Waking up in the body of Skyquake, a one-off character and Decepticon split spark-twin brother of Dreadwing, I decided to throw my lot in with Optimus Prime and his small band of Autobots. Besides Optimus offered the original Skyquake to join him before he was rejected, so why not take the opportunity? Team Prime might appreciate some air support they badly needed. Self-Insert.
Air Superiority (Transformers Prime SI)
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Air Superiority Chapter 1
Hey there and how are you everyone? Warmachine375 here and I hope you are doing alright! This is my first time making a Self-Insert story titled as "Air Superiority" and it will be set in Transformers Prime, one of my favorite animated shows that I have enjoy binge watching and feeling nostalgic.
That also includes Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising tv movie as well.
Synopsis: "Waking up in the body of Skyquake, a one-off character and Decepticon split spark-twin brother of Dreadwing, I decided to throw my lot in with Optimus Prime and his small band of Autobots. Besides Optimus offered the original Skyquake to join him before he was rejected, so why not take the opportunity? Team Prime might appreciate some air support they badly needed."
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime and its cast of characters. They belong to Hasbro.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Owww, my eyes! Is it 8am in the morning already? Ughhh!
I hate it when someone opened the curtains of my window with the bright light shining to my face.
It happens every time after I overslept!
Not a morning person myself, I have need to stretch my everything and go for a walk to shrug off the drowsiness in me! Not to mention, the sudden rush of energy flowing through me as if someone injected a huge glass filled with coffee into my body all in one go. Aw man, I feel so stiff all over my body. Like I hadn't moved for a long time an-.
Wait a minute, why is my vision looking a lot better than it should be? I had glasses to wear all the time. And who's that giant lanky robot with red optics, jet fighter wings, two missiles on top of the forearms, and high heels standing in front of me?
And the outside looks like we are in some desert canyon.
He looks awfully familiar though.
Wait...
Oh no...
"Awaken my warrior! Rise and serve your new master!", he bombastically declared to me with a deep throaty tone.
Ah, scrapbaskets! It's Starscream! The treacherous backstabbing second in command of Megatron and current leader of the Decepticons if I recall correctly. Megatron recently got blown up with the Space Bridge detonating, courtesy of Team Prime, which completely wiped out legions of Terrorcons that were raised by a huge chunk of Dark Energon thrown upon Cybertron filled with numerous dead bots.
And it almost killed him if it weren't for the Dark Energon shard directly added into his own spark. But it had left him severely wounded and on the brink of dying as his body is currently floating among the space debris.
With Starscream now in charge, he must be seeking out Skyquake. The body of this powerful Seeker I somehow woke up in, and he wants me to join him as an example to motivate the Decepticon forces, who are obviously not impressed with his arrogant empty speeches and utterly terrible track record that he accumulated in his whole career.
As if I'd throw my lot in with that backstabbing bastard!
And that I rather not let the Decepticons, including Soundwave the resident creepy-as-hell spymaster, eventually discover I was a human inhabiting a Cybertronian in mind and soul if they noticed something is really off with me. Especially when I don't want to attack humans and refuse to commit evil acts in the name of Megatron.
Worst case scenario, I might end up in the dissection table of Knock Out like what happened to Silas who had his grievously injured body installed within the dead body of Breakdown by MECH. Not only that, the Cons have the Cortical Psychic Patch, which is at their Nemesis warship, who also probably happens to be Trypticon under permanent alt-mode stasis, and they won't be afraid to use it on me.
Then there's also Dreadwing, the twin brother of the original Skyquake, who might probably sense something off from the Spark I now share with him after waking up in this body. At some point, he might even come to Earth and investigate what happened to his brother because of this.
Good thing that we can only sense each other by the shared Spark, not read each other's minds.
Either way, I don't want to take any chances if I choose to remain a Decepticon.
Better play the part of a big scary-looking Seeker toward Starscream until Optimus Prime shows up and offers me a spot in Team Prime. Unlike the original Skyquake who had outright refused and died on the same day, I'm going to accept it and live.
It is preferable safer option to avoid Skyquake's canon fate and I know the Autobots are the winning team in the end as Knock Out would say. As such, I'm going to pull my weight upon joining them by being their dependable air support bot!
Besides with this body and deep intimidating voice of Skyquake I now possess, this shouldn't be hard to pull off.
Emerging from the stasis pod and my new Cybertronian body felt really heavy and powerful in my first steps on the ground, I smashed up my metallic fists above me to show off and and said with a simple strong statement, "Skyquake serves only one master!"
Wow, that's a really deep voice when I spoke as Skyquake and I'm liking it already!
Starscream smirked with satisfaction as if he had won the jackpot, "Excellent. Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake. You may bow."
Oh my Primus, the utter delusion of this idiot. Time to burst his fragile bubble as I retorted with a grip of my servo, "You fail to grasp what I'm talking about. I am here on a mission assigned to me by my one true master Megatron."
The original Skyquake's mission was to guard the Energon deposits on Earth and if I join the Autobots, I can offer them the coordinates to their locations, found within the memories of my Cybertronian head. As a generous gift they cannot refuse even if they have strong reservations at me being an ex-Decepticon. Team Prime is always having problems with their constantly short Energon supply after all.
Including that infamous Synthetic Energon fiasco with Ratchet and the incomplete formula he drugged himself into his systems.
Not to mention their heavy dependence on human technology provided to them, which is incompatible with Cybertronian programs albeit mitigated with Rafael Equisvel's invaluable help.
On the other hand, note to self: help the Autobots find the crash site of Harbinger ship and claim it for themselves to bolster their war effort. The resources and Cybertronian technology found within would prove very beneficial to them in the long run. Including the Immobilizer prototype weapon and also the five Protoforms stored inside the laboratory too as well.
Starscream looked really irritated, trying to futilely win me over. "Yes... Him... Sadly, Megatron is no longer with us."
I feigned my outrage in response, "Impossible! Megatron can never be defeated!"
Which it is actually very true because Megatron never really stays dead for long in a nutshell and it shows.
If I had an Energon cube every time Megatron was killed but later comes back alive, I have two Energon cubes. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice. Or was it three Energon cubes since Megatron got his ass pounded down by Metroplex as hard as he can, which Soundwave later had to rebuild and revive him after that back on Cybertron?
Even then, it is really, really, reaaaalllly difficult to take down the former gladiator-turned-supreme leader of the Decepticons who was quite well known for his savage might, combat experience and cunning that had slain countless Autobots in his path for conquest and iron fisted tyranny.
"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?...", Starscream comments in frustration of being on the receiving end of the skepticism before raising his voice at me. "Skyquake, I located you! I awakened you! Thus, I, Lord Starscream, am now your new master!"
He conveniently forgot that it was Soundwave who found Skyquake's stasis pod and provided the Energon cube to wake him up, or rather me in the Seeker's body. And he took the credit for himself. Not that Soundwave seemed to mind at all and preferred actions speaking louder than words for him.
In response, I gave Starscream a scare by growling at him menacingly and getting too close on his personal space with intention to grab him with my servos, much to his growing panic. "Oh really? I'd rather side with a Prime than bow to a treacherous backstabber like you. At least he has Courage and Honor and is a worthy opponent Megatron respects. Compared to him, you have none of those!"
Damn, Starscream looked like he is about to angrily choke an Energon cube shoved down his throat for that well-deserved jab at him.
"It's been a while, Skyquake."
I turn to the right to see the Robot Space Jesus himself in his red and blue truck-like glory as he called out to me with a deep dignified baritone. Honestly, it feels quite comforting and fatherly when I hear it.
Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots with the Matrix of Leadership stored within him, and he is approaching me and Starscream by his lonesome to negotiate. I already figured that Bumblebee is staying behind from a safe distance by his orders. It doesn't take a genius to know he's obviously worried for Optimus coming towards the two Decepticons, both dangerous in their own right.
Pushing away the Decepticon leader wannabe from me, I called out to him, "Optimus Prime! I haven't seen you since the Battle of Technahar. Megatron ordered me to annihilate you."
Accessing those memories of that specific event, I saw that the mission had failed miserably because no one can really take down Optimus Prime at all in battle regardless if you are formidable in your own right and/or have the numbers on your side. Even Megatron himself knew it's a fool's errand as he specifically warned Dreadwing not to attempt it and later on, rubbed it in his face when that backfired on him.
Oh, and the order the original Skyquake had claimed that it still stands? He said that out of pride after failing Megatron and intended to try it again upon meeting the Autobot leader once more.
Good thing that I won't carry it out anymore and it's a stupid ass order I elected to ignore it.
"That was a long time ago.", Optimus pointed out, not having fond memories of the war that ravaged Cybertron and its people.
I nodded in agreement with him, "That may be, Prime. Because of your fighting skills, tactical prowess and strength, you are truly Megatron's equal! Only he can match you on even terms where no one else could!"
Oh scrap, that made Prime feel somber after being reminded of his former brother back when they were close allies prior to everything falling apart during the Great War. I must have hit a sore spot on Optimus after he believed that Megatron had completely perished at the Space Bridge's colossal explosion from his point of view.
It really weighs heavily on him and his emotional state.
Optimus then made his compelling speech to Starscream and I, "Is this ancient war still worth fighting? When so many comrades have been lost and worlds destroyed. If you want to be a true leader Starscream, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decepticons toward peace!"
Like that's ever going to happen as I roll my red optics and waited for his ever predictable response.
"I would be... willing to consider a truce. ... If you would be willing to bow before me, Optimus Prime.", the de facto Decepticon commander responded with an amused smirk at the offer.
Yup, there it is and that's my cue.
"Again?! Bow to this!", I yelled and backhanded Starscream so hard he went crashing hard into the canyon behind him.
Getting up in agony from the blow I gave him, Starscream immediately transformed into his F-16 Fighting Falcon alt-mode and flew away from me, back to where Soundwave is observing from the high ground. Leaving me alone with Optimus Prime.
The Autobot leader then turned to me, "Skyquake, this is a new era on another world! Side with the Autobots and help me end this conflict forever!"
"I see... Tell me. Is it true, Prime? That Megatron is gone. Starscream claimed it so when he awakened me, but that's coming from a liar like him. So I would like to hear it from you...", I demanded while looking like a serious skeptic to him and knowing that Optimus is a terrible liar anyway.
This is the same bot who gave Jack Darby the key to Vector Sigma and claimed that it's for the Ground Bridge's Energon supply line while not in eye contact with him and blinking his optics many times.
Optimus nodded to me directly without a blink, "... Yes, it is true, Skyquake. Megatron is dead. Although, he has perished not by my hand. But by his own twisted arrogance. Desecrating the dead people of Cybertron from their rest with Dark Energon as his army to ravage Earth and many other worlds had my comrades and I failed to stop him."
I winced as I remember that the original Skyquake suffered the fate of becoming a Terrorcon thanks to Starscream using the shard of Dark Energon on the body and himself albeit temporarily. Only for the said zombie Seeker end up inside the Shadowzone for eternity thanks to the two Ground Bridges appearing together at the same time.
That is a dishonorable act which is unforgivable.
Dreadwing felt the same way after he found out Starscream used Dark Energon to revive the original Skyquake's corpse, a mockery to his brother's memory through the Cortical Psychic Patch he watched from the viewscreen. As an added insult to injury, Starscream was welcomed back by Megatron as his second-in-command once again after reviewing his memories together.
