Chapter 2: New Friend
About an hour later, Shockwave began to slowly open his optic. He groaned as all the pain came rushing back to his body. His kept his optic half-open as the light from a window covered his view. He continued to lay on his back not even thinking about moving. He stared at the ceiling trying to remember everything that had happened. He watched as the fan on the ceiling whirled around and eventually his optic followed it. His optic wasn't badly damaged. But one of the enforcers had in fact hit him in his optic. There was a black spot circling the bottom of the optic. His antenna's felt like they had nearly been ripped off. His claws had dried energon on them from his poor self-defense. His chest suffered the most which had many dents and scratches. His legs were also covered in dents. He listened for any sounds of movement as he dug his claws into the berth from the pain. He attempted to turn his head to the left to see an empty chair. He remembered feeling Moonstriker's warmth against his face. He was grateful that Moonstriker brought him in. Shockwave knew Moonstriker was a friendly and cool mech, but Moonstriker sometimes doubted himself.
"Don't doubt yourself Moonstriker...you should be proud of who you are!" Some people often said.
"People may be afraid of you...but it doesn't mean they don't like you!" Others would often say.
Shockwave thought about all the great things people say about Moonstriker. Just then, Moonstriker quietly walked in still concerned for the youngling. He noticed Shockwave had awaken but still stepped over carefully.
"Youngling? You okay?" Moonstriker said still not knowing his name.
"Yes I am! Thank you for *cough* helping me!" Shockwave coughed as he turned his head towards the monster mech.
"You're welcome!" Moonstriker said still finding it hard to smile. "What's your name?"
"I'm Shockwave!" He said trying to adjust himself on the berth.
Moonstriker had an energon cube in his hand and gave one to Shockwave. Shockwave found the strength to sit up and take the cube. Moonstriker sat back down in the big chair.
"I'm sorry I can't fix you up, I'm not a medic...or painter." Moonstriker said with a soft tone.
"It's okay!" Shockwave said as he finished the cube.
"So, why were you out there all alone, were you lost?" Moonstriker asked.
Shockwave froze. He sat the empty cube beside him on the berth and looked at him with a optic bending to look sad. Moonstriker's optics widened as he thought he shouldn't have asked that for some reason.
"Well...I..." Shockwave began to tear up. Moonstriker went to sit on the bed with him.
"I...was coming to find you!" Shockwave said as a tear began to run down his face.
Moonstriker was stunned. No youngling had ever actually came to his house. He rested a large, clawed servo on Shockwave's shoulder. Shockwave faced the floor as he cried some more.
"And?" Moonstriker asked softly very concerned for the youngling.
"There...was an accident...at...the contruction site...where people say you work at!" Shockwave said through whimpers.
"What happened?" Moonstriker asked leaning in towards him.
"My dad...he...got crushed!" Shockwave said and cried even louder. Moonstriker's optics filled with horror.
"Is...your mom okay?" Moonstriker asked.
"Actually I lived with my dad...my mom died years ago!" Shockwave said trying to control himself.
Moonstriker couldn't believe his audios. He rubbed Shockwave's head.
"I'm so sorry!" Moonstriker said softly. "But...why come to me?"
"I thought...you...would take...me in!" Shockwave said looking up at Moonstriker with tears still racing down from his optic.
Moonstriker was surprised at this. Out of most adults in Kaon, most of the kids thought Moonstriker was the most trustworthy. Despite their parents disapproval. He watched as Shockwave tried to stop crying and wipe away all of his tears. Moonstriker didn't know what to do. He had never taken anyone in and he had just met Shockwave. Would he be a bother? Would his life get better with Shockwave around? Many questions whirled around in his head. Shockwave didn't have no family, not many friends, no one to talk to when he had problems. Moonstriker looked around the room. His house was pretty big, he did have a spare room. What could be the problem? Shockwave looked back up at Moonstriker who looked back down at him.
"Please Moonstriker! I don't have many choices! I promise I won't cause trouble! I will be respectful, selfless, brave and logically helpful!" Shockwave said as he pressed his claws against Moonstriker's chest. Shockwave waited for an answer and hoping Moonstriker's mouth would bend into a smile. Moonstriker looked up, then to the left, then back at Shockwave. And finally...he smiled, it wasn't a big smile...but at least he was smiling.
"Yes Shockwave, I'll take care of you! As long as you promise to be exactly what you just told me!" Moonstriker said.
"I promise!" Shockwave said.
"So who did this to you?"
"Those enforcers Barricade and Prowl!" Shockwave growled.
"I should have known!" Moonstriker growled as his optics flashed with anger. "Well, I guess we should call a doctor, can you walk?" Moonstriker asked.
"My legs are very sore. I don't think so...but I'll try!" Shockwave said as he attempted to walk but his legs began to shake and he fell!
