6- Masters and Students.
Inside the Nemesis's bridge, Darkscream was seeing the record of the space bridge destruction again.
"Such a shame. But I applaud you, Galvatron. You certainly made a grant exit."
In that moment, Soundblaster entered the bridge.
"Ah, Soundblaster. Que the audio visual. I wish to address the troops." Darkscream asked.
Soundblaster nodded. Moments later, all the terminals of the ship showed Darkscream as the Decepticons continued their routine.
"The loss of Galvatron, leader of the great Decepticon uprising, is certainly a blow to our cause. Yet, we mustn't despair over his tragic demise, but instead embrace his ultimate sacrifice and build upon the foundation he laid. With an even mightier hand."
One of the Decepticon soldiers who was in the bridge raised his hand. "With all due respect, commander Dark…eh…lord Darkscream."
"Yes, yes, what is it?"
"If we failed to conquer Earth under lord Galvatron's command, what hope do we have now while the Autobots still defend it?"
Darkscream groaned. "Allow me to be crystal clear. I studied for eons under our former master. Thus, I am equipped to lead you. I, Galvatron's true heir, lord Darkscream, emperor of destruction!"
Despite his speech, the troops started to whisper doubts to each other, not convinced. Darkscream noticed it, and started to walk for the bridge's exit mad.
"What use are troops who can't rise to the task of inflicting unspeakable destruction in my name?" Darkscream complained, until he thought of something. "But wait. Legend tells of one capable warrior. One who exits here, upon this very planet. One who can be student to my master."
Meanwhile, inside the Autobot base, Optimus was with his thoughts, until Ratchet and Elita came to see him.
"Optimus, are you okay? Why so glum? This planet, all planets are finally free from Galvatron's tyranny."
"I do not disagree, Elita. It's just, a small part of me hoped to change Galvatron's mind, not extinguish his spark."
"Optimus, his vileness was not slain by your hand, but by his own twisted arrogance." Ratchet corrected with anger. But he heard Optimus a little annoyed for his words. "I'm sorry."
"We know the two of you had quite a history." Elita added.
"But the Megatron whom I once fought beside perished eons ago, the day he chose to become a Decepticon. The Decepticons may be in disarray, but they aren't without leadership. And while Darkscream is no Galvatron, he is far from predictable."
Suddenly they heard an explosion, right next to them.
"Decepticons! We're under attack!" Ratchet yelled.
They went to check what was the reason of the explosion. But once they reached the place of the explosion and the smoke cleared, they only saw Bumblebee with Max, and something with they seemed to be working on.
"It's no attack, Ratchet. It's my volcano." Max clarified coughing, as the volcano melted like a bunch of chocolate. "Well, was."
But they were not the only ones who were working on something.
"Whoa, you made all these drawings by your own? You're an artist, Tracey."
"Hehehe, thank you, Bonnie. That's my way to catch the pokémon's most interesting moments."
"And what is all this paper for?" Moonracer said holding lots of paper of giant size.
"Professor Oak wants to show my finest pictures to public, so he's going to need bigger copies. Now, press it against the ground so it doesn't move while I start to draw here."
Warpath was also helping May.
"Are you sure you know how to do this?" The Autobot tank asked while he hold a huge bunch of balloons on his hand.
"Don't worry, Warpath. It can't be so hard to infuse air to a balloon." May answered as she continued with the one she had now. But she ended making the balloon explode itself. "Ufs, I guess I gave it too much air."
"Please, don't let it happen again, May. Dedenne doesn't like that sound, and me neither." Bonnie said hidden beneath Moonracer covering her ears.
"Dedenne." The little pokémon groaned, doing the same.
"What…in the Allspark…is going on in here?" Ratchet asked in disbelief.
"Professor Oak is organizing a pokémon special event tomorrow, so we are helping him with all tasks." Ritchie answered while he was working on a list with his Autobot partner.
"Are you sure a gun battle is something for kids? I wouldn't feel easy leaving guns to children for use."
"You misunderstand, Sideswipe. I was referring to water guns. Or paintball."
"Paintball? What's that?"
"Is a game in which players use guns with have balls of paint for ammunition. It's a popular activity for all ages, and they have started to make variants in which pokémon can participate. You're going to help me win if at the end they put that, right Sparky?"
"Pikachu."
"Haha, sounds like fun. I wonder what could happen if by some miracle the Cons' weapons started to fire paint like that." Sideswipe joked. "By the way, where are the others?"
