11- Under the surface.
It was a very sunny day, like if it was summer, and the gang was enjoying a great day of enjoyment in a beach of Valencia Island: Max and Bonnie were making a huge sand castle, which Dedenne could sneak through inside it; Ritchie was practicing surf; Misty was having a sunbath; Pikachu, Sparky and Fraxure were playing tag with the waves, sometimes being caught by them; May, Iris, Dawn and Clemont were playing volleyball; Piplup was enjoying swimming, the same as Ash and Serena, who also played splashing at each other; Tracey was taking the chance to observe and draw the peculiar pokémon which inhabit the island.
"I'm impressed, these pokémon has changed their appearances a little as result of their adaptation to the island's weather. Just like Ash told us about some pokémon from Alola, but in a smaller scale." Tracey observed.
"Professor Ivy is the one in charge of researching about this island's pokémon. Even allowed Brock to stay here in order to learn from her." Misty told.
"Is that so? Then why he isn't here anymore?" Dawn asked.
"No idea. When we returned from traveling the Orange Archipelago, we found him back at Pallet Town. And every time we mentioned Professor Ivy he reacted in a very weird way. So we never knew what happened then." Ash added.
"Oh, how mysterious." Serena said.
"Maybe we could ask her by our own. What do you think, Misty?"
"Eh? Oh, sorry Max, I got a calling from my sisters." Misty said answering with her Pokétch.
Meanwhile, in other place, inside some huge cave, there was a lot of activity: lots of Vehicon miners were working without pause extracting huge amounts of energon. One long-ranged soldier was guarding when someone grabbed and dragged him into the shadows. It was Starquest, who was observing everything hidden.
"What do you have?" Someone called through com-link, probably Thundertron.
"Looks like our clue was right, captain. It's the biggest energon mine I have ever seen: there's enough to full almost totally the Tidal Wave's storage. No doubt it is heavily guarded, the Cons must have been mining for a while." Starquest reported.
"Then we cannot allow more energon to fall to their hands. Take care of them and retrieve it all."
"Roger that." He ended the conversation before turning at more Star Seekers hidden in the shadows. "Okay everyone, let's get this done. We must secure the mine, so remember: no survivors. And watch out with the energon boxes, we don't wanna cause an accident."
Meanwhile, at the mine's command center…
"Are you certain?" Starscream asked through a hologram.
"Yes, general Starscream. Some of our miners reported they were performing their duties when suddenly they came up with an unexpected discovery." The officer in charge, a Vehicon tank, informed.
"What kind of discovery?"
"One we think belongs to what we are currently after." He said as two Vehicons brought a very recognizable object.
Starscream smirked. "Finally we beat the Autobots for once. Excellent. Bring it to the warship with the next energon shipment. Make sure this new doesn't spread too much until its secured.
In that moment, a tremor shook the entire place.
"What was that? What's going on?" Starscream demanded.
One of the Vehicons went to one of the terminals. "Sir, it appears there has been an explosion in the upper levels."
"Autobots?"
"We're trying to confirm it."
"Mobilize all troops to eradicate the invaders. Protect the mine if you have to, but most of all don't let them get the relic!"
At the place where the explosion happened, all the Decepticons moved to their defense posts to counter the attackers. A spaceship and two planes came from above and started bombing them with missiles while dodging shots. Once there was a clear big enough, they transformed and landed, revealing to be Starquest, Brimstone and Axer, who started to fire at the Decepticons while more Star Seeker troops started to descend from the upper levels. Soon, the Decepticons were overwhelmed by the raiders as they engaged them. Back to the beach…
"Don't worry, I will take care of it. Yeah, I know: I will do it as last resort." Misty said ending the phone call.
"Was wrong, Misty?" Max asked.
"You don't look relaxed as you pretended." May noticed.
"It's my sisters. They are planning to perform another show of the Magical Mermaid and of course they though of me as their first choice." Misty revealed.
"The Magical Mermaid?"
"Is that a show where you wear a mermaid suit and act like if you are a real one? That sounds amazing."
"Haha, thanks Bonnie. I admit I perform well as a mermaid, so it will not be a problem for me. But I think they shouldn't rely on me every time they organize it. Of course, I don't know if there could be other choice."
"Well, think any of us girls could act as good as you?" Bonnie suggested.
"I don't think Iris is the kind of girl who likes to play that role. But Dawn and maybe big sis…" Max started.
"I will not have any problem." May accepted.
"The problem is the representation also involves a boy character, and normally my sisters use to take care of the role playing." Misty said, but then she thought of something at looking at Ash and Serena. "I think I already have an idea."
