" Dusk asked, "I've done it before…hehe…the Chevy Twins never touched my stuff again,"
"Never knew bologna was so bad on car paint," Amber shuddered, "Sunny found out…he stayed away from little Annabelle Lennox during her snack time after that,"
"That was scary," 'Bee agreed, "And that might just work…"
"Bumblebee!" Mom snapped.
"…Fine…I won't do it," 'Bee pouted.
"Hey…how about something to take our minds off of the blowhard?" Miko suggested, "Like…Basketball!"
"You mean that game that Epps liked to play?" 'Bee asked.
"Exactly!" Dusk grinned, "Ok, I am so in!"
She gently put down her guitar and transformed, grabbing the lobbing ball.
"Hey, Bulk! C'mere," she called, "'Bee and I are going to play basketball…wanna join?"
"Sure," he shrugged.
"I'm with 'Bee," Dusk announced.
"Two against one…that ain't fair!" Bulkhead protested.
"Uh, Bulk…you kinda make up for it," Dusk pointed out, "You're bigger than the two of us,"
"Oh,"
"Let's get to the vent," I suggested, "Best seat to watch…not to mention surprisingly comfy,"
Mom shrugged.
"Jolt, Arcee…care for a lift?" she asked.
Both 'Bots nodded and picked us up, setting us in the vent.
"Three outta five wins," I said.
"Alright!" Miko called, watching from the railing, "Basketball, by way of Cybertron! Let the games begin!"
She blew on a whistle.
'Bee took the ball from Dusk and twirled it on his fingertip before shooting. Bulkhead laughed and grabbed the ball midair before performing a hook shot and sinking the ball in the hoop.
"Yeah! Go Bulk!" Miko cheered.
The ball rolled back to Bulkhead and he picked it up.
"Come on. Best 2 outta 3," he said as he passed the ball to Dusk.
Dusk quickly jogged in the direction of the hoop, Bulkhead blocked her and she tossed the ball to 'Bee. Bulkhead tried to block the scout but 'Bee started shifting from left to right to confuse the Wrecker, which worked as 'Bee got around him.
"'Bee! You're in the clear," Raf encouraged, grinning.
'Bee ran straight for the hoop but slowed down to a stop.
"Dunk it 'Bee!" Raf said.
But 'Bee continued to stay still, he didn't move at all.
"Bumblebee, quit hogging the ball," Bulkhead said which snapped 'Bee out of his weird trance.
His optics focused on Dusk and he hurled the ball at her helm. Dusk yelped and dived out of the way, shifting to human form.
"WHAT THE PIT 'BEE!?" Dusk screeched as Miko slid down the ladder, blowing her whistle and imitating the 'foul' buzzer.
"Flagrant Foul!" she yelled.
"Dodge ball…by way of Cybertron," Jack shrugged.
"'Bee…hoop's over there," Dusk growled, pointing, "Not on my face,"
"Sorry Sis, I…don't know what came over me," 'Bee admitted sheepishly.
"'Bee? You okay?" Raf asked, concerned.
"Yeah! I'm fine…three out of five right?" 'Bee chirped, holding up his fingers.
"Y-yeah three out of five," Raf said.
Dusk POV
I sat in the hall a few hours later, strumming my guitar. Needless to say, other than 'Bee spazzing out in the game and nearly crushing my face…we smoked Bulk.
I tuned my guitar to the right key and started up the song I was trying to teach Miko. I felt a connection to this song…maybe it was because I lived with that monster every day…
"This secret side of me, I never let you see, I keep it caged but I can't control it," I sang, getting up and moving along with the beat that played in my head, "So stay away from me! The beast is ugly! I feel the rage and I just can't hold it! It's scratchin' on the walls, in the closet in the halls! It comes awake and I can't control it! Hidin' under the bed in my body in my head…why won't somebody come and save me from this make it end!"
I jumped off the ledge I was on and continued to rock out in the hall.
"I feel it deep within! It's just beneath the skin! I must confess that I feel like a monster! I hate what I've become, the darkness just begun!" I sang, "I must confess that I feel like a monster! I! I! Feel like a monst…"
I froze as I heard pedesteps in the hall. I looked up and saw 'Bee just standing there.
"Oh, hey 'Bee," I laughed sheepishly, "Sorry 'bout the game…I just don't like people throwing things at my head…"
He didn't move. Or blink. Or say anything.