"Ash went to help his mother helping professor Oak back in Pallet Town. Serena is with her mother seeing if they can include Rhyhorn Race in the activities list, and Misty and her sisters are preparing some show back at her home." Clemont answered while he was working on something with his computer.
"Not to forget Max and Bee are helping with the science activities and Dawn is preparing a pokémon contest exhibition, which I will help her to prepare once I'm over with this." May added.
"What? Clemont, you too?" Ratchet asked in disbelief.
"I'm helping promoting the event with some advertisements, thanks that Professor Oak allowed me to personalize his website."
"Well, you can't work on these tasks in here. You're…making a mess."
"But this event is important for Professor Oak and all lovers of pokémon community." Ritchie defended.
"Yeah." Bonnie supported. "If Moon and I doesn't help Tracey finish these drawings…"
"Oh. And what does Moonracer know about art?" Ratchet interrupted. "Or Bumblebee of your volcanoes, or Warpath about party items, or…"
"Sideswipe about games?" Clemont finished.
"Precisely. We're not earthlings, and they're not scientists like you or me."
"But the Autobots are their guardians, Ratchet." Elita pointed out.
"Would it hurt to learn more of Earth by helping our young friends with their duties?" Optimus intervened.
"Well, maybe our young friends should try learning more of Cybertron." Ratchet responded.
At the same time, Darkscream stood in front of a rock canyon near the ruins of Alph on Johto while Soundblaster was using a sensor array that came from his back. They seemed to be looking for something, or someone.
"During the Great War so much energon was hidden on this forsaken rock, that our departed master sent some of Cybertron's greatest to guard it. True warriors, now lying in stasis. Waiting to be reawakened. Such folly that late in life, Galvatron searched distant space for warriors, rather than here, beneath his feet."
Soundblaster was searching the area, but he reported anything.
"What do you mean you can't pinpoint his signal? I know we are close. Boost the power to your sensors." Darkscream instructed.
Soundblaster followed his lead, and then he showed on his visor that he located a signal on the surrounding area's map.
"Yes, there."
And so, both Decepticons changed to their vehicle forms and flew to the marked place. Back to the Autobot base, Bumblebee was helping Max to make a new volcano as he told him one of his adventures.
"(So I was there, running through the devastated streets of Iacon with an important message. Shooting every Con who tried to stay in my way, and I finally met with Optimus and Ratchet.)" Bee told as he showed his gun, pretending to be shooting. "(A great achievement for scout class in process to become a warrior.)"
"Really Bumblebee? Then how do you make warrior class?" Max asked.
"(With a lot of experience.)"
"But I've seen you in action. You're awesome."
"(Thank you very much, Max.)" Bee thanked as Optimus put a hand on his shoulder.
"I second your opinion, Max. But Autobot life cycles are much longer than those of humans. And though it may be hard to believe, our young scout still has much to experience."
In that moment, the computer's alarm sounded.
"Exposed energon. And it's on the move." Ratchet saw.
"And since we ain't moving it, guess who must be." Wheeljack said arriving.
"Decepticons." Moonracer answered.
"Without Galvatron?" Bonnie asked.
"Unfortunately, Galvatron's legacy will live on, as others rise to take his place." Optimus explained.
"Autobots, we know you're very busy helping your friends, but if one of you can accompanied as a volunteer, we will appreciate it." Elita announced.
"I can help Max with his volcano, so that way Bee could go with you." Clemont suggested. "If that doesn't bother you."
"Of course not." Max reassured.
"Very well. Bumblebee, let us see about this energon in transit." Optimus declared.
Bee nodded with his head. Meanwhile, inside the canyon, several Zubats, Sandshrews and Sentrets were running like if they were attacked. The reason: Soundblaster and Darkscream were pulling out some kind of chamber from a cave.
"Excellent, Soundblaster." Darkscream signaled once the chamber was already out. "The cube."
Soundblaster opened a little compartment and pulled out an energon cube that handed to Darkscream. Next, he inserted it in an opening and went inside the chamber. That caused the structure to power up.
"The energon infusion, it's working." Darkscream observed triumphal.
Then the chamber lighted up, forcing the Decepticons to cover their eyes. Not far from there, the ground bridge brought Optimus, Elita and Bumblebee into the canyon. They even saw the pokémon running away.
"(What do you think it could have scared them?)"
"I have a good hunch, Bumblebee." Elita said.
