Chapter 11: The Winner Circle
Two days later, Sideways was fully functional and ready to start more training, Bumblebee and Jazz decided to get some training in for themselves. Barricade and Warpath were pretty good teachers. Bumblebee was very glad to get more tips for today. Sideways' skills were improving a lot and so were Bumblebee's and Jazz's. Later on that day, Barricade invited them to a race around the city again. The race consisted of 3 laps and they were nearly done with the last one. Sideways had taken the lead and Bumblebee was right behind him. Jazz, Barricade, Cliffjumper and Ironhide were trying to catch up. Ironhide was considered a master dirt drifter like Bumblebee and Cliffjumper. They drifted smoothly into the turns and gain control on regular road. Sideways and Bumblebee were fighting for first as the finish line came closer. However, just as they were about to decide a winner. An enforcer rolled onto the road and blocked the way.
"OH SCRAP!" Bee yelled.
"WATCH OUT!" Sideways yelled.
Both mechs swerved out of the way just in time and came to a stop. They were angry.
"ALRIGHT MECH WHAT THE FRAG ARE YOU-" Bumblebee gasped at who had interrupted.
It was Prowl who seemed eager to meet them. They all transformed.
"PROWL? AGAIN? WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Bumblebee yelled.
"Just dropping by!" Prowl smirked seeing the others gather.
Bumblebee, Sideways and Jazz stood their ground, so did Barricade, Warpath, Ironhide, Shockwave, the Insecticons and Combaticons. Prowl wasn't scared the least.
"Look if you've come here to fight, then you know you're easily outnumbered!" Bumblebee snarled.
"Why don't you just go back to Kaon where me, Bumblebee and Sideways can kick your ass!" Jazz growled.
"Sideways? Did you say Sideways? Him? A loser of a racer?" Prowl began to laugh. Sideways growled.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" Sideways snarled.
Prowl had to admit Sideways had the courage to stand up to him. But he still wasn't afraid.
"What are you going to do?" Prowl said.
"Ready to find out?" Sideways said and shoved Prowl.
Prowl was about to punch him but Jazz shoved him down.
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" Jazz growled.
Prowl just got more aggresive as he shot back up and punched Jazz in the chest forcing Bee to run up and punch him square in the face.
"ENOUGH, LET'S SETTLE THIS WITH A RACE!" Bee yelled.
"A race, are you kidding me?" Prowl said.
"Afraid to lose against us?" Sideways teased.
Prowl had enough, he let out a loud growl and walked right into Sideways' face.
"I ACCEPT, AND WHEN I WIN, YOU THREE WILL NEVER BE ALLOWED TO RACE, EVER AGAIN!" Prowl announced.
The racers couldn't believe what they just heard. Bumblebee was stunned, if they loss, there would be no more racing dreams for him. He was interrupted by Prowl moving in front of his face.
"I can't wait to see you cry!" Prowl sneered.
"You're the one who's going to be crying when we win, cause when we do, YOU WILL HAVE TO QUIT YOUR JOB FOREVER!" Bee snarled.
Prowl gasped, there was no way he was going to lose his job to Bee. He growled at this.
"DEAL! NOW LET'S RACE!" Prowl sneered.
"So where are we racing exactly?" Jazz asked.
"I was thinking from here, all the way back to Kaon!" Bumblebee suggested.
Jazz and Sideways smirked at this idea. It would be the best race they ever had. Plus it got them back near their own towns.
"Sure, we can do that!" Sideways said.
"I totaly agree!" Jazz said.
"Fine!" Prowl said.
So, Bumblebee, Jazz, Sideways, Prowl, Barricade, Warpath, Cliffjumper, Brawl, Onslaught and Swindle all entered the race. Shockwave, Vortex, Blast Off and the Insecticons flew from above. Shockwave started the race.
"Remember there will be no stopping till we reach Kaon! So...READY...SET...GO!" Shockwave yelled.
Everyone took off and the big race begun. Bumblebee, Jazz and Sideways held the lead. The others were watching for Prowl's devious tricks. Prowl was catching up to Sideways who tried to block his path. Prowl was still surprised at the skills of Sideways but they weren't powerful enough to stop Prowl forever. Prowl eventually sped up past him using nitrous. Barricade had tasked Ironhide to stop Prowl from fooling around. As the race had gone by 15 minutes, many of the racers were wondering why there weren't many other mechs on the road, as if they knew what was going on. That changed when a crowd of mechs were coming up fast on the highway. They all swerved around and trying to avoid hitting them. Prowl would occasionally ram into others on purpose. Jazz was having difficulty getting past 2 big rigs in front of him. Prowl passed him by going on the curve and was now in second. Bumblebee stayed strong as the final wave of mechs ended.
"Ooh that was close!" Bombshell said from above.
"Yeah, think of the negativity that could've came out of that?" Shrapnel said.
"It would have been big, big, BIG!" Kickback laughed.
"Ugh, Insecticons!" Shockwave mentaly face-palmed.
