Chapter 12: Depressed Again
A week later, Starscream had been able to walk. He had recently been given newer wings that looked similar to his old ones. He was sitting on his bed drinking his morning energon when Scanner came in.
"Morning Starscream, how are your wings?" Scanner said while looking at some info on a data pad.
"They are perfect, I thank you and Ratchet for all you've done!" Starscream smiled slowly getting off the bed.
"Our pleasure Starscream! Are you ready to go home or to work?" Scanner asked taking the empty energon cube.
"I can try and go to work, I heard Moonstriker has been working very hard during my time here!" Starscream said following Scanner out the door.
Starscream hadn't been out of that room in a while and everything looked more clearer as if he had new optics. He took in the nice cool air outside the hospital. He looked at the buildings, the road and the other mechs who were walking around.
"Good luck Starscream!" Scanner said from the door.
"Thank you!" Starscream said and proceeded towards the ASTC.
He transformed and soared into the sky enjoying the breeze. Finally he was free, away from the hospital, away from Prowl and away from pain. However, he wondered if Prowl would ever come back! Meanwhile at work, Shockwave and the others were going down the elevator for break time.
"So Barricade's a nice guy now?" Brainstorm asked.
"He better be!" Shockwave said.
CRANK! BOOM!
"What was that?" Cerebros said as the elevator groaned.
"This elevator is old, I knew I should've fixed it a while ago!" Wheeljack growled.
SNAP! BANG!
"UH-OH!" Brainstorm said.
Suddenly the elevator drops down fast. The mechs inside are tossed up to the ceiling. A very loud screeching noise nearly muffled their screams.
"WHY DID WE HAVE TO BE ON THE 10TH FLOOR?" Soundwave yelled.
"WE'RE GOING TO DIE!" Cerebros yelled.
"EVERYONE CALM DOWN WE'RE NOT GOING TO DIE, WE'RE STRONGER THAN ANY ELEVATOR! WELL, MABYE NOT CEREBROS!" Wheeljack yelled.
"WHATEVER!" Cerebros said angrily.
THOOM!
The elevator was abruptly stopped sending the mechs crashing into a pile of tangled metal. Everything was silent now!
"What happened, it stopped!" Brainstorm said.
"I don't know but GET YOUR FOOT OUT OF MY FACE!" Wheeljack snarled.
"Wait what's that?" Shockwave said as the doors began to groan.
As the doors open, Powerglide and Perceptor are shown nearly laughing. It was Powerglide who had opened the doors.
"Who knew something like that would happen!" Powerglide laughed.
"You guys alright?" Perceptor asked as the group exited the elevator.
"Yeah, shaken, but alright!" Soundwave said.
"Boy Wheeljack, you're fixing skills are getting rusty!" Powerglide teased.
"I'LL FIX YOU!" Wheeljack snarled and chased after Powerglide who transformed.
"And away we go!" Powerglide said flying over the room teasing Wheeljack who grumbled about not being able to fly.
"Ugh, let's leave those two alone and head for the break room." Brainstorm said and they all agreed.
Just as they were about to enter, a familiar seeker came flying through the front doors and headed for the break room. He transformed in front of the group and revealed himself to be Starscream.
"Starscream! You're okay!" Cerebros said.
"Yeah, Scanner said I have fully recovered. Check out my new wings!" Starscream said showing them.
"They look just like your old ones!" Shockwave said.
Yeah, oh I almost forgot!" Starscream said.
Before Shockwave could act, Starscream threw himself at Shockwave and hugged him. Shockwave hugged him back!
Meanwhile, Moonstriker was back in construction. Everyone was talking about the rally.
"I still can't believe you won!" The blue monster mech said helping to lift up more supports.
"I wasn't expecting myself to win, but, the finish line was right there and I had to go for it!" Moonstriker said placing a few old boxes and spare parts out of the way.
"How was working for that science place?" A mech asked.
"Pretty good...I see why Shockwave would want to work there!" Moonstriker said.
