A/N: I know it's been a while since my last update; but I've been struggling with writer's block for the longest time.
However; since it's the 4th of July. I figured, what better time than now to at least try to update.
And in this chapter, I will be making it that the characters acknowledge that it's the 4th of July. And I will try to update my other stories with the same concept.
Now let's begin, shall we?
Somewhere in the Forest
It had been a week since Jack became a Power Ranger, and got control of the Quantasaurus Rex. Jack was currently sitting on a rock, watching Miko Pace back and forth, venting her frustrations. "We're supposed to be at a rock concert. But all I see, is rock." She said, as she was forced to wait around impatiently, for the Autobots to finish their task, while Miko was running the risk of missing her favorite band at the concert. After listening to her ramble on, Jack finally decided to speak up, to lighten the mood.
"Relax Miko, the show doesn't start for 2 hours."
This got Miko concerned, to see that he was taking this so lightly. "Do know how long I've waited to see "SLASH-MONKEY"?" She replied back, with more impatience.
"Uh?" Jack tried to come up with an answer.
"FOREVER! And it's their only U.S. date!" She shouted in frustration.
"There's a shock. I mean, who doesn't love obscure Bulgarian shriek metal?" Jack questioned with sarcasm. Of course all this managed to do, was annoy Miko even more. She didn't believe this was fair. She Drew her attention towards the Quantum Morpher on Jack's left wrist. That was the source of the other things she believed not to be fair. If it had been her that safeguarded it, instead of Jack, then she could have gotten that Morpher and became the Quantum Ranger instead of him.
"Is that supposed to be a joke?! Like how you allowed me to make a fool of myself, like I did with the Q-Rex?" She asked with a mix of sarcasm and annoyance.
"Miko, I didn't make you look like a fool. You did that all by yourself. You gave the Q-Rex silly commands; by telling it to dance, nod if it thought you were awesome and give you a lift through the city on its head. It's not a giant pet puppy, Miko. It's a weapon to be used by the Power Rangers, which only responds to my voice, since I'm the first one that spoke into the Morpher. You should have gotten that from the get-go." He said to her in a manner that proved he was the only responsible one between the two of them.
"Well, you could have told me that to begin with!" She replied.
"Where's the fun in that?" He said back.
"Dude, the least you could do, is call your new Ranger pals, and ask if we can hang out with them instead." Miko said.
"It doesn't work like that, Miko. Being a Power Ranger is a serious responsibility. I can't just hang out with them whenever I feel like it. And I can't use the Quantasaurus for whatever I want either." Jack stated.
"Oh really?! You're such an expert on all things Power Ranger! You've only been one, for like a week!" Miko said back in a snarky remark. At that moment they're Autobot partners Bulkhead and Arcee exited the cave behind them, with Bulkhead carrying a scanner in his hand.
"By all appearances, the mine's been stripped." Arcee said.
"But I'm getting a signal. It's faint, but it's definitely Energon." Bulkhead replied. Their conversation did not go unnoticed by the kids. As a matter of fact, it only made them all the more intrigued, especially Miko.
"Doesn't make sense. This operation's been abandoned, 4, maybe 5 years. And Decepticons never leave energon behind." Arcee responded.
At that moment, Jack decided to get their attention. "Uh, guys." He said, as he pointed to Miko running through the mine without a care in the world. She didn't even bother masking her excitement, as they all heard her chant the word "COOL" as she rushed in.
"She went in? Unbelievable!" Arcee said with disbelief.
"Really? Have you met her?" Jack questioned. Bulkhead ran in the mine after Miko, trying to keep her out of trouble. Jack looked towards his partner, and made an attempt at convincing her to let him explore the mine too. "It would be kind of interesting to see. You know, if it were..."
"Safe." Arcee finished Jack's sentence. "The strip mine can be structurally unstable Jack." She reminded him, in the Hope that he wouldn't try to risk his life, like Miko.
"I promise to step lightly. And besides Arcee, I'm a Power Ranger now. Careful, is my new middle name!" Jack said, while showing her the Morpher on his left wrist. Arcee was glade that Jack had some extra protection now, as the Quantum Ranger. But she just hoped, that all of that power he now wielded wouldn't go to his head, and make him cocky as a result. After giving it some serious thought, in just a short amount of seconds, Arcee decided to let him tag along.
