(Hey everybody! How you all doing?! I'm SO sorry that I wasn't able to update this sooner but I had classes, and a crazy schedule so I had to bide my time in writing this chapter. And umm... *Takes out a pair of fancy reading glasses to look at a script, he said, hiding both glasses and script* Rocker on, Rayqaza isn't evil he's just being prejudice and paranoid over any "invader" that comes into his domain and the planet. Or does needing to watch how it was with the Purple gemmed Dioxys in "Destiny Deoxys" give you a clue about how he feels about beings from outside its planet and its territory in the Ozone layer?
I didn't mean to make it sound like it was cynical or anything bad...
Now there's something of a serious matter I wish to discuss. I had been speaking with another author of a great story and he has agreed to allow me to use his OCs in POKE WARS to add more to my idea as the story progressed.
Now without further ado, let's get this chapter, Heat of Battle underway! Please read and review and enjoy it.
P.S. I don't own anything Pokemon or Transformers: Beast Wars, they are the property of their respective owners. )
It was like any ordinary day at the Maximal base when an alarm went off and caused everyone to be jolted awake and hurry to the bridge. Optimus approached Rhynox, who was already working on the controls, "What's up, Rhynox?"
"Our systems have finally located two of our missing Stasis Pods, thanks to the locator beacons installed on them should they hit planet fall." Rhynox explained as a flat map appeared on the screen showing the planet they were on. It began to zoom close to the Kanto region, showing a group of Islands that made Ash and Pikachu freeze.
Noticing this, Serena asked, "Ash? Do you and Pikachu know where this is?"
"Yea, those are the Orange Islands." Ash said as Pikachu nodded. A piece of sweat trickled down his face as the image began to zoom closer to one of the islands as he exclaimed, "And that's Murcott Island."
"Murcott Island?" Clemont asked, never having heard the name of this Island before. Ash explained how the entire Island was inhabited by Bug-types. He also explained that as he explored those islands, while on his way of winning to Orange crew, a friend of his, by the name of Tracy Sketchit, caught a Scyther after it lost a duel of leadership over its swarm. However after Team Rocket attacked the swarm, it was able to regain the respect of those that left it behind.
"If the Island is filled with as many bug Pokémon as you say then, perhaps, we should hurry before one of them either damages or forces the pods open." Optimus said looking at to Cheattor and the others, "Has the warp gate been completed."
"In a few nano kliks; big bot we were just about to turn it on before the alarm went off." Cheattor said.
Looking at them Optimus explained, "We need to hurry Cheattor, before Megatron gets to them and turns them both into Predacons."
The rest of the Maximals and Ash's group nodded and went back to work.
An alarm went off in the Predacon base as Megatron ordered, "What is it?"
"Sensors detected signals from two Stasis Pods in Coordinates Beta-5-2-9-Sigma, the Orange Archipelago." The computer answered as the energy orb showed Megatron the map of the group of islands. On one of the islands began blinking.
Seeing this, Megatron ordered, "Identify Island."
"Murcott Island. Data reports state many different species of Bug-type Pokémon roam the island." The computer stated, showing the listed bug Pokémon's images on the island.
"Ah, such a verity of potentially powerful life forms for the new Predacons to take, Yess." Megatron said, breaking into a laugh.
With the gate ready it was time to test it. Rhynox punched in the coordinates. All the Maximals had been installed with a special gate recall chip in order to reopen the gate for them to return to their base if no one was there to do it for them.
"If this works then we may be able to gain not only tactical advantage on par with the Predacons, but also allow us to come close to the Pods in order to rescue our crewmates…" Optimus said, he turned to Rhynox and ordered, "Do it."
Rhynox, though still unsure, nodded and activated the gateway. The engines hummed to life as the emitters began to glow. An electric blue portal between them appeared before the Maximal leader. Gathering his courage Optimus approached the gate and slowly extended an arm towards it.
His arm went through without any trouble and he then retracted it without any.
He then smiled, assuring his team that everything was going off without a hitch, so far.
Optimus proceeded to go through the portal.
"Big brother, do you think it works? Is Optimus okay?" Bonnie asked, concerned.
Clemont looked at the portal before his little sister, "To tell the truth, I'm not completely sure. It's been proven successful with Pokémon in the Pokéballs but… it was never done on one outside of a Pokéball before…"
The portal rippled before Optimus' Slaking head poked his head back through, "Looks like a great success, come on through."
Optimus pulled his head backwards, through the portal to the destination. One by one, the Maximals went through with the four children. When they exited out of the portal they found themselves in a tropical climate that was teeming with Bug-Type Pokémon.
Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie were amazed at the many Bug-types that thrive on the island. Most of them have not been seen before in the Kalos Region.
"Look at all the different Bug-types..." Clemont said, unable to believe this island was teeming with so many different bug Pokémon.
Bonnie, unable to keep her excitement in check, exclaimed, "They're all so cute!"
Before she could go and hug them, her brother used his Aipom arm to stop her, "Bonnie, be careful; we don't know how these Pokémon will react to us..."
Optimus smiled a little as he watched Bonnie's face swell up in a pout. Ash however said, "Clemont's right Bonnie, most of the Bug types are very cautious around people that jump out at them. They might think you wanna harm them."
Still pouting, Bonnie sighed, "Oh-kay..."
Kabubot watched the siblings and asked his leader, "What shall we do now, Optimus?"
"Spread out and look for the status pods. But remember, the humans will think we're Pokémon so remain with one of the children to keep your cover as their Pokémon, and don't talk." Optimus ordered as the Maximals nodded.
Clemont and Bonnie went with Rhynox and Absotron, Serena with Cheattor and Ratitrap, and finally Ash and Pikachu went off in another direction with Optimus and Kabubot. They were packed with food, clothes, recall switches to open a gate back to the base in Kalos, and finally a locator device that showed when either group got close to one of the stasis pods first.
Bonnie was riding excitedly on Absotron who moved through the island stealthily. Clemont made sure he had everything he needed, that was given to him by Rhynox, in case something went wrong with the Protoform inside the pod.
