Ancient Monastery, China. A Year Later. March 15, 2019.
From the Last Chapter: Bulkhead journeyed across the world understanding the meaning to fight injustice. Then A Former Dead Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn sent Bulkhead to the the Temple where Bruce Wayne is waiting for him to be trained in the arts. During Training. The evolved T-Rex T-Bone was sent on a path from a dream that lead him to Bulkhead again. Thus on T-Bone's free time. Bulkhead and T-Bone now trained together under the tutored of Qui-Gon Jinn.
It has been a year since Bulkhead and T-Bone joined the ranks of the Order of the White Lotus. Bulkhead and T-Bone has mastered every Technique of the Deadliest Martial Arts: Togakure-Ryu. Passed down through generation since the Ono period. They both have passed every Trial Bruce Wayne gave them just as he had before when he was a trainee himself.
But Now it is time for both Bulkhead and T-Bone to be tested in the Initiatory Test of Honor.
The First Test is the Togakure-Ryu challenge: Combat. Bulkhead must defeat his opponents without being defeated. Bruce will be the one to see his score count while T-Bone watched. Bulkhead first start of when a ninja strike first as Bulkhead went hard on all of his opponents. Bulkhead is nothing like Bruce Wayne when he's the Batman.
Round 1.
Bulkhead is Merciless and Brutal. Fast Strikes, Dislocations, Bruises, Bone Breaking, Ninja Stars, Smoke Powders, Grapple Rope Bulkhead made himself and Worse of all is that none of the ninjas fast or not couldn't land a hit as Bulkhead countered every move with counter/counter attack.
Bulkhead was unstoppable. He even stuns a ninja and was beaten up by multiple fist strikes fast and hard like lightning. Bulkhead even takes them down where they lay. Bulkhead finished the 1st round in -3:53 with the Score: 24,290.
But Bruce also count the bonus on the gadgets he'd used and Bulkhead did a flawless free flow that racks the Score to 30,290. The Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn stands next to Bruce Wayne on the balcony seeing the trial, "Not Bad. He's more ruthless then you are in your day". Bruce: "If he pass. He's ready".
Round 2.
Some Ninjas now use Sais as Bulkhead dodge 2 slashes but countered the last slash to a knee strike to the head. The Machine struck down another Ninja and countered another Ninja with a Sai and striked the face. Then all over: Merciless and Brutal. Fast Strikes, Dislocations, Bruises, Bone Breaking, Ninja Stars, Smoke Powders and Grapple Rope.
Bulkhead was a Beast on the Field. All the Anger that he'd had before has made Bulkhead stronger on his strikes, even the Critical Strikes. Bulkhead threw one Ninja on the floor and twist his arm. At the Final Touch, Bulkhead stuns all 3 Ninjas to the floor and one by one Bulkhead strikes them down without breaking his flow motion streak.
Bulkhead passed every round this First Trial has test him. The Score goes all the way to: 152,175 in -7:09. T-Bone nods as he knew Bulkhead can do it, "Yes!". Qui-Gon grins, "Well done Bulkhead". Bruce: "He's doing better then the rest of the others". "That still doesn't make him one of us".
Bruce and Qui-Gon turns to an old friend of the clan, Bruce: "Shiva". Shiva walked to the edge and looks to Bulkhead, "Have you told him of the other Trials before you sent him in there?". Bruce: "He's well aware of the Initiation Trials". Shiva the leaves, "Let's hope so. For your sake".
The Next Test is the Shinobi-Iri Challenge: Predator.
Bulkhead's Trial is to take out the armed guards without being seen, If to be is to be shot. Bruce: "Bulkhead. You are full of surprises. But fighting alone does not make you worthy. To train with us, you must be able to use the environment and strike without being seen. If you see him... Eliminate Him". T-Bone widens his eyes. Bulkhead lowers his brows in a glare.
Bulkhead was given a time limit of -1:28. But he will be rewarded a +0:85. Bulkhead silence take-down a guard as he moved on an knock down another guard from above the top glass and fled into the grate. Bulkhead went around and silenced another guard without a sound.
Then Bulkhead climbed up to use his grapple rope to pull another ninja guard to a ledge take-down. Bulkhead crepe as two guards came down as Bulkhead threw a smoke pellet to cover them in smoke-cloud and went into the grate and came out at the end in a grate take-down and to the other guard a smash take-down. Bulkhead grappled-zipped to the last guard and takes him out in a ground take-down.
Bulkhead ended the Test in -55:49 and 3 trophy points of: Smash Landing, Grate Moves and Over the Edge. Bruce was impressed and Qui-Gon knew it, "I knew he can do it". T-Bone grins, "Never doubt it".