Which made the Seeker captain finally disillusioned with the Decepticon cause and smuggled the Forge of Solus Prime to give it to Team Prime he contacted.
Still it's a shame that he remained a stubborn bastard to not swallow his pride and defect to the Autobots when Optimus made his offer one last time. Look where that got him, he was unceremoniously killed by Megatron for trying to kill Starscream, the perpetrator and disobeying the Decepticon leader's orders to stand down.
Had he joined, he would have gotten a shot at taking down Starscream and claim his spark in revenge or justice, or even both, for the original Skyquake when Team Prime battled Megatron and his forces for the capture of four Omega Keys to the Omega Lock for the revitalization of Cybertron.
Oh well, time to make my decision and stick to it.
"Very well, Prime. I will join you. But, I have one condition.", I declared with the raise of my left servo at Optimus.
I had to do this in order to throw off suspicion from Soundwave and Starscream who are observing our interaction from afar on the clifftop A salty Starscream would declare me a traitor for defecting to the Autobots instead of bowing to him as he expected. His short-sighted scheme of using me as a glorified poster boy for loyalty to him ruined.
The Decepticon leader wannabe would eventually go into space and find a barely alive Megatron floating there among the Space Bridge's ruins with Laserbeak following him.
On the other hand, Soundwave will see it as Skyquake pledging loyalty to the one who beat him fair and square similarly like in the gladiatorial days at the pits of Kaon. The ever silent-by-choice Decepticon was a gladiator alongside Megatron after all. He can also multi-task as well like deploying Laserbeak to keep an eye on the self-styled successor of Megatron and convince him to take their leader back to the Nemesis for immediate stasis on life support at its sick bay.
It is better safe than sorry.
And that, I also wanted to try out the abilities of Skyquake's body and get used to it now that I am more machine than man, as a Cybertronian more specifically. Along with using the cool gatling gun weapon I now carry at my and also getting an alt-mode as well as a bonus.
Agent Fowler, the human liaison to Team Prime, will be showing up with his high-tech military jet he pilots, and I intend to scan it as soon as possible when I lay my optics on it.
Besides, I really wanted to try flying in the skies! As a giant transforming jet fighter robot! It will be like a duck takes water. No one is taking that away from me! Yeesssssss!
"And what is your condition?", Optimus asked in anticipation from me.
I answered with a battle-eager grin on my faceplate, "The condition is that I face you in an honorable duel between us. Just you and me... To settle the score where we left off from the Battle of Technahar once and for all. If you win, I will pledge my loyalty to you Prime. But if I win..."
"You will remain with the Decepticons...", the Prime finished with frown but understood my meaning, clearly knowing that Dreadwing and the original Skyquake are honor-bound to the one who had bested them in a duel and they followed Megatron because of that.
"Then we are in agreement. Prepare yourself, Prime!", I stated before making a basic fighting stance and readying myself for a fight of my life against the Autobot leader who had fought in battle for countless eons.
"Bumblebee, do not interfere. I will handle this.", Optimus ordered to his teammate behind him as he too is ready to battle as he saw it as the way to gain my loyalty. He also looked relieved that he was able to reason at least one Decepticon to change his ways and join him.
"Roger that, Prime. Be careful...", the Autobot scout reluctantly complied with beeping noises, which I can hear what he's saying.
Whoa, Cybertronians really do understand what Bumblebee was talking about the whole time despite his lack of a voice box no thanks to Megatron. Meanwhile, Rafael Esquivel, the child genius, must have figured it out like it's a Morse Code to him while Jack Darby and Miko Nakadai are unable to do so, having to rely on their Autobot guardians or their friend to translate Bumblebee's beeping sounds for them.
I might have an interesting conversation with that yellow bot when this is over.
While I know I'm gonna lose to Optimus Prime in a straight up fight, I'm giving it my all! And this is where the fun begins.
And so, I charged at him with a loud bellow and throw the first punch!
Let's get ready to rumble!
Author's Note: Okay, Chapter 1 of "Air Superiority" is done and I hope you like it. SI Skyquake wakes up in this Seeker's body from stasis and decides to throw his lot in with Optimus Prime who did offer his original counterpart a place in the Autobots and unlike the latter, he accepted it. But not before requesting an honorable duel with Optimus as a way to play it off as the Split-Spark twins being honorable while Starscream and Soundwave were watching from afar.
Not that Starscream would care and was being salty of being roasted and mocked which he deserves it, but Soundwave would observe it personally which SI Skyquake is wary of him the most. Always look out for the quiet ones as Knock Out would say.
Oh boy, Team Prime would be in for a surprise when Optimus and Bumblebee bring back a new member to the roster.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
That also includes Transformers Prime Beast Hunters: Predacons Rising tv movie as well.
Synopsis: "Waking up in the body of Skyquake, a one-off character and Decepticon split spark-twin brother of Dreadwing, I decided to throw my lot in with Optimus Prime and his small band of Autobots. Besides Optimus offered the original Skyquake to join him before he was rejected, so why not take the opportunity? Team Prime might appreciate some air support they badly needed."
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime and its cast of characters. They belong to Hasbro.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Chapter 1
Owww, my eyes! Is it 8am in the morning already? Ughhh!
I hate it when someone opened the curtains of my window with the bright light shining to my face.
It happens every time after I overslept!
Not a morning person myself, I have need to stretch my everything and go for a walk to shrug off the drowsiness in me! Not to mention, the sudden rush of energy flowing through me as if someone injected a huge glass filled with coffee into my body all in one go. Aw man, I feel so stiff all over my body. Like I hadn't moved for a long time an-.
Wait a minute, why is my vision looking a lot better than it should be? I had glasses to wear all the time. And who's that giant lanky robot with red optics, jet fighter wings, two missiles on top of the forearms, and high heels standing in front of me?
And the outside looks like we are in some desert canyon.
He looks awfully familiar though.
Wait...
Oh no...
"Awaken my warrior! Rise and serve your new master!", he bombastically declared to me with a deep throaty tone.
Ah, scrapbaskets! It's Starscream! The treacherous backstabbing second in command of Megatron and current leader of the Decepticons if I recall correctly. Megatron recently got blown up with the Space Bridge detonating, courtesy of Team Prime, which completely wiped out legions of Terrorcons that were raised by a huge chunk of Dark Energon thrown upon Cybertron filled with numerous dead bots.
And it almost killed him if it weren't for the Dark Energon shard directly added into his own spark. But it had left him severely wounded and on the brink of dying as his body is currently floating among the space debris.
With Starscream now in charge, he must be seeking out Skyquake. The body of this powerful Seeker I somehow woke up in, and he wants me to join him as an example to motivate the Decepticon forces, who are obviously not impressed with his arrogant empty speeches and utterly terrible track record that he accumulated in his whole career.
As if I'd throw my lot in with that backstabbing bastard!
And that I rather not let the Decepticons, including Soundwave the resident creepy-as-hell spymaster, eventually discover I was a human inhabiting a Cybertronian in mind and soul if they noticed something is really off with me. Especially when I don't want to attack humans and refuse to commit evil acts in the name of Megatron.
Worst case scenario, I might end up in the dissection table of Knock Out like what happened to Silas who had his grievously injured body installed within the dead body of Breakdown by MECH. Not only that, the Cons have the Cortical Psychic Patch, which is at their Nemesis warship, who also probably happens to be Trypticon under permanent alt-mode stasis, and they won't be afraid to use it on me.
Then there's also Dreadwing, the twin brother of the original Skyquake, who might probably sense something off from the Spark I now share with him after waking up in this body. At some point, he might even come to Earth and investigate what happened to his brother because of this.
Good thing that we can only sense each other by the shared Spark, not read each other's minds.
Either way, I don't want to take any chances if I choose to remain a Decepticon.
Better play the part of a big scary-looking Seeker toward Starscream until Optimus Prime shows up and offers me a spot in Team Prime. Unlike the original Skyquake who had outright refused and died on the same day, I'm going to accept it and live.
It is preferable safer option to avoid Skyquake's canon fate and I know the Autobots are the winning team in the end as Knock Out would say. As such, I'm going to pull my weight upon joining them by being their dependable air support bot!
Besides with this body and deep intimidating voice of Skyquake I now possess, this shouldn't be hard to pull off.
Emerging from the stasis pod and my new Cybertronian body felt really heavy and powerful in my first steps on the ground, I smashed up my metallic fists above me to show off and and said with a simple strong statement, "Skyquake serves only one master!"
Wow, that's a really deep voice when I spoke as Skyquake and I'm liking it already!
Starscream smirked with satisfaction as if he had won the jackpot, "Excellent. Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake. You may bow."
Oh my Primus, the utter delusion of this idiot. Time to burst his fragile bubble as I retorted with a grip of my servo, "You fail to grasp what I'm talking about. I am here on a mission assigned to me by my one true master Megatron."
The original Skyquake's mission was to guard the Energon deposits on Earth and if I join the Autobots, I can offer them the coordinates to their locations, found within the memories of my Cybertronian head. As a generous gift they cannot refuse even if they have strong reservations at me being an ex-Decepticon. Team Prime is always having problems with their constantly short Energon supply after all.
Including that infamous Synthetic Energon fiasco with Ratchet and the incomplete formula he drugged himself into his systems.
Not to mention their heavy dependence on human technology provided to them, which is incompatible with Cybertronian programs albeit mitigated with Rafael Equisvel's invaluable help.
On the other hand, note to self: help the Autobots find the crash site of Harbinger ship and claim it for themselves to bolster their war effort. The resources and Cybertronian technology found within would prove very beneficial to them in the long run. Including the Immobilizer prototype weapon and also the five Protoforms stored inside the laboratory too as well.
Starscream looked really irritated, trying to futilely win me over. "Yes... Him... Sadly, Megatron is no longer with us."
I feigned my outrage in response, "Impossible! Megatron can never be defeated!"
Which it is actually very true because Megatron never really stays dead for long in a nutshell and it shows.
If I had an Energon cube every time Megatron was killed but later comes back alive, I have two Energon cubes. Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice. Or was it three Energon cubes since Megatron got his ass pounded down by Metroplex as hard as he can, which Soundwave later had to rebuild and revive him after that back on Cybertron?
Even then, it is really, really, reaaaalllly difficult to take down the former gladiator-turned-supreme leader of the Decepticons who was quite well known for his savage might, combat experience and cunning that had slain countless Autobots in his path for conquest and iron fisted tyranny.
"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?...", Starscream comments in frustration of being on the receiving end of the skepticism before raising his voice at me. "Skyquake, I located you! I awakened you! Thus, I, Lord Starscream, am now your new master!"
He conveniently forgot that it was Soundwave who found Skyquake's stasis pod and provided the Energon cube to wake him up, or rather me in the Seeker's body. And he took the credit for himself. Not that Soundwave seemed to mind at all and preferred actions speaking louder than words for him.
In response, I gave Starscream a scare by growling at him menacingly and getting too close on his personal space with intention to grab him with my servos, much to his growing panic. "Oh really? I'd rather side with a Prime than bow to a treacherous backstabber like you. At least he has Courage and Honor and is a worthy opponent Megatron respects. Compared to him, you have none of those!"
Damn, Starscream looked like he is about to angrily choke an Energon cube shoved down his throat for that well-deserved jab at him.
"It's been a while, Skyquake."
