Author's Note

And we continue our story.

Contains more appearances, cameos, and much more.

Chapter 8: Kings of the Road

“Come on in you truckers… come on in…” Cyberwarp muttered quietly, clicking the button on the Gatling gun to turn on.

She heard crunching of stones and tires grinding against the sandy road. And they were coming from all directions; left, right, forwards, backwards, everywhere! She kept spinning around, trying to look for the source, any of them, she felt like they were about to pounce on her. Her spark raced, and she panted heavily, trying not to hyperventilate and panic--

"Who are you?"

She fired into the air, and turned around quick, fumbling with her gun at the one who questioned her. Four robots together, standing and looking at her with curiousity. But more worrisome was the fact all four of them had Decepticon badges, right there for her to see.

"Wait, don't fire," a booming voice barked. "She's one of us."

A large hulking figure stomped into the open, stepping into the middle of the road with the rest of the Decepticons, facing her.

"Um... y-yeah, I'm a Con! I'm with you guys, I mean look on my chest, I'm on your side!" Cyberwarp tittered, shaking as she held the gun.

Five Decepticons before her. But wait a minute, these guys looked familiar. Yeah, they were; little details like the fact all of them had wheels and car parts was becoming a first clue. But she recognized their faces as well. One was in blue and white. The second was a maroon red, white, and black. The third was gray and red. Fourth was an all in yellow with two wheels locked into each arm. And the last of the bunch of the biggest and tallest of them. Black and white with purple markings on the chest and the front truck cabin built into the legs. And a sleek light purple face with menacing purple eyes glaring at her.

"Wait a minute... I know you guys! Yes, yes, I know you! You're the Stunticons, you're the kings of the road back on Cybertron! Don't tell me, let me guess...", she said, pointing to each one. "Breakdown." He nodded. "Dead End." He nodded as well. "Wildrider, Dead End, and last but not least... Motormaster."

"I like this one," Motormaster smirked.

"So where does a spunkin' femme like you come from anyway?"

"Um... Cybertron?"

Motormaster chuckled. "I think Drag Strip means to ask, what part of Cybertron did you come from."

"O-Oh! Sorry. I used to be a citizen of old Iacon, and then when the wars rolled around, well... one thing led to another, and I guess that's how I became one of you guys," Cyberwarp explained, putting her weapons aside. Seems like these Stunticons didn't know her true nature. Maybe she could use that to her advantage...

"How did you get here anyway? Did you crashland with the rest of us too, I don't remember seeing you on board the Nemesis."

"No, I've been here since..." Cyberwarp stopped. "Wait. What do you mean crashland?'

"Think we should tell her?" Breakdown asked.

"She's one of us, of course we should tell her," Motormaster spat.

"I don't think that's such a good idea. But then again, no one really cares..." Dead End moaned.

"We were attacked. Someone staged in an attack on the Nemesis, and the next thing we know, we're hurling back here on this mudball of a planet," Motormaster groaned.

"Autobots?"

"No. For once, it wasn't the Autobots. But I don't know who they were. And thanks to them, we crashed back here and now we're separated from the rest of the team. Now you; what are you doing here, and how long have you been stuck?"

"O-Oh! Right. Sorry, I um... Well I've been stranded here for a couple of years now, been making do with what I have. The humans don't know I'm hiding, so I've been able to camp really well," Cyberwarp said with a straight face, lying through her teeth. "I know there are other Decepticons here on the planet, but I've mostly just bumped into them, staying out of their way, that's all."

"Have you run into anyone in particular? Megatron, Soundwave, the Constructicons, anyone?"

"I'm afraid not. Not even that traitorous Starscream has been seen. Though knowing him, he'll come around very soon..." Motormaster sneered.

"Wait a minute." Wildrider interrupted. "I smell something funny..."

"Oh, that's probably the sea. This area's really toxic, you know," Cyberwarp brushed.

"No, that's not it. Although I can smell that. But you... I smell Autobot fumes on you. So clear, so polluted free..."

Cyberwarp's spark sank. Oh no, he was gonna know!

"O-Oh, um, well, you see, it's a funny story, actually uhhh..."

"You're not collaborating with Autobots, are you?" Drag Strip glared, pointing the tip of his pistol at her.

"N-No, never, I would never work with the enemy! I'm... okay, I'll be honest with you guys," Cyberwarp stopped. She was scared inside, screaming in terror. One wrong move, and these guys would rip her to pieces. "I've been sneaking through the Autobots as a defector. I've gotten their trust, I've learned much from them, I've been trying to gain their trust, but I am not one of them."