The next Test is another Combat Challenge: Taijutsu.
Bulkhead knelt to peace as Bruce speaks, "You survive to fight again. But I will not have beginner's luck cloud your judgement. This test is far from over and we shall see if you are one of us. Make him suffer".
This time besides Sais and Fists. Now it's guys in Samurai Armor for Protection. However Bulkhead doesn't waste time as he went after one of the armored ones and go into a lightning multi-strike while countering enemy fists.
Then he threw a lot of ninja stars to stun a group of ninjas as Bulkhead only first goes after the armored ones first and again with lightning multi-strike while countering enemy fists. Now he was free as Bulkhead went full brutal on the small fry that even has sais.
Then more came as some of them have more training in the arts. But Bulkhead just breaks them like toys. Then Bulkhead goes brutal again as he goes on a critical strike spree. Then Bulkhead flipped a ninja and slams the arm down hard.
Bulkhead before would never had lived this long as a Wrecker. But he's super hard to beat now as those kung fu ninjas were no match. Qui-Gon did a damn good job buffing Bulkhead to who he is now... But can he overcome his fears... and his failure.
At the end of the Test, Bulkhead ends it with the score of: 243,515. Qui-Gon: "Amazing. Bulkhead somehow channeled his anger and power into his strikes. A rare gift". Shiva was not impressed, "I'd be impressed if he made it to the final trial". T-Bone gave a smirk to Shiva, He's not lost yet".
The next Test is the 2nd and last Predator Challenge: Boryaku.
This one is more harder with samurai armored ninjas involved. Bruce: "Interesting. Like I, You spared their lives even though they will not spare yours. I'm very impressed. But be careful that a sense of morality can get you killed at a times moments. Now this your greatest trial yet".
Bulkhead didn't waste time as he disappeared when Bruce turns back, "You don't waste time. Find Him" said Bruce as he left as ninjas with guns and armor comes in. Bulkhead running has impressed as robot steps has gone quieter that no one can hear when he gets behind them as one female ninja with a rifle was then silent take-down by Bulkhead.
Bulkhead ran then sneaks to the guard by a paper wall... and smashed the wall to grab the guard and takes him out with one fist. Bulkhead then sets a trap to another guard that climbs down only to trip with Bulkhead ground-striking and fled to the grates.
Bulkhead went to the other side of the grate when a ninja in a samurai armor runs in to follow another guard but was intercepted by Bulkhead who went out of the grate and ground-smashed him. Bulkhead ran off to a vent and went around to the 2nd floor and then the strike points of those dragon statues.
Then Bulkhead swings to another dragon statue and threw a smoke-cloud to a sniper that shot off in fear as Bulkhead dropped down sneaky over the ledge and took out the sniper with the ledge take-down and escape to another dragon statue.
Then another as Bulkhead heads to the other sniper and jump kicks him to the ground and ground-pounds him and escape in a front-flip to the 1st floor and then zoomed to another dragon statue. bulkhead went around to another guard strikes him down to the ground.
Then Bulkhead ends the Test with him throwing ninja stars at the last guard who was climbing up a ladder and then fell to the 1st floor along with Breaking and Entering, Over the Edge and Caltrop Trip. Time took 1:46.25.
T-Bone has never gotten that fast of what Bulkhead just did, "He's gotten better. You taught him well". Qui-Gon: "I taught you both well. I learn everything from the Batman". Bruce knows the Bulkhead has one more Trial... Shiva.
Now the Final Test is at hand: Seishinteki Kyoyo: The Final Examine. T-Bone was the first to take on the Trials and pass with flying colors, except one part as it took longer to take down Shiva on his last test. Bulkhead's Final Trial was to face Shiva just like T-Bone's Final Trial. But Qui-Gon has other Ideas. To pass. Bulkhead is going to have to face his greatest enemy: His Teacher... Qui-Gon Jinn. To T-Bone it was a surprise.
Bulkhead, T-Bone, Qui-Gon and other ninjas wear the armor wore by the League of Shadows from Batman Begins.
Qui-Gon: "You traveled the world to understand the criminal mind and conquer your fears". Qui-Gon holds the blue flower that Bulkhead brought from the grave site of the ancient battlefield. The Former Jedi then placed the flower in a mini-bowl and crash and mix it up, "But a criminal is not complicated. And what you really fear is inside yourself. You fear your own power. You fear your anger - the drive to do great or terrible things. Now you must journey inwards".
