Hello, bots and cons. Centurion Maximo here and welcome back to Young Justice: Frontiers. This is it, the fourth and final part of the Infestation arc. In the last part, we encounter a new type of Genomorph called the Trencher, meet a new Autobot: Breakaway, and the finale of this multi-parter is now underway.
Here is the OC/Story Contributor list so far:
Mobian
Vein Bloodborne
Mpatton12
Doc Fossil
Gregory
I hope this list expands in the future.
Now, onto the finale of the Infestation arc!
*New York City. Subway System. Insecticon Hive. 15:34 pm*
Batman and Nightwing initiated the fight against Infernox while Shade began cutting up Insecticons. Infernox was small enough for the Dynamic Duo to quickly start damaging him with their weapons. The subway tunnel grew hotter as the flaming beetle' Decepticon's wings buzzed angrily, throwing sparks in every direction. The smell of burning metal and plastic filled the air, mixing with the faint scent of fear from the trapped passengers.
"Keep your distance," Batman warned, his voice calm and firm even through the chaos. "His flames are intense. If we get too close, we're done for."
"Copy." Nightwing acknowledged, his batons at the ready for defense as well as offense.
The battle was intense and fast-paced. Batman targeted Infernox's joints with his grappling hooks, while Nightwing weaved through the air, dodging flaming projectiles. They worked in synchrony, their movements a dance of shadows and steel in the flickering light. Each hit from their weapons sent the Decepticon staggering back, his armor blackening under the pressure.
"You pitiful fleshbags!" Infernox screamed in rage that he was actually being damaged by two non-superpowered humans. His flaming wings grew larger, the heat intensifying.
"Hmm... wings growing bigger, growing heat. Seems like you're compensating for something." Nightwing suddenly taunted.
Infernox's optics widened hearing that and grew angrier. "You dare mock a soldier in the Decepticon army?!" The flaming Decepticon surged forward, his wings creating a fiery tornado that roared towards the two heroes. Batman and Nightwing had to think fast. They dove into separate tunnels, allowing the inferno to pass through where they had been standing. The heat was intense, even at a distance, and the walls of the tunnels began to glow red.
The moment the flames passed, they regrouped, Batman's cape smoldering slightly. "We need to find his weak spot," he said, his eyes scanning the Decepticon's form. "If he's got an overheat mechanism, we could use it against him."
"My taunt seemed to affect him. He must not like being mocked." Nightwing noted. "Maybe if I keep at it, he'll slip up some more."
"Don't push your luck," Batman warned. "We need to be strategic."
Shade, who had been silently dismantling Insecticons, stepped closer to the main battle. "I've noticed something. When he's distracted, the flame intensity around his core dims."
Batman nodded, piecing the information together. "So, if we can keep him enraged and distracted, we might be able to get to that core."
"Sounds like a plan," Nightwing said, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the fight.
The trio strategized quickly. Nightwing would keep Infernox's attention with his taunts and agility, while Batman and Shade searched for an opening to strike the core. As Nightwing leaped back into the fray, Batman took stock of the situation. The Insecticons were almost dealt with, their lifeless forms littering the tracks, but there were still a lot more to deal with.
"Nightwing," Batman called over the comms, "Keep him focused on you, but don't let him land any significant hits."
"Roger that," Nightwing responded, flipping over a fiery projectile and landing gracefully on the subway tracks.
The plan was simple, yet risky. Nightwing knew he had to be quick with his words and quicker with his reflexes. He goaded Infernox, pushing every button he could find in the Decepticon's programming. The creature's flames grew more erratic, his movements less predictable. "Looks like someone forgot their sunscreen," Nightwing quipped, his voice echoing through the tunnel.
Infernox's rage grew to a fever pitch, and with it, the fire around his core dimmed ever so slightly. It was the opening they needed. Batman and Shade took their cue, darting in from opposite sides. Batman's grapnel shot out, latching onto a piece of the Decepticon's armor and pulling him slightly off balance. Shade's shadowy form took advantage of the distraction, her blade slicing through the air with a high-pitched whine.
