Chapter 11: Monster Truck Rally
At the end of the week, it was time for the monster truck rally. Everyone in Iacon was excited, Moonstriker especially. Scanner was busy helping him prepare. Moonstriker was given a fresh coat of black and blue paint. Other monster mechs were getting ready too. They were all ready for some wild and crazy racing and bashing. Some jokingly threatened others. Moonstriker didn't really pay them no mind. Scanner laughed at some of the threats.
"So Moonstriker, think you will win this time?" Scanner asked.
"I don't know, I've never won before!" Moonstriker sighed.
"Well don't worry, you'll do fine, besides, we will all be there to support you!" Scanner assured.
"Thanks! I can't believe Optimus is going to be watching me!" Moonstriker smiled.
"That's definately a big honor!" Scanner smirked.
Meanwhile at the hospital, Starscream was awake and was able to speak...but not very loudly. He was talking to Shockwave.
"Shockwave...thank you for helping me out back there!" Starscream smiled.
"It was no problem, I'm just glad you're okay! You were so close to death!" Shockwave said sitting on his berth while Starscream was still lying down.
"I will never treat anybody the way I did again!" Starscream said. "But...after all the trouble I caused you...why did you save me?"
"I knew you were a pain in the aft, but...that doesn't mean you deserve to suffer like you are now. Heck, Ratchet had to take off your wings, he's trying to find some new ones that look like yours." Shockwave chuckled a bit.
"Prowl is dead isn't he?" Starscream asked.
"I'm afraid not, but...I doubt he will ever try this again that's for sure!" Shockwave said.
"So...are you supposed to be at the rally?" Starscream asked trying to adjust himself but ended up hurting himself.
"Moonstriker said I can watch it here while I look over you, besides I've been to all of the races. In fact, I think it's starting." Shockwave said picking up the remote to the TV beside them and flipping on to the right channel.
Back at the monster rally, all the monster trucks were entering the outside arena. The track was a figure-8, both crossings had ramps making it possible for the mechs to crash into each other. Which usually happened a lot. The audience went wild as the mechs all entered. Optimus, Soundwave, Brainstorm, Cerebros, Wheeljack, Mirage, Brawl, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were present. They were at one of the top rows. The rally consisted of 3 rounds with 3 laps each. The first 3 of the 4 to cross the finish line moved on to the second round where a new monster mech would come in to take the place of the loser. The same rule applied for the second round, however, of course the first place mech of the last round was the ultimate winner. The winner and runner-up get to pick out a prize in the private tent that was located near the exit. Usually the prizes were custom parts or paint. But none of the mechs raced for the prizes, they raced just for the fun of getting dirty and violent. Moonstriker lined up with the three other monster mechs who he knew and always talked to. There was a red one, a green one and a blue one. The red one was the most violent of them all! He revved his engine just ready to start. The announcer came up to the sidelines.
"READY! SET! GO!"
All the monster mechs screeched their tires on the dirt and took off. The crowd's cheers were muffled by the loud engines. Moonstriker was in the zone as he sped ahead of the others. However, the red mech was soon catching up. Many different objects such as empty boxes or barrels would usually be placed around for them to crash into or use as obstacles. Transforming to robot mode was never allowed, neither was fighting, killing or insulting.
"WATCH OUT MOONSTRIKER, I MAY BE YOUR BUDDY OUTSIDE THE ARENA, BUT IN THE ARENA, I'M YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE!" The red mech said and shot up dirt onto Moonstriker as he passed.
"Ugh! We'll see!" Moonstriker snarled as they rounded the first corner.
The two jumped into the air as they went up the first ramp. As they landed, Moonstriker knocked over a barrel of oil that smacked the red mech's side.
"NO PAIN NO GAIN!" The red one laughed and playfully bumped Moonstriker.
The blue and green monster mechs eventually caught up. As they all came towards the ramp again, Moonstriker knocked the blue mech off the dirt forcing a roar of cheers. The blue mech wasn't mad the least, he revved his engine and ran back onto the course ramming the red mech into Moonstriker who crashed into a bunch of old crates. Their bashing and crashing went on for the rest of the round. Meanwhile, the others were enjoying themselves, especially Brawl. Soundwave was recording the whole thing, Wheeljack was telling Optimus about some more ideas, Brainstorm and Cerebros were admiring the destruction and Mirage was disagreeing on the twin's ideas of pranks on the monster mechs. By the last lap, Moonstriker and the red mech were tied so far, as soon as they got towards the finish line, Moonstriker saw his chance to speed up when he smacked the last barrel ahead in front of the red mech. The red mech spun out and crashed into the green mech. Moonstriker recieved first place and a roar of cheers. The crowd was going wild despite the fact it was only the first round.