Qui-Gon tips the cup of the crumbled flower into a smoke trey as it burns smoke, "You are ready". Qui-Gon offers the trey to Bulkhead which he accepts. Qui-Gon: "Breathe". Bulkhead closes his eyes as he breathes in the smoke, Qui-Gon: "Breathe...".
Bulkhead breathes in the smoke as he lifts up without his eyes opened. Qui-Gon: "Breath in your Fears". Then Bulkhead saw a second glimpse of the one thing he fears... Bats. (SCREECHING!). At one moment Bulkhead was that scared young boy again and then back again.
Qui-Gon: "Face Them". Bulkhead into seconds of memory seeing his past and even... his Father. Bulkhead then turns to a glare. "To conquer Fear, You must become Fear. You must bask in the fear of other men" said Qui-Gon as he steps backwards.
Bulkhead eyes soon turn red. Qui-Gon: "And men fear most what they cannot see". Qui-Gon masked himself as other ninjas with the same uniform and armor comes to a square line of columns. T-Bone was instructed to watch with Bruce as he slips away upstairs. Bulkhead masked himself too. But this will not hide him from the Red of his Optics.
Every Ninja's eyes are blue as the optics of Cybertronians. Bulkhead then carefully walked into the crowd to find his teacher. Qui-Gon: "You have to become a terrible thought...". Thus... All Ninjas pulls out their katanas and just stands in position.
Then moved into two columns face to face. Bulkhead pulls his katana. Qui-Gon: "A Wraith...". Bulkhead moves in with care. "You Have To Become An Idea!". Qui-Gon attacks out of nowhere as Bulkhead dodges and only clash once before Bulkhead becomes one with the single column.
Bulkhead then moves slower this time. Qui-Gon: "Feel terror cloud your senses". In Bulkhead's view he only sees the place and everything in a echo and vibration. Qui-Gon: "Feel it's power to distort... To control".
The crowd moved again. Then again and raise swords but not attack. Bulkhead can feel Qui-Gon as he feels his sword vibrate, Qui-Gon: "And know that this power can be yours". Bulkhead reacts into the crowd to the same thing the ninjas does.
Qui-Gon thus searches for Bulkhead as thus he attacks Qui-Gon who he now blocks and counters before the crowd moves again in the same column. Bulkhead moves back a bit. Then the Crowd stands attention as a box was shown to Bulkhead.
Qui-Gon: "Embrace your worst fear". Bulkhead moves to the box open it, Qui-Gon: "Become One with the Darkness". Bulkhead thus opens the box as Hoards of Bats flutters out that pushes Bulkhead to the ground. Bulkhead looks at the Bats as they dim thinner of them as gone as Bulkhead ignores them.
Qui-Gon: "Focus". Bulkhead stands up. Qui-Gon: "Concentrate". Bulkhead waits... "Master your Senses". Bulkhead dodged the first attack from Qui-Gon but not the second as Bulkhead got a cut and then the bot dodge rolls as they crowd moves again.
Bulkhead got up. Then he looked to his cut on his left upper arm. It drips of Energon, something that'll give away. Then Bulkhead got an idea and cuts random ninjas and split Energon to those marks. Gui-Gon looks around and notice the mark of the Energon.
Qui-Gon moves on... til he grabs him and holds his katana to his neck. Then removes his mask, Qui-Gon: "You cannot leave any sign". But then Qui-Gon felt small tap a blade that holds him there, "I haven't" said Bulkhead took off the mask. The way he was talking is like Bulkhead's voice gotten lower voice with a pinch of growl.
Qui-Gon smiled as thus Bruce Wayne claps his hand of a well done, "Impressive". Bulkhead looks to Bruce. T-Bone nods as he he gave a thumb up... then he felt something behind him and stopped it as his right hand was punchered by a throwing dagger.
Qui-Gon turn as it was Shiva that tried to kill Bulkhead. Shiva: "Most Impressive. You actually made it". Bulkhead didn't say anything as he removed the dagger and throws it to a wall. Then Bulkhead grasped on Shiva to her jacket as Bulkhead glared, "Don't do that". Bulkhead let's go as he and Qui-Gon goes to talk with Bruce.
Bruce stands as he moved burning wood in a fire pit, "We have purged your fear. You are ready to face the the Evil. You are Ready to become one of us". Bulkhead: "Thank You... But No". Qui-Gon turns to Bulkhead.
"I left to finds answers. Thanks to you and Mr. Wayne. I have what I seek. I thank you for taking me in and teach me and T-Bone everything. But it's time I go back". Bruce knew this would happen, "I thought you may say that".
Qui-Gon smiled, Bruce: "We teach you to face your demons. Face those fears. When you left home, You were just a man with no purpose. Now you have now become the man you are now. But don't let that change who you are".
