16- Missing.
Ash woke up with a weird feeling.
"Urg, my head. I feel dizzy. Mom, I think I'm not feeling well today. Can you please tell Hot Rod and Serena that…"
Then he froze after his vision cleared: he wasn't at home, or in New Iacon where he and his friends spent some nights, he was hanging from some chains in the air. He was in a room from cybertronian environment, but it wasn't anything like the Autobot base.
"Where am I? How did I get here?" Ash questioned himself, until some flashback came to his mind.
According to it, the last what Ash knew it happened was Dialga giving the last blow to the time bridge before escaping. But it seems during the escape, one of the energy currents out of control hit him on the arm and pushed him out of the legendary pokémon, maybe without the others noticing. Fortunately he landed over a pad safely, and that's when he passed out.
"Looks like I fell behind without noticing. At least someone rescued me, but why leaving me like this?"
In that moment he heard the sound of a door opening.
"Who's there? Pikachu, Optimus? Is this a prank of someone? What exactly is this part of the base?"
"None of them." A silhouette answered, which when approached enough to the light revealed to be Knock Out, smirking at him. "Looks like someone has beaten death again. Good morning, Ash."
Meanwhile, at the Autobot base, Ash's absence got everyone surprised, including the whole gang now present there.
"What do you mean Ash's missing?" Serena asked worried.
"Exactly what we mean. He was with us at the moment we escaped the base before the time bridge exploded, and when we were already here he wasn't." Ritchie recalled.
"What could have happened to him to suddenly disappear?" Arcee wondered.
"Because the time bridge instability started to affect the entire place, it is possible that Ash was affected by at least one of the side effects of its destruction." Optimus theorized.
"What kind of side effect? Like when you all ended in the Reverse World by accident?" Warpath reminded.
"Where?" Iris asked.
"Highly improbable. If that would have been the case, our instruments would have detected it." Ratchet answered.
"At least we know he couldn't have been caught by the explosion, because you all made it out just in time. Which means he's alive." Sideswipe pointed.
"Then what exactly happened to him?" Hot Rod asked anxious.
"If only there's a way to know what happened after the explosion." Tracey suggested.
"There is." Blaster announced, making everyone to look at him as he started typing on the terminal. "There may be some cameras still operational on the base or around it which may have recorded what came after the explosion. I just need to find it. Aha, gotcha."
"Blaster, you're the best." Bonnie complemented.
On the main screen Blaster reproduced a sequence of images which caught the moment when Ash was hit with the energy current and fell onto the pad.
"Huf, at least he landed safely." Moon said in relief.
"He's a lucky kid." Wheeljack added.
"Let's bring our friend back home then." Elita declared.
Moments later, a ground bridge opened right in the place the images showed. Bumblebee, Hot Rod, Sideswipe and Blaster emerged from the portal and started inspecting the area. Blaster even deployed his Minibots for a better search.
"This is where Ash supposedly landed." Bumblebee found.
"Then where is he?" Hot Rod asked looking at every direction.
"Think he woke up and took an early walk somewhere?" Sideswipe said.
"No. If that would be the case, Ash would have called us at the moment."
Sundor landed on Blaster's arm. "What is it, Sundor?"
The bird Minibot took his master near the pad, where he found a few big footprints.
"I got a bad feeling about this." He said scanning them.
Moments later, the group returned to base.
"Have you seen him?" Misty asked.
"No trace." Sideswipe simply said opening his hand. "We only found his poke-balls."
"Oh no, where could he be?"
"Calm down, Serena. I'm sure wherever he is, Ash is fine." Dawn tranquilized.
"But what if he is hurt? Or worse, what if he has been captured by the Decepticons?!"
"Let's try to not jump into extreme conclusions."May added.
"Unfortunately, guys, I believe Serena may have a valid point."
"What makes you support that, Blaster?" Ultra Magnus questioned.
"Near where he landed, Sundor found some suspicious footprints. And I know for the size and form that it can't belong to a human or pokémon. A scan revealed an energon signal not registered in our ranks, and the familiar scent of paint car."
"There's only one guy not from our group which I will recognize by those facts." Sideswipe started.
"Knock Out." Optimus said alarmed.
At hearing that everyone started to fear the worst. Hot Rod started to clench his fist in fury before pinning Smokescreen against the wall.
"You were the one who was closer to them! You should have been the one to take them out!"
"Hot Rod!" Elita shouted in disbelief.
"Soldier, retain your impulses." Magnus demanded.
"Smokescreen hasn't done nothing bad! Leave him in peace!" Moonracer defended.
"What are you doing?!" Sideswipe asked in disbelief.
"Easy partner! I know you are worried about our friend, but this is not going to take us anywhere!" Arcee said, trying to reason with her partner.
"She's right! Besides, if you want to blame someone, blame us!"