I turn to the right to see the Robot Space Jesus himself in his red and blue truck-like glory as he called out to me with a deep dignified baritone. Honestly, it feels quite comforting and fatherly when I hear it.
Optimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots with the Matrix of Leadership stored within him, and he is approaching me and Starscream by his lonesome to negotiate. I already figured that Bumblebee is staying behind from a safe distance by his orders. It doesn't take a genius to know he's obviously worried for Optimus coming towards the two Decepticons, both dangerous in their own right.
Pushing away the Decepticon leader wannabe from me, I called out to him, "Optimus Prime! I haven't seen you since the Battle of Technahar. Megatron ordered me to annihilate you."
Accessing those memories of that specific event, I saw that the mission had failed miserably because no one can really take down Optimus Prime at all in battle regardless if you are formidable in your own right and/or have the numbers on your side. Even Megatron himself knew it's a fool's errand as he specifically warned Dreadwing not to attempt it and later on, rubbed it in his face when that backfired on him.
Oh, and the order the original Skyquake had claimed that it still stands? He said that out of pride after failing Megatron and intended to try it again upon meeting the Autobot leader once more.
Good thing that I won't carry it out anymore and it's a stupid ass order I elected to ignore it.
"That was a long time ago.", Optimus pointed out, not having fond memories of the war that ravaged Cybertron and its people.
I nodded in agreement with him, "That may be, Prime. Because of your fighting skills, tactical prowess and strength, you are truly Megatron's equal! Only he can match you on even terms where no one else could!"
Oh scrap, that made Prime feel somber after being reminded of his former brother back when they were close allies prior to everything falling apart during the Great War. I must have hit a sore spot on Optimus after he believed that Megatron had completely perished at the Space Bridge's colossal explosion from his point of view.
It really weighs heavily on him and his emotional state.
Optimus then made his compelling speech to Starscream and I, "Is this ancient war still worth fighting? When so many comrades have been lost and worlds destroyed. If you want to be a true leader Starscream, then stray from Megatron's path and lead the Decepticons toward peace!"
Like that's ever going to happen as I roll my red optics and waited for his ever predictable response.
"I would be... willing to consider a truce. ... If you would be willing to bow before me, Optimus Prime.", the de facto Decepticon commander responded with an amused smirk at the offer.
Yup, there it is and that's my cue.
"Again?! Bow to this!", I yelled and backhanded Starscream so hard he went crashing hard into the canyon behind him.
Getting up in agony from the blow I gave him, Starscream immediately transformed into his F-16 Fighting Falcon alt-mode and flew away from me, back to where Soundwave is observing from the high ground. Leaving me alone with Optimus Prime.
The Autobot leader then turned to me, "Skyquake, this is a new era on another world! Side with the Autobots and help me end this conflict forever!"
"I see... Tell me. Is it true, Prime? That Megatron is gone. Starscream claimed it so when he awakened me, but that's coming from a liar like him. So I would like to hear it from you...", I demanded while looking like a serious skeptic to him and knowing that Optimus is a terrible liar anyway.
This is the same bot who gave Jack Darby the key to Vector Sigma and claimed that it's for the Ground Bridge's Energon supply line while not in eye contact with him and blinking his optics many times.
Optimus nodded to me directly without a blink, "... Yes, it is true, Skyquake. Megatron is dead. Although, he has perished not by my hand. But by his own twisted arrogance. Desecrating the dead people of Cybertron from their rest with Dark Energon as his army to ravage Earth and many other worlds had my comrades and I failed to stop him."
I winced as I remember that the original Skyquake suffered the fate of becoming a Terrorcon thanks to Starscream using the shard of Dark Energon on the body and himself albeit temporarily. Only for the said zombie Seeker end up inside the Shadowzone for eternity thanks to the two Ground Bridges appearing together at the same time.
That is a dishonorable act which is unforgivable.
Dreadwing felt the same way after he found out Starscream used Dark Energon to revive the original Skyquake's corpse, a mockery to his brother's memory through the Cortical Psychic Patch he watched from the viewscreen. As an added insult to injury, Starscream was welcomed back by Megatron as his second-in-command once again after reviewing his memories together.
Which made the Seeker captain finally disillusioned with the Decepticon cause and smuggled the Forge of Solus Prime to give it to Team Prime he contacted.
Still it's a shame that he remained a stubborn bastard to not swallow his pride and defect to the Autobots when Optimus made his offer one last time. Look where that got him, he was unceremoniously killed by Megatron for trying to kill Starscream, the perpetrator and disobeying the Decepticon leader's orders to stand down.
Had he joined, he would have gotten a shot at taking down Starscream and claim his spark in revenge or justice, or even both, for the original Skyquake when Team Prime battled Megatron and his forces for the capture of four Omega Keys to the Omega Lock for the revitalization of Cybertron.
Oh well, time to make my decision and stick to it.
"Very well, Prime. I will join you. But, I have one condition.", I declared with the raise of my left servo at Optimus.
I had to do this in order to throw off suspicion from Soundwave and Starscream who are observing our interaction from afar on the clifftop A salty Starscream would declare me a traitor for defecting to the Autobots instead of bowing to him as he expected. His short-sighted scheme of using me as a glorified poster boy for loyalty to him ruined.
The Decepticon leader wannabe would eventually go into space and find a barely alive Megatron floating there among the Space Bridge's ruins with Laserbeak following him.
On the other hand, Soundwave will see it as Skyquake pledging loyalty to the one who beat him fair and square similarly like in the gladiatorial days at the pits of Kaon. The ever silent-by-choice Decepticon was a gladiator alongside Megatron after all. He can also multi-task as well like deploying Laserbeak to keep an eye on the self-styled successor of Megatron and convince him to take their leader back to the Nemesis for immediate stasis on life support at its sick bay.
It is better safe than sorry.
And that, I also wanted to try out the abilities of Skyquake's body and get used to it now that I am more machine than man, as a Cybertronian more specifically. Along with using the cool gatling gun weapon I now carry at my and also getting an alt-mode as well as a bonus.
Agent Fowler, the human liaison to Team Prime, will be showing up with his high-tech military jet he pilots, and I intend to scan it as soon as possible when I lay my optics on it.
Besides, I really wanted to try flying in the skies! As a giant transforming jet fighter robot! It will be like a duck takes water. No one is taking that away from me! Yeesssssss!
"And what is your condition?", Optimus asked in anticipation from me.
I answered with a battle-eager grin on my faceplate, "The condition is that I face you in an honorable duel between us. Just you and me... To settle the score where we left off from the Battle of Technahar once and for all. If you win, I will pledge my loyalty to you Prime. But if I win..."
"You will remain with the Decepticons...", the Prime finished with frown but understood my meaning, clearly knowing that Dreadwing and the original Skyquake are honor-bound to the one who had bested them in a duel and they followed Megatron because of that.
"Then we are in agreement. Prepare yourself, Prime!", I stated before making a basic fighting stance and readying myself for a fight of my life against the Autobot leader who had fought in battle for countless eons.
"Bumblebee, do not interfere. I will handle this.", Optimus ordered to his teammate behind him as he too is ready to battle as he saw it as the way to gain my loyalty. He also looked relieved that he was able to reason at least one Decepticon to change his ways and join him.
"Roger that, Prime. Be careful...", the Autobot scout reluctantly complied with beeping noises, which I can hear what he's saying.
Whoa, Cybertronians really do understand what Bumblebee was talking about the whole time despite his lack of a voice box no thanks to Megatron. Meanwhile, Rafael Esquivel, the child genius, must have figured it out like it's a Morse Code to him while Jack Darby and Miko Nakadai are unable to do so, having to rely on their Autobot guardians or their friend to translate Bumblebee's beeping sounds for them.
I might have an interesting conversation with that yellow bot when this is over.
While I know I'm gonna lose to Optimus Prime in a straight up fight, I'm giving it my all! And this is where the fun begins.
And so, I charged at him with a loud bellow and throw the first punch!
Let's get ready to rumble!
Author's Note: Okay, Chapter 1 of "Air Superiority" is done and I hope you like it. SI Skyquake wakes up in this Seeker's body from stasis and decides to throw his lot in with Optimus Prime who did offer his original counterpart a place in the Autobots and unlike the latter, he accepted it. But not before requesting an honorable duel with Optimus as a way to play it off as the Split-Spark twins being honorable while Starscream and Soundwave were watching from afar.
Not that Starscream would care and was being salty of being roasted and mocked which he deserves it, but Soundwave would observe it personally which SI Skyquake is wary of him the most. Always look out for the quiet ones as Knock Out would say.
Oh boy, Team Prime would be in for a surprise when Optimus and Bumblebee bring back a new member to the roster.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
That's assuming Metroplex is intact enough after all this time to be rezzed.
I checked that the Emberstone is used to seed new worlds with life, not revive the dead. Space Robot Jesus does not count at all and you know it.
If such Relic ends up on Team Prime's hands, Optimus would rather have the Emberstone be used to bring back life to Cybertron when it's restored as an alternative if the container of the AllSpark cannot be reached due to the dangerous plasma storm at Theta Scorpii.
If it falls to Megatron, he would want to use it to create a new army of powerful warriors loyal only to him, and he'd have Shockwave to study it and learn more of its secrets behind the Relic.
Not to mention the massive amount of Energon needed to supply Metroplex. His entire colossal body's own Energon was enough to fuel the Ark and it killed him after he transferring all of it to the ship as a heroic sacrifice so that Optimus and his fellow Autobots can leave Cybertron at last.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Even when you go somewhere secure, Soundwave is not far behind with Laserbeak tailing after you and he is a walking case of Beware the Quiet Ones for a good reason as Airachnid found out the hard way.
Glad you liked it.
Krazyfan1
Worrying for the future.
- Location
- Australia
As Javik once said.
kinda hope that he learns not to focus on Honor over common sense...
SI Skyquake has common sense to join Optimus so he can live but he had to play himself as honorable like Dreadwing to throw off suspicion from Starscream and Soundwave.
You'd be wary too if a dangerous enemy instantly decided to accept your offer without question or doubt and you wonder what's his angle or hidden agenda from your point of view.
So basically he has to put on a convincing performance while testing out his new body's capabilities at the same time.
A lot of pain from Prime time smackdown but it will be worth it. No pain, no gain.
You're welcome and glad you like the story.
SuperQuatz96
Slick Beerus
Skyquake suggestion is fair. Looking forward to see more of this.
"NAY KNAVE! You will formally surrender to the Decepticons and sign a Treaty of surrender and to never set pede on any planet occupied by a Decepticons!"
Optimus: So if I win I gain an Ally, I lose I get the peace I asked for? Decisions decisions...
That's hilarious because Optimus takes anything seriously and humor or sarcasm flies over his head.
View: https://youtu.be/bzBBRRXDQok?si=XckR7psE50jZ9GYO
Chapter 2
Hey, everyone! I'm back with the second chapter of "Air Superiority". After waking up as Skyquake, he decided to accept Optimus's offer but only after the Autobot leader bested him in an honorable duel between them as a way to not make Starscream and Soundwave suspicious, along with checking what he can do as a powerful Seeker. Thank you for the support for this fic and I appreciate it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime and its cast of characters. They belong to Hasbro.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
When I charged at Optimus Prime and threw the first punch with my right servo to begin the duel, the leader of the Autobots quickly formed a battle mask from his face and returned the favor with his left servo.
