Chapter 16: Pre-Season
"Good evening Ladies & Gentlecars, I'm Bob Cutlass."
"And I'm Darrell Cartrip!"
"And welcome to the Los Angeles international speedway where we prepare for our thirtieth annual Pre-Season charity warm ups, bought to you by our sponsors Dinoco, got a monster thirst? Get a monster drink to quench it!"
"Yesiree Bob, just look at this stadium tonight, a full stadium, two hundred thousand cars have come to watch this event, while people say this race isn't that important, well to this two-hundred-thousand strong army I think they would disagree."
"Indeed Darrell, now this race usually acts as a warm up race for the veterans while it also provides the chance for rookies to show their worth. Let's give you a low down on some of the highlighted stars." Darrell continued for Bob.
"First off we have our current reigning champine, the faster than fast Lightning McQueen. I tell you he was awesome last season and I'm sure with all the training he got from the greats like King and Doc Hudson, I'm sure this kid has a lot left in him, the charity he is racing for tonight is for the injured race car foundation, racing cars injured for life as a result of accidents on the track."
"And speaking of the King Darrell, in an astonishing piece of News, Strip Weathers for one night only has come out of retirement to race this one last race and is again going to be backed by Dinoco, in an interview King stated he felt incomplete & unhappy with his last race after he was smashed into retirement by Chick Hicks and you can guarantee King will be looking for payback, Weather's chosen charity is for Cancer Research USA."
"And speaking of Chick Bob, he'll be here tonight too. In an interview with him he said he will show the world that he can beat both Lightning & King in one race and declared next season's Piston Cup is as good as his, Chick's charity is unknown at the moment but I got a feeling Chick will be after that million dollars for his own 'private' charity if you know what I mean!"
"I know exactly what you mean Darrell, but as for the rookies entering this race tonight out of thirty seven hopefuls, one has really impressed the racing experts when he entered this race's tests to see if he was fit enough to race."
"Yeah Bob this kid calls himself 'Hot Rod' and as you can see by his photos his amazingly flat body and tail fins, this kid was made to race."
"Yes Darrell, on the practice tracks Hot Rod showed amazing speed yet still managed to show great maneuvering around corners, he has no sponsor so his team consists of personal friends who will act as his crew and they call themselves 'Team Autocars' a strange name to say the least but they seem to like it. So anyway folks keep your eyes on this Hot Rod, he may just upset three legends tonight!"
The Los Angeles international speedway was jam packed, just like the three way tie race two seasons ago. The racers and their pit stop crews readied themselves, Lightning was with his usual crew consisting of the RS residents, Guido was the sole person who would change McQueen's tires and Doc was the crew chief. Right next to them was team Autocars, they changed their names so as to not advertise the word Autobot on telly, Optimus acted as Hot Rod's chauffeur (like Mack is with McQueen), Ironhide was the crew chief, Wheeljack like Guido acted as the sole person to change tires, gas ,etc.
"Wow Optimus this feels great, I haven't participated in a race this big since back on Cybertron, thanks for letting us go along with this!" said Hot Rod.
"Well, Hot Rod the men needed some R & R so this might give them the confidence they need. Now remember to keep your speed down, we don't want Earthlings getting suspicious of us because your going at 500+ mph, understood?"
"Pfft, why would I want to waste the energy going that fast? These slow pokes will be easy enough to beat at my cruising speed."
A few feet away, team Rust-Eze prepared themselves. Sheriff discussed with Doc:
"Hey Doc why did you let some of the Autobots come? I thought you wanted them in RS?"
"Well Sheriff it was the only way to keep an eye on them so I had to agree to let them come with us. I'm just annoyed that little punk robot entered this race himself, I wonder what he wants with that million bucks, probably to fund their war, I dunno…"
"Well I'm sorry you feel that way Doc but that is the opposite of the truth!" said Hot Rod who heard everything.
"Oh yeah sonny what is the truth?" asked Doc.
"If I win this race…" Hot Rod Paused "I'll give the million dollars to you so you can use it to rebuild the town and that's a promise."
Doc grew surprised at that, did the Autobot actually mean it?
"Well I want you to have it Doc because well first of all your money is useless to us Cybertronians, secondly over the past few days I've taken in what you and Optimus said and I now see that we have to accept our responsibilities sometimes, we may not mean to do things like wreck peoples homes but we did do our part in the damages and for that I am sorry, that is why I will give you the money and hopefully you can use it to finish off your town."
"Why did you have such a change of heart kid?" asked Doc.
"Well Doc I looked for your name on the internet, I thought there was something to you that you weren't telling us, Fabulous Hudson Hornet? I read your accomplishments and as a racer myself I can only have huge respect for someone like you, for the things you've accomplished, you're a real inspiration is all I can say." And Hot Rod drove away, Doc stared at Hot Rod bewildered, the people he hated so much would do something like that for him after the way he treated them?
"See Doc, they're not all bad are they?" it was McQueen.
"No Kid I guess they're not, but that doesn't mean we're gonna let them win are we?"
"No way of course not!" replied McQueen.
"Good now that's the spirit, remember that kid from Cybertron is fast but there's more to racing than just speed, remember there are thirty nine other cars out there most of them rookies, box them in where you want them to go and keep that speed demon trapped in traffic!"
King wondered from his Dinoco crew to see McQueen.
"Hey kid, feels good to be back on the track don't it?"
"Yes sir King, my tires feel right at home on the asphalt."
"Well kid I just came over to say good luck and may the best car win."
"Definitely, the same for you King, be careful out there, no doubt Chick will be up to no good." King gave a nod and looked at Doc.
"Hey Doc, why don't you enter one of these charity races some day, if you ever do I would be honored to race with you."
"Haha, yeah that's a challenge I'd like to compete in some day King, but not until rookie here gets himself a new crew chief." Said Doc.