"Iris. What do you mean?" Smokescreen asked.
"We decided together to escape on Dialga. Ash only supported the group's decision." Clemont explained.
"Maybe you're right: if we had gone with Smokescreen instead, Ash would be here with us now." Ritchie added.
Hot Rod didn't reproach anything, because no matter how angry he felt he would never blame the humans about anything. At last he tranquilized and released Smokescreen.
"I'm...I'm sorry."
"No Smokey, forgive me. I shouldn't have reacted like that." Hot Rod apologized.
Optimus put a hand on his shoulder. "We cannot imagine what you you're going through right now."
"Remember when Galvatron hurt Max? I also felt helpless and thought I failed." Bumblebee supported.
"I'm supposed to be his guardian. I should have been more alert, I should have been watching over them instead of fighting Xiaxus." Hot Rod regretted.
"I know you believe this is your burden, but don't forget you are not the only one concerned for Ash. We all care for our precious friend, so we all must do everything in our power to find him and take him back home. Whatever it takes." Optimus reassured him.
"And we will help in anything we can." Tracey offered.
"Are you alright, Serena?" Max asked.
"I'm surprised you haven't blame like Hot Rod." Clemont noticed.
"Because it is no one's fault. I know it has been an accident, but still I fear what could have been happening to Ash right now." Serena expressed.
"I think it will best to not share these news with his mother, in order to not trouble her." Arcee suggested.
"No. Delia is his mother, and she will start worry either way if she doesn't know from him in a while. And I'll feel bad lying to her, so I think for the time being I will keep her company."
"Pika pi." Pikachu nodded standing beside her.
"We will keep you updated regarding our progress. As for everyone else, let's split up to cover more ground." Optimus declared.
"But Optimus, if the Decepticons have him, they surely will have taken him onboard their warship. The only place out of our reach on this planet." Ratchet reminded.
"Then we will start looking for a way to locate them. By what they were researching recently."
"The former criminal organizations' whereabouts. We may find them scavenging around, which we could use to reach the Nemesis." Blaster deduced.
"We should ask the pokémon rangers' support as well, in case they possess a clue." Elita proposed.
Meanwhile, back at the Nemesis, Ash took chance that Knock Out left to try to release himself from the chains, but it was useless: he was completely tied. Then in that moment, he heard the door opening again, this time accompanied by a familiar sinister laugh.
"Well well, I never expected to have the pleasure of receiving a visitor on our ship. Until now. Ash Ketchum, this is the first time we face so close." Starscream said.
"How do you know my entire name?"
"Oh, fear nothing, it's not like we figured out exactly where you live."
Ash sighed mentally, it appears Starscream thought Pallet Town was just a meeting place, not his home. He wasn't really that smart.
"It appears you caught Misbelwy's interest as soon as you got yourself involved in her business." Starscream revealed. "Not exactly what I expected to recover from her personal terminal, but highly unexpected."
"What do you want?"
Another individual chuckled, Xiaxus. "Right to the point. I like that, kid. Of course you shall already have an idea of what we want: we are sure you know the location of what the Autobots are using now as base of operations."
Ash laughed. "Very expected. You guys still think you can win, but it seems you didn't learn from the past."
"What do you mean?" Starscream asked.
"Even when you thought you were done with them, Team Prime managed to rise again and turn the tides against you. So don't bother. Anyway, even if this time you knew where we are now you would not succeed: the Autobots are now at your same level."
"You talk like if you would like to show us how the new Autobot base looks like." Xiaxus interpreted.
"No way, that's the only thing you will get from me. I will never tell you where my friends reside now."
"You better reconsider your words kid, because don't think because you are a child we will go soft on you. We Decepticons don't care for those facts." Starscream menaced as he pulled out the same item he used on Jack time ago. "So better be a good kid and cooperate with us and we will save all that suffering and pain to your family."
"I will never talk."
"Never say never."
Starscream managed to inflict a direct stun on Ash, but he resisted the best he could, enduring the pain.
"Is that all? I have received strongest electric attacks from Pikachu." Ash mocked.
That irritated Starscream. "You asked for it!"
Ash got ready for another blow closing his eyes, but this time the item didn't reach him. Instead it made contact with a blue energy shield which covered Ash completely. Ash was also amazed once he saw it, while the Decepticons were shocked.
"Whoa, I did it again?" Ash asked surprised as well.
"What...just...happened?" Starscream asked still in disbelief.
"How is it possible?" Xiaxus followed.
"Are you still wanna force me to betray my family?" Ash challenged with a confident smile.
"Rargh! Don't think this is over, kiddo! We haven't survived eons of warfare just to been ridiculed by a single human." Starscream swore before he and Xiaxus left the room.
"Uff, I managed to buy some time, but I don't know if it will be enough for the others to locate me. I just hope they are not too much troubled for me." Ash said mentally.