Moments later, Misty told Serena what she thought about.
"What? Are you sure I am the best choice?"
"Why do you doubt, Serena? I think you will make a fine mermaid." Bonnie supported.
"Misty knows how to perform so she can teach you, right?" Max added.
"Indeed. But the point is because you and Ash are dating, I think you two matches perfectly with the characters' role: a young prince and a young mermaid who find love together despite all setbacks."
"Don't you think it will be a special moment in your life with Ash to immortalize?" May pointed.
"Eh…yeah, I think so. I will not have any problem; I have experience with performing. But I'm not sure if Ash would want…" Serena said.
"You will have to tell him about, and I need an answer as soon as possible. My sisters are not very patient people." Misty mentioned.
"I'm sure he will not bother. I'm gonna tell everyone about this." Bonnie said running.
"Bonnie, don't go very ahead." May warned.
Bonnie went to tell his big brother first. "Hey big brother, you are not going to believe this." But he seemed distracted and not listening. "Clemont? What's wrong?"
"It seems to be a commotion in the water. Do you see that?"
Clemont pointed to a certain distance toward the sea, where it seemed like there was a portion of water different from the rest.
"Yeah, you're right. The water seems constantly agitated, probably because of the constant emerging of bubbles to the surface." Tracey observed with his binoculars. "But what could be causing it? The only possible explanation will be volcanic activity, and there is none around this area."
"Maybe there is an active volcano underwater which is making all those bubbles rise to surface." Iris suggested.
"Then we better check it out." A voice announced, making everyone to turn and see an Autobot present with them.
"Seaspray. You didn't mention you were going to join us." Ash noticed.
"I decided to make some exploring around this archipelago. And when Blaster mentioned you were here, I decided to come check you, until you mention that. That anomaly could also be the result of a more violent disturbance, so we better take a deep look."
"What do you mean with 'we'?" Dawn asked.
"Misty, I have something for you." The aquatic Wrecker crouched to her height and opened his hand, showing a little metallic but shining object.
"What is this?" Misty asked taking it.
"It looks like a necklace." May said admiring it.
"It has that appearance, but its function is what it counts. Try pressing that button and see what happens." Seaspray instructed.
Misty followed her partner's instructed: she placed the necklace on her neck and pressed the jewel shaped button of the center. Immediately, almost all part of her body was covered by some kind of metallic armor, some kind of mask covering her face, but the most surprising aspect was that both Misty's legs were now united by the armor, ending in a curious way. Of course, that caused her to lose her balance and fall.
"Wow. I didn't see that coming." Ritchie said surprised.
"Misty, look at your lower part." Bonnie pointed. "You look like a mermaid."
"More likely a cybertronian mermaid." Tracey corrected.
"You told me you like the sea, remember? So I asked Ratchet and Blaster if they could develop some kind of advanced suit with my same adaptations for aquatic and underwater environments." Seaspray explained.
"So it's like a special kind of scuba suit for Misty to roam in and under the water made with cybertronian metal?" Clemont deduced.
"You got it."
"Wow, that's amazing." Dawn expressed.
"I can't believe it. Being able to dive freely and safely when and wherever I want. Thanks Seaspray. It's very resourceful, and beautiful." Misty thanked deactivating it to get up.
"So, ready for joining an underwater scouting with your exclusive partner for the first time?" Seaspray asked.
"Yes."
Without hesitating, Misty ran to the shore. Once she was in the water, she activated the button and submerged, followed by the Autobot. Thanks to the suit, Misty could admire how the ocean looked from the view of the water pokémon.
"This is amazing, I feel like a real mermaid swimming under the sea. This is what I dreamed since I was little. Thank you so much, Seaspray." Misty said, thanks to the mask she wore which allowed her to breath submerged.
"Well, you promised me to act as my guide around the oceans of Earth. So, let's get started."
Seaspray's feet extended, looking like the fins of a scuba gear, which allowed him to dive like humans do. Misty swam next to him as he admired their surroundings.
"There it is." Seaspray spotted.
They saw a constant flow of bubbles coming to the surface.
"It seems they come from within the very deep." Seaspray observed.
Misty extended her hand at the bubbles. "They are not hot, so I doubt it could be because of a volcano."
"I guess we will not figure it out unless we go check it by ourselves. So, up for a trip to the deeps?"
"Will the pressure of the oceanic deep not be a problem for me?"
"Easy Misty, that suit is strong as my chassis. If I can hold it, you too."
"Then what are we waiting for?"
And the duo started descending to the deeps, following the trail of bubbles.
"At last we are doing something just the two of us." Misty expressed.