"Well you already know how hard it is for me to get one Doc, but as for you you're the only crew chief for me." Said McQueen, Doc smiled with pride, King bid farewell and good luck again and he rolled over to the Autocars team.
"Hey Hot Rod, you feeling nervous?" asked King.
"Oh no Mr King, I already said I'm a champion myself, I'm no complete stranger to racing." Replied the Autobot.
"Haha yeah but just remember things may differ here on Earth, I don't want the same thing happening to you like it did at Willy's Butte." Said King.
"Don't worry King, I've researched Earth racing rules and track types and this time the track favors my style of racing, no more dirt roads for me."
"Yeah good going kid, well I better get back to my crew so the best of luck to ya" said King.
"You too King, I can't wait to see what an Earth legend has got when he races!"
Meanwhile team Rust-Eze had an unexpected visitor.
"Hey McQueenski, let me give you a word of advice, the Era of Chick will restart next season because this time that second cup is mine dude and there is no way you're cheating it off of me!"
"Yeah right Chick, forget about the Piston Cup, what were you doing working with the Decepticons? I saw you stealing the Dinoco for them?"
"Ah-ha, that is because I am a winner and you are a loser that is why I get to hang around with cool transforming robots while you are still chasing after me in second place!"
"Oh yeah Chick, just like how you keep chasing after King in second place?" said McQueen pointing to the Dinoco crew, Chick saw King and nearly died.
"WHAT! What's he doing here? I knocked him into retirement!"
"Well you know what they say Chick, you can never keep a champion down and that car right there is a champion through and through, something you will never be!" Chick snorted and drove back to the Hostile Takeover Bank team, his sponsors.
Half an hour later the match was beginning, fireworks painted the night sky like a Van Gough painting, military jets gave off stunning airshows and Cars lit their headlights with excitement. The racers all lined up in no particular order, as they drove in a neat line in rows of three, they reached the starting flag and the neat and tidy line suddenly went completely wonky and out of order, cars fought for positions as they bumped one another occasionally.
"Well this is it Darrell and the racers are off!" shouted Bob over the mike.
"Yesiree as you can see Bob the cars are all over the place, at the front as usual is Lightning and King fighting for first, Chick however started in a bad place and he's caught up in traffic as you can see."
Chick used his usual aggressive tactics to try and get free, but this year everyone knew of his dirty little tricks so they bumped him back into the place he was fighting to get out of. Hot Rod was near the back but he skillfully swerved in and out of opponents like a professional.
"Wow Darrell I can't believe this, that rookie which we previewed earlier, Hot Rod, is swerving in and out of the cars with great skill, we haven't seen such promising driving since McQueen entered the Piston Cup."
"Yes Bob, that Hot Rod fella sure is making those rookies look like they don't even know what they're doing!"
A racing car saw Hot Rod speeding up from behind and tried to keep Hot Rod behind by blocking off his escape routes, but to his surprise Hot Rod leapt over him and right in front, the car gasped in shock.
"Hehe, too easy!" said Hot Rod.
"Don't get too cocky kid, keep moving forward and don't let anyone take your spot!" shouted Ironhide over the radio.
Chick meanwhile finally managed to barge his way out of the crowd and moved up to fifth place. However Hot Rod pulled up along side Chick and smiled at him teasingly.
"Later!" said Hot Rod.
"What the?!" shouted Chick "Another wonder rookie? Well not this time, I'm not letting another rookie wimp ruin my shot at that glory!" and Chick tried to Ram Hot Rod from behind.
However to the Eighty-Sixter's (nasty) surprise his hood nearly flattened as he rammed into Hot Rod.
"AAHH my hood! But how?" Hot Rod smiled and sped off, he knew his Cybertronian titanium would protect him easily from the lighter Earthling aluminum.
"What is with that car?" shouted Chick over the radio "I've never seen a car design like that before, who is this guy?"
"We dunno Chick, but his team is called Autocars and there is not really much else we know about them." Replied Chick's crew chief, Chick then thought.
"Wait, Autocars?" he said to himself, as he squinted towards Hot Rod Chick made out the Autobot symbol on the back of Hot Rod.
"An Autobot!?" His mind screamed "Of Course Autocars/Autobots it makes sense!"
"Hey I lost radio contact with Chick, get him back!" shouted the HTB crew chief, he had lost contact with Chick for some strange reason, but there was no problem, Chick shut down his communications with his team so he could speak to someone else in private.
"Hey, its Chick here I got some news you may wanna hear. The Autobots they're here, how do I know? Just look on the TV and look at team 'Autocars' yeah I know obvious isn't it. As for the Dinoco you say? Don't worry big guy, there's plenty of Dinoco in this stadium for you to get drunk on I guarantee that. How many Autobots you ask? Well I can see one racing with me and I think the rest of his team are Autobots as well so that's about six, don't worry they should be easy enough to deal with, you better get here now if you want them and the Dinoco."
Meanwhile at the front of the racers, McQueen and King were fighting for first place.
"For an old car King you sure can go fast!"
"Hey Kid, remember don't mistake age for weakness, great things can be learnt with age, that's why I'm still ahead of you!"
"Oh really?" said McQueen as he sped into first place.
Two laps later McQueen was struggling to hold first place from King, but they were both shocked when Hot Rod took first place.
"Sorry McQueen, just getting you back for Willy's Butte!" shouted the Autobot.
"Wow I can't believe this Darrell, that new wonder rookie just beat McQueen and the King for first place and pulling away! It's as if it's too easy for Hot Rod.
"You bet Bob, this kid is showing great talent for someone his age, if he keeps it up that million bucks is as good as his!"
Several laps later it was time for a pit stop, Lightning pulled in to change his tires. The amazing Guido again changed the tires in no time at all and in moments McQueen was back in the race, Guido blew the top of his drill like a smoking gun, 'Impressive' Wheeljack thought 'but check this out' and as soon as Hot Rod stopped in, Wheeljack with just as much speed and professionalism changed Hot Rod's tires in no time flat, Wheeljack smiled teasingly at Guido who in return frowned.
