Chapter 13: Insight on Trouble

-Odaiba-

While the bad news began to arise, Jazz was waiting in an alleyway not far from Ken's house. It was dark and good enough to conceal himself from any human eye, unless they would have been any passer-by or street cat. Just then, a figure approached the alley. It was Kari, with Gatomon in her arms.

"Ah, there you are, little missy." said Jazz.

"And don't forget about me." complained Gatomon.

"So why'd you call us here for, Jazz?" asked Kari.

Jazz transformed to robot mode. Kari and Gatomon were a little frightened by the sudden change in form.

"Sorry 'bout that. I came to give 'ya something, Kari. It might help poor old Bee." He handed out a small little electronic device, which was round and tiny enough to fit in an ear.

"This little thing-a-ma-gig is a special something I found in the Ark. Put it in your ear."

Kari placed the tiny device in her right ear as told while Gatomon looked on with curiousity.

"This little thing will help you translate the radio wave frequencies projected by the emergency Cybertronian beeper language by converting them into replicas of organic nerve cells. In other words, you can now understand what Bee's got to say."

"Wow that's neat!" said Kari. "Let's try it out."

"Hang on for a click. I'll tune in a bit. Here goes."

Jazz turned a knob on his neck. He then proceeded to communicate with Kari, only instead of the usual basic language, Jazz was now beeps and buzzes. For ten seconds he beeped out a few notes. Kari focused as a new sensation in her mind came to her, as if she could feel the nervous system in her head at work. Carefully, the device in her ear traced out wave after wave. She opened her eyes after those ten seconds.

"You're right, Jazz. Davis can be a real spoilt brat sometimes."

"Bingo, sister. There you have it."

"You got the ears of a robot, Kari." giggled Gatomon.

"Now all you got to do now is just talk to Bee and let the device do the magic." said Jazz.

"This will surprise him for sure" Kari giggled.

-The Autobot base-

While there was peace and quiet outside, Star Saber was walking around. His hands were behind his back as he moved to and fro, nervously. Bumblebee, who was settling on a recently sent metallic couch was watching the Autobot leader.

"BEEP BEEP BEW?" asked Bumblebee, worryingly.

"It's Starscream, Bumblebee. Now that we know he's at large and has a human hostage in his clutches, this could complicate things a lot."

"BEEP BEEP BRZT BOOP?"

"Yes, Bee. Even for the human children and their partners. We need to find him and fast. I mean, SUPER fast. Let's see, we do know that Starscream is a Seeker, so he should blend in with the humans' air transportation on this planet." He pressed a button on the control console installed in their new base and the screen in front of him showed pictures of various types of planes and other aircraft.

"One of these has just got to be him. Forget vertical take-off craft, that's just not his style. Fixed-wing aircraft seem to suit him well. Narrowed that down…"

As Star Saber continued investigating, the yellow Autobot Scout walked around, with his finger at his mouth plate. Just then, he transformed and drove off.

"Bee? Wait!" It was too late. Bumblebee sped off as fast as he could.

"What is he up to? I hope he doesn't do anything stupid… yet."

-At Ken's house-

At the Ichijouji residence, Ash was sitting idly by the window, watching the skies. He was being very puzzled of a sudden feeling of de ja vu. Pikachu tried to cheer him up with a little comedy act of imitating various faces, something he was somehow very talented. Beside the mouse Pokemon, his blue and proud friend, Piplup, joined with a few whacks on Pikachu's head for a little more comic relief. But Ash could only give small smiles, not enough to meet their demands. They gave out disappointed sighs. With them, Dawn was also wondering what was swimming in Ash's mind. Ever since he heard the name "Serena" he couldn't help but think as if he actually knew her.

"Ash…" Dawn asked, "… what gives? You seem awfully quiet today."

"It's nothing. I'm just not sure."

"Of what?"

"Pika Pi?" Pikachu joined in the conversation and so did Piplup.

"That girl we're supposed to find."

