Chapter 6: The first battle
Prowl had arrived back with the rest of the Autobots, only to discover to his horror that they were facing a more dangerous enemy.
The Stunticons now disguised as Earth based vehicles are a group of dangerous individuals; while they drive dangerously they are as good on the road as any Autobot if not better. They all stopped to confront the Autobots.
"HAHAHAHA, well, well, well, if it isn't the puny little Autobots!" guffawed the black truck who was the Stunticon leader Motormaster.
"Shut yer dang mouth Motormaster, where are you hiding along with the rest of the Decepticons?" asked Ironhide.
"That I'm afraid Ironbrain is none of your business" said Breakdown, one of the more intelligent Stunticons; "Why should we need them when we can take care of you ourselves?"
"If you want to take care of us yourselves then why don't you come and prove it you Decepticoward" said an angry Brawn. Motormaster just laughed again.
"Stunticons Transform!" he ordered.
Meanwhile a female news helicopter was surveying the area.
"This is Amy Copter of American News Network reporting live from the Carburetor County highway, where eyewitness reports say multiple car accidents have happened all along the highway and judging by my camera's live feed the reports were true. They also say that the huge accident was caused by two unidentified twin sports cars and a group of four cars and a truck that at incredibly high speed smashed anyone that dared got in their way." The news copter then noticed among the carnage a Police car with a group of other Cars confronting a group of five other dangerous looking vehicles.
"Wait a minute; I can see that a Police car and several good willed Samaritans have cornered a truck and four other vehicles and my guess is that this was one of the groups responsible for the Carnage today no sign of the other group of two however."
Then the news heard the truck shout something then they seemed to fall apart.
"Hold on that group of five vehicles; they just seem to be falling apart or splitting apart. Wait…oh my……I don't believe this they just, they just changed. They're not Cars anymore, they're ROBOTS!" she shouted with awe.
Back at the ANN building from where the news was being reported, the news was met with amazed faces, one of the Camera cars shouted:
"Somebody get the boss! This is our new headline; no it's the news of the dang century!"
Back to the Autobots and Decepticons, the Stunticons now in their towering robot modes and lethal weapons loaded laughed at what they thought was the Autobots last moments. Prowl thought fast, in vehicle mode they couldn't fight the Decepticons, while it would risk the Autobots identities, the Decepticons already had revealed themselves to the world and it would be suicidal to fight them in vehicle mode.
"I guess we have no choice Autobots, TRANSFO…" but Prowl felt Electricity suddenly surge through his body and it cut him off mid-sentence. The other Autobots were being electrocuted and they bit their teeth in agony. After the shocking had stopped Prowl turned round to see Runabout & Runamuck in their robot modes and laughing almost maniacally.
"Tough luck Autobots, we've just taken away your most valuable battle assets" said Runabout.
Prowl saw their smoking guns; they were emitting smoke hinting it was them who electrocuted the Autobots. Prowl tried to transform to prevent any further sneak attacks but suddenly found himself in a horrible predicament. He couldn't transform. He looked around to see his comrades struggling and stretching, they too tried to transform but couldn't.
"Oh No" cried Prowl "Transfixation rays; it's scrambled our transformation programming!"
(Transfixation is a type of munitions designed by the Decepticons. It scrambles the Programming of a transformation procedure. In other words it makes Transformers forget how to transform)
"Transfixation? Oh no what do we do?" harked Bumblebee as he and the other Autobots were in distress, and they were going to be in further distress.
"Don't worry Autobots, this is just the beginning of your problems" chuckled Motormaster.
"Stunticons COMBINE!" the Autobots circuitry ran cold; they knew what was coming next. Meanwhile the ANN news copter was still recording all the action live.
"It appears the Police car and his civilian brothers in arms were ambushed by two other robots, and were zapped with some type of electricity bolt but thankfully they seem alright. Wait a minute! Those five shape shifting robots, they just combined! I repeat they just combined into one huge robot, judging by his size I'd estimate he's around sixty to eighty feet tall! I can't believe what I'm witnessing here and I am sure you feel the same too viewers" The people at ANN HQ were updating the country on the news as it came in (and by this time other news networks around the globe had gotten hold of the news).
The headlines on TV read 'Robots in Disguise: Unknown Cars change into giant mechanical monsters, then Combine to form one huge super machine' everyone in America was watching with awe.
