Important message at the end. Well… sort of important. But read it anyway. With that said, Pokémon is the property of Nintendo, Gamefreak and several other companies, while Beast Wars and all other Transformers related media is the property of Hasbro and Takara Tomy. Enjoy.
Chapter 5: Terrorize!
Among the most peculiar landmasses in the Orange Archipelago is Trovita Island; a relatively small, heavily forested isle, surrounded on all sides by towering rock formations formed millions of years ago when the island first rose out of the sea. This, coupled with the frequent and unpredictable whirlpools that dotted the surrounding waters, made reaching the island quite difficult for inexperienced trainers. Which is presumably why most people participating in the Orange League choose to save the Trovita Gym for last.
But regardless, it was around midmorning when a small crowd gathered on the western shore. A gym battle was about to take place. One that, unbeknownst to everyone involved, would serve as a catalyst to a frightening chain of events.
"I'm sorry if the venue isn't as flashy as you were expecting." Said Rudy, the island's Gym Leader, to his younger opponent. "Normally, we'd be doing this out on one of the spires, but a lady from the OAGS says they're not structurally sound. So until my new stadium is finished, I'll have to do all my battling on the beach."
"That's okay. I came here for a gym badge, not to look at the scenery." Replied Ritchie, the challenger, good-naturedly. "Besides, I've been really looking forward to this one. If you're half the trainer everyone says you are, then this should be a lot of fun."
"Heh-Heh. Good attitude. You know, Ritchie, you remind me of someone I've met before. Especially the way you carry your Pikachu around on your shoulder."
"Yeah… I get that a lot." The younger trainer replied, blushing slightly before getting his head back in the game. "Okay, Sparky. Let's do this!"
"Pikachu!" shouted the electric mouse Pokémon as it hopped off his shoulder and into the battlefield.
"As expected." Rudy said to himself confidently. "Go, Electivire!"
"Vire!" roared the hulking Thunderbolt Pokémon; eager to kick things off.
Then, after a quick signal from the referee, the battle finally got underway.
The sidelines were abuzz with cheering for both combatants. On one side, there was Rudy's little sister Mahri, along with several apprentices from his gym. And on the other were Ritchie's traveling companions; avid baseball fan and self-proclaimed cheerleader Casey, and accomplished young Pokémon photog Todd Snap.
"Go! Ritchie! Go! You can do it!" shouted Casey through her megaphone. "Come on! Knock that pretty boy's block off! Mess him up! Mess him up! Mess! Him! Up! Yah!"
"Casey, do you have to do this every time he has a battle? You're giving me a migraine." Todd complained for what felt like the billionth time. "Besides, I can't get a good shot with you screaming in my ear."
"Oh, lighten up, Toddy Boy. Where's your team spirit?" the purple-haired fanatic said disapprovingly, before putting her megaphone aside and staring amorously at their other companion. "Sigh~ I'll cheer until my voice gives out. Anything to help my darling Ritchie Poo~"
"Ritchie Poo? Forget the headache. Now you're just making me nauseous."
"Oh, who asked you? And anyway, if you want a picture so badly, why don't you go stand over there? Your negative vibes are messing with my mojo."
Not wishing to argue any further, Todd did as she suggested and moved to a slightly quieter position on a neutral part of the sidelines. But of course, that didn't stop him from griping about it.
"Ritchie Poo. Negative Vibes. Mojo. Where the heck does she pick this stuff up?" the young photog grumbled annoyedly before setting up with his camera.
Admittedly, this was a much better spot for taking pictures. Here he could really take in all the movements; every thrust, every dodge. Rudy was certainly living up to his reputation as an unorthodox trainer; the way he'd trained all his Pokémon to dance to music in the heat of battle to increase their speed and makeup for type disadvantages. It was really quite a sight to behold. Not that Ritchie wasn't holding his own, far from it, he and Sparky were doing remarkably well so far. Why at the rate they were going, this battle could easily last over an hour. He just prayed he didn't run out of film.
Either by coincidence or cosmic design, Todd felt a sudden crick in his neck, compelling him to look upwards in order to stretch it out. And in doing so, he caught sight of something he wouldn't forget until his dying day. Four black shapes flying through the sky. Small at first, but then they slowly got bigger, and bigger, and bigger, until…
BOOM!
XXX
Flashbang Grenades.
It had been awhile since he'd come up against someone unscrupulous enough to use them, but Ritchie recognized all the telltale signs.
The ringing in his ears.
The temporary blindness.
The disorientation.
Someone had definitely busted up his gym battle with one of those infernal noisemakers.
The only question was who.
Suddenly, Ritchie's senses returned and he found himself standing in the middle of a battlefield. All around him were dust clouds and potholes, and explosions seemed to go off almost every few seconds. Despite not being able to see anyone else, he could clearly hear voices, both familiar and not.