"Okaaay," I started, "Well, I'm glad we had this talk…I'm gonna go an' chill out in my room…"
I started to move past him…when his pede smashed down right in front of me.
"Hey!" I shouted.
Suddenly, 'Bee's optics cycled, letting more blue in. He put a servo to his helm and shook said helm tiredly.
"'Bee…you ok?" I asked.
"I…I think so," he muttered.
"You go lay down…just to put my mind at ease," I said.
"But I've got to take Raf home!"
"I'll do it," I assured him, "Berth. Now. Or do I have to get Ratchet?"
"I'm goin' I'm goin'," he grumbled, walking to his room, "And Dusk?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks,"
"No prob, big bro," I smiled.
Raf POV
I stood outside my house the next morning waiting for 'Bee to show up. I checked my phone…8:29…
He should have been here by now! Come to think of it…I should be in my seat in class by now!
I dialed Jack's number.
He picked it up after a half ring.
"Raf? Class is starting…where are you!?"
"Bumblebee never picked me up for school," I explained, "And his comm. link's off again. Any idea where he is?"
"No I do…"
I heard a faint shuffling noise on Jack's end and Ben's voice came on the phone.
"Raf…school has started,"he said, "Where are you? And why did you call Jack?"
"'Bee never picked me up," I said sadly.
"…I'll call Dusk, she'll get you to her place and she'll let Ms. Angelo know why you aren't able to come to school, ok?"
"Thanks Ben," I sighed.
"I'll be sending your assignments with Jack, get feeling better Raf,"
And he hung up.
Dusk POV
"C'mon, Ratch, just this once?" I asked from Jolt's shoulder.
"No," he growled as Jolt snickered.
"But it's just a tiny little thing! Sirius is lonely!" I pleaded.
"If you bring another one of your pets into the base it is going outside," he growled, "Sirius is hard enough to clean up after,"
"I've got him trained and he has his own little area of the Base!"
"IN MY SUPPLY CLOSET!" Ratchet yelled.
"It was that or in your room…which for some reason he likes," I defended.
"I have said it before and my reasoning stands. No, Dusk!"
I grumbled to myself as we walked into the main hall…
Right as 'Bee crushed a piece of equipment.
"Bumblebee!" Ratchet gasped.
'Bee's optics cycled and he slowly turned to us, looking at us innocently.
"I needed that!" the CMO whined as Jolt and I stared.
'Bee was the good 'Bot. Never broke anything…this was a first…ever. Well…first since 'Bee arrived on Earth.
"What?" he asked and then looked down at the mangled piece of metal in his servo.
His confusion bled into our bond…and that made me confused. How could he destroy something like that and not even know it?
"What has gotten into you?" Ratchet asked.
"I…I…" 'Bee shook as he looked fearfully at Ratchet and the rest of us, "I see Megatron's face…in my mind…and…I…"
He stopped, too scared to go on.
"You're seeing Megatron's face?" Jolt asked softly.
Suddenly, my cell rang.
I picked it up…it was Ben.
"Aren't you supposed to be teaching now?" I teased.
"Is 'Bee there?"
I looked at my brother as Ratchet started talking with him.
"Yeah…but he's not in the best shape…mentally…" I said slowly.
"Makes sense…he didn't pick up Raf for school,"
"Where is he!?" I demanded.
"At his home," Ben said, "Can you get him?"
"Give me a second," I sighed, leaping off Jolt's shoulder and activating the Groundbridge to Raf's house.
Raf POV
I heard a Bridge start up and Dusk came through.
"'Bee didn't come and get you?" she asked as she led me through the Bridge, "That's odd…I thought he did,"
"You know where he is!?" I asked.
"At Base…he broke one of Ratchet's tools…heard the first 'Bumblebee! I needed that!' in the Base," she shrugged, "Raf you should have called one of us…a 'Con could have spotted you,"
"The only one I have the number for is 'Bee," I admitted.
She took my phone and typed in it.
"Well, now you have two," she said, "If 'Bee doesn't answer, and if he ever does that again to you I'll scrap him, just call me and I'll get you to school,"
"Thanks Dusk,"
She smiled softly.