"Wow Darrell, the sole pit stop crew of Autocars just changed the tires in no time flat; he's getting a nervous look from Guido!" said Bob.
"Ah Don't count Guido out yet Bob, remember he holds the world record for fastest pit stop ever!"
The rest of the night saw Guido and Wheeljack competing for quickest time, but it was as if they were equal in their times, but that didn't stop them, their determination to beat each other only meant the cars they worked for got out onto the track quicker, which worked to their advantage.
A few hours passed and the race was almost the same throughout, Hot Rod kept a hold onto first place with McQueen, King and Chick fighting for the top spot, but as they got near Hot Rod he pulled away a few meters.
"Well ladies and gentlecars this is it, we're down to the last lap and that rookie Hot Rod has held onto first place for the entire match, the crowd here already love him as you can hear!" said Bob, the crowd roared Hot Rod's name.
"Ohh yeah!" said the Autobot Rookie.
"Wow Bob this is amazing I….woah….did you feel that?" asked Darrell.
"You mean the excitement Darrell? Yes it is amazing….woah!" said Bob, he felt himself shake suddenly.
"Yeah it's that what I was talking about!" replied Darrell.
Everyone in the stadium kept getting the same feeling, they all kept getting shocks for no reason, the racing cars felt it too, some racers skidded off the track, as whatever the phenomenon was, it got more powerful and people could now feel it was small tremors.
"Ladies & Gentlecars we're getting some sort of strange tremors here in the stadium, racers are all over because of it and…" as Bob and Darrell continued their description to the country, the tremors got louder & stronger, louder & stronger.
"What is that?" asked Ironhide.
"Oh no you don't think…." Said Optimus.
Suddenly an ambulance burst into the stadium with a megaphone.
"EVERYBODY EVACUATE THE BUILDING NOW!" he shouted.
As soon as the tremors felt like they were right on top of the stadium all the cars fled in a panic and as soon as they started running:
BOOM! A huge fist plowed through the left hand side of the stadium and forced its way through to reveal a gigantic figure.
"Its Bruticus!" shouted Optimus.
And Bruticus it was indeed as he demolished the entire left hand side of the stadium with many cars falling with the rubble, he was followed by Starscream, Dirge, Blitzwing, Soundwave with his cassettes, Runabout & Runamuck & Astrotrain and leading them was none other than Megatron.
"Decepticons attack ATTACK! Destroy anybody that gets in your way!"
"With pleasure Megatron!" smiled Screamer in Jet mode as he sent a missile right into the opposite side of the stadium, where there were many innocent cars….
The entire stadium was thrown into Chaos. Cars fled for their lives as security vans armed with mere handguns tried to resist the Decepticon advance.
"Freeze robots we got you in our sights!" they shouted as they shot at Megatron, but to no avail.
"Puny Earth germs, feel the might of Cybertronian firepower!" said Megatron as he fired his fusion cannons at the poor cars who evaporated from sight as they got hit.
"Soundwave, reformat the Dinoco into Energon cubes immediately!" ordered Megs.
"As you command!" and Soundwave punched open trailers full of Dinoco and got his cassette warriors to aid him in changing the fuel into pink energon.
Megatron fired his cannon into the air.
"Optimus Prime where are you? I know you're here, show yourself or I'll tear up this building and its spectators into oblivion if you don't show yourself!"
"Right here Megatron!" Megatron turned to see Optimus still in truck mode.
"Ahh Prime after millions of years we finally meet again, why do you waste your time disguising yourselves as these insects?" asked Megs, he still had his Cybertronian tank as his vehicle mode.
Optimus transformed:
"Because Megatron, these 'insects' are better than you'll ever be, like us there's more to them than meets the eye!"
"Enough talk, defend yourself Prime or be sent into the void along with Sentinel Prime!" said Megatron as he unleashed a shot from his fusion cannon, Optimus could've easily dodged it but:
"Those people behind will be dead if I don't do something!" said Optimus, he quickly activated a reflector shield which bounced Megatron's shot right back at him…
"OOFF!" said Megs as he tasted his own ballistics for once, but he didn't seem very phased by it.
"Now I'm angry Prime YEEAAARRGGGHHH!" he screamed as he grabbed Prime by the throat:
"I would've waited an eternity for this Prime, prepare to die!"
"You first Megatron!" said Optimus as he got free and delivered a swift uppercut to Megatron.
"Folks I can't believe what we're witnessing" said Bob, he and Darrell were still viewing events from their commentary box.
"Yeah Bob, those robots in disguise are here in the stadium, they just wrecked two sides of the stadium and I can see many people have been hurt, I hope they're alright!"
"Indeed, but it seems one of the members of team Autocars, the big red truck is also one of the robots and he seems to be confronting the guy calling the shots with the robots who smashed in here!"
"Yeah folks this is incredible stuff, we'll stay here and keep you updated on everything that happens!"
Meanwhile Lightning and King were utterly confused until they saw Bruticus towering over everything.
"Oh no Decepticons!" shouted McQueen.
"Kid meet up with your friends and get outta here, I gotta find my wife and Tex! I'll meet up with you outside!" said King.
"Right King you find Miss Weathers, I'll get Doc!"
Lasers and explosions lit up the place, Cars fled for their lives and Autobots fought Decepticons.
"Autobots, transform and attack!" ordered Optimus, Wheeljack, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Sideswipe & Sunstreaker turned into robots to fight the Decepticons.
"HA, you're no match for me Autobots, not when I have Bruticus! Destroy them Bruticus!"
"Reeuuugghh!" Grunted Bruticus as he charged the Autobots, but he was met with the Protectobots who sped forward gallantly.