"Just, don't tell your mom!" She said to him, then asked him a question as a follow-up. "By the way, it's been a week since you've got that thing. When are you finally going to tell your mom that you're a Power Ranger?"
"Are you kidding?! it's bad enough that she knows I'm risk my life on a daily basis. She would kill me if she knew I was out fighting evil, as a superhero!" He said
"But she's still your mom, Jack. We're going to have to tell her sooner or later." She replied, while they continue to walk deeper into the mine. Meanwhile, 2 jets flew above the cave, transforming into Megatron and Starscream, and landed firmly on the ground.
"Uh, Lord Megatron. Far be it from me to question your intentions, but I do not understand why we've returned here after all this time. Alone" Starscream said said to his master, as he began to enter the cave. Starscream followed as he began to speak further. "Every trace of Energon was extracted from this mine. There's nothing left." After hearing Starscream say all of that, Megatron stopped in his tracks to look back at his subordinate.
"Indulge me Starscream, won't you?" Megatron replied. Starscream did as ordered, albeit with the sense of nervousness pulsing through his spark.
Elsewhere in the mine, Bulkhead continued his search for Miko. "Miko?" He called out, only for her to appear right next to him, and echo through the mine.
"Check it out! Now this would make an awesome rehearsal space. HELLO! HELLO Cleveland! ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?!" Miko continue to echo through the mind with excitement. Bulkhead was picking up some readings on his scanner; he tried to inform Arcee, but all she got on her end was static. This could only mean, the thick walls of the mine were interfering with their com-links. She continuously tried to reach him, but it proved in vain.
"Scrap! The mineral composition down here is causing interference." She said to Jack. Even though Bulkhead & Miko thought that was a bummer; they figured while they were there, Ratchet could use a sample of whatever they find down there. Bulkhead turned his hand into a mace, as he began smashing the walls for anything he could find, to bring back to Ratchet.
Elsewhere, in a different part of the mine, Megatron and Starscream were walking down the hall as they came across mining equipment; abandoned mining equipment. "How intriguing!" Megatron said with surprise in his voice. Although, considering his escort was Starscream, he wasn't that surprised. The moment Starscream saw that equipment, he panicked, as he tried to come up with an excuse to save himself from Megatron's wrath.
"Incompetent fools! This mining equipment should have been relocated. Why is it still here?" He said.
"A most valid question." Megatron stated. Of course, this only made Starscream try harder, to find the perfect excuse.
"My apologies master! I believe Soundwave was in charge of coordinating transport." Megatron wasn't buying his excuse for a moment, which poured more fear into Starscream's Energon. "But in fairness. During your interstellar travels, we all had to assume additional responsibilities. Clearly mistakes were made!" Starscream said in a panic.
"Yes, clearly." Megatron said, while punching a hole in the wall beside him. He pulled out a chunk of Energon, now resting in his hand. "Every last trace of Energon extracted?" Megatron said with judgment in his voice
"Lord Megatron, I can explain!" Starscream said in fear.
"Explain what? That you've been hoarding a supply of Energon for your personal use." Megatron replied.
"No. Not exactly. You see I..." Starscream attempted to explain, only to be interrupted by Megatron squishing the Energon under his foot.
"Do not take me for a fool, Starscream!" Megatron shouted at him. "I have been wise to your transgressions from the beginning. Not only did you pluck the Dark Energon from my chest, in a failed attempt to snuff my spark. But you tried to raise your own undead warrior with it. It's no secret that you lost an arm in the process, which you've since had replaced." Megatron pointed out. Megatron was a lot of things, but a scrap head wasn't one of them.
"You know about that?" Starscream asked, with the fear very present in his voice.