"Hold your position, and await our command." Optimus instructed as he and Elita went to investigate.
Once all the energon was consumed, the chamber's doors started to open.
"Awaken, warrior. Rise and serve your new master." Darkscream called.
A new Decepticon emerged from the chamber, a big one, taller than Darkscream, green with red details, and with a body which showed that his alt mode could be an air vehicle. He stretched his limbs and crushed his fists before looking at Darkscream.
"Skyquake serves only one master." The new Decepticon pronounced.
"Excellent. Your loyalty and devotion will set a fine example for the troops. No need to be timid, Skyquake, you may bow." Darkscream encouraged.
"You fail to grasp my meaning. I am here on a mission, assigned to me by my one master: Megatron."
"Yes, him. Sadly, Megatron is no longer with us."
"Impossible."
"Why is this so difficult for everyone to accept?" Darkscream said annoyed. "Skyquake, I located you, I awakened you. Thus I, lord Darkscream, am now your master."
Skyquake reacted groaning at Darkscream at his face, making him a little nervous.
"It has been a while, Skyquake." Optimus recognized, showing himself.
Skyquake put Darkscream aside as he looked at the Autobot. "Optimus Prime, I haven't seen you since the battle of Technahar. Megatron ordered me to annihilate you."
"That was a long time ago." Optimus said approaching him.
"That may be, Prime. But my orders still stand."
Bumblebee was seeing everything hidden between the rocks.
"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, Darkscream, then stray from Galvatron's path and lead the Decepticons toward peace."
"I would be willing to consider a truce, if you and your sparkmate would be willing to bow before me, Elita One."
"Again? Bow to this!" Skyquake shouted punching Darkscream aside.
After recovering, Darkscream changed to vehicle form and flew away.
"Skyquake, this is a new era, on another world. Side with the Autobots and help me end this conflict forever!" Optimus offered.
"I will never side with a Prime!"
Skyquake charged against Optimus, but Elita put herself on his way, so Skyquake pushed her against the canyon's walls. Next, he grabbed her and threw her at Optimus. At the same time, Darkscream reunited with Soundblaster, who was on the edge of the canyon. Darkscream shook his head because of Skyquake's hit, but he didn't look upset.
"What need have I for peace when I have Skyquake? With some discipline he will learn to respect his new master. And once it becomes known that Skyquake destroyed Optimus Prime under my command, all Decepticons will gratefully bow to me." He said smirking.
Bumblebee observed the fight, which wasn't on his leaders' favor. They managed to hit Skyquake with their weapons' shots, but Skyquake pulled out from his back a machine laser gun which fired, hitting Optimus and Elita so hard that pushed them back.
"(Wait there! I'm coming!)"
"Bumblebee, no!" Optimus called.
Bumblebee jumped and fired at Skyquake from behind, but the Decepticon turned at him and fired. Bumblebee managed to dodge the shots jumping over the canyon's walls before jumping at his attacker, but Skyquake grabbed him with his hand and threw him against the wall. But before Skyquake could fire at him, Optimus grabbed his hand and shoved it toward the air, while Elita started kicking his face. That allowed Bumblebee to recover and charge against their opponent, but Skyquake dropped his gun and threw Bee against the ground. And Soundblaster was seeing it in his visor.
"Do not miss a single moment, Soundblaster. We shall need visual documentation of Optimus Prime's demise. For the historical record." Darkscream ordered.
Optimus punched Skyquake in the head, but he returned the punch and tried to hit again. Optimus evaded him and tried to grab him from behind, but Skyquake pushed him back.
"(Why isn't he attacking us in his alt mode?)"
"Skyquake has not yet acquired a vehicle mode." Optimus whispered to Bumblebee and Elita while Skyquake handed back his big gun and yelled a battle cry charging at them.
"That might be our advantage over him. Fall back!" Elita instructed.
The three Autobots changed to vehicle form and drove away, making a cloud of smoke and dust that covered their escape.
"So time has made you a coward, Prime?" Skyquake mocked as he continued firing.
Meanwhile, the children continued working with their partners on their duties.
"I'm still can't believe you take these things seriously." Ratchet said.
"Well, everything we do alone is nothing important, but together they make a whole which will help to make the event the best possible." Clemont explained. "I'm almost done here, so how about if you next start showing me all about the ground bridge?"
That made Ratchet smile. "That's something I will be glad to do."