After some minutes the light started to decrease, fortunately Seaspray turned on his lights and Misty's suit was capable of generating its own luminescence.
"How cool. This could be of use for the show." She opined.
"Look partner, there." Seaspray pointed to the source, a crack in the ocean floor. "I think we have found it."
Meanwhile, the others continued having fun on the beach. Except Serena, who was still wondering how to tell Ash about what Misty suggested her.
"Ash."
"Yes Serena?"
"I need to talk with you about something."
"What is it? Do we need to tell anyone more about our relationship?"
"Oh no, no. It's not about that, it's something simpler. I think."
"You think?"
"You see, the thing is…"
"Guys, do you read us?" Misty's voice sounded through everyone's Pokétchs.
"Without problem." Max answered.
"Have you found the source of the anomaly?"
"We did Tracey, and fortunately it isn't a volcanic eruption. It seems to be simply a natural leak. Probably from an underwater cavern or something like that." Misty answered. "So, we will be back to the surface at once."
Serena sighed in relief. "Good to hear."
"Once you're back, Misty, can you show us how do you swim in your new mermaid suit? Please?"
"Hahaha, okay okay Bonnie. I'll do it for you."
Misty was about to swim back to the surface.
"Wait a minute, partner."
"Seaspray? What's wrong? It is supposed there's nothing wrong, so we can return."
"There is one thing out of place."
"Eh?"
"Maybe you cannot sense it, but there is a familiar scent within those bubbles. And I would recognize it everywhere." The Wrecker revealed as he examined the bubbles carefully. Then he took a tiny particle on his fingers and looked at it closely. "Just what I thought: there's energon in the bubbles. In very low concentration, but present."
"Energon in the water? And what that it means?"
"My strongest intuition: an energon deposit buried right below the oceanic floor. But those deposits are usually designed to prevent leaks like this to happen from natural interferences."
"Which means something or someone has accessed the depot, altering its stability." Clemont deduced.
"Maybe it is an energon mine discovered by the Decepticons." Ritchie suggested.
"Or one of their mines which has been affected in some way." May added.
"Should we tell the team about this?" Ash proposed.
"No need for that yet, it could simply be a wild pokémon which forced its way in to turn it to a lair. But to make sure I'll take a look." Seaspray decided.
"I will come with you." Misty decided.
"Are you sure?"
"If there's an energon deposit underwater I should see what impact the oceanic pressure and the flow of water can inflect it. Besides, now we're diving partners, so we should go together. And I always wanted to explore places like marine caves or shipwrecks."
"You have the adventuring spirit of a Wrecker, girl. Keep behind me and follow me once it's safe."
Seaspray changed his hands for his melee combat harpoons and started to make a crack where the bubbles came out. Once he managed to dig a hole, he noticed the water flowing into it, the same as Misty, who had to swim harder to prevent the current to draw her. Fortunately, from the sides of her metallic fin, two small propellers activated, giving her a boost that took her out of the current.
"Wow, I didn't think this also has these too." She admired.
"Okay, it looks big enough. Let's go Misty. Remain attached to my back, and don't swim apart unless I observe it's safe." Seaspray instructed.
And both partners went into the hole. Meanwhile, back at the energon mine, the Star Seekers finally ended with all the Decepticons stationed there, except the miners. They forced them to keep working and extracting energon, this time for them. At the command center…
"We have succeeded, captain. We have captured the whole mine." Sandstorm declared in triumph.
"How much energon it contains?" Thundertron asked through a hologram.
"According to the registry, the energon contained within can provision our ship for a very long time." Brimstone reported.
"If we keep hitting on a few mines after this one, we will have no problem with the energon supply." Cannonball suggested.
"Knowing the Decepticons, as I used to be one of them, in their actual situation will not risk losing a huge energon deposit. So they will not doubt send reinforcements after a while without receiving news from their own. We should prepare a counterattack."
"Well thought, Axer. Instruct the troops, figure out the points the Cons will utilize most. Start sending the already extracted amounts to the Tidal Wave." Starquest requested.
The Star Seekers opened a ground bridge in one of the deepest part of the mine and started to move their precious cargo into it. Meanwhile, the duo was descending slowly through a tunnel, following the stream. After a while…
"The current has stopped: we must be close to an air bubble, the source." Seaspray noticed.
"Look, there's a light over there." Misty pointed.
Misty followed the light until she came out of the water. She looked around to find herself inside some huge cavern.
"Wow, look at it: it must be a submerged cavern with breathable air. Perfect for a proper water pokémon lair."
"Misty, hide." Her Autobot guardian told her.