"You don't need to worry about everything, Clemont." Rhynox said, assuring the inventor to calm down, as the gentle giant of the Maximals lumbered along.
Clemont looked back to the Rhyhorn, "Sorry, Rhynox, it's just... after what you just told me about your power source... how it's so similar to both the heart and soul of a living being... I want to be prepared for anything that might come."
"I understand that, but being a scientist is not always following the logical or what you can see; half of it is pure luck while the other half is faith that you can do it. After all, Science is bringing the impossible to reality." Rhynox advised, causing Clemont look at the Maximal, astounded by how inspiring Rhynox's words were.
While on Absotron, Bonnie and Dedenne were having the time of their lives and cheered every time the Maximal went quickly through the terrain, "Wow you're so cool, Absoltron!"
Dedenne agreed. Absoltron smiled, "Glad you both believe so."
"Hey Absoltron, what were you before coming here?" Bonnie asked.
Looking back, the Security bot was confused, "What was I?"
"You know before becoming an Absol."
"Oh! I was a security vehicle." Absoltron said. This made both the small rodent and young girl confused, so the Maximal corrected himself, "I was a police car."
"So that means you're like a police officer?" Bonnie asked, thinking of Officer Jenny and her officers.
"In a way, yes." Absoltron replied, having seen an image of all the Officer Jenny's that exist in this world.
"That's so cool!" Bonnie exclaimed, hugging Absoltron's neck tighter, causing him to gag, he needed to breath.
Serena and her group looked carefully around their section of the Island. She asked, "Cheattor, have you or Ratitrap found anything yet?"
"Nothing yet, Serena. What about the locator?" The feline speedster asked poking his head from a bush. He continued to sniff out the pods through their scent.
Serena attempted to use the locator in her hand to look for any signal of either stasis pod, but the screen showed nothing, "Nothing yet."
"Ugh! Ah'm so sic of dis jungle..." Ratitrap complained, looking through anything he could.
Turning to the trainer, the Maximal asked, "Can't ya get dose Pokémon's of yers to look fer it?"
Serena looked back sadly, "Optimus said not to unless it was an utmost emergency. He and Ash didn't think it's a good idea to show Pokémon no one's ever seen before in Kanto, but we're trying to keep a low profile."
Ratitrap groaned as he kept searching. He was getting annoyed at how slow they were going.
Optimus, Kabubot, Ash and Pikachu kept searching in their current location, Pikachu was searching through the trees while the other three searched down below.
Optimus sniffed the air and turning to Ash, he asked, "Any luck with the locator, Ash?"
Seeing that the locator hadn't shown a blip on the screen, Ash looked back to the Maximal leader and said, "Sorry Optimus, nothing yet."
"We need to keep looking for them before the Predacons arrive and reprogram them." Optimus said. His voice expressed how important it was for the Maximals to reach the pods before the Predacons.
Getting a bad feeling, Ash asked, "Optimus, even if they're reprogrammed, they can still remember that they were Maximals, right?"
"No... I'm afraid that they won't." Optimus said, sad to tell the boy something he didn't want to hear."
Ash looked shocked, "But why?"
"Hmph! Ariadosus has great computer coding skills, greater than the Clemont boy or the Rhydon." Kabubot snarled, keeping eye out for anything hostile.
Ash remained silent as he hoped that the maximal-turned Predacons could've still remembered who they actually were and stop the fighting. But when the Maximal commander and Predacon expert told him this, the trainer from Pallet town looked down disheartened.
Optimus noticed the look on Ash's face and mentally commented, 'The boy has a big heart... I guess he's seen his fair share of battles to know how awful actual war would be to this otherwise peaceful world. I just hope we can end the Poké Wars before something terrible happens.'
Unfortunately for the Maximals, the Predacons had indeed arrive on Murcott Island. It was near a rather peaceful and resting swarm of Scyther that were examining something beeping and metal, when the Predacons and the Team Rocket Trio: Jessie, James, and Meowth appeared.
The Scyther swarm were naturally surprised by this sudden intrusion and got ready to defend themselves.
The Tyrantrum turned to the Ariados and asked, "You're certain that the Pod is in this part of the Island?"
"Of course Megatron, my instruments never fail." The purple spider like Pokémon said, and he cackled madly.
Serviperella however hissed, distrusting of the spider, "I'm sure..."
"Oh... my aching head..." Jessie moaned, rubbing her head.
"Please tell me that was the worst of it..." James groaned, laying on his back.
"Let ya kno wen mah stomach stops spin'n." Meowth replied. He too was laying down, but on his stomach with his face in the dirt. Unlike the Predacons, Team Rocket had a negative experience with the transportation sequence. They were feeling weak, woozy, and unable to stand.
Several familiar shouts brought the three crooks back to their senses when saw the Scyther swarm. Immediately, the three of them screamed bloody murder, "OH NO, NOT AGAIN!"
"Take it you seen these things before." Skorupinok asked, watching the Scythers getting ready to fight. Jessie was about to reply in fear when she saw a particular Scyther with an X shape scar on its brow, causing the magenta-headed woman to become very angry.
"You can say that again! Those menaces to Hairstyles everywhere gave us crewcuts that took a long time to grow back!" Jessie exclaimd, fire flaring in her eyes.
Seeing this, Skorupinok and Waspinator winced and retreated to where James and Meowth were. The Beedrill Predacon asked, frightened, "What's got Jess-bot so mad?"
"Well, from what I can recall, we stumbled ourselves into the territory of a Scyther swarm and that scarred Scyther, the new leader of the swarm, chopped her hair in half. We were about to exact our revenge when the twerp and his friends set them free and gave us all Mohawks in the blink of an eye." James said, he closed his eyes, and crossed his arms, remembering the event.
Megatron, intrigued by this information, asked "Are they that powerful?"
"Oh, you have no idea... I still remember how a Scyther's able to cut through metal, let alone a whole acre of forest, in a minute." Meowth whined, shivering at the thought.
"Powerful, swift, and deadly. I like the sound of that yess.." Megatron mused, thinking this Pokémon species would indeed be the perfect choice for one of the new Predacons. He was about to issue his orders when he noticed the device made out of metal, ordering, "Skorupinok! Use the scanner for the exact location for the pod."