"Raf…I don't know if this is going to explain a bit or not…but 'Bee's not feeling well," she sighed, "He's been complaining about seeing Ol' Bucket Head in his mind…I think it might have happened from the Patch…I don't know what to make of it…but that might have been why he forgot,"
"I hope he gets better then," I said as we walked into the Base.
I saw 'Bee, Optimus, and Ratchet talking and 'Bee's helm snapped towards me, horror washing over his faceplate.
"Oh my Primus, Raf I'm so sorry!" he whirred quickly, "I don't know what's gotten into me I should have been there to get you to school instead of…"
Ratchet put a servo on 'Bee's shoulder.
"Medbay," he ordered, "Now,"
My guardian nodded sadly and walked over to the Medbay, looping his arms around the restraints.
"You'll stay with me?" 'Bee asked, looking at me, slightly fearful.
I nodded.
His shoulders relaxed and he leaned his helm back "Bumblebee is complaining of intermittent visions," Jolt explained, "Waking nightmares if you will,"
"But you said 'Bee was fine when you checked him over," I protested, looking at Ratchet.
"Physically…but the experience he endured seems to have a temporary effect on his psyche," Ratchet said, "This induced powerdown should force Bumblebee's mind to rest and recover,"
I looked at Dusk and Optimus, both of whom were watching 'Bee sadly. 'Bee risked this to save Optimus…and he did it willingly too.
The computer let out an alert and Fowler's image appeared on screen.
"Prime!" he said, "You spot any Decepticons wearing hula skirts?"
Dusk's face spasmed as she tried to keep a laugh down. I will agree with her…the image of a 'Con in a hula skirt…it was kinda funny.
Optimus gave a weary sigh…like he had seen it before.
"No Special Agent Fowler...Why?"
"Has it happened before?" I asked to no one in particular.
"Oh yes," Arcee sighed, "That you have your guardian and Dusk to thank…again,"
"Those two get in on a lot of pranks together don't they?" I asked her.
"When Sideswipe was off on a mission, Dusk often got left behind, 'Bee came to the NEST base a few times…and they got into so much trouble together. Brother-sister bonding they called it,"
"'Cause I was hoping you'd have a lead on the 'Cons that busted into the Kauai Naval Observatory. Place looked like it got hit by an army of wrecking balls,"
"Why would 'Con's break into an observatory?" Arcee asked.
"Does the Heuck Nigoghossian ring any bells?"
"Not even a jingle bell," Dusk shrugged.
That made me smile a bit. Dusk was part of an advanced civilization…and she was completely clueless about some of the Earth Tech. I knew this one.
"The space telescope," I answered.
"As of last night missing its primary lens," Fowler finished.
"It's difficult to guess Starscream's intent without knowing where the lens has been taken," Optimus said.
"Good thing the lens has a tracking device," Fowler answered, as the screen turned into a map and a square flashed on it.
"The Arctic?" Arcee growled, "Great, another chance to freeze our sparkplugs off,"
"At least there's no Scraplets in the base," Dusk added.
"And the Groundbridge is working," Jolt finished softly.
The screen showed a splash of purple representing a patch of energon under the ice. Bulkhead gave an appreciative whistle.
"That's a ND-7 class," he said, "Biggest unminable energon deposit there is,"
"Unminable…until Starscream melts his way down to it," Optimus corrected.
"With the help of a lens," Arcee finished.
"And cue global warming," Dusk sighed.
"She's right," Fowler nodded, "Melting a glacier that size will cause sea levels to rise up to demolish coastal cities,"
Optimus frowned, "We cannot allow Starscream to succeed,"
He turned to the rest of the team.
"Arcee, Bulkhead, you will come with me," he finished.
"And me?" Dusk asked.
"Stay with your brother,"
"But Dad!" Dusk protested, "What did Ratchet say about you not doing anything strenuous for a few days!?"
"Sorry 'bout you luck, Dusk," Jolt apologized, "Ratch approved him for field duty this morning,"
"And as your leader and father, I am telling you to stay in the Base to watch over Bumblebee and Rafael both," Optimus ordered with finality.
Dusk growled darkly under her breath before glaring up at Optimus.
"…Fine…" she grumbled, "I'll stay,"
Jolt POV
The others had left a while ago. I looked over to see Dusk sitting on 'Bee's shoulder, her head resting against his helm, and Raf sitting on the floor next to 'Bee's pedes telling them a story.
