A/N yeah the only reason ratchet could locate the Nemesis was because of Ellen, thank you plot device! this is one of those chapters where Ellen could only stand by and watch so i apologize for the lack of imagination, but i added a few things in. here, and there ;)
plus i've already finished "Out of his head" and "Shadowzone" so i'll be uploading them in the next few days :)
Sick mind
Something was bothering that morning as i rose up from my bed, like i forgot to mention something...something important. I made my way to the main room whilst trying to remember, i looked down at my jeans, "Nope." i said to myself, arh man that's going to annoy me now. lets see, i have pants on, so that's a bonus, beds done, my hair...can be done later heh. my body odor is beyond satisfactory, (i checked). "i bet i've caused a fire somehow." i said scratching my head.
"How did you manage to penetrate there cloaking technology?" Dads voice was heard.
"I didn't. I was experimenting with variable frequency wave links when i stumbled upon it." Ratchet said as i entered the main hall.
I then awkwardly made my way for the couch, tip toeing, Oh yeah i forgot to mention i had breached their cloaking, it must of took a while for them to realize this. Still i won't take credit for it, as i may get scolded for not telling them sooner I'll just scold myself by heading for the couch of shame.
"Even still there ship must be experiencing some kind of electromagnetic breach" Ratchet finished.
"Well it was a 'breach' alright." I thought.
"With Megatron deceased, and the element of surprise." Arcee said smacking her fist against her palm.
"We can cause some serious damage." Bulkhead finished for her.
As this was said the computer made a noise and an image came up of what looked like a ship it looked like it was in the dessert or something. "Also on the same frequency...an Autobot emergency beacon." Ratchet said sounding concerned and surprised at the same time.
"The Decepticons can wait; there may be Autobots in distress." Dad stated. "Ratchet. Bring your medical kit."
"Arcee." Ratchet said motioning to her as he activated the groundbridge.
"Groundbridge got it." She replied as she took her post.
Ratchet grabbed his medical kit and they were off, some new Autobots might be coming back...we'll have to extend the base. I went to stand in front of Arcee, "do you think that beacon was recent?" i asked her.
"Can't say for sure, could've been there for months, maybe eons if Ratchet was only able to stumble upon it, it was most likely a crash landing." She explained.
"Do you think any survived?" i asked.
"Some might have, if they were in stasis...well... we'll just see wont we." She said.
"Hmm..." i then stood swinging on the bar and sighing. I then noticed Raf was fixing up his remote control car. "Hey Raf , car broken?" i asked.
"Yeah, but nothing too major, i can fix it up...my brothers were fighting again and stepped on it, no apology or nothing. Oh well nothing I'm not used too." He then sighed.
Now there was an opportunity to get to know Raf. "Tell me about your family Raf. How many siblings have you got?" i asked sitting down next to him.
"I've got two brothers and two sisters, all of which are older than me." He said raising an eyebrow.
"Man and i thought i couldn't last long staying with my cousin, it must get pretty out of control at your place." I said.
"do you still see your family? i mean do they know who your living with?" he asked.
"yes they know, my families pretty small now." i started, "You know my Dad had three brothers so i bet he could relate with you Raf." i said, oh boy my Uncles, anyway enough of my rambling.
"I bet they fought all the time." he said shaking his head obviously knowing a lot more then i do.
"i bet, you can probably tell me a lot more, given that you have siblings." i said wearily.
he sighed resting his head in his hand, "There are loads of arguments, and my parents spend most of the time resolving it...so i don't really spend much time with them. So i prefer to play alone." He stared off into space for a moment. "But at least i have friends and you're all my family too."
I smiled at him. "If that's the case you'd better not loan anything to me heh." I said grinning, before scratching my cheek slightly blushing, "you know Raf, i can relate with your situation."
he slightly blinked at me confused, "Well you see, i am the youngest if you compare me to my cousins and i used to be a-hem,...short. i-i mean Hobbits were laughing at me." i said.
"yeah but I'm under average for my height." he said.
"so was i, when i was five people mistook me for being three, when i was seven they mistook me for being five and so on." i said. "i actually didn't get a growth spurt until i was, well just a little older then you." i said.
he looked fascinated by that, "Really? how much did you shoot up by?"