As both our opposing metallic fists collide with each other powerfully on impact, we created a small but powerful shockwave that caused the ground we stand on to shake and disturb some rocks as a result! Neither of us had moved an inch from that clash. Oh my Primus, Optimus is really that strong! It's a good thing that I requested a one-on-one between myself and Prime.
To test out the capabilities of the body of this Seeker who once tried to take out Optimus at the Battle of Technahar and the present day, and that Optimus was caught off guard by the original Skyquake who attacked him immediately after rejecting his offer. With this duel between us, the Autobot leader was prepared and had demonstrated what he can do.
And he certainly did not disappoint.
Thanks to that confirmation, I saw Optimus raised his right servo to hammer fist me. Which I then took his hit directly with my tough torso and barely hid my wince from that. Damn, he really hits like a truck! No pun intended, and I intend to return the favor! I retaliated with a powerful left hook attack at the face of Robot Space Jesus.
The blow connected with a powerful smashing impact! But Optimus then easily shrugged it off, not even his battle mask had a crack at all and it held strong just like his body and willpower of a Prime.
He even moved his face in my direction despite my metallic fist was embedded in it!
That shocked me as I was expecting it to shatter to pieces with my punch, which left me wide open to Optimus grabbing my left arm before he judo flipped me hard into the ground. I felt a lot of pain on my back and it hurts! I grabbed his said arm to throw him away for a few meters. The Autobot leader landed on his feet with ease before he looked up to see me running towards and jumped to use both of my pedes to double kick him in the chest, pushing him back a few meters away from me.
Getting up from the ground and shrugging off the pain from my back, I swore that I overheard Starscream's loud commentary despite being far away in a safe distance. He really has no indoor voice with full of ham as he demanded Soundwave to not miss a single moment of the fight for the historical record of the Decepticons. Apparently, he didn't know about the honorable duel held between Optimus and I, and he intended to take credit of me defeating the Autobot leader under his command.
The Decepticon leader wannabe in his delusion believed there is still some salvaging of his already failed scheme.
It'd be so amusing to imagine Soundwave bursting his ever fragile bubble upon revealing what really happened in our duel when they're back at the Nemesis, and Starscream would be salty as ever.
And then, I picked up sounds of Starscream transforming back to his F-16 Fighting Falcon alt-mode to fly up to space where Megatron is hanging around there. Which means Soundwave is now alone as a single spectator of my fight with Optimus.
Meanwhile, I brandished my gatling gun weapon from my back to check if it's damaged from the impact of Optimus judo flipping me. So far, I noticed that it didn't suffer any yet so far, before I cast it aside on the ground.
I am not firing my weapon like the original Skyquake did with reckless abandon and I had to resume the duel. I will save it for the Decepticon forces in battle when fighting as a member of Team Prime. I saw Optimus noticing me discarding my primary weapon and he did the same as well by not bringing out his arm cannons and arm blades for this battle.
Nodding in appreciation of fighting with only our servos and pedes in melee combat, I charged towards Prime with the latter doing the same, and we threw powerful punches at each other!
Sparks and metal smashing sounds resonate from our clash and it can be heard echoing throughout the desert canyon. Sometimes, the punches impacted together and other, they landed blows on our faces and bodies. When I got punched in the face by Optimus, I manage to shrug it off a bit and then hit him back with an uppercut at his chin. The Autobot leader was briefly stunned by the blow but he recovered quickly just in time to block my next punch of my left servo with his right arm.
Parrying my arm away, Optimus bombarded me with a barrage of punches, never losing the momentum and I felt a lot of agony from the Prime time smackdown. It is obvious that Robot Space Jesus is determined to end the duel quickly as possible. Not dragging things out unlike Megatron would do as his way of showing off his superiority over anyone who stand against him and his lust for conquest and power, making an example out of them.
I, on the other hand, ain't gonna go down too quickly in my fight or else Soundwave would have picked up on me throwing the fight in Prime's favor and find something off. Enduring the punches from Optimus battering on my body, I finally caught his left metallic fist with my right servo before pulling him towards to punch him in the face.
Even though battle mask is still sturdy as ever to withstand my blows.
And then I unleashed the Spartan Kick, sending him crashing behind the canyon!
Prime recovered and dodged my right hammer fist strike which struck the canyon and shattered it instead by jumping around me. He really is quite agile for his size and he knows it. I turned around and threw another punch but Optimus parried it away and grabbed my head. He then smacked me in the stomach with his left knee repeatedly before throwing me aside to the ground, disorienting me as a result!
Thank Primus, if I was human, not a Cybertronian, I'd vomit out my last night's dinner by now.
Before I could recover and get back on my feet to continue the fighting, Optimus quickly grabbed me by my face with his right arm before pushing me down hard on the ground and then he dragged me right through it at full speed!
Owwwwwwwwww!
This is way worse than Robot Space Jesus demanding that you give him your face!
After that, he uppercut me in the chin with his left servo and I got Shoryuken-ed there! Making a finishing move, Optimus made a spinning flying kick on my head with his right pede and one of his truck form's spinning tires burning rubber at my thankfully noseless face, knocking me down hard into the ground with a large ground explosion!
I lay my back on the ground with a cracked crater from Prime's final attack that sealed my defeat.
If there is any consolation for me, at least I didn't do the Yamcha Pose or else it would have been very embarrassing.
After sustaining enough damage inflicted upon me by Optimus, I couldn't take it anymore. It was too much for me to handle and I had already reached my limit. The original Skyquake would have kept on going out of stubbornness and pride even when the odds are against him. And that ultimately got him killed in the end as a result.
But unlike him, I know when to fold them and right now, it's folding time.
"Skyquake, I have defeated you. Will you keep your word and side with the Autobots?...", Optimus asked as he approached and held out his right servo toward me, expecting my answer.
I narrowed my optics at him for a minute before grabbing his servo with my left metallic hand in a firm grip and declaring with a smile of warrior's respect, "... Yes, Prime. My loyalty belongs to you now. I swear this on my spark."
Putting away his battle mask, Optimus gave a nod of approval and relief as he helped me get up from the cracked ground. "Thank you, Skyquake. Bumblebee, you can come out now. We have a new comrade."
The yellow small Autobot left his hiding spot and greeted me with bleeping noises as he raised his left servo for a handshake albeit a bit nervous, "Um, uhhhh... Welcome to the team, big guy! I'm Bumblebee, nice to meet you! I hope we get along well together!"
Awww, man, he's such an adorkably nice scout who'd become a warrior and leader in his own right in the future. It's a shame that the original Skyquake merely saw him as a bug to squash and it bit him when Bumblebee tore his insides out after boarding on his jet fighter alt-mode for underestimating the little bot for it.
Even though my body is still reeling from the injuries of my defeat by Prime's hand, I reached out with my right servo to reciprocate the handshake and said, "Likewise, Bumblebee. You seem small but formidable warrior, I can tell."
Bumblebee sheepishly responded in beeps, "Oh thanks. But I'm just your friendly neighborhood scout, Skyquake. And you know what they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall!"
I agreed with that statement as Optimus had beaten me soundly despite being bigger than him and Bumblebee would be the one who ultimately stabbed Megatron in the spark chamber with the Star Saber, killing him (at least until Unicron revived him again as his unwilling vessel later on) and ending the war with ultimate Autobot victory.
Then I heard a certain sound of a familiar jet fighter coming by this area, which I grinned with anticipation because Special Agent Fowler has finally made his arrival here. The time has come to obtain my own flying alt-mode and I'm gonna take that opportunity!
"Fowler?", Optimus wondered as he looked up to see the human liaison's aircraft in the sky.
"Who is this Fowler, Prime?", I questioned with a faux curious look while preparing my Cybertronian body's Scanning for this moment and I saw what it appears to be a F-35 Lightning II.
The Robot Space Jesus explained as he turned to me, "Special Agent Fowler, he is the Autobots' liaison with the United States government on Earth. A dependable ally. Although, I did not expect his appearance."
Well, I did and if the original Skyquake had noticed him in the middle of a fight to fulfill his already failed mission in vain, Optimus would have tried warning Fowler to withdraw immediately albeit a little too late. Good thing, I am on his side now.
"I see, do you mind if I scan his vehicle, Prime? I lost my previous alt-mode after awakening from my millennia of stasis and I intend to regain my ability to fly again.", I requested with a look of anticipation.
Or rather, I gain my ability to fly for the first time for myself.
It turns out that if a Cybertronian were under stasis for far too long, they would lose their alt-mode and after awakening, they would have to find a new compatible vehicle to scan and transform into.
"Whoa, you lost your Cybertronian jet fighter mode? That does explain why you seemed so eager to fly again, big guy.", Bumblebee remarked with bleeps.
Optimus complied, "Of course, Skyquake. I will explain to Agent Fowler and vouch for you when he makes a visit back at base."
"My thanks, Prime.", I said with a nod of gratefulness.
No doubt the out of shape ex-Army Rangers man is gonna chew me out for copying his personal jet fighter as my new alt-mode without his permission. It's gonna be an amusing running gag when Dreadwing and Airachnid eventually show up and scan his vehicles, the same jet and the helicopter respectively when he appears before them.
Not only that, he would also be a strong skeptic at me being a defector from the Decepticons. Can't blame him since he got kidnapped by Soundwave and interrogated by Starscream for the location of the Autobot base. Unfortunate for them, he held out and refused to sell Team Prime out despite his doubts of their capability of defending Earth with limited botpower and resources until he was rescued and was grateful for it.
Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Right now, it's Scanning Time!
My optics glow green and fired a pair of beams toward Fowler's jet fighter, causing some electrical interference as well providing me with a complete schematic. I can imagine the agent's shock of being scanned out of nowhere and it will be the first of his unwanted experience with Cybertronians scanning his vehicles whenever he show up driving them after arriving on Earth.
After the procedure is complete, I grinned before jumping high and immediately transformed myself into my newly acquired alt-mode. It felt so strange but natural when my Cybertronian body shifts into vehicle form. It is like the equivalent of folding and compressing yourself and you stay in that position for a long while until you unfold your body and stretch yourself out.
When the transformation is done, I went full throttle toward the skies!
I got to tell you that being a jet fighter is pure unadulterated badass! It really felt amazing when I made some crazy flight maneuvers in the air! Maneuvers that not even the most crazy human pilots would dare pull them off without damaging their own internal organs by the intense G-Forces. I bet Agent Fowler would not not try that either despite his own aircraft was modified by Ratchet to allow him to fly without a flight suit.
Eat your heart out, Maverick!
I own the skies now!
Oh yeah!
With that fun joyride done, I flew right beside Team Prime's liaison in his jet fighter.
"Well, I'll be a bald eagle!", I overheard a surprised Agent Fowler commenting on my alt form.
I bombastically declared as loud as I can, "Air Superiority, achieved!"
When that is over, I flew down towards Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who were observing me flying in the sky with Agent Fowler's vehicle, before going up and quickly transformed back to my robot form in mid-air.
Graham Aker's Special Style!
And with a finishing touch, I did the Superhero Landing Pose upon landing on the ground!
"My wings are yours, Optimus Prime.", I stated with a proud grin, standing proud after experiencing my first personal flight experience and I am not letting the pain from my defeat undermine that moment.
"Ratchet, prepare a Ground Bridge. We are returning to base with a new ally on our side, and prepare for Agent Fowler once he arrives.", Optimus contacted after raising his left metallic finger to his helmet-like head.