"Why?"
He grabbed and got her into the water with him. Next, he pointed her what he was meaning: there was a few Star Seeker soldiers guarding all floors, while some were keeping an eye for the Decepticon miners while they continued their labor.
"You were right, it is an energon mine." Misty confirmed.
"Just not in the usual situation. It seems the Star Seekers have taken control over this mine for themselves. Looks like the Cons are not the only ones in need of fuel." Seaspray deduced.
"What do we do? Call all the team for backup?"
"Come on, Misty. You should already know what we use to say: Wreckers don't call for back…"
"They are called for cleanup. Yeah, I heard that much from Wheeljack."
"Besides, we still don't know if it's worthy to call everyone. There are still things to considerate like the size of the mine, the number of enemies and the possibility of a Decepticon countermeasure."
"Which means?"
"We better take a closer look before deciding the best course of action. See if you can scout just around the water, I will take the risky way. Call if you find something of interest."
And so, the two partners went separated ways: Seaspray climbed silently through some holes between the floors while Misty used the flooded parts of the mine to move without rising suspicious. Sometimes Seaspray had to wait or hide until some Star Seeker soldiers were patrolling and waited for them to leave, he just was forced to get rip of some when there was no other choice to continue. And so he did, without making noise. Meanwhile, Misty saw from the water a deep tunnel where a few Star Seekers, different from the foot soldiers, were gathering. She found it suspicious, so she started to get out of the water. But…
"Hey! What are you doing here!" One Star Seeker flyer pronounced aiming at her.
"Scrap." She cursed.
"What is it?" Another Star Seeker, a tank, asked.
"I found this human sneaking into the mine." The first one answered.
"Human? Well, that's the weirdest human I've ever seen. And I haven't seen many of them." He said noticing the mermaid tail, which luminescence camouflaged it as if it was real.
That made Misty think about a crazy idea, the only she had at mind. "Oh, I'm just a little mermaid on exploring. I found a curious entrance which led me to this cavern. That's all."
"What's a mermaid?"
"No idea. Probably another sentient species which inhabits this planet." The first Star Seeker wondered.
"One adapted to that huge blue surface?"
"I guess it's just like in Cybertron with the Sharkticons."
"Right." The second accepted before looking at Misty. "Okay, we don't care. Just don't bother us in any way."
And they left. Misty sighed in relief, glad that the Star Seekers were fool enough to believe she was a real mermaid, and that they are not the same as humans. Once out of the water, she touched her necklace, deactivating the suit, and sneaked into the tunnel. She advanced hidden between the mining equipment to avoid being spotted by the soldiers. Once she was reaching the other side of the tunnel, she heard a conversation going on.
"This must be our lucky day."
"Indeed Brimstone. One successful hit on a huge energon mine and then this, it means Primus finally is giving us a hand." Sandstorm nodded.
"I don't get it; the captain already has two ancient swords on his possession. What's the point of delivering him another?" Cannonball demanded.
Misty took a look and saw Starquest with the other notable Star Seekers around the relic's container while he was taking out from it some kind of sword.
"It looks similar to the other two, but I feel there's something different with this one." Starquest observed before pressing a hidden button, which started to cause a reaction to the sword.
Suddenly, the sword divided five smaller versions of itself.
"I…didn't see that coming." Cannonball admitted.
"The other swords didn't behave like this one, this must be more important. I wonder what more it can do." Brimstone wondered.
"Sir, I think I have lost contact with some of our soldiers. It's been a few minutes since the moment they were supposed to report. Which means something may have happened to them." Axer informed.
"The Cons would have sent one of their elites to see what's going on. We must hold the line until we have taken all the energon of this mine. Meanwhile, everyone take one of this." Starquest ordered as he handed around the sword's pieces between he and his partners. "That way if one of the pieces fall into enemy hands, they will not have every of them."
After that, Axer and Starquest ran into the tunnel, where Misty was hidden and saw everything.
"Seaspray, I think the pirates know you are here. They have mentioned some of their troops are missing. Is it your doing?" She called by her Pokétch.
"I'm afraid so. They are most heedful than I expected."
"Listen, they are not just here for the energon. There is a relic in their hands, but it is split in five pieces."
"Looks like the situation has taken an unexpected turn. Perhaps it is good time to call the team."
"Hold on, partner. They only suspect of you, but they are not aware of me, so that can play in our favor. I will take care of bringing the proper help, you just need to create a diversion. Besides, I thought you said Wreckers don't need to call for backup."
"Oh hohoho, you got me there, girl. Jackie would be proud of you. Leave it to me, making diversions is one of my specialties."