"Soundwave is quite competent at surveillance, I can assure you. The fact is Starscream, despite your treachery. I've allowed you to carry on this long, because I took a certain delight in following your string of failures. But you've finally become tiresome, predictable. You've hit rock bottom." Megatron stated while pointing his loaded plasma cannon at Starscream's face. Starscream got down on his knees, begging Megatron for a second chance. Meanwhile, Jack and Arcee were walking down the mine, when they stumbled upon Megatron, making it very clear he was about to terminate Starscream. As Starscream coward in fear, to his surprise, he caught a glimpse of Jack, with Arcee appearing right behind him. This caught them by surprise, as they both set their eyes on the two Decepticons; not expecting them to be here.
But their presence, did not go unnoticed by Megatron either. As soon as Megatron laid optics on them, he immediately started blasting at them. Arcee grabbed Jack and ran for cover. "Stay down!" She told him, as she prepared to do battle with Starscream and Megatron. Megatron continued to shoot, until he saw Starscream make a run for it, towards the exit. It only seemed to make Megatron, more angry with him by the minute.
"Starscream! You dare abandon me?" Megatron shouted, as he began shooting at Starscream, as well. Lucky for Starscream, old Bucket-head wasn't that great of a shot. Starscream managed to avoid nearly every shot, while he transformed into vehicle mode, and made a break for the exit, out of the tunnel. While he was distracted, Arcee shot at Megatron, successfully hitting him in the back. As a result, Megatron aimed his blaster at her, only for his blaster to be shot by her, which shot at the ceiling; now causing a cave-in. The cave-in buried Megatron, as well as, everything else in the room.
"SCRAP!" Arcee shouted, while everything, even the mining equipment fell beneath the floor. Arcee ran towards Jack, trying to protect him from the falling debris. But both she and him, fell in, as well. In another part of the cave, Bulkhead and Miko also fell victim to the collapsing ceiling. Fortunately, Bulkhead was able to save her from any falling debris, that would have crushed her. Starscream, on the other hand, got stopped just short of the exit, with all the falling rocks getting in his way.
After the cave-in concluded, it was so dark in the cave, that you could barely see one path, or the other. "QUANTUM-POWER!" A voice could be heard shouting, followed by a flash of light. Jack had morphed into the Quantum Ranger, as he cleared himself from the debris. Jack tried to radio Arcee on his Morpher, but to his disappointment, there was static on the other end. He couldn't even reach Bulkhead. Up until recently, his Morpher could only communicate with the other Rangers. But fortunately for him, Trip was able to tweak it, to reach his friends in Team Prime.
(Flashback)
During their trip to the Autobot base, Trip sat at a workbench, modifying the Quantum Morpher. "Okay Jack, I've modified the Quantum Morpher, so that way you can communicate with your friends here, as well as with us." Trip told him, and handed the Morpher back to him.
"Thanks Trip. That means a lot." Jack said to his new friend. Meanwhile Optimus was getting to know the Power Rangers, in his spare time.
"So, this Ransik, is a Mutant, and has an army of Mutants ready to destroy humanity?" Optimus asked them. Megatron was not so different; but this Ransik, chose this path simply because society rejected him. Fortunately; the Power Rangers revealed all they could, without letting the fact slip, that they were from the future.
"That's correct Optimus. And now that we know about each other; I think it's in our best interest, to help each other out, whenever we can. If that's all right with you, of course?" Jen replied. While Optimus didn't like the idea of fighting in war, let alone someone else's war. He did see the value in helping new friends. So upon careful consideration; Optimus gave them his answer.
"I would much rather avoid trading one war for another. Especially with the risk of exposure. But if the world is threatened by Decepticons, Mutants, or anyone. Than we will be there to aid our new friends, in protecting our new home."
"Wow! He's just as noble as the history books..." Trip was about to say, before getting elbowed in the gut by Lucas, to avoid revealing their from the future.
"Thank you Optimus! It's good to know we'll have friends who can help us." Wes said. After that new arrangement was made, the Rangers went through the ground-bridge and headed home. Of course, that was also during the time of the field trip. So the Human members of Team Prime, went with them, through the portal.
(End of flashback)
Jack tried one more time, using his communicator to call his friends. He even tried calling the Rangers for help. "Guys? Wes, Jen, Trip. Do you copy?" But the minerals in the mine, we're still causing an interference. "SCRAP!" He said with frustration. Since that option was off the table, he decided to look for them the old fashioned. Particularly by echoing their names through the tunnel. "Arcee! Arcee!" But no one responded. "Oh, scrap!" He said again, while walking through the cave on his own.