"Yes Megatron. Skorupinok, Terrorize!" The Skorupi said before transforming, surprising the Scyther. A lens lowered over his visor and pointed passed the swarm, "Right there. Where those bugs are!"
"Excellent. Predacons! Capture that Scyther! We will use that for our new comrade's Poké form." Megatron ordered as they and the Scyther began the battle. Eager for revenge, Jessie joined the fray with her Pumpkaboo and Wobufette. James and Meowth however sat on the side lines to use their Team Rocket devices to capture the Scyther that were knocked unconscious or subdued by one of the Predacons.
Once all of the Predacons had detained the swarm and brought the leader to the pod, Ariadosus began activating it and commenced the reprogramming process. The stasis pod hummed to life. An antenna with a DNA scanner emerged and two beams of yellow light shot out and scanned for a compatible life-form to give the new Predacon its Poké mode.
Meowth and the other Team Rocket Pokémon had to retreat as the scanner beam came close to them, dragging the other unconscious Scyther along, leaving the cross scarred leader to be scanned by the pod. The hatch opened, steam flowing out as a result, as the new Predacon emerged. Seeing this, Megatron smiled. Hearing and seeing other Bug-types roaming the island, he asked, "Now that we have our new comrade, how do you all feel about making this island a secondary base of operations? Yess.."
With no luck in their position, Rhynox called Optimus, causing the Slaking worry.
"Well… we haven't found either of the pods yet. If only our scanners were more accurate with this planet's atmosphere. Double check everything before heading back to our coordinates." Optimus told his old friend.
"Understood." Rhynox said, ending the communications and to the others in his group.
"What did he say?" Clemont asked, concerned.
Looking back to the inventor, the Maximal scientist told him, "Optimus' team hasn't found anything yet either. We need to keep looking here before returning to the others."
Clemont and Bonnie nodded and searched their area once more. That was before they heard a familiar scwuak and saw both flyers, Terrorsaur and Buzzinator flying at them as they transformed and swooped down to attack.
"Uh oh! It's the Predacons!" Bonnie cried getting scared. Dedenne shouted in shock at seeing the two cons flying towards the five of them.
"Rhynox/Absotron, Maximize!" The two Maximals shouted, transforming and firing back at the Predacons. Rhynox had to get the two humans and Dedenne somewhere safe before engaging the enemy.
"Cheattor to Big cat, what's going on over there, sounds like explosions." Cheattor's voice came from Absoltron's comm. link.
The security bot replied, "Predacons in our vicinity; be careful little cat and watch your back, if these two are here, then that means-"
"Gotcha, we'll be ready when those stinking preds come. Do you need back up?" Cheattor assured before asking.
Rhynox, however, interrupted, "No, you and Ratitrap must find the pods before the predacons do. Keep Serena safe and warn Optimus. We'll try to lead them away from the children before regrouping with you."
"Understood big R." Cheattor said, ending the comm. Rhynox and Absoltron nodded to each other and resumed their fire fight with the airborne enemies, steadily leading them away from the two humans. Clemont held Bonnie, who was holding Dedenne there were sounds of explosions and the earth around them shook. They were unaware of another threat, sneaking closer to the battle, its wings flapping as it flew at the four.
After getting this report from the other two, Serena asked, "You sure we shouldn't help them? Clemont and Bonnie are still in danger if Predacons are there."
"Ah relax sista, dey're in gud hans with Absotron and Rhynox." Ratitrap assured, though his tone didn't make the Pokémon performer any better. It almost sounded to Serena that Ratitrap cared more about finding the pod than keeping the others safe.
She sighed and prayed for their safety as she used the locator in her hand to pick up the beacon signal. The screen looked blank for a time before detecting something. She followed it until seeing a piece of the second Stasis pod halfway buried beneath a tree.
Excitement at finding the pod made Serena smile. She called, "Cheattor! Ratitrap! I found it!"
The two Maximals came running to her. They saw that it was, indeed, the pod. Looking at the girl, Cheattor praised, "Whoa, nice find Serena! You're better at this than Ratitrap claimed to be."
"Alrite, Ah'll admit it, guess dey're helpful after ahll." Ratitrap said, looking back at the human girl with a smirk.
Serena couldn't help, but blush at the praise. She then asked, "How are we gonna get it out without alerting other Predacons where we are?"
"Hmm… gonna be difficult, but not impausible. First ting to do is deactivating dat beacon before more of dem cons find it and us." Ratitrap told the girl as he looked at it as though he was solving a puzzle rather than how he usually looked at things.
"How?" Serena asked, confused.
Ratitrap smirked and moved away from the others for a bit, then said loudly, "Ratitrap, Maximize!"
He transformed into his robot mode and approached the pod, his right index finger opening for a small welding laser that shot out and opened a hole in the pod's computer.
The tip of his finger closed before the demolitions expert/marksman/saboteur looked inside, found what he was looking for and used a pair of tweezers from his finger to pull out the beacon. He crushed it in his hand and revertedback into Poké mode.
Just as they sighed in relief, they heard what seemed like the sound of multiple legs and slithering as Skorupinok's voice echoed, "What the!"
"Oh, what's wrong now?!" Serviperella asked. She sounded annoyed.
"Something stopped the beacon, I can't find the pod." Skorupinok shouted, as he shook his head to make sure his scanners weren't broken.
"You're completely useless, you, poor excuse of an Arachnid." Serviperella snapped, continuing her way away from the three heroes.
"Fine! See if I care, you… over sadistic snake!" Skorupinok snapped back going in the opposite direction.
The three sighed again, glad that the Predacons were moving away.
"Optimus to Cheattor. Do you read?" Optimus' voice asked from the comm. link. Cheattor quickly muted the comms before the Predacons realized that they were there.
"What was that?" Seviperella asked, hearing the noise.
Skorupinok however muttered, "Maybe a bug or something."
The she-snake seemed to have bought it as she continued slithering on her way, in the opposite direction of the Skorupi.
The three heroes sighed again. Cheattor whispered, "Cheattor here Bigbot. You almost got us spotted by Skorupinok and Seviperella."