At the same time, on the Nemesis…
"Sir, it's been a while since the last time the mine contacted us." One Vehicon operator reported.
"Then it seems the Star Seekers have taken over the mine." Starscream sensed.
"And surely taken our miners as slaves to keep all that energon for them." Xiaxus continued. "Surely this seems like a serious matter, but it's also a good new."
"How so?"
"This proves our suspects that the Star Seekers doesn't have formed personal to perform energon extractions by themselves were right. Besides, they also need energon to survive."
"Your point of view is completely logical." Shockblast supported.
"Which means they will be more desperate to get the energon than us. I see your point." Starscream said.
Meanwhile, Misty came up with something to help Seaspray: she called some of her pokémon, Staryu, Gyarados and Politoed, and went with her through the water.
"Guys, we are going to give our pal a boost around this whole place. Spread your Water Gun everywhere. You too Gyarados, use Hydro Pump." She instructed.
The pokémon used their water moves to soak the floor of all the roads they found in the mine. Meanwhile in the beach…
"What?!" Ash asked in surprise, surely because his girlfriend finally told him what she wanted to discuss.
"It's how you heard. Misty needed me to ask you in order to leave things settled. It's true she suggested it to me, but to be sincere I also like the idea of perform it with you. So, what do you think?" Serena asked a little embarrassed.
"Well…" Ash started, also a little red. "That looks similar to when you used to perform back on Kalos. So, if it makes you happy, I'll do it for you."
"Really? Oh Ash, thank you so much." Serena answered hugging him. "I need to tell her immediately."
"Guys, can you hear me?" Misty's voice sounded from everyone's Pokétchs.
"There's your chance." Ash pointed.
"Misty, I already have Ash's answer. We're going to perform together."
"Glad to know, Serena, but we got more urgent topics to attend right now."
"What is it?" Dawn asked.
"We have discovered an energon mine below the ocean. It's a Decepticon mine, but currently under Star Seekers' occupation."
"What are the pirates doing there?" Ritchie asked.
"Surely stealing their energon, but that's not the point. They have also discovered another relic, and I need help to recover it."
"Then wait a minute. I will ask for a ground bridge." Tracey said before using his Pokétch to call someone else. "Blaster…"
Back to the mine, Axer and Starquest reunited with lots of their troops at the main cavern. Suddenly, they heard an explosion and saw smoke coming from the highest level. From it, two figures emerged, revealing to be Shatter and Dropkick.
Starquest laughed. "Just two? The Decepticons must be short of warriors if they just send two to face us."
"I will not boast if I were you. Those are not ordinary Cons, Starquest, they are DIS." Axer revealed serious.
"Indeed, so you should watch your words, thieves. Look how low you have fallen, Axer. You once were part of our mighty cause, and still you chose to live as a scavenger and a killer." Shatter provoked.
"In that last aspect we are not so different. Perhaps Megatron admired your dedication, but I chose to be free from his grip. Besides, haven't you heard it? The age of the Decepticons is over, he's not with you anymore."
"Maybe our master has left us, but we still fight for the great cause our master inspired us to follow. And now you will pay for opposing it."
After her speech, Shatter and Dropkick transformed into their flying alt forms and descended upon their enemies.
"Defend posts, now! Take them down!" Starquest ordered.
The Star Seekers opened fire, but the members of the DIS managed to dodge them all, and countered with missiles, which eliminated most the troops. They transformed and landed, engaging the enemies that approached them with great close combat techniques, including their melee weapons.
"Fall back. We need to gain more time to take out the energon out of here." Starquest instructed as he and Axer retreated.
Some Star Seeker tanks and helicopters remained behind to try to stop the two Decepticons. Taking advantage of the chaos, Seaspray walked through the tunnels on his own. Suddenly, he entered in a cavern with a pair of Star Seeker engineers taking one big bunch of energon on a magnetic trolley.
"Sorry, but I must ask you to give me that. I'm going to need it."
The Star Seekers reacted charging at him, so the Wrecker had no other choice but to dodge. He managed to slide aside very easily, making him to discover the whole floor was wet by water, which made him smirk. He continued sliding around the Star Seekers until he saw the chance to stab his harpoons and eliminate them.
"Well done, Misty."
Seaspray continued using the same tactic with all the Star Seekers he found on his way. Meanwhile, Misty received the others once they came out from a ground bridge.
"Wow, this is indeed a wet mine." May observed, seeing paths of water which ranged probably all the mine.
"What's with all that noise?" Iris asked.
