Chapter 18

It couldn't be.

He had been offlined so long ago.

Ratchet watched with his own optics. Optimus had too.

So why was he standing there?

Worse yet, why was he aiming his blasters at them? Why were his wide, innocent optics glowing a sickly purple and glaring at them with pure malice? Why was his chassis rigid, and an angry fire emitting from him?

Why was he the enemy?

Ratchet's one optic was wide, staring at him like he could never let go. His chassis was rattling slightly, a bad sign, but it was not only because of his injuries. A servo was clutching his smoking shoulder plate, his arm dangling limply at his side. His derma opened and closed over an over, an attempt to call to the mech. But nobody could hear him, not even himself.

Bumblebee didn't move, his blasters pointed at the both of them, threatening to shoot if either of them moved. Optimus' also was frozen, his gun trembling in his servos as his optics filled with coolant fluid. None of them moved; it was almost as if none of them could. For what seemed like an eternal moment, there was stillness and silence. Then, it was Bumblebee who moved.

The zombified scout strode towards the Prime like he was nothing, dullness in ever step. He didn't stagger, which made Ratchet realize immediately that this wasn't like Cliffjumper's case. Bumblebee was aware, and in a way, alive. The realization nearly made the medic call out to him, but he stopped himself. Another thing was obvious.

This was not the Bumblebee they knew and loved.

Optimus began to back away, lowering his gun and raising a servo. "Bumblebee..," he whispered, his optics hurt and pained.

The movement only made the scout stiffer as he approached, his optics thinning as he glared harder. The purple within them were full of hatred; there was no love or caring, or happiness to see the Prime, someone he had always seen as a father figure. One blaster disappeared, and a moment later was replaced with a blade. He began to raise it slowly as he got closer and closer, slowly inching closer until he was barely two feet away.

Ratchet could see that Optimus couldn't bring himself to attack Bumblebee, or even defend himself from him. The scout had always been family; his loss might have hit them hardest of all. Deep down, Ratchet knew that he couldn't either. But as he gazed into the hopeless expression of his old friend, he also knew he couldn't allow Optimus to be killed. With a hiss of pain behind grit denta, he let go of his shoulder plate and shot forward, racing towards the scout.

"Bumblebee, no!" he screamed just as he was about to dig the blade into the Prime's spark chamber.

The yellow and black scout was quick as a flash as he turned sharply, a loud gunshot echoing a moment later. The medic found himself flying backwards from the Dark Energon blast before he even felt the pain. He let out a shout of agony as he slammed into the wall behind him, crumpling to the floor limply. He grit his denta again and groaned dazedly, his vision blurry as he looked back at the Bumblebee. For the time being, he was no longer paying attention to Optimus, his angry gaze turned to the injured medic. Ratchet couldn't look away, his optic looking over to Optimus eventually. He saw his friend look at him in horror, fear flaring in his optics as his servos shook. Ratchet tried to shake his helm, but froze when he heard pedesteps approaching.

"I see you have come across our latest recruit," a monotone voice said, echoing through the hall just before the Con entered the room. Shockwave glowered at each of them with one red optic. "We were surprised when Dark Energon revived him; but even more so were we pleased to learn that he was ever loyal to Megatron afterwards." Though he had no facial plate, a triumphant sneer was heard in his words as he bragged.

Ratchet suddenly felt like he was on fire, and a split second later he realized that he was on his pedes. His optic flashed with utter fury as he roared at the scientist and charged him. "HOW DARE YOU!" the medic screamed as he tackled him to the floor, sending them rolling a few times from the sudden impact.

Bumblebee whirled sharply, aiming both his blasters just as Shockwave regained himself, grabbing Ratchet bu the helm and tossing him aside. Ratchet heard Optimus' cry of distress just before he hit the wall again, making him double over in pain, but he refused to fall. He looked back up and glared at the Decepticon before glancing at Bumblebee and Optimus. The scout was about to advance, clear that he was ready to kill Ratchet, until Shockwave held up his servo calmly.

"I will handle the medic," he spat. "Take care of Prime."

Ratchet watched as Bumblebee paused, only once, and turned again on the Prime, once again advancing while Optimus backed away, unable to attack the scout.

"Bumblebee..," the Prime whispered as he raised his servo, glancing back and forth fearfully. "Please..."

Ratchet had never seen his old friend so upset, nor Bumblebee so sparkless. It made his spark feel like it had been stabbed through, but his fury ran free like a wildfire. With another shout of anger, he ran at Shockwave again. "What did you do to him?!!" he roared, taking a blade and getting ready to swing.