"…So I blow past the finish line! And my other sister Pilar asked how I got so good at racing games," Raf explained, his eyes bright with delight, "And I told her I know a guy who knows cars…"
"Rafael," Ratchet said, walking up behind me, "I'm afraid Bumblebee can't hear you in powerdown mode,"
Way to kill the joy, Ratch.
I rolled my optics and turned towards Raf.
"It's getting late…why don't we Bridge you home to your family?" I suggested.
"Jolt…" Dusk sighed, "School's still in session…his parents will get suspicious,"
"Oh,"
"And besides," Raf added, "I told 'Bee I'd stay. He's family too,"
"Don't be ridiculous," Ratchet snorted, "You're not even the same species!"
Dusk and I glared at him.
Dusk was Cybreian and human, not Cybertronian but she was Bumblebee's sister. Ben and Miranda considered me family too. Ben saw me as an older brother and Miranda as a sorta son…she tended to ground both Ben and me when we got into trouble.
Ratchet was clueless.
"That's being related," Raf corrected, "It's not the same thing. I'll show you,"
He pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of his family…and Primus! It's huge!
"This is my family," he started, showing the picture to Ratchet.
"Mhmm…yes very nice," Ratchet muttered.
Dusk and I shot him another glare.
"Very large," Raf continued, taking it back, "Sometimes I can shout and no one hears me,"
"Yes, yes, yes…" Ratchet sighed.
I elbowed him.
"Be nice!" I hissed.
"But Bumblebee always listens," Raf said softly.
Ratchet's optics softened and a gave a smile down at the boy.
"And I can understand him," Raf finished, "I'm not sure why…but I do,"
Arcee POV
"Lot different than our last polar visit," I shrugged, looking up at Optimus, "Feels like summer,"
Optimus shook his helm slightly.
I didn't like the cold very well. That's why I loved Diego Garcia. Nice and warm…and we could go for a swim at night or when the civilians weren't watching us.
Optimus was the guiltiest of us. He liked going into the water at night…we hadn't found that out until Dusk came to us…and he threw her and 'Bee both in the water…
That was also the day we found out Dusk was terrified of water and spazzed out when she got wet.
Bulkhead suddenly stopped and I almost ran into him.
"Here…that's a bad thing," he reminded me as we looked around a wall of ice at the Nemesis.
There was a bright, yellow-orange beam slicing into the ice from the top of the warship.
"Autobots," Optimus started, and Bulkhead and I looked up at him, "Remember the end run on Polyhex?"
I gave a little laugh in spite of myself.
Polyhex, I remember that. 'Lita and I took point on a strike team before 'Lita was wounded and we had to take her back to HQ…
It was also where Optimus found a little sparkling that we all knew as Bumblebee.
'Bee's family had been murdered for sport by the 'Cons. The only reason 'Bee survived was because his carrier put her frame between the 'Cons and 'Bee and she fell on top of him when she was shot. The 'Cons thought 'Bee offlined when his carrier fell on him so they left him alone.
Optimus, Jazz, and Ironhide were going through the city and fought with the murderers outside of 'Bee's home. Optimus heard 'Bee crying and went into the house, finding 'Bee under his carrier. He took him from her…but according to Jazz, the carrier was still alive. She had just enough time to tell Optimus 'Bee's name, beg him to care for her little one and tell the sparkling she loved him before she offlined.
Optimus brought 'Bee back to HQ where 'Lita fell in love with him and immediately claimed him as her own. And in that way, 'Lita and Optimus had their first child and I ended up with a nephew all before the Prime Heir was born.
Still wish I knew what happened to 'Lita and the sparkling…
I looked up at Optimus.
"Let's go,"
Raf POV
"Rafael, Dusk," Jolt called, the two of us looked up at him, "Ratchet and I are going back to the supply vault to find replacement parts to repair this…,"
He held up the piece of metal that Dusk told me 'Bee had crushed.
"You two know what that means…"
"Don't touch anything," I recited by memory, making Dusk roll her dark eyes before she turned back to 'Bee.
"Dusk," Ratchet warned.
"I know, I know, you tell me every day," she sighed.
"And yet you never listen,"
"Remember who Dad first paired me with," she reminded him, "There's a reason you called him and his twin the Spawns of Unicron,"
"Don't remind me," Ratchet growled, shuddering and he and Jolt went off.