But he was wrong: the members of Team Prime were working their tires off on order to find a clue of his whereabouts, scouting through suspecting places, even from the air like Wheeljack or Ultra Magnus with their ships, registering the abandoned outposts used by all organizations, including Team Rocket, in which the gang's members were very useful: while some ones like Clemont assisted on the base, others accompanied the Autobots on inspecting the detected places, thanks in part of their former experiences. The pokémon rangers shared their info about their own encounters with criminal groups and even consulted the global police or other contacts for any clues. Meanwhile, Serena was on Pallet Town, on Ash's house, as she said. Although she said she went to make company to Ash's mother, Delia didn't look as worried as she was. She even noticed her dropping tears of sadness, so she placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Serena, I know how you feel, I'm also worried about my son." She said sitting next to her on a chair on the garden. "When Ash left for the first time to embark on his pokémon journey, it was hard for me to say him goodbye. Not knowing where he could be, what he could be doing, or what kind of dangers he might face. But when I reunited with him sometimes, in a time when he came to rescue me, or the many times I saw him on TV battling in a league, I realized how much he changed. He is no longer the little boy I used to chase around the house for bath time, or the one who needed me to tell him a story before going to sleep, or the one who used to tell me he dreamed of becoming a pokémon master. He has grown into a young, brave and strong boy, one who I am very proud to be his mother. What I'm trying to say is that even if you are worried for his safety, you must remember he's not an ordinary boy: he knows how to handle himself and he has passed through worse things."
"Pikachu." Pikachu saw jumping on her legs.
"See? Even Pikachu's telling you. He's confident on Ash's capabilities, and has faith he will be able to get back to us."
Not only Pikachu, but all Ash's pokémon gathered around Delia and Serena and supported her the same way. That made her clean her tears and smile.
"Thanks Delia, thanks Pikachu. Thank you all, I really needed that." She appreciated before placing her head on Delia's legs while she stroke her head.
Back to the Nemesis, the Decepticons were discussing the recent events.
"Hold your tires, commander." Knock Out said, until Starscream looked at him with annoyance. Knock Out got nervous once he knew why his reaction. "Oh, pardon me, general. Are you assuring that the prisoner, a human being, projected a defensive energy shield by himself which deflected the stunner? Sounds highly illogical, as Shockblast would say."
"I was with him there and witnessed it. How a simple human is capable of such supernatural ability?" Xiaxus questioned.
"There may be more about the human nature which lies beyond our knowledge. It could be the result of a prolonged exposure to a strange energy. Like the one which emanated from the time bridge before it was destroyed." Shockblast theorized.
"Or maybe…" Knock Out started to deduce something. "I just remembered Galvatron once mentioned that boy was the one who departed for Cybertron once to reload the Matrix of Leadership on Vector Sigma. Maybe when he did, that supernatural essence affected him somehow and gave him those powers."
"Don't talk nonsense. There is no way a cybertronian energy source, mystical or ordinary, could affect an organic being like that." Starscream argued.
"Analyzing that point of view, the most probable explanation may be a mutation. A drastic change on his genetic code." Shockblast deduced.
"Whatever cause it is, what matters now is how are we going to interrogate him. With that ability he will resist any technique of physical harm we will inflict him." Xiaxus repeated.
Starscream thought until he smirked. "We may not be able to break him physically, but he cannot protect his mind. Shockblast, how you see viable to perform on him a mind probing?"
"You are referring to...a psychic patch?"
"A what?" Nightbird asked.
"No idea, I still don't know every thing of the Decepticons." Host admitted.
"I think they mean a procedure in which they will be able to enter his mind." Roadkill explained simply.
"And that way see what he hides inside. All his secrets at our reach." Stinger understood smirking.
"Starscream, I see your point. However, I'm afraid the use of that procedure will be...ineffective." Shockblast disclaimed.
"How so?"
"The cortical psychic patch was designed to allow a deepest interaction with the cybertronian neural net. Not an interspecies contact instrument."
"Translation: it only works for cybertronians." Knock Out explained.
"Oh, yeah. It makes sense." Host said.
"If the process is assayed on a human, it is possible that the human mind may not be compatible with the cybertronian and could lead to unpredictable consequences. Including his mind's destruction."
"Hmm, but you created it in the first place, so it could exist the possibility that you can modify it in order to make it compatible with non-cybertronian life forms?" Starscream proposed.
Shockblast gave it a thought. "I find your suggestion to be...logical. In order to make it available, I will need to learn how the human brain behaves."
"I have the perfect place for that. According to this health magazine, this place is dedicated to the study of the human brain. Perfect place for acquiring useful data." Knock Out showed on a terminal, but everyone looked him with weird faces. "What? I like to spend some of my time learning new things. Anyway, today's supposed to be locked, so there shouldn't be anyone around."