As Bumblebee continued to inch towards Optimus, Shockwave easily snatched Ratchet's arm as his blade came down, his red optic dull. "I find it hard to believe that you are the one that offlined Starscream," he growled, crushing Ratchet's wrist and making him cry out in pain.

At the same time, the medic heard Optimus shout as well. His helm quickly swung around, and he saw that Optimus was stumbling back, clutching a gash wound on his chest chassis as he stared at Bumblebee in pain and shock. The scout's blade was trickling with Energon, his expression blank.

"Bumblebee!!" Ratchet screamed, tearing his wrist away and trying to run to his teammate again. He grunted as Shockwave tackles him from behind, slamming him hard into the floor. The medic's optic widened and he coughed once, violently, and Energon erupted out. Pain flew up his entire chassis, and once again, his fire died out. His optic screamed pain and horror as he watched Bumblebee.

The scout had turned at the sound of his name. He watched as Ratchet laid there helplessly, grunting a little when Shockwave roughly grabbed his helm. For a split second, his optics flashed, matching the horror that Ratchet felt.

The old doctor's spark skipped a beat as he felt more Energon rise in his throat.

Bumblebee was still in there.

Shockwave also noticed, his chassis going a bit rigid just before Bumblebee recomposed himself. "Bumblebee," he growled. "Why have you stopped? Finish him."

Bumblebee blinked, lowering his blade ever so slightly as he looked between Shockwave and Optimus several times. Optimus' optics and chassis were shaking as he hit a wall, unable to back away any more. Shockwave was expressionless as always, but there was an aged flowing from him, commanding him to do as he was told.

Ratchet hissed as Shockwave tugged his helm upwards and brought his cannon to the bridge of it. The medic's optic widened again and he glanced back and forth in fear and Energon leaked from his mouth.

"Do it," Shockwave ordered. "Or I will end his life myself." He pressed the end of his cannon against Ratchet's helm harder.

Bumblebee seemed to shake a little, sending both fear and hope into Ratchet's spark. The scout was fighting, but his optics hardened and his helm turned to Optimus sharply. His blade was replaced with his other blaster, and he raised both of them to Optimus' helm. The Prime said nothing, only watched Bumblebee with sadness and fear, his expression almost like a frightened child. The medic wanted to scream, but his strength had been sapped from him.

Shockwave's aura seemed to grin maliciously. "Good," he said. "Now we will end them both." He started up his cannon and Ratchet realized he was going to offline him anyway.

Bumblebee was stiff for a moment. Then one scrambled word echoed through the room, cracked and frenzied, but still there.

<NO!>

Before anyone else could react, Bumblebee swung around, his optics furious and full of hate, and turned his blaster back into a blade. He jumped forward in the blink of an optic, and before anyone could even flinch he shot his arm at Shockwave. The Decepticon scientist didn't even have time to cry out; in one quick movement his helm was severed from his chassis. The rest of him was still the following moments as the other two Autobots looked at the scene in surprise. Then his chassis twitched before falling limp to the floor, releasing Ratchet. Bumblebee watched with anger in his optics, backing away slowly as he glared at the body.

Ratchet blinked a few times, completely shocked. Shakily, he tried to get up, but his arms failed him and he fell to the floor again, coughing more Energon out. He cut it off, refusing to fall into a fit now, and looked back up at the scout.

"Bumblebee...?" he muttered hopefully.

The scout's expression was blank as he bent down, placing his servos on Ratchet's shoulder plates. The medic couldn't help but flinch, still wary, which caused Bumblebee to pause. His optics twisted sorrowfully and he pulled the medic up into a sitting position. Ratchet blinked again and continued to stare at him with a wide optic, now unable to say anything as he leaned on his servo.

Optimus finally approached slowly, coming over and gently placing a servo on Bumblebee's shoulder plate. "Bumblebee?" It was all he needed to say. The question was clear.

The scout looked up at him and nodded, and a tsunami of relief flooded into the older Autobots. Optimus chassis deflated massively as he smiled ever so slightly, his servo squeezing the shoulder pad.

"Bumblebee..," Ratchet whispered, gritting his denta hard as tears filled his optic. He choked back a sob, but was unable to stop himself from shaking.

Bumblebee's helm turned back to the medic, still holding his shoulder plates. His own wide, purple optics flooded with coolant as well and they flowed down his faceplate freely. His expression was so pained as he rushed forward and squeezed the medic into hug. Ratchet stiffened in surprise, blinking down at his family member. The scout's shoulder plates shook as he sobbed soundlessly, breaking Ratchet's spark. The tired medic relaxed and grasped him tightly in his own arm, burying his helm into Bumblebee's shoulder plate. He bit his derma to keep himself from crying; right now, he was just overjoyed to be with the scout again. He rubbed his backplates slightly in an effort to comfort him.

