Here's a new chapter for you guys! :)
Once again, this plot idea is not mine! My friend on TikTok, Deckar Terdax, came up with this live-action movie plot concept and I really liked it, so I asked if I could write the concept as a fanfiction, and he said yes, so here we are!
I did write this one, but Deckar gave me bullet points to follow and as always gave me feedback. It's been fun working with him!
Hope you guys like this chapter! I included a fun easter egg! See if you can pick up on it!
God Bless and Good Day!
~The Lupine Sojourner
[Earth]
[Southern Nevada]
Why am I always late? Nick, a demolition derby driver, grumbles as he fumbles to put his keys in his pocket. He drains the last of his travel mug of tea as he continues trying to find the jacket pocket with one hand.
When he lowers the mug, he notices two cars that looked exactly alike not far away. The only difference is one doesn't have normal exhaust pipes but Tesla coils.
Before he can think too much about it, though, the keys fall out of his hand and clatter to the ground.
Bending over, grumbling outwardly now, Nick swipes up his keys, noting with dismay that he had spilled some of his tea, as well, when he bent over.
But when he straightens, the other car is gone, leaving only the car with normal exhaust pipes. Nick rubs his eyes, but the car didn't change. It still sat there, alone.
"Musta been seeing things." Nick shrugs.
"Hey! C'mon, man! You're almost due to roll out!" Someone yells and Nick runs inside, his thoughts about the mystery car banished.
That car, turns out, is currently speeding away along the roadways, soon joined by a tanker truck.
The two vehicles continue on their way side by side, and if anyone were to see inside them (unlikely, considering it was after dark and their headlights were on), that person would be surprised to see no driver in either vehicle.
But by a stroke of luck, no one spots the two suspicious vehicles as they pull into a large area that had been cleared out for a mining operation, but was left alone for the night, except for the hulking purple figure lurking in the shadows, watching as the tanker truck and derby car drive up to him.
With a clattering of metal, two large robots are revealed, saluting as they come to stand at attention.
The purple figure acknowledges them with a nod, then looks around.
"Kaon, Helex, where is Bludgeon?" The figure, none other than Tarn, demands.
The pair are about to respond when a tank rolls into the mining station, coming to a stop next to Kaon and Helex, and with another clang of shifting metal, Bludgeon transforms and comes to attention.
"Subtle." Kaon snarks, scoffing.
Bludgeon, irritated, turns to Kaon, barely maintaining a calm voice. "Given my stature, this is the only vehicle I could find to accommodate it." A thought occurs to him and he gestures to their leader, Tarn, who is only slightly bigger than him. "Besides, it's going to be his best option, as well." He turns to Tarn, nodding respectfully. "There was a transport carrying these vehicles not far from here." He notes.
Tarn shakes his head in disgust. "And disgrace myself by scanning a primitive, unworthy vehicle?" He scoffs.
Bludgeon nearly replies when Kaon clears his throat. "Word of advice, mate' it's better for your health not to argue with him." He chuckles.
Bludgeon, still a little irritated, nods.
He didn't like Kaon much. He's small, snarky, and disrespectful, but Helex, on the other hand, was larger, quieter, and hadn't spoken against him when Bludgeon met them like Kaon had.
Kaon had, like Tarn, questioned Bludgeon's loyalty, considering how close he had been to the traitorous Deadlock. Things had escalated between the two and they'd nearly fought before Tarn pulled Kaon to the side and confirmed that Bludgeon was still loyal, but promised they could mete out punishment together, should Bludgeon prove to have been lying.
Bludgeon knows what the punishment would be and vows to crush whatever private misgivings he has about hunting Deadlock and prove his loyalty.
He can't understand why Deadlock would not only betray the Decepticons, but steal intelligence that would draw the DJD out to hunt him down.
Surely he didn't think he could fight off the Justice Division…did he? Or was Deadlock going to go the cowardly route and hide behind the Autobots for protection? That didn't seem like Deadlock, but Bludgeon had been blindsided once. He apparently did not know Deadlock as well as he thought he did.
Bludgeon then refocuses as Kaon, Helex, and Tarn discuss their next move.
Kaon crosses his arms, smirking. "We should just blow things up, cause some chaos. That'll draw that cowardly traitor out."
Tarn faces him, a stern look in his optics. "No. This is a covert operation. Should we draw attention to ourselves, Prime and his Autobots would investigate, and we would become the prey instead of the hunters." He then stares at Bludgeon. "Additionally, it seems the primitive life forms on this planet are not without defensive weapons, if Bludgeon's vehicle mode is anything to judge by. We don't need to draw their ire, as well as the Autobots', and that is final."
Kaon nods, subdued. He never liked it when Tarn was displeased with him.
Bludgeon takes stock of the team.
It was only three members of the Justice Division, when he knows of more members.
Kaon was a small but effective warrior and communications officer, nearly as good as Soundwave. His red paint gleams in the moonlight as he shifts. Bludgeon feels certain that, should it ever come to blows between them, he could defeat Kaon.