"Surely Seaspray. Listen, the Star Seekers had divided the relic in five pieces and I know who keeps them. I will go by the water to check one side, you check other. If you manage to recover all, said it and we will meet." Misty instructed before activating her mermaid suit and getting into the water.
"She seems very confident." Ritchie observed.
The team followed Misty's command, despite there was a chaos in the mine. Fortunately, the Star Seekers seemed more focused on engaging the Cons that they didn't even notice them. The Star Seekers hurried up the miners to send the energon into their ground bridge, sometimes even threatening them. Misty and her pokémon remained hidden in the water seeing Starquest and Axer coming from a tunnel. Since Shatter and Dropkick managed to dispose of their troops without problem, now they were after them.
"We got them on the run." She communicated with the Nemesis.
"Don't forget to put a tracker on one of them. We must figure out where they are hidden." Xiaxus ordered.
Axer reacted first and fired a couple of missiles to the tunnel's ceiling, causing a blockade in front of them.
"Well thought, Axer, that will take them a while to clear. Let's meet with the others at the extraction point, and ensure the energon will reach the ship without problem." Starquest said.
But suddenly, Gyarados coiled around Starquest and immobilized him. Axer was about to assist him, until he started receiving hits on his head. It was Staryu using Rapid Spin, while Politoed used Bubble to block his vision.
"Arg, my optics. I can't see! You little vermin, you will pay for that!"
Axer tried to fire back, but he didn't saw where he was aiming, and one of his missiles ended making a hole in the blockade: not big enough for the Decepticons to pass through, but enough for them to see.
"The space is tinny; I can't even place my whole arm." Dropkick said.
"But looks big enough for something small to pass through." Shatter said taking out a small device. "Think you can hit one?"
Dropkick knew what she was referring to and smirked. "Bring it on."
At the same time, while her pokémon kept the Star Seekers distracted, Misty took the chance to sneak near them and launched a cable from her Pokétch, another of its functions, and grabbed the relic's pieces from them.
"Enough Gyarados, release him." She commanded.
Gyarados obeyed, but by throwing his captive against Axer, taking them both down. That was the moment Dropkick waited to fire the little device from his wrist at one of them, while Misty retreated with her pokémon.
"Alright guys, now let's see how the others are doing."
In other part of the mine, the rest of our heroes were looking for the other holders of the relic's parts.
"Hey look, right there." Max pointed right at the end of a chamber where he spotted Brimstone, with a piece on his waist.
"That must be one of the parts Misty told us about." Ritchie deduced.
"So the others could be close." Dawn sensed.
"Alright, let's find out." Ash decided.
They followed Brimstone until they saw he wasn't alone in the chamber: Sandstorm and Cannonball were with him, with their own pieces.
"Do we really have to stay here and wait for the Cons to come at us?" Sandstorm complained. "I'm getting bored, I prefer fighting."
"The amount of energon of this mine if vaster than we expect, so we need more time until the miners end extracting it and our own to send it to the Tidal Wave." Brimstone recalled.
"And of course, Starquest ordered us to not lose these pieces at all costs." Cannonball added.
"I know, I know. But this is an assignment for foot soldiers, not warriors like us. We should be with them facing them." Sandstorm defended again.
"They look a little distracted already." Iris noticed.
"Okay, here's the plan." Ash started, gathering everyone.
Moments later, the Star Seekers received some impacts from a side.
"What is that?" Sandstorm asked.
It was Piplup and Marill, from a small pound, attacking them with Bubble Beam and Water Gun.
"Nah, there just some wild native creatures. Nothing to worry about." Brimstone tranquilized, not giving importance to the matter.
Suddenly, the were attacked by Wartortle and Squirtle with Aqua Tail and Hydro Pump from a point on another side. Also, Gible, Diggerby and Fraxure stroke them with Dig, Hammer Arm and Scratch from beneath.
"Where do all these insects come from?" Cannonball demanded.
And next Espy and Pancham followed with Shadow Ball and Dark Pulse.
"This is not some wild creature defense instinct, it's a coordinated attack. They are attacking us on purpose." Brimstone realized.
"Probably sent by the Decepticons to distract us." Sandstorm deduced.
They tried to fire back, but the plan was already complete: the pokémon were distracting the Star Seekers, and soaking them, while Pikachu, Sparky, Pachirisu, Emolga and Dedenne prepared to stun them with their electric attacks. And that happened: the water conducted the electricity to the cybertronians and caused them a total paralysis. Next, Clemont grabbed one of the pieces with his Aipom arm, while Tracey and Ritchie grabbed the other two.
"Thank you so much." Ritchie mocked.