"Twelve inches, i was sooo happy when i discovered that i was level with my friends faces heh and there were, certain obstacles i was able to physically conquer you know what I'm sayin'?" i jested nudging him lightly.
"Gym? the back of the top cupboards? the movies?" he said letting a small grin escape him.
"yes to all." i admitted grinning myself. "twelve is a good year...well during the half bit anyway." Raf then looked back at his car as he put it back together, he turned it on as he placed it behind us on the flat flooring then he turned the remote control on and pushed the analog stick forward the car started to go, but its movement was one sided.
Raf sighed, "its going to take a while to get those dents out."
i lent my head against the stairs as i was about to say something, "Ellen the garbage in the kitchen full to the brim, take it out!" Miko called from the other side of the room.
i rolled my eyes playfully at Raf as i whipped my head around, "Hey! We took a solemn vow to do a router and it's your turn to take out the trash!" i called back.
"No way! There's some nasty stuff in there this time!" she called back.
"Woman! Don't argue with me!" i said dominantly, then turned back to Raf, "you know you go to school, you work and you come back to expect a clean and tidy home but noooo, Miko is the worst homemaker ever." i jested.
"At least when you guys argue it's funny." Raf pointed out.
"Arcee!" came Ratchets voice over the comm link. "We need a groundbridge, now!" he yelled in a panicked tone. Sure enough Arcee activated the groundbridge, i stood myself up as Ratchet came through with Dads arm around his shoulder.
My face dropped, "Dad?" i said in a small voice as i ran in their direction.
"Move Ellen, we have to get him to a table!" Ratchet yelled at me. Bulkhead grabbed Dads other arm and led him over to a table; there were many moans and groans coming from Dad. I went to his side on the table, as Ratchet examined him. His right eye looked like it was rusty and his optics were making a sparking sound, my mouth hung as my heart raced the amount of times i have done so my life span may have been cut in half.
"Cybonic plaque" Ratchet announced after his diagnosis. "It's only contagious if contact is made with the infected Energon."
"What was a plague doing in an Autobot space ship?" Miko asked.
"Its passengers were infected, the virus wiped out millions back on Cybertron during the Great War." Arcee explained.
I carefully placed my hand in dads; he could barely cup his own hand.
"Cybonic plaque was engineered in the Decepticon biological warfare program." Ratchet further explained. "By Megatron himself."
I frowned at the sound of his name, even in death he doesn't fail to leave his mark.
"You have a cure don't you?" Raf asked hesitantly.
Then Dad started groaning as he managed to lift his head ever so slightly, "n-no cure." He said weakly.
"Optimus please, save your strength." Ratchet pleaded.
"Would Megatron create a disease without making a cure? I-I mean what if he caught it by accident." Jack said frantically.
"It's not like we can ask Megatron Jack, he's pushing up lug nuts." Bulkhead said.
"But, we might be able to access the Decepticon data base. For the moment we still have a fix on their Warships location." Ratchet said hopeful.
"Bumblebee, come with." Arcee then said.
"Arcee." Ratchet said turning to face her. "Quickly." then he activated the Groundbridge, both of them sped through it in their vehicle forms.
I stayed on the table with my legs crossed, as Ratchet was doing a full body scan of Dad. "Ratchet." Dad said weakly. "w-were you?"
"Infected? No." He answered.
Dad groaned again as he rested his head. I wasn't sure if that was his way of showing he was relieved in his current state.
i saw him tilt his head heavily to face me, the one side of his face with that kind of rust effect to it looked as though it were spreading, "Oh Dad." i thought to myself as i gently stroked his palm, i noticed his fingers twitched slightly as well as his whole arm slightly jolted, i placed a firm hand on it and it remained still evidence of how weakened he was, "No Dad, its alright." i hushed to him, his optics and expression was for a better word 'lifeless' i couldn't say the other word, and i wasn't entirely sure if he was looking at me because of that. i then averted my vision to the table, as i felt a glaze of tears over my eyes and i didn't want to show them.