Infernox roared in fury, swinging his fiery sword in a wide arc that would have decapitated the two heroes if they had been a fraction of a second slower. But they were ready. They ducked and rolled, Batman using his cape to shield them from the intense heat, while Shade's blade danced around the edge of the flame, searching for that elusive weak spot.
Their eyes locked onto his spark, a pulsing, blue-white sphere of pure energy nestled in the center of the Decepticon's chest. It was protected by a series of retracting panels, but with the fire dimming, those panels were more vulnerable than ever.
"Now!" Batman shouted, and they both struck simultaneously. Shade's blade sliced through the first layer of protection, while Batman's gauntlet-mounted EMP blast hit the second, causing sparks to fly and the panels to shudder. Infernox staggered, his fire dimming even more as his systems screamed in protest.
"Finish it!" Nightwing yelled, as he spun his batons to create a whirlwind of steel, drawing Infernox's attention away from the vulnerable spot.
"Eat this, Decepi-creep!" The Batmobile-themed Autobot screamed as her blade went right through Infernox's spark, causing him to screech almost like a real insectoid monster before staggering for a few moments and finally falling to the ground, faceplate first. Within seconds, his colors dimmed to a dull gray. Infernox was extinguished. Shade didn't take pleasure in extinguishing a fellow Cybertronian's spark, but knew it had to be done. She turned to the duo. Now, for the rest of the Insecticons and freeing these people."
The subway passengers huddled in the corner of the car, watching with wide eyes as the heroes moved swiftly and decisively. The heat in the tunnel was still intense, but now there was a glimmer of hope in the air, a coolness that signaled victory. The Insecticons, seeing their leader fall, turned their attention from the passengers and swarmed towards the trio, their own claws and acids at the ready.
Batman and Nightwing didn't flinch. They had faced worse before. "Shade, cover the passengers," Batman instructed, "Nightwing and I will take out the remaining Insecticons."
Shade nodded, her blade shimmering in the red light as she stepped between the cowering humans and the approaching horde. She raised the sword in a battle stance, her eyes glowing with a fierce resolve that belied the calm in her voice. "You shall not pass," she murmured, her shadowy form expanding slightly, a clear threat to any who dared to come closer.
The Insecticons paused for a moment, seemingly unsure of how to proceed without their leader's guidance. It was a brief reprieve, but one that Batman and Nightwing used to their full advantage. The Dark Knight threw a smoke bomb into the center of the swarm, obscuring their vision and giving them the perfect opportunity to strike.
Nightwing leaped into the smoke, his batons crackling with electricity as he disarmed the first few Insecticons with swift, precise strikes. Their shrieks of pain were muffled by the chaos around them, but the sound of them clattering to the ground was music to the heroes' ears.
Meanwhile, Batman moved like a shadow, using his gadgets and martial prowess to incapacitate the enemy without killing them. His batarangs found their marks, disabling limbs and sensors with surgical precision.
The smoke cleared, revealing the two heroes standing firm against the onslaught of Insecticons. Each of their movements was a testament to years of training and experience. They had fought side by side before, and their teamwork was seamless. The Insecticon drones, now leaderless and disoriented, began to retreat, their retreat marked by the sound of their clattering metal legs on the floor.
The passengers were safe, for now, but the battle wasn't over. The trio had to move quickly to stop the Machination's main plan before it was too late. As they made their way through the wreckage of the train, Batman's comms beeped to life. "Batman," came the urgent voice of Batgirl, "We have a location for the control center of this operation. It's not far from here. We need you, Nightwing, and Shade to move out immediately."
"Understood," Batman responded, his gaze never leaving the retreating Insecticons. "We're on our way."
The dynamic duo and Autobot looked at each other, a silent understanding passing between them. They had won this battle, but the war was far from over. As they sprinted out of the subway tunnel and back into the daytime, the sounds of the city's sirens grew louder. They had to shut down the Machination threat before it could spread any further. The stakes were high, and the pressure was on. But this was what they lived for. This was their justice.
