Chapter 14: Killer Instincts
As the mech lunged, Barricade jumped back just in time. A second too late and he would've been pinned down. Barricade watched as the figure got back up from being on all-fours.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" Barricade snarled.
"Why should I?" The mech said as a flash went across his visor.
Barricade turned around and transformed which the other mech did too. Barricade tried his best to keep up his high speed. But the mech was still catching up. Barricade would try and knock over things but the mech was easily avoiding them. Barricade knew he was going to need help. He tried to comm. link Shockwave. Shockwave was in his basement drinking some energon when he got the call.
"Hey Barricade!" Shockwave greeted.
"Shockwave, I'm in serious trouble, I need you to have your back door open now!" Barricade said frantically.
"Okay, but what's wrong?"
"I have to explain later, all I can say right now is that...he's back!" Barricade said hoping Shockwave understood.
"He? OH! Oh great Primus he's coming after ya?" Shockwave asked running up the stairs.
"HE'S RIGHT BEHIND ME LITERALLY!" Barricade said. "JUST OPEN THE DOOR AND CLOSE IT RIGHT WHEN HE COMES, IF HE FOLLOWS ME!"
"Okay!" Shockwave said and opened the door. "It's open!"
"Great! I have to end the-OW HE HIT MY BUMPER!" Barricade said speeding up.
Shockwave could see lights down the street and got ready. Barricade swerved onto the sidewalk and headed for the door. The mech actually followed. Shockwave's optic widened when he saw the stranger. Barricade jumped and turned himself sideways to fit through the door and made it succesfully in, unless you count accidently flying into the basement and tumbling down the stairs. Shockwave slammed the door just as the stranger nearly made it in. Shockwave locked the door and looked through the window. The mech transformed. Shockwave gasped but also growled right after.
"YOU GOT LUCKY THIS TIME CYCLOPICON!" The mech sneered.
"GO AWAY...PROWL!" Shockwave yelled through the window.
It was in fact Prowl, well, a much stronger and evil looking Prowl. Prowl had been given a few upgrades from the police medic. He now possesed sharp teeth, fangs and claws. And he seemed to be a bit more muscular. His visor continued to glow!
"I'LL BE BACK!" Prowl snarled getting close to the window.
"Yeah right, next time you'll probably be killed!" Shockwave snarled back.
"Oh yeah? By who?" Prowl asked.
"Me, or Moonstriker! But I should've killed you when I had the chance!"
"AND YOU NEVER WILL HAVE THE CHANCE! Because next time I see you, I'm going to kill you, then Barricade, then Starscream!"
"YOU LAY ONE DIGIT ON ANYBODY OR ME, AND THIS TIME I WILL BEAT YOUR FACE IN, RIP OUT YOUR SPARK AND CRUSH IT SLOWLY!"
Prowl growled. Then he had an idea to draw him out.
"I bet your just scared of me! You need Moonstriker to protect you and let him fight your battles for ya!" Prowl said.
Shockwave slammed open the door in a rage.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?" Shockwave yelled.
Moonstriker heard the bang and ran down the steps quickly. Barricade was peeking over the top step of the basement.
"YOU HEARD ME SHOCKY!" Prowl snarled.
Shockwave clenched his fists tightly and walked towards Prowl who met him half way.
"DON'T YOU DARE BRING MY DAD INTO THIS!" Shockwave snarled.
"OR WHAT?" Prowl snarled back.
Prowl then noticed Moonstriker at the doorway. He took a step back.
"THIS ISN'T OVER!" Prowl snarled.
"YOU BET IT AIN'T!" Shockwave snarled.
Prowl growled as he transformed and raced away. Moonstriker stepped out.
"Shockwave what happened?" Moonstriker asked.
"Prowl was talking about you behind your back!" Shockwave growled. "NOBODY DOES THAT SHIT!"
Barricade knew Prowl was gone and he came outside too.
"You gonna be okay?" Barricade asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine...for now!" Shockwave said.
"Prowl looked different!" Moonstriker said.
"He got an upgrade! Probably from the medics." Barricade said. "He's gone insane!"
"You know what, seriously he's gonna die!" Shockwave said admitting it! "He is, by my servos!"
Moonstriker and Barricade looked at each other. Shockwave turned to Barricade.
"You can stay in the basement with me if you want tonight!" Shockwave said.
"Really? I can? Thanks!" Barricade smiled.
Later that night, Shockwave was sleeping in his big bed and Barricade was sleeping on his couch. Shockwave saw that Barricade seemed to have trouble getting to sleep.