Prowl was catching up close to Bumblebee who was trying to avoid him. Prowl nudged the back of Bee making him mad.
"DAMN IT PROWL!" Bee snarled as he swerved away from him.
Prowl was trying to run him of the road so he slammed into him, but Bee recovered back and rammed him starting a ramming fight. That was Ironhide's cue to move in and bash Prowl into an incoming pole. Bee and Ironhide laughed and were joined by Jazz and Sideways. Prowl growled as he raced back onto the highway. At this point, they were about to enter Vos where Breakaway seemed to be waiting.
"Can I join in?" Breakaway asked in a com. link to Jazz.
"Come on in Breakaway!" Jazz said.
Breakaway saw the racers and flew in towards the front. He already could tell this was serious since Prowl was racing. It was in fact serious, Bumblebee, Jazz and Sideways were racing to save their racing dreams. Especially Bee who never wanted to give up on his dream. The race continued on for nearly 30 minutes before finally they came to construction work up ahead and had to take a detour through a desert road. Bumblebeee and Jazz eagerly began to drift around and up and down banks. Sideways, Cliffjumper and Ironhide were having a blast as they soared off banks and even jumped a nearbye river. Barricade and Warpath were trying to get good control. Brawl, Onslaught and Swindle easily manuevered through the dirt. Prowl was relieved when they raced back onto the highway where construction ended. Prowl was now enraged at the fact he wasn't in first yet. He boosted his way back towards Bumblebee who was actually having a chat with Jazz.
"Jazz, if somehow we lose, I just wanted to say, it's been nice racing with you!" Bee said.
"You too buddy!" Jazz said.
"Don't give up, we can win this!" Sideways encouraged them.
"Yeah right!" Prowl said speeding up towards Bumblebee and rammed him.
"OW! STOP THAT!" Bee growled.
"YOU MEAN THIS?" Prowl growled and spun Bee out.
Bumblebee spun towards Jazz and knocked him back. Bee swerved into the side of a building.
"BUMBLEBEE!" Jazz yelled and furiously sped towards Prowl and rammed him.
Unfortunately it wasn't strong enough to get Prowl off the road. That's when the Combaticons had a change of heart!
"THAT DOES IT, I'VE HAD ENOUGH, COMBATICONS COMBINE INTO BRUTICUS!" Onlsaught yelled.
Transformation after transformation, the Combaticons had combined into a very tall and strong mech named Bruticus. The racers were shocked. Even Jazz and Sideways haven't seen Bruticus, but they have heard of him. Bruticus sprinted up the highway and slammed a powerful body-shattering fist down on the road in front of Prowl forcing Prowl into the air and crashing into a pile rocks off the highway. Bruticus then went back for Bumblebee and picked him up.
"You okay?" Bruticus asked.
"Yes, thank you Bruticus!" Bee thanked.
"No problem, I'm...er...we're sorry for all the trouble we caused!" Bruticus said walking back towards the highway.
"I forgive you, and I will make sure Sideways and Jazz do too!" Bee said.
"Thank you!" Bruticus said. "Now let's win that race!"
Bruticus got ready to throw Bee straight to the front of the race. Bumblebee braced himself as Bruticus threw Bumblebee like a baseball through the air and Bumblebee slammed back onto the road far in the lead. Everyone cheered as Bruticus seperated into the Combaticons who also cheered.
"BUMBLEBEE YOU'RE OKAY!" Jazz said using his nitrous.
"I sure am! And now we got one more city to pass...Iacon!" Bee said.
Sideways also stayed with them as they entered Iacon. Mirage and Soundwave had seen the racers go by and decided to join in.
"Don't forget us!" Mirage said.
Soundwave silently flew up towards Shockwave.
"Hello Soundwave!" Shockwave said.
"..."
"Still the silent little bro aren't ya?" Shockwave chuckled.
Shockwave could somehow tell Soundwave was smirking in his alt. mode. Meanwhile, Bumblebee, Jazz, Sideways and a recovered Prowl were more determined than ever. This was it...the town of Kaon was close, the race was almost done, their fates were going to be decided! Bumblebee, Jazz, Sideways and Prowl hit their nitrous and jetted forwards. Bumblebee began to think of the past when he told Jazz he wanted to be a racer.
Flashback...many years ago...
Bumblebee and Jazz were walking around their neighborhood seemingly having a good time.
"So Bee, you seem to have a thing for racing!" Jazz said.
"Yeah, I've always wanted to be a racer!" Bee said happily.
"Really? What kind?" Jazz asked.
"A dirt racer, I love dirt! And I don't mind getting dirty!" Bee laughed.
"Hmm, I think I would be more of a street racer, the lights, the smooth turns, the dark of night!" Jazz said.
"That's great!" Bumblebee said. "I hope my dream comes true!"
"I'm sure it will Bee, and one day, you will have a big golden trophy sitting in your room!" Jazz assured.
Present...