"Protectobots, merge into Defensor!" ordered Hot Spot, the noble Defensor locked up with Bruticus.
"Defensor? What's he doing here?" asked Megatron in shock.
"You see Megatron, I always have an ace up my sleeve!" said Optimus, now hoping he had made things equal once again.
"Ahh maybe so Prime, but for every Ace you have I have a trump card!" guffawed Megatron, he nodded towards Runabout & Runamuck, Prime looked to see what they were doing, they were flanking Defensor with some very sinister looking guns.
"Those guns….Transfixation guns!" Prime shrieked.
"Defensor…LOOK OUT!" Prime shouted to his Autobot combiner, but it was too late the Deceptitwins blasted an almighty streak of Electricity into Defensor, he let go of Bruticus and fell to one knee.
At first there was no reaction, Defensor panted but then electricity started flowing to his arms and legs where the Protectobots joined onto Hot Spot.
"My Combination sequence is faultering!" shouted Defensor, he then split into the five Protectobots again, stuck in vehicle mode.
"Oh no, we're stuck in vehicle mode!" shouted Streetwise.
"Ah slag!" shouted Prime.
The Deceptitwins laughed as they marveled their work at bringing down a combiner. But then they were met with the Autobot twins Sideswipe & Sunstreaker.
"You guys really have to learn to stop being so annoying!" said Sunstreaker as he pounded Runabout with a kick to the face, Sideswipe locked up with Runamuck as well.
Optimus contacted home base.
"Ultra Magnus for Primus sake answer! Ultra Magnus COME IN!"
"Prime? What's the matter I haven't heard from you in weeks…."
"Forget that Ultra Magnus, we need reinforcements NOW! We're facing Bruticus and Megatron and Defensor is out of action, get over here NOW!" and Prime cut the link.
Bruticus was about to stomp on the Vehicular Protectobots, but something really annoyed him so much that he stopped from doing it. Two children cars were crying, scared by the giant robots and explosions, a blue car and a pink car hinted they were brother and sister, the brother carrying a toy airplane and the sister a green balloon, they were crying for their mother.
"Mommy, mommy!" they cried, they shouldn't have because it agitated Bruticus.
"Aaarrgghhh, annoying earthlings, your voice annoy Bruticus, so Bruticus shut you up forever!" And the almighty Decepticon raised his foot to crush the poor children, their short lives flashing before them.
The shadow of Bruticus' foot grew bigger and bigger as the children closed their eyes awaiting their deaths, but it was not to be, there was a loud sound of metal on metal, the children were alive for their guardian angel from Cybertron had saved them from becoming pavement pizza.
"Run quickly!" grunted Prime as he used all his strength to keep Bruticus' foot at bay, the children stood there probably confused that a robot had saved them.
From the sidelines Lightning found Doc.
"Doc, DOC! You're alright, come on we gotta get out of here!"
"Wait Kid look, Optimus is about to be crushed by that giant robot!" said Doc, McQueen looked closer.
"Hey look he's saving those kids, but they're not moving!" said McQueen.
Doc felt some pride for Optimus, going in like that to save mere children, he remembered what Hot Rod told him about how he looked up to Doc despite his nastiness to him, what McQueen and King said about the Autobots being good, how the Autobots agreed to rebuild their town and how Hot Rod promised Doc to give the million dollars to the town.
"Wait here kid." Said Doc and he sped right for Bruticus.
"Doc WAIT!"
"For Primus sake! I'm trying to help you, get out of here!" moaned Prime, he might've been equal in strength with Bruticus, but the Decepticon had the weight and size advantage and Prime could feel Bruticus using those advantages to full effect as he started to slowly be pinned to the ground.
"Come on kids, you heard him get out of here now!" it was Doc! He braved the thought of being crushed as he drove right under the shadow of Bruticus' foot.
"Doc!?" said Prime surprised.
"Just do what you got to do Optimus, send these machines of war back to Cybertron!" said Doc.
"Thank you Doc."
"No Optimus, thank you." And Doc finally persuaded the children to leave.
Megatron however was on the hunt; he slowly aimed his arm cannon at Optimus who was still holding off Bruticus' foot.
"That's it Bruticus, hold him right there!" but just as his aiming computers had Prime right in his sights, Megatron had a nasty surprise as he was grabbed by the throat from behind.
"It doesn't surprise me to find you trying to shoot Optimus from the back as always Megatron!" it was Ultra Magnus, as quick as Optimus made the call for help, Magnus arrived with reinforcements in the blink of an eye, with him was Superion, Cliffjumper, Trailbreaker, Bluestreak, Springer & Jetfire.
Ultra Magnus swiftly choke slammed the Decepticon leader to the ground and readied his gun at Megs' face, but the Decepticon sneakily pulled out an Energon saber from his hand and inserted it into Magnus' abdomen.
"Ultra Magnus!" shouted Optimus "Superion, get Bruticus off of me!"
"As you ask Prime!" and Superion dropkicked Bruticus nearly out of the building.
As the two giants locked up, Optimus armed his rifle gun and shot Megatron right in the back. Optimus charged Megatron and pinned him to the floor.
"Why Megatron? Why must you destroy everything I love and care for!?"
"Because I will not stop until I destroy everything that you and the Autobots stand for Prime!"
While Optimus pinned Megatron, Cliffjumper and Bumblebee were in the thick of the fighting, despite being larger, Blitzwing was being pummeled by Cliffjumper.
"Eat laser you Deceptiturkey!" as he shot Blitzwing in the face, the Decepticon ran for cover to heal his wounds.
"Wow Cliffjumper, you're as small as me yet you can take down a Decepticon the size of Blitzwing?"
"Size doesn't matter Bumblebee, all you need is courage and a fistfull of courage to slap them with! As I say the bigger they are the louder they crash!" replied Cliffjumper.
