Chapter 2: Arrival

Many years later...on Earth...

Shockwave had been trying to clone predacons since he ended up on Earth and back with the other Decepticons. Everyday he would remember something that could be missing. But he couldn't figure it out. He found himself finally moving away from his lab table and walking around. It was bugging him to death. What could be missing? He traveled through the Nemesis searching through every room like a lost kid. He finally peered into one room in the back...with a berth in it. Shockwave tilted his head in thought.

"All this immature searching is interrupting my work. Whatever I've been wondering about can wait for a less important time." Shockwave shook his head.

Shockwave turned around and headed back to his lab but he heard a door groan and slightly open. He looked to see it was the room where they kept the stasis pods. They were fine, unlike the damaged ones Shockwave had on Cybertron. Shockwave saw one was missing...then it hit him...

"That pod...it's missing like..." Shockwave gasped. "Oh no..."

About an Earth week later, Ratchet was getting an energy signal.

"Optimus, I'm getting something!" Ratchet informed the Prime.

Optimus looked at the monitors and nodded.

"Another energy signiture, someone new has arrived!" Optimus said.

"It could be a Decepticon trick!" Arcee said.

"I actually hope it's a Decepticon so I can kick some tailpipe!" Bulkhead said.

"Bulkhead, Arcee, Bumblebee, you three and I will go investigate." Optimus announced. "TRANSFORM AND ROLL OUT!"

Ratchet activated the groundbridge and they sped off through. The pod had landed outside Jasper, Nevada...it was unusually bigger than most pods. The Autobots eventually arrived and saw the pod.

"Wow, that pod is bigger than you Optimus!" Bumblebee beeped.

"Hmm..." Optimus nodded.

He went to wipe a little smudge off the pod to reveal a Decepticon symbol.

"Decepticon!" Optimus backed up.

The Autobots bared their weapons as a little hiss came from the pod. The door slowly creaked open letting out a bunch of smoke.

"Stand your ground!" Optimus told his team.

As the smoke cleared, they appeared inside to see a shocking discovery. A large black and blue mech with large bat wings became visible. Everyone but Optimus looked at the mech in confusion and horror. They had never seen a mech like him before...but Optimus has. It was Moonstriker.

"A Monster Mech." Optimus said.

"What's a monster mech?" Bulkhead asked.

"They were a rare species that evolved during the end of the Predacons. Known to be the second most strongest and powerful mechs on the planet. It is never safe to get them angry and they can take out a city in just seconds. This one must be the last Monster Mech alive." Optimus explained.

"Well, he's a Decepticon. So it looks like we're going to have to kill him!" Arcee snarled.

"No." Optimus said surprising everyone.

"What do you mean no? He's a 'con!" Bulkhead argued.

"I know...but...I recognize him...it was long ago!" Optimus said.

Suddenly, Moonstriker awoke was grunted as his red optics onlined. He began to stumble forward, not use to standing after so long.

"GRRRR!" Bulkhead readied his mace.

Moonstriker shook his head and looked at his surroundings. He first saw nothing but desert, then he saw the Autobots. He began to panic and whimper surprising the Autobots. He was actually too weak to move a lot. He only recognized Optimus.

"Orion Pax? Is that you?" Moonstriker managed to make out before he fell hard to the ground.

Optimus rushed to his side.

"Optimus!" Bumblebee gasped.

Optimus placed a hand on Moonstriker's shoulders. Moonstriker groaned, he never felt so weak. Everything was going by too fast he didn't know what was going on. He looked up to see Optimus looking at him. Optimus had met Moonstriker long before the war and they talked many times. Though the Autobot leader, Moonstriker knew he was still a good person to talk to...and he was the only good one at the time.

"Orion? What happened? You look...so different!" Moonstriker gasped seeing Optimus' more buff look.

"Moonstriker...it's good to see you again! Autobots, lower your weapons!" Optimus told them which they reluctantly did.

"What's going on? Is the war still going on?"

"Unfortunately."

"Oh...where's...where is..."

Moonstriker was now having a hard time to remember Shockwave's name. Optimus helped him up.

"I believe you are talking about Shockwave!" Optimus helped Moonstriker stand up.

"Yes, where is he?"

"Here on Earth...but with Megatron." Optimus said. "Why are you a Decepticon?"

"Well, Shockwave said I was...but...should I be?"

