NTA (New Transformable Adventures): Second Campaign

by Anonimosx

Cybertron's disappearance surprised the Decepticons, but it didn't stop them. Team Prime, following Primus's lead, return back to their friends' home, ready for new challenges. New adventures, new friends as well old and new foes will show at this event that our heroes of both worlds will face together.

5. Supplying

4- Supplying.

Everything seemed fine around Earth's orbit, no sign of any kind of activity. Until then, a small group of ships appeared from the hugeness of space, making their way for the planet. They looked like cybertronian ships, but they didn't display either the Autobot or Decepticon emblem. Instead, they had painted on their decks a brand-new green symbol, one which resembled the familiar shape of the classic skull flag human pirates used to wear on their ships, but this one looked cybertronian. The ships continued their way until they approached the Sekra Mountain Range in the Fiore region, then they landed. From the ships emerged lots of robots resembling all kinds of Vehicons, with the same red visors but of green color instead of purple. The only one different from them all was one with a body which resembled some kind of spaceship which wings were on his back, three spikes on his head and green eyes.

"Are you certain this is the place, sir?" One of the soldiers asked not convinced of what they were doing there. "This looks like a single wasteland."

"And so others wanted to make believe." The robot in charge answered as he started to check his surroundings. "Sometimes things are not what they look like."

And as he checked a boulder which he suspected firmer than it seemed, he pressed a hidden button. That made a secret door to open a secret passage into the mountain.

"Bingo. Most of you remain here and watch the transports. I want a few volunteers with me." He said as he went inside the secret passage.

The group wandered through a dark tunnel, with signs that indicated they were not the first ones there.

"Those cables are headed in one direction, which means they were supposed to carry energy to a specify place. If we follow them, we will find what we are looking for."

"But sir, how are you sure this is the right planet? What if that signal we intercepted is a trap?" One of the soldiers questioned.

"The message was calling for immediate help, so the Decepticons are in a desperate situation. And if they are here, it means the Autobots must be as well, so it seems we just hit the right place, and at the right moment. Besides, after following the tracks led behind by our indubitable captain, I'm certain they will lead us to wherever our well-appreciated comrades may lie at this moment."

"The tracker's activity has increased, sir." Other of the soldiers reported.

"We must be close." He said as they stopped in front of some huge doors. "Very close."

Two tanks opened the doors by force, allowing the entire group to get inside. Because the place was too much dark to see clearly, the robot in charge searched the entire place with his lights on until he found a suspicious switch. He turned it on with care to not break it, and immediately the entire place lighted up, showing what he expected to find.

"At last. After a long trip crossing the nebulas and the stars, we have finally found you. The jewel of our crown: the Tidal Wave." He said looking at the biggest thing of the room: a huge cybertronian starship, but it looked in a very bad shape, with some parts without cover and even corridors and other parts of the inside were exposed.

"Sir, I think you should take a look to this." One of the flyer soldiers announced.

The boss answered the call and went to see what it was, but when he saw it, he couldn't believe it. "By the Allspark. Captain, what have they done to you?"

On some huge operating berths laid the bodies of five lifeless robots. One had wings on his shoulders, other possessed a body which resembled a jet, the one of the third seemed like he could change into a land vehicle, other looked to have both parts of a tank and a helicopter and the last one seemed to have a beard and spikes on the shoulders. Meanwhile, very far from there in New Iacon, things now looked calmer. The Autobots were doing as usually like with the previous bases: Ratchet was doing some work in the lab, putting the items and delicate equipment in their corresponding place, helped by Fixit; Blaster was working with the terminals in the high level of the command center supervised by Ultra Magnus, Elita and Optimus. Others instead were performing additional duties: Warpath was checking the new armory was tidy with everything in its place; the female Autobots were now 'testing', in a matter of saying it, the new area of 'rest and recharge' by taking an oil bath, and it seemed they were enjoying a moment of relax instead of making a checkup of the systems.

"Ah, did I tell you I will take one of these at the first chance, partner?" Arcee reminded as she accommodated herself.

"Ah yeah, this is what we all needed for a long time." Moonracer answered in a very relaxing way.

"Arcee, Moonracer, are you done with the verifications of the room's services?" Elita's voice sounded through com-link, alarming them both.

"Ah…yes, commander. We just finish testing the effectiveness of the oil flow system." Moonracer invented.

"Okay. If you are done with your little oil bath, return back to duty."

"Yes ma'am."

Arcee sighed. "For a chance we have to relax it has to be while we are on duty."

Elita sighed. "These girls."

"I have to admit I didn't expect them to behave like this. An acting like this is more common for someone like Sideswipe. Or Wheeljack." Ultra Magnus admitted.

"Were you talking about me?" Wheeljack asked as he entered the command center. "Those repairing and support systems for the ships are already installed. The hangar is now equipped with everything any needed ship would require."

"Hmm, at least you have contributed well by ending your duty first and letting fun for latter, soldier."

"Come on, guys. We're almost done." Bonnie's voice called.

The most notable activity taken place in the base was Hot Rod, Sideswipe, Smokescreen and Bumblebee entering through the space bridge portal and stopping at the gang's area. They were taking things out of their trunks, mostly furniture and some home appliances.

"This is more complicated than I thought." Smokescreen complained as Blaster's Minobots pulled out what he was carrying. "Thanks for giving us a few hands here, Blaster."

"You guys could also help us right here, after all these are your things." Hot Rod objected.

"Yeah, we are warriors, not your moving service." Sideswipe pointed.

"Take it easy guys, just a little more effort and we will take care of the rest." Bonnie reassured while she and Dedenne carried a lamp.

"Besides, you have the easy duty just bringing everything here. We will have to decided how to organize everything later." Max supported.

"Haven't you had more than enough time to figure it out?" Moon asked the moment she and Arcee returned.

Max sighed. "Maybe, but the others decided to focus on something more important."

Near to the gang's personal area, almost everyone else were performing some kind of choreographies.

"What's with all that dancing?"

"It's not dancing, Sideswipe. We are learning how to perform Z-Moves." Ritchie corrected.

"You mean the special attack that Pikachu and Ash employed to dispose of Starscream's minions and make him retreat?" Arcee reminded.

"Yes. And according to Ash, that's not the only one of those special attacks. He learned everything about the Z-Moves when he went to school during his stay on Alola." Clemont nodded as he and Ritchie were practicing the electric Z-Move.

"I still can't believe you actually went to school, Ash. Did you also have to take exams?" Iris joked while she was trying to perform the dragon Z-Move.

"Haha, very funny Iris. It was more like spending great time with friends rather than the usual school duty. Right buddy?"

"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded.

"I heard that region's beaches are the best in the world. Maybe one day you could show it to us." Serena suggested while she practiced the fairy Z-Move.

"I'll keep it in mind. I'm sure you also will love to meet the friends I made there as well. With your permission, Optimus." Ash pointed.

"That would not be necessary, Ash. Every friend of yours is worthy to be met."

"If we are not busy dealing with the Decepticons. We also have to keep our priorities here." Ultra Magnus recalled.

"You're sure these little tricks will be effective against the Cons? They look more suitable for pokémon contest from my point of view."

"I can tell you from experience they will, Wheeljack. I witnessed how Pikachu managed to defeat my Gyarados megaevolved with one of those tricks the last time we battled." Misty reassured as she practiced the moves of the water Z-Move.

"Also, Ash said even Team Rocket managed to get their hands onto one of those rings required for the moves and when they did it caused him and his friends from Alola serious trouble." May added making the steps of the fire Z-Move.

"Those losers obsessed with catching Pikachu and stealing pokémon by playing dirty and giant ridiculous mechs?" Sideswipe recalled, earning a nod from the humans.

"They have a point there." Bee opined.

"But thanks to Ash's experience and what we saw when he and Pikachu hit Screamy back, we know too some pokémon have special unique Z-Moves." Dawn added while she and Piplup were performing together the ice Z-Move.

"But for Z-Moves to work our pokémon also need to learn these steps as well, and require at least one move of its corresponding type." Tracey pointed while he practiced the bug Z-Move.

"And don't forget, these moves can only be used just one time during a battle." Ash added.

"Which means you cannot employ them constantly during our encounters with the Decepticons. Those moves could be the key to escape from a dangerous situation, or turn the tides against the enemy."

"Fear nothing, Optimus. We will be responsible." Bonnie swore before turning at her big brother. "Clemont, do you think Dedenne and I can also learn how to use a Z-Move, please?"

"I don't know, Bonnie."

"Come on, Clemont. You may be its owner, but we all know that Bonnie is the one who is closer to Dedenne. Besides, that could serve as an introduction to her into pokémon battle too." May suggested.

"What do you think, Tracey?"

"If they learn the moves required for it, surely even them will be able to perform them."

"Alright Bonnie. You can join the practices."

"Oh yeah. Are you ready to learn powerful attacks which will make the Cons run away, Dedenne?"