Helex on the other hand was more intimidating. His extra arms, though smaller, made him stand out, and Bludgeon had seen many interesting Cynertronians in the Decepticons. Strangely, even though he'd chosen a large transport truck as his vehicle mode, when he was in robot mode, his chest resembled an aircraft cockpit, not a truck.
If he ever had to fight Helex, Bludgeon isn't certain of the outcome, but he's determined not to get on Helex' bad side. He'd heard enough screams and rumors of his interrogation tactics to know better.
Even given how effective each team member is, he didn't understand why the full team isn't here.
"Tarn?" He asks. "I don't mean to distract us, but I can't help wondering why the others in the Division are not present."
Tarn hides any emotion he might have felt at the question (and Bludgeon's lack of respect) and tilts his head as if amused. "Simple; with you here, we don't require anyone else…that is, if you can prove useful in helping us apprehend the traitor." He turns to continue discussing their plans when Bludgeon steps forward, hand on his sword hilt.
"What does that mean, Tarn?" He demands.
Tarn faces him without an ounce of fear, waving the others to stand down as they prepare to attack. "I will explain simply; given that you failed to see Deadlock's betrayal coming, I wonder how useful you will prove to be in this hunt."
Bludgeon is about to snarl a reply when Helex comes between them, eyeing Bludgeon. "Bludgeon, you know him best; had he given any indication of his traitorous intentions? Was there anything he said or did that would tell you he had doubts about his loyalty?"
Bludgeon shakes his head, running through his recent memories. "No...I don't…" Then, he remembers a brief conversation en route to a refugee camp. Deadlock had once voiced reluctance to kill, the day before his betrayal. "I remember only one incident. We were ordered to clear out an Autobot refugee camp and leave no one alive to speak of it." He crosses his arms. "Deadlock expressed that it would be dishonorable, as the refugees were supposedly innocent and had done nothing to deserve death, that they were merely surviving as best they could. I reminded him there are no innocents in the Autobots and that they were enemies to be eliminated with extreme prejudice. He seemed to understand, but refused to take part in clearing the camp, offering to patrol to ensure none escaped. When I returned, his sword was in it's sheath and there was no sign of combat that I could see. He would not speak to me as we returned to our base in the city of Kaon."
Kaon frowns. "Why not report him for treason?"
Bludgeon faces him, unafraid. "It was Deadlock's first offense, and there was hardly any time between our arrival back to Kaon and his betrayal. Rest assured, my loyalty is true. And I know Deadlock well enough to bring him to justice."
Kaon puts his hands up, rolling his optics. "If you say so."
Tarn waves arm arm. "Enough! Kaon, scan for any transmissions. With luck, Deadlock will be trying to contact the Autobots and we can intercept and trace his signal." Tarn orders.
On the other side of the mining station, there is a small landing craft. Kaon boards it and goes to the computer to do as ordered.
He picks up no Cybertronian transmissions, but on this planet's primitive version of the Grid, he does intercept interesting transmissions. "Sir, I may have found something!"
The teams boards the ship and gathers around the computer.
"Is this…some form of reporting?" Helex asks, listening to several voices discussing something in a language it takes his translator systems a moment to translate.
"It would appear so." Kaon confirms, playing the relevant portions for them.
It soon becomes clear why he had called them in. There was evidently some disturbance recently. Something to do with a meteorite crashing into some country called Japan, near the large body of water the sentient life forms called the ocean.
Tarn grins behind his mask. Finally, they had a starting point.
[Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Japan]
[The Sasaki house]
Things had, more or less, settled down once Deadlock was shown around the gated area by the Sasakis.
He expressed his gratitude at being shown such hospitality and kindness and offered to help them any way they could before bowing their heads briefly in gratitude and walking into the house, saying they needed to get 'get some sleep'.
When Deadlock asks what sleep is, they explain humans need sleep, essentially powering down or going into stasis to re-energize their bodies. They also explain they will stop resting after the sun comes up.
He doesn't fully understand, but nods and bids them farewell.
He is then left alone on a new world, unsure what to do.
For a little while, he connects back to the Internet and searches for any mentions of large robots, finding nothing, so he tries a few Autobot frequencies, making sure to secure the connection quickly. No one picks up his transmissions, so Deadlock gives it up, not wanting to risk attention. If he knew the Decepticon Justice Division, they would have wasted no time in starting their hunt. They may even have arrived on Earth.
He'd have to stay sharp. To that end, he makes his way to a larger open area he was assured he could use if needed and draws his swords.
It had been a little while since he had run through some katas in Mettaliko. It never failed to calm him, give him clarity.
He begins, careful not to damage anything as he performs a few smaller, simple katas to warm up and stretch out his limbs before advancing to more advanced katas.
As he moves through fluid swings of the sword and other movements, he notices light from an open door behind him. Finishing the kata, he turns to see Kenji sitting on the edge of a open platform that wraps around the house, tucked under the roof.
He had changed clothes into something that looked looser, more relaxed, and he was watching almost in recognition.
"Is everything alright?" Deadlock asks, sheathing one sword.