Elsewhere, Miko and Bulkhead were in a secluded part of the cave. "Did I do that?" Bulkhead questioned.
"Don't think so." She replied. Bulkhead asked her if she was okay, to which she said yes, and then asked if he was okay. He told her he was just peachy, and to her surprise, he was literally lifting up the whole ceiling, above his head. They wondered what could have caused the cave in. All they could do, was hope that Jack and Arcee would come to their rescue. Of course, then Miko had the bright idea, to try and get them out, herself. Little did she know, that it would become more hazardous to her health, then she realized.
Meanwhile, Starscream finally managed to dig himself out of the cave, and into the forest. He began laughing, while gloating at the same time. "Predictable, master! Is that what you called me? Well now who has hit rock bottom? Oh what's that? I can't hear you, under all that rubble!" He said in a mocking voice, while putting his hand up to his audio receptor, for dramatic effect. He continued to laugh, before he chose to speak again. "Farewell, Lord Megatron! May you rust in peace!" But as Starscream began to walk away, he stopped at the sudden realization of something. "But you have survived far worse. If you manage to Free yourself, you would blame me for your setback. And there is nowhere that I could possibly escape from your wrath. Or worse yet, your mindless followers will come looking for you. And take credit for your rescue. Credit that could rightfully be mine." Starscream gave a roar of anger, before saying one last thing. "MEGATRON!"
In the cave, Jack continued looking for his friends. "Arcee! Bulkhead! Miko!" But he was still unable to find them. Luckily, He came upon A cybertronian drilling machine. "That could come in handy." He said with delight. Back with Miko and Bulkhead, Miko continue to lift the small rocks out of the way, hoping to get them out of this. But the more she tried, the more she got exhausted. Bulkhead told her to stop, because if she used up too much air, then she would suffocate. She thought that they would both suffocate, but he reminded her that Autobots didn't need to breathe. She then remembered them being in outer space, that one time.
"Okay, what if I just slow down? Breathe less?" She said, as she continued to lift the rocks, again. Bulkhead told her to stop, yet again. That only made her respond with. "I can't Bulk. I have to get you out of here!"
"Miko please, don't worry about me! I'm fine." He said to her, but she knew for a fact that he wasn't. Because his arms were starting to give out, while holding up the roof.
Meanwhile, Jack started pushing buttons, on the drilling machine, making it switch on. "Roll out!" He said.
Bulkhead could hear the sound of machinery. "Do you hear that?" He asked.
"Sounds like..." Miko replied. Only for Bulkhead to finish her sentence.
"Drilling. Got to be Arcee and Jack." Miko tried to get their attention, but she was so tired, that it proved to be in vain. "Miko, grab something, and bang it on my foot!" Bulkhead instructed her. She picked up a rock, and made her way to his foot. But she made it clear, that she didn't want to hurt him. "I know it's hard to believe. But I'm tougher than I look. Now give it all you got!" He instructed her again. Miko bangs The Rock against Bulkhead's foot, hoping that someone would hear it.
Jack drilled through a part of the cave. But what he found was not what he was expecting; he found Megatron himself. "I suppose helping those less fortunate, would be completely out of the question?" Megatron said. "If that is the case, you might as well use your drill to finish me. I guarantee, you will never have a better opportunity, then right now." Megatron said as a follow-up. Boy, did Jack think about that? He really thought about it. But it just didn't seem right, at that exact moment. "Well what are you waiting for? Think of the glory. Seize the day. Optimus would." Megatron stated. But Jack new, that in his heart, that was the biggest lie Megatron had ever told.
"No he wouldn't. Not like this!" Jack responded. Jack then pulled his Quantum Defender out of his holster, and aimed it directly at Megatron's head. "And you know what Megatron? I don't need a drill to finish you off. If I wanted to, I could finish you right here and now, with my Quantum Defender. But Optimus wouldn't approve. And neither would I!" Jack said with disdain in his voice, for the master Decepticon.