"Guys!" Misty called arriving. "Did you make it?"
"We got the pieces, Misty." Dawn showed.
"Then we better leave right now, because the other pirates are behind us. They want the relic back."
"We need to hide. But where?" May asked.
Clemont saw something promising: parked at the entrance of the chamber, there was one of the drills used by the Decepticons to mine.
"We can use that."
"Well seen, Clemont." Ash nodded as they went for it.
"What? Are we seriously going to drive a Decepticon vehicle?" Iris asked in disbelief.
"This isn't the first time for us doing that." Ritchie revealed as he pressed some buttons, but the drill didn't start up. "Uh oh. Guys, we have a little problem: it doesn't start up."
"Probably needs a little energy to charge up." Serena suggested.
"Guys, we need your energy here. Give it all you can." May instructed.
"Pika." Pikachu nodded.
All the electric pokémon used their electric moves on the drill, but still…
"It's still not responding." Misty checked.
"It must be damaged." Tracey deduced.
"How are we going to fix such complex machine? Any ideas, Clemont?" Iris asked.
"Huh, guys…we have another problem." Max called.
"Comrades, what has happened to you?" Axer asked as he and Starquest came to their pals' need.
"It's those humans. They are trying to get away with the relic." Cannonball answered hardly, still a little affected.
"They are waking up! We gotta do something!" Bonnie exclaimed nervous.
Clemont was about to open the drill's chassis to check the inside by using one of the swords. But when he inserted it, something incredible happened: all swords started to glow as they levitated and inserted in the drill as well, making some currents of mystical energy to flow through it. Then, when it ended, the drill's control panel turned on.
"Hey, it works." Iris announced.
"Then everyone, get aboard. I have an idea." Clemont guided as he connected his Aipom arm to the drill's control panel.
"Hold right there. You are not going anywhere." Starquest warned.
But when he was about to approach them, Clemont started to type some commands on his personal terminal. That made the drill to turn at them, accelerating and advanced at full speed with the drill operating. That caught the Star Seekers by surprised and forced them to jump out of the way in order to not get pierced by the dangerous tool. They were about to follow them, but some shots called their attention.
"Rarg, not those two again." Axer cursed, referring to Shatter and Dropkick.
"Forget about them. Let's secure all the energon we can." Starquest decided.
Meanwhile, the gang continued on the drill marching through the mine.
"Wow Clemont, that was a nice idea." May congratulated.
"Think they will try to follow us?" Max wondered.
"Not for long."
Everyone looked at front and saw Seaspray meeting with them.
"Nice souvenir." The Autobot noticed.
"Seaspray. Glad to see you're okay. I was starting to worry." Misty said in relief.
"What do you mean with that?" Ash asked.
"I didn't simply scout around the mine, I was preparing an epic goodbye present." Seaspray revealed pulling out a detonator.
"So, you are doing the same as Jackie?" Iris sensed.
"Exactly."
And he pressed the button. That caused the detonation of a few bombs he placed around the mine. One exploded on an energon box while others detonated on the mine's walls. That started to make lot of water to filter in.
"We better get out of here fast." Seaspray announced before calling through com-link. "New Iacon, Seaspray here. Requesting a ground bridge, ASAP."
"Oh Seaspray, what have you done?!" Dawn asked in disbelief as they saw the first signs of water coming.
They weren't the only ones to notice the mine was about to become part of the ocean floor.
"This place is flooding." Dropkick observed.
"I can see that too, dumb head. We need to get out of here." Shatter proclaimed before they changed form and took flight.
The Star Seekers saw the flooding approaching.
"Oh scrap, just what we needed." Sandstorm groaned.
"Boss, we are out of time here! We better get out of here, fast!" Cannonball shouted.
"We cannot leave the energon behind. Our ship relies on that fuel." Starquest objected.
"Sir, the troops have taken almost all the energon. There just a few boxes more." Brimstone reported.
"Then it's time to leave, a few more boxes are not worthy a risk."
And so the Star Seekers got into their portal, leaving behind the little energon that remained and the miners behind to get caught by the flood while they disappeared. The gang's fate was the same, getting away from the flood while they waited for their ride to come. Finally it appeared in front of them, so they entered it, leaving the drill behind, and crossed the portal, back to the Autobot base right before it closed.
"Uf, a little close." Ritchie expressed.
"A least this time there is no water to clean." Fixit pointed.
"You went inside a Decepticon mine by your own?" Elita asked serious.
"That was my idea, Elita." Misty started. "I was so excited by doing something alone with Seaspray that probably I got a little carried away."
