Chapter 2

Darkness Rising Part 2

In the secret base of the Autobots, the six Brawlers were speaking with said bots, knowing their names and history and most importantly what their plan is for them.

"…And now that the Decepticons know of your presence, you may be in grave danger" the one named Optimus Prime said

"That makes sense but I think we can handle ourselves, no offence" Paul said which made the medic Ratchet scoffed

"That does bring another topic to mind" Optimus said, "Arcee and Bumblebee reported during their encounter with the Decepticons, they said that you had assistants" he said

"A fact that I highly doubt, considering how absurd it all is" Ratchet added making some the Brawlers smirk

"Oh really~~" Paul said crossing his arms

He then made a sound as if he was clearing his throat and once he did, out of his back pocket came Dharak as he jumped onto his shoulder and popped open.

"Autobots allow me to introduce my partner and friend Dharak" Paul said gesturing to the Bakugan on his shoulder

All the Bots looked at the small creature with their enhanced optics with confusion very evident on their confusion.

"Um, no offense kid but I remember the creature that helped you being…bigger" Arcee said which made Paul smirk

"Oh he is, just until I throw him that is" Paul replied, which made Ratchet scoff again

"Please, as if something as simple as that would work" he said

"Huh, I guess we have sceptic in our midst, why don't we erase some doubt Dharak?" Paul said to his partner

"Gladly, it would feel good to stretch my legs" Dharak replied

Dharak then rolled up into his ball form as Paul caught him in open hand; he then looked around the base and found an open area to the left that was big enough for Dharak's Bakugan form.

"Bulkhead, you mind scooching a little to the right a bit?" Paul asked

"Uh, okay?" the large Autobot said moving slightly

Once he was Paul then reeled back his arm to throw, all while the Autobots just looked on in confusion.

"Bakugan Brawl!" Paul shouted as he threw Dharak, "Bakugan Stand!"

Dharak then popped open and glowed purple, which intensified and out of the glow rose Dharak causing him to let out a roar. All the Autobots looked in awe at Dharak's true form all while said Bakugan was smirking at their expressions as well as Paul.

"Yeah we were that way too" Marco said

Seeing as the Autobots believed them, Dharak then turned back into his ball form which was caught by Paul.

"What…in the Allspark…was that?!" Ratchet exclaimed

Dharak then popped open again and floated up to meet Ratchets face.

"We are Bakugan, a race of inter-dimensional beings from a world knows as Vestroia" Dharak explained

The other Bakugan then popped open as well and hovered close to their human partners.

"Like you we came to this planet to get away from battle and war…but it seem it followed us either way" Sabator said

"Allow us to introduce ourselves, I am Darkus Dharak"

"I am Haos Lumagrowl"

"I am Ventus Strikeflier and besides me is my comrade Pryus Krakix, please excuse him he's a…strong silent type"

"Hehe, I'm Aquos Lythirus, please excuse my … manners, hahaha"

"And I am Subterra Sabator"

"So as you can see Optimus, we are very capable of handling ourselves in fight if need be" Paul said

"As you have demonstrated but while your "Bakugan" have demonstrated amazing power, your human forms are still prone to hurt" Optimus said

As much as they hated to admit it, he was right, even with their powerful Bakugan by their side they are still human after all.

"Hence, we wish for you to stay with us, to assure your safety" Optimus said, thus catching Ratchets attention

"Optimus, the human children are in as much danger here, as anywhere" Ratchet "whispered"

"Children? Were at least almost seventeen for crying out loud!" Ruth said but Ratchet didn't seem to care

"They have no protective shell and without assistance from there…friends, if they get underfoot they will go…squish" Ratchet said

"Then for the time being Ratchet, we shall watch where we step" Optimus said with a hint of humor in their

Suddenly a loud alarm blared out across the base, causing the six Brawlers to stiffen up and ready for battle.

"What's that?!" Paul asked

Bumblebee then said a few bleeps that seemed unrecognizable to them but luckily they had there resident tech expert on hand.