"Dedenne." The little pokémon nodded excited.

"Maybe even we could use one to capture Predaking."

"Wow wow. Did you just say Predaking?!" Warpath exclaimed in disbelief.

"What?" Ratchet asked from the lab's entrance.

"Who?" Fixit asked confused.

"He's here?" Bumblebee followed.

"You saw the Predacon?" Ultra Magnus demanded.

"Where?" Blaster added.

It passed a short but awkward silence.

"Oh right, hehe, we forgot to tell you that." Ritchie started.

"After beating Starscream and before meeting with Ratchet, we encountered Predaking in middle of the forest." Serena told.

"But rest assured, it didn't attack us, well now it's best to say he. He was wounded and we managed to soothe his pain fixing his injure, but he flew away again." Iris explained. "He didn't even thank us."

"Hold on. Are you saying that Predaking, the same beast Galvatron sent to hunt us down, the start of Project Predacon, the one who managed to transform and act like any other cybertronian, didn't attack you?" Smokescreen recalled in disbelief, earning a nod from everyone, even the pokémon. "Are you sure we're talking about the same guy?"

Iris sighed in disbelief. "Smokey, you're acting as a kid again."

"This confirms not only the Decepticons escaped from Primus's event." Ultra Magnus said.

"The most logical explanation of Predaking's presence here is that after dealing with Unicron, he chased after his creators, managing to get aboard their ship. With them aware or not." Ratchet deduced.

"And with Galvatron no longer commanding him, he's most likely on the run by now." Elita followed.

"Does this mean he could be a threat for the people and pokémon?" Hot Rod asked concerned.

"That's something we cannot confirm right now. But from what our human friends have witnessed, it appears our straight Predacon has decided to avoid any unnecessary confrontation, in order to heal his wounds of previous battles. Which means he might wander in the wild, far away from human territories, until his instinct warns him to search for energon to refuel. Until then, the only possible time we could expect him will be during our search for mines under Decepticon control. And when that time comes, we will know how to proceed." Optimus proclaimed.

"That depends on how he acts." Wheeljack opined.

"But…but I'm sure he's just feeling scare and alone. And for what you told us he might be the last of his kind. We should try at least show him we are not as bad as the Decepticons."

"Your concern for dragon pokémon is admirable Iris, but remember we are talking about an alien prehistoric species."

"But she also has a point, Smokescreen. I also agree that non-common life needs to be preserved, and so I'm against the termination of a defenseless life form. If Predaking is intelligent as he assumes, then perhaps he will realize as we." Optimus said.

"So for now we can only trust Primus that he will not act as when we first met him." Elita nodded. "Meanwhile, you should return back to your practices."

"Hey Jackie, I just came up with another cool thing this place may need: an underwater secret access point. For emergencies or other special uses." A familiar voice announced entering the command center.

"We'll have to debate it with Blaster, pal."

"Seaspray, what are you doing here all wet? You are going to get everything messy!" Ratchet complained.

"You should go through the recharge room. I'm sure we have a dryer somewhere." Moonracer suggested.

"Hey Seaspray. How was your dive?" Misty asked.

"Not exactly how I expected it to be. You guys have no idea what I have uncovered." The aquatic Wrecker answered as he went to one of the terminals. "I was taking a nice view of one of those coral reefs when I found something incredible."

The Autobot pressed some buttons, showing a satellite image on a screen which zoomed until something appeared.

"Are you thinking the same about what I'm supposing that is?"

Meanwhile, back into the secret base under the mountains, the green cybertronians were now opening other secret doors to allow the transports to enter with the rest.

"Sir, we have recorded every sector of this place. There is no one." One of the soldiers reported.

"It seems whoever owned this installation abandoned it. By force or by free well, I don't know. But whoever run this place is the responsible one for what happened to our comrades." The robot in charge said before taking a look to where the bodies of their comrades laid. "These conveyor belts seem to transport materials to some kind of assembly equipment. What if they were trying to…reanimate their sparks?" And he spotted what seemed to be the power button. "Soldier, press that button."

Without doubting, the soldier obeyed and the belts started to move the bodies next to some mechanical arms. They started to assemble some parts to the bodies, modifying them or completing them, right before a big crane grabbed them and immersed them inside some kind of chambers from which sparks came out. It passed a while after the five bodies were introduced within the chambers, but whatever was happening inside drained much of the place's energy. Finally, the chambers opened and the bodies, now looking like new, fell onto the floor. The robot in charge checked the one which he referred to as captain, but it seemed to not move. He was about to get back with his forces, when suddenly one of his feet was grabbed by the hand of the robot: it was alive. The robot, now with its eyes shining in red, looked to what he grabbed, and seemed to recognize him.

"S…St…Starquest?" The robot finally spoke.

"Captain? Is…is that you?" The robot named Starquest asked.

The robot sighed like if it felt disappointed. "After all these eons have you forgotten me? I'm still your captain, no matter how I look."

Immediately, Starquest offered his other hand to help the other robot get up. "It's good to see you again, Thundertron."

"Urg, my head. I feel like I have traveled at light speed at the outer side of a ship." The robot with wings groaned.

"Glad to have you back, Brimstone." Thundertron greeted.

"Starquest, praise the Allspark. You made it."

Other of the robots, the one which resembled a land vehicle, was checking his limbs in disbelief. "I…I am alive. I can't believe it."

"Cannonball, are we inside a cortical psychic patch, a dream or is this what happens when one joins the Allspark?" Other robot, the one with parts of jet and tank, demanded seeing the surroundings.

"No Sandstorm. It seems that, by an unknown way, we have been returned back to life."

"Oh yeah, those insects have failed in their mission. Although the last I remember was feeling a painful feeling in the chest." The last robot, which resembled a jet, recalled.

"Actually, Axer, I think they did take us down."

"What? Are you sure, captain?"

"The last I remembered was that cursed bounty hunter ripping out my spark in front of my optics. And after waking up, it looks like this is not my body." Thundertron explained seeing himself in a mirror and transforming, changing to some kind of mix of a helicopter and jet combined in one.

"That's not the only thing which looks out of place." Brimstone announced pointing at the ship.

"AAAHHH! The Tidal Wave! What have happened to our ship?!" Sandstorm exclaimed.

"I bet it has been those humans' undoing too. They swore they reclaimed its remains, right before we perished." Axer remembered.

"Cannonball, it can be fixed?"

"That's the hard question, captain. The cover has been completely removed and some of its key components are missing. Even if we repair all those holes, I can't assure it would take off."

"A good new, the weapons are not missing. We can put them back in their place, but they will require a power source to function properly again." Brimstone pointed to a pile of cannons, turrets and similar ones.

"And the engines aren't looking good either. It will require a complete inspection." An engineer reported form inside the ship.

"We could try dismantle the transports and using their pieces to complete the ship." A soldier suggested.

"No, that won't be enough. For the Tidal Wave to work like the old times, we will need a thorough repair. Which will require a suitable source of spare parts." Brimstone argued.

"In other words, another big ship." Sandstorm translated.

"I think I know just were to look for. When I arrived, I passed above what seems to be just what we need to put our ship back to shape."

"Are you sure, Starquest?"

"Completely, captain. Just allow me to run a fast recon to confirm my preliminary suspect while the others stay here, and then we will handle the rest."

Thundertron seemed to touch his beard as a sign that he was thinking about the suggestion. After a few moments thinking, he finally got his answer.

"Very well then. Give us a call if something unexpected happens." Thundertron answered, so Starquest responded with a nod before turning into an advanced cybertronian starfighter and departing. Meanwhile, Thundertron turned at the rest of his comrades. "Those humans may have inflicted us great damage, but I must admit that they also do wonders. Sometimes." He said admiring his new body scheme.

Back to the Autobot base, the whole team was now at the command center seeing a hologram of what Seaspray discovered.

"That's exactly how it looked when I spotted it." Seaspray confirmed.

"It is looks undoubtable a four-engine cybertronian spacecraft. Most likely a transport ship." Ratchet analyzed.

"Autobot or Decepticon?" Tracey asked.

"I can't confirm, giving up the first sight of the ship. Besides, this model is vintage, and very ancient, being used by both sides during the first eras of the war." Blaster answered.

"So it could be from friends or enemies." Max interpreted.

"And exactly what kind of ship is that one?" May asked.

"These ships were used mainly for transport large groups of troops and supplies of any kind." Ultra Magnus explained.

"So it could be carrying all kinds of useful materials." Clemont speculated.

"A large amount of energon perhaps." Dawn suggested.

"Or something of a more threatening nature."

"Do you have any idea what it could store, dear?" Elita asked.

"As always on this kind of situations, my greatest fear is that ship was some military transport which went stray from the Decepticon fleet, full with a specific cargo, established to provide supply and recharge operations during prolonged battles."

"Which means it could be full with weapons, ammunitions, explosives and who knows what kind of other military instrumental." Hot Rod understood.