Meanwhile the Autobots were now facing skywards to their newest threat in an already bad day. The Stunticons had combined into one huge robot which went by the name of Menasor. The Stunticons are a type of Decepticon assault group known as 'combiners' these groups that consist of a number of smaller robots have a unique ability to combine into one huge robot. Menasor was one of the most dangerous, his unstable personality and unpredictable rage makes him both a threat to Autobots and Decepticons who get in his way.
"MENASOR CRUSH, DESTROY!" screamed the giant robot. He lifted his right foot, preparing to crush the Autobots.
"AUTOBOTS ROLL FOR IT!" shouted Prowl, the Autobots reversed for their lives and barely avoided Menasor's huge foot which caused a small shockwave through the ground.
However some Autobots had forgotten about Runabout and Runamuck behind them, Brawn felt Runamuck punch right through his roof, and the Decepticon lifted the small Autobot Land Rover off the ground, his hand still inside Brawn. Then the Decepticon threw Brawn 30 feet away, as Brawn landed hard he rolled a further 20 feet and lay motionless. Runabout walked over to Brawn while Runamuck fired at the Autobots.
"They call you Brawn but I think they should call you Brain as in Branless" laughed Runabout as he readied to finish off the small Autobot.
"You're one to speak Runabout, last time I heard you couldn't calculate the difference between Titanium & Alluminium" Runabout turned around to see Jazz.
Jazz did a 360 degrees donut at Runabout's feet causing Jazz to 'tail whip' Runabout. The tail whip cause Runabout to fall flat on his back, as he grunted with confusion, Jazz pulled Brawn to safety near a sand dune.
"Don't worry little dude, we'll be back for ye, but I have to help the others first." Whispered Jazz, there was no response from Brawn he was still in stasis lock.
"Brawn is down!" shouted Ironhide but he felt a swift backhand from Menasor which sent him nearly half a mile.
Thankfully Ironhide's (as his name implies) tougher exterior protected him from Menasor's curshing blow and helped him survive the hard landing…..just.
"Aw man I'm getting to old for this" he muttered in pain but began to drive back towards the battle, he was a courageous Autobot.
"The giant combine robot and his two smaller friends are now attacking the Police car and his allies, a red van was punched miles away while a land rover was punched through the roof and is now out of action. I'm going in for a closer look." The news chopper was still recording everything and unfortunately for her she got a little too curious and greedy, hoping to get some good shots of this unique story she hoped she could use it to advance her career.
Too late she was spotted by Menasor.
"I'm trying to get a good angle of the monster's face….oh no he's seen me!" she cried.
"PATHETIC INSECT" roared Menasor. His almighty hand reached for the news chopper, over the news the television showed Menasor's hand cover the camera then the feed and contact with Amy had been lost as the screen showed the common but eerie sea of black, white and grey fuzz which only meant disaster.
The news team back at ANN HQ tried to regain contact with the news Chopper, fearing the worst.
"Amy, Amy come in are you alright come in!" said one car on his cell phone.
"AAAAHHHH SOMEBODY HELP ME!" screamed Amy, Menasor's grip tightening around her as he enjoyed her screams of pain.
"That poor helicopter is being crushed alive, we have to help her" cried Bumblebee.
"We will Bumblebee but at the moment we have to help ourselves as we are in no position to fight back" replied Prowl.
"Oh yes we are" Bumblebee said back and the brave little yellow VW Beetle headed right for Menasor.
"Bumblebee come back!" cried Prowl but 'Bee was too focused on rescuing Amy from a crushing fate. As he got nearer to the monster Menasor, 'Bee shouted up to the Decepticon.
"Hey Menasor, that's real big of you picking on innocent helicopters, how about you pick on a mechanism your own size?" shouted 'Bee.
"Like, YOU?" replied Menasor and Bumblebee followed up with a big "Uh-Oh".
He drove out of the way right before Menasor plowed his right hand through the concrete, Menasor now found his hand stuck and tried to pull it free. Bumblebee drove up Menasor's stuck arm, over Menasor's shoulders and down the right arm to where the Helicopter was being held.
"Help me" cried Amy.
Bumblebee thought to himself 'I hope Cybetronian titanium tastes nice.' He opened his mouth and bit down as hard as could on Menasor's thumb. The giant Decepticon howled and let go of the copter while Bumblebee jumped down to break her fall. As he landed he felt the crushing weight of the larger helicopter crash on him, but thankfully he wasn't too hurt and 'Bee lay down the chopper gently on the road.