"What about her?"

"I dunno. It's like… I knew her somewhere. I just can't put my finger on it."

"You know, Ash, since she is from the Pokemon world, I'm pretty sure you might really do know her. Makes sense, right?"

"Yeah, but, there's… something else. I just can't find out. I don't usually have these gut feelings, except when I'm famished."

"Speaking of that, I'll let Cilan know it's almost time to chow down again. Try not to think hard, but I hope you find the answer to that feeling in you." The two exchanged smiles and a high-five before Dawn walked off to the kitchen. Ash, however, resumed to wonder in his thoughts.

"I just can't think. Where have I heard of Serena before?"

Just then, he heard a car honking below him. It was Bumblebee, in car form. He opened his door and out came Kari and Gatomon. She took out her backpack as Gatomon licked her paw.

"Thanks a lot, Bee, for the ride home." she thanked the generous little Autobot.

"BEEP BWERP BWEEP."

"Yep, same here." She acknowledged his gratitude for being able to understand his "radio" language.

"You know Kari, I really wish I had that same device." said Gatomon. "Then I can ask him to give me some cat rides."

"And my bike's not enough now?" Kari giggled.

As the two walked in the house, Bumblebee then drove off somewhere. This caught Pikachu's attention. His ears twitched, giving out the sign of strange suspicion.

"Pika?" As he looked on, Bumblebee was out of sight. Pikachu then jumped out of the building and landed on the roof.

"What's the matter, Pikachu?"

"Pika-Pi" He pointed out Bumblebee's disappearance. Suddenly, the yellow Pokemon jumped down to the parking lot in front of Ken's house. Ash was shocked at this and ran outside for Pikachu. As he opened the front door, he saw his partner standing there. Much to Ash's fortune, Pikachu didn't run for Bumblebee.

"What's the matter, buddy? Why so jumpy?" he asked.

"Good question." He was startled by a sudden call and looked behind to see another car nearby. It was Jazz.

"Where is he going?"

"I'm not sure, dude. But the way your buddy was able to pick up some electromagnetic pulses that would symbolize mischief, I'm guessing he's off doing some major trouble."

As always, Ash didn't have a clue about what the Autobot said.

"In other words, Pikachu knew he's up to something." Jazz sighed. "Well, I don't know 'bout you, but I gotta make sure he doesn't do anything reckless as always." Jazz drove off faster than Ash could say, "Wow, look at him go!" in amazement.

"Let's help him out, Pikachu!"

"Pikachu!"

-Atop the skyscraper-

While Jazz trailed Bumblebee through Odaiba, a very impatient Starscream continued to walk around impatiently. He could only mumble and mumble while fiddling with his fingers. Serena was getting quite annoyed, spending the past few days getting over Starscream's lack of tolerance.

"You know, if you want to attack someone, you could just do it now." she said.

"And what point do you wish to bring about, human?" responded Starscream, coldy.

"Well, the way I see it. You're a coward."

"*chuckles* There's so much you don't know about us Decepticons."

"And one more thing. What do you want with me? I have nothing to do with whatever you're planning." That got Starscream walking towards her. As his face neared her, she slowly sat down, terrified but still a little serious.

"You're as good as anyone on this pathetic planet. You so happened to put yourself right in front of me and I quickly seized the opportunity to kidnap you. My enemies will be sure to come save you, as they would on any other defenceless being."

"We'll see who's defenceless. My friends will come for me."

"Let them then. I'm waiting for a new challenge, if they ever have the guts." He walked away from her and tended to a satellite he had built.

"I really don't like playing the damsel in distress right now, but please guys, wherever you are, please save me." said Serena. Starscream looked into the monitor. He saw a blip in the radar.

"Ahhh, finally." he sneered.