"Hehe, works every time," Dusk snickered, patting 'Bee's foot, "Kinda wish you were awake to see that big brother,"
I heard a faint humming sound.
"Wait 'til you see this new laptop I'm saving up for 'Bee!" I added.
A sudden hissing sound made both Dusk and I jump.
"I swear I didn't do it!" Dusk cried, throwing up her hands.
"'Bee?" I asked…right as he stepped off the platform!
"Oh this is not good, this is not good at all!" Dusk yelled, running.
"Bumblebee! Wait!" I cried, giving chase.
My guardian stopped at the Groundbridge controls, fiddling around with them…and activating it before walking out.
Dusk and I ran towards the Bridge.
"Bumblebee!" I shouted, but he didn't stop.
I heard two treads behind us.
"What did you do?" Ratchet asked hoarsely.
"N-nothing!" I stammered.
"We swear!" Dusk added.
"Bumblebee just got up and…"
"He was in powerdown!" Jolt interrupted, "Where does he think he's off to?"
"I don't know," Dusk shrugged.
Bumblebee POV
I think I'm dreaming. I really think I am.
I mean, honestly, I'd never been to a place this grim before…well, besides Tyger Pax and I remembered how that turned out.
Cold, grey shells of mechs and femmes littered the valley, each leaking a sickening violet substance. I saw a whole pile of shredded bots and immediately thought…
"Where is it!? Where!?" Megatron's voice hissed.
No, nonononono! I thought I got you out! Ratchet said all my processor needed was rest!
A memory that wasn't mine surfaced.
I lifted up a glowing violet shard of crystal, of dark energon, brandishing it as Optimus, Ratchet and the Halfling looked up at me in horror.
I threw the shard to the ground, watching in glee as cracks of dark light spread throughout the landscape, watching as both Optimus and Skyfyre immediately showed signs of weakness!
I turned my helm towards a dark shine coming from a pile of rocks and walked towards it.
No, this isn't right! Let it be! NO!
But my own arm reached out not of my accord and I grabbed the shard, pulling it from the rubble.
"Yes!"
No! This was bad…this was very, very bad!
Raf POV
"These are the coordinates for the site of our previous battle…" Ratchet started, "With Megatron's undead…"
"M-maybe we should call Optimus?" I asked.
"Optimus is busy preventing a polar icecap from melting," Jolt murmured, "We need to handle this on our own,"
Ratchet pulled down the Groundbridge controls and Dusk walked up, the light gleaming off her gold armor.
"I'm coming with you, he's my big brother," she said, "I'm not losing him,"
A dark shape took form in the Bridge and 'Bee walked out, a shard of violet crystal in his hand.
"Bumblebee…?" Ratchet started…
Right as Dusk grunted, her frame shaking as she stumbled, hanging onto Jolt for a second.
"What have you been doing?" Ratchet finished.
'Bee didn't say anything, he kept walking, optics mostly black and rimmed with thin lines of sky blue…something I'd only seen when he was angered or scared.
Ratchet caught 'Bee's arm, forcing him to reveal what he had in his hand…
"Dark…energon!?" the red and white medic gasped, looking up at 'Bee with wide optics.
'Bee's other servo clenched and reared back.
"RATCHET LOOK OUT!" Dusk shrieked…
But it was too late! 'Bee let loose, and Ratchet went flying with a yelp.
Jolt yelled and charged at 'Bee.
My guardian…I think…twisted to the side, grabbing Jolt by the shoulders and kneed him in the stomach, forcing the air out of the blue medic's systems before 'Bee threw him on top of Ratchet.
"'Bee!" Dusk yelled, causing 'Bee's optics to snap towards her.
Suddenly, Dusk's optics went wide.
"No…" she breathed, "NO YOU GET OUT OF HIM NOW!"
I didn't know what she was talking about, I could only watch as 'Bee grabbed her by the wing and forced her closer to the dark energon shard…finally driving the point of it through her wing.
Dusk shrieked so loud a lot of the instruments shattered and the Base rocked. She collapsed and 'Bee grabbed her injured wing, yanking it upwards. Dusk gave a low whimper of pain. 'Bee's helm came close to Dusk and he said something to her that made her start crying…right before he dropped her, kicking her in the side and making her curl up in pain.
He then turned to me.
