Chapter Twenty-Eight
Air Battle
Meanwhile, Agent Fowler, Monalisa and Leonardo were flying back to the base in the special Agents jet plane.
Both the mutants were looking drained and were ready to head back to the base to relax.
"Well, that wasn't so bad." Fowler said in a bright tone "You sure did make an impression on my bosses!"
"They seemed to take us well." Monalisa said quietly "Although I could tell very well, they were slightly uncomfortable at our appearances, not that I blame them."
"They can be forgiven for that sis." Leonardo said, "Given how they never imagined that there would be mutants in the world."
The blue masked turtle then thought about their friends in Mutopia, especially Tyroth and he wondered how Fowler, let alone his superiors would take to him.
"Again, thanks for accompanying me." Fowler said, "And hopefully your family will be satisfied when you report back."
Monalisa was about to reply when a voice came from Fowler's computer intercepted a signal.
"Tango 6-Alpha to Central Command, we're picking up transmissions originating from unidentified technology, possibly hostile. We are moving in to investigate."
Monalisa and Leonardo frowned as they heard that, mainly curious to what that meant but Fowler pressed a switch, intercepting the call.
"Negative Tango 6-Alpha, this is Special Agent William Fowler intercepting." He said, "Strike your report from the record and provide origin coordinates, I'll take it from here." Fowler said before shutting off his radio.
"What does that mean?" Monalisa asked in a worried voice.
"Sounds like the Bots have gotten into a situation." Fowler reported "We better check it out."
Monalisa and Leonardo looked worried.
"Oh dear..." they muttered looking at each other.
Meanwhile at the caverns Soundwave and Starscream stood on the top of the cliff caverns.
For a while, they had been watching the battle between Optimus, Bumblebee and Skyquake below yet after Bumblebee and Optimus had gotten Skyquake to chase them, they had lost sight of them, and this frustrated Starscream who had wanted to watch every second of what took place.
"Soundwave!" the commander Seeker growled "Why are you not tracking them?!"
He turned to the faceless Decepticon.
"What is it!?" he demanded then looking at the screen he saw the globe of the Earth along with the debris of the destroyed space bridge then a flash came up which showed a life signal.
"A second Decepticon Life Signal?" he asked in disbelief "but Skyquake is the only sleeper buried in this area!" he cried then he looked again at Soundwave's screen face, and he gasped.
"The site of our destroyed Spacebridge..." he said "You're not telling me..." he muttered "That life signal belongs to Megatron..." fear pooled in his gut thinking that his master was still alive and he would have to give up his new position as leader so quickly.
"But, he was microns from the detonation point!" Starscream exclaimed "Nothing could have survived that blast! Your sensors must be faulty!" he accused "Ignore the contact! Delete the co-ordinates!"
Yet Soundwave didn't and silently kept playing the sonar ping making Starscream laugh nervously.
"What am I saying?" he asked "Of course, this needs to be investigated, and if Lord Megatron is up there, I shall bring him home."
Soundwave nodded at Starscream again without saying a word.
"Remain here and monitor outcome." Starscream ordered "When Skyquake snuffs Prime's Spark, I must bear witness."
Sarscream then jumped off the cliff and did a graceful dive before transforming into his jet form and took off into the skies.
Soundwave watched him, repeating his words 'Must Bear Witness' then he deployed Laserbeak from his chest so he could follow his leader.
Meanwhile Bumblebee continued to drive around the canyon with Skyquake hot on his tailpipe.
However, he eventually reached a dead end and he transformed into his bipedal mode and looked around wondering whether to fight or climb the rocky formation that blocked his path.
"It will be a shame to crush you, bug, but it is my duty." Skyquake remarked as he stepped up towards him, yet the sound of a truck horn filled his audios, and he looked behind him to see Optimus racing towards him in his vehicle form!
He immedetly started firing at the Prime, yet Optimus as he took the hits ran up and punched the Decepticon in the face sending him flying into the rock formation!
"Excellent strategy, Bumblebee." Optimus praised to which Bumblebee's Optics sparkled with pride.
They both looked over to see Skyquake fall from the cliff face he had been punched into, moaning in pain.
Optimus stepped over to investigate yet the Decpeticon recovered quickly and struck at Optimus again with his sharp digits leaving scratch marks on the Prime's chest.