"It's worthy trying it. If Starscream is right and Shockblast can make it work, we could learn everything we need to dispose off our enemies once and for all, as offset for the lost of the time bridge. Let's get to work." Xiaxus decided.
"Ser-Ket, take your Predacons to these coordinates and retrieve any data from the building located on it." Starscream commanded through com-link.
The three Predacons transformed, took off from the upper hangar and took flew to their target. At the same time, Shockblast was now using a tool to scan Ash's head from every angle, making a map of its inner structure on his wrist terminal. But time later, as the ship changed course, there was something else approaching it from the air. Someone who managed to land undetected on the deck: Predaking. Instead of breaking the door, he changed to robot form and opened it silently, remembering everything he learned when he used to be with the Decepticons. He sneaked through the halls of the ship evading the Decepticons which appeared in his way. Sometimes he was forced to hide in some of the rooms, but he made sure there was no one there to bust him. He was passing near the lab when he heard a recognizable voice.
"So, any progress?" Starscream asked impatiently.
"The scan as showed me a complete visualization of the inside of the human's head. And with the data recovered from that research facility I'm sure it will be enough for me to start developing the right modifications for the patch to work." Shockblast answered.
"Perfect. Very soon all the boy's secrets will be within our grasp, and the Autobots will follow him next." Starscream said as he was leaving. "Oh, and Shockblast, it doesn't bother me if his mind breaks in the process. That would be his price for all the damage he and his friends has cost us."
Predaking was confused: the Decepticons have a prisoner, a human, and also a boy? And what was Starscream referring to break his mind? He simply came looking for energon, but now he was curious about this. So he decided to look around where the prisoners were supposed to be locked. Once he found them, he saw there was only a door guarded by two Decepticon guardians in sentry mode. He suspected it will not end well if he was detected by those scanners from their only eye, so he acted smart and instead of charging at them he changed his hand for his blaster, aimed the best he could as he charged it and fired at the closest one right in the head, taking it down. The other, noticing his comrade's demise, changed to his combat form, pulling out powerful double plasma cannons ready to fire. This time Predaking charged at him, smashing him against the door before hitting him on the chest strongly until his armor started to crack, taking the chance to remove it brutally. Ash even heard the screams of pain from the Decepticon, and wondered what was happening out there. Then, the door opened, leaving enter some of the remains of the Decepticon guardian, now broken in pieces. He heard loud footsteps entering and approaching. Because of the little light in the room he didn't saw who was until it was close enough.
"Huh? Who are you?" Ash asked, not recognizing that cybertronian.
"Wait, I remember you: you were one of those humans who approached me without fear in that meadow." Predaking recognized.
"Meadow?"
"Yes, the one inhabited by those creatures which welcomed me when I was still hurt." Predaking explained, showing his wound.
"With creatures you mean pokémon?" Ash recalled and finally remembered. "Hey, I think I know: you're meaning the swamp where Goodra lives. But who are you?"
"My name is Predaking."
"Predaking? Wait, Optimus said one Predacon was able to transform before Galvatron's fall. Is that you?" Ash asked, making Predaking nod. "Whoa, then Iris was right about you."
"Iris?"
"The girl of purple long hair who likes dragon type pokémon."
"You mean...the one who stood first to assist me when I was wounded?" Predaking reminded, earning a nod from Ash. "Hum, that girl was peculiar. She even seemed not scared from me."
"She has a special touch when it comes to dragon pokémon. That's why she thought you were just a misunderstood creature. Besides, all those pokémon seemed to be fine with your company."
"Yes, they were pretty hospitable with me. I just though they would be scared or intimidated by my mere presence, just like the Decepticons. But they seemed to understand what I was going through, and offered me shelter without even question. I even started to wonder if it was possible that both the beings of my world and yours would be able to live peacefully together."
"That's why the Autobots protect our world, because they also believe that. And it's a reality. We proved been able to coexist with pokémon since a long time, so why not with them?"
"If that's the truth, then why Galvatron didn't think about that?"
"Because the Decepticons doesn't care of that, they just want to conquer and crush anyone in their way who tries to oppose them. Pitifully something we humans also share with them."
"Is that why you are been hold prisoner here?"
"They caught me after suffering an accident, and they want me to reveal the location of our base so they can simply go and finish with us so no one can protect our world from them. Even if that means making me harm."
At the mere thought of the Cons not wanting to life in peace like he discovered made Predaking despite them even more. So, he made his choice.
"You and your friends offered me help when I was alone. Now it's my time to return the favor." Predaking told Ash.
"Really?"
"I don't know if this is for real, but once I heard someone say that a real king looks for what he can give instead of what he can take."