"So they have no idea you're still a true Decepticon?"

She shook her head, shaking in her heels.

"Oh I am liking her more and more," Motormaster grinned, walking past her. Cyberwarp felt like a bug compared to him, she could feel him breathing down her neck. And he was right close to her face, almost inches in front of her. His finger brushed the side of her face, making her heart race. Was this guy about to rip her apart, or was he attempting flirting? "Not only is she radiant, but she's survived on her own, and has infiltrated the Autobots? You would make one valuable member in Megatron's army."

"Heh, heh, maybe we can leave Megatron out of this? He doesn't exactly know I'm on this planet, and I'd like to keep it that way. Just watching him dealing with Starscream, I would hate to get on his bad side...", she shivered.

"Fair enough, little one. Perhaps for the time being, until we find Megatron and the others, perhaps we can work together? We'll meet here again in this scraphole of a town, and you can report your findings to us when you have new information. I have a feeling this will be the start of a new partnership..."

Cyberwarp was frozen. Now she had shot herself in the foot. If she said no, they'd still probably attack her. For all she knew, they could tie her down to the road, run her over in vehicular mode. Or worse, tie her limbs to four of the Stunticons and rip them off like something out of those disturbing human gorefest films. But then she thought her situation over again. These Stunticons had zero clue that she was a defect, no idea that she was associated with humans or Autobots. Maybe she could feed them false information and get them to fall for a trap? Or better yet, if they meet up with any others, she could get some very useful information out of them too.

But what if Arcee and her team found out she was talking to them behind their backs? Trust gone, job gone, locked up in prison for the rest of her days, or worse. She didn't want everything she worked for jeopardized. And the Sweet family, she couldn't part with them, she just couldn't. They were family to her, and what about the rest of her friends who were off on business? They couldn't be left alone either.

"Are your circuits frozen?"

Cyberwarp snapped out of her deep trance. "I'm still online! S-Sure, collaborating could be fun."

"Excellent. I knew I could trust you. We'll be hitting the road now, but should you ever need to contact us... you know how. We'll meet back here again when you have something new to report."

"Okay, great! I'll... see you boys soon?"

"Til we meet again," Motormaster replied, coaxing his team to follow him.

Their footsteps stomped the ground, and for once Cyberwarp felt a little relief knowing they were leaving--

"Wait."

--Or not.

"I almost forgot... what's your name?"

"M-My name? Oh, it's um... Cyberwarp."

"See you later, Cyberwarp," Motormaster nodded. "Stunticons, lets hit the road!"

One by one, they transformed and raced out of Bombay Beach, laughing maniacally.

"Gangway!!!"

Cyberwarp cringed, hearing them slam into a few parked cars as they left the area. Now she finally had some relief, seeing that they were gone. Now she could relax her joints, they were still wobbling and shaking. Pressing a button on her wrist, she fumbled her way off the main road where a Groudbridge opened up for her.

Walking through, she found herself back in the barn again. She stumbled a bit, feeling like she was becoming dizzy and was almost about to fall down and crash on the barn floor. But she kept her balance and managed to walk through and opened the doors. And to his surprise, there was Glit and Max standing outside, waiting for her. Probably got a notification that she had come back through the Groundbridge.

"Yay, you're back!" Max cheered. "Where'd you go?"

"Y-Yes, I'm... I'm back," Cyberwarp said, shakily. "Actually, can you just excuse me for a moment? I just need to be by myself for a real quick second."

"Okay!"

Cyberwarp smiled briefly and shut the barn doors, leaving Glit and Max to just stand there. And she shut the doors tight, locking them so no one on the outside could hear her.

"Why the fragging Primus did I talk to the Stunticons!? What is Arcee and the others going to say!? Why did I agree with those guys, Cyberwarp what is wrong with you!? 'Oh no, I can't be a part of your team!' 'Why not?' 'BECAUSE I'M LIVING WITH HUMANS AND AUTOBOTS YOU ROAD HOGGING TWITS! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

Glit and Max just stood there in silence, waiting for her little episode to end.

"This is going to take a while..."

Honestly this wasn't the first moment that Max had listened to someone in his family having to step away to release some anger like this. The amount of times he was told to step out of a room because mommy was about to say bad words, followed by her little fits of rage was something he was used to. Luckily Sour wasn't the type to take it out on her family, hence why she always asked to be by herself whenever she screamed profanities.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm going to need a moment!"

Back at base, everyone had unloaded the supply of Energon that they collected from the pit and into their vault. Plenty of more Energon collected and more fuel restocked!