"Perhaps I can figure out what kind of cargo is with a full scan of the ship's surface." Blaster suggested.

"With the Decepticons actually desperate in turning the tides back in their favor by any means, I'm afraid we cannot afford to wait until that."

"Optimus is right. We don't know how long it will take until they finally have a clue about the ship's existence." Ratchet supported.

"And not without knowing how big the aid the weapons storage within it would give them too."

"So this requires for a big scouting party."

"I agree. Bumblebee, I need you to lead the team for this mission. Your experience in reconnoitering Decepticon territories could provide most useful. Seaspray, return to the sea and go back to where you discovered the crash-site. Once located, Blaster will send the others to assist you."

"Glad to." Seaspray saluted before getting back to the exit.

"Optimus put Bee in charge for the mission?" Sideswipe asked surprised.

"Why? Feeling a little jealous?" Misty teased.

"Nah, leadership's not my thing. It's just that after…well, you know."

"I get your clue. You doubt if Bee is the best choice for team guidance after what happened with Shatter and Dropkick." Arcee knew.

"Come on, that was already solved. And remember, Bee is the one who learns better from mistakes. The Cons are the ones who should worry about that." Hot Rod argued.

"You're right. Bee's one of the best warriors, and the best scout. We already saw how he really acts in the worst-case scenarios." Smokescreen supported.

At the outside, Seaspray ran back to the shore and changed to his alt form before immerse once again. At the same time, some distance from planet Earth, in middle of space, the Nemesis seemed to wander without route, but it wasn't. It looked like it was waiting for something to happen, or appear. Inside the bridge, Starscream was walking around like waiting impatiently.

"How long has he been like that?" Dropkick asked.

"For three hours. When we received what seems to be very hopefully news." Knock Out answered.

"News? What news?" Shatter asked.

"Just for you to know, I can hear you." Starscream called with an impatient face, which next changed to a smirking one as he turned back to the bridge's view. "But since you seem unaware of the events, allow me to indulge you: after the successful attempt to send a distress call for all our scattered comrades lost in the immensity of the universe, we all knew it will elapse some time before receiving any signal from possible survivors. Until very recently, our instruments detected a low-frequency signal, of Decepticon origin. It said our request was heard, and answered. There are a few ships in route to rendezvous with us in some arranged meeting coordinates. Which is where we are positioned right now."

"So, there are more of us out there?" Dropkick asked in disbelief.

"Of course, you dump. And I certainly hope these fresh troops will give us the edge we need to turn the tides against the Autobots once again. Great warriors, firepower to surpass Earth's defenders, or numbers enough to force them to hide wherever they now lay."

"Great to know things are starting to cheer up around here." Knock Out admitted.

"And when are these reinforcements supposed to come?" Shatter questioned.

"That's the bad news: they secured their arrival, but not exactly at which point in time. It appears it's a security caution, chosen to ensure no possible enemy forces may discover our reunion point, in any attempt to prevent any possible act of sabotage." Starscream explained.

"I see. Very smart."

"I can't wait to see which new assets we will count with. Perhaps veteran soldiers, or maybe some old very missed partners."

"Honestly, for me, I hope we could also count with another high-ranking officer. I know it sounds bad for me saying this but, even during lord Galvatron's rule, the continue changing of suitable second-in-command candidates caused a concerning disruption within our ranks. Maybe there was a time when we achieved peace on the matter but it certainly generated lot of tension. Someone who possess some experience on the field of leadership may bring a well-needed stability for the Decepticons."

That seemed to annoy Starscream in some way. "Have you any problem with my way of command, Knock Out?" He asked him approaching him, ending almost face-to-face. But he calmed down. "Because I would be most happy to renounce and letting you handle everything here."

Knock Out laughed nervously, next he witnessed his eyes in surprise. "Whoa, what? Are you serious?"

"No, I was being sarcastic."

Dropkick laughed. "I knew there is no way Starscream was gonna led a linnet the whole Decepticon leadership."

"Indeed. It requires dedication, seriousness and lot of responsibility." Shatter agreed.

"Hey, what are you meaning with that?!" Knock Out asked annoyed.

In that moment, Shockblast entered the bridge.

"Starscream, there's something you should see."

"Oh Shockblast, what could be more important than witnessing the very moment in which our long time no-seemed brothers and sisters in arms come for us to greet them in open arms?"

"This." Shockblast answered, showing him a data pad. "Our sensors have detected a distress beacon."

"Detected by our sensors? Are you meaning…?"

"All variables calculated. It is undoubtable of Decepticon origin."

"Where does this signal come from?"

"I have traced it to its source. It seems to originate from the bottom of the planet's oceanic surface."

"On Earth? This could be a most encouraging discovery."

"And very useful."

"But…our allies are also waiting for us. We cannot abandon them right now. If we depart to investigate this and they see we are not at the meeting point, they may pass by and continue wandering aimlessness, losing themselves again in space."

"But this also could provide us with the means we require to turn the scales of the fight. I know both choices are of the same importance, but as leaders we have to make choices."

Starscream thought about it for a while, until he came up with his answer.

"Soldiers, run a quick scan for the surrounding space. Full power to the sensors."

"Yes sir."

"If our allies are getting near, we may request some backup for that…recognizing."

The terminals showed the Nemesis' sensors detecting everything around at the distance, increasing and widening. Until it got something.

"Sir, there's a small fleet of ships coming to us. It appears to be composed by transports." The Seeker soldier reported.

"Excellent. Instruct some of the transports to change their course, and their troops to get ready for anything."

Meanwhile, back to the ocean, Seaspray was in vehicle mode making his way back to the sunken ship he discovered. Finally, after passing next to some coral reefs…

"Aha, just where I left it."

The ship was laying on the oceanic floor, with some parts wrapped by small reef colonies, seaweed or water pokémon.

"Seaspray to base, I'm in position. Ready and waiting for the cavalry."

"We copy you, Seaspray. Autobots, roll out." Optimus commanded.

Bumblebee, Smokescreen, Sideswipe, Hot Rod, Wheeljack, Arcee and Moonracer stood in front of the space bridge. When it opened the team passed through the portal.

"Uh Ratchet, now I remember we forgot checking one thing about the space bridge." Blaster remembered.

"Huh? Exactly what?"

"Hey, you heard that?" Ash called.

"What's that sound?" Serena asked.

"It sounds like…water. Incoming water." Misty identified nervous.

"Kids, get to the upper platforms, now!" Optimus ordered.

The gang and their pokémon obeyed, just before a current of water flooded into the base from the portal.

"Blaster, close the portal." Ultra Magnus ordered.

"On it."

Fortunately, the filtered water was not that much as they expected, so it didn't cause a serious flood.

"It appears we forgot to regulate the space bridge portal's transit subsystem in order to prevent any additional or undesirable material to percolate." Ratchet realized.

"Well, at least you now know and can finish that." Tracey said.

"This didn't happen before. Do you think the team made it to the other side okay?" Dawn asked concerned.

"I'll check it out." Fixit offered opening his com-link. "Fixit to scout team, are you okay?"

"Roger Fixit." Bumblebee answered.

"Why? Did something happened when we left?" Moon asked.

"Eh…let's just say the space bridge wasn't prepared for a direct opening on an underwater location." Fixit answered.

"A full stream of water leaked into the base. We're going to get more than just a few mops to clean this." Bonnie complained.

"Then you better get started." Ratchet insisted.

"Got it. We will try to request a bridge in a more dryer location." Wheeljack recalled.

"Until that, we better check that ship." Hot Rod decided.

The group walked through the bottom of the sea, making their way to the ship's crash-site. They met with Seaspray there.

"About time. There should be at least an airlock around the deck, we will be able to enter the ship through it without trouble." The marine Wrecker explained.

"Putting aside all the marine things, looks in good shape."

"No doubt Smokey, which means we cannot allow the Cons to recover it, alongside whatever it carries within." Arcee nodded.

"Let's go." Bee announced.

The Autobots approached the ship, but before they reached it, they started to hear noises coming from it.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Sideswipe expressed.

From multiple parts of it, started to emerge some structures. Bumblebee recognized what kind they were: turrets!

"Everyone down!"

The turrets fired at them, but they reacted fast enough to dodge the shots and seek shelter behind some boulders.

"Bumblebee to base, we have a problem here. The ship's external defenses are online. There's a whole line of turrets preventing us to approach the ship with a huge continuous fire barrier."

"The outside defenses are activated? Then that means there's someone already aboard the ship." Ultra Magnus deduced.

"I wouldn't be so sure, commander. The initial scan shows those are autonomic defenses, designed to response at minimal sign of threat." Fixit analyzed on the terminal.

"Which means two things: or the ship has been sunken for that long that it's systems may be damaged, or that the defenses are programmed to respond against certain individuals." Blaster explained.

"So or the ship is broken or…" Iris started.

"It's a Decepticon vessel." Ratchet finished.