"'Bee!? What are you doing!?" I cried, backing up as he came towards me.
Bumblebee POV
"Only one more…" Megatron hissed.
NO! NOT RAF!
"You hurt him and I'll…"I snarled, trying to get control of my own body again.
But it wasn't working! All the warlord did was laugh.
Raf POV
'Bee reached out his hand at me and I tried to run, but I was too slow. He grabbed me none too gently and carried me over to a ledge.
"Bumblebee please!" I cried, struggling, "I know you're in there!"
He dropped me on the ledge making the air rush out of my lungs as I hit the concrete.
"You have to fight whatever's making you do this!" I pleaded.
He turned and kept going, not stopping as he made it to the Bridge…and he sprinted through right as Dusk sat up.
"Raf?" she whispered, "You ok?"
"I'm fine," I answered, "But I don't know about 'Bee…"
A low groan sounded from the corner as Ratchet and Jolt sat up.
"Ratchet! Jolt!" I cried, "Are you guys ok?"
"We're fine," Ratchet replied weakly, "More importantly…is Bumblebee? I fear the time spent in Megatron's mindscape is causing him to think like a Decepticon,"
"'Bee's not a 'Con!" I yelled.
"Agreed," Jolt nodded as Ratchet came over to me and helped me down, "But we need to find out exactly what Bumblebee intends to do with that shard,"
He extended his hand to Dusk, she readily took it.
"The only one who knew about the dark energon…" Ratchet started right as Dusk gave a dark, feral hiss.
"Was Megatron," she snarled, turning towards the Groundbridge, optics turning blacker by the second.
"Bumblebee has Megatron's memories?" I asked.
"Worse," Dusk growled, "Megatron is occupying Bumblebee's mind,"
"WHAT!?" I demanded.
"How could I have been such a fool!" Ratchet groaned, walking over to Dusk and Jolt with me in his hand, "the cortical psychic patch acted as a two way conduit!"
"When Bumblebee returned to his own mind…" Jolt started, optics wide in horror, "Megatron followed!"
"And now Bumblebee…Megatron…" Ratchet amended, "Has bridged to nearly the same coordinates Optimus used,"
Ratchet pulled down the Groundbridge controls and the Bridge started back up.
"Dusk, with me," Ratchet said before turning to me, "Stay here,"
"No!" I snapped as the two started walking towards the bridge.
They both froze, looking at me.
"Bumblebee needs me," I explained.
And if they didn't let me go…I would pull a Miko and run in after them!
A soft smile split Ratchet's faceplate.
"Of course he does," he murmured, holding out his servo.
I hopped on and he put me on his shoulder as we walked through the Groundbridge.
We came out in a dark, barely lit hallway.
"The Decepticon warship?" Ratchet breathed.
"No time for sightseeing," Dusk growled, sprinting down a hall, "C'mon Ratch, we've got to save 'Bee,"
We followed her until she suddenly stopped, Ratchet crashing into her.
There were dead 'Cons littering the hallway.
"Did Bumblebee do this?" I asked softly.
"I fear Megatron's mind is dominant," Ratchet replied sadly, putting a servo on Dusk's shoulder as the Halfling bowed her helm, "And clearly he came for one purpose,"
"To use the dark energon to resurrect his own body," Dusk finished.
"No!" I protested, "Bumblebee won't let him! Like he didn't let Megatron hurt me back at the Base,"
I took some comfort that 'Bee was still in there somewhere,"
"I hope you're right," Ratchet said, setting me down.
He and Dusk started forwards. I followed but paused when Ratchet motioned for me to stop.
We walked into the same room that 'Bee and Arcee had gone into to get to Megatron…But Megatron wasn't alone.
'Bee stood in the middle of the room, a cortical psychic patch hooked to the back of his helm, the other end connected to Megatron's.
Ratchet and Dusk charged in.
"Ratchet! Dusk!" I shouted, "Don't hurt Bumblebee!"
"That's not Bumblebee!" Ratchet snarled.
Dusk didn't reply, she just charged.
Ratchet swung at 'Bee but he just dodged out of the way, finally sending Ratchet into the wall.
Dusk took a flying leap, landing on 'Bee's back. 'Bee flipped her over and Dusk landed on her feet, optics dark midnight blue as she growled threateningly at him.