Everyone in the room was silent you could hear a pin drop, Ratchet waited eagerly for news from Arcee, eyes and optics looking in Dads direction a look of concern but also pity for me.
Then we heard Arcee's voice as i whipped my head up straining my neck in the process. "If it's here i don't see it." Arcee said frustrated.
"Are you certain Arcee?" Ratchet said calmly.
"i searched every file, nothing!" Arcee confirmed.
"Well search again! Clearly you missed something!" Ratchet yelled at her.
"i scanned the entire database!" Arcee growled having no patience for Ratchets doubts in her ability.
"Did you use a redundant quantum algorhythm?" Ratchet asked clearly telling her how to do her job.
"Don't tell me how to research! You think you're the only one who cares about Optimus?" Arcee said with slight hesitance in her voice, over the comm link you could hear a series of beeps coming from Bumblebee i couldn't quite hear what he was saying due to Ratchet and Arcees argument, but it was obviously urgent.
"What is it?" Arcee hissed at Bee.
"What is it? What's going on? Ratchet asked, everything was silent for a long moment, and then Arcee gasped, followed by another few moments of silence.
"Its Megatron...he's alive." She said dumbfounded.
The whole room filled with gasps, "That's not possible." Ratchet said shocked as well.
"Well I'm staring right at him." Arcee said matter of fact. "Good news is, Megatron isn't exactly staring back." She said.
"M-Megatron?" Dad said weakly from his bedside.
"Be still." i told him sternly.
"He's critical, hooked up to life support. Time to finish this once and for all." Arcee said suggesting she was about to terminate him.
"Wait! Don't!" Ratchet suddenly yelled.
"One good reason, fast!" Arcee replied.
"Megatron may be Optimus's only hope for survival." He stated.
"What are you talking about?" she said.
"Yeah what are you talking about?" i thought.
"Does he display brainwave activity?" he asked her.
"Spiking hard. His sick minds still at work." She said in disgust.
"Perfect! If a cure exists, Megatron may be the only one who knows it. You must enter his brain, and find it." Ratchet said.
"Enter Megatrons brain?" Arcee thinking this was a joke. "Ratchet are you out of your fragging mind!"
"The Decepticon laboratory should contain all the equipment you need for a coracle psychic patch." Ratchet stated, a-a what?
"No way, have you ever even performed the procedure?" Arcee questioned.
"No" Ratchet simply said. "But i have thoroughly studied the theoretical litterateur, invented by Decepticons, outlawed by Autobots."
"Whoa! Can't we just haul Megatron through the groundbridge buy us some time to figure this out?" Arcee asked.
"Time is one thing that Optimus does not have! One of you must try this!" Ratchet said forcefully. "i will not allow Optimus to pass knowing that Megatron will outlive him!" he finished angrily.
This whole situation was making my heart beat fast, I'm sure Dad wouldn't want anyone sacrificing themselves if this doesn't work for his sake, but how do you choose one live over another? You just can't. The shouting, Dad's possible death, and all this in general made me cover my ears and shut my eyes tight; i took the cowards way out and refused to listen to anymore.
Moments later though i couldn't block that out for long, my conscience got the better of me for i could not hear anymore arguing.
"A-Are you sure Bumblebee?" i heard Raf say.
"Bees the best scout there is." Bulkhead said reassuringly to Raf.
I felt terrible; I'm not the only one with a guardian whose life hangs in the balance now, i was being selfish. plus Raf is much younger than me, i should be the one to set an example by being strong for him. I forced myself from Dads bedside as i came off the table and walked up the stairs to comfort Raf, along with Jack and Miko.
I decided to go into lighten the mood mood "no problem for Bee Raf. He'll just go in get answers from Megatron, get out, cure Dad and everything will go back to normal, to him its just another mission."
"Ratchet said that this procedure was outlawed by Autobots...that probably means this procedure is pretty bad." Raf said leaning over the railing.
"Nah, it was probably for ethical reasons like...because it's technically...mind...rape?" i said thinking on the spot.
"Yeah, i mean the Autobots have morals, unlike the Decepticons." Miko added rolling her eyes.
