A/N: eltigre221: Oni-Kage is not Jack's father. Think that if you will, but he's not. VFSNAKE: Jack's vow to protect Sunny will play a role soon. Nightking1988: Fowler didn't pea his pants. With the stuff he's seen, I doubt a ninja putting his sword across his throat wouldn't scare him all that much. Ultimate10: I was originally going to reveal Jack and Chikara's relationship to Arcee in this chapter, but a PM from Kyu No Ken inspired me to do something else.
Chapter 37
The base sat in uneasy silence for the first time in five months after the scene that had just unfolded before them. Agent Fowler announced to Optimus that his superiors had ordered Sunny be put in foster care before the Decepticons or MECH could discover her. Optimus had begrudgingly agreed, not wanting to place yet another human in danger. Sunny was less than thrilled about news and tried to get away, only for Fowler and Mizuki to try and force her, just in time for Jack and Arcee to return from their trip to town. Upon seeing Sunny and Fowler struggling, Jack immediately sprung to action and placed himself between the two.
The boy turned ninja was not pleased with the news, believing he had a say in Sunny's future. After a brief argument and standoff, Fowler left, but the look on his face told everyone that this was far from over. For the moment, Jack was with Sunny, trying to calm the young girl down after the ordeal.
"Why did he say I have to go?" she asked, tears running down her face. "Did I do something wrong?"
"No," Jack said softly, "Agent Fowler just wants to protect you. He just doesn't know how to go about it. You don't have to leave if you don't want to."
"I don't want to leave," she whimpered. "I don't want anyone trying to act like they're my mommy and daddy." She was crying down, sobs racking her body. Jack rubbed her back and rocked her back and forth slowly, mentally cursing Fowler and the government for causing her so much pain. If Fowler came back with an army, like Jack expected, than he'd paint the walls with them. He didn't care if he was branded a criminal and had to go on the run.
As long as he was with her, no one would take Sunny away from him.
ShadowStrike Rising
Aboard the Nemesis, theDecepticon SIC, Dreadwing, walked down the corridors, bidding all on the ship a good morning. Since his arrival, he'd sworn an oath of loyalty to Lord Megatron to see every last Autobot upon the accursed world to the Pit. He would especially make the ride down there as painful as possible for Optimus Prime and his scout. While he would not make the mistake of disobeying his master's orders again, he would not let their crimes go unpunished. The crime in question was the extinguishing of his twin, Skyquake's spark at their hands.
Due to being in stasis for an untold amount of time, Dreadwing could barely feel his brother's reemergence through their bond. But he had felt it; that and his spark being extinguished. He'd come all this way to Earth, destroying an Autobot Wrecker on his way, to seek confirmation. Sadly, it was true; Skyquake was gone. Perhaps even worse, he did not perish under Lord Megatron's command, but under that of the deserter, Starscream.
He knew it was his duty as Megatron's 1st Lieutenant to eventually bring the Seeker in for due punishment, but he would also see him pay for his brother's death. In the meantime, he would aid in the recovery of the Iacon relics and Decepticon weapons to strengthen their army against the Autobots. He was approached by the Vehicon, ST3V3.
"What have you to report?" he asked.
"We have discovered an energy signal in a nearby area," he replied. "Soundwave's sensors indicate the readings are similar to dark energon."
"The only one in possession of dark energon on this world other than us is Starscream," Dreadwing growled the Seeker's name. "It would seem the time has come to for the deserter to pay for his crimes."
"I won't allow you to bring harm to Lord Starscream!" ST3V3 shouted, lunging at Dreadwing. He quickly side stepped him, letting the Vehicon plow into a wall. Shaking his head in annoyance, Dreadwing headed for the ship's command center to report the findings to receive orders from Lord Megatron, who had no doubt been informed by Soundwave.
"Dreadwing," Megatron rasped, "I take it you have been informed of the dark energon reading. As you are aware, Starscream is the only one on this planet with dark energon other than us, having stolen a shard from me in an attempt to exterminate me."
"I will see him brought before you for his long awaited punishment," Dreadwing said. "For all his crimes."
"Rest assured that Starscream will pay for the role he played in Skyquake's demise, as will Optimus Prime and his Autobots. Until then, remember who you serve. Knock Out and Soundwave will accompany you."
"Yes, Lord Megatron."
ShadowStrike Rising
In the forest below the Nemesis, Dreadwing, Knock Out, and Soundwave wandered through the area, relying on the TIC's scanners to pinpoint the energy source. Dreadwing ignored all of Knock Out's complaints about what he'd do to the animals of the forest if they defecated or lubricated on his paint job. He honestly didn't know how Knock Out survived the War for Cybertron when all he did was attack from behind and work on his paintjob. He provided little medical care for the Decepticons because he didn't want to get energon on his finish. That and his choice of vehicle mode made him rather unpopular with most of the higher-ups.