"But she didn't act reckless: she even made sure to remain where she couldn't be seen. Besides, the mine was under Star Seeker occupation, so the Cons were busy dealing with them." Seaspray intervened.
"And besides, we managed to recover this." Bonnie said showing one of the pieces.
"And what exactly is that?" Ratchet asked.
"Not only that one, but all of these. According to Misty they are part of a single object which divided." May showed picking all pieces.
"And when Clemont inserted one on a drill, it miraculously fixed as it by magic." Tracey added.
Optimus examined it as he listened them. "I think I know what relic this is."
Optimus picked the five swords and joined them together, making them to merge into just one.
"That's the form it had at the beginning." Misty remembered.
"This is the Cyber Caliber, one of Nexus Prime's swords. On the contrary of the others, this could be split into five separate weapons for its components to wield, or merge into a single blade. It is said the sword was able to repair or disassemble any device." Optimus told.
"From what Clemont reported, we must assume it is true." Blaster said.
"We all agree you have performed well on this unexpected event, but just make sure not to push yourselves like that again without previous knowing."
"Fear nothing Elita, we will." Serena reassured.
"If this relic can repair anything, I may put a good use for it, specially when one of my tools got broken again by some vague or strong-headed butterfingers." Ratchet said picking the relic.
"Don't be so harsh, old friend. You know as well as I to not abuse for important power for these kinds of issues."
"But Optimus, you don't understand my point of view. How will you feel if your precious tools would be broken every time?"
The gang laughed at Ratchet's argument with Optimus about the importance of his tools, except Clemont of course. Meanwhile, elsewhere, a Decepticon assault force, leaded by Shatter and Dropkick, emerged from a ground bridge, ready for a raid. They brought down a big door and entered a huge room. However, there was no one present there, just old machinery tracks of recent activity.
"Well, what do you have?" Someone called through com-link.
"This place is empty, general Starscream. Looks like they were in a hurry for leaving this place." Shatter reported.
"It appears they were aware we were tracking them. If their ship is operational, they must be cloaking their signal in order to avoid detection. As we do." Shockblast deduced.
"You may say that." Dropkick confirmed as he saw through the ceiling's hole the Tidal Wave flying away.
On the Tidal Wave's medical room…
"We just got lucky I decided to check you first, Starquest." Brimstone said with the tracker at hand before crushing it.
"And with all that energon in our hands, we are finally ready to continue our quest." Thundertron proclaimed.
Despite the Star Seekers were no more, the Decepticons continued inspecting the abandoned area. Shatter got curious and went to check the equipment.
"Sir, there's something curious about this place. It looks like some kind of hidden human facility." Shatter reported.
"A secret facility?" Starscream repeated in curiosity as he thought about it. "I need to take a look at it by myself."
Starscream traveled to the location in vehicle form alongside Xiaxus. The two Decepticon leaders transformed and landed through the hole, and once inside they remained speechless once they saw the place.
"Starscream, do you feel something odd about this place?"
"Indeed, Xiaxus. It feels like a…déjà vu."
"Sir? What is this place?" Shatter asked.
"This isn't an ordinary human base. This belongs to Team Alien." Xiaxus said, recognizing the emblem printed on the structure.
"And not just a simple one. I still remember…this is where they recycled our remains and created our new bodies." Starscream said as he remembered a few lost memories.
"This is where we were reborn."
Then Starscream smirked. "The Star Seekers may have evaded us this time, but thanks to them we have discovered a belonging of the humans which once tried to take over our might."
"What are you thinking, sir?" Dropkick asked.
"Team Alien was the most advanced criminal organization with ambitions of ruling their own world, and when Knock Out was performing his experiments on their leader he mentioned she decided to put an end to everything, so it has been a while since Team Alien was out of business. But now we may be able to reclaim everything they left behind, since they tried to do the same with us. I think it is a fair bargain."
"I agree with you, old friend. They probably could have something of use for us." Xiaxus supported.
"We just need to start with this post, which will help us to find every place of theirs."
The Decepticons now have another priority. At that same night, the Cerulean gym was full of spectators because of the Magical Mermaid show. Serena trained with Misty the rest of the day to prepare for the performance. She acted as the mermaid this time, with a suit different from what Misty used to wear, while Ash, acting as the prince, wore the same outfit he wore in the Cameran Palace. Even if was part of the performance, Ash couldn't avoid see Serena as beautiful as ever in her mermaid suit, which matched perfectly in the show. All their friends watched between the audience, including Ash's mother, who was recording everything, and couldn't help to drop tears of happiness when they kissed. Serena saw May was right: that memory was going to be in her heart for her entire life.