"You okay?" Shockwave asked.
"Yeah, just trying to adjust myself!" Barricade said turning around.
"Come on Barricade, it's got to be something!" Shockwave chuckled when Barricade fell off the couch.
"Well, I just...know I'm so close to dying!" Barricade said.
Shockwave was surprised at this. Barricade really was scared. He rarely was. Shockwave finally realized Barricade wasn't just some violent and tough enforcer, under all that armor, he was an innocent, shy but brave mech.
"Don't worry Barricade, nothing is going to happen!" Shockwave assured. "When Prowl strikes again, we will get through it!"
Barricade was still thinking of the negative outcomes. He whimpered a bit.
"Now what?" Shockwave said.
"I just wanted to say, I'm really sorry again for everything I did to you!" Barricade said going over to sit on Shockwave's bed.
"It's okay man, I forgave you! It's in the past, 12 years ago! I can get over it!" Shockwave assured sitting up.
"It just haunts me still. I can't even look at a dumpster. I'm just afraid of doing anything bad now! I was expecting Moonstriker to kill me that time in the basement. But he didn't."
"Moonstriker isn't a murder, he was just simply threatneing to kill you. However, he wanted to!"
"I loved it when Prowl got scared of him!" Barricade chuckled.
"I know I did too!" Shockwave laughed.
"Well, we will worry about Prowl whenever he comes back, just hope not tonight!" Barricade said.
"Yeah, I'd kill him in an instant!" Shockwave chuckled.
"Well, you go ahead and sleep, I just need to think for a bit!" Barricade said.
"Alright, take your time...goodnight!" Shockwave said as he turned around and fell into recharge.
"Goodnight!" Barricade sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
He had his claws laced together and his feet swung in the air. About an hour later, Shockwave slightly came out of recharge wondering if Barricade had went to sleep. He saw that Barricade was now sleeping on his bed like a dog and sucking on his thumb. Shockwave had to chuckle but soon fell back into recharge. Moonstriker meanwhile, thought about everything that has happened. He loved Iacon and everything about it. He enjoyed his job and having many friends. He loved the monster truck rallys and the great attitude the city had. Only Prowl was in the way of it being perfect. His mind went back to when he first met Shockwave. He remembered opening up the dumpster to find a small, one-opticed mech covered in garbage, bringing him in, feeding him, taking care of him, becoming his father, and watching him grow into a very smart scientist and perfect son! He will always keep the memories stored in his processor. He knew Shockwave could handle himself, but...he wanted to be there for Shockwave too. He and Scanner wanted to pound Prowl till he was in pieces. But, this was Shockwave's problem.
"Well, I just hope Shockwave knows what he is doing!" Moonstriker said.
The next day, Shockwave and Moonstriker went over to work with the others hoping that Prowl wouldn't come anywhere near there. Barricade hung out with Mirage, Brawl and the twins who were willing to protect him. It seemed like just another day at work. Optimus was in the main office looking through some data pads. He seemed to be in a good mood. Powerglide was having a hard time trying not to insult how Wheeljack's invention might mess up one day. Perceptor was try to remind him that he could get his body parts taken again. Everything was as it should be...until there was a loud-
CRASH!
The whole building heard it. Optimus ran out his office to see Prowl standing in the middle of the room looking around. The front doors and windows were destroyed.
"What's your malfunction?" Optimus snarled.
"WHERE'S SHOCKWAVE AND STARSCREAM?" Prowl demanded.
Optimus had heard about Prowl's threats last night. So it wasn't a surprise.
"YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE!" Optimus snarled placing his battle mask over his mouth.
Prowl knew he couldn't take on Optimus...heck Optimus' brother Megatron was a lot more scarier. Prowl transformed and raced up the stairs deciding to start with the top floor. Optimus comm. linked the 10th floor.
"Attention 10th floor workers! Prowl is heading up there! Repeat, Prowl is on the loose and heading up there!" Optimus said.
Shockwave, Moonstriker, Starscream, Soundwave, Cerebros and Brainstorm were stunned.
"HERE NOW?" Starscream said nervously.
"I'M DYING TODAY!" Cerebros said.
"Guys relax, we have Moonstriker here!" Brainstorm said.
"Hey I have an idea!" Soundwave said. "Starscream, call Wheeljack and tell him...to bring the device!"
Starscream smirked.
"Come in Wheeljack!" Starscream said on the comm. link.
"Hey Screamer!"
"Dude, Prowl is coming up here, we have a plan, bring the remote!" Starscream said.
Wheeljack heard a zoom from behind his door.
