...
**Ngggg!** vehicle sound. Elita-1 and Optimus in vehicle form.
The smoke from the dust they passed through clumped together, even though they didn't have exhaust pipes that caused pollution.
They crossed several dead cities, already halfway to the Autobots' base.
****
But elsewhere,
Starscream sat in the audience. His blank stare had been there since earlier, staring at his speech sheet, crossing out and writing again.
Anything to be able to appear better than Optimus. Want to give a speech but no one is there to come.
USE!!
A loud rumbling and crashing sound was heard.
Some Decepticons went inside, but from the other door there were other Decepticons too. More and more.
BUCK!!
People then pushed, the front row fell. About 60 Decepticons entered there (All of them).
Noisy, the sound of shouts and growls could be heard from them.
"What the hell?" Starscream was shocked. He immediately got up from his seat, standing up, his hands raised in confusion.
"They are all witnesses!"
Wheeljack's voice was loud, their noise was drowned out by his.
"You're trusted by Optimus here, right? I want you to advise your men!"
Ironhide came after Wheeljack.
"What did they do to make it like this?" Starscream asked. He didn't know what happened and what caused it all.
"Ask all those who witnessed it, they did this on purpose. A colleague of mine was launched into space because of their actions!"
A high pitched, booming tone erupted from Ironhide's mouth.
Starscream sighed, his face scrunched up and his eyebrows lowered.
"You mean... this is about the rocket?"
"Yes!"
Wheeljack walked quickly over to Starscream.
"The rocket is controlled by Shockwave and Thundercracker. It must be only the two of them!" said Starscream.
"They watched and just kept quiet. They had planned this!"
Wheeljack's voice echoed angrily in the room, glaring at Starscream. "We can also do something you won't expect either. If my friend out there dies..."
He then stretched out the sword from his hand.
"We have to break even!"
Wheeljack's forehead darkened, as if darkness was the only thing on his face.
Boltquick emerged from behind him. "Dark Energon is coming back, they planned this."
"Wait a minute!!"
Starscream's plan. Raising both hands saying stop.
"Please, one by one..."
Holding his head, dizzy and attacking.
"This is pointless," Wheeljack said.
Wheeljack turned slowly, then stepped away from Starscream without a word.
"Master," he said in a low but urgent voice, "lock them all in here..."
He paused, looking sharply at Starscream.
"Until Optimus returns!"
Starscream raised both hands, taking a half step back.
"...Hey... I'm not involved in this," he said quickly, fending off the stare nervously.
But Wheeljack just stared at him for a moment—cold, unmoved. Then he walked back toward the exit, as if he had never heard a word Starscream had said.
Boltquick and Ironhide followed behind him, their shadows disappearing into the dark corridor, leaving Starscream alone with a sense of unease hanging in the air.
"We can talk about this properly," he said nervously, his voice shaking with doubt.
Wheeljack then turned around slowly. Raising his hand, he pointed at Starscream. A sharp glare.
"Shut...up."
Starscream was silent without a word. Something seemed to stab his chest until a feeling of nervousness appeared.
"Enough to keep being good. Doctors like me can be bad too. Your war is just a hassle!"
Firm and as if snapping at everyone's noisy words.
Wheeljack then opened his chest pocket, reaching for something, throwing the small object on the floor next to Starscream's feet.
"...Atropine, the same substance I found in Megatron's body. Dark Energon genetically modified this substance with new data without changing the original nature of the substance." Wheeljack explained, his sharp gaze still full of revenge.
"Don't worry, this is different from Dark Energon. My prediction, Toxin vs. another Toxin, can be an antitoxin. Let's try it, on you guys." Wheeljack continued.
All sides of the door to the room, slowly slid. Leaving Starscream standing alone in front of the red-eyed Decepticons. Leaving him alone with blue eyes.
The substance in that small object then comes out in the form of gas.
The unpleasant smell began to be smelled from the gas. Starscream chose to hold his breath. But his chest kept asking for it. He kept holding his breath even though his lungs didn't like it. Finally he made himself pass out.
The smell, began to be smelled. It felt like rust, but very pungent.
One, and one person started to sit up. Their vision started to blur, as if their faces were spinning.
"What is this? You're just giving up like this?"
The same man's voice was heard nearby. The man who was standing in front of them all. His face was not visible.
"Attack them!" said the mysterious man.
They then stood up, blank stares and limp movements. But the body seemed to obey his orders. Hands then pulled out swords. Staring at the other comrades.
TANG!!
Slashed, but the other one parried with a sword. The others moved like Zombies. They started attacking each other.
...
Behind the door, Wheeljack, Boltquick, Ironhide along with several other Autobots.
"I'm not sure they'll be okay in there...!" Boltquick said.
"Explain the plot hole, how could they obey you," Wheeljack asked Boltquick.
"I also don't understand my Hypno Energy. At that time there were only a few people who could obey me. But they were all finished off by Megatron," said Boltquick. Spreading his hands, revealing that this was not his fault.
"... Hmm... Is there some kind of record here regarding the mental or physical health tests of some of the Decepticons?" Wheeljack asked.
"Yes... the data is recorded every 3 months by Justice. All are stored in the administration room." Boltquick replied.