"Sorry about that. Has your team found one of the pods yet?" Optimus asked the worry was evident in his tone.
"Ya bet, fearless leader. We got the pod and now are gonna get it activated into Poké mode before the preds do." Ratitrap said. Serena interrupted, pushing her way to the rat's comm device.
"Optimus, its Serena, do you read me?" She asked concerned,
Optimus replied warmly, "Loud and clear, Serena."
"Is Ash all right?" She asked concerned for the boy. She had developed feelings for him since meeting him in Professor Oak's summer camp program years ago.
"He's fine; he and Pikachu are with Kabubot, checking a possible location before I called you in."
Serena let out a sigh of relief, which Optimus heard and asked, "Why? Is something wrong?"
"It's Clemont and Bonnie. Rhynox said that his group were being attacked by Terrorsaur and Buzzinator. I'm worried for their safety. Could you please?"
"Say no more." Optimus finished for the girl, assuring her before ending the conversation.
After talking to Cheattor's team, Optimus looked over to Kabubot, "Kabubot head over to Cheattor, Ratitrap, and Serena's coordinates, I'm going to check on Rhynox and his team."
"Understood." Kabubot said, though he'd rather be fighting with his leader. Kabubot still had a life debt to Ash and his Pikachu, so he proceeded to lead them away to where Cheattor's team was.
Once they had left, Optimus transformed, "Optimus Primal, Maximize!"
"Prime jets: On!" Optimus ordered, activating his on-board flight systems.
"Maximum burn!" He ordered again, making his rockets roar with more power as he shot to the direction of where Rhynox and Absoltron were, hurrying to assist and insure the safety of the two humans and the Pokémon in that sector.
It was a minute before he saw the battlefield. Optimus activated his shoulder rockets and fired at the two flyers. The two Predacons were unaware of the attack from behind and gave shouts of surprise when the missiles exploded, sending the two Predacons flying.
After Terrorsaur and Buzzinator realized they were outnumbered and outmatched the two Predacons reverted to Poké mode and retreated.
Optimus landed. He asked the two Maximals and the trainers, "Are you all right?"
"Now that you're here, we're better." Rhynox assured his friend, while the other three nodded in agreement.
"Optimus while the Predacons were here my locator detected one of the beacon signals going out… you don't think…" Clemont asks concerned.
Optimus looked at the inventor, "Don't worry, Serena and the others took care of that to keep the Megatron's forces from finding the pod."
Clemont and Bonnie blinked, "That's ingenious. That sure is one way to keep the Predacons from reprogramming the Maximal in the pod."
Optimus nodded before he told them, "I've already sent Kabubot and Ash to Cheattor's coordinates I need to you to head over there and help them get that new Maximal online before the Predacons do. And find a way to keep them from getting the Protoform."
"What are you gonna do Optimus?" Bonnie asked, concerned for the Maximal leader's safety.
"I'm going to follow those two back to Megatron; perhaps he's close to finding the other stasis pod. Absoltron, follow me." Optimus said and he took off again.
"Yes, sir!" Absoltron responded. He transformed back to Poké mode and followed after his leader, Rhynox led Clemont and Bonnie to the others.
Back at the Stasis pod, the two maximals were on high alert. Serena held her hands to her chest, praying for her friends' safety. It didn't take them long to hear the thunderous sounds of the Rhyhorn feet slamming into the ground. Rhynox came in, in Poké mode, with both Clemont and Bonnie on his back.
"Whoa. Good ta see ya big grey." Ratitrap said, feeling very relieved to see Rhynox.
"Good to be here. What's the status of the pod?" Rhynox asked, as he approached.
Cheattor kept his eyes around him as he spoke, "We haven't seen hide or hair of any of the preds since we took out the locater beacon. I thought we'd had it if Seviparella heard Optimus trying to get us on the line."
Rhynox stopped, asking, "Seviparella was here?"
"An Skorupinok, though dey didn't seem be on de best of terms since dey went off in separating." Ratitrap said, before catching on as to why Rhynox was on edge and muttered, "Ah scrap..."
"What is it?" Serena asked, growing worried.
Cheattor came to the same conclusion as his two friends while the humans and Pokémon looked up to the Maximals in concern, "When she got far enough away she could've told Skorupinok about us and have been waiting for Megabreath to get here."
"You don't mean..." Clemont asked, getting fearful HAe looked up into the trees.
A rustle was heard and Seviparella, in Poké mode, dove at them, fangs out, only to be shot away by Ratitrap. He had transformed the moment he heard the rustling and waited. Cheattor transformed as well when the familiar buzzing of Buzzinator and flapping of Terrorsaur was heard flying at them as the Aerodactyl ordered, "Predacons, Terrorize!"
The two transformed and fired at the Maximals. Thinking quickly, Rhynox hid the second pod before the other Predacons could before providing cover fire.
"Terrorize!" Skorupinok cried, gaining the attention of the Maximals. He opened his clamp and shot missile after missile at them. Ratitrap had to shoot the missiles down before they got close to their immediate area. Cheattor used himself to protect the kids and Dedenne before firing back at the flyers.
"Yo, smooth cat to all units, we got a Pred convention here. We need back up FAST." Cheattor said, calling for help on his comm.
"We read you Cheattor hold on and make sure the Preds don't get their hands on the pod -AUGH!" Optimus said before shouting in pain, ending the link with static.
"Big bot?" Cheattor asked, worried. His answer soon became clear when he saw Optimus falling out of the sky by something big and insect like.
Taking the Maximal's distraction as an advantage, Buzzinator was about to fire on the distracted feline when a large rush of water shot out from the trees and streamed at the Predacon and sent him spiraling down, wailing, "Oh no!"
The water dropped, revealing Kabubot with Ashe and Pikachu on his back. The two got off the Maximal warrior's back as he went to fight off the enemy, "I thank you for your suggestion, but now I must engage the enemy."
"Kabubot, Maximize!" After transforming, Kabubot used his pike to defend himself while firing lasers from his optics at the aggressive forces. Ash hurried to his friends behind the bushes when Absoltron came out and aided to defend their human friends, while in Poké mode.
