~ CHAPTER TWELVE - SHORT STORIES ~

Back when they were summoning tanks: 1

"So!" Anzu clapped her hands. "We've sure got some great tanks here, don't we?" She looked at the variety of vehicles they had gathered.

"Yes," Miho agreed, smiling softly. "There's a few teams left, though. It's hard to find replacements for these." Miho turned to look at the Type 89 I-Go, still sitting peacefully undisturbed by the new artifact's power.

What should we replace this with…

"Ooh! Give it to us!" Noriko and her three clubmates waved at Miho, signalling a volleyball pass. Being sensible, Miho instead walked over calmly and passed them the remote.

"I know just the thing to replace good ol' Duck with!"

Noriko pointed the remote at the I-Go and pressed its largest button. A sharp beam of light erupted forth, striking the tank and enveloping the entire garage with blisteringly bright light. Miho and the rest of the gathered members instinctively closed their eyes, then opened them slowly to find the I-Go gone. In its place was…

...the I-Go.

"What?" said Anzu in puzzlement.

"What?" said Miho in confusion.

"What?" said the volleyball team in defense.

The volleyball team were suspended from the club for the next day, and the Type 89 was replaced by a Scorpion following a vote.

Back when they were summoning tanks: 2

Nekota looked at the massive Guntank they had summoned to replace the TIE Mauler previously summoned. It was good, but something was lacking.

"I don't think this is terrifying enough."

Piyotan overheard this. "What isn't?"

"Our tank." Piyotan touched the mecha. "It's tall and all, but it looks more clumsy and fragile than powerful."

"Hmmmm…"

"Oh!" Piyotan had an idea. "If it's a fearsome one you want, I've got another one that's both a tank and a mecha. Just let me get the remote and I'll show you."

As Piyotan ran off, Nekota thought hard. Fearsome… and both a tank and a mecha, huh. Wonder what that could be.

"I'm back!" Piyotan exclaimed, running excitedly. She pointed the device at the towering mecha, but hesitated to activate it.

"What's wrong?"

"Um… this might be a little risky..."

"Hmm?" Nekota did not understand. "If it's too big, then bring it outside the garage."

"No, it's not a problem of space or anything… just… oh, nevermind!"

A familiar blinding flash filled the garage. Where the massive Guntank once stood, an equally massive green and purple tank filled up the space, resembling an M1A1 Abrams, yet at the same time different. A symbolic purple face could be seen printed on its surface. Piyotan stiffened her body, then exhaled in relief.

"Guess it turned out fine after all."

The words were barely out of her mouth when the tank started cracking among previously-invisible faultlines, shifting, rather, transforming into a towering mechanical warrior. As Piyotan backed away in horror and Nekota adjusted her glasses, the head of the beast emerged from what used to be the tank's hull, revealing a pair of glowing blood-red eyes. The robot behemoth looked around warily, then looked down towards Piyotan, who nearly shrieked in terror. It opened its mouth and began to speak, a loud, booming, voice filled with hate and malice.

"IS THIS EARTH?"

It looked out of the door of the garage.

"WHAT AM I DOING HERE? WHERE IS CYBERTRON? WHAT JUST HAPPENED?"

Suddenly, the robot warrior snapped around, glaring at the two terrified girls on the floor of the garage.

"YOU TWO ORGANICS SEEM LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED."

He pointed a large purple cannon at them.

"OWING TO MY LACK OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE SITUATION, I WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE. IF YOU WOULD CARE TO TELL ME WHAT WAS ABLE TO PRY THE GREAT MEGATRON AWAY FROM HIS RULE ON CYBERTRON, I MAY SPARE YOUR LIVES."

"The remote! Quickly!" Nekota urged Piyotan, who pointed it at Megatron. Noticing this, Megatron leaned closer threateningly.

"OH? IT SEEMS YOU POSSESS AN INTERESTING ARTIFACT. TELL ME WHAT IT IS OR I WILL-"

A beam of light shot forth from the remote, hitting Megatron between the eyes. His large figure glowed white, and the comforting figure of the Guntank took his place. Piyotan breathed a sigh of relief.