"... Alright, teacher... and... ... what's your name?" Wheeljack even forgot Boltquick's name.
"Boltquick. I don't know your name either!"
It turns out they don't know each other's names.
"You must have forgotten, my name is Wheeljack. Just call me Jack."
Wheeljack then moved and turned to look at his teacher, Ironhide.
"I need the help of two people. Master, Boltquick and me. The rest of you please help keep an eye on this area..."
Wheeljack turned his head to the side, a hand rubbing the confusion from his head.
"... Whatever. They got away, thank goodness, otherwise it would have been okay." Wheeljack turned and walked away.
"Wait... you want to kill them?"
His steps were stopped by Ironhide's teacher.
"No teacher."
Wheeljack's voice was soft, turning to the teacher.
"They won't die, they'll just go crazy with each other in there. Optimus will be back in a few days," Wheeljack replied.
"Jack... are you sure this will heal them?"
Boltquick's eyes were slanted, worry and confusion shining in his eyes.
"Even if I'm not sure, trust me... they'll get better!" Wheeljack said, wiping his hands casually.
Then Wheeljack continued his steps that were blocked. The teacher and Boltquick had no choice, because they were needed, so they just went along with Wheeljack.
....
At the Autobots' own base.
Now Optimus and Elita-1 have arrived, at the point where the base is located, a location that is clearly very different.
Optimus then uses the power of the Matrix to unmask the base as usual.
"It seems safe here!" Miss Elita-1 said. The woman didn't see anything that looked dangerous around them.
"Thank goodness then!" Optimus replied. Holding the Matrix, and was removing the camouflage just for those around them.
....
"Looks like we came just in time..." Voidecay's voice.
It was quiet, no one was there, but Voidecay appeared from behind with his men.
"Voidecay!" Elita-1 said. Her voice was shaking, she didn't dare to look back, because fear immediately struck her.
Optimus quickly put the Matrix back into his chest. Looking back, he stood behind Elita-1.
"There's no mistake, you are a true Prime, it is an honor to meet you." Voidecay extended his hand—wanting to shake, not forgetting to give a smile as well.
Optimus tried to remain calm and friendly. He then reached out his hand and shook Voidecay's.
**AKZZ!**
Optimus spontaneously let go of the handshake. Something strange felt electrifying his head, when he shook hands with Voidecay.
"Dark Energon..." Optimus said.
"Wow, it's true, you were badly infected, huh," Voidecay said.
Optimus brushed aside his aching hands. Then glared at Voidecay.
"Well... what do you want by coming all the way here?" Optimus asked.
"You must already know what I want."
1. Allspark returned to Voidecay.
2. Paying for Cylob's treatment.
3. Elita-1.
Three demands that would clearly provoke a flare of rage. But one must hold back, restrain the explosion from the chest.
"...Are you guys with Signy?" Optimus asked. Changing the subject. Obviously, Optimus saw something when his head was electrocuted.
"... He will follow here!" Voidecay returned with a smiling mouth and narrowed eyes.
....
Miss Elita-1 looked behind her.
"Optimus..."
The Lady called softly. Her eyes were slanted, wary of Voidecay.
"Don't worry..." Optimus turned his head and nodded.
Optimus then glared at Voidecay. "Let's make a deal..."
Voidecay nodded.
"Just between you and me, We will fight until one of us... dies." Optimus said, without further ado, getting straight to the point.
"If I lose, you can have everything you want."
Voidecay smiled.
"But if I win, Nervous, Adist, Timon and Signy stay with me!"
Voidecay shrugged once, no problem.
"Hmm, that's interesting. Alright... I agree. But Optimus..." Voidecay cut off his words. The smile on his mouth dropped.
"I can't let you die," Voidecay said, smiling again.
"Why?" Optimus asked, his eyes sharp.
"Yes... secret!" Voidecay smiled widely. As if there was something funny.
"Elita-1... you go to the back. Right in the discussion room is the Allspark. I want you to take it to the Decepticons," Optimus said. A voice that was almost like the sound of the wind, whispering.
Elita-1 nodded, agreeing to the order. Walking quickly through the gates of the Autobots' headquarters. But her steps felt heavy, because there was something stuck in her chest, making her breath tremble.
But those emotions had to be suppressed because now the priority was Optimus' orders.
"Hehehe," Voidecay chuckled. He then ordered his men. "Boys, I want you to watch from afar!"
"Voidecay!"
Nervous' voice was soft with a gentle tone behind it. Almost a hesitant whisper. He knew exactly what he was saying.
"Nervous..." he said softly, but firmly. Piercing Nervous' doubts.
"Leave it just me and Prime."
Nervous snorted softly, but sharply—as if exhaling the reluctance that had accumulated in his chest. One step, one step back, forced. He lowered his head and together with Adist and Timon looked away, from what was about to happen.
Optimus seems concerned about Nervous and his friends. He even wants them if he wins.
This is a big consideration. Optimus has to fight hard for Elita-1 and the Allspark which could fall into the wrong hands.
Optimus took his axe weapon, ready to fight.
Voidecay stood upright, stretching his head a little, without needing a weapon. He was quite relaxed and smiling.
This fight is coming very fast. Is this the fight scene that is awaited.
Next chapter... "Acceleration"
....
To be continued...