"Err what about him?" asked 'Bee.
"Bruticus hate small Autobots, Bruticus destroy!"
"Then again I guess size does matter if you're the size of a skyscraper!" cried 'Jumper.
Bruticus tried to crush the 'Bots with his fist but the reliable Trailbreaker shot a force field around the two small 'Bots, Bruticus' fist deflected right off of it, long enough for Superion to lock up with the Decepticon again.
"Thanks Trailbreaker, you saved our hides." Said 'Jumper.
"Haha, it's okay fellas, I'm used to rescuing people with my force field…"
"Well how about rescuing them look!" shouted 'Bee as he pointed to Starscream terrorizing a crown of cars trying to escape the carnage.
"Hahaha, I must admit I've seen a lot of aliens who run funny, but you Cars are by far the most Entertaining, now dance for Starscream future ruler of the Decepticons!" and Starscream flew into the atmosphere and dived, unleashing a sinister looking bomb.
"That's a cluster bomb! Thousands of Cars will be dead within seconds!" shouted 'Jumper.
"Not if I can help it, just hope I have the energy…" grunted Trailbreaker, he summoned up all his power as he heard the terrifying shriek of thousands of bomblets (a word used to describe the loads of explosives unleashed by a cluster bomb) grew louder.
The Cars could hear it too; they screamed in panic and tried to get out, some fighting to do so. But they needn't have feared, Trailbreaker unleashed a force field large enough to cover the entire stadium and just in time, the shield shook as thousands of explosions rocked it.
"Please hold!" thought Trailbreaker.
As soon as the whistling and exploding stopped, Trailbreaker collapsed to the floor, almost completely drained of power…
"Ya did it Trailbreaker, you saved everyone!" said a jubilant Bumblebee.
"Yeah….but I….too much power used…..going to enter….stasis lock!"
"I can't believe it Darrell, from what we've witnessed up here in the announcers box Ladies & Gentlecars, a red fighter Jet presumably one of the evil robots was about to kill thousands of Cars with a cluster bomb when a black colored robot activated some force field around the entire stadium…."
"Yeah Bob, that guy just saved thousands, heck maybe tens of thousands, it seems that these two separate groups of robots fighting each other each have their own opinions about Cars, one seeks to kill them all but the good ones are going all out to save them, but it looks like the robot with the force field seems to be down, I guess that shield took up all his energy, I hope he's alright!"
Back on the ground Trailbreaker grew weaker and weaker; he wasn't dying but entering Stasis Lock and it can be hard to get out of again.
"Hey guys!" It was McQueen and Doc.
"What are you two doing here?" asked 'Bee "You should be getting to safety!"
"Yeah but it looks like your friend here is in trouble, so we brought these!" and McQueen and Doc presented two Jerry cans full of Dinoco.
"Hey you the black robot, can you transform?" asked Doc.
"W….why?" asked Trailbreaker.
"Do as I say darnit, if you want to stay functional!" and Trailbreaker slowly transformed into a Black with small yellow stripes Camper Van.
"Now drink this!" said Doc pushing the Jerry Cans forward, Trailbreaker took both straws in his mouth and drank, the taste seemed familiar but exotic, he felt it re-energizing his body, within seconds the cans were empty.
"Woah!" said 'Breaker transforming "That stuff did the job, I feel totally re-energized!"
"Yep Dinoco sure is the best!" said McQueen.
"Wow Darrell, it seems Lightning McQueen and Doc Hudson returned the favor to the robot who saved the entire stadium from being bombed, they gave him some Dinoco and as quick as that the robot was back on his feet!"
"Yeah Bob, I can see Dinoco using this as a new Advertising gimmick haha!"
"Wow Doc Hudson, I thought you hated us, but you really stuck your neck out for us there." Asked Bumblebee.
"Well, Bumblebee, after seeing what Prime did for those children and what your friend here did for the everybody in the stadium, I can't see any reason to be mad at you Autobots anymore and for what I've said, I'm sorry." Replied Doc.
"That's great to hear Doc" said Ironhide driving up "I always respected you even when you were bossy to us, you're a man, you're not afraid to speak how you feel and like me we're both old guys with headaches from young punks!" Ironhide and Doc laughed with each other.
"But the apologies can wait for later, you and Lightning have to get out of here!"
"I think that's a good idea Doc…" said Lightning but they were interrupted by the Deceptitwins. Lightning and Doc reversed while Ironhide tried to transform and attack but was met with a blast of Trasnfixation ray.
"Aw shoot not again!"
"Beat it Iron Brain, not unless you want to be stepped on!" threatened Runamuck.
"Get out of here Ironhide, you're no match for them in Van mode!" shouted 'Bee.
"Aw shoot I'm not one to run away, but the kid's right, I better go see Wheeljack." And Ironhide reversed away.
"Come on Decepticreeps, I'm ready for ya!" shouted Cliffjumper at the Deceptitwins, but Cliffjumper forgot about Blitzwing…
"AAAGGGGHHHHH!" he screamed, Blitzwing stabbed Cliffjumper right through the back with his sword.
"No puny Autobot like you maims my face and lives!" said Blitzwing and he then dropped Cliffjumper and continued to kick him in the abdomen.
Bumblebee was on his own and he knew it as Runabout & Runamuck approached him
"This won't hurt Autobot, but I sure hope I'm wrong!" laughed Runabout as he zapped 'Bee with Transfixation Ray, the little yellow robot was forced into Car mode again.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe came to the rescue however, they stealthily stole the guns from the Deceptitwins and shot them with their own guns. Runabout and Runamuck were forced into car mode, once they had the Autobot twins snapped the Transfixation guns over their knees.
"That's what I think of that cheap weapon!" said Sunstreaker.
"ARRRRRGGH! Our beautiful guns, you broke them!" cried Runabout.