"Anybody hurt?" Ash asked when he got to his friends. Serena, however, clamped her arms around the trainer from Kanto and was shaking. Ash blinked at this before patting her back comfortingly. Ash learned from Clemont that so far the only ones who know about the pod was Seviparella while the other Predacons assumed it was just a perfect chance to ambush the Maximals while pointing to where the pod was.
Terrorsaur squawked as he came in to attack, but Rhynox' chain machineguns sent the red Predacon flying into a tree. He fell into what seemed to be the home of a Beedrill swarm. Without his weapon, the Predacon was forced to flee as the Beedrills' stinger arms began to glow. The kids winced at seeing how many times the Predacon was stung as he ran for it.
Skorupinok noticed something metal behind the humans, and spoke into his comm. link, "Megatron I found-!"
He was interrupted when Absoltron sent a blast of his razor wind at the Skorupi Predacon, severing his clamp from his arm, causing him to howl in pain. He was about to retaliate just as Cheattor fired and sent the incompetent bug/poison type into the ground. Once the area was secured, Rhynox tried to get in contact with Optimus but his comm link received static.
"Scrap! Whatever attacked Optimus really got his comm. messed up." Rhynox growled.
Turning to the others he ordered, "Cheattor, Ratitrap, you two and the kids stay with me and help me get Maximal online. Absoltron, you and Kabubot partrol the area. Keep your optics peeled for any signs of either Optimus or the rest of the Preds."
"Right!" The kids said nodding at once. They went behind the bushes with Cheattor and Ratitrap. Absoltron and Kabubot proceeded to patrol the area. All the Maximals, save for Rhynox, converted back into Poké mode. Rhynox began typing on the keyboard to proceed with the activation protocols with Clemont keeping an eye out for the protoform's vitals and levels, making sure they were stable. Serena, feeling scared, had her Fennekin come out of its Pokéball. When it did, the Pokémon went to its trainer who pulled it close in her arms.
This unsettling silence made everyone on edge as there had not been any reply from Optimus of any kind. That was when they began to hear a faint buzzing, it was coming from where Absoltron was last calling from. Then came the sounds of laser fire as Absoltron commed in, "Absoltron to all units, engaging hostile life-form. Too hostile to be any local life-form, be on guard I think the Predacons have-AAAAGGHHHHH!"
And the line went dead, which made the kids and the other Maximals worried. What could the Predacons have done to have taken out Absoltron with his Poké mode's unique abilities. The buzzing sound began to go around them in a wide archway before the familiar roar of Kabubot was heard, then the klang of metal hitting against metal. Soon they heard the sounds of Kabubot's using his Poké mode's moves, then silence.
Then two evenly spaced thuds were heard one after the other, as the voice of the Predacon leader, Megatron, echoed throughout the forest, "Come out Maximals. You are surrounded and outmatched. We have the Absol and your leader hostage. I may be inclined to return them if you surrender the location of the second Stasis Pod immediately, Yess."
Ratitrap peeked to look at Megatron and saw that both Optimus and Absoltron were indeed with them, unconscious but functional. Megatron stood between the two captured Maximals, alone and without Ariadosus or anyone to support him. Thinking more with his mouth than with his head, Cheattor snarled, "Let 'em go Megabreathe! How'd we know they're still online?"
Hearing that made Megatron know where his quarry were. He signaled with his eyes for Ariadosus and Team Rocket to sneak over to find out what they were hiding as he stalled, "I can assure you feline, that your leader and comrade are unharmed, Yess. Now come out and reveal the location of the pod before I am forced to... put them down like the dogs they are!"
"Oh yeah?!" Ratitrap shot back, "Go get excavated Fossil mouth!"
The minute Maximal's insult made Megatron growl, muttering quietly, "You will pay for that vermin."
Just before he could do anything, Kabubot jumped out from behind Megatron and turned to face his former leader, snarling defensively. This surprised the leader of the Predacons, but that was quickly overcome as he said, "Ah, Kabubot, so good to see you my old friend."
"Your lies are as clear as your agenda, Megatron. I know for the fact that you will terminate us as soon as we reveal the coordinates of the stasis pod for you to corrupt for your purpose." Kabubot stated, his body showed signs of minor damage, but it didn't stop the Predacon-turned-Maximal from doing his duty as a soldier.
Megatron chuckled, remarking in a pleasant tone, "Ah you know me so well, Yess."
His expression as well as his tone became cold, "Which is why you should've fallen to my new associate."
Before Kabubot could say anything a shadow of some kind jumped out from Megatron's left and knocked Kabubot down. The kids and the Maximals who were watching gaped and gasped seeing this. The shadow disappeared in the darkness of the forest, even as Megatron smugly asked, "Oh dear, did you have another accident? This does not look like a good day for you, Noo."
This caused Cheattor to jump out, blaster in hand as he went to help Kabubot up.
"I would like to introduce to you my newest swift-strike commando, Scythcutter!" Megatron called as a Scyther jumped out of the thicket and landed before his leader. This Scyther was a little larger than the usual Scyther, but that didn't mean it was any less dangerous. Ash clutched his hands into tight fists when he realized that the Predacons had gotten their hands on the other stasis pod that they were looking for.
"Why don't you say hello, Scythecutter, Yess."
The Scyther took a battle stance and, with his wings beating fast enough to lift him into the air, he took off and attacked Cheattor on the left side of the Kabutops. Kabubot had only enough time to block the attack by using his own scythe blade.
"Good reflexes." Scythecutter hissed as he broke off his attack and readied another attack. The two warriors charged as the contact that their blades made echoed throughout the air. Kabubot knew that even though he was the experienced warrior, the new Predacon's Poké mode allowed it to move faster and with more stealth than the turncoat Predacon could.
_
Back with the stasis pod, Rhynox looked back to where Kabubot was fighting the losing battle, "Come on…come on…"
Since starting the activation, scanning and replication procedure the computer had taken its sweet time to start the process.
Ash and Serena heard Kabubot's cry of pain when Scythecutter had used a move where its forearm blades were glowing and sent a wave of energy at Kabubot.