"He's says it's a proximity alert, someone is up top" Leia explained

Then up on a large screened it showed someone walking on top of the plateau, a human by the looks of it.

"It's Agent Fowler" Ratchet said, identifying who the human was, which surprised the teens

"I thought we were the only humans that knew about you all?" Flynn asked

"Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world and only shows up when there are…issues" Optimus explains, "It's best you six don't meet him at this time" he added

They understood, after all contact with the government usually doesn't end well, especially if six certain teens happen to carry some pocket sized aliens on them. Heeding Optimus' advice they hide under a metal stairwell to stay out the government agent's view and just in time too as the elevator door opened with a ding.

Stepping out was a slightly chubby African-American man, wearing a basic suit and tie outfit and he did not look happy.

"Seven wrecks, thirty four fender benders, a three hour traffic jam, and on particular note numerous reports of a speeding motorcycle of unknown make and a black-and-yellow custom muscle car!" Fowler exclaimed, listing off a few offenses the Autobots have done, which honestly was not their fault, "So, anything you care to get off your tin chest, Prime?" Fowler asked

"We have the situation under control Agent Fowler" Optimus replied, trying to reassure the human but didn't work

"They're back, aren't they?" Fowler asked, obviously talking about only one thing

"If you are referring to the Decepticons I have doubts that they ever left. Your planet is much too valuable" Optimus replied and Fowler scowled at that statement

"Then it's time to wake up the Pentagon" Fowler said but Optimus slightly grimaced at that statement

"Hear me, agent Fowler. We are your best, possibly your only defense against the Decepticon threat" Optimus said

"Says you" Fowler said in a challenging tone

Honestly Fowlers attitude was annoying the six Brawlers, it seemed the man was willing send good men to fight a foe they clearly had no chance of winning, honestly it sounded like a suicide mission to them.

"Hey, fleshy!" Bulkhead shouted, catching Agent Fowlers attention, "Did anyone get splattered on that freeway? Team Prime knows when to use force and how much to use" Bulkhead said, grabbing hold of a tool on the workbench and crushing it in his hand

"Bulkhead! I needed that!" Ratchet shouted, which made the six Brawlers giggle at the medics outburst

"Enough!" Optimus shouted, ending the debacle, "Military involvement will only result in catastrophe. Perhaps you can condone widespread human casualties, agent Fowler. I, however, cannot." Optimus said

Honestly it surprised the six of them both human and Bakugan alike how much Optimus Prime cared for humanity, here was an alien, bigger than the average human and wielding incredible power but he did everything in his power to see that humanity was safe…no matter what.

"Now there is someone to look up too…like another Bakugan I once knew" Dharak whispered

"Yeah, I guess Optimus really is a gentle giant isn't he?" Paul replied smiling at the scene

"Then do us both a favor and handle this, Prime! Under the radar. Or I will" Fowler said just as the elevator doors closed

With the agent gone, the Brawlers stepped out from their hiding spot, Bakugan following suit.

"Well…isn't he a chipper fellow?" Ruth said sarcastically

"Yeah…chipper like a wood chipper! Hahaha" Lythrius said, doing his signature laugh

After that the six brawlers then sat in a human area, probably built for Agent Fowler but never used, as they tried to wrap their minds around what has happened to them. As for their Bakugan they all stood in circle on the table discussing their thoughts about the Autobots.

"So what does everyone think of our new friends?" Dharak asked

"Well for one it good to have some other aliens around for company" Lumagrowl said

"I agree, also me and Krakix find some sympathy with the Bots, after all it's not easy being a survivor of a war" Strikeflier said, Krakix nodding in agreement

"I find them quite funny, especially that Bulkhead fellow, hehe" Lythruis added

"I find them quite interesting especially that Optimus character, quite a noble character indeed" Sabator said

"Agreed" Dharak said, voicing everyone's thoughts

Just then some beeping was heard from the main computer causing everyone in the base to see what the racket was about.