"That was amazing, Skyquake! Better watch out Cons! Your monopoly of the sky is now over!", Bumblebee commented with bleeping noises.
That I agree on with the yellow Autobot scout.
While retrieving my gatling gun weapon on the ground and place it behind my back, I heard the voice of the Autobot medic responding to his leader's request and he sounded quite chipper for a grumpy bot like him, "Roger that, Optimus! A-and what do you mean a new ally? Is it another Autobot you've found on Earth?"
Optimus answered to him, "I will explain when we return, old friend."
A short while later, a Ground Bridge is opened in front of Optimus, Bumblebee and I. It's time for me to enter Autobot base and get myself acquainted with the other members of Team Prime and their human allies when they soon arrive.
As the two Autobots entered through the portal back to their base, I gazed above where Soundwave is silently watching the battle and its conclusion with my narrowed optics. The strong but silent-by-choice Decepticon is really creepy with his faceless visor including his appearance, which I compared him to the Cybertronian equivalent of Slenderman.
By then, he would soon leave the area after we're gone and return to the Nemesis where the dying Megatron would be plugged with life support at its medical bay after ensuring Starscream will bring his body back with Laserbeak watching his every move.
Hoping that Soundwave had taken the bait from my ploy to throw off suspicion as he's not infallible and flawed like everyone else including myself, I turned away from the true Second-In-Command of the Decepticons still looking at me and walked into the Ground Bridge.
At the Autobot Outpost Omega One
Upon stepping foot inside the base of the Autobots which was converted from a Cold War missile silo, Ratchet was shocked to see me, a Decepticon Seeker from his perspective, within their territory after turning off the Ground Bridge in my arrival. He transformed his arms into a pair of sharp precision blades in response to my presence.
I don't blame him for taking that action, because Team Prime had to make sure that none of the Cons would be able to discover their base's location and invade it by any means necessary.
Although, I do find it odd why Ratchet only has arm blades for melee as demonstrated with his expert use against the Terrorcons unleashed by Megatron who threw a piece of Dark Energon upon the graveyard of dead Cybertronian combatants as a demonstration to him and Optimus Prime. And yet the medic had no arm blasters when fighting alongside his fellow Autobots in the field so far.
After all, he had proved his mettle during the war for Cybertron with his willingness to use weapons in battling the Decepticons and protecting his injured patients while healing them subsequently.
Then again, Ratchet had an arm blowtorch used for repair and maintenance, and also torturing that unlucky Decepticon Miner he got his servos on during his Synthetic Energon-roid rage phase. Oh well, I will just ask him about it once I gain the would-be Doctor of Doom's trust eventually.
I simply stood on spot when Optimus reassured the medic from attacking me. "At ease, old friend. This is Skyquake. He has accepted my offer to side with us after he outright rejected Starscream and his leadership."
"You managed to convince a Decepticon to defect, Optimus? How did you do it?...", Ratchet said with a raised optic of skepticism.
"Yup, it's true! Optimus had beaten him in an honorable duel. If he won, Skyquake joins us. But if Skyquake won, he would have stayed with the Decepticons. He gave his word after he had his aft got kicked.", Bumblebee supported with beeping noises.
Ratchet frowned but nodded in understanding as he reverted his arm blades back to his servos, "I see, he's one of those honorable Decepticons. Quite a rare few in their ranks even though their honor and loyalty are completely misplaced with Megatron who doesn't deserve it. Which reminds me of Drift before he defected to the Autobots."
Even though I am actually aware who Drift is and his past, I asked, "Who is this Drift you're referring to? I've known most Decepticons before but I've never heard of him."
Bumblebee explained to me in beeping sounds, "Oh yeah, he was originally known as Deadlock but changed his name and his ways after he joined us, Skyquake. Drift was among the Autobots who left Cybertron and scattered across the stars."
Huh? That would mean Drift is currently a bounty hunter who's now hunting crooks and wrongdoers around the galaxy. Probably with his two Mini-Cons as his sidekicks or even himself as a lone wolf. He might even be a Triple Changer of sort for all I know, which is admittedly cooler and versatile. Either way, it's not like he will be coming to Earth anyway.
I only know so far that Wheeljack will be coming by for a visit and a Wreckers reunion with Bulkhead soon.
And I will be ready to deal with his imposter, Makeshift when he shows up.
"Does that mean I should change my name as well? Is it mandatory to be an Autobot?", I wondered with faux serious contemplation.
"There is no need for that, Skyquake. Drift is free to make his choices after leaving the Decepticons. You are free to make your own choice as well.", the Autobot leader stated to me.
I nodded while raising my left servo to my chest, "Then I will keep my name, Prime. It is who I am and nothing will change that."
Acknowledging my statement, Optimus turned to his old friend, "Ratchet, Skyquake is in need of repairs. He has sustained damage after I defeated him and earned his loyalty."
With his optics, Ratchet analyzed my entire chassis that has sustained some serious dents from Optimus's pounding from the fight I lost, "Very well, Optimus. Come, Skyquake. Let's get you fixed up."
"Thank you, doctor.", I said before following the Autobot medic to the medical facility for Cybertronians.
I removed my gatling gun weapon from my back and placed down on the floor. Then I entered into the Energon healing chamber where I prepare myself to be patched up under Ratchet's care. On the other hand, I can see that Optimus and Bumblebee are having a conversation of their own nearby the command center of the base there.
"I'm glad that we got a new friend on our side, Optimus and he can fly too. It's been a long time we had fliers since the Aerialbots back on Cybertron.", the Autobot scout remarked with beeping.
The leader of the Autobots agreed with a nod, "Indeed, Bumblebee. Skyquake has made the right decision to stray from Megatron's path and I am relieved that there may still be hope for peace with the Decepticons."
Damn right, I did and I will do my best to help you win this war against the Decepticons, Optimus.
Although for the peace part, that might be more complicated than you think, Prime. Not while Starscream and Soundwave are currently in charge of their forces at the Nemesis and yes, I also included Shockwave who's at Cybertron where he's probably growing the Predaking after cloning it from the bones of the ancient Predacons he found and studied.
I wonder if Shockwave might also be spending time with the Predaking to raise and train the big guy how to fight and hunt his prey with pack instincts, almost like a father to him in a certain point of view.* It's only logical to ensure that Predaking is capable of becoming the ultimate Autobot hunter taught by his creator before eventually deploying him to search and destroy Team Prime upon reuniting with Megatron at Darkmount in the future.
Anyways, those three are the highest ranking officers of the Decepticons and they would have continued the war with or without Megatron. As proven when he got smashed to death by Metroplex on Cybertron, the Decepticons didn't disband on spot and continued on as usual. Even though Megatron got rebuilt and revived by Soundwave later on.
They must be neutralized or else there would be no peace at all.
On the other hand, the Energon healing rays are so soothing and relaxing all over me as Ratchet checked my repairs and vital signs from the monitor. The damages sustained on my chassis post-defeat by Optimus are gone and it made me good as new.
Figuratively and literally.
Bumblebee said with another bleeping, "We're gonna have to tell Arcee and Bulkhead when they get back here with Raf, Jack and Miko, Prime. They might shoot Skyquake upon seeing a now-ex Decepticon inside the base."
Oh, yeah. Arcee and Bulkhead are coming by soon after picking up the three human kids from Memorial High School, and they're gonna be in for a surprise when they see me up close and personal.
"I agree, Bumblebee. I will ensure Skyquake will be welcomed in our ranks when they arrive.", Optimus reassured.
Easier said than done as I noted to myself.
Arcee will definitely look at me with suspicion and won't believe this Skyquake turning a new leaf due to her... bad experiences with Airachnid during the war at Cybertron, and Bulkhead doesn't seem to accept newcomers taking his place like he did with Smokescreen when he joined Team Prime. Which in fairness, he was just very grumpy of being slow to recover from injuries due to his exposure to Tox-En and his fight with Hardshell at the same time.
And that Bulkhead doesn't trust Cons and think they are up to no good, which Arcee shares the sentiment with her fellow Autobot.
But nonetheless I appreciate it, Optimus.
Several minutes later, I felt my entire Cybertronian body fully fixed and rejuvenated. Cracking my neck and stretching out my limbs, I left the said chamber and gave a short proper bow. "Thank you, doctor. I appreciate the repairs."
"Huh, a polite Decepticon. Now that's truly rare.", Ratchet mused before overhearing familiar vehicular honking sounds, and he was enthusiastic of their return. "Ahahahahaha! There you are!"
I didn't leave the chamber and stood by the sidelines as I watched a blue motorcycle with Jack Darby driving her and a dark green SUV looking car with Rafael Equisvel and Miko Nakadai inside enter the base.
"Well, how are my-uh, our projects received?", the Autobot medic asked with eagerness from the three human kids, expecting huge success from the master at work himself.
Rolling my red optics, it's amusing to see Ratchet being this uncharacteristically cheery after deciding to advise on their science projects upon taking an interest. And by advise, I meant hijack them for himself such as building an advanced engine for Jack that went out of control in the hallways, a large metal volcano for Raf that blew up the rooftop of the school, and a model of Cybertron for Miko that isn't part of the Solar System.
In a nutshell, he's a control freak.
With predictable results, none of them had gone down well at Memorial High School as trio awkwardly explained about it and Ratchet's reaction was priceless to behold.
"Well, on our planet, you would have been awarded the highest honors!", Ratchet stated with his grumpiness returning back in full force as he walked away while muttering to himself.
The Autobot medic left to check on the Energon supply lines of the Ground Bridge to busy himself away from the disappointment he felt.
And with that, it's my cue to reveal myself with an intrigued look upon the three as I exited the chamber with a thunderous steps of my pedes, "So, these are the natives of this planet I woke up on? They look so... small."
It felt so surreal for me to be looking downward at the humans as a Cybertronian since I used to be human before waking up as Skyquake in this body. It's like the equivalent of someone who has taken a liking of a dog or a cat and wanted to take care of them. No wonder, Megatron had derisively called Jack, Rafael and Miko as "pets of the Autobots" from his perspective.
Because of my sudden appearance, Jack, Miko and Raf were surprised to see me in my intimidating looking Seeker glory, while Arcee and Bulkhead immediately transformed from their alt-modes, instantly recognizing me as a Decepticon. They brandished their arm blasters at me, ready to open fire and start a fight inside the Autobot base.
Yup, I expected this predictable reaction and I was not disappointed.
"Who are you and how did you get inside Autobot base!?", the former Wrecker demanded with narrowed optics.
The femme agreed with intent to open fire and ready to kill with her two arm blasters, "Optimus, what's going on and why did you bring a Decepticon in here?!"
"Whoa, whoa! Calm down, guys! He's a new friend!", Bumblebee stood between me and his fellow Team Prime members' weapons.
"To answer your questions, my name is Skyquake and I have accepted Optimus Prime's offer to side with you Autobots. After he defeated me in an honorable duel and proved himself as a stronger leader who's worth following.", I introduced myself while folding my arms in spite of the arm weapons aimed at my direction.
And that I do not regret preferring Optimus over Megatron any time of the day.
"Whoa, Optimus Prime whooped your butt? That would have been so cool to watch!", the Japanese teenage girl commented with amazement.
That I might agree with Miko about that even though I was on the receiving end of the Prime time smackdown. It's a shame that only Soundwave recorded the fight and archived it within his drives. And it's not like I can just ask him if he has a copy of it and share that with Miko.