Now that Dreadwing thought about it, the only reason no one chose to antagonize the Decepticon medic was because of his late assistant, Breakdown. While no one bothered to harass Knock Out since the Brute's passing, it was still the only plausible reason. Dreadwing shook his head at the thought of a great warrior like Breakdown wasting his potential protecting someone like Knock Out. It was almost spark-breaking to think of all the times he'd covered for the medic while he went out driving and never once got a "thank-you" in return. Still, that was all in the past; Breakdown was dead and they had a mission to complete.
"Soundwave," Dreadwing called. "How much farther to the energy signal?" The screen that served as the Communications officer's face showed a map, with three Decepticon insignia (himself, Dreadwing, and Knock Out) and the energy source. They were just a few klicks away. "Send Laserbeak to scout ahead for any Autobots, in case they picked up on the signal as well." With a silent nod, the TIC's deployer detached and flew ahead.
"Can we please hurry this up?" Knock Out groaned. "The humidity here is threatening to corrode my paint job."
"Quit your preening!" Dreadwing barked. He honestly wished that one of the Autobots would show up and exterminate Knock Out. A crude thought, yes, but the medic made it hard not to despise him. There were times where Dreadwing thought about throwing him under a train. Sure, he would survive, but his paint job would be ruined. That alone would be victory enough.
As they prepared to move on, Soundwave's visor came to life to show them Laserbeak's point of view. Both Decepticons watched with intrigue as the Deployer flew around in circles, the forest a blur through his vision. From its movement's, it was trying to catch sight of something; something fast. It couldn't have been an Autobot. The only one who could maneuver this terrain in their vehicle mode was Arcee, and as far they were concerned, she was one with the AllSpark.
Laserbeak continued to fly around and catch sight of whatever it was following. While Knock Out missed, Dreadwing caught sight of a black blur flying across the screen. Before they knew, purple light enveloped the screen before it went black. Drawing his sword, Dreadwing went over the ridge to find Laserbeak on the ground, slightly damaged, but functioning. Dreadwing looked around the area for whoever was responsible.
"Show yourself!" he roared. He demand was only met by silence as he sensed a presence circling them.
"Commander Dreadwing," Knock Out called.
"Silence," he replied. "We are not alone."
"Indeed, you are not," A voice echoed throughout the forest. "I did not want to attack you drone, but I thought it was the best way to get your attention." Dreadwing looked up in the trees to find a ninja staring down at them.
"Identify yourself this instant," Dreadwing narrowed his optics.
"I am Oni-Kage and I seek words with your master."
ShadowStrike Rising
June entered Jack and Sunny's room to find the latter asleep with the former watching her. She smiled softly at the sight of her son and the young girl. She could tell from the moment she saw them interact that they had formed a strong bond. Not wanting to drag the others in to it, June waited for the right moment to speak with her son. Though she did not want to irritate him, she needed to know just how he came across Sunny and what he'd been doing for the last five months.
She knew Miko and the others might say she was just being her regular "helicopter mom" self, but she needed to know what her son had gone through while he felt so alone in the world. She closed the door behind her and sat down on the bed, admiring Sunny's sleeping form. It reminded her so much of when Jack was her age and when she put him to sleep. He would always fuss about how he wasn't tired, but the second his head hit that pillow, he was out like a lot. Those days seemed like lifetimes ago compared to how he was now, so serious and in control of that once abundant energy.
"How is she doing?" June asked softly. She had not condoned Fowler attempting to force the girl away and was about to say something when Jack and Arcee returned. She could understand the need to keep anymore children from becoming involved with the Autobots, but forcing the girl against her will wasn't the answer.
"She was a little shaken up by Fowler," he replied. "Damn him for trying to kidnap her while I was gone."
"Watch your language, Jackson Darby," she said half-heartedly. "Agent Fowler was not trying to kidnap her. He only wanted to keep her from ending up like Rafael did."
"That wasn't the 'Bots fault," Jack said. "Megatron's the one who attacked while Raf and 'Bee were out."
"Still, you can imagine that another child in danger, might not seem like the greatest thing to happen."
"I don't care," he said. "Fowler and huff and puff all he likes. He's not taking Sunny against her will. He can show me all the couples who've passed background checks and bring all the military officers he wants. If he tries to force Sunny to leave, then he'll answer to me."
"And what if she wants to leave," June asked.
"Then she can leave," he replied curtly, ignoring the pang of hurt in his heart at the thought of Sunny wanting to leave him. He still couldn't figure out why the thought of her leaving caused him such distress.
"I don't mean to change the subject, but I'd like to know how the two of you met," June said.
"It's a long story," he replied.
"It's gonna be a long night then," she replied, her tone leaving no room for argument. Jack sighed; he was a deadly ninja warrior and he still felt like a kid whenever his mom spoke to him.
ShadowStrike Rising
A/N: Sorry to leave it like this. Next time: After Jack finishes explaining what happened to June, they must decide on what to do about Sunny. Meanwhile, Oni-Kage meets with Megatron and MECH puts their scheme into action.