"Oh goodie~" squealed one of the unfamiliars in a strange, almost buzzing voice. "Waspinator caught one! Waspinator caught one!"
"Hey, batta, batta, batta! Swing batta, batta, batta!" said another voice tauntingly. "And otherwise, take that!"
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" shrieked another, this one very familiar.
"Casey!" he shouted, not even thinking, before rushing off to her rescue.
But alas, his heroics were cut short when something big and heavy knocked him flat on his belly. Then, before he could stand back up, something equally big and heavy stood on his back to keep him pinned to the ground.
"Don't move." A new voice whispered in his ear with a strange sort of snarl. "Don't struggle. Don't resist in any way. You'll only make it worse. For you and your friends."
XXX
Blind, deaf and disorientated, Rudy stumbled through the darkness in search of clarity, but instead found only the cold, wet sand of the shoreline as he tripped over his own feet. Eventually, his senses returned, and the young gym leader found himself in a waking nightmare. All around him were craters and plumes of smoke, and neither his challenger, his apprentices nor even his beloved sister were anywhere to be seen.
A few moments later, a strong breeze blew across the beach, dispersing the clouds and giving him an unobstructed view to something truly horrifying. Before him, laid Ritchie's Pikachu 'Sparky' and his own Electivire; battered and bruised, but seemingly still alive. And just beyond them, were two unfamiliar Pokémon, an Aerodactyl and a Beedrill, carrying the limp and motionless bodies of his opponent's two friends, Casey and Todd. But before he could even try to do anything, he received the biggest shock of all.
"Ok, Waspy, check this out. I had this little filly on the ropes." The Aerodactyl said, to his great astonishment, in a strange squawking voice. "I was bobbin' and weavin' and flying circles around her like nobody's business. Then the little slag-head took a swing at me! So I took a swing at her! WHAM! Right in the old breadbasket. AH-HA-HA-HA!"
"Heh-Heh-Heh-Heh-Heh~" laughed the Beedrill in a demented, buzzing voice. "This the easiest assignment ever. Tiny fleshy-bots go down with one hit. Waspinator get big reward this time for sure."
Despite being terrified and having literally no idea what was going on, Rudy still had a duty to uphold as the island's gym leader and thus had to at least try to save his fellow trainers from these mysterious talking Pokémon. However, before he could reach one of the Pokeballs on his belt, a huge weight pressed against his back, pinning him to the ground.
"As I told your little friend here," said a new voice with an intimidating snarl. "Don't resist. It will only make things worse."
Rudy craned his head to see who was talking and, sure enough, it was yet another Pokémon, a Charizard this time. But more surprising than that was the fact that Ritchie was standing close beside it; conscious and unharmed, but completely terrified.
"Oh, what that scrap?" the Aerodactyl exclaimed, pointing an accusatory talon at the Beedrill. "You stupid Nukehead! That human doesn't have any Pokeballs! He's useless!"
"Not necessarily." The Charizard interjected. "I saw that one taking photos of the battle just before we attacked. He might be one of those… surveyors we've heard about. Bring him along, Waspinator. He might have some useful information. Besides, three trainers is more than enough."
"Better make that four." Said yet another new voice; this one harsh and blunt.
A moment later, a Scizor strolled onto the scene with a squirming little girl pinned under its arm.
"Put me down, you big meanie! Put me down!" shouted the little girl while struggling to break free.
"Shut up!" the Scizor barked harshly; brandishing its opposite claw.
"Mahri!" shouted Rudy, upon seeing his beloved sister in such a predicament.
"Big brother! Help me!"
"I told you to shut up!" the Scizor barked again, this time roughly clunking her in the back of the head.
Naturally, this provoked a strong reaction from Rudy, but before he could act on this sudden surge of emotions, the Charizard beat him to it.
"And just what do you think you're doing, Clawber?" the Flame Pokémon said to the Scizor; glaring fire and arsenic.
"What? The boss said he wants trainers and this kid's a trainer. She's got a Pokeball and everything." Answered the Scissor Pokémon, in a tone that seemed to be inviting conflict.
"One Pokeball does not a trainer make."
"Oh, so you're the expert now?"
"What's more, she is clearly too young to be of any use to us."
"Megatron told us to grab some trainers. He didn't say anything about age."
"Put the child down, Clawber."
"Or what?"
At this last show of defiance, the talking Charizard began to snarl rabidly, before turning to Ritchie.
"Watch him." He commanded the young trainer before stepping off Rudy's back and marching straight towards the insubordinate insectoid.
"You got a problem, Skyfire?" the Scizor asked disrespectfully.
In response, the Charizard spread out his wings and bared his teeth, while glaring every once of his hatred straight into his underling's soul; reminding him just how much bigger, stronger and meaner he really was.
Almost immediately, the Scizor threw Mahri to the ground, causing her to let out a painful squeak.
"There, happy nAAWK!"
Not at all amused by his subordinate's lack of respect, the Charizard grabbed the Scizor by the throat and lifted him to eyelevel.