"Miko, get back! The Con's a Seeker. He's from the same group of dangerous fliers and they're led by Starscream who's their Air Commander back in Cybertron.", Bulkhead warned his human companion while not lowering his arm cannon at me.
"Please, don't lump me with that backstabbing coward, Wrecker. He's a disgrace to the title and leadership of Seekers. And he always will be.", I retorted with a roll of my optics before adding. "In fact, I'd rather side with a Prime than lower myself as his pawn after he awakened me from my millennia-long stasis and demanded my loyalty on spot."
Arcee challenged me in response, "How do we know that it's not some Con trick to lead your friends to our location?"
"Is that the same question you asked of Drift when he joined the Autobots back on Cybertron?", I responded, which certainly surprised the two members of Team Prime.
"Tha-that's different, Con!", the green large Autobot retorted with spluttering look.
"Arcee, Bulkhead. Stand down.", Optimus ordered the two as he stepped forward in my defense and made his statement. "I understand your apprehension towards Skyquake. But I was the one who gave him a choice to join us and he chose to accept it by his own free will. And I honored his request of a duel and he gave his word after I defeated him."
He finished, "Every sentient being deserves an opportunity for redemption."
"Even Bot killers? Even her?", the blue Autobot femme pointed out with barely controlled fury while glaring at me as if I was the one who snuffed out both Tailgate and Cliffjumper of their sparks together at once.
Chill out with the projection, lady. I haven't exactly killed anyone after I woke up in Skyquake's body and so far, the original Skyquake doesn't even revel on such things that creepy spider lady bot did after I checked the memories. He is simply a professional soldier who does his duty of fighting for the Decepticon cause like his twin brother Dreadwing in a straight up battle on the field directly.
I also noticed the human trio looking confused as they wonder who Arcee is referring to. Oh, boy, they will know soon enough when Airachnid eventually arrive on Earth during her hunt for sentient species by collecting their heads as trophies. As for Arcee, it appears that she had enough self-control to not name drop the sadistic Decepticon femme as if she doesn't want her human partner Jack and his friends know anything about her.
As if that would deter the human kids from finding out sooner or later.
The Prime simply responded to Arcee, "Without that hope, we may never achieve lasting peace."
Miko insisted to her large friend, "Come on, Bulkhead! Give him a chance! I bet he's awesome just like you!"
"Well, he does provide the heavy firepower.", the bespectacled boy commented upon noticing my gatling gun weapon laying on the floor nearby.
The black haired young man supported, "Not to mention, air support. I can't help but notice you guys having problems with Decepticons who can fly like what happened back on that Space Bridge battle."
With a frown, Bulkhead eventually lowered down his arm cannon and reverted back to his metallic hand, "Alright, I trust you Optimus. But we'll keep an eye on you, Skyquake."
"Fine. I hope you're not wrong...", Arcee relented as she transformed her arm blasters back to her servos and she is still glaring at me.
If looks could kill, many Decepticons especially her archnemesis Airachnid would be dead by now.
"Oh come on, guys! He ain't so bad once you get to know him!", Bumblebee stated with his bleeps which his human partner Rafael and his friends agreed.
Well, at least the two had backed down for now to give a benefit of doubt from their esteemed leader but still held suspicions at me. Time to borrow Soundwave's playbook and let my actions speak louder than words. Just when I was about to head to the computers of Autobot base where I intend to input the coordinates of the Energon deposits on Earth as a generous gift to Team Prime, a certain someone showed up and had to rain on my parade.
"PRIME! YOU GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!"
Agent Fowler is finally here, wonderful.
Author's Note: Okay, Chapter 2 of "Air Superiority" is done and I hope you like it. Optimus Prime has beaten SI Skyquake, who gave it his all, in a duel and the latter has officially joined Team Prime. On the other hand, he got a mixed reception from Ratchet, Arcee and Bulkhead upon meeting the now ex-Decepticon Seeker as their new teammate.
While Jack, Miko and Rafael are at least open minded.
And then Agent Fowler is the last to show up at the base and he is Nettled, Super Nettled after SI Skyquake scanned his jet fighter for his vehicle mode with Optimus's permission. Well, at least everyone is gathered together.
*I made a shout-out to "How Very Logical" by Tomb Spyder. One of the best Transformers Prime stories I've read and enjoyed. Check it out here on Sufficient Velocity or on SpaceBattles wherever you prefer.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime and its cast of characters. They belong to Hasbro.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Chapter 2
When I charged at Optimus Prime and threw the first punch with my right servo to begin the duel, the leader of the Autobots quickly formed a battle mask from his face and returned the favor with his left servo.
As both our opposing metallic fists collide with each other powerfully on impact, we created a small but powerful shockwave that caused the ground we stand on to shake and disturb some rocks as a result! Neither of us had moved an inch from that clash. Oh my Primus, Optimus is really that strong! It's a good thing that I requested a one-on-one between myself and Prime.
To test out the capabilities of the body of this Seeker who once tried to take out Optimus at the Battle of Technahar and the present day, and that Optimus was caught off guard by the original Skyquake who attacked him immediately after rejecting his offer. With this duel between us, the Autobot leader was prepared and had demonstrated what he can do.
And he certainly did not disappoint.
Thanks to that confirmation, I saw Optimus raised his right servo to hammer fist me. Which I then took his hit directly with my tough torso and barely hid my wince from that. Damn, he really hits like a truck! No pun intended, and I intend to return the favor! I retaliated with a powerful left hook attack at the face of Robot Space Jesus.
The blow connected with a powerful smashing impact! But Optimus then easily shrugged it off, not even his battle mask had a crack at all and it held strong just like his body and willpower of a Prime.
He even moved his face in my direction despite my metallic fist was embedded in it!
That shocked me as I was expecting it to shatter to pieces with my punch, which left me wide open to Optimus grabbing my left arm before he judo flipped me hard into the ground. I felt a lot of pain on my back and it hurts! I grabbed his said arm to throw him away for a few meters. The Autobot leader landed on his feet with ease before he looked up to see me running towards and jumped to use both of my pedes to double kick him in the chest, pushing him back a few meters away from me.
Getting up from the ground and shrugging off the pain from my back, I swore that I overheard Starscream's loud commentary despite being far away in a safe distance. He really has no indoor voice with full of ham as he demanded Soundwave to not miss a single moment of the fight for the historical record of the Decepticons. Apparently, he didn't know about the honorable duel held between Optimus and I, and he intended to take credit of me defeating the Autobot leader under his command.
The Decepticon leader wannabe in his delusion believed there is still some salvaging of his already failed scheme.
It'd be so amusing to imagine Soundwave bursting his ever fragile bubble upon revealing what really happened in our duel when they're back at the Nemesis, and Starscream would be salty as ever.
And then, I picked up sounds of Starscream transforming back to his F-16 Fighting Falcon alt-mode to fly up to space where Megatron is hanging around there. Which means Soundwave is now alone as a single spectator of my fight with Optimus.
Meanwhile, I brandished my gatling gun weapon from my back to check if it's damaged from the impact of Optimus judo flipping me. So far, I noticed that it didn't suffer any yet so far, before I cast it aside on the ground.
I am not firing my weapon like the original Skyquake did with reckless abandon and I had to resume the duel. I will save it for the Decepticon forces in battle when fighting as a member of Team Prime. I saw Optimus noticing me discarding my primary weapon and he did the same as well by not bringing out his arm cannons and arm blades for this battle.
Nodding in appreciation of fighting with only our servos and pedes in melee combat, I charged towards Prime with the latter doing the same, and we threw powerful punches at each other!
Sparks and metal smashing sounds resonate from our clash and it can be heard echoing throughout the desert canyon. Sometimes, the punches impacted together and other, they landed blows on our faces and bodies. When I got punched in the face by Optimus, I manage to shrug it off a bit and then hit him back with an uppercut at his chin. The Autobot leader was briefly stunned by the blow but he recovered quickly just in time to block my next punch of my left servo with his right arm.
Parrying my arm away, Optimus bombarded me with a barrage of punches, never losing the momentum and I felt a lot of agony from the Prime time smackdown. It is obvious that Robot Space Jesus is determined to end the duel quickly as possible. Not dragging things out unlike Megatron would do as his way of showing off his superiority over anyone who stand against him and his lust for conquest and power, making an example out of them.
I, on the other hand, ain't gonna go down too quickly in my fight or else Soundwave would have picked up on me throwing the fight in Prime's favor and find something off. Enduring the punches from Optimus battering on my body, I finally caught his left metallic fist with my right servo before pulling him towards to punch him in the face.
Even though battle mask is still sturdy as ever to withstand my blows.
And then I unleashed the Spartan Kick, sending him crashing behind the canyon!
Prime recovered and dodged my right hammer fist strike which struck the canyon and shattered it instead by jumping around me. He really is quite agile for his size and he knows it. I turned around and threw another punch but Optimus parried it away and grabbed my head. He then smacked me in the stomach with his left knee repeatedly before throwing me aside to the ground, disorienting me as a result!
Thank Primus, if I was human, not a Cybertronian, I'd vomit out my last night's dinner by now.
Before I could recover and get back on my feet to continue the fighting, Optimus quickly grabbed me by my face with his right arm before pushing me down hard on the ground and then he dragged me right through it at full speed!
Owwwwwwwwww!
This is way worse than Robot Space Jesus demanding that you give him your face!
After that, he uppercut me in the chin with his left servo and I got Shoryuken-ed there! Making a finishing move, Optimus made a spinning flying kick on my head with his right pede and one of his truck form's spinning tires burning rubber at my thankfully noseless face, knocking me down hard into the ground with a large ground explosion!
I lay my back on the ground with a cracked crater from Prime's final attack that sealed my defeat.
If there is any consolation for me, at least I didn't do the Yamcha Pose or else it would have been very embarrassing.
After sustaining enough damage inflicted upon me by Optimus, I couldn't take it anymore. It was too much for me to handle and I had already reached my limit. The original Skyquake would have kept on going out of stubbornness and pride even when the odds are against him. And that ultimately got him killed in the end as a result.
But unlike him, I know when to fold them and right now, it's folding time.
"Skyquake, I have defeated you. Will you keep your word and side with the Autobots?...", Optimus asked as he approached and held out his right servo toward me, expecting my answer.
I narrowed my optics at him for a minute before grabbing his servo with my left metallic hand in a firm grip and declaring with a smile of warrior's respect, "... Yes, Prime. My loyalty belongs to you now. I swear this on my spark."
Putting away his battle mask, Optimus gave a nod of approval and relief as he helped me get up from the cracked ground. "Thank you, Skyquake. Bumblebee, you can come out now. We have a new comrade."
The yellow small Autobot left his hiding spot and greeted me with bleeping noises as he raised his left servo for a handshake albeit a bit nervous, "Um, uhhhh... Welcome to the team, big guy! I'm Bumblebee, nice to meet you! I hope we get along well together!"
Awww, man, he's such an adorkably nice scout who'd become a warrior and leader in his own right in the future. It's a shame that the original Skyquake merely saw him as a bug to squash and it bit him when Bumblebee tore his insides out after boarding on his jet fighter alt-mode for underestimating the little bot for it.
Even though my body is still reeling from the injuries of my defeat by Prime's hand, I reached out with my right servo to reciprocate the handshake and said, "Likewise, Bumblebee. You seem small but formidable warrior, I can tell."