"Skyquake, stay down." Optimus ordered as he retaliated with his own punch.
Bits of shrapnel broke off from Skyquake's face due to Optimus's powerful punch and he fell to the ground weakened and both the Prime and Bumblebee stood above him.
As they investigated the defeated Decepticon, they heard a roaring noise in the sky and looking up they saw Fowler's jet!
"Fowler?" Optimus gasped in surprise realising the Special Agent had returned with Monalisa and Leonardo.
As the two autobots were distracted, Skyquake opened his optics, caught sight of the jet and with a sinister grin. His eyes glowed green as he took in the appearance and fired a scanning beam at the jet.
"Agent Fowler, fall back!" Optimus barked through their radio connection.
At the same time, the three occupants in the jet saw what was happening below.
"It's Bee and Prime!" Monalisa cried.
"And who's that down there with them?" Leonardo asked as he saw Skyquake yet his eyes widened when he saw the green scanning beam as well as heard Optimus's warning.
"William! Look out!" Leonardo cried, but it was too late. The scan passed through the jet before Fowler could react, briefly shorting out some of the equipment and giving the Agent, Lizard and Turtle a slight shock at the same time!
"What the shell!?" Leonardo cried.
"What did he do?" Monalisa demanded yet her question was soon answered when she saw below the downed Decepticon jump up and transform into the same jet form as the one Fowler was flying then flew up above the clouds next to them!
"Well, I'll be a bald eagle!" Fowler remarked as he noticed Skyquake flying next to him.
"Bloody Shell!" Leonardo gasped.
"Is that how they get their vehicle modes?" Monalisa questioned.
"Seems that way!" Leonardo replied.
"Air superiority achieved!" Skyquake proclaimed as he started to fly down into the caverns and fired shots at Optimus and Bumblebee below him.
Immediately, Optimus and Bumblebee started running for cover from Skyquake's shots. Needing more speed to do so, they transformed into their alternative forms and speed away.
Now Skyquake had acquired a jet form, it was going to be very difficult to fight him, and maybe even now escape him!
Leonardo and Monalisa saw what was happening and looked at Fowler.
"No! We gotta help them!" Leonardo cried.
"On it, Leonardo!" Fowler said narrowing his eyes as he grasped the controls of the jet and he dived after the Decepticon.
"Hold tight you two! We're going for a ride! And it's gonna be a bumpy one!" he said.
Leonardo swallowed hard and Monalisa gripped the sides of her seat.
"This reminds me of that flying car Donnie flew when we first got blasted into space and tried to save the Fugitoid!" he thought to himself, a memory from so many years but still fresh in his mind.
Monalisa meanwhile took a few deep breaths as she braced herself.
"This is going to be worse than that first roller coaster ride I went on years back!" she thought.
Fowler meanwhile glared and started firing shots at Skyquake.
"Stealing plans for classified military aircraft will NOT be tolerated on my watch!" Fowler proclaimed.
Monalisa and Leonardo held their breath and held tight, as Fowler kept shooting at the Decepticon, then they saw Skyquake purposely stall to get behind them.
"That's not good..." Monalisa muttered to which Fowler nodded in agreement.
"Hell no." he breathed then he saw six missiles get fired towards them!
"HEAT SEEKERS!" Fowler gasped.
"Oh shit!" Leonardo gasped.
"No!" Monalisa cried in fear.
"Hold on!" Fowler growled then he started to twist and turn and do a few rolls to avoid the missiles much to the discomfort of the mutants behind him who weren't prepared for his sudden moves.
He then flew down into the cavern and go around sharp turns and bends before flying towards a dead end!
Monalisa screamed and Leonardo covered his eyes then at the last second, Fowler pulled up and the missiles flew into the wall and exploded upon impact!
"I still got it."
Fowler smirked proudly as he flew his jet further away from Skyquake then called back to Monalisa and Leonardo.
"You two okay back there?" he asked.
"Please don't do that again!" Leonardo panted looking rather pale.
"I agree!" Monalisa added equally pale "Or at least warn us first!"
"Sorry about that." Fowler replied sheepishly.
They looked down into the canyon, where they saw Optimus and Bumblebee speeding through the caverns narrowly avoiding every shot Skyquake fired.
"That Decepticon Jet is still gaining on them!" Leonardo cried.
