Well here it is, the final chapter. But, I never said anything about this being the end of the entire story. Hmm...
Chapter 8: Insecticon By Heart
While Wheeljack was missing, the others hadn't noticed yet and were still talking in the warehouse. Bumblebee and Hardshell were busy on a computer Ser-ket kept upstairs in her room. They were talking to Ironhide who was worried for them.
"Hey you guys, how's the trip? Is everything alright?" Ironhide asked.
"Everything is fine Ironhide, and we did it. Right now, we are at my old warhouse and we found Kickback, Shrapnel and Ser-ket!" Bumblebee explained.
"For real? That's great...I knew you guys could do it. So Shockwave didn't keep them?" Ironhide asked.
"No...they escaped to come here. And...uh Bumblebee can I tell him?" Hardshell asked seeing Bee blushing.
"Fine...go ahead!" Bee sighed and slammed his head on the desk.
"Uh Ironhide, Bumblebee got laid last night!" Hardshell chuckled before Bumblebee smacked Hardshell over the head.
"Whoa, Bumblebee you sly cyberdog!"
"QUIET!" Bee yelled covering up his audios.
"So...now that you've found them...are you coming back?" Ironhide asked.
Bumblebee and Hardshell look at each other nervously. Now they weren't sure. Bumblebee didn't know at all. Ser-ket lived here and she was his girlfriend. It was unlikely that Ser-ket would move to Kaon. But Hardshell however missed his alley and Ironhide's house where he mostly grew up. And Wheeljack would have to get back to Tyger Pax...but where was Wheeljack?
"Bumblebee, how are your friends?" Ironhide asked.
"Pretty good, I saw Warpath at the bar where we kinda got into a little fight with a few mechs but they're dead now. Jazz was beaten up by Shockwave but was able to tell us where are friends were. You should've seen the way Hardshell stood up to Barricade." Bumblebee happly said patting Hardshell on the back.
"So you did change your name!" Ironhide laughed.
"Yeah, so did Shrapnel, he changed it to Sharpshot." Hardshell said.
"Hey...did you ever meet up with Wheeljack?" Ironhide asked.
"Yeah, he flew us here. We haven't seem him for an hour...where is he?" Bumblebee wondered.
Suddenly, an alert blared on the screen. A video feed of a nervous Wheeljack tied up in a lab.
"Bumblebee, Hardshell...if your hearing this. Shockwave ambushed me when I was at the Jackhammer. I'm held in his lab, please come quickly. I believe he going to try and get info on you guys out of me. Please hurry...I have to go...he's coming!" Wheeljack said before ending the transmission.
"OH NO!" Hardshell yelled. "THAT'S IT...TONIGHT HE DIES!"
"If you guys get back...please contact me and tell me your okay. Good luck!" Ironhide said ending his transmission.
Bumblebee and Hardshell raced downstairs tumbling down in the process but got up and told the others.
"Shockwave has Wheeljack. We're going to finish this once and for all." Hardshell anounced.
"I'm coming with you!" Ser-ket said determined.
"No Ser-ket it's not safe." Bee said holding onto her shoulders.
"Bumblebee I'm not losing you again! Shockwave can lay a smackdown on me all he wants, we stick together." Ser-ket snarled and bared her fangs at Bee.
"Alright...let's do it." Bee said giving in.
"What about us, us!" Sharpshot asked.
"Let's all go!" Hardshell said. "Besides you and Ser-ket know that place better than the rest of us...just show us to the main lab."
Meanwhile, Wheeljack watched as Shockwave approached him with two drones. Wheeljack was strapped to a chair and placed in energy cuffs with his arms behind him. He placed his battle mask over his mouth in case he was going to be subjected to severe punishment. Shockwave laughed.
"Alright mech...let's get started. You're going to tell me where Bumblebee and the insecticons are located. Or else..." Shockwave demanded.
"I will never do that!" Wheeljack snarled.
Shockwave smacked him in the face with his gun arm.
"I would suggest telling me before I make my workers beat you into scrap!" Shockwave threatened.
"What the hell do I know? I'm just their pilot!" Wheeljack half-lied.
Shockwave growled and was about to punch Wheeljack himself but decided to let the drones handle it. Wheeljack ended up getting pummeled for a few minutes before Shockwave stopped them. Wheeljack groaned and looked up as Shockwave towered over him.
"Why do you honestly think you will win in the end?" Shockwave snarled.