Kenji nods, moving off the platform to walk closer. "That's martial arts if ever I saw it." He notes, arms crossed loosely.
Deadlock nods respectfully at him. "You are very perceptive." Had Kenji trained in martial arts, as well? Deadlock wonders. "It is Metalliko, a martial art taught on Cybertron. Very few chose to learn it, and even fewer go on to master it. I trained with one I considered a brother…until recently." Deadlock sheaths his other sword, crossing his arms and making a noise like a sigh. He then realizes Kenji might not have come out here just to talk about his martial arts training and his complicated feelings about Bludgeon. "Apologies. Was there something you needed?" He asks.
Kenji sighs and scratches the back of his head. "It's nothing you can assist me with, just an error in shipping at my company."
Deadlock frowns, curious. "An error?"
Kenji nods. "A rather large one. We received faulty equipment that nearly resulted in a workplace accident." He runs a tired hand over his face. "And the replacements will not arrive for a few weeks at least. I've had to stop work at the construction site until the new machines arrive." He hangs his head with another sigh.
Deadlock may not understand everything Kenji was talking about, but it was clear it was a source of stress for Kenji.
Deadlock smiles a little, crouching closer to Kenji's level. "Kenji, would you let me teach you a method of stress regulation I learned from my Mettaliko instructer?"
Kenji tilts his head a bit, wondering how alien robots regulated their stress or emotions and if it would help him. But he can tell Deadlock wants to help, so he may as well try whatever it is Deadlock wants to teach him. "Certainly."
Deadlock shifts his weight as gently as he can, maneuvering his legs into a stance Kenji easily imitates. "You must move fluidly, or this will not help." Deadlock notes, then straightens and takes a moment to center himself before extending his arms out, letting them rest at a lower angle.
Kenji imitates him, wondering where this is going.
Deadlock then flows more smoothly then Kenji though possible over to the side, extending a leg behind him without moving it off the ground, his other bending to accommodate for the shifting weight. His arms then flow up, palms out as if to push something away, and back toward his chest in a circle. He repeats the motion, noting Kenji copying him perfectly.
"No fear…no hate…no anger." Deadlock murmurs, his usual mantra, taught to him by his instructor. The mantra brought to mind his own feelings and emotions.
He did not want to risk these kind humans who'd taken him in, should the DJD find him before the Autobots, but until he discovered where the Autobots are based, he had shelter here. It is better than wandering isolated and alone, at least.
No fear…no hate…no anger.
He would protect the Sasakis if need be, and seek out the Autobots as best he can. If the Justice Division engages him before he finds the Autobot, he would have no choice but to fight, and if he should be overcome, trust that Primus would take his Spark back into his arms.
Everything else was simply weighing him down. He had to let those burdensome thoughts of possible scenarios go and trust in the will of Primus.
He opens his eyes, still reciting the mantra, to see Kenji still moving through the motions with his eyes closed, so Deadlock continues for just a little longer before stopping, feeling better himself, hoping it had also helped Kenji.
Kenji soon notices the lack of mantra and subtly creaking metal and opens his eyes, resuming a normal standing position. "Thank you, Deadlock-san." He says, smiling. "There is a similar practice here on Earth called Tai Chi. It involves breathing techniques." He takes a deep breath to illustrate breathing when Deadlock tilts his head, confused. "It's a little hard to explain, since I assume you don't breathe, but just know your technique did help me relax."
Deadlock holds in more questions, seeing how worn down Kenji looked, and puts his hands together as if in prayer, bowing his head. "I am happy to be of assistance." He replies.
Kenji looks at him curiously. "That mantra…I assume your instructor taught it to you."
Deadlock nods. "Indeed. He was a wise elder Cybertronian named Yoketron. I feel honored he took he in as his student." Deadlock recalls wondering what became of Yoketron after he and Bludgeon completed their training and shortly afterwards joined the Decepticons in the perpetual war they are still fighting, albeit now on different sides. What would Yoketron say if he knew what became of his students? Had the master joined the Autobots? Or had he somehow been slain? Deadlock couldn't picture Yoketron as a Decepticon, no matter the circumstance. He turns to Kenji. He had taken enough of the human's time. Kenji looked tired, making a strange noise into his hand. "You should go back inside and rest."
Kenji nods, making another strange noise as he starts turning to walk back inside. "I will see you after the sun rises in the morning. Goodnight, Deadlock-san."
Deadlock nods. "I will see you then."
Deadlock figures he has some time on his hands, so he does some research on the questions he has from his discussion with Kenji, finding himself fascinated with just how different humans are from Cybertronians.
Humanity and Cybertronians are both sentient, but humanity is so vastly different from Cybertronians that it's hard for Deadlock to understand everything. So he stops researching and continues a few more katas before he decides he had done enough.
He moves to the sturdy wall around the Saski residence, sitting cross-legged and leaning his back on it as he starts maintaining his swords from a small kit in a compartment in his side.
He must be ready, should the Decepticon Justice Division turn up to punish him for his defection and retrieve or destroy the intelligence he'd stolen.