"What move was that?" Serena asked, worried.
"Vacuum Wave, its super effective against a Pokémon type like Kabubot…" Ash explained as he couldn't stand by and watch as Kabubot was putting himself on the line for everyone, just so they could reawaken another Maximal.
Unable to take the sounds of the fighting anymore Ash burst through the bushes with Pikachu as he cried, "STOP!"
_
Scythecutter halted his attack when he noticed the boy and his Pikachu. Noticing them as well, Megatron smiled, "Ah, and here we are. I was hoping to meet with you again, boy, Yess. Since finding out about Pokémon Battles, I have always wanted to try it out for myself, but as you know most of my other men are rather insolent and pathetic while in Poké mode. Scythecutter however would the perfect candidate for this golden opportunity, Yess."
"What are you saying?" Ash asked the leader of the Predacons, confused, as most of Megatron's words went over his head.
Sighing to himself, Megatron explained, "I am saying, dear boy, that I challenge you to a Pokémon Battle, Yess."
"No..." A croak of a voice called as Kabubot heard while trying to get up. Concerned for the Maximal, Ash hurried to try and keep him from moving as the former-Predacon wheezed, "Do not…trust Megatron…his words are coated in lies…Always scheming…"
Ash got up and said, "Don't worry, if there's one thing that I'm good at its Pokémon Battles."
Turning back to the human sized Tyrantrum, Ash declared, "I accept your challenge."
"Splendid. I don't suppose that we could have a Wager to spice things up? Noo?" Megatron Asked, causing the others to look confused.
Ash glared at the Predacon before he questioned, "All right, what do you want?"
"If I win then you, your Pokémon, your friends will surrender yourselves to me and I will claim the second Stasis Pod and this Island as my second base of operations, Yess." Megatron said, causing many to worry.
"And if I win?" Ash asked curious, trying to keep his temper under control.
"IF you win then I, and my Predacons, shall return to our base and we shall never step foot or any other limb on this Island group ever again." Megatron told the trainer from Pallet as he got far enough away.
Clemont who was looking after Kabubot, got up and asked, "Then do you mind if I play as the impartial judge in this battle?"
"But of course! I wouldn't dream of cheating with someone as intelligent as the prodigal Gym Leader nearby, Noo." Megatron assured the blond haired boy with glasses as he walked away till it was far enough as if they were on a battle field, Scythecutter flew and stood in his position two feet before his leader.
"Today's battle between Ash and Megatron, of Cybertron, will now begin! This will be a one on one match and the battle with be over when the other side's Pokémon are unconscious and no longer able to continue battling." Clemont pointed out for Megatron to understand that he didn't need to destroy Ash's Pokémon to win.
"Trainers choose your Pokémon." Clemont called to the two,
Megatron smiled, "As you know, I choose Scythecutter to battle." The Scyther Predacon stood ready for battle as he took his stance.
"And I choose you, Pikachu!" Ash called as Pikachu went ahead with sparks flying means he was ready for battle.
"Let the Battle begin!" Clemont called, starting the battle.
"I will allow you to make the first move, Yess." Megatron stated, confidently.
Smiling, Ash called back, "You're gonna regret that. Pikachu, use Agility!"
Energy began to radiate around Pikachu as it causes him to move faster than before.
'So he plans to try and match Scythecutter in terms of speed hmm? Impressive, But it will do him no good, Noo…' Megatron thought, calmly realizing what Ash was planning.
"Scythecutter get in close and use your Fury Cutter." Megaton ordered. The Scyther's blades glowed and he charged at Pikachu slashing his blades at a rapid fast pace.
Ash gritted his teeth as Pikachu dodged as fast as he could. Apparently Ash didn't think Megatron was that good of a leader, seeing how his plans were thwarted by Optimus and Maximals the last time they saw him. But seeing Megatron in action, Ash realized that Megatron could have what it took to be a Pokémon trainer, if he wasn't such a tyrannical leader.
Thinking quickly, Ash called out, "Pikachu! Jump high into the air and use Iron Tail!"
Pikachu did just that. He was charged with energy for his tail to become as strong as iron. Megatron smirked then cried out, "Scythecutter use your Air Slash before that rodent has time to hit you!"
Scythecutter nodded as he flew into the air, his scythe blades glowing again and swung his blades, making archways of air flying quickly out of his blades. They collided with Pikachu's Iron Tail causing an explosion that hid Pikachu from the Scyther Predacon's vision. Noticing a shade, Megatron pointed with his stubby fingers and cried, "There, strike there with Slash!"
Scythecutter, seeing the shadow of Pikachu in the smoke of the explosion, jumped up and, with his blade glowing again, slashed with all his might at Pikachu. The scyther's blade hit, sending Pikachu to the ground hard. Landing above Pikachu, Scythecutter glared down at the electric mouse. Pikachu glared back at the Predacon.
Chuckling to himself, Megatron mused, "This is very amusing. I would have to remember to keep these battles going, with some alterations, of course, Yess.. Finish it."
Scythecutter raised his blades to finish the battle, but was grabbed by the leg by the electric type as Ash cried, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pika…CHU!" Pikachu cried out and sent powerful bolts of lightning at the Predacon who, somehow, was keeping himself from crying out in pain.
He struggled to get the electric mouse off his foot before Megatron ordered, "What are you doing? Get that rodent off you."
Serena smiled, relieved to see the Predacon having trouble, "It looks like Pikachu's attacks are working."
"I don't get it…Why are dey risk'en everyting fer us?" Ratitrap asked, unable to understand how Pikachu and Ash were able to keep on battling.
"Because you were willing to protect us just as much when we first met. Ash loves Pokémon so much that he would always put them before himself, he doesn't just see them as a trainer does his Pokémon, and he sees them as a part of his family." Serena explained. Tears welled in her eyes, as they watched the battle progress.
Scythecutter was in pain; never before had an opponent been able to do this much damage to him. His circuits and wiring were beginning to overheat and short out from the electric attack. His Poké mode appeared to be weak against this type of attack, but that would not stop him from winning for his leader.
"Scythecutter, use Sword Dance to get that vermin off you!" Megatron ordered, his temper rising.