Moonstriker was now thinking about getting a job with Shockwave and the others. It seemed more quiet and peaceful. He sighed as he picked up a support beam and handed it to one of the mechs. The boss there noticed Moonstriker's unhappy mood. Moonstriker was nearly reverting back to his depressed state. During break, Moonstriker went out for a drive. He knew Shockwave was still at break himself so he comm-linked him.
"Hmm, that's strange!" Shockwave said after using the comm. link.
"What happened?" Soundwave asked.
"Moonstriker's outside wanting to see me!" Shockwave said getting up from the table. "I'll be back!"
Shockwave noticed a monster truck parked beside the building waiting for him.
"Uh...hey Moonstriker, what's up?"
"Well, we need to talk!" Moonstriker said transforming.
"Sure dad, what is it?"
"Well, remember that depressed state I used to be in?"
"Yes?"
"Well, it's back!"
Shockwave couldn't believe what he just heard! Moonstriker hadn't been depressed since the first day in Iacon. Moonstriker's fangs were bended to match his frown and his horns twitched slightly.
"Your depression is back? But why, you love it here!" Shockwave said. "You're not trying to go back to Kaon are you?"
"Primus no, but...I just...don't know what kind of work would best fit!" Moonstriker said, his optics dimming a bit.
Shockwave understood. Monster mechs were made for construction or fighting. But they also had feelings and were able to do what they wanted. Moonstriker now hated the whole construction idea. He'd rather use his skills at the ASTC instead.
"Moonstriker, please don't be depressed! I never like to see you like that! I can help you!" Shockwave said.
"But how?" Moonstriker asked.
"Optimus would gladly talk to your boss about transferring you to here!" Shockwave said pointing to the building. "You want a job here?"
"You would do that for me?" Moonstriker smiled slightly.
"Moonstriker, you're my dad and I love you! And I would do anything to make you happy." Shockwave said hugging him.
Moonstriker hugged back. Shockwave rubbed his back.
"Everything will be fine, I'll tell Optimus, and he will tell your boss!" Shockwave said as they broke the hug.
"Thank you!" Moonstriker said.
"Like I said, anything for you!" Shockwave said. Moonstriker then noticed a few dents on Shockwave's sides.
"What happened now?" Moonstriker said pointing to them.
"Elevator screw-up!" Shockwave chuckled. Moonstriker chuckled also.
"Poor Wheeljack!" Shockwave said.
Speaking of Wheeljack, he was busy talking to Brainstorm about yet another new invention. A few minutes ago he and Powerglide had been seperated by Perceptor.
"What is it now?" Brainstorm asked.
"Well, you know that new hotel being built?" Wheeljack asked.
"Yes!"
"Well what if we were to do the job for them, and I don't mean getting our servos dirty, but simply build a remote device that could make it for them. The device would find every right piece to build it and the contruction workers wouldn't have to do a thing." Wheeljack said.
"That's sounds pretty good to me!" Brainstorm said. "But where would you find the parts?"
"Hmm, mabye at the old junkyard!" Wheeljack said.
"The junkyard? I've never been there!" Shockwave said.
"It's pretty scary over there, old body parts, rusted metal, total darkness even in the daytime." Soundwave said.
That made shutters go through all of them.
"I think it's worth a shot, who knows what we will find! Who's with me?" Wheeljack asked.
Shockwave and Brainstorm raised their servos. Cerebros, Starscream and Soundwave looked worried.
"Mabye I could ask a few others if they want to join!" Shockwave said. "And I need to talk to Optimus."
After work, Shockwave asked Brawl and Mirage. Mirage didn't want to but Brawl did. At the junkyard, Shockwave, Brainstorm, Wheeljack and Brawl were searching for any useful parts. Wheeljack had also made a list.
"Hey Wheeljack, let's see that list again!" Brainstorm said.
"Okay let's see I need: A few screws, some rectangular metal, an antenna, and a few bolts." Wheeljack said.
Brawl dived into piles of scrap and dug through them like a wild animal, Brainstorm face-palmed.
