Chapter 25: Terrifying and Tearful Reunions
The Decepticons have two Spacebridges in their lair. One is located in Megatron's huge throne room, so captors can quickly portal back to him and he can confront those against or oppose him immediately. Shadow Striker comes racing through a portal. Drifting and then screeching to a halt, flinging Sly right out of her and onto the floor right in front of the Tyrant Leader.
Megatron: Excellent, Shadow Striker. You shall be rewarded soon. Compliments to you.
Shadow Striker: A pleasure to be of service, my liege.
A few Decepticons surround Sly.
Megatron: Sly Cooper, last of the Cooper Clan. We have been expecting you.
Sly: So I've heard. And you must be Megatron? 'Been hearing a lot about you, though I expected you'd look a LOT more scarier. Was expecting spikes everywhere on you or like an evil knight look or even just for laughs, a purple T-rex. But all I see is a bot with a bucket on his head, a pipe on his arm and a gray rectangular chest. You look like the Cybertronian equivalent of a kid playing dress up! (Laughs).
Everyone in the room is scowling at him, Megatron especially, as he is DEFINITELY someone you DO NOT want to piss off, but the leader does his best to contain himself. He sighs.
Megatron: (To his minions) Leave us. And take his cane to the Weapons room.
The other 'Cons swipe up Sly's cane and leave the room. Sly then notices an unusual bot next to Megatron's throne. One a bit rusted….but looks to have features of…a bird.
Megatron: Where is the Autobot base?
Sly: Like I'll tell you!
Clockwerk: Hello Cooper.
A voice that haunts him he hears. Is he hearing it for real? Is "he" really here? The Bot next to Megatron starts to transform slowly, but what eventually forms is Sly's worst nightmare come true: Clockwerk's return!
Clockwerk: It has been a long time coming, but I am finally ready to end your family legacy.
Megatron: Him and I are…..old acquaintances. (Yells) Now tell me! Where is the base!
Sly: NEVER!
Clockwerk in his Owl mode then lunges at him as if about to murder him…then his rusty parts act up.
Clockwerk: Ugh…..Ah! DIE COOPER! Uhhh…..
He keeps trying to attack Sly, but Sly keeps dodging him and attempting to stab him with his metal wings, but with his parts still being rusty, he's not as agile, fast or powerful as he desires. He eventually gives up….for now….
Clockwerk: Megatron….I am still not as strong as I desire. As much as I dread to say this….. I will wait as long as I can so I can be strong again and finally terminate Cooper. The kill will feel more satisfying for me.
Megatron: Damn! When the Hell is Astrotrain gonna get back with those new parts?! Don't fret. We will keep Cooper contained until you are ready. THUNDERCRACKER!
Thundercracker comes in.
Thundercracker: Yes Megatron?
Megatron: Take Cooper and lock him in the cell with the others. He is a Master Thief known for getting out of cells, so I am assigning you as cell guard. Watch and make sure by any means he does not get out or there will be consequences for you!
Thundercracker: I will stay there as assigned, Megatron.
As the Seeker is taking Sly out of the room, Megatron says one more thing to him.
Megatron: At least be happy that in your final moments, you will be able to say goodbye to your beloved Inspector, Cooper.
Optimus' plan is working. Anyone else in Sly's situation would be absolutely terrified, but Sly is trying to hide his happiness and holding back tears. When he is thrown in the cell, two people see each other and release their tears while running to and embracing each other.
Sly: (crying) CARMELITA!
Carm: (Crying) SLY! GRACIAS A DIOS!
The lovers keep crying while hugging and kissing in relief, but Sly can't help but make a few quips while doing so.
Sly: You said you always wanted me locked up….. but I didn't think you'd expect it to be like this! (Sniffs) Also you smell! Smell of…..absolute beauty…..
Carm: I…..knew you would….probably….. come for me…..maybe…
Sly: "Probably"!? I would've crippled or even gotten myself killed for you! I had the worst nightmare…half of it…has already come true…..
Carm: Clockwerk….?
Starscream: Hello, Ringtail!
Sly looks over to the corner.
Sly: Starscream!?
Starscream: Me and your lover here have become quite acquainted these past few days.
Sly: I thought you were one of the high rankers in this evil alien fascist cult or whatever?
Carm: (whispers) Una vez fue la perra de Megatron.
Sly can't help but laugh loudly.
Thundercracker: (Bangs on Cell) Pipe down in there!
Sly and Carmelita talk for hours about what has happened to each other the past few days.
Sly: They did WHAT to Penelope!?
Carm: (sighs) She's one of them now…..against her will. Shockwave may be a terrible bot, but he really looked guilty after turning her. Maybe….not all of these Decepticons are truly monsters. They are just commanded by one.
Starscream hears this, but doesn't comment.
Carm: They have my shock pistol and your cane. Do you have any idea of how we're gonna get out?
Sly: No. Not really.
Carm: YOU DON'T!? You of all people should know how to get out of a cell and when your knowledge of it is needed the most you suddenly don't have it!? Yeah, I'm totally taking you in as soon as this is all over.
Sly: Aren't I already in…. A cell? Look, Optimus Prime told me to stay the night here then come up with a way. If we escape now, the Decepticons may catch on a bit too early to his plan and we don't just have to escape this cell. We need to get back our gear and also some base intel. I have a tracker on me, so the Autobots will know where we are. Once we do all that, they will send a portal to us and it will take us back to their base.
Carm: And I thought Bentley was the one who spouted all the complex plans. You seem to really trust Optimus.
Sly: With my life. On the outside, we may look different, he's a LOT older, but being with him the past few days…..(sighs) I feel we are a lot alike. He's been through very rough times in his life like me….maybe even worse.
The two fall asleep sweetly cuddling next to each other in the cell, confident in their plan tomorrow.
On another part of the world at the same time, a certain leader is sitting on a rock, looking up at the stars, having…hope.
Optimus: Good luck, Master Thief.