"Well, at least we already figure out something." Moonracer said.

"But I don't get it. There was a lot of pokémon swimming around the vessel right the last time I saw it. Why it didn't react?" Seaspray asked.

"Hum, that's quite suspecting." Misty said in agreement with her partner.

"Perhaps, with all the time elapsed, the ship got used to pokémon' presence around it and didn't consider them a menace." Clemont theorized.

"You may be right, in case the ship has been active all this time. Otherwise, the ship's defenses may be activated on purpose, pointing the fact someone proceeded us." Ratchet discussed.

"If the Decepticons are already inside, we must figure out what they are planning to do with that ship, and what it contains." Elita said.

"Hey, I have a suggestion. I know it may be a little risky but, how about if some of us infiltrate the ship and help you figure out the Decepticons' plans?" Ash suggested.

"Are you serious, Ash? There's no way to know how many Cons are inside. Or if notable ones such as Shatter, Shockblast or Starscream are there." Hot Rod objected.

"Not to mention what other defenses the ship may contain on the inside." Arcee supported.

"That's truth, but with the Deceticons currently busy thinking they have managed to contain us outside the shell, they will not expect a low scale infiltration." Ultra Magnus surprisingly opined. "I support it."

"I agree." Optimus nodded.

"Ready to roll, Pikachu?" Ash asked.

"Pikachu." Pikachu nodded.

"We have your back covered." Ritchie joined.

"Pika pi." Sparky said.

"And so we." Dawn added.

"Pi piplup." Piplup said proud.

"Don't dare let me behind." May asked.

"We may not be literally in the water, but I will go with my water pokémon for just in case." Misty offered.

"I'll go with you Ash, to make sure nothing bad happens to you."

"Thanks Serena."

"I better take Venonat with us." Tracey announced.

"You will require some expertise regarding cybertronian tech, so I better accompany you as well."

"Hold on Clemont. You better take your backpack."

"My…my backpack?"

"Remember those modifications I performed on it? This would provide a perfect chance for test some." The Autobot medic revealed as he handed him his bag. "Your backpack is now equipped with a camera capable to record audio and images, with a direct link to our base."

"Uh, what exactly means?" Bonnie asked confused.

"He can be our eyes and ears within the ship."

"Whoa, I-I didn't have any idea. Thanks so much, Ratchet." Clemont expressed very emotive.

"Wow, like if it was his birthday." Bonnie observed.

"Smokescreen, do you have the phase shifter with you?"

"I never go out without it, Elita." The young Autobot confirmed.

"Good, listen. While the others keep does those turrets busy you sneak beneath the floor and approach the ship undetected. Once you reach the ship, reunited with the children to provide them protection."

"I think I have located a fraction of the ship's inside completely isolated from the outer environment. Perfect for a ground bridge opening." Blaster detected.

"It is safe?" Dawn asked.

"We won't know if we don't figure it out." Misty encouraged.

"Optimus, we're ready."

Seeing confidence and determination on Ash and his friends, Optimus glared Blaster. "Send your Minibots first to ensure the area is safe. Open the space bridge."

The portal opened immediately and Blaster's three Minibots passed through it. It only took them a less than half a minute to return with his leader with their report.

"The area is safe and with enough air. You are clear to go." Blaster announced.

"Then let's go." Ash declared.

"Good luck guys." Max wished.

"And call for backup if anything happens!" Iris added.

The group jumped into the portal and landed safely in the other side. Meanwhile, outside…

"The kids made it: they are inside." Wheeljack reported.

"Guess it's now up to you, Smokey." Moon said.

"Good luck in there." Arcee wished.

"Try to not enjoy too much without me." Smokescreen joked as he turned on the phase shifter.

"We will draw their attention. Go." Bumblebee said as he, Sideswipe and Wheeljack prepared to jump out of the cover.

"Hey, over here! Your programmers didn't give you target point systems?!" Sideswipe called.

The turrets directed their shots at them. Wheeljack managed to deflect some of the shots with his swords while Seaspray returned some fire with his harpoons, destroying two turrets and making them intensify the attack.

"Nice one buddy." Jackie congratulated.

"They may be autonomic systems, but there's always a way to annoy them."

Back to the inside, the gang was speechless from what they witnessed: even if they were just in a corridor they could see the outside through a few windows, allowing them to see the aquatic pokémon out.

"Wow, it's beautiful." Ritchie admired.

"This is better than an aquarium." May added.

"This reminds me a little that time when we were trapped on that cruiser under the sea in our first travel." Misty remembered.

"Yeah, it looks like that." Ash agreed.

"Pika."

"So, now what?" Dawn asked.

"We need to wait for Smokescreen first before starting to explore." Tracey reminded.

Suddenly, they saw him phasing through the floor next to them.

"I hope you weren't waiting for me that long."

"Nope. Now that we are everyone, we can begin the recon." Serena answered.

"Venonat, come out." Tracey called pulling his poke ball. "We need you to use your Compound Eyes to scan this ship. Search for possible Decepticons onboard."

"Venonat." The bug pokémon nodded.

"Activating camera." Clemont announced pressing a button, making a camera to come out from his backpack. "Hello base, can you see this?"

"Yeah, we do, big brother." Bonnie answered from base.

"It's like watching a documentary film." Max admired.

"We are able to see and hear everything you record. It will allow us to assist you from here." Ratchet said.

"Proceed with caution. We don't know what other things the Decepticon may have activated." Optimus warned.

"Or how many forces they have stationed there." Elita added.

"Roger. We will take it easy." Smokescreen nodded before the group started walking.

"What's wrong, May?" Clemont asked, noticing her laughing.

"You, like that, filming all around, look like a cameraman of those who interview other persons." She admitted.

That made him blush in embarrassment. "Well, it-it isn't for that purpose."

"It looks to me or do you also find Clemont's reaction a little…awkward?" Ritchie asked.

"Did he used to behave like that when you traveled together around Kalos, Ash?" Tracey asked.

"No, it's is strange for him to act like this."

"It isn't how humans act when there is another human who likes them?"

"Hey, you may be right, Smokescreen. Looks to me that Cupid is doing his thing right now." Misty deduced.

"Oh, how cute." Serena admired.

"Do you think May is doing it on purpose?" Dawn asked.

"No clue. But I think they also will make a lovely couple."

"What do you think Bonnie and Max would think about this?"

"Wanna bet they will get excited or disgusted?" Misty proposed.

"Uf, girl things. We better let them to their own." Ritchie suggested.

The group continued their inspection around the walls of the ship, but they didn't find any signs of Decepticon occupation.

"Still nothing, Venonat?" Tracey asked, earning a deny from his pokémon.

"This is weird. If this is a Con vessel, where are the Decepticons?" May asked.

"We've been checking the ship for a while. We should at least have found one trace of their presence." Ritchie supported.

"Unless…there actually no Decepticons onboard." Ash came up.

"Pika?" Pikachu said confused.

"Pi?" Piplup added.

"Then how this ship's defenses could have activated without no intervention?" Misty questioned.

"Maybe this is some kind of ghost ship. Still inhabited by the spirits of the demised crew which didn't survive the crash-landing and now are wandering the ship."

May and Dawn shivered and hugged each other.

"Serena, don't say those things!" Misty begged.

Serena covered her mouth. "Did I say that loud?"

"Hahaha, don't worry girls. I doubt this ship is haunted." Ash reassured.

"Hey, what if it happened the same with the Nemesis and the ship is now acting on its own?" Ritchie reminded.

"Impossible. Dark energon has not been detected on this ship." Clemont argued.

"Urg please, stop inventing ridiculous theories. The only logical explanation is that the ship's systems have been remained active for that long, operating a low capacity due to the lack of activity both in and out of it." Ratchet detailed.

"So we will be able to deactivate them once arriving to the bridge." Smokescreen deduced.

"Nice deduction, soldier. You must reach it to deactivate the outer guns and any additional security system." Ultra Magnus instructed.

"Venonat, venonat."

"What is it, Venonat?" Tracey asked.

"Pi? Pika!"

"You hear something, buddy?" Ash asked.

"What's going on?" Optimus asked.

"Tracey's pokémon is agitated. Maybe it has detected something." Smokescreen informed.

"There are some rooms up ahead. Maybe whatever he has sensed comes from one of them." Serena spotted just around the corner.

"Then let's go check them."

Smokescreen turned on his guns for just in case, with the gang after him as they approached the doors.

"Venonat, scan the rooms. See if whatever you have detected is inside one." Smokescreen instructed.

They approached the first door, waited for Venonat to do his thing, and he denied, signaling it was clear. They performed the same with the other rooms until they reached the other side of the hall.

"That's weird, he hasn't sensed anything. Maybe an underwater earthquake or some pokémon caused a perturbation to the ship and turned it on by accident." Ritchie supposed.

"Venonat, venonat." The little pokémon warned again.

"Again?" Misty asked.

"Pi? Piplup, piplup!"