Back with the Decepticons…
"We've lost sight of them. Soundblaster, why aren't you tracking them?" Darkscream demanded. "What, what is it?"
Soundblaster showed that he detected something else.
"A second Decepticon life signal? But Skyquake is the only sleeper buried in this area."
Soundblaster zoomed the signal's location, one which Darkscream recognized.
"The site of our destroyed space bridge. You are not telling me that life signal belongs to Galvatron." Darkscream said in disbelief. "But he was microns from the detonation point. Nothing could have survived that blast. Your sensors must be faulty. Ignore the contact, delete the coordinates." Darkscream ordered annoyed, thinking that his chance of becoming leader could fade away. "But what am I saying? Of course, this must be investigated. If lord Galvatron is up there, I shall bring him home. Remain here and monitor the outcome. When Skyquake snuffs Prime's spark I must bear witness."
Darkscream jumped off the edge and changed to his vehicle form, heading right to the remains of the space bridge. At seeing him leaving, Soundblaster suspected that something bad could happen.
"I must bear witness." Soundblaster replayed Darkscream's last words before sending Buzzsaw after him.
High in the sky an F-35 flew nearby.
"Tengo-Six-Alpha to central command. I'm picking a transmission originating from unidentified technology, possibly hostile. I'm moving in to investigate."
"Negative, Tengo-Six-Alpha." A pokémon ranger of blue hair called, riding on a Garchomp. "This is Ranger Lunick present. Strike your report from the records and guide me to the coordinates. I'll take it from there."
And the pokémon ranger with his Garchomp followed the jet on their way. Back with the Autobots, Skyquake was chasing Bee, who was getting away in vehicle form, until the poor Autobot changed to robot form at reaching to a dead end.
"It will be a shame to crush you, bug. But it is my duty." Skyquake said.
Then, a loud honk caught his attention. It was Elita and Optimus, both in vehicle form, driving at him. Skyquake fired his gun at them, but Optimus and Elita came so fast that when they returned to robot form, they punched Skyquake so hard that sent him against the rocks.
"Excellent strategy, Bumblebee." Elita congratulated.
Skyquake was incrusted into the canyon's wall that he fell unconscious. But he returned back online fast and scratched Optimus's chest.
"Skyquake, stay down." Optimus ordered before punching the Decepticon's face, sending him back to the floor.
Now Skyquake seemed too tired to keep fighting the Autobots. But then, Optimus looked to the sky, noticing a plane and a pokémon flying above them.
"Is that…Ranger Lunick?" Elita recognized, seeing who was ridding the Garchomp.
But Skyquake spotted the plane too, and he thought that it could be perfect. So, he launched two beams of green light from his eyes at the plane, starting to scan it.
"Ranger Lunick, fall back!" Optimus advised by com-link.
"What in the name of Arceus…?" Ranger Lunick asked in disbelief.
That caused the plane to suffer a short circuit and started falling to the ground. Fortunately, Garchomp was able to speed up and grab the plane from behind. The pokémon managed to slow down the plane's falling until it almost reached the ground, so he placed it safely on it. Meanwhile, Skyquake downloaded the image of the plane on his eyes, which made some of the parts of his body to change. Once it was done, he jumped above the Autobots and turned into another plane of the same model; but with his same color schemes, revealing to be his new alt form; and took flight.
"Okay, that's totally not a good thing." Ranger Lunick asked seeing Skyquake flying next to them.
"Air superiority achieved." Skyquake declared as he flew against the Autobots and started firing them with his new vehicle form's weapons.
The Autobots had no choice but to change to vehicle form and get away as fast as they could, dodging the shots. Seeing that it was not going to be easy to hit the Autobots with regular shots, Skyquake opened his vehicle's compartment, revealing some missiles, ready to launch for when he will mark the target. Fortunately, he had no chance since Ranger Lunick's Garchomp started to attack him.
"We cannot leave an evil being from another world to steal plans from a classified military aircraft. Use Dragon Rage!" Ranger Lunick commanded.
Garchomp fired at Skyquake, who looped around and fired the missiles at them. Fortunately, he saw them coming.
"What do you say, pal? Up for some spinning tops?"
"Gar gar." Garchomp nodded.
The pokémon flew inside the canyon's wall until it got in front a giant cliff side, so it pulled up and the missiles hit the wall.
"Well done pal, no matter how good those guys are, this will always be our ground." Ranger Lunick said proud.