Amy managed to speak out "Thank you" before falling into unconsciousness. Bumblebee dragged her away from the battle to safety.
"Good ole' Bumblebee saves the day again!" smiled Jazz.
While Bumblebee was one of the smallest Autobots, some of the larger robots really respected & looked up to the little robot's bravery and courage.
Menasor had recovered from the nasty little stinging pain from Bumblebee (no pun intended, honestly!) and was now furious and kicked Mirage away in the process. With more than 50 of Prowl's forces out of action he needed a plan and fast.
"We need to use Menasor's poor intellect to our Advantage" cried Prowl "And I think I know how."
Prowl got the attention of Runabout and Runamuck, who transformed and gave chase.
"Come back Autobot, and we promise we'll only maim you and not kill you" shouted Runabout.
Prowl headed straight for Menasor and started driving circles around him.
"Bet you can't shoot me Menasor!" taunted Prowl, the giant Decepticon grew angrier and in a blind rage readied his giant gun and fired blindly at Prowl.
The gun shots caused small explosions as they hit the ground but Prowl continued to evade and drive in circles. As Menasor fired more shots, he was so focused on Prowl he hadn't even noticed Runabout and Runamuck in vehicle mode chasing Prowl. It was only a matter of time when one of Menasor's shots accidentally struck the Deceptitwins. In a blinding explosion, Runabout and Runamuck screamed as they were blown into the sky, the force of the bang caused them to automatically change back into robot mode.
When they landed on the ground, they landed hard with several body parts missing and sustained severe bodily damage with chips and scratches all over their steel structure. In seconds they had entered Stasis Lock to save themselves from termination. Menasor realized his mistake but didn't show much compassion for his comrades, he now pulled out his massive sword in one hand.
"TIME FOR AUTOBOT SKEWERING!" he roared over and over again.
"Alright Autobots, with Runabout and Runamuck out of the picture we can focus on Menasor. Jazz give him one of your sound and light shows" said Prowl with a wink and smile.
"You got it chief, prepare for a rock and roll light and sound show, like you've never seen or heard before but I promise once it's over you will never experience anything like it again!" shouted the Autobot Porsche, he opened his doors and out popped two massive speakers and light projectors.
With a sound with more decibels than a full speed jet engine and lights twice as bright as the sun, Jazz aimed the noise and lights right at Menasor's face. The giant covered his optics with one hand and Audio receptors with the other.
"RAAAHHHH MAKE IT STOP!" he screamed, he was so disorientated he was losing his balance.
As the noise and lights continued, Prowl noticed Ironhide had finally returned.
"Ironhide!" shouted Prowl trying to speak above the noise "Glad to see you made it back!"
"Don't worry chief, as long as there is a battle to be fought I'll be there and will stay there until we win it" replied the old Red van.
"Good I need your help" shouted back Prowl and laid down his plans to Ironhide.
Once he had finished he ordered Jazz to keep blinding and deafening Menasor.
"Alright Jazz you're doing good keep it up, Ironhide Hound unload on Menasor!"
Ironhide and Prowl revealed secret compartments in their vehicle mode to reveal laser cannons and unloaded on Menasor, Hound was shooting with the gun already mounted on his Jeep mode. The laser fired poured onto Menasor's hide, the monster shouted in fury as he felt the lasers firing into him and the smoke from his small wounds were clogging up his circuitry. He was now completely losing his sense of balance.
"Ironhide do it now, I'll keep laying down suppressing fire." Ordered Prowl.
Ironhide then drove full speed for Mensor's left leg, using his tough armor he plowed into the Decepticon's leg. The force from the collision was so great, Menasor had completely lost balance and fell over on his back with a massive metallic crash. He lay there in smoke, motionless.
The Autobots were now cheering for what seemed a great victory. Prowl drove up to Menasor to make sure he was out.
"Well done Autobots you all did well today, we beat one of the Decepticons most dangerous weapons." But Menasor was not defeated, he sat back up roared and picked up Prowl with the intention of crushing him.
"PATHETIC AUTOBOT PREPARE FOR DEATH" but before Menasor could deal the finishing blow to Prowl, Menasor was met with an even more intense barrage of laser fire and in shock dropped Prowl.