The kids meanwhile, were given a chance to go back to their school and pick up their study sheets and materials so they could do a little bit of homework while they were at the base. Hey, at the very least, get some studying in while they're being looked after by the Autobots. Some of them sat on the cinder-block couch, others just sat on the floor. And sitting upside down on the couch was Catapult, letting her legs kick.

"Soooo whatcha studying?" Catapult asked innocently with a smile.

"Math," Silverstream frowned.

"Why so sad? Math is fun!"

"No, it's not. And it wouldn't be fun if you did the kind of math that we're doing," Gallus said, gloomfully.

"I've heard that before," Arcee acknowledged as she passed by. "The complaints I've heard from Sideswipe and Sunstreaker when they tried to help Rainbow with her math homework?"

"They keep changing it up, I swear," Gallus complained, slapping his homework folder down on the floor.

"Mind if I take a look?" Catapult asked.

"Knock yourself out, I'm at a loss."

Catapult's head slowly swiveled around and looked down at the sheet. "Hmm...

"Let me break it down in simplest terms. Can you add? Can you subtract?" Makeshift asked, using another voice to speak.

The kids nodded.

"Good. That's all you're ever going to need. You're not going to need the Pythagorean Theorem when you're tipping your waitress, so this is also horseshit," Makeshift quoted, squinting his little red eyes.

"Hey! Language," Bulkhead snapped.

"We've heard it all, Bulkhead. Bad words are nothing new," Smolder said, looking up.

"Yeah, but what kind of example would we be setting if we sweared on and off?" Bulkhead asked, putting his hands on his hips. "I know you humans have foul mouths sometimes, but it doesn't make what they say any more intelligent."

"Try telling that to Sour Sweet. She's got a massive foul mouth on her," Seaspray said, standing at the consoles.

"I thought that was because she's bipolar?" Override asked, raising a brow.

"No, that's something completely different," Seaspray answered. "Sour's more sarcastic and snarky."

"He's not wrong," Arcee replied, walking back into the main control center. "After hanging out with her and the Shadowbolts for a few years, I can confirm. And I thought I had some snarky moments." She looked at Seaspray and Leobreaker. "Did the kids behave while we were gone?"

"Are you kidding? These kids were nothing but the sweetest things," Seaspray smiled under the mask. "They were behaved, they didn't break anything, they're good kids. They even took interest in the suits of our old friends from Canterlot High."

"Good. Last thing we need is more accidents."

"Still don't see why I had to stay. I could have helped you fight against that Seeker," Leobreaker complained.

"If we had known the area was void of humans, I would have brought you along. But I can't have you risk our cover."

"Cover? The entire planet knows we exist, why even cover our secret?" Leobreaker asked.

"So we can handle the Decepticons without panicking everyone in California," Arcee answered back. "I know it's not fair, but it's Optimus's rules."

Leobreaker shook his head, sighing. "I understand you worked under Optimus Prime's chain of command for years, but just because you did, doesn't mean you have to do everything like him."

And the lion just walked out of the main center and into the halls, most likely going to his own resting room.

"Ouch," Gallus hissed.

"He just needs some time alone, that's all," Override reassured.

Gallus however wasn't so sure about that.

Leobreaker threw his fists against a makeshift punching bag (which was several metal pieces and objects held in chains) for some more practice. Elbows bent, eyes focused, he threw as many punches as he could. After a quick punch-out, he parked himself on the bench, letting his hands rest from all the grinding and smashing.

"Hey."

Leobreaker turned his head. "Arcee, I don't--Oh. Oh, kid, hey. Sorry, I thought you were one of them."

Gallus walked into his 'room', climbing up onto the bench to sit with him.

"You okay?"

"No, I'm not," he said, rather flatly. "I'm tired of being stuck in the base all the time, I'm tired of just sitting around and waiting, I'm just... I just wanna go out there and fight."

"I get that," Gallus said, sympathetically. "But you'll be out to fight eventually."

"Maybe if Miss Stand-In Prime gives me the okay. Don't get me wrong, Arcee's a good leader, I know she is. But sometimes, I swear she acts too much like the great and glorious Optimus Prime sometimes. Yeah, he's great too, but just because he is, doesn't mean you have to be exactly like him," Leobreaker complained. "I just wish she understood that, then maybe I could be allowed to actually fight."

"You do know how to fight though, right?" Gallus asked.

"Are you kidding? I've trained for years to battle. I've studied every battle in historical records, practiced with every Autobot close by, I've done everything. I know I can be a great Autobot." He sighed. "But its the same thing every time; can't leave the base, you'll attract humans, giant lion isn't a low profile. Sometimes I swear, I feel like I'll never be allowed to leave. Guess that's what I get for picking something animal-based."