"They can't outrun him forever!" Monalisa agreed.
Just then, one missile struck the ground behind Optimus and it sent him flying through the air! But Optimus transformed into his bipedal mode to prevent getting hurt more and looked up to face Skyquake, but the Decepticon ignored him and continued going after Bumblebee, who continued to drive through the canyon.
No matter how fast the scout drove, he couldn't shake Skyquake off his tailpipe and there was no stopping him.
Eventually, he drove up a hill at high speeds, causing him to fly over the top of the hill, then Bumblebee transformed into his bipedal mode and ran across the hot, sandy ground before seeing Skyquake fly above the gap of the canyon.
Seeing the Decepticon coming towards him, Bumblebee narrowed his optics and got ready as he had an idea to bring the Decepticon down completely.
The Scout jumped from the edge of the canyon and landed on top of Skyquake causing him to begin flying out of control randomly knocking Bumblebee into cliff faces in the process.
From inside Fowler's Jet, the three occupants observed the whole thing and were amazed as well as shocked at Bumblebee's actions.
"What's he doing?" Monalisa cried "He could get killed!"
Leonardo was about to agree when Optimus contacted them through the radio.
"Agent Fowler, we require immediate assistance."
Fowler narrowed his eyes and nodded then looked to the mutants.
"Hang tight both of you!" he said.
Leonardo and Monalisa gasped but they nodded and held tight, glad the agent had given them warning before he was about to do what he could to assist Bumblebee.
Meanwhile Bumblebee punched and pulled at Skyquakes form, as the Decepticon kept trying to shake him off to no avail.
But the scout wasn't giving up and he knew Skyquake wouldn't give up either, it was either him or Skyquake who would become rust today.
He punched his fist on the left side of the Skyquake's cockpit and ripped out wire connections then did the same to the other side causing Skyquake to lose all control and start to nosedive to the ground far below!
At the same time, Agent Fowler, Monalisa and Leonardo arrived and started to nosedive towards the ground as well which shocked the Scout when he saw them!
"Anytime, fella, ground floor is coming up awfully fast." Fowler muttered.
Monalisa and Leonardo meanwhile tensed and closed their eyes making silent prayers, but then they felt the jet stutter as Bumblebee leapt off Skyquake and jumped on top of Fowler's Jet!
Monalisa and Leonardo looked up to see Bumblebee standing on top of the jet in a crouched position and he bleeped and waved at them.
Meanwhile Skyquake couldn't do anything to even attempt to void crashing and he crashed into the ground with an exploding bang then skidded along the ground before coming to a stop!
"Happy landings, Con." Fowler jeered and he flew his jet near the edge of the canyon so Bumblebee could jump off which he did, and he waved and bleeped at the Special Agent as if saying thank you.
Leonardo and Monalisa were still a little shocked at what had happened, but they were glad to know that were was another Decepticon now offline who couldn't cause any trouble or harm to anyone.
"Let's head back to the base right?" Fowler asked as he piloted the jet to set off again "Let's just hope there's no more surprises huh?"
"Please..." Leonardo panted "I don't think I can hold my lunch anymore!"
"Me neither!" Monalisa agreed.
Bumblebee watched Fowler fly away then looked down at smoking remains of Skyquake before climbing down the rock face to join Optimus who was looking over the Decepticon who lay there in a blackened smoking heap.
Together, the two watched as the red optics of Skyquake went dark and his spark gave out.
Optimus shook his head, feeling a sense of relief that Skyquake couldn't do anymore damage, but at the same time he felt pity as he believed the Decepticon could have had another chance if he had just listened to him.
"Had Skyquake chosen to stray from his master's path, we might not be burying him today." Optimus remarked to which Bumblebee agreed with a bleep and whirr, yet they failed to notice Soundwave watching them from above, recording all that had taken place.
Fowler, Monalisa and Leonardo have returned from the meeting with Fowler's bosses, it's gonna be interesting to learn how that went, and we shall find out in the next chapter.
And with their help, Skyquake has been defeated thankfully.
But also, Starscream has been informed there is a life signal where the destroyed Space Bridge is, and I think a fair few of you can guess who it is!
Note: The event Leonardo speaks off involving the Fugitoid comes from the TMNT 2003 episode 'Turtles in Space Part 1, the Fugitoid'