CHAPTER FOUR
Optimus Prime stifled a yawn as he and the others watched Velocitronian cars zip down the race track. He had never been much fond of racing sports, finding them repetitive and boring, but it was a small price to pay so that he could speak with Nitro.
At least some of his comrades were enjoying themselves.
"Wow, look at that guy go!" Hot Rod exclaimed as a blue-colored racer moved ahead of a white and red motorcycle. "He's just as fast as Blurr!"
"That is Blurr," Arcee muttered.
Hot Rod blinked. "It is? I thought that other blue car was Blurr. The one who crashed."
"That was Excellion," said Spiral, sitting next to the Autobots. "Biggest sore loser on the planet. I'd avoid him after the race if I were you."
"How did Nitro become leader of Velocitron?" Bumblebee asked. "I thought Double Clutch was leader during the Asphalt Wars."
"He was, until Nitro beat him in the Speedia 500. Here on Velocitron, it's pretty much survival of the fastest. The faster you are, the better your chances are becoming leader."
"So no one has been able to beat Nitro in the Speedia since he first won it?" Optimus asked.
Spiral shook her head. "And until someone does, he's leader of Velocitron for life."
As the racers ran the lap again, Arcee asked, "Which one of them's Nitro?"
"He's gray and black with a red flame deco, though you've probably missed him." Spiral chuckled. "If you think Blurr's fast, then you've got another thing coming."
Intrigued, Optimus raised an eyebrow at this discussion. Despite his lack of interest in them, he would be watching these races with a more attentive eye....
* * *
Makeshift shifted through the packed stands, intent on making his way towards where Optimus Prime and his Autobots sat. Several spectators snapped at him as he accidentally stepped on their feet but he turned out their grousing voices.
Not wanting to get too close to the Autobots to arouse suspicion, he finally took an empty seat between two mechs- one old and in black and gray, the other younger and in red and gray. The former gave Makeshift a disapproving look that worried him.
"Shouldn't you be at work, Offshoot?"
The spy blinked and then relaxed a bit. "I... got off early."
The older mech narrowed his eyes. "Hightail never lets his bots get off early. And don't you dare say it was because of the race- we're already on the fifth lap now."
Makeshift feigned guilt. "Okay, so I ditched work. Sue me."
"Ah, lay off her, Brakedown," the younger bot said, putting his arm around Makeshift's shoulders. "You know how she always misses out on these. Cut her some slack for once."
The spy's mind raced. He had no idea the Velocitronian he was impersonating was female. Note to self: think things through next time.
* * *
"You certainly are a brave one, Ultra Magnus."
Stepping off of his ship, which had been dragged into the Victory's hangar bay, Ultra Magnus looked up to see Shockwave standing before him, his cannon arm trained on him. The Autobot commander narrowed his eyes.
"Shockwave. I'm a bit offended that you didn't set up a 'welcoming party,' especially since you went through the trouble of dragging my ship in."
Shockwave's single optic rotated slightly, though his gaze never wavered. "And waste my resources? I should be the offended one, if you think me that stupid."
Ultra Magnus felt a smirk tug on his lips but he fought against the urge. He could not make the same mistake he- or rather, someone before him- made centuries ago.
"No matter," he finally said, bringing out his trusted warhammer. "Shall we get this over with?"
Shockwave responded by firing his arm cannon. Ultra Magnus narrowly dodged the blast before charging towards the mono-eyed Decepticon, swinging his warhammer at his chest. The attack was enough to send Shockwave staggering back a few stand but hardly deterred him. The purple Decepticon then fired his cannon again, hitting Magnus square in the chest and knocking him off his feet.
While Magnus struggled to get back on his feet, he heard Shockwave say, "There have been rumors about you. They say that you are immortal, having survived a K-Class bombing run, an encounter with a Cybernaught, and even a confrontation with Megatron himself."
Ultra Magnus moved to stand up only for his head to hit the barrel of Shockwave's cannon.
"Shall we find out how much truth those rumors have to them?"
* * *
"So, are we like buddies now or what?" Sandstorm asked as he and the other Wreckers drove alongside Nightracer's team of Decepticons.
"Don't get your hopes up," Duststorm scoffed. "We're simply uniting to handle a single objective. After that, we'll be back at clawing at each others throats."
"I'm down with that," Scoop muttered. "Now, unless there's another guy who's set himself on fire, I think I see our buddy up ahead."
Sure enough, the Wreckers and Decepticons were instantly greeted by blaster fire. They quickly transformed to their robot forms and took cover behind pre-established barriers.
"You guys thought of everything when you designed this place," Treadshot muttered.
"We sure did," Twin Twist said. "Rule number one hundred and thirteen of being a Wrecker: always be prepared."
"I thought that was rule number three hundred and thirty-two," Topspin said.
Twin Twist shrugged. "It's somewhere on the list."
"Cut the chatter!" Springer snapped, returning blaster fire. "We need something explosive. Roadbuster, got anything?"
Still weakened from their enemy's attack, Roadbuster handed him a frag grenade. "All I've got. You sure it'll do much good though? I mean, he's already on fire."
"It'll have to do," Springer muttered as he threw the grenade. It went off as soon as it landed, creating a violent explosion that sent shrapnel flying everywhere. When the smoke cleared, Springer tentatively looked back...
And saw a violet and tan brute charging towards them.
"Blitzwing," Sandstorm muttered, glancing at Nightracer. "I take it he's the reason you were trespassing on our territory?"
"Yes," Nightracer murmured. "Though we wouldn't have freed him like that."
"You've left me with no choice," said the voice of their opponent. "Since you insist on getting in my way, I have no choice but to have you all killed."
With a bellow of rage, Blitzwing charged towards the Wreckers and Decepticons, none of their attacks being able to stop him.
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