Gallus softly smiled. "Maybe one day you'll get your chance."

"Yeah, I really hope so."

A moment of silence passed between the two of them, staring blankly at the wall awkwardly.

"... Slag it, I need to go outside. I'm gonna go walk around, stretch my legs."

"Mind if I come with?"

"Don't you have homework to do?"

"Well, yeah, but this is more of a... mental health break," Gallus shrugged.

Leobreaker smiled. "Can't argue with that, now can I?"

At the mines, Shatter and Dropkick were walking inside, carrying several pieces of boxes, tools, weapons, whatever they could find from the wreck. Megatron's first orders were to grab as much as they could, so that they could set up a small base within. If they were going to be operation, they might as well grabbed what they could. She set the crates down, wiping her hands off from the dust she kicked during her walk inside.

"We've recovered most of the equipment we could from the wreck," Shatter stated, looking to Megatron laying down on a presumed operating table. "But I'm afraid we are limited on tools. Shockwave must have grabbed most of what he could during the wreckage. If he's even on this planet."

"Then you'll have to make do what you've found," Megatron concluded.

"Understood," Shatter nodded.

"Alright, so Megs, remind me again, why do you want a new alternative form of transformation? I thought you were already big and mighty with the tank mode," Barricade asked, setting some equipment down on a tray. "Granted, I thought your gun mode back in the older days was pretty good, but still."

"Whoever attacked the Nemesis knew every step I made and exactly how to overthrow me. I am not going to make that mistake again," Megatron growled as glared up at the light above him.

"Fair enough, I suppose," Barricade said. Best he not say anything else to anger his boss. He may be needing repairs, but he knew he could still beat the scrap out of him. "Now what do you want? Stronger tank mode, maybe something with flight?"

"I wore that in my old skin as Galvatron. As such, I am no longer him."

Barricade flipped on the console of the installed computer/monitor system, pulling up pictures of things that were commonly seen on Earth. One of the first pictures he loaded was of a two bladed helicopter mode with a hulking cannon underneath the cockpit.

"Not enough."

"Okay... how about this? I know Grimlock is this, but unlike him, you have brains," Barricade asked, showing a picture of a prehistoric T-Rex.

Megatron simply glared at him, unamused.

"O-Of course we don't have to, probably not mighty enough for you," Barricade shrugged it off, looking through more.

"Why not go back to your classic Cybertronian jet form? Restore the old days when every Decepticon and Autobot knew not to mess with you?" Dropkick offered, folding his arms, leaning against a beam.

"No."

"Okay, how about your primitive Predacon form?"

"No!" Megatron growled. "I do not wish to be reminded of my previous failures. Why'd I ever listen to Razorclaw's suggestion..."

"Okay, okay!" Barricade protested. "Sheesh, this is impossible."

"Then let me make this painfully clear to you," Megatron yelled, leaning up. "I want a new form that will strike fear into the hearts of my enemies! I do not want any of my older forms, I need something new, something big, something powerful!"

"Perhaps I can make a suggestion?" Shatter interrupted.

"Be my guest, it's not like anything else will make him happy," Barricade let slip.

"I'm going to ignore that, only because I will need your services," Megatron warned.

Shatter walked over to the console, typing on the keypads and keyboards. "I remember during the time spent trapped on this planet, we've had much time to examine and study this planet's culture and history. In some ancient folklore, they had many tales of fierce creatures, called dragons."

She displayed a picture on the monitor, giving an example of said beast. A giant beast with fire breathing out of it's mouth, monsterous wings that could slice anything in it's way, and powerful claws that could grind up anything it picked up. Megatron's eyes looked more and more interested.

"Magnificent beast..."

"Truly. For as underwhelming as this planet is, they do have a knack for weaving tall tales and creatures," Shatter admitted, smirking at the picture.

"Then if I am to regain my power, I will take on that beast's form," Megatron concluded, pointing at the dragon.

"As you command, Lord Megatron," Shatter smirked. "Barricade, I require your assistance with the operation. Shockwave's notes are clean, but I still require a second hand."

"Wouldn't you rather your boyfriend help?"

"I trust Dropkick to slaughter intruders. Not restore a Decepticon's vehicular mode," Shatter said, bluntly. "Would you wish me to deliver some form of stasis, my liege? It would make the operation more--"

"--No! I wish to bear witness as you attach my new upgrades," Megatron insisted.

"As you wish, Lord Megatron."

Raising the tools, she clicked them together with an evil grin.

"Then let the transformations begin."