Chapter 115: The Clash Between Ironhide and Scorponok
"Ha! Wolverine, you're lucky! I was about to send you to meet the ancestors of the Decepticons but now that someone even more troublesome has shown up, I'll let you live a little longer!"
Ironhide aimed his massive laser cannon directly at the head of a Decepticon warrior. Unlike the usual mechanical soldiers, this one Wolverine was a beast-type Transformer, specialized in speed and reconnaissance.
According to intelligence reports, Megatron's forces planned to conquer this wild planet, filled with feral creatures and strange caverns, so he had sent this beast warrior to explore the terrain. Unfortunately, it seemed Wolverine's usefulness had run its course.
"N–No! Please don't destroy me! I haven't even graduated yet! I don't want to fight you mighty Autobots! I'm just a reconnaissance soldier!"
Before one of the top Autobot supersoldiers, Wolverine was trembling. Against Ironhide, he couldn't even draw his weapon before being kicked to the ground, much less fight back.
He survived only by sheer luck if Ironhide had been one second faster, he would have ended up like his two Decepticon comrades: obliterated.
However, with Scorponok's arrival, everything changed. Ironhide was already low on energy, and after taking down two Decepticons, he was even more drained. The situation was getting dangerous especially since Scorponok's colossal warship now loomed over the battlefield. Fighting that monstrosity head-on was suicide.
Luckily, two captured Decepticon shuttles were still operable, and Ironhide immediately attempted to retreat. But his old Decepticon rival had no intention of letting him go so easily. After all, this was one of the Autobots' greatest warriors!
"Hey, isn't this Commander Ironhide? We've crossed paths back on Cybertron, haven't we? What's the rush? Leaving without saying hello to an old friend?"
Though Scorponok's ship wasn't as fast as smaller fighters, its sheer size made escape impossible. One maneuver was enough to block Ironhide's entire route.
"I've got nothing to say to you. Since fate has brought us here, let's settle this once and for all. Are you going to hide in that oversized ship, or come down here and face me one-on-one?"
Realizing battle was inevitable, Ironhide quickly connected his charger to the Decepticon shuttle's power port. He needed every ounce of energy he could get otherwise, this fight wouldn't last long.
"Heh. You Autobots really have it rough. Take your time recharging. I'm not some opportunist like Megatron."
From his battleship's targeting sensors, Scorponok could clearly see Ironhide's energy readings. Yet he didn't attack. Was it arrogance or confidence?
"Heh. Looks like I've run into a Decepticon with some backbone. I suggest you strike first, or you'll regret it and don't say I didn't warn you."
Ironhide was using reverse psychology. The more you provoked a proud Decepticon, the more reckless he became it was a well-proven fact.
Based on prior intelligence, this Scorpion Giant had been unusually lenient toward surviving Autobots. Not out of mercy, but because he understood the delicate balance between the two factions.
If the Decepticons truly wiped out every Autobot, they'd only turn on each other next. Scorponok wasn't foolish; he sought challenge, not extermination. His goal here was to test himself against Ironhide. As long as it looked convincing, he didn't plan to kill or even seriously injure his old rival.
Still, appearances had to be maintained. If others intercepted the battle's signal, things could get complicated.
"Well, I didn't expect my old friend to see me like this. No more words then. I'll give you fifteen minutes to recharge. If you're not down here by then, I'll open fire with my flagship's cannons. Don't make me turn them on you."
At last, Scorponok dropped the pretense. Ironhide had never believed his act of civility anyway.
"Heh. Then you'd better guard your circuits carefully because if I fire, I'll blast them to pieces. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Despite his ordinary appearance, Ironhide's laser cannon possessed a powerful charge function. Once fully loaded, its destructive power rivaled Megatron's fusion cannon a single blast could vaporize a standard Decepticon.
"Thanks for the reminder. To show my sincerity… I'll wait for you right here."
Perhaps to demonstrate his strength, Scorponok didn't launch any flashy attack. Instead, he stepped forward boldly, arms crossed, watching Ironhide in silence.
From within the shuttle, Ironhide looked at his longtime rival and felt a wave of nostalgia. Before Autobots and Decepticons had gone to total war, he and Scorponok had fought each other many times in the Cybertronian arena. Each had won and lost in turn. They were old rivals perhaps even comrades in spirit.
If Ironhide fell here today, Scorponok would genuinely mourn him.
"Fine then! Let's finish what we started all those years ago! If you defeat me, Megatron will surely reward you but if I win, I'll bury your AllSpark with honor. That's the difference between us Autobots and you Decepticons!"
Staring down his proud opponent, Ironhide disconnected the power plug, flexed his metal limbs, and descended from the Decepticon shuttle. His weapons gleamed as he prepared for the final duel. Even if he managed to defeat Scorponok… escaping alive from that warship was nearly impossible.
"Heh. Ironhide… you haven't changed one bit."
(End of Chapter)