"Blasted Earth tech! Cliffjumpers single popped back online" Ratchet said, surprising the Autobots but confusing the Brawlers

"Who's CliffJumper?" Tristan asked, but no one answered

"How is that possible?" Optimus asked

"It isn't, another bug the system is chalk full of them" Ratchet complained

"If there is a chance that Cliff is alive…" Arcee said, hopefulness evident in her voice

"Ratchet activate the Ground-bridge and prepare sick bay, we may need it" Optimus said just as a battle mask went over his lower half of his face

"Hey, what can we do to help?" Marco asked, hoping to get in on the action

"Remain here with Ratchet" Optimus said

All six Brawlers couldn't help but gawk at this, as to be expected. After all the six of them have trained for so long for a chance like this, to show there prowess on the battlefield and to protect their planet but instead…there getting benched!

"What, oh come on?!" Marco shouted

"Optimus, we understand your concern, but were not helpless we can fight" Paul said, hoping to convince the leader of the Autobots

"I understand Paul, but I cannot in good conscience send any of you into enemy territory" Optimus said

Then without any further words, Ratchet then pulled down on a lever attached to a small console and in doing so caused several rings to power up until a swirling vortex of green and blue energy opened up.

"Autobots, Roll out!"

All the Autobots then transformed into their vehicle forms and accelerated through the vortex disappearing from the others sight, leaving the Brawlers in total shock.

"What…was that?!" Ruth shouted

"I sent them to the coordinates via the Ground Bridge" Ratchet answered, peaking Leia's interest

"What's a Ground Bridge?" Leia asked, making Ratchet groan

"A scaled down version of Space Bridge technology" Ratchet replied, thinking they understood what he was saying, "Since we don't have the necessary equipment or the Energon for intergalactic travel" he said but did need to finish that sentence

"You're stuck here, on Earth" Flynn finished

"With the likes of you yes, but I constructed the Ground Bridge to transported us to anywhere on your planet" Ratchet explained, astonishing the six of them

"Does it work for humans and Bakugan?" Leia asked

"Naturally" Ratchet said with pride

"So you guys can go anywhere on the planet, with no problems at all?" Ruth asked

"Exactly, in fact let me send you all away, free of charge" Ratchet said, clearly wanting to get rid of them, which was not happening

"Watch it Ratchet" Lumagrowl said, growling

After that small exchange the Brawlers then decided to explore the base but in all honesty it was pretty bare bones for the most part so there wasn't much to look at. They quickly lost interest and just hanged around Ratchet's area.

Marco then saw what looked like an advanced piece of machinery and of course he got a little curious.

"What's this thing?" Marco asked as he inches his finger closer to the machine

"Broken don't touch" Ratchet said making Marco pull back his hand, Marco then reaching out to a different button, "Don't touch that either" he quickly added making Marco flinch and stop his actions.

"Anything in here we can touch?" Ruth asked sarcastically

"Geez, guys as strict as your dad ah Tristan?" Flynn asked

"Hmm naw, my dad is still worse" Tristan replied

Suddenly an error message appeared on Ratchet's screen making the bot look at it with annoyance and curiosity; this also caught Leia's attention as well.

"Um, why are you guys using human computers?" Leia asked

"It surely wasn't by choice, it was handed down to us when we inherited this former missile silo" Ratchet said as he inputted some keys into the system, "I make modifications as I see fit" he added

As he said that however the screen then lit up with hundreds of error messages making the medic bot groan in frustration.

"I think I can help with that, give me a moment" Leia said as she pulled out her laptop from her bag

"Really? You know this is complex technology I mean it's not human's toy" Ratchet said as Leia plugged into the autobot's computer system

"Trust us Ratchet, when it comes to anything science, computer science, biology, geology or astrology there is nothing that Leia can't do" Paul said making Ratchet roll his eyes

Then after a few taps on the keyboard Leia finished what she was doing with a satisfied look on her face until turning back to Ratchet.

"Now try it" she said

Ratchet did just that and in an instant all the error messages were gone and the screen returned back to normal, surprising Ratchet as he looked at Leia with mild shock. Lumagrowl then hopped up on the table and unfolded himself.