"You seem to have me at a disadvantage, stranger. For you know who I am. But I have no idea who you are. I had no idea the Autobots, had allies with such shiny outfits. So I will ask you only once. Who are you?" Megatron replied.
Jack put his weapon back in its holster, as he answered his question. "Someone you'll probably be meeting again, real soon. And the last word you'll ever hear, will be QUANTUM-POWER!" Once that was said, Jack left, to continue searching for his friends.
"I will be sure to share the details of our little conversation with Optimus. The day I rip out his spark!" Megatron shouted, as Jack continued onward.
Miko continued to bang at Bulkhead's foot, still hoping that someone would find them. She then heard an ominous sound. "What was that?" She asked him. He told her that it was nothing. But the concerning sound, said otherwise. Making her ask another question. "Bulkhead, what's happening? Tell me!" Miko questioned. Since there was no more hiding it, Bulkhead told her the truth that his arms were starting to give out. This caused a major concern from Miko. "Does it hurt?" She asked him.
"A little." He said back.
"BULKHEAD!" She said with concern in her voice.
"Helps coming. We just gotta guide them here. Hit me again." He said to her. She began to hesitate, this caused him to tell her again. "Miko, do it!" She did as instructed, but as a result, she got tired again. They wondered if they're rescuers were getting any closer. But they couldn't tell for sure, since all the different sounds were confusing them. Then when the wall in front of them started to crumble, they were delighted, because they thought it was Arcee and Jack, there to save them. Unfortunately, there would-be rescuer, was none other than, Starscream.
Starscream did a victory laugh, before saying. "Put any doubt of my allegiance, to rest." Starscream thought he was referring to Megatron, only to see at the last minute, that his rescue victims were the Autobot Bulkhead, and his Human pet.
"What's he doing down here?" Miko said. Bulkhead instructed Miko to get behind him, as Starscream busted the rest of the way through.
"Well, well. If it isn't Bulkhead, and his pet vermin." Said Starscream. "My, you do have your hands full, don't you Autobot?" He said afterwards.
"Do whatever you want to me Starscream. But let the Human go!" Bulkhead ordered. But Miko made it clear, that she didn't want to abandon Bulkhead.
"It's appears, that the Human wishes to remain." Said Starscream. Starscream tried making a grab for Miko multiple times, while making snarky remarks in the process. But that only succeeded in making Bulkhead angry, so angry in fact, he kicked Starscream in the face until he fell down. Starscream got back up, and said to Bulkhead, with anger in his voice. "That's it Autobot! I will..."
"What? You'll what? Make me bring down the ceiling, on top of all of us?!" Bulkhead finished his sentence, exposing the fact, that Starscream would be an idiot, to try such a thing. Bulkhead told Miko to run, again. But again, she refused.
This caused Starscream, to reply with. "Yes, run Miko! I would love to see you try. Really, I would." The drilling sound got closer; and soon, the drill came through the room, and knocked Starscream to the side. Bulkhead and Miko saw Jack at the wheel of the machine, in his Quantum Ranger gear.
"Jack, get Miko out of here, now!" Bulkhead ordered. Jack did as instructed; telling Miko to get on the machine, but she started to hesitate until he told her again. Miko didn't want to leave Bulkhead, but Jack realized they didn't have a choice. Then, it was just Bulkhead and Starscream, alone in that room. Miko asked Jack, if he or Arcee could save Bulk. Jack told her that he would try; but they had to find a way out of there, before Megatron dug himself free. That only shocked her, to realize that Megatron was there too. To their delight, Arcee showed up, right in front of them, revealing that she found them.
"If you think I'm going to beg for mercy Starscream. Forget it!" Bulkhead stated to him.
"Uh, yes. Begging for mercy would be quite pathetic, wouldn't it? Well you're much more valuable to me alive. Imagine Megatron's appreciation, when I not only rescue him. But deliver an Autobot. I believe that would restore my stature, quite nicely." Starscream said, while gloating of his grand plan. But then, he heard the sound of charging blasters behind him. Causing him to turn around, and behold the sight of Arcee and the Quantum Ranger, with their blasters at the ready.
"Don't move, Starscream!" Arcee ordered. "Hey Bulk." She said, directing her attention to Bulkhead.