Bulkhead nodded as Qui-Gon now talks to him, "You have become a Strong Man. Just as I imagine... Your Father would be very proud to come this far. But be mindful with your surroundings. The Creatures that dwells in the world will use that to destroy you. Never let that guard down for one second".
"Understood. Master" said Bulkhead as he bows to his Master. T-bone then bows too, "It has been an Honor". Qui-Gon said that he hasn't said in a long time, "May the Force be with You, Bulkhead and T-Bone". Bulkhead and T-Bone then turns in his uniform and armor... "You know I'm keeping these" said Bulkhead as he keeps the Blade Gauntlets. T-Bone had the same Idea, "As a Souvenir".
Bulkhead and T-Bone then leaves as the members of all ninjas watch as they watch the most strongest Heroes leave. Qui-Gon knows, "Something tells me that those two may come back". Bruce knows too well, "I'm counting on it".
Bulkhead and T-Bone with backpacks made their way down the mountains and to the Valley of Peace. Bulkhead looked to the Noodle Shop where Po works there. This time he didn't say a word as Bulkhead smiled and disappeared with T-Bone into the crowd before Po notices..
...
At the China Airport Runway. Bulkhead and T-Bone was met up with an old friend who came out of a LongneckTech Private Jet: Doc Hudson Hornet. Doc: "Hello T-Bone. Bulkhead, You been gone for a very long time". Bulkhead: "Yes I have". Doc: "You looked very fashionable". Bulkhead just nods, Doc: "Apart from the Black". T-Bone: "We were training". Doc just smiled.
...
Now on the Jet heading back home to California.
Doc tries to do a conversation with Bulkhead who has been away for 2 years. Doc: "Are you coming back to the Kingdom for long, Bulk?". Bulkhead just looks to the window, "As long as it takes. I'm gonna show the people of the world that their lives doesn't belong to the criminal and the corrupt".
Doc can't believe it, "Your still going to go the King's Killer?". T-Bone knows Bulkhead's pain for a long time, "He's the one that started it". Bulkhead: "I will not kill him. But I will bring him to Real Justice". T-Bone agrees with Bulkhead. Doc: "In the Great Depression, your Grandfather nearly bankrupted LongneckTech Enterprises combating poverty. He believed that his example could inspire the wealthy of all ages to save their Cities and their Homes".
Bulkhead: "Did it?". Doc spoke in ways, "In a way. Your Father's murder shocked the wealthy and the powerful into action. A Few Trusted Companies do all they can to stop to it". Bulkhead knows that won't do it, "People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy, and I can't do that as Bulkhead Prime. As a Man or Machine, I'm Flash, Metal and Blood. I can be ignored, I can be destroyed, But as a Symbol... as a Symbol, I can be Incorruptible".
Doc notice that this isn't the way Bulkhead talks, nor as a General. Bulkhead: "I can be everlasting". T-Bone asked, "What Symbol?". Bulkhead continues, "Something... Elemental, something Terrifying". Doc then spoke, "I assume that as you're taking on the underworld, this Symbol is a persona to protect those you care about from Reprisals?".
Bulkhead: "You're thinking about Boulder?". Doc smiles in worry, "Actually, I was thinking of myself". Bulkhead smiled, "Have you told anyone I'm coming back?". T-Bone just shut up as he taps his claws with worry. Doc lays it down, "I just couldn't figure the legal ramifications of bringing you back from the dead".
Bulkhead: "Dead?". T-Bone: "You have been gone for 2 years". Bulkhead: "You two had me declared dead?". Doc: "Oh actually, it was Mr. Earle. He's taking your Father's company public. He wanted to liquidate your majority share holding. Those shares were worth quite a bit of money".
Bulkhead knows that already, "The company has been public since the 4th year of the Terminator Wars and before that". Doc has got good news, "The good news is that Grandpa Longneck is still in charge of the company. But Mr. Earle is doing a lot of bad things behind his back".
Bulkhead does makes those sense, "Well, it's a good thing I left everything to you then". "Quite so Kid" Doc rests, "And you can borrow Mack if you like. Just bring it back with a full tank". Bulkhead smiled as somethings don't changed. "I'll make sure we do" said T-Bone as he rest.
Castle Far, Far, Away. Beverly Hills, California.
It has been 2 years since Bulkhead has been back here. Doc made sure no one including Bulkhead's mother: The Queen is in the house. Bulkhead in the living room writes notes from photos and reports. Even the photo of Jim Gordon and Bruce Wayne. T-Bone went back home to keep up his act.
(Squeaking. Chirp!).