"Now you too, Piplup?" Dawn asked.

"Hey, I heard footsteps. They are getting close." Ash communicated.

"Everyone quickly, climb up!" Smokescreen ordered.

The gang climbed onto the Autobot's shoulders and back before he turned on the phase shifter and disappeared through the wall. A few seconds later, a shadow passed where they were, and Smokescreen pulled out his head to see who it was. Once the shadow's owner left, he exited the wall and allowed the group to land safely.

"Did we just actually pass through a wall like ghosts?" May asked in disbelief. "Who would say Iris was right when she told us what she experienced with Smokescreen in the Nemesis?"

"Ssh, be quiet. You wanna us to be spotted by whatever is wandering around the ship?" Ritchie silenced her.

"What did you see, Smokey?" Serena asked.

"It appears we weren't wrong about possible Decepticon presence." He answered before contacting the others. "Optimus, I think you are right, we are not alone on this ship. It appears to be a Decepticon in here."

"But that's the weird thing. Venonat has only detected just one." Tracey added.

"Only one Con to operate an entire ship?" Iris wondered.

"But that's impossible. Only Soundblaster would be capable to perform such a task." Ratchet objected.

"And we sent him to the Reverse World." Max pointed.

"A more possible reason would be a scout. One sent to recognize the entire wreckage before sending the rest an all-clear call." Ultra Magnus supposed.

"Which means we now possess the element of surprise." Optimus realized. "Smokescreen, go with Clemont and take a close look to our lone Decepticon. Do not engage until we figure out who we are going to face."

"Copy that, Optimus." He nodded. "Come on."

Smokescreen picked Clemont with one hand and they both went to where the scout went, followed by the rest of the group. They phased again to the other side of the wall, and this time they had a good view of the mysterious passenger. Clemont managed to get a good shot with his camera.

"Base, here you got. You know who it is?" Clemont asked.

"What a minute? Clemont, try to get a view of his chest." Ratchet requested.

Clemont remained still until the unknown cybertronian turned around enough for him to get a clear view. At base, the leaders seemed shocked.

"By the Allspark." Ratchet expressed.

"What? What's wrong?" Bonnie demanded.

"Take a look of this."

"It cannot be." Elita expressed.

"How it can be?" Ultra Magnus added.

"Blaster, can you verify it?" Optimus requested.

Blaster zoomed to the symbol the robot wore.

"The image matches at 100%. It's a real one." The Autobot communications officer reported.

"Sweet Solus Prime." Fixit said.

"Guys, you are starting to creep us out. What's wrong?" Max called.

"That's not a Decepticon." Warpath answered finally.

"But that's good, right?" Bonnie said.

"Not even close. That may not be a Con, but it's something the same as dangerous."

"Because that symbol? What it represents?" Iris asked.

"That's the emblem of the Star Seekers." Optimus answered.

"What?!" Bee asked in disbelief.

"They are here as well?!" Hot Rod followed.

"Unbelievable." Arcee cursed.

"The what?" Misty said.

"What's a Star Seeker?" Dawn asked.

"A group of rogue cybertronians, separated from both Autobots and Decepticons. Lead by a pitiless warmonger named Thundertron." Ratchet started.

"Thundertron was an ancient fighter who decided to not take any side in the War for Cybertron. But when our planet fell into darkness, his spark filled with fury and decided to make justice in name of our planet's death, by his own way. Starting a quest for revenge against both Autobots and Decepticons alike." Optimus explained.

"It is said his crew is composed by renegaded Autobots and Decepticons who agreed with his point of view." Warpath added.

"They had habits of attacking other cybertronian ships, kill all who doesn't agree with them and take all their properties for themselves." Elita continued.

"So are you saying they are like some kind of cybertronian pirates?" Ash suggested.

"That's one way to simplify it, yes." Sideswipe said.

"Have you tried to show how wrong they are?" Serena asked.

"Thundertron is someone who doesn't listen to reason. As we have already experienced in the past." Optimus revealed.

"If they are the ones who activated the ship's systems is because they are scavenging whatever cargo the ship contains. Weapons, supplies, energon, anything for them useful." Ratchet assumed.

"And I suspect turning on the defenses was a security measure to ensure the Cons couldn't arrive to save their belongings." Seaspray deduced.

"Since we don't know what intentions Thundertron has for the ship's cargo and there is just one of his henchmen onboard, we must take this chance to secure the vessel and its content." Optimus decided. "Smokescreen, try to dispose of the scout. Disarmament only, avoid causing any collateral damage."

"That would a bit complicated not knowing how this guy will react."

"Look, he has exited that room." Ritchie spotted.

"I bet that must the ship's control room or the bridge." Clemont deduced.

"Smokey, can you check the rooms once again?" Ash asked.

"What? Why?"

"I have an idea."

While Starquest was about to take another patrol around the ship, he heard some noises behind him. He spotted both Pikachu and Sparky at the end of the corridor, pretending they were playing around. He didn't give them importance and was about to continue his duty. Both electric pokemon looked back at their trainers, hidden, denying with their heads. Ash encouraged them to keep trying, so this time Pikachu decided to try something new: he charged his cheeks with electricity and fired a Thunderbolt to a shattered part of the wall, causing a small explosion and leaving some flames coming out from the fried circuits.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" The Star Seeker demanded mad.

With his attention already caught, the little pokémon ran away down the corridor, making Starquest went after them.

"I'm already having a hard time keeping this junk in one piece, and I will not allow you to worsen it."

Starquest continued looking for them at the beginning of the intersection. He looked to the place of the storage rooms and saw Sparky waving at him from the bottom of the hall before getting in the last room.

"So you wanna play hide-and-seek. Okay, I certainly hope you have good places to hide, because once I find them you will regret ever getting in my way." He swore changing his hands for weapons (Subsonic Repeaters) as he approached the room.

When the door opened Starquest aimed his weapons to the inside, looking for the pokémon. Fortunately, Pikachu and Sparky were against each side of the door, out of sight of their chaser. The gang was seeing everything around the corner, and waited until they saw Starquest getting into the room. Clemont approached the door's screen pad.

"Clemont, what are you doing?" May asked alarmed.

"Testing one of my backpack's new upgrades. Activating interactive arm." He said pressing one button.

From his backpack emerged an appendix which resembled Soundblaster or Blaster's tentacles, connecting itself with the pad and started to operate it.

"Pikachu, Sparky, get back here, now!" Clemont commanded.

Both electric pokémon ran at the signal, something which Starquest noticed as well because he turned and started firing them. Fortunately, they exited the room without a scratch.

"You little vermin, how you dare trick the great Starquest?!" Starquest exclaimed running at the door, which surprisingly closed in front of him. "I don't know how such brainless creatures managed to operate this door, but you are already opening it right now or I'll break it down."

"I'll try blocking the manual access, but it will not last long." Clemont warned.

"Let that to us. Piplup, Ice Beam." Dawn commanded.

Piplup used his attack to seal the door with ice, making impossible to the Star Seeker to break through. He started to punch and kick the door the hardest he could, but seeing no result he pulled out his weapons again and charged them up in order to fire them, while Clemont continued to operate the screen pad on the other side. Once his weapons were fully charged, Starquest fired a rapid burst of shots. But surprisingly, just a second before the burst reached the door, a strange force field covered the door, absorbing the shots.

"What in the…? Seriously?!" Starquest shouted in disbelief.

"What happened?" May asked, seeing the same display from the other side.

"A security force field, designed for containment cells." Clemont revealed.

"How did you figure it out?" Ritchie asked.

"Thanks to the last update Ratchet implanted on my backpack. An improved and superior replacement of the Aipom arm, capable to interact with cybertronian terminals and advanced informatic webs. I just took chance for a quick test run to lock the door with that guy inside and check what other thing it hide."

"Woah, science is so amazing." Ash said in amazement.

"Looks like my expectations were right. I'm glad you gave it a magnificent use." Ratchet congratulated though com-link.

"You just not only fool that guy, but also let him locked in there."

"Eh, Smokey, remember your part?" Misty reminded pointing at where the bridge was.

"Oh, yeah, right."

Smokescreen made his way to the ship's bridge and started checking its terminals. Finally, he found the one he was looking for: the one Starquest used to turn on the outer guns. Moments later, the turrets stopped firing and retrieved back inside.

"They have ceased fire." Seaspray noticed.

"Smokescreen and the kids made it." Moonracer deduced.

"Now is our chance. Let's get in to support them." Bee said.

"Optimus, defense turrets are disabled, and it seems that Star Seeker didn't activate anything else. Also, the scanners show no other activity beside us." Smokescreen reported.

"So that means the ship is secured." Arcee assumed.

"And our unaware visitor?" Optimus asked.

"Locked in one of the storage rooms. You can thank Clemont and his new toys."

"Very well, Smokescreen. Hold your position and wait with our friends, make sure the prisoner is unable to escape while the others join us. Elita, Magnus, Warpath and I will join you as well."