"Disobey one of my orders again, and it will result in your permanent end." The Flame Pokémon said in a cool but acidic tone. "Is that understood?"
The Scizor, unable to speak, merely nodded in response.
"Good." He said, before dropping the unruly Bug Type like a sack of garbage and walking back to his two captives.
He then grabbed Ritchie by the shoulder and dragged him back towards the still coughing Scizor.
"Carry this one." He told his subordinate before adding. "Or can you not lift anything heavier than a little girl?"
The Beedrill and Aerodactyl snickered, but the Scizor just snarled and did as he was told.
With that settled, the Charizard walked back to Rudy and 'helped' him to his feet.
"The girl is fine." He whispered softly into the gym leader's ear. "Her injuries are superficial and there appears to be no brain damage."
"Wh-What?"
But the Charizard did not answer him. Instead it just took him in its talons and shouted triumphantly.
"Predacons, take flight!"
XXX
Sometime later, never mind the exact amount, the four mysterious Pokémon were flying over the ocean with their captives in tow. Naturally, there had been some screaming and confusion once Todd and Casey regained consciousness, but a stern warning from their captor's silenced them swiftly. Finally, after what felt like hours, they neared their destination; a small desolate rock covered in lava pits.
"Attention, passengers! This is Captain Terrorsaur speaking!" the Aerodactyl said, presumably as a joke. "We'll be landing in just a few minutes, so please, put your tray tables in the upright position and thanks again for flying Predacon Air."
The Charizard in charge just grumbled a curse word as they began to make their descent.
In virtually no time, the four captives were brought to the center of the island and dropped before some sort of massive metal structure, the likes of which none of them had ever seen before, where a large Galvantula was waiting for them.
"Nice work, boys." The creepy Bug Type said in a raspy, wheezing voice as it inspected the captured humans. However, its mood suddenly changed once it got to Todd. "What! This one doesn't have any Pokeballs! Waspinator, you Nuke-brained slag-head!"
"No yell at Waspinator. It all Lizard-bot's idea." The Beedrill whined pitifully. "He said fleshy-bot was taking pictures. Said he might be useful."
"Oh~ So he's one of those Watchers then, is he?" the Galvantula said, pausing to make a sickening slurping sound. "Well in that case, Lord Megatron should be most pleased with all our new acquisitions. Ah, and speak of devil. Here he comes now."
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
The thunderous sound of giant footsteps echoed off the metal structure; sending fresh waves of terror down the captive trainers' collective spines. Within moments, the source of the disturbance came into view, which of course only intensified said terror. It was a Tyrantrum, as big as life, only there was something decidedly off about it. Instead of the usual brownish-red and orange, this one was dark purple and black. And its eyes, oh sweet heaven, they were the darkest, most hellish red any of them had ever seen. It looked more like a demon than a Pokémon.
"Oh my~ What charming selection." Said the Despot Pokémon in a voice that was somehow both intimidating and effeminate. "So fresh-faced. All bright-eyed and bushytailed. And you got them here in record time too. Well done, Skyfire. Yes…"
"Thank you, Lord Megatron." Said the Charizard, bowing respectfully. "But with all due respect, the operation would've gone much smoother if I had gone alone. Your so-called soldiers are without a doubt the most insubordinate bunch of addlebrained malfunctions I have ever worked with!"
Upon hearing this, the Scizor grumbled something crude.
"But that's precisely why I hired you, my dear fellow. To turn these second-rate malcontents into an elite fighting force."
"Pfft. It'd be easier to build a new spaceship out of driftwood."
"Oh, don't be that way. Try to look on the bright side. Now you'll have lots of help whipping these goons into shape." The Tyrantrum said with a sinister smirk, before turning his attention towards the four cowering captives. "Oh, but where are my manners? Welcome, dear children, to Darksyde Island. My humble home, and yours, for the foreseeable future. Now, I'm sure you're all tired, scared and confused. So rather than bore you with a million insignificant details, I'll just skip right to the bottom line. Predacons, Terrorize!"
Then, one by one, they all sounded off.
"Clawber, Terrorize!"
"Terrorsaur, Terrorize!"
"Waspinator, Terrorize!"
Tarantulus, Terrorize!"
"Skyfire, Terrorize!"
"Megatron, Terrorize!"
Then, to the sheer, unrelenting horror of every human in the vicinity, the six mysterious Pokémon all shifted and rearranged themselves into ultra-futuristic humanoid robots; all of them armed to the teeth.
"Now then, children, here's the bottom line." Said the lead robot in a threatening yet whimsical fashion. "My name is Megatron, No… Scratch that. Lord Megatron. And from this day forward, you are all my property. Resistance is futile! Yes…"
End Notes:
I'm not abandoning this story, but I'll be taking the next few weeks off from it to work on something else. Don't flame me. Thanks for reading.
Peace.