I know you all might be tired of me saying this, but this story is not my original idea!

A friend on TikTok, Deckar Terdax, came up with this concept for a movie and I really liked it. I asked if I could write it as a fanfiction and he said yes, so here we are! For this chapter in particular, Deckar wrote the opening scene with the DJD, then gave me bullet points for what he wanted the rest of the chapter to cover.

This chapter does have some switchbacks between perspectives, so please make sure to read the bolded words, as they clarify where the scene is set. Feel free to ask any questions you have!

God Bless and Good Day!

~The Lupine Sojourner

Tarn stands at the entrance of a cave he and his team had found and decided to camp in for the night. His optics are closed as he listens to his music, occasionally swaying slightly to it. In the cave behind him Bludgeon sits in meditation with his head down, while across from him Helex and Kaon are playing a game of Cyber-Poker. It's actually quite pleasant, Tarn has to admit, and rather calming.

The group has spent several Earth cycles hunting their prey without success, and Tarn is getting rather impatient.

Given his and Bludgeon's alternate forms, that left only Kaon and Helex to do any real searching, especially in the more populated areas. Kaon had made note that the signal's getting stronger, albeit by only a slight margin. The pod is most likely losing its power soon, he also noted, which means they won't have anything to track anymore.

Tarn's retreat into his music is interrupted when Kaon speaks up. "Hey big guy, you want in on the next hand?" The soft groan from behind him told Tarn Kaon is addressing Bludgeon, who has no interest in their game.

The assassin is tired of having to associate with this group. All he wants to do is get this mission over with so he'll never have to see them again. Even though he has proclaimed his loyalty to the Decepticons several times over, he can still tell that they have their doubts.

Kaon especially. "Come on, don't be antisocial." He chuckles, a snide, taunting tone to his voice.

Bludgeon remains still. "If I wish to play games, it would not be with the likes of you."

Tarn switched off his music and turned his head slightly to listen in.

He heard Kaon speak next. "'The likes of us?'" He jabs, laughing and leaning his back against the cave wall. "My, my, he must think he's better than us, Helex."

The larger Con in question, simply glares down at his companion as if to say to 'leave him out of this'.

Bludgeon raises his head to shoot Kaon a glare of his own. "Whenever I have a target, I don't waste my time, or theirs, by administering pain. I do what is necessary and move on. Unlike your brutal methods."

Kaon laughs harder at this accusation. "We have brutal methods?" Even though Tarn still has his back turned, he could tell Bludgeon is on edge as Kaon continues. "Look, mate, I read your last mission report. Apparently, when you got back to base, you were covered in the Energon of all your victims. Refugee camp, wasn't it?" Next to him, Helex slowly backs away. Not noticing, Kaon goes on with his taunts. "It would seem to me that you're just as bad as we are. No mercy, no survivors, just results. You know, I've heard about your little Metallikato, and from what I understand, you don't qualify to be accepted." Tarn can tell Kaon just crossed a very sensitive line with Bludgeon. But he chooses not to interfere just yet. "So, by all accounts, you deserve to be stuck with us." Kaon chuckles sadistically. "What you did and what you're capable of doing shows you don't have what they call 'honor'-"

A loud shot echoes sharply through the cave and Tarn spins around to see Bludgeon pointing a blaster at Kaon, a smoldering hole just an inch from the smaller Decepticon's head. Kaon eyes the hole, wide eyed in fear of what just happened.

Tarn calmly walked toward Bludgeon, his voice casual. "I may not know as much about Metallikato as you do, but I think I recall hearing something about firearms being seen as dishonorable."

Bludgeon lowers his blaster and glares up at Tarn. "Things change in a warzone." He replies coldly. "You must be willing to make certain sacrifices in order to achieve victory."

Tarn glances at the new hole in the wall, then at Kaon, then back to Bludgeon. "Does that include shooting at a fellow Decepticon on a mission?" he asks dryly.

Finally having enough, Bludgeon stands and marches over to Tarn. Helex and Kaon tense up, ready to defend their commander, but Tarn subtly raises a hand telling them to stand down while keeping eye contact with the assassin.

"I never asked you to be here!" Bludgeon shouts angrily. "I am fully capable of dealing with Deadlock on my own. You're only here because you have a sick delight in hunting down and torturing any who turn on us, which, by the way you three act, includes me!" Tarn simply stands silently as Bludgeon vents his frustration at him. The two stand facing each other as Bludgeon continues, "You're only here to help me find him. But when we do, I will be the one to administer judgment. Not you or your puppets."

Tarn stares Bludgeon down without a trace of emotion. "If you get to him first." He challenges.

With that, Bludgeon pushes Tarn out of his way and leaves the cave. Tarn watches him leave, a sinister thought crossing his mind. He hears a buzzing sound behind him. "Put the List away, Kaon." He orders without even looking.

The smaller Con looks up from the data-cylinder he was holding in surprise. "You saw what he did, sir!" Kaon protests.

"Because you provoked him." Tarn responds coolly, still not turning around. "But I think physical torture is too good for him." Kaon and Helex share a confused look as Tarn continues. "If Bludgeon truly considers Deadlock a brother, then being the one to execute him will haunt him for the rest of his days, but if he's a true Decepticon, then he won't give it a second thought, much like those refugees. If he tries anything like that again, you're free to do whatever you wish."

Kaon and Helex now understand what Tarn's thinking. Physical torture lasts only till the victim is dead, usually shortly after the torture begins. But living with the knowledge that you killed your own brother, that lasts far longer.

Tarn continues. "Tell me, Kaon, do you want that responsibility, should the time ever come?"

Kaon shut off the cylinder containing the List as he placed it back on his hip, grinning wickedly. "Of course I do! What kind of question is tha-aahhh!" He looks up to see Tarn's mask was suddenly an inch away from his face, the anger evident in his optics.