"Aww what a shame, now I think its time we bashed these Decepticreeps brains in don't you agree Sunstreaker?" asked Sideswipe, but he would get no answer.
From behind the large Astrotrain grabbed the Autobot twins by the head in each of his hands.
"Ha ha, the only one bashing brains in will be me!" and Astrotrain did just that by comically smashing their faces into one another.
"Quick Runabout! Get that yellow Autobot!" Ordered Runamuck and his twin from the front of his grill shot out an electro magnetic ray, Bumblebee, was imprisoned in it and Runamuck did the same from his rear bumper, further strengthening the cage of electricity.
The Deceptitwins drove off with Bumblebee out of the stadium, Bumblebee shouted for help, nobody heard it except for Lightning, he saw Bumblebee being kidnapped by a two sports cars.
Optimus & Megatron were dueling to the death, both had battered each other badly but Optimus was gaining the advantage by pinning Megatron to the floor.
"Call it off Megatron! Or I'll tear your head off!"
"Never Prime!"
Suddenly Lightning came driving up.
"Optimus, Optimus Bumblebee is being kidnapped!" he harked.
"Bumblebee, Kidnapped? No!" but in that short distraction Megatron armed his Energon Mace, he slammed it into Optimus' side, the wound was bad, part of Optimus hip was crushed and was leaking Energon, he waddled back in pain.
Megatron sought to deliver the final blow, but Ultra Magnus now healed by Wheeljack hastily, stopped the Mace with his own Energon saber.
"Go Optimus, go help Bumblebee!" said Magnus.
"Right, thanks Ultra Magnus." And Optimus transformed into truck mode, attaching with his trailer in case he needed the extra firepower.
"I owe you a beating Megatron!" said Magnus locking up with Megatron.
"You're no Optimus Prime, Ultra Magnus, what makes you think you can beat me?"
"Just my fists, you lousy piece of Decepticon slag!" replied Magnus, but Megatron ignored him, he saw Optimus race out of the stadium.
"Good, he's took the bait!" he thought to himself.
Optimus tried to get out of the stadium but he was met with a wall of fleeing cars, every entrance was crowded with no way through.
"You'll never get out that way!" said McQueen, he had followed Prime all the way.
"But I have to get out, Bumblebee…"
"Yes but you can get out by the VIP exit, I know where that is, follow me!"
Optimus followed McQueen down the halls of the arena until they reached a door saying "VIP's and Employees only." McQueen barged the door down and both him and Optimus went down the rooms till they got outside. They sped up the highway leading out of the stadium, avoiding cars on the way.
"I see him! He's being held by Runabout and Runamuck." Said Optimus as he charged towards the Decepticons.
"Optimus wait, you're not fast enough to catch them let me try." Said Lightning.
"Very well McQueen, slow them down if you can till I can get there, but don't get hurt!" said Optimus, McQueen sped up after the Decepticons.
"Hey Runabout look, its Prime he baited the trap."
"Yes Runamuck, call those Earthling punks it's their turn, wait who's this punk following us?" said Runabout, he saw McQueen in his rear view mirrors.
"Its that punk Earthling racer, but let's show him us Decepticons are better at racing than he is!" said Runamuck as the Deceptitwins slowly gained speed, they entered the opposite lane to try and lose McQueen, but Lightning kept up, all the cars avoided oncoming traffic barely, some scrapes and bumps endured but they avoided the traffic nonetheless.
Manwhile Optimus was still leaking Energon, he was slowing down and the Energy he was losing was causing his truck mode to fall asleep.
"No, not now, must stay awake!" shortly Prime had some unexpected visitors.
It was the DRH, they went after Optimus.
"Hit it DJ!" ordered Boost.
"With pleasure man." DJ sped in front of Optimus, he changed CD's in his back and played a soothing song.
"That music…very nice…….." That was all Optimus said before he fell asleep.
"Hey Wingo, we got ourselves a nodder!" teased Boost as he bumped Optimus in the side, the Autobot truck veered left, then he was bumped by Wingo and Optimus veered right, the two miscreants played with Optimus bumping him side to side.
"Oh watch it don't roll over" said Wingo as he bumped Prime again.
"Do it Snot Rod!" ordered Boost again.
Snot Rod pulled up to where the truck connected with the trailer, he prepared for a sneeze.
"A-AAA-ACHOO!" the flames erupted from Snot Rod's exhausts and the components holding the trailer to Optimus melted away, the trailer separated from Optimus and screeched to a halt, causing millions of sparks to fly off the road.
"There's the turn!" said DJ up front, a road leading off the highway onto the other was coming up.
Wingo and Boost at the sides and Snot Rod at the Back, guided the sleeping Prime down this road, to separate him from the Decepticons escaping with Bumblebee.
"Haha we did it, look there's the Stunticons up ahead!" said Boost.
Motormaster being followed by the four smaller car Stunticons in a perfectly executed plan were right on time, the DRH guided Optimus up to Motormaster's trailer.
"Har har har, for Earthlings you did well, no one has ever taken Optimus Prime prisoner before!" guffawed Motormaster as he opened the door to his trailer.
The DRH then got behind Optimus and heaved him into the back of Motormaster, it looked like it wasn't going to work, but Optimus fit into the trailer just barely. Motormaster closed the door to his trailer; many locks locking could be heard to keep Optimus in there.
"Alright Stunticons, back to the Space Bridge, Megatron will be pleased to hear we have Optimus Prime as our prisoner! And as for you Earthlings well done, you're alright to hang around with the Stunticons anytime!"
"Yeah man thanks Motormaster, we'll tear up the highway sometime eh?" said Boost as they went separate ways from the Stunticons, a job well done they thought.
While the second kidnapping took place, McQueen still chased down the Deceptitwins holding Bumblebee.
"Where's Optimus?" he thought, but Prime was nowhere in sight.