At the same time, very far from there, Darkscream flew between the wreckage of the space bridge. Once reaching to the center of the area, he transformed back to robot form and landed in a big peace.
"No one could have survived this. As I suspected, faulty sensors. The last thing I need now are rumors that Galvatron is still…"
Then Darkscream heard a loud, agonizing moan nearby. He jumped over a few pieces until he found where the moaning came from.
"Galvatron."
It was Galvatron's corpse. Until he grabbed Darkscream, revealing to be still alive. But because he was too weak, Galvatron released him.
"But how?" Darkscream asked, until he saw a hole in Galvatron's chest, with a glowing purple light coming from its inside. Then he smirked, this was finally his chance. "Ah, dark energon." He faced Galvatron. "Everyone believes you are deceased. Who am I to disappoint them? Master."
And Darkscream pulled out the dark energon shard from Galvatron's spark chamber. Galvatron tried to grab it, but without it he went out again.
"And this time, stay dead." Darkscream said as he pushed Galvatron's body into the space.
Suddenly, Darkscream heard the recognizable sound of Buzzsaw near, spotting him first. So, he decided to hide what he was doing before the Minicon reached.
"Soundblaster! If you are listening, I have found lord Galvatron. And he is…unwell. We must transport him to sickbay, immediately." He ordered as he hid the dark energon.
Back with the Autobots, they were still dodging Skyquake's missiles and shots. Then one missile hit very near to Optimus, which impact forced him to change to robot form. Bumblebee, drove toward a path that allowed him to go up the canyon like a ramp. Once he reached the top, he changed back to robot form, and he was running right where Skyquake was flying at the moment. He jumped above the canyon's walls until he managed to hook to one of Skyquake's wings. He reacted smashing him against the wall, trying to get him off, but Bee didn't lose his grip.
"Ranger Lunick, we require immediate assistance." Optimus asked through the com-link.
The Decepticon performed a barrel roll to shake off Bumblebee, but he gripped on with success. Next, he punched him hard to remove his wires, making a big hole that made flames and smoke, followed by a second one. Of course, Skyquake groaned in pain because of the hits, and not only that, he started to fly without control heading to the floor.
"(This has been a bad idea!)"
Fortunately, the Ranger Lunick and Garchomp approached next to him.
"Any time, pal. Ground four is coming fast." He called.
Bumblebee jumped and allowed Garchomp to grab his hands while they saw Skyquake flying at high speed until he crash-landed inside the canyon.
"Happy landings, Decepticon." Lunick saluted as he and Garchomp took flight and headed back to assist the plane after allowing Bumblebee to land.
The Autobots approached Skyquake's landing zone, just when he closed his eyes, showing that he went offline.
"A shame that he has to end this way."
"Indeed, Elita. That Skyquake chosen to stray from his master's path, we might not be burying him today." Optimus declared.
Soundblaster saw them from a distance as he recorded everything. Back in their base, Bumblebee was recovering in the medical chamber.
"Bumblebee, putting yourself at risk was perhaps not the wisest of strategies, but you performed admirably." Optimus congratulated.
"(Because I learned from the best.)"
Then they heard the sound of the other Autobots, coming with the children.
"There you are. How has everything gone?" Ratchet asked.
"Everything is settled and ready for the event." Ash informed.
"I'm so excited. I'm wanting to be tomorrow already." Bonnie exclaimed cheered.
"We all are going to be there and enjoy for all the effort of today." Misty revealed.
"Professor Oak has reassured me that everything will not disappoint us." Tracey added.
"Speaking about that, guys…Can you please take care of Bonnie while you are there?"
"Huh, why do you ask that, Clemont?" May asked confused.
"I'm not going to be there tomorrow."
"What? But why? Don't you want to assist, big brother?"
"It's not about that, Bonnie. I just promised someone to assist for a…special tutoring session." Clemont answered, referring to a certain Autobot.
Ratchet smiled at hearing that.
"Seems like everything went fine in our absence." Elita noticed.
"And I think Ratchet has found one good reason to start learning about the human world." Optimus added.
As everyone was happy at base, the situation was not the same for someone on the Nemesis. Darkscream and Soundblaster already brought Galvatron's body to the Nemesis's medical bay.
"The troops will be pleased to hear about our success in rushing lord Galvatron into stasis. Let us hope that our master pulls through." Darkscream expressed, but inside he was annoyed that Galvatron was not dead at all, but simply hooked to a life support machine by a lot of cables.