-Odaiba Square-

The scene was as normal. Even the sight of Bumblebee in his car form, driving across the road to the city square made it all the more unsuspecting. As he stopped outside a statue, the Autobot scanned the area for any signs of trouble. The only things he could see were just cars and pedestrians passing by. There was even a cat which suddenly jumped out of a garbage bin, startled by the driving Autobot (you could think of a funny anime way of how it jumped out). As he drove through the alley, he was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Yo, Bee." Jazz appeared in his car form. Ash and Pikachu exited him as he transformed, in the darkness of the alley.

"You mind tellin' us what on Cybertron is up with you?"

"BEEP BEEP BEEW."

"*sigh* Look I know you want to help, but busting around doing on your own ain't gonna get you anywhere. We gotta make this happen as a team."

"BEEP BERP BEWP BEEP"

"Uh you guys mind telling us what he just said?" said Ash.

"Pikachu." said Pikachu

"Man, I wish had more of those translator chips." Jazz complained to himself.

As Jazz and the others continued their conversation, as a cloud drifts away in the sky, a shadow of a winged being was formed, and could be seen on the nearby sidewalk under the sun's bright lights.

"So, this Starscream guy's coming to take us on?" wondered Ash.

"And not to mention he has a human hostage with 'em…" said Jazz. "…but running of like that ain't gonna solve the problem, Bee."

"BEEP BEEP BRAP BEW."

"Pika pika?"

"Well right now, we need a plan before we jump in." said Jazz.

"Who needs planning? I wanna take Starscream on!" exclaimed Ash.

"Oh great. Another one."

"What do you mean by that?"

Suddenly, they heard someone screamed. This was followed by more screams. Next thing you know it, people began running around the streets screaming in agony and panic.

"Now what?"

As the crowd cleared, Jazz transformed into car form and the others quickly moved to what's bothering the crowd. As they exited the alley, a volley of laser blasts hit the road near them. All of them fell on the floor.

"What in blue blazes?" said Jazz, as he looked around for wherever that shot came from. Everyone recovered from the fall.

"Pikachu, you okay?" asked Ash, worriedly. Pikachu shook himself up and jumped on Ash's shoulder.

"Pikachu!"

As soon as Bumblebee rose to his feet, he quickly ran to the source of the shot.

"Bee! Ah, here we go again!" complained Jazz. The impatient yellow Autobot ran as fast as he could to the city square. When he approached the area, he looked around aimlessly. Once he looked up at one of the buildings, he just stopped still. Jazz, Ash and Pikachu caught up with him.

"Alright, you. Now hold on."

But Jazz noticed Bumblebee's stillness. Stillness was never one of his strengths.

"Bee? Is there a matter wi-?" Jazz too looked up to find what Bee saw.

"By Primus. It can't be."

"What's going on here?" asked Ash.

"You don't wanna know, kid."

But he did. What he saw was unlike anything a normal human would find in a city. A jet flying around in circles! Never would a jet fighter attempt such a stunt in the city.

"Now that's something even I don't see every day." said Ash

"Pika?"

"Oh but it's worse." said Jazz. The jet flew faster and faster in the exact same circle movement for a few seconds. Just then, it stopped right on its tracks and faced the group down below.

"Uh oh. Better brace yourselves, you two." warned Jazz to Ash and Pikachu. The jet slowly thrusted forward and stopped again at a few feet away from the Autobots. Finally, it did the unthinkable. It began to transform! The wings flipped, the nose lowered at chest point, the thrusters became legs and out of the cockpit was the head. The head… of none other than Starscream! After the transformation, he hovered over with his feet boosters and descended near the ground.

"Greetings, Autobots! It has been so VERY long! *laughs evily and loudly*"

As Starscream laughed away, the Autobots could do nothing but stare and mouths open. They could barely move. And why? Their worst fear has come true. Starscream is back! Which means…

"This is not going to look good for Earth." said Jazz.

Starscream reveals himself! What will the Autobots do to stop this growing menace before its too late? Find out on the next episode!

To be Continued…

A/N~ Sorry I took so long. A lot of things have been keeping me at bay. Anyway, here's what I have presented. Enjoy and review!