Optimus couldn't blame Moonstriker for being confused and lost. He called Ratchet.

"Ratchet, send a groundbridge, we have a new guest."

Moonstriker had never seen a groundbridge before. The giant green swirl opened and Moonstriker looked afraid. Now the other Autobots could sense Moonstriker didn't mean no harm. Bumblebee happily took his hand and guided Moonstriker through. Once they arrived back in the base, the other Autobots and the humans were shocked.

"By the allspark!" Ratchet gasped.

"WHOA! THAT GUY IS HUGE!" Smokescreen said.

"Wow, Megatron and Optimus got competition." Wheeljack said.

"Sir, who is this?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"This is Moonstriker, the last of the Monster Mechs." Optimus said.

Of course, Miko would be the first to start asking questions. Moonstriker gasped and backed away from her.

"DUDE! WHY ARE YOU SO BIG? ARE YOU A BOXER? CAN YOU REALLY FLY? DO YOU SUCK ENERGON WITH THOSE FANGS? HAVE YOU EVER CLAWED SOMEONE'S ARMOR OFF?" Miko asked so many questions.

"Miko stop, you're scaring him!" Jack stopped her.

"Yeah, he just got here." Raf said.

"What are they?" Moonstriker whimpered.

"They are humans, the species that inhabit this planet." Optimus explained. "They have proven to be very useful over our time here."

"What have they done?"

"Well, they've helped me regain my memories, uncover Iacon relics, and been a helping support in gathering the team back together after our base was destroyed." Optimus said.

"Sir, he has the Decepticon symbol." Ultra Magnus said.

"I know, but Moonstriker never fully knew why he was a Decepticon. He will remain here where he will be safe." Optimus said.

Everyone looked over at Moonstriker who looked at everyone like they were zombies.

"Uh...why is everyone staring at me?" Moonstriker asked.

Optimus knew the others were now very interested in seeing him, but he knew Moonstriker could snap at any time. The Autobots didn't trust him at all.

"STOP IT!" Moonstriker growled causing Optimus to run over to him.

"Moonstriker calm down. Autobots, you will gain his trust eventually. Right now, Ratchet needs to scan a diagnosis on him." Optimus turned to Ratchet who nodded.

Moonstriker laid on a table while Ratchet scanned him. The other Autobots talked.

"I don't trust him. We barely know anything about Monster Mechs." Arcee said.

"Yeah, but what choice do we have?" Bumblebee shrugged.

"Yeah, come on, that guy is soft." Bulkhead chuckled.

"Well, get him angry, and this city will be gone." Smokescreen said. "Did you see those braces on his fists, one punch and kiss your head goodbye."

"Those wings look nice on him I'll admit!" Wheeljack said.

"Well until we can trust him, we need to be on guard!" Ultra Magnus said.

Ratchet finished the scan and smiled.

"Moonstriker, you are in perfect condition." Ratchet said.

"Thank you...but...hopefully you all know I'm not really into the whole fighting business." Moonstriker said.

"Dude, you're huge. You could pound Megatron into scrap!" Miko said.

"You don't understand, when I was a lot younger, Shockwave took me in and raised me like a son. I grew up becoming a successful scientist just like him. So, I'd rather be in the science field than fighting. And I can't hurt Shockwave...he was like my dad. I want to see him again." Moonstriker explained as tears began to form in his optics.

"I hate to tell you this, but Shockwave is not what you thought he was. He's nothing but a cold, selfish and dangerous 'con!" Arcee said.

"NO! HE COULDN'T!" Moonstriker gritted his sharp teeth and extended his fangs and claws.

"MOONSTRIKER!" Optimus yelled.

Moonstriker calmed down. The Autobots were starting to get scared of him.

"Shockwave...would never...he was never like that!" Moonstriker spoke in a quiet and light tone.

Moonstriker was so sad his large wings folded around his front like a bat and he ducked his head.

"I want to be left alone." Moonstriker said.

"As you wish!" Optimus nodded. "But later you will need to acquire a vehicle...or flight mode."

"Okay!"

Back on the Nemesis, Shockwave walked down the hallways lost in thought again. He remembered Moonstriker now.

"Moonstriker...if only you were here!" Shockwave sighed.

Despite being dedicated to logic and focusing on the Decepticon cause...the thought about Moonstriker was eating through his processor like a scraplet.

"I promised I'd find you...and I will!"

To be continued...