"Did you do that Jazz?" asked Ironhide.
"Don't look at me Iron buddy" replied Jazz.
"Then who fired at Menasor?" asked Hound.
The Autobots turned around to see five vehicles speeding towards them. One was a mostly blue with some areas of white fire truck, one a Police motorbike, one a Police car, one a Fire rescue Helicopter and the last one an Ambulance van.
"Thank Primus, Prime got my distress signal" said Prowl.
The five mysterious vehicles kept firing at Menasor and when they got near enough the blue fire engine shouted:
"Protectobots COMBINE!" and the fire truck transformer to reveal the Protectobot leader Hot Spot then the other four vehicles combined with him to reveal one of the Autobot's combiners, the mighty but noble Defensor.
"Thank Primus and the Protectobots" said Hound as the large Autobot ran for Menasor and landed a left-right punch combo into Mensor's face followed by a kick.
Defensor unleashed another barrage of Energon fire into Menasor's body, the Decepticon must've taken over three hundred hits from Defensor's guns. Once he had stopped firing he grabbed Menasor's legs, tripped him onto the ground then began to pummel his face with some devastating hits.
The noise and tremors from these giants fighting was tremendous as the Autobots could barely keep on their wheels. Menasor managed to lift Defensor off him & tried to land a Punch but Defensor avoided it. Grabbing the arm of Menasor he held onto it tight then started to spin the Decepticon round and round, then let go. Menasor flew five hundred feet away and when he landed the force of the fall was so great it forced all the Stunticons to separate.
"Stunitcons, grab Runabout and Runamuck and retreat" screamed Motormaster.
Wildrider, Breakdown, Dead End & Drag Strip braved the Autobots fire to grab Runabout & Runamuck while Motormaster sped off in vehicle mode to save his own skin. The rest of the Stunticons transformed with Runabout and Runamuck on their backs and sped off angrily after their leader, they hated Motormaster for being leader and seeing him run off like that made them more furious.
The victorious Defensor separated into the five separate Protectobots Hot Spot, Streetwise, Blades, First Aid & Groove.
"Looks like you guys were doing fine without us" said the Protectobot leader Hot Spot.
"Believe me Hot Spot you guys saved our sparks today" grunted Prowl still hurting from Menasor's crushing grip.
"I hear the Decepticons hit you with a transfixation ray is that right Prowl?" said First Aid.
"Yeah" replied the Autobot police car "Can you help us transform again?"
"Sorry Prowl you're going to be stuck in Car mode for a while, the equipment needed to reprogram your transformation sequence is back at base and unfortunately all the equipment was damaged when we found it, I was helping Wheeljack repair them when we had to answer your distress call." Replied First Aid.
"Ah Slag" groaned Prowl "What about the injured Autobots, Ironhide and I are hurt and Brawn and Mirage are in Stasis Lock, they need attention immediately."
"We're sorry Prowl but Prime has ordered us to help the wounded Earthlings, we've got too much to do here" replied Hot Spot, however Streetwise gave Prowl some good news.
"However I found a small Earth based hospital in a town we passed through to get here, if you take your injured there I am sure, with the assistance of Ratchet, the doctors there can help Mirage and Brawn."
"Where and how far is it?" asked Prowl.
"It's the same town you passed through chasing Runabout & Runamuck, according to intel it's called Radiator Springs, follow the street signs and you can't miss it, I'd download the co-ordinates to your GPS but you're stuck in vehicle mode" replied Streetwise.
"Alright then, Protectobots thank you for your help, but regardless of what Prime says I want you all to rejoin us in Radiator Springs when Earthern emergency services can take care of the injured civilians themselves" said Prowl.
"Yes Sir" replied the Protectobots.
"Alright Autobots, gather up the injured and follow me, we'll link back up with Ratchet and head for this Radiator Springs to recuperate" ordered Prowl.
Hound, Bumblebee and Jazz being the uninjured ones towed Mirage and Brawn while Ironhide and Prowl had to drive on their own in agony. The Protectobots transformed to vehicle mode & began aiding the injured Cars and vehicles who got caught up in the fight, they preferred to help innocent creatures caught up in the Cybertronian war rather than fight, but as they proved today they can take on anything the Decepticons can throw at them. Once Prowl's group had rejoined with Ratchet, they headed towards the jewel in the crown of Route 66, Radiator Springs.