"Because knowing my friends. They wouldn't dare give up on me. You fail to notice that because you're lonely and have drones to work for you." Wheeljack sneered.
Shockwave had enough and was going to blast Wheeljack in the face when he heard the sounds of drones being bashed into walls. Wheeljack watched as Shockwave turned around to see more drones being flung across the hallway.
"DRONES REPORT!" Shockwave snarled.
Suddenly to his surprise, Bumblebee and Ser-ket appeared walking slowly in with their hands up. Shockwave couldn't believe this. Wheeljack smiled.
"Bumblebee? Ser-ket?"
"Listen Shockwave...we just want to talk!" Bumblebee said cautiously.
Shockwave instinctly kept his gun aimed at him. However his gun shook at the sight of them.
"Drones, take that slagger to the cells." Shockwave ordered before turning back to Bumblebee. "How dare you come up in here Bumblebee and show your face to me. After you abandoned me...I became far better at my hobby. I was sure you would be dead by now or mabye in jail. So tell me, why are you here?" Shockwave asked as walked up in front of Bee.
Bumblebee looked up at Shockwave who was now standing in front of him menacingly. Ser-ket hid behind Bee.
"Uh...well! We just need for you to...give us back Wheeljack." Bumblebee demanded trying to stand to his full height.
"And why little bug would I do that?" Shockwave sneered.
"Shockwave you may be bigger, but I'm not afraid to fight you!" Bumblebee said. "I'll protect Ser-ket and Wheeljack with my life."
"Oh really...Ser-ket...what brings you to your doom?" Shockwave sneered waving his gun around.
"I'm willing to fight you if it's to save my new friends and Bumblebee. I'm not going to be one of your lame experiments." Ser-ket snarled clenching her fists.
Shockwave shoved Bumblebee out of the way and punched Ser-ket into a wall.
"SER-KET!" Bumblebee yelled but Shockwave shoved him again.
"Where's the insecticon? Surely you'll need him to protect you because I know your too scared to fight me...just admit it!" Shockwave sneered.
Bumblebee brought out his guns and aimed them at Shockwave's chest. Shockwave chuckled some more making the others confused.
"I was never afraid to fight you Shockwave...I just never had a reason, until NOW!" Bumblebee snarled.
"Then bring it on Bumblebee, and when this is over, I will gladly take Ser-ket as my servant AND AS MY MATE!" Shockwave snarled.
That triggered Bumblebee's rage and he lunged at Shockwave starting a brawl. Both mechs traded punches and kicks while Ser-ket watched. Shockwave was having a hard time keeping Bee still since he was quick on his pedes. Bumblebee grabbed the cord connecting Shockwave's gun to his back in an attempt to trip him. Ser-ket watched in amusement when Shockwave was hopping around in place trying to get Bee off of him making Ser-ket burst out laughing until Shockwave tried to shoot her but missed. Shockwave ended up destroying some of the machines, tables and weapons in his lab all by shooting them. While this was going on, Ser-ket com-linked Hardshell who was with his brothers fighting off all the drones.
"Hardshell, Wheeljack's been taken to the cells, I believe your brothers know exactly where that is."
"Thanks, Oh and tell Bee so save some fighting for me!"
"Oh don't you worry, by the looks of it he's having a ton of fun not killing him yet!"
"THAT'S IT YOU'RE DONE!" Shockwave snarled and thrusted his arm forward knocking Bee to the ground.
Ser-ket gasped and flew at Shockwave lunging her siphon claw. It opened and grabbed Shockwave's gun and Ser-ket delivered two strong punches to Shockwave's face. Shockwave stumbled back but threw his arm up and grabbed Ser-ket by the throat. Bumblebee recovered and aimed his guns at Shockwave's eye.
"I wouldn't do that!" Shockwave teased shaking the siphon claw off his gun and pressing the hole to Ser-ket's face.
Bumblebee backed off whimpering.
"DON'T YOU DARE HURT HER!" Bee screamed.
"Oh I won't hurt her...unless you let her...HURT YOU!" Shockwave sneered.
"WHAT?" Ser-ket and Bumblebee said.
"Listen up you femme slagger, I command you to pummel the living slag out of that bumbling fool! I want to see his pain, his suffering, and what better way to enjoy, than to have his own mate do it to him?" Shockwave laughed.
Ser-ket attempted to claw Shockwave in the optic but Shockwave flung her towards Bumblebee.
"I WILL NEVER HURT BUMBLEBEE! NEVER! I'LL FIGHT YOU TILL MY SPARK GOES OUT!" Ser-ket snarled claws outstretched.