McQueen then took it upon himself to try and ram Runamuck but he hurt himself badly, again an Earth car underestimated Cybertronian titanium.
"Ow! My hood!" cried McQueen.
"Hahaha, taste Cybertron Metal punk!" said Runamuck as he pulled beside McQueen and rammed him off the highway.
Lightning tumbled down the embankment, unconscious from the assault by Runamuck, the two Deceptitwins drove off free with Bumblebee as their prisoner. Ten minutes passed when McQueen finally came to, he groaned in pain and shame, he failed to help Bumblebee. He drove as fast as he could back to the stadium, along the way he found the battered trailer that belonged to Optimus Prime, but its owner was nowhere in sight.
"Oh no!" McQueen thought, he drove double time back to the stadium.
When he arrived, much of the stadium was badly damaged but still standing, everyone was now gone except for emergency crews, the battle must be over. He drove into the stadium to find the Autobots still there, they looked like a right mess, Ultra Magnus was wounded from his fight with Megatron, the Arielbots that formed Superion were also badly damaged, the Protectobots and Ironhide were still stuck in vehicle mode and Cliffjumper and the Lambo twins were knocked into stasis lock, maybe dying.
Wheeljack did the best he could to save the dying ones from meeting Primus. The Protectobots and Jetfire helped injured cars trapped in rubble and assisting Emergency services in recovering them.
"There's a woman stuck in here!" shouted a female cop car.
"Allow me!" said Jetfire, he walked up to the rubble and picked them up like toy balls and soon he picked up the car stuck inside, a purple Picasso.
"Please don't hurt me" she asked.
"Relax, we're your friends." Replied Jetfire.
"MOMMY!" it was the same two kids Optimus saved from Bruticus, Jetfire found their mother, he put her down next to their children.
"Mom, these robots saved us and now you're alright" they said happily rubbing bonnets with their mother.
"Oh thank goodness, those robots saved me as well." Cried the mother, then she looked at Jetfire "Thank you, whoever you are."
"Just doing our part for peace in the universe" he replied.
Lightning approached Ultra Magnus, the Autobot second in command was talking to news crews, as soon as the battle finished, reporters that were following the race came to talk to the robots hoping for a story of the Century.
"What's your name? Who are you, where are you from?" they all queried, cameras flashing like fireworks, Magnus explained to them in simple terms.
"We are Autobots, the robots that attacked this stadium were Decepticons, they are an evil race and they are here to conquer your planet, we however are here to stop them, I ask that the leaders of this planet not mistake us for them as we are here to help you, but I also ask that they take the Decepticon threat very seriously…."
"Are you sure it's a good idea to let them know about us Ultra Magnus?" asked Hot Rod.
"They have to know Hot Rod, after tonight we can't hide anymore; we have to let the Earthlings know who the good guys are and who the bad are."
Lightning drove up to Ultra Magnus.
"Excuse me one moment." Magnus said to the press, in his absence Hot Rod took center stage.
"Oh yeah baby, I was the one that almost had this race won, Hot Rod is the name and I'm sure you'll remember that!" he said as the press frantically asked him questions.
"What's the matter Lightning?"
"What happened here?" asked McQueen.
"The Decepticons succeeded in stealing all the Dinoco in Energon Cubes, Superion was shot in the back by Megatron which gave Bruticus the advantage, Astrotrain beat the Lambo twins senseless, Cliffjumper was almost killed by Blitzwing and I almost lost an arm fighting Megatron, but we still fought back and the Decepticons fell back, they were obviously after the Energon so when the mission was complete they saw no reason to fight anymore. What about Optimus and Bumblebee, where are they?
"Magnus, the Decepticons got away with Bumblebee and I lost Prime, but I found his trailer not far from here, it was all wrecked and stuff!"
Ultra Magnus opened his communicator.
"Optimus, Optimus come in, do you read?" there was no answer.
"Frag! He's either in vehicle mode or he's dead." Concluded Magnus.
"But he can't be dead; he was nowhere near his trailer."
"That may be McQueen, but who knows, what about Bumblebee are you sure he was taken away?"
"Yes." Replied McQueen "But why would they want him? He doesn't seem that important."
"Well to draw Optimus out into a trap for starters and secondly Bumblebee is our chief spy, the military secrets he holds is gold. Things can't possibly get worse…"
But they can….
"Magnus, come in, this is Springer do you read?" Springer was still in chopper mode, hovering above the stadium.
"I read you loud and clear Springer!" replied UM.
"I've got a situation here, I've got hundreds of units moving on our position from land and the air, multiple tanks, armored vehicles and choppers escorted by fighters, I've already got twenty plus missile locks on me!"
"Are they Decepticons?"
"Negative, readers indicate they're local, must be the Earthling military mistaking us for the Decepticons."
"Ah slag, activate Stealth mode and get down here Springer, do not engage I repeat do not engage, we're outnumbered!"
"Roger that" replied Springer and he cut his line with UM.
"Autobots, prepare to retreat!" shouted Ultra Magnus, but it was too late.
Fighters and Apache assault choppers flew overhead, when Humvees armed with machine guns followed by tanks and APC's poured in from every opening in the stadium Sergeant Hummers dishing out orders to their men. Quickly all exits were sealed off and floodlights from the sky illuminated the Autobots, Tanks lifted their guns at the Autobots and the Humvee infantry cocked their guns, hundreds of these noises could be heard, an important looking vehicle, a Jeep came forward dressed in high ranking paint indicating he was a Major or above, he got on the loudspeaker.
"Robot shape shifters, lay down your weapons and raise your arms in the sky, we have you surrounded and all the exits are blocked, you are all under arrest!" blared the Microphone.
"On what charges?" asked Ultra Magnus.
"For tearing up the stadium of course you fool and for injuring hundreds!"
"We were not the ones who tore up this stadium that was the Decepticons fault!" replied Magnus.