"Get out of my brother's head," she snarled as the two began circling each other like a pair of lions.
'Bee made the first move, striking so fast I couldn't really see it. Dusk bent backwards and let her feet flip upwards, sending a crushing blow to 'Bee's chin. His helm snapped back and 'Bee staggered.
His optics whirred, letting more sky blue filter in.
"Dusk?" he asked, fearfully.
"Brother?" Dusk replied softly.
And the sky color faded into mostly black.
A strange, half growl half static sound ripped from 'Bee's throat as he charged at Dusk.
Dusk, caught off guard, was thrown into the wall with Ratchet.
'Bee's helm tilted upwards in scorn as he renewed his grip on the dark energon and strode towards Megatron's body.
"Bumblebee no!" I shouted, running towards him.
He turned towards me, optics cold.
"Remember who you are," I begged, "Remember me! I know you've always listened to me no matter what!"
He went stiff for a moment, optics flickering between sky and dark.
Bumblebee POV
Yes! I know! I'm trying to stop him, Raf, I'm really trying!
I fought hard, trying to regain control.
"You foolish scout!" Megatron hissed, "Your will is mine!"
"LET GO OF ME!" I screeched, "You won't hurt him!"
The thought of him doing to Raf what he did to me all those years ago…
I gave it one last shot…
And I…
Raf POV
'Bee's optics whirred as they settled on a pure, sky blue.
"Raf?" he asked, "How…what? Is that really you?"
"That's right 'Bee!" I cheered, "It's me!"
Authoress POV
"UNBELIEVEABLE!" Megatron shrieked within the young scout's mind.
He clawed at the consciousness that was in control, digging his talons into the sensitive mind.
"You thought me ripping out your voice box at Tyger Pax was excruciating…" the Warlord snarled…
Raf POV
Bumblebee's optics flickered again and he gave a high pitched shriek of pain.
"NO! St-stoooopppp!" he howled, gripping his helm, "IT HURTS! MAKE IT STOP!"
I couldn't breathe…Megatron was hurting 'Bee! NO!
'Bee let out another shriek and he crashed to the ground, twitching in pain…
I put my hands on his arm.
And he suddenly went ramrod straight. He looked up at me…with cold mostly dark optics. He flung me away like a toy and stood up. I hit the ground right as Dusk got up to Megatron, optics sad and angry as she glared at 'Bee.
"Farewell, Megatron!" she snarled, yanking the life support tube out of the 'Con's chest.
I heard 'Bee give this horrible strangled snarl…and he charged at his younger sister. The Prime dodged, her optics also cold and hard, but with a righteous fire behind them. 'Bee grabbed her injured wing, hitting it and making Dusk yowl before flipping her over him, sending her flying into the wall behind me.
"BUMBLEBEE!" I shouted.
He stopped and turned towards me, an aura of evil smugness radiating from him.
I froze, uncertain…and then I heard it.
"Bumblebee can't hear you anymore!" a dark, raspy voice cackled.
I had never heard him before…but I knew that 'Bee was gone…and Megatron was the one speaking.
I felt tears coming, but I ignored them.
"As much as I want you to leave Bumblebee's body…" I started, charging forwards, "I can't let you go back to your own!"
I leaped onto the patch wire and tried to pull it off him. Megatron seemed amused by that fact, and gave the wire a quick jerk, making me fly off it, right into Dusk's pale, human arms.
"Are you ok?" she asked worriedly.
"'Bee…" I croaked, watching as Megatron used 'Bee's arms…and plunged the shard into his stilling chest.
Suddenly, his optics flashed open, bloody scarlet…and 'Bee's body crashed to the ground.
"'Bee!" Dusk cried, running forwards, the blue glow surrounding her body again as she pulled a groaning 'Bee to his feet.
He shook his helm as the table began to tilt forwards.
Megatron started to stand, and 'Bee, Dusk and Ratchet backed up as the Warlord started towards them.
I heard pedesteps behind us and I saw a bunch of 'Cons come in, only to freeze as Megatron stood upright.
"Decepticons, your rightful lord and master has returned!" he growled, walking forwards, he looked at 'Bee with contempt, "Finish these pests,"
He continued to walk out, scowling darkly.
"I have my own extermination to perform," he finished…and the 'Cons started shooting at us.