"Lesson One Ratchet, never underestimate my partner" Lumagrowl said with hint of pride in his voice

Hearing this made Ratchet regain his bearings and return to the screen while grumbling under his breath.

"Tsh, burn" Ruth remarked enjoying to sight she saw as well as everyone else

(*)

It's now been several minutes now since the bots left and everyone was starting to worry about them that is until Optimus' voice come through the speakers

"Ratchet! Bridge us back!" he said sounding quite distressed and in danger by sound of it

So Ratchet quickly made his way back to the Ground-bridge control system and inputted the coordinates once that was done he then pulled down on the lever causing the portal to open before them. As soon as it opened the Autobots drove into the base, last one was being Optimus with a fiery blue explosion closing in on him. Once the leader was in the base Ratchet then closed the portal thus cutting off the explosion from entering the base and roasting them all.

"Woah!" the Brawlers said staring at the scene they witnessed

"In terms of dramatic entrance's that was…Explosive, hahaha!" Lythrius said with his signature laugh

"Cutting it bit close there, what about CliffJumper?" Ratchet asked

Upon hearing this all the bots then looked down with looks of sorrow, hurt and pain, looks that Paul knew all too well. Paul then gestured to the Brawlers to move so that they can give the bots some space, so they moved away from the area but close enough to hear what was going on.

"Arcee, what did you find?" Optimus asked, as the female bot gripped her arm with discomfort

"Not Cliff at least…not anymore" she replied with a cracked voice, clearly holding back her sadness, "He was butchered…like one of those Con experiments during the war!"

Suddenly Arcee then fell on one knee causing the other bots to worry, evident by Bumblebee's beeping.

"I'm fine, just…dizzy" she replied surprising the Brawlers

"Robot's that get dizzy?" Marco said

"Robot's with emotions" Leia added

"Robot's…that can die" Paul finished, the reality of their new comrades befalling them

Ratchet then scanned Arcee and when he did he's scanner then picked up something that was on Arcee's wrist.

"What is this?" Ratchet said

There one her wrist was small dollop of purple goo that seemed to radiate with sickly energy.

"Don't know, Cliff was covered in it…leaking it" Arcee explained as Ratchet scrapped it off her with a piece of glass

"Go take decontamination bath, now" Ratchet ordered as Arcee did just that

Now that the scene was over, Paul then remembered his curfew so he pulled out his phone to check the time and to his surprise there were no bars, not even for their Baku-pods.

"Um Optimus, not to be that guy but…no bars" Paul said showing his phone

"A security measure, the silo walls isolate any radio waves" Optimus explained

"Yeah well I need to contact my mom or else she might have the cops looking for me" Paul said making Optimus lean in on the young teen

"Have you broken the law?" he asked, sounding quite serious

"Curfew actually, it's almost ten thirty" Paul replied making the bot relax

"We need to get home too; all our parents will be worried about us" Flynn said as everyone gave noises of agreement

"Earth customs I have not considered but the issue of your safety remains" he said as he turned to Bulkhead, "Bulkhead accompany Marco and Flynn home" Optimus ordered

"Epic! Dad would flip if he saw me with a car!" Marco shouted as Flynn rolled his eyes

"Yeah he'll flip…but not in a good way" Flynn said making Marco grumble

"And maintain covert surveillance in vehicle mode" Optimus added as the Bulkhead nodded in understanding

"Curbside duty got it" Bulkhead said making Marco groan as he and Flynn made their way down stairs

"Bumblebee, you'll watch over Ruth and Leia" Optimus said to the yellow bot

"Cool, always wanted to ride in a muscle car" Ruth said as she made her way down stairs with Leia following behind her

"Ratchet…"

"Busy" the medic quickly said

"Arcee, you will accompany Paul and Tristan" Optimus said

Hearing this made Paul feel a little awkward considering there…last ride along, evident by Paul scratching his head in discomfort.

"Ugh, still dizzy" Arcee replied, obviously trying to get out of this guard duty assignment

"Your fine says your physician" Ratchet said, instantly shutting down that plan

(*)

It was now late at night and after dropping Tristan off at home, Paul and Arcee made his way to his house where the Autobot parked in the house garage. Once Paul demounted from the bike he then turned with a saddened look on his face.