Bumblebee sheepishly responded in beeps, "Oh thanks. But I'm just your friendly neighborhood scout, Skyquake. And you know what they say, the bigger they are, the harder they fall!"
I agreed with that statement as Optimus had beaten me soundly despite being bigger than him and Bumblebee would be the one who ultimately stabbed Megatron in the spark chamber with the Star Saber, killing him (at least until Unicron revived him again as his unwilling vessel later on) and ending the war with ultimate Autobot victory.
Then I heard a certain sound of a familiar jet fighter coming by this area, which I grinned with anticipation because Special Agent Fowler has finally made his arrival here. The time has come to obtain my own flying alt-mode and I'm gonna take that opportunity!
"Fowler?", Optimus wondered as he looked up to see the human liaison's aircraft in the sky.
"Who is this Fowler, Prime?", I questioned with a faux curious look while preparing my Cybertronian body's Scanning for this moment and I saw what it appears to be a F-35 Lightning II.
The Robot Space Jesus explained as he turned to me, "Special Agent Fowler, he is the Autobots' liaison with the United States government on Earth. A dependable ally. Although, I did not expect his appearance."
Well, I did and if the original Skyquake had noticed him in the middle of a fight to fulfill his already failed mission in vain, Optimus would have tried warning Fowler to withdraw immediately albeit a little too late. Good thing, I am on his side now.
"I see, do you mind if I scan his vehicle, Prime? I lost my previous alt-mode after awakening from my millennia of stasis and I intend to regain my ability to fly again.", I requested with a look of anticipation.
Or rather, I gain my ability to fly for the first time for myself.
It turns out that if a Cybertronian were under stasis for far too long, they would lose their alt-mode and after awakening, they would have to find a new compatible vehicle to scan and transform into.
"Whoa, you lost your Cybertronian jet fighter mode? That does explain why you seemed so eager to fly again, big guy.", Bumblebee remarked with bleeps.
Optimus complied, "Of course, Skyquake. I will explain to Agent Fowler and vouch for you when he makes a visit back at base."
"My thanks, Prime.", I said with a nod of gratefulness.
No doubt the out of shape ex-Army Rangers man is gonna chew me out for copying his personal jet fighter as my new alt-mode without his permission. It's gonna be an amusing running gag when Dreadwing and Airachnid eventually show up and scan his vehicles, the same jet and the helicopter respectively when he appears before them.
Not only that, he would also be a strong skeptic at me being a defector from the Decepticons. Can't blame him since he got kidnapped by Soundwave and interrogated by Starscream for the location of the Autobot base. Unfortunate for them, he held out and refused to sell Team Prime out despite his doubts of their capability of defending Earth with limited botpower and resources until he was rescued and was grateful for it.
Oh well, I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Right now, it's Scanning Time!
My optics glow green and fired a pair of beams toward Fowler's jet fighter, causing some electrical interference as well providing me with a complete schematic. I can imagine the agent's shock of being scanned out of nowhere and it will be the first of his unwanted experience with Cybertronians scanning his vehicles whenever he show up driving them after arriving on Earth.
After the procedure is complete, I grinned before jumping high and immediately transformed myself into my newly acquired alt-mode. It felt so strange but natural when my Cybertronian body shifts into vehicle form. It is like the equivalent of folding and compressing yourself and you stay in that position for a long while until you unfold your body and stretch yourself out.
When the transformation is done, I went full throttle toward the skies!
I got to tell you that being a jet fighter is pure unadulterated badass! It really felt amazing when I made some crazy flight maneuvers in the air! Maneuvers that not even the most crazy human pilots would dare pull them off without damaging their own internal organs by the intense G-Forces. I bet Agent Fowler would not not try that either despite his own aircraft was modified by Ratchet to allow him to fly without a flight suit.
Eat your heart out, Maverick!
I own the skies now!
Oh yeah!
With that fun joyride done, I flew right beside Team Prime's liaison in his jet fighter.
"Well, I'll be a bald eagle!", I overheard a surprised Agent Fowler commenting on my alt form.
I bombastically declared as loud as I can, "Air Superiority, achieved!"
When that is over, I flew down towards Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, who were observing me flying in the sky with Agent Fowler's vehicle, before going up and quickly transformed back to my robot form in mid-air.
Graham Aker's Special Style!
And with a finishing touch, I did the Superhero Landing Pose upon landing on the ground!
"My wings are yours, Optimus Prime.", I stated with a proud grin, standing proud after experiencing my first personal flight experience and I am not letting the pain from my defeat undermine that moment.
"Ratchet, prepare a Ground Bridge. We are returning to base with a new ally on our side, and prepare for Agent Fowler once he arrives.", Optimus contacted after raising his left metallic finger to his helmet-like head.
"That was amazing, Skyquake! Better watch out Cons! Your monopoly of the sky is now over!", Bumblebee commented with bleeping noises.
That I agree on with the yellow Autobot scout.
While retrieving my gatling gun weapon on the ground and place it behind my back, I heard the voice of the Autobot medic responding to his leader's request and he sounded quite chipper for a grumpy bot like him, "Roger that, Optimus! A-and what do you mean a new ally? Is it another Autobot you've found on Earth?"
Optimus answered to him, "I will explain when we return, old friend."
A short while later, a Ground Bridge is opened in front of Optimus, Bumblebee and I. It's time for me to enter Autobot base and get myself acquainted with the other members of Team Prime and their human allies when they soon arrive.
As the two Autobots entered through the portal back to their base, I gazed above where Soundwave is silently watching the battle and its conclusion with my narrowed optics. The strong but silent-by-choice Decepticon is really creepy with his faceless visor including his appearance, which I compared him to the Cybertronian equivalent of Slenderman.
By then, he would soon leave the area after we're gone and return to the Nemesis where the dying Megatron would be plugged with life support at its medical bay after ensuring Starscream will bring his body back with Laserbeak watching his every move.
Hoping that Soundwave had taken the bait from my ploy to throw off suspicion as he's not infallible and flawed like everyone else including myself, I turned away from the true Second-In-Command of the Decepticons still looking at me and walked into the Ground Bridge.
At the Autobot Outpost Omega One
Upon stepping foot inside the base of the Autobots which was converted from a Cold War missile silo, Ratchet was shocked to see me, a Decepticon Seeker from his perspective, within their territory after turning off the Ground Bridge in my arrival. He transformed his arms into a pair of sharp precision blades in response to my presence.
I don't blame him for taking that action, because Team Prime had to make sure that none of the Cons would be able to discover their base's location and invade it by any means necessary.
Although, I do find it odd why Ratchet only has arm blades for melee as demonstrated with his expert use against the Terrorcons unleashed by Megatron who threw a piece of Dark Energon upon the graveyard of dead Cybertronian combatants as a demonstration to him and Optimus Prime. And yet the medic had no arm blasters when fighting alongside his fellow Autobots in the field so far.
After all, he had proved his mettle during the war for Cybertron with his willingness to use weapons in battling the Decepticons and protecting his injured patients while healing them subsequently.
Then again, Ratchet had an arm blowtorch used for repair and maintenance, and also torturing that unlucky Decepticon Miner he got his servos on during his Synthetic Energon-roid rage phase. Oh well, I will just ask him about it once I gain the would-be Doctor of Doom's trust eventually.
I simply stood on spot when Optimus reassured the medic from attacking me. "At ease, old friend. This is Skyquake. He has accepted my offer to side with us after he outright rejected Starscream and his leadership."
"You managed to convince a Decepticon to defect, Optimus? How did you do it?...", Ratchet said with a raised optic of skepticism.
"Yup, it's true! Optimus had beaten him in an honorable duel. If he won, Skyquake joins us. But if Skyquake won, he would have stayed with the Decepticons. He gave his word after he had his aft got kicked.", Bumblebee supported with beeping noises.
Ratchet frowned but nodded in understanding as he reverted his arm blades back to his servos, "I see, he's one of those honorable Decepticons. Quite a rare few in their ranks even though their honor and loyalty are completely misplaced with Megatron who doesn't deserve it. Which reminds me of Drift before he defected to the Autobots."
Even though I am actually aware who Drift is and his past, I asked, "Who is this Drift you're referring to? I've known most Decepticons before but I've never heard of him."
Bumblebee explained to me in beeping sounds, "Oh yeah, he was originally known as Deadlock but changed his name and his ways after he joined us, Skyquake. Drift was among the Autobots who left Cybertron and scattered across the stars."
Huh? That would mean Drift is currently a bounty hunter who's now hunting crooks and wrongdoers around the galaxy. Probably with his two Mini-Cons as his sidekicks or even himself as a lone wolf. He might even be a Triple Changer of sort for all I know, which is admittedly cooler and versatile. Either way, it's not like he will be coming to Earth anyway.
I only know so far that Wheeljack will be coming by for a visit and a Wreckers reunion with Bulkhead soon.
And I will be ready to deal with his imposter, Makeshift when he shows up.
"Does that mean I should change my name as well? Is it mandatory to be an Autobot?", I wondered with faux serious contemplation.
"There is no need for that, Skyquake. Drift is free to make his choices after leaving the Decepticons. You are free to make your own choice as well.", the Autobot leader stated to me.
I nodded while raising my left servo to my chest, "Then I will keep my name, Prime. It is who I am and nothing will change that."
Acknowledging my statement, Optimus turned to his old friend, "Ratchet, Skyquake is in need of repairs. He has sustained damage after I defeated him and earned his loyalty."
With his optics, Ratchet analyzed my entire chassis that has sustained some serious dents from Optimus's pounding from the fight I lost, "Very well, Optimus. Come, Skyquake. Let's get you fixed up."
"Thank you, doctor.", I said before following the Autobot medic to the medical facility for Cybertronians.
I removed my gatling gun weapon from my back and placed down on the floor. Then I entered into the Energon healing chamber where I prepare myself to be patched up under Ratchet's care. On the other hand, I can see that Optimus and Bumblebee are having a conversation of their own nearby the command center of the base there.
"I'm glad that we got a new friend on our side, Optimus and he can fly too. It's been a long time we had fliers since the Aerialbots back on Cybertron.", the Autobot scout remarked with beeping.
The leader of the Autobots agreed with a nod, "Indeed, Bumblebee. Skyquake has made the right decision to stray from Megatron's path and I am relieved that there may still be hope for peace with the Decepticons."
Damn right, I did and I will do my best to help you win this war against the Decepticons, Optimus.
Although for the peace part, that might be more complicated than you think, Prime. Not while Starscream and Soundwave are currently in charge of their forces at the Nemesis and yes, I also included Shockwave who's at Cybertron where he's probably growing the Predaking after cloning it from the bones of the ancient Predacons he found and studied.
I wonder if Shockwave might also be spending time with the Predaking to raise and train the big guy how to fight and hunt his prey with pack instincts, almost like a father to him in a certain point of view.* It's only logical to ensure that Predaking is capable of becoming the ultimate Autobot hunter taught by his creator before eventually deploying him to search and destroy Team Prime upon reuniting with Megatron at Darkmount in the future.
Anyways, those three are the highest ranking officers of the Decepticons and they would have continued the war with or without Megatron. As proven when he got smashed to death by Metroplex on Cybertron, the Decepticons didn't disband on spot and continued on as usual. Even though Megatron got rebuilt and revived by Soundwave later on.
They must be neutralized or else there would be no peace at all.