Ratchet grabbed me and dove into an alcove to let 'Bee and Dusk shoot and destroy. 'Bee hit one and the 'Con crashed to the ground. He grabbed Dusk's arm and dragged her down to me and Ratchet.
"C'mon let's go!" he yelled.
We ran around the warship, finding a shaft that led out. Ratchet handed me to Dusk, who transformed around me, making me yelp in surprise before taking off through the shaft and flying (well, more like spiraling out of control because of her wing) down to the ground, letting me out as 'Bee and Ratchet hit the ground a few seconds later.
"You ok?" she asked, standing upright.
"I think I might be sick," I groaned, holding my stomach.
Suddenly, Dusk and 'Bee both froze, looking up as a great explosion lit up the sky.
"DAD!" Dusk shrieked as Optimus crashed to the ground, smoking from the explosion.
I heard a jet engine and I looked up, eyes wide as a silver jet shot down from the sky.
"Starscream…" 'Bee growled, watching in horror as the 'Con dive-bombed Optimus.
Optimus POV
I looked up wearily as Starscream dove down at me.
"Megatron's greatest mistake was ever allowing you live Prime!" the Seeker screeched.
I tried to move, but I couldn't…I bowed my helm, accepting my fate…
When a silver and violet Cybertronian jet slammed into Starscream.
I felt a burst of anger in my spark that was not my own. My spark went cold as I watched the jet force Starscream back to the Nemesis.
"Megatron," I breathed.
"He's back," Arcee growled darkly.
Bulkhead came up and helped me to my pedes. We would fight later. That was for sure.
I put a servo to my comm.
"Ratchet, we need a Bridge," I said.
"You are not the only ones," I heard Ratchet say from behind us.
I turned around to see my medic, my son, my daughter, and Rafael all four coming from behind a glacier.
Rafael waved from Bumblebee's shoulder and Dusk clutched her own…I could see a hole shaped wound in her wing.
"What happened?" I asked.
"I think it might be best to get somewhere warm," Ratchet suggested, "Before Rafael freezes and Dusk passes out,"
I looked at my daughter, who was hanging onto Ratchet for support.
"What happened?" I asked over bond.
"Dark energon," was all I got from her before Ratchet passed her on to me.
I could feel the sickening substance even though I was only holding Dusk. I gently touched her wing, making her yelp in pain and jerking the appendage away from my fingers.
"Don't touch," she warned, optics steely.
"I was merely making sure you were alright," I replied.
"Don't touch my wing," she repeated as the Groundbridge burst into being, "It hurts… a lot. Ratchet said he'd look at it when we got back to Base…so I'm in good hands Dad,"
"You are still going to tell me who did this to you," I growled.
She looked at me sadly.
"I'm not sure you want me to," she whispered as we walked through.
Bumblebee POV
I lifted my arms from the med bay and looked, hopefully at Ratchet and Dad. Ratchet and Jolt explained everything to Dad and the others…even the part where Dusk's wing was injured.
Dad didn't blame me…he said I wasn't in my right mind.
"Everything is back to normal," Ratchet sighed in relief.
"That's great Ratch," I said.
"Well, normal for Bumblebee," Ratchet shrugged.
"And that's even better," Dusk grinned from her position on Dad's shoulder, her wing bandaged.
I looked down at Raf standing next to me.
"Raf…I'm so sorry about today," I apologized.
"It's ok," he answered.
"You weren't scared?" I asked, after all…he was the first of the kids to see Megatron in action and see said warlord take over their guardian…
Yeah, I'm going to have nightmares for a long, long time about that.
"Of course I was!" he said.
"I did everything I could not to let him hurt you," I muttered.
"I know," Raf smiled.
"Thanks, Raf," I sighed in relief as he grabbed my fingers.
"What he say?" Miko asked, walking up to Raf.
"He said thanks," Raf answered.
I may not be able to speak well…but Raf always understands.
After all…what are families for?
A/N Next up is Shadowzone. Shouldn't take me too long...but I have been wrong before :P
Title from Skillet's: Monster (so very appropriate. Especially the lines "Hidin' under the bed, in my body in my head" Scary)
Anyway, hope you liked it. If you did, please R&R! :)
Qui vállë tóquetë, ván tecë (If no review comes from y'all; no story comes from me)
Máriessë ar mára tecië
Farewell and fair writing
Elhini Prime signing off.