Raf still looked on with worry. "All, will, be well." I said softly, almost whispered because of this slight panicked feeling i felt rise in my chest. A few moments had past of silent anticipation.
"Ratchet, we're ready." Arcee said.
"Initiate coracle psychic patch." Ratchet ordered, the screen Ratchet was facing then showed images of a cloudy mist, with a path in front.
"Communications downlink activated. This will allow us to see and hear everything Bumblebee does while in Megatrons subconscious mind." Ratchet explained to us which explains the weird imaging, like a first person view.
"Whoa...where's that?" Jack asked, he was referring to this section that was definitely of Cybertronian origin but its structure was jagged and had an eery feeling to it.
Bumblebee made a series of beeping.
"Bee says it looks like, Kaon. The Decepticon capital back on Cybertron." Raf said translating.
"I thought Megatron would be a bit more creative then that." I said, i mean why not imagine the whole of Cybertron? But my mood changed dramatically when Bulkhead spoke up.
"Ratch, Optimus's vitals." He said.
"I know" Ratchet said gravely.
I tapped frantically on the bar, Miko linked arms with me in a comforting gesture. This made me feel worse than better, I had to shake it off crying about it won't help anyone, so i pulled away from her as i distanced myself from them, i folded my arms as i looked to the ceiling Miko's confronting touch brought on that glaze of tears again as i thought looking up would stop them from falling to gravity.
"Quickly Bumblebee, i know you're in unknown territory but you must figure out where information might be filed in Megatrons mind." Ratchet told him.
Still in the back i turned my head to see what was on screen we then saw what looked like Dad just standing there, then he came closer very fast in view a sure sign Bumblebee went running up to him.
"Bumblebee that is not Optimus, but a figment of Megatrons mind, it cannot see or hear you." Ratchet explained.
Then we heard the maniacal laugh of Megatron. "Optimus prime, your Autobot armies are defeated, bow before your new master." He said.
"Never Megatron." Said the figment of Dad "One shall stand, one shall fall."
"So be it." Megatron said. Before jumping down from his position and both he and the Dad figment charged towards each other, but it was over quick as Megatron simply slashed him down.
Even though it was just a figment, it was still unsettling to watch as i winced, shutting my eyes tight.
"That never happened" Bulkhead stated as i looked to Dad still in the same deathly state.
"It's not a memory; we're seeing Kaon as Megatron has re-created it. In his darkest dreams." Ratchet explained in an unsettling way. We then saw a rocky pillar transform into another figment of Dad as i slowly made my way downstairs still fixed on the screen.
"Megatron, your treachery ends here." Figment Dad said.
Megatron simply blew him away, fortunately Bumblebee ran towards Megatron so our sight was restricted to that unsettling scene. But we did catch a mist of green as the figment disappeared. We were then met with the sight of Megatron, his very being made me sick to my stomach. "The Autobot scout, the punishment for trespassing in my domain, is your destruction!" he announced raising a blade to Bumblebee. What we saw next was a confused expression on Megatrons face.
"i-I'm okay?" Bumblebee said
"How can this be!" Megatron demanded, we then saw Megatron attempting to destroy Bumblebee several times in frustration, i found myself slightly sneer at his constant repetitive acts of aggression, "yeah keep it up you big ape." i thought to myself as i took that final step to the bottom of the stairs.
"Megatron can't touch Bee?" Raf said relieved at this discovery.
"Because he's not a creation of Megatrons mind. Bumblebee is immune to his physical attack." Ratchet explained.
"Come on Bee ask him already." I thought as my legs started to shake impatiently, i then found myself holding the stair railing tightly as my right hand squeezed a little too hard and had caused a crushed section of the railing, i hissed in frustration as i made my way to the med table.
"You are not wearing phase displacement Armour; your eyes track my movement so you're not a hologram. And i do not believe in spirits." Megatron said starting to analyze his situation instead of attacking it. "So tell me scout! What are you!" he demanded.
"Megatron" came the voice of another figment of Dad, But this time he had a figment of Bulkhead and Bumblebee with him.
"Uh-oh special guest stars." Miko said leaning so far over the bar i swear she was gonna go right over it.
"This is not good." Ratchet declared.