On the other hand, the Energon healing rays are so soothing and relaxing all over me as Ratchet checked my repairs and vital signs from the monitor. The damages sustained on my chassis post-defeat by Optimus are gone and it made me good as new.
Figuratively and literally.
Bumblebee said with another bleeping, "We're gonna have to tell Arcee and Bulkhead when they get back here with Raf, Jack and Miko, Prime. They might shoot Skyquake upon seeing a now-ex Decepticon inside the base."
Oh, yeah. Arcee and Bulkhead are coming by soon after picking up the three human kids from Memorial High School, and they're gonna be in for a surprise when they see me up close and personal.
"I agree, Bumblebee. I will ensure Skyquake will be welcomed in our ranks when they arrive.", Optimus reassured.
Easier said than done as I noted to myself.
Arcee will definitely look at me with suspicion and won't believe this Skyquake turning a new leaf due to her... bad experiences with Airachnid during the war at Cybertron, and Bulkhead doesn't seem to accept newcomers taking his place like he did with Smokescreen when he joined Team Prime. Which in fairness, he was just very grumpy of being slow to recover from injuries due to his exposure to Tox-En and his fight with Hardshell at the same time.
And that Bulkhead doesn't trust Cons and think they are up to no good, which Arcee shares the sentiment with her fellow Autobot.
But nonetheless I appreciate it, Optimus.
Several minutes later, I felt my entire Cybertronian body fully fixed and rejuvenated. Cracking my neck and stretching out my limbs, I left the said chamber and gave a short proper bow. "Thank you, doctor. I appreciate the repairs."
"Huh, a polite Decepticon. Now that's truly rare.", Ratchet mused before overhearing familiar vehicular honking sounds, and he was enthusiastic of their return. "Ahahahahaha! There you are!"
I didn't leave the chamber and stood by the sidelines as I watched a blue motorcycle with Jack Darby driving her and a dark green SUV looking car with Rafael Equisvel and Miko Nakadai inside enter the base.
"Well, how are my-uh, our projects received?", the Autobot medic asked with eagerness from the three human kids, expecting huge success from the master at work himself.
Rolling my red optics, it's amusing to see Ratchet being this uncharacteristically cheery after deciding to advise on their science projects upon taking an interest. And by advise, I meant hijack them for himself such as building an advanced engine for Jack that went out of control in the hallways, a large metal volcano for Raf that blew up the rooftop of the school, and a model of Cybertron for Miko that isn't part of the Solar System.
In a nutshell, he's a control freak.
With predictable results, none of them had gone down well at Memorial High School as trio awkwardly explained about it and Ratchet's reaction was priceless to behold.
"Well, on our planet, you would have been awarded the highest honors!", Ratchet stated with his grumpiness returning back in full force as he walked away while muttering to himself.
The Autobot medic left to check on the Energon supply lines of the Ground Bridge to busy himself away from the disappointment he felt.
And with that, it's my cue to reveal myself with an intrigued look upon the three as I exited the chamber with a thunderous steps of my pedes, "So, these are the natives of this planet I woke up on? They look so... small."
It felt so surreal for me to be looking downward at the humans as a Cybertronian since I used to be human before waking up as Skyquake in this body. It's like the equivalent of someone who has taken a liking of a dog or a cat and wanted to take care of them. No wonder, Megatron had derisively called Jack, Rafael and Miko as "pets of the Autobots" from his perspective.
Because of my sudden appearance, Jack, Miko and Raf were surprised to see me in my intimidating looking Seeker glory, while Arcee and Bulkhead immediately transformed from their alt-modes, instantly recognizing me as a Decepticon. They brandished their arm blasters at me, ready to open fire and start a fight inside the Autobot base.
Yup, I expected this predictable reaction and I was not disappointed.
"Who are you and how did you get inside Autobot base!?", the former Wrecker demanded with narrowed optics.
The femme agreed with intent to open fire and ready to kill with her two arm blasters, "Optimus, what's going on and why did you bring a Decepticon in here?!"
"Whoa, whoa! Calm down, guys! He's a new friend!", Bumblebee stood between me and his fellow Team Prime members' weapons.
"To answer your questions, my name is Skyquake and I have accepted Optimus Prime's offer to side with you Autobots. After he defeated me in an honorable duel and proved himself as a stronger leader who's worth following.", I introduced myself while folding my arms in spite of the arm weapons aimed at my direction.
And that I do not regret preferring Optimus over Megatron any time of the day.
"Whoa, Optimus Prime whooped your butt? That would have been so cool to watch!", the Japanese teenage girl commented with amazement.
That I might agree with Miko about that even though I was on the receiving end of the Prime time smackdown. It's a shame that only Soundwave recorded the fight and archived it within his drives. And it's not like I can just ask him if he has a copy of it and share that with Miko.
"Miko, get back! The Con's a Seeker. He's from the same group of dangerous fliers and they're led by Starscream who's their Air Commander back in Cybertron.", Bulkhead warned his human companion while not lowering his arm cannon at me.
"Please, don't lump me with that backstabbing coward, Wrecker. He's a disgrace to the title and leadership of Seekers. And he always will be.", I retorted with a roll of my optics before adding. "In fact, I'd rather side with a Prime than lower myself as his pawn after he awakened me from my millennia-long stasis and demanded my loyalty on spot."
Arcee challenged me in response, "How do we know that it's not some Con trick to lead your friends to our location?"
"Is that the same question you asked of Drift when he joined the Autobots back on Cybertron?", I responded, which certainly surprised the two members of Team Prime.
"Tha-that's different, Con!", the green large Autobot retorted with spluttering look.
"Arcee, Bulkhead. Stand down.", Optimus ordered the two as he stepped forward in my defense and made his statement. "I understand your apprehension towards Skyquake. But I was the one who gave him a choice to join us and he chose to accept it by his own free will. And I honored his request of a duel and he gave his word after I defeated him."
He finished, "Every sentient being deserves an opportunity for redemption."
"Even Bot killers? Even her?", the blue Autobot femme pointed out with barely controlled fury while glaring at me as if I was the one who snuffed out both Tailgate and Cliffjumper of their sparks together at once.
Chill out with the projection, lady. I haven't exactly killed anyone after I woke up in Skyquake's body and so far, the original Skyquake doesn't even revel on such things that creepy spider lady bot did after I checked the memories. He is simply a professional soldier who does his duty of fighting for the Decepticon cause like his twin brother Dreadwing in a straight up battle on the field directly.
I also noticed the human trio looking confused as they wonder who Arcee is referring to. Oh, boy, they will know soon enough when Airachnid eventually arrive on Earth during her hunt for sentient species by collecting their heads as trophies. As for Arcee, it appears that she had enough self-control to not name drop the sadistic Decepticon femme as if she doesn't want her human partner Jack and his friends know anything about her.
As if that would deter the human kids from finding out sooner or later.
The Prime simply responded to Arcee, "Without that hope, we may never achieve lasting peace."
Miko insisted to her large friend, "Come on, Bulkhead! Give him a chance! I bet he's awesome just like you!"
"Well, he does provide the heavy firepower.", the bespectacled boy commented upon noticing my gatling gun weapon laying on the floor nearby.
The black haired young man supported, "Not to mention, air support. I can't help but notice you guys having problems with Decepticons who can fly like what happened back on that Space Bridge battle."
With a frown, Bulkhead eventually lowered down his arm cannon and reverted back to his metallic hand, "Alright, I trust you Optimus. But we'll keep an eye on you, Skyquake."
"Fine. I hope you're not wrong...", Arcee relented as she transformed her arm blasters back to her servos and she is still glaring at me.
If looks could kill, many Decepticons especially her archnemesis Airachnid would be dead by now.
"Oh come on, guys! He ain't so bad once you get to know him!", Bumblebee stated with his bleeps which his human partner Rafael and his friends agreed.
Well, at least the two had backed down for now to give a benefit of doubt from their esteemed leader but still held suspicions at me. Time to borrow Soundwave's playbook and let my actions speak louder than words. Just when I was about to head to the computers of Autobot base where I intend to input the coordinates of the Energon deposits on Earth as a generous gift to Team Prime, a certain someone showed up and had to rain on my parade.
"PRIME! YOU GOT SOME EXPLAINING TO DO!"
Agent Fowler is finally here, wonderful.
Author's Note: Okay, Chapter 2 of "Air Superiority" is done and I hope you like it. Optimus Prime has beaten SI Skyquake, who gave it his all, in a duel and the latter has officially joined Team Prime. On the other hand, he got a mixed reception from Ratchet, Arcee and Bulkhead upon meeting the now ex-Decepticon Seeker as their new teammate.
While Jack, Miko and Rafael are at least open minded.
And then Agent Fowler is the last to show up at the base and he is Nettled, Super Nettled after SI Skyquake scanned his jet fighter for his vehicle mode with Optimus's permission. Well, at least everyone is gathered together.
*I made a shout-out to "How Very Logical" by Tomb Spyder. One of the best Transformers Prime stories I've read and enjoyed. Check it out here on Sufficient Velocity or on SpaceBattles wherever you prefer.
Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Finagle007
[Verified Great Old One]
- Pronouns
- He/Him/His
How exactly does a Cybertronian alter their energy signature? Now that Skyquake's an Autobot, he'll have to change his if he doesn't want everyone's IFFs reading him as a Decepticon.
Probably by changing the insignia from Decepticon to Autobot.
Like how Knock Out did to the amnesiac Optimus Prime upon inducting him to the Decepticons albeit briefly.
And that it's quite simple too as well with Ratchet explaining to Optimus and Arcee that their Autobot insignias are IFFs, which sets off a warning signal of reaching the exact temperature limit of their Cybertronian bodies in the Arctic cold during the episode involving Scraplets.
You're welcome. It puts a smile on my face.
Not_Interesting
The Munchkin of Megastructures
- Location
- In your walls(the walls between realities)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
Welp, this will be interesting. Not that I disagree with the choice of going team Prime...but I also do not think it was the smartest one. You are incredibly outnumbered and the only reason Soundwave isn´t tearing team Prime apart is Starscream. I know that the "Infiltrate the ´Cons and take over from the inside" trope is fairly overused, but it is a trope for a reason. Team Prime is rather a hard position to work with.
TFC!
TFC!
If you want a fic where a SI takes over the Decepticons, I recommend you to check out "How Very Logical" by Tomb Spyder.
Also, despite being outnumbered by Decepticons, Team Prime ultimately won in the end and that's what reassured SI Skyquake to join the winning team. And also Optimus did give an offer to switch sides like he did to the original Skyquake so unlike him, he took it while playing off as honorable like Dreadwing.
And checking out his Cybertronian capabilities in a duel he lost to Robot Space Jesus too as well.
Wait..does SI!Skyquake know the location of every Energon Trail on the planet ?
In "Masters and Students" episode, Starscream discussed with Soundwave that there are several warriors, Skyquake among them, who were assigned to guard the Energon deposits on Earth for the Decepticons. It's logical that those said warriors know where the Energon locations are with the data stored inside their processors.
Of course, only Skyquake was awakened (but his canon self died to Bumblebee) and Starscream had abandoned his scheme of finding other warriors after failing to get Skyquake on his side in that said episode.
Albeit justified since he made use of Megatron's comatose body at med bay of The Nemesis to rally the Decepticon forces that he found their leader and they would be willing to follow him for now with the promise of their true leader's recovery.
Hmmm, I might make use of these unseen warriors....