"Mabye I should get a medic to come here!" Moonstriker thought.
"They do that?" Shockwave asked getting back on the berth.
"Yeah, one of my friends is a medic, he'll come!" Moonstriker said. He sounded relieved but he never did smile.
Moonstriker called his friend over who was happy to come and help. After about 5 minutes he arrived.
"Ah, Moonstriker great to see you! So...where's the youngling you were talking about?" The medic said.
"Over here in my room!" Moonstriker said and motioned him to follow.
The triple changer medic named Scanner was about Moonstriker's shoulder height. He was white with gray lines covering his body and had huge wings and tires on his back. He also had large claws and a muscular body like Moonstriker. Scanner has known Moonstriker since they were little and loved to talk alot. But as the years passed his talkative personality has decreased. Mostly becuase he would end up running out of things to talk about. Once scanner saw the youngling he scrambled over in horror.
"Holy Primus youngling what happened to you?" Scanner said looking at him all over.
"Enforcers!" Shockwave said staring at the ceiling again.
"Ah yes...Barricade and Prowl...the two most cruel cops in town. I've had a run-in with them a few times. Of course not at the same time." Scanner explained while getting all the dents out.
"Did you fight them?" Shockwave asked interested in the conversation.
"Once with Prowl but not Barricade. I don't think I want to mess with him." Scanner chuckled.
"Why did you fight?"
"I heard Prowl insulting me saying medics don't fight because they can't. So, we went a few rounds in an alley...and I won after throwing him hard into the ground." Scanner said still taking dents out.
"Were you hurt bad?" Shockwave asked.
"Not really, a big guy like me can't take much damage! Of course, Moonstriker couldn't take any damage right old buddy?" Scanner asked.
"Exactly!" Moonstriker said only smiling slightly.
"So Moonstriker how's the construction?" Scanner asked.
"It's been pretty good, pays well! But...pretty loud!" Moonstriker said walking up beside Scanner.
"I can tell, I do live near it, I'm just glad it doesn't disturb me too much!" Scanner said.
Shockwave winced as the last of the dents were fixed. Now it was time for paint. He had brought over some purple and silver paint. Shockwave was relieved that he had all his dents out. Scanner helped Shockwave to stand. Shockwave had gathered a bit more strength, enough to stand to his full height.
"Yo Striker, need a fresh coat?" Scanner asked looking at Moonstriker who looked embarrased.
"No, not now, I'm fine!" Moonstriker said.
Moonstriker had a reputation for keeping his paint clean. Scanner was always available to paint him whenever it did get scuffed or scratched. Earlier while Shockwave was asleep, Moonstriker had cleaned all the dust and dirt off from work and was now gleaming with pride.
"You sure?" Scanner asked again.
"I'm fine!" Moonstriker nodded.
Scanner began to paint Shockwave. The brush felt funny against Shockwave's body. He tried to resist the urge to giggle and shake. After about 10 minutes he was done and finished wiping the dry energon off of Shockwave's claws.
"Thank you, Scanner!" Shockwave said happily.
"No problem kiddo!" Scanner said packing his things.
"Thank you for everything Scanner!" Moonstriker said slightly smiling.
"Anything for you dude!" Scanner grinned as left.
"He seems nice!" Shockwave said.
"Yeah...he's a good friend!" Moonstriker said as his smile went back to a frown. Shockwave sat back on the berth.
"You don't smile much do you?" Shockwave asked.
"Well, not really, I've never had many things to smile about!" Moonstriker said sitting back in his chair.
Shockwave felt sorry for him. He watched as his fangs lowered a bit with his mouth. He was looking down and looked upset. Shockwave vowed to help him out. No matter how long it took. He got off the berth and walked right in front of the monster mech. Moonstriker looked confused when Shockwave reached for his face. Shockwave bended Moonstriker's mouth up into a smile. But as soon as he let go, the smile only stayed there for a second before dropping back.
"Not going to work kid!" Moonstriker said.
"I'd tried!" Shockwave giggled. "Mabye I'll try again later!"
"Good luck!" Moonstriker quietly said to himself pulling out a tiny smirk.
"What was that?"
"Nothing! So, I never asked you yet but...how old are you?"
"6" Shockwave simply said. "What about you?"
"35" Moonstriker said.
"Wow, I'll never catch up to you!" Shockwave said.
Shockwave looked to the ground, then back at Moonstriker. The monster mech didn't have time to react before Shockwave ran up and hugged him. The paint had dried up already. Moonstriker was surprised at the hug.
"Moonstriker, I know we're not officially family but...I have been thinking and well...I...I love you...new dad!" Shockwave said tearing up again.
Moonstriker was shocked. But his spark began to feel warm. And unknown to Shockwave, Moonstriker smiled big and hugged back.
"I...I love you too...son!" Moonstriker said nearly tearing up himself.
To be continued...