"Then never interrupt my music again." Tarn threatens. Having said his piece, he returns to his spot at the cave entrance, leaving Kaon shaking in fear, while behind him, Helex chuckles to himself.

Kaon will never learn to stop picking fights, would he? He thinks.

=#=#=#=#=

[Tokyo]

[Sasaki Household]

It's late afternoon, heading into the evening, and Etsuko is enjoying a nice swim in the pool after school when she notices a shadow blocking the westering sun. Curious, she looks over and sees their large metal guest balancing skillfully on the edge of one of his swords, the blade and the robot rotating as he chants a mantra.

"No fear…no hate…no anger." As he spins, he adjusts his legs and subtly swings occasionally to maintain the slow spinning motion.

Etsuko is stunned the giant robot can balance on such a small point and watches him, fascinated, before she swims closer to him, resting her arms on the side of the pool. "Deadlock-san, may I ask what you're doing?"

Deadlock opens one eye and smiles at her. "Meditating." He explains simply, now simply balancing on the swordpoint.

Etsuko smiles. "I see. That takes amazing balance!"

Deadlock skillfully flips up and lands as gently as he could, but the ground still shakes a bit. He sheaths his sword. "Thank you. My master, Yoketron, taught me to do this when I am in need of a clear head and internal balance."

Etsuko sighs. "I could use a clear head, too."

Deadlock tilts his head a bit. "What troubles you?"

Etsuko's cheeks warm a bit, realizing her troubles might seem trivial to a robot involved in a long war. "It will seem silly to you, but school can be stressful."

"Learning new skills or information is often difficult." Deadlock agrees, showing no sign of finding her issues amusing or too small.

Etsuko chuckles, relieved he's willing to take her somewhat seriously. "You have schools where you're from?"

Deadlock shakes his head, smiling. "No, not exactly. However, when we emerge from the Well of Allsparks, we are a completely new being, and have much to learn about ourselves and the world around us."

Etsuko nods. "I see. Well, I have a while longer to go with school." She sighs and splashes the water a bit. "I will need to learn how to run Oto-San's business one day."

Deadlock raises a brow. "I could teach you meditation, as I did for your father not long ago. It helped him relieve the stress on his shoulders."

Getting an idea, Etsuko shakes her head with a smile. "Oh, no thank you. I have my own ways of relieving stress."

Seeing the mischievous glint in the girl's eye, Deadlock frowns a little. "And what might that be?"

She just looks down, still smiling, as she gets out of the pool and grabs a towel.

"You'll see."

=#=#=#=#=

[Japanese countryside]

[Temporary Autobot camp]

"I'm telling you, this next town better turn up something." Brawn grumbles. "I'm gonna lose processing power out of boredom if this keeps up."

Ultra Magnus sighs, trying to remain patient. "We will not know until we arrive."

Moonracer chuckles. "The tough old Wrecker can't handle searching?" She teases.

Brawn rolls his eyes. "I'm just saying! It's been days and still nothing!"

Ultra Magnus is about to reply when his comm beeps. He taps into the line and motions for quiet. "Ultra Magnus here."

"Commander, I have some good news." It was Optimus himself.

Ultra Magnus grins a bit. "We could use some. Our search is proving more difficult than anticipated. We are still unable to locate Deadlock."

"Understood. We have managed to narrow down the location of the pod Deadlock used to come to Earth."

"That is good news." Magnus notes with a bit of surprise.

Moonracer and Brawn perk up, unable to help hearing the discussion, remaining quiet.

"We continued attempting to narrow the search coordinates, as the pod will likely power down soon. However, we determined he landed near the city of Tokyo. Based on your current position, it will take approximately 24 hours to get there. I will send you the updated search parameters."

Ultra Magnus holds in a groan at the news they'd been searching in the wrong direction and nods automatically. "Thank you, sir. We'll begin heading toward the city while we await the new parameters."

"Copy that. Good luck, Commander."

"Appreciated, sir. We'll report again when we find Deadlock. Magnus, over and out." The comm line goes quiet and Ultra Magnus sighs. "I assume you two heard?"

Moonracer nods, trying to remain optimistic. "Well, at least if we start now, we'll get there with a little time to search before nightfall."

Ultra Magnus nods. "Indeed. As Moonracer and I are unfamiliar with the city in question, perhaps Brawn should take point, at least until we receive the information from Optimus."

Brawn throws a quick salute. "Sure thing, boss."

The trio transform and start driving.

"I wonder what Tokyo will be like." Moonracer can't help commenting.

"I suppose we will have to see." Ultra Magnus replies patiently. "But I am intrigued as well."

=#=#=#=#=

[Tokyo]

[Sasaki residence]

Kenji, in his home office filing the paperwork he'd picked up, looks up as Etsuko walks into his office. He notes she's wearing a t-shirt, black jeans, black combat boots, and her black leather jacket.

"Oto-san, may I ask Deadlock to take me back to school? I forgot some homework."

Kenji takes a moment to consider.

"I believe that would be up to our guest, but you have my permission, as long as Deadlock is willing to take you."

Etsuko smiles. "Arigato, Oto-san." She gives him a quick respectful bow at the waist, then turns and heads to the area Deadlock is usually in.

Kenji sits back in his chair with a sigh, rubbing his tired eyes. He's known Etsuko's been lying to him for a while. She never forgot anything from school and he knows exactly where she's going. And yet, he never stopped her as he could see the joy in her eyes whenever she got home.

He stands up and walks to the office window as Deadlock drives off. As the car is lost to view, Kenji can't help a smile, shaking his head and chuckling to himself.

I wonder how Deadlock will perform in a street race?