Scythecutter focused through the pain and began spinning around before swinging his arms, moving his body to try and get the boy's Pokémon off him. Pikachu was obviously holding on as he kept sending electric shocks of his Thunderbolt. Scythecutter soon had enough and began spinning like a twister before Pikachu finally let go, causing him to hit the ground and slide.
Serena and Bonnie looked concerned as Pikachu landed hard.
Rhynox, more focused on getting the Proto-form online, was working diligently. Turning to Cheattor he said, "How are the Scanners coming along?"
"Almost done…" Cheattor said, working as quickly and carefully as possible.
"Ash and Pikachu can't keep them distracted for long; we have to get this Proto-form online and in Poké mode before the Preds find us." Rhynox reminded as a spark appeared where they were and the pod came to life.
High above them familiar spider like eyes were glowing from the dark covers of the leaves.
Breathing heavily, Scythecutter landed and readied himself to carry out another attack. Pikachu, though tired, was not going to give up as he struggled to stand. The strength of this Pikachu impressed the Predacon though he would never show it.
'Alright…it's now or never…' Ash thought as he cried, "Pikachu! Volt Tackle!"
Megatron looked surprised, never having heard of a move like this before. He saw Ash's Pikachu being covered in golden electrical energy as his body's outline was seen charging at the Predacon. Megatron, growled, ordering, "Scythecutter, counter this Volt Tackle with your strongest move!"
Scythecutter nodded as he got into a stance with his scythes which started to glow a light purple color. He then took off and flew towards his opponent in order to slice it in an 'X' like fashion. The two attacks collided and seemed evenly matched, making this a battle of their spirits and will. Scythecutter appeared to be the victorious one when Pikachu overcame the Predacon's strength and connected, causing a huge explosion from their energies. Everyone, including the damaged or injured Predacons, arrived to cover themselves from the explosion.
As the dust settled, the two Pokémon were facing in the opposite direction. The tension was so intense that not even a Energon blade could cut through it. Watching from behind the bushes Serena's hands were covering her mouth, tears forming in worry. Everyone watched as Pikachu flinched in pain. Scythecutter looked back and smirked, then he fell forward and entered into Stasis Lock.
Clemont immediately called, "Scythecutter is unable to continue, the winner of this battle is Ash and Pikachu!"
Everyone was so shocked that it took a minute to understand what happened. Ash and the Maximals began to cheer while the trainer went to pick up his exhausted friend in his arms, "You did it Pikachu, we won!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered, resting in Ash's arms.
Megatron stared in wide eyed shock, then gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, "Memo to me, Next time I wish to battle, I'll do the battling myself, Yess. And to punish Scythecutter for this defeat, oh Yess indeed…"
Clearing his throat he approached the two, and proclaiming loudly, "Congratulations, I have never, in all my years seen a show of strength from something as amazing as your Pikachu or your tenacity, Yess. As agreed I will retreat from this region and never return."
Turning to his troops he cried, "Predacons! Return to the base."
This surprised them. Ash asked, "You mean it?"
"But of course! You won fair and square I have no reason to lie to such a strong trainer, Noo." Megatron ordered. One by one the Predacons began teleporting back to their base. Optimus and Absoltron became conscious again in time to see the retreating forces.
Suddenly, a commotion was heard from the same bushes that Ash had jumped out before. A fire ball of some kind flew from them along with a man, a woman, and a Meowth. All four collided with Megatron hard enough to knock him off his feet. Ash and Clemont cried in surprised, "It's Team Rocket!"
Megatron shook his head before looking at who or what hit him as he blinked, "Ariadosus?!"
The Predacon scientist who was charred and burnt groaned, "Megatron…th-the Pod…" And he pointed to the bushes that he was shot from before going into Stasis Lock.
Megatron growled as he then realized, "Ah, a clever, underhanded, deceitful, distraction. I like you, boy, Yess."
With, Ash's shouts of protest falling on his deaf ears, as Megatron began shouting loudly, "But it will do you naught, Noo! For you have now incurred the wrath of the dragon, well, Tyrannosaurus. Prepare for the strongest Dragon-type attack in your planet's history, The Draco Meteor, Yess!"
Megatron began to gather energy into the Tyrantrum's mouth as a sphere of bright orange energy formed in the inside of it. With a roar he fired it high into the sky, where it explodes and released several more spheres of energy to rain down on everyone. Thinking quickly, Optimus ordered, "Maximals! Shoot down those meteors and protect the children!"
While the Maximals were firing their weapons at the spheres of energy, Megatron stampeded through them and the bushes to discover Rhynox, Cheattor, Ratitrap, Bonnie, Serena and her Fennekin. All looked surprise at the Predacon Leader's sudden appearance. Before the three Maximals could do anything, he swung his powerfully large tail and sent them crashing into the nearby trees.
Ignoring the human girls completely, Megatron then shouted, "Megatron, Terrorize!"
After transforming, his robot mode towered over the girls and the small fox Pokémon as he said, "I do beg your pardon, young ladies, but I must ask you move."
Serena was too terrified to move; Bonnie was hiding behind her shaking in fear. Fennekin, however, stood protectively in front of her trainer and unleashed a Flamethrower attack.
While Megatron attempted to shield himself from the fire-type attack, Team Rocket, in all the confusion, sneaked along and began to push the Stasis Pod, with the help of their Pokémon, through to where Ariadosus was lying, Jessie called, "Oh Mr. Megatron! We have your Stasis Pod!"
Hearing the human's call, the Predacon leader smirked, "Ah, well then, I suppose it is time to go, Yess."
He rushed to the crooks and, placing his Tyrantrum mouth on Ariadosus activated the teleporter as Team Rocket waved gleefully, "Bye-bye!"
Ash hurried to catch up, but Absotron was held him back, "No!"
After the last meteor was shot down was shot down Optimus looked around and asked, "Everyone alright?"
Clemont, who was being shielded by the Maximal leader nodded. He looked back at Serena and Bonnie who nodded that they were unharmed as well. As soon as the other Maximals were sure that the Predacons were no longer on the island they all reverted to Poké mode. Optimus, Absotron, Rhynox, Cheattor, Ratitrap and the kids gathered as Ash asked, "Why'd we let them go when they got away with the stasis pod? We need to hurry before they turn the Maximal into a Predacon!"