"On it!" Wheeljack said.
"Oh this I got to see!" Powerglide said.
"Ugh!" Perceptor sighed.
"Am I gonna have to fight?" Cerebros asked.
"Not really!" Shockwave said.
Just then, Prowl busted down the doors and stared at the group. But became alarmed when he saw Moonstriker!
"Moonstriker you work here?" Prowl asked.
"Yeah!" Moonstriker growled.
"THERE YOU TWO PUNKS ARE!" Prowl snarled at Shockwave and Starscream.
"GET OUT!" Starscream snarled.
Wheeljack walked slowly behind Prowl. He had a digit ready to press the button. But, Prowl had already sensed someone behind him. He turned around and punched Wheeljack into a wall. Powerglide and Perceptor were horrified. The remote dropped and Prowl went to pick it up!
"Uh-oh!" Cerebros said.
Prowl shot the beam at Cerebros' left leg and took it off making him fall. Powerglide ran up behind Prowl and tackled him, taking the remote.
"And away we go!" Powerglide said making sure Prowl couldn't get it by passing it to Perceptor who hid it behind the injured Wheeljack. Prowl growled at Perceptor.
"GIVE IT BACK!" Prowl snarled.
Soundwave used this as a distraction to try and fight. Prowl turned around and tried to punch him but Soundwave blocked his blows with his arm armor. Lazerbeak deatched from his chest and fired at him. But Prowl easily smacked Lazerbeak into Starscream.
"LAZERBEAK!" Soundwave yelled.
Prowl used this distraction to punch Soundwave in his screen cracking it. Soundwave staggered back into Starscream and Lazerbeak.
Brainstorm took out a blaster from under the desks and fired. Weapons were stored in many places of the room. Prowl dodged most of the blasts and grabbed Cerebros' leg to block the attacks. Brainstorm is whacked into a computer console by the leg. Now, it was just Prowl vs. Shockwave and Moonstriker.
"I knew it would come down to you two!" Prowl said.
The reason Optimus hadn't came up yet, was because he had contacted Barricade, Scanner, Mirage, Brawl and the twins for assistance in helping injured mechs in the building. But Barricade and Optimus had soon decided to sneak up the stairs. Back with the stand-off, Prowl waited for the others to make a move.
"COME ON SHOCKWAVE, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR A REMATCH!" Prowl snarled. Everyone else in the room watched.
Shockwave started by shooting electricity from his claws but amazingly Prowl dodged it. Prowl took out a policemech blaster and shot at him, Shockwave dodged some of them, but he got hit at least twice. Moonstriker was worried and so were the others. Prowl took Cerebros' leg and threw it hitting Shockwave in his optic stunning him for a moment.
"OW!" Shockwave said.
Then, Prowl did the unthinkable, he lunged at the stunned Shockwave and shoved him into the very large glass windows behind the consoles. Shockwave broke through the windows and fell 10 stories down screaming. Everyone in the room gasped. Moonstriker ran to the window horrified. His own life flashed before his optics. Everything was silent as they listened for any crashes. But...then...
BOOM!
Moonstriker winced before the noise and backed up without looking down. He stared straight out the window realizing...Shockwave was gone! His son...gone! Every single moment with Shockwave shot through his mind like a bullet. The others cried and were angry! All of them, except Wheeljack who was still injured, surrounded Prowl who was still smirking. Just before they were about to pummel him, Moonstriker let out a growl. They all watched as Moonstriker angrily turned around. Barricade and Optimus had been watching from the door and knew what was about to happen. When Moonstriker fully turned around, he had a "Kill" look in his optics that were the darkest shade of red. His horns shook and his fangs and claws extended. Everyone but Prowl backed away. Prowl was now far away from smiling. Very far. Everybody from Iacon, to Kaon, to Tyger Pax, to everywhere else knew to never mess with a monster mech! Moonstriker made a primal sounding growl. Prowl started to back away, only to see Optimus and Barricade blocking his way. Prowl growled at Barricade but Optimus took a step forward forcing Prowl away. Moonstriker looked up at Optimus who nodded. Moonstriker turned back to Prowl and squinted his optics. Then, with one loud growl, Moonstriker charged Prowl. Moonstriker didn't have to say words to get his point across and he viciously attacked Prowl in front of everybody. He punched, clawed, stomped and bit prowl to death. Prowl's pleading was never heard over Moonstriker's growls. After a few more seconds Moonstriker backed up and transformed, revving his engine loudly and charged Prowl again. Prowl was squashed and crushed under the big tires, finally destroying Prowl's spark in the process. Moonstriker ran over him backwards anyways. He transformed and Optimus went to hold him back. Moonstriker had never been so angry. He grabbed Optimus into a hug and began to cry. Optimus held him tightly. It was only a few minutes later when Optimus recieved a comm. link from Brawl.