"HE DID IT HE DID IT!" Mirage yelled.
"HELL YEAH!" Brawl cheered.
When break time began, the monster mechs had a little prank for the audience. In front of each section of stands were huge hoses that shot out large amounts of oil with a push of a button. The monster mechs talked from the infield.
"Go on Moonstriker, you do it!" The blue mech said.
"Yeah man, this will be great!" The green one smirked.
Moonstriker picked up the remote and eagerly pressed it. Oil shot up from the hoses and nearly everyone was covered in oil. In Moonstriker's friend's stand, the twins, Wheeljack and Brawl are caught in the oil's path. Optimus only got some on his shoulders.
"He-he!" Mirage snickered at Brawl who was still cheering. He actually wanted to get covered in it.
"That was great!" The red mech said as he and others went to get repaired for round 2. "I nearly had you Moonstriker!"
"Yeah, but mabye next time!" Moonstriker smirked as they went into the tent. Scanner was waiting.
"Wow Moonstriker, nice win!" Scanner said as Moonstriker layed on his medical berth.
"Thanks, I'm just glad i'll be in the next round...again!" Moonstriker smiled. "I hope Shockwave is watching!"
"I'm sure he is!" Scanner said.
Shockwave and Starscream were cheering back in the room.
"Moonstriker did great out there!" Shockwave said.
"Yeah, man those races can get violent." Starscream said.
Shockwave had lifted up the top part of the bed so Starscream could see better. Shockwave innocently walked to the window to see outside. He could clearly see many lights nearbye that surrounded the arena. He had to chuckle. But the chuckle turned to growling when he spotted a familiar policemech walking along the sidewalk in front of the hospital. He turned to Starscream.
"Uh Starscream, I'll be back, I need to get some energon!" Shockwave said and Starscream nodded.
By the time Shockwave got to the front doors of the hospital, Barricade was already past a building beside the hospital. Shockwave walked onto the sidewalk and placed his claws on his hips.
"Hey!" Shockwave yelled.
Barricade heard the voice and urged himself to turn around! Barricade quickly raised up his clawed-servos nervously. He backed up a bit as Shockwave came closer.
"Wait Shockwave, I don't want any trouble, I just want to talk! Don't hurt me, I didn't come around here to fight!" Barricade nervously said.
Shockwave's optic was squinted to look angry. Barricade was worried of his fate now!
"You know Barricade, I wasn't done with you last time. But you ran!" Shockwave began. "Why?"
"I...thought you were going to kill me! That punch to the face felt like I had been struck by a train. Were you going to kill me?" Barricade asked.
"That day, I actually was thinking about it, I wanted to kill Prowl but apparently he survived."
"He did, that fragger hurt Starscream for no reason. I feel sorry for him!"
"Oh is that so? So Mirage was telling the truth about what you said to them?"
"Yes, I meant everything I said. I wanted to kill Prowl too for doing that, but I didn't know if it was the right thing! Is Starscream okay?"
"Yeah, he's awake in the hospital, still recovering, he has to get new wings!"
Barricade turned his gaze to the ground thinking about his life before Shockwave got his attention again.
"You know Barricade, you and Prowl gave me hell as a child. I could have died in that dumpster, but I didn't because Moonstriker rescued me. And what were you thinking the next day when you guys broke into the house and still beat me up? You're crazy that's why! You guys thought you were the kings of Kaon, but you weren't. You guys fled Kaon like wimps, for 12 years I didn't have to worry about a thing! Then, I come here and see you two still acting like immature sparklings. I was so mad, I wanted to kill you both...and I still do! I should've killed Prowl when I had the chance, but I had to help my friend who was also dying. Prowl's lucky. And then you, you ran away after one hit, ONE! I wasn't even close to being finished. But now, your thinking of trying to fix everything? You can't fix the past, you can't change the beating you gave me in the alley, you can't change the 15 minutes I suffered in that damn dumpster, you can't change breaking that window, or my second beating. And you can't change my thoughts of revenge!" Shockwave scolded Barricade like he was his father.
Barricade was surprised at the long speech and how he was able to remember every little thing. His tears fell down from his optics like a waterfall. Once Shockwave had finished, he took note of Barricade's face. Barricade was trying his best to stop crying but it was failing. Shockwave was calmed now and seemed nearly lost of what to say now.