With that said, Predaking raised his claws and cut one of the chains restraining Ash, as he opened his other hand to allow him a place to set foot before releasing him completely.
"Do you know where your base is located?" Predaking asked.
"If I wouldn't, the Decepticon wouldn't have kidnapped me. We need to get out of here first, and then I will see about that. But if the Cons realize I'm free they will do anything to prevent us from leaving the ship." Ash recalled.
Predaking looked at the plasma cannons of the former Decepticon guardian and took them. "Let them try."
And both of them headed out of the prison block. Ash was between Predaking's retracted wings to watch his back.
"You know the way out of here?" Ash asked.
"I used to walk around these walls when I served Galvatron. I think I still have an idea of where we're going." Predaking reassured him, until when another opened showed some heavy soldiers in the next hall. "Oh great."
"Scrap."
"Hey, who's that?" One of the Decepticons asked confused.
"No idea. I haven't seen him around the warship." Other answered.
Predaking took advantage of their confusion to shot down a few with the plasma cannons before charging against the last two, stomping them hard.
"Do you want to know how am I? I...am...Predaking!"
Meanwhile, Starscream and Xiaxus returned to the cell's entrance, not aware of what happened.
"Ash, we got a little surprise for you! You are going to have the honor of being the first organic life form in history to… What?" Starscream was announcing, until he saw the room completely empty, except for the remains of the Decepticon guardians which probably Predaking hid in order to hide clues of his undoing. "Ash? Where are you?!"
Then some sounds of firing were heard.
"You heard that?" Xiaxus noticed.
The two leaders exited the room and took a look around, until they saw where Predaking was finishing off the last Cons he found.
Starscream's eyes opened all possible when he and Predaking exchanged looks. "YOU!"
Predaking answered by throwing him the body of the closest Decepticon at him before running away.
"All stations, alert: we have an intruder, it's Predaking, the rogue Predacon! Shoot to kill, but be sure to recapture the human alive!" Starscream alerted pushing the body off him.
Immediately, the alarm sounded all around the Nemesis, alarming Predaking and Ash as well, sign that their escape may have turned more hard. And they were right: right in front of them stood a trio of Decepticon leapers with claws ready and boosting the engines of their backs to charge. Predaking roared in response as he continued charging as well, thing they imitated. At being bigger and stronger, Predaking managed to continue advancing even when they attempted to slow him down. They even tried to harm him, but their claws didn't cause nothing serious because on his armor, so Predaking disposed of them without issue, except when the last one noticed the wound and stroke right at it, causing Predaking to groan in pain. Of course, the leaper ended worse since his head was crushed by the Predacon's fist. They spotted the exit to the upper deck, but a whole squad of Vehicons blocked their way. Predaking used the plasma cannons to destroy them without much effort. They finally reached outside, and once they took a look to the border they saw they were flying above the ocean.
"I feared we were in space. I guess we can consider ourselves lucky." Ash commented.
Their break time ended when they heard an explosion behind them: a couple of Vehicon heavy soldiers came out to the deck firing their weapons. Predaking fired back with his blaster, until the incoming number of enemies were so much that he was forced to continue using the plasma cannons.
"I'll try to hold them off. You better call your friends now if you can." Predaking advised.
Ash started to use his Pokétch. "Hello? Guys, can you hear me?"
In the Autobot base, Hot Rod just returned from his search.
"Nothing, and is the third emplacement I search." Hot Rod cursed.
"Don't give up too soon, partner. We still haven't tried with Team Alien locations." Arcee encouraged.
"Their hidden locations makes them already hard to find." Ratchet pointed.
"What? What is this?"
"Blaster, what's wrong?"
"I'm picking something in an open channel, but it's too choppy to know exactly what it is."
"Pass it through speakers."
Blaster did it: the speakers replayed a transmission with static.
"Hello? Can...can anyone...me? Hot…, are you guys there?! Can you hear me! Seren…, Hot Rod, Optimus...one hear me?!"
"That voice, it's Ash!" Tracey recognized.
"He's fine." Arcee added smiling.
"The transmission's continuous interference's nature only can mean one thing: Ash must be onboard the Nemesis." Blaster analyzed.
"Then he's in danger!" Hot Rod deduced.
"We must get everyone back here!" Clemont decided.
"Attention all members of Team Prime, Ash has shown signs of life. All Autobots who heard this message, return back to New Iacon immediately. I repeat, we have found Ash!" Fixit transmitted.
While this happened, back in Pallet Town, Serena was assisting Delia with the vegetables of her garden when they heard the familiar sound of a ground bridge opening. Arcee stood above them with a serious face.
"You have something?" Serena asked eager to know.
"We may think we have located where Ash is." Her Autobot guardian answered.
Serena looked at Delia, who nodded at her.
"Mime, keep with the chores. We will be back soon!" Delia simply said as they followed Arcee into the portal.