"I said lay down your weapons, this is your last warning or we will open fire!"
"WAIT!" somebody shouted, it was Darrell and Bob who finally came out of their announcers box.
"Those robots are telling the truth, they're innocent, we have the videos to show you, we witnessed the whole thing from our news desk!" said Darrell.
Many others came forward pleading the Autobots innocence, Emergency vehicles who were helped by the Autobots to rescue trapped cars, the Press who got their story written down and filmed, cars whose wounds were treated by the Protectobots. In all the confusion Ultra Magnus saw a chance to escape.
"Lightning, get out of here, I'm sure the army will be wanting you to answer questions, Jetfire when I say now, you transform and fly into the air as fast as you can, Trailbreaker, form a shield around us and attach it to Jetfire, that is how we will escape."
Lightning sneaked off like Magnus told him, while the General was dealing with eyewitnesses, Ultra Magnus gave the order.
"NOW!" he shouted, Jetfire in an instant transformed and sped off at Mach five, Trailbreaker formed a shield around all the Autobots and attached it to Jetfire, they felt themselves suddenly leave the ground with great force, floating in the shielded bubble Trailbreaker was forming.
"They're getting away! Fire darnit FIRE!" shouted the General.
Millions of tracers filled the sky and Fighters gave chase, but they couldn't catch the Ubersonic Jetfire. In an instant the Transformers were gone.
Lightning went outside, he was surprised to see Mater, Doc, King, Miss Weathers, Mack, Guido, Luigi, Sarge and Fillmore waiting for him, he thought they evacuated ages ago, Doc came up to McQueen.
"Well kid, how are the Autobots?"
"Not good Doc, a lot of them were injured and three of them maybe dying, the Decepticons also succeeded in stealing all the Dinoco and kidnapping Bumblebee, Optimus is also missing."
The RS residents sighed with sadness, the Autobots had suffered a terrible defeat today.
"Poor Optimus, I never got a chance to say sorry to him, I was such a fool to judge him the way I did when they were trying to help us, everything they did in that stadium for those people, now I may never get that chance to say I'm sorry." Said Doc ashamed.
"Don't blame yourself Doc, I know you were upset about RS getting destroyed but I'm glad you see they're the good guys now." Said King comfortingly.
"Yeah but the question is will they forgive me?" there was silence for a few minutes.
"Come on everybody I think its best we all go home and not think about it, some of you can fit in my trailer but the rest of you will have to drive the rest of the way." Said Mack, while it was McQueen's personal trailer, he let Doc and Miss Weathers take his place in getting a lift back home, and the RS resident headed back, depressed and sad of the losses the Autobots suffered tonight.
Meanwhile back at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean:
"Hooray!" the Decepticons shouted, there was a major victory party, drinking all the Dinoco they stole in jubilation.
"Congratulations Decepticons, we won a major victory today, we not only have the Matrix but the Autobot leader Optimus Prime as our prisoner!" said Megatron as the Decepticons cheered again.
"You haven't got the Matrix yet Megatron, you have to get the Matrix out of Prime first!" sneered Starscream.
"Once we get to Cybertron that will be easy enough Starscream! But for goodness sake enjoy yourself!" said Megatron as he swigged a cup full of Energon.
"Hey it's nice to know you fellas are having a good time, how about some drinks for me and the bad boys who stole the show tonight?" said Chick, he was accompanied by the DRH as usual.
"Ah of course Chick, here we saved some Jerry cans of Dinoco for you all. I must say I am very pleased especially with you and your crew Boost, you accomplished not even I could manage, taking Optimus Prime as prisoner!"
"Hey man it's cool, you just ask us anything man and we can do it for you, that's how we roll!" gloated Boost.
"Hey, what about me? I mean I promised all that Dinoco would be there and it was wasn't it? If it wasn't for me you wouldn't be drinking that fancy stuff now!" moaned Chick.
"Oh of course Chick, much thanks to you as well now please drink, DECEPTICONS! I propose a toast, to our Earth comrades!" and Megatron lifted his cup of Energon.
"TO OUR EARTH COMRADES!" said the 'Cons in unison.
"Hey man!" DJ said to Soundwave "You're a tape player right? Play this crazy tune for me? I mixed it myself!" DJ handed him a cassette, the Decepticon transformed to tape mode and played the tape, it was a robotic techno tune that sang "Transformers, robots in disguise" and the Decepticons seemed to like it very much, Rumble and Frenzy started busting moves to the tune.
"Hey get down Ravage and Lazerbeak!" said Rumble but the animal cassettes just yawned in boredom.
"Don't mind me Megatron, but why is it you act so friendly to these Earthling pests?" asked Starscream.
"You fool Starscream! Look at this!" Megatron pressed a button on a console, it played video footage of Cars going up and down roads on their daily business.
"So what has footage of cars got do with my question?" asked Screamer.
"Look Starscream, this entire planet is populated by billions of sentient vehicles, all of them possible Decepticon warriors!"
"But what good will brainwashed Cars do for us?"
"Don't you get it you fool? Have you forgotten we transform into vehicles? That is why we need the Matrix, once we corrupt it we will be able to turn every one of these vehicles that populate this planet into Decepticon transformers, with them we will have infinite robotpower, enough power to crush the Autobots and to finally begin our campaign of universal conquest, starting with this planet!"
"Wow, I must say Megatron that is an excellent idea and let me guess, those five earthlings will be the first test subjects?"
"Exactly Starscream, hehaha!"
Ow my fingers ache! Anyway this was a special treat for you Decepticon fans because they're back with a vengeance after taking a licking from the Autobots, also their plans are also finally unveiled but can they really turn the Matrix evil? And what about the Cars? Doc seems to forgive the Autobots now, but Optimus is missing and he may never get the chance to say sorry and as for the Autobots don't worry they'll rescue Optimus no matter what, but to do that they must journey to Cybertron…