"That would be much easier from here." Tracey announced, seeing Starquest's cell from one of the terminals.

"Looks like our pirate friend isn't enjoying his new room." May joked.

In that moment, the other Autobots joined them in the bridge.

"Not bad, kid." Wheeljack congratulated.

"And you are Elite Guard? Haven't you considered yourself more suitable for an infiltrator?" Sideswipe wondered.

"I didn't make that much. It's the gang you should be congratulating." Smokescreen admitted.

"Knowing how to share greatness, you're learning fast." Arcee observed.

"Locking up a Star Seeker, securing an abandoned Con transport…not bad for humans." Seaspray added.

"Actually, our pokémon did much of the mission." Ash corrected.

"Yeah, if it wasn't for them, we will not know it was just one passenger, of those Star Seekers and drag him into the trap." Serena supported.

"Pika." Pikachu said a little embarrassed.

"Pika pika." Sparky celebrated high-fiving with Piplup.

"Venonat."

A ground bridge portal opened in middle of the bridge and the Autobot leaders and Warpath came out.

"Well performed, freedom fighters. Now let's see what this ship has been holding all this time." Optimus pronounced.

"We saw a few storage rooms before we knew of the Star Seeker, but we didn't take a look inside." Smokescreen recalled.

"Autobots, survey every quadrant of this ship. Make an inventory of the cargo, let's see if there is something we can use."

Team Prime divided and started checking the ship's storage rooms. Smokescreen passed through the walls first to inspect if there was additional security systems or bobby traps to deactivate, the only weird thing is that the rooms were locked up from the inside, so he just unlocked them from the inside.

"What do you have?" Ultra Magnus asked by the com-link.

"You are not going to believe our words sir, but I believe we just hit a motherload."

"Huh? What do you mean with that, Jackie?" Dawn asked.

"What did you find?" Max asked from base.

"Is it something cool?"

"I guess the term cool is getting too short, Bonnie. This is incredible." Moonracer corrected.

"Why? What is it?" Ratchet demanded.

"More than we imagined, Ratch." Warpath answered.

"It is too much to describe right now, but surely this will come very handy for our base." Hot Rod added.

"Blaster, do you want me to get you a direct access to the ship's systems?" Clemont offered.

"If you can open me a direct way, I can get control of the ship's recording system, the cargo manifest and even the sensors."

"Take that as a yes. Do it." Ratchet authorized.

Clemont inserted his new interactive appendix into one of the terminals, starting to hack it. That allowed Blaster to get access to the ship's control systems from the Autobot base.

"Hmm, it seems Wheeljack and Hot Rod were right." Blaster confirmed seeing the ship's cargo manifest.

"So…I guess that means we are taking it, right?" Bonnie wondered.

In that moment, the alarm sounded.

"What's happening?" Max asked.

"We got some company. The ship's sensors have detected a significant Decepticon force approaching from the surface." Blaster saw on the terminal.

"Turn on the defenses again. Prevent the enemy to get closer." Ultra Magnus instructed.

"There's no time, commander. They are already onto the ship's outer surface."

Everyone heard that too inside the ship.

"You think they detected us?" Ritchie asked.

"I don't think so. If that Star Seeker didn't activate any distress signal, they may be unaware we are here as well." Hot Rod deduced.

"Which means the element of surprise is still on our side. We must take advantage of our enemies' unawareness and take everything out of the ship. It will not be of much use for the Decepticons without its cargo." Optimus decided.

"We should ambush them." May suggested.

"How about putting some traps?" Dawn added.

"I was thinking on that too." Wheeljack agreed pulling out one of his grenades.

"Warpath, Ultra Magnus and I will transport the cargo back to base the fastest we can. Blaster, monitor every sector of the ship and check the surviving systems. See if you can find something to use." Optimus instructed.

"Autobots, with me. Kids, stay here on the bridge." Elita commanded before she and the rest of the Autobots went with her.

Outside the ship, a medium size group of Decepticons arrived to the ship and started to make their way in, with Starscream commanding them.

"Spread out, and search for anything useful we can recover."

Fortunately, a still active security camera saw them when they entered the ship.

"Elita, I have confirmation of Starscream leading the assault group." Blaster reported seeing the cameras' recording.

"I'm surprised Screamy decided to get his hands dirty with a single salvage operation." Seaspray admitted.

"That means the Decepticons are truly desperate for getting any available resources to turn the tide of the conflict in this moment." Elita interpreted.

"It feels weird to be us now the ones with the upper hand while the Cons are chasing after their own crumbs." Sideswipe shared.

"Well, we can also worse their condition ensuring these supplies will not fall into their hands." Moon added.

"Elita, I see three groups of Cons. Starscream's leading the main group, the largest. The other two are accessing from alternative routes." Blaster reported.

"At the moment we engage one the others will be alerted. Even if we manage to left them for scrap." Wheeljack noticed.

"Could we attack the three groups simultaneously?" Arcee suggested.

"Commander, with your permission, I have been taking a look to the ship's security measures, and I think I have a way to even the tables. I can take care of one of the groups." Blaster suggested.

"That still leave us two, one more to handle properly." Smokescreen reminded.

Suddenly, Bumblebee remembered something. "Hold on, I remember seeing something in one of the cargo vaults which may be of use to us."

"Show us, Bumblebee. Blaster, you have permission to proceed with your plan. Warn us once you have dealt with that group." Elita authorized as she and the others followed Bumblebee.

The former Autobot scout took the group to one of the rooms, and everyone got shocked when they saw what was storage.

"Whoa, talk about desperate measures." Wheeljack opined.

The room was full of some kind of metallic balls, big as an adult human or Fixit, but not reaching the Autobots' waist.

"In the name of the Hall of Records of Iacon…" Smokescreen started.

"Cyclones?!" Arcee identified in disbelief.

"What?" Bonnie asked since they heard that too in the base.

"There's one approaching from the sea? Just what we needed." Iris cursed.

"No, not a tropical storm. But something way worse, if it managed to fall on the hands of the Decepticons." Ratchet corrected.

"What's a Cyclone?" Serena asked from the ship's bridge.

"The most dangerous kind of Minicon you'll ever find." Warpath answered as he carried some of the cargo with a magnetic trolley into a ground bridge.

"How so?" Tracey repeated.

"As most of Minicons are built mainly for assistance or interacting tasks, Cyclone Minicons were forged to perform in the battlefield efficiently against standard Autobot troops." Fixit explained.

"In other words, those Minicons are built for combat. And they are extremely dangerous." Arcee translated.

"Oh, now I'm regretting ever ask." Serena apologized.

"If Starscream manages to recover those Minicons…" Ash started.

"He could use them against us, earning an important asset on this war." Optimus ended returning from the portal.

"Luckily for us they're not active, and we can wish them a good journey back to the Allspark with a big good grenade." Wheeljack offered.

"No soldier, that would cause too much noise, it will alert the Decepticons." Ultra Magnus denied through com-link.

"And we don't know if the ship could sustain such force giving its actual condition." Elita added.

"Rarg, there's always a factor which ruins a good way out these messes." Wheeljack cursed.

"But it may be another way to handle this, and also assisting us with the Cons' issue."

"What do you suggest, Bumblebee?" Arcee asked.

"Is these Cyclones are still in stasis they may be in alert mode, which means they would not be able to make any difference between allies and enemies. So, if we force them to activate in presence of the Decepticons…"

"They will react by the hard way and forced to engage their own comrades." Hot Rod anticipated.

"And with them facing against rogue ones, they will still ignore our presence here." Clemont followed.

"And you can deal with Starscream's group now unable to receive any help." May finished.

"That's a worthy idea for trying, Bumblebee. Proceed immediately." Optimus confirmed.

"I will go back and keep a close watch on Screamy." Smokescreen offered.

"I'm going with you." Moonracer said.

Moonracer took Smokescreen by the hand, which made her blush a little without him noticing it, before phasing together through the wall as the other Autobots took the Cyclone Minicons with most care to not wake them up. Meanwhile, Blaster was following the Decepticons' progress, allowing him to anticipate which routes they would take to reach where they were. He took the chance to close all the doors possible in order to lead them to where they could handle them better. Once the third group reached to an intersection, he closed all doors, leaving them trapped. Then, one felt like a small sting, like if it was bitten by a mosquito, but this was electric, and next another one. The rest of the group felt the same, until they continuously felt stings from everywhere. It was because Blaster activated some kind of cybertronian nano-drones, similar to insects, and ordered them to attack. After a few minutes of torment, the Decepticons ended toast and fell to the ground.

"One down." Blaster proclaimed proud.

"It looks like size doesn't always matter." Max saw.

"You've said it." Bonnie supported.

"That was amazing, you managed to neutralize them with just a swarm of little robotic bugs." Iris congratulated.

"Elita, my idea worked. Now you only need to care of the other two." Blaster notified.