"Mime?" Mr. Mime asked in confusion.
Back to the Nemesis, Predaking continued keeping the Decepticons at bay, but they were too many, even for him. But the worst came when Starscream appeared in middle of the crowd, aimed one of his missiles, and...
"Predaking, look out!" Ash warned.
But too late: Starscream already fired the missile, and Predaking didn't have enough time to react, receiving hit in the worst place: his wound. Now it looked even bigger, dropping energon from it. The pain Predaking felt was so huge that he seemed like he was going to lose his balance. At the end he fell of the edge of the deck, right at the ocean.
"No! Predaking, resist!" Ash said before jumping right behind him.
The Decepticons approached the edge to see as well.
"He's crazy! Who jumps out of a ship like that?!" Knock Out asked in disbelief.
Ash tried to reach Predaking speeding up his fall, until he reached next his face.
"Predaking, wake up! Don't go now! Come on Predaking, don't give up to very end! Show me Iris was right about you!"
Those words calling him was what made Predaking regain consciousness. Once seeing Ash, Predaking changed to his dragon form, extended his wings and started to flight. It was in that moment when the other Predacons were returning. They saw from the distance Predaking putting distance between the Nemesis and them.
"Guys look, one of us!"
"Indeed Darksteel, most likely our predecessor." Ser-Ket deduced.
Meanwhile, at the Autobot base, all the members of the team, humans and Autobots were back.
"You have found Ash?" Delia asked hopefully.
"I'm trying to figure it out." Blaster said typing on the terminal.
"I got something." Fixit called from his own. "It's the location signal of one of your devices."
"And since we are all already here, it can be only one." Ritchie started.
"It's Ash! He's fine!" Serena expressed in relief.
"Blaster, we need confirmation, open an emergency bridge. Clemont, deploy a surveillance drone." Optimus instructed.
While Blaster opened an alternative smaller portal, Clemont used a controller to move a big drone which passed through it. Next, an image appeared on the main screen: it was the camera the drone carried which they were using to see what was at the other side.
"There's nothing there, just the ocean." Bonnie complained.
"Where exactly you opened the bridge?" Clemont asked.
"20 meters in front of the signal. It should be right behind it and a little below." Blaster saw.
Clemont adjusted the camera and when he did the image showed Ash riding on Predaking.
"It him, it's Ash." Max celebrated.
"Yeah, he's fine!" Dawn added.
"That's my boy." Delia said relieved.
"Pika pika!" Pikachu shouted happy.
"Piplup piplup!" Piplup said joining him.
"And… he's riding Predaking?!" Iris asked in disbelief.
"What's he doing there?" Warpath wondered.
"He's riding him?! No fair, I wanted to do that first! I'm so jealous!"
"Oh Iris, don't be a kid!" May teased.
"I'm not."
"But why is he doing that?" Sideswipe repeated.
"I'm not sure if that's the case, but maybe Predaking's the one who got Ash out." Bumblebee deduced.
"Well, it seems they're still in a lot of trouble." Wheeljack paused when the drone showed the Nemesis going after them. "Because the whole Con army seems to want to play catch with them."
"Then we need to help them right now."
"Hot Rod, where are you going?" Moonracer asked, seeing him going to an emergency leader.
"This is an emergency without doubt, so I'm activating the Omega protocol."
"The Omega protocol?" Misty asked.
"He means waking up the big guy." Smokescreen translated.
"I agree with Hot Rod. Ratchet, initiate Omega Supreme's launching procedure. Ultra Magnus, Wheeljack, air support. Elita, go with him. Blaster, open me a ground bridge." Optimus commanded.
"Wait, I'm coming too." Serena volunteered.
"And so I am. Ash needs us." Delia added.
"Pikachu." Pikachu added determined.
Elita didn't argued with them, simply nodded and allowed them to climb up to her shoulders before she descended. Ratchet and Blaster went to Omega Supreme's launching bay and pressed the corresponding buttons to start the sequence. While Omega Supreme took off, Hot Rod, alongside Pikachu, Serena, Delia and Elita One, jump into a lower hangar the giant Autobot had.
"Hang in there Ash, we're coming." Hot Rod said.
Speaking about them, Ash and Predaking were in a big trouble: the Nemesis was right behind them firing all its arsenal trying to shot them down. Starscream seemed to be enjoying it from the bridge.
"Not to question your intentions, generals, but could we aim the weapons a little better?"
"What's the point of taking them down so easily, Knock Out?" Starscream argued back.
"He's right: they have nowhere to go, they are weakened and no one is coming to help them. So we are savoring the moment." Xiaxus explained.
"That's the best part of this life." Roadkill supported.
"I think we can make it more interesting. Suppression fire only, we want to keep them right where they are. Air squadrons, attack. Bring back the kid and make that beast's suffering a little longer."