"Easy dere Kiddo, we don't need to." Ratitrap said as he began chuckling with Rhynox and Cheattor.
The two boys looked at each other confused before Optimus asked, "What're you talking about?"
Ratitrap began chuckling to himself where everyone, minus Bonnie, Serena, Fennekin, Cheattor, and Rhynox, showed signs of confusion.
Inside the laboratory of the Predacon ship, the Darksyde, Megatron approached the two humans and Meowth, who assisted in their retrieval of the stasis pod, and said, "You've done well, Team Rocket, Yess."
Looking at Skorupinok, who had been repaired, Megatron ordered, "Watch them."
The Second in command nodded and pointed his weapons at the three who gave a shout of surprise, and hugging each other, shivering in fear, Meowth complained, "We had a deal!"
"You might have, but until I am certain that the proto-form inside is undamaged and able to be reprogrammed, we will discuss your reward, yess." Megatron told the natives. He looked at Buzzinator and Terrorsaur and ordered, menacingly, "We have lost much on that Island, Open the pod!"
As soon as they did, Megatron gaped and roared in outrage. Instead of the proto-form it contained a number of detonators that were not powerful enough destroy the base, but enough to cause some damage. Nearest to the pod, Team Rocket screamed in horror, just seconds before the pod exploded.
The three members of Team Rocket soared high into the sky, crying out, "TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"
When the smoke cleared all of the Predacons in the room were covered in ashes, either sprawled or thrown across the room, while Megatron gave a bellow in outrage, "WHAT HAPPENED TO THE MAXIMAL!"
Back at Murcott Island, Ratitrap explained to everyone what he, Cheattor, and Rhynox had done with the Stasis Pod. Absotron approached chucking, "Very clever."
"Yes…Even I must admit you do have your strong points, Rodent…" Kabubot mocked as he turned away.
"But it does beg the question, where is the new Maximal?" Optimus asked.
Looking back to the bushes Cheattor called, "You can come out now."
Slowly a very large size Fennekin walked out of the thicket, looking around nervously. Ash and Clemont stared in amazement as it came out. Serena approached the super large Fennekin and said gently, "Its ok. These are your friends."
When the Fennekin tried to speak, all that came out was the Pokémon language, "Fenne…kin…"
As soon as Cheattor got close, it began growling and barked in the Pokémon language, "Kin fenne fen."
It then transformed to reveal a female maximal with a similar transformation sequence to Cheattor's and Absotron, though with some difference; the ears of her Fennekin head turned slightly like a fur guard going around her neck to behind her head.
Cheattor couldn't believe how amazing she looked and approached her. Seeing her stumbling on a lose rock he reached out and grabbed her before she fell, "Whoa, easy there!"
Once he felt the girl's hand on his servos, he froze. Soon the new maximal leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Everyone stared in surprise. Ash looked and Serena, blushing, covered his eyes with her hands. Clemont was doing the same with his sister. They were like that for a brief time however, as she pulled back and stood before the group.
"Greetings, I am most thankful for your timely rescue." The female said politely, bowing to the group as she held her hands in front of her, "After witnessing my beast mode's ability with the power of fire, I have named myself Foxfire."
The group in front of her stared in surprise. Bonnie began to shake in excitement and then suddenly declared in glee, "That girl's a keeper!"
Bonnie knelt before Foxfire and asked, "Please take care of my brother!"
Everyone looked or blinked in confusion while Ash, Pikachu, and Serena sighed despairingly, having dealt with this before.
"Pardon? Take care?" Foxfire asked, her face heating up with embarrassment.
Cheattor looked at Ratitrap and asked, "What's she talking about?"
Ratitrap shrugged, "How de heck should I know, kid?"
Bonnie nodded, "You see I won't be around forever so I need to make sure that my brother has a wife to take care of him for me."
Blinking more, Foxfire blushed at the thought of marriage at her age. Clemont skidded towards his sister and shouted, "Bonnie I told you a million times to stop! Besides we're not even the same species!"
Looking back at Clemont with a pout on her face, Bonnie said, "Love's beyond species… it obvious how beautiful and polite she is that she'd be the perfect wife for you…"
"This is so embarrassing…Activate Aipom Arm!" Clemont cried as the sphere on his backpack extended with a tube that reached over and grabbed the back of Bonnie's shirt. It lifted her up as he walked away, his face glowing with embarrassment.
The Maximals were still confused as to what had just happened. Bonnie called joyfully, "I hope you think about it, Please!"
After the awkwardness finally faded from the group they began laughing, needing to let it out after a hard day of battling. The four humans, and one Pokémon got close to one of the Maximals, with Foxfire holding on to Cheattor. Rhynox activated the reactivation of the portal. Optimus and Ash with Pikachu entered the portal, then Rhynox and Clemont. They were followed by Ratitrap and Bonnie, then Absoltron and Serena, and finally Cheattor and Foxfire.
(And here it is. The Maximals have gotten a new member in their ranks. Please give a warm welcome to Foxfire! The OC Maximals created by Stone-Man85. We had to try and find a perfect Poké mode for her since we're using Pokémon instead of regular old animals. So we chose Serena's Fennekin as her Poké mode. In case anyone was wondering, the move that Kabubot used on Buzzinator was Aquajet. Sure it wasn't super effective but it did get the job done. And if anyone was wondering how no one saw the scanning beams from the pod going of, well it was covered very well by the battle that Ash and Pikachu had with Scythecutter, the Predacon's newest soldier. And as you guessed it, Scythecutter is the POKÉ WARS version of Manterror.
Btw, be honest, who liked how I added Bonnie's little "wife searching" moment when she met Foxfire? I hope you had a kick from this Stone-Man because this is to ya, buddy!
Next time on POKÉ WARS, another locater beacon activates in another place that Ash and Pikachu are familiar with. What will happen when an old friend of Ash's and Pikachu's gets mixed up in this war of beings from another world? Find out next time.)