"Well this is...weird." Bumblebee said running over to his figment self then waving to its face. "Hello!" he greeted it.
"Arghhhhhhhh!" Megatron Yelled then fired at all the figments. "You are real, they are not." He said realizing the truth, he then cackled "coracle psychic patch. How unexpected."
"We've stirred Megatron from his oblivion, he's becoming self-aware." Ratchet said very concerned. i hoisted myself onto the med bay as i shuffled closer to Dads head.
"If this is my sub-conscious, what are you doing inside my head!" Megatron demanded of Bumblebee allowing us to get a real close up of Megatrons face. What we then heard was a conversation between Starscream, Knockout and the ever silent Soundwave (whose name was only mentioned) discussing whether to pull the plug on Megatrons life support.
"Ratchet are you hearing this?" Arcee said panic rising in her voice.
"If Megatron perishes, Bumblebees mind will remain separated from his body." Ratchet said. "Forever."
My eyes widened, we'd lose Bumblebee and Dad the risk would've been for nothing! i placed a hand on Dads helm as a instinctive response.
"We'll lose Bumblebee and Optimus!" Jack said surprised as i was.
"Uhh, i wish Megatron would stop rambling already so Bumblebee can get some answers." I said.
"The only way you'd be able to enter my mind is via coracle psychic patch. But the question remains, what happened to me!" he hissed as his expression froze...
i heard a sparking sound come from Dad as his optics looked me at slightly, though i hope they were looking at me, the light in them were dimming as he tried to voice something but it was inaudible, i shook my head as i looked back at the screen.
A sudden realization formed in Megatrons face...he knew what happened to him. "The Space bridge explosion...and yet if you're in my head, i am not...one with the Allspark." Megatron was fully aware now and why the hell would he be able to be 'one with the Allspark'?
"To the pit is where he should have gone." I bitterly said though i noticed Dad made a slight noise as he shook his head at me. "S-orry." i said to him.
"So tell me scout, do i still function?" Megatron asked Bee.
"Bumblebee we are out of time!" Ratchet told Bee.
"We need the cure for cybonic plague." Bumblebee quickly tried to get answers.
"Cybonic plaque, someone besides myself is...unwell?" Megatron said.
Judging from the screen it looked like Bee gave a small nod.
Megatron thought for a moment "Optimus!" he then laughed maliciously. "Such irony! For after ages of endless battle the mighty Optimus Prime is fell by a simple virus from a distant past. And what makes you think i would save the life of my oldest enemy?" he asked Bee.
"Megatron" came the voice of yet another figment Dad. "Your treachery is..."
Megatron swiftly shot him down.
I groaned as i averted my eyes for a moment, "vulgar." i said to myself.
"To get what you most want." Bumblebee said as his answer.
"Oh. And what is it i want most scout?" Megatron again asked.
"The destruction of Optimus Prime. By your own hand." Bee answered back.
Megatron did a swift laugh "did you not see? I do slay Optimus by my own hand, at will whenever i desire!" he argued.
Bumblebee again made a strong case.
"Bee told Megatron if he lets the plague virus destroy the real Optimus, Megatron will never get the chance to do it himself." Raf translated for the others.
"Smart." Jack said.
"Twisted." Miko added.
"After our deep history together, to not watch the spark ebb from Optimus's eyes with my very own." Megatron started.
"Would be a crime in itself." Bee finished.
"Well played scout." Megatron said as he brought up a 3D hologram of what I'm guessing is the cure. "The chemical formula for the cure you seek, not that i expect you know how to read it." He said before he retracted the formula back as Bee reached for it.
"What the...?" Bee said.
"Not yet. And how am i to accomplish terminating Optimus as you propose, while I'm trapped here in a perpetual daydream? Once you release me from this prison, you will have the cure." Megatron bargained little did he know that we already had a snapshot of the cure. "You must guarantee my recovery, or Optimus fades to gun metal grain. The real Optimus."
"Arcee we have the formula, disconnect Bumblebee now!" Ratchet ordered, with a snapshot of the formula we could no longer see what Bumblebee was seeing, hopefully he comes out of it okay, Ratchet activated the Groundbridge and wasted no time in making up the cure. Arcee and Bumblebee returned physically undamaged but bee was holding his head like he had a headache probably after effects of the procedure.