"We are about to take care of other one. Do you see where they are now?" The female Autobot leader responded while the others were finishing preparing the Cyclones.

"I have locked all access for them except one. They should now turn right and head right to you at then end of the corridor."

"Perfect. Once we send the Cyclones I want you to lock them up completely so we can ensure they will destroy each other."

"Understood. At your mark."

"Guys, be my guests." Arcee said.

"So, how do we do this?" Seaspray asked.

At seeing the Cyclones again, an idea came to Sideswipe. "Have you guys heard about a human game called bowling?"

"Oh hohoho, you just read my mind, kid." Wheeljack smirked.

"How do you play that?" Seaspray asked curious.

"You just grab a round heavy ball and threw it rolling against some objects at the end of a ramp." Bee explained grabbing a Cyclone. "So in this case…"

"We will threw said ball against the Cons. I'm starting to like how this game sounds like."

"How about a challenge? Whoever owns the ball that manages to hit one Con, that one will get rid of doing patrol for a whole week."

Arcee sighed in disbelief. "Seriously Sideswipe. Right now?"

"I'm in." Bee nodded.

"You got it, kiddo." Wheeljack joined.

"I'm seeing that victory already." Seaspray added.

Once the Autobots got ready, they waited for the right time.

"They're about to reach the intersection. Whatever you're about to do, this is now the time." Blaster announced.

"Now!" Elita signaled.

The Autobots started to sent the Cyclone Minicons rolling to the end of the hall, just where the Decepticon group was about to reach. It took them less than a minute to send all the balls, and when the Cons were about to reach the intersection…

"Blaster, all Cyclones have crossed. Shut it now!" Elita ordered.

The balls hitting the bottom of the hall draw the Decepticons' attention, and once they were in the same room as the balls all doors closed, leaving them trapped. Suddenly, the balls transformed and revealed the Cyclones' true form: a small four-legged robot with two arms and the back covered by part of their ball form. They looked at the Vehicons with bad eyes, and started to canalize energy to their hands, releasing blaster shots against them.

"Hey, what are you doing? We are on the same side. Stop shooting." One Vehicon demanded dodging shots.

"Save it, these Cyclones are in alarm mode, so they will not stop attacking. There's no other way, blast them!" The Vehicon in charge ordered.

Both groups fired their guns at their opponents, taking out members from both at the same time. The sounds of battle reached to Starscream's group.

"What is that?" The Seeker wondered before contacting them. "What is going on there?"

"Commander Starscream, we have encountered a group of Cyclone Minicons."

"What? Operating Cyclones on this ship? It appears Shockblast was right about this ship after all, I need to start considering every idea of his from now on. And why is it that I'm hearing gunfire?"

"They are in alert mode, they are firing at us!"

"And you are fighting back? Don't, you fools! We need them intact! Those Minicons could be the advantage we need against the Autobots!"

"Hey Screamy!" A voice called, making Starscream look, seeing it was Moonracer with her electric whip ready.

"Surprise!" Smokescreen announced emerging from the wall with guns ready.

Moonracer used her whip, forcing Starscream to duck, making the whip to cut off the head of three Vehicons which were behind him.

"Autobots, here?! Attack!" Starscream shouted.

Both Autobots got covered from the enemy shots and fired back. Soon, the rest of the team joined them.

"Looks like we don't need to keep playing hide-and-seek anymore." Wheeljack said as he deflected some shots with his swords.

"Optimus, we are engaging the Decepticons. They already know we're here."

"I heard it, Elita, but fortunately we have taken almost all the cargo to base. Hold them off as much as you can, until we finish transporting the last portion and then reunite with us for evacuation."

"I will go give them a hand." Warpath said exiting the bridge.

"Make them regret ever coming here, Warpath." May cheered.

Meanwhile, inside his improvised cell, Starquest continued trying to find a way out when he heard the sound of battling nearby. He recognized the sound of blaster fire, meaning someone more managed to locate the ship. The question is how he will have to perform. Back with the Autobots, they continued containing the Decepticons, taking them down at good pace, which started to irritate Starscream.

"Hey Cons, I have a present for you!" Warpath announced approaching and changing to vehicle form.

"Uh oh." Bumblebee said.

"I don't like the look of this." Hot Rod expressed.

"Warpath, don't!" Elita shouted.

"KABBUM!"

Too late: Warpath fired his cannon, but the Con he was aiming managed to dodge, and the shot hit one side of the corridor. The impact was so strong that cracked the glass of the windows, until they broke and water started to enter the ship.

"Ups, scrap."

"What a dumb Autobot you are, Warpath! Look what you have done!" Starscream blamed.

"Optimus, the situation has gone messy. Warpath has breached a hole and water is flowing in. We need to speed up our plan." Elita informed.

"Understood, we are recovering the last portion right now. Meet with us at the bridge and get to the portal as fast as you can."

"Roger. All right everyone, the expedition is over. It's time to get out of here." Elita commanded.

"Keep the ship, Screamy." Wheeljack saluted.

"If you want a private pool." Sideswipe added.

The Autobots ceased firing, transformed and drove back to the bridge. The water was starting to flood the whole ship, and Starscream and the remaining Cons were heading back to where they entered. In one of the storage rooms, Optimus placed the last shipment onto Magnus' trailer of his vehicle form and started to drive back to the bridge, followed by his leader. In the bridge, the flood's effects were felt.

"Whoa. What's going on?" Serena asked moving a little until Ash grabbed her.

"The ship is…sinking more?" Ash wondered.

"Actually…this feels more like a déjà vu." Misty feared.

In that moment, Ultra Magnus and Optimus entered the room.

"You, into the bridge, now!" Ultra Magnus ordered.

"Not thinking it twice, sir!" Dawn nodded as she and the gang ran into the portal.

"Elita, we're on the bridge. Where are you?" Optimus called by com-link.

"We are almost there. Just a little more."

"Don't weary now! Metal to the pedal!" Hot Rod encouraged.

"Let's hope the door will open fast enough for us to not decelerate." Arcee hoped.

"Nah, forget that. I'll blast it and open the path."

"Let's hope this time your undoing doesn't worsen the things, Warpath." Sideswipe recalled.

"Eh guys, don't wanna hurry you up but if we don't reach the bridge soon, we're going to get splashed." Smokescreen said looking behind through the rearview.

Smokescreen was right: there was a huge wave of water approaching them from behind, and it was getting closer. Fortunately, when they reached the last intersection, when they turned, the water continued down the hall.

"Warpath, do it!" Elita authorized.

"Boom!" The Autobot tank announced firing his cannon.

The shot obliterated the door, allowing them to continue fast into the bridge, jumping into the ground bridge and reaching the base safe and sound. The portal closed before more water could sneak into. Because the flood affected the ship nastily, the force field of the door where Starquest was trapped shut off, allowing him to take it down with a strong kick. He came out to see what was going on, but he only saw the huge wave coming at him very fast.

"Scrap." He said before getting caught by the wave.

Back to base…

"Uff, that was really close." Dawn said in relief while Piplup was recovering his breath.

"I guess I really messed up with my reckless impulses."

"Perhaps Warpath, but your quick initiative also cost the Decepticons the lost of the last thing they could recover: the ship itself." Optimus revealed.

"He's right, Warpath. With the extra height of all that water inside, the salt effect and the pressure of the oceanic deeps, that ship will be very hard to move and any surviving part which they could took it may be now broken." Misty explained.

"Surely I have still a few things to learn about that whole ocean you know about." Seaspray told her.

"The Decepticons lose the ship, the Cyclones and we have all it was carrying." May summarized.

"By the way, what it is?" Ritchie reminded.

"Something which we are lucky to take away from their hands." Ultra Magnus started.

"And which will serve to complete our base." Elita added.

"But what? What was so important on that ship?" Bonnie asked impatiently.

"Most of its cargo was a huge storage of heavy weaponry: nucleon shock cannons, ion displacers and…components for warp cannons." Blaster numbered.

"What? Seriously?" Sideswipe asked in disbelief.

"Are those some kind of weapons like Warpath's cannon?" Iris asked.

"No. Those are weapons designed to be stationed in certain position for defense lines and base's emplacements. Of course, they can be removed from the base and used along the way, but only for a limited time." Elita explained.

"As for warp cannons, they are massive weapons capable to destroy whole buildings or fleets. The Decepticons used some of those weapons in the last attempt to prevent us Autobots from ever leave Cybertron." Optimus continued.

"But I think I can use their schematics to reconfigure them and that way be possible to construct planetary guns." Blaster surprised.

"Planetary guns?" Iris asked confused.

"What are those?"

"The best defense we could ask for, Ash. Huge cannons designed to take down any hostile airborne unit or vehicle." Hot Rod started.

"Which means if you guys have some in the base…"

"The Cons will have to think twice if they don't want their precious warship out of the sky."

"That would have come in handy when they assaulted Mt. Moon." Arcee said.

"That's surely good news." Serena opined.

