Wataru's Power

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"Wataru's Power" ワタルの力 (Wataru no Chikara)
Publisher	Poplar
Published in	Comic Bun Bun
First published	February 15, 2009
Cover date	March 2009
Manga by	Naoto Tsushima
Editing	TakaraTomy
Continuity	Henkei! Henkei!

A revelation of Wataru that confirms Optimus and Megatron's suspicions.

Contents 1 Synopsis 2 Featured characters 3 Notes 3.1 Transformers references

Synopsis

Again, even though Skyfire is attempting to kill Wataru, he's still fighting the effects of the control mask. Taking the opportunity, Bumblebee tries to tackle him by surprise but the mask's head-mounted guns take the scout down instead. As the remaining Autobots attempt to go help the younger friends, Ramjet keeps them from interfering. With Starscream yelling at Skyfire to eliminate their enemies from one side, Wataru slams a pipe at the larger jet from the other side, calling him a "bad guy". Wondering why he feels the need to kill such a small creature, Skyfire is also filled with unease at such a notion.

Finally fed up with his old friend's constant hesitation, Starscream decides to take matters into his own hands by shooting in the vulnerable pair's direction, creating another explosion that worries the Autobots. Lamenting that Skyfire shouldn't have hesitated as a Decepticon soldier, the larger jet corrects Starscream from the emerging smoke in that although he could be considered a fighter, he finally remembers that he has never liked fighting—he's simply a scientist. Turns out Skyfire had protected the younger duo by blocking the shot and much of the explosion with his pack, now missing the left gun. Skyfire has Wataru to thank for showing his spark the way.

The Decepticon Air Commander stubbornly insists that his "old friend" is a Decepticon soldier who should destroy those who oppose him and opens up an onslaught at Skyfire. Despite taking injuries, Skyfire reassures an anxious Wataru that he'll protect him and Bumblebee. Another null-ray shot fired and things start to happen fast.

It turns out a barrier had blocked Starscream's attack from hitting either flier and Autobot, much to everyone else's surprise. Bumblebee denies the barrier's creation when asked by Skyfire and notices that his injuries are suddenly being healed. Remember the last time something like that happened, he realizes that it's Wataru, now caught in a trance-like state. In Skyfire's case, his body is flowing with power and as his mask is cracking, he decides to become a soldier to protect those from the ones who would destroy. As if in response to his choice, the control mask finally breaks, freeing him.

A one-on-one between the "old friends" results in Starscream completely losing his left null-ray, much to his shock before becoming furious. Skyfire adds that he also remembered one more thing: neither of them had really gotten along with each other that well in the past anyway. Ramjet's starting to have his hands full with the remaining Autobots and left with no choice, both Decepticons retreat, Skyfire looking on wistfully.

Optimus calms a fretting Bumblebee down regarding Wataru's condition—the boy simply passed out from exhaustion. Prime orders Mirage to take everyone back to base while he directs the fire fighting crew, and promises Bumblebee that he'll explain things later. At Skyfire's hesitation at heading back to base with the others, Optimus gently points out whether there would be any problems with the Autobrand marking the jet as one of their own. Humbled, Skyfire thanks his new commanding officer.

In the Decepticons' ship, Megatron watches the video feed that was recorded earlier by Ravage with keen interest, seemingly confirming his suspicions regarding Wataru. ...As a "Booster".

Back at the Autobot base, Optimus finally explains: there are people with the capability to amplify and influence vast amounts of energy, and are called "Boosters". When 'Bee asks whether their human friend could be a Booster, Prime answers that he currently has his suspicions. From his and Bumblebee's injuries after their first meeting, Skyfire being protected in the barrier in the recent skirmish, and how he seemingly deflected Megatron's cannon fire, which was Wataru activating his powers for the first time. In the most likely scenario, the resulting impact from the Energon Cube 11 years prior had sent out an energy wave that had an effect on humans in the area—the wave granted the fifth-grader his Booster abilities when he was still an infant.

Mirage comments that while he has heard of such people throughout space, to actually see one in person is amazing. Optimus notes that it's probably something the Energon Cube can perform, glancing over at the large fragment they have. Wanting to lighten the mood a little, Bumblebee suggests that if Wataru is really a Booster, then their fighting capabilities will be increased. Mirage points out a caveat: Megatron would be seeking the boy for his own gain, no matter what method. Prime also adds that it increases the danger factor on Wataru's safety, the scout forgetting that factor.

In contrast to the somber mood, Wataru wakes up excited at the idea of being such a unique individual (and scaring the Autobots in the process), and is more than eager to help out as a Booster. Optimus is obviously hesitant at such a prospect, citing the dangers of the Decepticons.

Unexpectedly, a new voice interrupts them, wondering if the student is the "Booster" as stated in the report, and Bumblebee reveals the newcomer as Doctor Kihara. Satisfied at Wataru's identity, Kihara asks him a favor...

Featured characters

(Numbers indicate order of appearance.)

Notes

• While the original kanji is written as 増幅者 (zōfukusha), the furigana used is "Booster". 増幅 means "amplification" and 者 in this context translates to "someone of that nature".
• In the collected graphic novel version (AKA tankōbon 単行本) a recap page is omitted from this chapter, and a page with a panel of Cybertron from chapter 3 is used, preceding the chapter's title page.

Transformers references

• Like his counterpart in "Fire in the Sky", Skyfire officially joins the Autobots later in the chapter.

• Skyfire's lines about not liking battles and being a scientist, becoming a soldier to protect, and having never really gotten along with Starscream in the past are almost word for word from volume 4 of the pack-in manga.