"Seriously Brawl, can't you act more normal!" Brainstorm sighed.
"I AM NORMAL, I JUST HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY!" Brawl snarled popping out of one pile. "YOU GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?"
"Plenty!" Brainstorm mumbled but recieved an old shoulder plate to the head.
"I HEARD THAT!" Brawl snarled.
Brainstorm growled and picked up the plate and threw it back at him. Brawl dodges it and becomes completely pissed off. Brainstorm runs away with an enraged Brawl on his tail. Meanwhile, Shockwave and Wheeljack were cautiously walking through the tall piles of scrap metal. Little pieces of metal could be heard falling after a being in one place for a long time. Mysterious winds blew around too. Just then, they end up in front of an old dumpster. Shockwave seems to remember it.
"What's wrong Shockwave?" Wheeljack asked.
"That's the one. That's the dumpster!" Shockwave said as a tear began to appear under his optic.
Wheeljack suddenly realized what he was talking about. He sighed.
"I'm so sorry Shockwave!" Wheeljack said.
Shockwave walked closer to it, it looked identical to the one in Kaon. It was missing the top, countless dents were on it. It was all dirty and banged up! Shockwave clenched a fist and punch it so hard he made a hole. Wheeljack jumped back.
"Shockwave, we should go, before it gets too late!" Wheeljack said trying to get Shockwave away from it.
As they continued on, Wheeljack eventually found all the pieces he needed.
"Excellent, with all of this, I can build the remote! That hotel will be finished in no time!" Wheeljack said.
"Now where did the other two go?" Shockwave asked.
"OW! OW! OKAY I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!" Brainstorm's voice could be heard.
Brainstorm and Brawl come into view as they run towards the other two. Brainstorm hides behind Shockwave. Brawl comes to a halt in front of him.
"YOU BETTER BE SORRY!" Brawl snarled at the poked-out head Brainstorm.
"What happened?" Shockwave asked.
"Nothing important!" Brainstorm said coming out of hiding when Brawl calmed down.
"Okay, I'm going to get started tonight, I'll see you guys tomorrow. Night everybody!" Wheeljack said as he transformed.
The other three proceeded to leave. Mirage stayed closely with Shockwave until Brawl arrived at his house. Shockwave decided to walk through town hoping Optimus had talked to Moonstriker's boss. As he walked past a few buildings downtown, he passed by a bar. It sounded like a few mechs arguing in there. Shockwave was glad he didn't go in. He wasn't a drinker like them. But scanner was sometimes. As he walked past a window he could see mechs, femmes and monster mechs. It was a few mechs that were arguing, about a least 4 of them. The monster mechs were laughing at them. Shockwave knew this was going to get ugly. He stared in shock when he saw Scanner in there too. But he was just watching the arguement. Shockwave wanted to get him out of there before chaos ensued.
"What's going on in there?" Came a voice from behind.
Shockwave turned around to see Barricade innocently walking up beside him.
"Oh it's you!" Shockwave said squinting his optic. "Well, if you must know, a fight is about to take place in there, but I don't want Scanner to get hurt!"
"Go on in there in!" Barricade said.
"What if they see me?"
"Why would they turn their attention to you?"
"Good point!"
But it was too late as the word "FIGHT!" was yelled and the whole building shook as a loud and violent brawl started. Mechs and femmes were fighting one another. Waiters escaped into the back rooms. Scanner quickly got out just in time nearly getting hit with a chair. He saw the other two.
"Oh hey Shockwave...Barricade!" Scanner sneered looking at him.
"That looks brutal!" Shockwave said.
"Oh it is!" Scanner said. "We should go!"
"Yeah!" Barricade said. "I'm not trying to be apart of that!"
The three left the bar just in time as a table came crashing out of the window. If this was a cartoon, the fight would probably be one of those dust-cloud fights. As the three seperated to their own houses, Shockwave could see Optimus leaving Moonstriker's house with a smile on his face! Shockwave knew what that meant!
To be continued...