Shade opened the subway car, seeing the frightened passengers who were calming down now that they were saved by the trio. "Come on, people! Follow us!" Shade gestured and they followed.
The sun was still shining when they arrived at the coordinates given by Batgirl. The building was nondescript, a typical office block that could have been anywhere in the city. But the energy signatures coming from inside told a different story. The Machination had set up a command center here, and it was their job to shut it down.
The trio surveyed the area, their eyes scanning for any signs of danger. "We'll go in through the ventilation shaft," Batman said, pointing to a nearby grate. "It'll be tight, but it'll get us in without being detected."
Nightwing nodded, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Sounds like a plan," he said, flexing his fingers around his batons.
Shade took a deep breath, focusing on the task ahead. "I'll activate my cloak and sneak in through the front. Let's move.," she said, and together, they disappeared into the shadows.
Inside the building, the air was thick with the scent of oil and electricity. The hum of machinery was constant, a reminder that they were in the heart of the enemy's lair. Batman led the way, his cape billowing behind him like a shadowy flag as they moved through the dark, narrow ducts. Nightwing followed close behind, his agility allowing him to keep up with the Dark Knight's swift pace.
They dropped into the control room, landing silently on the floor. The room was a maze of screens and consoles, all pulsing with the blue light of Decepticon technology. Some of the Machination's leaders were there, huddled around a central console, oblivious to the three heroes who had just entered their fortress.
"We've successfully transported many people to test unlocking the meta-gene." The Reach Scientist said, satisfaction in her voice.
"Indeed. However, I've just received word that the Insecticon hive down in the subway system has been destroyed and Infernox killed. We must hasten our efforts." Dr. Desmond replied.
"Keep calm, Dr. Desmond." T.O Morrow smirked. "We still have made great progress here. However, let us recover Infernox's chassis. We may be able to make some use of it."
The dynamic duo noticed Shade entered invisibly. "Now," Batman whispered, "We take them down."
With a roar, Nightwing and Batman sprang into action, their weapons flashing in the dim light. The Machination scientists whirled around, their eyes wide with surprise and fear. They had not expected a counterattack so soon, let alone one led by the legendary Batman. The Insecticon drones that had been stationed around the room leaped into action, but Shade's blade sliced through them like a hot knife through butter, leaving a trail of sparks and metal in their wake.
The fight was swift and brutal. Batman targeted the human members of the Machination, using his gadgets to incapacitate rather than kill. Shade focused on the more mechanical Insecticons, her blade humming with energy as she dismantled them piece by piece.
Nightwing took on T.O Morrow, their battle a blur of shadow and light. The mad scientist had several tricks up his sleeve, but Nightwing's speed and agility kept him on the defensive. "Your experiments end here," Nightwing snarled, dodging a punch from a robotic gauntlet.
"You know nothing of our purpose," Morrow spat back, his eyes alight with madness.
"Of course they don't." Dr. Desmond snarled. "They will never understand the great advances the Machination will make for the world."
Batman's gaze was cold and unyielding. "Your experiments are over. The people of this city are not your lab rats."
"You say that like you're not too late, meat." The Reach Scientist growled.
"Surrender, Reach scum." Shade growled back, deactivating her cloak. "You're just a scientist with no combat training. We killed Infernox and beat the Insecticon hive down there."
The Reach scientist's eyes narrowed, and she slammed a button on the console. The room began to shake violently as a hidden door opened up, revealing a chamber filled with pods holding unconscious people. The pods were surrounded by a pulsing blue energy field.
"What is this?" Batman demanded, his voice cutting through the chaos.
The Reach Scientist sneered. "This is the future of your pathetic planet. Metahumans under our control, a new era for the Machination."
Shade's optics flared with anger at the sight of the pods. "You monsters," she spat.