"Arcee, I just want to say I'm sorry for your lose" Paul said, trying to offer his condolences

"What could you know about lose" Arcee snapped making Paul frown at the disguised robot

"I actually do, just let you know" Paul said back crossing his arms

The two were silent for a hot minute, with Paul having his arms crossed and a frown on his face until it slowly turned to a saddened look, a look that Arcee knew a little too well. The motorcycle then transformed back into her full robot form and looked down at the little human with sadness.

"Who did you lose?" she asked but Paul didn't respond

Dharak then jumped up on Paul's shoulder and unfolded which caught the attention of Arcee.

"He lost his father when he was young, he died trying to protect people" Dharak explained

Hearing this caused Arcee to look down at the ground with regret written on her face, clearly this human knew what it meant to lose someone and he just threw his kindness in his face. Arcee was about to respond back until the sound of a approaching car was heard catching everyone's attention, turning around Acree saw a small white compact car making her assume the worst.

"Cons!" Acree shouted shifting her hands to blasters

"No, that's my mom!" Paul shouted as he ran out to meet his mom

Once the car was in the driveway Linda then stepped out the driver seat with a surprised look on her face.

"Paul?!" she shouted making the young teen worry

"Mom please I can explain!" Paul said making the young woman frown is disappointment

"Can you?" She said storming into the garage

Paul quickly turned around and to his relief Arcee had turned back into her motorcycle form but his mom was still not happy.

"Paul Argus, we talked about this!" she said looking at the motorcycle

"I know we did but…" Paul said but was cut off

"You don't know, I already worried enough about you back in Arizona now I have worry about you here because of a motorcycle?!" Linda exclaimed

"Come on Mom, I'm seventeen sooner or later I'm going to need my own set of wheels" Paul said, of course with that statement brought some confusion to her face

"How did you even afford this?" she asked, making Paul panic a little

"It's…used…well really it's abused it needs some massive repairs" Paul said standing beside the disguised Autobot, "Listen mom I know you think I'm not ready for something like this due to my…past, but I'm not like that anymore and what better way to prove it with my own set of wheels" Paul said which made Linda sigh

"I just…don't want you going down that road again you know" Linda said making Paul slouch his shoulders

"I know you do but I want to prove I'm changed person so please…for dad's sake" Paul added

Linda then mauled it over in her head for a good long while until she let out a sigh of content

"Okay you can keep it, as long as your responsibly for it…you will take me for a spin right?" Linda asked making Paul smile as they walked out of the garage

"We'll see she's kind of…temperamental" Paul said as he flicked a light switch, signifying them going to sleep

(*)

The next morning Paul was awoken by the sound of Arcee revving her engines making said teen burst into the garage with a panicked look on his face.

"Shush will you! You'll wake up my mom" Paul shouted

"Grab your little friend and your helmet it's go time" Arcee said making Paul slouch

"Oh for crying…it's Saturday!" Paul retorted, clearly still groggy

"You can watch cartoons at base with Bumblebee" she said back making the Drakus Brawler scoff

"Cartoons…I'm seventeen" Paul grumbled as he made his way back into the house

"And leave a note for you mother she worries."

(*)

Back in the Autobot base Ratchet was examining the residue that he found on Arcee and he was quite stumped by it.

"Hm, the properties of this goo are unlike anything I've ever encountered must be highly concentered to affect Arcee so rapidly" Ratchet mumbled as he took a pair of tongs to grab the slide with the goo on it, "Unfortunately results are slow coming due to the lack of "diagnostic tools", thank you very much Bulkhead" he grumbled

Unbeknownst to the medic a single drop of the purple goo landed on the broken remains of the tool that Bulkhead crushed. Once the droplet seeped in the machine it then pulsed with a dark aura until it started to shake violently as it changed its shape and form until it became a sharp and deadly creature, letting out small shriek as it scurried away into the shadows of the base.