Some flying Vehicons changed form and flew ahead of the Nemesis at Predaking.
Fortunately, Ash saw them coming. "Predaking, we got company."
Despite him being hurt, Predaking was not going down without a fight. As he continued flying backwards, he launched fire balls at the Decepticons, taking them down one by one. Their lasers weren't strong enough to cause him serious damage, and when one of them fired some missiles he used his fire at flamethrower mode to dispose of them all. In a few minutes the entire squadron was gone.
"You did it, pal." Ash congratulated, but his happiness vanished when he heard a familiar shriek. "Oh please, give us a break."
Now they were been chased by Insecticons. Predaking attempted the same strategy, but these ones moved differently and dodged the fire shots, but Predaking was too weak and hurt to do the same with their shots. The situation looked pretty bad for them, specially when the Insecticons started to tackle him besides firing him, Predaking could end up falling into the ocean. But then, coming out of nowhere, big laser shots started to eliminate some of the Insecticons. Ash saw who their saver was: Optimus flew above them with his jet-pack firing his cannons.
"Fear nothing Ash, we got you covered." Optimus reassured him.
"We?"
Suddenly more bugs were shot down by rapid fire coming from the Jackhammer.
"Didn't you think we were going to let you have all the fun?" Wheeljack joked.
And that wasn't all: Ultra Magnus was coming on his ship, which launched some big missile which divided into lot of smaller ones which hit one Insecticon.
"Ha, I knew it was going to be a great addition." Wheeljack celebrated.
Other modification on Magnus's ship was a rotatory turret which Seaspray was handling.
"Get ready to get aboard." Optimus instructed.
"But the Cons will take us down at the moment!" Ash reminded.
"He's already on it."
In the Nemesis's bridge the Decepticons saw the whole scene.
"How did they manage to find him so quickly?" Xiaxus asked.
"Rargh! Take those cursed Autobots out of the sky!"
"General Starscream, we are picking up something approaching at us. And it is big." One of the pilots reported.
Knock Out tried to zoom his optics the best he could when he noticed a little point from the distance, and gasped in shock once he knew what it was. "We need to get out of here, or we will be the ones out of the sky!"
The reason why Knock Out reacted like that was because the thing approaching was Omega Supreme in vehicle mode. He boosted his engines at full power, with intention to charge against the Decepticon warship.
"Why isn't that thing preparing for attack us?" Shatter wondered.
"Because he's going to bang us with all his weight!" Knock Out deduced.
"All power to the shields!" Starscream commanded.
"But sir, we haven't tested the new energy shields yet." One of the pilots objected.
Xiaxus placed his scythe at his neck as a warning. "Do it. Now!"
The pilots started to redirect some of the ship's energy to one of its subsystems. As Knock Out expected, Omega Supreme hit the warship so hard that it sent it down to the sea. It ended floating in the water, but of course the hit was strong enough that it affected some of the engines.
"Damage report!" Xiaxus requested.
"A few engines have been affected, but the rest of the ship is intact." One pilot reported.
"Guess the shields work pretty well." Roadkill opined.
"Good for us." Stinger added.
"Now we can continue after them." Host suggested.
"With Omega Supreme out there ready to bomber us with all his arsenal?! You want us all killed?!" Knock Out shouted.
"Besides, without the pull power of the engines we barely have enough to make the ship take off. We will have to repair them first." Shockblast added.
While the Decepticons were busy enough, Omega Supreme approached Predaking and positioned himself above him. A door on his lower part opened and revealed a small hangar with some known ones waving them.
"Ash!" Hot Rod saluted.
"Right here!"
"Serena, guys! And mom too?" Ash recognized.
But before he could say anything he sensed that Predaking was starting to decay: it seems it was getting harder for him to remain in the air, feeling weaker.
"Predaking, what's wrong? Guys, I think something's wrong with Predaking!" Ash communicated.
For a moment it felt like if he was going to collapse and fell. But before it happened, Optimus put himself under him, he seemed like if he was giving him a boost.
"I gotcha!" He told the Predacon, surprised for see him doing that.
But because Optimus was no longer protecting them, some Insecticons resumed fire.
"They need help! Hot Rod, let's take them down first!" Elita commanded before they started firing at them.
"Pikachu, assist them. Use Thunderbolt!" Serena suggested.
Pikachu didn't hesitate for a moment and started attacking the Insecticons.
"Omega Supreme, give us some support. Cover them while they approach you." Elita instructed.
"Command approved." The huge Autobot obeyed.
A few turrets of Omega Supreme aimed and fired at the Insecticons, which firepower was too much for them to handle. Finally, Optimus managed to give Predaking a last impulse and they got into the hangar before it closed.