Jack and Raf naturally greeted there guardians, as i lightly placed a hand on Dads helm again, he was so weak, he could barely make a noise or any kind of movement for that matter, even his optics at this point had lost its life and almost its color.
Ratchets reputation of being a fine medic were living up to its name as he had the formula already made up in minutes. He proceeded to inject it into Dads arm (shooing me to one side), the effects were working very fast as Dad was becoming more alert to his surroundings, he looked around comprehending his situation as the others gathered close. He wasted no time in finding his feet; i almost fell of the table...not quite alert as i thought he was.
"That's it, steady." Ratchet said as he put Dads arm around his shoulder.
Everyone in the room started clapping, Bumblebee was cheering and Raf was laughing, it was a bit too mushy for me, but i smiled none the less it was truly a moment to be cheering.
"Please, reserve the hero's welcome for my physician and, my scout." Dad said.
Naturally everyone instead started clapping and cheering for Bumblebee. And Bumblebee being Bumblebee took this opportunity to take a couple of bows...but he suddenly stood upright and looked blankly ahead.
"You okay Bee." I asked.
He then held his head. "i-i think so." He answered.
"Probably the after effects of the patch, we'd better do a few checks just to be sure." Ratchet said. "In fact I'd better do two physical examinations." He said motioning to Dad.
"B-But Bumblebee first right?" i said to Ratchet a subtle hint i wanted a moment with Dad.
"I'm not taking any risks, as soon as i've checked Bumblebee he's next." He grumped back and went walking off.
"Well not much time but i guess i should be grateful for some time." I said to Dad, i had my hands linked behind my back as i started scuffing the ground with my feet. "e-er..." i started as i motioned to him to set his hand down, naturally i stood in it and he placed me on his shoulder and we both went walking in the direction Ratchet went.
"Was the cure really that fast?" i asked him.
"If it was not i would not have took the risk of having you on my shoulder." He replied, his voice was not as strong as it usually was but i guess the cure focuses on the main functions first.
I made sure no one was watching as i looked him up and down, "all clear." I then said.
"Clear for what?" Dad asked.
I then hugged his face and i held onto him for what felt like an hour. Finally i let go as i got too into the moment. "Whoa nearly got emotionally attached." I said teasingly i lightly brushed a finger across my eye, y-you know, bit of sleep is caught in my eyelid that's all.
"Why did you need clearance for that?" he asked "you give similar gestures to familiar beings most of the time."
"This was a different hug, more...er, tender, y-yeah i think that's the appropriate term for it." I put on my not caring act.
"Hmm, you mean...this type of gesture." He said as he swiftly but gently plucked me off his shoulders and held me close to his chest and held me there for the longest of moments; i was forced in a position where i couldn't avert my eyes from his as he smiled warmly at me. My face however was not a smile, it was a wrathful face, and no one forces me into a sugar coated situation.
I then heard a small attentive noise coming from the left of me, i squeezed my head to the left to see Arcee with a dumbfounded look on her face.
"The hell you looking at?" i said. i then kicked my legs against Dads chest to break free from his grasp, and landed swiftly on my feet, i straightened up and brushed myself down. "i-i fell, Dad merely, c-caught me." i said brushing myself down, Arcee merely backed away as she expressed a slightly knowing smile before leaving altogether.
Dad then knelt down to see if i was okay. "Back! Back! You emotional response!" i said swatting his hand away... i then turn tail back to the main room slightly blushing and...slightly holding my back too, u-uh i shouldn't have jumped from that height.
"Ellen?" Dad lightly called.
"What?" i said.
"Are you alright?" he asked looking dumbfounded himself at that action.
"Yes, y-yes I'm fine." i said brushing my fingers through my hair as i returned to the couch, I'll have to be even more cautious with my...tender moments...don't want anyone getting the wrong impression of me heh. b-but I'm glad he's well again.
A/N i encourage R + R's so please feel free if you've got a minute :) next chapter Vince tries to make a move on Ellen :O lol