"Yes...I see...is that so...I'll tell him!" Optimus said then hanged up.
"What happened?" Powerglide asked helping Wheeljack to his feet.
"It's Shockwave...he's alive!" Optimus said.
Everyone was shocked. Moonstriker couldn't believe what he just heard. Starscream and Soundwave hugged tightly. Powerglide, Wheeljack and Perceptor surprisingly hugged, and Brainstorm and Cerebros hugged. Lazerbeak chirped happily.
"My son is alive? But how?" Moonstriker said.
"You will soon find out!" Optimus said.
When they reached the main floor, Moonstriker rushed outside and nearly had a spark-attack when he saw Brawl helping a heavily damaged Shockwave stand up. Scanner, Mirage and the twins were also there. Moonstriker ran up to them and stared into Shockwave's optic.
"Moonstriker! You're okay...but is he..." Shockwave was very weak and could barely talk.
"He's gone son! He's gone!" Moonstriker said. "How did you survive?"
"Oh, we all heard the glass breaking and some fell on our heads!" Sideswipe said the first part.
"Then, Brawl here caught Shockwave right in his claws!" Sunstreaker finished.
"I sure did!" Brawl said proudly placing his claws on his hips.
"Yep, and Shockwave will survive Moonstriker!" Mirage said.
"You were brave Moonstriker! And that's why you are our hero!" Scanner said patting Moonstriker on the shoulder.
"Hey Barricade care to do the honors and fix us up?" Wheeljack said weakily and handed him the controller.
"With pleasure!" Barricade said and pressed the button.
First, Soundwave's screen was fixed, then Lazerbeak's wings, then Cerebros' leg, then Brainstorm's and Wheeljack's chests, then finally Shockwave's whole body. They were all feeling better.
"Thank you so much Barricade!" Cerebros thanked.
"It was my pleasure, I'm just glad to help you guys out!" Barricade said. Just then, they noticed Optimus was gone!
"Where did Optimus go?" Scanner asked.
Optimus came back with a cube that was filled with Prowl's broken up spark.
"What should we do with this?" Optimus asked.
"I think I may know!" Shockwave said and he looked up at Moonstriker who was thinking the same thing.
Shockwave walked into the alley where Prowl had beaten up Starscream. A dumpster was sitting there opened. Shockwave dumped the tiny pieces into the dumpster and slammed the cover down satisfied. Everyone was watching and they were also satisfied.
"Well everybody, me and Moonstriker have had some pretty crazy times here in Iacon. But now the trouble is over! And it's all thanks to my dad!" Shockwave said.
Everyone clapped and Moonstriker blushed. The next day, it was very quiet. Moonstriker awoke with a smile on his face. He sat up and stretched. He turned so his feet could touch the ground. He proceeded to walk towards the basement to check up on Shockwave. There was no work today, Optimus wanted everyone to take a break and even told Wheeljack not to use the device. Instead, he wanted it done the old fashioned way. Wheeljack was to recieve an award later that day for his invention. Barricade was also recieving an award for his bravery. As Moonstriker walked down the stairs, he could see Shockwave still sleeping. Moonstriker's smile grew bigger. He loved Shockwave and was very proud to be his father. He let a tear fall to the ground before walking away wiping his optics. As he reached the top of the stairs, the doorbell rang! Brawl, Mirage and the twins were there. They asked if Shockwave wanted to hang out. But Moonstriker told them that he was alseep. He showed them a little window on one of the sides of the house where you can see the basement. They all smiled as they watched Shockwave sleep. Barricade and Scanner came by to check up on them and smiled when they also found Shockwave sleeping. Starscream, Soundwave, Brainstorm, Cerebros, Wheeljack and Optimus understood that Shockwave needed a ton of rest after what had happened. And the fact that it was still morning by the time they all visited. They all decided to let him be and went off on their own adventures hoping Shockwave would join them soon. And Moonstriker went back inside the house and stood by the basement door deciding to wait...with a smile on his face...until Shockwave woke up...
"...I'm proud of you son..."
The End...
I really hope you enjoyed my longest story ever! I had fun writing this and I really wanted to give this a good ending. I'm really looking forward to what you guys think! Please tell me what you liked about it and I hope to write more stories soon! Until then...see ya!