Bumblebee's thoughts seem to have put an extra speed on him. He shot forwards past his friends and Prowl. Kaon was close, Jazz and Sideways found themselves shooting forwards too. And then...Bumblebee, Jazz and Sideways entered Kaon together ending the big race with a 3-way tie.
"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!" Prowl screamed as he entered fourth place.
The racers cheered wildly and so did all the seekers. Bumblebee and his three best friends jumped with joy. They had won, they beat Prowl and now they could race forever! Prowl scowled.
"NO! THIS CAN'T BE! I SHOULD'VE WON!" Prowl snarled.
"YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE WON?" Came Onsalught's voice.
Prowl turned around to see 5 very enraged Combaticons! Onslaught walked up to Prowl first.
"SO, YOU LIKE TO BEAT ON OUR FRIENDS DO YA?" Onlsaught growled as his brothers came up too.
"Uh...I...!" Prowl studdered.
"WE DON'T APPRECIATE PUNKS LIKE YOU...COMBATICONS...GET HIM!" Onslaught snarled before he and his brothers pounced on Prowl to beat the living slag out of him.
While the beating was given, Barricade talked to Bumblebee.
"You know Bumblebee, you were brave to make a grand race like this!" Barricade smirked.
"Yeah, I'm sorry if I nearly got you guys killed. And if I have to go to jail for speeding on the highway, then I'll accept it!" Bee said sadly.
"Jail? Primus no! I wanted to tell you that me and everyone have agreed that you three are welcome to come by our little training building whenever you want!" Barricade said.
"Thank you Barricade! I'm just glad there are nice cops like you!" Bee laughed.
Barricade nodded before the Insecticons scrambled towards them.
"So Sideways, you know you're welcome to come by our house right?" Bombshell asked.
"I am? Sweet!" Sideways said. "You guys were awesome for taking me in those times!"
"It was our pleasure!" Kickback said.
"Alright you 5 that's enough!" Warpath said to the Combaticons.
"AW!" Brawl whined.
Prowl was severely beaten. He was pulled to his feet by Barricade and had cuffs put on him.
"HUH? WHAT? YOU CAN'T ARREST ME? YOU'RE OUT OF YOUR JURISDICTION!" Prowl said struggling.
"Actually, I don't care where I am. You're not a cop so you don't make the rules, and the thing I learned about Kaon is that the enforcers don't give a slag about what they can and can't do!" Barricade smirked before dropping Prowl off at the police station where the other enforcers would deal with him.
"You know Sideways, you showed great bravery and some of the best racing skills I've ever laid my optics on!" Bee said patting Sideways on his back.
"Aw thanks!" Sideways said.
"See guys, I told you our dreams would come true!" Jazz said.
"Um...Sideways!" Onslaught said as he and his brothers came over.
"We're sorry for everything! We mean it!" Brawl said.
Sideways couldn't help but forgive them.
"I forgive you guys, I'm just glad we can get along now!" Sideways said.
"Yeah, and you are always welcome to race on our tracks!" Swindle added.
"Cool! And I would love to see you guys race a that big sprint cup you guys have!" Sideways said eagerly.
"Sure, you can join!" Onslaught said happily.
Everyone began to cheer again as night was rolling around the corner. Early the next morning, Bee woke up remembering everything that had happened. He was sad to find out that Barricade and his friends had gone back to Tarn. Even Mirage, Soundwave, Sideways and Breakaway went back to their towns. Bee was hoping they would've stuck around more. Even his best friend Jazz left...or so he thought. The doorbell rung and Bee actually sprinted to his front door and opened it. There at the door was Jazz smiling pretty big.
"Jazz? You're back!" Bee said surprised.
"Yeah, uh...the police station wanted me to give you this!" Jazz said moving out of the way to reveal a big gold trophy that was in the shape of a tire. It had on the front: "Bumblebee, son of the Legendary Racer himself"! Bumblebee was shocked. His very first trophy.
"Jazz, it's amazing!" Bumblebee said picking it up.
"They wanted me to give it to you as a gift for getting rid of Prowl and winning the big race!" Jazz exaplained.
Bumblebee smiled as he put down the trophy and hugged Jazz. Jazz hugged back tightly.
"Jazz, thank you for everything you did for me! This has been a grand adventure!" Bee said.
"It was my pleasure!" Jazz said.
"So what now?" Bumblebee asked placing the trophy on his dresser in his room.
"Well, Sideways and I were thinking of hanging out at Tarn. Breakaway, Mirage and Soundwave were going to join too!" Jazz said smirking.
"So...another adventure?" Bumblebee chuckled.
Jazz just snickered and transformed.
"Let's start burning rubber Best friend!" Jazz said revving his engine.
Bumblebee transformed and revved his too!
"Let's!"
The two best friends raced out of Kaon and down the highway in a cloud of dust...towards another adventure...together...
Burning Rubber
Thank you everyone for reading this story and I hoped you all enjoyed. This was really my favorite one so far to write. And it was totaly worth it! So thanks again for becoming interested in this story and I hope to write more soon! Kingstriker Out!