"Why are you crying?" Shockwave asked sternly.
"I'm just upset about the whole thing!" Barricade said finally stopping himself from crying.
"You should be!" Shockwave said.
"Well, what are you going to do to me now?" Barricade asked.
He could see Shockwave opening his fists and his claws are revealed making a sharp sound effect. Shockwave grabbed Barricade's neck and shoved him against a wall! Barricade gasped as Shockwave squeezed a bit.
"Please Shockwave! Don't kill me! Please!" Barricade gapsed.
Barricade watched as Shockwave raised up a fist. Barricade winced.
"I'm going to get my revenge hits, that punch from last time was for my first beating. This is for putting me in the dumpster!" Shockwave punches him in the chest. "This is for invading the house and beating me again." Shockwave punches Barricade in the face then opens a fist revealing his claws. "And this is for everyone you've brought pain and suffering to!" Shockwave claws Barricade's chest twice, then he tosses Barricade to the ground.
Barricade rolled onto his back to look up at Shockwave who then presses his foot on Barricade's optics.
"Now, you give ME one good reason I shouldn't crush YOUR face into the ground." Shockwave said.
Barricade remembered saying that to Shockwave a long time ago. He studdered to say something.
"I've...been wanting to apologize about everything I did. But...I kinda knew you wouldn't forgive me. You have every right to kill me, but...I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I want to leave you alone. I don't want to act the way I did anymore. I want to fit in this city just as much as you do! And I'm done with Prowl. I don't need him and I never did! Please Shockwave, I'm not ready to die yet!" Barricade pleaded under Shockwave's foot.
Only after a few seconds did Barricade feel more pressure being added.
"AAHH! SHOCKWAVE NO!"
But then the pressure was taken off and soon the foot was out of his optic-sight. Shockwave was amazingly offering a hand! Barricade took it and was helped up. Barricade was both shocked and confused. But before he could say a word, Shockwave spoke.
"Leave! And don't you even think about picking on anyone in this town ever again. If I see you do it, I will offline you right away, understood!" Shockwave said.
"Yes Shockwave!" Barricade said nervously.
"And remember this, I may have spared you, but we are not friends!" Shockwave said. "Now scram!"
Barricade nodded and transformed to leave without a word. Shockwave heavily sighed and walked back into the hospital. When he went back into the room with Starscream, the seeker had a smile on his face.
"What did I miss?" Shockwave said sitting on the berth.
"Well, besides everyone getting oil on them, Moonstriker won round 2 and now he's about to win round 3!" Starscream said.
Moonstriker and the red mech were drifting through the final curve. Dust covered the mechs.
"I GOT THIS MOONSTRIKER, ROLL ASIDE!"
"NO WAY, THIS IS MY RACE!"
The red mech swerved to knock Moonstriker off the track but Moonstriker slowed down making the red mech topple on his side. Moonstriker used him as a ramp and propelled himself over the finish line. The blue mech and the new orange mech ended up in a tangle on the track. The red mech tried to reach a tire towards the finish line. The other two desperatly tried to get off without transforming. Eventually their tussling ended with the red mech crashing onto the finish line. Everyone cheered for Moonstriker who was smiling big. Moonstriker had finally won a rally. He was very happy. Over at the prize tent, Moonstriker observed all the available things on a table. The red mech came in.
"Hey Moonstriker, great race!"
"Thanks, you almost had me!"
"Yeah, finally your first win. What prize it worth your first win?"
"Hmm, I don't know! What is your opinion on that big nitrous tank over there?" Moonstriker pointed at it.
"That seems like something useful, but it's your choice!"
"I think i'll take that!" Moonstriker said grabbing it.
"Nice, ooh, I like that spoiler." The red mech said observing it.
"Hey dude, nice seeing ya here, I got to go!" Moonstriker said.
"Alright man, see ya later!"
Moonstriker joined up with the rest of the group.
"Nice job Striker!" Mirage said.
"I LOVE THIS OIL!" Brawl said and deviously smeared Mirage's head with some.
"Hey, you're going to pay for that"! Mirage snarled.
"Hey stop it guys that's enough! Let's go to the hospital, Starscream can now talk to us!" Scanner said.
"I'm glad he's alright!" Cerebros said.
At the hospital, Shockwave and Starscream were still talking about the win.
"I knew he would win!" Starscream said.
"First time ever!" Shockwave said nearly tearing. "Great job dad!"
To be continued...