"You two have failed to defeat me so far. I'm assuming your waiting for that other insecticon to try and fight me. But I'm sure the drones will destroy them. NOW GET GOING!" Shockwave ordered aiming his gun at Ser-ket.
Ser-ket knew neither she or Bumblebee could defeat him. She looked at Bumblebee who looked at her. She began to cry.
"It's okay Ser-ket. Go on and beat me. It will be okay. I promise nothing will change between us." Bee said and opened the flap over his mouth to show he was smiling.
"HURRY UP! PUNCH HIM! CLAW HIM! KICK HIM! DO EVERYTHING!" Shockwave demanded shoving her into Bee.
"I'm so sorry Bumblebee!" Ser-ket cried before punching Bumblebee to the ground.
Bumblebee hit the ground hard before Ser-ket kicked him in his side twice. She looked at Shockwave.
"YOU'RE INSANE!" Ser-ket snarled.
"KEEP GOING PREDACON!"
Ser-ket knelt down and started to pummel Bumblebee. She punched his face, clawed his chest, and kicked his sides. Bumblebee cried in pain but she kept going. Shockwave was laughing maniacally. Energon was leaking from Bumblebee and Ser-ket was crying more than ever. Shockwave kept laughing and pointed his gun at Ser-ket in case she tried anything. Meanwhile Hardshell, Sharpshot and Kickback were racing to the cells to rescue Wheeljack. They viciously killed and ate drones along the way. Some drones ran away due to the size of them but were killed anyway. By the time they reached the cells, they were covered in energon...and it wasn't theirs. Wheeljack was sitting in his cell still tide up in energy cuffs. While they were at it, they freed any other still online mechs from their cells.
"Hardshell? Is that you?" Wheeljack asked through swollen optics.
"Yes, me and my brothers. We got ya!" Hardshell said as he and his brothers uncuffed him.
"Hey Hardshell, you go on ahead! I believe you got a boxing match with Shockwave!" Kickback said.
"You bet your spark I do...get him to the warehouse. And...if somehow I don't survive, it's been nice seeing you two again." Bombshell said tearing up. "I love you guys!"
"We love you too!" Kickback and Sharpshot said at the same time.
Bombshell wiped his optics and raced off. As he took off running he felt like he could go faster than usual. He kept going faster and faster. His mind flashed back to everything Shockwave had did. Taking his brothers, taking Ser-ket, beating them, torturing them, making them scream and taking Wheeljack. He kept running, not stopping until he got back to the main lab. Meanwhile, Shockwave had finally stopped Ser-ket from beating up Bumblebee. She cried and couldn't believe what she did.
"SHOCKWAVE YOU'RE SICK! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US?" Ser-ket growled before lunging at him again.
Shockwave grabbed her, shoved her to the floor and pinned her there.
"GET OFF ME! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Ser-ket shrieked as Shockwave kept her down.
"I'm going to make Bumblebee watch as I beat the the slag out of ya!" Shockwave said raising a fist.
Ser-ket braced for pain but suddenly, Hardshell blasted down a wall and charged Shockwave. Shockwave got up too slowly to react so he ended up tackled away from Ser-ket. Hardshell and Shockwave barrel-rolled into a wall before seperating. The began to circle each other while the others watched.
"So...you must be Bombshell!" Shockwave assumed flexing his good clawed hand.
"It's Hardshell now!" Hardshell snarled flexing his own claws.
"What makes you think you can beat me?" Shockwave asked.
"I know I can...you must be tired after TORTURING MY FRIENDS!"
"Oh please, those two were just a work-out. You may be bigger, but I will prove I'm the strongest." Shockwave growled stopping the circling.
"COME OVER HERE THEN!" Hardshell motioned for him to come over.
Shockwave ran at him with his gun ready to use as a fist. Bombshell got ready and got into a boxing position. Shockwave took a swing but missed and Hardshell punched him twice in the face. Shockwave kept swinging but was missing each blow. Hardshell however was getting in all of his punches. He even used his claws a few times scraping the window on Shockwave's chest. Bumblebee and Ser-ket were surprised by Hardshell's amazing moves. Shockwave was getting angrier and angrier after getting punched a few more times. At one point Shockwave got lucky when he blocked one punch and punched Hardshell in his face. He used this as a distraction to headlock Hardshell. But Hardshell was stronger than he looked. He was able to twist himself a bit, grab Shockwave's sides, flip him in the air and body slammed him on the ground on his back. Hardshell jumped on top of him and started to beat him in the face. Shockwave was going to shoot him but Hardshell pinned Shockwave's gun arm down. Shockwave took his other hand and tried to claw his face.