"No." T.O Morrow said darkly. "We're visionaries. We're not the ones who let Detroit be completely destroyed."
The room grew quiet, the only sound the persistent beeping of the control panels. The implications of what he had just said hung in the air like a toxic cloud. The Machination were responsible for the destruction, but the League were blamed for it. Batman's fists clenched tightly at the reminder. "Not to mention your former sidekick standing there floundered when you died by Bludgeon." T.O Morrow chuckled.
"Enough talk," Shade snarled, her blade cutting through the air towards the scientist.
Suddenly, another blade blocked Shade's. It was Shiva standing there. "Shiva." Batman said darkly. "We'd heard you joined the Machination. I thought you'd be forever loyal to Ra's."
"Ra's is misguided by his fascination with you and the words of his naïve daughter," Shiva said coldly. "But his legacy will live on in the hands of those who truly understand power. I am with Bludgeon and we will gather new acolytes."
The room grew tense, the air thick with unspoken accusations and the promise of a fight that had been brewing for a long time. Batman's eyes never left Shiva's, his mind racing with strategies to neutralize the new threat without harming her permanently.
An explosion occurred and Batgirl hopped through with Shadowsprint and Zatanna as she magically transported there. "Your evil ends here." Shadowsprint said with conviction.
"As we told these three, you're too late." The Reach Scientist repeated. "Our work here is done. The metagene will be ours, and with it, the Machination shall control the future of this planet and its inhabitants."
"And not just here. We have much bigger plans." Dr. Desmond said cryptically.
Batman's jaw clenched. "You won't get away with this," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "You're all coming with us."
"We think not." A ground bridge opened up behind the four Machination members and they went through. As soon as they did, all their equipment self-destructed to ensure no information could be salvaged.
The explosion was deafening, and the room filled with dust. When it cleared, the group looked around at the destruction, their eyes meeting in silent determination. "We can't let them get away," Batman said, his voice echoing in the now empty room. "We have to find where they've taken those pods."
"From what I gather, all the information on these drives have been wiped." Shade said sadly.
"It's okay," Batgirl said, dusting off her hands. "We stopped them from taking more lives today. That's a win."
"Barely." Nightwing muttered, refusing to show signs of defeat. "They still took many people from their homes against their will."
"It'll work out for us, Dick." Zatanna said, walking up to her boyfriend. "Remember all the crazy stuff from five years ago?"
Nightwing chuckled. "Yeah. We did destroy the Andromedome."
"And we'll do it again," Batman said firmly, his gaze on the smoldering remnants of the Machination's tech. "We need to get these pods that were left behind out of here and find out where they're taking them. We can't let them turn more people into weapons."
"Let's meet up with the others." Batgirl said. And the group took about six pods from the now abandoned building.
Once outside, they were all met by a swarm of police officers and emergency services, all looking shocked at the destruction. The New York skyline loomed in the background, a stark contrast to the serene blue of the afternoon sky. The groups moved through the chaos, the pods floating in their arms. "It's good to see you've rescued a lot of people." One police officer said to them. "I have a feeling these guys prevented you from saving Detroit, so it's not really your fault."
The groups nodded, not taking the praise but knowing that they had to save the people in these pods. The pods were carefully placed in a safe area away from the wreckage and the onlookers. The police had set up a perimeter to keep the area secure. Some were saying words of thanks while others were scolding them loudly for seemingly failing again.
Nightwing couldn't help but feel a pang of anger at the mention of Detroit. It was a scar that had never healed. But he knew they couldn't change the past. They could only work to prevent future tragedies.
Hello, everyone. I hope you all liked the final part of the Infestation arc. Infernox has been killed and the Insecticon Hive in New York destroyed. The heroes are actually able to save at least six people in pods and who knows how many more in the background.
As usual, if anyone has any ideas for this story or others, please let me know in the comments/reviews, or personally PM me.
PS: I'm grateful for all the artistic offers and being appreciated for my work, but I'd rather get ideas.