This went on for short while, Optimus standing over them as he watched them clasp each other. Eventually, Ratchet let go, a bit of his old self returning to him. "Alright, that's enough," he muttered, a bit flustered and embarrassed.

Bumblebee smiled ever so slightly, chuckling silently as he stood. He looked over at the Prime, but didn't go towards him. His optics turned sad and regretful, and he glanced away in shame.

"Bumblebee, do not feel as if this is your fault," Optimus said in understanding, placing a servo on his helm and rubbing it gently. "You were unable to control yourself."

Ratchet finally stood up, his entire chassis trembling. "Although it pains us that you have been revived by Dark Energon, we are just glad you are alive." He clutched his pained side, feeling the Energon rising in his throat once more.

The two others glanced at him worriedly. "Ratchet... are you alright?" Optimus asked hesitantly. Bumblebee took a step forward and held the medic's shoulders again.

Ratchet's mangled servo flew to his derma as he erupted into a cough. Energon leaked through his digit, and he cursed at himself. He tensed his entire chassis just as he felt Bumblebee beginning to panic, stopping himself short and standing straight again. He looked into both of their expressions and made his own hard and determined. He was not going to hinder this mission.

"I'm fine," he growled. "Let's get moving."

The other two looked at each other worriedly, but said nothing as Bumblebee let go while Optimus nodded. The Prime glanced at his old friend one more time before taking charge again and turning his helm to his scout.

"Do you know where Megatron is?" he asked darkly.

The scout's optics hardened as he nodded once. Optimus nodded once more and turned back to Ratchet. The medic glanced to the console behind him and understood immediately.

"I'll shut down the Omega Lock," he said. "Then we finish this once and for all."

As the medic turned and limped towards the console, he couldn't help but think back to when he had last spoken to Taylor.

"I'm sorry, Taylor."

She shook her head as she stood on his servo. "I just wish I could help you."

Ratchet's optic softened. "You already have." He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head gently, closing his optic for a moment before backing away, a slight blush rose to his faceplate.

She blushed madly, however, her whole face turning red. Her big blue eyes looked up and her hand traced his faceplate. Though she looked utterly embarrassed, she leaned forward as he held her close and pecked his derma with her lips gently. When she let go, we hand reached up as she gazed at him fondly and rubbed his closed optic.

"I don't want you to get hurt like this again," she whispered.

Ratchet's spark fluttered and he lowered her, quickly setting her down. She looked up at him with hurt and confusion in her eyes as he backed away, leaning on a wall and sitting down. He smiled at her gently, assuring her it was okay, before leaning his helm back and closing his optic. She blinked as his holoform flickered beside him. When he appeared, he looked over to her and quickly went over to her, wrapping his arms around her tiny body and squeezing her. His one good eye squeezed shut and he bit his lip as she froze for a moment. A tiny sob escaped her lips and she hugged him tightly, burying her head into his shoulder.

"Please," she sobbed. "Don't leave me..."

Ratchet let go slowly, raising his good hand and tracing his fingers along her cheek. Slowly, he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers, gripping the back of her head gently. She made a sharp noise of surprise, her body rigid, but quickly relaxed, closing her eyes and leaning into him. The kiss deepened, growing more and more passionate, and they let go a few times before falling back in breathlessly. Ratchet's spark was beating so hard he thought it would explode. Taylor, of course, was probably feeling the same way.

Finally, they let go.

"Listen to me," Ratchet told her, holding her cheek. She waited until her blue eyes looked back up at him. "No matter what happens, I'll always come back to you."

Taylor sniffed and nodded her head, closing her eyes and letting the tears fall for a moment. She reached forward and kissed him again, and he pressed in, but they let go after a few moments. The young woman leaned into him and hugged him tightly.

"I love you," she said quietly as she squeezed tighter.

"I love you, too," he whispered as he hugged her back tightly.

Ratchet sighed softly as the monitor read that the Omega Lock has shut down.

I'll be back, Taylor, he thought. No matter what.

————————————————————————————————

Well, relief. Bumblebee is back.

You're welcome.

Btw, did you like that Ratchet X Taylor add in? :D

So, this is the second to last chapter. After this there is only one more chappy, and then an epilogue.

And be prepared for the next chapter.

You will DIE.

BYE NOW-

*waves*

Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: AzTruyen.Top