"Hey Cee." He said back.
"Raise your hands!" She ordered Starscream.
Jack then shot his Quantum Defender near Starscream, giving him a warning shot. "I'd do what she says, if I were you!" He stated. Starscream gave a sigh of defeat. He really wasn't getting out of this scot-free. Team Prime made it out of the cave; Jack was riding Arcee while still in his Quantum Ranger gear. Jack and Miko got out/off of they're respected Guardians, so they could transform. "POWER-DOWN!" Jack said, as he de-morphed.
"We could finish them. Here and now!" Arcee stated.
"A shame we didn't bring any grenades." Bulkhead responded.
"Would Optimus finish them?" Jack asked.
"No, he probably wouldn't. Not like this." Arcee answered.
"But Optimus wouldn't rescue them either, right?" Asked Miko.
"Let's go home." Bulkhead spoke. As they were walking the other direction, a new idea popped in Jack's head.
"Hey Miko. Since we missed the concert, because we were in there for a while. I think I know how we can have the next best thing." This made her Wonder just what he meant; but she was all ears.
Back in the mine, Starscream was found by Megatron. He begged Megatron to rescue him, and to give him a second chance. Megatron took it under deep consideration, and decide to take pity on him, just this once.
Meanwhile, somewhere in another city
Jack and Miko we're currently sitting on Arcee's vehicle mode, somewhere on a hilltop, watching fireworks go off, since it was the 4th of July. And believe it or not, Miko was actually having fun. Sure it was no "SLASH-MONKEY" concert; but it certainly was the next best thing. And they got so caught up in all the excitement, that neither she, nor Jack realized that he had his arms around her. And by the time she did realize that; she also came to realize, it actually felt kind of nice. Because she got to enjoy the fireworks with one of her best friends. As for Jack; he started to see Miko in a whole new light. Sure, he still had a crush on Sierra. But somehow; when he was with Miko, in this moment, it just felt right. "Thanks Jack! I really needed this." She spoke to him. The next thing she did, was rest her head into his neck, while his arms were still wrapped around her.
"Anything for you Miko! Within reason, of course." Jack replied with a mix of kindness and sarcasm. After the fireworks were over; Jack had the idea to take her home in style. Normally this would be seen as a slight misuse of his powers. But as his partner once said about some rules. "Gets bent, just this once." Jack called for the TF-EAGLE; and flew Miko home. On the way back; he could feel the warmth of her sitting in his lap. And honestly, it felt nice.
Jack walked Miko to the front door; and wished her goodnight. "Thanks again Jack! I had a really good time today. You know, if you can forget about the part where I almost died today." She spoke to him. Jack could tell in a way, she meant that in the cutest way possible.
"Sure thing. Happy Independence day, Miko!" He replied to her.
"You too." She responded. The next thing she did surprised even him. She leaned in closer, and kissed him on the cheek. Jack was suddenly in a dazed state; he didn't think that Miko was the type of person, to just do that, or that he'd be lucky enough for that to happen to him. After Miko went inside; Jack decided to head home, himself. All things considered, this turned out to be a really good day. And for some reason; Jack couldn't wait to see Miko, the next day. His heart skipping a few beats, was evidence of that.
A/N: If some of you noticed that I posted this chapter before it was finished. Then I'm sorry; but I only had a few minutes till midnight, and I wanted to say I posted this on the 4th of July. I also really want to put the theme, of the 4th of July in this. And as promised; this story is a pairing between Jack and Miko. And that idea at the end, just came to me. I actually thought it was pretty romantic myself. I'll try to add more moments between them in the future; and give the Autobots and Power Rangers more interaction time. But it's hard to think of things on the fly. Trust me, nobody knows that more than me. Please give reviews later. If there are any errors; then I'll correct them in the morning. I'll need to edit out any sloppy bits, anyway. Happy 4th of July, to all! And to all, a good night!
Anyway; I do plan on updating my other stories in due time, and I plan to give them the same theme with the 4th of July. Even though it's no longer the 4th of July, I still want to do it in the spirit of the holiday.
This is your Resident Rookie "Could Prince J'onzz" signing off.
STAY COSMIC!