"And that's not all." Blaster called as he showed the recoveries on the main screen. "Besides some advanced equipment, the ship contained some Cybertronian Linked Ultra Tactical Combat Helpers as well."

"Uh, a what?" Bonnie asked.

"C.L.U.T.C.H. Some kind of assistance drone." Fixit clarified.

"Oh."

"But here comes something great. It appears the ship contained the schematics for the development of the Stealth Force Mode." Blaster continued.

"Whoa, really?!" Sideswipe asked in amazement.

"We finally got it?!" Moon added.

"At last." Ratchet thanked.

"What is that mode?" Clemont asked confused.

"A special upgrade of our vehicle mode. It modifies our capacity to change form, adding our alt forms weapons to combat in our alternative way of travel." Ultra Magnus explained.

"So, are you saying, sir, that with this upgrade, you can use weapons when you are turned into vehicles?" Dawn asked.

"That's correct."

"Wow, that's even better."

"I always wondered what guns could I display as a car." Wheeljack confessed.

"That will level up our ways to combat the Cons." Smokescreen celebrated.

"It was about time, since they have been the ones to have access to that technology." Bee added.

"Speak for yourselves, I already have it long ago." Warpath boasted.

"Yeah, but because your alt mode is a tank." Moon argued.

"Hold your tires, because there's more." Blaster warned. "There was also lots of security deployable turrets for bases, which will upgrade the security level of the base, besides some repair rays. But that's not the best."

"Uh?" Warpath said confused.

"There's more?" Max asked.

"I believe this is our best acquisition until now. I cannot say for certain, but I believe one of the whole structures we recovered was a copy of the greatest cybertronian security complex ever made: a terminal of Teletraan-1."

"By the Allspark." Ratchet said in disbelief.

"Seriously? You're not joking?" Arcee repeated.

"Now I get why you said we hit a motherload." Smokescreen understood.

"Why? Who is that Teletraan-1?" Misty asked.

"Not a who, but a what." Fixit corrected.

"Teletraan-1 is a last generation cybertronian supercomputer, built by the High Council during the Golden Age of Cybertron, maintained by the Hall of Records. It helped maintain peace and security all around our world, right before the war started." Ratchet explained.

"I heard it was one of the most important actives which helped keep the Iacon's defense line, holding against everything the Cons threw at it." Smokescreen added.

"Are you saying this Teletraan-1 is like a cybertronian artificial intelligence?" Clemont asked in excitement.

"Well, more or less." Ratchet answered.

"Wow, I can't wait to see how it works. Perhaps it could show what we need to improve in our own field of AI research."

"Does it have a personality?" Bonnie asked curious.

"Unfortunately not, it's like talking to a computer." Moon answered.

"But what it cares? We got it back. Now the Cons would start to have problems." Sideswipe celebrated.

"Blaster, can you try to fix its programming?" Optimus asked.

"I don't know if I will be able to return it back from before it became neutral, but surely I can install it to increase our security level so the base can perform at its apex."

"Do as you can, my friend. There will be always time for upgrades."

"Let's hope that works, because we are going to need everything we can use from now on."

"Are you saying this because of what we saw today, Tracey?" Ritchie questioned.

"What did you saw?" Iris asked.

"Starscream came accompanied by lot of troops."

"And those may not be easy to replace after the hit Omega Supreme inflicted them last time." Serena pointed.

"Unless…he got backup." Max deduced.

"It appears Shatter and Dropkick's last mission was a success after all." Bee said gritting his teeth.

"The Decepticons could be waiting for the arrival of reinforcements." Ultra Magnus agreed.

"And who knows which old combatants may also be reunited with." Hot Rod added.

"Or how many forces they still possess." Elita added.

"If that is true and the Decepticons have managed to find a way to send a word to their remaining forces all around the universe, we must be prepared for what is to come. And now more after knowing of the presence of a third side also interest on this world as well."

"Optimus, do you think these cybertronian pirates will be menace to Earth's inhabitants?"

"You are right to ask, Ash, but without knowing their intentions, I'm afraid I cannot know for certain. Fortunately, our new base is now equipped with everything we need to make our stand, and for being a safe heaven for those who may still be looking for a refuge among the stars." Optimus proclaimed.

Meanwhile, at the Nemesis, Starscream returned with a mad face. He clearly didn't bring anything worthy back home.

"Shockblast, I'm back. Unfortunately, I regret to report you that even we found the ship the Autobots somehow managed to get ahead on us, and have sent the ship back into the deeps. With whatever useful shipload it holds."

"An unfortunately event, I have to admit. Despise that, I appreciated you decided to take the trouble to confirm my suspects. But also, you made a right decision to not renounce to abandon our meeting point. Which has provided us with something I'm sure will help bring stability and order." Shockblast answered back as he stepped aside, showing Starscream what he meant.

In middle of the bridge stood a blue tall robot which looked like an older person, with two horns on his head. Starscream gasped in disbelief when he turned at him, he knew who that Decepticon was.

"Xiaxus?"

"Hello Darkscream, it's been a while. But why do you look like your original self?" The returned Decepticon leader asked.

"Long story."

"Shockblast has been updating me about the recent events. It's truly shocked to accept our great master is now one with the Allspark."

"Well, more like one with the Anti-Spark. But of course, no one will be great as he ever was."

"That's why I was waiting for you to return. Your idea about a collective leadership may be just what the Decepticons may require on these moments of need."

"That and the urgent need for the necessary troops to operate this warship and to fight our better equipped enemies."

"Fear nothing, old friend. The rest of us will join us at their respecting moment. Meanwhile, it is up to us to establish the new Decepticon regiment around." Xiaxus said putting a hand on the Starscream's shoulder.

Moments later, Starscream, Shockblast and Xiaxus stood in the bridge with lots of new Vehicon troopers standing now in the lower levels. More Decepticons, assigned now on the respecting sections of the ship were also looking at some terminals showing their leaders, expecting to listen an important speech. Knock Out, Shatter and Dropkick were also present in the bridge.

"Fellow Decepticon comrades, our kind now is passing through a hard moment our history has never seen before. Following devastating events has caused a huge impact within our firm organization and our cause: the sudden lost of Lord Galvatron, great leader of the Decepticon uprising, the unexpected emerging of the Chaos Bringer himself and the loss of our home planet Cybertron, by the hands of our cursed Autobot adversaries. I will not lie to you, things have gone very hard around lately, but this is not the first time our uncrushed spirit has encountered a difficult challenge. Remember the time when Megatron challenged Cybertron's corrupted leadership, dethroned the cast-system and gave us our freedom and strength to combat our oppressors. And the time when our own planet felt victim of our long-prolonged war and fell to darkness. And what we did? Continue our way through it, opening us new paths of opportunities across new worlds, new chances to prove what are we truly capable of. That's what we Decepticons do best, stand in our hardest moments and reemerge stronger than ever. It's true that times change, and so we must adapt for those changes as well, and that's what I want to tell you about. No one will be as great leader as Galvatron was, and we must all remember it, but leadership will not die. Instead, it will change for a stable and secure module which will secure the Decepticon cause will keep as sharp as it was before. And for that leadership will be shared: Shockblast will handle over scientific and research procedures, Starscream will take command over military assets and combat operations, while I will handle the discipline and protocols of all our routines. Better said this way, now the Decepticons are leaded by a council of generals which from now on will be the responsible ones of all decisions here. If anyone wants to make a request, aim for something, for suggest anything of any matter, first it will need to be discussed by the three of us. That's all, and I can assure, my brothers and sisters, that this will allow us Decepticons to continue our fighting, rise from our agonizing moments and succeed in returning our pain to anyone who dares challenge our path to total dominion!"

All the Decepticons cheered at the end of the speech, making both Xiaxus and Starscream smirk, things were finally getting right. Meanwhile, far from there, someone finally returned with his own.

"Starquest, what took you so long? And why you look like you took a bath?"

"Shut up your mouth, Sandstorm."

Sandstorm looked at Brimstone, who just shrugged. Starquest met with his leader.

"Pardon my delay, captain. A few complications caught me…off guard."

"What complications?"

"It confirmed me where are not the only ones on this planet. Probably a fight between the Bots and Cons, which ended with the ship being flood from the outside. But that's the good news: the Autobots departed, and it seems the ship was of no use for the Decepticons. Which means it's now at our entirely disposal."

"Will it be enough to fix the Tidal Wave?"

"Completely. I also managed to take a look to some interesting things our new neighbors have developed. And the location of the ship is the same, far from curious unpleasant aware eyes."

"Excellent. You have resolved us an important issue, Starquest. That's why you are my second-in-command. Now we just need to discover where we can find energon on this rock."

"I don't think that would be such a problem: it seems the ones who rebuild you were interested on our vital force as we are."

Thundertron chuckled as he looked at his ship while his men worked with it. "Perfect. I can't wait to meet with our old companions after all these eons."

The fight had evolved, now there was three sides on the same world.