Bulkhead looked up, then back to his notes. (Chirp!). Bulkhead looked up long. Then he stops and got up to follow the sounds to the hall. (Fluttering. Chirp!). Bulkhead saw a single bat flapping in the ceiling to find an escape from the light.
Doc rolls in, "A blessed bat again, Bulk. They nest somewhere in the grounds". Bulkhead looked to the bat and thus remembers the day he saw them. Went back to the place he fell into that well as he pulls the long grass away.
Bulkhead then went down with this time a repel rope to the bottom. Bulkhead looked around, Then notice the hole on where the bats came out of. This Time, Bulkhead comes to them. Bulkhead crawls through the pathways and slid slowly down to a cave with water falls and sounds of water.
bulkhead got down to the rocky ground. Bulkhead looked around and moves on. Bulkhead comes out to a bigger cave with water trickling now. Then he heard sounds of bats. Bulkhead turns on his chest lights shines as he looked around.
Then a Hoard of Bats came out of the Darkness and surrounds Bulkhead as he flinched to the ground... But then He notice that he is not afraid anymore as Bulkhead stands as somehow the bats encircled the Big Green Autobot.
Bulkhead cuts out the lights and lets the bats soar as he closes his eyes and embraces the fear. The Bats in someway goes around Bulkhead like a Tornado of Bats. The Bats flies free as Bulkhead embraced everything.
In the Dark Chambers of the Sith.
The Dark Lord Vader sleeps in his bacta tank. Then he feels a new presence. Something that is New... No. Older, "It cannot be".
Prime Towers.
Mr. Earle and the Board with Longneck speaks of stuff again. "No, we are showing very healthy growth in these sectors". Grandpa: "I don't think that Harold Prime would viewed real heavy arms manufacture as a suitable cornerstone for our business".
Then Mr. Earle talks in to Longneck, "That's 20 Years Ago... Longneck. I think, after 20 years, We can allow ourselves to stop thinking what Harold Prime or Thomas Wayne would have done". Grandpa glares, "What?".
...
Outside the Office.
Bulkhead walks in as a woman speaks in the front desk. "Good Morning. I'm here to see Mr. Earle". Woman: "Name?". He answers, "Uh, Bulkhead Prime". The Woman stops as she looked up to see it is him.
...
Earle: "Harold or Thomas would probably not have taken the company public, which it has during the Terminator Wars. But not for other else. But that is what we, as responsible managers are going to do". A Member of the Board: Optimus Prime states out, "As I recall. The Will that Harold left behind states that only members of the order we'll choose to change the data arms manufacture goes live or not. Including other things. But both Harold and Thomas states the Founder should be in charge besides any heirs. They did put you out of it though".
Mr. Earle then restates, "Well. I have the thing to change all that. Jessica". Mr. Earle calls for the assistant, "Jessica, where are you?". Grandpa raised his brow in curious.
...
Outside the office. Jessica was busy with a game of gold, Bulk: "Eye in the Ball... and Swing". The Door opens by Earle, "Why is no one answering the phone?". Jessica turns her head fast. However the other turns of a proper playboy way, "It's LongneckTech Enterprises, Mr. Earle. I'm sure they'll call back" said- Earle: "Bulkhead?".
Hearing that name made people puzzled. Earle: "You suppose to be dead". Bulkhead smirks, "Sorry to disappoint". Bulkhead walks in and confronts Mr. Earle, "As I recall. The Last Time you tried to make weapons at Wayne Enterprises. The Joker or Black Mask always tend to steal it all so easily".
Bulkhead states out, "As I recall. You had people in the government who wanted to talk to you but was busy. However. You weren't on the list". Just the a Certain FBI comes to take Mr. Earle away now that Bulkhead is back. Earle: "Wait a Minute! I am CEO of this Company!".
Agent: "Really? As I recall. You said that when he's ready, His company will be waiting. However, You did not uphold your end of the deal. Let's Go". Earle: "No Wait!". Doors Closed. Bulkhead turns as the board and even Optimus and Grandpa claps for him to welcome him home.
Bulkhead smiled.
Rescue Bot Academy.
During these times. Optimus gave instructions for Sigma 17 to built a hidden training school for future rescue bots. It is still coming along. One of whom is Boulder. He's been tinkering on the main computer for hours, "Hey. I want you to take a look at this".
Next to Boulder is Salvage, one of the recent Autobots of the Rescue Force. "Have you, uh, seen him yet?" Salvage asked. Boulder turns to Salvage, "Who?". Salvage: "Bulkhead. It's been all over the News. He's back".
In Boulder's mind. This is happening. His Brother: Bulkhead. He's back. This made Boulder smile for joy.