"Come on Shockwave...I thought you were stronger than this!" Bombshell teased.
"I WILL CLAW YOUR OPTICS OUT!" Shockwave snarled trying to reach for him.
"Hey Hardshell, mind if we join the party?" Came the voice of Kickback who was with Sharpshot.
"What the? Where did you two come from?" Shockwave asked.
"We've been busy. But no more talking, you are so in for it now, now!" Sharpshot snarled and a blast of electricity shot from Sharpshot's antenna's. "I've always wanted to do this, this."
Kickback pinned down Shockwave's other arm while the electricity absorbed Shockwave who screamed. Despite being slightly shocked as well, Hardshell took out a cerebro shell and placed on Shockwave's head where the electricity fried it and began to scramble Shockwave's processor until finally...there was a small explosion and Shockwave's head blew up at the top exposing a fried processor. But the blast only put him in stasis. He didn't die like everyone was expecting.
"I say we finish him!" Kickback snarled watching Shockwave's optic offline.
"No wait...I think...I think he's different now look, look!" Sharpshot said pointing to Shockwave who awoke from stasis rather quickly.
Everyone got into fighting position, but Shockwave didn't attack, instead, he looked around confused.
"Where...where am I? What happened?" Shockwave asked looking at everybody.
"Shockwave? Are you okay?" Bumblebee asked keeping his guns aimed on him.
"Bumblebee? Is that you? Are you going to shoot me?" Shockwave asked rather nervously. "And what are insecticons doing here, and Ser-ket?"
"Wait hold on...you don't remember anything?" Ser-ket asked.
"Remember what? All I remember is watching a show about disecting cybertronian bodies but after going asleep that night...nothing until now. I see I'm an adult though...I must have been out for years!" Shockwave said looking at himself. "Is something wrong with my head?"
"Uh...we'll fix that and we'll explain everything!" Hardshell assured.
Late that night...Bumblebee, Bombshell and Ser-ket ending up telling every single thing Shockwave did since he kidnapped Ser-ket. Shockwave couldn't believe it. It was all strange. He was even more afraid at the thought that he was wanted for countless murders.
"Well after all that...I'm very sorry...to all of you. My motives were highly illogical." Shockwave said. "I hope you guys can forgive me, even though I don't remember it at all."
"Things happen don't they? Just stay away from labs and do something else with your life...alright?" Bumblebee asked resting a hand on Shockwave's shoulder.
"I promise...so uh...you two are in love huh?" Shockwave chuckled to Ser-ket and Bumblebee.
"Yeah...so Hardshell, uh...you heading back to Kaon?" Bumblebee asked.
"Yeah...I still live with Ironhide...but you're coming aren't ya?" Hardshell asked worried.
"I don't know anymore. I mean, Ser-ket and Shockwave live here, I can't just leave them. But then I can't tell Ironhide." Bumblebee said sadly.
"Don't worry we'll come with you guys!" Ser-ket said. "We would like to meet him!"
"Yeah...we also got to see if Barricade will erase Shockwave's criminal records." Bombshell said.
"Whoa, whoa, I can't fit all of you in the Jackhammer!" Wheeljack said coming over with Kickback and Sharpshot.
"Actually, I haven't transformed in awhile." Hardshell said and transformed into a flying insect and so did his brothers.
"Yeah they're right, about time I spread my wings!" Ser-ket said. Want a ride sweetie?" Ser-ket asked Bee.
"Sure baby!" Bee said.
Ser-ket wrapped her legs around Bumblebee and took off. Shockwave was too weak to transform so Wheeljack offered him a ride in the Jackhammer. Luckily the police station was still open at the time in Iacon and Barricade was surprised to see all the mechs and femme gather there.
"So you guys did find them! But...SHOCKWAVE?" Barricade yelled in surprise.
Just then a bunch of enforcers busted out the front door ready to fight but Bombshell stopped them.
"Hold on, hold on, during our fight, Shockwave lost his memories of every bad thing he did. He's clueless!" Bombshell explained.
"Am I going to get beat up...again?" Shockwave asked nervously.
Jazz was also still there feeling a lot better and was mainly surprised to see Shockwave.
"Shockwave? Do you remember me?" Jazz asked.