"Ash!" Serena shouted as she hugged him with all her force, so Ash returned her the hug. "I'm so glad you're fine! I was so worried about you!"
"We all have been worried about you." Delia said, now been her the one hugging her son.
"I know. I'm sorry for troubling you all."
"Pika pi! Pikachu!" Pikachu said jumping on his back and cuddling his head.
"Hahaha, and you too, buddy."
"Ash, forgive me. I was supposed to be the one aware of your absence, the one in charge of your safety. I failed."
Ash touched the hand of Hot Rod. "Hot, it wasn't your fault. It was an accident, it happens to everyone. What matters is how we face them in order to fix them."
"That's a very wise lesson, Ash." Optimus congratulated.
"Thanks pal. I really needed to hear that." Hot Rod appreciated.
"We're glad you are back." Elita added.
But what broke that charming moment was Predaking collapsing: he lied on the floor, like a sick pokémon with a puddle of energon around him.
"This doesn't look good." Ash looked it worried.
"Omega, take us back to New Iacon as fast as you can." Optimus ordered.
"Acknowledged."
Omega Supreme, accompanied by the Jackhammer and Ultra Magnus' ship, left the Nemesis in peace and turned back where they came from. Starscream could only saw mad how their best chance to learn the location of where their enemies were escaped from their hands.
"Ratchet, get the medical chamber ready. We have an emergency." Optimus informed.
"What?" Max asked.
"Why?" Dawn added.
"Did something happen?" Tracey wondered.
"Oh, I hope Ash is okay." Bonnie hoped.
After Omega Supreme returned to his station, Optimus, Elita and Hot Rod did their best to carry Predaking to the base's lab. Everyone, including Wheeljack and Ultra Magnus after landing their ships back in the hangar, saw them coming with the Predacon.
Iris gasped in horror. "What happened to Predaking?"
"He's badly hurt, he needs help urgently!" Ash answered.
"Quickly, the chamber is ready." Ratchet hurried.
The biggest and strongest Autobots helped getting Predaking in the medical chamber, which Ratchet started to handle from a terminal. Once in, he started to make a scan of the patient.
"He has suffered extreme damage in one specific area, near vital systems." The Autobot medic reported.
"That's where he was hurt the first time I fixed him, but now the injure is bigger." Clemont remembered.
"And deeper. It seems the patch you put him managed to contain the flow of energon, but it wasn't enough to ensure a complete recovery."
"You can heal him, right?" Iris asked.
"Is my first time treating a Predacon. I almost know nothing of it's biology...but I will try my best."
"Then let me help you. I managed to fix him before." Clemont offered.
"You will need also an assistant." Fixit added.
"I will stay with him to make sure he's calm." Iris volunteered.
And so everyone got to work: after connecting Predaking's wound to a cable which inserted him constant energon, Ratchet was analyzing Predaking's physiology to figure out how to proceed with the treatment while Fixit and Clemont started to fix the edges of the wound. Iris remained next his head in case he would need someone to tranquilize him or for when he will feel pain. A monitor showed his vitals, and weren't looking good, so they had too much against the clock. Despite being happy for Ash for been back, everyone' s attention was focused on Predaking's status. The procedure was taking longer than expected, and the tension was in the air. Some of the Autobots decided to distract themselves focusing on alternative duties, but a few remained there, alongside the humans. In one moment they seemed to hear Predaking's roar: it was because was Ratchet did to fix the inner part of the wound seemed to hurt him a lot, but Iris stroke his head to calm him. After a long waiting, they finally showed out of the lab.
"How it went?" Ash asked.
"Is he okay?" Serena added.
Ratchet answered with a smile. "He's stable."
"But now he needs to rest, so we better not make any noise." Iris advised.
Everyone sighed in relief, specially Ash. He was glad the one who risked his life to bring him back home was out of danger. Now he only had to wait so he could thank him.
"Hot Rod, may I have a word with you?"
"Of course, Optimus. Is...is because of my acting from before?"
"No, your reaction was normal. But I observed you closely, from when you assisted me against Xiaxus and your quick choose on calling for Omega Supreme's help for helping your friend. You made all those choices guided by your spark. And so…"
"Wait, are you saying...that the matrix…" Hot Rod started, earning a nod from his leader. "Whoa, I...I didn't expect this. Are you sure it isn't a mistake?"
"The matrix never makes a mistake: it sees through all our sparks and hearts, like it did with Ash. Another proof of how much you two look alike."
"But...I already thought Bumblebee was the one suitable for being leader."
"Despite the privilege of wielding the matrix, it has become clear for me that leadership can be earned with or without it. And both you and him have probed it. I already told Smokescreen the matrix sensed one of us worthy of it. So, Hot Rod, are you ready for a special training?"
Hot Rod still remained speechless while his eyes looked confused for this revelation. He simply looked at his leader determined.