"Of course Jazz, sorry for beating you up!" Shockwave said.
"Aw, all energon under the bridge." Jazz smiled. "I feel a lot better."
"And so Shockwave doesn't remember not a single thing?" Barricade made sure.
"Exactly, nothing since we were little." Bee nodded.
Barricade and the enforcers stared at Shockwave who became embarrased.
"Barricade, for all the actions I've caused. I know the victim's families won't forgive me but please don't send me to jail. I need to still focus my mind on the right things to do in life and stay away from experiments." Shockwave explained. "Do I have to do time...possibly for the rest of my life?"
The enforcers talked amongst themselves. Barricade silenced them then ordered all of them into the back room again. They all gathered as Barricade pulled up Shockwave's criminal record. There was a lot there making Shockwave uncomfotable. Bumblebee, Ser-ket and Hardshell sat looking rather surprised. Barricade moved a claw to a red button on the computer and pressed it. All of Shockwave's records in the police database was deleted. Everyone cheered.
"Well Shockwave...you're free to go!" Barricade smirked.
"Thank you so much!" Shockwave said.
"Congrats big guy!" Jazz said.
Shockwave wished he could smile. He turned to Bumblebee and held out his good hand. Bumblebee took it and they shook.
"So you'll be around Bee?" Jazz asked.
"Yeah...just got to take care of a few things!" Bee said.
After yet another long trip, Kaon entered their sights and they were excited. The Jackhammer landed right in front of Ironhide's house who woke up wondering what was going on.
"Bumblebee? Hardshell?" Ironhide asked looking at the 7 cybertronians who were there looking at him.
Both mechs ran at Ironhide and entered a hug. The bond between them strengthen and warmed up.
"We missed you Ironhide!" Bee said.
"I missed you guys too! But...why is-"
"Don't worry, after we were done with him, he doesn't remember a single thing. Just keep it that way!" Hardshell said winking.
"Alright, so...you two have shown that you've grown out of being younglings. What are you going to do now?" Ironhide asked.
"Well, that depends also on what Ser-ket wants to do!" Bumblebee said seeing her and Shockwave come up.
"It's a pleasure Ser-ket!" Ironhide said nodding. "And...Shockwave!"
"Nice to see you as well!" Shockwave and Ser-ket said at the same time.
"Hey listen Ironhide...I just came to say goodbye! I was going with Ser-ket and Shockwave to live back in Tyger Pax. But of course I'll visit." Bee assured.
"I hope so, don't make me chase after ya!" Ironhide joked.
Bumblebee nodded before hugging Ironhide again. Afterwards, Bumblebee walked over to Hardshell.
"Well Hardshell, it was an honor to fight alongside you! And...you and your brothers, are like brothers to me! And I hope to see you guys again!" Bumblebee said beginning to tear up.
"I hope to see you as well kid...and as of right now, you're considered an honorary insecticon." Hardshell said.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it!" Bumblebee said holding out a hand.
"Aw bring it in!" Hardshell said hugging Bee.
"Huh, Bumblebee and an insecticon as friends...what are the odds?" Shockwave shrugged.
"Ain't that the truth!" Ser-ket chuckled.
Later...Wheeljack waited for Serket, Bumblebee and Shockwave to board the Jackhammer. From the window of the ship, Bumblebee waved at Ironhide and the insecticons who waved back as the Jackhammer took off into the sky.
"So long Bumblebee...we will cross paths again someday." Hardshell vowed. "Come on guys, I need to show you something."
Hardshell showed them the alley where they once lived. It looked the same. Piles of trash and energon splatters layed everywhere. They looked happy about it and had an idea.
"So...how about we sleep here...just one more night...like old times?" Kickback suggested.
"I agree, we should, should!" Sharpshot said.
"I can do that...lets!" Hardshell agreed.
For the rest of the night, the insecticons layed in their usual spots near each other. Hardshell awoke to see his brothers sleeping like little sparklings. He chuckled.
"Just like old times!" Hardshell said before falling back asleep.
Back in Tyger Pax, the warehouse now housed Bumblebee and Shockwave. Ser-ket and Bumblebee slept together while Shockwave slept happily alone. Bumblebee opened his optics to see a cerebro shell Hardshell had given him laying on the desk beside the berth. He smiled behind the mouth plate.
"You'll always be my friend Hardshell!"
The End...
And so ends "Insecticon Defiance". I hope you all enjoyed and had a blast. However, a sequel has been made called "Insecticon Legacy". It's complete and ready to read.